Chinascope – Page 1083

The CCP’s Management of Religions during the 11th Five-Year Plan

[Editor’s Note: People’s Daily published an article by the State Administration for Religious Affairs that reviews the CCP’s policies and decisions in the area of managing religion during the period of the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010). It stated that the “The Central Committee (of the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]) pointed out … having the right understanding and handling of affairs relating to religion … is critical to the development and long-term stability of the Party and the nation. The CCP’s achievements during the period included starting to use the “Regulations on Religious Affairs” as the main vehicle to regulate and manage religious groups, directing religious practitioners to adjust their religious beliefs to conform to socialist theory, developing new religious leaders, using religious groups around the world to promote the CCP’s religious ideology, and taking control of issues regarding international religious affairs. The following are highlights of the report.] [1]

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Reports | | February 12, 2011 | Report

Huanqiu Reports on China’s Widening Income Disparity

According to the Statistics Bureau’s data released last year, the salary level of those in China’s financial securities industry was six times that of the average salary for other professions. Among all professions, the highest salary was 11 times more than the lowest one. The most recent statistics released by the Salary Institute of Human Resources and the Social Security Ministry show that the difference has now widened to 15 times. Based on the current data, the income disparity among different professions in China is the greatest in the world.

Source: Huanqiu (Global Times), February, 10, 2011
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2011-02/1485203.html

Briefings | | February 11, 2011 | Economy/Resources

China Rearranges the Navy’s Top Leadership, Promoting New Officers with Knowledge of Weaponry

People’s Daily reported on February 10, 2011, that the Chinese Navy recently underwent a series of personnel changes. A major characteristic of the changes was that many newly promoted officers have had experience in weaponry or have been leaders in naval institutions. The move reflects the strategic thinking of having a scientifically developed navy. This rearrangement of naval leadership involves more that 10 vice admirals and rear admirals. They are from naval headquarters and all fleets, naval bases, and institutions. The positions of Navy Chief of Staff, South Sea Fleet Commander, and East Sea Fleet Commander have all changed.

Source: People’s Daily, February, 10, 2011
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/42969/58519/13881992.html

Briefings | | February 11, 2011 | Defense/Military

Xinhua on the U.S. National Military Strategy Report

On February 8, 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense published the National Military Strategy of United States of America 2011. Xinhua published several articles discussing the book. One review stated that in its military strategy, the U.S. will focus on Internet wars and on the Asia-Pacific region. Regarding an Internet war, the article gave the following summary: In developing the future armed forces, the new strategy stresses the “threat of an Internet war,” and for the first time lists “coping with the threat of an Internet war” as a separate military strategy. (1)

Another article was titled, “The U.S. National Military Strategy Report Is Meant to Target China.” The article said, “The report didn’t overtly mention China, but China’s influence is obvious in the text.” “Even when it’s not talking about Asia, the main focus is not too far away from China’s military expansion.” The article relied heavily on foreign media reports to make its point. (2)

Sources: Xinhua, February 10, 2011
(1) http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-02/10/c_121059545.htm
(2) http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-02/10/c_121062092.htm

Briefings | | February 11, 2011 | US-China Relations

People’s Daily: the Rise of an Awakening Lion

People’s Daily, overseas edition, published an article titled China’s Diplomacy, the Rise of an Awakening Lion. The article states, “The rise needs power and we have the power.” It cites the annual growth rate of 8%, the fact that China is the second largest economy in the world, its technology and military power, China’s regular presence at major international summits, and its 331 Confucius Institutes throughout the world. It asks, “Why is China receiving so much attention now? It is because of its ever-increasing power. … Today, we have a different relationship with the world and the West: we are no longer left to their tender mercies. Instead we have slowly risen are becoming their equal.”

Source: People’s Daily, February 8, 2011
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/57506/13871773.html

Briefings | | February 10, 2011 | Government/Politics

China to Strengthen the Absolute Leadership of the Party over the Military

On February 8, Hu Jintao, Chairman of Central Military Commission (CMC), approved the revised Work Regulations of the Chinese Communist Military Committee, said to be “an important measure to strengthen the Party buildup in the military and regulate the work of Party commissions at various levels.” It “firmly establishes the Concept of Scientific Development as the important guiding principle in national defense and in developing the army.” The revised regulations “further solidifies and strengthens the guidelines and requirements for addressing both new situations and problems that face military Party commissions at various levels, and the responsibilities and decision making process of military Party commissions …”

Source: Xinhua, February 8, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2011-02/08/c_13722260.htm

Briefings | | February 10, 2011 | Government/Politics

China’s Strategic Oil Reserves

[Editor’s Note: On January 18, 2011, China Review News published an article about China’s quest to increase its oil reserves. As China is importing more and more crude oil, it has realized the paramount urgency of having a secure source of energy reserves. On December 18, 2007, China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced the establishment of the China National Oil Reserve Center. Its plan is to develop oil reserve bases over the next 15 years. The entire project is to be implemented in three phases, with the goal of having 85 million tons, or 99 million cubic meters, of oil reserves by 2020.] [1]

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Reports | | February 9, 2011 | Report

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.”