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All posts by TGS - 53. page

New Forced Labor Camps in Disguise

Beijing News reported that Henan Province has established a few forced labor camps in disguise. People who petition the authorities for redress of grievances are subjected to “24 hour non-stop admonitions, warnings, education, and persuasion.” 

Based on the official websites of local governments in Henan Province, such centers were established under the name of the "Abnormal Petition Admonition Education Center." They were also established in Nanyang, Zhumadian, Dengzhou, Xinxiang, and other places to subject “abnormal petitioners” to “24 hour non-stop admonition, warning, education and persuasion.” 

These centers are located in the local Public Security Bureaus. Local governments fund them in order to “actively explore new ways to centralize the disposal of abnormal petitioners.” Abnormal petitioners may be admonished for an indefinite period of time until the person signs a pledge not to petition again. 

 Source: People’s Daily, February 13, 2014. 
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2014/0213/c1001-24344121.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Outflow of Wealth Accelerates as More Chinese Emigrate

Xinhua recently reported on information from the annual blue book on Chinese International Migration (2014), released by the Center for China & Globalization (CCG). According to the blue book, a huge number of emigrants have left China taking 2.8 trillion yuan with them. 

The blue book stated that as of 2013, emigrants to overseas had reached 9,343,000, an increase of 128.6 percent in 23 years. These emigrants brought 2.8 trillion yuan (US$46 billion) with them when they left China, thus making China the 4th largest source of emigrants. 
According to the blue book, in 2011, those people who had over 6 million yuan available for investment had a total assets of 33 trillion yuan in China. Of that amount, 2.8 trillion has since been transferred out of China, accounting for about 3 percent of China’s GDP in 2011. 

Hong Kong, the United States, and Canada have become the main destinations for the transfer of assets, accounting for 22 percent, 21 percent and 16 percent respectively, followed by Switzerland (9 percent), Singapore (6 percent) and Australia (5 percent). 

Source: Xinhua, February 7, 2014 
http://news.xinhuanet.com/house/sh/2014-02-07/c_119231579.htm
Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Health Authorities Downplay H7N9 Cases

Xinhua reported that the health authorities in Guangdong Province have beem downplaying information about the H7N9 epidemic. “They no longer actively release case information to the media and case notifications no longer contain the words ‘history of contact with live poultry.’” 

Reports indicate that poultry trade associations in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Province have submitted letters to different levels of the government requesting suspension of regular information release regarding H7N9 so they can avoid over-reporting on the epidemic.” 
According to health authorities, there were 110 confirmed H7N9 cases from January 1 to 28 and 20 fatalities. Most of these cases occurred in Zhejiang Province, Guangdong Province, and Shanghai. 
Source: Xinhua, February 4, 2014 
http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/local/2014-02/04/c_119212597.htm
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

More Securitization of State-Owned Enterprises to Come

China Securities reported that local governments may securitize state-owned enterprises in amounts up to 20.7 trillion yuan in their efforts to raise funds for local expenditures. In the past, local governments resorted to borrowing and the sale of government land in order to raise funds. The central government has recently made the local government’s debts a focus of attention. 

According to a statement that China’s Ministry of Finance made last week, in 2013, the proceeds from government land sales reached 4.1 trillion yuan, a 44 percent increase over 2012. Statistics released by the National Audit Office last month showed that, in 11 provinces, 316 cities, and 1,396 counties, the debts guaranteed by the sale of government land accounted for 37 percent of outstanding local government debts. 
The stated goal of some local governments is to securitize 40 percent of the enterprises that they own by the end of 2015. More provinces, particularly those with a large number of state-owned enterprises, are expected to push beyond 40 percent. Based on a 40 percent securitization rate and a 10 percent asset increase of state-owned enterprises, it is estimated that such securitization of state-owned enterprises will reach 20.7 trillion yuan by the end of 2015. 

Source: China Securities reprinted by Xinhua, January 30, 2014 
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2014-01/30/c_126081679.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

More Poor Counties Today than 27 Years Ago

In spite of China’s rapid economic development, the number of officially designated poor counties in China has increased from 331 in 1986 to 592. Counties that are designated as poor each receive subsidies from the central government of between 30 and 50 million yuan every year. 

Since 1994, the total number of poor counties in China has remained at 592. Most of the 592 counties are located in the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Shaanxi. Yunnan has the largest number of poverty-stricken counties with a total of 7, followed by Guizhou and Shaanxi, which each have a total of 50 poor counties. 
According to Legal Evening News, the central government provides special poverty relief funds of about 30 to 50 million yuan annually to each of these counties, with some additional payments and some preferential policy measures. This may have contributed to a lot of counties not wanting to grow out of poverty. 
Source: Legal Evening News reprinted by Nandu, January 29, 2014
http://news.nandu.com/html/201401/29/743105.html
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Forecast: Eight Major Events to Occur in 2014

On January 29, New Epoch, a weekly in Chinese, published its forecast for the Chinese year of Horse. The Chinese year of Horse starts on January 31, 2014. 

The New Epoch predicts that the follow eight major events will occur in the year of the Horse: 
1. Leung Chun-ying will no longer be the head of the Hong Kong Government; Shen Yun Performing Arts will perform in Hong Kong during the 2014 Christmas holidays. 
2. There will be public announcements that a “big tiger” has been imprisoned; Jiang Zemin will become the new target. 
3. The North Korean regime will collapse. 
4. The shortage of funds will hit again and the real estate bubble will burst. 
5. A bank in China will go bankrupt. 
6. China will exchange fire with another country. 
7. The “sunshine” bill that would require financial disclosure from government officials will abort; the public will dig out and publish the assets of senior officials. 
8. There will be massive lay-offs at Central state-owned enterprises 

Source: Epoch Times, January 29, 2014 
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/14/1/29/n4071351.htm
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

True Identity Required When Posting Video Online

China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued a notice that requires anyone who posts a video online to use their real name and identity. The companies hosting the videos will be required to verify the identity of whoever uploads a video and can no longer hide the real identity of the uploader. This notice is supplemental to a July 2012 notice to deal with new issues that have emerged. 

The notice stressed that the companies that host an online video must carry out the responsibility of video producer. These companies “can only forward [post] the drama, movies, and other micro-network audio-visual programs if the companies have verified the true identity of whoever posts the video and if the content is consistent with the content regulations. [The companies] cannot forward [post] similar programs made by anyone who does not use his true identity.” 

The notice stated that online video programs not consistent with the relevant State regulations must be removed immediately. 
Source: Xinhua, January 21, 2014 
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newmedia/2014-01/21/c_126038567.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Xi Jinping on Cleaning Out Political Dust

On January 20, Xi Jinping spoke at a Party conference on anti-corruption training. At the conference, Xi stated, “Criticism and self-criticism are powerful weapons to clean out the Party’s political dust and microorganisms. [We] must follow the spirit of rectification and be strict with the Party’s life. [We] must focus on improving the ability of the leaders to find and solve their own problems.” 

Xi also pointed out that further anti-corruption training must adhere to the same theme, with the same focus, to implement the overall requirement of “look into the mirror, dress up, take a shower and treat the disease.” 

 Source: Xinhua, January 20, 2014 
http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/c.m.news.cn/politics/2014-01/20/d_119051416.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics