Government/Politics - 87. page

After CCTV launched a full attack on the U.S. during its prime time for two consecutive days, People’s Daily published an editorial piece attacking the U.S. for failing to keep its promise. The Paper stated that this means that Beijing has officially launched a media campaign on the topic of “The U.S. betrayal of China.” In addition to CCTV and People’s Daily, on August 4th, Xinhua also published the first of its series of commentaries which further emphasized that China must “do well to ensure stability” and “take care of our own business.” The Paper said that, for those who are familiar with media protocol in China, whenever People’s Daily published a series of editorial pieces, it meant that something big was about to happen.

Source: The Paper, August 5, 2019
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_4083078

On July 29th, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) released a mandate to TV stations at all levels that, for the 100 days of celebration of the 70th birthday of the People’s Republic of China, they could only broadcast TV dramas that SARFT selected; no traditional costume dramas or idol dramas could be broadcast.

The SARFT mandate stated that, based on a careful review and repeated research, 86 TV shows were selected to be the TV stations at all levels in the country to broadcast, especially provincial satellite TV stations. These programs were predominantly pro-Communist propaganda TV shows.

The SARFT further warned that provincial radio and television bureaus must take politics as the lifeline of broadcasting and tighten up their control of the selection and broadcasting of TV shows during the 100 days of celebration.

Source: Sina.com, July 31, 2019
https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2019-07-31/doc-ihytcerm7660422.shtml

The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), formerly the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT, 1998–2013) and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT, 2013–2018), is a ministry-level executive agency directly under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Its main task is to censor the radio, film, and television industries.

On July 25, Nie Chenxi, head of the agency and also deputy chief of the Chinese Communist Party’s Propaganda Department, gave a speech at one of the NRTA divisions. Nie said, “NRTA is a political organ, and the Propaganda Division is a key office. On either major or minor issues, it should take an unambiguous and firm stand on political directions. We must always follow the requirements of the General Secretary and consciously adjust ourselves to the basic theories, policies, and strategies of the Party. We should be on the same page as to the decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee (of the CCP).”

Nie added, “We should look at every program, every documentary, and every cartoon from a political standpoint and adhere to the principle that ‘every word matters, every second is about politics, and every day is a test.’ We must be absolutely loyal to the Party and vigorously temper the political character of loyalty, being ethical and duty bound, and constantly enhance our sense of mission and sense of political responsibility.”

Source: NRTA, July 30, 2019
http://www.nrta.gov.cn/art/2019/7/30/art_112_46920.html

Although a report was made that China is planning to impose martial law in Hong Kong, at her news conference on August 2, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying denied it.

A question was asked, “According to a report, some staff members in Hong Kong’s public services are planning to gather at Central in Hong Kong tonight to request the withdrawal of the Extradition Bill. Some information has been reported that the Hong Kong government will, on August 4, use this as a reason to request China’s army at the Hong Kong garrison to implement martial law and clean out the consulate staffs of the U.S. and European countries in Hong Kong as well as people holding U.S. and U.K. passports. What is China’s response to this hearsay?”

Hua answered, “You called this hearsay. I can tell you clearly that this is not just hearsay; it is a complete rumor!” Hua then went on to repeat China’s usual comment about the Hong Kong movement and blasted the U.S. and other Western countries for stirring up fire in Hong Kong.

Source: Foreign Ministry website, August 2, 2019
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/fyrbt_673021/t1685719.shtml

Former Chinese Premier Li Peng is scheduled to be cremated on the 29th. It is expected that Beijing will hold a formal high level ceremony. In addition to the attendance of the top leaders, the national flag will be lowered. Some commentators believe that Beijing’s high praise for Li Peng is an indication of its endorsement of its decision on the June 4th movement. It also reflects the current situation in Hong Kong.

The official obituary states that Li Peng “during the political disturbances of the spring and summer of 1989 . . . carried out decisive measures to stop the unrest, suppress the counter-revolutionary riots, and stabilize the domestic situation. This played an important role in a great struggle concerning the future and fate of the party and nation.”

Compared with the official praise, Li Peng’s reputation among the general public is quite different. He is most well-known for advocating the suppression on June 4th and is therefore called the “June Fourth butcher.” In addition, he pushed forward the Three Gorges Dam project and enabled his children to benefit financially from the project.

An article that VOA published quoted a commentator who stated that the obituary indicates that Beijing recognizes that this year is a year of high risk and it must guard against all dangers, including the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

Source: Central News Agency, July 28, 2019
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/201907280028.aspx

A princeling (the second generation of high-ranking Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials) gave the Epoch Times some insider information about the CCP’s political in-fighting on the Hong Kong movement.

“Some (top CCP officials) tried to stir things up to force Xi Jinping to make mistakes. They hoped Xi would order firing on people and create another June 4th event in Hong Kong. Some suggested using force and the military, or even having the military take control. All of these schemes were to set Xi up.”

“Xi was very clear about their agenda. He set a big principle that there would be no blood and another June 4th event would be avoided at any cost. He was very firm on this. He made three points: no matter what happened in Hong Kong, ‘It is not allowed to shed blood, not allowed to use guns, and not allowed to use the military stationed in Hong Kong.’ He wanted to quiet down the event.”

Chen Daoxiang, Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stationed in Hong Kong, met David Helvey, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, on June 13. Chen forwarded Xi’s message, stating that Beijing would not use the military.

“Xi is observing, who is doing what in Hong Kong affairs. This might eventually lead to a fight between the anti-Xi group and Xi’s group.”

In addition, “there are CCP spies who came in as protesters, trying to stir things up. The bigger the event, the harder it is to resolve, the better for the anti-X group.”

“After Xi Jinping compromised with Jiang Zemin’s group (Jiang is the former CCP leader; he tried to grab power after his retirement and thus created friction between himself and his successors) at the CCP 19th National Congress, Xi started getting into trouble. Xi agreed not to take down Jiang and his right-hand man Zeng Qinghong. However, from time to time, Jiang and Zeng have tried to create problems for Xi. The Hong Kong turmoil benefits Jiang and Zeng. The two factions of Jiang and Xi have been fighting over Hong Kong.”

“Xi wants to keep Carrie Lam in her position and does not want to make a big change in Hong Kong.”

“As for the officials from Beijing’s offices who are stationed in Hong Kong, including the CCP Liaison Office in Hong Kong and the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, more than a dozen were punished, and some were even dismissed. The CCP was tough on its own officials but wants to Keep Carrie Lam.”

Source: Epoch Times, July 20, 2019
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/19/7/19/n11396919.htm

The Chinese Social Organization Report was recently released. It stated that the regulatory reviews that the NGOs in China are facing are the toughest in the past 20 years. On July 12, the Chinese Academy of the Social Sciences University and the Social Sciences Literature Publishing House jointly released the “Blue Book of Social Organizations: China’s Social Organization Report” (2019). The report used “unprecedented in 20 years” five times to describe the current state of social organizations in China, including efforts to crack down on illegal social organizations, cleaning up the standardization of registered social organizations, the strictness of annual inspections, the punishment of social organizations, and the supervision of social organizations. The intensity and the strictness of the social organization registration reviews are the toughest they have been in more than the past 20 years.

From April 1st to the end of December last year, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security jointly launched a special campaign to crack down on illegal social organizations. In 2018, more than 1,600 social organizations were de-listed and punished for serious violations of the law. The report said that these illegal social organizations include those who use the projects such as the “One Belt and One Road,” “military and civilian integration,”  “poverty alleviation,” and other national strategies to defraud people of their money.

In addition, in recent years, Chinese NGOs, especially those that advocate citizenship Initiatives, have already faced difficulties in surviving. For example, in 2014 and 2015, in the context of frequent labor movements, organizations for labor rights protection have been suppressed. The “Regulations on the Management of Domestic Activities of Foreign NGOs,” which was implemented on New Year’s Day in 2017, has also restricted NGOs from receiving financial support and talent training from overseas.

There are currently more than 800,000 social organizations in China. They are regulated by the “Regulations on the Administration of Social Organizations,” the “Regulations on the Administration of Foundations,” and the “Provisional Regulations on the Registration of Private Non-Enterprise Units.” Last year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued the “Soliciting Opinions for Social Organization Registration Management,” which is expected to be revised this year.

Source: Central News Agency, July 17, 2019
http://https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/201907170199.aspx