Chinascope – Page 1304

Asian Times: Is Wu Bangguo Replacing Li Peng as the Representative of Conservative Faction?

Asian Times reports that Wu Bangguo, Chairman of National People’s Congress, published an article in Qiushi magazine, a top publication of the Chinese Communist Party, with a hard-line stance. Wu states in the article that China will never follow the political system of Western countries, will never have multiples party to take turns for power, and will never adopt the “separation of powers” and parliamentary system. Wu’s article sets a tone that is in sharp contrast to the direction of executive system reform.

Source: Asian Times (Chinese), April 21, 2008.
http://www.atchinese.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48998&Itemid=110

Briefings | | April 22, 2008 | Government/Politics

China Loses Over 600 Billion Yuan (US$85.7 Billion) in Overseas Gambling Each Year

The most recent issue of Jiuding magazine (Macao) revealed that over 600 billion yuan (US$85.7 billion) goes overseas from China in casino, Internet, and underground gambling each year. The amount is 15 times that of the whole country’s welfare and sports lotteries in 2003. The number was quoted from data released by the Chinese Public Security Ministry. The article was widely posted on many Chinese websites including state media Xinhua and China News Agency.

Source: Xinhua, April 21, 2008 http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/gangao/2008-04/21/content_8018693.htm

Briefings | | April 22, 2008 | Economy/Resources

About 10% of Xinhua Daily Postings are about the U.S. û Half of Them Negative

From April 1 through April 7, 2008, the State Xinhua News Agency posted 516 articles pertaining to the United States on its website www.xinhuanet.com.cn. 243 of them were negative, 187 were neutral, and 86 were positive. Negative reports covered topics such as U.S. troops in Iraq, economic recession and unemployment, CNN and U.S. media’s reporting on Tibet, U.S. presidential candidates, the "China Threat" theory, and arms sales to Taiwan. Examples of positive articles were Chinese obtaining permanent residency status, U.S. research on re-growing teeth, and an increase of U.S. investment in China. The total number of articles posted on xinhuanet.com.cn during these 7 days was 5,314.

Source: Chinascope

Briefings | | April 22, 2008 | US-China Relations

Xinhua Calls for Patriotism with Enthusiasm but Rationality

Xinhua posted a key message on its front page titled: “Take the Core Interests of the Country as the Top Priority; Express Patriotism with Enthusiasm but Rationality.” It published a series commentaries calling for rationality when expressing patriotism with titles such as “The best way to show patriotism is to focus on your own work” , “Patriotism with rationality is more powerful”, “College students and teachers: work and study hard; Express your patriotism with Rationality”, and “Do not Fall in the trap set up by the anti-China forces.”

Source: Xinhua, April 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-04/19/content_8006485.htm http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2008-04/21/content_8019579.htm http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-04/20/content_8016838.htm http://news.xinhuanet.com/comments/2008-04/20/content_8011534.htm

Briefings | | April 21, 2008 | Government/Politics

Overseas Chinese Stage Rallies to Protest Western Media Coverage

A number of rallies were staged by overseas Chinese in various locations including Paris, Berlin, London, Manchester, Los Angeles, and Atlanta to show support for the Beijing Olympics and protest against percieved biases in Western media coverage of Tibet. More protests will take place in the coming week in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City against negative coverage by CNN of the Tibetan crackdown by Chinese authorities. In Australia, over 10,000 Chinese people are expected to go to the capital Canberra to safeguard the torch relay which is scheduled to arrive on April 24.

Source: The Beijing News, April 20, 2008
http://www.thebeijingnews.com/news/guonei/2008/04-20/011@072623.htm

Briefings | | April 21, 2008 | Government/Politics

“Emergency Response” Included in PLA New Training Guideline

The People’s Libration Army has added a section on “emergency response” to its newly updated “Military Training Guidelines.” The Guidelines were modified to meet the increased demand in the informational age, said Xinhua. The handbook will be distributed to the PLA in the first part of July with intensive study sessions scheduled for the second part of July. The guidelines will become effective January 2009.

Source: Xinhua, April 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-04/16/content_7989234.htm

Briefings | | April 21, 2008 | Defense/Military

China Becomes Sixth Largest Direct Investor of Mozambique

A research center in Mozambique claimed that China, with a direct investment of 60 million U.S. dollars in 2007, is becoming the country’s sixth largest investor. According to the statistics of the Center for Promotion of Investments of Mozambique, China has become Asia’s single largest investor to this country. Currently, China has 69 major investment projects in agriculture and forestry sector. China is also the only country that established a Center for Promotion of Investment. In 2003, China ranked the ninth with an investment of 10 million U.S. dollars. The Center also states that among the 36 countries investing in Mozambique, the top five countries are USA (more than 5 billion U.S. dollars), Swaziland (1710 million U.S. dollars), Mauritius (1510 million U.S. dollars), UK (9.1 million U.S. dollars), and South Africa (7.9 million U.S. dollars).

Source: Xinhua, April 21, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-04/21/content_8019482.htm

Briefings | | April 21, 2008 | Geo-Strategic Trend

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