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Briefings - 1033. page

About the Chinese Model

Xu Chongwen, a senior research fellow at the State’s Chinese Academy of Social Sciences published a criticism of “four misconceptions” of the Chinese model. His article is summarized below.

Misconception 1: The term was first coined by foreigners with the ulterior motive of containing China’s expansion. Not true because Deng Xiaoping used the term back in 1980 when discussing the Russian October Revolution. 
Misconception 2: The term “model” means example or demonstration for others to follow; hence one should be cautious when using the term. Wrong because it contradicts Deng Xxiaoping who held countries should independently seek development paths and models suited to their own situation. 
Misconception 3: The Chinese model is the "Beijing Consensus" for the reference use of other countries. Disagree because Joshua Cooper Ramo’s Beijing Consensus was coined to mean opposition to the Washington Consensus. The Chinese model is to develop China based on its own situation and China has no intent to promote it the same way that the Washington Consensus has been promoted.
Misconception 4: It is too early to talk about a Chinese model. This is without grounds. Hu Jintao has set forth the theory on building a harmonious society. No one should use it to deny that the achievements of the Chinese model have already been well recognized.

Source: The Party School of The Chinese Communist Party, April 13, 2010
http://www.cntheory.com/news/Llltllyt/2010/413/1041393831I6EFADA9CEE5413J46J9.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

State Continues to Dominate Reform of Culture System

An article on reform of China’s culture system was published on the website of the Party School of the Chinese Communist Party, addressing bottlenecks and recommendations. The reform moved from pilot programs to full implementation in March 2006. One of the key bottlenecks, according to the article, is “some of the culture enterprises blindly maximize their market profits,” and “have increasingly led to economic benefits diverging from social benefits” and to a greater disparity of income. The recommendation is to uphold the Party’s leadership in the reform, adherence to Marxism and ensuring the dominance of state-owned culture enterprises in the culture market.

Source: The Party School of The Chinese Communist Party, April 14, 2010 http://www.cntheory.com/news/Dshcdssdjt/2010/414/104141520769BBIIKAJ192JK20I11F.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Disparity of Income Distribution: A Long March from Pyramid Pattern to Olive

Yu Jianrong, a professor at the State’s Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, predicts that it will take another 30 years for China to move from the current pyramid pattern of income distribution to one that is olive-shaped. The pyramid pattern of income distribution is used to describe the great disparity of income, intense social conflicts, and the lack of a middle class as a buffer, while an olive-shaped pattern denotes the existence of a large middle class with relatively small groups of rich and poor. Hence it is more conducive to social stability. Yu holds that a middle class has not yet formed in China whatsoever. “For example, the popular ‘hatred of the rich’, ‘hatred of government’ and other social discontent and resentment are both the evidence and ‘combustion’ that has induced large-scale incidents of conflict by social groups to vent their anger.” “People at the bottom are growing in numbers, albeit economic development and improvement of living standard for the bottom society.” “Objectively, the white-collar workers are a little bit more capable of making money, but speaking of their social situation or political status, they are the same [as migrant workers],” says Yu.

Source: International Herald Leader, April 19, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2010-04/19/content_13383024.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Nanfang Metropolitan: Loving Ones Country Does Not Mean the Same as Loving the Imperial Court

On April 11, 2010. Nanfang Metropolitan published an article by History Scholar Hong Zhenquai, “Loving Ones Country Does Not Mean the Same as Loving the Imperial Court.” The article suggested that nowadays many people misunderstand the relationship between the people, the country, and the imperial court (or the government in modern society). Mencius [a philosopher from the fourth century B.C. who defended the teachings of Confucius against other philosophies] made public that “people are the most important, followed by the country, with the emperor coming last.” An explanation for the confusion is that the sitting government misleads people into believing that “loving the court is representative of loving the country.”

The article makes a case for people having oversight and control over the government. The article received a lot of compliments for its boldness, given the CCP’s media control. An unconfirmed blog message on Aiyuan said that Nanfang Metropolitan Editor Zhu Di was chastised (and lost her job) for publishing the article. The article is no longer available on the website of Nanfang Daily (Nanfang Metropolitan’s parent company), but can be found on many overseas Chinese sites.

Source:
1. Tianya website, April 14, 2010
http://www.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/develop/1/408089.shtml
2. Aiyuan website, April 17, 2010
http://aiyuan.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/%E4%B8%80%E7%AF%87%E8%AE%A9%E7%BC%96%E8%BE%91%E4%B8%A2%E6%8E%89%E9%A5%AD%E7%A2%97%E7%9A%84%E6%96%87%E7%AB%A0%EF%BC%9A%E7%88%B1%E5%9B%BD%E5%AE%B6%E4%B8%8D%E7%AD%89%E4%BA%8E%E7%88%B1%E6%9C%9D%E5%BB%B7/

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

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