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Reliance on Taiwan’s Desire for Independence: Contradiction for the Chinese Communist Party

In a recent opinion article, Mr. Chen Pokong, a political commentator for Radio Free Asia, believed that the main purpose of Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) expansion of its military force is to reinforce and protect its power instead of national defense. As CCP could not frankly admit that, it finds many good excuses for its military expansion, such as opposing Taiwan’s independence, terrorism or hegemony. Please read the translation of the full text of the article below: [1]
Whenever the international community questioned the motivation for the CCP’s military expansion, the CCP maintained that the buildup was required for national defense. On some occasions, it also indicated that military expansion was an effort against Taiwan independence.

Nevertheless, the U.S. as well as many western countries and many among China’s neighbors maintained that the CCP’s military expansion was far beyond preparations for national defense. Keating, the U.S. Pacific Commander who recently visited China, has also pointed out this issue. Regarding the CCP’s amassment of military strength, based on what the CCP has indicated, one might consider that this burgeoning military was in development for waging some form of “Taiwan Strait War.” However, the size of China’s military force registers far beyond that which would be required for such a clash.

During the past twenty years the CCP has constantly expanded its military power, while overall military expenses have increased in double digits annually, reaching one hundred billion yuan each year. Under an outside estimate, the CCP’s actual military expense has been two to three times more than the published figure. Each year during the CCP’s “two conferences,” the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the CCP publishes its annual fiscal budget. The military budget has always topped the list among all categories.

For example, in March 2007 when the “two conferences” were held, Chinese authorities placed special emphasis on rhetoric centered around “people’s lives.” Still, the military expenses remained paramount among the key budgets, with military expenditures totaling 350.921 billion yuan this fiscal year, an increase of 52.99 billion, or 17.8%. This allotment comprised 7.5% of the country’s annual budget, and military expenses exceeded the “Three Nong” expenditures. [2] These expenses concerned 800 million farmers when farmers were considered the largest “people’s lives” problem. Total expenses for technology, education, health and culture were less than half of that spent for the Chinese military.
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When viewed in light of the issue of Taiwan’s independence, the CCP evidences an intriguing mindset. On the one hand, if the Taiwanese government were to go so far as to actually assert its independence, the CCP would be in a position of losing face. All these years, the CCP has projected its voice very loudly against Taiwan independence both within its nation and abroad. On the other hand, if Taiwan maintained a level of quiet about its independence, the CCP would not know what to do. It would no longer have an excuse to keep up the rate of military expansion. However, it would not feel safe if the military expansion were stopped. In fact, the CCP has placed its stakes on the issue of Taiwan’s independence always being there in the long run. So, when the CCP talks about striking out against Taiwan independence, it is half-true at best. There is an unspoken dependence on the existence of Taiwan’s clamour.

From the issue of Tibet, we catch the CCP’s trick. The Dalai Lama publicly announced that he had given up on the idea of Tibetan independence stating that, moreover, he would like to concede that Tibet is a part of China, but he did so in the hopes that Tibet would be autonomous to a great extent. He even used the CCP’s term, “One Country Two Systems,” in hopes of solving the Tibetan issue. However, the CCP not only didn’t appreciate the offer but also continued to “criticize” the Dalai Lama, forcing Tibet to remain labeled as a region striving for independence. Internationally, people all know about the Dalai Lama’s view on Tibet, which is no demand for independence, but only a demand for autonomy. Only the Chinese people wrongly continue to think that the Dalai Lama is still demanding Tibetan independence.

The purpose of the CCP’s distorted propaganda has been to delay peace talks with the Dalai Lama. In the meantime, it seeks to transform Tibetan culture behind the Dalai Lama’s back so that it can completely control Tibet. The CCP shuns the responsibility for the peace talk failures and has persuaded people to consider that it was the fault of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government. Thus the CCP has rid itself of the pressure of the constant demands for peace talks from the international communities.

Coming back to the Taiwan issue the situation is about the same. With the excuse of striving against Taiwan’s independence, the CCP has developed and accumulated a lot of military power. It also can hold high the flags of nationalism and patriotism in front of the Chinese people, which are now precisely the CCP’s raison d’etre while facing the collapse of spiritual belief in China.

Moreover, while the CCP plays at smoke and mirrors in the name of opposing Taiwan’s independence, it has effectively blocked Chinese people from viewing the democracy in Taiwan. It has thus avoided the direct influence and impact of Taiwan democracy. Not to mention that the CCP’s media had already demonized Taiwan’s democracy and regularly disparages and smears the democracy in Taiwan by comparing it with its own Cultural Revolution.
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With the coming election in Taiwan this year, the CCP does not necessarily hope for Ma Ying-jeou’s victory as many have predicted. With its complicated mentality, the CCP does not yearn for the “Taiwan independence” issue to cool down, neither does it wish for the conflict to disappear. Between the two sides of the Strait, if the topic of “democracy and dictatorship” replaced that of “unification and independence” it would be a big disaster for the CCP.

Let’s predict what would happen if Ma Ying-jeou were to be elected. He promotes “no unification, no independence, no force.” Once in office, the CCP would still transform his image, rendering Ma as one who is seeking a different form of independence for Taiwan. The CCP would criticize him. Or if Hsieh Chang-ting won?–he promotes “conciliation and paragenesis.” Irrespective, the CCP would give him the fixed tag of “Taiwan independence” and suppress him in the long run.

I still need to repeat my previous reminders: the CCP started to increase military expenditures and expand its military force on a grand scale in 1989, after the June 4th incident. When the CCP expands its military force at will its main purpose is to reinforce and protect its power. The Chinese military is for controlling its people, but not for defense. The CCP could not frankly admit that. Thus, it finds many good excuses for its military expansion, such as opposing Taiwan’s independence, terrorism or hegemony.

Endnotes:
[1] Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/pinglun/2008/01/30/chen_pokong/
[2] The “Three Nong” are Nong Cui – countryside, Nong Min – farmers and Nong Ye – agriculture.

A Peasant, Visited by Hu Jintao, is a Professional “Official Visit Receiver”

On January 12, 2008, The China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of China visited Mr. Zheng Jichao, an ordinary peasant of Liying village, Wangjiaba town, Funan County, Anhui Province. In the footage, President Hu was shown drinking tape water. It turned out that Zheng, actually, is an experienced “professional impersonator,” who was visited by five batches of local government officials and interviewed by two batches of reporters. An Internet user found this out after a simple search on the Internet. The search results are translated and listed below: [1]
The First Time: (November 15, 2007)

Zheng was first visited on November 15, 2007, by Zhao Kai, deputy secretary of the Work Committee for offices directly under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, who came to Fuyang for inspection and salute and was accompanied by Hu Liansong, vice chairman of the National People’s Congress and municipal party committee secretary, Zhang Shaochun and Li Hongta, provincial heads in certain divisions, and Liu Shaotai, vice mayor.

At a house reconstruction site, 50-year-old Zheng held Zhao Kai’s hand and said happily, “the residence building is built and the road is widened. We use methane to cook food and our life is enhanced. For all of these, we are thankful for the Communist Party and government’s care and support.” Zhao Kai was very happy to know those villagers whose houses fell were satisfied with the newly reconstructed houses. He said reconstruction work after a disaster was critical to public vitality, interest, social stability, and key development; therefore, everyone must work hard to ensure completeness of the reconstruction task.

Source: (official website of Anhui Province’s Center for Education of Chinese Communist Party members)
http://www.ahxf.gov.cn/shownew.asp?ID=53372

The Second Time: (November 23, 2007)
 
On November 23, 2007, the heads of the county, town, and village all came to Zheng’s home and asked him this and that, and also brought him winter jackets, quilts, and flour. They asked him again and again if he needed any help. When Li Guoqing, the deputy county head, heard his fallen-down house had been reconstructed and they had no worries about food and clothing, he then felt relieved and left. When Zheng wore the winter jacket handed out by the county head, he was so grateful to say, “The winter jacket was new and thick, wearing it warmed my heart. The things we didn’t think through were thought by our government!”

Source: (official website of Fuyang city government, Anhui Province)
http://www.fy.gov.cn/html/20071205/200712051052274638.shtml
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The Third Time: (December 5, 2007)
 
On December 5, 2007, Zhao Shucong, provincial party committee member and executive vice governor, was accompanied by Song Weiping, the municipal party committee secretary, and Song Jiawei, a municipal party committee member and deputy mayor of the standing committee, to a house reconstruction site and Zheng Jichao’s home. After seeing Zheng’s home had been rebuilt and he had no worries about food and clothing, Zhao Shucong encouraged Zheng to make a good use of compensation money to further development and become rich sooner.

Zheng said there were three or four groups of people that came to his home to verify the loss. They all took notes carefully to record what he said. They all had a clear recording. Holding 3979.85 yuan for the compensation and 5000 yuan for his home reconstruction, Zhen said he would build the house nicely and plan well for the next year’s production.

Source: (website of Fuyang city radio station)
http://www.fyradio.com.cn/Html/fynews/20071206192005.html

The Fourth Time: (December 10, 2007)

On December 10, 2007, Wang Sanyun, Anhui provincial party committee deputy secretary and acting governor was accompanied by Zhang Jun, secretary-general of Anhui provincial government, and other division heads to Fuyang to investigate and guide the work.

Wang Sanyun came to a house reconstruction site in Wangjiaba in Funan to observe the construction work. In Zhentaizi, the roads were smooth, water towers were built, and villagers were happy and busy wrapping up the new houses. After heard a report by the town heads, Wang Sanyun was very happy. He walked into Zheng Jichao’s new three-room home and asked him the source of the house-building and quality of the house. “Are you happy with your new home?” “Certainly! With the government’s support, I now live in a good home.” Wang Sanyun handed Zhen Jichao a cotton quilt and reminded him of keeping warm in winter.

Meng Qingyin, Qi Long, Wang Haiyan, Chu Jinshui, Du Changping, Liu Shaotai, Hu Mingying, Tao Kegui, and Li Zipeng, the city heads, also accompanied Wang Sanyun to do the investigation.

Source: (website of Science and Technology Association of Fuyang city)
http://www.kpwww.com/readnews.asp?newsid=1892
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The Fifth Time: (December18, 2007)

Interviewed by Reporters:

Zheng Jichao said, “At that moment I was moved to tears.” “No sooner had the flood receded, the verification of flood disasters and compensation tasks in the county started.” “My family was eligible for a compensation of more than 10,000 Yuan. I was so very happy.” I told everybody I met, “We have no fear no matter how big the flood since the Party (CCP) is the patron of our people.” 

Source: (official website of Chinese Communist Party’s Commission For Discipline Inspection of Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guiling City Government’s Bureau of Supervision)
http://www.glmj.gov.cn/news/xuanjiao/fengcai/2007/12/1802.htm

The Sixth Time: (December 18, 2007)

After more than one hour’s drive, the reporters’ eyes were widely opened when they stepped into Zhengtai and Zhizhuangtai in Wangjiaba Town, Funan County.  The original flood-damaged and dilapidated-houses have disappeared. What cast into their eyes is another scene with rows of brand-new flats, with stalls of bright fences, and a spacious paved road that directly leads through the two sides of Zhuangtai. There is a newly built water tower, surrounded by flowers and lawns…

From a distance through the iron fences, Zheng Jichao was just taking a sunbath in the yard. He heard that the reporter was coming to interview; Zheng Jichao stood up in a hurry, and also came the neighbors around the village by ones and twos.”

“Look at the design and planning of our houses, are they comparable to the houses in the cities?” “Your reporters have seen much more than we; how is the tree planting project here?” The folks asked the reporter with feeling of joy. Pointing at the new houses, Zheng Jichao said to the reporters, “The government really cares about me. I was subsidized for 5,000 Yuan for the house and a few hundred Yuan for fixing up the yard. Even the fence was free. Now the tap water and town gas are connected to our house. A few days ago, the town sent us two sacks of flour. I am free from worries of food, dwelling and cooking. Although the weather is cold, our hearts feel warm”.

Source: (official website of Anhui Province’s Center for Education of Chinese Communist Party members)
http://www.ahxf.gov.cn/shownews.asp?ID=55868
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The Seventh Time: (January 12, 2008)

In the afternoon of January 12, Hu Jintao made a special visit to inspect the Wangjiaba Gateway despite the wind and snow. In last summer, for the sake of the bigger Huai River project, the people in the flood storage made a great sacrifice. The General Secretary had been thinking of the folks in the area and made a special visit to Zhengtai and Zhizhuangtai, Liying village, Wangjiaba Town, Hunan County. After inspected the reinforced protection slope of Zhuangtai and the announcement of compensation, Hu came to Zheng Jichao’s home.

As soon as he entered the house, the General Secretary held the host’s hand, and said with deep feeling, “The folks suffered in the Huai River flood last summer. Now it is winter and cold, I have worried whether you have other difficulties in your life. Today I specifically came here for you.” Zheng Jichao told the General Secretary, “Owing to the help of the Party and the government, I have built my new house and have support for my living.” “Have you received the state’s compensation for the flood?” asked the General Secretary.

“Yes, it is right here”. Zheng Jicha said while taking a red deposit book from his pocket. Hu took over the deposit and counted the amount. He then smiled at Zheng Jichao and said, “Like this, I do not need to worry anymore.”

Upon leaving Zheng’s house, Hu Jintao saw the tap pipes in the yard.  He turned on the faucet, and drank some water from his palms. The General Secretary’s act of caring deeply for the people touched the people who were on the scene.

Source: (CCTV)
http://news.cctv.com/china/20080114/106215.shtml

So far, the Party leaders who have visited Zheng Jichao’s home are listed below (listed in the order of official rank from low to high, exclude the village and town leaders):

Li Guoqing, Funan County Governor
Li Zipeng, Secretary-General of Fuyang City government
Tao Kegui, Municipal CPPCC Vice Chairman
Hu Mingying, Vice Mayor of Fuyang City
Liu Shaotai, Vice Mayor of Fuyang City
Du Changping, Vice Mayor of Fuyang City
Chu Jinshui, Fuyang City People’s Congress Deputy Director
Wang Haiyan, Fuyang City CPC Committee, Vice Mayor
Qilong, Fuyang City CPC Committee,
Song Jiawei, Fuyang City CPC Committee; City Deputy Director of the NPC Standing Committee
Meng Qingyin, Fuyang City Deputy Secretary
Sun Yunfei, Mayor of Fuyang City, Fuyang City Deputy Secretary
Li Hongta, Province Bureau of Civil Affairs
Zhang Shaochun, Deputy Secretary-General of Anhui Province
Song Weiping, Fuyang City Deputy Secretary, Chief of Municipal People’s Congress
Zhangjun, Government Chief Secretary of Anhui Province
Hu Liansong, Vice Chairman of Anhui Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee, former Fuyang City Party Secretary
Zhao Shucong, The Standing Committee of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, deputy governor of Anhui Province
Zhao Kai, Deputy Decretary of the Work Committee in the Departments under the Central Committee
Wang Yun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, Acting Governor of Anhui Province
Wang Jinshan, Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee
Wen Jiabao, The People’s Republic of China Premier
Hu Jintao, China People’s Republic of China, secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Endnotes:
[1] Boxun.com, January 26, 2008
http://www.peacehall.com/news/gb/china/2008/01/200801260113.shtml

A List of China’s Princelings and Their Corresponding Posts

On September 7, 2007, Baoxun.com, an overseas Chinese news website, published an updated list of China’s Princelings [1] and their corresponding posts. [2] The Union of Chinese Nationalists (UCN)published the original list. According to its website, UCN firmly believes in the Three Principles of the People [3], opposes despotic dictatorships, defends China’s sovereignty, and opposes the split of national territory.

1. He Guangwei – director-general of the National Tourism Administration (Born 1944; Origin: Huarong, Hunan Province; son of He Changgong, a former vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC))

2. Wang Guangtao – minister of the Ministry of Construction (Born 1943; son of Wang Daohan, a former Shanghai Mayor and a former President of the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait)

3. Wang Jingxiang – CEO of the Gangxinxing Corporation (daughter of Wang Daohan)

4. Zhou Xiaochuan – governor of People’s Bank of China (Born January, 1948; Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province; son of Zhou Jiannan, a former Minister of Ministry of Machine Building Industry and Ministry of Construction)

5. Lin Yanzhi – Undersecretary of Jilin’s Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) (Born April 1948; Origin: Wang Kui, Heilongjiang Province; son of Lin Feng, a former Vice-Chairman of the National People’s Congress)

6. Hu Deping – vice-president of the All China Federation of Industry and Commerce, secretary of the Party Leadership Group and vice-minister of the United Front Work Department, CCCPC (Born November 1942; Origin: Liuyang, Hunan Province; first son of Hu Yaobang, a former general secretary of The CPC Central Committee)

7. Liu Hu –China Resources Standing Committee director and deputy general manager (Hu Yaobang’s second son)

8. An Li – a former Xiamen Vice-Mayor (wife of Hu Deping; daughter of An Ziwen, a former Minister of the Organization Department of the CCCPC)

9. An Min – vice-minister of the Ministry of Commerce (Born April 1945; Origin: Suide, Shaanxi Province; son of An Ziwen, a former Minister of the Organization Department of the CCCPC)
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10. Lou Jiwei – vice-minister of the Minister of Finance (Born December 1950; Origin: Yiwu, Zhejiang Province; brother-in-law of Chen Qingtai, a deputy director and secretary of the Party Leadership Group of Development Research Centre of The State Council)

11. Li Tieying – vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress (Born: September 1936, Origin: Changsha, Hunan Province; first son of Li Weihan, a former vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress)

12. Li Tielin – vice-minister of the Standing Committee of Organization Department, CCCPC; director of the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform; a member of the 16th CCCPC (Born May 1943, youngest son of Li Weihan)

13. Hong Hu – Jilin Province Governor (Born June 1940; Origin: Jinzhai, Anhui Province; son of Hong Xuezhi, a former vice-president of The National Committee of The CPPCC)

14. Hong Bao – vice-commander of the Tianjin Garrison, major general (son of Hong Xuezhi)

15. Liu Xirong – vice secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of The CPC (Born May 1942; Origin: Ruijin, Jiangxi Province; son of Liu Ying, a CPC revolutionary martyr)

16. Teng Jiuming – undersecretary of Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPC and secretary of the Chongqing Committee for Discipline Inspection (son of Teng Daiyuan, a former vice-chairman of The National Committee of The CPPCC)

17. Su Rongsheng – Beijing Military Region vice-commander, lieutenant general (son of Su Yu, a vice-minister of the Ministry of National Defense, senior general)

18. Qiao Zonghuai – vice minister and a member of the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Born July 1944; Origin: Jianhu, Jiangsu Province; son of Qiao Guanhua, a former minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

19. Chen Weilian – vice-president of the National Administrative Academy (oldest daughter of Chen Yun, a former member of the Standing Committee of The Political Bureau of The CPC and a former vice-chairman of the CCCPC)

20. Chen Weili – general manager of the China International Intellectech Corporation (daughter of Chen Yu)

21. Chen Yuan – president of China Development Bank (Origin: Qingpu, Shanghai; oldest son of Chen Yun)
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22. Chen Fang – manager of the Guangdong Zhongshanshiye Corporation (youngest son of Chen Yun)

23. Chen Zhifei –Aerospace Ministry senior engineer (Origin: Xiangxiang, Hunan Province; oldest son of Chen Geng, a senior general and a former vice-minister of the Ministry of National Defense)

24. Chen Zhijian – Chongqing Garrison vice-commander, major general (Origin: Xiangxiang, Hunan Province; second son of Chen Geng)

25. Chen Zhishu – vice-commander of the People’s Liberation Army in Hong Kong, major general (Origin: Xiangxiang, Hunan Province; third son of Chen Geng)

26. Chen Zhiya – secretary-general of the China International Strategy Foundation, Academy of Military Sciences Foreign Military Research Department researcher, major general (Born 1949; Origin: Xiangxiang, Hunan Province; son of Chen Geng)

27. Chen Haosu – president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (son of Field Marshal Chen Yi)

28. Chen Danhuai – head of the General Armament Department’s Technology Department, major general (son of Chen Yi)

29. Chen Xiaolu – board chairman of the Beijing Standard International Investment Management Corp. (son of Chen Yi, son-in-law of Su Yu)

30. Wang Guangya – vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the United Nations (Born March 1950: Origin: Jiangsu Province; son-in-law of Chen Yi)

31. Chen Tonghai – board chairman and general manager of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Born 1949; Origin: Guanyun, Jiangsu Province; son of Chen Weida, a former secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Committee of The CPC)

32. Tao Siliang – vice-president and secretary-general of the China Association of Mayors (Born 1941; Origin: Hunan Province; daughter of Tao Zhu, a vice-premier and a former member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau, the CPC Central Committee)

33. He Jiesheng – head of the Academy of Military Sciences Encyclopedia Department, major general (Born November 1935; Origin: Sangzhi, Hunan Province; oldest daughter of He Long, a field marshal and a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission)
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34. Nie Li – vice-president of the Standing Committee of the China Association of Inventions (Born September 1939; Origin: Chongqing; world’s first female major general; daughter of Field Marshall Nie Rongzhen)

35. Ding Henggao – director-general of China Society of Inertial Technology, academician, senior general; former director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (Born February, 1931; Origin: Nanjing; son-in-law of Nie Rongzhen)

36. Tan Dongsheng – vice commander of the Guangdong Military Region, lieutenant general (son of Tan Zhenlin, a former senior commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA))

37. Zhang Xiang – vice-commander of the PLA’s Secondary Artillery Unit, lieutenant general (Origin: Sichuan Province; son of senior general and former Vice-Premier Zhang Aiping)

38. Luo Dongjin – deputy Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army’s Second Artillery Unit, lieutenant general (Born February 1939; Origin: Hengshan, Hunan Province; son of Field Marshal Luo Ronghuan)

39. Li Lun – deputy head of the General Logistics Department, lieutenant general (Origin: Chaohu, Anhui Province; son of Li Rongke, a former vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a former minister of the Ministry of Investigation)

40. Ding Yiping – vice-commanding officer of the Jinan Military Region, commander of the North Sea Fleet, lieutenant general (Born 1955; Origin: Xiangxiang, Hunan Province; son of Ding Qiusheng, founding lieutenant general and a former North Sea Fleet Political Commissar)

41. He Daoquan – vice-president of National Defense University, lieutenant general (Origin: Huarong, Hunan Province; son of He Changgong, vice-president of the Committee of The National Committee of the CPPCC)

42. Zhou Erjun – head of the Political Department of National Defense University, major general (nephew of former Premier Zhou Enlai)

43. Luo Jian – Political Commissar of the Logistics Department of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense; major general (son of Luo Ruiqing, a former minister of the Ministry of National Defense and a senior general)

44. Qin Tao – vice-commander of the Beijing Garrison, major general (son of Qin Jiwei, a former member of the State Councilor and a former minister of the Ministry of National Defense)
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45. Yang Jiping – vice-commander of Tianjin Garrison, major general (son of Yang Yong, a former secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the CPC)

46. Zhang Xiaoyang – president of the PLA Institute of Foreign Languages, major general (Origin: Pingjiang, Hunan; son of Zhang Zhenzhi, a senior general and a former vice-president of Central Military Commission)

47. Zhang Haiyang – political commissar of the Army’s 27th Regiment, major general (son of Zhang Zhen, a former head of the General Logistics Department and a former member of the CCCPC)

48. Zhang Zhengan – chief of the Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, General Staff Department (GSD); major general (nephew of Zhang Zhen)

49. Xu Xiaoyan – chief of the Communication Department of GSD, major general (son of Field Marshal Xu Xiangqian)

50. Ma Guochao – deputy political commissar of the Naval Air Force, major general (son of CPC military hero Ma Benzhai)

51. Feng Hongda – vice-commander of the North Sea Fleet, major general (son of Feng Yuxiang, a military general who first aided Chiang Kai-shek in cleansing the communists, but who later on turned against Chiang and responded to the CPC’s call to join the then newly formed CPPCC)

52. Liu Taixing – head of the Academic Research Department of the PLA Air Force Command College, major general (son of Field Marshall Liu Bocheng)

53. Liu Taichi – vice-head of the Air Force Armament Department, major general (son of Liu Bocheng)

54. Liu Miqun – vice-president of the PLA Air Force Command College (daughter of Liu Bocheng)

55. Yang Junsheng – head of Military Police Armament Department and Technology Development Director, major general (daughter of Yang Chengwu, a former secretary-general of the Central Military Commission)

56. Yang Dongsheng – vice-head of the PLA Second Artillery Armament Department, major general (son of Yang Chengwu)

57. Yang Dongming – Head of the Material and Fuel Department within the PLA General Logistics Department, major general (son of Yang Chengwu)
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58. Wu Shaozu – vice secretary of the Work Committee for offices, directly under the CCCPC, a former State Physical Cultural Administration chief (Born April 1939; Origin: Leiyang, Hunan Province; son of Wu Yunfu, a secretary-general of the Central Military Commission)

59. Li Nanzhen – vice-president of the Shijiazhuan Army Command College, major general (son of Li Desheng, a senior general and a former Vice-Chairman of the CCCPC)

60. Liu Zhuoming – director of the PLA Navy Equipment Demonstration Center, major general (Origin: Dawu, Hubei Province; son of Liu Huaqing, a former vice-chairman of the country)

61. Pan Yue – deputy chief of the State Environmental Protection Administration (son-in-law of Liu Huaqing, a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission)

62. Xu Yuanchao – vice-head of Nanjing Military Region Armament Department, major general (son of the military general Xu Shiyou)

63. Xu Yanbin – vice-president of Armored Force College (son of Senior General Xu Guangda, a former vice-minister of the Ministry of National Defense)

64. Wan Boao – State Physical Cultural Administration Propaganda Department director, China Sports Magazine director and editor-in-chief (son of Wan Li, a former Chairman of the National People’s Congress)

65. Wan Jifei – chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China Chamber of International Commerce (Born October 1948; Origin: Dongping, Shandong Province; son of Wan Li, a former vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress and a former vice-premier of the State Council)

66. Ye Xuanping – a former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of The National Committee of CPPCC (Born November 1924; Origin: Mei County, Guangdong Province; son of Field Marshal Ye Jianying)

67. Wu Xiaolan – a former vice mayor of Shenzhen, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress (wife of Ye Xanping, granddaughter of CPP Elder Wu Yuzhang)

68. Ye Xinfu – CEO of the Hong Kong Wanxing Corporation (son of Ye Xuanping)

69. Ye Xuanning – a.k.a. Yue Feng; a former head of the Liaison Department of the General Political Department; lieutenant general; chairman of the board of directors and CEO of Kaili Corporation (son of Ye Jianying, a cofounder of the PLA, a former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a former Minister of the Ministry of National Defense)
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70. Ye Xuanlian – the PLA’s General Staff Department cadre (son of Ye Jianying)

71. Ye Xiangzhen – a.k.a. Ling Zi; film director, currently resides in Hong Kong (daughter of Ye Jianying)

72. Zou Jiahua – vice-premier of the State Council (son-in-law of Ye Jianying)

73. Ye Xuanji – senior official of the People’s Armed Police (nephew of Ye Jianying)

74. Ye Jingzi – CEO of Brilliant Culture (born 1975; granddaughter of Ye Jianying)

75. Fu Rui – former assistant general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation (son of Peng Zhen, a former chairman of the National People’s Congress)

76. Fu Yang – vice president of the All China Lawyers Association, Beijing Kang Da Law Firm senior partner (son of Peng Zhen)

77. Fu Yan – board president of Beijing Fuli Corporation (daughter of Peng Zhen)

78. Jiang Xiaoming – president of the board of directors of the Shenzhen CyberCity Co. Ltd. (son of Qiao Shi, a former chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s National Congress)

79. Wang Xiaochao – China Poly Group Corporation director and assistant general manager (son-in-law of Yang Shangkun, the fourth Chairman of the PRC)

80. Larry Yung Chi Kin– Citic Pacific chairman, richest man in mainland China (Born 1942; Origin: Jiangsu Province; son of Rong Yiren, former Vice-Chairman of the country)

81. Deng Yingtao – director of the Center for Economic and Cultural Research, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Born September 1952; Origin: Guidong, Hunan Province; son of Deng Liqun, a former head of Publicity Department of the CCCPC)

82. Xie Fei – vice-chairman of the Chinese Film Association and vice president of the Standing Committee of China Movie Directors Association (Born 1942; son of Xie Juezai, a former vice-chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC)

83. Jiang Zehui – president of the Chinese Academy of Forestry (Born February 1938; Origin: Jiangsu Province; younger sister of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin)
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84. Jiang Mianheng – president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (first son of Jiang Zemin)

85. Jiang Miankang -General Political Department Organization Department head, major general (Born 1957; Origin: Jiangsu Province; youngest son of Jiang Zemin)

86. Li Xiaopeng – board chairman and general manager of China Huaneng Group, assistant general manager of the State Grid Corporation of China, nicknamed King of Asian Electricity (Born 1959; son of Li Peng, the fourth PRC State Council Premier)

87. Li Xiaolin – executive director and general manager of China Power International Development Limited (daughter of Li Peng)

88. Zhu Yunlai – CEO and director of China International Capital Corporation Limited (son of former Premier Zhu Rongji)

89. Zhu Yanlai –general manager of the Development Planning Department, Bank of China (Hong Kong) (daughter of Zhu Rongji)

90. Wen Yunsong – CEO of Unihub Corp., Beijing (son of Premier Wen Jiabao)

91. Xu Ming – ECO of Dailian Shide Group, ranked 15th richest man in China in 2003, ranked 12th in Chinese Forbes (son-in-law of Wen Jiabao)

Endnotes:
[1] Crown Prince Party (太子党) or The Princelings, are the descendants (usually in the second-generation) of prominent and influential senior communists of the People’s Republic of China. It is not a political party, but an informal, and often derogatory, appellation to describe those benefiting from nepotism and cronyism. Although some of them are good citizens and keep a low profile, many of them are perceived to be arrogant and undeserving of the fortune or the prominence they hold. By utilizing their fathers’ privileges, they often place themselves above the law and foster the spread of corruption.
[2] Baoxun.com, September 7, 2007 http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/party/2007/09/200709072012.shtml
[3] Three Principles of the People was a political philosophy developed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. They include Government of the People, Government by the People, and the Welfare of the People. By Government of the People, Sun meant freedom from imperialist domination. To achieve this he believed that China must develop a "civic-nationalism" as opposed to an "ethnic-nationalism," so as to unite all of the different ethnicities of China. To Sun, Government of the People represented a Western constitutional government, with the National Assembly representing people’s political wishes and the administrative power carried out in a five-branch government. Sun understood People’s Welfare as an industrial economy and equality of land holdings for the Chinese peasants.

China’s State Media Rebukes U.S. NGOs and Private Foundations (part four)

On December 26, 2007, Xinhua News Agency published an article titled “An Investigation of Fake Think Tanks in the United States.” The article listed four U.S. think tanks, calling them “non-governmental organizations funded by the government,” employing “soft daggers” through “financing, supporting, planning subversive tactics, etc. against the targeted nations.” The following is part four of the translation of the entire article. [1]
Albert Einstein Institution: Behind-the-Scenes Player Behind Myanmar Chaos

With the name of "Einstein," this institute may sound like a scientific research institute. In fact, this institution headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts has earned a reputation for orchestrating non-bloodshed "soft coup" efforts throughout the world.

The founder of The Albert Einstein Institution, Gene Sharp, is an expert on subversion of foreign governments through non-violent opposition. He and the Director of the Institution, US-Ret. Col. Helvey, provide training to dissidents worldwide. Dissidents from Serbia,Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Myanmar, Ukraine and other countries all received training at the Einstein Institute which they used in political turmoil in these countries.

French journalist Thierry Meyssan wrote a book entitled " The Albert Einstein Institution: Non-violence according to the CIA," which discusses at great lengths how the organization carries out a "soft coup" through “civil disobedience.” Einstein Institute’s funding comes from the National Endowment for Democracy, i.e., from the government.

It is has been learned that the organization regularly supplies the United States Congress and the government with ideological offensive strategy reports and project initiatives that would be implemented by its “Human Rights Foundation,” “Foundation of Democratic Values,” and “Religious Freedom Foundation.” Its fingerprints were all over the disintegration of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in recent years, as well as changes in the “Color Revolution.” At present, the Institution’s focus is on Myanmar.

Classic Cases

According to media reports, Sharp, founder of the Einstein Institution, served as "the general director" in a series of anti-government activities in the so-called "Tibetan red revolution" in Myanmar.

The Einstein Institution started to operate in Myanmar in 1989.  It has been learned that the United States Government has allocated to it a one-time $52 million funding for its activities in Myanmar.  Its current Director, Helvey is the former U.S. Embassy military attaché for Rangoon and a CIA agent with extensive experience in subverting foreign governments.
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At Helvey’s recommendation, Sharp visited Myanmar in 1989 and provided “non-violent resistance” training to local oppositions.  In the recent Myanmar unrest, the Einstein Institution made waves through the networks and connections that it has built up over the years, acting in concert with the National Endowment for Democracy.

The Infamous "Fake Think Tanks"

These "fake think tanks" are not only notorious in the international communities but they are also the target of a number of protests in the United States.

Four years ago at the U.S. Congress, the U. S. Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul denounced the actions of National Endowment for Democracy for serving the interested groups in the United States under the pretext of "promoting democracy."  He stated that NED has problems of mismanagement and serious corruption and that it is not only a waste of American taxpayers’ money, but is also always creating an enemy in the international community against the United States.  He called on Congress to ban the organization.

Some American liberal scholars, lawyers and activists founded the International Foundation for Democracy against the National Endowment for Democracy.  They pointed out that "democracy in the United States has sadly deteriorated at high speed, but the United States Government leans on NED and other organizations, and engages in shockingly hypocritical activities of so-called building
democratic countries and promotion of democracy in the overseas.” Instead, they called on the people of the world to support and promote democracy in the United States.

Endnotes:
[1] Xinhua News Agency, December 26, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/globe/2007-12/26/content_7315955.htm

China’s State Media Rebukes U.S. NGOs and Private Foundations (part three)

On December 26, 2007, Xinhua News Agency published an article titled “An Investigation of Fake Think Tanks in the United States.” The article listed four U.S. think tanks, calling them “non-governmental organizations funded by the government,” employing “soft daggers” through “financing, supporting, planning subversive tactics, etc. against the targeted nations.” The following is part three of the translation of the entire article. [1]
Freedom House: Veteran Subversion Experts

Freedom House is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in about 12 countries. Freedom House is well known for its annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties in various countries. Freedom House was founded in 1941 and is a veteran “subversion expert" in the United States.

Although it claims to be an "independent think-tank," three-quarters of Freedom House’s funding comes from the government. During the Cold War era, it supported some political dissidents from the Soviet Union and Poland.  Now its tentacles have reached the corners of the CIS and Eastern Europe.  Further, it has established footholds in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Latin America.

Freedom House is governed by its Board of Trustees that is composed of former senior government officials, business and labor leaders, writers and journalists.  Former CIA Director Woosley was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Current members of the Board include former United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Wolfowitz, former President of the World Bank.

Freedom House often publishes reports critical of other countries, causing great dissatisfaction in the international community. Western scholars also think that these reports apply the standards of the United States and are full of prejudice.

The more important task of the organization is to promote human rights and freedom in some countries with the goal of subverting the governments. At present, the organization’s focus is Korea and Africa. According to British Financial Times reports, the organization is funded by the United States State Department and is one of several organizations engaged in “secret activities" in Iran.

Freedom House is unequivocal when it comes to its mission of subversion of foreign governments. The organization in a so-called research report said, "subverting foreign government is a catalyst for broad and non-violent civil opposition, specifically boycott of goods, mass protests, blockades, strikes and disobedience, thereby eroding the legitimacy and authoritarian regime and their supporters, including military loyalty."

Chomsky, a liberal professor from Massachusetts Institute of Technology pointed out back in 1988 that Freedom House, the CIA, Radio Free Europe, and other government agencies act in unison for a long time as propaganda machines for the United States Government and international right-wing forces.
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Classical Cases

In 2005, riots broke out in Kyrgyzstan. A political base that President Akayev spent 15 painstaking years building, was totally destroyed within a month. According to the American media, Freedom House played an important role in it.

My Important News is a newspaper by the opposition in Kyrgyzstan.  During the political turbulence, the newspaper accepted at least $70,000 in grants from the United States Government. The newspaper was produced in a printing shop in Freedom House’s office in Kyrgyzstan. Akayev ordered the turn-off of the power to Freedom House’s branch. The next day, the United States embassy in Kyrgyzstan sent two emergency generators to Freedom House’s branch. The generators were clearly marked "Property of the United States Government."

On the eve of parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan, "My Important News" contained a photo showing Akayev’s "mansion" under construction. This move immediately evoked strong reaction throughout Kyrgyzstan. People were so dissatisfied with the Akayev government.  At that time, opposition leaders funded by Freedom House distributed the newspaper, free of charge, in truckloads.

Endnotes:
[1] Xinhua News Agency, December 26, 2007
http://news.xinhuanet.com/globe/2007-12/26/content_7315955.htm

Xinhua: “The U.S. Speculates That China Is Stepping up Military Technical Espionage Activities”

China has long attempted to defuse concerns that the United States has about China’s military buildup, particularly the “China Threat Theory.”  On February 8, 2008, Xinhua commented on the January 29, 2008, U.S. Congressional hearing held by the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Judiciary Subcommittee, on the issue of espionage and cyber-crime. The following is a translation of the full text of the Xinhua article written by the U.S. correspondent of Global Times, a newspaper under Xinhua.[1]

The U.S. Speculates That China Is Stepping up Military Technical Espionage Activities to Build High-Tech Weapons

On January 29, 2008 the Crime Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Congress held a hearing in which U. S. counter-intelligence officers briefed Congressmen on China’s “rampant espionage activities.” After the hearing a Congressman claimed, “China’s espionage activities have become the number one threat to the United States.” In fact, in many cases last year, Western media, organizations and individuals made allegations about China espionage theory and the China hackers theory, with no evidence whatsoever. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly refuted these allegations. The content of this Congressional hearing is “the same old tune."  It is nothing new at all compared to what was alleged in the past.

Claiming China Is Stepping up Military Espionage

The conservative Washington Times reported on January 30 that the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Judiciary Subcommittee of the U.S. House held a hearing to discuss whether existing law is sufficient to deal with foreign espionage, but the hearing ultimately focused on China’s "espionage activities" against the United States.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U. S.  Department of Justice, Patrick Rowan states that both China and Iran are stepping espionage on military technology.  “Of great concern recently is the substantial and growing national security threat posed by illegal foreign acquisition of restricted U.S. military technology. China and Iran pose particular U.S. export-control concerns." 

Rowan said that spying today includes traditional Cold-War-style espionage as well as sophisticated operations to gather trade secrets and export-controlled military technology. “Recent prosecutions have highlighted illegal exports of stealth missile technology, military aircraft components, naval warship data, night-vision equipment and other restricted technology destined for those countries."
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"China’s Espionage Is The Biggest Threat To The United States."

Larry Wortzel, a former military counterintelligence officer and current chairman of the Congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, testified, “China is acquiring or shamelessly using stolen technology to rapidly produce new and lethal high-technology weapons. This significantly contributes to China’s military modernization and development of new capabilities,"
Wortzel said that after a year of hearings and research, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission concluded that China’s espionage activities strain the U.S. counterintelligence resources and have become the greatest threat to the United States. He said that China’s cyber-spying and computer attacks are major worries, that the U.S. government and private sector networks are targets, and that counterespionage services are "overwhelmed" in trying to counter the threat.

After the hearing, Rep. Randy Forbes said, "China has now become the biggest espionage threat to the United States." “It is a real problem that is costing us a lot of dollars and potentially puts our soldiers at risk down the road." Wortzel and Forbes called for further efforts to step up the U.S. counter-intelligence against China.

Chinese Experts: No need to Pay Attention to Such Speculation

The U.S. correspondent of Global Times noticed that since "China’s espionage threat" has become the subject that the U.S. right-wing often speculates about, the hearing did not draw too much mainstream media attention in the United States, and only The Washington Times and the World Journal (U.S. edition) have reported it.

Ni Feng, a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies under the China Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times correspondent in an interview that there was no need too be concerned about The Washington Times report. The newspaper primarily reflects right-wing positions. The authenticity of its reports has always been questioned by outside world. The American journalist Bill Gertz who wrote this article is also an anti-China figure.

Ni Feng holds that The Washington Times does not have much influence in the United States and often attracts eyeballs by attacking China. The best way to deal with it is to ignore the report. At present, people in the United States are more concerned about the presidential election, the situation in Pakistan, the situation in Iraq, and the Korean and Iranian nuclear issue. Anti-China voices do not get much special attention. Other academia has also noted that the true purpose of U. S. intelligence in exaggerating the "China espionage threat" is to get a larger Congressional budget.

Endnote:
[1] Xinhua, February 8, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-02/08/content_7581605.htm

A Lower Domestic Standard for Consumption Goods?

For a long period of time, although merchandize made in China has frequently been recalled in other countries, China’s domestic merchandize has seldom been recalled due to poor quality. Not only does China lack the disciplinary mechanism to recall poor quality products, except drugs; China’s merchandize for domestic consumption usually has a safety standard that is lower than international norms. The following is a translation of the report from Voice of America. [1]

The Quality of Merchandize for Domestic Consumption in China is Lower Than Exported Merchandize

By Sun Feng
January 9, 2008

Although we have seen that outside of China, Chinese made products have frequently been recalled due to poor quality, China’s domestic merchandize seldom faces similar problems. Not only does China lack the disciplinary mechanism to recall poor quality products; China’s merchandize for domestic consumption usually has a safety standard that is lower than international norms.

In May and June of 2007, many countries announced the recall of tainted toothpaste made in China, because it contained the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG). The very same toothpaste has never been removed from China’s merchandize shelves.

In June of 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a warning that toothpaste imported from China contained more than 4% DEG and warned the public not to use toothpaste made in China.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, an organization under China’s State Council, issued a public notice in July 2007 forbidding the use of DEG as a toothpaste ingredient, and banning its export. However, it did not ban the sale of toothpaste with DEG within China. To the contrary, the General Administration specified in this same public notice that toothpaste with less than 15.6% DEG would not harm anyone’s health, and that "consumers do not need to worry too much about their health if they have used this type of toothpaste."

For a long period of time, although merchandize made in China has frequently been recalled in other countries, China’s domestic merchandize has seldom been recalled due to poor quality. Not only does China lack the disciplinary mechanism to recall poor quality products, except drugs; China’s merchandize for domestic consumption usually has a safety standard that is lower than international norms.

Take the auto safety evaluation system as an example. The head-to-head collision standard in the U.S. is 56 kilometers per hour, while it is 50 kilometers per hour in China.
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Gao Hongbing, the deputy minister of China’s Ministry of Agriculture admitted on Tuesday that China lagged behind other countries in setting up product standards and that there is still a gap between China and developed countries in this respect.

Wang Hai is the host of Wang Hai Hotline, a "consumers’ rights protection" group. According to Wang, establishing overly low standards for domestic merchandize occurred because no representatives for consumers were present when the standards were drafted.

"Why can’t China’s quality standards be improved?" asked Wang. "The key is, first of all, the standards were set by the leaders of the particular enterprise, with little or no involvement from the general public. In other words, the consumers’ rights protection group has no way to participate in the decision making process. In addition, we have virtually no on to speak for consumer’s interests. In China, there is no organization that truly represents consumers’ interests. The Consumers’ Association is a state-run organization. It can only serve a very limited purpose in protecting consumers. We also lack a third-party inspection organization. The inspection organizations we have are all state-run institutes."

According to Wang Hai, in the battle between consumers and entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurs have considerable resources while consumers have none. The government is usually overly lenient with enterprises, for the sake of economic development. In addition, many of the enterprises are either state-run companies or have government backing. All media outlets are state-run mouthpieces. They do not dare to offend their major advertising clients either.

However, the legal consultant of the Consumer Association of Beijing Qiu Baochang has a different point of view. According to Qiu, it is an inappropriate generalization to say the standards for domestic merchandize are lower and are higher for exports.

"Inside China we have our own standard," Qiu said. "As long as we meet this standard, we do not have any problem selling the product inside China. Of course it remains a question whether China’s domestic standard is the same as those of other countries. Can they ever be exactly the same? I don’t think it is possible to unify the standard, because there are issues like development of the market economy and scientific development."

He also said when drafting the standards the authorities had taken protecting consumers’ interests into consideration.

According to Mao Shoulong, director of the Department of Administration and Management at People’s University, many agricultural produces intended for export are refined goods. They are different from the products for domestic consumption. Although it’s a common belief that the standards for goods for domestic consumption should be improved, he believes that implementing those new standards will encounter many problems.
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Mao said, "For example, many of the companies may be forced out of business. This year, the price of food itself is rising sharply. If we factor in the improvement of the processing technique and other investments, as well as training personnel and the management team, the cost will be high. It will bring a huge change to the market. If we cannot adjust to the change, the price may go up 100%, not just the 5%, 10% or 30% that we are experiencing right now. It may bring about some social problems."

Long Yongtu, the current general secretary of the Boao Forum for Asia, was the leading negotiation representative when China joined the WTO. Long also shared his opinion on this subject. He believed there was no need to have two different standards. "We had no other choice when China was a poor country." Long added, "Now things have changed. Chinese civilians’ well-being is as important as that of foreigners."

Endnote
[1] Voice of America, January 9, 2008
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/w2008-01-09-voa39.cfm

Party Leadership Calls for Emancipation of the Mind

In the past year, the four Chinese characters “jie fang si xiang” or” emancipation of the mind” has repeatedly appeared in important places on government documents. The media as well as the general public are still fumbling for the real reasons behind the use of these words. Here, we provide translated excerpts from two articles appearing in mainland media.

Nanfang Weekend, January 17, “Party think tank calls for ‘emancipation of mind’”[1]
“After the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (NCCCP), party and administrative leadership at the provincial level have widely used this term. They include the new Shanghai party chief, Yu Zhengsheng, Chongqing party chief, Bo Xilai. The new party chief of Guangdong Province, Wang Yang, has drawn the most attention from media. Wang gave his famous talk in the southern province, calling for “a new round of emancipation of mind.”

If you think that use of this term is a regional phenomenon, you may be underestimating the size of the wave. While people are hotly debating Wang’s talk, Shi Zhihong, the deputy director of the CCP Central Committee’s Policy Research Department, published an article on January 5th in Jiefang Daily entitled ‘The Party’s 17th NCCCP and the New Emancipation of the Mind from a New Starting Point — A Discussion of Various Aspects of the 17th NCCCP Report after Continued Reflection.’

It came to the author’s attention that the 12,000-character-long article did not receive much attention from the media. However, this article has a deeper meaning, considering the influence of Jiefang Daily among all the party newspapers as well as the author’s own workplace.

The CCP Central Committee’s Policy Research Department has always been the ruling party’s think tank. It drafts all types of documents for the party’s central leadership. Wu Mingyu, a former deputy director of the Development and Research Center under the State Council, told the author that the Central Committee’s Policy Research Department “ought to record and understand the developments of high-level officials’ thoughts, integrate various research agencies’ reports, and send important pieces to party leadership.” For an article written by the deputy director of the Central Committee’s Policy Research Department, one cannot simply take it as personal opinions. The author Shi Zhihong also was publicly announced as one of the members participating in the drafting of the 17th NCCCP report read by Hu Jintao at the Congress.

As early as before the 17th NCCCP took place, the official Xinhua News Agency published an article entitled ‘Looking Forward to the 17th NCCCP: Standing at a New Historic Height and Raising the Sail of Emancipation of Mind.’ The article said, ‘Emancipation of the mind without hesitation … is a new test for us.’ In the 17th NCCCP report, it said that ‘Emancipation of the mind is a magic weapon for developing socialism with Chinese characteristics.’
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Shi’s article … added that ‘obviously, developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and continued emancipation of the mind is the main theme throughout the report.’

The article also said that, only around this ‘main theme,’ ‘one can truly understand the essence of the 17th NCCCP report, comprehend the mission of the party at this new historical point, and grasp the direction the party takes to continue on emancipation of the mind along the party’s new development and practices.’ The article added, ‘Therefore, emancipation of the mind ought to enter a new and higher realm.’”

People’s Forum on peopledaily.com.cn, “Why is emancipation of mind is even more necessary at this moment?” [2]

“Judging by the international trend, we need emancipation of the mind more now than at any other time. Globalization as an expansion of the domestic, economic activities is crucial to the long-term development of the global economic structure. During the current peaceful development, the powers and the distribution of interests are undergoing a deep reshuffle.

Only when we constantly emancipate the mind can we easily handle the developments, changes, and competition. Only then can we become successful, avoid losses, and achieve the goals of developing the nation and securing a position in the future global power map.

Judging by the domestic situation, we also need emancipation of the mind more than at any other time. With reform at a critical point, relationships among interest groups are getting more and more complicated. New situations and new problems are constantly emerging. Although our modernization has made great achievements, we continue to be at the preliminary stage of socialism for a long time. The pressures and tasks of development are thus imminent. Although people’s living conditions are continuously improving, there is a trend of deepening inequalities in income distribution between different regions and between rural and urban areas. Although the economy grows rapidly, social welfare, such as education and medical care, has not been able to keep up with it, making it difficult for people to receive medical care and education. Only if we constantly emancipate the mind can we calmly deal with future risks, safely pull through social transitions, protect the stability of the nation during reform and development, and guarantee the smooth progression of the modernization of socialism.”

There are bottom lines to emancipation of the mind.

The purpose to emancipation of the mind is to resolve real issues. However, this does not mean that we can say whatever we want to say, do whatever we want to do, and use whatever ways there are as long as it is for the purpose of resolving real issues.  There are bottom lines to emancipation of the mind, which is definitely not encouraging ‘running red lights’ or ‘paying edge ball.’ We must be clear-headed in our thoughts and firm in our political stance. We must especially insist on the fundamental political line of “one central task and two basic points” [3] and we must follow the constitution and laws. These are the bottom lines.
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Emancipation of the mind should not deviate from economic development as the central task. We must put our attention on construction and development and treat them as the primary tasks for the nation.

Emancipation of the mind should not deviate from the ‘Four Cardinal Principles,’ in front of which there is no room for freedom. Although our economic structure is pluralistic and the distribution of interests is diversified, the history and the situation of our nation disallow a multi-party political system. We must keep a multi-party cooperation under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. We must insist on the full power and authority of the CCP in the administration, judiciary, economy, culture, and military. We cannot allow so called ‘judicial independence’ or ‘nationalization of military.’ We must insist on socialism, and walk the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must insist on the people’s democratic dictatorship and constantly develop socialistic democracy, thus be able to truly protect people’s benefits and protect the nation’s sovereignty, safety, unity, and stability. We must insist on the fundamental principles and implementations of the Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism. When we combine these with considerations for the constant changes in the current situation, we will be able to constantly enrich and develop the Marxism in practice.”

Endnotes:
[1]
Nanfang Weekend, January 17, 2008
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/ZM/20080110/xw/200801100010.asp
[2]
People’s Forum on peopledaily.com.cn, September 20, 2007
http://news.sohu.com/20070920/n252265363.shtml
[3] “one central task and two basic points”
is the fundamental policy of the CCP at "Rudimentary Stage of Socialism" proposed ah the 13th NCCCP. The "one central task" refers to economic development as the central task; "two basic points" refers to upholding "Four Cardinal Principles" and "Reform and Opening."