Chinascope – Page 1243

China’s Agriculture Hit by International Crisis

2009 will likely be the most difficult year for Chinese agriculture in the 21st century, according to No. 1 Notice of the Chinese Communist Party and State Council on February 1, 2009. “At present, the international financial crisis continues to spread and the world economy is slowing down significantly. The negative impact on our Mainland China’s agriculture and countryside development has constantly emerging, said the document issued through Xinhua.

Source: China Ministry of Finance, February 2, 2009
http://www.ccgp.gov.cn/gysh/qtlb/nysb/815546.shtml

Briefings | | February 5, 2009 | Economy/Resources

Notable Trend in Key Personnel Changes in the Party

20 of the 31 Secretaries of Communist Party’s Provincial Organization Departments are “monks from outside,” Nanfang Daily reported. 11 of the 20 previously held posts at the Party’s central committee, 9 transferred from other provinces. There are signs that the tendency may accelerate in 2009. Within the past two months, 3 Secretaries of the Party’s Provincial Organization Departments were changed. None of the new officials are from local.

Source: Nanfang Daily, January 19, 2009
http://epaper.nddaily.com/A/html/2009-01/19/content_689692.htm

Briefings | | January 23, 2009 | Government/Politics

Party Leader Rebukes Debate on Freedom of Speech

Jia Qinglin, Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the Number 4 Party leader, published a strongly worded article to scold those who call for freedom. In a article published in Party Magazine Qiu Shi (Seeking the Truth) on January 16, 2008, Jia wrote:”(We must) continue to uphold the correct political direction, steadfastly walk along the unique Chinese socialist political road; build a solid defense against Western Two-party or Multi-party system; against the Two-House, Three-Power Center system and various other wrong ideas.”

Jia’s comment was a clear attempt to squelch the recent debate on freedom in Chinese official media.

In January 2009, three articles in Chinese Media stirred up great interest among Chinese people:
Beijing Daily (January 13):“Seeking the Truth Cannot Separate from Freedom of Speech”;
People’s Daily (January 13): “How Could Government Officials Survive Internet Scrutity” ;
Yan Huang Chun Qiu (January, 2009): “Constitution Politics: The Demand for China’s National Revival” .

These articles and the fact they passed the censor, and Jia’s quick rebuttal were seen as a sign of heated debate among Chinese top leaders.

Source: Yazhou Zhoukan, February 2, 2009
http://www.yzzk.com/cfm/Content_Archive.cfm?Channel=ag&Path=3188660351/05ag3.cfm

Briefings | | January 22, 2009 | Government/Politics

Did China Promise to Cease R&D of Nuke Weapons?

China’s Information Office of the State Council issued the white paper on "China’s National Defense in 2008" on January 20, 2009. Global Times, a newspaper under People’s Daily, later stated that Western media including BBC of Britain and Zaobao of Singapore have misquoted the white paper in saying China promises in the white paper to cease research and development of nuke weapons. Global Times says that the quote was out of context.

Source: Global Times, January 22, 2009
http://mil.huanqiu.com/Observation/2009-01/352450.html

Briefings | | January 22, 2009 | Defense/Military

Beijing Censors Obama’s Inauguration Speech

A replay of the state-owned China Central TV of the live broadcast of Obama Inauguration speech shows that the broadcast was cut off when Obama was stating, …”recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.” The interpreter’s voice faded after translating the word communism. The live broadcast disappeared from the screen, replaced by a TV host asking a guest about Obama’s stance on economy.

Source: Boxun, 21 January 2009 (video clip of CCTV broadcast available).
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/intl/2009/01/200901211647.shtml

Briefings | | January 22, 2009 | US-China Relations

Xinhua Special Article: Who Is Pouring Oil on Fire in the Gaza Conflict

Xinhua published a special article commenting that Pentagon’s plan to ship arms to Israel at the time when U.N. Security Council passes the resolution to ask all sides in the Gaza conflict to cease fire immediately is pouring oil to fire. The article says, “The reason why Gaza conflict is so difficult to compromise is because there are outside forces’ involvement in addition to the deep historical and ethnic contradictions, chief among which is the patronage of Israel by the United States.” The article also says, “Israel is U.S.’s reliable ally in Middle East. A strong Israel is consistent with America’s interest. Because of this reason, in almost all conflicts and wars happened in the Middle East, the United States always stand by Israel’s side as long as Israel was involved. It’s no exception in the current Gaza conflict.”

Source: Xinhua, January 13, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-01/13/content_10652183.htm

Briefings | | January 20, 2009 | Government/Politics

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

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

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

CCP, Master of Hostage Diplomacy