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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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Xinjiang: Crackdown on Terrorism and Religious Extremism

Recently, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s Public Security authorities held a video conference on cracking down on crimes of religious extremism.

Zhu Changjie, Vice-Chairman of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Chinese Communist Party secretary, and the head of the Public Security authorities, demanded a "profound understanding of importance and urgency of combatting crimes of religious extremism at all levels."

The Autonomous Region vowed it would strike hard on violent terrorist and religious extremist criminal activities, while at the same time focusing on prevention and reactions to emergencies.

Since February 10, Xinjiang’s public security has cracked several related cases, destroyed a number of gangs, and arrested a number of suspects.

Source: Guangming Daily, March 24, 2014
http://politics.gmw.cn/2014-03/24/content_10772936.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

PLA Daily: Learn the Lessons from First Sino-Japanese War in 1894

People’s Liberation Army Daily recently published a series of commentaries about the 1894 Sino-Japanese War that took place 120 years ago, giving an unusually objective evaluation of the Japanese military reform at the end of 19th century. That interaction prompted the continuous bloody conflicts between the two neighboring countries. The commentaries called for the People’s Liberation Army commanders to study the humiliating defeat of the Qing Empire at the hands of the Japanese. Analysts believe that the move is to warn of the effect of corruption within the military.

The commentaries said that the discipline and dedication of the Japanese army enabled them to defeat the Qing Dynasty’s Pei-yang Fleet.

One article stated: "(The) Chinese navy’s equipment, including the warships’ tonnage and the fire power, were indeed no less than those of the Japanese navy. … Quite a number of officers and even commanding officers of the fleet fostered ridiculous arrogance. Foreign military professionals who were paid and invited at a high price to instruct the navy were often subjected to ridicule and mockery. That was in stark contrast to the spirit of tireless learning of the Japanese Navy."

Analysts say these articles aimed to reveal the following facts: a lot of challenges that the Qing Dynasty’s army faced are the same as those the PLA battles today: nepotism, factional strife, and corruption.

A military expert at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law said, "If such phenomena continue, the PLA is bound to be defeated if a military conflict between China and Japan were to occur."

Tensions between China and Japan have deteriorated to the worst level since the end of the Cold War. Both sides repeatedly send planes and ships near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

One article on PLA Daily stated, "In a sense, the 1894 War has not ended."

One retired officer in Beijing said, "What our army is facing is clearly what the Qing government failed to deal with. This is exactly the reason why Chairman Xi Jinping urged the PLA senior officers to get rid of their stereotyped thinking."

The Pei-yang Fleet was a result of the Qing Dynasty "Self-Strengthening Movement." On the eve of the Sino-Japanese naval battle in 1894, the Pei-yang Fleet had about the same strength as the Japanese Navy in military hardware, but it was still defeated.

Source: Xinhua, March 24, 2014
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2014-03/24/c_119903160.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Huanqiu: U.S. May Be Forced to “Return” to Europe

Hong Kong Tianda Institute researcher Wu Junfei wrote a commentary article that Huanqiu published about how China should make use of the strategic opportunity of the U.S.-Russian conflict over the Ukraine. Below is an excerpt from the article: 

The rapid evolution of the situation in Ukraine has given a heavy blow to Washington’s foreign policy. Since the Obama administration took office, the U.S. has changed from a strategic expansion to a strategic contraction due to the divisions among international powers and economic reality. Being unable to handle both East Asia and Europe simultaneously, the U.S. has loosened its restraint on Russia and has returned to Asia with major energy to deal with the impact of China’s rise. 
After the Crimea voted to join Russia, although the U.S. and Russia may not directly go to war, Washington will have to revive the U.S. deterrence in Europe and adopt a tough policy on Russia. It will do so in order to rebuild the balance of power and avoid the quick collapse of its superpower status. 
If the United States “returns to Europe” and is forced to institute a tough policy against Russia, China will have the opportunity to gain a brief period for diplomatic strategic opportunities. Facing the restructuring of the world strategy game, China should focus on dissolving Washington’s aggressive "returning to Asia" strategy in order to win more time for its peaceful rise. Therefore, China should, under the grand principle of neutrality, support Russia’s strategic offensive posture in Europe, forcing Washington to reduce its military presence in Asia, thus reducing the strategic pressure China faces in the western Pacific.　 

After the Ukraine crisis, China had better stay on the sidelines watching United States and Russia fight against each other. If Washington is busy with other regional conflicts, it is a rare ideal situation for the rise of China. China can actively induce conflict, thus shifting the U.S.’s military delivery and attention on China. At the same time, China may provide a helping hand to Russia for its challenge to U.S. hegemony. This is the internal logic of the quasi-alliance between China and Russia. China’s handling of the Snowden event reflected Chinese decision-makers recognition of this strategy. 

Source: Huanqiu, March 20, 2014 
http://mil.huanqiu.com/observation/2014-03/4917631.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Chinese Military to Display Inscriptions of Communist Leaders

Xinhua reported that, with the approval of Xi Jinping and the leadership of the Central Military Commission, the meeting rooms of the armed forces must display certain inscriptions of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping. “To display important inscriptions of leaders at the meeting rooms of Party committees and branches in the military is an important measure to strengthen the ideological and political development of our army. It has a very important significance for creating a strong political atmosphere and a distinctive ideological orientation; and for gathering the positive energy of loyalty to the Party, strengthening the country, and building up the military.” 

Source: Xinhua, March 16, 2014 
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2014-03/16/c_119790986.htm
Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Wang Qishan: More Focused Inspections Deter Corruption

Wang Qishan, Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, announced at the kickoff of the 2014 inspections that, for the first time, these inspections will include a new category called “special inspections.” Since the 18th Congress of the Communist Party in November 2012, the central government has conducted two rounds of inspections that covered 11 provinces and cities, as well as nine departments of the central government. 

Wang observed, “One cannot ignore the enormous contribution the inspection system made in the 2013 anti-corruption process. Whether killing flies or capturing tigers, routine inspections uncovered a lot of traces and signs of corruption, solved a lot of problems, won popular support and satisfied public opinion.” 
In 2014, the central government will conduct routine inspections at 10 local governments including Beijing and Tianjin, and special inspections at China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation Group, Fudan University, and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The new special inspections are meant to be flexible and responsive, ad hoc and focused, and effective in deterring further corruption. 

Source: People’s Daily, March 17, 2014 
http://opinion.people.com.cn/n/2014/0317/c1003-24658442.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

SAPPRFT Steps up Regulations on Web Audiovisual Programs

On March 19, China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) issued a "Notice on further strengthening the management of web TV Series, mini movies, and other Internet based audiovisual programs." The Notice demanded an enhanced regulation on the entry and exit mechanism and content review and approval of such programs.

The Notice stated that all Internet service units that stream web TV Series, mini movies, and other audiovisual programs should have qualified auditors trained by state or provincial professional associations, have a sound editing, review, and management system for the program contents, legally obtain a "permit for web dissemination of audio-visual programs" issued by radio, film and TV broadcasting authorities, and conduct business in strict accordance with what’s allowed by the license.

The Notice stated that Internet service units that produce and stream on its website audiovisual programs should legally obtain a "permit for producing radio, film and TV programs" and the relevant "permit for web dissemination of audio-visual programs."

The Notice stated that Internet audiovisual program service units should abide by the principle of "whoever operates the website is responsible," and implement the system auditing before broadcasting. The units should have auditors to review the contents of the programs before being web streamed.

The Notice stated that the Internet service units that forward and upload audiovisual program are subject to the same regulation as those that produce the programs. Internet service units should verify the genuine identity of individuals and institutions that upload audiovisual programs to the website.

The Notice stated that major funders and operators of Internet audiovisual program service units should be responsible for the contents of the programs. Those who violate the regulations may be subject to punishment including warning, fine, or suspension of qualification for investing in or operating an Internet audiovisual program service for up to five years.

Source: Xinhua, March 19, 2014
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2014-03/19/c_119850244.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Huanqiu: Is Russia’s Rise Good or Bad for China?

Huanqiu published a commentary article on whether Russia’s rise is good or bad for China. Below is an excerpt translated from the commentary: 

Moscow ignored the West’s warnings and announced the Crimea’s quick "return" to the Russian family. Putin’s geopolitical guts shocked the world’s political strategists. The shock to the United States and Europe has far-reaching implications. 
Chinese public opinion is roughly divided into two factions. One highly valued Putin’s strong striking back at the West, believing that Putin’s tough strategy will help reduce the pressure on China from the West. The other is worried that Russia’s Crimea victory will encourage Moscow’s arrogance or even "tyranny." Beijing may have difficulty in dealing with Moscow in the future. Some people worry that Russia’s rise again will see the recurrence of the past Tsarist Russia or the Soviet Union and lead to a new geopolitical nightmare for China. 
China’s position in Asia and the world is no longer the same as in the old times. The contrast between China and Russia’s overall national strength has also undergone historical changes. In the current situation between the two countries and with the potential for future development, China does not need to be more cautious of Russia than Russia of China. 
For quite a long time to come, China’s biggest strategic pressure will come from the U.S.-led Western powers. This pressure is both geopolitical and also, to a large extent, at the level of ideology and values. It is everywhere and it is also China’s core issue in the 21st century. It is much larger than the variables that may cause worries between China and Russia. 
Russia’s rise, in terms of strength and scale, is not without limit. China advocates a multi-polar world. If there is a relatively strong Russia to jointly promote the formation of a multi-polar world, it is much better than a world dominated by a uni-polar U.S. that has the final say. 

Source: Huanqiu, March 20, 2014 
http://mil.huanqiu.com/observation/2014-03/4917361.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

How Xinhua Made Fun of Jiang Zemin

Several times over the past year, Xinhua made fun of Song Zuying (宋祖英), a famous singer of Chinese folk songs. It is widely known to the Chinese people that Song, though married, is Jiang Zemin’s mistress. When Jiang had power, defaming Song in any Chinese media, not to mention the official media Xinhua, was unimaginable. It never happened, even when Hu Jintao was the head of China.

A recent Xinhua blog wrote about the relationship between Song Zuying and the Chinese actor Zhao Benshan (赵本山). It is rumored that Bo Xilai chose Zhao to be his Minister of the Ministry of Culture after Bo’s coup to overthrow Xi Jinping. The blog said that Song and Zhao are like brother and sister and they are “even closer than brother and sister.”

What is most interesting is that the blog also mentioned “big brother.” It said that in 2000, there was a rumor that Song has special backing (implying Jiang). To support her, Zhao said, “With the backing of big brother, what are you afraid of? If there is any problem just tell big brother. Even if the sky falls, big brother will hold it for you.” On the surface, the “big brother” here seems to mean Zhao, but in reality, Song’s political power (from Jiang) would have been much stronger than Zhao’s. So Zhao would not have said this to her.

What this blog did was directly make fun of Jiang Zemin, who claimed himself to be the “big brother” to Song. According to the book “The Real Story of Jiang Zemin (江泽民其人),” Jiang watched Song’s performance and felt attracted to her. He then gave her a note which said, “In the future if you have any problem, you can come to big brother. Big brother can solve any problem for you.” The “big brother” in the note referred to Jiang himself. Thus Song became Jiang’s mistress.

On another note, this “big brother” story from “The Real Story of Jiang Zemin” book was, of course, banned in China. Some Chinese found a creative way to publish it though. On a 163.com blog, the author published the exact same story by replacing Jiang’s name by Ma Yingjiu (the President of Taiwan) and Song’s name by Lin Zhiling (a Taiwanese singer). It went on to say that Lin held a performance in Sydney and sang in Korea for the 2002 Soccer World Cup (Chinese know that it was really Song who did that) and that Ma built the National Center for the Performing Arts for Lin (Chinese know that Jiang built it for Song). The readers’ responses show that they understand who the two people really are.

Sources:
[1] Xinhua Blog, “What Is the Hidden Secret That Song Zuying and Zhao Benshen Swore to Be Brother and Sister?”
http://yuyu26.home.news.cn/blog/a/0101007C4C310CEF1F9188FA.html
[2] Epoch Times Online, “The Real Story of Jiang Zemin,” Chapter 18, “Love Beautiful Ladies and Have Many Mistresses.”
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/6/17/n957853.htm
[3] 163.com Blog, “Come to the Big Brother when You Have Problem,” November 24, 2010
http://bbs.news.163.com/bbs/zhongmei/192313326.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics