Chinascope – Page 960

China News: Central Military Commission Forms Audit Leadership Team

China News recently reported that the Chinese Central Military Commission approved the establishment of the Army Audit Leadership Team, which is set to improve the Army’s administrative system. The Chief of the Army Audit Leadership Team is Liao Xilong, who also heads the Army’s General Logistics Department. Liao gave a speech at the first meeting of the Leadership Team. He emphasized that the decision [to form the team] was made directly by Central Military Commission Chairman Hu Jintao, who is also the president of the nation. The primary mission of the Leadership Team is to improve the order of the “military’s economy” and to attack corruption in the armed forces. In his speech, Liao described his near term action plan to focus on military construction work, real estate management, large scale procurement, and medical cooperation. Chief commanders, construction project managers, and high ranking administrative officers are the key people falling within the scope of the audit. Liao also made clear the requirement that the Party system would play the leading role in this mission.

Source: China News, April 6, 2012
http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2012/04-06/3801219.shtml

Briefings | | April 10, 2012 | Defense/Military

State Council: Four Policies to Improve Imports

China Economy recently reported that the State Council Executive Meeting released new policies to improve China’s imports. The primary goals are to ease the pressure of a “resource bottleneck,” to improve domestic consumption, and to reduce trade friction. Four new policies are: (1) Reducing tariffs (temporarily) on energy resources, raw materials and some daily consumer products; (2) Encouraging commercial banks to increase loans to support imports, especially in the areas of advanced equipment, key manufacturing parts, and energy resources; (3) Improving the efficiency of customs and inspection and quarantine authorities by allowing 24-hour appointments and eliminating unreasonable charges; (4) Reducing import operational costs by introducing better administrative improvements such as making more use of custom’s special supervisory areas and bonded supervisory areas.

Source: China Economy, March 31, 2012
http://intl.ce.cn/sjjj/qy/201203/31/t20120331_23205172.shtml

Briefings | | April 10, 2012 | Economy/Resources

Over 26 Million Chinese People Suffer from Depression

On April 8, 2012, Guangming Daily reported on a two week random survey conducted in 2011 on 1800 professional workers and students. The survey projected that over 26 million Chinese people suffer from various levels of depression syndrome. Over 50 percent of those surveyed had symptoms of depression syndrome or might have the syndrome. Of those surveyed, 90 percent did not realize that they had depression. The study suggested that depression could become the second largest deadly disease. By 2020, 2.6 to 3.9 million people who suffer from depression in China might choose to end their lives because of it.

Source: Guangming Daily, April 8, 2012
http://legal.gmw.cn/2012-04/08/content_3923808.htm

Briefings | | April 9, 2012 | Information/Technology

Propaganda Department Held Study-Type Party Organization Forum

A forum was held in Haikou, Hainan Province, on April 7, 2012, to further develop study-type Party organizations. Liu Yunshan, the director of the Propaganda Department of the Party’s Central Committee, spoke at the forum. According to Liu, the further promotion of study-type Party organizations is a new requirement, because the Party is constantly facing emerging new situations and issues. The understanding of the urgency should be at the level of how to improve the Party’s leadership skills and mission and the development process should follow the Party’s directives and decisions.

Luo Shugang, the Deputy head of the Propaganda Department, hosted the meeting. There were 22 speakers at the forum and 140 attendees, including members of the central development of the study-type Party organization coordination team, representatives from different levels of the Party propaganda and development department, the central news media, and experts and scholars.

Source: Xinhua, April 7, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-04/07/c_111748461.htm

Briefings | | April 9, 2012 | Government/Politics

Wen Jiabao: Communist Leaders Have Agreed to Break the Banking Monopoly

During his trip to southern China, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stated that the top national banks in China have too much power and have made too much money, and that their monopoly must be broken. “As for financing costs, actually let me speak frankly here. Our banks make a profit too easily. Why? It is because a few large banks are in a monopoly position. People can only obtain loans from these banks. It is very difficult to obtain loans from other sources. Now private capital has entered into the financial market. Fundamentally speaking, [we] have to break the monopoly. The Communist Party’s Central Committee has reached a unanimous agreement to carry out a pilot project in Wenzhou. A successful Wenzhou pilot project should be promoted across the country. Some (features of the project) can be implemented immediately throughout the country. "

Source: Beijing News, April 4, 2012
http://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/20120404/034011744163.shtml

Briefings | | April 6, 2012 | Economy/Resources

Understanding Politics: Who Cannot Become a Communist Official?

A posting on the blog for the People’s Daily website spoke directly, tongue in the cheek, to the media’s readers and provided them with descriptions of those who cannot become Communist officials. First are those who are talented. Such people are so outstanding that they dwarf almost everyone else. The writer pointed out that, even if you do not step on others’ toes, people will be jealous of you regardless. If you have a wealth of true knowledge, you tend to have independent thinking, which is the biggest taboo for a politician. To be a Communist official, you must forget about your conscience, justice, and principles and must be opportunistic, slick and treacherous. Second are those who are shy and are not willing to spend money. If you do not have much money and rely on your salary to support your family, you are advised to stay at home. Politics can be secretive, unpredictable, and brutally competitive. You will not survive unless you use sinister means and have the courage to face death. Finally, if you lose sight of the ultimate goal, which is personal gain, you will not be far from failure.

Source: People’s Daily website, March 27, 2012
http://bbs1.people.com.cn/postDetail.do?id=117780951&bid=1

Briefings | | April 6, 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.