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Qiushi Theory: Western Discourse Cannot Depict the Real China

Qiushi Theory published a commentary titled, “Western Discourse Cannot Depict the Real China.” The commentary stated that, of all the theories that the many foreign scholars have developed about China, whether it includes praise, questions, or disapproval, those are all based on the Western analytical style and cannot depict the real China. Therefore China must gain its own discourse rights in the midst of the “China Fever.” According to the commentary, China should also “reexamine the different understandings that foreign scholars have, develop a broader view, combine the development of China with Chinese characteristics with [an understanding of] world affairs, and let the world know that the matters that concern China also affect the rest of the world.”

Source: Qiushi Theory, May 9, 2014
http://www.qstheory.cn/wz/shp/201405/t20140509_347419.htm

Qiushi Theory Commentary on Regulatory Challenges that WeChat Faces

Qiushi Theory published a commentary discussing WeChat and listing a number of unprecedented regulatory challenges that WeChat faces as compared to traditional media. First, the commentary compared WeChat with traditional media whose contents the government is able to control. WeChat was developed as a private friends channel and the role of the government was missing from the very beginning. Second, compared to traditional media, WeChat’s contents and coverage are hard to measure and monitor, while the content that traditional media publishes can be determined by which media published the contents, what the length of the contents is, and when it was published. Third, WeChat can penetrate large circles where the government will not be able to influence or evaluate the contents. According to the commentary, if there is lack of control over WeChat, then, when a crisis takes place, its social influence will be hard to control.

According to Wikipedia, WeChat is a mobile text and voice messaging communication service developed by Tencent in China. It was first released in January 2011. Wikipedia reported that, by January 2013, it had 300 million users, making it the largest social network in the world.

Source: Qiushi Theory, May 8, 2014
http://www.qstheory.cn/hqwg/2014/201409/201405/t20140508_347251.htm

Academician Ni Guangnan: There Will Be No National Security without Network Security

People’s Daily interviewed Ni Guangnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and professor at the Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, about network security issues. Ni pointed out that without network security there would be no national security. This is the Chinese government’s point of view today. Ni stated that network security is by no means a purely technical issue and China must raise it to the national strategic level.

Ni said, "Apple, Google, and Microsoft have monopolized the operating system running on intelligent terminals including desktop PCs, notebooks, and smart phones. If China does not have the core technology of the smart terminal operating system, it is impossible to safeguard network security."

Ni also said, "All of the Internet’s root servers are in the hands of the United States and several of its allies. The United States has the actual control. Over the years, a number of countries, including China, have repeatedly asked for ‘international co-administration’ of the Internet, but the United States does not agree. … Therefore, to truly safeguard China’s network security, we cannot have any illusions. We should earnestly take action through the development of future networks; ultimately we must solve the problem that the Chinese public network is dependent on other [countries]."  

Source: People’s Daily, April 29, 2014
http://it.people.com.cn/n/2014/0429/c1009-24953592.html

Xinhua: Investment Funds Are Selling off Their Real Estate Holdings

Xinhua reported that, according to statistics, in the first quarter of 2014, 41.28 percent of stock funds and blend funds sold off their real estate holdings. 

Out of 625 stock funds and blend funds, 258 cleared out their holdings in the real estate sector and now have zero investment in that sector. 
In those three months, the market value of the real estate stocks that the funds held dropped from 39 billion yuan to 31 billion yuan, a decrease of 7.8 billion. 
According to the 2014 first quarter reports of the investment funds, after the financial sector, the real estate sector was the hardest hit. A downward price adjustment and a market cooling have been confirmed for the housing market. The changes in the housing market will put significant pressure on the stock market. 
Source: China Securities, May 8, 2014 
http://news.cnstock.com/news/sns_yw/201405/3014364.htm

About Twenty Thousand Ducks Died in Beijing; Bird Flu Suspected

Beijing News reported that about 20,000 ducks died within a week in six farms. The number is increasing daily. Wang Haijun started raising ducks last year. Since April 29, 2014, many of his 7,200 ducks have suddenly died. Less than 600 have survived. His neighbor Pan Meibing found that his ducks started to die on May 4. As of May 7, 2014, of 4,800 grown-up ducks, over 3,000 had died. Of 4,800 younger ducks, over 500 had died. Every day, large numbers of duck are dying.

Reports indicate that these farms have purchased feed from different sources. People have applied dozens of types of medicine, but to no avail. The farmers said that, before they died, the ducks showed symptoms consistent with bird flu. 

Source: Beijing News, May 8, 2014 
http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2014/05/08/316022.html

China to Modify Radio Regulations; Maximum Penalty up to 500,000 Yuan

On May 6, China’s State Council Legislative Affairs Office started to solicit public opinion on the "People’s Republic of China Radio Regulations (Revised Draft)." The draft made it clear that unapproved use of radio frequencies and satellite orbit resources that cause serious consequences will be subject to a fine up to 500,000 yuan (US$80,300).
The draft stated that the use of radio frequencies shall not exceed 10 years. The operator should promptly deregister the frequencies if it plans to terminate the use of the radio frequencies before the expiration date. The allocation of radio frequencies should fully consider the needs of national security, economic, social and scientific and technological development, and the efficient use of resources.
The draft also demanded that radio regulatory agencies conduct regular inspections and testing on radio (stations), and investigate unlawful interferences in a timely manner in order to ensure the public safety of persons and property.
Source: Xinhua, May 6, 2014
http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2014-05/06/c_1110560161.htm

National Security Blue Book Proposes: China “Unite with Russia, Win over Europe, Harness the U.S.”

On May 6, the "National Security Blue Book: Chinese National Security Research Report (2014)," prepared by the International Center for Strategic and Security Studies of the Institute of International Relations, was released in Beijing. This is China’s first National Security Blue Book. The book reviewed and analyzed China’s national security situation over the past year and proposed measures on how China should handle the security challenges it faces. 

At a news conference announcing the release, a number of experts made recommendations for China’s national security strategy. Feng Zhongping, Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary China’s International Relations, stated that a number of issues have developed into China’s biggest security threats. These include the strategic competition between international powers, the U.S. and Russia and the EU’s attitudes and policies towards China, as well as China’s territory and maritime interests. 

From a strategic level, China should “unite Russia, win over Europe, and harness the U.S." "Unite Russia" means to consider Putin’s proposal to establish a Sino-Russian political alliance. "Win over Europe" means to increase the strategic content of China-EU relations beyond the trading relationship so as to deter and balance the United States’ strategy. "Harness the U.S." refers to establishing a "new type of great power relations" between China and the United States. 

 Source: sina.com, May 7, 2014 http://dailynews.sina.com/bg/chn/chnpolitics/phoenixtv/20140506/14305696805.html