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All posts by RWZ - 262. page

Ministry of Land and Natural Resources: Provincial Level Governments Accountable for Housing Prices

The Chinese Ministry of Land and Natural Resources recently announced that, in order to further implement State Council policies, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Supervision jointly decided that the provincial level governments will be held accountable for stabilizing housing prices. An assessment system will be established and there will be a follow-up for poor performance. The three ministries are demanding a nationwide increase in housing supplies as well as an increase in the speed of development of low-income housing projects. Effective land supply management is also a requirement and is being put under the monitoring program. Stronger market supervision was also mentioned in the announcement.

Source: China Review News, October 12, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1014/7/2/0/101472005.html?coluid=45&kindid=0&docid=101472005&mdate=1012084341

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Ministry of Commerce: China Now Africa’s Biggest Trade Partner

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently published the “Report 2010: Economic and Trade Relations between China and Africa,” in Chinese, English and French. The report claims that China is now Africa’s biggest trading partner, citing a $91 billion trade volume in 2009. In addition to the traditional infrastructure construction area, new developments in the relationship include finance, telecommunications, energy, tourism and aviation. The report includes a “Historic Review of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Relationship,” “The Relationship in 2009,” and “A Look into Year 2010.” This report is considered the first comprehensive annual report on China-Africa trade relations.

Source: People’s Daily, October 15, 2010
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1027/12961071.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Deputy Minister of Water Resources: Serious Water Shortage in the North

Hu Siyi, the Deputy Minister of Water Resources, recently announced that the situation regarding the lack of water in northern China is getting worse due to the double pressures of global climate change and large-scale economic development. For example, the Haihe River Basin surface water level dropped 41% during the past two to three decades. The urbanization of China is speeding up rapidly. Meanwhile, the acceleration of industrialization is resulting in a rapid increase in water usage. During the past four years, just the energy and heavy chemical industries alone consumed 10 billion cubic meters more water. Hu believes that water conservation faces unprecedented challenges.

Sources: Xinhua, October 7, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-10/07/c_12633704.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xinhua: Mission 2010 Exercise Authorized

Based on the Annual Plan of Joint Exercises, the Central Military Commission authorized the Mission 2010 cross-regional group army mobility exercise, which started on October 10, 2010. The exercise was a response to Hu Jintao’s call for “Innovative Development in Military Exercises.” The basic goal of this exercise was to improve information system based combat capabilities. The exercise covered the Beijing, Lanzhou, and Chengdu Military Regions and the Air Forces as well as the Army Air Corps. The total number of troops involved was more than 30,000, and the total mobility distance covered was over 10,000 kilometers. In addition, civilian passenger and cargo airplanes were coordinated to participate in this exercise.

Source: Xinhua, October 9, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/09/c_13549165.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua: Tibetan Buddhist Temple Administration Regulations Released

The China State Bureau of Religious Affairs recently released the Tibetan Buddhist Temple Administration Regulations. The regulations are set to take effect on November 1. Tibetan Buddhism has widespread support across Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Inner Mongolia. According to the head of the State Bureau of Religious Affairs, some temples are “blind" when they determine development goals, and some temple officials are not patriotic.

He claimed that some temples are straying further and further away from the Party and that the Dalai Lama is “using” them. He believes these unwanted activities are having a major negative impact on the “normal religious order.” The regulations detailed the conditions for criminal and civil liabilities, and the restrictions on large scale religious activities.

Source: Xinhua, October 9, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/09/c_12641421.htm
China News Service, October 8, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2010/10-08/2572913.shtml

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Xinhua: PLA Regulations for the Discipline Inspection Commission Published

With the approval of Hu Jintao, the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently published Regulations for the Discipline Inspection Commission. The new Regulations were established in the latest attempt by the Chinese Army to battle internal corruption. The Regulations outline a detailed reporting structure, basic principles, organizational settings, duties and responsibilities, processes, and working rules and requirements. This new document is considered the latest fruit of years of the army’s anti-corruption experiences. It also provides clearer working rules for the Discipline Inspection Commission. The Regulations even include details on how to handle the situation when Commission members themselves are in violation of the rules.

Source: Xinhua, September 25, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-09/25/c_12604321.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Chinese Minister of Commerce: Pushing for a Strong Trade Power Status

The Chinese Minister of Commerce, Chen Deming, recently published an article suggesting China should push forward to become a “strong trade power,” as well as a large investor. Chen believes the financial crisis significantly changed the world order. Opportunities and risks coexist.

He suggested that China should focus on five areas: (1) emphasizing improvement in comprehensive economic efficiency; (2) balancing the “go out” and the “bring in” strategies to realize the conversion from “product export” to “capital export”; (3) optimizing regional economic development; (4) enhancing global strategic planning; (5) improving policies, rules and protection in international trade.

Source: China News Net, September 29, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/cj/2010/09-30/2564861.shtml

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xinhua: Chinese Embassy Held ‘Chinese Culture Year’ Press Conference in Italy

The Chinese Embassy in Italy held a press conference on October 1 in Rome announcing “Chinese Culture Year” in Italy. The coordinator on the Italian side suggested that the project will “present today’s China.” Italy had an “Italian Culture Year” campaign in 1996, and this Chinese announcement marked the start of a similar initiative. The “Year” begins in October 2010 and ends in September 2011. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to attend the opening ceremony scheduled for October 7. Multiple activities are planned to take place in 10 cities including Rome, Florence and Milan.

Source: Xinhua, October 1, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/01/c_12626369.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend