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CCP Publishes Textbooks on “Xi Jinping Thought”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is known for brainwashing the public, especially young people, with communist ideology and lies. Recently, PRC media outlet Xinhua reported that the CCP Central Propaganda Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, created a textbook titled “Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era.” The textbook will be distributed nationwide, effective immediately.

Xinhua said the text book is designed to “further promote Xi Jinping Thought in teaching materials, in classrooms, and in (student’s) minds.”

Source: Xinhua, August 28, 2023
https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202308/content_6900617.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Cantonese Language Advocacy Group Ceases Operation Amid National Security Bureau Investigation

The chairman of Societas Linguistica Hongkongensis (SLHK), a Cantonese language advocacy group in Hong Kong, has announced the immediate cessation of its operations amid an investigation into suspected violations of Hong Kong’s National Security Law. The investigation centered around Chan Lok Hang, a Hong Kong Baptist University graduate who previously initiated a referendum against mandatory Mandarin education at the university.

Hong Kong’s National Security Bureau (NSS) officers searched Chan Lok Hang’s residence and questioned those present, expressing concern about a Cantonese essay competition organized by SLHK three years ago. The officers said that one of the essays may have violated Hong Kong’s National Security Law. As Chan was not present in Hong Kong during the search, the NSS officers relayed a message to him through his family.

To safeguard his family and former SLHK members, Chan sought legal counsel, halted all SLHK operations, and began dissolving the organization. SLHK had been registered for a decade with the goal of safeguarding the language rights of Hong Kong residents.

Chan, a biomedical sciences graduate, gained recognition during his studies for advocating Cantonese and opposing the use of Mandarin for teaching Chinese in primary and secondary schools. He led a campaign against Mandarin language requirements at Hong Kong Baptist University, which has traditionally demanded students to pass a Mandarin exam before graduation. In 2016, Chan organized a successful referendum with over 400 student signatures, 90% opposing mandatory Mandarin study. This movement even led to a temporary occupation of the university’s language center. After a hearing, Chan received a service order from the university management.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 29, 2023
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202308290138.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

CCP Increases Support for Young Talent in the Sciences

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and the Chinese State Council have issued a document titled “Measures to Further Strengthen the Training and Utilization of Young Scientific and Technological Talents.” The initiative is a response to Western technological containment of China. The document emphasizes boosting the role of young talent in key scientific and technological initiatives.

The directive focuses on motivating and guiding young scientific and technological talents towards achieving “high-level scientific and technological self-reliance” as part of China’s journey towards “modernization and national rejuvenation.”

The measures encourage the involvement of young talents in major national scientific tasks and core technology research, setting a minimum 50% representation of individuals under 40 years of age as project leaders or core members. Funding through China’s National Natural Science Foundation for these talents is prioritized, ensuring a minimum of 45% of projects are supported.

Additional support comes from the relaxation of age, title, and qualification restrictions for participation in the National Key Research and Development Program for Young Scientists. Young scientists are further urged to lead their own research projects, with a goal of 60% of initiative leaders being under 40.

To alleviate burdens on young scientists, the initiative promotes reducing non-research obligations, aiming for over 80% of their workweek being dedicated to research. A focus on work-life balance is also promoted through improved remuneration, regular medical check-ups, psychological counseling, academic leave exploration, and fostering a supportive research environment.

Local CCP committees and governments are instructed to treat young scientific and technological work as a strategic endeavor, aligning it with regional talent development and overall economic and social growth.

The document seeks to strengthen China’s technological capabilities by harnessing the potential of its young scientific and technological talents, fostering a new generation of leaders to drive the country’s scientific progress and technological innovation in the face of international competition.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 27, 2023
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202308270182.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China Restricts What Apps Can be Installed on Mobile Devices

On July 21, 2023, a Chinese government website published a “Notice of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on the Filing of Mobile Internet Applications,” stating that Chinese companies are now required to register their mobile Internet Applications (hereinafter referred to as “apps”) with the Chinese government. Unregistered apps will not be supported by Chinese network access providers and content platforms.

Here are some key excerpts from the notice:

II. Task Specification

(1) Any app owners engaged in Internet information services in China should follow the “People’s Republic of China Anti-Telecommunications Network Fraud Law” and “Internet Information Service Management Measures” (State Council Decree No. 292) and other provisions to file their apps for the record. Those who have not filed shall not participate in app services.

(2) The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will supervise and guide the national task of registering apps. The Communications Bureaus of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities are responsible for management of the implementation and supervision of app registration.

…

(9) Network access service providers, content platforms, and smart terminal manufacturers shall not provide network access, distribution, and pre-configuration services for apps that have not been registered.

Source: Chinese Government website, July 21, 2023
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202308/content_6897341.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Information/Technology

China Starts Assessing Debt Owed by Local Governments

The Economic Observer, a Chinese newspaper focused on economics, reported that Zhengzhou City (Henan Province), Tianjin, and some other places have required district and county governments to make an assessment of money they owe to the private real estate enterprises.

A number of private real estate enterprises told The Economic Observer that local city governments owe them in the range of 1 – 2 billion yuan (US$140 – 280 million). These arrears include commitments to return land premiums, land tax rebates, government-subsidized housing construction deposits, land cleaning advances, et cetera.

On August 3, Pan Gongsheng, the Party Secretary and Governor of the People’s Bank of China, presided over a symposium on financial support for the development of private enterprises. According to a person familiar with the matter, some companies attending the symposium complained about problems with local government debt.

Source: The Economic Observer, August 22, 2023
http://www.eeo.com.cn/2023/0822/602216.shtml

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Government/Politics

Lianhe Zaobao Criticizes Xi Jinping

Singapore-based Lianhe Zaobao used to maintain good relations with the Chinese Communist Party. Recently, however, it published a commentary that openly criticized Beijing’s policy. Two versions of the commentary were published.

The first version has the author’s name in the title: “Liu Mengxiong: the Problem Is Economic, But the Root Cause is Political.” Liu is a Hong Kong businessman and former member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. In the past, he had a pro-Beijing stance. The second version of the article, titled “Commentary: the Problem Is Economic, But the Root Cause Is Political,” indicated the author’s name in a footnote.

In the article, Liu listed economic problems faced by China, praised Deng Xiaoping’s policy of economic reform, and criticized Xi Jinping’s policy (without mentioning Xi’s name explicitly). “The first 30-odd years of reform and opening up were characterized by a steady upward trajectory, but in recent years, [China] has fallen into a downward spiral. If we look at the essence of the phenomenon, we will find that the most fundamental reason for the economic reversal lies in politics.”

The article lists many policies that, in the author’s opinion, have had a negative impact. These include stressing the party’s control over companies, policy on COVID, and the CCP’s hostility against the U.S.

The article ends by calling for political reform and stating that “The economic adversity caused by politics must be treated politically. The question is, does the princeling leader have the sense of historical mission and vision necessary to realize economic marketization, the rule of law, and the democratization of politics through reform of the political system?”

Sources:
1. Lianhe Zaobao, August 21, 2023
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20230821-1425457
2. Lianhe Zaobao, August 21, 2023
https://www.kzaobao.com/mon/keji/20230821/145204.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Government/Politics

China’s Anti-Spy Propaganda Irks Parents

The Chinese government has launched a major counter-espionage social media campaign targeting minors. Platforms like Douyin, WeChat and Xiaohongshu are flooded with spy-related videos and cartoons. Some resurrect decades-old materials urging students to monitor their family members. Many Chinese parents worry this propaganda will warp their children’s minds. The messaging portrays everyone as a potential spy – friends, lovers, job recruiters, etc. Clips advise vigilance against honey traps and bribes.

On July 1st, a revised Counter-Espionage Law took effect. The law was heavily publicized. One 2017 cartoon now recirculating tells students to watch their family for suspicious behavior on weekends and to report their behavior to authorities.

Some parents have privately expressed alarm over the counter-espionage program, saying that it promotes suspicion, destroys trust and relationships, and harms children’s mental health. In an interview by Radio Free Asia, a schoolteacher reported that one student’s parent had said that the campaign brainwashes kids to see even their relatives as hostile, stirring family conflicts. Another parent was reminded of the reporting and antagonism between people seen during China’s Cultural Revolution. The teacher added that the mentality of self-protection risks spawning new social problems.

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 17, 2023
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/kejiaowen/gt2-08172023072815.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Xi’an Government Threatens to Punish Families of Alleged Fraudsters Staying Abroad

The Chang’an Branch of the Xi’an Municipal Public Security Bureau, Shaanxi Province, issued a notice on August 14 regarding individuals staying abroad who are “highly likely to have engaged in fraud.” Among those mentioned were those “staying in northern Myanmar,” “staying in the Golden Triangle,” “staying in the UAE,” and “staying in Cambodia.” The article didn’t name specific crimes committed. {Editor’s Note: This might refer to people involved in the crime rings of Internet fraud operated in those areas, but it may also include people trying to escape the communist regime by going to those countries to apply for asylum.}

The notice stated that “those individuals involved in fraud who are illegally staying overseas” must return through official channels by September 10. They must also report to local police stations 14 days before entry to China. Failure to comply with the order would result in “the individual and those within his/her direct three generations being subject to strict scrutiny during political examination when applying to join the Communist Youth League, the Communist Party, and the military, or when applying for the jobs of civil service and positions supported by public funding.” The term “three generations” include grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren.

Source: Radio France International, August 16, 2023
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20230815-西安通告-家有嫌犯不归-查直系三代

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics