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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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China’s Exports Declined 17% in March Compared to Last Year

China’s General Administration of Customs announced on April 10, 2009 that China’s total amount of imports and exports was $162 billion in March, 2009, a decrease of 20.9% from last year. Among that, exports were $90.3 billion, a decrease of 17.1% and imports were $71.7 billion, a of 25.1% decrease. The trade surplus was $18.6 billion, an increase of 41.2% over the previous year.

Source: BBC Chinese, April 10, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7990000/newsid_7993500/7993522.stm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Global Times: Be Vigilant on Traps Set by the U.S. and Tibet Independence Activists

An article posted on the Global Times, a newspaper under the People’s Daily, suggested that the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), a U.S. government entity, is funding a secret online project to work with the former North America Representative of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

The article claimed that the mission of the more than $100,000 U.S.-funded project is to: collect intelligence, spread rumors, trigger disturbance and delude Tibetans via the internet. Detailed records are kept in “U.S. required format” and the Tibetan Government in Exile has provided a project location in India .

Source: Global Times, March 28, 2009.
http://bbs.huanqiu.com/shidaizhongguo/thread-180083-1-2.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

More than Half of Australians against Chinese Acquisition of Australian Mining Industry Assets

BBC Chinese reported from Australia that according to a recent poll, more than half of Australians are against the Chinese acquisition of Australian mining assets. Yet, nearly an equal amount of people polled are for or against keeping close ties with China.

The media played an important role in bringing the heated debate between the ruling party and the opposition to the general public.

“Communist China” was frequently used in reference to China in the report.
 
Source: BBC Chinese, April 6, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7980000/newsid_7986000/7986049.stm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Chavez Visits China

The President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez arrived in Beijing on April 7 for a three day visit. Upon arrival, he stated that “a new world order is being established”.

The BBC Chinese report indicates that it believes the motive of developing the relationship between Venezuela and China is simple: Venezuela wants to break loose of the trade dependency on oil with the United States, while China wants to expand its oil supply channels.

In addition to the oil trade relationship, the two countries have military and news media relationships.

Source: BBC Chinese, April 7, 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/chinese/simp/hi/newsid_7980000/newsid_7988800/7988822.stm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

International Herald’s Rebuttal on Reported China Hacking

Responding to recent news reports accusing China of cyber attacks, the International Herald calls such accusations by Western media groundless. The article quotes defense expert Professor Meng Xiangqing, who claims that it was a smoke bomb. He defends that China is indeed the victim and has been attacked by  Western cyber spies, lead by the country’s enemies and anti-China forces.

Meng lists the U.S. as having the most powerful cyber-attack potential and that it has provided funding in the amount of tens of millions of dollars a year to a number of organizations including “Ze Wa online,” a Tibetan independence entity and “cyber traitors,” the Chinese democracy movement leaders, to conduct cyber spying activity on China, attack the Chinese government, criticize China’s open reform policy and other socialist values.

Source: Xinhua, April 9, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-04/09/content_11154934.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Outlook Weekly Praises PLA’s Effort during Beijing Olympics

Outlook Weekly lauded the PLA’s involvement in the Olympics, stating it reflected the army’s complete loyalty under the absolute leadership of the Party. The article states that it demonstrated the high quality of the forces, the successful collaboration with all levels of government entities, and the importance of the critical role played by the Party committees within the PLA.

A total of 300,000 PLA and armed police assisted with the Beijing Olympics since 2004, out of which, 179,000 of them were actively involved during the games.

Source: Outlook Weekly, 14th Edition, 2009
http://www.outlookweekly.cn/htm/content_4566.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua: Taiwan Reports on the Mainland’s Initiative to Invest in Taiwan and Other Media

Xinhua reported that, according to Taiwan media, Mainland China is encouraging Mainland media to invest in Taiwan media. On April 7, 2009, the General Administration of the Press and Publications of the PRC issued guidlines to further promote the reform of the Press and Publications.

Xinhua states, “According to Taiwan media, the Guidelines encourage Mainland media to go out and establish newspapers, journals, press houses, and printing shops through wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and cooperatives, and to expand their markets in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and foreign markets.” “The Guidelines recommend that six or seven large mass media each with assets and sales exceeding 10 billion RMB be established over the next three to five years.”

Sources:
Xinhua, April 7, 2009
http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/newmedia/2009-04/07/content_11141968.htm
General Administration of Press and Publication of the PRC, April 7, 2009
http://www.gapp.gov.cn/cms/html/21/367/200904/463212.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China to Loan $1bn in Exchange for Ecuador Oil

The state-owned China Development Bank will loan $1 billion to Ecuador to finance energy and infrastruture in exchange for Ecuadoran oil, reports Caijing, a top financial magazine in China. According to the agreement, the loan will be used mostly to help to finance oil, natural gas and potential hydropower projects that could boost energy production. Ecuador will provide mid to long term oil shipments as payment for the loan.

China has spent billions of dollars on energy and mining projects across Latin America in recent years in a bid to gain control over the oil, metals and other natural resources needed to fuel its economy.

Source: Caijing, April 7, 2009
http://www.caijing.com.cn/2009-04-07/110134040.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend