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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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China Setting up Confucius Institutes in Southeast Asia

China has set up 18 Confucius Institutes and 14 Confucius Classrooms in Southeast Asian countries with a total of 60,000 students, Xinhua reported from the recent second annual “China-Southeast Asia Education Exchange Week” held on August 6 in Guiyang, Guizhou province. 

According to Hao Ping, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, China has sent 5,062 voluntary Chinese language teachers to ten countries in Southeast Asia. From 2006 to 2008, China sent experts to Southeast Asian countries and trained 2,986 Chinese language teachers. It also organized 2,334 people from those countries to come to China for Chinese language training. By the end of 2008, China had awarded scholarships to 439 students attending Confucius Institutes in Southeast Asia.

Source: Xinhua, August 6, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-08/06/content_11836745.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Music Piece Red Flag Trilogy for Patriotic Education

The grandly-styled musical piece “Red Flag Trilogy” is being played on all major television and radio stations, at universities, science research institute as well as in some municipal communities, Xinhua reported. “Red Flag Trilogy” is a collaborative effort by Beijing University, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the August First (Chinese Military) Film Studio. The trilogy consists of three pieces: praising the party, praising the military and praising the national flag.

According to Xinhua, Zhao Weiming, professor of the Institute of Journalism, stated, “The intent of the ‘Red Flag Trilogy’ is to express people’s love of the Party, of the People’s Liberation Army and of the country.” “It will be used to exemplify unity, patriotism and a way to express people’s feelings.” The production has been made into a music video which will be included in the upcoming celebration of the 60th anniversary of the PRC.

Source: Xinhua, August 6, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-08/06/content_11837721.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Party Directives to Suppress Petitions at Local Levels

The Central Political and Legal Committee issued directives requesting that local officials handle petitions on law and litigation-related issues locally without elevating them to Beijing.

Zhou Bensun, secretary of the Central Political and Legal Committee, recently spoke at the "National Conference and Training for Petitions about Law and Litigation-related Issues." He stressed the need to build a strong and reliable foundation locally so that cases can be solved without going to Beijing and "create a harmonious and stable social environment to welcome the upcoming 60 year anniversary celebration." Zhou asked all political and legal agencies to seriously study and understand the directives issued by the central administration. Exercise and carry out the “opinions of the Central Political and Legal Committee and further improve handling of petitions about law and litigation-related issues.”

Source: Xinhua, August 7, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-08/07/content_11840345.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

“Just Stress Party Nature but Human Nature”

On July 14, Zhou Jianguo, the town chief of Dianmen in Hengshan County of Hunan Province, ordered a force-demolition of more than 50 residential households in the Guihua village. He was reported stating “We just stress Party nature but human nature. Demolish!” The forced-demolition left hundreds of villagers to live and sleep in the open fields. Villagers said, “We suffer more than the victims of the Wenchun (Sichuan Province) earthquake. What they suffered was natural disaster…  But what we experienced was a man-made disaster. No one will pay attention to us.” One deputy town chief also said proudly, “Who can fight to beat the Communist Party?”

Source: Boxun News, Aug 4, 2009
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2009/08/200908040935.shtml

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

South China Sea Neighbors and U.S. Collaborate to Provoke China

People’s Daily Online reported that recently Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippine and other countries deliberately provoked a sovereignty dispute with China, triggering tension in the South China Sea. “This year, Vietnam has constantly claimed the sovereignty of Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands.” “On July 2nd, Kuala Lumpur Security Review, one of the Malaysian media, published an article stating that the ‘Spratly Interest Group’ has been formed by the Southeast Asia countries to be against China.” People’s Daily also criticized the United States and Australia for intending to join the group and form a ‘CARAT Group.’” (CARAT, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, is a series of bilateral exercises held annually by the United States and six Southeast Asian countries: the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei — Ed.).

Source: People’s Daily Online, Aug 4, 2009
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/1077/52987/9782167.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua: India’s Bellicose Rhetoric”

Xinhua reported that some Indian hawks believe that exaggerating “China threat theory” promotes India’s military expansion to be “prepared (for the clash with China).” Xinhua further commented “However, it is completely India’s choice if it wants to put more resources into building ‘cannons’ instead of manufacturing ‘butter.’ … If India still thinks that it needs to create something to justify its decision, it shows that India still lacks the confidence that a strong country should have.”

Source: Xinhua, Aug 3, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-08/03/content_11816190.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Ministry of Public Security to Train Local Captains

On July 27, 2009, the Ministry of Public Security announced a plan to train its local captains at the grass roots level. The trainees include heads of police stations, detention centers, crime investigation squads, traffic administrators, and public security administrators. The priority is to train heads of police stations. Each training session is 10 days. Training will start in the second half of this year and end in June 2010. The training will focus on the build-up of information technology, law enforcement standardization and the relationship between the public and the police.

Source: Ministry of Public Security, August 3, 2009
http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n1237/n1342/n803715/2000939.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Netizens Challenge the Credibility of Official Statistics

The International Herald Leader reported discontent from the public as its members challenged the credibility of official statistics. According to the July 28 report of the National Bureau of Statistics, urban disposable per capita income actually grew 11.2% for the first 6 months of 2009, while the same income for rural residents increased 8.1%. Income for both urban and rural residents exceeded the 7.1% GDP growth. However, netizens cast their doubts by claiming that their income was “being generated” (by the official statistics). A Party School director also questioned the accuracy of the numbers. “The rapid growth of per capita income of urban residents contradicts the drastic decrease of the personal income tax amount.” According to a poll, urban residents perceived the fluxuation in their income for the second quarter of 2009 to be -8.6%, the lowest income since 1999.

Source: Xinhua, August 3, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-08/03/content_11815511.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics