Chinascope – Page 1056

County Level Human Resource Social Security Bureau Chiefs to Take Training Courses

A ten-day training has been planned for the county level Human Resources and Social Security Bureau chiefs, the largest of its kind since its inception. The first session started on April 18 in Beijing. Accordingly to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, it is expected to take three years for all 3,000 grassroots bureau chiefs to complete the training course. The purpose of the training is to improve the leadership quality of officials at the local level, as well as enhance their capability to handle social crises and to combat corruption.

Source: Xinhua, April 18, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2011-04/18/c_121318606.htm

Briefings | | April 25, 2011 | Government/Politics

Li Changchun Calls for African-Chinese Media Cooperation

During a visit to Kenya, Li Changchun, the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda chief, gave a speech at Nairobi University encouraging further cooperation between the media in China and Africa. Li proposed to actively implement the “Forum on China–Africa Cooperation–Sharm El Sheikh Action Plan.” He also suggested strengthening direct interactions between Chinese and African media and promoting cooperation in training, technical support, programming, and resource sharing, as well as technology development.

Source: Xinhua, April 22, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-04/22/c_121337861.htm

Briefings | | April 25, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

S&P Downgrades U.S. Credit Outlook: A Conspiracy?

China’s Securities Times published an article questioning Standard and Poor’s (S&P) intention to downgrade the outlook for U.S. credit. The article says, “As a pure U.S. credit rating agency, such an action is like a slap in the parents’ face. One cannot help wondering: Is S&P trying to regain the reputation it lost in the global financial crisis or is it a conspiracy?” The article quoted an economist who said that it is customary for the three large credit rating agencies to apply a double standard in reporting the credit ratings for domestic vs. foreign corporations. They usually overlook the problems in the U.S. domestic market, but are very “sharp” on the market trend in other countries, particularly those the U.S. does not like. In support of the conspiracy theory, the article quoted an analyst, who stated, “The crisis in Europe weakened the Euro and made the U.S. dollar stronger. Since the U.S. does not want a strong dollar right now, S&P downgraded the U.S. credit outlook in order to help the U.S. decrease the dollar’s exchange rate.” Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of China’s central bank, said, “Many rating agencies are not accurate in judging a country’s rating. The error rate is very high in reports at the national level, usually with a political purpose.”

Source: Securities Times, April 20, 2011
http://zt.stcn.com/zt2011/content/2011-04/20/content_2518834.htm

Briefings | | April 22, 2011 | US-China Relations

The Party’s Leadership Is Essential to the Success of China’s Socialist Legal System

[Editor’s Note: The following article by a Xinhua special commentator reminds people of the relationship between the Communist Party and China’s legal system. Echoing a recent speech by Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the National People’s Congress, the author stressed, “We must resolutely uphold the Party’s leadership.”

The author emphasizes that China’s laws are an expression of the Party’s ideas, and he vows to use legislation to “transform the Party’s ideas into the national will and the common code of conduct for the entire society.”

Following this logic, legislation is but a tool for the Party, “We must enact legislation that serves the big picture of the Party and the State’s work plan, and ensures that the Party and the State’s imperative decisions are executed”] [1]

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Reports | | April 21, 2011 | Report

China Launches a Red Song Campaign

Thirty-six “red” songs have been selected during a national competition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. Under the lead of the Party’s Propaganda Department, State media, including China Central Television (CCTV) and China National Radio (CNR) are co-sponsoring the competition. The competition will culminate in the top 10 songs in early May. Guangming Daily is publishing one song a day out of the 36 selected. Study Press, the national publisher of the Communist Party’s Propaganda Department, has also released CD’s and DVD’s. Chongqing City’s Propaganda Department has ordered local official media to provide intense coverage of the 36 songs from April 10 to May 20. For example, during this period, Chongqing Satellite TV and the Chongqing Radio Station were ordered to repeat the broadcast of the songs regularly throughout the day. The city government is organizing musicians to teach the songs to the residents so that everyone can sing them.

Source: Chongqing Daily, April 20, 2011
http://cqrbepaper.cqnews.net/cqrb/html/2011-04/20/content_1352325.htm

Briefings | | April 21, 2011 | Government/Politics

Chinese State Radio Signs Cooperation Agreement with Turkey

The State’s China Radio International (CRI) signed an agreement with Turkey’s national broadcaster, Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), in Ankara “to strengthen overall cooperation in broadcasting.” According to the agreement, the two parties will exchange programs and increase communications and visits. CRI expects that a rapid implementation of the agreement will facilitate cooperation in other fields.

Source: Xinhua, April 19, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-04/18/c_121319744.htm

Briefings | | April 21, 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.