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CCP Central Committee’s Political Bureau Meeting on Economic Work for 2013

In Beijing on December 4, 2012, the CCP Central Committee’s Political Bureau held a meeting on the economic work to be done in 2013. The result of the meeting was that China will continue to strengthen its control over real estate pricing.

The meeting set the direction for the year 2013 as follows: maintain the continuity and stability of macro-economic policies and apply appropriate precautionary adjustments and micro adjustments to the economy; try to expand domestic demand and continue strict control over over-production; maintain the stability of the general price level and regulate market prices and fee structures; improve people’s living standards and strengthen control over real estate pricing.

Source:
Huanqiu, December 4, 2012.
http://china.huanqiu.com/politics/2012-12/3344280.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

The Chinese People Don’t Just Distrust the Government; They Take Action

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Chinascope recently published a commentary written by an expert on China issues, Dr. Shizhong Chen, titled, “The Mirror of China’s Failing State.” Dr. Chen observed that what the Chinese government claimed to be a ‘once-in-60-years’ rainstorm in Beijing has led the Western media to start looking beyond the China’s economic illusion to see the real China: an economic prosperity “at the expense of internal necessities that include infrastructure, education, and healthcare.” [1]

Not only did the Beijing rainstorm reveal the lack of infrastructure development in China, but it also showed the world that people in China are losing trust in China’s government. Moreover, they are taking action, and not just talking, to express their distrust.

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Analyses | | |   Opinion

The Moral Crisis in China, Part III – How the Communist Party Destroyed the Chinese Spirit

Part III – How the Communist Party Destroyed the Chinese Spirit

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In Part I of the Moral Crisis series, we discussed the dramatic moral crisis occurring in China. In “Part II – Traditional Chinese Culture,” we explored China’s proud heritage as an “ancient civilization” which placed a high value on righteous acts and inner thoughts, where Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism either originated or took root; where people cultivated virtue and devoted their lives to attaining enlightenment; and where reaching the level of the divine and achieving a oneness with heaven were the fulfillment of life’s purpose.

What changed China from a country of such high moral standards to a country with such low standards? It did not happen overnight, but, after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gained ascendancy in China in 1949, the change was both rapid and dramatic. To ensure its reign, the CCP consciously and systematically eradicated the Chinese people’s spiritual beliefs and traditional Chinese culture. Part III of the series explores how the CCP destroyed the Chinese’s people’s spirit, their traditional culture, and consequently their morality.

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Analyses | | |   Opinion

Beijing Daily: Raising High the Banner of Patriotism

Beijing has undergone great difficulty recently in the arena of morality as the Bo Xilai and Chen Guangcheng cases have publicly exposed both corruption and human rights violations. On May 11, 2012, Xinhua republished a Beijing Daily article, stating, “China’s development needs a ‘patriotic faction.’” It said that currently in China, patriotism has been criticized and ridiculed. China must form a common understanding at a high level that patriotism is a core value that all Chinese must defend.

The article expressed criticism because “some people are obsessed with ‘universal values’ and with being ‘world citizens,’ but they forget that, in the first place, they are Chinese. These people have sold their souls, forgotten their ancestors, and served as servants of the West.” “While these people are usually very corrupt inside, they promote moral standards. … On the Internet, they post many anti-China statements and cover it up with a high moral appeal. Some even use the format of cursing and spreading rumors, creating a very bad influence on others. … It has been proven that those who betray their country and sell out their country have no morals at all.”

Source: Xinhua, May 11, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-05/11/c_111928971_2.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Zhou Yongkang Attended the Xinjiang Electricity Delivery Project Opening Ceremony

Both Xinhua and People’s Daily reported that, on May 13, 2012, Zhou Yongkang attended the opening ceremony of the “Xinjiang Electricity Delivery” project at Bayinguoleng Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Zhou is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and the head of the Political and Legal Committee. He is widely reported to have been closely connected with Bo Xilai.

The “Xinjiang Electricity Delivery” project starts from Hami, Xinjiang and ends at Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. When completed, it will deliver ten million kilowatts of electricity to Central China.

Source: Xinhua, May 13 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-05/13/c_123121768.htm
People’s Daily Online, May 14, 2012
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1024/17875535.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Beijing Takes Tough Stance on Scarborough Shoal

After being enmeshed in the Bo Xilai incident and the Chen Guangcheng escape to the U.S. Embassy for a few months, last week, Beijing took a tougher stance against the Philippines on the issue of the sovereignty of Huangyan Island (known as the Scarborough Shoal internationally) in the South China Sea. Both China and the Philippines claim ownership of the area; in the past month, the tension between the two countries has been escalating, including the involvement of navy ships.

On May 7, Fu Ying, China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs called a meeting with Alex Chua, Charge D’affaires of the Philippine Embassy in China. Fu made a serious representation over the current situation at Huangyan Island. She stated that the Chinese side has made all necessary preparations to respond in case the Philippine side caused the situation to escalate.

On May 8, People’s Daily published a commentary titled “When it is intolerable, there is no need for restraint. China does not mind creating a Huangyan Island Model.” It stated, “When others challenge us, especially on matters related to territorial integrity, national dignity, and social stability, we must take action to destroy this ‘unhealthy trend’ and win ourselves a harmonious and stable environment.” “There is a limit to how much generosity we can demonstrate. When it’s intolerable, then there is no need for restraint.” “Facing this opponent, we have enough wisdom and also enough means to make it surrender without a war.” Though the article used the words, "make it surrender without a war," the entire tone of the article hinted at a direct confrontation with the Philippines.

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website, May 8, 2012
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx/t929748.htm
Peoples’ Daily, May 8, 2012
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/17829343.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Communism’s Cultural Expansion: Communist Control Goes Abroad

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In the past few years, China has developed a high-profile culture industry and a “going abroad” campaign to export its world view. State-owned media, including television, newspapers, and radio stations are massively penetrating Western countries. Programs to introduce the Chinese language and culture, led by the Confucius Institutes, which ultimately answer to the CCP’s United Front Work Department, are spreading all over the world and Chinese culture products are increasingly available in the international market.

This paper analyzes China’s “going abroad” campaign to extend its culture and soft power and concludes that, in addition to competition for the discourse right on the international stage, China is promoting its soft power as a direct attempt to extend its autocratic control to the world.

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Analyses | | |   Opinion

PLA Daily: Don’t Sow Discord Between China and Russia

On April 22, 2012, China and Russia started their first joint naval exercise. The 6-day exercise took place in the Yellow Sea. PLA Daily published an article rebutting the Western media’s warning that behind the apparent trust and friendship of the Sino-Russian military exercise, there is “hidden tacit friction.” It criticized the Western media, saying their intent was to interfere with China’s development, sow discord between China and its friends, and create a hostile environment for China. “Some Western countries not only fear that China will improve; they also fear that China and Russia, the two big countries, will be friends.”

The article praised steady growth of the Sino-Russian relationship and the strengthening of their military ties. Not only do the two militaries have friendly visits but they also frequently cooperate substantively and practically at high levels on a wide range of issues. “Relations between the two countries are now the best they have ever been.”

Source: PLA Daily, April 23, 2012
http://txjs.chinamil.com.cn/junshity/2012-04/23/content_4841936.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military