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Air Force Commander on Space Development

During an interview with a Xinhua reporter, Xu Qiliang, China’s Air Force Commander, claimed that the arms race and arms development have taken on a new challenge, as it now includes control of space. Xu stated that whoever controls space will control the ground, ocean, and the electromagnetic field, achieving a strategic advantage. The Air Force should keep on track of the overall goal, including building IT capabilities and being ahead in information warfare. The impetus should continue on strategic requirements, covering air and space and focusing both on offense and defense. The thrust must include improvement of reconnaissance capabilities and early detection, warning, air strikes, defense against air strikes, and strategic delivery capabilities. Military capabilities must face continued refinement and the military must realize the transition from mechanization to information as early as possible.

Source: Xinhua, November 1, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-11/01/content_12364603.htm

Xinhua Bookstore Opened in London

The International Herald Leader, a newspaper under Xinhua, reported that on October 20, 2009, the Xinhua Bookstore opened its first European store in London. At present, there are three Xinhua Bookstores and one on-line store in the United States. The goal of the Xinhua Bookstore is to use the world’s languages, e.g. English, Germany, French, Japanese, Korean, and so on, to tell the desired stories about China.

The article also discussed the differences between the Confucius Institute and the Xinhua Bookstore, both of which are increasing their presence overseas.  It is important to note that the Confucius Institute is directly under the Chinese government’s funding while the Xinhua Bookstore is a business operation (Ed: under a State-Owned Enterprise though).

Source: International Herald Leader, October 30, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-10/30/content_12360037.htm

Ministry of IIT: New Industries for Industrial Equipment Development

Zhang Xiangmu, Director of the Department of Industry Equipment, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology outlined five areas where China has to develop its equipment production industry further, Xinhua reported. The five areas are regulation, technology improvement, self-sufficiency in technology and equipment, the thrust into mergers and acquisitions, and new industry development. At present the targets for establishing new industries are energy-savings and new energy sources for automobiles, oceanic engineering equipment, general aircraft and regional aircraft, high-speed rail system equipment, and high-performance ship sectors.

Source: Xinhua, October 27, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2009-10/27/content_12342093.htm

Xinhua: Strengthen and Expand Coverage of Primary Party Newspapers and Magazines

The Year 2010 National Video Conference of Publishing Work of Party Newspapers and Magazines was held on October 16. The conference focused on the publishing of the works of the People’s Daily, Qiushi Magazine, Guangming Daily and Economic Daily. The Conference also pointed out that Party newspapers and magazines are the primary “ideological instrument of public opinion.” Party publicity branches should work closely with postal services to firmly accomplish wider distribution. The conference also emphasized continually raising the Party’s capabilities to “guide” public opinion.

Source: Xinhua, October 16, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-10/16/content_12246458.htm 

PLA Daily: New Concept Submarine 330 Improves Combat Capabilities

As part of the East China Sea Fleet, Submarine 330 is the first of a new generation of Chinese developed submarines. The primary features of this “new concept power” submarine include low noise level, long submerge time, advanced power systems and cutting edge weapons systems. During a recent trial trip in the northern seas under extreme low temperature conditions, the crew collected a large amount of data on the atmospheric variation patterns of the new cabin, the maneuver margin of the new power system and the physiological tolerance of the crew. The new submarine fleet is introducing new tactics focusing on concealment, breaking through a destroyer fleet, and combating air anti-submarine forces.

Source: Ministry of National Defense, October 23, 2009
http://news.mod.gov.cn/forces/2009-10/23/content_4097218.htm 

First World Chinese Language Education Conference Held in Chengdu

Jointly hosted by the State Council of the Overseas Chinese Office and the Chinese Foreign Exchange Association, the first World Chinese Language Education Conference took place in the capital city of Sichuan Province. The focal point of the conference was a call for more exchange and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. The Deputy Director of the State Council Overseas Chinese Office, Zhao Yang, delivered a speech suggesting overseas Chinese associations should take the leading position in organizing and managing overseas Chinese language education. The conference, formerly known as the International Chinese Education Seminar, was originally started in 1990.

Source: United Front Work Department of the Party Central Committee, October 20, 2009
http://www.zytzb.org.cn/zytzbwz/newscenter/hlkd08/200910/t20091020_579748.htm

Eight-Episode TV Documentary Series: Preparing For Danger In Times Of Safety, Episode Three

{Editor’s Note: In June 2006, Beijing released an eight-episode TV documentary series: Preparing For Danger In Times Of Safety – Historic Lessons Learned from the Demise of Soviet Communism. It was a research project conducted by the government think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Science. Afterwards, the Chinese Communist Party instructed party members across the nation to watch the series and launch serious discussions. The script of the prelude of the documentary quotes Hu Jintao’s words, “There are multiple factors contributing to the disintegration of the Soviet Union, a very important one being Khrushchev throwing away Stalin’s knife and Gorbachev’s open betrayal of Marxism-Leninism.” The full text of the narratives has been translated. What follows is the third episode.}

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GAPP Official on PRC Newspapers: Landing Overseas Expands Cultural Influence

On October 17, the 42nd Annual Conference of World Association of Newspapers (WAN) concluded in Chongqing. Wang Guoqing, the Division Chief of Newspapers and Periodicals at General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) of China, said that the mainland newspapers and periodicals’ landing overseas and cooperating with international media expanded the global influences of Chinese newspapers and Chinese culture.

At present, more than 60 periodicals from mainland China have copyright cooperation with international partners, with some publications landing outside China, including the China National Geography and ChinaNews magazine. The latter belongs to the official news agency China News Service (CNS).

Source: China News Service, October 18, 2009
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2009/10-18/1916255.shtml