Chinascope – Page 1079

Beijing Blames U.S. for Abandoning Mubarak

On February 25, 2011, People’s Daily published an article criticizing the U.S. government for “abandoning Mubarak unsympathetically at the critical moment,” which has “not only disappointed other US Middle East allies, but also let them further understand the pragmatic nature of the U.S. Middle East foreign policy.” By listing current and historic examples of U.S. foreign policy decisions in Egypt, Iran and Libya, the article concludes that the purpose for the U.S. to promote democracy in the Middle East is to control its strategic benefits in the Middle East out of self interest.

Source: People’s Daily, February 25, 2011
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/14001278.html

Briefings | | February 28, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

A Chinese Scholar on Future Conflicts between China and the U.S.

[Editor’s Notes: The Chinese media have overwhelmingly praised Chinese President Hu Jintao’s U.S. visit as “a historical visit at a critical moment in the Sino-U.S. relationship.” [1] Nanfang Metropolitan published an interview with Jin Canrong, Deputy Dean of the School of International Relations, People’s University, on the subject of Sino-U.S. relations. Jin predicts the relationship will become more stable. There still will be many conflicts between the two sides but those conflicts won’t escalate to confrontation. The following are excerpts about the possible conflicts that Jin foresees down the road.] [1]

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Reports | | February 27, 2011 | Report

Guangming Daily: Rebutting the China Internet Threat Allegations

Guangming Daily published an opinion article dealing with the “China Internet Threat” allegations that have appeared in Western media. The article claimed that, since Google gave substantial publicity to its being “attacked by Chinese hackers,” the Western media have regularly reported on China’s “Internet surveillance,” “Internet hacking,” and “establishing an Internet army." The article also mentioned that Hillary Clinton attacked China when she gave a speech about Internet freedom. Canadian media also reported that the Canadian government website had been hacked recently; hackers obtained some highly confidential information. The hack was traced to a server in China. It seems that the “China Internet Threat” allegation is heating up again. The author claimed that the above accusations are groundless and listed the following rebuttals. 1) It is a custom that every country administers its necessary controls. 2) Each year over 100 countries’ intelligence departments attempt to get U.S. government and corporation’s information. Why single out China as a threat? 3) As early as 2009, the United States had already set up an Internet war headquarters. It was the first country to include a war organization as part of its Internet strategy.

Source: Guangming Daily, February, 23, 2011
http://view.gmw.cn/2011-02/23/content_1643325.htm

Briefings | | February 25, 2011 | US-China Relations

The CCP Trains Spokespersons on How to Deal with the Media

From February 21 to 23, 2011, spokespersons from the CCP Committee and their working team members gathered in Beijing to attend a training course. It was the first course of its kind organized by the International Communications Office of the CCP Central Committee and the State Council Information Office. The purpose was to train CCP spokespersons on handling issues such as how to organize a press conference, how to respond to reporters’ questions, and what to learn from Western governments’ press conferences on events that occur unexpectedly.

Source: Xinhua, February, 23, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2011-02/23/c_121115226.htm

Briefings | | February 25, 2011 | Government/Politics

Xinhua: America’s Black Hand Can Be Seen behind the Turmoil in the Middle East

Xinhua quoted an article from a Russian media report with the same title as above to hint that the United States instigated the recent Egyptian riots. The article stated that the dramatic events happening in the Arab countries in recent weeks once again demonstrate that the United States has never observed the principle of not interfering in a sovereign country’s internal affairs. It (the U.S.) gets rid of the “dictators” from the list of its past friends in order to arrange newly “elected” dictators. As long as it can help solve the problems facing the United States, the U.S. State Department is willing to see crowds and blood in the squares belonging to other territories. Secretly starting a revolution “from within" is an ideal tool. The article quoted a report from the U.K.’s Telegraph claiming that the United Stated secretly supported the Egyptian dissidents who, three years earlier, had promised Washington they would organize a “power turnover” campaign.

Source: Xinhua, February, 23, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-02/23/c_121115542.htm

Briefings | | February 25, 2011 | US-China Relations

Beijing Will Not Tolerate Democracy or a Separation of Powers

On January 24, 2011, Wu Bangguo, a member of the Politburo standing committee, spoke at a national conference on the Chinese style legal system. Qiushi published his speech on February 1, 2011. The highlights of his speech also appeared in a People’s Daily editorial on February 21, 2011. “Based on China’s national conditions, [we] solemnly declare that we will not engage in a multi-party political system or in diversity of the guiding ideology. We will not pursue the ‘separation of powers’ and the bicameral system, or engage in federalism or privatization of property.”

Sources:
Qiushi, February 1, 2011
http://www.qstheory.cn/zxdk/2011/201103/201101/t20110128_64951.htm
People’s Daily, February 21, 2011
http://theory.people.com.cn/GB/13963415.html

Briefings | | February 24, 2011 | Government/Politics

Sinopec Completes Acquisition of Occidental’s Argentine Unit

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), Asia’s largest refiner, completed its acquisition of Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s Argentine oil and gas unit for $2.45 billion. The acquisition agreement was signed on December 10, 2010. This purchase gives Sinopec an interest in 23 production and exploration concessions in Santa Cruz, Mendoza, and Chubut provinces. According to Sinopec Groups, in 2010, petroleum production had reached 15 million barrels with natural gas sales hitting 14 billion cubic feet.

Source: Xinhua, February 23, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-02/23/c_121114769.htm

Briefings | | February 24, 2011 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua Commentary Series: Spotlight on the U.S. Presidential Election

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.”