Chinascope – Page 1008

Red Flag Manuscript: The U.S.’ Strategy of Influencing Public Opinion in the Post Cold War Era

[Editor’s Note: An article published in Red Flag Manuscript, a periodical of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, discussed the U.S. strategy on international public opinion. The author is with the International Strategic Research Institute of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Party School. "The United States’ central position on global public opinion has led the U.S. to place a high value on the role of public opinion. In different periods of history, the United States always had a clear strategy on international public opinion. The goal was to influence and control other countries through the power of its media and to maintain U.S. supremacy in the world." The complete article is translated below.] [1]

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Reports | | October 16, 2011 | Report

Qiushi: Lessons from the Former Soviet Union’s Lack of Control

Li Shenming, the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), published an article in Qiushi on the lessons to be learned from the experience of the former Soviet Union. The failure of the former Soviet Union to effectively solve the problem of underground publications, dissidents, and informal organizations may have contributed to its downfall.

Initially, the works that were published underground were merely some censored poems and literary works. Later underground publications started to include political contents that were critical of the existing government. The publishing center in Moscow became the center of a “liberal democratic movement.” Dissidents were exceptionally active during the Gorbachev period. The Soviet authorities not only restored their reputations, but also encouraged and supported them in various political activities. Sakharov is a classic example. The first "informal organization" appeared in 1986. They usually were small, secretive, unofficial, flexible, and run by amateurs. As Gorbachev condoned these organizations, their publications become the media pioneers of the anti-socialist and anti-communist movement.

Source: Qiushi, October 11, 2011
http://www.qstheory.cn/zz/zgtsshzyll/201110/t20111011_115583.htm

Briefings | | October 14, 2011 | Government/Politics

Colonel Ruo Ruan: Three Reasons for Japan’s Involvement in South Sea Issues

In an interview with People’s Daily, Colonel Luo Ruan, deputy secretary of the China Association for Military Sciences, commented on Japan’s recent statement that Japan is increasing its cooperation with the Philippines and other South East Asian countries on South Sea issues. Luo said that the following three factors enter into Japan’s involvement in the South Sea: 1). Economic interests. The rich oil in the South Sea can boost Japan’s energy resources, which is what Japan dreams about. 2). Strategic geographic interests. The South Sea is an important strategic location connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Japan is heavily dependent on the South Sea for the transportation of both its imports and exports. Japan believes that if China controls the South Sea route, Japan’s economic development will be under China’s control. 3). Strategic security interests. Japan hopes to utilize the South Sea conflict to reduce the pressure it faces in the East Sea and the Senkaku islands.

Luo said that for Japan, as a Northeast Asian country, to actively get into the South Sea conflict is an act of reckless expansion. It violates Japan’s Peace Constitution, and also violates the international laws that restrict its expansion.

Source: People’s Daily, October 13, 2011
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/15881711.html

Briefings | | October 14, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Huanqiu: Chinese RMB Appreciation Would Reduce the U.S. to a Second Class Country

Huanqiu published an article titled “If the Chinese RMB Were to Appreciate Significantly, the United States Would Be Reduced to a Second Class Country.” The author, Tang Chunfeng, is a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under China’s Ministry of Commerce. Tang stated that the following would happen if the RMB exchange rate with the U.S. dollar were 1:1. China’s GDP would be close to three times that of the U.S. thus making it the No. 1 power in the world. The Chinese RMB would become the major currency for international trade settlement and for foreign exchange reserves. As the currency of the largest debt holder, the supply of RMB would be greater than domestic demand and China would become the “central bank” of the world. The value of overseas assets that Chinese owned would surpass that of Japan. China would finance its overseas investments with a zero interest rate. Today’s employees working for foreign bosses would be business owners bossing around their foreign employees. As the United States lost its economic power, humiliation and blows would ensue. Its Empire State Building and key industries might have to be sold. Even the Capitol and the White House might possibly be used to obtain mortgages to pay for its debts.

Source: Huanqiu, October 3, 2011
http://finance.huanqiu.com/roll/2011-10/2080072.html

Briefings | | October 14, 2011 | US-China Relations

Huanqiu: Breaking Up the Coalition on the South Chinese Sea

Huanqiu published a special commentary on the new coalition of Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and Japan. The article stated that the driving force behind the coalition came from Vietnam and the Philippines and that regardless of what China does, they will not back down. The U.S. and Japan are really reluctant to come to a wide-reaching impasse with China. India, ambitious as it may be, is not mature; it has low productivity and tends to act on impulse. “Based on the foregoing, to ‘shelve the dispute and jointly develop,’ we must dare to dispute and to develop. … Only if China draws an ‘insurmountable red line’ on key principles and demonstrates the power and resolve to defend that red line will other countries weigh the pros and cons and become prudent. Then the coalition will vanish."

Source: Huanqiu, reprinted by Xinhua, October 7, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2011-10/07/c_131176474.htm

Briefings | | October 13, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

A China-built Indonesian Power Plant Completed

Xinhua reported that a China-built 3×330MW power plant was completed on October 12, 2011, in Indramayu, a city in the West Java province of Indonesia. Three companies, China National Electric Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNEEC), China National Machinery Industry Group (CNMIG), and Indonesian PENTA, formed the consortium that contracted to complete the project.

The power plant is one of the ten 10 million-kilowatt power stations that the Indonesian government has planned to alleviate the domestic power shortage. According to Xinhua, “the successful completion of the project will greatly ease the power shortage in the local region, help advance Indonesia’s social and economic development, and improve people’s living standards.” CNEEC, established in 1979 and wholly owned by CNMIG, is a company specializing in the construction of thermal and hydropower generation, power transmission, clean energy, and other energy projects.

Source: Xinhua, October 12, 2011

http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-10/12/c_122150107.htm

Briefings | | October 13, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

CRN: China Needs to Engage in Full-scale Public Diplomatic Relations with the United States

China Review News (CRN) published an article proposing strategies to cope with the recent bill in Congress, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011. The article says that Washington has to face the reality that the U.S. cannot ignore China’s existence and its role in almost every area today; therefore both countries should increase communication and understanding. The article proposed four action items that China should take: 1). Conduct public diplomatic relations with select Congressional leaders of the U.S. Senate and House; 2). Conduct public diplomatic relations with targeted U.S. enterprises and with interest groups representing various industries; 3). Conduct public diplomatic relations with the important U.S. think tanks and with the scholars who can influence the issues related to the bill; 4). Via printed materials, radio and TV programs, movies, TV series, and various other media, introduce a living China to the American public.　

Source: China Review News, October 11, 2011
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1018/6/3/6/101863691.html?coluid=148&kindid=0&docid=101863691&mdate=1011001631

Briefings | | October 13, 2011 | US-China Relations

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.