In a recent issue of Qiushi magazine, an article, authored by Meng Jianzhu, the Minister of Public Security, defined the tasks of the public security as maintaining the order, dissolving the conflicts, deterring the violent behaviors, and keeping the situation in control. It called for a stop to intensifying the conflicts caused by improper measures taken by police.

In particular, Meng cautioned against using weaponry and forceful measures so as to prevent blood shedding. He also stressed on guiding the public opinion and announcing the government message in the first time at emergent events. It’s believed that Meng’s article is a response to the recent escalation of police violence and inflated public discontents.

Source: Nanfang Daily, November 4, 2008
http://www.nanfangdaily.com.cn/nfjx/200811040022.asp

In reporting the current financial crisis spread in Western countries, China’s state media utilized the opportunity to tout the greatness of Marxism and the advantage of socialist (communist system). Following are a few examples:

Jie Fang Daily: Financial Crisis Made Marx’s “The Capital”a Hot-Sale Book in Germany http://www.jfdaily.com/news/xwgj/200810/t20081016_412008.htm

Wen Hui: “The Capital” Comes Back to the Class of German Universities http://wenhui.news365.com.cn/hqsc/200811/t20081104_2082270.htm

Xinhua: The Lasting Attraction of “The Capital” http://www.hq.xinhua.org/comments/2008-10/22/content_14712203.htm

Xinhua (originally from People’s Daily): The Forever Marx http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-10/28/content_10263109_1.htm

CN West News: “The Capital” Becomes the “Straw” and “Prescription” for the Self-Realization and Rescue of the Dying Capitalism
http://opinion.cnwest.com/content/2008-10/20/content_1484562.htm

[Translator’s note: in phone conversations with family members and friends from mainland China, many asked that U.S. is also following the path of socialism.]

More and more lawyers in China are willing to represent Falun Gong, a group that was outlawed and its members are persecuted in China.  In the past, most of the Falun Gong adherents were sent to the detention center without the legal procedure.

A recent trial was held in Jixi City of Heilongjiang Province on October 30. Two Falun Gong adherents Liu Jinglu and Sun Lixiang were arrested for distributing flyers on the street and are currently detained at the No. 1 Detention Center in Jixi City. A few hundreds of friends and family members were waiting outside the court. Four lawyers were hired to represent the defendants. Xun Lixiang wrote in her statement to the court that she suffered beating, electrocution, and threatening while being detained and pleaded not guilty. The defense lawyers raised the objection against a series of actions by the prosecutor and the judge and concluded that the behaviors have violated the court order and asked the court to investigate. The trial lasted for an hour and half and the next trial date will be announced at a later time.

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Jiang Tianyong, Li Xiongbing, Tang Jietian, three defense lawyers said that the suppression of Falun Gong adherents is against the common values, the constitution as well as the spirit of law. Jiang Tianyong noted that every step the court took was under the direct supervision of the 610 office whose name was unanimous on any court paper. “610 is an illegal entity here.  Spiritual belief is not a crime. This (Falun Gong) case is within the boundary of freedom of belief. Falun Gong adherents have the rights to practice and spread their beliefs which formed no threat to the society and hence can’t be judged by the law. The so called ‘obstruction to exercise of law’ was groundless and was forced upon by the authority” Li Xiongbing said.

Source: The Epoch Times, October 31, 2008
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/8/10/31/n2314576.htm