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Outlook Weekly: TPP û the Core of the U.S. Strategy to Return to the Asia Pacific

The State Information Center published an article in Outlook Weekly recommending that China join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact, an Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement. The United States, eight other partners, and Japan have announced plans to participate and are currently negotiating. “Once the TPP is implemented, it will most likely change the current pattern of economic development and trade, have a profound influence on global, economic, and trade relations and regional economic cooperation and impact other forms of the multilateral trading system in the region.” With TPP, the U.S. intends to lead the future in economic cooperation in the region and formulate the new economic order with the U.S. as the center. “TPP may be viewed as the core strategy of the U.S. ‘New Pacific Century.’” The article recommends that China participate as early as possible so that it can set the standards and position itself well strategically.

Source: Outlook Weekly, November 14, 2011
http://www.lwgcw.com/NewsShow.aspx?newsId=24415

Outlook Weekly: Multi-sector Strategy of Culture Development Taking Shape

Outlook Weekly published a commentary that provided an overview of Chinese usage of the Internet, TV, and the radio.

As of June 2011, there were 485 million Internet users (36.2% of the population). About 318 million used a cell phone to access the Internet (65.5% of all Internet users). In the first six months of 2011, the number of mini-blog users accounts increased from 63.11 million to 195 million, a growth of 208%; about 40% of Internet users and 34% of cell phone Internet users have mini-blog accounts. During the same period, trojan or other viruses attacked 217 Internet users. 121 million found their account numbers or passwords had been stolen. About 8% fell victim to online fraud, which affected 38 million users.

As of the end of 2010, China had about 500 million radios and the same number of TVs, which meant that 96.78% of the population in China had access to a radio and 97.62% had access to a TV. Every day, on average, residents in Beijing watch TV for about one hour and 53 minutes, read newspapers for 22 minutes, and spend 33 minutes on the Internet.

Source: Outlook Weekly, November 14, 2011
http://www.lwgcw.com/NewsShow.aspx?newsId=24413

People’s Daily: Three Concerns about the U.S. Return to East Asia

An article in the November 18, 2011, issue of People’s Daily overseas edition discussed [China’s] three concerns about the U.S. “return” to East Asia. The first concern is that it may change the current cooperation model. The cooperation in East Asia has been under the ASEAN model for many years. After joining the East Asia cooperation, will the United States become host in a quest to challenge the “East Asia Model” and promote the “American Model?” This is a big question mark. The second is the introduction of sensitive political security issues. The U.S. claims very openly that it will focus on promoting political security cooperation at the East Asia Summit. Overly introducing political security issues, particularly controversial issues, will not only fail to help the development of East Asia cooperation. On the contrary, it may intensify regional conflicts. The third is that it may cause a dispute between China and the U.S. Many scholars believe that the U.S. “return” to East Asia is to cope with the rise of China and prevent China from becoming dominant. In the current situation, whether China and the U.S. will develop a relationship that involves mutual respect, is mutually beneficial, and will cooperate as partners will directly impact the progress of future East Asian cooperation.

Source: People’s Daily, November 18, 2011
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/14549/16292444.html 

China to Launch More Space Probes

According to Chen Yachang, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering and deputy chief designer of the China-Russia joint Mars explorer, in addition to launching the Shenzhou spacecraft series and the near-earth space station, China will continue to launch probes to explore outer space, including Mars, Venus, and Jupiter.

Source: Guangming Daily, November 17, 2011
http://tech.gmw.cn/2011-11/17/content_2988422.htm

People’s Daily: Strengthen and Improve the Party’s Control of News Reporting and Public Opinion

People’s Daily published a commentary advocating that the Party do four things to improve its control of media and of public opinion. The first one is to strengthen the capability to lead public opinion. In doing so, the article stresses the importance of adhering to the Communist doctrine and the socialist banner. The second is to improve control of the Internet and of the new media. Specifically, the Party’s newspapers, news agencies, television stations, and radio stations must aggressively expand into the new media field. The third is to speed up the development of a modern media network. The priority is to upgrade the Party’s media, including newspapers, news agencies, radio, and TV. The fourth is to establish a large army of news staff members.

Source: People’s Daily, November 11, 2011
http://theory.people.com.cn/GB/16208892.html

Xinhua: What Is Behind the High Profile U.S. Return to the Asia Pacific?

Xinhua published an article asking, “Recently, the U.S. has been making high profile announcements that this is “America’s Pacific century,” and claims to be returning to the Asia Pacific region. What is its true strategic intention?”

Huai Chenbo, a scholar at the Center for World Affairs of the Xinhua News Agency, stated that, when the U.S. claims to be a leader in the Asia Pacific, it is actually targeting China. The U.S. does not hide its strategic intention or its arrangements. As China rises and China’s relationship with ASEAN countries grows closer, the U.S. feels China is increasingly becoming a threat to its hegemony. Therefore, the purpose of the U. S.’ strategic move eastward is to contain China and neutralize China’s development.

Peng Guangqian, deputy general secretary of the China Policy Science Research Institute, believes that the U.S. is speeding up the implementation of its military strategy to target China. The intention is to contain any potential opponent that can challenge the U.S. and thus maintain its global hegemony. Huai believes that the U.S. military deployment in Australia appeared to be an independent event, but it is actually part of the whole plan of moving to the East.

Source: Xinhua, November 16, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-11/16/c_122288378.htm

China and Pakistan Start Two-Week Joint Anti-Terrorism Military Drill

On November 14, 2011, China and Pakistan started a two-week joint anti-terrorism military exercise in Pakistan. The drill, which will end on November 27, 2011, is called “Friendship 2011.” China has sent 260 soldiers including special forces and army aviation helicopters to the drill site, while Pakistan has sent 230 Pakistani soldiers including special forces, helicopters, and fighter jets to participate in the drill.

“This joint drill is being conducted in six steps, namely ‘intelligence and information exchange, long range maneuvers, the establishment of a joint command system, adaptability training, comprehensive training, and theoretical discussions.’"

“This is the 4th anti-terrorism joint training drill that the Chinese and Pakistani armies have held with the aim of improving the two militaries’ capability to deal jointly with non-traditional security threats.”

Source: Xinhua, November 14, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-11/14/c_111165724.htm 

Huanqiu Laughs at the United States’ Unrealistic Ambition to Lead the World

On November 15, 2011, Huanqiu, the Chinese version of Global Times, published a commentary titled “The United States Should Alter What It Means by ‘Leading the World.’” In a sarcastic tone, the writer of the article laughed at the U.S. government’s “unrealistic ambition” to lead the world. “The goal of the Obama administration’s strategic plan in the Asia Pacific region is to defend its ‘global leadership.’ This will overwhelm the U.S.”

“Being economically limited, the United States tends to use military and political pressure more frequently, trying to take ‘shortcuts’ in international politics. However, its military and political victories have never been secure, just like what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“It is normal that the United States feels uneasy about facing a rising China. However, it is unhealthy for the anxiety to become too intense. An unrealistic ambition to (lead) the world must lie behind such an anxiety. The world does not belong to the United States.”

Source: Huanqiu, November 15, 2011
http://world.huanqiu.com/roll/2011-11/2173998.html