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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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CCP, Master of Hostage Diplomacy

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People’s Daily: (If) China Pulls the Trigger on Japan’s Economy, Japan Will Fall Back 20 Years

On September 17, 2012, People’s Daily overseas edition published an article expressing China’s attitude toward the Japanese government’s purchase of the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands titled “(If) China Pulls the Trigger on Japan’s Economy, Japan Will Fall Back 20 Years.” The article asserted that Japan’s economy is not immune from the economic means that China might use. Once China is forced to pull the trigger on Japan’s economy, China will target Japan’s weakest points, such as Japan’s manufacturing sector, financial sector, certain products that are exported to-China, and investment enterprises.

“When fighting an economic war, both China and Japan will get hurt. However, China has the determination and endurance to ‘kill 1000 enemies even at the price of 800 (Chinese) people’s deaths.’”  

Source: People’s Daily, September 17, 2012
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2012-09/17/content_1113598.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

People’s Daily: 260 Chinese Performers Publish Statement Joining Diaoyu Islands Protest

On September 18, 2012, People’s Daily reported that the China’s Actor Committee published a statement opposing Japan’s Purchase of the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands. Tang Guoqiang is the chair of the Actor’s Committee, which is under the Association of Broadcasters and has 259 actor members. Many well-known actors and actresses signed their names to the statement.

The statement said, “Chinese actors resolutely uphold and support any of the Chinese government’s necessary and righteous actions to safeguard China’s territorial integrity.”

Source: People’s Daily, September 18, 2012
http://hn.people.com.cn/n/2012/0918/c338398-17493695.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: Beidou System will be Globally Competitive by 2020

Xinhua recently reported that key infrastructure facilities have started construction work on the Beidou System, which is the Chinese global positioning system. Shanghai Comprehensive Positioning Services Platform as well as Shanghai Guidance and Positioning Test Center are the two main projects in the plan. The goal is to establish a service platform which offers the Beidou System as a core service while providing compatibility to the U.S. GPS system. The platform is also designed to integrate with mobile communications networks, digital text messaging systems, and Internet connections. Based on the plan, Shanghai will have an established satellite services industry with a large business market volume by 2015. By 2020, Chinese global positioning services should be able to compete globally.
Source: Xinhua, September 11, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2012-09/11/c_113042788.htm
Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Li Keqiang: China’s Strategic Growth Point is Domestic Demand

China Review News (CRN) recently reported that Li Keqiang, China’s Deputy Premier, delivered a speech at the Third China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum about the strategic direction in which China is heading. Li is widely expected to be the next Chinese Premier. Li suggested that, facing the challenge of the global downturn, China has made a strategic decision to expand domestic demand. The strategy emphasizes three focal points: industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization. Li also made a strong point that opening up to West China and countries neighboring West China is a very important step in the overall openness strategy. He also called for better cooperation among emerging markets, especially with the Arab world. China welcomes investments from Arab countries, and China encourages capable Chinese companies to participate in the development of manufacturing and industries in the Arab world that do infrastructure construction . 
Source: China Review News, September 13, 2012
http://www.zhgpl.com/doc/1022/3/2/6/102232668.html?coluid=151&kindid=0&docid=102232668&mdate=0913092030
Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Qiushi: Improve How Mainstream Media Guide Public Opinion

The September 11 issue of Qiushi Journal, a bi-weekly magazine published by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, included an article that discussed how state-controlled mainstream media can enhance their ability to manipulate public opinion. The background of the discussion is that unexpected social emergency situations are popping up more frequently across the country. The author offered his ideas on three areas for improvement: (1) The media need to improve their ability to predict upcoming potential problems. (2) The media need to improve coordination among news agencies and coordination with the involved government branches. (3) In an emergency, the media should not only communicate the government’s opinion to the general public; whenever the people express opinions that can help ease the situation, they should reflect those opinions as well. The author expressed the belief that state-owned mainstream media should play a better role in guiding public opinion.
Source: Qiushi Journal, September 11, 2012
http://www.qstheory.cn/wz/cmyl/201209/t20120911_180742.htm
Briefings | | |   Social Stability

China’s Gini Coefficient Reached 0.438 in 2010

Last Friday, September 14, 2012, the International Institute for Urban Development released the “Blue Book on China’s Social Management.” According to the Blue Book, the income disparity between the rich and poor in China continues to widen. China’s Gini coefficient hit 0.438, which is above the 0.4 United Nations warning level. (The UN usually draws the line for alarm at 0.4. Above that number indicates a high potential for social instability.) The figure went from 0.275 in the 1980s to 0.438 at the end of 2010 and will likely rise further.

The Blue Book cited statistics showing that urban residents’ income is three times that of rural residents. Within the same industry, the highest salary is 15 times that of the lowest salary. The income of senior management at companies whose stock is listed on stock exchanges is 18 times that of frontline employees. The salary of senior management at state-owned enterprises is 128 times that of the average salary of people in society. In 2007, the top 10 percent of the population received incomes that were 23 times those of the lowest 10 percent, an increase from the 7.3 times that was reported in 1988.

(Editor’s note: Radio Free Asia reported in January 2012 that the National Bureau of Statistics stated China’s Gini Coefficient for the year 2010 was “a little higher than it was for the year 2000.”)

Sources: Beijing News reprinted at sina.com, September 15, 2012
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2012-09-15/021925177383.shtml
RFA, January 9, 2012
http://chinascope.org/main/content/view/4218/109/

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Blue Book on the Priority of China’s Reforms

According to the “Blue Book on China’s Social Management,” which the International Institute for Urban Development released on Friday, September 14, 2012, the priority of China’s reform should be to develop five elements that are missing in Chinese society.

First, to develop the missing middle class. “The direction of social and even political reform” should be to reduce the gap between the rich and poor. 

Second, to develop the non-government sector of society. Currently without a sector of society that is outside of the government, every reform and innovation has resulted in the expansion of government agencies, which in turn has led to growth in the power of the government. Thus there is no buffer against social unrest.

Third, to develop mechanisms that are missing in the system. Mismanagement is rooted in a lack of appropriate mechanisms, including an effective mechanism that allows people to seek relief from government abuse.

Fourth, to develop the faith that is missing in society. What is prevalent is that people have lost their values, have low or little morality, and lack self-discipline. “When one does not believe in the government, law, faith and moral values, the only thing left in his spiritual pillar is violence. This is the primary root cause of the frequent violence in the current society.”

Fifth, to develop the missing authority. The traditional governance structure is disintegrating and the new one has yet to be established. One innovation needed in social management is to push the government from being a “development-oriented government” to a “service-oriented government.”

Source: China News Service reprinted by People’s Daily, September 14, 2012 
http://politics.people.com.cn/n/2012/0914/c70731-19013702.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Xu Caihou: Strengthen the PLA’s Ideology Education and Always Maintain Military Readiness

On September 13, 2012, Xu Caihou, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, spoke to the PLA stationed in Shan Xi Province. Xu reiterated the importance of strengthening the PLA’s political ideology education and asked the PLA to further study the key messages from Hu Jintao’s speech delivered on July 23, 2012, and to carry through on a number of on-going educational campaigns in order to maintain the army’s firm political stance and unity as well as the ability to complete its assigned missions.

Xu also emphasized that the PLA should firmly follow the Party’s direction, maintain absolute loyalty to the Party, and closely monitor the current political environment. He advised that the PLA should constantly improve its combat ability with the assistance of modern technology and information while always maintaining military readiness.

Source: Xinhua, September 13, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2012-09/13/c_113071694.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military