Chinascope – Page 1286

State Council Claims Chinese Style Human Rights is Reaching its Height

Chinese human rights are at the best period in history, said State Council Information Office Director Wang Chen. He stated that China has applied the universal human rights to the specific situation of China and has blazed a path of Chinese style human rights. The improvement of human rights has been in sync with the political, economic, social and cultural development, said Wang.

Source: Xinhua, December 9, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-12/09/content_10476593.htm

Briefings | | December 11, 2008 | Government/Politics

Xinhua: The U.S. Holds The Key To Improvement Of U.S. China Military Relations

International Herald Leader of Xinhua states that the United States holds the key to the U.S. –China military relations. The military relations are the most fragile, sensitive and vulnerable aspect of U.S.- China relations. Citing comments from military experts, the article states that the United States holds the key. “The problem is not China challenging the U.S. but the prejudice that the U.S. has against China.” “Every drawback in the military relations was caused by the U.S. interference with Chinese domestic affairs and infringement of China’s sovereignty.”

Source: Xinhua, December 5, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2008-12/05/content_10458234.htm

Briefings | | December 11, 2008 | US-China Relations

Senior Party Leader Addresses at the Confucius Institute Conference

The Third Annual Confucius Institute’s Global Conference was held on December 9, 2008 in Beijing. The conference was attended by 249 university presidents and deans of Confucius Institutes from 78 countries. The Minister of Education, Zhou Ji, hosted the conference. Liu Yandong, a Poliburo member of Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party, State Councilor, and Chairman of the Board of the Headquarters of the Confucius Institute, made a presence and addressed to the attendees. In the speech, Liu laid out the strategy for the development of global Confucius Institutes, including setting up a few “model Confucius Institutes”, and playing the roles of China scholars and China Study Programs in host countries.

Source: Xinhua, December 9, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-12/09/content_10480010.htm

Briefings | | December 9, 2008 | Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s State Media Angry at Sarkozy over His Meeting with Dalai Lama

China’s state media have reacted angrily to French President Sarkozy’s decision to meet Dalai Lama and have continuously published articles to attack and discredit Sarkozy recently. Below are a few examples:

A Hoax Damaging [Sarkozy’s] Political Reputation
December 7, 2008, from People’s Daily
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-12/07/content_10466978.htm

Xinhua International Commentary: Unwise Move that Damages China-French Relations
December 7, 2008, from Xinhua
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-12/07/content_10465973.htm

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: The Wrong Action of Meeting Dalai by French Leader Rudely Interfered with China’s Internal Affairs
December 7, 2008, from Xinhua
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-12/07/content_10469357.htm

Sarkozy’s Political Show Is Overdone
December 8, 2008, from Guangzhou Daily http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-12/08/content_10472908.htm

Briefings | | December 9, 2008 | Government/Politics

China and India Army Held Joint Anti-Terrorist Exercise

On December 6, an opening ceremony for China and Indian Army’s joint anti-terrorist exercise was held at Belgaum anti-terrorist training facility in India. More than 200 army personnel and military experts from both sides participated in the ceremony. Qing Xiangyou, the head from Chinese group, said that the purpose of the exercise is to increase the understanding and trust, and develop cooperation from both armies.

Source: Xinhua, December 6, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-12/06/content_10465104.htm

Briefings | | December 9, 2008 | Geo-Strategic Trend

“Information Security Agents” Recruited Among College Students

College students are being recruited as "Information Security Agents" by the authority among Chinese universities, according to a web document recently disclosed from an official website of Dezhou College in Shandong province. This document details the guideline for "recruitment and administration" to establish a "secret student security team" among "political reliable" candidates. One of the stated missions is "to deeply investigate and monitor the mind status and trend of the faculties and students during important holidays, social and political events". All members conduct one-way communication for secrecy and have a monthly quota of reporting at least three "valuable information" to authority.

Source: Secret China, December 6, 2008
http://211.64.32.2/bumen/bwc/show.php?id=331

Briefings | | December 8, 2008 | Government/Politics

Age Alteration û a Common Practice Among Soccer Players

A recent scandal revealed that the “Chinese Football (Soccer) Association” changed a soccer player’s age to be two years younger. Yao Xiao came from Sichuan. The news was quite an embarrassment to the soccer fans from Sichuan since Yao was regarded as a real proud of those fans because he was claimed to be the youngest player in Chinese soccer history.

In an interview with a senior soccer coach from Liaoning, the reporter found out that the age alteration has been a hidden rule that was commonly practiced in soccer area and is no longer a secret. The practice was driven by the pursuit of winning through a team composed of an older age group because the reward and recognition to the coaches and team management are closely tied to their performance. The age alteration is not only a common practice among soccer players, the article wrote, it is also practiced among basketball players, track teams or even the soccer referees.

Source: Commercial Times, Liaoning Province, December 7, 2008
http://www.sdshang.com/MMM/P_Show.asp?id=7996

Briefings | | December 8, 2008 | Information/Technology

Xinhua Commentary Series: Spotlight on the U.S. Presidential Election

Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

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

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