Chinascope – Page 706

Qiushi: The Faculty Is the Key to Political Education in Universities

Qiushi published a commentary in support of tightening the ideological education of college students. The commentary expressed the belief that the faculty members are the key to providing an effective Marxist education in universities and colleges. The commentary stated that faculty members who engage in the following four types of behavior are not good college teachers.

The first was, “Openly attacking and defaming the Party’s leadership … discrediting socialism, and not having correct ideals and beliefs.” The second was “Complaining, venting grievances, sending out bad vibes to the students, and having no real skills.” Third was “Spreading Western values … praising the West, and having no sense of social responsibility.” Finally came, “Speaking against the Constitution and the law in the classroom and having no political bottom line, no legal bottom line, and no moral bottom line.”

Source: Qiushi, February 13, 2015

http://www.qstheory.cn/tjyd/2015-02/13/c_1114357291.htm

Briefings | | February 13, 2015 | Government/Politics

Huanqiu: Norway is Making Cold War Allegations

Huanqiu published a commentary on Norway’s expulsion of a Chinese student, asking whether Norway wants trade or human rights.

“A country at the far end of the Eurasian continent and close to the artic suddenly made “cold war style” noises against China. After Norway expelled a Chinese student using the pretext that he was a ‘national security threat,’ it listed Russia and China as ‘threats’ in its annual national security assessment report. The head of its national security department openly accused ‘China and Russia of engaging in espionage activities.’"

Cui Hongjian, Director of the European Department at the China Institute of International Studies, a State think tank, said, “The Norwegian government ought to think clearly. Do they want communications with China and the development of good economic and trade relations, or do they want to be shouting slogans about so-called ‘human rights and democracy.’" According to Huanqiu, the Chinese Embassy in Norway issued a statement stating that the Norwegian government’s remarks are irresponsible, “full of cold war rhetoric” and “without any basis.”

Source: Huanqiu, February 6, 2015 http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2015-02/5610058.html

Briefings | | February 12, 2015 | Government/Politics

BBC Chinese: China Responded to Obama Welcoming Dalai Lama

BBC Chinese recently reported that President Obama welcomed the Dalai Lama at the National Prayer Breakfast and called him “a friend.” This was the first time the President and the Dalai Lama appeared jointly in public. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hong Lei responded at a press conference that China is against any country allowing the Dalai Lama to visit and is against anyone using the Tibetan Issue to interfere with China’s domestic matters. Hong said the Dalai Lama has long been using the name of religion to perform the function of splitting China. He urged the United States to “keep its promise” on the Tibetan Issue. The last time President Obama met with the Dalai Lama was on February 21, 2014, in the White House Map Room instead of the Oval Office. That meeting was a closed-door meeting with no media present.

Source: BBC Chinese, February 6, 2015

http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/world/2015/02/150206_beijing_obama_dalai

Briefings | | February 11, 2015 | US-China Relations

Xinhua: HSBC January Chinese Manufacturing PMI Read Low

Xinhua recently reported that HSBC released its January PMI final number for the Chinese manufacturing sector. The number 49.7 represents the second month in a row that the figure remained below 50. The sub-indicator of employment is 49.5. Many experts suggested that the government may have to adjust its policies, which means possible interest rate cuts in the first quarter or some other similar policies. Some read the new PMI number as a sign of an “unexpected low level of economic activities.” According to Qu Hongbin, HSBC Chief Economist of the Grand China Region, both new domestic orders and export orders are declining. The unemployment number reached a 15 month low. The manufacturing sector is still suffering from a low level of demand. Qu suggested that the government should relax both its currency and its financial policies. PMI is an indicator of financial activity reflecting purchasing managers’ acquisition of goods and services. A PMI number below 50 typically reflects a decline.

Source: Xinhua, February 2, 2015

http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2015-02/02/c_127448257.htm

Briefings | | February 11, 2015 | Economy/Resources

Yuan Guiren: Young Teachers and Students in College Are Hostile Forces’ Main Targets of Infiltration

Chinese Minister of Education Yuan Guiren published an article in the latest issue (3rd issue, 2015) of the Qiushi (Seeking Truth) magazine talking about propaganda and ideological education in colleges. The title of the article was, "Eye on the Larger Direction and the Larger Issues; In This New Situation, Put Enough Effort into Propaganda Work in Universities." Yuan pointed out that the hostile forces infiltrate and focus on dividing such groups as young teachers and students. In recent years, some countries have regarded China’s development and growth as a challenge to the model of their system and to their values. They have [therefore] stepped up their penetration with more subtle and diverse methods. [1]

On January 29, 2015, the Office of CPC Central Committee and the State Council held an Education Ministry forum on how to implement the direction "on further strengthening and improving the propaganda and ideological education in colleges in the new situation." At the forum, Yuan Guiren said that university teachers must adhere to the political bottom line, the legal bottom line, and the moral bottom line. Yuan pointed out that, for the implementation of the "direction," [we] must strengthen the management of universities’ ideological positions; strengthen the management of the use of original materials from Western countries; not allow the spread of Western values into our classroom materials; never allow remarks attacking and defaming the [Communist] Party’s leadership and discrediting socialism to appear in university classrooms; never allow speech that violates the Constitution and the laws to spread in university classrooms; and never allow teachers to complain, vent grievances in the classroom, or transfer negative emotions to the students. [2]

Sources: Guancha and Xinhua, February 2, 2015, and January 29, 2015

[1] http://m.guancha.cn/Education/2015_02_02_308299 http://www.moe.edu.cn/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/moe_176/201402/163736.html

[2] http://news.xinhuanet.com/edu/2015-01/29/c_1114183715.htm

Briefings | | February 6, 2015 | Government/Politics

Qiushi: Be a Fighter, not a Gentleman

Qiushi published an article highlighting the importance of ideological education in China’s universities and colleges. The article stated, “In recent years, the dominant position of Marxism in the ideological field has been consolidated and strengthened. People have a deeper understanding of the path, system, and theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. However, noises from erroneous ideas that reject Marxism and reject open-door reform appear from time to time. … [We] must not be timid and fearful, simply standing by and watching in silence. … [We] should be fighters, not ‘gentlemen.’”

The article recommended that the authorities allocate special funds to conduct research and development in support of the propaganda and ideological education in universities and colleges.

Source: Qiushi, February 5, 2015

http://www.qstheory.cn/zhuanqu/zywz/2015-02/05/c_1114258337.htm

Briefings | | February 6, 2015 | Government/Politics

Chinese Media on the “One Belt, One Road” Strategy

Recently, Chinese media have published several articles discussing the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, which is a major diplomacy and economic development strategy for China.

The term "One Belt, One Road" ("一带一路") refers to the "Silk Road Economic Belt" ("丝绸之路经济带"), which includes China, Central and West Asian countries, and the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" ("21世纪海上丝绸之路"). It connects China, ASEAN member nations, South Asia, Africa, and Europe.

This combined economic zone contains a population of 4.4 billion. With 26 countries and regions, the size of its economy is $ 21 trillion. In the next ten years, China’s exports are expected to count for one third of the imports to these countries and China is likely to invest $1.6 trillion in this zone.

According to Baidu’s definition, "[this term] is not a physical entity or mechanism, but rather a concept involving cooperation and initiative. The purpose is to develop a partnership of economic cooperation between China and the countries in the zone and to build a community with political trust, economic integration, and a common fate and responsibility."

The following is a summary of key viewpoints from these media, some of which even contradict each other.

China Review News:
1. Investing in countries in this economic zone is more for political considerations than for economic reasons. In fact, many investments in Central Asia and South Asia involve infrastructure construction projects that have a low economic return. Though many countries have low labor costs, their poor infrastructure and strong labor unions jeopardize their investment environment.
2. The Southeast Asian region might be the first area in which China has a breakthrough, due to the large Chinese population and their stable political environments. Their exports of food and oil can help China to lower its security risk on food and the supply of resources.

Qiushi:
This strategy can enable China to develop a tight economic and trade relationship and common interest partnerships with emerging economies and developed European countries. This can counter the U.S.’ "Asia-Pacific Rebalance" strategy and relieve the pressure of China’s overproduction and of its being forced into the heavy purchase of U.S. debt.

Xinhua:
China should focus on the "belt" (land) instead of the "road" (sea). This is because on the sea side, China will face strong resistance from ASEAN countries on its exports. This relates to their own domestic policies and can’t be completely influenced by China’s investment in their countries.

Stock Times:
The globalization of the renminbi and developing renminbi offshore trading centers are critical steps in the "One Belt, One Road" plan. China has made good progress in issuing renminbi bonds, setting up renminbi offshore trading centers (e.g. in Frankfurt and London) and offshore markets (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and London), and in signing currency swap agreements with 28 countries.

Sources:
1. Baidu
http://baike.baidu.com/view/12241799.htm
2. China Review News, January 18, 2015
http://hk.crntt.com/doc/1035/7/9/4/103579473.html?coluid=202&kindid=11695&docid=103579473&mdate=0118095339
3. Qiushi Online, January 21, 2015
http://www.qstheory.cn/freely/2015-01/21/c_1114074599.htm
4. Xinhua, January 27, 2015
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2015-01/27/c_127424890.htm
5. Stock Times Online, January 26, 2015
http://www.stcn.com/2015/0126/11988834.shtml

Briefings | | February 4, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

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.