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Briefings - 1200. page

Former Prime Minister Suffered Stroke

According to people close to the source, Li Peng, the 80-year-old former Prime Minister, suffered a stroke on February 3 and was sent to the 301 PLA hospital for emergency treatment. Li regained conscious after 48 hours of urgent rescue but is still listed in critical condition. He is reportedly to appear facial paralyzed.

Li’s name is closely linked to the Tiananmen Square Movement in 1989, when Li backed the use of force to suppress the student protest.  His last public appearance was at the opening ceremony of 17th National Congress in October 2007.

Source: New Century Net
http://2newcenturynet.blogspot.com/2008/02/blog-post_2004.html

Xinhua’s Interview with the Author of The New American Imperialism

On February 13, 2008, Xinhua published an interview with Dr. Vassilis K. Fouskas, a senior lecturer in International Relations at the University of Stirling in U.K. The report summarized the key points of the interview as the following:

1) Comparing with 1947, U.S.’s economic status is challenged with a shrinking proportion in world trade and a softening economic power. 2) Bush administration’s response to 9.11 terrorists attack is the consequence of U.S.’s sliding economic status. The purpose of continuous resorting to military power is to protect its fading super power in the world economic structure. 3) 9.11 became the new turning point for U.S. to carry out its new imperialistic strategy. War against terror can continue for ever to deal with terrorism, which has replaces communism as the main target. 4) The subprime mortgage crisis shows that certain socialistic economic management is correct. U.S. government will find it difficult to handle fundamental social political economic problems. Peaceful expansion of Europe and Asia will finally replace the U.S. hegemony.

Source: Xinhua, February 13, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-02/13/content_7594979.htm

Fujian Official on Media Management

The most recent issue of Qiushi magazine published an article titled “Understand, Treat, Use, and Manage News Media Properly” written by chief of Chinese Communist party’s Fujian provincial Propaganda Department. It reinstated that China’s news media is a mouthpiece of the Party and people under the socialist condition. It should not be deemed as a public venue independent of or opposite to the Party or people. News media should carry both the functions of news propaganda and information dissemination. It should insist on the role of guiding the public opinions, which is the soul of the work of journalists.

Source: Qiushi magazine, 3rd issue 2008 (Qiushi is the official publication of Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee)
http://www.qsjournal.com.cn/qs/20080201/GB/qs%5E472%5E0%5E21.htm

China Kicks-Off China Year in Australia

On February 10, 2008, “China Year” (2008-2009) in Australia kicks-off in Victoria Art Center in Melbourne. China sent an artist group to celebrate the ceremony. The event was organized by Australian “China Year” Organizing Committee and Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and was sponsored by government.

Source:China News Agency, Feb. 12, 2008 http://www.chinanews.com.cn/hr/dyzhrxw/news/2008/02-11/1160003.shtml

Hunan Authorities Issues Urgent Notice to Prevent Price Hike in School Cafeterias

Since last year, consumer price has been going up continuously. In particular, the food price has increased markedly. The biggest snow storm in 70 years hit Hunan Province pretty hard, significantly affecting the lives of school teachers and students. To ensure stability, the Education Department of Hunan Province issued a notice, strictly controlling the fee for school education, and keeping price of food in school cafeteria from going up.

Source:China News Agency, February 11, 2008
http://edu.chinanews.cn/edu/zcdt/news/2008/02-11/1160015.shtml

Xinhua on U.S. Congressional Hearing on China Espionage

On February 8, 2008 Xinhua reported on a recent U.S. Congressional hearing regarding Chinese espionage.

“After the hearing a Congressman claimed, ‘China’s espionage activities has become the number one threat to the United States.’ In fact, in many cases last year, some Western media, organizations and individuals made allegations about China espionage theory and China hackers theory, with no evidence whatsoever. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly refuted these allegations. The content of this Congressional hearing is nothing but ‘the same old tune.’"

The article mentioned Congressman Forbes, and witnesses Hon. J. Patrick Rowan and Larry Wortzel, apparently out of Bill Gertz’s Washington Times article on the Congressional hearing.

Xinhua quoted from a Chinese government think tank that Washington Times tends to publish right-wing ideology and that the authenticity of its reports have always been questionable.

Source: Xinhua, February 8, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-02/08/content_7581605.htm

Can We Trust Chinese Military?

On February 7, 2008, Banyuetan (Bi-monthly Discussion), a publication of Xinhua, published an article on U.S. – China military relations, written by Luo Yuan, Major General and Deputy Director of World Military Research Department of PLA Academy of Military Science.

After a brief review of the ups and downs since early 90s last century, the article states that biggest obstacle that hinders U.S. – China military exchanges and cooperation lies in the lack of mutual trust at a strategic level. The article complains that after China has done everything it could within the limit of its ability, “some Americans biased against China are still not satisfied and continue to spread the ‘China threat theory.’"

Source: Xinhua, February 7, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-02/07/content_7580398.htm

Human Rights Defender Sentenced to 4 Years’ Imprisonment

On February 5, Hangzhou-based writer Lü Gengsong was sentenced to four years for "inciting subversion of state power" based on 19 articles that he posted online. His political rights will subsequently be deprived for one year. Lü’s hearing lasted for 15 minutes and only his immediate family and two friends were allowed to attend. Outside the courthouse, more than 20 people came to voice their support, one was detained. According to Radio Free Asia, his wife said that he plans to appeal.

Source: Radio Free Asia, February 05, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2008/02/05/lugengsong/