Voice of America carried an article that quoted comments that He Yafei, Chinese diplomat and current Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave at a recent talk. He spoke at a “China and External Communication Forum” held in Chongqing on June 11. The article said that He called on the media in China to break the barrier of foreign media. According to He, even though China has made a large investment in building its propaganda team overseas, China’s voice is too weak and is limited in disseminating its story. Close to 50 Western media outlets account for 95 percent of the world’s media market and only 20 percent of the people from foreign countries have gotten to know China through Chinese media. He said that the Western media initiated propaganda promulgating the China Threat and the China Collapse theories. They constantly impose its own value system on others. As to the attacks and negative comments on China, He said that China needs to have an open dialogue and clarify the facts.

Source: Voice of America, June 12, 2015
http://www.voachinese.com/content/media-watch-20150612/2819105.html

On June 11, 2015, Xinhua reported that China’s ex-security chief Zhou Yongkang was sentenced to life in prison. He is the most senior Communist official to face corruption charges. Zhou is 72 years old.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a State Council Executive Meeting on June 4, 2015. To facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship in China, the meeting decided to cancel the household register restrictions and academic diploma requirements for entrepreneurs. However, residence restrictions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen will not be canceled within a short period of time due to the limited capacity of these first tier cities. The 2nd and 3rd tier cities will take the lead to attract new entrepreneurs from outside, who may or may not have academic diplomas. “As long as you have the will and ability to start a business, no matter where are you from, and regardless of your educational level, the policies will support you.”

Source: People’s Daily, June 7, 2015
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2015/0607/c1001-27116255.html

On June 7, 2015, Hong Kong Oriental Daily published a commentary titled, “The CCP Deceived the World about the Yangtze River Shipwreck Rescue.” On June 1, 2015, a Yangtze River Passenger Cruise Ship, “The Eastern Star” capsized. Of the 456 people on board, only 14 people survived. Seven swam ashore; five drifted to other places where local residents saved them, and “rescue teams” saved two more. The other 444 people either died or were missing. This shipwreck caused the most deaths since 1949, the year when the People’s Republic of China was established. From June 2 to June 5, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Propaganda Department issued 5 orders to restrict and ban media coverage.

On June 2, the CCP Propaganda Department notified all media that no reporters were allowed to visit the shipwreck area or conduct interviews. Many reporters ignored the ban and still interviewed some survivors and witnesses. Their articles could not be published. A 2nd notice from the Propaganda Department stated that all media in China could only publish relevant Xinhua News articles or broadcast the China Central Television (CCTV) footage. "The news must highlight the CCP Central Committee’s attention to the incident, to the rescue efforts, and to the treatment of the victims. Do not describe the details of the tragedy. Whoever violates the rules must be held accountable."