Chinascope – Page 898

Lung Cancer, the Number One Cancer Killer, Jumped 56 percent in 10 years

The Beijing Health Bureau reported that the statistics collected by the Beijing Institute for Cancer Research affirmed that, in Beijing in 2010, lung cancer had the highest occurrence rate among male cancer patients and second highest among female cancer patients, second only to breast cancer. The lung cancer rate grew 56 percent from 2001 to 2010; it now accounts for one out of five cancer patients. In 2010 alone, the lung cancer mortality rate among Beijing city residents was 48.9 out of 100,000, the highest of all the cancer patients. Moreover, there was a sharp increase in lung cancer patients among adults 35 and older, with the male and female ratio at 172 versus 100. According to the Beijing Health Bureau, the main causes of lung cancer are smoking, followed by environmental pollution.

Source: Xinhua, November 25, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2012-11/25/c_113789743.htm

Briefings | | November 26, 2012 | Information/Technology

Beijing Times: More Work Needed to Encourage Mainland Chinese to Consider Donating Organs

Xinhua carried an article, which had originally been published by Beijing Times, stating that more work is needed to encourage people to consider donating their organs. The general public’s perception needs to change at the same time that fair and just procedures are implemented.

According to Huang Jiefu, China’s Vice Minister of Health, China is building an organ donation system. It is also considering putting together a stimulus plan to provide the donors and their family members with a certain level of economic compensation, including waiving hospital and funeral charges, aid, tuition discounts, and a reduction in taxes.

The article further stated that it will be difficult simply to relying on financial incentives to encourage more people in China to consider organ donation. It pointed out that the key factor that prevents the Chinese people from donating organs is that they are deeply influenced by China’s traditional values. One’s body is given by one’s parents; (the dead should) retain their intact body and reach peace until they are laid to rest. Another concern that people have is a lack of transparency about the distribution of organs as illegal organ trading is reputed to be taking place. The article concluded that it is imperative that people’s thinking changes, while an open and fair donation system is also needed.

According to statistics, each year in China, one million patients are on a waiting list for kidney transplants, 300,000 for livers, and 200,000 for hearts, lungs, and other organs. However there are only 13,000 patients who undergo organ transplant surgery each year. The article stated that here is a severe shortage of organs being donated.

Source: Xinhua, November 25, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/comments/2012-11/25/c_113789992.htm

Briefings | | November 26, 2012 | Government/Politics

Can Xi Cross the River by Feeling the Stones?

China’s most notable “change” in recent history dates back to 1978 when Deng Xiaoping ascended to power and initiated the “reform and opening up” policy. Deng, unsure of how to proceed, used an experiment famously known as "crossing the river by feeling the stones" (“摸着石头过河): partial reform composed of economic liberalization and political conservatism. Since then, China has been “feeling the stones” for more than 30 years.

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Perspectives | | November 24, 2012 | Opinion

Ministry of Health: China to Reduce Reliance on Organs from Executed Prisoners

China’s Vice Minister of Health, Huang Jiefu, announced that China will set up a voluntary organ donation program and, within two years, will be able to reduce its reliance on organs from executed prisoners. “China has become a major country in organ transplants, second to the United States. However, China has a ‘soft rib’ – long term reliance on organs donated by executed prisoners,” Huang said.

Huang acknowledged that “there are some deep issues relating to organ transplants that are yet to be resolved, including confusion about organ sources, a lack of donated organs, an illegal organ trade, and transplant tourism.”

Huang stated, “The Party’s Central Committee is determined that China, as a major political and civilized power, will change this situation.”

[Editor’s Note: Several sources have reported that a large number of organs have been harvested secretly, with security forces and military-medical personnel conducting the operations. While the Ministry of Health announced it will reduce its reliance on organs from executed prisoners, it has no authority over operations that take place in military hospitals.]

Source: Southern Metropolis Daily (Nanfang Dushi), November 22, 2012
http://epaper.oeeee.com/A/html/2012-11/22/content_1758753.htm

Briefings | | November 23, 2012 | Government/Politics

Fighting Corruption: Grand Talk, No Action

In his farewell speech to kick off the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Jintao warned that failing to tackle corruption “could prove fatal to the Party and even cause the collapse of the Party and the fall of the state.” [1]

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Perspectives | | November 21, 2012 | Opinion

Huanqiu: China Has to Get Used to the U.S. Diplomatic Activities in Southeast Asia

On November 20, 2012, Huanqiu (the Chinese edition of Global Times) published an article commenting on U.S. President Obama’s 6-hour visit to Burma. The article said that the Chinese Foreign Ministry is fully confident that China-Burma relations will deepen. “For the greater national interest, Burma is opening to the West. Even an elementary school pupil can see the foolishness of replacing China with the West. The IQ of the Burma leaders will not be so low, whether it is the current leader or ‘the democracy icon’ Aung San Suu Kyi, who is widely supported to be the future leader.”

The article concluded, “The United States has been engaged in big diplomatic activities in Southeast Asia. China has to get used to it. If we think too much, we are looking for trouble.”

Source: Huanqiu, November 20, 2012
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/editorial/2012-11/3292142.html

Briefings | | November 21, 2012 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Xi Jinping: The Party Leaders Must Consciously Safeguard the CCP Central Committee’s Authority

On November 19, 2012, Xinhua published an article by Xi Jingping, China’s new general secretary of the CCP Central Committee, titled “Study the Party Constitution Seriously and Strictly Abide by the Party Constitution.” Xi said that Party leaders are required to “take the lead in implementing the Party’s political discipline, consciously safeguard the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee’s authority, enforce work procedures, carry out orders, and ensure that the CCP Central Committee’s decrees are passed down smoothly.”

The newly amended CCP Constitution incorporated Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, Jiang Zemin’s Three Represents, and Hu Jintao’s Scientific Outlook on Development into its guiding ideology.

Source: Xinhua, November 19, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/18cpcnc/2012-11/19/c_113722461.htm

Briefings | | November 21, 2012 | 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.