Chinascope – Page 1003

Globe: Cloud Computing Will Control Future Wars

Globe, a magazine under Xinhua News Agency, recently published an article that painted a picture of how future wars will be fought. The battlefields, whether on land and sea or in the air and in space, would be integrated and the different army branches would have to blend into each other to form a unified force. It would require extremely powerful computing capabilities and models. The author thought that cloud computing would be the most suitable to handle the functions for central command. Cloud computing offers the best model for information and resource sharing, which translates into better coordination, as well as a competitive advantage. The article also pointed out that cloud computing is very useful for simulating wars for training purposes, which is especially helpful for countries that cannot constantly deploy their military in real wars like the United States does.

Source: Xinhua, October 25, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/globe/2011-10/25/c_131211905.htm

Briefings | | November 1, 2011 | Defense/Military

Xinhua: Strategic Memo Signed between China and the Gates Foundation

On October 26, 2011, in Seattle, Washington the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The two parties decided to cooperate in the fields of modern agriculture and global health. The plan includes developing high quality and low cost agricultural plants and animals, as well as bio-medicines and vaccines – to be used in China and in developing countries that lack natural resources, such as in South Asia and Africa. This is the first time for the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with an international NGO on a large scale in these fields. Bill Gates commented on the initiative, saying that China can play a key role in fostering innovation to reduce hunger and poverty, especially in today’s tough global economic environment. It was agreed that both sides will make monetary and labor contributions.

Source: Xinhua: October 27, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-10/27/c_122202204.htm

Briefings | | November 1, 2011 | Government/Politics

Li Changchun Calls for Forging Cultural Soft Power to Protect China’s Cultural Security

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo and the Propaganda Chief of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, elaborated on the “Decisions by the CCP Central Committee regarding Further Promoting Reform and Development of the Cultural System,” which passed on October 18 during the Sixth Plenary Session of 17th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Li addressed the issue of “strengthening the country’s soft power by developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics” and called for “forging cultural soft power in order to protect China’s cultural security.” Li said, “China must continuously expand its international cultural influence in order to forge its soft power, which will be compatible with its international image and protect China’s cultural security.” According to Li, culture is a key measure of a nation’s overall power. Whoever takes the lead and possesses strong cultural soft power will gain the advantage in the world’s competition.

Source: China News Service, October 27, 2011
http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2011/10-27/3419185.shtml

Briefings | | October 31, 2011 | Government/Politics

Xinhua: Shanghai Establishes Oversea’s Cultural Promotion Centers in Australia and Canada

The “Xin Jing Shan Chinese School” in Melbourne Australia and the “Jia Hua School” in Montreal Canada are the two Chinese schools in foreign countries that have been named as “Shanghai Oversea’s Cultural Promotion Centers,” the first in China. According to Cui Minghua, director of the Oversea’s Chinese Affairs Office in Shanghai, the Oversea’s Cultural Promotion Center will increase China’s cultural influence in the world and provide assistance to schools and agencies with programs such as exchange students, teachers, cooperation between schools, and sharing teaching resources. The Center will work with the existing 39 Chinese education sites in Shanghai to promote education and cultural exchanges between Shanghai and overseas Chinese education centers.

The “Xin Jing Shan Chinese School” in Melbourne was formed in 1992 and has 9 school districts with 4,000 students and 200 teachers. It is the largest Chinese schools in Australia. “Jia Hua School,” the top Chinese school in Montreal, was formed in 1994. It has 2,000 students and the most comprehensive Chinese teaching curriculum in the Eastern Canadian region.

Source: Xinhua, October 27, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-10/27/c_111129078.htm

Briefings | | October 31, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

The Shortest Lived Road In Yunnan Province Collapsed Again

"Xin Shan Road" is in Xinping Yi and the Dai Autonomous County in Yunnan Province. Cyber fans jokingly call it the “shortest lived road.” In June of 2011, the second day after its completion, Xin Shan road collapsed killing 2 people and injuring 2. On October 25, Xin shan Road collapsed again. The size of the site is 4,500 square meters. The left side of the road was buried under 7 meters of collapsed debris. The local transportation department blamed the collapses on the unstable road structure and the rainy season. It has been reported that traffic will resume on Xin Shan Road on October 26, after intensive repair work.

Source: Xinhua, October 26, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2011-10/26/c_111125944.htm

Briefings | | October 31, 2011 | Information/Technology

Qiushi Journal on Western Freedom of the Press

[Editor’s Note: Qiushi Journal published an article that criticized the Western world’s “freedom of the press,” saying it is just a lie. The article argued that capital controls the media in Western countries, so the media only represents the opinion of a particular interest group. The government also uses many tactics to control or direct the press to serve its purpose. Furthermore, the Western countries apply a double standard on freedom of the press. While they control the media in their own countries, they use “freedom of the press” as a tool to stir up turmoil in other countries or even to subvert other governments. The following are excerpts from the article.] [1]

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Reports | | October 30, 2011 | Report

Three High Speed Railway Lines in Guangdong Forced to Stop Construction Due to Lack of Funding

Yang Cheng Evening News reported that three high-speed railways in Guangdong Province stopped or postponed construction work and entered the “winter sleep” phase in advance due to an interruption in the chain of financing. It has been reported that China’s Ministry of Railways owed 130 billion yuan (over US$20 billion) to the construction company. Some peasant workers have not received their wages for more than half a year. 　

Source: Yang Cheng Evening News, October, 27, 2011
http://www.ycwb.com/epaper/ycwb/html/2011-10/27/content_1241444.htm

Briefings | | October 28, 2011 | Economy/Resources

Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

Cheng Xiaonong: U.S.-China Strategic Relations Have Crystallized

Xinhua Commentaries: “Exposing the Three Major Political Deficits of the U.S.”

The CCP’s Performing Arts Troupes in the U.S.