China’s propaganda machine People’s Daily published a commentary on the Russian-Ukraine war under the title, “Who Is Intentionally Perpetuating the Conflict?” The author’s name is Zhong Sheng. This is a pen name that sounds like “The voice of China.”

The article states, “The Russian-Ukrainian conflict broke out and the stock prices of U.S. military industry companies rose sharply. Who is making a fortune from this war? Who is intentionally perpetuating the conflict? It is a self-explanatory fact.”

The commentary continued, “The Ukrainian crisis has put more pressure on the already burdened world economy. However, according to a former U.S. Department of Defense official, in Washington, many lobbying companies, military enterprises and people in the Capitol are quietly popping champagne to celebrate. The U.S. stock market data showed that, from February 24 to March 28, Lockheed Martin shares rose more than 13 percent, Northrop Grumman rose more than 13.4 percent, and General Dynamics rose more than 10 percent. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict broke out and the stock prices of U.S. military industry companies rose sharply. Who is making a fortune from the war? Who is intentionally perpetuating the conflict? The answer is self-explanatory.”

“Provoking the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and profiting from it is the desired wish of the U.S. military-industrial complex. It influences U.S. foreign policy through interest groups. It constantly challenges Russia’s bottom line. By exaggerating the “military threat from Russia.” It sells security anxiety and exaggerates the need for European countries to increase defense spending significantly and to strengthen “military deterrence.”

The article concluded, “The United States has long regarded itself as a ‘beacon of democracy.’ In recent years it has tried to exaggerate the narrative of ‘democracy against authoritarianism.’ However, a strong contrast between the lack of U.S. domestic anti-epidemic funding and the huge profits that the military industry makes, as well as the U.S. history of creating wars and conflicts all over the world, have eroded the democracy and human rights appearance it has so promoted with holes and scars everywhere. The United States, which has such  interest groups as the military-industrial complex, is a hegemonic chariot corrupted by money. What it brings to the world and its ordinary people is only turmoil and harm.”

Source: People’s Daily, April 2, 2022
http://world.people.c.om.cn/Tn1/V2022/0402/c1002-32390419.html

Hong Kong’s Ming Pao reported that He Lifeng (何立峰) might have taken certain powers away from Wang Hu’ning (王沪宁).

He Lifeng heads the National Development and Reform Commission. Ming Pao received information that he has taken over the CCP Central Committee for Deepening Reform Office, which seems to be separated from the CCP Central Committee Policy Research Office that Wang Hu’ning oversees.

The Wall Street Journal quoted from its source that Xi Jinping is thinking about letting He Lifeng take over China’s economy and financial system in the future, and possibly giving him the first Deputy Prime Minister position.

Wang Hu’ning, according to a Washington Post report, “is almost certainly the most dangerous man in the world that most people have never heard of. He is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party but is best understood to be the big thinker in President Xi Jinping’s inner circle.” Wang has a “considerable influence over Xi.” He also advised two previous CCP heads, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.

There is infighting between Jiang Zemin’s faction and Xi Jinping. Some political observers have the view that Wang has stayed in Jiang’s camp and has been misleading Xi Jinping to get him to make irrational decisions.

Source: Epoch Times, April 1, 2022
https://hk.epochtimes.com/news/2022-04-01/24028216