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HK to Have a Discussion with the Central Government on Restricting Mainland Visitors

Well-known Chinese news site Sina recently reported that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying stated that he opposed an increase in the number of cities whose residents are allowed to enter Hong Kong freely. He recognized that an increased population of mainland visitors adds a heavy burden to the local residents and facilities. Leung promised to continue his discussions with the central government on the issue of restricting the number of Mainland visitors. Recently multiple protests have occurred to oppose the Mainland’s visitor policies. According to the Hong Kong government’s newly released whitepaper, Hong Kong saw a total of HK$493.3 billion (US$63.61 billion) in retail sales in 2014, which was a 0.2 percent decrease from 2013. In the meantime, the number of visitors increased by 12 percent. Mainland visitors represented an 80 percent share of all visitors to Hong Kong. Macao is also reconsidering its policies on controlling the number of visitor.
Source: Sina, February 24, 2015
http://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/hkstock/hkstocknews/20150224/110021585025.shtml
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Ministry of Environmental Protection Released 2014 Air Quality Report

The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection recently released its official 2014 Air Quality Report on Key Regions and 74 Cities. Based on the National Environmental Air Quality Standard, only eight out of the 74 cities met all the air quality requirements. The remaining 66 cities all had some level of pollution. The Beijing-Tianjin region averaged 156 days of being above-standard. The Yangtze River-Shanghai region recorded 254 above-standard days. The Zhujiang River-Guangzhou region had 298 days that met the standard. An official from the Ministry of Environmental Protection suggested that the three key regions are still suffering high pollution levels. The pollution demonstrated a comprehensive mixture of traditional coal-based pollutants as well as modern pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10. The Ministry is committed to improving air quality monitoring and forecasting. 
Source: Ministry Environmental Protection Official Site, February 2, 2015
http://www.zhb.gov.cn/gkml/hbb/qt/201502/t20150202_295333.htm
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Chinese Netizens Scolded Actress for Praising Communist China

Recently a Hong Kong actress, Zhao Yazhi (赵雅芝), posted a picture of herself and Tiananmen Square on the microblog along with the comment, "I feel a deep sense of pride in being Chinese every time I pass Tiananmen." Chinese netizens flooded the Internet with their responses. These days, public sentiment throughout China is expressed in comments that are anti-officials, anti-government, and especially anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

People blamed her for flattering the Chinese regime to advance her personal career. Some examples of the comments follow: "If you want to make money in China, you should use the right approach. Use flattering words [to the CCP]. Don’t you care about your face?" "[You should] change your citizenship to Chinese first!" "Emigrate to China; otherwise don’t fake it!" "I really don’t know what pride the Chinese have!" "Then you should stay in Beijing to fully enjoy the smog."

Later Chinese state-controlled media fought back. Xinhua republished a China Youth Daily article titled "Zhao Yazhi, My Love for You Is Truly Not Wrong." The article claimed that people got annoyed with Zhao’s posting because Tiananmen symbolizes the CCP’s leadership. It blamed netizens for their lack of national identity and national pride. "Before we loved [Zhao Yazhi], because of her beauty; today we love her even more. It is not just because she is beautiful, but also because she is patriotic."

Sources:
1. Phoenix Online, January 11, 2015
http://news.ifeng.com/a/20150111/42907265_0.shtml
2. Xinhua, January 15, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/comments/2015-01/15/c_1114006439.htm
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

CASS Blue Paper: Housing Prices Are the No. One Social Problem

On December 24, 2014, the China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) published its Social Blue Paper in which it concluded that, of all the major social problems, housing prices, food and drug safety, the cost of living, unemployment, and income disparity are the top five social problems in China today. 

According to the Blue Paper, people are increasingly worried about housing prices. Since 2003, the price of housing has been one of the top three worries. In 2009 and 2014 it topped the list. A considerable part of the population is gradually being marginalized. The different measures that the authorities have taken have not fundamentally changed the existing status of these social problems. The Blue Paper said that these problems remain the most important issues for improving Chinese people’s quality of life and for improving their living standards. 
Source: China News Service, December 24, 2014 
http://finance.chinanews.com/house/2014/12-24/6908930.shtml
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Chinese University Prohibits Students from Celebrating Christmas

Beijing News reported that, on Christmas Eve, the Modern College of Northwest University, located in Xian, Shaanxi Province, made it mandatory for students to watch propaganda programs and indicated that it would punish those who celebrated Christmas. 

According to Beijing News, several students told its reporters that, on Christmas Eve, school instructors were on site at the propaganda multimedia program with many others standing guard around the building so that they could stop the students from leaving. Any students who left would be counted as being truant three times. 
The Communist Youth League of the college posted on its weibo on December 25, “Last night our college watched the college multimedia program in an organized way only to hope students would not blindly emulate foreigners and would instead pay attention to China’s traditional culture. We hope we can take a rational look and take the glory of the school as our own glory. Do not spread rumors or create rumors. Strive to become a glorious modern person." 
A student disagreed with the school response in his comments to The Beijing News. "The school does not let us celebrate Christmas. We have not said anything, but the school should not respond from the perspective that not letting us celebrate Christmas is to promote Chinese traditional culture. Actually they ‘forced’ us to watch the national propaganda films on that day. We are very unhappy about it." 
Beijing News reported that banners were strung up around the campus reading, "Strive to be outstanding sons and daughters of China, oppose kitschy Western holidays," and "Resist the expansion of Western culture." 

Sources: The Beijing News, December 24 and 25, 2014 http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2014/12/24/347168.html http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2014/12/25/347351.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

RTI: Lawyer Arrested in Court for Invoking the Constitution to Defend His Client

Radio Taiwan International (RTI), an official international radio broadcast agency funded by the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan, recently reported that the police arrested Chinese lawyer Zhang Keke right in court when he was representing his client, the defendant. Zhang was quoting the freedom of speech and the religious freedom sections of the Chinese Constitution to defend his Falun Gong practitioner client. The judge interrupted him and ordered him to be arrested. This incident triggered an open letter petition that over 260 mainland lawyers signed. They called for lawyer’s rights to be protected in court; the petition accused the judge and the police of abuse of power; the open letter also asked for an apology and the immediate release of Zhang Keke. In addition, the petition asserted that the government must deliver on its promise to implement the rule of law. Associated Press also reported on this incident.
Source: Radio Taiwan International, December 12, 2014
http://n.yam.com/rti/life/20141212/20141212744581.html
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

People’s Daily: Security Officers Are Not Simply for Decoration

On December 2, 1024, People’s Daily published a commentary titled, “Security Officers Are Not Simply for Decoration.” It questioned the competence of security officers on public transportation. 

The commentary stated that, in recent years, security incidents have increased on public transportation. The presence of security officers reassures the passengers. However, some security officers do nothing but repeat, “No inflammable materials allowed.” They even doze off while on the job. The commentary further stated that, in an article in 1984, security officers on the train did nothing but ask the passengers, “Comrade, do you have a bomb with you?” Thirty years later, with increased mobility, there are more security risks. If security officers do not do their job, their presence will simply be a matter of going through formalities. 
Source: People’s Daily, December 2, 2014 
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2014-12/02/nw.D110000renmrb_20141202_8-01.htm
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Research Results Published on the Wellbeing of Left- Behind Children in Rural Areas

Guangming Daily published an article reporting on the Tenth Youth Development Forum that was held on November 30 at Tsinghua University. During the forum, a number of research papers were published on the development of youth groups in China, including unemployed college graduates, the "left-behind children" in rural areas, and youth who are handicapped and have disabilities. Regarding those “left-behind” children in the rural areas whose parents have gone to the city for work, the research showed that they tend to have a higher occurrence of accidents and it is easier to bully them. As reported by the research results they lack of interest in their studies, they tend to struggle in school, and the girls often feel anxious and lonely.

Source: Guangming Daily, December 1, 2014
http://edu.gmw.cn/2014-12/01/content_14013456.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability