Government/Politics - 322. page

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

According to a media report, China’s Public Security personnel will begin stationing in Taiwan, starting early next year.  The stated purpose is to fight serious cross-boarder crimes in a more coordinated way. Taiwan’s chief of criminal investigation said that this is just media speculation and details have not been finalized, but they will work toward that goal.

Source: Central News Agency, May 8, 2009
http://www.cna.com.tw/SearchNews/doDetail.aspx?id=200905080083

More than 2,000 Party secretaries of the Party’s discipline organs at the county level throughout China are gathering in Beijing to attend a focused training course, the first of its kind in the history of the Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Xinhua reported that the training, held in the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, the National School of Administration, and the Training Center of the Supervision Ministry of the CPC Central Committee, has been aimed at improving their abilities to fight against corruption as well as maintain social stability.  The training began on May 8, 2009.

Source: Xinhua, May 12, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-05/12/content_11358058.htm

Xinhua has recently reported on several of Xi Jinping’s activities related to the “Scientific Outlook on Development” theory that was Hu Jintao’s main “theoretical contribution” to Communism. Xi is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Vice President of China.

On May 6 and 7, Xi went to several universities in Beijing to conduct a study of the “Study and Practice of the Theory of Scientific Outlook on Development” movement at universities. On May 7, Xi also gave a speech at the Conference of the University “Study and Practice” Movement at the People’s University, in Beijing. On May 8, Xi Jinping met the participants of the National Conference on the Party’s Construction at the Government Offices. During all these events, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to further implement the “Scientific Outlook on Development” theory.

Source: Xinhua, May 7 & 8, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2009-05/07/content_11332299.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2009-05/08/content_11337545.htm