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All posts by TGS - 79. page

China Establishes its First Armed Urban Management Department

On August 1, 2012, Wuhan City in Hubei Province announced that, for the first time in China, it had established an Armed City Urban Management Department. The department had an initial staffing of 40 militia personnel. Most of the personnel were ex-servicemen. The militia will receive readiness training and national defense education. During times of peace, the Armed Urban Management Department will be responsible for combat readiness, maintaining social stability, and flood rescue. In times of war, it will be responsible for organizing and leading the militia reservists to join the armed forces. According to People’s Daily, the announcement invoked heated discussions online. Chinese netizens have expressed concerns and questioned the move.

Source: People’s Daily, August 2, 2012
http://society.people.com.cn/n/2012/0802/c1008-18659281.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

People’s Daily: PLA to Ensure Communist Party Remains in Power

People’s Daily published an editorial to celebrate the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) 85th anniversary to take place on August 1, 2012. The editorial stated that the PLA must provide armed forces to ensure that the Communist Party remains in power. “The international situation is unpredictable; the security situation is complex; external risks are unprecedented; and reform and development are tough. In the face of such an internal and external environment, the PLA must serve as an important force for the Party to consolidate its ruling position, provide strong security for national development, and act as the strategic support for safeguarding the national interest …”

Source: Xinhua, July 31, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2012-07/31/c_112585037.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Wife of Bo Xilai Charged with Heywood Murder

On July 26, 2012, Xinhua reported that the Hefei Municipal Procuratorate (the state prosecutor’s office) in Anhui Province charged Gu Kailai, the wife of Politburo member Bo Xilai, along with a family aide named Zhang, with intentional homicide in the case of the deceased British businessman, Neil Heywood. The two were charged at the Hefei Intermediate People’s Court after “prosecutors interrogated them and spoke to their defense team.” Xinhua stated that the investigation showed that Gu and Zhang poisoned Heywood due to a business conflict between Gu and Heywood that also involved Gu’s son. Gu believed Heywood was threatening her son. "The facts of the two defendants’ crime are clear and the evidence is irrefutable and substantial. Therefore, the two defendants should be charged with intentional homicide and held accountable for their criminal liability."

Source: Xinhua, July 26, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2012-07/26/c_112544655.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Hu Jintao: the Party Faces Unprecedented Challenges

On July 23, 2012, Hu Jintao spoke at the opening of a special symposium held for provincial Party leaders. The entire Politburo, including all nine members, attended the opening. In his remarks, Hu stated, “We face unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges.” He further indicated that there have been great changes within the Party. “The external risks are unprecedented.” There are many urgent problems that need to be solved.

Source: Xinhua, July 23, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/video/2012-07/23/c_123457270.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Huanqiu: What Has Obama Done in Asia?

Huanqiu published a commentary on Obama’s activities in Asia over the past four years. It stated that, in less than three years, the U.S. has completed the initial phase of the formulation, promotion, and implementation of transferring its strategic priority to Asia and the Pacific region. The commentary contends, however, that such a move has destabilized the region. “The Obama administration has implemented a two-faced policy of exchanges and cooperation, along with deterrence and containment.” It has carried out “frequent military moves in order to quickly restrain China. The U.S. politicians have politicized trade disputes and those pertaining to cultural exchanges. Political biases in the U.S. have entangled or destroyed potential opportunities for cooperation.” The commentary further cited examples of the U.S. activities that have had a destabilizing effect, such as “sowing discord and forming gangs” among Asian countries and increasing the U.S. military presence in Australia.

Source: Huanqiu, July 24, 2012
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/1152/2012-07/2944180.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Huanqiu: Russia Should Not Have Fired at Chinese Fishing Ships

Huanqiu published a commentary titled "Russia Should Not Have Fired at Chinese Fishing Ships. "On July 16, 2012, an incident occurred in which the Russian coast guard seized a Chinese fishing vessel and detained 17 fishermen after it found they were allegedly fishing illegally in Russian-controlled waters in the Sea of Japan. During the pursuit, the Chinese sailors resisted being boarded, so the Russian coast guard fired directly at the ship. “The reckless behavior of the Russians at the grass-roots level not only harms Chinese confidence in fostering a long-term friendship with Russia, but also provides excuses for forces seeking to undermine Sino-Russia ties."

Source: Huanqiu, July 18, 2012
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/1152/2012-07/2923188.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Major General Zhu Chenghu: China May Need to Modernize Its Nuclear Arsenal

On July 18, 2012, Major General Zhu Chenghu spoke at a seminar where he announced that China may need to modernize its nuclear arsenal in response to a planned U.S.-backed missile defense system that may have a destabilizing effect on strategic stability. China "must modernize its nuclear arsenal" because the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system "may reduce the credibility of China’s nuclear deterrence. … Therefore Beijing needs to improve its capability to survive and infiltrate. … Otherwise, we will have a tough time maintaining that we have a credible system of nuclear deterrence.”

Source: Radio Free Asia, July 19, 2012
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/Xinwen/Hezixiandaihua-07192012035326.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

General Guo Boxiong: China’s Armed Forces Must Remain Absolutely Loyal and Reliable

General Guo Boxiong, Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Communist Central Military Commission, stated that the entire armed forces “must resolutely follow the Party’s command and remain absolutely loyal and reliable.” Guo made the remarks at the University of National Defense. Guo urged increasing ideological education because of the fact that the Party has absolute leadership of the armed forces. This will “ensure that the armed forces, ideologically, politically, and in action maintain consistency with the Central Military Commission and resolutely follow the command of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Hu.”  He also stressed that efforts be made to "ensure high solidarity, security, and stability among the troops.”

Source: Xinhua, July 17, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-07/17/c_112460636.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics