Chinese media gave extensive coverage to the praise given to Mo Yan, the Chinese writer who won the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature. Li Changchun, head of the Propaganda Department, sent a congratulatory letter to the Chinese Writers Association and stated that winning the prize demonstrated “the consistent improvement of China’s national power as well as its worldwide influence.”

However, Liu Xiaobo, the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Gao Xinjian, winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize for Literature, were both treated in a completely different manner; Chinese media criticized them very harshly. Liu was labeled a "criminal" and is still imprisoned in China. The Chinese media launched scathing attacks against Liu and the Nobel Peace committee. Following Gao Xinjian’s receipt of the award, Beijing attacked him as well. The media stated that Gao had “ulterior motives” and “seriously hurt the Chinese’ people’s feelings.” The head of the Chinese Writers Association at the time told Xinhua that “the Nobel Prise for Literature carries political motives and has lost its authority.” Gao currently resides in France.

Source: Voice of America, October 12, 2012
http://www.voachinese.com/content/nobel-liuxiaobo-moyan-20121012/1525310.html

Qiushi Theory published an opinion article on what the Party needs to do in order to move forward in this historical era while, at the same time, facing domestic and foreign tests and maintaining its long term leadership. The article called for tighter and stricter management of the Party in developing its ideology, organization, and anti-corruption policies, while having the courage to face new challenges in order to maintain the Party’s leadership power over the long term. It also stressed the importance for the ruling Party to be consistent in renovating the Party’s theories to meet new requirements and maintain the Party’s advancement and purity.

Source: Qiushi Theory, October 13, 2012
http://www.qstheory.cn/zywz/201210/t20121013_186122.htm

Hong Kong’s Chengming magazine reported that a new office has been established to stop Communist officials from fleeing China. Li Keqiang, Vice Premier and Standing Member of the Communist Party Politburo, is the head of the new office. It is called the “Command Group to Fight against Communist Officials and Government Employees Fleeing the Country.” It was established on September 22, 2012, and started operations the next day.

According to Chengming, the "anti-fleeing" office focuses on three major regions, 20 airports, 9 ports, and 12 border crossings. Over 8,000 SWAT members were deployed at the targeted locations on or before September 28. Over 350 anti-counterfeiting instruments have been installed at these locations to detect fake documents. In the past two months, the Ministry of Public Security has validated and replaced ID cards, passports, and other travel documents for over 70,000 senior officials and over 448,000 mid-level officials.

It was reported that between 2000 and 2011, China captured 18,487 Communist officials suspected of attempting to flee the country. Funds recovered during a five year period reached 54.19 billion yuan.

Source: Chengming, October 1, 2012
http://www.chengmingmag.com/cm420/420toc/420toc.html

Qiushi published an article stating that, in spite of its economic growth, China must still keep a low profile. “It is a question that the next several generations will face and ponder as to what kind of country today’s China, as a world-class country, should develop into, and in what way China should influence the world. From an analysis of the rise and fall of major powers from an economic development perspective, one may identify some enlightening norms. China does not have the requisite conditions to become a super power in the next 50 years and should not seek to become one. Particularly, it should not engage in direct confrontation with the United States; we need to keep a low profile and bide our time. In the complicated international environment and the gaming of major powers, it is both an urgent need and a long term task to overcome difficulties and seek room for development. [We] must not be penny wise and pound foolish and lose the opportunity to truly ‘rise.’”

Source: Qiushi, October 9, 2012
http://www.qstheory.cn/jj/jjggyfz/201210/t20121009_185175.htm