Chinascope – Page 759

State Think Tank Criticized for Being “Infiltrated by Foreign Forces

On June 13, 2014, an official from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China criticized China’s Academy of Social Science (CASS) because it had been infiltrated by foreign forces.

Zhang Yingwei, head of the CCDI team on assignment to the CASS blasted the institution for its major ideological problems. They included, "conducting illegal collusive activities during politically sensitive periods," "accepting point-to-point penetration from foreign forces," and "using the Internet to create subtly deceptive reasoning and argumentation." Zhang demanded that the whole institution "maintain a high degree of political sensitivity" and "be politically in line with the Party."

These remarks were first reported on the People’s Daily website. The report has since been removed.

Source: People’s Daily reprinted by China News Service, June 14, 2014
http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2014/06-14/6280497.shtml

Briefings | | June 19, 2014 | Government/Politics

Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Is Investigating CPPCC Vice Chairman Su Rong

On June 14, the People’s Daily website reported that Su Rong, the Vice Chairman of the Twelfth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is alleged to have committed serious violations of the law and is currently undergoing a disciplinary investigation. The report was based on a news report that the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection released. Su Rong’s resume was listed on the report. Su was Vice President of the Central Party School between 2006 and 2007. Thereafter and until March of 2013, he served as the Party Secretary of Jiangxi Province. [Editor’s note: At the time that Su Rong was the Vice President, Zeng Qinghong was the President of the Party School.]

Source: People’s Daily, June 14, 2014

http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2014/0614/c1001-25149084.html?_fin

Briefings | | June 19, 2014 | Government/Politics

Qiushi: The Unity of Developing the Socialist System and Improving the National Governance Systems

Qiushi reported on a speech that Xi Jinping recently gave at the opening ceremony of the Seminar for Major Provincial Leaders to Study the Decision of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee. In his speech, Xi stated that "[We] must fully understand the overall goal of comprehensively deepening reforms. It is a unity of two sentences: Improve and develop the Socialist system with Chinese characteristics and advance the modernization of national governance systems and governance capacity."

The Qiushi article discussed how to understand Xi’s statement. It explained the "unity" or the "same goal" of developing the social system and improving governance system: the CCP "should, via improving and developing the Socialist system with Chinese characteristics, implement the institutionalization, standardization, and procedures of governing the Party, the nation, and social affairs," and also "via building up the national governance system, develop the Socialist system with Chinese characteristics."

It further elaborated on the "national governance culture" and affirmed its importance in applying Marxist theory and the "correct political viewpoint and value system" to guide the national governance system.

Source: Qiushi Online, June 15, 2014
http://www.qstheory.cn/bwtj/2014-06/15/c_1111149821.htm

Briefings | | June 18, 2014 | Government/Politics

China Has Developed Invisibility Film Superior to Any Current Radar Stealth Coating in the World

On June 17, 2014, China Review News reported that China has successfully developed an invisibility cloak called the SH6 infrared radar stealth composite film, which can cover up objects and shield them from radar detection. It is superior to any other current radar stealth coating in the world. The invisibility film will enhance China’s military combat effectiveness. A national defense patent has been submitted for the invisibility film.

Source: China Review News, June 17, 2014
http://hk.crntt.com/doc/1032/4/1/1/103241120.html?coluid=4&kindid=18&docid=103241120&mdate=0617080947

Briefings | | June 18, 2014 | Information/Technology

Qiushi: Closely Watch Out for Ideology Security on the Internet

On June 15, 2014, Qiushi Theory, a political theory periodical that is published by the Chinese Communist Party Central Party School and the CCP Central Committee, reprinted an article from “Chinese Social Sciences Today” titled “Closely Watch Out for Ideology Security on Internet.” According to the article, maintaining the security of ideology on the Internet is as important as maintaining the security of technical information. Some Western countries have been promoting Western ideology and [the Western] political system on Internet, which is a “War without Smoke.” Thus, China cannot secure its national political system if it does not control the ideology circulating on the Internet.

Source: Qiushi Theory, June 15, 2014
http://www.qstheory.cn/bwtj/2014-06/15/c_1111148848.htm

Briefings | | June 18, 2014 | Government/Politics

Over 300 Cities Suffered Sharp Declines in Land Sales

National Business Daily, a Shanghai based business newspaper, recently reported that local government land sales suffered a major decline in the month of May. According to a report that the China Index Research Institute released, for over 300 cities across China, the number of government land transactions in May declined 45 percent compared to the same period last year. The total sales amount for these transactions fell 38 percent. The total land area accounted for in these transactions fell 49 percent. Experts said that they expect a further decline in the housing market in the coming months. Many government land auctions closed with no deals made or the sales made were at the opening prices. The sales decline occurred across all tiers of Chinese cities regardless of city sizes. In addition to losses in land sales, local governments’ housing related tax income is also seeing a sharp decline. Many local governments in China rely heavily on the housing market for funds for public spending and for providing guarantees to loans to the government. Many economists expressed their worries about government’ debts and called for adjustments to the local industrial structure to create more sources of income.

Source: National Business Daily, June 9, 2014

http://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2014-06-09/839878.html

Briefings | | June 17, 2014 | Economy/Resources

People’s Daily: China Construction Bank to be the First RMB Settlement Bank in Britain

People’s Daily recently reported that China’s second largest bank, the China Construction Bank (CCB), has been authorized to be the official settlement bank for the Chinese currency (RMB) in London. This move improved the competitiveness of Great Britain as one of the main offshore exchange centers for the RMB and fixed a financial infrastructure issue in Britain. It is unusual that CCB’s strongest competitor, the Bank of China, did not obtain this authorization. London has been working hard to defend its role as the primary RMB exchange center outside Asia. London is facing tough competition from Frankfurt and Luxembourg. This new settlement arrangement could reduce the risks for those who tend to use RMB as a payment method outside China. It may also ease the process for Chinese companies planning to invest in Europe.

Source: People’s Daily, June 13, 2014

http://ccnews.people.com.cn/n/2014/0613/c141677-25144462.html

Briefings | | June 17, 2014 | Economy/Resources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Foreign Countries Should Not Interfere in Hong Kong Affairs

BBC Chinese recently reported that Hua Chunying, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that Hong Kong affairs are internal to China and other countries better stop their interference. Since Beijing published the White Paper on Hong Kong on June 10 (Editor’s note: See Chinascope‘s briefing from June 11 at: http://chinascope.org/main/content/view/6404/81/), both the U.S. and the British consulates have criticized the policies explained or laid out in the White Paper. When the press asked Hua to comment on the US/UK reactions, she advised, “They should read the White Paper more carefully and contribute more to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.” The U.S. State Department commented that the United States expected China to keep the promises it made in the Hong Kong Basic Law. The well-respected Hong Kong Bar Association later issued an announcement clarifying that the White Paper is “incorrect” in stating that Hong Kong judges and judicial officers are part of the executive branch that “rules” Hong Kong.

Source: BBC Chinese, June 12, 2014

http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2014/06/140612_china_hk_us_uk.shtml

Briefings | | June 17, 2014 | Government/Politics

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.