Chinascope – Page 678

Xinhua: Insulting China with Devil’s Curse; How Does Aquino Become So Brazen

Xinhua published a group of articles in its web magazine, International Sphere (Volume 548) striking back at Philippine President Aquino’s remarks during his visit to Japan in which he compared China to Nazi Germany. In the introduction, the editor wrote, “During his visit to Japan, Philippine President Aquino III made irresponsible remarks regarding the South China Sea issue. This was expected. What was surprising was that, as a head of state, Aquino totally disregarded the bottom line in diplomatic relations, openly talking nonsense, and comparing China’s reasonable and lawful activities in the South China Sea with Nazi Germany. In openly insulting a big country that has normal diplomatic relations with the Philippines, it is losing the national dignity of the entire Philippines. If a head of state makes such a downcast speech, how can the nation be noble and the people have pride!”

Similar language was used in the collection of articles. For example, “If the Chinese did not have such good-natured composure, the Philippines might have come to know how many big slaps on the mouth they have suffered.” “Why does the Philippines dare to be so rampant, continuously fan the flames, and maliciously provoke? An important reason is that there are external forces in back of them to support them.”

Source: Xinhua, June 5, 2015

http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/jrch/548.htm

Briefings | | June 10, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: G7 Remains but the World Has Changed

Xinhua published a commentary on June 6 to give its perspective on the upcoming G7 Summit scheduled to start on June 7. The commentary observed that, 40 years after the birth of the G7, the United States is still fond of acting like the “world’s police”; Japan is still carrying its historic burdens; and Germany, France, and Britain are still fighting each other under the “European Union” cover. However the world outside the ancient castle holding these closed-door meetings has changed. The G20 that includes the developing countries is now standing at the center of the world stage. Take a look at the items on the G7 agenda. None of the issues can be resolved without the participation of the developing countries. The author concluded that the days of the G7’s global monopoly on agenda-setting and development-leading are long gone.

Source: Xinhua, June 6, 2015

http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-06/06/c_127885660.htm

Briefings | | June 9, 2015 | Government/Politics

Xinhua: Communist Party Plans to Establish Branches in Social Organizations

Xinhua recently reported that, on May 29, the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee decided to establish Party branches in the leadership sections of all levels of the government, people’s groups, economic organizations, cultural organizations, social organizations, and other organizations. The Communist Party is determined to ensure a strong organizational guarantee that it maintains overall leadership as well as central coordination. The Party expressed the belief that the new organizational model is required to deepen the nationwide reform and to ensure the rule of law. The Communist Party used to have similar guidelines but the newly reinforced rules changed the wording “could establish branches” to “should establish branches.” A new term “Social Organization” was added to the language of this new Party decision. Analysts suggested that a large number of new types of organizations have been established recently and the Communist Party does not have any presence in most of these social bodies. Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired the Politburo conference that passed the decision.

Source: Xinhua, May 30, 2015

http://www.ce.cn/xwzx/gnsz/gdxw/201505/30/t20150530_5502293.shtml

Briefings | | June 9, 2015 | Government/Politics

China and Japan Are Negotiating an Extradition Treaty

Xinhua recently reported that China and Japan just completed a round of negotiations on signing an extradition treaty. The last round of negotiations took place in 2010 and was later paused due to the worsened relationship between the two nations. China has such a treaty with 38 countries but Japan only has extradition treaties with the United States and South Korea. Currently, China is the number one destination country for Japanese criminals to hide, so the Japanese authorities are very much interested in having such a treaty in place. The on-going anti-corruption movement in China also calls for legal tools to help capture corrupt officials who have escaped to Japan. However, some Japanese human rights advocates are against this initiative and have expressed their concern that China could abuse the concept of “criminal.” This recent round of negotiations has lasted for two days.

Source: Xinhua, June 5, 2015

http://china.cankaoxiaoxi.com/2015/0605/807284.shtml

Briefings | | June 9, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Huanqiu Commentary: The US Might Launch a War against China to Keep it from Surpassing the US

Huanqiu published an article that a professor from the PLA National Defense University wrote. The article stated that, ever since the U.S. launched its Asia-Pacific rebalance strategy, Asia has no longer been a peaceful region, especially in the South China Sea. The author expressed the belief that the U.S. only cares about its own interests and is determined to control the South China Sea in order to stop China from surpassing the U.S. Therefore, it couldn’t care less about the world’s peace and it might even launch a war in the regions surrounding China. The author suggested that China should remain calm and proceed with its original plan in the South China Sea while keeping a dialogue open with the U.S. China can let the U.S. know that its cold war mentality is outdated and that China’s intent is to cooperate and make it a win-win situation for both countries. Meanwhile, China should be ready to enter into a war with the U.S. The author said that the U.S. will not give up its urge to launch a war because launching a war is the best way to shift attention from the domestic conflicts it faces, such as economic depression and a high unemployment rate. The war can also stop other countries from investing in Asia and stop China from surpassing the U.S. Therefore China should be highly alert and be fully prepared.

Source: Huanqiu, June 5, 2015
http://mil.huanqiu.com/observation/2015-06/6605704.html

Briefings | | June 8, 2015 | US-China Relations

The Legacy of the June 4th Movement – The Legacy of Jiang Zemin

Twenty-six years ago on the night of June 4, 1989, on Tiananmen Square, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) answered student’s hope for democracy with tanks and guns. That night, the Tiananmen appeal became the Tiananmen Massacre. Not only have many people’s memories of that night faded; any discussion of what really happened has become taboo in China. To those who live in China, but were born later, it never happened.

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Perspectives | | June 6, 2015

89 and 64 Became Taboo Numbers as the 26th Anniversary of the June 4th Student Movement Neared

Voice of America recently reported that, over the years, the numbers “89” and “64” have become sensitive words, blocked over the Internet in China, due to their being linked to the 1989 June 4th student movement in Beijing. This year, as the 26 year anniversary of the June 4th student movement approached, reports proliferated that people who tried to wire money found that, if the amount involved numbers such as “89” or “64”, the wire transfer would automatically be stopped and the customer will be notified that it was an “abnormal” transaction. In addition, the report said that the local media were strictly prohibited from mentioning the movement. People who held a ceremony, such as wearing white flowers or burning paper in honor of the dead during the June 4th anniversary, could also be subject to assault and arrest, and could be sentenced to jail terms.

Source: Voice of America, June 4, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/china-censors-money-transfers-on-tiananmen-anniversary-20150604/2807234.html

Briefings | | June 5, 2015 | Government/Politics

Ministry of Environmental Protection: Less than 10 Percent of Cities Passed Air Pollution Inspection

Xinhua reported on the 2014 Environmental Report that the Ministry of Environmental Protection recently published. Out of 161 cities in which the air inspection was conducted in 2014, only 16 cities or less than 10 percent of the cities, passed the inspection. Meanwhile soil contamination remains a serious concern. The article stated that, taking into consideration all of the land that was inspected, the soil erosion rate was at 31.12 percent. According to Ministry of Environmental Protection, the excess discharge of pollutants and a lack of control are the main reasons for the poor environmental quality.

Source: Xinhua, June 4, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2015-06/04/c_1115517511.htm

Briefings | | June 5, 2015 | Economy/Resources

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.