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China Intensifies Rural Anti-Corruption Drive: Over 77,000 Village Officials Under Investigation in 2024

China’s anti-corruption campaign has intensified at the grassroots level, with 77,000 current or former village party branch secretaries and village committee chiefs investigated for corruption between January and September 2024. This marks a significant increase of over 30,000 cases compared to the same period last year, according to official reports from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

In total, Chinese disciplinary authorities investigated 642,000 corruption cases during this nine-month period. The investigations spanned all levels of government, from 58 high-ranking provincial officials to thousands of local administrators. The crackdown has been particularly notable at the village level, where the number of cases in the first three quarters of 2024 has already exceeded the full-year total of 61,000 cases in 2023.

Common corruption practices among village officials include accepting kickbacks from local construction projects and fraudulently obtaining rural compensation funds. With China having more than 600,000 administrative villages, the scale of the corruption has sparked public debate. On social media, many netizens suggest that while the number of investigated officials is already substantial, it likely represents only a fraction of actual corruption cases, with many instances going unreported. The persistent revelation of corruption cases has led to public cynicism, with some commenting that the system is “rotten from top to bottom.”

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 28, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410280309.aspx

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China’s Book Ban Crackdown: Officials Face Punishment for Reading ‘Political’ Materials

Chinese authorities have significantly intensified their crackdown on Communist Party officials found reading or possessing banned books, with at least 15 high-ranking officials charged in 2024 alone — nearly double the number from 2023.

The most recent case emerged on September 25, when Li Bin, the former deputy director of Mudanjiang’s People’s Congress Standing Committee, was expelled from the party and referred for judicial processing. While Li faced various corruption charges, including accepting bribes and illegal financial gains, the authorities notably listed his primary offense as “violating political discipline by privately reading illegal publications containing content that undermines party unity.”

This trend of charging officials for possessing or reading “publications with serious political problems” has become increasingly prevalent in China’s anti-corruption campaign. Several prominent figures have fallen under similar charges, including Wang Xiaoguang, former deputy governor of Guizhou Province, who was accused of “being keen on reading overseas publications with serious political problems,” and Liu Liange, former chairman of Bank of China, who was charged with “privately bringing banned publications into the country.”

An investigation by Caixin Media revealed 29 additional cases of officials facing book-related charges, with the most common accusations being unauthorized possession of politically sensitive materials and illegal importation of banned publications. The crackdown has extended beyond traditional printed materials to include digital content. In response, the Communist Party’s revised Disciplinary Regulations, which took effect on January 1, 2024, expanded Article 52 to specifically include penalties for accessing problematic content across various media formats, including electronic materials, online texts, images, audio, and video resources.

Source: Deutsche Welle, October 25, 2024
https://p.dw.com/p/4mEam

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Chinese Government Mandates Domestic Electric Vehicles for State Agencies

China’s National Government Offices Administration (NGOA) has issued a new directive requiring central and state agencies to transition their vehicle fleets to domestic new energy vehicles (NEVs). According to the notice, government departments must achieve a minimum replacement ratio of 30% for NEVs, with expectations to gradually increase this percentage over time.

Despite the aggressive push for NEV adoption, the government maintains strict cost controls as part of its austerity measures. Each sedan purchased cannot exceed 180,000 yuan (approximately $25,000), reflecting the administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while promoting green technology.

The mandate comes amid impressive growth in China’s NEV market. Sales have already surpassed 7.13 million units in the first three quarters of this year, with NEVs capturing over 50% of market share in the third quarter. Industry projections suggest annual sales will exceed 10 million units, marking a significant milestone for China’s electric vehicle industry.

The comprehensive directive specifies that government departments must prioritize NEVs for regular administrative vehicles and fixed-route law enforcement operations. The requirement extends to special-purpose vehicles, such as those used for sanitation and technical inspections, wherever feasible. However, the policy allows for exceptions in regions with challenging geographical or climate conditions.

This initiative serves a dual purpose: supporting the domestic NEV industry’s development while demonstrating the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The policy applies across all administrative levels and public institutions under central and state agencies, positioning China’s public sector at the forefront of the nation’s electric vehicle transition.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 29, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410290431.aspx

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European Parliament Condemns China’s Interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, Supports Taiwan’s International Participation

On October 24th, the European Parliament passed a resolution titled “ Misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan” with 432 votes in favor, 60 against, and 71 abstentions. The resolution offered the clearest stance to date on UN Resolution 2758, emphasizing that it does not take a position on Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution strongly opposes the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of history and international rules, which it uses to block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. It calls on the EU to use diplomatic and economic measures to counter China’s coercion. The resolution describes Taiwan as a key, like-minded partner for the EU in the Indo-Pacific region and encourages the EU and member states to deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan in areas such as economic investment, the semiconductor supply chain, disaster relief, and civil defense. It also calls for continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

The resolution condemns the military exercises and ongoing provocations by the People’s Liberation Army around the Taiwan Strait and commends the restraint shown by the Taiwanese government.

Source: Radio Free Asia, October 25, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/taiwan-european-parliament-china-united-nations-2758-10252024015324.html?encoding=simplified

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China Commemorates 74th Anniversary of Chinese Army’s Participation in Korean War, North Korea Officials Absent From Celebration

Xinhua News Agency reported that October 25 was the 74th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entering the Korean War to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea. On this day, the China’s Ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, led embassy diplomats, representatives of Chinese enterprises in North Korea, media, overseas Chinese, and Chinese students in a wreath-laying ceremony at the China-North Korea Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, paying deep respect to the fallen CPV heroes. Also, on October 21, Wang, along with embassy diplomats and representatives of Chinese enterprises, media, and overseas Chinese, visited the CPV Martyrs’ Cemetery in Yangde County, South Pyongan Province, to honor the martyrs.

However, the report didn’t mention the participation of any North Korean officials.

Compared to a year ago, Chinese media reported that many North Korean officials attended the same event at the China-North Korea Friendship Tower, including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kang Yun-sok, Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea Mun Song-guk, Deputy Minister of National Defense Kim Min-sok, Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs Ryu Eun-hye, Deputy Minister of Culture Pak Kyong-chol, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association Pak Kyong-il, and Deputy Chairman of the Pyongyang City People’s Committee Hong Kim-chol. On the same day, ceremonies were held at the CPV Martyrs’ Cemeteries in Hoechang, Anju, and Kaesong, where local North Korean officials and residents laid wreaths.

Source:
1. Xinhua, October 25, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/20241025/20526d8048d047e7a2910072aab88844/c.html
2. chinamartyrs.gov.cn, October 27, 2023
https://www.chinamartyrs.gov.cn/shengji_gzdt/shengjigjhz/202404/t20240412_411655.html

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Former Chinese Justice Minister Tang Yijun Arrested on Corruption Charges

Tang Yijun, China’s former Minister of Justice, has been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes, according to Xinhua News Agency. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has formally approved his arrest following an investigation by the National Supervision Commission.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission previously revealed several allegations against Tang, including using his authority to help relatives secure financial business deals, improperly interfering in market economic activities and judicial proceedings, failing to properly supervise his spouse, using public power for personal gain through large-scale trading of power for money, and illegally accepting massive amounts of bribes in exchange for favors in business operations, company listings, promotions, and case handling.

Notably, Caixin Media reported that during Tang’s two-and-a-half-year tenure in Liaoning Province, he helped Evergrande Group acquire controlling stakes in Shengjing Bank, which led to substantial bad debts. Evergrande also made significant real estate investments in Liaoning, leaving behind unfinished buildings when its capital chain broke.

Tang’s career included extensive work in Zhejiang Province before becoming the Chairman of Ningbo CPPCC in 2011. He later served as Liaoning Province Governor and Minister of Justice (2020-2023). His last position was Chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial CPPCC before his dismissal from both the Party and public office. Sources indicate that most of the alleged violations occurred during his time in Ningbo and Liaoning.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 18, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410180098.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Xinhua Commentary: War Will Continue Between Hamas and Israel Though Israel Killed Sinwar

Xinhua News Agency published a commentary on Israel’s killing of Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar, who planned and executed the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. It quoted several analysts who all predicted that the war between Hamas and Israel will continue. “Analysts believe that Sinwar’s death is unlikely to mark a turning point for peace in Gaza, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue, with the regional situation possibly worsening further.”

Yonatan Freeman, an international relations scholar at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said that Sinwar’s death might weaken the fighting resolve of some Hamas militants, but Hamas as a whole will continue to fight against Israel.

Mohamed Elmasry, an expert from Doha Institute in Qatar, stated that unless the root causes of the Gaza war are addressed, the cycle of violence may persist. “As for the root causes, they are well known, including Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land, the apartheid system established by Israel, and the blockade of Gaza, among others.”

A new bulletin jointly released by the International Labor Organization and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics on October 17th shows that since the new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began a year ago, the poverty rate in Gaza has reached nearly 100 percent. Ruba Jaradat, Regional Director of the ILO for Arab States, stated that the losses caused by the war in Gaza are not limited to casualties, severe humanitarian disasters, and material destruction, but have fundamentally altered Gaza’s socioeconomic structure, while also severely impacting the economy and labor market of the West Bank.

Source: Xinhua, October 18, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241018/8f566136a685418ca20082323b268eb5/c.html

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China Strengthens Cultural Ties with Indonesia’s Muslims to Change Their Views on Xinjiang

Via its program of “cultural exchange and collaboration,” Beijing has made progress in reshaping the view of Indonesia’s Muslims on Xinjiang .

China has established free Chinese language courses at the Istiqlal Mosque in Indonesia, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. In addition, the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta invited staff at the mosque to visit Xinjiang last year. The Chinese government covered all their expenses, including airfare and accommodation, and arranged and accompanied them for all visits. This trip gave the staff a completely different perspective on Xinjiang: In their view, Xinjiang has developed much better than what the media reports, and China has granted religious freedom to the people of Xinjiang.

In 2018, Muhammadiyah and the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), two of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, publicly condemned China’s actions against the Xinjiang Uyghurs and demanded an explanation from the Chinese government. In recent years, China has actively worked with these two organizations to gain their trust. In October 2022, Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, voted against having a debate on Xinjiang’s human rights issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Source: VOA, October 16, 2024
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-cultural-outreach-to-muslims-in-indonesia/7823041.html

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