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Briefings - 1032. page

Chinese Scholar: Five Challenges to China’s Modernization

Zhang Xin, Professor and Ph.D. Advisor to the Marxism Institute, People’s University outlined five challenges to China’s modernization process. Zhang furthered his thoughts during one of a series of interviews on "Studying and Practicing the Scientific Concept on Development" organized by Xinhua Net.

The five challenges are:
1. Countryside Modernization – the urban-rural gap is getting wider
2. Environment – a challenge China has been facing over a long period
3. Resources
4. Regional Development Imbalance
5. Relatively Backward Technology


The greatest conflict that China faces is the conflict between interests. While China experiences exceptional economic growth, problems related to social security, an urban-rural gap, a regional economic development gap, and problems in taking people’s homes/land for new development are all interest-related conflicts that threaten social stability.

Source: Xinhua, April 19, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/video/2010-04/19/content_13383544.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

VOA: Culture Institutes in U.S.and China Disproportionate

China has established sixty Confucius Institutes in the U.S., but the US hasn’t formed a single formal culture institute in China. On April 9, 2010, VOA discussed the disproportionate nature of culture exchange institutes between the two countries. Some US politicians were concerned and working on improving the situation. China recently "graciously" agreed to have the US establish four “culture centers” in China as “independent organizations” which may be sponsored by the US government. China’s Confucius Institutes are under the domain of the National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, an organization under the Ministry of Education. The Chinese government grants US$1 million as startup cost for each institute.

Concern that the US would promote human rights was given as the major reason that China limits U.S. cultural centers.

Source: VOA, April 9, 2010
http://www1.voanews.com/chinese/news/special-reports/us-china-relations/20100409-Confucius-90346234.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Chinese Capital Needd a Better Looking Face

The International Herald Leader, under Xinhua, published an article suggesting that a better looking face is needed for Chinese capital going abroad. The article identified the Chinese economy’s rapid growth as the primary reason for Chinese to invest in the outside world. However, a negative image of Chinese investments is being built in some countries because: (1) the competitors are spreading negative views; (2) Chinese investors are not acting properly; (3) the industries receiving investments are tough; (4) some western countries spread slander.

The author believes Chinese capital must have a better image. It relies on the self-discipline of Chinese investors as well as media reports. Unfortunately western media have a monopoly and they are often the origin of false accusations.

Source: Xinhua, April 15, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2010-04/15/content_13358462.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Guangdong and Hong Kong Jointly Building New Economic Region

Xinhua recently republished a report by China Securities Journal on an April 7 event in which the governments of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong signed a framework agreement of cooperation. The agreement focuses on improving Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. It was made clear that the goal is to enhance Hong Kong’s leading position by integrating resources and services provided by Guangdong Province. The two sides agreed to jointly push the tests of cross-border RMB settlements with needed infrastructure. This is one step in exploring the path of the internationalization of the Chinese currency. Other important elements of the agreement are making the region a center for air travel, shipping, cargo distribution and human talent.

Source: Xinhua, April 8, 2010
http://cs.xinhuanet.com/xwzx/05/201004/t20100408_2387891.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Writers are not Telling the Truth

Modern Express News, a branch of Xinhua, recently published an article suggesting that today’s Chinese writers “owe this era” a lot because they don’t tell the truth. The article quoted a question by Tie Ning, the Chairman of The Chinese Writers Association, “I search my heart, and ask myself, as a writer, do my writings live up to the expectations of this great and tough era?" She did not explain more. The author of the article believed many writers are suffering from a serious decline of conscience. They write grand works to praise sham. The author concluded that the fact that most writers don’t tell the truth is turning society into one with a “quiet majority,” and critics should be truly respected.

Source: Xinhua, April 2, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/book/2010-04/02/content_13287088.htm

Briefings | | |   Grapevine

CNTheory: China cannot be without an aircraft carrier forever

On April 19, 2009, www.cntheory.com, which is directly under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee Party School, published an article titled, “China cannot be without an aircraft carrier forever.”

According to the article, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said to a visiting Japanese Defense Minister in 2009, "Among the big nations only China does not have an aircraft carrier. China cannot be without an aircraft carrier forever."

The article argues that, for international strategic considerations, China must have an aircraft carrier. To maintain domestic prosperity, it must first maintain its strength overseas. Aircraft carriers are needed not only for the protection of territorial waters and coastal resources, but also for the maintenance of overseas interests and dealing with the potential threats from international hostile forces.

Source: www.cntheory.com, April 19, 2010
http://www.cntheory.com/news/XXSBRDGZ/2010/412/1041210346FD5B4169K6AH6KD06F81.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Farmers Daily: Over 300 million Chinese peasants do not have clean water to drink

According to Farmers Daily (www.farmer.com.cn) on April 9, 2010, more than 300 million people in rural areas do not have any clean drinking water. Over 60% of the substandard drinking water is the result of non-natural factors. The cancer mortality rate, which is closely related to environmental pollution, increases year by year in the rural population.

The causes of pollution in rural areas are 1) few waste and water treatment facilities; 2) chemical fertilizers and pesticides everywhere; 3) high pollution and high energy consumption industrial enterprises entering the rural areas.

Source: Farmers Daily, April 9, 2010
http://www.farmer.com.cn/gd/snwp/201004/t20100409_536442.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xinhua: Websites in Yunnan must log onto Yunnan Police Networking System and be monitored

According to Xinhua on April 16, 2010, the Yunnan Province Public Security Department has made a decision requiring all websites and network units in Yunnan province to log onto the “Yunnan Public Security Office Network Record Management System" (http://www.yn.cyberpolice.cn:81) between April and September 2010 in order to be registered for being monitored constantly. All Internet users are asked to identify the Public Security icon and only use the websites monitored by the cyberpolice.

According to a Xinhua reporter, the number of Internet users in Yunnan province has reached 8.44 million.

Source: Xinhua, April 16, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/internet/2010-04/16/content_13367551.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology