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

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

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

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

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Xinhua Opens New Office in NYC’s Times Square

On May 19, 2011, the North American regional headquarter of the Xinhua News Agency celebrated the launch of its new office in Manhattan’s Times Square, in a bid to step onto the stage of world-class media. Zhou Xisheng, Xinhua’s vice president, said, “The launch of our North American regional headquarters will play an active role in increasing Xinhua’s abilities in international news transmission and enhance the influence of its international reports.” Currently, Xinhua employs some 16,000 people, with more than 30 domestic bureaus and over 140 overseas. It has seven bureaus in the United States and three in Canada. 

Ambassador Peng Keyu of the Chinese Consulate-general in New York, Tom Gallo of the U.S. State Department Office of Foreign Missions, and Steve Orlins, the President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations,  were among nearly 100 guests at the ceremony.

Source: Xinhua, May 20, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-05/20/c_121438523.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Huanqiu: A Chinese Should Be the New Head of the IMF

A Huanqiu opinion piece suggested that ex-chief of IMF Strauss-Kahn’s replacement should come from China as its voting power in the IMF is increasing rapidly. “China’s position in the IMF surpasses European countries, having risen to 6.394 percent; it ranks third, only narrowly behind Japan by 0.07 percent. … The increase in China’s position means China can have a greater voice in policy suggestions, and will have more rights and responsibilities to send senior officers to the IMF. … Recently, many people have criticized the IMF for being too slow to react to the financial crisis and the near collapse of the banking system, and for paying too little attention to the financial development of developing countries. Adding more Chinese elements to the senior positions will be an excellent complement to the IMF’s insufficiencies.” The article concluded that “China does not lack capable personnel for the next IMF chief position. If the current 24 voting executive members understand this and send a Chinese to head the agency, it will show tremendous respect for the rising China.”

Source: Huanqiu, May 18, 2011
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/roll/2011-05/1699867.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Plagued by Bin Laden, the U.S. Has Become a ‘Super Sick Cat’

China News Service republished an article by Hong Kong’s Wenweipo, citing the economic cost of the U.S. fight against bin Laden. “According to the Washington Post, since 9.11, the U.S. has spared no effort to pursue bin Laden. More than 263 intelligence agencies were rebuilt or reorganized. 1,271 government agencies, nearly 2,000 private companies, and a total of 200,000 people in 10,000 locations are carrying out anti-terrorism related intelligence work. Bin Laden is the first Arab in U.S. history that it has spent so much energy and resources to pursue. For 10 years, the U.S. has spent at least $100 million a day to catch him.” 

“According to U.S. media, the potential economic loss from hunting bin Laden ranges between US$2.8 to 5.0 trillion. … While the Clinton administration ended up with a slight surplus, today it has become a super sick cat. The world’s strongest superpower is facing the risk of bankruptcy.” 
The article continued, “… Americans know that although bin Laden is dead, the conflict between the U.S. and the extremists has not changed a bit. On the contrary, it may have intensified. This implies that the terrorist groups will continually launch unpredictable attacks and cause disasters. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars and economic crisis that Bin Laden brought have already crushed the U.S. and have made the U.S. become a really super sick cat.”

Source: China News Service, May 20, 2011
http://www.chinanews.com/hb/2011/05-20/3054805.shtml

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

China Faces a Severe Power Shortage

Central China Grid Company Limited, one of the five regional power plants of the State Grid Corporation of China, released an analysis stating that power shortages, which used to be seasonal, are becoming a year round problem. "[The Central China Grid] is at a critical turning point – seasonal and local power shortages now occur throughout the year and cover the entire region.” Rapid increases in consumption and an insufficient supply of coal are believed to be the root causes of the shortage. The Central China Grid covers the five provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Jianxi, and Sichuan and the city of Chongqing. In the past, the Central China region did not experience any problems with the supply of power during April and May. In 2010, restrictions on consumption [that were imposed during the winter] were lifted in February. In contrast, in 2011, the restrictions have remained in place through April. The analysis predicts a shortage of 8.22 million kilowatts for the summer of 2011.

Source: Xinhua, May 6, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-05/06/c_121387402.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Public Security Minister Urges China’s Riot Police to Increase Their Ability to Protect Beijing

On May 13, 2011, Meng Jianzhu, the Public Security Minister and Chief Political Commissar of China’s People’s Armed Police, addressed China’s riot police in Beijing when they conducted a demonstration exercise. Meng urged the riot police to be mindful of potential dangers and increase their ability to safeguard Beijing’s security. “[The People’s Armed Police] must further strengthen their ideological and political development and lay a solid ideological foundation by holding high the [ideological] banners, following the Party’s commands, and fulfilling their mission, and must resolutely follow the directions of the Party’s Central Committee, the State Council, the Party’s Central Military Commission, and President Hu Jintao.” Over 5,000 riot police participated in the exercise.

Source: Xinhua, May 13, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-05/13/c_13873741.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Wen Affirms China’s Support for Pakistan

On May 18, 2011, Xinhua reported that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao assured Yousuf Raza Gilani, the visiting Prime Minister of Pakistan, of China’s support. Wen affirmed that “Pakistan has made huge sacrifices and an important contribution to the international fight against terrorism; that its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity must be respected; and that the international community should understand and support Pakistan’s efforts to maintain domestic stability and to realize economic and social development.” Wen stated that China would like to be an “all-weather strategic partner” and will do its best to help the Pakistani government and people get through their difficulties. 

The English China Daily stated that Pakistan has “faced international pressure in the aftermath of the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden.” “Following the raid, Islamabad was the focus of criticism in the U.S. for its alleged failure to fight terrorism, prompting some U.S. legislators to call for a reduction in financial assistance.”

Sources:
Xinhua, May 18, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2011-05/18/c_121432227.htm
China Daily, May 19, 2011
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2011-05/19/content_12536794.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Economic Information Daily on China’s Inflation

An article appearing in Xinhua’s Economic Information Daily quoted Li Daokui, a member of China’s Central Bank’s Committee on Monetary Policy, as stating, “The world, including China, has entered into an era of high inflation. Over the next five to ten years, China’s inflation will remain at a high level. Predictions are that, in the next decade, prices of energy and resources will be an important factor pushing up inflation.” 

The article also mentioned urbanization and growing labor costs as two other sources of inflation. It quoted “The Grant Thornton International Business Report,” which said that, in 2011, 40% of mainland companies will face a shortage of skilled laborers, and that, in the next 12 months, 64% of mainland companies plan to increase their workers’ pay.

Source: Economic Information Daily, May 17, 2011
http://www.jjckb.cn/opinion/2011-05/17/content_308982.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Xi Jinping Speaks on Reading the Classic Works of Marxism

At the commencement ceremony of the second session of the spring semester of the Central Party School, the highest training institute for Chinese Communist Party officials, Xi Jinping, China’s Vice President and the President of the CPS, delivered a speech emphasizing reading the classic writings of Marxism. “Our leading cadres should correctly judge the situation, keep a clear mind in the face of complex changes, maintain steady ideals and faith, scientifically analyze the opportunities and challenges, and comprehensively look at major and secondary issues, conflicts, and problems. You cannot do without the guidance of Marxist philosophy and the methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism.” 
Xi gave specific instructions on reading the Collected Works of Marx and Engels, the Collected Works of Lenin, and books by Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, as well as Hu Jintao’s “Concept of Scientific Development.”

Source: People’s Daily, May 13, 2011
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1024/14635203.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics