Chinascope – Page 942

Chinese Major General: We Will Treat the U.S and Japan the Same Way They Treat Us

International Herald Leader published an article about a report that the China Strategy Culture Promotion Association released on U.S. and Japanese military power in 2011. According to the article, China has been on the defensive since the theory of the “China Threat” spread in the international community. “Although the Chinese side believes that these arguments are not worth refuting, objectively speaking, they have had a minor negative impact on China’s image.” The article considers the release of the report to be an effort to strike back. It quoted Luo Yuan, a retired major general and Deputy Executive Director of the association, as saying, “We will treat them (the U.S. and Japan) the same way they treat us.”

The article said, “Luo Yuan is viewed as a Hawk in the Chinese military. The international mainstream media often quote his tough talk. His views have considerable influence on international public opinion.” Luo expressed a concern that the report may be misunderstood and viewed as being the Chinese military’s view or as a deliberate undertaking of the Chinese military.

Source: International Herald Leader, June 11, 2012
http://ihl.cankaoxiaoxi.com/2012/0611/47141.shtml

Briefings | | June 14, 2012 | US-China Relations

China Denied Former Norwegian Prime Minister’s Visa to Beijing

The BBC reported that China has denied former Norwegian Prime Minister Bondevik’s visa to come to China for the conference of the “World Council of Churches.” The Norwegian Foreign Ministry lodged a diplomatic action with China but to no avail. “This is very unfortunate,” Bondevik said, “I really want to attend the meeting. I can only condemn China. It’s been almost two years since Liu Xioabo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, yet they still cannot get over it.” (Bondevik was to be the moderator for the World Councill of Churches meeting this week in Nanjing.)

Source: BBC, June 12, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/chinese_news/2012/06/120612_norway_china_visa.shtml

Briefings | | June 14, 2012 | Geo-Strategic Trend

The People’s Liberation Army Admits that Its Greatest Enemy Is Corruption

One June 12, 2012, PLA Daily published an article titled “Maintain the Purity of the Army’s Party Organizations and Cadre Teams.” On the same day, many major websites in Mainland China reprinted the article with a different title: “The People’s Liberation Army Admits that Its Greatest Enemy Is Corruption, Seriously Affecting Combat Effectiveness.”

"The Party’s purity is in opposition to all corruption. We must resolutely punish corrupt behavior; this is the inevitable demand for maintaining the Party’s purity. Both history and reality demonstrate that corruption is the biggest corrosive toxin on the army’s pure skin; it is the biggest factor that affects the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the troops.”

Source: PLA Daily, June 12, 2012
http://www.chinamil.com.cn/jfjbmap/content/2012-06/12/content_7555.htm

Briefings | | June 13, 2012 | Defense/Military

HSBC PMI for China’s Manufacturing Sector Continues to Decline

CNForex recently reported that HSBC reported the official May PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) number for the Chinese manufacturing sector to be 48.4. The index has remained under 50.0 for 7 consecutive months, which indicates that the manufacturing sector has been shrinking. It is believed that the PMI number reflects that the current economy is suffering from weak domestic and international demand, causing manufacturing companies to have a reduced output. Statistics show that, in May, these companies employed the lowest number of laborers in the last 3 year. The unemployment rate in this sector is increasing. Also in May, inventory declined and product prices dropped. PMI is an indicator of financial activity; it reflects purchasing managers’ acquisition of goods and services. A PMI number below 50 typically is an indication of decline.

Source: CNForex, June 1, 2012
http://www.cnforex.com/news/html/2012/6/1/f28feb312993372e1fe7438418ded68d.html

Briefings | | June 12, 2012 | Economy/Resources

CRN: Romney’s Anti-China Comments Cause Worries

China Review News (CRN) recently published a review of an article form the Financial Times that discussed U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s position on US-China relations. Romney’s team recently suggested that the United States “won’t lose anything” if it goes against China and there is nothing to worry about in terms of a trade war. Romney is taking a tough position against China and has been calling China a country that manipulates the currency exchange rate. His position is considered much less soft than that of the former Republican president George W. Bush. Though Romney’s China policies cause worries even among the Republicans, it seems Romney’s team is making them a core part of the campaign image that is designed to differentiate him from the White House. However some Democrats believe that this is just an election year show because Romney’s China position is against the free-market philosophy that he has also been promoting.

Source: China Review News, June 6, 2012
http://www.zhgpl.com/doc/1021/3/2/7/102132722_2.html?coluid=59&kindid=0&docid=102132722&mdate=0606144244

Briefings | | June 12, 2012 | US-China Relations

Xinhua: Reader’s Digest Closed Down in China

Xinhua reported that, on May 28, 2012, Reader’s Digest closed down its operations in China. The news resulted in widespread discussion among senior Chinese media workers. Reader’s Digest started its international Chinese edition in the year 1965. The simplified Chinese edition was officially published in China in 2008. The Xinhua reporter actually contacted the U.S. headquarters of Reader’s Digest to confirm the closure. He received confirmation that the paper edition did cease distribution. No detailed reason was officially provided. The reporter was told that the Chinese market represented only a very small portion of the total operation of the magazine. A digital version is possible in the future. Reader’s Digest suffered a long period during which it fought for for its copyright and trademark rights in China. In recent years, many foreign magazines, such as Scientific American, have given up on the Chinese market, .

Source: Xinhua, June 9, 2012
http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/www.js.xinhuanet.com/xin_wen_zhong_xin/2012-06/09/content_25369623.htm

Briefings | | June 12, 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.