Skip to content

All posts by RWZ - 267. page

CRN Editorial: US Starting Space Arms Race

China Review News (CRN) recently published an editorial commenting on the recent U.S. experimental launch of the X-37B orbit aircraft. The editorial admits that the technology demonstrated seems very advanced and promising – it should have a bright future. However, the author believes the new high end space technology is solely geared towards a “revolutionary military change,” which is a negative. The new space aircraft further breaks the current world security balance. The editorial predicted that this will trigger a new round in the arms race in the extended space field. The author also concluded that there is “no doubt” that this space aircraft is essentially targeting China. It is proof of a U.S. strategy switch from “nuclear deterrence” to a “non-nuclear deterrence.”

Source: China Review News, April 30, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1013/0/0/1/101300127.html?coluid=136&kindid=4710&docid=101300127&mdate=0430001351

CASS: Five Tasks for Culture Industry Adjustments

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) recently published the Culture Blue Book, which discusses tasks in the structural adjustments to the culture industry. The Blue Book suggests: (1) Adjust product structure, which should serve the need of both consumers and producers; (2) adjust enterprise organizational structure, which should encourage competition; (3) adjust ownership structure, which should introduce more diversity; (4) adjust technical structure, which pushes multi-layer technologies such as integrating networks of 3G mobile multimedia, the Internet, and traditional broadcasting networks; (5) adjust the regional distribution structure, which balances resources on a national level.

Source: Renmin, May 7, 2010
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/11539196.html

Research on Chinese Young Netizens Published

 Xinhua Recently reported on the results of research conducted by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) on young Chinese Netizens. The research shows that 50.7% of Chinese Netizens are people below 25 years of age. This section represents around 200 million individuals. It was discovered that 3G based mobile devices are the number one tool for the young Netizens to get on to the Internet. In 2009, 74% of the young Netizens used their cellphones to surf the Internet. That’s an increase of 73.5% from the previous year. Cellphone Internet access is especially popular in rural areas where computers are not widely available. The importance of “Internet bars,” as a place to get online, is on the decline. Usage decreased from 57.5% to 49.4%. The bars are more popular in rural areas. 

Source: Xinhua, May 11, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/internet/2010-05/11/content_13479226.htm

Global Times: US Unqualified for Asking China for Nuclear Transparency

Global Times recently published an editorial on nuclear transparency. The editorial commented on the recent U.S. disclosure of its nuclear arsenal size, as well as the fact that the U.S. called for transparency with China’s name mentioned. Global Times believes this makes China “look morally shorter” and China should stay alert on U.S. intent. The article suggests that China’s strategic interest is to maintain a limited nuclear deterrence. Since China’s early warning capabilities are weak, it is in China’s best interest not to offer too much transparency. The editorial believes U.S. lip service does not qualify the United States to have the moral high ground to ask China for anything. 

Source: Global Times, May 7, 2010
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/roll/2010-05/806039.html

Xinhua: Kim Jong-il Visited China

Xinhuan reported that Kim Jong-il made an informal visit to China between May 3 and May 7. He stopped in Beijing, Tianjin and Liaoning and met with all nine members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee. Hu Jintao proposed five suggestions in their conversation: (1) maintain top level contacts; (2) enhance strategic communication; (3) deepen trade cooperation; (4) extend culture exchanges; (5) improve coordination in international and regional affairs. Kim commented that the current core work of the North Korean Communist Party is to improve the living quality of the North Korean people. He also agreed that denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is still his policy. Establishing the positive conditions for returning to the Six Party Talks is also a priority. In his meeting with Kim, Wen Jiabao agreed to push trade cooperation, especially the projects with high priorities.

Source: Xinhua, May 7, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-05/07/c_1278775.htm

CCTV and CNTV Combining Web Sites

China Central Television is merging its web site CCTV.com with China Network Television’s CNTV.CN. The new website will point to CNTV.CN. All CCTV video content was copied to CNTV since it was founded last year. Now Network TV has online channels for news, the economy, sports, entertainment, movies, TV series, and documentaries. Network TV will include all CCTV videos plus various other content sources such as province-level satellite TVs and international programming. The new web site strategy is centered on “interactive audio visual media” and will provide a “public web video service platform.” Although CNTV is considered “national class,” its management team admits that the network is still behind the private sector.

Source: Netease, May 5, 2010
http://media.163.com/10/0505/10/65TNH2RS00763N4O.html

Xiong Guangkai: Chinese Military Should Have ‘Grand Security Vision’

China News Agency recently reported that Xiong Guangkai, former General and Army Deputy Chief of the General Staff, commented on China’s security situation. Xiong believes the overall positive security status remains unchanged, but the nation still faces many risks that require the army to remain alert. The “Grand Security Vision” is needed.

Xiong summarized three areas of “traditional risks”: (1) regional wars happen frequently; (2) international military competition intensifies around a core of new age military reforms; (3) nuclear proliferation and control are very much alive. However the Grand Security Vision includes six non-traditional risks: (1) the international financial crisis changes the development model; (2) anti-terrorism needs more attention; (3) information security stands out as a crucial risk; (4) energy safety is becoming a challenge; (5) food supply reliability is increasingly problematic; (6) climate change and public health issues are on the rise.

Source: China News Agency, April 29, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2010/04-29/2253225.shtml

Xinhua Authorized to Announce the State Secrets Law

On April 29, The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Guarding State Secrets. This law has six articles and fifty three clauses. State secrets are divided into three classes of Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential, with an expiration time of no more than thirty years, twenty years, and ten years, respectively. The law will take effect starting October 1, 2010.

(Chinascope Notes: Many believe there is a high probability that government officials will use this law to restrict human rights.)

Source: Xinhua, April 29, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-04/29/c_1264598.htm