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Briefings - 1026. page

SBLC to Train Grassroots Bureau Chiefs

The State Bureau for Letters and Calls (SBLC), the government agency to receive and handle Chinese citizen’s petitions and appeals, has recently decided to intensively train city and county-level bureau chiefs. The first session was held from May 10 to 16 in Beijing. SBLC plans to train 600 officials in 2010. 

According to the People’s Daily, the focus of the training includes the “capability to handle emergent situations,” and “comprehensive abilities to guide Internet public opinion and interact with new media.” 
[Editor’s Note: This is the Beijing regime’s response to ever-escalating situations of social instability, as reflected in rising numbers of petitions from grassroots citizens, increased incidents of large scale social unrest, and outbursts of public discontent on the Internet.] 
Source: People’s Daily, May 13, 2010 
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/11582032.html
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

CRN Editorial: US Starting Space Arms Race

China Review News (CRN) recently published an editorial commenting on the recent U.S. experimental launch of the X-37B orbit aircraft. The editorial admits that the technology demonstrated seems very advanced and promising – it should have a bright future. However, the author believes the new high end space technology is solely geared towards a “revolutionary military change,” which is a negative. The new space aircraft further breaks the current world security balance. The editorial predicted that this will trigger a new round in the arms race in the extended space field. The author also concluded that there is “no doubt” that this space aircraft is essentially targeting China. It is proof of a U.S. strategy switch from “nuclear deterrence” to a “non-nuclear deterrence.”

Source: China Review News, April 30, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1013/0/0/1/101300127.html?coluid=136&kindid=4710&docid=101300127&mdate=0430001351

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

CASS: Five Tasks for Culture Industry Adjustments

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) recently published the Culture Blue Book, which discusses tasks in the structural adjustments to the culture industry. The Blue Book suggests: (1) Adjust product structure, which should serve the need of both consumers and producers; (2) adjust enterprise organizational structure, which should encourage competition; (3) adjust ownership structure, which should introduce more diversity; (4) adjust technical structure, which pushes multi-layer technologies such as integrating networks of 3G mobile multimedia, the Internet, and traditional broadcasting networks; (5) adjust the regional distribution structure, which balances resources on a national level.

Source: Renmin, May 7, 2010
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/11539196.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Research on Chinese Young Netizens Published

 Xinhua Recently reported on the results of research conducted by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) on young Chinese Netizens. The research shows that 50.7% of Chinese Netizens are people below 25 years of age. This section represents around 200 million individuals. It was discovered that 3G based mobile devices are the number one tool for the young Netizens to get on to the Internet. In 2009, 74% of the young Netizens used their cellphones to surf the Internet. That’s an increase of 73.5% from the previous year. Cellphone Internet access is especially popular in rural areas where computers are not widely available. The importance of “Internet bars,” as a place to get online, is on the decline. Usage decreased from 57.5% to 49.4%. The bars are more popular in rural areas. 

Source: Xinhua, May 11, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/internet/2010-05/11/content_13479226.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

China’s Religious Practitioners Negating US Commission on International Religious Freedom

The People’s Daily published an article quoting Chinese religious leaders negating the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s “2010 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom,” published on April 29. The religious freedom report criticized China’s policy on religion and stated that China’s ban of Falun Gong is religious persecution.

The Chinese response included that the U.S. applies a “double standards” to support extremists and terrorist actions. It recommended that the U.S. pay more attention to its own religious situation instead of pointing fingers at other countries. It also stated that China’s ban on Falun Gong is to protect citizen’s basic human rights and religious freedom. The Tibetan upheaval in 2008 was planned and promoted by the Dalai Lama. Buddhists in China resolutely support the government and take necessary action against those who commit violent crimes (in Tibet).

Source: People’s Daily, May 8, 2010
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2010-05/08/content_511155.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

VOA: China’s New State Secret Law Detrimental to Health of Reporters

On April 29, The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress enacted a new People’s Republic of China law concerning guarding "State Secrets." The law will be in effect beginning October 1, 2010.

VOA quoted expert opinions that this law will further suppress reporting activities by reporters or any other person that might publish information that the government wants to keep secret, regardless of whether the information contains state secrets or not. Classifying information as a state secret after its published will allow the Chinese regime to imprison reporters without a legal process. This may also force the media and websites to monitor netizens’ postings and encourage informers to come forward.

China is the number one country in detaining reporters and imprisons the greatest number of reporters.

Source: VOA, May 6, 2010
http://www1.voanews.com/chinese/news/-20100506-CHINA-NEW-STATE-SECRETS-LAW-LEAVES-JOURNALISTS-EXPOSED-92961114.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Ministry of Public Health: Local Health Organizations Must Apply for Permission before trip to Yushu

 

On April 19, 2010, the National Center for Health Inspection and Supervision of the Ministry of Public Health informed each provincial Public Health Bureau that local health organizations may no longer go to Yushu, Qinhai Province for earthquake relief activities without prior approval. They must apply through the chain of command. Once approved, they are free to go.

Information provided by unconfirmed source.

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Global Times: US Unqualified for Asking China for Nuclear Transparency

Global Times recently published an editorial on nuclear transparency. The editorial commented on the recent U.S. disclosure of its nuclear arsenal size, as well as the fact that the U.S. called for transparency with China’s name mentioned. Global Times believes this makes China “look morally shorter” and China should stay alert on U.S. intent. The article suggests that China’s strategic interest is to maintain a limited nuclear deterrence. Since China’s early warning capabilities are weak, it is in China’s best interest not to offer too much transparency. The editorial believes U.S. lip service does not qualify the United States to have the moral high ground to ask China for anything. 

Source: Global Times, May 7, 2010
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/roll/2010-05/806039.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations