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Local Authorities in Beijing list Enemies to Monitor during the Olympics

China imposed tighter control on purchasing Olympic Games tickets, especially for the opening and closing ceremonies. An official document of Beijing’s local authorities gave orders to effectively monitor "enemies" during the Olympics. The list includes international terrorists, ethnic or sectarian separatists, opponents with hostile attitude, hardliner Falun Gong practitioners, criminal offenders, people who are seriously dissatisfied with the society and petitioners who came to Beijing to appeal their cases.

Source: Voice of America, February 20, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2008-02-20-voa35.cfm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

U.S. Shoot Down of Satellite Is Killing Three Birds With One Stone

“U.S. use of missile to shoot down an inoperable spy satellite tantamount to using artillery to kill mosquitoes.”   What are the true purposes, questioned Xinhua.  Such U.S. move has three hidden purposes, according to Xinhua. To destroy an inoperable spy satellite with a missile can prevent leakage of sensitive equipment, can test the new anti-satellite weapons, and thirdly can also show off U.S. capabilities to control space.

Source: Xinhua, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2008-02/20/content_7633821.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Survey: Almost Half of Drinking Water Supplies Are Not Drinkable

44.36 percent of Cina’s drinking water in its rural areas is unsafe, Xinhua reported on February 19, 2008, citing a national survey of drinking water and rural sanitation. The nationwide government survey was the first of its kind with 6,948 water samples were taken from 667 counties, 6,590 villages and 65,000 households. 25.92 percent of the water samples contains excessive levels of micro-organisms such as coliform bacteria. In China, 74.87 percent of rural water supplies come from underground sources, and 25.13 percent from surface sources.

Source: Xinhua, February 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/life/2008-02/19/content_7631582.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

What is Behind These U.S NGOs?

On February 18, 2008 Xinhua blasts the U.S. NGOs that support Spielberg’s decision to withdraw as an artistic adviser for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  “ They wave the banners of human rights only to incite celebrities and media to smear China‘s image,” says Xinhua. “The NGOs Olympic Dream for Darfur and Save Darfur are supported by anti-China forces.”  Xinhua quotes from a researcher at a state think tank, “these NGOs are deep-down disaffected about China developing relations with African countries.” “Mia Farrow and Spielberg are likely victims of coercion and manipulation.”

Source: Xinhua, February 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-02/18/content_7622034.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Hu Jintao Speak on Fundamental Tests to the Party

On February 18, China’s chief of Communist Party Hu Jintao gave a speech at a workshop attended by delegates from the Party’s Organization Department in Beijing. He stressed that the Party are under "fundamental tests on whether it could lead the people, whether it could maintain a close ties with the people, and whether it could become the core leadership of China’s socialistic course." The meeting was presided by Xi Jinping, a new member of the Standing Committee of the Polibureau. The meeting was also attended by He Guoqiang, another new member of the nine-member Committee.

Source: Xinhua, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-02/20/content_7633734.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Xinhua on Bush’s African Trip

International Herald Leader, a newspaper under China’s official Xinhua new agency, published an article on February 19, 2008, commenting US president Bush’s recent trip to Africa. The article said that Bush’s mission “anti-terrorism and humanitarian assistance” did not resonate in Africa. Instead African media believe the deeper reason behind Bush’s trip was to strengthen US’s military presence in the continent and protect the transport of oil. The article found two features in Bush’s African itinerary: 1) Except for Rwanda, the other four countries visited by Bush are all coastal countries to Atlantic; 2) The visited countries are either of strategic importance or under frequent wars. The conclusion is Bush’s trip is to gradually pave the way for US to militarily intervene African affairs by firstly making friends with coastal countries and countries under war.

Source: International Herald Leader, February 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2008-02/19/content_7630017.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Mongolia’s Arkhangai Expects Chinese Language Courses

J. Khurelsukh, governor of Mongolia’s Arkhangai Province, told Chinese Ambassador Yu Hongyao on February 19 that there is a need for Chinese language courses in middle and elementary schools in the province. Khurelsukh regarded it necessary for Mongolians to study Chinese language to facilitate the exchanges and cooperation with China. Recently Chinese language has gained popularity in Mongolia with courses launched in more than 40 schools.

Source: Xinhua, February 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-02/19/content_7632857.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China Central TV Station Lands in Cuba

A celebrating ceremony was held on February 18, 2008, in Cuba’s capital Havana for the landing of China Central TV (CCTV)’s three international channels in Cuba. Up to 2007, CCTV’s Chinese international channel CCTV-4 had landed 66 programs covering 68 countries and regions; English international channel CCTV-9 landed 98 programs covering 90 countries and regions; French international channel CCTV-F landed 9 programs covering 30 and Spanish international channel CCTV-E landed 7 programs covering 7 countries and regions, respectively.

Source: VOA, February 18, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2008-02-18-voa20.cfm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend