Chinascope – Page 459

Sputnik: Russia to Finalize Digital Media Cooperation Plan with China by Summer of 2019

Sputnik reported that, during the 4th Russian-Chinese Media Forum, Alexey Volin, the Deputy Minister of Russia’s Digital Development, Communications and Mass Communication, told the reporter that the Russian side hopes to develop a digital media cooperation plan with China before the summer of 2019. The plan will include about 20 areas of cooperation: jointly organized forums, online conferences, exchanges of content distributed in the digital environment, the production of technical equipment, the development of on-line service software, and conducting collaboration between television and radio. This program aims to find answers for new media in a global digital environment.

Source: Sputnik, November 4, 2018
http://sputniknews.cn/russia_china_relations/201811041026737195/

Briefings | | November 6, 2018 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Zhejiang Provincial Committee National Security Council Office launched an “Anti-Spy Publicity Week”

The Paper reported that, in order to promote anti-espionage security awareness among the general public, the Zhejiang Provincial Committee National Security Council Office launched an “Anti-Spy Publicity Week” from November 1 to 7 in 11 cities. In Hangzhou City, there are billboard posters in Railway stations and mini-cartoons in city buses and subways stations. Wenzhou City organized an online anti-spy knowledge contest with cash awards. Zhoushan City hosted anti-spy education seminars for college freshman and exchange students from Taiwan. Five people received cash awards between 5,000 to 100,000 yuan (US$726 to US$14,512) from the provincial Department of National Security for submitting tips. The article claims that there has been a higher occurrence of spying activities in Zhejiang Province in recent years. In addition to key departments such as the party, the government, and the military, the general public with certain secrets and confidentiality conditions have also become the targets of foreign intelligence spy agencies. According to the article, the purpose of the Anti-Spy Publicity Week was to use various forms of publicity and education to promote anti-espionage security awareness, especially among the leading cadres at all levels and among key personnel in key positions in different departments and localities.

Source: The Paper, November 2, 2018
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_2592546

Briefings | | November 6, 2018 | Government/Politics

RFA: Australian Think Tank Published Report on How Chinese Students or Scholars Steal Military Technology from the West

Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that on October 30, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an Australian think tank, published a report titled, “Picking flowers, making honey.” The report criticized China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for sponsoring Chinese students or scholars to study in the west so they would be able to steal military technology. The report stated that, since 2007, the PLA has sponsored more than 2,500 military scientists and engineers to study abroad and has developed relationships with researchers and institutions across the globe including in such countries as the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. These people often pose as students or scholars in a collaboration project to collect military technology. They hide their military background, and it is difficult for Western countries to understand or learn about their relationship with the Chinese military. These people usually do not directly contact the military personnel in the host country. The research cooperation projects they participate in are usually concentrated in the fields of emerging technology or military and civil science, such as quantum physics, signal processing, cryptography, navigation technology, artificial intelligence, etc. They secretly collect relevant technology. Meanwhile in the past five years, the number of research reports that Chinese military researchers and British and American scientists have published has been more than the number of research reports that scholars from any other country have published. The report also pointed out that, since the Western academic environment is open, it is very difficult to prevent the CCP military personnel from stealing key technologies at the academic level. When many scholars of the Chinese military participate in scientific and technological research projects in Western countries, they often bring research funding as well.

A former Chinese Army Naval Intelligence Officer told RFA that major universities in mainland China have national defense students. These students have to sign confidential contracts with the military after they enter the university. Many scientific and technical personnel in the military are national defense graduates.

China’s official media Huanqiu condemned the report making the accusation that the report is “the western forces’ going to new heights to smear China’s image.” The report quoted one Chinese diplomatic scholar who claimed that Australia has followed in the footsteps of the U.S. in its China policy and actively cooperated with Trump’s statement that China’s development is based on stealing Western technology. This approach has not been good for Australia.

Source:
1. Radio Free Asia, October 31, 2018
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/report-10312018093328.html
2. Australian Strategic Policy Institute, October 30, 2018
https://www.aspi.org.au/report/picking-flowers-making-honey
3. Huanqiu, October 30, 2018
http://hqtime.huanqiu.com/article/a-XDIVXC5A79CF363246A988

Briefings | | November 5, 2018 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Corrupt Officials Ran Away with Money; Depositors Made a Run on the Bank

Zigong Bank is a privately run bank in Zigong, Sichuan Province. People made a run on the bank after news spread on the Internet that the three executives of Zigong Bank fled with money they had embezzled. Many people in Zigong rushed to the bank to withdraw money.

The news of the run on Zigong Bank spread widely on the Internet. After only 20 minutes, the authorities ordered the information to be deleted, but the people had already flocked to the bank’s branches to withdraw funds. Rumors were that the bank did not have enough reserves to pay for the withdrawals.

The local government issued a notice denying the rumors and claimed that Zigong Bank is functioning normally. The police later claimed to have arrested a 31-year-old netizen.

Source: Radio France International, November 3, 2018
http://rfi.my/3I47.T

Briefings | | November 4, 2018 | Economy/Resources

Xinhua Editorial Calls for Private Enterprises to Have Confidence in China’s Economy

After admitting that the economy is facing downward pressure, Beijing began to speak to private enterprises through its official media. The People’s Daily published an editorial claiming that private enterprises must first “enhance confidence in China’s economy” so as “to overcome difficulties and achieve greater development.”

The article, titled, “Strengthening Confidence in China’s Economic Development,” states that “the confidence of certain victory” comes from the “many favorable conditions” of China’s economic development and comes from “the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and its ability to control the overall situation of the economy.”

The article points out that, domestically, with a market of 1.3 billion people, China has enormous resilience, potential, and room for maneuvering. It also has a unique institutional advantage and has the political advantage of “concentrating resources to do big things.”

Externally, the article continued, the world economy has shown signs of recovery. In the first three quarters of this year, China’s imports and exports “maintained a steady growth momentum.” It has accelerated investment and trade cooperation with countries along the “Belt and Road.”

The article said that it is necessary to unite closely around the “Central Committee of the Party with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,” “maintain strategic composure, make progress in a steady fashion, and pay close attention to implementation of the reform.” It shows the confidence that “the vessel of the Chinese economy will be able to sail far and steady by cleaving together through the waves.”

Source: Xinhua, November 4, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-11/04/c_1123660864.htm

Briefings | | November 4, 2018 | Economy/Resources

With Chile on Board, “Belt and Road” Advances into U.S. Backyard

Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero said on November 2 that Chile will participate in China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, which will deepen the economic and political cooperation between the two countries.

In the statement, Ampuero said that participation in China’s global infrastructure initiative will make Chile more attractive to Chinese investors; he hopes to make his country a “landing point for investments in Latin America.”

China is Chile’s top trading partner and the two countries are deepening ties. Last week, Chile and China signed a trade deal to streamline customs controls and widen access to the Chinese market for Chilean products.

Ever since Trump took office, China has continued to play important roles around the globe. For example, China has been promoting the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, so as to replace the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

China also challenges the dominance of the U.S. in Latin America. In the coming decade, China will pour a total investment of $250 billion into this region. China is also the largest trading partner of many Latin American countries including Brazil and Argentina.

Source: Central News Agency, November 2, 2018
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/201811020051.aspx

Briefings | | November 4, 2018 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Beijing Announced the List of Foreign Heads of State or Heads of Government Attending the China International Import Expo

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on October 29 that the first China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the following heads of state or heads of government will attend the Expo:

Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic,
Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba,
Danilo Medina, President of the Dominican Republic,
Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya,
Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Lithuania,
Juan Carlos Varela, President of Panama,
Salvador Sánchez Cerén, President El Salvador,
Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation,
Henry Puna, Prime Minister of Cook Islands,
Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia,
Mostafa Kamal Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt,
Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary,
Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia,
Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Laos,
Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta,
Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan,
Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of Russia, and
Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Prime Minister of Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua News Agency, October 29, 2018
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/2018-10/29/c_129981443.htm

Briefings | | November 2, 2018 | Geo-Strategic Trend

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.”

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