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Briefings - 1125. page

China’s Steel Industry Set For Tough Times

Xinhua reported that China’s steel exports were a mere 1.91 million metric tons in January, a drop of 54.6% from a year earlier. Exports in February went down further to 1.56 million metric tons. China Iron and Steel Association warns that China may soon import more steel than export. Slack domestic demand, reduced international orders, trade barriers in the West and competition from other countries are said to have contributed to the downturn.

On April 8, 2009, seven US steel companies and trade unions filed an anti-dumping petition against Chinese steel products with the US government. On the same day, the European Commission announced its decision to impose anti-dumping duties ranging from 15.6% to 24.2% on Chinese seamless steel pipe.

Source: Xinhua, April 14, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-04/14/content_11183107.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China’s Navy Is Undergoing a Major Transformation

Xinhua published a lengthy interview with the Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Wu Shengli. Wu mentioned that the Navy is undergoing a major transformation. The transformation includes modernization from a mechanized system to an information technology based system and extension of target combating area from near sea to distant sea.

Wu stated that the Central Party Committee requested the Navy emphasize the preparation of military combat over the sea as the national security strategy and military strategy, and gradually develop a defense system over the sea to safeguard the country’s ocean security and development interests.

Source: Xinhua, April 15, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_1.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_2.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_3.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_4.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_5.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_6.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_7.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-04/15/content_11185909_8.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

China Flexes Military Muscles

In recent years, as China has strengthened its military, China has compared its armed forces with the world’s most technologically advanced militaries. Compared to the U.S. and other developed countries, China still lags in terms of weapons of information technology. Nevertheless, China has advanced armed vehicles and tank capabilities, as well as conventional weaponry.

Since the beginning of the open door policy, the Chinese government has invested a huge amount of resources to modernize its armed forces. China’s military spending in 2009 will rise 14.9% to 480.7 billion yuan.

Source: BBC Chinese.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7990000/newsid_7996300/7996336.stm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

China Kicks off Nationwide Patriotic Education Program

The People’s Daily published an opinion piece titled "Let the Glory of the New Era Shine in our Patriotism." It states that "to celebrate the new China’s 60th anniversary, (China) will carry out public patriotic education in depth throughout the entire nation. The Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China had a teleconference to motivate its staff and assign tasks, marking the kickoff of the program."

Source: People’s Daily, April 15, 2009
http://opinion.people.com.cn/GB/40604/9131420.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China’s Exports Declined 17% in March Compared to Last Year

China’s General Administration of Customs announced on April 10, 2009 that China’s total amount of imports and exports was $162 billion in March, 2009, a decrease of 20.9% from last year. Among that, exports were $90.3 billion, a decrease of 17.1% and imports were $71.7 billion, a of 25.1% decrease. The trade surplus was $18.6 billion, an increase of 41.2% over the previous year.

Source: BBC Chinese, April 10, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7990000/newsid_7993500/7993522.stm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Human Rights Action Plan Admits China Faces Many Challenges on Rights

China published a “National Human Rights Action Plan (2009-2010)” on April 14, 2009. At a press conference, Wang Chen, Director of the State Council Information Office, acknowledged that China faces many human rights challenges. There are many unresolved issues in basic human rights, including public participation, legal protection, social justice, employment, social security, education, and medical and public health. The public has a very high expectation and strong demand for human rights improvement and protection.

Source: China News Services, April 14, 2009
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2009/04-14/1645478.shtml

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Chavez Visits China

The President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez arrived in Beijing on April 7 for a three day visit. Upon arrival, he stated that “a new world order is being established”.

The BBC Chinese report indicates that it believes the motive of developing the relationship between Venezuela and China is simple: Venezuela wants to break loose of the trade dependency on oil with the United States, while China wants to expand its oil supply channels.

In addition to the oil trade relationship, the two countries have military and news media relationships.

Source: BBC Chinese, April 7, 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7980000/newsid_7988800/7988822.stm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

More than Half of Australians against Chinese Acquisition of Australian Mining Industry Assets

BBC Chinese reported from Australia that according to a recent poll, more than half of Australians are against the Chinese acquisition of Australian mining assets. Yet, nearly an equal amount of people polled are for or against keeping close ties with China.

The media played an important role in bringing the heated debate between the ruling party and the opposition to the general public.

“Communist China” was frequently used in reference to China in the report.
 
Source: BBC Chinese, April 6, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7980000/newsid_7986000/7986049.stm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources