In his opinion, the economic success of China and Singapore proves that “Western liberalism is replaceable and unnecessary.” His viewpoints echo the Party line. One Chinese blogger calls him “a 50-cent Party member on regular payroll.”
(The 50-cent Party refers to “fans” of the Communist Party hired to propagate pro government views on the Internet. They get paid about 50 cents (Chinese RMB) for each posting.)
The following is a translation of excerpts from the article] [1]
In this interview, Yan argued that China’s foreign policy should reflect its status as the “number two power in the world.” He outlined three principles to guide China’s foreign policy: 1. Change the focus from economic development to rejuvenating the nation; 2. Change from maintaining a low profile to being a responsible great power; 3. Strategically improve China’s international reputation instead of focusing on a peaceful environment for economic development.] [1]
Sun Liping, a sociology professor at Tsinghua University, stated that there is an enormous black hole in Chinese society that sucks up wealth. According to Sun, “The crux of the problem is that an enormous black hole has formed in society, and it is sucking up wealth. The black hole absorbs a considerable part of the achievements in social development, leaving a very limited share for the people. Within this limited share, improving one part will hurt another part. There is limited space." How big is the black hole? According to Professor Sun, in 2009 the government raked in, using various means, fiscal revenue of 11,500 bn yuan, about one-third of the GDP.
Source: China Securities Journal reprinted at Soho.com, November 1, 2010
http://business.sohu.com/20101101/n276881426.shtml
Study Times published an article by the Party Committee of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) about its practice of maintaining Party control over China’s overseas businesses. The operation of expanding the Party overseas involves following these businesses. “Where there are people, there are Party organizations and Party activities.” “These overseas Party organizations are under the CCECC Party Committee, while accepting the leadership and administration of the Party Committees at our embassies and consulates. … Currently, the overseas offices of the CCECC have formed, horizontally and vertically, a complete Party organization system with 100% coverage.”
Source: Study Times, December 27, 2010
http://www.studytimes.com.cn:9999/epaper/xxsb/html/2010/12/27/08/08_13.htm
On December 29, 2010, People’s Daily published a December interview of Liang Guanglie, China’s Defense Minister. Li stated in the interview, “Looking at the current world situation, a full-scale war is unlikely, but we cannot exclude the possibility that, in some local areas, unexpected events may occur, or military friction may take place due to a ‘misfire.’” He indicated that, of all the military forces, the navy, air force, and second artillery corps make up a large and growing percentage, while the army is on the decline; that 80% of the officers now have college degrees; and that a modern weaponry system dominated by second generation equipment, with third generation equipment as the backbone has preliminarily been established.
Source: People’s Daily, December 29, 2010
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2010-12/29/content_711023.htm?div=-1
Yin Jianfeng, Director of the Financial Research Center, Institute of Finance and Banking, Chinese Academy of Social Science, stated that China should avoid the Japanese yen’s mistake when pushing the yuan as an international foreign exchange reserve. Yin argued that the yen failed as an international currency due to Japan’s weak financial system, its high domestic savings rate, and the lack of an offshore trading center.
To push the yuan to go worldwide, Yin suggested using Asian countries, excluding Japan, to break into the international market, since China’s trade with these countries accounts for nearly 50% of its imports and 38% of its exports. “Hong Kong should be the yuan’s offshore international financial center.” “Trade in yuan should first start in Southeast Asia, with Hong Kong as the Southeast Asia yuan investment and trade center.”
Source: Xinhua, December 20, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-12/20/c_12900744.htm
On December 21, 2010, the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Science, published its “2010: Evaluation of China’s Security Situation.” The report stated, “In 2010, China faced intensified security pressure from its neighboring countries and deteriorating relationships with its neighbors.”
Recently China’s government think tanks have been debating the direction of China’s foreign policy. The International Herald Leader reported on a forum held to discuss the security report. Participants expressed two opposing views:
1. “China should learn how to reduce it neighbors’ fears and worries concerning China’s rise. In other words, make more friends and create zero or few enemies.”
2. “China should learn from Russia. It initially took a soft foreign policy approach, but the Western world’s continued interaction with its neighbors became a threat. After Russia showed its determination to safeguard its interests, [Ed: sending troops to Georgia], the situation stabilized.”
Source: International Herald Leader, December 24, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2010-12/24/c_13663115.htm
Guangming Daily published an article by Leng Song, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Science, on how to improve China’s influence over other countries. Leng listed the following strategies:
1. Build up the CCP Central media’s brand name and reputation overseas. All major Central media have already begun to expand in the Western world.
2. Have better control and utilization of the Internet, avoiding simple approaches such as blocking or removing articles on the Internet.
3. Expand the media’s focus to both developed and developing countries. China’s current foreign propaganda focus is Europe, the U.S., Japan, and Russia. China should also cover Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Leng also argued for the use of crises to promote China’s image. “Timeliness is the key to controlling the tone of the media when reporting a social crisis.” “Reporting on social crises requires full awareness of (the CCP’s) policy direction and political position.”
Source: Guangming Daily, December 22, 2010
http://epaper.gmw.cn/gmrb/html/2010-12/22/nw.D110000gmrb_20101222_1-11.htm