Chinascope – Page 1073

Special Projects Initiated for Strategic Leading Technologies

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) recently announced that, in 2011, special projects will be initiated in six to eight strategic leading technologies such as advanced nuclear fission, energy, and space science. These initiatives are aligned with the CAS Road-map to 2050 and are a part of the “Innovation 2020” plan. The goal of these initiatives is to make breakthroughs in each of these areas and to stimulate technological as well as industrial innovations. With a goal of completion in ten years, “Innovation 2020” is designed to enter the global cutting edge of strategic technology, build a high-end talent pool, and establish innovative platforms. It is planned that, by the end of 2020, China will be the world leader in all mainstream scientific fields, such as chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Source: Guangming online, February 15, 2011
http://tech.gmw.cn/2011-02/15/content_1612333.htm

Briefings | | February 23, 2011 | Information/Technology

Hu Jintao Gave a Speech on Controlling Society

On February 19, 2011, the Conference on Social Management and Innovation was held at the CCP’s Central Party School. Top leaders from the central and provincial government attended the conference. Hu Jintao gave a speech at the opening ceremony. Hu stressed the importance of social management and outlined eight points for society’s future direction: 1. Improve the Party’s leadership and formalize social management work. 2. Improve the Party and government-led mechanisms to protect people’s rights. 3. Improve the management of transients and special populations and create a national database to cover every individual in China. 4. Improve the basic social management and service system. 5. Improve the public safety system. 6. Improve social management in private companies. 7. Improve Internet management and establish a mechanism to lead public opinion on the Internet. 8. Strengthen education in socialist ideology.

All of the nine members of the Politburo standing committee, all other Politburo members, and top CCP officials in central and provincial authorities attended the opening ceremony.

Source: CCP News Online, February 19, 2011
http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64093/64094/13958405.html

Briefings | | February 21, 2011 | Government/Politics

CCP’s Politburo Met to Set Strategy on Middle East Reporting

Boxun.com, an overseas Chinese language website, reported that the CCP’s Politburo held a meeting to set strategy on reporting the Middle East’s democracy movement. “Some Politburo members in Beijing had an informal meeting the day after Mubarak stepped down. They set new rules and education goals for the military, the armed police, and the police. The focus was on ‘propaganda:’ to stop the media from freely posting reports, comments, and discussions about Egypt and the region; to strengthen the cleanup and management of blogs and forums; to require local media to use only Xinhua’s articles on the Middle East; to control the media’s tone and direct it to find that the ‘U.S. is behind the scenes;’ and to prepare to shut down certain Internet functions.” The CCP’s Propaganda Department’s directive also added “to reduce the reporting of local ‘sensitive events.’”

[Editor’s Notes: Boxun.com called for a public protest in 13 Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai for February 20, 2011. Boxun’s website has since been under severe attack and unable to function normally. This article can be found on Google cache or other websites that republished it.]

Source: Boxun, February 18, 2011
news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2011/02/201102182219.shtml

Google cache ULR:

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showthread.php?t=701302

Briefings | | February 21, 2011 | Grapevine

China Again Hiked the Bank Reserve Ratio but Refused Fast Renminbi Appreciation

On February 18, 2011, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced that it will increase the bank reserve ratio by 0.50% on February 24. This is the second reserve ratio hike this year and the eighth since the start of 2010. With this rate hike, PBOC expects to keep 350 billion yuan in the banking system from entering circulation.

China, however, refused to allow significant appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. On February 17, 2011, Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the central bank, said in Paris that “(China) has never paid special attention to external pressure for the Renminbi’s appreciation. The Chinese government will decide the pace on its own.”

Sources:
1. Xinhua, February 18, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2011-02/18/c_121098458.htm
2. Xinhua, February 19, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2011-02/19/c_121099068.htm

Briefings | | February 21, 2011 | Economy/Resources

Present and Future Cooperation between China and Europe on Industrial Investment

[Editor’s Note: The following People’s Daily article, authored by the Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Xu Xianping, gives details on China-EU economic cooperation, as part of the two parties’ strategic relationship. The translation of excerpts relating to several points from the article follows.] [1]

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Reports | | February 19, 2011 | Report

Chinese Enterprises Actively Seek Acquisitions Overseas

Guangming Daily reported on the 2011 Investigation Report of the International Business Survey issued by Grant Thornton China on February 16, 2011. According to the survey, following the global economic recovery, Chinese enterprises’ intentions to expand have markedly increased. It showed that 45 percent expect to be involved in M&A activities in the next three years. That is an increase of 19 percent over last year’s 26 percent. It is also higher than the global average of 34 percent. Among the enterprises surveyed, 26 percent anticipate acquiring companies overseas in the next three years, the highest level since 2008. Overseas acquisitions have increased rapidly in recent years. Since the start of February of this year, Chinese companies have spent over US$10 billion on acquisitions. At the moment, large state-owned enterprises are responsible for most overseas acquisitions. Due to opposition from hostile overseas forces, many face obstacles and failure. Thus many private enterprises and other economic entities have been driven to join the acquisition activities.

Source: Guangming Daily, February, 17, 2011
http://economy.gmw.cn/2011-02/17/content_1624010.htm

Briefings | | February 18, 2011 | Economy/Resources

People’s Daily: Finance Minister Chen Deming’s Visit to Africa Has Special Significance

On February 17, 2011, People’s Daily reported Finance Ministry Spokesperson Yao Jian’s comments on Finance Minister Chen Deming’s visit to three African countries (Morogo, Equatorial Guinea, and Ghana) from February 13-17. Yao said the visit carried special meaning because it took place against the backdrop of the 55th anniversary of China-Africa cooperation and the full-scale implementation of the eight new strategies put forth by the fourth minister’s conference of the China-Africa cooperation forum. The China-Africa cooperation forum was established in 2000. Over the last decade, the scale of cooperation has steadily increased. The amount of bilateral trade has increased from US$10 billion in 2000 to US$126.9 billion. Investments cover the areas of mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and so on. Since July 1, 2010, China has reduced its customs duty by 60 percent for 26 African countries. China also encourages and supports Chinese enterprises to increase investment in Africa, and expand in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing, finance, commerce, and environmental protection.

Source: People’s Daily, February, 17, 2011
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/13942743.html

Briefings | | February 18, 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.