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Xi Jinping Warned CCP Members Not to Touch the “High Voltage Line”

CCTV published an article titled “The General Secretary Warns Party Cadres Not to Touch This ‘High Voltage Line’.” It quotes Xi Jinping from 2015 to 2024 to warn the Chinese Communist Party cadres to be loyal. On January 1, 2024, the newly revised ” Regulations on Disciplinary Actions of the CCP Members” came into effect, outlining 37 “high voltage lines” across seven aspects for the Party organizations and members. On January 8, Xi stated the “Nine Musts,” which are also considered the “high voltage lines.” Observers have analyzed that the first three “musts,” which are to adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, to lead the great social revolution, and to follow the ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics of the new era, refer to absolutely safeguard Xi’s leadership and absolutely be loyalty to him.

Echoing the CCTV article, the South China Morning Post reported on June 16th that the Central Committee on Disciplinary Inspection issued a special report on June 12th, warning, “Do not openly speak ill of the Party on major issues,” and that “publicly expressing opinions that contradict the decisions of the Central Committee is absolutely not allowed.” The report also warned that “irresponsible discussions” of the Party’s major policies, “disrupting thoughts,” publicly criticizing party unity, and obstructing policy implementation will be “severely dealt with.”

Radio France International commented that these articles showed the politicla atmosphere in China is tense as the CCP’s Third Plenary Session of the 20th National Congress approaches.

Source:
1. Radio France International, June 17, 2024
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20240617-勿碰高压线-习近平在警告谁
2. CCTV, June 17, 2024
https://news.cctv.com/2024/06/17/ARTICfAGfDCWB1wWgoN7oCyI240422.shtml

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Guangming Daily: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Security Governance

Guangming Daily published an article on Artificial intelligence (AI)’s impact on governance over national culture and security. It stated that AI exhibits a series of prominent characteristics, such as deep learning, cross-domain integration, human-machine collaboration, open collective intelligence, and autonomous control. These features are having a profound impact on national cultural security and governance systems.

The data-driven intelligent analysis capability makes AI an effective tool for in-depth analysis and mining of massive amounts of data, providing extensive data support for security governance. The latest generation of AI technology, by integrating diverse types of information and relying on big data models and powerful computing capabilities, can process and analyze data in real-time and quickly produce and publish results. This efficient and timely information processing greatly facilitates the convenience of cultural dissemination and the timeliness of security governance.

AI can also be used for real-time monitoring and risk identification of cultural security, effectively enhancing the foresight and precision of governance. By deploying advanced algorithms and machine learning models, AI systems can continuously collect information from the internet, social media, and other data sources, analyzing the trends and patterns of cultural dissemination. Statistics show that by the end of 2023, AI systems in China were able to monitor and analyze about 100,000 pieces of sensitive information related to cultural security every day, with approximately 80% of the information being processed in a timely manner.

Source: Guangming Daily, June 23, 2024
https://theory.gmw.cn/2024-06/23/content_37394566.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Information/Technology

China Held a Propaganda Campaign over International Media Reporters on Xinjiang

To shape the views of some international media reporters, Beijing organized a themed interview group, “Exploring the Core Area of the Silk Road Economic Belt,” to visit Xinjiang for interviews and filming. Nearly 20 media professionals from different countries participated, most of them visiting Xinjiang for the first time. During the nine-day trip, the group will visit cities such as Yining, Urumqi, and Kuqa to gain an in-depth understanding of Xinjiang’s “real situation in terms of high-quality development, ecological protection, cultural heritage, and opening up to the outside world.” Canadian journalist Aiden Jonah said, “My initial impression of Xinjiang came from negative reports in Western media. But as I gradually learned more, many of the accusations and lies in those reports fell apart. I always keep an open mind about Xinjiang and believe in seeing things with my own eyes.”

Source: China News Agency, June 20, 2024
https://www.xj.chinanews.com.cn/xinjiang/2024-06-20/detail-ihecnkzk2010641.shtml

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China Publishes Tough Law on ‘Taiwan Independence Elements,’ Including Death Penalty

On May 26, 2024, China’s Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, and Ministry of Justice jointly issued a document titled “Opinions on Lawfully Punishing Stubborn ‘Taiwan Independence’ Elements for Crimes of Splitting the State and Incitement of Splitting the State.”

The document defines ‘the crime of splitting the state’ as:

(1) Initiating or establishing “Taiwan Independence” separatist organizations, planning or formulating “Taiwan Independence” separatist action programs, plans, or schemes, or directing members of “Taiwan Independence” separatist organizations or other individuals to engage in activities that split the state or undermine national unity.

(2) Formulating, amending, interpreting, or repealing relevant regulations in the Taiwan region or through “referendums”, in attempt to change the legal status of Taiwan as part of China.

(3) Attempting to create “two Chinas,” “one China, one Taiwan,” or “Taiwan independence” in the international community by promoting Taiwan’s membership in international organizations whose members are limited to sovereign states or through official exchanges or military contacts.

(4) Abusing authority power to extensively distort or falsify the fact that Taiwan is part of China in the fields of education, culture, history, or news media, or suppressing parties, groups, or individuals that support the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and national unity.

(5) Other actions attempting to separate Taiwan from China.

It defines the principal offenders or those with particularly serious crimes shall be sentenced to life imprisonment or fixed-term imprisonment of more than ten years. Among them, those causing particularly serious harm to the state and the people, as well as those with particularly heinous circumstances, may be sentenced to death. Active participants shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of more than three years but less than ten years. Other participants shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of less than three years, detention, control, or deprivation of political rights.

Source: China Review News, June 21, 2024
https://bj.crntt.com/doc/1069/4/6/0/106946098.html?coluid=7&kindid=0&docid=106946098&mdate=0621155631

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

2024 “Praise China” Online Commentary Conference Held in Changsha, Hunan Province

On June 14, 2024, the “Praise China” Online Commentary Innovation Conference was held in Changsha, Hunan Province. Representatives of outstanding authors from the “Praise China” Online Commentary Contest, along with experts, scholars, and media representatives, gathered to discuss and promote innovative methods for the production and dissemination of online commentary that “amplifies China’s positive voice.” The conference was organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China (中央网络安全和信息化委员会办公室) and a few other government agencies.

The 2023 “Praise China” Online Commentary Contest received a total of 88,467 submissions including text, video, and comic commentaries. The content “covered a wide range of topics, including news and current affairs, rural development, economy, livelihood, internet civilization, education, culture, and sports.”

Source: China Daily, June 14, 2024
https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202406/14/WS666c0265a3107cd55d266f0a.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Jiang Zemin’s Son Jiang Mianheng Demoted at ShanghaiTech University

On June 5, ShanghaiTech University’s website posted a message stating that Jiang Mianheng, son of the former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Jiang Zemin, has been demoted. He stepped down from the position of President of the university and has now been appointed to the position of Dean of the university’s Administrative Committee. Feng Donglai, an Academic from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has taken over as the new President.

{Editor’s Note: Jiang Mianheng is 73 years old. This demotion would be less controversial if he had simply retired from the position of President. Giving him a lower position at the same university after his stepping down from being president is fairly humiliating, however.}

Mianheng’s father Jiang Zemin held the top position as leader of the CCP for over a decade (until 2002). He died in November 2022. He was called the “Grand Master of Corruption in the CCP.” Jiang Zhicheng, Jiang Mianheng’s son who was born in 1986, manages the Jiang family’s assets of over 1 trillion yuan (US$140 billion) and is viewed as one of the world’s top hidden tycoon. There have been widespread rumors that Xi Jinping wants to single out the Jiang family as the biggest culprit spreading corruption in China.

Source: Epoch Times, June 5, 2024
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/6/5/n14264595.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Three Arrested in Hong Kong for Allegedly Insulting Chinese National Anthem

Three Hong Kong citizens were arrested on June 6 at a football stadium for allegedly insulting the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China.

The World Cup Asian qualifying match between Hong Kong and Iran was held at the Hong Kong Stadium on the night of the June 6. As is customary, the Chinese national anthem was played before the match.

The police stated that during the playing of the national anthem, the three arrested individuals either turned their backs to the field or did not stand up, violating Hong Kong’s National Anthem Ordinance. They were subsequently removed from the stadium and arrested.

The case is currently under investigation by Hong Kong’s Serious Crime Team. All three individuals have been released on bail and will have to report to the police early next month.

After the 2014 “Occupy Central” movement in Hong Kong, the city saw a local rise in anti-China sentiment. During international football matches, large groups of fans would boo during the Chinese national anthem.

In June 2020, the “National Anthem Ordinance” came into effect, criminalizing improper use of the national anthem as well as the public, intentional insult of the anthem. The ordinance stipulates that insulting the national anthem can result in a HK$50,000 fine or 3 years imprisonment.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), June 7, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202406070057.aspx

Analyses | | |   Government/Politics

China’s Communist Party Members Revised Disciplinary Code Details “Hundred Sins”

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) nearly 100 million members are studying a newly revised set of “Disciplinary Regulations.” The regulations contain over 100 provisions, leading Hong Kong media outlet Ming Pao to sarcastically comment that members who can avoid violating any of them are almost “saints” or “perfect people.”

According to the commentary in Ming Pao, the revised regulations list 158 disciplinary violations for party members. These include bans on religious beliefs, stock trading, and joining alumni or hometown associations without approval.

First introduced in 2003 and frequently revised since, the latest version of the CCP’s “Disciplinary Regulations” took effect on January 1st, 2023 after the latest revisions were finalized in December 2022. Violations span six categories: political, organizational, integrity, mass relations, work, and life.

On the political discipline front, publicly expressing “right-wing” views that “adhere to the position of bourgeois liberalization and oppose the Four Cardinal Principles,” as well as “ultra-leftist” opposition to China’s reform and opening up policies, are considered violations. Newly added are violations like “opportunistic networking” and “associating with ‘political fraudsters.'”

“Political fraudsters” refer to those who claim high-level connections to officials, those who claim to have “special backgrounds” as experts/masters, and those who ingratiate themselves with local politicians to facilitate promotions or to resolve legal cases for personal gain.

The Ming Pao commentary noted that, while some violations like “failing to resolutely implement central policies” are clear, others like “pursuing sensual pleasures and vulgar interests” or “inaction, false action, and slow action” are more vague and hard to interpret.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), June 11, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202406110039.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics