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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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Beijing Beefs up Control of College Students

Beijing will implement measures to re-enforce political education at higher educational institutions, reports Xinhua. The measures include increase of faculty members, funding for student activities, training and research funds for faculty and quality assurance. Student informants will be deployed to collect feedback and evaluate the effectiveness through sitting in classes and organizing forums for students and faculty members.

Source: Xinhua, January 8, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2009-01/08/content_10626114.htm

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

PLA Daily: Infuse Technology Into Existing Munitions

China should seek breakthroughs in infusing new technology into existing munitions, stated People’s Liberation Army Daily. In addition, emphasis should be laid on training of military personnel. Problems listed in the article include China lagging behind developed countries in technology, imbalance in internal structures of the Services, acute shortage of joint forces commanders and technologists, political constraints limiting military construction and development.

Source: Xinhua, January 3, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-01/03/content_10596724.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinjiang Arrested Close to 3,000 for Endangering State Security

Chinese authorities arrested 1,295 ethnic Uyghurs in Xinjiang (East Turkestan) region in the first 11 months of 2008 on suspicion of endangering state security. Of them, 1,154 were formally charged and faced trials or administrative punishment, reported the official The Procuratorial Daily on the December 27, 2008 conference of Xinjiang procuratorial authorities. . In 2008, the judicial authorities in Xinjiang took the maintenance of social stability as its top priority and struck hard on the three forces of terrorism, separatism and religious extremism that endanger state security" in the run up to China’s hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Source: People’s Daily, January 4, 2009
http://unn.people.com.cn/GB/14748/8618257.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Xinhua Blasts Paulson and Bernanke for Holding China Responsible for Economic Crisis

Xinhua publishes a headline editorial at its website rebutting the comments of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that China’s high level of deposits caused the imbalance of global economy. The article is titled “Paulson and Bernanke’s Nonsense Cannot Change the Facts.” The article says that Paulson and Bernanke reversed the cause and result and it was U.S.’s low interest policy that directly caused the over-extended expenses. The article further says that if someone gets into trouble, an honest person should look within not shift the responsibility to others.

Source: Xinhua, January 6, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-01/06/content_10614509.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Negative Growth in 2009 if No Significant Increase in Government Expenditure

China must increase its expenditures from 4,000 billion to 10,000 billion Yuan to avoid negative growth, said Study Times, the publication of the Party School of CPC, on December 29, 2008. The current cycle of investment has run its course. It is clear next year’s investment will be around –10%, a reduction of 1,000 billion to 1,500 billion yuan. The previously announced 4,000 billion yuan government expenditure for 2009 and 2010 will not offset the decrease of the market demand. Moreover, exports in 2000 will likely see a growth of -10 to -20%.

Source: Study Times, December 29, 2008
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=0&id=2365&bid=4

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China Government Think Tank: Obama Should Follow Bush

Researcher at Institutes of American Studies of China Academy of Social Sciences states that Obama’s policy toward China will most likely follow the transition that Bush made after 911. The article predicts that Obama will be low key in his China policy to avoid confrontation. During his term, the U.S.-China Economic Strategic Dialogue will be upgraded in rank and areas expanded. The article comments that it would be critical that Obama follows Bush in balancing the Congressional pressure and the White House position.

Source: Outlook, December 23, 2008
http://news.sohu.com/20081223/n261371205.shtml

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Friends of Judges Selected as Jurors

Courts selectively “designate” jurors in spite of the random selection required by the law, said Study Times, the publication of the Party School of CPC, on December 29, 2008. The designations are based on relationships with judges. Lack of uniformity in sentencing has also become a major problem in the legal system. Judges tend to have too much discretion in sentencing. Scholars are calling for separation of trials and sentencing to reduce abuse of discretion by judges.

Source: Study Times, December 29, 2008
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=2366&nid=8473&bid=5&page=1

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

The Main Theme China’s State Media Will Be Promoting the History of Chinese Communist Party in the N

Radio Free Asia reports that after New Year’s Day, China’s State media’s will mandate reporting the economic achievement under the rule of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and promoting the history of CCP as the main theme. At the same time, the authorities will apply more strict examination of media reports and publications. Particularly when the content is related to Taiwan, Tibet and so on, the media reports and publications must be consistent with the authorities in political stance. 2009 will be the 60 years anniversary of China under the rule of CCP.

Source: Radio Free Asia, December 29, 2008 http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/chuban-12292008095619.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics