Chinascope – Page 905

Xinhua: Hong Kong Increases Real Estate Cost for Outsiders

Xinhua recently reported that the Hong Kong government just extended the real estate stamp duty for another three years. It also added a 15 percent duty for buyers, which will apply to local businesses and to non-residents. According to the Hong Kong government, the new requirement will help lower the cost that local permanent residents have to pay to purchase real estate. Another goal of the new policy is to place a more substantial restraint on the recent speculation in the housing market. Large outside capital has been targeting Hong Kong real estate. However, the government suggested that this new tax is a temporary measure designed to reduce the number of external buyers. Eventually the policy will expire. The background of this recent change in real estate policy is the loss of balance between demand and supply. The influx of capital has resulted in a sharp increase on the demand side of the housing market. If the new policy is not strong enough to improve stability, the government is determined to do more.

Source: Xinhua, October 26, 2012

http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2012-10/26/c_113513933.htm

Briefings | | October 30, 2012 | Economy/Resources

Deng Yuwen: The Political Heritage of Hu and Wen

[Editor’s Note: In anticipation of the transition of power from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping, Study Times’ Deputy Copy Editor Deng Yuwen published a three-part series on the political heritage of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. In the first part, he praised Hu and Wen’s achievements. [1] In the second part, he listed ten major problems left in their wake and stated, “In their ten years in power, many huge problems were created and the problems outnumbered the achievements.” [2] In the third part, he advocated for a transition in the economic structure and for political reform. [3] Shortly after they were published, his articles were taken down from media sites in China. The following is a translation of part 2 of his article.]

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Reports | | October 29, 2012 | Report

Xinhua: Bo Xilai Removed from People’s Congress Post While under Investigation

On October 26, 2012, Xinhua posted two news articles about Bo Xilai. The first one carried an announcement from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress that the Chongqing People’s Congress had removed Bo Xilai from his post as the Deputy to the National People’s Congress. In the second article the Supreme People’s Procuratorate announced that Bo is currently under investigation for suspected crimes.

Source: Xinhua, October 26, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-10/26/c_113513618.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-10/26/c_123876952.htm

Briefings | | October 29, 2012 | Government/Politics

Mingpao: Wen Jiabao’s Family Lawyer May Pursue Legal Action against New York Times

On October 25, 2012, the New York Times carried an article titled, “Billions in Hidden Riches for Family of Chinese Leader.” The article alleged that Wen’s extended family "controlled assets worth at least $2.7 billion." On October 28, 2012, Hong Kong’s Ming Pao carried an article reporting that the newspaper received a faxed statement from two lawyers in Beijing on behalf of Wen Jiabao’s family declaring that the claims made in the New York Times article were not true.

The statement stressed that Wen Jiaobao’s immediate family members do not hold any stocks and that the businesses they are involved in are legitimate. According to the article, Wen Jiabao’s mother has no other income or assets other than her monthly pension. Wen himself does not get involved in his family member’s business activities, nor does he pass any legislation as a result of his family members’ businesses. The statement also said that other relatives and their friends are responsible for their own business dealings. The lawyers’ statement stated that the family will maintain the right to pursue legal action against the New York Times.

Source: Mingpao, October 28, 2012
http://news.mingpao.com/20121028/caa1h.htm
New York Times, October 25, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/business/global/family-of-wen-jiabao-holds-a-hidden-fortune-in-china.html?pagewanted=all

Briefings | | October 29, 2012 | Government/Politics

Organ Harvesting in China: Supply and Demand

On October 24, 2012, Xinhua reprinted an article from another state media, China Youth Daily, which reported that the Guangzhou Military Command General Hospital has a computerized system that automatically matches and allocates organs to waiting patients. According to the article, “In this nationally connected system, a computer matches organs with patients waiting for a transplant without any human intervention.” The hospital is one of 160 involved in a pilot program for this system. On October 10, 2012, the Ministry of Health announced that it has formulated an interim guideline for obtaining and allocating organs, which will soon be released.

[Editor’s note: Such an effort by China’s Ministry of Health has been viewed as a response to mounting reports about forced organ harvesting in China in which the organs of prisoners of conscience, including Falun Gong practitioners, are placed on a list as being available on-demand for those waiting for a match. Two popular videos that have spread online about this matter can be found at http://youtu.be/P0GFXnco-LU; and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvAOOwvJMZs&feature=plcp]

Source: China Youth Daily reprinted by Xinhua, October 24, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/health/2012-10/24/c_123863531.htm

Briefings | | October 26, 2012 | Government/Politics

Ministry of Defense: Major Reshuffle of Military Leaders

On October 25, 2012, the Ministry of National Defense of China updated its official website with a significant reshuffle ahead of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, which will be held on November 8, 2012. As part of the Central Military Commission, the leaders of all four major military organizations have changed as follows: Fang Fenghui, Chief of Staff of the General Staff Department; Zhang Yang, Director of the General Political Department; Zhao Keshi, Director of the General Logistics Department; and Zhang Youxia, Director of the General Armaments Department.

Source: Ministry of National Defense, October 25, 2012
http://www.mod.gov.cn/leader/index.htm

Briefings | | October 26, 2012 | Defense/Military

China Issued 2012 Energy Policy White Paper

On October 24, 2012, China’s State Council Information Office issued the “2012 Energy Policy White Paper.” The White Paper gave an overview of the current status of energy development, the challenges that China faces, and a road-map to develop a new type of energy, while promoting collaboration with other countries.

According to the White Paper, by 2015, China plans to increase non-fossil energy production to 11.4 percent of its total energy consumption. At the same time, it plans to reduce domestic energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 16 percent and 17 percent respectively compared to 2010. It will continue its energy reform by developing new energy and renewable energy sources. It also calls for collaboration from the countries around the world to promote sustainable energy and to protect the world energy market, while also ensuring price stability, safety, and a smooth supply chain system.

Source: Xinhua, October 24, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-10/24/c_113483986.htm

Briefings | | October 25, 2012 | Information/Technology

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.