Chinascope – Page 1050

Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Rebuttal to Clinton’s Comments on China

In an interview published in The Atlantic, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China’s “deplorable” human rights record and characterized the Chinese government’s attempt to suppress democratic reform as a “fool’s errand,” citing the recent revolutions in the Middle East as an example. In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Jiang Yu said, “It is inappropriate for anyone to compare China to the West Asian and North African countries. It would be futile for anyone to attempt to bring the Middle East crisis into China and change the development path that the Chinese people have chosen for themselves.”

Source: Xinhua, May 14, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-05/14/c_121414581.htm

Briefings | | May 16, 2011 | US-China Relations

Li Changchun: Further Improve Understanding of the Importance of Socialist Culture

When Li Changchun, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee, was on tour visiting Shanxi Province, he emphasized that culture is the wellspring a nation’s cohesion and creativity; it is an important factor of overall comprehensive national competitive power; and it is an important support for economic and social development. Li called for attentively studying the CCP central committee’s policies regarding the development of culture, profoundly understanding the importance of culture, promoting the great development and prosperity of [socialist] culture, and constantly opening up new development avenues for socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.

Source: Xinhua, May 10, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-05/10/c_121400764.htm

Briefings | | May 13, 2011 | Government/Politics

Global Times: The U.S. Cross-Border Action to Kill bin Laden Is Worrisome

Global Times published a commentary from a Chinese professor of international law criticizing U.S. infringement of Pakistan’s sovereignty in the raid on bin Laden. He argues that the cross-border military action is a violation of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty and constitutes an invasion. “The cross-border military action cannot be regarded as a legal means to exercise the national right of self-defense.” “International law does not encourage the preemptive nature of such a cross-border military action.”

Source: Global Times, May 11, 2011
http://world.huanqiu.com/hot/2011-05/1685628.html

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

Pakistan May Invite China to Study the Wreckage of U.S. Stealth Helicopter Downed in Bin Laden Raid

According to a report from the Shanghai Evening Post, the Pakistani officials claim that they are interested in studying the remains of the U.S. military helicopter that was damaged in the raid on the bin Laden compound, although the U.S. wants it back. Pakistan may invite China to participate in the study. Based on the pictures, aeronautics and military experts believe it is a modified stealth helicopter.

Source: Guangming Daily website, May 11, 2011
http://mil.gmw.cn/2011-05/11/content_1947650.htm

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

China’s Top 10 in the 100 Million Yuan Corruption Club

Caing.com, the website of Caixin Century magazine, published a chart that listed the top 10 government officials in the “100 million yuan Corruption Club.” Yu Zhendong, the former head of the Kaiping City branch of the Bank of China (BOC) in Guangdong Province, ranked highest with total embezzled funds of 4 billion yuan (US$616 million). Wang Shouye, the former deputy navy admiral and lieutenant general, whose graft money reached 160 million yuan (US$24.6 million), ranked number 10. Of those on the list, Xu Manyong, the former mayor of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, ranked number 7 with 213 million yuan (US$32.8 million).

Source: Caing.com, May 5, 2011
http://www.caing.com/2011-05-05/100255884.html

Briefings | | May 12, 2011 | Government/Politics

SCO Conducts Second Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise

On May 6, 2011, in Kashi, Xinjiang Province, China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) launched a joint anti-terrorist exercise, “Tian Shan No. 2,” with the participation of China, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. This is the second of its kind following “Tian Shan No.1” back in 2006, in which China and Kazakhstan participated. The exercise included the following three areas: decision making, a hostage rescue force, and a fixed-point raid action. Law enforce officials from SCO member states observed the exercise, along with states with observer status.

Source: Ministry of Public Security, May 7, 2011
http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n1237/n1342/n803715/2773496.html

Briefings | | May 12, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

PLA Female Singers’ Visit, Change in Taiwan Media

China News Service carried an article reporting on Song Zhuying, the PLA singer from the Naval Song and Dance Troupe, who recently visited Taiwan. Song is the second PLA singer allowed to perform in Taiwan. The first was Chen Sisi who visited Taiwan in 2009, when politicians in Taiwan expressed resistance and placed numerous restrictions on Chen’s visit. However Song’s visit encountered a dramatic change. Other than the pro-green Liberty Times, fewer media outlets mentioned Song’s connection with the PLA.

The article stated, “Looking back at the journey of the PLA singer’s visit to Taiwan, the political flavor of Taiwan’s media has decreased and the soft fascination with the songs has attracted more attention.”

Source: China News Service, May 9, 2011
http://www.chinanews.com/tw/2011/05-09/3025655.shtml

Briefings | | May 12, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

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.