The Central Committee of the Communist Party held an economic conference from December 8 to 12, 2008. The conference sets forth five major tasks for 2009 to overcome the global financial crisis. They include moderate macro economic controls, land use of farmland, structural changes to stimulate spending, financial reforms and measures to maintain social stability.
Source: People’s Daily, December 11, 2008
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1024/8498365.html
An article posted on Study Times, the journal of the Party School of the Chinese Communist Party, states that China’s social problems result from stalled political reform. According to the article, economic reforms have not been implemented to the fullest extent. Old power refuses to withdraw and instead is strengthening control to suppress market mechanism, thus leading to a rise in corruption. The article concludes that furtherance of economic and political reform is the key.
Source: Study Times, December 8, 2008
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=0&id=2321&bid=12
A group of 303 Chinese citizens signed ‘Charter 08’, a declaration to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reported Epoch Times. The Charter calls on the Chinese regime to abolish the totalitarianism, and respect human rights and religious freedom. The signatories are from academia, business world and rural communities. Since the publication of Charter 08, the authorities have taken into custody and interrogated several signatories.
Source: Epoch Times, December 9 and 10, 2008
http://epochtimes.com/gb/8/12/9/n2356980.htm
http://epochtimes.com/gb/8/12/10/n2357682.htm
Chinese human rights are at the best period in history, said State Council Information Office Director Wang Chen. He stated that China has applied the universal human rights to the specific situation of China and has blazed a path of Chinese style human rights. The improvement of human rights has been in sync with the political, economic, social and cultural development, said Wang.
Source: Xinhua, December 9, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-12/09/content_10476593.htm
International Herald Leader of Xinhua states that the United States holds the key to the U.S. –China military relations. The military relations are the most fragile, sensitive and vulnerable aspect of U.S.- China relations. Citing comments from military experts, the article states that the United States holds the key. “The problem is not China challenging the U.S. but the prejudice that the U.S. has against China.” “Every drawback in the military relations was caused by the U.S. interference with Chinese domestic affairs and infringement of China’s sovereignty.”
Source: Xinhua, December 5, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2008-12/05/content_10458234.htm
The Communist Politburo has issued a directive mandating further control of media as a preemptive strike against potential social unrest in 2009. A Politburo directive cited information from the State Security Department and from military intelligence sources indicating China will face severe challenges and crises because “anti-china forces, domestic and overseas are actively strategizing their activities.” As a result, the Politburo has increased funding for the Communist Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Public Security.
At a meeting towards the end of November, the Party’s Propaganda Department decided to initiate a preemptive strike in anticipation of increasing social unrest in 2009. It has blacklisted 6 print media and all websites except sina.com. In addition, 55 media professionals have also also blacklisted. “You should know that this is China. The Internet has a border. It is not a place where you can exercise your free will. The Internet must be under the control of the Party. It is the Party’s Internet as well as the mouthpiece of the Party,” said Mr. Chen of the Propaganda Department.
Source: Boxun.com, December 4, 2008
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china2008/12/200812040011.shtml
China Ministry of Education will provide 10 scholarships per year from 2009 to 2012 to New York State University. The scholarships will enable undergraduates to study for one year in China. The State’s authorities for administration of overseas Chinese students and related funding will be responsible for admission and enrollment into Chinese universities.
Source: Xinhua, December 4, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-12/04/content_10456740.htm
Minister of Commerce expressed 4 major concerns during the 5th U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue: textiles free trade, advanced and new technology trade, categorization of China as market economy, trade barriers (antidumping and countervailing duty). Minister Chen indicated at a press event that China’s exports has suffered to a great extent now as result of the financial crisis and that therefore the U.S., China and other countries should step up the opposition to trade protectionism.
Source: Xinhua, December 4, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-12/04/content_10457760.htm