Since the end of February, China has sent numerous officials on more than half dozen trips to Taiwan for various purposes including tourism, cultural exploration, trade, sports, energy, agriculture, information technology, religion, and politics. These represent the largest number of high level visits made across the straight.
Source: Apolo, April 2, 2009
http://www.aboluowang.com/news/data/2009/0402/article_72951.html
One of the few interesting topics during the CPPCC sessions at the National People’s Congress was an open discussion about disclosing officials’ personal property.
The public strongly supported the idea. However, most officials stood firmly against it. One official was quoted as saying, "Why not have the people disclose their property first?"
Some serious issues that China currently faces have also been raised as a consequence of the discussion. Disclosing officials’ property holdings involves the fundamentals of a free society such as freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly, which the government isn’t ready or willing to allow.
Source: BBC Chinese, March 30, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7970000/newsid_7971800/7971849.stm
A commentary by the Outlook Weekly calls the meeting between Obama and Hu one of the highlights at G20. Two major milestones were achieved from the meeting, the article cited, “building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st century” and “establishing a Strategic and Economic Dialogue group”. It named the meeting a historic event which “has set a stage and tone of US-Sino relationship in such a swift and highly efficient manner and carries a significant meaning on the future development of both sides”.
The article also warned a few obstacles along the path including the actions taken by US congress on Tibet and Taiwan issues, Pentagon’s “intention to stir up the South China Standoff” as well as some “anti-China force continues to embark on the trades and currency issues”. It concludes that the future of US Sino relationship remains a major task for both countries to resolve.
Source: China News, April 7, 2009
http://chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2009/04-07/1634477.shtml
Bank of China is set to enter the news industry and make it a key sector of the bank’s 2009 operational plan, according to Wang Zhaowen, the spokesperson of Bank of China. Bank of China foresees the news industry as a potential sector with growth opportunities and wishes to provide comprehensive services including banking, security, insurance, investment and financial consulting.
Source: Securities Daily, March 23, 2009
http://media.people.com.cn/GB/40606/9007075.html
In a recent anti-corruption conference held by the Public Security Bureau in Beijing, Zhu Chunling, Party Committee of Public Security Department and the Chief Inspector, instructed the security bureaus at all levels to take "accidental death" of jailed inmates as a serious issue to address in 2009.
A number of "accidental death" incidents in detention centers were disclosed on the Internet recently causing a strong public reaction to torture and abuses by the security bureau forces.
Source:
Xinhua, April 2, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-04/02/content_11121613.htm
VOA, April 3, 2009
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2009-04-03-voa40.cfm
Although Hong Kong police have enough evidence to bring Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe to court, she will not be prosecuted, according to the Hong Kong Department of Justice. Mugabe attacked and hurt British reporter Richard Jones on January 15. According to the Hong Kong Secretary of Justice, the decision was made by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who decided that Mugabe enjoys diplomatic immunity.
Many Hong Kong human rights organizations and Legislative Council members argued that Mugabe was on a tourist trip, not a diplomatic mission, when she conducted the attack. They also expressed deep concerns regarding the Hong Kong government’s inability to stand for human rights while yielding to Beijing’s pressure in support of dictators.
Source: Epoch Times, April 1, 2009.
http://epochtimes.com/gb/9/4/1/n2480942.htm
The International Finance News for Chinese state media People’s Daily reported that six industries started to enjoy increased export tax rebate rates on April 1. The six industries are Apparel and Textiles, Light Industry, Electronics and Information, Steel, Nonferrous Metal, and Petrochemical.
This is the second time China has increased export tax rebate rates this year. Export companies welcomed the move in general. However, some suggested that due to the decline of exports they tend to sell more goods to the domestic market. Also, due to the international financial crisis, the rate increase may result in more anti-dumping investigations.
Source: International Finance News/People’s Daily, April 1, 2009.
http://finance.people.com.cn/GB/1037/9060251.html
International Herald Leader, under Xinhua News, reported from Beijing that traditional protectionism is no longer the primary weapon against China. Some countries are attacking “Made in China” with “mutated” protectionism.
European and American countries are currently hiding protectionism behind accusations raised by their NGOs. Examples are attacks under the names of “animal protection” and “labor rights”. The Xinhua report concluded that, the goal of this kind of “hidden” protectionism is to reduce imports from China. The report also suggested that Chinese NGOs should fight back by various means.
Source: Xinhua Net, March 31, 2009.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-03/31/content_11104980.htm