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Xinhua Commentary Series: Spotlight on the U.S. Presidential Election

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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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Jon Huntsman Met with Five Chinese Human Rights Activists

U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman met with five Chinese human rights lawyers and activists on December 9, 2009, according to the Voice of America. The two-hour meeting took place in the U.S. Embassy. with Jiang Tianyong, Li Fangping, Zhang Kai, Dai Jinbo, and Wang Guangze present at the meeting.

These advocates implied that this meeting was not just a formality. Ambassador Huntsman listened carefully to their portrayal of religion and human rights issues in China. He said that such meetings are not a single occurrence and that he would discuss with the Chinese government religious freedom issues and lawful rights for family churches.

Jiang Tianyong suggested that the meeting with Ambassador Huntsman would have a deep and significant impact on China.

President Obama also wanted to meet with China’s rights activists during his visit to China in November, but other issues took priority.

Source: VOA, December 13, 2009
http://www1.voanews.com/chinese/news/china/20091213-Jon-Huntsman-Human-Rights-79161512.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Editor-In-Chief of Nanfang Weekend Demoted for Interviewing President Obama

Xiang Xi, the former editor-in-chief of Nanfang Weekend was demoted to executive editor for his handling of Nanfang Weekend’s interview with U.S. President Obama.

President Obama granted Xiang Xi, representing Nanfang Weekend, a relatively liberal state-owned newspaper, an exclusive interview during his visit to China.

Nanfang Weekend later published a censored interview report and blanked part of the front and second pages to protest the censorship by the Communist Party’s Propaganda Department.

Source:
1. Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2009
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/nan-12132009164722.html
2. Chinascope
http://chinascope.org/main/content/view/2115/103/

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

China Marxism Forum 2009 Held in Beijing

The “China Marxism Forum 2009” was held in the Central Committee’s Party School in Beijing from December 8 to 9. Xi Jinping, Hu Jintao’s successor, member of the Politburo Standing Committee and President of the Central Committee’s Party School sent a congratulatory letter to the forum.

This forum was sponsored by the China Marxism Study Foundation, the only foundation in China that awards and organizes theoretical study of Marxism and the Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, and the National Development Bank.

Going forward, the China Marxism Study Foundation will sponsor the Marxism Forum annually, with the first meeting held this year.

Source: Study Times, December 14, 2009
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=3120&nid=11328&bid=1&page=1

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

State Council Enhancing Consumer Spending Stimulus Policies

The Chinese State Council Executive Meeting held on December 9 came up with several policies designed to stimulating consumer spending: (1) Continuing of the policy of "Home Appliances to the Countryside"; (2) Extending the "Automobiles to the Countryside" project through the end of next year; (3) Continuing the "Home Appliances Replacement project"; (4) Increasing the subsidies to farm machinery purchases; (5) Expanding the scope of the "Energy Savers’ Project"; (6) Extending the reduction of the sales tax on cars below 1.6 liters; (7) Extending the waiver of business taxes on "individual housing transfers" from 2 years to 5 years; and (8) Deferring various insurance payments by companies with financial difficulties.

Source: Xinhua, December 9, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-12/09/content_12619143.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Bank of China Enhancing Research on New Industries

Xiao Gang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Board Chairman of the Bank of China, recently advised that the bank is enhancing the research of strategic new industries. It will also support the development of a "low carbon economy." Xiao pointed out that the Bank of China should optimize the structure of its loans to be positively in line with the restructuring process of the economy. Its research is aimed at new financial products and service models. Mr. Gang also commented on the needed improvements in personal financial services, integrated domestic and international business, and risk management.

Source: Xinhua, December 7, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2009-12/07/content_12606158.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China Establishing Energy Resources Committee

The Economic Observer Newspaper recently reported that the State Council is forming a committee to oversee all Chinese energy resources related management issues. The pending government body has been named the "National Energy Resources Committee." The director of this committee is likely to be a deputy prime minister or a state councilor. Members of the committee will come from the National Development & Reform Commission, National Energy Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Administration of Quality and Technical Supervision. The move comes as a result of past poor coordination of various government branches that have a say in energy policies.

Source: Economic Observer Newspaper, December 14, 2009
http://www.eeo.com.cn/Politics/beijing_news/2009/12/13/157999.shtml

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Liu Yandong: Foreign Affairs Education Must Serve the Interests of the Party

On December 10, 2009, Liu Yandong, a member of the CCP Central Committee Political Bureau and a State Councilor, gave a speech at the 2009 National Foreign Affairs Education Conference, Xinhua reported.

Liu pointed out that the work of foreign affairs education, as part of diplomatic foreign affairs, must serve the overall interests of the Party and the country and make contributions to the building of China’s socialist and modernized education system.

The work of foreign affairs education must strengthen the communication and cooperation between Chinese schools and foreign schools, send Chinese students to study abroad, invite foreigners to study in China, recruit Chinese professionals from overseas, and promote Chinese language education internationally.

Source: Xinhua, December 10, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-12/10/content_12625217.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Wen Jiabao: Strategically, Comprehensively, and Stably Enhance China-Europe Relations

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on November 30, 2009, that development of the current situation requires that  China and Europe enhance China-EU relations strategically, comprehensively, and stably. Wen made the speech at the 12th China-EU summit in Nanjing on November 30, 2009, according to Xinhua. Wen Jiabao, Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso hosted the summit.

Source: Xinhua, November 30, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-11/30/content_12563412.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend