TGS – Page 85 – Chinascope

Huanqiu: The U.S. Should Do Some Soul Searching before Criticizing China

Huanqiu published a commentary on March 29, 2012, on the testimony that Don Yamamoto, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, gave before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, regarding China’s role and its influence in Africa. Yamamoto said, “China’s activities in Africa offer important opportunities for the continent, though there are major areas where our interests do not align.” The Huanqiu commentary was critical of this statement, among other things. “The biggest problem is that (China) moves the ‘cheese’ of the West (a sarcastic reference to U.S. inability to adjust to its loss of hegemony), thus violating the interests of the United States. Sino-African cooperation is in line with the interests of China and African countries. One should not ask China and Africa to reduce their cooperation for the benefit of U.S. interests. If the U.S. wants to protect its own interests, then the U.S. should first know what shame is and then have the courage to catch up by doing a better job, rather than being jealous of others and sabotaging or thwarting others.”

Sources: Huanqiu, April 16, 2012
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/roll/2012-04/2619402.html
Wikipedia: Who Moved My Cheese?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Moved_My_Cheese%3F

Briefings | | April 19, 2012 | US-China Relations

Qiushi: Widening Disparity of Income with a Very Small Middle Class

Qiushi published a commentary with an analysis of income distribution in China. This analysis showed that the wealth of local residents increased rapidly in a relatively short period of time as the result of economic development and the economic transformation. While relative to other countries, the inequality in the distribution of property of China’s residents is not very great, the inequality is growing very rapidly. … From the wealth distribution chart, [it is clear] the so-called middle class remains very small.”

Source: Qiushi, April 10, 2012
http://www.qstheory.cn/jj/xsdt/201204/t20120410_150235.htm

Briefings | | April 13, 2012 | Economy/Resources

Chongqing Daily: Will Bo Xilai Still Be a Comrade?

On April 12, 2012, the Chinese Communist Party website reprinted an article from the official Chongqing Daily newspaper, which reported on a Chongqing Municipal Council meeting. At the meeting, Zhang Dejiang, the Chongqing Party Secretary, who is also Vice Premier of the State Council and a member of the Party’s Politburo, urged political allegiance to Hu Jintao. The article stated, “The meeting attendees agreed that Bo’s action (his involvement in the death of Neil Heywood) seriously violated the Party’s discipline and severely damaged the image of our Party and the country. It is very shocking.” That they did not mention the word "comrade" has been viewed as an indication that disciplinary action is anticipated. A day earlier, when reporting the Party’s decision to remove Bo from the Politburo and to start an investigation, Xinhua repeatedly addressed Bo as Comrade Bo Xilai (indicating he had not yet been expelled from the Party).

Sources:
Chongqing Daily reprinted at the Communist Party website, April 12, 2012
http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64093/64094/17632810.html
Xinhua, April 11, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/video/2012-04/11/c_122962106.htm

Briefings | | April 13, 2012 | Government/Politics

PLA Daily Editorial: Strictly Observe and Maintain the Party’s Discipline

On April 10, 2012, the People’s Liberation Army’s General Political Department and the PLA’s Academy of Military Sciences jointly published an editorial in the PLA Daily. The editorial called for heightened vigilance in following the Communist Party’s orders. “The standard of conduct that Party organizations at all levels and all Party members must abide by is the discipline of the Party. It is essential to the unity of will and action within the whole Party. As the military forces of the ruling party implement the political tasks of the Party, we [the People’s Liberation Army] must be highly conscious of observing and maintaining Party discipline.” The editorial urged the upper leadership to lead by example with respect to following the Party’s orders.

The editorial appears to be part of a series of State media articles to ensure the military’s allegiance to the Party’s leadership.

Source: People’s Liberation Army Daily reprinted on the Communist Party website, April 10, 2012 http://theory.people.com.cn/GB/49150/17613793.html

Briefings | | April 12, 2012 | Defense/Military

Wen Jiabao: Communist Leaders Have Agreed to Break the Banking Monopoly

During his trip to southern China, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stated that the top national banks in China have too much power and have made too much money, and that their monopoly must be broken. “As for financing costs, actually let me speak frankly here. Our banks make a profit too easily. Why? It is because a few large banks are in a monopoly position. People can only obtain loans from these banks. It is very difficult to obtain loans from other sources. Now private capital has entered into the financial market. Fundamentally speaking, [we] have to break the monopoly. The Communist Party’s Central Committee has reached a unanimous agreement to carry out a pilot project in Wenzhou. A successful Wenzhou pilot project should be promoted across the country. Some (features of the project) can be implemented immediately throughout the country. "

Source: Beijing News, April 4, 2012
http://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/20120404/034011744163.shtml

Briefings | | April 6, 2012 | Economy/Resources

Understanding Politics: Who Cannot Become a Communist Official?

A posting on the blog for the People’s Daily website spoke directly, tongue in the cheek, to the media’s readers and provided them with descriptions of those who cannot become Communist officials. First are those who are talented. Such people are so outstanding that they dwarf almost everyone else. The writer pointed out that, even if you do not step on others’ toes, people will be jealous of you regardless. If you have a wealth of true knowledge, you tend to have independent thinking, which is the biggest taboo for a politician. To be a Communist official, you must forget about your conscience, justice, and principles and must be opportunistic, slick and treacherous. Second are those who are shy and are not willing to spend money. If you do not have much money and rely on your salary to support your family, you are advised to stay at home. Politics can be secretive, unpredictable, and brutally competitive. You will not survive unless you use sinister means and have the courage to face death. Finally, if you lose sight of the ultimate goal, which is personal gain, you will not be far from failure.

Source: People’s Daily website, March 27, 2012
http://bbs1.people.com.cn/postDetail.do?id=117780951&bid=1

Briefings | | April 6, 2012 | Government/Politics

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