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Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

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Cheng Xiaonong: U.S.-China Strategic Relations Have Crystallized

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Xinhua Commentaries: “Exposing the Three Major Political Deficits of the U.S.”

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The CCP’s Performing Arts Troupes in the U.S.

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STCN: U.S. Approved Huawei’s Purchase of Automotive Chips

China Security Times (SecuTimes or STCN) recently reported that U.S. officials have approved the blacklisted Chinese telecommunications company Huawei to purchase hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of chips for its growing auto parts business. In the meantime, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a statement saying that Katherine Chi Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative, held a video conference with senior officials of the American Chamber of Commerce China Center Advisory Committee and the US-China Business Council. Tai pointed out that the U.S. is conducting a comprehensive assessment of U.S.-China trade policies and reiterated the importance of U.S.-China trade relations. The Biden administration has granted Huawei suppliers licenses to sell chips used in auto parts such as video screens and sensors. These approvals came as Huawei shifts its business to projects that are not susceptible to the U.S. trade ban. Sources close to the U.S. licensing offices also revealed that the U.S. government is preparing to issue licenses for chips in other vehicles that may have components with 5G functionalities. A Huawei spokesperson declined to comment on these licenses.

Source: STCN, August 25, 2021
https://bit.ly/3kzkdMB

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

Chinese Netizens on China and Afghanistan Alliance

On August 27, 2021, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that the head of the Afghan Taliban made it clear to the Chinese side that the Afghan Taliban will never allow any force to use the Afghan territory to engage in acts that hurt China. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on August 16, “The situation in Afghanistan has undergone major changes. We respect the will and choice of the Afghan people.”

The following are examples of Chinese netizens’ responses on Chinese social platforms.

“I feel furious and shameful when I see some unscrupulous media whitewashing the Taliban! The Taliban villains who caused serious injuries and massacres of countless innocent women on September 11 should be executed! The enemy’s enemy will not be a friend! Those who do not have correct thoughts and morals are unpopular no matter where they are!”

“Who would have thought that in 2021, when civilization has developed to such a high level, a group of people is still cheering for the murderers.”

“Hua Chunying said that the Afghan people chose the Taliban, so I ask, does it [Hua] have a sense of humanity? Can it [Hua] choose the fate of being stoned to death on behalf of all the Afghan people who love equality, freedom, and civilization? Is Hua Chunying still a human being?”

“I think everyone must not believe certain Chinese official accounts that are whitewashing the floor. Last night, the Taliban’s press conference made it very clear that the protection of women’s rights is within the Islamic law and is no different from the previous Taliban’s ideology and beliefs. Can a brutal and extreme terrorist organization … become a Buddha overnight? Those in our country who deliberately play a praising tune don’t support the bandits. …”

“China should be worried. This miscalculation of the United States will not weaken its determination to participate in international affairs but will only reinforce its determination and strength to take action in the future. It seemed that the United States might be embarrassed when it evacuated from South Vietnam, but how decisive it was in conquering Grenada afterward, [and entering Panama and beating Iraq].”

“The regional geo-political situation has indeed worsened, and Afghanistan is close to Xinjiang. I am afraid that it will become a training base for terrorists and a rear output center. In a sense, the withdrawal of U.S. troops is a big loss for our country.”

“Now we need to worry about the question seriously: With the emergence of this extreme Islamic regime, will the sparsely populated Wakhan Corridor, which directly connects to western China, look different from now on?”

Sources:

1.) China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, August 16 and 27, 2021
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/wjdt_674879/fyrbt_674889/t1902491.shtml
http://new.fmprc.gov.cn/web/fyrbt_673021/t1899761.shtml

2,) Radio France Internationale, August 21, 2021
https://tinyurl.com/ywwn5jac

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Bilateral Trade between China and Afghanistan Up 44 Percent In the First Half of 2021

According to CCTV, on August 26, during a regular press conference, the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said that, in 2020, bilateral trade between China and Afghanistan reached 550 million U.S. dollars. From January to June this year, bilateral trade between China and Afghanistan reached US$310 million, up 44 percent year over year. By the end of June, China had invested US$430 million in Afghanistan.

Source: Sina, August 26, 2021
https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2021-08-26/doc-ikqcfncc5135561.shtml

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Cyberspace Administration Cracks Down on Tech Companies and Financial Self-Media Accounts

On August 27, China’s Cyberspace Administration issued two orders in a row targeting tech companies and online financial self-media accounts.

The first order was a draft version of a regulation that bans the tech companies from using an algorithm to block content, push recommendations or manipulate the ranking order of a top search list. The experts suggested that these restrictive measures will have a major impact on the growth and profitability of these tech companies.

The second order aimed at effectively curbing the online dissemination of financial information by clamping down on online self-media accounts to keep them from illegally publishing financial related information. The self-media mainly refers to those independent accounts on Chinese social media that are not officially registered but can publish their original content. The order listed eight types of violations including arbitrarily making a distorted interpretation of the official policies and predicting a gloomy future for the Chinese economy and financial market; irresponsibly posting news and commentaries from overseas; spreading rumors and false information; manipulating the official economic and financial news reports; acting as a “black mouth” which refers to the commentators who post comments that disturb the social order; using negative information to threaten, intimidate, or blackmail the relevant party for financial benefits; hype negative social events to incite emotion, anxiety and panic; or fraudulent use of the name of state officials or experts to open up a financial column.

On Saturday, China’s largest social media platforms WeChat, TikTok, Sina Weibo and Kuaishou quickly issued statements stating that they will comply with the requirement and clean up any violations.

Source: Voice of America, August 28, 2021
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-cracks-down-on-harmful-financial-news-20210828/6076166.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Hong Kong Seeks to Amend Film Censorship Bill

The Hong Kong government recently announced that it has submitted an amendment of the 2021 Film Censorship Bill to the Legislative Council. The amendment contains requirements for the film inspectors to determine whether the release of films they inspect will be detrimental to national security. It also empowers the Chief Secretary of Administration to revoke any previously issued approval if the inspectors believe that the release of certain films violates national security.

One senior Hong Kong director who wants to remain anonymous told the Central News Agency that it takes more than just a director to make a film. When they assessed whether to make a film in the past, they mainly focused on the box office revenue and audience reaction. Now, however, from the directors to the production companies, they must consider political issues too. Politics will be above everything, including the original creation and any business concerns. It is also hard to figure out where the red line is, that is, whether it violates national security.

Source: Central News Agency, August 29, 2021
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202108290055.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Ministry of Education: Politics, Chinese and History Classes in Primary and Secondary Schools Shall Include the Study of (Communist) Party History

On August 24th, the Ministry of Education held the first press conference of the 2021 Education Golden Autumn Series to introduce the curriculum materials for the overall planning of major themes in education. The Ministry of Education issued the “Guide to Including the Revolutionary Tradition in the Curriculum Materials of the Primary and Secondary Schools.” The guide affirmed that classes in primary and secondary schools should include the contents of the revolutionary tradition and the history of the (Communist) Party. The guide clearly requires that the three major subjects of Politics, Chinese Language, and History as focus subjects shall include education about China’s revolutionary tradition and selectively integrate the content in Art classes (for example, music and the fine arts.), and organically consolidate the education into other subjects, achieving full coverage.”

Source: Sina, August 24, 2021
https://k.sina.com.cn/article_7517400647_1c0126e4705901a3vl.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Guide to Include Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for the New Era in “All Released Curriculum and Teaching Materials”

The Ministry of Education held a press conference on the 24th to introduce the “Curriculum Guide to Include Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era,” which the National Textbook Committee recently issued.

Han Zhen, a member of the National Textbook Committee, said at the press conference that this is to incorporate the latest achievements of Marxism in China into the curriculum materials of all levels and types of schools. The “Guide” clearly requires that Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era be fully integrated into the curriculum materials. It should cover basic education, vocational education, higher education and different types of courses. It should also cover national, local and school-based courses and be integrated into philosophy, the social sciences and natural sciences; and be incorporated into every aspect and the whole process of ideological and moral education, cultural knowledge education, and social practice education to ensure that Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era are cohesive and progressive in all course materials of universities, middle schools and primary schools.

Source: People’s Daily, August 24, 2021
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2021/0824/c1001-32205655.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

The CCP’s Propaganda Media Teaches U.S. Children about Critical Race Theory

The Mythinformed Tweeter reported that the China Global Television Network (CGTN), owned by the China Central Television (CCTV) has produced a cartoon to teach American children about Critical Race Theory. The cartoon said, “Racism is passed down from generation to generation.” It also has a scene showing a white boy telling a black boy, “You can’t be Spider-Man, you are black.” About that statement, in an article from Epoch Times a netizen points out, “The CCP did not even do its research, as the person portraying Spider-Man in the latest Spider-Man movie, Miles Morales, is in fact black.” Neither did CCTV explain how Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United Sates.

The U.S. government has designated CGTN as one of six “foreign missions” in the United States operated by the Chinese government, to warn the Americans that the content from the broadcasts is controlled by the CCP.

Source:
1. The Epoch Times, August 25, 2021
https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/chinese-regimes-english-language-broadcaster-makes-cartoon-targeting-american-kids-promotes-critical-race-theory_3965308.html
2. Mythinformed Account on Tweeter

 

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations