Chinascope – Page 1313

Party Leaders Worry about Chinese Economy

The State People’s Daily published editorials three days in a row from August 13 to 15 discussing how to ensure the speedy and healthy development of the economy this year. Analysts observe that this is unusual particularly during the Olympics, the most important political campaign since 1949. The move highlights Communist leaders’ worries of the grave economic situation.

Source:
People’s Daily, August 13, 2008
http://opinion.people.com.cn/GB/40604/7656125.html
People’s Daily, August 14, 2008
http://opinion.people.com.cn/GB/7662939.html
People’s Daily, August 15, 2008
http://opinion.people.com.cn/GB/40604/7669043.html

Briefings | | August 18, 2008 | Economy/Resources

Study Times: Olympics Has Little Bearing on China’s Economy

Study Times, a publication of the Party School of The Communist Party of China, commented on the ramifications of the Beijing Olympics on the economy on August 11. According to Study Times, the Chinese economy started a cyclical adjustment in 2008. The preparation and holding of the Beijing Olympics will not likely make any major direct contribution to economic growth. Neither will the end of the Olympics impact negatively the fundamentals of the economic development and the growth potentials of the economy.

Source: Study Times, August 11, 2008
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=2056&nid=7371&bid=4&page=1

Briefings | | August 15, 2008 | Economy/Resources

Study Times: Fundamental Changes Have Occurred in U.S. Policy Towards China

On August 11, Study Times, a publication of the Party School of the Communist Party of China, issued an article commenting on Bush’s trip to the Beijing Olympics. It stated that fundamental changes have taken place in the U.S. policy towards China during the 8 years of the Bush Administration. The changes are strategic and long term, in the following 5 categories: 1. Summit communications have produced remarkable results. 2. Cooperation platforms such as strategic economic dialogue have been institutionalized. 3. Military exchanges have been completely resumed. 4. There has been closer and more effective cooperation on major international issues such as North Korea nuclear crisis. 5. The two countries have joined hands in stabilizing the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Study Times, August 11, 2008
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=2054&nid=7368&bid=2&page=1

Briefings | | August 15, 2008 | US-China Relations

Olympics: Websites on Lip Syncing and National Interest Withdrawn from Internet

At the Olympics opening ceremony on August 8, the 9-year-old Lin Miaoke took center-stage and sang an ode to the motherland, but the voice heard around the world belonged to 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, said Chen Qigang, the ceremony’s music director, in an interview with the State media on August 11. According to Chen, Yang was yanked at the last minute because her looks were deemed not suitable by a senior Communist Potliburo member. "It was for the national interest," said Chen.

A google search shows websites inside China that had previously reported on the lip-syncing now return errors stating the web page is no longer available.

Briefings | | August 14, 2008 | Information/Technology

No Rain at the Olympic Opening Ceremony; the First Rain Dispersal Operation in Olympic History

On the day of the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony, with the help of a meteorology expert from Russia, the Chinese Meteorology department launched 1104 rain dispersal rockets at 21 operation sites in Beijing between 4:23pm to 11:39pm to stop a storm cloud that was coming from the southwest. The Chinese Meteorology experts claimed that it was the largest organized and best executed weather modification operation used in Olympic history and the first ever used in China.

The weather forecast called for a rainy weather forecast for the Olympic opening night with 90 percent humidity. Rain had been cited as the biggest threat to the Olympic opening by the chief director of the ceremony Zhang Yimou days ahead of the opening night. The weather services said that Baoding City of Hebei Province, to the southwest of Beijing received the biggest rainfall of 100 millimeters Friday night, and Beijing’s Fangshan District recorded a rainfall of 25 millimeters.

Source: Xinhua, August 9. 2008
http://www.bj.xinhua.org/bjpd_sdzx/2008-08/09/content_14075111.htm http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/09/content_9079637.htm

Briefings | | August 13, 2008 | Information/Technology

Chinese Audience Complains About Not Receiving Broadcasting Signals from VOA and RFA

Ever since the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) switched VOA and RFA from Eutelsat W5 to Asiasat 3S on July 30, more and more audience members from mainland China have been complaining that they are unable to receive the signals from VOA and RFA. They say that the signals were weak and frequently interfered with in July but that this has worsened and there has been no signal since early August. Asiasat 3S is reportedly controlled by the Chinese Communist regime.

In addition to VOA and RFA programs, Eutelsat also carried signals for New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), an independent and nonprofit television broadcaster based in New York City. The BBG’s decision to switch the satellite companies BBG has subsequently shutdown the broadcasting signals of NTDTV into China. NTDTV is known for broadcasting uncensored information into China and can be potentially viewed by millions of audience members inside China.

Source: New Tang Dynasty Television, August 12, 2008 http://www.ntdtv.com/xtr/gb/2008/08/12/a183781.html

Briefings | | August 12, 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.”