Skip to content

Briefings - 1244. page

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

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

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

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

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

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

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

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

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

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

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/

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

China Developing Spaceplane That Can Bomb Any Target on Earth

Zhuang Fengan, a Chinese Aerospace expert, disclosed that China has been conducting research on spaceplane. Yan Liang aircraft stress testing base in Xian, a subsidiary of No. 1 Group of China Aviation Industry will carry out the final testing, which is expected to be completed before 2010.

The Global Times calls the U.S. developed spaceplane “sudden and swift; capable of bombing any target on earth.”

Source: Wenweipo, Hong Kong, February 6, 2008 http://www.peacehall.com/news/gb/army/2008/02/200802060815.shtml

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Chinese New Year û Snow Storm Strands Millions

Because of heavy storms hitting the south and northwest regions of China since mid-January, millions of migrant workers have been stranded and unable to go home for Chinese New Year. In Guangzhou alone, 1.1 million out of 3.8 million sold train tickets were returned due to cancellations. The local labor security agency in Guangdong Province has issued an urgent notice to various levels of authorities asking that they persuade those who are stuck on the road to return to Guangdong. They are hoping to keep 65 percent of the migrant workers for the New Year.

Source: Xinhua, February 5, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-02/05/content_7575411.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability