Government/Politics - 315. page

The Ministry of Justice has established Party organizations in over 90% of the 14,222 law firms in China, says Legal Daily of the Ministry of Justice with the heading “Where there is a law firm, you’ll find the Communist Party.” From April 2008 to April 2009, Party organizations doubled their presence in law firms. “With red flags flying over law firms and lawyers who are Party members shining at their posts, our Party construction has moved on to a new stage in the legal community,” said a Ministry of Justice official.

Source: Legal Daily, May 22, 2009
http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/bm/2009-05/22/content_1094411.htm

On May 25, Xinhua Net republished an article on fair education by Outlook Weekly. Many education specialists suggested in a review of the education reform that the reform (since the 90s) focused more on “development” than “reform,” and more on the “financial angle” than on fairness. The schools came up with a large number of ways to make a profit, and the government’s investment in education itself was at a very low level. The currently proposed new education reform plan does not demonstrate the courage to face the long standing issues. In a survey conducted in 2007 (sample size 5000), “education fairness” scored the lowest among all categories.

Source: Xinhua Net, May 25, 2009.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-05/25/content_11430971.htm

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) published an article titled “China’s ‘Modernization’ Should Surpass the Western Model.” The article said China is facing three major problems: the gap between rich and poor, great deterioration of the environment, and people becoming consumption machines and pursuing materialism.

The article argued that neither giving up modernization nor simply following the Western model will resolve these problems. Instead, it argued the Sinicization of Marxism is the “third option” and pointed out that the research of Sinicization of Marxism is aimed at finding a way out for China. The author reminded people about two trends in China: one is the Sinicization of Marxism and the other one is to rethink and go back to the traditional Chinese culture. The concepts of “scientific outlook on development,” “people foremost,” and “harmonious society” contain a new development model and cultural form.

Source: Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, May 12 2009
http://www.cass.net.cn/file/20090512233283.html

Study Times, a magazine by CCP Central Party School, recently published an article on the importance and urgency of enhancing research efforts of national strategic issues. The article indicated that wide, systematic and deep researches on economics development strategies, political development strategies, culture development strategies and social development strategies are urgently needed today.

The article drilled down to sub-strategies and relationships between the above mentioned major strategic areas. It also suggested that the government should establish National Strategic Research Institute, which should: (1) Gather experienced scholars specialized in various areas to learn from advanced countries; (2) Hold high level training classes for high ranking government officials to enhance strategic thinking; (3) Establish post-doctoral stations to ensure continued supply of talents; (4) Construct National Strategic Information System; (5) Publish National Strategic Research and Consulting Magazine to facilitate communications.

Source: Study Times, May 18, 2009.
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=0&id=2651&bid=6

In November 2008, Cai Yan Ming (Tsai Eng-meng), CEO of WantWant Holding Group reshaped Taiwan’s media landscape by buying the media entities operated under Taiwan media giant “China Times Media Group” which include “China Times,” “Commercial Times," “China Times Weekly,” “CTI Television” and “China Television." Three months later, Cai bought out Asia Television in Hong Kong.

Cai ranked number nine in Forbes richest people in Taiwan and is the founder of Wantwant Holding Group with business investments in food, real estate, restaurant and hospital businesses in mainland China. Cai’s recent shift into the media industry has drawn suspicion as to whether the source of the funding is linked to the mainland. Cai is said to have close ties with the mainland as he was seen with Chen Yunling, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits during his unpopular visit to Taiwan last November.

Source: Epoch Times Magazine
http://www.secretchina.com/news/292956.html

CCP’s Political Bureau of the Central Committee held a meeting on May 22 and passed the following three regulations to tackle corruption: “The Accountability System of Party and Political Leaders,” “Conducting Inspection Work by CCP Members,” “Self-discipline of Conduct by Leaders of State Owned Enterprises.”

Hu Jintao hosted the meeting.

Source: Xinhua, May 22, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-05/22/content_11420259_1.htm

Outlook, a weekly magazine under China’s state media Xinhua News, published an article outlining expert-suggested approaches to promote "China’s Voice" on the international stage.

The article stated that "some Western media reported untruthfully about the serious violence in Lhasa, Tibet that took place in mid-March." To counter Western media’s distorted reporting of China, it is necessary to broaden the platform for China’s voice to be heard in the world.  In short, be able to participate in the settings of the international media agenda.  First of all, take initiatives in guiding world public opinion, instead of being criticized at will.  Second, improve the domestically produced foreign language content with more appropriate expressions and tone so that they are better quoted in Western media.  Third, track world affairs and international focal points; participate in media internationalization that helps to build the basis for an effective guiding force of public opinion in the world arena.  At the same time, build and refine the image of the state that will produce favorable results.

Source: Xinhua News (Outlook reprint), April 10, 2008.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-04/10/content_7950835_1.htm

On May 1, 2009, President Obama issued a statement for World Press Freedom Day (May 3). In his statement, he criticized China for its imprisonment and harassment of journalists and restrictions on freedom of the press in general. On May 4, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Chaoxu urged the United States to "respect the facts" and stop criticizing the press freedom situation in China.

Ma argued that that the Chinese Government has been "lawfully" protecting citizens’ freedom of speech and "fully encouraging" the supervision from news media and public opinion.

Source: China News, May 4, 2009.
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2009/05-04/1674891.shtml