In a recent opinion article, Mr. Chen Pokong, a political commentator for Radio Free Asia, believed that the main purpose of Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) expansion of its military force is to reinforce and protect its power instead of national defense. As CCP could not frankly admit that, it finds many good excuses for its military expansion, such as opposing Taiwan’s independence, terrorism or hegemony. Please read the translation of the full text of the article below: [1]
Whenever the international community questioned the motivation for the CCP’s military expansion, the CCP maintained that the buildup was required for national defense. On some occasions, it also indicated that military expansion was an effort against Taiwan independence.

Nevertheless, the U.S. as well as many western countries and many among China’s neighbors maintained that the CCP’s military expansion was far beyond preparations for national defense. Keating, the U.S. Pacific Commander who recently visited China, has also pointed out this issue. Regarding the CCP’s amassment of military strength, based on what the CCP has indicated, one might consider that this burgeoning military was in development for waging some form of “Taiwan Strait War.” However, the size of China’s military force registers far beyond that which would be required for such a clash.

During the past twenty years the CCP has constantly expanded its military power, while overall military expenses have increased in double digits annually, reaching one hundred billion yuan each year. Under an outside estimate, the CCP’s actual military expense has been two to three times more than the published figure. Each year during the CCP’s “two conferences,” the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the CCP publishes its annual fiscal budget. The military budget has always topped the list among all categories.

For example, in March 2007 when the “two conferences” were held, Chinese authorities placed special emphasis on rhetoric centered around “people’s lives.” Still, the military expenses remained paramount among the key budgets, with military expenditures totaling 350.921 billion yuan this fiscal year, an increase of 52.99 billion, or 17.8%. This allotment comprised 7.5% of the country’s annual budget, and military expenses exceeded the “Three Nong” expenditures. [2] These expenses concerned 800 million farmers when farmers were considered the largest “people’s lives” problem. Total expenses for technology, education, health and culture were less than half of that spent for the Chinese military.
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When viewed in light of the issue of Taiwan’s independence, the CCP evidences an intriguing mindset. On the one hand, if the Taiwanese government were to go so far as to actually assert its independence, the CCP would be in a position of losing face. All these years, the CCP has projected its voice very loudly against Taiwan independence both within its nation and abroad. On the other hand, if Taiwan maintained a level of quiet about its independence, the CCP would not know what to do. It would no longer have an excuse to keep up the rate of military expansion. However, it would not feel safe if the military expansion were stopped. In fact, the CCP has placed its stakes on the issue of Taiwan’s independence always being there in the long run. So, when the CCP talks about striking out against Taiwan independence, it is half-true at best. There is an unspoken dependence on the existence of Taiwan’s clamour.

From the issue of Tibet, we catch the CCP’s trick. The Dalai Lama publicly announced that he had given up on the idea of Tibetan independence stating that, moreover, he would like to concede that Tibet is a part of China, but he did so in the hopes that Tibet would be autonomous to a great extent. He even used the CCP’s term, “One Country Two Systems,” in hopes of solving the Tibetan issue. However, the CCP not only didn’t appreciate the offer but also continued to “criticize” the Dalai Lama, forcing Tibet to remain labeled as a region striving for independence. Internationally, people all know about the Dalai Lama’s view on Tibet, which is no demand for independence, but only a demand for autonomy. Only the Chinese people wrongly continue to think that the Dalai Lama is still demanding Tibetan independence.

The purpose of the CCP’s distorted propaganda has been to delay peace talks with the Dalai Lama. In the meantime, it seeks to transform Tibetan culture behind the Dalai Lama’s back so that it can completely control Tibet. The CCP shuns the responsibility for the peace talk failures and has persuaded people to consider that it was the fault of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government. Thus the CCP has rid itself of the pressure of the constant demands for peace talks from the international communities.

Coming back to the Taiwan issue the situation is about the same. With the excuse of striving against Taiwan’s independence, the CCP has developed and accumulated a lot of military power. It also can hold high the flags of nationalism and patriotism in front of the Chinese people, which are now precisely the CCP’s raison d’etre while facing the collapse of spiritual belief in China.

Moreover, while the CCP plays at smoke and mirrors in the name of opposing Taiwan’s independence, it has effectively blocked Chinese people from viewing the democracy in Taiwan. It has thus avoided the direct influence and impact of Taiwan democracy. Not to mention that the CCP’s media had already demonized Taiwan’s democracy and regularly disparages and smears the democracy in Taiwan by comparing it with its own Cultural Revolution.
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With the coming election in Taiwan this year, the CCP does not necessarily hope for Ma Ying-jeou’s victory as many have predicted. With its complicated mentality, the CCP does not yearn for the “Taiwan independence” issue to cool down, neither does it wish for the conflict to disappear. Between the two sides of the Strait, if the topic of “democracy and dictatorship” replaced that of “unification and independence” it would be a big disaster for the CCP.

Let’s predict what would happen if Ma Ying-jeou were to be elected. He promotes “no unification, no independence, no force.” Once in office, the CCP would still transform his image, rendering Ma as one who is seeking a different form of independence for Taiwan. The CCP would criticize him. Or if Hsieh Chang-ting won?–he promotes “conciliation and paragenesis.” Irrespective, the CCP would give him the fixed tag of “Taiwan independence” and suppress him in the long run.

I still need to repeat my previous reminders: the CCP started to increase military expenditures and expand its military force on a grand scale in 1989, after the June 4th incident. When the CCP expands its military force at will its main purpose is to reinforce and protect its power. The Chinese military is for controlling its people, but not for defense. The CCP could not frankly admit that. Thus, it finds many good excuses for its military expansion, such as opposing Taiwan’s independence, terrorism or hegemony.

Endnotes:
[1] Radio Free Asia, January 30, 2008
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/pinglun/2008/01/30/chen_pokong/
[2] The “Three Nong” are Nong Cui – countryside, Nong Min – farmers and Nong Ye – agriculture.

On January 12, 2008, The China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of China visited Mr. Zheng Jichao, an ordinary peasant of Liying village, Wangjiaba town, Funan County, Anhui Province. In the footage, President Hu was shown drinking tape water. It turned out that Zheng, actually, is an experienced “professional impersonator,” who was visited by five batches of local government officials and interviewed by two batches of reporters. An Internet user found this out after a simple search on the Internet. The search results are translated and listed below: [1]
The First Time: (November 15, 2007)

Zheng was first visited on November 15, 2007, by Zhao Kai, deputy secretary of the Work Committee for offices directly under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, who came to Fuyang for inspection and salute and was accompanied by Hu Liansong, vice chairman of the National People’s Congress and municipal party committee secretary, Zhang Shaochun and Li Hongta, provincial heads in certain divisions, and Liu Shaotai, vice mayor.

At a house reconstruction site, 50-year-old Zheng held Zhao Kai’s hand and said happily, “the residence building is built and the road is widened. We use methane to cook food and our life is enhanced. For all of these, we are thankful for the Communist Party and government’s care and support.” Zhao Kai was very happy to know those villagers whose houses fell were satisfied with the newly reconstructed houses. He said reconstruction work after a disaster was critical to public vitality, interest, social stability, and key development; therefore, everyone must work hard to ensure completeness of the reconstruction task.

Source: (official website of Anhui Province’s Center for Education of Chinese Communist Party members)
http://www.ahxf.gov.cn/shownew.asp?ID=53372

The Second Time: (November 23, 2007)
 
On November 23, 2007, the heads of the county, town, and village all came to Zheng’s home and asked him this and that, and also brought him winter jackets, quilts, and flour. They asked him again and again if he needed any help. When Li Guoqing, the deputy county head, heard his fallen-down house had been reconstructed and they had no worries about food and clothing, he then felt relieved and left. When Zheng wore the winter jacket handed out by the county head, he was so grateful to say, “The winter jacket was new and thick, wearing it warmed my heart. The things we didn’t think through were thought by our government!”

Source: (official website of Fuyang city government, Anhui Province)
http://www.fy.gov.cn/html/20071205/200712051052274638.shtml
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The Third Time: (December 5, 2007)
 
On December 5, 2007, Zhao Shucong, provincial party committee member and executive vice governor, was accompanied by Song Weiping, the municipal party committee secretary, and Song Jiawei, a municipal party committee member and deputy mayor of the standing committee, to a house reconstruction site and Zheng Jichao’s home. After seeing Zheng’s home had been rebuilt and he had no worries about food and clothing, Zhao Shucong encouraged Zheng to make a good use of compensation money to further development and become rich sooner.

Zheng said there were three or four groups of people that came to his home to verify the loss. They all took notes carefully to record what he said. They all had a clear recording. Holding 3979.85 yuan for the compensation and 5000 yuan for his home reconstruction, Zhen said he would build the house nicely and plan well for the next year’s production.

Source: (website of Fuyang city radio station)
http://www.fyradio.com.cn/Html/fynews/20071206192005.html

The Fourth Time: (December 10, 2007)

On December 10, 2007, Wang Sanyun, Anhui provincial party committee deputy secretary and acting governor was accompanied by Zhang Jun, secretary-general of Anhui provincial government, and other division heads to Fuyang to investigate and guide the work.

Wang Sanyun came to a house reconstruction site in Wangjiaba in Funan to observe the construction work. In Zhentaizi, the roads were smooth, water towers were built, and villagers were happy and busy wrapping up the new houses. After heard a report by the town heads, Wang Sanyun was very happy. He walked into Zheng Jichao’s new three-room home and asked him the source of the house-building and quality of the house. “Are you happy with your new home?” “Certainly! With the government’s support, I now live in a good home.” Wang Sanyun handed Zhen Jichao a cotton quilt and reminded him of keeping warm in winter.

Meng Qingyin, Qi Long, Wang Haiyan, Chu Jinshui, Du Changping, Liu Shaotai, Hu Mingying, Tao Kegui, and Li Zipeng, the city heads, also accompanied Wang Sanyun to do the investigation.

Source: (website of Science and Technology Association of Fuyang city)
http://www.kpwww.com/readnews.asp?newsid=1892
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The Fifth Time: (December18, 2007)

Interviewed by Reporters:

Zheng Jichao said, “At that moment I was moved to tears.” “No sooner had the flood receded, the verification of flood disasters and compensation tasks in the county started.” “My family was eligible for a compensation of more than 10,000 Yuan. I was so very happy.” I told everybody I met, “We have no fear no matter how big the flood since the Party (CCP) is the patron of our people.” 

Source: (official website of Chinese Communist Party’s Commission For Discipline Inspection of Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guiling City Government’s Bureau of Supervision)
http://www.glmj.gov.cn/news/xuanjiao/fengcai/2007/12/1802.htm

The Sixth Time: (December 18, 2007)

After more than one hour’s drive, the reporters’ eyes were widely opened when they stepped into Zhengtai and Zhizhuangtai in Wangjiaba Town, Funan County.  The original flood-damaged and dilapidated-houses have disappeared. What cast into their eyes is another scene with rows of brand-new flats, with stalls of bright fences, and a spacious paved road that directly leads through the two sides of Zhuangtai. There is a newly built water tower, surrounded by flowers and lawns…

From a distance through the iron fences, Zheng Jichao was just taking a sunbath in the yard. He heard that the reporter was coming to interview; Zheng Jichao stood up in a hurry, and also came the neighbors around the village by ones and twos.”

“Look at the design and planning of our houses, are they comparable to the houses in the cities?” “Your reporters have seen much more than we; how is the tree planting project here?” The folks asked the reporter with feeling of joy. Pointing at the new houses, Zheng Jichao said to the reporters, “The government really cares about me. I was subsidized for 5,000 Yuan for the house and a few hundred Yuan for fixing up the yard. Even the fence was free. Now the tap water and town gas are connected to our house. A few days ago, the town sent us two sacks of flour. I am free from worries of food, dwelling and cooking. Although the weather is cold, our hearts feel warm”.

Source: (official website of Anhui Province’s Center for Education of Chinese Communist Party members)
http://www.ahxf.gov.cn/shownews.asp?ID=55868
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The Seventh Time: (January 12, 2008)

In the afternoon of January 12, Hu Jintao made a special visit to inspect the Wangjiaba Gateway despite the wind and snow. In last summer, for the sake of the bigger Huai River project, the people in the flood storage made a great sacrifice. The General Secretary had been thinking of the folks in the area and made a special visit to Zhengtai and Zhizhuangtai, Liying village, Wangjiaba Town, Hunan County. After inspected the reinforced protection slope of Zhuangtai and the announcement of compensation, Hu came to Zheng Jichao’s home.

As soon as he entered the house, the General Secretary held the host’s hand, and said with deep feeling, “The folks suffered in the Huai River flood last summer. Now it is winter and cold, I have worried whether you have other difficulties in your life. Today I specifically came here for you.” Zheng Jichao told the General Secretary, “Owing to the help of the Party and the government, I have built my new house and have support for my living.” “Have you received the state’s compensation for the flood?” asked the General Secretary.

“Yes, it is right here”. Zheng Jicha said while taking a red deposit book from his pocket. Hu took over the deposit and counted the amount. He then smiled at Zheng Jichao and said, “Like this, I do not need to worry anymore.”

Upon leaving Zheng’s house, Hu Jintao saw the tap pipes in the yard.  He turned on the faucet, and drank some water from his palms. The General Secretary’s act of caring deeply for the people touched the people who were on the scene.

Source: (CCTV)
http://news.cctv.com/china/20080114/106215.shtml

So far, the Party leaders who have visited Zheng Jichao’s home are listed below (listed in the order of official rank from low to high, exclude the village and town leaders):

Li Guoqing, Funan County Governor
Li Zipeng, Secretary-General of Fuyang City government
Tao Kegui, Municipal CPPCC Vice Chairman
Hu Mingying, Vice Mayor of Fuyang City
Liu Shaotai, Vice Mayor of Fuyang City
Du Changping, Vice Mayor of Fuyang City
Chu Jinshui, Fuyang City People’s Congress Deputy Director
Wang Haiyan, Fuyang City CPC Committee, Vice Mayor
Qilong, Fuyang City CPC Committee,
Song Jiawei, Fuyang City CPC Committee; City Deputy Director of the NPC Standing Committee
Meng Qingyin, Fuyang City Deputy Secretary
Sun Yunfei, Mayor of Fuyang City, Fuyang City Deputy Secretary
Li Hongta, Province Bureau of Civil Affairs
Zhang Shaochun, Deputy Secretary-General of Anhui Province
Song Weiping, Fuyang City Deputy Secretary, Chief of Municipal People’s Congress
Zhangjun, Government Chief Secretary of Anhui Province
Hu Liansong, Vice Chairman of Anhui Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee, former Fuyang City Party Secretary
Zhao Shucong, The Standing Committee of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, deputy governor of Anhui Province
Zhao Kai, Deputy Decretary of the Work Committee in the Departments under the Central Committee
Wang Yun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, Acting Governor of Anhui Province
Wang Jinshan, Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee
Wen Jiabao, The People’s Republic of China Premier
Hu Jintao, China People’s Republic of China, secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee

Endnotes:
[1] Boxun.com, January 26, 2008
http://www.peacehall.com/news/gb/china/2008/01/200801260113.shtml