Xi Jinping Called for Resumption of the Six-Party Talks
BBC Chinese: The U.S. Asked China to Release Human Rights Lawyer
Chinese Expert Discuses the One Belt and One Road Initiative and Sino-U.S. Competition
China Review News reported on China’s think tank expert Wang Wen’s discussion of the first "Hundred People Forum on the One Belt One Road Initiative.” Wang is the Executive President of the Chongyang Institute of Finance at the People’s University of China (also known as Renmin University). The following is the report on Wang’s discussion.
Xi Jinping: China to Cut Military by 300,000
On September 3, at the military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the World War II victory, Xi Jinping announced that China will cut its military by 300,000. At a press conference thereafter, Yang Yujun, spokesperson for the China Ministry of National Defense, provided additional information about the decision. Yang said that the Chinese military consists of about 2.3 million and will be reduced to 2 million. The move will mainly target troops equipped with outdated armaments, administrative staff, and non-combatant personnel. The purpose is to optimize the structure of the Chinese forces. The disarmament will be carries out step by step and will be completed by end of 2017.
Li Keqiang: Global Volatility Puts Pressure on China’s Economy
On August 28, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a State Council special meeting on new developments in the global economic and financial field and their implications for China and China’s policy responses. It was the first time that he called for such a special meeting, indicating that China faces tough issues in the area of economic growth.
Severely Tightened Security in Beijing for September 3 Military Parade
On September 1, 2015, Hong Kong Economic Times published an article on the extreme tightening of the security in Beijing for the Military Parade on September 3, 2015. Roads have been closed; shops, supermarkets, and restaurants have been closed; about 9 hospitals near Tiananmen Square have also been closed. Chinese Internet users commented ironically, “Why don’t they just [openly] call it martial law?”
The use of many subway lines in Beijing has been suspended.
To secure a “Parade Blue Sky,” open-air barbecues have been banned resolutely. The highest level of emergency measures has been applied to six nearby cities in order to reduce emissions. In Henan, the use of over 60 percent of business vehicles has been suspended. The main roads are required to be cleaned at least 4 times a day.
Source: Hong Kong Economic Times, September 1, 2015
http://china.hket.com/article/678830/%E5%B0%81%E8%B7%AF%E5%B0%81%E8%88%96%E9%86%
Xinhua: What Does Japan Intend to Do with Its Continual Revival of Invasion Battleships?
Xinhua published a series of articles in its magazine Global Sphere commenting on Japan’s intention to resurrect its military. Below are some quotes from the articles.