Briefings – Page 337

Chinese Manufacturers Move to Vietnam to Evade Tariffs

As the prospect of the US-China trade war continues to be unpredictable, many Chinese manufacturers have turned to Vietnam to set up plants in the hope of avoiding high tariffs.

The statistics show that, in the first seven months of this year, the Southeast Asian country attracted US$20.2 billion in foreign investment, down 13.4 percent from the same period last year.

China topped other countries by investing US$1.78 billion in Vietnam in the first seven months. However, due to the large number of investment projects, a total of 364, the average size of each investment was quite small.

With the ongoing US-China trade war, since last year, Chinese manufacturers have set up small-size plants in Vietnam. The purpose is to import semi-finished products from China, change the country of production, and then sell to the U.S. and European markets to avoid high tariffs.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs reported that 15 products imported from China have shown a significant growth. Six of them are on the list of targets for high tariff sanctions that the United States has imposed on China, including timber products, electric wires, electronic components, mobile phones, furniture, household appliances, and leather shoes.

Source: Central News Agency, July 30, 2019
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/201907300115.aspx

Briefings | | August 6, 2019 | Economy/Resources

The Paper: Official Media Launched Media Campaign Attacking U.S. for Breaking its Promise and Bringing Harm to the World

After CCTV launched a full attack on the U.S. during its prime time for two consecutive days, People’s Daily published an editorial piece attacking the U.S. for failing to keep its promise. The Paper stated that this means that Beijing has officially launched a media campaign on the topic of “The U.S. betrayal of China.” In addition to CCTV and People’s Daily, on August 4th, Xinhua also published the first of its series of commentaries which further emphasized that China must “do well to ensure stability” and “take care of our own business.” The Paper said that, for those who are familiar with media protocol in China, whenever People’s Daily published a series of editorial pieces, it meant that something big was about to happen.

Source: The Paper, August 5, 2019
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_4083078

Briefings | | August 6, 2019 | Government/Politics

Propaganda TV Shows Dominate the 70th Birthday of the People’s Republic

On July 29th, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) released a mandate to TV stations at all levels that, for the 100 days of celebration of the 70th birthday of the People’s Republic of China, they could only broadcast TV dramas that SARFT selected; no traditional costume dramas or idol dramas could be broadcast.

The SARFT mandate stated that, based on a careful review and repeated research, 86 TV shows were selected to be the TV stations at all levels in the country to broadcast, especially provincial satellite TV stations. These programs were predominantly pro-Communist propaganda TV shows.

The SARFT further warned that provincial radio and television bureaus must take politics as the lifeline of broadcasting and tighten up their control of the selection and broadcasting of TV shows during the 100 days of celebration.

Source: Sina.com, July 31, 2019
https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2019-07-31/doc-ihytcerm7660422.shtml

Briefings | | August 6, 2019 | Government/Politics

NRTA Chief Emphasize Loyalty to the Party

The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), formerly the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT, 1998–2013) and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT, 2013–2018), is a ministry-level executive agency directly under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Its main task is to censor the radio, film, and television industries.

On July 25, Nie Chenxi, head of the agency and also deputy chief of the Chinese Communist Party’s Propaganda Department, gave a speech at one of the NRTA divisions. Nie said, “NRTA is a political organ, and the Propaganda Division is a key office. On either major or minor issues, it should take an unambiguous and firm stand on political directions. We must always follow the requirements of the General Secretary and consciously adjust ourselves to the basic theories, policies, and strategies of the Party. We should be on the same page as to the decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee (of the CCP).”

Nie added, “We should look at every program, every documentary, and every cartoon from a political standpoint and adhere to the principle that ‘every word matters, every second is about politics, and every day is a test.’ We must be absolutely loyal to the Party and vigorously temper the political character of loyalty, being ethical and duty bound, and constantly enhance our sense of mission and sense of political responsibility.”

Source: NRTA, July 30, 2019
http://www.nrta.gov.cn/art/2019/7/30/art_112_46920.html

Briefings | | August 4, 2019 | Government/Politics

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Denied Martial Law in Hong Kong

Although a report was made that China is planning to impose martial law in Hong Kong, at her news conference on August 2, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying denied it.

A question was asked, “According to a report, some staff members in Hong Kong’s public services are planning to gather at Central in Hong Kong tonight to request the withdrawal of the Extradition Bill. Some information has been reported that the Hong Kong government will, on August 4, use this as a reason to request China’s army at the Hong Kong garrison to implement martial law and clean out the consulate staffs of the U.S. and European countries in Hong Kong as well as people holding U.S. and U.K. passports. What is China’s response to this hearsay?”

Hua answered, “You called this hearsay. I can tell you clearly that this is not just hearsay; it is a complete rumor!” Hua then went on to repeat China’s usual comment about the Hong Kong movement and blasted the U.S. and other Western countries for stirring up fire in Hong Kong.

Source: Foreign Ministry website, August 2, 2019
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/fyrbt_673021/t1685719.shtml

Briefings | | August 4, 2019 | Government/Politics

The Paper: PLA’s Hong Kong Garrison Commander Expressed Hard-line Position

[Editor’s note: Chen Daoxiang, Commander of the PLA’s Garrison in Hong Kong said in June, when he met with David Helvey, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Defense, that the Hong Kong garrison would not interfere in local affairs.]

According to The Paper, “The reception for the 92nd anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese PLA’s garrison in Hong Kong” was held in Hong Kong on the evening of July 31. In his speech, Chen Daoxiang strongly condemned a series of recent incidents of extreme violence in Hong Kong and expressed his attitude with “seven resolutes.”

Chen Daoxiang said that the garrison will resolutely follow the instructions of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, resolutely implement the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, resolutely support the Chief Executive of the Legislative Council, resolutely support the Hong Kong police in law enforcement, resolutely support the Hong Kong SAR Government’s rigorous law enforcement on anti-rioting, resolutely support the actions of the patriotic Hong Kong people to defend the rule of law in Hong Kong, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and the security of Hong Kong.

A theme film “Remain true to our original aspiration and Protect Hong Kong” was also shown at the reception, including training exercises such as special warfare, anti-terrorism, anti-riot, and flat violence.

[Editor’s note: the three minute long video with both Chinese and English subtitles is available at the Weibo site of the PLA’s Hong Kong garrison, https://www.weibo.com/u/1181382331?is_hot=1]

Source: The Paper, July 25, 2019
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_4057900

Briefings | | August 4, 2019 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Taiwan’s “CCP Agent” Legislation Targets Pro-Beijing Media

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen recently highlighted the situation of mainland China’s all-round infiltration into the island, against the backdrop of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s proposal of “one country, two systems” for Taiwan earlier this year. Tsai told the media that for the sake of national security, the government will push for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) agent legislation.

In May 2019, nearly 70 Taiwanese media attended the 4th Cross-Strait Media People Summit, hosted by China’s Beijing Daily and Taiwan based Want Want China Times Media Group. On July 16th, the Financial Times published a report, alleging Want Want-owned media outlets the China Times and CtiTV were taking orders on a daily basis from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on how to prepare their news.

A month ago, on June 23, a demonstration was held in Taipei against the “red media.” Thousands of people took to the streets to protest the Want Want group.

A former China Times reporter told BBC Chinese that, since the Want Want Group purchased the China Times, the newspaper has given priority to cross-strait news. For example, if there is a Chinese Communist Party official visiting Taiwan, the reporter may have to give up other pre-scheduled reporting activities and cover the Chinese official instead, even if the story is not newsworthy.

China Times was founded in 1950, originally a newspaper with considerable credibility in Taiwan. In 1986, its daily circulation reached as high as 1.2 million. In November 2008, after the Want Want Group gained ownership of the paper, its style gradually changed toward the position of being pro-Beijing. After 2014, China Times underwent a massive revision. Its new motto became “identifying with China, true love of Taiwan, and unification at last.” In June of 2019, during the 30 year anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre, stories of a China Times senior reporter being shot by the People’s Liberation Army in 1989, and a series of related in-depth reports were all removed from its website.

The former reporter believes that it is necessary to expose the relationship between such institutions and foreign forces. Such a relationship should be made public showing whether the content of the media represents a particular group or regime, and readers should be allowed to obtain complete information.

Source: BBC Chinese, July 25, 2019
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese-news-49119237

Briefings | | August 2, 2019 | Geo-Strategic Trend

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