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All posts by LKY - 146. page

Huanqiu Opinion: US Fears Losing Dominant Power in the World

Huanqiu carried an opinion piece on how the U.S. has recently launched a number of joint military exercises, including the Cobra Gold Military Exercises (Thailand), Cope North 2012 (the U.S., Japan, and Australia) and Key Resolve-Foal Eagle (South Korea), with Asian Pacific countries. The article wondered what the U.S. is afraid of as it launches one large scale military exercise after another. It stated that what the U.S. really fears is losing its dominant power in the world and that, therefore, U.S. strategy revolves around how it can secure absolute world dominance.

The article also warned that a fleet, missiles, or aircraft carriers do not mean much in the 21st Century. What matters to safety is social and economic development and close cooperation between different nations. The article said, “If the U.S. does not put down its ‘fear,’ it could create more enemies. It will eventually bury itself in its imaginary “threat” and be unable to dig itself out.” 

Source: Huanqiu, March, 2012
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/roll/2012-03/2506854.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

China’s Top Leaders Addressed the Need to Maintain Stability in Ethnic Minority Regions

On March 9, during the two Conferences [the National People’s Congress and the People’s Political Consultative Conference], selected provinces and ethnic groups held panel discussions. China’s top leaders joined the discussions and stressed the importance of promoting growth while maintaining stability and ethnic harmony.

During the panel discussion with the Tibetan group, President Hu insisted that Tibet “must follow the directives that the central administration has given, walk the path of Chinese characteristics with Tibetan uniqueness, and effectively carry out the work that will safeguard development and stability in Tibet.” When Premier Wen Jiabao attended the discussion with Guangxi Province, he stated that harmony between ethnic groups is a key component of social harmony. In meeting with representatives from Xinjiang, vice President Xi Jianping noted that it is important to safeguard unity among ethnic groups, firmly resist division, and ensure stability.

Source: People’s Daily, March 9, 2012
http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64093/64094/17344951.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China Ended Two Years of Negative Real Interest Rates

According to the statistics published by the National Statistics Bureau, February’s CPI growth was 3.2 percent compared with the same period last year, the lowest since July 2010. The February CPI was below the one year savings interest rate of 3.5 percent thus ending the two year long period of “negative real interest rates” where the CPI has been higher than the interest rate.

Among commodities, food is still the key factor that drives up CPI growth. For example, pork, fresh vegetables, and cooked vegetable’s prices have increased 18.2%, 12.3% and 6.1% respectively over the same period last year.

Source: Chinese Economy, March 10, 2012
http://www.ce.cn/xwzx/gnsz/gdxw/201203/10/t20120310_23144612.shtml

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xinhua: “Doing Our Own Things Well” Is the Key

Xinhua published a commentary article on March 3, the first day of “Liang Hui,” the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The article stated that, regardless of the changes in the international climate, China’s focus is to "do our own things well" by staying focused on the scientific development path and actively executing the 12th five year plan.

According to the article, in order to achieve the goal, China must be firm in following the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership and the socialist path with Chinese characteristics; properly handle those social conflicts that arise from the open door reforms in order to maintain social stability; and stick to the overall strategy of “advance while ensuring stability” laid out by the central administration.

Source: Xinhua, March 3, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012lh/2012-03/03/c_122786693_2.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Party Organization Department: Follow the Party’s Rules; Resist Attacks from Wrong Ideology

In order to prepare for the upcoming selection of Party officials during the Party’s 18th Congress later this year, the Organization Department held a video conference on March 2, 2012. Departments of Organization from all levels participated.

The conference called for the Organization Departments at all levels to take the lead in launching campaigns that will further emphasize the importance of the Party spirit and the strengthening of Party members’ moral character. The goal is to “improve the public trust in the candidates and to develop an excellent atmosphere ahead of time.”

Li Yuanchao, the head of the Organization Department, spoke at the conference. Li stressed that the most important element of the party spirit is to be "firm on (China’s) political stance." It includes strictly following the Party’s political rules and regulations and resisting attacks from other wrong ideology. Li also requested the leaders of the Organization Department at different levels to visit the local work units, meet with Party leaders, establish communication channels, and assist Party leaders or the general public with any practical issues.

Source: Xinhua, March 3, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-03/03/c_122784703.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China Launched the Nationwide Learn from Comrade Lei Feng Ideology Campaign

On March 2, the Central Guidance Commission for Building the Spiritual Civilization of the Chinese Communist Party held a forum in Beijing called “Learn from Comrade Lei Feng.” Li Changchun, the head of the Commission, spoke at the forum and stated that the campaign is an important subject that was raised at the Party’s Sixth Plenary Session of the CCP 17th Central Committee. The goal is to “open up a brand new Chinese socialist development era.”

According to Wikipedia, Lei Feng was a PLA soldier. After his death in 1962 at the age of 22, "Lei was characterized as a selfless and modest person who was devoted to the Communist Party, Chairman Mao Zedong, and the people of China." In the posthumous "Learn from Comrade Lei Feng" campaign, initiated by Mao in 1963, Lei became the symbol of nationwide propaganda; the youth of the country were encouraged to follow his example.

Source:
Xinhua, March 2, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-03/02/c_111596740.htm
WikiPedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

It is too Early to Speak Unfavorably of the U.S. Decline

Xinhua carried an article, originally from Jiefang Daily, which was written by Liu Baolai, the former Chinese Ambassador to the Middle East and Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The title was, “It Is Too Early to Speak Unfavorably of the U.S. Decline.” The article analyzed the strategies that the U.S. has used in adjusting in its foreign and domestic policies. It concluded that the U.S. still holds the world’s number one position and no other country can replace it.

The article summarized the strategic changes in U.S. foreign policy in the following three areas: 1) The shift in focus from anti-terrorism to the economy: the U.S. concern over the economy has replaced its concern over terrorism. One example is that the topic discussed during Obama’s recent Asia Pacific trip was not terrorism, but rather it was the economy. 2) The shift in strategy towards the East and forging the “America Pacific Century”: the U.S. withdrew from Iraq and Afghanistan while speeding up its pace in moving towards the Asia Pacific region in order to regain its dominance in the area. 3) The adjustment in Middle-East policy: the U.S. started to openly support the reforms in the Middle East with the intention of letting those countries smoothly transition towards democracy by following the U.S.’s direction.

According to the article, the U.S. government has focused domestically on reducing the rate of unemployment, on increasing investment in high tech and new weapons development in areas such as clean energy and the pharmaceutical field, and on preserving military power by maintaining the military budget despite the skyrocketing national debt it faces.

The article summarized, “It can therefore be concluded that the high status of the U.S. in the world will remain stable in the predictable future and no other country can replace it.” .

Source: Xinhua, December 14, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-12/14/c_122418506.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Close to 1,000,000 Chinese Tourists Visited Japan in November

Xinhua quoted Japan Kyodo News and reported that 923,000 Chinese tourists visited Japan in November. The figure represented an increase of 35% compared to last November. November was the first month to show an increase since Japan’s earthquake. The main reason was believed to be that the Japanese government loosened the requirements for visa applications. Another factor was that the boat crash incident at Diaoyu island in November 2010 caused a decline in the number of tourists from China in that month.

Source: Xinhua, December 17, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/overseas/2011-12/17/c_122438951.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources