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Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

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Cheng Xiaonong: U.S.-China Strategic Relations Have Crystallized

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Xinhua Commentaries: “Exposing the Three Major Political Deficits of the U.S.”

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The CCP’s Performing Arts Troupes in the U.S.

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Urbanization Continues to Erode Farmland

More farmland will be lost as urbanization in China advances. The urban population, which is currently at 46.8%, will increase to 54% by 2015, to 65% by 2020, and close to 70% by 2030, according to Ma Xiaohe, Deputy Director of the State’s Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission. 

“Given the reality of more people and less land, so many people moving into the city will certainly require a lot of land … Furthermore, due to the urbanization process, more highways have to be built, water and utilities are a great part of what is needed, and public service facilities have to be set up. This, in turn, will reduce farmland even further.”  


He concluded that China is facing an unprecedented challenge in preserving farmland and preventing food shortages.

Source: Huanqiu, August 30, 2010
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2010-08/1058881.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Another Round of Training for the Party Organizing Directors

Over 430 directors of the Party’s local organization departments from throughout China are gathering in Beijing for 4 days of intensive training. Senior leaders of the Organization Department of the Party’s Central Committee are responsible for the lectures. From September through November 2009, eight such training sessions were held.  “After a recess of 9 months, a new round of training began. Such a short recess is rare.” In early 2010, the Organization Department of the Central Committee issued a directive that mandates annual training for local directors.

Source: News of the Chinese Communist Party, August 30, 2010
http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/164113/12574039.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Discern the Four Distinctions; Build a Solid Defense on the Thought Front

[Editor’s Note: The following report is translated from excerpts of a recent article in Qiu Shi, the official publication by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee.

The article was based on discussions of a group of theorists and scholars, whose viewpoints toe the party line. But the discussions reveal the Party’s dilemma of trying to defend and revise the Party’s belief and practice at the same time.

The article argues that the CCP is “not a one party dictatorship” but “one party leadership,” but it does not elaborate on their distinction. The discussions mirror the confusion among the CCP’s leadership; they also underline the growing yearning in China to abandon the stale Communist doctrine.] [1]

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Reports | | |   Report

International Herald Leader: How Should China Expand Its Foreign Aid?

China’s foreign aid is to serve its national interest, and not to fulfill a so-called “international responsibility” that is “forcibly imposed” on China, an International Herald Leader article stated. It made this statement to rebut Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who suggested China take more responsibility to provide aid to Pakistan after its flood catastrophe. The article argued that foreign aid is an important means of foreign diplomacy, and its target is selective and different from country to country. China should provide more aid to its close allies, so that it can attract more friends.

Source: International Herald Leader, August 30, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2010-08/30/c_13469316.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

New Public Service Officers Took Oath in Beijing

On August 31, 2010, the CCP Central Organization Department, Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security, and State Administration of Civil Service jointly organized an oath ceremony for new public service officials of the central government. More than 1,000 public service officials took the oath: “To support the leadership of the CCP; to protect national security, honor, and interests; …” They will each participate in one of 11 training sessions from July to September. The training’s main contents include: the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics and other public service topics.

Source: Xinhua, August 31, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-08/31/c_12503922.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Huanqiu: Be Alert to the U.S. Use of Its Hegemony to Reduce Debt

China Review News republished an article from Huanqiu warning that the U.S. is trying to use its dominant military power to reduce its debt. The article argued that the U.S. faces two issues: the crisis of the national debt and its over expanded military power. The U.S. is losing its political and economic dominance over the world. The only thing it has is the absolute advantage of its military. The U.S. is actually bankrupt in its fiscal budget. Its foreign policy’s mission is to attract U.S. dollar assets back to the U.S. to help it reduce the debt crisis. That means depriving other nations of wealth. The U.S. might also use its military power to achieve that goal.

Source: China Review News, August 31, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1014/3/1/6/101431617.html?coluid=148&kindid=0&docid=101431617&mdate=0831001542

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Low Altitude Interception Systems Passed Inspection

China Review News (CRN) reported that the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) recently completed a test of the Slow Low-Altitude Small Target Detection and Interception System. The system is urgently needed in the domestic security market, which requires round-the-clock detection and high precision features.

The system is expected to be used at important conference sites, large gatherings and sensitive locations. According to the test results, the system is ready for real-world deployment.

Source: China Review News, August 23, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1014/2/2/9/101422909.html?coluid=45&kindid=0&docid=101422909&mdate=0823090642

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua: Weaknesses of Chinese Social Security System

In a recent forum, Yin Weimin, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, discussed four main weaknesses of China’s current Social Security System: (1) elderly unemployed city residents don’t enjoy any pension or monetary protection; (2) the aging traditional pension system still covers the government system and public institutions; (3) there is a lack of smooth connections between various social security related systems; (4) supplementary social protection systems are under very slow development and do not satisfy diverse market needs.

Yin suggested that a sound social security system is urgently needed for sustainable social development. The biggest unfairness is the fact that a large chunk of the population lacks basic social protection arrangements.

Source: Xinhua, August 23, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-08/23/c_12474383.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources