Government/Politics - 179. page

Voice of America recently reported that, over the years, the numbers “89” and “64” have become sensitive words, blocked over the Internet in China, due to their being linked to the 1989 June 4th student movement in Beijing. This year, as the 26 year anniversary of the June 4th student movement approached, reports proliferated that people who tried to wire money found that, if the amount involved numbers such as “89” or “64”, the wire transfer would automatically be stopped and the customer will be notified that it was an “abnormal” transaction. In addition, the report said that the local media were strictly prohibited from mentioning the movement. People who held a ceremony, such as wearing white flowers or burning paper in honor of the dead during the June 4th anniversary, could also be subject to assault and arrest, and could be sentenced to jail terms.

Source: Voice of America, June 4, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/china-censors-money-transfers-on-tiananmen-anniversary-20150604/2807234.html

On May 27, 2015, DWnews.com, a Chinese website headquartered in New York City, republished an article titled “Three Current Ideological Trends in China.” People’s Forum under People’s Daily had previously published this article last year on May 14, 2014. According to the article, three major ideological trends – Liberalism, Confucian Conservatism, and Dogmatic Marxism – have challenged and criticized Chinese Style Marxism (Marxism with Chinese socialistic characteristics). Those who promote Chinese Style Marxism have kept silent in the ideology arguments. The writer of the article attempted to teach the Chinese Marxists how to respond to the other three ideological trends.

According to the article, 1) Liberalism is based on the Westernized universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Liberals believe that it was a “historical mistake” for China to have imported Marxism and Leninism. China should conduct a thorough reform and get rid of Marxism and use Westernized liberalism to replace it.  2) Confucian Conservatism is based on Confucianism. Confucians believe that Marxism has ruined the Chinese culture and Marxism is the culprit to blame for the moral decay in China. 3) Dogmatic Marxism is based on the theories in Marx, Lenin, and Mao’s books. Dogmatic Marxists promote having another, thorough revolution by mobilizing the masses from the bottom up so as to establish true faith in Marxism and Communism. The author of the article concluded that none of the three ideological trends are good.

Sources: People’s Daily and DWnews, May 14, 2014 and May 27, 2015
http://www.rmlt.com.cn/2014/0514/268403.shtml
http://opinion.dwnews.com/news/2015-05-27/59656517.html

Oriental Daily published an article in Hong Kong on May 31, 2015, saying that the Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which Wang Qishan heads, has bypassed the CCP Central Propaganda Department and established its own publicity department for the purpose of publishing independent anti-corruption news reports. The official website of the CCDI (http://www.ccdi.gov.cn/) has announced a lot of news on important anti-corruption cases and arrests of high ranking officials. People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and CCTV, the three top mouthpieces of the Chinese Communist Party, have to get the latest anti-corruption news from the constantly refreshed CCDI official website.

Source: Oriental Daily, May 31, 2015

http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20150531/00184_002.html

People’s Daily reported that, according to the Ministry of Public Security, a brand new Internet surveillance system has been established. Starting June 1, it is expected that Internet police in 50 cities and provinces will monitor online activity using a unique identification account to “safeguard internet security.” The article stated that internet surveillance, covering a full 24 hours, will help to discover “illegal and harmful” information; present “warnings and threats” to those conducting improper online speech and behavior; publish online instances of criminal activity; and accept online tips that report illegal behavior. The article also listed 50 cities and provinces in which the Internet police surveillance is expected to take place.

Source: People’s Daily, March 31, 2015
http://legal.people.com.cn/n/2015/0531/c42510-27082485.html

Xinhua reported that during the recent Politburo meeting held on May 29, the Party organization introduced new guidelines for the development of its work. The article stated that the organization agreed that the Chinese Communist Party should play the “core leadership role” in China. Therefore it should expand in order to further the Party organization’s development in government agencies and in civil, economic, cultural and social organizations. The guidelines provided comprehensive requirements for setting up Party organizations and defined the roles, responsibilities, and decision making process for the work.

Source: Xinhua, May 29, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2015-05/29/c_1115455011.htm

On May 28, 2015, Lanzhou Daily, a Communist Party media in the capital of Gansu Province, announced its decision to suspend Editor Zhao Wen and to initiate an investigation against him due to his “inappropriate remarks” made on his own weibo (miniblog). Earlier, Zhao had made remarks in his blog criticizing the police.

On May 25, Xinhua announced that the Chinese Communist Party issued the “United Front Work Regulations of the Chinese Communist Party (trial version).” The regulations became effective on May 18, 2015. They are the first ever regulations on managing relations with people who are not members of the Communist Party. The regulations cover relations with individuals and organizations who have social, commercial, or academic influence, both inside and outside China, with the goal of ensuring that these groups are supportive of and useful to the Communist Party rule’s (which is called united front work).