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Briefings - 1209. page

Media in China Serving as Source of Military Intelligence

“China Threat” theory mostly originates from media inside China, says a Xinhua article on July 21, 2008. “Those in the West who advocate China Threat Theory quote largely the evidence from Chinese domestic media.” “To great extent, our own media has become the transmitter of foreign media disseminating others’ information.” The article warns that information posted at Chinese websites, once put together, can be very alarming intelligence on Chinese military, which include pictures of un-released munitions in transit and chattering by Internet users about military movement around their neighborhoods. The article posts online the cover of 2008 U.S. Annual Report to Congress on Chinese military power.

Source: Xinhua, July 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-07/21/content_8706892.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-07/21/content_8706892_3.htm

 

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Sino-Japan Human Right Dialogue Resumed before Olympics

To repair China’s shattered image during the Olympics, Beijing agreed to resume a Human Right Dialogue with Japan after eight years of break.

Human Right Dialogue was invented by China in early 1990’s to counter the Human Rights criticism by the West. The dialogue is a discussion between equal partners, while the criticism puts China at defense.

The Human Right Dialogue is not an admission of China’s human rights problem. Qin Gang, Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokes person made it very clear. In a recent press conference, Qin said: “The Chinese Communist Party has been working to improve human rights since Day One of its founding. Human Rights always will be our sacred goal.”

The article blames Amnesty International, Reporters without Border and Human Right Watch for pressuring China to improve its human rights.

Source: Xinhua Net, July 23, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2008-07/23/content_8751211.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Beijing Opens Showcase Democracy Zones during Olympics

On July 23, Beijing Olympic Organization Committee announced that Beijing will designate three parks for free expression and demonstration. But demonstrators have to get government permission.

World Park in Fengtai District, Zizhuyuan Park in Haidian District and Ritan Park in Chaoyang District are selected to showcase China’s freedom.

Citizens are skepitcal of the government intention. Some said after the real dissidents were locked up, the demonstrators are probably arranged actors to boost China’s human right record.

Source: English Epoch Times, July 24, 2008
http://news.epochtimes.com/gb/8/7/24/n2203117.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Men’s Suicide in Tiananmen Linked to Forced Land Seizure by Government

On July 13, a man jumped off from Tiananmen Building and injured himself. Per eye witness, it happened at 4 p.m.. The man was later sent to a hospital for treatment and police investigation.

On June 28, Mr. Zhang from Changying Town, A suburb of Beijing’s Chaoyang District, set himself on fire in Tiananmen Square. The police put off the fire and arrested him. He was said to have suffered 3rd degree burn. Per source close to the case, Mr. Zhang and his family are under house arrest for security of Olympics.

Both cases are linked to injustice in forced land/housing seizure by the government.

Source: Boxun, July 24, 2008
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2008/07/200807241033.shtml

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Eastern Turkistan and Falun Gong Named As Major Threat to Beijing Olympics

In speaking with Xinhua’s International Herald Leader, Li Wei, Chairman of “Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies” of “China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR)” named five groups as the top terrorist threat to the Olympics: Eastern Turkistan, Tibetan Separates, Falun Gong, oversea’s democracy movement groups, and individuals who seek retaliations. As to threats from international terrorism groups, Li said that the scale would not be a big concern but can’t be ignored.

Li disclosed that the western countries including US, Israel, UK, France, Russia, Australia, and Greece have assisted China in its anti-terrorism effort. Ministry of Public Security claimed last month that terrorism is the major threat to the Olympics security.

Source: ChinaGo, July 4, 2008
http://news.chinago.cn/o/2008/0704/1731.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China to Impose Internet Shutdown Policy During Beijing Olympic

Chinese authorities have issued an order to impose “Internet shut down policy” on any websites that are deemed to have “information security violations” from July 25 to August 25. Subsequently, Internet hosting companies issued notices to their clients notifying them of the tightened measures. Some even gave monetary reward to those sites who chose to temporarily shutdown during Beijing Olympic.

Source: Radio Free Asia, July 23, 2008 http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/fengwang-07232008131744.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Shanghai Prominent Rights Lawyer’s House Searched

Zhen Enchong, Shanghai prominent Rights lawyer’s house was searched by five Public Security Bureau personnel from Zhabei district at 1:10pm on July 23. The bureau personnel presented the search warrant but the reason of the search was unknown. Zhen recently returned from a seven-hour-detention on July 20.

Source: The Epoch Times, July 23,2008
http://news.epochtimes.com/gb/8/7/23/n2201589.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Beijing Bond Highway Passengers Checked One-by-One

Per Hebei Province Traffic Police, starting July 20, all 26 Highway check points surrounding Beijing will check all passengers’ ID. Every passenger is required to scan his/her ID card on a card reader. Even if one passenger fails to show a valid ID, everyone on the vehicle, including car, truck and bus, will be denied passage.

Source: Xinjing Bao (New Beijing News), July 11, 2008
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/8221/72028/76059/78907/7542217.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability