On March 30, 2011, CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corp) announced that it had signed an agreement with U.K.’s Tullow Oil to acquire a one third interest in the company’s three drilling areas in Uganda. The transaction is a cash deal amounting to about US$1.467 billion. It is expected to close in the first half of 2011.
Source: China News Service, March 30, 2011
http://www.chinanews.com/ny/2011/03-30/2941922.shtml
On March 31, 2011, the Chinese government published the white book: China ‘s National Defense in 2010. This is the eighth time since 1998 that the Chinese government has published the national defense white book.
The book contains the following sections: introduction and the security situation, the policy of national defense, modernizing the PLA, using armed force, national defense mobilization and the development of backup forces, military law, the science and technology industry of national defense, funding national defense, establishing military mutual trust, military control, and disarmament.
The book laid out the aim and task of China’s National defense: to protect national sovereignty, security, and development; to maintain the harmony and stability of society; to modernize national defense and the army; and to maintain world peace and stability.
The book comprehensively discussed the multiple functions of national defense during peace time. It also emphasized adapting to new situations and proactively coping with various security threats.
Source: Xinhua, March 31, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-03/31/c_121252260.htm
An opinion article on the People’s Daily website questions the purpose of Western countries’ military action in Libya. “The original idea of UN Security Council resolution 1973 was to stop violence and protect civilians." However, one wonders at the Western countries’ purpose. “Help the opponent obtain a military opportunity by striking the government’s army. This has led the conflict in Libya to escalate. Is this stopping the violence?” “Some Western countries directly fund and arm the opponents to achieve their goal of ‘overthrowing Gaddafi.’ Is this consistent with its emphasis that ‘the purpose is not to overthrow Gaddafi?’"
“In fact, behind the slogan of protecting civilians’ interests is protecting Western countries’ interests. … including economic interests and … Western leader’s mindset of leading the world from their bones.” “From their action toward Libya, … it seems there is a ribbon to bind them together, i.e. Western countries leading world affairs.”
The article concluded: “the future direction of Libya is not only to test how long Gaddafi can last, but also to test whether Western countries’ mindset toward the world will change.”
Source: People’s Daily, April 1, 2011
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/14290933.html
Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated Beijing’s support for Hong Kong to become the RMB offshore center, suggesting that Hong Kong should lead China’s financial reform. According to Hong Kong’s monetary authority, in 2010, a total of 36 billion yuan (US$5.5 billion) in RMB bonds were issued. China Merchants Bank President Ma Weihua said earlier this month that Hong Kong’s RMB deposits totaled 370.6 billion and may hit 2 trillion in five years.
Source: Chinese News Service, March 31, 2011
http://www.chinanews.com/cj/2011/03-31/2941967.shtml
Source: Xinhua, March 30, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-03/30/c_121249991.htm
Xi Jinping, the Vice President of China, met with Liberian Foreign Minister McIntosh in the People’s Hall in Beijing on March 30, 2011. Xi said the Chinese government is "highly concerned about peace and the security situation in Africa, and along with African countries, including Liberia, would like to actively promote a peaceful resolution of the crisis.”
Source: Xinhua, March 30, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-03/30/c_121249926.htm
To step up the regulation on the submission of publication samples, China’s publishing regulator, the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP), recently issued a Notice about Further Strengthening the Submission of Publication Samples. It requires that all publishers submit a sample of every new publication to a specific address in a timely manner.
The types of publications falling into the regulation include first editions of books, reprinted books, audio-visual products, and electronic publications. All must be submitted within 30 days of publication. All submissions must be complete, without any missing components.
Source: China News and Publishing Journal, March 29, 2011.
http://data.chinaxwcb.com/epaper/2011/2011-03-29/9179.html.