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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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CCP, Master of Hostage Diplomacy

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Inflation Worse than the Official Consumer Price Index

Inflation in China has become a very serious problem despite the moderate official numbers, according to an article by Shanghai Business Daily. The official CPI released in April was at 2.8%, showing a mild upward trajectory. However, the paper reports, "the true inflation level has by far exceeded what the CPI reflects. If one takes into consideration various economic inflationary indicators or listens to the experiences of everyday people, the real inflation level has reached serious proportions.” If the government applies macro controls this year, the economy will come to a standstill, but without such control there could be chaos, says the article.

Source: Shanghai Business Daily reprinted by Nanfang Daily, May 13, 2010
http://gcontent.nddaily.com/d/2a/d2ac71782272659e/Blog/ac5/9e958b.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Government Employees Subjected to Loyalty Training

Over 6 million Chinese government employees have attended various political training sessions over the past five years. Intensive orientation training of these “civil servants” includes indoctrination in Party tradition, loyalty pledges, and military boot camp. It is rumored that the training has been effective in improving the political awareness of these trainees and their thinking is now in line with the directives of the Communist Party. In recent years, topics such as social unrest and State security have been added to this on-the-job training. Government employees have also taken training overseas. Such training has been institutionalized and without the training, the employee cannot be promoted.

Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, May 17, 2010                   http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/Desktop.aspx?path=mohrss/mohrss/InfoView&gid=792b0119-2f0e-41ed-b168-6a64a362378a&tid=Cms_Info

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China to Register and Manage All Religious Practitioners

On May 12, the State Administration for Religious Affairs held a video/audio conference on implementing the “Regulations on Religious Affairs.” 1700 religious affairs officials from all provinces participated in the conference. The Administration decided to complete the “Religious Practitioner Registration Practice” in three years, so that it can systematically and dynamically manage them over the Internet. It will also implement the “Financial Supervision and Management Practice for Religious Activities and Sites” in three years. For the remainder of 2010 and early 2011, local officials will start trial implementations.

Source: People’s Daily, May 14, 2010
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1027/11601559.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China Requires Identity Verification for Printing or Copying in Lhasa

China is tightening the control of the printing and copying business in Lhasa, according to an article that Global Times republished from the Lhasa Evening newspaper. Anyone running a printing or copying business is required to register with the police first. The company owner must obtain upper level organization’s approval. Individual owners must have a local permanent or temporary residence permit. The shop owners are required to verify the customer’s information. For business jobs, they must record the company’s name and address and for individual jobs, the individual’s name, address, and identification number.

Source: Global Times, May 18, 2010
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2010-05/818703.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Pest Problem Causes 400 Million Yuan Loss in Yunan Province

According to Yunan Provincial Forestry Department, Yunan Province is suffering from an outbreak of pests in its forests. 610,000 acres of forests have a pest problem and the economic loss is nearly 400 million Yuan. The forest pest problem was caused by both the continuing drought and last year’s frost disaster.

Source: China News Service, May 17, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/cj/cj-gncj/news/2010/05-17/2286854.shtml

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Development and Reform Commission Planning New Housing Market Policies

Xinhua recently republished a report by the Yangtze Evening Post, which is part of the Xinhua Network, on the news that the Development and Reform Commission is drafting “tougher” policies governing the housing market that will have a wider scope than the recent “National Ten Stipulations.” The timing of the announcement will be based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the current round of housing market regulations. Sources say the new policies will attempt to define the role of the government in the market. It is believed that the “National Ten” is still fresh and the new policies should hold – though having a backup plan is necessary.

Source: Xinhua, May 15, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/house/2010-05/15/c_12104508.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Chinese Army General: How Do We Engage in War in the Future

China’s state news People’s Daily recently published a short article by Zhou Yaning, a major general and commander of a missile base of the Second Artillery. The article discussed real-life training for future wars. It focused on the necessity for deep understanding of what “real-life” means. The article points out a major mistake about understanding “real-life”: the lack of “enemy intelligence.” Zhou believes there are two cases in which the Army members often misunderstand the situation: (1) imagining the enemy by using past impressions, such as still keeping a “gun shooting group” at the launch field; (2) imagining the enemy situation according to an understanding from the movies. For example, commanders worry too much about satellite capabilities portrayed in a recent foreign movie.

Source: People’s Daily, May 7, 2010
http://theory.people.com.cn/GB/11538382.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Training for Directors of Municipal Bureaus for Letters and Calls Planned

China’s state news People’s Daily recently reported on the decision of the National Bureau for Letters and Calls (the government agency to receive and handle Chinese citizen’s petitions and appeals), that all municipal bureau directors will be trained in batches within two years. The municipal level of the Bureau is considered the key in the chain of work. The training focuses on four primary points: (1) enhancing bureau officers’ understanding of the mission and the political responsibility; (2) studying the new strategies by the Party Central Committee and the State Council; (3) improving the capabilities to handle social emergencies; (4) improving skills in guiding public opinion and dealing with the media.

Source: People’s Daily, May 13, 2010
http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64093/82429/83083/11583326.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability