Information/Technology - 68. page

The China Hi-Tech Fair was held in Shen Zhen from November 16 to 21, 2012. The Shen Zhen Beidou Navigation Application Alliance was officially announced at the fair. Based on the estimates from the Shen Zhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Science, the monies spent on the domestic production of its satellite navigation system will exceed 200 billion yuan (US$32 billion) by 2015.

According to the president of the Shen Zhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Science, the development of the Beidou Navigation System broke the GPS monopoly and will be a significant strategic benefit to China. It was reported that the Beidou Navigation Application Alliance will achieve the development and industrialization of the Beidou navigation system in the following four areas: core components, application platform, smart phone, and an auto service terminal.

Source: Huanqiu, November 17, 2012
http://china.huanqiu.com/politics/2012-11/3285498.html

On October 24, 2012, China’s State Council Information Office issued the “2012 Energy Policy White Paper.” The White Paper gave an overview of the current status of energy development, the challenges that China faces, and a road-map to develop a new type of energy, while promoting collaboration with other countries.

According to the White Paper, by 2015, China plans to increase non-fossil energy production to 11.4 percent of its total energy consumption. At the same time, it plans to reduce domestic energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 16 percent and 17 percent respectively compared to 2010. It will continue its energy reform by developing new energy and renewable energy sources. It also calls for collaboration from the countries around the world to promote sustainable energy and to protect the world energy market, while also ensuring price stability, safety, and a smooth supply chain system.

Source: Xinhua, October 24, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-10/24/c_113483986.htm

China North Industries Group Corporation donated 500 units of the Beidou Positioning system to the Beijing Public Security Bureau to be installed in the first line patrol vehicles and in telecom command vehicles. They are meant to provide technological support to the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which will be held on November 8, 2012. People’s Daily reported that the Beidou positioning systems will effectively improve the positioning capability of police vehicles in terms of reliability and security. In addition, Beidou’s texting function will serve as a reliable means of communication for all levels of command during an emergency.

Source: People’s Daily, October 19, 2012
http://society.people.com.cn/n/2012/1019/c223276-19315774.html

The recently published Blue Book on China’s New Media suggested that, since 2011, the new media have been transforming in terms of their digital and online forms. They have also become the new driving force that impacts China’s social development in the following four areas: 1) Social capability. The number of instant messaging users has grown 17.7 percent since 2010, reaching 415 million, thus surpassing the number of users for search engines, online music, and Internet news. 2) Expression and Participation. The growth in microblog users suggested that more and more people use the new media to explore, express, and participate in social and political discussions. The data showed that the number of microblog users grew from 63 million at the end of 2010 to 274 million in June of 2012, which means that over 50 percent of the Internet users use microblogs. 3) Rapid growth in commercial applications. The rapid growth in using online stores, banking, and shopping suggested that the new media have matured in the development of social applications. 4) Solid growth in cultural and social capabilities. The new media have become the cultural and entertainment platform for users to have access to online news, video, music, and games.

Source: Xinhua, October 4, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2012-10/04/c_113276781.htm

Foreign press associations in China expressed alarm over recent incidents of violent beatings and threatening harassment directed against foreign reporters. The police and local security guards were involved in several of these beatings and threatening harassment incidents. Foreign press associations in China asked the Chinese regime to protect reporters.  

The Chinese regime responded that foreign journalists can report freely in China despite some restrictions in Tibet. However, in reality, local officials often detain foreign reporters and sometimes beat them when they report "sensitive" incidents.

Source: BBC Chinese, August 21, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/chinese_news/2012/08/120821_china_journalists.shtml