Chinascope – Page 983

Official Says Price Controls Effective, but Residents Disagree

On January 12, 2012, the National Bureau of Statistics released information on China’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). According to the latest release, the CPI fell during the five consecutive months prior to the close of 2011. In December, the CPI showed an increase of 4.1% compared to the same month last year. This was a record low for the prior 15 months. The annual CPI increase for 2011 was 5.4%. Ma Jiantang, the Director of the National Bureau of Statistics, expressed that the government’s regulation and control of prices had achieved remarkable results. However, a survey conducted by China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, during the fourth quarter of 2011, showed that 68.7% of the residents surveyed believed that prices were “high and hard to accept.” Many residents indicated that their “income could not catch up with price increases”

Source: Xinhua, January 22, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2012-01/22/c_111457063_2.htm

Briefings | | January 23, 2012 | Economy/Resources

Wen Jiabao: China Will Face Bigger Challenges in 2012

On the eve of the New Year, the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council held a joint Chinese New Years’ event in the Great Hall of the People. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the gathering. “The new year is an important year in the course of the development of our country. We will strengthen and improve macro-control, continue to maintain rapid economic development and stable prices, accelerate the transformation of development patterns, adjust the economic structure, improve the coordination and sustainability of development, push harder on the reform and opening up, continuously increase the vitality and momentum of economic and social development, and place more importance on protecting and improving people’s livelihoods to let the people share in the achievements of the reform and development!”

Wen stated, "We are going to face bigger challenges in the new year."

Source: Xinhua, January 21, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-01/21/c_111456893.htm

Briefings | | January 23, 2012 | Government/Politics

Globe Magazine: On Dealing with Neighboring Countries

[Editor’s Note: Globe Magazine, under the official Xinhua News Agency, published an article discussing how China should deal with its neighboring countries. The article recommended that China adopt new approaches in dealing with its neighbors. It argued that “goodwill that is one-sided (from China) may not bring about harmony with our neighbors,” and suggested that “sometimes certain altercations (with the neighbors) are appropriate and can foster the return of peace.” The following is a translation of the article.] [1]

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Reports | | January 22, 2012 | Report

It Is the Party That Develops and Spreads Mainstream Socialist Culture

Study Times published an article on the Communist Party’s objective of developing and promoting its mainstream culture. According to the article, the key to enhancing China’s soft power “is to develop and nurture our own mainstream culture that is attractive, appealing, and easy to spread.”

“In today’s society, the socialist mainstream culture in our country is the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics that is guided by Marxism, drawn from the fine traditional Chinese culture and the fine cultural heritage of the world, [maintains] the advanced nature and the spirit of contemporary times, and serves the people.” The article expressed the belief that the mainstream culture must be heavily promoted and marketed in order to ensure that the people accept it. “Moreover, [we] should have brand-name mainstream culture products to effectively take over the international culture market, win over international consumers, and ultimately improve the position of our mainstream culture in the world’s culture and enhance the our country’s cultural soft power.”

Source: Study Times, January 16, 2012
http://www.studytimes.com.cn:9999/epaper/xxsb/html/2012/01/16/15/15_26.htm

Briefings | | January 20, 2012 | Government/Politics

The State to Dominate China’s Culture Industry

Study Times recentlypublished an article on the promotion of the reform and development of Chinese culture based on the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics. “In recent years, the State has launched a series of policies on the culture industry in order to establish an environment in which culture enterprises can grow and be innovative, and where cultural innovation and vitality are protected. It can now be said that a culture industry has been formed. It is one that is under the guidance of the State, with enterprises dominating the coordination of production and research, for the purpose of developing a culture industry that is dominated by State ownership with diverse ownership being responsible for co-development.”

Source: Study Times, January 16, 2012
http://www.studytimes.com.cn:9999/epaper/xxsb/html/2012/01/16/06/06_48.htm

Briefings | | January 20, 2012 | Government/Politics

The Political Factor behind the Downgrade of European Countries’ Credit Ratings

An article published on the People’s Daily’s website comments on Standard & Poor’s motivation for the recent downgrade of European countries’ credit ratings. The article suggested that the downgrade increased the complexity of resolving Europe’s debt crisis and that it is now more than a simple financial move. The article said, “Britain’s debt crisis is rarely discussed in media reports, but Britain is a country heavily dependent on finances. Its debt crisis is no less severe than in any other country. However, Britain is the closest ally of the United States. [Therefore,] it is almost impossible to downgrade Britain’s credit rating.

“Austria was downgraded unexpectedly, but looking at it from a political angle, Austria has been Germany’s most intimate friend. Therefore, America’s Standard & Poor’s downgrade of Austria’s credit rating can have the effect of giving Germany a warning.

“Downgrading France appears to be reasonable, but it is actually still politically motivated. It has very little effect on the French government’s borrowing costs, but it can have a dire consequence for Sarkozy’s reelection efforts.

“Standard & Poor’s downgrade of European countries’ credit ratings is actually to pave the way for America’s QE3. The voice from the U.S. Federal Reserve for starting QE3 has never stopped; it is, in fact, showing recent signs of heating up. There is not much time left for Obama (to start QE3 before the election in November). Therefore, he needs to hurry up to take action.”

Source: People’s Daily, January 19, 2012
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/16921056.html

Briefings | | January 20, 2012 | US-China Relations

China Signs Currency Swap Deal with U’

In the latest indication of the growing political and economic links between Beijing and countries in the oil-rich Gulf region, China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a multi-billion dollar currency swap deal. The swap, valued at RMB35bn ($5.5bn), is the latest in a string of currency deals China has agreed to with foreign nations. It is effective for three years and will allow the central banks to draw on the local currency facility to ease bilateral trade. The announcement, which came as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the UAE for the first time as part of a three country tour of Gulf oil states, acts as both a political statement to bolster China’s ties to the UAE, and a pragmatic measure to increase business with the Gulf’s regional trade hub.

Source: People’s Daily, January 18, 2012
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/70731/16914473.html

Briefings | | January 19, 2012 | Economy/Resources

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.