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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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PLA Daily: U.S. to Build Free Global Coverage of “Extranet.” Will It Be a Blessing or a Curse?

PLA Daily published a commentary article discussing the future of the “Extranet,” with special concerns about U.S. control of the technology. The article was also republished in a number of other state-run media in China. Below is an excerpt from the article: 

“Recently, a U.S. technology company intended to launch a small satellite system built by ‘extranet’ to enable people in every corner of the world access the Internet. What is more, everyone can enjoy the ‘free meal.’ Immediately, users around the world sought after this news, as if a huge ‘pie’ was coming down from heaven. Nowadays, there are indeed an increasing number of large technology companies beginning to implement their own ‘extranet’ program. [The question is:] Is this ‘Network’ a blessing or a curse?” 
“This plan is not just a simple ‘charity.’ One must keep a sober mind and have a clear understanding.” 

“Concerns and worries are justifiable. In 2011, foreign media revealed that the U.S. invested US$70 million to develop something called a ‘portable Internet access device,’ which was to build a new ‘shadow Internet‘ to help the opposition in some countries to use wireless access to avoid network monitoring and blocking. The birth of the ‘extranet’ concept enables this ‘shadow Internet’ to go from dark to daylight, but even more so. With its considerable political overtones, it may eventually become a political tool with ulterior motives.” 
"At the same time, construction of the ‘extranet’ is based on the air and space, covering the whole globe. This unique feature allows it to be transformed easily into an efficient global communications network with strong anti-strike capability, a wide communication range, and a high transmission speed, providing strong technical support for the military. Information and intelligence have been the key factors in winning advantages in war, especially in the information war. If, in the future, this network indeed covers the entire world, then its owner will undoubtedly gain an overwhelming advantage in combat.” 
“According to one expert, if, in the future, the IoT (Internet of Things) is merged into this large ‘extranet’ network, then it will be the equivalent of the brain of the ‘wisdom Earth.’ It will be tightly controlled in the hands of a few people."  
Source: PLA Daily, April 23, 2015 
http://www.81.cn/jmywyl/2015-04/23/content_6455818.htm
http://military.people.com.cn/n/2015/0423/c1011-26890629.html 

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

PLA Daily on Cyber Security

On May 20, People’s Liberation Daily published an opinion article calling for the defense of China’s cyber security and cyber sovereignty.
"China’s cyber sovereignty is a symbol of its national sovereignty. Cyberspace is also the space for national security. If we don’t occupy the online battleground, others will take it; if we don’t defend our online territory, we will lose sovereignty and even become the bridgehead for the hostile forces’ encroachment and disruption.
"With the assistance of the Internet, computers, and mobile phones, Western hostile forces viciously attack our Party, discredit the founding leaders of the new China, denigrate our heroes, and set off erroneous ideological trends of historical nihilism. Their purpose is to confuse us with ‘universal values,’ create interference with ‘constitutional democracy,’ subvert our governance with ‘color revolutions,’ turn us upside down with the use of negative opinions, and shake up our faith with ideas of ‘separation of the military from the Party,’ ‘separation of the military from politics,’ and ‘nationalization of the military.’
"To strengthen the cyber ideological work is to defend the highest interests of the country and the battle, and safeguard people’s fundamental interests. In the face of this conflict, we will not and cannot afford to retreat; we will not and cannot afford to lose. If we do not pay attention to Internet security and put our hands on the online ideological work, the enemy will pull the masses away and the military will change its nature. One can say that this is the most dangerous battlefield and the most critical battlefield.
"On the journey toward a stronger nation and a stronger army, we shall not only resolutely safeguard our national sovereignty, our security and our interests on a tangible traditional battlefield, but we will also resolutely defend our ideological security and political security on the invisible cyber battlefield."
Source: PLA Daily, May 20, 2015
http://jz.chinamil.com.cn/n2014/tp/content_6498731.htm
Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Qiushi: Deepening Reform Must Include the Party’s Absolute Leadership

Qiushi published an article promoting deepening the reform and even expanding it from economics to the political arena, to culture, and to the social system. However, the article stated that two parts comprise the overall goal of the reform: "Improving and developing the Socialist Path with Chinese Characteristics, and advancing the national governance systems and governance modernization." The first part sets the fundamental direction.

It includes things such as "One Center and Two Basic Points" (economic development was the central focus; it should occur through 1) centralized political control – i.e., the Four Cardinal Principles [the socialist road, the people’s democratic dictatorship, the leading role of the Party, and Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong thought] – and 2) economic reforms and opening up). It also includes the socialist market economy, keeping public ownership for the majority of the economy, the People’s congress system, multi-party cooperation, and the political consultation system under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Marxist leadership, and the CCP’s absolute leadership over the military. Not only can these not be changed, but they should also be enhanced.

"We must improve our political determination and must not make subversive errors on fundamental issues."

Source: Qiushi Online, Mary 15, 2015
http://www.qstheory.cn/dukan/qs/2015-05/15/c_1115245799.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Hong Kong Trend Magazine: Retribution for the “Iron Hat King”

The Trend Magazine, which is based in Hong Kong, published a commentary in its May issue to discuss the argot of the "Iron Hat King." "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) likes to play political games by using argot to criticize someone without disclosing his name." The Chinese media have stated that there is no "Iron Hat King" in the anticorruption campaign [a king whose descendants would always enjoy the royal king title], which translates to mean that top officials will always be subject to corruption charges.

The article suggested that Jiang Zemin (the "core" of the CCP’s third generation of leaders, who was installed by Deng Xiaoping after the Tiananmen Square Massacre) is the "Iron Hat King." He has built up his clique, with Zeng Qinghong (the "Qing Prince") to control the Party’s affairs, Bo Xilai as the crown prince, Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou to cover the military, and Zhou Yongkang to oversee the police. However, his (Jiang’s) secret was exposed when Wang Lijun came to the U.S. Consulate in 2012. Now the new leaders’ large-scale anticorruption campaign has trapped him in Shanghai, where he can barely survive.

The article further suggested that the CCP’s first three top leaders all had their "two legacies" [to preserve]. Mao Zedong’s legacies were the taking-over of China from the Kuomintang and the Cultural Revolution. Deng Xiaoping’s were the economic reform and the crackdown on the June 4th movement. Jiang has also worried about two things: The June 4th democratic movement can never be redressed and the suppression of Falun Gong cannot be stopped. "This big tiger is very clear: if the Party stops bearing those criminal actions for him, he will die badly."

Source: Cheng Ming Online
http://www.chengmingmag.com/t357/t357-ed/t357ed.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

RFA: What Did Wang Qishan Want to Tell People?

Radio Free Asia published a commentary on Wang Qishan’s meeting with three foreign scholars on April 23. The scholars were the renowned political scientist Francis Fukuyama, economist Masahiko Aoki, and former Citic Securities manager Tatsuhito Tokuchi. Wang was talking most of the time. Afterwards, Tatsuhito Tokuchi, Wang’s long-time friend, published Wang’s speech on the Internet. Chinese media did not publish it.

"A key message that Wang passed on in this meeting was that his anticorruption campaign faces severe difficulties." People being targeted as well as a large number of officials are against this "selective" anticorruption and the rapid expansion of Wang’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Now the campaign has reached a stalemate. If Wang stops, the public will be disappointed and the result may be social turmoil. If he proceeds, some cliques will fight back and even fight to the death.

"Another key message in this talk was that Wang promised his opponents that he does not seek a complete systematic reform that will fundamentally prevent corruption."

"It is rare for a politburo standing committee member to have a discussion with visiting foreign scholars. Wang’s high-profile meeting with them and the posting of his talk through an official channel is a big taboo for high-ranking Party officials. This, on the one hand, reflected that he could not easily find friends in the Party. On the other hand, it showed that he does not need to be bound by the rules since Xi Jinping relies on him so heavily."

Source: RFA Online, May 15, 2015
http://www.rfa.org/cantonese/commentaries/hushaojiang_com-05152015083428.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

BBC Chinese: Indian Media Criticized China’s Incorrect Map of India

BBC Chinese recently reported that key Indian media companies such as New Delhi TV, Hindustan Times, Firstpost.com, and India Today all criticized the Map of India that the Chinese Central Television (CCTV) used when reporting Indian Prime Minister’s visit to China. The CCTV map showed what Indians considered Arunachal Pradesh as “Southern Tibet.” In addition, the map did not include the Kashmir region as part of India. Indian media immediately pointed out that the map was “wrong” and that China’s demand for Indian land has never changed. They also pointed out that China’s ultimate goals in the region remain the same and Pakistan is still being used as a Chinese agent in battles against India. Reports also mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed his concern to Chinese President Xi Jinping about China’s US$46 billion investment in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir to establish an economic development corridor.
Source: BBC Chinese, May 15, 2015
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/world/2015/05/150515_indian_press_modi_china
Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

People’s Daily: China Surpassed the U.S. to Become the Largest Oil Importer

People’s Daily recently reported that, based on the data that the General Administration of Customs (GAC) released, China imported a daily average of 7.4 million barrels of crude oil in April. This volume is the equivalent of one thirteenth of the total global daily level for the consumption of oil. China also surpassed the U.S. daily import level of 7.2 million barrels. The report suggested that the Shale Oil Revolution has rescued the United States from its dependency on imported oil. In the meantime, China’s oil demand is still climbing, even when the Chinese economy is slowing down. Experts suggested that China’s purchase of a large amount of oil from Iran last month could be the reason for the dramatic outcome in April. However they also expressed the belief that the Chinese slowdown in economic growth will continue to push up the volume of oil imports.
Source: People’s Daily, May 12, 2015
http://world.people.com.cn/n/2015/0512/c1002-26988336.html
Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Qiushi: The Lessons Learned from the Fall of the Soviet Union

Qiushi, a Communist Party Central Committee magazine, recently published an article discussing the points some people make when they call for amendments and new laws that push for freedom of the press and the privatization of state-owned companies. The article analyzed the reasons that led to the fall of the Soviet Union. According to the author, some major events played an important role: the constitutional amendment that removed the Soviet Communist Party’s leading role; the passage of the Law of the Press that legalized “Western style media”; and the introduction of the Law of Privatization, which fully privatized the state-owned Soviet enterprises. The article also pointed out that nationalization of the Communist Party controlled army is another dangerous idea. The author blamed Gorbachev for allowing all the things that led to the death of the Soviet Union to happen; he also called for the Chinese leadership to pay attention to the lessons to be learned.
Source: Qiushi, May 11, 2015
http://www.qstheory.cn/dukan/hqwg/2015-05/11/c_1115237609.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics