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Briefings - 1104. page

Study Times: The U.S. Should Show More Respect for China’s Interests

According to Study Times, if the United States truly intends to engage in constructive cooperation with China, it should care about China’s core interests “such as economic development, arms sales to Taiwan, Tibetan issues, and China’s disputes over territorial waters with its neighboring countries.” The US should not ask China to make a promise on environmental controls that exceeds its capability. “No matter what excuses the U.S. uses or what the volume of the sale is, China views arms sales to Taiwan as an interference with China’s sovereignty and disrespectful of Chinese feelings. The same holds with the issue of Tibet, which goes beyond human rights. And even from the human rights angle, the U.S. has no just reason to interfere….”

Source: Study Times, November 2, 2009
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=3017&nid=11024&bid=2&page=1

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Reform Forthcoming for Non-commissioned Officers

Towards the end of the year, Chinese military forces will implement a new system for over 800,000 non-commissioned officers. This is another major policy reform for non-commissioned officers following the 1999 reform. According to the General Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army, the reform is based on four considerations: retention of officers for information warfare, institutionalization of lessons learned, solutions for current conflicts and problems brought by various changes, and adjustments necessary to meet the needs for reform of the country and its military forces.
 
Source: China News Service, November 4, 2009
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2009/11-04/1946769.shtml

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Air Force Commander on Space Development

During an interview with a Xinhua reporter, Xu Qiliang, China’s Air Force Commander, claimed that the arms race and arms development have taken on a new challenge, as it now includes control of space. Xu stated that whoever controls space will control the ground, ocean, and the electromagnetic field, achieving a strategic advantage. The Air Force should keep on track of the overall goal, including building IT capabilities and being ahead in information warfare. The impetus should continue on strategic requirements, covering air and space and focusing both on offense and defense. The thrust must include improvement of reconnaissance capabilities and early detection, warning, air strikes, defense against air strikes, and strategic delivery capabilities. Military capabilities must face continued refinement and the military must realize the transition from mechanization to information as early as possible.

Source: Xinhua, November 1, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-11/01/content_12364603.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua Bookstore Opened in London

The International Herald Leader, a newspaper under Xinhua, reported that on October 20, 2009, the Xinhua Bookstore opened its first European store in London. At present, there are three Xinhua Bookstores and one on-line store in the United States. The goal of the Xinhua Bookstore is to use the world’s languages, e.g. English, Germany, French, Japanese, Korean, and so on, to tell the desired stories about China.

The article also discussed the differences between the Confucius Institute and the Xinhua Bookstore, both of which are increasing their presence overseas.  It is important to note that the Confucius Institute is directly under the Chinese government’s funding while the Xinhua Bookstore is a business operation (Ed: under a State-Owned Enterprise though).

Source: International Herald Leader, October 30, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-10/30/content_12360037.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Ministry of IIT: New Industries for Industrial Equipment Development

Zhang Xiangmu, Director of the Department of Industry Equipment, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology outlined five areas where China has to develop its equipment production industry further, Xinhua reported. The five areas are regulation, technology improvement, self-sufficiency in technology and equipment, the thrust into mergers and acquisitions, and new industry development. At present the targets for establishing new industries are energy-savings and new energy sources for automobiles, oceanic engineering equipment, general aircraft and regional aircraft, high-speed rail system equipment, and high-performance ship sectors.

Source: Xinhua, October 27, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2009-10/27/content_12342093.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

First World Chinese Language Education Conference Held in Chengdu

Jointly hosted by the State Council of the Overseas Chinese Office and the Chinese Foreign Exchange Association, the first World Chinese Language Education Conference took place in the capital city of Sichuan Province. The focal point of the conference was a call for more exchange and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. The Deputy Director of the State Council Overseas Chinese Office, Zhao Yang, delivered a speech suggesting overseas Chinese associations should take the leading position in organizing and managing overseas Chinese language education. The conference, formerly known as the International Chinese Education Seminar, was originally started in 1990.

Source: United Front Work Department of the Party Central Committee, October 20, 2009
http://www.zytzb.org.cn/zytzbwz/newscenter/hlkd08/200910/t20091020_579748.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

PLA Daily: New Concept Submarine 330 Improves Combat Capabilities

As part of the East China Sea Fleet, Submarine 330 is the first of a new generation of Chinese developed submarines. The primary features of this “new concept power” submarine include low noise level, long submerge time, advanced power systems and cutting edge weapons systems. During a recent trial trip in the northern seas under extreme low temperature conditions, the crew collected a large amount of data on the atmospheric variation patterns of the new cabin, the maneuver margin of the new power system and the physiological tolerance of the crew. The new submarine fleet is introducing new tactics focusing on concealment, breaking through a destroyer fleet, and combating air anti-submarine forces.

Source: Ministry of National Defense, October 23, 2009
http://news.mod.gov.cn/forces/2009-10/23/content_4097218.htm 

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua: Strengthen and Expand Coverage of Primary Party Newspapers and Magazines

The Year 2010 National Video Conference of Publishing Work of Party Newspapers and Magazines was held on October 16. The conference focused on the publishing of the works of the People’s Daily, Qiushi Magazine, Guangming Daily and Economic Daily. The Conference also pointed out that Party newspapers and magazines are the primary “ideological instrument of public opinion.” Party publicity branches should work closely with postal services to firmly accomplish wider distribution. The conference also emphasized continually raising the Party’s capabilities to “guide” public opinion.

Source: Xinhua, October 16, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-10/16/content_12246458.htm 

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics