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All posts by TGS - 120. page

Judges Under Attack

Judgeships are becoming a high-risk profession due to the increase in social conflicts and the judicial abuse of power for personal gain. Lately there have been reports of incidents in the lower courts where the parties to lawsuits physically assaulted judges. “A large number of disputes flood the courts without filtering. The courts can hardly handle all the cases and it is very difficult to improve the quality. Errors are inevitable. The public has a high expectation of the courts. So it is so easy for conflicts to get out of hand.” Cases of abuse of power and of lack of impartiality in adjudication also contribute to increased risk for judges becoming the targets of social discontent.

Source: Chongqing Evening News, June 16, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-06/16/c_12225019.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Internet: Freedom Chinese Style

The Information Office of the State Council of China issued a white paper on June 8, stating that Chinese citizens, in accordance with law, enjoy full freedom of expression on the Internet.  


Gao Hongming, a rights activist, sought to define that freedom and the lack of it.

According to Gao, Chinese netizens may praise the Party, Chinese style socialism, and totalitarianism, critique artists, scientists, doctors, academia and athletes, and criticize general civil servants’ misconduct on corruption and the abuse of power. They may comment on major domestic and international events that the Party doesn’t care about and speak out about food, lodging, sickness, hatch/match/dispatch, and local community gossip, among other things.

Gao found that Chinese netizens don’t have the freedom to speak against the Party, Chinese style socialism, and totalitarianism, or comment negatively on Party leaders, or artists, writers and celebrities that support the Party. They can’t criticize institutional corruption and deficiencies or disagree when the media follows the Party line and government policies. Assembly and associating as well as demonstrating or protesting on the Internet are forbidden. These are just a few of the forbidden topics and situations.

Source: Boxun, June 16, 2010
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/06/201006110719.shtml

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Law and Regulations Expected to Further Control Media

China’s State Administration of Radio, Film And Television published an article in the Party’s journal Qiushi to underscore the significance of the Party’s control of media. The article states that reining in the media is a major issue that warrants urgent attention. “First, we should control the media according to the law, and (we should) further standardize and institutionalize the mechanism of control.” The Party’s Charter should guide control of the media, and govern the relationship between the Party and media. The article also urged that a law be passed to “regulate the conduct of the media,” so that the Party organizations at all level can follow and implement it.

Source: Qiushi, June 11, 2010
http://www.qstheory.cn/hqwg/2010/201011/201006/t20100611_32983.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

State Controlled Industries’ Widening Income Disparity

Xia Yeliang, a professor from Beijing University concluded that the return of “planning” and non-market allocation of resources by the State have been the cause of China’s widening income disparity. Based on his research, the income of the top 10% of the population was 23 times that of the bottom 10% in 2007 compared to 7.3 times back in 1988. As of the end of 2008 monthly pensions of government retirees was 2.1 times that of those in the non-government sector. State controlled industries such as power plants, telecommunications, petroleum, finance, insurance, utilities, and tobacco account for 55% of the total national salaries, but for a meager 8% of the national workforce.

Source: Economic News National Weekly, reprinted by ifeng.com, June 8, 2010 http://finance.ifeng.com/opinion/zjgc/20100608/2289139.shtml

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Study Times: The U.S. Pursuit of Hegemony Unchanged

Study Times published some interpretations of major changes in the Obama’s US National Security Strategy Report when compared to that of the previous U.S. administration. The new strategy has clearly abandoned the pre-emptive strike approach of the Bush Administration. Moreover, it gives priority to multilateral relationships over unilateral relationship. It highlights the significance of economy, education, technology, energy, nuclear, Internet and space activities on national security.
 
“The intent is to expand U.S. power and influence and build an international order that is capable of overcoming the challenges of the 21st century. At the same time one should be aware that although the U.S. national security strategy has changed to some extent, the goal remains the same. The U.S. priority is to be the dominant force of the 21st century, maintain America’s global hegemony, and to strategically adjust itself based on a given period’s needs. Once its power if fortified, the U.S. will continue to harbor hegemonic thinking."

Source: Study Times, June 7, 2010
 http://www.studytimes.com.cn:9999/epaper/xxsb/html/2010/06/07/07/07_46.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

State to Monopoly Bundling of Phone, TV and Internet

The State authorities finally approved a pilot program to provide bundling services of phone, TV and Internet, reported Guangzhou Daily. According to a number of sources, details will be announced within a day or two. The approval grants the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television exclusive right to build and administer the integrated control platform for IPTV multicast, and to engage in bundled services of phone, TV and Internet.

Source: Guangzhou Daily, June 8, 2010
http://gzdaily.dayoo.com/html/2010-06/08/content_989275.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

China’s Rich Moving Overseas û Fear of Losing their Wealth

2009 saw a 100% increase of EB-5 category applications for immigration to the United States, with the intent to be an investor. In 2008 the number was 500. According to the Economic Observer, there are two reasons for China’s rich to immigrate overseas: children’s education and finding a of safe haven. The latter pertains to the lack of social stability. The domestic investment environment is far from the rule of law. More importantly, “the rich people are on pins and needles because the ever widening income disparity has led to public challenges of their ‘original sins’ [getting wealthy through illegal or unfair practices] and to ‘hatred of the rich.’” “You never know. Maybe one day people will rob the rich to give to the poor. It is too unsafe,” said a rich Mr. Li.

Source: Huanqiu, May 30, 2010
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2010-05/833734.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Xinhua on the U.S. National Security Strategy: What has changed?

Xinhua commented on the United States National Security Strategy, which was released May 27, 2010. “The United States has not changed it strategic goal of maintaining its leadership position; it merely changes the means. The U.S. has not changed its militarism; it merely changes the manner. The U.S. has not given up the right to use force; it merely changes the time when it will use force.” “For China, we should see both sides of this new strategy: we should see that the new strategy emphasizes international cooperation, especially the part relating to cooperation with China, but we should also see that it contains the potential for the U.S. to shirk its responsibility to China. Further, we should see the new strategy presents a clear expression of U.S. military power against China and an emphasis of the ‘human rights card.’”

Source: Xinhua, May 31, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2010-05/31/c_12161645.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations