Chinascope – Page 708

Xi Jinping: the Socialist Rule of Law with Chinese Characteristics

In its No. 1 issue of 2015, Qiushi published Parts 2 and 3 of Xi Jinping’s speech given on October 23, 2014, at the 4th plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Xi spoke about advancing the rule of law in China. According to the speech, the general objective is to form a system serving "the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics" and to build a country under "the socialist rule of law." In doing so, China must uphold the leadership of the Party and the dominant position of the people. Everyone must be equal before the law, with the rule of law and morality applying, all based on Chinese reality.

Source: Qiushi, January 5, 2015

http://www.qstheory.cn/dukan/qs/2015-01/01/c_1113810966.htm

Briefings | | January 5, 2015 | Government/Politics

Over Five Thousand Party Officials Investigated for Corruption in December 2014

The Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) released information on January 5, 2015, describing its accomplishments. In December 2014, it handled 4,238 corruption cases; it dealt with 5,340 Party officials; and 2,280 had been placed under administrative adverse actions and the Party’s disciplinary actions.

Corruption cases involve violations of work discipline, the use of public funds for personal expenditures, the use of government vehicles for personal trips, extravagant weddings and funerals, giving and accepting gifts, and personal travel using public funds.

By of the end of 2014, CCDI had handled 77,606 corruption cases. It had dealt with 102,168 Party officials and 31,338 had been place under administrative adverse actions and the Party’s disciplinary actions.

Source: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China, January 5, 2015

http://www.ccdi.gov.cn/xwtt/201501/t20150105_49683.html

Briefings | | January 5, 2015 | Government/Politics

Japan’s Triple Motives in Attacking Chinese Military Exercises

Zhang Junshe (张军社), a researcher at the Institute of Military Studies of the Chinese Navy, published a commentary article in People’s Daily (overseas edition), arguing about China’s right to conduct military activities in the waters of the Western Pacific Ocean. Below are some quotes from the article:

“Since December 4, the Chinese Navy has been organizing ships and planned activities in the waters of the Western Pacific Ocean so as to conduct remote sea drills following its annual training plan.”

“To the Chinese navy’s normal training activities, the Japanese side has appeared very uncomfortable and reacted inappropriately. Since the 4th [of December], the Japanese side has repeatedly sent ships and planes to follow, monitor, and harass China’s warships. Japan also issued several statements, such as the so-called ‘given the fact that China’s military planes entered Japanese airspace, the Japanese Air Self Defense Force dispatched fighter planes in an emergency,’ … hyping the information about the ‘China threat.’"

“Japan is very clear about the legality, legitimacy, and necessity of the Chinese Navy’s far sea exercises in the Western Pacific waters. The reason that Japan insists on harassing and smearing the Chinese Navy’s warships activity has to do with its selfish purposes.

“One is the Cold War mentality, attempting to block the Chinese navy within the boundary of the so-called ‘first island chain.’ Second, it is trying to break through the restrictions of its ‘peace constitution,’ lift the ban on its right to a collective self-defense, and look for excuses to develop offensive combat forces. Third, it is trying to consolidate the Japan-U.S. alliance, using the United States to contain China’s military development.”

The article concluded, “The Chinese Navy will continue to conduct far sea drills in the Western Pacific waters in the future. The Japanese government had better get accustomed to this reality.”

Source: People’s Daily, December 30, 2014

http://world.people.com.cn/n/2014/1230/c1002-26297069.html

Briefings | | January 2, 2015 | Defense/Military

China’s Two Voices: Xi Jinping Happily Chatted and Shook Hands with Santa Claus on Christmas Day

On December 25, 2015, a Chinese blog named Liyuanfans posted 3 photos of Xi Jinping with Santa Claus. Xi Jinping is the present General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, the President of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chairman of the Central Military. Liyuan is the first name of Xi’s wife. The blog of Liyuanfans regularly posts photos and short messages about the couple. The 3 photos showed that Xi was accepting a gift from Santa Claus, sitting next to Santa Claus with Santa’s hand on Xi’s shoulder, and shaking hands beamingly with Santa Claus.

The above message is contradictory to what happened in some schools and universities in China recently. On December 22, 2015, the Zhejiang Board of Education prohibited elementary, middle, and high schools from organizing Christmas events. On Christmas Eve, Northwestern University in China forbade students from spending Christmas Eve by themselves. [Editor’s note: A previous Chinascope briefing said of Northwestern University: "Some netizens posted that, on Christmas Eve, all of the students were organized to watch videos inside the classrooms. The videos were related to traditional Chinese culture. The teachers stood guard at the classrooms. It was said that whoever celebrated Christmas would be disciplined."]

Secret China questioned, “Why are there two voices within the Communist Party?”

Sources: Blog of Liyuanfans, December 25, 2015.
http://www.weibo.com/liyuanfans

Secret China, December 29, 2015
http://www.secretchina.com/news/14/12/29/564019.html

Chinascope, Some Chinese Schools Prohibited Students from Celebrating Christmans.

http://chinascope.org/main/content/view/6864/81/

Briefings | | December 31, 2014 | Government/Politics

China Unicom Top Executives under Investigation

On December 30, 2014, Caixin.com, a website from Mainland China, released a news report on the investigation (arrests) of two high-ranking executives at China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. (or China Unicom). According to Epoch Times, China Unicom is associated with Jiang Mianheng, the son of China’s former paramount leader Jiang Zemin.

Sources: Caixin, December 30, 2014.
http://companies.caixin.com/2014-12-30/100769556.html

Epoch Times, December 31, 2014.
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/14/12/31/n4330649.htm

Briefings | | December 31, 2014 | Government/Politics

Xi Jinping’s Instructions on Party Build-up in Universities

The twenty-third conference on developing the Party at national colleges and universities was held in Beijing on December 28 and December 29. General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping gave instructions that colleges and universities should shoulder the important tasks of studying and promoting Marxism and of training the developers and successors of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi emphasized that strengthening the Communist Party’s leadership on colleges and universities and strengthening and improving the Party’s development at colleges and universities is the fundamental guarantee that socialist colleges and universities with Chinese characteristics will run well.

Xi pointed out those factors that make a good socialist university with Chinese characteristics. One has to adhere to the principle of emphasizing moral character by integrating the education and practice of socialist core values into the whole process of teaching; to strengthen ideological guidance and firmly lead the ideological work at the universities; to uphold and improve the system in which the President is accountable under the leadership of the Party committee; to continue to reform and improve the institutions at universities; to advance the comprehensive development of the Party; and to play an effective role in grassroots organizations and an exemplary role of pioneer model Communist Party member. Xi gave the instruction that Party committees at all levels and the authorities in charge of ideological propaganda, personnel, and education should strengthen the leadership and guidance on the development of the Party at colleges and universities, adhere to the Party’s education policy, adhere to the socialist direction of education, strengthen and improve ideological and political work, and ensure a thorough and strict implementation of the Party’s discipline.

Source: Xinhua, December 29, 2014

http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2014-12/29/c_1113818177.htm

Briefings | | December 30, 2014 | Government/Politics

China News: South Korea, U.S. and Japan to Share Intelligence on North Korea

China News recently reported that an official (who would prefer to remain anonymous) of the South Korean Defense Ministry advised that the deputy defense ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan planned to sign a memorandum of understanding on sharing intelligence involving North Korea, especially on military topics like nuclear plans and guided missiles. The memorandum was set to be signed on December 29. The South Korean side emphasized that the intelligence sharing between South Korea and Japan will be communicated indirectly via the United States as the middle man. The Memorandum is not considered legally binding and does not require approval by the legislative branches of the three countries.

Source: China News, December 27, 2014

http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2014/12-27/6916536.shtml

Briefings | | December 30, 2014 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Russian Oil Exported to China at 50 Percent Higher Price

Well-known Chinese news site Sina recently reported that, based on the data Bloomberg obtained from the China General Administration of Customs, the volume of Russian oil exported to China increased by 65 percent in November, reaching a record high monthly volume of 3.31 million tons. According to Bloomberg, the average price of these November exports was at US$90 per barrel. However, given the sharp decline in the oil price on the global market, the current standard for oil prices is below US$60. The Russian State Duma recently passed laws to cut the oil export tax. At a press conference earlier, Russian President Putin suggested that the Russian economy must adjust to the reality of oil prices staying at US$40. According to Chinese Customs records, China’s imports from the largest OPEC oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, were in their second consecutive month of decline, which is the equivalent of a 5.9 percent decline year-over-year. The Russian Ministry of Energy recently mentioned that, during January to September, Russian oil exports to China increased by 45 percent year-over-year.

Source: Sina, December 24, 2014

http://finance.sina.com.cn/world/20141224/174421156026.shtml

Briefings | | December 30, 2014 | 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.