Chinascope – Page 1290

Independent TV Station Loses Signal Over China

On Monday, June 16, weeks before the opening of the Beijing Olympics, New Tang Dynasty Television’s (NTDTV) broadcast into Asia was stopped. Millions of households in China are no longer able to receive the broadcast of the largest independent Chinese-language TV network. The cause of the downed signal, according to Eutelsat Communications, the satellite operator, was due to "an anomaly to the satellite power supply system". The broadcasting of VOA programming using the same satellite, however, has not been affected. Eutelsat has declined NTDTV’s request to provide an estimate on when the signal may be restored. Kerry Hong, spokesperson for NTDTV, suspected that the “termination” was made under pressure from the Chinese government in exchange for lucrative contracts. NTDTV, widely known for being the only uncensored Chinese-language TV program broadcast over China, has been using the Eutelsat satellite service since 2002.

Source: NTDTV, July 1, 2008
http://ntdtv.com/xtr/b5/2008/07/01/a159985.html

Briefings | | July 1, 2008 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua Article Calls Reporters without Border a tool of Western Anti-China Force

Xinhua newspaper Global Times published a commentary article attacking the organization “Reporters without Borders (RSF).” The article, titled “Uncovering ‘Anti-China Too’—‘Reporters without Border’s Inside Story, calls RSF a wandering ghost, anti-China radicals, and the front runner and tool of Western anti-China forces. The article also speculates that the U.S. can hit two birds with one stone by utilizing Menard [RSF’s Secretary General]: giving the Beijing Olympics a “negative” spot in history; and benefitting from [the fight] if Beijing retaliates against France because RSF is a French association.

Source: Xinhua, July 1, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-07/01/content_8467519_1.htm

Briefings | | July 1, 2008 | US-China Relations

Hu’s online visit û a New Channel for Chinese Styled Democracy?

Hu Jintao made a surprising online visit to Qiang Guo Forum on June 20 and chatted live with Chinese cyber fans for 22 minutes. Hu’s visit was viewed as recognition from the government to take internet as a channel for people to express their voice, according to a survey conducted by China Youth Daily after Hu’s visit. Among 2874 surveyed, 71.9 percent agreed that the government has begun to seriously take on the opinions on the internet and the cyber expression has become a new avenue to realize the Chinese styled democracy. While 56.8 percent among surveyed agreed that Hu’s visit was “a historical step”, only one in two agreed that this will help to increase Chinese citizen’s participation in social affairs.

Source: China Youth Daily, June 30, 2008
http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2008-06/30/content_2243141.htm

Briefings | | June 30, 2008 | Information/Technology

Interview with Zhong Weiguang: From Tibet to China’s Totalitarianism

In spite of economic development, China remains a totalitarian country under the Communist Party. In an interview, Zhong Weiguang, a scholar and expert on contemporary totalitarianism, stated that the Berlin Wall collapsed, not because Western leaders praised the Eastern Communist leaders for their openness and reforms, but because of the constant pressure from the West and because of the frequent protests in Eastern Germany. Zhong believes that a peaceful, non-violent approach and a tireless pursuit of faith and human rights will bring down the Chinese Communist regime.

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Analyses | | June 29, 2008 | Opinion

Chinese Hackers: Tonight, Let’s Attack CNN!

On April 19, 2008 Chinese hackers launched an intensive denial-of-service attack on CNN following CNN commentator Jack Cafferty’s April 9 comment criticizing the Chinese Communist regime. The young people carrying out the attack have never watched CNN, for CNN and many other western media outlets are censored by the goverment. The hackers relied on the State-run media’s claims that Cafferty’s comment was “an insult to China,” and became part of the Chinese regime’s campaign against the West.
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Analyses | | June 28, 2008 | Opinion

Thousands of Reservoirs Damaged During Sichuan Earthquake

According to the Sichuan Earthquake Relief authorities, the total of reservoirs damaged during the May 12 earthquake has reached 1,996, with an additional 193 reservoirs added June 26. All of these reservoirs have now operated at much lower water levels. 68 of them have been completely drained out of concerns of imminent dam break and over 900 are under repairs.

Source: Xinhua, June 26, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-06/26/content_8445208.htm

Briefings | | June 27, 2008 | Economy/Resources

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