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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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C’ Member: Windows 10 Trusted Computing Is a Serious Threat

Well-known Chinese news site NetEase recently reported that Shen Changxiang, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), mentioned in a conference keynote address that Windows 10’s Trusted Computing technology should be considered a serious threat to China’s network security. Shen, along with a few other CAE members, expressed the belief that Windows 10’s built-in Trusted Computing deployment will completely eliminate the opportunity for China’s Trusted Computing industry to obtain any sizable market. Shen said China must have its own localized Trusted Computing industry which can provide self-sufficient production of digital certification and encryption equipment. Shen revealed that China “resisted” state procurement of Windows 8 and enhanced the national firewall against Windows XP. Now for Windows 10, China is “taking advantage of WTO rules” to utilize China’s domestic laws to constrain or inspect non-domestic products. He also discussed the weakness of China’s Trusted Computing systems.
Source: NetEase, August 5, 2016
http://tech.163.com/16/0805/11/BTMVH3PB00097U7T.html
Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Caixin: Chinese July PMI Saw Unexpected Recovery with Sustainability Concerns

Well-known Chinese financial site Caixin recently released its official Chinese Manufacturing PMI index number for July, which was 50.6. Caixin PMI was formerly known as HSBC PMI, which was a well-respected economic indicator monitored globally by financial institutions. The July PMI number showed the first strengthening in the health of the manufacturing sector since February 2015. Also unexpectedly, the official July manufacturing PMI number released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics was 49.9, which indicated a continued decline in the sector. The two popular PMI indexes pointed in completely opposite directions. Caixin’s report indicated that it was a renewed rise in total new business that drove the headline index higher in July. Companies surveyed suggested that new products and improved marketing strategies had boosted new business. In July, however, despite the upturn in new orders, goods producers continued to lower their staffing levels. The improvements seen in the sector remain marginal and some analysts doubted the sustainability of such a minor rebound. PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) is an indicator of financial activity reflecting purchasing managers’ acquisition of goods and services. A PMI number below 50 typically reflects a decline.
Source: Caixin, August 1, 2016
http://pmi.caixin.com/2016-08-01/100972787.html
Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Global Times: Australian Politicians’ Paranoia about Chinese Investors

Global Times recently reported that the Australian government has refused the Chinese bid to acquire a controlling interest in Ausgrid, which is Australia’s largest electricity network. The government cited worries over national security. China’s State Grid Corp and Hong Kong’s Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI) were jointly attempting to buy a 50.4 percent controlling stake in Ausgrid, which is New South Wales’s electricity distribution network. Australia’s nationalist politicians and the media continued to hype the national security “threat” and asked, “Why does communist China want to own our electricity grid?” Some Australian analysts thought that the decision might hurt Australia’s relationship with China. In 2012, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Cooperation in Infrastructure Construction in 2012. Now that the Chinese companies have come up with the money, Australia suddenly has gotten this paranoia about “long term strategic risks.” 
Source: Global Times, August 13, 2016
http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2016-08/9303137.html
Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

PowerApple.com: Police Visited Toad Fans and Forbade Them from Celebrating Jiang’s Birthday

Today, August 17, 2016, is the 90th birthday of Jiang Zemin, the former top leader of the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Republic of China. Prior to today, the Chinese authorities warned “Toad Fans” in Mainland China that they should not to celebrate Jiang Zemin’s birthday. There has been a very popular saying among the Chinese public that Jiang Zemin was reincarnated from a toad. “Toad Fans” refer to Jiang’s online supporters. 

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Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China’s Dairy Farm Business Struggles to Survive

Guangming Daily carried an article on the financial crisis that the dairy farms in China face. The article stated that, as more and more Chinese dairy manufacturers expand their dairy production overseas, an increasing number of domestic dairy farmers face challenges to survive. They have to deal with a reduced sales price and a lack of demand. According to the article, mid-size dairy farms were affected in 2014 and will eventually have to close their businesses while, since 2015, large sized farms have started to see their production volume fall. As a result, the farmers have had to kill the excess cows that they do not need. The article reported that the crisis is also affecting the milk processing industry where currently one-third of milk powder manufacturers remain idle because, due to low demand since 2015, they have been building up their milk powder inventory. Some of them have had to sell their milk powder to pig farms that would then feed the powder to pigs. According to the article, "If the government does not intervene to assist the dairy industry, it will be more and more difficult for the dairy industry to survive the crisis on their own." 

Source: Guangming Daily, August 12, 2016
http://health.gmw.cn/2016-08/12/content_21422394.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Central Commission for Discipline Inspection: 7,600 Questioned for Neglecting Responsibility

Guangming Daily reported that the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) website disclosed that, in the first six months of 2016, over 7,600 Party officials were questioned for neglecting their responsibilities. The Commission issued open notices on 14 significant cases to send a strong signal that the Party is intolerant of negligent behavior. The article stated that, by the end of May, 45,000 Party officials had been subject to disciplinary action. Meanwhile in the recent Party official responsibility guidelines that the Central Committee issued, it was clearly stated that the Party officials should be subject to accountability for their lifetimes.

Source: Guangming Daily, August 14, 2016
http://politics.gmw.cn/2016-08/14/content_21459340.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Ministry of Agriculture Cites Concerns over Poor Fish Quality and Overfishing

People’s Daily recently published an article about a report from the Ministry of Agriculture. The report stated that, due to poor fish quality and the issue of overfishing, fish stock has been continually declining. It recommended actions that must be taken to improve the situation. The article stated that overexploitation in the Yangtze River has resulted in fish stock being below the acceptable level and that many types of fish face extinction. The same situation is happening in the East China Sea where fishing production continues to decline. Some regions do not even have fish stock anymore. The Ministry called for actions to be taken to protect the environment and the ecosystem.

Source: People’s Daily, August 15, 2016
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0815/c1001-28635180.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics