China News
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING The Politburo Standing Committee held a meeting on November 10 to "listen to the report on
the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, and to study and deploy 20
measures to further optimize the prevention and control work". CCP CC General Secretary Xi
Jinping presided over the meeting and delivered an "important" speech. The meeting pointed
out that at present, the covid virus is "still mutating, the global epidemic situation is still in an
epidemic situation, and new domestic epidemics continue to appear. China is a country with a
large population, with a large number of vulnerable groups, unbalanced regional development,
and insufficient medical resources. The epidemic situation in some areas still has a certain scale.
Affected by the mutation of the virus and climatic factors in winter and spring, the scope and
scale of the epidemic may further expand. The prevention and control situation are still severe.
It is necessary to maintain strategic focus and scientifically and accurately do a good job in
epidemic prevention and control". The meeting emphasized that "it is necessary to fully,
accurately, and fully implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee,
unswervingly adhere to the principle of people first and life first, unswervingly implement the
general strategy of "foreign defence against imports, internal defence against rebound", and
unswervingly implement "dynamic clearing".
(Comment: The tenor of the Xinhua report appeared to be somewhat 'softer' than those earlier.
It is likely that the authorities will start addressing some of the problematic issues but without
abolishing 'zero-Covid'.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS CMC OPERATIONS COMMAND CENTRE IN BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping, dressed in military camouflage, visited the CMC's Joint
Operations Command on November 9. There he told the officers that "China's security situation
is becoming more unstable and uncertain, and the military struggle is arduous". "The army
should focus all energy on fighting wars, focus all work on fighting hard (and) accelerate
improving our ability to win". He reiterated the importance of ideological and combat
preparedness and said: (i) "the whole army should study, publicise, and implement the spirit of
the 20th Party Congress and ensure that the spirit of the 20th Party Congress takes root in the
army". (ii) We should strive to build a strategic command organisation that is absolutely loyal,
good at fighting, efficient in command, and dares to fight and win. (iii) We should pursue the
comprehensive strengthening of military training and preparation, and the effective
implementation of our military missions and tasks"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES 5TH CHINA INTERNATIONAL EXPO VIA VIDEO LINK Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech via video on November 5 at the 5th
China International Import Expo (CIIE) where he "emphasized China's unswerving
commitment to further opening up its market" and to creating new opportunities for the world
with its own development. The Global Times (November 6) said Xi Jinping "pledged that
China will firmly safeguard true multilateralism, share market opportunities with the rest of the
world, promote high-standard opening-up and uphold the common interests of the world". A
number of foreign enterprises that participated in the fair said they were encouraged and have
increased their determination to invest and develop in China".
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: FOREIGN MINISTER AND NEW POLITBURO MEMBER WANG YI PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY New Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi published a lengthy article in the
People's Daily (November 8) on "major country diplomacy" titled 'Comprehensively promote
major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics (conscientiously study, publicize and
implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China)'. Wang
Yi said "To realize the great rejuvenation of the nation, it is necessary to promote major-country
diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China, my country's comprehensive national strength and international status have
been significantly improved, and it has gradually approached the centre of the world stage. The
pace of the Chinese nation's great rejuvenation is unstoppable". He added "In today's world,
the international balance of power and the global pattern are undergoing profound changes.
The trend of world multi-polarization, economic globalization and democratization of
international relations is irresistible. At the same time, unilateralism, protectionism and
hegemonism are still rampant, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The world is so big and there are so many problems.
The international community looks forward to hearing China's voice and seeing China's plan.
China cannot be absent." It is necessary to carry out major-country diplomacy with its own
characteristics, fulfil its international responsibilities and obligations, work with other countries
to blaze a new path of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, carry forward the
common values of all mankind, and join hands to build a community with a shared future for
mankind. Entering a new era, based on a new orientation, the CPC Central Committee with
Comrade Xi Jinping at its core is far-sighted, has a broad mind, coordinates the overall strategy
of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the world's unprecedented changes in a
century, and points out that my country's foreign work should "show a new outlook and achieve
new goals". He said "The Party's leadership has been comprehensively strengthened. The Party
Central Committee established the Central Foreign Affairs Work Committee, held two central
foreign affairs work conferences and peripheral diplomatic work symposiums, and
strengthened the overall coordination of foreign affairs work in various fields, departments,
and localities. The Party's centralized and unified leadership over external work has become
stronger and stronger". Wang Yi also said "We insist that the destiny of the world should be
jointly controlled by all countries, international rules should be jointly written by all countries,
global affairs should be jointly governed by all countries, and development achievements
should be shared by all countries. Advocate true multilateralism and oppose all unilateralism,
protectionism, hegemonism and power politics. Adhere to deciding the position according to
the merits of the matter itself, put forward and practice the solution of hotspot issues with
Chinese characteristics, and promote the political settlement of hotspot issues such as the
Iranian nuclear issue, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
Actively carry out South-South cooperation and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and
interests and development space of developing countries". He added "In the face of
unreasonable blackmail and extreme pressure, maintain strategic determination, carry forward
the fighting spirit, demonstrate the will and determination not to fear power, firmly safeguard
the core interests of the country and national dignity, and firmly grasp the initiative in
development and security. Resolutely counteract any wrongful act that violates my country's
sovereignty and interferes in my country's internal affairs, refrains from giving an inch on
issues of principle, and firmly defends national sovereignty, security, and development
interests". China, he said "has successively thwarted various attacks and smears against my
country by using Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet, epidemic, human rights and other
issues". It states, "No matter how far China develops, it will never seek hegemony or expand".
(Comment: The article makes no reference to Ukraine or India.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CMC VICE CHAIRMAN GENERAL XU QILIANG PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY The People's Daily (November 7) published a lengthy article by CMC Vice Chairman Xu
Qiliang captioned 'Achieving the goal of the army's centenary struggle as scheduled
(conscientiously study, publicize and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the
Party)'. It called for adhering to the "party's absolute leadership over the people's army, fully
and thoroughly implement the responsibility system of the chairman of the military
commission", and continually innovating "military strategic guidance, strengthen strategic
forces and new combat forces in new areas, promote practical training step by step, effectively
respond to external military challenges, and deter". It added "The "Taiwan Independence"
separatist forces have strengthened border control and anti-encroachment struggles, carried out
major tasks such as safeguarding rights at sea, countering terrorism and maintaining stability,
creating a favourable situation for military struggles". Xu Qiliang said, "Our army's
modernization level and actual combat capability have been significantly improved". He
reiterated that "As the world enters a new period of turbulence and change, China's national
security situation is becoming more unstable and uncertain, and we are facing many security
challenges in all directions and fields. We must strengthen our military capabilities so as to
stabilize and control the situation in peacetime and fight decisive battles in wartime. Only by
winning a decisive victory can we secure the bottom line of national security and maintain the
strategic initiative in the changing international situation". "The 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China made a strategic plan to achieve the goal of the army's centenary
5
struggle as scheduled, which contains clear political, strategic, and practical orientations, and
ultimately it must be aimed at improving the ability to win in an all-round way." He stressed
"Build a high-level strategic deterrence and joint operations system. The strategic deterrence
system is the "ballast stone" of the game of great powers. It is necessary to adhere to
asymmetric checks and balances, insist on doing something and refraining from doing
something, insist on focusing on developing what the enemy is afraid of, strengthen strategic
forces, increase strategic weight, and improve effective deterrence of the enemy. The military
strength of the enemy. The joint combat system is an important guarantee for winning modern
wars. It is necessary to build a smooth and efficient joint combat command system, build a
joint combat force system with elite combat forces as the main body, strengthen the basic
support of the network information system, and promote reconnaissance, early warning, and
joint strikes., battlefield support, comprehensive support system and capacity building, and
accelerate the improvement of joint combat capabilities and overall combat capabilities. The
role of command confrontation in modern warfare has risen unprecedentedly. It is necessary to
build a strong military commission and theatre level joint operations command organization,
improve the command operation mechanism, develop advanced command methods, and
improve command efficiency." Discussing S&T in the PLA, he said "At present, a new round
of scientific and technological revolution and military revolution is developing rapidly, and
strategic high-tech groups are bursting out. Judging from the recent local wars and military
operations in the world, a large number of intelligent unmanned combat systems have been put
into actual combat, and new combat capabilities have become a key variable in changing the
rules of war. We must do a good job of systematic planning, speed up the development of
strategic, cutting-edge, and disruptive technologies, strengthen key military intelligence core
technologies, key software and hardware, and basic theoretical research, and build an
intelligent military system with our army's characteristics."
(Comment: i) Commenting on the article M. Taylor Fravel observes that: Importantly, the
article describes 2027 as part of a new “three step strategy” for national defense and military
modernization, along with basically achieving modernization in 2035 and becoming world
class by mid-century or 2049. This is strong evidence that the PLA has not accelerated its
modernization effort. Instead, the article notes that 2027, 2035 and 2049 contain the “shot-term,
medium-term and long-term goals for strengthening the military in the new era.” Thus, the
2027 remains a waypoint for achieving the 2035 and 2049 benchmarks for modernization that
were first established at the 19th Party Congress in 2017, not something new. Of course,
making progress in the next five years is important. Xu describes China’s external security
environment as becoming “more unstable and uncertain with many challenges in all directions
and domains.” These challenges increase the importance of military power “to stabilize the
situation in peacetime and win a decisive war in wartime.” Continuing to make progress by
2027 matters. The article then notes five lines of effort that need to be pursued. These include
strategic and operational guidance, understanding new domains, and training. I’d like to focus
on two other ones that he notes: One is to “To build a high-level strategic deterrence and joint
warfare system.” Sidebar note: for the PLA, strategic deterrence is not a synonym for nuclear
weapons but any kind of capability such as strategic reserves that can be used to achieve a
strategic goal through deterrence. Specifically, Xu described strategic deterrence as the "ballast
stone" of great power politics and called for China's strategic deterrence system to highlight
"asymmetric checks and balances" while focusing on what the adversary fears. However, Xu
spent much more time discussing the need to improve joint operations. This suggests that
despite the reforms from 2016 many challenges remain. Xu also makes an interesting reference
to strengthening joint command organs at both the CMC and theatre command levels. A second
area Xu highlights is the need create a system to integrate the PLA’s ability to “struggle,
prepare, and build.” This refers to the challenges of deploying forces, maintaining readiness
and further modernizing / building of forces. Xu foreshadows greater employment of the PLA
but also a recognition of the need to “make up for the shortcomings of our army’s combat
system,” implying this will be hard to do while also needing to maintain readiness and continue
modernization. Xu had tough words for Taiwan, but the essay did not reflect a PLA that
believed it has achieved sufficient capability for major military action—or would do so soon.
Instead, it stressed the challenges of continuing to modernize amid the intense requirements of
modern war. Indeed, Xu describes the next five years as a “critical stage for improving quality
and efficiency.” Thus, Xu highlights strengthening party leadership, strategic management,
reform and innovation, personnel, and an integrated national strategic system and capability.
ii) My comments: Fravel's observation that the PLA has "not accelerated its modernization
effort" is debatable. There is enough open-source material to suggest that it has and, more
importantly, that following the 20th Party Congress these efforts will be stepped up. Secondly,
the tasking to the PLA by the 20th Party Congress to complete modernisation by 2027 is
significant. While modernisation is an ongoing process, what the Chinese authorities probably
mean is attaining the mandated level of "mechanisation, informationisation and
intelligentisation." Xi Qiliang has dwelt on joint operations and strengthening joint command
operations. His comments regarding Taiwan are pertinent.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: VICE PREMIER AND FORMER PBSC MEMBER LIU HE PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY ON EXPANDING DOMESTIC DEMAND The People's Daily (November 5) published an article by former Politburo Standing Committee
(PBSC) member titled 'Organically combine the implementation of the strategy of expanding
domestic demand with the deepening of supply-side structural reform (conscientiously study,
publicize and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China)'. It said, "The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
proposed that "the implementation of the strategy of expanding domestic demand should be
organically combined with the deepening of supply-side structural reforms." This is a major
strategic measure proposed by the CPC Central Committee based on changes in the
development environment at home and abroad and the mission and tasks of the Communist
Party of China in the new era and new journey. It is of great significance to modernize the
country." It said, "Implementing the strategy of expanding domestic demand is an effective
way to deal with external shocks and stabilize economic operation" and that "China's economic
development has entered a new normal, facing the complex situation of "three-phase
superposition"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: FORMER SECRETARY OF FORMER CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY ZHAO ZIYANG DIES Bao Tong, former NDRC official and political Secretary of former CCP CC General Secretary
Zhao Ziyang died on November 9.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC ANNOUNCED THAT PBoC DEPUTY GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION Nikkei Asia (November 5) said that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission announced
on November 5 that it was investigating the Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China
(PBoC), Fan Yifei, "on suspicion of serious breaches of discipline". The announcement was
reported simultaneously by state-run Xinhua and other Chinese media. The reasons were not
disclosed. The Beijing Youth News said the investigation gave "a strong signal that the anticorruption struggle will never stop and always blow the charge".
(Comment: Fan Yifei had spearheaded the digital renminbi demonstration. He is the first 'Tiger'
to fall after the 20th Party Congress.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE ASSERTS THAT UNITED FRONT IS A "POWERFUL MAGIC WEAPON" A Guangming Daily (November 4) article captioned 'The united front is a powerful magic
weapon that unites people's hearts' listed seven points. These were: Adhere to and improve the
multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the
Communist Party of China.; Among them was that "In the new era, the United Front will
unswervingly implement the "one country, two systems" policy, unswervingly implement the
"patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots governing Macao" principles, and continue to
develop and strengthen the forces of patriotism and love for Hong Kong and Macao; Adhere
to the direction of Sinicization of my country's religions. Fully implement the party's religious
work theories, principles, and policies in the new era, adhere to protecting the legal, stop the
illegal, curb extremism, resist infiltration, and crack down on crime, and actively guide religion
to adapt to socialist society; Strengthen the united front work of non-Party intellectuals and
new social strata. The work of non-party intellectuals is an important work of the united front,
and people from new social strata are the builders of the cause of socialism with Chinese
characteristics; Promote the healthy development of the non-public economy and the healthy
growth of people in the non-public economy. The non-public economy is an important part of
China’ssocialist market economy, and the private economy is an important object that the party
must unite with; Do a good job in the overseas united front work and overseas Chinese affairs
of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Develop and strengthen the forces of patriotism and love
for Hong Kong and Macao, strengthen the patriotic spirit of Hong Kong and Macao compatriots,
and form a broader united front in support of "one country, two systems" at home and abroad.
Adhere to the party's overall strategy for solving the Taiwan issue in the new era, insist on
uniting the majority of Taiwan compatriots, and firmly support the patriotic unification forces
on the island. Strengthen and improve the work of overseas Chinese affairs, and form a strong
force jointly committed to national rejuvenation; and do a good job in the network united front
work. China is a big country on the Internet, and the Internet has increasingly become the main
battleground for winning the hearts and minds of people. It asserted, in conclusion, that "The
main line of the party's ethnic work is to forge a sense of community of the Chinese nation.
The sense of community of the Chinese nation is the foundation of national unity"; The political
foundation of the 1992 Consensus is to broadly unite Taiwan compatriots at home and abroad,
steadily advance the work against "independence" and promote reunification and build a
foundation of public opinion for supporting and pursuing national reunification; Overseas
Chinese affairs work has opened up a new situation.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CDIC PAPER PUBLISHES LENGTHY INTERVIEW ON MARXISM WITH CASS VICE PRESIDENT The Discipline and Supervision News (November 8) published a 5860-word interview
captioned 'Adhere to dialectical materialism and historical materialism' with Gong Yun, Vice
President of the Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL CIVILISATION A People's Daily commentary, the fourth in a series captioned 'This is modernization in
harmony with material civilization and spiritual civilization (people's point of view)——
Profoundly understand the Chinese characteristics and essential requirements of Chinese-style
modernization' said "Only by focusing on economic construction and comprehensively
enhancing economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive
national strength can we consolidate the material foundation for national prosperity, national
rejuvenation, and people's happiness". It said, "Achieving national rejuvenation requires both
strong material strength and strong spiritual strength". The commentary added "Development
is the party's first priority in governing and rejuvenating the country, and it is the "master key"
to solve all problems. Without a developed material civilization, a country and a nation will
lack the material foundation to stand on its own in the world. Chinese-style modernization
continuously promotes the development and progress of material civilization, which is a
process of material accumulation".
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: INFORMATION ABOUT PARTY MEMBERS DISCLOSED BY A CCP OFFICIAL RECENTLY i) A CCP official recently disclosed that for most civil servants, the Party dues are between 1.5
and 2 per cent of their after-tax salary. The party constitution stipulates: ‘Without justifiable
reason, members who do not participate in the party’s organisational life, or do not pay party
dues, or do not perform the work assigned to them for six consecutive months, will be expelled
from the party.’
ii) A small number of ‘elite’ party members study full-time for a period in special schools. This
year (2021), the Central Party School accepted more than six hundred senior cadres, selected
by the central and provincial governments, to study for five months at its campus in the northwest corner of Beijing. One of (the official's) acquaintances took part and changed a lot in five
months. He now eats healthy meals three times a day, drinks no alcohol, goes to bed early and
works out all the time. There wasn’t much else to do at the school. He walked for an hour each
day around an artificial lake, with shining koi carp and an island of black swans. He lost five
kilograms. His experience is said to be common. Before they are allowed to graduate and leave
the campus, the CCP CC Organisation Department interviews the cadres to find out whether
they have reached their study targets and expressed full loyalty to Xi Jinping and the party.
Their spiritual harvest is intangible right now, but it may become tangible later on when they
progress up the party ladder. This summer, most party members, have had to study Xi Jinping
Thought using newly developed websites. The branch secretary gives the students ID card
information to a website developer: to log on, all the student needed to do was to enter the ID
number, using the last six digits as the password. Every citizen of China has a
unique ID number, 18 digits long, which serves as both medical insurance and social security
number. It is made up of the codes for a person’s household registration province, city, district,
county, date of birth and the police station under whose jurisdiction they live. The penultimate
digit is for gender identification (odd numbers are male, even numbers are female).
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE CLAIMING BRI HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS WHILE THE U.S. HAS SPOKEN OF PLANS BUT DONE NOTHING The Guangming Daily (November 8) published an article captioned: 'The joint construction of
the "Belt and Road" has become a popular international public good and international
cooperation platform' by Mao Xinya, Professor of China Pudong Cadre College, director of the
"Belt and Road" and Opening-up Research Centre. It claimed "the "Belt and Road" initiative
was proposed, it has achieved remarkable and fruitful results from laying foundations, pillars,
and beams, to taking root and continuing to advance. The quality of cooperation is getting
higher and higher, and the development prospects are getting better and better". It said, "The
World Bank's assessment shows that the "One Belt, One Road" transportation project has
significantly reduced the freight time of countries along the route and the global average
shipping time, and the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" has promoted a significant
increase in the real income of the countries along the route and the world. In the face of the
sudden outbreak of COVID-19, we did not press the "pause button" for the joint construction
of the "Belt and Road". Recalling Xi Jinping's remarks that "The Belt and Road is a sunshine
road for everyone to move forward hand in hand, not a private path for one party", it added that
'all interested countries can join in, participate, cooperate, and benefit together. The Belt and
Road Initiative is an economic cooperation initiative that pursues peaceful development, not a
geopolitical or military alliance; it is to promote openness, inclusiveness, and common
development, not a closed door to create a small circle; We will not engage in zero-sum games,
and all countries are welcome to participate as long as they have the will". In a thinly veiled
criticism of the US, in its concluding paragraph it said "China is happy to see the United States
and other Western countries take the lead in developing initiatives in infrastructure and other
fields, because the global infrastructure investment gap is huge, and more countries need to
take action. However, the U.S. government has frequently thrown out slogans of new plans but
has not seen any action for a long time. In contrast, the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”
has made solid progress, moved forward steadily, and achieved solid and heavy results,
demonstrating the valuable quality of keeping words and deeds, and winning wide acclaim"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: REPORT INDICATES THAT CHINA WILL EASE COVID QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS BY FIRST HALF OF 2023 A report disclosed that minutes of a Meeting of the BioNtech head with ex Chief Scientist of
China CDC Zeng Guang indicated that COVID-Zero will be materially changed soon.
Reopening will be gradual. It indirectly confirmed that the meeting was chaired by PBSC
member Wang Huning. The meeting said Hongkong will reopen with the mainland before the
first half of 2023. China will also cancel the circuit breaker on international flights and reduce
foreign entry quarantine from 7+3 to 4+3/3+4. Entry to Hongkong could be earlier. It also
revealed that China is to approve the BioNTech COVID Vaccine. The Joint Prevention and
Control Mechanism of the State Council will host a press conference on November 5.
ii) The Guardian separately reported that Health officials in China on November 5 dashed
hopes there would be a relaxation of the country’s strict Covid-19 restrictions and insisted
China would “unswervingly” stick to its zero-Covid policy which includes lockdowns,
quarantining and rigorous testing aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus. An official
of China’s national Health Commission Hu Xiang, said the restrictions were completely correct
and represented the most economical and effective policy for the nation. “We should adhere to
the principle of putting people and lives first, and the broader strategy of preventing imports
from outside and internal rebounds,”.
iii) Officials added they would begin a push to increase vaccinations among the elderly, noting
that while 86.4% of citizens aged 60 and above are fully vaccinated, fewer people 80 and older
have had vaccinations and boosters
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: ARTICLE BY CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ZERO COVID POLICY The London Review of Books (Vol. 44 No. 20, October 20, 2022) published an interesting
5437-word article on the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics by Party Cadres authored by Long Ling, a government official in Beijing and a
member of the Chinese Communist Party. An excerpt from the article relating to the ZeroCovid policy is reproduced: "At the end of August, on the same day it was announced that the
Twentieth Party Congress would be held on 16 October, more than 1600 cities declared
themselves high-risk Covid areas, and more than 1400 medium-risk. As a result, millions of
residents were once again locked up in their homes, including the inhabitants of eight cities
with populations of more than ten million. Eighty-seven cities declared their change of status
within an hour of the announcement. Carrying out the draconian zero-Covid policy was an
effective way for party secretaries in these cities to prove their loyalty to Xi. In Hebei, the
‘moat of Beijing’, the local secretary general announced that the province would be cleared of
Covid cases within five days. ‘If the goal is not achieved, the party secretary of the
city/district/county will be dismissed.’ One district issued a notice to citizens warning that those
who refused to co-operate would be punished. In this way, thousands of provincial secretary
generals proclaimed their loyalty. Outshining them all was the secretary general of Tianjin,
who stated: ‘If loyalty is not absolute, it is absolute disloyalty'."
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CASS ARTICLE STRESSES ON DIGITAL REFORM OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES An article captioned 'Deepening the digital reform of colleges and universities' posted on the
official website of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on November 4, said
Digital reform is an inherent choice for colleges and universities to accelerate the
modernization of governance systems and governance capabilities in the new era. It is
necessary to implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education,
strengthen the support of talents for modernization, adhere to the priority development of
education, deepen the comprehensive reform in the field of education, promote the
digitalization of education, and accelerate the construction of a strong country in education. It
recalled that "The 2022 National Education Work Conference clearly proposed to implement
the "Educational Digitalization Strategic Action". The article clarified that "Digital reform
refers to the overall use of digital technology, digital thinking, and digital cognition, so as to
integrate digitalization, integration, and modernization into the Party's leadership and the entire
process of economy, politics, and society"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: STATE COUNCIL WHITE PAPER STATES THAT BEIDOU NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM HAS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES AND CHINA LAUNCHED 30 BDS SATELLITES INTO ORBIT IN 3 YEARS Xinhua (November 4), quoting a white paper published on November 4 by the State Council
Information Office said that China has developed the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
(BDS) into a top-class system with cutting-edge technologies, pioneering design and powerful
functions. Titled "China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in the New Era," the white paper
said the BDS has reached a world-leading level in core technologies in terms of hybrid
constellation, inter-satellite links, and signal structure. It said BDS is compatible with other
navigation satellite systems and capable of providing diversified and specialized services. It
also highlighted BeiDou's outstanding batch production capability, saying that in less than three
years, 18 rockets had carried 30 BDS satellites into orbit, "a pace unmatched by any other
country."
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE MICROCHIP FIRMS RUSH TO HIRE FOREIGN ENGINEERS LAID OFF CONSEQUENT TO U.S. RESTRICTIONS Nikkei (November 4) reported that China’s microchip firms are rushing to snap up foreign
engineers in China who were laid off as a result of US curbs. It said the likes of Californiabased chip developer Marvell were forced to lay off hundreds of foreign workers in China,
prompting local chipmakers to offer lucrative wages to take them on instead.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION (CASC) CLAIMED TWO BREAKTHROUGHS IN AEROSPACE POWER SYSTEMS IN ONE DAY The Global Times (November 5) said that the China Aerospace Science and Technology
Corporation (CASC) claimed two breakthroughs in China's aerospace power systems within
one day. The CASC Sixth Academy on November 5 successfully completed the first test of the
country's self-developed largest-thrust vacuum liquid rocket engine which carries a maximum
thrust of 500 tons after nearly 10 years of research and development, representing a significant
breakthrough in key technologies. It quoted CASC as saying the success of the first test marks
a milestone in the construction of China's aerospace industry. The CASC also successfully
completed another test for the first time for the country's largest-thrust vacuum liquid oxygenmethane engine with a maximum thrust of 80 tons, which is reusable, low-cost and highperforming.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC ISSUES OPINIONS FOR THE WHOLE ARMY TO STUDY THE 'SPIRIT' OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS China's Central Military Commission issued (November 7) the "Opinions on earnestly studying
and propagating and implementing the spirit of the 20th Party Congress" requiring the whole
army to earnestly study and propagate the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. Xinhua
(November 7) reported that the "Opinions" pointed out that the study and propaganda to
implement the spirit of the Party's 20th Congress is the primary political task of the whole Party
and the whole army for the current and future period. It said the political responsibility to study
and implement the spirit of the Party's 20th Congress should be strengthened, carefully planned,
and organized, with a strong political commitment and strong organizational leadership. The
theme of the 20th Party Congress, it said, is to study the report of the 20th Party Congress and
the Party Charter word by word and sentence by sentence, to follow up on the spirit of the latest
important speech of President Xi, to deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two
establishments", to further enhance the "four consciousness", to firmly We will further enhance
the "four consciousnesses", firmly establish the "four self-confidences", achieve the "two
safeguards", implement the system of responsibility of the Chairman of the Military
Commission, and follow the command of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military
Commission and President Xi in all actions. The Opinions emphasize that the focus and
emphasis of this campaign should be on achieving the "goal of building the army for 100
years"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA NAMES BRIDGES AND ROADS IN AKSAI CHIN AFTER FOUR CHINESE SOLDIERS KILLED IN GALWAN VALLEY CLASHES On November 4, the Chinese government named 11 bridges along its key Tibet-Xinjiang
highway, parts of which run through Aksai Chin, after four Chinese soldiers killed in the Jun
2020 Galwan Valley clash. Eleven bridges along the G219 national highway, which presently
runs along China’s western borders and initially began as an artery through Aksai Chin linking
Tibet and Xinjiang - its construction in the 1950s on land claimed by India triggered tensions
eventually leading up to the 1962 war - have been named after the four PLA soldiers and their
hometowns in China.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF CARRIES OUT 'AERIAL CONFRONTATION' EXERCISE IN WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND In early November, an aerial confrontation exercise was conducted in a brigade of the PLA Air
Force in the Western Theatre Command. The main theme included the brigade's introduction
of "enemy situation" into confrontation air combat in daily training, and the release of new
effectiveness of tactics through training to promote warfare. The brigade carried out different
training stages, and dynamically adjusted the training focus according to the application of
tactics. By continuing to carry out air-ground and air-to-air confrontation drills with other arms,
and strengthen targeted training such as visual search, air confrontation, and ground strikes
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY AND POLITBURO MEMBER LI HONGZHONG ATTENDS MEETING OF CENTRAL PROPAGANDA GROUP IN TIANJIN The People's Daily (November 4) published an article captioned 'Unify thoughts and actions
with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China——Learn and
implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The
central publicity group gave presentations in Tianjin, Shanghai, the Central Political Research
Office, the supply and marketing cooperative system, the education system, Hainan, the foreign
exchange bureau system of the People's Bank of China, the banking and insurance industry,
Liaoning, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering'. It said on November 3, a meeting of the
Central Propaganda Group to study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of
the Communist Party of China was held in Tianjin. Li Hongzhong, member of the Central
Propaganda Group, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and
Secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, delivered a keynote speech. About 3,800
people attended the main and branch venues of Tianjin. At the meeting it said "Li Hongzhong
focused on the theme and main achievements of the 20th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China, the work of the past five years and the great changes in the new era in ten years,
the modernization of Marxism in China, the modernization of Chinese style, and the goal of
building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. Mission, adhere to the party's overall
leadership and comprehensive and strict governance of the party, and deal with risks and
challenges, etc., systematically preached and explained. He said that the great practice of the
new era has fully proved that the "two establishments" are the decisive factors in promoting
the party and the country's cause to achieve historic achievements and historical changes. The
historical process is decisive. We must unite closely around the CPC Central Committee with
Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National
Congress and ensure that the major decisions of the 20th CPC National Congress will be
effective in the land of Jingu"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: GUANGMING DAILY STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF "PATRIOTS GOVERNING HONGKONG" A lengthy Guangming Daily (November 10) article captioned 'Implement the principles of
"patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots governing Macao" reiterated the importance of
"patriots governing Hongkong". It highlighted that "This is the first time in the history of the
party that "patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots governing Macao" have been included
in the report of the party's national congress". It added "We must thoroughly study and
understand the great practical significance and far-reaching historical significance of the
principles of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots governing Macao", and
unswervingly implement them with a clear-cut stand, to ensure the steady and long-term
implementation of "one country, two systems", and to maintain the long-term prosperity of
Hong Kong and Macao. Stability and long-term stability and promote Hong Kong and Macao
to make new and greater contributions to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation". It explained that ""Patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots governing Macao"
are the proper meaning of the "one country, two systems" principle" and these "are inevitable
requirements for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 27 PLAAF AIRCRAFT AND 4 PLAN VESSELS WERE DETECTED OPERATING AROUND TAIWAN ON NOVEMBER 4 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence announced (November 5) that 27 PLA aircraft and 4
PLAN vessels around our surrounding region were detected on November 4, 2022, until
1700(GMT+8). Taiwanese armed forces have monitored the situation and responded to these
activities with aircraft in CAP, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO MEET U.S. PRESIDENT BIDEN ON SIDELINES OF G-20 IN BALI ON NOVEMBER 14 President Biden will meet with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
in Bali, Indonesia on November 14, 2022. Speaking to journalists, Biden said "“What I want
to do with him when we talk is lay out what kind of — what each of our red lines are,” Biden
told a news conference following US midterm elections. If there are conflicts, Biden said he
hoped to work together on “how to work it out.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
Zhao Lijian told reporters at the regular briefing in Beijing on November 10, “China attaches
importance to the U.S. proposal to hold a meeting between the two heads of state in Bali."
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN CHANCELLOR MEETS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING IN BEIJING Bloomberg (November 4) said that during their meeting on November 4 in Beijing, Chinese
President Xi Jinping told visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he opposed the use of
nuclear force in Europe. According to the official Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi
Jinping called on the international community to “reject the threat of nuclear weapons” and
advocate against a nuclear war to prevent a “crisis on the Eurasian continent”. He also spoke
of the joint need to ensure the stability of food and energy supply chains, which have both been
disrupted by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine adding that China and
Germany should collaborate amid “times of change and turmoil” and contribute more to global
peace and development. The German Chancellor said his one-day trip came at a “time of great
tension,” and stressed the importance of face-to-face dialogue. He said, “We can now talk
concretely and directly with each other to respond to the challenges the world is facing and the
bilateral relations between Europe and China”. Xinhua quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping
saying, “Destroying political trust is easy, but rebuilding it is difficult, so it requires both sides
to take care of it.” In a press briefing after meeting Premier Li Keqiang on November 4, Scholz
said he’d urged China to use its influence over Russia to deter it from nuclear force. The Global
Times (November 6) commented "Xi-Scholz meeting injects new momentum into ChinaGermany, China-EU ties, enhancing political trust". German Chancellor Scholz led a business
delegation which included the CEOs of Volkswagen, BASF, and Siemens, all of which have
plans for major investments in China. The CEOs of German hi-tech companies like CEOs
Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, Continental, Infineon, SAP, and Thyssen Krupp, however, did not
accept Scholz's invitation to join his delegation.
(Comment: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is the first leader of a G-7 country to visit China
in the three years since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Germany’s foreign direct
investment into China has been on the rise since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, with
inflows hitting 3.19 billion euros ($3.12 billion) in the second quarter of 2022 and the fourquarter moving average reaching a post-Covid high, according to financial analysis platform
Macrobond using data from the German central bank. China has been Germany’s largest
trading partner for six consecutive years from 2016 to 2021, with bilateral trade volumes
reaching more than 245 billion euros last year, accounting for 10% of Germany’s total imports
and exports, according to statistics from the German government.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMANY HAS AGREED TO SELL A GERMAN CHIPMAKING COMPANY TO CHINA'S SAI MICROELECTRONICS GROUP AND TO CHINA'S COSCO SHIPPING ACQUIRING A 30 PERCENT SHARE IN HAMBURG PORT Radio Free Asia (October 28) reported that on October 27, the German newspaper Handelsblatt
cited government sources that the German Economy Ministry is reviewing a deal for German
chipmaker Elmos, proposed by a China-controlled company. Last December, Elmos,
headquartered in Dortmund, agreed to sell its production line to Swedish chipmaker Silex, a
wholly owned subsidiary of China’s Sai Microelectronics Group. The Federal Office for the
Protection of the Constitution (BfV), the country’s chief domestic intelligence agency, gave
advanced warning to the government and advised against the deal because China’s mastery of
the key technology would enable it to put pressure on Germany. Handelsblatt revealed that the
German federal government neglected the advice and was ready to approve the deal. Aniessa
Andresen, Chairperson of the Hong Konger in Germany, told Radio Free Asia that Germany
continues to sell its own infrastructure projects and key technological companies to China, even
though it has realized that it cannot rely on China. It is puzzling and worrying that the chip deal
is still going forward even after warnings from German intelligence agencies. Andresen called
on Germany not to become a pawn of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). German Economy
Minister Robert Habeck, who resisted the acquisition of the Hamburg port terminal by the
Chinese state-owned COSCO Group, did not take the same tough stance in the chip deal, giving
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the reason that “Elmos” technology was “obsolete” and of little value, and that the Chinese
could not acquire the needed technology to drive its development. Taiwanese political
researcher Li Youtan pointed out that the “Elmos” incident is similar to China’s acquisition
last year of the UK’s chip plant Newport Wafer Fab through the Dutch firm Nexperia, which
is controlled by China’s Wintel Technology Corporation. Li believes that the CCP has shown
its ambition to dominate the world after the 20th National Congress but is thwarted by its lack
of chip technology. If Germany allows the Elmos deal to go through, it will become a weak
link in the democratic world.
ii) German Chancellor Scholz also over-ruled the opposition from 6 Ministers to approve the
Chinese state-owned company, COSCO Shipping, acquiring a 30 per cent share in Hamburg
Port.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: PHILIPPINES APPOINTS FORMER JOURNALIST AS NEW AMBASSADOR TO CHINA The Philippines has named former CNN Beijing Bureau Chief Jaime Flor Cruz as its new
Ambassador to China.
(Comment: Jaime Flor Cruz is a journalist who has spent years staying in and reporting on
China.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHEN YIXIN APPOINTED NEW MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY & CHEN WEQING HAS BEEN PROMOTED AS SECRETARY OF THE PLAC 63-year-old Chen Yixin, a long-time confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping was on October
30 appointed China’s new Minister of State Security. He will continue as Secretary General of
the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission.
ii) The announcement came two days after his predecessor, Chen Wenqing, was promoted to
head the Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (CPLAC).
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SHI TAIFENG IS NEW HEAD OF CCP CC UNITED FRONT; LI SHULEI IS NEW CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT CHIEF; CHEN JINING IS NEW SHANGHAI PARTY SECRETARY The South China Morning Post (October 28) disclosed that 66-year-old Shi Taifeng, a Politburo
newcomer and close ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been confirmed as head of the
CCP CC’s United Front Work Department. Shi Taifeng attended a UFWD meeting on October
27 in his new role as its Party Secretary. In his speech, Shi Taifeng stressed that studying and
implementing the spirit of the 20th party congress, which ended last week, is now the
department’s main political task.
(Comment: Shi Taifeng took over the role from You Quan, who is set to retire and never had
a seat in the Politburo. His appointment was largely expected after he was promoted to the 24-
member Politburo on October 22.)
ii) On October 26, Beijing announced the appointment of Li Shulei as the new chief of the CCP
CC Propaganda Department.
iii) On October 27, former Beijing Mayor Chen Jining was announced as Shanghai’s new Party
Secretary.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: RADIO FREE ASIA COMMENTS ON PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING 20TH CC MEMBERS Radio Free Asia (October 28) published an article by Cheng Xiaonong, a Chinese political
commentator, on how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) selected its Central Committee
members for the 20th Party Congress. It claimed Xi Jinping started planning the candidate
selection work at the end of 2020. Three months later Xi held a Politburo Standing Committee
meeting and a Politburo meeting to launch the 20th Party Congress Cadres Evaluation Leading
Group officially, with him the head of the group. Xi allocated quotas to each province and
ministry. The CCP Central Organization Department started the cadres’ evaluations in July
2021. It sent out 45 evaluation teams, in three batches, to 31 provinces, 124 central and state
apparatuses and state-owned enterprises. The Central Military Commission also sent eight
evaluation teams to 25 central units and theatres. The evaluation results were presented to the
Politburo for review. Xi called six politburo standing committee hearings on the evaluation
report. In the end, Xi made the call on candidates. The list was finalized at the CCP politburo
standing committee on September 7. The vote had two steps. First, a 222-member list was
given to the 20th Congress representatives to vote for 205 positions. Second, the representatives
were given a 205-member list to vote for 205 members. It is not very clear whether the ballot
would still be valid if someone wrote any name on it that was outside the “official” list. But
that “off the list” candidate for sure wouldn’t be elected.
(Comment: The Xinhua had earlier on October 24 issued a release on the procedure followed
for selection of cadres to the CC and PB, which showed Xi Jinping involved at each stage.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: COMMENTS ON TSINGHUA GRADUATES AMONG LEADERSHIP PERSONALITIES IN CCP Desmond Shum, a sinologist, and author of Red Roulette, recently commented on Chen Jining
and Li Ganjie, two Tsinghua alumni who became new Politburo members. Chen Jining is now
Party Secretary of Shanghai and Li Ganjie is head of the powerful CCP CC Organization
Department. Shum observed: Tsinghua graduates thousands of students every year. Just
because they came from the same school, it doesn’t mean they are aligned politically. Chen Xi
was a college mate of Xi. Xi had arranged Chen Xi's career promotions 5/6 years before he
became party secretary. Chen Xi was transferred out of Tsinghua, to brush up his resume with
experience as a provincial leader. This was done so that Chen Xi would have the resume to
take bigger jobs in central government once Xi was in power. When Xi first came to power, he
wanted to promote bureaucrats who didn’t have ties to the then existing power structure. That’s
why he brought in academics and CEOs of larger SOEs. He wanted people who owe their
careers to him. It was under this circumstance, Chen Jining and Hu Heping, came to power.
Chen Xi had a role, but it wasn’t all his doing. Chen Jining’s rise doesn’t have anything to do
with Chen Xi. As a matter of fact, Chen Xi doesn’t like him, and reports are that Chen Xi didn’t
promote Chen Jining. Chen Jining’s key sponsor is most likely to be Liu Yandong, Vice
Premier under Wen Jiabao. Of course, he has since endeared himself with Xi. All in all, many
leading politicians came from Tsinghua because as the leading university in China it graduates
the brightest, and because of that many aspiring politicians came to the university to brush up
their resumes as graduate students. But they don’t have shared political interests or beliefs. To
group all Tsinghua graduates as a political clique is misleading
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ARTICLE BY NEW PBSC MEMBER DING XUEXIANG PUBLISHED IN THE PEOPLE'S DAILY The People's Daily (November 2) published an article by the newly appointed PBSC member
Ding Xuexiang captioned 'Unite and struggle to fully promote the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation (conscientiously study, publicize and implement the spirit of the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China)'. Disclosing that "more than 1,800 party members
and cadres who gave their precious lives to win the battle against poverty and inspired them to
stick to their posts in the face of the new crown pneumonia epidemic", he said "The 100-year
history of the party is a history of the party leading the people to unite and struggle and win
great victories. Looking at the past and present, at home and abroad, our party is the most
advanced political force that is most united and capable of struggle. This is determined by the
nature and purpose of a Marxist party". In the article he said "The realization of the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. The grand
goal will not be easily achieved, and the road ahead is bound to be full of trials and tribulations.
The clarion call of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country must be
louder, the action more determined, the pace more consistent, and the will more tenacious."
Asserting that "The root of unity and struggle lies in unifying will and action with Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era", he said "Thought is the
forerunner of action, and theory is the guide of practice. A scientific theory is like a flag. Once
the flag is erected, there will be a goal and direction in unity and struggle; otherwise, it is like
a ship without a navigator, and it is easy to get lost in the vast sea. To comprehensively promote
the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, we must use scientific theories to unify will and
action. Use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to
guide the correct direction of unity and struggle". Unity and struggle were a strong theme in
the lengthy article.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY FORMER POLITBURO MEMBER WANG CHEN ON PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY People's Daily (November 3) published a lengthy article containing 15 references to Xi Jinping
titled 'The whole process of people's democracy is the essential attribute of socialist democracy'
on "whole process people's democracy" by former Politburo member Wang Chen. It listed
seven points under the following four sub-headings: The whole process of people's democracy
is a major theoretical and practical innovation achieved by our party leading the people to
promote socialist political construction in the new era; The whole process of people's
democracy in my country is a democracy with a whole chain, all directions and full coverage;
Important principles that must be followed in the whole process of developing people's
democracy; Give full play to the important institutional role of the people's congress system in
the whole process of developing people's democracy.
ii) The Guangming Daily (November 3) also published an article captioned 'Democracy at the
grassroots level is an important embodiment of people's democracy in the whole process',
which was an in-depth study, propaganda and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China'. It cited two examples from rural Zhejiang and
urban Shanghai.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: DEPUTY MINISTER FOR CIVIL AFFAIRS PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY ON PEOPLE'S YEARNING FOR A BETTER LIFE The People's Daily (November 3) published an article authored by Zhan Chengfu, Deputy
Minister for Civil Affairs, captioned 'Continuously realize the people's yearning for a better
life (in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era)'. It said the Report to the 20th Party Congress contained "a series
of important plans and arrangements" fully demonstrating "our party's firm people's stance and
strong determination to continuously turn the people's yearning for a better life into reality on
the new journey". It also said China's "economic strength has achieved a historic leap. The
GDP will increase from 53.9 trillion yuan in 2012 to 114.4 trillion yuan in 2021; from 2013 to
2021, the average annual GDP growth rate will be 6.6%, higher than the 2.6% in the world and
3.7% in developing economies during the same period. The average growth level of the world's
second largest economy has been consolidated and improved"; "major achievements have been
made in manned spaceflight, lunar and fire exploration, deep-sea and deep exploration,
supercomputers, satellite navigation, quantum information, nuclear power technology, new
energy technology, large aircraft manufacturing, and biomedicine" and China "has entered the
ranks of innovative countries"; the world's largest high-speed railway network and expressway
network will be built; "in the face of the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, major positive results
have been achieved in coordinating epidemic prevention and control and economic and social
development"; though "the domestic reform, development and stability tasks are arduous and
arduous, my country's economy has strong resilience, ample potential, and wide room for
manoeuvre".
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW CDIC CHAIRMAN ZHAO LEJI PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY The new Chairman of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) Zhao Leji
published an article in the People's Daily (October 31) captioned 'Unswervingly and
comprehensively govern the party strictly (conscientiously study, publicize and implement the
spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party)'. The article warned cadres against corruption
and said 'Punishment and deterrence, institutional constraints, and awareness-raising should be
combined to achieve more institutional results and greater governance efficiency. Anticorruption road with Chinese characteristics".
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE POLITICAL ANALYST QUESTIONS POLITBURO MEMBER CHEN MIN'ER NOT YET BEING ALLOTTED A PORTFOLIO In the latest (November 3) issue of the Sino-Japanese Political and Economic Review a political
analyst asked why Chen Miner has not yet been assigned a portfolio despite him being
overlooked for the PBSC, a Chinese political analyst said Chen Min'er was originally expected
to be one of the successors, but as a result, not only did he fail to become a member of the
Standing Committee of the 20th National Congress, but he also failed to become the Shanghai
Secretary as widely expected, and became an ordinary Politburo member. He attributed this to
the structural problems in the relationship between Chen Min'er and Xi Jinping. One reason
was that Chen Min'er was promoted to be Propaganda Minister before Xi Jinping arrived in
Zhejiang.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CDIC INCLUDES "BETRAYAL OF TWO SAFEGUARDS" FOR FIRST TIME WHILE ANNOUNCING EXPULSION FROM CCP OF FORMER SENIOR JIANGXI OFFICIAL The Central Discipline Inspection Commission on October 30 disclosed that 'Li Xiaobao,
former secretary of the party group and director of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Culture
and Tourism, was "double-opened". It said, "Li Xiaobao lost his ideals and beliefs, betrayed
the "two safeguards", engaged in "seven possessions", organized "small circles" and "small
gangs", implemented major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, made
discounts, made flexible arrangements, and failed to implement comprehensive and strict
governance of the party". It accused him of "Disregarding the interests of the masses, engaging
in formalism and bureaucracy; ignoring the spirit of the eight central regulations, accepting
gifts and gifts in violation of regulations, accepting banquets, travel and entertainment
arrangements that may affect the fair execution of official duties; Money and sex transactions;
greed, collusion between officials and businessmen, large-scale power and money transactions,
and illegal acceptance of huge amounts of property". It said, "Li Xiaobao seriously violated the
party's political discipline, the spirit of the eight central regulations, organizational discipline,
integrity discipline, mass discipline, work discipline, and life discipline” and had been expelled
from the party.
(Comment: This is probably the first political verdict to mention the "two safeguards" after
they were included in the Party Charter at the just concluded 20th Party Congress. Li Xiaobao
was born in August 1968, in Yongxing, Hunan, obtained a doctoral degree and started working
in July 1988, and joined the Communist Party of China in January 1995. From July 1995 to
March 2000, successively served as cadre of the Propaganda Department of the Party
Committee of Capital Normal University, secretary of the Youth League Committee, and
member of the school's Party Committee.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: HEAD OF GUIZHOU PROVINCE MUNICIPAL ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON SELECTING AND TRAINING "HIGH QUALITY CADRES" The China Organisation and Personnel Daily (November 2) published an article by Gao
Xiaoyun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Liupanshui Municipal Committee of
Guizhou Province, and the Head of the Organization Department, under the caption 'Guarantee
high-quality development with high-quality cadres'. In the article he said, inter alia, "Always
adhere to the practice as a big classroom and the grassroots as a "training ground" to ensure
that the cadre team is politically reliable and capable of work'; "Comprehensively evaluate
whether the professional quality of cadres meets the needs of career development and whether
the professional ability matches the job position, select outstanding professional cadres in
various fields to the corresponding professional positions in time, and truly let professional
people do professional things"; ".. to adhere to the principle of the party's management of cadres,
adhere to the principle of having both ability and political integrity, put morality first..,"; "focus
on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
for a New Era, deeply comprehend the decisive significance of the "two establishments",
effectively enhance the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and
achieve "two maintenances". Enhance political capacity"; Strengthen daily supervision and
anti-corrosion, make timely organizational adjustments to weed out "Lying down, pushing and
dragging around to hide, and those with weak professional skills"; make cadres accustomed to
working and living in a restrained environment"; and "strive to build a team of high-quality
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professional cadres with sufficient numbers and good quality will be formed to form a good
political ecology of all talents" etc
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINA EDUCATION DAILY EXPLAINS EDUCATION’S CRUCIAL ROLE IN MODERNISATION OF CHINA A Commentary in China Education Daily (November 1) captioned 'On learning and
implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China' said
that the report of the 20th Party Congress had solemnly declared: "From now on, the central
task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the
country to build a powerful modern socialist country in an all-round way, realize the second
centenary goal, and comprehensively promote China's modernization with Chinese style. The
great rejuvenation of the nation." The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
carried out a comprehensive and in-depth and systematic explanation of Chinese-style
modernization, forming a complete theoretical system including "five characteristics", "nine
essential requirements" and "five major principles". We must deeply comprehend and grasp it
systematically, work hard on comprehensive study, comprehensive understanding, and full
implementation, and deeply understand the political logic, historical logic, theoretical logic,
and practical logic of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on the major
policies and strategic deployment of the Party and the country, firmly grasp the mission and
task of promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style
modernization". The Commentary asserted that "In the next five years, or even a longer period
of time, how to respond to the basic requirements of Chinese-style modernization and help
realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a question that education must answer.
It is the responsibility of the era of education to accelerate the modernization of education,
build a strong country in education, and support Chinese-style modernization with the
construction of a strong education country In the next five years, or even a longer period of
time, how to respond to the basic requirements of Chinese-style modernization and help realize
the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is a question that education must answer. It is the
responsibility of the era of education to accelerate the modernization of education, build a
strong country in education, and support Chinese-style modernization with the construction of
a strong education country
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINA EDUCATION DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON STRIDES MADE BY GUANGDONG IN EDUCATION OF CADRES IN PARTY BUILDING The China Education Daily (November 2) published an article captioned "The backbone of
party building" supports Bright Education to strive for excellence", which cited the example of
strides made in education of cadres by Guangdong Province.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CDIC PAPER PUBLICISES DISCIPLINE INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION CADRES STUDYING THE 'SPIRIT' OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The Discipline Inspection and Supervision News (October 31) publicised that discipline
inspection and supervision cadres are studying the 'spirit' of the 20th Party Congress. It
published an article captioned 'Discipline inspection and supervision cadres deeply study and
understand the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China -
Resolutely safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central
Committee', which said that the Jilin Provincial Committee had in the past few days repeatedly
studied the Report and that "the discipline inspection and supervision organs at all levels have
deeply studied and understood the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party
of China, and a boom has emerged rapidly. The majority of discipline inspection and
supervision cadres said that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has
made arrangements for strengthening the overall leadership of the party and promoting the new
great project of party building in the new era. It is necessary to accurately grasp the functional
positioning of the discipline inspection commission in the management of the party and
resolutely maintain the party. The authority and centralized and unified leadership of the CPC
Central Committee ensure that the whole party is united into "a piece of hard steel", which
provides a strong guarantee for building a modern socialist country in an all-round way and
promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way". It disclosed that
the Jilin Provincial Disciplinary Committee Standing Committee (enlarged) meeting and the
provincial discipline inspection and supervision system was held on October 26, in Changchun.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY LAUDS MARXISM The People's Daily (October 29) published an article by its Commentator captioned 'Open up
a new realm of modernization of Marxism in China——On learning and implementing the
spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China'. The commentary stated
that "Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for us to establish the Party, build the
country, and rejuvenate the Party and the country." It said General Secretary Xi Jinping, in his
report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, elaborated on the major
issues of opening up a new realm of Sinicization of Marxism and pointed out that "in the final
analysis, it is a Marxist practice, and it is a Marxist practice of Sinicization.”
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY CALLS FOR HIGH QUALITY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF COMMON PROSPERITY Guangming Daily (November 3) published an article captioned 'Adhere to high-quality
development and promote common prosperity', which said "Common prosperity is the
historical mission of the Communist Party of China and an important feature of Chinese-style
modernization". The article said, "The common prosperity of all the people has made more
obvious and substantial progress, and it has taken advantage of the momentum to enter the
building of socialism in an all-round way." "To solidly promote common prosperity in the new
stage of development, we must base ourselves on the new situation of major changes unseen
in a century and the transformation of the main contradictions in domestic society, implement
new development concepts, build a new development pattern, and take the road of high-quality
development. Solid promotion of common prosperity in the new stage of development will
inevitably require high-quality development. On the one hand, the problem of unbalanced and
insufficient development is the main factor affecting common prosperity at present. To achieve
balanced development of regions, urban and rural areas, and to improve the overall level of
economic development, it is no longer feasible to make the "cake" bigger by relying only on
high-speed growth. Quality development optimizes quality, and achieves continuous growth in
quantity in the process of substantial improvement in quality; In the past, the singledimensional material aspect "is there or not", expand to the multi-dimensional "good or bad"
such as democracy, rule of law, fairness, justice, security, and environment". The article added
"Achieving common prosperity is complex and arduous, and we must ensure and improve
people's livelihood in the process of development. First, we must fully understand that common
11
prosperity is a long-term goal, which must be achieved in the organic unity of productivity
development and production relations reform. To promote common prosperity through highquality development is actually to continuously advance China's economic and social
development while resolving the main social contradictions, which cannot be achieved
overnight. Second, promoting common prosperity in high-quality development is a systematic
project." It called for promoting: "common prosperity in the drive of innovation" and the
"development of productive forces through scientific and technological innovation, improve
total factor productivity, emphasize the inclusiveness and sharing of development, provide a
solid material foundation and supporting institutional supply for common prosperity, and
endow with unlimited potential for common prosperity through scientific and technological
self-reliance"; "common prosperity in the dynamic balance between high-quality demand and
high-level supply"; "common prosperity in green development"; and "common prosperity in
the sharing of high-quality development results."
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE CADRES ARE STUDYING THE 'SPIRIT' OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS China Organization and Personnel (zuzhirenshi dianzibao -- November 3) published articles
on 'Comprehensive and in-depth understanding of application guidance practice', which
discussed studying the 'spirit' of the 20th Party Congress and the other to propagate at the front
line, spirit entering the grassroots.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S LONG MARCH 5B FIRST STAGE LIKELY TO MAKE UNCONTROLLED ENTRY TO EARTH ON NOVEMBER 4 Space News (October 31) reported that a large Chinese rocket stage predicted to make an
uncontrolled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on November 4 has been imaged by an orbiting
satellite. Australian company High Earth Orbit Robotics posted images of the Long March 5B
first stage on Twitter on Wednesday (Nov. 2), showing the roughly 23-ton (21 metric tons)
piece of space junk during its slow descent to Earth. The images were taken from a distance of
221 miles (355 kilometres), according to HEO Robotics, using an optical imaging satellite
belonging to the Argentina-based firm Satellogic.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES JOINTLY LAUNCH 'SPECIAL SCIENCE TEACHER TRAINING CLASS' The China Education Daily (November 2) published an article titled 'Improve teachers'
scientific literacy and build a foundation for top-notch innovative talents'. Disclosing that the
Ministry of Education and the Chinese Academy of Sciences had recently jointly launched the
"Special Science Teacher Training Class", which has attracted widespread attention, it referred
to the Report of the 20th Party Congress and "pointed out that it is necessary to insist that
science and technology are the primary productive force, talents are the primary resources, and
innovation is the primary driving force". It emphasised that it is necessary to "constantly shape
the development of new kinetic energy and new advantages". Carrying out scientific training
for teachers is a timely move, and it also helps to improve teachers' scientific literacy, develop
science education in primary and secondary schools, and lay the foundation for top-notch
innovative talents.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON PARTY BUILDING IN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY The People's Daily (October 31) published an article captioned 'Let the party flag fly high in
the aerospace front line - Leading the high-quality development of aerospace enterprises with
high-quality party building (the way of governance)' by Zhao Xiaojin, Secretary of the Party
Committee of the Fifth Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology
Corporation. It called for strengthening political leadership to ensure compliance and serve
major strategic needs. The article said, "Pay attention to strengthening political responsibility
and improving political ability, take the implementation of the decision-making and
deployment of the Party Central Committee and the implementation of major aerospace
missions as the "touchstone" and "grinding stone" for testing and tempering the political skills
of party members and cadres, and guide cadres and workers to consciously devote themselves
to the aerospace industry. Line, the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, the
requirements of the Party Central Committee, the national strategic needs, and the people's
expectations are transformed into job pursuits and job actions". Stressing on Party building, it
said "Optimize the party affairs team, establish an expert committee for party building work,
take party affairs posts as an important platform for training and training cadres, select and
strengthen grass-roots party affairs cadres, carry out precise training at different levels, and
build party affairs that is political, willing to study, professional and strong". The article noted
it is important to "Identify the combination of party building work and business work, promote
the integration of corporate party building and space launch tasks, continue to optimize the
ideological and political support work system at the launch site, and set up temporary party
organizations in each space launch model work team to carry out the theme under the tower
Party. Discussing the need to "inspire people with spirit, set up an education base for aerospace
spirit, inherit and carry forward the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite" and the spirit of
manned spaceflight, establish an aerospace spirit propaganda group led by academicians and
experts and participated by old, middle-aged and young employees, and encourage employees
to take practical actions" it called on cadres to "Practice the belief of serving the country with
aerospace, and work hard on the new journey of building a powerful aerospace country with
high spirits".
(Comment: The article has been published after the emphasis on S&T at the 20th Party
Congress and selection of over a dozen technocrats in the Politburo and Central Committee.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA AIR FORCE H-6K BOMBER ARRIVES AT CHINA AIR SHOW PLA Air Force (PLAAF)’s H-6K bomber carrying two new-type missiles arrived at the Zhuhai
Airshow China. China Central Television (CCTV) showed the H-6K carrying one such missile
on each wing.
(Comment: The missiles are suspected air-launched ballistic missiles and have been displayed
to the public for the first time.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: WORKERS LEAVE FOXCONN FACTORY AND TREK 100KMS HOME TO AVOID COVID RESTRICTIONS Workers have broken out of Apple’s largest assembly site on October 30, escaping the Zero
Covid lockdown at Foxconn in Zhengzhou. After sneaking out, they’re walking to hometowns
more than 100 kilometres away to beat the Covid app measures designed to control people and
stop this.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: RUMOUR THAT PBSC MEMBER WANG HUNING CONVENED MEETING ON OCTOBER 31 TO CONSIDER EASING COVID RESTRICTIONS Bloomberg (November 2) reported that an unverified post, which contained black characters
on a white background with no identifying marks, first began circulating on October 31 night
in WeChat social messaging groups filled with analysts and fund managers, The unverified
post claimed that Wang Huning, Politburo Standing Committee member ranked at No. 4, held
a meeting on October 30 of Covid-19 experts at the request of President Xi Jinping. It called
Xi “big boss” and used “WHN” to refer to Wang in a bid to sidestep censors, who strictly
manage messages and social media posts on China’s political elite. It stated that
Representatives at the meeting, which included members of the economic and propaganda
departments, discussed “speeding up a conditional opening plan, with the goal of substantially
opening by March next year”
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S AFFLUENT PROVINCES REPORT SLOWER GROWTH IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THE YEAR THAN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY Yahoo Finance (November 3) disclosed that some of China's most affluent regions reported
slower growth in the first three quarters of the year than the national economy, as COVID-19
curbs disrupted factory and consumer activity. The economy of Guangdong, the southern
economic powerhouse, and Jiangsu in the east, each grew 2.3%. Sichuan's growth slowed to
1.5% from 2.8% in the first half of 2022. Guangdong and Sichuan were hit hard by virus curbs
in the third quarter, with tech hub Shenzhen and southwestern metropolis Chengdu in Sichuan
slammed by restrictions and lockdowns in September. GDP in tropical southern province
Hainan fell 0.5% for the first three quarters, reversing a 1.6% gain in the first half as the island's
main tourist hub.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBOC CUTS DAILY REFERENCE RATE FOR A FIFTH SESSION OF TRADING Bloomberg (November 3) said that the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) cut its daily reference
rate for a fifth session on November 3, which would allow the yuan to drop to a 15-year low
of 7.4 per dollar within its daily trading band. It noted that didn’t happen even after the top
health body reaffirmed a Covid Zero stance after this week’s speculation. Yuan traders have
been parsing PBOC’s fixings to gauge support from authorities for the beleaguered currency.
It sold off after the central bank ended a string of steady yuan daily reference rate following
the conclusion of a key leadership summit
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S SHARE INDEX CONTINUES TO DROP DAYS AFTER 20TH PARTY CONGRESS ENDS Bloomberg (October 31) reported that the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index ended a volatile
session on October 31 with a 1.8% loss, closing at its lowest since November 2005. Property
shares plunged, while tech shares bucked the downtrend following BYD Co.’s record earnings.
The CSI 300 Index, a benchmark of onshore shares, fell 0.9% to its lowest close since February
2019. The trend of dropping shares has continued since October 22
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LATEST ISSUE OF QIU SHI PUBLISHES COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE ON UNEMPLOYMENT The latest (November 1) issue of the Party's leading Theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi published
a Commentator's article captioned 'Implementing the employment priority strategy'. Asserting
that "Employment is the most basic livelihood", it said "Doing a good job in employment is an
important part of ensuring and improving people's livelihood, which is not only related to
family happiness, but also to the long-term development of the country and social harmony and
stability. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report of the 20th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China that "implementing the employment priority strategy" pointed
out the direction for further improving employment in the new journey. Since the 18th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi
Jinping at the core has insisted on strengthening the orientation of employment priority in
promoting high-quality development, deeply implementing the employment priority strategy,
and continuously enriching and developing more active employment policies to promote the
historical achievements of my country's employment work". This, it said, had become more
important "Especially in the face of the severe impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic
in recent years"
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LATEST ISSUE OF QIU SHI PUBLISHES COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE ON PROMOTING COORDINATED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The latest (November 1) issue of the Party's leading Theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi published
a second Commentator's article captioned 'Promoting coordinated regional development'. It
said that "Promoting coordinated regional development is an important part of implementing
the new development concept and an inevitable requirement to achieve high-quality economic
development". It added that "The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party
of China clearly emphasized "promoting coordinated regional development", and made a series
of major strategic deployments, which provided fundamental guidelines for promoting
coordinated regional development under the new situation. Promoting coordinated regional
development is an important part of implementing the new development concept and an
inevitable requirement to achieve high-quality economic development. The report of the 20th
National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly emphasized "promoting
coordinated regional development", and made a series of major strategic deployments, which
provided fundamental guidelines for promoting coordinated regional development under the
new situation". It disclosed that "The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
put forward the strategic plan to further promote coordinated regional development on the new
journey" and called for supporting 'the accelerated development of old revolutionary base areas
and ethnic minority areas, strengthen the construction of border areas, and promote the
development of border areas and enrichment of the people, and the stability and consolidation
of border areas". It declared in conclusion: "Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central
Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the comprehensive implementation of the
strategic deployment of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on
promoting coordinated regional development will surely be able to give full play to the
advantages of various regions, achieve coordinated development, and form an overall synergy,
so as to achieve high-quality development, to provide strong support for building a powerful
modern socialist country in an all-round way".
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER ASSURES FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN THAT CHINA WILL CONTINUE WITH POLICY OF "OPENING UP" TO OVERSEAS MARKETS Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng was quoted by the South China Morning Post
(November 3) as calling for cooperation with foreign firms, denouncing the US Chips Act and
reassuring business leaders that “opening up” to overseas markets remains a national objective,
while speaking to foreign businessmen in Beijing on November 2. In an apparent criticism of
Washington’s China-targeted Chips and Science Act, which offers financial incentives to tech
companies that make semiconductor investments on American soil, Vice Foreign Minister Xie
Feng described efforts to suppress China as “counterproductive”. He said “Presently, some
countries are keen to forge small circles, instigate ‘decoupling’, build ‘small courtyards with
high walls’, implement ‘friend shoring’, establish ‘chip alliances’, weave exclusive economic
frameworks, and vainly attempt to gang up to contain and suppress China.” Pointing to Tesla
and Volkswagen's recent investments in China, Xie Feng said “This fully reflects that people
from all walks of life, including the business community, have sharp eyes, that the market’s
principles are powerful, and that the concept of win-win cooperation is deeply rooted in the
hearts of the people.”
(Comment: Xie, who specialises in US-China relations previously headed the office of the
Chinese foreign ministry in Hong Kong.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PROTEST: DETAILS OF WORKER WHO PROTESTED IN BEIJING ON THE OPENING DAY OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The individual who unfurled the protest banner on the bridge in Haidian District on the opening
day of the 20th Party Congress on October 16 is Peng Lifa, a 48-year-old scientist from
Heilongjiang province, his hometown, Tailai is near the border of Inner Mongolia. He lived in
Xicheng district in Beijing and worked at a computer services company.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI DAILY PUBLICISES ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL BONDS WHICH ATTRACT INVESTMENT OF ONE TRILLION YUAN The Hubei Daily (November 3) published an article captioned 'Newly issued 184.8 billion yuan
to ensure the construction of 1,643 key projects——The issuance of special bonds in our
province drives investment of over one trillion yuan'. It said that "On October 28, with the
completion of the ninth batch of new government special bonds of 24.2 billion yuan this year,
our province has successfully completed the annual issuance of 184.8 billion yuan of new
special bonds. The issuance quota increased by 23.3 billion yuan compared with last year,
hitting a record high. The newly added special bond funds have guaranteed the construction of
1,643 key projects in the province, boosted effective investment of more than 1 trillion yuan,
and played a significant role in expanding investment and stabilizing growth. In the second half
of last year, our province began to plan the work of adding special bond projects this year,
establishing a coordinated working mechanism between departments, and strengthening the
reserve of special bond projects. In May of this year, the central government issued the preapproval quota issuance task. In June, in accordance with the requirements of the State Council
that "new special bonds will be issued basically in June", a "green channel" was opened for
project review, 4 issuances were arranged, and the issuance task of the annual new special debt
limit of 160.6 billion yuan was successfully completed. Since then, the State Council has
actively implemented the State Council's policy of stabilizing economic continuity. By October
28, the task of issuing a balance limit of 24.2 billion yuan has been completed. These newly
added special bonds focus on key government investment projects that make up for
shortcomings, benefit people's livelihood, and increase stamina, and they are all invested in the
fields stipulated by the state."
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: TENSION IN LHASA BECAUSE OF PROTESTS AGAINST ZEROCOVID RESTRICTIONS There is tension in Lhasa because of protests on October 26-27 against the zero Covid
restrictions. A lot of footage emerged on October 27 showing protests by Han Chinese workers,
with Tibetans joining in apparently, who are frustrated at the ongoing Zero Covid measures in
Tibet. A lot of the footage of these protests in Lhasa appears to feature Mandarin speaking
workers who’ve come to Tibet from other parts of China. It seems they’ve been prevented from
leaving because of the Zero Covid lockdown.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN AFFAIRS: SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION HOLDS MEETING OF SCO HEADS OF GOVERNMENT The state-owned CCT (November 1) telecast a report stating that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
presided over the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of
the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization by video on the 1st in Beijing. It
said Li Keqiang expressed that the SCO Samarkand Summit held in September this year
reached a new consensus on advancing the development of the SCO. He said, "President Xi
Jinping advocates working together to build a peaceful, stable, prosperous and beautiful
homeland" and that "China is willing to deepen political mutual trust, mutually beneficial
cooperation, and friendly exchanges with all parties, vigorously carry forward the "Shanghai
Spirit", and benefit the people of all countries". Li Keqiang put forward five suggestions on
advancing SCO cooperation: (i) deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security, maintain
security and stability, and create a favourable environment for development; (ii) improve the
level of trade and investment facilitation and promote regional economic recovery; (iii)
strengthen interconnectivity, realize regional integrated development, and maintain the
resilience and stability of the industrial chain; (iv) improve the level of food and energy supply
security to facilitate sustainable development; (v) intensify people-to-people and cultural
exchanges and enhance the connection of people's hearts and opinions. Li Keqiang also
explained that "since the beginning of this year, China's economic operation has faced
downward pressure that exceeded expectations. We promptly and decisively introduced a
package of policies and follow-up measures to stabilize the economy, focusing on ensuring
stable employment and prices for market players. Through hard work, China's economy has
shown a steady upward trend. We will continue to promote the full implementation of the
"package" of policies and measures to stabilize the economy, which will be fully effective,
vigorously promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of the economy, keep the
economy operating within a reasonable range, and strive to achieve better results". CCTV
added that participants at the meeting spoke "positively of the SCO's cooperation achievements
in various fields and expressed their willingness to improve the cooperation mechanism and
jointly address challenges such as food, energy security and climate change, and enhance the
well-being of the people of all countries". Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING RECEIVES PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER SHEHBAZ SHARIF AND HOSTS BANQUET FOR HIM The Chinese Foreign Ministry press release stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping met
Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan on the morning of 2
November at the Great Hall of the People. President Xi welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and
thanked him for his congratulatory letter after the 20th Party Congress. He noted that "China
and Pakistan are good friends, good partners and good brothers. Amid global changes and
instability in recent years, the two countries have supported each other and forged ahead,
demonstrating an iron-clad friendship. China views its relations with Pakistan from a strategic
and long-term perspective, and Pakistan has always been a high priority in China’s
neighbourhood diplomacy. China is ready to work with Pakistan to elevate the level of allround strategic cooperation, speed up efforts to build a closer China-Pakistan community with
a shared future in the new era, and inject new impetus into their all-weather strategic
cooperative partnership". "President Xi stressed that China commends Pakistan’s firm
commitment to advancing friendship and cooperation with China, and expressed appreciation
for Pakistan’s support on issues vital to China’s core and major concerns. China will continue
to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, development
interests and dignity, and in achieving unity, stability, development and prosperity." President
Xi underscored that China will continue its fundamental policy of opening-up and provide new
opportunities to Pakistan and the rest of the world through continuous development. "The two
sides will make full use of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC), advance CPEC with greater efficiency, and make CPEC an exemplar of
high-quality Belt and Road cooperation". "China will continue to do its best to support
Pakistan in stabilizing its financial situation. China supports its provinces with a strong industry
in pairing up with Pakistani partners to advance industrial cooperation, and hopes the Pakistani
side will provide a sound business environment. President Xi expressed his great concern about
the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and conveyed his hope that Pakistan will provide a
reliable and safe environment for Chinese institutions and personnel working on cooperation
projects there”. He added that "China will work with Pakistan to advance the
operationalization of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative,
make the global economic governance system more fair, equitable and inclusive that benefits
all, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. These collaborative efforts will
provide a strong underpinning for the development of the two countries, and contribute more
to global peace, stability, and prosperity". "Prime Minister Sharif noted that it is a great honour
for him to be among the first foreign leaders to visit China after the successful 20th CPC
National Congress, which marked a new milestone". Sharif was quoted as saying "The world
cannot operate without China, and China’s development cannot be isolated or contained by
any force. Prime Minister Sharif expressed his confidence that President Xi, with his
extraordinary vision, will continue to lead China toward even more remarkable achievements
and create an even brighter future for the world". Sharif stressed "that deepening Pakistan’s
all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign
policy and the national consensus of Pakistan". He "reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to
the one-China policy and its firm support for China’s position on issues concerning China’s
core interests including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Even as Pakistan learns from
China’s successful experience and tries to rely on its own efforts, Pakistan will deepen allround cooperation with China to better develop itself. This is the only way forward for
Pakistan" and said "Pakistan fully supports the Global Development Initiative and the Global
Security Initiative put forth by President Xi. It will strengthen communication and
collaboration with China in international and regional affairs to make a positive contribution
to world peace and development. The Pakistan-China friendship is unbreakable. Pakistan will
always stand firmly with China. After the meeting, President Xi held a welcoming banquet for
Prime Minister Sharif at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People". Politburo members
Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present at the events.
Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met Pakistani Foreign Minister
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is accompanying the Pakistan Prime Minister.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA OFFERS LOAN FOR PAKISTAN RAILWAY FOR CONVERSION TO ELECTRIC TRACTION WLVN (November 1) reported that China told Pakistan it would extend a loan of US$ 8.4
billion for converting Pakistan Railway to electric traction. It did not offer any concession.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN ACCUSES CHINA OF DELAYS IN CPEC PROJECTS ANI October 30 reported that at a meeting of CPEC’s 11th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC)
on October 27, Pakistan flagged prolonged delays in five of its crucial power and rail projects
with China and urged China to put USD 18.5 billion worth of five projects on the fast track.
Pakistan's The Express Tribune said Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed fears
that any further delay would collapse the rail system in the country in one year and delay 3,100
megawatts of electricity generation. The five projects that Islamabad has requested China to
fast track the work on include — USD 10 billion Mainline-I railway project, USD 1.2 billion
Karachi Circular Railway project, USD 1.6 billion Azad Pattan hydropower project, USD 2.5
billion Kohala power project and USD 3 billion Thar Block-I coal project on priority, reported
The Express Tribune quoting officials who attended the meeting as saying. Pakistan also asked
China to consider Islamabad’s request for the relocation of USD 584 million Gwadar power
plant. The Planning Minister also said “The government has not signed minutes of the 11th
JCC and a formal announcement about the outcome will be made during the visit of Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China. The PM will go on a two-day visit on November 1.”
(Comment: At least 28 Chinese projects worth USD 18.8 billion are wrapped up however still
USD 34 billion worth of schemes are yet to be completed. Since China took the ML-I project
in the CPEC fold, Pakistan Railways had not invested in the project.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-UK: CHINESE DIPLOMAT GAO LIANJIA IDENTIFIED AS DIPLOMAT WHO ASSAULTED A TAIWANESE REPRESENTATIVE IN FIJI IN 2020 ABC News (November 2) reported that Gao Lianjia, one of four Chinese diplomats who were
filmed fighting with protesters outside China's consulate in the city of Manchester last month,
was one of the two Chinese diplomats who created headlines in 2020 when they allegedly
assaulted a Taiwanese representative outside the Grand Pacific Hotel in Fiji's capital, Suva.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AWARDS VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST PARTY SECRETARY GENERAL NGUYEN PHU TRONG "FRIENDSHIP MEDAL" The China Court Daily (November 1) reported that Xi Jinping held talks with General Secretary
of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and Xi Jinping
awarded the "Friendship Medal" to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and held a grand awarding ceremony.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI RECEIVES U.S. AMBASSADOR NICHOLAS BURNS Meeting US Ambassador Nicholas Burns in Beijing on October 28, Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that "China-US relations
are now at a critical juncture, and the international community generally expects to see stable
development of China-US relations. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, China and the
US need to respect each other, live in peace, and pursue win-win cooperation. These are the
fundamental principles China follows in developing relations with the United States. As two
major countries, neither China nor the US can change the other side. The US should stop trying
to deal with China from a position of strength, and stop aiming at suppressing and containing
China's development. Wang expressed the hope that Burns, as the US Ambassador to China,
will act to build bridges between the two sides". Burns replied that the US-China relationship
is of consequential importance to the two countries and the larger world, and that the US is
ready to strengthen communication with China to manage differences and advance cooperation.
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER REMOVED FOR INVOLVEMENT IN CHINESE INFLUENCE OPERATIONS The National Review reported (October 28) that Representative Don Beyer, who has been
hawkish on China, moved swiftly to remove Barbara Hamlett, an employee who was
promoting Chinese influence operations in the US Congress. The Representative removed her
after being notified of the activity by security officials. The House Democratic staffer, Barbara
Hamlett, was fired after her outreach to other congressional aides allegedly on behalf of the
Chinese embassy was revealed this week. The National Review said Hamlett had requested
meetings with different congressional offices on behalf of people at the Chinese embassy, after
staffers in other offices reported being contacted by her. The House sergeant at arms (SAA)’s
office was apparently aware of two requested meetings “in the context of meals,” including at
Charlie Palmer Steak, a popular restaurant near the Capitol. One congressional aide told NR
that after he ignored several emails from Chinese embassy staff requesting a meeting about one
of his boss’s bills earlier this year, Hamlett, a 34-year veteran of Capitol Hill, called his office
and then showed up in person, asking him to step outside for a conversation. National Review
said
also, that in recent weeks, Barbara Hamlett had attempted to schedule a separate meeting
between a Republican aide and a Chinese diplomat after that aide had, likewise, ignored emails
from Chinese embassy staff. After the staffer ignored her messages, she called and showed up
at the staffer’s office, asking to speak with him, which was viewed as highly suspicious
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO U.S. QIN GANG GETS PROMOTED TO CC MEMBER Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang was promoted as Full Member of the CCP's 20th
CC at the 20th Party Congress.
(Comment: Qin Gang was earlier not even an alternate member of the CC. He is now positioned
to take over as China's Foreign Minister in March.)
Nov 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING LEADS NEW PBSC TO YAN'AN LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER CLOSING OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua disclosed (October 27) that less than a week after the closing of the 20th Party Congress,
on October 27, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping led the new PBSC comprising Li Qiang,
Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, on "a special trip from Beijing to
Yan'an, Shaanxi, to pay tribute to the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial Site by community bus,
to relive the glorious years of the Party Central Committee in Yan'an during the Revolutionary
War, to cherish the memory of the great achievements of the older generation of revolutionaries,
and to declare that the new central leadership group will continue to continue the red blood and
inherit the struggle". It called it "Spirit, and a firm belief in handing over a new excellent answer
sheet to history and the people on the new road to the test". "Xi Jinping emphasized that it is
necessary to carry forward the spirit of building the great party, carry forward the spirit of
Yan'an, strengthen historical confidence, strengthen historical initiative, carry forward the
spirit of struggle, and work together to achieve the goals and tasks set by the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China”. The People's Daily (October 27) published an
article on the Politburo Standing Committee's visit to Yan'an and Chinese President Xi
Jinping's remarks on the occasion. When paying tribute to the Yan'an Revolutionary Memorial
Site, Xi Jinping emphasized that "we should carry forward the great spirit of founding the Party
and the spirit of Yan'an, and work together to achieve the goals and tasks set forth by the 20th
National Congress of the Communist Party of China". He said, "I am here with comrades from
Politburo Standing Committee to declare that the new leadership will inherit and carry forward
the fine revolutionary traditions and styles formed by the Party during the Yan'an period, and
carry forward the Yan'an spirit". It "formed the ideological line of firm and correct political
direction, emancipated the mind to seek truth from facts, the fundamental purpose of serving
the people wholeheartedly, and the entrepreneurial spirit of self-reliance and hard work". A
"firm and correct political orientation is the essence of the Yan'an Spirit". It said that Xi Jinping
pointed out 'All Party comrades must adhere to the correct political direction, resolutely
implement the Party's basic theory, basic line, and basic strategy, resolutely implement the
Party Central Committee's decisions and arrangements, and continue to push forward the great
cause created by the older generation of revolutionaries'. Emphasising that "All comrades in
the party must vigorously promote the spirit of self-reliance and hard work. No matter how rich
our material life is in the future, we must not lose the spirit of self-reliance and hard work. We
must be down-to-earth, work hard, concentrate on our own affairs, and put the development of
the country and the nation ahead. on the basis of one's own strength”. Xi Jinping emphasised
that when Comrade Mao Zedong and other revolutionaries of the older generation were in
Yan'an, they lived in caves, ate coarse grains, and wore common clothes, and defeated the
"Xi'an style" with the "Yan'an style". He also emphasised: (i) Party "put forward the
fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly and wrote it into the Party
Constitution"; (ii) Self-reliance and hard work; (iii) strict party governance; and (iv) fighting
spirit to overcome challenges. It said Liu Guozhong, Chen Xi and the responsible comrades of
relevant central departments and Shaanxi Province participated in the above activities.
(Comment: Yan'an was the site of the 7th Party Congress. The Seventh National Congress of
the Party has an extremely important position in the history of the Party. Through the Yan'an
Rectification Movement, the party united the whole party under the banner of Mao Zedong and
achieved unprecedented unity and unity of the party. Ideologically, the party established the
guiding position of Mao Zedong Thought in the whole party, and wrote Mao Zedong Thought
into the party constitution. Organisationally, the party formed a tried-and-true group of
politicians holding high the Mao banner.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES THE FIRST 'COLLECTIVE STUDY' SESSION OF THE NEW 20TH POLITBURO The state-owned CCTV reported (October 26) that during the first collective study of the CCP
CC Political Bureau, Xi Jinping emphasized that we should comprehensively study, grasp and
implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and strive
to win new victories in building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. CCTV said
that "Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi talked about their
profound understanding and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China. They said that the 20th Party Congress held high the great banner
of socialism with Chinese characteristics, adhered to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong
Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of "Three Represents", and the
Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It profoundly expounds the 10-year great changes
in the new era and its milestone significance, the world outlook, methodology and standpoints
and methods of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,
the mission and tasks of the Communist Party of China in the new era and new journey, and a
modern China with Chinese style. Major theoretical and practical issues such as characteristics,
essential requirements, and major principles that must be firmly grasped, determine the overall
goal of my country's development by 2035 and the main goals and tasks for the next five years,
which are important for strengthening the party's overall leadership and promoting the party's
leadership in the new era". They also said the deployment of the construction of a new great
project has pointed out the direction and provided fundamental guidelines for the development
of the party and the country in the new era and new journey. We must resolutely safeguard
General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core position
of the entire Party and safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the
Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We must deeply comprehend
the decisive significance of the "two establishments", keep in mind the "bigger of the country",
strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and achieve the
"two maintenances", with a high-spirited state and pragmatic work The style of work
implements the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and
strives to create a new situation for the development of the party and the country on the new
journey". Xi Jinping added that "comrades of the Politburo, in particular, should take the lead
in safeguarding the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central
Committee, take the lead in implementing the decision-making and deployment of the CPC
Central Committee".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING ON OCTOBER 26 Xinhua and the CCTV (October 27) both reported that Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council
chaired an executive meeting of the State Council on October 26, on the continuous
implementation of a package of policies and follow-up measures to stabilise the economy, and
promoting further stabilisation of the economy; listen to fiscal and financial policy tools to
support the construction of major projects and Report on equipment renewal and
transformation, and decide and accelerate the release of the policy effect of expanding
consumption; require in-depth implementation of incremental tax credits in the manufacturing
industry that will be refunded immediately after application, and support the bailout and
development of enterprises. The meeting decided on "One point for deployment, nine points
for implementation" and instructed all departments to perform their duties diligently and
implement them and do a good job in economic and social development. Xinhua and CCTV
quoted Li Keqiang as saying that "since April this year, we have implemented the deployment
of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, responded to the impact of unexpected
factors, implemented the policies determined by the Central Economic Work Conference and
the "Government Work Report" ahead of schedule, and promptly and decisively launched a
package of policies and follow-up measures to stabilise the economy. The economic downturn
in the early stage of the second quarter was reversed in time. The current economic stabilisation
and upward trend is extremely difficult, and it is also a key window period for expanding the
stabilisation and upward trend. It is necessary to continue to release the effects of policies
through implementation, stabilise employment and prices, strive to promote the economy in
the fourth quarter to be better than the third quarter, and keep the economy operating within a
reasonable range".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: REFERENCES TO XI JINPING AS "PEOPLE'S LEADER" NOTICED The South China Morning Post (October 26) noted that a report by Xinhua while doubling
down on the importance of responding to Xi Jinping’s call on the spirit of struggle and bracing
for an increasingly hostile external environment, for the first time, referred to Xi Jinping as
“leader of the new journey”.
It recalled that Xi Jinping is already explicitly referred to as “People’s Leader Xi Jinping” on
state media websites, including Xinhua, People’s Daily and CCTV and that at a press
conference during last week’s Party Congress, Tian Peiyan, the Deputy Director of the CCP's
top think tank the Central Policy Research Office, described Xi as “the outstanding figure of
this great era and the people’s leader of all expectations”
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20th PARTY CONGRESS: OBSERVATION ON SELECTION OF CCP LEADERS BY XI JINPING The official account (October 24) of how the new central leadership was chosen titled: 'A
Strong Leading Group Leading the New Era, New Journey, and New Glory - Documentary of
the Party's New Central Leading Body', stated "Starting from April 2022, General Secretary Xi
Jinping has arranged time to talk to the current members of the Political Bureau of the CPC
Central Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice President
of the State, and members of the Central Military Commission, and fully listened to their
opinions." It said during the interview and survey, everyone agreed that the members of the
new central leadership should be politically strong, loyal to the party, strong in political
judgment, political comprehension, and political execution. A conscious practitioner of
"maintenance". It asserted that "Party and national leadership positions are not 'iron chairs', and
those who meet the age may not necessarily continue to be nominated. We must insist on
career-oriented, according to work needs, candidate conditions, integrity and image reputation.
Establish a clear employment orientation in the new era. When the new central leadership was
mulling candidates and soliciting opinions, some leading comrades from the party and the state
put the interests of the party and the people first and were highly responsible for national
development and national rejuvenation. Coming up, it shows the broad-mindedness and highspiritedness of the Communists".
(Comment: In the past, the Standing Committee usually approved the list on September 25,
and it was approved again at the Politburo meeting on September 29. This time, the Standing
Committee passed it on September 28, and the Politburo passed it on September 29. There was
basically no time for the Politburo to discuss. From the beginning of 2022, the Party has said
that General Secretary Xi Jinping has carefully listened to the opinions of comrades on the
Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on how to prepare
candidates for the new leadership of the Central Committee. An analyst who has carefully
studied documents such as the Documentary on the Emergence of the Party's New Central
Leading Body noted that the biggest difference this time from the past is: (i) The whole article
does not mention listening to the opinions of the old comrades, implying that the establishment
of this leading body has nothing to do with the old comrades and (ii) The "Standing Committee"
has been repeatedly emphasised. It seems that this leadership team was mainly discussed and
approved by the Standing Committee. This was not the case the previous few times.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: ASSESSMENT BY DENG YUWEN, FORMER EDITOR OF CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL'S 'STUDY TIMES' Commenting on the just concluded 20th Party Congress on October 26, Deng Yuwen, former
editor of the People's Daily and currently visiting scholar at the Institute of China Policy at the
University of Nottingham, said "Xi not only won a big victory in personnel affairs, but also
won a big victory in the revision of the party constitution. The two safeguards not only appear
in the general outline of the party constitution but are also written into the articles of the party
constitution and appear in the column of party members' obligations. In other words,
maintaining Xi's core status is the duty of every party member. If anyone opposes him, it is not
only against him personally, not only against the general secretary, but against the party
constitution. Xi not only turned his thoughts into the party constitution, he himself is the party
constitution."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: NEW APPOINTMENTS AND HONGKONG NEWSPAPER SING TAO MENTIONS POSSIBLE SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Li Shulei, Politburo member is officially heading the Propaganda Department, Politburo
member Shi Taifeng is officially the new head of the United Front Work Department.
ii) SingTao reports that Beijing Mayor Chen Jining will not replace Cai Qi as Beijing Party
Secretary but is instead going to Shanghai as Party Secretary, and there is talk that the NPC
Standing Committee will make Li Qiang a Vice Premier soon, before the March 2023 NPC
plenary.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REVISED PARTY CONSTITUTION A quick comparison of the Party Constitutions of 2017 and 2022 reveals: Xi Jinping thought
aligned with the history resolution; Spirit of struggle inserted, entire paragraph on Party history
added from the history resolution (including the 10 'Persist In'); Chinese-style modernization
from the 20th Party Congress report, language on the "socialist market economy" and common
prosperity, leading up to dual circulation; Further, the 2035 and 2049 aims are affirmed for the
first time; road of rule of law with Chinese characteristics inserted, plus "whole process
people's democracy" and democratic deliberation (both of these are connected); language on
containing Taiwan's independence inserted and stronger phrases used to reaffirm "two
countries, one system"; First centennial goals eliminated, replaced with the second, various
values inserted, including on party loyalty, truth, not being afraid of sacrifice, etc.; Later in the
paragraph on the Party's self-revolution leading social revolution; language on improving ones
political judgement etc inserted (not new); interesting is the whole paragraph on the party's
organisational line that is both about selecting capable cadres and on improving the "political
function" of grassroots orgs; Last part of the general programme: the party's self-revolution is
always on the road; addition of continuously improving the intra-Party rules system; right
before "the party leads all" a new addition of "the party is the highest political leadership
power"; as part of the "Party member" and their duties section, we have now the 442 formulate
- upholding XJP & Central Committee's authority; As part of where grassroots party
organizations should be established, "hospitals" were added...; To the responsibilities of Party
committees in SOEs, Article 33 added their leadership over united front work and women's
associations; Article 36 on leadership cadres added a clause on rejecting "the idea of privilege"
or the "phenomenon of privilege"
(Comment: Xinhua commented that 2,338 representatives and specially invited representatives
voted on the resolution on the Constitution of the Communist Party of China (Amendment).)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CDIC: NEW CDIC CHIEF CONVENES ITS FIRST STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING AND CDIC PUBLISHES ITS WORK REPORT APPROVED AT THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS New PBSC member Li Xi chaired his first meeting as CDIC chief on October 26. Li Xi
emphasised at the first meeting of the Standing Committee of the 20th Central Discipline
Inspection Commission and the meeting of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission and
the State Supervision Commission the need to convey and study the spirit of the 20th Party
Congress. Liu Jinguo, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Deputy
Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, attended the meeting.
ii) The authorised version of the CDIC Work Report was released on October 27. It disclosed,
inter alia, that: "Over the past five years, a total of 39,000 party organisations have been held
accountable across the country, and 299,000 party members, leading cadres and supervised
objects have been held accountable". It said that after the 18th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China, the CDIC "did not hold back and did not stop, especially after the
19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, they still did not stop and dared to
act". It stated that "there are no unfettered special party members in the party, and there is no
"iron hat king" on the issue of corruption" and all violations, new types of corruption and
hidden corruption such as "shadow companies" and "shadow shareholders" will be punished. It
also said that "In the past five years, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the
State Supervision Commission have placed 261 cadres under investigation. A total of 3.066
million cases were filed by the national discipline inspection and supervision organs, and 2.992
million people were punished; inspired by high pressure and policy, 81,000 people voluntarily
surrendered to the discipline inspection and supervision organs, and since 2020, 216,000 people
have taken the initiative to explain the problem"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC CHAIRMAN EXTOLLS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AT PARTY GROUP MEETING OF NPC STANDING COMMITTEE Xinhua News Agency (October 24) reported that the Party group of the Standing Committee
of the National People's Congress (NPC) held a meeting to convey the spirit of learning the
party's 20th National Congress on October 24. Li Zhanshu, Secretary of the Party Leadership
Group and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered
a speech. He emphasised that "it is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of
the "Two Establishments", strengthen the "Four Consciousness", strengthen the "Four Selfconfidence", and achieve the "Two Establishments". It is closely united around the Party
Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and guides the development of the
work of the National People's Congress with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China". Li Zhanshu said "Comrade Xi Jinping continued to serve as the
general secretary of the party, which reflects the common aspiration of the whole party, the
army, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country. It shows the heartfelt support of the
whole party, the army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country for General Secretary
Xi Jinping. In the new era and new journey, building a modern socialist country in an all-round
way is a great and arduous undertaking with a bright future and a long way to go. With General
Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee, the core of the whole Party,
and the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core,
we can withstand any test of stormy or even stormy waves, and build a modern socialist country
in an all-round way. There is a fundamental political guarantee for advancing the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". Li Zhanshu added that "the work of the past five years and
the great transformation of the new era in the past ten years have basically established the core
position of Comrade Xi Jinping's Party Central Committee and the core of the whole party, and
established the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era. The practice since the 18th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China has strongly proved that it is the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi
Jinping that our party and people have overcome various risks and challenges, achieved the
goal of the first century of struggle, and accelerated the process of building a modern socialist
country. Without General Secretary Xi Jinping at the helm for us, we would not have the
situation we are in today". Wang Chen, Deputy Secretary of the Party Group of the NPC
Standing Committee and members of the Party Group of the NPC Standing Committee, Cao
Jianming, Zhang Chunxian, Shen Yueyue, Ji Bingxuan, Ailigen Yiming Bahai, Wang
Dongming, Baima Chilin, and Yang Zhenwu attended the meeting
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CDIC: CDIC OFFICIALS TELLS JOURNALISTS THAT CDIC WILL DOUBLE DOWN IN FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION At a news conference in Beijing to interpret the report to the 20th Party Congress on October
24, Wang Jianxin, Director of the Publicity Department of the Central Discipline Inspection
Commission (CDIC) and the National Commission of Supervision, reiterated that the scourge
of corruption could wreck the Party if not properly addressed, and they will double down on
the importance of fighting corruption in the future, saying that a "high-handed posture" on the
issue should not be changed. Speaking at the press conference convened by the CCP CC, he
said that the report to the 20th National Congress of the CCP again alarmed the Party, showing
that corruption is a cancer to the vitality and ability of the Party
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CDIC: SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICIAL EXPELLED FROM CCP AND ARRESTED The Supreme People's Procuratorate issued a notice on October 26 disclosing that Tian Huiyu,
the former Secretary of the Party Committee and President of China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd.,
was suspected of accepting bribes, abusing power by state-owned company personnel, and
using undisclosed information to trade. It said a few days ago, the Supreme People's
Procuratorate made a decision to arrest Tian Huiyu in accordance with the law. It was reported
on October 8 this year that Tian Huiyu was "double-opened" after research at the meeting of
the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, it was decided
to give Tian Huiyu the punishment of expulsion from the party; Dismissal from public office ;
confiscate his illegal income; transfer his suspected crime to the procuratorate for examination
and prosecution according to law, and transfer the property involved together. Tian Huiyu was
investigated on April 22 this year. Tian Huiyu holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration
from Columbia University and is a senior economist. He has been working in the financial
system and has served as the Vice President of Bank of Shanghai, Vice President of China
Construction Bank Shanghai Branch, President of China Construction Bank Shenzhen Branch,
Director of Retail Business of China Construction Bank and President of Beijing Branch of
China Construction Bank. Since May 2013, he has served as the President of China Merchants
Bank, and has been under investigation for nearly 9 years.
(Comment: This is the first 'tiger' to fall after the 20th Party Congress.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE URGES CADRES TO BE METICULOUS DURING INSPECTIONS A People's Daily (October 25) article captioned 'From this report, we can see the foundation of
our party's plans and the way to achieve success (the 20th National Congress of the Party)'
highlighted CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's remarks at the 20th Party Congress urging
Party cadres to "Carry forward the glorious tradition and fine work style of the party, and
promote party members and cadres, especially leading cadres, to take the lead in in-depth
investigation and research, and devote themselves to doing practical things, seeking practical
tricks, and seeking practical results". It said when they go on inspections they should "Ask
about title, ask about income; ask about the park ticket price, ask the villagers about the scale
of tea cultivation... Investigate people's livelihood in a meticulous manner, and pay attention
to details when exploring the truth". When participating in the discussion of the Guangxi
delegation to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary
Xi Jinping also conducted an in-depth investigation. In the report of the 20th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China, the general secretary made a clear request for party members
and cadres, especially leading cadres, to "take the lead in in-depth investigation and research".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-PEOPLE'S DAILY: CHONGQING PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT CHIEF PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON MODERNISATION OF MARXISM IN PEOPLE'S DAILY The People's Daily (October 26) published an article by Jiang Hui, a member of the Standing
Committee of the CCP Chongqing Municipal Committee and head of the Propaganda
Department, under the caption 'Continue to write a new chapter of the modernisation of
Marxism in China'. The article said "To continuously write a new chapter of the modernisation
of Marxism in China, we must adhere to the use of dialectical materialism and historical
materialism, combine the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific reality, and
combine with the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and grasp the new era of Xi Jinping's
society with Chinese characteristics. The world outlook and methodology of ideological
ideology, adhere to and make good use of the standpoints and methods that run through them".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GUANGMING DAILY: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WRITES IN GUANGMING DAILY CALLING 20TH PARTY CONGRESS RESOLUTION "A POLITICAL DECLARATION TO CREATE A NEW GREAT CAUSE WITH A NEW GREAT STRUGGLE' The Guangming Daily 9October 26) published an article authored by Yan Xiaofeng, Dean of
the School of Marxism, Tianjin University, Researcher of Tianjin Research Centre for
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, under the caption 'A political declaration to create a
new great cause with a new great struggle'--【In-depth study, propaganda and implementation
of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The article said
"History will form milestones in the process of unfolding. The 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China is a conference of great historical significance held at a critical
moment when the party and the people are embarking on a new journey and marching towards
new goals. General Secretary Xi Jinping made a report to the conference entitled "Holding
High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to Unity and Struggle to Build
a Socialist Modern Country in an All-round Way". From the historical starting point, the lofty
and lofty artistic conception, which is more prosperous and re-innovated, is the political
declaration and action plan for the party to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the
country to adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and new
journey".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CHINA: CHINA EDUCATION DAILY DISCLOSES THAT CHINA'S EDUCATION MINISTRY HELD A MAJOR MEETING TO PUBLICISE THE 'SPIRIT' OF THE PARTY CONGRESS The China Education Daily (October 26) reported that the Ministry of Education held a
conference on October 25, "directly under the system to convey and study the spirit of the 20th
National Congress of the Party". Huai Jinpeng, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and
Minister of the Ministry of Education, comprehensively conveyed the overall situation of the
20th Party Congress, the main spirit of the report, the amendments to the Party Constitution
and the spirit of the 1st Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party. The
meeting emphasised that "it is necessary to unite closely around the Party Central Committee
with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, unify thoughts and understandings into the spirit of the
20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and condense wisdom and strength
into the Party's leadership." The meeting, it said, "pointed out that, for the first time in the report
of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the "three-in-one" overall
arrangement and deployment of education, science and technology and talents were placed in
a prominent position after "the primary task of building a socialist modern country in an allround way", that is, "high-quality development". This deployment profoundly reflects General
Secretary Xi Jinping's deep insight into and grasp of the law of the rise of a powerful country,
the characteristics of the times of today's new technological revolution and industrial
transformation". Stating that "Education is the basis for the emergence of talents and the
forerunner of scientific and technological development, and has distinct strategic value" it said
it is necessary to understand the goals and tasks for the country's development in 2035. The
meeting, held by video, was attended by members of the party group of the Ministry of
Education, old ministers, and representatives of the departments directly under the Ministry
attended the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The main responsible
comrades of various departments, bureaus and units directly under the Ministry and the
responsible comrades of the discipline inspection and supervision team stationed in the
Ministry attended the main venue. All party members and cadres of the Ministry of Education,
members of the directly affiliated units, department-level (middle-level) cadres, responsible
comrades of mass organizations, members of subordinate colleges and universities, and
middle-level officers attended the branch venue".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: BEIJING DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL EXPERT WHO SAYS, 'CULTURE IS THE "SOUL OF A COUNTRY AND A NATION" The Beijing Daily (October 24) published an article by Wang Xuebin, a Professor of the
Department of Literature and History Teaching and Research of the Party School of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China (National School of Administration), and the
Chief Expert of the Central Party School's innovative project "Research on Chinese Civilization
and Chinese Roads", captioned "Deep understanding of "promoting cultural self-confidence
and self-improvement". It highlighted the important role of culture, saying "Culture is the soul
of a country and a nation, as well as the soul of national governance. In his report to the 20th
National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly
stated that we should promote cultural self-confidence and self-improvement, and create a new
brilliance of socialist culture, adhere to letting a hundred flowers bloom, a hundred schools of
thought contend, adhere to creative transformation and innovative development, take the core
values of socialism as the guide, develop advanced socialist culture, carry forward
revolutionary culture, inherit Chinese excellent traditional culture, meet the growing spiritual
and cultural needs of the people, and consolidate the whole party". It said "From now on, the
central task of the Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups
in the country to build a powerful modern socialist country in an all-round way, achieve the
goal of the second century of struggle, and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of
the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernisation. There is no doubt that if the development
path of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics is not followed and cultural selfconfidence is not enhanced, there will be no prosperity and development of socialist culture
and no socialist modernisation. Therefore, only by placing cultural construction in the process
of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, in the process of promoting Chinesestyle modernisation, in the process of coordinating all aspects of the party and the state in all
fields, and in the process of creating new brilliance of socialist culture, can we make full use
of its role and achieve its goals". The article added that "To implement new development
concepts, build a new development pattern, and promote high-quality development, culture is
an important fulcrum. We must further develop and expand the cultural industry." It stressed
that "culture is an important soft power" and "Stories provide lasting and profound spiritual
power for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (CASS): MAJOR CASS ARTICLE EXPLAINS CHINESE STYLE MODERNISATION The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) published (October 27) an article by authors
"from the top 20 research teams of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin
University of China: Liu Ying, Cai Tongjuan, Chen Zhiheng, Shen Yujing, Chen Fang, Liu
Jintao, Zhao Yue, Ge Min, Xu Tianqi, Xu Lin, Fang Heyang". The article was captioned:
"Promoting the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation in an All-round Way with ChineseStyle Modernisation——The Learning Experience of "Chinese-Style Modernisation" in the
Report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China". The article sought to
explain Chinese style modernisation. It said: "The report of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China stated that from now on, the central task of the Communist Party of
China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the country to build a powerful
modern socialist country in an all-round way, achieve the goal of the second century of struggle,
and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style
modernisation." The report innovatively expounded the connotation and extension of Chinesestyle modernization, and revealed the essence of Chinese-style modernisation. It explained:
"Chinese-style modernisation is a socialist modernization led by the Communist Party of China.
It has both the common characteristics of modernization of all countries and Chinese
characteristics based on its own national conditions. Chinese-style modernization is a
modernization with a huge population, a modernization in which all the people are prosperous,
a modernisation in which material civilisation and spiritual civilisation are in harmony, a
modernisation in which man and nature coexist in harmony, and a modernization that takes the
path of peaceful development. The essential requirements of Chinese-style modernisation are:
adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhere to socialism with Chinese
characteristics, achieve high-quality development, develop people's democracy in the whole
process, enrich the spiritual world of the people, achieve common prosperity for all people,
promote harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and promote the construction of a
community with a shared future for mankind, creating a new form of human civilisation".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: A CHINESE THINK TANK POSTS ARTICLE ON 'CHINESE-STYLE MODERNISATION' The Xinjing Think Tank in Beijing in a post (October 24) on Weixin from Hebei pointed out
that the 20th Party Congress Report "systematically expounded the Chinese-style
modernization for the first time, and put forward the essential requirements of nine aspects of
the Chinese-style modernization for the first time". Quoting Zheng Yongnian, it said "Chinesestyle modernization is a comprehensive, comprehensive, and three-dimensional definition.
From an academic point of view, I think it can be divided into three levels of modernization.
From the perspective of a country and society, the first level is the modernisation of the material
level, the second level is the modernisation of the human level, and the third level is the
modernisation of the system level. These three levels of modernisation are interrelated. From
an international point of view, each country is not isolated. The modernisation of a country is
affected by its own environment, as well as by the external environment, and at the same time,
it also affects the outside world". It asserted "Chinese-style modernisation is different from the
modernisation of Western countries such as the United States". He added that "If the United
States engages in anti-globalisation, economic nationalism, and trade protectionism, when the
globalisation led by the United States ebbs, China will lead the next step of globalisation. We
have the ability, experience and willingness to lead the next step of globalisation." In
conclusion he said "Even if by 2050, my country has built a socialist modernised country in an
all-round way and realised modernisation, it does not mean that modernisation will end.
Because by then, we may have a higher-level definition of modernisation".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MARKETS REACT ADVERSELY TO XI JINPING'S CONTINUANCE FOR THE THIRD TERM Reacting to Xi Jinping's becoming CCP CC General Secretary for the third consecutive term,
the richest tycoons in the country seem to be bearing the brunt. Bloomberg reported that in the
market selloff, the industrialists in China have lost more than $9 billion. This comes at a time
when the Chinese economy witnesses slow growth amid nationwide frustration over continuing
lockdowns due to his zero Covid-19 policy. The Chinese official data released on October 24
said that the economy grew by 3.9 per cent year on year earlier in the July-September quarter,
up from the first quarter by 0.4 per cent. According to the Bloomberg report, Tencent Holdings'
Pony Ma and the nation's wealthiest person Zhong Shanshan each lost over $2 billion after
shares of their companies tumbled
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FRESH OUTBREAK OF COVID PANDEMIC TRIGGERS LOCKDOWNS IN MAJOR CITIES ACROSS CHINA Reuters (October 27) reported that as new cases exceed 1,000 nationwide for third day, enough
to trigger more curbs, Guangzhou seals up streets and neighbourhoods while Wuhan orders
more than 800,000 people to stay home. Wuhan also suspended the sale of pork in parts of the
city, according to images and posts on social media, after one case was found that authorities
said was linked to the local pork supply chain. In Xining, capital of Qinghai province, social
media posts told of food shortages and price inflation for essential goods as health authorities
in the city of 2.5 million people raced to contain a Covid-19 rebound following the week-long
National Day holiday in early October. A Xining government official said, “To reduce the risk
of transmission, some vegetable and fruit stores have been closed and put under quarantine.”
Other large cities across China including Zhengzhou, Datong and Xian have implemented new
curbs this week to rein in local outbreaks and in Beijing, the Universal Resort theme park was
closed on October 26 after at least one visitor tested positive for the coronavirus.
ii) Separately, the Hubei Daily (October 27) published an article captioned 'Our province
strengthens social prevention and control of the epidemic', which claimed that "since October,
in the face of a sudden new round of epidemics, our province has unswervingly adhered to the
general strategy of "foreign import, internal rebound" and the general policy of "dynamic
clearing", strengthening the social prevention and control of the epidemic to ensure that no
scale occurs. "At present, the epidemic situation in the whole province is generally under
control, showing a stable and positive trend, but due to the continuous input, the risk of
prevention and control is still relatively high."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA ORDERED 40 ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT FROM AIRBUS IN SEPTEMBER According to Epoch Times (October 15), after ordering 292 Airbus planes in July, China added
another 40 planes in September, making the order total 332 planes for US $42.1 billion. The
orders were placed by China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines.
However, China’s civil aviation industry has accumulated a loss of nearly 300 billion yuan (US
$41 billion) since the COVID pandemic, with a loss of 108.9 billion yuan (US $15 billion) in
the first half of this year alone. There are 12 Chinese airlines whose total assets are lower than
their total debts. The ordered Airbus planes are the A320NEO series plane, a narrow body
mainline airliner. China has manufactured its own narrow body mainline airliner, the C919,
and started selling it overseas.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CYBER SECURITY: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTATOR EMPHASISES NEED TO BUILD STRONG NETWORK AND INFORMATION SECURITY The People's Daily (October 27) published a Commentator's observation captioned 'Build a
strong network and information security wall'. It emphasised that "General Secretary Xi Jinping
emphasised in the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China:
"Promote the modernisation of the national security system and capabilities, and resolutely
safeguard national security and social stability."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE IN HUBEI DAILY CALLS ON PEOPLE TO "BE A FIRM BELIEVER" OF XI JINPING THOUGHT ON SOCIALISM The Hubei Daily (October 26) published a Commentator's article captioned 'Be a firm believer
and faithful practitioner of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for
a New Era——Second Discussion on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 20th
National Congress of the Communist Party of China'. It declared "If a nation wants to walk in
the forefront of the times, it cannot be without theoretical thinking for a moment, and it cannot
be without the guidance of correct thinking for a moment. Having the guidance of Marxist
scientific theory is the foundation of our party's firm belief and grasp of historical initiative".
It stated in conclusion: "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a
New Era is a shining example of "the combination of the two", contemporary Chinese Marxism,
21st century Marxism, and the essence of the times of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit. We
must always be firm believers and faithful practitioners of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly grasp its world outlook and methodology,
adhere to and make good use of the standpoints, viewpoints and methods that run through it,
and deeply understand the principles and philosophy contained in it. To know its words, know
its meaning, know its truth, and know its why, and effectively transform it into a powerful force
that strengthens ideals, tempers party spirit, guides practice, and promotes work, and promotes
Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Jingchu (stay)
rooted in the ground".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN AFFAIRS: FOREIGN LEADERS FROM GERMANY, PAKISTAN AND VIETNAM TO VISIT CHINA IN NEXT TWO WEEKS The following foreign visitors are to visit China in the coming two weeks: German Chancellor
Olaf Scholz; Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif; and Vietnamese Communist Party
General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will arrive at the head
of a large business delegation.
ii) Meanwhile, Radio France International on October 27 disclosed that Berlin plans to approve
the Chinese takeover of a German chip plant.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE AMBASSADOR WARNS INDIA NOT TO ACCEPT WESTERN THEORY OF GEOPOLITICS AS INDIA AND CHINA WOULD THEN VIEW EACH OTHER AS THREATS Reporting Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong's description of his tenure in India of more than
three years as "unforgettable," Global Times (October 27) quoted Sun Weidong as saying in
his farewell remarks that China and India should break out of the "geopolitics trap," warning
that if the Western theory of geopolitics is applied to the China-India relationship, then major
neighbouring countries like China and India will inevitably view each other as threats and rivals.
Sun Weidong's farewell remarks, which were issued on the website of the Chinese Embassy in
India on October 25 evening, said that geographical proximity should be "an opportunity for
us to have more interaction and cooperation, tap our potential and learn from and complement
each other."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING SENDS APPARENTLY CONCILIATORY MESSAGE TO U.S. BUSINESS COMMUNITY The Global Times (October 27) publicised that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a
congratulatory message on October 26 to the annual Gala Dinner of the National Committee
on US-China Relations, pointing out that China-US cooperation will help increase stability and
certainty of the world and help promote world peace and development. Xi said that the world
today is not peaceful. As major powers, China and the US strengthening communication and
cooperation will help increase the stability and certainty of the world and help promote world
peace and development. Xi Jinping said China is willing to work together with the US to
respect each other, coexist peacefully, and achieve win-win cooperation, and find the right way
for both countries to get along in the new era, which will not only benefit both countries, but
also the world.
(Comment: This 'conciliatory' offer follows the latest tough restrictions imposed by the US
Department of Commerce on Hi-Tech.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US: US FCC PLANS TO BAN APPROVAL OF NEW COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT USING PRODUCTS FROM CHINESE COMPANIES INCLUDING HUAWEI AND ZTE Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao (October 14) reported that
an internal document revealed the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to
ban approval of new U.S. communications equipment using products from Chinese
communications equipment companies Huawei and ZTE. The report cited national security
grounds. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel issued the proposed ban to three other commissioners
last week for final approval. The ban stipulates that neither Huawei nor ZTE can sell new
equipment in the United States without authorisation from the U.S. government. Rosenworcel
said in a statement that the FCC remains committed to protecting national security by ensuring
untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorised for use within the United States.
This is the first time the US FCC has banned the sale of electronic devices on national security
grounds. The FCC had earlier banned U.S. companies from using federal funds to buy
equipment from those companies, but the new order will extend that ban to all purchases. The
FCC rules would also explicitly prohibit the sale of video surveillance equipment for public
safety in the United States. This will affect U.S. sales by Chinese companies Hydra
Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision and Dahua Technology. However, the rule is not
retroactive, meaning U.S. companies can still sell FCC-approved Chinese communications
equipment. The Chinese embassy in the U.S. earlier this year criticised the FCC for “abusing
state power” and again for “maliciously attacking” Chinese telecom operators without a factual
basis.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE EXPERTS URGE CHINA TO PREPARE TO COUNTER B-52 AND B-21 STRATEGIC BOMBERS Stating that the US made high-profile announcements over the past week on two of its strategic
bombers, the fully upgraded B-52 and the brand new B-21, the Global Times (October 26)
quoted Chinese experts saying that these aircraft are likely to become the US Air Force's core
strategic strike force in the next few decades and China should be prepared to counter the planes
and also learn from them. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global
Times (October 24) that the US now operates three types of strategic bombers - the firstgeneration bomber B-52, the-third generation bomber B-1B and the fourth-generation bomber
B-2. According to the US Air Force's plan, the B-1B and the B-2 would retire after the
development of the B-21 is complete. This means only the oldest B-52 and the latest B-21 will
remain in service, and the duo will become the US Air Force's core strategic strike force in the
next few decades. He and Zhang Xuefeng, another Chinese military expert, said China needs
to prepare for this US tactic, as the two types of bombers could be deployed against China.
They added, however, that no matter how many upgrades the B-52 gets, it can never become
stealth-capable, and it can only launch standoff missiles. China should develop its capabilities
in long-range detection and long-range interception by deploying warplanes and warships
further away from its homeland into the blue-water regions. The B-21, on the other hand, has
a shorter range than the B-2 and relies on operating bases, so attacking those bases and airfields
where it is deployed is the way to go, analysts said. Fu Qianshao said China can also learn from
the US' strategic bomber development and once China's next-generation bomber, the H-20, is
developed, it will be at the same level as the B-21, and likely surpass it in some respects.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: NEW SENIOR ECHELON APPOINTMENTS APPROVED AT THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee:
Ding Xuexiang
Xi Jinping
Ma Xingrui
Wang Yi
Wang Huning
Yin Li
Shi Taifeng
Liu Guozhong
Li Xi
Li Qiang
Li ganjie
Li Shulei
Li Hongzhong
He Weidong
He Lifeng
Zhang Youxia
Zhang Guoqing
Chen Jining
Chen Miner
Zhao Leji
Yuan Jiajun
Huang Kunming
Cai Qi
Member of the Standing Committee of the Polit Bureau of the CPC Central Committee:
Xi Jinping
Li Qiang
Zhao Leji
Wang Huning
Cai Qi
Ding Xuexiang
Li Xi
General Secretary of the Central Committee:
Xi Jinping
Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee:
Cai Qi
Shi Taifeng
Li ganjie
Li Shulei
Liu Jinguo
Wang Xiaohong
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: 12 OF THE 25 MEMBER POLITBUROS HAVE RETAINED THEIR POSITIONS AND 13 ARE NEW ENTRANTS The twelve who have retained their position in the 20th Politburo are:
习近平 Xi Jinping 1953 General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
President of the People's Republic of China
Chairman of the Central Military Commission
王沪宁 Wang Huning 1955 Secretary of the Central Secretariat (first-ranked)
赵乐际 Zhao Leji 1957 Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection
3
丁薛祥 Ding Xuexiang 1962 Director of the General Office
李希 Li Xi 1956 Party Secretary of Guangdong
李强 Li Qiang 1959 Party Secretary of Shanghai
李鸿忠 Li Hongzhong 1956 Party Secretary of Tianjin
胡春华 Hu Chunhua 1963 Vice Premier of the State Council
张又侠 Zhang Youxia 1950 Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (72 years old)
陈敏尔 Chen Min'er 1960 Party Secretary of Chongqing
黄坤明 Huang Kunming 1956 Head of the Propaganda Department
蔡奇 Cai Qi 1955 Party Secretary of Beijing
(Comment: Among those dropped though below the retirement age are: Premier Li Keqiang,
PBSC member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang, former Xinjiang party chief Chen Guanguo
who is 66, years old and Hu Chunhua who was demoted to the Central Committee. There are
no women in the Politburo.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: 4 MEMBERS OF PBSC DROPPED Four members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) – the highest decision-making
body in China – are missing from the list. Ranked in order of their party hierarchy, they are
Premier Li Keqiang, 67; National People’s Congress chairman Li Zhanshu, 72; Chinese
People’s Political Consultative Conference chairman Wang Yang, 67; and Vice-Premier Han
Zheng, 68.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: THE NEW 20TH CC OF THE CCP This new 20th CC has 138 new members out of 204 members, or 67.6%, indicating that Xi
Jinping has packed it with his loyalists. The 19th CC had 85 new members out of 205 full
members – or 41.5%.
In the new 20th CC among the 43 PLA members, 13 are PLA Lt. Generals and the remaining
30 are PLA Generals. The service-wise distribution of members is: PLAAF (5); PLAN (10),
PAP (3), PLAA (23), PLARF (2).
The 20th CC has 11 female members, up one compared to the 19th CC, and only 9 from the
Ethnic Minorities-- a sharp drop from the 15 in the 19th CC.
(Comment: Those notable among those who have gone are: Li Xiaopeng. aged 63 and Li Peng's
son; Song Tao and 69 year Chen Xi, Head of the CCP CC Organisation Dept.; Chen Quanguo,
Politburo member and former Party Secretary Chen of Xinjiang; and 1954-born Luo Huining.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: XINHUA PUBLISHES LIST OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF 20TH CC OF CCP Xinhua (October 22) published the list of 171 members of the 20th CC of the CCP. In order of
the number of votes received they are (where the votes are equal, they are arranged in the order
of the strokes of the surname):
Ding Xiangqun (female) Ding Xingnong Yu Lijun Yu Jihong (female) Yu Huiwen (Manchu)
Ma Hancheng (Hui nationality) Wang Jian Wang Xi Wang Liyan Wang Yonghong Wang
Kangping Wang Tingkai Wang Xinwei Wang Jiayi Wei Tao (Zhuang nationality) Fang
Yongxiang Fang Hongwei Deng Yiwu Deng Xiuming Shi Yugang (Miao) Shi Zhenglu Lu
Hong (female) Lu Dongliang Fu Wenhua Congliang Baogang (Mongolian) Xing Shanping
(female) Jilin Qu Yingpu Lu Jun Zhu Tianshu Zhu Wenxiang Zhu Zhisong Zhu Guoxian Zhu
Hexin Liu Jun Liu Jie Liu Qiang Liu Zhonghua Liu Hongjian Liu Guiping Liu Liehong Liu
Jingzhen Guan Zhiou (Manchu) Tang Guangfu, An Wei Nong, Shengwen (Zhuang), Sun
Xiangdong, Sun Jinming, Sun Meijun (female), Ji Bin, Du Jiangfeng, Li Yunze, Li Wentang,
Li Shucai, Li Shisong (Bai), Li Hongjun, Li Xianyu (female, Korean), Li Mingjun, Li
Mingqing, Li Jianrong (female), Li Rongcan, Li Dianxun, Li Ruxin, Yang Bin (Yi) Yang Jin
Bailian Maojun Shihui Wu Hao Wu Qing Wu Qiang (Dong) Wu Kongming Wu Junbao Wu
Shenghua (Buyei) Wu Zhaohui Qiu Yong He Yaling (female) Gu Shu Shen Ying (female)
Shen Danyang Zhang Wei Zhang Zheng Zhang Fengzhong Zhang Wenbing Zhang Anshun
Zhang Guohua Zhang Zhongyang Zhang Jinliang Zhang Chunlin, Zhang Rongqiao, Zhang
Chaochao, Zhang Zhigang, Chen Jie, Chen Yong (Manchu), Chen Yongqi, Chen Hongmin,
Chen Jianwen, Chen Ruifeng, Lin Keqing, Hangyi, Hong Luoqiang (Miao), Luo Dongchuan,
Jin Donghan, Zhou Zhixin, Zhou Jianguo, Zheng Xuexuan, Zhao Dong (Manchu), Hu
Wenrong, Shi Xiaolin (female), Jiang Hui, Jiang Guoping, Hongqing (Korean) Zuli Yati Sima
Yi (female, Uyghur) Fei Dongbin Fei Gaoyun Yao Lin Yuan Jie Yuan Gujie (female) Xia
Linmao Xu Liuping Ling Huanxin Guo Fang (female) Guo Yuanqiang Guo Ningning (female)
Guo Yonghong (female) Guo Zhuxue Zhuge Yujie Huang Ru (Female, Hui nationality) Huang
Xucong Huang Zhiqiang Huang Lusheng Cao Shumin (female) Gong Qihuang Chang Jin Cui
Yuzhong Cui Yonghui Kang Yi Peng Jiaxue Ge Qiaohong (female) Dong Weimin Han Liming
(female) Tan Wei Zhongjing Jianfeng Fu Aiguo Pupu Dunzhu (Tibetan) Zeng Yixin Zeng
Zanrong Wen Ganglan Xiao (Yao), Yu Aihua, Dou Xiankang, Cai Yunge, Cai Lixin (female),
Cai Xiliang, Gamazeden (Tibetan), Liao Lin, Miao Jianmin, Li Xiang, Wei Wenhui, Cairangtai
(Tibetan), Wang Xudong, Wang Xiaoyun (female), Yang Fasen, Xiao Chuan, Yu Jianfeng,
Song Zhiyong, Song Yushui (female), Zhang Jing, Zhou Changkui, Shi Jintong (Miao
nationality) Wang Cheng
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: CDIC ELECTS 133 MEMBERS Xinhua announced (October 22) the list of 133 members of the 20th Central Commission for
Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China. Arranged in alphabetical order by
surname they are:
Yu Shaoliang, Wan Min, Xihua, Ma Xueti, Ma Senshu, Wang Lin, Wang Fu, Wang Weidong,
Wang Shuangquan, Wang Lishan, Wang Xingning, Wang Lu Jin, Wang Yongjun, Wang
Jianxin, Wang Chengwen, Wang Xiaoping (female), Wang Aiwen, Wang Changsong, Wang
Hongjin, Wang Yuwen, Wang Xinzhe, Wang Huimin, Ai Juntao, Ye Mintian, Xiangli, Feng
Zhili Bian Xuewen, Qu Jishan, Qu Xiaoli (female), Lv Yansong, Zhu Guobiao, Ren Hongbin,
Ren Airong (female), Ren Hongbin (Tujia people), Liu Jun, Liu Xing, Liu Shuang, Liu Xunyan,
Liu Junchuan, Liu Qifan, Liu Changlin, Liu Jinguo, Liu Xuexin, Liu Meipin, Liu Haiquan, Xu
Luode, Xu Xianping, Sun Bin, Sun Yegang Sun Huaixin Sun Xinyang Li Jun Li Xi Li
Yuanping Li Yangzhe Li Zhaozong Li Yingchun Li Xinran (Manchu) Li Jinying (female, Hui)
Li Jianming Yang Guozhong Yang Xiaoxiang Yang Yizheng (female) Xiao Pei Wu Qinghai
Wu Daohuai Yu Yonghong Zou Tianjing Leng Shaojie Wang Hongyan Shen Xiaohui Song
Yijia (female) Song Hansong Song Fulong Song Demin Chi Yao Yun Zhangjun (Beijing
Institute of Technology) Zhang Zhong Zhang Min (female) Zhang Ji Zhang Wei Zhang Yiquan
Zhang Tianbao Zhang Shengmin Zhang Jiwen Zhang Rongshun Zhang Aihua Zhang Fuhai
Zhang Shuguang Lu Junhua Chen Guomeng Chen Guoqiang Chen Jianfei Chen Fukuan Lin
Guoyao Hang Yuanxiang Zheng Qingdong Fang Lingmin Zhao Shiyong Hu Yuhai Hou Kai
Hou Ximin Shi Kehui Jiang Xinjun Lou Chunsi Qin Bin Mo Yongcheng, Xia Hongmin, Gao
Fei (Miao nationality), Gao Bo, Guo Wenqi, Qibai (Naxi nationality), Tu Gengxin, Huang
Liangbo, Gong Tanghua, Cui Peng, Han Xianfeng, Yu Hongqiu (female), Cheng Dongfang,
Lifeng, Fu Kui, Fu Mingxianla, Yifan, Pu Yufei, Liao Xiyuan, Liao Jianyu, Miao Wenjiang,
Fan Dazhi, Teng Jiacai, Mu Hongyu (female) ) Wei Shanzhong.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HU JINTAO LED OUT OF CONGRESS CONCLAVE ON OCTOBER 22 Former CCP CC General Secretary and China's President Hu Jintao was helped out of the 20th
Congress meeting on October 22. The video clip showed Hu Jintao appearing to have slumped
slightly and Zhao Leji trying to get up to help somehow, but Wang Huning restrains him
and Zhao Leji sits down. As attendants assist Hu Jintao and he stands up, Hu Jintao tells Xi
something and Xi nods. Senior CCP cadres seated in the front row appeared concerned as Hu
Jintao left.
(Comment: Hu Jintao suffered a heart attack during his tenure as TAR Party Secretary and later
a stroke. It appeared that Hu Jintao was unwell)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: XINHUA PUBLISHES LENGTHY SPECIAL REPORT ON SELECTION PROCESS OF 20TH CC AND CDIC MEMBERS Xinhua (October 2) published a lengthy special report headlined 'Hold High the Great Banner
and Write a New Chapter——The Birth of the New Central Committee of the Communist
Party of China and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party
of China'. Describing the 20th Party Congress as "crucial", it said the Congress "is related to
the party and the country. Continuing the past and ushering in the future is a matter of the future
and destiny of socialism with Chinese characteristics and of the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation". The report said "On October 22, 2022, the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
More than 2,300 representatives of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China and specially invited representatives elected by secret ballot the 20th Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China composed of 376 members of the Central Committee and
alternate members of the Central Committee and 133 members of the Central Commission for
Discipline Inspection. Tenth Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Bearing the heavy
trust of more than 96 million Communist Party members and bearing the ardent expectations
of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, the new central leadership is ready to go, and will lead
the entire party and the people of all ethnic groups to hold high the great banner of socialism
with Chinese characteristics and fully implement Xi Jinping. The ideology of socialism with
Chinese characteristics in the new era, carry forward the great spirit of party building, be
confident and self-improvement, keep upright and innovative, work hard and forge ahead
courageously, and work together to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way and
promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way. Commending Xi
Jinping's "foresight" it said "General Secretary Xi Jinping personally planned and deployed,
personally guided and checked, and pointed out the right direction for the personnel preparation
work of the 20th "two committees". The CDIC and State Supervision Commission were
involved in the process. Stating that Xi Jinping had been involved at each stage of the selection
of cadres, it said Xi Jinping "attended three meetings of the main leaders of the party
committees (party groups) of provincial, district and municipal party committees, central and
state organs and other units" to "strictly control the political integrity of candidates, establish a
clear direction for the selection and employment of personnel in the new era". Commenting on
the CDIC, it said "Firmly safeguard General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position of the Party
Central Committee and the core position of the whole Party, firmly safeguard the authority and
centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, resolutely implement the
Party's line, principles, and policies, firmly implement and faithfully defend the Party
Constitution."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PRAISES ELECTION OF TOP PARTY ECHELONS AT THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The People's Daily (October 24) Editorial said the Leadership "consensus of the whole party,
reflects the expectations of the people, and is worthy of the full trust of the whole party, the
army, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country." In fullsome praise of the new
leadership it said "The great achievements of the future will be passed on from generation to
generation; the century-old party is flourishing. The first plenary meeting of the 20th Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China produced a new leadership of the Central
Committee. Comrade Xi Jinping was appointed as General Secretary of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Retired
from leadership positions, a group of leading cadres with both political integrity and ability,
youth and experience have entered the new Central Committee and the Central Leading Body.
This is a central leadership group that condenses the consensus of the whole party, reflects the
expectations of the people, and is worthy of the full trust of the whole party, the army, and the
people of all ethnic groups in the country. Central leadership. The election results fully reflect
the common will of the whole party, fully reflect the common aspiration of hundreds of
millions of people, and fully demonstrate that our party is vigorous, prosperous, and vigorous.
On the way forward, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core will
surely unite and lead the whole Party, the whole army, the people of all ethnic groups in the
country, strengthen historical self-confidence, strengthen historical initiative, work hard and
forge ahead courageously, in order to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way. To
promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and work in unity, firmly grasp the destiny
of China's development and progress in our own hands." It affirmed: "The Party has established
Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole Party,
and established the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era. The "two establishments" are the most significant political
achievements of the party's construction since the 18th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China. They are the political guarantees to lead the cause of the party and the country
from victory to new victories in the new era. The greatest certainty, the greatest confidence,
and the greatest guarantee." It ended with a call to "unite more closely around the Party Central
Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive
significance of the "Two Establishments", strengthen the "Four Consciousness" and strengthen
the "Four" Self-confidence", achieve "two maintenance", carry forward the great spirit of
founding the party, must not forget the original intention, remember the mission, must be
modest and prudent, must struggle hard, must dare to fight, be good at fighting, be confident
and self-improvement, keep upright and innovative, and write a new era of society with
Chinese characteristics A more splendid chapter of the doctrine, and continue to create new
and impressive miracles on the new road to exam!"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE OFFICIAL MEDIA FRONT-PAGE APPOINTMENTS TO PBSC, PB, CMC AND CDIC All Chinese newspapers like People's Daily, Guangming Daily, CDIC Daily etc and provincial
newspapers front-paged a report on the 20th Party Congress and listed the appointments to the
PBSC, PB, CMC and CDIC.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN DAILY PRAISES XI JINPING AND NEW CENTRAL LEADERSHIP The Tianjin Daily (October 24) front-paged an article captioned: 'High-spirited, hard-working, united and forge ahead for a new journey ── Tianjin cadres and masses firmly support the new central leadership of the party'. The report said "The warm sun in autumn reflects the blue sky, and the children of Haihe are full of pride. Yesterday, the first plenary meeting of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China elected the new central leadership of the party. The meeting elected Xi Jinping as the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and decided that Xi Jinping should be the chairman of the Central Military Commission. From institutions to communities, from towns to villages, the cadres and the masses in Tianjin enthusiastically conveyed the good news and resolutely supported the new central leadership. Everyone agreed to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, firmly defend the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve the "two maintenances", keep in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's entrustment, work hard, and move forward bravely , to unite and strive for the realization of the beautiful blueprint drawn by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and strive to create new achievements worthy of the times in their respective positions".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE YUAN DROPS VIS-A-VIS THE U.S. DOLLAR AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The offshore yuan weakened past the key 7.3 per dollar level on mounting concerns over the
Chinese economy and threat of further outflows due to hawkish Federal Reserve bets. The
Chinese currency sank to 7.3069 per dollar, an all-time low since the unit started trading in
2010. That’s after the currency traded in Shanghai weakened to a fresh 14-year low amid the
absence of a shift in the nation’s Covid policies that have crimped growth. The Hang Seng
China Enterprises Index plunged 7.3% at the close.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: XI JINPING PARTICIPATES IN DELIBERATIONS OF GUANGXI DELEGATES ON OCTOBER 17 Xi Jinping participates in the discussions of the Guangxi delegates on October 17. Meeting
them he said the CCP "must promote party's self-revolution so it never changes its colour".
People's Daily (October 18) quoted him as telling the Delegates that "The working class must
also continuously improve their quality and consciousness. In the past, people carried the docks
on their shoulders, but now it is the intelligent operation of containers. We must attach
importance to the development of vocational and technical education. We must not look down
on industrial workers, we must see practical contributions! We have taken one step at a time
over the years, and those who are really contributing to the building of a modern and powerful
building of socialism with Chinese characteristics are all worthy of our respect. Moreover, we
must think and study how to cultivate them and play their role."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: SENIOR LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS OF DELEGATES TO CONGRESS The People's Daily (October 18) quoting Xinhua (October 17) said Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen,
Liu He, Sun Chunlan, Li Xi, Li Qiang, Li Hongzhong, Yang Jiechi, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi,
Chen Quanguo, Chen Min'er, Hu Chunhua, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi, You
Quan, Cao Jianming, Zhang Chunxian, Shen Yueyue, Ji Bingxuan, Ailigen Yiming Bahai,
Wang Dongming, Baima Chilin, Wang Yong, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, Zhao Kezhi, Zhou Qiang,
Zhang Qingli, Liu Qibao, Lu Zhangong , Ma Biao, Xia Baolong, Yang Chuantang, Li Bin,
Bartel, Wang Yongqing, and He Lifeng attended the discussions of the 20th National Congress
of the delegation on the 16th and 17th respectively.
ii) Listing the leaders who attended discussions with delegates it said among the central leaders
who joined in discussions with delegates from the provinces and other sectors are: Wang Chen
participated in the discussion with delegates from Hubei; Liu He with those from Fujian; Sun
Chunlan - Shaanxi; Yang Jiechi - Liaoning; Yang Xiaodu participated in the discussions of the
Xinjiang delegation; Chen Xi with the Ningxia delegation; Chen Quanguo in the Anhui
delegation; Hu Chunhua participated in the discussion of the Heilongjiang delegation; Guo
Shengkun - Yunnan delegation; Huang Kunming - Jiangxi; You Quan - Shanxi; Wang Yi
participated in the discussion with the delegation of the central government and state organs;
Zhao Kezhi with Qinghai; Zhang Qingli - Sichuan; He Lifeng was in discussion with the
delegation of the central financial system; and Yang Chuantang participated in the discussion
of the delegation of the central enterprise system.
iii) Wang Yang participated in the discussions with the Tibet Delegation.
iv) Wang Huning, while in discussions with Guizhou delegates, emphasized that he "deeply
understood the decisive significance of "two establishments" and consciously used the spirit of
the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party to unify thoughts and actions".
v) Li Zhanshu participated in the discussions of the Sichuan delegation. He emphasised that it
is necessary "to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China, adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era for a long time, and always maintain a high degree of consistency
with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in ideology, politics and
action. It is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two
establishments", strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences",
and achieve the "two maintenances", so as to turn the grand blueprint drawn by the 20th Party
Congress into reality and write a more splendid chapter of socialism with Chinese
characteristics in the new era".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: CHINA'S 20TH PARTY CONGRESS OPENS IN GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE IN BEIJING ON OCTOBER 16 Xinhua reported that according to the news center of the conference, the report of the
conference was printed and distributed to all delegates. General Secretary Xi Jinping made an
oral report at the opening meeting, focusing on the main points of the report of the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China. On the opening day of the 20th Party Congress on
October 16 morning, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping presented the Work Report to the 20th
Party Congress over 1 hour 43 minutes. The new report is 72 pages versus the 68 pages for the
19th Congress. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang later announced that the 20th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China should be attended by 2,296 delegates, 83 specially invited
delegates, totalling 2,379 people, but 39 people had asked for leave due to work or illness.
There are 2,340 actual delegates and specially-invited delegates.
ii) The members of the Standing Committee of the Presidium of the Congress seated in the
front row of the rostrum include Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang
Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Liu He, Xu Qiliang, Sun Chunlan,
Li Xi, Li Qiang, Li Hongzhong, Yang Jiechi, Yang Xiaodu, Zhang Youxia, Chen Xi, Chen
Quanguo, Chen Min'er, Hu Chunhua, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi, Hu Jintao, Li
Ruihuan, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Song Ping, Li Lanqing,
Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, He Guoqiang, Liu Yunshan, Zhang Gaoli,
You Quan and Zhang Qingli.The conference was chaired by Li Keqiang.
iii) In the portion of the Report that Xi Jinping read on October 16, he made 90 references to
security. There were more references to "security" or "safety" (depending on context), struggle,
and the people while making fewer references to the economy and reform.
iv) Party Congress spokesman and the Deputy Minister of the CCP CC Propaganda Department
Sun Yeli, confirmed that the new leadership line-up of China’s ruling Communist Party will
be unveiled on October 23, a day after the CCPs national congress wraps up on October 22. He
also commented that China is capable of "greater miracles" going forward. China has entered
a new normal of slower growth. China is more focused on fixing long-term issues than growth.
The South China Morning Post (October 16) said there will be sweeping changes in senior
positions. Nearly half the seats on the Central Committee are going to change hands. Some of
the members of the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee – the highest decisionmaking body – are also expected to be replaced. It will mark a new era under Xi’s leadership
as he will have a free hand to build a supporting cast around him for the next five years. The
reshuffle will only be completed next March at the annual parliamentary sessions after changes
in key government posts are confirmed – such as who will take over from Li Keqiang as the
new Premier. About 2,500 Chinese and foreign journalists covered the grand opening
ceremony.
(Comment: It appears that Xi Jinping will succeed in packing the PBSC and probably the PB
with his loyalists.
In a commentary on CCTV after Xi's political report, it was mentioned that the version read by
Xi Jinping was not the full-text version of the report. On October 16, Xi got a long standing
ovation when he entered while in 2017 all sat and clapped. In 2017, CCTV showed each PBSC
member individually, but this time in groups of 3 in 2 rows. Xi stood alone on the stage this
year.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DELEGATIONS DISCUSS 20TH PARTY CONGRESS WORK REPORT A report in the People's Daily (October 19) captioned 'PLA and Armed Police Force
delegations continue to discuss the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China' said "The delegations of the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police
Force who attended the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China have been
discussing the report made by General Secretary Xi Jinping in groups for several days" The
article said Wei Fenghe said that "the report made by General Secretary Xi Jinping is a good
report with lofty intentions, profound thinking and overall overall situation. In the past ten
years, we have been able to overcome difficulties all the way, from victory to victory, achieved
extraordinary achievements, created great miracles, and successfully embarked on a Chinesestyle modernization path. The fundamental reason is the strong leadership of the Party Central
Committee and President Xi. It is necessary to deeply understand the decisive significance of
the "two establishments", strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four selfconfidences", and achieve the "two maintenances", implement the CMC chairman
responsibility system, and resolutely obey the Party Central Committee, the CMC and
Chairman Xi command. The road ahead is full of difficulties, obstacles and even stormy waves.
In the face of the complex and severe national security situation, we must resolutely implement
the strategic arrangements made at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's thought on strengthening the military, improve the
people's army's ability to win, and develop a fighting spirit. , strengthen fighting skills, maintain
a high degree of vigilance, always prepare for war, and resolutely defend national sovereignty,
security, and development interests". Li Zuocheng said that the "report made by General
Secretary Xi Jinping has a clear-cut stand, a prominent theme, a lofty position, and a truthseeking and pragmatic approach. The great transformation of the decade in the new era lies in
the "two establishments", which are the greatest confidence and guarantee for us to cope with
all risks and challenges and overcome all difficulties and obstacles. With President Xi at the
helm, there will be no insurmountable slopes or hurdles that cannot be overcome, and the
established goals will surely be achieved. The next five years will be a critical period for my
country to achieve new and greater development. The people's army needs to play a more
critical role and provide more reliable strategic support for the development of the party and
the country. It is necessary to fully and accurately understand and implement the strategic
deployment of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi, keep in mind the "big man of the
country", see the overall situation clearly, strengthen strategic foresight, study and plan wars
with a war mentality, train troops to prepare for wars, respond to challenges, accelerate the
improvement of military hard power, and seize new domains and new quality commanding
heights, high-quality promotion of system construction, to ensure that the goal of the centenary
struggle of the founding of the army is achieved as scheduled". Miao Hua said that the report
made by General Secretary Xi Jinping, "setting up the general strategy of forging ahead and
rejuvenating the country, is a good report that raises the flag, opens new plans, and concentrates
on strength, and it is another Marxist programmatic document. The miracles and leaps achieved
in the ten years of the new era are historic, and in the final analysis, they are guided by the core
of President Xi Jinping and his thoughts. Looking at ten years from a hundred years, the
formation of "two establishments" is a historical necessity; when looking at a new century from
ten years, insisting on "two establishments" is the choice of the times. To defend this major
political achievement is to defend the party's national line and the prospect of rejuvenation. We
must focus on deeply comprehending the decisive significance of the "two establishments",
quickly rise up the upsurge of studying and implementing the spirit of the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China, continue to use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to cultivate the soul and educate people,
comprehensively strengthen the party building in the military.
The chairman of the Central Military Commission is responsible for advancing the preparations
for military struggles, working hard in the state of a struggler in the new era and new journey,
and ensuring that the goal of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the army is achieved as
scheduled". Zhang Shengmin described the report by General Secretary Xi Jinping as "a good
report that raises the flag, concentrates efforts, revives and strives for strength, and forges ahead
in unity. A challenging world with confidence and hope. The decade of the new era is a glorious
chapter in the history of the party, the history of the new China, the history of reform and
opening up, the history of socialist development, and the history of the development of the
Chinese nation. more active mental strength. Practice has proved that the core leads the
direction, the core gathers people's hearts, and the core gathers strength. We must fully
implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and
the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and transform the
profound understanding of the decisive significance of the "two establishments" into a high
degree of self-consciousness to achieve the "two maintenances" and implement the
responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission , loyal to maintain the core,
determined to strive to strengthen the army, and ensure that the goal of the centenary struggle
of the founding of the army is achieved as scheduled".
(Comment: The remarks by the Director of the Joint Staff Department (JSD) -- who heads the
PLA Army -- General Li Zuocheng are significant. In addition to supporting Xi Jinping, he
urges the PLA to train for war and enhance their capabilities.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: CDIC DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE INTERPRETING 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The China Discipline and Inspection Commission (CDIC)'s official CDIC Daily (October 20)
published a full-page 5,452 (Chinese)-character article by Xin Xiangyang, Secretary of the
Party Committee of the Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, under the
caption 'Deeply grasp the Chinese characteristics and essential requirements of Chinese-style
modernization'. In the article he said "The report of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China pointed out, "From now on, the central task of the Communist Party
of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the country to build a powerful
modern socialist country in an all-round way, realize the goal of the second century of struggle,
and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style
modernization." He explained "The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China once again clearly described the overall goal of China's development by 2035.
The economic strength, scientific and technological strength, and comprehensive national
strength have greatly increased, and the per capita GDP has reached a new level, reaching the
level of moderately developed countries; High-level scientific and technological self-reliance
and self-reliance, entering the forefront of innovative countries; building a modern economic
system, forming a new development pattern, basically realizing new industrialization,
informatization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization; basically realizing the
modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, and the whole
process of people's democracy The system will be more perfect, and a country under the rule
of law, a government under the rule of law, and a society under the rule of law will be basically
built; a country with strong education, science and technology, talent, culture, sports, and a
healthy China will be built. Disposable income to a new level, middle income. Chinese-style
modernization has many important features. The report of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China pointed out that Chinese-style modernization is a modernization
with a huge population; Chinese-style modernization is a modernization in which all the people
are prosperous; Chinese-style modernization is a modernization in which material civilization
and spiritual civilization are coordinated; Chinese-style modernization is man and nature.
Harmonious symbiosis of modernization; Chinese-style modernization is a modernization that
takes the road of peaceful development. Chinese-style modernization is a socialist
modernization led by the Communist Party of China. It has both the common characteristics of
modernization of all countries and Chinese characteristics based on its own national
conditions." It asserted in conclusion that "The significant advantages of China's contribution
to China's modernization can be widely supported by the largest number of countries and
people in the world."
(Comment: The CDIC Daily has been extensively covering interpreting the Party Congress as
have China's other major national and provincial newspapers.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY NDU XI JINPING THOUGHT RESEARCH CENTRE The People's Daily (October 19) published an article captioned 'Continuously push forward
socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era (in-depth study and implementation of Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era)' authored by the
National Defense University Xi Jinping Thought Research Center for Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era. It said the 20th Party Congress "is a very important conference
held at a critical moment when the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups are
embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way and
marching towards the second centenary goal". ... and to "comprehensively advance the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". It said "Marxism is the guiding ideology of our party and
country. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Marx and Engels' analysis of the basic
contradictions of capitalist society is not outdated, nor is the historical materialist viewpoint
that capitalism will die out and socialism will triumph. This is an irreversible general trend of
social and historical development." The article added that "General Secretary Xi Jinping
pointed out: "The 10-year great changes in the new era are of milestone significance in the
history of the party, the history of new China, the history of reform and opening up, the history
of socialist development, and the history of the development of the Chinese nation." "The great
achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, Let scientific socialism
radiate new vitality in China in the 21st century". The article stressed that "Realizing the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream of the Chinese nation since modern
times. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "To realize the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation, the road is the most fundamental issue. Socialism with Chinese characteristics
is the only correct path to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." He also said
"We must thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China and irreversibly move towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics". It pointed out that "The road of
socialism with Chinese characteristics is a noble road to create a better life for the people and
realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. By stepping foot on the land of China,
inheriting Chinese civilization, and taking the right path in line with China's national conditions,
the party and the people will have an incomparably broad stage, an incomparably profound
historical background, and an incomparably strong will to advance. As long as we
unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we will surely be able
to build our country into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic,
culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and will surely achieve the great rejuvenation
of the Chinese nation". Mentioning that "the world is undergoing rapid evolution of great
changes unseen in a century", it said China's "development is facing new strategic opportunities,
new strategic tasks, new strategic stages, and new strategic requirements. The new strategic
environment, the risks and challenges that need to be dealt with, the contradictions and
problems that need to be solved are more complex than ever, and there are many new major
issues facing upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. In conclusion
it asserted that "The whole party must keep in mind that adhering to the overall leadership of
the party is the only way to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics,
socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way to realize the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation, and unity and struggle is the only way for the Chinese people to create
historical great achievements."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: CCP CADRES ACROSS CHINA BEGIN STUDYING THE 'SPIRIT' OF THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS A post (October 18) on Weixin disclosed that Party organizations across China have already
begun studying the 'spirit' of the 20th Party Congress. It cited the example of the local People
Congress Party Group of Dêngqên County in Tibet. The Dingqing County People's Congress
Party Group announced it had organised the 13th concentrated study meeting of the theoretical
study center group to study the spirit of the 20th National Congress, which was presided over
by Yuan Chaobing, Member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee,
Secretary and Director of the Party Group of the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress. The meeting demanded that cadres "profoundly comprehend the decisive
significance of the "two establishments", resolutely and resolutely achieve the "two
maintenances", and make every effort to be a firm believer, loyal practitioner, and continuous
struggler of the lofty ideal of communism". It emphasised the importance of publicising "the
spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as the top priority of the
people's congress organs, mobilising the people's congress representatives and people's
congress cadres at all levels in the county to carry out study and publicity seminars, make study
notes and write personal experiences". It said it is necessary to give full play to the exemplary
leading role of party members and leading cadres, earnestly shoulder their responsibilities and
missions, and play the role of the National People's Congress in maintaining stability and
security at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and preventing and
controlling the epidemic
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: GUANGMING DAILY DESCRIBES XI JINPING THOUGHT ON SOCIALISM AS GREAT THOUGHT IN CONTEMPORARY MARXISM The Guangming Daily (October 20) published an article captioned 'Realize a new leap in the
modernization of Marxism in China', which revealed that Delegates to the 20th Party Congress
were discussing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
It described Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as "a
great practice" and said "This great thought is contemporary Chinese Marxism, 21st century
Marxism, and the essence of the era of Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, and has achieved a
new leap in the modernization of Marxism in China"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: GUANGMING DAILY HIGHLIGHTS PROMOTION OF INTEGRATION OF PARTY BUILDING WITH EDUCATION REFORM A Guangming Daily (October 19) article captioned 'Promote the integration of party building
and education reform' observed that the "report of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China emphasized that we should unremittingly use the socialist ideology
with Chinese characteristics in the new era to focus on casting our souls. This further pointed
out the direction for us, and also allowed us to see the actual results of our efforts over the
years. The core fortress of a school is the party branch. Over the years, our school party branch
has adhered to the basic idea of "focusing on the party building around the centre, and doing a
good job of party building to promote development", combined with the actual situation of the
school, focused on the work of the education and teaching centre, and actively explored the
ways and methods of party building work in the new era"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: LENGTHY PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF MARXIST THEORETICAL THINKING A lengthy 4754-word article published in the People's Daily (October 19) under the caption
'The light of truth illuminates the road to revival —— From the perspective of the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China, realizing a new leap in the modernization of
Marxism in China', quoted Xi Jinping as saying to the 20th Party Congress delegates "We
created the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, made clear the
basic strategy of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics, and
proposed a series of new concepts, new ideas and new strategies for state governance and
administration, realizing a new leap in the modernization of Marxism in China." It said "Under
the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,
the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups in the whole country, with a more thorough
spirit, historical initiative, and development initiative, forge ahead with high spirits and forge
ahead in the new journey of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way, toward
the second centenary goal, to march forward bravely towards the Chinese dream of the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". The article quoted Delegates' comments on different
aspects of the report. It averred that "Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party
of China, the Party and the country have achieved historic achievements and historical changes
have taken place. The most fundamental thing is that General Secretary Xi Jinping is the core
of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole Party is at the helm, and that Xi
Jinping has a society with Chinese characteristics in the new era". "The Chinese Communists
in the new era, mainly represented by Comrade Xi Jinping, have the courage to carry out
theoretical exploration and innovation, deepen their understanding of the laws of the
Communist Party's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of development
of human society with a new perspective, and have achieved major theoretical innovations". It
quoted Ouyang Song, an expert on Party History as saying "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the theoretical crystallization of all the practices
of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. It is the latest achievement of
combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific reality and the excellent
traditional Chinese culture. Scientific socialism has radiated new vitality in China in the 21st
century". The article said "In the past 10 years, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi
Jinping at the core listened to the voices of the people, observed the sentiments of the people,
gathered the wisdom of the people, solved the people's worries, and fulfilled its commitments
to the people with practical actions. No one should be left behind" in poverty alleviation, "no
one should be left behind" on the road to a well-off society". A delegate Zha Qiongfang said
"We deeply feel that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New
Era is a theory written in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people, and is loved and loved
by the people. I agree with the theory that I have." Delegate Yang Yu said that "the more
arduous the task, the more important is to adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide, win advantages, gain initiative, and win the
future. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only way to realize the great rejuvenation
of the Chinese nation." It said "The report emphasizes that from now on, the central task of the
Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the country to
build a powerful modern socialist country in an all-round way, achieve the second centenary
goal, and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinesestyle modernization." It mentioned "common prosperity" calling it "a long-term process, and it
takes a long time to do good work".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The People's Daily (October 17) published an article captioned 'Unity and struggle to create
new historical achievements——A side note on the opening of the 20th National Congress of
the Communist Party of China'. The article said "From now on, the central task of the
Communist Party of China is to unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups in the country to
build a powerful modern socialist country in an all-round way, achieve the goal of the second
century of struggle, and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
with Chinese-style modernization." "The whole Party, the whole army, and the people of all
ethnic groups in the country must unite closely around the Party Central Committee, keep in
mind that empty talk will mislead the country, and hard work will rejuvenate the country,
strengthen confidence, work with one heart and one mind, work hard, and advance bravely, so
as to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way and advance it in an all-round way.
The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is united and striving." In concusion it said "
Holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uniting more closely
around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, self-confidence and
self-improvement, upholding integrity and innovation, working hard and forging ahead
courageously, we will surely be able to fully advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation with Chinese-style modernization , Create a new great cause with a new great struggle!"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: TWO NEW BOOKS ON XI JINPING PUBLISHED JUST BEFORE OPENING OF 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua (October 15) announced that two new books: "Xi Jinping's Footprints of Poverty
Alleviation" and "Xi Jinping's Feelings of Well-off" were recently jointly published by People's
Publishing House and Xinhua Publishing House and distributed nationwide. It said the
publication of "Xi Jinping's Footprints of Poverty Alleviation" and "Xi Jinping's Feelings for a
Well-off Society" "is conducive to people's systematic and in-depth understanding of the
extraordinary process and great achievements of the Party Central Committee with Comrade
Xi Jinping at the core to unite and lead the whole party and the people of all ethnic groups to
win a comprehensive well-off and decisive battle against poverty, to inspire and inspire the
majority of cadres and the masses to move forward bravely towards realizing the second
centenary goal and creating a happier and better life."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE DAILY EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF COMMITTED CADRES FOR ORGANISATIONAL WORK The China Organisation and Personnel Daily (Zuzhirenshi) published an article by Wang
Runyu, member of the Standing Committee of the Xining Municipal Committee of Qinghai
Province and the head of the Organization Department, on finding the new direction for
organizational work. It stressed the need to "adhere to the party's management of cadres,
highlight political standards, establish a correct orientation for selecting and employing people,
conduct regular research on cadres with "daring to take responsibility and act well", and focus
on cultivating and selecting high-quality professional cadres with both political integrity and
talent, loyalty and responsibility, especially outstanding young people cadre." It said "General
Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that having the guidance of Marxist scientific theory is the
foundation of our party's firm belief and grasp of historical initiative. We must pay close
attention to the theoretical arming, unremittingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to condense the soul, organize the majority of party
members and cadres to study with loyalty, comprehend with responsibility, and carry out the
spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party with a mission, and have a
profound understanding The decisive significance of "two establishments" is to strengthen
"four consciousnesses", strengthen "four self-confidences", and achieve "two maintenances".
It is necessary to study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China as a compulsory course in the education and training of party
schools and administrative colleges at all levels and as the core content of party member
education. Party member rotation training, etc., strengthen the education of ideals and beliefs,
guide party organizations at all levels and the majority of party members and cadres to deeply
feel the truth power of Marxism in the Chinese era, and ensure that under the banner of the
party, unite into "a piece of hard steel" and move forward in unison".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS FAILS TO PUBLISH ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR FIRST TIME IN DECADES China delayed the release of third-quarter GDP figures and a number of other economic
indicators, originally scheduled for October 18, according to an updated calendar published by
the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on October 17 afternoon. The NBS hasn’t given any
reason or published a new release date.
(Comment: This is the first time in decades that publication of these statistics has been delayed.
Chinese analysts say it could be because of the ongoing 20th Party Congress. It is, however,
more likely that the figures could dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the 'achievements'
claimed at the Congress.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBOC CONTEMPLATES CREATING "CREDIT FILE" ON EVERY ECONOMIC ENTITY Radio Free Asia (October 11) disclosed that on October 10, the Credit Bureau of the People’s
Bank of China (PBOC) published an article entitled, “Building a Credit System that Covers the
Whole Society.” The article claimed that China would establish a “credit file” on every
economic entity. The article pointed out that, as of the end of August 2022, the PBOC’s
personal credit system had access to or information on 4,081 financial institutions and logged
information on 1.15 billion natural persons. At the same time, the enterprise credit system had
access to 3,811 financial institutions and included information on 98 million enterprises. The
PBOC is also set to promote cross-field and cross-platform sharing of personal and corporate
credit information. According to the Chinese official media, the system will score a person or
an entity based using four major areas: personal business activities, social behavior,
administrative affairs and judicial records. Individuals who make sensitive comments on social
media, for example, may have points deducted and may even be blacklisted.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE REACTION TO U.S. RESTRICTIONS ON SALE OF ADVANCED INTEGRATED CIRCUITS TO CHINA Caixin (October 17) stated that the Biden administration landed its heaviest blows yet in this
month’s escalation of the U.S. war on China’s semiconductor ambitions. The sweeping new
restrictions unveiled Oct. 7 affect not only the sale of advanced integrated circuits,
sophisticated chipmaking equipment and supercomputer parts but also China’s ability to hire
top talent. It said industry experts said that in the short term, the restrictions will limit Chinese
chipmakers’ ability to make certain types of electronic devices that are at the heart of modern
products ranging from household appliances to mobile phones, smart electric vehicles and
advanced military weapons. In the long term, the policies may spur China to try to accelerate
its self-sufficiency drive in semiconductors and the equipment to produce them. A Caixin
editorial (October 17) suggested that the German chancellor and some EU officials, by contrast,
took a supportive stance on globalization and defied “decoupling.” China has expressed its
appreciation for their support. In response to the global supply chain crisis, China should send
an even stronger signal that it will continue to open up and put its globalization intentions into
action. It is crucial that China adheres to objective patterns when it comes to economic growth
and scientific and technological development, and makes proper institutional arrangements.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S LEADERSHIP CONVENES SERIES OF EMERGENCY MEETINGS OF TECH LEADERS IN WAKE OF LATEST U.S. RESTRICTIONS ON HI-TECH SALES Bloomberg (October 20) reported that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information
Technology convened a series of emergency meetings over the past week with leading
semiconductor companies, seeking to assess the damage from the Biden
administration’s sweeping chip restrictions to contain China’s technological ambitions. The
meetings were also to pledge support for the critical sector. It summoned executives from firms
including Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. and supercomputer specialist Dawning
Information Industry Co. MIIT officials appeared uncertain about the way forward and at times
appeared to have as many questions as answers for the chipmakers, people familiar with the
discussions said. While they refrained from hinting about counter-measures, officials stressed
the domestic IT market would provide sufficient demand for affected companies to keep
operating.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY: FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS EXAMINING REPORTS OF CHINESE POLICE STATIONS FUNCTIONING IN THEIR COUNTRIES After a report revealed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has established police service
stations and conducted police operations in foreign countries, some of these countries started
conducting investigations. In some other countries politicians have put on pressure for action
to be taken. Safeguard Defenders, a human rights organization in Spain, reported in September
that the CCP has extended its police operations overseas. It has set up at least 54 police service
stations in 30 countries, including the U.S. (New York), France (Paris), Canada (Toronto),
Spain (Madrid), and elsewhere. Their main mission is to hunt for those Chinese who stole
money and went overseas. “Rather than using legal forms of international cooperation, they
have resorted to pressuring targets to return. In fact some 230,000 people have been involved
for a little over year.” These police service stations have physical locations and phone numbers
so that people can call and provide information. Beijing claimed that its purpose was to provide
ID services or China’s driver’s license renewal to Chinese citizens overseas. However, some
countries where Beijing has conducted these police operations, feel this is a violation of their
sovereignty. Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Ministry officials have expressed concern to the Chinese
Embassy and are consulting within the entire government as to how to resolve this issue. The
Ministry of Interior in Spain started its investigation. In the U.S., Jim Bank (R), Chairman of
the Republican Study Committee, Michael Waltz (R), Mike Gallagher (R), along with 18 other
House Representatives, wrote a letter to Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Justice
Garland, stating, “There should be no room for the Chinese government to exercise
extraterritorial law enforcement unilaterally on U.S. soil.” On October 4, the Canadian House
of Commons committee on relations between Canada and the People’s Republic of China held
a hearing on this issue. Weldon Epp, a China lead with Global Affairs Canada, stated at the
hearing, “The activity that’s being alleged (about the police service stations) would be entirely
illegal, totally inappropriate and would be the subject of very serious representations.”
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GUIZHOU: GUIZHOU PARTY SECRETARY SUPPORTS "TWO ESTABLISHMENTS" AND "TWO SAFEGUARDS" AT MEETING OF GUIZHOU DELEGATES AT 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Guizhou Party Secretary Chen Yiqin, during the discussions with Delegates from Guizhou said
"Wholeheartedly support "two establishments", faithfully practice "two safeguards". He added
that this "must become the distinctive political character of Guizhou Party members and cadres
and become the most distinctive political background of Guizhou's political ecology".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN DAILY ARTICLE UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF GRASS-ROOTS PARTY ORGANISATIONS The Tianjin Daily (October 20) published an article captioned "Activate "nerve endings" and
polish the "happiness background" on the effectiveness of grass-roots party organisations.
Stating that "The party's grass-roots organization is the "nerve terminal" of the party's body,
and it is the foundation of the party's ruling building, and the foundation is solid and the
building is strong." It said "In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party
of China made by General Secretary Xi Jinping, he pointed out that we should adhere to the
clear orientation of focusing on the grassroots, build grassroots party organizations into strong
fighting fortresses that effectively realize the leadership of the party, encourage party members
to play a vanguard and exemplary role, and maintain the advanced nature and purity of party
members."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-SICHUAN: SICHUAN DAILY SUGGESTS CHINA "LEARNS" FROM GERMANY IN USE OF HYDROGEN ENERGY A Sichuan Daily (October 15) article captioned 'Technological change leads the new track of
hydrogen energy industry' said by 2050, hydrogen energy will be responsible for 18% of global
energy end-use demand. It said "The German circular economy system comprehensively
utilizes electricity, heat, gas, water and industrial processes to improve efficiency and achieve
energy saving and carbon reduction through the interconnection of production processes and
the recycling of input and output. China's industries are relatively closed, and electricity, heat,
gas, and water have not been integrated. Sichuan should learn from Germany's experience, take
systematic energy saving and carbon reduction and systematic circular economy as an
important starting point to achieve "carbon neutrality", and explore a new path suitable for
Sichuan." The article also said "Chengdu is a typical energy-using terminal city. It is suggested
that in the next five to ten years, it will focus on the four energy-using terminals of energy,
transportation, construction and industry, and lead the new industry competition through
technological changes. road. First, in terms of energy, improve the strategic positioning of
Sichuan's hydropower resources. Hydropower is not only a clean energy source for Sichuan,
but also a strategic resource for the whole country. When China implements grid-connected
power generation with a high proportion of renewable energy in the future, the large-scale
energy storage of hydropower resources will become the determinant of the safe and stable
operation of the large power grid."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY REQUESTS FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN HONGKONG TO SUBMIT THEIR REAL ESTATE INFORMATION INCLUDING FLOOR PLANS Radio France International (October 4, 2022), reported that according to Financial Times, in
the past few months, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested foreign
diplomat’s missions in Hong Kong to submit their real estate information, including floor plans.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) also wants to collect and review their leases and/or sales
contracts. It said diplomats from these foreign countries are concerned that the CCP’s request
will jeopardize the security of their buildings and their properties.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA SHOWS CLIPS OF CLASH IN GALWAN VALLEY TO DELEGATES AT OPENING OF CHINA'S 20TH PARTY CONGRESS On the opening day of China's 20th Party Congress in Beijing on October 16, movie clips of
the clash that occurred between Chinese and Indian troops in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh in
June 2020 were shown to all the 2,340 Delegates and 83 veteran cadres invited to the 20th
Party Congress on the big screens in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The decision to
show the clip will have been taken at the highest echelon of the CCP. It signals that relations
between China and India will be strained for a long time.
(Comment: Screening the clip is clearly intended to portray India as an "aggressor" nation and
shows that Beijing is prepared for bilateral relations to be strained for a long time. Also, that it
expects to be able to normalise bilateral relations without restoring the status quo on the border.
It sets the stage for further military actions by China along the 4,057kms LAC. A similar clip
was telecast on May 4th.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-BHUTAN: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO INDIA SUN WEIDONG VISITS BHUTAN IN MID-OCTOBER The Global Times (October 13) reported that the Chinese Ambassador to India, Sun Weidong,
arrived in Bhutan on October 10 on a 3-day visit. It claimed the visit signified "a step forward
in friendly relations and indicates boundary talks between the two countries have been moving
in a friendly direction since they signed the MoU in 2021". During his visit from October 10
and 13, Sun Weidong met Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Prime Minister
of Bhutan Lotay Tshering, Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji and others. Global Times said Sun
Weidong had noted: "China attaches great importance to China-Bhutan relations and will, as
always, respect Bhutan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the
development path chosen by Bhutan according to its own national conditions." It added that,
according to the Chinese Ambassador he was told "Bhutan will continue to adhere to the one-
China principle and is willing to strengthen practical cooperation with China, solve boundary
issues through friendly consultation and advance the development of the two countries'
relations". It observed too that "China and Bhutan signed the MoU in October 2021 in a bid to
speed up boundary talks that had been delayed."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-UK: CHINA RECRUITING TRAINED EX-MILITARY PILOTS TO TRAIN CHINESE AIR FORCE PILOTS TO DEFEAT WESTERN WARPLANES AND HELICOPTERS SkyNews (October 18) quoting officials disclosed that China has recruited dozens of former
British military pilots to teach the Chinese armed forces how to defeat western warplanes and
helicopters in a "threat to UK interests". One official said some 30 mainly ex-fast jet but also
some helicopter pilots - lured by annual salaries of around £240,000 - are currently in China
training pilots for the People's Liberation Army. It said Beijing is actively trying to hire many
more serving and former military pilots and other specialists from across the RAF, the Royal
Navy and the British Army as well as personnel from other western nations. China is using
third-party head-hunters, including the Test Flying Academy of South Africa, a company based
in South Africa, to target personnel. UK's Ministry of Defence's Defence Intelligence service
on October 18 said the situation is so grave, that it issued a "threat alert" to warn serving and
former military personnel against such approaches.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-UK: CHINESE DIPLOMATS DRAG PROTESTER INSIDE CONSULATE PREMISES AND BEAT HIM British police are investigating an assault on a protester who was beaten by several men after
being dragged inside the grounds of the Chinese consulate in Manchester on October 16, during
a demonstration against President Xi Jinping. Videoclips showing people beating the
demonstrator flooded the social media in Britain. Reports identify the man kicking down the
banner as Chinese Consul-General Zheng Xiyuan. The other Chinese diplomats are:Consul
Gao Lianjia (高连甲); (unknown, probably a young staff); Counselor Chen Wei (陈伟); and
Deputy Consul General Fan Yingjie (范映杰).
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE BLINKEN SAYS CHINA UNDER XI JINPING IS PURSUING PLANS TO 'ANNEX' TAIWAN ON A FASTER TIMELINE The Guardian (October 18) reported US Secretary of State Blinken as saying in conversation
with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at Stanford University on October 17, that
China’s government is pursuing its plans to annex Taiwan on a “much faster timeline” under
Xi Jinping. He reiterated warnings of global economic disruption if Taiwan was taken over.
Blinken said peace and stability between China and Taiwan had been successfully maintained
for decades, but Beijing had changed its approach. He said “Instead of sticking with the status
quo that was established in a positive way, [Beijing has made] a fundamental decision that the
status quo is no longer acceptable, and Beijing is determined to pursue reunification on a much
faster timeline”. “If peaceful means didn’t work then would employ coercive means, and
possibly if coercive means don’t work then maybe forceful means to achieve its objective. That
is what is profoundly disrupting the status quo and creating tremendous tensions.” Speaking to
reporters Blinken said “The amount of commercial traffic that goes through the Straits every
day and has an impact on economies around the world is enormous. If that was to be disrupted
as a result of a crisis, countries around the world would suffer. [On] semiconductors – if
Taiwanese production were disrupted as a result of the crisis, you would have an economic
crisis around the world.” He added “We are at an inflection point”. “Technology will in many
ways retool our economies. It will reform our militaries. It will reshape the lives of people
across the planet. And so it’s profoundly a source of national strength.”
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA AND RUSSIA PLAN TO BUILD NEW TOLL HIGHWAY TO SHORTEN DISTANCE AS LARGEST BRI PROJECT IN RUSSIA The Silk Road News (October 17) disclosed that Meridian-CC7, a joint venture formed
between Russia’s JSC RHC, and China’s National Chemical Engineering and Construction
Company CC7 (a subsidiary of China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation), is
preparing a private concession initiative for the construction of the Meridian High-Speed Toll
Road. The JV split is 51-49 in the favour of JSC. The Meridian High-Speed Toll
Road, expected to cost around 600 billion rubles (US$9.5 billion), is an ambitious project
aimed to complete the 2000 km route from Russia to China, and stretches from the Belarus
border with the European Union to the Russian border with Kazakhstan, providing the
European and Urals leg of an existing highway that already crosses Kazakhstan to China. The
Meridian Highway will effectively link China directly to Western Russia by road
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PROTEST BANNER ON BRIDGE IN BEIJING CALLING FOR XI JINPING TO STEP DOWN Protest banners appeared on Sitong Bridge in Beijing's Haidian District together with a column
of dark smoke condemning Chinese leader Xi Jinping by name around1pm on October13.
Video footage and photographs of the smoke and two banners—one of which had “Depose the
Traitorous Dictator Xi Jinping” scrawled on it in red—circulated widely on Chinese socialmedia platforms Thursday. The banners read: "We Don’t Want Nucleic Acid Tests, We Want
Food; We Want Freedom, Not Lockdowns". “We Want Votes, Not Leaders; We Want Dignity,
Not Lies; We are Citizens, not Slaves".
(Comment: The protest has occurred amidst heavy security and just two days before the 20th
Party Congress opens in Beijing. Haidian is also the University District. Chinese chatter
reveals the name of the protestor as Peng Zaizhou, an engineer.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S WIFE PENG LIYUAN FEATURED ON FRONT PAGE OF CHINA EDUCATION DAILY The China Education Daily (October 12) featured Peng Liyuan, Xi Jinping's wife, on its front
page in her role as UNESCO'S Special Envoy for girl's and women’s education, delivering
congratulatory speeches at the award ceremony of the UNESCO 2022 Prize for Girls' and
Women's Education was held in Paris, France on October 11. The Prize for Girls' and Women's
Education jointly established by China and UNESCO is the organization's only award in the
field of promoting girls' and women's education.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT TO GO ON TWO DAY TRIP TO KAZAKHSTAN MISSING OPENING DAY OF 20TH PARTY CONGRESS China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing on October 11
that PRC Vice President Wang Qishan “will lead a delegation to Kazakhstan to attend the sixth
summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia [CICA]
in Astana".
(Comment: Wang Qishan's two-day trip is likely to mean that he will be absent from the Party
Congress that begins on October 16.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINHUA PUBLISHES BOOK OF XI JINPING'S SPEECH (TO MINISTERIAL CADRES IN JULY 2022) TO WELCOME 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua (October 9) reported that the Xinhua Publishing House had recently published a book
titled "Welcome to the 20th National Congress of the Party with Practical Actions: Study and
Implement the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Speech at the Provincial and
Ministerial Seminar"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANOTHER BOOK ON XI JINPING'S DISCUSSION ON GOVERNING THE PARTY BY REGULATIONS IS PUBLISHED Xinhua (October 7) reported that the book "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discussion on
Governing the Party by Regulations" edited by the Institute of Party History and Literature of
the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was recently published by the Central
Literature Publishing House and distributed nationwide. It published excerpts of the book and
said 'The "Discourse Digest" is divided into 10 special topics and a total of 400 paragraphs. It
is excerpted from more than 180 important documents such as reports, speeches, articles,
instructions and instructions of Comrade Xi Jinping during the period from November 15, 2012,
to June 17, 2022. Some of these discussions are published for the first time.'
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE’S DAILY REMEMBERS PENG ZHEN ON HIS 120TH BIRTHDAY The People's Daily (October 12) published an article commemorating the 120th birthday of
Peng Zhen. It observed that "from 1979 to 1988, Comrade Peng Zhen presided over the
formulation of 88 laws and 35 decisions on legal issues". The article described Peng Zhen as:
'a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, outstanding state activist, staunch Marxist, the
main founder of the socialist legal system in New China, and an outstanding leader of the party
and the country. In order to realize the lofty ideal of communism all his life, he has always
stood at the forefront of the cause of the party and the people, fought tenaciously and
unremittingly. His famous name, together with his contributions to the party, the country and
the people, will always be engraved in the annals of the Chinese nation.' It referred to him as 'a
member of the first generation of the party's leading collective.' It noted that 'During the
"Cultural Revolution", Comrade Peng Zhen was wrongly criticized and brutally persecuted.
But in the face of adversity, he always believed that the truth would win, believed in the party,
and believed in the people. He insisted on studying Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong
Thought and fought resolutely against the perverts of Lin Biao and Jiang Qing.' Praising the
contributions of the revolutionaries, the article said, 'We must unite more closely around the
CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, continue to carry forward the
historical initiative, work hard and move forward bravely, win greater victories and glory in
the new era and new journey, and meet the party with practical actions.'
(Comment: A tough conservative cadre, Peng Zhen was in charge of the security apparatus for
many years.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: 19TH CC OF CCP HOLDS 7TH PLENARY SESSION IN BEIJING ON OCTOBER 7 CCTV (October 7) announced that the 7th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of
the Chinese Communist Party was held in Beijing on October 7. It will last 4 days. CCP CC
General Secretary Xi Jinping made a work report to the plenary session on behalf of the
Political Bureau of the CCP CC and explained to the plenary session the 'discussion draft' of
the report of the 19th Central Committee to the 20th Party Congress. The work report, which
will outline basic policies as well as development goals of the party and the nation through
2027, is also expected to detail achievements in the 10 years since Xi became party chief in
2012. Xinhua said the 20th Party Congress will take stock of the party's work over the past five
years, "with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in uniting and leading the whole Party and Chinese
people of all ethnic groups to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the
new era." The 7th Plenum is expected to issue a communique through the media on the last day
of the session. Quoting Wang Huning, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and the
country's top ideological theorist, Xinhua said he talked about a draft amendment to the
Communist Party constitution. Nikkei Asia quoted CCP sources as separately commenting that
the amendment at the upcoming congress would incorporate wording that indicates Xi's
unswerving power and authority has been cemented. Caixin (October 10) said Politburo
member Wang Huning explained draft amendments to the party’s constitution
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: 7TH PLENUM COMMUNIQUE ISSUED ON 12 OCTOBER CCTV (October 12) reported the 7th Plenum's Communique in full. The Communique stated
that the 7th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
was held in Beijing from October 9 to 12, 2022, with 199 members of the Central Committee
and 159 alternate members of the Central Committee attending. Members of the Central
Commission for Discipline Inspection (CDIC) and relevant responsible comrades attended the
meeting. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee, delivered an important
speech. The plenary session decided that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party
of China will be held in Beijing on October 16, 2022. Stating that the plenary session listened
to and discussed Xi Jinping's work report and discussed and approved the work of the 19th
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Party to the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China, it said the Plenum also discussed adopting the "Constitution of the
Communist Party of China (Amendment)". Wang Huning explained to the plenary session the
discussion draft of the Constitution of the Communist Party of China (Amendment).
It said the plenum agreed that in the past year, 'in the face of the complex and severe
international environment and the arduous domestic reform, development and stability tasks,
the Political Bureau of the Central Committee has fully implemented Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, united and led the whole Party, the army
and the people of all ethnic groups in the country' while maintaining stability. It asserted that
5
the requirements that the epidemic must be prevented must be implemented. It called for
accelerating the pace of national defense and military modernization, and actively develop
China as a major country with Chinese characteristics. Summing up the work of the five years
since the 19th Party Congress, 'all agreed that the five years since the 19th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China have been extremely unusual and extraordinary. Over the
past five years, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has held high
the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implemented the spirit of the
19th National Congress of the Party and all the 19th Plenary Sessions, and adhered to the
importance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the
"Three Represents". It said it had resolutely safeguarded national security, prevented and
defused major risks, maintained social stability, vigorously promoted the modernization of
national defense and the military, carried out major-country diplomacy with Chinese
characteristics in an all-round way, and comprehensively promoted the building of the party to
a new greatness project. It said the leadership had "Properly responded to the risks and
challenges brought about by the Ukrainian crisis". Referring to Hongkong and Taiwan, the
communique said: 'According to the Constitution and the Basic Law, the overall governance
of the Special Administrative Region has been effectively exercised, and the principle of
"patriots ruling Hong Kong" has been implemented. The situation in Hong Kong has achieved
a major transition from chaos to governance. Adhering to the one-China principle and the "1992
Consensus" demonstrates our strong determination and capability to safeguard national
sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose "Taiwan independence".' It said, 'Over the past
five years, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has reviewed the
situation, maintained integrity and innovation, dared to fight, and was good at fighting'. A
special paragraph mentioned that 'The plenary session emphasized that the major achievements
of the Party and the country in the five years since the 19th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China are the result of the strong leadership of the Party Central
Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. achieved through solidarity. The Party
has established Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of
the whole Party and establishes the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is of decisive significance for advancing the historical
process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The whole party must deeply
understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", strengthen the "four
consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", achieve the "two maintenances", and
6
unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core ,
fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,
work hard and move forward courageously, and work together to build a modern socialist
country in an all-round way and promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an allround way'.
Regarding the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, 'they agreed that under the strong
leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, discipline
inspection committees at all levels faithfully fulfilled the responsibilities entrusted by the party
constitution, resolutely implemented the party's strategic deployment of self-revolution and the
strategic policy of comprehensively and strictly governing the party, and persistently
implemented the eight central regulations, strict political discipline and political rules,
resolutely safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central
Committee, strengthen political supervision, deepen political inspections, promote the
implementation of the political responsibility of comprehensively and strictly administer the
Party, and rectify the unhealthy practices and corruption problems around the masses. The
plenary meeting decided to replace the alternate members of the Central Committee Ma
Guoqiang, Wang Ning, and Wang Weizhong as members of the Central Committee. The
plenary session reviewed and approved the review report of the Central Commission for
Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China on Fu Zhenghua, Shen Deyong, Li Jia
and Zhang Jinghua's serious violations of discipline and law, confirming that Fu Zhenghua,
Shen Deyong and Zhang Jinghua were expelled from the party by the Political Bureau of the
Central Committee, and Li Jia was dismissed from the party job sanction.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: PEOPLE'S COURT DAILY PROFILES FEMALE JUDGE SELECTED AS DELEGATE TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The People's Court Daily (October 8) published the bio profile of Chen Zhixiu, Secretary of
the Party Leadership Group and President of the Chengdong District People's Court, Xining
City, Qinghai Province, on its front page. She is a Representative to the 20th Party Congress.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: LENGTHY BEIJING DAILY ARTICLE CREDITS XI JINPING THOUGHT AS DECISIVE IN DEVELOPING CAUSE OF THE PARTY AND COUNTRY IN THE NEW ERA The Beijing Daily (October 10) published a lengthy article by Lin Jianhua, Vice President,
Professor and Doctoral Supervisor of the Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences, captioned 'Theory Weekly welcomes the special issue of the 20th National Congress
| A new leap in the understanding of the laws of socialist construction with Chinese
characteristics'. It said that 'since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,
socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era’ and called it an "Extraordinary
Decade" which has 'profoundly answered the major issues of the times as to what kind of
socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the new era, and how to uphold
and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. The new leap of socialism with Chinese
characteristics in the new era not only demonstrates the significant advantages and vitality of
socialism with Chinese characteristics, but also interprets the new connotation and fundamental
trend of scientific socialism in the 21st century'. Discussing China's stage of development, it
said 'some people say that China is engaged in "capital socialism", some people say it is "state
capitalism", and some people say it is "new bureaucratic capitalism",' but all are completely
wrong. "The new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics is a new great achievement in
the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics and a new historical orientation in
China's development". It "is an era of inheriting the past and ushering in the future and
continuing to win the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics under new
historical conditions". It asserted "The main task facing the Communist Party of China is to
achieve the first centenary goal, start a new journey to realize the second centenary goal, and
continue to advance toward the grand goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core makes overall plans
to grasp the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the great
changes unseen in the world in a century". Among the ten main points in the great strategy it
first listed 'The first "clearly" points out that the most essential feature of socialism with
Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and the greatest
advantage of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the
Communist Party of China'; and the third 'is to realize socialist modernization and the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and propose to promote the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization'. It emphasised that "that the Party has
8
established Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the
whole Party and established the guiding position of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Wishes are of decisive significance to the development
of the cause of the party and the country in the new era, and to the historical process of
promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". "The creation and development of Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has brought Marxism
to the world with a brand-new image, and the historical evolution and competition of the two
ideologies, socialism and capitalism, and the two social systems have occurred worldwide".
ii) A second article in Beijing Daily (October 10) captioned 'The new realm of managing the
party, building the party and strengthening the party' said that in this "Extraordinary Decade"
"Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era provides an
action guide for comprehensively and strictly governing the party. Since the 18th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of
China has promoted the comprehensive and strict governance of the party with strong
determination and unprecedented strength, and effectively strengthened the party's leadership
and party building".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: OFFICIAL CDIC PAPER HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF CADRES BEING HONEST AND NOT FAVOURING THEIR CHILDREN The "China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News" (October 7) published an article
captioned 'Family style is the best inheritance' in its newly launched "Inheritance" column.
Stating that "a group of outstanding party members and cadres have once again entered the
public eye", it cited examples of cadres who do not interfere in the affairs of their children and
ensure "they have to walk on their own", who lived in a two-bedroom apartment that was cold
in winter and hot in summer for 16 years regardless of whether he took up the leadership
position of the deputy commander of the military sub-district or returned to an ordinary party
member after retiring, and who were "honest and clean" and maintained the "party's image". It
added "Family affairs lead to national affairs, and family style even political style. For party
members and leading cadres, they should be leaders in the inheritance of family traditions, set
an example for family traditions construction, put family traditions in an important position,
and cultivate good family traditions."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: OFFICIAL CDIC PAPER HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF "RESOLUTELY SAFEGUARDING XI JINPING'S CORE POSITION AND CORE POSITION OF THE WHOLE PARTY" The "China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News" (October 7) disclosed that "recently,
the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection held the 28th
collective study, emphasizing that discipline inspection and supervision organs at all levels
should more consciously undertake the special mission and major responsibility of "two
maintenance", strengthen political supervision, deepen political inspection, and give full play
to supervision and protection. Implement, promote and improve the role of development,
ensure the implementation of the party's line, principles and policies and the decisions and
arrangements of the party central committee, and ensure that party organizations at all levels
and party members and cadres consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the party
central committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, concentrate their efforts, and work in
unity." It said, "Resolutely achieving the "two safeguards" is a major political achievement and
valuable experience of our party since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China" and "wherever we go, political supervision over the implementation of the party
constitution and the party rules and the implementation of major policies and principles has
become the norm." It asserted that "The most fundamental thing is the formation and
establishment of General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and
the core position of the entire Party, and adherence to the authority and centralized and unified
leadership of the Party Central Committee". It said, "Disciplinary inspection and supervision
organs are an important force in the management of the party and have a special mission and
major responsibility in the "two maintenance”. It declared in conclusion: "The world today is
undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and our country is in a critical period of
realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The closer we get to the goal, the more
complicated the situation and the more arduous the task, the more we must unite as "a piece of
hard steel" under the banner of the party. Disciplinary inspection and supervision organs must
practice their original aspirations, take on their mission, deeply understand the decisive
significance of the "two establishments", resolutely safeguard General Secretary Xi Jinping's
core position of the Party Central Committee and the core position of the whole party,
resolutely safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central
Committee, and promote all parties. Party organizations at all levels and the majority of Party
members and cadres deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments",
10
further enhance the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and achieve
the "two maintenances" to ensure the unity of the whole party on the new journey Will, unity
of action, progress in unison."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CDIC HOLDS ITS 19TH CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING IN BEIJING ON OCTOBER 7 The People's Court Daily (October 8) disclosed that the Seventh Plenary Session of the 19th
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China was held in
Beijing on October 7, 2022. There were 129 members of the Central Commission for Discipline
Inspection who attended the plenary meeting, and 2 were present as non-voting delegates. The
plenary session was chaired by the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for
Discipline Inspection. Zhao Leji, Politburo member and Secretary of the Central Discipline
Inspection Commission (CDIC) delivered a speech. The plenary session reviewed and
approved the work report of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to the 20th
National Congress of the Communist Party of China and agreed to submit the report to the
Seventh Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for
deliberation
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CDIC HOLDS UP CHONGQING AS MODEL FOR INTEGRATED CURING OF CORRUPTION The China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News of the CDIC (October 11) published
an article captioned 'Chongqing deepens the use of cases to promote reform and governance -
- Improve the comprehensive efficiency of promoting the "three non-corruption". The article
illustrated how Chongqing had dealt with cases of corruption.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: BEIJING MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT SET TO ISSUE ORDERS INSTRUCTING GOVERNMENT STAFF WHO DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC TO BEHAVE The Telegraph (October 10) reported that according to Chinese news reports the Beijing
Government Service Administrative Bureau issued an edict titled "Ability Specification for
Government Service General Counter Staff", aimed at any government staff in the Chinese
capital who deal with the public, including day-to-day bureaucracy like handling requests for
driving licences and birth certificates. This followed acceptance at a high level that some
frontline government staff have a "crude, disrespectful and perfunctory attitude" and, according
to the Chinese media, changing that will "optimise China's business environment" and
"improve public confidence in government services." The edict is still a draft proposal, and the
Beijing public is being given the chance to comment until October 26, on the website of the
Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation. Government staff will thereafter
receive the final list of what they can and cannot say.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA FOCUSES ON SKILL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO MEET THE COMING NEW REQUIREMENTS Xinhua (October 7) disclosed that the CCP CC General Office and the General Office of the
State Council had recently issued a 19-paragraph "Opinions on Strengthening the Construction
of High-skilled Talents in the New Era". They had also issued a notice, requiring all regions
and departments to earnestly implement them in light of their actual conditions. Its preamble
stated "Skilled talents are an important force supporting Made in China and Created in China.
Strengthening the construction of high-skilled talent teams above senior workers is of great
significance for consolidating and developing the advanced nature of the working class,
enhancing the country's core competitiveness and scientific and technological innovation
capabilities, alleviating structural contradictions in employment, and promoting high-quality
development. In order to implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central
Committee and the State Council, and to strengthen the construction of a high-skilled talent
team in the new era, the following opinions are hereby offered". It added that it will be "Guided
by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly
implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the
19th Plenary Sessions, fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on
doing a good job in talent work in the new era, adhere to the party's management of talents,
and base itself on new development." The Opinions focussed "high-skilled training
mechanisms", on Vocational Institutions, and the "party's overall leadership over the
construction of a high-skilled talent team to ensure the correct political direction"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S DEPENDENCE ON IMPORTED GAS HAS INCREASED DESPITE EFFORTS TO BOOST DOMESTIC PRODUCTION Reuters (October 7) reported that China’s reliance on imported gas is increasing despite
government efforts to boost domestic output, creating an intensifying problem for both energy
and national security. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, China’s gas
production increased by 6% in the first eight months of 2022 compared with the same period
in 2021. Production has increased at a compound annual rate of 7% over the last ten years,
doubling between 2011 and 2021, as the government encouraged the development of major
fields in Sichuan, Xinjiang and the Ordos Basin. But consumption has grown even faster, at a
compound rate of almost 11% over the same period, as more households have been connected
to the distribution network. It said replacing wood, coal and bottled gas for residential and
commercial heating and cooking has played a key role in reducing urban air pollution and
improving quality of life. Separately, the China Statistical Yearbook disclosed that the
population with access to gas had climbed to 413 million in 2020, up from 286 million in 2015
and 170 million in 2010
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MORE THAN 20 CITIES ACROSS CHINA ARE OFFERING INCENTIVES FOR PURCHASE OF HOUSING STOCKS Sixth Tone (October 7) quoting The Paper (October 6) reported that cities across China are
resorting to pressuring groups of state-sector workers to buy up unsold housing stock at
discounts of up to 30%, as local governments struggle to jump-start flatlining property markets.
It said China’s real estate sector is mired in its worst debt crisis in decades, with developers
across the country defaulting on payments and halting construction on new projects. The
turbulence has triggered a wider loss of market confidence: Land and property sales have fallen
by double-digit levels in 2022. The Paper added that local governments are under pressure to
get the market moving again, which is leading many to create “group buying” schemes, where
employers — normally state-sector entities — are offered steep discounts if large numbers of
their staff agree to buy properties. The Paper said more than 20 cities have launched group
buying property programs since June, including in China’s remote northwest and eastern
coastline, many are small, third- or fourth-tier cities. The list includes several provincial
capitals, including Shenyang, Liaoning province, and Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous
Region. In several cases, cities are explicitly targeting their group buying schemes at state-
sector workers, with real estate companies encouraged to hold marketing events for local
governments, state-owned enterprises, and other public sector institutions. Discounts offered
on group purchases vary by city. For example, in Huanggang, in Hubei province, real estate
companies are required to cut prices by at least 3% if groups of more than 20 people agree to
buy apartments. Wuzhou, in Guangxi, is offering discounts of up to 30% when groups purchase
more than five units. Chen Xiao, a senior analyst at real estate platform Zhuge Zhaofang, told
The Paper that the cities offering these schemes tend to have particularly high numbers of
unsold properties.
(Comment: Sixth Tone is a subsidiary of The Paper.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA EDUCATION DAILY PUBLICISES INCREASE OVER TEN YEARS IN NUMBER OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROVIDING IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL TEACHING An article published by the China Education Daily (October 8) with the caption 'Strengthening
the Party's Overall Leadership in Education' in connection with the 20th Party Congress
reviewed the 'new chapter of education in the new era and new journey'. Its Editor observed:
'A hundred years of prosperous years, ten years of extraordinary journey. History and reality
have repeatedly proved that the key to running China's affairs well lies in the Party". The article
emphasised that 'Education is the country's plan and the party's plan. Today, there is no other
cause like education, which affects or even determines the training of successors, the long-term
stability of the country, and the rejuvenation of the nation and the rise of the country.' Listing
a series of documents and instructions issued by Xi Jinping, it said 31 colleges and universities
have been selected as "one-stop" student community management reform pilots, and nearly
1,000 colleges and universities are promoted to drive the party building and ideological and
political forces in colleges and universities across the country to accelerate the construction of
a "big ideological and political course" pattern, make good use of social big classrooms, create
online "cloud classrooms", and deepen the ideological and political classrooms. It said in the
past ten years, the ideological and political work team has continued to develop and expand
and from more than 100 colleges and universities presently there are more than 1,440 colleges
and universities across the country providing important talent support for ideological and
political construction. There are more than 127,000 full-time and part-time teachers in
ideological and political courses in colleges and universities, and high education and youth
have become new characteristics of the construction of ideological and political course teachers.
There are more than 243,000 full-time and part-time counsellors in colleges and universities.
They are the caring people and guardians of the "24-hour online" around students.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS THAT CHINA IS DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE ITS GOALS DESPITE THE WORLD UNDERGOING GREAT CHANGES A People's Daily (October 12) commentary captioned 'Guiding us to walk out a new road of
major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics (people's point of view) ——The
fundamental principles of my country's foreign work in the new era' praised Xi Jinping's
guidance of foreign policy. It quoted him saying 'the world today is undergoing great changes
unseen in a century, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical
period and determined the strategic goals and strategic coordinates of China's diplomatic work
in the new era, guiding us to blaze a new path of major-country diplomacy with Chinese
characteristics.'
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI PROVINCIAL CPPCC PARTY GROUP HOLDS STUDY MEETING In an article captioned 'Do a good job in the political consultation of the CPPCC and create a
good environment for the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China', the Hubei Daily News (October 10) disclosed that the theoretical
study centre group of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference Party Group held a
collective study, focusing on the in-depth study and implementation of the fourth volume of
"Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country" on the whole process of people's democracy. It
said 'The meeting believed that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on the
whole process of people's democracy revealed the rich connotation and unique advantages of
Chinese-style democracy, provided scientific guidance for the development of socialist
political civilization, and contributed Chinese solutions to the development of human political
civilization. It is necessary to deeply understand and grasp its ideological system, core essence,
and practical requirements, and deeply understand that the People's Political Consultative
Conference is an important channel and specialized consultative body for socialist consultative
democracy and plays an important role in the development of people's democracy in the whole
process. To the "two maintenance", the requirements of the development of people's democracy
in the whole process are implemented into the work of the CPPCC in performing its duties. It
is necessary to take the action of "front-line consultation and joint creation" as the starting point,
continuously enrich the Hubei practice of people's democracy in the whole process, focus on
pragmatic advice on people's livelihood, make every effort to solve practical problems of
people's livelihood, effectively carry out democratic supervision, and broadly gather consensus
from all parties, so as to better achieve The people's yearning for a better life contributes to the
CPPCC. The meeting pointed out that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist
Party of China's United Front policy.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI LAUNCHES LEGAL AWARENESS PROGRAMME TARGETING CHILDREN The Hubei Daily (October 7) said that the province had launched a number of programmes in
the year to raise the people's awareness regarding "justice and cast the sword of law
enforcement." Chen Xiaoli, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Fangxian People's Procuratorate,
Hubei, said "Since the opening of the base, more than 110 legal popularization activities have
been carried out, with more than 9,000 people experiencing it." Chen Xiaoli said about the
programme, which focuses on children, "Interactive legal popularization education has
changed the traditional indoctrination and passive education, mobilized the enthusiasm and
initiative of young people to participate in legal popularization education, and helped improve
the quality and efficiency of legal popularization education."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG AUTHORITIES ACKNOWLEDGE "SOME LOOPHOLES IN ANTI-EPIDEMIC WORK" AS RESPONSIBLE FOR EPIDEMIC OUTBREAK The Global Times (October 5) quoted Liu Sushe, Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang-Uyghur
Autonomous Region government, as saying the latest epidemic outbreak has become the most
difficult major public health emergency to prevent and control in local history, during which
the nucleic acid testing has become the biggest weakness. 91 new local asymptomatic cases
were recorded on October 4 bringing the total to 354 in the region. He said the current round
of epidemic prevention and control work in Xinjiang has not achieved the goal of "dynamic
zero-COVID" for two months not only due to the reasons of strong infectiousness, fast
transmission and short incubation period of the Omicron BA.5.2 variant, but also because of
some loopholes in the anti-epidemic work. He added that the latest epidemic, which broke out
on July 30 in Xinjiang, has spread to 37 corps of counties, cities and districts of 13 prefectures,
which has become a major public health emergency with the fastest transmission speed, the
widest coverage, the largest number of infected people, and the greatest difficulty in prevention
and control in the history of Xinjiang. Liu Sushe also apologized for the spill over of the
infections to many other provinces and regions. The Global Times (October 5) quoted Yang
Zhanqiu, Professor of the Pathogen Biology Department at Wuhan University, as saying as
Xinjiang is getting colder and the temperature in Urumqi mostly has been below 10 C recently,
the COVID-19 virus is becoming more active in the region, making it easier to transmit. In
early August, the local regional health authority said the virus was of a different origin from
the Omicron sub-variant BA.5.2 in the domestic coronavirus gene sequence database, so it can
be concluded that the virus was imported from abroad.
ii) Caixin (October 5) disclosed that the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has suspended
all passenger train travel from the region to prevent a two-month outbreak of Covid-19 from
spreading further. The governments of four cities including the capital Urumqion October 4
warned people against leaving after other parts of the country reported new imported cases of
Covid-19 coming from Xinjiang. The warning arrived just days before the CCP is scheduled
to hold its 20th Party Congress in Beijing.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-INNER MONGOLIA: INNER MONGOLIA AUTONOMOUS REGION FACES FRESH OUTBREAK OF OMICRON VARIANT BF.7 The Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region has also since October 8 been faced with an
outbreak of the epidemic. Its capital, Hohhot is battling the country’s first outbreak of new
omicron subvariant, BF.7, which is thought to be more transmissible and better able to evade
the immune system than other strains. Local health authorities said that almost all of the nearly
700 local cases found by October 6 in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region came from
Hohhot. The regional capital has reported more than 1,800 local infections since detecting a
Covid case Sept. 28 that was later confirmed to be the BF.7 subvariant.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GUIZHOU: GUIZHOU GOVERNMENT GIVES 70 MILLION YUAN LOAN FOR PHASE-I TECHNICAL TRANSFORMATION OF LITHIUM ION CATHODE PRODUCTION LINE The Guizhou Daily (October 8) reported that the Provincial Development and Reform
Commission had disclosed on October 6 that a few days ago, the Export-Import Bank of China
Guizhou Branch and Guizhou Zhenhua New Materials Co., Ltd. successfully signed a contract
to invest 70 million yuan in equipment purchase and renovation loans to be used for support of
the technical transformation project of Zhenhua New Materials Shawen Phase I lithium-ion
battery cathode material production line, marking the completion of the first loan for equipment
purchase and renovation in Guizhou. The financial discount policy for equipment purchase and
renovation loans in some fields is mainly aimed at equipment purchase and renovation projects
in 10 fields such as industrial digital transformation and new infrastructure. Eligible projects
will provide medium and long-term loans at an interest rate of no higher than 3.2%, and the
central government will give a discount of 2.5% to the loan with a term of 2 years. This policy
is another major policy of the state following the policy-based development of financial tools
and the expansion of medium and long-term loans for the manufacturing industry.
(Comment: This is the province's first loan for equipment purchase and renovation and a second
phase is planned for stabilising the economy.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN PUBLICISES ITS ADVANCES IN 'KEY' INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION The Tianjin Daily (October 7) disclosed that the total number of key industrial projects under
construction in Tianjin had reached 398, with a total investment of 290.2 billion yuan. The
number of key industrial projects completed and put into operation in the first three quarters of
the city reached 105. It said the transformation of industrial kinetic energy continues to advance.
In the first eight months of this year, the added value of the city's high-tech industries
(manufacturing) increased by 6.2%, accounting for 14.3% of the industry above the designated
size. The Tianjin Daily added that the scale of reserve projects continued to expand and that
while doing a good job of industrial projects under construction, it is expected to start 93 more
projects before the end of the year.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN DAILY ARTICLE URGES PARTY CADRES AND MEMBERS TO ADHERE TO THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE'S POLITICAL STANCE An article in the Tianjin Daily (October 8) said the research results of the "Learning to
strengthen the country" learning platform published on September 27 fully reflect the
effectiveness and enlightenment of Tianjin's "deep learning and application of Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era since the 18th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China". Asserting that "All the progress and development
of Tianjin in the new era lies in the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with
Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" and that "We must deeply understand the decisive
significance of the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve the "two maintenances". It said,
"party members and cadres must be guided "to adhere to political standing, cultivate loyalty
and virtue, consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee
in political stance, political direction, political principles, and political path, and consciously
become Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics" and become firm
believers, active disseminators, and faithful practitioners of ideas."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN MUNICIPALITY CLAIMS XI JINPING'S INSTRUCTIONS HAVE PROMOTED GDP GROWTH OF TIANJIN The Tianjin Daily (October 10) published an article captioned 'Practicing Xi Jinping's
economic thought to promote high-quality economic and social development' authored by the
Theoretical Study Centre Group of the Party Leadership Group of the Tianjin Development
and Reform Commission of the Communist Party of China. It said that in accordance with the
requirements of the Municipal Party Committee, the Party Group of the Municipal
Development and Reform Commission conducted a collective study of the spirit of General
Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the provincial and ministerial-level seminars for
leading cadres, and systematically studied, publicized and implemented the spirit of General
Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and "Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country". It
credited Xi Jinping's instructions on epidemic control and economic stabilisation with boosting
Tianjin's GDP.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: CCTV PUBLICISES COMPLETION OF SICHUAN-TIBET RAILWAY LINE CCTV (October 7) reported that Nyingchi, located in the south-eastern region of Tibet, was in
the past not connected by railway and it took 10 hours to drive from Nyingchi to Lhasa. Now,
a "Plateau Xintian Road" connects Lhasa and Nyingchi. The designed speed of the Lalin
Railway is 160 kilometres per hour, and the shortest running time from Lhasa to Nyingchi is
only 3 hours and 29 minutes. It added that an important part of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, the
construction of the Lalin Line is unprecedentedly difficult: mountainous areas, plateaus,
crossing the Brahmaputra many times, a large number of bridges and tunnels, and complex
geological conditions. It observed that 'General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance
to the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. He pointed out that the planning and
construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway is a major measure to promote the development of
Tibet and improve people's livelihood'. The report noted that there are more than 100 bridges
on this 435.48-kilometer line, and the length of bridges accounts for more than 20% of the total
length of the line. 'It is the most economical choice to build a railway in the mountainous area
along the river valley. Therefore, the Lalin Railway has crossed the Brahmaputra 16 times'. It
said by the end of 2021, the navigable mileage of China's inland waterways will reach 128,000
kilometres; there will be 20,867 berths for production, including 2,659 berths of 10,000-ton
and above, basically forming world-class port groups such as the Yangtze River Delta, TianjinHebei, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CLAIMS 1300 INDIAN STUDENTS ISSUED VISAS More than 1,300 Indian students have recently received Chinese visa, Director-General of the
Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong revealed on October 11 while
meeting India's Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat. The Global Times (October 12)
described the resumption for long-term student visas as "exciting news for Indian students to
hear after a halt of more than two years due to COVID-19".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES ATTEMPTS TO HIGHLIGHT SOCALLED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDIA AND U.S. Pointing to Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's remark -- in response
to a question about India-Russia relations -- while in Australia on October 10, the Global Times
(October 11) quoted him as saying that India has "really a longstanding relationship with Russia,
a relationship that has certainly served our interest well," and "for multiple decades, Western
countries did not supply weapons to India." He added that "we all in international politics deal
with what we have. We make judgments which are reflective of both our future interest as well
as our current situation." The article said 'As long as a major country adheres to its own strategic
autonomy, it is impossible to remain on the same page with Washington on all issues. There
must be differences. However, Washington does not accept or respect such strategic autonomy.
Worse, it deliberately seeks to contain others' strategic autonomy. Nowadays, the trend of
multi-polarization in the international community is becoming mainstream. And there is an
increasing number of countries are brave enough to say "no" to the US. The US and its Western
allies will keep trying to draw India over to their side. Nevertheless, on many issues including
the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India is sending a signal - if the US and the West continue to cast
a cold eye to other countries' national interests while asking them to take sides, they will end
up in disappointment.'
(Comment: The Chinese official media continues to slant its articles to drive a wedge between
India and the West and disingenuously show that the positions adopted by India and China are
very similar.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ TO VISIT GERMANY ON NOVEMBER 3-4 After indicating on September 30 that German Chancellor Scholz would not be travelling to
China, the German Chancellery announced on October 8 that Olaf Scholz’s trip to China is
back on for November 3-4. The Chancellery has said that he will be taking an industry
delegation with him.
(Comment: The visit to China at this time when his top ministers are discussing ways to reduce
Germany’s economic dependencies on China is an interesting choice. The dependence of
Germany's economy on China, exemplified by China accounting for 40 per cent of
Volkswagen's total car sales and 50 percent of its total profits, would have been a major factor.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-EUROPE: CHINESE AUTO MAKERS BEGIN PENETRATING EUROPEAN AUTOMOBILE MARKET Nikkei Asia (October 12) disclosed that manufacturers such as Great Wall Motor, Geely and
SAIC Motor have recently launched or are planning to release a slate of electric and hybrid
models in Europe's biggest auto market, confident that strong supply chains and improving
brand images will help them make inroads in the country. EV maker Nio began selling its ET7
sedan last Friday, while Great Wall is expected to roll out its Ora Cat, a compact electric car
with a retro design, and its Coffee 01 plug-in hybrid SUV in mid-October. BYD plans to launch
two electric SUVs -- the Atto 3 and the Tang -- and the Han electric sedan in Germany this
month, following releases in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden in September.
BYD's expansion got a major boost on Oct. 3 when Sixt, Germany's biggest car rental company,
announced it would buy 100,000 Atto 3s between now and 2028. Chinese automakers' foray
into Germany comes as local brands have begun losing ground. The report added that with the
U.S. market more difficult to enter due to its 27.5% tariff on EVs imported from China, Chinese
automakers see Germany as one of their only opportunities to crack a sizable overseas market.
"Germany is the largest market in Europe, so they will all slowly enter the market, first by
establishing their brand, building excitement about their products, and then turning that into a
full-on blitz within a few years."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, said on October 12 that the US
is in “the early years of a decisive decade” in which “the terms of our competition with the
People’s Republic of China will be set.”
“The PRC assertiveness at home and abroad is advancing an illiberal vision across economic,
political, security and technological realms -- in competition with the West,” he said at a
Georgetown University event following the release of the administration’s longdelayed National Security Strategy.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US: U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT UNVEILS NEW RESTRICTIONS ON SALE OF SEMICONDUCTORS AND CHIP-MAKING EQUIPMENT TO CHINA Bloomberg (October 10) reported that the US Commerce Department on October 7
unveiled sweeping regulations that limit the sale of semiconductors and chip-making
equipment to Chinese customers, striking at the foundation of its efforts to build its own chip
industry. The agency also added 31 organizations to its unverified list, including Yangtze
Memory Technologies Co. and a subsidiary of leading chip equipment maker Naura
Technology Group Co., severely limiting their ability to buy technology from abroad.
Bloomberg described the moves as the Biden administration’s most aggressive yet as it tries to
stop China from developing technological capabilities it sees as a threat
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINA'S MILITARY PAPER OBJECTS TO JAPAN'S PLANS TO CREATE AN ACTIVE CYBER DEFENCE NETWORK China Military Online (October 11) objected to Japan's plans to create a so-called active cyber
defense framework and write this in the National Security Strategy revised this year, thus
authorizing relevant government agencies to carry out normalized patrol and other activities in
cyberspace, especially network intrusions in a non-combat state. It said if Japan puts this plan
to seek a military breakthrough in cyberspace into practice, it will be the latest proof of its
attempt to subvert the post-WWII international order and negate its pacifist constitution. It is
also an extremely irresponsible and dangerous move that will cause instability and conflict in
cyberspace. Asserting that cyberspace should not be the new domain for Japan to repeat
military expansion, it reminded that upholding the pacifist constitution is Japan’s special
obligation under international law. Creating pre-emptive military forces in cyberspace and
carrying out “network intrusions” violates the obligation of Japan as a losing party in WWII.
It accused the US of turning Cyberspace into a geopolitical arena and in its narrow perspective
of major-country competition, introducing military alliance and ideological divergences into
cyberspace to stir up major-country confrontation and divide the digital domain. It said as a
losing party in WWII, Japan should have cherished the peaceful environment today even more.
Emphasising that the cyber issue should not be the new tool for Japan to muddy the waters in
the Asia Pacific, it said Cyberspace is becoming a new position of Japan’s efforts to counter
and curb China and draw conflicts to the East.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-SOLOMON ISLANDS: GROUP OF POLICE OFFICERS GO TO CHINA FOR TRAINING IN POLICING TECHNIQUES The South China Morning Post (October 12) reported that a group of 32 police officers from
the Solomon Islands has flown to China to train in policing techniques and improve their
understanding of Chinese culture, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said in a statement.
China has provided public order management training to police in the Solomon Islands since
the two countries signed a security pact in April. The 32 officers would visit different police
stations in China during their month-long visit. At a White House summit with Pacific Island
leaders last month, the US, seeking to counter China’s rising influence in the strategically
important region, said it would send FBI law enforcement trainers to the Solomon Islands this
year.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: TIMETABLE FOR THE 20TH PARTY CONGRESS On October 9 the 19th CCP CC will convene its 7th plenum meeting.
On October 16, the 20th Party Congress will open.
On October 22, the Party Congress will vote on the Party Charter and Central Committee.
The Congress closes the same evening.
On October 23, the First Plenum Meeting of the 20th CCP CC votes on the Politburo, Politburo
Standing Committee (PBSC); General Secretary (Head) of the Party, and the CCP CC's Central
Secretaria
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING REPLIES TO GEOLOGISTS OF CHINA'S SIXTH GEOLOGICAL BRIGADE OF SHANDONG The People's Daily (October 5) published Chinese President Xi Jinping's reply of October 2, to
members of the Sixth Geological Brigade of Shandong Bureau of Geology and Mineral
Resources under the caption 'Play a bigger role in the strategic action of prospecting
breakthroughs and strive to write a new chapter of "Hero Geological Team"'. In the letter, Xi
Jinping said "Mineral resources are an important material basis for economic and social
development, and the exploration and development of mineral resources is related to the
national economy, people's livelihood and national security. It is hoped that the comrades will
vigorously carry forward the fine tradition of patriotic dedication, pioneering and innovation,
and hard work, actively practice the concept of green development, increase exploration efforts,
strengthen scientific and technological research, and play a greater role in the new round of
strategic action for prospecting breakthroughs. National energy and resource security, make
new contributions to building a socialist modern country in an all-round way, and strive to
write a new chapter of the "heroic geological team".
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE LEADERS CELEBRATE CHINA'S 73RD NATIONAL DAY IN THE GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE ON SEPTEMBER 30 CCTV (October 1) reported that on the evening of September 30, the State Council held a
National Day reception in the Great Hall of the People to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the
founding of the People's Republic of China. Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li
Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan and
nearly 500 Chinese and foreigners gathered together to celebrate the birthday of the Republic.
Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech when he affirmed "In the face of the complex and severe
domestic and international situation, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee
with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the whole country is determined to forge ahead, adhere to
the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully, accurately and
comprehensively implement the new development concept and build a new development
pattern." He said, in conclusion, that "We must hold high the great banner of socialism with
Chinese characteristics, unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade
Xi Jinping at its core, and take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
for a New Era as the guide, concentrate our efforts and forge ahead, in order to build our country
Work hard to become a powerful modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong,
democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and realize the Chinese dream of
the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT HAILS DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA'S FIRST MEDIUM-HAUL PASSENGER JET Reuters (September 30) reported that meeting a delegation of the first C919 aircraft's
developers in the Great Hall of the People on September 30, Chinese President Xi Jinping
hailed the development of China's first medium-haul passenger jet as the embodiment of the
country's drive towards self-sufficiency, with safety approval awarded to a plane that aims to
challenge Western plane giants for high-tech jetliner sales. Xinhua reported him as saying the
flagship development would "accelerate the construction of a manufacturing powerhouse,"
while stressing that China would put safety first. Xinhua quoted him as telling the developers
and designers that they were the pillars and heroes of the people. Xi Jinping was accompanied
by PBSC members Han Zheng and PB member Liu He.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANOTHER VOLUME OF XI JINPING'S "STORIES" WAS PUBLISHED BY THE PEOPLE'S PUBLISHING HOUSE Xinhua (September 30) reported that the Second Volume of the book "Xi Jinping Tells Stories"
(Second Series) was recently published by the People's Publishing House.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG URGES NEWLY ACCREDITED DIPLOMATS TO HELP CHINA BUILD RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES Xinhua (September 30) reported that in a meeting with newly appointed Ambassadors from 42
countries in the Great Hall of the People on September 30, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said
he hopes they "will make positive contributions to promoting the development of China's
relations with other countries". The diplomats later attended the National Day Reception
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL OPENS TWO NEW CENTRES TO IMPROVE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION Taiwan's Central News Agency (October 3) disclosed that at a conference held in Beijing, the
CCP CC Central Party School, which trains CCP cadres, announced the establishment of the
“Centre for the Study of Chinese Civilization and the Chinese Path” and the “Centre for
International Communication Research.” Xie Chuntao, Vice President of the Central Party
School, said at the meeting that the two centres were established to implement Xi Jinping’s
ideas on the localization of Marxism, to promote Chinese civilization and to improve
international communication. Li Xiguang, a Professor at Tsinghua University, pointed out that
China should deepen cross-civilizational cooperation and dialogue with Eurasia and other likeminded countries around the world. Li Xiguang suggested that through the joint efforts of
thinkers, academics and media from non-Western countries, China should achieve “replacing
the ideas of Western colonizers and Western imperialism with our ideas.”
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE ON "PEOPLE FIRST" The Guangming Daily (October 4)'s theory page published an article by Hu Leming, Deputy
Director of the Institute of Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). it
spoke of "People first" and the logic of socialist political economy with Chinese characteristics
“. The article mentioned "we must pay close attention to the living needs of the people". It said
"Taking life needs as the logical starting point of socialist political economy with Chinese
characteristics conforms to the practical logic of socialist economic construction with Chinese
characteristics. The "Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on
the major achievements and historical experience of the party's centenary struggle" clearly
pointed out that the people's yearning for a better life is our goal and improving people's
livelihood and well-being is the essential requirement of our insistence on establishing the party
for the public and governing for the people. A good life for the common people is the starting
point and end point of all our work." Interestingly, it does not mention zero/dynamic-covid etc.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CYBER ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA ISSUES NOTICE WARNING OF NEW CRACKDOWN AGAINST RUMOURS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SHORT VIDEO PLATFORMS The South China Morning Post (October 6) reported that the Cyberspace Administration of
China (CAC) issued a notice on October 5, pledging to keep cracking down on misinformation
and rumours related to Covid-19 and other social issues. It said that fake information on social
media and short video platforms has sowed panic, anxiety, and anger over the government’s
Covid policies, among other issues. The notice warned that its latest campaign will focus on
rumours related to pandemic prevention, and that emergencies and societal issues will become
key targets of a renewed clampdown. It mentioned short video apps Douyin and Kuaishou,
microblogging site Weibo, video sharing site Bilibili, Instagram-like app Xiaohongshu, Q&A
site Zhihu, film and literature discussion forum Douban.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: AUSTRALIAN PROFESSOR ASKS HOW AGE LIMIT COULD AFFECT PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS IN 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Prof Yang Zhang at the School of International Studies, Australian University, sought to
explain the age limits of the CCP and how "age limit" matters in the upcoming the CCP's 20th
Party Congress. Referring to the “Seven up Eight down” rule (you stay in Politburo at 67 and
you are out at 68), he said this rule was violated in 2017. In effect, “age limit” has never been
institutionalized. In 1987, elders left the PBSC, but some of them—not the younger ones—
kept key positions. Deng Xiaoping (83) remained CMC chairman and Chen Yun (82) took over
CAC chairman. Later, Li Xiannian (80) and Yang Shangkun (81) became CPPCC chairman
and state president. 1992, Liu Huaqing became PBSC member and CMC executive chairman
at 76, and the even older Zhang Zhen (78) was promoted to CMC vice chairman. In Politburo,
Zhang replaced Yang Baibin (72), who was six years younger. Power balance, not age, was the
primary consideration. 1997, this was the first time that the rule of age limit was weaponized
in power struggle. Jiang Zemin (71) used the age of 72 as a criterion to demand then numberthree PBSC member, NPC chairman Qiao Shi (73) to retire. Jiang succeeded; “age limit” was
useful. 2002, Jiang weaponized “age limit. 2007, “Seven up Eight down” continued under Hu
Jintao’s reign, yet also for a political reason. Ironically, the sacrifice was Zeng Qinghong,
Jiang's long-term aide. Zeng (68) was out while Jia Qinglin (67) remained in PBSC. It was then
people thought the age limit became a rule.” again and this time the target was CPPCC
chairman Li Ruihuan (68). All Politburo members at 68+ were asked to fully retire, except for
Jiang (77) who remained CMC chairman. Power consideration was the origin of the “Seven up
Eight down.” 2012, after a few scandals before the Party Congress, power transition occurred
"institutionally." Hu Jintao and other veterans retired. Xi (59) and Li (57) became General
Secretary and Premier. The oldest PBSC member was Yu Zhengsheng (67). Everything seemed
perfect until 2017. Xi highlighted his unlimited power by breaking the rule of age limit. Li
Yuanchao (67), Zhang Chunxian (64), and Liu Qibao (64) were asked to leave Politburo to
offer vacancies for Xi’s men. Later, Wang Qishan (70) replaced Li as Vice President even
though he was older. Age limit has often been weaponized: paramount leaders disregarded the
rule; they used the rule for elite replacement; the age criterion varied for political needs. Even
when the rule mattered (2007 & 2012), it was more because of Hu’s limited power. What will
happen in 2022?
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: MINISTER OF ILD LIU JIANCHAO'S ARTICLE ON CCP'S FOREIGN WORK IN NEW ERA PUBLISHED IN QIU SHI The CCP's leading fortnightly theoretical journal Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - 2022/19 dated
October 1) published an article by Liu Jianchao, Minister of the CCP CC International Liaison
Department on promoting high-quality development of the party's foreign work in the new era.
In the article, which mentioned Xi Jinping 12 times, Liu Jianchao said "General Secretary Xi
Jinping personally planned, guided and promoted" the Party's foreign work and that "the party's
foreign work is an important front of the party, an important part of the country's overall
diplomacy, and an important manifestation of major-country diplomacy with Chinese
characteristics". He added that "The party's foreign work" was "making important contributions
to serving national rejuvenation". He said, "On the new journey in the new era, we must deeply
understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", and under the guidance of Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping
Thought on Diplomacy, we must thoroughly study, understand and implement General
Secretary Xi Jinping's guidance on the Party's foreign work." He concluded "At present, the
world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. The international political pattern,
the global development pattern, and the world political party pattern are all undergoing
profound and complex changes. We will still encounter risks and challenges that are turbulent
and even stormy, but the opportunities will also be more strategic. We must unite more closely
around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, further study and
implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on the Party's external work
and turn the mighty ideological power into a powerful driving force for the high-quality
development of the Party's external work. ... welcome the victory of the party's 20th National
Congress with excellent results, and make greater contributions to building a socialist modern
country in an all-round way and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!"
ii) The same issue of Qiu Shi published an article by three Xinhua journalists captioned: 'Open
up a new realm of major-country diplomacy'.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE DIPLOMAT SAYS USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS BY RUSSIA WOULD BE "UNACCEPTABLE" AND CAUTIONS GERMANY TO MODIFY ITS POLICY ON CHINA The German Marshal Fund reported (October 5) that Chinese officials in meetings with EU
counterparts "made clear that the use of nuclear weapons by Russia would be viewed as totally
unacceptable in Beijing". Its newsletter also said that Chinese diplomats are sending warnings
to the government about its pursuit of a harder line. Shi Mingde, a well-connected former
Chinese ambassador to Germany, spent several days in Berlin in September meeting with a
wide range of government officials—including Scholz’s chief of staff, Wolfgang Schmidt—
think tankers and industry representatives. A fluent German speaker, Shi Mingde is usually in
charm-offensive mode when he passes through Berlin. But this time was different, according
to several people who participated in his meetings. One summed up Shi’s message this way:
“If you continue down this path with China, then you’ll be sorry.” Another said Shi noted that
Beijing was in the process of finalizing concrete deliverables with Paris ahead of a looming
visit by President Emmanuel Macron. “He made clear that Germany needed to get its act
together or we would be left behind,” the second person said.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: XINHUA LISTS HEADS OF STATE WHO CONGRATULATED CHINA ON ITS 73RD NATIONAL DAY Xinhua (October 6) published a list of the heads of state of countries that congratulated China
on the occasion of its 73rd National Day on October 1. In order of listing these were: France,
Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Venezuela,
Nicaragua, El Salvador, Suriname.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE (GSI): U.S. PROFESSOR GRIETENS WRITES ARTICLE ON CHINA'S GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE As Chinese diplomats and analysts close to the government have made clear in the months
since, the GSI marks a significant shift in Chinese foreign policy. It directly challenges the role
of U.S. alliances and partnerships in global security and seeks to revise global security
governance to make it more compatible with the regime security interests of the Chinese
Communist Party. During his first two terms, Xi transformed China’s approach to internal
security in ways that caught the world off-guard—writing China’s first-ever national security
strategy and a host of new security laws, restructuring the country’s domestic security
apparatus, purging and jailing many of the security forces’ top leaders, building a massive
surveillance state, and intensifying repression at a speed that few outside observers predicted.
The guiding framework for those efforts was something that Xi called the “comprehensive
national security concept,” which was really a regime security concept codified as grand
strategy. Now, Xi is applying that framework to foreign policy, attempting to remake regional
and global security order to guard against threats to China’s domestic stability and further
consolidate the party’s grip on power.
Sheena Chestnut Grietens, University of Texas, Austin, says: "It was easy to miss GSI's
significance when it was announced in April. We had heard a lot of the phrases from the
Chinese political system before. Plus, the world was pretty focused on Ukraine. Early
scholarship on the GSI (from e.g., CICIR, etc) talks about it as an extension of the
comprehensive national security concept (which was also similarly vague when announced in
April 8 yrs. ago). But in Xi's first two terms, it transformed internal security in China. The
comprehensive national security concept resulted in a reorganization of China's militarysecurity organisation chart. A raft of natsec laws: NGO's, border security, criminal procedure,
counterterrorism, intelligence, data security, cybersecurity, Hong Kong, etc. I think the general
expansion of "int'l public security cooperation" as PRC leaders have termed it since ~2017, is
part of the trend I am describing. Not sure of the legal basis, but expanded use of police liaisons
abroad is being directly advocated by the MPS leadership since 2019.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: CHINA'S ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN NETS SEVEN MORE 'TIGERS' The official website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CDIC) and the State
Supervision Commission (SSC) on September 29 and 30, reported that seven provincial and
ministerial officials, referred to as 'Tigers', who were sacked were dealt with intensively.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE NAVY ANALYST SAYS PLA NAVY IS SHORT OF 200 QUALIFIED CARRIER-BASED PILOTS The South China Morning Post (October 1) quoted analysts as saying that the China’s navy
with two aircraft carriers commissioned and another launched in June is struggling to meet
increased demand for qualified ship-borne fighter jet pilots. An article published in Ordnance
Industry Science Technology, a Chinese military magazine, said the PLA Navy has sped up
carrier-based fighter jet pilot training programmes in the decade since the commissioning of its
first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, but its lack of a fighter trainer specifically designed for
carrier-based operations has hindered progress. It said also that the JL-9G trainer cannot be
used to simulate emergency landings on a flight deck. Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said
with Fujian, China is third and most advanced aircraft carrier, having started sea trials last week,
the PLA needed at least 200 qualified carrier-based fighter jet pilots to operate 130 ship-borne
aircraft.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: ARTICLE IN CDIC DAILY EMPHASISES PROGRESS IN CHINA'S S&T The China Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision News (the official paper of the CDIC)
published (October 5) a feature interview on technological self-reliance authored jointly by Mu
Rongping, Director of the Innovation and Development Research Centre of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences (CASS); Xing Huaibin, Deputy Director of the Strategic Planning
Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology; and Pan Jianwei, CASS & Vice
President of the Science and Technology University. The article asserted "The ten years since
the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China have been the decade in which
my country has made the greatest progress in science and technology and its strength has risen
the fastest". Ma Rongping said, "Now that my country has become the world's second largest
economy, and its R&D investment is also at the forefront of the world, we have the basic
conditions for building a powerful country in science and technology." In addition to
emphasising self-reliance in S&T, Xing Huabin stressed the importance of putting
"technological innovation at the core of development". They stressed "Now that we are
building a new development pattern, the most critical condition is that our industrial chain and
supply chain must be safe. Mastering key core technologies is a basic support and basic
condition for the security of our industrial chain and supply chain. In this sense, mastering key
core technologies is not only because of the current foreign blockade, but also from the
perspective of our own long-term sustainable development, we must also firmly grasp key core
technologies in our own hands." Xing Huaibin said "Compared with the last time, there are two
very important changes this time. One is that the international situation we are facing has
undergone important changes, and the other is that the issues of development and security have
become more and more prominent. We must coordinate development and security". He
disclosed that China "has planned to build more than 70 major scientific and technological
infrastructures, and more than 30 have been put into operation"
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PROVINCES PLAN TO GIVE SUBSIDIES RANGING BETWEEN 2 MILLION TO 200 MILLION YUAN FOR METAVERSE PROJECTS Sixth Tone (September 30) quoting provincial government reports said at least six provincial
governments as well as local authorities in ten cities — including Beijing, Shanghai, and
Chongqing — have issued either development plans with a focus on the metaverse or specific
supportive measures for people working in the field. These indicate that Guangzhou, Hangzhou,
and Wuhan, along with the eastern Shandong province, plan to provide subsidies ranging from
2 million yuan to 200 million yuan ($282,000-$28 million) for metaverse...projects, along with
housing benefits to attract talent. It added that most recently Henan announced its ambitious
plan to join the metaverse race. The province plans to build a 30-billion-yuan metaverse
industry and cultivate 10 metaverse companies with “core competitiveness” along with
hundreds of specialized and smaller ones by 2025.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO INCENTIVISE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS On October 1, the Chinese authorities decided to give back personal income tax from
transactions of personal apartments if the seller buys another home within one year, in an
apparent bid to incentivize real estate transactions.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CAIXIN STATES THAT CHINA'S MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY CONTRACTED FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH IN SEPTEMBER Caixin (October 1) stated that according to a Caixin-sponsored survey, activity in China’s
manufacturing sector contracted for the second month in September as Covid controls across
the country suppressed factory output and new orders. The Caixin China General
Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which gives an independent snapshot of
the country’s manufacturing sector, came in at 48.1 in August, down from 49.5 the previous
month. Readings lower than 50 indicate contraction.
Separately, Bloomberg (September 30) said the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index has lost
14% to rank as the worst performer among major equity benchmarks globally this month.
Hovering around the lowest since the global financial crisis, it is now trading at 0.6 times book
value, the cheapest ever.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: MORE THAN 5.2 MILLION STUDENTS EXPECTED TO REGISTER FOR MASTER'S PROGRAMMES IN CHINA THIS YEAR Taiwan's China News Agency disclosed that as China’s enrolment examination for a 2023
Master’s degree opened for registration, it is estimated that the number of applicants will
approximate or even exceed 5.2 million. Due to the Covid-19 epidemic and economic
slowdown, many college graduates are considering further education as an escape from the
tough job market. According to China's Ministry of Education, this year, the number of fresh
graduates from China’s colleges and universities set a record, reaching 10.76 million. It is the
first time that the number has exceeded 10 million.
(Comment: Chinese students take a nationwide enrolment examination so as to apply for the
Master’s program. Last year, the number of applicants for the 2022 Master’s program was 4.57
million. Li Lin, the director of the graduate programs at the New Oriental Education &
Technology Group, a provider of private educational services in China, recently said that, out
of the 5.2 million applicants, 1.3 million will be admitted. The number of applicants for the
2017 Master’s program was only 2 million.)
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-YUNNAN: YUNNAN GOVERNOR INSPECTS COLLEGES AND URGES STUDENTS TO 'DEEPLY UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF "TWO ESTABLISHMENTS" The Yunnan Daily (October 5) published an article on Yunnan Governor Wang Yubo's
inspection tour of Yunnan colleges under the caption 'Bearing in mind the mission of casting
souls and educating people, implementing the mission of building morality and cultivating
people, and taking practical actions to welcome the victory of the Party's 20th National
Congress'. It said 'Wang Yubo went deep into the two universities to investigate ideological
construction, ideological and political education, etc., and communicated with teachers and
students who are carrying out activities such as learning seminars on the theme of welcoming
the 20th National Congress and training for activists joining the party. He described the 20th
Party Congress 'as a major event in the political life of the party and the country, and a historic
event for the entire party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country'. He said, 'Colleges
and universities should strive to create a good atmosphere of "welcoming the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China and forging ahead with a new journey", guiding
and educating teachers and students to keep in mind the entrustment, diligent study, good
thinking, gratitude and progress, and take practical actions to welcome the victory of the Party's
20th National Congress'. He added 'It is necessary to educate young students to deeply
understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", to further strengthen their
belief in Marxism, socialism with Chinese characteristics, and confidence in realizing the
Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The socialist builders and
successors of development. It is necessary to fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's
important exposition on the construction of ideological and political courses, and to firmly
establish the concept of "leaders' good ideological and political courses is a responsibility,
teachers' good ideological and political courses are glorious, and students' good ideological and
political courses are wealth", and go deeper Carefully and effectively do a good job of
ideological and political education for teachers and students in colleges and universities, and
build a high-quality ideological and political education system in an all-round way.'
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-SICHUAN: SICHUAN DAILY HIGHLIGHTS PROVINCE'S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ECONOMY The Sichuan Daily (October 4) published an article on Sichuan promoting optimization of
business environment to enhance economic "hard power" with a superior "soft environment".
Among the incentives it listed that last month Sichuan provided enterprises with point-to-point,
face-to-face, zero-distance personalized services. Up to now, more than 4,000 units (times) of
inspection and verification services have been provided for the enterprise, and the enterprise
fee has been reduced by more than 500,000 yuan". It said "On September 15, the General Office
of the Provincial Government issued the "Three-Year Action Plan for "All-in-One Service" in
Sichuan Province, to comprehensively improve the business support capabilities of "One-Web
Service", technical support capabilities, data support capabilities, element electronic support
capabilities, service innovation capabilities, comprehensively promote the "one-stop service"
key demonstration projects and other aspects to make plans and deployments, continue to
deepen the "one-stop service" under the premise of "run at most once" reform , accelerate the
construction of a unified, convenient and efficient online government service system in the
province, and continuously meet the multi-level and diversified service needs of enterprises
and the masses."
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GUIZHOU: GUIZHOU DAILY FRONT-PAGES ARTICLE ON PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY &PARTY SECRETARY SEPARATELY EMPHASISES EPIDEMIC PREVENTION, SECURITY AND STABILITY The Guizhou Daily (October 4) published an article copied from Xinhua on whole-process
people's democracy. It was captioned 'Better ensure that the people are the masters of the
country——Seeing the advantages of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics from
the perspective of the whole process of people's democracy'.
Guizhou Daily (October 5) reported that Guizhou Party Secretary Chen Yiqin, at the province's
epidemic prevention and control and safety and stability work scheduling meeting on October
5, emphasized that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held soon. 'It is very important to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control, security and
stability, and economic and social development in the province. All departments at all levels
in the province must thoroughly implement the important instructions and requirements of
General Secretary Xi Jinping's "epidemic must be prevented, the economy must be stabilized,
and development must be safe", and with the sense of responsibility of "always rest assured",
go all out to do all the work well.' Chen Yiqin also emphasized that 'security and stability must
be watched closely' to 'resolutely ensure that nothing happens. Leading cadres at all levels must
work hard, grasp the work of the "Eight Strict Preventions" in a meticulous and detailed manner,
and be more serious, strictly supervise and guide them, and better discover and solve problems.
Keep the bottom line of security and stability. All localities and departments must fulfil their
responsibilities and focus on key areas of safety and stability' ... 'and resolutely prevent major
production safety accidents and incidents'. It said the meeting also 'demanded that the economic
market must be fully stabilized'.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-GUIZHOU: GUIZHOU OFFICIAL EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF 'SOCIAL STABILITY' IN RUN UP TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The Guizhou Daily (October 3) reported that Shi Hui, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party
Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of the Provincial Party
Committee, presided over the special meeting of the Party's 20th National Congress of Stability
Maintenance and Security Work. The article captioned 'Keep an eye on the key points, improve
the working mechanism, be serious and disciplined, go all out to ensure the safety and stability
of the overall social situation of the province' said that Shi Hui emphasized that it is necessary
to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important
instructions on safety and stability work, resolutely implement the requirements of the
province's safety and stability work conference and safety production video and telephone
conferences, focus on key points, improve work mechanisms, and be serious in disciplinary
style. He exhorted cadres to "do a good job of safety and stability in all aspects and fields, go
all out to ensure the safety and stability of the overall social situation in the province, and take
practical actions to welcome the victory of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party
of China". Shi Hui pointed out that doing a good job in maintaining the stability and security
of the Party's 20th National Congress is a major political task and a top priority given to us by
the Party and the people.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI DAILY PARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS STEPS TAKEN TOWARDS HUBEI BECOMING 'NATIONAL CIVILISED MODEL CITY' The Hubei Daily (October 4) published an article captioned 'Jingmen's "practical work to break
the problem" promotes urban civilization -- "solved over 40,000 problems the masses are
anxious about". Stating that in 2020, Jingmen was awarded the sixth national civilized city,
and now it is striving to become a national civilized model city, it listed its "Knock on the Door
Action" to collect wishes of the people and others like stopping littering of garbage, frequent
accidents of people and vehicles rushing to the road, and serious filth in the "three noes"
community.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: RETIRED PLA SENIOR COLONEL AND COMMENTATOR SAYS INDIA BETTER GET USED TO CHINESE NAVY STRIKE GROUP’S PRESENCE IN INDIAN OCEAN PLA Senior Colonel Zhou Bo delivered the keynote address at a seminar co-hosted by King's
College and the Indian Centre for Policy Research on September 21-23. He said, "It's only a
matter of time before a Chinese carrier strike group appears in the Indian Ocean" and urged
India to get used to China's "South Asian presence". He added "It is no secret that India does
not want to see China's expanding influence in South Asia. In fact, the bilateral relations
between many South Asian countries and China have been interfered with and suppressed by
India to varying degrees.' 'India should not interfere with the sovereignty of its South Asian
neighbours and force them to take a side between China and India." 'In contrast, China has
never thwarted India's "Look East" or "Act East" policy. SE Asia is important to China's
geographical environment, but China has never interfered in India's development of its political,
economic, and military relations with any Southeast Asian country." 'India always complains
about China’s provision of military equipment to Pakistan, but China never complains about
Russia’s provision of military equipment to India. In 2017, China accepted India and Pakistan
into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with openness and generosity." "I do not think it's
necessary to remind everyone that during the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He's fleet, the most
powerful fleet in the world, went to the Indian Ocean seven times." "Therefore, China is not a
newcomer to the Indian Ocean. To safeguard China's growing interests in the Indian Ocean and
maintain the security of strategic sea lanes, the Chinese navy must maintain or even strengthen
its presence in the Indian Ocean. " "It is only a matter of time before a Chinese carrier strike group appears in the Indian Ocean. Since the end of 2008, the Chinese navy has been sending
naval formations to patrol the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin in the Indian Ocean. " "In
2017, China established its first overseas military base in Djibouti to safeguard anti-piracy
operations. But there is no instance of Chinese military presence in the Indian Ocean causing
security damage to India. In fact, the two sides have had fruitful cooperation. " "In May 2011,
the Chinese and Indian navies cooperated with NATO to rescue the Chinese merchant vessel
Full City, which was hijacked by Somali pirates. In the future, Chinese and Indian naval vessels
are bound to meet more frequently in the Indian Ocean." "Friction and even conflict between
the two sides is possible if India, with an Akhand Bharat mentality, regards the Indian Ocean
as the “Great Ocean for Hindus” or India as a “net security provider” for the Indian Ocean."
ii) The South China Morning Post (October 3) separately quoted from Sr. Colonel Zhou Bo's
speech and highlighted his observation cautioning India that 'the United States, not China, is
the real challenger to India’s rights and interests in the Indian Ocean. It said he called on the
Asian neighbours to better manage their differences and stabilise ties. Zhou Bo, a senior fellow
at Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy, pointed to last year’s
sailing of the USS John Paul Jones guided missile destroyer into waters claimed by India as its
exclusive economic zone. Recalling that “The US Navy’s Seventh Fleet issued a written
statement saying it did so because the US would challenge India’s ‘excessive maritime claims’,
which was met with an Indian backlash,” Zhou Bo said “India’s exclusive economic zone
covers one-thirtieth of the Indian Ocean. In other words, the United States’ claim to challenge
India means that, at least in the eyes of Americans, a thirtieth of the Indian Ocean is not free
and open because of India.” He urged India not to see Beijing as a challenger to its interests in
the Indian Ocean, despite the dispute in the Himalayas that “cannot be resolved in the
foreseeable future”. He added that India must recognise that China’s naval activities in the
Indian Ocean would inevitably become more frequent and “To safeguard China’s growing
interests in the Indian Ocean and maintain the security of strategic sea lanes, the Chinese navy
must maintain or even strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean.” “It is only a matter of time
before a Chinese carrier strike group appears in the Indian Ocean.”
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US THINK-TANK ASSESSES TAIWAN AND CHINA'S ECONOMIC LINKAGES A report issued in October 2022 by the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies
(CSIS) on Taiwan and China's business linkages, assessed that Taiwanese companies are highly concerned about their potential over dependence on the Chinese economy and the
possibility of a military conflict. It said in 2021, two-way trade between China (both Mainland
China and Hong Kong) and Taiwan was $273 billion, with China accounting for 42.3 percent
of Taiwan’s exports. Through the end of 2021, cumulative Taiwanese investment in China
totalled nearly 200 billion USD. And as of 2020 (the last year for which data is available), there
were an estimated 240,000 Taiwanese working in Mainland China. Among the surveyed
companies 60% had ongoing operations in China. Just over half of respondents reported that
China accounts for less than 10% of their total revenue, and another 20% said China accounts
for 10 to 25 % of their business. That means 25% depended on China for a quarter or more of
their revenue. These numbers show the possible magnitude of economic costs stemming from
the decisions to relocate from China. 76% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Taiwan
needs to reduce its economic dependence on Mainland China,” while only 20% disagreed. Over
a quarter of the surveyed Taiwanese firms with business in China had already moved some of
their production or sourcing out of China, and another third were considering doing so. The
AmCham reported in their latest survey that around 16% of their members, all American
companies, had “redirected business from China to Taiwan over the past five years.” Only 30%
percent said they had no plans to move at all. Of those on the move, a substantial majority
(63%) were moving to Southeast Asia, but slightly over half were moving some of their
business back to Taiwan
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-AFRICA: SENIOR MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY (MPS) OFFICIAL TRAVELS TO CONGO TO DISCUSS HOW TO REDUCE KIDNAPPINGS OF CHINESE NATIONALS China Global South (October 3) disclosed that the Chinese government recently dispatched Liu
Jiingjie, head of the Criminal Investigation Bureau at the MPS, to the Democratic Republic of
the Congo for talks with security officials on how to better protect Chinese nationals in the
country. He held a meeting of a new bilateral working group that included officials from the
Congolese national police, the interior ministry and the prime minister’s office. The focus of
Liu’s discussions was reportedly on how to reduce the number of kidnappings of Chinese
nationals.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-US: 'STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET' ESTABLISHED IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FOR THE FIRST TIME Voice of America (September 24) reported that Columbia University recently saw the launch
of Students for a Free Tibet, its first Tibetan student organization and an offshoot of the
international organization Students for a Free Tibet (SFT). The association hopes to provide a
platform for the students to communicate and engage in activities in solidarity with the people
of Tibet who are under the oppressive rule of the Chinese Communist Party. The organization
has put up posters in several academic buildings, inviting students interested in Sino-Tibetan
studies and Sino-Tibetan relations to learn about Tibetan culture and participate in campus
activities. Examples include such as topics as Tibetan food, movies, and cultural festivals. It
said on Wednesday September 21, a number of SFT posters “disappeared.” In their place
someone scrawled the words “Tibet is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China.”
A letter in Chinese appeared next to a poster at Columbia’s School of International Public
Affairs (SIPA), warning students that, as Chinese, they should not tolerate but should back
down from this “separatist act” and should not be silent or appeased. Sveta Li, one of the
founders of SFT Columbia, suspected that the Chinese embassy was behind the incident and
that the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) played the role of collecting
information from the campus and reporting to the Chinese Embassy.
Oct 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO VISIT KAZAKHSTAN ON SEPTEMBER 14 A Kazakh government spokesperson was quoted by South China Morning Post (September 5)
saying that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Kazakhstan next week. The visit will take
place on September 14, according to the announcement at a briefing by the Kazakh foreign
ministry. He could thereafter visit Samarkand, Russia to attend the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (September 15-16) meeting and meet Russian President Putin.
(Comment: This will be Xi's first overseas trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and
second by a member of the PBSC.)
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER 27TH MEETING OF COMPREHENSIVELY DEEPENING REFORMS Xinhua (September 6) reported that Xi Jinping presided over the twenty-seventh meeting of
the Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms in Beijing on September 6.
The meeting stressed the need to improve the new nationwide system for tackling key and core
technologies, and comprehensively strengthen resource conservation. Those attending included
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and PBSC members Wang Huning and Han Zheng.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER LI ZHANSHU UNDERTAKES FIRST TRIP ABROAD SINCE ONSET OF COVID PANDEMIC Xinhua (September 4) reported that Politburo Standing Committee member and NPC
Chairman Li Zhanshu began his first trip abroad (since the onset of Covid) with a visit to Russia to attend the seventh Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 7. He is scheduled
to thereafter visit Mongolia, Nepal, and South Korea till September 17. He will arrive in Nepal
on September 12 where he is scheduled to meet Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari and
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. He has been invited by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives Agni Prasad Sapkota.
(Comment: Li Zhanshu is the first member of the PBSC to travel abroad since the outbreak of
the Covid pandemic. This appears to be Li Zhanshu's final foreign tour before the 20th Party
Congress and probably he steps down from the PBSC in March 2023.)
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: CCP'S 7TH PLENUM TO OPEN IN BEIJING ON OCTOBER 9 The 7th Plenum of the 19th Party Congress is scheduled to start in Beijing on October 9th in
preparation for the 20th Party Congress.
(Comment: The 7th Plenum of the CCP CC usually discusses the Work Report to be presented
to the Party Congress and finalises the date for the Party Congress and National People's
Congress sessions.)
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: MAIN POINTS OF AN 'EXPLAINER' ON 20TH PARTY CONGRESS BY A CHINESE RESEARCHER BASED IN VIENNA Ling Li, a Researcher on East Asian Economy and Society, Department of East Asian
Studies, University of Vienna, wrote an 'explainer' on the 20th Party Congress for the Diplomat
(September 1, 2022). Its main points: When we talk about succession of the Politburo Standing
Committee (PBSC), we should not conflate and treat all candidates as the same but separate
them into three groups because these groups enjoy different levels of privileges. Sitting PBSC
members enjoy more privileges than aspiring candidates from outside of the PSC. A PBSC
member enjoys extendable tenure unless he a) is unseated through the disciplinary procedure,
b) voluntarily retires or c) reaches the age limit (most notably since 2002). a) is extremely
difficult. b) rarely happens. c) is currently the only operating mechanism that regulates the exits
of the PBSC members. Hence, it is very valuable to keep it alive for the operation of the Party
to avoid gerontocracy. Age limit (7up8down) is the only observable pattern of the exits of PBSC members since 2002. All sitting PBSC members at or above 68 at the time of election
had retired. All at 67 or below stayed, with no exception. There are cases where age-qualified
Politburo members failed to retain their seats. But that's not aberrant & doesn't necessarily
contradict the age limit rule because they don't have the privilege of PBSC members & age is
not the only factor that regulates their exits. Consent-engineering at the voting sites is only one
method to ensure the electoral outcome. The more impactful measures but least discussed are
campaign restrictions. These measures together ensure predictable electoral outcomes at the
Congress. I identify the Standing Committee of the Chairman-League of the Party Congress
(SCOCL) as the official collective body that approves the nominations of Central Committee
members. SCOCL has around 40 members but its size is not fixed. Regular members of the
SCOCL are comprised of all sitting members of the Politburo, the PBSC, and the Central
Secretariat. Since 2002, all living retired and not purged PBSC members have also enjoyed a
seat at the SCOCL. I suspect that this very mechanism, namely, to allow retiring and retired
PSC members a say in the selection of future leaders, is perhaps the secret behind the peaceful
power succession that has been widely acknowledged by China observers. Lastly, I stress that
institutions are of pivotal importance for the Party because institutions are appreciated by the
Party for its enabling function as much as they are appreciated for its power-constraining
function elsewhere
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE CHAIRS COLLECTIVE STUDY SEMINAR TO WELCOME 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The People's Court Daily (September 7) reported that the Chief Justice of China's Supreme
People's Court Zhou Qiang, when presiding over the collective study seminar of the 'enlarged'
theoretical study centre group of the Party group of the Supreme People's Court on September
6, emphasized the in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of General Secretary Xi
Jinping's important speech to welcome the victory of the 20th Party Congress with practical
actions.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: NPC VICE CHAIRMAN AND CASS PRESIDENT HAO MINGJIN ATTENDS OPENING CEREMONY OF CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF SOCIALISM IN BEIJING ON SEPTEMBER 5 Xinhua (September 5) reported that the opening ceremony of the 2022 Fall semester of the
Central Institute of Socialism was held in Beijing on September 5. Hao Mingjin, NPC Vice
Chairman and President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) attended and
delivered a speech. Hao Mingjin emphasized that the majority of the members of the United
Front must fully, accurately, and comprehensively understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's
important thought on doing a good job in the Party's united front work in the new era, adhere
to the overall leadership of the Communist Party of China, strive to promote the great unity of
the Chinese nation, and jointly compose the United Front and a new chapter in the cause of
multi-party cooperation. Chen Xu, Deputy Minister of the CCP CC United Front Work
Department, pointed out that in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the Central
United Front Work Conference is an important political task for the United Front at present
and in the future. Gong Jianming, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Peasants,
and Workers Party delivered a speech on behalf of the Central Committees of the democratic
parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and people without party
affiliation. Jilin, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Central Academy of Social
Sciences, presided over the meeting
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: FORMER CCP OFFICIAL SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHINA TO GAIN THE INITIATIVE IN THE 'INTERNATIONAL GAME' Zhang Baijia, former Deputy Director of the Party History Research Office of the CCP Central
Committee, wrote an article captioned 'To formulate the correct foreign policy, three factors
are particularly important - to gain the initiative in the complex international game' in the
Beijing Daily (September 5). He listed the three factors as: "First, accurately judge the
international situation. Judging from the party's historical experience, the objective
international situation and the judgment of the international situation are two issues. Because
it is not the objectively existing international situation that directly affects or decides policy
formulation, but the decision-makers' judgment on the objective situation. Only when the
judgment is accurate and the subjective meets the objective can the correct policies be
formulated. Second, correctly handle the relationship between domestic affairs and foreign
affairs." "After the reform and opening up, a major change in the guiding ideology of China's
diplomatic work is to clarify that the main purpose of diplomatic work is to serve the central
work of the party and the country, and to create a favourable external environment for China's
modernization drive. This is a particularly big change in China's diplomacy. Third, know yourself and the enemy, and it is especially important to understand the limits of each other's
strengths and learn to think in empathy. In order to prevail in complex international games, one
must know oneself and one's enemy. An important aspect is to know the limits of each other's
strength, which is very important when gaming. Empathy cannot be simply understood as
thinking about others, including this element, but more importantly, to ensure the effectiveness
of our proposed policies. Only by learning to think in the position of others can we predict
which policies or plans we propose are acceptable or possible to the other party, and which are
impossible to accept. Only in this way can our proposed policies be truly targeted and truly
solve the problem." Discussing how to gain the initiative in complex international games,
Zhang Baijia said "The most basic difference between dealing with foreign affairs,
international issues and dealing with domestic affairs is that in foreign affairs, there are a lot of
factors that cannot be directly controlled, not unilateral actions, but interactions. This is very
different from formulating and implementing domestic policies". He said, "To achieve benign
interaction and gain relative advantages in international games, some form of united front is
inseparable". Quoting Mao, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping at some length, Zhang Baijia said
" the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" has an international character and is derived
from recognized international norms and the UN Charter, and none of them was initiated by
China", however, "these five principles also reflect the characteristics of the combination of
morality and law in traditional Chinese political culture. It is worth noting that there is also the
manner and timing of the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence". Although these five
principles were first proposed by Zhou Enlai in 1953 during the China-India (degree)
negotiation on the Tibet issue, they really aroused extensive international attention and had a
major international impact. The Joint Statement was jointly put forward by the Prime Ministers
of China and Myanmar. The timing and the way of presentation made the Five Principles an
unprecedented response in the Cold War era. Khrushchev pointed out in the report of the 20th
National Congress of the CPSU that if the United States and the Soviet Union can handle their
mutual relations in accordance with the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" proposed by
China, India then bilateral relations can be improved, and world peace can also be achieved
and guaranteed. It is extremely rare for the Soviets to highly affirm the foreign policies of other
countries. The case of "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" can cause us a lot of thinking,
and it can also give us new inspiration today."
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE ACADEMICS ANALYSE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHINA'S 'COMMUNITY OF COMMON DESTINY' AND WESTERN AND INDIAN CONCEPTS OF HUMAN DESTINY Discussing the "community of common destiny" and reasons for its non-acceptability
internationally, Wang Yiwei Vice President of the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China, Professor of the
School of International Relations, and Jiangyang, the Director of the Institute of International
Governance of the China Academy of Cyberspace, in an article in the Beijing Daily (September
5) differentiated between "Secular thinking and religious thinking". They said "Different from
the European Community, the Community of Shared Future for Mankind is a community of
all mankind that respects sovereignty. The concepts and thinking it advocates can prevent the
emergence of inequality in which the weak depend on the strong. As for the community of
human destiny, the West (monotheism) emphasizes the concept of destiny of
inevitability, India (polytheism) emphasizes the concept of fate of contingency, and China
(atheism) advocates the concept of destiny that unifies necessity and contingency, that is, the
concept of virtuousness, virtue, and life. In fact, the West has rich ideas of "community of
mankind" and even the formulation of "community of mankind", while China's innovation lies
in the expression of "luck", an era of human relations, and extending it to the height of a
community with a shared future for mankind. "Fate" is not the "destiny" of the past life, nor
the "destiny" of the next life, but the "common destiny" of this life. In the Chinese context,
destiny is autonomous, because people can be "heavy and fertile". "Common destiny" liberates
people from external authority on the one hand, and shapes a united and common human value
dimension on the other hand.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY TO LAUNCH SERIES OF SUMMARIES ON 'XI JINPING'S THOUGHT ON SOCIALISM WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS FOR A NEW ERA' A People's Daily (September 5) article captioned 'The Communist Party of China is the most
reliable backbone of our great achievements', stated that with effect from September 5, the
People's Daily will "launch a series of summaries on "Navigating China", focusing on the "Ten
Clarifications", comprehensively and systematically presenting the powerful force of Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era that originates from practice and guides practice, vividly reflecting the profoundness of General Secretary Xi
Jinping. The strategic plan, the strong mission, and the profound feelings for the people fully
demonstrate the vivid practice of implementing new ideas and opening up new situations in
various regions, departments and fields, as well as the new changes and real new changes that
the masses can perceive and feel."
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CAI XIA, FORMER FACULTY OF CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL AND CRITIC OF XI JINPING HAS WRITTEN A SCATHING CRITICISM OF XI JINPING IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS Well known critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping and former senior member of the faculty of
the Central Party School in Beijing, Cai Xia wrote an article (Foreign Affairs, Sept/Oct 2022)
titled 'The Weakness of Xi Jinping -- How Hubris and Paranoia Threaten China’s Future'. She
claimed that "But behind the scenes, his power is being questioned as never before." She
warned "Trapped in an echo chamber and desperately seeking redemption, he may even do
something catastrophically ill advised, such as attack Taiwan. Xi may well ruin something
China has earned over the course of four decades: a reputation for steady, competent leadership.
In fact, he already has." Stating that though Xi Jinping has lost support from all factions, he
has probably been able to frighten his opponents into silence, Cai Xia said: "Xi will no doubt
see his victory as a mandate to do whatever he wants to achieve the party’s stated goal of
rejuvenating China. His ambitions will rise to new heights. In a futile attempt to invigorate the
economy without empowering the private sector, Xi will double down on his statist economic
policies. ... Xi might even try to stay in power well beyond a third term. An emboldened Xi
may well accelerate his militarization of disputed areas of the South China Sea and try to
forcibly take over Taiwan. ... But none of these moves would make discontent within the party
magically disappear." She suggested that "The only viable way of changing course, so far as I
can see, is also the scariest and deadliest: a humiliating defeat in a war. If Xi were to attack
Taiwan, his likeliest target, there is a good chance that the war would not go as planned ... . In
that event, the elites and the masses would abandon Xi, paving the way for not only his personal
downfall but perhaps even the collapse of the CCP as we know it."
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY HIGHLIGHTS INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF CHAOS ON CHINA'S DOORSTEP A Commentator's article in the People's Daily (September 2) on the recently released
“Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Population-Wide ( 全 民 ) National Defense
Education Work” stated that “strengthening national defence education and ideas regarding
national defence for all citizens is an important strategic issue highly prioritized by the Party
and country.” The article pointed out that Xi Jinping has established Martyr’s Day (烈士纪念
日) and National Memorial Day (国家公祭日). The article stated that the world has become
increasingly turbulent and more prone to change, meaning that the “country’s security
situation has become increasingly unstable and uncertain". It noted that “great-power
games have intensified,” and that the “struggle against anti-secessionist activity has become
increasingly severe and complicated.” It also notes increasingly prominent issues related to
maritime disputes and the “increased likelihood of chaos on our doorstep,” thus making the
task of “defending the country’s political security and social stability more formidable.”
(Comment: The phrase: “increased likelihood of chaos on our doorstep,” thus making the task
of “defending the country’s political security and social stability more formidable” is unusual
and relevant for India.)
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: WANG QIANG PROMOTED AS GENERAL AND COMMANDER OF PLA NORTHERN THEATRE COMMAND Lt Gen Wang Qiang, Deputy Commander and Commander of WTC Airforce, was promoted
in Beijing on September 8, to a General. He now takes over as the Commander of PLA's
Northern Theatre Command.
(Comment: Wang Qiang is the second PLAAF officer to be appointed PLA
Theatre Commander. The first was the former Commander of the PLA Central Theatre
Command)
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES ENTIRE PAGE ON PLA The Guangming Daily (September 7) published six articles on the PLA covering an entire page.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY EXTOLS XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP An article in the PLA Daily (September 2) captioned "A great era calls for a great spirit, and a
noble cause needs an example to lead"——Record of the work of the Party Central Committee
with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core concerned about the merits and honours" described Xi
Jinping as the "Hero model, shining coordinates of the Chinese nation; meritorious honour,
spiritual motivation to inspire forward". It said "Since the 18th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core
has stood at the strategic height of realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation, honouring heroes, paying tribute to heroes and martyrs, and caring for role
models. Establish and improve the system of honours and honours with Chinese characteristics,
give full play to the guiding and exemplary role of honours and honours, and promote the whole
society to respect and learn from heroes, so as to form a good situation in which heroes are
born in large numbers in the new era." It declared: "A great era calls for a great spirit, and a
lofty cause needs to be led by an example."
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: Y-20 LARGE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT GOES TO EUROPE'S LARGEST AIR EXHIBITION AIRPOWER-2022 IN AUSTRIA The state-owned CGTN (September 5) announced that China's large transport aircraft Y-20,
codenamed "Kunpeng," was displayed at the two-day Airpower 2022 in Austria. Designed and
manufactured by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Y-20
has a maximum take-off weight of around 200 tons. The Y-20 aircraft set off from an airport
in central China and arrived in Zeltweg on the same day, with a one-way distance of nearly
10,000 kilometres. It is the first time for the Y-20 aircraft to head toward Europe to participate
in an international air show. It added that with outstanding performances in cruise range,
payload and speed, the Y-20 is an important tool for long-range strategic delivery and the
strategic transformation of the Chinese Air Force in both offensive and defensive capabilities
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PUBLIC SECURITY: PARTY COMMITTEE OF MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY MEETS TO DISCUSS STRENGTHENING WORK FOR RETIRED CADRES The China Police Daily (September 6) reported that a meeting was held recently to thoroughly
implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on strengthening
the work of veteran cadres and the Party Central Committee's decision-making and deployment, according to the Central Office's "On Strengthening the Party Building Work for Retired
Cadres in the New Era" The Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security recently issued
the "Opinions on Strengthening the Party Building Work of Retired Cadres in Public Security
Organs in the New Era". The Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security pointed out
that "retired cadres are the precious wealth of the party and the country, and an important force
in advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era" and for
inheriting the red genes of public security. It disclosed that there are presently 460,000 retired
cadres in public security organs across the country. It said "They have experienced long-term
training in party life and hard life. They are extremely loyal to the party and love the cause of
public security. They have rich political wisdom, work experience, and life experience".
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-CYBERSECURITY: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF CYBER SECURITY A People's Daily (September 5) article captioned 'Build a national network security "firewall"
——A summary of the achievements of my country's network security work' stressed that
"Without cybersecurity, there would be no national security, no stable economic and social
operation, and it would be difficult to protect the interests of the broad masses of the people".
Listing the various measures to strengthen cybersecurity and emphasising that, in the final
analysis, the competition in cyberspace is the competition for talents, it disclosed that on July
1, 2022, under the guidance of the Central Cyberspace Administration of China, the Student
Innovation Funding Program of the School of Cyber Security was officially launched. It
identified Tianrongxin Technology Group, Qi'anxin Group, Weilai, Ant Group, and China
Internet Development Foundation Network Security Special Fund, as sponsors for 1,200
students to carry out innovative research for 5 consecutive years
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-LAW: LAWYERS IN CHINA ARE TO NOW REQUIRE SIGNING 5 COMMITMENTS The Epoch Times (August 29) reported that a local Commitment to Practice statement for
attorneys was posted on the Internet. Attorneys are required to sign in order to practice law.
The statement specified that the signee agree to five promises. The first promise is to “Uphold
the guidance of Socialism with the Chinese Characteristics of Xi Jinping’s new era, to uphold
the authority of the communist party’s central committee with Xin Jinping as the core and central leadership, and to endorse the communist party’s leadership.” The second item is to
follow the law for attorneys , attorney’s business ethics and practice disciplines, and other
requirements for attorneys. The third to fifth items are to follow the regulations on attorney’s
interactions with other legal professional, follow the management of the judicial administrative
office and the attorney association, and to establish the right law practice ideas. However,
attorneys are saying different regions have similar commitment documents for them to sign
and they all stress following the party’s leadership
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN AFFAIRS: MAO NING IS THE NEW SPOKESPERSON OF CHINA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Mao Ning, the new spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officially presided
over the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 5 and
became the 33rd spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: GENERAL OFFICE OF SICHUAN PROVINCE ISSUES NOTICE STRESSING IMPORTANCE OF EPIDEMIC PREVENTION AND ROLE OF LEADING CADRES The Sichuan Daily (September 2) disclosed that recently the number of confirmed cases in the
province had increased, and there have been infected people outside the control in many places.
This round of epidemic has spread to 20 cities (prefectures), especially in Chengdu. It said in
order to thoroughly implement the major decisions and deployments made by General
Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central Committee on epidemic prevention and control and
resolutely curb the spread of the epidemic, the General Office of the Provincial Party
Committee, and the General Office of the Provincial Government on September 1, issued the
"Notice on Organizing Party Members and Cadres to Work at the Grass-roots Level to
Participate in Epidemic Prevention and Control". The Notice said all cities (prefectures) must
adhere to the general strategy of "foreign import, internal defence rebound" and the general
policy of "dynamic clearing", and resolutely implement the important requirements of "prevent
the epidemic, stabilise the economy, and ensure safety in development". It pointed out that the
leading and leading role of leading cadres should be brought into full play.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-EARTHQUAKE: EARTHQUAKE OF 6.8 MAGNITUDE STRUCK SICHUAN PROVINCE KILLING MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE AND AFFECTING POWER SUPPLY TO 40,000 USERS Reuters (September 5) reported that a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck China's Sichuan
province on September 4, the strongest to hit the region since 2017, killing more than 30 people
and shaking the provincial capital of Chengdu and more distant provinces. Some roads and
homes near the epicentre were damaged by landslides, while communications were down in at
least one area, state television reported. No damage to dams and hydropower stations within
50 km (31 miles) of the epicentre was reported, although damage to the provincial grid had
affected power to about 40,000 end-users. The epicentre was at the town of Luding, the China
Earthquake Networks Centre said, in the mountains about 226 km southwest of Chengdu. The
state-owned CCTV (September 5) in its newscast stated that 'Xi Jinping gave important
instructions on the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Luding County, Ganzi, Sichuan, and
emphasised saving lives and making every effort to rescue the affected people to minimize
casualties as the primary tasks. The Guangming Daily (September 6) published this news and
added that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had similarly issued instructions.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE ECONOMIC OFFICIALS SAY CHINA WILL ACCELERATE STIMULUS ROLL OUT IN THIRD QUARTER TO RECOVER FROM PANDEMIC-RELATED LOSSES Bloomberg (September 5) reported Yang Yinkai, Deputy Secretary General at the National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), as telling journalists on September 4
that China will accelerate its stimulus rollout in the third quarter as it tries to recover from a
second quarter marred by pandemic-related losses. He said it’s “crucially important” for the
country to adopt supportive policies this quarter. He was speaking alongside officials from the
central bank and other government ministries. He and the other officials noted that 300 billion
yuan ($43.6 billion) in funds have been distributed through a policy bank financing program,
which is intended to spur infrastructure investment this year. They said local governments have
also sold 3.5 trillion yuan worth of special bonds through August, including almost all of the
bond quota allocated for construction projects. At the same briefing, central bank Deputy
Governor Liu Guoqiang addressed the currency’s weakness, saying authorities will be able to
keep the yuan stable. Shortly after his comments, the PBOC cut the foreign-currency reserve ratio by 2 percentage points, a move aimed at boosting the yuan. Liu Guoqiang
said, “Movements that are reasonable, equilibrium and basically stable is what we’d like to see,”
and that such a trend would “not be allowed to change.” He added that the “spill-over impact
of US monetary policy is controllable” due to the resilience of the Chinese economy and the
rising flexibility of the yuan’s exchange rate.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE PROTEST IN HANZHOU CITY AGAINST HENAN VILLAGE BANK SCANDAL Victims of the Henan Village Bank scandal gathered at the clearing bank, Bank of Nanjing's
branch in Hanzhou City, Zhejiang Province on September 2 to protest. They were soon taken
away by the police.
China's state-owned CCTV (September 3) reported that Beijing, Heilongjiang, and Qinghai
recently held press conferences on the theme of "This Decade of China" to introduce the
remarkable achievements of local economic and social development since the 18th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-GREEN DEVELOPMENT: STATE COUNCIL ISSUES 7-POINT DIRECTIONS TO SHANDONG ON GREEN HI-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT The People's Daily (September 3) disclosed that the State Council recently issued the "Opinions
on Supporting Shandong in Deepening the Conversion of New and Old Growth Drivers to
Promote Green, Low-Carbon and High-Quality Development" (hereinafter referred to as the
"Opinions"), supporting Shandong in deepening the conversion of new and old kinetic energy.
It said the path of transformation and development will further enhance the vitality of regional
development, and accelerate the promotion of green, low-carbon and high-quality development.
The "Opinions" require that, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important
instructions on "walking in the forefront and making an all-round development" in Shandong
work shall be implemented, and the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining
stability shall be adhered to, complete and accurate. The "Opinions" proposed development
goals for 2027 and 2035 and listed seven main tasks to be deployed. These are: (i) to
simultaneously reduce carbon and improve quality, comprehensively transform, and upgrade traditional industries, promote the green and high-end development of traditional pillar
industries, accelerate the layout optimization and structural adjustment of heavy and chemical
industries, and resolutely curb the blind development of high-energy-consuming, highemission, and low-level projects. (ii) to adhere to clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient use,
promote the clean and efficient use of fossil energy, promote the large-scale and highproportion development of non-fossil energy, and optimize the layout and structure of
transportation facilities. (iii) to promote the empowerment of digital green culture, actively
cultivate and develop emerging industries, comprehensively promote the digital transformation
of manufacturing, cultivate, and expand digital industries, vigorously develop emerging
industry clusters with marine characteristics, and actively develop green and low-carbon
emerging industries. (iv) to implement the innovation-driven development strategy, promote
the construction of major innovation platforms, strengthen the main role of enterprises in
innovation, stimulate the innovation and creativity of talents, and accelerate the shaping of new
advantages for development. (v) to practice the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains
are invaluable assets, strengthen the economical and intensive use of water resources, improve
ecosystem functions and carbon sink capacity, establish a green and low-carbon development
system and mechanism, accelerate the formation of a green and low-carbon lifestyle, and
continuously improve the quality of the ecological environment . (vi) to build a high-quality
development space power system, promote coordinated and coordinated development of
regions within the province, improve the modernization level of urban construction and
governance, solidly promote rural revitalization, and promote urban and rural regional
coordination; and (vii) to build a new highland for reform and opening up, improve the marketoriented mechanism for kinetic energy conversion, build a high-efficiency service-oriented
government, and expand new advantages in opening up and cooperation. The "Opinions"
emphasized that the leadership of the party should be carried through the whole process and in
all fields.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S SHENZHOU-14 ASTRONAUT CREW SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE FIRST OUT-OF-VEHICLE MISSION China's state-owned CCTV (September 3) reported that on September 1, the Shenzhou 14
astronaut crew, who was on a business trip in space, performed the first out-of-vehicle mission.
This is also the first out-of-vehicle mission since the Wentian experimental module was in orbit. Writing in the China Education Daily (September 1) Zeng Tianshan, Deputy Director, and
researcher of the Vocational Education Development Centre of the Ministry of Education,
emphasised that President Xi Jinping pointed out that vocational education is closely related to
economic and social development, and is of great significance to promoting employment and
entrepreneurship, helping economic and social development, and improving people's wellbeing. He said more than 70% of students in vocational schools are from rural areas. "One
vocational education, one employment, and one poverty alleviation" has become the fastest
and most effective way to block the inter-generational transmission of poverty. It has played
an important role in winning the battle against poverty and building a moderately prosperous
society in an all-round way. It said in modern times China has learned the vocational education
model of Western schools, and established industrial schools such as Fujian Shipbuilding
School, which are "integrated with factories and schools". It said, "since the beginning of the
new era", China's vocational education has facilitated international production capacity
cooperation, and served the joint construction of the "Belt and Road".
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Writing in the China Education Daily (September 1) Zeng Tianshan, Deputy Director, and
researcher of the Vocational Education Development Centre of the Ministry of Education,
emphasised that President Xi Jinping pointed out that vocational education is closely related to
economic and social development, and is of great significance to promoting employment and
entrepreneurship, helping economic and social development, and improving people's wellbeing. He said more than 70% of students in vocational schools are from rural areas. "One
vocational education, one employment, and one poverty alleviation" has become the fastest
and most effective way to block the inter-generational transmission of poverty. It has played
an important role in winning the battle against poverty and building a moderately prosperous
society in an all-round way. It said in modern times China has learned the vocational education
model of Western schools, and established industrial schools such as Fujian Shipbuilding
School, which are "integrated with factories and schools". It said, "since the beginning of the
new era", China's vocational education has facilitated international production capacity
cooperation, and served the joint construction of the "Belt and Road".
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA EDUCATION DAILY HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCEMENTS IN EDUCATION IN CHINA IN PAST DECADE The China Education Daily (September 7) published an article lauding the valuable work being
done by teachers in China. In a special report on this decade of education it said: The total
number of full-time teachers will increased from 14.629 million in 2012 to 18.444 million in
2021, an increase of 26%; In the past ten years, the number of primary school teachers with a
bachelor's degree or above has increased from 32.6% to 70.3%, and more than 50% of
vocational education "double-qualified" teachers; In the past ten years, the number of
postgraduate tutors in colleges and universities has increased from 229,000 to 424,000, and the
number of doctoral tutors has increased from 69,000 to 132,000; The policy of living
allowances for rural teachers has been fully implemented. The central government has allocated
25.01 billion yuan, benefiting 1.3 million teachers in 76,000 rural schools in 22 central and western provinces; and implementing the "National Training Program", the central
government has invested a total of 20 billion yuan and trained more than 18 million principals
and teachers.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-MILITARY EDUCATION: ZHEJIANG DAILY PUBLICISES MILITARY TRAINING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL An article in the Zhejiang Daily (August 28) revealed that on August 24, the national defence
education and military training summary meeting for the 2022 freshmen of Liupanshui No. 23
Middle School was held at the track and field. The school's administrative leadership team
attended the summary meeting, and all the 2022 freshmen, head teachers and instructors
attended the summary meeting. The demonstrations included marching to the "fierce melody"
of "Serve the Country with Serious Loyalty", martial arts, a squad of 23 women, and a Special
Warfare Company Military Exercise. There was a commendation session after the military
training parade. Zhou Huahai, Principal of the school, in his concluding speech expressed his
gratitude to all the instructors and hard-working faculty and staff who had strictly trained in
this military training, and congratulated all the freshmen of the 2022 class who had been
training hard, as well as the companies and individuals who were commended. He hoped that
all the freshmen would use this military training as a starting point to cultivate a correct world
outlook, outlook on life and values, and establish lofty ideals. The article said, "On the
battlefield, the soul of the soldiers is cast, and the flowers and uniforms are red".
ii) The Central Military Commission, Central Committee, and State Council issued “Opinions
on Strengthening and Improving Population-Wide National Defense Education Work,”
focused on civilian consciousness of national defence issues. A Commentator's article in the
People's Daily (September 2) on the recently released “Opinions on Strengthening and
Improving Population-Wide ( 全 民 ) National Defense Education Work” stated that
“strengthening national defence education and ideas regarding national defence for all citizens
is an important strategic issue highly prioritized by the Party and country.” The Article stated
that Xi Jinping has established Martyr’s Day (烈士纪念日) and National Memorial Day (国家
公祭日). The article stated that the world has become increasingly turbulent and more prone
to change, meaning that the “country’s security situation has become increasingly unstable and
uncertain.” It noted that “great-power games have intensified,” and that the “struggle against anti-secessionist activity has become increasingly severe and complicated.” It also notes
increasingly prominent issues related to maritime disputes and the “increased likelihood of
chaos on our doorstep,” thus making the task of “defending the country’s political security and
social stability more formidable.”
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-POPULATION: CHINESE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AFFAIRS DATA REVEALS MARRIAGES IN CHINA DROPS TO LOWEST SINCE 1985 China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (September 2) revealed that China’s new marriages last year
plummeted to an all-time low, with China registering 7.6 million new marriages in 2021—a
6.1% decline from 2020, and the lowest number recorded since Chinese authorities began
publicly releasing figures in 1985. China’s crude marriage rate—the number of marriages per
1,000 people—also slumped to a record low of 5.4, a near-halving of its 2011 peak of 9.7. It
observed that Chinese citizens are also delaying marriage. Around half of those married last
year were age 30 and above.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY ADDRESSES MEETING ON HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL MARKETS The Tianjin Daily (September 7) published an article captioned 'Adhere to bottom-line thinking,
push the threshold forward, and accelerate the healthy development of financial and capital
markets', which disclosed that on September 5, the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee and
Municipal Government held a special meeting on accelerating the healthy development of the
capital market and preventing and resolving financial risks. Tianjin Party Secretary Li
Hongzhong, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor Zhang
attended and spoke. Officials of the Municipal Finance Bureau, the Tianjin Branch of the
People's Bank of China, the Tianjin Banking and Insurance Regulatory Bureau, the Tianjin
Securities Regulatory Bureau, the Municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and
Administration Commission, and the Municipal Finance Bureau attended. The meeting
emphasised that leading cadres at all levels should improve their professional abilities and
strive to become experts in financial capital management. It stressed the necessity of
strengthening the building of the team of leading cadres in financial institutions, strictly
enforcing financial discipline, and strictly preventing the occurrence of problems of dishonesty,
dishonesty, and misconduct.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWANESE MICROCHIP ENTREPRENEUR PLEDGES 1 BILLION NTD TO TRAIN 3 MILLION TAIWANESE IN 3 YEARS The Guardian (September 2) reported that Robert Tsao, a microchip entrepreneur who founded
United Microelectronics, has pledged one billion Taiwan Dollars (US $ 32 million) to train
'civilian warriors' and 'marksmen' to defend Taiwan. He pledged to train 3 million people in
three years working with Taiwan's civil defence organisation, the Kuma Academy.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA REPORTS THAT FORCES HAVE BEGUN TO DISENGAGE "IN A PLANNED MANNER" AT "JIANANDABAN" (PP-15) China's Ministry of National Defense issued a statement (September 9) in Chengdu, Sichuan
captioned "The front-line troops of China and India in Jianandaban have begun to disengage in
a planned manner". The statement said: "On September 8, according to the consensus reached
in the 16th round of commander-level talks between China and India, the front-line troops of
the Chinese and Indian troops in Jianan Daban began to disengage in a planned manner. This
is conducive to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas".
ii) Separately, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence (MND) said
(September 8): "At present, the situation in the border areas between China and India remains
generally stable. The communication between the two sides through military and diplomatic
channels has never been interrupted. During this round of military commander-level talks, the
two sides discussed in a constructive and forward-looking manner. They reached following
four points of consensus:
First, adhere to political leadership and earnestly implement the important consensus reached
by the leaders of the two countries; second, focus on grasping the overall situation and
promoting the relationship between the two countries towards achieving recovery; third, to
effectively manage and control differences, maintain security and stability in the border areas
till the problem is fully resolved; and fourth, is to maintain communication and dialogue to
reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible".
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES WARNS INDIA AGAINST WESTERN FLATTERY AND SAYS CHINA IS FAR AHEAD IN NUMBER AND TECHNOLOGY OF AIRCRAFT CARRIERS The Global Times (September 2) published an article warning India not to be taken in by
"Western flattery" praising India for its first indigenously built aircraft carrier. The article
quoted Lan Jianxue, Director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute
of International Studies, as saying "China has never regarded India as a threat, nor has China
taken India as an imaginary rival and target when it develops its own aircraft carriers and navy
forces," and that "India's biggest enemy is its own poverty, backwardness and insufficient
development as some Indian scholars have acknowledged". It also quoted Chinese military
expert commentator Song Zhongping as warning: "If India falls into the Western public opinion
trap to provoke China and regard China as its "main rival" that needs to be contained, it will
gain no benefits but only become a cannon fodder". "China is ahead of India in terms of both
the number and technology of aircraft carriers and China's carrier localization rate is higher
than that of India."
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL AID TO PAKISTAN Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry's new spokesperson and a CCP member, said at the
weekly press conference that “Based on Pakistan’s needs, the Chinese side has put together
200 tons of vegetables and will deliver them via the Karakoram Highway as soon as possible”.
She added that the China Meteorological Administration provided Pakistan with real-time
weather forecast and technological support. She added that on top of the RMB 100 million
emergency humanitarian assistance, the Chinese government has decided to provide additional
disaster relief supplies worth RMB 300 million. The Chairman of China International
Development Cooperation Agency, Luo Zhaohui announced (September 3) the donation
decision during his virtual meeting with Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA), Akhtar Nawaz.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG MEETS CHAIRMAN OF NEPAL'S RAJYA SABHA VIRTUALLY Tibet News (September 4) reported that CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang met
Timir Sinatra, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, virtually in
Beijing on September 2. He said China and Nepal have a long history of friendship and are
friendly neighbours linked by mountains and waters. 2019 saw President Xi Jinping's historic
visit to Nepal, where the two leaders elevated China-Nepal relations to a strategic partnership
of friendship for generations geared toward development and prosperity. China is willing to
work with Nepal to implement the important consensus reached between the two leaders,
strengthen strategic communication and practical cooperation, build the "Belt and Road" with
high quality, close humanities exchanges, and tighten people-to-people ties. We welcome
Nepal's active support for and participation in global development and global security
initiatives. The CPPCC is willing to deepen exchanges with the Federal Assembly of Nepal
and promote relations between the two countries to a new level.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE MARKS 'VICTORY DAY' AGAINST JAPANESE AGGRESSION A People's Daily (September 3) article in its 'People's Forum' and titled 'Remembering the great
truths revealed by history together' observed that "September 3 is the Victory Day of the
Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Let us deeply cherish the
memory of all the heroic spirits who died heroically for victory, deeply mourn the victims who
were slaughtered by the invaders, cherish peace with respect, comfort our ancestors with hard
work, and work tirelessly to realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation!"
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-UK: BORIS JOHNSON'S FATHER LEAVES CHENGDU AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN COVID LOCKDOWN Bloomberg (September 5) disclosed that Stanley Johnson, the father of the UK’s outgoing
prime minister Boris Johnson, has left China after being caught in a Covid lockdown that
spoiled his plans to shoot a travel film in Xinjiang, where London has accused Beijing of
widespread rights abuses. The former Conservative member of the European Parliament, who has pushed for closer ties between the UK and China, was in quarantine in the megacity of
Chengdu when it went into lockdown last week. His youngest child, Max, who studied for an
MBA at Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University and had been due to accompany his father
to Xinjiang, told Bloomberg News that Johnson had “left for the UK.”
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-UK: CHINA AND U.K. START SHIPPING ROUTE LINKING GREENOCK IN SCOTLAND TO CHINA'S NINGBO PORT The BBC reported (August 28) that China and the United Kingdom opened a direct shipping
route between the two countries. The route starts at China’s Ningbo Port, Zhejiang Province
and ends at Greenock, Scotland. Six freight ships, each can carry 1,600 containers. They will
run on this route since it avoids the traffic jam at the Rotterdam port, the entire shipping
duration is cut down from 60 days to 33 days. The Greenock Ocean Terminal started operating
in 1969. It can handle 100,000 containers in a year.
Sep 2022 |
CHINA-AFRICA: CHINESE LOANS TO AFRICA AND THE DEBT TRAP The Africa Brief (September 7) disclosed that China is Zambia’s single biggest creditor with
around $6 billion thought to be owed to Chinese financiers. Faced with international pressure
surrounding its no-strings lending practices and accusations of “debt-trap diplomacy,” China
has been scaling back on African Belt and Road Initiative programs and being more cautious
on how it lends by shifting away from massive infrastructure projects. At a summit attended
by African officials, China recently announced that it would cancel interest-free loans in 17
African countries. In late 2020, China wrote off $113 million interest-free loan debts due to
mature in 15 African countries. Chinese-backed infrastructure developments in Zambia date
back to the 1970s as they do in many other African countries. Only two months ago, work was
completed on a new $60 million conference centre in the capital Lusaka, a gift from China.
Sep 2022 |
CHINALEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS JINZHOU CITY IN LIAONING PROVINCE On August 16 and 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping went on an 'investigation' tour in Liaoning's
Jinzhou, Shenyang and other places. He was accompanied by Zhang Guoqing, Secretary of the
Liaoning Provincial Party Committee, and Li Lecheng, Governor of Liaoning Province.
Among the places he visited were the memorial hall to learn about the history of the Northeast
Liberation War and the victory process of the Liao-Shenzhen Battle and East Lake Forest Park
to examine flood control and environment restoration efforts . He listened to the flood control
work in Liaoning Province and the local strengthening of ecological environment restoration
and protection and gave "important" instructions on doing a good job in flood control and
improving disaster defense capabilities.
(Comment: This is the first appearance of Xi Jinping since July 31, indicating that the Beidaihe
conclave has concluded.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS SHENZHEN AND GUANGDONG ON AUGUST 16 AND 17 On August 16 and 17, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang accompanied by Politburo member and
Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee Li Xi, and Governor Wang Weizhong,
inspected Shenzhen. He emphasized that under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we must implement the deployment of
the Party Central Committee and the State Council, fully implement the new development
concept, efficiently coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic and social
development, and implement epidemic prevention, economic stability, and economic stability.
Li Keqiang listened to a report on Shenzhen's mass entrepreneurship and innovation. During
the inspection, Li Keqiang made a special trip to Lianhuashan Park to pay homage to the bronze
statue of Deng Xiaoping and presented a flower basket. Xinhua said that Li Keqiang fully
affirmed Guangdong's achievements in economic and social development. It is hoped that
under the strong leadership of the CCP Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the
core, we will forge ahead, reform and innovate, and push development to a new level.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDED OVER A SYMPOSIUM WITH PRINCIPALS OF THE SHENZHEN GOVERNMENT WHERE THE GUANGDONG PARTY SECRETARY AND GOVERNORS OF FIVE MAJOR PROVINCES ALSO SPOKE Li Keqiang presided over a symposium on August 16, with the principals of the provincial
government in Shenzhen. Li Xi, Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, and
the Governor of Guangdong delivered speeches, and the Governors of Jiangsu, Zhejiang,
Shandong, Henan, and Sichuan delivered speeches via video. Li Keqiang said that the total
economic volume, the number of market players and the employment of the six major
economic provinces accounted for more than 40% of the national total. Economically large
provinces must bravely take the lead, ensure that market players stabilize the economy, and
stabilize the employment of local and migrant workers. He said it is necessary to promote a
higher level of opening to the outside world, stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment, and
achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. A stable economy is also a stable source of money
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER SUN CHUNLAN VISITS HAINAN TO CHECK ON COVID OUTBREAK Politburo member and Vice Premier Sun Chunlan visited Hainan over the weekend.
(Comment: She only visits regions with outbreaks when the situation is bad, and harsher
measures and lockdowns tend to follow her visits.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CENTRAL POLITICS AND LAW COMMISSION WARNS AGAINST INTERFERENCE IN JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES The CDIC's Discipline and Supervision News (August 13) published an article captioned
'Deepen the correction of stubborn diseases that violate the "three regulations"', which
disclosed that "a few days ago, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission publicly
announced 7 typical cases of leading cadres interfering in judicial activities, intervening in
specific cases, judicial personnel interfering with cases and improper contacts". It said this is
the fourth time that the Central Politics and Law Commission has publicly announced such a
case since the education and rectification of the national political and legal team last year.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLICISED THAT 27,31,000 PEOPLE WERE PUNISHED IN FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 2022 The People's Daily (August 18) in an article titled 'Win the historical initiative in the courage
to self-revolution' revealed that in the first half of this year, the national discipline inspection
and supervision organs handled 739,000 clues, filed 322,000 cases, and punished 273,10,000
people. It said, "the strength is not reduced, the pace is unchanged, and the comprehensive and
strict governance of the party continues to advance in depth".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO LIST ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE NEW ERA On August 18, the CCP CC Propaganda Department held a series of press conferences on the
theme of "This Decade of China". Those invited to speak included Sun Yeli, Deputy Director
of the CCP CC Propaganda Department, Sheng Ronghua, Deputy Director of the Central
Cyberspace Administration of China, and Deputy Director of the State Cyberspace
Administration, Culture and Tourism, Lu Yingchuan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry, and
Meng Dong, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. Meng
Dong briefed the gathering on the measures and achievements of publicity and cultural work
in the new era. Chen Wenjun, Director of the External Information Bureau and Press
Spokesperson of the Propaganda moderated the event. The press conference disclosed that the
Propaganda Department had established 2,585 county-level integrated media centres, and that
by the end of 2021 there were 2,542 radio and television broadcasting institutions, 3,215 public
libraries, 3,316 cultural centres, 6,183 museums, more than 40,000 township (street) cultural
stations, and 570,000 village-level comprehensive cultural service centres. There are 580,000
rural bookstores. It said by June 2022, a total of 2,674 counties (cities, districts) across the
country have built the general branch system of cultural centres, and 2,642 counties (cities,
districts) have built libraries and there are more than 450,000 mass cultural teams across the
country, an increase of 50% over 2012.
(Comment: The speeches by the CCP CC Propaganda Department Deputy Director predictably
contained numerous references to Xi Jinping and his initiatives.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHAIRMAN OF FEDERATION OF LITERARY AND ART CIRCLES PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN QIU SHI An article by Tie Ning, the Chairwoman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
and Chairman of China Writers Association was published in Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth 16/2022)
on August 16. Mentioning Xi Jinping eight times, the article recalled General Secretary Xi
Jinping as pointing out: "The realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation is a long-term and arduous great cause", "To realize this great cause, the role of
literature and art is irreplaceable, and literature and art workers have great potential." It added
he "called on the majority of literary and art workers to take their works as their foundation
and create excellent works worthy of the times." In conclusion, the article said: "In this space
and stage, in this great new era, in this era that needs giants and will inevitably produce giants,
we will surely be able to create as General Secretary Xi Jinping expects, as our times and our
people expect The masters of literature and art in the new era have created the peak of literature
and art in the new era, and let the light of Chinese spirit shine on the peak of literature and art
in the new era!"
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CDIC OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF "TWO ESTABLISHES" The CDIC's Discipline and Supervision News (August 17) published a 3192-character article
captioned 'Deeply comprehend the decisive meaning of "two establishments"'. It urged cadres
to "Clearly declare what flag the party will hold on its new journey, what road it will take, what
state of mind it will be in, and what goal will it continue to move towards, and it will help unite
and inspire the people of all ethnic groups in the country to strive for a new victory for socialism
with Chinese characteristics" Calling this "very significant", it said "We must earnestly study
and understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, deeply understand
the decisive significance of the "two establishments", strengthen strategic self-confidence,
maintain strategic sobriety, enhance confidence and fighting spirit, and unswervingly safeguard
General Secretary Xi Jinping's core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole
party. To further improve the status, learn, understand and implement Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, continuously enhance political judgment,
political comprehension, and political execution, and take practical actions to welcome the
victory of the Party's 20th National Congress". The article emphasised that "the "two
establishments" are of decisive significance to the development of the party and the country in
the new era, and to promoting the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation. They are the most important political achievements since the 18th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China". Urging "the majority of cadres to unite more closely around
the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core", it said "the world is undergoing
profound changes unseen in a century", the risks and challenges need to be dealt with, and the
contradictions and problems that need to be resolved are more complex than ever, it said
"Resolutely safeguarding the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire
Party is the key for the Party to build consensus and make decisive decisions at major moments,
and it is an important guarantee for the Party's unity and victory. On the way forward, to deal
with risks and challenges, deal with contradictions, and achieve set goals, we need to deeply
understand the decisive meaning of "two establishments" and resolutely achieve "two
maintenances"."
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE ON COMMON PROSPERITY The CDIC's Discipline and Supervision News (August 17) published a 3192-character article
captioned 'Deeply comprehend the decisive meaning of "two establishments"'. It urged cadres
to "Clearly declare what flag the party will hold on its new journey, what road it will take, what
state of mind it will be in, and what goal will it continue to move towards, and it will help unite
and inspire the people of all ethnic groups in the country to strive for a new victory for socialism
with Chinese characteristics" Calling this "very significant", it said "We must earnestly study
and understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, deeply understand
the decisive significance of the "two establishments", strengthen strategic self-confidence,
maintain strategic sobriety, enhance confidence and fighting spirit, and unswervingly safeguard
General Secretary Xi Jinping's core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole
party. To further improve the status, learn, understand and implement Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, continuously enhance political judgment,
political comprehension, and political execution, and take practical actions to welcome the
victory of the Party's 20th National Congress". The article emphasised that "the "two
establishments" are of decisive significance to the development of the party and the country in
the new era, and to promoting the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation. They are the most important political achievements since the 18th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China". Urging "the majority of cadres to unite more closely around
the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core", it said "the world is undergoing
profound changes unseen in a century", the risks and challenges need to be dealt with, and the
contradictions and problems that need to be resolved are more complex than ever, it said
"Resolutely safeguarding the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire
Party is the key for the Party to build consensus and make decisive decisions at major moments,
and it is an important guarantee for the Party's unity and victory. On the way forward, to deal
with risks and challenges, deal with contradictions, and achieve set goals, we need to deeply
understand the decisive meaning of "two establishments" and resolutely achieve "two
maintenances"."
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE ON COMMON PROSPERITY The Guangming Daily published a lengthy article on common prosperity, tracing it back to
Marx and Engels' Communist Manifesto and positing it as the "fundamental pursuit" of the
CCP.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY STARTS NEW DAILY FORUM TO COMMEMORATE MARX'S 200TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY The Public Security Daily (August 12) publicised that teams from the Second, Eighth and Ninth
Inspectorates of the Ministry of Public Security had travelled to provinces to check the progress
of the "Hundred Days Action". They travelled to Anhui, Guangdong, Ningxia, Xinjiang among
other provinces and inspected the respective Public Security Organs' summer public security
crackdown and rectification. The inspection teams emphasized that it is necessary to improve
ideological understanding, be proactive, take multiple measures, and make every effort to win
the tough battle, the overall battle and the combined battle of the "Hundred-Day Operation".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PUBLIC SECURITY: PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTRY TEAMS INSPECT IMPLEMENTATION OF 'HUNDRED DAYS ACTION' PROGRAMME IN PROVINCES The Public Security Daily (August 12) publicised that teams from the Second, Eighth and Ninth
Inspectorates of the Ministry of Public Security had travelled to provinces to check the progress
of the "Hundred Days Action". They travelled to Anhui, Guangdong, Ningxia, Xinjiang among
other provinces and inspected the respective Public Security Organs' summer public security
crackdown and rectification. The inspection teams emphasized that it is necessary to improve
ideological understanding, be proactive, take multiple measures, and make every effort to win
the tough battle, the overall battle and the combined battle of the "Hundred-Day Operation".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PUBLIC SECURITY: ARTICLE IN POLICE DAILY TALKS OF "CLEANING AND RECTIFICATION OF PUBLIC SECURITY ORGANS" The People's Public Security Daily (August 18) published an article captioned 'Serve the
economic and social development and help stabilize the economic market'. It said that from
August 1st, the three regions of the Yangtze River Delta, Fujian, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing
and Guizhou are issuing the "cross-province" resident ID card for the first time. Mentioning
the measures to make people's life more convenient, the article said it is necessary to "Carry
out the cleaning and rectification of public security organs to reduce the burden on enterprises
and the masses. In accordance with the unified deployment of the State Council, research and
publish a list of public security organs for the reduction, exemption and postponement of
enterprise-related charges, and implement measures for reducing, exempting, and delaying
payment. Carry out special cleaning and rectification of public security organs' illegal charges
related to enterprises, focusing on cleaning and rectifying problems such as inadequate
implementation of fee reduction policies, illegal charging in the name of epidemic prevention
and control, collection of fees that are explicitly cancelled, compulsory bundled sales, random
inspections and random fines, etc., and resolutely correct public security issues. In conclusion,
it stated that the Ministry of Public Security requires that all local public security organs and
various police departments must adhere to the centre, serve the overall situation, closely
integrate the work practice, and use a "meticulous, refined, and extreme" work style to refine
measures, clarify responsibilities, advance in an orderly manner, and ruthlessly. Make sure that
all key measures have real results.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE ASSERTS IMPORTANCE OF PARTY LEADERSHIP AT TIME OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS The Guangming Daily (August 12) published an interesting article captioned 'Adhering to the
Party's Leadership is the Fundamental Guarantee to Standardize and Guide the Healthy
Development of Capital', which asserted that "Capital is an important factor of production in
the socialist market economy and has made great contributions to the prosperity of the socialist
market economy. However, due to the natural tendency of capital to expand disorderly, it will
cause serious social and economic problems, so capital must be regulated and guided. Under
the conditions of the socialist market economy, to regulate and guide the healthy development
of capital, we must adhere to the leadership of the party, give full play to the party's
organizational, theoretical and institutional advantages, fully guide capital to play a positive
role, and restrain the negative role of blind expansion of capital, so that the Capital development
better serves national strategic needs and social development needs". It quoted Karl Marx's Das
Kapital and said that though "in the process of the development of the market economy, the
phenomenon of disorderly expansion of capital has also appeared in some fields, resulting in
negative consequences such as hidden financial risks, widening gaps in income and wealth
distribution, ecological environment damage, and monopoly", it emphasised that "the
leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with
Chinese characteristics and the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese
characteristics. Under the conditions of the socialist market economy, the leadership of the
party plays a fundamental role in regulating and guiding the healthy development of capital".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: URBAN UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 19.9 PER CENT IN JULY Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on August 15 stated that China’s
urban youth unemployment rate reached 19.9% in July, the highest level since record keeping
began in January 2018. Caixin (August 15) noted that this is the fourth consecutive month of
record high unemployment among urbanites from 16 to 24 years old, with the rate increasing
0.6 of a percentage point from June.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S COMMERCE MINISTRY REPORTS LARGEST FIRST HALF DROP IN NUMBER OF CONTRACTS SIGNED BY CHINESE OVERSEAS CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES Caixin (August 12) reported that the value of Chinese companies’ new overseas construction
deals fell in the first half of this year, as the continued impact of the Covid pandemic and rising
geopolitical risks weighed on the global construction industry. Data released by the Ministry
of Commerce (MOFCOM) on August 1, showed that new contracts inked by Chinese firms
fell 6.2% year-on-year to $103.6 billion, marking the largest first-half drop since 2018.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COST OF PRODUCTION OF BICYCLES IN CHINA INCREASES BY 10 PER CENT IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2022 According to data (August 15) from the China Bicycle Association, in the first quarter of this
year, the production cost of bikes increased by 10% year on year due to a shortage of raw
materials, including steel, plastic, and tires.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA TO LAUNCH ITS FIFTH NATIONAL ECONOMIC CENSUS NEXT YEAR China will officially launch its fifth national economic census next year, which aims to take a
complete survey of the country’s secondary and tertiary industries. Announcing this National
Bureau of Statistics (NBS) director Kang Yi warned against economic data fabrication. The
9
Liaoning Daily (August 9 & 10) quoted him saying during a symposium on August 9 that “[We
must] build strong dams to prevent and punish statistical fraud and falsification.”
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: DISCUSSING DROPPING FERTILITY RATES, ARTICLE SUGGESTS MEASURES TO BOOST FERTILITY RATE The China Education Daily (August 14) published an article titled 'Unleash the Demographic
Dividend with Preschool Education Reform', which stated that the continued decline in fertility
rate will pose potential risks and challenges to the development of preschool education in China
and that the serious shortage of early childcare services and high cost of childcare has inhibited
people's reproductive behaviour. Referring to an article in Qiu Shi ("Seeking Truth") captioned
"Writing a New Chapter of Population Work in the New Era" by the Party Group of the
National Health Commission of the Communist Party of China, it said China's preschool
education needs to actively respond to the situation. It noted that it is necessary to adjust teacher
education and establish a kindergarten teacher team that adapts to the characteristics of
population changes, establish a "reservoir" of teachers, and rationalise the surplus and shortage
of teachers across regions. It also recommended a child allowance by establishing an inclusive
child allowance distribution system, which covers most of the expenses related to family care
and childcare, thereby boosting the fertility rate.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: NEW U.S. REGULATIONS COULD THROTTLE CHINA'S RESEARCH INTO NEXT GENERATION OF ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTORS Caixin (August 15), quoting analysts, reported that new U.S. restrictions on the export of
semiconductor design software announced by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security on
August 12 will have little immediate effect on Chinese chipmaking, but could throttle the
nation’s research into the next generation of advanced semiconductors. While they do not
mention China by name, the new rules are seen as the latest in a string of measures by which
Washington is trying to constrain the country’s push to develop its semiconductor industry,
which Beijing sees as a strategic priority. The new orders require U.S. companies to obtain
government permission before exporting electronic design automation (EDA) software
designed for the development of chips which have a gate-all around (GAA) transistor structure.
The export restrictions won’t have an immediate impact on the business of China’s chipmakers and designers, as no mainland firms are currently capable of designing or producing such
advanced chips, analysts said.
(Comment: EDA are a category of tools which includes both software and hardware that can
assist engineers in the creation and testing of new chip designs. The GAA structure is a nextgeneration technology that enables the manufacture of chips with transistors of 3 nanometres
or less, which are more powerful and efficient than their larger predecessors.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CASIC DEVELOPS HI-TECH AUTOMATIC COVID-19 SWAB TEST DEVICE The South China Morning Post (August 18) disclosed that an automaton that can perform a
Covid-19 oral swab test in 35 seconds became a star attraction at the opening on August 18 of
the World Robot Conference 2022 in Beijing, where a quarter of the 36 featured robotic
innovations are built for pandemic prevention and medical care. That new robot was designed
by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) to mark the company’s initial foray
into automated Covid-19 testing products. Wang Shunwei, head of CASIC’s technology
innovation centre, said the machine could soon be deployed by the General Administration of
Customs in Beijing to test arriving airline passengers from abroad
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA PLANS MORE THAN 50 LAUNCHES IN 2022 Space News (August 11) reported that CASC plans more than 50 launches across 2022, with
commercial companies like Galactic Energy, CAS Space and Expace planning to further add
to Chinese launch activity.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: GUANGMING DAILY DISCLOSES THAT CENTRAL ASSISTANCE TO TIBET WILL INCREASE AND PRAISES ACHIEVEMENTS OF 'COUNTERPART ASSISTANCE' TO TIBET A Guangming daily (August 16) article captioned '[Guangming Forum] Strive to open up a
new situation of Tibet aid work in a new era' stated that "Central support for Tibet and national
support for Tibet are the consistent policies of the CPC Central Committee, which must be
adhered to for a long time, earnestly sum up experience, and create a new situation for Tibet aid work." It said the instructions said that the central government will further increase its
counterpart support to Tibet, and thus Tibet has ushered in a period of the fastest economic
development in history, the largest investment in infrastructure, and the most benefit to the
people. It lauded the counterpart support to Tibet as "a vivid manifestation of the advantages
of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics" and quoted Xi Jinping as saying in July
2021 (during his inspection of Tibet) that "The spirit of aid to Tibet is a noble spirit of the
Communist Party of China and a significant advantage of socialism with Chinese
characteristics." It claimed that "Since the work of supporting Tibet has been fully launched,
relevant provinces and cities, central departments and central enterprises have vigorously
implemented all-round assistance to Tibet in the fields of economy, education, science and
technology, and cadres and talents. Practice has proved that the aid-to-Tibet policy not only
supports the economic and social development of Tibet, maintains the stability of the frontier
and national unity, but also promotes the exchanges and integration of various ethnic groups,
and enhances the awareness of the people of all ethnic groups to the great motherland, the
Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and China." The article
asserted that "Supporting Tibet is a major strategy to achieve common development and move
towards common prosperity. Counterpart assistance is a policy model with Chinese
characteristics created by our party. It is a typical method of "getting rich first and then getting
rich." It said, "innovations such as "group-style" aid to Tibet has stimulated the motivation and
drive of local cadres and the masses, promoted the transformation of aid in Tibet from "blood
transfusion" to "blood production", and further promoted the improvement of people's
livelihood in Tibet." In conclusion, it said: "Today's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is standing at a new
historical starting point and has ushered in unprecedented development opportunities. We must
keep in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping's entrustment, continuously forge the consciousness
of the Chinese nation's community, and guide the people of all ethnic groups to firmly establish
a solid foundation of solidarity, sharing weal and woe, and sharing weal and woe. The concept
of a community of life and death, and a shared destiny, draws the strength to continue to move
forward from the forge ahead of the party and the people in the new era, forge ahead with the
new journey heart-to-heart, join hands in making contributions to the new era, and take
practical actions to welcome the party's 20 victories".
(Comment: The article was jointly authored by Cai Yang and Zhu Wei, associate professors at
the Party School of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, and special research fellows at the Beijing Research Centre for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for
a New Era)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR SACKS THREE OFFICIALS FOR FAILING TO CONTROL SPREAD OF COVID China removed (August 15) three health officials in Tibet from their posts for failing to prevent
the spread of the recent Covid outbreak. The sacked officials include the Party Secretary and
Director of the Municipal Health Commission of Lhasa, as well as the Party Secretary of the
Lhasa City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Separately, reports say that the outbreak
of Covid has spread to Shigatse and the Ngari prefecture, Lhoka and recently, Chamdo.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA SANCTIONS SEVEN TAIWANESE OFFICIALSFOR ALLEGEDLY SUPPORTING 'INDEPENDENCE' Al Jazeera (August 16) reported that China has said it is blacklisting seven Taiwan officials,
including Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's representative in the US, over their alleged support for the
self-ruled island’s independence. Calling them “stubborn ‘Taiwan independence’ players,”
Xinhua News Agency reported it banned them and their relatives from entering the Chinese
mainland, Hong Kong or Macao. The individuals’ affiliated organizations will meanwhile also
be barred from working with or profiting from connections with the mainland.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: A DELEGATION OF 6 DANISH MPS PLAN TO VISIT TAIWAN THIS FALL Politiken (August 19) reported that a delegation of 6 MPs from Denmark are planning to visit
this Fall to show solidarity with Taiwan and democracy
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA AGREES TO SEND EXPERTS FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY OF TRANS-HIMALAYAN RAILWAY LINKING KYIRONG TO KATHMANDU During Nepal Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka's visit to Qingdao at the head of a 11-member
delegation and meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on August 11, China and Nepal agreed to start work on a trans-Himalayan connectivity network that may see the
realization of a cross-border railway. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Khadka that
China will fund a feasibility study on a China-Nepal railway and send experts to Nepal to
conduct surveys later this year. The plans fall under the Belt and Road Initiative, to which
Nepal has been a signatory since 2017. A press release issued by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said Khadka and Yi discussed enhancing, among other things, “bilateral trade,
connectivity network, health, tourism, agriculture, education”. It added that China will also
fund and provide equipment for Covid control mechanism in Nepal. Sources, however, said
Beijing also assured Nepal it would provide 800 million RMB (118 million USD) grant for the
current financial year, for projects of Kathmandu’s preference. This will be in addition to the
RMB 3. 5 billion promised by Xi Jinping during his visit to Nepal in October 2019.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: KURT CAMPBELL, U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND COORDINATOR FOR INDO-PACIFIC PROMISES U.S. WILL NOT BE DETERRED BY CHINESE ACTIONS AND WILL WORK TO ENSURE PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION At a White House briefing on August 12, Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President
and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, said that the PRC had used the visit of a U.S. Speaker of
the House — a visit that is consistent with US' One China policy and is not unprecedented —
as a pretext to launch an intensified pressure campaign against Taiwan and to try to change the
status quo, jeopardizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region.
He accused China of overreacting and said "its actions continue to be provocative, destabilizing,
and unprecedented. China launched missiles into the waters around Taiwan. It declared
exclusion zones around Taiwan that disrupted civilian, air, and maritime traffic. It has sought
to disregard the centreline between the PRC and Taiwan, which has been respected by both
sides for more than 60 years as a stabilizing feature, with historic numbers of military crossings
over the last week. It surrounded Taiwan with more than a dozen warships; even today, several
warships remain around Taiwan. And it has imposed sanctions on Speaker Pelosi and her
family, and taken coercive economic measures against Taiwan". He described the US response
as "responsible, steady, and resolute" adding that "We demonstrated that we will not be
deterred and made clear to the world what the PRC was doing. President Reagan [Biden]
directed the USS Ronald Reagan to stay on station as the PRC continued its provocative
activities. We continue to support Taiwan and our partners, many of which — the G7, Australia, the UK, the EU, and ASEAN — have also expressed concern in public
statements. And we’ve reinforced our ironclad alliances, as we did on August 9th with the
joint air force exercise with Japan near Okinawa". Stressing that the US is opposed to "any
unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, and we do not support Taiwan
independence, and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means", he
assessed that China’s actions "are part of an intensified pressure campaign against Taiwan,
which has not ended, and we expect it to continue to unfold in the coming weeks and
months. The goal of this campaign is clear: to intimidate and coerce Taiwan and undermine
its resilience". He promised "We will continue to take calm and resolute steps to uphold peace
and stability in the face of Beijing’s ongoing efforts to undermine it, and to support Taiwan in
line with our longstanding policy. These steps, across a range of areas, will unfold over the
coming weeks and months because the challenge is long term. We will not be reflexive or
knee-jerk; we will be patient and effective". Declaring that "We’ll continue to fly, sail, and
operate where international law allows, consistent with our longstanding commitment to
freedom of navigation, and that includes conducting standard air and maritime transits through
the Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks", he stated "we will ensure that our presence, posture,
and exercises account for China’s more provocative and destabilizing behaviour, with a view
towards guiding the situation in the Western Pacific towards greater stability. There’s more to
come in these areas and others in the days and weeks ahead" At the same time, he said, the US
has "and will continue to keep the lines of communication open with Beijing, and we call on
Beijing to reopen those channels it has closed — not for our sake, but because this is what the
world demands of responsible powers". He also said the issue is "about which party is
undermining the status quo that has upheld peace and stability — a peace and stability that has
worked for all" and that "the international community has made clear that it has an interest in
that peace and stability, and the United States will do our part to preserve it. This is not about
bilateral U.S.-China dynamics; it’s a question of what’s in the best interests of the region and
what’s in the best interest of the international community".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-U.S.: ANOTHER 5-MEMBER U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISITS TAIWAN FROM AUGUST 14 Twelve days after US House Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, another Congressional
delegation of five, led by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and including Republican Rep. Aumua
Amata Coleman Radewagen, a delegate from American Samoa, and Democratic House members John Garamendi and Alan Lowenthal from California and Don Beyer from Virginia
arrived in Taipei on August 14. They were scheduled to meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
Taiwan's Defence Ministry stated that Chinese warplanes have continued crossing the midpoint
of the Taiwan Strait on a daily basis even after the conclusion of the military exercises last
August 10, with at least 10 doing so on August 14. The 10 fighter jets were among 22 Chinese
military aircraft and six naval ships detected in the area around Taiwan by 5 p.m. on August
14. The New York Times (August 14) quoting Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Asia program at
the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said the visit was apparently planned months
ago.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-U.S.: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE ACCUSES U.S. OF 'DESTROYING PEACE AND STABILITY IN TAIWAN STRAIT' A toughly worded article in the Guangming Daily (August 16) captioned 'The United States
"uses Taiwan to control China" and is the biggest troublemaker for the stability of the Taiwan
Strait',
referred to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement "solemnly stating that Pelosi's
visit to the Taiwan region of China seriously violated the one-China principle and the
provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques, seriously impacted the political foundation
of Sino-US relations, seriously violated China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and made
a statement to "Taiwan independence"." It accused "The separatist forces are sending seriously
wrong signals" and asserted Pelosi's visit to "Taiwan is a major provocation by the United
States against China, and it is a major event that cannot be overemphasized". Asking "Who is
destabilizing the Taiwan Strait, and who is the troublemaker in the Taiwan Strait?", it said "The
answer is very clear: whoever destroys the status quo across the Taiwan Strait is the destroyer
of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S FIVE TOP SOES ANNOUNCE PLANS TO DELIST FROM NYSE Five of China’s largest state-owned companies announced (August 12) their plans to delist
from US exchanges as the two countries struggle to come to an agreement allowing American
regulators to inspect audits of Chinese businesses. These are: China Life Insurance Co.,
PetroChina Co. and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Aluminium Corp. of China and Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. More recent reports claim that China Southern Airlines
and China Eastern Airlines, which are both controlled by the Assets Supervision and
Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) will also delist from NYSE.
(Comment: The jury is out on whether these companies delisting from the NYSE will adversely
impact on their market cap. As of August 2022, the market cap of these Chinese giants are as
follows: PetroChina ($132.11 billion); China Life Insurance ($94.88 billion); China Petroleum
& Chemical Corp ($70.23 billion). Aluminium Corp of China ($10.29 billion) is also the
world’s second-largest alumina producer and third-largest primary aluminium producer; and
Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co.($3.77 billion) is a subsidiary of Sinopec (market cap:
$68.45 billion), and is one of the largest petrochemical enterprises in China. The market cap of
the New York Stock Exchange as a whole (currently stands at $26.2 trillion). )
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-UK: CHINA AND UK TO RESUME DIRECT PASSENGER AIR FLIGHTS China and the U.K. agreed to resume direct passenger flights, dramatically slashing airfares, as
Chinese regulators ratchet down Covid border controls. Services will be resumed first by
Chinese airlines, and work is ongoing to restart routes operated by U.K. carriers, the British
Embassy in China said in a statement Wednesday on social media. The embassy cited an
agreement between the U.K. Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Administration
of China (CAAC). The embassy said passengers can also choose transfer flights via a third
country.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE DRONE MANUFACTURER DISTANCES ITSELF FROM REMARKS OF FORMER RUSSIAN CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF In response to comments by General (Yury Nikolayevich) Baruyevsky, Former Russian Chief
of General Staff, extolling the Mavic quadcopter drone, made by China's DJI, as in principle
having "become a true symbol of modern warfare", the DJI sought to distance itself from the
remarks. It said "All DJI products are designed for civilian purposes, to serve people's
production and lives, and are dedicated to benefiting society and making life better. DJI's
products are not suitable and do not meet the needs of military use, and we do not support any
applications in the military field".
(Comment: General Yury Nikolayevich Baruyevsky made those remarks in the preface of his
new book Alien Wars – A New Paradigm, published on August 10 at the Centre for Analysis
of Strategies and Technologies, the leading Russian defense industry and arms trade think tank.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: SECURITY PREPARATIONS STEPPED UP IN HEILONGJIANG, GANSU, AND XINJIANG People's Police Daily reported that the police in Heilongjiang, Gansu, and Xinjiang are
implementing a night and day "one hundred day operation" for a secure summer in the lead-up
to 20th Party Congress. It said that "since the launch of the operation, the Xinjiang public
security organs have carried out the campaign of "One Million Police Entering Ten Thousand
Homes" to comprehensively carry out a large-scale investigation and resolution of conflicts
and disputes.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA BECOMES LARGEST INTERNATIONAL BUYER OF U.S. AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS THIRD YEAR IN A ROW China is on track to be the leading international buyer of U.S. agricultural products for a third
consecutive year, as the total value of exported goods reached record levels in the first half of
2022.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: NEW APPOINTMENT IN PSB 1964-born Sun Maoli has been promoted from Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Public
Security to Deputy Minister on August 11.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF PSB OF GUANGXI UNDER INVESTIGATION On August 9, the Guangxi-Zhuang Autonomous Region Commission for Discipline Inspection
and Supervision disclosed that Tang Bin (director-level), the former Deputy Secretary of the
Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Public Security Department of Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, and is currently
undergoing disciplinary review and supervision investigation.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF SHAANXI PROVINCIAL HIGHER PEOPLE'S COURT UNDER INVESTIGATION The CDIC disclosed (August 8) that Cao Jianguo, former Vice President of the Shaanxi
Provincial Higher People's Court, is presently under investigation
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP PUBLISHES 12 VOLUMES COMPILING "IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS" The CCP released a Party published "compilation of important documents since the founding
of the CCP" in 12 volumes covering 1921-1927. A press release (August 8) notes that this new
history will highlight "erroneous ideological trends" and help cadres "unite more closely with
Comrade Xi Jinping", whereas the 2011 release (obviously) did not contain such language.
(Comment: They seem to be replacing 建党以来重要文献选编 which cover same period, but
published in 2011. First 12 volumes of 建党以来重要文献选编 cover 1921-1935, while the
new compilation only goes up to 1927 in 12 volumes).
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: LENGTHY PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES THAT PEOPLE HAVE CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED CCP FOR 100 YEARS A lengthy People's Daily (August 10) article emphasised that the people had for more than 100
years always supported the Communist Party of China and Xi Jinping's position at the core of
the CPC Central Committee. It stressed "Communist members will always be ordinary
members of the working people", and leading cadres "can never forget who they are for, who
they rely on, and who I am". Another article emphasised that the CCP was promoting 'socialist
modernisation' under its leadership.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: LATEST ISSUE OF RED FLAG (15/2022) PUBLISHES TWO ARTICLES ON TECH SELF-RELIANCE Red Flag (15/2022) published two articles titled 'Technological self-reliance and selfimprovement is the foundation of a country's prosperity and security, and 'Strong historical
confidence' as the "5th" historical self-confidence (alongside confidence in socialist road,
theory, institutions, and culture).
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PSB: CHINA POLICE DAILY EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF REFORM The China Police Daily (August 10) published a strongly worded editorial on the importance
of police reform. It said 'Reform and innovation is a distinct main line of public security work
in the new era. Since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the
strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the
public security team has examined itself with the spirit of advancing with the times, improved
itself with the spirit of reform and innovation, and has played a "combination punch" to deepen
the reform of the public security, and achieved great success. A series of landmark
achievements.' It observed that there is, however, 'still a gap between the public security reform
and the requirements of the party and the state and the expectations of the people.'
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-RELIGION: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON ADAPTING RELIGION TO SOCIALISM WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS A People's Daily (August 12) article authored by a researcher at the China Tibetology Research
Centre and captioned 'Always Adhere to the Adaptation of Chinese Religion and Socialist
Society' said "Politically speaking, religion in our country is no longer a tool used by
imperialism and feudal forces, but has become a self-run business by religious believers.
Patriots in religious circles and the majority of religious believers support the leadership of the
party and the socialist system, and have become an important part of the patriotic united front.
Socialist society has created favourable conditions for bringing into play the positive factors of
religion and restraining negative factors, and laid the foundation for religion to adapt to socialist
society. Chinese religion has embarked on the correct path to adapt to socialist society".
Recalling Xi Jinping's speech at the National Conference on Religious Work, it said "Religion is a historical phenomenon that will exist for a long time in a socialist society. In the process
of actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society, China has always adhered to its
own national conditions and religious reality, implemented a policy of freedom of religious
belief, and guaranteed the right to freedom of religious belief. The adaptation of religion to
socialist society does not require religious believers to give up their theistic ideology and
religious beliefs, but requires them to love the motherland politically, support the socialist
system, and support the leadership of the Communist Party." The article disclosed that China
presently has "nearly 200 million religious citizens and more than 380,000 religious personnel.
There are many Buddhist and Taoist believers, and it is difficult to accurately count the number.
There are about 222,000 Buddhist teaching staff and more than 40,000 Taoist teaching staff.
The 10 ethnic minorities whose majority believe in Islam have a total population of more than
20 million and more than 57,000 Islamic clerical staff. There are about 6 million Catholics and
about 8,000 religious personnel. There are more than 38 million Christian believers and about
57,000 religious clerics. At present, there are 144,000 places of religious activity registered
according to law. There are about 33,500 Buddhist monasteries, including more than 28,000 of
Chinese Buddhism, more than 3,800 of Tibetan Buddhism, and more than 1,700 of Southern
Buddhism. There are more than 9,000 Taoist temples. There are more than 35,000 Islamic
mosques. There are 98 Catholic dioceses and more than 6,000 churches and activity halls.
There are about 60,000 Christian churches and meeting places".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINESE PROPAGANDA OFFICIAL REASSERTS XI JINPING'S DECLARATION OF PLA STRENGTH Responding to Chinese propaganda rhetoric of invincibility and power voiced against the
background chorus of many Chinese netizens who are: a) calling for real war while being
unconvinced Chinese military exercises are a sign of strength, and b) speculating that PLA(N)
actually is a paper tiger, former Propaganda officer Chen Xianyi paraphrasing Xi on Pelosi's
visit said "No foreign power will ever be able to intimidate, subjugate, or enslave us. Anyone
who tries will have his head bashed into a bloody pulp by the Great Wall of Steel, forged by
over 1.4 billion Chinese people". "As long as the Chinese people and overseas Chinese around
the world refuse to play the dirty political games of the US-led Western bloc, they will be able
to calm down and reconsider how they should treat one-fifth of the world's population, the
Chinese people, as equals! "There is no force in the world today that we cannot overcome as long as the Chinese people all over the world stand united with the motherland and unite to
resist foreign aggression!"
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS ESTABLISHING 50 NEW CENTRES OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY The Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources decided (August 8) to set up 50 new engineering
and technology R&D centres, including a polar engineering centre as a collaboration between
PRIC, Zhejiang U, Jiaotong U, and Liugong, a construction equipment manufacturer.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION MOBILISES UNIVERSITY SECRETARIES AND PRINCIPALS TO CREATE JOBS The China Education Daily (August 9)disclosed that China's Ministry of Education organized
the implementation of the special action of “University Secretaries and Principals Visiting
Enterprises to Expand Jobs and Promote Employment” to tap more job resources for graduates.
It said as of July 26, the secretaries, and principals of 2,371 colleges and universities across the
country visited 114,000 units through field visits, video conferences, etc., creating 2.392
million jobs for graduates. In addition, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Industry
and Information Technology launched the "100-day Recruitment for Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises" activity, which attracted a total of 2,036 companies to participate, with a total of
107,000 job postings.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE INSPECTING BOOKS OF AT LEAST 20 TRUST FIRMS SINCE LAST MONTH Bloomberg (August 10) reported that China's National Audit Office has since last month been
conducting a review of the $3 trillion trust industry and been inspecting the books of at least
20 trust firms to gauge the risks they pose to financial stability. China's trust industry has been
a key part of the country's shadow banking business, which helps channel deposits into risky
investments via products often designed to dodge capital or investment regulations.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION OF TRIAL LINE USING RARE EARTH PERMANENT MAGNETIC LEVITATION People's Daily (August 12) publicised that China had completed the construction of China's
first independently developed trial line using rare earth permanent magnetic levitation (PML)
technology.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-BRI: PEOPLE'S DAILY GIVES FOUR FULL PAGE COVERAGE TO '2022- BELT AND ROAD MEDIA COOPERATION FORUM' The People's Daily (August 12 published four entire pages on the 2022 "Belt and Road" Media
Cooperation Forum held recently
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-GUIZHOU: GUIZHOU PROVINCE PSB PURSUING 'SIX MUST-VISITS' SINCE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR The Guizhou Daily (August 8) reported that since the beginning of this year, the public security
organs of Guizhou Province have carefully planned and implemented the "six must-visit", that
is, must visit the cadres of the village and commune committees, must visit the families of
groups living in difficulties, must visit special groups and special families, must visit, and ask
the key parts of public security, must visit enterprise school, must visit grassroots team. Up to
now, more than 870,000 households have been visited, and more than 18,000 villages,
communities, enterprises, and schools have been visited, more than 1,400 problems have been
solved, and more than 7,300 suggestions have been settled, initially realizing the resolution of
conflicts and disputes, and a strong disciplinary style. It claimed the relationship between the
police and the people is more harmonious, and the image of the public security is improved. It
said the Ministry of Public Security and the Party Committee of the Department, have launched
a 15-day "Qianfeng Action" starting from May 10, and cracked a telecommunication network
fraud and related cases. In more than 2,600 cases, more than 6,900 suspects of various types
were arrested, more than 200 criminal gangs such as fraud, drainage, and illegal money
laundering were destroyed, more than 160 crime dens were destroyed, and more than 88 million
yuan of funds involved in the case were seized and frozen. number to achieve the "two litres"
target. The "Six Must Visits" campaign insists on implementing the people-centred development
concept. In response to the high cost and time-consuming problems of public security-related
services such as "vehicle driving management" and household registration ID cards, the
province's public security organs actively promote door-to-door services, Online services,
micro-police services and work modes such as sending exams to the countryside, delivering
certificates to your door, and delaying processing, actively guide the masses to conduct online
processing through the "Internet + public security and government affairs platform", and
provide services such as legal consultation, security prevention, and certificate processing. The
work is delivered to the "doorsteps" of the masses and enterprises, and the establishment of an
industry police WeChat group and a police-civilian interaction group will be implemented to
realize "online visits", change passive management into active service, and open up the "last
mile" of serving the masses. When the school starts in March 2022, the public security organs
at all levels in the province will carry out the special work of "escorting the opening season
and building a safety net" to effectively promote key tasks such as traffic and public security
regulation around the campus, investigation of hidden dangers, and patrol prevention and
control. A total of more than 60,000 police personnel has been invested, and a strict security
line has been established for more than 18,000 primary and secondary schools and
kindergartens returning to school during the school season.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG PARTY SECRETARY CONVENES PARTY STUDY MEETING TO 'LEARN THE SPIRIT OF XI JINPING'S IMPORTANT SPEECH AT SEMINAR OF KEY LEADING CADRES AT PROVINCIAL AND CENTRAL LEVELS Zhejiang Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun chaired a Party Committee Study meeting of leading
cadres and Ministers on August 8 to discuss 'two establishments' etc study of the fourth volume
of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country", "Xi Jinping's Footprints in Zhejiang" and
other works, and the "Five Strategic Guidelines, 11 Aspects". The Zhejiang Daily (August 8)
reported that the meeting emphasized that it is necessary to resolutely unify thoughts and
actions into the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, deeply understand
the grand goal of a new era and a new journey and advance successfully, deeply understand
the current strategic opportunities and risks and challenges facing the party and the country, and deeply understand the past five years. The great achievements are hard-won, deeply
understand the milestone significance of 10 years of great changes in the new era.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA EASTERN THEATRE COMMAND ANNOUNCES, "SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION" OF EXERCISES OFF TAIWAN A spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command said on August 10 afternoon the
exercises had been successfully completed, and “effectively tested the integrated joint combat
capabilities of the troops”. It said the PLA will, however, continue to monitor the situation.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA PUBLISHES NEW WHITE PAPER ON TAIWAN ACCUSING DPP AND U.S. OF OBSTRUCTING 'HISTORICAL TREND' Xinhua (August 10) published a 5-part White Paper titled 'The Taiwan Question and China's
Reunification in the New Era'. In its Preamble the White Paper asserts that "Resolving the
Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the
sons and daughters of the Chinese nation. It is indispensable for the realization of China's
rejuvenation. It is also a historic mission of the Communist Party of China (CPC)." Declaring
that "Any Attempt by Separatist Forces to Prevent Reunification Is Bound to Fail" it warned
that moves to separate Taiwan from China are doomed to fail, and accused the DPP authorities
of adopting "a separatist stance", and said they had "colluded with external forces in successive
provocative actions designed to divide the country. They refuse to recognize the one-China
principle, and distort and deny the 1992 Consensus". It added "They incite radical separatists
in and outside the DPP" , "have steadily built up their military forces with the intention of
pursuing "independence" and preventing reunification by force" and have joined "with external
forces in trying to sow the seeds of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan". ... These are
obstacles that must be removed in advancing the process of peaceful reunification". It said,
"External interference is a prominent obstacle to China's reunification" and that "Still lost in
delusions of hegemony and trapped in a Cold War mindset, some forces in the US insist on
perceiving and portraying China as a major strategic adversary and a serious long-term threat".
It reiterated that "The Taiwan question is an internal affair that involves China's core interests
and the Chinese people's national sentiments, and no external interference will be tolerated"
and, interestingly, assured "Use of force would be the last resort taken under compelling circumstances. We will only be forced to take drastic measures to respond to the provocation
of separatist elements or external forces should they ever cross our red lines". It noted that
"Some forces in the US are making every effort to incite groups inside Taiwan to stir up trouble
and use Taiwan as a pawn against China. This has jeopardized peace and stability across the
Taiwan Straits".
(Comment: This is the third White Paper on Taiwan, the first two being in 1993 and 2000.
Among the interesting points is that the paper seems to imply reunification "in the New Era".
While it underplays the use of force it does not rule out the possibility, but it does appear to
sharpen the focus on Taiwan's DPP and the US and says, unlike in earlier papers, that Beijing
will take full charge after reunification.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-BANGLADESH: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI MEETS BANGLADESH PRIME MINISTER IN DHAKA Meeting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on August 7, Xinhua (August 8)
reported Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying that 'China has always been a reliable
strategic partner of Bangladesh, and will continue to firmly support the South Asian country in
safeguarding its national independence and dignity, adhering to a development path suitable to
its own national conditions, and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs'. He
noted that China is willing to enhance the dovetailing of the Belt and Road Initiative with
Bangladesh's Vision 2041, share development experiences and advanced technologies, and
deepen cooperation in infrastructure, digital economy, green development, and clean energy.
Hasina replied that Bangladesh pursues a foreign policy of "friendship for all, no enemy for
all," values its traditional friendship with China, and regards China as an important partner in
maintaining peace and seeking common development. She added that Bangladesh looks
forward to deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, and would
like to learn from China's successful experiences in poverty reduction and alleviation. She
pledged Bangladesh's firm commitment to the one-China policy, saying Bangladesh
disapproves of the provocative acts of certain countries, and hopes to jointly maintain a
peaceful and stable environment for development.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY ZHONGSHENG ARTICLE CRITICISES U.S. FOR FABRICATING LIES ABOUT FORCED LABOUR IN XINJIANG A People's Daily (August 12) Zhongsheng article captioned "Forced labour is America's
lingering ailment" asserted that: "Forced labour is completely out of nothing in Xinjiang, but
it is an inherent sin in the United States"! It said, "the United States concocted the so-called
"genocide" and "forced labour" in Xinjiang and other century-old lies, and forced the so-called
"Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Law" in an attempt to undermine the development of
Xinjiang, suppress and contain China, causing strong indignation of the Chinese people and
international justice forces. widely criticized" It referred to the recently published report "The
Facts of the U.S.'s Practice of Forced Labour at Home and Abroad" which, it said, "speaks with
facts and shows the truth, makes the U.S.'s scandalous deeds and hypocrisy on the issue of
forced labour exposed to the world. The United States has no right to call itself a "human rights
judge", and has no right to point fingers at other countries"
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: US OFFICIALS SAY FOCUS ON CHINA IS INCREASING IN A MAJOR WAY Alarmed by China's growing political and economic ambitions, the CIA’s Deputy Director,
David Cohen, in a recent closed-door meeting with leaders of the agency’s counterterrorism
centre, made clear that fighting al-Qaeda and other extremist groups would remain a priority –
but that the agency’s money and resources would be increasingly shifted to focusing on China.
AP (August 8) reported that President Joe Biden and top national security officials speak less
about counterterrorism and more about the political, economic, and military threats posed by
China as well as Russia. There’s been a quiet pivot within intelligence agencies, which are
moving hundreds of officers to China-focused positions, including some who were previously
working on terrorism.
The last week makes clear that the US has to deal with both at the same time. Intelligence
officials have said they need more insights on China, including after being unable to
definitively pinpoint the cause of the Covid-19 pandemic. Beijing has been accused of
withholding information about the origins of the virus.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINA RETALIATES TO US HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI'S VISIT TO TAIWAN BY SUSPENDING EIGHT DIALOGUES On August 5, soon after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Taipei, China's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced the following
"countermeasures" in response:
1Cancelling China-US Theatre Commanders Talk;
2 Cancelling China-US Defence Policy Coordination Talks (DPCT);
3 Cancelling China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) meetings;
4 Suspending China-US Cooperation on the repatriation of illegal migrants;
5 Suspending China-US Cooperation on legal assistance in criminal matters;
6 Suspending China-US Cooperation against transnational crimes;
7 Suspending China-US Counter narcotics Cooperation;
8 Suspending China-US Talks on Climate Change.
(Comment: All military related talks are 'cancellations' and rest are suspensions.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: CHINA'S EXIM BANK HALTS FUNDS FOR SRI LANKA'S CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY PROJECT Sri Lanka Treasury sources revealed that the Exim Bank of China has halted the release of the
funds for Sri Lanka’s Central Expressway construction project presently owing to the current
economic crisis in the country and the Sri Lanka Government’s decision to suspend repayment
of foreign loans. As a result, the construction company has decided to terminate the service
contract of workers and around 500 Chinese workers have started leaving the country affecting
the jobs of 2000 local construction workers in the area. Construction work began in September
2021 and was targeted to complete the work by the year 2024. 32 percent of the Central
expressway phase 1 project construction has been completed by using government funds
amounting Rs. 33 billion.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: ISRAEL'S TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION WITH CHINA SLOWS DOWN MARGINALLY DUE TO U.S. CONCERNS An article in Newsweek (August 11) by Didi Kirsten Tatlow said of 507 Chinese deals with
Israel between 2002 and May 2022, 492 were in technology including IT, communications,
clean and agricultural tech, and robotics. While it is significant that the overall number of deals
has dropped in recent years as Israelis have become more sensitive to U.S. concerns, the
proportion of tech remains extremely high: 43 of 44 investments in 2021 through to May 2022.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ENTIRE TOP LEADERSHIP ATTENDS RECEPTION TO COMMEMORATE PLA'S 95TH ANNIVERSARY Xinhua and CCTV (July 31) reported that China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) hosted
a grand reception in the Great Hall of the People on July 31 to warmly celebrate the 95th
anniversary of the founding of the PLA. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee,
President of the State, Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping, Premier Li
Keqiang and Politburo Standing Committee members Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning,
Zhao Leji and Han Zheng were present. Vice President Wang Qishan was also seated on the
rostrum. Other party and state leaders attended the reception where Wei Fenghe, member of
the Central Military Commission, State Councillor and Minister of Defense greeted PLA
personnel on behalf of Xi Jinping and delivered the speech.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: RELIABLE INDICATION THAT THE BEIDAIHE CONFERENCE HAS PROBABLY BEGUN The Watch Times said there are indicators that the conference of veteran and senior CCP
leaders will begin in the week from August 1. One unidentified veteran CCP leader is
reported to have arrived at the Beidaihe seaside resort on July 29. On July 29, Shanghai's "The
Paper" published a report titled "The Disciplinary Committee of the Ministry of Transport's
Directly Subordinate Organs: Strictly Strict the Discipline of Party Members and Cadres
During the Summer Vacation", which provided guidelines to personnel for the Beidaihe
conference. The article was taken offline the next day and other reports on the subject published
by the Paper's affiliates were also deleted. The report said that on June 27, someone who had
been to Qinhuangdao, told Radio Free Asia that the armed police had been stationed on the
periphery of Beidaihe in advance.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING TO DISCUSS BOOSTING CONSUMPTION, AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION ETC. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired an executive meeting of the State Council on July 29 to
decide measures to further expand demand, promote effective investment and increase
consumption; discuss unrelenting efforts in autumn grain production to ensure a bumper grain
harvest throughout the year; and discuss doing a good job in flood control and drought relief
and response to natural disasters, and effectively protect the safety of people's lives and
property.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER HU CHUNHUA PARTICIPATES IN ASEAN-CHINA-JAPAN-SOUTH KOREA SUPPLY CHAIN COOPERATION MEETING Xinhua (July 29) reported that PBSC member and Vice Premier Hu Chunhua delivered a
speech at the online forum on The ASEAN-China-Japan-Korea (10+3) Industrial Chain Supply
Chain Cooperation Forum and East Asian Entrepreneurs Taihu Forum held in Suzhou, Jiangsu
Province on July 29. Vice Premier Hu Chunhua delivered a video speech. Hu Chunhua said
that President Xi Jinping emphasized that it is necessary to uphold the diplomatic concept of
amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness to build a community with a shared future
for the neighbouring countries. In recent years, China has actively strengthened pragmatic
cooperation with ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea, and promoted the integration and
development of regional industrial chains and supply chains to make new progress. Hu
Chunhua pointed out that the current international situation is complicated and the security and
stability of the international industrial chain and supply chain are facing severe tests. China is
willing to work with all parties to continuously improve the construction level of the regional
free trade zone, focus on strengthening the overall advantages of the regional industrial chain,
further strengthen the supporting role of interconnection, and strive to cultivate new
cooperation momentum. Hu Chunhua emphasized that China has embarked on a new journey
of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way, and welcomed entrepreneurs from
all over the world to invest in China and build a more secure, stable, and higher-level industrial
chain and supply chain cooperation relationship.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY APPARATUS: POLITBURO MEMBER GUO SHENGKUN ADDRESSES MEETING OF CENTRAL PLAC ON STUDYING XI JINPING'S SPEECH OF JULY 26 The People's Daily (July 29) reported that Politburo member and Secretary of the Central
Political and Legal Affairs Committee (PLAC) Guo Shengkun, presided over a plenary meeting
of the Central Political and Legal Committee on July 29, conveying the study of General
Secretary Xi Jinping at the special seminar for leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial
levels and at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee. Zhao Kezhi, Zhou
Qiang and Zhang Jun were present.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY APPARATUS: CHEN YIXIN SECRETARY GENERAL OF PLAC ADDRESSES MEETING OF SECRETARIES GENERAL OF CHINA'S PLACS ON XI JINPING'S SPEECH OF JULY 26 The China Police Daily (July 31) published the Secretary General of the CCP CC PoliticalLegal Affairs Committee, Chen Yixin's address to the meeting of the Secretary-General of the
Central Political and Legal Committees held on July 29 where he stressed that it is necessary
to study and implement the speech of General Secretary Xi Jinping at the provincial and
ministerial level meeting of Leading cadres on July 26. The paper said the spirit of the
'important' speech in the special seminar is the primary political task at present, deeply
understand the decisive significance of "two establishments", strengthen "four consciousness",
strengthen "four self-confidence", achieve "two maintenance", and do our best to take
responsibility As a practical action to meet the party's 20 victories held. It said Chen Yixin had
talked about the learning experience and implementation of the spirit of General Secretary Xi
Jinping's important speech from 8 aspects. In brief these are: (i) "Profoundly understand
General Secretary Xi Jinping's incisive exposition on the significance of convening the 20th
Party Congress, and make every effort to create a safe and stable political and social
environment for the 20th Party Congress"; (ii) "Profoundly understand General Secretary Xi
Jinping's scientific research and judgment on the strategic opportunities and risks and
challenges facing the road ahead" ... "keep in mind "two overall situations", adhere to the
bottom line thinking, strengthen the will to fight, strengthen the fighting ability, maintain the
sense of responsibility of "always rest assured" ... "Start a new game". (iii) "Have a profound
understanding of General Secretary Xi Jinping's systematic summary of the past five years of
work and the 10 years of great changes in the new era" ... "Since the 18th National Congress
of the Communist Party of China, the cause of the party and the country has achieved historic
achievements and undergone historic changes. The most fundamental reason is that General
Secretary Xi Jinping is the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole party
is at the helm". (iv) "We must resolutely defend the "two establishments", resolutely implement
the "two safeguards", sincerely support the core emotionally, always follow the core
ideologically, be absolutely loyal to the core politically, resolutely defend the core in action".
(v) "Profoundly understand the political requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping" .... and
"truly be a firm believer, active disseminator, and faithful practitioner of Xi Jinping Thought
on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era". (vi) "Deeply understand General
Secretary Xi Jinping's solemn declaration on unswervingly taking the Chinese-style
modernization path, and actively provide security for the comprehensive construction of a
modern socialist country". ... "conscientiously perform and solidly promote the duties and
missions of political and legal work in the new era". (vii) "Have a deep understanding of
General Secretary Xi Jinping's strategic plan for the development of the party and the country
in the future". (viii) "Have a deep understanding of General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest
teaching on adhering to the fundamental purpose of the party and "making our party's longterm ruling foundation as solid as a rock". (ix) "Have a deep understanding of General Secretary
Xi Jinping's important requirements for persistently promoting comprehensive and strict
governance of the party" ... "The political and legal team is loyal, clean and responsible".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PUBLIC SECURITY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY LAUNCHES 100-DAY OPERATION TO "RECTIFY" RAILWAY PUBLIC SECURITY The People's Daily (July 30) disclosed that China's Public Security Bureau is launching a
"hundred days operation" to rectify railway public security. It disclosed the Railway Public
Security Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security has set up 6 inspection teams, which will be
dispatched to 18 railway public security bureaus from now on to crack down on the security of
the whole system in summer. The Railway Public Security Bureau of the Ministry of Public
Security has specially formulated the "Special Inspector Work Plan for the "Hundred-Day
Action" of the Railway Public Security Organs' Summer Public Security Crackdown and
Rectification", focusing on mobilizing and organizing various units to promote, implement
political security measures, and strengthen the crackdown on serious criminal activities. The
special inspection is divided into two stages. The first stage is from late July to mid-August,
and each bureau carries out a one-week supervision and inspection; the second stage is from
mid-September to the end of September, cracking down on key cases and prominent security
issues. The rectification situation, as well as the rectification of outstanding problems in team
management, will be reviewed and inspected.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON BUILDING THE CYL A lengthy article in the People's Daily (August 3) discussed "studying" Xi Jinping's discussions
on youth work. It stressed the need to build the CYL and ehttp:// nded with a call to CYL:
"Only if the Communist Youth League has the courage to self-revolution, can it keep pace with
the advancement of the times!"
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: 36,700 NEW CYL RECRUITS VOLUNTEER FOR WORK IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHINA The China Education Daily (August 2) quoted Communist Youth League reports that 36,700
newly recruited volunteers conducted ceremonies before going to China's central and Western
regions to volunteer. The report said that in 2022, the western plan will be included in the
"Communist Youth League Promotion of College Students' Employment Action", which will
further promote the implementation of special projects such as rural education, serving rural
construction, healthy villages, grass-roots youth work, rural social governance, serving
Xinjiang, and serving Tibet, and will recruit all volunteers. The members are included in the
"Tsing Ma Project" education system. It added that this year, more than 250,000 fresh graduates
and postgraduate students from more than 2,300 colleges and universities across the country
signed up for the Western Plan.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: 3-PAGE PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE SAYS XI JINPING HAS OVER 17 YEAR ASSOCIATION WITH UFWD The People's Daily (July 30) published a 3-page article on Chinese President Xi Jinping's
association with United Front Work. It said "Comrade Xi Jinping has forged an indissoluble
bond with the United Front work in Fujian since he came to work in Fujian in 1985". It quoted
6
him saying "My father worked for the United Front, and I have a special feeling for the United
Front work," Xi Jinping often said when he was working in Fujian. With this special feeling,
in the extraordinary 17 and a half years, no matter what job position, Xi Jinping personally
guided and promoted the United Front work.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON UNITED FRONT The People's Daily (July 31) published a lengthy report on Xi Jinping's speech at the Central
United Front Work Conference under the caption: 'Promoting the united struggle of Chinese
sons and daughters at home and abroad to gather strength for the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation'. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided and PBSC members Li Zhanshu, Wang
Huning, Zhao Leji, and Han Zheng attended. UFWD Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang
delivered a speech.
(Comment: The Central United Front Work Conference was held in Beijing from July 29th to
30th, to mark the UFWD's 100th anniversary.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: LENGTHY XINHUA ARTICLE REVIEWS TEN YEAR HISTORY OF UFWD Xinhua (July 28) published a lengthy 4465-word article reviewing the 10-year history of the
CCP CC's United Front Work department (UFWD) titled "Extensively gather all the wisdom
and strength of the Chinese nation ——The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping
at the core cares about the work of the United Front". It was published by Guangming Daily
the following day (July 29). Asserting that "The united front is the political advantage and
strategic policy of the Communist Party of China to unite people's hearts and strength. It is an
important magic weapon for winning the revolution, construction, and reform. It is an
important tool to strengthen the party's class foundation, expand the party's mass base, and
consolidate the party's ruling position. The magic weapon is an important magic weapon for
building a modern socialist country in an all-round way and realizing the great rejuvenation of
the Chinese nation", the article declared: "Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist
Party of China, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. Entering the
crucial stage of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the United Front work is facing
new situations and challenges." It recalled the directions given by Xi Jinping between May 18-
25, 2015 for upgrading UFWD work and the UFWD's contributions in religious affairs, Tibet
work and Hongkong and building the unity of the country. The article stated, in conclusion,
that "In the new era, the United Front will unswervingly implement the "one country, two
systems" policy, unswervingly implement the "patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots
governing Macao" principles, and continue to develop and strengthen the forces of patriotism
and love for Hong Kong and Macao; The political foundation of the 1992 Consensus is to
broadly unite Taiwan compatriots at home and abroad, steadily advance the work against
"independence" and promote reunification, and build a foundation of public opinion for
supporting and pursuing national reunification; Overseas Chinese affairs work has opened up
a new situation. Gather people, build one heart. This year is the year of the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central
Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, the United Front is taking the spiritual realm
of "success and success do not have to be mine" and the historical responsibility of "success
and success must be mine". With the perseverance of long-term dedication and the
perseverance of daily deeds, we will strengthen the great unity of all parties, groups, ethnic
groups, strata and all aspects, and gather indomitable strength to promote the great rejuvenation
of the Chinese nation."
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV RELEASES VIDEO SHOWING LAUNCH OF PROBABLY THE DF-17 HYPERSONIC MISSILE The state-run CCTV on July 30, just prior to the 95th founding anniversary of the Chinese
People's Liberation Army (PLA) on August 1, revealed a video titled "The capabilities of the
Chinese troops shown in 81 seconds". It featured the launch of what resembles a DF-17 missile.
Experts said (July 31) that it displayed the flexibility of the "aircraft carrier killer" hypersonic
weapon that is almost impossible to intercept, at a time when tension is rising in the Taiwan
Straits amid US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's possible visit to the island of Taiwan. A scene
in the video, showing live-fire launch of a missile from a transporter erector launcher on a
highway in a desert, attracted particular attention by military enthusiasts, who said the missile
resembles the DF-17 hypersonic missile, which has been publicly displayed at the National
Day military parade on October 1, 2019 in Beijing.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CCP PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT AND CMC POLITICAL WORK DEPARTMENT EMPHASISE ABSOLUTE LOYALTY TO CCP AND XI JINPING IN NEW INSTRUCTIONS China's Central Propaganda Department and the Political Work Department of the Central
Military Commission jointly announced the 12 "Most Beautiful Revolutionary Soldiers in the
New Era" on August 1, the 95th anniversary of the PLA. The instructions said "the majority of
officers and soldiers should study the deeds and spirit of "the most beautiful soldiers in this
new era", deepen the armed forces of Xi Jinping's new era with socialism with Chinese
characteristics, highlight Xi Jinping's thought on strengthening the army, deeply understand
the decisive significance of "two establishments" ... 'two maintenance" ... "resolutely obey the
command of the Party Central Committee, Central Military Commission and Chairman Xi ,
forge the character of absolute loyalty, focus on actual war preparations and "... "build the
people's army into a world class army in an all-round way".
(Comment: The emphasis on "deepen the armed forces of Xi Jinping's new era with socialism
with Chinese characteristics" appears to be new.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: DING WENWU, HEAD OF NATIONAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INDUSTRY INVESTMENT FUND UNDER INVESTIGATION Bloomberg (July 30) reported that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) said
on July 30 that 60-year old Ding Wenwu, General Manager of the National Integrated Circuit
Industry Investment Fund Co. Ltd, is suspected of “serious violation of discipline and law,”
and is being investigated. Caixin reported that on July 16 Diao Shijing, former head of
Unigroup Guoxin, and Zhao Weiguo, former chairman of Tsinghua Unigroup, were taken by
related departments for investigation. The CDIC separately reported (August 3) that 15,500
leading cadres attended classes on warning education on clean government construction and
watched a 'warning' educational film titled "The Hunting Trap" and listened to a lecture in
Hubei.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AT LEAST FOUR OFFICIALS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR SACKED AFTER HENAN BANK FINANCIAL SCANDAL Reports indicate that the case of four village banks in Henan continues to ferment. After the
violent suppression of the former rights defenders on July 10 and because the incident occurred
at a sensitive period before the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the
authorities appeased the victimized depositors in batches in order to maintain stability, and at
the same time called some officials to take responsibility. Three more financial system officials
were sacked on July 29. On July 29, the Henan Provincial Commission for Discipline
Inspection and Supervision announced that three more officials from the local financial system
had been investigated. They include Zhao Dewang, Director of the Financial Stability Division
of the Zhengzhou Central Sub-branch of the People's Bank. Many netizens protested that the
three officials being investigated by the authorities were: "Little fish and shrimp", "Just
investigate the director?" "You have to take the blame, otherwise such a big How to fill the
basket.” Prior to this, on July 24, Li Huanting, the first-level inspector of the Henan Supervision
Bureau of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, was sacked. According
to the disclosure of resume information, Li Huanting served as the director of the second
division of rural small and medium-sized financial institutions supervision of the Henan
Supervision Bureau of the former China Banking Regulatory Commission. On July 17, Song
Zhanying, the former inspector of the CBRC's Office for Disposal of Illegal Fund Raising, was
investigated; on the same day, Zhang Yansen, the former CBRC Disciplinary Commission and
Division-level Disciplinary Inspector and Supervisor of the Supervision Bureau, was sacked.
The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission confirmed in mid-June that some
executives of several village banks in Henan colluded with the major shareholder Henan New
Fortune Group inside and outside to illegally absorb deposits from the public. On July 29, the
Henan Banking and Insurance Regulatory Bureau and Henan Provincial Local Financial
Regulatory Bureau issued an announcement that from 9:00 am on August 1, Yuzhou
Xinminsheng Rural Bank, Shangcai Huimin Rural Bank, Zhecheng Huanghuai Rural Bank,
Kaifeng New Oriental Rural Bank's off-book business customers will start to get an advance
amounting to the principal of a single institution and a single person with a combined amount
of 100,000 yuan to 150,000 yuan (inclusive), and further advances if it is below 100,000 yuan
(inclusive).
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER CASS VICE PRESIDENT CAI FANG ANTICIPATES CHINA'S NEGATIVE POPULATION GROWTH RATE WILL BRING UNEXPECTED NEW SHOCKS TO THE ECONOMY The 21st Century Business Herald reported (July 31) from Qingdao that Cai Fang, former Vice
President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), chief expert of a national highend think tank, and member of the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, said at the
Qingdao China Fortune Forum on July 30 that according to the new forecast, about this year
or next year, China's population will peak and then enter negative growth, while India's
population will exceed China's, and the gap will be very significant in the future. These data
mean that China will officially enter an era of negative population growth, which is not cyclical,
not fleeting, but almost a long-term trend, and a new demographic turning point may bring new
shocks. Cai Fang pointed out that since 2010, China's labour force began to decline. The
population shock experienced in the past ten years has been on the supply side, resulting in a
decline in the potential economic growth and actual growth rate. He said China responded
through supply-side structural reforms. He said this will "bring unexpected new shocks to
economic growth from the supply side and the demand side" and adversely impact resource
mobilisation.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI DAILY ARTICLE SAYS THAT THE HUBEI PROVINCIAL CONGRESS WILL FOLLOW "THE PARTY'S MASS LINE IN THE NEW ERA" An article in the Hubei Daily (August 2) by Li Shanshan, Deputy Director of the Party History
and Party Construction Teaching and Research Department of the Party School of Hubei
Provincial Party Committee, noted that the 12th Provincial Party Congress proposed to build
an urban and rural social governance of "vertical to the end, horizontal to the edge, joint
construction, joint governance and sharing". It asserted that 'the mass line is the lifeline and
fundamental work line of the party, and it is the fundamental guarantee for the party to remain
invincible'. It averred "Follow the party's mass line in the new era, and always maintain a fleshand-blood relationship with the people," arguing that 19th Party Congress concept of "joint
construction, governance, and mutuality" (共建共治共享) are the "mass line" in the new era.
(Comment: The article contained a reference to Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGXI PROVINCE DISTRICT USES BIG DATA FOR LINKING PARTY BUILDING WITH GRID MANAGEMENT AND EPIDEMIC CONTROL A Naning Daily (July 29) article captioned "Party Building + Grid + Big Data" Accurately and
Efficiently Helps Epidemic Prevention and Control" revealed that Qingxiu District in Guangxi
province has deepened community grid management, established branches on grids, and
deployed party members on nodes, striving to build a "party building + grid + big data"
normalized social governance and emergency mobilization organization system to boost
epidemic prevention and control. It called the control "refined, intelligent, digital and
convenient". It said the plan focused on party building and promoting grassroots governance
as the main line, and that Qingxiu had issued the "Implementation Plan for Establishing
Temporary Party Organizations in Major Emergencies and Major Work Frontlines", further
strengthening the grass-roots governance grid system, and establishing "urban-street" (town)-
community (village)-metagrid-buildings" five-level "territorial grid", superimposed on the
"metagrid" to build a "professional grid" led by the industry sector, forming a "5+1" network.
The grid governance system is divided into 1702 "meta grids" and 18183 "building" grids, and
a grid length is set for each grid, and grid data officers, grid police, and prevention and control
points are flexibly equipped. It said that by July 27, Qingxiu District had established a total of
75 temporary party branches, dispatched a total of more than 28,000 cadres, a total of 534
municipal management cadres, and carefully selected 98 people to Nanning East Railway
Station, Xundong Bus Station and various traffic card points.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-SICHUAN: SICHUAN PARTY SECRETARY CONVENES PARTY COMMITTEE'S THEORETICAL STUDY CENTRE GROUP'S METING TO STUDY FOURTH VOLUME OF XI JINPING'S 'GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY' Sichuan Daily (July 28) reported that the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee's Theoretical
Study Center Group held a special study meeting on July 28 to focus on the fourth volume of
"Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country". Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the Provincial Party
Committee, presided over the meeting and talked about his understanding and experience. . He
emphasized that it is necessary to deeply study and comprehend the fourth volume of "Xi
Jinping: The Governance of the Country". It said that before the meeting members of the
Provincial Party Committee's Theoretical Study Center team carefully studied the fourth
volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country"; at the meeting, everyone exchanged
their experiences and experiences around the learning theme and working practice. The
Sichuan Daily noted "The meeting pointed out that the fourth volume of "Xi Jinping: The
Governance of the Country" is an authoritative work that comprehensively and systematically
reflects Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Understanding the decisive significance of the "two establishments", enhancing the "four
consciousnesses", strengthening the "four self-confidences", achieving the "two maintenances",
and uniting and striving and advancing bravely in the new era and new journey are important
and of far-reaching significance. From the great practice of the general secretary leading the
whole party and the people of the whole country to overcome difficulties and forge ahead, we
must continue to deepen our understanding of the epochal, theoretical, practical, and world
significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,
and have a profound understanding of it".
A Sichuan Daily (August 2) report said that the Science and Technology Department held a
briefing on July 29, on the operation of Sichuan High-tech Zone in the first half of 2022. The
officials said since the beginning of this year, the economy of the high-tech zones in our
province has been running smoothly on the whole, and the main indicators have shown a stable
and positive trend. From January to June, the province's high-tech zones achieved operating
income of 1.5 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.3%.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-GUIZHOU: GUIZHOU AND TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY SIGN STRATEGIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT The Guizhou Daily (July 29) disclosed that on July 28, the Secretary of the Provincial Party
Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress Chen
Yiqin, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor Li Bingjun met
Wang Xiqin, President of Tsinghua University, and his party in Guiyang, and jointly attended
the 'Guizhou Province -The signing ceremony of the Tsinghua University Strategic
Cooperation Agreement of the People's Government'. Provincial leaders Lu Yongzheng, Shi
Yubao, Guo Xiwen, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Tsinghua University Guo
Yong, and Vice President Peng Gang attended the event. The strategic agreement is "to
thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech on his
inspection of Guizhou" and intended to train talent for the development of Guizhou.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG PROVINCE REGISTERS 2.5 PER CENT INCREASE IN GDP IN SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR The Zhejiang Daily (July 29) reported that the 37th meeting of the Standing Committee of the
13th Provincial People's Congress on July 29 heard the provincial government's report on the
province's economic and social development in the first half of the year and the government's
work in the second half of the year. The report said the province's economy bottomed out and
stabilized in June and gradually recovered in June, withstood the challenges and impacts that
exceeded expectations, and achieved a GDP of 3,622.2 billion yuan, an increase of 2.5%.
The Zhejiang Daily (August 2) reported that the amount of affordable housing units constructed
in the province in the first 6 months of the year exceeds 319,000 units - completing the annual
target of 300,000 ahead of schedule.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-YUNNAN: YUNNAN DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON 'STUDY' OF XI JINPING'S 'GOVERNANCE OF CHINA' The main story in the Yunnan Daily (August 3) is the study of Xi Jinping's "The Governance
of China" Volume 4 that was recently released. The Study is mandated for cadres, party
members, and in colleges, using online and offline platforms.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: VIEWS OF CHINESE ON OTHER COUNTRIES The Sinophone Borderlands online public opinion survey in China in March 2022, which
polled 3,000 Chinese respondents (split into six groups) responded to questions about what
they thought about the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe, Singapore, and Africa. Their
comments, briefly, were: The United States was commonly thought of as an advanced and
powerful state, yet hostile to China, untrustworthy, and tending to interfere in other countries’
affairs. “Hegemon” was the most prevalent association. Respondents very commonly used
negative adjectives such as bossy, arrogant, selfish, shameless, unfriendly, but even retarded
or vicious; On Russia, the Chinese respondents were mostly positive, although the intensity of
positivity did not appear as strong as the negativity towards the US. In contrast to the United
States, Russia is clearly viewed as a friendly country. Respondents whose perception of Russia
got better mentioned the strength of the country, the strength of the leadership (“trust Putin,”
“Putin has guts,” “strong leadership”), and trustworthiness and friendliness toward China (even
“brotherly love” between Russia and China, but also mentions that the “enemy of an enemy is
our friend”); Regarding Europe, Chinese respondents did not have robust associations. Europe
is seen as white (“Caucasians”), wealthy, developed in all kinds of ways – economy,
technology, culture – and as an exciting travel destination with rich culture and history. The
three most mentioned countries were France, Italy, and Germany; The Chinese respondents’
image of Africa is of “poverty,” followed by “Black people.” African people are seen by the
Chinese as “friendly” although “lazy”; With Japan the most common associations tend to focus
on historical grievances, such as “invasion of China,” “Nanjing massacre,” “resistance war
against Japan,” or “cruel history.” Japan is also seen as a technological and industrial
powerhouse with a developed economy.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES HIGHLIGHTS THAT CHINA LAUNCHED THREE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN THE TIME IT TOOK INDIA TO LAUNCH ONE A critical Global Times (July 30) article reporting that India's first indigenous aircraft carrier
was handed over to the Indian Navy, said that it took India over 12 years before the start of sea
trials in August 2021, and the final delivery in July 2022 according to Indian media
reports. During that period between 1999 to 2022, China made a breakthrough by launching
three aircraft carriers. Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the
Liaoning is a large carrier while the Vikrant is only a medium-size carrier. Song Zhongping
added that the base of India's military industry is relatively weak, so indigenous aircraft carrier
development is a challenge. China can design whole aircraft carriers by itself, but India can
only do part of the design. The Global Times added: "India has always believed that “the Indian
Ocean is India’s ocean” and that there is a need to develop a carrier-centric navy".
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: US HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI'S ITINERARY FOR VISIT TO ASIA DOES NOT INCLUDE TAIWAN Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported (July 31) the statement issued by the U.S. House of
Representatives that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will lead a delegation to Asia, where she will visit
Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. The itinerary will focus on mutual security,
economic partnership, and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region. The statement
said "Today, our congressional delegation will travel to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America's
strong and unshakable commitment to allies and friends in the region, South Korea and Japan,
our delegations will hold high-level meetings to discuss how to further advance our mutual
interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19
pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance.” She also said that
under the strong leadership of President Biden, the United States is committed to intelligent
and strategic engagement in the region, knowing that a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific is
critical to American and global prosperity. Singapore's foreign ministry said a U.S.
congressional delegation led by Pelosi will visit Singapore from August 1 to 2 to meet with
President Halimah and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The delegation will also communicate
with a number of cabinet ministers. In a press release issued by Pelosi's office, Taiwan was not
included in the itinerary.
(Comment: With Pelosi visiting Taiwan overnight and meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen
on August 3, tensions will escalate. The US forces are already in the area and ready to strike.
Chinese forces are also making moves -- they have despatched two aircraft carriers and fighter
aircraft to the area, including two PLAAF Y-20 aircraft towards the borders with India. Chinese
President Xi Jinping is in a difficult situation with the US having called his bluff and now needs
a way out mainly to save face before the 20th Party Congress.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: CCTV PROJECTS XI JINPING TAKING A TOUGH STAND ON PELOSI'S PLANNED VISIT TO TAIWAN Commenting on the telephone conversation (July 28) between US President Biden and Chinese
President Xi Jinping, the state-owned CCTV (July 29) telecast that "Xi Jinping emphasized
China's principled position on the Taiwan issue. Xi Jinping emphasized that the history of the
Taiwan issue is clear, and the fact and current situation that both sides of the Taiwan Strait
belong to one China are clear. The three Sino-US joint communiques are political commitments
of both sides, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of Sino-US relations. We
firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and interference by external forces, and will
never leave any space for "Taiwan independence" forces in any form. The position of the
Chinese government and Chinese people on the Taiwan issue has been consistent, and it is the
firm will of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people to resolutely safeguard China's national
sovereignty and territorial integrity. Public opinion cannot be violated. Playing with fire will
set yourself on fire. I hope the US side can see this clearly. The U.S. side should abide by the
one-China principle and implement the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques." It also said "Biden
said that today's world is in a critical period. U.S.-China cooperation is not only beneficial to
the people of the two countries, but also to the people of other countries. The US hopes to
maintain smooth dialogue with China, enhance mutual understanding, avoid
misunderstandings and misjudgements, seek cooperation in areas where interests converge, and
properly manage differences. I would like to reiterate that the one-China policy of the United
States has not changed and will not change, and the United States does not support Taiwan's
"independence"."
Separately, Hu Xijin wrote in an editorial in the Global Times that “The Chinese mainland will
definitely put up a sturdy fight to the end to thwart Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, without fear of any
escalation”. The US and Taiwan “must fully understand that the red line is a high-voltage one
that they cannot step on”.
(Comment: As expected, the official Chinese media is portraying that while Xi Jinping and
China remained firm in their stance and threats on Taiwan and Pelosi's visit, Biden adopted a
mellow tone! Meanwhile, calling Xi Jinping's bluff, Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei by special
aircraft at 10.22 pm on August 2.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: PLA CONDUCTS LIVE MILITARY EXERCISE FROM JULY 28 TO 30 BECAUSE OF PELOSI'S VISIT TO TAIWAN In the context of Pelosi's reported visit to Taiwan, the Fujian Pingtan Maritime Safety
Administration announced that from July 28 to July 30 live ammunition training will be
conducted in the waters near Yiqiyu Island in Pingtan, Fujian Province, and all ships will be
prohibited from entering. A Chinese media report said the notice of the exercise issued by "a
unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army stationed in Fujian" on July 28 caused speculation
since the PLA only conducts live ammunition in small coastal areas. However, since Pingtan
is the closest location in mainland China to Hsinchu, Taiwan , and the mainland established
the "Fuzhou (Pingtan) Comprehensive Experimental Zone in Pingtan County in 2009", the
news of the military exercise caused speculation from the outside world.. According to satellite
images released by the US military media "The War Zone" in October last year, the Chinese
military is upgrading the three air bases closest to Taiwan, including the construction of
ammunition bunkers, extension of airport runways, and new apron. The Chinese military's
Longtian, Hui'an and Zhangzhou air bases in Fujian Province have been continuously
upgrading their internal equipment since the beginning of 2020. The Longtian base is about
217 kilometres away from Taipei, Taiwan, the Hui'an base is about 278 kilometres away from
Taipei, and the Zhangzhou base is about 399 kilometres away from Taipei. It is estimated that
the fighter jet can reach Taipei in about 7 minutes as soon as it takes off.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-US: US SEC ADDS ALIBABA TO ITS WATCH LIST BRINGING TOTAL NUMBER OF CHINESE ENTITIES TO 150 The South China Morning Post (July 30) reported that the US Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) on July 29 put Alibaba on its watch list of Chinese firms that face removal
from American exchanges. More than 150 Chinese companies are currently on the SEC’s
provisional line-up of firms up for delisting. Apart from Alibaba, three other mainland Chinese
internet companies – Mogu, Cheetah Mobile and Boqii Holding – and one Hong Kong entity,
metal stamping firm Highway Holdings, are on the SEC watch list.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA AT CENTRE AND PROVINCES PUBLISH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON TAIWAN China's official media, except the People's Daily and Guangming Daily, published the Chinese
Ministry of Foreign affairs statement on the Taiwan issue on August 3. The People's Daily and
Guangming Daily published it on page 3. The report was published together with the map.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA EXERCISES AIMED AT TAIWAN The PLA announced it would conduct military operations from August 4 - 6 encircling Taiwan.
Two PLAN aircraft carriers and warships are near, or in, the Taiwan Strait and PLAAF fighter
aircraft are regularly violating Taiwan's ADIZ in batches of 15 or more aircraft. Reports also
state that Chinese Landing Craft in Fujian province are being loaded with military vehicles and
tanks.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FORUM CONVENED BY INSTITUTE OF TAIWAN STUDIES OF CASS TO DISCUSS CHINA'S RESPONSES TO PELOSI'S VISIT TO TAIWAN FORECAST TOUGH ACTIONS On July 29, the Institute of Taiwan Studies in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)
held a forum with analysts and discussed the damage of Pelosi's possible Taiwan island visit
to the China-US relations, cross-Straits stability and regional and global peace, and China's
countermeasures. Yang Mingjie, head of the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Chinese Academy
of Social Sciences, told the Global Times (July 29) that sending fighter jets to intercept Pelosi's
plane, declaring air and maritime zones around the island of Taiwan as restriction zones for
military exercises … China's responses will be systematically and not limited to small scale
given the severity of Pelosi's move and the damage to the political trust of China-US relations.
The Global Times added that the phrase "Don't say we didn't warn you" had also been
frequently mentioned by analysts when talking about the disastrous consequences that may be
brought about by Pelosi during the July 29 forum. It clarified "Don't say we didn't warn you"
has become a key phrase used by Chinese official media as the most severe warning previously
issued before shots were fired in military operations. The phrase has been used several times
before, such as in 1962 and 1978, not long before China's military operations against
provocations by Indian and Vietnamese troops, respectively. Yang Mingjie said "The US
should not underestimate the Chinese people's determination to defend core interests on
sovereignty, integrity and security at any time. It should also not repeat the miscalculation it
made in the 1950s in the Korean War. Despite not being strong at that time, China still had the
courage to fight a war when it was pushed to the corner, it will surely not sit idly by this time".
Analysts said the countermeasures in China's toolbox include concrete and strategic ones and
rapid and long-term ones and it will take different measures in accordance with Pelosi's
interactions with secessionists from the island of Taiwan. If she makes the visit, the possibility
for China to recall the ambassador from the US cannot be ruled out as also imposing sanctions
on individuals related to the visit.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: NEW YORK TIMES CLAIMS CHINA MAY MOVE AGAINST TAIWAN IN NEXT 18 MONTHS Citing the New York Times and unnamed sources the US publication AXIOS said (July 29)
that “U.S. officials now believe China may make a strong move against Taiwan within the next
18 months, according to a recent New York Times report, though that estimate is not based on
specific knowledge of Beijing's plans”.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: KREMLIN EXTENDS STRONG SUPPORT TO CHINA ON TAIWAN ISSUE In the backdrop of high tensions relating to US House Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the AP
news service (July 29) quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying on July 29 that “We
believe that no other country has the right to call (that) into doubt or take any provocative steps.”
He also warned the U.S. against “destructive” moves, adding that “such behaviour on the
international arena could only exacerbate tensions as the world is already overloaded with
regional and global problems.”
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE CUSTOMS BANS IMPORT OF OVER 100 TAIWANESE FOOD PRODUCTS ON AUGUST 1 China's General Administration of Customs on August 1, imposed a sudden ban on the
importation of products from over 100 Taiwanese food manufacturers, in a move widely seen
as retaliation for the expected visit of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Among the food product categories affected by the policy is "crackers, pastries and noodles,"
in which 35 out of 107 registered Taiwanese companies are currently labelled "imports
temporarily suspended" on the customs administration website. In a statement issued on August
2 afternoon, the United Bakery Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expressed
"shock and frustration" at the decision, and said it hoped that exports would be allowed to
resume as quickly as possible. It did not disclose details on the expected financial impact of
the policy. The association is also planning to seek assistance from Taiwan's government in
funding.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FOUR IMPORTANT JAPANESE LEGISLATORS VISIT TAIWAN A 4-member group of Japanese Legislators including heavyweight Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) parliamentarians Kono Taro and Ishiba Shigeru and other lesser legislators were in
Taipei City on July 28-29. Kono Taro and Ishiba Shigeru met President Tsai Ing-wen on July
29 afternoon. Ishiba and his delegation on security had a discussion with Premier Su Tsengchang and several Cabinet members, including the ministers for defense, economic affairs, and
mainland China affairs.
(Comment: Both Kono and Ishiba are political leaders of national stature and Kono was almost
elected LDP president and prime minister last September. Interestingly, the Chinese have not
reacted to the visit.)
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND IRANIAN PRESIDENT RAISI HAVE TELECON ON JULY 29 Xinhua (July 29) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with
Iranian President Raisi on July 29, when Xi Jinping pointed out that the world has entered a
new period of turbulence and transformation due to the combined effects of the century-old
changes and the epidemic of the century. Facing the complicated international situation, China
and Iran have strengthened solidarity and cooperation, which has enhanced the common
interests of both sides and safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of
developing countries. The Chinese side views China-Iran relations from a strategic perspective,
and is willing to work with the Iranian side to push for new progress in the China-Iran
comprehensive strategic partnership. Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should continue to
firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns,
and maintain non-interference in internal affairs, the basic norm of international relations. He
said it is necessary to maintain close communication on the implementation of the
comprehensive cooperation plan between the two countries ... and strengthen communication
and coordination in regional and international affairs. China always supports Middle East
countries in resolving regional security issues through solidarity and cooperation, and supports
the people of the Middle East in exploring development paths independently, and is willing to
strengthen communication and cooperation with Iran within the framework of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization and other frameworks.
Aug 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS WUHAN, HUBEI PROVINCE Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected Wuhan, Hubei province on June 28. During the visit
he emphasized in Wuhan that scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement
are the foundation of a country's prosperity and security and urged greater progress in scientific
and technological self-reliance and self-improvement. On the afternoon of the 28th,
accompanied by Wang Menghui, Party Secretary of Hubei Province, and Wang Zhonglin,
Governor of Hubei, Xi Jinping went deep into Wuhan's enterprises and communities to
investigate. Speaking to cadres and citizens gathered in the city's central square, Xi
Jinping stressed that the new crown pneumonia epidemic is a "big test" and "We adhere to the
principle of people first" and constantly adjust prevention and control measures according to
the times and circumstances to protect people's lives and health to the greatest extent. He
cautioned that "If we implement prevention and control policies such as "collective
immunization" and "lying flat", the consequences will be disastrous. Our implementation of
the dynamic clearing policy is determined by the Party Central Committee from the nature and
purpose of the party and from the national conditions of our country".
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO ATTEND 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF HONGKONG'S "RETURN TO THE MOTHERLAND" Xinhua (June 25) announced that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping will attend the
celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the
inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG URGES OFFICIALS TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN TEMPORARY DISTRESS URGENTLY TO PREVENT "INCIDENTS THAT BREAK THE MORAL BOTTOM LINE" Visiting the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security
on June 27, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said at an event that, “The population trapped in dire
conditions has increased due to the impact of the epidemic and natural disasters.” He told the
officials to “detect in a timely manner those people who lost their jobs, those who need to be
included in the low-income programs, and those in temporary distress, and prevent the
occurrence of incidents that break the moral bottom line.” Li Keqiang also said that the current
economy has recovered to a certain extent, but “the foundation is not yet solid.” He emphasized
that, “The unemployment rate should be brought down and controlled as soon as possible.”
(Comment: Although Li Keqiang did not specify what the events might be that could “break
the moral bottom line,” this is not a wording often used by the Premier to describe China’s
economic difficulties.)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING LOYALIST WANG XIAOHONG APPOINTED NEW MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY Reporting the 35th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress
(NPC) that concluded in Beijing on June 24, Xinhua disclosed that it had approved the
appointments of Wang Xiaohong was appointed as Minister of Public Security and Pei Jinjia
was appointed as Minister of Veterans Affairs.
(Comment: 64-year old Wang Xiaohong, a long-time associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping,
was named as Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security on
November 19. The Legal Daily said Wang Xiaohong, 64, currently Vice Minister of Public
Security and a member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, will replace Zhao Kezhi
as Minister of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The South China Morning Post
(November 20) quoted Gu Su, a political scientist at Nanjing University, as saying “Wang is a
trustworthy person".)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: XIE CHUNTAO APPOINTED DEPUTY HEAD OF CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL In a rare internal promotion Xie Chuntao was appointed Executive Vice President of the
Central Party School succeeding Li Shulei. Conventionally, the job has always been given to
someone from elsewhere.
(Comment: Xie Chuntao was born in February 1963 in Linshu County, Shandong Province.
From 1978 to 1988, he successively studied at Shandong Normal University, Zhejiang
University and Renmin University of China, and obtained a bachelor's degree in education, a
master's degree in law and a doctorate in law respectively. He used to be the president and
editor-in-chief of the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
In May 2018, he served as the Vice President (Dean) of the Central Party School (National
School of Administration).
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES 29TH AND 30TH ARTICLES IN SERIES ON 'IN XI JINPING'S FOOTSTEPS' The Beijing edition of People's Daily (June 27) published the 29th article in the series on Xi
Jinping's footsteps under the caption 'Strive to create a better tomorrow for the development of
the capital (following the footsteps of the general secretary, Beijing chapter)'. It quoted "The
main responsible comrade of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee said that the capital
Beijing will always follow the direction indicated by General Secretary Xi Jinping, regardless
of rain or shine, to promote the profound transformation of Beijing, a great city, and strive hard.
Create a better tomorrow for the development of the capital." The People's Daily (June 28) and
CCTV (June 28) published the 30th article in the series on Xi Jinping's footsteps on Qinghai
province. It said, "Qinghai is located in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is the
birthplace of the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and the Lancang River".
(Comment: Missing as yet are HK, Macau, and Xinjiang.)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PARTY CADRES EXPRESS FEALTY TO XI JINPING IN RUN UP TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Senior CCP cadres are competing to show their loyalty to Chinese President Xi Jinping in the
run up to the 20th Party Congress, indicating that personal loyalty to Xi Jinping has become an
important criterion for promotion in the CCP. Among the Party Secretaries of Provinces who
have frequently expressed their views to Xi Jinping recently, many are vying for a seat in the
CCP CC Political Bureau. These include: On June 22, Lou Yangsheng, Party Secretary of
Henan, who wrote (June 22) in the "Learning Times" that he should "hold high the ideological
banner and keep in mind the leader's entrustment", regard Xi Jinping's political theory as a
"lifelong career", and call for "item-by-item" implementation of Xi Jinping's decree; Li
Hongzhong, Party Secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, who was the first to
shout the slogan of "Xi's core", also mentioned "two safeguards" in the report of the Tianjin
Party Congress (June 17), calling on officials to strengthen "Xi's "core status", political identity,
ideological identity, and emotional identity,” and unswervingly follow Xi; Jiangxi Provincial
Party Secretary Yi Lianhong in his speech (June 13) called Xi Jinping "the leader at the helm",
and urged cadres to "keep in mind the entrustment and keeping up with the leader's pace";
Shandong Party Secretary Li Ganjie published (May 30) an article on the front page of the
"Study Times" calling Xi Jinping "the man at the helm" and describing Xi's instructions as
"compass", "golden key" and "fulcrum". A total of 11 Party Secretaries have been noticed till
now (June 29) praising Xi Jinping and extolling his leadership qualities in their reports to the
respective Provincial People's Congresses. In addition, provinces and Municipalities have held
several seminars to study the red pocket book and some have organised special exhibitions.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: 65-YEAR OLD DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL PARTY HISTORY INSTITUTE PUBLISHES BOOK ON "TWO ESTABLISHMENTS" 65-year old Qu Qingshan, Director of the Central Party History and Literature Research
Institute, has authored the book "Understanding and Grasping "Two Establishments" from Five
Dimensions", which has been published by the People's Publishing House and will be released
nationwide from June 27. Release of the book has triggered speculation among Party members
whether Qu Qingshan's book "Five Dimensions" is a curtain call, or is he preparing to serve
overage. The People's Publishing House has published the book in order to welcome the victory
of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT REVEALS THAT TOTAL NUMBER OF CCP MEMBERS BY END 2021 WERE 96.712 MILLION The CCP CC Organization Department released the latest party statistics on June 29. By the
end of 2021, the total number of CCP members was 96.712 million, and there were 4.936
million grass-roots party organizations. It said the scale of party members has further expanded
with the total number of party members increasing by 3.7% over the previous year, and by
15.9% over the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. In 2021, there will
be 4.383 million new party members, an increase of 1.956 million over the previous year. The
structure of party members continued to be optimized. Compared with the end of 2012, the
proportion of party members, female party members and minority party members with a
college degree or above increased by 13.2, 5.6 and 0.7 percentage points respectively. Party
member education management has been continuously strengthened. Taking the study and
implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New
Era as the main line, improve the education work system for party members, and continue to
improve the quality of education. The grass-roots party organizations continue to consolidate
and consolidate. In 2021, 1.782 million grass-roots party organizations across the country will
be re-elected, and the ranks of leaders of rural and community grass-roots party organizations
will be further optimized.
(Comment: It is significant that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
for a New Era is now a mandatory requirement in Party education.)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY: NEW RECTIFICATION CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN CHINA'S NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM Xinhua (June 25) reported that at a meeting on June 25, China's Ministry of Public Security
has disclosed that it will start a "Hundred Days Action" of the national public security organs
to crack down on the rectification of public security in the summer. It emphasised that various
rectification measures will be put in place to ensure the continued stability of the overall social
situation and severely crack down and rectify the masses in accordance with the law. It said
this would make the people feel that safety is at their fingertips and around them. The focus
was on criminal activities, gangsters, resolution of disputes and conflicts, traffic violations and
disposal of petitions. The Ministry of Public Security instructed that social control be
strengthened with the strict implementation of mechanisms such as joint armed patrols and
rapid response of the public security and armed police, adopting policing models such as "one
police officer in one village (grid)" and "two teams and one room", so as to maximize the
number of police forces on the streets and into the community, mobilising mass organizations
to enhance social security control, especially focusing on the characteristics of public security
in summer, and strengthening night patrols in key locations and areas.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CHINA'S BIGGEST ACADEMIC DATABASE UNDER CYBERSECURITY PROBE CNKI, one of the biggest and most widely followed Chinese academic databases, is now
subject to a cybersecurity probe.
(Comment: The move is in line with the country's moves to increasingly obscure data about
itself and its economy.)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: XI JINPING PROMOTES DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY FOR GOVT. MANAGEMENT SERVICES The Engineering Science and Technology journal (June 29) published an article which said
that General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that it is necessary to fully implement the
strategy of strengthening the country through the Internet, widely apply digital technology to
government management services, promote the digital and intelligent operation of the
government, and provide strong support for promoting the modernization of the national
governance system and governance capabilities. , network, intelligent level of clear
requirements. It said, "We must thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary
Xi Jinping's important speech".
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: ZHANG JUN, HEAD OF THE PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT OF QINGDAO, IS UNDER INVESTIGATION On June 27, the Shandong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision
disclosed that Zhang Jun, member of the Standing Committee of the Qingdao Municipal Party
Committee and Minister of the Propaganda Department, was suspected of serious violations of
discipline and law, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review and supervision
investigation by the Shandong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and
Supervision. Zhang Jun used to be the Deputy Mayor of Qingdao. In April this year, he was
appointed as a member of the Standing Committee of the Qingdao Municipal Party Committee
and Director of the Propaganda Department. On June 7 this year, Yu Chengpu, the former
Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Qingdao Ocean and Fisheries Bureau,
was investigated.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE CRACKDOWN ON CORRUPT CADRES The official website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) disclosed on
June 27, a summary of the national investigation and punishment of spiritual problems in
violation of the eight central regulations in May 2022. It disclosed that in May, a total of 7,778
cases of 'spiritual problems' in violation of the eight central regulations were investigated and
punished nationwide, and 11,299 people were criticised, educated, helped, and dealt with, of
which 7,822 people were punished by party discipline and government affairs. This is the 105th
consecutive month that monthly data has been released. Providing details, it said in May, a
total of 3,250 problems were investigated and dealt with across the country, accounting for
83.5% of the total number of formalism and bureaucracy problems. The three types of issues
investigated and dealt with, including illegally receiving valuable specialties and gifts, illegal
eating, and drinking, and illegally issuing allowances or benefits, accounted for 36.3%, 20.8%,
and 20.5% of hedonism and extravagance, respectively. In May, a total of 34 cases of leading
cadres at the prefecture level were investigated and dealt with, 540 cases of leading cadres at
the county and division level were investigated and dealt with, and 7,204 cases of cadres at the
township level and below were investigated and dealt with. Among them, the problem of cadres
at the township level and below accounted for 92.6% of the total number of problems
investigated and dealt with. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Commission for
Discipline Inspection said that it will continue to 'unremittingly rectify corruption and
unhealthy practices', and thoroughly rectify damage to the party's image.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: VICE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE MINISTER DENG XIAOGANG ASSURES REPORTERS THAT THERE IS "ABSOLUTE SELFSUFFICIENCY IN GRAINS" The People's Daily (June 28) reported that the CCP CC Propaganda Department held a series
of press conferences on the theme of "China's Ten Years" on June 27, under the caption 'Since
the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the development of agriculture
and rural areas has made historic achievements - Comprehensive promotion of the rural
revitalization strategy in the new era'. Deng Xiaogang, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Affairs, spoke on rural revitalization in the new era. Deng Xiaogang said that in the past
ten years, we have won the battle against poverty, solved the problem of absolute poverty
historically, implemented the strategy of rural revitalization, and promoted the development of
agriculture and rural areas to achieve historic achievements and make historic changes. Deng
Xiaogang said that since the 18th Party Congress, the supply of grain and important agricultural
products "has been stable, and the foundation for ensuring national food security has become
more and more solid. Grain production capacity has increased steadily. The output has been
stable at more than 1.3 trillion catties for 7 consecutive years, and will reach a new level of 100
billion catties in 10 years. In 2021, the output will reach a record high of 1,365.7 billion catties,
and the per capita grain share will reach 483 kg, higher than the internationally recognized food
safety line of 400 kilograms has achieved basic self-sufficiency of grains and absolute safety
of rations".
The same day (June 28) CCTV telecast a report saying, "Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the
CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military
Commission, sent a letter to Xu Congxiang, a major grain grower in Taihe County, Anhui
Province, on June 27, expressing his greetings to the local villagers and expressing his gratitude
to the country’s grain growers". "Xi Jinping said, I remember you, an expert in grain farming
in Taihe, Anhui. I am very happy to learn that your family has had a good harvest of wheat and
that your children and grandchildren have followed you in farming". Xi Jinping pointed out
that "if you have food in your hands, you should not panic. I have always been concerned about
grain production, and I often visit the fields during grassroots research. Over the years, the CPC
Central Committee has introduced a series of policies and measures to support grain production,
with the aim of keeping the Chinese people's rice bowls firmly in their own hands, and making
grain farmers earn money and benefits, and make life better. It is hoped that large grain growers
will take advantage of their large-scale operation and actively apply modern agricultural
technology, so as to drive the small farmers to diversify and grow good grains, so as to
contribute to national food security together".
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: RETIRED MILITARY VETERANS TO TEACH IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS The PLA daily (June 23) disclosed that the Ministry of Veteran Affairs, the Ministry of
Education, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security jointly issued the
"Opinions on Promoting Outstanding Retired Veterans Teaching in Primary and Middle
Schools" to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's education on important
discussions with the work of retired soldiers, further expand the employment channels of
retired soldiers, and strengthen the construction of teachers in primary and secondary schools.
Emphasising that retired soldiers have a firm political belief, strong mission responsibility,
strong style, and have strong style, and the potential for teaching, the Opinions said they are an
important force to enrich the team of teachers in primary and secondary schools. Promoting
outstanding retired soldiers to teach in primary and secondary schools is conducive to
promoting the fundamental task of the people, helping to improve the discipline structure and
gender proportion of teachers in primary and secondary schools, and promote the
comprehensive development of young people. The "Opinions" recommended that the difficulty
of recruiting retired soldiers as primary and secondary school teachers can be resolved by local
regions relaxing the age limit according to the various factors. The qualification certificate of
the primary and secondary school teacher qualification examination obtained within one year
before the service of the retired soldiers can extend the validity period of 2 years.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FUDAN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR IDENTIFIES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHINA'S ECONOMY IN NEXT 20-30 YEARS Speaking at the China Macroeconomic Forum (CMF) Quarterly Forum (mid-2022) on June 25,
2022, Huang Qifan, Distinguished Professor of Fudan University, spoke on "China's
Macroeconomics with Stability" . The speech was posted on the portal Guangdong on June 26.
Huang Qifan, briefly, said: (i) In the next 20 to 30 years, the "five major items" that can form
a trillion-dollar market have generally taken shape now, and there are five directions: one is
driverless new energy vehicles, the second is home robots, and the third is Head-mounted
AR/VR glasses or helmets, the fourth is flexible display, and the fifth is 3D printing equipment;
(ii) At present, the economic operation of both China and the world has been impacted and
affected by three basic factors: first, the repeated delay of the new crown epidemic; second, the
escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; and third, the intensification of
international geopolitical competition; and (iii) Compared with meeting local demand through
imports after production in other places, selling real estate has at least four advantages: first, it
can bypass the restrictions of import protection tariffs, and second, because organizing
production in the place of sale naturally reduces logistics The third is that the market
information can be grasped in a more timely and accurate manner. The fourth is that due to the
local organization of production, taxes, profits, and GDP are kept locally, and the employment
generated is also local, which naturally forms a positive interaction. Stating that China has a
solid foundation for stabilizing its industrial chain and supply chain, and there is something to
be gained from the near future, he suggested some steps.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-MARITIME SILK ROAD (MSR): ARTICLE IN CASS JOURNAL HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS OF MSR An article in the China Journal of Social Sciences highlighted the success of the Maritime Silk
Road Initiative and said it "not only has profound historical origins, but also has a solid practical
foundation, and is of great value to promoting economic development and cultural exchanges
among countries along the Maritime Silk Road". It quoted Xu Xiujun, Director of the
International Political Economy Research Office of the Institute of World Economics and
Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that "the countries along the route
have made great efforts in marine economic development, marine scientific and technological
innovation, marine energy development and utilization and that practical cooperation in the
fields of marine cultural exchanges and other fields has made important progress. The
cooperation results have benefited the countries and people along the route, and continuously
promoted the marine economy towards high-quality and sustainable development". Wang
Yiwei, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era at Renmin University of China, believes that China is "committed
to creating a new type of marine civilization" and said that realizing land-sea connectivity is
an important mission of building the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road". The article also
disclosed that "Xiamen Port and Fuzhou Port have established friendship ports with 18 ports
around the world. In the future, they will gradually realize connectivity with Southeast Asia,
Northeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, South Pacific, Europe, America, and
Africa, forming an international shipping service network".
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-SHANGHAI: SHANGHAI PARTY SECRETARY LI QIANG MENTIONS XI JINPING 23 TIMES IN HIS REPORT TO THE 12TH SHANGHAI MUNICIPALITY CONGRESS The report of the 12th Shanghai Party Congress presented by Party Secretary Li Qiang was
published on June 25. The report included 23 references to Xi Jinping. Li Qiang said that "since
the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping
has visited Shanghai in person for four consecutive years to inspect and guide the work, made
important instructions, assigned major tasks, and assigned major missions, which pointed out
the direction for Shanghai's development and ushered in a new era of Shanghai's succession.
Li Qiang said that "in the past five years, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central
Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era", we have fully implemented the spirit
of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and all previous plenary sessions of the 19th Party
Congress, and "insisted on learning and implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi
Jinping's important Shanghai speech". He said Xi Jinping had "united and led the city's party
members, cadres and the masses to forge ahead, keep upright and innovate, and withstood the
test of the intertwined and superimposed changes of the century and the epidemic of the century,
and successfully completed." He added that "Since 2020, under the strong leadership of
General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, we have resolutely implemented
the general strategy of "foreign defense against imports and internal defense against rebound"
and the general policy of "dynamic clearing", and adhered to the "national gate" with a strong
sense of mission and responsibility. Since March this year, in the face of the unprecedented
severe and complex new wave of epidemics, we have resolutely implemented the important
instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decisions and deployments of the CPC
Central Committee. We made arduous efforts to contain the exponential rise of the epidemic
at a very critical juncture, broke the stalemate and repeated situation of the epidemic at the
stage of tackling the crisis, and achieved and consolidated the results of dynamic social clearing,
winning the great Shanghai. defense. The practice of fighting against the epidemic over the
past two years, especially the battle to defend the Greater Shanghai, has made us more deeply
aware that the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee on epidemic
prevention and control is completely correct, and that socialism with Chinese characteristics
has unparalleled institutional advantages." "As long as we keep in mind the general secretary's
entrustment and forge ahead in the direction guided by the general secretary, we will surely be
able to overcome all kinds of difficulties and challenges on the way forward, and continue to
move from victory to victory". In the report, Li Qiang said that "accelerating the construction
of a socialist modern international metropolis with world influence is the clear positioning of
General Secretary Xi Jinping for Shanghai. In the next five years, we will adhere to the
guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important
thought of "Three Represents", the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and thoroughly implement
General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech on his visit to Shanghai. Spirit, deeply
understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", strengthen the "four
consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", resolutely achieve the "two
maintenances", carry forward the great spirit of party building". Li Qiang also exhorted "Party
members and cadres in the city to always maintain the political character of communists,
strengthen their ideals and beliefs, cultivate people's feelings, temper their responsibilities,
stimulate their enthusiasm for struggle, and always maintain a blood and blood connection with
the people. Facing up to difficulties, catching up with learning, forging ahead in a new journey
and making contributions to a new era". He concluded by urging all to "unite more closely
around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, follow the guidance
of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly
implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech on his inspection of
Shanghai, vigorously carry forward the great spirit of party building, and consciously practice
it. People's city concept, forge ahead, forge ahead bravely, meet the victory of the party's 20th
National Congress with practical actions, and make unremitting efforts to accelerate the
construction of a socialist modern international metropolis with world influence and to realize
the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". The Provincial Congress
re-elected Li Qiang as Secretary of the Shanghai Municipality Party Committee.
(Comment: Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang has been widely regarded as a frontrunner for
elevation to the PBSC but the public outcry against the 'zero Covid' policy could affect his
chances. This would explain the frequent mention of Xi Jinping in his work report to the 12th
Shanghai Congress.)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-JIANGSU: CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN AND CPPCC VICE CHAIRMAN LIU QIBAO ELECTED AS DELEGATES TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS BY JIANGSU PROVINCE The report of the CCP Jiangsu Provincial Representative Conference held from June 22 to
23, in Nanjing was published on June 24. The meeting elected 71 delegates to the 20th National
Congress of the Communist Party of China, including Wang Qishan and Liu Qibao, both of
whom were nominated by the Party Central Committee. The meeting was presided over by the
Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, and Jiangsu Party Secretary Wu
Zhenglong delivered a speech, which included 9 mentions of Xi Jinping. He firmly supported
the "two establishments" and the "two safeguards" and the "two centuries" history. He stressed
that "it is a great blessing for the party, the country, and the people to have General Secretary
Xi Jinping at the helm and to have the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping's thought on socialism
with Chinese characteristics in the new era. The "two establishments" establish the "pillar" of
the whole party and the "backbone" of the people, the "fixed star" of thought and the "compass"
of action, and the strong political guarantee for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation. Party organizations at all levels and all Party members in the province must more
consciously and resolutely maintain the core of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Party Central
Committee and the core position of the whole party, and more consciously use Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to arm their minds, guide
practice, and promote work. Always keep in mind the "two big picture", keep in mind the
"bigger of the country", and closely follow General Secretary Xi Jinping to forge a new journey
and make contributions to a new era". Wu Zhenglong pointed out that Jiangsu carries the deep
concern and ardent expectations of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central
Committee and said "Party and government organs at all levels must work hard Struggle,
practice strict economy, and exchange your "tight days" for the "good days" of the common
people", implement the overall national security concept, guard against black swans and evils
on a regular basis, and ensure political security, social stability and people's tranquility. Wu
Zhenglong emphasized that "Party organizations at all levels and the majority of Party
members in the province should unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with
Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and deeply understand the decisive significance of the
"two establishments". , effectively enhance the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four
self-confidences", and achieve the "two maintenances", unite and lead the people of the whole
province to resolutely take up the new mission, strive to write a new chapter, and strive to hand
over a document that will make General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central Committee
is assured and satisfied with the qualified answer sheet of the people of the whole province,
and welcomes the victory of the Party's 20th National Congress with practical actions".
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA'S PLA AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT CARRIED OUT ANOTHER MAJOR INTRUSION OF TAIWAN'S ADIZ Taiwan scrambled jets on June 21 to warn away 29 Chinese aircraft including bombers that
had entered its air defense zone flew to the south of Taiwan and into the Pacific. Taiwan's
defense ministry said the latest Chinese mission included 17 fighters and six H-6 bombers, as
well as electronic warfare, early warning, antisubmarine and an aerial refuelling aircraft. The
Ministry said some of the aircraft flew in an area to the northeast of the Pratas. However, the
bombers, accompanied by an electronic warfare and an intelligence gathering aircraft, flew into
the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, and into the Pacific before
turning back to China on the route they came in. Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it had sent
combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to
monitor them.
(Comment: This is the latest uptick in tensions and largest incursion since late May. It was the
largest incursion since Taiwan reported 30 Chinese aircraft in its ADIZ on May 30. The largest
to date this year occurred on January 23, involving 39 aircraft.)
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY & 20TH PARTY CONGRESS: CHINESE MILITARY PROFESSOR ARGUES CHINA WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND INFLUENCE IN THE CHANGING WORLD ORDER A Professor and Major General of the National Security College of the National Defense
University, and a member of the National Security Discipline Evaluation Group of the State
Council, published (June 29) an article on the changing nature of international relations. He
wrote that 'The world has increasingly shown a trend of multi-polarization and pluralism, and
the demand for democratization of international relations has increased accordingly. Although
the contradiction between hegemonic dominance and multi-party checks and balances will
continue for a long period of time, a new power structure is in the process of being formed, and
the forces and roles affecting the world situation are increasing, as are the ways and methods.
In an increasingly diverse world, it is difficult for any major country, including existing
hegemonic countries, to have sufficient resources and conditions to dominate the fate of other
countries, let alone block or reverse the direction of historical development. Today's world
needs to form an open and inclusive multi-governance model, so as to adapt to the profound
changes in the world situation, effectively respond to the increasingly severe threats and
challenges facing mankind, and achieve sustainable security. That is to say, multiple power
centers, multiple governance models, and multiple ideas and trends will produce the meaning
of international order.
Changes in the world involve all countries and all levels, especially in the current situation of
increasing chaos and aggravating problems. Overemphasizing self-interest and rules and
standards are likely to have a strong backlash effect. Only by insisting on coordination in
diversification can the road go wider. The international community's demand for peace,
stability and sustainable development has not diminished, but has become more significant and
urgent. Only by building a broad international consensus and strengthening global governance
can we find ways and means to resolve global and transnational issues. As a major force in the
world, major powers shoulder more responsibilities in maintaining world peace and promoting
global development, and have extensive common interests in international and regional hotspot
issues such as climate change, green development, and regional stability, and must jointly face
the increasing number of global and transnational risks and threats.
In the evolution of world history so far, the way to obtain self-interest by relying on power,
expansion, plunder, and war is no longer appropriate and will inevitably be subject to more and
more constraints'.
He argued that 'Adhering to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and
sustainable security, we must abandon zero-sum games , oppose hegemonism and power
politics, build a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice,
and win-win cooperation, and foster a sense of community that shares weal and woe and weal
and woe together. Only in this way can we promote more effective international security
cooperation and create favourable conditions for building a community with a shared future
for mankind.
At present, global governance and the international order have entered an important stage of
change, and the future direction is highly uncertain. Almost all countries must re-establish their
positions in the changing world, including China and the United States'. He stressed that ' that
the zero-sum game of non-alliance or confrontation is becoming more and more out of date.
Too much emphasis on "national priority" will not only harm the world, but will also harm
itself'. He said 'As an indispensable and important force in the changing world, it is necessary
for China to participate more deeply in global governance and regional cooperation. While
promoting and maintaining world peace and development, it also creates a favourable external
environment for national rejuvenation. This also means that it needs to assume more
international responsibilities and obligations, and to participate more actively in international
affairs, even including the settlement of disputes and conflicts in some regions, and the
challenges it faces will also rise. China's future and destiny are increasingly closely linked with
the future and destiny of the world. China will abide by the foreign policy purpose of
maintaining world peace and promoting common development , unswervingly develop friendly
cooperation with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence,
and promote the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect,
fairness, and justice, and win-win cooperation'. Stating that 'At present, the international order
and global governance have entered a period of important changes, the original power structure
has loosened, and the trend of complicating international relations has become more apparent',
he said these provide 'new conditions for China's peaceful development and enhancement of
its international influence'. 'China's strategic tasks for a long period of time in the future will
still be very arduous. Although China adheres to the path of peaceful development and strives
to pursue cooperation and win-win in international political and security affairs, the inherent
power and political logic of US foreign policy is unlikely to change substantially . As it
continues to deepen, the misunderstanding of identifying China as the biggest "challenger" and
"real opponent" is difficult to simply eliminate. Its approach of using some hot issues to contain
China will not be easily stopped, and it may even provoke serious troubles under certain
circumstances. How to effectively prevent and deter serious direct conflicts caused by the
United States or a group of countries headed by the United States, continuously expand the
space for exchanges between major powers, and promote international and regional
cooperation will remain important tasks. However, in the long run, the times and trends are on
the side of China and the people of the world. The development and progress of more than 1.4
billion people cannot be stopped by any force. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
itself constitutes an important part of the changing world. An increasingly strong and advancing
China is an indispensable force for maintaining international security and promoting world
prosperity, and the rapidly changing world also needs more wisdom and contributions from
China'.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA-BUILT TYPE 054A/P FRIGATE COMMISSIONED IN PAKISTAN NAVY Pakistan Navy ship ‘Taimur’ was commissioned at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in China
on June 23. The official statement claims that Taimur is technologically advanced and a highly
capable sea asset with the latest combat management and an electronic warfare system to fight
in a multi-threat environment... These ships, it added, will provide a sustainable boost to the
combat capability of the Pakistan Navy, and enable it to meet emerging challenges in the
domain of maritime security and regional peace. The head of the Pakistan Navy Mission in
China Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh attended the commissioning as the chief guest.
Taimur is the second of the four Type 054 A/P Frigates.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA PRESSING ISLAMABAD TO ALLOW ITS SECURITY PERSONNEL IN PAKISTAN Nikkei Asia (June 28) reported that China wants its own security company to guard its citizens
and assets in Pakistan, following recent attacks against its interests, but Islamabad has denied
the request. It said experts believe Beijing is likely to continue pushing for such an arrangement.
The report added, citing two people in the Pakistani government who were privy to the matter,
that earlier this month, the Chinese Ministry of State Security asked Pakistan to allow a Chinese
security company to operate inside Pakistan. Pakistan's Interior Ministry, however, objected
and offered assurances that Pakistan's security forces are able to protect Chinese nationals and
assets in Pakistan, the sources said. A third source, an official from a local private security
consulting company who works with the Chinese, told Nikkei that Beijing has sought to bring
in its own security since 10 Chinese people were killed last year in an attack on a bus in the
northern city of Dasu. This year's attack on Chinese instructors at the Confucius Institute in
Karachi "further pushed the Chinese to ask Pakistan to allow operations of Chinese security
companies," said another official, who also asked not to be named. The Chinese Embassy in
Islamabad did not respond to a request for comment.
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-G7: G7 STATEMENT CONDEMNS CHINA'S "NON-TRANSPARENT AND MARKET DISTORTING" TRADE PRACTICES In a statement issued on June 28, the G7 leaders condemned China's "non-transparent and
market-distorting" international trade practices, which was billed as "unprecedented" by the
United States. The statement also pledged to reduce "strategic dependencies" on China. The
30-member alliance was also poised to toughen its stance against Beijing in an update of its
"strategic concept".
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-NATO: PRESENCE OF LEADERS FROM JAPAN, ROK, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND AT NATO MEETING IN MADRID RAISES CONCERN IN BEIJING Bloomberg (June 29) reported that for the first time, the leaders of Japan, South Korea,
Australia, and New Zealand will all attend a summit of the 30-member North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO). At the meeting starting June 28 in Madrid, the alliance is set to label
China a “systemic challenge” in new policy guidelines for the coming decade, reflecting shifts
in the geopolitical landscape as President Xi Jinping increasingly joins hands with Putin in
opposition to the world’s democracies. Vivian Zhan, an associate professor specializing in
Chinese politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said “The new development certainly
will make China feel uneasy, encircled and threatened.”
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-US: US CITIZEN SENTENCED FOR SPYING FOR CHINA The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 23 that a cultural vocational contract
worker who had been a U.S. Army helicopter pleaded guilty acknowledging that he served as
a Chinese agent without registration, and received Tens of thousands of dollars from Chinese
government representative for providing information related to their national defence
contractors and aviation -related information to the Chinese government. The Ministry of
Justice said that 67 -year -old Shapour Moinian is a resident of San Diego, California. He served
in the United States from about 1997 to 2000 and was stationed in the United States, Germany,
and South Korea. After retiring, Shapour Moinian worked for different national defense
contractors and the Ministry of Defense. These contractors are allowed to participate in projects
containing confidential information. According to his confession agreement, Shapour Moinian
worked for a national defense contractor who was allowed to contact confidential information
and participated in multiple aviation projects used by the U.S. military or intelligence agencies.
Matthew G. Olsen, assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, is responsible for the National
Security Affairs Department, said "Shapour Moinian is a Chinese government agent who takes
money. He sells technologies related to American aviation technology." The Ministry of
Justice said that in March 2017, Monian went to Hong Kong to meet with that person and
agreed to provide information and materials related to aircraft designed or produced in the
United States in exchange for money. In that meeting, he got about 7,000 to 10,000 US dollars.
In 2017, he went overseas and met with Chinese officials during the stay at Shanghai Airport,
providing an aviation -related material stored in a flash, including a proprietary information of
a national defense contractor. Subsequently, Monian arranged for this information to remit
money into the Korean bank account of his stepmom. He told his stepmom that this was his
overseas consultation income and instructed her to remit the funds to him through multiple
transfers. The Ministry of Justice said that Monian also obtained a mobile phone and other
devices from those people to contact them and assist them in transfer materials and information.
At the end of March 2018, Monian went to Bali to meet again with the same people. Later in
the same year, he began to work for another defense contractor who was allowed to participate
in confidential projects. During this time, these people in China transferred thousands of dollars
to her step -girl's bank account in South Korea. She then remitted the money to him many times.
In 2019, Monian went to Hong Kong again and met with these people and received about
$ 22,000 for him and he and his wife smuggled the cash into the United States
Jul 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES BRICS BUSINESS FORUM OPENING CEREMONY The state-run CCTV (June 23) reported that on the evening of June 22, Chinese President Xi
Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum by video and delivered
a keynote speech entitled "Grasp the Trend of the Times and Create a Bright Future". Xi Jinping
said, "that at present, the world's century-old changes and the epidemic of the century are
intertwined, various security challenges emerge one after another, the world economic recovery
is struggling, and global development has encountered serious setbacks". Xi Jinping
emphasized that "we must unite and work together to maintain world peace and stability.
Painful history shows that hegemonism, bloc politics, and camp confrontation will not bring
peace and security, but will only lead to war and conflict. Believing in the status of strength,
expanding military alliances, and seeking one's own security at the expense of other countries'
security, will inevitably fall into a security dilemma. Only when everyone cherishes and
maintains peace, and only when everyone remembers the painful lessons of the war, can there
be hope for peace. We must not forget the original intention of the UN Charter and keep in
mind the mission of safeguarding peace". "Second, we should help each other and jointly
promote global sustainable development". Third, "some important industrial chains and supply
chains have been artificially interfered, global inflation remains high, the international financial
market continues to fluctuate, and the momentum of world economic recovery continues to
weaken. Everyone is worried that the world economy will fall into the quagmire of crisis". He
added "Major developed countries should adopt responsible economic policies to avoid spill
over of negative policy effects and serious impact on developing countries. Facts have proven
time and time again that sanctions are a "boomerang" and a "double-edged sword", politicizing,
instrumentalizing and weaponizing the world economy, taking advantage of the dominance of
the international financial and monetary system to impose arbitrary sanctions, which will
ultimately harm others and bring harm to the people of the world". Fourth, we must be inclusive
and work together to expand openness and integration and overcome "headwinds and currents".
CCTV said 'Xi Jinping pointed out that the BRICS cooperation mechanism is an important
platform for cooperation between emerging market countries and developing countries. At
present, BRICS cooperation has entered a new stage of high-quality development. ... As long
as we raise the sails of mutual benefit and win-win results and hold the rudder of solidarity and
cooperation, the big ship of the BRICS countries will surely be able to ride the wind and waves
and sail to a brighter and better shore. It said South African President Ramaphosa, Brazilian
President Bolsonaro, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi attended the opening ceremony of the forum and delivered speeches and about 1,000
people including BRICS economic and trade ministers, diplomatic envoys to China and
representatives of the business community attended the event. Politburo Standing Committee
member Hu Chunhua presided over the opening ceremony.
The Global Times (June 24) said in a virtual speech at the 14th BRICS Summit in Beijing,
Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 23 'lauded the BRICS mechanism as having shown
resilience and vitality in the current global crisis, and called on the mechanism to stay open and
inclusive to welcome like-minded partners to join the big BRICS family, while firmly opposing
the abuse of unilateral sanctions and rejecting "small circles" built around hegemony'. It quoted
Chinese analysts saying, 'the summit sent a strong signal to the world that apart from Westerndominated organizations, which have harmed the world economy with bloc-to-bloc
confrontation and abuse of sanctions, there are multilateral mechanisms formed by nonWestern major economies, just like BRICS, that can effectively represent the majority of the
international community in making joint efforts to realize recovery and overcome global
challenges'. It cited Wang Lei, Director of the Center for BRICS Cooperation Studies at Beijing
Normal University, as saying 'this is a clear trend of change in the global power balance,
showing that power is no longer monopolized by the US, and the West needs to get used to this
trend and embrace it, rather than contain it'.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHED ITS 26TH REPORT ON "IN XI JINPING'S FOOTSTEPS" FEATURING GANSU PROVINCE ON JUNE 24 The People's Daily published (June 24) it's 26th story of in "Xi Jinping’s footsteps" series on
June 24. This featured Gansu province and Shaanxi. Still missing are Beijing, HK, Macau,
Ningxia, Qinghai, Shanghai, and Xinjiang.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG INSPECTS HEBEI AND UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF GRAIN SECURITY Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, during an inspection tour in north China's Hebei Province, on
June 21, 2022, urged efforts to ensure grain security and energy supply to maintain the stability
of the economy and prices. He stressed efforts to ensure that grains are harvested in time and
stored in good conditions and said the sufficient supply of grains serves as an anchor for price
stability. Li Keqiang added that China's bumper wheat harvest not only satisfies its own
domestic needs but also contributes to the stability of the international grain market. At a
thermal power company in Zhuozhou, Li Keqiang said that, as China is now at the powerconsumption peak, efforts should be made to tap the production capacity of coal to further
enhance the power supply. He also pledged to stamp out power rationing and facilitate the
clean and efficient production of coal power and expedite the building of pumped-storage
hydroelectric plants
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SEVENTH BOOK BY XI JINPING RELEASED JOINTLY BY CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT AND NDRC The CCP CC Propaganda Department and the NDRC have jointly issued a study outline on Xi
Jinping Economic Thought, which is going to the subject of a lot of study sessions. The others
were four new books on his time working in Zhending, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, which
among other things are “conducive to a deeper understanding of Comrade Xi Jinping's struggle
from a grassroots leader to the Party's General Secretary and People's Leader, a new book of
his discourses on rural work, and the third volume on Xi’s thoughts on strengthening the
military.
(Comment: This is the 7th "Xi book" to be issued since June.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 'CHINA DISCIPLINE INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION NEWS' CRITICISES TWO PRIME MINISTERS IDENTIFIED ONLY AS ‘PREMIER LI’ Radio France International (June 18) published a Chinese-language article which referred to
an article published by the "China Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Magazine" under
the CDIC recently entitled "Abandoning Exquisite Egoism". The article criticized "Prime
Minister Li" generating a lot of speculation. Published on June 1, it didn’t attract much attention
at first, but then went viral and has since been deleted, leaving only screenshots and quoted
snippets. Many WeChat accounts and WeChat groups that disseminated this article were also
censored. The article, RFI said, which cites two negative examples, one is the prime minister
of the Qin Dynasty, Li Si, and the other is the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, Li Linfu,
got straight to the point: "Exquisite egoism refers to making good use of superbly realistic
acting skills and high-sounding reasons to carefully embellish and subtly cover up the nature
of selfishness and greed."
(Comment: There is speculation that the target of the article is Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. It
is strange that the CDIC issued such an article in such a sensitive period.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: NDRC MINISTER PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY STRESSING INSERTING XI JINPING ECONOMIC THOUGHT IN ECONOMIC WORK The People's Daily (June 22) published an article by NDRC Minister He Lifeng captioned 'Indepth study and implementation of Xi Jinping's economic thought (in-depth study and
implementation of Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics)'. Calling for
strengthening the Party's overall leadership over economic work, it stressed construction of a
new development pattern. continuing to deepen reform and opening up, building a high-level
socialist market economic system, strengthening the national strategic scientific and
technological strength, improving people's livelihood, and coordinating development and
security. It said it is important to "implement a food security strategy to ensure absolute security
of rations, basic self-sufficiency of grains, and sufficient supply of important agricultural and
sideline products" and "ensure the stability and security of the industrial chain and supply chain,
and firmly hold the bottom line of no systemic risks". It stressed studying and implementing
Xi Jinping Economic Thought and inserting it "into the entire process of economic work"
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE EXPLAINING CHINESE PEOPLES WORLD, SOCIAL AND MORAL OUTLOOK The People's Daily (June 20) published four separate items on one page under the title 'Deeply
understand and grasp the Chinese cosmology, world outlook, social outlook, and moral outlook
(academic round table)'. These explained the Chinese people's outlook on the universe, the
world, society, and morality. The article recalled that while presiding over the 39th 'Collective
Study' of the Politburo, Chinese President Xi Jinping had said: "We must clarify clearly what
kind of civilization and what kind of country China is, and clarify the Chinese people's outlook
on the universe, the world, society, and morality."
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY STARTS NEW SERIES ASSERTING THAT WITHOUT CCP THERE WOULD BE NO HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA The People's Daily (June 22) started a new series on "unswervingly following the road of
human rights development in China". Captioned 'Respecting and protecting human rights is the
unremitting pursuit of Chinese Communists (People's Forum)——Unswervingly follow the
path of human rights development in China', it asserted that "History has proven that without
the CCP, there would be no development and progress of China's human rights cause". It
published the second part of the series on "Unswervingly following the path of human rights
development in China" on June 23.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: RUMOURS ABOUT POLITICAL PURGE IN RUN UP TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Referring to the Politburo's collective study session on June 17 where corruption was discussed,
Chinese Political Science Professor Wu Guoguang said "Since Xi came to power for ten years,
he has continued to carry out high-level political purges in the party through anti-corruption. It
should come as no surprise that he did so at such a crucial stage of preparation for such a
reorganization of power." Wu Guoguang once predicted that before today's July or August, Xi
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Jinping's purge of high-level political figures may take place, in order to further deter the elites
in the party, and make various forces that may challenge him dare not act lightly."
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY: SECURITY MEASURES CONNECTED TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS FOR CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PROHIBIT TESLA VEHICLES IN PROXIMITY Reuters reported that Tesla vehicles will not be allowed in Beidaihe for two months starting
July 1, due to the expected presence of Xi Jinping and other senior officials including veteran
leaders in the area in August. This report appears to confirm the rumours about Tesla vehicles
being banned near Xi Jinping during his recent Sichuan tour.
(Comment: The PRC security services obviously think 'connected cars' have the potential for
surveillance/transmission of data. This might impact the export of PRC-made Tesla cars.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES DETAILED REGULATIONS REGARDING SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF LEADING CADRES The Paper (June 20) publicised that on June 20, the CCP CC General Office issued the
"Regulations on the Management of Leading Cadres' Spouses, Children and Their Spouses to
Run Business and Run Enterprises". Stating "You can't have both fish and bear's paw. When
you are an official, don't make a fortune. If you are rich, don't become an official. This is a car
that runs on two roads", the regulations quoted General Secretary Xi Jinping as saying that "the
requirements for leading cadres are to be stricter". It clarified "Centrally-managed cadres,
cadres at the bureau level and equivalent positions in the provinces, autonomous regions,
municipalities and central units are all included in the scope of the specification, leaving no
blank spots". The 'Discipline Inspection and Supervision News' (June 21) published a
commentary on managing the children and families and said, "Leading cadres must study the
spirit of the "Regulations" in depth, take the lead in strictly implementing the rules and
regulations, accept the supervision of the party and the people, take the lead in improving
family style and family style".
(Comment: There is speculation in China that among those who could be targeted in a new
anti-corruption campaign are Jiang Zemin's two sons, Jiang Mianheng and Jiang Miankang.
Taiwanese media quoted Zhang Yushao, a researcher at the Cross-Strait Policy Association on
the 21st, as saying the Jiang Zemin family used to have a close relationship with Jack Ma. Jiang
Mianheng, Jiang Zemin's eldest son is known to have an influential shareholding ratio in many
listed companies. Zeng Wei, the son of former vice-chairman Zeng Qinghong, is engaged in
oil trade and is rumoured to be involved with Shanghai Volkswagen, Beijing Hyundai, and
Shanghai Eastern Airlines. Separately, Shanghai disclosed that after it started conducting
inspections in 2014-15, requiring leading cadres to declare businesses of spouses and children,
2133 leading cadres of Shanghai Municipality had made 'special declarations' on their spouses
and children running businesses.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-NEW APPOINTMENTS: WANG YANGHONG APPOINTED PARTY SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR OF STATE ORGAN AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION Wang Yonghong has replaced Li Baorong as Party Secretary and Director of the State Organ
Affairs Administration.
(Comment: Wang Yanghong joined the CCP in May 1991 and has been working there since
August 1991. He became Deputy Director in April 2017.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: SHANGHAI ISSUES WARNING TO ELDERLY CITIZENS WHO ARE AVOIDING COVID VACCINATIONS A notice issued on June 15 by the Shanghai Municipality indicated that it is preparing to be
more coercive to vaccinate its elderly. The notice cautioned that if residents over 60 in the
Shanghai district don’t get the anti-Covid vaccination, and cannot provide a medical reason for
refusing, they will lose various benefits like their rice subsidy and holiday gifts.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG PARTY SECRETARY YUAN JIAJUN PRAISES XI JINPING IN HIS WORK REPORT TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS The 15th Party Congress of Zhejiang opened on June 20 and was chaired by 59-year old
Zhejiang Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun who presented the work report. His report included 19
references in praise of Xi Jinping. On the balcony on the second floor of the venue, the eyecatching banner of "Practicing the 'Eight-Eight Strategy' faithfully, resolutely achieving the
'Two Maintenance', and striving to promote socialism with Chinese characteristics for common
prosperity and provincial modernization in high-quality development" is inspiring, was
displayed. Seated on the rostrum were also members of the presidium of the conference,
provincial military-level leading cadres among the delegates to this conference, provinciallevel veteran comrades, provincial-level leading cadres among the attendees, and principals of
provincial-level democratic parties and federations of industry and commerce , Persons without
party affiliation, and not the main person in charge of the party organization of the unit above
the military level of the troops stationed in Zhejiang.
(Comment: Yuan Jiajun is an aerospace engineer best known for his role as chief of the
Shenzhou program, which carried the first Chinese man into space. He is a full member of the
19th CCP CC and a candidate for elevation to the Politburo at the forthcoming 20th Party
Congress.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-JILIN: JILIN PARTY SECRETARY PRESENTS REPORT PRAISING XI JINPING TO JILIN PARTY CONGRESS In his report to the Jilin Party Congress on June 20, the Jilin Ribao quoted 1960-born Jing
Junhai, Party Secretary of Jilin, as saying "The people of Jilin are infinitely grateful, highly
trusted, and sincerely support General Secretary Xi Jinping. We sincerely appreciate General
Secretary Xi Jinping's care and concern, faithfully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's
earnest entrustment, and unite the strong forging ahead into the new era and building a new
Jilin. Strength, unswervingly stride forward in the direction guided by General Secretary Xi
Jinping".
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI RIBAO PUBLISHED HUBEI PROVINCE CONGRESS REPORT ON JUNE 24 On June 24, the Hubei Ribao published the full report of the Hubei Province Congress held on
June 18 and presented by Party Secretary Wang Menghui. The report mentioned Xi Jinping 10
times. The theme of the conference is : hold high the great banner of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of
General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and instructions on Hubei's work, base itself
on the new development stage, fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new
development concept, and strive to build a national Build a pioneer area for a new development
pattern, speed up "building a fulcrum, be at the forefront, and write a new chapter", and forge
ahead to build a new journey of socialist modernization in an all-round way." It stressed "Speak
politics with a clear-cut stand, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two
establishments", strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences",
and achieve the "two maintenances", and continuously improve political judgment, political
comprehension, and political execution. , always loyal to the core, support the core, maintain
the core, defend the core. Completely, accurately, and comprehensively understand and grasp
the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and instructions on Hubei work,
firmly implement the party's political line, strictly abide by political discipline and political
rules, and always ideologically and politically act with the party with Comrade Xi Jinping at
its core. The center remains highly consistent."; building "a team of high-quality professional
cadres who are loyal, clean and responsible." It concluded with the exhortation "Let us unite
more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, hold
high the great banner of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a
New Era, and work hard and persevere with a never-slack mental state and an indomitable
attitude of struggle. Efforts will be made to build a national pilot area for building a new
development pattern, speed up "building a fulcrum, be at the forefront, and write a new chapter",
and make new and greater contributions to building a modern socialist country in an all-round
way and realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!"
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHINA RISES TO 18.4 PER CENT The Wall Street Journal (June 20) reported that according to official Chinese data released on
June 15, youth unemployment in May rose to 18.4%, from 13.8% a year ago. The May rate is
the highest recorded for youth since 2018, when Chinese officials began releasing the data. It
said the outlook for Chinese graduates is expected to worsen this year even as the overall
jobless rate in China came down slightly from 6.1% in April to 5.9% in May. A record 10.7
million graduates are expected to enter the labour market this year and possibly increase
graduate unemployment by July/August to 23%. The recruitment platform Zhaopin Ltd. said
that competition among graduates looking for jobs had intensified and less than half had
received offers as of mid-April, down from 63% a year ago. Zhaopin Ltd. said for those who
have signed contracts, the average monthly salary dropped by 12% from a year ago, to the
equivalent of less than $12,000 a year. The education, manufacturing and technology industries
absorbed the largest number of college graduates last year, according to human-resources
services firm 51job Inc. The education sector alone employed more than 10 million people by
2020, according to the most recent estimate by Beijing Normal University and TAL Education
Group.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE VENTURE CAPITALIST ERIC X. LEE DISCUSSES OPPORTUNITIES IN 'CHINA'S NEW ECONOMY' In an article captioned 'China’s New Economy: The First Twenty Years and The Second'
by Eric X. Li, Chinese venture capitalist and acolyte of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in June
2022, he said China's new economy is going through a critical transition period. In the past two
years, as VCs, our perception of industries, companies, technologies, and investment logic has
undergone a dramatic shift. Dividing China's new economy into "the first two decades" and
"the second two decades", he said the most crucial result of China's new economy in the first
two decades between 2000-2019 was the rise of consumer internet platforms which, with
continued capital expansion eventually achieve monopoly status. Describing this as the model
of consumer Internet platforms, he said China has 'given birth to some world-class Internet
giants in China'. Quoting a foreign think-tank scholar he said, however, that while there has
been an increase in scale between 2000 to 2019, China's industry has stuck in the middle. The
added value is relatively low. He assessed that in 'the first two decades of China's new economy'
'there wasn’t a lot of technology in it'. 'Therefore, the Communist Party of China Central
Committee proposed "high-quality development" and "common prosperity" to promote healthy
economic development, optimize the distribution of income, create opportunities for more
people to get rich, and avoid 内卷 "involution" and 躺平 "lying flat"”. Calling this a 'significant
turnaround in China's new economy', he added that under the leadership of the national strategy,
China's economy will be able to transform from large-scale development to high-quality
development through capital-driven industrial upgrading. This should see the transformation
and optimization of the supply chain, import substitution of hard technologies, for example,
chips (China imported $350 billion chips in 2020, more than double the value of crude oil) and
sustainable development and carbon neutrality. Stating that 'China's infrastructure mania means
it needs a lot of cement', Eric Lee said 'Cement production is a significant carbon emitter
because of calcined limestone, which accounts for about 20% of the total national emission' so
the State Council strictly limits the cement production capacity. However, he said, this
geopolymer material of 百奥恒 does not use limestone in the production process and does not
need to be calcined, so the carbon emission is minimal, only 30% of that of traditional cement
production. Referring to Xi Jinping's speech on The Correct Understanding of Major
Theoretical and Practical Problems of China’s Development published in the magazine
Qiushi/Seeking Truth last month, he identified Common prosperity and Xi Jinping's discussion
of capital as the key points. In China, however, he said capital must grasp two principles: first,
closely combine its return on investment with national interests and actively play its function
as a factor of production; second, it must not pursue its interests in a way that runs counter to
the long-term interests of the country and the well-being of the people
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: U.S. PORTAL ALLEGES THAT TIK TOK OFFICE IN BEIJING IS ACCESSING PERSONAL DATA OF AMERICAN CITIZENS IN U.S. Buzzfeed obtained audio from 80 internal TikTok meetings that make it quite clear that
employees in the PRC had access to American user data, even after company representatives
testified under oath they did not, and repeatedly said publicly they did not. Almost
simultaneous with the publication of the Buzzfeed story, TikTok released a blog post stating
that “Today, 100% of US user traffic is being routed to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure”, which
sure looks like an admission that the Buzzfeed story was correct.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL ANTI-MISSILE INTERCEPTION TECHNOLOGY TEST People's Daily (June 19) reported that on the evening of June 19, 2022, China conducted a landbased mid-course anti-missile interception technology test within its territory, and the test
achieved the expected purpose. This test is defensive and not directed against any country.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: MAJOR GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE EXPLAINS CHINA'S GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE Wu Xiaodan, special researcher of the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Research Center
published a lengthy 2911-word article in the Guangming Daily (June 20) captioned 'Global
Security Initiative: China's solution to cracking the security deficit'. It was an explanation of
the Global Security Initiative. It called 'The global security initiative is another important
international public product provided by China, and it is a vivid practice of the concept of a
community with a shared future for mankind in the field of security'. In implicit criticism of
the US, it said 'Global security issues have become prominent and generalized. Great power
games and group confrontations are escalating, threats from hegemonism and power politics
are on the rise, the interconnectedness, transnationality, and diversity of security issues are
becoming more prominent, new vulnerabilities, poverty belts, and sources of turbulence are
constantly emerging, and the international security risk factor is increasing. The world security
situation is more complicated. In pursuit of their own absolute security, some countries are
keen to form cliques and engage in exclusive "small circles" and "small groups", which
seriously threatens global security'. The article claimed: 'Facing a turbulent world, China has
always been the "ballast stone" of world peace. Since the founding of the People's Republic of
China, it has always adhered to the peaceful gene of the Chinese nation's civilization,
abandoned the traditional path of aggression and expansion by major powers, and adhered to
the path of peaceful development. We have never provoked any war, and we have never
invaded an inch of another country's land. Adhering to the settlement of disputes through
dialogue and negotiation, the land border issue has been completely settled through peaceful
means with 12 of the 14 neighbouring countries. We will continue to explore and practice
solutions to hot-spot issues with Chinese characteristics, and work with other countries to
address non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and
cybersecurity. Resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, uphold fairness and justice
in international affairs, and constantly enrich the connotation of the path of peaceful
development with our own practices, and strengthen the forces for maintaining world peace
and security.'
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.N. WRITES ARTICLE ON XI JINPING'S GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE PUBLISHED IN PEOPLE'S DAILY Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Zhang Jun published an article 'Discussing Development Plans
and Gathering Joint Development Forces' in the People's Daily on June 23, 2022. In the article
he said, 'Development is the eternal theme of human society and the common aspiration of
people of all countries'. Mentioning that Chinese President Xi Jinping had "put forward a
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global development initiative at the general debate of the 76th United Nations General
Assembly, calling for synergies in the process of multilateral development cooperation", he
claimed it "has received active support from more than 100 countries and many international
organizations such as the United Nations". He also said "on June 24, President Xi Jinping will
preside over a high-level dialogue on global development in Beijing. Together with other
BRICS leaders and leaders of emerging markets and developing countries, they will promote
the priority of development issues in international cooperation and promote global
development. The development initiative goes deeper and more solid."
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI RECEIVES INDIA'S AMBASSADOR TO CHINA Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met the new Indian Ambassador to China P.K. Rawat on
June 22 when, after the pleasantries, Wang Yi said that the "two sides should meet each other
halfway, promote China-India relations to maintain the momentum of recovery, return to the
track of stable and healthy development at an early date, work together to address various
global challenges, and safeguard the common interests of China and India as well as the vast
number of developing countries. Foreign Minister Su Jaishankar recently publicly expressed
his disapproval of the "Eurocentrism" and did not want external forces to interfere in SinoIndian relations, which reflects India's tradition of independence and independence" and
reiterated "Wang Yi put forward four "persistence" on China-India relations: First, adhere to
the important strategic consensus of the leaders of the two countries that "China and India are
not competitors, but cooperative partners, do not pose a threat to each other, and are
development opportunities for each other"; second, insist on Put the border issue in the proper
position of bilateral relations and seek solutions through dialogue and consultation; thirdly,
insist on injecting positive energy into bilateral relations, give full play to the traditional
advantages of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and continuously expand mutually
beneficial cooperation; fourthly, insist on expanding multilateral cooperation and join hands to
revitalize Eastern civilizations, work together to cope with the complex world and create a
better future for mankind."
(Comment: Wang Yi's remarks predictably indicated no change in China's position in the standoff at the border.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA COMMENDS NEPAL FOR REJECTING STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME WITH U.S. China on June 23 commended Nepal’s decision to reject a security partnership with the United
States and said it would continue to support Kathmandu’s “independent foreign policy”.
Chinese Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Nepal saw the State Partnership
Programme (SPP) as a military and security initiative closely linked to the US Indo-Pacific
strategy, which goes “against the national interests of Nepal and its long-held non-aligned,
balanced foreign policy”. Kathmandu on (June 20) said it would not move ahead with the SPP
amid widespread opposition to the partnership from within the country. Wang Wenbin said
“As Nepal’s friendly and close neighbour and strategic cooperative partner, China commends
the Nepalese government’s decision, China will continue to support Nepal in upholding its
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and support Nepal’s commitment to its
independent and non-aligned foreign policy. China stands ready to work with Nepal to jointly
safeguard regional security, stability, and shared prosperity.”
(Comment: China has been active in Nepal in opposing the SPP.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING GREETS RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN ON LATTER'S BIRTHDAY Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 15 spoke to Russian President Putin on the latter's 69th
birthday on June 28.
(Comment: The call is a reassertion of support by Xi Jinping despite the criticism inside China
and sections of the CCP. It comes in the backdrop of Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng, widely
viewed as a contender for the post of Foreign Minister, being moved as Deputy Director
of National Radio and Television Administration.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA AND RUSSIA AGREE ON INCREASED BILATERAL TRADE IN ENERGY, FOOD, DAILY COMMODITIES ETC. The Global Times (June 20) disclosed that Chinese and Russian companies have reached
agreements on key industries such as energy, food, and other daily commodities, as the two
countries are unleashing greater potentials in bilateral trade to boost the regional economy.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES CRITICISES US PRESIDENT BIDEN'S TRIP TO EUROPE AND INVITATION TO ASIAN COUNTRIES TO NATO SUMMIT Commenting on US President Biden's trip to Europe, the Global Times (June 23) said 'US
President Joe Biden will start his European trip this weekend to use the G7 and NATO summits
as platforms for coordinating with allies to jointly counter China, including inviting leaders
from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea to take part for the first time. It seems
NATO has found its purpose for survival through expansion worldwide, particularly seeking
to extend its reach into Asia to cooperate with the US' China strategy. But Chinese analysts
warned that NATO will be further split and even face crippling as trouble and contradictions
inside the organization will snowball amid NATO expansion.'
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: COMMENTS ON JAKE SULLIVAN-YANG JIECHI TALKS IN LUXEMBOURG ON JUNE 13 The talks between U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan and Chinese Politburo member and Director of the
CCP CC's Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi, which hadn't been
announced beforehand, ran four-and-a-half hours. After the meeting, a senior US
administration official said to expect to "see additional potential meetings in the months ahead,"
though they said nothing is currently being planned between Biden and Xi. In a readout of the
June 13 meeting the White House said "Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of
maintaining open lines of communication to manage competition between our two countries."
Sullivan said Americans subject to exit bans were a "personal priority" for Biden and him. He
also voiced concern about China's recent veto of a resolution at the United Nations Security
Council related to North Korea. And he underscored "the importance of maintaining open lines
of communication at all levels." A U.S. official said the US goal in engaging China is "ensuring
that each side understand one another's intentions, understands priorities. This is critical to
avoiding potential miscommunication, misinterpretation, reducing risk. All these things I think
are critical for, you know, managing the relationship in a healthy and responsible way."
The Global Times (June 14) noted that Chinese and US senior diplomats met face-to-face for
the fourth time this year. It observed the latest meeting drew the bottom line again for the US
to change its miscalculation over the core interests of China, and such frequent high-level
interactions sounded a positive signal for managing China-US relations properly while the US
government was urged to abandon its empty talks and to turn its four "do nots" and one "no
intention" into actions. It said as the US had expressed multiple times that "it does not seek a
new Cold War with China; it does not aim to change China's system; the revitalization of its
alliances is not targeted at China; the US does not support 'Taiwan independence'; and it has
no intention to seek a conflict with China," Yang urged the US to turn those four "do nots" and
one "no intention" into actions as the US' consistent increase of its containment of China won't
solve its own problems and will only put China-US relations into an extremely difficult
situation. It added that the latest face-to-face meeting is part of a series of high-level
interactions between the US and China as bilateral relations are now at a critical crossroads,
and the US was urged to fulfil its promises in handling the relations, as its wrong and extreme
deeds have put the relations into an extremely difficult situation. It quoted a Beijing-based
expert as saying, "The four 'do nots' and one 'no intention' aim to stabilize China-US relations,
which also lays a foundation for cooperation between the two countries." Diao Daming,
associate professor at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that "China-US
relations standing at a critical crossroads also showed that the US should stop going further
down the wrong path, and it's urgent for it to effectively and concretely adjust its China policy."
To adjust the policy, it's necessary to turn those four "do nots" and one "no intention" into
actions. Diao said, "It's necessary for us to make such clear representation to the US." In an
article in Global Times Zhao Minghao, a senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute and an
adjunct fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China,
said using high-level dialogue to promote the stability of China-US relations, especially to
better manage China-US economic and trade relations, is crucial for the Biden administration
to cope with domestic pressure.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-AFRICA: FUTURE AFRICAN LEADERS ATTEND FIRST TRAINING SESSION AT CHINA-ASSISTED CENTRE IN TANZANIA The South China Morning Post (June 21) reported that future leaders from ruling political
parties in Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Angola attended
their first session at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, 40km (25 miles)
outside Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, earlier this month. The training school was funded with
US$40 million support from China’s Communist Party's International Liaison Department and
was financed by the six ruling parties of the southern African countries.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CAUTIONS POLITBURO GROUP STUDY SESSION THAT CORRUPTION REMAINS SEVERE AND COMPLICATED Reporting on the meeting of the Politburo's Group Study Session held in Beijing on June 17,
the state-owned CCTV quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping saying corruption in the country
remains severe and complicated even though progress has been made in the battle against graft.
He said its “stubbornness and danger” cannot be underestimated. Xi Jinping also vowed 'zero
tolerance' on corruption and asked senior government officials to keep themselves and their
family and relatives in check. He called for senior cadres to adhere to a moderate and clean
relationship between the government and business community. The official Xinhua News
Agency, in a potential sign of relief for the $59 trillion sector, said the Politburo declared its
anti-corruption dragnet of financial institutions a success and that the Central Discipline
Inspection Commission’s probes had helped strengthen the party’s leadership over the financial
sector and prevented risks. It also disclosed that Liu Meipin, Director of the Case Supervision
and Management Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State
Supervision and Administration Commission, briefed the Politburo and made
recommendations.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING SPEAKS AT 25TH ST PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM ON JUNE 17 The state-owned CCTV (June 17) telecast Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking at the 25th
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum plenary session on June 17 in St. Petersburg,
Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Egyptian President Sisi, and Kazakh President
Tokayev were present.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-POLITBURO MEMBER GUO SHENGKUN PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN QIU SHI Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth 2022/12 dated June 16) published an article by Politburo member and
Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist
Party Guo Shengkun captioned 'Draw wisdom and strength from the party's century-old
struggle for the rule of law and strive to promote the comprehensive and high-quality
development of the rule of law in the new era'.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY MA XINGRUI PRAISES XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui spoke at the Eighth Congress of the Xinjiang Production
and Construction Corps of the Communist Party of China, attended by 506 of the 524 delegates
expected to attend the conference, on June 15. He said the fundamental these achievements lie
in 'the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping at the helm, the scientific leadership of Xi
Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, the strong leadership
of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and the various ministries
and commissions of the central government'. He added that the strong support and selfless
support of the aided provinces and cities in Xinjiang is also the result of the concerted efforts
and united struggle of the vast number of Party members, cadres, and workers of the Corps
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-NINGXIA: NINGXIA-HUI PARTY SECRETARY LIANG YANSHUN MENTIONS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING 39 TIMES IN HIS REPORT TO THE 13TH NINGXIA PARTY CONGRESS Addressing the Ningxia Party Congress on June 10, 1962-born Ningxia Party Secretary Liang
Yanshun paid tribute to Xi Jinping. He referred to Xi Jinping 39 times in his report to Ningxia's
13th Party Congress. The theme of the conference was: 'Adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era - Strive to compose a
magnificent chapter of building a beautiful new Ningxia of socialist modernization in an allround way'. Liang Yanshun called for the adherence to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thorough study, and implementation of
the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and important instructions during
his inspection of Ningxia, keeping in mind the leader's entrustment, and to earnestly undertake
the mission and task of building a pioneer area for ecological protection and high-quality
development in the Yellow River Basin
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY LI HONGZHONG PRAISES XI JINPING AND REFERS TO HIM AS "WISE AND OUTSTANDING LEADER" The 11th Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China approved its list of
Delegates to the 20th Party Congress. Tianjin Party Secretary and Politburo member Li
Hongzhong, on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, explained
the draft report of the Party Congress. He mentioned Xi Jinping 12 times in his report and
signalled obedience and support for Xi Jinping. He additionally referred to Xi Jinping this week
as the "wise and outstanding leader".
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-JIANGSU: JIANGSU PARTY SECRETARY LOU QINJIAN PRESENTS REPORT TO 14TH JIANGSU PROVINCIAL PARTY CONGRESS The Suzhou Pioneer (June 16) reported that Jiangsu Party Secretary Lou Qinjian in his report
to the 14th Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee on June 16, emphasised 'that it is necessary to
loyally support the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve the "two maintenances." The
original ideas, transformative practices, breakthrough progress, and landmark achievements
made since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China are rare in the world
and rare in history. The power of truth and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
We must keep in mind the "two big picture", from the strategic height of realising the second
centenary goal and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, deeply understand the decisive
significance of the "two establishments", and consciously arm our minds and guide with Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Practice and promote
work, strengthen loyalty to the core, trust the core, keep up with the core, and maintain the core,
always and everywhere with the Party Central Committee to benchmark against the table, and
constantly improve political judgment, political understanding, and political execution, and
always be ideological, political, and action. Keeping a high degree of consistency with the
Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, consciously be a firm believer
and loyal practitioner of the "two establishments".'
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PAN YUE APPOINTED NEW PARTY SECRETARY OF PARTY LEADERSHIP GROUP OF STATE ETHNIC AFFAIRS COMMISSION Pan Yue was appointed (June 18) Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the State Ethnic
Affairs Commission, replacing Chen Xiaojiang. He remains Deputy Minister of the United
Front Work Department, but relinquishes his post as the director of the Overseas Chinese
Affairs Office.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SONG ZHIYONG APPOINTED NEW PARTY SECRETARY OF CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA (CAAC) Song Zhiyong has been appointed (June 17) Party Secretary of the Civil Aviation
Administration of China (CAAC). He is a senior pilot, joined Air China in 1987, and has been
at AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) from 2010 onwards.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LUO WEN APPOINTED NEW PARTY SECRETARY OF STATE ADMINISTRATION FOR MARKET REGULATION Luo Wen was appointed (June 17) Party Secretary of the State Administration for Market
Regulation. From March 2020, he was part of the leadership in Sichuan, and from 2015-2019
at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Ministry of Industry and
Information Technology.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: RENMIN UNIVERSITY PARTY SECRETARY HIGHLIGHTS QUALITIES REQUIRED IN YOUTH FOR CHINA'S REJUVENATION The Chinese Communist Party's leading fortnightly theoretical journal 'Red Flag' (2022/11) in
an article by the Secretary of the Party Committee of Renmin University of China and titled
'Efforts to cultivate pioneers and career leaders who are worthy of the important task of national
rejuvenation', highlighted the importance given by Chinese President Xi Jinping to selecting
sincere youths with ability. Stating that "The world today is undergoing profound changes
unseen in a century. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered a critical period.
Various risks and challenges are emerging one after another. It is necessary to continue the
great struggle with many new historical characteristics. We are in an era of unprecedented
change, and we are doing an unprecedented great cause to achieve the second centenary goal.
The task is even more arduous and the responsibility is even greater. General Secretary Xi
Jinping put forward the important requirements of pioneers and career leaders, which not only
conforms to our party's consistent trust and trust in youth, but also has profound practical and
realistic orientation, and places special expectations on contemporary youth". The article
explained that "the cause of the party and the country to this day requires more than ever before,
the spirit of daring to try, dare to break, and dare to stand up, and even more need the pioneers
and generals who dare to "walk the dangerous beaches", "bit the hard bones" and "break the
no-man's land". It stressed that "contemporary youth must be able to take the lead, play the
leading role, shoulder heavy responsibilities, and open up new paths and breakthroughs for the
development of the party and the country with vigorous vitality, courage to innovate, and
courage to be the first. new situation". The article reiterated that "Without the Communist Party
of China, there would be no new China, and there would be no great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation. This is the most important historical conclusion of the century-old party history". It
averred that "pioneers and career leaders must adhere to the "two establishments", strengthen
the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and achieve the "two
maintenances", and always take the banner of the party as the banner". Asserting that "Youth
with lofty ideals and firm beliefs are the invincible driving force for a country and a nation", it
said must be confident of being a Chinese, not be afraid of any risks, not be confused by any
interference, and unswervingly walk in the right direction of realizing the great rejuvenation of
the Chinese nation.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: LOTS OF CASH RECOVERED FROM RESIDENCE OF FORMER LIAONING PROVINCE POLICE CHIEF'S SISTER The state-owned CCTV publicised (June 10) that 41 cases of cash(190 Million yuan, or
US$28 Million) were removed from the home of the sister of Wang Dawei, the former Vice
Governor and Police Head of China's Liaoning Province. Wang Dawei was removed from
office in March this year
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER JIANGSU SECRETARY OF POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TRIED IN CHANGCHUN ON JUNE 17 Xinhua (June 17) reported that on June 17, 2022, the Changchun Intermediate People's Court
of Jilin Province held a public hearing of the first instance to hear the case of Wang Like,
former member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and
former Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, of accepting bribes, offering bribes,
covering up, condoning triad organizations, and forging identity documents. Wang Like,
former Jiangsu Party Committee member and former Secretary of the Political and Legal
Committee admitted in court to accepting over 440 million yuan in bribes and offering Yuan
97.31 million to Sun Lijun, the former Vice Minister of Public Security.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CHINESE AUTHORITIES LIKELY TO PUT XIAO JIANHUA ON TRIAL BY MONTH'S END The Vision Times (June 19) reported that at the Politburo meeting chaired by Xi Jinping on
June 17 to review the "Report on the rectification and development of financial units during
the eighth round of inspections by the 19th Central Committee", there was indication that it
may be related to the "Xiao Jianhua case" and that Xiao Jianhua's trial will be held before the
end of the month. There are indications that this may be related to the " Zhongnanhai No. 1
case " that is rumoured to be about to go to trial. The report said that after Xiao Jianhua became
a prisoner, he would probably have "cooperated" with the Xi Jinping authorities' investigation.
It assessed that Xiao Jianhua has a relationship with Jiang Zemin, Zeng Qinghong and other
powerful families and Xi Jinping would have obtained relevant evidence of the power and
money transactions that have been discussed.
(Comment: Xiao Jianhua was taken away from the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong in
January 2017, after which the police confirmed that Xiao had crossed the border. Five years
after his disappearance, foreign media revealed that he would be tried in Shanghai.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S EFFORT TO BOOST SEMICONDUCTOR IMPORTS China Brief (June 15) stated that semiconductor manufacturing imports to China have risen by
58 percent this year despite U.S. efforts to rein them in—part of an expanding fight over control
of the critical industry. Chip shortages have hit numerous industries since the pandemic began,
from cars to cryptocurrency, heightening China’s desire to build up its domestic industry to the
point of self-sufficiency. Before COVID-19 provided the spark, the targets proved way off:
China’s goal was 70 percent self-sufficiency by 2020, but it reached just 16 percent.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NDRC HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO ASSURE ECONOMY IS RECOVERING AND SUPPLIES ARE STABLE At an online press conference on June 16, China's National Development and Reform
Commission (NDRC) spokesman Meng Wei sought to project that China's economic recovery
is underway He said electricity consumption from January to May this year, increased by 2.5%
year-on-year. Among them, the electricity consumption of the primary, secondary, tertiary, and
residential industries increased by 9.8%, 1.4%, 1.6% and 8.1% respectively year-on-year. In
the same period, the NDRC approved a total of 48 fixed asset investment projects with a total
investment of 654.2 billion yuan. On progress of the joint construction of the "Belt and Road",
he claimed, 'the circle of friends who jointly built the "Belt and Road" continued to expand'
and said on May 27, the Chinese government and the Kiribati government signed the
"Implementation Plan of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the
Government of the Republic of Kiribati on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the "Belt and
Road". In May, there were 1,357 trains of China-Europe trains, an increase of 187 trains
compared with April, and from January to May, 6,157 trains were operated by China-Europe
freight trains showing a good development trend of "stable progress". He added that on June 3,
the China-aided East Bay Expressway in Pakistan's Gwadar opened to traffic, and the external
connection road in the Gwadar port area was officially opened. Meng Wei also said that the
release of 3 million tons of summer management fertilizer from the temporary reserve of
Xiaguan fertilizer had eased the situation. In the first ten days of June, the national urea price
was mainly stable, and the quotations in Hubei, Hunan, Xinjiang, and other places also declined.
Answering questions, Meng Wei said since May, the overall epidemic situation across the
country has shown a downward trend, the normal production and living order has been restored
at an accelerated pace, and the economic operation has gradually stabilized. The data released
by the National Bureau of Statistics yesterday showed that major economic indicators have
shown marginal positive changes. Stating there had been some positive changes in the
economic operation, he added 'there are still many challenges for the stable recovery of both
the supply and demand sides' and that 'We are currently at a critical juncture in determining the
annual economic trend'. Particular reference was made to the encouragement given to the
private sector. He asserted that since the beginning of this year, the National Development and
Reform Commission has resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the Party
Central Committee and the State Council to ensure a stable and orderly energy supply across
the country.
((Comment: The Gwadar East Bay Expressway starts from Gwadar Port in the south, with a
total length of 19.49 kilometres. The end point is connected to Pakistan National Highway 10.
It is one of the early harvest projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ASKED TO REDUCE SALARIES AND RECOVER BONUSES FT (June 1) reported that Chinese securities regulators and industry associations have
instructed local and foreign banks to rein in executive pay levels. On May 27, the Asset
Management Association of China (AMAC) instructed fund houses to “enhance [their] social
responsibility and capability to serve the economy and the country’s strategies”. According to
the AMAC’s new rules, at least 40 per cent of bonus payments to senior staff should be deferred
for three or more years. The association also decreed that senior staff should invest at least 20
per cent of their bonuses in financial products issued by their own companies. It added that the
guidelines were intended to corral “risk-taking behaviour and potential risks” stemming from
executives’ pursuit of short-term bonus payouts. The Securities Association of China issued
similar guidelines last month. The new guidelines were finalised months after the Beijing office
of China’s securities regulator convened a meeting in January about pay restraint with financial
institutions including CICC, Citic, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, and UBS. Domestic and
foreign banks were also briefed more recently on the new pay rules issued by the AMAC and
the SAC. Citic, CICC and UBS did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Credit
Suisse and Goldman Sachs declined to comment. The regulators’ instructions to financial
industry representatives, which were first reported by Bloomberg, marked the latest efforts by
Xi’s administration to constrain the sector.
(Comment: Salary cutbacks and withdrawal of bonuses are being affected across all of China's
31 Provinces and ARs.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WELL KNOWN CHINESE ECONOMIST JUSTIN YIFU LIN PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON CHALLENGES CHINA FACES AT HOME AND ABROAD The Beijing Daily (June 13) published an article by Justin Yifu Lin, Peking University's
Honorary Dean of the National School of Development, Dean of the Institute of New Structural
Economics, and Dean of the South-South Institute on China's economy and the new challenges
it faces at both home and abroad. Captioned 'Maintaining a certain growth rate is a bottom line
that economic work should have—challenges and responses to current economic development',
it said U.S. President Biden will not change Trump’s China policy and 'continue demarcation
of political systems, values, ideologies, etc., in an attempt to isolate China politically, and then
decouple these countries from China economically. The latest action includes the United States,
Japan, India, and Australia forming an alliance to create an Asian version of NATO. The USled NATO has invited Japan, South Korea, and other Western Pacific countries to attend their
summits. Biden also held a special summit of ASEAN countries in Washington, pushing the
United States to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN countries and trying
to persuade these countries to move their supply chains away from China. In addition to the
containment and isolation actions launched by the United States against China, the RussianUkrainian war broke out at the end of February this year, and the short-term impact is obvious',
causing the global oil and natural gas prices and food prices to rise sharply. Asserting that
China is not only a major importer of oil, but also relies on imports to a considerable extent for
food, he said the prices of some imported mineral resources are also rising. Therefore, the
Russian-Ukrainian war will increase China's import costs and affect economic growth. He
acknowledged that from a domestic perspective, since the third quarter of 2021, China's
economy has experienced a relatively large decline. The very high infection rate of the
Omikron virus has accelerated the decline of the economy and it 'will be more difficult to
achieve this year's growth target of 5.5%'. He said 'As for the challenges from abroad, the
United States hopes that other countries will decouple from China and allow China to return to
a closed economy. If it succeeds, China's economic growth rate will slow down, and our second
centenary goal will be difficult to achieve as scheduled, and will generate more new challenges,
which is exactly the wishful thinking of the United States. However, in the face of this kind of
conspiracy of the United States, we must also see our own favourable conditions. China is the
world's largest trading country and has the world's largest market. Trade is a win-win, and small
economies benefit from it more than large economies. In order to maintain its hegemonic
position, the United States may prefer to sacrifice economic interests for political interests, but
if the EU, ASEAN, and other economies follow the United States and China to decouple, they
need to sacrifice their own economic interests'. Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, he said
China must continue to advocate the use of diplomacy to resolve disputes and resolutely uphold
the UN Charter and respect the territorial integrity of each country. He added 'Of course, we
must also respect the security needs of individual countries'. He recommended a more
'scientific' approach to containing the epidemic and said farmers must be allowed to 'go to the
fields and cultivate grain' and taxes on those affected by the epidemic should be reduced.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ACCOMPANIED BY CMC VICE CHAIRMAN XU QILIANG MEETS SENIOR PLA OFFICERS IN CHENGDU Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Chengdu on June 8 and 9. On June 9 at Chengdu, he met
at least 115 PLA officers of and above the rank of Colonel with whom he had a group
photograph. He was accompanied by CMC Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang. The officers were from
the PLA Army (Ground Forces), PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and PLA Rocket Force (PLARF).
The group photograph showed Xi Jinping in military uniform sitting in the front with CMC
Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang, WTC Commander General Wang Haijiang, WTC Political
Commissar General Li Fengbiao and probably the Commander of the PLARF. Xinhua News
Agency also reported that on the morning of June 9, Xi Jinping met officers above the rank of
Colonel and the Head of the PLA Formation regiment stationed in Chengdu, and took a group
photo with them. Reports mention that Xi Jinping's inspection was short and he did not convene
a meeting with local party and government officials. According to Xinhua News Agency (June
8) Xi Jinping was accompanied by Sichuan Provincial Party Committee Secretary Wang
Xiaohui and Governor Huang Qiang, who accompanied him to Meishan, Yibin and other
places successively. The four central officials accompanying Xi Jinping were: Ding Xuexiang,
Director of the Central General Office; Liu He, Vice Premier; Chen Xi, Director of the Central
Organization Department; and He Lifeng, Director of the National Development and Reform
Commission (NDRC). Xi Jinping met the local troops stationed in Sichuan.
(Comment: Chengdu is the Hqrs of the Tibet Military Region within the Western Theatre
Command. Chengdu is also the Hqrs of the Western Theatre Command Joint Operations
Command which is established in times of war/crisis.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA LAUNCHES ITS THIRD AIRCRAFT CARRIER China launched its third and most advanced aircraft carrier on June 10. Named 'Fujian' after
the coastal province opposite Taiwan, it had been under construction at Shanghai’s Jiangnan
shipyard since 2018. It is expected to enter service late next year or in 2024. The Fujian was
set to launch on June 3, according to analysts and media reports, but the date slipped because
of Shanghai’s Covid-19 outbreak and two-month lockdown. “Resumption of work after
pandemic control measures was slower than expected, and there was a lack of workers,” said a
Chinese military scholar, who asked not to be
named because he was not authorised to speak to the media about the topic. “The equipment
for further outfitting after the launch was not fully in place either.” The Fujian is the first
Chinese carrier to be completely designed and manufactured domestically. The People’s
Liberation Army Navy aims to have six carriers by 2035.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER AT SHANGRILA DIALOGUE SAYS INDIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CURRENT BORDER STAND OFF Speaking at the Shangri La dialogue the Global Times (June 12) quoted the Chinese Defence
Minister General Wei Fenghe as saying, "The merits of the China-India border conflicts are
very clear, and the responsibility does not lie with China". He said that China and India are
neighbours, and it is in the interest of both countries to maintain good relations, which is what
China is actively striving to do. Wei Fenghe also said he had communicated with the Indian
defense minister and made it clear that the responsibility does not lie with China.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS HE WILL TALK TO XI JINPING SOON AND IS CONSIDERING REDUCING SOME TARIFFS IMPOSED BY TRUMP President Joe Biden told reporters (June 18) that he will be talking to his Chinese counterpart
Xi Jinping “soon” and is weighing possible action on US tariffs on China that were imposed
by the Trump administration. Asked whether he had decided to lift any of the tariffs, he said
“I’m in the process of making up my mind.”
(Comment: Biden’s administration is weighing what to do about former President Donald
Trump’s tariffs on some $300 billions of goods imported from the US economy’s biggest
competitor. While some businesses have benefited from protection from Chinese imports,
some have been hurt. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers last week the Biden
administration is looking to “reconfigure” the tariffs and acknowledged that they were
contributing to higher prices for goods with US inflation running at the hottest pace in 40 years.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: US NSA AND CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI MET IN LUXEMBOURG ON JUNE 14 US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member
Yang Jiechi met in Europe’s Luxembourg on June 14. This was the 4th in-person meeting of
US-China officials in 15 months. The US readout of the Yang-Sullivan meeting in Luxembourg
was brief and short on specifics but described the event as “candid, substantive, and
productive”. The Chinese readout was longer, stating the key points made by Yang Jiechi
during the interaction. It was likewise billed as “candid, in-depth and constructive”. Both sides
stressed the value of keeping communication channels open.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: 4 TAIWANESE MILITARY OFFICERS ATTENDED MULTILATERAL SECURITY FORUM HOSTED BY U.S. AND JAPAN CNA (June 16) reported that a delegation of four Taiwanese military officers attended a
multilateral security forum hosted jointly by the United States and Japan that ended in Tokyo
on June 16. This is the first time since 2019 that Taiwan has had a presence at the forum.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE: REMARKS BY JAPANESE, CHINESE AND U.S. LEADERS ON SIDELINES OF SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE Excerpts of interesting remarks made at the Shangri La Dialogue on June 10: Japanese PM
Fumio Kishida has announced "that his government would consider acquiring a pre-emptive
strike capability because 'Ukraine today may be east Asia tomorrow'."
The PRC Ministry of Defense report on the meeting said that the U.S. should be rational and
"refrain from attacking and smearing China, containing and suppressing China, interfering in
China's internal affairs or harming China's interests. Only in this way can the China-US
relationship go smoothly." The Guardian added that Chinese Defence Minister General Wei
Fenghe also said: "Beijing will 'not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost' if Taiwan declares
independence.
According to the US Government statement: US Defence Secretary Austin "read chapter and
verse of the Taiwan Relations Act and stressed the part about the peace and stability in the
Taiwan Strait 'being of grave concern' to the United States."
The New York Times (June 11) reported that Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe,
speaking on the last day of the Shangri La Dialogue, said China will not flinch from war if
Taiwan takes a decisive step toward independence, and it does not trust the United States’
assertions that it opposes that course for the island. In his speech General Wei Fenghe said that
China was sincerely doing everything it could to bring about peaceful unification with Taiwan,
the self-governed island that Beijing considers its own, but “no one should ever underestimate
the resolve and capabilities of China’s armed forces” to defend its sovereignty claims". He said
“For the sake of unification, the United States fought the war between North and South. China
is most unwilling to go through a civil war like that, but will resolutely smash any schemes for
Taiwan independence. If anyone dares to split off Taiwan, we will not hesitate to fight, will not
flinch from the cost, and will fight to the very end.” Reporting the statement, the Global Times
(June 11) captioned it: "Chinese defense chief sends 'strongest warning' to US on Taiwan
question".
PLA General Xiaozhuo Zhao of the PLA Delegation raised a question as to the purpose of the
Shangri La Dialogue. He said there are divergent views about it with one view labelling it as
being used by the US to for propaganda purposes.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-UNHRC: UNHRC CHIEF ANNOUNCES SHE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION The United Nations Human Rights chief, Ms Michelle Bachelet, said (June 13) that she would
not seek a second term for personal reasons, refuting speculation that it was a decision linked
to blowback over her trip to China last month. Bachelet, 70, was criticised by rights groups as
well as some Western governments, including the United States, who said the conditions
Chinese authorities imposed on the visit did not enable a complete and independent assessment
of the rights environment.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE OFFICIAL RHETORIC SUPPORTING RUSSIA IN WAR AGAINST UKRAINE HAS INCREASED China Brief (June 15) stated that perhaps emboldened by Russian advances in the Donbas,
China has offered stronger rhetorical support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion
of Ukraine. It said in a recent call with Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Russia’s
need to protect its security. Chinese state media blames the United States for the war as well
as for promoting conspiracy theorists and propagandists. Nevertheless, Chinese institutions
have steered clear of violating U.S. sanctions. Russian institutions are having trouble
processing yuan transactions. Meanwhile, some misleading commentary has suggested that
China is adopting the language of “special operations” from Russia’s own euphemism for its
invasion of Ukraine. But this terminology has been part of China’s use-of-force spectrum for
years; it’s unlikely the Russian example is an inspiration.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS SICHUAN PROVINCE ON JUNE 8 Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Sichuan Province on June 8 where he 'stressed the need
to adhere to the dynamic zero-COVID strategy of containing the virus while ensuring economic
development, called for more effective measures to tackle specific issues such as employment
for college graduates and boosted morale by pointing to the bright path ahead'. According to
Xinhua, Xi Jinping spoke to students at Yibin University and met with workers at a local tech
firm, offering encouraging words and reaffirming the government's support. It said among the
key takeaways from the top leader's remarks are fostering employment for college graduates,
development of the private sector and local innovation, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES 4 BOOKS ON XI JINPING WITH 4 PROVINCIAL PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENTS Xinhua (June 5) reported that the Central Propaganda Department together with the
Propaganda Departments of the Party Committees of Hebei, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shanghai
(cities) published books titled "Let the masses live a good life - Xi Jinping's positive footsteps"
and "Fujian Fujian Province". There are four books that systematically describe Xi Jinping's
local work experience. The books were published and distributed jointly with Hebei, Fujian,
Zhejiang, and Shanghai People's Publishing Houses
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY MAIN ARTICLE QUOTES XI JINPING ON ECOLOGICAL THOUGHT The main story in the People's Daily (June 5) was on Xi Jinping's ecological thought . It was
titled "Strive to build a modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature" —
—Vivid practice of Xi Jinping's ecological civilization thought' The article quoted Xi Jinping
as saying, "The construction of ecological civilization is the fundamental plan for the
sustainable development of the Chinese nation".
(Comment: June 5 is World Ecological Day.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE ECONOMY AND ADDRESSES WHEAT FARMERS BY VIDEO During an inspection visit to the Ministry of Transport on June 6 where he addressed a
symposium, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the importance of further smoothing
transportation and logistics to ensure the operation of market entities and stabilize the economy.
He urged efforts to reconcile COVID-19 control and economic and social development. He
also talked with wheat harvesters via video. Li Keqiang said, 'this is a critical time for the wheat
harvest' and stressed the improvement of services for farm-machinery drivers and the need to
ensure the summer grain harvest to stabilize market supply and prices. Li Keqiang underscored
the key role that transportation plays in ensuring people's livelihoods and controlling COVID19.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: LIU JIANCHAO APPOINTED NEW HEAD OF CCP CC INTERNATIONAL LIAISON DEPARTMENT Liu Jianchao (刘建超) was appointed (June 6) head of the CCP International Department,
replacing Song Tao.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS The official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on June 7
announced that the State Council had appointed:
i) Cui Maohu as Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs;
ii) Fu Hua as President of Xinhua News Agency;
iii) Lv Yansong as Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency; and
iv) Wang Shuxin as President of Chongqing University (Deputy Minister level).
(Comment: Fu Hua is regarded as a thoroughly loyal Party apparatchik who has risen rapidly
through the ranks. Fu Hua is a long-time veteran of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) media
who served four years (2010-2014) as Deputy Propaganda Chief for the city of Beijing, and
nearly two years (2018-2020) as the top propaganda official in Guangdong province. Fu Hua
has given priority to Xi Jinping’s notion of “telling China’s story well” (讲好中国故事), and
the need to find new ways for the CCP to control the heights of public opinion domestically
and globally. In remarks in November last year on the telling of China’s story, Fu Hua made
reference to Xi Jinping’s first major speech on propaganda and ideology on August 19, 2014,
months after Fu joined Beijing Daily – and to the need for propaganda officials to “be bolder
in raising the banner and showing their swords” (大胆地举旗亮剑).
Born in 1965, Cui Maohu was Deputy Director of UFWD before being promoted as Director of
the State Administration for Religious Affairs.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA SETTING UP NEW PERMANENT CORONAVIRUS TESTING AND QUARANTINE CENTRES THROUGHOUT CHINA FT (June 9) reported that China is building hundreds of thousands of permanent coronavirus
testing facilities and expanding quarantine centres across many of its biggest cities as part of
its zero-Covid policy, despite the economic and human toll on the world’s most populous
country. Tough restrictions in scores of cities have driven the country to the edge of recession
for just the second time in three decades. But even though measures have been eased in many
areas, experts believe the government’s virus infrastructure programme is designed to sustain
the mass-testing and quarantine policies through 2023. Officials are racing to execute
instructions to be able to test entire city populations within 24 hours. Bigger metropolises must
now have testing sites available within no more than a 15-minute walk of residents’ homes,
and temporary facilities are being replaced with permanent booths sourced from private
medical companies. The country’s 31 provinces and regions are also following orders from
Beijing to prepare new hospitals and quarantine facilities in the case of a Shanghai-style surge
in infections. Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for Global Health at the Council for Foreign
Relations think-tank, said such measures demonstrated Beijing’s commitment to zero-Covid
“despite this growing social, economic cost associated with this approach”.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY ANNOUNCES "SPIRITUAL" AND MATERIAL REWARDS TO CITIZENS REPORTING ACTS ENDANGERING NATIONAL SECURITY On June 6, China’s Ministry of State Security (MoSS) promulgated new rules called “Rules
for Rewarding Citizens for Reporting Acts that Endanger National Security" to encourage
citizens to report acts that “endanger national security.” It offered different amounts as rewards,
depending on the level of contribution, with the highest reward being 100,000 yuan ($15,000)
or more. The rules came into effect the same day. A MoSS official said at a press conference
that China’s national security is facing a serious and complex situation, “especially as the
infiltration and theft activities of foreign espionage and intelligence agencies and various
hostile forces against us have significantly intensified.” The public is encouraged to report
through a phone number, website, letter and in person. The national security authorities will
issue spiritual (award certificates) or material awards (bonuses) depending on the situation. The
bonus is divided into four levels according to the degree of contribution, with the lowest being
less than 10,000 yuan ($1,500) and the highest more than 100,000 yuan ($15,000).
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE INFLUENCER LI JIAQI CENSORED ON CHINESE SITES FOR INADVERTENTLY SHOWING A TANK ON TAM ANNIVERSARY Multi-millionaire Chinese e-commerce 'influencer' Li Jiaqi, widely known as the “Lipstick
Brother” or “Lipstick King”, has been removed from search platforms and even e-commerce
sites for a livestreamed programme on June 3, when Li Jiaqi was presented with a cake that
resembled a tank. Censors promptly pulled the show offline and it hasn’t returned. Reports
indicate that Li Jiaqi and his team did not plan for the tank imagery to coincide with the
Tiananmen Square anniversary. Military equipment is often cutely reproduced in China, with
even playgrounds bearing pictures of armoured personnel carriers or helicopters; a cake that
looks like a tank isn’t an unusual idea. His background also doesn’t suggest a willingness to
burn down his online empire for a symbolic gesture.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CAI XIA TWEETS CRITICISM OF XI JINPING'S REGIME Cai Xia, former senior faculty in the Central Party School who is now settled in the US and has
been a severe critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 8 tweeted in response to the latest
instructions of the CCP CC urging people to report on suspected 'spies'. The Ministry of State
Security (MoSS) has again repeated its offer of $15,000 cash — or a 'spiritual reward' — for
national security tip-offs. She tweeted: "Under the brainwashing and deception of the CCP
since I was a child, I used to think that the six words "KMT reactionary" were a "special" term
that had to be read together, and that "reactionaries" were the patent of the Kuomintang. In the
process of gradually eradicating the poison of the totalitarian regime's lies, propaganda, and
brainwashing, I realized that all political groups that move against the advancing trend of the
times are reactionaries. The Xi administration is a reactionary. They are not just driving
backwards and blocking the progress of Chinese history. They are reactionary, anti-civilization
and anti-humanity."
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: INCARCERATED MONGOLIAN DISSIDENT PROTESTS HE HAS NEVER SPIED AGAINST CHINA BUT ONLY ASSERTED RIGHT OF MONGOLS TO SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE The US-based Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Centre (SMHRIC) published
(June 2) a letter written by Munkhbayar Chuluundorj, a citizen of Mongolia incarcerated
in Detention Centre No.461 and dated June 2, 2022. He denies working for any foreign
intelligence agency against China and reasserts that "as a citizen of the independent country of
Mongolia, spoke and fought for the rights of my mother tongue and fellow Mongolians"
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-JUDICIARY: CHINA'S SUPREME COURT UPGRADES USE OF A.I. IN PROCURATORATE SYSTEM The People's Court Daily (June 2) disclosed that as part of its effort to move to a higher level
of "intelligent trial, intelligent execution, intelligent service and intelligent management", the
Supreme People's Court clarified that on March 1, 2022, the "People's Courts Online Operation
Rules" was officially implemented. It clarified that "people's courts use information
technologies such as the Internet, big data, cloud computing, mobile Internet, artificial
intelligence and blockchain to improve the information system of smart courts, standardize
application methods, strengthen operation management, meet the diverse judicial needs of the
people online, and efficiently support trial enforcement activities."
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON ZHEJIANG AND COMMON PROSPERITY ON FRONT PAGE The People's Daily (June 2) published a front page article on Zhejiang and common prosperity.
The state-owned CCTV (June 3) telecast a special report on the strides made by Zhejiang
province and said "Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General
Secretary Xi Jinping has come to Zhejiang five times" when he visited the island, the
community, the enterprise, and the countryside. It said, "Implementing the spirit of General
Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and instructions, the cadres and masses in Zhejiang are
taking the responsibility of shouldering the historical mission and pioneering the road,
faithfully implementing the "eight-eight strategy", and striving to build a new era to fully
demonstrate socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: PREPARATIONS MADE FOR GAOKAO NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS The Zhejiang Ribao (June 2) reported that Huang Jianfa, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial
Party Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Education Working Committee, on June 2
inspected the preparations for the college entrance examination in Hangzhou.
Emphasising that the difficulties and challenges faced by the college entrance examination this
year are unprecedented, he emphasized that the college entrance examination is the starting
point for young students to realize their dreams and an important ladder for life progress. He
said it is necessary to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's
important expositions on education, strictly implement the college entrance examination
organization and various measures for epidemic prevention, carefully optimize various
emergency plans, compact and compact the main responsibilities, and do a good job in serving
candidates with heart and emotion Guarantee the work, make every effort to maintain the safety
of the examination, and effectively ensure fairness and justice. Huang Jianfa stressed the need
to strengthen comprehensive security for candidates in terms of security, travel,
accommodation, hygiene, etc., and pay attention to volunteer guidance and psychological
counselling for candidates, not to leave a candidate behind and to ensure strict examination
discipline, ensure fairness and impartiality at all levels.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG COMMUNIST PARTY ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES "10,000 CADRES TO 10,000 ENTERPRISES" PROGRAMME TO HELP ECONOMY The Organization Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee disclosed (June 2)
that the ability of leading cadres to stabilize the economy and carry out a series of special
trainings would be improved. It would implement the "10,000 cadres help 10,000 enterprises"
programme and encourage cadres at all levels to serve in front-line stations. The Organization
Department will work with the Economic and Information Department and other departments
to "select outstanding cadres with good political quality, strong sense of responsibility, and
familiarity with economic work as resident service staff, and promote the implementation of
"one-to-one" resident service for key enterprises at all levels".
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES MANNED SPACECRAFT ON JUNE 5 The state-owned CCTV announced (June 5) that at 10:44 am, the Long March 2F Yao 14
carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. The three astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe
successfully entered space, and the first manned launch mission during the construction phase
of the space station was a complete success.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA MAGAZINE REFERS TO DIFFICULTIES PLA WOULD FACE IN OPERATIONS AGAINST TAIWAN The South China Morning Post (June 4) reported that an analysis of Russia’s military
operations published in Naval and Merchant Ships said, “Ukraine has exploited Russia’s
weaknesses … and successfully forced Russia to change its strategies”. “How this success was
achieved can hardly exclude factors such as NATO and the United States. And it’s not difficult
to imagine that Taiwan would receive guidance, plans, intelligence, experience, and training
[from NATO and the US] too.” It added that Taiwan’s mountainous landscape would make
any assault far harder than in Ukraine. “Taiwan’s major transport routes are limited in number
and circle around the island; while roads are like nets in Ukraine cities, offering Russian forces
multiple choices to enter a city. This limits the options to perform surprise attacks, as any
deliberate damage to the major roads would segment Chinese forces into smaller components.”
It said an assault would need to be an integrated option conducted by the navy and air force
aided by logistic support forces. “To be more specific, amphibious forces not only need to
complete the tasks of soldier delivery, landing and support, but also guarantee Chinese forces’
manoeuvring across regions on Taiwan island, forming a comprehensive combat team.”
Another lesson, the article said, was the overwhelmingly unfriendly attitude of the Taiwanese
towards Chinese forces. To deal with this, it suggested keeping Taiwanese forces outside cities,
persuading Taiwanese stay at home and cutting off internet access when necessary. “If the
Taiwanese forces chose to forcefully occupy residential areas … we can use medium and small
size drones to gather intelligence and perform precision strikes”.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF J-7 CRASHES IN RESIDENTIAL AREA IN HUBEI PROVINCE ON JUNE 9 The state-owned CGTN reported that a Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
J-7 fighter jet crashed in Xiangyang city's residential area in central China's Hubei Province on
June 9, killing one person and injuring two others in the country's third aviation accident in
over two months
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER 'SHANDONG' IN DALIAN SHIPYARD FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS The Eurasia Times (June 3) reported that, in a first, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have
been spotted on the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) aircraft carrier, Shandong. It
quoted the Global Times as reporting in late April that the Shandong is currently at the Dalian
Shipyard for maintenance and repairs after two years of service “to enhance the flattop’s
usability”.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE RESEARCHER SAYS IF U.S. AND WEST IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON CHINA THEN BEIJING MUST TAKE BACK TAIWAN According to Guancha (June 6), speaking at a forum sponsored by the Chongyang Institute of
Financial Studies at Renmin University in China on May 30, Chen Wenling, Chief Economist
at the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), a Chinese government
think tank, said “China should be prepared for the U.S. strategic containment and suppression
of China, and make sure that the supply chains are under control. . . . We need to sort out the
advantages that will sufficiently scare our opponents and cause them irreversible losses and
pressures. As a countermeasure, we need to stall and slow as much as possible our opponents’
moves to cut off the supply chain, the chain of scientific and technological cooperation, and
the chain of innovation.” He added “If the U.S. and the West impose destructive sanctions on
China as they did on Russia, we must take back Taiwan. In terms of carrying out industrial
chain and supply chain restructuring, we must get hold of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Company) and other companies that originally belonged to China. They are
accelerating the transfer to the United States to establish six plants over there. We absolutely
cannot let their goal of transfer be achieved.” He also urged: “We need to support Russia openly,
reasonably and by every possible means. For example, the recent Sino-Russian joint air
exercises and so on. We can do more in trade, so that China and Russia can dovetail the ‘Belt
& Road’ with the Eurasian Economic Union proposed by Putin to form a strategic depth in
China, a Silk Road economic belt, and an energy security belt as a major security barrier. It is
necessary to step up cooperation with Europe. Europe is deeply affected by the RussianUkrainian conflict, and the euro will be hit hard economically in the future. In addition, Europe
will see a food crisis, an energy crisis, and a refugee crisis. In the time of crisis in Europe,
China can offer a helping hand and increase cooperation between China and Europe, so that
the two plates of Asia and Europe can return to their historical status as political and economic
centres.”
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA REPORTEDLY UPSET THAT U.S. SCT UZRA ZEYA VISITED TWO TIBETAN REFUGEE CAMPS AT KATHMANDU Writing in the Diplomat (June 9) Santosh Sharma Poudel disclosed that a participant at the 14th
Nepal-China Bilateral Consultative Mechanism held on May 25 said that China indirectly
expressed reservations about Zeya’s visit to the Tibetan refugee camps. Chinese Ambassador
Hou Yanqi had met Nepali Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand ahead of Zeya’s visit to Nepal.
It is likely that Hou Yanqi would have wanted the Nepali government to ensure control over
Tibetan refugees’ activities during Zeya’s visit. On May 20, U.S. Under-Secretary for Civilian
Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, who is also the Joe Biden administration’s Special
Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Uzra Zeya, visited Nepal when she met high-level officials,
including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and visited two Tibetan refugee camps in
Kathmandu
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: GLOBAL TIMES CRITICISES JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER'S SCHEDULED SPEECH AT SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE Global Times (June 9) reported that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to
deliver a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10. It claimed that
before he does it, Japanese media outlets have already sent a signal - Kishida has come with ill
intentions. It cited the Japanese media as saying Kishida will stress the significance of
bolstering maritime security cooperation, oppose unilateral changes to the status quo by force,
no matter where they occur, including the Diaoyu Islands and the Taiwan Straits, as well as
unveil Tokyo's plans to further boost the country's defense budget and military capabilities. It
quoted Chinese TV military commentator Song Zhongping as observing that 'when
cooperating with the US strategy, Japan may need to sober up that "America First" is not and
will never be Japan first. At any critical juncture, Washington will not hesitate to abandon
Tokyo for the US' own interests, just like how it abandoned Afghanistan and Syria. Be it the
Diaoyu Islands issue or the Taiwan question, Japan's and the US' calculations differ. The USJapan Security Treaty will never be Japan's life-saving straw, as that is not in line with the
nature of "America First".
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: US DEFENCE SECRETARY AUSTIN TO MEET CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER WEI FENGHE AT SINGAPORE'S SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE ON JUNE 10 Foreign Policy magazine (June 9) said that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is likely to
have his first face-to-face meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, in Singapore on
June 10. It said the United States is looking for better lines of communication between Austin
and Wei as well as increased engagement between Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and his Chinese counterpart and between the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief
and Chinese regional commanders. U.S. officials said they have seen “some progress” toward
establishing communication mechanisms with China but did not elaborate further. Senior U.S.
defense officials said China requested the meeting on June 10 between Austin and Wei. The
meeting comes as China appears to be consolidating basing and security deals in Southeast
Asia and the South Pacific that have rattled U.S. officials, who believe Beijing has not been
transparent about its true plans. A senior U.S. defense official briefing reporters said, “This
meeting is in part about setting guardrails on the relationship, continuing to call for developing
more mature crisis communications and risk management mechanisms as well as an
opportunity for the secretary to share some significant concerns we have about global and
regional security issues.”
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE THINK-TANK URGES CHINA TO PREPARE FOR MILITARY CONFLICT WITH U.S. WHILE SEEKING WAYS TO REDUCE TENSIONS The South China Morning Post (June 1) reported that a report released by the Chongyang
Institute for Finance Studies at Renmin University on May 29 said that China should give up
the “illusion” of avoiding competition with the United States, and even be prepared for the
worst-case scenario of possible military conflict, a Chinese think tank has advised, while also
urging Beijing to seek ways to reduce tensions. It said the war in Ukraine had intensified US
worries about and strategy against China, heightening the risk of an “all out” confrontation
between the two major powers. The report said, “To respond to US President Joe Biden’s allout competitive offensive, China should give up its illusions, and make every effort to guard
against the possibility of a final showdown of high-intensity military confrontation.” The report
also said that while adapting to the spike in bilateral tensions, China should also take the
initiative to shape ties with the US and seek “the possibility of cooperation between the two
nations”. It noted that the US had stepped up its strategy to “contain China” following Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine in late February, moving to strengthen ties with regional allies and selling
arms to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a breakaway province that can be taken by force.
The report pointed out “The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has exacerbated the strategic
anxiety of the United States towards China. The United States has begun to accelerate the buildup of comprehensive strategic competition with China.”
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO COLLECTIVE STUDY SESSION AND DELIVERS "IMPORTANT SPEECH" CCTV and Xinhua (May 28) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the 39th
"collective study" session of the CCP CC Politburo on May 27 in Beijing. The Politburo
meeting discussed the deepening of the project of exploring the source of Chinese civilization.
Xinhua said Xi Jinping delivered an important speech in which emphasised that "the Chinese
civilization has a long history and is extensive and profound. It is the unique spiritual symbol
of the Chinese nation, the foundation of contemporary Chinese culture, the spiritual bond that
maintains the Chinese around the world, and the treasure of Chinese cultural innovation". He
reiterated the need "to have an in-depth understanding of the development history of Chinese
civilization for more than 5,000 years". In his "important speech", Xi Jinping said, "the research
results of major projects such as the Chinese Civilization Origin Project have demonstrated
China's million-year human history, 10,000 years of cultural history, and more than 5,000 years
of civilization history"! Wang Wei, Director and Researcher of the History Department of the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explained this issue and made some suggestions to the
Politburo. Comrades from the Political Bureau of the Central Committee listened carefully to
the explanation and held discussions.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CONGRATULATES PERSONNEL OF 'LETTERS AND GRIEVANCES BUREAU IN BEIJING On May 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping met representatives to a national meeting on work related to the 信 访 handling of people's complaints. He congratulated the exemplary individuals and groups and extended sincere greetings to officials and people working in the system for addressing public complaints. Guo Shengkun, Politburo Member and SecretaryGeneral of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, attended and spoke at the meeting. He pointed out that the people should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era…keep in mind the political responsibility of solving problems for the people and addressing worries for the Party…and play a greater role in serving the general situation of the work of the Party and the State, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the people, and promoting social security and stability. Li Keqiang, Wang Huning, and Han Zheng, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Ding Xuexiang, Director of the General Office of the CCP CC and Politburo Member, attended the meeting. Xiao Jie, State Councillor and Secretary-General of the State Council also attended the meeting and made a concluding speech. (Comment: The reports did not mention any speech by Xi Jinping.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC SECURITY SYSTEM ON MAY 25 CCTV-13 (May 26) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 25 afternoon met
representatives of a meeting commending heroes and role models from the public security
system. It said the meeting turned out to be a "strong inspiration". The police force, according
to CCTV, said that they "must resolutely implement the major decisions and plans of the Party
Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, resolutely achieve loyalty to the Party,
service to the people, fair law enforcement, strict discipline, and make every effort to maintain
national security and social stability to meet the victorious opening of the 20th Party Congress
with practical actions". They added that the police force "should be guided by Xi Jinping's
thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, thoroughly implement Xi
Jinping's thought of the rule of law, and unswervingly adhere to the absolute leadership of the
Party in public security work, be loyal to the Party"
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY FEATURES XI JINPING EIGHT TIMES ON JUNE 1 People's Daily's front page has 8 stories, and of them 6 have "Xi Jinping" in their title and one
entry in the series on "in XJP's footsteps" (Heilongjiang entry). The last story is on Wang Yang.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: WANG XAOHUI HAS BEEN ELECTED NEW SICHUAN PROVINCE PARTY SECRETARY According to the Chuanguan News, on the afternoon of May 30, the first plenary meeting of
the 12th Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China held in Chengdu
elected Wang Xiaohui as Sichuan Province Party Secretary Party. He had already replaced
Peng Qinghua in April, this makes it official.
(Comment: Wang Xiaohui is 60 years old and eligible for elevation to the Politburo. He is a
full member of the 19th CCP CC.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: INCREASE IN NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS JOINING THE CCP The China Organisation and Personnel Daily (Zuzhirenshi - May 30) reported that the number of college students from the Tsinghua and Peking Universities has registered an increase. It said in recent years, Tsinghua has developed an average of more than 1,200 undergraduate party members each year. In 2021, the number of undergraduate freshmen submitting applications for party membership has doubled compared to 2016; At Peking University, the number of student party members has reached a new high from 2017 to 2020, exceeding 1,000 every year, and more than 2,400 student party members will be developed in 2021. It quoted many teachers as saying that participation in major national events such as the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CCP helped "students have a deeper understanding of the party's history and national conditions, and their hearts have been shocked." The relevant person in charge of Tsinghua University was quoted saying that in recent years, the school has used the window period of enrolment education to expand the team of activists through various measures. For example, it holds the "New Backbone Training Camp" every year to discover outstanding undergraduate freshmen and carry out training. The training camp invites experts and scholars to give special reports on party history and school history to help students understand the party history and the glorious tradition of the Tsinghua party organization. Peking University carefully designed the military training for new students, established a temporary general party branch of the military training regiment, and selected teachers to participate in the training and guidance. During the military training, all-round enrolment education was carried out for students through large-class activities, small-class seminars, and party branch activities. Wang Yiming, Minister of Industry of Peking University, said that during the military training, students were enthusiastic about joining the Party. "Many freshmen turned on their flashlights after the military training base turned off the lights at night, and wrote their applications for joining the Party overnight. In 2019 and 2020, freshmen submitted their applications to the Party during the military training. The application rate is more than half of the total number of students.”
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CYL INITIATES 2-YEAR PILOT PROGRAMMES FOR YOUTH The Communist Youth League Central Committee announced (June 2) that it would undertake
2-year long pilot projects in 45 cities including Xicheng District in Beijing, Jincheng in Shanxi
Province, and Kunming City in Yunnan Province. Pilot cities (including municipal districts of
municipalities directly under the Central Government), and 99 pilot counties including Beilun
District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, Qingxiu District, Nanning City, Guangxi, and
Qingbaijiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan. It is reported that the selected pilot areas cover
31 provinces across the country and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The
objective is to try and solve the problem of youth's "urgency, difficulty and hope", and provide
practical experience to the youth for learning, living, and career, so as to better serve their
growth and development, and give full play to the potential of young people's innovation and
creativity.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE SCIENTISTS CALL FOR 'KILL' CAPABILITY AGAINST STARLINK SATELLITES In a paper published by the Chinese journal Modern Defense Technology, Chinese scientists highlighted the possibility of Starlink being used for military purposes that could aid other countries and threaten China's national security and argued that China must develop capabilities to disable and maybe even destroy Starlink internet satellites. According to South China Morning Post, the scientists are calling for the development of anti-satellite capabilities, including both hard and soft kill methods. The former is used to physically destroy satellites, such as the use of missiles, while a soft kill method targets a satellite's software and operating system. In addition, the researchers suggested the development of a surveillance system with the ability to track each and every Starlink satellite. That would address one of their concerns, which is the possibility of launching military payloads along with a bunch of satellites for the constellation.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LIAONING PEOPLE'S CONGRESS UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on June 1 that Sun
Guoxiang, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's
Congress has been placed under investigation.
(Comment: He is the third "tiger" to be placed under investigation in the last 3 days.)
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: SHANGHAI'S CHIEF PROCURATOR PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on June 1, the day
Shanghai's lockdown ended, that Zhang Bencai, the Chief Procurator of the Shanghai People's
Procuratorate, has been placed under investigation.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: ALT MEMBER OF 19TH CCP CC EXPELLED FROM CCP FOR PARTY VIOLATIONS The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on May 31 the expulsion
from the CCP of Zhang Jinghua, Alternate Member of the 19th CCP Central Committee and
former Deputy Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, among other things, for
being "engaged in superstitious activities" and "falsifying economic data"
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER SHENZHEN MAYOR PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on June 1 that Chen Rugui,
Deputy Director of the Guangdong People's Congress's Standing Committee, and former
Mayor of Shenzhen (until April 2021) is under investigation
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SHANGHAI: SHANGHAI GOVERNMENT PROMULGATES 50 POLICY MEASURES TO BOOST ECONOMY The Shanghai government is releasing (May 30) 50 policy measures to boost the regional
economy including stabilising foreign investment and promoting consumption. Industries
directly affect by covid including retail, tourism, transport etc. It is also increasing subsidies
per worker up to 3million RMB per firm
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG DAILY PUBLISHES THREE MAJOR ARTICLES ON 'COMMON PROSPERITY' Zhejiang Ribao (May 30) publishes three major articles on common prosperity in Zhejiang,
including social governance, legal help and supervision, and a case study of "Luojiazhuang"
(骆家庄) which has made "useful explorations for building a modern basic unit of common
prosperity". It said Zhejiang had also designated 28 areas as "future communities" - part of
common prosperity drive, focus on public service provision and building 5-15 minutes "public
services" circles “ (未来社区”,有何不一样).
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG ANNOUNCES 38 MEASURES TO STABILISE THE ECONOMY Zhejiang Daily (June 1) published a lengthy report on Zhejiang's policy implementation plan
for stabilizing the economy. It enumerated 38 policy measures among which were: financial
support measures; issuance of local government bonds; increased government procurement
support to SMEs; support for job stabilisation; measures to promote consumption; measures to
ensure food and grain security; and measures to improve the basic livelihood of the people.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: RETIRED NDRC OFFICIAL AND CCP CADRE FORECASTS XI JINPING'S FALL, PROBABLY, THIS YEAR Writing in the Ziyou Yazhou diantai on May 24, retired NDRC official and CCP cadre Liang Jing (pseudonym) forecast that US President Biden would see the fall of Putin and Xi Jinping, probably in 2022. He said that unlike Russia under Putin, China has seen no gains during Xi's terms and the elite is very unhappy.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CCTV HIGHLIGHTS HIGHER SUMMER GRAIN HARVEST THIS YEAR The state-owned CCTV (May 29) highlighted that China's central government invested an
unprecedented 6 billion yuan to promote a stable and bumper summer grain harvest. It said
various localities have increased investment, and agricultural and rural departments at all levels
have continued to promote the implementation of technical measures to increase production.
The latest wheat harvest progress shows that nearly 38 million mu of winter wheat has been
harvested across the country. The wheat harvest in Sichuan is coming to an end, Hubei is over
80%, Henan and Anhui are over 10%, and Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and other provinces have
successively opened up. The suitable harvest period is 3-5 days after the wheat is mature, and
more than 97% are harvested by machine. In order to ensure that the harvesters are not affected
by the epidemic, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has joined hands with major
wheat-producing provinces to accurately collect the area of machine harvesting, and vigorously
promote the orderly flow of agricultural machinery. 60,000 agricultural machinery service
organizations across the country will participate in summer harvesting operations.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW CHINESE CYBERSECURITY REGULATIONS COULD POSE RISKS FOR FOREIGN FINANCIAL FIRMS Reuters (June 3) reported that China's proposed cybersecurity rules for financial firms could
pose risks to operations of western companies by making their data vulnerable to hacking,
among other things. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released the draft
Administrative Measures for the Management of Network Security in the Securities and
Futures Industry on April 29, and offered a month-long public consultation on the
proposals. The draft rules seek to make it mandatory for investment banks, asset managers, and
futures companies with operations in China to share data with CSRC, allow regulator-led
testing, and help set up a centralised data backup centre. The latest regulatory proposal comes
at a time when a string of western investment banks and asset managers are expanding their
presence in China, either by setting up wholly-owned units or by taking a bigger share in
existing joint ventures.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA MOVES TO COMPENSATE FOR DIVESTMENT BY U.S. COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS FROM CHINA'S MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX Beijing has mobilized state funds and its capital market to cushion the potential fallout with all
U.S. citizens and entities required to divest from China's military-industrial companies by June
3. One of these blacklisted companies, CloudWalk Technology, an artificial intelligence
solution provider, debuted on the Shanghai STAR Market last week and raised 1.72 billion
yuan ($258 million) from a new share issuance to domestic investors. Xiamen Meiya Pico
Information, a Fujian-based company providing technology for forensic data investigations and
online censorship, announced plans in March to raise up to 760 million yuan through a private
share placement. The stock will be fully purchased by its top shareholder, SDIC Intelligent
Technology, a unit of State Development & Investment Corp., Beijing's strategic investment
arm. The sanctions to ban all Americans from investing in Chinese companies identified as
having military ties originated under U.S. President Donald Trump in November 2019, starting
with 31 companies. It was later amended by President Joe Biden on June 3, 2021, setting the
full enforcement deadline exactly a year later, with the list growing to 59. Nine more were
added, increasing the roster to 68. The majority of the list contains publicly traded companies
in Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Hong Kong, with a few also listed in Europe. Most are related to
military engineering, navigation, space, aviation, rocket, and satellite technologies. They are
elite state conglomerates directly controlled by Beijing. The country's three main network
operators -- China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile -- and oil and gas conglomerate
CNOOC, all targeted along with their unlisted parents, have relisted their shares on the
Shanghai Stock Exchange, while keeping their primary listing in Hong Kong.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: USCC REPORT DISCLOSES THAT CHINA IS INVESTING IN U.S. AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY TO MITIGATE ITS FOOD SHORTAGE The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) published a report on
May 26, that China is investing in the U.S. Agriculture industry in order to mitigate its own
food shortage. These investments reduce Beijing’s reliance on imports and help China to obtain
modern agricultural technologies. The report examines the main areas of Chinese investment
in the United States, including land, livestock, grain, and relevant infrastructure, such as agricultural equipment and technology. It also presents considerations for lawmakers regarding further Chinese integration in the U.S. agriculture sector.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: VISIT OF UNHRC TO CHINA CRITICISED BY WORLD UYGHUR CONGRESS AS A 'WASTED TRIP' The visit (May 23-28) by Michelle Bachelet, Commissioner of the UNHRC to China, including
Kashgar and Urumqi, made no headway in addressing human rights issues in China. The World
Uyghur Congress said the UN Rights Chief has wasted a historic opportunity to assess Uyghur
genocide. In a strongly worded statement WUC President, Dolkun Isa, stated “As expected,
the High Commissioner has wasted a historic opportunity to investigate the Uyghur genocide
and deliver justice to the Uyghur people. The High Commissioner has ruined her office’s
credibility by aligning with China’s wishes and conducting a visit that by no means adequately
addressed justice for Uyghurs and accountability for those responsible”. Radio France
International (May ) reported that according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry website the
Chinese government made its goals clear before Bachelet entered Xinjiang. At a one-on-one
meeting with Michelle Bachelet on May 23, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed
hope that this visit would help clarify the “misinformation” about China. He also gave Bachelet
a copy of Xi Jinping’s book. According to China’s state media, it was an English translation of
“Excerpts from Xi Jinping’s Discourses on Respecting and Safeguarding Human Rights".
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA DEFENCE NEWS PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON INDIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER 'VIKRANT' The China Defence News portal 81.cn on May 24 published an article about the upcoming launch of India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The author Hong She said "India is actively promoting the construction of domestic aircraft carriers. Suffering from the backwardness of its own industrial system, India's road to developing a domestic aircraft carrier can be described as twists and turns. In 1979, the Indian Navy began to carry out pre-research work on the domestic aircraft carrier, and in 1989 proposed its own construction plan. The program was scrapped due to cost overruns until it was revived in 1999 with the "Blue Sky Guardian" aircraft carrier program. In 2004, the Indian Navy renamed the Blue Sky Guardian INS Vikrant in honour of India's first aircraft carrier. In 2005, the "Vikrant" started construction at the Cochin Shipyard, with a design displacement of 40,000 tons". The author added "Due to the lack of experience in aircraft carrier construction at the Cochin Shipyard, the construction of the "Vikrant" aircraft carrier was far behind schedule, and a series of accidents occurred during the period. In May 2015, the "Vikrant" aircraft carrier was officially launched, but the outfitting project was still slow until it finally entered the sea trial stage in August 2021. Since then, the "Vikrant" aircraft carrier has conducted two more sea trials, during which the carrierbased aircraft on-board simulation test has been completed. According to the plan, the aircraft carrier will be officially commissioned in August this year, and then will carry out carrierbased aircraft running-in training." The author went on to say “The second is to boost the implementation of India’s ‘two oceans’ strategy. At present, India’s only aircraft carrier ‘Vikramaditya’ is deployed in the western waters of India. After the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier is commissioned, it will strengthen the control of the waters east of India and promote India’s ‘Eastward Strategy’ implementation, thereby expanding India’s influence in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific”
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA'S MAJOR EXERCISES IN EASTERN 'WAR ZONE' AIMED AT TAIWAN China's CCTV reported (June 1) that the PLA Eastern Theatre Command has organised multimilitary joint combat readiness patrols in the sea and airspace around Taiwan. The Global
Times (Chinese) quoted PLA Army 'Eastern War Zone' spokesman Colonel Shi Yi as saying
'This is a necessary action taken in response to the US-Taiwan collusion. The United States has
been making frequent moves on the Taiwan issue recently, saying one thing and doing another,
encouraging, and supporting "Taiwan independence" forces, both explicitly and implicitly,
which will push Taiwan into a dangerous situation and will have serious consequences for itself.
Taiwan is a part of China. The troops in the war zone will continue to strengthen their training
and preparedness, continuously improve their ability to fulfil their mission, and resolutely
thwart any interference by external forces or secessionist attempts by "Taiwan independence".'
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: RUSSIAN ENVOYS STRESS CLOSE RUSSIA-CHINA TIES The South China Morning Post (June 2) quoted Russian Ambassador Andrey Densiov telling
an online event that the China-Russia "relationship was flexible and had no upper limits". It
quoted Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying the ‘hybrid war’ waged against the country after it attacked Ukraine offered new opportunities to work with Beijing. The South
China Morning Post (June 2) cited them as saying that the relationship between China and
Russia is better than an alliance and has withstood the pressure triggered by the ongoing
Ukraine war. It said, speaking ahead of the opening of a symbolically important cross-border
bridge on June 2, Russia’s Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov and Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov, said the Ukraine crisis has pushed Moscow and Beijing closer together.
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITS 8 SOUTH PACIFIC NATIONS IN 10-DAY VISIT Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi plans to visit, mostly in person but also virtually, eight
nations namely the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New
Guinea, and East Timor. With the Solomon Islands he will sign an already negotiated security
agreement. Wang Yi’s 10 day-itinerary represents a first of this dimension and length by a
high-profile Chinese minister. Wang Yi expects to sign wide-ranging, region-wide pacts
covering everything from security, policing, trade, and data. In Fiji, Chinese Foreign Minister
Wang Yi Wang will meet the Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of ten nations, including
Cook Islands and Niue via video, and chair the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign
Ministers' Meeting. However, Wang Yi's effort to get the Pacific Island countries to sign a
region-wide trade and security deal with China failed. Fijian Prime Minister Frank
Bainimarama said Pacific nations were united in their approach after the decision was
announced on May 30 afternoon.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SOFT POWER: CHINESE MOVIE WINS PALME D'OR AT CANNES Chinese Director Chen Jianying's film "The Water Murmurs" won the Short Film Palme d'Or
at the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 28, 2022.
The film stars Annabel Yao, youngest daughter of Chinese hi-tech giant Huawei's founder and
CEO Ren Zhengfei. The film is her acting debut.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-SOFT POWER: TENCENT PULLS OUT INVESTMENT FROM 'TOP GUN MAVERICK' The Chinese IT company Tencent pulled out its investment from the new Tom Cruise movie
'Top Gun Maverick' because in the movie Tom Cruise wore a jacket which had a Taiwanese
(ROC) flag on it.
Jun 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY FRONT-PAGED ARTICLE ON CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S LETTER TO NANJING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO RETURNED HOME AFTER STUDYING ABROAD The state-owned CCTV and People's Daily (May 19) published a report on its front page of a
letter Xi Jinping wrote to students at Nanjing University who studied abroad and returned
home.
(Comment: Fortune magazine reported an 18% decline in the number of Chinese students’
applications for US universities for the 2022 academic year, compared with 2021. The US
Student and Exchange Visitor Program reported in April, saying there were 348,992 Chinese
students in the United States last year, 33,569 fewer than 2020. The number of Chinese students
in the UK, the number two destination for outbound students, recovered to 119,334 in 2021,
just below the 2019 level of 119,825, following a dramatic 32% plunge in 2020, according to
data from the country’s immigration office. Canada, the third most popular destination, has
seen its Chinese student population fall by 25%, from over 140,000 in 2019 to 105,000 in 2021.
China has not reported a total number of outbound students since the start of the pandemic.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS SPEECH TO CCPIT VIA VIDEO On May 18, President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech at the celebration of the 70th
anniversary of the establishment of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
and the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit held in Beijing on May 19.
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS SYMPOSIUM ON STABILISING GROWTH, MARKET AND ENSURING EMPLOYMENT AND SAYS ECONOMIC INDICATORS HAVE WEAKENED SINCE MARCH The state-owned CCTV (May 18) telecast a report on the symposium on stabilizing growth,
stabilizing market players and ensuring employment in Yunnan, chaired by Chinese Premier
Li Keqiang om May 18. The heads of 12 provincial governments in the eastern, central, western,
and north-eastern regions participated in the symposium. Ten of them are ranked among the
top ten in the country in terms of economic aggregate. Li Keqiang said that since the beginning
of this year, "under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi
Jinping at the core, all aspects have implemented the deployment of the CPC Central
Committee and the State Council, and have done a lot of work to stabilize the economy, and
the results have not come easily. However, since March, especially in April, some economic
indicators have weakened significantly, and the downward pressure on the economy has further
increased"
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S SPEECH ON GOVERNANCE DELIVERED ON APRIL 25 WAS PUBLISHED BY PEOPLE'S DAILY ON MAY 14 The People's Daily (May 14) published the full text of Li Keqiang's speech on clean
government delivered at the 'Fifth Incorrupt Government Work Conference of the State
Council' on April 25, 2022.
(Comment: The delay in publishing Premier Li Keqiang's speech is intriguing.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-20TH PARTY CONGRESS: MORE TECHNOCRATS EXPECTED TO BE ELEVATED TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AT 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The South China Morning Post (May 17) said analysts believe that Chinese President Xi
Jinping has major ambitions for Chinese technological advance and hopes picking figures with
the right experience will help make them a reality. They believe the leadership shake-up at the
20th Party Congress will see more cadres with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics taking on key roles
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES REGULATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING PARTY BUILDING OF RETIRED CADRES TO ENSURE THEY CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE PARTY Xinhua (May 15) reported that the General Office of the CCP CC recently issued the "Opinions
on Strengthening the Party Building of Retired Cadres in the New Era". The "Opinions"
'pointed out that it is necessary to strengthen political leadership, organize and guide retired
cadres and party members to in-depth study of the party's innovative theory in the new era,
consciously practice Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New
Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", and strengthen
the "two establishments", "Four senses", strengthen "four self-confidence", and achieve "two
maintenance" to ensure that retired cadres and party members continue to listen to the party
and follow the party'. It also urged cadres to 'Consolidate the organization of retired cadres and
party members' and said 'it is necessary to strengthen management supervision ... (of) retired
cadres and party members, especially those who have held leadership positions'. The statement
asks them “not to discuss the general policies of the Party Central Committee in an open manner,
not to spread political negative remarks, not to participate in the activities of illegal social
organisations, and not to use their former authority or position influence to seek benefits for
themselves and others, and resolutely oppose and resist all kinds of wrong thinking”.
(Comment: This is an important new Regulation aimed at retired senior cadres and comes just
months ahead of the 20th Party Congress crucial for Xi Jinping. It suggests that retired cadres
are speaking against Party policies or Xi Jinping.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WALL STREET JOURNAL DISCLOSES CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED DIRECTIVE IN MARCH PROHIBITING CHINESE OFFICIALS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM HAVING FOREIGN ASSETS The Wall Street Journal (May 19) disclosed that the CCP CC Organisation Department had
issued a directive in March prohibiting spouses and children of Ministerial-level officials from
directly or indirectly holding any real estate or shares in entities registered abroad. It also barred
senior officials and their immediate family members from opening accounts with overseas
financial institutions unless they have legitimate reasons for doing so such as study or work.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL'S 'STUDY TIMES' LISTS 'TEN BETTERS' FOR YOUNGER CADRES The Central Party School's 'Study Times' on May 16 published a signed article captioned
"Young Cadres "Ten to Ten Do Not Compare". It was signed by Xu Wenxiu, the pseudonym
of the CCP CC Organization Department. The article said, "those who must be compared ,
should be compared, and can be compared, compare the initiative, initiative and consciousness,
and compare the motivation to do business". It listed ten points for the younger cadres: (i) The
first is to struggle rather than enjoyment. (ii) The second is to give, not to ask. (iii) The third is
to compare skill, not luck. (iv) The fourth is to be more pragmatic, not project a false goal. (v)
The fifth is more perseverance than determination. (vi) Sixth, it is better to be more honest than
speculation. (vii) Seven, more simple is better than luxurious. (viii) Eighth, the promotion of
ideas is better than the promotion of jobs. (ix) The ninth, to go farther it is better to run steadily,
than to fly high and to run fast. (x) Ten it is better to rise on the back of the effort, not the family
background.
Separately the China Education Daily (May 19) published an article recalling that "General
Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony of the training
course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National School of
Administration) on March 1, pointing out that young cadres need to master many skills in order
to be competent in leadership. He emphasized that the most fundamental ability is theoretical
literacy. The classic works of Marxism are the source of living water for the study and study
of Marxism."
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE SAYS PARTY LEADERSHIP SYSTEM HAS CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVED An article by Li Zhenghua, Researcher at the Institute of Contemporary China, was published
in the People's Daily on May 13. It said the "Resolution" adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session
of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, summed up the historic
achievements and historical changes made in "upholding the party's overall leadership" and
pointed out: "The party's leadership system has been continuously improved." It added that
since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central
Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has placed the improvement of the party's
leadership system in a prominent position", and had published many rules and regulations
making the party's leadership system increasingly sound, and the entire party more conscious
of maintaining a high degree of ideology, politics, and action with the CPC Central Committee
with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE ON DECEMBER 8 Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - 2022/10 dated May 15) published Chinese President Xi Jinping's
remarks at the Central Economic Work Conference held from December 8 to 10, 2021. In his
speech on December 8, he said, 'Correctly understand and grasp the major theoretical and
practical problems of national development; warned that "To promote common prosperity, we
must not engage in "welfare" and "welfareism" that exceeds one's ability is unsustainable, and
it will inevitably bring about serious economic and political problems!"; and asserted the need
to set "traffic signals" for capital.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY EMPHASISES THAT RISKS TO NATIONAL SECURITY ARE "MORE COMPLEX THAN ANY TIME IN HISTORY" The Guangming Daily (May 19) stated that "National security is the basic premise for the
survival and development of a country, and maintaining national security is the fundamental
interest of the people of all ethnic groups in the country". Recalling General Secretary Xi
Jinping's visit to Hainan, it said he emphasized that "it is necessary to insist on maintaining
national security unswervingly, strengthen the identification and prevention of major risks,
coordinate reform, development and stability, and insist on establishing first and then breaking,
and not breaking without establishing. This provides a fundamental basis for us to maintain
strategic determination, strategic confidence, and strategic patience on the new journey, be
prepared to deal with any form of conflict, risk, and challenge, and continue to create a new
situation in our national security work". It asserted that "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation cannot be achieved easily and smoothly. The more we develop and grow, the greater the
resistance and pressure we will encounter, and the more external risks we will face. This is an
unavoidable challenge in the process of China's development from big to strong, and an
unavoidable threshold for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Our party was
born amid internal and external troubles, grew up in tribulations and setbacks, and grew
stronger in overcoming risks and challenges. It has always had a strong sense of urgency and
risk. In the face of the complex and ever-changing international situation and the arduous and
arduous tasks of domestic reform, development and stability, General Secretary Xi Jinping has
repeatedly emphasized the need to be prepared for danger in times of peace and enhance the
awareness of urgency, risk, and responsibility. The current development situation is generally
good, but we must be soberly aware that the current and future period is a period in which all
kinds of contradictions and risks are prone to occur in China, and the time, space, and internal
and external factors affecting national security are broader and more complex than at any time
in history". Presently, it said, China "is facing the dual pressure of safeguarding national
sovereignty, security and development interests externally and maintaining political security
and social stability internally, and various predictable and unforeseeable risk factors have
increased significantly. The major risks we face include domestic economic, political,
ideological, social risks and risks from nature, as well as international economic, political, and
military risks. If we can't see the micro-knowledge in time and prevent the micro-prevention,
these major risks are often superimposed on each other, forming resonance, and producing a
chain reaction, which will bring huge impact and destructive force to national security and
social stability. It is necessary to comprehensively identify various major security risks, and
refine the background, triggering factors, specific characteristics, and possible damage of each
type of risk" It stressed the need of "fully applying big data and artificial intelligence in risk
analysis and prediction research". It quoted Xi Jinping saying, "Be prepared for the future and
serve the country." In the face of various risks and challenges on the way forward, we must
always maintain a high degree of vigilance. We must be highly vigilant against both "black
swan" events and "grey rhino" events; To be the first to take risks, we must also have great
strategies to deal with and resolve risks and challenges; we must not only fight a prepared battle
to prevent and resist risks, but also fight a strategic initiative to turn danger into danger and
turn crisis into opportunity. It is necessary to implement the overall national security concept,
scientifically handle major risks and general risks, global risks and local risks, macro risks and
micro risks, urgent risks and long-term risks, new risks and conventional risks, single risks and
complex risks, surface risks and deep risks , the relationship between primary risk and
secondary risk, starting from the system, mechanism, method, means, identification, judgment,
disposal, tracking, feedback, etc., to improve all aspects of the risk prevention system, and
realize the digitalization of risk prevention and disposal".
May 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: VICE PREMIER LIU HE TRIES TO EASE CONCERNS OF CHINESE TECH GIANTS Vice Premier Liu He, who is also Xi Jinping's economic affairs aide, on May 17 indicated that
Beijing may ease up on a year-long clampdown on technology giants as it battles a slowing
economy. After a symposium with the heads of some of the nation’s largest private firms. Baidu
Inc. founder Robin Li, Qihoo 360 Technology Co.’s Zhou Hongyu and NetEase Inc. chief
William Ding, Vice Premier Liu He said the relationship between government and markets
“should be handled well.” His remarks were, however, short on detail. The meeting between
Liu and tech company representatives was facilitated by the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
May 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES MAJOR ARTICLE ON 'COMMON PROSPERITY' The Guangming Daily and China Discipline and Supervision News (May 19) both published a
major full page article on 'common prosperity'.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CHINESE PEOPLE'S POLITICAL CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE (CPPCC) DISCUSSES FURTHER BUILDING PATRIOTISM IN HONGKONG AND MACAU Xinhua (May 17) reported that the CPPCC National Committee Chairman and PBSC member
Wang Yang held a bi-weekly negotiation symposium to discuss and discuss politics around
"further enhancing the capacity building of patriotism, Hong Kong and Macao".
May 2022 |
CHINA-PROTESTS: PEKING AND TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE PROTESTING AGAINST THE BUILDING OF WALLS TO ISOLATE THEIR DORMITORIES Students in the prestigious Peking and Tsinghua Universities have been protesting since May
15 objecting to the erection of walls to isolate their dormitories. At least two video clips of their
protests are circulating on Chinese social media. A Professor of Peking University said (May
16) that the building of walls has stopped.
May 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA TO BUILD PERMANENT COVID TEMPORARY TREATMENT CENTRES Ma Xiaowei, Head of China's National Health Commission, said (May 17) that China will build
permanent COVID temporary treatment centres with advance planning and preparation of
COVID designated hospitals and sub-designated hospitals. He said the country will establish a
15-minute walk "nucleic acid testing circle" in provincial capitals and cities with a population
of more than 10 million people, implement regular weekly testing, and increase the frequency
of testing for key groups.
May 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: BEIJING IMPOSES COMPULSORY 48 HOUR COVID TESTS FOR ALL BEIJING RESIDENTS AND ALLOWS ONLY TAKE-AWAYS FROM ALL RESTAURANTS TILL MAY 5 Beijing has made all restaurants take away only for the duration of the May Day break. Also,
compulsory Covid tests every 48 hours for all residents till 5th of May, then one a week after
that. Without the 48 hr test result, individuals are not allowed to get on public transport or enter
supermarkets, public indoor places etc.,
May 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA PURCHASING 40,000 TONNES OF FROZEN LOCAL PORK FOR STATE RESERVES Reuters (May 10) reported that China announced it will buy 40,000 tonnes of local frozen pork
for its state reserves on May 13. The country is buying up pork to support prices in the world's
top producer of the meat.
May 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE IN QIU SHI EMPHASISES FOOD SECURITY A Commentator's article in Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - May 19) highlighted that ensuring the
supply of primary products is a major strategic issue for a big country like China. It said primary
products such as agricultural products, energy, and minerals are the most basic part of the entire
economy and strengthening the supply of primary products is a realistic need and a long-term
strategy, which is related to China's sustainable and stable development. It "emphasized that
"energy security is an overall and strategic issue related to the country's economic and social
development" and that China's "grain output has achieved a historic "eighteen consecutive
abundance". It warned that "the consumption of primary products has increased rapidly, and
the import dependence of primary products has been relatively high, and some are still rising.
The serious gap in the supply of primary products may turn into a "grey rhino" incident,
especially food security, and there is no room for mistakes". "It listed four requirements
enumerated by Xi Jinping as: (i) insist on giving priority to saving: China is a country with a
large population with serious energy and resource constraints and it is therefore necessary to
promote comprehensive conservation, recycle resources, reduce energy consumption and
speed up Technological transformation of the manufacturing industry. (ii) enhance domestic
resource production and security capabilities, which includes increasing exploration efforts,
improving development and protection of marine resources and mineral resources; and
strengthening the construction of the national strategic material reserve system. and play a role
in regulating the bottom line at critical moments; the fourth is to promote garbage classification
and recycling, and expand domestic solid waste use, and speed up the construction of a waste
recycling system. (iii) strengthen energy and resource cooperation with relevant countries,
effectively prevent foreign investment risks, and expand the rights and interests of overseas
high-quality resources. (iv) the Chinese people's rice bowl must be firmly in their own hands.
Food security is related to the national movement and people's livelihood. "The more food you
have to eat, the more you have to think about the time when there is no food." General Secretary
Xi Jinping "particularly emphasized the security of agricultural product supply", demanded
that grain farmers be protected and production capacity and self-sufficiency rate of oilseeds
and soybeans be enhanced.
May 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER CHAIRMAN OF MAOTAI GROUP PLACED 'UNDER INVESTIGATION' Gao Weidong, the former chairman of Maotai Group, is under investigation. He stepped down
in August 2021, when he was appointed Director of the Guizhou Provincial Geology Bureau.
May 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: SENIOR PBOC OFFICIAL UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission(CDIC) announced on May 18 that Sun
Guofeng, former Head of the Monetary Policy Department of PBoC is under investigation for
“suspected serious violation of laws and discipline,” and was removed from his post. He is
under disciplinary investigation.
May 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: TWO SENIOR PROVINCIAL CADRES PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORRUPTION i) The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced that Wang Zhong, former
member of the Standing Committee of the Lu'an Municipal Committee of Anhui Province and
former secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, is under
investigation...
ii) The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced (May 16) that Li
Chenghui, secretary of the Hami Municipal Party Committee in Xinjiang, was suspected of
serious violations of discipline and law, and had voluntarily surrendered.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: CHONGQING PARTY SECRETARY CHEN MIN'ER ENDORSES XI JINPING'S 'DYNAMIC CLEARING' AND 'ZERO COVID' POLICY In a teleconference on 'epidemic prevention and control work to further study and deploy the
current epidemic prevention and control work' on May 12, Chongqing Party Secretary Chen
Min'er endorsed the 'spirit' of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech on the COVID-19 policy
and said: "adhere to the principle of people first, life first, adhere to the general policy of
"dynamic clearing", and take a sense of responsibility to "don't rest assured" to handle the
epidemic quickly and strictly". He emphasised the importance of a sense of responsibility and
doing a good job of emergency response and of strictly controlling people entering and exiting
Chongqing. The meeting reported the recent epidemic prevention and control work in our city,
and Liangjiang New District, Jiangbei District, Nan'an District, Yubei District, and Banan
District reported on the emergency response to the epidemic in the region. Wu Cunrong,
Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, presided over the meeting, and relevant
municipal leaders attended the meeting
May 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG SENDS REPRESENTATIVES TO ZHEJIANG PROVINCE FOR INVESTIGATION Xinjiang province sends a group of representatives to Zhejiang for investigation. Zhejiang
Party Secretary praised Xinjiang's progress in building "a visible, sensible and effective
awareness of the community of the Chinese nation".
May 2022 |
CHINA-HUBEI: HUBEI PARTY SECRETARY GOES ON INSPECTION TOUR Hubei Daily News on May 12 reported that Hubei Party Secretary Wang Menghui had that day
(May 12) gone to Xianning City to investigate industrial development and social governance.
He emphasized that it is necessary to 'fully, accurately and comprehensively understand and
grasp the 'spirit' of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on Hubei's work,
coordinate the work of preventing risks, stabilizing growth, and benefiting people's livelihood,
and accurately implement the bailout policy to help enterprises and promote economic stability'.
He said it is necessary to adhere to the leadership of party building, rely closely on the masses,
fully mobilize the masses, extensively carry out activities to create a better environment and a
happy life together, constantly satisfy the people's yearning for a better life, and welcome the
victory of the Party's 20th National Congress with excellent results.
May 2022 |
CHINA-HEBEI: HEBEI PROVINCIAL COMMUNIST PARTY'S ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT HAS CONDUCTED 14,968 TRAINING SESSIONS IN THREE YEARS Hebei Province publicised (May 18) that to "improve the ability and quality of the "three teams"
of party organization secretaries, party building work instructors and party members of the two
new organizations, in recent years, the Organization Department of the Hebei Provincial Party
Committee and the two new working committees of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee
have established a target system, organizational system, content system, and methods". It said
the system and security system have effectively improved the overall level of the party building
work of the two new organizations in the province. Up to now, a total of 14,968 training
sessions have been carried out, involving 439,900 person-times. It added that the "training
highlights education of ideals and beliefs, takes the study and implementation of Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the primary political task,
and focuses on incorporating "Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country" and the spirit of the
19th Plenary Sessions into the teaching content".
May 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: PEOPLE'S DAILY REPORTS CHINA-APPOINTED PANCHEN LAMA'S VISIT TO JOKHANG TEMPLE IN LHASA The Chinese appointed Panchen Lama visited the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa on May 18
morning where he "led the monks in reciting scriptures" and offered prayers. A lengthy People's
Daily (May 19) article said that "monks of Jokhang Temple "Sezhang Team" "held high the
scripture flags and held Tibetan incense according to the religious rituals. Both sides of the
corridor lined up to greet the Panchen Lama". It described the Panchen Lama as "the most
influential reincarnated "living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism"
May 2022 |
CHINA-AVIATION: CHINA'S FIRST HOMEMADE C919 LARGE PASSENGER AIRCRAFT COMPLETED ITS FIRST TEST FLIGHT China completed the first flight test of the first homemade C919 large passenger aircraft, which
is to be delivered to China Eastern Airlines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua
Chunying tweeted "China’s first home-grown commercial passenger plane C919 has
successfully completed its maiden test flight before delivery. Proud to see the debut!"
May 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA TO LAUNCH ITS THIRD AIRCRAFT CARRIER POSSIBLY IN JUNE THIS YEAR The Yomiuri Shimbun (May 12) disclosed that China is thought to be planning to unveil its
third aircraft carrier. It is likely to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, possibly
including an electromagnetic aircraft launch system. It recalled that the PLA Navy (PLAN)
had last month released a promotion video showcasing its first two aircraft carriers, the
Liaoning and Shandong. The video ended with a PLAN officer hinting the launch of the third
carrier is imminent. The newspaper said there is speculation on websites related to the Chinese
military of an early June launch . The new carrier, which is being constructed in a Shanghai
shipyard, will undergo sea trials following its launch, and is expected to be commissioned in
the second half of next year at the earliest. It quoted an Australian military journal to say
satellite photos taken on April 19 indicated that the elevators used to move aircraft have been
installed, but the catapult on the deck was covered and appears to be incomplete. Though the
Global Times said the new carrier will possibly feature an electromagnetic aircraft launch
system, the Yomiuri Shimbun quoted a diplomatic source in Beijing who said, “It is doubtful
whether they can supply a sufficient amount of electricity needed for an electromagnetic
catapult system.” The South China Morning Post has said Chinese President Xi Jinping plans
to have at least four aircraft carrier strike groups by 2030. Satellite photos taken in March of a
carrier runway training facility in Liaoning Province showed two FC-31 aircraft, a stealth
fighter currently under development, alongside non-stealth J-15s, prompting speculation that
stealth fighters will be deployed on China’s third aircraft carrier. However, a source quoted in
a South China Morning Post article said J-15s will be deployed on the new carrier.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA DEVELOPING HYPERSONIC CAPABILITY TO TARGET U.S. NAVY WARSHIPS SITTING IDLE IN HARBOUR The New Zealand Herald (May 15) published satellite photographs that revealed a Chinese
testing facility with a scale replica of a US Navy amphibious assault ship placed on a rail system
to provide a moving target for missile targeting. A United States Naval Institute (USNI) report
argues commercial satellite photos show the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is developing a
disturbing new military capability: hypersonic missiles that can identify and hit warships sitting
idle in their home ports. The author of the USNI report H.I. Sutton said, "The nature, location
and strikes on these sites all suggest the targets are meant for testing ballistic missiles." "These
hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) are an increasingly significant threat to
warships." The desert targets are relatively simple. The "piers" were represented by geometric
arrangements of sheets of an unknown material laid out on the desert sands. The "ships" were
metal plates positioned among these "distractions". Their purpose could be to train and test
guidance systems. Notably, the target range is close to another previously used to test the
development of its "carrier killer" DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles in 2013. Its latest weapon,
the DF-17, carries a hypersonic glide vehicle that can manoeuvre along an unpredictable
trajectory towards an unwitting target. Travelling faster than 6200km/h, China's expansive
arsenal of hypersonic ballistic missiles will have mere moments to recognise the shape of a
warship among the clutter of a dockyard. "Modern targeting sensors are typically connected to
artificial intelligence, allowing the missile to discern targets and choose the intended or highestvalue option," Sutton writes. If the visible impact craters are any indication, they now appear
to be capable of doing so. Their purpose is to prevent the US Navy from intervening in the
western Pacific. So far, its arsenal ranges from the 1500km of the DF-21 to the 4000km of the
DF-26. This puts the major US naval bases at Okinawa and Guam within Beijing's sites. But
recent advances – as demonstrated by a highly unusual orbital payload deployment in June last
year – suggest facilities in Hawaii and even San Diego will soon be vulnerable to these ultrafast, non-nuclear weapons. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
argues that Beijing's recent military doctrine and technology developments indicate a
disturbing trend. It says, "Changes to China's postures and technologies indicate that its concept
and practice of 'active defence' may be converging with more forward-leaning and even preemptive 'proactive defence'." Active defence is defined as preparing to defend from a surprise
attack. Proactive defence is a euphemism for preparing to launch a pre-emptive, surprise attack.
The report says that the aggressive policy shift can be seen in new anti-satellite weaponry,
expanded intercontinental ballistic missile silos, hypersonic missile-carrying bombers, and
attack submarines. The report states that "Over the past few years, China has displayed a wide
range of advances in military capabilities and infrastructure, including its test of a hypersonic
glide vehicle coupled with a fractional orbital bombardment system." The Hong Kong-based
South China Morning Post quotes Zhou Chenming, Researcher of the Yuan Wang Military
Science and Technology Institute as saying, "The PLA will not take pre-emptive strikes in
peacetime." "China's missiles, including the DF-21 carrier-killer and other weapons, were all
designed for deterring and denying foreign military intervention in case of a Taiwan
contingency, which will only happen if Taipei formally declares independence."
May 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF ARMED HELICOPTERS CROSS 'MEDIAN LINE' IN TAIWAN'S ADIZ On May 10, a PLA Air Force (PLAAF) WZ-10 attack helicopter and two Ka-28 Helix antisubmarine warfare helicopters set a dangerous precedent by not only crossing Taiwan’s Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) but also flying across the so-called “median line,” an
unofficial boundary that runs down the middle of the Taiwan Strait.
(Comment: Tension remains high in the Taiwan Strait.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPAL'S PRIME MINISTER DEUBA INAUGURATES US$ 76 MILLION CHINESE-BUILT AIRPORT IN BHAIRAHAWA Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba opened a US$ 76 million Chinese-built airport at
Bhairahawa intended to capitalise on Buddhist tourism, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi landed a few kilometres away at Lumbini to mark the birth, enlightenment, and death of
the Buddha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew by helicopter directly from a nearby Indian
airport to Lumbini, bypassing the new airport.
(Comment: The airport in Bhairahawa, the closest city to Lumbini, is funded by the Asian
Development Bank and OPEC Fund for International Development and built by China's
Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA'S NEW CONSUL GENERAL TO LAHORE ARRIVES ON MAY 10 WITH HIS DEPUTY China's new Consul General Zhao Shiren arrived in Lahore on May 10. He was accompanied
by his deputy Cao Ke, who is a 30-year old Police Officer from the Security Department and
former auxiliary police officer of the combined combat team of the Criminal Investigation
Department.
(Comment: The posting of a young police officer as Deputy to the Chinese Consul General in
Lahore is a likely consequence of the killings of Chinese nationals by terrorists.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN POLICE ARRESTS BLA WOMAN TERRORIST PLANNING TO EXPLODE HERSELF ON MAY 16 NEAR CONVOY OF CHINESE WORKERS Pakistani police arrested a woman working for the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) who
planned to blow herself up near a convoy of Chinese nationals along the China Pakistan
Economic-Corridor (CPEC) on May 16.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: WORK ON CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC) TO PROGRESS AT MODEST PACE DUE TO PAKISTAN'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS The South China Morning Post (May 18) disclosed that since 2015 Beijing financed more than
US$25 billion worth of power generation plants, mass transit systems and motorways in
Pakistan, and expanded Gwadar port. Quoting analysts, it said work on China’s US$65 billion
belt and road programme in Pakistan looks set to progress at only a modest pace in coming
years because Islamabad is struggling to stay solvent. Separately, on May 16 Chinese Premier
Li Keqiang expressed his shock and outrage at the Karachi attack during a phone call with
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on May 16, following urges from Beijing for Pakistani
authorities to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: REUTERS UNVEILS MASSIVE CHINESE INVESTMENT IN DUTERTE'S HOMEBASE OF DAVAO Reuters reported (May 17) that the Davao consulate has also become a place from which
Chinese government officials can interact directly with other Mindanao politicians, regularly
playing host to celebrations, dinners, and other formal and informal events. The Chinese consul
general regularly visits officials at agencies such as the Bureau of Customs in the port of Davao
and the local offices of the National Economic Development Authority. It said a search of the
Philippine Security Exchange Commission's company registration database reveals that Davao
has been a recipient of Chinese foreign direct investment and development finance since
Rodrigo Duterte first became mayor more than two decades ago: 445 new companies involving
mining, construction, real estate, wholesale, and retail sales backed by Chinese investors were
registered between 2000 and 2019. One prominent Hong Kong-based clean energy company,
China Dynamics Holdings, signed a long-term contract to provide at least 500 electric buses to
Davao. Beijing recently authorized a $364 million loan for the construction of the Samal-Davao
bridge via the China Export-Important Bank. Construction of the bridge will be tendered to
Chinese companies. Other Chinese initiatives include the building of drug rehabilitation centers
in the Mindanao provinces of Sarangani and Agusan del Sur undertaken by China State
Construction Engineering Corp. The Chinese-controlled Friends of the Philippines Foundation
(FPF), established by Hong Kong business owner Xu Minliang, funded the Northern Mindanao
Wellness and Reintegration Centre. The FPF is most likely an affiliate of the United Front.
There are now commercial flights from Davao City to the Chinese cities of Beijing and Tianjin,
and in 2018, Xiamen Air established direct flights between Davao and Jianjiang. Chinese
tourists make up over 37% of Davao's total foreign tourist visits in 2019 spending an average
of $3,000 each over a typical five-day visit on food, accommodation, and transport. Nanning
and Jinjiang are now sister cities to Davao. China seems also to have won over Sara Duterte
and her family, likely securing China's political interests in the Philippines for the next six
years and possibly the six years after that if Sara Duterte succeeds Marcos as president, as is
widely expected.
May 2022 |
CHINA-RUSIA: CHINA'S OIL IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA INCREASED 10 PERCENT THIS MONTH Reuters reported (May 19) that Russian cargoes factoring in transportation and insurance costs
carried discounts of $8 a barrel or more to Brent, according to Bloomberg. China's Shandong
Port International Trade Group, which handles approximately a quarter of the country’s crude
oil imports, has secured a rare Russian shipment for arrival this month, Reuters reported. More
Chinese buying is set to follow. About 650,000 barrels of daily Russian crude oil that
previously shipped to developed economies like the EU could be replaced with similar grades
and volumes from the Middle East that now mostly go to China and India, energy consultancy
Wood Mackenzie estimates. It said Russian daily crude oil loadings earmarked for China
increased 10% from a month earlier to 781,000 barrels in April, the highest rate of the year,
while those to India more than doubled to a record 674,000 barrels, according to S&P
May 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINA'S VIEWS ON U.S. AND RUSSIA An international team of researchers coordinated by Palacky University Olomouc, Czechia,
published (May 14) their report “Chinese views of the world at the time of the Russia-Ukraine
war”. The survey revealed that among the 25 countries respondents were asked about (Figure
1), Russia was the most positively perceived country with 80 percent of respondents saying
they viewed Russia in a positive light while only 12 percent held negative views. The United
States, on the other hand, was the most negatively viewed country in China with slightly more
than 60 percent of respondents perceiving it negatively and 31 percent holding positive
attitudes. The other very positively perceived countries among Chinese respondents were
Pakistan (73 percent), Singapore (66 percent), North Korea (62 percent), and Germany (61
percent). In turn, other very negatively perceived countries included India (56 percent), Japan
(54 percent), Vietnam (48 percent), South Korea (47 percent), and Ukraine (46 percent).
Besides Russia and the United States, this is particularly evidenced in the case of European
countries (such as Germany or France), which are perceived relatively positively, while the
foreign policy of the EU is also seen as somewhat positive.
May 2022 |
CHINA- LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ATTENDS CYL CENTENARY CELEBRATION AT GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE ON MAY 10 Chinese President Xi Jinping was on the front page of People's Daily (May 11) attending a
celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China
(CYL) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 10. Xi Jinping delivered an important
speech and Premier Li Keqiang and PBSC members Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji and
Han Zheng attended while Wang Huning presided over the function.
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES MAIN ARTICLE PRAISING XI JINPING'S LOVE FOR CHINA AND CULTURE The main article on page 1 of People's Daily (May 12) was captioned 'Xi Jinping's Cultural
Feelings'. The opening paragraph said, "A person who loves the land of China will love every
stream, every inch of land, and every page of glorious history." "This is an affectionate
confession made by Comrade Xi Jinping when he was working in Zhengding, Hebei more than
30 years ago". It said, "Years later, when piloting the giant ship "China" to ride the wind and
waves, General Secretary Xi Jinping proudly declared: "The Chinese excellent traditional
culture created and continued by the Chinese nation in the thousands of years of history is the
root and soul of the Chinese nation."
May 2022 |
CHINA-CYL: CYL MEMBERSHIP IS 73.7 MILLION WITH 3.68 MILLION ORGANISATIONS ACROSS CHINA Wednesday marks China's Youth Day. Xinhua (on May 2) reported that the Communist Youth
League of China (CYLC) has over 73.7 million members nationwide as of December 31, 2021,
according to statistics released by the CYLC Central Committee on Monday. Up to 43.81
million CYLC members are students and the rest are in enterprises, public institutions, urban
and rural communities, social organisations, and other fields. It said the CYLC had 3.68 million
organizations across the country by the end of last year and there is a total of 1.84 million such
organizations among students
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CYL CHIEF SAYS STATE IS CONCERNED ABOUT "LYING FLAT" MOVEMENT Taiwan's Central News Agency (April 21) reported that He Junke, the First Secretary of the
Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League (CYL), said, “The state
attaches great importance to the deep-rooted problems reflected in the ‘lying flat’ movement.
The pressure of work, study and of life that the young generation faces are serious and realistic”.
He also quoted Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, who said,
“Happiness comes out of struggle, and struggle itself is a kind of happiness.”
(Comment: The term “lying flat” became trendy in 2021. It refers to a lifestyle that calls for
“not buying a house, not buying a car, not getting married, not having a baby, not consuming,”
and “maintaining a minimum standard of living. It means refusing to become a machine for
others to make money and a slave to be exploited.” “Lying flat” was said to reflect the over
competition in Chinese society to such an extent that many young people no longer believe that
hard work results in a better life. Right after this movement gained in popularity, the state media
published articles criticizing this view. Since 2021, the term “lying flat” has become popular
among young Chinese people. Recently, the chief administrative body of the central
government State Council released a white paper on “China’s Youth in a New Era” and held a
press conference.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN ATTENDS SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT'S INAUGURATION IN SEOUL The People's daily (May 11) published a photograph of Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan
attending the Inauguration Ceremony of New South Korean President Yoon Seok-wyeh in
Seoul.
(Comment: An item in People's Daily on Wang Qishan is unusual.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS EXECUTIVE STATE COUNCIL MEETING FOCUSES ON MEASURES TO ASSIST ECONOMY Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council presided over an Executive Meeting of the State
Council on May 5, to: discuss further relief measures for small, medium, and micro enterprises
and individual industrial and commercial households to ensure stable employment of market
players; determine measures to promote the stability and quality of foreign trade to help
stabilize the economy and the industrial chain supply chain. The meeting pointed out that small,
medium, and micro enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households are an
important foundation for stabilizing the economy and the main support for stabilizing
employment. At present, the difficulties of relevant market entities have increased significantly.
It is necessary to implement the Party Central Committee and the State Council decisions and
increase assistance such as tax rebates, tax reductions and fee reductions, delay in payment of
social security premiums, logistics guarantees, and promotion of enterprises' resumption of
work and production. It also called for ensuring that all remaining tax credits for small and
micro enterprises, individual industrial and commercial households and eligible medium-sized
enterprises are fully refunded before June 30. It asked large state-owned banks, who have added
1.6 trillion yuan in inclusive small and micro loans this year, to strengthen proactive
services. All localities should arrange special funds for the relief of small, medium, and micro
enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households, and provide subsidies for rent,
guarantee fees, loan interest and other subsidies for those with operational difficulties. Among
a series of measures, local governments were encouraged to implement phased preferential
electricity prices for small and micro enterprises and individual industrial and commercial
households and "non-stop supply of water and electricity". The meeting emphasized that it is
necessary to consolidate responsibilities, especially the responsibilities of local governments,
and solve the problem of policy implementation blocking points. In order to help foreign trade
enterprises cope with difficulties, the meeting decided that the focus should firstly be on
securing orders and stabilizing the import and export of key industries and labour-intensive
industries; secondly on sea and airport and making good use of air cargo capacity etc. It also
asked that the RMB exchange rate be kept basically stable.
Xinhua reported that on May 7, Premier Li Keqiang held a National Video and Telephone
Conference on Employment Stabilization in Beijing. Li Keqiang "pointed out that stable
employment is related to the livelihood of the majority of families and is the key support for
the economic operation in a reasonable range. The current employment situation is complex
and severe. All regions and departments should follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, conscientiously implement the decisions
and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, increase the
implementation of the employment priority policy, and maintain stable employment and stable
economic performance". Politburo member and Vice Premier Hu Chunhua also attended the
meeting and delivered a speech.
(Comment: Bloomberg on May 8 reported that Premier Li Keqiang had warned of a
"complicated and grave" employment situation as China imposes lockdowns.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: WANG YI WARNS ASEAN AGAINST "FIVE EYES ALLIANCE", QUADRILATERAL AND "AUKUS" In a video call with Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinator for cooperation, ahead of
a US-ASEAN summit next week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “The US IndoPacific strategy goes against the trend of the times and does not serve the common and longterm interests of countries in East Asia”. “He also said the region faced dangers from the “Five
Eyes” alliance, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and AUKUS security alliance under which
the US and Britain would help Australia acquire a nuclear-powered submarine fleet".
May 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: RETIRED CHINESE AMBASSADOR SAYS RUSSIA'S DEFEAT IN UKRAINE IS INEVITABLE Speaking at a closed-door internal event of the Forum of Thirty on China’s International
Finance and the Department of International Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences (CASS) on May 10, 2022, retired Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine, Gao Yusheng
gave his frank assessment of Russia’s war in Ukraine and observed that Russia's defeat in
Ukraine is inevitable. He posted an article reiterating these views on the Phoenix News website
on May 10 afternoon and it was taken down within hours.
May 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE LAUDS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP IN EPIDEMIC PREVENTION The People's Daily (May 8) published an article captioned 'With the spirit of not waiting for
me, and actions that count against every second', on the COVID-19 situation where it said
"Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee with.. Xi Jinping at its core, and the
entire country's concerted efforts, we have withstood the most severe test of epidemic
prevention since the battle of Wuhan".
May 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE APPROVES 39 LAWS FOR REVIEW AMENDMENT - THE SECOND LARGEST EVER The NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) released its legislative plan for 2022 on May 6. The
Plan was preliminarily approved in November 2021 and finalized by the Council of
Chairpersons on April 11. The Plan schedules 39 projects for review in 2022, the second largest
batch ever included in a publicly available annual legislative plan. The plan includes
amendments/revisions to, among others, Public Security Administrative Punishments Law [治
安管理处罚法]; Urban Residents’ Committees Organic Law [城市居民委员会组织法]国人
民银行法]; Anti–Money Laundering Law [反洗钱法]; National Defense Education Law [国
防教育法]; Counterespionage Law [反间谍法]; People’s Police Law [人民警察法]; and
Marine Environmental Protection Law [海洋环境保护法]. Among the new laws are listed the
Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Ecological Conservation Law [青藏高原生态保护法] and Law on
Ensuring Food Security [粮食安全保障法].
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP VETERAN CADRE STRESSES NEED TO COUNTER HISTORICAL NIHILISM Former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and retired Major General
Li Shenming authored an interesting and unusual article in the World Socialist Research Issue
1, 2022 on 'Historical Nihilism and the Disintegration of the Soviet Union'. The article traced
the history of the decline and disintegration of the Soviet Union and referred to CCP CC
General Secretary Xi Jinping's 'important speech' at the Party History Learning and Education
Mobilization Conference where he emphasized: "We must take a clear-cut stand against
historical nihilism, strengthen ideological guidance and theoretical analysis", "It is better to
clear the source and strengthen the source". Asserting that "The tragedy of the collapse of the
Soviet Union and the collapse of the country is a heavy and rare negative teaching material left
to the communists and the cause of human civilization and progress in the 20th century", it
says "the disaster that historical nihilism brought to the Soviet Union tells us at least the
following: (i) we must attach great importance to the counterattack and criticism of historical
nihilism. Historical nihilism is a political trend of thought promoted by hostile forces at home
and abroad ... its fundamental purpose is to deny and subvert the party's leadership and the
socialist system. The whole party, especially the party's organizations and leaders at all levels,
must attach great importance to the counterattack and criticism of historical nihilistic thoughts
and behaviours. All Communist Party members are responsible. (ii) we must attach great
importance to and seriously deal with Western "soft power" and "smart power" and other
peaceful evolution strategies. "As the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics continues
to advance, hostile forces at home and abroad will inevitably renovate their means and continue
to spread historical nihilism". (iii) we must attach great importance to the struggle in the
ideological field, and never allow historical nihilism to flourish, and we must not allow it to
deliberately create and spread lies and disrupt public opinion. (iv) Leadership in the ideological
sphere must be firmly in the hands of loyal Marxists. In the struggle to criticize historical
nihilism, we must continuously strengthen the ranks of Marxist theory, consolidate the position
of propaganda and public opinion, and provide reliable political and organizational guarantees
for countering and defeating historical nihilism. (v) we must organize the whole party,
especially the party's leading cadres at all levels, to take the lead in in-depth study of the history
of the party, the history of new China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of
socialist development, improve the level of ideology and theory, and improve the ability to
resist historical nihilism and other wrong trends of thought. In conclusion it asserted "We
firmly believe that under the strong and correct leadership of the CPC Central Committee with
Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, in the context of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought,
Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of "Three Represents", the Scientific Outlook
on Development, and especially Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics
Under the guidance of ideology, the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese
nation will surely be realized, and the grand cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics
will surely have an incomparably splendid future!"
(Comment: Li Shenming is a native of Wenxian county, Henan province and was born in 1949.
He joined the PLA in 1970, and joined the CPC in 1971. He has served as Secretary of the
Central Military Commission and Vice President of the PLA Medical Research Institute from
1994 to 1998. In 1997 he was promoted to Major General. He was Vice-President of the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences from 1998 to 2013. This article is a definite 'call to arms'
as it were in support of Xi Jinping and Chinese Communist ideology.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES TWO INTERESTING ARTICLES ON 'RED GENES' AND 'CREATING A NEW CIVILIZATION' The Guangming Daily (May 6) published two interesting articles. One was titled: 'inherit the
revolutionary "red" gene and develop "green" ecology' and the other was a full page article on
"Creating a new realm of human rights civilization"
May 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: CHONGQING PARTY SECRETARY DELIVERS SPEECH AT 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF CYL IN CHONGQING At a meeting in Chongqing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the
Communist Youth League of China on May 11, Chongqing Party Secretary Chen Min'er said
"We must persist in educating people for the party, deeply understand the decisive significance
of the "two establishments"... and passing on the fire of revolution from generation to
generation". He emphasized that it is necessary to thoroughly study and implement the spirit
of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, keep in mind the original mission, always
listen to the party's words, always follow the party, promote the high-quality development of
the city's Communist Youth League, and unite and lead the youth of the league members to
forge ahead in a new journey and make contributions to a new era. He said "The important
contribution made by the Chinese Dream, profoundly expounding the historical experience of
the Communist Youth League and youth work, high expectations for contemporary youth, and
clear requirements for the work of the Communist Youth League in the new era. It is highly
political, ideological, strategic, and instructive". Calling for recruitment of more youth to the
CYL, he said "We must attach great importance to the training and development of young party
members, and recruit outstanding young people from all fields and fronts into the party to
ensure that the party's cause has successors. The majority of the Communist Youth League
members should earnestly receive political training, strengthen political forging, pursue
political progress, actively move closer to the party organization, and take growing into a
qualified Communist Party member as the goal and honour". In addition to Chongqing's senior
leadership, youth representatives from all walks of life in the city, and heads of relevant
municipal departments and units attended.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: CHONGQING DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY STRESSES GRASSROOTS GOVERNANCE DURING INSPECTION TOUR Chongqing Deputy Party Secretary Wu Cunrong while inspecting grassroots governance on
May 8, mentioned the model of "city-district-street-community/village-grid-propertybuilding" linkage in smart city construction. He stressed that grassroots governance is related
to social security and stability.
May 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY INVESTIGATES COMMON PROSPERITY i) Huang Jianfa, Zhejiang Deputy Party Secretary on May 7 toured Nanhu District to investigate
construction of urban and rural communities under "common prosperity". The Zhejiang Daily
(May 9) published a major theoretical article on achieving "common prosperity" through labour
education and fostering students' "correct concept of labour".
ii) Zhejiang Daily separately reported (May 8) that Zhejiang added three new provincial
laboratories focusing on energy and carbon neutrality, "smart ocean", and aviation. These are
the Baima Lake Laboratory, Donghai Laboratory and Tianmushan Laboratory. It disclosed that
in addition to the 6 provincial laboratories of Zhijiang, Liangzhu, Xihu, Hupan, Yongjiang, and
Oujiang, which have been listed for construction before, Zhejiang is cultivating national
strategic scientific and technological forces with the courage of "crossing mountains and seas
to strive for excellence". This was accompanied by another major full-page article in the
Zhejiang Daily (. ) on digital reform, which said that following the 25th meeting of the Central
Deep Reform Commission chaired by General Secretary Xi Jinping on April 19,
2022, Zhejiang Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun had on April 26, 2022, chaired the Zhejiang
Province Digital Reform Promotion Conference. Yuan Jiajun emphasized that it is necessary
to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important
expositions on digital reform, and said, "One establishment" and resolutely achieving "two
maintenance" are reflected in the practical actions of reform and breakthrough".
May 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: KASHGAR'S CENTRAL GRAND BAZAAR RAZED TO THE GROUND Radio Free Asia (RFA-May 6) reported that the Chinese authorities have razed large parts of
the famous Grand Bazaar of Kashgar, once a noted tourist attraction and a centre of Uyghur
commercial culture. It said it is likely that the Grand Bazaar won’t be completely destroyed
but rather turned into an inauthentic version of itself designed as a tourist attraction for Han
Chinese. This fits with a trend across China: Major markets in the centre of Beijing have been
demolished or remade as corporate brands, with ordinary vendors pushed to the edge of the
city. Officials at the Market Supervision Bureau in Kashgar told RFA in March that the Grand
Bazaar was being torn down but declined to answer questions about why and how much of it
had already been bulldozed.
May 2022 |
CHINA-JIANGSU: WUXI CITY OFFERS HUGE HOUSING SUBSIDIES TO ATTRACT HIGH-LEVEL S&T TALENT Reuters (May 12) reported that the industrialised Chinese coastal city of Wuxi in Jiangsu
province is offering Nobel Prize winners up to 10 million yuan ($1.48 million) in housing
subsidies to attract top talent in a national economy that is shifting towards innovation-driven
development. It referred to a local government statement of May 11, which said that home
purchase subsidies of 3 million yuan ($443,203.47) to 10 million yuan ($1.48 million) offered
by two districts in Wuxi for "Category A" talent including Nobel laureates in physics and
chemistry are among the highest in the country. The subsidies are generous in comparison to
average home prices in the city. On average, home prices in Wuxi were 14,224 yuan per square
metre in April, or 1.28 million yuan for a 90-square-metre (969-square-feet) apartment. In
recent years, big cities across China including rising tech hubs in the country's interior have
rolled out incentives such as tax cuts to university graduates in a fierce grab for talent to
upgrade their respective economies. Chief among the incentives are rental or home-purchase
subsidies in cities where property prices have soared and spending on housing eats up a big
chunk of individual incomes. Yan Yuejin, Research Director of Shanghai-based E-house China
and Development Institute was quoted saying "Some other cities have also granted subsidies
for home purchases, but the maximum amount is generally 2 million to 5 million yuan."
May 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING: BEIJING DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF 20TH PARTY CONGRESS The Beijing Daily (May 9) published an article, which mentioned Xi Jinping only twice,
captioned 'The previous meetings of the party are the epitome of the party's century-old history
- the historical contribution of the meeting system of the Communist Party of China' by Han
Qiang, Dean and second-level Professor of the School of Marxism, Beijing Foreign Studies
University, and a Special Researcher at the Beijing Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The article emphasised the importance
of the 20th Party Congress and Party Congresses in general and democratic centralism. Saying
that 'The Party is the core of the leadership of the cause of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, and the Party's leadership is comprehensive leadership, and insisting on
strengthening the Party's leadership is the foundation for the success of China's revolution.'
May 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA USING AI TO BUILD YANGQU DAM ON TIBETAN PLATEAU The South China Morning Post disclosed (May 8) that China is using artificial intelligence to
effectively turn a dam project on the Tibetan Plateau into the world’s largest 3D printer,
according to scientists involved in the project. The 180 metre (590 feet) high Yangqu
hydropower plant will be built slice by slice – using unmanned excavators, trucks, bulldozers,
pavers, and rollers, all controlled by AI – in the same additive manufacturing process used in
3D printing.” When completed the Yangqu hydropower plant will deliver nearly 5 billion
kilowatt hours of electricity each year to Henan province.
May 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET AIRLINES PASSENGER JET CATCHES FIRE WHILE TAKING OFF AT CHONGQING BUT ALL PASSENGERS AND CREW WERE SAFE Al Jazeera (May 12) reported that a Tibet Airlines passenger jet has caught fire after veering
off the runway in China’s Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport as it was preparing to take
11
off at 8:09am local time (00:09 GMT). It said while all passengers and crew were evacuated
safely dozens of people had minor injuries.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CYBER SECURITY: CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE DIRECTED ALL GOVERNMENT, SOES, AND INSTITUTIONS TO REPLACE THEIR CURRENT COMPUTERS WITH DOMESTIC COMPUTERS AND SYSTEMS The Epoch Times (May 5) reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is implementing
a “Safety and Reliability Alliance Program.” The authorities urged all government, state-owned
enterprises, and institutions to hand over all of their current computers and replace them with
domestic computers and systems. The reason is to “prevent foreign forces from stealing
China’s data.” On May 4, some Chinese netizens posted that their working units were urged to
turn in their old computers after May 1 and replace them with new computers and systems
made in China. Since that system is not compatible with Windows software, a Windows
emulator has to be installed. That will result in a 10-year regression in office efficiency. A
netizen from a city in western Henan Province responded that his city has already replaced
their computers with all Hikvision computers, which cost more than 9,000 yuan (RMB, or
$1,360) each. The new computers are very difficult to use and have very little software. In
addition, the authorities require that all units in China finish the replacement within two years.
Hikvision is a Chinese video surveillance equipment manufacturer. The British Financial
Times reported on May 4 that the United States is moving to impose sanctions on Hikvision.
The U.S. accused it of facilitating the CCP’s internal crackdown. Concerning the CCP’s
authorities forcing enterprises and institutions to use domestic computers, some netizens said
it might be related to the ” Safety and Reliability Alliance,” and is probably because of its fear
of U.S. sanctions. According to public information, the predecessor of the “Safety and
Reliability Alliance” was the “Working Committee on Information Technology Application
and Innovation,” which was established in 2016. On January 9, 2019, it was officially changed
to the China Electronics Industry Standardization Technology Association — Safety and
Reliability Working Committee, that includes 14 categories of members, with a total of 180
member units. It’s aim is to “nationalize and automatize control.” The CCP is promoting the
“Safety and Reliability Alliance” to prevent possible sanctions from the United States and
Europe. The authorities require some special enterprises to realize “nationalized substitution”
in 2022. In particular, all provincial governments, important municipal governments, the
financial sector, and the military sector are gradually making replacements with nationalized
facilities. The “Safety and Reliability Alliance” is considered a trillion-dollar market that
involves a huge industrial chain. It is expected that 40 million computers will be replaced
domestically in China.
May 2022 |
CHINA-SECURITY: PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU REVEALS POLICE CASUALTY FIGURES The Police Daily (May 6) published the following data: in 2019-21, 856 police officers and
443 auxiliary officers died on duty and 15,527 police officers and 13,005 auxiliary officers
were injured on duty. In the first Quarter of 2022, 66 police officers and 28 auxiliary officers
died on duty.
May 2022 |
CHINA-SPACE: TIANZHOU-4 POISED FOR LAUNCH TO CHINA'S SPACE STATION ON MAY 10 The South China Morning Post (May 9) reported that the Tianzhou 4, which will be launched
on May 10), will dock with China's space station’s Tianhe core module to supply enough fuel
to maintain its orbital altitude. It will also deliver fresh provisions for the station’s next threeastronaut crew who are expected to arrive at Tianhe in June. It said the launch is the first of six
planned this year and will also carry supplies for materials science, space medicine and
microgravity experiments. The cargo spaceship will remain docked with Tianhe core module
until around the end of the year when the Shenzhou 14 crew return to Earth. It quoted Hao
Chun, Director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, saying “2022 is a decisive year
for the construction of the space station,” and “This year also marks the 30th anniversary for
China’s Manned Space Programme. The completion of the space station and the national space
laboratory is an important goal of the three-step strategy of China’s Manned Space Programme.”
May 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA AERODYNAMICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM CLAIMS TO HAVE TESTED AN ENGINE FOR HYPERSONIC FLIGHT The South China Morning Post (May 11) disclosed that a team at the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre in Mainyang, Sichuan province has tested an air-breathing engine for hypersonic flight – powered by explosions. Researchers say it runs on cheap hydrocarbon fuel and achieved stable operation during a simulated low-altitude flight. They claim their rotating detonation engine could power a plane or missile at five times the speed of sound or faster.
May 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AMCHAM SURVEY OF MAY 2022 FINDS COMPANIES OPERATING IN SHANGHAI HAVE BEEN HARDEST HIT BY COVID The American Chamber of Commerce conducted a 'Flash Survey' in May 2022 to gauge the
mood of businesses in China. Their findings revealed that "companies with operations in
Shanghai have been among the hardest hit, with more than 15% of respondents reporting their
company’s operations in the eastern port city remain fully shut in the wake of the March
COVID-19 outbreak. But the impact is also widespread elsewhere: 59% of respondents report
slowed or reduced production capabilities due to a lack of employees, an inability to get
supplies, or government-ordered lockdowns". It said that "US companies reported a dire
economic picture in China, following COVID-19 outbreaks that have spread across the country
in recent weeks". The report added that "the foreign business community’s confidence in doing
business in China continues to decrease, with all 121 company respondents to the survey saying
they had been negatively impacted by China’s policies concerning the recent outbreak, citing
a range of factors".
May 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S BILATERAL TRADE WITH AFRICA GROWS BY 23 PERCENT TO US$ 64.8 BILLION China’s General Administration of Customs data stated (May 11) that Chinese imports from
Africa increased by 29.3 per cent to US$29.7 billion while exports to Africa rose by 18.2 per
cent to US$35.16 billion during the first three months of 2022.
May 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO UNSC BLAMES NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION FOR WAR IN UKRAINE The South China Morning Post (May 6) reported that on the eve of the anniversary of the 1999
NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, China has again blamed the bloc’s
eastward expansion for the war in Ukraine. Zhang Jun, China’s Ambassador to the United
Nations, made the statement at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine on May
5 more than two months after Russia’s invasion. Zhang Jun repeated Beijing’s position by
calling for a peaceful resolution to the war and for efforts to limit the humanitarian impact of
the war.
May 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA'S IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA INCREASE 56.6 PER CENT IN APRIL OVER MARCH BUT EXPORTS REGISTER 7.7 PERCENT DROP The South China Morning Post (May 9) reported that China’s monthly imports from Russia hit
a record high of US$8.89 billion in April, up 56.6 per cent from a year earlier and 13.3 per cent
higher than March. Exports to Russia, however, dropped by 25.9 per cent from a year earlier
to US$3.8 billion, after a 7.7 per cent year on year fall in March, customs data showed.
May 2022 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT FACT SHEET POSTED ON MAY 5 AMENDS EARLIER STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING WASHINGTON'S 'ONE-CHINA' POSITION ON TAIWAN A fact sheet on Taiwan-U.S. relations posted on the United States Department of State website
on May 5 removed previous statements saying that Washington acknowledged Beijing's "one
China" position and did not support Taiwanese independence. The update was made by the
department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The previous version of the document
opened with the statement: "The United States and Taiwan enjoy a robust unofficial
relationship." It said the U.S. acknowledged "the Chinese position that there is but one China
and Taiwan is part of China," and that the U.S. "does not support Taiwan independence." In
the updated version, however, the acknowledgement of China's position and the U.S. position
on Taiwan independence has been removed, and the document now opens with: "As a leading
democracy and a technological powerhouse, Taiwan is a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific."
The new version still acknowledged that the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is unofficial, and added
that the U.S. "has a longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations
Act, the three US-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances."
May 2022 |
CHINA-US: US OFFICIAL SAYS TAIWAN IS SUBJECT ON 'INTENSE DISCUSSION' BETWEEN U.S. AND EUROPE White House Indo-Pacific policy coordinator Kurt Campbell said (May 10) that there has been
an "unprecedented" level of dialogue recently between the United States and European
countries on Indo-Pacific issues, including discussions about the "critical" importance of
maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He said the subtle message in the recent
dialogue between the U.S. and European countries is that they "have a profound interest across
the board in the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," and that there is
now recognition that it is critical to address "what is necessary to sustain the status quo" in the
Taiwan Strait.
May 2022 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY SECONDS SECOND WARSHIP THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT IN TWO WEEKS Al Jazeera (May 11) reported that the US 7th Fleet said the USS Port Royal, a Ticonderogaclass guided-missile cruiser, sailed near Taiwan “in accordance with international law”. The
PLA Eastern Theatre Command responded that it shadowed the US cruiser on May 10, and
accused the US of showing support for “Taiwan independence secessionist forces”. On Friday,
Beijing sent 18 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. It was the biggest
sortie since January 23, when Beijing sent 39 planes.
May 2022 |
CHINA-FRANCE: XI JINPING TALKS TO FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON ON MAY 10 Xinhua (May 10) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with
French President Macron on May 10, when he said they have maintained close contacts and
China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major independent
countries, should adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations of
"independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win", and adhere to
the positioning of a close and lasting comprehensive strategic partnership.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: CHINA BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF US$ 1.5 BILLION PORT IN CAMBODIA Construction of Cambodia’s third major deep-water port being built at the southern city of
Kompot near the Vietnamese border commenced on May 5. The port project is projected to
cost $1.5 billion and is being built with private investment including from China. The Shanghai
Construction Company and the China Bridge and Road Company are participating in the
project to develop the port which is expected to open by 2025. Speaking at the opening
ceremony on May 5, Vice Prime Minister Chea Sophara said “The multi-purpose port with
have a water depth of nearly 50 feet and will be able to accommodate ships up to 100,000 tons.
They are also planning highway connections including to the nearby capital of Phnom Penh”
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING ON MAY 5 REAFFIRMS "ZERO COVID" POLICY The Politburo Standing Committee in its meeting on May 5, chaired by Chinese President Xi
Jinping, reasserted that it has decided to continue with the "dynamic zero-Covid" policy.
“Persistence is victory” the meeting declared. It said "practice has proven that our prevention
and control policy is determined by the nature and purpose of the Party, our prevention and
control policies can stand the test of history, and our prevention and control measures are
scientific and effective. We have won the battle to defend Wuhan, and we will certainly be able
to win the battle to defend Shanghai". It made no mention of balancing Covid prevention and
the economy. Hinting at discontent in Party ranks, the meeting issued a sharp warning: "We
should have a profound, complete and comprehensive understanding of the epidemic
prevention and control policies set by the Party Central Committee, resolutely overcome the
problems of inadequate understanding, inadequate preparation and inadequate work, resolutely
overcome the ideas of contempt, indifference and self-righteousness, always keep a clear head,
unswervingly adhere to the general policy of dynamic zero-Covid, and resolutely oppose all
distortions, doubts and denials. We will resolutely struggle against all words and deeds that
distort, doubt, and deny our epidemic prevention policies".
Meanwhile, Reuters (May 5) reported that the former Editor-in-Chief of Global Times Hu Xijin
put up a post on May 4 saying: ""Shanghai has fallen," Beijing has to either find less costly
ways of tackling its outbreak or "to tell the whole Chinese society the truth" that disruptive
consequences cannot be avoided. "The former requires wisdom, the latter courage." The post
was swiftly removed and Hu Xijin did not respond to a Reuters request for comment sent to
his Weibo account."
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING ON APRIL 29 WHERE HE AGAIN STRESSES DANGERS OF "BLACK SWAN" AND "GREY RHINO" INCIDENTS Xinhua (April 29) disclosed that Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo on April 29 to analyse and study the current economic situation and economic work, and to review the "National Talent Development Plan during the 14th Five-Year Plan". It also discussed "other matters". The topic of the study session was “regulating and guiding the healthy development of capital in China according to law 依法规范和引导我国资本健康发 展 发挥资本作为重要生产要素的积极作用” and the discussant was Liu Yuanchun, Vice President of Renmin University .The meeting assessed "that since the beginning of this year, in the face of the complex situation of a century of changes and the overlapping of the epidemic in the century, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, all regions and departments have effectively coordinated epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development. It achieved a smooth start and successfully held the Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics. Achievements don't come easily". It acknowledged "that the new crown pneumonia epidemic and the Ukraine crisis have led to increased risks and challenges, the complexity, severity and uncertainty of China's economic development environment have increased, and stable growth, employment, and prices are facing new challenges". Saying it is very important to do a good job of economic work it emphasised the necessity of strengthening confidence, overcoming difficulties, and ensuring that the "major policies and principles of the Party Central Committee are implemented in place". The 9-paragraph Xinhua report said the meeting also stressed that "leading cadres at all levels must have a sense of responsibility of "always restless" in their work, take responsibility for their actions, seek truth and be pragmatic, and prevent all kinds of "black swan" and "grey rhino" incidents from happening. Party committees and governments at all levels must unite and lead the cadres and the masses to make concerted efforts and tenacious efforts to welcome the victory of the 20th Party Congress with practical actions". The meeting also said that more corruption cases are coming, and there may be more headline risk ahead for platform companies.
(Comment: Interestingly China's provincial newspapers all commented on the spirit of the recent Politburo meeting on economic work. They stressed the "directions from the top" that "epidemic must be prevented, the economy must be stabilized, and development must be safe." Meanwhile, on May 2, the People's Daily's main article main article was about how Xi Jinping talks about "struggle" while the same day it also published a Commentary on economic work where it stressed that "As long as the new development concept is.. implemented, .. and technological self-reliance is accelerated, we will .. improve the competitiveness and sustainability of China's development.")
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SUN SHAOCHENG APPOINTED NEW PARTY SECRETARY OF INNER MONGOLIA Sun Shaocheng (b 1960) has been appointed Party Secretary of Inner Mongolia, replacing Shi
Taifeng (b 1956). From March 2018 onwards, he was the Party Secretary of the Department of
Veteran Affairs and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Military-Civilian Integration
Development Committee. Sun Shaocheng worked in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for years and
was the Deputy Governor of Shandong province from 2012-17.
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ALLY 65-YEAR SHI TAIFENG APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF CASS 65-year old Shi Taifeng, a close ally of President Xi Jinping, was on April 30 appointed head
of China's largest government think-tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
He was Party Secretary of Inner Mongolia since 2019. Shi Taifeng was also Vice President of
the Central Party School when Xi headed the cadre-training academy between 2007 and 2012.
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: TAIWAN'S NATIONAL SECURITY BUREAU CLAIMS DESPITE WIDESPREAD DISSATISFACTION XI JINPING FACES NO CHALLENGE AT 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Bloomberg (April 28) cited Taiwan's National Security Bureau officials as telling Taiwan's legislators that Chinese President Xi Jinping isn’t facing a challenge to his rule from a public that’s grown increasingly frustrated at strict Covid controls, although he is taking a hit to his reputation. They said measures to address the latest virus outbreaks have posed increased “political security risk” to Xi’s government, but “there haven’t been large-scale protests under the tight control of the Chinese Communist Party.” The report added “At the current stage, there’s no obvious internal force in the CCP to challenge Xi.” “With the Covid situation in Shanghai among other areas gradually under control, it’s believed that Xi’s power status is not shaken yet.” Separately, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said the reliance on lockdowns to tame flareups has led to a large number of complaints that “will hit the credibility of the CCP leader and his confidants, forming policy pressure.”
May 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLES ENCOURAGE PARTY BUILDING An entire page in the People's Daily (May 5) encouraged the building of a "scholarly" political
consultative conference by promoting members' reading activities so they can perform their
duties "accurately and effectively". Another People's Daily (May 5) article on party-building
insisted that the party must be built wherever the people are and cover all areas of the people's
needs. It said, "use party building to integrate the forces of all parties in the community".
May 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: MAJOR CHINESE OFFICIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT EFFORTS TO TACKLE PANDEMIC The Guangming Daily (May 5) published an article captioned "Make "dynamic clearing" a conscious action". It tried to distinguish between "zero COVID" and "dynamic clearing" and made the point that the "key lies in smooth logistics and transportation" to ensure peoples livelihood. It quoted Wu Zunyou, Chief Epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as saying that there is an essential difference between "dynamic clearing" and "zero infection". He said "Dynamic clearing" is to find and eliminate the new crown pneumonia epidemic that has occurred. The earlier the epidemic is discovered and the smaller the scale of the epidemic, the easier it is to achieve "dynamic clearing". As the most economical and effective prevention and control strategy to control the new crown pneumonia epidemic, "dynamic clearing" is in line with the current law of epidemic transmission. The Omicron variant is highly contagious, spreads fast, and spreads secretly, but as long as the bottom line of "dynamic clearing" is kept, the space for virus transmission can be compressed to the maximum extent and the defense line of public safety can be maintained. Obviously, the sooner the epidemic is detected, the easier it is to achieve "dynamic clearing" at the least cost. It called for transforming "dynamic clearing" into a "conscious action".
Separately the Procuratorial Daily (May 5) carried a lengthy article where it disclosed that the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) have jointly compiled and issued the Law on Punishing and Obstructing the Order of Epidemic Prevention and Control and published six typical cases of obstruction to epidemic prevention and control. Among the 6 cases, it said some still took public transportation such as bullet trains and online car-hailing vehicles to go home across the province after receiving the notification of a positive nucleic acid test, causing their wives and online car-hailing drivers to contract new coronary pneumonia. Another case was where someone violated closed-loop regulations at the international container terminal in Yantai.
May 2022 |
CHINA-CDIC: PBSC MEMBER AND CDIC CHAIRMAN ZHAO LEJI CHAIRS CDIC STUDY SESSION Chairing a Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) Standing Committee meeting on
April 26 on "practicing the people-centered development philosophy and unswervingly
developing people's democracy in the whole process", PBSC Member and CDIC Chairman
Zhao Leji described "the vivid practice of the party's mass viewpoint and mass line"
May 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN MAYOR LIAO GUOXUN DIES AT 59 YEARS Liao Guoxun, Mayor of Tianjin, died at 59 after a sudden illness, according to the
Municipality’s Tianjin Daily. It said on its WeChat account on April 28 that Liao Guoxun, who
was also the Tianjin Municipality Deputy Party Secretary, had died a day earlier. He was last
seen in public on April 25, along with Tianjin party chief Li Hongzhong and other officials at
a meeting about curbing pollution. At the meeting Liao Guoxun was quoted by Tianjin Daily
as having said “[We] must resolutely implement Xi Jinping’s thoughts on ecological
civilisation … and fight the battle for blue sky, clean water and earth with greater determination,
strong strength, and higher standards”. He was appointed Deputy Mayor of Tianjin in 2020.
He was an associate of Li Zhanshu, PBSC member and Chairman of the National People’s
Congress, who worked in Guizhou in 2012. While in Zhejiang, he also worked with Xia
Baolong, who now oversees Hong Kong affairs.
(Comment: An ethnic Tujia, Liao Guoxun was a CCP cadre on the fast track and with his
connection to Li Zhanshu would have been in line for elevation at the 20th Party Congress.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY VISITS BREWERY TO CHECK EPIDEMIC CONTROL MEASURES Tianjin Daily reported (May 3) that Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong inspected Yifeng
District and "randomly" visited a Bavarian Brewery to learn about its management and
epidemic control measures. During the visit he also emphasised "market-oriented operations".
May 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHEJIANG PARTY SECRETARY INSPECTS NINGHAI, XIANGSHAN, YINZHOU ETC ON APRIL 27-28 The Zhejiang daily (April 28) reported that Zhejiang Party Secretary Yang Jiajun visited
Ninghai, Xiangshan, Yinzhou and other places from April 27-28 to inspect urban and rural
communities and the "big comprehensive integration" administrative law enforcement reform
work. He emphasized that it is necessary to thoroughly implement the spirit of General
Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on grassroots governance, fully implement the
decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, adhere to, and strengthen the
party's overall leadership.
May 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: SIKYONG MEETS US SPL COORDINATOR FOR TIBET UZRA ZEYA AND KURT CAMPBELL OF NSC IN WASHINGTON The Sikyong of the Central Tibet Administration in Dharamshala, Penpa Tsering paid a
courtesy call on the US Special Coordinator for Tibet Ms Uzra Zeya on April 25, 2022, at the
State Department’s office. He was accompanied by Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup of
the Office of Tibet in Washington DC and Abbot Zeekyab Rinpoche representing Tashi
Lhunpo monastery, as the day also commemorates the 33rd birth anniversary of Tibet’s 11th
Panchen Lama. The same day the Sikyong Penpa Tsering also met Kurt Campbell, Coordinator
for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the US National Security Council.
May 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:CHINA'S IMPORTANT 'CENTRAL FINANCE AND ECONOMICS COMMITTEE' MET ON APRIL 26 China's "News Network" on April 26, reported on the 11th meeting of the Central Finance and Economics Committee held at a time when China faces serious problems in its economy and economic growth. The meeting was chaired by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Central Financial and Economic Commission and those attending included: Premier Li Keqiang, Deputy Director of the Central Financial and Economic Commission; Wang Huning, Member of the Central Financial and Economic Commission; and Han Zheng, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Member of the Central Financial and Economic Commission. The Central Financial and Economic Commission has held a total of 11 meetings since March 2018, when the CCP CC issued the "Plan for Deepening the Reform of Party and State Institutions", which clearly proposed to change the Central Finance and Economics Leading Group to the "Central Finance and Economics Committee". According to "News Network", at this meeting, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Water Resources and other departments also reported on the issue of comprehensively strengthening infrastructure construction. Xi Jinping heard their reports. The meeting of the Central Finance and Economics Committee said: (i) "China's infrastructure has not yet met the needs of national development and security "; and (ii) that "comprehensively strengthening infrastructure construction will ensure national security , smooth domestic circulation, promote domestic and international dual circulation, expand domestic demand, and promote High- quality development, which is of great significance.” It added there is still room for improvement in infrastructure construction. The meeting of the Central Finance and Economics Committee on April 26, clarified "It is necessary to be moderately advanced , the layout of infrastructure that is conducive to leading industrial development and maintaining national security , and at the same time grasp the degree of advanced construction ." The meeting emphasized that it is necessary to coordinate the two major issues of development and safety, firmly establish bottom-line thinking, effectively strengthen the ability to predict and early warning of major risks , and have practical and effective response plans and specific actionable measures. It urged all regions and departments to accurately understand the spirit of the Central Financial and Economic Commission's decision-making, take the initiative to take responsibility and act actively, and jointly promote the implementation of the decision-making and deployment. The meeting also mentioned the need to guide market expectations, clarify policy orientation and principles, and stabilize market confidence.
(Comment: Details of the dates and subjects of the previous 10 meetings are as follows: (i) April 2, 2018 --Study the ideas and measures to fight the three tough battles, and study and approve the "Working Rules of the Central Financial and Economic Commission"; (ii) July 13, 2018 -- Research on improving the innovation ability of key core technologies; (iii) October 10, 2018 -- Research on improving my country's natural disaster prevention and control ability and planning and construction of Sichuan-Tibet railway; (iv) April 22, 2019 -- Studying the problems of building a well-off society in an all-round way to make up for shortcomings and the implementation of the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference; (v) August 26, 2019 -- Research on regional economic layout issues that promote the formation of complementary advantages and high-quality development, and issues of improving industrial basic capabilities and industrial chain levels; (vi) January 3, 2020 -- Studying the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, and promoting the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle; (vii) April 10, 2020 -- Research on several major issues related to the national medium and long-term economic and social development strategy; (viii) September 9, 2020 -- Study the issues of smoothing the national economic cycle and the construction of a modern circulation system, and study the implementation of the decisions and arrangements of the Central Finance and Economics Committee since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China; (ix) March 15, 2021 -- Research the basic ideas and main measures to promote the healthy development of the platform economy and achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality; (x) August 17, 2021 -- Study the issue of solidly promoting common prosperity, study the issue of preventing and resolving major financial risks, and doing a good job of financial stability and development.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-NATIONAL SECURITY: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES UNUSUAL ARTICLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL CHARGED WITH TRYING TO "SPLIT" THE COUNTRY AS A WARNING The People's Daily (May 3)published an article captioned 'Ma Moumou is suspected of inciting secession and subversion of state power'! It said the relevant departments had disclosed that "Ma Moumou, male, was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang in 1985, and is currently the manager of the R&D department of a technology company. For a long time, he accepted the "brainwashing" of foreign anti-China hostile forces online, and regarded active foreign hostile elements as "life mentors". Ma Moumou not only acted as a domestic agent of foreign hostile forces and incited to split the country, but also established illegal organizations, formulated a "political program", incited subversion of state power, and even made the group of young students as the main target of incitement and incitement, and encouraged students to participate in smearing the motherland and national activities. Since March 2022, Ma Moumou has used his professional expertise on the Internet to create an anonymous online group, wantonly distorted and fabricated facts, tried his best to spread all kinds of rumours and information, published the so-called "Declaration of Independence", incited secession of the country, incited subversion of state power, and acted as a foreigner." "Ma Moumou has repeatedly threatened that his ultimate goal is to subvert state power. To this end, he has gradually escalated his behaviour as a "traitor", set out to formulate an anti-propaganda program, and even prepared to establish a "Continental Provisional Congress", entrusting relevant personnel to formulate a so-called "legal system", claiming that "To overthrow the Chinese government with the help of foreign forces". Ma Moumou's above-mentioned behaviour has caused serious harm to China's national security and social stability. The Internet is not a place outside the law, and relevant departments are investigating it according to law, and will definitely find out its illegal and criminal activities in an all-round way and deal with it according to law. Anyone who attempts to harm the interests of national development, endanger national security, or betray the motherland and nation will be severely punished by the law".
May 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW WTC ARMY POLITICAL COMMISSAR APPOINTED The appointment of Lt. General Wang Zhibin as the new Political Commissar of the WTC
Army was made public on April 25. His predecessor Lt. General Xu Deqing was appointed
Political Commissar of the Central Theatre Command in January 2022.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: MAJOR AMENDMENT IN PLA RULES WILL ALLOW LOWER RANKS TO "SUPERVISE" SENIOR OFFICERS The South China Morning Post quoting the PLA Daily reported (April 29) that the Rule for
servicemen committees has been amended in line with ‘Xi Jinping Thought’. It quoted experts
saying this is a revival of grass roots democracy and attempt to activate the old ‘red genes’ of
the Red Army. The amended regulation for servicemen committees was approved by the
Central Military Commission (CMC) and will take effect from May 1. It provides that lower- ranked officers in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will soon have more scope to supervise senior brass, under new rules that experts say are aimed at better securing the Chinese military’s loyalty to President Xi Jinping. The CMC General Office maintained that the amendment aims to bring the rules in line with “Xi Jinping Thought”.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: FOLLOWING CHINA'S DECISION TO SEND J-20 AIRCRAFT TO CONDUCT NORMAL PATROLS IN THE EAST CHINA SEA THE USAF BEGAN SENDING F-15C FIGHTERS ARMED WITH AIM-120C AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES Chinese news site Sina recently reported, based on a Global Times social media posting, that
the U.S. military stationed in Japan dispatched several F-15C fighter jets carrying live air-toair missiles to conduct combat air patrols in the airspace near Taiwan. Mainland China
announced very recently that it would allow the Chinese J-20 stealth fighters to conduct normal
combat patrols in the East China Sea. That led the United States to decide to show its muscles
and send a military signal to China. Taiwanese media reported that eye witnesses provided
pictures showing the F-15C fighter jets of the U.S. Air Force had flown back to Kadena Air
Force Base in Japan carrying AIM-120C advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and AIM9 live rounds of Sidewinder missiles. An unnamed source confirmed that the F-15C fighter
group, supported by two KC-135 aerial tankers, returned to the Kadena Base after a seven-hour
mission. The purpose was to carry out a combat air patrol mission in the airspace near Taiwan.
This was the response after six U.S. congressmen visited Taiwan on April 14th and China later
announced military exercises. U.S. fighter jets carry live ammunition only when they conduct
quick response alerts or actual combat missions. This recent move was rather unusual.
Afterwards, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense responded by emphasizing
that, when defending national sovereignty and security, the People’s Liberation Army has
always been brave and good at “showing the sword.”
May 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV TELECAST A COMMENTARY AND VIDEO CLIP OF A JH-17 PILOT CHASING A FOREIGN WARSHIP On April 26, state broadcaster CCTV published a documentary in which People’s Liberation
Army pilots of the “Flying Leopard” (Xi’an JH-7) fighter planes chase a foreign warship that
had sailed close to what was referred to in the video as “Chinese territorial waters.” The 3.50
minute video clip's commentary quoted the PLAAF pilot: “This is the Chinese PLA Air Force.
You have entered a restricted area, leave immediately or face the consequences!” JH-7 fighter bombers recently warned away a foreign vessel that was about to trespass into Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea. It quoted the pilot, Gao Zengsong, as saying “I could see the foreign vessel’s movement on my radar, and we were ready to pull the trigger”. The foreign vessel soon left the area, and the mission was a success.
May 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE SEIZES RS 5551 CRORES OF FUNDS FROM XIAOMI INDIA FOR FEMA VIOLATIONS India's Enforcement Directorate announced on April 30 that it had "seized" funds worth over
Rs 5,551 crore of the Chinese mobile manufacturing company Xiaomi India for violating the
Indian foreign exchange law, FEMA. It said the action has been taken against Xiaomi
Technology India Private Limited. The company (also called Xiaomi India) is a trader and
distributor of mobile phones in the country under the brand name of MI. Its statement said:
“Xiaomi India is wholly owned subsidiary of China-based Xiaomi group. This amount of Rs
5,551.27 crore lying in the bank accounts of the company has been seized by the Enforcement
Directorate”.
May 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: 2000 CHINESE LEAVE PAKISTAN FROM KARACHI FOLLOWING KILLING OF THREE CHINESE NATIONALS IN TERRORIST ATTACK ON APRIL 26 After the 31-year old teacher and mother of two, Shari Baloch, blew herself up in front of a
van carrying Chinese teachers near the Confucius Institute in the southern seaport city of
Karachi on April 26, killing at least three Chinese nationals along with their Pakistani driver,
China asked Pakistan to step up security but many Chinese began leaving Pakistan. Tweets by
Pakistanis were quoted by ANI on April 30 as saying that almost 2000 Chinese are leaving
Pakistan from Karachi after 3 Chinese nationals and one Pakistani citizen were killed in a
suicide attack by a Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) at Karachi University on April 26. A video
is going viral on social media showing a large number of Chinese in PPE kits leaving from
Karachi Airport. The Tweets express concern that this could slow down the CPEC projects.
May 2022 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER GENERAL WEI FENGHE VISITS TEHRAN Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe visited Tehran on April 27 and met Iranian
President Raisi. General Wei Fenghe told Raisi:“My visit is an important visit with the
backdrop of a volatile global situation. The Chinese army is willing to keep strategic
communications with the Iranian side and to use the co-operation mechanism to promote
pragmatic co-operation and elevate the relationship between the two armies to a higher
level.” Raisi thanked China for its support and assistance in times of difficulty and expressed
his hope that the two nations could expand the scope of their co-operation, including militarily.
(Comment: Wei Fenghe is the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Iran since the two sides
signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement last year to further improve bilateral
ties.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-US: PENTAGON RECTIFIES ERROR IN CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTRY READ-OUT OF TELEPHONE CALL BETWEEN U.S. DEFENCE SECRETARY AND CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER US Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on May 5 in a press briefing clarified that on May 4
the US Defence Secretary had a phone call with the PRC Minister of National Defense. The
PRC Ministry of National Defense published a readout which erroneously claimed that "the
United States adheres to the one-China principle." He stated that the Secretary did not say this.
May 2022 |
CHINA-US: IMPORTANT ARTICLE BY KUNLUN POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON WAR IN UKRAINE AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON CHINA An article on the Ukraine war and its potential impact on China captioned 'Learning to live
under the containment of the West—Influence and Enlightenment of the Ukraine War' by
Zhang Zhikun of the PLA-affiliated Kunlun Policy Research Institute highlighted the acute
concern of the CCP's upper echelons of China being targeted by the U.S. with sanctions.
Published on April 29, the article states that the international order is actually the result of a
"violent, barbaric and bloody colonial expansion of Western countries that made the global
map what it is today. The crazy colonial expansion movement allowed Western whites to invade and occupy all parts of the world, and let their descendants rule for generations."
Claiming that "The Ukrainian war marks that Russia has finished a round and has made huge
gains", the article assessed that "in the coming period, the United States and the West will focus
on how to oust Putin and create various political "revolutionary" movements in Russia; they
will focus on containing Russia, intensifying the surrounding geopolitical competition, and
attacking Russia's weaknesses, such as winning over Finland." It maintained that the US-Russia
confrontation will intensify "the basic strategy of the United States' "strategic competition" is
to weaken Russia and contain China at the same time". It averred "the United States will pay
more attention to consolidating and strengthening the achievements made in containing and
containing China in the previous period, and strictly prevent China from taking the opportunity
to break through the encirclement". Under such conditions, it said, "China's relations with
Western countries will become more precarious, and close economic and trade ties, personnel
exchanges, financial ties, etc...may be broken at any time". It apprehended that
"Comprehensive and all-round containment of China by the hegemonic bloc with the United
States at its core is inevitable. Sanctions and blockades of China may happen at any time”. It
exhorted that "To this end, all patriotic Chinese must drop all illusions about the United States
and the West, get rid of their dependence on Western blocs in all important relationships, and
smash their control in all key technologies. It has come and gone in this way, and New China
should continue to walk in the past and go into the future in this way!"
May 2022 |
CHINA-US: RENMIN UNIVERSITY ANALYSES IMPLICATIONS OF RUSSIANUKRAINE CONFLICT Renmin University Prof. Yang Guangbin published an article captioned: "The world order after
the Russian-Ukrainian conflict: Americans eat meat, and the Chinese eat grass?" on May 2, on
the widely read Chinese portal guancha. Briefly, Yang Guangbin argued that the Soviet Union
"was the first country established.. to resist the global capitalist system". Ultimately, under
Gorbachev, it tried to integrate itself twice into this system (in 1986 and after disintegration),
but Yang Guangbin said these attempts "failed". As a result, Russia "had to contend with the
US in the form of the Russian-Ukrainian war". He even describes the Russian-Ukrainian war
as the "second major rebellion" after the "October Revolution". Yang Guangbin takes a long
view, beginning in 1875 when the capitalist system was formed. He points out that the AngloSaxon system is at "the top of the food chain," quoting Obama as having said that "if 1.4 billion
Chinese attain American standards of living, Americans can only eat grass". Thus, Yang Guangbin maintains, "the US must use all means to suppress China". He listed the
consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war as: (i) US attention has been diverted from AsiaPacific; (ii) EU has no security competition with China, more trade but also, they must respect
China's bottom line (points to Lithuania); (iii) US gained hard power at the expense of soft
power; (iv) US has lost its moral high ground. Yang Guangbin further asserts on Russia, that
"China will be a source for the recovery and development of the Russian economy". He adds
that these trends are "undoubtedly a strategic opportunity for China's development" but China
"needs to adhere to its own strategic roadmap". Prof. Yang Guangbin closes with a sense of
optimistic inevitability, saying that "China is too big, and as it develops, the world will naturally
change with it." This is even though "countries at the top of the food chain will not wait for the
development of a world-class China".
May 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FORMER JAPAN DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER STRESSES URGENCY OF U.S., JAPAN AND ROK DRAWING VISIBLE RED LINES IN EAST ASIA Takatoshi Ito, former Japanese Deputy Vice Minister of Finance and presently a professor at
the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a Senior Professor
at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, in an article in the Straits Times
(May 3), quoted former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent urging that the US should
end its policy of "strategic ambiguity" over Taiwan and make it crystal clear that it would
defend the island against any attempted Chinese invasion. He added that if the US does not
adopt Abe's proposal, which is likely, then only the prospect of US economic sanctions might
deter China from invading Taiwan. That is why the success of the current Western-led
economic and financial sanctions against Russia is vital. Such deterrence, he said, is crucial to
East Asia's stability. Stating that Japan also feels threatened by China, as armed Chinese coast
guard vessels regularly circle the Senkaku Islands and occasionally encroach on Japanese
territorial waters, Takatoshi Ito asked "what would the Japanese and US governments do if
China suddenly occupied the islands? He said the US, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan must
now focus on where to draw their red lines in East Asia, and effectively communicate these,
loudly or quietly, to Russia, North Korea, and China. Given the increasing tensions created by
these three powers, the necessary boundaries - and the price that will be paid if they are crossed
- must be made visible"
May 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE PURCHASES OF RUSSIAN CRUDE AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ARE 86,000 BARRELS A DAY HIGHER THIS MONTH THAN AVERAGE OF LAST YEAR The Financial Times (May 5) reported that “China’s purchases of Russian crude and petroleum
products are about 86,000 barrels a day higher this month than they were on average last year"
according to Kpler, a commodity data analytics firm. It added that China’s independent refiners
have been discreetly buying Russian oil at steep discounts as western countries suspend their
own purchases and explore potential embargoes because of the war in Ukraine. An official at
a Shandong-based independent refinery said it had not publicly reported deals with Russian oil
suppliers since the Ukraine war started in order to avoid attracting scrutiny and being hit by
US sanctions. The official added that the refinery had taken over some of the purchase quota
for Russian crude from state-owned commodity trading firms, which are seen to represent
Beijing and have mostly declined to sign new supply contracts
May 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: XINHUA RELEASES ITS INTERVIEW WITH UKRAINE'S FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA AFTER A MONTH'S DELAY The Xinhua News Agency published (May 1) a lengthy interview with Ukraine's Foreign
Minister Dmytro Kuleba that it conducted a month ago! In the interview, captioned 'Ukraine's
foreign minister: Russia's invasion of Ukraine undermines the Belt and Road Initiative', Kubela
makes his full case against Russia, declares the war is detrimental to China BRI and says
Ukraine would like to have China as one of the guarantors of its future security.
(Comment: It is interesting that the interview conducted by Xinhua a month earlier has been
released only now! The English version has not yet noticed to have been issued. The interview's
delayed publication points to serious discussions at the higher echelons of the CCP on China's
stance on Russia's war in Ukraine. It could even presage a change. Xinhua, incidentally,
conducted an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov around the same time, which
was published.)
May 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS HAINAN Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared in public when he visited Hainan province on April 10
and 11 accompanied by Liu He, Ding Xuexiang, and He Lifeng. He was in Wuzhishan City on
April 11, and successively inspected the Wuzhishan area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest
National Park and Mauna Village and Shuiman Township. Xinhua (April 12) emphasised his
remarks that "The rural revitalization work must be done in a solid and down-to-earth manner.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDED OVER A STATE COUNCIL MEETING ON APRIL 13 The state-owned CCTV (April 13) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an
executive meeting of the State Council on April 13 to discuss policies and measures to promote
consumption, help stabilize the economic fundamentals and ensure the improvement of
people's livelihood. It decided to further increase policy support such as export tax rebates to
promote the stable development of foreign trade; and measures to increase financial support
for the real economy to guide the reduction of financing costs for market players. The meeting
pointed out that consumption has a lasting driving force for the economy and is related to
ensuring and improving people's livelihood.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE LEADERSHIP'S DOMESTIC TOURS At the same time Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was in Jiangxi and Zhao Leji was on inspection
in Hunan. During his inspection of Jiangxi province, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will visit the
Weilu Water Conservation Project; Nanchang Cross-border E-commerce Business Park;
Dingjia Village - inspecting agriculture (here: rice); and Geely's new energy vehicles.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-PARTY CONGRESS: 2Oth PARTY CONGRESS TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER A Hongkong paper was cited by Nikkei Asia as reporting that the 20th Party Congress is to be
held in November 2022.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-NATIONAL SECURITY: QIU SHI HIGHLIGHTS XI JINPING'S CONTRIBUTION TO ENSURING NATIONAL SECURITY A Commentator's article in China's leading Party theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth)
on April 14 highlighted that "Under the personal planning, deployment and promotion of
General Secretary Xi Jinping, and under the scientific guidance of the overall national security
concept, national security in the new era has made historic achievements. National security has
been comprehensively strengthened, the national security system has been basically formed,
the national security capability has been significantly improved, the people's defense line has
been strengthened, and the national security awareness of the whole people has been
significantly enhanced. Resolutely safeguard regime security, institutional security, and
ideological security, resist and counter extreme external suppression and containment, push the
situation in Hong Kong to achieve a major transition from chaos to governance, carry out indepth struggles involving Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, and the sea, and make steady progress.
Promoting the border and enriching the people, stabilizing the border and consolidating the
border, properly handling surrounding security risks, and the anti-infiltration, anti-terrorism
and anti-separatist struggles have been fruitful." Exhorting cadres it said, "we must grasp the
key to "overall". We must establish the concept of big security, integrating politics, military,
land, economy, finance, culture, society, technology, network, food, ecology, resources,
nuclear, overseas interests, space, deep sea, polar regions, biology, artificial intelligence, data,
etc."
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CCP AND U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES A lengthy article in Guangming Daily (April 13) titled "Adhering to the supremacy of the
people is a distinguishing mark of the Chinese Communist Party from Western political
parties" took the History Resolution as its starting point. It pointed out inter alia that "Western
political parties represent the interests of various monopoly groups and safeguard the interests
of the minority. In the face of the epidemic, whether or not to put the safety and health of the
people at the top of the list is one of the significant differences between the Chinese Communist
Party and Western political parties. China's anti-epidemic practice has proved that the Chinese
Communist Party cares about the people and will spare no expense for the safety and health of
the people. This is absolutely impossible for Western political parties that pursue capital first
and vote first."
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: THEORETICAL PARTY BUILDING CONFERENCE HELD IN INNER MONGOLIA The Party Building Research Base of New Era Inner Mongolia Universities, the School of
Marxism of Shanghai Normal University, and the Research Base of the Integration of
Ideological and Political Courses for Universities, Middle Schools and Primary Schools in
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region jointly sponsored an online theoretical conference on
"Study and Implement the Spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee
of the Party" on April 9.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: THE HENAN PROVINCIAL DIC PUBLISHED AN INTERESTING ARTICLE STRESSING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORDINARY CHINESE CITIZENS AND PARTY MEMBERS The Henan Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision published (April
13) an interesting article on "civil rights" and the transfer by "Party members and public
officials of some of their personal rights for the benefit of all Chinese people and the entire
Chinese nation". The article stressed the need for Party members to voluntarily transfer some
of their civil rights when they join a party organization or enter a public office, so as to perform
the obligations and duties of party members and public officials. It acknowledged that, "in
practice, there are still problems of unclear understanding and inaccurate grasp of the transfer
of civil rights by party members and public officials". Stating it is necessary to clear
misunderstandings, it said "There is a view that party members and public officials, as citizens
of the country, enjoy all legal rights on an equal basis with other citizens, and the transfer of
party rights lacks a legal basis and violates the spirit of the rule of law. This understanding is
one-sided and wrong". It asserted "There are no absolute rights in the world, and the
inviolability and restriction of legal rights go hand in hand." It said, "the transfer of rights of
party members should not be equal to everyone and that, according to the regulations, leading
cadres should report personal matters closely related to family affairs and family property, and
cadres at the township level and below are not within the scope of the regulations that must be
reported". It also distinguished between ordinary citizens who have the freedom to drive luxury
cars and wear famous watches, and party members some of whom "live extravagant lives, talk
about pomp and ostentation, and violate the principles of integrity and self-discipline and the
spirit of the eight central regulations on thrift and luxury, hardship and simplicity, and diligence
and thrift."
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER DOCUMENTS REGARDING SEAT ALLOCATIONS FOR 14TH NPC NEXT YEAR The NPC Standing Committee will consider three documents relating to the 14th NPC elections.
Two concern the allocation of seats in the 14th NPC: one would allocate all 3,000 seats among
the 35 electoral units (i.e., the 31 mainland provinces, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and the
Chinese military), and the other would more specifically allocate the 360 seats reserved for
ethnicity minorities among the 55 officially recognized minority groups and relevant electoral
units. The third document lays down rules for selecting the delegation purportedly representing
Taiwan in the 14th NPC. The document is likely to create an ad hoc “consultative election
meeting” consisting of representatives of “compatriots of Taiwanese ancestry” who hail from
all mainland provinces, central Party and state organs, and the military. The meeting is expected
to convene next January to select the 13 delegates who will make up the Taiwanese delegation.
The NPCSC is expected to approve all three documents at the upcoming session.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GUIZHOU PROVINCE LEGISLATIVE PLAN FOR 2022 INCLUDES "SOCIAL CREDIT REGULATIONS" Guizhou province's legislative plan for 2022 published on April 8 includes "social credit
regulations". The 'Guizhou Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee 2022 Legislative
Plan' was adopted at the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th Guizhou
Provincial People's Congress on January 11, 2022. The detailed notice disclosed that the
'Guizhou Province Social Credit Regulations (Draft)' is among eight regulations being
reviewed by the Standing Committee of the 13th Provincial People's Congress.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA GRAPPLING WITH INSUFFICIENT JOBS FOR GRADUATES THIS YEAR According to Caixin (April 12) China's Ministry of Education reported that 10.76 million
Chinese students are expected to leave college campuses this year, the largest group of
graduates in China's history and 1.67 million more than last year. According to leading
recruitment service Zhaopin.com, job openings for new graduates declined 4.5% in the first
quarter this year from a year ago. The gap between college graduates' job expectations and the
market's demands is visible. Data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security
(MHRSS) showed that manufacturing accounted for the largest portion, 38.7%, of demand for
talent in China, followed by the wholesale and retail sectors. But college graduates' most
desirable jobs are mostly in sectors including internet and communications, real estate and
construction, culture and media, and finance, data from Zhaopin.com showed. Graduates are
either unwilling or unable to do jobs in sectors that have the most urgent needs for workers,
analysts said. A 2021 survey by recruitment site 51job.com showed that 39% of students from
China's top-ranking universities preferred state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in their job hunts,
reflecting risk aversion and a desire for stability, according to Feng Lijun, a human resources
expert at 51job.com.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PREMIER ISSUES THIRD WARNING IN A WEEK ABOUT RISKS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH Bloomberg (April 12) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had issued a third warning
about economic growth risks in less than a week, suggesting heightened concern about the
outlook as widespread Covid lockdowns disrupt production and spending. At a seminar on
April 11, he said authorities should “add a sense of urgency” when implementing existing
policies and that China will study and adopt stronger economic policies as needed to support
the economy.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CCP CC ISSUES DOCUMENT REGARDING 'DUAL CIRCULATION' The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council jointly
on April 10 issued a key document titled “Opinions about accelerating the establishment of a
unified domestic market” that prescribed new measures to break down local protectionism and
other blockages that restrict local consumption. The document was to clarify issues concerning
'dual circulation' and promote it.
(Comment: The dual circulation strategy was first announced in May 2020 by the Politburo
Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and later revised by Xi to
prioritize “internal circulation.”)
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S EXPORTS TO RUSSIA DROP COMPARED TO LAST YEAR Bloomberg (April 13) reported that Chinese firms sold $3.8 billion worth of goods to Russia
in March, official data showed Wednesday, a 7.7% drop from a year earlier. That was the
lowest amount since May 2020, when global trade was badly affected by the outbreak of Covid19.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NOMURA SAYS CHINA FACING 'RISK OF RECESSION' Nomura Securities (April 14) says China is facing a "rising risk of recession", with as many as
45 cities now implementing either full or partial lockdowns, making up 26.4% of the country's
population and 40.3% of its GDP.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FINANCIAL AUTHORITIES PLAN FOR MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS OVER NEXT TEN YEARS China's Zhang Han Financial magazine on April 9 published an article on what plans China
should have for the anticipated 400 million middle income earners in 10 years.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: SHANGHAI PLACED IN LOCKDOWN FROM MARCH 28 China's largest Covid outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic has struck Shanghai and
the number of infections are already overwhelming hospitals and medical staff compelling
authorities to reverse policy and place the city of 26 million inhabitants under lockdown. All
26 million residents are to be tested in the coming weeks. According to the Associated Press,
the lockdown provides that citizens in locked-down areas, except for those providing essential
services, will not be allowed to leave their neighbourhoods; Offices and all businesses not
considered essential will be closed and public transport suspended; and Deliveries will be left
at special checkpoints.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SIX U.S. SENATORS ARRIVE IN TAIWAN ON APRIL 14 IN SHOW OF SUPPORT TO TAIWAN Reuters (April 14) reported that six US Senators, including the Chairman of the U.S. Senate
Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez, landed in Taiwan on April 14 for a previously
unannounced visit, in a show of support to the island in the face of Chinese pressure. They
arrived by a special US Aircraft and were received by Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
The Senators include Lindsey Graham, Burr, Rob Portman, Sasse and Representative Ronny
Jackson.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: COINCIDING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S VISIT TO INDIA CHINA SUGGESTS INDIAN FORCES WITHDRAW FROM PP15 AND PP16 TO KARAM SINGH POST The Indian Express (April 10) reported that around the time Chinese Foreign Minister Wang
Yi visited India last month, Beijing sent Delhi a proposal on disengagement of troops from
Patrolling Point 15 in the Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh. The proposal was rejected by
India. It said Government sources said China proposed that Indian troops, who have been in an
eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with Chinese troops at PP 15 for almost two years now, move
back to the Karam Singh Post between PP 16 and PP 17 and in return the Chinese would move
their troops to just behind the LAC. It quoted sources saying this was unacceptable because
China's claim line and India's understanding of the LAC intersect at PP15. It would also mean
that Indian troops move back several kilometres while Chinese troops move back very little.
One officer said, "While they will move back to just behind PP 15, they are asking us to
relinquish even PP 16 which has never been claimed by the Chinese". They added that PP 15
has come into contention only now and never in the past.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-SERBIA: SIX CHINESE PLAAFTRANSPORT AIRCRAFT DELIVERED HQ 22 SAM SYSTEMS TO SERBIA ON APRIL 9 Six of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Y-20 transport planes landed at
Belgrade’s civilian airport early on April 9, reportedly carrying HQ-22 surface-to-air missile
systems for the Serbian military. The Chinese cargo planes with military markings were
pictured at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport. Serbia’s defense ministry did not immediately
respond to AP’s request for comment. “The Y-20s’ appearance raised eyebrows because they
flew en masse as opposed to a series of single-aircraft flights,” wrote The Warzone online
magazine. “The Y-20′s presence in Europe in any numbers is also still a fairly new
development.” Serbian military analyst Aleksandar Radic said that “the Chinese carried out
their demonstration of force.” The arms delivery over the territory of at least two NATO
member states, Turkey, and Bulgaria, was seen by experts as a demonstration of China’s
growing global reach.
(Comment: Serbia apparently placed the order in 2019.)
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: TWEETS POSTED BY CHINESE CITIZENS REVEAL THE SENTIMENTS OF CHINESE PEOPLE AND THE CHINESE STATE An article in CNN (April 13) confirmed other reports that Chinese Twitter users are very proRussian in their views of the war in Ukraine. It claimed that anonymous Twitter users are
exposing the extreme nationalism and pro-Russian sentiment circulating online in China —
and Beijing is not happy about it. It cited the example of a prominent military blog falsely
claiming a Russian attack on a train station in Kramatorsk was actually carried out by Ukraine,
a well-known media commentator dismissing the atrocities in Bucha, and a vlogger with
hundreds of thousands of followers using a misogynistic term for Ukraine. CNN disclosed that
the Twitter posts are often hash tagged "The Great Translation Movement," or shared by an
account with the same name. It's run by a decentralized, anonymous team that crowdsources
the collection and translation of popular posts on Ukraine and other hot topics, according to its
administrator. The account was only launched in early March but has already made plenty of
friends and enemies, attracting 116,000 followers (and counting) and a slew of criticism from
China's state-run media. The overseas arm of the People's Daily — the mouthpiece of China's
ruling Communist Party — has accused the anonymous translators of attributing the "extreme
remarks" of some netizens to the "whole country." Nationalistic tabloid Global Times has
accused the group of being "Chinese-speaking bad faith actors," and one of its opinion writers
claimed the group included "foreign hostile forces" perpetuating "psychological warfare
against China."
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-US: US AND PLA NAVY WARSHIPS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN SEA OF JAPAN ON APRIL 11 Duowei News (April 12) reported that South Korea's Yonhap News Agency quoting the US
Naval Research Institute (USNI) said on April 11, that the US Navy's "Abraham Lincoln"
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN-72, 100,000-ton class) sailed into the high seas of
eastern South Korea on April 11. It added that this is the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has
entered the eastern waters of the Korean Peninsula after 4 years and 5 months since November
2017. Separately, according to Kyodo News, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced on
April 11 that an intelligence-gathering ship of the Chinese Navy had passed through the
Tsushima Strait and entered the Sea of Japan from the East China Sea on April 11. It said that
the intelligence-gathering ship of the Chinese Navy sailed about 130 kilometres southwest of
Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan around noon on April 11 and then passed northward
between Tsushima and Iki to enter the Sea of Japan. Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force
ships and patrol planes monitored its passage though China's Ministry of National Defence had
not confirmed its presence till April 13.
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES 5 MORE SPECIAL COMMENTARIES CRITICISING US ROLE IN THE UKRAINE WAR The CCP's official newspaper People’s Daily published four additional Zhong Sheng
commentaries on the United States’ supposed role in starting the “Ukraine crisis.” They were
titled “Who Is Intentionally Prolonging Conflict?”, “Weaponizing the Economy Will
Inevitably Turn on Itself,”, “Clinging to Cold War Thinking Undermines International Security
Cooperation,” and “The ‘Defender’ of Human Rights is Actually a ‘False Defender,’” . The
articles were critical of the US and blamed it for starting and profiting from the conflict. The
commentary, titled “Clinging to Cold War Thinking Undermines International Security
Cooperation, “while trying to repress China and Russia and viewing them as “primary strategic
competitors,” the US was clinging to rigid Cold War thinking and intensifying regional and
global security tensions.”
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PEOPLE'S DAILY SPECIAL COMMENTARY TAKES AIM AT JAPAN The People's Daily's Zhongsheng article on April 13 was not on the Ukraine war but on Japan's
push to discharge radioactive water into the sea, which is "a serious betrayal of international
morality and obligations under international law"
Apr 2022 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NIKKEI ASIA REPORTS GUNFIRE NEAR ZHONGNANHAI ON MARCH 19 Writing in Nikkei Asia on March 24, Katsuji Nakazawa revealed that on the night of March
19, gunfire rang out in central Beijing, sending shivers through the Zhongnanhai area, where
Chinese dignitaries have their offices. The sound of gunfire sparked rumours of a coup. The
true nature of the gunfire remains unknown.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE ON PARTY UNITY The Guangming Daily (March 22) published a lengthy article emphasising Party Unity.
Captioned 'To take the new road to take the exam, we must always maintain the unity of the
party', it was authored by Sun Cunliang of the Research Center of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Ministry of Education. The article
included 11 references to Xi Jinping.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE BY VICE PRESIDENT OF PARTY LEADERSHIP GROUP OF INSTITUTE OF SOCIALISM The People's Daily (March 22) published a lengthy article on the United Front captioned 'Take
responsibility for the strength of unity and struggle (People's Discussion)' authored by Zhou
Fan, Deputy Secretary and Vice President of the Party Leadership Group of the Central Institute
of Socialism.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-AVIATION: CHINESE PASSENGER AIRLINER CRASHES IN CHINA ON MARCH 21 A China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 132 people on board crashed on March 21 in
the mountains in southern China on a domestic flight following a sudden descent from cruising
altitude. Media said there was no sign of survivors.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE STOCKS FALL SHARPLY IN NERVOUS REACTION TO US SEC WARNING OF IMMINENT DELISTING OF 5 CHINESE COMPANIES Caixin (March 21) reported that following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
on March 8 naming five Chinese companies that could eventually be delisted from U.S.
exchanges because American regulators can’t get access to their audit work papers, two days
later U.S.-traded Chinese stocks began to fall in a plunge that lasted three straight trading days.
During those three days, the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index, which tracks more than 90
Chinese stocks traded in the U.S., fell more than 10% each day. The sell-off spread beyond
U.S. borders, with the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, which tracks Chinese mainland
companies listed in Hong Kong, plummeting 15.6% from March 11 to March 15 and the
mainland benchmark CSI 300 Index shedding 7.5% in the latter two days.
(Comment: The fall in Chinese stocks reflects the uncertainty caused also by the Ukraine crisis
and threats of sanctions against China.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S DAILY CLAIMS NUMBER OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN CHINA IS 44.575 MILLION UP FROM 10.857 MILLION The People's Daily (March 23) reported that from 2012-21, the number of private enterprises
in China increased from 10.857 million to 44.575 million and the proportion of private
enterprises of all enterprises increased from 79.4% to 92.1%.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE AI COMPANY TRIES TO SELL AI-POWERED SURVEILLANCE TO REDUCE LOSSES Caixin (March 21) reported that the Shanghai-based UCloud Technology Co. Ltd. displayed
six new products focusing on community governance, transportation, manufacturing, industrial
complex management, education, and elder care, at a virtual launch event in mid-March as it
hopes to sell surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to businesses to help turn
around its widening losses.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC DAILY SAYS PERCENTAGE OF HIGH SKILLED WORKERS IN CHINA HAS INCREASED FROM 4% IN 2000S TO 20% IN 2022 The Economic Daily (March 22) reported that the percentage of high-skilled personnel in China
increased from 4% in the early 2000s to 20% now. Saying that problems such as "difficulty in
finding employment" and "difficulty in recruiting" have become more prominent in recent
years, it said one of the reasons is that it is difficult for the front-line skilled talents who mainly
focus on operation to adapt to the requirements of high-quality development. It recommended
a focus on the needs of enterprise development. by trying to make up for shortcomings and
shortage of skilled talents, provide multi-level learning and training opportunities for a large
number of workers, and improving the system of using, evaluating, selecting, and motivating
skilled talents to solve the new situation. It also suggested a modern vocational education
system to solve the problem of insufficient quantity of high-quality human capital. It
recommended integration of industry and education, school-enterprise cooperation, and
attracting more young people to receive vocational skills education. It called for getting more
high-quality technical and technical personnel, skilled craftsmen, and craftsmen from major
countries. The third suggestion was on improving the employment skills of retired military
personnel. Saying that retired soldiers generally have responsibility and good execution, it said
they need to be provided with skills that are in line with the development of the industrial chain
and innovation chain, so as to transform the "rich mine" of retired soldiers into promoting
economic growth. talent "bonus".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S 'PAPER' PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON CONSEQUENCES OF WAR IN UKRAINE China's Shanghai-based official 'Paper' (March 23) published a detailed assessment of the
economic fallout of the war in Ukraine. It assessed that "In the short term, the RussianUkrainian conflict is leading to a rapid deterioration of the world economic outlook, and the
European economy will be severely affected; in the long term, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
may lead to changes in energy trade, reconfiguration of supply chains, fragmentation of
payment networks, and prompts countries Reconsider its holdings of foreign exchange reserves,
which could fundamentally alter the global economic and geopolitical order." It said in articles
and research papers the IMF and OECD said that "in the short term, the conflict between Russia
and Ukraine is causing the world economic prospects to deteriorate rapidly, and the European
economy will be severely affected; in the long run, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine
may fundamentally change the global economic and geopolitical order." It specifically noted
that on March 15 a number of IMF officials, including Director of the Asia-Pacific Department
Li Changyong, jointly wrote an article highlighting "the negative impact of the situation in
Ukraine and sanctions against Russia". They believe "on the global economy is mainly
transmitted through three channels: first, rising prices of commodities such as food and energy
will further push up inflation, thereby eroding residents’ income and suppressing demand; ,
Ukraine's neighbouring economies will face disruptions in trade, supply chains and remittances,
and a historic surge in the number of refugees. Third, declining business confidence and rising
uncertainty will weigh on asset prices, leading to tighter financial conditions and potentially
stimulating international Capital flows out of emerging markets." Saying that "latest OECD
estimates that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may reduce global economic growth
this year by at least 1 percentage point and increase inflation by 2.5 percentage points", it added
that the "conflict will make Europe feel "the most pain" and the European economy will suffer
the most." It further said that "IMF officials pointed out that in the long run, the RussianUkrainian conflict could lead to changes in energy trade, reconfiguration of supply chains,
fragmentation of payment networks, and prompt countries to reconsider their foreign exchange
reserves, which will fundamentally change the global economy and geography political order."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITS INDIA FOR FIRST TIME AFTER 2020 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in India on the night of March 24 after an
unannounced visit to Kabul and earlier visiting Islamabad where he attended a meeting of the
OIC and expressed support for an independent Kashmir. He said "On Kashmir, we have heard
again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends. And China shares the same hope". Wang
Yi will be meeting the EAM Dr S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. Foreign Secretary Shringla
will brief the press at 4.00pm on March 25.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: ARTICLE ON CHINESE PORTAL GUANCHA SAYS INDIA NEEDS TO IMPROVE TIES WITH CHINA TO HELP ITS ECONOMY A translation of an article published on the Chinese popular portal 'guancha' by Chen Jing,
Director of R&D, Asia Vision Technology, was republished by Asia Times on March 23 with
the caption 'China-India ties ‘to ease’ after 2020-22 clashes'. The article, timed to coincide with
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's and which visit was implicitly critical of India, made 4
points recommending improvement in India-China ties. Anticipatedly, it sought to project that
India needed China to boost its economy.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES CRITICAL OF US PRESIDENT BIDEN'S REMARK CALLING INDIA'S POLICY "SHAKY" AND ASSERTS ANTI-RUSSIA FRONT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED Criticising US President Joe Biden's remark singling out India for its "shaky" response to
Russia's military operation against Ukraine, the Global Times (March 22) said "There is no
motivation for New Delhi to serve Washington's interests at the cost of harming its own
relationship with Moscow. As an independent country, India has the right to make diplomatic
decisions in line with its own interests and the reality." It quoted Li Haidong, a Professor from
the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University, as saying "It shows
the US' deep disrespect for India." The article asserted "The so-called anti-Russia united
"democratic front" cannot be established."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA ATTENDS OIC FOR FIRST TIME AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI ATTENDS Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on
March 21 discussed ways to further strengthen the "iron-clad friendship" between the two
countries and later signed five agreements to deepen their bilateral cooperation in various fields.
They exchanged views on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, COVID-19
pandemic, the situation in Ukraine and regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Wang Yi is in Islamabad to attend the 48th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) as a special guest at the invitation of Qureshi. In a
tweet Qureshi highlighted that this is the first time China is participating in an OIC session and
expressed confidence that "interactions with OIC country counterparts will further strengthen
engagement." Speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) on March 22, Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan raked up the Kashmir issue, hitting out at India over its "illegal"
decision to abrogate Article 370. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also called for
collective response from the 57-member OIC to meet challenges faced by the Muslim
community, highlighting conflicts in the Middle East and the "denial of the right to selfdetermination" for the people of Palestine and Kashmir. He said "We have failed both the
Palestinians and the people of Kashmir. I am sad to say that we have been able to make no
impact at all.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: SRI LANKA IS NEGOTIATING A SECOND LOAN FROM CHINA The South China Morning Post (March 21) disclosed that China is considering offering a
US$1.5 billion credit facility to Sri Lanka. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong told
reporters the two sides were also discussing a separate loan of up to US$1 billion which the Sri
Lankan government had requested. He added that the South Asian nation was offered a loan of
US$500 million from the China Development Bank on March 18.
(Comment: Sri Lanka has to repay about US$4 billion worth of debt this year, including a US$1
billion international sovereign bond maturing in July. But its reserves dipped to US$2.31 billion
as of end February, down around 70 per cent from two years ago.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-EU: EU SET TO WARN CHINA AGAINST ASSISTING RUSSIA TO SOFTEN SANCTIONS Media reports (March 21) indicated that the European Union looks set to reinforce the U.S.
warning to China that Beijing would face serious consequences if it tried to cushion the blow
of sanctions against Russia or provide Moscow with military support. With the Western allies
aligned on a powerful package of sanctions on the Russian economy and President Vladimir
Putin trying to find room for manoeuvre, China’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine is coming
into sharper focus. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be the main item on the agenda when Xi
Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hold talks with EU Commission President Ursula von
der Leyen and Charles Michel, who chairs the EU leaders’ council. The reports added that
while the substance of the EU message is to be similar to Biden’s, most member states want
Von der Leyen and Michel to couch it in a way that doesn’t come across as a threat because
they don’t want to alienate Beijing. Separately, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng in
a speech on March 19 accused NATO of trying to “flex muscle” in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hours after Xi’s phone call with Biden, Le Yucheng said “One could well anticipate the
consequences going down this path,” and that “The crisis in Ukraine is a stern warning.”
(Comment: Le Yucheng was an Ambassador to India and is considered to be a front-runner for
becoming Foreign Minister.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA BACKS RUSSIA'S STAY IN G-20 Reuters (March 23) reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to attend the next G20
summit in Indonesia later this year and received valuable backing from Beijing on March 23 as
it rejected suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group.
(Comment: The United States and its Western allies are assessing whether Russia should
remain within the G-20 following its invasion of Ukraine. But any move to exclude Russia
would probably be vetoed by others in the group.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA'S PURCHASE OF LNG FROM RUSSIA MORE THAN DOUBLES Bloomberg (March 21) reported that China imported twice as much liquefied natural gas from
Russia last month than a year earlier. It said China bought almost 401,000 tons from Russia in
February, according to official customs data released Sunday. The increase came as total
Chinese LNG imports fell 12% from a year earlier, with Russia’s share rising to 8%.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: FOREIGN AFFAIRS ARTICLE POINTS TO CHINA AS ASSISTING RUSSIA CONCEAL ITS FOREX HOLDINGS FROM SANCTIONS An article by Benn Steil and Benjamin Della Rocca in Foreign Affairs (March 21) claimed that
their "research suggests that Russia may have stashed tens of billions of dollars in reserve
assets in opaque offshore accounts, where it holds dollar-denominated securities beyond the
reach of international sanctions and asset freezes". According to them indications of this were
discernible across two different periods—one in mid-2018 and the other late last year, as Russia
built up troops on the Ukrainian border— that Russia may have secluded up to $80 billion in
Treasury securities offshore. It stated that Russia’s total offshore dollar holdings could be
higher still and, alluding to China, that Russia may have moved some of its dollars with help
from a foreign government. The article claimed "China was almost certainly behind the 2014
surge. Throughout that year, the assets of its central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC),
rose in tandem with Belgian Treasury holdings. The PBOC was evidently building up its war
chest of dollar reserves and storing them in Treasuries, held through Euroclear. In 2021,
however, the PBOC’s reserves stayed flat, indicating a different source for the sudden rise in
Belgium’s holdings." It also said "The Russian central bank and sovereign wealth fund hold an
estimated $140 billion in Chinese bonds—about four times the total in early 2018. Data from
June 2021 also show China holding 14.2 percent of Russia’s foreign reserves, the largest share
of any country. "
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-AFRICA: SOUTH AFRICA REMAINS CHINA'S TOP TRADING PARTNER IN AFRICA New Chinese Customs data revealed that two-way China-Africa trade is up 24.9% in the first
two months of the year to $43.1 billion. South Africa remains China's top trading partner on
the continent with 19% of the total.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ALGERIA: CHINA AND ALGERIA CONCLUDE $ 7 BILLION SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT FOR FERTILISER PRODUCTION Reuters (March 22) reported that Algeria and China have signed a shareholder agreement to
invest $7 billion to produce 5.4 million tonnes of fertiliser per year in the Algerian region of
Tebessa, Algeria’s national oil company Sonatrach said on March 21. Algeria expects the
phosphate project to create 12,000 jobs during the construction phase.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS PBSC MEETING ON MARCH 17 TO DISCUSS COVID PANDEMIC CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee
on March 17 to 'analyse the situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and make
arrangements to strictly control the epidemic'. Xinhua (March 17) reported that Xi Jinping also
delivered an important speech. He pointed out that since the normalization of epidemic
prevention and control, we have adhered to the principle of "foreign defense against imports
and internal defense against rebound". He exhorted Party organizations at all levels and the
majority of Party members and cadres to play an active role, go deep into the front line of
prevention and control, reach out to the masses, and actively help the masses solve their worries
and problems. He stressed that it is necessary to strengthen supervision and accountability and
warned those who have neglected their duties and caused the epidemic to get out of control that
they will be investigated and held accountable. The meeting also studied other matters
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY FRONTPAGE ARTICLE CALLS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING "PEOPLE'S LEADER" A front page People's Daily (March 13) article captioned "when the spring breeze ——General
Secretary Xi Jinping and the representatives of the National People's Congress and the National
People's Congress have discussed the country together for ten years" described Xi Jinping as
the "people's leader" 8 times in total in this article. It said "During the National People's
Congress and the National People's Congress this year, the deputies and committee members
shared their opinions and experiences in light of their deliberation and work practice, and
invariably expressed their common aspirations: The reason why the party and the country can
achieve milestone achievements is that they have Comrade Xi Jinping as their leader. The core
of the Party Central Committee at the helm is fundamentally guided by the scientific guidance
of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: ON CLOSING DAY OF NPC, CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CALLS FOR IMPROVED TIES WITH U.S. AND EARLY END TO CONFLICT IN UKRAINE Addressing the closing session of the 13th NPC in Beijing on March 14, Chinese Premier Li
Keqiang Premier talked about ties with US and the situation in Ukraine. He hoped that US and
China can properly manage their differences and for more cooperation between China and the
United States to deal with global challenges while properly managing their differences. He said
economic competition between Beijing and Washington should be benign and fair. Li Keqiang
also called for restraint in Ukraine to avoid a humanitarian disaster. Urging restraint in the
Ukraine conflict to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, he said "We sincerely hope that the
situation will ease and peace will return at an early date."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: XINHUA HIGHLIGHTS FIVE KEYS TO CHINA'S SUCCESS AS "FIVE ROADS TO BE FOLLOWED" Xinhua (March 14) highlighted certain outcomes of the 13th NPC as the "key to China's
"success"." It said one outcome of the Two Sessions is the new slogan of "Five Roads to be
Followed" (五个必由之路). It listed the keys to China success as follows:
i) Party leadership;
ii) Socialism with Chinese characteristics;
iii) Concerted efforts;
iv) New development concept; and
v) Strict party governance.
(Comment: The Guangming Daily on March 15, published its fifth commentary on the "Five
Roads to be Followed" (五个必由之路) - outcome of the Two Sessions - on the fifth road:
strict party governance.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: CHONGQING DAILY HIGHLIGHTS PARY SECRETARY CHEN MINE'R'S EXHORTATION OF XI JINPING'S "FIVE ROADS TO BE FOLLOWED" On March 15, the Chongqing Daily published an article on the Chongqing Municipal Party
Committee meeting of leading cadres in the city held on March 14, to convey and study the
spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech during the National People's Congress
and the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress and the Fifth Session of the
Thirteenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
During the meeting Chongqing's Chen Min'er conveyed the spirit of the Two Sessions,
highlighted the "Five Roads to be Followed" (五个必由之路) and "five favourable conditions"
(五个有利条件) 传达学习贯彻习近平总书记重要讲话和全国两会精神). The Chongqing
Daily said Chen Miner, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, presided over the meeting
and delivered a speech in which he 'pointed out that this year's National People's Congress is
an important meeting held at an important moment when the people of the whole country
welcome the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, march towards the
second centenary goal, and forge ahead in the new journey of building a modern socialist
country in an all-round way'. Chen Miner also emphasised that 'it is necessary to learn and
understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, understand the
essence, connect with reality, and guide practice' He said it is important to understand the "Five
Must-Roads", the "five sure ways", resolutely support the "two establishments", strengthen the
"four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", achieve the "two
maintenances", and improve political judgment and political comprehension, political
execution, and unswervingly advance along the road guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping'.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HUBEI DAILY PRAISES CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING FOR MEETING RECOVERED COVID PATIENTS The Hubei Daily (March 15) published a front page article titled "The General Secretary's wise
decision saved our lives", referring to his visiting recovered COVID-19 patients from the
Wuhan outbreak two years ago.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA HAS SHUT DOWN MORE CITIES AND PUT 50 MILLION PEOPLE IN LOCKDOWN Chinese authorities have already put Shenzhen, the giant manufacturing hub near Hong Kong,
into full lockdown, along with Jilin province. In Shanghai, schools and businesses have already
closed, and numerous Beijing and Tianjin compounds have shut down. More than 50 million
people are already locked down across China and it seems likely that the numbers will continue
to grow in the coming weeks. The People's Daily (March 18) published two main articles on
the COVID-19 situation, including one on Xi Jinping chairing a PBSC meeting and an editorial
arguing that the "general strategy and policy of epidemic prevention are correct and effective"
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: FORMER MOSS VICE MINISTER UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORRUPTION The South China Morning Post (March 12) quoted a CDIC announcement of March 12 stating
that 66-year old Liu Yanping, a former anti-corruption chief of China’s Ministry of State
Security is for “suspected violation of discipline and law”. Liu Yanping is the 12th highranking official to fall from grace this year and first since the annual national legislative
meeting concluded on Friday. He graduated from the China University of Political Science and
Law and had a long career in the police department in Beijing before being appointed as Vice
Minister of Public Security in 2013. Two years later, he became the head of discipline
inspection at the Ministry of State Security. Liu Yanping was also involved in the effort to
repatriate Guo Wengui back to China from the US.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FINANCIAL STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HELD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MARCH 16 Xinhua (March 16) reported that China's Financial Stability and Development Committee of
the State Council held a special meeting on March 16 to study the current economic situation
and capital market issues. The meeting was chaired by Liu He, Politburo member, Vice Premier
of the State Council, and Director of the Financial Stability and Development Committee, and
comrades in charge of relevant departments attended the meeting. The meeting pointed out that
in the current complex situation, the most critical thing is to adhere to the “development is the
Communist Party of China's top priority in governance”, adhere to the "economic development
as the central task", adhere to deepening reform and expanding opening-up etc. Regarding
Chinese companies listed in the United States, the meeting said that China’s CSRC and the
U.S. SEC have maintained good communication and have made positive progress, and are
working to form specific cooperation programs. It said the Chinese government continues to
support all types of enterprises to go public outside China. A Xinhua report (March 17) clarified
that the meeting discussed macroeconomic operation, real estate companies, Chinese concept
stocks, platform economic governance, and Hong Kong financial market stability among other
issues. It said the meeting gave a clear direction to "maintain the economic operation within a
reasonable range, and maintain the stable operation of the capital market."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE STOCK VALUES SLUMP IN US STOCK EXCHANGES A Bloomberg report (March 14) said that Chinese stocks in the U.S. which were enjoying an
unprecedented boom just a year ago have plummeted 72% -- almost matching losses during
the 2008 financial crisis. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. alone has lost about $522 billions of
value, the biggest wipe out of shareholder wealth worldwide. Tencent -- which was close to a
$1 trillion market value last year -- slumped almost 10% on Monday, the most since 2011. The
company’s shares are now worth $407 billion. In the week ending March 14, the SEC named
its first batch of Chinese stocks as part of a crackdown on foreign firms that refuse to open their
books to U.S. regulators. The newly identified firms could be subject to delisting from U.S.
exchanges if they fail to comply with auditing requirements for three consecutive years. With
U.S. officials saying Russia has asked China for military assistance for its war in Ukraine,
traders worry that Beijing’s potential overture toward Putin could bring global backlash against
Chinese firms and even sanctions. Fears of being delisted on US stock exchanges and
imposition of sanctions because of Xi Jinping's support to Russian President Putin are also
discouraging investors.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN CONDUCTS LIVE FIRE EXERCISES ON DONGYIN ISLAND Reuters (March 16) reported (Reuters) that Taiwan held live fire drills on Dongyin, part of the
Taiwan-controlled Matsu archipelago off the coast of China's Fuzhou, on March 16, putting
the spotlight on a remote island that is strategically located at a chokepoint near China - and
potentially vulnerable to attack. The exercises are happening as Taipei has raised its alert level
after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, wary of Beijing making a similar move. At a February
seminar in Taipei simulating a Chinese attack on Taiwan, retired Navy Rear Admiral Tan Chihlung said Dongyin's missile sites would be among the first targets of a Chinese attack.
He said, "The People's Liberation Army for sure will go destroy the Hsiung Feng missile base
in Dongyin, it's a must-attack."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTER REACTS TO REPORT PURPORTEDLY AUTHORED BY RUSSIA'S FSB OF LIKELY CHINESE TAKE OVER OF TAIWAN Taiwan's Apple Daily (March 17) claimed that a report by human rights activist Vladimir
Osechkin, head of the Russian anti-corruption website Gulagu.net, purportedly written by an
analyst with the Russian Federal Security Service, mentions that Xi Jinping had considered
a "complete take over Taiwan" in 2022 before the Fall. The object was to "recover Taiwan" for
his re-election as the President of the country before the 20th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China (in the Autumn). However, after seeing Russia's aggression against
Ukraine, Xi Jinping believes that the opportunity to attack Taiwan is no longer available, and
that the United States can use it to threaten China and give Xi's political opponents favourable
conditions. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in an interview on March 16, "No matter
when China attacks, we must be ready at any time."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC TIMES REPORTS THAT CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI LIKELY TO VISIT INDIA SOON The Economic Times (March 15) reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is likely to
visit India in a week or so. It recalled that last week, ahead of the 15th round of Commanderlevel talks, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla had said: "We have made it clear to China that
peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the development of our relationship.
Development of India-China relationship has to be based on 'three mutuals' -- mutual respect,
mutual sensitivity and mutual interest."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS 15TH CHINA-INDIA CORPS COMMANDERS MEETING AND CLAIMS SOME INDIAN ANALYSTS SUGGEST CHANGE IN INDIA'S POLICIES TOWARDS CHINA The Global Times (March 12) reported that "the 15th round of China-India corps commander
level meeting concluded on March 11, continuing the positive atmosphere since the 14th round
of talk, as the two sides reached consensus on agreeing to maintain dialogue via military and
diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to the remaining issues at the
earliest time".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA AND RUSSIA COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO OIL AND GAS PIPELINES China's State-owned China National Petroleum Corp. agreed to import more natural gas from
Russian major Gazprom in a deal announced on the sidelines of the summit between Chinese
President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in February. Currently, the only gas
pipeline between Russia and China is Power of Siberia, which began operating in 2019 and has
an annual capacity of 38 billion cu. meters. Nikkei Asia (March 12) said the countries plan to
establish a new pipeline under the deal with an annual capacity of 10 billion cu. meters.
Russia's Gazprom on March 1 also announced it had begun taking concrete steps toward the
construction of the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would pass through Mongolia and have
an annual capacity of around 50 billion cu. meters. These projects, which include the Power of
Siberia expansion and the new Altai link through China's Xinjiang region, would expand
pipeline capacity between the countries to over 100 billion cu. meters a year -- equivalent to
almost half of China's imports.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA'S PUBLICISES RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER REPORT OF BENEFITS FLOWING TO CHINA BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE The Hongkong-based HK01 news service on March 14, publicised a report in the Russian
newspaper The View (Взгляд) (March 12) which listed 10 areas in which Chinese companies
have benefited from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War and the sanctions from the U.S. and
European countries.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA-UKRAINE: CHINA'S JUDGE ON ICJ VOTES AGAINST UKRAINE'S CASE CALLING FOR EARLY END TO RUSSIA'S MILITARY OPERATION Ms Xue Hanqin, China's appointee to the UN's top court, joined her Russian peer Kirill
Gevorgian to cast the only votes against Ukraine's case calling for an immediate end to Russia's
military operation. This was on March 16 at the International Court of Justice case on
'Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime
of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation)'.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA-UKRAINE: CHINA'S CGTN AND CCTV ON MARCH 17 NOTICED REPORTING RUSSIAN CASUALTIES IN UKRAINE On March 17 there have been several clips over a 12 hour span showing Russian attacks on
civilians, but sticking to the official language and calling it "Russia's special military
operation". There were similar reports on CCTV-13 prompting speculation inside China as to
whether the official media will also change their language, namely call it an "invasion"
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. DENIES THAT PUTIN BRIEFED CHINESE REGARDING HIS INVASION OF UKRAINE Writing in the Washington Post (March 15), China's Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang denied
statements that China was briefed on Putin's plans for invading Ukraine. He said “ Assertions
that China knew about, acquiesced to, or tacitly supported this war are purely disinformation.
All these claims serve only the purpose of shifting blame to and slinging mud at China. There
were more than 6,000 Chinese citizens in Ukraine. China is the biggest trading partner of both
Russia and Ukraine, and the largest importer of crude oil and natural gas in the world. Conflict
between Russia and Ukraine does no good for China. Had China known about the imminent
crisis, we would have tried our best to prevent it. China is committed to an independent foreign
policy of peace." He also sought to differentiate between the cases of Ukraine and Taiwan
saying: "Ukraine is a sovereign state, while Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory.
The Taiwan question is a Chinese internal affair. It does not make sense for people to
emphasize the principle of sovereignty on Ukraine while hurting China’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity on Taiwan. The future of Taiwan lies in peaceful development of crossStrait relations and the reunification of China. We are committed to peaceful reunification, but
we also retain all options to curb “Taiwan independence.”
(Comment: Chinese statements on the subject are contradictory and suggest an attempt at
obfuscation.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: FORMER GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR CAUTIONS BEIJING TO "EASE AND DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH US AND THE WEST" DURING THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE Writing on his personal WeChat blog on March 12, the former Editor of Global Times Hu Xijin
said he is "calling on Beijing to stick to what he says is the 稳 (stable? middle?) road. Hu wrote,
it is in Chinese interests that "Russia cannot fail and the Putin regime cannot fail". Hu Xijin
cautioned Beijing: "We must be careful not to 'Russify' our policy toward the U.S. and the West,
and (must) resolutely prevent the U.S. and the West from equating the definition of China with
the definition of Russia." He said a desirable scenario "In the context of their fierce
confrontation with Russia, it will become more acceptable to them to seek common ground
11
with China while preserving differences". He added that Beijing "needs to do its best to ease
and develop relations with the U.S. and the West, and promote the gradual strategic shaping of
a model of relations between China, the U.S., and the West and China". A "stable, independent
Russia that does not buy into the U.S./West and dares to confront them openly has become
China's biggest strategic barrier. The comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation
between Russia and China in the new era needs to be further consolidated, and China cannot
afford to waver in this."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE OVERSEAS NETWORK DUOWEI NEWS RECALLS BOMBING OF CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE BY NATO The US-based pro-Xi Jinping Duowei News, regarded as a major media portal of China’s
overseas propaganda network, reported (March 17) that, in a press conference on March 15,
NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed that China has an obligation as a
member of the UN Security Council actually to support and to uphold international law and
join the rest of the world in condemning Russia’s invasion. In response, the spokesperson for
the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union retorted, “We have taken
note of the relevant remarks. The Chinese people can fully relate to the pains and sufferings of
other countries because we will never forget who bombed our embassy in the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia. We need no lecture on justice from the abuser of international law. As a Cold
War remnant and the world’s largest military alliance, NATO continues to expand its
geographical scope and range of operations. What kind of role has it played in world peace and
stability? NATO needs to do some good reflection.”
(Comment: The Chinese delegate was referring to the bombing of its Embassy in Yugoslavia
by NATO forces decades ago.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY 'ZHONGSHENG' ARTICLES ASKS U.S. TO CAREFULLY REFLECT ON ITS ROLE IN THE UKRAINE CRISIS An article in the People's Daily (March 15) signed by ' Zhongsheng' argued that the US "should
carefully reflect on its role in the Ukraine crisis, stop lying, deceiving, and misleading the
public". It said this "exposes the US' sinister intentions to keep the world in chaos". The article
stated, 'The U.S. side should reflect on its role in the Ukraine crisis, stop lying and deceit,
12
confuse people, take its due responsibilities, take practical actions to ease the situation and
solve the problem, and do things that are conducive to peace'. It said, "In promoting the
resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, the top priority is to promote peace and talks, rather than fuel
the fire." Stating that 'China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in persuading
peace and promoting talks, and to carry out necessary mediation with the international
community when necessary', it said 'China does not support the use of sanctions to solve the
Ukrainian issue, and is even more opposed to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in
international law. Sanctions have never been an effective way to solve problems' adding that
since the last 20 years the US has been imposing an increasing number of sanctions'.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: U.S. NSA JAKE SULLIVAN MEETS CCP CC POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI ON MARCH 14 IN ROME U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member
Yang Jiechi on March 14 in Rome. CNN (March 14) said that Sullivan said U.S. believes China,
"was aware...
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: XINHUA PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON U.S. BIOLABS IN UKRAINE ON MAIN PAGE Xinhua published (March 13) an article on its main page on US bio labs in Ukraine.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: MERCHANDISE OF GIANT CHINESE SPORTSWEAR COMPANY LI NING DETAINED AT U.S. PORTS BY CUSTOMS Bloomberg (March 16) reported that Merchandise made by Chinese sportswear giant Li Ning
Co. has been detained at U.S. ports, after an investigation indicated the company used North
Korean labour in its supply chain. The action against Li Ning Sporting Goods was effective
March 14, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. U.S. Customs said some
Li Ning goods can enter the U.S. if the company “provides clear and convincing evidence that
their merchandise was not produced with convict labour, forced labour, or indentured labour
under penal sanctions within 30 days of notice of detention.” Otherwise, the merchandise may
be subject to seizure and forfeiture, it said. Li Ning shares fell as much as 3.2% in early Hong
Kong trading, before erasing the losses and rising 4.2% to HK$53.10 at 9:42 a.m. local time.
The stock is down almost 38% this year.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS FUNDING BILL GRANTING ASSISTANCE TO TIBETAN ORGANISATIONS The US Government Funding Bill signed into law by US President Biden on March 15:
• Increases funding for Tibetans around the world: The legislation provides $10 million
for nongovernmental organizations that have experience working with Tibetan
communities to preserve Tibetan cultural traditions and promote sustainable
development, education, and environmental conservation in Tibet. The legislation also
makes $8 million available for programs to promote and preserve Tibetan culture and
language in Tibetan refugee and diaspora communities; development; and the resilience
of Tibetan communities and the Central Tibetan Administration in India and Nepal; as
well as to assist in the education and development of the next generation of Tibetan
leaders from such communities. Another $3 million will be available for programs to
strengthen the capacity of the Central Tibetan Administration, which provides
democratic governance for Tibetans in exile.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: FIRST BATCH OF CHINESE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AID FOR UKRAINE REACHED ON MARCH 11 The first batch of Chinese humanitarian aid reached Ukraine by plane on March 11. The
consignment, which includes 1,000 family kits containing daily supplies worth 5 million yuan
($800,000). The packs contain blankets, towels, cutlery, damp-proof mats, buckets, and torches,
and were sent from Beijing by the Red Cross Society of China. Ukraine's Red Cross Society
was to receive the consignment when the truck convoy containing the aid arrived in the western
Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi. A second batch of materials will leave the Chinese capital on
March 13.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-UK: FINANCIAL TIMES DISCLOSES THAT TWO BRITISH PUBLISHERS HAVE CENSORED BOOKS BY AMENDING/REMOVING REFERENCES TO TAIWAN, TIBET ETC The Financial Times (March 14) disclosed that two British publishers, Octopus Books, part of
literary empire Hachette, and London-listed Quarto, have censored books intended for western
readers to ensure they can be printed cheaply in China and removed references to Taiwan and
other subjects banned by Chinese authorities from several books. It said that in 2017, academic
publishers Springer Nature and Cambridge University Press were criticised after it emerged,
they had each blocked hundreds of articles from being accessed in China. The Financial Times
said since 2020 Octopus, a self-described “leading publisher of non-fiction”, has removed
references in at least two books to Taiwan. In one case, an entire section relating to Taiwan
was cut. Over the same period Quarto, a picture book publisher that in 2020 released the New
York Times bestseller This Book is Anti-Racist, erased mentions of Hong Kong and dissident
artist Ai Weiwei from separate publications. The nationality of people mentioned in one book
was also changed from Taiwanese to East Asian, while references to Tibet, annexed by China
in 1951, were revised in two books to suggest it was Chinese territory.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MAJOR ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY FRONT PAGE ON XI JINPING On March 10, the People's Daily front-paged a major article titled "General Secretary, the
villagers miss you very much!" The representatives of the two sessions brought the
people's hearts to the general secretary".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG ANNOUNCES HE WILL STEP DOWN NEXT MARCH Reuters (March 11) reported that China's Premier Li Keqiang confirmed on March 11 his plans
to step down after his current term expires next March. Li Keqiang told a news conference:
"This is the last year I will be premier".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: OPENING SESSION OF 5TH SESSION OF 13TH NPC IN BEIJING Li Zhanshu, the Executive Chairman and Executive Chairman of the Presidium of the
Conference, presided over the conference. Executive Chairman and Executive Chairman Wang
Chen, Cao Jianming, Zhang Chunxian, Shen Yueyue, Ji Bingxuan, Ailigen Yiming Bahai, Wan
Exiang, Chen Zhu, Wang Dongming, Baima Chilin, Ding Zhongli, Hao Mingjin, Cai Dafeng,
Wu Weihua , Yang Zhenwu were seated at the podium.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS TWO SPEECHES TO NPC/CPPCC SESSIONS Chinese President Xi Jinping made two speeches at the ongoing NPC/CPPCC sessions in
Beijing. In his first speech he highlighted, among other issues, how China should handle coal
in meeting its carbon goals, as well as the "sense of community for the Chinese nation". In his
second speech to CPPCC members, he stressed agriculture, food security, social welfare, and
protecting women.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE LEADERS MEET/REPRESENT DIFFERENT PROVINCES AT NPC Xinhua reported that Chinese leaders met different provincial delegations. PBSC members Li
Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, and Vice President Wang Qishan
met delegations from Jiangxi, Sichuan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, and Hunan respectively.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE PREMIER DOES NOT MENTION FIGHTING IN UKRAINE AND PROPOSES 7.1 PER CENT HIKE IN CHINA'S DEFENCE BUDGET RAISING IT TO US$ 230 BILLION Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the Government Work Report he presented to the Fifth Session
of the 13th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on March 5, 2022,
did not even mention Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and took an implacably steady-as-it-goes
tone on China’s economic outlook.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT The main points in the Government Work Report presented to the NPC on March 5 by Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang were:
- new approaches to social governance
- focus on service provision at grassroots
- improve social credit system.
-The main targets for 2022 listed by the Chinese Premier were:
-GDP growth of around 5.5 percent
-over 11 million new urban jobs
-surveyed urban unemployment rate of no more than 5.5 percent
-CPI increase of around 3 percent
-growth in personal income that is basically in step with economic growth
-steady increases in both the volume and quality of imports and exports
-a basic equilibrium in the balance of payments
-grain output of over 650 million metric tons
-further improvement in the environment
-continued reduction in the discharge of major pollutants
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC/CPPCC: COMMENTS IN CHINESE STATE MEDIA ON GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT The Global Times and CCTV (March 11) commented that China’s 2022 Government Work
Report approved at the closing meeting of the fifth session of the 13th NPC on March 11 has
had 92 items revised compared with the original version, with revisions focusing on stabilising
the economy, innovation, and fiscal and employment policies. The revisions in China’s 2022
Government Work Report include raising the ratio of investment in basic research to the overall
R&D expense, and boosting winter sports and industries. The Paper (March 11) said that Tax
cuts and fee reductions "help enhance the confidence of enterprises to expand reproduction; at
the same time, it also encourages enterprises to invest more funds in R&D and other production
activities" . The China Police Daily (March 11) commented that the integrated mechanism for
policing ("情指勤舆") - intelligence, command, patrolling - have given police the "ability to
respond quickly, highlight key challenges, and deal with regional emergencies has been
effectively strengthened".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC/CPPCC: 'COMMON PROSPERITY' DOESN'T GET MUCH MENTION Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s Government Work Report contains exactly one mention of
common prosperity (共同富裕), which is rendered as “prosperity for all” in the official English
translation.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC SPOKESMAN AND FORMER VICE FOREIGN MINISTER ZHANG YESUI HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE NPC'S OPENING SESSION At the press conference before the start of the NPC's opening session, the spokesman for the
Chinese legislature Zhang Yesui addressed China-EU relationship and condemned the
US$ 350 billion the America Competes Act, which he described as “small circle” diplomacy
that could jeopardise America’s own interests .
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-HEALTH: A CITYWIDE LOCKDOWN HAS BEEN IMPOSED ON JILIN PROVINCE'S CAPITAL CHANGCHUN DUE TO A COVID OUTBREAK The authorities of Changchun on March 11 announced that all businesses and public transport
shall be shut except essential sectors. Schools are to be closed and every resident will test for
Covid.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: OVER 200 TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI SIGN 'OPEN' LETTER DEMANDING WITHDRAWAL OF DOCTORATE AWARDED TO PUTIN IN 2019 On March 3 , over 200 alumni of Tsinghua University – most of whom live in China – signed
an open letter circulated on WeChat calling on the university to strip Putin of an honorary
doctorate awarded in 2019.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA'S AGRICULTURE MINISTER AND NDRC HIGHLIGHT MEASURES TO ENSURE ADEQUATE GRAIN SUPPLIES Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the NPC session, China's Minister of Agriculture
and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian said that rare heavy rainfall last year delayed the planting of
about one-third of the normal wheat acreage.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT HOLDS TELECONFERENCE ON GRASSROOTS PARTY BUILDING WORK China Organization and Personnel News (March 4) reported that the CCP CC Organisation
Department had held a teleconference on a key task promotion meeting for grassroots party
building work in Beijing on February 28. The relevant responsible officials of the Organization
Department attended the meeting and delivered speeches. The Party Committee Organisation
Department cadres of Beijing, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangxi, Sichuan, Qinghai and other
provinces, regions and municipalities also exchanged speeches. Among the main points made
were: (i) transmit "two establishments" "two safeguards"; (ii) party-building in rural areas; (iii)
social governance; (iv) private enterprises and social organisations; (v) SOEs, work units; and
(vi) education. The meeting also criticised "lying flat" cadres and said, "there are some
"peaceful officials" who dare not act, "leisure officials" who do not do things, "incompetent
officials" who are not good at doing things, and "punk officials" who are unwilling".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA ANNOUNCES TWO KEY APPOINTMENTS IN DEFENCE INDUSTRY The CCP on March 5 announced two important appointments. These were the appointment of
Hao Zhaoping (郝照平) as the Director, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party
Group of AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) and
Wang Jiang (王江) was appointed Secretary of the Party Committee of China Everbright Group
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: SENIOR ACADEMIC IN JILIN DISMISSED ON MARCH 10 The Jilin provincial party committee in a terse announcement on March 10 and without stating
the reason said that Zhang Lifeng, the Communist Party Secretary and top manager of the Jilin
Agricultural Science and Technology University, was dismissed on March 10 afternoon.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE IN ECONOMIC DAILY EMPHASISES COORDINATING DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY A Commentator's article in the Economic Daily (March 9) said "the emphasis on coordinating
development and security reflects the scientific research and judgment of the general situation
by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core". Stating that "economic
globalisation has encountered adverse currents, the game between major powers has become
increasingly fierce, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change", it said
it is essential for China to take development as the top priority, "and at the same time ensure
political security, economic security, scientific and technological security, public health
security, social security, etc., to create favourable conditions for development".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPICS: CHINA CENSORS SPEECH OF INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT The International Paralympic Committee is investigating and have asked the state-run CCTV
for an explanation after President Andrew Parsons speech, where he made a clear and direct
call for Peace at the Opening Ceremony, which was censored in China
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: INTEREST ON POPULAR CHINESE WEBSITES REGARDING THE WAR IN UKRAINE DECLINES A survey by the East Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore which has been
monitoring trending topics on popular Chinese online platforms, namely Weibo, Zhihu and
Douyin, between 14 January – 9 March 2022, suggests declining interest in the war in Ukraine.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-EU/UKRAINE: XI JINPING DESCRIBES SITUATION IN UKRAINE AS WORRYING In a virtual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf
Scholz on March 8 , Chinese President Xi Jinping was quoted by CCTV as calling for
"maximum restraint" in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in
Europe".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-EU/UKRAINE: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI ASKS EU TO DROP SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA IF IT WANTS CHINA TO MEDIATE The EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Josep Borrell Fontelles had a tele conversation with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign
Minister Wang Yi on March 7 regarding the situation in Ukraine. They agreed to continue
discussions after two days. One report states, however, that in private conversation some EU
officials disclosed that Wang Yi during his conversation with Borrell was clear that the EU
needs to drop sanctions if it wants China to intermediate. El Mundo earlier on March 4 quoted
Borrell as saying that China was the only possible mediator in the war. “We have not asked for
it, nor have they asked for it, but since it has to be a power and neither the US nor Europe can
be, China could be”.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE/US: XINHUA EDITORIAL DISMISSES NEW YORK TMES REPORT THAT U.S. BRIEFED CHINA ON RUSSIA'S PLANS TO ATTACK UKRAINE The South China Morning Post (March 9) quoted an editorial published by Xinhua on March
9 which accused the US government of feeding “slanderous news” to the media and denied
reports that Beijing had direct knowledge of Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine. It called the
report published last week in The New York Times a “downright lie” adding that “Shifting
blame to China, misleading the world and transferring accountability away from the crisis
culprit, this is a malicious intention”. The Xinhua editorial said “The US government routinely
feeds information to targeted media like The New York Times in the name of an intelligence
organisation in order to spin public opinion to its own advantage. “Media like The New York
Times then play along in a double act by spreading rumours with lies to maximise
Washington’s interests. All of this is to cover up the fact that the US was the ultimate culprit
in the Ukraine crisis”.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FORMER US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO ON 4-DAY VISIT TO TAIWAN AND CALLS FOR IT TO BE AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY In a 20-minute speech at the Prospect Foundation in Taipei on March 4, former US Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo said he was "Honoured to speak about the importance of America
recognizing Taiwan as a free and sovereign country".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE BLINKEN AGAIN CALLS CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI Washington’s top diplomat pressed his counterpart in Beijing during a call on March 5 over
China’s continued refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The call between US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on March 5 over
China’s continued refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: US SEC PRESIDENT SAYS 250 CHINESE COMPANIES COULD SOON CEASE TRADING IN US STOCK EXCHANGES The Chairman of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Gary Gensler announced
on March 5 that “If China changes tack, “then there's a path forward.” But otherwise "Congress
has spoken about 250 Chinese companies," would have to suspend trading here "potentially as
early as 2024.”
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA CRITICISES NEPAL'S DECISION TO JOIN USA'S MILLENIUM CHALLENGE INITIATIVE As Nepal's parliament on February 27 approved joining the US$ 500 million Millenium
Challenge initiative despite Chinese pressure, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that
the U.S. aid would come with political strings attached. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman
Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing in Beijing on March 2 “I’m afraid it will turn out
like a Nepalese saying, ‘It looks good, but you will find the meat difficult to chew.’ ”
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA'S SECOND HUALONG ONE NUCLEAR REACTOR GETS OPERATIONAL ON MARCH 4 The state-owned China National Nuclear Corp. announced on March 8 that an advanced
nuclear reactor developed by China has started up in Pakistan, making it the second unit of its
kind in operation in the country and fourth overall. The Karachi nuclear power plant, a threereactor site, installed its second Hualong One reactor and connected the unit to the grid on
March 4
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CPPCC'S ANNUAL SESSION BEGAN ON MARCH 4 The CPPCC began its annual session on March 4 in Beijing. CCTV telecast the opening
ceremony and showed Chinese President Xi Jinping walking into the Great Hall of the People
ahead of the other members of the PBSC.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: ANNUAL SESSION OF CHINA'S NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS TO OPEN ON 5 MARCH The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress(NPC) started its 33rd session
on March 2 to prepare for the upcoming 5th annual session of the 13th NPC, which will open
on March 5.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS SPEECH AT CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2022 Spring Semester Central
Party School (National School of Administration) training class for young and middle-aged
cadres started at the Central Party School on March 1. The state-owned China Central
Television (CCTV) telecast a clip of Xi Jinping being welcomed at the Central Party School.
Wang Huning, PBSC member Secretary of the Central Secretariat, attended the opening
ceremony. Chen Xi presided over the opening ceremony, saying that 'General Secretary Xi
Jinping's important speech is full of ardent expectations for young cadres' and exhorted the
cadres 'to study and understand deeply, and truly internalize it in the heart and externalize it in
action; It is necessary to further learn, understand and implement Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply comprehend the decisive
significance of the "Two Establishments", and effectively transform it into a high degree of
self-consciousness to resolutely achieve the "Two Maintenances", and transform it into forging
ahead in a new journey and making contributions'. Ding Xuexiang and Huang Kunming
attended the opening ceremony.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA--LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO STUDY SESSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired the 37th Politburo 'Study Session' on human
rights in China and its development on February 25. Lu Guangjin, Secretary-General of the
Chinese Society for Human Rights Studies gave a lecture and explained the subject.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW BOOK TITLED 'XI JINPING IN SHANGHAI' PUBLISHED Xinhua announced (March 2) that a new book: "Xi Jinping in Shanghai" has been published.
(Comment: Xi Jinping was Party Secretary there from March 2007- October 2007.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER HAN ZHENG PRESIDES OVER MEETING OF LEADING SMALL GROUP ON BRI Xinhua (February 24) reported that Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier
Han Zheng chaired a meeting of the Belt and Road Construction Work Leading Small Group
on February 24, where he called for "conscientiously implementing the spirit of the important
speech of the General Secretary Xi Jinping at the third "Belt and Road" construction
symposium" and summarized the work in 2021 and approved the key tasks in 2022. Yang
Jiechi, Hu Chunhua, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, He Lifeng and members of the leading group for
promoting the construction of the "Belt and Road" and "responsible comrades" from relevant
departments attended the meeting.
(Comment: The last time this Leading Small Group met was in January 2019.)
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES MAJOR ARTICLE BY CHEN YIXIN, SECRETARY GENERAL OF CCP CC PLAC The People's Daily (February 24)'s theory section published a major article by Chen Yixin,
Secretary General of the CCP CC Political-Legal Commission, on the Party's "self-revolution".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE PROFESSORS CIRCULATE STATEMENT/PETITION CRITICISING RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE Five Chinese Professors from prestigious Chinese Universities, including Hongkong
University, issued a statement on February 26 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: POLITBURO MEMBER ZHAO LEJI ADDRESSES CDIC STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING ON MARCH 28 Zhao Leji, Politburo Standing Committee member and Secretary of the CDIC, presided over
the 25th collective study meeting of the CDIC Standing Committee on February 28 around
"deepening the party history summary, study, education and publicity, and unswervingly
promoting the party's self-revolution".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY (MARCH 1) PUBLISHES MAJOR ARTICLE ON COMMON PROSPERITY QUOTING MAO A major article published by the People's Daily on March 1, on common prosperity article
quotes Mao in Oct 1955. The relevant paragraph says: 'In the early days of the founding of
New China, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "Now we implement such a system and such
a plan, we can get richer and stronger year by year, and we can see that we can get richer and
stronger year by year. This wealth is common wealth, and this strength is common strength,
and everyone has a share.” After the reform and opening up, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed
out: "The essence of socialism is to liberate productive forces, develop productive forces,
eliminate exploitation, eliminate polarization, and finally achieve common prosperity." The
fundamental principles of socialism."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-CYBER: CYBERSPACE ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA PUBLISHES DRAFT REGULATION S MAKING SERVICE PROVIDERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT OF 'PUSH NOTIFICATIONS' The South China Morning Post (March 3) said the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC)
-- China’s powerful internet regulator -- has drafted a new law to restrict push notification on
topics such as sensitive news items, disasters, and celebrity gossip in a new effort from Beijing
to curb Big Tech’s power in shaping public discourse.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC DISCLOSES INVESTIGATIONS IMPLEMENTING 'POLITICAL SUPERVISION' INCLUDE UNDER 'TWO SAFEGUARDS' On March 2, the CDIC disclosed that it had investigated 32 cadres in January 2022 and 43 in
February 2022 up from 19 in January 2021 and 21 in February 2021.
The CDIC announced (February 26) that while implementing political supervision under the
"two safeguards" in 2021, it had interviewed 943,000 people and 55,000 were "held
accountable".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: VICE GOVERNOR OF HUBEI PROVINCE PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION The CDIC announced (March 2) that Wang Dawei, Vice Governor of Liaoning Province, and
Director of the Provincial Public Security Department, is suspected of serious violations of
discipline and law and been placed under investigation. CDIC also announced (March 2) that
four new provincial-level managed cadres are under investigation today: Zhou Yongdi, former
member of the Party Group and Deputy Mayor of Weihai; Sun Bo, Secretary of the Party
Committee of Dongying Vocational College; Zhang Tianzhou, former Secretary of the
Standing Committee of the Longyan Municipal People's Congress; and Lei Zhiqiang, former
deputy general manager of Jiangsu Radio and Television Cable Information Network Co.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHONGQING PARTY SECRETARY DELIVERS SPEECH AT CHONGQING RELIGIOUS WORK CONFERENCE AND CHONGQING PUBLICISES INSPECTION WORK he Chongqing Daily (February 26) reported that Chongqing Party Secretary and Politburo
member Chen Min'er attended the Municipality's Religious Work Conference on February 24
and delivered a speech where he emphasised it is necessary to deeply study and understand
General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on religious work and fully implement
the party's basic policy on religious work and continue to create a new situation in our city's
religious work.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-HEILONGJIANG: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE BY HEILONGJIANG PARTY SECRETARY XU QIN ON 'TWO ESTABLISHMENTS' Heilongjiang Province Party Secretary Xu Qin authored a lengthy article on the decisive
significance of the 'two establishments' and what this means for Heilongjiang which was
published in the People's Daily's (March 2) Theory section.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES SAYS CORN PRICES WILL RISE BUT CHINA IS SELF-SUFFICIENT IN GRAIN A Global Times (February 24) article said that while the conflict in Ukraine will affect
agricultural trade and push prices up, the impact on China will be limited.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-DEFENCE: NPC EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE 7 PER CENT GROWTH IN CHINA'S DEFENCE BUDGET ON MARCH 5 The Global Times (March 3) said that analysts and observers predict, ahead of China's
announcement of its defense budget for 2022, that China will likely continue to steadily
increase its military expenditure, at a rate possibly slightly faster than last year.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY TO HAND OVER 20 TYPE 056 CORVETTES TO CHINA COAST GUARD The Global Times (February 23) disclosed that the PLA Navy is handing over almost 20 Type
056 corvettes to the China Coast Guard. It said the Type 056 corvettes will be a very good
choice in coastal law enforcement after being customized. Chinese military analyst
Wei Dongxi said in the hands of the Coast Guard, the Type 056, taking advantage of its original
designed purpose as a warship, like its fast speed, can effectively safeguard China's key sea
regions, islands, and reefs.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA-SPONSORED AIIB ISSUES CAREFULLY WORDED SEEMINGLY NEUTRAL STATEMENT In a carefully worded seemingly neutral statement the China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB) issued a statement on March 3. The statement said "As the war in
Ukraine unfolds, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) extends its thoughts and
sympathy to everyone affected. Our hearts go out to all who are suffering. AIIB is a multilateral
organization created by an international treaty, and adherence to international law lies at the
very core of our institution. AIIB Management believes that multilateralism provides the best
framework for countries to cooperate in dealing with common challenges and supporting
development. Our Bank is actively monitoring the situation and assessing its impact on AIIB’s
operations and our members’ economies".
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CDIC DAILY CLAIMS SWIFT WILL LOSE CREDIBILITY An article in the CDIC Daily (March 1) argued that the SWIFT's influence will gradually
decline because of digital currencies and rival systems (mentions Russia's SPFS, Iran's SEPAM.
It added that its use as a sanctions tool makes SWIFT lose credibility
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TSAI ING-WEN ISSUES STATEMENT AFFIRMING TAIWAN WILL JOIN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA In a statement on February 25, 2022, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen issued a statement which
"strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine" and said Taiwan is also joining the
international economic sanctions against Russia. She also said that the situation concerning
Taiwan is different from that of Ukraine.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES ISSUES SHARP WARNING TO TAIWAN'S RULING DPP THE DAY AFTER RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE A lengthy sharply-worded Global Times editorial issued the day after Russia's invasion of
Ukraine on February 25 said, "As the situation in Ukraine is heating up, the Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) authority in Taiwan island has again popped into the spotlight,
claiming they "empathize with Ukraine's situation."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA CUTTING BACK ON COAL IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA IN WAKE OF WESTERN SANCTIONS Reuters (March 1) reported that Chinese traders are scaling back imports of Russian coal as
they struggle to secure financing from state banks worried about potential sanctions after
Russia invaded Ukraine, in early signs of supply disruption from the world's third-largest coal
seller. A China-based trader dealing in Russian coal was quoted saying "Most banks have
stopped issuing letters of credit after the SWIFT sanctions. As almost all contracts are dollardenominated, we have no other way to make the payment." China is Russia's largest coal buyer,
taking in more than 50 million tonnes of coal worth $7.4 billion last year via rail and sea from
Russia's Far East. Russia accounted for roughly 15% of China's total imports and was its second
largest supplier behind Indonesia. It said while some buyers could eventually resort to using
China's onshore clearing and settlement system, known as CIPS, overall purchases by China
have been muted since last week after Beijing cut the domestic price cap that makes coal
imports largely uneconomical.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE COMPANIES NOT STATING THEIR PLANS FOLLOWING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA The South China Morning Post (March 1) observed that complying with Western sanctions on
Russia would run counter to the Chinese government’s official policy of opposing such
measures.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA Xu Qiyuan, Researcher of China Finance Forty Forum and Researcher and Deputy Director of
the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Hou
Lei, Associate Researcher of the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy
of Social Sciences, published an assessment of the impact of Western sanctions against Russia
in the 'China Finance Forty Forum on March 1 which was posted on the popular Chinese portal
weixin.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: THE UKRAINE CRISIS Bloomberg News (March 1) claimed that a research group that advises Chinese President Xi
Jinping said that sanctions levelled on Russia will ultimately cause more damage to the U.S.
and its allies. This input will be a factor as Beijing weighs how much backing to give its close
diplomatic partner. Ma Xue, an Associate Researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary
International Relations (CICIR) subordinate to the Ministry of State Security (MoSS), wrote in
an article published on social media on March 1 that Russia has largely adapted to dealing with
punitive financial measures since 2014, when it was penalized for seizing Crimea. Ma Xue,
said the US and European allies will wind up suffering for supporting Ukraine. He wrote “If
the Ukraine refugee crisis is not properly handled, this will be conducive for Russia to sow
hatred and sabotage NATO. The fierce debate on refugee problems inside Europe could also
damage its unity at crucial moments.”
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: XI JINPING SUMMONS HK CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM TO BEIJING Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng summoned Carrie Lam to Shenzhen on February 15, to pass
on a direct order from Xi Jinping: Bring Covid under control before Xi's planned visit to mark
the 25th handover anniversary.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: 5-MEMBER U.S. DELEGATION SUDDENLY VISITS TAIWAN AND JAPAN ON MARCH 2 US President Joe Biden suddenly sent a five-member delegation led by Mike Mullen, former
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Taiwan, in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine conflict,
for an about 30 hours stopover. The former Taiwanese legislator Shen Fu-hsiung pointed out
in a Facebook analysis on March 2 that "strategic ambiguity" was considered by many to be
beneficial to Taiwan in the past, but from the experience of Ukraine, it was a big mistake.
Mentioning "strategic clarity" he also said that he believes that "the arrival of the five-member
delegation may be a step in this direction", depending on who they meet in Japan
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-US: CASS RESEARCHER SAYS AMERICAN DEMOCRACY OUT OF TOUCH WITH AMERICAN SOCIETY An article by Wei Nanzhi, CASS researcher at the Xi Jinping Thought Research Centre, in the
Guangming Daily (February 26)'s theory section said that "American-style representative
democracy is out of touch with American society". It said, "Everything is for winning the
election" rather than "everything is for the common good", and the American-style
representative democracy that is out of touch with American society is bound to be in deep
crisis."
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: UKRAINE'S CONSUL GENERAL IN SHANGHAI PROTESTS QUESTIONING OF UKRAINIAN NATIONALS BY SHANGHAI AUTHORITIES In early March the Ukrainian Consulate General in Shanghai in a note to the Shanghai
Municipality Foreign Affairs Office, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of
Anhui Province, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Jiangxi Province
and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Fujian Province conveyed that it
had 'received many reports from Ukrainian citizens living abroad that Ukrainian citizens are
interviewed by the police or by people presenting themselves as police or being interviewed on
the telephone by police or Chinese police.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: VOTING AT UNSC ON RESOLUTION CONDEMNING RUSSIA China abstained at the voting in the UNSC on the resolution condemning Russia. The voting
was as follows:
Yes- United States - United Kingdom - France - Norway - Ireland - Albania - Gabon - Mexico
- Brazil - Ghana - Kenya
No - Russia
Abstain - China - India - United Arab Emirates
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN PRESS RESEARCH INSTITUTE FINDS ONLY 26.3 PER CENT HAVE FAVOURABLE OPINION IN JAPAN ABOUT CHINA The Japanese news service Jiji on February 27 said that in the annual survey, conducted by
Japan Press Research Institute in six countries in November-December 2021, 26.3% of people
in China said that they feel close to Japan, down by 13.4 percentage points from the previous
survey. The drop was largest on record. As reasons, personnel in charge of the research in
China cited Japanese politicians’ remarks about Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade
province, and a decrease in the amount of favourable information on Japan in line with
suspension of tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to officials of the institute.
Mar 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING ON FEBRUARY 25 Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo meeting on February 25. The meeting
discussed the draft of the "Government Work Report" that the State Council plans to submit to
the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress for deliberation, the
"Comprehensive Report on the Eighth Round of Central Inspections" and "Report on the Key
Work of the Central Inspection Leading Group in 2021". The Xinhua report (February 25) on
the meeting said it had stated that "It is necessary to strengthen the atmosphere of
comprehensive and strict governance of the party, implement the "two responsibilities",
strengthen the supervision of the "top leader" and the leading group, and carry out special
rectifications for typical common problems such as violations of the spirit of the eight central
regulations and the "revolving door" of politics and business". A Politburo 'Study session' will
be held on February 26.
(Comment: The last Politburo study session was held on January 24. It is interesting that the
Xinhua report called for strengthening "the supervision of the "top leader" and the leading
group".)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING APPEARS IN PUBLIC AT CLOSING CEREMONY OF BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, along with Party and State leaders such as Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang, PBSC members, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han
Zheng, Vice President Wang Qishan, and IOC President Bach attended the closing ceremony
of the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 20 wearing a face mask. Xinhua said that members
of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee in Beijing, Secretary of the Secretariat
of the CCP Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National
People's Congress, State Councillors, President of the Supreme People's Court, Chief
Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Vice Chairman of the National Committee
of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing and members of the
Central Military Commission attended the closing ceremony.
(Comment: Xi Jinping has made a personal appearance in public after a number of days.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: THEORY AND PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT OF PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES AN IMPORTANT ARTICLE ON 'TWO ESTABLISHMENTS' AND XI JINPING The Theory and Propaganda Department of the CCP's official newspaper People's Daily
published (February 23) an important article under its signature 'Ren Lixuan' (任理轩)
captioned 'Deeply grasp the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve "two maintenances"
(in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC
Central Committee)'.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINHUA'S 8TH COMMENTARY EXPLAINS XI JINPING'S THOUGHT ON MILITARY Xinhua (February 20) published its 8th 'Commentary on "Ten Clarifications" Highlighting the
New Leap of the Sinicization of Marxism' - this time on the military - captioned "Building a
People's Army That Follows the Party's Commands and Can Win Battles with Excellent Style".
It declared "It is clear that the party's goal of strengthening the army in the new era is to build
a people's army that obeys the party's command, can win battles, and has a good work style,
and build the people's army into a world-class army" and that "The country is big, and nothing
is more important than the army." Stating that "A strong country must have a strong army, and
a strong army can lead to national security", it gave a chronology of the PLA's reorganisation.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA PUBLISH BRIEF REPORTS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN UKRAINE The People's Daily, Chongqing Daily and Beijing Daily published a number of articles and
photographs on the developments in Ukraine on February 25. One report in the Beijing Daily
predicts that the Ukraine situation will interfere with US mid-term elections.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-SICHUAN: SICHUAN PARTY SECRETARY WRITES ARTICLE ON "TWO ESTABLISHMENTS" IN CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL'S STUDY TIMES The Sichuan Party Secretary Peng Qinghua penned a big article for the Central Party School's
'Study Times', which was reprinted in the Sichuan Daily on February 22. The article was
captioned: "Deeply grasp the "two establishments" and resolutely achieve the "two
maintenances", and constantly draw wisdom from the party's century-old struggle. and power".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY MA XINGRUI CHAIRS AUTONOMOUS REGION'S RELIGIOUS WORK CONFERENCE Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region Party Secretary Ma Xingrui held an Autonomous
Region Religious Work Conference in Urumqi on February 21. In his speech Ma Xingrui
emphasised the need to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's
important expositions on religious work, implement the spirit of the National Conference on
Religious Work and the Third Central Xinjiang Work Symposium, adhere to the direction of
Sinicization of China's religion, and actively guide Xinjiang's Islam to adapt to the socialist
society, and strive to open up a new situation for Xinjiang's religious work in a new era.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION STANDING COMMITTEE MEETS ON FEBRUARY 22 The CDIC Daily (February 22) reported that the TAR Disciplinary Commission Standing
Committee recently held its meeting, which 'emphasised that it is necessary to deeply grasp the
responsibilities and tasks of the discipline inspection and supervision organs in promoting the
party's self-revolution, to be sober and firm on the road forever, and to persevere to
comprehensively Strictly govern the party to advance in depth, and constantly realize the
strategic goal of not being corrupt, not being corrupt, and not wanting to be corrupt'. It revealed
that in 2021, the discipline inspection and supervision organs of the Tibet Autonomous Region
will adhere to the principle of no restricted areas, full coverage, and zero tolerance, and insist
on heavy containment, strong pressure, and long deterrence. They will deal with 6,869 clues, a
year-on-year increase of 41.3%, and file 1,814 cases, punish 1,788 people, and transfer them
to prosecutors. There were 73 people in the agency, an increase of 28.3%, 8.3%, and 69.8%
year-on-year respectively; 304 party members and cadres at the county level and above were
registered, a year-on-year increase of 29.4%, including 38 district management cadres; 321
"top leaders" at all levels were investigated and punished.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RELIGION: HUBEI PROVINCIAL RELIGIOUS WORK CONFERENCE RESOLVES TO PROMOTE SINICIZATION OF RELIGION Hubei Province Party Secretary Ying Yong chaired the Hubei Provincial Religious Work
Conference held on February 18, which emphasised that it is necessary to thoroughly study and
implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on religious work and the
spirit of the National Religious Work Conference and "solidly promote" the "Hubei Practice"
of the Sinicization of religion. Ying Yong emphasised that "to promote the "Hubei practice" of
the sinicization of religion in our country, we should make good use of our province's religious
and cultural resources, and guide religious people and believers to further strengthen the "five
identities". It is necessary to guide all religious groups in the province to explore and formulate
a standard system and code of conduct for promoting the sinicization of religions in China".
The meeting resolved it will construct a research team on Marxist religious studies.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ZHEJIANG: ZHIJIANG RIBAO CLAIMS 'XI JINPING IN ZHEJIANG' HAS SOLD OVER 5 MILLION COPIES AND HIGHLIGHTS HIS "CARE FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE" An article in the Zhejiang Ribao (February 21) captioned "Make good use of precious wealth
to shoulder the mission" reported that over 5 million copies of "Xi Jinping in Zhejiang" have
been sold. The article mentioned Xi Jinping 22 times and said the interview series
"demonstrates Comrade Xi Jinping's superb ideological and theoretical level, macro decisionmaking level, and outstanding political control". It quoted Teng Mingya, member of the
Standing Committee of the Nanhu District Committee of Jiaxing City and Head of the
Organization Department, as saying that "Xi Jinping in Zhejiang" shows "Comrade Xi Jinping's
in-depth thinking on how to strengthen party building under the new situation, and is an
important guiding ideology and action guide for party building work in Zhejiang. . "The Red
Boat of the Chinese Revolution set sail from Nanhu. We must faithfully support the 'Two
Establishments' and resolutely implement the 'Two Maintenances' into the party building work
in the new era, guard the 'red roots', and make every effort to build the side of the Red Boat'
Party building highlands' golden business card." She added "What he cares most about is the
grassroots, and what he cares most about is the common people." "He has a very deep affection
for the common people, and he goes to the countryside whenever he has the opportunity." The
general secretary has a deep and pragmatic work style and sincere and simple feelings for the
people."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: PARTY SCHOOL OF CHONGQING MUNICIPAL PARTY COMMITTEE HOLDS SEMINAR FOR STUDY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 'SPIRIT' OF SIXTH PLENARY SESSION The Chongqing Daily (February 19) reported that a seminar on the study and implementation
of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CCP Central Committee was held from
February 16th to 18th, at the Party School of the Municipal Party Committee. It said the
students who participated in the seminar further strengthened their political determination to
resolutely achieve the "two safeguards" and ideological determination. It said the seminar
stressed on "Loyalty core, maintenance core" and to "Transform the political achievements of
the "two establishments" into the political consciousness of resolutely achieving the "two
maintenances". the newspaper report stated: "The Party has established Comrade Xi Jinping as
the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire Party, and has established
the guiding position of Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which
reflects the common aspiration of the entire Party, the army, and the people of all ethnic groups
in the country."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: RETIRED CHINESE OFFICIAL HOPES THAT XI JINPING IS DENIED A THIRD TERM AT THE PARTY CONGRESS A retired former Chinese Commerce Ministry official wrote on February 18 that '2022 now
seems likely to be the year of all-out globalisation crisis; it hence may also be the beginning of
rebuilding the global order in the post-epidemic era. 2022 is already very important; a key
factor is that Xi Jinping will use the 20th National Party Congress to break the term limit,
cementing his life-long dictatorship'.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: US-BASED DISSIDENT WANG DAN ASSERTS THAT CHINA'S 'ZERO COVID' POLICY BEING USED IN XI JINPING'S BID FOR LIFELONG TERM AT 20TH PARTY CONGRESS US-based Chinese dissident Wang Dan, who protested at Tiananmen in 1989 and was exiled,
has written an article in 'Dialogue China' (February 15) asserting that "Zero Covid" is not really
about health.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: PARTY ANTI-CORRUPTION WATCHDOG CDIC ANNOUNCES THAT SENIOR PARTY OFFICIALS EXPELLED FROM CCP OR UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORRUPTION On February 18 and 19 the CCDIC announced the expulsions from the CCP of Xue Heng,
former Deputy Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Political Consultative
Conference for, among other things, selling posts and interfering in judicial activities; Sun Yun,
former Deputy Secretary-General of the Yunnan Provincial People's Government and member
of the Party Group of the General Office for, among other things, "illegally flying first class,
business class, and receiving gifts"; and Lu Shicheng, former member of the Party Group and
Deputy Director of the Tibet Autonomous Region Education Department; among other things
for playing mahjong , mistresses etc. It announced that the following officials had been placed
under investigation for corruption including other violations of Party discipline: Bai Hao, the
former Deputy Head of the Jiangjin District Government of Chongqing and the former Director
of the District Public Security Bureau; Wang Shunsheng, the former Vice Chairman of the
Zhengzhou Political Consultative Conference; Wu Weihua, a member of the Party Group and
Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Geological Bureau, for "suspected serious
violations of discipline and law"; and Li Guohua, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Group
and General Manager of China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd., who has
accepted the review and investigation of the CDIC and the State Supervision Commission.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINESE SCIENTISTS HAVE DEVELOPED NEW SEATOLERANT RICE STRAINS Bloomberg (February 19) reported that scientists from China's 'Qingdao Saline-Alkali Tolerant
Rice Research and Development Center, have developed new salt-tolerant rice strains in the
hope of ensuring food security that’s been threatened by rising sea levels, increasing grain
demand and supply chain disruptions. Known as “seawater rice” because it’s grown in salty
soil near the sea, the strains were created by over-expressing a gene from selected wild rice
that’s more resistant to saline and alkali. Test fields in Tianjin—the municipality that
encompasses Jinghai—recorded a yield of 4.6 metric tons per acre last year. The breakthrough
comes as China searches for ways to secure domestic food and energy supplies as global
warming and geopolitical tensions make imports less reliable.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION & S&T: CDIC DAILY DISCLOSES APID STRIDES MADE BY CHINA IN SELECTING STUDENTS AND TRAINING HIGH LEVEL TALENT The CDIC Daily (February 20) disclosed that since the 18th Party Congress, China's Human
Resources and Social departments at all levels have organised and implemented a series of
leading talent selection and training projects and high-level talent introduction projects. It said
a total of 22 batches of personnel enjoying special government allowances have been selected,
with a total of 187,000 people, and the total number of returnees from overseas studies has
exceeded 4 million. Among them are 280,000 postdoctoral fellows. It noted that the number of
high-level scientists in chemistry, materials, engineering science, life science and other
disciplines has grown rapidly bringing China to the forefront of the world. It added that the
"2021 Global Innovation Index Report" shows that China's ranking has risen rapidly from the
29th in 2015 to the 12th.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CAIXIN ANTICIPATES CHINA'S GDP IN 2022 COULD BE OFFICIALLY SET AT 5 OR 5.5 PER CENT Caixin (February 18) disclosed that each of China's 31 provincial-level governments have announced their growth targets and policy goals for the new year when delivering their annual work reports to local legislatures. It said the majority have set lower goals for 2022 than in the previous year.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA--ECONOMY: CHINESE MAGAZINE QUOTES CHINESE ECONOMIST JUSTIN YIFU LIN AS SAYING AGEING NEED NOT MEAN LOWER GROWTH RATES The Chinese magazine "K 36" published (February 18) an excerpt from "The Prospects of
China's Economy", authored by Justin Yifu Lin, a reputed Chinese economist, and former
World Bank Chief Economist. It quoted Justin Yifu Lin as saying "2021 is a very important
node.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: JACK MA BEING INVESTIGATED AGAIN Bloomberg (February 23) reported that China is again scrutinising founder Jack Ma’s financial
empire. Banking regulators recently told the biggest state-owned banks and firms to report all
their financial exposure to Ant, its subsidiaries and even its shareholders.
(Comment: Consequent to the Ant Group Co.’s US$ 35 billion initial public offering having
been cancelled at the last minute 16 months ago and Jack Ma having stepped down from all his
positions, it is not clear why he is being investigated again.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE GOVERNMENT ISSUES GUIDELINES ENCOURAGING LEADING ENTERPRISES TO MERGE AND BUILD WORLDCLASS MEGA STEEL ENTERPRISES On February 7, China's Ministry of Industry, and Information Technology and three other
departments in China issued a “Guidance on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the
Iron and Steel Industry", hereinafter referred to as the Guidance. It clearly encourages leading
enterprises in the industry to implement mergers and reorganizations to build several worldclass mega steel enterprise groups. The Guidance makes concrete arrangements for steel
industry mergers and reorganizations. One to two specialized pilot enterprises will be formed
relying on the leading enterprises in stainless steel, special steel, seamless steel tubes, castings,
and other fields, respectively. The Guidance mentioned that those enterprises that have
completed the mergers and reorganizations will be given capacity replacement policy support
during their smelting project construction. The Guidance also encourages Chinese financial
institutions actively to offer integrated financial services to those steel enterprises which
implement mergers and reorganizations, layout adjustments, transformation and upgrading
based on risk-controlled, commercially sustainable principles. Li Xinchuang, Chief Engineer
of the Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute, said that the concentration in the
domestic steel industry is still less than 40 percent. China’s steel industry has now ushered in
an important window of mergers and reorganizations and a period of historic opportunity.
Given the background that the output of the iron and steel industry has entered the peak
platform area, it is the key to the healthy and high-quality development of the industry to
intensify the merger and reorganization of iron and steel and improve the concentration of the
industry.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLES CRITICAL OF INDIA The Global Times (February 20) criticised India for signing an FTA with the UAE and said it
was because of the pressure caused by the RCEP. It also compared India with Pakistan and
citing the CPEC as example claimed it is favourable to foreign investment and invites 100 per
cent foreign investment in a wide range of sectors. It concludes by saying "India is very likely
to face severe challenges if it cannot shake off of its fear of outside competition."
Another Global Times (February 20) article said that "Indian External Affairs Minister
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently has twice mentioned the China-India border dispute on a
multilateral occasion at which China was not present. New Delhi may try to exploit the force
of the international community to embolden itself and further play with fire on the border issue.
Such a dangerous tendency is what China needs to be wary of."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN-UKRAINE: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE ASSERTS THAT TAIWAN'S FATE MUST BE DECIDED BY CHINA AND WARNS IT AGAINST BECOMING A PAWN OF THE U.S. In an article captioned 'Associating Taiwan with Ukraine is a trap ‘in the Global Times
(Chinese edition) on February 15, Cui Hongjian, Director of the European Institute of the China
Institute of International Studies, described "The Ukraine crisis, in which the United States,
Russia and Europe are deeply involved, has become the biggest geopolitical hotspot at the
moment." He added "At the same time, it has also become a “right and wrong place” that some
people have too much imagination. One of them is to compare the Ukraine crisis with the
Taiwan issue.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN SAYS NATO ENLARGEMENT CANNOT BE OVERLOOKED WHEN DEALING WITH CURRENT TENSIONS RELATED TO UKRAINE Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on February 23 slammed the U.S. as
"the culprit of current tensions" and criticized Washington for sending weapons to Ukraine.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE ANALYSTS ARE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE UKRAINE CRISIS AND SAY IT SHOULD BE RESOLVED THROUGH NEGOTIATION In an article (February 22) posted on the US' Stimson Centre website, Yun Sun, Senior Fellow
at the Stimson Centre, wrote that "If Crimea serves as a precedent, China will remain silent on
the issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which in reality translates into a tacit
recognition of the altered status quo without publicly stating so". She explained that "There are
several nuanced differences in China’s position this time around, however.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: MONGOLIA ARRESTS CITIZEN APPARENTLY AT CHINA'S REQUEST Southern Mongolia Watch reported February 21) that on February 17, 2022, at around 3:00
PM, Mr. Munkhbayar Chuluundorj, a citizen of the independent country of Mongolia who has
long supported the Southern (Inner) Mongolian cause, was arrested by the General Intelligence
Agency (GIA) of Mongolia in the capital city Ulaanbaatar. According to a press conference
held by the GIA on Friday, “Receiving instructions and accepting funds from a foreign
intelligence organization, Mongolian citizen Munkhbayar Chuluundorj has engaged in
activities of illegal cooperation [with the foreign intelligence organization]” and was “arrested
in action.” The GIA did not disclose at whose behest the arrest was carried out.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: XINHUA'S REFERENCE NEWS PUBLISHED ON ITS FRONT PAGE A MAJOR ARTICLE ON NIXON-MAO SUMMIT On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Mao-Nixon meeting in Beijing, Xinhua's high
circulation Reference News published (February 17) a major article on the Nixon-Mao Summit
on its front page.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESS AND US ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERING TOUGHER MEASURES TO CONTROL US INVESTMENTS IN CHINA AND OF CHINESE START-UPS The US newspaper Politico (February 19) reported that the US Congress is considering
legislation allowing the government to screen American investments in China and other
adversarial nations — and potentially deny them if a project threatens national security. At the
same time, the White House is talking about issuing executive orders to increase scrutiny of
American funding for Chinese start-ups and technology firms, expanding a ban that today only
exists for a select group of firms aligned with the Chinese military. Supporters say they are
necessary to stop American banks from funding China’s technological development and
prevent U.S. supply chains from being reliant on Beijing for goods used in critical industries,
like medicine, energy, and defense. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who is leading a bill with
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) said “We’re in an economic war, whether we want to use that
language [or not]. I think it requires that we examine some issues that maybe 10 or 15 years
ago we didn’t have to worry about.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: EPOCH TIMES PUBLISHES LIST OF BIOTECH, GENOMICS AND MED-TECH FIRMS WITH LINKS TO CCP OPERATING IN U.S. The Epoch Times (February 7) published an article pointing out that a growing number of
biotech, genomics, and med-tech firms that have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
are operating in the United States, raising security concerns about American citizens’ medical
and genetic data.
The article listed several Chinese companies as examples:
China’s Lepu Biopharma Co. 0pened its U.S. branch Innocube Bioscience, Inc. in Texas.
Beijing’s sovereign wealth fund, the State Development, and Investment Corporation (SDIC),
heavily invests in Lepu.
BeiGene, a Chinese pharmaceutical and research firm located in San Mateo, California,
conducts research on targeted molecular agents related to gene sequencing. The company’s
research center in China has received significant local government funding.
The PLA-linked BGI Group purchased Complete Genomics, a California-based company that
holds the genetic information of U.S. citizens. Several of China’s sovereign wealth funds have
invested in the company.
The Chinese firm WuXi Pharma Tech acquired U.S. genomic information company
NextCODE Health in 2015.
Also In 2015, IuXi Biologics, bought a stake in an American DNA testing company, andMe.
WuXi Biologics now has locations in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Its drug plant in
Delaware was built with a Chinese government grant.
WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXi ATU) announced the opening of a cell and gene therapy
testing facility in the Philadelphia Navy Yard in November 2021.
The article also said that U.S. money has aided the CCP’s infiltration of the U.S. bio and
medical industries. Last month, Chinese firm Andon Health Co. received a $1.28 billion
contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command to supply COVID-19 self-test kits. A
subsidiary of Andon, iHealth Labs, signed a contract with the New York State Department of
Health in December for $120 million worth of self-test kits
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a meeting of the State Council Standing Committee on
February 14. Xinhua reported that the State Council had accepted more than 4,300 suggestions
from the NPC, which submitted 8,666 proposals and the CPPCC, which submitted 5,718
proposals in 2021, and issued 1,600 policies and measures. The State Council discussed NPC
and CPPCC deputies' proposals and the employment situation and concluded that the "stable
recovery of industry" is not solid
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW BOOK OF The 1st volume of a new book of "Xi Jinping's Collected Letters" has been published. The book
includes a letter written in 2014 to the villagers of Liangjiahe in Shaanxi province, where Xi
spent the Cultural Revolution years.
(Comment: The title implies more volumes to come.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-STATE COUNCIL: STATE COUNCIL RELEASES 'NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM PLAN' CCTV (February 14) announced that the State Council recently issued the "14th Five-Year
Plan" National Emergency Response System Plan, which comprehensively deploys work
safety, disaster prevention, mitigation and relief during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. The
"Plan" proposes that by 2025, significant progress will be made in the modernization of the
emergency management system and capabilities
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY STARTS PUBLISHING COMMENTARY SERIES ON CHINESE SOCIALISM GETTING The People's Daily (February 16) published its second commentary of a series entitled "Ten
Clarifications" - The road of socialism with Chinese characteristics is getting wider and wider".
The commentaries highlight "the new leap" in the Sinicization of Marxism and Xi Jinping's
leadership. The People's Daily commentaries are being reproduced in all major newspapers of
China. Its third commentary on the "10 clears", published on February 16 is a refresher from
the Party History Resolution and the fourth published on February 17 similarly clarifies the 4th
of Xi Jinping's Thoughts on Party History.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: SENIOR CADRE OF TIBET SOE EXPELLED FROM CCP The CDIC official website announced on February 17 that Zhao Ming, the 1975-born former
Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Tibet Communications Development Group,
had been expelled from the CCP among other things for "illegally setting up and using an "off
book accounts""
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF LEADING CADRES DISCLOSING PERSONAL MATTERS he Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) newspaper, CDIC Daily (February 14)
published an important article on the "Regulations on the Reporting of Personal Matters by
Leading Cadres", highlighting the importance of leading cadres "disclosing personal matters".
It reminded Party members and cadres that "whether or not to report personal matters to the
party organization truthfully is the touchstone to test whether the leading cadres are loyal and
honest to the party." It mentioned that 2021 was the first year of institutionalization of the
"sweep away black and eliminate evil" campaign and that since the beginning of 2022, 3
leading cadres are already under investigation for failing to do this. It also listed 9,931 cases of
corruption and "protection umbrella" (where officials protect criminals) issues and dealt with
other issues related to "gangsterism". A number of provincial cadres were mentioned. The
article cautioned cadres to voluntarily disclose their dealings in real estate, stock investment,
running businesses, and going abroad as "In the era of big data, there are advanced
technological means, and the traces of your crime will never be erased. The organization is
very insightful and very clear about all this. So, you want to be clever and be smart, but you
will be punished. A stupid thing that is clever and wrong is actually stealing the bell." It asserted
that the instructions include their "marriage, spouse, children emigration, employment, income,
real estate, investment and other matters".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: A 40,000-CHINESE CHARACTER ARTICLE (MONOGRAPH) RELEASED BY TWO CHINESE AUTHORS ON THE EVE OF THE BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS UNSPARINGLY CASTIGATED XI JINPING A 40,000-Chinese character monograph titled ‘An Objective Evaluation of Xi Jinping’ (客觀
評價習近平 ) authored by Chinese writing under the pseudonym ‘Fang Zhou & China’ (方舟
與中國 - literally ‘China & Its Ark’) was released in late January and is the first public salvo
of criticism in China in 2022. Commentators in the independent Chinese media quickly pointed
out that Fang Zhou’s damning round-up was released on the eve of the 2022 Winter Olympics
in Beijing, an event staged in part as a celebration of Xi Jinping. A translation of the article, or
monograph, by Geremie R. Barme reveals that it severely castigated Xi Jinping and his
performance in a number of areas. It asserted: "Xi will be the architect of his own defeat. His
style of governance is simply unsustainable; it will generate ever newer and greater policy
missteps. That he has been able to get this far is a testament both to Xi’s obduracy and also his
inertia, a kind of helplessness fuelled by the fact that he will not back down on any front. The
truth of the matter is that he has never really been bolstered by sincerely held core beliefs; he
is sustained by his political instincts. Some people in the Party have his measure. They make a
show of total compliance and they even encourage his wilfulness. They commandeer access to
him and have proved masterful at putting the best face on the consequences of his political
follies. In reality, they are guiding him towards an impossible predicament while letting all the
frustrations and fury that his policies create focus on him and him alone. When the time comes,
he will bear sole responsibility for the quagmire at the heart of China’s cyclical authoritarian
politics". The article says in conclusion: "Even if by some remarkable sleight of hand, he
manages to secure another term in office he will still be faced by a landscape riven by problems
and an inevitable rout in the year 2027. He’s caught up in a monomaniacal fantasy that realworld politics can actually be based upon the kind of abstract ideal that he holds dear. His
circumstances are not all that different from those experienced by Yuan Shikai, whose
autocratic mindset and imperial ambitions were frustrated by the reality of the times. Well may
Xi Jinping inwardly regard himself as the greatest ruler in all of Chinese history but, sooner or
later, he will learn that this is a chimera. The chasm between Xi Jinping’s hubristic self-belief
and stark reality is his Achilles heel. Xi Jinping may well end up as a lonely figure; his
comeuppance is unavoidable".
(Comment: I am attempting a detailed translation and a summary will follow separately.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA'S EDUCATION DAILY STRESSES BUILDING OF PARTY LEADERSHIP IN UNIVERSITIES China Education Daily (February 15) runs two articles on the building of world class
universities and their new mission and requirements. It emphasises that they have a "New
orientation, new mission, and new requirements" in higher education. The article highlighted
that "the person in charge said that first, the party's leadership over colleges and universities
has been comprehensively strengthened, and second, the building (construction) of high-level
teachers has made significant progress. The third is to continuously improve the ability to
cultivate high-level talents to serve the needs of the country; the fourth is to further improve
the ability to serve the country's scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement;
the fifth is to fully demonstrate the role of the main force in philosophy and social sciences;
Continue to improve, and eighth is to demonstrate and drive the new development of regional
higher education". The Education Daily said there are 147 universities in the list announced
this time, and 7 new universities including Shanxi University, Nanjing Medical University,
Xiangtan University, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou Medical University,
Southern University of Science and Technology, and Shanghai University of Science and
Technology have been added. Among the disciplines, there are 59 basic disciplines such as
mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, 180 engineering disciplines, and 92 philosophy
and social science disciplines. The disciplines independently set up by Peking University and
Tsinghua University have been announced by themselves. The South China Morning Post
(February 16) clarified that “The aim is for more Chinese institutions and specialisms to rank
among the world’s best by 2030, and the country to be a global education power by 2035”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA- GOVERNMENT: CHINA'S SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT MOVING TOWARDS DIGITISATION Supreme People's Court Chief Justice Zhou Qiang met China Mobile CEO Yang Jie, to discuss
about smart courts and informatization and digitization, smart "trial" and "office". He promised
to push for further integration. Separately, the CDIC Daily (February 15) published the 33rd
batch of Supreme People's Procuratorate Guiding Cases which revealed that "11,150 cases
were filed and 14,217 people were punished in 53 centrally management enterprises, an
increase of 27.1% and 20.8% compared with 2020".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TIANJIN: TIANJIN COMMENCES ITS CPPCC MEETING ON FEBRUARY 11 Tianjin starts its "two meetings" after a delay due to COVID-19. The Tianjin Daily (February
11) reported on the fifth meeting of the 14th Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) that opened in the Tianjin Auditorium on
February 11. Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong, Secretary of the Municipal Party
Committee, Liao Guoxun, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor,
and Duan Chunhua, Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress
attended. Sheng Maolin, Chairman of the CPPCC, presented the work report on behalf of the
Standing Committee of the 14th Tianjin Committee of the CPPCC. Vice Chairman of the
CPPCC Cao Xiaohong, Gao Yubao, Shang Binyi, Zhao Zhonghua, Zhang Jinying, Qi Chengxi,
Wang Jianguo and Secretary-General Gao Xuezhong were seated in the front row of the
rostrum. Li Changjin, vice chairman of the CPPCC, was entrusted by the Standing Committee
of the CPPCC to make a report on the proposal work since the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC.
Li Shaohong, vice chairman of the CPPCC, presided over the meeting. 583 members of the
total 704 members attended the fifth meeting of the 14th CPPCC.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: PARTY SECRETARY OF CHONGQING CHEN MIN'ER ADDRESSES SIXTH WORKING MEETING OF CHONGQING MUNICIPAL PARTY COMMITTEE The Chongqing Daily (February 12) On February 11, the sixth working meeting of the
Municipal People's Congress was held. Chen Miner, Secretary of the Municipal Party
Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized that it is necessary to
conscientiously study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on
adhering to and improving the system of the people's congress, effectively strengthen the
party's overall leadership over the work of the people's congress, further strengthen and
improve the work of the people's congress in our city in the new era, and continuously develop
people's democracy throughout the process. Vigorously promote the construction of socialist
democratic politics, provide a strong guarantee for Chongqing to write a new chapter of highquality development and high-quality life, and comprehensively build socialist modernization.
He added it is necessary to fully implement the Constitution, safeguard its authority and dignity,
strictly abide by, and implement it, and strengthen the supervision of the Constitution. Deputy
Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor Hu Henghua presided over the meeting,
Zhang Xuan, Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress,
delivered a speech, Wang Jiong, Chairman of the CPPCC, Wu Cunrong, Deputy Secretary of
the Municipal Party Committee, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party
Committee, and relevant municipal leaders attended the meeting.
(Comment: Chen Min'er's speech included 5 references to Xi Jinping.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AS WEALTH EXPANDS IN CHINA "COMMON PROSPERITY" IS BEING TOUTED AS A MEANS TO REDUCE INEQUALITY Reuters (February 16) cited a report (February 16) by the Swiss Bank, UBS (UBSG.S), which
said China's drive for "common prosperity" to ease inequality could be a positive catalyst for
the local wealth management industry, as it leads to expansion of the middle-income group and
healthy development of capital markets. The UBS also said the wealth management market in
China could hit 214 trillion yuan ($34 trillion) in investable assets by high net worth individuals
in 2030. Stating that the "Common prosperity" policy drive by President Xi Jinping has sparked
some concerns as Beijing the UBS report said concerns about policy uncertainties amid
Beijing's "aim to 'reasonably regulate and adjust excessively high income'" could boost demand
for geographic diversification and offshore asset allocation by high net worth individuals.
Reuters mentioned that the number of high net worth individuals in China has jumped from 0.3
million in 2008 to 2.6 million in 2020, adding the growth was still the primary driver for the
rise in overall investable assets.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGMING DAILY SAYS DIGITAL ECONOMY WILL EXACERBATE INCOME INEQUALITY AND ADVOCATES DIGITAL TAX A major Guangming Daily (February 15) article on the digital economy and common
prosperity asserted that the tenth meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Commission
in August 2021 made comprehensive and specific arrangements for common prosperity, and
the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2021 stipulated further "clear
requirements for the guiding ideology and practice path of common prosperity". It said the two
cannot be separated and "the digital economy will not alleviate but exacerbate the income
distribution gap", and advocated introduction of a "digital tax" to help with that. It called for
speeding up the establishment of an income distribution system and added that "Preventing and
defusing major financial risks, especially preventing the occurrence of systemic financial risks,
is the core task of financial work and the eternal theme of financial work".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NDRC UNVEILS SUPPORT FOR 10.76 MILLION COLLEGE STUDENTS GRADUATING THIS YEAR The South China Morning Post (February 14) reported that China's National Development and
Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on February 11 that China is rolling out support for
a record 10.76 million college students poised to graduate this year. It said the government will
offer special help to young entrepreneurs as “starting a new business has a multiplier effect in
driving up employment”. The NDRC statement said: “In recent years, more college graduates
have taken part in entrepreneurship, but they also face difficulties in financing, lack of
experiences and services among other [issues]. The exemplary activities this year will revolve
around the promotion of college graduates’ entrepreneurial practices and employment
opportunities.” The list of preferential policies includes free, government-funded start-up
incubators, special loans with reduced interest rates, fee, and tax cuts, as well as the possibility
for college students to retain school credits while taking years off to start a business. The
assistance does not include those who graduated from overseas universities and are returning
home.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE COMPANIES LISTED ON CHINA'S STOCK MARKETS POST HEAVY LOSSES FOR 2021 IN END JANUARY 2022 The Epoch Times (February 4) reported that Chinese companies listed on China’s stock
markets – either the Shanghai stock exchange or the Shenzhen stock exchange – are required
to report their profits and losses from 2021 by the end of January. Thus, many companies with
big losses submitted their information on January 28, the last trading day in January.
Suning.com Co had the largest loss, around 43.3 billion yuan (US $6.8 billion), more than the
company’s market cap of 36.4 billion yuan. The company was on the Fortune 500 list in August
2021 and ranked number one among the Chinese retail companies. The second largest loss was
from China Fortune Land Development, a real estate developer, with an estimated loss of 33.1
to 39.1 billion yuan. Caixin reported that, by January 29, out of the 66 real estate companies
which published their 2021 performance information, 30 reported a loss.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC DAILY ARTICLE CLAIMS TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS WORTH US$ 240 BILLION BY CHINA-EUROPE FREIGHT TRAIN SHOWS VITALITY OF BRI An article in China's Economic Daily (February 11) said that from only 17 trains in 2011, now
the China-Europe freight train has transported more than 4.55 million TEUs of goods with a
value of US$ 240 billion, and has 78 paved and operated lines, reaching 180 cities in 23
European countries. It said despite the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, ChinaEurope freight trains have continued to grow and the number of trains has exceeded 10,000 for
two consecutive years, once again confirming the strong vitality and appeal of the "Belt and
Road". It added that in 2021, the total value of imports and exports between China and the EU
will reach US$ 828.11 billion, a year-on-year increase of 27.5%, continuing to remain the EU's
largest trading partner and in Duisburg, Germany, for example, the China Railway Express has
attracted hundreds of logistics companies creating more than 20,000 employment
opportunities.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S LARGEST CHIP-MAKER SMIC'S PROFITS QUADRUPLE IN 2021 The Financial Times (February 11) said that China’s biggest chipmaker may lack leading-edge
technology and be under the yoke of strict US sanctions, but Semiconductor Manufacturing
International Corporation (SMIC)'s record sales last year hint at what to expect this year. Profit
from operations quadrupled to $1.4bn in 2021 over the year as its top line rose 39 per cent to a
record $5.4bn.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ENERGY: CHINA'S NATIONAL ENERGY ADMINISTRATION RELEASES NEW GUIDELINES SAYING IT WILL CREATE A SYSTEM FOR NEW ENERGY DEMANDS TO BE MET BY NON-FOSSIL FUEL SOURCES Reuters (February 11) reported that China's National Energy Administration (NEA) guidelines
published late on February 10 said that new policies and institutional mechanisms were
required in order for China to take full advantage of green energy. It said by 2030, China would
create a system allowing all new energy demand to be met by non-fossil fuel sources, “Beijing
aims to bring total wind and solar capacity to 1,200 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2030, almost
double the current level, and will gradually phase down fossil fuel use in a bid to become
carbon neutral by around 2060”. It said China would make clean coal consumption a priority
and further eliminate small and inefficient mines, power plants and heating systems, while
providing more support for carbon capture and storage at thermal plants and that "China's new
renewable energy plans will focus on the Gobi and other desert regions, as it speeds up the
construction of huge new wind and solar power bases and boosts its transmission capabilities".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: UN REPORT ACCUSES CHINA'S 'RE-EDUCATION CENTRES' IN XINJIANG OF USING FORCED LABOUR AND OF EXTRAORDINARY HARSH LIVING CONDITIONS Al Jazeera disclosed (February 11) that an 870-page report of the UN, titled Application of
International Labour Standards, which is an assessment by the Committee of Experts on the
Application of Conventions and Recommendations, sent to the International Trade Union
Confederation (ITUC) and to governments, alleged that China continues to engage in
widespread and systematic “programmes” involving the extensive use of forced labour of the
Uighur and other Turkic and Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. It said a key feature of China’s
programme is the use of forced labour in or around internment or “re-education” camps housing
some 1.8 million Uighur and other Turkic or Muslim peoples in the region. The abuses take
place in or around prisons and workplaces across Xinjiang and other parts of the country. Life
in “re-education centres” or camps is characterised by extraordinary hardship, lack of freedom
of movement, and physical and psychological torture, according to the ITUC. It also alleges
prison labour in cotton harvesting and the manufacture of clothing and footwear. It said outside
Xinjiang, Uighur workers live and work in segregation, are required to attend Mandarin classes
and are prevented from practising their culture or religion. The Chinese government rebutted
the ITUC findings, stressing that language training for ethnic minority workers in Xinjiang is
necessary to increase their language skills and boost their employability and that the minimum
wage system applies across the country. The claims that wages of some migrant workers in
Xinjiang are as low as $114 (approximately 729 yuan) per month are groundless. However,
Beijing pledged to take steps to strengthen the inspection of employer compliance with
minimum wage provisions and call on employers to respect the minimum wage standards. It
stressed that China has policies ensuring freedom of religion and actively guides religions to
adapt to the socialist society, the government said.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: XI JINPING ORDERS HONGKONG TO "STABILISE AND CONTROL" THE PANDEMIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE The Beijing-owned Hongkong-based Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao newspapers reported
(February 16), without saying where they got the information, that Chinese President Xi
Jinping had ordered Vice Premier Han Zheng, who heads the Communist Party committee
responsible for Hong Kong: “Hong Kong’s government must take up the main responsibility
to stabilize and control the pandemic as soon as possible as a mission that overrides everything,
mobilize all available forces and resource and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety
and health of Hong Kong’s citizens and the stability of Hong Kong’s society.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE 'CIVIL' AIRCRAFT APPROACHED TAIWAN'S DONGYIN ISLAND The Global Times (February 16) reported that Taiwan's defense authorities had confirmed on
February 15 that a Chinese mainland civilian aircraft recently approached Dongyin Island and
that the "Taiwan side speculated that the Chinese mainland was testing Taiwan's response
measures". The aircraft that was spotted near Dongyin on February 5 was a Chinese mainland
civilian Y-12 light twin-engine aircraft. It said that Chinese mainland experts, however, said
on February 16 that the incident only exposed the Taiwan military's weak air defense capability,
and warned that such a flight could become routine or even expand to include larger areas if
Taiwan secessionists continue to provoke
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF AIRCRAFT VIOLATE TAIWAN'S AIR DEFENCE IDENTIFICATION ZONE ON FEBRUARY 6 China's PLA Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone
(ADIZ) at 9:18 on February 6 at an altitude of 4,000 meters. The Freedom Times (February 6)
quoting the records of the Southwest Taiwan Airspace Facebook fan page, claimed that
Chinese military aircraft have entered Taiwan's airspace on 3 days this month and 29 days in
2022. Taiwan's defense department announced that the PLA military aircraft entered Taiwan's
airspace for a total of 26 days in 2022, with 146 sorties
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: CHINESE EMBASSY IN UKRAINE ASKES CHINESE CITIZENS TO "ENHANCE DEFENSIVE AWARENESS" The South China Morning Post (February 12) disclosed that a WeChat post by the Chinese
Embassy on February 11, urges citizens to ‘enhance defensive awareness’ of changing situation,
but that its focus appears to be on Covid-19, even as the US and others urge nationals to
evacuate immediately over Russian invasion fears. The Chinese embassy’s notice added “The
current tense situation between Ukraine and Russia has aroused wide concerns, and various
statements have emerged, which are not consistent with each other.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA EXTENDS LEASE WITH PAKISTAN'S SAINDAK METALS BY 15 YEARS China has taken a 15-year extension of its leasing rights on a gold and copper mine project in
restive Balochistan province. A 15-year extension of the lease between Saindak Metals
Limited (SML) of Pakistan and the Metrological Construction Company of China (MCC) for
the Saindak Copper-Gold Project was cleared by the Pakistan cabinet on February 9. The lease
contract had been valid until October 31, 2022, but it now expires in 2037.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-UK: NUMBER OF CHINESE STUDENTS APPLYING TO BRITISH UNIVERSITIES HAS REGISTERED A 12 PER CENT INCREASE The Times (February 17) reported that record numbers of students from China have applied to
study in the UK, with applicants from the country now outnumbering those from Wales. The
latest data from Ucas (University admissions service) shows a 12 per cent increase in Chinese
applicants to 28,930, making it the second largest overseas market for British universities after
the European Union. There were 26,000 applicants last year and 6,900 in 2013. The number
from India has also risen.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-UK: BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS VOTED FOR MOTION TO ENHANCE SECURITY COOPERATION WITH TAIWAN AND ITS BID FOR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION Members of the British House of Commons on February 10 unanimously voted for a motion
to enhance security cooperation with Taiwan and support its bid for international recognition
following discussions over UK-Taiwan friendship and cooperation presided over by MPs
Alicia Kearns and Bob Steward — who are cochairs of the China Research Group and BritishTaiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group respectively.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CCTV REPORTS PHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN XI JINPING AND FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON ON FEBRUARY 16 The state-run CCTV (February 16) disclosed that President Xi Jinping had a phone call with
French President Emmanuel Macron on the afternoon of February 16 when Macron extended
Chinese New Year greetings and said, "The French side has always supported and will continue
to fully support the Beijing Winter Olympics". Xi Jinping emphasized that in 2021, "we will
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have two phone calls and two jointly attend the China-France-Germany Leaders' Video Summit
to actively promote the development of bilateral relations" He mentioned that last year, the
bilateral trade volume exceeded 80 billion US dollars and the total amount of Chinese
agricultural products imported from France increased by 40% year-on-year.
Xi Jinping pointed out that since France took over the rotating presidency of the EU this year,
it has done a lot to enhance EU unity and strengthen European strategic autonomy and said
China and the EU should make joint efforts to promote new development of China-EU relations.
It said the two heads of state reached a number of important consensuses on bilateral
cooperation in the next stage:
1. Promote cooperation in agricultural science and technology and local advantageous
agricultural industries as soon as possible. China welcomes more French agri-food enterprises
that meet China's requirements to register in China.
2. Deepen the Sino-French "Green Manufacturing Partnership" initiative and provide a fair,
just and non-discriminatory business environment for each other's enterprises to develop in
their own countries.
3. Support more French banks and financial infrastructure to access the RMB cross-border
payment system. The Chinese side will actively examine and approve the financial
qualification applications of French-funded banks in accordance with relevant procedures and
standards.
4. Support the aviation enterprises of the two countries to deepen cooperation in various forms
and promote the mutual airworthiness certification of aircraft.
5. Accelerate the implementation of the list of the fourth batch of demonstration projects for
third-party market cooperation.
6. Hold the China-France strategic dialogue space group meetings and online group meetings
as soon as possible, carry out polar and maritime dialogues, and strengthen dialogues and
exchanges between the two militaries at all levels.
Macron introduced his views on the current situation in Ukraine. Xi Jinping stressed that all
parties concerned should adhere to the general direction of political settlement, make full use
of multilateral platforms including the Normandy mechanism, and seek a comprehensive
solution to the Ukraine issue through dialogue and consultation.
They also exchanged views on other issues of mutual concern.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINA AND FRANCE CONCLUDE US$ 1.7 BILLION AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN "THIRD COUNTRY PROJECTS" The Chollima Report disclosed on February 15 that China and France have signed a US$ 1.7
billion cooperation agreement to work on seven projects in "third party countries" covering
infrastructure, environmental protection, new energy, and others.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PEOPLE'S DAILY SPECIAL COMMENTARY STRESSES POSITIVE ASPECTS OF RECENT XI-PUTIN MEETING IN BEIJING A People's Daily 'He Yin' commentary (February 5) highlighted the recent meeting between
Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 4 in Beijing. Noting that this
meeting was the 38th meeting between the two leaders since 2013 it described the meeting as
“a vivid portrayal of the solidarity and cooperation between China and Russia.” It asserted that
the two leaders have “established a profound friendship” which has led China-Russia relations
to “usher in the best period in [the bilateral relationship’s] history.” It added that the two sides
“firmly support each other in safeguarding their core interests,” have “jointly practiced true
multilateralism,” “safeguarded the true spirit of democracy,” and “played a pivotal role in
uniting the international community to overcome difficulties and safeguard international
fairness and justice.” The People's Daily commentary also said that Xi Jinping focused on the
long-term development of bilateral relations between China and Russia in the new era, strongly
supporting each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security, and development interests,” and
“effectively responding to external interference and regional security threats”.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CDIC DAILY PICKS UP REPORT ON RUSSIA'S HUMAN RESOURCE IN S&T The CDIC Daily (February 14) publicised a report on the website of Russia's "Viewpoint" on
February 10, which stated that Russia has overcome the crisis in academia after the
disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, curbed the momentum of brain drain, and
created a strong attraction for the return of scholars. conditions of. It said according to the latest
poll by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, "71% of respondents believe that Russian
scientists are the best in the world, and 20% disagree. 69% do not support that Russia will never
catch up with developed countries in the field of science and technology. 25% agree with this
16
view. “It also quoted Alexander Majuga, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower
house of parliament) Committee for Science and Higher Education, as pointing out that the poll
results are a true reflection of the status quo: the prestige of scientific research work is
increasing, and Russian science is "younger year after year. change". He emphasized: "There
are nearly 340,000 people in Russia now engaged in scientific research, and about 100,000
people under the age of 39. In 2010, the number was only about 60,000."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: GUARDIAN REVEALS AUSTRALIA'S SOVEREIGN FUND INVESTED US$ 4.9 MILLION LAST YEAR IN CHINESE ARMS CONGLOMERATE AVICS The Guardian (February 15) revealed that “last year Australia’s sovereign wealth fund had
invested $4.9m in five subsidiaries of the Chinese arms conglomerate Aviation Industry
Corporation of China (AVIC)”.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES FULL PAGE ARTICLE ON CONTRIBUTION OF XI JINPING THOUGHT TO THE WORLD People's Daily (February 7) reproduced a Xinhua article on the contribution of Xi Jinping Thought to the
world captioned 'The strong voice of the times that stirs all continents——A Commentary on the Worldwide
Contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era'
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND PENG LIYUAN HOST BANQUET FOR FOREIGN VISITORS ON FEBRUARY 5 Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a banquet at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing at noon on February 5 to "welcome international distinguished guests attending the
opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics". Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan waved to the
international distinguished guests and took a group photo together. Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan later walked
into the Golden Hall with the guests to the welcome song "Peace - A Community of Shared Future". Xi
Jinping delivered a speech at the banquet when he said, "We should keep in mind the original intention of
the Olympic Movement, jointly safeguard world peace, adhere to mutual respect and treat each other as
equals, and jointly build a world of lasting peace". Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee,
and Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, also delivered speeches. Wang Huning, Han Zheng,
Ding Xuexiang, Sun Chunlan, Yang Jiechi, Cai Qi, Wang Yi and others attended the event.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: OFFICIAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING China's official media published photographs and reports on Chinese President Xi Jinping's meetings with
the foreign visitors. His meeting with the UN Secretary General was specifically reported as was his meeting
with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Xi Jinping told him “China and Egypt share similar visions
and strategies in defending their own interests”. The People's Daily, Beijing Daily, Guangming Daily, CDIC
2
Daily and PLA Daily prominently published reports and photographs of Xi Jinping on their front page and
page 3. The People's Daily published a photograph and report on Peng Liyuan on page 3 while it published
a photograph of Politburo Standing Committee Members Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, and Wang Yang on page
4. Peng Liyuan met with María de Lourdes Alcívar, the wife of the President of Ecuador.
The People's daily, Beijing Daily, CDIC Daily, PLA Daily, Guangming Daily and the Economic Daily
published photographs of Chinese President Xi Jinping and detailed reports of his meetings on their front
pages.
However, others published only detailed reports of Xi Jinping's meetings without any photographs and
usually as one composite article under one headline. These were the Dalian Daily, Guangzhou Daily, Henan
Daily, Zhejiang Daily, Sichuan Daily, Guizhou Daily Tianjin Daily, Xinjiang Daily and the Chongqing Daily.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: NORTH KOREA'S KIM JONG UN CONGRATULATES XI JINPING ON BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS 'Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message to General Secretary Xi
Jinping, saying that the Beijing Winter Olympics is a great year for the Communist Party of China and the
Chinese people to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and embark on a new journey towards
the second centenary goal. It is another huge victory under the unprecedented severe epidemic background.'
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG MEETS WORLD LEADERS ATTENDING BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met the Presidents of Singapore and Ecuador, the Prime Ministers of PMs of
Pakistan, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the WHO Director-General and WIPO Director General among others on February 5.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG MEETS FORMER CHAIRPERSON OF KMT CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang met the former chairperson of the Kuomintang Hung
Hsiu-chu on February 5. Wang Yang said: "On the basis of the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus",
we are willing to conduct extensive and in-depth dialogue, communication and democratic consultation with
all parties, groups and people in Taiwan on issues related to cross-strait relations."
He also said, "Compatriots on both sides of the strait should work together and move forward in unity,
resolutely oppose the "Taiwan independence" split and external interference, promote the peaceful
development of cross-strait relations, maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and jointly create
a bright future for the Chinese nation"
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS FOREIGN OFFICIALS ATTENDING BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS Xinhua (February 4) reported that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Princess
Sirindhorn of Thailand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian, and Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Meledov on February 4 in Beijing.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: PEOPLE'S DAILY INTERVIEWS TAJIKSTAN PRESIDENT RAHMON IN DUSHANBE Interviewing Tajikistan President Rahmon in Dushanbe the People's Daily (February 4) quoted him saying
on February 2 that "The Beijing Winter Olympics will not only be the largest and most unique Winter
Olympics, but also one of the most spectatorial winter sports events in recent years." He added "I am very
glad that Beijing is about to become the first 'Double Olympic City' in the world that has hosted both the
Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics, which demonstrates China's great strength and the remarkable
achievements of the Chinese people" and that the cooperation between Tajikistan and China in building the
'Belt and Road' has broad prospects. Rahmon sent Spring Festival blessings to the Chinese people: "I wish a
friendly China prosperous and prosperous, the Chinese people are happy and healthy, and I wish the Beijing
Winter Olympics a complete success!"
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY EDITORIAL CAUTIONS BUSINESSES TO ABIDE BY 'TRAFFIC LIGHTS' DURING CAPITAL EXPANSION A People's Daily (February 8) editorial/commentary said 'the socialist market economy is essentially a lawbased economy, and must be based on the protection of property rights, the maintenance of contracts, a
unified market, equal exchange, fair competition, and effective supervision. Capital activities must be carried
out in accordance with the law.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-COMMON PROSPERITY: ZHEJIANG PROVINCE IS ACTIVE IN PROMOTING 'COMMON PROSPERITY' AND 'EDUCATION AND RECTIFICATION' IN 2022 An article in the Zhejiang Daily (February 7) calls for provincial mobilization in 2022 to achieve and master
common prosperity. The article listed a number of cities were common prosperity. The Zhejiang Daily has
published three commentaries on common prosperity since February 7.
Zhejiang Daily (February 10) published a report on its 'education and rectification' drive in Zhejiang province.
It disclosed that in the first batch the province registered a total of 937 cases, 762 people were punished by
party discipline and government affairs, 62 people were detained, and 1,175 political and legal police officers
took the initiative to explain the problem to the organization. The second batch of education and rectification
dealt with 64 provincial-level political and legal police officers who violated discipline and law, and 29
political and legal police officers voluntarily surrendered. Asserting its "zero tolerance" policy and that it
has not distinguished between high and low, it disclosed that among those punished were: Jiang Xunbo,
Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Zhu Guozhen, former Secretary of the Party Committee and
Captain of the High-speed Traffic Police Corps of the Provincial Public Security Department, Qiu Maojin,
former Director and First-Class Investigator of the Comprehensive Enforcement Division of the Provincial
Court, Shen Chugeng, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Deputy Director of
Jiaxing Public Security Bureau, etc.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CHONGQING: CHONGQING MUNICIPALITY'S WORK REPORT PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 10 CONTAINS REFERENCES TO BO XILAI ETC. Chongqing Party Secretary and Politburo member Chen Yixin, in his speech at the work conference
(February 10), where the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress Work Report was released spoke on party
conduct and clean government held by the CPLC, studying, and implementing Xi Jinping's strategic thought
on self-revolution, continuously deepening the vivid practice of the party's self-revolution in the field of
politics and law, and implementing Xi Jinping's thought on self-revolution. He also stated, "Thoroughly and
thoroughly clean up the evil influence of Sun Zhengcai and the evil influence of Bo Xilai and Wang Lijun,
and purge the evil influence of Deng Huilin."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC ANNOUNCED THAT TWO SENIOR OFFICIALS ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced (February 7) that Fan Xiuliao, former
member of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Guangdong Police Officers College has been
expelled from the Party and his case has been transferred to prosecutors for, among other things, illegally
interfering in law enforcement activities. Similarly, it announced (February 7) that 1959-born Yang Xiaoping,
former Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the Kunming Central Branch of the People's Bank
of China, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and is currently under disciplinary review
and monitoring investigations.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC TEAMS VISIT HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN XIAMEN DURING SPRING FESTIVAL TO CHECK OFFICIALS ILLEGALLY USING PUBLIC FUNDS The CDIC Daily (February 7) reported that on the first day of the Lunar New Year on February 1, a discipline
inspection team in Xiamen started visiting hotels and restaurants over the Spring Festival to check whether
officials had been illegally using public funds to eat and drink. As of February 6, cadres from 17 townships
(streets) discipline (work) committees in the district have visited more than 1,320 people and collected 478
pieces of public opinion on integrity.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: SIPRI ASSESSES THAT CHINA'S PLA HAS SHIFTED FROM "ACTIVE DEFENCE" TO "PREEMPTIVE PROACTIVE DEFENCE" A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released late last month said
China’s shift towards joint operations in space, cyberspace, and nuclear technology point to a “proactive
defence” strategy that could include a pre-emptive strike. The report said, “Changes to China’s postures and
technologies indicate that its concept and practice of ‘active defence’ may be converging with more forwardleaning and even pre-emptive ‘proactive defence’.” It added that “One key potentially destabilising outcome
is that the US response to China’s shifts in posture and technologies could trigger an escalatory spiral of both
arms races and crises that cut across space, cyberspace and nuclear domains.” The report said China might
increasingly employ space, cyberspace and nuclear strategies that were more like those of the US and Russia,
which could undermine global security. It said China’s defences had been accelerated by President Xi
Jinping’s proactive leadership style, China’s economic growth, and military and political pressure from the
US. The South China Morning Post (February 6) said this more aggressive strategy could destabilise regional
security as China gains strength but its similarities with the approaches taken by the United States and Russia
could help the three powers better understand each other, and eventually encourage conflict prevention and
crisis management talks. It cited Chinese military experts who said the People’s Liberation Army was still
aiming to deter rather than take a pre-emptive strike. Hongkong-based former PLA officer Song Zhongping
said “China’s actions have been for ‘defensive purposes’, meaning that the PLA will only fight back once
someone else fires the first shot”. “The military should not only be able to strike back, but also fully paralyse
the enemy’s ability to cause further harm. “In Chinese, the concepts of ‘active defence’ and ‘proactive
defence’ are the same, with the latter highlighting more combat-ready preparation.” Zhou Chenming, a
Researcher from the Yuan Wang Military Science and Technology Institute in Beijing, said China would not
change its policy of “not firing the first shot” in any arena. “China’s missiles, including the DF-21 carrierkiller and other weapons, were all designed for deterring and denying foreign military intervention in case
of a Taiwan contingency, which will only happen if Taipei formally declares independence.” “The PLA will
not take pre-emptive strikes in peacetime.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT CHINA BE ADMITTED TO CPTPP ONLY AFTER IT COMMITS TO CPTPP'S STANDARDS Australia's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade recommended that the
Australian Government work with other CPTPP members to encourage China to re-establish full trading
relations including ending its coercive trade measures and reengaging in ministerial dialogue, and to
demonstrate an ability and willingness to commit to the CPTPP’s high standards, prior to supporting the
commencement of an accession process. It also called for the government to back Taiwan’s bid to join one
of the world’s biggest trade agreements, and block consideration of China’s membership until it ends its
coercive trade measures and re-establishes ministerial dialogue with Australia.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S CIVIL AVIATION SERIOUSLY HURT BY THE COVID PANDEMIC China has ramped up flight cancellations under its zero-COVID strategy, wreaking further havoc on an airline
industry already smarting from the pandemic. 2021 saw a total of 603 flights grounded under these measures.
In the new year alone, 198 flights were suspended through Jan. 13, reaching almost a third of last year's
numbers in just two weeks. Han Guangzu, Director General of the flight standards department at the Civil
Aviation Administration of China, told reporters in January 15, "We're determined to prevent an influx from
overseas as well as a domestic rebound" in the number of cases. The uptick in circuit breakers comes in
response to the spread of the omicron variant. There had been 408 international arrivals and departures per
week scheduled between late October 2021 and late March 2022. January's circuit breakers led to a quarter
of these being cancelled during the first two weeks of the year. This year, China Southern Airlines was forced
to suspend flights to Toronto, Canada, while China Eastern Airlines put flights to Paris on hold. Flights by
American Airlines and Germany's Lufthansa have been subject to similar restrictions. But Chinese airlines
operating internationally have taken the brunt of the crackdown. Chinese carriers account for 56% of the
international flights planned for about half a year through late March, giving them more exposure to the
circuit breakers. At China's three biggest carriers, international flights, including those to Hong Kong and
Macao, made up less than 1% of their passenger volume -- a big drop from the pre-coronavirus 17%.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S EFFORT TO REGULATE THE ECONOMY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF A NUMBER OF BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMEN In recent months Beijing has sought to tighten controls on 'big business' and imprisoned or detained a number
of China's billionaire businessmen regardless of whether they are CCP members. Among them, those
identified by Bloomberg (February 8) are Xiao Jianhua, the onetime tycoon, who owned the Tomorrow
Group which had interests spanning banking, insurance, real estate, and mining. The government has since
taken over a total of 10 companies linked to Xiao. They include Baoshang Bank Co., the first lender to go
bankrupt in China in two decades; Xiaohui Wu who headed the Anbang Insurance Group disappeared from
public view in 2017, before being ultimately sentenced to 18 years in prison on fraud and corruption
charges; Wang Chaoyong, a former investment banker for Morgan Stanley who heads China Equity Group,
a private equity firm. In December the Caixin news site reported that he hadn’t been seen in public for two
weeks and was the subject of an investigation into financial misconduct. In early January he was released on
bail.; Huang Guangyu, founder of retailer Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd., was detained in
2008.; Yang Zhihui, billionaire owner of casino company Landing International Development Ltd. was
8
spirited away in In August 2018. The Board disclosed three months later, with a cryptic announcement, that
Yang Zhihui had resumed his duties after “assisting the relevant department of the People’s Republic of
China with its investigation.”; Most publicised was the case of billionaire Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce
giant Alibaba.com., who since 2020 stepped out of the limelight, his shares took a beating, and at one point
he was reported playing golf on China’s Hainan Island.; Chu Lam Yiu, the CEO of e-cigarette maker Huabao
International Holdings Ltd. and its -controlling shareholder, was under an investigation that involved
“suspected disciplinary violations.”
(Comment: A civil liberties group based in Madrid, Safeguard Defenders, estimated that each year an
estimated 30,000 people in China are secretly detained, often without public charges or access to lawyers.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC DAILY SAYS CHINA'S POPULATION ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING DECLINED BY OVER 10 MILLION IN 5 YEARS The Economic Daily (February 4) claimed that in 2021, 12.69 million new jobs were created in cities and
towns, an increase of 830,000 over the previous year and exceeding the annual target. It said the employment
situation remained generally stable in the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan", but that in 2021, the total
employment pressure would increase. Data from the China Labor Statistics Yearbook shows that China's
manufacturing employment population has continued to decline since 2013, with a decrease of more than 10
million people in the past five years. It said "The evolution of the production model characterized by
"machine substitution" has also accelerated the structural contradiction of employment. However, China's
manufacturing industry, which is in a period of high-quality development, has also spawned "technology for
good". The Economic Times added that China's "population employed in manufacturing declined since 2013,
with a decrease of over 10 million people in the past five years" partially because factories were using
machines to replace people
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT OF XINJIANG MENTIONS 'STABILITY' 20 TIMES AND XI JINPING 22 TIMES Xiao Kaiti Yiming, Director of the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region People's
Congress, presented the Work Report of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Xinjiang
Autonomous Region on January 24, 2022, at the fifth meeting of the 13th People's Congress of Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Region. The Report was published by Xinjiang Daily on February 8. The Report
mentioned 'stability' 20 times, 'Xi Jinping' 22 times and development 32 times. "Two establishments" was
used twice as to enhance "four consciousness", strengthen "four self-confidence", achieve "two maintenance",
defend "two establishments" .
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: 3 TIBETANS ARRESTED FOR POSSESSING PHOTOGRAPHS OF DESTRUCTION OF LARUNG GAR TIBETAN BUDDHIST ACADEMY Radio Free Asia (RFA-Feb 2) said that Chinese authorities in Sichuan province have arrested three Tibetan
Buddhists who they claim were in possession of “politically sensitive information” as they returned from a
pilgrimage. Citing Tibetan sources in exile, RFA said the three Tibetans named Asang, Dodra, and Nortso
were interrogated by police on January 10 while traveling home to Chamdo prefecture's Dakyab township
from the sprawling Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Academy in Sichuan’s Serta (in Chinese, Seda) county and
later arrested. These sources said “Their cellphones were examined by police in Drago (Luhuo) county in the
Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and all three of them were arrested for ‘possessing
politically sensitive information and pictures’. They were handed over to police in Chamdo and are currently
held at the Chamdo Police Station.” A second Tibetan in exile, who also declined to be named, told RFA that
the content on their phones was related to the destruction late last month of a three-story statue of Maitreya
Buddha at Gaden Namyal Ling monastery in Drago. He said “They were interrogated by the police in Drago
when they were arrested. The police looked into all the group chat apps on their cellphones and charged them
for keeping videos and pictures of the recent destruction of the Buddhist statue in Drago and also using those
images as their screensaver wallpaper.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA-OWNED TA KUNG PAO CRITICISES UGC FOR GIVING RESEARCH FUNDING TO A "HONG KONG INDEPENDENCE" ACTIVIST The China-owned Hongkong-based "Ta Kung Pao" on February 8 criticised the University Grants
Commission (UGC) Research and Development Bureau for still granting 5.86 million yuan in research
funding to the "Hong Kong independence" activist Fang Zhiheng, despite earlier objections by the Audit
Commission. It noted that the RGC has been accused of being a "cash machine" for anti-China scholars who
have disrupted Hong Kong and whose "so-called research provided pseudo-academic theories and
brainwashing mobilization for the subsequent social unrest". It quoted Liu Zhaojia, Vice President of the
National Association for Hong Kong, and Macau Studies, who said that the social sciences and humanities
in Hong Kong's higher education sector have long been "colonies" of the West, and their evaluation criteria
can no longer be blindly followed by "ghosts", and must establish their own evaluation criteria and papers
release channel.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: U.S. AND MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SIGN STATEMENT PROTESTING GOVERNMENT'S RAIDS ON MEDIA OUTLETS IN HONGKONG On February 8, the Governments of Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed a memorandum protesting the raids
on media outlets in Hongkong and urging that a stable and prosperous Hong Kong in which human rights
and fundamental freedoms are protected should be in everybody’s interest. The statement urged Hong Kong
and mainland Chinese authorities to respect freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Hong Kong, in
line with the Basic Law and China’s obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PUTIN GIVES INTERVIEW TO DIRECTOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF CHINA CENTRAL RADIO AND TV The "People's Daily" (February 04, 2022) publicised the written interview given by Russian President Putin
on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics to Shen Haixiong, director and editorin-chief of China Central Radio and Television. While the interview focussed mainly on sports, Putin did say
that "China ranks first among Russia's trading partners. Despite the coronavirus restrictions, preliminary
figures show that bilateral trade reached a record high of $140 billion last year." He added "China is our
strategic partner on the international stage. On most issues on the global agenda, we are aligned or very
close. We maintain close coordination within major multilateral organizations and mechanisms such as the
United Nations, the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation, and the East Asia Summit, which have a stabilizing effect on the current complex world
situation". He said in conclusion "the concepts we have established in the Russia-China Treaty of GoodNeighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation have brought the partnership between our two countries to an
unprecedented high level, with a qualitative change in its nature and scale, and for further joint efforts. to
create the conditions".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN HAVE IN-DEPTH AND FULL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS IN BEIJING ON FEBRUARY 4 Xinhua and CCTV (February 4) reported that on February 4, Chinese President Xi Jinping had an "had an
in-depth and full exchange of views on Sino-Russian relations and a series of major issues concerning
international strategic security and stability in a warm and friendly atmosphere" with Russian President
Vladimir Putin at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Stating that "the world has entered a new period
of turbulence and change, and human society has encountered many challenges and crises", Xi Jinping added
that "China and Russia have adhered to their original aspirations and have always maintained their bilateral
relations to move forward steadily. The two sides firmly support each other in safeguarding their core
interests. Political and strategic mutual trust is increasingly consolidated, and bilateral trade volume has hit
a new record high". He asserted that "China and Russia are committed to deepening back-to-back strategic
cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice side by side. This is a strategic decision that
has far-reaching influence on China, Russia and the world, and will not be shaken in the past, present and
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future". He said they should continue to maintain close high-level exchanges, "strongly support each other
in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, effectively respond to external interference
and regional security threats, and maintain international strategic stability". Putin replied: "Russia-China
relations are a model of international relations in the 21st century. The joint statement we issued today reflects
the highly unanimous position of Russia and China on major international issues. The strategic nature of
Russia-China relations is unprecedentedly prominent and has attracted worldwide attention. The deepening
of comprehensive strategic coordination between Russia and China is conducive to the realization of the
respective development of the two countries and the maintenance of the common interests of the two
countries. It is also of great significance to safeguarding world strategic security and stability. The Russian
side is willing to further intensify strategic communication and coordination with the Chinese side, firmly
support each other in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly uphold the core coordination
role of the United Nations, firmly uphold international law and international fairness and justice, and promote
the building of a more just and reasonable international order". Xinhua said during the meeting, the two heads
of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the current international and regional situation and major
hotspot issues of mutual concern. After the talks, Xi Jinping held a banquet for Putin. The two sides issued
the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations
and Global Sustainable Development in the New Era" and signed a series of cooperation documents in key
areas.
Chinese officials including Ding Xuexiang, Director of the CCP CC General Office, senior Chinese diplomat
Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, NDRC head He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and
Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng also attended the Xi-Putin meeting.
(Comment: This was the first in-person meeting between the two in more than 2 years. At the meeting both
were wearing closely matching ties! Besides Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, only Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan stayed at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, while other foreign
dignitaries were accommodated in hotels.)
The state-run CCTV (February 4) reported the 'China and Russia joint statement on international relations
and global sustainable development in the new era' issued in Beijing on February 4. CCTV said:
The statement pointed out that at present, the world is going through great changes, and the international
community has a stronger voice for peace and sustainable development. A few international forces continue
to stubbornly pursue unilateralism and harm the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. The
international community will never accept this.
- The two sides call on all countries to safeguard the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice,
democracy, and freedom for all mankind, defend the international system with the United Nations at the core
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and the international order based on international law, practice genuine multilateralism, and achieve world
peace and stability and sustainable development.
- The two sides agreed that the people of all countries have the right to choose the form and method of
democratic practice that suits their national conditions. Whether a country is democratic or not can only be
judged by its people.
- The two sides believe that development is the key to realizing the well-being of the people, and are willing
to continue relevant work on advancing the global development initiative proposed by China.
- The two sides reiterated that they firmly support each other's core interests and oppose external forces
interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries and undermining the security and stability of the
common surrounding areas of the two countries.
- As world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two sides will uphold
responsibility and morality, promote world multi-polarization and democratization of international relations,
and work together to build a new type of international relations.
- The Russian side spoke positively of China's concept of building a community with a shared future for
mankind, believing that this concept will help strengthen the solidarity of the international community and
work together to tackle common challenges.
- Russia supports China in successfully hosting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
The People's Daily (February 5) published a commentary titled 'Inject more vitality into the development of
Sino-Russian relations'.
(Comment: The joint statement's language appears to be centred on the Chinese sphere of interests: the IndoPacific, Taiwan, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. The coordination between the CEE and BRI is of
concern to China, but much less so to Russia. Ukraine is not explicitly mentioned. It makes no mention of
mutual support in Russia’s tensions over Ukraine and China’s with Taiwan. It does, however, state: "The
Russian side reaffirms its support for the One-China principle, confirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of
China, and opposes any forms of independence of Taiwan". and in the following paragraph "Russia and
China stand against attempts by external forces to undermine security and stability in their common adjacent
regions, intend to counter interference by outside forces in the internal affairs of sovereign countries under
any pretext, oppose colour revolutions, and will increase cooperation in the aforementioned areas". This
could signal China's unease over the developments in Ukraine and limits of the growing Sino-Russia
partnership.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: WEIXIN PUBLISHES COMMENTARY ON SINO-RUSSIAN JOINT STATEMENT China's Weixin published (February 6) an interesting article described as assessing the Sino-Russian joint
statement under banner of anti-hegemonic struggle: "China and Russia still have not formed a military
alliance, but a strategic alliance has been established in fact". Titled 'China-Russia strategic alliance has
reached a new level——Comment on the Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era', the author, Zhang
Zhikun, said "Like a thunderclap on the ground, the Chinese and Russian heads of state signed the "Joint
Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and
Global Sustainable Development in the New Era", which was issued at a critical moment in the global
strategy. It is also a major strategic measure jointly adopted by China and Russia". He said, "from the
perspective of China and Russia, the "New Year's Meeting" and the Joint Statement of the New Era by the
heads of state of China and Russia mark a new level of strategic cooperation between China and Russia".
Stating that the "Joint Statement made a clear statement on a series of major international strategic and
political issues, directly naming the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and other relevant
countries", it said therefore "this document comprehensively criticizes and denies the dominance and
dominance of hegemony in terms of strategic logic, ideological value and action line, and can be called a
joint declaration against hegemony". The article added "The joint targeting of third parties by China and
Russia is an important sign that China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has
reached a new level" and that "the author believes that under or after this joint statement, the military alliance
between China and Russia will also be further strengthened", however, they have still "not formed a military
alliance, but a strategic alliance has been established". He claimed the joint statement demonstrates to the
world the common views on democracy, civilization, development, history and security of China and Russia,
sounding a new clarion call for the struggle against hegemony in human society, which will definitely impact
the world order dominated by hegemonic countries and the Western Cold War bloc". Contrary to arguments
by the US and West that the outbreak of a war between Russia and Ukraine would not benefit China and
would have a huge impact on the global economy and energy supply and that China should take advantage
of the special relationship with Russia to exert influence in "some constructive way" and advise Russia not
to resort to force, the article states that instead, "China and Russia are leaning even more closely". It claimed
that "China and Russia have formed a firm strategic core and political backbone" giving "the vast number of
countries in the middle zone" including the BRICS countries, the SCO International organizations, etc.,
various options for development laying the basis for "a worldwide peaceful united front" that will surely
grow. Acknowledging that "the Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era has a solid strategic foundation",
it said a lot of work has still to be done such as "adjustment and follow-up of domestic and foreign policies,
including currency settlement, technical exchanges, trade and investment and other specific issues”. It
identified the need for the two countries to jointly oppose "all kinds of sabotage and interference" from, in
particular, the "huge pro-American and pro-Western forces in both China and Russia", which are "deeply
14
rooted and powerful, and penetrates into all aspects of society, especially in the media and academic circles".
It said, "The Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era is a heavy blow to them" and that while "On the
surface, they dare not oppose it", but they will resist it with practical actions. "When it comes to specific
projects, they will do everything they can to interfere and destroy. This must not be underestimated". The
author has always emphasized that the domestic struggle against hegemony is closely related to the
international struggle against hegemony. In conclusion, it said with "the "Joint Statement of the People's
Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and Global Sustainable
Development in the New Era", China-Russia strategic cooperation has reached a new level. On this stage,
both China and Russia will make great achievements, providing reliable guarantee and support for global
strategic stability and balance, and will strongly promote and promote the arrival of a new era of global
strategy".
(Comment: The commentary projects the Joint Statement as an ideological, diplomatic, economic, and
military alternative to the US-dominated international order.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: RUSSIA'S GAZPROM AND CHINA'S CNPC SIGN 30-YEAR CONTRACT FOR NATURAL GAS THROUGH PIPELINE Reuters reported (February 3) that Russia's Gazprom has agreed a 30-year contract to supply China's CNPC
with natural gas from a new pipeline connecting Russia's Far East with China's northeast. An agreement was
separately concluded for Russia to supply 100 million tons of oil to China over 5 years.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN MEETS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING Prime Minister Imran Khan held a virtual meeting with He Lifeng, Chairman of China’s National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference, on February 3 when he said "Pak-China strategic cooperative partnership is timetested and timeless."
Xinhua (February 6) reported that he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 6 after which a 33-point
joint statement was issued on February 7. The joint statement said, "The meetings were marked by traditional
warmth, strategic mutual trust and commonality of views that characterize the Pakistan-China All-Weather
Strategic Cooperative Partnership" and that "Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded the role of CPC leadership
with President Xi Jinping at its core for China's growth and prosperity and appreciated President Xi for his
personal contribution to promoting the enduring Pakistan-China partnership". It said both "leaders reaffirmed
that close strategic ties and deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China are time-tested and timeless"
15
with the Pakistan side underscoring "that Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy
and that closest friendship with China enjoys the abiding support of the people of Pakistan. Both sides
reiterated their support on issues concerning each other's core interests. The Pakistan side expressed its
commitment to One-China Policy and support for China on Taiwan, South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang,
and Tibet. The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence
and security, as well as promoting its socio-economic development and prosperity". "Prime Minister Imran
Khan underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, CPEC has significantly contributed to Pakistan's
economic and social development" and both "agreed to task the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC)
to strengthen cooperation across all areas including in the fields of trade, infrastructure, industrial
development, agriculture modernization, scientific and technological cooperation and socio-economic wellbeing of local people". The two sides also agreed to launch the China-Pakistan health, industry, trade, green
and digital corridors while expressing "their strong determination to safeguard CPEC from all threats and
negative propaganda. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to making all-out efforts for the security of all
Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and the Chinese side expressed its appreciation for
the measures taken by Pakistan in this regard". Both sides agreed to continue the momentum in defence
cooperation at various levels and "underscored that stronger defence and security cooperation between
Pakistan and China was an important factor of peace and stability in the region". China recognized Pakistan's
sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism. Article 27 of the joint statement stated: "The Pakistan
side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its
concerns, position and pressing issues at the moment. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was
a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant
Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate
the situation". In response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's invitation to visit Pakistan, the joint
statement noted that it was agreed "to undertake the visit at a mutually convenient time".
An article in Asia Times (February 10) disclosed that during his recent (February 3-6) visit Pakistan’s Prime
Minister Imran Khan asked China for a US$ 9 billion bailout package comprised of financial support and the
rollover of existing debts to prevent a possible default on external payments worth $8.6 billion that come due
at the end of June. Khalid Mansoor, Pakistan’s Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) who accompanied Imran Khan to Beijing, told media on February 7
that the Chinese leadership “took note” of the request while Khan was in Beijing but had not yet replied. He
said China agreed to consider Pakistan’s request for a $4 billion debt rollover and additional financial support
worth $5.5 billion by expanding an existing currency swap arrangement from $4.5 billion to $10 billion.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: XI JINPING MEETS MONGOLIAN PRIME MINISTER AT GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE The state-run CCTV on February 6 televised a report on the meeting on February 6 between Chinese
President Xi Jinping and Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun Erden at the Great Hall of the People.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: POPULAR CHINESE PORTAL PUBLISHES ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTING SRI LANKA'S ACUTE FINANCIAL DISTRESS An article posted on the popular Chinese portal NetEase (January 3) said that half a million people in Sri
Lanka have been thrown into poverty since the outbreak, and rising costs have forced many to cut back on
food. The country is now facing a deepening financial and humanitarian crisis, with fears it could go bankrupt
in 2022 as inflation rises to record levels, food prices soar and state coffers dry up.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-UK: THE TIMES EXPOSES COLLABORATION BETWEEN BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND CHINA ON SENSITIVE DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGIES The Times (February 4) published a report stating that British universities have accepted £240 million from
Chinese institutions, many with links to the military. It added that their joint research could help Beijing to
build superweapons. The Times investigation found the number of research collaborations between scientists
in the UK and Chinese institutes with deep connections to the country’s defence forces has tripled to more
than 1,000 in six years. The university funding includes £60 million from sources now sanctioned by the US
government for supplying the Chinese military with fighter jets, communications technology, and missiles.
It said the academics have worked with professors from military-linked Chinese universities on sensitive
“dual-use” research, involving technology that can be used for military aims as well as benign civilian
purposes. They included drones, futuristic electromagnetic technology that can fire projectiles, cutting edge
aerospace materials, radar, jamming equipment and high performance batteries. It reveals that Imperial
College London has accepted £5 million in funding to research high-tech aerospace materials from three
companies linked to the Chinese military that are sanctioned in the US. An engineer at Swansea has
completed research on helicopter parts and advanced wing technology with engineers at two of China’s
foremost military research universities. He had previously been an honorary professor at Nanjing University
of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. The university said this work had been published in accessible
international journals. The Times stated that there are 1069 academics in 2021 who are collaborating with
Chinese entities. It also revealed that British Colleges/Universities had received large amounts of funds from
Chinese entities and listed examples of: Imperial College London receiving GBP 54,573,978; University of
Cambridge GBP 46,122, 029; University of Oxford GBP 24,078,126.06; University of Manchester GBP
19,760,242; and the University of Edinburgh GBP 13,904,353.
(Comment: It is believed that another more 'explosive' article is to appear shortly.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: LEADING CHINESE ECONOMIST JUSTIN YIFU LIN COMMENTS ON 'THE FUTURE AND CHALLENGES OF CHINA'S ECONOMY' Reputed Chinese economist Justin Yifu Lin commenting on 'A New Start in 2022: The Future and Challenges
of China's Economy', said as "China's international influence gradually increases, the United States wants to
use its hegemony in technology, military, and ideology to block my country's development".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: U.S. LAWMAKERS MOVE BILL TO RENAME 'TAIWAN ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE' IN WASHINGTON AS THE 'TAIWAN REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE' Nikkei Asia (February 4) reported that a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers proposed matching bills in the
Senate and House of Representatives on February 3, that would require the U.S. to negotiate the renaming
of Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington as the "Taiwan Representative Office". It is currently called the
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), using the name of the island's capital city.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: US COMMERCE DEPARTMENTS LISTS 33 CHINESE ENTITIES The U.S. Department of Commerce on February 7 listed 33 Chinese entities it said use American export
items in ways that it has been unable to trace, injecting fresh volatility into markets. The highest-profile
among them was Chinese novel drug maker Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc., which suspended trading in Hong
Kong after its addition to the department’s unverified list sparked a record sell-off. Wuxi Biologics shares
sank as much as 32% in Hong Kong earlier Tuesday, leading health-care stocks lower. The CSI Health Care
Index dropped as much as 2.6% to its lowest level in nearly two years.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE CABINET OFFICE ANALYSIS REPORTS THAT CHINA HAS MORE THAN 50% SHARE IN 1,133 CATEGORIES OF IMPORTED GOODS OR 23% OF JAPAN'S IMPORTS Bloomberg (February 4) reported the release on February 3 of an analysis by the Japanese government's
Cabinet Office showing that China had a more than 50% share in 1,133 categories of imported goods, or 23%
of the value of Japan’s imports in 2019. The analysis was released prior to the introduction of an economic
security bill that aims to strengthen supply chains, ensure the security of core infrastructure, enhance research
and development, and tighten information disclosure on patents.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINA BECAME LARGEST IMPORTER OF JAPANESE FOOD PRODUCTS IN 2021 Nikkei Asia (February ) said that official data released by the Japanese government showed that Mainland
China had become the largest importer of Japanese food products for the first time last year, dethroning longtime leader Hong Kong. Exports of food, farm, forestry, and marine products to mainland China surged 35.2%
to 222.4 billion yen ($1.93 billion) in 2021. Japanese sake, whisky and snack foods were among the most
popular items
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE ON XI JINPING'S LOVE FOR HIS MOTHER AND HOW SHE WAS A ROLE MODEL FOR HIM On the occasion of the Spring Festival and Chinese New Year, the People's Daily (February 2) published on
its front-page a nearly 1700-word article titled 'Xi Jinping and his mother'. The article recounted that his
mother, Qi Xin, was also a revolutionary who had experienced war and her husband Xi Zhongxun had told
Xi Jinping that "Your mother is an excellent Communist Party member!" She was a role model for Xi Jinping.
It narrated instances of Qi Xin's love for Xi Jinping and how he still misses her deeply.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE RECOUNTS XI JINPING'S CONSTANT LOVE FOR THE RURAL MASSES The People's Daily (January 31) published on page 2 a lengthy article titled 'Dedicated to the people ——
The story of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the people', which recounted instances from Xi Jinping's visits
to villages since 2013. The opening paragraph said, "Time goes by, true love is eternal" and said, "as the
Spring Festival of the Year of the Tiger is approaching, General Secretary Xi Jinping once again came to the
people to send the best wishes of the New Year to thousands of households" and that this is the tenth year
since the 18th Party Congress that Xi Jinping has visited the grass-roots cadres and the masses before the
Spring Festival. He was quoted saying "No matter how busy I am, I always make time to take a walk among
the villagers" and in conclusion "I will be without me and not let down the people."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CONVEYS NEW YEAR GREETING FOR 'YEAR OF THE TIGER' On the occasion of the Spring Festival, the traditional festival of the Chinese nation and the Year of the Tiger,
Chinese leaders, heads of the federations and representatives of non-partisan persons gathered together to
welcome the festival. On behalf of the CCP CC, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended (January 28) sincere
greetings and New Year wishes to all democratic parties, federations of industry and commerce, people
without party affiliation, and members of the United Front. PBSC member and Chairman of the CPPCC
Wang Yang and PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting.
Xinhua published a photograph on January 29, of Xi Jinping, Wang Yang, Han Zheng and others gathered
together with people outside the Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome the festival.
Newspapers of all provinces and centrally administered municipalities published photographs (Jan 28) of Xi
Jinping in military uniform on the front page conveying New Year's greetings to military personnel. CMC
Vice Chairmen Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia and CMC members Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua,
Zhang Shengmin and others participated in the event.
CCTV (January 29) reported the "important speech" delivered by Xi Jinping and said he visited the Central
Theatre on January 28. Mentioning the "spirit" of the "important" speech, it said he asked officers and
personnel to "bear in mind the commander-in-chief's entrustment, faithfully fulfil the mission, focus on
preparing for wars, and resolutely complete the mission and tasks entrusted by the party and the people". It
said Xi Jinping came to the Joint Operations Command Center of the Central Theatre at approx. 4pm on
January 28. He first watched a multimedia film reflecting the construction of the theatre and the operation of
the theatre joint command center, and listened to relevant reports. In his speech, President Xi emphasized
that it is necessary to thoroughly implement the Party's idea of strengthening the military in the new era,
thoroughly implement the military strategic policy for the new era, complete various tasks with high
standards, and constantly create new situations in the construction of theatres and war preparations, and meet
the Party with practical actions. CCTV added that the commanders and fighters at all levels in the Central
Theatre Command who listened to President Xi's important instructions were very excited. Xi Jinping also
made a video call with the overseas peacekeeping detachment of the Central Theatre Command, and
expressed his condolences to all the officers and soldiers of our army who are performing overseas missions.
'The officers and soldiers have expressed that they must fight on the front line of peacekeeping with high
morale and faithfully perform the peacekeeping mission in accordance with the requirements of the
commander-in-chief'. Xi Jinping "stressed that as the Spring Festival is approaching, the troops of the whole
army should strengthen their combat readiness on duty and maintain national security and social stability".
The large numbers of officers and soldiers said that they must bear in mind the ardent trust of President Xi,
and forge ahead and fly far in the struggle to strengthen the army and prepare for the war.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS SHANXI ON JANUARY 27- 28, 2022 The Paper reported (January 28) that Xi Jinping visited Shanxi Province and on January 27 went to Pingyao
County. He also travelled to Fengnanyuan, a village in the city of Huozhou, which was hit hard by severe
flooding last year, and visited Duancun village of Fenxi county. At Shanxi, Xi Jinping said "The goals of
carbon peak and neutrality are not something that others have asked to be done, but they are in China’s selfinterest. Yet, these goals cannot be achieved easily; neither can one wait, nor can one rush. One must “respect
objective laws, grasp the pace of steps, first establish and then break, and make progress while maintaining
stability.” China is rich in coal, but lacks sufficient oil and natural gas. It is necessary to consolidate the
domestic energy production base, ensure coal supply security, make overall plans for clean and low-carbon
development of coal, diversified utilization and comprehensive storage and transportation of coal, accelerate
the research on green and low-carbon technologies, and continuously promote the optimization and
upgrading of industrial structure. We should actively yet prudently advance the goals of carbon peak and
neutrality and make due contribution to the realization of the second centenary goal and the construction of
a community of shared future for mankind.” Xi Jinping was accompanied by Provincial Party Secretary Lin
Wu and Governor Lan Fo’an, in addition to central leaders Xue Xiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, He Lifeng and other
members of relevant departments of the Central Committee.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS 36TH COLLECTIVE STUDY MEETING OF POLITBURO AND EMPHASISES CARBON NEUTRALITY Xinhua (January 25) reported that Xi Jinping chaired and delivered an "important" speech at the thirty-sixth
collective study meeting of the Politburo on January 24 afternoon on striving to achieve the goal of peak
carbon and carbon neutrality. Xi Jinping emphasised that achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality is
an inherent requirement for implementing new development concepts, building a new development pattern,
and promoting high-quality development. Xinhua observed that in this collective study of the Politburo, the
"comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee taught themselves and exchanged their work
experience". Liu He, Li Qiang, Li Hongzhong, and Hu Chunhua made speeches in combination with the
work-in-charge of the field and local areas.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: FORMER VICE PREMIER ZHANG GAOLI MENTIONED IN LIST OF PARTY LEADERS WHO RECEIVED NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM XI JINPING AND OTHER SERVING PARTY LEADERS China's official media reported that former Chinese Vice Premier and PBSC member Zhang Gaoli, who was
accused by Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai of sexual assault on social media before later denying she made
such allegations, was included in a long list of former party chiefs who had received Lunar New Year wishes
from President Xi Jinping and other state leaders by phone ahead of the celebration.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: ANOTHER TSINGHUA LAW PROFESSOR CRITICISES THE SECURITY CONTROLS BEING IMPOSED ON SOCIETY BY XI JINPING On January 29, 2022, Tsinghua University Law Professor Lao Dongyan wrote a post on Weibo expressing
anguish at the present state of affairs in China under Xi Jinping and criticising the unbridled use of technology,
ranging from facial recognition to controls on the internet and social media, to control the population. She
said the authorities had used the pandemic as a pretext and claimed, "Everything is done in the name of
security or social stability." The post was deleted within 20 minutes. Very briefly, she cited as examples an
instance of a woman eight months pregnant sitting outside the hospital in snowy weather awaiting a
miscarriage, an old man having a heart attack who lost his chance to be treated because he must wait until he
gets a nucleic acid test for COVID-19, a mother coming to pick up her daughter from high school at the start
of vacation and despite having passed eighteen rounds of nucleic acid testing still being prevented from
returning home at the quarantine checkpoint and compelled to wander the cold winter night streets until
dawn. She added that this mother, who wandered the streets with her daughter on a cold winter night, cried
out at one point: “If every lesson has to cost a life to become a lesson, isn’t that in itself a tragedy? …… you
are law enforcement agencies, but shouldn’t you be reasonable and put people first?” and her cries made
people weep. In contrast she quoted a township Communist Party Committee secretary in Shandong warning
petitioners that there are a hundred ways to “criminalize” them. The county government head of a certain
county in Henan Province, she said, was even more aggressive in shouting that those who "maliciously"
return home during the Spring Festival should be isolated and detained. Professor Lao Dongyan added "I,
like my colleagues in the legal profession and the media, have worked hard over the past two years on the
issue of facial recognition. Two years ago, when the Beijing subway was preparing to promote face
recognition, it was shelved due to public opposition. Two years later, face recognition has been quietly
implemented in five subway stations in Beijing and is expected to be fully rolled out soon. Not only that, in
communities, in shopping malls, schools and other kinds of public venues, facial recognition technology is
becoming more widespread under the banner of epidemic prevention and control". Another instance referred
to the more than 70% of the graduates from the top two universities in China in recent years who have chosen
civil service and teaching positions within the system. She said she "felt a bit sorry even as I understood why
they made that choice. I understand because I see how the young people around me face huge pressure of
survival and are generally highly anxious. I feel sorry because choosing a position within the system means
choosing stability". The post included the comment: "It can be said that many people, including myself,
choose to just bear it and retreat, thereby enabling evil people to continue to do evil with impunity. In a
sense, we are responsible by our passive inaction for the deterioration of our environment since we choose
to tolerate and beat a retreat in the face of it. This is not the way a good person should behave. Instead, it is
5
only a manifestation of cynicism and cowardice. How can we repay virtue with virtue? Without lowering
yourself, it is time to consider a firm counterattack".
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: WELL KNOWN CHINESE DISSIDENT WANG DAN WRITES OF AN ONGOING INNER-PARTY STRUGGLE In an article in 'Dialogue China' on February 1, Chinese exiled Tiananmen dissident Wang Dan wrote that a
power struggle is underway within the Party and this raised the possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping
might not be able to secure a third term at the 20th Party Congress. Saying that the "recent rumours of the
Liu Yazhou incident and the Sun Lijun incident during the Wuhan epidemic are similar in nature to the Bo
Xilai and Sun Zhengcai incidents", he said "This shows that Xi Jinping's unchallenged leadership position
within the Communist Party is not as secure as it once was". He referred to the two consecutive articles
published in the People's Daily on December 9 and 10, 2021, that seemed to be contradictory in terms of
content. He said "One article is mainly about reform and opening. The article mentions the names of Deng
Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, but not a single word about Xi Jinping. The second article, on the
other hand, talks about Xi’s “achievements” without mentioning Jiang and Hu’s names or even Deng’s once".
He also mentioned, as another indication of the inner-Party struggle, the rumours circulating about the
detention of former National Defense University Political Commissar, PLA General Liu Yazhou, whose
brother, Liu Yawei, is director of the China Program at the Carter Center in Atlanta and is the founder and
editor of the website US-China Perception Monitor.
(Comment: PLA General Liu Yazhou is a 'princeling', a 'hawkish' and outspoken General who has often
travelled abroad. Considered close to Xi Jinping, he has also written pieces that appeared to be critical of
some of Xi Jinping's policies.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHONGQING REPORTS ON RECTIFICATION EFFORTS DURING 2021 Reporting on the Municipality's 'rectification' efforts, the Chongqing Daily (January 29) stated that in the
past year, the city has held about 3,500 special lectures on Xi Jinping's thought on the rule of law and the
study and education of party history, conducted 1,520 political rotation training sessions, delivered 840 party
lectures by "top leaders", and carried out "four explanations based on cases" and "four reforms based on
cases". It said more than 1820 sessions of lessons and "warning education" sessions had been held. The
majority of political and legal police officers said: "After going through strict and serious political experience,
ideological tempering, practical exercise, and organizational test, they have strengthened their ideals and
beliefs, supplemented their spiritual calcium, and built up political loyalty."
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY LI HONGZHONG CHAIRS TIANJIN MUNICIPALITY'S 'SPECIAL DEMOCRATIC LIFE' MEETING Tianjin Daily (January 29) disclosed that Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong chaired a 'special democratic
life' and party history meeting of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee where he emphasised the "two
establishments". It said the Municipality, through special seminars, collective training, individual self-study,
etc., organizes all the comrades of the Standing Committee to deeply study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism
with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC
Central Committee. They studied the important requirements of Tianjin's "three efforts" pointed out by
General Secretary Xi Jinping and the spirit of a series of important instructions, and studied the party
constitution and party regulations and the relevant requirements of the Party Central Committee on the
democratic life meeting. The team of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and the
comrades of the Standing Committee strictly followed the requirements of the central government, conducted
an in-depth analysis of the party spirit, and carefully wrote the inspection materials and speech outlines. The
meeting adopts a variety of methods, widely listens to opinions and suggestions, conducts in-depth heart-toheart conversations, communicates ideas and exchanges opinions. At the meeting, Li Hongzhong reported
on the solicitation of opinions at the special democratic life meeting and the implementation of the
rectification measures of the 2020 Democratic Life Meeting and Inspection and Rectification Special
Democratic Life Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, and made a
comparative inspection on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee. He analysed
the cause of the problem, clarified the direction of future efforts and corrective measures. Afterwards, Li
Hongzhong took the lead in self-criticism, and "comrades" on the Standing Committee of the Municipal
Party Committee conducted personal comparison checks one by one, and criticized and helped each other.
Everyone put themselves in, put their responsibilities in, put their work in, got straight to the problem, pointed
out the key points, dug deep into the root cause, and put forward opinions and suggestions in a frank and
honest manner. The improvement measures are clear and specific, and the expected goals have been achieved.
(Comment: 1956-born Li Hongzheng, when he was Hubei Party Secretary, on January 15, 2016, asserted
that "the Politburo and its Standing Committee are the core leaders [hexin] of the party, General Secretary
Xi Jinping is the core leader of the party center". He was the first Party Secretary to call Xi Jinping "hexin"
or core leader. He is in the running for elevation to the PBSC.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINA'S 'NEW ERA CIVILISATION PRACTICE CENTRES LAUNCHED IN 2018 HAVE NOW INCREASED TO 100,000 ACROSS CHINA According to ChinaFile (January 31) and state media articles examined by the Wall Street Journal (February
1), the 'New Era Civilization Practice Centers', first built in 50 counties as part of a small pilot program
launched in 2018, have now expanded roughly 10-fold to 100,000 centres in some 500 urban and rural
counties across China. The CCP CC Propaganda Department's implementation plan issued in 2019 hailed
the centers as helping to “truly open up the ‘last mile’ in terms of ‘propagandizing to the masses, educating
the masses, leading the masses, serving the masses.’ ” Local governments and institutions have been
estimated to spend as much as 700 million yuan (US$ 110 million) on these centres between August 2018
and September 2021.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING WILL HOST WELCOME BANQUETS FOR DIGNITARIES ATTENDING BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at the routing press briefing (January 28) that
Chinese President Xi Jinping would host welcome banquets from February 4 to 6 for dignitaries attending
the Games opening, which will include more than 30 heads of state, government, royal families and
international organisations. She said Xi would also attend a range of bilateral events during the period. CCTV
said that among the guests will be: Russian President Vladimir Putin, European representatives from Poland,
Serbia, Luxembourg and Monaco and dignitaries from Singapore, the five Central Asian nations and Pakistan,
and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN General Assembly president Abdulla Shahid and World
Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: CHINA ACCUSES U.S. OF "BUYING" ATHLETES TO SABOTAGE THE WINTER GAMES Reuters (January 29) reported that China's foreign ministry and the China Daily accused the United States of
planning to interfere with and "sabotage" the Beijing Winter Olympics by paying athletes from some
countries to make half-hearted efforts in competition and to criticise China. The CCP CC Propaganda
Department-owned English-language China Daily, on January 28 evening cited unnamed sources as saying
the United States has a plan to "incite athletes from various countries to express their discontent toward China,
play passively in competition and even refuse to take part". It said Washington would provide a large amount
of compensation and "mobilise global resources" to help protect the reputation of athletes of who choose to
compete passively. A spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Reuters on January 29 that the
report has "exposed the real intention of some Americans to politicise sports and to sabotage and interfere
with the Beijing Winter Olympics. He strongly condemned the attempts by some Americans to "buy off"
athletes and "cause trouble" during the Games, adding that these attempts are "doomed to fail". A U.S.
Embassy spokesman told Reuters by email on January 29 that "We were not and are not coordinating a global
campaign regarding participation at the Olympics. U.S. athletes are entitled to express themselves freely in
line with the spirit and charter of the Olympics, which includes advancing human rights." In a message to
convey greetings for the Chinese New Year festival next week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told
China-based foreign diplomats that China "has the confidence and ability to remove the interference" and
turn the Winter Games into an event that promotes friendship and mutual understanding.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WHILE CHINA'S LEADERS EXPECTED TO SET GROWTH TARGET FOR 2022 AT 5.5 PER CENT, IMF PROJECTS LOWERED GROWTH AT 4.8 PER CENT The Wall Street Journal (January 28) reported Chinese economists who consult with the government as
saying that China’s leadership is likely to set a growth target of about 5.5% for 2022. The figure might,
however, prove overly optimistic, given that economic expansion sharply decelerated to 4% in the final
quarter of last year. IMF also now expects China’s gross domestic product to expand 4.8% this year, down
from its previous projection of 5.7%.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW REGULATIONS OF CHINA SECURITIES REGULATORY COMMISSION TO INCLUDE NATIONAL SECURITY CLAUSE China’s forthcoming rules on overseas IPOs will apply to Chinese companies that want to list in Hong Kong,
the China Securities Regulatory Commission told CNBC on January 28. In an exclusive interview with
CNBC, the Commission’s Director General of the International Affairs Department, Shen Bing, spoke about
what draft rules will mean for Chinese companies that are planning to list in the U.S. and other markets
following last summer’s crackdown. he said “By overseas, we mean, of course, you know, anywhere besides
mainland China. Of course, it includes Hong Kong.” Shen Bing said the rules would apply not only to
Chinese companies wanting to offer H-shares in Hong Kong, but also a category called “red chips,” which
previously did not need the CSRC’s approval. The draft rules state that overseas listings are prohibited in
some of the following situations: (i) when other government departments consider the offering a threat to
national security; (ii) if there are disputes over the ownership of the company’s major assets; or (iii) if there’s
criminal offense by a controlling shareholder or executive within the last three years.
(Comment: The Regulations are due to come into force shortly as the period for public comment ended on
January 24.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: SENIOR PARTY CADRES INCLUDING CHAIRMAN OF SOE EXPELLED FROM CCP AND CASES TRANSFERRED TO PROCURATORATE i) Four employees of the "Eastern Airports" SOE, including the company's Chairman, have been expelled
from the Party and their cases transferred to the procuratorate. This comes after a COVID-19 cluster in
Nanjing airport in summer 2021.
The following were reported by the CDIC on February 1 as having been expelled from the CCP:
ii) Zhang Wei, former Secretary of the Party group and Director of the Changchun Supply and Marketing
Cooperative Association was expelled from the Party for taking bribes, benefits for others in the selection of
cadres.
iii) Wang Xijing, former Secretary and First-level Inspector of the Licang District Committee of Qingdao,
was expelled from the party because he was engaged in "image projects" and "performance projects",
nepotism, money and sex, and intervening in judiciary.
iv) Hu Xiaogang, former Vice President of China Great Wall Asset Management was expelled from the Party
for violating Party Centre's policies on financial work, corruption, abandoning of his responsibility for
increasing the value of state-owned assets.
v) Zhang Wei, former Secretary of the Party group and Director of the Changchun Supply and Marketing
Cooperative Association was expelled from the Party for taking bribes, benefits for others in the selection of
cadres
vi) Wang Xinghua, former Member of the Standing Committee of the Linyi Municipal Party Committee and
former secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of Shandong Province was expelled from the Party
for lost ideals and concealing and not reporting personal matters.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA RELEASE 'CHINA'S SPACE PROGRAMME: A 2021 PERSPECTIVE" Space News (January 28) reported that China's State Council Information Office had on January 28 released
a new White Paper titled “China’s Space Program: A 2021 Perspective, “outlining the centrality of space to
the country’s “overall national strategy” as well as major plans for the years ahead. The Paper, which is
issued every 5 years, said the global space industry has entered a “new stage of rapid development and
profound transformation” and over the next five years China will seek to develop its space transportation
capabilities, test new technologies, embark on exploration missions, modernize space governance, enhance
innovation and boost international cooperation. Crewed lunar landings, on-orbit servicing and work on
planetary defence are all noted as key areas for research and technical breakthroughs in the coming years.
Wu Yanhua, Deputy Director of the China National Space Administration, said at a press conference on
January 28 that “China’s space industry has made rapid and innovative progress.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: ZHAO ZHIDAN PROMOTED TO LT. GENERAL AND TRANSFERRED FROM XINJIANG MILITARY REGION TO PLA NORTHERN THEATRE COMMAND The US-based DW news reported (February 2) that Zhao Zhidan, who till recently was previously the
Commander of the South Xinjiang Military Region, has been promoted to Lt. General and moved to the PLA
Northern Theater Command. According to recent Liaoning news reports, the PLA military bases under the
Northern Theatre Command held a meeting for the Spring Festival, which was attended by Zhang Guoqing,
Director of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Lecheng, Deputy Secretary of the
Liaoning Provincial Party Committee and Governor, and Zhou Bo, Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial
Political Consultative Conference. The official TV news-report showed that Zhao Zhidan was attending the
meeting and had been promoted to Lieutenant General.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE AERONAUTICS ENGINEERS CLAIM TO HAVE DEVELOPED AI SYSTEM WHICH CAN TEACH COMBAT DRONES TO WIN DOGFIGHTS The South China Morning Post (January 30) disclosed that the domestic peer-reviewed journal Acta
Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica had published a report (January 28) where researchers in Sichuan
province say they have developed an artificial intelligence system that can teach Chinese combat drones to
win dogfights thousands of times faster than comparable American technology. The researchers at the China
Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre in Mianyang, Sichuan province, said the higher learning
speed could help the drone identify “cheating manoeuvres” by human pilots, reduce a computer chip’s
workload and outperform opponents in complex, large-scale air combat. They added “The algorithm in this
paper can be extended to an air combat with multiple AI agents, which will be closer to the real situation in
a battlefield”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S J-20 STEALTH JET FIGHTERS TO BE EQUIPPED IN FUTURE WITH DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS SUCH AS LASERS ETC. Asia Times (January 27) said that in an interview on the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), Chinese
military expert Wang Mingliang mentioned that China's latest stealth fighter jet, the J-20, could in the future
be equipped with directed energy weapons such as lasers, optionally-manned capability and the ability to
command drone swarms.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION ISSUES NEW DIRECTIVE THAT TIBETANS EMPLOYEES IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SCHOOLS OR HOSPITALS MUST BE LOYAL TO THE CCP AND RENOUNCE THE DALAI LAMA Radio Free Asia (January 28) disclosed quoting sources inside Tibet that the Tibet Autonomous Region had
issued new directives on January 25 to all provinces and municipalities of the Tibet Autonomous Region
directing that all Tibetans looking for work in their region’s state sector must first renounce all ties to Tibetan
spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as a condition of employment. It stated that workers employed in Tibetan
government offices, schools or hospitals must be “trustworthy and reliable citizens” and remain loyal to the
ruling Chinese Communist Party. They must also renounce the Dalai Lama and his followers, the directive
says, referring to the group of supporters that has formed around the exiled spiritual leader over the years as
a “clique.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR AUTHORITIES TO BAN ALL ONLINE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1 Radio Free Asia (RFA) quoting a source inside Tibet said that the Chinese authorities had issued orders on
January 20, to take effect from March 1, stating that “All online coordinating of religious activities and
related events will be banned” and “Anyone found violating this order will be investigated and punished.” It
added “But religious events and ceremonies performed or discussed on social media groups will now be
banned completely, and online activities by the groups will be constantly monitored.” However, religious
activities conducted inside the monasteries will be allowed to continue as before, the source said.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA REGIMENTAL COMMANDER QI FABAO WHO WAS INVOLVED IN GALWAN VALLEY "SKIRMISH" IS A TORCHBEARER FOR BEIJING WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES China's CCP-owned Global Times (February 2) disclosed that Qi Fabao, a PLA Regiment Commander of
the Xinjiang Military Region who sustained a "head injury while fighting bravely in the Galwan Valley
border skirmish with India", was a torchbearer during Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Torch Relay on February
2 and took the flame from Wang Meng, China's four-time Olympic short track speed skating champion, at
Winter Olympic Park.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAK PRIME MINISTER IN CHINA (FEBRUARY 3-6) TO ATTEND BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS AND SEEK LOANS Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in China on February 3 to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics
and meet Chinese leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Pakistan media reports indicate the
Pakistan Finance Ministry has finalized a draft agreement for a US$ 3 billion loan to shore up depleting
foreign exchange reserves to be discussed with Chinese leaders during Imran Khan’s visit to Beijing. Pakistan
separately plans to approach Russia and Kazakhstan for credit lines of US$ 1 billion each. Discussions will
also turn toward the US$1.5 billion in overdue payments Pakistan owes Chinese energy companies that have
built power plants as part of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINA REACTS TO JAPAN'S PARLIAMENT PASSING RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS OF UYGHURS Japan’s parliament passed a resolution expressing concern about Uyghur human rights on February 1. The
resolution, adopted by the lower chamber, said the international community has expressed concerns over
such issues as internment and the violation of religious freedom in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,
Tibet and Hong Kong. It said, "Human rights issues cannot just be domestic issues, because human rights
hold universal values and are a rightful matter of concern for the international community". "This chamber
recognises changes to the status quo with force, which are symbolised by the serious human rights situation,
as a threat to the international community." Yasue Funayama, an opposition lawmaker and co-chair of one
of the parliamentary human rights groups leading the effort, said “It’s an enormous first step. If the whole of
parliament agrees that there are concerns about the human rights situation, we will have to look at what to
do about it.” China reacted promptly with its Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian saying, "China
reserves itself the right to take further measures". You Wenze of the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee
accused Japan of "serious interference in PRC domestic affairs", adding "For any vile actions that attempt to
interfere in China's internal affairs and harm China's interests, China will surely fight back firmly and
forcefully."
(Comment: The Japanese resolution did not directly use the word "China" anywhere in the text, and steered
clear of such expression as "human rights violation", saying, instead, "human rights situation", in a possible
nod to close bilateral economic ties.)
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PUTIN AND XI JINPING TO HAVE LUNCH AND SIGN 15 AGREEMENTS IN BEIJING ON FEBRUARY 4 Reuters (February 3) quoted Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as saying that Russian President Putin and his
Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will have lunch together on February 4, and could sign more than 15
agreements, with lots of new deals being prepared in relation to natural gas. He said the possibility of Russia
building a new gas pipeline to China through Mongolia was also being looked at. Reuters also quoted Shi
Yinhong, International Relations Professor at Beijing's Renmin University, saying “Putin is very busy now.
He is here because he has to be." "Putin knows China is indispensable for Russia, just as Russia is
indispensable for China.” Xinhua on February 4 said the Xi-Putin meeting for the Winter Olympics will
"open a new chapter in China-Russia relations" and "is expected to inject a much-needed dose of stability
and certainty into the world". Putin wrote an article titled "Russia and China: Strategic Partnerships Focusing
on the Future" which was published by Xinhua on February 3.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: PROMINENT CHINESE ACADEMIC WANG JISI SAYS RISK OF ACCIDENTAL CONFLICT BETWEEN US AND CHINA IS HIGH The South China Morning Post (February 3) reported that Wang Jisi, President of the Institute of International
and Strategic Studies at Peking University, during an interview with Shenzhen Satellite TV on February 1,
said that the risk of an accidental military conflict between China and the United States is high despite efforts
by both countries to ease tensions. He said he was neither optimistic nor pessimistic about US-China relations
this year but there was a risk of accidental conflict. Wang Jisi said “I believe that we have a guarantee of
peace. The leaders of both nations have repeatedly stressed in their conversations that they do not want a
new cold war or a political war, or a hot war.”
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: WALL STREET JOURNAL REVEALS U.S. TECH CORPORATIONS THAT HAVE LINKS WITH CHINESE ENTITIES An article in the Wall Street Journal (February 2) cited a report by the Victims of Communism Memorial
Foundation and the consulting firm Horizon Advisory, which implicates U.S. and multinational corporations
in the Communist Party’s human-rights abuses, the surveillance of Chinese people, and Beijing’s military
build-up.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-US: US INVESTMENT COMPANY BLACKSTONE INVESTS US$ 250 MILLION IN DATA CENTRE DEVELOPER VNET GROUP Mingtiandi, an Asia Real Estate publication, on February 2 announced that Blackstone will invest a further
$250 million in Beijing-based data centre developer VNET Group, as the US private equity giant looks to
jump-start a bet that has suffered in the wake of China’s crackdown on domestic firms listing on American
exchanges. Blackstone is led by billionaire co-founder and Chairman Stephen Schwarzman.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: CHINA-UKRAINE TRADE LINKS An article in SupChina (December 31, 2021) reported on the ties between China and Ukraine, observing that
they have been growing in recent years and in the first half of 2021, agricultural trade between China and
Ukraine increased by 33% over the same period in 2020. China is a key trade partner for Ukraine, providing
14.4% of its imports and a destination for 15.3% of its exports. Ukraine began selling corn to China in 2013
and by 2019 had become its largest supplier, accounting for more than 80% of Chinese corn imports. Also
in 2013, China's paramilitary organisation Xinjiang Construction and Production Corps signed an agreement
with Ukraine's KSG Agro to lease 100,000 hectares (247,105 acres) of agricultural land for cultivation and
pig farming over a 50-year period. Ukraine has 42 million hectares of farmland. Trade turnover in 2021
amounted to $15.4 billion and China has only invested $127 million in Ukraine since 2015. Ukraine supplies
a variety of military equipment to China, including turbofan engines for aircraft, diesel engines for tanks,
and gas turbines for air-to-air missiles. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a Macau-based company
purchased Ukraine's Varyag aircraft carrier at the bargain basement price of $20 million, after claiming it
would never be used for military purposes. The vessel, later renamed the Liaoning, was later refurbished and
ultimately would provide a shortcut for China's People's Liberation Navy to its first aircraft carrier. Ukraine
also has very large iron ore deposits.
Feb 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY MA XINGRUI VERY LIKELY TO GET ELEVATED TO POLITBURO AT THIS CONGRESS A People's Daily reporter said on January 21, that the new Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui is likely to
be the first one to secure a Politburo seat this fall. He described him as "among the most confident provincial
chiefs I've seen in the new era".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: ARTICLE PRAISING XI JINPING AUTHORED BY PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT HEAD OF BEIJING PUBLISHED IN PEOPLE'S DAILY Mo Gaoyi, head of Beijing's Propaganda Department and member of the Standing Committee of the CCP
Beijing Municipal Committee, authored an article captioned 'Strive to build an advanced socialist cultural
capital with Chinese characteristics (in-depth study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary
Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee)', which was published in the People's Daily on January 21. The
article, which focussed on the CCP's history, said "The Chinese Communists, mainly represented by
Comrade Xi Jinping, answered the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times in a timely manner.
Starting from the new reality, they created a society with Chinese characteristics in the new era of Xi Jinping."
It contained 12 mentions of Xi Jinping.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: ARTICLES ON 'TWO ESTABLISHMENTS' AND PROVINCES PUBLICISE GOVERNMENT WORK REPORTS China's official provincial papers/editions of the People's Daily have been publishing articles on the "two
establishments" since at least January 20. Xinhua (January 25) reported that PBSC member and NPC
Chairman Li Zhanshu, while chairing a symposium of NPC Deputies in Beijing on January 25, told the
Deputies that they "must transform the political consensus of "two establishments" into practical actions of
"two safeguards". Politburo member and NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Wang Chen attended the
symposium. The People's Daily (January 25) published a major article by the Party Secretary and Minister
of Civil Affairs Li Jiheng on deeply grasping the "two establishments". Zhejiang Daily (January 19)
published the Zhejiang Province High Court Work Report which mentions the "two establishments" four
times. Guizhou Daily (January 25) reported that a meeting of the Provincial Propaganda Ministers in Guiyang
on January 25, said "framed in terms of "two establishments", 2022 is of special importance and among other
things, must "build a "firewall" of ideological security"." Hubei Daily (January 25) front-paged two articles
whose titles include the "two establishments". Chongqing Daily (January 27) reported that at the Sixth
Plenary meeting of the Chongqing Fifth Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, Chongqing Party
Secretary Chen Min'er mentioned the "Two Establishments".
The following provinces have published their respective Government Work Reports: Zhejiang (Jan 18),
Sichuan (Jan 18), Chongqing (Jan 17), Xinjiang (Jan 24)
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES REGULATIONS ON MANAGEMENT OF LEADERS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS FROM THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL AND ABOVE Xinhua (January 23) disclosed that the CCP CC General Office issued the "Regulations on the Management
of Leaders of Public Institutions" and issued a notice, requiring all regions and departments to strictly abide
by them. The full text of the Regulations on the Management of Leaders of Institutions containing 51 Articles
was published. The regulations apply to the members of the leading bodies of the Party committees and the
government directly under the provincial level and the public institutions affiliated to the departments, and
the leaders of the public institutions affiliated to the standing committees of the people's congresses, the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the Commission for Discipline Inspection, the People's
Courts, the People's Procuratorates, and mass organizations at or above the provincial level
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: FORMER DEAN OF PEKING UNIVERITY'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SCHOOL CRITICISES OVEREMPHASIS ON SECURITY In a thinly veiled criticism of the current foreign policy, Jia Qingguo, CPPCC Standing Committee member,
former Dean of Peking University’s International Relations School, and an America expert, wrote an article
in the January issue of the bimonthly Journal of International Security Studies, published by the University
of International Relations in Beijing, which cautioned that overemphasis on absolutes, whether it is defence
spending or supply chains, is likely to be self-destructive. He said, “To ignore the comparative nature of
security, and blindly pursue [it] absolutely will result in making the country less secure, as it inflicts
unbearable costs and fails to achieve absolute security.” The South China Morning Post (January 22) said
that while Jia Qingguo opens with paying homage to President Xi Jinping’s general views on national
security, his 22-page article is full of thinly veiled criticisms against hawkish outlooks. He says too much
emphasis on defence spending could trigger an arms race making all countries involved less secure and cites
the Soviet Union’s decades of massive defence spending as a typical example of the drawbacks of ignoring
long-term security, which led to the federation’s ultimate disintegration in 1991.
(Comment: The article appears when China's relations with the US are under considerable strain and Beijing
faces economic difficulties. Other prominent Chinese have recently suggested modulation of the present
policies, but without appearing to be critical of Xi Jinping.)
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: CENTRAL DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION ADVISES GRASS ROOTS COURTS TO RESOLUTELY DEFEND 'TWO ESTABLISHMENTS' AND GUARD AGAINST ERRONEOUS IDEOLOGICAL TRENDS An article in the China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News (January 27) stated that "The people's
court is both a judicial organ and a political organ. Talking about politics is the first requirement of the
people's court". It asserted that Political supervision "is the foundation and the "two establishments" must be
resolutely defended and the "two safeguards" achieved". It said, "We must resolutely resist the influence of
erroneous ideological trends such as "constitutional democracy", "separation of powers" and "judicial
independence". It also advised grass roots courts on political construction, no rigid case handling, substantive
justice, strict court staff mgmt, keeping up with the times.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-DIGITAL: CHINA'S CYBERSPACE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL VILLAGES Xinhua (January 26) reported that China's Central Cyberspace Administration announced that 'Arrangements
have been made for the Development of Digital Villages during the Fourth Five-Year Plan period'. The 8-
point action plan proposes that by 2025, important progress will be made in the development of digital
villages including the popularization of 4G in rural areas and the innovative application of 5G
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUED NEW REGULATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING PARTY LEADERSHIP OVER EDUCATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS To "fully implement the party's organizational line and the party's educational policy in the new era, and to
uphold and strengthen the party's overall leadership over primary and secondary schools", the CCP CC
General Office on January 26 issued the "Opinions on Establishing a Principal Responsibility System for the
Leadership of Party Organizations in Primary and Secondary Schools (Trial)". The People's Daily (January
26) published the text of the Regulations, which emphasised strengthening the party's overall leadership over
education and building party organizations and party members in primary and secondary schools . The first
of the 5 points and their numerous sub-clauses stressed adherence "to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the
"four self-confidences", and achieve the "two maintenances", etc
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CDIC AND NSC TO PROMOTE CENTRALLY-MANAGED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES INTO WORLD CLASS INSTITUTIONS The People's Daily (January 25) reported that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and the
National Supervision Commission (NSC) held a mobilization and deployment meeting on January 20 for
deepening the reform of the discipline inspection and supervision system in centrally managed colleges and
universities. Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the CDIC and Director of the NSC, Yang Xiaodu
attended the meeting and delivered a speech, emphasizing that under the guidance of Xi Jinping's new era of
socialism with Chinese characteristics the NSC will supervise, guarantee, implement, and promote
development of centrally-managed colleges and universities into world-class universities with Chinese
characteristics, and "cultivate socialist builders and successors with comprehensive development of morality,
intelligence, physique, beauty, and labour".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE SAYS RETURNING CHINESE STUDENTS ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO GET EMPLOYMENT The Guangming Daily (January 25) published an interesting article on students returning to China from study
abroad. Saying that returning to China after graduation has become the first choice for many international
students, it said reports show that after the epidemic, the trend of overseas students returning to China has
increased significantly. In 2021, it is expected that the number of returning students for employment will
exceed one million for the first time. In contrast, the number of college graduates in 2021 nationwide will
reach 9.09 million, and the number of college graduates in 2022 is expected to reach 10.76 million. The
article conceded that under the arduous pressure of "stabilizing employment" and "guaranteeing
employment", "the employment situation of returnee talents is extremely tense, and it needs to be further
resolved in the process of macroeconomic reform".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: 11 CHINESE ORGANISATIONS LAUNCH THREE YEAR NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN IN JANUARY TO COMBAT MONEY LAUNDERING Stating that the situation of "money laundering is still grim", the Procuratorate Daily (January 26) announced
that the People's Bank of China, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Supervisory Commission, the
Supreme People's Court, The Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of State Security, the General
Administration of Customs, the State Administration of Taxation, the China Banking and Insurance
Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the State Administration of
Foreign Exchange jointly issued the "Three-Year Action Plan for Combating and Controlling Money
Laundering Crimes (2022-2024)". It said a three-year campaign to combat and control money laundering
crimes will be carried out nationwide from January 2020 to December 2024. The announcement also said
the "Three-Year Action Plan for Combating and Governing Money Laundering Crimes (2022-2024)"
requires all departments to improve their political positions, strengthen organizational leadership, and
strengthen publicity and training
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC ANNOUNCES 627,000 OFFICIALS PUNISHED LAST YEAR The CCP's anti-corruption watch-dog the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced that
627,000 officials had been punished for "violating Communist Party discipline and laws" last year, more
than any other year since President Xi Jinping took the party's reins in 2012. Of them, 36 were provincial
leaders and cabinet-level officials.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER PARTY SECRETARY OF HANGZHOU EXPELLED FROM PARTY AND ARRESTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES The CDIC announced on January 26 that Zhou Jiangyong, former Party Secretary of Hangzhou -- the base
of Jack Ma’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. -- has been expelled over corruption charges relating to the
“disorderly expansion of capital,” serious violations of official duties, taking bribes and abuse of power. It
said investigations began in August last year and the case has now been handed over to the prosecutors.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE: CHINESE SCIENTIST INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERSONIC MISSILE DEFECTS TO U.S. VIA U.K. London's Express newspaper reported (January 23) that a Chinese national in his 30s who was a scientist and
a rocket technician attached to the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China, where he helped develop a
mid-range hypersonic boost-glide vehicle capable of carrying DF-17 missiles to a range of up to 2,000 miles,
has defected to U.K. He sought asylum for himself and his family who were all sent to a former British
colony before being sent onward to the US via a US Air Force base in Germany. The defector resented having
been passed over for promotion, which persuaded him to contact a British intelligence asset in Hong Kong
at the end of September last year. During that first, tentative approach, he told the middleman he possessed
detailed information about the hypersonic glide vehicle. Knowing he faced a firing squad if discovered, he
demanded asylum for himself and his wife and child. The Express said a call was made to Vauxhall Cross -
the London HQ of the Secret Intelligence Service, more commonly known as MI6 - and a three-person team,
comprising two intelligence officers and a technical specialist, were readied to deploy to Hong Kong.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: 7 OFFICERS PROMOTED TO RANK OF GENERAL CCTV (January 21) telecast a report on the promotion of 7 officers to the rank of General on January 21 at
the Bayi Building in Beijing. General Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC),
read out the order for promotion to the rank of General and police signed by Xi Jinping, Chairman of the
Central Military Commission. Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CMC, presided over the promotion
ceremony. The officers and police officers who have been promoted to the rank of general are: Liu Qingsong,
Political Commissar of the Northern Theater Command, Wu Yanan, Commander of the Central Theater
Command, Xu Deqing, Political Commissar of the Central Theater Command, Qin Shutong, Political
Commissar of the Army, Yuan Huazhi, Political Commissar of the Navy, Li Yuchao, Commander of the
Rocket Army, and the Armed Police Force Political Commissar Zhang Hongbing. CMC Members Wei
Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin, relevant units of the military stationed in Beijing, and
officers in charge of various departments of the CMC attended the promotion ceremony.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS ON STRENGTHENING RECRUITMENT AND "NEW TYPE COMBAT FORCES" Approved by Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, the Central Military Commission
recently issued the "Decision on Strengthening the Work of Military Talents in the New Era". Xinhua
(January. ) said the "Decision" pointed out that talents are the key factor to promote the high-quality
development of our army, win military competition and take the initiative in future wars. The General Office
of the Central Military Commission issued "Several Measures on Strengthening the Construction of Joint
Operations Command Talents", "Several Measures on Strengthening the Construction of New-type Combat
Forces Talents", "Several Measures on Further Stimulating the Innovative Power of Scientific and
Technological Personnel", and "On Strengthening High-tech Several Measures for the Construction of
Horizontal Strategic Management Talents".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: CHONGQING PARTY SECRETARY CHEN MIN'ER DELIVERS SPEECH AT PLA CHONGQING GARRISON PARTY COMMITTEE'S PLENARY SESSION The Chongqing Daily (January 26) disclosed that Chen Min'er, Secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Party
Committee and First Secretary of the Party Committee of the PLA Chongqing Garrison District, attended the
Seventh Plenary Meeting (January 24 to 25) of the Fifth Party Committee of the Chongqing PLA Garrison
District and delivered a speech. Gao Buming, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party
Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Garrison District, and Political Commissar of the PLA
Chongqing Garrison District, delivered a work report on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Party
Committee of the Garrison District. Liu Shixu, Deputy Secretary and Commander of the Party Committee
of the PLA Chongqing Garrison District, and Li Mingqing, Member of the Standing Committee and
Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, attended the meeting. The meeting commended the
advanced units and individuals of the garrison area in 2021. In his speech Chongqing Party Secretary Chen
Min'er invoked Xi Jinping Strong Military Thought and stressed that "it is necessary to adhere to the guidance
of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement Xi
Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army", etc. He emphasised "it is necessary to deeply understand the
decisive significance of the "two establishments", effectively transform the political achievements of the
"two establishments" into the political consciousness of resolutely achieving the "two maintenances", adhere
to the party's absolute leadership over the military, and implement the responsibility system of the chairman
of the Military Commission".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF OFFICER DISCUSSES SOCIAL CONTRADICTIONS IN ARTICLE IN PLA DAILY Li Hongxuan, an officer of a certain department of the PLA Air Force, published an article in the PLA Daily
(January 21) on "Scientifically grasping the new changes of the principal contradiction in society". In the
article he said China "faces different major social contradictions in different historical periods", but the Party
"scientifically judges the main contradictions in society, determines the party's key tasks and goals
accordingly, and maximizes the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of the broadest masses of the people.
Practice has proved that an accurate understanding of the principal contradiction in society is the "key" to
grasp the stage of social development"
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY ARTICLE SAYS CHINA'S SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT ARE FACING A "MORE SEVERE SITUATION" Stating that "People cannot be born without a soul, and an army cannot stand without a soul. The Party's
absolute leadership over the army is the foundation of the people's army and the soul of a strong army", an
article in the PLA Daly (January 21) highlighted the importance of political work in the PLA. It said, "Under
the new historical conditions, China's security and development are facing a more severe situation, the
struggle in the ideological field has become more acute and complex, and the contest between "casting the
soul" and "souling the soul" is more intense. Therefore, it is even more necessary to strengthen the role of
the lifeline of our military's political work, especially to unswervingly adhere to the dominance of Marxism
in the ideological field, to thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Army, Firm ideals and beliefs,
and build a strong spiritual pillar, so that our army will have a firm and correct political direction, and will
have infinite combat effectiveness and vigorous vitality"
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: PROVINCES ACCELERATE INNOVATION AND PROJECTS IN S&T IN THE NEW YEAR The state-run CCTV (January 23) publicised that a number of provinces have initiated or enlarged S&T
projects and innovation in the New Year. It said a world-leading intelligent excavation robot was massproduced in Changsha, Hunan, and this robot can receive gestures and voice commands, automatically and
accurately perform actions, and realise remote unmanned operations through its own cloud platform. In
Chongqing, the Western (Chongqing) Science City Germplasm Creation Science Center was put into
operation and that since January, Chongqing has launched more than 40 projects targeting future industrial
needs, covering high-tech services, big health, and other fields.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY SUCCESSFULLY TESTED A NEW AEROSPACE RAMJET ENGINE The People's Daily (January 25) reported that a new aerospace ramjet engine developed by China's Tsinghua
University had successfully conducted a test flight on January 24, demonstrating the country's independent
research and development capability and a ground-breaking achievement in the field of new airpower.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CCTV AGAIN HIGHLIGHTS WASTAGE OF FOOD AS A SERIOUS NATIONAL PROBLEM The state-run CCTV telecast a news item on January 21 highlighting that the Institute of Geographical
Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has conducted a two-year
practical investigation on the wastage of food by the public.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-POPULATION: NATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION OFFICIAL SAYS DECREASE IN NUMBER OF CHILD-BEARING AGE IS MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO CHINA'S DECLINING BIRTH RATE After data showed the birth-rate hit a record low in 2021, Yang Jinrui, Deputy Director of the National Health
Commission’s Population Surveillance and Family Development Department, said at a press conference on
January 20, that the number of women in the 20-34 age group decreased by an average of 3.4 million per
year from 2016 to 2020, and the decline reached 4.73 million in 2021 compared with 2020. He said the
declining number of women of childbearing age, especially those ages 20 to 34, is a major factor contributing
to China’s flagging birth-rate.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 5 CHINESE PHARMA COMPANIES SIGN AGREEMENTS WITH U.N.'S MEDICINES PATENT POOL (MPP) TO PRODUCE RAW MATERIALS FOR MERCK'S MOLNUPIRAVIR Caixin (January 21) reported that 5 Chinese companies are among 27 global generic-drug makers that signed
agreements with a United Nations-backed organization to produce versions of Merck & Co.’s Covid-19
antiviral pill for 105 poorer countries. Fosun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology
Co. Ltd., Shijiazhuang Longze Pharmacy Co. Ltd., and Shanghai Desano Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. were
authorized to produce both the raw ingredients for Merck’s molnupiravir and the finished product. Zhejiang
Langhua Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. will make only the raw ingredients. The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a
U.N.-backed public health organization working to increase access to life-saving medicines for lower-income
countries, will determine production volumes, when the drugs will be available and what countries will get
the medicines, but the drug makers may reach cooperation agreements with the MPP on distribution
channels.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOUNDER CHAIRMAN OF LEADING CHINESE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY SANY HEAVY INDUSTRY STEPS DOWN Caixin (January 21) disclosed that Liang Wengen, the founder of China’s leading construction-machinery
maker Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., stepped down from his role as Chairman in a core leadership shakeup
that came after the company suffered a poor third quarter. Xiang Wenbo, the former Vice Chairman and
President of Sany, has been appointed its new Chairman. Liang Wengen will continue to serve as a member
of the Board.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PROVINCES ANNOUNCE GDP GROWTH TARGETS FOR 2022 China’s province-level administrative entities have issued their GDP growth targets for 2022. Hubei, Jiangxi,
Anhui, Ningxia, and Henan have all set growth targets of around 7%, while almost all of the remaining
Chinese provinces forecast growth of between 5.5 – 6.5%. The Beijing municipal government has set the
lowest GDP growth target for 2022, at 5%.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGDONG PROVINCE CLAIMS TO HAVE ELIMINATED 'HIDDEN' LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEBT Caixin (January 22) reported that the Acting Governor of Guangdong, Wang Weizhong, while delivering
the annual government work report to the province’s legislature on January 20, announced that the province
was the first to eliminate hidden local government debt as the country approaches the halfway mark in a
campaign to clean up trillions of yuan of risky liabilities piled up off the books. Wang Weizhong did not
specify the scale of the liabilities brought back onto the books
(Comment: A pilot program to achieve “zero hidden (government) debt” was earlier announced in October.)
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: COVID SPREAD IN HONGKONG ATTRIBUTED TO PARTY HOSTED BY RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL OFFICIAL BUT WITH HIGH-LEVEL CONNECTIONS The spread of Covid in Hongkong that annoyed Beijing is learnt to have been caused by a birthday party of
a longtime former government official held by Witman Hung, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the
Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, which oversees economic development between Hong Kong and the Greater
Bay Area. Though Witman Hung is reportedly a relatively low-level official representing private interests in
the development zone in Shenzhen his birthday party included some senior guests, including Hong Kong
police chief Raymond Siu, Secretary of Home Affairs Casper Tsui, and others. Witman Hung is, however, a
HK Deputy to the NPC. Among others who attended were members of the Shenzhen CPPCC, Vice President
of Guangdong’s Association For Promotion of Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao,
Commissioner of Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol, Chairman Emeritus of the Y.Elites Association, Vice
President and Secretary General of Hong Kong-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Foundation and Council
Member of Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 39 CHINESE PLAAF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT VIOLATE TAIWAN'S ADIZ On January 23, China sent 39 PLA Air Force aircraft to violate Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone
(ADIZ). The incursion involved 34 J-16 and J-10 fighter jets, one H-6 bomber, and four aircraft with
electronic warfare capabilities. The PLA's J-16D electronic warfare aircraft was spotted for the first time
near Taiwan. Chinese warplanes started making forays into Taiwan's ADIZ since September 2020. Taiwan's
Defence Ministry said there were about 380 sorties in 2020, and the number more than doubled to 961 sorties
in 2021. While this is the largest breach in 2022, the largest show of force by China was on October 4, 2021,
when 56 military aircraft breached the island’s ADIZ. So far this month, there have been only five days when
Taiwan's Defence Ministry didn’t report any incidence of China’s incursion.
(Comment: China's violation of the ADIZ coincided with the 6-day long US-Japan Naval Exercises in waters
south of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. 10 U.S. military vessels—including aircraft carriers the USS
Carl Vinson and the USS Abraham Lincoln, a destroyer, and an amphibious assault ship—took part in the
joint exercise with Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force.)
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA'S ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC TIES WITH RUSSIA ARE GROWING CLOSER In an article highlighting the growing China-Russia relationship, the South China Morning Post (January 23)
cited the Chinese media as stating that Putin and Xi have held 37 video meetings since 2013 – most recently
last month – and the Russian President is likely to be the first world leader to meet Xi in person since the
start of the pandemic. It noted Putin's assurance last month that he would attend the Beijing Winter Olympics
in a show of solidarity after the US, Britain, Canada, and Australia announced a diplomatic boycott over
human rights. At the same time, Xi expressed support for his “old friend” Putin and called for “more joint
actions to effectively safeguard security interests” of the two countries. The Hongkong-based newspaper said
that as the relations of both countries with the US worsen, their leaders have pledged cooperation in emerging
areas, including data security, cyberspace, the Arctic, and infrastructure. Beijing and Moscow are seeking to
increase the use of their currencies in bilateral payments to curtail the influence of the US dollar and reduce
the effects of Washington-imposed sanctions. Last month, in the face of a threat from the US and Europe to
exclude Russia from Swift, the world’s largest electronic payment system, Putin’s foreign policy adviser
Yuri Ushakov said Russia and China had agreed to develop an independent financial infrastructure to service
trade between the two countries “that cannot be influenced by third countries”.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA-RUSSIA-IRAN HOLD JOINT NAVY EXERCISE (JANUARY 18 - 21) IN NORTH INDIAN OCEAN The Joint Naval Exercise CHIRU-2022 of warships of Russia, China and Iran started in the Gulf of Oman
(northern Arabian Sea) on January 18 and continued till January 21. In total, involved more than 140 warships
and support vessels, more than 60 aircraft, 1,000 units of military equipment, and about 10,000 military
personnel to participate. The PLA Navy has deployed its guided-missile destroyer 'Urumqi' (118) and
replenishment ship 'Taihu' (889), along with embarked helicopters and 40 People’s Liberation Army Navy
Marines of the 39th Escort Task Force, which is carrying out anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-U.K.: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY LIZ TRUSS HIGHLIGHTS U.K.- AUSTRALIA COOPERATION IN INDO-PACIFIC AGAINST CHINA British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss spoke at Australia's Lowy Institute on January 21 when she discussed
countering China. In a speech that contained 8 mentions of China, and 3 mentions of Beijing she said "Russia
and China are working together more and more, as they strive to set the standards in technologies like
artificial intelligence, assert their dominance over the Western Pacific through joint military exercises and in
space through closer ties.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN NAVY CHIEF'S REMARKS ON CHINA German Navy Chief VAdm Kay-Achim Schönbach speaking (January 22) at an event in IDSA in Delhi said,
'China is giving money to dictators, killers, to criminals as long as long as they give resources to China'.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-US: CHINA REACTS TO US DECISION TO SUSPEND 44 CHINA-BOUND FLIGHTS FROM U.S. East Asia Forum (January 23) published an article on the current state of Sino-US relations by Jia Qingguo,
CPPCC member, former Dean of Peking University’s International Relations School, and a US expert, where
he traced the slide in Sino-US ties. Titled 'Waiting for spring to come in China–US relations', Jia Qingguo
said that despite some cooperation on issues, like climate change, the conflict between the two sides has
increased, Taiwan is the single contentious issue. Jia Qingguo said the push by Taiwan authorities "for
independence coupled with increasing US endorsement and support elicited a tougher stance from China",
and "the vicious cycle of interactions between Beijing, Taipei and Washington increased the likelihood of a
military showdown". He said despite the November 16 virtual summit meeting between Chinese President
Xi Jinping and Biden on 16 November for setting guard rails for the relationship the most recent bickering
includes a US official boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, sanctions over Xinjiang and Chinese
retaliation. He assessed that these factors are unlikely to change in the short run, and "the 2022 mid-term
elections bode ill for China–US relations because the Republicans who stand on an even tougher policy
toward China appear likely to win. Under these circumstances, the Biden administration is unlikely to be
able to advance a pragmatic approach toward China. Ahead of the 20th Party Congress, China is also unlikely
to compromise". Jia Qingguo concluded that "the stabilisation and improvement of China–US relations is
likely to remain a distant prospect for some time yet"
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN NAVY INDUCTS CHINA-BUILT TYPE 054A/P FRIGATE The Pakistan Navy on January 24 inducted the PNS Tughril, the first of four Type 054A/P frigates developed
by China, in the Pakistan Navy Fleet. The President of Pakistan announced that the Type 054A/Ps will serve
to safeguard the sea routes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The induction ceremony of
the PNS Tughril multi-role frigate was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi. The China State
Shipbuilding Corp. said the frigate is the largest and most advanced surface combat vessel China has ever
exported.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN PAYS CHINA US$ 11.6 MILLION IN COMPENSATION FOR THE DEATH OF 10 CHINESE ENGINEERS WORKING ON CPEC'S DASU DAM PROJECT Pakistan has approved an unprecedented $11.6 million in compensation for the families of Chinese engineers
who were killed and wounded in a terrorist attack last year in a move to smooth bilateral relations as Prime
Minister Imran Khan prepares to visit Beijing in February. The Chinese contractors had demanded Islamabad
pay $38 million in compensation for their dead and injured, but the amount finally paid by Pakistan is at a
compensation rate reported to be double what Beijing normally pays families of victims in such cases. The
cabinet's economic coordination committee made the award last week. Pakistan's finance ministry said in a
press statement "The ECC, after deliberation and considering the depth of our relationship with China,
approved the proposal of payment of $11.6 million as a goodwill gesture."
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW CHINA IS PROBABLY DEEPENING REAM BASE IN NORTHERN CAMBODIA Nikkei Asia (January 22) reported that the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)' Asia
Maritime Transparency Initiative on January 22 released a January 16 satellite image showing two clamshell
dredgers just off the coast of Ream accompanied by barges for collecting dredged sand.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRALIA REPORTEDLY DOES NOT SUBSCRIBE TO "WOLF WARRIOR DIPLOMACY" 57-year Xiao Qian has been appointed China's new Ambassador to Australia in an apparent bid to improve
ties. Married with one daughter, Xiao Qian has previously worked in Ethiopia, India, the US, The Philippines,
Hungary, and Indonesia and spent two years as Beijing’s deputy representative on Korean peninsular affairs.
In a statement released on arrival in Australia on January 26, he said “The Chinese side always believes that
a sound, steady China-Australia relationship serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the
two peoples, and contributes to the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. As long as both sides
adhere to the principles of mutual respect, equality, inclusiveness, and mutual learning and firmly grasp the
right direction of the development, the China-Australia relations will keep moving forward and make further
progress.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-EU: EU LAUNCHES CHALLENGE IN WTO AGAINST CHINA FOR DISCRIMINATORY TRADE PRACTICES AGAINST LITHUANIA Reuters (January 27) reported that the European Union has launched a challenge at the World Trade
Organization on January 27 accusing China of discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania that it says
threaten the integrity of the EU's single market.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING GIVES "IMPORTANT" SPEECH AT CDIC'S SIXTH PLENARY SESSION On January 18, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an "important" speech at the Sixth Plenary
Session (January 18 to 20, 2022) of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, where he once
again talked about "self-revolution".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES CENTRAL POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS WORK CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 15 The Central Political and Legal Work Conference was held via video teleconference on January 15. Xinhua
(January 15) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping issued "important instructions on political and legal
work". He mentioned that the political and legal front resolutely implemented the decisions of the Party
Central Committee, maintained national political security and social stability, and made new achievements
in comprehensively deepening reforms in the field of politics and law and "rectifying the education and
rectification of political and legal teams". It said Xi Jinping emphasized that "it is necessary to adhere to the
Party's absolute leadership over political and legal work" and, inter alia, "comprehensively deepen political
and legal reforms, and consolidate and deepen the educational and rectification achievements of the political
and legal teams, earnestly fulfil the major responsibilities of maintaining national security, social stability,
and people's tranquillity, so that the people can truly feel that fairness and justice are at their side" He urged
Party committees at all levels solve outstanding "problems that restrict political and legal work, support all
political and legal units to perform their duties in accordance with the law, provide a strong guarantee for the
construction of a higher level of safe China and the rule of law in China, and take practical actions to welcome
the victory of the Party's 20th National Congress". Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Committee
and Politburo member Guo Shengkun, conveyed Xi Jinping's important instructions and delivered a speech
at the meeting, "emphasizing that the political and legal organs across the country should be guided by Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement Xi
Jinping's thought on the rule of law, and fully implement the spirit of the 19th Plenary Sessions to strengthen
the "four consciousness", strengthen the "four self-confidence", achieve "two maintenance", deeply study
and understand the decisive meaning of "two establishments", and think that the 20th National Congress of
the Party will be successfully held". State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi, President
of the Supreme People's Court Zhou Qiang, and Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuratorate
Zhang Jun attended the meeting.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDES OVER STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on January 19, which
discussed further strengthening the guarantee of coal, electricity, oil and gas transportation and market supply
in the next stage, especially during the Spring Festival. It also decided to continue to implement some expired
tax cuts and said the fee reduction policy supports the rescue and development of enterprises. The meeting
also discussed the Government Work Report to be submitted to the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's
Congress for deliberation, and decided to send a draft of the report to all provinces and regions, relevant
departments and units of the city and the central state organs to solicit opinions.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER WANG HUNING ADDRESSES MINISTERIAL LEVEL CONFERENCE TO STUDY 'SPIRIT' OF SIXTH PLENUM Xinhua (January 14) reported that Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Huning addressed the
concluding session of the meeting held in Beijing on January 14, of leading cadres at the provincial and
ministerial levels to study and implement the 'spirit' of the Sixth Plenum. Wang Huning said that it is
necessary to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech
at the opening ceremony of the seminar, deepen the understanding of the decisive significance of the "two
establishments", strengthen the "four awareness", strengthen the "four self-confidence", and achieve "Two
maintenance", better implement the important requirements of taking history as a mirror and creating the
future, strengthen historical confidence, grasp historical laws, grasp historical initiative, and take practical
actions to welcome the victory of the Party's 20th National Congress. Politburo member Chen Xi presided
over the closing ceremony, and Politburo members Ding Xuexiang, Yang Xiaodu, Guo Shengkun and Huang
Kunming and 19th CCP CC member You Quan attended the closing ceremony.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: GUIZHOU PARTY SECRETARY PUTS 'TWO ESTABLISHMENTS' AHEAD OF 'TWO SAFEGUARDS' IN HER SPEECH Party Secretary of Guizhou Province Shen Yiqin, in her speech at the opening meeting of the 5th session of
the 12th CPPCC Provincial Committee on January 19, 2022, put the "two establishments" before the "two
safeguards", both in the title and body of her speech.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CENTRAL PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT HOLDS NATIONAL PUBLISHING WORK CONFERENCE FOR 2022 The CCP CC Propaganda Department held the 2022 National Publishing (Copyright) Work Conference in
Beijing on January 19. It said the Central Propaganda Department will thoroughly implement the 'spirit' of
the 19th Party Congress and "the spirit of the previous plenary sessions, study and implement the spirit of
the National Propaganda Ministers Conference", study the key tasks of the publishing work in 2022, and take
practical actions to welcome the victory of the 20th Party Congress. The meeting emphasized that it "is
necessary to hold high the ideological banner, take the publication and publicity of Xi Jinping Thought on
Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the primary political task of the publishing front,
highlight the decisive significance of the "two establishments", carefully create a matrix of key works, and
promote the party's innovative theory to go deeper"
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: XINHUA PUBLICISES DEVELOPMENT OF XINJIANG ON ELECTRIC BILLBOARD IN TIMES SQUARE Radio Free Asia (RFA-January 12) reported that on January 6, Xinhua posted an article that China has
broadcast “Discover Shihezi (a city in Xinjiang)” in Chinese and English on the electric billboard “China
Screen” at Times Square in New York, 48 times a day for 7 consecutive days. In addition, on January 7,
Xinhua posted the same video on the websites of the Paris-based Nouvelles d’Europe newspaper and Japan’s
AFPBB News and its social media. The videos were in Chinese, English, French, and German. The videos
claimed that Shihezi’s present-day “prosperity” is the result of more than 70 years of development under the
CCP’s leadership. RFA added that in July 2011, Xinhua News Agency rented the biggest and best-located
billboard at Times Square, a 60 inch by 40 inch screen. Media said the rent could be US $300,000 to $400,000
per month
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NDRC ESTABLISHES 'XI JINPING ECONOMIC THOUGHT RESEARCH CENTRE' The People's Daily (January 19) disclosed that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
had officially established the 'Xi Jinping Economic Thought Research Center' with the approval of the Party
Centre
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINA'S VICE FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS CCP'S DESIRE IS TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES NOT SURPASS U.S. Le Yucheng, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister told a forum held by the Chongyang Institute for Financial
Studies at the Renmin University of China in Beijing on January 18 that “Exceeding the US in GDP, we are
not interested in it, and this is not what we are going after. “He added “To meet the people’s desire for a
better life, this is what the Communist Party of China aims for.” Li Yucheng also said, “We should oppose
the Cold War mentality of unilateralism, interference in internal affairs, making coterie and group politics.”
Jan 2022 |
A-CCP: OVERSEAS CHINESE NEWS OUTLET CLAIMS THAT "FOUR SELFCONFIDENCES" WILL BECOME "FIVE SELF-CONFIDENCES" ONCE IT INCLUDES "HISTORICAL SELF-CONFIDENCE" The US-based Duowei News (January 14) claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had through last year
been increasingly mentioning "historical self-confidence" in his speeches. Asserting that it is important to
learn from history to avoid mistakes, it stated that Xi Jinping's 'intensive emphasis on "historical selfconfidence" is not only a self-confidence and high recognition of the 100-year history of the CCP, but also a
set of historical legitimacy narratives that have been striving for national rejuvenation for generations'.
Stating that this complements and conforms to the logic of the "four self-confidences", it assessed that it is
very likely that the CCP will expand the "four self-confidences" into "five self-confidences" at an appropriate
time, thereby making it 'a new spiritual guide for the whole party'.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-S&T: S&T MINISTRY TO CREATE FUND TO PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS BY SMES The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) issued a notice on January 13, on increasing the sci-tech
R&D capabilities of SMEs. Specifically, MoST plans to create a national fund to support research and
development by small- and medium-sized businesses and simplify the admin processes for financial subsidies
and tax rebates. MoST is also keen on ensuring that SMEs can access top-tier sci-tech talent.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CUTS IN SALARIES OF OFFICIALS IN PROVINCES Reports indicate that salaries of officials in China's provinces are being reduced. Changsha, capital of Hunan
Province issued a notice recently announcing a 15 percent cut in salaries
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA LOWERS INTEREST RATE FOR FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS BY 10 BASIS POINTS The People’s Bank of China lowered its key interest rate for the first time in almost two years to help bolster
an economy that’s lost momentum because of a property slump and repeated virus outbreaks. It lowered the
rate at which it provides one-year loans to banks by 10 basis points -- the first reduction since April 2020.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S TAX ADMINISTRATION REVEALS THAT TAX CUTS BETWEEN 2016 AND 2021 TOTALLED 8.6 TRILLION YUAN The People's Daily (January 10) reported officials of China's State Administration of Taxation saying at a
recent National Taxation Work Conference that from 2016 to 2021, the cumulative tax and fee cuts exceeded
8.6 trillion yuan, and the macro tax burden is expected to drop from 18.7% in 2012 to around 15.2% in 2021.
Separately, a report about the support provided to enterprises last year says the annual increase in tax and fee
cuts is expected to have exceeded 1 trillion yuan in 2021. Giving details, it said, R&D related subsidies have
ensured enterprises enjoyed 333.3 billion yuan in tax reductions and exemptions in advance; tax and fee
reductions granted to micro, small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises are expected to be around
200 billion yuan; and some 13 million new tax-related market entities are believed to have been added in
2021, up 13.6% year-on-year, or 2.4 times more than in 2012
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NEW HONGKONG-BASED AIRLINE PLANS TO RIVAL CATHAY PACIFIC AIRLINES Greater Bay Airlines, a new Hong Kong-based airline with ties to Beijing, is awaiting final approval to
operate commercial passenger flights out of Hong Kong. It is assessing whether to opt for Boeing’s 737 Max
10 model jets or Airbus’s A321neos, which would mean an investment of approx. US $1.77 billion.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SURVEYS SHOW 60 PERCENT OF TAIWAN'S 23 MILLION PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS SOLELY TAIWANESE The New York Times (January 20) reported that surveys show that more than 60 percent of Taiwan’s 23
million people identify as solely Taiwanese, three times the proportion in 1992. Only 2 percent identify as
Chinese, down from 25 percent three decades ago.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERTS SAY RISK OF WAR OVER TAIWAN HIGHEST SINCE 1966 CROSS-STRAIT MISSILE CRISIS The South China Morning Post (January 20) Chinese Professor of International Relations at Beijing’s
Renmin University, Shi Yinhong, as saying at an international relations forum in Beijing on January 20 that
tensions in the Taiwan Strait have steadily escalated amid growing US support for Taiwan and with Beijing
seeing the self-ruled island as a breakaway province, reunification has become a much more pressing goal in
recent years.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ADVISES INDIA NOT TO GET AGITATED BY THE BRIDGE AT PANGONG BUT DEVELOP ITS ECONOMY A Global Times (January 19) article claimed that "any progress connect to China's infrastructure construction
in its southwestern territories touches a nerve in New Delhi. And the news of the bridge across the Pangong
Lake appears to be no exception.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES POINTS TO INCREASE IN BILATERAL TRADE AND TAUNTS INDIA FOR ITS DEPENDENCE ON CHINA Referring to the increase China-India trade in 2021, the Global Times (January 14) said that its reaching "a
record high, surpassing $125 billion, amid bilateral tensions, is just another piece of proof that New Delhi is
unable to reduce its dependence on the Chinese market".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN INCOME TAX AUTHORITIES CONDUCT NATIONWIDE RAIDS ON CHINESE TELECOM AND FINTECH COMPANIES India's Income Tax authorities have since December 21, conducted raids and search operations in several
areas in states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi & NCR. According to an ANI report, I-T officers targeted 15
manufacturing units of mobile manufacturers Oppo, OnePlus and Xiaomi, Dixon, and Rising Star India.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ADVISES INDIA TO LOOK TO REGIONAL COOPERATION LIKE RCEP INDIA The Global Times (January 13) observed that "India appears to be showing a sense of unusual urgency in
expanding its trade network these days, in contrast to its long-held protectionist stance" but warned " India
must understand clearly that any attempt to exclude China, the world's second-largest economy and biggest
trading nation, will seriously hamper its quest for influence in global trade."
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-TURKEY: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI IN BEIJING Meeting his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: “It is hoped
that the two sides will firstly support each other in safeguarding their own sovereignty, security and
development interests.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAK PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN TO ATTEND BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS On January 13, the Foreign Office of Pakistan informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan would attend the
opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to take place on February 4
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAK PM'S SPECIAL ASSISTANT SAYS CHINA HAS ALREADY INVESTED US$ 25 BILLION IN CPEC PROJECTS China Economic Net reported (January 14) that Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's Special Assistant on
CPEC, Khalid Mansoor, said on January 14 that the upcoming CPEC infrastructure projects are likely to
attract US $28 billion Chinese investment. Mansoor informed that a total of US $ 25 billion had already been
invested under the CPEC by China, while another US $ 28 billion were expected under the upcoming projects.
He added “The timeline for the execution of the CPEC phases spanned from 2015 to 2030, with many projects
providing benefits over a much longer period” and reminded that Pakistan turned to China for help to solve
the energy crisis, so that “we should be able to address the ever-declining economy of Pakistan, as there was
no power in the country.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: SRI LANKA M.P. ACCUSES CHINA OF PUSHING SRI LANKA INTO DEBT TRAP The Wall Street Journal (January 18) reported that the deepening debt crisis has left Sri Lanka struggling to
pay for imports and stoked political controversy over Chinese lending to the South Asian nation as part of
Beijing’s global Belt and Road infrastructure program. With around two-thirds of government revenue
already going toward interest payments, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa warned in a speech to Parliament that
the country had insufficient foreign-currency reserves to pay for the imports it needed. Earlier this month,
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, a member of Parliament in the ruling party, wrote a six-page letter addressed to
Chinese President Xi Jinping accusing Beijing of pushing Sri Lanka into a debt trap to expand China’s sphere
of political influence. He wrote “It is manifestly visible that your friendship with us is no more genuine and
candid, instead you use our relations to achieve your ambition of becoming the world power at the stake of
lives of our innocent people.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-DPRK: CHINA-NORTH KOREA RAIL-LINK TO REOPEN AFTER 18 MONTHS China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing on January 11 that “After
friendly consultations between the two sides, freight in goods in Dandong has resumed.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-SLOVENIA: SLOVENIA TO ALLOW TAIWAN TO OPEN OFFICE Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa strongly criticised China in a television interview on January 17. The
Prime Minister also announced that Slovenia plans to allow Taiwan to open an office there. The Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China was “shocked” by Slovenia’s plans to allow Taiwan to
open an office, saying it would damage ties between China and Europe.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-US: US SPECIAL COORDINATOR ON TIBET UZRA ZEYA IN HER FIRST INTERVIEWS TO NEWS OUTLETS SAID US GOVERNMENT'S STANCE ON WINTER OLYMPICS CAN HELP ISSUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN TIBET The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reported the first interviews of US Under Secretary of State for
Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya as US Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues.
In separate interviews on Radio Free Asia, Tibet TV, and Voice of America, Uzra Zeya said the US
government’s stance on the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics can help shine a light on China’s human
rights abuses in Tibet. She addressed the Biden-Harris administration’s increasing efforts to combat China’s
“transnational repression” of Tibetan exile communities. She further discussed her work with Congress and
other partners, and her desire to meet with the Dalai Lama. She said, “I think that our decision with respect
to the Olympics was also to show that we would not treat these Games as business as usual, and that we
would not be contributing to the fanfare of the Games in such a way that obscures the reality of human rights
abuses occurring as we speak in the PRC". She added that “On the question of access, this is an absolute
priority. We have a legislative mandate as well that we intend to uphold. I think there is an opportunity in
our stance with respect to the Olympics to show our commitment to promoting human rights and to shine a
light on the reality of the situation in Tibet and elsewhere.” Zeya also spoke in her interviews about the
Chinese government’s attempts to intimidate Tibetan communities living in exile in the United States and
across the world.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-US: OFFICIALS WORKING ON MEETING BETWEEN US NSA JAKE SULLIVAN AND CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI The South China Morning Post (January 21) disclosed that China and the US are in talks to prepare for a
potential meeting between Chinese top diplomat Yang Jiechi and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan
on core national security concerns. It cited sources as saying that the two sides are, however, deeply divided
on protocol and agenda items.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS SPEECH AT OPENING CEREMONY OF SEMINAR ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SPIRIT OF SIXTH PLENUM Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on January 11, at the opening ceremony of the seminar on the study
and implementation of the spirit of the CCP CC Sixth Plenary Session for leading cadres at the provincial
and ministerial levels.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDES OVER STATE COUNCIL MEETING Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an Executive meeting of the State Council on January 10,
deploying and accelerating major projects identified in the "14th Five-Year Plan" Outline and special plans,
expanding effective investment; centralized procurement with volume to further reduce the medical burden
on patients.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CENTRAL DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION TO HOLD ITS SIXTH PLENARY SESSION FROM JANUARY 18-20 The Sixth Plenum of the CCP Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) will be held from
January 18 to 20, and a new CCDI committee will be selected later this year.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHEN YIXIN, SECRETARY GENERAL OF PLAC, ADDRESSES CENTRAL POLITICAL AND LEGAL COMMITTEE PARTY HISTORY LEARNING AND EDUCATION SUMMARY MEETING The Procuratorate Daily (January 5) reported that the Central Political and Legal Committee Party History
Learning and Education Summary Meeting was held on January 5. Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the
Central Political and Legal Committee (PLAC) delivered a speech, and Wang Xiufeng, head of the 11th
Guidance Group of the Central Committee of Party History Learning and Education, attended the meeting
for guidance.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LI SHANGLI, DEPUTY AT CENTRAL POLICY RESEARCH OFFICE WRITES MAJOR ARTICLE IN ECONOMIC DAILY Lin Shangli, deputy at the Central Policy Research Office, wrote a big article in the Economic Daily (January
7) emphasising independence, self-esteem, self-reliance and unity. Asserting that "China's affairs must be
advocated and handled by the Chinese people themselves" and the people owe their independence to the
struggles and leadership of the CCP, he recalled “Comrade Deng Xiaoping has repeatedly warned people:
"China's affairs must be handled according to China's conditions, and must be handled by the Chinese
people's own strength. Independence and self-reliance, no matter the past, present or future, are our
footholds." "Any foreign Don't expect China to be their vassal, and don't expect China to swallow the bitter
fruit that harms our country's interests." General Secretary Xi Jinping also emphasized: "The entire history
of China since modern times tells us that China's affairs must be based on China's characteristics and China's
actual conditions. It's the right way to solve all China's problems."
(Comment: Li Shagli is a protege of PBSC member Wang Huning.)
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ECONOMIC DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE BY RENMIN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT ON XI JINPING'S ECONOMIC THOUGHT The Economic Daily (January 12) published a major article titled 'The Creative Development of Marxist
Political Economy', which mainly focused on Xi Jinping Economic Thought as its development. It was
authored by Liu Wei, President of Renmin University. It contained 16 references to Xi Jinping and 6 to "Xi
Jinping Thought" and says "Practice has proved that Xi Jinping's economic thought has a strong vitality,
which is not only a clear era, but also an open theoretical system facing the future".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS 2022: POLITBURO MEMBER GUO SHEGKUN ADDRESSES MEETING ON SECURITY FOR BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS The People's Court Daily (January 10) reported that Guo Shengkun, Politburo member and Secretary of the
Central Political and Legal Committee, attended and spoke at the second meeting of the Beijing 2022 Winter
Olympics and Winter Paralympics Security Headquarters on January 9. He emphasised the importance of
doing a good job in security work at the Winter Olympics. State Councilor and Minister of Public Security
Zhao Kezhi presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the Central
Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Wang Xiaohong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry
of Public Security and Deputy Minister in charge of daily work, Han Zirong, full-time Vice Chairman and
Secretary General of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, and relevant responsible comrades
from the Security Headquarters attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has promised
Olympic athletes’ free access to social media platforms and other websites in the Olympic Village in Beijing,
but heavy surveillance of online activity is expected to continue, even for visitors who are allowed to access
sites that would otherwise be blocked. Chinese authorities have said Olympic participants and foreign media
will have uncensored access to the internet through special SIM cards.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: TAR VICE CHAIRMAN ZHANG YONGZE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY CDIC The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on its official website on January 8
that Zhang Yongze, Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Government (TAR), was examined
and investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission
on suspicion of serious violations of discipline and law, and is currently undergoing disciplinary review.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: IMPORTANT CDIC COMMENTARY STATES 'LARGE-SCALE GANGS' AND 'GANGS WITHIN THE PARTY' STILL EXIST A commentary posted (January 8) on the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC)'s official website
spoke of keeping up the "overwhelming" pressure against corruption thereby setting tone for the 20th Party
Congress later this year.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES LENGTHY ARTICLE ON "TEN PERSISTENCE" The People's Daily (January 11) published a lengthy article by Qu Qingshan, Director of the CCP CC's Party
History and Literature Research Institute, on implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES NEW ENGLISHLANGUAGE MONTHLY MAGAZINE The CCP CC's Propaganda Department has brought out a new periodical magazine called China News
Release (中国新闻发布), available in both Chinese and English. The English-language version will be
available monthly.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: 1,117 CADRES GRADUATE FROM CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL I, II7 cadres graduated from the CCP CC Central Party School at its graduation ceremony for the fall
semester of 2021 held in Beijing on January 8. Politburo member and President of the Central Party
School Chen Xi attended the ceremony and issued the graduation certificates. The 'students' all agreed that
they had "comprehensively and thoroughly studied Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics for a New Era, deeply comprehended the major achievements and historical experience of
the party's century-long struggle, strengthened political literacy, tempered party spirit, improved leadership,
and stimulated forge ahead. , to have a deeper understanding of the decisive meaning of "two establishments",
and further enhance the consciousness and firmness of "two maintenances"."
(Comment: The upward mobile CCP cadres are selected for training at the Central Party School and they
usually rise to 'leading' positions in the CCP.)
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CHAIRMAN OF CHINA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY IS UNDER INVESTIGATION China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) disclosed on January 8 that Wang Bin, Party
Secretary and Chairman of China Life Insurance (Group) Company, is under investigation.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CIVIL AVIATION: CAAC RELEASES 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR CIVIL AVIATION DEVELOPMENT The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the National Development and Reform Commission
(NDRC), and the Ministry of Transport jointly issued the "14th Five-Year Plan for Civil Aviation
Development". It clarifies the guiding ideology, basic principles, target requirements and major measures for
the development of civil aviation in the next five years, and is a programmatic document to guide the
development of the entire industry in the future. The planning period is to 2025, and the outlook is to 2035.
It includes the construction of six major systems is the main part of the "14th Five-Year Plan" of civil
aviation. It disclosed that during the "13th Five-Year Plan", 339 general-purpose airports were registered,
and 6,795 civil aviation aircraft were in the fleet
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE IN 2021 TAKING THE ANNUAL TOTAL TRADE VOLUME TO US$ 3.36 TRILLION Data released on January 14 by the Chinese Customs Administration showed that Chinese exports continued
to do well into December, pushing the annual trade surplus to a new high. Exports in December were $340.5
billion, taking the full year total to $3.36 trillion. Imports were $246 billion in December and $2.69 trillion
for the year, leaving a trade surplus of $94.5 billion for the month and $676 billion for the full year.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL UNVEILS PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA'S DIGITAL ECONOMY China's State Council issued a plan on January 5 for the development of China's digital economy, aiming to
increase this sector's share of national GDP by pushing technologies like 6G and big data centers. It set
several targets for 2025, namely the increase of the digital economy's share of the national GDP from 7.8%
in 2020 to 10% in 2025. Other targets included accelerating the construction of big data centers and
increasing the number of users of gigabit broadband, the fastest connection speed available, from 6.4 million
in 2020 to 60 million in 2025. The State Council also pointed out structural issues in China's digital economy
that needed to be addressed.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEARLY HALF OF CHINESE GRADUATES CHOOSE JOBS IN CIVIL SERVICE AND SOES Caixin (January 11) reported that nearly half of Chinese college graduates chose civil service, public sector,
and state-owned enterprise jobs in 2021, with graduates from prestigious schools such as Tsinghua University
taking a much higher percentage. It said that according to a report published on January 4 by Prof. Yue
Changjun of the Institute of Economics of Education of Peking University, there were 9.09 million fresh
college graduates in China last year. Some 49.3% of respondents in a survey of more than 20,000 graduates
from 34 colleges across the country got a job in the civil service, public institutions and state-owned
enterprises.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE FINANCE MINISTER ASKS OFFICIALS TO WORK HARD AND BE THRIFTY Liu Kun, China’s Minister of Finance published an article in the 12th issue of the magazine, “Organ’s Party
Development Research,” calling on officials to work hard and be thrifty. It doesn’t matter if there is an ample
or an insufficient budget, (officials) should always manage income and expenditure as a whole, truly spend
the money where it most needs to go, and effectively put the requirement of living on a tight budget into
practice
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA FACES SHORTAGE OF NEARLY 30 MILLION WORKERS IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR BY 2025 Quoting China's Ministry of Education has estimates, the South China Morning Post (January 13) reported
that while there is an overflow of people looking for office jobs, there will be a shortage of nearly 30 million
workers in the manufacturing sector by 2025. The Blue Collar Employment and Compensation Management
Report 2021, from China International Intellectech, a human resources company, said nearly 70 per cent of
Chinese businesses face labour shortages, and 55 per cent of companies are struggling to find blue-collar
workers. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said in January 2021 that of the 100
occupations with the greatest worker shortages, as many as 36 were categorised as “manufacturing and
related personnel.” Of the 25 new occupations on the list, 15 were directly related to manufacturing,
accounting for 60 per cent of the total.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PRIVATE EDUCATION COMPANY LAYS-OFF 60,000 EMPLOYEES FOLLOWING CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S BAN ON PRIVATE TUTORING China’s largest New York Stock Exchange-listed private education company, New Oriental Education, laid
off 60,000 employees after Beijing’s far-reaching crackdown last year. New Oriental Education’s billionaire
founder Yu Minhong confirmed the massive shakeup in a post on his WeChat account over the weekend,
adding that the company’s operations are in uncertain territory because of “policies, the pandemic and
international relations.” Famous for its after-school tutoring services, New Oriental Education laid off 60,000
staff members over the last year. The company had more than 88,000 full-time employees and about 17,000
contract teachers as of May 2021, according to its latest annual report. Yu Minhong did not say whether any
of the 60,000 employees were contract workers, but added that New Oriental’s revenue fell 80%, while its
market capitalization shrank 90%.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-WESTERN REGION DEVELOPMENT: 180,000 GRADUATES VOLUNTEER FOR WORK IN CHINA'S WESTERN REGIONS The People's Daily (January 8) reported that 180,000 graduates from over 2,300 universities signed up for
volunteering in China's Western regions for 1-3 years; over 410,000 graduates have participated in this
programme since 2003. It added that data shows that 13.45% of the college graduates who signed up for the
Western Plan in 2020-2021 were party members, and 33% were party members who were eventually
admitted as volunteers
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE ECONOMIST CALLS ON CHINA'S CENTRAL BANK TO PRINT ADDITIONAL 2 TRILLION YUAN FOR SUBSIDIES TO ENCOURAGE BIRTHS Citing a recent survey which said the main reasons for low fertility are the high cost of childbirth and the
high housing price, Dr. Ren Zeping, one of the most visible economists in China, made headlines on January
11 by calling for, among other measures, China's central bank to print an additional 2 trillion yuan every year
for establishment of an 'encouragement fund' as soon as possible. He asked that the central bank print an
additional 2 trillion yuan to give in subsidies over 10 years to encourage births without increasing the burden
on ordinary people, enterprises and localities.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA UNITS PROMPTLY COMMENCE TRAINING AFTER CMC CHAIRMAN XI JINPING ISSUES NEW TRAINING AND MOBILISATION ORDER Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commision Xi Jinping signed the Central Military
Commission's Order No. 1 of 2022 which is a Training and Mobilisation order requiring the entire Army "to
comprehensively promote the transformation and upgrading of military training, and to train elite soldiers
who can fight well."
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE IN PLA DAILY INSISTS THAT ELITE SOLDIERS MUST BE TRAINED WELL AND THAT THE DANGER OF WAR IS A REALITY A Commentator's article in the PLA Daily (January 5) clarified that the Central Military Commission's Order
No. 1 of 2022, clearly directed "comprehensively promote the transformation and upgrading of military
training, and train elite soldiers who can fight well." It said the mobilization order "sounded the clarion call
of the times for military training and preparation for war" and that the order had prompted an upsurge of
actual combat military training in the new year. Asserting that "Armies exist to fight, soldiers are born to
win", it said "The army is first and foremost a combat team, and fighting and preparing for war is the duty
of soldiers. Our army is an armed group that carries out the party's political tasks. It must be strong in politics
and strong in ability.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-PLA: 11 CHINESE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING MINISTRY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ISSUE REGULATIONS AUTHORISING MONTHLY PENSIONS TO RETIRED SOLDIERS Xinhua (January 4) reported that 11 departments including the Ministry of Veterans Affairs had jointly issued
the "Measures for Retired Soldiers' Monthly Retirement Payments and Resettlement Measures" which will
be effective from January 4. The orders were approved on December 24, 2021. It marks the official
establishment and operation of a new system for the placement of retired soldiers, and is a monthly payment
of pensions. It is intended to "help enhance the sense of respect for the military's career, improve the stability
of military service, will help encourage and guide retired soldiers to integrate into social employment and
entrepreneurship, and contribute wisdom and strength to social and economic development".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: QIU SHI ARTICLE ON CHINA'S DIPLOMATIC WORK IN 2022 The Party theoretical fortnightly on January 9 published an article titled '2022 Diplomatic Work Outlook'. It
observed that "the world has entered a period of turbulence and change. Faced with unprecedented
challenges, all countries are exploring ways to deal with them, and mankind needs to make the right choice".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT, OMAN AND BAHRAIN VISITING CHINA FROM JANUARY 10-14 At Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's invitation, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister
and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed, Oman Foreign Minister Badr, Bahrain Foreign Minister
Zayeni and GCC Secretary General Naif will visit China from January 10 to 14.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA URGES HONGKONG TO TAKE SWIFT STERN ACTION AGAINST OFFICIALS WHO ATTENDED A BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY DISREGARDING COVID PROTOCOLS The South China Morning Post (January 10) disclosed that Beijing has asked Hong Kong Chief Executive
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to “take swift action” against officials who attended a big birthday party in the
midst of an outbreak of Covid-19 cases. It added that observers echoed the need for a prompt response to
resolve the controversy and said any delay could deal a “serious blow to the credibility of
governance”. Government advisers said should a breach of discipline be confirmed, demotion, pay cuts or
even dismissal should be considered. It quoted sources as saying that Mainland China officials were piling
pressure on the Hongkong government to punish Cathay Pacific, the city’s flagship carrier, after Beijing
health experts had earlier identified aircrew as a potential risk area in their trip to the city. Reporting on the
issue, the Beijing-owned Hongkong-based Wen Wei Po (January 10) stated that Carrie Lam had administered
a "severe reprimand" to the Cathay Pacific management. It also asked her administration to examine whether
"any other loopholes" require to be plugged.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PAP MAJOR GENERAL PING JINGTANG APPOINTED COMMANDER OF PLA HONGKONG GARRISON China’s Xinhua News Agency reported late on January 2 that Major General Peng Jingtang, a Deputy Chief
of Staff of the People's Armed Police Force, will head the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong.
He was previously Chief of Staff for the armed police in Xinjiang where he was in charge of counterterrorism
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CICIR SCHOLAR SAYS PUTIN'S SUGGESTION OF A RUSSIA-INDIACHINA PLATFORM COULD INCREASE STABILITY IN INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS The South China Morning Post (January 9) said that in a post on the CICIR website on January 5, Hu
Shisheng, Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies and a border expert
at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), suggested that 'In the face of rising
Western hostility, Russia ‘would not want to see India and China fighting with each other’.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA CONTINUES ANTI-INDIA PROPAGANDA WITH PLA WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND ASSERTING IT WILL NOT GIVE UP EVEN AN INCH OF TERRITORY The PLA Western Theatre Command opened its official account on Twitter-like Sina Weibo on January 7
and released a notice that on February 1 it will randomly choose 10 lucky netizens from those who reposted
the notice and send them a stone from the Galwan Valley. The Global Times reported that "A picture with
Chinese soldiers patrolling the Galwan Valley, with a rockface seen in the post reading in Chinese characters
"Splendid landscape, no inch to give up" was posted together with the notice."
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-BHUTAN: REUTERS REPORTS SATELLITE PHOTOS REVEAL CHINA IS BUILDING 200 STRUCTURES INCLUDING 2-STOREY BUILDINGS ON BORDER WITH BHUTAN Based on images and analysis supplied to Reuters by U.S. data analytics firm HawkEye 360, which uses
satellites to gather intelligence on ground-level activities, and vetted by two other experts, Reuters (January
12) disclosed that China has accelerated settlement-building along its disputed border with Bhutan, with
more than 200 structures, including two-storey buildings, under construction in six locations. Chris Biggers,
the mission applications director at HawkEye 360 was quoted as saying that images show the work speeded
up in 2021. Smaller structures were erected - possibly to house equipment and supplies - followed by the
laying of foundations and then the construction of buildings. Two other experts who studied the locations of
the new construction and recent satellite images taken by Capella Space said all six settlements appear to be
in territory disputed by China and Bhutan - including a contested tract of roughly 110 square kilometres -
with little in the way of resources or native population. They added that the new construction is 9 to 27km
from the Doklam area at the junction of the borders of India, Bhutan and China, where Indian and Chinese
troops were locked in standoff for more than two months in 2017. Bhutan's foreign ministry said in response
to questions from Reuters that "It is Bhutan's policy not to talk about boundary issues in the public." China's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters the construction is "entirely for the improvement of the working and
living conditions of the local people. It is within China's sovereignty to carry out normal construction
activities on its own territory."
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: BEIJING MUNICIPALITY FINES 7-ELEVEN STORES IN BEIJING FOR DESCRIBING TAIWAN AS INDEPENDENT COUNTRY AND INCORRECT DEPICTION OF CHINA'S BOUNDARIES Asia Nikkei (January 7) disclosed that the Japanese-owned operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores in
Beijing has been fined for describing Taiwan as an independent country and other naming conventions on
its company website. It said the Beijing municipal government in December issued a warning to the company
and imposed a fine of 150,000 yuan ($23,500). The stores in the capital are run by a local unit of SevenEleven Japan, a subsidiary of Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings. The company also failed to use
Chinese names for several South China Sea islands as well as for the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands,
which China claims and calls the Diaoyu, according to the site. The 7-Eleven map was found to have mistakes
in showing China's borders along the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Tibet Autonomous
Region. Seven & i Holdings issued a comment, acknowledging the reprimand by Beijing authorities.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF U.S. HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS NEW LEGISLATION TO ALLOW U.S. FORCES TO RESPOND FASTER AND COME TO TAIWAN'S AID Speaking at the Surface Navy Association symposium in Arlington, Va, the Vice Chairwoman of the U.S.
House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va. said on January 12 that new legislation is
needed to allow the U.S. to respond faster should China invade Taiwan. President Joe Biden “doesn’t have
the authority [under the law] to actually respond” should China attack the island, adding that a U.S. response
would be needed to maintain stability in the region. She said “If China were to invade Taiwan today, the
president would have to come to Congress for authorization to respond. We can’t lose [the] months that it
would take in order for us to provide a response.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NORTH KOREA SAYS IT WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS 2022 Singapore’s Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported (January 7) that the North Korean
Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports sent a letter to the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Beijing
Winter Olympics, the Paralympics Organizing Committee, and the General Administration of Sports of
China. The letter said that, due to the conspiracy activities of hostile forces as well as the global epidemic of
infectious diseases, North Korea could not participate in the coming Winter Olympics Games. The North
Korean Ambassador to China conveyed the letter when he met with the responsible officials of the General
Administration of Sports of China. North Korean also pointed out in the letter that the United States and its
followers are trying to hinder the smooth holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics. North Korea sent the letter
to the General Administration of Sports of China on the day when they tested a hypersonic missile.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-IRAN: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BEGINS VISIT TO CHINA FROM JANUARY 14 Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian commenced his visit to China from January 14 to deepen
the “comprehensive strategic partnership” the two countries signed last year. Chinese foreign ministry
spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed (January 11) that Amir-Abdollahian will visit China on January 14,
reiterating that “China is ready to work with Iran to further deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic
partnership.”
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: TROUBLE IN KAZAKHSTAN CAUSE CHINA CONCERN Articles in the English and Chinese editions of the Global Times (January 6) headlined 'Riots show signs of
“color revolution,” sounding alarm bells for China, Russia' said "As the chaos in the Central Asian country
- the worst in decades - has shown signs of a "color revolution," analysts warned of the high possibility that
the US will take the chance to destabilize the region to further contain China and Russia".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: SRI LANKA PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ASKS CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI FOR RESTRUCTURING OF LOANS AND CONCESSIONARY CREDIT FACILITY Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on January 9 asked China for the restructuring of its loans and
access to preferential credit for imports of essential goods. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis,
partly due to Beijing-financed projects that don’t generate revenue. Rajapaksa told visiting Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi that it would be “a great relief to the country if attention could be paid on restructuring
the debt repayments as a solution to the economic crisis that has arisen in the face of the COVID-19
pandemic”. A statement said Rajapaksa asked Wang for a concessionary credit facility for imports so that
industries can run without disruption. He also requested assistance to enable Chinese tourists to travel to Sri
Lanka within a secure bubble.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE DIRECTLY THREATENS JAPAN AND U.S. Commenting on the virtual 2+2 meeting on January 7 between the Foreign and Defense ministers of the US
and Japan, an article in the Global Times (January 8) noted that "they hyped the so-called threat from China
and declared that 'they resolved to work together to deter and, if necessary, respond to destabilizing activities
in the region'.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS THAT JAPAN IS DEVELOPING A NEW TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT HYPERSONIC MISSILES The Global Times (January 5) reported that Japan is developing a new technology that can be used to combat
hypersonic missiles. It quoted Japan's Nikkei Asian Review's website (January 4) as quoting sources that
said Japan's Defense Ministry will develop electromagnetic launch technology to intercept enemy missiles
"because Japan is now eager to deal with hypersonic weapons being developed by China, Russia and North
Korea. ". According to the report, Japan's Defence Ministry is working on rail gun technology capable of
launching projectiles by electromagnetic acceleration, which is faster than the launch method of conventional
interceptor systems and can fire continuously. Together with long-range missiles, this new generation of
weapon systems would provide Japan with a multi-layer interception capability.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS DAY-LONG POLITBURO AND PBSC MEETINGS The PBSC held a meeting throughout the day on January 6 to listen to the work reports of the NPC Standing
Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the Supreme People's Court, Supreme
People's Procuratorate, and the work of the Central Secretariat. CCP Central Committee General Secretary
Xi Jinping presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNIST THOUGHT EULOGISED Xinhua on January 1, 2022, front-paged a lengthy report eulogising CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's
contribution to Chinese Communist Thought. A People's Daily Commentary (January 2) praised Xi Jinping's
leadership and his "courage" in locking down cities to combat the pandemic.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG HOSTS SEMINAR ON TAX AND FEE REDUCTION CCTV (January 5) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang hosted a seminar on tax reduction and fee
reduction in Beijing on January 5. PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting. Hu
Chunhua, Liu He, Wang Yong, Xiao Jie, Zhao Kezhi and He Lifeng also participated.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER WANG HUNING DELIVERS SPEECH AT NATIONAL PROPAGANDA MEETING HELD IN BEIJING ON JANUARY 5 CCTV (January 5) reported that the National Propaganda Ministers' Meeting was held in Beijing on January
5. PBSC member and Secretary of the CCP CC Secretariat, Wang Huning attended and delivered a speech.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER LI ZHANSHU'S ABSENCE AT CPPCC'S NEW YEAR'S PARTY ON DECEMBER 31 SPARKS SPECULATION IN BEIJING There is considerable speculation in Beijing about Li Zhanshu, Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC)
member and one of Xi Jinping's closest confidants, since he was absent at the New Year's tea party in Beijing
hosted by the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee on 31
December.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC AGENDA FOR 2021 2021 was the legislature’s most productive year yet in the New Era. The NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC)
was in session for a total of 25 ½ days. It held six regular sessions and, following the Communist Party’s call
for additional legislative sessions, a seventh full-length session in January.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CCP: LEADERSHIP CHANGES BEING MANAGED AT MUNICIPAL LEVEL IN CHINA'S PROVINCES AND AUTONOMOUS REGIONS The Zhonguo Zuzhirenshi Bao on January 4 published a lengthy article on the changing leadership at the
municipal level, to build a team of leaders and cadres with strong political skills. Captioned 'Efforts to build
a leadership team and a team of cadres with strong political skills and the ability to lead modernization ——
Solid advancement of the change of municipal leadership in various regions', the article enumerated the steps
being taken by different provinces. I mentioned that 'Tibet had promoted and reused 49 outstanding cadres
with outstanding performance in the forefront of maintaining stability, the main battlefield of economic
development, the main frontline of ecological and environmental protection, and the front line of solid
borders and strong borders into the municipal leadership team'. It noted that 'Yunnan selected 11 cadres
familiar with economic work from the deputy city (prefecture) mayors and county party committee
secretaries to join the party committee' and 'Xinjiang focuses on advancing the strategy of long-term stability
and stability and enhancing the leadership ability to maintain stability'
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI'AN CITY OFFICIAL DISMISSED FOR PANDEMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS CRASH The Shanghai Daily (January 5) reported that the Director and Party chief of the Big Data Resources
Management Bureau in Xi’an City was dismissed over poor performance. Xi’an’s health code system, the
essential id for PCR testing and medical screening in pandemic control, had crashed several times. The
announcement was made after the city's health code system, the essential identification method for medical
screening during pandemic control, crashed again on January 4 after it broke down on December 20 due to
excessive traffic
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CDIC: CDIC ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS ON WORK OF PARTY'S DICS Xinhua (January 4) announced that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) had issued new
"Regulations on the Work of the Disciplinary Inspection Committee of the Communist Party of China".
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CLIMATE: BEIJING MEETS ALL NATIONAL AIR-QUALITY STANDARDS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2013 The Wall Street Journal (January 5) reported that Yu Jianhua, deputy head of Beijing Municipality's
Environmental Protection Bureau, said at a press briefing in Beijing on January 4 that Beijing met all national
air-quality standards for the first time since targets were set in 2013 in preparation for next month’s Winter
Olympics. Yu Jianhua said the average concentration of fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5, fell by
13% compared with a year earlier and 63% compared with 2013 levels.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: NEW YORK TIMES REPORT SAYS CHINESE POLICE HAVE ENLARGED SECURITY APPARATUS TO UNMASK AND CONTROL DISSENT A recent New York Times and the Washington Post (December 31) investigation revealed that the Chinese
government, which has built an extensive digital infrastructure and security apparatus to control dissent on
its own platforms, is going to even greater lengths to extend its internet dragnet to unmask and silence those
who criticize the country on Twitter, Facebook, and other international social media.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CYBER: CYBERSPACE ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA ISSUES NEW CYBER SECURITY REVIEW MEASURES ON JANUARY 4 The Cyberspace Administration of China on January 4 issued Cyber Security Review measures, clarifying
that Online platform operators who have personal info of more than 1 million users and are going to list
abroad must report for cybersecurity review. It also directed that Online platforms must not use algorithms
to influence online public opinion, evade supervision, and monopolize and unfair competition.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA'S CASC PLANS TO COMPLETE TIANGONG SPACE STATION THIS YEAR SpaceNews (January 3) reported from Helsinki that the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
(CASC) stated on social media that it will target more than 40 orbital launches this year, including completion
of the Tiangong space station, following 48 successful launches in 2021.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC PUBLICISES ACTIVITIES OF INVESTIGATION TEAMS IN DIFFERENT PROVINCES AND MUNICIPALITIES The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) publicised in its paper that its investigation teams
had been active in Inner Mongolia, Hubei, Shanxi, Beijing, Jiangsu, and Tianjin.Hunan, Jiangsu, Sichuan,
and Tianjin uncovering different types of corrupt activities.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA HOARDING GRAIN STOCKS An article in Nikkei Asia (December 23) quoted Qin Yuyun, head of grain reserves at the National Food and
Strategic Reserves Administration, as telling reporters in November reported that China is maintaining its
food stockpiles at a "historically high level." He said "Our wheat stockpiles can meet demand for one and a
half years.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED MEASURES TO DEVELOP CAPITAL MARKET The state-run CCTV News (January 6) stated that the Central Economic Work Conference put forward
several requirements for the development of the capital market this year. Yi Huiman, Chairman of the China
Securities Regulatory Commission, told CCTV that in 2022, the China Securities Regulatory Commission
will strive to achieve "three stability and three advancements" and actively contribute to stabilizing the
macroeconomic market. The Central Economic Work Conference pointed out that the stock issuance
registration system should be fully implemented. Yi Huiman said the China Securities Regulatory
Commission is speeding up the formulation of a market-wide registration system reform plan to ensure the
smooth implementation of this major reform.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA RELEASES NEW 5-YEAR (2021-25) DOCUMENT TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMY The South China Morning Post (December 31) disclosed that a new five-year (2021-25) document says
domestic trade must play an increasingly important role in shoring up national economy.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 4.37 MILLION MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESSES CLOSE PERMANENTLY IN CHINA IN FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 2021 The South China Morning Post (December 30) disclosed that nearly 4.37 million of China’s smallest
businesses permanently shut their doors in the first 11 months of the year – more than three times the number
of new ones that opened during the same time. Only 1.32 million new micro and small firms opened in China
during the first 11 months of this year, compared with 6.13 million last year.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 2459 BANK OUTLETS AND 29 COMMERCIAL BANKS IN CHINA CLOSED OPERATIONS RETRENCHING 22355 EMPLOYEES According to the 21st Century Business Herald (December 28), bank outlets in China have been shrinking
rapidly. Based on the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission’s statistics, as of December 24,
2021, a total of 2,459 bank outlets of commercial banking institutions ceased operations this year.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITING ERITREA, KENYA, THE COMOROS, THE MALDIVES, AND SRI LANKA Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is travelling through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from January 4 to
9. He will be visiting Eritrea, Kenya, the Comoros, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, all face a financial crisis
and have debt issues to be addressed. Eritrea joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in November
2020.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA GIVES NEW NAMES TO 15 PLACES AND FEATURES LOCATED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH On December 29, 2021, China's Ministry of Civil Aviation Affairs announced that in accordance with the
relevant regulation of the State Council on the management of geographical names, the Ministry and relevant
departments have standardized some geographical names in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chinese media report
disclosed that of the 15 places whose names have been changed, eight of them are residential areas, four of
them are mountain peaks, two rivers and one Mountain Pass. Along with the changes in places names, they
have also carried out virtual administrative divisions of these places under the Chinese counties and
prefectures namely, Cuona County of Shannan Prefecture, Medog County of Nyingchi Prefecture and Longzi
County of Shannan Prefecture
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-JAPAN: DEFENCE MINISTERS OF CHINA AND JAPAN AGREE TO SET UP DEFENCE HOTLINE IN 2022 Reference News, a subsidiary publication of Xinhua News, recently reported on December 29, that on the
December 27, Chinese State Councillor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe held a video conference with
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. The call took about two hours, which exceeded the original
scheduled time.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADA TERMINATES OPERATIONS OF CMLINK, A SUBSIDIARY OF CHINA MOBILE, ON GROUND OF NATIONAL SECURITY Global Times (December 30) reported that CMLink, a subsidiary of China Mobile Canada, announced on
December 28, that, at the request of the Canadian Federal Government, the company will cease its operations
on January 5, 2022.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-US: US BANS IMPORT OF PRODUCTS MADE IN CHINA'S XINJIANG REGION The business news service Axios (December 23) quoted a White House release that US President Biden
signed a bill on December 23 banning imports from China's Xinjiang region and punishing the Chinese
government for its genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. Human rights activists say the bill will
impose the first substantive costs the Chinese government has ever faced for its atrocities in Xinjiang and
could set a precedent for other countries to follow.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-US: PROPORTION OF CHINESE STUDENTS IN U.S. REGISTERS SLIGHT INCREASE China's Guangming Ribao (January 4) pointed out that the proportion of Chinese students of all international
students in the US has slightly increased in 2021, reaching 34.7%. Quoting from a report of the American
Society for International Education's latest "U.S. Open Door Report" released in November 2021, it said
statistics show that there are 317,000 Chinese students studying in the U.S. from 2020 to 2021, still occupying
the first place in the number of overseas students studying in the U.S. Although the number has dropped by
14.8% year-on-year, considering that the total number of international students in the United States has
dropped by 15%, the proportion of Chinese students in the total number of international students in the United
States has even slightly increased compared with last year, reaching 34.7%.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-CUBA: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO CUBA PLACES WREATH AT MONUMENT TO FALLEN CHINESE FIGHTERS IN HAVANA Xinhua (December 31) reported that the Chinese Ambassador to Cuba, Ma Hui, on December 31 laid a
wreath of flowers at the monument to fallen Chinese fighters during Cuba's Independence War in Havana.
Ma Hui said, "Over the past 170 years, the Chinese and Cuban people have forged a friendship that has stood
the test of time." Luis Gongora, Director General of Foreign Trade, and International Relations at the
government of Havana, said that China has provided an extraordinary example to the world in the fight
against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jan 2022 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO HOLDS DEMOCRATIC LIFE MEETING A Politburo Democratic Life Meeting was held on 28 December 2021.
(Comment: No details are available as yet. The 'Democratic Life Meetings' of the CCP are known to be
serious affairs where candid criticisms and self-criticisms are made. They are known to be held at the end of
the year. in December since 2015.)
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MAO'S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY December 26th was the 128th anniversary of Chinese Chairman Mao 's birthday.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS: GUANGDONG GOVERNOR APPOINTED NEW XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY The state-owned Xinhua news agency said in a brief announcement on December 25 that Ma Xingrui, the
62-year old Governor of Guangdong province since 2017, had replaced Chen Quanguo as Party Secretary of
the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It said Chen Quanguo will move to another role. Chen
Quanguo, 66, was appointed XUAR Party Secretary in 2016. He is one of the 25 members of China’s
politburo and was placed on a sanctions list last year by the US. Ma Xingrui has a background in the
aerospace industry.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: MAJOR GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE CLARIFIES 'TWO ESTABLISHMENTS' A major article in the Guangming Daily (December 24) by Liu Jianwu, former Dean of Hunan Academy of
Social Sciences, Researcher of Hunan Research Center for Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese
Characteristics, clarified the difference between the "two Establishings".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY FORMER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL HE YITING Guangming Daily (December 30) published an article by former Exec. Vice President of the Central Party
School and currently Member of the 13th NPC Standing Committee and Chairman of the Social Construction
Committee titled 'The core of leadership and innovative theory of the Communist Party of China'.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CENTRAL RURAL WORK CONFERENCE HELD IN BEIJING ON DECEMBER 25-26 A People's Daily lead article on December 27, referring to the Central Rural Work Conference held in Beijing
from December 25 to 26, asserted that the issue of agriculture and rural farmers is a fundamental issue related
to the national economy and the people's livelihood.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE AND CPPCC NATIONAL COMMITTEE DECIDE DATES FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETINGS The 32nd meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Committee voted on December 24 to convene the decision to
convene the 5th meeting of the 13th NPC. According to the decision, the Fifth Session of the 13th National
People's Congress will be held in Beijing on March 5, 2022.
The 64th Chairman’s Meeting of the 13th CPPCC, the CPPCC National Committee recommended that the
Fifth Meeting of the 13th CPPCC National Committee will be held in Beijing on March 4 next year.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHINA'S MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY ZHAO KEZHI CONVENES MEETING OF PUBLIC SECURITY PERSONNEL SOON AFTER XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE In the second week of December, Bitter Winter reported that the National Conference on Work Related to
Religious Affairs -- the first such conference since 2016 -- was held on December 3–4 and personally
presided over by President Xi Jinping, who also delivered the keynote speech. It said the Minister of Public
Security, Zhao Kezhi immediately followed this up with a high-level meeting of security officers on how to
implement Xi Jinping’s speech at the conference. Zhao Kezhi instructed officers to earnestly study the
Marxist theory of religion to avoid serious mistakes.
(Comment: Bitter Winter noted that Zhao Kezhi’s speech was largely a summary of the one delivered by Xi
Jinping at the conference and repeatedly used the expression “xie jiao and illegal missionary activities”.
Mentioning that this is not usually the case, Bitter Winter clarified that use of the word 'xie jiao' means the
concerned group is perceived by the CCP as "anti-Party and subversive.”)
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: MAJOR ARTICLE BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF CDIC DISCLOSES THAT 393 'LEADING CADRES AT OR ABOVE PROVINCIAL AND MINISTERIAL LEVEL' HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2012 AND JUNE 2021 The People's Daily (December 24) published a major article by Xiao Pei, Deputy Secretary of the Central
Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), titled 'Persist in the courage to struggle and self-revolution (indepth study and implementation of the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of
the Party)'.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PROVINCES BEGIN WITHDRAWING ''PERFORMANCE BONUSES' GIVEN TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES A post written on China's social media by an employee of the Hangzhou municipal government has become
the talk of China, and after December 30 when Nikkei Asia reported it gone global. She wrote: "Listen to
this. My annual pay is going to be slashed by around 25%. That's 50,000 yuan ($7,850) less.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY CASS VICE PRESIDENT GAO PEIYONG EXPLAINING 'NEW DEVELOPMENT STAGE' The People's Daily (December 30) published an article captioned 'Correctly understand and grasp the new
development stage' by Gao Peiyong, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA FORMS A RARE EARTHS CONGLOMERATE THAT WILL CONTROL 70 PER CENT OF COUNTRY'S HEAVY RARE EARTH METALS The Global Times (December 22) reported that according to a stock filing published by the China Minmetals
Rare Earth Co on December 19, the company received notice from its parent company China Minmetals
Corp that the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) has approved to
set up a new company based on the strategic merger of assets from companies including China Minmetals
Corp, the Aluminium Corporation of China as well as the government of Ganzhou.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA RETALIATES BY SANCTIONING 4 MEMBERS OF U.S. GOVERNMENT'S COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Following the sanction by the US Treasury on December 10 of Shohrat Zakir, Chairman of the Xinjiang
Uyghur Autonomous Region’s government from 2018 until early this year, and his successor and former
deputy Erken Tuniyaz, China on December 21 announced retaliatory sanctions against four members of the
United States Government’s Commission on International Religious Freedom. Those sanctioned by China
are: Chairwoman Nadine Maenza, Deputy Chairman Nury Turkel and members Anurima Bhargava and
James Carr. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said they are barred from visiting mainland
China, Hong Kong and Macau, and any assets they have in the country will be frozen.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: FORMER CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. CUI TIANKAI U.S. WILL NOT WILLINGLY ACCEPT RISE OF ANOTHER POWER WITH DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND THAT ITS CHINA POLICY HAS A STRONG ELEMENT OF RACISM Speaking to Chinese diplomats and academics at an annual seminar hosted by the China Institute of
International Studies at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on December 21, Cui Tiankai, the China's
longest-serving Ambassador to the United States, warned against any “carelessness, slackness and
incompetence” in China’s dealing with the US.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: RETIRED SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIAL CAUTIONS AGAINST VIEW THAT U.S. IS DECLINING Recently addressing a panel on Sino-US relations at an economic development forum in Sanya, Hainan, the
former deputy chief of Party History Research Centre, Zhang Baijia stressed the need for China to balance
opening up and safeguarding national interests.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-CENTRAL ASIA: PRESIDENT OF CICIR WARNS THAT THE NEW 'ORGANISATION OF TURKIC STATES' COULD ADD TO UNCERTAINTY IN CENTRAL ASIA According to the South China Morning Post (December 26) Yuan Peng, President of the influential Beijingbased China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), wrote on the think tank’s social
media account that an upgrade to a grouping of Turkic-speaking states is adding to “extreme uncertainty” in
Central Asia.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-CENTRAL ASIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI WRITES IN PEOPLE'S DAILY HIGHLIGHTING POTENTIAL FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN CHINA AND THE CARS Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrote an article in the People's Daily (December 30) highlighting the
scope for cooperation between China and the five Central Asan Republics in various fields. Among the areas
of cooperation, he mentioned the need "to jointly build a peaceful and stable regional security structure."
Wang Yi said "The changes in Afghanistan have impacted regional security, and the "three forces" have
emerged, seriously threatening regional stability. China is willing to continue to work with other countries,
relying on bilateral and multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and AsiaInfo
to further deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, resolutely combat the "three forces", jointly
prevent transnational organized crime, drug smuggling, and cybercrime, and work together to create a "safe
silk". Road", so that the people of the six countries will live in peace and tranquillity forever."
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE DEPARTMENT FINDS NO GROUND TO TERMINATE 99-YEAR LEASE OF PORT DARWIN TO CHINESE COMPANY LANDBRIDGE The Australian (December 28) reported that a review by Australia's Defence Department has found there are
no national security grounds sufficient to recommend a government intervention to overturn the controversial
99-year lease of the Port of Darwin to Chinese company Landbridge. It has, accordingly, made no formal
recommendation for a national security intervention. The Australian confirmed that the national security
committee of cabinet has considered the review it commissioned to -re-examine the 2015 agreement under
which Landbridge won the bid to operate the port in a deal worth $506m. It added that the review is
understood to have disappointed China hawks who were hoping the review would trigger a reversal of the
-decision and allow the government to unpick the lease arrangement.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO MEETING TO ANALYSE AND STUDY ECONOMIC WORK IN 2022 The CCP CC Politburo met on December 6 to analyse and study the economic work in 2022; listen to the
work report of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission, and
study and deploy the party's work style and clean government and anti-corruption work in 2022; deliberation
Regulations on the Work of the Disciplinary Inspection Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL MEETING TO PROMOTE STABLE DEVELOPMENT OF FOREIGN TRADE The state-run CCTV on December 23 reported that a few days earlier Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided
over an executive meeting of the State Council to determine cross-cycle adjustment measures to promote the
stable development of foreign trade; make arrangements for the implementation of the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement after its entry into force.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-VILLAGE REFORM: CCP CC'S GENERAL OFFICE AND STATE COUNCIL ISSUE 5- YEAR (2021-2025) ACTION PLAN FOR VILLAGE REFORMS Xinhua reported that on December 5 the General Offices of the CCP CC and State Council issued the "Fiveyear Action Plan for the Improvement and Improvement of Rural Human Settlement Environment (2021-
2025)" requesting all regions and departments to conscientiously implement it.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-MEDIA: HU XIJIN, ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES Former People’s Daily reporter Hu Xijin announced his retirement as Editor-in-Chief of the nationalist
tabloid the Global Times on December 16. He said he would continue as the Global Times' special
commentator and "contribute my efforts to the development of the Global Times and continue to do my
utmost for the Party's news and public opinion work".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: ANOTHER CHINESE PRIVATE EQUITY TYCOON ARRESTED IN NOVEMBER Caixin (December 22) disclosed that 56-year Wang Chaoyong, a Chinese private equity tycoon who founded
China equity Investment Co. Ltd., was detained by Beijing police on allegations of misappropriation of funds.
It said Wang Chaoyang disappeared from public sight nearly three weeks ago and was last seen at his office
in Beijing’s central business district on the afternoon of November 29. He was detained by police the next
afternoon. China equity manages more than US$1.7 billion and is listed on the New Third Board in Shenzhen.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: ORIGINAL VERSION OF PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE ON SIXTH PLENUM MAKES NO MENTION OF XI JINPING The official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) People's Daily published an article on
December 9 which, intriguingly, ignored any mention of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The 2703-character
article was titled "Deeply Studying the Spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Central Committee (Sixth
Plenum)" and authored by Qu Qingshan, member of the CCP's 18th Central Discipline
Inspection Commission of and member of the 19th CCP CC. He is currently Dean of the CCP
CC's Institute of Party History and Literature. The article was replaced with an amended version many hours
later. The amended version read: "General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Reform and opening up is a
great awakening in the history of our party. It is this great awakening that gave birth to great creations from
theory to practice in the new era.” Reform and opening up is the product of a great awakening, and the great
awakening gave birth to reform and opening up. Reform and opening up developed China, developed
socialism, and developed Marxism".
(Comment: Appearing at a time when Xi Jinping is supposed to have consolidated his unshakable authority,
the article's appearance strongly hints at inner-Party differences in the months leading to the 20th Party
Congress.) .
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: ANONYMOUS BLOGGER POSTS ARTICLE SATIRISING CHINA'S RESPONSE TO US PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY An anonymous Chinese blogger posted on December 8, a highly satirical blog taunting China's reaction to
US President Biden's recent Summit for Democracy. Thousands of Chinese netizens have already viewed
the site.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: PROMINENT CHINESE HR LAWYER MISSING SINCE HOURS BEFORE EVENT AT EU REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN BEIJING Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (December 17) that Tang Jitian, a prominent Chinese human rights attorney
has been incommunicado since texting friends a couple of hours before an event linked to Human Rights
Day at the EU representative office in Beijing on December10. RFA claims he is believed to be detained and
that repeated calls to Tang Jitian's phone remained unanswered on December 16.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PERIPHERAL DIPLOMACY: CASS PUBLISHES UPBEAT ARTICLE ON PERIPHERAL DIPLOMACY BY CHINESE ACADEMIC In an article captioned 'Innovation of Peripheral Diplomacy and Policy Practice' and published by the Chinese
Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Zhou Fangyin the Dean and Professor of the School of International
Relations, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, stated that "China has always attached great importance
to developing relations with neighbouring countries" and since the 18th Party Congress followed a policy of
"being good with neighbours and partnering with neighbours". It observed that in April 2015, China and
Pakistan upgraded their China-Pakistan strategic partnership to an "all-weather strategic partnership" and the
“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”, as the flagship project of the “Belt and Road” initiative, "has become
a pragmatic cooperation between China and Pakistan to jointly forge a bilateral destiny". In June 2019, China
and Russia announced the development of a "comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era", which is
currently the highest-level partnership of China's diplomacy. He added that China has also established
"comprehensive strategic partnerships" with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, established
"strategic partnerships" with South Korea, Brunei, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India,
and established "permanent comprehensive strategic partnerships" with Kazakhstan and establish a
"comprehensive strategic partnership" with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and
Mongolia. China and Laos, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Myanmar, he said, have "reached consensus on
building a community with a shared future". The cooperation between the two sides has been further
consolidated, enriched, and enhanced. At the same time, China is also actively promoting the construction
of a China-ASEAN community with a shared future and a China-Central Asia community with a shared
future. The building of a community with a shared future in the surrounding areas is gradually spreading
from point to surface, and continues to deepen. The coronavirus pandemic was identified as "the most serious
public health crisis in the world since the end of World War II". Zhou Fangyin also referred to the "effective
management and control of hot issues", where he said, "the long-term existence of a variety of hot issues is
a challenge facing China's surrounding environment". He added "The emergence of this phenomenon is not
only caused by complicated historical factors, but also influenced by the transformation of the current
regional order. These hot issues are difficult to be fundamentally resolved in a short period of time, but with
the joint efforts of China and neighbouring countries, overall management and control are relatively effective.
Even in the face of interference from many external factors, the relationship between China and neighbouring
countries remains stable and developing for the better. Taking into account the inherent complexity and
mutual interaction of surrounding hotspot issues, the continuous involvement of countries outside the region
for many years, the profound changes in regional power, the instability and uncertainty of the international
situation, and the ongoing deep-level transformation of the regional order, China has successfully maintained
Effective management and control of surrounding hotspot issues and promoting the continued development
of relations with neighbouring countries are quite commendable". He said, in conclusion, that "China's
neighbouring diplomacy" since the 18th Party Congress "has been carried out under the background of the
gradual strengthening of strategic competition between China and the United States. Despite the
unfavourable international environment, under the guidance of innovative ideas and the joint efforts of both
sides, China's relations with neighbouring countries have undergone new development, and China's ability
to shape a good surrounding environment has been improved". He concluded that "as the sense of community
with a shared future takes root further, the relationship between China and neighbouring countries will be
improved, which will also lay a solid foundation and provide a stronger foundation for peace, stability and
prosperity in the region".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA STOCKS UP ON GRAIN AT "HISTORICALLY HIGH LEVEL" Qin Yuyun, head of grain reserves at the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, told reporters
in November that China is maintaining its food stockpiles at a "historically high level" and "Our wheat
stockpiles can meet demand for one and a half years. There is no problem whatsoever about the supply of
food." According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, China is expected to have 69% of the
globe's maize reserves in the first half of crop year 2022, 60% of its rice and 51% of its wheat. China spent
$98.1 billion importing food (beverages are not included) in 2020, up 4.6 times from a decade earlier,
according to the General Administration of Customs of China. In the January-September period of 2021,
China imported more food than it had since at least 2016, which is as far back as comparable data goes. Over
the past five years, China's soybean, maize, and wheat imports soared two- to twelvefold on aggressive
purchases from the U.S., Brazil, and other supplier nations. Imports of beef, pork, dairy, and fruit jumped
two- to fivefold. China's production of wheat and other provisions as well as the amount of land used for
agriculture plateaued in 2015. Goro Takahashi, a Professor Emeritus at Aichi University and expert on
Chinese agriculture, said "Agricultural productivity in China is low due to the dispersion of farmland and
soil contamination. The amount of agricultural production will continue to stall as farmers migrate to urban
areas."
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S TWO DAY (DECEMBER 8-10) CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE STRESSES STABILITY Xinhua (December 10) reported that at the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in Beijing from
December 8-10, Chinese leaders mapped out priorities for the economic work in 2022. In a speech at the
conference, Xi Jinping, described 2021 as a milestone for the Party and the nation. The meeting noted that
China maintained a leading position in the world in economic development and epidemic control, with
progress made in scientific strength, industrial chain resilience, reform and opening-up, people's livelihood
and ecological civilization.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF UNIFIED PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE A People's Daily (December 16) Commentator's article highlighted that "the Central Economic Work
Conference pointed out that it is necessary to adhere to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party
Central Committee, calmly respond to major challenges, and move forward in unison". Asserting that
"Practice has fully proved that the decision and deployment of the Party Central Committee with Comrade
Xi Jinping at the core are completely correct", it said China's economic development is "faced with the triple
pressures of shrinking demand, supply shocks, and weakening expectations" and that "the external
environment has become more complex, severe and uncertain". It urged cadres to work hard and focus on
economic work.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG ELECTIONS SEE LOWEST EVER TURNOUT BUT LANDSLIDE WIN FOR PRO-BEIJING CANDIDATES Candidates loyal to China’s Communist Party won a landslide victory in Hong Kong’s legislative elections
after pro-democracy activists were imprisoned and authorities received the power to exclude those deemed
inappropriate for office. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said during a news conference on December 20 that
she was “satisfied” with the election despite a 30.2 percent voter turnout -- the lowest since the British handed
Hong Kong over to China in 1997. She left to brief the Chinese leaders in Beijing and met Chinese President
Xi Jinping on December 22, who said that Hong Kong had consolidated the achievements in moving from
chaos to governance and the situation has constantly improved. He added that the region had also achieved
notable results in COVID-19 response, steadily recovered its economy and maintained social stability. Xi
Jinping then talked about Lam’s work towards the implementation of changes to HK’s electoral system,
holding of elections, implementation of NSL and HKSAR’s integration into the overall development of the
country and said that “the central authorities fully acknowledge the work of Lam and the HKSAR
government.” Senior Chinese officials including Han Zheng, Ding Xuexiang, Guo Shengkun, You Quan,
Wang Yi and Xia Baolong attended the meeting
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: DPP GETS CLEAR VICTORY IN ALL 4 ISSUES FOR NATIONAL REFERENDUM The results of the national referendum that took place December 18, resulted in a defeat for the KMT and
victory for the DPP, with all four referendum proposals voted down. The DPP had advocated the four “Nos”.
Four issues were voted on during the referendum. These were: the restart of Nuclear Reactor No. 4; the
construction of a liquified natural gas terminal off the coast of Datan, Taoyuan; the lifting of barriers to the
import of American pork containing the growth hormone ractopamine; and whether the date that national
referendums should be held on the same date as elections. The DPP took the clear lead in all four referendum
questions.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: KMT TO OPEN AN OFFICE IN WASHINGTON DC Nikkei Asia (December 16) disclosed that Kuomintang Deputy Director Eric Huang will this month open the
KMT's new office in the U.S. capital. The move is a tacit admission that the party has an image issue in
Washington, where President Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been warmly received
since coming to power in 2016. It also comes as a Kuomintang-sponsored referendum this on December 18
threatens to derail the prospects for a U.S.-Taiwan trade deal, which would undoubtedly please China. The
Nikkei Asia report also said the KMT held a reception for its birthday in conjunction with American
Thanksgiving in late November in what appeared to be an informal launch of its strategy of warming up to
Washington. KMT Chairman Eric Chu addressed party members, diplomats, and journalists, but said little
to suggest the party had new ideas for handling the tricky three-way relationship between Taiwan, the U.S.
and China. He said "The KMT is the party with the wisdom and the experience to preserve the cross-strait
status quo."
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US-JAPAN DRAW DRAFT PLAN FOR JOINT OPERATIONS IN CASE OF CHINESE ATTACK ON TAIWAN The Guardian (December 24), citing Japan’s Kyodo news agency, reported that amid increased tensions
between the island and China, Japanese and US armed forces have drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation
for a possible Taiwan emergency. Under the plan, the US marine corps would set up temporary bases on the
Nansei island chain stretching from Kyushu – one of the four main islands of Japan – to Taiwan at the initial
stage of a Taiwan emergency and would deploy troops. Kyodo said citing unnamed Japanese government
sources on December 23.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: ARTICLES BY CHINESE EXPERTS REVEAL CHINA POLICY TOWARDS THE U.S., RUSSIA AND EUROPE ARE IN PROCESS OF CHANGE The South China Morning Post (December 23) referred to an article by Politburo member Yang Jiechi's
younger brother and former president of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies Yang Jiemian in The
Paper. In the article, Yang Jiemian said China’s US strategy is “confrontational where it must be and
collaborative when it can be” and that China should make better use of the US factor in its burgeoning ties
with Moscow while maintaining “a sense of crisis” about the limits of its own influence.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. APPOINTS INDIAN-ORIGIN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT AS NEW SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR TIBET The U.S. State Department on December 20 announced the appointment of Ms Uzra Zeya as the new Special
Coordinator for Tibetan issues in the US State Department. Uzra Zeya, born in the U.S. to Bihari immigrant
parents is the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights. Her appointment
was promptly welcomed by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), which observed that she is the first
Indian American to be appointed to this position. On December 22, she 'virtually' met the International
Campaign for Tibet (ICT)’s Interim President Bhuchung K. Tsering, Interim Vice President Tencho Gyatso
and Director of Government Relations Franz Matzner.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. BACKLISTS CHINA'S ACADEMY OF MILITARY SCIENCES AND 11 AFFILIATED BIOTECH RESEARCH INSTITUTES Quoting the Financial Times, Nikkei Asia (December. ) reported that the U.S. Commerce Department on
December 16 put China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences and 11 affiliated biotechnology research
institutes on an export blacklist for allegedly helping the Chinese military to develop "brain-control"
weapons.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: PURDUE UNIVERSITY AUTHORITIES BACK CHINESE STUDENT WHO PRAISED TAM PROTESTS OF 1989 The Wall Street Journal (December 17) reported that Zhihao Kong, a Purdue grad student from China, was
harassed by other Chinese students after he posted a letter online praising the 1989 Tiananmen Square
protests and his family in China received a visit from the Ministry of State Security. On hearing of this,
Purdue University President Mitch Daniels denounced the “atmosphere of intimidation” directed at Zhihao
Kong and his family and affirmed that Purdue is “proud” that mainland Chinese students come to his campus,
where they enjoy freedom of inquiry and expression. He insisted, however, that “those seeking to deny those
rights to others, let alone to collude with foreign governments in repressing them, will need to pursue their
education elsewhere.”
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS IMPORTANT SPEECHES AT CHINA FEDERATION OF LITERARY AND ART CIRCLES AND CHINESE WRITERS ASSOCIATION Xinhua (December 14) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed and delivered important speeches at the opening sessions of the 11th National Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the 10th National Congress of the Chinese Writers Association in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 14. The speech contained two mentions of Mao Zedong.
The Beijing Daily (December 14) front-paged an article by the former Deputy Director of the Party History Research Office of the CCP CC highlighting veteran CCP leader Hu Qiaomu's "important" contributions to the drafting of the First and Second Resolutions on Party History.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: THE PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHED A LENGTHY ARTICLE BY GUO SHENGKUN, CHAIRMAN OF THE POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION In a lengthy (5514-word) article titled 'Persist in taking Xi Jinping's thoughts on the rule of law as the guide, striving to write a new chapter in the comprehensive rule of law at a new starting point', published on Page 6 of the People's Daily on December 13. The article included 48 references to Xi Jinping.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: PARTY SECRETARY OF FUZHOU EXPELLED FROM CCP AND ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL CRYPTO-MINING ACTIVITIES Caixin reported (December 15) that Xiao Yi, Party Chief of Jiangxi provinces's capital Fuzhou City from 2015 till this March was arrested on December 15 for illegal crypto-mining and other illegal activities. He was expelled from the CCP in November and arrested in December. Xiao Yi has become the first high-ranking cadre brought down for misconduct related to the country’s recent crackdown on cryptocurrencies and mining.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC INSPECTS SINOPEC AND PUNISHES MANAGEMENT-LEVEL OFFICIALS China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) issued a notice on December 15 stating that “In the special rectification of business dealings between the relatives of leaders and Sinopec’s business enterprises, a total of 16 people were given party discipline and government sanctions, 78 people were given organizational treatment, and 70 people were given salary deductions." Recently, it has been learned that the disciplinary inspection and supervision team of China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation has included the company's system deputy and above management personnel into the scope of inspection and rectification during the special rectification. Up to now, the inspection and rectification have been completed.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA PRESENTS ITS POSITION PAPER ON APPLICATION OF AI IN THE MILITARY TO UN The People's Daily highlighted that on December 13, China submitted the "China's Position Paper on Regulating the Military Application of Artificial Intelligence" to the Sixth Review Conference of the United Nations "Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons". It said this is China's first proposal on regulating the military application of Artificial Intelligence, and it is also the first position paper on the security governance of Artificial Intelligence under the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. It described it as "another important effort of China to actively lead the process of international security governance in response to the development of international security and emerging technologies".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA IS CREATING A SPACE-BASED QUANTUM NETWORK TO PROTECT ITS ELECTRIC POWER GRIDS AGAINST ATTACKS The South China Morning Post (December 10) disclosed that China has created a quantum communication network in space to protect its electric power grid against attacks. Part of the network links the power grid of Fujian, the southeastern province closest to Taiwan, to a national emergency command centre in Beijing.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: TAIWANESE COMPANIES SIGN AGREEMENT TO TO CREATE THEIR OWN SEMI-CONDUCTOR INDUSTRY Taiwan’s chip fabricators -- four Taiwanese trade groups and three nonprofit organizations representing the whole of Taiwan’s high-tech industry -- signed an agreement on December 3 to create their own semiconductor equipment industry, opening an “option to decouple from the West,” in the view of a prominent US research firm.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S DAILY HIGHLIGHTS XI JINPING'S CALL FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN ENERGY, FOOD AND MINERALS AT CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE An article published in the People’s Daily on December 12 and the South China Morning Post (December 13) highlighted Chinese President call for self-sufficiency in energy, food and minerals among global challenges at the Central Economic Work Conferemce. He said resource shortages could turn into a ‘grey rhino’ risk – an obvious yet ignored threat – for the world’s No 2 economy.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 3-DAY CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE EMPHASISES STABILITY Xinhua (December 10) reported that the annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 8 - 10, where Chinese leaders mapped out priorities for the economic work in 2022.
In a speech at the conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the country's economic work in 2021, analyzed the current economic situation and arranged next year's economic work. A statement issued after the Conference cautioned that China's economic development is facing pressure from demand contraction, supply shocks and weakening expectations, and the external environment is becoming increasingly complicated, grim and uncertain. It said "We must face the difficulties squarely while staying confident." The Central Economic Work Conference said China will continue to implement a “proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy and some infrastructure investment will be accelerated. It includes long sections on Common Prosperity and about thrift/conservation. The Global Times asserted that stability is a big theme. It said the meeting prioritized stability [稳], a word that was mentioned 25 times , for 2022, vowing to improve people's livelihood, stabilize the macro economy, and maintain social stability.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: XINHUA STATEMENT ON XI-PUTIN VIRTUAL SUMMIT ON DECEMBER 15 On December 15, Xinhua released the following statement on the Xi Jinping-Putin Virtual Summit earlier the same day.The statement said:
"Xi Jinping pointed out that it is a great pleasure to hold the second video meeting this year with you at the end of the year. This is also our 37th meeting since 2013.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LITHUANIA: LITHUANIAN DIPLOMATS AND THEIR FAMILIES LEFT CHINA ON DECEMBER 15 AFTER CLOSURE OF THEIR EMBASSY Lithuania's diplomatic delegation to China left the country on December 15, amid worsening relations over Taiwan which opened a de facto embassy in Vilnius last month. Lithuania said in a statement it had summoned its top diplomat back from China for "consultations" and that the embassy would operate remotely for the time being. The diplomats and their families left Beijing for Paris on December 15.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING TELLS POLITBURO TO STRENGTHEN "POLITICAL GUIDANCE" OF LAWYERS Xinhua (December 9) reported that Xi Jinping told a meeting of the Politburo in Beijing on December 6 that the Party should strengthen its “political guidance” of lawyers. Xi Jinping said “[We should] educate and guide lawyers to consciously abide by the basic requirements of supporting the leadership of the Communist Party and the socialist rule of law in China, and strive to be good lawyers satisfied by the party and the people.” He added that lawyers in China too should consciously “follow and embrace” the leadership of the Communist Party.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS "IMPORTANT SPEECH" AT NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE Addressing a national conference on work related to religious affairs, held from December 3-4 in Beijing, Xinhua (December 4) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an "important speech" where he highlighted fully implementing the Party's theory on religious affairs in the new era, the basic policy on religious affairs, and the policy on the freedom of religious belief.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE OFFICIAL MEDIA BEGINS USING PHRASE 'XI JINPING ECONOMIC THOUGHT' The Hongkong-based China Media Project recently pointed out that two small signals were sent out on the front page of the People’s Daily on December 5 and 6, through the inclusion in headlines of the phrase “Xi Jinping Economic Thought” (习近平经济思想), the first headline references in the key arena of economic decision-making to Xi’s so-called banner phrase, or qizhiyu (旗帜语), the long-winded “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想). It observed that though these headline appearances may also have something to do with the upcoming annual Central Economic Work Conference, there can be little doubt that they are important steps toward the formal introduction of the potent “Xi Thought” — putting Xi on par with Mao. Separately, the "Economic Daily Issue Group 经济日报课题组" published (November 30) a lengthy article titled - "A review of Xi Jinping Economic Thought", which used this specific phrase 16 times.
(Comment: Analysts have commented that this could be a build up to the 20th Party Congress.)
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR 32ND SESSION OF 13TH NPC STANDING COMMITTEE SESSION FROM DECEMBER 20 - 24, 2021 The 13th NPC Standing Committee will convene for its 32nd session from December 20 to 24. According to a preliminary agenda, it will review the following bills: draft amendment to the Organic Law of Local People’s Congresses at All Levels and Local People’s Governments at All Levels [地方各级人民代表大会和地方各级人民政府组织法]; draft Anti–Organized Crime Law [反有组织犯罪法]; draft Wetlands Protection Law [湿地保 draft revision to the Scientific and Technological Progress Law [科学技术进步法]; draft Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Law [噪声污染防治法]; draft amendment to the Seed Law [种子法]; draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Law [民事诉讼法]; draft revision to the Vocational Education Law [职业教育法]; draft amendment to the Trade Unions Law [工会法]; draft Black Soil Protection Law [黑土地保护法]; draft revision to the Women’s Rights and Interests Protection Law [妇女权益保障法]; draft Yellow River Protection Law [黄河保护法]; draft revision to the Emergency Response Law [突发事件应对法]; and draft revision to the Decision on Strengthening the Oversight of Economic Work [加强经济工作监督的决定].
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL RELEASES 54-PAGE WHITE PAPER ON DEMOCRACY China's State Council released its White Paper titled “On Chinese Democracy” on Democracy on December 4. 54 pages in length, the White Paper observed in its Preamble that "this year marks the centenary of the CPC. Since its founding in 1921, the Party has taken wellbeing for the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its abiding goals, and has made continuous efforts to ensure the people’s status as masters of the country".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: XU ZHIYONG AND DING JIAXI, WELL-KNOWN HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS AND CRITICS OF XI JINPING LIKELY TO BE BROUGHT TO 'SECRET' TRIAL SOON According to a report of December 5, well known critics of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese human rights lawyers, Ding Jiaxi and former Professor Xu Zhiyong are likely to be brought to "secret" trial by the Chinese authorities probably between Christmas and New Year to minimise international publicity.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND BLOGGER SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT Chen Yunfei, a human rights activist and blogger from Sichuan province who has campaigned against environmental degradation, highlighted human rights abuses and spoken out on behalf of the families seeking justice for those killed in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment on December 3. A notice issued on December 3, 2021, by the People's Court of the Pidu District of Chengdu City, Sichuan Province it had "tried the case of the defendant Chen Yunfei for compulsory indecency and child molestation in a closed trial in accordance with the law, and publicly pronounced the sentence. The defendant Chen Yunfei was guilty of the crime of compulsory indecency. Sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 1 year and 6 months; committed child molestation, sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 3 years; combined punishment for several crimes, and decided to carry out fixed-term imprisonment of 4 years."
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: UYGHUR TRIBUNAL DETERMINES CHINA IS GUILTY OF GENOCIDE AGAINST UYGHURS Sir Geoffrey Nice QC delivered the Uyghur Tribunal’s judgment in London on December 9, 2021. The tribunal has determined that China has committed torture and crimes against humanity and possibly genocide, all instructed by Xi Jinping and supported by the most senior government officials.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-POPULATION: CHINESE STATE-RUN EDITORIAL POSTS EDITORIAL INSISTING THAT ALL CCP MEMBERS MUST HAVE THREE CHILDREN The Guardian (December 10) reported that an editorial in a Chinese state-run website called China Reports Network said that all CCP members. -- there are 95 million CCP members -- must be obliged to have three children. It said "No party member should use any excuse, objective or personal, to not marry or have children, nor can they use any excuse to have only one or two children". The post has subsequently been deleted but not before it went viral with screenshots appearing on other social media sites.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CASS ANTICIPATES 5 PER CENT GROWTH OF CHINA'S ECONOMY IN 2022 The annual blue book issued by CASS said that China's economy is likely to grow around 5.3% in 2022, but cautioned that the forecast could be adjusted lower depending on the COVID-19 situation. Li Xuesong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), told reporters "A target of above 5% leaves a certain room of leeway, which is a relatively prudent call. It would also allow all parties to focus on promoting reforms and innovation and pushing for high-quality development."
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY PAKISTANI RESEARCHER PRAISING CHINA'S STANCE ON W.T.O. The People's Daily (November 30) published an article by Zamir Ahmed Awan, a senior fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of China accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-AVIATION: AIRLINE PASSENGER TRAFFIC REGISTERS MASSIVE DROP IN FIRST 8 MONTHS OF 2021 Citing data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the Wall Street Journal (December 6) stated that airlines carried around 1 million people in and out of China over the first eight months of 2021, down from almost 50 million over the same period in 2019.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHES NASTY ARTICLE CRITICISING INDIA AT A TIME INDIA IS GRIEVING TRAGIC DEATH OF GENERAL RAWAT Pointing to an article by Brahma Chellaney, the Global Times (December 9) published an article on Indian CDS General Rawat's tragic death and castigated Indian military competence. It said " one thing is clear: The capability of India's military equipment is not as impressive as the country has been boasting. India' defense manufacturing sector has very limited capability. It can make components of arms and some weapons at home, but most of its military equipment is imported and assembled in India. Its locally produced weapons are mostly modeled on arms from other countries. That being said, there are often hidden dangers when the arms come into actual use. Some military equipment is quite old and outdated but still in service. These show that India's overall military capacity is worrisome, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times."
(Comment: This is a particularly nasty article.)
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE NUCLEAR SUBMARINE SPOTTED ON THE SURFACE IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT In the 'Covert Shores' blog on November 30, submarine expert H.I. Sutton commented on the unexpected appearance of a Chinese submarine in the Taiwan Strait this week and identified the vessel as a Chinese Type-94 nuclear-powered ballistic missile sub in a photo from the open source European satellite imagery service, Sentinel-2. The sub was spotted allegedly cruising above the surface of the waters separating Taiwan from mainland China. The reason for its alleged presence in the strait is unknown, but Sutton said it was likely the Chinese sub — also known as an SSBN or boomer — was on a routine mission, possibly heading back to a People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy port on the Bohai Sea for repairs or maintenance. Other experts who viewed the satellite image said the alleged presence of a boomer on the surface was perplexing. Carl Schuster, an ex-US Navy captain and former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, said "An SSBN on the surface is all but unheard of. This may suggest a hull or engineering problem that requires a major shipyard to investigate and fix."
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: NICARAGUA SWITCHES DIPLOMATIC TIES TO PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Nicaragua severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan on December 10 and switched recognition to the PRC. Taiwan now has 14 diplomatic allies.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FORMER JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE WARNS CHINA Delivering a speech by video to a forum organized by the Institute for National Policy Research, a Taiwanese think tank, on December 1, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned China that a "military adventure would be the path to economic suicide". He said the actions of an increasingly powerful China towards Japan and Taiwan were likely to become more complex, blurring the line between war and peace. He said "an armed invasion of Taiwan would present a serious threat to Japan. A Taiwan crisis would be a Japan crisis and therefore a crisis for the Japan-US alliance. Beijing, President Xi Jinping in particular, should not have any misunderstanding in recognizing this.” He urged democratic peoples to constantly remind the CCP officials not to take the wrong path.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-SOUTH ASIA: CCP CC ILD ORGANISES SEMINAR ON SIXTH PARTY PLENUM WITH LEFT-WING POLITICAL PARTIES IN SOUTH ASIA On November 22, the CCP CC's International Liaison Department held a seminar on the 'spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session' and a seminar on the experience of governing the party and the country through video for the left-wing political parties in South Asia. Leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), Vice President of Nepal Poon, Speaker of Sri Lanka Abewadner, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxism) Yaqiuri, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxism-Leninism) Barua attended and delivered speeches About 300 people including leaders from about 20 left-wing political parties in South Asia, regional and international left-wing organizations, and think tank media representatives attended the meeting, which was addressed by Song Tao, Minister CCP CC ILD.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF PRIVATE AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES AND CHINESE SOES TO MEET FOR FIRST TIME AFTER YEARS ON DECEMBER 13 A report of December 10 disclosed that top Chinese executives will meet with their Australian counterparts for the first time in years as business leaders attempt to find a way through a hostile diplomatic environment that has hit Australia with $20 billion in trade strikes. The high-level private meeting between half-a-dozen Chinese representatives from state-owned energy and resources firms including Sinosteel, the China National Petroleum Corporation, Chinalco and their Australian counterparts in BHP, Fortescue and Rio Tinto on December 13 is the first sign that Beijing has authorised its representatives to re-engage with major Australian firms.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LITHUANIA: CHINA DROPS LITHUANIA FROM ITS CUSTOMS LIST A report from Vilnius (December 3) quoted Vidmantas Janulevicius, President of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, to say that China has imposed a customs block on Lithuanian exports. He said "Chinese customs no longer lists Lithuania in its list of origin countries. So customs forms for cargoes from Lithuania cannot be filed." Janulevicius added that the confederation, whose members account for half of Lithuania's economy, will ask the government to file a complaint with World Trade Organisation, to protest over barriers to trade. Lithuania's foreign ministry is separately talking to the European Commission to find "a common European Union reaction". The Chinese Office of the Charge d'Affairs in Vilnius did not comment on the report. Lithuania, which trades largely with European Union countries, exported 300 million euros worth of goods to China in 2020, making it 22nd largest destination for exports, according to government statistics.
(Comment: China downgraded its diplomatic ties with the Baltic State and suspended consular services there after the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania opened on Nov. 18.)
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-EQUATORIAL GUINEA: US CAUTIONS EQUATORIAL GUINEA ABOUT CHINESE DESIGNS ON ITS PORT OF BATA An article in the Wall Street Journal (December 6) cited US Intelligence sources as saying the Chinese likely have an eye on Bata, a port in Equatorial Guinea. It claimed Bata already has a Chinese-built deep-water commercial port on the Gulf of Guinea, and excellent highways link the city to Gabon and the interior of Central Africa. It said U.S. intelligence agencies began picking up indications of China’s military intentions in Equatorial Guinea in 2019. During the closing days of the Trump administration, a senior Pentagon official visited the country, but the approach apparently left the Obiangs uncertain about how seriously the U.S. took China’s military aspirations. The Biden White House has sought to deliver a sharper message: It would be shortsighted of Equatorial Guinea to insert itself between the front lines of U.S.-China global competition. It quoted Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, Commander of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force—Africa, as explaining in an interview in June that the U.S. concern “is that the Chinese would develop a naval base in Equatorial Guinea, which would then give them naval presence on the Atlantic.”
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES 2021 'UNDERSTANDING CHINA' CONFERENCE IN GUANGZHOU On December 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony of the 2021 "Understanding China" International Conference (Guangzhou) in Beijing. Pointing out that 'the world has entered a period of turbulent change due to the intertwined effects of the world's major changes unseen in a century and the global pandemic of the new crown pneumonia epidemic', he said at this time it is necessary to promote communication, exchanges and cooperation. He added that "To understand China today, you must understand the Communist Party of China" and that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ATTENDS CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION TALENT WORK CONFERENCE IN BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping attended and delivered an "important" speech at the Central Military Commission (CMC)’s Talent Work Conference held in Beijing's Jingxi Hotel from November 26 to November 28. Xi Jinping emphasized that the way to strengthen the army is to win people. 'Talent is a key factor in promoting the high-quality development of the army, winning military competition and taking the initiative in future wars. It is of great practical significance and far-reaching historical significance for achieving the party's goal of strengthening the army in the new era and building the army into a world-class army in an all-round way. It is necessary to implement the spirit of the Central Talent Work Conference, thoroughly implement the strategy of strengthening the army with talents in the new era, and ensure that solid support is provided for the realization of the goal of the century-long struggle of the army, and the overall level of talents ranks among the top military forces in the world'. CMC Vice Chairmen and Politburo members Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia attended the meeting along with CMC members Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua, and Zhang Shengmin. The relevant leading comrades of various departments of the Military Commission, various theaters, various services and arms, the Academy of Military Sciences, the National Defense University, the National University of Defense Technology, and the Armed Police Force also attended the meeting.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: SIXTH PARTY PLENUM RESOLUTION BEING DISCUSSED IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES ACROSS CHINA The People's Daily (November 28) reported that teachers and students in colleges and universities across the country were discussing the spirit of the CCP 19th CC's Sixth Plenary Session. On November 27, the People's Daily reported that 'the vast number of grassroots police officers in public security organs across the country have thoroughly studied and implemented the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party'.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: TO RELEASE WHITE PAPER ON DEMOCRACY Xinhua News Agency (December 2) disclosed that China's State Council Information Office will release the White Paper entitled "China's Democracy" on December 4 and hold a press conference.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-WINTER OLYMPICS: WTA ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF TENNIS TOURNAMENTS IN CHINA The Women's Tennis Association on December 2, announced that it is suspending all tennis tournaments in China amid concern for Chinese Tennis player Peng Shuai after she accused former Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The whereabouts of Peng Shuai, a former doubles world No 1, became a matter of international concern almost a month ago, with Peng Shuai having disappeared after alleging that Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SHANGHAI DATA EXCHANGE STARTS FUNCTIONING Shanghai’s new Data Exchange began trading on November 26. Initial data offerings include 20 products from China Eastern Airlines, Cosco Shipping, China Mobile Insight and other Chinese firms, according to the Exchange’s website.
(Comment: Analysts are saying this might be one of the transformational events of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.)
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FOREIGN TRADE VOLUME REACHED 31.67 TRILLION YUAN IN FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THE YEAR CCTV (November 27) telecast news that in the first year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China's foreign trade scale and international market share reached new highs, and high-quality development was steadily advancing, which strongly promoted the growth of the national economy. It said the volume of import and export of goods trade in the first 10 months was 31.67 trillion yuan, an increase of 22.2% year-on-year. It was 130 billion yuan higher than the 31.54 trillion yuan in 2019. It said in the first 10 months, China's imports and exports with major trading partners such as ASEAN, the European Union, and the United States increased by more than 20%, and imports with countries along the “Belt and Road” increased by 23%. The growth rates of imports and exports to Latin America and Africa were also 10.3 and 5.2 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: HENAN PROVINCE SECURITY AUTHORITIES COMMISSION SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND SURVEILLING JOURNALISTS Reuters (November 30) reported that a July 29 tender document published on the Henan provincial government’s procurement website details plans for a system that can compile individual files on such persons of interest coming to Henan using 3,000 facial recognition cameras that connect to various national and regional databases. It said a 5 million yuan ($782,000) contract was awarded on September 17 to Shenyang-based Chinese tech company Neusoft, which was required to finish building the system within two months of signing the contract. Reuters was unable to establish if the system is currently operating. U.S.-based surveillance research firm IPVM'S Head of Operations Donald Maye was quoted by Reuters as saying "While the PRC has a documented history of detaining and punishing journalists for doing their jobs, this document illustrates the first known instance of the PRC building custom security technology to streamline state suppression of journalists." IPVM described the tender as unique in specifying journalists as surveillance targets and providing a blueprint for public security authorities to quickly locate them and obstruct their work.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO MATCH RECRUITS' SKILLS WITH THAT OF POSTS An interesting article in the PLA Daily (November 28) disclosed that Battalions faced the problem of finding the appropriate jobs for recruits, or slotting the right person in the right job. It observed that an electronic air defense battalion of the 80th Army had taken some innovative steps in the matter whereby new recruits had to fill in the "Recruit Assignment Willingness Form," so that everyone could choose positions carefully according to the actual situation of their majors, hobbies and specialties. It said this had become more important with the rapid development of military weaponry and equipment technology, the increasingly complex system, the increasing degree of knowledge intensiveness, and the higher and higher requirements for post specialization.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: SINA DISCLOSES THAT CHINA'S H-6K STRATEGIC BOMBER IS DEPLOYED IN KASHGAR NEAR INDIA BUT QUOTES CHINESE MILITARY COMMENTATOR AS SAYING IT WILL NOT ATTACK CIVIL AREAS The Sina.com disclosed on November 18, that a PLAAF propaganda film had recently shown that the H-6K, known as the "quasi-strategic bomber" was used to map topographical features. It added that "the H-6K bomber is usually deployed in Shaanxi, but has been temporarily stationed in the neighboring Kashgar area of western Xinjiang since last year. This bomber belongs to the Western Theater Command which is responsible for disputes with India and security along the border.” It added “The PLA can easily fly the H-6K to the Sino-Indian border area because they are all under the command of the Western Theater Command.” The report specifically emphasized that the H-6K has a combat range of more than 3,500 kilometers. In addition to carrying a long-range "CJ-20" cruise missile, it can also carry missiles with a shorter range such as the "KD-63". The former Hong Kong-based PLA Second Artillery officer and military commentator Song Zhongping stated that although New Delhi is quite close to the China-India border, "China will not attack civilian areas".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES BOOK OF COMMENTARIES: SAYS PLA STRUCTURE IS UNSOUND AND LIMITS OPERATIONS AND COMBAT PERSONNEL INCREASED Mentioning that the People's Daily had published a book of commentaries in mid-November, the South China Morning Post (November 29) quoted military commentator Zhong Xin to say that the PLA had been “optimising” its personnel structure by deploying more troops to combat roles while cutting 300,000 positions.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NDU OFFICER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE'S SUPPORT TO ARMY In a lengthy article captioned 'Strengthen the core functions of party management and armed work' in the Chinese Journal of Social Sciences (December 2), Ren Long of the School of Political Science, National Defense University stressed the importance of the people's support to the army and said "Party and government leaders, especially the main leaders, must thoroughly study Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the army, earnestly study the original text, read the original works, understand the principles, fully recognize the political responsibility of the party’s armed work and the responsibility and mission of the "first secretary", and fully recognize the strengthening of national defense." He said "We must use the goal of strengthening the military to build consensus, soberly see that the world is not peaceful, and the Western hostile forces headed by the United States. The heart will not die. The containment, containment and launching of the "color revolution" has not stopped for a moment. Party committees and governments at all levels must be prepared for emergency response at any time." He also emphasised the need for cohesion and ''national defense education and guidance'.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES HIGHLIGHTS JOINT COMMUNIQUE EXPRESSING "SUPPORT" FOR BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS ISSUED AFTER 18TH TRIPARTITE RUSSIA-INDIA-CHINA FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING Global Times (November 28) highlighted that the joint communiqué issued after the18th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India included the sentence: "the Ministers expressed their support to China to host Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games". It commented that the US and some of its allies such as the UK and Australia are considering a "diplomatic boycott" of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and New Delhi in recent years is moving closer toward Washington in terms of geopolitics, and is hostile toward Beijing over some issues. "Against this backdrop, India's support for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games has surprised some netizens at home and abroad".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: BEIJING SLOWS INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN BECAUSE OF CHINESE COMPANIES ARE NOT BEING PAID A report in the Asia Times (December 2) said Pakistan’s repayment problem is reflected in the pace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as Beijing slowed further investment given the difficulties faced by Chinese companies in getting their financial matters settled with Islamabad. It said Chinese state insurer Sinosure had already blocked $13 billion worth of CPEC energy and infrastructure projects due to non-payment of capacity dues. Sinosure’s lethargy to underwrite the CPEC projects has delayed the much-touted 1,733-kilometer railway track linking Pakistan’s seaport with the northwestern parts of the country and about half a dozen energy-related projects that should have been started generation by the end of June. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Khalid Mansoor told journalists on November 30 that the Chinese ambassador in Islamabad has been briefed on the Sinosure issue and urged to intervene. Mansoor hoped that strategically important projects like the ML-1 railway line and six energy projects including Gwadar, Karrot, Kohala and Azad Pattan, Thar and Thal-Nova would be prioritized.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 4 US CONGRESSMEN ARRIVE IN TAIWAN AND CHINA REACTS WITH AIR AND SEA MILITARY EXERCISES Four more US Representatives (3 Democrats and 1 Republican) led by Mark Takano, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, arrived in Taiwan on November 25, on a US military C40-C transport plane. This is the third delegation of US Congressmen to visit Taiwan this year. The delegation was received by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on November 25. In response, a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command said the following day the Chinese army carried out “a naval and air force combat readiness patrol in the direction of the Taiwan Strait”. He said “This is a necessary measure in response to the current situation in the Taiwan Strait,” and pledged the army would “protect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.” The spokesman stated “The army will continue to be on high alert and take all necessary measures to counter, at any time, any interference by external forces and any conspiracy by separatists aiming at the so-called ‘Taiwan independence’.”
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 27 PLAAF AIRCRAFT INTRUDE TAIWAN'S ADIZ SHORTLY AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF A LITHUANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION AND 4 U.S. CONGRESSMEN IN TAIWAN Taiwanese fighter aircraft scrambled on November 28 to intercept 27 PLAAF aircraft that intruded into Taiwan's ADIZ. The refueling variant of the Y-20 large transport aircraft took part for the first time in this "massive exercise" by the PLAAF which, the Global Times (Novemberr 28) pointed out took place the same day that a Lithuanian parliamentarian delegation arrived in Taiwan followed shortly after a US congressional delegation.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE STATE COUNCILLOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI CRITICISES US DECISION TO HOST 'SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY' Reacting to Washington's decision to host a "Summit for Democracy" in December, China Daily (November 27) reported Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi saying that democracy should not be privatized, labeled or politicized, and expressing strong opposition to Washington engaging in undemocratic activities under the banner of "democracy".
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: SRI LANKA ACQUIESCES TO CHINESE DEMAND FOR PAYING 70 PER CENT OF CLAIM MADE BY CHINESE COMPANY An article in the Diplomat (November 27) reported that a Sino-Sri Lankan dispute over fertilizer has ended in China’s favor with Sri Lanka agreeing to pay 70 percent of the claim made by a Chinese organic fertilizer company for a shipment that Colombo had rejected as it was found to be contaminated.
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LAOS: CHINA-FUNDED CHINA-LAOS BULLET TRAIN INAUGURATED ON DECEMBER 2 Nikkei Asia (December 2) disclosed that the number of passengers, which includes Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanah, on the inaugural run on December 2, of the 'Lane Xang' bullet train has been reduced due to Covid protocols. The bullet train covers the 414-kms from Vientiane to Boten, a northern frontier town along the Laos-China border, which normally takes 2 days in approx. 3 hours. An estimated 60%, or $3.6 billion, of the high-speed railway's cost has been funded by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. The Lao-China Railway Company, a joint venture between the countries, has been covering the remaining 40%. But China holds a 70% stake in the venture, and Laos' share is funded by $250 million from the national budget and $450 million via another loan from the Export-Import Bank. It is a US$ 6 billion project
Dec 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING TO DISCUSS NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY (2021-25) The state-run CCTV (November 18) reported that the CCP CC Politburo held a meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 18 to review the National Security Strategy (2021-2025), the Regulations on Commendation of Military Meritorious Services and the 2021 Consultation Report of the National Advisory Committee on Science and Technology.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MPS VICE MINISTER WANG XIAOHONG POSITIONED TO TAKE OVER AS MINISTER OF MPS Xinhua and the Legal Daily disclosed (November 19) that 64-year old Wang Xiaohong, a long-time associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been named as the Ministry of Public Security’s party chief. The Legal Daily said Wang Xiaohong, 64, currently Vice Minister of Public Security and a member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, will replace Zhao Kezhi as Minister of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The South China Morning Post (November 20) quoted Gu Su, a political scientist at Nanjing University, as saying “Wang is a trustworthy person.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS 22ND MEETING OF CENTRAL COMPREHENSIVE DEEPENING REFORM COMMISSION CCTV announced (November 24) that Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also Director of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission, presided over the 22nd meeting of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission on November 24 afternoon, and reviewed and approved the " Three-year Tackling Plan for the Reform of the Science and Technology System (2021-2023)", "Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Unified National Electricity Market System", "Opinions on Establishing the Principal Accountability System Leaded by Party Organizations in Primary and Secondary Schools (Trial)", "About Implementation Opinions on Revitalizing Cultural Relics and Expanding the International Influence of Chinese Culture", "Several Measures to Support the Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone to carry out high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, self-reliance, and pilot reforms." Premier Li Keqiang, PBSC member Wang Huning and PBSC member Han Zheng attended along with the members of the Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform attended the meeting, and the responsible comrades of relevant departments of the central and state organs attended the meeting as non-voting delegates
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CALLS FOR GREATER FOCUS ON BRI Speaking at a symposium with top officials on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on November 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged that “The international environment of the BRI is becoming increasingly complex” and took note of COVID-19, climate change, and “fierce” industrial and technological competition. He stressed that “It is necessary to strengthen the coordination of mechanisms for the protection of overseas interests, international counter-terrorism, and security guarantees.”
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS SYMPOSIUM OF TOP CHINESE ECONOMIC EXPERTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS Chairing a symposium of economic experts and business leaders on November 18, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang listed the challenges that have impacted China’s economy this year. These included COVID-19 outbreaks; Heavy flooding; Rising commodities prices; and Energy supply. He said the government proposes to meet these challenges by“Making macro policies more forward-looking and targeted, promoting reform and opening up…and maintaining stability in employment.”
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES POLITBURO MEMBER AND TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY'S ARTICLE AS LEAD ARTICLE The People's Daily (November 26) published as its lead article Politburo member and Tianjin Party Secretary Li Hongzhong's article captioned "Resolutely safeguard the core of the Party and the authority of the Party Central Committee (study and implement the spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party)".
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY DEPUTY CIVIL AFFAIRS MINISTER ON SIXTH PARTY PLENUM The People's Daily (November 24) published an article by China's Deputy Civil Affairs Minister Zhan Chengfu on the Sixth Party Plenum and "realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". He described the Sixth Plenum Resolution as "a brilliant Marxist programmatic document and a new era of China". He stressed that "The party established Comrade Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core position of the entire party, and established Xi Jinping’s guiding position in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics". The article included 10 references to Xi Jinping and Xi Jinping Thought.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER LU HE ATTENDS 5G+INDUSTRIAL INTERNET CONFERENCE Vice Premier Liu He attended and spoke at the opening of the 5G + Industrial Internet Conference on November 20 in Wuhan. China's top tech policy makers were present at the Conference. The People's Daily quoted Vice Premier and Politburo member, Liu He as saying “[The combination of 5G and industrial internet] is a historic opportunity for the leap-forward development of traditional industries.”
Separately, Vice-Premier Liu He reflected on the key weakness of the country’s economic system in a 6,500-word article published by the ruling Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, the People’s Daily. In the article he also raised the possibility of further economic reforms, technological innovation and institutional high-level opening-up to tackle stubborn problems in the latest comments by a senior official amid concerns over an economic slowdown.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: XINHUA ORGANISES FOURTH WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT IN BEIJING The People's Daily (November 23) and Xinhua news agency reported that CCP CC PBSC member Huang Kunming had attended the plenary session of the fourth World Media Summit held in Beijing on November 22, and read Chinese President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter and delivered a keynote address. Huang Kunming pointed out that Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter fully affirmed the achievements of the summit and placed great expectations on the global media to shoulder their social responsibilities and promote the building of a “community of human destiny in a better way.” He told the media “to adhere to objectivity, truthfulness, and scientific and rational judgment; to oppose rumors and bias, and to be responsible in disseminating public information.” Huang Kunming then said: “The CCP and the State have made historic achievements and have made important contributions to the peaceful development of the world.” Xinhua news agency hosted this year’s summit. Nearly 400 Chinese and foreign guests from more than 260 media and institutions in nearly 100 countries and regions attended the meeting online and in person.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY CONGRESS: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO 20TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua (November 18) announced that the CCP CC had released a circular on the election of delegates to the 20th Party Congress and the CCP CC Organization Department has made detailed arrangements for the nationwide election of delegates. It disclosed that the 20th Party Congress will convene in Beijing in the second half of 2022, and a total of 2,300 delegates elected by 38 electoral units across the country will attend. The Xinhua report said the CCP CC Organization Department has emphasised that political standards must be prioritized and high-caliber delegates should be elected. The Organisation Department also mandated that there should be 15 candidates more on the ballot than the number of vacancies. It said the elections will run from now on until the end of June 2022.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: CO-FOUNDER OF BEIJING NEWS SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS JAIL TERM FOR "BRIBERY" Radio Free Asia (November. ) disclosed that 58-year old Dai Zigeng, co-founder and publisher of Beijing News has been sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for "bribery". The original sentence was awarded by the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court on February 22, 2021 which also ordered seizure of more than 16 million yuan of Dai Zigeng's assets. selling some of them. It said Dai Zigeng resigned as publisher at the Beijing News after the CCP stepped up control and censorship of the media and later worked as general manager and deputy secretary of the CCP committee of Beijing Cultural Investment and Development Group, a state-owned investment and management services company. Veteran journalist Cheng Yizhong, who co-founded the Beijing News with Dai Zigeng, said his sentencing and trial appeared to have taken place in secret, as neither the sentence nor any details of the charges against him had been made public.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INTERPOL: CHINESE MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY OFFICIAL ELECTED TO INTERPOL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Interpol announced (November 26) in a tweet that Hu Binchen, a Deputy Director General in China's Ministry of State Security (MoSS), was elected for a three-year term on Interpol's executive committee following a secret vote of members at the general assembly. Praveen SINHA of India was also elected to the post of Delegate for Asia (three-year term).
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-WINTER OLYMPICS: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO CALLS FOR BOYCOTT OF WINTER OLYMPICS TO BE HELD IN CHINA The Australian (November 25) reported that US President Joe Biden confirmed this month that his administration was considering a diplomatic boycott, which would be aimed at protesting China’s human rights record including in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. The United Kingdom and Canada are also weighing their positions. The Australian government is awaiting the decision by the Biden administration before it makes a call on whether to sign up to a diplomatic boycott. A diplomatic boycott would involve not sending a delegation of officials to the Winter Olympics, but allowing athletes to participate.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-POPULATION: CHINA'S BIRTH RATE FELL BELOW 1 PER CENT IN 2020 MARKING A NEW LOW IN 43 YEARS According to the recently published China Statistical Yearbook 2020 compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's birth rate fell below 1 percent last year, marking a new low in 43 years. The birth rate in 2020 was recorded as 8.52 per thousand people, with a natural growth rate of the population accounting for 1.45 per thousand, also a new low in 43 years. Demographers contributed the sharp decline to the falling number of women of childbearing age, and the impact of COVID-19. Statistics from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs show that there were 5.88 million registered marriages during the first three quarters this year, a fall of 17.5 percent compared with last year. There were 966,000 couples registered for divorce in the first half of this year, a decline of 50 percent compared with the same period last year. China in May announced to further lift its family planning policy to allow each couple to have up to three children after the number of the country's newborns declined for four years straight, a major policy shift from the current second-child policy. The South China Morning Post (November 23) called for it to be treated as a "serious crisis".
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: EASTERN THEATRE COMMAND AIR FORCE BEGINS SWITCHING TO ADVANCED J-10C FIGHTER AIRCRAFT Quoting the CCTV, Global Times (November 21) reported that the PLA Eastern Theatre Command is replacing old J-7 fighter jets with the advancedthe J-10Cs which, the Shanghai-based news website eastday.com said are equipped with the domestically developed WS-10 Taihang engines. It quoted Colonel Wang Hongbo, a pilot in a brigade with the Eastern Theater Command Air Force, as telling CCTV that the new aircraft has changed the way he perceives the battlefield. He said with the J-10C, the pilot needs to switch his role from just being a pilot to being a combatant, and added that since the old J-7 uses mechanical flight controls while the J-10C uses fly-by-wire, the new warplane allows the pilot to focus on the battlefield instead of on steering the aircraft.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES ARE REMOVING BOOKS THEY FEEL COULD ATTRACT ADVERSE ATTENTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Radio Free Asia (November 24) reported that public libraries in Hong Kong have been quietly removing books from the shelves deemed politically "sensitive" under a national security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). More than 100 titles -- many of them referencing the 1989 Tiananmen massacre -- are believed to have disappeared from Hong Kong's network of public libraries since the law took effect on July 1, 2020. While the city's leisure and cultural services department has made a list of more than 70 books deemed to be in breach of the law, which criminalizes public criticism of the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, the local media reports that regular readers have spotted many more.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES REPORT CLAIMS INDIAN HACKERS ARE TARGETING CHINA AND PAKISTAN A Global Times report (November 20) claimed that a report published by Antiy Labs, one of China's cybersecurity companies, disclosed an active hacker team whose members are based in Delhi has been launching cyberattacks against government agencies and defense departments in China and Pakistan.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: STATEMENTS ISSUED BY INDIAN AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRIES AFTER 23RD WMCC MEETING DIFFER NOTICEABLY The South China Morning Post (November 19) quoted the Chinese foreign ministry as saying that during a virtual meeting of the 23rd Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Sino-Indian Border Affairs, senior officials from the two neighbours also agreed to continue communication through diplomatic and military channels for another round of commander-level talks aimed at agreeing a full disengagement.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE SURVEY SHIP INTRUDES INTO JAPANESE TERRITORIAL WATERS FOR FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS ON NOVEMBER 17 Japan's Asahi Shimbun (November 18) disclosed that a Maritime Self-Defense Force P-1 patrol aircraft spotted a Chinese naval survey ship moving south of Yakushima in a westward direction in the contiguous zone and heading for territorial waters around 8:40 p.m. on November 17. Japan's Defense Ministry stated this is the first such incident in about four years, prompting an official complaint to Beijing passed on through diplomatic channels.Defence Ministry officials said the survey ship must have “intentionally intruded” into sovereign waters on the evening of November 17 off the coast of Yakushima island of Kagoshima Prefecture, south of the main southern island of Kyushu.
(Comment: Chinese Coast Guard ships have repeatedly entered territorial waters in the southwestern portion of the Japanese archipelago, particularly near the disputed Senkaku Islands of Okinawa Prefecture. However, it is rare for the Defense Ministry to formally announce that a Chinese naval ship had entered territorial waters. The last such incident occurred in July 2017.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES STRONG STATEMENT ON NOVEMBER 19 WARNING CHINA THAT ARMED ATTACK ON PHILIPPINES PUBLIC VESSELS WOULD INVOKE U.S. MUTUAL DEFENCE COMMITMENTS In a strongly worded statement issued on November 19, the US State Department stated that "Two days ago, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard blocked and used water cannons against Philippine resupply ships en route to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in the face of this escalation that directly threatens regional peace and stability, escalates regional tensions, infringes upon freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as guaranteed under international law, and undermines the rules-based international order". It cautioned the PRC not to "interfere with lawful Philippine activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone" and added "The United States stands with our Philippine allies in upholding the rules-based international maritime order and reaffirms that an armed attack on Philippine public vessels in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S. Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. The United States strongly believes that PRC actions asserting its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims undermine peace and security in the region".
(Comment: The statement is unusually strong and raises the possibility that the U.S. would have to use force against China. It is in sharp contrast to the passivity shown by the Obama Administration.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. AND CHINA LIKELY TO OPEN HIGH-LEVEL CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THEIR MILITARIES Bloomberg (November 19), quoting official sources, said that officials in Washington and Beijing have agreed to open high-level channels of communication between their militaries. It added that during a 3 1/2-hour virtual summit with President Joe Biden on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to support such channels between the U.S. military and top officials from the People’s Liberation Army, including Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the country’s powerful Central Military Commission.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OF UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SHOT DEAD IN CHICAGO A University of Chicago international student, Zheng Shaoxiong was killed in a shooting incident in Chicago on November 9. The death has sparked outrage over the dangers facing international students in the US. The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, has called for justice and condemned hatred and xenophobia. He mourned the loss and tweeted “My deep condolences to his parents. The Chinese consulate general in Chicago is helping them deal with the aftermath. We call for justice in his case and protection of Chinese in the US from hatred and xenophobia". Li Rong, Zheng’s mother, flew from Sichuan in western China to attend a memorial service for her son at the university’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on November 11.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-CONGO: 5 CHINESE WORKERS KIDNAPPED IN ATTACK ON GOLD MINE The Global Times (November 21) quoted the Chinese Embassy as reporting that five Chinese nationals have been kidnapped in an armed attack on a gold mine near the village of Mukera in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on November 21. The Chinese Embassy said that the security situation in Province de l'Ituri, Province du Nord Kivu and Province du Sud Kivu is very severe, and armed attacks involving Chinese people have occurred in these places many times. According to Sputnik News, a local police officer was killed and eight Chinese nationals were kidnapped in the armed attack on a gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-DENMARK: CHINESE PROFESSOR LINKED TO PLA CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON EFFECTS OF HIGH-ALTITUDE ON MONKEY'S BRAINS TO DEVELOP DRUGS FOR SOLDIERS IN TIBET Reuters reported (November 18) that Guojie Zhang, a Chinese professor at the University of Copenhagen conducted genetic research with the Chinese military without disclosing the connection. Guojie Zhang, is also employed by Shenzhen-based genomics giant BGI Group, which funds dozens of researchers at the university and has its European headquarters on the university campus. Guojie Zhang and a student he was supervising worked with a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) laboratory on research exposing monkeys to extreme altitude to study their brains and develop new drugs to prevent brain damage—a priority the PLA has identified for Chinese troops operating on high plateau borders. He hhad co-published that paper with a PLA major general in January 2020. BGI said the study with the PLA lab “was not carried out for military purposes” and brain research is a critical area for understanding human diseases. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said the study had national defense and civilian benefits on the Tibetan plateau.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LITHUANIA: CHINA DOWNGRADES REPRESENTATION IN LITHUANIA TO LEVEL OF CDA China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on November 21 downgrading its relations with Lithuania to the Chargé d’Affaires level. It said on November 18, Lithuania, in disregard of China’s strong protest and repeated representations, allowed the Taiwan authorities to set up a “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania” thus openly creating the false impression of “one China, one Taiwan” in the world. Asserring that "There is only one China in the world and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China", it said "Lithuania has chosen to ignore China’s solemn position and to disregard the broader interests of bilateral ties and the basic norms governing international relations" and by allowing "the establishment in Lithuania of the “Representative Office” bearing the name of Taiwan, had created an egregious precedent in the world". The statement concluded by stating "We also have this stern warning for the Taiwan authorities: Taiwan is never a country. No matter how “Taiwan independence” forces try to misrepresent facts and confound black and white, the historical fact that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China cannot be changed. Attempts to seek foreign support for political manipulation will prove a dead end".
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LITHUANIA: LITHUANIAN NEWSPAPER INVESTIGATION TEAM RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT CHINESE-MADE DJI DRONES Mindaugas Aušra, an LRT Investigation Team, on November 18 said that the Chinese drones used by the Lithuanian intelligence services, the military, the police, and the State Border Guard Service are suspected of leaking information. It said they use hundreds of drones branded with the DJI logo.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: XIAO QIAN BEING APPOINTED NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRALIA Xiao Qian, China’s current ambassador to Indonesia, is being nominated as the Chinese Ambassador to Australia and his nomination has been accepted. The 'Australian' newspaper (November 25) described him as “smart” and “tough” and not yet known as one of Beijing’s “wolf warrior” diplomats. It quoted diplomatic sources as saying Xiao Qian is well-regarded by international counterparts, and suggested his appointment might mark a “more sophisticated approach” by Beijing to its engagement with Australia
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: OFFICIAL CHINESE MEDIA EULOGISES XI JINPING AROUND THE PERIOD OF THE SIXTH PARTY PLENUM Around the period of the CCP CC's Sixth Plenum the official Chinese media, including Xinhua
and the People's Daily, has been replete with articles eulogising Xi Jinping and his leadership.
The state-run CCTV on November 9 said "The key to managing China's affairs lies in the party.
The leadership of the party is the “sacred needle” of the continuous development of the party
and the country. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General
Secretary Xi Jinping personally planned, personally deployed, and personally promoted a series
of key decision-making decisions, led the party and the people to overcome a series of major
risks and challenges, and solved many long-term problems that have not been resolved. It has
accomplished many major events that we wanted to do but failed to accomplish in the past, and
created the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Ten
thousand mountains are majestic, and there must be a main peak. General Secretary Xi Jinping
clearly pointed out that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential
feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the greatest advantage of the socialist system
with Chinese characteristics, the fundamental and lifeblood of the party and the country, and
the interests of the people of all ethnic groups across the country."
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: BEIJING DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON SIGNIFICANCE OF SIXTH PLENUM RESOLUTION The Beijing Daily (November 8) published a frontpage article titled 'What are the historical
mission and contemporary value of the "two resolutions"?'. It explained the significance of the
resolution to be passed at the Sixth CCP CC Plenum when it meets from November 8-11, 2021.
The CCTV (November 8) similarly telecast a programme but added an account of the successes
achieved during the CCP's "leadership". Xinhua (November 8) published an article titled 'An
irreversible historical process-the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
from the transformational practice of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at
the core leading the new era'.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: SPECULATION IN BEIJING THAT SIXTH PLENUM MAY DECIDE ON CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION MEMBERSHIPS Hongkong's Ming Pao (November 5) reported speculation in Beijing that the Sixth Plenary
Session of the Central Committee, which starts on November 8, may be the first to approve
members of the new Central Military Commission. It added that personnel adjustments will be
an important part of its agenda. The Ming Pao reported also that on the eve of the Sixth Plenary
Session, in late October as many as seven provincial party committee secretaries were
appointed and that 21 provinces have now got new Party and Government leaders. It said no
changes had occurred in the top leadership in the 4 municipalities directly under the Central
Government, in Guangdong and Beijing and Sichuan, Qinghai, Ningxia, Hebei, Xinjiang and
Inner Mongolia.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER PUBLIC SECURITY VICE MINISTER SUN LIJUN PLACED UNDER ARREST ON NOVEMBER 5 The South China Morning Post (November 5) disclosed that China’s state prosecutor had
ordered the arrest of Sun Lijun, former Chinese Vice Minister of Public Security. Sun Lijun
was placed under disciplinary investigation in April last year and a month earlier had been
expelled from the Chinese Communist Party membership and all official posts.
(Comment: The CCP's investigation into Sun Lijun lasted 17 months, far longer than most such
investigations which take 6-9 months. Sun Lijun's case was not only one of corruption, but of
apparent active opposition to Xi Jinping as he was accused of forming "political gangs"!)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-MEDIA: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES COMMENTS ON THE GROWING RESTRICTIONS ON THE MEDIA IN CHINA In a lengthy post (in Chinese) on Weibo on November 8, the Editor-in-Chief of Global Times,
He Xijin commented on China's increasing restrictions on the media. He wrote that while
"Many times I feel that I live a very fulfilling life and have a strong sense of integration in this
era", "Yet I’ve experienced changes in the media industry as well, and feel deeply it’s becoming
ever more difficult for media. Society has high requirements and hopes for the media, but many
fail to grasp its fundamental nature, or the political role it should play in promoting social
progress".
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOUNDERS OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISES ARE REPORTEDLY DIVESTING SHARES BECAUSE OF TIGHTENING CONTROLS The South China Morning Post (November 3) reported that Zhang Yiming, the founder of
ByteDance, has officially stepped down from the company’s board after an announcement in
May 2021. ByteDance owns the popular platform TikTok. South China Morning Post added,
citing sources, that Zhang Yiming remains “powerful behind the scenes”. The CEOs of
technology companies have been trying to cash out their shares in anticipation of tightening
controls. Financial Times recently reported that at least two heads of Chinese tutoring
companies started selling their shares right after Xi Jinping criticised private tutoring earlier in
March.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOUNDER OF CHINA'S HOME APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS CONGLOMERATE 'HAIER GROUP IS STEPPING DOWN AS CHAIRMAN Caixin disclosed that Zhang Ruimin, the founder and Chairman of Chinese home appliances
and electronics giant Haier Group, is stepping down, the company announced in a statement
on November 5. It said Haier President Zhou Yunjie will succeed him as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President Liang Haishan will replace Zhou as President
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-ENERGY: CHINA PLANS TO BUILD 150 NEW NUCLEAR REACTORS IN NEXT 15 YEARS The Asia Times (November 10) claimed that China, the world’s biggest emitter, is planning at
least 150 new nuclear reactors in the next 15 years, more than the rest of the world has built in
the past 35 years. According to Bloomberg, the effort could cost as much as US$440 billion.
The Chairman of the state-backed China General Nuclear Power Corp. said the goal is to
generate 200 gigawatts by 2035, enough to power more than a dozen cities the size of Beijing.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW REGULATIONS SIGNED BY CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PERMIT FASTER ACQUISITION OF BEST, MODERN WEAPONS The Global Times (November 2) disclosed that Chinese President and Chairman of the Central
Military Commission, Xi Jinping, had signed a new set of regulations on military equipment
procurement, focusing on war preparedness and combat capabilities, to facilitate the PLA
acquire the best weapons and equipment that are most needed on future battlefields at a faster
pace. It said the PLA Daily (November 1) said the regulations, comprising 42 articles in eight
chapters, standardize the management of military equipment procurement, based on the general
principle that the Central Military Commission takes charge of the overall administration, the
theatre commands concentrate on combat, and the service branches focus on their own
development. It said the regulations give clear, concrete measures to generate combat
capabilities rapidly, and optimize management procedures including submitting requests,
planning, setting up of projects, the signing of contracts, and delivery and supervision.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: STATE-RUN CCTV HIGHLIGHTS XI JINPING'S PERSONAL GUIDANCE TO PLA Timed to coincide with the Party's Sixth Plenum, CCTV (November 9) highlighted Xi Jinping's
personal involvement with the PLA. It said "Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the State, and Chairman of the
Central Military Commission, profoundly pointed out that the Chinese people’s freedom from
suffering and liberation of the Chinese people depend on a heroic people’s army; the Chinese
people’s great rejuvenation, the Chinese people to achieve a better life, we must accelerate the
building of the People's Army into a world-class army. Since the 18th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core
has led the entire army to conduct in-depth theoretical exploration and practical creation in the
magnificent practice of strengthening the army, forming Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening
the Army, and the cause of strengthening the army in the new era has made historic
achievements. , A historic change has taken place. The People's Army has taken firm steps on
the road to a strong army with Chinese characteristics, and has made important contributions
to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests". It added that
"Training is in full swing on the military exercises in the north and south of the river: the army
has carried out extensive assessments and competitions, and the navy has repeatedly refreshed
its open sea and ocean combat training records. The air force has highlighted all-weather and
critical combat." It said "With a new system, a new structure, a new structure, and a new look,
this is the people's army today. What kind of a strong people's army to build and how to build
a strong people's army have always been a major issue for the Party Central Committee and the
Central Military Commission to focus on, think about, and plan. In the new era, Chairman Xi
Jinping stands on the strategic height of realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation
of the Chinese nation, and clearly put forward the party’s goal of strengthening the army in the
new era—building a people’s army that listens to the party’s command, can win battles, and
has a good work style, and puts the people in the army is built to become a world-class army."
It particularly added "The party's absolute leadership over the army is the foundation of the
people's army and the soul of a strong army. Since the 18th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core
has insisted on building and controlling the army politically, incorporating the party building
of the army into the strategy of comprehensive and strict governance of the party. ... The
officers and soldiers of the whole army deeply cherish their absolute loyalty to the party and
always obey the party's command, focus on preparing for war with all their strength, and
continuously improve the level of actual combat training and the ability to win." The CCTV
programme also said "Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,
Chairman Xi has taken warships, boarded chariots, and boarded warplanes to drill down to the
front line of exercises, put forward a series of important discourses on training and preparations,
made a series of major decisions, commanded a series of major actions, and provided actual
combat training for the troops. ... At the beginning of the new year in 2018, the Central Military
Commission solemnly held a training and mobilization meeting. Chairman Xi, dressed in a
uniform, boarded the main hall of the school reading stage, and issued instructions to the whole
army: “The whole army must strengthen training and preparations with a clear orientation and
unswervingly place military training."
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: APPARENTLY REACTING TO A RECENT INDIAN MILITARY EXERCISE GLOBAL TIMES LISTS EXERCISES CONDUCTED RECENTLY BY PLA The Global Times (November 8) reported that the PLA, after the Indian military launched a
major exercise along the border with China at the start of the month, had conducted multiple
drills in the western plateau over the past week. Quoting the state-owned CCTV, it said an
artillery regiment affiliated with the PLA Xinjiang Military Command recently conducted a
comprehensive, cross-day-and-night exercise in a high-altitude region, involving live-fire
shooting of PCL-181 155mm self-propelled howitzers and PHL-11 122mm multiple rocket
launchers. In another recent exercise held in the plateau region at an elevation of 5,100 meters,
the PLA Xinjiang Military Command organized a joint fire strike confrontation drill, as PHL03 300mm multiple rocket launchers and China's latest type of multiple rocket launchers
capable of firing 370mm rockets teamed up with reconnaissance drones and artillery radars to
launch precision strikes on the enemy. JH-7 fighter bombers affiliated with the PLA Western
Theatre Command Air Force also joined the exercise. CCTV (November 2) also reported that
a combined arms brigade of the PLA Xizang (Tibet) Military Command recently conducted an
assault training at an elevation of more than 4,000 meters. It said advanced PLA main battle
equipment, including the Type 15 light tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled
howitzers, and auxiliary vehicles, took part in the drill. The Global Times quoted military
expert Song Zhongping as observing that the PLA is also enhancing its combat preparedness
as India keeps making provocations along the borders, and proper military approaches are
needed, when necessary, in order to safeguard national sovereignty and security.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE GOVERNMENT-OWNED BAUHINIA CULTURE (HONGKONG) HOLDINGS IS NEGOTIATING PURCHASE OF HONGKONG'S SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST The Chinese government-owned Bauhinia Culture (Hong Kong) Holdings Ltd. is negotiating
with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. the acquisition of Hong Kong’s influential South China
Morning Post. Bloomberg News had reported in March that Alibaba has come under pressure
from the Chinese government to divest some of its media assets, including SCMP.
(Comment: Bauhinia Culture (Hong Kong) Holdings Ltd. is owned by The Liaison Office --
the Chinese government’s main office in the former British colony -- via its Sino United
Publishing Holdings Ltd. unit. Its General Manager and Chairman are Wen Hongwu exSecretary General of the Liaison Office, and Mao Chaofeng, former Executive Vice Governor
of China’s Hainan province.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-EU: FIRST EVER OFFICIAL DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR CLOSER COOPERATION WITH TAIWAN TO FIGHT DISINFORMATION Taiwan's Central News Agency reported (November 5) that the head of a first ever official
European Parliament (EP) delegation's visit to Taiwan, its head Raphaël Glucksmann, said on
November 5 that he believed Taiwan would be a perfect partner for the European Union (EU)
as it considers building a hub to combat disinformation campaigns launched by authoritarian
regimes. At the press conference at the end of the delegation's three-day trip to Taiwan, he
said "We can benefit a lot as Europeans form a closer cooperation with Taiwan in the fight
against disinformation." "That actually makes a lot of sense, the partnership should grow and
get deeper and deeper." He added "We are really convinced that the more you have interaction
between international community and Taiwan, the less dangerous the situation would be in the
Strait." The EU is now considering building a hub to combat disinformation and the whole
delegation agreed that "it should be Taiwan." The delegation consisted of members of the EP's
Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union,
including Disinformation (INGE). China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reacted angrily to the
visit and warned that Europe "will pay the price" for the visit
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S NATIONAL SECURITY BUREAU DIRECTOR GENERAL SAYS THEY AWARE THAT CHINA HAS HAD DISCUSSIONS ON SCENARIOS LIKE CAPTURING PRATAS ISLANDS Reuters reported (November 4) that National Security Bureau Director-General Chen Mingtong, while referring to a scenario of China capturing the Pratas Islands located almost 250
miles (400 Kms) from the Taiwan mainland, disclosed to a parliamentary meeting on
November 4 that "Attacking and capturing the Pratas Islands - this scenario where war is being
used to force (Taiwan into) talks - our assessment is that this will not happen during President
Tsai's tenure." He added "Frankly speaking, they have internally debated this before. We
obviously have some understanding." He did not elaborate or mention when such a discussion
occurred. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on
Thursday.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S DEFENCE MINISTER CONFIRMS U.S. IS TRAINING TAIWANESE MARINES IN GUAM Taiwan's Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed on the sideline of a Legislative hearing on November 2 that a group of Taiwanese marines have been sent to undergo one-month training in Guam as part of a Taiwan-U.S. defense cooperation and exchange program. He said the program is one of a number of "long-standing" bilateral exchange projects between Taipei and Washington. Apple Daily separately said that Taiwan's Marine Corps has recently sent a platoon of 40 marines for a month-long amphibious landing training at the U.S. military base in Guam to enhance their combat capabilities. Both countries' marines will also undergo training for joint operations to learn the latest tactics from the U.S. Marine Corps, it added.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES QUOTES CHINESE TECHNOLOGY SECURITY COMPANY AS SAYING HACKING OF CHINESE TARGETS BY INDIAN HACKERS HAS INCREASED A Global Times (November 2) report claimed that during an exclusive interview on November 2 with Chinese tech giant 360 Security Technology, it learnt that hackers from India have been caught actively launching cyberattacks targeting China's multiple sectors as well as individuals in the past two years during the epidemic, and their attacks are largely on the rise in the first half of 2021. It said the company's experts believe that intelligence analysis is likely behind these hacking groups as they are taking advantage of trendy affairs and topics, such as politics and economy related topics, epidemic situation, and professional activities from industries, so as to accurately launch their attacks. The hackers were identified by China's official media as an "Indian hacking group called ‘Evil Flower’ and accused of targeting “government, defence and military units, as well as state-owned enterprises in China, Pakistan, and Nepal”. Global Times has claimed in an investigation that the hacking group has the support of the Indian government. It said in 2020, the company monitored and captured more than 100 of initial payloads mostly from India and they induce users to execute malicious payloads through harpoon emails in various fields. It added that hackers from India have been caught actively launching cyberattacks targeting China's multiple sectors as well as individuals in the past two years during the epidemic, and their attacks are largely on the rise in the first half of 2021. Two Global Times articles (November 9) highlighted that India lacked border infrastructure and was incapable of building the required roads and logistical support. They claimed that the Indian Army was hampered by the poor logistics.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN RECEIVES ITS FIRST ADVANCED TYPE 054A/P FRIGATE FROM CHINA The Global Times (November 8) reported that on November 8, China delivered to Pakistan the
largest and most advanced Type 054A/P frigate named the PNS Tughril. Designed and built
by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the frigate was delivered to the
Pakistan Navy in a commissioning ceremony in Shanghai. The PNS Tughril is the first hull of
four Type 054 frigates being constructed for the Pakistan Navy.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-NEPAL: DEPUTY HEAD OF CCP CC ILD MEETS FORMER NEPAL PRIME MINISTER MADHAV NEPAL VIA VIDEO The Deputy Head of the CCP CC International Liaison Department, Chen Zhou met via video
link with Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) (CPN (Unified Socialist)) Chairman
and former Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on November 5.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: FOUR U.S. SENATORS AND TWO MEMBERS OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARRIVED IN TAIWAN ON A 'SURPRISE VISIT' Taiwanese media reported that four senators and two members of the House of Representatives
including Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama made
a 'surprise' visit to Taiwan when they landed at Taiwan's Taipei Songshan Airport aboard a US
Navy C-40A plane from Manila at around 6pm on November 9. The group included senators
Mike Crapo of Idaho and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as Representative Jake Ellzey of Texas,
also all Republicans. Beijing said the visit amounts to ‘rude interference in China’s internal
affairs’ and an act of provocation and later conducted a combat readiness patrol in the region
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S SINOCHEM AND SINOPEC GROUPS CONCLUDE LONGTERM DEALS FOR IMPORT OF LNG FROM U.S. Caixin reported (November ) that two Chinese energy majors announced bumper long-term
deals to import liquid natural gas (LNG) from U.S. firms this month, continuing a trend that
comes amid skyrocketing prices of the fuel source. Sinochem Group Co. Ltd. announced a 17
1/2-year deal to buy as much as 1.8 million tons annually from Cheniere Energy Inc. on
November 5, while China’s largest oil refiner, Sinopec, announced a 20-year contract with
Venture Holding LNG to import 4 million tons of LNG annually on November 4.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SEC APPROVES FRAMEWORK FOR ENFORCEMENT OF 'HOLDING FOREIGN COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE ACT' In a step towards enforcement of the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, which
became law at the end of last year and stipulates that any foreign companies listed on US
exchanges face delisting if they fail to turn over audit results for three straight years, the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission approved a framework to determine which US-listed
Chinese companies fail to fully allow auditing inspection and, therefore, will be delisted from
American capital markets. It will allow the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s
(PCAOB), a non-profit entity that deals with accounting issues of public companies, to
determine whether a delisting process needs to be triggered.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: YAHOO ANNOUNCES PULL-OUT FROM CHINA Yahoo Inc. announced (November 2) that it has pulled out of China, citing an increasingly
challenging operating environment.
(Comment: The withdrawal was largely symbolic, as many of the company’s services were
already blocked by China’s digital censorship. But recent government moves to expand its
control over tech companies generally, including its domestic giants, may have tipped the
scales for Yahoo.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: SENIOR CHINESE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER CONVICTED AFTER EXTRADITION IN 2018 FOR TRYING TO STEAL DEFENCE SECRETS FROM GENERAL ELECTRIC A senior Chinese intelligence officer of China's Ministry of State Security, Xu Yanjun was
convicted by an American Federal jury in Ohio of trying to steal secrets from General Electric.
He was accused of asking a GE Aviation employee who had travelled to China to help him
obtain proprietary information in Washington. This is the first time a Ministry of State Security
official was extradited to the US for trial. Xu Yanjun was arrested in Belgium in 2018 after
being lured there by US agents who were tracking his efforts to obtain aviation-related
technology, in particular a composite aircraft engine fan that is made exclusively by GE
Aviation.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN NAVY FRIGATE 'BAYERN' PASSES THROUGH SOUTH CHINA SEA Associated Press reported (November 9) that commenting on the German frigate Bayern's
passage through the South China Sea, Germany's Navy Chief Vice Admiral Kay-Achim
Schonbach said the frigate’s dispatch was to show support for Japan, the US, and other partners.
He underscored Germany's concerns that freedom of navigation and the rule-based
international order were being threatened in the region, apparently referring to its biggest
trading partner, China.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESENTS NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARDS TO CHINA'S TOP SCIENTISTS ON NOVEMBER 3 IN BEIJING The state-run CCTV (November 3) telecast the "grand national science and technology awards conference"
organised jointly by the CCP CC and the State Council in Beijing on November 3, which was attended by
Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng. PBSC member and
Premier Li Keqiang delivered a speech at the conference where PBSC member Han Zheng presided. CCP CC
General Secretary Xi Jinping first awarded medals and certificates to Academician Gu Songfen of China
Aviation Industry Corporation and Academician Wang Dazhong of Tsinghua University, who won the highest
national science and technology award in 2020. Later, Xi Jinping, the Party and state leaders, together with
the two top prize winners, issued certificates to the representatives who won the National Natural Science
Award, the National Technological Invention Award, and the National Science and Technology Progress
Award. A total of 264 projects, 10 scientific and technological experts and 1 international organization were
selected for the 2020 National Science and Technology Awards. Among them, there are 2 national top science
and technology awards; 46 national natural science awards, including 2 first prizes and 44 second prizes; 61
national technological invention awards, including 3 first prizes and 58 second prizes; There are 157 national
science and technology progress awards, including 2 special prizes, 18 first prizes, and 137 second prizes; 8
foreign experts and 1 international organization are awarded the People’s Republic of China International
Science and Technology Cooperation Award.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES PLA EQUIPMENT CONFERENCE IN BEIJING The People's Daily (October 27) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the People’s
Liberation Army (PLA) Military Equipment Conference held in Beijing on October 25 and 26. In his speech,
Xi Jinping said, “I hope that comrades implement the Party’s thinking about building a strong army, … and that they build the management system for weapons and equipment modernization in order to make positive
contributions to the PLA’s one hundred year anniversary (August 1, 2027).” Xi Jinping emphasized the
“breakthrough development” of military weapons and equipment construction during the 13th Five-Year Plan
period under the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) strong leadership and expressed hope that “comrades
will thoroughly implement the Party’s thoughts on strengthening the military in the new era, thoroughly
implement the guidelines on military strategy in the new era, speed up advancing the implementation of the
‘14th Five-Year’ Plan’s tasks, and speed up the construction of a modernized management system for weapons
and equipment,” among other things. General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CCP Central Military
Commission, said “We must focus on national security needs, keep an eye on the realistic military struggle,
focus on technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and make every effort to speed up the
modernization of weapons and equipment, to advance the PLA’s weapons and equipment work to another
great level.”
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PROMOTES XI JINPING'S IMAGE The People’s Daily (November 2) published its second Episode of the “Crucial choices in the New Era” series,
intended to boost Chinese President Xi Jinping's image before the Party's Sixth Plenum, which starts on
November 8. this episode is titled 'Xi – the protector of the people’s lives' and credits him with taking the
tough decision regarding the lockdown during the Covid pandemic.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINA'S TOP RANKING TENNIS STAR PENG SHUAI ACCUSES FORMER VICE PREMIER ZHANG GAOLI OF SEXUAL ASSAULT In a very unusual and explosive post on China's social media, which the Wall Street Journal (November 2)
claims was seen by it before it was taken off within 20 minutes, China's top ranking professional Tennis star
35-year old Peng Shuai accused 1946-born ex-Vice Premier and Politburo Standing Committee member Zhang
Gaoli of sexual assault. In her post she described an on-and-off relationship with Zhang Gaoli lasting for some
years that she said was sometimes consensual and sometimes involved coercion, including forced sex. Peng
Shuai said she couldn't offer any proof. but 'vowed' to tell the truth.
(Comment: Peng Shuai was ranked No. 1 in women’s doubles with the Women’s Tennis Association in 2014.
Her post comes at an increasingly sensitive time before the 20th Party Congress. She has a Taiwanese partner,
Hsieh Su-wei)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-COVID PANDEMIC: RISE IN COVID INFECTIONS IN CHINA CAUSES SERIOUS CONCERN Caixin (November 4) reported that local Covid-19 outbreaks in the Chinese mainland have spread to 19 out of 31 provincial-level regions, the widest distribution nationwide since the Wuhan outbreak early last year, as the number of infections mostly linked to trips in northern China since mid-October continues to grow. It said as of November 3, China had recorded more than 700 locally transmitted infections in dozens of cities in 19 province-level regions since October 17 when Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province, confirmed two cases in a group of eight who had visited Inner Mongolia and Gansu province. The widest spread prior to this began in Nanjing on July 20 before reaching 16 provinces in a month.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-FOOD RATIONING: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL ISSUE NOTIFICATION ON NOVEMBER IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON FOOD STORAGE, CONSUMPTION ETC. On November 1, the CCP CC General Office and State Council issued a 9-section notification restricting the storage, consumption etc of food. The Beijing Municipality issued a notification repeating the notice and its sections: Overall requirements; 2. Improve the conservation and loss reduction in the agricultural production chain; 3. Improve the loss reduction in food storage; 4. Improve the loss reduction in food transportation; 5. Improve the conservation and loss reduction in food processing; 6. Resolutely curb the waste in food and drink consumption; 7. Push for innovation on food conservation and loss reduction; 8. Strengthen the propaganda and education on food conservation and loss reduction; and 9. Strengthen the food safeguarding measures. Separately, the Global Times (November 1) reported that the Chinese government had issued a rare public advisory asking people to store essential daily necessities for “emergency needs” sparked concern of possible food shortages, new COVID-19 outbreaks or a likely offensive by China to capture Taiwan. It quoted a statement issued by China's Ministry of Commerce on November 1, about ensuring stable supplies and prices of vegetables and daily necessities during the upcoming winter and spring seasons. The Ministry said that it “encourages families to store a certain amount of daily necessities in accordance with their needs to meet daily and emergency needs.” The rare public advisory sparked off speculation after it was widely posted on social media, while official media too began highlighting it on Tuesday though in the form of playing it down saying that the public should not read too much into it or wrongly interpret the statement. (Comment: The timing of the notification has prompted speculation whether China is headed for a food shortage or preparing for war with Taiwan or any similar eventuality.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CHINA'S NON-CCP PARTIES CONVENES SEMINAR TO DISCUSS AGEING AND LONG-TERM BALANCED POPULATION DEVELOPMENT On October 28, the 4th Population Development Strategy Seminar with the theme of "actively responding to
population aging and promoting long-term balanced population development" was held via a hybrid mode. He
Wei, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of the Central
Committee of the Peasants and Workers Party, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech in
Beijing. He Wei said the concept of aging has been integrated into the whole process of economic and social
development, accelerated the implementation of the three-child policy, and improved the supporting measures
for the whole process of "birth-nurture-nurture” and China needs to promote long-term balanced population
development. Yang Zhen, full-time Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Peasants and Workers
Party, presided over the opening ceremony. The seminar was co-sponsored by the Central Committee of the
Peasants and Workers Party, the Chinese Association of Aging and the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of
the CPPCC. The seminar was broadcast live on the Internet, and the majority of Peasants and Workers Party
members and relevant experts and scholars listened to the live broadcast of the meeting online.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PERSONALITIES: TANG 'NANCY' WENSHENG, FORMERLY CHIEF INTERPRETER TO MAO AND ZHOU ENLAI, ATTENDED AN EXHIBITION IN BEIJING ON NOVEMBER 1 Tang Wensheng, also known as Nancy and daughter of Tang Mingzhao, a founding member and editor-inchief of China Daily News, visited the exhibition organised by China Daily in Beijing on November 1. She
said "China Daily News was designed to be a progressive newspaper made by overseas Chinese people.
Although some members of the Communist Party of China joined the preparation, it was not a paper of the
CPC. But it was one that aimed to give a voice to overseas Chinese".
(Comment: American-born Chinese diplomat Tang Wensheng was Mao Zedong's chief interpreter during U.S.
President Richard Nixon's historical 1972 visit to China. Born in 1943, she also served as Premier Zhou Enlai's
interpreter.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PERSONALITIES: LIN SHANGLI, SECRETARY GENERAL OF CCP CC'S CENTRAL POLICY RESEARCH OFFICE, IS WANG HUNING'S PROTEGE Lin Shangli (林尚立) is a protege and former student at Fudan University of Politburo Standing Committee
member and China's leading theoretician Wang Huning. He is the author of an early think-piece that touched
on ‘common prosperity’. Lin Shangli (林尚立) moved from a Vice Presidency at Fudan (where he had been a
student, and later junior colleague of Wang Huning) to Secretary General of the Central Policy Research Office
in 2017.
(Comment: Lin Shangli authored the book 'Institutions and development: political logic of self-confidence in
China’s institutions' (Zhonggong zhongyang dangxiao xuebao, 2 December 2016 [林尚立:'制度与发展:
中国制度自信的政治逻辑',中共中央党校学报,2016年12月 2日. Professor Dr. Lin Shangli was born in
Fuzhou in 1963. In 1981, he studied at the Department of International Politics, and after graduating in 1988
started his teaching career in the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University. He
became Associate Professor in 1993 and Professor in 1997. He received a Ph.D. from the School of Law at
Fudan University in 1998. He has been a visiting scholar at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Keio
University in Japan, Georgetown University in the U.S.A. and at the University of Munich in Germany. Apart
from Fudan, Prof. Lin is also a guest researcher at Shanghai CCP College and the Shanghai Administration
Institute, and Vice Chairman of the Academic Committee of the Institute of East Asia, Shanghai. ).
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS: NEW VICE AND ASSISTANT MINISTERS IN MOFA AND NEW POLITICAL COMMISSAR OF XINJIANG PRODUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION CORPS Xinhua (October 26) announced the appointments of six officials to higher posts among who were: Deng Li
(邓励) was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Hua Chunying (f) (华春莹), MoFA
spokesperson, was appointed Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Li Yifei (李邑飞) was
appointed Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Chairman of the China
Xinjian Group.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN 'QIU SHI' ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINA OCCUPYING ITS SEAT IN UN A commentary by former Foreign Minister and Politburo member and current Director of the Central Foreign
Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi was published by Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - (2021/21) with the title 'Fifty
years of deepening cooperation with the United Nations to build a community with a shared future for mankind'.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP ILD'S OUTREACH ON DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH 100 SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST ASIAN POLITICIANS AND 30 POLITICAL PARTIES Chen Zhou, Vice Minister of the CCP CC International Liaison Department (ILD), on October 26 afternoon
addressed the “Looking at the CCP from a Cloud” activity for South and Southeast Asian political parties via
videolink. Over 100 people, including young politicians from nearly 30 political parties and organizations and
representatives from the media, think tanks, and colleges and universities in 10 South and Southeast Asian
countries, participated in the activity.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: SPECIAL CCTV PROGRAMME STRESSES DATA SECURITY Recalling that November 1 is the 7th anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Antiespionage Law, the state-owned CCTV on November 1 telecast a special programme titled 'Secretly detect
dangerous leaks'. It said public security agencies have discovered that "some overseas data companies have
long-term, large-scale, and real-time collection of data" and added that "The phantom of "commercial
espionage" in the field of data security is full of domestic ship data". The programme disclosed that since 2020,
national security agencies have carried out special operations and found that a group of foreign-related
maritime data companies and radio enthusiasts in Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong and other places have built
more than 700 AIS (automatic identification system for ships) base stations on the important islands and inland
ports of China's coastline. Security agencies acted in accordance with the "Anti-espionage Law" and "Data
Security Law" related regulations, seized a large number of base station equipment, intercepted more than
10,000 GB of outgoing maritime data, promptly cut off the data leakage channels, and required relevant
organizations and individuals to make rectifications. Eliminate hidden dangers. The programme stated in
conclusion that data resources are of great value to the country's economic and social development, and data
security governance and data security protection are also important elements of competition among major
powers.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FOREIGN INVESTMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM COMMISSION DISCUSSES FOREIGN DEBTS WITH KEY BUSINESSES Sina (October 27) reported that on October 26, China’s Foreign Investment Department of the Development
and Reform Commission, together with the Capital Department of the Foreign Exchange Bureau, held a forum
with some key industry players to discuss their foreign debts. It also disclosed that nine Chinese real estate
companies have missed the payments on their U.S. dollar debts, including Oceanwide Holdings (泛海控股),
Fantasia (花样年), China Fortune Land Development (华夏幸福), Sunshine 100 China (阳光100中国), The
Tianfang Group (天房集团), The Sannong Group (泰禾集团), Sinic Holdings (新力控股), Languang Dev
(蓝光发展), and Modern Land (当代置业). The combined unpaid debt is US$ 28.073 billion.
(Comment: Fantasia (花样年) is owned by former PBSC member Zeng Qinghong's niece -- brother's daughter.
Zeng Qignhong was a very close associate of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. )
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: THREE PLA DAILY 'JUN SHENG' COMMENTARIES CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON U.S. SUBMARINE ACCIDENT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Following up on the earlier two commentaries of October 19 and 22, the PLA Daily published three additional
commentaries on the USS Connecticut collision in the South China Sea under its Jun Sheng (钧 声) byline.
The third commentary on October 25, titled “The United States Is the Greatest Source of Disaster in Stirring
Up the South China Sea (SCS)” reiterated that "the US's vagueness and cover-ups after the accident have made
the international community full of doubts about the truth of the accident and the US intentions. the threat
posed by the USS Connecticut nuclear submarine’s collision and the United States’ subsequent lack of
transparency, saying the incident had elicited a “high degree of concern” from the international community".
The commentary added that "the United States was not content with peace but “only wanted to fish in troubled
waters (浑水摸鱼),” making trouble for its own gain". The fourth commentary (October 27) titled “The United
States is the Greatest Destroyer of World Peace” noted that the USS Connecticut is one of three Seawolf-class
submarines currently in service in the U.S. Navy and one of the most powerful and sensitive attack submarines
currently available in the U.S. Navy. It said the incident "once again reflected the "belligerent gene" in the
bones of American politicians". Jun Sheng added that the United States has an “‘interference addiction’ (干涉
成瘾) regarding other countries’ political affairs,” citing its involvement in “color revolutions” following the
Cold War and, referring to AUKUS, called for the world to “maintain a high degree of vigilance toward the
‘warlike’ and ‘interference-addicted’ United States.” The fifth commentary (October 29) was titled “The Ugly
Face of ‘US-Style Double Standards’” and focused on the US’ lack of transparency regarding the USS
Connecticut collision. Ironically, while the United States has touted military transparency, “some US
politicians for whom telling lies is second nature have been ridiculed by people the world over as political
‘Pinocchios’ (匹诺曹)” stemming from their failure to be forthcoming about the submarine accident.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE REACTS TO INDIA'S SUCCESSFUL TEST OF AGNIV ICBM Lan Jianxue, Director of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at China Institute of International Studies,
reacted to India's successful test of the 5000kms range Agni-V ICBM. In an article in the Global Times
(October 30) he warned against India being carried away by the US and West and getting into an arms race
with China. He also claimed that "Many Indian people have complaints toward their government on various
issues, and many contradictions can be seen at home. For example, the daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases
are still as high as more than 10,000. The epidemic continues to severely impact India's economy, and the
Modi government appears to lack an effective approach to deal with it. Furthermore, a yearlong series of
ongoing protests by farmers against the Indian government has also stepped up. Against this backdrop, the
Modi administration is eager to find a new external hotspot issue to divert domestic attention. This has been
one of the Modi administration's old tricks, which China has got used to". He added "The root of the ChinaIndia tensions over the recent two years lies in the series of provocative practices by the Indian government
on its borders with China. The incitement by Indian and Western media outlets have also played a big role,
adding fire to the tensions between China and India. In the face of increased nationalist sentiment and the
fanning of flames from the West, the Modi government seems to lack a clear strategy on how to deal with the
tensions with China. If the Modi government could remain sober, it should stay away from the incitement from
the West and the mounting populist mind-set, and those asking it to resort to military actions to deal with the
border tensions with China."
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: REACTING TO ARTICLE IN FOREIGN POLICY GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE WARNS INDIA AGAINST JOINING FORCES WITH U.S. AGAINST CHINA Writing in the Global Times (November 1) Qian Feng, Director of the Research Department at the National
Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, referred to a co-signed article in Foreign Policy entitled "It's Time
to Formalize an Alliance with India" by former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and Republican
congressman Michael Waltz calling it "an attempt to form a clique in the modern era". He described Nikki
Haley as "having the political capital to return to politics and is a possible frontrunner for the 2024 GOP
presidential nomination" and said Michael Waltz, "a veteran from Florida, a Republican stronghold, has
always shown his strong anti-China attitude". Qian Feng said the proposal will not be acceptable to the
Generals in the Pentagon and that the idea of the US and India combining to contain China has always been
popular in strategic circles in India. The article said, in conclusion, "The Modi government is committed to
leading India to become a global power. It has its own plans and logic for the country's future development
and foreign policy. The so-called ideology and democratic values are nothing more than tools to achieve India's
goals. With the help of the US, it may be possible for India to obtain the recognition and endorsement for a
"great power identity. However, if India is arranged by Quad to take the lead in charging in the anti-China
front, and becomes "cannon fodder" of US strategy, Indians will not accept it". It ended with the warning: "For
India, China is the biggest neighbour that cannot be moved away. It is also a major country vital to India's
security and development. In fierce competition between China and the US, if Indian leaders are tempted by
some anti-China forces at home and abroad, put China-India ties behind, abandon its principle of nonalignment, establish formal alliance with the US, this will undoubtedly be tantamount to turning itself to the
enemy of China. And if so, such an India will never become a true global power"
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: THE CCP-OWNED GLOBAL TIMES CONTINUES SHARP CRITICISMS OF INDIA A sharply worded article in Global Times (November 4) criticised a Tweet by an Indian comparing Prayagraj with Shanghai. Objecting to such comparison, it said, "Indian elites’ misconception of China exposed in a tweet comparing Prayagraj and Shanghai" and said once more Indians begin travelling to China, they will realise how far advanced China is compared to India. Another Global Times article criticised Modi's speech at the COPS Summit saying it is unachievable. It quoted the "recently released Global Hunger Index 2021 where India was ranked 101 out of 116 countries and regions, behind such economies as Sudan and Mali, and was one among the nations in which hunger was classified as "serious." Although the Indian economy is estimated to be one of the fastest-growing in the world in 2022, many of its people still live in extreme poverty". It added "Even though some in the West expressed disappointment that India's climate target is 20 years behind that of most other countries, the willingness of India, with its large poor population, to make a step forward toward limiting global warming is still commendable. However, it is an open question as to whether India's economy can support its ambitious emissions-reduction target". The last paragraph of the article said, "Under these circumstances, if any one from the advanced economies still think that the developing world needs to commit more to the climate action, they should go to India to experience the real hunger before lecturing others".
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: BIDEN-XI JINPING SUMMIT LIKELY BEFORE YEAR'S END The US Government announced that President Joe Biden and Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping will meet
in a virtual summit meeting before the end of the year. The announcement followed the meeting in early
October in Zurich between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Politburo member Yang
Jiechi. This indicates that Sullivan and Yang Jiechi likely found issues on which their bosses could reach
agreement. The Straits Times (October 30) said the US government dropping its attempt to prosecute Huawei
executive Meng Wanzhou in September might also create more space for Xi Jinping to be magnanimous at
the summit. It assessed Beijing will have two main goals at the summit: (i) a return to the level of economic,
educational and scientific exchange that prevailed before the bilateral relationship soured and specifically the
restrictions on granting of US visas to members of the Communist Party of China and to Chinese students and
researchers with PRC military connections. (ii) Beijing's demand that Washington ceases using the issues of
Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and human rights to "interfere in China's internal affairs". This means Beijing
will insist that Washington stop supporting the Republic of China (ROC) government on Taiwan as Beijing
says the US has taken new steps since the downturn in US-China relations to encourage Taiwan's political
separation from China. The United States main objectives are to get China's assent to what the Biden team
calls "responsible competition" or relationship "guardrails", meaning the two countries pursue their objectives
within the (US-sponsored) rules of international behaviour without taking actions that raise military tensions
and the second US objective is to dissuade China from linking climate change cooperation to other issues.
Third, the Biden administration has elevated the specific issue of Chinese military pressure on Taiwan as a
high-priority concern. "We need to see China stop these actions," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said
recently. The Japan Times (October 29) published a similar assessment of the objectives of the likely Summit.
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-US: NEW HEAD OF US TAIPEI OFFICE REITERATES US POLICY ON TAIWAN Sandra Oudkirk, the new Director of the American Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) Taipei office, told Taiwan's
CNA (October 29) that the United States considers peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait "central to the
security and stability of the broader Indo Pacific region and to the U.S." She said, "Our commitment to Taiwan
is rock solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the
region." Asked specifically about President Joe Biden's recent pledge to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese
attack, Oudkirk said there has been no change in U.S. policy. The U.S., she said, will continue to help Taiwan
boost its self-defence capability as part of America's commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA),
which has served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations since official diplomatic ties were severed in
1979, adding "We engage with our partners in Taiwan on a routine basis to access vulnerability, to access
ways we can support Taiwan in mounting its own self defence."
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-UN: CHINA AMONG THE COUNTRIES WHO VOTED AGAINST UNGA RESOLUTION CALLING FOR MORATORIUM ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT 120 UN member states voted on November 17, in favour of a resolution in the Third Committee of the UN
General Assembly reiterating a call for a moratorium on the use of capital punishment. The General Assembly
plenary is expected to adopt the resolution in December. China is among the 39 countries which voted against
the resolution.
(Comment: The 11 countries from the Asia-Pacific region who voted against the resolution are: Afghanistan,
Brunei Darussalam, China, India, Japan, the Maldives, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore,
and Tonga.)
Nov 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ATTENDS MEETING TO MARK 50TH YEAR OF PRC GETTING A SEAT IN THE UN The state-owned CCTV (October 25) reported that on October 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended
the 50th anniversary meeting of the People's Republic of China to restore the legal seat of the United
Nations in Beijing and delivered an "important" speech. In his speech Xi Jinping emphasised that "China
will adhere to the path of peaceful development and always be a builder of world peace; adhere to the path
of reform and opening up and always be a contributor to global development; adhere to the path of
multilateralism and always be a defender of the international order". He asserted that China strives
unremittingly for a community with a shared future for mankind. PBSC member and Secretary of the CCP
CC Secretariat Wang Huning attended the meeting as did Ding Xuexiang and Yang Jiechi. Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi presided over the meeting which was attended by over 2000 officials from different
departments
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING AND ENTIRE PBSC ALONGWITH VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN VISIT S&T INNOVATION EXHIBITION IN BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping and the entire PBSC and Vice President Wang Qishan visited the 13th FiveYear Plan Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Exhibition in Beijing on October 26. The
theme was “Innovation Driven Development, Towards a Powerful Country in Science and Technology.”
Displays of China’s scientific achievements during the plan (2016-2020) included: The “Nine Chapters”
quantum computing prototype; the Tiangong space station; and the Guohe No. 1 nuclear power unit.
(Comment: Their visit demonstrated the importance the Chinese leadership is giving S&T.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING HAS NOT TRAVELLED OUTSIDE CHINA SINCE JANUARY 2020 The Wall Street Journal (October 21) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s last foreign trip was to
Myanmar in January 2020. In March 2020, he hosted Pakistan’s president in Beijing, but since then has not
been noticed to have met in person with any foreign leader
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND NPC CHAIRMAN LI ZHANSHU TELLS NPCSC MEETING CHINA MUST RESIST "EROSIVE INFLUENCE" OOF THE WEST At a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee on October 23, the South China Morning Post (October 24)
quoted PBSC member and NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu as saying “We need to learn from the beneficial
achievements of foreign political civilisations, but we must not abandon the fundamentals of China’s
political system. We should resolutely oppose, resist and prevent the erosive influence of so-called
‘constitutionalism’, multi-party elections, the tripartite system, the bicameral system and the independence
of the judiciary in the West" and “We should strengthen theoretical research and the propaganda
interpretation of socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics and the People’s Congress system, and
tell good stories about China’s democracy.” Xie Maosong, a political scientist at the University of the
Chinese Academy of Sciences, said top leaders had made similar remarks in the past, such as referring to
“the story of Chinese-style democracy” and that this “looks much the same, but in fact, there are subtle
differences, now they will just say ‘telling the story of China’s democracy’, which is more precise and
straightforward, and more confident. What all this means is that China’s leaders believe that democracy in
China is real democracy, whole-process democracy, that fulfils commitments. It is not a fake democracy
where Western politicians make high-profile promises during election campaigns and then don’t deliver
afterward. China is now confident that its democracy is real compared to the fake democracy of the West.”
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC PASSES NEW LAND BORDERS LAW ON OCTOBER 23 The closing meeting of the 31st session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee on October 23 voted to adopt
a new Land Borders Law. The new law empowers the state to: Use the police apparatus and weapons for
illegal border crossers under certain circumstances; close China’s borders if war or armed conflict threatens
border security; and build border facilities “for the purposes of blockade, transportation, communication,
monitoring, deterrence, defence, and assistance”. The law also makes the People’s Liberation Army
responsible for “Guarding the land border, resisting armed aggression, [and] dealing with major
emergencies, and terrorist activities.”
(Comment: China has 14 international land borders, and shares that statistic with Russia. The full text
(translated from Chinese) reads: during the period of deepening the reform of the national defence
mobilization system , Temporarily adjust and apply the "National Defence Mobilization Law of the People's
Republic of China", "People's Air Defence Law of the People's Republic of China", "National Defence
Traffic Law of the People's Republic of China", and "National Defence Education Law of the People's
Republic of China" related to national defence mobilization and the people's armed mobilization and
economic mobilization , Civil air defence, traffic readiness, national defence education leadership and
management system, military and local functional configuration, work organization settings, and national
defence mobilization resources command and use regulations. The specific measures shall be implemented
in accordance with the relevant decisions of the Party Central Committee and the relevant regulations of
the State Council and the Central Military Commission. After the reform measures have matured, relevant
laws should be revised and improved in a timely manner.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: EX-CHAIRMAN OF NORINCO YIN JIAXU ARRESTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES The South China Morning Post (October 25) disclosed that China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate had decided on October 25, to formally arrest Yin Jiaxu, former Norinco Chairman, “on suspicion of accepting bribes and making illegal gains for relatives and friends in accordance with the law”. His formal arrest came seven months after he was put under an internal party probe by China’s top anti-corruption body, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), for “serious violations of discipline and the law”. Yin Jiaxu had been the Party Secretary and Chairman of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) until his sudden retirement in 2018, three years ahead of his official retirement age of 65. He was formally handed over to prosecutors on September 30 after being expelled from the party and stripped of all official positions and benefits. The CDIC accused Yin Jiaxu of receiving “huge sums” of money and gifts, using his official capacity to benefit others and transferring the profitable business of the company to relatives and friends for personal gain, “resulting in huge losses in national interests” and being “obsessed with golfing” and having long held a golf club membership illegally. Before rising to Norinco’s top management position in 2013, Yin Jiaxu spent more than 14 years at Changan Automobile Co, a subsidiary of Norinco that manufactures passenger cars, minivans, commercial vans and light trucks, where he was regarded as key to the group’s rebound from near bankruptcy in 1998. (Comment: The CDIC has previously arrested Hu Wenming, Chairman of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and later China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), which oversaw the development of China’s aircraft carriers. There was suspicion that he may have been spying on behalf of a foreign power. Hu Wenming was expelled from the party for taking bribes and abusing his power. He faced trial in February in a Shanghai court and is now awaiting sentencing. Before Hu, Sun Bo, former General Manager of CSIC, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for taking bribes and abuse of power in July 2019.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT: ARTICLE BY UFWD DEPUTY DIRECTOR XU YOUSHENG IN PEOPLE'S DAILY DISCUSSES UFWD'S IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL WORK Xu Yousheng, Deputy Director of the CCP CC United Front Work Department (UFWD), published an
article in the People's Daily on October 25 where he discussed the UFWD's ideological and political work.
The article said that since the 18th Party Congress the UFWD's central and provincial (regional, municipal)
levels have organized more than 300 classes of non-party intellectuals, trained nearly 20,000 people, and
organized more than 5,000 people on the job. It added that since 2018, the CCP CC United Front Work
Department has organized more than 20 new training courses for people from social strata, training more
than 1,000 representatives.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RECORD NUMBER OF YOUNG CHINESE APPLY FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS Foreign Policy magazine (October 28) reported that a record 2 million applicants have registered for the
Chinese civil service examinations next month, the first stage in a conventional career as a government
official. That is up from 1.5 million applicants last year, which was already a record, illustrating the growing
trend of young Chinese seeking official jobs rather than employment in the private sector. It added that
under Xi Jinping, China has followed a consistent pattern of “the state advances, the private sector
retreats”—a slogan originally coined to describe state-owned enterprises’ advances that is now
ideologically pushed from the top. It’s not surprising that a cynical generation of young people are seeking
the comfort and stability of government positions. It also suggests that despite a decade of anti-corruption
campaigns, the official and unofficial perks of government jobs remain substantial.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ISSUE OF COMMON PROSPERITY AFFECTS PILOT PROJECTS FOR PROPERTY TAX The NPC Standing Committee on October 23 approved pilot projects in 10 cities for at least five years in a step towards enacting a nationwide “real estate tax”, or “property tax”. PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng has been tasked to steer the pilot projects.
(Comment: Meanwhile a vigorous debate has erupted in China over the issue of "common prosperity" and the property tax is being viewed as a step in the direction of implementing common prosperity. Opposition to common prosperity, enunciated by Xi Jinping on August 17, has also resulted in the pilot projects for property tax being confined to only 10 cities instead of the originally approved 30.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AUTHORISES CAMPAIGN TO RECTIFY LAW FIRMS, INCLUDING FOREIGN FIRMS, FROM MID-OCTOBER TO END DECEMBER The Beijing Chaoyang District Justice Bureau issued a notice on October 19, stating that "In accordance
with the spirit of the document of the Ministry of Justice and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice on
cleaning up and regulating outstanding issues in the establishment and management of law firms, from midOctober to the end of December, the legal team will carry out cleaning up and regulation of outstanding
issues in the establishment and management of law firms". It said the inspecting units can accept reports,
complaints, clues etc in connection with their investigations
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA EXPECTS FDI INTO CHINA WILL SLOW DOWN BETWEEN 2021-2025 China's Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) released its 32-page Five-Year Plan (FYP) on foreign investment
on October 18, where it indicated it hoped that foreign direct investment (FDI) into China will hit US$ 700
billion between 2021 and 2025. This is just 0.2% higher than the US$ 698 billion that landed between 2016-
2020. MofCom’s target allows for a 100 billion dollar decline, but FDI into China is still on track to hit
US$ 160 billion in 2021 – meaning that, even if investment stayed flat, the total would hit USD 800 billion
in five years. Zong Changqing, head of MofCom’s Foreign Investment Department, said: “The current
external environment for stabilizing foreign investment remains complex and grim.” He added “We will
strengthen coordination [of national security reviews] with anti-monopoly and anti-unfair-competition
reviews to build a solid defensive line on national security.” Wei Jianing, a former research fellow at the
Development Research Centre under the State Council, said it was hard to envisage a large amount of
foreign investment coming into China due to deteriorating international relations. “What we are worrying
about is not only deglobalisation, but also globalisation without China,” he said at a virtual forum in August.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY URGES U.S. TO EXPLAIN NATURE OF COLLISION ON OCTOBER 2 OF ITS NUCLEAR SUBMARINE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA The PLA Daily published two successive commentaries on the USS Connecticut collision in the South
China Sea under its Jun Sheng by-line on October 21 and 22. The commentaries titled “What Exactly Does
the US Side Want to Cover Up?” and “The Source of the Greatest Risk to International Nuclear Security”
urged the U.S. to clarify the circumstances and nature of the collision on October 2, of the USS Connecticut
nuclear submarine in the South China Sea (SCS).
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: NEW PARTY SECRETARY APPOINTED IN NYINGCHI, TAR Ao Liuquan was appointed the new Party Secretary of Nyingchi Prefecture of TAR. Nyingchi is witnessing
considerable dual-use developmental activity.
(Comment: Ao Liuquan is of Han nationality. He was born in May 1974 in Guiyang, Guizhou, and joined
the Communist Party of China in July 1996. He graduated from Sichuan Business Administration Institute.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: ARTICLE IN CHINA'S SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES QUARTERLY (NANYA YANJIU) ASSESSES MODI ADMINISTRATION'S ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY China's Nanya Yanjiu (South Asian Studies Quarterly) Issue No. 2, 2021, published an article by Li Tao
and Yuan Xiaojiao assessing the theory and practice of the Modi administration’s economic diplomacy.
They assess that under the Modi administration, India’s economic diplomacy seeks to attract FDI, build
relationships with the global Indian diaspora, and elevate India’s status in regional and multilateral forums.
Stating that India’s economic diplomacy is grounded at a theoretical level in a mixture of neoliberal
institutionalism and nationalism, Li Tao and Yuan Xiaojiao argue that India’s economic diplomacy is
grounded at a theoretical level in a mixture of neoliberal institutionalism and nationalism. On the one hand,
Modi has pursued a pragmatic strategy of cooperation via bilateral and multilateral agreements. Through
“selective multilateralism,” India can participate in global multilateral forums while placing some
limitations on the impact of globalization and India’s integration into a free and open global economy. At
the same time, Modi’s economic diplomacy reflects Hindu nationalism, urging citizens to limit their
material consumption and protect the domestic economy. In this view, India’s economic development is a
“duty” of both the Indian individual and the Indian government. According to Li and Yuan, this mixture of
neoliberal institutionalism and Hindu nationalism is evident in India’s economic diplomacy. They say that
at the core are India’s interests. India’s relations with its South Asian neighbours reflect “defensive
economic nationalism,” as India uses its influence to protect its national economic interests, and its
economic diplomacy is characterized by asymmetric interdependence. As the largest economy in South
Asia, India seeks to increase its neighbours’ economic dependence on India by encouraging the adoption
of a common market and offering commercial aid. In its relations with great powers such as China, the
United States, Russia, and Japan, India mixes neoliberal institutionalism with economic nationalism; it
balances and free rides in an attempt to maintain strategic autonomy and assert regional leadership. For
example, India has accepted the US “Indo-Pacific” strategy as a way to fend off pressure from China’s Belt
and Road Initiative. With regard to China, India’s policy has shifted from “soft checks and balancing” to
“comprehensive decoupling” in the wake of the 2020–2021 skirmishes in the Galwan valley. At these
peripheral and global levels, India adopts liberal economic policies by seeking to expand economic
partnerships. Modi has focused on building relations with Asian countries to attract foreign capital and
provide employment opportunities for India’s vast working-age population. Farther afield, Modi has
pursued military, energy, and trade deals with Australia and countries in Western Europe and promised
credit lines and aid to much of the African continent. Modi has also affirmed India’s commitment to
multilateral economic institutions by pursing leadership roles and seeking to reshape global economic
governance to reflect a multipolar world order.
(Comment: Nanya Yanjiu, also called "International Forum", was founded in 1999 as a bimonthly by the
University of International Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: ARTICLE IN 'GUOJI LUNTAN', PUBLICATION OF THE CHINA INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, COMMENTS ON U.S.-INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS Another article published in Guoji Luntan (No. 5, 2021), Li Qingyan, Associate Research Fellow at the
Department for Developing Countries Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, explored US
efforts to incorporate India into its Indo-Pacific strategy, which he said is motivated by the U.S. desire to
contain China, and Indian motivations for pursuing closer ties with the United States, and the inherent limits
to US–Indian relations. He said under Modi, India has shifted from its traditional “non-alignment” policy
to a “multi-alignment” approach that emphasizes building strategic relations with multiple great powers.
Politically, the United States, operating under what Li criticizes as flawed zero-sum Cold War thinking,
views India as a key pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy. India is happy to acquiesce to the Indo-Pacific
strategy because it views cooperation with the United States as a way to achieve its great power ambitions.
Consequently, India has increased its dialogues and cooperation with the members of the Quad. In the
security field, the United States regards India as a “defence partner” and treats it much as it would treat a
formal ally. The two countries share technology and some intelligence, have worked to integrate military
operations, and participate in joint military exercises. Li Qingyan contends that India and the United States
have teamed up to oppose the Belt and Road Initiative, painting its projects as “debt traps” and “neocolonialism,” and promoting their own initiatives as an alternative. Despite the strengthening of US–Indian
relations, however, Li asserts that geopolitical, security, and economic differences will hinder the
development of formal alliance relations. US–Indian relations are limited by conflicting objectives and a
lack of mutual trust. India participates in the Indo-Pacific strategy not because it wants to take the United
States’ side in the US–China strategic competition, but because India views cooperation with the strategy
as the best way to achieve its great power ambitions and establish its regional significance as the world
transitions to multipolarity. He points to India's continuing purchase of weapons from Russia and trade
frictions that are undermining Indian–US relations. Li Qingyan anticipates continued tension between US
policies first developed under Trump’s “America First” approach and those promoted by Modi’s “Made in
India” strategy of domestic protectionism. He argues, the “China factor” is not enough to push the United
States and India toward alliance relations: India remains unwilling to sacrifice its strategic autonomy for
US interests. India’s willingness to cooperate with the United States is motivated by India’s perception that
China poses a threat to India’s regional dominance and its global influence. Li Qingyan argues, this analysis
is completely flawed; if India “abandons ‘strategic autonomy’” and aligns with anti-Chinese elements in
the West, it will lose its opportunity to become a great power. He contends that over the long term, China
and India as emerging markets with enormous populations have many common interests and face similar
development challenges, which might push the two countries closer together. The two countries have
extensive trade relations. They also share the view that the Global South should have a far greater say in
global economic governance than it currently does and anticipate that their countries will play increasingly
significant roles as the world transitions toward a multipolar order. Furthermore, Li Qingyan expects India’s
decision to pursue closer relations with the United States for geopolitical reasons to shift over the longer
term. He expects that the United States and China will eventually learn to coexist in a multipolar world,
decreasing India’s opportunity to advance its own interests by playing off China and the United States
against each other, and strengthening the value of strategic autonomy. Li Qingyan predicts that the IndoPacific strategy ultimately will fall away as China and India rise together.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE ISSUES PRESS STATEMENT ENCOURAGING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR ADMITTING TAIWAN TO U.N. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken issued a Press Statement on October 26 describing Taiwan as a
"democratic success story" and "critical to the global high-tech economy and a hub of travel, culture, and
education". He said "We are among the many UN member states who view Taiwan as a valued partner and
trusted friend". He asserted that "As the international community faces an unprecedented number of
complex and global issues, it is critical for all stakeholders to help address these problems. This includes
the 24 million people who live in Taiwan. Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system is not a
political issue, but a pragmatic one". "Taiwan’s exclusion undermines the important work of the UN and
its related bodies, all of which stand to benefit greatly from its contributions. We need to harness the
contributions of all stakeholders toward solving our shared challenges. That is why we encourage all UN
Member States to join us in supporting Taiwan’s robust, meaningful participation throughout the UN
system and in the international community, consistent with our “one China” policy, which is guided by the
Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances".
(Comment: Twice this year, President Biden has made commitments that the U.S. is prepared to defend
Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, but the White House promptly issued clarifications walking back on
his statements and leading to confusion over a high-stakes U.S. national security policy.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE VICE PREMIER LIU HE HAS VIDEO CALL WITH U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY JANET YALLEN On October 26, Chinese Vice Premier and economic czar Liu He held a video call with US Treasury
Secretary Janet Yellen. Few details are available, but the US Treasury’s summary said: “[T]hey discussed
macroeconomic and financial developments in the United States and China” and that “Secretary Yellen
also frankly raised issues of concern.” Equally succinct was China's Ministry of Commerce (MofCOM)
statement which said: “The two sides had pragmatic, frank and constructive exchanges on the
macroeconomic situation and bilateral and multilateral cooperation.” It added, though, that “The Chinese
side expressed concern about the lifting of tariffs and sanctions imposed by the United States and the fair
treatment of Chinese enterprises.”
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. RESCINDS LICENCE FOR CHINA TELECOM TO OPERATE IN U.S In a long-expected move, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously agreed to
rescind the license for the state-run firm China Telecom to operate in the United States, citing security risks.
The Biden administration hasn’t shown the same level of enthusiasm as its predecessor for picking new
Chinese technology targets, but it hasn’t backed off, either. Foreign Policy observed (October 28) that the
FCC vote and other reports show, anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) action remains one of very few
areas of strong bipartisan agreement in Washington.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE MILITARY RESEARCHER CLAIMS U.S. HAS CONDUCTED NEARLY 2000 SPYING OPERATIONS AGAINST MAINLAND CHINA THIS YEAR The South China Morning Post (October 28) reported that Cao Yanzhong, a researcher with the People’s
Liberation Army Academy of Military Science, divulged at the 10th Xiangshan forum that United States
warships and planes carried out over 2,000 close spying operations aimed at China this year. The targets of
these missions include Chinese controlled islands and reefs in the South China Sea, as well as the coastal
area of the Chinese mainland. Cao Yanzhong also said “The high frequency of such close reconnaissance
endangers China’s sovereign security and heightens regional tensions, which will inevitably trigger firm
opposition from China and undoubtedly increase the risk of gunfire.” He added that “The most urgent task
at the moment is that the US immediately ceases its frequent close reconnaissance to reduce the possibility
of misfires.”
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS QATAR AND MEETS TALIBAN LEADERS ON OCTOBER 25-26 The People's Daily (October 25) reported that Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is
to visit Qatar to meet Taliban's Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Acting Deputy Prime ,Minister of the (newly
restored) Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi from October
25 to 26. The talks in Doha, Qatar, on October 25-26 were the first high-level engagement between China
and the Taliban since the group resumed power in August. Xinhua (October 26) said that Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi urged Afghanistan to “Master its own destiny, achieve reconciliation and tolerance, and
advance national reconstruction” and also asked the Taliban to crack down on terrorist groups, notably the
East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a separatist group Beijing blames for attacks in Xinjiang. Mullah
Baradar thanked China for its respect and friendliness during difficult times. He recognized China’s security
concerns and reaffirmed the Taliban’s promise to never allow any force to use Afghan territory to harm
China. Baradar reportedly added: “For now, women in medical institutions, airports and other places have
resumed their work, and girls in primary and secondary schools in many provinces have returned to school,
but they still face difficulties such as lack of facilities and funds.”
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-EUROPE: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITING GREECE, SERBIA, ALBANIA AND ITALY BETWEEN OCTOBER 27-29 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi started his trip in Greece and will visit Serbia, Albania, and Italy from October 27 to 29, ending his trip just ahead of the G-20 Summit in Rome. On October 27, Wang Yi met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. The same day, he travelled to Belgrade, Serbia, for meetings with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic. Explaining the logic behind Wang Yi’s choice of destinations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said: “Greece, Serbia, Albania and Italy are important cooperation partners of China in Europe. China and these four countries boast profound traditional friendship, have close cooperation across the board and share fruitful outcomes in BRI cooperation.” At a press conference (October 27) in Greece, Wang Yi said his trip was meant to “send three clear messages to my friends in Greece and Europe.” “First, China hopes to work with Europe to carry forward the Olympic spirit”. “Second, China hopes to work with Europe to boost connectivity” and “Third, China hopes to work with Europe to promote dialogue among civilizations”: He said “We hope that more European partners will join us in injecting stability and positive energy into China-Europe relations and international cooperation"
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP TO CONVENE ITS SIXTH PLENARY SESSION FROM NOVEMBER 8 - 11 Xinhua (October 18) and the state-run CCTV announced (October 18) that the 19th CCP Central
Committee will hold its sixth plenary session in Beijing from Nov. 8 to 11, during which a key
resolution on the major achievements and historical experience of the Party's 100 years of
endeavours will be reviewed. It said this was decided at a Politburo meeting on October 18, which
was presided over by CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping. It said Xi Jinping also chaired a
symposium to hear from the central committees of the non-CPC political parties, the head of the
All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and individuals with no party affiliation. Xinhua
added that the draft has won wide recognition from various regions, departments, and sides, along
with delegates to the 19th CCP National Congress. Xinhua observed "The Party, the military, and
the public became united as never before. China’s international status has further consolidated". It
also said, “The CPC and the Chinese people have solemnly declared to the world through heroic
and tenacious struggle that the Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up,
becoming rich to becoming strong, and the realisation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
has become a historical inevitability.” CCTV added "The meeting emphasized that in the long
course of the party’s struggle, the Chinese Communists, with Comrades Mao Zedong, Deng
Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao as the main representatives, have united and led the entire
party and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to promote revolution, construction, and
reform, and have made major achievements and accumulated valuable resources." The meeting also
cautioned that "the whole party must bear in mind that it was born in trouble and died in peace,
always think about it, and be prepared for danger in times of peace, continue to promote the new
great project of party building in the new era."
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO DISCUSSES DIGITAL ECONOMY AT ITS MONTHLY 'STUDY SESSION' ON OCTOBER 18 The Politburo held its monthly study session on October 18 to discuss promotion and development of China’s digital economy. It was presided by Xi Jinping who, in his speech, described "the digital economy as fundamental to China's future development" and said “We must seize the opportunities, and seize the commanding heights of future development.“ He added “We must use new Internet technologies to carry out all-round and full-chain transformations of traditional industries.” Xi Jinping also spoke of the integration of digital technology into the “real economy”, like manufacturing, services, and agriculture. He suggested: Accelerating the construction of new digital information infrastructure; Enhancing the competitiveness of key links in the industrial chain; Improving the supply chain system of key industries; and accelerating the iteration of products and services. He said China must also: Investigate and deal with monopoly and unfair competition and strengthen tax supervision and tax inspection.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY XI JINPING COMPRISING HIS REMARKS ON COMMON PROSPERITY The CCP's leading theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi (October 15) published an article by Xi Jinping
captioned 'Solidly promoting common prosperity', which contained remarks on common prosperity
made in his speeches in 2021. Xi Jinping said that "After the reform and opening up, our Party
profoundly summarized both positive and negative historical experiences, realized that poverty is
not socialism, broke the traditional institutional constraints, allowed some people and some regions
to get rich first, and promoted the liberation and development of social productive forces". Since
the 18th Party Congress, it said, the Party Central Committee has "put the gradual realization of
common prosperity for all people on a more important position, promoted coordinated regional
development, taken strong measures to protect and improve people's livelihood, won the battle
against poverty, and built a moderately prosperous society, creating good conditions for promoting
common prosperity". It said that "Now, it has reached the historical stage of solidly promoting
common prosperity". It added that the promotion of common prosperity for all people must be the
focus point for the people's happiness and continuously strengthen the Party's long-term ruling
foundation. Pointing out that "the global income inequality problem is prominent, some countries
are divided between the rich and the poor,", the article emphasised: "Our country must resolutely
prevent polarization, promote common wealth, and achieve social harmony and stability". It added
"At the same time, it must be soberly recognized that the problem of unbalanced and inadequate
development in China is still prominent, with a large gap between urban and rural regional
development and income distribution". Xi Jinping said "Common prosperity is the essential
requirement of socialism and an important feature of Chinese-style modernization. The common
affluence we are talking about is the common affluence of all people, the affluence of both the
material and spiritual life of the people, not the affluence of a few, nor the neat and uniform
egalitarianism". The article identified this as the goal for the middle of this century.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-MEDIA: POPULAR CHINESE FINANCIAL PUBLICATION PLACED ON BANNED LIST BY CYBERSPACE ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA The Cyberspace Administration of China announced on October 21 an approved list of some 1,300 domestic media outlets, social media accounts and government agencies, banning internet news providers from using other sources. Caixin -- a financial news organization that has reported on official corruption, pollution issues and public anger at the government -- has been put on this banned list meaning its articles cannot appear on the internet platforms such as Sina.com that are popular ways for the Chinese public to consume news. Meanwhile, Ant has exited its stake in Caixin.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS-2022: THREE PERSONS PROTEST HOLDING OF BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS AT TORCH LIGHTING CEREMONY IN ANCIENT OLYMPIA The Olympic torch lighting ceremony, held on October 18 in Ancient Olympia, Greece, prior to
the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, was disrupted by three people protesting China's treatment of
Uyghurs and Tibetans. A press conference organized by a separate group of activists in Athens the
following day denounced China's human rights violations as the Olympic torch heads to
Beijing. The torch-lighting ceremony had a small audience due to COVID restrictions, though top
figures such as Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and International Olympic Committee
president Thomas Bach attended. The torch will also be taken directly by plane from Greece to
Beijing this year instead of being transported by relays of athletes traversing 20 countries
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER ZHAO KEZHI PRESIDED OVER ENLARGED PARTY COMMITTEE MEETING OF MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY The Legal Daily (October 19) reported on the enlarged meeting of the Party Committee of the
Ministry of Public Security on October 16 to convey the spirit of the Ministry of Public Security’s
third work report and the spirit of the Ministry of Public Security’s third work report. State
Councillor, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security, and Minister Zhao
Kezhi presided over a meeting of the Party Committee. The Legal Daily said "the bureau and 8
bureau-level units under the Ministry promoted investigation, correction, rectification, and report
on the work of eliminating the effects of poisoning". Zhao Kezhi stressed the need to "thoroughly
study and implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the spirit of the
CPC Central Committee decisions and arrangements, to enhance the "four consciousness" firm "four
self-confidence", so that "two maintenance", continued to deepen political Sun Lijun eliminate the
pernicious influence of gangs Work, continue to advance the work of investigation, correction and
rectification, to ensure that the goals and tasks set by the Party Central Committee are completed
with high quality". It said, "the education and rectification of the second batch of political and legal
teams across the country entered the stage of investigation, correction and reform". It included
repeated references to "Sun Lijun political gangs" and their serious violation of law, elimination of
"the pernicious influence of political gangs as a top priority" and regard practically clarifying
the serious violation of law by the Sun Lijun political gangs. The meeting asserted: "We must focus
on political loyalty, persist in learning and education throughout, thoroughly study and implement
the spirit of the important precepts of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, and earnestly
build the foundation of faith, supplement the spirit of the spirit, and stabilize the ideological rudder,
from the ideological, political, and organizational In the above and work style, thoroughly eliminate
the poisonous influence of Sun Lijun's political gang, and strive to build a loyal and vigilant soul",
insisting "We must continue to deepen the rectification of stubborn diseases". Wang Xiaohong,
Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public
Security, and members of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security attended the meeting.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CPPCC MEMBER AND FORMER CHINESE VICE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC SECURITY PROPOSES NEED FOR CONCEPT OF MUTUAL SECURITY Chen Zhimin, China’s Vice Minister for Public Security until 2017 and currently a member of the
CPPCC, was quoted by South China Morning Post (October 21) as telling a panel organised by the
Beijing-backed Boao Forum in Changsha, Hunan province, on October 18 that “In the face of
challenges, countries need to establish a concept of mutual security. [Nations should] agree to share
intelligence, rules, education and experiences – including hi-tech and big data components – on
security matters, in order to achieve a new model of global development.” The South China Morning
Post added that China’s latest five-year plan identified “protecting the rights and interests of Chinese
overseas investments” as a key goal to ensure national “economic security”, acknowledging that
there were increasing risks and uncertainties regarding the safety of China’s wide range of overseas
projects under its Belt and Road Initiative. Lu Wei, an expert at Zhongan Security Services, a
government-backed company that was among the first to provide security training and protection
for Chinese investment overseas, was quoted as telling Beijing Youth Daily it was clear that the belt
and road scheme had been facing bigger security threats due to rising global terrorism threats and
growing negative impressions about China. “There needs to be speedy legislation on protecting
overseas investment, so there can be legal grounds for taking action. Secondly, there needs to be a
government-level warning mechanism that issues alerts, guidance, and emergency response
protocols for any huge security risk, in order to minimise the loss of life and financial costs related
to overseas Chinese investments. Thirdly, there needs to be a functioning international cooperation
mechanism with the investment recipient country, as their public security abilities are always critical
to the safety of Chinese-funded projects.”
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMIC: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL ISSUE MASTER PLAN FOR CHENGDU-CHONGQING ECONOMIC CIRCLE Xinhua (October 21) reported that the CCP CC and State Council issued a Notification on October
20, publicising the Master Plan for the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle in
southwest China. The plan aims to turn the Chengdu-Chongqing area into an economic circle with
its own strengths and distinctive features, as well as a new driver and an important growth engine
of the country's high-quality development. It said by 2025, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle
will witness significant increases in economic strength, development vitality and international
influence, and about 66 percent of its permanent residents are expected to be living in urban areas.
In five years, it will take only an hour to travel between Chongqing and Chengdu, it said. The area
will enjoy a railway network of more than 9,000 km that covers all the cities with a population of
over 200,000, while a shipping centre and a logistics centre for the upper Yangtze River will be
basically established. All urban areas and key scenes will be covered by the 5G network, and the
economic circle will see a marked improvement in new infrastructure and stronger capabilities in
safeguarding energy security. The area is expected to see spending on research and development
reach around 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product, while the contribution rate of scientific and
technological progress will hit 63 percent. Breakthroughs will be made in the construction of major
opening-up platforms such as the pilot free trade zones in Chongqing and Sichuan by 2025,
providing stronger support for the joint construction of the Belt and Road, according to the document.
By 2035, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle will become an active growth pole and a
powerful driver with international influence, it said.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE RELEASES REPORT DETAILING Chinese OFFICES AND OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPRESSION IN XINJIANG A new report released on October 18 by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an
Australian research organization, reveals new details about how the Chinese Communist Party —
and specifically who within the party — is carrying out its campaign of repression in Xinjiang. The
report uncovers the actual offices and individuals implementing the Chinese government's forced
labour policies in Xinjiang. Entitled "The Architecture of Repression: Unpacking Xinjiang's
Governance," the report maps out 170 government bureaus in Xinjiang, identifies 440 top local
officials, and reveals a return to mass political campaigns there.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY URGES "PEOPLE'S WAR" TO COUNTER CIA SETTING UP NE 'CHINA MISSION CENTRE' The South China Morning Post (October 17) said the PLA Daily has called for a “people’s war” to
defeat American espionage after the CIA set up the China Mission Centre on October 7, which CIA
Director William Burns said was aimed at countering “the most important geopolitical threat” of
the century, has gone viral on Chinese social media. A widely circulated video clip in the past few
days, carried by many state-controlled media outlets, claimed that the CIA was recruiting Chinesespeaking operatives who understood Mandarin as well as Cantonese, Hakka, and Shanghainese. The
PLA Daily post on social media says, ‘no cunning fox can defeat a good hunter’ and says the military
is relying on the people to look out for spies.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA SUCCESSFULLY TESTS NUCLEAR-CAPABLE HYPERSONIC MISSILE The Financial Times reported (October 17) that China secretly tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic
missile which orbited the globe before returning to Earth to strike its target in a technological
development that would overcome US anti-ballistic missile systems. The report, which cited five
unnamed intelligence sources, said the Chinese military launched the Long March rocket in August
carrying a “hypersonic glide vehicle” into low orbit. It circled the globe before descending towards
its target, which it missed by about two dozen miles. It quoted sources as saying the system would
be able to overcome US anti-ballistic missile defence systems that are based in Alaska and set up to
shoot down projectiles coming over the North Pole — the Chinese system would be able to strike
the US from the south. It added the incident has left US intelligence officials at the Pentagon stunned,
sources say, as it shows China has made astonishing progress on the development of its hypersonic
weapons.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: SATELLITE PHOTOS REVEAL CHINA HAS UPGRADED THREE AIR BASES IN FUJIAN PROVINCE The South China Morning Post (October 15) cited satellite photos captured by Planet Labs and first
published by American tech and military site The Drive, which revealed that China is upgrading
and reinforcing three airbases closest to Taiwan along its southeastern coast in Fujian province. It
said that the airbases in Fujian province will give long-term logistical air combat support to the
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which mounted a record 149 sorties into Taiwan’s
air defence identification zone over four consecutive days from October 1. It suggested this could
be an indication that Beijing may be stepping up its plans to take the island by force.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: RETIRED PLA SR. COLONEL OUYANG WEI SAYS CHINA FACES SERIOUS THREATS AT ITS LAND AND SEA BORDERS The South China Morning Post (October 17) said that retired PLA Senior Colonel Ouyang Wei,
who after retiring from the PLA National Defence University is now working with the Grandview
Institution, said in a recent report that China faces increasingly serious challenges at its land and sea
borders on almost every side and must urgently reinforce its defences in these regions. The
assessment from Ouyang Wei, a retired professor with the PLA National Defence University, in a
report written on October 12 and titled 'Current Situation in the Building and Development of
China's Border and Coastal Defence' has been published as the US steps up its military presence in
the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, and uncertainties grow on China’s land borders with
India, Afghanistan, Myanmar and North Korea. In the report, Ouyang said the country was facing
encroachment, secession, and terrorism in some border areas. India-specific comments by Ouyang
Wei state "India takes China as a strategic contestant and adopts an approach of “defending the north
and advancing eastward”. It has deployed forces of comparative advantage against China in the
disputed land border areas, intensifying its encroachment on China's territory. At the same time, it
has increased its budget in naval forces and implemented the “Act East Policy” to push into the
Pacific Ocean. Joining the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” system, India vigorously interacts with the
United States, Japan, and Australia. It keeps monitoring and preventing China from expansion into
the Indian Ocean.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA INSISTS ON US$ 38 MILLION COMPENSATION FOR NINE ENGINEERS WHO DIED AT DASU DAM PROJECT ON JULY 14 China has demanded US$ 38 million compensation for the nine dead Chinese engineers at the Dasu
Dam Project.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TOUGH GLOBAL TIMES EDITORIAL WARNS TAIWAN'S DPP NOT TO BE MISGUIDED BY U.S. ASSURANCES A hard-hitting Global Times (October 14) editorial reacted to US officials describing US-Taiwan
relations as "rock solid" and as having "condemned the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s
drills in the Taiwan Straits region as "destabilizing and only increase the risk of miscalculation."
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA-BHUTAN SIGN MOU VIRTUALLY ON OCTOBER 14 AGREEING TO A 3-STEP PROCESS FOR SETTLING BOUNDARY DISPUTE AS AN "IMPORTANT FOUNDATION FOR ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS" A Global Times article (October 14) and a Global Times editorial (October 15), both reporting on
the MoU signed between China and Bhutan on October 14 agreeing to a three-step plan for settling
the boundary issue, were very critical of India. Reflecting the current tensions and strained bilateral
relations, the Global Times articles accused India of preparing to play the spoiler when actual
negotiations begin or reach a crucial stage. They also stated that: "According to a list of facts
released by the Xinhua News Agency, the 1890 Convention has made it clear that the China-India
boundary in the Sikkim sector commences at Mount Ji Mu Ma Zhen on the Bhutan frontier.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA'S RITUAL OFFERING AT YASUKUNI SHRINE PROVOKES CHINESE REACTION The Global Times (October 17) said the new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a "bad
start" by sending a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where the war criminals are
enshrined, on October 17, only two weeks after he took office. It said by following in the footsteps
of his predecessors Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga, he had demonstrated again the rise of rightwing conservative forces in Tokyo. Chinese observers warned that the foundation of China-Japan
ties is being eroded through a series of provocative moves.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: CICIR PRESIDENT YUAN PENG GIVES INTERVIEW TO SINA.FINANCE ON SINO-US RELATIONS Sina Finance published its interview (in Chinese) with CICIR President Yuan Peng on Sino-US relations on October 21. In his interview Yuan Peng said, "There is a deep-rooted tradition in the United States in dealing with international relations "from a position of strength".
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-UK: LEADING BRITISH PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE MAKING MILLIONS OF POUNDS FROM CLOSE TIES WITH CHINESE ENTITIES The London Times (October 18) disclosed that their investigation revealed that leading English
private schools are making tens of millions of pounds from franchises with close ties to the Chinese
Communist Party. The board of Harrow International School Hong Kong, whose sprawling campus
was built with an interest-free £22.5 million loan from the Hong Kong government, includes four
senior
Communist Party members.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. COURT CLEARS CHINESE-ORIGIN U.S. ACADEMIC OF ESPIONAGE CHARGES Professor Anming Hu, who was arrested last year for wire fraud and false statements but was
acquitted by a judge in September, has been offered his position back at the University of Tennessee.
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick said in a letter to Anming Hu on October 14
that he could have his job back with tenure an as engineering professor. He was also given support
for his work visa, back pay, payment for an immigration attorney and $200,000 over the next three
years to get his research started again. Federal prosecutors went after Hu for not saying he worked
part-time at a Chinese university in an application for a NASA-funded research grant. The judge
said that Hu never had anyone from China work on the project, nor did he ever take money from
China. The judge also said that NASA’s funding restrictions were unclear
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES CENTRAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS WORK CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 13 AND 14 Addressing the central People's Congress work conference in Beijing on October 13 and 14, Xi
Jinping delivered an "important speech", emphasising that the People’s Congress system conforms
to China’s national conditions and reality, reflects the nature of a socialist country, ensures that the
people are the masters of the country, and guarantees the realisation of the great rejuvenation of the
Chinese nation. Describing it as a good system and "a brand-new political system of great
significance in the history of political development in China and even in the history of world
political development", he said the people's congress system must be strengthened and improved.
Politburo Standing Committee Members Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han
Zheng, and Vice President Wang Qishan attended the meeting. Li Zhanshu, member of the Standing
Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Standing
Committee of the National People's Congress, made the concluding speech "around studying and
implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech". CCTV (October 14)
said that "Party secretaries and comrades in charge of the Standing Committee of the National
People’s Congress of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the
Central Government, deputy directors of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress at the
provincial level, major comrades in charge of various departments of the central and state organs,
relevant people’s organizations, and relevant departments of the Central Military Commission, the
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and various specialized Relevant
responsible comrades of the committee and the working committee of the Standing Committee
attended the meeting".
Oct 2021 |
CHINA--LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND SECRETARY OF POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION AFFIRMS SUPPORT TO PARTY'S DECISION TO INVESTIGATE SUN LIJUN AND FU ZHENHUA Xinhua (October 8) reported that Politburo member and secretary of the CCP CC's Central Political
and Legal Committee chaired the second national political and legal team education and rectification
work promotion meeting on October 8 where he emphasised that he firmly supported the Party
Central Committee's decision to thoroughly implement the Party Central Committee's deployment
and increase efforts to promote the education and rectification of political and legal teams. Guo
Shengkun also expressed firm supports for the Party Central Committee's decision to deal with Sun
Lijun's serious violations of discipline and law and the decision to conduct disciplinary review and
supervision and investigation of Fu Zhenghua's suspected serious violations of discipline and law.
He added "We must resolutely and thoroughly eliminate the poisonous influence, insist on real hard
work, and resolutely clean up in place". Zhao Kezhi, Zhou Qiang and Zhang Jun were present.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LI GUANGMAN PERSISTS WITH HIS ASSESSMENT THAT CHINA IS IN THE MIDST OF "PROFOUND TRANSFORMATION" In a post to his WeChat public account on October 9, Li Guangman, who came to prominence for
his article declaring China to be in the midst of a “profound revolution” and which was reproduced
by China's prominent official newspapers, reiterated that a “profound transformation” is underway
in China, with deep implications for politics, business, culture and the media. He first quoted the
notice issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of new draft rules
unambiguously prohibiting the involvement of all “non-public capital” (非公有资本) – meaning
private capital of any kind, domestic or foreign – in news gathering, production and dissemination.
While restrictions on news content and its production are of course not news in China, these new
rules are so salient and broad in their prohibitions that they seem to remove all strategic ambiguity.
The second media case he cited was the detention on October 7 in Hainan of well-known
entrepreneur and former professional journalist Luo Changping, who was charged with insulting
and defaming the martyrs of Chinese history by criticizing a new film about China’s involvement
in the Korean War. Luo’s detention, widely reported by state-run media, underscores the resolve of the Chinese Communist Party leadership in policing the bounds of the CCP’s official narratives, the
stories and mythologies that undergird its power and legitimacy.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA CARRIES OUT AMPHIBIOUS AND BEACH LANDING EXERCISES ON SOUTHERN FUJIAN COAST Reuters reported (October 11) that the PLA had carried out beach landing and assault drills in the
province directly across the sea from Taiwan. It said that in a brief report on its Weibo
microblogging account, the official People's Liberation Army Daily newspaper said the drills had
been carried out "in recent days" in the southern part of Fujian province. The PLA Daily added that
the action had involved "shock" troops, sappers and boat specialists. Troops were "divided into
multiple waves to grab the beach and perform combat tasks at different stages". It provided no
further details. It showed a video of soldiers in small boats storming a beach, throwing smoke
grenades, breaking through barbed wire defenses and digging trenches in the sand. The drills
appeared to involve a small number of troops.
(Comment: China routinely carries out military exercises up and down its coast as well as in the
disputed South China Sea.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA ANNOUNCES ITS ASTRONAUTS FOR CHINA'S FIRST SPACE STATION MISSION On October 14, China disclosed a young crew for its coming Shenzhou-13 mission, including Wang
Yaping, who will be the first female Chinese astronaut to visit the country’s first space station and
carry out extravehicular activities. Zhai Zhigang, 55, Ye Guangfu, 41, and Wang Yaping, 41, have
been selected to carry out the mission. The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO)
said at a press conference that Zhai Zhigang is the commander. The Shenzhou-13 spacecraft is
scheduled to blast off at 00:23 a.m. on October 16 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in
northern China.
(Comment: This will be China's longest space mission.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGZHOU ((CANTON TRADE FAIR FOR FIRST TIME INVITES DOMESTIC BUYERS The Canton Fair, China’s biggest twice-yearly trade exposition, has for the first time sent invitations
to eligible domestic buyers as the country’s pandemic control measures prevent foreign buyers from
attending in person. Caixin (October 14) commented that the China Import and Export Fair, held
every spring and fall in Guangzhou, is widely seen as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. The
theme of this year’s fair is China's “dual circulation” strategy for building up the domestic consumer
economy.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE STATEMENTS CONTINUE TO ASSERT THAT INDIA IS MAKING "UNREASONAB;E" DEMANDS REGARDING THE BORDER AND AFFIRM THAT CHINESE FORCES WILL NOT PULL BACK A second Global Times (October 11)article referred to the PLA Western Theatre Command
statement released on October 11 saying that "China has made tremendous efforts to ease and calm
the border situation, while India insisted on unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding
difficulties to the negotiations". It quoted the PLA Western Theatre Command statement that
"China's determination to safeguard sovereignty is unwavering, and China hopes India will not
misjudge the situation". It said "the "status quo" that India referred to is to legitimize their
continuous encroachment on Chinese territory. India's statement said the "resolution of the
remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations." This shows the Indian side's
current attitude of linking border disputes with overall China-India relations and trying to coerce
the Chinese side to make concessions". It said the border issue between China and India remains
stuck because the "Indian side still hasn't developed a correct attitude in the negotiations. It always
makes unrealistic demands not in line with the real situation or its strength". It added that "New
Delhi anticipates Beijing softening its stance over the border issue and yielding to its demands to
prevent New Delhi from aligning itself with Washington against Beijing" and that "such an
opportunistic attitude has lowered India's status in international politics as a major power, because
this tactic will not work between great powers. The border issue is related to the dignity of all nations.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FORMER PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG'S AIDE SAYS CHINA WOULD BE UNWILLING TO TAKE TAIWAN UNLESS IN A SURPRISE MOVE Prof. Wu Guoguang (吴国光), Zhao Ziyang's former aide, was interviewed by Yomiuri Shimbun
(Yomiuri News) about China under XJP in July and August and the interview was published by
Intium News on October 9. In response to the question that some experts in Japan have analysed or
predicted that the CCP will attack the outlying islands around Taiwan in the near future, such as
Taiping Island or Dongsha and that might entail the CCP paying a higher price for Taiwan’s actions,
such as the United States, Prof. Wu Guoguang replied "I don't understand military strategy and
tactics.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TELEPHONES NEW JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA On October 8, Chinese President Xi Jinping telephoned his new Japanese counterpart, Fumio
Kishida. They agreed that maintaining stable relations is the best way forward – for both countries,
and for the global community. The South China Morning Post Quoted Xi Jinping as having
said“[Our] two countries…should properly handle major sensitive issues concerning history and
Taiwan among others, [and] properly manage [our] differences.” It said Kishida agreed, but noted
that Japan would“’[S]ay what needs to be said’ regarding China’s perceived shortcomings in
upholding human rights and the rule of law.”
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: SECRETARY GENERAL OF CCP CC'S POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION RECENTLY ANNOUNCED EXPANSION OF 'GRID MANAGEMENT' SYSTEM TO GRASSROOTS LEVEL ACROSS CHINA The official website of China's powerful Political and Legal Affairs Commission on September 22,
disclosed that Chen Yixin, Secretary General of the CCP CC's Political and Legal Affairs
Commission (PLAC), recently visited the city of Shenzhen.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER MINISTER OF JUSTICE FU ZHENGHUA IS UNDER INVESTIGATION Within days of the announcement that former Vice Minister of Public Security Sun Lijun had been
expelled from the CCP and is to face trial, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission notified
on October 2 that a former Chinese justice minister has become a target of President Xi Jinping's
anti-corruption campaign. Fu Zhenghua, who was also a former vice minister of public security,
is under investigation for severe violations of party discipline and law. It is unclear why 66 year
old Fu Zhenghu would become a target of the campaign. He was the long time head of public
security for Beijing and Vice Minister of Public Security from 2013 to 2018. He then served as
Minister of Justice from 2018 to 2020. When he was Vice Minister for Public Security, Fu
Zhenghua led the probe against Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang, one of
the most senior officials convicted in the anti-corruption campaign. An interesting aspect of these
investigations of senior Public Security officials is observation of the Central Discipline
Inspection Commission that Sun Lijun had “extremely bloated political ambition, vile political
quality.” The allegations levelled against him are grave and stated that to fulfil his personal
political goals, Sun Lijun groomed rebels within the Chinese Communist Party, spent much effort
forming interest groups to control key government departments, and seriously undermined the
unity and political security of the party, according to the allegations. He is also accused of blatantly
selling official posts and inserting his trusted minions in positions, which severely damaged the
political and legal environment of the Public Security Ministry. Sun Lijun was secretary to Meng
Jianzhu, a former Minister of Public Security, and a close ally of Deputy Prime Minister Han
Zheng, who heads the central leading group on Hong Kong and Macau affairs.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ENERGY: POWER CUTS IN CHINA LEAD TO RISE IN ELECTRICITY PRICES China News (October 1) reported that since August, over 20 provinces in China have issued notices
to limit electricity usage. This has caused blackouts in certain regions. The power plants are faced
with increased electricity demand while there is a coal shortage and thus coal prices are higher.
They are operating at a loss because the electricity price is set according to State Council guidelines.
Starting in July, over eight provinces have increased the price of electricity, but they are still within
the 10 percent ceiling previously required by the State Council. Several provinces introduced peak
demand pricing to normalize the usage. Currently the electricity price increase is aimed at business
electricity consumption rather than at residential use. On September 29, the National Development
and Reform Commission issued a notice calling for increased coal production while enabling the
coal power plants to set a price that is market driven and reflects the changes in demand and cost.
The central authorities said it is expected that this wave of price increases will continue to expand.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ENERGY: CHINESE RESEARCHER CHALLENGES ESTIMATES THAT CHINA HAS FUNDED 70 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS A Chinese researcher Tan Hao, Associate Prof. at the University of Newcastle Business School
recently (September 28) challenged in the FT Chinese that international estimates that China had
funded 70 per cent of the world's coal-fired power plants. He said "China provided financial
support to a total of 81GW of coal-fired power stations worldwide from 2009 to 2020. Meanwhile,
a total of 335 GW of coal-fired power projects outside of China have been completed during this
period. In other words, in the past 12 years, Chinese-funded projects accounted for only about 11%
of the world’s newly operating coal power projects. Only in three years (2013, 2018, and 2020),
more than 20% of the completed coal power projects involved Chinese funds. In seven of the 12
years, China-funded overseas coal-fired power projects accounted for less than 10%."
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: PENPA TSERING, SIKYONG OF THE TIBET CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION IN DHARAMSHALA, MET TAIWAN'S REPRESENTATIVE IN DELHI Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, met Taiwan's
Representative to India Ambassador Baushuan Ger at the latter's office on October 4 for an hourlong meeting when they discussed issues of mutual interest and concern. Penpa Tsering was on a
three-day visit to Delhi from October 3-5.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: LARGEST NUMBER OF CHINESE PLAAF AIRCRAFT VIOLATE TAIWAN'S ADIZ ON CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY ON OCTOBER 1 Beijing marked its National Day on October 1, with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan
to date, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H6 bombers. First 25 PLA aircraft (J-16*18, SU-30*4, H-6*2 and Y-8 ASW) entered the Taiwan's
southwest ADIZ and later the same day another batch of 13 fighter aircraft (ten J-16s, two H-6s
and one KJ-500) flew into Taiwan's ADIZ. On October 2 another 39 aircraft of different types
entered the ADIZ. The 20 PLA aircraft were fourteen J-16 fighter jets, four Su-30 fighter jets, and
two Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Last week 24 Chinese warplanes flew into the area after
Taiwan applied to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact. On October 3, a US State Department
statement reiterated the interest of the United States in ensuring regional peace and security and
said it "is very concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s provocative military activity near
Taiwan, which is destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability.
We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion against
Taiwan".
(Comment: Last year, PLAAF jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan's defence zone, and
the number of breaches for the first nine months of this year has already exceeded 500.)
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: HARD-HITTING ARTICLE IN GLOBAL TIMES WARNS INDIA AGAINST CONTINUING "ENCROACHMENTS" OF CHINESE TERRITORY The Global Times (October 10) published a hard-hitting article using language warning India.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE AMBASSADOR REITERATES OFFICIAL CHINESE POSITION ON CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY ON OCTOBER 1 The Indian newspaper Print quoted the Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong as saying on
the occasion of China's 72nd National Day on October 1 that “China and India should properly
handle differences. We should place the boundary question in an appropriate position in bilateral
relations and speak a fair, reasonable mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and
consultations.” He said “Both sides need to meet each other halfway to move the situation towards
stability and shift it from urgent dispute settlement to regular management and control, so as to
jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity of the border area,” and “should stick to the right
direction of bilateral relations.” He added “We should view the bilateral ties from a historical and
strategic perspective, and uphold the strategic consensus that China and India are opportunities of
development and cooperation partners to each other instead of being threats or competitive
rivals. ”Both sides need to meet each other halfway to move the situation towards stability and shift it from urgent dispute settlement to regular management and control, so as to jointly safeguard
the peace and tranquillity of the border area.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. CALLS FOR AVOIDING "MISCOMMUNICATION, MISCALCULATION AND UNINTENDED CONFLICT" After the US Central Intelligence Agency launched a China Mission Centre, Chinese Ambassador
to the US, Qin Gang said in an article published (October 10) by the South China Morning Post,
that “Some people in the US, immersed in their delusions that they are James Bond, simply can’t
resist the urge to act out their own drama. Haven’t they been worn out by such meaningless and
harmful actions? Why not give themselves a break?” He said both countries should “avoid
miscommunication, miscalculation and unintended conflict” to put bilateral relations back on track.
Saying "It is normal for us to have economic competition and trade frictions. The key is how to
deal with them,” he added “We are willing to have further communication with the US side,
properly manage differences, and jointly create conditions to expand the positive side of our
relations on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.” Qin Gang also said Chinese
firms are finding it more difficult to invest in the US and list on US stock markets and that more
than 900 Chinese companies were subject to various restrictions and the US had used national
security as an excuse to target Chinese firms.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: 10,000 CHINESE WAITING AT RUILI BORDER TOWN TO RETURN TO CHINA The Global Times (October 2) said that due to the turbulent political situation and worsening
coronavirus infection, over 10,000 Chinese nationals are waiting at the China-Myanmar border
city of Ruili, to turn themselves in, in order to return to China, putting great pressure on the border
city Ruili as it struggles to fight imported COVID-19 cases. It quoted an anonymous Ruili
government official as saying the flow of Chinese nationals, who plan to turn themselves in,
waiting to cross the border into China hasn't stopped since June.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-GERMANY: DUOWEI OBSERVES THAT UNDER MERKEL GERMANY HAS LAGGED BEHIND IN DIGITAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND NUCLEAR ENERGY The US-based pro-Xi Jinping overseas Chinese news outlet, Duowei, on October 3, while
assessing the situation after the general elections in Germany described Merkel as "a rather stable
and mature leader, rather than an open leader who is determined to make progress". It called her
leadership style more than conservative and less enterprising. In the process, it said, "the Merkel
administration was conservative and missed the opportunity of a new round of industrial revolution
represented by digital information technology". This misstep has caused Germany and the EU as
a whole to lag behind China and the United States in the emerging digital technology industry.
Taking the Internet industry as an example, there is currently no leading Internet company in the
EU that is capable of supporting global competition. At the same time, the entire European Union's
Internet market is under the monopoly control of US Internet giants. It added that outside the field
of digital technology also, Germany under Merkel did not have any forward-looking policy in the
field of new energy. The most obvious of these was the decision to hurriedly abandon the nuclear
power plant after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan. However, this expedient
measure caused Germany's to lag in the field of new energy, and brought a profound negative
impact on Germany's own energy security. This is a serious challenge for Germany, which has
long used thermal power generation as the mainstream, and nuclear power, which was originally
the first choice for new energy sources, was completely abandoned by Berlin after the Fukushima
accident. In this situation, the Merkel authorities have to turn to rely on natural gas that is scarce
in the European Union-according to the European Commission's 2019 data, 77% of the EU's
natural gas demand depends on imports-for the "green power generation transition." This in turn
provides the two major powers outside the EU, the United States and Russia, with the "natural
gas" brand that they dream of and can directly influence the EU's foreign decision-making.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: SPECULATION THAT SIXTH PARTY PLENUM IN NOVEMBER MAY PASS 'HISTORIC RESOLUTION' The Hongkong-based Ming Pao (September 9) asking whether this year's Sixth Plenary Session
will really pass a third "historical resolution", observed that the earlier two such resolutions by
Mao and Deng had negated the line of the former 'dynasty'.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VIRTUALLY ADDRESSES 13TH BRICS SUMMIT Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 13th BRICS Summit on September 8. He noted that
China will chair the BRICS Summit in 2022, and looked forward to deepening cooperation in
various fields with its BRICS partners to build a closer, more pragmatic partnership, and to jointly
tackle common challenges. Leaders of the five BRICS countries - China, Russia, Brazil, South
Africa, and India - met virtually on September 8 for talks chaired by Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: GUANGDONG AND BEIJING PARTY SECRETARIES AND PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT VICE MINISTER SEPARATELY LEAD DELEGATIONS TO TAR Politburo member and Guangdong Party Secretary 1956-born Li Xi and Guangdong Governor
Ma Xingrui led a Guangdong Party and Government delegation to Linzhi (Nyingchi) City and
Lhasa from September 2 - 4, 2021.
(Comment: Li Xi was named a member of the CCP Politburo at the 19th Party Congress. Shortly
after the Party Congress in October, Li Xi was transferred to take over the politically important
province of Guangdong from Hu Chunhua. Born in 1959, Ma Xingrui is recognised as one of
China's top scientists. He received a bachelor's degree at Fuxin Mining College (now Liaoning
University of Technology) in 1982, and went on to graduate school for general mechanics
at Tianjin University. He earned his doctorate in mechanics at Harbin Institute of
Technology (HIT). He was named a Professor at HIT in 1991. He joined the CCP in January
1988.)
- Cai Qi, Party Secretary of Beijing, led a delegation to TAR from September 5-6, 2021, to inspect
'counterpart' assistance to Tibet.
- Yu Cenxi, Vice Minister of the CCP CC Propaganda Department and Director of the State
Administration of Radio and Television, also travelled to Tibet for inspection visits to Nyingchi
and Lhasa.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC ARTICLE DECLARES THAT THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY MUST NOT HARM THE STATE'S INTEREST An article posted on the official website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC)
on August 31, declared that the entertainment industry must not harm the state’s interest. The
article comes in the wake of the CCP crackdown on the entertainment industry and recent broader
clampdown on the private sector. Private capital has been blamed for contributing to the risks of
data breaches, education inequality, the disintegration of the Chinese culture, threatening social
stability, harming state security, among other deep seated concerns. According to the State Council
Information Office in 2019, the value-added of China’s entertainment industry reached 4,436.3
billion yuan, accounting for 4.5 percent of China’s GDP. Stating that money has been driving the
growth and the chaos in the entertainment industry, the article said entertainment stars induce and
influence fans’ consumption habits (particularly young people), ultimately eroding the socialist
ideology. It said “Entertainment is by no means mere singing, dancing, and playing music, but an
important battlefield for ideological and cultural work. It is an important part of the superstructure
[a Marxist term referring to culture, political power, and the state], and it is critical to Party [CCP]
work. If capital is allowed to expand unfettered, entertainment will fail its role of serving the people
and socialism, and it will disintegrate the spiritual homeland of the Chinese nation.” It said the
entertainment industry "cannot harm state interests; and it cannot corrupt Party members and
leading cadres, let alone seek improper political gains.”
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: U.S.-BASED CHINA AEROSPACE STUDIES INSTITUTE ASSESSES THAT RECENT MISSILE 'LIVE FIRE' TEST BY CHINA INDICATES ONLY LIMITED IMPROVEMENT IN WARHEADS The U.S.-based China Aerospace Studies Institute in its report in August 2021, stated that on 13 August, the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) conducted a live fire missile launch, likely from the 1st Test and Training District in Jilantai. The missiles impacted at least two targets parked on the apron of the runway at the PLARF’s Ruqiang Target Impact Area which is roughly 1400km west of Jilantai. It said the lack of observed cratering beyond two target impacts suggests the PLARF used unitary warheads for both missiles. The two targets were almost certainly simulating unsheltered aircraft at an airbase. Given the PLA’s wide definition of jamming, the warheads could be fitted with electro-optical, infrared, or a radar-based guidance system that is jam-resistant. Individuals associated with 613 Brigade have published articles discussing radar signal processing, suggesting that some of the warheads used by 613 Brigade have a radar guidance system, although there is no way to determine if such research efforts are tied to the warheads used on 13 August. The impact area also reveals no substantive improvements to warhead accuracy or destructive power. This missile launch event almost certainly featured a new system of some kind and indicates that the PLARF has modernized yet another missile brigade with a Taiwan-centric mission set. The China Aerospace Studies Institute assessed, however, that this new system does not appear to represent a dramatic improvement in PLARF capabilities. Rather, the PLA likely intends to create a deterrent effect by highlighting what is a relatively limited improvement in capability. The PLA openly talks about revealing advanced weapons and conducting military exercises as ways of deterring or coercing its adversaries. With each deterrent activity, the PLA emphasizes the need for there to be some real capability behind the activity, demonstrated resolve, and for the information on the activity to be transmitted to the adversary’s population. In this instance, there is some limited capability behind the activity, in that the weapon system in question is real and marginally improves the PLARF’s overall capabilities.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND VICE PREMIER LIU HE SEND MESSAGES TO REASSURE CHINESE TECH ENTREPRENEURS Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the International Research Centre of Sustainable
Development for Big Data, which launched a forum on big data and sustainable development goals
in Beijing on September 6. He said establishment of the international research centre underpinned
his promise to support the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the letter
Xi Jinping said “At present, the world is suffering from the huge impact of the new crown
pneumonia epidemic. Technological innovation and the application of big data will help the
international community overcome difficulties and implement the 2030 Agenda.” Separately,
Xinhua (September 6) reported that Vice Premier Liu He delivered the opening remarks at the
2021 China International Digital Economy Expo via video link on September 6. In his remarks he
said the digital economy is key to innovation (Xinhua) and “[We] need to develop the digital
economy with a strong sense of innovation and urgency.” He also emphasised the importance of
cultivating tech talent to provide the imagination and ingenuity necessary to build an innovative
economy adding that the government will look to support the development of the tech industry by
improving the legal environment, including by protecting fair competition and opposing
monopolies. Liu, He assured the gathering that “[Our] policy of supporting the development of the
private economy has not changed…and will not change in the future!” The South China Morning
Post (September 6) quoted Jia Kang, a former Director of the Ministry of Finance’s Research
Institute for Fiscal Science, as having said in a speech last month at a Chengdu forum that “Under
the current complex and changing situation, we need to give the public, especially those leading
private companies a sense of direction, safety and hope.” A People's Daily (September 8) editorial
reinforced their message and explained that “The regulations and policies introduced treat
[everyone] equally” and that “[They’re] aimed at violations of laws and regulations, and by no
means single out specific industries or companies.” The Editorial said in conclusion that “The
commitment to create a good environment and provide more opportunities for the development of
the non-public sector of the economy have not changed.”
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S WEALTHY TECH COMPANIES BEGIN CONTRIBUTING TO "COMMON PROSPERITY" INITIATIVES Following Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at a meeting of the Central Commission for
Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA), in which he vowed to tackle inequality and promote
“common prosperity", China's tech companies have begun funding "common prosperity"
initiatives. On September 2, the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. pledged RMB 100 billion to fund
“common prosperity” initiatives. Earlier other wealthy tech companies like TenCent have pledged
RMB 100 billion for a raft of social responsibility programs.; Pinduoduo has pledged RMB 10
billion for farmers; and the founders of Xiaomi and Meituan both donated over RMB 10 billion in
equity shares.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S LARGEST CHIP MANUFACTURER TO EXPAND CAPACITY China’s biggest chip maker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), announced
(Reuters-September 3) that it will invest nearly USD 9 billion to expand production capacity. This
is good news for China’s tech over the long term, given current short-term chip shortages and an
overall strategic dependency on foreign chip makers. However, it will be a few years before the
plant comes online. The new factory will be producing chips at 28nm and above – not exactly
cutting edge.
(Comment: For the highest-grade hardware out there, there is no end in sight to foreign
dependency.)
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ON SEPTEMBER 2, CHINESE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW STOCK EXCHANGE IN BEIJING Speaking at the China International Trade in Services Fair on September 2, Chinese President Xi
Jinping announced that China would set up a new stock exchange in Beijing dedicated to small
and medium-sized firms (SMEs). He said the Beijing Stock Exchange will create a platform for
7
innovative SMEs and that the authorities will also further deepen reform of the National Equities
Exchange and Quotation (NEEQ) board. In a statement following Xi Jinping’s speech, the China
Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said that certain innovative firms currently listed on
NEEQ will move across to the new Beijing exchange
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 19 PLAAF AIRCRAFT ENTER TAIWAN'S ADIZ The latest intrusion of Taiwan's ADIZ by China's PLAAF occurred in September in an area
northeast of Pratas Island. Taiwan's Defence Ministry released a map showing that the Chinese
aircraft flew in an area closer to the Chinese than Taiwanese coast. The PLAAF sent 10 J-16 and
four Su-30 fighters, as well as four H-6 bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, and an antisubmarine aircraft. Taiwanese combat aircraft were dispatched to warn away the Chinese aircraft,
while missile systems were deployed to monitor them.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN AMBASSADOR DIES SUDDENLY IN BEIJING ON SEPTEMBER 5 WITHIN DAYS OF PRESENTING HIS CREDENTIALS 54-year old German Ambassador Jan Hecker died suddenly within days of presenting his
credentials in Beijing on September 5
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FRONT-RUNNER CANDIDATE FOR JAPAN'S PREMIERSHIP, FUMIO KISHIDA, SAYS "TAIWAN STRAIT WILL BE NEXT BIG PROBLEM" Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, one of two declared candidates to serve as the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s next leader, said on September 3 that Japan should seek to
cooperate with Taiwan and countries that share its values of freedom, democracy and the rule of
law, as authoritarian countries wield more power. He said, “Taiwan is at the front line of the
standoff between the U.S. and China,” he said. “Looking at the situation with Hong Kong and the
Uyghurs, I have a strong feeling that the Taiwan Strait will be the next big problem.”
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: US AND CHINESE PRESIDENTS TALK ON PHONE TO MANAGE COMPETITION RESPONSIBLY The South China Morning Post (September 10) reported that US President Biden and Chinese
President Xi Jinping spoke over the phone on September 10 when, according to the White House
they had “a broad, strategic discussion” intended to manage the increasing rivalry between Beijing
and Washington. The White House said Biden had made clear the discussion was “part of the
United States’ ongoing effort to responsibly manage the competition” between the two countries.
It said, “President Biden underscored the United States’ enduring interest in peace, stability, and
prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world and the two leaders discussed the responsibility of
both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.” A senior White House official said
Biden’s message was that the US wanted to ensure “the dynamic remains competitive and that we
don’t have any situation in the future where we veer into unintended conflict.”
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. FEDERAL JUDGE ACQUITTED PROFESSOR ANMING HU WHO WAS ACCUSED OF CONCEALING HIS LINKS TO CHINA A federal judge in Tennessee on September 9 acquitted Professor Anming Hu who had been
accused of hiding his China ties when applying for research grants to work on a NASA project,
saying the U.S. government hadn’t proven its case. The judge’s ruling comes as the Justice
Department is facing increasing criticism from groups representing Asian-Americans and some
Democrats in Congress over whether it is improperly targeting Chinese academics while looking
into allegations of fraud in U.S. grant programs.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA REACTS TO USS BENFORD GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER IN WATERS ADJACENT TO MISCHIEF REEF The Global Times (Chinese-September 8) in a sharply worded article criticised the USS "Benford" guided-missile destroyer for entering waters "adjacent to China's Nansha Mischief Reef on September 8 without permission". The statement issued by the United States acknowledged that the "Benford" entered 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef. Calling it "a naked provocation by the 9 US", it said "The United States deliberately provoked the South China Sea dispute, and it must in turn endure the PLA's increasingly strong countermeasures against it. The game between the two sides will continue to be limited. Except in the not too distant future, the United States will definitely see the People's Liberation Army appear at its doorstep. It will also face uncertainties that are increasingly difficult to control with China". The article warned: "If things go on like this, sooner or later there will be trouble between China and the United States in the South China Sea." Urging China to prepare for conflict with the US, it said "Once the situation is out of control, leading to short-term battles between China and the United States, we must give full play to our "home field advantage", so that we can do nothing if we fight, and we will win if we fight!"
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AMBASSADOR QIN GANG'S REMARKS DURING SPEECH IN WASHINGTON Speaking at the National Committee on US-China Relations on August 31 in Washington, on the 50th anniversary of Dr Henry Kissinger's 'secret' visits to China, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang said there are three wrong beliefs on China-US relations in the United States. He enumerated these as: Some people believe that China is betting against America, and China's goal is to challenge and displace America.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: FBI ISSUES DECLASSIFIED WARNING ABOUT CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO THREATEN CHINESE REFUGEES AND DISSIDENTS IN U.S. AND WEST The US publication TechCrunch reported (September 2) that the FBI has issued an unclassified
bulletin warning that the Chinese government is using both in-person and digital techniques to
intimidate, silence and harass U.S.-based Uyghur Muslims and other Chinese refugees and
dissidents, including Tibetans, Falun Gong members and Taiwan and Hong Kong activists.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP POLITBURO ANNOUNCES THAT 6TH PARTY PLENUM WILL BE HELD IN BEIJING IN NOVEMBER The CCP CC Politburo announced that the 6th plenum will be held in November. It said the main
agenda is that the Politburo will present its work report to the plenary session, which will focus on
comprehensively summarising/reviewing the major achievements and the historical experience
accumulated during the Party's 100 years of struggle.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES YOUNG CADRES IN CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL ON SEPTEMBER 1 Xinhua (September 1) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a training session for
young and middle-aged officials at the Central Party School on September 1.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS 21ST MEETING OF CENTRAL COMPREHENSIVE DEEPENING REFORM COMMISSION ON AUGUST 30 The state-run CCTV (August 30) telecast a report that CCP CC General Secretary and Director of
the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission, Xi Jinping hosted the 21st meeting
of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Commission on August 30.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENT OF YOUNGER FEMALE PARTY CADRES AS PARTY SECRETARIES OF PROVINCES 52-year old Shi Xiaolin has been appointed Party Secretary of Sichuan's capital city Chengdu at a
meeting of the city’s leaders and cadres on August 26. Shi Xiaolin Shi is the first female party
chief of Chengdu in 40 years, the youngest party chief in any provincial capital city and is the
youngest female standing committee member of any provincial party committee. Born in 1969 in
Zhejiang province, Shi Xiaolin has studied and worked in Shanghai for more than three decades.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY TARGETS CHINA'S CAPITALISTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND ASSERTS THAT CHINA IS UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE FROM THE U.S. A hard-hitting and important People's Daily article on August 29, 2021, by Li Guangman, former
Editor-in-Chief of Central China Electric Power News, which began its trial publication on
October 1, 1995, and ceased publication in 2012, targeted China's entertainment industry and
prominent personalities like Wu Yifan, Ho Zun, Zhang Zhehan and Hunan TV host Qian Feng,
Zheng Shuang, Zhao Wei and others for politically incorrect and unacceptable behaviour and tax
evasion.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY ON XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT CENTRAL ETHNIC WORK CONFERENCE The People's Daily published a commentary on August 30, on Chinese President Xi Jinping's
speech at the Central Ethnic Conference where he stressed that "forging of the Chinese nation’s
community consciousness must be the main line of the party’s national work in the new era, and
promote all ethnic groups to be firmly committed to the great motherland, the Chinese nation,
Chinese culture, and the Communist Party of China". It quoted Xi Jinping as saying only "by all
ethnic groups jointly safeguarding national security and social stability, can we effectively resist
the infiltration and subversion of various extreme and divisive ideologies. In order to continuously
realize the yearning of the people of all ethnic groups for a better life, and to realize, maintain, and
develop the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups; only with a strong sense of community of
the Chinese nation can we effectively deal with the risks that may occur in the ethnic field in the
process of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. .... only by forging the sense of
community of the Chinese nation can the conscious identification of all ethnic groups with the
Chinese nation be strengthened." He asserted that "In the big family of the Chinese nation, only if
all ethnic groups hug each other like pomegranate seeds, kiss each other and help each other, can
the great dream of national rejuvenation be realized smoothly, and the flower of national unity and
progress can last forever".
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: XI JINPING THOUGHT INTEGRATED INTO TEACHINGS AT UNIVERSITY, MIDDLE AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT CHINA The Ming Pao Daily (August 25) reported that on the eve of the autumn semester in the Mainland,
the National Textbook Committee issued a number of textbook guides. Among them, the "Xi
Jinping New Era Socialism Thought with Chinese Characteristics" (hereinafter referred to as "Xi
Thought Guide") clearly requires to be fully integrated into the curriculum and teaching materials
of universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Xi Jinping's thought, it said, infiltrates
teaching materials at all levels, and elementary schools emphasize "political enlightenment". 9
topics of revolutionary tradition, national security, and labour education are "integrated" into
universities, middle schools, and primary schools.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BIG TECH FIRMS SUBSCRIBE TO CONCEPT OF 'COMMON PROSPERITY' An article in the publication 'Markets Heard on the Street' (August 28) said that on August 24
internet commerce firm Pinduoduo reported its first quarterly profit since listing in 2018. It also
said it would donate it all—$374 million—to support agriculture and rural areas, and would do the
same with any future profit up to a total of 10 billion yuan. Its shares rose 22% that day. On Aug.
18, Tencent pledged to contribute 50 billion yuan, the equivalent of $7.73 billion, to low-income
groups, basic healthcare, and education—on top of a separate 50 billion yuan charitable pledge in
April. Meituan founder Wang Xing donated 10% of his stake in the food-delivery company to his
philanthropic foundation in June. The publication added that the weak recovery in services—where
most college students head after graduation—has also further exacerbated already high youth
joblessness: Surveyed unemployment among the 16 to 24 set, which averaged 11% in 2018 and
2019, has since then averaged 14%.
(Comment: In a speech on August 17 aimed at China's big business, Chinese President Xi Jinping
spoke on “common prosperity” and called for rationally “adjusting” excessive incomes and for
high-income individuals and companies to contribute more to society. He also called for more aggressive measures to expand the middle class and the social safety net, including health and
elderly care.)
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: THIS YEAR'S CREDIT SUISSE GLOBAL WEALTH REPORT SHOWS U.S.' TOTAL WEALTH AT US$ 126.3 TRILLION AND CHINA'S AT US$ 74.9 TRILLION An article in South China Morning Post (August 31) by Gregory Mitrovich reported that the global
wealth report issued each year by the investment bank, Credit Suisse, this year showed that the US
remain at the top. According to its 2021 report, the US’ total wealth stands at US$126.3 trillion;
China is a distant second with US$74.9 trillion. Furthermore, instead of declining, America’s share
of total global wealth has increased over the past decade, from 25 per cent in 2011 to 30 per cent
today. It cautioned Beijing to understand that the US is abandoning Afghanistan in 2021 to
concentrate on its contest with China.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF ANNOUNCES IT WILL DISPLAY LATEST "20 FAMILY" AIRCRAFT AT 'AIRSHOW CHINA 2021' The Global Times (August 31) reported that the PLA Air Force will display its latest achievements
that have transformed the Chinese military into a strategic force on its way to becoming world
class, at the Airshow China 2021. It said military observers predicting that the "20 family" aircraft,
namely the J-20 fighter jet, Y-20 large transport aircraft and Z-20 utility helicopter, will likely
again be in the spotlight.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: POLITBURO MEMBER AND CHONGQING PARTY SECRETARY CHEN MINE'R VISITS (AUGUST 25-26) TIBET Chongqing Party Secretary and Politburo member Chen Mine'r visited Chamdo, in eastern Tibet, at the head of a delegation from August 25-26, 2021. Among the delegation from Chongqing were Zhang Xuan, Director of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress, Li Mingqing, Member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, Secretary-General and Director of the General Office, and Chen Jinshan, Vice Mayor of Chongqing, and Director of the Municipal Economic Commission. Wu Yingjie, TAR Party Secretary, Liu Jiang, Secretary-General, and Member of the Standing Committee of TAR, Doto, Deputy Party Leadership Group of TAR, Deputy Director of TAR People’s Congress, and the Party Secretary of Chamdo, Norbu Dhondup accompanied the delegation during their visit
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: QINGHAI PROVINCE AUTHORITIES ARREST TWO TIBETAN STUDENTS FOR OPPOSING IMPOSITION OF MANDARIN IN TIBETAN ETHNIC SCHOOLS Radio Free Asia (RFA-August 27) reported that Qinghai province authorities arrested two 19-yearold Tibetan Middle School students of Darlag county for opposing the use of the Chinese language
as the only medium of instruction in Tibetan schools. The two students, identified as Gyuldrak and
Yangrik, spoke out on the WeChat social media platform against the Chinese policy mandating,
beginning in September, that all classes in local schools be taught only in Chinese. The students
are presently being held at the Darlag county police station.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: POLICE IN TIBETAN TOWNSHIP IN SICHUAN ARREST 60 PEOPLE FOR POSSESSION OF DALAI LAMA'S PHOTOGRAPH Citing Tibetan sources inside China, Radio Free Asia (RFA) on August 26 reported that police in
Dza Wonpo township in the Kardze (in Chinese, Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in
Sichuan province on August 22 arrested about 60 Tibetans found with photos of exiled Tibetan
spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, intensifying a campaign against possession of the banned images.
The arrested included 19 monks from a local monastery and 40 laypeople whose homes were
thoroughly searched by police.
(Comment: The arrests come in the wake of the recent high-level visits by Chinese President Xi
Jinping and CPCC Chairman Wang Yang to the Tibet Autonomous Region.)
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS SHARPLY TO BJP MP SUBRAMANIAM SWAMY'S REMARK THAT INDIA SHOULD GO TO WAR WITH CHINA Reacting to BJP MP Subramaniam Swamy's remark that India should go to war with China, the
CCP-owned Global Times (August 30) in a sharp article said "the 81-year-old dotard's words are
utter nonsense and crazy. The PLA is stationed on China's own territory. It's the Indian side that
has long surreptitiously engaged in salami-slicing tactics to gradually occupy China's territory.
Politicians like Swamy have deliberately confused right from wrong". Pointing out that China's
comprehensive national strength is way ahead of India's and that Indian politicians and officials
are trying to divert the people’s attention from their mismanagement of the Covid pandemic, it
said "regrettably, after the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, ultra-nationalism has been surging
in India. It has even become "political correctness" for politicians to make irresponsible anti-China
remarks". It quoted Lan Jianxue, head of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at China Institute
of International Studies, as telling Global Times: "The BJP should have the wisdom and rationality
to restrain the politicians and officials from making anti-China belligerent speeches. Otherwise,
India will leave the region and world a belligerent ultra-nationalist image, which is detrimental to
India's development and rise in the long run." He added "India should understand that China
exerted great restraint regarding the Galwan Valley clash; otherwise, India's casualties would have
been severer." Lan Jianxue said India should learn a lesson from its Galwan fiasco, knowing what
kind of policy is in its best interest.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN SCRAMBLES AIRCRAFT AS CHINESE AIRCRAFT ENTER AIRSPACE BETWEEN OKINAWA AND MIYAKOJIMA ISLANDS Japan News (August 27) reported Japan's Defense Ministry as announcing on August 26, that the
ASDF scrambled planes in response to three Chinese military aircraft spotted in the airspace
between the main island of Okinawa and Miyakojima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Although
there were no airspace violations, one of the aircraft seen on August 27 is believed to have been
an unmanned TB-001, making it the third consecutive day of Chinese drone sightings in the area
from August 24. The three aircraft flew from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean on August 26, and then returned to the East China Sea. The ministry is looking into possible motives behind
China’s actions.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: JAPAN-TAIWAN RULING POLITICAL PARTIES HOLD VIRTUAL TALKS DESCRIBED AS EQUIVALENT TO 2+2 MEETINGS Japan-Taiwan relations took a big step forward on August 27, with virtual talks between Japan's
LDP and Taiwan's DPP where both sides emphasized the convergence between their governments
on the perceived threat from China – and reaffirmed their desire to increase cooperation to counter
that threat.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S. THREW THE CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH AT THE 16TH ANNUAL METS TAIWAN DAY IN NEW YORK ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 Taiwan's Representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim threw out the ceremonial first pitch at
the 16th annual Mets Taiwan Day in New York on August 29. Hsiao Bi-khim is the first Taiwanese envoy to the U.S. to have been invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the New York
Met's annual Taiwan Day, and wore a No. 11 jersey that symbolized "keeping both feet on the ground." After throwing the pitch, she said it was an honour to perform that part of the ceremony
and she appreciated the opportunity to advance Taiwan-U.S. relations, along with TaiwaneseAmericans and baseball fans. Prior to the ceremonial first pitch, President Tsai Ing-wen gave a
pre-recorded address to the 20,000 baseball fans at the Citi Field Park in Queens, and she
commended the "inspiring" Taiwanese athletes who competed at the recent Tokyo Olympics. Tsai
also thanked the U.S. for extending a much-needed helping hand to Taiwan by donating 2.5 million
doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. At the end of the video, Tsai and Hsiao appeared
together, cheering for the Mets and Taiwan.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: FIRST MILITARY CONTACT BETWEEN US AND CHINA TOOK PLACE ON AUGUST 27 VIA SECURE VIDEO LINK Michael Chase, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, spoke on August 27 with
Chinese Major General Huang Xueping, Deputy Director for the People's Liberation Army Office
for International Military Cooperation, vis the U.S.-PRC Defense Telephone Link to conduct a
secure video conference. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said "Both sides
agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the two
militaries". This was the first contact between the US and Chinese militaries for managing risk
since US President Joe Biden took office in January.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: JOHN BOLTON SAYS OVER THE LONGER TERM CHINA AND RUSSIA WILL THREATEN U.S. IN THREE DISTINCT THEATRES In an article in the Wall Street Journal (August 30), John Bolton wrote that America’s retreat from
Afghanistan is ending tragically—and that has sweeping strategic implications.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AUTHORITIES CLOSE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN CHENGDU Chinese authorities have instructed an American Chamber of Commerce in Chengdu, capital of
Sichuan province, to cease operations, officials with the organisation said on August 31. The
chamber notified members on August 30 that, in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, it
had to stop operations and “no longer carry out any activities in the name of the American Chamber
of Commerce in Southwest China.” The Chinese authorities had closed the US consulate in
Chengdu in retaliation for being ousted from its Houston consulate in July 2020.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS CHINA WILL MAINTAIN ITS EMBASSY IN KABUL AND ENHANCE RELATIONS AFP (September 3) reported that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen had tweeted on September 1,
that Abdul Salam Hanafi, a member of the Islamist group's political office in Doha, Qatar, "held a
phone conversation with Wu Jianghao, Deputy Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of
China." His tweet said "The Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister said that they would maintain their embassy in Kabul, adding our relations would beef up as compared to the past. Afghanistan can
play an important role in security and development of the region."
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINA'S SPECIAL ENVOY SUN GUOXIANG VISITS MYANMAR FOR TALKS Reuters reported (September 1) that China's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang visited
Myanmar on August 21 to August 28 for talks with its military ruler Min Aung Hlaing as well as
Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin and Minister for the Union Government Office Yar Pyae.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on August 28 that they "exchanged
views with them on the political landscape in Myanmar". He added "We will work together with
the international community to play a constructive role in Myanmar's efforts to restore social
stability and resume democratic transformation at an early date." The visit coincided with the
opening of a new route connecting Myanmar with Chinese trade flows to the Indian Ocean.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: ISRAELI CELLPHONE HACKING COMPANY CELLEBRITE CONTINUES TO SELL ITS HACKING TECHNOLOGY IN CHINA Even as the Israeli cell phone hacking company Cellebrite tries to go public next week, and said it
withdrew from China and Hong Kong, an Intercept investigation has found that police in Mainland
China continued to buy the company’s Universal Forensic Extraction Device, or UFED, products,
which allow officers to break into phones in their possession and siphon off data. It said while
Cellebrite did deregister its Chinese subsidiary earlier this year, it appears to have done little about
the brokers that peddle its hacking technology. Chinese government procurement award notices
and posts on resellers’ websites show that police have continued to purchase powerful Cellebrite
software, while resellers have continued to provide updates for the software. In one case, a reseller
reported delivering the Israeli company’s software to border guards in Tibet and demonstrating
how it could be used to search people’s WeChat accounts. The Intercept claims the findings follow
reports of abuses involving Cellebrite technology elsewhere in the world — including in Bahrain,
Botswana, Indonesia, India, and Saudi Arabia — that the company has not meaningfully addressed.
Natalia Krapiva, tech legal counsel for AccessNow, said “Cellebrite hasn’t demonstrated that they have made serious efforts to investigate the misuse of their technology,” said Natalia Krapiva, tech
legal counsel for AccessNow
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF SENDS TWO BATCHES OF 24 AIRCRAFT INTO TAIWAN'S AIR SPACE ON SEPTEMBER 23 On September 23, Taiwan’s defense department issued two consecutive military intelligence
bulletins stating that two batches of 24 PLA military aircraft entered Taiwan’s "southwest
airspace" that day. The notice mentioned that in the morning, there were 12 sorties of J-16 fighters,
2 sorties of Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, 2 sorties of H-6 bombers, 1 sortie of Y-8, and 2 sorties of
J-11 fighters, totaling 19 sorties; and in the afternoon, 2 sorties of J-11 fighters. -16 fighters, 1
sorties of Air Police -500 early warning aircraft, 2 sorties of J-11 fighters, a total of 5 sorties. The
report said that the Taiwan Air Force dispatched air patrol troops to respond, used broadcasts to
drive away, and dispatched ground guidance troops to track it. According to Taiwan media
statistics, this is the third largest PLA aircraft group to enter Taiwan’s "southwest airspace" this
year. The two previous largest flights were 28 sorties on June 15 and 25 sorties on April 12.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: US DEFERS CHARGES AND RELEASES HUAWEI CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER MENG WANZHOU IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASE OF TWO IMPRISONED CANADIANS The release of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's daughter, has raised many
questions in the US and West on China's "hostage diplomacy". Meanwhile, documents released
by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) reveal that Meng Wanzhou's prosecution has been deferred
for four years and the charges have not been dropped.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES XI JINPING'S SPEECH OF NOVEMBER 17, 2012, EMPHASISING THE PARTY'S OVERALL LEADERSHIP Qiu Shi (2021/18 dated September 15) published an article by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which
reproduced his speech at the first collective study of the 18th Politburo on November 17, 2012,
under the caption 'Unswervingly persist in and strengthen the party's overall leadership'. Its main
theme was that "The Communist Party of China is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism
with Chinese characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen and improve the leadership
of the party, and give full play to the party's role as the core of leadership in overseeing the overall
situation and coordinating all parties."
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-CYBER: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL JOINTLY ISSUE NEW GUIDELINES ON DEVELOPING A "CIVILISED AND WELL-REGULATED" CYBERSPACE ENVIRONMENT The CCP CC and State Council jointly issued a guideline on developing a more civilized and wellregulated
cyberspace environment on September 14. It said the country aims to consolidate the
guiding status of Marxism in the ideological cyberspace sphere, foster a common ideology among
the whole Party and the Chinese people, and interiorize core socialist values".
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: GLOBAL TIMES OP-ED DISCUSSES COUNTERING US PROPAGANDA EFFORTS The Global Times (August 17) published an Opinion piece on countering US propaganda efforts
and how China should win the discourse rights and change the current trend of China’s weak
position in international public opinion.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA'S PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS START DISCUSSING WAYS TO REDUCE NUMBER OF EXAMINATIONS AND PRESSURE ON STUDENTS Pursuant to the People's Daily article of August 31, instructing primary and secondary schools in
the fall semester to reduce the pressure of student examinations and strengthen the management of
education and teaching and promote the "double reduction" policy to fully implement, provinces
and counties have started convening meetings to finalise a policy. On August 30, at the Ministry
of Education press conference, Director Lv Yugang of the Ministry of Education's Department of
Basic Education stressed "We should make great efforts to strengthen and improve in-school
education, improve the quality of school education service system, and effectively achieve that
teachers should teach as much as possible; students learn enough to learn well." The Forest City
4
Campus of Hefei 45 Middle School convened a meeting on September 9, to exchange ideas on
how to improve teaching quality in the context of "double reduction", implement the "Xi Jinping
Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era" teaching work, and further to
summarize the work of teaching and research in the last semester and plan the teaching and
research activities in this semester.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA'S MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY CHEN WENQING VISITS TIBET China Tibet News (September 13) disclosed that Chen Wenqing, the Minister of National Security,
and a team of the delegation visited Tibet and met top TAR leaders like TAR Party Secretary Wu
Yingjie, Chairman of TAR People's Government Che Dalha, Chairman of TAR People's Congress,
Executive Deputy of TAR Party Committee and Secretary of TAR PPCC Zhuang Yuan,
Commander of the Tibet Military Region Wang Kai, and Standing Members of TAR Party
Committee, He Wenhao, and Liu Jiang. The dates of the visit were not mentioned. In his speech
Wu Yingjie said, "there will be policies and actions to further consolidate the campaign to draw
clear-cut lines from and eliminate the negative influence of the 14th Dalai Lama, his use of religion
to influence people". He went on to add TAR will implement policies and guide people to treat
religion "rationally, and dilute the negative influence of religion, and live this life happily". He
also talked about strengthening border development, ensuring border defence, consolidating
border security, and speeding up of infrastructural constructions in border areas. Wu Yingjie
reported that at present, "Tibet's border defence had consolidated border security, the overall social
situation has become stable, and sense of security among people have improved". He appreciated
the Ministry of National Security for their "strong support". Wu Yingjie also pointed out that
protecting Tibet's 1.2 million square kilometres of land and safeguarding national security is a
major task entrusted by Xi Jinping and the CCP Central Committee. He said protecting and
safeguarding 1.2 million square kilometres of Tibet's land is also a duty of all people in Tibet.
Chen Wenqing in his speech said the Ministry of National Security attaches great importance to
Tibet-related work. The purpose of the inspection that he and his team are undertaking is to oversee
the proper study and implementation of Xi Jinping's speeches during his Tibet visit.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-UYGHURS: TRIBUNAL TO DETERMINE PERSECUTION OF CHINA'S UYGHUR ETHNIC MINORITY CONCLUDES HEARINGS IN LONDON The Uyghur Tribunal concluded on September 13 after eight days of public hearings in London
in June and September in which the tribunal heard from over 70 witnesses and after over 30
researchers spent over 10,000 hours reviewing hundreds of thousands of pages of documents,
including 500 fact witness statements. The Tribunal’s judgment is due on 9 December.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANTICIPATES CHINA'S WILL HAVE BUMPER DOMESTIC CORN CROP THIS YEAR On September 10, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast that China's domestic corn
crop would hit a record 273 million tons this year. It said that China's policy support had helped
nurture the bumper harvest.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA APPLIES TO JOIN TPP AND CPTPP In a notification issued on September 16, China's Ministry of Commerce said that China had
applied for membership of TPP/CPTPP.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE GOVERNMENT DATA REVEALS SHORTAGE OF 20 MILLION 'SENIOR TECHNICIANS' China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on July 22 and Tencent on September
5 disclosed that China has a shortage of 20 million senior technicians.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: JOINT VENTURE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS CLOSES ONE PLANT DUE TO SLUGGISH SALES A joint venture between multinational car giant Stellantis NV and Guangzhou Automobile Group
Co. Ltd. is shutting down one of its two Jeep factories in China, the world’s largest vehicle market,
after years of sluggish sales. GAC Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Co. Ltd. said on September 8 that it
will close the factory in Guangzhou and transfer all the production to the city of Changsha in
Hunan province. Reuters said the transfer will be completed by next March.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES IMPORTANT ARTICLE WHICH ALSO DISCUSSES PLA'S ROLE IN REUNIFYING CHINA The People's Daily (September 16) published an important article on 'Questions and Answers on
'Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics', asserting that the PLA is 'An
important guarantee for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation'. The article had
excerpts from Xi Jinping's speeches.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: ROAD-BED COLLAPSE ON SICHUAN-TIBET HIGHWAY REPAIRED BY PAP'S MOBILE CORPS WITHIN 3 DAYS The PLA website Sina.com on September 9 reported that at 8:30 on August 24, affected by
continuous heavy rainfall, a 110-meter roadbed collapsed near Jiaoba Village, Songzong Town,
Bomi County, Sichuan-Tibet Line, rendering the section impassable. After the disaster occurred,
a detachment of the Second Mobile Corps of the Armed Police Force immediately dispatched
troops and large-scale emergency repair equipment to the scene to perform road repair and
emergency construction tasks. From August 29th to 31st, the armed police officers and soldiers
carried out the widening of the inner mountain rock, the optimization of the sidewalk descending
slope, and the dangerous rock removal work of the high slope. As of September 2, large trucks
could pass.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: MALE AND FEMALE SOLDIERS OF PLA LONG-RANGE ARTILLERY BRIGADE OF TIBET MILITARY REGION HOLD DAY AND NIGHT DRILLS AT ALTITUDE OF OVER 4600 METRES According to a Chinese military media report (September 9) a long-range fire unit of a brigade of
the Tibet Military Region conducted day and night, multi-type, ultra-limit range firepower strike
drills, and a group of well-trained and heroic female soldiers also participated in the exercise. The
officers and soldiers took advantage of the high accuracy and destructiveness of long-range
firepower, and effectively destroyed multiple fixed targets and moving targets at extremely long
distances! The exercise was held at an altitude of 4600 metres.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: AIR DEFENCE BRIGADE OF TIBET MILITARY REGION HOLD 'LIVEFIRE' DRILL AT HEIGHT OF 4700 METRES TO NEUTRALISE CRUISE MISSILES An air defence brigade of the Tibet Military Region was reported on September 8 to
have organized a live-fire drill in a mountainous area at an altitude of 4,700 meters. During the
exercise, after the radar successfully detected the position of the simulated fighter, the cruise
missile and the air-to-surface missile hit the target one after another.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE ALLEGES THAT WITHOUT FORMALLY JOINING INDIA HAS DIFFERENT FORMS OF COOPERATION WITH 'FIVE EYES' Lin Minwang, Professor with the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, in an article
published in Global Times on September 13 warned that "with the intensified strategic competition
of the US against China, Canberra and New Delhi have formed a consensus on the policy of jointly
containing Beijing. Australia is willing to be a US pawn to charge forward in a series of issues to
discredit China. It not only vigorously advocates the "China threat theory," but also unreasonably
accuses and attacks China, creating antagonism. India, on the other hand, regards the long-term
competition between China and the US as a major opportunity for its own rise, and thus makes a
strategic adjustment. India is shifting from pursuing a balanced diplomacy to the path of cozying
up to the US to jointly contain China". Stating that "Although India has not formally joined the
Five Eyes, it has established different forms and levels of intelligence sharing with members of
the group" and advised that "China must be vigilant against the future impact of intelligence
sharing between India and the Five Eyes".
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE WARNS INDIA AGAINST AGREEING TO US REQUEST FOR A 'STAGING POST' Writing in the Global times on September 16, Long Xingchun, senior research fellow with the
Academy of Regional and Global Governance at the Beijing Foreign Studies University and
president of the Chengdu Institute of World Affairs, referred to Indian media reports citing US
Secretary of State Blinken's remarks to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that US is in
touch with India about using it as a staging post for aerial strikes in Afghanistan, and warned India
that the US will continue its relationship with Pakistan, that the US is trying to draw India into a
quasi-alliance and that by agreeing to it India will lose its strategic autonomy and independence.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER ANNOUNCES US$ 31 MILLION EMERGENCY AID TO AFGHANISTAN'S TALIBAN GOVERNMENT Reuters (September 9) reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had promised to provide
nearly US$ 31 million emergency funding to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The emergency aid
will include food, winter weather supplies, vaccines, and medicine. Wang Yi also announced a
donation of 3 million vaccine doses to Afghanistan. He simultaneously called on Taliban to crack
down on terrorism and build an “inclusive political structure".
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA RATTLED BY U.S. AND U.K. DECISION TO HELP AUSTRALIA BUILD NUCLEAR SUBMARINES The new deal, dubbed 'Aukus' and unveiled on September 15, by which London and Washington
will help Canberra to build nuclear-powered submarines as well as swap knowledge on cyber
information, artificial intelligence, undersea technology, and other cutting-edge sciences, has
rattled Beijing. A Global Times article pointed out that so far, the US had shared such technology,
and that too on a limited scale, only with Britain. It said by now including Australia China will
consider Australia a target for nuclear attack in case conflict breaks out with the US.
Sep 2021 |
10 CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER ANNOUNCES US$ 31 MILLION EMERGENCY AID TO AFGHANISTAN'S TALIBAN GOVERNMENT Reuters (September 9) reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had promised to provide nearly US$ 31 million emergency funding The US-based pro-Xi Jinping Duowei News (September 10) commenting on the 90-minute
telephone conversation between US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on
September 10, pointed to a press release issued by the Chinese official media which said Biden
stated that "the two countries have no reason to fall into conflict due to competition, and the United
States has no intention to change the one-China policy."
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES CRITICAL OF FIRST QUAD SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 24 After the White House issued a statement that US President Biden will host the first-ever Quad
Leaders’ Summit at the White House on September 24, the Global Times (September 15) criticised
the proposed meeting and quoted Chinese experts as saying that the summit will make no big
change on its hostility against China.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI ADDRESSES 12TH CHINA-US POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS DIALOGUE The new Chinese ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, was on September 14 barred from
parliament by the Speakers in the Commons and Lords after the imposition of sanSpeaking at a video conference to the 12th China-US Political Party Leaders Dialogue, which
included representatives from the US Democratic and Republican parties, Yang Jiechi, Politburo
12
member and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, urged the US
to correct its wrong China policies and get bilateral ties back on track.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-UK: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.K. BARRED FROM ATTENDING MEETING OF PRO-CHINA GROUP IN PARLIAMENT The new Chinese ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, was on September 14 barred from
parliament by the Speakers in the Commons and Lords after the imposition of sanctions on British
MPs by Beijing. Zheng Zeguang was due to attend a meeting of the broadly pro-Chinese all-party
group in China, but following a letter from MPs who were subjected to sanctions by China,
including the former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, the Commons Speaker,
Lindsay Hoyle, has said the meeting is not appropriate. A similar decision has been endorsed by
the Lords Speaker, Lord McFall.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN FRIGATE BAYERN DENIED ENTRY TO CHINESE HARBOUR Reuters reported (September 16) that China has denied the German frigate Bayern, currently on a
six-month mission to the contested South China Sea, entry into a Chinese harbour. , a German
foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The Chinese harbour was not identified.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINESE NATIONALS WHO CROSSED INTO MYANMAR ILLEGALLY AND ARE WORKING IN BORDER TOWNS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO RETURN Caixin (September 10) reported that in mid-May local authorities in towns and cities across China
issued notices urging their citizens living in the border regions of Myanmar to return by June 30,
2022. Many of them, working in places like Muse, Kokang, Mongla and Wa State, crossed the
13
border illegally, often to engage in scams such as telephone and online fraud. In exchange, the
state is offering leniency, as long as the migrants return by certain deadlines. According to China's
Ministry of Public Security, Chinese scammers, working in gangs to fool unsuspecting phone users
back home into handing over their personal details, have become adept at theft. In 2019, a total of
2,553 suspects were extradited to China for their alleged involvement in telecom fraud. Fraud cases
originating in northern Myanmar accounted for 50% to 60% of total cases in China.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-NATIONAL DAY: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL HOSTS RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE 72ND NATIONAL DAY China's State Council celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of
China on the evening of September 30, and hosted a National Day Reception in the Great Hall of
the People. Party and state leaders such as Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang
Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan and nearly 500 Chinese and foreigners gathered
together to celebrate the birthday of the Republic.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES 33RD POLITBURO COLLECTIVE STUDY SESSION ON BIOSECURITY The CCP CC Politburo held its 33rd collective study on strengthening China's biosafety
construction on September 29. Presiding over the study session, CCP CC General Secretary Xi
Jinping delivered an "important" speech when he emphasized that biosecurity is related to people's
lives and health, to the long-term stability of the country, and to the sustainable development of
the Chinese nation.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES 2021 ZHONGGUANCUN FORUM IN BEIJING On September 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2021 Zhongguancun Forum in
Beijing via video.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER ZHAO LEJI GIVES SPEECH AT THE CCP CC'S 8TH ROUND OF INSPECTION WORK MOBILISATION MEETING CCTV (September 26) reported that PBSC member and leader of the Central Inspection Work
Leading Group Zhao Leji, attended the CCP CC's eighth round of inspection work mobilization
and deployment meeting on September 26 and gave a speech. Zhao Leji pointed out that
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inspections are political supervision and a powerful tool for comprehensively and strictly
governing the party.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: POLITBURO MEMBER HUANG KUNMING DELIVERS SPEECH AT PARTY HISTORY STUDY AND EDUCATION CENTRAL LEADING GROUP SYMPOSIUM Politburo Member, Propaganda Department Head, and Party History Study and Education Central
Leading Group Head Huang Kunming attended and spoke at a Party History Study and Education
Central Leading Group symposium in Beijing on September 22.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: ON THE EVE OF CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS XINHUA PUBLICISES COUNTRY'S ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER GUIDANCE OF THE CCP On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year on September 26, Xinhua published a lengthy article
captioned 'Why we can succeed' outlining the successes achieved under the guidance of the party.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-CYBER SECURITY: CHINA'S CYBERSPACE ADMINISTRATION ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS GOVERNING USE OF ALGORITHMS The South China Morning Post (September 29) reported that Cyberspace Administration of China
(CAC) on September 29 published a notice China laying out a three-year plan to rein in the use of
algorithms, marking Beijing’s latest effort to bring the country’s internet industry firmly under
state control. Under the new policy guidelines, local governments are urged to tighten the
regulation of algorithms, while companies are told that they will be held accountable for misusing
the technology.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: PARTY CENTRE APPROVES 8TH ROUND OF CENTRAL INSPECTIONS OF FINANCIAL, BANKING ETC COMPANIES AND REGULATORS The Paper (September 27) reported that the Party Center had approved Central Inspection Groups
to carry out the 8th round of inspections of the following finance-related institutions--regulators
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: FORMER PUBLIC SECURITY VICE MINISTER SUN LIJUN EXPELLED FROM PARTY AND BEING PROSECUTED FOR GROSS VIOLATIONS OF LAW AND INFLATED POLITICAL AMBITIONS China's official media reported on September 30 that 52-year old Sun Lijun, a former Chinese Vice
Minister of the Public Security Bureau, has been sacked and expelled from the Communist Party,
and will face trial for “serious violation of discipline rules and law”.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-RETIREMENT: CHINESE GOVERNMENT DISCUSSING AMENDING RETIREMENT AGES IN VIEW OF INCREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY Recently, more than 20 of China’s 31 provinces completed soliciting public opinions on delaying
the retirement age. The process started last December. The statutory retirement ages – 60 for men,
55 for white-collar women, and 50 for blue-collar women – were set 70 years ago. A
Beijing government statement said since then life expectancy in urban China has increased by a
whopping 40 years.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY OPENS BRANCHES IN CHINA'S FILM & TV PRODUCTION CENTRE The China News (September 21) reported that Temporary Chinese Communist Party (CCP) branch
offices have been established in 11 cast teams that are currently filming TV and movie dramas in
the Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang Province, China’s film and television production center
and also known as China’s Hollywood.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-ENERGY: CHINESE PROVINCES RESORT TO POWER RATIONING China has been hit by a power shortage compelling at least 21 provinces and local governments to
ration power to enterprises and residences to limit and manage electricity demand. The provinces
include: Hunan, Guangdong, Hebei, Anhui, Shandong, Tianjin, and Liaoning. Last month, China's
top economic planning agency the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC),
criticised the “energy consumption intensity” of nine provinces – Guangdong, Jiangsu, Yunnan,
Fujian, Shaanxi, Guangxi, Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang – for actually increasing their energy
use instead of reducing it.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-BRI: US COLLEGE RESEARCH CENTRE 'AIDDATA' SAYS 42 LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES HAVE DEBT EXPOSURE TO CHINA EXCEEDING TEN PERCENT OF THEIR GDP The Wall Street Journal (September 28) reported that on September 26, AidData, a research center
at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., released an in-depth report on China's
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which counted 42 low- and middle-income countries that now have
debt exposure to China exceeding 10% of their annual gross domestic product.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG PAPER CLAIMS DURING INTERNAL CCP MEETING IN 2018, XI JINPING DECLARED THAT HONGKONG'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL NO LONGER INFLUENCE BEIJING'S POLICIES ON HONGKONG The Hongkong-based pro-Xi Jinping HK01 newspaper on September 21 reported that, in 2018, Xi
Jinping made a clear statement in an internal meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s)
Hong Kong and Macau Coordination Group.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TELLS NEWLY ELECTED KMT CHAIRMAN THAT THE SITUATION IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT IS COMPLEX AND GRIM In a congratulatory letter to Eric Chu -- the newly elected leader of the Beijing-friendly
Kuomintang (KMT) party on September 26 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Chinese
Communist Party and the KMT should collaborate under a "shared political basis." In the letter
released by the KMT, he said "In the past our two parties insisted on '1992 consensus' and opposing
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'Taiwan independence' ... to promote peaceful developments in cross- strait relations." Xi Jinping
added "At present the situation in the Taiwan Strait is complex and grim," and urged the parties to
jointly seek peace and "the unification of the country."
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE THINK-TANK CLAIMS RISK OF SINO-US CONFLICT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA IS RELATIVELY LOW The South China Morning Post (September 26) cited a report released by the Knowfar Institute for
Strategic and Defence Studies, a think tank founded by retired Chinese military officers, on
September 23.
Oct 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT ATTENDS 76TH UNGA DEBATE VIA VIDEO The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman announced (September 20) that Chinese President Xi JInping will attend the General Debate of the 76th UN General Assembly by video on September 21 and delivered an "important speech".
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES SCO MEETING OF COUNCIL OF HEADS OF STATE The state-run CCTV (September 17) reported Xi Jinping's speech at the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing on September 17. He urged the member states to strengthen coordination to promote a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan and truly embark on the path of peace, stability and development. He also asked them to promote the in-depth integration of the "Belt and Road" initiative with the development strategies of various countries and regional cooperation initiatives such as the Eurasian Economic Union, maintain the stability and smooth flow of the industrial chain and supply chain, and promote economic integration, development linkage, and sharing of results among countries. He said China will provide 1,000 poverty alleviation training places to Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, build 10 Luban workshops, and carry out 30 cooperation projects in the fields of health, poverty alleviation, culture and education within the framework of the "Silk Road One Family" initiative . China will host the organization’s youth science and technology innovation forum next year. CCTV said the meeting initiated the process of accepting Iran as a member state, and absorbed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar as new dialogue partners. The meeting decided that Uzbekistan would take over as the rotating chairman of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, He Lifeng and others attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping also attended the Joint Summit on Afghanistan among the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Beijing on September 17 and delivered an 'important' speech. Pointing out that the situation in Afghanistan has undergone fundamental changes recently, which have had an important impact on the international situation, regional structure, and security and stability, he asked SCO member states and the Collective Security Treaty Organization to work together at such critical moments to maintain peace and stability. He said it is important to promote the smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan as soon as possible and support all parties in Afghanistan to reach an inclusive political arrangement at an early date through dialogue and consultation; it is necessary to pay attention to the trends of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, and urge relevant parties in Afghanistan to carry out resolute strikes and prevent the terrorist forces holding Afghanistan from causing disaster to the Quartet.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER HAN ZHENG ATTENDS INAUGURATION OF GUANGDONG-HONGKONG-MACAO GREATER BAY AREA IN ZHUHAI PBSC member, State Council Vice Premier, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Construction Leading Group Head Han Zheng attended an inauguration ceremony in Zhuhai, Guangdong for the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone (hereafter referred to as “the Zone”) on September 17 and gave a speech.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER ZHAO LEJI VISITS INNER MONGOLIA PBSC member and Head of the Central Discipline Inspection Committee (CDIC) Zhao Leji conducted investigation work in Inner Mongolia from September 15 to 17.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER HU CHUNHUA TRAVELLED TO SICHUAN PROVINCE TO SUPERVISE WORK OF RURAL REVITALISATION According to the state-run CCTV News on September 18, PBSC member Hu Chunhua travelled to Sichuan from September 16 to 17, to supervise the work of "Key counties for rural revitalization to help counties to consolidate and expand the results of poverty alleviation". This is the first time that Hu Chunhua went to supervise work in key counties for rural revitalization after China's national rural revitalization key assisted counties work conference.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING MARXIST COLLEGES Xinhua (September 21) disclosed that the CCP CC's General Office had recently issued the "Opinions on Strengthening the Construction of Marxist Colleges in the New Era" and issued a notice requesting all regions and departments to conscientiously implement them in light of actual conditions.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE EXTOLLING XI JINPING'S ARTICLE IN QIU SHI AND REITERATES THAT WITHOUT THE CCP THERE WOULD BE NO NEW CHINA Jingbo of the National Defense University Learning Jinping New Era Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Research Center authored a lengthy article titled 'Vigorously inherit and carry forward the great spirit of the party' published in the PLA Daily on September 20. Jingbo commented on "Chairman Xi’s important article "The great spirit of the party is always the precious spiritual wealth of the party and the country", in the 17th issue of Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) magazine in 2021.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE SAYS CHINA FACING INCREASING RISKS AND CHALLENGES AND ENTIRE ARMY SHOULD EMULATE THE BATTALION IN TIBET A PLA Daily (September 14) Commentator's article on Chinese President Xi Jinping's letter of September 13 to a PLA Battalion guarding the border in Tibet, said 'Xi’s letter “fully embodied the core of the Party and [his] deep love and concern for the border guard troops as military commander” and his high degree of emphasis on building the grassroots'.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: AVIATION UNIT OF WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND CARRIES OUT AIRDROP AND AIRBORNE TRAINING IN 'UNFAMILIAR' AREAS The PLA Daily (September 14) disclosed that an Air Force aviation unit of the Western Theater Command in late August carried out airdrop and airborne training in unfamiliar areas to comprehensively improve the multi-domain cooperative combat capability of the unit.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: LARGE PLAAF TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT CARRY OUT TROOP TRANSPORT MISSSIONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA ISLANDS China's Global Times (September 21) quoted a report released by the PLA South Sea Fleet in its social media account, which disclosed that in two recent, separate moves in the South China Sea, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched Y-20 large transport aircraft to reefs for troop transport missions, and conducted amphibious landing drills under complex conditions, showing the PLA's capabilities in safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN CAUTIONS INDIA AGAINST FLIGHT TESTING AGNI-V ICBM At the weekly press briefing on September 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted to Indian media reports that India is set to conduct its first user trial of nuke capable intercontinental-range ballistic missile Agni-V, which has a 5,000-km range.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE ANALYSTS WARN THAT INDIA COULD "POISON" MULTILATERAL EFFORTS OF SCO The Global Times (September 17) highlighted warnings by Chinese experts on September 10 that India not be "poison" for cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST QUOTES OBSERVERS AS SAYING CHINA WILL ENHANCE PRESSURE ON TAIWAN IN CASE U.S. AGREES TO RENAME TAIWAN'S OFFICE The South China Morning Post (September 18) quoted diplomatic and military observers as saying that Beijing is likely to step up its military activities to deter Taiwan while retaliating diplomatically against the US if the island’s de facto embassy in Washington gets renamed, but these countermeasures are likely to be limited.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN APPLIES TO JOIN CPTPP Quoting Taiwan's official Central News Agency, Reuters reported (September 22) that Taiwan has formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), less than a week after China said it too had submitted an application. Taiwan's Deputy Economy Minister Chen Chern-chyi was quoted as sayingthe Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua will give details on September 23.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-WORLD BANK: CHINA MISUSES INFLUENCE TO BOOST ITS RANKING IN WORLD BANK'S 'DOING BUSINESS 2018' REPORT A report, prepared by law firm WilmerHale at the request of the World Bank's ethics committee, raises concerns about China's influence at the World Bank.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN CAUTIONS INDIA AGAINST FLIGHT TESTING AGNI-V ICBM At the weekly press briefing on September 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted to Indian media reports that India is set to conduct its first user trial of nuke capable intercontinental-range ballistic missile Agni-V, which has a 5,000-km range.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE ANALYSTS WARN THAT INDIA COULD The Global Times (September 17) highlighted warnings by Chinese experts on September 10 that India not be "poison" for cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-US: US AND HUAWEI FOUNDER MENG WAZHOU'S LAWYERS RESOLVE LEGAL CASE AND SHE HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR RETURN TO CHINA Ms Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, charged by the US of wrongdoing in accounts in dealings with Iran, has been released after 3 years house arrest in Canada and is on her way home following "resolution" on September 25 of the case between the US prosecutors and her lawyers. The two Canadian nationals, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, imprisoned since 2018 have similarly been released by the Chinese authorities.
Sep 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING INSPECTS CHENGDE Chinese President Xi Jinping made an inspection tour of Chengde a popular tourist spot and the prefectural-level city just north of Beijing, on August 24.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-STATE COUNCIL: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDES OVER STATE COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS NORTHEAST CHINA Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the State Council Leading Group for Revitalizing the Northeastern Region and Old Industrial Bases on August 23.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: BEIJING DAILY ARTICLE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF XI JINPING'S JULY 1 SPEECH The Beijing Daily (August 23) published an article by Shi Zhongquan, former Deputy Director of the Central Party History Research Office, on CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's July 1st speech.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP RELEASES PUBLICATION TITLED 'THE CPC: ITS MISSION AND CONTRIBUTIONS' The Chinese Communist Party released a publication on August 26 titled "The CPC: Its Mission and Contributions" at a press conference in Beijing attended by senior officials of the Party. Xu Lin, Vice Minister of the CCP CC Publicity Department and Minister of the State Council Information Office chaired the conference.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY EDITORIAL RECALLS XI JINPING'S END-JULY VISIT TO TIBET A People's Daily editorial (August 19) recalled President Xi Jinping’s July visit to Tibet commemorating the 70th anniversary of its “Peaceful Liberation,” pointing out that this is the first such visit by a CCP or Central Military Commission (CMC) chair.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA APPOINTS NEW MINISTER OF EDUCATION On August 20, the NPC appointed Huai Jinpeng (怀进鹏) Minister of the Ministry of Education.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: POLITBURO MEMBER DING XUEXIANG CHAIRS PARTY'S SPECIAL WORKING MECHANISM FOR RECTIFYING FORMALISM Politburo member and Xi Jinping’s chief-of-staff Ding Xuexiang chaired a meeting of the Party's special working mechanism for rectifying formalism and alleviating burdens on the grassroots on August 20,
Xinhua reported that “While highlighting the problem of unnecessary and repetitive meetings, paperwork and performance evaluations, the meeting asked localities to guard against and rectify newly-emerged practices of formalities for formalities sake.”
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: HANGZHOU PARTY SECRETARY PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission said in a statement on August 21 that Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee Secretary 53-year old Zhou Jiangyong, has been placed under investigation for serious disciplinary violations.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC PASSES AMENDMENT TO POPULATION AND FAMILY PLANNING LAW LEGITIMISING 3 CHILD POLICY China’s National People's Congress (NPC) passed an amendment to its Population and Family Planning Law on August 20, legitimising the recent three-child policy.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: SHANGHAI ISSUES REGULATIONS AFTER CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL DECISION TO ELIMINATE FOR-PROFIT EDUCATION SECTOR Following the decision on July 24, of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to essentially eliminate China’s for-profit education sector, the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission on August 24 issued the 'Implementation Opinions on Further Reducing Students’ Homework and After-school Training Burdens During the Compulsory Education Stage'.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: XINHUA SAYS CHINA'S DIGITAL ECONOMY WAS 39.2 TRILLION YUAN IN 2020 Reporting on the Smart China Expo 2021 and the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on the Digital Economy Industry, both held in Chongqing this week, Xinhua (August 25) said the scale of China's digital economy hit 39.2 trillion yuan in 2020, accounting for 38.6 per cent of the country's GDP.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GOVERNOR OF PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA (PBoC) SAID CHINA WILL INCREASE SUPPORT OF BANK LENDING Yi Gang, Governor of the People's Bank of China said, in the latest and clearest signal of monetary easing, on August 23 that China will increase the support of bank lending to the real economy and especially SMEs.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA TO SET UP USD 1.72 BILLION OLD AGE PENSION FUND China plans to set up a national pension company in Beijing with registered capital of 11.15 billion yuan ($1.72 billion) as the country’s population rapidly ages.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING 'COMMON PROSPERITY' AND TAXATION Han Wenxiu, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission, clarified at a press conference in Beijing on August 26, that China’s efforts to build a society of “common prosperity” are not about achieving egalitarianism and do not mean “robbing the rich to give to the poor”.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLICISES LARGE NUMBER OF EXERCISES CONDUCTED BY PLA NAVY IN LAST THREE MONTHS The Global Times (August 24) disclosed that the PLA held more than a hundred military exercises across all major Chinese sea areas over the past three months.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBET MILITARY REGION RECENTLY HELD LARGE MILITARY EXERCISE AT HIGH ALTITUDE IN TIBET PLATEAU The Global Times (August 26) quoted the state-run CCTV to report that the Tibet Military Command recently organized large-scale joint exercises at an elevation of about 4,500 meters in a snowy plateau region, in which the troops operated some of the PLA's latest weapons and equipment and practised multidimensional tactics with the goal of target elimination.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SPECULATION IN OVERSEAS CHINESE MEDIA THAT KMT'S MA YING-JEOU IS LIKELY TO MEET CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING The US-based overseas Chinese Mainland media Duowei said (August 24) that Jiang Qichen, who is running for the Chairman of the Kuomintang, said in an exclusive interview with Huang Weihan on August 24, "a senior media player" in Taiwan, that he did not rule out the possibility of a second Xi - Ma meeting.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PLA NAVY FLOTILLA SAILS THROUGH SEA OF JAPAN FOR SECOND TIME THIS YEAR The Global Times (August 24) reported that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched a powerful naval flotilla led by a Type 055 large destroyer to the Sea of Japan for the second time this year on August 22.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CCTV REPORTS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S CONVERSATION ON AUGUST 25 WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN The state-run CCTV while reporting the conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin on August 25, said that the two had exchanged in-depth views on the situation in Afghanistan.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY THINK-TANK ADVISES GOING SLOW IN AFGHANISTAN AND AFTER THE TALIBAN FIRMLY SETTLES IN Mei Yixin a respected world geopolitics scholar at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce think-tank 'Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC)' wrote in Aisixiang on August 18, that "The U.S. military is leaving Afghanistan in defeat; yet China must not indulge in a delusional dreamlike carnival".
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE AND TAJIK FORCES HOLD ANTI-TERRORISM COORDINATION-2021 EXERCISES TO COUNTER GROWING REGIONAL TERRORIST THREAT China's Xinhua news agency disclosed that China held joint anti-terrorism exercises with Afghanistan’s neighbour Tajikistan on August 18 and 19 to counter a growing regional terrorist threat.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: SUICIDE ATTACK ON CONVOY CARRYING CHINESE PERSONNEL ON GWADAR EXPRESSWAY CAUSES "SLIGHT INJURY" TO ONE CHINESE On August 20, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan issued a statement confirming that on the same day, a convoy carrying Chinese personnel was attacked by a suicide bomber on the Gwadar East Bay Expressway project in Balochistan, Pakistan, "slightly injuring" 1 Chinese personnel.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CALLS FOR ADDRESSING INCOME INEQUALITY AT CCFEA MEETING Chairing a session of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA) on August 17, Xi Jinping said that the Party must expend more efforts in tackling inequality and promoting “common prosperity”.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MANY NETIZENS WISH JIANG ZEMIN ON HIS 95TH BIRTHDAY ON AUGUST 17 Many Chinese netizens greeted former Chinese President Jiang Zemin on his birthday on August 17. They wished him long life and "hundred years"!
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS HENAN PROVINCE AND INSPECTS DISASTER RELIEF WORK Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspected Henan Province on August 18-19 to discuss disaster relief work.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER WANG YANG ARRIVES IN TIBET FOR 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS 'PEACEFUL LIBERATION' The 4th ranking PBSC member and Chairman of the CPPCC, Wang Yang, arrived in Tibet on August 19 at the head of a delegation for the 'grand celebrations' of the 70th anniversary of the 'peaceful liberation' of Tibet outside the Potala Palace in Lhasa, which was attended by over 20,000 people.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY XI JINPING ON AUGUST 15 The CCP's leading theoretical fortnightly journal Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) on August 15 (Issue 2021/16) published an article by CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping which included excerpts from 16 speeches given by him between June 2015 and February 2021.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE MEDIA REPORTS SPECULATING ABOUT THE BEIDAIHE MEETING Chinese media reports speculating on the annual Beidauhe meeting of China's veteran leaders said that among the indications of this year's Beidaihe meeting was the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement on July 31 that the regular press conferences will be adjourned from August 2 to August 13 and would resume on August 16.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CCP AND STATE COUNCIL ISSUE 10-POINT 5-YEAR PLAN FOR GOVERNANCE UNDER RULE OF LAW On August 11, 2021, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s Central Committee (CC) and the State Council unveiled a 10-point five-year (2021-2025) plan titled "Implementation Outline for the Construction of a Government under the Rule of Law (2021-2025)" and issued a notice requesting all regions and departments to conscientiously implement it in light of actual conditions.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CHINA TO ISSUE DIGITAL DRIVING LICENSES NATIONWIDE FROM 2022 The People's Daily (August 18) quoted a public security official as saying on August 18 that China will roll out digital driver's licenses across the country by 2022.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-EMPLOYMENT: STUDENT UNEMPLOYMENT HAS RISEN CONSIDERABLY THIS YEAR Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics, the state-run CCTV News reported (August 16) that since the beginning of this year, the employment situation has remained generally stable. Commenting on the employment situation of college graduates, it mentioned that many college graduates entered the labour market in July and, therefore, the unemployment rate will rise "relatively sharply from June to July".
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: PBSC MEMBER WANG HUNING STRESSES NEED FOR PROGRESS IN POLITICAL WORK AND BUILDING IDEOLOGY IN UNIVERSITIES Politburo Standing Committee Member Wang Huning presided over the 27th National Conference on Party Building in Colleges and Universities on August 17.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TERMINATES COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH 286 FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES The South China Morning Post (August 16) reported that China’s education authorities terminated 286 cooperative programmes between Chinese and foreign universities last week as part of a routine assessment of collaborative arrangements with foreign institutions.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-POPULATION: CHINA'S ONCE IN A DECADE POPULATION CENSUS SHOWS MORE THAN 44.7 PERCENT PREFECTURE-LEVEL CITIES HAD SMALLER POPULATIONS THAN IN 2010 According to the once-a-decade census, which was conducted last year of China's 330-plus prefecture-level cities, 149-or 44.7 percent had smaller populations last year than in 2010.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: WIFE OF CHINESE DISSIDENT REVEALS THAT CHINA MAINTAINS 'BLACK SITE' DETENTION FACILITY IN DUBAI During an interview in a safe house in Ukraine on June 30, 2021, 26-year old Wu Huan claimed that she was held for eight days at a Chinese-run "black site" in Dubai along with at least two Uyghurs, in what may be the first evidence that China is operating a secret detention facility beyond its borders.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S STATE-RUN CCTV AND XINHUA COMMENT ON THE LARGEST SINO-RUSSIAN LAND-AIR MILITARY EXERCISES HELD FROM AUGUST 9-13 According to China's state-run CCTV (Military channel) on August 13, in the final stage of the Sino-Russian joint exercise, joint land and air operations were launched.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION OFFICIAL WRITES ON PLA'S RECRUITMENT POLICY The People's Daily (August 15) published an article by Liu Guoshun of the Political Work Bureau, National Defense Mobilization Department, Central Military Commission, on the PLA's recruitment policy.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBETAN STUDENTS PROMISED REIMBURSEMENT OF SCHOOL FEES IF THEY JOIN PLA Radio Free Asia (August 11) citing Tibetan sources reported that Tibetan students ages 18-21 are being offered reimbursement of their school fees in exchange for enrolling in a two-year course of military training.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY'S INITIAL COMMENT ON TAKEOVER OF KABUL BY TALIBAN IS BRIEF AND CAUTIOUS The People's Daily (August 16) reported the cautious and short statement of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Hua Chunying that China will respect the choice and will of the Afghan people.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE EMBASSY IN INDIA VOICES OBJECTION TO US SECRETARY OF STATE BLINKEN'S MEETING WITH TIBETAN OFFICIALS IN INDIA A statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in India on August 12 "strongly opposed the repeated provocative acts by the US" after the Chargé d'Affaires at US Embassy in New Delhi met with Ngodup Dongchung, representative of the Dalai Lama in New Delhi and said that the US respects "the Dalai Lama's vision for equal rights of people."
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN FOREIGN MINISTER CLAIMES THAT BLAST ON BUS ON JULY 14 KILLING CHINESE WORKERS WAS HANDIWORK OF INDIAN AND AFGHAN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES Reuters (August 12) reported Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi as saying on August 12 that the bus blast on July 14 that killed 13 people, including nine Chinese workers, was a suicide bombing by Islamist militants backed by the Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S LDP AND TAIWAN'S DPP TO HOLD 2+2 MEETING WITHIN THE MONTH The Japan Times disclosed (August 18) that in the first such initiative, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is planning to hold online talks on security issues with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) within this month at the earliest.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE-ORIGIN JAPANESE WOMAN RELEASED AFTER SERVING 6-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE FOR ESPIONAGE A Chinese origin Japanese woman who was detained in Shanghai in June 2015 and sentenced in December 2018 by the Shanghai Intermediate People's Court to six years in prison for spying has been released after serving the six-year prison sentence in Shanghai.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-US: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR QIN GANG AND US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE WENDY SHERMAN MEET ON AUGUST 12 On August 12, China’s newly arrived Ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang met US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-US: US KEEN TO DECOUPLE RELIANCE ON CHINA FOR RARE EARTHS AND THEIR PROCESSING With China having carved out a dominant position in multiple supply chains on which the US is uncomfortably reliant, there are efforts in the US to decouple this reliance, especially in rare earths.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LAOS: LAOS MINISTER SAYS LAOS-CHINA RAILWAY WILL BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER THIS YEARCHINA-LAOS: LAOS MINISTER SAYS LAOS-CHINA RAILWAY WILL BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR According to Pasaxon, the newspaper of the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Laotian Minister of Planning and Investment Sonexay Siphandone on August 11 during a meeting of 10th Laos-China Railway Project Construction Committee, said that as of July 25, construction of the railway, which runs from the town of Boten on Laos’s border with China to the capital Vientiane, was 93.82 per cent complete.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY ANHUI PROVINCE PARTY SECRETARY The People's Daily (August 7) published an interview with Li Jinbin, Party Secretary of Anhui Province, under the caption 'Break a new path in the rise of Central China'.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-RECTIFICATION OF SECURITY APPARATUS: CHINA'S CDIC DISCLOSED ON AUGUST 7 THAT OVER 90 PERCENT 'LEADING CADRES' OF THE POLITICAL AND LEGAL SYSTEM HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2021 China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission posted a notification on its official website on August 7, stating that over 90 leading cadres of the political and legal system at the department level or above were investigated and dealt with in the first half of the year.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: POLITBURO MEMBER SUN CHUNLAN VISITS NANJING IN JIANGSU PROVINCE TO INVESTIGATE COVID OUTBREAK Xinhua (August 1) reported that Politburo Member and State Council Vice Premier Sun Chunlan travelled to Nanjing, Jiangsu to investigate epidemic prevention work amid the city’s COVID-19 outbreak.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE MILITARY RESEARCHERS ASSESS USA'S "TRACKING LAYER" FOR HYPERSONIC MISSILES The South China Morning Post (August 10) quoted a peer-reviewed study published in the domestic journal Infrared and Laser Engineering on August 4, by Chinese military scientists of the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunication Technology affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), stating that a global early warning system being built in the US to track hypersonic weapons will be an improvement on its existing system but will have to overcome several big challenges to be effective.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: QIU SHI EDITORIAL EMPHASISES THAT PLA MUST FOCUS ON POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL WORK IN ADDITION TO MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM The Qiushi Editorial Department published (2021/15 dated 31 July) an article directed at the army, saying that it is critical for it to be built up politically and ideologically as well as militarily and that understanding the vital role of the Party’s leadership in the military’s success is crucial.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY TO EXERCISE IN LARGE STRETCH OF WATERS FROM HAINAN TO SOUTH CHINA SEA China’s maritime authorities cordoned off a large section of waters from Hainan to the Paracels from August 6 for a military drill on a scale that analysts say could involve tests of carrier-killer ballistic missiles.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW SOLDIERS OF BORDER DEFENCE REGIMENT OF XINJIANG MILITARY REGION VISIT KANGSIWA MARTYRS CEMETERY FOR 'SPECIAL PARTY CLASS' Sina.com reported on August 4 that newly recruited soldiers of a border defence regiment of the Xinjiang Military Region visited the Kangsiwa Martyrs Cemetery, the highest altitude cemetery in the whole army, to have a special party class.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA ARMY AVIATION COMBAT GROUP IN WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND USING HELICOPTERS FOR LOW ALTITUDE AND ULTRA LOW ALTITUDE OPERATIONS Reporting on the 'Western Joint 2021 Exercises', Sina.com (August 9) disclosed that the Army Aviation Combat Group in the Western Theatre uses helicopters as its main equipment, and uses low-altitude and ultra-low-altitude as the main battlefield to implement three-dimensional, full-depth, and mobile operations.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTERS VISIT TIBET FROM MID-JULY TO EARLY AUGUST AND SEE 'TROPHIES' CAPTURED FROM 'FOREIGN FORCES' ON THE BORDER Sina.com reported on August 5 that Global Times reporters set off from Xinjiang and followed the general route of the People's Liberation Army that entered Tibet from Xinjiang from mid-July to early August.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE ACADEMIC URGES CHINA TO STEP UP ITS PROPAGANDA AGAINST INDIA AS CHINA'S INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION IS GETTING DAMAGED An article captioned 'How to suppress and counter India's information war against China' by Liu Zongyi, Secretary-General, China and South Asian Studies Center, Shanghai Institute of International Studies, was posted on the guancha news portal on August 5, 2021.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN REPLACES RETIRED GENERAL ASIM BAJWA WITH BUSINESSMAN KHALID MANSOOR AS PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CPEC On August 3, Pakistan appointed Khalid Mansoor to the top position responsible for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), replacing retired Pakistan Army General Asim Saleem Bajwa.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S SELF DEFENCE FORCES TO DEPLOY ANTI-SHIP AND ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES ON ISHIGAKI-JIMA ISLANDS BY 2022 An article in the Diplomat (July 6) reported that Japan’s Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo confirmed plans this week to deploy several hundred Self-Defense Force personnel and anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles to another of its southwestern islands of Ishigaki-jima sometime in 2022, to deter and defend against a potential threat from China’s growing military.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN APPROVES HIS ADMINISTRATION'S FIRST ARMS SALE TO TAIWAN Bloomberg (August 4) reported that amid rising tensions with China, the Biden Administration has approved its first arms sale of a potential $750 million to Taiwan.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LITHUANIA: CHINA RECALLS ITS AMBASSADOR AS LITHUANIA ALLOWS TAIWAN TO OPEN REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE UNDER THE NAME OF "TAIWAN" In an article in the Global Times (August 100), its Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin said China had decided to recall its Ambassador to Lithuania and demanded that the Lithuanian government recall its Ambassador to China.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINA GIVES US$ 6 MILLION AID TO MYANMAR'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT ON AUGUST 11 The Diplomat reported (August 11) that China’s government today transferred more than $6 million to Myanmar’s military government to fund a range of development projects, in the latest sign that Beijing is accommodating itself to the junta that seized power in February.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN MICHAEL SPAVOR SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IMPRISONMENT ON ESPIONAGE CHARGES BUT WITH PROVISION FOR DEPORTATION The court in Dandong has sentenced Canadian businessman Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison on charges of spying.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE STUDENTS APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO U.S. COLLEGES DECLINES BY ONE-FIFTH The Washington Post (August 13) said that according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the total number of Chinese students in the government’s database declined by a fifth from 2019 to 2020 and that while international applications to the United States plunged across the board for the 2019-2020 school year, they rebounded this year — with the exception of China.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SPEAKS ON PLA AT 32ND POLITBURO MEETING The state-run CCTV reported the 32nd session of the CCP CC Politburo on July 30 afternoon. It reported that the meeting insisted on the party’s absolute leadership over the People’s Army and the goal of achieving the 100-year army’s struggle.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON PARTY AND PLA IN QIU SHI Xinhua (July 31) disclosed that an article by Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published on August 1 in this year's 15th issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC CONVENES HIGH-LEVEL FORUM IN ZHONGNANHAI WITH NON-PARTY PERSONALITIES TO DISCUSS CHINA'S ECONOMY Xinhua (July 30) reported that the CCP CC held a non-party forum in Zhongnanhai on July 28 to listen to the leaders of the democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and representatives of non-party personalities on the current economic situation and economic work in the second half of the year.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY APPOINTED FOR INNER MONGOLIA On August 1, Ms. Wang Lixia was appointed Deputy Party secretary of Inner Mongolia.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ON AUGUST 4, GIVES TWO-PAGE COVERAGE STARTING FROM THE FRONTPAGE OF CCP'S INNER PARTY REGULATION SYSTEM The People's Daily on August 4, 2021, gave 2 full-page coverage, starting from the front page, of the 'Chinese Communist Party's Inner Party Regulation System' updated till July 2021.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-FLOODS: STATE COUNCIL BEGINS INVESTIGATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THERE WERE LAPSES BY ZHENGZHOU OFFICIALS IN TACKLING FLOODS As the death toll from the floods rose to 302, with 50 missing by August 2, the Global Times reported that of the total 292 died and 47 are missing in Zhengzhou alone.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: UPCOMING NPC SESSION TO CONSIDER DECISION TO ADD ONE OR MORE NATIONAL LAWS TO HONGKONG AND MACAU'S BASIC LAWS Among the 14 draft Bills up for review by the 13th NPC Standing Committee when it convenes for its 30th session from August 17 to 20, are draft decisions to add one or more national laws to Annexes III to Hong Kong and Macau Basic Laws.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE EXPLAINS CORRECT WAY OF TEACHING IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL THEORY The Guangming Daily (August 1) published a lengthy article on the "correct" way of teaching ideological and political theory and cautioned that international and domestic negative textbooks should be avoided.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-SPORTS: CHINESE OLYMPICS SPRINT CYCLISTS WEAR MAO BADGES AT OLYMPICS EVENT Reuters (August 2) reported that Chinese sprint cyclists Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi wore badges featuring Mao Zedong during their gold medal ceremony on August 2 in a potential breach of Olympic rules regarding the display of political paraphernalia.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA PERSONNEL TO START GETTING PARENTAL AND SPOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 2021 The spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence Colonel Wu Qian announced (July 29) that starting August eligible military personnel will begin receiving parental support benefits of RMB 600 per month.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S PLA INVITES TENDERS FOR TESTING LAUNCH SYSTEM FOR MAGNETISED PLASMA ARTILLERY The US magazine National Interest (July 30) cited a Global Times report publicising that the PLA had recently issued a notice that "invites tenders for a theory-testing and a launch system for magnetized plasma artillery.”
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: QIU SHI COMMENTARY EXHORTS NEED TO GUARANTEE THAT "THE PARTY COMMANDS THE GUN" A commentary published in Qiu Shi (August 3) said General Secretary Xi Jinping had "profoundly clarified that the party’s command of guns is an unbreakable truth".
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE STATING THE PLA'S SECOND CENTURY GOAL HAVE BEEN CLEARLY SET OUT On PLA Day on August 1, the People's Daily published a frontpage article captioned 'The People's Army listens to the party, follows the party, keeps in mind its original mission, inherits the red gene, and assumes the responsibility of being a strong army——The military flag always floats with the party flag'.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC VICE CHAIRMAN ZHANG YOUXIA PUBLISHES IMPORTANT ARTICLE IN QIU SHI The CCP's leading theoretical fortnightly journal 'Qiu Shi' (Seeking Truth) published (2021/15 dated August 1, 2021) an important 4429-word article by CMC Vice Chairman General Zhang Youxia.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA TROOPS IN TIBET MILITARY REGION GET NEW ANTI-TANK MISSILES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT A Chinese website reported (July 30) that the border defence forces of the Tibet Military Region have been equipped with many advanced weapons, such as the 'Red Arrow 12' anti-tank missile, and a new type of precision shooter rifle.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: ARTILLERY BATTALION OF PLA 78TH GROUP ARMY IN XINJIANG GETS NEW 4 X WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE-MOUNTED HOWITZER Sina.com (July 29) quoting an article in the 'North Xinjiang Guardian' reported that an artillery battalion of a combined brigade of the PLA 78th Group Army recently held a live ammunition tactical exercise where it displayed the new four-wheel drive 122mm vehicle-mounted howitzer with which the combined brigade is now equipped.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-RAILWAY: QIU SHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY CHAIRMAN OF CHINA'S RAILWAY HIGHLIGHTING IMPORTANCE OF CHINA'S RAILWAYS TO CHINA'S NATIONAL STRENGTH The Party theoretical journal Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth 2021/15) published an article on August 1, by Lu Dongfu, Chairman and Party Secretary of China National Railway Group Co., Ltd, who highlighted the advantages of China's high-speed railway.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-NUCLEAR: CHINA TO SHUT DOWN ITS TAISHAN NUCLEAR REACTOR The Financial Times (July 30) reported that after French nuclear operator EDF publicly recommended its closure last week, China announced it would shut the Taishan nuclear reactor after fuel damage.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INFLUENTIAL CHINESE BLOGGER WRITES IN CAIXIN MAGAZINE OVERSEAS INVESTORS ARE WITHDRAWING CAPITAL DUE TO UNCERTAINTY OF GOVT SANCTIONS AGAINST MAJOR COMPANIES SUCH AS ANT GROUP Ren Yi, an influential Chinese blogger who has more than 1 million followers on Weibo, in an article in Caixin on July 30 wrote that "Stocks of offshore-listed Chinese companies have slumped recently amid Beijing’s sweeping regulatory actions targeting a range of industries from fintech and ride-hailing to after-school education."
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI LAUNCHES NEW MOBILE SMARTPHONES WITH 4G MICROCHIPS INSTEAD OF 5G Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. unveiled its P50 smartphone series after a months-long delay, though the squeeze of U.S. sanctions means the handsets contain 4G microchips instead of the 5G-ready chips that the Chinese technology giant initially touted.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET Quoting a Chinese diaspora media outlet Mingde, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) reported (August 4) that the authorities are closing the Kharmar (Chinese: Hongcheng) Monastery and video clips depict officials carrying out forced evictions, monastics staging a sit-in to protest having to leave their monastic lives, nuns crying as an elderly teacher walks down an aisle and a monk threatening to jump off a roof.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 24-YEAR TONG YING-KAT BECOMES FIRST HONGKONGER TO BE PUNISHED UNDER NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Hongkonger Tong Ying-kit, 24, became the first person to be convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law on July 29 to nine years in jail on two charges.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-EUROPE: CHINA PREPARING FOR VISIT BY EU DIPLOMATS TO XINJIANG BUT DENIES THEIR REQUEST TO MEET ILHAM TOHTI Quoting Xinjiang Regional Government spokesman Xu Guixiang, the Global Times (July 30) disclosed that China is "actively coordinating" the visit of EU diplomats to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region but some of their demands, including visiting Ilham Tohti, a Uygur sentenced to life imprisonment for provoking social unrest, disrespect China's sovereignty.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE AND RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES TO SEND TEN THOUSAND PERSONNEL EACH FOR 'ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021' MILITARY EXERCISE IN NINGXIA-HUI AR PLA Colonel Wu Qian, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence announced at a press briefing on July 29, that Russia and China will be holding the 'Zapad/Interaction-2021' exercise in the Qingtongxia Joint Tactical Training Base in China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from early to mid-August.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAK ARMY CHIEF GENERAL BAJWA HOSTS RECEPTION IN ARMY HQ TO CELEBRATE PLA'S 94TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY The Chinese PLA-maintained website Sohu.com (July 30) reported the posting on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan that on July 29, General Bajwa, Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Army, held a reception at the Army Headquarters to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the founding of the PLA with the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan.
Aug 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS (JULY 21-23) VISITS NYINGCHI AND LHASA Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) at Nyingchi’s Mainling Airport on July 21 at the start of a two-day (July 21-23, 2021) visit, without prior public notice.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG VISITS XINJIANG AND STRESSES PROSPERITY AND SECURITY Wang Yang, PBSC member and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) toured Xinjiang from July 21 - 24, 2021. The focus of his visit was on prosperity and security.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHINESE PANCHEN LAMA IGNORED DURING RECENT VISIT FOR RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE Quoting Tibetan sources Radio Free Asia (July ) reported that Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama, who had gone to Sichuan’s Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on July 12 to participate in a religious conference, was ignored by ordinary Tibetans who had been told by authorities to turn out to greet him, with only hand-picked officials present to show him respect.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: FRESH OUTBREAK OF COVID PANDEMIC IN NANJING HAS RAISED QUESTIONS AMONG CHINESE HEALTH AUTHORITIES The Nanjing outbreak of the pandemic is still growing and local officials are under a lot of pressure for poor epidemic prevention. The authorities have traced cases to tourists in Zhangjiajie, Hunan.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LAW: CHINA'S SUPREME COURT DELETES ALL JUDGEMENTS ON CASES RELATED TO ENDANGERING STATE SECURITY The Human Rights Journal Dui Hua on July 26 reported that all judgments and judicial decisions in cases for endangering state security (ESS), including those for reduction of sentences, have been purged from the Supreme People's Court (SPC) online judgment website China Judgements Online (CJO, 中国裁判文书网).
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-NUCLEAR: CHINA IS CONSTRUCTING A SECOND NUCLEAR MISSILE SILO FIELD The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) on its blog on July 26 reported that Satellite images reveal that China is building a second nuclear missile silo field near the prefecture-level city of Hami in Eastern Xinjiang.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW COMMANDER OF PLA SSF APPOINTED On July 5, General Ju Qiansheng was promoted to full general and named the new Commander of the PLA Strategic Support Force (SSF). He is the third PLA SSF commander in almost six years, succeeding General Li Fengbiao and General Gao Jin, who assumed command in 2019 and 2015, respectively.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION ISSUED NEW REGULATIONS ON "MASS WORK" TO BRING THE PLA AND CHINESE PEOPLE CLOSER The People's Daily (July 21) publicised the Central Military Commission (CMC)'s “Regulations on Military Mass Work,” which will come into effect on 1 August.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NUMBER OF CHINESE ASYLUM SEEKERS HAS RISEN SHARPLY AFTER XI JINPING TOOK OVER An article published in The Economist on July 28, stated that the number of asylum seekers from China had increased sharply since Xi Jinping took over.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S STOCK MARKET SLUMPS BY 15 PERCENT PROMPTING CHINA SECURITIES REGULATORY COMMISSION TO CONVENE AN EMERGENCY MEETING The Golden Dragon index, which tracks Chinese technology stocks, has fallen by 15 percent this week amid the introduction of private education regulations and fears of further action against tech firms. Chinese stocks are now the worst-performing in Asia.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PROMINENT BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN SUN DAWU SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN JAIL A Chinese court in Gaobeidian City in Baoding on July 28 sentenced 67-year old Sun Dawu, an outspoken farming magnate, to 18 years in jail for allegedly causing public disorder and a multitude of other offences.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: ROBBIE BARNETT SAYS CHINA USING THE 250,000 TIBETANS COERCED INTO BORDER DEFENCE VILLAGES AS FORM OF ANNEXATION In an article in Foreign Policy (FP-July 28) titled “China Is Using Tibetans as Agents of Empire in the Himalayas,” Robert Barnett said nearly 250,000 Tibetans coerced into new border fortress-villages in the Himalayas follows on FP’s earlier revelation of Chinese annexations in northern Bhutan.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE ENGINEERS ATTACKED BY GUNMAN IN KARACHI On July 28, a gunman opened fire on a car carrying two Chinese engineers in the city of Karachi. One of the engineers was hit four times, mostly in the arm, police said, but was in stable condition.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE ENGINEERS ATTACKED BY GUNMAN IN KARACHI On July 28, a gunman opened fire on a car carrying two Chinese engineers in the city of Karachi. One of the engineers was hit four times, mostly in the arm, police said, but was in stable condition.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-U.S.: U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE WENDY SHERMAN'S MEETS CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER XIE FENG AND CALLS ON FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI IN TIANJIN The readouts from the US State Department and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Shrerman-Xie Feng meeting were quite different with the US stressing that the meeting was with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Chinese that it was between Wendy Sherman and Xie Feng.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: 55-YEAR QIN GANG, CHINA'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. LEFT FOR WASHINGTON ON JULY 27 China's yet-to-be-announced new ambassador to the United States, 55-year old Qin Gang, left for Washington on July 27, amid worsening relations between the world's two largest economies.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES NON-BINDING BILL PROHIBITING USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO MAKE OR DISPLAY ANY MAP OF CHINA SHOWING TAIWAN AS PART OF CHINA Newsweek reported (July 29) that the US House of Representatives passed a bill on July 28 that included a motion to ban the use of public funds to buy, make or display any map of China that shows Taiwan as part of its territory.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA SANCTIONS SEVEN U.S. NATIONALS A week before US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's arrival in Tianjin, China on July 23 released its list of US officials it has sanctioned in response the sanctions imposed by the US.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: LOWY INSTITUTE STUDY CLAIMS MORE WORLD LEADERS VISITED CHINA IN DECADE AFTER 2013 The Lowy Institute released (July 28) a report stating that more world leaders have visited China as compared to the US in the decade 2010-2019. It said a sharp turnaround was noticed from 2013 after China's economy picked up.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT ON 2-DAY (JULY 21-22) VISIT TO NYINGCHI AND LHASA IN TIBET Xinhua (July 22) disclosed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had arrived (July 21) at Nyingchi's Mainling Airport where he was "warmly welcomed by local people and officials of various ethnic groups".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ATTENDS INFORMAL APEC MEETING AND GIVES A SPEECH CCTV News (July 17) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the informal meeting of APEC leaders in Beijing by video on the evening of July 16 and delivered a speech.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: 300 MARXIST SCHOLARS ATTEND PEKING UNIVERSITY'S 2-DAY 'HYBRID' CONFERENCE ON MARXISM China Daily reported that nearly 300 Marxist scholars from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony of the 2-day Third World Congress on Marxism on July 18, which was held both online and offline by Peking University in Beijing.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CYBER: FORMER MAYOR OF CHONGQING SPELLS OUT PROBLEMS WITH EXISTING BUSINESS MODELS OF CHINESE INTERNET COMPANIES In a speech at the China Internet Conference in Beijing on July 13 which he attended as a guest professor at Tsinghua University, the former Mayor of Chingqing Huang Qifan said that existing business models of internet firms will no longer work in the coming decade.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE AEROSPACE SCIENTISTS ARE DEVELOPING A SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT Sputnik News (July 14) disclosed that according to a study by scientists involved in Chinese missions to Mars and the Moon, China is developing a supersonic aircraft that is larger than the Boeing 737.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY CONDUCTS EXERCISES IN "ALL MAJOR CHINESE SEA AREAS" AROUND TAIWAN The Global Times (July 20) publicised that in response to recent US "consecutive military provocations against China", the People's Liberation Army (PLA) held exercises in all major Chinese sea areas over the past week in moves that military experts said on July 20 could be seen as countermeasures that displayed the PLA's determination and preparedness.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE OFFICIALS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS IN PROVINCES ASKED TO RETURN BONUSES Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (July 12) that recently civil servants and school teachers in Henan, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces received orders to give the performance bonuses they received back to the government.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT: FLOODS IN HENAN Incessant rains since July 16 have caused major flooding in large areas of Henan and are threatening its capital Zhengzhou. Chinese media reports that more than 35 people have been killed and the subway in a couple of cities is submerged.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-INNER MONGOLIA: TWO DAMS BURST IN INNER MONGOLIA AUTONOMOUS REGION AFFECTING 16,660 PEOPLE China's Ministry of Water Resources said that two dams in the Inner Mongolian city of Hulunbuir, collapsed on July 18 afternoon in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region after torrential rain. They had formed reservoirs with a combined water storage capacity of 46 million cubic metres.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: PLA XINJIANG MILITARY REGION COMMANDER ACCOMPANIES TAR GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN ON INSPECTION TOUR OF NGARI (ALI) DISTRICT Chairman of TAR People’s Government Chedak/Che Dalha (Ch: Qi Zhala) inspected the borders of Ngari (Ch: Ali) from June 20-21, 2021.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETANS ARRESTED FOR CELEBRATING DALAI LAMA'S BIRTHDAY Radio Free Asia (RFA) on July 13 quoted Golog Jigme, an escaped Tibetan political prisoner who now lives in Switzerland, that Chinese police arrested two Tibetans in their 40s—a man named Kunchok Tashi and a woman named Dzapo—on “suspicion of being part of a group on social media that shared images and documents, and encouraged the reciting of Tibetan prayers on the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE LEADERSHIP REACTS TO DEATH OF 9 CHINESE IN BUS EXPLOSION IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN AND DEMANDS QUICK STERN ACTION China's media reported the bus explosion in Pakistan on July 14 that caused 9 deaths and 28 injuries to Chinese citizens and which attracted "high attention" from senior Chinese officials.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S OBSERVATIONS TO HIS INDIAN COUNTERPART AT DUSHANBE CLEARLY INDICATE CHINA WILL NOT WITHDRAW TO APRIL 2020 POSITIONS ON LAC During the meeting between India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yii on July 14 on the sidelines of the SCO Meeting at Dushanbe, Wang Yi said that "after the two foreign ministers' meeting in Moscow in September last year, the frontier troops of both countries disengaged in the Galwan Valley and the Pangong Lake areas, and the overall situation in the border area was de-escalated.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE MARITIME POLICE BUREAU VESSELS ENTER JAPANESE TERRITORIAL WATERS DAY AFTER JAPAN RELEASES DEFENCE MINISTRY WHITE PAPER The Central News Agency observed (July 14) that Japan’s annual defense whitepaper, released on July 13, has for the first time explicitly cited the importance of Taiwan’s stability.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: TAIWANESE MINISTER CANCELS VISIT TO TOKYO OLYMPICS FOLLOWING IOC LIMITING OPENING CEREMONY TO HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT The Taiwanese government on July 18 announced that the planned visit to Japan by Audrey Tang, Taiwan''s Digital Minister, for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games has been cancelled. Audrey Tang was scheduled to visit Japan from July 19.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CALLS MONGOLIAN PRESIDENT ON EVE OF U.S. DEPUTY ASSTT. SECRETARY WENDY SHERMAN'S VISIT Chinese President Xi Jinping called the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on July 16, the eve of US Deputy Secretary of State Diplomat Wendy Sherman's visit to Mongolia.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE NEWS PORTAL REPORTS THAT US PACIFIC AIR FORCE COMMAND DEPLOYED 25 F-22 RAPTOR FIGHTERS FOR 'PACIFIC IRON 2021' EXERCISE Well-known Chinese news site Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) reported on July 17 that the Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Air Force Command said that it will deploy approximately 25 F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Guam and Tinian to participate in an exercise named 'Pacific Iron 2021'.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. PORTAL PUBLICISES BRAZEN OPERATIONS OF CHINESE POLICE OFFICERS INSIDE U.S. In a detailed 4-part article the U.S. online publication ProPublica on July 22 said that in April, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the FBI has over 2,000 active China-related investigations, with a 1,300% increase in economic espionage cases alone.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CONVENES MEETING OF ECONOMIC EXPERTS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO DISCUSS THE ECONOMY Chinese Premier Li Keqiang invited (July 12) economic experts, business leaders, and top government officials to share their thoughts on the economy.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS ON STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVING IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL WORK CCTV News (July 12) disclosed that on the 100th anniversary of the CCP's founding, the CCP Central Committee and the State Council issued the "Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Ideological and Political Work in the New Era".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: NEW BOOK ON 'XI JINPING'S NEW ERA' INTRODUCED IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT CHINA A Chinese Ministry of Education notification on July 8, announced that the Ministry of Education had organised and compiled the "Xi Jinping New Era" for universities, middle schools and primary schools.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-GOVERNANCE: CENTRAL AUTHORITIES TO TIGHTEN MONITORING OF COUNTY-LEVEL PARTY SECRETARIES Xinhua (July 12) announced that China's central authorities have released a plan on modernizing the system and capacity for primary-level governance.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-MINORITIES: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL INFORMATION OFFICE RELEASED A WHITE PAPER ON XINJIANG ON JULY 14 Xinhua (July 14) reported the release by China's State Council Information Office of a Paper on 'Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang'.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ZHANG TAO, PARTY SECRETARY OF CHINA AEROSPACE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS BEATS TWO DISTINGUISHED CHINESE AEROSPACE SCIENTISTS WHEN THEY DECLINE TO RECOMMEND HIM TO A STOCKHOLM-BASED ORGANISATION Reports emerging almost a month after two aerospace experts were violently attacked by an aerospace company executive on June 6 and hospitalized have created a sensation on China's social media — raising questions about corruption and cover-up within the prestigious industry.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS RELEASES LATEST STATISTICS, BUT A CHINA RESEARCH FIRM EXPRESSES DOUBTS Xinhua (July 15) publicised the statistics released by China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and quoted it as saying China's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 12.7 per cent year on year in the first half of 2021 as recovery continues to consolidate.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA HAS INSUFFICIENT JOBS FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES The South China Morning Post (July 16) reported that China’s universities produce millions of graduates each year, but many can’t get a decent job and end up unemployed or in factories.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EUROPEAN FIRM ASSESSES CHINA'S FOREIGN LAND HOLDINGS AT APPROX. 6.48 MILLION HECTARES Land Matrix, a European land monitoring organization, has assessed that Chinese companies have in all gained control of 6.48 million hectares of land devoted to agriculture, forestry and mining around the world from 2011 to 2020.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S 12TH ARCTIC SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION DEPARTED FROM SHANGHAI ON JULY 12 People's Daily (July 12) disclosed that China’s 12th Arctic Scientific Expedition organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources set sail on July 12, from Shanghai on the "Snow Dragon 2" ship to perform scientific expeditions in the Arctic.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CIVIC ISSUES: TENCENT-OWNED WECHAT HAS DELETED A DOZEN LGBT ACCOUNTS CNN-Hong Kong Business (July 7) reported that WeChat has deleted more than a dozen LGBT accounts run by university students, sparking fears that safe spaces for China's sexual and gender minorities are going to shrink even further.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CYBERSECURITY: CHINA'S CYBERSPACE ADMINISTRATION RELEASED DRAFT MEASURES FOR CYBERSECURITY REVIEW ON JULY 9 As Beijing continues to tighten its grip over the country’s once-freewheeling tech sector, including measures to prevent risks arising from cross-border data transfers by foreign-listed companies, draft changes to the Measures for Cybersecurity Review were revealed on July 9 by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and are open for public comment until July 25.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA TROOPS 'INTRUDE' INTO INDIAN TERRITORY AT DEMCHOK Chinese troops reportedly ingressed at Demchok in Ladakh to protest against celebrations of Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama’s birthday on July 6 in Indian villages.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ASSERTS THAT UNILATERAL CHANGE IN STATUS QUO BY CHINA IS UNACCEPTABLE The Washington Post (July 14) reported that the foreign ministers of India and China met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization foreign ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on July 14 where New Delhi stressed that a military standoff along a mountainous border area was profoundly disturbing their ties, and warning that any unilateral change in the status quo by Beijing was unacceptable.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: 9 CHINESE WORKING ON A CPEC DAM PROJECT KILLED IN BUS ACCIDENT IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN A bus carrying 30 Chinese engineers to the site of the Dasu dam, a hydroelectric project being built as part of the BRI’s associated US$60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), were injured and nine died when the bus plunged down a high mountain ravine in northern Pakistan.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT WITH FIVE OTHER DEPARTMENTS UPDATED THE XINJIANG SUPPLY CHAIN BUSINESS ADVISORY ON JULY 13 The U.S. Department of State, alongside the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Department of Labor on July 13 issued an updated Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory to highlight the heightened risks for businesses with supply chain and investment links to Xinjiang.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA OBJECTS TO U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT LANDING IN TAIWAN TVBS reported that a U.S. military C-146A Wolfhound arrived in Taipei on July 15 morning to deliver a package to the new American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) director, Sandra Oudkirk.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN CALLS FOR CHINA-US DIALOGUE TO AVOID MISGUIDANCE AND MISCALCULATION Caixin (July 10) reported that Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan had called for dialogue between China and the U.S. on July 9.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE OFFICIAL FORECASTS STEADY RISE FOR CHINA AND DECLINE OF THE U.S. Prof. Huang Renwei, Executive President of the Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance and former Vice President of SASS, recently spoke on "What does the decline of American hegemony mean to the world?".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINESE INTELLIGENCE SHIP MONITORS AUSTRALIAN NAVY'S 'TALISMAN SABRE JOINT EXERCISE' Australia’s military is monitoring the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's intelligence-gathering vessel Tianwangxing that is sailing towards the Australian coast, to monitor the country’s biannual Talisman Sabre joint exercise involving the United States and a number of US allies.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER ZHAO LEJI INSPECTS JILIN PROVINCE CCTV News (July 11) reported that PBSC member and Secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission Zhao Leji visited Jilin from July 9 to 11.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S STUDY TIMES PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE BY CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI ON JULY 9 China's Study Times published an article captioned ''Deeply implement Xi Jinping's diplomatic thinking and hold high the torch of true multilateralism' by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 9.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY HOLDS SUMMIT OF WORLD POLITICAL LEADERS THROUGH VIDEO ON JULY 6 China’s official Xinhua News Agency, on July 6, disclosed that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping attended the summit of the Chinese Communist Party and world political party leaders through video conferencing and delivered a speech.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SPEAKS TO GERMANY'S ANGELA MERKELL AND FRANCE'S MACRON On July 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping called German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in a bid to improve the tense EU-China relationship.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: LEADING CADRES OF STATE COUNCIL 'STUDY' XI JINPING'S JULY 1 SPEECH Leading cadres of the State Council attended a study session presided by Premier Li Keqiang on July 2 to study Xi Jinping’s major speech from the July 1 celebration of the Party’s 100th founding anniversary.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA PLANS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE PRIMARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO UNDER 5 PERCENT IN 2-3 YEARS Caixin (July 3) reported that over the past few weeks, provincial education departments have issued orders to reduce the presence of private players in primary and middle schools and cut the percentage of children enrolled in private school to just 5% within two to three years.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: FOUR PLA OFFICERS PROMOTED TO RANK OF FULL GENERAL CCTV and Xinhua (July 5) announced the promotion of 4 PLA officers to the rank of full General.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: SOUTHERN THEATRE COMMAND ARMY GETS NEW POLITICAL COMMISSAR The Beijing Daily (July 7) reported that Wang Donghai, Deputy Director of the National Defense Mobilization Department of the Central Military Commission, is appointed Political Commissar of the Army in the Southern Theater Command.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: 99 PARTY WORKERS IN PLA AWARDED ON JULY 1 99 Advanced and Grassroot Party organisation workers in the PA were awarded on the occasion of the CCP's hundredth founding anniversary on July 1, 2021.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: FOURTH TYPE 052 DESTROYER JOINS SERVICE IN PLA NAVY The Kaifeng, China's fourth Type 052 Destroyer with Hull No: 124, was reported on July 2 to have been commissioned into service in the PLA Navy.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE MAGAZINE CLAIMS CHINA TESTED AN UNDERWATER DRONE THAT CAN LOCATE AND ATTACK AN ENEMY SUBMARINE WITHOUT HUMAN INSTRUCTION The South China Morning Post (July 8) disclosed that a research team in China has unveiled an underwater drone that can recognise, follow and attack an enemy submarine without human instruction.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA PLANS WARTIME CONSCRIPTION POLICY WHICH GIVES PRIORITY FOR ENLISTING RETIRED SOLDIERS The South China Morning Post (July 7) disclosed that according to draft regulatory changes released by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs on the weekend China had finalised wartime conscription plans.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S CYBER ADMINISTRATION IS INVESTIGATING 4 CHINESE COMPANIES, ALL OF WHICH HAVE RECENTLY LISTED IN THE U.S. On July 2, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced it will conduct a “cybersecurity review” of ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing. New account registrations were suspended. Later on July 4, the CAC announced that the investigation revealed “serious violations of laws and regulations in collecting and using personal information.”
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA ORDERS NATIONWIDE CUT IN STEEL PRODUCTION On July 5, Caixin reported that Beijing has issued a national mandate instructing provinces to reduce crude steel output within their jurisdictions in 2021.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA THANKS PERSONS WHO WISHED HIM ON HIS 86TH BIRTHDAY AND SAYS HE WILL LIVE TILL HE IS 110 YEARS AND CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES REACTS On July 7, the Dalai Lama thanked all those who had wished him on his birthday and said "According to some of my dreams and predictions, I will live till 110 years and some say 113".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-UK: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER ORDERS REVIEW OF TAKEOVER OF LARGEST BRITISH SEMICONDUCTORS MANUFACTURING COMPANY BY CHINESE-OWNED ENTITY Asia Times (July 9) quoting the Guardian said that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had ordered a review of the recent takeover of Newport Wafer Fab, the UK’s largest producer of semiconductors, byNexperia, a Dutch-based firm wholly owned by China’s Wingtech.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER LE YUCHENG SAYS US HEGEMONY IS IN DECLINE THOUGH IT WILL BE HARD TO OVERTAKE IT FOR THE NUMBER ONE SPOT In an interview with Guancha, the news outlet owned by the CCP CC Propaganda Department, China's Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said “The US decline is not a decline in strength but a decline of hegemony". “No matter a country’s strength, hegemonic power is bound to wither, hegemony is not popular.”
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: WELCOMING CHINESE INVESTMENT TALIBAN SPOKESMAN SAYS TALIBAN WILL NO LONGER ALLOW UYGHUR SEPARATISTS TO ENTER CHINA FROM AFGHANISTAN The South China Morning Post (July 9) reported that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on July 7 that the Taliban welcomes Chinese investment in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and promises to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE FIRMS EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT CPEC The Economic Times (July 7) reported that Chinese firms in Pakistan had raised concerns over the CPEC projects for the first time, and have also threatened to shift their headquarters in Pakistan to a safer place.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: XI JINPING AND KIM JONG-UN EXCHANGE CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION China's state-owned CCTV News on July 11, reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Council, and Supreme Commander of the North Korean Armed Forces on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the China-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CAMPAIGN BEGINS TO "STUDY AND IMPLEMENT" CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING'S "IMPORTANT" SPEECH OF JULY 1 The CCP CC General Office issued a notice on July 3, requesting all regions and departments to "earnestly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech" at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI PRAISING XI JINPING'S CONTRIBUTION TO CHINA'S DIPLOMACY The People's Daily (July 3) published an article by Politburo member Yang Jiechi captioned "Continuing a hundred years of glory, creating a chapter of the times: Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Guides the Party's Foreign Affairs Work to Achieve Brilliant Achievements".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: 100TH ANNIVERSARY The Chinese media publicised that 29 Chinese Communist Party members had been awarded the newly instituted 'July 1' medal this year. Only one was a Tibetan ethnic minority.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PUBLISHES ANOTHER BOOK GIVING HIS THOUGHTS ON PARTY BUILDING China's Central Literature Publishing House released a new book on June 28 captioned 'Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Expositions on Comprehensive and Strict Party Building Work' for nationwide distribution. It contains Xi Jinping's thoughts on the full and strict governance of the Party.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC'S ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT REVEAL CCP NOW HAS 95.148 MILLION MEMBERS The CCP CC Organisation Department on June 30 issued a notice stating the total membership of the Party is: 95.148 million, a 3.5% increase from 2019.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE FOR DIPLOMACY The Chinese government has launched (July 2) a new website for diplomacy: http://www.chinadiplomacy.org.cn The site consists of some news on China's diplomatic initiatives but mostly carries remarks or news about Xi Jinping.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE SCIENTISTS ACHIEVE BREAKTHROUGH IN BUILDING MOST POWERFUL LASER ON THE PLANET The South China Morning Post (July 2) disclosed that a research team in Shanghai has achieved a technological breakthrough that allows them to build the most powerful laser on the planet.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: DIRECTOR OF CASS INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT DIVISION RECOMMENDS EDUCATION REFORM Writing in Caixin, Zhang Ming, Director of the International Investment Research Division of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said "Data on the family backgrounds of Peking University students from 1978 to 2005, compiled by Liu Yunshan, a professor in the university’s Graduate School of Education, show approximately 30% of fresh students there came from rural families between 1978 and 1998.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-BORDER SECURITY: YUNNAN SOCIAL SCIENCES ARTICLE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF BORDER SECURITY An article in the 'Yunnan Social Sciences' issue (2/2021) said "China’s border security is challenged by both internal and imported risks". It said in the new era of promoting the formation of a new pattern of comprehensive opening up, border security has become more and more important in the overall national security structure.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: LT. GENERAL QIAO XIANJI APPOINTED NEW DEPUTY COMMANDER OF WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND Lt General Qiao Xianji was identified on June 28 as the new Deputy Commander of the PLA Western Theatre Command. He was attending the inauguration ceremony of the new Terminal at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA COLLEGES AND ACADEMIES RECRUIT 13,000 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES THIS YEAR The People's Daily (June 24) reported that at the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense on June 24, its spokesman Ren Guoqiang disclosed that according to this year’s military college enrollment plan, a total of 27 colleges and universities recruited more than 13,000 ordinary high school graduates.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE MAGAZINE PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON 3-STAGE OPERATION FOR CAPTURING TAIWAN The Chinese magazine Naval and Merchant Ships, published a detailed outline of a three-stage surprise attack which could pave the way for an assault landing on Taiwan.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES CITES RESULTS OF TAIWAN POLLSTERS SHOWING INCREASE IN SUPPORT AMONG TAIWANESE FOR CCP Coinciding with the centenary celebrations of the CCP and Xi Jinping's speech on July 1, the Global Times (July 2) cited the results of a poll released by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF) on July 1, apparently showing that among adult Taiwan residents, favourable views of the CCP have increased by 4 per cent and negative views decreased by 16 per cent as compared to October 2020.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STATES SITUATION ON BORDER IS STABLE AND CHINA HAS "NO INTENTION OF LAUNCHING AN ATTACK ON INDIA" Pointing to a report in the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg about the movement of 50,000 troops by India to the LAC "and is implementing an "offensive defense" against China, which will give Indian forces "more options to attack and seize territory in China", Hu Xijin, Editor in Chief of the Global Times (July 3) dismissed these reports as " intended to set off the tension in the China-India border area and stir conflict".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS REVEAL HUGE SUMS PAID THROUGH CHINA DAILY TO MAJOR U.S. NEWS MEDIA The US Justice Department confirmed (July 6) that China Daily’s disclosure submitted to the Justice Department for the time period between November 2016 and April 2020, had revealed that the CCP paid US$ 19 million to some major media houses like the New York Times and Washington Post.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACADEMIC WANG JISI DISCUSSES SINO-US RELATIONS IN LATEST ISSUE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Writing in Foreign Affairs (July/Aug 2021) Chinese academic and Americas expert Wang Jisi said "In the past decade, the consensus in Washington has shifted decisively in favour of a more confrontational posture toward Beijing" and that "The recent change in U.S. administration has produced a different tone, but not a dramatic shift in substance".
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: ANTI-CHINA PROTESTS IN KAZAKHSTAN Radio Free Europe (RFE) reported that police in Kazakhstan on July 1, detained a handful of activists long involved in protesting Chinese policies in Xinjiang.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING GIVES HOUR-LONG SPEECH AT CCP'S CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS AT TIANANMEN ON JULY 1; MENTIONS CCP HAS 95 MILLION MEMBERS Dressed in a grey Mao-style suit Xi Jinping, BBC said, delivered a defiant speech at the event marking the centenary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party on July 1.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CHEN XI, HEAD OF CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERS OATH TO NEW PARTY MEMBERS Xinhua (June 22) reported that the CCP CC Organization Department held a “grand oath-taking ceremony” in Beijing on June 22, for representatives of new party members, with Politburo Member and Head of the Central Organization Department Chen Xi presiding over the swearing-in ceremony and delivering a speech.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CPPCC: 17TH MEETING OF CPPCC NATIONAL COMMITTEE STANDING COMMITTEE HELD IN BEIJING ON JUNE 21 The People's Daily (June 22) reported that the CPPCC National Committee's Standing Committee held its 13th meeting in Beijing on June 21.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: FORMER CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL PROFESSOR CAI XIA AUTHORS 28-PAGE PAPER ON CHINA-US RELATIONS Cai Xia, former senior Professor at Beijing’s Central Party School and sharp critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a 28 page paper for Stanford University's Hoover Institute and captioned an “Insider’s Perspective,” has said that four decades of U.S. bridge-building has merely entrenched a Chinese leadership inherently hostile to the U.S. And under President Xi Jinping, China no longer finds engagement useful.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE EDITOR RECOMMENDS CHANGE IN CHINESE DIPLOMACY IN ORDER NOT TO LOSE MARKETS WHICH COULD LEAD TO DOMESTIC DISCONTENT Cao Xin, Secretary-General of the International Public Opinion Research Center of the Chahar Institute; researcher at the Peninsula Peace Research Center and Deputy Director of Southern Newspaper Group Beijing Office, Deputy Chief Editor of Southern Weekend Newspaper Network and current Chief Correspondent in Beijing, published an article recently captioned “Does China’s Diplomacy Need a Big Adjustment?”.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: CDIC DEPUTY SECRETARY XIAO PEI REVEALS NUMBER OF CADRES PUNISHED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2012 AND MAY 2021 AND SAYS CDIC WILL INSIST ON ARMING CADRES WITH XI JINPING'S THOUGHTS ON 'NEW ERA SOCIALIST THOUGHTS WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS' At its second press conference on June 28, Xiao Pei, Deputy Secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and Deputy Director of the State Supervision Commission; Xu Yousheng, Deputy Director of the CCP CC United Front Work Department; Guo Yezhou, Deputy Minister of the CCP CC International Liaison Department (ILD); and Han Wenxiu, Deputy Director of the Central Finance Office in charge of daily work briefed the reporters and fielded their questions.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: BEIJING DAILY COMMENTARY ABSOLVES MAO AND BLAMES "LIN BIAO AND JIANG QING COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY GROUPS" FOR CULTURAL REVOLUTION A lengthy Beijing Daily (June 28) commentary said "In the 10 years of the "Cultural Revolution", the party has repeatedly corrected the "Left" and turned the tide, making Chinese socialism stand firm in the East of Asia.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA INCREASES NUMBER OF MISSILE SILOS AND IS BUILDING NEW SILOS IN GANSU In an article in the Washington Post on June 30, Jefffrey Lewis stated that China is building a huge nuclear launch site in Gansu, with more than 100 ICBM missile silos.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HONGKONG TO TEST CROSS-BORDER USE OF DIGITAL CHINESE CURRENCY Hongkong's Sing Tao Daily reported June 28) that the cross-border use of digital Chinese currency will be fully rolled out for testing in Hong Kong.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S NOMINEE GETS POST OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF WTO According to the Economic Times (June 28), China has pipped India to bag the post of Deputy Director General (DDG) at the World Trade Organization, allegedly by using its good offices with director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Jul 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO'S 31ST 'COLLECTIVE STUDY' SESSION ON JUNE 25 The state-owned CCTV reported (June 27) that on the occasion of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the Politburo "used red resources and continued red blood" for its 31st collective study on June 25.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SEVEN NEW RESEARCH CENTRES SET UP TO STUDY AND PROMOTE 'XI JINPING THOUGHT ON SOCIALISM WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS FOR A NEW ERA' China Daily (June 26) reported that seven new research centres, approved by the CCP CC, have been established to further study, research and promote 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: WANG XIAOHONG, VICE MINISTER AND DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY OF MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY WRITES IN PEOPLE'S DAILY On June 25, the People's Daily published an article by Wang Xiaohong, Vice Minister and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security and member of the 19th CCP CC, titled ' Absorbing forge ahead from the history of the party and show new deeds on the new journey (a monograph celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China)'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: SECURITY HEIGHTENED IN BEIJING FOR CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY'S CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Beijing has tightened security as the CCP celebrates its 100th anniversary on July 1.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE WARNING CADRES THAT PEOPLE ARE YEARNING FOR A BETTER LIFE AND COMPLACENCY OF CADRES COULD HAVE SERIOUS POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES The People's Daily (June 21) published an interesting article by Bao Xinjian, Professor at the School of Marxism, Shandong University, captioned 'Demonstrate the most distinctive character and greatest advantage of self-revolution (a monograph celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China)'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT DISCLOSES THAT BY END OF 2020 A TOTAL OF 537,000 COLLEGE STUDENT VILLAGE OFFICIALS HAD BEEN HIRED The People's Daily (June 23) reported that since the 18th Party Congress when Xi Jinping had stressed the importance of young people going to the front line of the countryside to build their careers and that ‘talent is the key to rural revitalization, the CCP CC's Organisation Department has been working to guide “all localities to actively select college graduates to work in villages.”
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-AVIATION: CHINA OPERATIONALISES NEW AIRPORT 50 KMS FROM CHENGDU, CAPITAL OF SICHUAN The People's Daily (June 27) announced that the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport was put into operation on June 27.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC HOLDS SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ON PARTY HISTORY WHERE IT EMPHASISES PARTY'S ABSOLUTE LEADERSHIP OVER THE ARMY CMC Vice Chairmen General Xu Qiliang and General Zhang Youxia attended a special study session on party history on June 24.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES "PARTY'S ABSOLUTE LEADERSHIP OVER THE ARMY" The Guangming Daily (June 27) published an article by Liu Zhengbin, Professor of the School of Political Science, National Defense University, and Researcher of Shanghai Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, titled: 'The leadership of the party'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-UKRAINE: CHINA THREATENS TO WITHHOLD VACCINE SUPPLIES TO UKRAINE IF IT SUPPORTS STATEMENT TO UNHRC CALLING FOR ACCESS TO XINJIANG The Associated Press (June 25) disclosed that China had pressured Ukraine into withdrawing its support for a call for more scrutiny of human rights in China’s western region of Xinjiang by threatening to withhold Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines destined for Ukraine unless it did so.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: UNHRC CHIEF URGED TO DOCUMENT UNHHRC'S FINDINGS ON PLIGHT OF UYGHURS IN XINJIANG Reuters (June 25) reported that activists and Western diplomats are asking Michelle Bachelet, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, to document her own findings on the plight of Uyghurs in Xinjiang even without China’s blessing for a visit.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING REPLIES TO LETTER FROM INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS The People's Daily (June 23) reported that on June 21, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to the international students of Peking University, which aroused an enthusiastic response among the universities and foreign students in China.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TAKES PBSC MEMBERS TO VISIT NEW CCP MUSEUM ON JUNE 18 Chinese President Xi Jinping took a dozen Politburo members on June 18 to the new Museum of the Communist Party of China.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDES OVER STATE COUNCIL'S LEADING SMALL GROUP MEETING ON 'WESTERN REGION DEVELOPMENT' Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a meeting of the State Council’s Leading Small Group (LSG) for developing the western region on June 21. This is the first time this LSG has met in three years.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PB MEMBER SUN CHUNLAN ATTENDS EVENT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND URGES THEM TO CELEBRATE CCP'S FOUNDING AND STUDY PARTY'S HISTORY The People's Daily (June 18) reported that Politburo member Sun Chunlan attended the finale of the “Online Retrace of the Long March”, an event for college students.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL RELEASES NEW WHITE PAPER ON THE CCP State Council Information Office released a 14,000-word, 9-chapter, White Paper on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) this (June 25) morning in Beijing.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE NUCLEAR SCIENTIST AND VICE PRESIDENT OF HARBIN ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY ZHANG ZHIJIAN FALLS TO DEATH FROM BUILDING The Business Standard of the U.S. reported (June 19) that Zhang Zhijian, who was one of China's top nuclear scientists and the Vice-President of Harbin Engineering University and Vice-President of the Chinese Nuclear Society died after falling from a building.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TALKS TO THE THREE CHINESE ASTRONAUTS IN CHINA'S SPACE STATION On June 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to the three astronauts Nie Haisheng (56), Liu Boming (54) and Tang Hongbo (45) via video link, and congratulated them on their successfully entering the space station while thanking them for their work.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CPPCC CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES UNITED FRONT RESEARCH AND CONSULTATION SYMPOSIUM ON STRENGTHENING NATIONAL CAPACITY IN S&T People’s Daily (June 16) reported on the United Front Work Department Research and Consultation Symposium held in Beijing on June 16. The symposium was held to review the research results on strengthening national strategic capacity in science and technology carried out by relevant party groups. PBSC Member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang delivered a speech when he described how Xi Jinping and the CCP had contributed to strengthening the national strategic capacity in science and technology.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-DEFECTION: MYSTERY CONTINUES TO SURROUND CLAIMED DEFECTION TO U.S. OF CHINESE VICE MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY DONG JINGWEI The WeChat Official Account of the Ministry of National Security at 1600 hrs on June 18, 2021 said, "It is necessary to catch spies as well as "traitors" and "behind the scenes" and this was repeated by the
"Central Political and Legal Committee Chang An Jian" WeChat official account the same day.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: 4000 RECRUITS TO TIBET MILITARY REGION HAD THEIR SWEARING-IN CEREMONY ON COMPLETION OF TRAINING Xinhua (June 18) disclosed that on June 15, more than 4000 Spring recruits to the recruits brigades of the Tibet Military Region in three camps lined up neatly for their swearing-in ceremony in front of the military flag, and completed the transition from local youth to qualified military personnel.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE ON RESPECTING STATUS AND RIGHTS OF SOLDIERS People’s Daily (June 15) published a Commentator's article on the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of the Status, Rights and Interests of Military Personnel,” passed by the National People’s Congress on June 10.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: VARIED TYPES OF PLAAF AIRCRAFT INTRUDED INTO TAIWAN'S ADIZ ON JUNE 15 A total of 28 PLAAF and PLAN aircraft intruded into Taiwan's ADIZ on June 15.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-BRI: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI HOLDS 'VIRTUAL' BRI MEETING ON JUNE 23 On June 23, China held a virtual conference on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), formally titled the “Asia and Pacific High-level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation.”
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE BANKS STRUGGLING TO COMPLY WITH NEW RULES FOR WEALTH ASSET MANAGEMENT Caixin (June 22) reported that halfway through what’s supposed to be the final year of a transition to sweeping new rules covering asset management in China, the $3.9 trillion bank-based sector of the industry is deeply mired in a struggle to accomplish all it needs to by the end of 2021.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA MOVES AHEAD WITH PLANS TO LAUNCH YUAN-DENOMINATED CRUDE OIL OPTIONS CONTRACTS Caixin (June 22) reported that China has moved ahead with its plans to open the country’s financial markets and increase its pricing power over globally traded commodities with the launch of yuan-denominated crude oil options contracts, the first in the energy sector available to foreign investors.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GUANGZHOU FUTURES EXCHANGE TO LAUNCH A CARBON FUTURES MARKET Gao Li, a spokesperson of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), was quoted by Caixin (June 22) as saying that the Guangzhou Futures Exchange will accelerate efforts to launch a carbon futures market.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG'S INDEPENDENT 'APPLE DAILY' SHUTS DOWN ON JUNE 24 Hongkong's independent Apple Daily shut down on June 24 as the authorities refused to 'unfreeze' its assets.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US 7TH FLEET'S GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER TRANSITS TAIWAN STRAIT ON JUNE 22 The US Seventh Fleet said that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on June 22 through international waters in accordance with international law.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR PARTY SECRETARY WU YINGJIE GIVES IMPORTANT SPEECH TO DISTRICT PARTY COMMITTEE MEETING ON IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL WORK The Tibet Daily (June 22) reported that the District Party Committee held an Ideological and Propaganda and Ideological Work Leadership Group Meeting on June 21, to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on ideological work, propaganda and ideological work, and Tibet work, as well as the party’s strategy for governing Tibet in the new era.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR CHAIRMAN CHE DALHA AND XINJIANG MILITARY REGION COMMANDER LT, GENERAL WANG HAIJIANG INSPECT NGARI (ALI) BORDERS TAR Chairman Che Dalha inspected the borders of Ngari (Ali) on June 20-21, 2021. After the inspection he convened a forum and discussed consolidation of borders, strengthening and the speeding up of border infrastructures.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA PORTAL CLAIMS CHINA HAS BUILT DOZENS OF HANGARS AND NEW AMMO DEPOTS IN NGARI AREA A PLA website on June 22 observed that "One year has passed since the Sino-Indian border conflict, but India is still not reconciled to the initial failure and has been making small moves. The Chinese Air Force dispatched more than 20 fighters to conduct large-scale exercises near Ladakh.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY ZHONG SHENG ARTICLE ASKS TAIWAN'S DPP TO IMPORT VACCINES FROM CHINA The People's Daily (June 15) published a 'Zhong Sheng' article calling on the United States to honour its commitments from the Three China-US Joint Communiqués, in which the United States officially maintains a one-China policy.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCTV GIVES INSIGHT INTO XI JINPING'S PERSONAL QUALITIES The state-owned CCTV (June 19) telecast a report giving insights into Xi Jinping's personal qualities and emphasised that he had learnt a lot from his father, Xi Zhongxun.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SETS KEY POINTS FOR IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL STUDY SESSIONS The People's Daily (June 18) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping has set the key points for running the ideological and political class well.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING The "Seeking Truth" magazine published on June 16, 2021, published an "important" article by General Secretary Xi Jinping captioned "Taking History as a Mirror, Taking History to Mingzhi, Knowing History and Loving the Party, Knowing History and Patriotism".
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL MEETING WHICH EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE CCTV (June 18) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on June 18 and decided to provide one-off subsidies to actual grain farmers in response to the rapid increase in the price of agricultural materials this year; and decided to expand the full cost insurance and planting of food crops.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION A front-page article in the People's Daily (June 18) highlighted the need to 'Ensure food security is placed in a prominent position so that grains are basically self-sufficient and food rations are absolutely safe'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: GUANGMING DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE EULOGISING PARTY'S LEADERSHIP The Guangming Daily (June 18) published an article by Liu Baodong, researcher of the Central Party School [National School of Administration] Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, and Deputy Director of the Party Building Education and Research Department of the Central Party School.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: FORMER TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CONTINUES TO SPEAK OUT TO FOREIGN MEDIA Asia Times (June 21) reported its interview with former Tsinghua University lecturer Wu Qiang at his apartment in Beijing on June 10.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE ENDORSES 'WOLF DIPLOMACY' AS 'SELF DEFENCE' DIPLOMACY Global Times (June 18) reported that outspoken Chinese ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, said he is proud to be endowed with the title of "wolf warrior" and is determined to stand in the way of "mad dogs" that attack China.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CGTN RECRUITING "INTERNET MEDIA INFLUENCERS" IN U.K. The Times reported (June 16) that after the Chinese state-owned CGTN had its broadcasting licence revoked and was taken off the air in Britain in February, the network has launched a “media challengers” campaign to recruit internet influencers and vloggers globally, some of whom will promote China and counter western narratives that damage its image.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE SOCIAL PHENOMENON "LYING FLAT" RECEIVES HIGH-LEVEL ATTENTION The current social issue called 'Lying Flat', which Chinese psychologists have said denotes the feeling of helplessness among China's youth of today has attracted notice in academic circles.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA CRACKS DOWN ON BITCOIN The People's Daily (June 19) reported that the State Council’s Financial Committee meeting on May 21 called for cracking down on Bitcoin mining and trading.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 13TH LUJIAZUI FORUM HELD IN SHANGHAI The 13th Lujiazui Forum, co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the People's Bank of China, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, was held in Shanghai on June 10, 2021.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY & INDIA: AIIB PRESIDENT JIN LIQUN REFERS TO BORDER CLASHES WITH INDIA IN HIS SPEECH AT CHINA INTERNATIONAL FINANCE 30 FORUM ON MAY 16 Zichen Wang of Pekingology translated a speech by Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and once China’s Vice Finance Minister, at the 3rd symposium of the China International Finance 30 Forum, on May 16, 2021.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN AIMS TO DAMAGE DPP'S IMAGE AND POPULARITY Since May this year, the Chinese seem to have mounted a disinformation campaign in Taiwan aimed at weakening the DPP. The DPP's image is being affected not only by the campaign but also by internal dissatisfaction with the DPP government in its handling of the Covid pandemic.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: FUDAN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR MAKES OBSERVATIONS ON INDIA A speech by Zhang Weiwei, now heading Fudan's China Research Institute and a Senior Research Fellow at the Shanghai-based think tank Chunqiu Institute and Wu Xinwen, a Senior Research Fellow at the Chunqiu Institute, to Fudan University students delivered on June 13 was reported by the popular Chinese online portal Guanchazhe.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE SITE SAYS INDIA HAS DEPLOYED ITS FOURTH BRAHMOS MISSILE REGIMENT IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH A post (June 14) on a popular Chinese social media site (June 14) reported that the BrahMos missile, which has Russian technology and is claimed to be fast, multi-ballistic, anti-jamming, and difficult to be intercepted, has been deployed with the fourth "BrahMos" missile regiment in the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh which is the southern part of Tibet".
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINA ACTIVELY WATCHING SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN On June 20 morning the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Kabul have asked Chinese citizens in Afghanistan to leave because of the security situation.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: THE TRIAL OF U.S. UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND CANADIAN CITIZEN ACCUSED OF CONCEALING LINKS WITH CHINA ENDED IN A MISTRIAL The first jury trial of Anming Hu, a former Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, tried as part of the Department of Justice’s controversial China Initiative ended in a hung jury and a mistrial on June 16, prompting renewed calls for the department to suspend the initiative and investigate concerns about racial profiling and targeting of Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS JILIN PROVINCE Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Jilin Province. on June 15. In Jilin he visited Panpan Foods, a leading food processing company and official sponsor of the 2022 Beijing Olympics and a China-South Korea International Cooperation Demonstration Zone.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHEN YIXIN CHAIRS PLAC MEETING On June 15, the Secretary-General of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC) Chen Yixin, chaired a PLAC meeting on implementing the Party’s recent directive to improve supervision of top bosses at Party and state organisations.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF DEFECTION OF MOSS VICE MINISTER TO CHINA Unconfirmed reports have been in circulation since June 17 that Dong Jingwei (董经纬), former Vice Minister of China's Ministry of State Security (MoSS) defected in mid-February, flying from Hong Kong to the United States with his daughter, Dong Yang.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CPCC CHAIRMAN ATTENDS SEMINAR ON STRENGTHENING S&T The United Front Work Department held a seminar on June 16, to discuss the results of the “Strengthening National Strategic Science and Technology Forces” research campaign.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC ADOPTS REVISED LAW ON PROTECTION OF STATUS, RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL On June 10, 2021, the NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) adopted the Revised new Law on the Protection of the Status, Rights, and Interests of Military Personnel [军人地位和权益保障法] to be effective from August 1, 2021).
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: 28 PLAAF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT OVERFLEW TAIWAN'S AIR DEFENCE IDENTIFICATION ZONE ON JUNE 15 On June 15, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) sent 28 warplanes on sorties into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POLICE ARREST FIVE EDITORS AND MEDIA EXECUTIVES UNDER NATIONAL SECURITY LAW On June 17 morning the Hong Kong police used the National Security Law for arresting five editors and executives on charges of collusion with foreign powers.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE POST ON PLA PORTAL REASSERTS CHINA'S AIM TO "TAKE BACK" ARUNACHAL PRADESH Citing media reports a PLA website on June 3 posted an article captioned "The Medog Expressway in Tibet is about to open, becoming an important guarantee for the recovery of southern Tibet'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA REGIMENTAL COMMANDER INJURED AT GALWAN VALLEY ASSERTS AT HIGH-LEVEL MILITARY MEETING THAT SACRIFICE IS BETTER THAN LOSING EVEN AN INCH OF TERRITORY The PLA Daily (June 11) reported that Qi Fabao, the Regimental Commander of the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, who suffered a serious head injury while fighting bravely in the Galwan Valley border skirmish on June 15, 2020, spoke at a high-level military meeting organized by the CMC's Political Work Department in honour of heroic border troops on June 11.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: DRAFT OF JAPAN'S DEFENCE WHITE PAPER MENTIONS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF TAIWAN FOR THE FIRST TIME The draft Japan's Defence Ministry White Paper released on June 16, for the first time mentioned the strategic importance of Taiwan while heavily focusing on maritime moves by China’s military.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIA DECIDES TO TERMINATE FURTHER S&T COOPERATION WITH CHINA Caixin (June 15) reported that Australia’s National Science Agency had decided to end its research partnership with a top Chinese lab next year following a warning that the tie-up could impact the country’s national security, according to Australian media.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-G-7: CHINA CRITICISES G-7 STATEMENT AS "SLANDER" The Chinese embassy in the U.K. on June 14, criticised a statement by the leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) for the “deliberate slandering” of China, accusing the countries’ leaders of “gross interference” in its internal affairs.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-'SOFT POWER': FORMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF SCMP CALLS FOR LETTING BACK IN FOREIGN JOURNALISTS TO TELL THE CHINA STORY Writing in the South China Morning Post (June 12) its former Editor-in-Chief Wang Xiangwei said "If China’s leaders want to engage the international media, learn from Mao, Deng and Jiang".
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: MILITARY FLYPAST TO BE HELD ON CCP'S CENTENARY ON JULY 1 The Global Times (June 13) reported that the PLAAF's new J-20 stealth fighters, the new Z-8L helicopters and the Z-19 gunship and the Z-10 gunship will perform a flypast at the CCP's centenary celebrations on July 1.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: HUBEI UNIVERSITY RELEASES VIDEO SAYING WITHOUT CCP THERE WOULD BE NO NEW CHINA The Foreign Languages School of Hubei University for Nationalities' released an English rendition of a music video titled "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China" on Twitter on June 14.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW ELECTRIFIED RAILWAY LINKING LHASA WITH NYINGCHI TO BECOME OPERATIONAL ON JUNE 30 Tibet's first electrified railway line 435 kms in length and a major part of China's second rail line with Tibet is to begin operation from June 30.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: URBAN-RURAL INCOME INEQUALITY HAS GROWN IN CHINA Nikkei-Asia reported (June 13) that China's income inequality has grown despite village modernization.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE ACADEMIC EXPLAINS NATIONAL ECONOMIC SECURITY In an article published on June 12, 2021, in "Marxist Studies" (Issue 3/2021) Prof. Yang Yunxia, Dean, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor of the School of Marxism, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and a special researcher at the Center for Innovation and Development of Ideological and Political Work of the Ministry of Education of Northwestern Polytechnical University, described National economic security as an important content of national security.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET PLANS GLOBAL PROMOTIONAL EVENT ON TIBET AS PART OF CCP CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Executive Vice Chairman of TAR People’s Government and Standing Member of TAR Party Committee, Jiang Jie convened a special meeting recently to evaluate the preparatory work for the “Global Promotional Event on Tibet by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-G-7: OVERSEAS CHINESE NEWS OUTLET COMMENTS ON G-7 COMMUNIQUE The Washington-based Duowei News reported on the G7 summit. Observing that it had concluded its three-day agenda on June 13, and issued a communiqué after the meeting.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HUNGARY: GERMANY CRITICISES HUNGARY FOR ITS VETO OF EU SANCTIONS ON CHINA Radio Free Asia (June 9) reported that on June 7, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, in his annual speech to German diplomats, criticized Hungary without naming it.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: CCTV CRITICAL OF US DEFENCE SECRETARY'S 'INTERNAL' DIRECTIVE TO US DEPTT OF DEFENCE DESCRIBING CHINA AS PRIMARY SECURITY THREAT CCTV (June 12) reported that the US Department of Defense published a newsletter on June 9 that US Secretary of Defense Austin issued an "internal directive" requesting the Department of Defense to take a series of actions to better respond to so-called China as America’s primary challenge Security threats.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN GIFTS MANGOES TO CHINA AND 31 OTHER COUNTRIES ANI reported (June 11) from Islamabad that Pakistan has gifted boxes of mangoes to 32 countries, including China.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT X JINPING POINTS TO QINGHAI PROVINCE AS 'MODEL OF NATIONAL UNITY' During a three-day (June 7-9) tour of Qinghai province, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of Qinghai by stressing its importance for maintaining order in neighbouring Xinjiang and Tibet.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CGTN TELECASTS XI JINPING'S WIFE, PENG LIYUAN, APPEALING FOR GLOBAL EFFORT TO ERADICATE AIDS AND TB The state-owned CGTN telecast a report (June 8) showing Madame Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, calling for global efforts in AIDS and TB prevention and treatment in order to benefit all mankind and build a global community of health for all.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER ZHAO LEJI VISITS SHANDONG PROVINCE PBSC member and Secretary of the CCP CC's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) Zhao Leji visited Shandong from June 6 to 8.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING TO DISCUSS AGEING On May 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo meeting to listen to reports on major policy measures to actively respond to the ageing population in the “14th Five-Year Plan” period and to deliberate on the “Decision about Improving Birth Policies to Promote Long-Term Balanced Population Development”.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SIGNED ORDER NO: 90 ON "ANTI-FOREIGN SANCTIONS LAW" CCTV reported (June 10) that Chinese President Xi Jinping had signed the Chairman's Order No: 90 approving the “Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law". Xinhua had reported that, on July 7, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China was deliberating the “Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law (Draft).”
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES 10TH CONFERENCE OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF CASE IN BEIJING The People's Daily (May 29) reported that on May 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a large national conference for the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) solemnly convened at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA PLANS TO LAUNCH SINGLE-FUNCTION BIOLOGY EXPERIMENT PLATFORM 'SPARKLE-1' BY SEPTEMBER The Global Times (March 14, 2021) had reported an NPC delegate saying on the sidelines of the NPC Plenum on March 11 that a single-function biology experiment platform payload, Sparkle-1, is expected to be launched via a Long March carrier rocket by September, while a multi-functional platform supporting biological experiments may be put into orbit by 2022.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: OUTBREAK OF DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN GUANGZHOU Caixin (June 7) reported that China, which has largely recovered from the pandemic since last summer, reported a new wave of flare-ups in Guangzhou that is testing the city’s ability to contain a stronger version of the virus.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA'S ANNUAL COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS BEGAN ON JUNE 7 10.78 million candidates appeared for China's annual college entrance exam, better known as the 'Gaokao', which began on Monday morning.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: FUDAN UNIVERSITY MATHEMATICS PROFESSOR STABBED TO DEATH BY COLLEAGUE ON JUNE 7 Chinese social media revealed a stabbing incident in Shanghai's Fudan University on June 7 when 39-year Jiang Wenhua stabbed to death Wang Yongzhen, Party Secretary of the Fudan Mathematics Department. Jiang Wenhua is a colleague in the same department.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF FINANCE ISSUES NOTICE REVISING COLLECTION OF NON-TAX REVENUES China's Ministry of Finance and several ministries on June 4, jointly issued a notice ordering four kinds of non-tax revenues to be collected by central tax authorities.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA UNIT OF TIBET MILITARY REGION "ON THE BATTLEFIELD IN EASTERN TIBET" CONDUCTS "OFFENSIVE" COMBAT TRAINING A Chinese news portal reported (June 3) that officers and soldiers of a certain unit "on the battlefield in eastern Tibet" of the Tibet Military Region conducted offensive combat training to temper their handling methods and coordinated combat capabilities in complex battlefield conditions, and further improve their actual combat level.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA XINJIANG MILITARY REGION'S TACHENG MILITARY SUB-DISTRICT HOLDS LIVE-FIRE ARTILLERY EXERCISES IN JUNE The US-based Duowei news portal reported (June 4) that the Xinjiang Military Region has recently launched live ammunition exercises. It said the latest news from military sources indicates that the heavy artillery squad of a certain regiment of the Xinjiang Military Region has launched live ammunition training.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA PORTAL DISCLOSES PRESENCE OF FEMALE SOLDIERS IN XINJIANG MILITARY REGION'S HIGH-ALTITUDE AREA A PLA news portal revealed (May 30) that a brigade of the Xinjiang Military Region of China is stationed on a snow-covered plateau at an altitude of 4,500 meters in difficult combat conditions.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA SOUTHERN THEATRE COMMAND DISCLOSES ITS NAVY CONDUCTED A LONG EXERCISE PASSING THROUGH THE CELEBES SEA IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC The South China Morning Post (June 7) reported that the PLA Southern Theatre Command disclosed on June 5 that a fleet under its command had travelled more than 6,700 nautical miles (12,400 km) over the past month, passing through the Celebes Sea — which separates Indonesia and the Philippines — and the western Pacific.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: LEAKED PHOTOS SHOW CHINA'S NEW '003' AIRCRAFT CARRIER MATCHES USA'S BIGGEST AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Australia's Cairns Post revealed (June 8) photographs 'leaked' on Chinese social media on May 31 that provide a pretty good estimate of the flight deck layout for Type 003 CATOBAR CV once completed overlaid on the current stage of construction.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLES CLAIMS INDIA COULD CREATE NEW BORDER CONFLICT The Global Times (June 9) published an article captioned 'India may create new border conflict to shift attention from worsening economic, pandemic conditions: expert'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-VACCINE DIPLOMACY: BAHRAIN, DUBAI AND SEYCHELLES HAVE OPTED FOR PFIZER VACCINES AS SINOPHARM VACCINES HAVE NOT PROVED EFFECTIVE ARS Technica reported (June 6) that in Bahrain officials are now offering high-risk people who have already received two doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine a third vaccine dose—but one made by Pfizer-BioNTech.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI HOLDS CHINA-AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN TRIPARTITE MEETING ON JUNE 3 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the fourth session of the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue with his respective counterparts on June 3.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ASEAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI MEETS ASEAN COUNTERPARTS AT CHONGQING Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his ten ASEAN counterparts on June 8 at Chongqing when they discussed restoring tourism and other economic exchanges battered by COVID-19, to more coordinated efforts in fighting the pandemic and the feasibility of creating a vaccine passport to allow freer travel among them.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES US$ 250 BILLION BILL TO BOLSTER U.S. MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed an expansive 2,400-page 'US Innovation and Competition Act of 2021' to invest almost $250 billion in bolstering U.S. manufacturing and technology to meet the economic and strategic challenge from China on June 8 by 68-32 votes.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: US SENATORS TRAVEL TO TAIWAN IN USAF AIRCRAFT Three US Senators, Ladda Tammy Duckworth (D), Daniel Scott Sullivan (R) both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Christopher Andrew Coons (D) a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, travelled to Taiwan on a USAF C-17 Globemaster rather than an unmarked private jet.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BEGINS TRIAL AGAINST US PROFESSOR AT TENNESSEE UNIVERSITY FOR CONCEALING RECEIVING FUNDS FROM CHINA The jury trial in the US against Hu Anming, an Associate Professor in the University of Tennessee’s department of mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering in February 2020, on charges of defrauding NASA by hiding his relationship with a Chinese university began in the Knoxville federal court on June 7.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER WANG CHEN'S ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY INVOKES YAN'AN SPIRIT TO RALLY CADRES In his article published in the People's Daily (May 31), Politburo member Wang Chen highlighted the significance of the Yan’an Spirit, and how “Yan’an has also become a red beacon that will always inspire the Chinese Communists to march forward courageously.”
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: NEW REPORTS REVEAL CHINESE MILITARY SCIENTIST HAD APPLIED FOR PATENT FOR COVID VACCINE IN FEBRUARY 2020 Recent reports (June 5) reveal that The Weekend Australian reported that according to documents obtained by it, Zhou Yusen, a respected military scientist for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who collaborated with the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and American experts, submitted a patent for a Covid-19 vaccine on 24 February 2020.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: RENMIN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR SHI YINHONG RECENTLY ENUMERATED CHINA'S "EIGHT STRATEGIC GOALS" FOR NEXT 20 YEARS The US-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) published an article (May 24) reporting that Shi Yinhong, Director of the Center for American Studies at the Renmin University's School of International Studies, enumerated "eight strategic goals of China" for the next 20 years.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: GUANGMING DAILY HIGHLIGHTS 'PARTY HISTORY STUDY AND EDUCATION' ACTIVITIES IN PLA The Guangming Daily (June 6) published a lengthy article titled: 'The Experience and Enlightenment of the Innovation of Military Theory of the Big Party in the Past Hundred Years".
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR PARTY SECRETARY'S ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN PEOPLE'S DAILY ON JUNE 2 The People's Daily (June 2) published a signed article by TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie titled: "The Glory of the Party Illuminates the People of the Frontier and the People in the Frontier".
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PRESIDENT OF BAD DEBT MANAGER CHINA GREAT WALL ASSET MGT. CO. LTD APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF HUARONG Caixin (June 4) reported that Liang Qiang, the new president of bad-debt manager China Great Wall Asset Management Co. Ltd., was named deputy Communist Party chief of troubled China Huarong Asset Management Co. Ltd. on June 4.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE BILLIONAIRE OWNER OF MEITUAN TRANSFERS US$ 2.2 BILLION OF COMPANY'S HOLDING TO CHARITABLE FUND Caixin reported (June 4) that Wang Xing, the billionaire founder of internet giant Meituan, will transfer $2.2 billion of his company holdings into a separate charitable fund, stock exchange filings showed, adding his name to a growing list of high-tech billionaires using their fortunes for philanthropy.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-BRI: PEOPLE'S DAILY CLAIMS TWO MAJOR ENERGY PROJECTS IN HUNGARY AND POLAND HAVE BEEN SET UP UNDER BRI The People’s Daily (June 3) reported the official launch of a 100 MW solar power plant in Kaposvár, Hungary last week.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE AUTHORITIES START REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES IN JAPAN Nikkei Asia reported (June 6) that the Japanese authorities will conduct a review of the Beijing-funded educational organization known as the Confucius Institutes that operates on university campuses in light of concerns that the group is a propaganda tool of China.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: 16 PLAAF AIRCRAFT IN TACTICAL FORMATION FLEW INTO MALAYSIA'S EEZ NEAR THE SOUTH LUCONIA SHOALS ON MAY 31 On the afternoon of May 31, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) flew 16 aircraft consisting of Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 multi-role airlifters over Malaysian maritime zone airspace close to Sarawak.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC ANNOUNCED AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO VETERAN PARTY MEMBERS EACH YEAR The Global Times (June 2) reported that the office of the leading group of the CCP centennial celebrations had announced that the CCP Central Committee will for the first time award honorary medals to over 7.1 million veteran Party members, as the CCP marks the 100th anniversary of its founding.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES POLITBURO GROUP STUDY SESSION ON MAY 31 Addressing a Politburo group study session on May 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping was reported by Xinhua (May 31) as saying that China needs "to develop a voice in international discourse that matches China's comprehensive national strength and international status."
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS NINGBO PORT The People's Daily (May 26) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, accompanied by Zhejiang Provincial Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun and Governor Zheng Zhajie, inspected Ningbo from May 24 to 25.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY JIANGXI PARTY SECRETARY The People's Daily (June 3) published an article Liu Qi, Party Secretary of Jiangxi Province, captioned 'Actively explore the path to realize the value of ecological products (in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era)'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY GANSU PARTY SECRETARY The People's Daily (June 3) published an article by Yin Hong, Party Secretary of Gansu Province captioned: 'Keep in mind the entrustment to write a new chapter and forge ahead on a new journey'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY OF SENIOR PARTY OFFICIALS A lengthy article in the People's Daily (June 3) reported that on June 1, the Party Central Committee published a document on stepping up supervision of the "top boss" at various Party organizations and state agencies.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: SHANGHAI DAILY STARTS PUBLISHING 100 Q&A's ON CCP TO MARK ITS CENTENARY To mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China this year, the Shanghai Daily has decided, starting June 1, to publish daily 100 Q&As about the CPC and its members.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: NEW REGULATIONS ISSUED BY STATE COUNCIL STIPULATE STRENGTHENING THE PARTY LEADERSHIP INCLUDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS The China Education News (June 3) published an article on the newly revised "Regulations for the Implementation of the Private Education Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China" recently issued by the State Council and which will come into force from September 1 this year.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: ARTICLE EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF PARTY HISTORY EDUCATION IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES An article in the Guangming Daily (June 3) emphasised that "colleges and universities are important positions for carrying out party history education.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINESE INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST ESTIMATES CHINA MAY WAIT TILL FIRST HALF OF 2022 BEFORE RELAXING RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN TRAVEL Caixin (June 3) reported that Chinese Infectious disease specialist Zhang Wenhong has estimated that China may wait until the first half of 2022 to begin relaxing restrictions on international travel.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA PERMITS MARRIED COUPLES TO HAVE UPTO THREE CHILDREN On May 31, China announced that married couples would be allowed to have up to three children, raising the official two-child limit in a widely anticipated move.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE FASHION INDUSTRY IS CHALLENGING WORLD FASHION LEADING COMPANIES Caixin (June 3) reported that the rapid rise of the $15 billion Chinese fast-fashion business, which now challenges industry titans like Zara and H&M, has prompted questions about who controls the company and the sustainability of its business model.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA REGIMENT IN 'HIGH PLATEAU AREA' INTRODUCES PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES FOR PERSONNEL The PLA Daily (May 26) reported that some officers and soldiers of an unidentified Regiment posted in the harsh climate of the high altitude plateau experienced psychological discomfort and greater pressure.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: Z-10 HELICOPTERS CONDUCT HIGH-INTENSITY COMBAT EXERCISES IN HINTERLAND OF KARAKORAM PLATEAU Z-10 Medium Attack Helicopters of an Army Aviation Brigade of the Xinjiang Military Region were reported on May 28 to have carried out high-intensity, multiple-type combat exercises in the hinterland of the Karakoram Plateau, which is nearly 5,000 meters above sea level.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: RETIRED CHINESE SENIOR COLONEL ZHOU BO COMMENTS ON PLA'S PEACEKEEPING AND BRI AND INDIA IN INTERVIEW PUBLISHED BY GUANCHA China Forum Executive Committee member and Peking University Prof. Han Hua's interview of retired PLA Senior Colonel Zhou Bo and Senior Researcher, Center for Strategic and Security Studies, Tsinghua University; China Forum Contributing Expert, was published by China's high-circulation portal Guancha (Observer) on May 29.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CCP AND PAKISTAN'S T-E-I HOLD ONLINE MEETING TO CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES The CCP and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) held an online event on May 26 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and the 10th anniversary of the exchanges between the two parties.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CCP ILD HOLDS MEETING WITH MAJOR NEPALESE POLITICAL PARTIES ON JOINTLY COMBATTING PANDEMIC AND PROTECTING PEOPLE'S SAFETY The CCP held a video conference on May 26, with major Nepalese political parties on the theme of "Jointly Combating the Pandemic and Jointly Protecting People's Safety - China and Nepal Join Hands to Fight the Pandemic."
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA CLAIMS US WARSHIP USS CURTIS WILBUR "ILLEGALLY" ENTERED ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS NEAR PARACEL ISLANDS On May 24, China's PLA Southern Theatre Command claimed that the U.S. warship USS Curtis Wilbur had illegally entered its territorial waters near the Paracel islands in the South China Sea without permission and was expelled by its forces.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING INAUGURATES 10TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF CAST ON MAY 28 Xinhua (May 28, 29) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the opening of the Tenth National Congress of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 28 when he delivered an "important speech".
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW 'LEADING SMALL GROUP' CONSTITUTED FOR ACHIEVING CLIMATE GOALS Executive Vice Premier Han Zheng chaired the first plenary meeting of the newly-formed Leading Small Group (LSG) for Peak Carbon and Carbon Neutrality on May 26.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY SICHUAN PARTY SECRETARY The People's Daily (May 29) published an article by Sichuan Party Secretary Peng Qinghua captioned 'Firmly implement the new development concept, Strive to draw a new picture of governing and rejuvenating Sichuan in the new era'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY GUIZHOU PARTY SECRETARY The People's Daily (May 30) published an article by Guizhou Party Secretary Chen Yiqin captioned 'Breaking new roads, opening new games, seizing new opportunities, creating new achievements, creating a colourful new future in Guizhou where the people are rich and ecologically beautiful'.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST MENTIONS PROBLEMS IN PLA WITH TRAINING OF "NEW BREED OF SOLDIER" The South China Morning Post (May 30) disclosed that the gathering pace of the PLA’s modernisation has given its instructors and recruiters the challenge of how to train a newer breed of soldier.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-SPACE: CCTV REPORTS SUCCESSFUL DOCKING OF TIANZHOU-2 CARGO SPACECRAFT WITH CORE MODULE OF TIANHE The state-owned CCTV reported (May 30) that at 20:55 on May 29th, the Long March 7 Yaosan carrier rocket carrying the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was successfully launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: HUAWEI COOPERATES WITH RUSSIAN UNIVERSITIES IN ATTEMPT TO OVERCOME U.S. SANCTIONS Washington Post (May 29) reported that last month Zhou Hong, President of Huawei’s European and Russian research institutes, visited Novosibirsk State Technical University in Siberia and discussed how Russian universities could help the Chinese tech giant.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: LENOVO'S CEO SAYS GLOBAL SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE WILL PERSIST AT LEAST FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS Yang Yuanqing, CEO of Lenovo Group Ltd. said (May 27) that he expects the global semiconductor shortage to persist for as long as another 18 months as the unprecedented scarcity continues to squeeze production across a wide range of sectors.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE TECH COMPANIES WATCHING HOW ANT GROUP AND TENCENT RESPOND TO NEW REGULATIONS Caixin (May 29) reported that China’s big tech companies, which made aggressive forays into financial services, all now have their eyes firmly fixed on the sector’s two dominant players — Ant Group Co. Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. — and how they are following regulators’ orders to overhaul their multibillion-dollar financial operations.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE REGULATORS FINE ALIBABA GROUP-BACKED GROUP-BUYING PLATFORM 'NICE TUAN' Caixin reported (May 29) that China’s market regulator, State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), slapped a 1.5 million yuan ($235,302) fine on Alibaba Group-backed community group-buying platform Nice Tuan, citing violations including product dumping and deceptive pricing.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: NYINGCHI PARTY SECRETARY VISITS METOK BORDER COUNTY AND ASKS VILLAGERS TO BE VIGILANT AND PROTECT THEIR HOMES AND COUNTRY FROM THE PANDEMIC IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES Ma Shengchang, Party Secretary of Nyingchi went to the border villages and duty stations in Metok County (Metok also known as Pema Ko in Tibetan borders Arunachal Pradesh, India) on inspection on May 18 and 19.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA HOLDS INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON TIBET'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN PAST 70 YEARS SINCE ITS The People's Daily (May 27) publicised that an 'International Symposium on "Progress and Development of Human Rights in the 70 Years of Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" was held in Chongqing on May 26, around the 70th anniversary of the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN CABINET AUTHORISES SPECIAL CPEC VISAS FOR CHINESE INVESTORS ANI (May 27) reported that the Pakistan Federal Cabinet on May 25 approved a special China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) business visa to facilitate Chinese investors in the country.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-EUROPE: 4 EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS VISIT CHINA The Foreign Ministers of Ireland, Poland, Hungary and Serbia visited China from May 29 to 31 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said during the visit Wang Yi will separately meet the four ministers and discuss bilateral and China-Europe relations.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: SOURCE CLOSE TO CHINESE VICE PREMIER LIU HE POSTS ACCOUNT OF LIU HE'S TALK WITH USTR KATHERINE TAI ON MAY 27 A source close to Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and his team posted a brief comment (Taoran Notes, May 27 & 28) on a WeChat account of the talks between USTR Katherine Tai and Liu He on May 27.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: DUBAI RELEASES CHINESE STUDENT WHO IS A PERMANENT U.S. RESIDENT DETAINED AT CHINA'S REQUEST The Dubai authorities, who had detained 19-year old student Wang Jingyu, a permanent resident of the United States at China's behest, was freed on May 27.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-US: US BANS IMPORTS FROM CHINA'S DALIAN OCEAN FISHING CO. LTD The Washington Post (May 30) reported that the U.S. has banned seafood imports from China's Dalian Ocean Fishing Co., Ltd. accusing it of using forced labour.
Jun 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY HAINAN PARTY SECRETARY SHEN XIAOMING The People's Daily (May 27) published an article by Hainan Party Secretary Shen Xiaoming with the caption 'Those who have the country in mind are determined to reform and innovate: To steadily advance the construction of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HUNAN PARTY SECRETARY XU DAZHE'S ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY PEOPLE'S DAILY The People's Daily (May 24) published an article by Hunan Province Party Secretary Xu Dazhe captioned 'Keep in mind Yin Yin's entrustment to carry forward the revolutionary spirit and walk the Long March in the new era'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY EXTOLS CCP'S CHOICE FOR CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT A People's Daily (May 27) commentary pointing to its major achievements extolled the CCP's choice of a development path for China. It stated "A hundred years of overcoming obstacles and thorns, a hundred years of great changes.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG EMPHASISES RELIGIOUS WORK AND ETHNIC UNITY DURING INSPECTION OF NINGXIA FROM MAY 17-19 The People's Daily (May 20) reported the inspection visit by a team led by PBSC member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang to Ningxia from May 17-19, 2021.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HEAD OF CCP CC UFWD YOU QUAN INSPECTS HENAN PROVINCE FROM MAY 17-19 The People's Daily (May 20) reported the visit of the Head of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) to Henan province between May 17-19.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC ISSUES NEW NOTICE LISTING ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT ACROSS CHINA FOR PROPAGANDA ON THE REVISED 'HISTORY OF THE PARTY AND NEW CHINA' The CCP CC General Office issued a Notice on May 25, on "Carrying out Propaganda and Education on the History of the Party, the History of New China, the History of Reform and Opening-up and the History of Socialist Development in the whole society", and said arrangements had been for carrying out publicity and education on the "Four Histories" on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INNER MONGOLIA ISSUES 8-POINT DRAFT REGULATION AGAINST CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's Regional Development and Reform Commission issued eight draft measures against mining activities in the region.
May 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: RADIO FREE ASIA CONFIRMS DEATH IN CUSTODY OF MIHRAY ERKIN, AN UYGHUR GRADUATE OF SHANGHAI'S JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY Radio Free Asia reported (May 25) the death in custody of Ms Mihray Erkin, a graduate of Shanghai’s Jiao Tong University with a degree in plant biotechnology who had gone on to complete a related master’s degree in Tokyo University before becoming a researcher at Japan’s Nara Institute of Science and Technology, returned to the XUAR in August 2019 after authorities in Kashgar put her parents under pressure to call her home.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE EXPANDED TO ADD TWO NEW DEPARTMENTS South China Morning Post (May 24) disclosed that Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs will be expanded to create two new departments covering national security and propaganda.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA-BHUTAN: CGTN'S 'FIRST VOICE' REBUTS ROBBIE BARNETT'S REPORT IN FOREIGN POLICY OF CHINA BUILDING A VILLAGE INSIDE BHUTAN The state-owned CGTN's 'First Voice' reacted to an article in Foreign Policy (May 7) by Robert Barnett saying that "News of the construction of the Chinese villages is neither stealthy nor secretive."
May 2021 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY AWARDED CONTRACT TO BUILD 17KMS HIGHWAY IN COLOMBO Asia Times reported (May 25) that the Sri Lankan cabinet on May 24, awarded the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) a contract to build a 17-kilometre (10.5-mile), four-lane highway in Colombo.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: KURT CAMPBELL'S REMARKS AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY CLEARLY STATE THAT U.S. POLICY TOWARDS CHINA WILL BE DOMINATED BY COMPETITION Speaking at the Stanford Shorenstein Center, Stanford University, Kurt Campbell, the US coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs on the National Security Council, on May 26 said “The period that was broadly described as engagement has come to an end,” and US policy towards China will now operate under a “new set of strategic parameters”.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: USTR KATHERINE TAI AND CHINESE VICE PREMIER LIU HE HAD THEIR FIRST CONVERSATION ON MAY 27 U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and China’s Vice Premier Liu He had a “candid” first conversation as the two sides began to try to resolve some of their differences on trade.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN ASKS US INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TO INVESTIGATE ORIGINS OF COVID-19 A statement issued by the White House quoted US President Biden as saying on May 26 that he had asked for an additional follow-up to the Intelligence Community's report on the origins of COVID-19, including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST STATES THAT MISUNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN U.S. AND CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTRIES AFFECTED DIALOGUE The South China Morning Post (May 25) citing analysts and sources said misunderstandings and protocol disagreements have affected dialogue between the Chinese and US militaries, but without causing an immediate crisis.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. MEDIA OUTLET CLAIMS ERIC GARCETTI, TIPPED AS BIDEN'S CHOICE FOR U.S. AMBASSADOR TO INDIA HAS TIES WITH CCP CC'S UFWD National Pulse on May 26 reported that current Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, US President Biden's reported choice for US Ambassador to India, has a "long history of collaboration with groups tied to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department (UFWD)".
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: US FEDERAL COURT LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON US INVESTORS BUYING OR HOLDING SECURITIES OF XIAOMI CORP A federal court in Washington issued a final order Tuesday vacating the designation by the U.S. Department of Defense of Smartphone-maker Xiaomi as subject to sanctions for alleged ties to China’s military, the Hong Kong-listed company said in a securities filing.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SAMOA: INCOMING SAMOAN PRIME MINISTER PLEDGES TO CANCEL US$ 100 MILLION CHINESE-BACKED PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Samoa's opposition leader who is set to take over as Samoa's new prime minister has pledged to cancel a $100 million Chinese-backed port development, calling it excessive for the small Pacific island that is already heavily indebted to China.
May 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE GOVERNMENT WARNS SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES FOR LEAKING BLUEPRINTS OF A PROTO-TYPE MACHINE GUN Japan Times reported that Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry issued a warning last month to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. and a subcontracted firm after the latter leaked blueprints for parts of a military-use prototype machine gun to a Chinese company.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: CASS PROFESSORS LIST MOVES BY U.S. WHICH HAVE UNDERMINED TRAUST Writing on May 20, 2021 in the publication of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Zhang Yuyan, Professor of the School of International Relations, examined Sino-US relations and observed that "Looking to the future, China and the United States must evade the terrorist balance based on mutual destruction between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and continue to lay a solid foundation for the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations by ensuring mutual dependence (Mutually Assured Interdependence)".
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PROFESSOR AND CHINA'S TOP AMERICA EXPERT WANG JISI REGRETS LACK OF EXPERTISE ON AMERICAN AFFAIRS The South China Morning Post (May 23) reported that Wang Jisi, President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University and one of China's top America experts, while addressing a ceremony attended by former Chinese diplomats to launch the new American Studies Centre at Zhejiang International Studies University in Hangzhou on May 15, regretted that American studies in China are "too weak".
May 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI TO ATTEND 16TH CHINA-RUSSIA STRATEGIC SECURITY CONSULTATION The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on May 23 that Chinese Politburo member and Director of Office of Foreign Affairs Commission, Yang Jiechi will attend the 16th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation and visit Slovenia and Croatia on May 24-27, 2021.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA WEBSITE INDICATES REVIVED CHINESE INTEREST IN "RECOVERING" ARUNACHAL PRADESH A PLA-maintained website on May 21, indicated revived Chinese interest in Arunachal Pradesh, which it said were in India's "illegal" occupation.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA RELEASES WHITE PAPER ON TIBET ON MAY 21, 2021 China issued a White Paper on Tibet comprising ten chapters and captioned 'Tibet Since 1951: Liberation, Development and Prosperity' on May 21, 2021.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA COMPLETES STRATEGIC HIGHWAY OPPOSITE ARUNACHAL PRADESH LINKING NYINGCHI WITH MEDOG China announced the completion of construction of a US$ 310 million strategically important highway connecting Pad Township in the Chinese city of Nyingchi with the Baibung Township in Medog County,through the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, which is known as the world’s deepest gorge with a maximum depth of 6009 metres.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: POST ON CHINESE MILITARY WEBSITE NOTES INDIA'S DECISION TO BUY LIGHT TANK FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAIN WARFARE The popular Chinese social media chat site 'qq' on May 21 carried a post stating that India is currently looking for a light tank that can fight against China’s Type 15 light tank.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TECHNOLGY: CHINESE HACKERS ABLE TO ACCESS APPLE'S i-PHONE Radio France International (May 15) reported that an article on the website of the French weekly magazine Le Nouvel Observateur described a hacking competition, secretly organized by the Chinese government, which offered a reward of $200,000 to anyone who could hack into an iPhone.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CASS REPORTS COMPLETION OF 'PARTY HISTORY LEARNING AND EDUCATION' The People's Daily (May 21) reported that the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) has, since the launch of the Party History Study and Education campaign, "solidly carried out party history learning and education".
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL ISSUE DOCUMENT URGING STRUGGLE AGAINST TRIADS AND "EVIL" FORCES The People's Daily (May 21) reported that the CCP CC and State Council had jointly issued a document on the struggle against the triads and “evil” forces.
May 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL EXTENDS PARTY CONTROL OVER PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATION The Central News Agency reported (May 14) that China’s State Council had announced (May 14) new, revised regulations for private school education, which will be implemented in time for the new school year on September 1.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCPP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT EMPHASISES NEW NORMS FOR PROMOTING "LOYAL AND CLEAN" CADRES The People's Daily (May 13) published an article by the CCP CC's Organisation Department under the pseudonym Zhong Zuwen captioned 'Vigorously select outstanding cadres who are loyal and clean'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HUBEI PARTY SECRETARY'S ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE PEOPLE'S DAILY Hubei Party Secretary Ying Yong's article captioned 'Build a fulcrum and walk in the forefront to write a new chapter' was published by the People's Daily on May 23.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: A NEW YORK TIMES INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT APPLE INC HAS COMPROMISED SECURITY TO ACCESS THE CHINA MARKET A New York Times investigative report (May 17), which includes accounts from former employees, states that Apple Inc. made compromises with the Chinese government which make it “virtually impossible” to prevent the authorities from accessing the data stored on Chinese servers—which, under 2016 laws, includes all of Apple’s Chinese users.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN RAISES ISSUE OF U.S. MILITARY'S USE OF OVERSEAS BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES At the weekly press conference in Beijing on May 18, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in reply to a question said China has repeatedly expressed its serious concerns about the US military’s use of overseas laboratories to engage in biological militarization activities.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES ACCUSES U.S. EMBASSY IN CHINA OF OF "PEACEFUL EVOLUTION" A lengthy article in the Global Times (May 16) titled 'US embassy increasingly offensive in pushing ‘peaceful evolution’ in China by roping in activists with money' pointed to the recently announced programme of the US Embassy in China.
May 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA AND RUSSIA COLLABORATE ON CONSTRUCTION OF RUSSIAN-DESIGNED NUCLEAR REACTORS AT CHINESE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a videoconference on May 19, to initiate a series of nuclear energy projects and where they announced the start of construction of Russia-designed reactors at China’s Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Jiangsu Province and two at Xudapu Nuclear Plant in Liaoning province.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN AND CHINESE PREMIERS HAVE A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION ON EVE OF 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held telephonic talks on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China on May 20 and reaffirmed their resolve to further diversify and deepen strategic cooperation between the all-weather allies.
May 2021 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA REMOVES BORDER PILLARS IN NEPAL'S DAULKHA DISTRICT ANI (May 19) reported that the Nepalese Home Ministry had reported the removal of border pillars in the Daulkha district in village-Vigu of District-Daulkha to Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: POPE FRANCIS NAMES STEPHEN CHOW, HEAD OF HONGKONG'S JESUIT ORDER, AS HONGKONG'S NEW BISHOP Pope Francis named 61-year Stephen Chow, head of Hong Kong's Jesuit order, as the new bishop of Hong Kong on May 17.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: TAIWAN "TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS" ITS OFFICE IN HONGKONG The South China Morning Post (May 18) disclosed that Taiwan has "temporarily" suspended operations in Hongkong in what Taipei called a regrettable unilateral move that went against the established convention.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA APPOINTS FORMER AMBASSADOR TO POLAND AS HEAD OF MoFA'S OFFICE IN HONGKONG Liu Guangyan, former Ambassador to Poland, was named the new head of the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) office in Hongkong. Liu Guangyan's previous postings include San Francisco and Washington.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: ANOTHER MODEL DEFENCE BORDER VILLAGE CONSTRUCTED IN TIBET'S ZAYUL COUNTY Xinhua (April 9) reported that with aid from Shenzhen City of Guangdong Province, construction of a new border defence village (Ch: Xiaokang) was completed in early April in Zayul County, southwest of Nyingtri.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHUSHUL COUNTY PUBLIC SECURITY PUBLICISED ITS EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PEOPLE AND POLICE The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Public Security Bureau of Chushul County of Lhasa organised a play with the theme “Policing into villages and maintaining zero distance” on May 10 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party and the 70th anniversary of the “Peaceful Liberation of Tibet”, and demonstrate “maple-bridge style” policing system.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETAN'S LARUNG GAR BUDHIST ACADEMY CONDUCTS POLITICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES The Serthar Buddhist College, the Larung Gar Temple Management Committee, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of Serthar County and the Serthar County Civil Affairs Bureau on April 27, 2021, issued a public notice explicitly dispelling the hype surrounding the well-known Larung Gar Buddhist Academy and the Nubzig (Ch: Luoruo) sky burial site, both in Serthar (Ch: Seda) County in eastern Tibet, as tourist attractions.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WASHINGTON THINK-TANK FINDS HUAWEI HAS A NUMBER OF AGREEMENTS FOR ITS CLOUD SERVICES A report of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)' Reconnecting Asia Project released on May 17, disclosed that CSIS researchers found 70 agreements in 41 countries between governments (or state-owned enterprises) and Huawei for its Cloud services.
May 2021 |
CHINA-EMPLOYMENT: POLITBURO MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER SUN CHUNLAN ADVISES COLLEGE GRADUATES SEEKING JOBS TO GO TO CHINA'S CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGIONS The Chinese leadership is grappling with creating jobs for the record 9.09 million students who will graduate from Chinese universities in 2021.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP CC INSPECTION TEAMS START 2-MONTH LONG 'INSPECTIONS' OF MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND 31 CHINESE UNIVERSITIES FOCUSSING ON "POLITICAL DEVIANCE" The People’s Daily (May 12) reported that 15 inspection teams had deployed to 32 work units for the 19th CCP CC's seventh round of inspections by 10 May.
May 2021 |
CHINA-POVERTY ALLEVIATION: CCP PROMOTES POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN RURAL CHINA The People's Daily (May 12) disclosed that the CCP CC General Office had published its “Suggestions on Continuing to Select and Send First Secretaries and Working Groups to Key Villages” to help “win the fight against poverty,” “comprehensively promote rural revitalization,” and “consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation.”
May 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: POLITBURO MEMBER SUN CHUNLAN CONVENES MEETING OF PROVINCIAL AND MINISTERIAL LEVEL CADRES TO PROMOTE A "HEALTHY CHINA" Vice Premier and Politburo member Sun Chunlan held a discussion on May 10, with provincial- and ministerial-level cadres to promote the construction of a “healthy China.”
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC SENDS INSPECTION UNITS TO MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND 31 UNIVERSITIES TO IDENTIFY " POLITICAL DEVIANCE" ETC. The People’s Daily (May 12) reported that 15 inspection teams had deployed to 32 work units for the 19th CCP CC's seventh round of inspections by 10 May.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: LIBERATION ARMY DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON 'SENSE OF HONOUR' AMONG PARTY MEMBERS The Liberation Army Daily on May 20 published an article by a member of PLA Unit 31006 captioned 'Party members must enhance their sense of honour'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA OFFICERS CAUTION ABOUT NEED TO RE-EMPHASISE PARTY'S ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OVER PLA AND POSSIBILITY OF SPREAD OF IDEAS OF 'COLOUR REVOLUTION' In an article in 'China Social Science News' (Issue 2169, May 20, 2021), Ren Long and Lin Wenjie of the Political College of National Defense University and Joint Logistics Support Force Longyan Comprehensive Warehouse Support Team respectively, disclosed that there are serious concerns about the PLA rank and file adhering to the policy of the Party's absolute leadership over the Army.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON PARTY HISTORY EDUCATION BY SHANDONG PARTY SECRETARY The People's Daily (May 20) published an article by Liu Jiayi, Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee, captioned 'Open up a new situation in building a modern and powerful province in a new era', which recalled General Secretary Xi Jinping's remarks at the Party History Study and Education Mobilization Conference.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCTV.COM LAUNCHES SPECIAL SERIES OF ARTICLES ON XI JINPING The state-owned CCTV.com's "People's Leader Xi Jinping" column launched a series of special articles called "Party of the Communist Party Xi Jinping".
May 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN POLICE CHIEF FOR FIRST TIME IDENTIFIES CHINA AS THE SOURCE OF CYBER ATTACKS AGAINST JAPAN Nikkei Asia (May 16) reported that Japan's National Police Agency Commissioner-General Mitsuhiro Matsumoto at a meeting of senior police officers from across the nation on April 23 in Tokyo, for the first time identified China as responsible for a cyberattack on Japan.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE EMBASSY PROTESTS TAIWANESE DPP OFFICIAL'S ARTICLE ADVOCATING TAIWAN'S ADMISSION TO W.H.O. Sina.com (May 8) said that on May 8, Counselor Wang Xiaojian, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, issued a "solemn statement" on the recent wrong practices of the Indian media on Taiwan-
related issues, refuting the wrong arguments and reiterating China's principled position.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA ESTABLISHES NEW NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION FOR DISEASE AND PREVENTION CONTROL On May 13, China inaugurated a new National Administration for Disease Prevention & Control 国家疾病预防控制局, a Vice Ministerial-level agency within the National Health Commission.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE-MADE FN6 AIR DEFENCE MISSILE SHOOTS DOWN A Mi35 HELICOPTER IN NORTHERN MYANMAR A 'qq' chat post (May 10) claimed that the Chinese domestically-made FN6 air defence missile "won the first battle, which made the Pentagon pale" because in a battle in northern Myanmar it had shot down a Myanmar Mi35 heavy-armed helicopter.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA 72ND GROUP ARMY CONDUCTS URBAN WARFARE EXERCISE USING AI EQUIPMENT China's state-owned CCTV quoted a 'qq' chat report (May 5) as stating that a certain combined brigade in the PLA 72nd Group Army of the Eastern Theater Command launched an urban offensive and defensive exercise in cities and towns, with drones and unmanned vehicles playing a key role.
May 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S GUIZHOU PROVINCE HAS UNDERGROUND STATE-OF-THE-ART DATA CENTRES Asia Times (May 14) reported that Guizhou province had established massive, underground online state-of-the-art data banks where racks of servers are leased to tech giants ranging from Alibaba to Apple.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA'S PROBE TO MARS TOUCHED DOWN ON THE 'RED PLANET' ON MAY 15 AND DEPLOYED ITS ZHURONG ROVER Xinhua (May 15) reported that China’s probe to Mars touched down on Mars, the Red Planet, to deploy its Zhurong rover.
May 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE DISSIDENT WANG DAN WARNS OF NEW AXIS POWER COMPRISING CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA Wang Dan, a Chinese dissident who was one of the student leaders during the Tiananmen protests and is now resident in Taiwan, wrote an Op-Ed in the Apple Daily on April 14, where he said that "Today a new “Axis Power” alliance is gradually taking shape" with China and Russia at its core and Iran, North Korea as other members.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LATEST ISSUE OF QIU SHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - 2021/10 dt May 16, 2021) published a lengthy article by Politburo member and Director of the CCP Foreign Affairs Committee Yang Jiechi.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES EXCERPTS FROM XI JINPING'S SPEECHES DELIVERED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2012 AND MARCH 2021 The latest issue of the Party theoretical journal Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth - 2021/10 dated May 15, 2021) published an editorial entitled 'The red country never changes colour' which contained excerpts of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speeches delivered during visits and inspections between December 2012 to March 2021.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS HENAN PROVINCE ON MAY 12-13 On May 12-13, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Henan province when he went to several sites related to the central route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Reporting his meeting with resettled residents of Zouzhuang village, Xi Jinping thanked them for their contribution to the country.
May 2021 |
CHINA-UK: BRITISH NAVY SENDS AIRCRAFT CARRIER QUEEN ELIZABETH WITH A STRIKE GROUP TO THE INDO-PACIFIC ON 7-MONTH TOUR The Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, left Portsmouth on May 1, along with a strike group for the beginning of a seven-month deployment that will bring it to the Indo-Pacific.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: TAIWANESE NEWS AGENCY CLAIMS CHINESE WORKERS IN INDIA HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY CHINESE AUTHORITIES FROM RETURNING HOME Taiwan's United Daily News (UDN) (May 6) reported from New Delhi that Chinese workers in India have complained about not being able to return home.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: AMCHAM SURVEY REVEALS OVER 42 PER CENT OF HONGKONG RESIDENTS ARE CONSIDERING LEAVING HONGKONG A recent AmCham survey released on May 12, revealed that 42% of the respondents are considering or planning on moving out of Hong Kong citing concerns over China’s imposition of harsh national security law and the local government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG SCHOOL CHILDREN LOOKING TO LEAVE FOR SCHOOLS IN U.K. In early April, the Hongkong Education Bureau confirmed that four core subjects of the senior secondary curriculum – Chinese and English languages, mathematics and liberal studies – would be “optimised”, in order to address Beijing’s concerns.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: LHASA CITY BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION URGES TIBETANS NOT TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES DURING MONTH OF 'SAGA DAWA' TO PREVENT PANDEMIC The International Campaign for Tibet (May 12) reported that the Lhasa City Buddhist Association had issued a notice dated May 9, 2021, urging Tibetan Buddhists in Lhasa to restrict their traditional religious practice during the holy fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, which began on May 12.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: UNIT AT HIGH ALTITUDE IN XINJIANG MILITARY REGION TRANSFORMS ROLE FOR CAMPAIGN-LEVEL PRECISION ATTACK AFTER GETTING NEW PHL-03 SELF-PROPELLED LONG-RANGE HEAVY ROCKET LAUNCHERS The state-owned CCTV on May 8, reported that a unit affiliated with the PLA Xinjiang Military Command deployed in a high-altitude plateau recently replaced its outdated artillery with 10 new PHL-03 self-propelled digital long-range heavy rocket launchers, greatly enhancing its all-weather combat capability in the border region.
May 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S STATION OF EXTREME LIGHT ON BRINK OF MANUFACTURING LASERS THAT COULD BREAK THROUGH SPACE AND CREATE MATTER Writing in Asia Times David Makichuk (May 12) cited a report by Explica.co, which said that China's 'Station of Extreme Light', which China has been developing in Shanghai since 2018, has made significant progress in its goal of manufacturing lasers so powerful by 2023 that they could break through empty space and create matter.
May 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S EFFORTS TO BECOME TOTALLY INDEPENDENT OF U.S. IN VARIOUS TYPES OF CHIP MANUFACTURING An article captioned 'US-China tech war: Beijing’s secret chipmaking champions' in the Financial Times (May 12) on China's efforts to eliminate dependence on foreign components and sources for making chips highlighted the efforts of Yangtze Memory Technologies Co.
May 2021 |
CHINA-W.H.O.: GLOBAL TIMES HINTS THAT CHINA WILL SUPPORT IP WAIVER FOR VACCINES Global Times on May 7, released a commentary on the U.S. Biden Administration’s position on waivers on the vaccine as intellectual property.
May 2021 |
CHINA-W.H.O.: W.H.O. AUTHORISES SINOPHARM'S COVID-19 VACCINE FOR EMERGENCY USE PAVING THE WAY FOR W.H.O. TO BUY IT FOR ITS COVAX INITIATIVE The World Health Organization on May 7 authorised China’s Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, making it the sixth vaccine to receive clearance from the global health agency.
May 2021 |
CHINA-POPULATION: CHINA RELEASES DATA OF ITS SEVENTH NATIONAL POPULATION CENSUS Ning Jizhe, Deputy Head of the Leading Group of the State Council for the Seventh National Population Census, Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics of China, released data on China's 7th National Population Census on May 11.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DESPITE ATTEMPTS AT REFORM CHINA'S SOES ARE EXPANDING Brad Glosserman, Deputy Director of and Visiting Professor at the Center for Rule-Making Strategies at Tama University as well as Senior Advisor (nonresident) at Pacific Forum, commented on reform of China's State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and said that rather than being pruned, they are expanding. Citing one report, he said the average size of the largest 100 conglomerates in China increased from 500 companies to more than 15,000 between 1995 and 20.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: AFTER US-BASED CHINESE PROPAGANDA OUTLETS REGISTER AS 'FOREIGN AGENTS' THEIR FILINGS SHOW EXPENDITURE OF US$ 64 MILLION IN 2020 With China's U.S.-based state-run media outlets finally registering under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), China's foreign agent spending has skyrocketed from just over $10 million in 2016 to nearly $64 million last year.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA DAILY DESCRIBES CULTURAL REVOLUTION AS "THE MOST SEVERE SETBACK AND LOSSES SINCE FOUNDING OF THE PRC" The China Daily (May 11) in a box captioned ''The Path to Glory" commented "Two-Party meetings in May and August 1966 mark the beginning of the "cultural revolution".
May 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: PEOPLE'S DAILY REMEMBERS THE DEAD AND INJURED DURING THE WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE IN 2008 The People's Daily (May 13) published a box item on its front page to remember the dead on the 13th anniversary of the Wenchuan Earthquake which occurred on May 12, 2008, and killed nearly 70,000 people, injured more than 370,000 with 18000 were missing.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: ANHUI UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS WRITE ARTICLE WARNING AGAINST WEST'S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE "UNIVERSAL VALUES" AMONG CHINA'S STUDENTS The China Education Daily (May 13) published an article by Zhang Xiaojing and Qiao Kai, Associate Professor of Anhui University of Finance and Economics and Professor of Bengbu Medical College respectively who are both Special Researchers of the Anhui Research Center for Socialist Theory with Chinese Characteristics, captioned 'Study party history well and enhance ideological immunity'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY REPORTS ON ITS PARTY HISTORY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN The People's Daily (May 11) publicised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) carried out "in-depth study and education of party history" with the theme "Consolidate the forces of great country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics (Struggle for a hundred years and set sail on a new journey, learn from the party’s history, comprehend thoughts and do practical things to create a new situation)".
May 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: CENTRAL POLITICAL AND LEGAL COMMISSION PROMOTES PARTY HISTORY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN The state-owned CCTV reported (May 13) that In the study and education of Party history, the Central Political and Legal Commission regards party history as the best textbook for strengthening the party, governing, educating people, and casting the police.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: INNER MONGOLIA PARTY SECRETARY WRITES IN PEOPLE'S DAILY EMPHASISING ETHNIC UNITY 64-year Shi Taifeng, Party Secretary of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, wrote an article titled 'Strive to write a new chapter in the development of Inner Mongolia on a new journey' which was published by the People's Daily on May 10. In the article, Shi Taifeng said "The most fundamental reason why Inner Mongolia has achieved today’s historic achievements and changes lies in the leadership of the Communist Party of China
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CONVENES HIGH-LEVEL MEETING Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided (May 11)over a symposium on high-level and high-skilled talents under the special government allowance system, where he affirmed their contribution to the development of the country.
May 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ISSUES BLUNT WARNING TO AUSTRALIA Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times wrote (May 7) in the paper: "Given that Australian hawks keep hyping or hinting that Australia will assist the US military and participate in war once a military conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Straits, and the Australian media outlets have been actively promoting the sentiment, I suggest China make a plan to impose retaliatory punishment against Australia once it militarily interferes in the cross-Straits situation.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SENATE IS CONSIDERING THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION ACT OF 2021 WHICH FOCUSES ON US-CHINA RELATIONS The U.S. Senate is presently considering the exhaustive Strategic Competition Act of 2021 which, if it becomes law, will be a very important and comprehensive document guiding US-China relations.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: MAY 7 MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE "MISTAKEN" TARGETING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE BY U.S. MISSILES 7 May marks the anniversary of the "mistaken" targeting of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade on May 7, 1999, the capital of erstwhile Yugoslavia when 3 Chinese journalists (2 of Guangming daily and 1 of Xinhua) were killed and 20 injured.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE COMPANY ACQUIRES RARE EARTH RESOURCE IN MEXICO Caixin (May 7) reported that Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. has said it will buy out London-listed Mexican mining company Bacanora Lithium PLC for as much as 190 million GBP ($264 million), becoming China’s latest natural resource asset purchase to feed its booming demand for new-energy products.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: XI JINPING SAYS CHINA'S INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER GOODS FAIR SHOWS CHINA WILL OPEN ITS DOORS WIDER The first China International Consumer Goods Fair opened in Haikou City, Hainan Province on May 6, 2021.
May 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA ACCELERATES DEVELOPMENT OF S&T RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PLATFORMS APPROVED UNDER 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN The state-owned CCTV (May 9) reported that as per the "14th Five-Year Plan" and the 2035 long-term goal outline the construction of major scientific and technological innovation platforms such as the comprehensive national science centre is accelerating.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SPACE: LONG MARCH 5B ROCKET RE-ENTERS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE AND CRASHES INTO WATERS NEAR MALDIVES ISLANDS The China Manned Space Engineering Office announced (May 9) that the last stage of the Long March 5B Yao-2 carrier rocket had reentered the atmosphere at 10:24 and the landing area was at 72.47° east longitude and north latitude.
May 2021 |
CHINA-RELIGION: ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR RELIGIOUS CLERGY IN CHINA CAME IN TO FORCE ON MAY 2 The “Administrative Measures of Religious Clergy” promulgated by China’s State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) on February 9, 2021, came into effect on May 1.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LATEST ISSUE OF QIU SHI PUBLISHED CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED SPEECH The latest issue (2021/09; April 30, 2021) of the Party theoretical journal Qiu Shi published the full text of CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's hitherto unpublished speech entitled 'Grasp the new development stage, implement the new development concept, and build a new development pattern'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-COVID PANDEMIC: CITING INDIA'S CASE, GUANGMING DAILY IMPLICITLY CRITICISES U.S. FOR "VACCINE NATIONALISM" An article by Chou Zejing, a researcher at the Beijing Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Lecturer in the Department of International Politics, School of International Relations in the Guangming Daily (May 3) warning that "experts generally predict that the epidemic in India has not yet reached its peak, and a larger storm is still to come" castigated "some countries" for "vaccine nationalism".
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. EMBASSY POST CREATES FURORE ON CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA Reuters (May 6) reported that a post of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing created a furore on Chinese social media.
May 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA'S NDRC SUSPENDS ALL CONTACT AND ACTIVITIES WITH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a notice on May 5 suspending all contacts and activities with its Australian counterpart and the Australian Government.
May 2021 |
CHINA-G-7: G-7 MEETING FIGHTS SHY OF TAKING PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST CHINA The Guadian (May 5) reported that Foreign Ministers from the G7 group of countries refrained from spelling out any concrete steps to confront China, amid concern among some members – especially Italy and Germany – over reprisals if their language was too threatening.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE NEWS OUTLET SAYS JF-17 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT SUPPLIED TO PAKISTAN HAVE LATEST PL-10E AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES A post on the Chinese media platform Ifeng.com on May 2, 2021, stated that Pakistan's JF-17 fighter jets are already equipped with the "most advanced" missiles of the same type as the J-20.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE DIPLOMAT CRITICISES INDIA'S DECISION TO EXCLUDE HUAWEI FROM 5G TRIALS India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on May 4 granted permission to mobile carriers including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio), Vodafone Idea and MTNL to conduct a six-month trial for the use and application of 5G technology.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA POST CLAIMS WITH ONSET OF SUMMER INDIAN ARMY IS IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE AND ITS CAPABILITIES IN LADAKH A post on the Chinese site "qq" on May 5, captioned "100,000 Indian troops in Ladakh vaccinate collectively: things are going on again, infrastructure continues to advance" said that "India’s 100,000 troops stationed in Leh have given priority to vaccinations, and the injection rate has basically reached 100%. Now the time when the mountains are covered by heavy snow in winter has basically passed, and traffic will be reopened from May.
May 2021 |
CHINA-UN: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO U.N. OUTLINES CHINA'S PRIORITIES AS CHINA TAKES OVER AS PRESIDENT OF UNSC IN MAY As China takes over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for May, China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told the press on May 3 that its “first priority” is upholding the multilateral system with the U.N. at the core.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT: CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS ON MEKONG RIVER RESULTS IN THE RIVER CHANGING ITS COURSE An article in The Diplomat (May 5) reported that the construction by China particularly of 4 dams along a 200-kilometer stretch on the upper Mekong River between 2011 and 2019 had diverted the course of the river.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PHONE AND REAL ESTATE COMPANIES TRY AND ENTER ELECTRIC VEHICLE R&D Taiwan's Central News Agency reported (May 2) that Baidu, Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, Evergrande and other Chinese companies recently announced their commitment to doing electric vehicle research and development.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HE XIN, ON-IN-LAW OF CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER OF PHOENIX TV PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION Caixin (May 6) revealed that He Xin, son in law of the owner of the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV network is under investigation on suspicion of illegally taking deposits from the public.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FINANCIAL REGULATORS SUMMON 13 CHINESE FINANCE COMPANIES ON APRIL 29 Xinhua reported that, on April 29, four financial regulatory agencies including the People’s Bank of China, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the Administration of Foreign Exchange summoned 13 top online financing companies including Tencent and Meituan Finance.
May 2021 |
CHINA-MARITIME LAW: TAIWAN SCHOLAR SAYS CHINA'S NEW MARITIME LAW ENLARGES 'GRAY AREA OF CONFLICT' Taiwan's Central News Agency on April 29, reported that China passed a newly amended Maritime Traffic Safety Law, over which a Taiwanese scholar expressed the concerns that Beijing is using the law to expand the gray zone of potential conflicts.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: AFTER UPGRADES CHINA CLAIMS J-16 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT IS A 4.5 GENERATION FIGHTER The Chinese social media platform "qq" (May 5) claimed that the "current J-16 has been improved many times and has reached the top level of the fourth-generation semi-fighter ranks, greatly surpassing the J-15E and Su-30MKI.
May 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA PLANS SEND SPACECRAFT TO THE EDGE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM BY THE CENTENARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE PRC IN 2049 China's state-owned CGTN TV quoted (May 6) Wu Weiren, Chief Designer of China's lunar exploration program as telling China Space News that Chinese scientists are evaluating the feasibility of a project to send spacecraft to the edge of the solar system He said the Chinese spacecraft will cover a distance about 100 times than that between the sun and the Earth by 2049, when China celebrates its 100th founding anniversary.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP CHANGES TAKE PLACE IN 5 PROVINCIAL CAPITALS IN APRIL Caixin (May 7) reported that five provincial capitals announced the appointment or departure of top officials during the month, including Changchun in Jilin province, Nanjing in Jiangsu, Nanchang in Jiangxi, Shijiazhuang in Hebei and Lanzhou in Gansu.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP COMMEMORATES 102ND ANNIVERSARY OF MAY 4TH MOVEMENT On May 4 to mark the 102nd anniversary of the May 4th movement, the People's Daily printed a full-page article -- starting on page 1 and going on to the entire page 2 -- with mainly just quotes from Xi Jinping himself regarding Chinese youth.
May 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES ARTICLE QUOTING CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ON MARX'S 203rd BIRTH ANNIVERSARY The CCP's theoretical fortnightly journal published an article on May 5, to mark Karl Marx's 203rd birth anniversary.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: STATE COUNCIL MEETING CHAIRED BY CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG DISCUSSES AGRICULTURE CCT (May 6) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired an executive meeting of the State Council on May 6 to discuss and promote the stable development of grain production and improve food security.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: STRAITS TIMES GIVES BACKGROUND OF QIN GANG, TIPPED TO BE CHINA'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO U.S. China's social media has been reporting that 55-year old Qin Gang will replace Ambassador Cui Tiankai, who at 68 years old is now headed for retirement, as China's Ambassador to the U.S. Interesting is that this is Qin Gang's first appointment as Ambassador.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S STATE-OWNED CCTV SAYS DURING RECENT EXERCISE US NAVY DEMONSTRATED HOW TO FIGHT THE CHINESE NAVY The CCTV (April 30) in a special programme commented on the US destroyer "Mustine" approaching the PLAN aircraft carrier Liaoning and quoted China's Ministry of National Defense as saying "it was bad in nature" and that it had warned it to leave and made protested.
May 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: DOHA AGREEMENT BETWEEN U.S., RUSSIA, CHINA, PAKISTAN, AFGHAN PRESIDENT GHANI AND TALIBAN CALLS FOR NEUTRAL AND Writing in the Asia Times (May 2) former Indian diplomat MK Bhadrakumar wrote on the roadmap reached on April 29, by the United States, Russia, China and Pakistan in consultation with President Ashraf Ghani’s government and the Taliban on the immediate terms for reaching a peace settlement for the way forward.
May 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: POST ON OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF CHINA'S POWERFUL CENTRAL POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION EXPOSES CHINA'S DOUBLE-SPEAK China Changan, the official website of the CCP CC's Political and Legal Affairs Commission, carried a photograph on May 2, depicting China's space launch on the left and crematorium sites in India.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN HAS TOLD STAFFING COMPANIES NOT TO POST NOTICES FOR JOBS IN CHINA Taiwan's Labor Ministry has told staffing companies to remove all listings for jobs in China, in a move to prevent the outflow of vital tech talent to the mainland amid rising tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
May 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NEW SURVEY SHOWS 57.5 PER CENT OF HONGKONG YOUTH BETWEEN 15-35 WANT TO LEAVE HONGKONG A new poll by the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies released on April 29, indicated that 60% of people under 30 want to leave the city.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SWIFT: GLOBAL TIMES (CHINESE) PUBLISHED ARTICLE THAT EU MIGHT CUT OFF RUSSIA FROM SWIFT SYSTEM The Global Times (Chinese) published (April 30) an article titled "The EU threatens to cut off Russian SWIFT system" (in case of invading Ukraine).
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FINANCIAL REGULATORS IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON FINTECH COMPANIES Caixin (April 30) reported that China’s financial regulators had summoned 13 tech companies on April 29, including Tencent Holdings Ltd. and ByteDance Ltd., and imposed a raft of requirements on their financial businesses in an expanded effort to rein in the fast-growing fintech sector.
May 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: NDRC PROPOSED AND STATE-BACKED CHINA SATELLITE NETWORK GROUP CO. LTD. OPENS HEADQUARTERS IN XIONG'AN NEW AREA IN HEBEI PROVINCE Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony of China Satellite Network Group Co. Ltd. at its headquarters in Xiong’an New Area, 100 kms south of Beijing in Hebei Province on April 28.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER LI ZHANSHU PRESIDES OVER A FORUM TO DISCUSS IMPROVING PEOPLE'S CONGRESSES PBSC member and NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu presided over a meeting in Beijing on April 29, to exchange discussions and listen to the work of strengthening and improving the work of the People’s Congress in the new era.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ARTICLE BY HEAD OF CCP CC ILD PUBLISHED IN QIU SHI The latest edition of Qiu Shi (2021/09 dt: May 1)) published an article by Song Tao, head of the CCP CC International Liaison Department captioned 'Continuing a hundred years of glorious foreign work and serving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY MESSAGE The Party theoretical fortnightly journal Qiu Shi (May 1) published a message sent on April 30, on the occasion of the "May 1st" International Labor Day, by General Secretary Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Party Central Committee.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO'S 29TH COLLECTIVE STUDY SESSION The state-owned CCTV reported (April 30) that on April 30 afternoon, Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the 29th collective study of the Politburo on strengthening China's ecological civilization under the new situation.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO SESSION ON APRIL 30 Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo meeting on April 30.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SPECIAL XINHUA ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS STUDENTS PRAISES OF XI JINPING'S PERSONAL QUALITIES A lengthy special Xinhua article (May 5) captioned: "Studying in progress|"He is really super kind"-Xi Jinping in the eyes of college students" listed students in different years at varying stages of Xi Jinping's career in different places and colleges praising different personal qualities of Xi Jinping.
May 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S TSMC CHAIRMAN RECENTLY SAID CHINA'S SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY STILL LAGS FAR BEHIND TAIWAN Taiwan's China Times reported (April 22) that Morris Chang, Chairman of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), at a speech at a think tank conference expressed the view that China’s semiconductor industry is still far behind Taiwan while South Korea’s Samsung is a strong competitor.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: PLAAF AIRCRAFT INCREASE SORTIES INTO TAIWAN AIR SPACE Sina.com disclosed that a PLA military aircraft entered the southwest airspace of Taiwan at 8:30, 8:55, and 9:47 on April 25, morning. The altitude was between 3000 and 7000 meters, but it was only low at 9:47 when it flew at a height of "30 meters" setting a new low altitude record.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US AIR FARES SHOOT UP AFTER U.S. LIFTED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON STUDENTS FROM CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES Ticket prices for flights from China to the U.S. increased sharply after the U.S.government lifted travel restrictions on April 26 for students from China and several other countries.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI WRITES OP-ED IN 'THE PAPER' URGING U.S. TO RECALL 'PING-PONG' DIPLOMACY AND MEND TIES The Paper (April 29) published an Op-Ed by Politburo member Yang Jiechi on improving fraught Sino-American ties.
May 2021 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST ARTICLE SOUNDS CAUTIONARY NOTE TO CHINESE LEADERS FRAMING POLICY TOWARDS U.S. An article in the South China Morning Post (April 30) by Alex Ho and captioned 'Beijing must prepare for a drastic reversal ahead of China’s rise and America’s fall' candidly warned China not to underestimate the US.
May 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS POPULATION DATA FOR 2020 SHOWS POPULATION CONTINUED TO INCREASE China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported (April 29) that China's population continued to increase in 2020 amid wide expectations of a population decline in the last decade.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA UPGRADES JF-17 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT WITH ITS MOST ADVANCED PL-10E AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT MISSILE FOR PAKISTAN The Global Times (April 29) reported that the latest, upgraded version of the JF-17 fighter jet was recently spotted equipped with China's most advanced air-to-air combat missile that is also used by China's J-20 stealth aircraft.
May 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: LT. GENERAL WANG KAI APPOINTED NEW COMMANDER OF PLA TIBET MILITARY REGION The South China Morning Post (April 29) disclosed that Lieutenant General Wang Kai has been appointed a new Commander of the Tibet Military Region.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: REMOVAL OF OFFICIALS IN SHENZHEN COULD SIGNAL MORE REMOVALS IN CHINA'S SECURITY APPARATUS ELSEWHERE On 24 April, the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Shenzhen announced the departure of eight senior officials and their replacement by cadres from other cities. The list included Shenzhen's Mayor, 59-year-old Chen Rugui.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: THE CDIC WILL INSPECT 31 UNIVERSITIES AND THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced (April 28) that in its latest round of 'discipline inspections' the CDIC will 'inspect' 31 universities and the Ministry of Education.
May 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: NEW ANTI-ESPIONAGE REGULATIONS ISSUED ON APRIL 26 The People's Daily and Xinhua on April 26 publicised that China’s Ministry of State Security (MoSS) released a new anti-espionage regulation on April 26, 2021, which was to be effective immediately.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES VERY LENGTHY ARTICLE BY POLITBURO MEMBER WANG CHEN ON 'XI JINPING'S RULE OF LAW' Wang Chen, Politburo member, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and Chairman of the Chinese Law Society, wrote a very lengthy article in the People's Daily on April 20 which was published under the caption 'Xi Jinping’s thought on the rule of law is a new development and leap in the sinicization of Marxist theory of rule of law'.
May 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S LEADERS WATCH SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF CHINA SPACE STATION SKY AND CORE MODULE The state-owned CCTV news on April 29, reported that the China Space Station Sky and Core Module was launched into space and accurately entered the scheduled orbit.
May 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: GLOBAL TIMES EDITORIAL WARNS JAPAN AGAINST INTERFERENCE ON TAIWAN ISSUE In a sharply worded editorial in the Global Times (April 24) its Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin said "Japanese State Minister of Defense Yasuhide Nakayama has talked nonsense to provoke China from time to time, poisoning the Japanese society's understanding of China" and that the "Japanese media also openly predicted "three situations" under which the Japanese Self-Defense Forces can assist the US military, should a war occur in the Taiwan Straits".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER CONVEYS FIVE POINTS FOR IMPROVING TIES TO US COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi communicated with the US Council on Foreign Relations via video link on April 23.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRO-BEIJING BUSINESS-PERSONS IN HONGKONG TAKE OVER PHOENIX TV, SING TAO DAILY AND HONGKONG STANDARD The Asia Sentinel (April 22) reported that Beijing is encouraging the take-over of the Hongkong media by pro-Beijing businessmen.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHAIRMAN OF TAR GOVERNMENT CHE DALHA (QI ZHALA) INSPECTS THREE BORDER COUNTIES IN NGARI (ALI) IN MID-APRIL Chairman of TAR People’s Government and Deputy Secretary of TAR Party Committee, Chedak la aka Che Dalha (Ch: Qi Zhala) made an inspection tour to Ngari (Ch: Ali) from April 15-17, 2021.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY'S DJIBOUTI BASE ENLARGED BY ADDING A PIER TO ACCOMMODATE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS The 'Stars and Stripes' (April 22) quoted US AFRICOM’s Gen. Stephen Townsend as saying on April 21 that China’s naval base in the East African nation of Djibouti is now large enough to host aircraft carriers.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING COMMISSIONS THREE PLA NAVY VESSELS ON APRIL 23 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels, the Changzheng-18, the Dalian, and the Hainan.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA SPENT US$ 21.4 BILLION OR 12 PER CENT OF DEFENCE BUDGET ON DEMOBILISED AND RETIRED VETERANS IN 2019 Economic compensation for demobilised and retired Chinese veterans in 2019 alone was estimated at 139.8 billion RMB (US$21.4 billion), almost 12 per cent of the official military budget that year.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CENTRE FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT'S RECENT STUDY OF CHINA'S LENDING PRACTICES CONFIRMS SECRECY CLAUSES ON BORROWING GOVERNMENTS The Washington-based think-tank Centre for Global Development Studies released in late March, in collaboration with AidData, a research lab at the College of William and Mary, a study of China's lending practices by offering a first-of-its-kind analysis of 100 contracts across 24 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including Montenegro, Kyrgyzstan, and Serbia.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-POPULATION: POPULATION DECLINES IN EIGHT CHINESE CITIES Radio Free Asia on April 21 quoted the 21st Century Business Herald, a Chinese business news daily newspaper, to say at least 26 prefecture-level cities have disclosed their population data.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: SUN DAWU CHINESE ENTREPRENEUR AND CRITIC OF XI JINPING ARRESTED ON APRIL 21 The New York Times (April 24) reported that Sun Dawu, an outspoken rural businessman who has been a critic of Xi Jinping, was formally arrested on April 21 on a number of charges, months after being taken into detention.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CLIMATE CHANGE: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ANNOUNCES CHINA WILL PHASE DOWN COAL-FIRED PLANTS BETWEEN 2026-2030 At the Climate Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden on April 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China, which has more than half of the world’s total coal-fired power plants, would start to phase down coal consumption from the 2026 to 2030 period.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN CALLS FOR CHINA AND U.S. TO COOPERATE AT AN EVENT TO MARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF "PING-PONG DIPLOMACY" Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan spoke via video at an event on April 24 in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of China-US "ping pong diplomacy".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER HAN ZHENG INSPECTS GUANGDONG PROVINCE The state-owned CCTV (April 25) reported that PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng was on an inspection tour of Guangzhou, Shantou, and Chaozhou, Guangdong from April 23 to 25.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN CLAIMS PLA-LINKED CHINESE HACKER GROUP ATTACKED OVER 200 JAPANESE COMPANIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES The Japan Times (April 20) reported that investigators had uncovered on April 19, that China’s military is thought to have instructed “Tick,” a Chinese cyberespionage group, to conduct cyberattacks on nearly 200 companies and research institutes in Japan, including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: XINJIANG'S EXPORTS TO U.S. RISE DESPITE AMERICAN BANS AND SANCTIONS ON COMPANIES The South China Morning Post (April 22) disclosed that despite American bans on key products and sanctions on major companies, Xinjiang’s direct exports to the United States more than doubled in the first quarter of 2021.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING ATTENDS CLIMATE SUMMIT HOSTED BY BIDEN ON APRIL 22 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on April 21, that Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was invited by US President Joe Biden to the leaders’ climate summit on the 22nd April, will attend and also deliver a speech.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: GLOBAL TIMES SAYS RUSSIA WILL NEVER BE ACCEPTED BY THE WEST AND WARNS AGAINST U.S.ATTEMPTS AT INSTIGATING 'COLOUR REVOLUTION' IN CHINA In an article in Global Times (April 19), its Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin revived China's assessment that the disintegration of the Soviet Union came about because it thought that its "problems could be resolved through reforms".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE AMBASSADOR AND 4-MEMBER CHINESE DELEGATION ESCAPE A BOMB BLAST AT LUXURY SERENA HOTEL IN QUETTA WHERE THEY WERE STAYING China's Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and a 4-member Chinese delegation escaped when a bomb blast took place in the car park of the luxury Serena Hotel in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, on April 22.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE ACADEMIC WARNS THAT INDIAN POLITICIANS ARE HYPING TENSIONS WITH CHINA TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM MISHANDLING OF COVID PANDEMIC A Global Times (April 21) article by Lan Jianxue, head of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at China Institute of International Studies, captioned 'Be wary of India’s provocation amid worsening pandemic' quoted "Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri, who said on April 15, that sweeping the border issue under the carpet and characterizing it as a "minor issue" is "tantamount to running away from the problem".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET DAILY IDENTIFIES THREE 'BORDER' AIRPORTS APPROVED BY CHINA The Tibet Daily on April 10, 2021, identified three new airports namely, Lhuntse in Lhoka (Ch: Shannan), Dingri in Ngari (Ch: Ali) and Burang/Purang in Ngari as those among the 20 'border airports' to be built by 2025.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY PUBLICISES DEPLOYMENT OF NEW LONG-RANGE ROCKET LAUNCHERS ON TIBET PLATEAU Quoting a PLA Daily report (April 18) the South China Morning Post (April 19) said that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed an advanced long-range rocket launcher to the Himalayas, in a move aimed at reinforcing China’s border defence and acting as a deterrent to India.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS THAT CHINA'S MOST MODERN J-20 'STEALTH' FIGHTER AIRCRAFT WILL BE UPGRADED WITH 2D THRUST VECTORING NOZZLES The Global Times (April 19) publicised the comments of Li Gang, the pilot of the J-20's first flight, to Phoenix TV on April 18.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: VESSELS OF CHINA'S PEOPLE'S ARMED FORCES MARITIME MILITIA CONFIRMED AS HAVING BEEN DEPLOYED AT WHITSUN REEF AGAINST PHILIPPINES An article in Foreign Policy (April 19) by Ryan D. Martin and Andrew S. Erickson confirmed, on the basis of photographs released by the Philippines authorities, that the fishing fleet deployed at the Whitsun Reef against the Philippines comprised units of the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM).
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA SUSPENDS RANGE OF DUTIES ON IMPORT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT AND PUBLICATIONS TO PROMOTE INNOVATION AND SELF-RELIANCE A notice issued on April 20, jointly by China's Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration and the General Administration of Customs, announced the cancellation of import taxes on a range of scientific, technological, medical and analytical equipment and publications for the next five years as part of the government’s strategy to boost innovation and technology self-reliance.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CENTRAL PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT LEADS NATIONWIDE PARTY HISTORY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN People’s Daily (April 16) issued a report on the activities of the Central Propaganda Group for Party History Study and Education, which has been travelling to various parts of China to spread the education campaign to the masses.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: NEW GUIDELINES INTRODUCE MORE COMPREHENSIVE PARTY CONTROL ON CHINA'S SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Xinhua (April 22) disclosed that the CCP CC had on April 16 promulgated the revised "Regulations on the Work of Primary Organizations in Ordinary Higher Education Institutions of the Communist Party of China" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), and issued a notice requesting urgent compliance to all regions and departments to earnestly comply with them.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: VICE FOREIGN MINISTER QIN GANG TIPPED AS CHINA'S NEXT AMBASSADOR TO U.S. The Wall Street Journal (April. ) reported that Beijing plans to appoint Qin Gang, a diplomat who has acted as President Xi Jinping’s chief protocol officer, as the next ambassador to Washington.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS RURAL TOWN IN SICHUAN ON APRIL 18 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang travelled to Sichuan to visit Shahe, a small rural township near the borders with Shaanxi and Gansu.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND PREMIER LI KEQIANG ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TELECOM FRAUD The National Work Conference on Combating New Types of Telecom and Online Criminal Activity was held virtually in Beijing on April 9. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Deputy Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi spoke at the meeting.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS HIS ALMA MATER TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY ON APRIL 18 Xi Jinping visited his alma mater, Tsinghua University, on April 18 ahead of its 110th founding anniversary.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT BOAO FORUM Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia in Beijing on April 19. This year’s theme for the Boao Forum was 'Join hands to advance Belt and Road (BRI) cooperation'.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ARTICLE BY YUNNAN PARTY SECRETARY PUBLISHED BY PEOPLE'S DAILY ON APRIL 22 The People's Daily (April 22) published a 2712-word article by Ruan Chengfa, Party Secretary of Yunnan, captioned 'In-depth practice of the overall national security concept - Build a strong security barrier in the southwest of the motherland'.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: US LIKELY TO APPOINT FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL NICK BURNS AS NEXT AMBASSADOR TO CHINA Former US State Department career official and spokesman, Nicholas Burns is tipped to take over as the new US Ambassador to the PRC. He is a China expert.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: US AND CHINA ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE The US State Department issued a statement on April 16 stating that 'U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua met in Shanghai on April 15 and 16, 2021, to discuss aspects of the climate crisis'.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES EDITORIAL LISTS THREE MEASURES CHINA MUST TAKE TO COUNTER U.S. An important Global Times editorial (April 15) listed three measures that China must take to counter the U.S.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HOLLAND: SECRET DUTCH GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT REVEALS HUAWEI EAVESDROPPED ON DUTCH PRIME MINISTER'S TELE-CONVERSATIONS On April 17, the major left-of-center Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported that it had obtained a 2009 internal report to the largest Dutch telecom provider KPN that indicated that at the time Huawei was able to listen in to all telephone conversations of the network.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES:SO-CALLED CHINESE FISHING VESSELS AT WHITSUN REEF BEGIN TO LEAVE The Diplomat (April 15) cited the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs as saying that only a handful of Chinese militia vessels remained at Whitsun Reef -- called the Julian Felipe Reef by the Philippines and Niu’e Jiao by China -- as of April 13.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-BHUTAN: 4-DAY MEETING OF CHINESE AND BHUTANESE EXPERTS AGREE TO NEXT ROUND OF BOUNDARY TALKS The South China Morning Post (April 17) said that China and Bhutan have agreed to resume the long-delayed boundary.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE MEDIA WARN INDIA OF POSSIBILITY OF CLASHES IN LADAKH IN SUMMER A posting on Baijiahao on April 12, stated that the reason why the China-India border talks have been delayed and unable to reach a consensus is that the "Indian government is not sincere".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 4-DAY BOAO FORUM OPENED IN CHINA ON APRIL 18 The Global Times (April 18) reported that the 2021 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) opened in Boao, Hainan Province on April 18. The four-day annual conference is themed around "A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation."
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA ACADEMIC SAYS LARGE-SCALE INTRUSIONS OF TAIWANESE AIR SPACE BY PLAAF AIRCRAFT DEMONSTRATES CHINA'S CAPABILITY In a new video on April 13, Professor Colonel Chen Hong of the Department of Intelligence and Foreign Forces Teaching and Research Division of China's Air Force Command College discussed the intended "message" the incursions over Taiwan by PLAAF aircraft was supposed to send to the Taiwanese.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA-OWNED TA KUNG PAO CALLS FOR CLOSURE OF APPLE DAILY The China-owned and HongKong-based Ta Kung Pao on April 16 called for the closure of the Apple Daily.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS IN HONG KONG SENTENCED TO VARYING JAIL TERMS Nine leaders of the democratic opposition in Hongkong were sentenced on April 16, to varying jail terms after being convicted of illegal assembly.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA BRIGADE IN HIGH-ALTITUDE PLATEAU SUCCESSFULLY TESTS NEW TYPE OF ROCKET LAUNCHER Sina.com (April 13) disclosed that a certain army brigade organised 'live ammunition fire drills' in the middle of spring in the plateau and alpine mountains to test the shooting efficiency of a certain type of rocket launcher.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA INTRODUCES MILITARY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS FROM AUGUST 1 On April 13, China’s Ministry of Education and the CMC's Office of National Defense Mobilization announced they had released a “Syllabus for the Military Training of High School Students” on March 26.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: FORMER CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO'S ARTICLE DELETED OVERNIGHT The Macau Guide (March 25-April 15) serialised a letter by former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao where he recalled the difficult times of poverty of his childhood and his mother's lessons to him.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER GIVES INTERVIEW ON A RANGE OF ISSUES TO ASSOCIATED PRESS China’s Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng spoke with The Associated Press on April 16, on a range of issues from U.S.-China relations to human rights.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE, FRENCH AND GERMAN LEADERS HOLD SUMMIT VIA VIDEO On April 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel held a video summit of leaders from the perspective of building a community with a shared future for mankind and China's actions in response to global climate change.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CANADA: FOLLOWING CHINESE WARNINGS CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TELLS HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORUM NOT TO GIVE AWARD TO TAIWAN PRESIDENT TSAI ING-WEN Politico (April 11) reported that succumbing to Chinese warnings the Canadian government has told the Halifax International Security Forum (HSF), organisers of one of the world’s most prestigious defense gatherings, that if they go ahead with plans to present its 'John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service' to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, the Canadian government would withdraw support — and funding — from HFX.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: CHINA APPOINTS ITS FORMER AMBASSADOR TO U.K. LIU XIAOMING AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON KOREAN PENINSULA AFFAIRS China’s former ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, has been appointed (April 12) as the new Special Representative on Korean peninsula affairs replacing Kong Xuanyou, China’s envoy to Japan.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. INTELLIGENCE FOCUSES ON CHINA'S EXPANDING ITS PUSH FOR INFLUENCE AND ITS ASPIRATIONS US Intelligence Chiefs speaking at the first congressional hearing about global threats in more than two years on April 14, focussed on China’s push to expand its influence and Beijing’s aspirations.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: CLIMATE CZAR JOHN KERRY TO VISIT CHINA THIS WEEK TO DISCUS COOPERATION ON CLIMATE The US State Department and China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced that US Climate Envoy John Kerry will travel to Shanghai and Seoul, from April 14 to 17.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA--TIBET: PENPA TSERING ELECTED NEW SIKYONG OF TIBETANS IN EXILE CENTRAL TIBETAN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES ELECTION Penpa Tsering is well ahead in the election for Sikyong by over 5400 votes in the more than 60,300 votes counted till April 16 morning. A total of 83,079 votes were cast worldwide.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE AIRCRAFT CARRY OUT LARGEST INTRUSION OF TAIWAN'S ADIZ IN ONE YEAR Twenty-five PLAAF aircraft breached Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone on April 14, in China’s largest incursion into Taiwanese airspace in a year.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: AT LEAST 20 AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL LAWS ON THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM ARE EXPECTED TO BE UNVEILED ON APRIL 13 The South China Morning Post (April 13) reported that Hong Kong officials will release on April 13 a “watertight” set of at least 20 ordinance and subsidiary legislative amendments, running into hundreds of pages, to local laws to implement a Beijing-led overhaul of the city’s electoral system.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG HOLDS ITS FIRST NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION DAY ON APRIL 15 Hong Kong held its first National Security Education Day. Hong Kong Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said schools across the Special Administrative Region (SAR) will hold activities on April 15, including raising the Chinese flag and singing the Chinese national anthem to foster a better understanding of national security.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S MARITIME EXPANSION IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA China has registered the names of hundreds of disputed islands and sea features as trademarks, as part of a programme it started in 2014 under the auspices of Sansha City.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING ENTERS SOUTH CHINA SEA ON APRIL 10 After holding exercises in waters east of the island of Taiwan for about a week, the PLA Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier task group sailed south on April 10 into the South China Sea, where a US carrier strike group and an amphibious ready group held provocative exercises one day earlier.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA RESEARCHERS WARN OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A DECLINING POPULATION The South China Morning Post (April 15) reported that in an unusually direct and frank tone, four researchers from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) in a working paper dated late March and posted on the bank’s website on April 14, said the country should not interfere with people’s ability to have children or it will be too late to reverse the economic impact of a declining population.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY LAUNCHES APP TO PREVENT FRAUD Chinese authorities have developed a new App that has shot to the top of China's iOS App Store charts less than a month after its launch.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CICIR SETS UP RESEARCH CENTRE FOR OVERALL NATIONAL SECURITY CONCEPT The Research Center for Overall National Security Concept was established in Beijing on April 14.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY HIGHLIGHTS ITS SECURITY CONCERNS IN A PEOPLE'S DAILY EDITORIAL An editorial in People's Daily (April 15) by the Ministry of State Security (MoSS) publicised China's security concerns. '
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: APPLE DAILY ANALYSES LATEST VOLUME OF PARTY HISTORY RELEASED BY CCP ON APRIL 13 Versions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) history are published every 10 years with the previous volumes published in 1991, 2001, 2011 and now the latest version titled “Brief History of the Chinese Communist Party,” on April 13, 2021.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER WANG YANG VISITS INNER MONGOLIA FROM APRIL 12-14 During his visit to Inner Mongolia from April 12-14, PBSC member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang stressed the need to create a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation while upholding an accurate understanding of country, history, ethnicity, culture and religion, and maintaining ethnic unity, social stability and tranquillity in the border areas.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACADEMIC SHI YINHONG CALLS FOR DIALING BACK OF XI JINPING'S AGGRESSIVE POLICY TOWARDS U.S. Shi Yinhong, a veteran scholar at Beijing's Renmin University who also advises the Chinese government, expressed concerns about China's "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy and rapid progress of US President Biden's China policy and of the Quad, in an interview published by the US-based Duowei News on April 8.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: NEW DRAFT BILL IN US SENATE PROPOSES ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON CHINESE ACTIVITIES The South China Morning Post (April 9) reported that the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee will meet next week to consider legislation called 'The Strategic Competition Act of 2021'.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE PROFESSOR AT LECTURE IN TAIWAN'S CHENGCHI UNIVERSITY STATES CHINA IS PROMOTING CHINA AS THE "NEW MOTHERLAND OF BUDDHISM" Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reported (April 1) that Liu Yuguang, a mainland China scholar on Buddhism, had said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses Buddhism as a diplomacy tool in order to expand its influence over Southeast Asian governments.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN LEGISLATURE APPROVES RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT TO INTERNATIONAL ACTIONS TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY IN MYANMAR Taiwan`s state-run Central News Agency reported (April 9) that Taiwan's Legislative Yuan approved a resolution on April 9, expressing support for international actions to restore democracy in Myanmar and demanded that the Yanggon government cease attacking peaceful demonstrators.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE JOURNALIST DESCRIBES CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUES STATEMENTS ON CONVERSATION BETWEEN CHINESE AND JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTERS China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a statement on April 5 (in Chinese) on the conversation Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had with his Japanese counterpart.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON APRIL 11 SUGGESTING TENSION AT BORDER TALKS AND DIFFICULTIES IN DISENGAGEMENT Commenting on the 11th round of military border talks, the CCP-owned Global Times (April 11) observed that "unlike the previous rounds of meetings, Chinese experts pointed out on Sunday, noting that no joint statements were issued, and the statement from China was issued by the PLA Western Theater Command instead of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, which are signs that solving the remaining issues will be challenging for both sides.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INFLUENTIAL CHINESE BLOGGER ENDORSES CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S 'DIGITAL CONTROL METHODS' Harvard alumni Ren Yi, aka Chairman Rabbit and grandson of CCP leader Ren Zhongyi whose blog has over a million followers on Weibo, on April 6 posted a blog arguing that the pandemic has made Chinese people more aware of digital control methods and their benefits, e.g., real-name registration, face recognition, and location monitoring.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CRACKDOWN ON JACK MA EXTENDS TO HIS OTHER BUSINESSES The South China Morning Post (April 9) disclosed that Beijing has cracked down on Jack Ma's other businesses and suspended classes and enrollment at the elite Hupan University set up by Jack Ma.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA IMPOSES HEAVIEST YET FINE ON TECH GIANT ALIBABA The Chinese authorities imposed a record $2.8 billion antitrust fine on e-commerce titan Alibaba on April 10.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FINANCIAL STABILITY MEETING ON APRIL 8 DISCUSSES STABILISING COMMODITY PRICES Vice Premier Liu He chaired a meeting of the important Financial Stability and Development Committee (FSDC) on April 8.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AT MEETING OF ECONOMIC EXPERTS PREMIER LI KEQIANG EMPHASISES NEED FOR CONTINUING TAX CUTS ON ENTERPRISES TO ENSURE EMPLOYMENT AND SAFEGUARD PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS On April 9, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over a symposium in Beijing with economic situation experts and entrepreneurs. PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng, attended the meeting.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-FOOD SECURITY: STATE COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOOD SECURITY Guangming Daily (April 9) reported that the 121st executive meeting of the State Council reviewed and approved the newly revised "Regulations on Grain Circulation Management" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations").
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: FORMER EXEC VICE PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL HE YITING'S ARTICLE IN LIBERATION ARMY DAILY SPEAKS OF "REAL POSSIBILITY OF WAR" A lengthy article by He Yiting, a Special Researcher of the Central Party School (National School of Administration) Xi Jinping's Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, and the former Executive Vice President (Dean) of the Central Party School (National School of Administration) was published by the Liberation Army daily on April 9.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LATE PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG'S FAMILY LEAVES OFFICIAL RESIDENCE After the CCP CC General Office notified the family of the late CCP CC General Secretary Zhao Ziyang in 2020, to vacate the former residence of Zhao Ziyang in Beijing's Fuqiang Hutong, Chinese dissident Gao Yu stated and posted photographs on April 4, 2021, that the Zhao family was packing house items that day and preparing to move.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES NOTICE OUTLINING PLANS FOR CELEBRATING CCP'S 100TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY China's state-run CCTV announced on April 11 that the CCP CC General Office issued the "Notice on Organizing Publicity and Education Activities on the Mass Theme of "Follow the Party forever" in Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China", which outlined arrangements for thematic publicity and education activities.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LEADERS PAY HOMAGE TO MAO ZEDONG ON QINGMING According to reports Mao Zedong's grandson Mao Xinyu, his wife Liu Bin, son Mao Dongdong, and daughter Mao Tianyi went to Kaihui Town, Changsha County on April 3 to pay homage to his grandmother Yang Kaihui, and visited his parents Mao Anying, Shao Hua, and the cemetery of his uncle Mao Anying.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND HIS WIFE SEND CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP OF UK The state-run China CCTV News reported on April 10 that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan had sent a telegram of condolences to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, on April 10, 2021, expressing their deep condolences on the death of Prince Philip, and sincere condolences to the Queen and her family.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-NIGERIA: CHINESE WORKERS KIDNAPPED FROM GOLDMINE IN NIGERIA'S OSUN STATE The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed on April 8 that two Chinese citizens working at a gold mine in southwestern Nigeria were kidnapped on April 5.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: US AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUP ENTERS SOUTH CHINA SEA ON APRIL 4 The U.S. 7th Fleet announced on April 6 that the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group had entered the South China Sea on April 4, to conduct “routine operations.”
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE AND JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTERS TALK OVER TELEPHONE Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a 90-minute over the phone with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi on April 5, during which Motegi raised Tokyo’s concerns over: China’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang; Beijing’s electoral crackdown in Hong Kong; and recent incursions of Chinese vessels near the disputed, Japanese-administered Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE ALLEGES TAIWAN'S TSMC SUPPLYING MICRO-PROCESSORS TO CHINESE COMPANY WITH TIES TO PLA An article in the Washington Post (April 7) claimed that Phytium, a Chinese company with close links to the PLA, manufactures microprocessors produced at factories outside Taipei by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which now makes the world’s most advanced chips, having surpassed the United States.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: US COMMERCE DEPARTMENT PLACES 7 CHINESE SUPERCOMPUTING CENTRES/ COMPANIES ON ENTITIES LIST The US Commerce Department placed seven top Chinese supercomputing centres/companies on its Entities List, saying that Beijing’s growing efforts in the field could have military uses that pose dangers.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE REPORT CLAIMS PAKISTAN NAVY'S CAPABILITIES ARE BEING GRADUALLY STRENGTHENED BY CHINA A report on a Chinese portal on April 7, acknowledged that "Pakistan and China cooperate very closely working in the military industry. They have introduced warships from China many times before, such as the F22 frigate, and the 054A frigate is the latest frigate of the Chinese Navy."
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE COMPANY BYTEDANCE AWAITING INDIAN COURT'S DECISION WHICH WILL UNBLOCK ITS FUNDS TikTok owner ByteDance Ltd. told Caixin (April 7) that an Indian court’s decision will “unblock” its money in the country as it awaits the outcome of a tax evasion probe following its argument that such a freeze was hurting its ability to operate locally.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE REACTS TO TOI EDITORIAL AND THREATENS INDIA WITH WITHDRAWING RECOGNITION OF SIKKIM AND SUPPORTING INSURGENCY IN NORTHEAST The Global Times (April 6) reacted to an editorial in the Times of India (ToI) captioned "Taiwan message: New Delhi-Taipei cooperation is both mutually beneficial and a pointed signal to China", calling it "a senseless step to test China's bottom line on the Taiwan question".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE TYCOON FROM SHENZHEN BUYS PROPERTIES AND NEWSPAPER IN HONGKONG Bloomberg reported (April 9) that Shenzhen-based Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd.’s Kwok Ying Shing has become one of the most active Chinese tycoons in Hong Kong with numerous new purchases.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: CDIC UNCOVERS RAMPANT CORRUPTION IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN ANHUI PROVINCE China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) disclosed on April 2 that a series of corruption cases involving the top brass at financial institutions in Anhui province underscores the poor oversight of its rural credit system.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COSCO EXECTS HUGE PROFITS AS COMMERCIAL SHIPPING REBOUNDS AFTER ECONOMIC DOWNTURN CAUSED BY COVID China Cosco Shipping Corp. Ltd., the world’s No. 3 shipper by capacity, said it expects to book a stunning jump in profits for the first quarter this year, buoyed by a continued rebound in the ocean freight market as the world economy emerges from the worst of a downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE TRAVEL OVER QINGMING BUT COVID CONCERNS DAMPEN EXPENDITURE OR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s (MCT) estimated that there was a 144.6% year on year increase in the number of people who travelled over the Qingming holiday, representing a 94.5% resumption of pre-pandemic travel levels.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL ISSUES WHITE PAPER ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION China's State Council Information Office issued a White Paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution" on April 5.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA LAUNCHES DIGITAL YUAN ON TRIAL BASIS China has launched a digital yuan—the first for a major currency. The technology is currently only in trial stage among around 100,000 citizens, but it is envisaged as eventually replacing cash and debit cards, allowing the government to effectively monitor all domestic transactions.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTER OF FINANCE PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY People's Daily (April 8) published an article by Liu Kun, China's Minister of Finance, captioned 'Strive to achieve high-quality financial development (in-depth study and implementation of Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era) ——In-depth study of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on improving political judgment, political comprehension, and political execution.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA TO RECRUIT 84,330 COLLEGE GRADUATES AS TEACHERS IN RURAL PRIMARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS Quoting China's Ministry of Education, Xinhua (April 8) said China plans to recruit 84,330 college graduates as teachers in rural primary and middle schools in 2021 as part of efforts to promote rural vitalization.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA IS BUILDING A NEW SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTRE AT NINGBO IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE The People's Daily (April 9) disclosed that Ningbo in Zhejiang province is building a 20 billion yuan ($3.05 bln) rocket launch site to meet surging demand for satellite launching and develop the industrial cluster of the commercial aerospace sector.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE COMPANY ZHONGTIAN FEILONG TESTS ITS NEWLY DEVELOPED AIRBORNE SWARM CARRIER The test flight for its newly developed airborne swarm carrier, which is an unmanned aerial mother ship that can carry multiple smaller drones and release them in the air for missions like reconnaissance and attack, was conducted by the company which developed it namely Zhongtian Feilong.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: LT GENERAL WANG HAIJIANG TRANSFERRED FROM TIBET TO XINJIANG MILITARY REGION Beijing Youth Daily (April 6) reported that Lt General Wang Haijiang, till recently Commander of the Tibet Military Region, has been transferred and taken over his new assignment in Xinjiang.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: QIU SHI LISTED XI JINPING'S RECOMMENDATIONS MADE ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR STUDYING PARTY HISTORY The CCP theoretical fortnightly Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) published (April 6) an article on learning Party History where it summarised 'General Secretary Xi Jinping's 9 requirements for learning party history'.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL JOINTLY RELEASE 'OPINIONS ON BUILDING SOCIALIST LEGAL CULTURE' On April 5, the CCP Central Committee and the State Council jointly released Opinions on “Strengthening the construction of socialist legal culture.”
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS The authorities have ordered Chinese movie theatres to promote at least two screenings of propaganda films each week until the end of the year, in anticipation of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese Communist Party on July 1.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CONVEYS 'IMPORTANT' INSTRUCTIONS TO 'NATIONAL COOPERATION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST' MEETING The 'National Cooperation between the East and the West and the Work Promotion Meeting of the Central Units for Fixed-point Assistance' was held in Yinchuan, Ningxia on April 8.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-AFRICA: CHINA'S INFLUENCE IN AFRICA An article in the Epoch Times (April 4) stated that since the CCP came to power, its military academy has trained six presidents, eight defense ministers, more than 100 commanders, and a large number of military personnel for Africa.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ARGENTINA: CHINA STEADILY ENLARGES FOOTPRINT IN SOUTH AMERICA AND DEEPENS RELATIONS WITH ARGENTINA Argentina's LaNacion (March 23) reported that over the past decade, China has financed and built a major railroad and solar, wind and nuclear energy projects and has swapped $19 billion in currency to help Buenos Aires through a major financial crisis.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINA'S IMPORTS OF IRANIAN CRUDE ARE RISING DESPITE U.S. SANCTIONS Nikkei Asia reported (April 2) that Refinitiv Oil Research estimated this month's arrivals at 3.75 million ton (27 million barrels), topping the previous record in January of 3.37 million ton.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: SRI LANKA CONGRATULATES CCP ON 100TH ANNIVERSARY The People's Daily (April 4) publicised that congratulatory messages had been received from foreign governments on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: PEKING UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ARGUES FOR IMPROVED SINO-US TIES Cha Daojiong, a Double-appointed professor at Peking University School of International Relations and School of South-South Cooperation and Development, in an article published by The Paper (March 30) captioned 'How do China and the United States manage their differences?' said it is difficult for the two countries to manage their differences but suggested steps for the next four years.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US AMBASSADOR TO PALAU BECOMES FIRST U.S. AMBASSADOR HOLDING OFFICE TO VISIT TAIWAN U.S. Ambassador to Palau, John Hennesey-Niland became the first sitting envoy to travel to Taiwan in an official capacity since Washington cut formal ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: CHINA LAUNCHES PROPAGANDA OFFENSIVE TO COUNTER U.S. AND WEST'S CHARGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF UYGHURS Reacting to growing international criticism of human rights violations of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region by the Chinese authorities, China has launched a major PR offensive, comprising Rap songs, photo exhibitions and the musical -- “The Wings of Songs” -- targetted at the United States and Europe.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUP PASSES THROUGH MIYAKO STRAIT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2020 The Joint Staff Office of the Japanese Defense Ministry said (April 4) that the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and five escort vessels passed through a key waterway off Japan on their way to the Pacific Ocean.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA TO REDUCE IRON ORE IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA AND PROCURE IT FROM OTHER OVERSEAS SOURCES South China Morning Post (April 3) disclosed that in 2019, a China-backed consortium – SMB-Winning – won a US$15 billion contract to develop blocks 1 and 2 of the high-grade iron ore reserves in the Simandou mountains, a 110km (68-mile) range deep in the interior of southeastern Guinea.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP HAS COMMITTEES IN 1.585 MILLION OR MORE THAN 40 PER CENT OF CHINA'S PRIVATE ENTERPRISES Voice of America (April 2) citing China's official media said Alibaba has recently established a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) committee at its headquarters in Beijing.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS EMPHASISE THAT FOOD SUPPLIES ARE GUARANTEED BUT NEED ATTENTION IN THE MEDIUM-TO-LONG TERM The People's Daily (April 3) reported that a press conference was held on April 2, under the aegis of the State Council Information Office where Liang Yan, Deputy Director of the State Bureau of Grain and Material Reserves, Qian Yi, Director of the Planning and Construction Department and spokesperson, and Qin Yuyun, Director of the Food Reserves briefed reporters on the grain and material reserves during the Five-Year Plan period.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: LI BO TO JOIN AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF PBOC Li Bo, Vice Mayor of Chongqing Municipality has stepped down from his post on March 31, to accept the appointment as a Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC), although the central bank has yet to make an official announcement.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: SENIOR CHINESE FINANCIAL OFFICIAL BEING INVESTIGATED FOR CORRUPTION Xu Zhen, former chairman and Communist Party secretary of the Shanghai Clearing House (SCH) has been charged with corruption and bribery.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: FORMER HEAD OF CHINA'S LARGEST WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS NORINCO HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on April 4, that 65-year old Yin Jiaxu, who was Communist Party chief and Chairman of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) -- one of China’s largest weapons manufacturers -- until his retirement in 2018, is being investigated for “serious violations of discipline and the law”.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: SIIS RESEARCHER SUGGESTS CHINA SHOULD HAVE FORWARD-LOOKING THINKING AND GET INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION Writing in "International Outlook" (Issue 2, 2020) Yu Xintian of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, said China's diplomacy must explore ways to respond to new types of major powers, abandon the thinking and strategies of traditional major powers; re-recognize the importance of regions, and integrate them more deeply and comprehensively; and guard against traditional ideological disputes.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER URGES U.S. TO "TRULY RESPECT" CHINA'S CORE INTERESTS Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 4, urged the United States to truly respect China's core interests and take a correct view of China's development.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON CAUGHT OUT USING 1968 PHOTOS TO ACCUSE U.S. OF USING "BLACK SLAVES" FOR PICKING COTTON Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying has drawn derision for using a fake photograph of “Black slaves” to accuse the United States of hypocrisy over alleged forced labour in Xinjiang, according to the Apple Daily (April 3).
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-POVERTY ALLEVIATION: STATE COUNCIL TO ISSUE WHITE PAPER ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) will release a white paper titled "Poverty Alleviation: China's Experience and Contribution" on April 6, and hold a press conference the same day at 10 a.m.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA FRONT-PAGE REPORTS ON APRIL 4, OF CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PLANTING TREES ON QINGMING China Daily (April 4) front-paged a report on the Qingming (Ching Ming) Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, when Chinese people honour nature and their ancestors, that this year was on April 4.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SOUTH EAST ASIA: CHINA TO RECEIVE SOUTH EAST ASIAN VISITORS THIS MONTH Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press conference in Beijing on March 30, that the foreign ministers of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines had been invited to visit China from March 31 to April 2.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE AIR FORCE CONDUCTS TWO LARGE DRILLS WITHIN A WEEK AND SURROUNDS TAIWAN The Global Times (March 30) publicised that on March 26 and 29, PLAAF aircraft surrounded the island of Taiwan from both west and east in two exercises.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES PUBLICISES INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MODI'S LETTER TO IMRAN KHAN AS SUGGESTING A THAW IN RELATIONS The Global Times (March 24) reported, based on Indian media messages, that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not long ago sent a mail to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA MAKES MAJOR CHANGES TO HONGKONG'S LEGISLATURE REDUCING THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED LEGISLATORS On March 30, China’s government endorsed changes to Hong Kong’s legislature that reduce the proportion of directly elected representatives from 35 of 70 seats to just 20 of 90 seats.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA CHANGES TAX LAWS TO DETRIMENT OF EXPATRIATES The South China Morning Post (April 1) reported that a survey released on April 1, by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) showed that more than a third of multinational firms in Shanghai are considering moving all or part of their operation out of China or to another Chinese city when tax exemptions on allowances for foreign employees expire next year.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-AVIATION: CHENGDU'S SECOND AIRPORT TO BE OPERATIONAL BY END OF JUNE THIS YEAR Chengdu is speeding up the construction of a new international airport that will make the southwestern Chinese city the third in the country with two international airports, following Beijing and Shanghai.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS: NEW RULES FOR ELIMINATING SPREAD OF ILLEGAL SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS On March 20, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs and 22 other departments jointly issued the "Notice on Eliminating the Breeding Soil of Illegal Social Organizations and Purifying the Ecological Space of Social Organizations".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: SEX SCANDAL IN GUANYUN COUNTY, JIANGSU PROVINCE ATTRACTS NATIONWIDE ATTENTION According to the New York Times (March 29), a 19-year old girls involvement in a sex scandal involving senior Chinese officials has attracted nationwide notice.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION: POLITBURO MEMBER GUO SHENGKUN ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CENTRAL SMALL LEADING GROUP TO FIGHT CORRUPTION After Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a ceremony to celebrate the end of a three-year campaign to take on organized crime, Politburo member and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Guo Shengkun, announced in Beijing on March 29 that he would head a central small leading group to spearhead the battle against organised crime.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: WRITING IN THE APPLE DAILY CHINESE DISSIDENT WANG DAN SAID XI JINPING IS CARRYING OUT A "DE-DENG (XIAOPING)IZATION" Writing in the Apple Daily (March 10), US-based Chinese dissident Wang Dan said that Chinese President Xi Jinping is carrying out a “de-Deng (Xiaoping)ization” to elevate himself among Chinese leaders and place himself next to Mao.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: QIU SHI CALLS PARTY HISTORY EDUCATION CAMPAIGN A NEW "POLITICAL MOBILISATION" Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) in its 7th issue of 2021 released on March 31, published an article by the CCP CC Organisation Department titled: Do a good job in the study and education of party history for party members and cadres.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHED A NEW ARTICLE BY CCP GENERAL SECRETARY AND CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ON LEARNING THE CCP HISTORY The Qiushi Journal, 7th issue of 2021, for the first time, published the full text of the speech by President Xi Jinping at the Mobilization Conference of Party History Study and Education on February 20, 2021.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING ON MARCH 30 The CCP CC Politburo met on March 30 to review the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting High-quality Development in the Central Region in the New Era".
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PARAGUAY FOREIGN MINISTRY CLAIMS INTERMEDIARIES OFFERED CHINESE COVID-19 VACCINES IN EXCHANGE FOR IT SEVERING DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH TAIWAN One of 15 countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Paraguay’s foreign ministry was cited by Diplomat (March 27) as saying it had been approached earlier this week by brokers claiming to offer batches of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for Paraguay cutting its diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN MASS PRODUCING LONG-RANGE GROUND-TO-AIR MISSILES Taiwan’s Defense Minister and Deputy Director of Taiwan’s main defense research institute was quoted by Diplomat (March 26) as telling reporters this week that Taiwan had begun mass producing a new long-range ground-launched missile to bolster its defenses against mainland China.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-LAOS: LAOS APPOINTS CLASSMATE OF XI JINPING AS ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT Laos has appointed 64-year old Khemmani Pholsena, a former schoolmate of Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as a top aide to the Southeast Asian nation's new leader.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-UAE: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SIGNS AGREEMENT ON JOINT COVID-19 VACCINE PRODUCTION DURING VISIT TO UAE During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE), an agreement on China-UAE cooperation on COVID-19 vaccine and epidemic control was reached.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH IRAN ON MARCH 27 Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's 2-day visit to Iran, the two foreign ministers Javad Zarif and Wang Yi, signed an agreement, which is expected to include Chinese investments in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure, that reflected China’s growing ambition to play a larger role in a region that has been a strategic preoccupation of the United States for decades.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: KAZAKHS PROTEST AGAINST GROWING CHINESE INFLUENCE Radio Free Asia reported (March 27) that Kazakh authorities had detained at least 20 people for staging anti-China protests in towns and cities across Kazakhstan on March 27.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINESE DIPLOMAT TWEETS IMPOLITE REFERENCE TO CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER China’s Consul General to Rio de Janeiro, Li Yang in a tweet blaming Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau for the diplomatic crisis referred to him as a “boy”.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON WARNS U.S. NOT TO MEDDLE WITH UYGHURS ISSUE AS TODAY'S CHINA IS NOT IRAQ, SYRIA OR OF THE QING DYNASTY China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the statement by its spokesperson Hua Chunying on March 26 when the video of "Daniel Dunbrier's Speech at the "Xinjiang Truth Pursuit-Canadian Symposium" was played live.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE ACADEMIC QUESTIONS BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN INDIA Liu Zongyi, Secretary-General, China and South Asian Studies Centre, Shanghai Institute of International Studies, in an interview with the Chinese news-portal Guancha on March 24, claimed that the border standoff has lasted for so long.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA BUILD-UP ARMOUR AT RUDOG, NGARI (ALI) PREFECTURE, TIBET Janes (March 23) reported a build-up of armour at Rudog (Rudok), Ngari (Ali) Prefecture (bordering the eastern Ladakh), TAR. The report states that at least 448 pieces of armour have been identified in positions near Rutog.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC COMMENDS TEN PLA UNITS AND TWENTY PERSONNEL IN THE PLA LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT The People's Daily (March 22) reported that the Central Military Commission (CMC) issued an “Announcement on Commending Advanced Units and Individuals for Military Logistic Work” when it commended ten logistics 'danweis' and twenty individuals within the Logistics Department.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: NYINGCHI-LHASA SECTION OF CHENGDU-LHASA RAILWAY EXPECTED TO OPEN IN JUNE China Daily (March 25), citing China's Ministry of Transport, reported that the railway linking Nyingchi and Lhasa in TAR is expected to open by the end of June.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: PEOPLE'S DAILY 'ZHONG SHENG' ARTICLE ON THE 'REAL SITUATION OF UYGHURS' The People’s Daily (March 23) published a Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary that stressed “Xinjiang-related issues” were not “human rights issues” at all but “issues of counterterrorism, deradicalization, and anti-splittism.” It said accusations of “so-called ‘genocide,’ ‘forced labour,’ and ‘religious oppression’” were “the biggest lies of this century” (本世纪最大的谎言).
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CHINA'S GRID SYSTEM IS EXPANDING STEADILY Writing in the China Leadership Monitor, Minxin Pei wrote (March 1, 2021) that "the Chinese government began to implement a new form of social control – grid management – about fifteen years ago.
Apr 2021 |
CHINA-MIDDLE EAST: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITING SIX MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES FROM MARCH 24-30 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi started a six-country tour of the Middle East this week. According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, Wang Yi “will pay official visits to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and a working visit to Oman from March 24 to 30.”
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: TOYOTA MOTOR TO PRODUCE KEY COMPONENTS OF FUEL CELL VEHICLES IN CHINA AT BEIJING'S REQUEST Nikkei (March 23) disclosed that Toyota Motor is planning to produce the key components of fuel cell vehicles in China, starting as early as next year.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-UK: CHINA SANCTIONS 9 BRITISH INDIVIDUALS AND 4 BRITISH ENTITIES IN RETALIATION FOR UK'S SANCTION ON XINJIANG Following the sanctions imposed on March 22, by the UK for the first time on Chinese individuals and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 26 sanctioned 9 British personnel and 4 entities that maliciously spread lies and false information.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-EU: CHINA SANCTIONS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, TWO SCHOLARS AND FOUR ORGANISATIONS OF EUROPE The individuals sanctioned by Mainland China and their families are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China. They and companies and institutions associated with them are also restricted from doing business with China.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINESE EMBASSY INVOLVED IN VERBAL FEUD SPARKED BY FRENCH SENATOR'S PLAN TO VISIT TAIWAN On March 22, Global Times published its version of the verbal feud that was going on for the past two days between the Chinese Embassy in France and French Senator Alain Richard. Occasioned by Alain Richard's planned visit to Taiwan, it said French media outlets and members of parliament launched a fierce attack against the Chinese Embassy in France and the Chinese Ambassador, Lu Shaye.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: US NOMINEE FOR COMMANDER OF INDO-US PACIFIC COMMAND ADMIRAL JOHN AQUILINO SAYS AT SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE THAT CHINESE FORCES WILL BE READY FOR ASSAULT ON TAIWAN EARLIER THAN 2045 South China Morning Post (March 24) said that speaking at a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Admiral John Aquilino told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the point at which China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would be equipped for a mission to take over Taiwan was “much closer than most think”.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: HU XIJIN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES, WARNS U.S. AGAINST COMMITTING "STRATEGIC SUICIDE" BY SIMULTANEOUSLY CONFRONTING CHINA AND RUSSIA In a video released by Global Times on March 23, the Editor-in-Chief of Global Times Hu Xijin pointed to the apparent coincidence in the Russian Foreign Minister visiting China on the same day the strategic talks were underway between senior U.S. and Chinese officials.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-SAUDI ARABIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITS SAUDI ARABIA CGTN reported (March 25) that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on March 24 and agreed to oppose any interference in the internal affairs of other countries and defend the interests of developing countries.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV CALLS FOR USING NATIONAL OR GOLD CURRENCIES INSTEAD OF THE DOLLAR TO BOLSTER TECHNOLOGICAL INDEPENDENCE Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, talking to the Chinese media at the start of a two-day visit to China, said Moscow and Beijing were compelled to develop independently of Washington in order to thwart what he said were U.S. attempts to curb their technological development.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: BEIJING-BASED THINK-TANK REVEALS U.S.A.F. ELECTRONIC INTELLIGENCE RECCE AIRCRAFT RC-135U FLEW NEARLY 25 NAUTICAL MILES OFF CHINA'S COAST The Beijing-based SCS Probing Initiative claimed (March 22) that a U.S. Air Force RC-135U Combat Sent electronic intelligence aircraft flew a mission over the Strait of Taiwan on March 22 morning, approaching nearly 25 nautical miles from the coast of mainland China.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG SAR PROHIBITS USE OF BNO PASSPORTS FROM JANUARY 31 AND MANDATES USE OF HKSAR PASSPORTS INSTEAD The Hong Kong government on March 25, confirmed that it had told 14 countries to stop accepting a British travel document that many of its young people use to apply for working holiday visas in Europe, North America and parts of Asia.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 4-PAGE PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY WARNS COUNTRIES AGAINST MEDDLING IN HONGKONG The People’s Daily (March 14) published a page-four Zhong Sheng (钟声) commentary condemning “a small number of Western countries” for having recently issued “so-called statements” on the NPC Decision, revealing their “sinister intention” to “treat Hong Kong as a chess piece to contain China’s development.”
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLICISES INCREASE IN DOMESTIC TOURISM TO XINJIANG POST US AND EUROPEAN SANCTIONS The Global Times publicised that following the imposition of sanction by the US and European countries, domestic travel to Xinjiang has registered a sharp increase.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT SAYS CHINA WILL BUILD 30 NEW AIRPORTS BY 2025 Caixin (March 26) said China aims to boost its overall airport capacity by nearly half in the next five years, with an emphasis on regional facilities.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 3-DAY CHINA DEVELOPMENT FORUM HELD IN BEIJING FROM MARCH 20 The 2021 China Development Forum started online and on-site in Beijing on March 20.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ARCHAEOLOGY: NEW FIND AT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE SUGGESTS EXISTENCE OF PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN 3000 YEAR OLD CHINESE CIVILISATION A report in the South China Morning Post (March 20) stated that during a massive dig at the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan, Sichuan, which started from 2019, almost 500 artefacts made from gold, bronze, jade and ivory more than 3,000 years ago were uncovered.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: 77 PERCENT OF BATCH OF NEW RECRUITS ARRIVING IN TIBET MILITARY REGION ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS The PLA Daily (March 18) disclosed that a comprehensive training base of the Tibet Military Region had received the first batch of spring recruits.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC ISSUES NEW REVISED WORK REGULATIONS FOR PLA DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMITTEE Xinhua and the People's Daily (March 15) disclosed that the Central Military Commission recently issued the newly revised "Work Regulations of the Chinese Communist Party Army Disciplinary Inspection Committee", which will come into force on April 1, 2021.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA DECIDES NOT TO HAVE A MILITARY PARADE TO MARK THE CCP'S CENTENARY Xinhua on March 23, quoted Li Jun, Assistant Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) to say that there will be no military parade during this year's celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Li Jn made the statement at a press conference in Beijing on March 23.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES PARTY 'S OVERALL LEADERSHIP OVER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Writing in the People's Daily (March 25) He Xiuchao, Party Secretary of the Central University of Finance and Economics, recalled Xi Jinping's injunction that: "Party, government, military, and civilian studies, east, west, south, north, middle, and the party leads everything".
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA REVAMPS SYLLABUS OF VOCATIONAL COURSES TO UPGRADE SKILLS OF WORKFORCE TO TRANSFORM COUNTRY INTO A TECHNOLOGY SUPERPOWER In accordance with the requirements for vocational education in the "14th Five-Year Plan" national economic and social development and the 2035 long-term goal, China’s Education Ministry updated a national list of vocational courses to include subjects like 5G, big data and cloud computing, as the government tries to equip the workforce with the necessary skills to transform the country into a technology superpower.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: STATE COUNCIL ISSUES 28-PAGE ANNUAL REPORT ON CONDITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN U.S. China's State Council Information Office issued a 28-page report on March 24 on the condition of human rights in the United States in 2020.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CMC CHAIRMAN AND CHINA'S PRESIDENT XI JINPING SIGNS MILITARY MOBILISATION ORDER Reporting (March 18) that the Central Military Commission Chairman and China's President Xi Jinping had signed the 2021 training mobilization order, the PLA Daily (March 18) disclosed that the order emphasizes the need to strengthen simulation, networking, and confrontational means, explore training methods such as "technology + network" and greatly increase the content of training technology.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS FUJIAN PROVINCE Xinhua and the South China Morning Post separately reported (March 25) Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit on inspection to Fujian Province from March 22-25.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE ON U.S. DEFENCE SECRETARY'S VISIT TO INDIA SAYS INDIA WILL NOT BECOME APPENDAGE TO U.S. A Global Times (March 19) article sought to keep India appeased by saying that 'India will not downgrade as a US' appendage like Japan since New Delhi seeks major power autonomy.'
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACADEMIC REACTS TO FAILURE OF SINO-US DIALOGUE AT ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Reuters (March 20) quoted Major General Yao Yunzhu, who retired from the PLA think-tank Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) and is presently Director Emeritus of the Centre on China-America Defence Relations under the AMS, as saying at the China Development Forum attended by an international audience of business and policy leaders forum in Beijing on March 20 that the failure of this week's United States-China meeting to build strategic trust has heightened the need for Beijing and Washington to improve their crisis management regime.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-QUAD: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN--CHIEF CRITICISES US DEFENCE SECRETARY AUSTINS TRIP TO INDIA, ROK AND JAPAN AS A FAILURE In an article in Global Times (March 20) it's Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin commented that after US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to India, the joint statement between US and Indian defense chiefs did not mention China.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: 200 CHINA COAST GUARD VESSELS SEEN BY PHILIPPINES FORCES AT WHITSUN (JULIAN FELIPE) REEF The Philippines coast guard reported that about 220 vessels manned by militia were seen moored at Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls Julian Felipe Reef, on March 7.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY'S TYPE-055 DESTROYER 'NANCHANG' SPOTTED PASSING THROUGH TSUSHIMA STRAIT AND SAILING TOWARD SEA OF JAPAN Global Times (March 19), quoting a Japan Ministry of Defense Joint Staff press release of March 19, reported that China's new 10,000-ton Type-055 destroyer 'Nanchang' accompanied by the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Chengdu and the Type 054A guided missile frigate Daqing passed through the Tsushima Strait and sailed toward the Sea of Japan on March 18.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: JIANGXI PPCC VICE CHAIRMAN URGES EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO USE POVERTY ALLEVIATION AS AN EXAMPLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE CCP'S 'NOBLE CHARACTER' Xie Ru, Vice Chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial Political Consultative Conference, was quoted by People's Daily (March 19) as saying that colleges and universities in the country should use “examples of poverty alleviation to teach ideological and political lessons will help demonstrate the strong leadership, organization and execution of the Communist Party of China, and demonstrate the selfless dedication and noble character of party members and cadres in poverty alleviation, so that young students can deeply understand China.”
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PARTY HISTORY STUDY AND EDUCATION MEETING HELD IN HEBEI PROVINCE A meeting of the Party History Study and Education gave a Report to the Central Propaganda Group meeting on March 20 in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, where Zhang Shujun, a member of the Central Propaganda Group and former member of the Central Party History and Documentation Research Institute, spoke.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTING IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING PARTY HISTORY The People's Daily (March 18) published an article by Xu Jianfei of the School of Marxism, Yangzhou University, who wrote about learning from Party history.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: MEETING IN BEIJING SIGNALS LAUNCH OF NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO STUDY PARTY HISTORY The Central Propaganda Department, the Central Organization Department, the Central Party History and Documentation Research Institute, the Central and State Organ Working Committee, the Ministry of Education, the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, and the Beijing Municipal Committee jointly organised a meeting in Beijing on Party history.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CHINESE PANCHEN LAMA GYALTSEN NORBU ACCUSES "ANTI-CHINA FORCES" OF NOT CARING FOR TIBETAN PEOPLE The Beijing-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu in a speech at the CPPCC on March 11 criticised foreign interference in Tibetan affairs saying that “anti-China forces” care nothing for the Tibetan people and only raise issues of religious freedom in order to hinder China’s development.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CANADA: TRIAL STARTS IN CHINA OF TWO CANADIAN CITIZENS The trial of two Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been detained in China since December 2018, soon after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States, is to start in China on March 19. Court hearings are to be held on March 19 and 23.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CALLS U.S. SELF--CLAIMED "BEACON OF HUMAN RIGHTS" DURING UNHRC MEETING Reacting to the US 'human rights issue' discussed during the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, where multiple countries criticized its worsening human rights situation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the self-claimed "beacon of human rights" should really shed light on itself sometimes.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE PLEADS FOR LIFTING RESTRICTIONS IN U.S. ON CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES An article authored by Yuan Li of China'sMinistry of Education and Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Center, published in Guangming Daily (March 17) said "as two world powers, China and the United States" should not block people-to-people exchanges and urged that Confucius Institutes, which he claimed are "a purely language and cultural education project" and "were unreasonably suppressed in the United States" should be permitted to function.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PROF. WANG JISI SAYS IT IS NECESSARY FOR CHINA AND U.S. TO "REBUILD POLITICAL TRUST" Writing in Caixin (March 17), Professor Wang Jisi, President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, in a speech at the Lanting Forum in February in Beijing addressed the issue of “rebuilding political trust” between China and the United States.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AMBASSADOR CUI TIANKAI GIVES INTERVIEW JUST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE US-CHINA MEETING IN ANCHORAGE RULING OUT ANY COMPROMISE BY CHINA Chinese Ambassador to the US gave a joint interview with Xinhua News Agency, China International Television, and Phoenix Satellite TV just 24 hours before the Sino-US high-level strategic dialogue in Anchorage on March 17.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: OFFICIAL CHINESE MEDIA COMMENTS ON HIGH-LEVEL US-CHINA MEETING IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Commenting on the high-level US-China meeting on March 18 and which the US insists is only a dialogue with no promise of future meetings, Xinhua (March 17) said "For China and the United States, whose relations have plunged to the lowest point since their establishment of diplomatic relations in the 1970s, the arrival of the long-awaited official dialogue between high-ranking diplomats undoubtedly sends a positive signal.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: HIGH LEVEL US-CHINA TALKS AT ANCHORAGE, ALASKA OPEN WITH SOME TENSION The 2-day talks between the US and China opened in Anchorage, Alaska on March 18 with the US represented by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and NSA Jake Sullivan and China by Politburo member and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Committee Yang Jiechi and State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINA REACTS TO ATTACKS ON CHINESE-FINANCED FACTORIES IN MYANMAR At least 39 people were reported killed in Myanmar as Chinese-financed factories were set ablaze in the poor, industrial Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone suburb of Yangon on March 14.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-EU: EU AGREES TO BLACKLIST AND SANCTION FOUR CHINESE INDIVIDUALS The European Union agreed on March 17, to blacklist Chinese officials for human rights abuses, the first sanctions against Beijing since an EU arms embargo in 1989 following the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: US STATE DEPARTMENT SANCTIONS AN ADDITIONAL 24 CHINESE AND HONGKONG OFFICIALS AND CHINA REACTS In a statement on March 17, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken disclosed that the US State Department has identified 24 PRC and Hong Kong officials, including 14 Vice-Chairmen of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and officials in the Hong Kong Police Force’s National Security Division, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and the Office for Safeguarding National Security, whose actions have reduced Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S CYBERSPACE AUTHORITY AND MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY SUMMON CHINESE TECH COMPANIES China Cyberspace Authority and the Ministry of Public Security summoned 11 tech companies including @BytedanceTalk @Xiaomi @AlibabaGroup and @TencentGlobal for talks on March 18, to discuss and assess voice-based social media and deep-fake tech.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBOC ALLOWS FIRMS GREATER FREEDOM TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY TO HEDGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK China's Economic Daily reported on March 13 that the People’s Bank of China had announced (March 12) that it will launch a trial that will allow multinational corporations (MNCs) greater freedom to exchange currency to help companies reduce the cost of hedging foreign exchange risk.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE SURVEY SHIPS ARE MAPPING THE INDIAN OCEAN SEABED A report in Naval News (January 2021) stated that the Chinese Survey ship, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, has been operating in a 500,000 square km area in the Indian Ocean.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA BUILDING MORE UNDERGROUND SILOS TO ACCOMMODATE DF-41 AND DF-31AG MISSILES A report of the Washington-based think tank the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) disclosed in February that China is building at least 16 silos in the missile training area west of Wuhai in Inner Mongolia.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC VICE CHAIRMAN XU QILIANG SPEAKS TO PLA AND PAP DEPUTIES TO NPC Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Xu Qiliang spoke at the delegates’ meeting of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and of the People’s Armed Police (PAP). He said that the past year has been extremely unprecedented.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CENTRAL PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES OFFICIAL STUDY MATERIAL ON PARTY HISTORY FOR WHOLE PARTY Writing in the People's Daily (March 17), Qu Qingshan, Dean of the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute, disclosed that the CCP CC Propaganda Department, in accordance with the instructions of the Party Central Committee, had "officially" published the 180,000-character "Questions and Answers on the Study of Xi Jinping Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era".
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER HAN ZHENG ATTENDS SYMPOSIUM AT NDRC TO FORMALLY START IMPLEMENTATION OF 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN AND 2035 LONG TERM OUTLINE PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng held a symposium at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on March 16 to kick-off work related to the 14th Five-Year Plan and the 2035 Long-Term Goal Outline.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG WAS ON INSPECTION TOUR TO XINJIANG Chinese Politburo member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang, while on an inspection tour (March 14-17, 2021) to the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region called for fully implementing the Party's policies on governing Xinjiang for the new era and consolidate the foundation for enduring peace and stability in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-QUAD: QUAD LEADERS SUMMIT TAKES PLACE ON MARCH 12 The leaders of the Quad countries had a summit meeting on March 12, where they committed to hold an in-person leaders’ summit this year. The leaders' issued a joint statement after the meeting.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DESIGNATES FIVE CHINESE COMPANIES AS THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY The US Federal Communications Commission on March 12 designated five Chinese companies as posing a threat to national security.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE OFFICIALS ASSERT THEY ARE PROUD OF BEING SANCTIONED BY THE U.S. Zhang Xiaoming, Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said at a press conference called by the State Council on March 12 after the NPC Plenum: "My colleagues in the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and I were sanctioned by the US last year, and we are very proud of that".
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA AND U.S. DIFFER ON NATURE OF TALKS AT ANCHORAGE WITH CHINA TRYING TO DESCRIBE THEM AS "HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE" An article in Nikkei Asia (March 12) stated that U.S. and China are engaged in psychological warfare over how to define the upcoming meeting between the US and Chinese officials in Anchorage, Alaska on March 18.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: WMCC ON INDIA-CHINA BORDER AFFAIRS MEETING ON MARCH 12 AGREES TO ANOTHER MEETING OF ARMY COMMANDERS According to the 21st Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs held on March 12, China and India agreed to hold another round of commander-level talks as soon as possible to further ease the situation on the ground and jointly safeguard the hard-won peace and stability in the border areas.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S CCTV REPORTS INDIA IS STRENGTHENING ITS UNDERWATER COMBAT POWER State-owned CCTV telecast its Focus Today Programme (March 12) headlined 'India strengthens its underwater combat power, the United States is eager to tie India to the "Indo-Pacific tank"?' I
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: SENIOR CHINESE ACADEMIC MAKES OFFENSIVE REMARK ABOUT INDIA Well known Chinese Professor of International Relations at Renmin University and America expert Jin Canrong was interviewed by the popular news portal Guangcha.com on March 7.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S MILITARY INFLUENCE IN AFRICA The US-based pro-Beijing Duowei News on March 9, 2021, published an article on China's expanding military influence in Africa. The Global Times had published a similar article on February 1, 2021.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE STATE-OWNED AND STATE-SUPPORTED SPACE COMPANIES ARE PROLIFERATING The report China’s Space Narrative, a collaboration between the China Aerospace Studies Institute and CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division, disclosed on March 13 that by November 2020, China was home to over 160 commercial space companies, over half of which were founded in the last seven years.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: SURVEILLANCE AND IDEOLOGICAL CONTROL IN UNIVERSITIES ENHANCED Radio Free Asia reported (March 11) that Sichuan International Studies University had issued an internal notice on March 8, to recruit student information officers.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE ADVOCATES PROMOTING MANDARIN AMONG ETHNIC MINORITIES An article in the Guangming Daily (March 14), quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping's statement on replacing minority languages with Mandarin, said that the 'national common spoken and written language' has for decades played a major role in 'the development of politics, economy, culture, education, transportation, and information technology in ethnic areas.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: STATE-OWNED CCTV MENTIONS HIGHLIGHTS OF 'OUTLINE OF LONG TERM GOALS FOR 2035' A CCTV programme on March 13 pointed out that the "Outline of Long-term Goals for 2035", or the "Planning Outline" mentioned 20 main indicators in five categories: economic development, innovation drive, people's livelihood and welfare, green ecology, and safety assurance. It is divided into three sections.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: XI JINPING CALLS SITUATION "HIGHLY UNSTABLE AND UNCERTAIN" AND ASKS PLA AND PAP DELEGATES TO NPC TO BE READY TO RESPOND TO COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT SITUATIONS CCTV reported (March 9) that at the Plenary Session of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police Forces (PAPF) at the Fourth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress meeting, six representatives including Xiang Xiang, Xin Yi, Qi Huguang, Xiao Dongsong, Wang Huiqing, and Wang Qifan spoke on accelerating national defense technological innovation, developing new territories and new quality combat forces, innovating the sergeant system, innovating the work of talents, and doing a good job in our military.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE HUMAN RESOURCES AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTRY OFFICIAL EXPLAINS PROPOSED POLICY ON DELAYING RETIREMENT AGE TO XINHUA A Xinhua report (March 13) clarified that the "14th Five-Year Plan" and the '2035 Long-Term Goal Outline' announced at the NPC had clearly stated that the legal retirement age should be gradually delayed in accordance with the principles of "small-step adjustment, flexible implementation, classified promotion, and overall planning."
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CPPCC MEMBER EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT AFFEMINITY OF CHINESE YOUTH Zhang Shuhua, a member of the CPPCC and Director of the Institute of Political Science at CASS, proposed (March 10) promoting "male masculinity" in literature, education and television.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CPPCC: PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH ENGLISH AS CORE SUBJECT IN SCHOOLS A South China Morning Post (March 13) article disclosed that Xu Jin, a Delegate to the CPPCC, had last week suggested that the government remove English as a core subject in compulsory education and as a requirement for university entrance examinations, said learning English, or any other foreign language, was a waste of time and resources.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QINGHAI PROVINCE COUNTY PARTY SECRETARY SAYS XI JINPING HAD SEVERELY CRITICISED U.S. AS THE "BIGGEST THREAT" TO CHINA The New Tang Dynasty TV (March 7) disclosed that the Propaganda Department of the Qilian County (of Qinghai Province) Party Committee had published a speech by County Party Committee Secretary He Bin on February 25, 2021, on its Qilian News website.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT'S SECRETARY GENERAL EXHORTS LEADING PARTY CADRES AT ALL LEVELS AND ESPECIALLY LEADING CADRES TO IMPROVE POLITICAL JUDGEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING In an article in the People's Daily (March 12) where he mentioned Xi Jinping 17 times, Zhang Anmin, Secretary-General of the CCP CC's Organisation Department, pointed out that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping had asked that: “Leading cadres at all levels, especially senior cadres, must base themselves on the overall strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: US AGRICULTURE EXPORTS TO CHINA RISE U.S. agricultural exports to China in 2020 rose to 55.5 million tons and comprised one-quarter of all farm shipments three years after the start of a bruising trade war, according to U.S.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT CALLS PASSAGE OF THE HONGKONG ELECTION REFORM BILL BY NPC AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS The US State Department released a statement by US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on March 11, evening in apparent reaction to the passage of the Hongkong Reform Bill by China's NPC on March 11, and asserting that "the United States condemns the PRC’s continuing assault on democratic institutions in Hong Kong".
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE BLINKEN TO MEET CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI AND FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI ON MARCH 18 IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed on Twitter on March 11, that "I will meet on March 18 with People’s Republic of China Director Yang Jiechi and State Councilor Wang Yi in Alaska to engage on a range of issues, including those where we have deep disagreements."
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: RUSSIA AND CHINA TO COOPERATE ON SPACE PROJECTS INCLUDING A JOINT LUNAR SPACE STATION Russia and China have unveiled plans for a joint lunar space station. The Russian space agency Roscomos said in a statement on March 9, that it had signed an agreement with China’s National Space Administration (CNSA) to develop a “complex of experimental research facilities created on the surface and/or in the orbit of the Moon”.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES CALLS QUAD AN "EMPTY TALK CLUB" The Global Times (March 8) cited Chinese experts saying the US attempts to gather allies "will end up in dismay, as other members in the club have an "all-for-itself" agenda, and won't tie themselves to the US' scheme".
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR CHAIRMAN CHE DALHA CALLS FOR ACCELERATING CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS ON BRAHMAPUTRA An official TAR government website quoted Che Dalha, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), as saying (March 6) that TAR authorities should “strive to begin construction [of the dams] this year”.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY RECEIVES ITS SECOND TYPE 055 10,000-TON DESTROYER The Global Times (March 7) citing video footage released by 'Passion News', a news portal run by the Chinese Communist Youth League Central Committee, said the PLA Navy recently commissioned its second 10,000 ton-class Type 055 large destroyer with Hull No: 102 named after Lhasa.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC LAUNCHES NEW YAER-LONG "PARTY HISTORY STUDY AND EDUCATION" CAMPAIGN IN PLA AS A "MAJOR POLITICAL TASK" The People's Daily (March 4) publicised the Xinhua (March 3) report that the Central Military Commission (CMC) had issued the "Notice on Carrying out Party History Study and Education in the Whole Army" and instructed that arrangements be made for "the whole army to carry out" the year-long "Party History Study and Education" campaign.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA TO LAUNCH SMART DRAGON-3 CARRIER ROCKET IN FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR China Daily (March 9) said that Li Hong, Deputy General Manager of the State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.(CAST) and Delegate to the CPPCC, disclosed on the sidelines of the ongoing CPPCC session that CAST plans to carry out the maiden flight of its Smart Dragon 3 carrier rocket in the first half of next year.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: HONGXIN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO. LTD. ENVISAGED AS A HOMEGROWN CHIP MANUFACTURER TO CHALLENGE THE WEST CLOSES DOWN The Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (HSMC), Located in an industrial park outside the city of Wuhan and which was meant to become a $19.8 billion showcase homegrown microchip industry producing cutting-edge chips using 14- and 7-nanometer technology capable of challenging the West, has quietly closed down.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-RCEP: CHINA RATIFIES RCEP FREE-TRADE AGREEMENT China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said (March 8) on the sidelines of the NPC session that China has formally ratified the 15-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: HE YITING, FORMER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL WARNS AGAINST RISE OF NATIONALISM The South China Morning Post (March 10) reported that He Yiting, former Executive Vice President of the Central Party School and a close associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has warned against the rise of domestic nationalism while tensions between China and major powers were rising.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA APPOINTS NEW MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES Li Guoying (李国英) was appointed minister of the Ministry of Water Resources.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S REMARKS AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON SIDELINES OF NPC China's Foreign Ministry reported Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's remarks at the press conference (March 7) on the sidelines of the NPC
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NPC APPROVES DECISION ON HONGKONG ELECTORAL REFORM The NPC approved the 'Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region' on March 11, 2021.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: ECONOMY - NPC SETS BROAD GUIDELINES FOR SOEs Complying with Xi Jinping's instructions that SOEs should be "bigger, better, and stronger", the 14th Five-Year Plan has encouraged SOEs to focus on their core business.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINA'S NPC TO ENDORSE CHINA'S AMBITIOUS ECONOMIC AGENDA FOR NEXT 15 YEARS Premier Li Keqiang declared in his Government Work Report to the NPC (March 5): "We will give priority to domestic circulation, and work to build a strong domestic market and turn China into a trader of quality. We will leverage the flows of the domestic economy to make China a major magnet for global production factors and resources, thereby promoting positive interplay between domestic circulation and international circulation."
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINA'S MIIT MINISTER SAYS CHINA WILL NEED ANOTHER 30 YEARS BEFORE IT CAN BECOME A TRUE MANUFACTURING POWERHOUSE China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and Vice Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Miao Wei was quoted by Caixin (March 8) as saying China will need another 30 years to become a true manufacturing powerhouse.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINA'S DRAFT '14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN' AND 'LONG RANGE OBJECTIVES THROUGH 2035' STRESS SELF-RELIANCE IN HIGH-END S&T The draft of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan outlines a drive for self-reliance in science and technology and reveals that over the next five years, China plans to invest substantially more in research on basic technology.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: US SENATE PASSES BILL TIGHTENING RESTRICTIONS ON CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES Fox News reported (March 6) that the U.S. Senate had unanimously passed 'The Concerns Over Nations Funding University Campus Institutes in the United States (CONFUCIUS) Act' this week. The Act tightens restrictions on Confucius Institutes.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: WORK BEGINS ON NEW STRATEGIC CHENGDU-LHASA RAILWAY Nikkei Asia reported (March 4) that China has begun construction of a 319.8 billion yuan ($49.4 billion)-rail line that would greatly improve access to Tibet.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: DRAFT BILL ON HONGKONG SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL BY NPC ON MARCH 5 A draft Bill for improving Hong Kong’s electoral system was submitted to the National People’s Congress (NPC) for review on March 5.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PARTICIPATES IN DISCUSSIONS OF DELEGATION FROM INNER MONGOLIA Xinhua (March 5) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping took part in deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on March 5, at the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: INCOME TAX THRESHOLD PROPOSED TO BE RAISED AT NPC China raised the IncomeTax exemption limit for individuals earning 5000 Yuan a month to 10,000 Yuan a month.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: SUGGESTIONS BY PLA DEPUTIES Military deputies to the NPC and members of the CPPCC put forward opinions and suggestions on a number of issues about national defense and army building.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC/CPPCC: CPPCC DELEGATE PROPOSES EASING OF RESTRICTIONS ON CHINESE ACADEMICS INTERACTING WITH FOREIGNERS Jia Qingguo, a CPPCC delegate and Professor of International Relations at Peking University, submitted a proposal to the CPPCC calling for the removal of “unnecessary” approval processes for academics engaging with think tanks and overseas exchange opportunities.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI STATES POSITION ON TAIWAN AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON SIDELINES OF NPC SESSION Global Times (March 7) said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to discuss "China’s foreign policy and foreign affairs relationship" related questions from Chinese and foreign reporters.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S COMMENTS ON JAPAN AND INDIA AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON SIDELINES OF NPC SESSION Speaking at a 90-minute-long press conference on March 7, on the sidelines of the NPC session, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi appeared to put a positive spin on ties with Japan and India. In response to concerns from Japan about China’s new coastguard law, Wang Yi said the law was not targeted at any nation.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC/PLA: NATIONAL DEFENCE BUDGET RAISED BY 6.9 PERCENT China has budgeted 1.36 trillion yuan (US$ 209 billion) for national defence, an increase of 6.8% over last year. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed PLA training in his Report.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: PSB BUDGET AGAIN EXCEEDS NATIONAL DEFENCE BUDGET The Report allocated 185.092 billion yuan on public security, up 0.7% from last year.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-'BIG TWO": CPPCC/NPC SESSIONS In his Report on the Work of the Government, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang set a GDP growth rate target of 6%, lower than the expectation of many Chinese economists that either Beijing would forgo the numerical target altogether or set an ambitious 8% growth rate.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION HOLDS FIRST VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH U.S. STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION AFTER BIDEN ASSUMES OFFICE Xinhua (March 2) reported that the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the US State Legislative Leadership Foundation jointly held the 5th China-U.S. Provinces and States Video conference of the Legislature Cooperation Forum. it said this forum is the first China-U.S. exchange and cooperation mechanism activity resumed after the new U.S. government took office.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO U.S. PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ORDER TO REVIEW GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS OF 4 KEY PRODUCTS INCLUDING SEMI-CONDUCTORS The Global Times (March 3) noted that US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on February 24 to review the global supply chains of four key products including semiconductors, in a bid to shake off dependence on overseas suppliers, especially Chinese ones.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: NDU FACULTY'S PLA MAJOR GENERAL JIN YINAN IN HIS TALK DESCRIBES INDIA AS "THREAT FROM THE WEST" PLA Major General Jin Yinan, a Professor in China's National Defence University (NDU) and member of the Chinese Communist Party who teaches national security strategy, international conflict and crisis management and is a prolific writer, gave a talk on February 27, 2021.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWANESE NEWSAGENCY QUOTES LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AS SAYING LITHUANIA IS CONSIDERING OPTING OUT OF THE 17+1 Taiwan's CNC reported (March 3) that Lithuania is considering leaving the Beijing-initiated "17+1 forum" and building links with Taiwan.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S LARGEST SOE ANNOUNCES 18 MEASURES AS PART OF ITS DECARBONISATION PLAN The State-owned Enterprise (SoE) State Grid Corporation of China, which provides electrical grid services to 26 Chinese provinces together covering 88% of China’s total geographical area, disclosed its decarbonization plan on March 1.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE AIRLINER PLACES ORDER WITH STATE-OWNED COMAC FOR FIVE C919 PASSENGER AIRCRAFT Reuters (March 2) reported that China Eastern Airlines signed a firm order with the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for five of China's home-built C919 jets, which will compete with Boeing Co's 737 and the Airbus SE A320.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE GOVERNMENT-BACKED CHIP MAKER (HSMC) CLOSES The US$20 billion semiconductor manufacturing project backed by the Chinese government has gone belly-up, Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (HSMC), on February 26 announced its decision to dismiss all employees.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S EFFORTS AT MAKING CHIPS AND MICRO-CHIPS An article in Bloomberg (March 2) stated that China just can’t produce what the world needs by way of chips and chipmaking machinery.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: COSCO SHIPPING'S DEPUTY MANAGER APPOINTED VICE MAYOR OF SHANGHAI 47-year old Zhang Wei, who was till recently Deputy Manager of COSCO Shipping Lines, has been appointed a Vice Mayor of Shanghai.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: CHINA'S GETS TOUGHER ON ITS NARRATIVE ON MONGOLIA WITH NANTES MUSEUM OF FRANCE Bertrand Guillet, Director of the Château des ducs de Bretagne (Musée d’histoire de Nantes) announced a few months ago that it had been forced to postpone its exhibition 'Son of the sky and steppes : Genghis Khan and the birth of an empire' to October 2024 due to last summer’s hardened stance by the Chinese government towards its Mongolian minority.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: CCP CC ILD AND XINJIANG-UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION JOINTLY HOLD ONLINE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE The CCP International Department (CCP/ID) disclosed (February 22) that it, along with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) Party Committee, held an online “Stories of the CCP” thematic briefing on Xinjiang from Ürümqi.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG AUTHORITIES MAKE 100TH ARREST UNDER NATIONAL SECURITY LAW The Oriental Daily newspaper reported (March 3) that former Next Digital Executive Director Stephen Ting had been detained on fraud allegations. The Hongkong Police in a separate statement on March 2 evening confirmed the arrest of a 61-year-old man “after an in-depth investigation by the National Security Department.”
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SYMPOSIUM ON REFORMING ELECTION SYSTEM IN HONGKONG HISTORY A symposium on “Improving the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ System, Implementing the Basic Principle of ‘Patriots Governing Hong Kong’” was held on February 22, in Beijing. Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) Director Xia Baolong (夏宝龙) gave a lengthy speech on the subject of “patriots governing Hong Kong.”
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC/WEALTH: HURUN GLOBAL RICH LIST SHOWS THAT NUMBER OF BILLIONAIRES IN CHINA SURPASSES U.S. The latest Hurun Global Rich List 2021 released last week showed that one in every two newly minted dollar-denominated billionaires last year were in China.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: IN RUN UP TO CPPCC AND NPC SESSIONS PEOPLE'S DAILY QUOTES NPC/CPPCC DEPUTIES In the run-up to the NPC session, the People's Daily (March 3) published an article quoting comments by NPC Deputies on the 14th Five-Year Plan.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT PRESENTED TO THE NPC SESSION ON MARCH 5 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presented a 36-page Report on the Work of the Government to the NPC session on March 5, 2021. Delegates to the CPPCC and others also attended and will discuss the Report but not vote on it.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LIANGHUI: CPPCCC/NPC PLENARY SESSIONS The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, Former TAR Party Secretary Zhang Qingli announced the opening of the conference. PBSC Member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang delivered a speech. More than 2106 CPPCC Delegates attended the session.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS MACRON AND XI JINPING PUSHED FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF CHINA-EU INVESTMENT AGREEMENT Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron, According to Caixin (February 26) the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on February 25 calling for joint efforts for an early entry into force of the China-EU investment agreement.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: DECLASSIFIED U.S. DOCUMENT CLARIFIES THAT IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY U.S. WILL PROTECT JAPAN AND TAIWAN AGAINST CHINA Separately, a document dated February 15, 2018, which was declassified and released on January 20, in the final days of the Trump administration emphasised Washington's intent and resolve to defend Taiwan from Beijing in the event of an emergency.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE RESEARCHER ARGUES THAT CHINA IS IN NO POSITION TO TAKE TAIWAN BY FORCE Writing on the East Asia Forum (February 26) Cui Lei, Research Fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, a think tank affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued that Mainland China is in no position to take Taiwan by force.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA APPLIES ECONOMIC PRESSURE TO HURT TAIWAN As relations between China and Taiwan sour further, the South China Morning Post (February 26) disclosed that officials in Beijing had said a ban had been imposed on the import of pineapples from Taiwan as a “normal biosafety measure”.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: AUTHORITIES ARREST 47 HONGKONG PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS ON FEBRUARY 28 Reports on February 28 evening disclosed that the authorities had arrested 47 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, adding to the lengthening list of people being punished under the National Security Law recently imposed by China.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ARCTIC: CHINESE RESEARCHER ADVOCATES ARCTIC COMMUNITY OF SHARED FUTURE The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) February 26, published an article by Xu Guangmiao, a lecturer at the China Institute of Border and Oceanography, Wuhan University, which says China needs to reinforce its role in the Arctic order. He advocates building of the "Arctic Community of Shared Future".
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE REPORTS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL PREPARATION FOR STUDENTS JOINING PLA A Guangming Daily (February 28) article on the start of recruitment of college students to the PLA, disclosed that military experts and grassroots chief officials had been invited to the Suzhou Jianxiong Vocational and Technical College in Jiangsu Province and other educational institutions to express their views on the mental and psychological preparation required for college students to join the army.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: SHENZHEN-BASED DRONE MANUFACTURER PRAISES EMPLOYEES FOR COURAGE IN SUPPORTING PLA IN SURVEILLING "ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES BY THE FOREIGN FORCE" The South China Morning Post (February 27) reported that the Shenzhen Keweitai Enterprise Development Corp, which sells drones under the brand All Tech, published an article on its official WeChat account on February 25, saying the company is very proud of its role in helping the Chinese army during the border clash.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SHANGHAI DECIDES THAT HALF OF NEW AUTOMOBILES SHOULD BE PURE ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO SLASH CARBON EMISSIONS According to the latest new-energy vehicles (NEV) development plan released on February 25, pure electric vehicles should make up half of the new cars sold in Shanghai by 2025, according to an aggressive plan that comes as localities are looking for ways to slash carbon emissions to meet ambitious national pledges.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER CHINESE FINANCE MINISTER SAYS CHINA'S FISCAL SITUATION FACES SEVERE RISKS AND CHALLENGES Speaking at a conference in December, but the text of which was published by a magazine affiliated with China's Ministry of Finance only in February, China's former Finance Minister Lou Jiwei, who is presently Director of the CPPCC’s Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that China’s fiscal situation is “extremely severe with risks and challenges”.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT: CHINA TO LAUNCH ONLINE CARBON TRADING BY END JUNE China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced (March 1) that the China national Carbon market will launch online Trading by end of June. The Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu visited both Hubei and Shanghai inspecting the national ETS Registry and Trading platform.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA ESTABLISHES NEW BUREAU FOR RURAL REVITALISATION Xinhua (February 25) reported that China had officially established a National Rural Revitalization Bureau on February 25 on the former site of the defunct State Council Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development in Beijing.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-NPC/CPPCC: CPPCC SESSION TO COMMENCE IN BEIJING ON MARCH 4 The Xinhua and CGTN announced (March 1) that the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, will hold its fourth session on March 4, in Beijing.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO'S 28TH 'COLLECTIVE STUDY SESSION' ON FEBRUARY 27 Xi Jinping chaired the 28th collective study session of the Politburo which discussed improving the social security system covering all people.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING WHICH REVIEWED THE 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN,OUTLINE OF LONG-TERM GOALS, GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT AND REGULATIONS ON THE WORK OF THE PARTY IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Chinese President and CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo on February 26. The meeting discussed the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan for the National Economic and Social Development, which the State Council plans to submit to the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National People’s Congress for review.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA EXPLORING HOW IT CAN USE RARE EARTH EXPORTS TO 'HURT' U.S. The Financial Times (February 16) reported that China is exploring whether it can hurt U.S. defense contractors by limiting supplies of rare-earth minerals that are critical to the industry.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLES RECOUNT CONTACTS BETWEEN CHINESE AND U.S. LEADERS OVER THE YEARS A People's Daily article (February 25) titled 'the 50th Anniversary of China-U.S. Reopening the Door of Exchange: Respect each other and seek common ground while reserving differences (prosperous years)' briefly recounted some of the contacts between the leaders of the two countries since 1972.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FOR DIALOGUE WITH U.S. TO "BUILD UP GOODWILL" AND REPAIR THEIR DAMAGED RELATIONSHIP Speaking on February 22, 2021, at the opening ceremony of the Lanting Forum on "Dialogue and Cooperation, Controlling Differences-Promoting Sino-US Relations Back on Track", State Councilor Wang Yi said China and the United States should work together to reopen dialogue and “build up goodwill” to repair their damaged relationship.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-UK: BRITISH SCHOOLS BEING PURCHASED BY CHINESE COMPANIES OWNED BY CCP MEMBERS RAISES ALARM IN U.K. Radio Free Asia (February 22) and UK's Daily Mail (February 20 & 21) reported that “Hundreds of independent schools left in dire financial straits by the coronavirus pandemic are being targeted by Chinese investors.”
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: REPORTS ARE THAT SRI LANKA IS RENEGOTIATING THE HAMBANTOTA PORT LEASE DEAL WITH CHINA TO EXTEND IT TO 198 YEARS The South China Morning Post (February 25) reported that Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Ceylon Today on February 20 that “the previous government made a mistake on the Hambantota port deal when they cancelled the lease and gave it on a longer period of 99 years plus another 99 years once the first term ends”.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN PARLIAMENT VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO DECLARE ATROCITIES IN XINJIANG AS "GENOCIDE" The Canadian Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of declaring the atrocities in the Xinjiang genocide. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abstained from voting on the motion, which passed 266-0.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: AIRCRAFT FERRIES ARE OPERATING SECRETIVELY BETWEEN KUNMING AND YANGON The Strategist (February 25) published a report revealing that each night for more than a week, unregistered flights between Yangon and Kunming have been transporting unknown goods and personnel from China to Myanmar.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIA RAISES DUTIES ON CHINESE IMPORTS Nikkei Asia (February 25) stated that at the beginning of February, India raised import duties on roughly 30 products in a move that seeks to rebalance trade with China and develop local industry. The levies on solar lamps and cells are now between 15 and 20% from the previous 5%. Cellphone charging devices, which were tariff-free, were slapped with a 10% levy.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC TIES GET ELEVATED DURING MILITARY TENSION BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA Citing Bloomberg (February 22) the Chinese financial magazine Caixin (February 23) stated that China regained its position as India’s top trade partner in 2020, as New Delhi’s reliance on imported machines outweighed its efforts to curb commerce with Beijing after a bloody border conflict.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI SALES OF SMARTPHONES DROP SHARPLY China's business magazine reported (February 21) that Huawei expects that its smartphone shipments this year will drop by more than 60 per cent to about 70 million units. Huawei’s smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter of 2020 fell by 40 per cent.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: POPULATION GROWTH RATE IN XINJIANG-UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION DROPS BY ALMOST HALF BETWEEN 2017 AND 2019 Population statistics published by the National Bureau of Statistics of China show a sharp decline in birth rates in Xinjiang amid reports of mass internment and population control of ethnic minorities in the region.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: CCTV PUBLICISES ANOTHER NEW 280,000-WORD BOOK TITLED "A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY" CCTV (February 25) telecast a special report publicising that on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, "A Brief History of the Communist Party of China", compiled by the Central Propaganda Department and organized by the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute, has been published by the People Published jointly by China Press and CPC History Publishing House, for nationwide distribution.
Mar 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: NEW BOOK ON CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY HISTORY ANNOUNCED Xinhua (February 24) announced the release of a new book titled "Excerpts from Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao on the History of the Communist Party of China" edited by the CCP CC's Institute of Party History and Documentation and recently published by the Central Literature Publishing House for distribution nationwide.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: EXPLOSION IN RESTAURANT NEAR ZHONGNANHAI China News (February 24) reported that on February 23, an explosion was reported at a restaurant 650 meters (0.4 miles) away from the CCP headquarters in the Zhongnanhai district in Beijing possibly causing one death, while six people were injured.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINA PLANS NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK FOR 2035 WHICH MENTIONS A NEPAL-INDIA-CHINA ROUTE AND BCIM Xinhua (February 24) disclosed that the CCP CC and State Council had recently issued the "National Comprehensive Three-dimensional Transportation Network Planning Outline".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE BY NPC DEPUTY ON AGRICULTURE The People's Daily (February 25) published an article by Zhao Xiaoyan, a Deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) and a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, on providing technical training and promotion for local farmers in rural areas.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES A FULL 3-PAGE ARTICLE EXTOLLING XI JINPING'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO POVERTY ALLEVIATION The People's Daily (February 24) published an unusual article spread over 3 entire pages (page 1-3) portraying Chinese President Xi Jinping as a visionary leader and extolling him as personally responsible for eradicating poverty.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR IRAN REACHES OUT TO CHINA ABOUT U.S. REJOINING IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT OF 2015 According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, had a conversation with Chinese Communist Party officials about the Biden Administration’s rejoining the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: CASS RESEARCHER ATTRIBUTES US-CHINA TENSIONS TO TRUST DEFICIT In a lengthy article published by the CASS on February 18, Hu Jian, a researcher at the Soft Power Research Center of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, contested US academic Allison’s theory of "Thucydides Trap" regarding the relationship between the rising power and the preserving power, calling it "inherently contradictory".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES CRITICISES U.S. FOR ITS INABILITY TO MANAGE WINTER SNOW AND POWER BREAKDOWN Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times, wrote an article critical of the US in the Global Times (February 18) and portrayed it as an incompetent country.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER ROOSEVELT CONDUCTS FONOPS NEAR NANSHA ISLANDS CCTV (February 20) reported that the US aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt's battle group carried out a "comprehensive exercise" where "the SEALs provided forward target data, the Marine Corps at the expedition base provided missile strike options, and carried aircraft and surface ships of the aircraft carrier battle group"
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA FOR THE FIRST TIME ACKNOWLEDGES FATAL CASUALTIES DURING CLASH AT GALWAN VALLEY China's state-run news agency Xinhua on February 19, published an article saying that “China’s military authorities have honored two officers and three soldiers, including four who received the awards posthumously, for defending the country’s western border.”
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-QUAD: JUST BEFORE THE THIRD QUAD MEETING CHINESE EXPERTS ASK CHINA TO LAY DOWN ITS RED LINES Just before the third Quad meeting of the US, Japan, India and Australia since 2020 to be held on February 18, Chinese experts said China should keep a close watch on the Indo-Pacific region and mark its red lines.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC ISSUES 'DECISION ON BUILDING A NEW MILITARY TRAINING SYSTEM' WHICH INCLUDES REFERENCE TO OPPOSING CCTV (February 20) reported that CMC Chairman Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission had recently approved the issue of the "Decision on Building a New Military Training System."
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES: US PAPER MENTIONS THERE ARE 541 CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES AND 2000 CONFUCIUS CLASSROOMS IN 162 COUNTRIES An article in the Diplomat (February 20) reacting to a report in The National Pulse entitled “Biden Quietly Revokes Trump’s Ban On Chinese Communist Propaganda In Schools”, said the Confucius Institutes are a creature of China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD).
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ARTICLE EULOGISES ROLE OF HUA GUOFENG ON HIS 100TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY The state-run CCTV telecast (February 20) a report of a symposium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Hua Guofeng held on February 20 in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. PBSC member and Secretary of the CCP CC Secretariat Wang Huning attended and delivered a speech.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA ADVISES PROVINCES IN NORTH EAST TO FURTHER RELAX POPULATION POLICY Caixin (February 19) reported that China’s National Health Commission had suggested to northeastern regional governments that they assess the impact of fully abolishing limits on the number of births and put forward a pilot program for implementing a comprehensive family planning policy in the region.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES PB MEMBER YANG JIECHI'S ARTICLE The People's Daily published (February 21) a nearly 5000-character article by Politburo member Yang Jiechi highlighting China's contribution to multipolarity. Yang Jiechi said China 'holds high the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind and firmly safeguard the authority of the United Nations.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING REPLIES TO VETERAN SOLDIERS IN SHANGHAI CCTV (February 19) publicised that Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chairman of the State and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, had replied to the centenarian soldiers of the Shanghai New Fourth Army History Research Association on February 18, and extended sincere greetings and good wishes to them.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP STARTS NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN CCP TO STUDY PARTY HISTORY The state-run CCTV (February 20) telecast a report on the Party History Study and Education Mobilization Conference held in Beijing on February 20, where Chinese President Xi Jinping gave an "important" speech.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-CCP CC ISSUES DOCUMENT NO: 1 ON AGRICULTURE China's state-owned CGTN announced (February 21) that the CCP CC had issued its Central Document No: 1 on Agriculture. This is the first Document of 2021.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND RHODIUM GROUP STUDY CLAIMS AMERICAN COMPANIES COULD LOSE US$ 500 BILLION IF THEY REDUCED INVESTMENT IN CHINA Caixin (February 18) quoted a Bloomberg report which said that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce had in a report, highlighting the cost of a full decoupling of the world’s two largest economies, claimed that American companies would lose hundreds of billions of dollars if they slashed investment in China or the nations increased tariffs.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: CAMBODIA CANCELS GOLDEN DRAGON EXERCISE WITH CHINA CITING DOMESTIC PROBLEMS AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC On February 11, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh told Radio Free Asia's Khmer Service that the fourth Golden Dragon exercise, which was due to take place from March 13 to 27, and involved around 3,000 Cambodian and Chinese troops engaging in live ammunition drills, including training on the use of tanks, armoured vehicles, and demining equipment, would be cancelled this year.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: ANTI-CHINA SENTIMENT IS BEING EXPRESSED IN THE PROTESTS IN YANGON AGAINST THE MILITARY COUP Foreign Policy (February 17) assessed that the widespread protests against the February 1 military coup in Myanmar have taken on an increasingly anti-Chinese tone, with rallies held outside the Chinese Embassy in Yangon and calls growing for boycotts of Chinese goods and services.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINA COAST GUARD VESSELS ENTER JAPAN'S TERRITORIAL WATERS ON TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS The Japan Times (February 17) reported that according to the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters based in Naha, two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships entered Japanese territorial waters off the Senkakus and the Taishojima island at around 4:15 a.m. on February 16.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-EUROPE: RADIO FRANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSES A SHIFT IN EUROPEAN POSITION TOWARDS CHINA Radio France Internationale (RFI) Chinese Edition reported (February 10) that the just-concluded 17+1 Summit between China and the Central and Eastern European countries is showing a changing relationship. There are now 15 European countries that are connected to China via railway for cargo transportation.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA PROPOSES JOINT PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR GREATER CONTROL ON CPEC Li Zhanshu, Chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC), proposed the formation of the joint committee for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, in a virtual meeting held with Asad Qaiser, the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, toward the end of January. Both directed their secretaries to form the joint parliamentary oversight committee.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF TO ACQUIRE 400 AIRCRAFT FROM UKRAINE A US Defence Blog disclosed that China is to buy 400 aircraft from Ukraine to build hundreds of new military aircraft. It stated (January 17) that, Ukraine's Madasi company was awarded a $800 million contract to support the production of China's JL-10 trainer aircraft.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA'S RECRUITMENT FOR THIS YEAR TO COMMENCE ON FEBRUARY 20 This year's recruitment to the PLA will be held in two rounds with one starting on February 20 and ending on March 31, and the other scheduled between August 15 and September 30.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CCP CC AND CMC APPROVE NEW 'REGULATIONS ON POLITICAL WORK IN THE ARMY' CCTV (February 18) reported that the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission had approved the newly revised "Regulations on Political Work in the Army" that were promulgated and implemented recently.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EUROPEAN CONSUMER RIGHTS ORGANISATION FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST TIKTOK The European Consumer Organization filed a complaint with the European Commission on February 17, accusing the popular short-video app TikTok of violating the rights of users and exposing underage viewers to inappropriate material.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA OUTLINES ACTION PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT 'GREEN DEVELOPMENT' Caixin (February 15) reported that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), is crafting a package of policies to support finance for green development as part of efforts to play a more active role in the nation’s fight against climate change.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: NEW RESEARCH DISCLOSES 100,000 CHINESE DIED BECAUSE OF REDUNDANT TRIALS ON STATINS A report published by Caixin (February 18) disclosed that new research suggests that "hundreds of Chinese heart disease patients died avoidable deaths, with more still suffering heart attacks and strokes, after 100,000 went untreated in unnecessary trials of widely used medication".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CCP CC AND STATE COUNCIL GENERAL OFFICE JOINTLY ISSUE NOTICE ON DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA'S "EXCELLENT TRADITIONAL CULTURE" Radio Free Asia (February 16) reported that on February 14, the CCP CC General Office and the State Council's General Office jointly issued the “Opinions on the Implementation of the Inheritance and Development Project of China’s Excellent Traditional Culture,” highlighting the need to “rejuvenate China’s traditional culture comprehensively by 2025.”
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: TIANJIN CITY PARTY COMMITTEE INSTRUCTS ALL CCP MEMBERS IN TIANJIN TO WATCH CCTV SERIES TELECAST ON FEBRUARY ON THE KOREAN WAR The Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of Tianjin, on February 14, issued a “Notice on Attentively Watching the TV Series ‘Crossing the Yalu River,’” asking all CCP organizations in government agencies and civil groups to watch the TV program streamed by the state-owned China Central Television (CCTV).
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA'S VIEW THAT IT NOW HAS GREAT PROSPECTS FOR REJUVENATION A lengthy article by Dong Zhenrui of the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute was published in the Chinese version of China Discipline Inspection Commission Daily on February 18, underlining that 2021 is the first year of "a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. Standing on such a new starting point, we need to establish a correct view of history".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT: CHINA'S SUPREME COURT TO INTEGRATE SOCIALIST CORE VALUES INTO COURT JUDGEMENTS China's Supreme People's Court issued a policy document on February 18, on integrating 'socialist core values' into court judgments/rulings and in the reasoning and explanation of the law.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER AT U.N. MEETING WARNS AGAINST 'VACCINE NATIONALISM' Speaking at a UN meeting on February 17, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said nations must cooperate, respect science and reject misinformation, with the Security Council leading by example. Caixin (February 28) quoted him as urging the world to reject “vaccine nationalism” and promote fair and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, saying that China has exported vaccines to 22 countries.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER DING XUEXIANG EXHORTS PARTY HISTORY DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE FOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CCP The People's Daily (February 8) reported that while speaking at a meeting of the National Party History and Documentation Department's main leaders in Beijing on February 7, Ding Xuexiang, Politburo member and Director of the CCP CC General Office, emphasized the importance of deepening the study and propaganda of party history, especially Xi Jinping Thought.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 18 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired an Executive Meeting of the State Council on February 18 to listen to a report on the implementation of the proposals of the 'Two Sessions' in 2020, and seek opinions on sustainable and healthy economic and social development.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY CALLS FOR IMPROVING TIES WITH U.S. SAYING IT WOULD COMPLY WITH PUBLIC OPINION The People's Daily (February 14) published an article captioned 'Working together to open up a bright future for Sino-US relations is the right thing to comply with public opinion and the general trend, and both sides should act'.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE POST SAYS DISENGAGEMENT AT PANGONG TSO BECAUSE INDIAN LOGISTICS UNABLE TO COPE AND IT IS ONLY FOR THE SHORT-TERM The Chinese site 'qq' on February 10, published a short article captioned "India has withdrawn! China and India disengaged on the front line. Has China won? Will India come again?"
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR'S NYINGCHI PREFECTURE VILLAGE HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESS IN CIVIL-MILITARY INTEGRATION An article published by Nyingtri (Nyingchi)'s official website highlights the success of civil-military integration in Nanyi Town, Minling County, Nyingtri.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TRAVEL: RAIL TRAVEL DURING CHINA'S SPRING FESTIVAL FELL ALMOST 70% BETWEEN JANUARY 18 AND FEBRUARY 11 China’s railway passenger traffic plunged almost 70% during the 15 days before the Lunar New Year as authorities urged people to “celebrate in place” and avoid unnecessary travel to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCTV EMPHASISES THAT XI JINPING IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION State-owned CCTV News (February 14) highlighted that Technological independence and self-reliance is the strategic support of national development" and that the Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of last year had prioritised that the first key task of this year was to strengthen the national strategic scientific and technological capabilities.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW U.S. STRATEGY TOWARDS CHINA Reuters (February 11) reported U.S. President Joe Biden's comment on February 10 that the Pentagon would review its strategy toward China, looking at pivotal areas including intelligence, technology and Washington’s military footprint in the region.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH XI JINPING China's CCTV (February 11) reported the US President Biden's telephone call to Chinese President Xi Jinping in February on the eve of the Lunar New Year and said he had conveyed greetings on the occasion to the Chinese people.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINESE-BORN AUSTRALIAN JOURNALIST IN BEIJING ARRESTED ON FEBRUARY 5 FOR "SUPPLYING STATE SECRETS OVERSEAS" Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payn disclosed (February 9) that China formally arrested a Chinese-born Australian journalist working for the state-owned CGTN, the English-language channel of China Central Television, on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA'S EDUCATION MINISTRY CAUTIONS CHINESE STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA AGAINST ATTACKS The South China Morning Post (February 5) reported that China's Ministry of Education issued an alert on February 5, to “conduct proper safety risks assessments, and be cautious in choosing to go to or return to Australia for their studies”.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-EUROPE: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING HOSTS CHINA-CEEC LEADERS SUMMIT VIA VIDEO LINK ON FEBRUARY 9 CCTV telecast a report highlighting the China-CEEC Leaders Summit held in video mode on February 9.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE REPORT CLAIMS INDIA BACKED OFF FROM CONTINUING THE CONFRONTATION WITH CHINA BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES CAUSING DISAPPOINTMENT TO U.S. A report critical of India and posted on the Chinese news portal .163.com on February 11, with the caption 'Biden made a call in vain: the frontline units of the Chinese and Indian armed forces disengaged in a planned way', claimed that the defusing of the more than half a year's crisis is "a huge bad news for the United States".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE STATEMENTS ON DISENGAGEMENT AT PANGONG TSO FROM FEBRUARY 10 Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on February 10, 2021, in Beijing on February 10:
Q:It is reported that the Chinese and Indian militaries started disengagement in the Pangong Lake area on February 10. Can you confirm that?
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PEOPLE'S DAILY CRITICISES ARRESTED HONGKONG MEDIA MAGNATE JIMMY LAI AS U.S. STOOGE AND ALSO CRITICISES U.S. A People's Daily (February 6) article, while sharply criticising Jimmy Lai (aka - Li Zhiying) owner of Hongkong's Apple Daily as "leader of the Gang of Four" and sparing "no effort to mess up Hong Kong", also criticised the US.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE REGULATORS PULL UP ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER TESLA OVER SAFETY ISSUES Caixin reported (February 9) that Chinese regulators on February 8, summoned Tesla Inc. representatives over safety issues with its vehicles and told the electric-car maker to improve internal management and comply with Chinese law and regulations.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTOMOBILE SALES UP IN CHINA According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on February 9, China vehicle sales rose 29.5% in January, aided partly by the Lunar New Year, as the market continued to rebound from a period of weakness exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. Some 2.5 million vehicles were sold in China in the first month of 2021.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC ESTABLISHES JOINT VENTURE WITH SWIFT The Chinese financial magazine Caixin reported (February 9) that the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) had set up a joint venture with SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), the global network that processes transactions between financial institutions in different countries.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S FIRST INTERPLANETARY SPACECRAFT TO ENTER MARS ORBIT ON FEBRUARY 10 China's state-owned CCTV announced (February 11) that China's first Mars exploration mission, Tianwen-1, successfully entered the orbit of the ring fire, achieving the first step of "circumnavigation, patrol".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-POPULATION: 15% DECLINE IN BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 2020 FORESHADOWS A SERIOUS CRISIS China’s Ministry of Public Security disclosed on February 8, that around 10 million newborns were entered into Hukou, the Chinese household-registration system, in 2020.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: XU ZHANGRUN'S FRIEND GENG XIAONAN SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS IN PRISON Ms. Geng Xiaonan, a publisher and friend of Xu Zhangrun, a former professor at Tsinghua University Law School, was charged with "illegal business operations."
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-CCP: ARTICLE SAYS PARTY RULES & REGULATIONS ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED An article by Li Xingang of the Department of Politics and Law Education and Research, Zibo Municipal Party School, Shandong Province and published in the "Chinese Cadres Tribune" on February 8, 2021, disclosed that the CCP Central Committee had begun examining ways to improve implementation of the Party's Rules and Regulations.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SHANGHAI POLICE CHIEF EXPELLED FROM CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY The South China Morning Post (February 11) disclosed that the Chinese Communist Party had on February 10 expelled former Shanghai police chief Gong Daoan, setting the stage for him to stand trial.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS SHANXI PROVINCE PRIOR TO CHINESE NEW YEAR CCTV on February 8, reported that on the eve of the Spring Festival Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, on February 7 inspected Yuncheng, Shanxi, where he emphasised that "under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core", things that benefit the people should be done practically and well, and people's livelihood should be continuously improved in the course of sustainable development.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CONVEYS GREETINGS FOR SPRING FESTIVAL Xinhua (February 10) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed Spring Festival greetings on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the State Council, to all "Chinese people of all ethnic groups" on February 10 at a reception in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINA OFFERS HONGKONG GRADUATES NEW IMMIGRATION POLICY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY Canada, citing “deep concerns” about the national security law, announced that Hongkongers who recently graduated from Canadian educational institutions will soon have a new pathway to permanent residency as Ottawa launches a three-year open work permit for them.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: TWO GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLES ASSERT CHINA'S STRONG POSITION AND CALL ON U.S. TO EASE TENSIONS Two articles in China's state-owned Global Times (February 6) sought to project China's advantageous position vis-a-vis the US. One article stated, "China's down-to-earth diplomatic approach is gradually showing its effectiveness.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: USS DESTROYER CARRIES OUT FIRST FONOPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA IN BIDEN ADMINISTRATION The United States Navy conducted its first freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) under the new Biden administration on February 5.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT CONDUCT EXERCISES NEAR TAIWAN STRAITS EVERY DAY IN JANUARY 2021 The Global Times (February 1) reported that the PLA sent warplanes for exercises near the Taiwan Straits almost every day in January 2021. A separate Liberty Times report claims that only on January 1, 8, 10 and 21, did the PLA not enter Taiwan’s ADIZ.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POSTS STEEPEST DECLINE IN RETAIL SALES SINCE 1981 Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department said on February 2, that Hong Kong posted its steepest decline in retail sales since records began in 1981 as the number of visitors to the city collapsed and local residents tightened their belts amid the coronavirus pandemic, dealing another blow to the city’s already struggling economy.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: CHINESE GOVERNMENT ORGANISES PROPAGANDA EVENT IN GENEVA TO PORTRAY XINJIANG IN A POSITIVE LIGHT China’s Permanent Mission in Geneva and the Xinjiang government jointly held a video presentation titled ‘Xinjiang is a Good Place’ on February 3. Diplomats from more than 50 countries in Geneva including nearly 20 ambassadors, UN Human Rights Office officials, Human Rights Council Special Mechanism experts and other guests participated.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINESE RESEARCHER SEEKS TO LEGITIMISE THE 'GOLDEN URN' AND CLAIMS THAT TWO RESIDENT MINISTERS IN TIBET WERE SENIOR TO THE DALAI AND PANCHEN LAMAS AND ALL 'LIVING BUDDHAS' A lengthy article by Zhang Yun, a research fellow at the China Tibetology Research Center, was published by the Global Times (February 7) claiming that "the 29-Article Ordinance for the More Efficient Governance of Tibet promulgated in 1793 was an important law related to the governance of Tibet in the Qing Dynasty.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA CONSIDERING JOINING CPTPP China's Commerce Ministry spokesman disclosed (February 4) that China is readily considering joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to promote economic globalization and regional economic integration.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BEIJING ISSUES DIGITAL CURRENCY WORTH US$ 1,55 MILLION TO LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ENCOURAGE SPENDING DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR Xinhua (February 6) announced that Beijing will issue digital currency worth 10 million yuan (US$ 1.55 million) to local residents via lottery in 'virtual red envelopes' on February 7, to boost consumption during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HOME-BOUND PASSENGER TRAFFIC FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR DROPS DRASTICALLY CCTV (February 4) reported that during this year's Spring Festival a total of 17.924 million passengers travelled home nationwide, a decrease of 77% year-on-year.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: REVENUES AND PROFITS OF CHINA'S LARGEST CHIP MANUFACTURER DECLINE Chinese chipmaking champion Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. reported declining revenue and profits during the final quarter of 2020, and its shares slid as much as 10% on February 5, after the company warned that U.S. sanctions were crimping its ability to buy equipment so it could expand to meet customer demand.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY BUILDS NEW SHIPYARD IN BOHAI BAY FOR BUILDING NUCLEAR SUBMARINES Naval News reported on February 1, that China has built a massive new yard for building nuclear submarines.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA CONDUCTS LAND-BASED ANTI-MISSILE INTERCEPTION TEST Xinhua (February 4) reported that China's Ministry of National Defense had announced on February 4, that China conducted a land-based mid-section anti-missile interception technology test within its territory, and the test achieved its expected goals.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS PLAAF DIVISION ON FEBRUARY 4 IN GUIZHOU CCTV (February 6) reported that Xi Jinping had "inspected a certain aviation division of the air force" on February 4 morning and extended Chinese New Year greetings to officers and soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army, officers and soldiers of the Armed Police Force, civilian personnel of the military, and militia reserve personnel.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ETHNIC POLICY: CHINA PROHIBITS TEACHING OF LOCAL ETHNIC LANGUAGES On January 20, the Director of the Legal Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, Shen Chungyao, announced during a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee that schools in “minority areas” were no longer allowed to teach their own languages, declaring such education to be “unconstitutional”.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINHUA PUBLICISES LIST OF SEVEN "NEW BUZZWORDS" OF PROVINCIAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESSES Xinhua (February 3) published a list of seven “new buzzwords” that surfaced during recent sessions of the province-level people’s congresses.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS GUIZHOU PROVINCE Xi Jinping travelled to Guizhou province on February 3-4, 2021, at the beginning of the annual Chinese New Year.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA SETS STAGE FOR COOPERATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE China has appointed 71-year-old Xie Zhenhua, a familiar name in Beijing’s climate bureaucracy and diplomacy, to serve as Special Climate Envoy.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: NEW BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT WILL PROMOTE POLICIES SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR TIBETANS Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced on February 3, that the U.S. State Department said President Joe Biden's Administration will continue to promote policies supporting human rights for Tibetans living under Chinese rule and work with allies to press Beijing to engage in dialogue with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES HIGHLIGHTS YANG JIECHI'S OFFER OF COMPARTMENTALISING POLITICAL FROM ECONOMIC TIES Global Times (February 2) highlighted that in his recent speech to the National Committee on US-China Relations, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi had signalled that trade issues could be compartmentalized from political disputes which, Global Times pointed out, is also in line with China's overall foreign policy stance of managing differences while seeking common ground.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN TELLS STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AMERICA WILL TAKE ON CHALLENGES POSED BY CHINA BUT WILL WORK WITH CHINA WHEN REQUIRED In his speech on key foreign policy issues at the US State Department on February 4, 2021, US President Joe Biden said, while referring to China, "we’ll also take on directly the challenges posed by our prosperity, security and democratic values by our most serious competitor, China.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-UK: UK REGULATOR DECLINES TO GRANT BROADCASTING LICENCE TO CHINA'S CGTN The UK Regulator Ofcom on February 4, withdrew the licence for CGTN to broadcast in the UK, after its investigation concluded that the licence is wrongfully held by Star China Media Limited.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: GLOBAL TIMES COMMENTS ON COUP IN MYANMAR An article published by Global Times (February 1) on the military take-over in Myanmar, reported Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin's comment on February 1, that "China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar, and we hope all parties in Myanmar can properly handle differences under the constitutional and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE AMBASSADOR VISITS GWADAR According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry release, China's Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong visited Gwadar from January 27 to 28, 2021.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: BEIJING'S LIAISON OFFICE IN HONGKONG SAR TO BE REORGANISED Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao (January 28) reported that a major reorganisation of The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) is imminent.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG'S EDUCATION BUREAU INTRODUCES MANDATORY TEACHING OF NATIONAL SECURITY LAW IN JUNIOR SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS Hongkong's Education Bureau (EDB) issued a circular on February 4, instructing that "Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR. This is also the common responsibility of all Hong Kong residents (including school staff and students)."
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINESE AUTHORITIES IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL IN TIBET AHEAD OF LOSAR Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (February 1) that Qinghai province authorities are restricting travel in Tibetan-populated areas ahead of the start of Lunar New Year, from later this month. Tibetan sources say.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: HUAWEI VICE PRESIDENT IN DENMARK RESIGNS DUE TO HUAWEI'S RELUCTANCE TO CATEGORICALLY DENY H.R. VIOLATIONS IN XINJIANG The Washington Post (February 2) reported that Tommy Zwicky, Vice President of Communications for Huawei's Denmark office, resigned in December after a Washington Post report detailing Huawei’s test of face-scanning software that police could use to identify Uighurs.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC PLANS MILITARY MUSEUMS ACROSS CHINA TO EDUCATE SOLDIERS AND ACHIEVE THE PARTY'S GOAL OF BUILDING A STRONG MILITARY Xinhua (January 27) reported that the Central Military Commission (CMC)'s General Office had publicised (January 26) plans for the construction of military history venues across China.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW RESEARCH REVEALS HIGH PERCENTAGE OF PLA NAVY SUBMARINES SUFFER FROM MENTAL HEALTH RISKS AND SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS Asia Times (February 2) quoted a CNN report on a recent research by China’s Second Military Medical University and Navy Military Medical University, published in the British journal Military Medicine, revealed that the PLA Navy's submariners reported severe psychological problems at much higher rates compared to People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces as a whole.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BEIJING DAILY'S LIST OF ENTREPRENEURS OMITS JACK MA The Beijing Daily published (February 2) a list of China's pioneering tech giants, but Jack Ma was missing.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: XU ZHANGRUN'S SUPPORTER PUT ON TRIAL Ms Geng Xiaonan, a Beijing publisher who supported Xu Zhangrun, former Professor of the Law School of China's Tsinghua University, was formally charged along with others for "illegal business operations".
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: NEW CONTROLS ON 'SELF-PUBLISHING' IN CHINA The People's Daily (February 1) reported that the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) had on January 31, 2021, announced that online self-publishers (also called We Media) must first obtain a “permit” before posting news information. The CAC will implement “review before publishing” management for live streaming and interactive content.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-MEDIA: LIMITED NUMBER OF JOURNALISTS TO COVER THE 'BIG TWO' SESSIONS The People's Daily (February 2) reported that the number of journalists permitted to cover the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth CPPCC National Committee, which will open in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, 2021, respectively, will be restricted.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE DETAILS EFFORT OF NEW THRUST TO PROMOTE 'YOUNG PIONEERS' ORGANISATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND AMONG YOUTH The People's Daily on February 4, front-paged an important 6324-character article detailing the outlines of a serious effort to promote the role of the Young Pioneers in primary schools and among the youth.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT: UFWD CONVENES ALL CHINA MEETING OF DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS The CCP CC United Front Work Department (UFWD) convened a meeting in Beijing on January 18 of UFWD Directors from all across China. Politburo Standing Committee member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang spoke at a meeting.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-CDIC: CENTRAL DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION CONCLUDES ITS FIFTH PLENARY SESSION The People's Daily (January 25) reported that the Fifth Plenary Session of the CCP's 19th Central Discipline Inspection Commission was held in Beijing from January 22 to 24, 2021.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING HEARS REPORT ON HONGKONG & MACAU The People's Daily (January 28) disclosed that Chinese President Xi Jinping heard Carrie Lam’s 2020 Work Report on Hong Kong via video conference on January 27.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN AND OTHER SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS PROPOSE U.S. AND CHINA SHOULD FOCUS ON COOPERATION AND MANAGING DIFFERENCES The South China Morning Post reported (January 29) that China's Vice President Wang Qishan while speaking to US business leaders and former officials at a videoconference on January 29, was quoted by China Radio International as saying “Upholding the spirit of non-conflict and non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, focusing on cooperation and managing differences are the keys to promoting the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations.”
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA BEGINS LAYING FIBRE OPTIC CABLE BETWEEN RAWALPINDI AND PORTS CITIES OF KARACHI AND GWADAR The Special Communications Organization (SCO) -- the telecommunications branch of the Pakistan Army -- is about to lay a fiber optic cable between Rawalpindi and the port cities of Karachi and Gwadar.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA DELIVERS SECOND TYPE 054A/P FRIGATE TO PAKISTAN China's Global Times publicised (January 29) that it had launched the second Type 054A/P frigate for Pakistan at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on January 29.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN PROPOSES TO BUILD NEW STRATEGIC ROAD LINKING WITH CHINA'S XINJIANG The South China Morning Post reported (January 31) that Pakistan is looking to develop new overland border crossings with China to boost military interoperability with Chinese armed forces.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: CHINA ANNOUNCES MILITARY EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA As the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt entered the South China Sea on January 23, to promote the "freedom of the seas," China announced (January 29) that it will conduct military exercises in the South China Sea this week.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF AIRCRAFT CARRY OUT SIMULATED ATTACKS AGAINST U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Recent reports disclose that on January 23 -- three days after Joe Biden's inauguration as the new US President -- Chinese military aircraft simulated missile attacks on a US aircraft carrier during an incursion into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES ISSUES ANOTHER WARNING TO THE DPP AND TAIWAN The Global Times (January 29) reinforced the warning given on January 28, to Taiwan by Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of National Defense, and asserted that "Taiwan and the US should be sent a message.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA ANNOUNCES IT WILL NOT RECOGNISE BN(O) PASSPORTS FROM JANUARY 31 South China Morning Post (January 29) disclosed that Beijing will stop recognising British National (Overseas) passports as travel and identification documents from January 31, and may retaliate further against Britain’s offer of a pathway to citizenship for 5.4 million eligible Hongkongers.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GLOBAL TIMES SAYS CHINA'S ECONOMIC OUTPUT IS A STEP CLOSER TO BREAKING THE 70% MARK IN GDP IN 2020 A Global Times article (January 29) exulted that "the economic output of China, the world's second-largest economy, came a step closer to the size of the US' GDP, breaking through the 70 per cent mark in 2020 when the world economy took a heavy blow from the raging coronavirus" It quoted experts as saying the proportion is forecast to rise this year.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-DIGITAL SILK ROAD: CHINESE COMPANY TO BEGIN LAYING SUBMARINE CABLE IN MARCH TO LINK WITH BRI AND EUROPE China will begin laying the final stretch of a cross-border fiber optic cable in Pakistan that will create the Digital Silk Road, serving the geostrategic interests of both countries.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA INTENSIFIES TRAINING FOR JOINT INTEGRATED OPERATIONS The South China Morning Post (January. ) reported that the PLA had increased joint operations and officer cross-training to boost war readiness.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA ANNOUNCES NEW RANK SYSTEM FOR PLA China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced a new system of military ranks for PLA officers where the Military rank determines the officer's ranking, salary and emoluments, perquisites, etc.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT: QIU SHI HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF RECENT NEW REGULATIONS FOR UNITED FRONT WORK The latest (2021/02) issue of Qiu Shi, the Party theoretical fortnightly journal issued on January 16, published an article on the recent new Regulations on United Front Work.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-SECURITY: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE CALLS FOR CONCEPT OF A 'BIG SECURITY LANDSCAPE' The People's Daily (January 28) published an article titled 'Adhere to system thinking and build a big security pattern' by Professor Ma Zhenchao of the National Security College of People’s Public Security University of China.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY HISTORY: IMPORTANT PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE PLACES XI JINPING ON PAR WITH MAO AND DENG IN HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CCP AND STATE In an article captioned 'Study the 100-year history of the Party' (a monograph celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China), the People's Daily (January 29) sought to emphasise the “correct” view on the Party’s history and outlined what it described as “the theme and the mainline of the party's history.”
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING ON JANUARY 28 Xinhua reported (January 28) that Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CCP Central Committee chaired a meeting of the Politburo on January 28 to review multiple reports.
Feb 2021 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING HAS 40-MINUTE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT MOON JAE-IN Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed during a late night 40-minute discussion on January 26 to “promote high-level exchanges” between the two countries and to reschedule a visit by Xi Jinping to Seoul that was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic and also work out a “blueprint for the development of bilateral ties over next three decades”.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: HONGKONG-BASED THINK TANK ADVISES BEIJING "TO KEEP ITS DISTANCE FROM US FOR QUITE SOME TIME" In a front-page article in the South China Morning Post (January 29) Terry Su, President of Lulu Derivation Data Ltd, a Hong Kong-based online publishing house and think tank specialising in geopolitics, views the election of President Joe Biden as President of the US and the unprecedented, blatant liberal crackdown on the reactionary masses as an instance of the United States putting aside much of the prudence and moderation it has demanded from other countries, in the name of good fighting evil at a defining moment.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PRESS SECRETARY SAYS US ADMINISTRATION WILL APPROACH RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA WITH "PATIENCE" Citing Bloomberg (January 26), Caixin quoted US President Biden's Press Secretary Jen Psaki as saying that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is approaching its relationship with Beijing with “patience” and plans to review hard-line policies that were a hallmark of Donald Trump’s presidency. Psaki said, “We’re starting from an approach of patience as it relates to our relationship with China.” She added, “We’re starting from an approach of patience as it relates to our relationship with China.”
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN WARNS TAIWAN "SEPARATIST" FORCES THAT "SECESSION MEANS WAR" Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense, said (January 28) that recent military drills by the People's Liberation Army in the Taiwan region were aimed at provocations by Taiwan separatist forces and foreign interference. He warned that "Taiwan secession means war."
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PEOPLE'S DAILY CRITICISES NEW PRESIDENT OF HONGKONG BAR ASSOCIATION The South China Morning Post (January 26) reported that a People's Daily commentary (January 25) had accused the new head of the Hong Kong Bar Association, for a second day in a row, of having “lost professionalism and rationality”.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: IMF PROJECTS 8.1% GDP GROWTH FOR CHINA IN 2021 IMF has projected GDP growth in 2021 for China at 8.1%.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S STATE-OWNED ICBC TO GET NEW PRESIDENT Caixin reported (January 29) that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (ICBC), the world’s largest commercial lender by assets, is expected to soon get a new President.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE AIRLINES DEFER ORDERS FOR AIRCRAFT FROM BOEING AND AIRBUS BUT RETAIN ORDERS FROM CHINA'S COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT CO. China’s three major state-owned airlines put off delivery of more than 100 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus last year — but kept every single order from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China in a show of support for the domestic manufacturer during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: GUANGDONG PROVINCE TO OPEN 11 NEW UNIVERSITIES THIS YEAR The South China Morning Post (January 24) reported that Guangdong province, one of China's biggest manufacturing hubs and its up-and-coming hi-tech region with grand ambitions to rival Silicon Valley in the United States, will open 11 new universities this year, with more to come in the next few years.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: FOOD PRICES RISE BEFORE CHINA'S ANNUAL LUNAR FESTIVAL The Straits Times reported (January 26) that the Chinese government was under pressure due to rising food prices just before the New Year Festival.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE EMPHASISES ABSOLUTE LOYALTY OF PLA TO PARTY A People's Daily article (January 28) captioned 'Enhance the appeal of ideological and political education in the army' stressed that "Political work is the greatest feature and advantage of our army, and an important guarantee for maintaining the nature, purpose, and true qualities of our army.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PARTY: NEW HEAD OF CCP CC BRAINS TRUST FOCUSES ON INNOVATION Jiang Jinquan, the new director of the Central Policy Research Office – the Party’s in-house brain trust – published (January 25) his first article in the Study Times.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ETHNIC POLICY: CHINA STEPS UP EFFORTS TO ENFORCE MANDARIN CHINESE IN MONGOLIA Radio Free Asia (January 18) reported that a Chinese official notice shows that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is stepping up its efforts to extinguish the ethnic language and culture of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG SEEKS INPUTS FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS AND LEADERS FOR GOVT WORK REPORT AND 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a symposium on January 22, with a few industry experts and business leaders to gather input on the drafts of the 2021 Government Work Report (GWR) and the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) outline.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT DAVOS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s virtual “Davos Agenda” conference on January 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that a "new cold war" could turn hot, and must be avoided.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA CONSTRUCTS BORDER DEFENCE VILLAGE IN DISPUTED TERRITORY IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH After reports surfaced in the Indian media about the construction of a new border defence village on the banks of the River Tsari Chu in the Upper Subansiri district, approximately 4.5 kms within Indian territory, the MEA issued a statement suggesting that the village was built “along” the border.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA AND INDIAN TROOPS ENGAGE IN BRAWL AT NAKULA IN NORTH SIKKIM ON JANUARY 18 Over 20 Chinese PLA soldiers were injured during a clash on January 18, at Naku La in north Sikkim. 4 Indian Army personnel were injured. The brawl occurred when an Indian Army patrol challenged the Chinese patrol. India has taken up the matter militarily and diplomatically with Beijing.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PLAAF AIRCRAFT ENTER TAIWAN'S ADIZ Taiwan said four Chinese J-16 fighter jets, six H-6 bombers and one anti-submarine aircraft had entered its “air defence identification zone” on January 23.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S PROVINCES RELEASE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE DATA FOR 2020 Chinese media CBN reported on January 22 that as of January 21, 18 Chinese provinces had released economic data for 2020. Among them, in terms of regional GDP growth, all provinces except Hubei have turned positive.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-DISSIDENTS: PENALTY FOR XU ZHIYONG RAISED BY AUTHORITIES Chinese authorities have reportedly upgraded the charges against detained Chinese writer and human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong to “subversion of state power,” a more serious charge than the previous charge of “inciting subversion.”
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC PASSES COASTGUARD LAW The Global Times reported (January 23) that China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which ended its 25th session on January 22, passed its coastguard legislation. Chinese experts said China will safeguard sovereignty regarding the dispute with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING HIGHLIGHTS THAT FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS NOT YET OVER Speaking at the annual conference of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) on January 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an "important" speech where he 'pointed out that 2020 is an extraordinary year in the history of New China.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: RETD PLA SENIOR COLONEL ZHOU BO CALLS ON BIDEN TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL IN SINO-US TIES Recalling that two years ago he had asked "that the greatest challenge we face in the 21st century is not China’s rise, but America’s decline. China’s rise so far has been peaceful, but can the United States’ decline be equally peaceful?", Retired PLA Senior Colonel Zhou Bo in the South China Morning Post (January 22) referred to competition with China.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PARTY HISTORY OFFICE SAYS IT IS NECESSARY TO STOP SPIRAL OF DETERIORATING RELATIONS WITH U.S. In an interview with China Newsweek on January 18, Zhang Baijia former Deputy Director of the Party History Research Office of the Central Committee under former General Secretary Hu Jintao, said this is an important year for China as "2020 is the year of a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the launch of the "14th Five-Year Plan".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: IN INTERVIEW WITH BEIJING NEWS CICIR PRESIDENT YUAN PENG SAYS "THE UNITED STATES IS SICK, CHINA STABILISES THE WORLD AND CHANGES" In an important and lengthy interview with Beijing News (January 18), Yuan Peng, President of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) said: "The United States is sick, China stabilises the world and changes". Contrasting the differences between the US and China, he said when Biden came to power, the epidemic, the economy, and race faced difficult problems.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE EXPERTS BRIEF CAIXIN BUSINESS MAGAZINE THAT U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S RECENT APPOINTMENTS SIGNAL CONTINUANCE OF TRUMP'S TOUGH POLICIES ON CHINA Caixin (January 19) said Chinese foreign policy experts had told Caixin that with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's appointment of two senior National Security Council (NSC) officials on Asia-Pacific and China affairs, including Kurt Campbell to a newly created post designed to coordinate Asia policies across the federal government, signalled that the incoming Biden administration may want to continue outgoing President Donald Trump’s “Indo-Pacific” strategy of countering and being tough on China in the region.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINA SANCTIONS 28 FORMER OFFICIALS OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION In a statement issued minutes after Biden took over as US President on January 20, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "Over the past few years, some anti-China politicians in the United States, out of their selfish political interests and prejudice and hatred against China and showing no regard for the interests of the Chinese and American people, have planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves which have gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-U.S. relations."
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: INDONESIA DETECTS CHINESE UNDERWATER UNMANNED VESSEL IN ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS Asia Sentinel (January 18) disclosed that an Indonesian fisherman found an underwater drone near the Selayar Islands in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, on December 26.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHES ARTICLE CRITICAL OF INDIA AUTHORED BY A TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR Qian Feng, Director of the Research Department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, wrote in the Global Times (January 19) that "India has lately engaged in quite some eye-catching actions.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: BIDEN'S NOMINEE FOR U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTHONY BLINKEN SAYS HE WOULD FOLLOW THROUGH ON TRUMP'S POLICY ON TAIWAN Anthony Blinken, who has been nominated for the position of US Secretary of State, was quoted by Reuters as saying about Taiwan at his confirmation hearing at the US Senate on January 19, that the US would uphold its commitment to ensure that self-ruled Taiwan, which China sees as a renegade province, has the ability to defend itself.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: INCOMING US ADMINISTRATION INVITES TAIWAN'S REPRESENTATIVE TO INAUGURATION OF JOE BIDEN Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, was invited to the inauguration ceremony of the new US President Joe Biden at the Capitol on January 20. Hsiao Bi-khim tweeted a video of herself standing in front of the U.S. Capitol building on January 20.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE AUTHORITIES EXPLORING WAYS TO TAX CHINA'S RAPIDLY GROWING DIGITAL ECONOMY Caixin (January 19) said that with its digital commerce accounting for more than a third of its economy, China is looking for ways to more effectively tax domestic e-commerce titans like Alibaba, Tencent and Didi Chuxing.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S COMMERCE MINISTRY SAYS CHINA IS ATTRACTING A LOT OF FDI China's Ministry of Commerce announced (January 20) that China is attracting a flood of foreign direct investment (FDI) as its economy continues its comeback from the fallout of its Covid-19 epidemic.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S ECONOMY GREW AT 2.3% IN 2020 Caixin reported (January 19) that as per official Chinese data, China’s GDP grew 2.3% in 2020 as the world’s second-largest economy managed a steady recovery from the fallout of its Covid-19 outbreak a year ago.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HUAWEI: HUAWEI FOUNDER REN ZHENGFEI'S SECOND DAUGHTER ANNOUNCES PLANS TO ENTER ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's second daughter Annabel Yao, after graduating in computer science from Harvard University in the US recently announced her plans to enter the entertainment industry by launching a music video called 'Backfire' amid heavy publicity and a documentary about herself called Exceptional Princess.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ALIBABA: JACK MA RE-SURFACES IN VIDEO The New Zealand Herald (January 20) reported that China's highest-profile entrepreneur, Jack Ma, appeared on January 20 in a 48-second online video, ending a 2 1/2-month absence from public view that prompted speculation about the future of the e-commerce billionaire and his Alibaba Group.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-CYBER: JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION STUDY ESTIMATES CHINA'S EXPENDITURE ON CONTROLLING INTERNET IN 2020 AT US 6.6 BILLION A Jamestown Foundation study of January 13, 2021, stated that the Chinese authorities were authorised in 2020 to spend more than US$ 6.6 billion for systematically collecting, analysing, and deleting web posts from the country’s 900 million internet users.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINHUA EXPLAINS "CRITICAL MINORITY" FOR WHOM THE CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL ORGANISED A SPECIAL SEMINAR IN EARLY JANUARY Xinhua (January 13) reporting on the seminar on the 'study and implementation of the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for major provincial and ministerial cadres' organised by the Central Party School and that started on January 11, said CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony, teaching a key lesson for the "critical minority".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA CONVENED THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU DIRECTORS' MEETING IN BEIJING ON JANUARY 18-19 Addressing the National Public Security Bureau Directors' Meeting held in Beijing on January 18-199, 2021, State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi told the provincial police chiefs on January 19, to prioritise security and social stability in their work this year, making sure all the major events will go well to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the CCP.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA CONVENED '2021 WORK CONFERENCE ON TAIWAN' IN BEIJING ON JANUARY 17-18, 2021 Xinhua (January 18) reported that the '2021 Working Conference on Taiwan' was held in Beijing on January 17 and 18. PBSC member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING INSPECTS 2022 BEIJING OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES VENUES The state-owned CGTN (January 20) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected (January 19) the preparation work for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS STATE COUNCIL PLENARY MEETING Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a State Council plenary meeting on January 20, where key documents for the upcoming 'Big Two' Sessions were reviewed. Specifically, the State Council reviewed drafts of The 2021 Government Work Report and The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) Outline.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT WASHINGTON THIS WEEK An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 9) revealed that Politburo member and former Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is scheduled to visit Washington this week.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-MIDDLE EAST: FORMER CHINESE DIPLOMAT'S ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION IN MIDDLE EAST IN 2021 Liu Baolai, former Ambassador to the UAE and Jordan, former Vice President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and presently a senior researcher at the China Foundation for International Studies (CFIS), wrote an article titled “The Middle East: inscrutable in 2021", in Guojiwang on January 6, 2021.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET TIMES REPORTS ARREST OF 18 TIBETANS FOR 'SEPARATIST' ACTIVITIES A report in Tibet Times disclosed (January 7) that Tsona Dzong (County) arrested 18 Tibetans on the charges of separatism on January 2 from Shingyon village, Tsonga Dzong, Lhoka (in Chinese: Shannan). 11 of those arrested are females and 7 are males.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S POPULATION SHRANK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2020 Taiwan government data showed that Taiwan’s population shrank for the first time ever in 2020, and it faces a burgeoning demographic crisis similar to those affecting South Korea and Japan. Births last year plunged to 165,000, down seven percent from 2019. Deaths also overtook births for the first time, pushing the island’s overall population down 0.2 percent to 23.56 million. Taiwan’s birth rate has been falling continuously since 2000, a period where wages have remained stubbornly stagnant.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES LIFTING OF ALL RESTRICTIONS ON CONTACTS BY US GOVERNMENT WITH TAIWAN US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced (January 10) the lifting of all restrictions on contacts with Taiwan by any arm of the US Government. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan foreign Minister both promptly welcomed the announcement.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: TAIWAN INSTITUTE SAYS CHINA HAS ADDED "BRAIN DOMINANCE" TO ITS "THREE WARFARES" STRATEGY The Taipei Times said (January 6) that Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research said in its latest 200-page report titled '2020 Annual Assessment of the People’s Republic of China’s Political and Military Developments' on Chinese political and military developments that Chinese academics have added “brain dominance” to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s traditional “three warfares” strategy: public opinion warfare, psychological warfare and legal warfare.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S AIRCRAFT CARRIER RETURNS TO BASE The PLA Navy aircraft carrier 'Shandong' returned to the Sanya Naval Base on January 7, 2021.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING ORDERS PLA TO 'FOCUS ON PREPARATIONS FOR WAR' AND BE 'READY TO FIGHT AT ANY TIME' Xinhua (January 4) and Newsweek (January 4) separately reported that the recent military orders that Beijing issued appear to suggest that China might be preparing to launch a war in the South China Sea or Taiwan or against U.S. military targets.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE ISSUES ORDER TO COUNTERACT EFFECTS OF ANY UNJUSTIFIED FOREIGN LEGISLATION China's Ministry of Commerce issued Order No. 1 of 2021 on January 9, 2021, for the purpose of counteracting the impact on China caused by unjustified extra-territorial application of foreign legislation and other measures, safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations of China.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN ASSISTANCE: CHINA ISSUES WHITE PAPER ON FOREIGN AID China's State Council Information Office issued a White Paper on January 10, titled "China's International Development Cooperation in the New Era". The 8-chapter 45-page White Paper outlined areas where China would provide aid including the BRI.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: GUANGMING DAILY PRAISES XI JINPING THOUGHT A lengthy article by Dong Zhenhua, Deputy Director of the Department of Research and Philosophy Professor of the National School of Administration Department of the Central Party School in Guangming Daily (January 8) captioned: 'Persevere and cast your soul with great ideas' asserted that "A country and a nation cannot be without a soul.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT FOR PRESIDENTIAL PERSONNEL THOMAS ZIMMERMAN CLAIMED TO HAVE LINKS WITH CHINA A report of the Shanghai Academy of Sciences (SAAS) reveals that Thomas Zimmerman, appointed by President-elect Joe Biden as a Special Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel and as Deputy Lead for National Security Personnel on the Biden-Harris Transition team, has prior experience working in China as a visiting scholar at the Department of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS).
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE ASSERTS THAT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS NOT GOOD DEMOCRACY "LET ALONE A UNIVERSAL DEMOCRACY" A lengthy article captioned 'the morbidity of American democracy' was published by Guangming Daily (January 16) which explained that "America’s democracy may only be as short as fifty. Years of history can only be traced back to the "Voting Rights Act" of 1965, which in its form stipulated that no one should be deprived of the right to vote because of race and color".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE BUSINESSMAN POISED TO TAKE OVER U.S. AEROENGINE MANUFACTURER EPS A Chinese businessman Hang Wei is poised to take over the recently bankrupted New Richmond, Wisconsin, U.S., aero engine manufacturer Engineered Propulsion System (EPS) through the Hongkong-based company, HyperMacher that he founded.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: US DEFENCE DEPARTMENT BLACKLISTS XIAOMI CORP. FOR LINKS WITH PLA Shares of smartphone-maker Xiaomi Corp. closed down more than 10% in Hong Kong on January 15, as the U.S. Defense Department added it to its blacklist of enterprises with alleged links to the China's military on January 14, alongwith the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. The surprise move means that Americans need to divest from the company, which benefited from U.S. sanctions against its rival Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and became the world’s No. 3 smartphone maker in the third quarter last year.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE REGULATORS ARE TIGHTENING CONTROLS ON CHINA'S FINTECH At a regular press briefing on January 15, People’s Bank of China (PBoC) Deputy Governor Chen Yulu said the Ant Group Co. Ltd. is working on a timetable to overhaul its business while ensuring operations continue.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NEW NATIONAL SECURITY REVIEWS FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES BEGINS FROM JANUARY 18 Overseas investors will face tighter scrutiny from January 18, as the Chinese government's 'Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investment' take effect requiring national security reviews for certain types of foreign investment activity.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA DEVELOPING NEARLY 67000 HECTARES OF SALINE-ALKALI LAND FOR GROWING SEAWATER RICE A team of rice experts led by 90-year old Yuan Longping, a leading agricultural scientist, Chairman of the International Seawater Rice Forum and academician with Chinese Academy of Engineering, announced (January 15) at a 2-day international forum in Sanya, Hainan, on a saline-alkali tolerant type of rice called seawater rice that 400,000 hectares of saline-alkali lands have been obtained nationwide for producing and commercializing the rice this year.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: TOP EXECUTIVES OF LEADING CHINESE PHARMA COMPANIES ABRUPTLY RESIGN The Epoch Times and Radio Free Asia (January 14 & January 13 respectively) reported that on January 13, Zhong Shanshan, CEO of Chinese Wantai Biosciences and the richest man in China and Asia, abruptly resigned citing “personal reasons.”
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-RARE EARTHS: CHINA DRAFTING NEW 29-PART LAW TO REGULATE "ENTIRE RARE EARTH INDUSTRY CHAIN Nikkei reported (January 16) that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said (January 15) that it is drafting a 29-part Law to strengthen regulation over China's rare earth metals industry.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S ECONOMIC DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE SAYING QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY IS A HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY China's Economic Daily (Jingji Ribao - January 17) published a lengthy interview with Xue Qikun (薛其坤院士) captioned “The quantum technology revolution is a major historical opportunity". Xue Qikun is with the Department of Physics of Tsinghua University and briefs the Politburo annually on Emerging Technologies.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S CHIEF SCIENTIST RECOMMENDS THAT CHINA ESTABLISH A SPACE STATION IN LUNAR ORBIT Ouyang Ziyuan, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician and first chief scientist of China’s lunar probe project, suggested (January 13) that China should establish a space station in lunar orbit rather than one orbiting the earth. He said “It’s better to build the space station in moon orbit so the future moon landing would not be as difficult as the former Apollo program”.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA SPECIAL FORCES TROOPS OF TIBET MILITARY COMMAND WEAR SPECIAL UNIFORMS The Global Times (January 17) disclosed that Plateau Special Forces of the PLA Tibet Military Command have been equipped with the latest combat uniforms with a camouflage pattern that can perfectly hide them in the surroundings.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA TO LAUNCH ITS THIRD AIRCRAFT IN 2021 Global Times (January 17) quoting the Chinese defense industry magazine Ordnance Industry Science Technology said China's Type 003 aircraft carrier, which is expected to be very different from the previous two with much larger displacement and featuring electromagnetic catapults, could be launched in 2021 and enter naval service around 2025.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-CPPCC: PREPARATIONS BEGIN FOR 'BIG TWO' IN BEIJING Wang Yang, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presided over a meeting of CPPCC chairpersons to discuss preparations for the CPPCC’s annual session. The meeting decided that this year’s session will commence on March 4 and discuss in detail formulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL COURSE FOR SENIOR PARTY OFFICIALS ENDED ON JANUARY 13 Ministerial-level officials concluded their four-day (January 11-14) workshop on Xi Jinping’s new development philosophy at the Central Party School.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING-LOYALIST LI SHULEI APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL The Strait Times reported (January 18) that 57-year old Dr. Li Shulei, a member of President Xi Jinping's inner circle was last month appointed Executive Vice President of the Central Party School prior to next year's Party Congress suggesting to analysts that he is probably being positioned to take over as President of the Central Party School from Chen Xi.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ZHAO ZIYANG'S FAMILY MARKS HIS 16TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY ON JANUARY 18 January 18th marks the 16th death anniversary of the late former CCP CC General Secretary Zhao Ziyang. Zhao Ziyang's daughter Wang Yannan, son-in-law Wang Zhihua and others went from his former residence at No: 6, Fuqiang Hutong to the cemetery in Changping Tianshou Garden in Beijing. Nearly 10 plainclothes police officers were stationed outside Zhao Ziyang's former residence at Fuqiang Hutong.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE TRADE DELEGATION LIKELY TO VISIT U.S. SOON Myron Brilliant, head of international affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was quoted by Reuters (January 13) as saying he sees “every indication” that a high-ranking delegation of Chinese officials will visit Washington early in the administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING WRITES LETTER URGING HONY. CHAIRMAN OF STARBUCKS TO HELP MEND SINO-US TIES Xinhua (January 14) publicised Chinese President Xi Jinping's reply of January 6 to Howard Schultz, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of Starbucks Corporation of the United States, encouraging him and Starbucks to continue to play an active role in promoting Sino-US economic and trade cooperation and the development of bilateral relations.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: US IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON CHINESE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES COMPLICIT IN LARGE-SCALE RECLAMATION OR USE OF COERCION ETC IN SOUTH CHINA SEA US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on January 14 issued a statement imposing visa restrictions on People’s Republic of China (PRC) individuals, including executives of state-owned enterprises and officials of the Chinese Communist Party and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, responsible for, or complicit in, either the large-scale reclamation, construction, or militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea, or the PRC’s use of coercion against Southeast Asian claimants to inhibit their access to offshore resources in the South China Sea.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: U.S. BANS ALL IMPORT OF XINJIANG COTTON AND TOMATO PRODUCTS The U.S. announced (January 14) a full and total ban on Xinjiang cotton and tomato products, following a partial ban from September 2020. The total ban also applies to products processed or manufactured in third party countries and effectively bars 20 percent of the world’s cotton from entering the U.S. because it is tainted by forced labor.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: WANG HUNING'S BOOK WRITTEN IN 1999 FORECAST AMERICA'S DECLINE DUE TO DOMESTIC CONFLICTS “America Against America”, a book authored during an academic visit to the U.S. in 1988 by the CCP's top theoretician and No: 5 top leader, Wang Huning predicted that America’s emphasis on “individualism, hedonism and democracy” would eventually cause rifts that sapped its competitive drive. It said countries like Japan -- built on “collectivism, selflessness and authoritarianism” -- had the upper hand and forecast the U.S.’s decline due to domestic conflicts.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: ASSISTANT PRESIDENT OF CICIR PUBLISHES ARTICLE TITLED 'THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN VALUES' AND CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL PROFESSOR PUBLISHES ANOTHER An article critical of the US and authored by Dr. Zhang Jian, Assistant President of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) and concurrently Director of the CICIR Institute of European Studies, was published in the Guangming Daily (January 12) under the caption 'The decline of American values'.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-SOUTHEAST ASIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI TRAVELS TO SE ASIA Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi embarked on a four-nation tour of Southeast Asia.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AFRICA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITS FIVE AFRICAN NATIONS The South China Morning Post reported (January 10) that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Nigeria, Congo (DRC), Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles between January 4 and 9.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: XI JINPING CONGRATULATES NORTH KOREA'S KIM JUNG-UN The state-owned CCTV (January 11) telecast as its lead news item Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to Kim Jung-Un on his re-election as General Secretary of the Korean Workers Party (KWP). parties and the two countries".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA'S SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR TIBETAN CHILDREN In 1984, the Chinese Communist Party decided to establish schools for Tibetan students in Chinese provinces and cities as part of the so-called “nationwide aid to Tibet.”
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO'S LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON CONTACTS WITH TAIWAN WITH SHARP WARNING TO TAIWAN A hard-hitting editorial in the Global Times (January 10), in response to the U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo’s announcement on January 9, 2021, entitled “Pompeo may have started the count-down of Taiwan’s final days,” stated that “Pompeo once again is frantically digging holes and placing mines for Sino-US relations and the Taiwan issue.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NPC CONTEMPLATING DENYING HONGKONGERS WITH BN(O) STATUS THE RIGHT TO VOTE The South China Morning Post (January 13) reported that the NPC Standing Committee will consider denying Hongkongers with BN(O) status the right to vote in the city at its upcoming session from January 20-24.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG AUTHORITIES OFFER EMPLOYERS CASH INCENTIVES TO EMPLOY HONGKONG GRADUATES In a bid to rein in the soaring youth unemployment, the Hong Kong government is offering employers a monthly grant of HK$10,000 (US$1,290) for each recent college graduate they hire as part of efforts to encourage jobs for young people in the Greater Bay Area.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN AID: CHINESE SCHOLARS COMMENT ON CHINA'S NEW WHITE PAPER ON ITS FOREIGN AID POLICY Commenting on China’s new white paper on international development cooperation in an article in the Diplomat on January 13, Zhang Chao, an assistant researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Tang Yuxuan, a research associate in the International Development Cooperation Academy at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, observed that this is the third such white paper that China has published on its development efforts, and the first since 2014.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC DAILY ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING SUPPLY CHAIN INTACT In a lengthy article in the Economic Daily (January 12), Ma Baocheng, a Researcher at the Central Party School (National School of Administration) Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, emphasised that "Safety is the prerequisite for development, and development is the guarantee of safety".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP SHORTAGE AFFECTS CHINA'S AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers stated (January 13) in a post that Semiconductor chip shortage issues will continue to disrupt China’s production of automobiles in the coming months.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL CORP. ALLOWED TO TRADE SHARES ON OTCQX TILL FEBRUARY 1 Caixin (January 11) reported that China’s large maker of microchips, the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), has received a brief reprieve after being told last week that its shares would immediately be barred from the OTCQX Market, an over-the-counter Wall Street securities market.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA FINES STATE-OWNED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS US$ 31 MILLION IN CRACKDOWN Caixin (January 9) reported that after tightening regulations the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, China's top banking regulator, fined several state-owned banks and financial institutions a total of nearly 200 million yuan ($31 million) for violations mostly in wealth management and small business loans.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: FRESH MILK AND CHICKEN SUPPLIES DISRUPTED IN HEBEI PROVINCE China's Hebei Province issued an emergency order on January 6, to prevent disruption of fresh milk and chick deliveries during the region's Covid-19 lockdown this month. Hebei's capital city Shijiazhuang has been locked down, and authorities have limited transportation all over the province after 39 new cases prompted testing that turned up another 354 cases.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: W.H.O. TEAM TO INVESTIGATE CORONAVIRUS ARRIVES IN CHINA 13 members of the 15-member W.H.O. team arrived in Wuhan, China on January 14.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW EXOSKELETON SUITS TO BE ISSUED TO PLA PERSONNEL SERVING IN HIGH-ALTITUDE The Global Times (January 13) and state-owned CCTV publicised that a new type of military-use exoskeleton suit that is powered and that can be used for carrying ammunition, and known as the portable ammunition support assist system for individual soldiers, is due to enter service with the PLA border defense troops. The new type of exoskeleton suit can provide 20 kilograms of assisted strength to its user and relieve more than 50 percent of the burden and greatly reduce risks of waist injury.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-THE CCP: MEMORIAL SITE OF FIRST PARTY CONGRESS TO BE READY IN TIME FOR PARTY'S FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY China Daily (January 12) quoted a Shanghai official as saying that renovation of the Memorial for the site of the CCP's First National Congress in Shanghai will be completed by May for the upcoming centenary of the founding of the Party in July.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S POLITICS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION On January 9, China's Political and Legal Affairs Commission met in Beijing system to discuss their priorities for the coming year. It emphasised that the number one priority for 2021 is having the right political orientation.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE TO HOLD SPECIAL SESSION The 25th session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) will be held from January 20 to 22. The NPCSC used to hold regular bimonthly sessions in even-numbered months, but seems to have abandoned that routine after the CCP’s recent Five-Year Plan on Building the Rule of Law in China directed the standing committees of people’s congresses to meet more frequently.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING RELEASES PLAN TO BUILD THE RULE OF LAW IN CHINA (2020-2025) Xinhua (January 10) released the Plan to Build the Rule of Law in China (2020-2025).
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES SPECIAL SEMINAR TO STUDY IMPLEMENTATION OF Xinhua (January 11) reported that a special seminar on the study and implementation of the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CCP CC "for major provincial and ministerial leaders was held in the Central Party School on January 11.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT WASHINGTON THIS WEEK An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 9) revealed that Politburo member and former Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is scheduled to visit Washington this week.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-MIDDLE EAST: FORMER CHINESE DIPLOMAT'S ASSESSMENT OF SITUATION IN MIDDLE EAST IN 2021 Liu Baolai, former Ambassador to the UAE and Jordan, former Vice President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and presently a senior researcher at the China Foundation for International Studies (CFIS), wrote an article titled “The Middle East: inscrutable in 2021", in Guojiwang on January 6, 2021.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET TIMES REPORTS ARREST OF 18 TIBETANS FOR 'SEPARATIST' ACTIVITIES A report in Tibet Times disclosed (January 7) that Tsona Dzong (County) arrested 18 Tibetans on the charges of separatism on January 2 from Shingyon village, Tsonga Dzong, Lhoka (in Chinese: Shannan). 11 of those arrested are females and 7 are males.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S POPULATION SHRANK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2020 Taiwan government data showed that Taiwan’s population shrank for the first time ever in 2020, and it faces a burgeoning demographic crisis similar to those affecting South Korea and Japan.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES LIFTING OF ALL RESTRICTIONS ON CONTACTS BY US GOVERNMENT WITH TAIWAN US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced (January 10) the lifting of all restrictions on contacts with Taiwan by any arm of the US Government. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan foreign Minister both promptly welcomed the announcement.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: TAIWAN INSTITUTE SAYS CHINA HAS ADDED "BRAIN DOMINANCE" TO ITS "THREE WARFARES" STRATEGY The Taipei Times said (January 6) that Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research said in its latest 200-page report titled '2020 Annual Assessment of the People’s Republic of China’s Political and Military Developments' on Chinese political and military developments that Chinese academics have added: “brain dominance” to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s traditional “three warfares” strategy: public opinion warfare, psychological warfare and legal warfare.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S AIRCRAFT CARRIER RETURNS TO BASE The PLA Navy aircraft carrier 'Shandong' returned to the Sanya Naval Base on January 7, 2021.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING ORDERS PLA TO 'FOCUS ON PREPARATIONS FOR WAR' AND BE 'READY TO FIGHT AT ANY TIME' Xinhua (January 4) and Newsweek (January 4) separately reported that the recent military orders that Beijing issued appear to suggest that China might be preparing to launch a war in the South China Sea or Taiwan or against U.S. military targets.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE ISSUES ORDER TO COUNTERACT EFFECTS OF ANY UNJUSTIFIED FOREIGN LEGISLATION China's Ministry of Commerce issued Order No. 1 of 2021 on January 9, 2021, for the purpose of counteracting the impact on China caused by unjustified extra-territorial application of foreign legislation and other measures, safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations of China.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-FOREIGN ASSISTANCE: CHINA ISSUES WHITE PAPER ON FOREIGN AID China's State Council Information Office issued a White Paper on January 10, titled "China's International Development Cooperation in the New Era". The 8-chapter 45-page White Paper outlined areas where China would provide aid including the BRI.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: GUANGMING DAILY PRAISES XI JINPING THOUGHT A lengthy article by Dong Zhenhua, Deputy Director of the Department of Research and Philosophy Professor of the National School of Administration Department of the Central Party School in Guangming Daily (January 8) captioned: 'Persevere and cast your soul with great ideas' asserted that "A country and a nation cannot be without a soul.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: AFGHANISTAN ALLOWS 10 CHINESE SPIES TO LEAVE BY CHARTERED CHINESE AIRCRAFT The 10 Chinese nationals caught on December 10, for operating a terror cell in the capital city of Kabul have been allowed by the Afghan authorities to leave the country on January 3.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER IN LONDON CALLS FOR ENHANCED TIES In an Op-Ed published by London’s Daily Telegraph, George Brandis, Australia’s High Commissioner in London and former senior Australian government minister, offered sharp observations on the significance of the dispute between Canberra and Beijing that intensified over the course of 2020 and saw China restrict a raft of Australian exports.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: NYSE BACKTRACKS ON PLAN TO DELIST SHARES OF CHINESE TELECOM GIANTS Bloomberg reported (January 5) that, in a surprise move, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) said it will no longer delist China’s three biggest state-owned telecommunications companies, backtracking on its earlier decision.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE REPORT RIOTS IN WASHINGTON WITH GLEE China's state-owned CCTV on January 5 telecast a programme on the rioting in Washington DC with the caption: "Pressure recording reveals that Trump still wants to "turnover" Will Washington become a "battlefield"?
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: SENIOR CHINESE RESEARCHER WARNS INDIA OF CONSEQUENCES OF GETTING CLOSER TO U.S. Zhao Gancheng, a senior researcher at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies posted an article on China's social media on January 3, where he said: "The downward trend in Sino-Indian relations does not seem to be over yet".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE NEWS PORTAL CLAIMS INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAS INFORMALLY ASKED FOREIGN AIRLINES NOT TO FLY IN CHINESE NATIONALS Well-known Chinese news site NetEase reported on December 28, that, according to multiple Indian media sources, the Indian government has informally asked all airlines not to fly in any Chinese customers. It said this includes domestic airlines as well as foreign airlines.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT REVEALS PLAN TO HOLD SECOND ROUND OF CLOSED-DOOR TALKS WITH TAIWAN ON JANUARY 7 The South China Morning Post (January 6) reported that in a rare move, the US State Department made public the schedule of the closed-door talks, to be held online at 6.30 pm on January 6, in Washington (7.30 am Thursday in Taipei) with Clarke Cooper, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, among those taking part.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POLICE ARREST 50 MORE HONGKONG OPPOSITION LEGISLATORS AND ACTIVISTS Hongkong Police arrested dozens of Hong Kong’s opposition lawmakers and activists on January 6, morning under a major National Security Law operation, with local media reporting as many as 50 were being detained.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETANS-IN-EXILE VOTE FOR NEW TIBETAN PARLIAMENT Several thousand Tibetans in exile voted on January 3, 2021, in the first round of the two-round elections for the President (Sikyong) and the parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration. This primary round was to elect candidates for the two offices, with the main elections to be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA DENIES VISAS TO 10-MEMBER W.H.O. TEAM TO ENQUIRE INTO ORIGINS OF PANDEMIC Asia Times reported (January 6) that China had denied visas to a 10-member WHO team leaving for China to enquire into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. W.H.O. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted saying he was "shocked" by the visa ban.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA ROCKET FORCE (PLARF)'S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ON DECEMBER 31, 2020 On the fifth anniversary of the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) on December 31, 2020, Bayi TV, a subsidiary of the Chinese military media "China Military Network," launched five short films, which showed conventional warheads, short-range, medium-range, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and long-range cruise missiles.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW BOX-TYPE ROCKETS TO BE DEPLOYED IN TIBET According to the Chinese Media Observer network, a new box-type rocket launcher has been inducted in the PLA.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA'S HIGHEST POST ON SINO-INDIAN BORDER IS AT GAMBA OPPOSITE NORTH SIKKIM Global Times (January 4) said the state-owned CCTV had revealed (January 3) that China's military post at the highest altitude in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) was the Gamba Post north of Sikkim at an altitude of 5,592 meters.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CHINA'S BLOGGERS AND NETIZENS SEVERELY CRITICISE MAO'S "GO TO THE COUNTRYSIDE" MOVEMENT On December 22, the Chinese Academy of History, a subsidiary of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), published a highly controversial 4,000-character article entitled "Being Down to Earth, Youth Without Regrets! Educated youth going to the countryside is a great feat to promote social progress!".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ALL-CHINA WOMEN'S FEDERATION COMPLAINS AT LOW REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSTS The All-China Women’s Federation, recently said that women comprise 37.5 per cent of the 4 million members of the Party’s neighbourhood and village committees, which enforce Party mandates and maintain social order. But, the higher women move up the rungs of government hierarchy, the fewer their female peers.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CDIC ANNOUNCES FOUR "TIGERS" EXPELLED FROM PARTY AND REMANDED FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION On January 4, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission/National Supervisory Commission official website announced that Deng Huilin, Deputy Mayor of Chongqing, had been expelled from the party, sacked, and remanded to the Procuratorate for a criminal investigation.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT ISSUES NEW RULE BOOK Xinhua (January 5) reported that the CCP CC had issued a circular confirming the revisions comprising 14 Chapters and 61 Articles approved at a meeting of the CCP CC Political Bureau in November 2020.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP ISSUES NEW RULES FOR CCP MEMBERS Xinhua disclosed (January 5) that the CCP had issued a new rule book for CCP members on January 4, which said that cadres can make complaints about their superiors but are prohibited from airing them in public. China Daily (January 5) said the rules list 13 rights of CCP members.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NATIONAL PROPAGANDA MINISTERS MEETING HELD IN BEIJING ON JANUARY 6 The Global Times (Chinese version - January 7) reported that the state-owned CCTV (January 6) had covered the meeting of the National Propaganda Ministers held in Beijing on January 6.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SIGNS CMC ORDER NO:1 OF 2021 ORDERING TRAINING MOBILISATION OF ENTIRE PLA AND PAP On January 4, Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, signed the Central Military Commission’s Order No. 1 of 2021, issuing a training mobilization order to the entire army.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING Xinhua reported (January 7) that the Politburo Standing Committee held a day-long meeting on January 7 to listen to the work reports of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Supreme People’s Court, and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the work of the Central Secretariat report.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S BEGINS DEVELOPMENT OF UNMANNED, AUTOMATED FIGHTER AIRCRAFT AND DRONES TO COUNTER CHINA Nikkei reported (January 1) that Japan has begun to develop unmanned, remote-controlled fighter aircraft capable of breakneck manoeuvres that will be deployed as early as 2035, to counter advancements in China's military technologies and the rise of drone warfare.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE SHIPS INTRUDE JAPANESE WATERS OFF SENKAKU ISLANDS The Yomiuri Shimbun reported (January 3) that 4 Chinese government ships were confirmed by the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Naha as sailing in the contiguous zone off the Senkaku Islands, which are part of Okinawa Prefecture, on January 1, night.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PROFESSOR CRITICISES U.S. FOR SLANDERING CHINA Writing in the Guangming Daily (January 3), Su Xiaohui, Department of China Institute of International Studies, Deputy Director of the Institute of American Studies, stressed that China's foreign policy is based on the tradition of five thousand years of outstanding civilization and it has been recognized as a country of etiquette since ancient times.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY SHIPS TRANSIT TAIWAN STRATIS PROVOKING CHINESE PROTEST Two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on December 31 provoking a protest from Beijing. This is the 13th sailing through the strait by the U.S. Navy this year.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE COMPANIES INVEST HEAVILY IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES China’s largest producer of electric vehicle batteries, The Fujian province-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), is boosting its capacity with investments totalling 39 billion yuan ($6 billion) in three centres around the country.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TIBETAN EXILES AROUND THE WORLD GETTING READY TO VOTE The Tibetan diaspora is getting ready to vote in its elections to be held later this year. Seven candidates, including one woman, from 26 countries are enrolled for the 2021 elections.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S MINISTER FOR S&T EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF S&T FOR CHINA In a lengthy interview to the People's Daily (January 2), China's Minister for Science and Technology Wang Zhizhang emphasised, inter alia, the leading role envisaged for S & T. He said that "The influence and support of strategic scientific and technological forces are directly related to the improvement of China's comprehensive national strength and international competitiveness.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV PUBLICISES PLA EXERCISE IN TIBET CCTV Channel 13 broadcast a military news item on December 27, 2020, about an information-based integrated combat drill held by a light and high-mobility Integrated brigade of the Tibet Military Command at an altitude of more than 4,500 meters.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: VETERANS PROTEST 38 PLA veteran soldiers staged a protest on New Year's Day in Shandong province.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS FOR PLA Xinhua (January 2) reported that after Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission's approval the CMC had issued the "Interim Regulations on the Management of Active Duty Officers".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: PEOPLE'S DAILY HIGHLIGHTS XI JINPING'S REMARKS ON FOOD SECURITY People's Daily (January 2) highlighted CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's remarks at the Central Rural Work Conference where he said: "Food security is an important foundation for national security, and ensuring food security is always the top priority of the country's governance".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: YEAR END REVIEW BY CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI A Chinese Foreign Ministry press release reported Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's speech on December 11, 2020, at the opening ceremony of the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations in 2020 in Beijing entitled "China's Diplomacy in the Midst of Once-in-a-Century Changes and Pandemic: Being Responsible to the Country and Doing its Part for the World".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TURKEY: BRI RAIL LINE TO CONNECT XINJIANG WITH TURKEY Speaking on condition of strict anonymity, a Pakistani government official told Nikkei (December 29) that the ITI railroad will connect to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region through Pakistan's ML-1 railway line.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: BALOCHISTAN GOVERNMENT STOPS FENCING OF GWADAR PORT Dawn (December 30) quoted the Home Minister of Balochistan as saying (December 29) that the provincial government has stopped the fencing work in Gwadar and “The local people will not be kept away from decision-making about Gwadar and a decision about fencing would now be taken after taking the local people into confidence over the issue.”
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA SAYS RUSSIA-CHINA COOPERATION ALREADY BEYOND TRADITIONAL ALLIANCE The South China Morning Post highlighted (December 30) the remarks of Russia's Ambassador to China, Andrey Denisov at the Russian Embassy in Beijing on December 29 that China and Russia do not need to establish a military alliance because their relationship is strong enough already.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA--UK: UK AMBASSADOR TO U.S. SAYS UK AND US MUST WORK TOGETHER TO PREVENT CHINA AND RUSSIA EMERGING AS WINNERS FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC Bloomberg reported (January 1) that the British Ambassador to the U.S., Ms Karen Pierce had said in an interview that China and Russia must not emerge as the winners from the coronavirus pandemic.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING PURCHASE, SALE AND TRADING OF SHARES INVOLVING CHINESE MILITARY COMPANIES In the last week of December, US President Trump issued an Executive Order "to protect American investors and pension holders from funding Communist Chinese military companies (CCMCs)".
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CRITICISES WEST FOR ENCOURAGING CHINESE CITIZEN JOURNALIST ZHANG ZHAN Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, in an article in the newspaper on December 29, criticised individuals in the West and the Western media for encouraging the Chinese citizen-journalist Zhang Zhan to break Chinese laws and post reports on the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in February and the Hongkong protests on the social media.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-EU: EU SIGNS EU-CHINA COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON INVESTMENT The EU concluded the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment in Brussels on December 30, 2020. Justifying the controversial deal, a Press Release that day said the cumulative EU foreign direct investment (FDI) flows from the EU to China over the last 20 years have reached more than €140 billion.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER TRANSITS THROUGH TAIWAN STRAITS The PLA Navy announced (December 28) that China's indigenous aircraft carrier Shandong has passed through the Taiwan Strait to conduct training in the South China Sea.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG YOUTH ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE TO TAIWAN SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON Ten Hong Kong fugitives, arrested at sea in August by mainland Chinese authorities while trying to flee to Taiwan, were sentenced to between seven months and three years’ jail by a Shenzhen court on December 29, 2020. The two younger persons were handed over to the local police.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA CLAIMS BRI, CPEC & ISRAEL-CPEC ARE BOTH PROGRESSING China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at the regular press conference on December 28, that Indian media reports that China seems to be gradually abandoning its initial funding commitments to Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor [CPEC] are groundless.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S EFFORT TO BOOST SALES OF SOES Nikkei Asia reported on December 24, 2020, that Moutai (aka Maotai) Liquor, one of China’s most famous baijiu, a 100 proof distilled spirit made of wheat and sorghum, often appears on the gift list of wealthy individuals, and sometimes of corrupt officials.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: INSTANCES OF CIVIL MILITARY FUSION Epoch Times (December 2) disclosed that an internal document it had obtained revealed that a delegation from Hebei province used official visits to foreign countries to help private companies gain access to advanced technologies overseas.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PLA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLICISES PLA MODERNISATION AND NEW WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT FOR 2021 The Global Times (December 28) publicised that the PLA is making progress in modernizing and expanding its arsenal and this will continue over the upcoming year.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-NPC STANDING COMMITTEE HAS SOUGHT COMMENTS ON DRAFT LAWS The NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) has sought comments from the public till January 29 on the following draft Laws among 4 others: draft amendment to the NPC Organic Law [全国人民代表大会组织法]; draft Anti–Food Waste Law [反食品浪费法]; draft Anti–Organized Crime Law [反有组织犯罪法]; draft revision to the Military Facilities Protection Law [军事设施保护法]; and draft Law on the Protection of the Status, Rights, and Interests of Military Personnel [军人地位和权益保障法].
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: REVIVAL OF POPULAR INTEREST IN MAO ZEDONG AMONG CHINA'S YOUTH Global Times (December 28) publicised, to mark the 127th birth anniversary of Mao Zedong, that a discussion group comprising younger generations of post-1990s or 2000s has been formed mainly for reading the Selected Works of Mao Zedong together on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo. Some Sina Weibo posts displayed photos of young people reading the book.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CPPCC HOSTS NEW YEARS TEA PARTY The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a New Year's tea party in the CPPCC Auditorium on December 31.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS Chinese President Xi Jinping's 1,106-word New Year Address delivered on the China Central Radio and Television Station and the Internet was reported by China's entire official media on December 31.
Jan 2021 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: EXTREMISTS ATTACK CHINESE PERSONNEL ON OUTSKIRTS OF KARACHI On December 22, a Chinese citizen and his interpreter survived a gun assault on a car showroom in the outskirts of Karachi.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: GWADAR PORT BEING SEALED-OFF Asia Times (December 25) said that citing security concerns in Balochistan, Pakistan authorities have planned to fence off the entire 24-square-kilometre area surrounding the Gwadar seaport to secure what they call the “crown jewel” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE PORTS DO NOT ALLOW INDIAN SHIPS CARRYING AUSTRALIAN COAL ACCESS Japan's Kyodo news agency (December 25) asked at the regular Chinese Foreign Ministry press briefing (December 25) in Beijing for China's response to the Indian Foreign Ministry said the previous day that two Indian freighters arrived near ports in Hebei in June and September respectively, but China hasn't allowed them to harbour in the port and go through clearance citing pandemic regulations.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CCP CC INTERNATIONAL LIAISON DEPARTMENT VICE MINISTER IN KATHMANDU TO PATCH UP DIFFERENCES WITHIN NCP An 11-member team of senior Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials led by Guo Yechau, Vice Minister of the CCP CC International Department, reached Kathmandu on December 7.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR 30 PERSONS FOR VIOLATING NATIONAL SECURITY LAW The South China Morning Post reported (December 27) that Hongkong Police is searching for nearly 30 people on suspicion of violating the national security law.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ALIBABA'S US-LISTED STOCKS FALL IN US SHARE MARKET Alibaba Group Holding’s U.S.-listed shares tumbled the most ever, according to Caixin (December 26) due to concern over China’s inquiry into alleged monopolistic practices at the e-commerce company. The stock fell 13% in its biggest one-day drop on record. The decline took Alibaba to its lowest level since July, and the stock is now down 30% from an October peak.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA EASES HITHERTO STRINGENT REGULATIONS ON CHARITABLE DONATIONS Caixin (December 26)) reported that China’s NPC is expected to revise the Charity Law in an effort to loosen overly stringent regulations governing online donations that threaten to throttle the fast-growing practice.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TURKEY SAYS EFFICACY OF CHINESE ANTI-COVID VACCINE IS 91.25 PER CENT Officials in Ankara said (December 24) that Sinovac Biotech Ltd.’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate has shown an efficacy rate of 91.25% in Turkey, as per the latest results of clinical trials of the Chinese-developed shot outside China.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: TANG RENJIAN, VICE AGRICULTURE MINISTER APPOINTED SECRETARY OF MINISTRY'S PARTY COMMITTEE The CCP CC decided on December 1, to appoint 58-year old Tang Renjian, Vice Minister of Agriculture, as Secretary of the Communist Party Committee in the Ministry.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 6 PROVINCIAL PARTY SECRETARIES RETIRED AND MOVED TO APPOINTMENTS IN NPC On December 26, the Party Secretaries of Jilin, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Fujian and Hainan on reaching the retirement age were appointed to new positions.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HAN CADRE APPOINTED HEAD OF NATIONAL ETHNIC AFFAIRS COMMISSION 66-year-old Chen Xiaojiang, a Han majority cadre, was appointed head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, the body responsible for ethnic minority affairs on December 14, breaking a tradition followed since 1954 of having a member of the minority groups heading the body.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT ISSUES STATEMENT ASSERTING IT DOES NOT EXPORT A spokesperson of the CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) unusually issued an 873-character statement on December 25, responding to an announcement by US Secretary of State Pompeo imposing visa restrictions on United Front Work Department (UFWD) officials.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO 'DEMOCRATIC LIFE' MEETING ON MAO'S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY The People's Daily and authoritative Xinhua news agency front-paged reports (December 26) that the Politburo held a 'Democratic Life' meeting (December 24-25) on the occasion of Mao Zedong's birth anniversary on December 26.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA STATES IT EXPELLED US NAVY DESTROYER AFTER IT "TRESPASSED" CHINESE TERRITORIAL WATERS Senior Colonel Tian Junli, the spokesman for the PLA Southern Theatre Command, claimed on December 22 that its military had "expelled" a US destroyer after it "trespassed" into Chinese territorial waters close to the Spratly Islands.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE EMBASSY PUBLICISES THERE WERE 3,69,548 CHINESE STUDENTS IN US IN 2018-19 The Chinese Embassy in the USA publicised (December 23) that according to a report released by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. Department of State, China was the largest source of international students in the United States in 2018/19 with 369548 students, contributing $14.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2018.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SATELLITES BEGIN MONITORING MEKONG RIVER FLOWS AND DATA REVEALS CHINA DID NOT CONSIDER IMPACT OF DAMS ON LOWER RIPARIAN COUNTRIES Kwongwah, the world’s oldest privately owned Chinese daily newspaper in Malaysia, reported (December 14) that the U.S. State Department sponsored the Mekong Dam Monitor Plan, which it just introduced.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SANCTIONS 58 CHINESE COMPANIES INCLUDING 7 SUBSIDIARIES OF AVIC The U.S. Commerce Department on December 21, added more than 58 Chinese and 45 Russia companies to a new list of companies it said to have links to their nations’ militaries.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SENATE PASSED THE 'TIBETAN POLICY AND SUPPORT ACT OF 2020' WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 (TPSA) was passed by the United States Senate on December 22, with bipartisan support. The TPSA makes it official United States policy that decisions regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are exclusively within the authority of the current Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: HUANQIU EDITORIAL ADVISES "DO YOUR OWN THING WELL AND NOT BE CONSTRAINED BY THE ATTITUDES OF THE U.S. AND THE WEST" Huanqiu, the Chinese-language version of the Global Times, on December 20, published an editorial captioned "Do your own thing well and not be constrained by the U.S. and the West."
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA DAILY EDITORIAL CALLS FOR IMPROVING SINO-US TIES, REBUILDING MUTUAL TRUST AND U.S. TO REMEMBER "BOTTOM LINE" IS THAT CCP IS CHINA'S RULING PARTY The English-language China Daily (December 24) in an editorial said China-U.S. relations have undergone the most difficult period since the establishment of diplomatic relations and whether bilateral relations can get back on track is the focus of the world.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-GERMANY: ALTERCATION BETWEEN GERMANY'S PRESIDENT OF THE UNSC AND CHINA'S AMBASSADOR ON DECEMBER 23 Germany’s U.N. envoy Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, during his last scheduled U.N. Security Council meeting on December 23, appealed to China to free two detained Canadians for Christmas. Germany finishes a two-year term on the 15-member council at the end of this month and Ambassador Christoph Heusgen plans to retire after more than 40 years as a diplomat.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CCTV CLAIMS PUTIN HAS ASKED RUSSIAN ARMY TO PROMPTLY RESPOND TO ANY THREATS BY NATO The State-owned CCTV-4's International News Channel on December 22, telecast a news report that noted the United States had put 45 Russian companies on the sanctions list and will also close the last two consulates in Russia. It said US-Russian relations have 'once again fallen to a freezing point' and that 'Putin asked the Russian army to make military preparations for NATO threats and promptly respond if necessary'.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE AND RUSSIAN AIR FORCES CARRY OUT SECOND JOINT AERIAL STRATEGIC PATROL IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION In an article published by the Global Times on December 23, Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, commented on the second joint aerial strategic patrol in the Asia-Pacific region by the air forces of China and Russia on December 22 over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: AFGHAN SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE FIRST TIME UNCOVER 10-MEMBER CHINESE ESPIONAGE MODULE Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) recently arrested 10 Chinese citizens on charges of espionage and running a terror cell. They are believed to be linked to China’s Ministry of State Security. The crackdown by the NDS started on 10 December.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE IN LHASA ON DECEMBER 10 AS TIBETANS CELEBRATE GADEN NGAMCHOE FESTIVAL During the Gaden Ngamchoe annual festival in Lhasa on December 10, there was heavy police presence in front of Tsuglakhang and on Barkhor street to keep a close watch over a large group of Tibetans circumambulating the holy sites.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S NEW LONG MARCH-8 CARRIER ROCKET SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES 5 SATELLITES The China National Space Administration announced that China's new medium-lift carrier rocket Long March-8 made its maiden flight on December 22, sending five satellites into the planned orbit.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEKING UNIVERSITY ECONOMIST ESTIMATES UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHINA AT TWENTY PERCENT Radio Free Asia reported (December 18) that in a recent interview with Tencent Finance, a well-known Chinese economist Yao Yang, head of Peking University’s National School of Development, said that the epidemic has had a profound impact on the domestic economy.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FINTECH COMPANIES REMOVE SAVINGS PRODUCTS FROM ONLINE PAYMENT PLATFORMS Caixin reported (December 21) that China’s biggest fintech companies removed savings products linked to regional banks from their online platforms amid heightened scrutiny from regulators concerned that the funds are being raised by unstable smaller lenders and could fuel financial risks.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE PUT FORWARD 'FIVE FUNDAMENTALS' The annual Central Economic Work Conference (December 16-18) put forward the “five fundamentals “五个根本”. They make up one of the key themes in the propaganda consequent to the Central Economic Work Conference.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA STRENGTHENS SECURITY OVERSIGHT ON FOREIGN INVESTMENTS Caixin (December 21) quoted Bloomberg as reporting that China had introduced a new regulation that will allow government agencies to preview, deny and punish foreign investment activities in areas that are deemed as important to national security.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA RESUMES STATE CORN SALES Caixin (December 23) reported that a rally in Chinese corn prices has spurred the government to take the unusual step of bolstering supply at a time when sales from farmers are poised to expand. The Chinese government disclosed a plan last week to resume state corn sales, the first time in years it is doing so during a seasonal peak period for farmers’ sales.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP:CPPCC OFFICIAL PROPOSES INCLUDING CLIMATE CHANGE TARGETS IN 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN Liu Shijin, Deputy Director of Economic Affairs at the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), suggested that targets for carbon emissions reduction should be included in the 14th Five Year plan with progress posted as the country seeks to achieve carbon neutrality.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINHUA COMMENTARY HINTS AT CONTINUING INNER-PARTY DIFFERENCES ON XI JINPING'S STANCE TOWARDS U.S. An 826-character sharply worded commentary by "Xin Zhiping" -- a pseudonym for a Xinhua media platform dedicated to promoting Xi Jinping thought -- published on December 16, 2020, appeared to be directed at people who have been critical of China's more assertive stance towards America.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE HOLDS 24TH PLENARY MEETING The 24th meeting of the 13th National People's Congress Standing Committee held its second plenary meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of December 23.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: MARITIME NAVAL COOPERATION The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) declined to participate in the virtual Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) Work Group and Flag Officer Plenary session with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command scheduled for December 14-16, 2020.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: PROTESTS OUTSIDE HOUSE OF CHINESE DISSIDENT TENG BIAO The Washington Post (December 18) reported that Mandarin-speaking protesters shouting profanities and carrying signs with a variety of false accusations have been arriving every day since December 1, outside the suburban home in New Jersey of widely respected Chinese dissident and scholar at Hunter College in New York, Teng Biao.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA CONDUCTS MOCK COMBAT EXERCISE FOR TAKE-OVER OF TAIWAN The South China Morning Post (December 17) quoted a CCTV report which disclosed that the previous week the PLA had deployed Type 96A main battle tanks and Type 04 infantry fighting vehicles in a mock street combat exercise in a possible war against Taiwan.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-EU: CHINA-EU TRADE ACT IN FINAL PHASE Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a press conference on December 18, that bilateral investment treaty talks between China and the EU had entered the “final phase.”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA TO RELEASE NEW PAPER ON ENERGY China's State Council Information Office will release a white paper on the country's Energy development on December 18 afternoon.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA WILLING TO SHARE ROCK SAMPLES FROM MOON WITH OTHER COUNTRIES Wu Yanhua, a Vice Administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), told reporters at a press conference on December 17, that the Chinese government is willing to work with international institutions and scientists and share the lunar samples and relevant detection data collected by the Chang’e 5 moon probe, which returned to earth this week.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA--PLA: PLA ROCKET FORCES HAVE INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT IN THREE YEARS A report titled, “Chinese nuclear forces, 2020” published by the Federation of American Scientists on December 10 examines China’s nuclear arsenal, which is estimated to have surpassed France’s as the world’s third largest.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: THREE NEW BORDER DEFENCE VILLAGES NEAR BUMLA PASS Earlier in December, China set up three new villages near the Bum La pass near the India-China-Tibet Tri-junction.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBET MILITARY REGION GETS LATEST Z-20 HELICOPTERS Z-20 helicopters entered service this week with PLA’s Tibet Military District (TMD). First displayed in China’s 2019 military day parade, the TMD is only second army aviation unit to operate the Z-20 advanced helicopters.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA APPOINTS ZHANG XUDONG AS NEW COMMANDER OF THE PLA WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND At a promotion ceremony at the PLA Hqrs in Beijing on December 18, Lt General Zhang Xudong was promoted to full General and appointed Commander of the Western Theatre Command replacing General Zhao Zongqi, who has retired on reaching 65 years of age.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: NUMBER OF POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL THEORY TEACHERS RISES AS CHINA LAYS STRESS ON IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AND MARXIST THEORY According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, as of November 2020, the total number of full-time and part-time registered teachers of ideological and political theory courses in higher education institutions in the country exceeded 100,000, an increase of nearly 60 per cent since 2015.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE The Central Economic Work Conference was held under Chinese President Xi Jinping's chairmanship from December 16-18, 2020. Chinese officials proposed tougher antitrust restrictions at the key economic planning meeting, as the Chinese government targets the growing power of the country's technology groups.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SANCTIONS CHINESE OFFICIAL FOR PERSECUTION OF FALUNGONG ACTIVISTS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (December 11) that on December 10, World Human Rights Day, the U.S. State Department had announced sanctions on 17 foreign government officials and their immediate family members for "serious human rights violations".
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SANCTIONS 14 CHINESE OFFICIALS FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN TIBET AND XINJIANG The US Departments of State and Treasury announced (December 14) sanctions on 14 Chinese officials for their actions in Xinjiang province, Tibet, Taiwan and the South China Sea and the crackdown on pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON AGREE TO COOPERATE ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES Xinhua reported (December 9) that Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron had reached important consensus on China-France cooperation in the next stage during their phone conversation on December 9 evening.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-SWEDEN: SWEDEN PLANS TO DEPORT SOUTHERN MONGOLIA ACTIVIST TO CHINA Baolige Wurina, an Inner Mongolian activist who escaped to Sweden from Inner Mongolia ten years ago due to persecution by the authorities for his activism on rights issues for ethnic Mongols, is now at risk of being deported following the Swedish Migration Court’s decision in late November, to turn down his appeal for a review of the Migration Board’s decision from January 2019 not to grant him a new residence permit.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 600,000 HONGKONG RESIDENTS EXPECT TO MIGRATE TO BRITAIN WITHIN 2 YEARS A recent survey by 'The Hongkongers' found that over 600,000 Hongkong residents eligible for the earlier BN(O)C status now expect to migrate to the UK within two years. They are mainly educated and earn higher wages than the average in the UK, but have no friends or family in the UK.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA ESTABLISHES SPACECRAFT TO MONITOR ARCTIC SHIPPING ROUTES On December 11, China announced plans to launch a new imaging satellite to monitor Arctic shipping routes. The satellite will employ Synthetic Aperture Radar technology able to observe the Earth’s surface even during night time and through cloud layers or smoke. The spacecraft will be placed into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 720 kilometres and produce high-quality imagery.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA CLAIMS TO HAVE DEVELOPED A SODRAMJET ENGINE At the end of November, the team of Professor Jiang Zonglin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Mechanics published a research paper in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, a peer-reviewed academic publication.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S INVESTMENT IN SPACE FOR FIRST TIME SURPASSES THAT OF RUSSIA China's investment in Space has this year for the first time surpassed that of Russia. A recent tabulation by the US-China Institute shows that while the US invests 58% of the world total or US$ 41 billion in Space exploration, this year China invested US$ 5.8 billion exceeding Russia's US$ 4.2 billion. The rest of the world together accounts for US$ 19.8 billion.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHANG'E-5 RETURNS FROM SPACE EXPLORATION The state-owned CCTV on December 17, announced the safe return of China's spacecraft Chang'e-5 carrying lunar samples. It said the landing was in accordance with the three-step plan of the Chinese lunar exploration project "circle, fall, and return".
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING SIGNS NEW REVISED 'ARMY MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS' TO BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 2021 The People's Daily and CCTV (December 17) announced that Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping signed an order to issue the newly revised "Army Measurement Regulations"] The Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping signed an order a few days ago to issue the newly revised "Army Measurement Regulations", which will come into effect on January 1, 2021.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S AUTOMOBILE SALES PROJECTED TO INCREASE The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers projected on December 11, that sales of new-energy vehicles in China, which include electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles, will jump 40% in 2021 to 1.8 million units as Tesla’s expansion of local production and price cuts help to lift that market.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NDRC TRYING TO REGULATE COAL PRICES China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), after summoning people from the country’s 10 top electricity utilities including Huaneng Group, Datang Group, Huadian Group, and State Power Investment Corporation to a meeting on December 12, stipulated that coal purchase prices for power companies should not exceed 640 yuan ($97.7) per ton.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA PREPARES TO RAISE RETIREMENT AGES Xinhua (December 14) published an article addressing key public concerns about an upcoming rise in the retirement age. It recalled that raising the retirement age was explicitly mentioned in the Party's recommendations for the 14th Five-Year Plan.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S AGEING POPULATION HAS ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES Having replaced its one-child policy with the two-child policy, China expects to abolish population control soon. Yi Fuxian, a senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, however, says the impact of the one-child policy on China’s economy, society, politics and national mentality will last for a long time.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: TIANANMEN PROTESTOR ACCUSES XI JINPING OF PROMOTING PERSONALITY CULT In an Opinion piece in Radio Free Asia (October 22), US-based 'Tiananmen democracy protestor' Wang Dan outlined how the CCP CC was flouting its own decision of October 20, 1980, which explicitly stated: “Portraits of the current Communist Party leader are forbidden to be displayed in public, no personality cult will be tolerated.”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: JILIN IS PILOT PROVINCE FOR "RED GENES VILLAGES" PROJECT The CCP CC's Organisation Department and the Ministry of Finance have named Jilin as a pilot province for the 3-year “red village” project, which aims to promote the core values of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-SECURITY: CONTROL ON ACCESS TO INTERNET Radio Free Asia reported (November 27) that China's Ministry of Public Security announced that China has launched a new pilot program on “Internet ID Cards” in Fujian and Guangdong provinces. Instead of using the personal ID to register for internet service, the new technology uses the applicants’ biometrics.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-SECURITY: AFTER ITS 26TH STUDY SESSION POLITBURO DECIDES ON TEN MEASURES TO ENHANCE NATIONAL SECURITY Xinhua (December 12) reported that after its 26th 'collective study session' on December 11, the Politburo meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping decided on a series of ten measures to tighten security.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP EFFECTS LARGE SCALE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS IN 2020 2020 is likely to regarded as the "big year" of the local political reshuffle of the CCP.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON CLIMATE CHANGE The state-owned CCTV news (December 13) telecast Chinese President Xi Jinping's "important" speech entitled "Continuing the past and opening a new journey of the global response to climate change" at the Climate Ambition Summit on December 12.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS CCP CC's NON-PARTY FORUM ON DECEMBER 8 IN ZHONGNANHAI CCTV News (December 11) reported that on December 8, the CCP CC held a non-party symposium in Zhongnanhai to listen to the opinions of the central committees of the democratic parties, the heads of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and representatives of non-party personalities on the economic situation this year and the economic work next year.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING ON DECEMBER 11 & POLITBURO STUDY SESSION ON DECEMBER 11 AFTERNOON Xinhua (December 11) reported that Chinese President and CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo in Beijing on December 11 to analyze and study the economic work in 2021.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING ON DECEMBER 11 Xinhua reported (December 11) that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee to listen to reports on the work of the CDIC's State Supervision Commission in 2020 and the preparations for the fifth plenary meeting of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CDIC).
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: CHINA'S COVID-19 VACCINE DIPLOMACY Reuters and The Associated Press quoted Indonesian President Joko Widodo on December 6, said he was "very grateful" to China for supplying the first batch of 1.2 million doses of the new crown vaccine.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO REPLACE ALL FOREIGN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT The Hong Kong online news media HK01 Network on November 30, reported that the Japanese government had decided to replace all unmanned aircraft that provincial governments operated with more secure Japanese products.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMANY STOPS ACQUISITION OF GERMAN SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY BY CHINESE ENTITY Global Times (December 5) reported that, in the name of national security, the German government prohibited the Chinese acquisition of a German satellite technology company IMST. IMST developed the critical components of Germany’s TerraSAR-X observation satellite.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: JAPANESE INSTITUTE ANTICIPATES THAT CHINA WILL OVERTAKE U.S. BY 2030 The Japan-China Economic Research (JCER) institute in a recent study forecast that in 2020, only China, Vietnam and Taiwan are on track to maintain positive year-on-year growth rates.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: FORMER MAYOR BUTTIGUEG TIPPED AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA Former Democratic presidential candidate and former Mayor of South Bend, Idaho, Pete Buttigieg may be headed for China as the incoming Biden Administration’s ambassador to Beijing. He is also tipped as in the running for a number of other leadership positions in the Biden Administration.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACADEMIC CLAIMS CHINA HAS INFLUENCE AT TOP OF "AMERICA'S CORE INNER CIRCLE OF POWER AND INFLUENCE" Di Dongsheng, Professor of International Relations at Renmin University, asked during a speech attended by hundreds of people at an event on November 28, in Shanghai hosted by Guancha.cn, while discussing the trade war started by Trump: “So why can’t we fix the Trump administration? Why between 1992 and 2016 were China and the US able to settle all kinds of issues?”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI URGES STABILISATION OF US-CHINA RELATIONS Speaking via video-link to the US-China Business Council on December 7, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed the hope that US-China relations would stabilise with the Biden Administration. He said, “We expect and believe that the US’ China policy will return to objectivity and rationality sooner or later.”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE MEDIA OFFICIAL URGES US TO STOP 'TARGETING' CHINESE STUDENTS Ji Tao, Editor-in-Chief and President China Daily USA, on December 7, tweeted that "It's time to stop targeting Chinese students in the US. The damage has been done. In the first nine months this year, student visa visits from China to the US fell by almost 70%, as compared with that of 2019."
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHINA BY CHINESE ECONOMIST Professor Mao Zhenhua, founder-Chairman of the China Chengxin Group, Chief Economist of China Chengxin International, and Co-Director of the Institute of Economics, Renmin University of China, delivered an interesting speech on how China can reduce US pressure at the 20th Yabuli Forum -2020 on November 18-20, 2020.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: SHAHEEN-IX SINO-PAK AIR FORCE EXERCISES COMMENCE IN PAKISTAN China and Pakistan started the Shaheen -- or Falcon -- IX joint air force exercises at the newly operational Bholari airbase in Sindh, less than 200 kilometres from the Indian border, on December 9.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: MORE PRO-DEMOCRACY LEGISLATORS ARRESTED ON DECEMBER 8 On December 8, Hong Kong Island Regional Criminal Unit officers arrested Leung Kwok-hung, Figo Chan and Tang Sai-lai of the League of Social Democrats, and Eastern District Councillors Tsang Kin-sing, Andy Chui and Lancelot Chan bringing to eight the number of pro-democracy figures arrested so far on suspicion of the unauthorised assembly during a July 1 protest.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: SIPRI REPORTS FOUR CHINA'S DEFENCE SALES COMPANIES AMONG 25 TOP SELLERS IN THE WORLD The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) issued a report on December 7, 2020, on the state of the global arms industry in 2019.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA--ECONOMY: HUAWEI MOBILE SALES IN EUROPE DROP SHARPLY Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) reported on November 30, that, according to the latest numbers from IDC, Huawei sold 2.5 million smartphones in the Western Europe market, representing a year-over-year free fall of 58.7 per cent.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL APPOINTS LIU GUIPING AS NEW VICE GOVERNOR OF PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA China's State Council announced (December 7) that Liu Guiping had been appointed Vice Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) replacing Zhu Hexin, who left the PBoC to become Party secretary of CITIC Group back in March.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: BLOOMBERG JOURNALIST DETAINED IN BEIJING UNDER NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Bloomberg reported (December 11) that Chinese authorities on December 7, detained Haze Fan, who works for the Bloomberg News bureau in Beijing, on suspicion of endangering national security.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS ARRESTED BY PUBLIC SECURITY OFFICERS Tang Jitian, a Human Rights lawyer in China was taken away by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security officers on December 8.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-MEDIA: BEIJING DAILY PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON CONFUCIUS An article by Renmin University Professor Han Xing was published by the Beijing Daily on December 7, with the caption 'What is the starting point of Confucianism for learning? This article makes it clear'.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LEADING SMALL GROUP Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a meeting of the National Science and Technology Leading Small Group (NS&TLG) on December 7.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER WANG HUNING DELIVERS SPEECH AT MARXIST THEORETICAL CONFERENCE IN BEIJING CCTV telecast the 'Marxist Theoretical Research and Construction Engineering Work Conference' held in Beijing on December 10. Politburo Standing Committee member and Secretary of the CCP CC Secretariat Wang Huning attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: 54 JAPANESE UNIVERSITIES HAVE ACADEMIC, RESEARCH AND STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES WITH SEVEN CHINESE DEFENCE-RELATED UNIVERSITIES According to a Kyodo News report on November 29, seven defense-related Chinese universities that conduct military technological research have academic and student exchange agreements with a total of 45 public and private universities in Japan, among which nine Japanese universities have joint research programs.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR LI DAOKUI CAUTIONS THAT BIDEN MAY CONTINUE TRUMP'S TOUGH POLICIES AGAINST CHINA The Liberty Times reported on November 29, that while speaking at the China Macroeconomic Forum held at Renmin University in Beijing, Professor Li Daokui of Beijing’s Tsinghua University and a former advisor to the People’s Bank of China, said the recent memoirs published by former US President Obama showed that the Democrats are worried about the rise of China’s technological power.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA--US: CHINA DAILY EDITORIAL ANTICIPATES NO IMPROVEMENT IN US-CHINA BILATERAL TIES An editorial in China's official English-language China Daily (December 3) observed that "Although everyone seems to be ready for China-US relations to worsen each passing day for the remainder of the current administration's term, such developments are worrisome signs that bilateral ties are being effectively shifted onto a dangerous path".
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: YAN XUETONG ANTICIPATES INTENSIFIED TENSION BETWEEN US AND CHINA UNDER BIDEN Speaking at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on December 2, Yan Xuetong, Dean of the Institute of International Relations at Beijing’s Tsinghua University cautioned against “wishful thinking” about the incoming Biden administration and anticipated that “Unpredictability, uncertainty will still be the basic characteristic of the coming years” and “The world will definitely become more chaotic.”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE RESEARCHER REACTS TO US RESTRICTIONS ON VISAS FOR CCP MEMBERS Writing in the Global Times (December 4) Zhang Tengjun, Assistant Research Fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, described the imposition of restrictions on members of the CCP and their family members "as yet another hysterical anti-China policy" and "part of the all-out China containment strategy advocated by the Trump administration since the beginning of this year".
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ENDS FIVE CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES Reuters (December 4) reported that the US State Department announced on December 4 that it has ended five cultural exchange programs with China because they are "soft power propaganda tools."
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS DISCUSSING RELEASE OF MENG WANZHOU, CFO OF HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES, WITH HER REPRESENTATIVES The Wall Street Journal reported (December 4) that the US Justice Department is talking to representatives of Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies Co. and daughter of its founder, that could see her freed to return home from Canada after her detention in December 2018, in exchange for signing a deferred prosecution agreement.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG LEGCO'S DEMOCRAT LEGISLATOR FLEES TO U.K AND HAS BANK ACCOUNTS FROZEN According to UK media reports former Democratic Party Legislative Council (Legco) member, Xu Zhifeng suddenly withdrew from the Democratic Party and went into exile .
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN EXPELS MAINLAND CHINESE REPORTER Taiwan’s Central News Agency announced (December 3) that the ROC government had expelled a reporter from China’s Southeast Television who was stationed in Taiwan. He was expelled for violating relevant regulations that prohibit renting a studio in Taiwan in order to host a political program.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FORMER CHINESE OFFICIAL SUGGESTS USE OF FORCE FOR REUNIFYING TAIWAN WITH THE MAINLAND Radio France International (November 9) reported that In an article published in the state media People’s Political Consultative Conference Newspaper, the former Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office under China’s State Council, Wang Zaixi said, “It may be difficult to achieve the purpose of reunification across the strait if we do not use military force and rely solely on political negotiations, non-governmental exchanges, and unconditionally making compromises.”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-EU: CHINA REPLACES UNITED STATES AS EU'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at the regular press briefing on December 4, that latest Eurostat data showed that China had edged past the US in the third quarter to become the EU's largest trade partner.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA DOMINATES WORLD SUPPLY OF COBALT Nedal Nassar, chief of the Materials Flow Analysis Section at the National Minerals Information Center at the U.S. Geological Survey, told POLITICO (December 2) that a USGS review of 50 commodities identified cobalt as one of the materials at highest risk of supply disruptions.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HURUN'S LIST OF WEALTHY REVEALS THERE ARE 878 BILLIONAIRES IN CHINA The Hurun Rich List data compiled in October 2020 shows that the number of Chinese billionaires is growing at the fastest pace in the country's history. There are now 878 billionaires under 40 in China -- including 257 newly minted billionaires this year -- worth a total of $4 trillion, breaking their own previous records.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CONSTRUCTION PLANS OF PLA NAVY (PLAN) China's military media disclosed (November 29) that according to reports, the Chinese Navy’s latest plan shows that by 2025, the Chinese Navy will have 16 Type 055 destroyers, 50 Type 054A frigates, and 40 Type 052C/D. In addition, construction of the improved version of the Type-054A and Type-054B frigates will start next year.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-CONSTITUTION DAY: CONSTITUTION WEEK AND CONSTITUTION DAY CELEBRATED IN CHINA The People's Daily (December 4) highlighted that various parts of the country had carried out "in-depth study and publicity of Xi Jinping's thoughts on the rule of law, and vigorously promote the spirit of the constitution" theme activities, creating a good atmosphere of respect for law, study and law-abiding in the whole society during the third national "Constitution Propaganda Week" from November 30 to December 6.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: FORMER CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL FACULTY AND CRITIC OF XI JINPING PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS Foreign Affairs (December 4) published a lengthy article captioned 'The Party that Failed' by the presently US-based Professor Cai Xia, a former senior faculty member of the Central Party School who became a critic of Xi Jinping who had her pension and other financial benefits seized. Her article gives a vivid account of the policies of China's leaders and particularly her disappointment with Xi Jinping.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-'WOLF DIPLOMACY: CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER LI YUCHENG EXPLAINS STAND ON 'WOLF DIPLOMACY' AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THINK-TANKS Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng delivered the keynote speech at the International Influence Forum of Think Tanks and the 6th Symposium on the Construction of New Think Tanks hosted by the Chongyang Institute of Finance of Renmin University of China and the Literature and Information Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on December 5.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG CHAIRS MEETING OF ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE The People's Daily on December 3, reported that CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang chaired a meeting of its Ethnic and Religious Committee on December 2 in Beijing. The meeting discussed "building a common spiritual home for all ethnic groups and forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation".
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES MILITARY IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL EDUCATION WORK CONFERENCE CCTV reported (December 4) that Chinese President Xi Jinping met representatives of the plenary session of the Military Ideological and Political Education Work Conference held in Beijing from December 3 to 4. Xi Jinping met and had a group photograph with them on December 4, at the Jingxi Hotel.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-UK: UK TO SPEND 250 MILLION POUNDS TO REPLACE HUAWEI'S 5G EQUIPMENT The Hongkong Economic Times (HKET) reported on November 26, that the British government just introduced the Communications Security Bill, which is designed to monitor the nation’s 5G mobile network and its fiber network.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT ELECT BIDEN COMMENTS ON HIS CHINA POLICY TO NEW YORK TIMES In an interview (December 2) to New York Times' Tom Friedman, the US President-elect Joe Biden said on China that he would not act immediately to remove the 25 per cent tariffs that Trump imposed on about half of China’s exports to the United States — or the Phase 1 agreement Trump inked with China that requires Beijing to purchase some $200 billion in additional U.S. goods and services during the period 2020 and 2021 — which China has fallen significantly behind on.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US BUSINESSES LOBBY AGAINST BILL TO PREVENT IMPORT OF GOODS MADE WITH FORCED LABOUR The New York Times (November 29) cited US Congressmen as saying that Nike and Coca-Cola are among the major companies and business groups lobbying Congress to weaken a bill that would ban imported goods made with forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region as well as lobbying records that show vast spending on the legislation.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ADDS ANOTHER CHINESE SOE TO ITS ENTITIES LIST The US has added the China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation, a midsize State-owned Enterprise specializing in civil and defense engineering with close ties with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), to the US entity list, freezing its assets in the United States and banning US firms from doing business with it.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-US: US DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SAYS CHINA HAS INCREASED INFLUENCE OPERATIONS IN UNITED STATES The US Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliff, in an article in the Wall Street Journal on December 3 identifying China as the No: 1 threat and a once-in-a-generation challenge, said he had shifted resources inside the $85 billion annual intelligence budget to increase the focus on China.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN BACKS AUSTRALIA IN ONGOING TENSION WITH CHINA Before chairing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Central Standing Committee meeting in Taipei on December 2, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan would take action to back Australians at a time when they are “under tremendous pressure.”
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: VITRIOLIC RHETORIC BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND CHINA HAS ESCALATED Sparked by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian's remarks and release on November 30, of a photograph found objectionable by the Australian Government, angry rhetoric between the two escalated with calls in Australia for a boycott of Chinese goods.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS PAKISTAN AND IS AWARDED THE 'NISHAN-E-IMTIAZ' (MILITARY) Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe paid a 2-day (December 1-3) visit to Pakistan where he met the Pakistan Prime Minister, President and the Chief of Army Staff.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER GENERAL WEI FENGHE'S VISIT TO NEPAL Remarking on Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe's one-day visit to Kathmandu, Qian Feng, Director of the Research Department of the National Institute of Strategic Studies, Tsinghua University was quoted by Global Times (November 29) as saying that the visit fully demonstrated the importance of China Nepal relations and will greatly improve the trust between the two countries and twp militaries.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S PLANS FOR BIG HYDEL PROJECT NEAR MEDOG ON BRAHMAPUTRA SUGGEST A DAM AT THE 'GREAT BEND' On November 30, the CCP-owned Global Times disclosed that China is going ahead with construction of a major hydropower project on the Brahmaputra river.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: OWNER OF APPLE DAILY, JIMMY LAI, ARRESTED Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the founder of the Apple Daily and media group Next Digital, was charged with fraud on December 2 night in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and was to appear in West Kowloon Court on December 3.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: RAILWAY LINKING LHASA WITH NYINGCHI Xinhua (December 1) reported that workers are overcoming difficulties to build the first electric railway in Tibet, China. It said the 435-km railway linking Lhasa and Nyingchi is expected to open next year.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-POVERTY ALLEVIATION: CHINA CLAIMS TO HAVE SHIFTED 10 MILLION POOR PEOPLE FROM INHOSPITABLE AREAS BETWEEN 2016-2020 CCTV reported (December 3) that the Politburo Standing Committee met on December 3 to listen to a summary and evaluation report on poverty alleviation.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA'S MUYUAN GROUP PLANS TO BUILD 84 PIG FARMS IN 13 COUNTIES IN HENAN PROVINCE The state-owned 'Voice of China' reported that China's largest pig producer, the pig-farming giant Muyuan Group announced plans to build 84 industrialized pig farms in 13 counties surrounding its headquarters in Nanyang, a city in the hinterland of Henan Province to alleviate China's meat shortage.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: OWNER OF CHINA'S TUBER APP, ZHOU HONGYI, IS MEMBER OF CPPCC Tuber, China's app for Android mobiles that bypasses China's Great Firewall and allows access to banned sites like Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Netflix was developed by the Shanghai Fengxuan Information Technology Co., Ltd., in which Qihoo 360, the Beijing-based cybersecurity firm founded by entrepreneur Zhou Hongyi, holds a 70 per cent stake.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINA'S "INK GIRL" PROTESTS AGAIN BUT ALLOWED TO MEET FATHER 31-year old Dong Yaoqiong, the girl who posted a video of her throwing ink on a poster and defacing the image of Xi Jinping in Shanghai in December 2018 in protest against his “authoritarian dictatorship”, once again on December 1, 2020, posted a two-minute video, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms including Twitter.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-CDIC: FORMER VICE GOVERNOR OF XINJIANG REN HUA EXPELLED FROM PARTY FOR "SERIOUS VIOLATIONS" OF PARTY DISCIPLINE The official website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) recently reported that following an investigation by the CCP CC and the State Supervision Commission of the CDIC, Ren Hua, the former Party member and Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Government, had been expelled from the Party.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PARTY DISCIPLINE: HU XIJIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES ACCUSED OF FATHERING TWO CHILDREN WITH EMPLOYEES Foreign Policy Magazine's China Brief (December 2) reported that Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the CCP-owned Global Times faces potential political trouble after an accusation by his Deputy Editor-in-Chief Duan Jingtao, that he has fathered two children with employees.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POSTERS CRITICISING XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY CHEN QUANGUO APPEAR IN LONDON ANI (November 28) reported that several Billboards have appeared in the streets of London on November 28 demanding the arrest of Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI LAUDS FIFTH PLENUM IN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN PEOPLE'S DAILY ON NOVEMBER 30 A lengthy 4225-character article captioned 'Actively create a good external environment (study and implement the spirit of the 5th Plenum of the 19th Central Committee)', by Politburo Member and former Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was published in the People's Daily on November 30.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEETING DISCUSSED 'REGULATIONS ON POLITICAL WORK IN THE ARMY' The CCP CC Politburo met on November 30 to review the "Regulations on Political Work in the Army," "Regulations on the Work of the United Front of the Communist Party of China," and "Regulations on the Protection of the Rights of Party Members of the Communist Party of China."
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN POSTS PHOTOGRAPH OF AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER IN AFGHANISTAN WITH KNIFE AT GIRL'S THROAT Following the release of the Brereton report, which found Australian special forces committed at least 39 unlawful killings during the war in Afghanistan, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesman and Deputy Director of MoFA's Information Department, Zhao Lijian at last week's regular weekly press briefing said China "strongly condemned" the soldiers' actions, and said the report "fully exposed the hypocrisy of the human rights and freedom these Western countries are always chanting".
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-BHUTAN: CHINA CREATES NEW VILLAGE 2.5 KMS INSIDE BHUTAN Shen Shiwei, a news producer of the State-owned CGTN, last week tweeted and later deleted four images establishing that China had formed Pangda village, a new residential area.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER GENERAL WEI FENGHE VISITS NEPAL Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe made a one-day visit to Kathmandu on November 29, when he met Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister K.P.S. Oli and Army Chief General Purna Chandra Thapa.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN BEGINS BUILDING SUBMARINES Taiwan's state-run shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) and the arms developer Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, who were awarded the contract for building eight indigenous submarines in 2016, have started building the first of the submarines at the Kaohsiung shipyard.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN-ROK: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI TRAVELS TO TOKYO AND SEOUL Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Seoul on November 25, after a two-day visit to Japan.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S MEDIA PUBLICISES PREPAREDNESS OF PLA TROOPS IN LADAKH The South China Morning Post reported (November 28) that the PLA Daily had on November 23 said that all Chinese outposts at altitudes of more than 3,000 metres altitudes had been equipped with oxygen generators and troops stationed higher than 4,000 metres would receive mandatory oxygen therapy for an hour each day.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA FAILS TO MEET TARGETS OF PHASE ONE OF CHINA-U.S. TRADE DEAL Bloomberg reported (November 28), based on China Customs Administration data, showed that China’s imports of U.S. goods under the phase one trade deal slowed last month after hitting a high in September, leaving the full-year target well out of reach.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: XIAOMI EDGES OUT HUAWEI IN MOBILE SMARTPHONE SALES AT COUNTY-LEVEL Caixin (November 28) reported that Xiaomi Inc. is looking to seize a greater share of its home smartphone market as the market adjusts to the vacuum left by sanctions-struck Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Xiaomi China's President Lu Weibing said (November 26) that every county-level city in China will have a Mi Home store — which sells the company’s smart home products as well as its handsets — in one year.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S DEEP-SEA MANNED SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL 'THE STRUGGLE' CONGRATULATED BY XI JINPING ON ITS RETURN The state-owned CCTV on November 28 reported that China's all-sea deep manned submersible the "Struggle", successfully completed the 10,000-meter sea trial and returned successfully on November 28.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NATIONAL STATISTICS BUREAU REVEALS NEW INCOME FIGURES OF CHINA'S MIDDLE CLASS Writing in the Asia Times (November 28), Frank Chen claimed that China's National Statistics Bureau was cited by China's State Council at a press conference marking China's 71st anniversary in October, that China now has no less than 400 million middle-class consumers.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S FIFTH PLENUM INSTRUCTS PLA TO ENSURE ITS MODERNISATION GOALS ARE ACHIEVED BY 2027 The communique issued after the Fifth Plenum (October 26-29, 2020) of the CCP CC says that China is still in a period of important strategic opportunity as the world is “undergoing changes unseen in a century”. The last few paragraphs of the Communique focus on the PLA modernisation and China’s national security.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-CCP CC'S FIFTH PLENUM: CCP CC'S PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT PUBLICISING FIFTH PLENUM DOCUMENTS THROUGHOUT CHINA Stating that the CCP CC's Fifth Plenary Session drew a magnificent blueprint for China's future development, Xinhua (November 27) said it has overall and historical significance in the development of the party and the country.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-CCP 19th CC'S FIFTH PLENUM: 13th FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR VERY FIRST TIME CONTAINS SPECIAL CHAPTER ON ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN CCTV (November 27) telecast a report publicising that the development of women's cause was for the very first time included in the "13th Five-Year Plan" outline as a special chapter for the first time, said this was to promote the all-round development of women.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY PUBLICISES XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT CMC'S MILITARY TRAINING CONFERENCE The PLA Daily (November 27) published a report on Xi Jinping's "important" speech at the Military Training Conference of the Central Military Commission held in Beijing on November 25, 2020.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL CADRES TOLD BY XI JINPING THAT POLITICAL ABILITY IS FIRST AMONG ABILITIES REQUIRED BY PARTY CADRES Qiu Shi (November 27) published an article which said that at the opening ceremony of the training class for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National School of Administration) in the Fall semester of 2020, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that political ability is the first among the various abilities required for cadres to do their jobs well.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING ADDRESSES 'MODEL AND ADVANCED WORKERS' CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the National Commendation Conference for Model Workers and Advanced Workers held in Beijing on November 24, where he was quoted by CCTV in its Focus Programme on November 28, as saying "Socialism is done, and the new era is a struggle. Model workers are national elites and people.
Dec 2020 |
CHINA-UK: CHINESE MILITARY WEBSITE CLAIMS BRITISH INTELLIGENCE IS NOW FOCUSSING ON CHINA Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported on October 30, that based on British media reports, UK intelligence agencies MI5, MI6 and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) are establishing a new program that is currently hiring “mandarin linguists.”
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES REPORT TITLED 'THE ELEMENTS OF THE CHINA CHALLENGE' The Office of Policy Planning Staff of the United States Department of State (DOS) issued a 70-page research report on November 17, which summarized the behaviour of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), analysed the ideological roots behind the behaviour and the vulnerabilities that the Chinese Communist regime faces, and suggested how the United States should respond to China’s challenges.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY DESTROYER COMMENCES FOURTH ROUTINE TRANSIT THROUGH TAIWAN STRAITS The National Interest (November 25) reported that the USS Barry (DDG-52), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, conducted its fourth routine transit through the Taiwan Strait and entered the South China Sea on November 20.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-US: FORMER CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER FU YING WRITES OP-ED IN NEW YORK TIMES Fu Ying, a former Chinese Ambassador and Vice Foreign Minister and presently the Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy and an adjunct professor at Tsinghua University and also a Vice Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress, published an Op-Ed in the New York Times (November 24).
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT CONGRATULATE US PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT KAMALA HARRIS Xinhua reported (November 25) that Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent a message on November 25, to congratulate U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on his election.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FORMER OFFICIAL OF CHINA'S TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE SAYS MILITARY FORCE MAY BE ESSENTIAL TO EFFECT REUNIFICATION Radio France International reported on November 9, that Wang Zaixi, former Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office under China’s State Council, had recently published an article in the official People’s Political Consultative Conference Newspaper.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM'S POLICY SPEECH TO LEGCO MAKES LITTLE IMPACT HK CE Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivered a 24,000-word speech with a number of Chinese Communist Party words over 2 hours 20 minutes to the Hongkong Legislative Council (Legco) on November 25 which was interrupted by pro-democracy legislators who forced her to complete her speech virtually. Her fourth policy speech was described by political observers and Legco members as "underwhelming".
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CCTV CLAIMS MAJOR STRIDES IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN TIBET The official China Central Television (CCTV) on November 22, claimed major strides in poverty alleviation in Tibet.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S PENSION FUND WILL BE INSUFFICIENT IN NEXT DECADE Professor Zheng Gongcheng, a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), wrote in the Guangming Ribao (November 23) that it is expected that by 2035, China will be considered a “super-aged society.”
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ISSUES CODE OF CONDUCT TO TRY AND PREVENT SUICIDES BY GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENTS The Chinese Edition of Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported (November 11) that, after several incidents of graduate school students committing suicide this year, China's Ministry of Education issued 'The Code of Conduct for Graduate School Teachers'.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-BRI: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY IS TRAINING STUDENTS FROM BRI COUNTRIES AT YUNNAN POLICE ACADEMY A document obtained by the Epoch Times and dated May 28, 2020, from the Yunnan Police Academy titled, “Activities on Promoting the Joint Development of the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative” reveals that since 2015, the Academy has trained 56 foreign students from Afghanistan, Argentina, Angola, Pakistan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, and Myanmar and has granted them Master’s degrees.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC ISSUES NEW JOINT OPERATIONS GUIDELINES FOR PLA The People's Daily on November 14 reported that China's Central Military Commission (CMC) had on November 13, issued the “Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Joint Operations Guideline (Trial Version).” The “Guideline” aims to build the PLA into a world-class army force, with a focus on the establishment of a system of laws and regulations for joint operations.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-CASS MEMBER EXPLAINS 'CORE MEANING OF XI JINPING'S RULE OF LAW' The CCP CC's Comprehensive Rule of Law Work Conference was held on November 16 - 17, 2020 in Beijing where CCP CC General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an "important" speech emphasising that China will unswervingly follow the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and promote the modernization of the national governance system and governance capabilities on the track of the rule of law, so as to provide a powerful force for building a modern socialist country and realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA'S NATIONAL PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 30 THAT 205,000 CHINESE JOURNALISTS HAD PASSED THE 'XI THOUGHT' EXAM Radio Free Asia reported on November 6, that China's National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) had announced (October 30) that a total of 205,000 Chinese journalists had passed the “Xi Thought” exam and obtained a passport-sized Chinese journalist ID card with gold letters against a red background.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-COMMISION FOR DISCIPLINE INSPECTION (CDIC) ISSUES STATEMENT EMPHASISING INCREASED SUPERVISION OVER "LEADING CADRES" AFTER FIFTH CC PLENUM On November 23, the CDIC issued a statement on its official website emphasising that the 19th CCP CC's Fifth Plenary Session had "clearly forecast the long-term goal of basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035, and clearly put forward the guidelines, main goals, and key tasks for my country's economic and social development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period".
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE VICE PREMIER LIU HE URGES CHINA TO QUICKLY BECOME TECHNOLOGICALLY SELF-RELIANT The Chinese version of the flagship newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 'People’s Daily', published (November 25) an article by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is calling for China to move faster toward becoming technologically self-reliant, a goal that he said will play a decisive role in the country’s economic development agenda for the next 15 years.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT CHIEF HUANG KUNMING PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY The People's Daily published (November 23) an article by Politburo member and Head of China's Publicity (Propaganda) Department, Huang Kunming captioned 'Promote the building of a socialist cultural power (study and implement the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Party)'.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING EXHORTS WORKING CLASS TO STRIVE FOR NEW ACHIEVEMENTS IN BUILDING A MODERN SOCIALIST COUNTRY AND REJUVENATING CHINA Chinese President Xi Jinping on November 24, addressed a gathering to honour model workers and exemplary individuals where he said China must closely rely on the working class to promote high-quality development and urged the country's working class and working people to strive for new and historic achievements in fully building a modern socialist country.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ORDERS PLA TO STRENGTHEN TRAINING AND ENHANCE CAPABILITY TO WIN WARS Attending a meeting on Military Training in Beijing on November 25, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Chinese President, Xi Jinping ordered the armed forces to strengthen training under real combat conditions and raise their capability of winning wars.
Nov 2020 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: MALAYSIA CANCELS US$ 10.5 BILLION MEGA HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Caixin reported (November 21) that Malaysia’s state government of Melaka has terminated a $10.5 billion worth agreement with a local developer who partnered with three Chinese companies over a sea reclamation project involving the building of mixed harbour development, including three man-made islands, in the strategic Malacca Strait.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE MEDIA PAYMENTS TO AMERICAN MEDIA OUTLETS The Epoch Times (November 23) revealed that the China Daily has spent millions for the past six months on U.S. publications, according to its statement filed last week with the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SENATOR BROWNBACK ASSERTS TIBETAN COMMUNITY HAS RIGHT TO PICK THEIR NEXT DALAI LAMA Addressing the 2020 Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief hosted by the Government of Poland on November 17, US Senator and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback opposed China’s intervention in picking the next Dalai Lama saying, “The United States supports – that religious community has the right to pick their own leadership.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ADMINISTRATION HOSTS LOBSANG SANGAY, PRIME MINISTER OF TIBETAN GOVT-IN-EXILE, AT WHITE HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME The newly appointed US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Robert Destro, hosted Lobsang Sangay, Prime Minister (also called Sikyong) for an unprecedented meeting at the White House on November 20, 2020. This was the first time in six decades that the leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile was invited to the White House.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACADEMIC CAUTIONS THAT US-CHINA RELATIONS UNLIKELY TO RETURN TO PRE-TRUMP TIMES Zheng Yongnian, Dean of the Shenzhen-based think tank 'Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies', was quoted by South China Morning Post (November 22) as saying on the sidelines of the 'Understanding China Conference' in Guangzhou, that there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN'S SUPPORTERS RESTART SEMI-OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH BEIJING According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (November 13), after the US presidential election, China and the United States restarted their stalled behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI TO VISIT JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Tokyo (Japan) and Seoul (RoK) from November 24 - 27. This will be Wang Yi's first visit to Japan since Yoshihide Suga became Japan's new prime minister. He is expected to meet with Suga during his two-day trip and also meet his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on November 24.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-CANADA: CONFERENCE IN CANADA TO DEMAND THE RELEASE OF MENG WANZHOU OF HUAWEI A Zoom conference with a scheduled six speakers is being held in Canada on November 24 evening to 'Free Meng Wanzhou', CFO of Huawei on the second anniversary of her house arrest.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ETHIOPIA: CHINESE WORKERS EVACUATED FROM TIGRAY IN ETHIOPIA The South China Morning Post (November 24) reported that about 600 Chinese citizens have been evacuated from the conflict-ridden Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE SOE INITIATES RESTRUCTURING PLAN TO RESOLVE NEARLY 150 BILLION YUAN (US$ 22 BILLION) DEBT Creditors of Peking University Founder Group Corp. (PUFG) approved a plan (November 19) to restructure the state-owned industrial and investment conglomerate as part of its efforts to resolve its nearly 150 billion yuan ($22 billion) debt pile.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW TASK FORCE TO TIGHTEN SCRUTINY OF UNFAIR COMPETITION AND MARKET DOMINANCE BY TECH GIANTS LIKE ALIBABA AND TENCENT Caixin reported (November 21) that China's State Council approved the establishment of a new committee led by the State Administration for Market Regulation and comprising 17 central government ministries and departments to combat unfair competition as regulators tighten scrutiny of market dominance built up by tech giants such as Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA VACCINATES 1 MILLION PEOPLE WITH COVID-19 VACCINES On November 17, Sinopharm Chairman Liu Jingzhen revealed that nearly one million people had been given its COVID-19 vaccines, which are still under Phase III clinical trials.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DIRECTOR OF THE CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE SAYS IN PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE THAT THE PARTY IS MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIALS The People’s Daily published (November 20) an editorial by Ding Xuexiang explaining the Party’s recommendations for the 14th Five-Year Plan. Ding Xuexiang reminded officials that they are meant to be implementing six big economic programs over the next 15 years.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PB MEMBER AND PARTY SECRETARY OF XINJIANG CHEN QUANGUO MISSES TWO MEETINGS IN BEIJING Chen Quanguo, Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region and Politburo member did not attend the Chinese Communist Party's 2-day meeting to implement "Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law" held earlier in the week beginning November 16. Normally, the 25 members of the Politburo, including all seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, would attend.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND NPC CHAIRMAN LI ZHANSHU VISITS SHANXI TO PROPAGATE 'XI JINPING THOUGHT ON RULE OF LAW' National People’s Congress Chairman and PBSC member Li Zhanshu concluded a three day inspection tour to Shanxi Province on November 18. Li Zhanshu stressed that policymakers everywhere need to get to work implementing Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PREMIER HAN ZHENG PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY The People’s Daily on November 19, published an article by Executive Vice Premier Han Zheng, laying out his thoughts on the Party’s 2035 vision.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG MEETS FIVE PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS TO GET SUGGESTIONS ON ECONOMIC POLICY On November 21, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang convened a meeting with five provincial governors to get their suggestions on economic policy in preparation for the Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC) to be held in December.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SAYS AT APEC SUMMIT THAT CHINA IS OPEN TO JOINING TPP Addressing the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted virtually from Kuala Lumpur on November 20, Xinhua reported that Chinese President “highlighted promoting openness and inclusiveness, accelerating innovation-driven growth, enhancing regional connectivity, and pushing for mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VIRTUALLY ADDRESSES G-20 SUMMIT Chinese President Xi Jinping virtually sat down with other heads of state for the G20 Riyadh Summit on November 22 where he opened with some general comments.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-EUROPE: CHINESE MEDIA CONGLOMERATE CMG OPENS OFFICE IN BRUSSELS Politico reported on September 8 that the China Media Group (CMG), the state media super-conglomerate created in March 2018 through the merger of three major media groups, including China Central Television, China National Radio and China Radio International, is planning to open a European office in Brussels.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA ACCUSES TAIWAN OF ESPIONAGE OPERATIONS AGAINST IT The CCP-owned Global Times on October 11 -- the day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's National Day speech -- introduced the first of is 3-part expose on Taiwan's espionage activities in China with an editorial comment.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN PRESIDENT TSAI ING-WEN'S NATIONAL DAY SPEECH DOESN'T MENTION "CHINESE PRESIDENT" BUT REFERS ONLY TO "THE LEADER ACROSS THE STRAIT" Taiwan President Tsai ing-wen's National Day speech (October 10) in its penultimate section on International Relations included the comment For some time we have all been paying close attention to changes in regional security.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: MING PAO QUOTES CHINESE THINK-TANK AS SAYING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN US AND CHINA NEARLY SUSPENDED BUT GLOBAL TIMES SAYS THEY ARE OPEN Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao on October 8, quoted Wu Shicun, President of the National Institute for the South China Sea Studies, as saying that bilateral crisis management and control mechanisms between China and the US were nearly suspended amid all-out confrontation between the two sides, which could lead to misfires if soldiers on both sides clash at sea.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SHENZHEN WILL BE THE FIRST CHINESE CITY TO TEST PBoC'S NEW DIGITAL YUAN China’s megacity of Shenzhen will use the People's Bank of China's new digital yuan to provide 10 million yuan (US$ 1.5 million) of coupons to residents as part of ongoing pilot programs to test the virtual currency in a sign that it is approaching widespread rollout.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S BOX OFFICE TAKINGS HIT SECOND HIGHEST EARNINGS EVER DURING 'GOLDEN WEEK' The Chinese box office raked in CNY3.9 billion (US$ 581 million) over the eight-day public holiday that ended on October 8, the second highest amount ever for the golden week after last year's takings of CNY4.5 billion. Patriotic blockbuster 'My People, My Homeland', the sequel to last year's 'My People, My Country', hit the screens on October 1. It came top with takings of CNY1.9 billion (US$ 283 million).
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S DOMESTIC TOURISM PICKS UP Data from China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed that there were 637m trips in China over the eight-day holiday this year, which ended on October 8, generating revenue of Rmb466.6bn ($69.5bn).
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG RECEIVES OVER 15 MILLION VISITORS DURING GOLDEN WEEK HOLIDAYS Local authorities said that tourism to Xinjiang during the Golden week went up 10.78 per cent from the same period last year on a comparable basis. Xinjiang's Culture and Tourism Department said that the tourism revenue during the holiday from October 1 to 8 reached 8.41 billion yuan (about US$ 1.24 billion).
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: 39 COUNTRIES CONDEMN CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TIBET, XINJIANG AND HONGKONG IN UNGA In the declaration drafted by Germany and presented at the UN General Assembly in New York on October 6, 39 predominantly Western countries denounced China for gross human rights violations in Xinjiang and the Tibet Autonomous Region and for limiting political and personal freedoms in Hong Kong.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBET MILITARY REGION IS TOP PRIORITY FOR RECEIVING MILITARY EQUIPMENT, WINTER CLOTHING AND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BARRACKS The South China Morning Post (October 10) cited a Chinese military source as saying that, counter to the usual practice of giving the latest equipment first to army units of the Eastern and Northern Theatre Commands, frontline troops in western Tibet are now “the top priority” for the PLA logistics department.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA INSTRUCTED NOT TO DISCUSS OR COMMENT ON U.S. ELECTIONS AT ALL Quoting a Chinese a military source, the South China Morning Post said the PLA has instructed its 'propagandists' to steer clear of US election coverage to ensure their reports are not “misread as taking sides” in the presidential race.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: SOUTH KOREAN COMPANIES RELUCTANT TO MOVE OPERATIONS BACK TO ROK South Korea’s ramped-up efforts to get companies to relocate home from China are failing to gain momentum even as the pandemic and U.S.-China trade tensions highlight the risks of over-reliance on China as a manufacturing base.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN TO EXERCISE STRICTER CONTROLS ON GRANT OF VISAS TO PREVENT TECHNOLOGY THEFT BY CHINA According to the Yomiuri Shimbun (October 5), the Japanese government will from 2021, be more strict in reviewing the visa applications of international university students and foreign researchers in order to prevent advanced technology and information from flowing to China.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-GERMANY: HIGH-RANKING GERMAN OFFICIAL SUPPRESSED SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORT ON CHINA'S GROWING INFLUENCE IN GERMANY The business news service Axios disclosed on October 6, that it had learnt that a high-ranking German official suppressed a sensitive intelligence report in 2018 on China’s growing influence in Germany out of fear it would damage business ties with China.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: USCESRC LIST REVEALS THERE ARE 13 CHINESE SOES AMONG 217 CHINESE COMPANIES LISTED ON NASDAQ, NY STOCK EXCHANGE AND NYSE AMERICAN The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCESRC) released an updated list of Chinese companies listed on the three largest U.S. stock exchanges i.e. NASDAQ, New York Stock Exchange, and NYSE American on October 2.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY'S 'ZHONG SHENG' COMMENTARY CALLS ON U.S. FOR DIALOGUE A People's Daily 'Zhong Sheng' commentary on August 31 said "There’s no doubt that communication is the only thing that stops lies, and dialogues the only way to avoid misjudges. Slandering others doesn't proves one's innocence, and blame games won’t help solve problems.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: THREE MEASURES AGAINST THE CCP ANNOUNCED AROUND CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY ON OCTOBER 1 The Epoch Times (October 3) reported that the U.S. released three major measures against the CCP around October 1, which is China’s National Day. On October 2, the U.S. Immigration Service issued a policy announcement prohibiting Communist Party members and those who have joined the Communist Party from applying for U.S. immigration status.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN ITS FIRST EVER THREAT ASSESSMENT DECLARES U.S. FACES "MOST LONG-TERM STRATEGIC THREAT" FROM CHINA The Voice of America reported (October 7) that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a first-of-its-kind Homeland Threat Assessment on October 7.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: LEADING CHINESE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SCHOLAR ADVISES CHINA NOT TO FIGHT IDEOLOGICAL BATTLES WITH U.S. The South China Morning Post on October 7 reported that Yan Xuetong, Dean of Tsinghua University’s Institute of Modern International Relations in Beijing, published an article in the latest issue of its Quarterly Journal of International Politics which said China should stop fighting ideological battles with the United States and trying to prove the superiority of its political system.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CASS RESEARCHER SAYS LADAKH WILL NOW BE A DISPUTED AREA AND ITS OWNERSHIP WILL BECOME PART OF BORDER NEGOTIATIONS An important statement was made by Zhang Ning, a Research Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), in an article in the 'China Industry Circle' magazine on October 3.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CASS ANTICIPATES SHORTFALL OF 135 MILLION METRIC TONS IN GRAIN SUPPLIES FOR 2035 At a "China Rural Development Report 2020" conference and the "14th Five-Year Plan" China Rural Development High-level Forum in Beijing on August 17, jointly held by the Rural Development Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Social Sciences Press the "Report on China's Rural Development 2020" was issued in preparation for writing the 14th five-year plan for 2021-25.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA'S AGRICULTURE IMPORTS RISE BETWEEN JANUARY AND JULY 2020 Earlier, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on September 9, 2020, that China's agricultural imports for January-July 2020 totalled $96.2 billion, up 13 per cent from the same period a year earlier.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: SICHUAN ISSUES REGULATIONS TO REGULATE ALL ASPECTS OF FOOD SUPPLY Well-known Chinese news site Sohu reported (September 27) that the Sichuan provincial people’s congress proposed a new law to regulate all aspects of the food supply, including agricultural production, storage, distribution, quality assurance, emergency safeguards, and legal responsibilities for key players.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S LARGEST CHIP MANUFACTURER IMPACTED BY U.S. TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON SMIC'S SUPPLIERS Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), China’s largest computer chipmaker, has been caught in the escalating China-U.S. tech war as it was hit by U.S. trade restrictions limiting access to American suppliers.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NUMBER OF BILLIONAIRES IN CHINA RISES BY 41 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR The Nikkei Asian Review on October 7, reported that the wealth of China's ultrarich had jumped 41% from April 2019 to the end of July 2020, helping the country's richest citizens to collectively break the $1.5 trillion mark and boost global billionaire wealth to a record high.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA PURCHASES HIGHEST NUMBER OF JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BONDS IN THREE AND A HALF YEARS China has raised its purchases of Japanese government bonds (JGBs) to the highest level in three and a half years, in an apparent effort to reap greater yields on Beijing’s massive reserves of foreign currencies.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA OFFICIALLY CLAIMED HIGH VOLUME OF VISITORS TO LHASA OVER NATIONAL DAY Official Chinese figures estimated that over 1.4 million domestic visitors visited Lhasa, capital of the TAR, over the National Day weekend.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR PARTY SECRETARY VISITS BAYI IN NYINGCHI TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie visited Bayi, capital of Nyingchi Prefecture, on October 1, where he met the Secretaries of all the Party Committees and briefed them on the 'spirit' of the Seventh Tibet Work Forum.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARIES 'EXPANDING' XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT THIRD CENTRAL XINJIANG WORK SYMPOSIUM The People's Daily published four commentaries 'expanding' Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the recent Third Central Xinjiang Work Symposium between September 28 and October 1.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: DRONES SUPPLY FOOD TO POSTS ON BATTLEFRONT AT MOTUO IN TIBET The Global Times (October 6) reported that the PLA ground forces had for the first time used 10 UAVs — or drones — to provide logistic support to soldiers stationed at the remote Motuo region in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA OFFICER SAYS PARTY COMMITTEES IN PLA UNITS ARE IMPROVING THEIR SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES Liu Haitao, identified only as an officer of a Brigade of the PLA's 79th Group Army wrote in China Militarynet on October 5, highlighting that "the method of military training is the most important thing and plays a key role in determining whether the army can fight and win battles".
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: NEW ASSISTANT MINISTER IN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (MoFA) Wu Jianghao who was Director of the Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2017-2020 has been promoted as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SEEKS OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PEOPLE IN FINALISING 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN The People's Daily on September 26, reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had for the first time in history issued "important instructions" that opinions and suggestions be solicited "from all of society" in the process of drawing up the five-year plan.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-EU: EUROPEAN POLITICIANS AND INTELLECTUALS PUBLISH OP-ED IN LE MONDE CRITICISING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN XINJIANG European politicians and intellectuals, mostly on the progressive Left, published a powerful October 1 Op-Ed in Le Monde denouncing the crime against humanity in Xinjiang.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-BANGLADESH: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND BANGLADESH COUNTERPART EXCHANGE CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES Exchanging congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh on October 4, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he stands ready to work with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Md. Abdul Hamid, to better align the two countries' strategies and jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road, so as to take the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: PLA LT. GENERAL HE LEI WRITES IN GLOBAL TIMES ON OCTOBER 1 LAUDING THE CHINESE ARMED FORCES ROLE AGAINST THE U.S. IN THE KOREAN WAR Lt General He Lei, a former Deputy Commander of the Lanzhou Military Region and Vice President of the PLA Academy of Military Science, published an article in the Global Times on October 1, highlighting China's role in the Korean War against the U.S. Saying that the People's Volunteer Army (PVA) "won a great victory in the war", which demonstrated the national prestige of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the military power of the people's army.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES RULES THAT ANYONE BELONGING OR AFFILIATED TO A COMMUNIST PARTY OR OTHER TOTALITARIAN PARTY IS INADMISSABLE TO THE U.S. The US State Department issued a notice on October 2, 2020, which states that "The inadmissibility ground for membership in or affiliation with the Communist or any other totalitarian party1 is part of a broader set of laws passed by Congress to address threats to the safety and security of the United States.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S ONLY CHIP MANUFACTURER INCREASES IMPORTS TO BUILD A STOCKPILE FOR FUTURE Sina reported on October 4, that Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China's partially state-owned publicly-listed semiconductor foundry company, is scaling up its procurement from upstream suppliers in the United States, Europe, and Japan, with a size exceeding a full-year’s demand for 2020.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: POLITICAL COMMISSAR OF NDU WRITES IN GUANGMING DAILY URGING PARTY'S ABSOLUTE LEADERSHIP OVER ARMY AND STUDY OF XI JINPING'S MILITARY THOUGHTS Wu Jieming, Political Commissar of the National Defense University and Director of the Research Center of Xi Jinping thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics and an Alternate Member of the 19th CCPCC wrote an important lengthy 3079-word article in the Guangming Daily (October 4) emphasising the that "Mastering ideological education is the central link in uniting the whole party in a great political struggle."
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: FORMER MONGOLIAN PRESIDENT PUBLICISES HIS LETTER ADDRESSED TO CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING HAS BEEN RETURNED BY THE CHINESE EMBASSY The Central News Agency reported (September 26) that former Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj recently wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping to protest against the authorities’ push for the use of Chinese teaching materials in Inner Mongolia.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA-APPOINTED PANCHEN LAMA HAS HECTIC PROGRAMME (SEPTEMBER 15-27) IN SHIGATSE PREFECTURE The China-appointed Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu, who has been in Tibet for probably the longest uninterrupted stay yet, reached Shigatse on September 15, and gave an audience to the monks of the Tashi Lhunpo monastery the same day.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE DISSIDENT CLAIMS CCP "HARDLINERS" HAVE CIRCULATED 8 MEASURES PURPORTEDLY DISCUSSED AT BEIDAIHE Writing in the Apple Daily's Special Column on September 2, Chinese TAM dissident Wang Dan said that a rumour circulating on the internet claimed that after the August 2020 Chinese leadership conference at the Beidaihe seaside resort, some unidentified "hardliners" in the CCP had posted “Eight Policies to Resist the United States" They claimed these had been proposed at Beidaihe.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE APPREHEND US PRESIDENT TRUMP MIGHT SPARK CONFLICT IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO US ELECTIONS A Beijing-based Chinese observer said in the third week of September that many people residing in China and Taiwan are anticipating an ’October Surprise’ as the U.S. election nears this year.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT WANG QISHAN'S AIDE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR CORRUPTION The South China Morning Post reported on October 2, that the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) had announced on October 2, that Dong Hong, a senior Chinese government inspector and long-time colleague of Vice-President Wang Qishan including when the latter was President Xi Jinping’s anti-graft tsar, has been placed under a corruption probe.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING THOUGHT NOW COMPULSORY COURSE IN 37 ELITE UNIVERSITIES ACROSS CHINA Nikkei Asia Review reported (October 4) that the Party theoretical fortnightly in its September 1 edition publicised that Chinese President Xi Jinping's philosophy will henceforth be taught at elite universities.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TAJIKSTAN: CHINA'S CLAIMS EXPAND TO INCLUDE TAJIKSTAN'S PAMIR MOUNTAINS In an article published in The Interpreter of the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, on September 23, Suzanne Levi-Sanchez said that a Chinese diplomat recently stated that the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan belonged to China and always have.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY SPECIAL COMMENTARY CRITICISES "EXTREME ANTI-CHINA US POLITICIANS" FOR "ATTACKING CCP AND CHINA'S POLITICAL SYSTEM" The People’s Daily on September 20, published the eighth Zhong Sheng commentary in its series on “Correctly Viewing and Properly Handling China-US Relations.”
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: US FEDERAL TEMPORARILY BLOCKS BAN ON TIK TOK A US Federal district judge blocked a key part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s TikTok ban from going into effect on September 27 night, even as its Chinese parent ByteDance has yet to form a plan for the popular video app that would satisfy either Washington or Beijing.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: US IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON TAIWAN'S SMIC The U.S. imposed export restrictions on Taiwan's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) adding to tensions between with China over the critical industry. U.S. firms must now apply for a license to export certain products to China’s largest chipmaker, the Commerce Department said in a letter dated September 25, reviewed by Bloomberg News.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: LEADING CHINESE A.I. EXPERT IN U.S. RETURNS TO PEKING UNIVERSITY Professor Zhu Songchun, an award-winning expert in computer vision at the University of California at Los Angeles, has joined Peking University to lead its Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the university said in a statement issued on September 25.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA RETALIATES WITH RESTRICTIONS ON US DIPLOMATS MEETING HONGKONG OFFICIALS OR EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL The South China Morning Post reported (September 27) that Beijing has put in place retaliatory measures that American diplomats must obtain approval from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can meet with Hong Kong government officials or personnel from the city’s educational institutions and societies.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE OFFICIAL MEDIA RECALLS KOREAN WAR AND SAYS CHINA THEN WAS NOT AFRAID TO FIGHT THE U.S. Xiakedao, the WeChat account of People’s Daily overseas edition, wrote that it is necessary for the Chinese public to re-study the Korean War and China’s decision to fight the Americans.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-US: VICE PRESIDENT OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY THINK-TANK WARNS AGAINST "MISJUDGEMENT" AND SAYS THAT AMERICAN POWER IS NOT ON THE WANE The South China Morning Post (September 30) reported the remarks of Yuan Nansheng, China's former Consul General in San Francisco and Vice President of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), a think-tank of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in an article posted on September 20, 2020, on the official Wechat account of Peking University's Institute of International and Strategic Studies outlining what he assessed would be the key changes that would reset bilateral relations once the pandemic is over.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE SELLER OF BOTTLED SPRING WATER BECOMES CHINA'S RICHEST MAN Zhong Shanshan, President of Hangzhou-based Nongfu Spring, has overtaken Alibaba's Jack Ma to become the nation's richest person after a surge in his company's share price boosted his fortune to almost $60bn according to Bloomberg estimates.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY SHOWING SIGNS OF PLATEAUING IN SEPTEMBER Caixin said (September 28) that China’s economic rebound showed signs of plateauing in September, weighed down by lacklustre home and car sales, a weaker stock market and worsening business confidence.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHINESE AUTHORITIES NOW TARGET UTSULS COMMUNITY OF MUSLIMS IN HAINAN The South China Morning Post reported on September 28 that the latest moves of Chinese authorities are now to target the small and little-known community of Utsuls, who are Muslims, in Hainan.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CURBS ON PRACTICE OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM BY ETHNIC TIBETANS IN CCP AND TAR GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL RFA quoted (September 28) sources as reporting that ethnic Tibetan members of the CCP, government workers, and students are now routinely denied access to monasteries and temples in many parts of Tibet. Penpa Dhondup, Director of the Archives of the Tibet Autonomous Region, was recently fired from his post for affirming his faith in Tibetan Buddhism.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA TO ISSUE COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS ON 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN WAR The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee (CC), State Council and Central Military Commission (CMC) announced (September 24) that commemorative medals will be issued on the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's participation in the Korean War (1950-53) against the US and will be awarded to living Volunteer Army veterans who had fought in the war.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC TO MEET IN NOVEMBER Xinhua reported on September 29, that the Standing Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will convene its 14th meeting in early November in Beijing.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE TO MEET FOR ITS 22ND SESSION IN BEIJING FROM OCTOBER 13-17 The 13th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will convene for its 22nd session from October 13 to 17.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP 19TH CC PLENUM ON OCTOBER 26-29, 2020 At a meeting on September 28, the CCP CC Politburo announced that the Fifth Plenary session of the CCP's 19th Central Committee will be held in Beijing from October 26 - 29, 2020.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEETING RESOLUTION FURTHER ELEVATES XI JINPING'S POSITION The Politburo meeting held on September 28, said that the “enactment of the regulations on the work of the CPC Central Committee 《中国共产党中央委员会工作条例》 is essential to upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, and its centralized and unified leadership, according to the meeting.”
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-FOUNDING DAY The People's Daily front-paged a report on October 1, of the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China on October 1, 2020. Other national newspapers like China Economic Daily etc. also carried similar reports on their front pages.
Oct 2020 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPAL'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO CHINA DISMISSES INDIAN MEDIA REPORTS ON NEPAL-CHINA RELATIONS AS "FAKE" In an interview with Global Times (September 27), Nepal's new Ambassador to China, Mahendra Bahadur Pandey (Pandey) said "Nepal and China are good neighbours and good friends. Diplomatically, we established the relations in 1955.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: RETIRED CHINESE LT. GENERAL WARNS CHINA TO BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE "SURPRISE ATTACK" BY INDIA Hongkong's South China Morning Post (September 26) reported that Retired Lt General Wang Hongguang, former Commander of the PLA Eastern Theatre Command and Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region, warned on his social media account on September 23, that China should stay on the alert for surprise attacks by India along its disputed Himalayan border with India.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE CALLS ON CHINA TO BE TOUGHER WITH INDIA Writing a tough article in the Global Times (September 26), Liu Zongyi, Secretary-General of the Research Center for China-South Asia Cooperation at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, a Visiting Fellow of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, and Distinguished Fellow of China (Kunming) South Asia & Southeast Asia Institute, commented on a remark in the Hindu of a "senior [Indian] government official" that suggested, "If PLA (People's Liberation Army) comes close, Indian troops can fire."
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: HUAWEI DEVELOPING UNIT TO FOCUS ON SMART CAR SOLUTIONS Caixin (September 26) reported that there are plenty of companies in China wanting to compete with Tesla. These, it said, include Alibaba-backed Xpeng to Nvidia partner Li Auto. Caixin assessed that the real Tesla challenger may be Huawei Technologies Co.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA HOLDS ITS SIXTH MILITARY EXPO IN BEIJING China Daily reported that Sixth China (Beijing) Military Intelligent Technology and Equipment Expo opened in Beijing on September 22. This Expo is organised by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and hosted by the China Command and Control Society, and the Beijing Insight Future Exhibition Co., Ltd. The 8th China Command and Control Conference will be held at the same time.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA INCREASES FOOD IMPORTS Bloomberg reported on September 25, that the world’s largest agricultural commodity traders are making the most money in years exporting everything from soybeans to corn and wheat from American ports to China.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EFFORT TO REVITALISE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL SECTOR On September 24, China's leadership attended the 7th Congress of the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC). Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the ACFSMC on the state-owned CCTV saying it has a “Long history, glorious tradition, and role as an important force in developing agriculture and rural areas.”
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER CHINESE FINANCE MINISTER PROPOSES MEASURES FOR 'DUAL CIRCULATION STRATEGY' Former Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei spoke at the closed-door symposium of the influential 'China Economists 50 Forum' on September 15, when he shared some thoughts on China’s new economic framework – the dual circulation strategy (DCS).
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT: XI JINPING'S CLAIM AT UNGA TO MAKE CHINA CARBON FREE BY 2060 RAISES DOUBTS Chinese President Xi Jinping's assertion in his speech to the UNGA on September 22, that "We aim to have [carbon dioxide] emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060” was questioned in an article in Foreign Policy on September 25 by Adam Tooze who said "Thanks to the gigantic surge in economic growth since 2000 and its reliance on coal-fired electricity generation, China is now by far the largest emitter of carbon dioxide.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-RELIGION: OFFICIALLY APPROVED TEXT BOOK CHANGES BIBLICAL VERSION OF GOSPEL OF JOHN UCA News (September 25) said that Catholics in mainland China are upset about the distortion of a Bible story in a school textbook, which claims Jesus Christ stoned to death a sinner woman in order to respect the law of the time.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: THIRD CENTRAL XINJIANG WORK CONFERENCE HELD IN BEIJING ON SEPTEMBER 25-26, 2020 Speaking at the Third Central Work Conference on Xinjiang, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed 'that China will work hard to build a Xinjiang that follows the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era and is united, prosperous, culturally advanced, harmonious & beautiful'.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MORE JAPANESE COMPANIES APPLY TO MOVE OUT OF CHINA The Chinese-language transmission of Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on September 14, that the Japanese government’s aid program to assist Japanese companies to leave China is gaining in popularity. The first batch of approved applicants consisted of nearly 90 companies. However, by the end of July, the program received almost 1,700 applications in the second batch.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: NATURALISED U.S. CITIZEN WHO IS ETHNIC TIBETAN NATIVE OF PRC ARRESTED BY U.S. AUTHORITIES ON CHARGES OF SPYING FOR CHINA A 33-year old New York City Police officer and United States Army reservist of Tibetan origin, Baimadajie Angwang, was charged on September 21, in federal court in the Eastern District of New York for espionage on behalf of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as well as committing wire fraud, making false statements and obstructing an official proceeding.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: PLA AIR FORCE RELEASES SHORT VIDEO DEPICTING AN ATTACK BY NUCLEAR-CAPABLE H-6 BOMBERS ON A TARGET RESEMBLING THE U.S. ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE IN GUAM The PLAAF released a two minute and 15-second video titled “The god of war H-6K goes on the attack!” on September 19, of two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers carrying out a simulated attack on what appears to be Andersen Air Force Base on the U.S. Pacific island of Guam. as regional tensions continue to rise.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S REPRESENTATIVE TO WASHINGTON DESIGNATES HERSELF AS "AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON" Taiwan's Representative to Washington DC, Ms. Bi-khim Hsiao designated herself on her personal Twitter account as Taiwan's "Ambassador to Washington". She subsequently clarified that she is not an official ambassador, but "like one".
(Comment: Bi-Khim Hsiao is a close confidante of Taiwan President Tsai-Ing wen.)
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S KMT MISSES ATTENDING STRAITS FORUM FOR THE FIRST TIME Radio Free Asia reported (September 15) that Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) political party originally planned that Wang Jin-pyng, a former legislator, would lead a delegation to Xiamen of Fujian province to participate in the Straits Forum on September 16.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HU XIJIN ON WEIBO POSTS SAYS PEOPLE HAVE LOST PATIENCE AND TAIWAN NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON The Editor-in-Chief of Global Times Hu Xijin said on his Weibo account on September 21 that the 'whole mainland society has lost patience with the Taipei authorities' and they generally believe that “Taiwan independence” forces 'need to be taught a fundamental lesson'. He said 'if the other side dared to shoot the PLA fighters first, the PLA can attack Taiwan'.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WARNS IN TWITTER POST THAT INDIAN MILITARY IS NO MATCH FOR PLA In a Twitter post on September 21, the Editor-in-Chief of the CCP-owned Global Times Hu Xijin said "The PLA released the latest video of joint land-sea-air drill in Tibet region.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S OVERSEAS MEDIA COMMENT ON COMPOSITION OF INDIAN DELEGATION FOR BORDER TALKS The overseas Chinese news outlet on September 21 commented on the altered composition of the Indian team to the border talks on September 21.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: JOINT STATEMENT ON INDIA-CHINA BORDER TALKS AT LAC After the border commander talks at the Chinese Moldo post opposite Chushul, on September 21 the two sides issued a joint press statement.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: AUSTRALIAN THINK-TANK IDENTIFIES 380 NEW SUSPECTED DETENTION FACILITIES IN XINJIANG The Washington Post reported (September 25) that the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) used satellite images and official construction tender documents to map more than 380 suspected detention facilities in the remote Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, highlighting reeducation camps, detention centers and prisons that have been newly built or expanded since 2017.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST JOSHUA WONG ARRESTED ON SEPTEMBER 24 Joshua Wong, Hongkong Democracy activist and politician was arrested by Hongkong Police on September 24 evening and released on bail a few hours later.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA TO LOSE ACCESS TO YATHARAGGA SATELLITE STATION IN AUSTRALIA ON EXPIRY OF CONTRACT Quoting the Asahi Shimbun, Reuters reported (September 21) that China will lose access to the strategic space tracking Yatharagga Satellite Station, located about 350 km north of the Australian city of Perth when its contract expires. The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) had a contract allowing Beijing access to the satellite antenna at the ground station since at least 2011.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-AVIATION: PRODUCTION OF COMAC C-919, CHINA'S FIRST LARGE PASSENGER AIRLINER FACES LIKELY DELAYS AMID U.S. SANCTIONS The Central News Agency (September 22) reported that the Comac C919, which aerospace manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) developed, is China’s first domestically-made large passenger aircraft.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ARTICLE IN STRAITS TIMES IDDENTIFIES DIFFICULTIES IN CHINA SHIFTING TO A DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION-LED ECONOMY An article by Vikram Khanna, Associate Editor of the Straits Times on September 23 said "Economist Teng Tai, President of the Chinese think-tank Winbro New Economic Thinking Institute, was quoted as saying in a report in the state-owned Securities Times.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL DECIDES TO ADD THREE MORE FREE TRADE ZONES China's State Council announced a plan on September 21, to further expand the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) programme to attract foreign investment and boost trade.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES GUIDELINES ON EDUCATION CAMPAIGN THAT BEGAN IN JUNE 2019 The People's Daily publicised (September 15) that the CCP CC General Office issued guidelines for deepening the achievements of the “Remain True to the Original Aspiration, Keep the Mission Firmly in Mind” education campaign that began in June 2019.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: REN ZHIQIANG SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND HUGE FINE The Second Intermediary Court of Beijing announced on its website September 22, that 69-year old Ren Zhiqiang, 'princeling', real estate tycoon and outspoken critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping was sentenced to 18 years prison and fined about $619,000 for corruption and bribery in his previous position as chairman of Huayuan Real Estate Group.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER LIU HE VISITS CHINESE ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS Duowei News reported (September 19) that as China-US relations have got strained and Chinese technology companies such as Huawei have been hit by the US one after another, top CCP leaders held a symposium of scientists on September 11.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-UK: UK'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO CHINA ATTRACTS CRITICISM BEFORE DEPARTING FOR BEIJING Caroline Wilson, Britain's new Ambassador to China after she posted a photograph on social media holding a copy of the book 'Governance of China' authored by Xi Jinping presented by Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming when she met him. Viewers interpreted that as an endorsement of the hard-line policies of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: EXTREME POST BY CHINESE BLOGGER CALLS FOR "ANNIHILATION" OF U.S. A Weibo post in Chinese and English on September 12, by a prominent blogger “Big V” went to the most extreme of extremes, advocating global nuclear annihilation in the event that the United States curtails China’s ambitions.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. BANS NEW DOWNLOADS OF CHINESE APPS AND CASH TRANSFERS VIA WECHAT The U.S. Commerce Department said (September 18) that the US will block new downloads and updates of Chinese-owned social apps WeChat and TikTok with effect from September 200. Cash transfers through WeChat in the U.S. will also be banned.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. PROPOSES ONE OF THE LARGEST ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN The New York Times (September 17) reported that the Trump administration is pushing the sale of seven large packages of weapons to Taiwan, including long-range missiles that would allow Taiwanese jets to hit distant Chinese targets in the event of a conflict.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA HOLDS MILITARY EXERCISES IN TAIWAN STRAITS The PLA commenced joint maritime and aerial exercises and combat-readiness patrols in the Taiwan Straits on September 18.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE MEDIA ARTICLE CRITICAL OF BHUTAN An article captioned 'Bhutan is making trouble in Donglang? India frequently provokes neighbouring countries, Pakistan and Nepal' and criticising the India-Bhutan relationship was posted on the Chinese government-maintained Bajiahao portal on September 5.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: RETIRED PLA OFFICER IN GLOBAL TIMES SAYS INDIAN ARMY CANNOT FIGHT WITHOUT US SUPPORT Writing in Global Times (September 20) retired PLA Navy Senior Captain Li Jie said that despite 20,000 military personnel being infected with COVID, the Indian Army "may still insist on sending troops to the India-China border".
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: ARTICLE CLAIMS HIGH DEGREE OF DIGITISATION IN PLA WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND WITH ARTILLERY LINKED TO J-10 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT A discussion among Chinese military analysts on September 18 claimed that the PLA Western Theatre Command had a high degree of digitisation with Artillery linked to J-10 fighter aircraft. They claimed the digital combat system is not only equipped with some walkie-talkies and the like in the squad, battalion and company units, but a complete architecture built on the concept of "network cloud".
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE ANALYSTS CALL FOR MORE TYPE-15 TANKS IN PLA WESTERN THEATRE COMMAND Following the release recently by 'Yangguang Military' of photographs of comprehensive exercises in the PLA Western Theater, Chinese military analysts on September 17 complained there were too few Type-15 tanks in the PLA Western Theatre Command in contrast to the large reserves of Type-59 tanks.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY TO BUILD 2 MORE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Li Jie, a Beijing-based senior researcher at the PLA's Naval Military Studies Research Institute, confirmed at a national defense education event in Beijing, that the PLA Navy “will continue to develop and build the third, and even the fourth aircraft carriers".
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: REPUTATION OF CHINA-OWNED VOLVO AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER DAMAGED BY LARGE NUMBER OF RECALLS China Economy (September 8) reported that China-owned Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo issued multiple recalls for a total of 380,000 cars in the Chinese domestic market in the last month alone. Volvo ranked number one on the recall list in August in China.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN-RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASES YEARBOOK LISTING DETAILS OF URBAN POPULATION INCREASE China's 21st Century Business Herald on September 12, cited statistics from the Urban and Rural Statistics Yearbook issued by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, which disclosed that between 2014 and 2018, 451 cities had “urban expansion and population growth,” 87 cities had “urban expansion and population shrinkage,” 18 cities had “urban contraction and population growth,” and 13 cities had “urban contraction and population shrinkage.”
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN CHINA'S PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION Writing in the China Education Daily (September 17) Jia Hongxia, Associate Professor at Beijing Open University, stressed that preschool education is the foundation stage of basic education and lifelong education.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: GUANGMING DAILY ARTICLE COUNTERS U.S. ALLEGATIONS OF FORCED LABOUR IN XINJIANG An article by Jia Chunyang, Research Associate of the Chinese Institutes of Contemporary International Relations in the Guangming Daily (September 20) insisted that "Employment is the foundation of people's livelihood.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: YOU QUAN, HEAD OF CCP CC UFWD VISITS SICHUAN PROVINCE Secretary of the CCP CC and Head of the CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) You Quan visited (September 14-15) Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and had discussions with the provincial party and government leaders.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER ON 'EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RIGHTS IN XINJIANG' The State Council published a White Paper on 'Employment and labor rights in Xinjiang' on September 16, 2020.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: STATE COUNCIL MEETING PROPOSES SOE REFORM The State Council Executive meeting of September 18 also had SoE reform on its agenda.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: STATE COUNCIL MEETING PROPOSES BUREAUCRATIC REFORM A State Council executive meeting chaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on September 18, told provinces to reform procedures and make it easy for people and businesses that operate across province lines.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S VISIT TO HUNAN PROVINCE During his visit (September 17-18) to Hunan Province, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a stop in Changsha, where he visited: an advanced manufacturing company producing intelligent equipment; a cultural industry park; and a university.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: ANOTHER SENIOR US OFFICIAL TO VISIT TAIWAN The US State Department announced that U.S. Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach will visit Taiwan for a memorial service for former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui on September 19.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: TIK TOK'S ACQUISITION BY ORACLE DOESN'T QUELL AMERICAN CONCERNS Foreign Policy reported (September 16) that after weeks of speculation about Microsoft acquiring TikTok, the Chinese-owned app will instead be acquired by the corporate technology company Oracle. The firm will remain majority-owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, with a “partnership” with Oracle.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: US TREASURY DEPARTMENT SANCTIONS CHINESE SOE UDG GROUP The United States Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Chinese state-owned Tianjin-based Union Development Group (UDG) for human rights abuses and the seizure of land in Cambodia used in a $3.8 billion property development.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-EU: POSITIVE VIRTUAL SUMMIT BETWEEN CHINESE AND EU LEADERS ON SEPTEMBER 14 Chinese and European leaders agreed on September 14 in a virtual summit to speed up and conclude negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement within the year in a sign that the two sides are willing to cooperate in the pandemic recovery despite disputes over technology and geopolitical tensions.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE CLAIMS MORALE OF PLA TROOPS IS HIGH AND THEY ARE FULLY PREPARED In an article in Global Times, its Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin sought to hype Chinese morale by saying that PLA soldiers deployed on the frontlines receive hot meals, are fit and can stay through the winter. They have modern arms and equipment. He said "Most of them were born in the 1990s, or even 2000s.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: AIR RAID ALERT TEST IN LHASA ON SEPTEMBER 19 The Lhasa City government announced on September 14 that there would be an air raid test around noon on September 19 “ to improve the general public's conception of national defense and civil air defense awareness and in order to implement the air defense alarm test day system and test our air defense alarm facility.”
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OFFICIAL DATA REVEALS UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOWER China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published the August unemployment data on September 15 which, according to Caixin, showed that nationally, unemployment fell to 5.6%, not too far above last year's 5.2% and disclosed that only 4.8% of workers between 25-59 years are unemployed.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ANBANG INSURANCE CO., TO APPLY FOR DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION China’s once-highflying Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd. will apply to the country’s top insurance regulator for dissolution and liquidation, Anbang said on September 14.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE CHIP MANUFACTURER SMIC LIKELY TO FACE US SANCTIONS Taiwanese news site NewTalk reported (September 10) that U.S. Pentagon officials advised that the Trump administration is considering blacklisting Chinese domestic chip maker SMIC due to its ties to the Chinese military.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES IDENTIFIES FOCUS AREAS AFFECTED BY US SANCTIONS At a press conference in Beijing on September 16, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Bai Chunli, Secretary-General of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Wang Keqiang and Director of the Development and Planning Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Xie Pengyun spoke about the progress made in the first phase of China's "First Action" plan.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INNER MONGOLIA: CHINESE AUTHORITIES START SEVERE CRACKDOWN TO QUELL PROTESTS BY MONGOLIANS Chinese authorities have issued a list of 'wanted' protesters and arrested more than 130, according to Foreign Policy (September 16).
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: NINE TIBETANS CHARGED WITH 'SPLITTIST' ACTIVITIES Citing a reliable Chinese government source, the Dui Hua Foundation reported (September 14) that nine Tibetans have been convicted of inciting splittism by the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Intermediate People’s Court in Sichuan Province since the end of June 2020. Three of the Tibetans were also convicted of arson in a case first heard by the court in 2019.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: GENG XIAONIAN, PUBLISHER AND SUPPORTER OF PROF. XU ZHANGRUN LIKELY TO RECEIVE SEVERE PUNISHMENT An article in the Diplomat (September 15) said that Geng Xiaonan, a well-known Beijing publisher and outspoken supporter of the famously harassed former Tsinghua University law professor Xu Zhangrun presently under detention, is reportedly destined for “very heavy” punishment, not the 15 day maximum in an unpleasant detention cell usually imposed for minor offences not deemed sufficiently grave to constitute a “crime.”
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BACKGROUND OF POLITBURO MEMBER AND XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY CHEN QUANGUO An article in the South China Morning Post (December 13, 2019) gave the personal background of Xinjiang Party Secretary and Politburo member Chen Quanguo. It said Chen Quanguo was born into a working-class family in Henan province, a region dependent on agriculture and coal mining. In 1977, he got a firm foot on the rung of the ladder out of obscurity when he passed the college entrance exam.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT WORK: NEW GUIDELINES STRENGTHEN UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES IN PRIVATE SECTOR The All-Private Economy United Front Work Conference was held via video conference in Beijing on September 16 and prominently covered by the state-owned CCTV.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW COLLECTION OF CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S RELEASED AS A BOOK ON SEPTEMBER 10 A new book presenting a collection of Xi Jinping's speeches titled 'Excerpts from Xi Jinping's statements on Preventing Risks and Challenges and Responding to Emergencies' edited by the CCP CC's Institute of Party History and Documentation and published by the Central Literature Publishing House was released on September 10 for nationwide distribution.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER HAN ZHENG INSPECTS WUHAN Han Zheng, PBSC Member and Vice Premier went on tour to Wuhan, Hubei Province, where he pointed out that Hubei Province and Wuhan City have resolutely implemented the spirit of General Secretary Jinping’s important instructions, and coordinated the promotion of normalized epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG VISITS QINGHAI PROVINCE CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang just completed a two-day tour of Qinghai. He went there to spread the message of the 7th central Tibet Work Conference held in Beijing from August 28-29.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-SWITZERLAND: CONTROVERSY OVER AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN SWITZERLAND AND CHINA ON IDENTIFICATION AND REPATRIATION OF ILLEGAL CHINESE RESIDENTS Controversy has risen in Switzerland after revelations by the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper (September 12) of a little known bilateral agreement concluded in December 2015 between the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and it is equivalent in the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY REFUSES TO PUBLISH U.S. AMBASSADOR'S OP-ED U.S. Ambassador to China,Terry Branstad, recently sent an Op-Ed titled “Resetting the Relationship Based on Reciprocity,” but the People’s Daily rejected his request. On September 10, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and People’s Daily said the U.S. Ambassador’s article was “full of loopholes” and accused the U.S. of being ” illogical, overbearing and unreasonable” in this matter.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HU XIJIN WRITES ARTICLE STRESSING NEED FOR 'MORALITY' AS CHINA RISES On September 11 -- the day the joint press statement was issued after the meeting between India's EAM Jaishankar and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi -- the Editor-in-Chief of the CCP-owned Global Times Hu Xijin authored an article captioned 'China must be militarily and morally ready for a potential war'.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HU XIJIN CLAIMS THAT THE INDIANS ARRESTED AND RELEASED BY CHINA ARE INTELLIGENCE AGENTS On the morning of September 12, Beijing time, Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the CCP-owned "Global Times" posted on Chinese social media Weibo that sources had revealed that the Indians released by China in Arunachal Pradesh were Indian intelligence agents dressed as hunters.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CCTV PUBLICISES 'STATE OF WAR' EXERCISES BY 'INTEGRATED' BRIGADE OF TIBET MILITARY REGION The state-owned China CCTV News reported on September 11 that a 'composite' (integrated) brigade of the Tibet Military Region recently organized a full-staff, multi-subject, live-fire drill in an unfamiliar area at an altitude of 4,600 meters.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-TECH: CHINA'S CHIP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES ARE IN DIFFICULTIES Sina.com reported (August 25) that a number of 'scandalous' projects in China’s semi-conductor chip industry recently came to a halt mostly due to a lack of funding. Local governments often desperately scramble for chip projects to show their political achievements.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-SECURITY CONTROLS: SUZHOU INTRODUCES NEW 'CIVILISATION CODE' The Chinese media reported that Suzhou, a city west of Shanghai, introduced a “Civilization Code” on September 3. It consists of a “civil transport index” and a “volunteer index,” with more indices and functions to be added in the future to create a “personal portrait” for each resident to promote civility and social responsibility which would later cover civilised dining, social courtesy, online behaviour, law-abiding behaviour and food saving.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-MARITIME: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE ADVOCATES CHINA BUILDING ITS MARITIME STRENGTH Writing in the People's Daily (September 11) Zhao Yibing of the School of International Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, said it is time for China to build maritime power.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDES OVER STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE WEEKLY MEETING TO DISCUSS ADVANCING MEDICAL EDUCATION Presiding over the State Council meeting on September 9, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang described the shortage of qualified medical personnel as a big problem.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG PRESIDES OVER STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE WEEKLY MEETING Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over the State Council’s weekly executive meeting on September 9, when boosting consumption and stimulating domestic demand was discussed. Li Keqiang acknowledged that “COVID-19 has made a big impact on consumption” and that “for China to achieve positive growth this year, boosting consumption is vitally important.” He said, “Efforts should be made in line with our own national conditions to expand channels of consumption and stimulate domestic demand.”
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS CONFERENCE OF SCIENTISTS On September 11, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a symposium for scientists in Beijing. In his speech, he emphasised that China's economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihood more than ever require scientific and technological solutions, as well as the first driving force of innovation.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-SINGAPORE: YANG JIECHI MAKES UNDISCLOSED STOP-OVER IN SINGAPORE Writing in the South China Morning Post (September 9), Shi Jiangtao disclosed that Yang Jiechi had travelled to Singapore on August 20, when his hosts arranged a special excursion for him, which he suggested could have been a message about how Beijing’s assertiveness is perceived in the city-state, to a commemorative marker for China’s late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping along the Singapore River.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER'S ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY CALLS FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE WITH U.S. In a nearly 4,000-character article in the Communist Party mouthpiece, People’s Daily, on September 7, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng called upon the US for a security dialogue to prevent strategic misjudgments between the countries, as well as exchanges between their think tanks and media.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA-AUSTRALIA DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS ESCALATE The ABC has uncovered the identities of senior Chinese journalists and academics who have been drawn into the joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN FISHERMEN PROTEST CHINESE DEEP-SEA TRAWLERS FISHING NEAR PAKISTAN'S COAST Nikkei Asian Review reported (September 1) that fishermen in Pakistan will protest the arrival of 20 Chinese deep-sea trawlers that will fish in the exclusive economic zone off Sindh and Baluchistan provinces. The pressure group Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) has announced a campaign against the trawlers' arrival near Karachi as they fear the trawlers will further deplete Pakistan's marine resources.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY SPEAKS TO PAKISTANI COUNTERPART Xinhua (September 8) reported that China's Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi and Pakistani Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah spoke to each other on September 7.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ASEAN: WANG YI TO ATTEND ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM ON FINAL DAY Nikkei Asian Review (September 1) reported that Vietnam will host the meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum from September 9 to discuss Asia-Pacific security.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: SITUATION ALONG THE LAC BECOMES MORE TENSE IN CHUSHUL SECTOR Following the incident on September 7, when Indian troops forced Chinese troops advancing on the Indian position at Mukhpari Peak north of Rezang La to retreat, the spokesman of the PLA Western Theatre Command Colonel Zhang Shuili made a statement on September 7 "on the provocation of the Indian army’s illegal crossing of the line again".
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HU XIJIN'S ARTICLE IN GLOBAL TIMES Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times wrote (September 8) an interesting and less strident, but yet tough, article in the Global Times.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER EAM JAISHANKAR'S MEETING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India met H.E. Wang Yi, State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China on 10th September in Moscow on the side-lines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. Both Ministers had a frank and constructive discussion on the developments in the India-China border areas as well as on India-China relations.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN STATEMENT ISSUED STATEMENT SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE JOINT STATEMENT ON MEETING BETWEEN THE INDIAN AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS Almost simultaneous with the issue of the Joint Statement after the meeting between India's Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing issued the following statement.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS CHINA REINFORCES TROOS IN TIBET A Global Times (September 9) article reported that the PLA has been reportedly mobilizing forces, including bombers, air defense troops, artillery, armoured vehicles, paratroopers, special forces and infantry units, from different parts of the country to the bordering plateau region, a move that, it said, shows the PLA's capability and determination to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-FILMS & TV: HOLLYWOOD FILMS TO BE SHOWN IN CHINA HAVE MORE LIGHT-SKINNED ACTORS A Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Research Paper published in February 2020 has found that since 2012, when the Chinese government began allowing more foreign films into the country, Hollywood movies have cast more light-skinned actors in starring roles.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: YANG JIECHI VISITS GREECE, SPAIN AND MYANMAR Prior to leaving on his visits to Greece, Spain, and Myanmar, Politburo member Yang Jiechi gave a written interview to Xinhua on September 6.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HU XIJIN ASKS WHY CHINA HAS NO FRIENDS A South China Morning Post article (September 9) by Shi Jiangtao observed that as China faces mounting criticism, including over its aggressive diplomacy and initial handling of the outbreak, as its rift with the US worsens, Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times in an article over the weekend asked: “How come the whole world is China’s enemy?
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-APPOINTMENTS: DENG LI IS NEW ASSISTANT MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS The appointment of Deng Li (邓励) as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs was announced on September 8.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: GENG XIAONAN, SUPPORTER OF PROF XU ZHANGRUN, ARRESTED IN BEIJING On September 9, 2020, which was also the forty-fourth death anniversary of Mao Zedong, Geng Xiaonan and her husband Qin Zhen (秦真) were detained by the Beijing police, prompting Prof. Xu Zhangrun to publish an 'open' letter appealing for her release.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: REN ZHIQIANG'S TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 11 IN BEIJING The Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court announced on September 8 that the Ninth Court of the Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court will hold the trial of Ren Zhiqiang at 9:30 on September 11, 2020.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER GUO SHENGKUN HOLDS FORUM ON POLITICAL AND LEGAL PROPAGANDA The People's Daily (September 3) reported that Politburo member and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Guo Shengkun held a forum on September 2, on political and legal propaganda and public opinion, emphasizing the importance of implementing Xi Jinping’s guidance on political and legal work and public opinion.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ZHENG SHANJIE APPOINTED NEW GOVERNOR OF ZHEJIANG PROVINCE 58-year old Zheng Shanjie was appointed Governor of Zhejiang Province on September 4. He took over from Yuan Jiajun, who was promoted as Party Secretary of Zhejiang earlier last week.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI REPRINTS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S SPEECH STRESSING IMPORTANCE OF IDEOLOGY Qiushi (17/2020 dated August 31) reprinted a speech Chinese President Xi Jinping gave on March 18, 2019, at a symposium for teachers of ideological and political theory classes in schools.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CONFERS STATE HONOURS ON FOUR CHINESE DOCTORS Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders gathered in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 8, to honour citizens who have contributed to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. Xinhua reported that renowned respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan received the Medal of the Republic, the highest state honour.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER MEETING OF CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC STRATEGIES On September 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA), the Party’s top body for deliberating economic strategies which typically meets three times a year. On top of its agenda was creating a more efficient logistics system.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONTESTS CHARGES OF CHINA'S ISOLATION Hu Xijing, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times on September 6 wrote an article contesting the charge that China is diplomatically isolated. Calling it a serious misperception, he said the biggest change is the change in the attitude of the US and its 'Five Eyes' allies towards China and the intensification of border disputes between China and India which has led to a hardening of India's attitude towards China.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-UN: CHINESE EMBASSY IN U.S. CLAIMS IT IS SECOND HIGHEST CONTRIBUTOR TO UN BUDGETS The Chinese Embassy in the US on September 4, said on its official Twitter account that China has become the 2nd largest contributor to the UN's regular and peacekeeping budgets, and the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, taking part in the handling of almost all major international and regional hotspot issues.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTESTS IN HONGKONG AGAINST NSL Thousands of people took to the streets in Hongkong on Sunday September 6 to protest against the imposition of the National Security Law (NSL). The police resorted to tear gas firing. Clashes occurred between protestors and the police.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INNER MONGOLIA: MONGOLIAN COMMITS SUICIDE TO PROTEST PLANS TO PHASE OUT MONGOLIAN EDUCATION Surnaa, a 33-year-old ethnic Mongolian woman who worked for a panel of the Chinese Communist Party in Inner Mongolia's Alxa administrative unit, died by suicide on September 4, in what her family members said was an act of protest over the ruling Chinese Communist Party's plans to phase out Mongolian-medium education and language teaching in schools.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DUAL CIRCULATION STRATEGY An article in Caixin on September 5, said the idea of 'dual circulation' first came up at a Politburo meeting May 14 presided over by Xi Jinping. At the meeting, the nation was urged to “fully bring out the advantage of China’s super-large market scale and the potential of domestic demand to establish a new development pattern featuring domestic and international dual circulations that complement each other.”
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATISTICS OF INCOME DISTRIBUTION IN CHINA According to the calculations of the Income Distribution Research Institute of Beijing Normal University, 964 million Chinese people earn a monthly income below 2,000 yuan (US$ 292.50); 364 million earn a monthly income between 2,000 (US$ 292.50) and 5,000 yuan (US$ 731.10); and only 72 million people, or 5.13 per cent of the total population, have a monthly income of more than 5,000 yuan (US$ 731.10).
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The state-owned CCTV had as the caption for its programme 'Focus' on September 5, "US military aircraft "transformed" into the South China Sea, intends to escalate, provoking and causing trouble?"
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF LIAONING PROVINCE AWARDED USD 1 MILLION FOR DISCOVERING TWO NEW TYPES OF NANO STRUCTURES "The Beijing News" reported on September 6, that the US$ 1 million Future Science Award was given to Lu Ke, Deputy Governor of Liaoning Province responsible for science and technology, health, sports etc. and Academician and Researcher of the Institute of Metal Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA- S&T: CHINA TO LAUNCH NEW-GENERATION POSITIONING CHIP FOR BEIDOU NAVIGATION SYSTEM BY 2021 The State-owned CCTV reported (September 7) that China will launch a new-generation positioning chip for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) by the end of 2020.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: SUCCESSFUL RETURN OF CHINA'S REUSABLE SPACE VEHICLE AFTER 2 DAYS IN ORBIT Quoting Xinhua, the China Daily (September 7) reported that China's reusable experimental spacecraft had successfully returned after 2 days in orbit and landed at a preset site on September 6 morning. No details of the mission were released, but it was described as a complete success.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-DISCIPLINE: CHINESE PROFESSOR'S CONTRACT TERMINATED ON CHARGES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT The South China Morning Post on September 5, reported that one of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian, is being investigated by the National University of Singapore (NUS) over allegations of sexual harassment by a female employee at its East Asian Institute (EAI) think-tank.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTATOR'S ARTICLE ON CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON SEPTEMBER 4 The People's Daily published a commentator's article on September 6, captioned: 'We must insist on the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party to move forward unimpededly'.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: XINHUA PUBLICISES CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING'S NEW BOOK Xinhua (September 6) publicised that the book "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Statements on Preventing Risks and Challenges and Responding to Emergencies" edited by CCP CC's Institute of Party History and Documentation was recently published and distributed nationwide by the Central Literature Publishing House.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: EXECUTIVE VICE MPS MINISTER REFERS TO "DOUBLE-FACED" CADRES IN ARTICLE IN CHINA POLICE DAILY Wang Xiaohong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) wrote an article in the China Police Daily on August 28, two days after CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping presented the flag to the People’s Police force and delivered a 649-character (in Chinese) speech stressing the "revolutionization, regularization, professionalization of the People's Police force".
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING SPEAKS AT CHINA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRADE FAIR GLOBAL SUMMIT The state-owned CCTV telecast (September 5) Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the 2020 China International Service Trade Fair Global Service Trade Summit.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S BROKERAGE HOUSE DAIWA SECURITIES GROUP TO SET UP JOINT VENTURE IN BEIJING Nikkei Asia reported (August 31) that Japanese brokerage house Daiwa Securities Group had received clearance on August 31 to launch a majority-owned joint venture in Beijing. Daiwa is to set up a joint venture, Daiwa Securities (China), with 1 billion yuan ($146 million) in capital.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA DETAINS AUSTRALIAN TV ANCHOR The Australian media reported (August 31) that Chinese authorities had notified the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs that Chinese-Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei was arrested in China on August 14.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA CONTINUES CRITICISM OF US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO China's Guangming Daily on August 31 published an article under the caption "Why "Worst Secretary of State in American History" Gets Its Name", which referred to a recent Washington Post article which, the Guangming Daily said "listed a series of Pompeo's "actions" after the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia in the United States-including ignoring the severity of the epidemic, evading one's own political responsibility, refusing international cooperation, and trying to "throw away" China, etc., thinking that "since the end of World War II" Since then, perhaps no one has performed worse than Pompeo (Secretary of State)."
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS TELLS CHINESE STUDENTS TO RETURN TO CHINA IMMEDIATELY 15 Chinese researchers have apparently been told on September 1, that they must leave the country as soon as possible after the University of North Texas (UNT) abruptly cut ties with the organization that funds them — the Chinese Scholarship Council, which is under the Chinese Ministry of Education. UNT hasn't said why.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE PAPER ON CHINA-INDIA TIES In a lengthy article captioned 'From Donglang to Galwan River Valley: Beware of Three Changes in the Sino-Indian Border Issue' in the official Shanghai 'The Paper' on August 29, Dr. Tongyu Tao of the School of International Studies at Peking University said that there would be frequent clashes on the border between India and China because the balance of power between the two in the border area has changed.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN AND CHINESE TROOPS CLASH ON SOUTHERN BANK OF PANGONG TSO Reports essay that approx. 400-500 PLA soldiers came to the southern bank of the LAC and were challenged by Indian soldiers who saw them coming and had laid an ambush for them.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TO INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE IN PARIS THAT PROBLEMS WILL RECUR WITH INDIA TILL BORDER IS DEMARCATED Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi told (September 1) an international audience in Paris that there will always be problems with India of the kind witnessed in eastern Ladakh because the boundary wasn't demarcated yet even as he claimed China wouldn’t be the first to escalate the situation and was committed to managing all issues through dialogue.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA FRONTIER DIVISION REGIMENT IN TIBET TESTS MULTI-ARMS COMBAT CAPABILITIES AT HEIGHT OF 4500 METRES Kangba TV (Shannan) telecast a report on August 31 that a Frontier Defense Regiment of the Tibet Shannan (Lhoka) Army Division recently organized a practical and comprehensive exercise at an altitude of 4,500 meters to test the combat capabilities of the multi-arms coordinated cooperation and joint strikes systems with multiple new weapons and equipment.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV REPORTS J-15 LANDING EXERCISES ON LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER CCTV on August 30, telecast the latest training images of the Liaoning aircraft carrier where the J-15 carrier aircraft with mounted missiles took off and landed on the Liaoning and formed a formation of seven aircraft to fly in the air as part of the PLA's 'four sea areas live-fire exercise.'
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TWO MORE CHINESE STATE OWNED BANKS JOIN TESTING OF DIGITAL YUAN Caixin (August 31) reported that the Postal Savings Bank of China Co. Ltd. and China Citic Bank Corp. Ltd., two of China's largest state-owned banks, have joined the pilot program to create services for the digital currency developed by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and conduct initial tests.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER FINANCE MINISTER SAYS GENERAL PUBLIC DEFICIT IS 6.1 PER CENT AND NOT 3.6 PER CENT AS STATED BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Sina reported (August 27) and the Shanghai-based 'The Paper (August 30) that at a recent symposium of the Global Wealth Management Forum (GAMF) on “Global Economic and Financial Situation and the Future Development of the Financial Industry in Crisis”, former Chinese Finance Minister and current Director of the CPPCC Foreign Affairs Committee, Lou Jiwei, said in a speech recently that the real general public deficit is 6.1 per cent.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE PLACES OBSTACLES IN SALE OF TIK TOK The Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) released a revised export control catalogue on August 28.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Li Xiaoxin (李小新) was appointed deputy head of the CCP CC Organization Department. Ke Yousheng (柯友生) was appointed Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: INVITEES TO THE SEVENTH TIBET WORK CONFERENCE Among those attending the seventh Tibet Work Conference (August 29 - 30) were TAR Party and government officials, the 'principal comrades' in charge of the Party and government of various cities and provinces, officials in charge of the Party and government of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces and principal officials of the Party and government of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCTV FOCUS ON TIBET In its 8 pm Focus programme on August 31, the state-owned CCTV declared that according to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s evaluation at the Seventh Central Tibet Work Forum there had been "All-round progress, historic achievement" in Tibet since the Sixth Central Tibet Work Forum.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ON AUGUST 28 PUBLISHES FRONTPAGE ARTICLE ON IMPROVEMENTS IN TIBET SINCE 18TH PARTY CONGRESS The People's Daily on August 28 published a front page article under the caption: 'The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core is concerned about the work in Tibet', which summarized Tibet work conducted by Xi Jinping and the CCP Central Committee since the 18th Party Congress.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL WRITES IN ECONOMIC DAILY China's Economic Daily published (August 31) an article by He Yiting, Executive Deputy Dean of the CCP CC's Central Party School and the Director of Xi Jinping's Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, on the recent symposium of experts in the economic and social fields.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA BLAMES US FOR LACK OF GLOBAL COOPERATION IN FIGHTING CORONAVIRUS A paper by Tian Ye, Professor of the Department of International Politics, School of International Relations, Renmin University of China and Chen Zhaoyuan, an assistant researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) published by CASS on August 29, criticised the US for obstructing international cooperation to fight the coronavirus.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S PEOPLE'S DAILY ATTACKS US SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO On August 25, the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece People’s Daily, in three full pages out of a total of 20, published an extremely lengthy opinion that runs through a barrage of criticisms against U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as a response to his speech on July 23, 2020, at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ASSESSMENT OF US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOE BIIDEN'S LIKELY CHINA POLICY In an article (August 26) captioned 'Inside Biden’s China Policy' published by US-China Focus, Yang Wenjing of CICIR analysed the 92-page Democratic Party platform and said the Democrats seem to have already inherited this premise of the 'China threat'.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PANAMA: CCP HAS VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTIONARY PARTY (DRP) OF PANAMA TO STRENGTHEN FRATERNAL TIES The People’s Daily (August 26) reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Democratic Revolutionary Party (RPD) of Panama held the opening ceremony of an online seminar for party cadres on August 25.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG REVISES SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS Global Times reported (August 19) that seven Hong Kong publishers have submitted changes to their General Studies Textbooks. General Studies is a core course in Hong Kong high schools.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-INNER MONGOLIA: PROTESTS ERUPT IN NEI MONGOL AUTONOMOUS REGION The 'Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center' (SMHRIC) reported (August 30) that following the central Chinese government's decision to replace Mongolian with Mandarin as the medium of instruction in schools, hundreds of students in school uniform gathered in front of the Tongliao Mongolian Middle School, one of the largest Mongolian schools in Inner Mongolia, chanting “Our mother tongue is Mongolian.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WEALTHY CHINESE ILLEGALLY SHIFT CAPITAL OUT OF CHINA Deutsche Welle (August 25) and Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit obtained copies of documents that were leaked and which reveal that Cyprus, an EU country, approved 1,400 “golden passports” between 2017 and 2019, among which more than 500 were issued to Chinese.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CRYPTOCURRENCY VALUED AT OVER US$ 50 BILLION LEFT CHINA IN PAST ONE YEAR According to a report from the blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis released on August 20, stated that due to the impact of the US-China trade war and the devaluation of the renminbi, over $50 billion worth of cryptocurrency has left China in the past 12 months.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RARE EARTH EXPORTS PLUMMET China's Customs data showed (August 27) that China’s rare earth exports plunged 69.1% year-on-year to 1,620 tons in July, marking the lowest monthly volume since January 2015, as the coronavirus pandemic heavily hit demand for the minerals.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY LAUNCHES TWO NEW TYPE-55 DESTROYERS Global Times (August 30) reported the launch of China's reportedly eighth Type 055 and 25th Type 052D destroyers on August 30, just two days after the PLAN decommissioned two Type 051 destroyers.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT URGES PARTY MEMBERS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR 'TWO UPHOLDS' OR 'TWO SAFEGUARDS' An important article in the People's Daily on August 27, by the Party Building Institute of the CCP CC Organisation Department, emphasised the 'two upholds' or 'two safeguards'.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS WORK CONFERENCE ON TIBET Speaking at the 2-day Seventh Central Work Conference on Tibet in Beijing on August 29-30, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for efforts to build a new modern socialist Tibet.
Sep 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE AND PAKISTANI OFFICIALS DISCUSS CPEC International Department Head Song Tao and Jiangxi Party Secretary Liu Qi attended the second meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism via video call on August 20.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE MEDIA SAYS FIRST CHINA-BUILT FRIGATE FOR PAKISTAN LAUNCHED AND WILL BECOME MAIN FORCE FOR PAK NAVY "TO FIGHT INDIA" A Chinese media platform reported on August 25 that the first of the four advanced frigates built by China for Pakistan was launched on August 22.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: TIK TOK CHALLENGES PRESIDENTIAL ORDER IN LOS ANGELES COURT TikTok and its Chinese parent, ByteDance Ltd., on August 24, sued in federal court in Los Angeles to challenge an August 6 order from President Donald Trump prohibiting U.S. residents from doing business with TikTok.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE BUSINESSES GUILTY OF BRIBING US CONGRESSMAN IN US REAL ESTATE DEALS An investigation of corruption allegations against suspended Los Angeles Councilman Jose Huizar, brought to light a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving several Chinese developers seeking the politician’s backing for lucrative property deals in Los Angeles.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US DEFENCE SECRETARY'S ARTICLE CAPTIONED 'THE PENTAGON IS PREPARED FOR CHINA' WAS PUBLISHED IN WALL STREET JOURNAL The Wall Street Journal published (August 24) an article by US Defence Secretary Mark Esper with the caption 'The Pentagon is prepared for China'.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: TENSIONS ESCALATE IN SOUTH CHINA SEA U.S.-China tensions over the South China Sea escalated on August 26, with Beijing firing four medium-range ballistic missiles into the disputed area between Hainan Island and the Paracel Islands.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO HUNGARY ELECTED TO INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR LAW OF THE SEA Xinhua (August 24) reported the election of China's Ambassador to Hungary, Duan Jielong, as a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on August 24.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: JP MORGAN AND PETERSON INSTITUTE ANALYSTS FORECAST AN UPTICK IN CHINA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH The Wall Street Journal reported (August 24) that J.P. Morgan recently boosted its 2020 China growth forecast to 2.5% from 1.3% in April. Economists at the World Bank and elsewhere have also upgraded their forecasts for China.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: ASPI REPORT ESTABLISHES CHINA HAS 600 OVERSEAS STATIONS TO 'RECRUIT' SCIENTIFIC TALENT A report by Alex Joske entitled 'Hunting the Phoenix' and published by The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) on August 20, 2020, establishes that the CCP has at least 600 stations around the world that identify and recruit scientists and technologists who would be valuable to China’s quest for technological dominance.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA FIRES TWO MISSILES IN WARNING TO UNITED STATES The South China Morning Post reported (August 26) that the PLA fired the 4000-kms range DF-26B, launched from the northwestern province of Qinghai, and a DF-21D, launched from Zhejiang province in the South China Sea in a ‘warning to the United States’ on August 25.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: MAJOR MILITARY PARA EXERCISE IN TIBET PLATEAU A report datelined (Lhasa, August 25) reported that recently, a special operations brigade and an army aviation brigade under the PLA Xizang (Tibet) Military Command jointly organized the first large-scale parachute drill in an unfamiliar area on the plateau at an elevation of about 4,000 meters above sea level, in a bid to further hone the troops’ joint combat capabilities.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INNER MONGOLIA: PROTESTS IN INNER (SOUTH) MONGOLIA OVER CLOSURE OF SOLITARY MONGOLIAN LANGUAGE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM Following the disclosure of a 'secret plan' to wipe out Mongolian-language education in the Nei Mongol Autonomous Region in the final phase of a decades-long cultural campaign, protests erupted in Southern Mongolian society.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: SENIOR CPPCC LEADERS VISIT LHASA FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH TAR LEADERSHIP The TAR Party Committee disclosed on August 21, that TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie, TAR Deputy Secretary and TAR Chairman Che Dhala (also known as Che Zala and Qizhala) recently met Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and Vice Chairman of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation Discussion, in Lhasa.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 12 HONGKONG PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS ARRESTED BY CHINA COAST GUARD ON HIGH SEAS The China Coast Guard arrested 12 Hongkong pro-democracy activists on August 27 night on the high seas 10 km from Hongkong as they were fleeing to Taiwan.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: ADDITIONAL CONTROLS ON ACADEMICS AND UNIVERSITIES Peking University issued a “Notice on Regulating the Declaration and Approval of Participation in Online International Conferences Organized by Foreign Parties” on August 20, 2020.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PARTY DISCIPLINE: CENTRAL DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION COMMENTARY STRESSES SUPERVISION OF "TOP RANKED LEADERSHIP GROUPS" The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and National Supervision Commission (NSC) published a commentary (August 20) in their official magazine titled “Strengthening Supervision of the ‘Top-Ranked Leader (一把手) and Leadership Groups.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER TO TRAVEL ABROAD FROM AUGUST 25 TO SEPTEMBER 1 The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced (August 24)) that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, France, and Germany from August 25 to September 1.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S LETTER TO ALL-CHINA YOUTH FEDERATION AND ALL-CHINA STUDENT FEDERATION People’s Daily (August 18) published a letter by Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed to the All-China Youth Federation (全国青联委会) National Committee and the All-China Student Federation (全国学联).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING EMPHASISES PLA MUST ENSURE "HIGH DEGREE OF CENTRALISED UNITY AND SECURE STABILITY" A People's Daily (August 20) report on the symposium hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Anhui on August 20 said that in addition to discussing flood control and the role of the PLA, Xi Jinping also talked about the broader goals for the army for the rest of 2020, which included concentrating energy on training troops, strengthening ideological and political construction, as well as “ensuring the army’s high degree of centralized unity and secure stability.” (Para 1 of CCAS China News dated August 24 refers.)
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CONFERS POLICE FLAG AT CEREMONY AT GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE On August 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping conferred the police flag on China's police force at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He ordered them to be loyal to the Party, serve the people and be impartial in law enforcement and strict in discipline.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: OFFICIAL OF CHINESE INSTITUTE BLAMES US FOR DETERIORATION IN BILATERAL RELATIONS AND URGES IMPROVEMENT IN TIES In an article captioned 'The worse the colour, the better the inside' in the Guangming Daily (August 22), Shen Yamei, Deputy Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the China Institute of International Studies, criticised US Secretary of State Pompeo for attempting to "resurrect the "ghost" of the Cold War by launching an ideological offensive against China".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AMBASSADOR CUI TIANKAI DELIVERS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT VIDEO CONFERENCE IN BROOKINGS INSTITUTION The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, published (August 20) the text of the keynote speech delivered by Cui Tiankai, Beijing’s Ambassador to the United States, at a webinar hosted by the Brookings Institution on August 20.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS MOVES BILL TO FORBID DESIGNATING CHINESE PRESIDENT AS 'PRESIDENT' The South China Morning Post (August 21) reported that Representative Scott Perry (Rep-Pennsylvania), who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced a bill to change the way the federal government refers to the leader of China, prohibiting the use of the term “president”.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES WARNS US AND TAIWAN TO EASE TENSIONS IN TAIWAN STRAITS AND SOUTH CHINA SEA Stating that "The situation in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea is getting increasingly tense" and citing overseas media outlets that US military planes have flown to the South China Sea 67 times in a month; that the PLA started military exercises in the Yellow Sea on August 22, following its just-concluded military drills in the Taiwan Straits and will also conduct military exercises in the South China Sea and the Bohai Sea on August 24, the Global Times (August 23) said, "There have been increasing discussions on the risk of military conflicts".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBOC TO STOP EXTENDING CREDIT TO SMALL BUSINESSES A senior People’s Bank of China (PBOC) official said (August 21) that China’s central bank does not plan to expand its efforts to extend credit to small businesses in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic as the tools involved have already provided the support they needed and the economy has returned to normal.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA CONSTRUCTS SAM SITES NEAR MANSAROVAR LAKE IN TIBET The Print, based on the latest available satellite imagery provided by an anonymous analyst using the twitter handle @detresfa_, reports that the Chinese military is constructing a surface-to-air missile site as well as other infrastructure on the banks of the Mansarovar Lake in the India-Nepal-China tri-junction area near the Lipulekh pass.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA BRIGADE OF TIBET MILITARY REGION CONDUCTS HIGH ALTITUDE FIELD TRAINING The state-owned CGTN reported (August 17) that a brigade of the PLA Tibet Military Region recently conducted field training at an altitude of 5,600 meters.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: LONG-RANGE PRECISION STRIKE EXERCISES IN NGARI (ALI) IN TIBET TAR Troops stationed at the Ngari (Ali) Border Defence frontlines with elevations of more than 4,000 metres conducted long-range precision strikes exercises from August 10-14. A Combat capabilities competition was also held on August 11.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SHANGHAI DEPUTY MAYOR CAUGHT IN ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The Central Discipline Inspection Commission website (August 18) announced that Gong Daoan, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai City and head of its Public Security Bureau is under investigation for corruption.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI TRAVELS TO SINGAPORE AND SOUTH KOREA Politburo member and Director of the CCP's Foreign Affairs Office, Yang Jiechi, was in Singapore on a two-day (August 19-20) visit at the invitation of the Singapore government.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS CHONGQING TO INSPECT DAMAGE CAUSED BY FLOODS Premier Li Keqiang was in Chongqing on August 20, talking to local people and inspecting the impact of the aforementioned catastrophic seasonal flooding.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE VENTURE CAPITALIST ERIC X LI WRITES ARTICLE EXTOLLING XI JINPING IN FOREIGN POLICY Chinese venture capitalist and staunch supporter of Chinese President Xi Jinping has written an article in Foreign Policy (August 14) extolling Xi Jinping and his leadership, especially in handling the Coronavirus epidemic.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S VISIT TO ANHUI PROVINCE During his visit to Anhui province, on August 19 Chinese President Xi Jinping went to the Xuejiawa ecological park in Ma’anshan, a dam in Feidong county to inspect flood control efforts, a memorial hall in Hefei marking the PLA's campaign to cross the Yangtze River during the Chinese Civil War and the Anhui Innovation Center.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS MEETING TO DISCUSS PLA EFFORTS AT FLOOD CONTROL On August 20, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting to discuss the PLA’s efforts at flood control and disaster relief. A Xinhua report (Hefei, August 20) said that “As of Wednesday, dispatches totalling more than 1.2 million head counts from the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force and more than 300,000 from the militia had been made in flood control missions in 17 provincial-level regions.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: FBI AND US SECURITIES COMMISSION PROBE FUNDRAISING FIRM LINKED TO STEVE BANON AND GUO WENGUI The Wall Street Journal (August 19) reported that the GTV Media Group linked to former Trump political adviser Steve Bannon and exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui which raised more than $300 million in a private offering this spring that is now being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA CRITICISES MARK ZUCKERBERG OF FACEBOOK China's popular online portal 163.com on August 4, said an article captioned “This ‘TikTok Slaughter Battle’ completely tore off Zuckerberg’s mask as the ‘Chinese people’s good son-in-law’” was published widely in China's official media.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: FORMER CIA OFFICER CHARGED WITH SPYING FOR CHINA Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, was arrested on August 14, 2020, on a charge that he conspired with a relative of his who also was a former CIA officer to communicate classified information up to the Top Secret level to intelligence officials of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ADDS 38 MORE HUAWEI AFFILIATES IN 21 COUNTRIES TO ITS 'ENTITY LIST' TO EXPAND RESTRICTIONS ON HUAWEI The US Department of Commerce announced (August 16) that it would expand existing restrictions by preventing Huawei from acquiring chips made outside the US but developed or produced with US software or technology. It also added another 38 Huawei affiliates in 21 countries to its Entity List.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-UK: GLOBAL TIMES EXPANDS REACH OF HONGKONG'S NEW NATIONAL SECURITY LAW IN WARNING TO U.K. The CCP-owned Global Times (August 17) warned that "Hong Kong secessionists fleeing to the UK and promoting the "parliament in exile" severely breach and blatantly defy Article 29 of the national security law for Hong Kong" and "that those people, along with UK organizations or individuals who sponsored them, will face legal punishment no matter their whereabouts and face severe sanctions from China".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GUANGMING DAILY ASSERTS "HISTORY IS UNSTOPPABLE'' Apparently reacting to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's tweet of June 30 saying effectively that the 'one country, two systems' is no longer valid, China's Guangming Daily (August 19) published an editorial captioned 'History is Unstoppable'.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: POLITBURO MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER HU CHUNHUA VISITS TIBET The Beijing Youth Daily on August 4 reported CCP CC Politburo member, Vice Premier and 'Leader of the Leading Group of the National Census for Poverty Alleviation' Hu Chunhua's visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CAST ANNUAL MEETING ENDED ON AUGUST 15 Guangming Daily reported (August 16) that the closing ceremony of the annual meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) was held on August 15.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: STUDY BY IISS' DEFENCE NEWS REVEALS THAT REVENUES OF CHINA'S DEFENCE SoEs DECLINED LAST YEAR A report released on August 17, by two IISS researchers Meia Nouwens and Dr Lucie Beraud-Sudreau showed that while in 2018 all eight Chinese Defence SoEs ranked in the top 22 of the Defense News global list with three in the top ten, in 2019 only two Chinese Defence SoEs ranked in the top ten though all 25 figured in the top 25 of the Defense News global list.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA QUESTIONS INTENT OF PACIFIC RIM EXERCISE China's state-owned CCTV-7 on August 18 questioned the intention behind the United States' 'Pacific Rim-2020' exercise which commenced in Hawaii on August 17. It said that 10 countries, 20 ships and 5300 officers and men were participating.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA ANNOUNCES IT HAS A 'NEW ADVANCED WEAPON' The state-owned CCTV-7's Defence Programme on August 14, amid worsening tensions between Beijing and Taipei, revealed what a Chinese analyst described as ‘one of the most important advanced weapons for the Chinese military right now’.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FOUR MAJOR BANKS ARE TESTING DIGITAL CURRENCY IN SHENZHEN BBC (August 11) said that according to China’s English language official media CGTN, four major state-owned banks, including the Bank of China, China Construction Bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and the Agricultural Bank of China, have started testing digital currencies in Shenzhen.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: RETIRED FORMER CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL PROFESSOR CAI XIA EXPELLED FROM CCP AND IS DISALLOWED PENSION 68-year old outspoken retired Professor Cai Xia, a former senior faculty member of the Central Party School in Beijing for 15 years was expelled from the CCP on August 17 and lost her pension as punishment for speeches “that damaged the reputation of the country”.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STATE GRID SOE SUPPORTS GRASSROOT PARTY BUILDING Mao Weiming, Chairman and Party Secretary of one of China's largest SoEs, State Grid, wrote an article in the People's Daily (August 19) on effective ways for State-owned Enterprises (SoEs) to strengthen Party building at grassroots.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS ANHUI PROVINCE On August 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping travelled to Anhui province to inspect the extent of flooding and preventive measures taken.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: AMERICAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORT BY U.S. CORPORATIONS TO CHINESE TRAINING COLLEGE FOR JOURNALISTS The American National Pulse reported (July 31) that Several U.S. corporations and media companies have been supporting Tsinghua University’s Global Business Journalism School.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: TAIWAN CONCLUDES AGREEMENT WITH U.S. TO PURCHASE LATEST F-16 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT Bloomberg reported (August 15) that Taiwan formally signed an agreement to buy 66 of the latest model F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp. Taiwan’s purchase of the F-16s marks the first sale of advanced fighter jets to the island since President George H.W. Bush announced approval for 150 F-16s in 1992.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN FINDS THREE TAIWAN LEGISLATIVE AIDES GUILTY OF ESPIONAGE FOR CHINA The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted three former legislative aides on August 13 charged for involvement in developing a spy network in Taiwan for Chinese intelligence.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: KMT LOSES KAOHSIUNG MAYORAL SEAT Reuters (August 15) reported that DPP's Chen Chi-mai, a former vice-premier, won 70% of the votes in the by-election for Mayor of Kaohsiung on August 15, roundly defeating the pro-Beijing KMT candidate Jane Lee. Voter turnout was low.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TRADE & ECONOMY Chinese government Customs data shows that exports to India since January 2020 have fallen by 24.7% year-on-year to $32.28 billion. China's imports from India have also gone up 6.7% since January this year to $11.09 billion. Consequently, total trade with India has registered a slightly lower 18.6% drop since the beginning of 2020 to $43.47 billion.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE NATIONAL ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND ESPIONAGE Indian authorities arrested Luo Sang, a Chinese national, on charges of money laundering on August 4, night in a raid by the Income Tax Department for money laundering and representing fake Chinese companies in hawala transactions. He was earlier reported to have been arrested by the Delhi Police on spying charges in 2018.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO INDIA PLAYS DOWN CHINESE INTRUSIONS AT LAC AND PUTS ONUS FOR THE SITUATION ON INDIA China's Ambassador to India Sun Weidong wrote in the July issue of the China-India Review published by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi that: "In any relationship, there are ups and downs.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US-CHINA BUSINESS COUNCIL SURVEY CLAIMS 70 PER CENT OF U.S. COMPANIES IN CHINA ARE POSITIVE ABOUT OUTLOOK FOR NEXT 5 YEARS Caixin (August 15) that a US-China Business Council survey released on August 11 showed that nearly 70% of member companies said they are optimistic about the five-year business outlook in China. The survey showed that 83% counted China as either the top priority for their company’s global strategy or among the top five.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA-US OCEAN FREIGHT RATES RISE AS CHINESE EXPORTERS AND U.S. CUSTOMERS STOCK UP ON GOODS TO AVOID POSSIBLE TARIFF INCREASES Chinese Customs data, according to Caixin (August 14) showed that ocean shipping rates between China and the U.S. have soared in the last three months as Chinese exporters and their American customers' race to stock up on goods over concerns about potential new tariffs during a season that is already one of the industry’s busiest.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FEARS RISE OF POTENTIAL U.S. PUNITIVE ACTION IN FINANCIAL SECTOR Reuters reported (August 15) that fears are rising in China of a deepening financial war as relations with the US deteriorate. Chinese officials and economists have in recent months been unusually public in discussing worst-case scenarios under which China is blocked from dollar settlements, or Washington freezes or confiscates a portion of China’s huge U.S. debt holdings.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV REPORTS ON MILITARY EXERCISES IN TAIWAN STRAIT AND SOUTH CHINA SEA The state-owned CCTV (August 13) reported that China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) website had released the news that the PLA Eastern Theater Command recently 'deployed multiple services and multiple directions in a system to organize actual combat exercises in the Taiwan Strait and the north and south to further test and enhance the joint combat capabilities of multiple services'.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: RADIO FREE ASIA REPORTS CHINA HAS BUILT TOILET ON SITE OF DEMOLISHED MOSQUE Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (August 13) that a public toilet has been erected on the site of the demolished Tokul mosque in Atush (in Chinese, Atushi) city, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBET BUILDS BORDER DEFENCE VILLAGE AT TSONA ON BORDER WITH INDIA'S ARUNACHAL PRADESH A report in the Global Times (August 11) mentioned that border regions including Shannan Prefecture are stepping up efforts in relocating people to the border to boost both national security and quality of life. Budo, Deputy Party Secretary and Chief of the County told Global Times that Cona plans to relocate 3,222 people of 960 families to the "weakly controlled areas on the borders" on a voluntary basis.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI VISITS TIBET The South China Morning Post on August 16 reported that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited Tibet where he praised Tibet’s achievements under President Xi Jinping, especially in securing the border with India.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CALLS FOR ATTRACTING AND DEVELOPING MORE S&T TALENT The Study Times (August 14) reported that addressing the expert and scholar symposium on June 2, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasised the need to deepen the reform of the scientific research personnel development system and mechanism, improve the discovery, training, and incentive mechanism for strategic scientists and innovative scientific and technological personnel, and attract more outstanding talents to the scientific research team.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING VISITS YUCUN VILLAGE IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE AND EMPHASISES A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT A Commentator's article in China's Economic Daily (August 15) reported the visit by CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping to Yucun, Anji County, Zhejiang Province.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING WRITES IN QIU SHI'S 16TH ISSUE DATED AUGUST 16 Xinhua (August 15) publicised that an article by President Xi Jinping on opening new horizons of the Marxist political economy in contemporary China would be published in the 16th issue of the Qiushi Journal to be issued on August 16.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE ADVISES CHINA TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AGAINST U.S. The Global Times on August 12 published an article by Zhu Feng, Executive Director of the China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University, which suggested that 'the China-US relationship shouldn't be kidnapped by US right-wing forces.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES ACCUSES US CUSTOMS OF "BRUTALLY" INSPECTING A CONSIGNMENT OF CHINA'S UN PERMANENT MISSION A Global Times (August 11) article captioned 'US rudely unpacks official furniture ordered by Chinese Mission to UN', reported that the 'US brutally unpacked a container with 60 pieces of furniture (official supplies) ordered by the Chinese delegation to the United Nations and dismantled the wrappings of 12 pieces' delivering the consignment a month after the request.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S SECURITIES REGULATORY COMMISSION (CSRC) RESPONDS TO US ANNOUNCEMENT THAT COMPANIES MUST COMPLY WITH ITS AUDIT REGULATIONS Reacting to the US announcement of August 6, that it would de-list companies failing to meet auditing requirements, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said (August 9) the right way to improve cross-border cooperation on audit inspections is to have a frank dialogue.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN AUTHORITIES CONTEMPLATING NEW REGULATIONS TO BAR CHINESE ILLEGAL DREDGING OPERATIONS Wen Lii, Director of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s newly-launched Lienchiang County Chapter based on the Matsu Islands, wrote in The Diplomat (August 12) that because of growing public concern over thousands of illegal Chinese sand dredging ships in the Taiwan Strait, the Taiwan government is considering new regulations that would facilitate "sinking" Chinese dredgers seized by Taiwan’s coast guard, including for use as artificial reefs or as target ships in military exercises.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 'SPECIAL ARTICLE' IN GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS PLA EASTERN THEATRE COMMAND'S WARNING TO TAIWAN A toughly-worded "special article" published by the Global Times (August 13) reported a statement issued by the PLA Eastern Theater Command on August 13 that it would continuously organize actual combat exercises in the Taiwan Strait and "the north and south sides".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TECH: CHINESE COMPANIES HIRE TAIWAN CHIP DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS Nikkei Asian Review reported (August 12) that Quanxin Integrated Circuit Manufacturing (Jinan), better known as QXIC, and Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or HSMC, two Chinese government-backed chip projects, have together hired more than 100 veteran engineers and managers from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s leading chipmaker, since last year.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NET PROFITS OF CHINA'S COMMERCIAL BANKS DECLINE IN FIRST HALF According to Caixin (August 12) data from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) showed (August 9) that China’s commercial banks reported a 9.4% decline in first-half net profits to 1 trillion yuan ($143 billion), reflecting the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DETERIORATING TIES WITH U.S. SERIOUSLY WORRY CHINESE ECONOMISTS Reflecting the growing concern among Chinese researchers and officials of an all-out “financial war” between China and the US, with many saying the US side would have a clear advantage thanks to the dominant role of the US dollar in cross-border investments and payments, a senior Chinese economist warned of likely consequences.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NATIONAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION (NSC) FOR THE FIRST TIME PUBLISHES DETAILS OF CHINA ANTI CORRUPTION DRIVE Caixin reported (August 11) that China's National Supervisory Commission (NSC), the top government anti-graft agency, had reported to the NPC Standing Committee that China had seized 7,831 fugitives over the past 6½ years and recouped losses of 19.7 billion yuan ($2.8 billion) under a government campaign to pursue "corrupt officials and dodgy business people" who fled abroad.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FORMER CHAIRMAN OF ONE OF CHINA'S "BIG FOUR" BAD ASSET MGT COMPANIES CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION Lai Xiaomin, a former Chairman of China Huarong Asset Management, one of China’s “Big Four” state-owned bad-asset managers, has been accused of taking a record 1.79 billion yuan ($258 million) of bribes over 10 years as he stood trial in Tianjin Municipality on August 10.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: BEIJING DAILY ARTICLE DERIDES U.S. SYSTEM OF DEMOCRACY An article by Li Qingsi, a researcher at the National Institute of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China and Deputy Director of the American Studies Center, in the Beijing Daily (August 13) personally and severely criticised US President Trump, including for not handling the Coronavirus epidemic competently, and said the U.S.'s "democratic system is the democracy of capital.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: PROVINCIAL COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIAL CITES XI JINPING'S LETTER ON "RED GENES" IN ARTICLE IN CHINA EDUCATION DAILY Lu Yanqin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Zhejiang Jiaxing University, writing in the China Education Daily (August 13) said CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping had recently sent a letter to congratulate the Eighth National Congress of the Chinese Young Pioneers and pointed out that it is necessary to "inherit the red gene, cultivate new generations, unite, educate, and lead the young pioneers to be the successors of the cause of communism."
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC PROPAGANDA CHIEF WRITES ARTICLE IN PEOPLE'S DAILY PRAISING XI JINPING The official CCP mouthpiece People's Daily on August 13 published a lengthy signed article by Huang Kunming, Politburo member and Head of the CCP CC Propaganda Department, on page 6.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING RECENTLY ISSUED INSTRUCTIONS TO AVOID WASTAGE OF FOOD Xinhua News Agency and People's Daily reported (August 11 & 12 respectively) that the CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping had recently issued an “important instruction” on food waste.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: REPORTS THAT CHINA HAS INSTRUCTED ITS MILITARY PERSONNEL NOT TO FIRE THE FIRST SHOT IN ANY SITUATION WITH THE U.S. The South China Morning Post (SCMP - August 11) quoting sources said Beijing had ordered pilots and naval officers to exercise restraint in the increasingly frequent stand-offs with US planes and warships and told them “not to fire the first shot” as Beijing looks to de-escalate tensions with the United States in the South China Sea.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. TREASURY ANNOUNCES THAT COMPANIES NOT COMPLYING WITH US ACCOUNTING STANDARDS WILL BE DELISTED FROM US STOCK EXCHANGES BY END OF 2021 US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on August 10 that companies from China and other countries that do not comply with U.S. accounting standards will be delisted from U.S. stock exchanges from the end of 2021.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA SANCTIONS ELEVEN U.S. CITIZENS Bloomberg reported (August 10) that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated at the weekly press briefing on August 10 that “In response to the U.S.’s wrong behaviors, China has decided to impose sanctions on those individuals who behaved badly on Hong Kong-related issues.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: CHINA VILIFIES ADRIAN ZENZ, GERMAN SCHOLAR ON XINJIANG Global Times (August 9) personally attacked Adrian Zenz and criticised him for accusing China of "detaining" Uygurs and other minority groups or imposing "sterilization" on ethnic minorities in its Xinjiang region.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CARRIE LAM'S SON SUDDENLY LEAVES BOSTON AND RETURNS TO HONGKONG Joshua Lam Yeuk-hay, the younger son of HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, one among 11 Mainland and Hong Kong officials recently sanctioned by the US government, and a graduate student in the US, pursuing a PhD in mathematics at Harvard, seems to have abruptly left Boston in late July to return to Hongkong.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON GOODS MADE IN HONGKONG FOR EXPORT TO U.S. The Wall Street Journal reported (August 11) that all goods made in Hong Kong for export to the United States will need to be labeled as made in China after September 25, according to a U.S. government notice posted on August 11.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROMINENT PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST ARRESTED IN HONGKONG Prominent pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow was arrested on the charge of 'inciting secession' under the National Security Law on August 10 morning. Jimmy Lai, the owner of the Apple Daily who was also arrested on August 10 morning, was however released on bail of HK$300,000 (US$38,708), along with a HK$200,000 surety, on August 11 following the Apple Daily's declaration on its front page: “Apple Daily will fight on.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA GETS ITS FIRST MILITARY HOSPITAL TRAIN China's first military hospital train was inaugurated on August 6, 2020 marking the opening of China's first railway line and railway station exclusively dedicated to the military hospital train. The train's two dedicated railway tracks are connected to China’s railway network through the adjacent Chongqing-Guizhou Railway.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: RECRUITMENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (August 10) that China’s Ministry of Education issued a notice in July requiring students at local schools and colleges to watch a promotional video and a mini film that the Recruitment Office of the Defense Ministry produced.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC URGES PLA OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS TO STUDY THIRD VOLUME OF XI JINPING'S 'GOVERNANCE OF CHINA' The People's Daily (August 1) reported that "a few days ago" a notice issued by the Central Military Commission (CMC) urged officers and soldiers to carefully study the third volume of Xi Jinping.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE NEWS SITE SINA REPORTS DROP IN SHARE VALUES OF CHINESE TECH COMPANIES Well-known Chinese news site Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) reported (August 7) that, as soon as U.S. President Trump officially signed the executive order to ban WeChat, the stock price of WeChat’s owner, Tencent, instantly suffered a free fall of 10 per cent on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-NATURAL DISASTER: FLOODS CHINA'S MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES DAMAGE WORTH 144.43 BILLION YUAN BY JULY 28 China's Ministry of Emergency Management reported on July 28 that the floods affected Jiangxi, Anhui, Hubei and other 27 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: WANG YI WRITES ARTICLE IN QIU SHI PRAISING XI JINPING AND STRESSING THE NEED TO "UNITE AROUND THE CCP CC WITH XI JINPING AS ITS CORE" Qiu Shi (2020/15; August 1) published a lengthy two-part article by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi that ostensibly deals with foreign affairs but substantively serves to signal loyalty and obedience to Xi Jinping.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES POLITBURO'S 21ST COLLECTIVE 'STUDY SESSION' ON JUNE 29 Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth; 2020/15 dated August 1)published the speech Xi Jinping made at the 21st collective study session of the Politburo on 29 June.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: BOTH DEFENCE MINISTERS TALK ON TELEPHONE ON AUGUST 6 A US Defence Department statement issued on August 6 reported that Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper held a telephone call with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Minister of National Defense, General Wei Fenghe on August 6, 2020.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US HEALTH SECRETARY ARRIVES IN TAIWAN BY SPECIAL PLANE US Health Secretary Alex Azar arrived at 12.30 on August 9, at Taiwan's Songshan (Matsuyama) airport where he has received by Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kuang (田中光) MOHW Centers for Disease Control Director-General Chou Chih-hao (周志浩) and MOFA Department of North American Affairs Hsu You-tien (徐佑典). He was introduced to them by Chris Christensen.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN ANI reported (August 7) that China and Pakistan have begun an unprecedented intelligence sharing agreement to secure Beijing's influence in Afghanistan and that as China needs Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan as well as its connections to the terrorist groups operating there, Beijing has invited a Pakistan Army General to sit in at its highly restricted meetings as an observer.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PLACES HONGKONG OFFICIALS ON SPECIAL LIST The US Office of Foreign Assets Control has placed the following Hongkong officials on its updated Specially Designated Nationals List on August 7.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: TEN PERSONS ARRESTED UNDER HONGKONG'S NEW NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Ten persons including Jimmy Lai, owner of Hongkong's largest media house 'Next Digital' along with his son and senior executives, were arrested on August 10 morning in Hongkong under the new National Security Law.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: RETIRED CHINESE PLARF OFFICER CLAIMS CHINA HAS EARLY WARNING SYSTEM THAT CAN DETECT NUCLEAR MISSILE ATTACKS Kyodo News Agency reported (August 2) that Yang Chengjun (杨承军) a retired PLA Rocket Force officer and nuclear missile expert said that China has an early warning system that can detect nuclear missiles before they land and can use nuclear weapons to counterattack. The expert pointed out that at present only the United States and Russia possess this technology.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: REPORTS THAT CHINA PLANS LARGE SCALE LANDING EXERCISE AT PRATAS ISLANDS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Amidst reports that China's PLA Navy (PLAN) is planning a large-scale landing exercise in the South China Sea later this month which will specifically simulate an invasion of Taiwan’s Dongsha Islands (Pratas Islands, 東沙群島), Taiwan has sent additional Marines to the Pratas Islands.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S EXIM BANK RECALLS US$ 10 MILLION LOAN TO MALDIVES' M.P. Maldives 'The Edition' reported (July 27) that China's Exim Bank ordered the Maldivian government to pay US$ 10 million (MVR 154 million), from a loan issued to the parliament representative for Dhaalu Atoll's Meedhoo constituency Ahmed Siyam (Sun Siyam), granted via a sovereign guarantee provided by the previous administration.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TIK TOK AND BYTEDANCE'S LINKS TO CCP The Epoch Times (August 7) said a list obtained by it had partially uncovered names of members of Party committees in the headquarters of TikTok's parent company ByteDance.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SAMSUNG TO CLOSE ITS PC FACTORY IN CHINA Voice of America (VOA)'s Chinese Edition reported on August 1, that Samsung had announced (August 1) that it is closing its last personal computer manufacturing factory in China – Samsung Electronics Suzhou Computer. Over 800 employees may see their contracts end. The Suzhou factory was established in 2002.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI CLOSES MOBILE PHONE MANUFACTURE DUE TO NO SUPPLY OF CHIPS Asia Times (August 10) reported that Chinese telecom giant Huawei said production of its most advanced smartphone chips would stop in September due to US sanctions, causing a “huge loss”.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW SENIOR APPOINTMENTS AT CHINA'S FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS i) Caixin reported (August 8) that 53-year old Zhou Xuedong, former Director of the General Executive Office of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), was named Vice President of the China Development Bank (CDB). He has 12 years of experience in financial regulation and managing financial risks at the PBoC. He started at the CDB on August 4 and his duties at the central bank were taken over by his deputy Zhong Ping.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE RESEARCHER AT SHANGHAI ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES SUGGESTS NEED FOR CHANGE IN CHINA'S APPROACH IN FOREIGN POLICY Writing in the Washington Times (August 8), Gerry Shih quoted Li Kaisheng, a researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, saying in an op-ed in the Global Times newspaper this week that China should focus on its “primary conflict” — with the United States — rather than respond to every slight from other countries. Li Kaisheng said: “A lion does not swat a fly as soon as it lands on it, but a porcupine pricks up as soon as anything brushes against its back.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE DEFENCE MINISTER WARNS CHINA AGAINST CHINESE FISHING VESSELS Asahi Shimbun (August 4) quoted Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono saying at a news conference on August 4, that “The SDF will act firmly when necessary while joining hands with the Japan Coast Guard.” Asked to elaborate on what such action might entail, Kono declined, saying, “We do not want to show our cards.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI SPEAKS TO XINHUA ON CHINA-US RELATIONS Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in an interview with Xinhua (August 5) talked about worsening US-China relations saying, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), “Ultimately, [some American politicians] want to drag China and the US into renewed conflict and confrontation and plunge the world into chaos and division again.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE ON AUGUST 5, CALLS FOR "CLEAN NETWORK TO SAFEGUARD AMERICA'S ASSETS" On August 5, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement calling for a “Clean Network to safeguard America’s assets” against the threat of Chinese infiltration.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING TIKTOK AND WECHAT IN U.S. US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on August 6, effectively banning video-sharing app TikTok from operating in the U.S., saying the country must take aggressive action against the Chinese-owned platform “to protect our national security.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US HEALTH SECRETARY TO VISIT TAIWAN IN "COMING DAYS" US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar will lead a delegation to Taiwan “in the coming days” to discuss the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as supplies of medical equipment and technology, according to a statement on August 5, from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA REACTS TO PROPOSAL TO CLOSE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES i) A second Global Times editorial (August 6) again commented on the proposal with India's education ministry to review the establishment of China's Confucius Institutes in association with seven local colleges and universities after intelligence agencies raised security concerns over cooperation.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA TAKES TANGIBLE STEP TOWARDS SETTING UP A DIGITAL CENTRAL BANK Caixin reported (August 6) that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) took another step forward in its strategy to build a digital central bank by setting up a financial technology subsidiary, Chengfang Financial Technology Co. Ltd.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA ISSUES NEW RULES TO BOOST IC AND SOFTWARE INDUSTRIES Caixin (August 6) reported that on July 27, China’s State Council issued new rules to bolster the country’s integrated circuit and software industries in support of the push to expand and upgrade domestic chip-making capacity.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BEIDAIHE MEETING SEEMS TO BE UNDERWAY None of the seven Members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) has appeared in public since July 31. Also, the weekly State Council executive meeting that normally convenes on Wednesdays didn’t take place on August 5. Observers feel these indicate that the Beidaihe meeting is underway.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING SPEAKS ON MILITARY MATTERS AT PBSC 'STUDY' MEETING ON JULY 30 On July 30, President Xi Jinping attended a Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) 'study' meeting on the consolidation of defence and military modernization.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: PLAN OFFICER SAYS CCP WILL COLLAPSE IN EVENT OF WAR BETWEEN US AND CHINA IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Radio Free Asia reported (July 31) that, in an interview with retired PLA Navy Lieutenant Colonel Yao Chen, he said that if China and the U.S. start a war in the South China Sea, the CCP will soon collapse.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FIRMS REPORTEDLY BENEFIT FROM US' PPP RELIEF PROGRAMME A review of public PPP loan data by consultancy firm Horizon Advisory found that $192 million to $419 million in loans were given to more than 125 Chinese-owned or -invested companies operating in the United States. It found that many of the loans were substantial, with at least 32 Chinese-owned firms receiving over $1 million under the program, totalling between $85 million and $180 million.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: HOOVER INSTITUTION IDENTIFIES 7 CHINESE UNIVERSITIES LINKED TO CHINA'S DEFENCE-INDUSTRIAL BASE AND RECOMMENDS STOP TO SUCH COLLABORATION A report released by the Hoover Institution identifies more than 250 published research collaborations between scholars based in the United States and counterparts from seven universities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that are integral to that nation’s defense research and industrial base.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA THREATENS RETALIATION IF US BLOCKS TIK TOK On August 4, Beijing announced that any attempt to ban Tiktok or WeChat in the US would result in bans on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Youtube, Instagram, Tumbler, NY Times, Washington Post, and Pinterest in the PRC.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN URGES U.S. TO WITHDRAW SANCTIONS AGAINST XPCC AND ITS OFFICIALS China's Foreign Ministry spokesman on August 4, urged the United States to withdraw the sanctions against the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and two of its officers as the organisation and its functioning was a purely internal matter.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS THAT INDIA IS TO SEND MORE TROOPS TO LADAKH The Global Times reported (August 1) that, according to Indian media quoting anonymous sources, India plans to send 35,000 more troops to strengthen its military presence along its border with China. The reasoning behind the decision is that the Indian government found the probability of quickly reducing the tension between the two countries is getting lower.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TOUGHLY WORDED ARTICLE IN GLOBAL TIMES CASTIGATES INDIA FOR CONSIDERING CLOSURE OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES Liu Zongyi, Secretary-General of the Research Center for China-South Asia Cooperation at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, a visiting fellow of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China and a distinguished fellow of China (Kunming) South Asia & Southeast Asia Institute, wrote in the Global Times (August 4) that after the Galwan Valley clash on June 15, "China-India relations are even deteriorating".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA-APPOINTED PANCHEN LAMA ARRIVES IN LHASA Norbu Gyaltsen, the China-appointed Panchen Lama arrived in Lhasa on July 31. He visited the Jokhang Temple on August 3. The Panchen Lama is in Tibet for religious and cultural festivals to be held in 2020.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: FOOD SHORTAGES ANTICIPATED DUE TO HEAVY FLOODING World Journal reported (July 29) that about one-sixth of China’s land is soaked in water after the severe flooding. Much of these lands serve as the main grain-growing regions.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: EXERCISE IN TIBET China's Ministry of National Defence, Senior Colonel Ren Guojiang said (August 1) that “the PLA Tibet Military Command has organised day-and-night fire strike drills involving multiple types of artillery and artillery fire assault drills in high altitude areas, aiming to test the troops' long-range precision strikes and fire assault capabilities in plateau environment. The exercises mentioned above are within the annual training plan and are not targeted at any specific country.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAN EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defence, Senior Colonel Ren Guojiang said (August 1) at the routine weekly press briefing that the Naval Aviation of the PLA Southern Theatre Command during a 'recent exercise' had deployed new-type aircraft including H-6G and H-6J bombers to conduct high-intensity training during day and night time in the relevant waters of the South China Sea.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: EVENTS MARK 93RD ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF PLA The People’s Daily (July 31) published three items on the PLA highlighting the significance of the Party’s control over the PLA. Lt General Liu Nianguang, Political Commissar of the National University of Defense Technology, stressed that “absolute loyalty must be rooted in the mind and more importantly implemented in the action.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PROMOTES PLARF POLITICAL COMMISSAR TO FULL GENERAL Taiwan's Liberty Times News commented (July 31) on the promotion of Xu Zhongbo, Political Commissar of the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), to the rank of a full General. It said video footage from CCTV showed that Xu was the only officer at the ceremony accepting a promotion.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ATTENDS NON-PARTY FORUM The People's Daily (July 28) reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a forum of China’s non-Communist political parties on July 28.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO SESSION ON JULY 31 On July 31, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a "study" session of the Politburo. Speaking at the session, he said that the “modernization of national defense and armed forces must be in step with the country’s modernization process, and the military capabilities must fit national strategic needs.”
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO SESSION ON JULY 30 Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo meeting on July 30, where he urged Politburo members to take the long view. The meeting decided that in October, the Party will set goals for China to be achieved by 2035.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMAN UNIVERSITIES BEGIN CLOSING CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES The German daily newspaper Die Welt reported (July 31) that the University of Hamburg and the University in Bonn in Germany are reportedly cutting ties with the Confucius Institute (CI) by the end of this year.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: MALAYSIA TOUGHENS POSITION IN U.N. ON CHINA'S MARITIME CLAIMS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA In a note verbale dated July 26, the Malaysian mission to the U.N. wrote to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that it "rejects China's claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction, with respect to the maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the 'nine-dash line.'
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: ARTICLE IN GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO INDIA'S SUPPORT TO INDIA IN STAND-OFF AT LAC An article in Global Times (August 2) cited Chinese experts warning India of Australia's instigation on "the eased border standoff with China" after Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell said in an interview on July 30 that "Australia supports continued moves by India for de-escalation" at the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and "opposes any attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADVISES INDIA AGAINST BECOMING CANNON FODDER FOR U.S. Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin on August 1, wrote that India's eight core industries indices fell by 15% year-on-year in the second quarter.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES QUOTES CHINESE RESEARCHER SUGGESTING REDUCTION OF STAFF IN U.S. CONSULATES IF U.S. ORDERS CLOSURE OF MORE CHINESE CONSULATES Huanqiu (Chinese version of the Global Times) on July 24, quoted Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, taking a softer tone and suggesting that from the perspective of confronting China, it is not impossible for the U.S. to close more Chinese consulates (e.g. the San Francisco Consulate).
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SANCTIONS XPCC AND TWO CHINESE OFFICIALS The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corporation (XPCC), an eco- paramilitary organization that plays a central role in the development of the Xinjiang region, and two associated officials, Peng Jiarui and Sun Jinlong.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: US NOMINATES OFFICER TO MONITOR CHINESE ACTIVITIES IN ARCTIC Wall Street Journal reported (July 29) that the US State Department had nominated James DeHart, a career diplomat, as the first U.S. coordinator for the Arctic region to coordinate Arctic policy and engaging other Arctic nations in regional talks efforts to bolster the U.S. position in the Arctic.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI TELLS FRENCH COUNTERPART THAT BEIJING WANTS TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF CHINA-US RELATIONS Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 28 talked to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian about the severe problem in US-China relations.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA PLANNING AGAINST U.S. IMPOSING FINANCIAL SANCTIONS According to Reuters (July 29), a report by the investment banking unit of Bank of China said China should prepare for potential U.S. sanctions by the increasing use of its own financial messaging network for cross-border transactions in the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: HALF OF THE RESEARCHERS AT HEFEI INSTITUTE OF MATERIAL SCIENCE OF CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES QUIT ON SAME DAY A WeChat post on July 21, 2020, revealed that 90 out of 180 researchers from the Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology of the Hefei Institute of Material Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) all quit their job on June 15, 2020.
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 13 LEADING CCP CADRES PUBLISH ARTICLES IN QIU SHI EULOGISING CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY XI JINPING The latest (August 1) issue of the CCP's leading theoretical fortnightly magazine Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) published 13 articles by ranking CCP cadres expressing fealty to Xi Jinping, in addition to another article by Xi Jinping urging Party cadres and members to "Implement the party's organizational line in the new era and continue to build the party stronger".
Aug 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE RESEARCHER TAKES REFUGE IN CHINESE CONSULATE IN SAN FRANCISCO AFTER AUTHORITIES UNCOVERED SHE IS A PLA OFFICER Tang Juan, who came to the U.S. on a J-1 visa and was a researcher at the University of California, Davis, entered the Chinese consulate in San Francisco after being interviewed by the FBI on June 20 about alleged visa fraud and has remained there, according to the FBI assessment.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ORDERS CLOSURE OF CHINESE CONSULATE IN HOUSTON AND CHINA RETALIATES BY CLOSING US CONSULATE IN CHENGDU The US State Department on July 23 ordered the closure within 72 hours of the Chinese Consulate in Houston. In retaliation, China on July 24 ordered the shut down of the US Consulate in Chengdu.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO IN TOUGH SPEECH ON JULY 24 ACCUSES CHINA OF "NEW TYRANNY" Speaking at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California, on July 23 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in provocative remarks said the free world must change China or 'China will change us'.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA LAUNCHES UNMANNED PROBE TO MARS China launched its first independent unmanned probe to Mars on July 23. The probe is expected to reach Mars in February where it will attempt to deploy a rover to explore the planet for 90 days.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TIK-TOK SPENDS LOTS OF MONEY IN LOBBYING HARD IN US The Chinese owner of the popular TikTok video app, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., spent $500,000 in the three months ended June 30, up from its previous record of $300,000 in the first quarter, in a bid to fend off allegations that it is funnelling Americans’ data to Beijing.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT At a meeting of the State Council on July 22, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also talked about boosting employment. Acknowledging that the job market is presently difficult, LiKeqiang asked struggling job seekers to be flexible and consider starting their own businesses.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA LIFTS RESTRICTIONS IN MOST OF ITS US$ 45 TRILLION FINANCIAL SECTOR Nikkei Asian Review reported (July 23) that China has removed foreign ownership limits in almost all areas of its $45 trillion financial sectors, taking the country a step closer to its long-promised "big bang" reforms.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY EXPELS 'PRINCELING' AND ENTREPRENEUR REN ZHIQIANG ON JULY 23 PAVING THE WAY FOR HIS PROSECUTION The New York Times reported (July 24) that the CCP had "expelled" outspoken and prominent 69-year old property tycoon and 'princeling' Ren Zhiqiang who had denounced Chinese President Xi Jinping in an open letter posted on WeChat earlier this year saying “I see not an emperor standing there exhibiting his ‘new clothes,’ but a clown who stripped naked and insisted on continuing to be an emperor.”
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING INSPECTS JILIN PROVINCE Xinhua reported (July 23) that Chinese President Xi Jinping travelled to Jilin on July 22 on an inspection visit.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: DRIVE AGAINST 'LIBERAL' IDEAS IN HONGKONG An article in the Wall Street Journal (July 19) said that in its effort to stamp out dissent the CCP has reprimanded and, in some cases, fired teachers who backed anti-government protests in the city or supported the demonstrators on social media.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: UK SUSPENDS EXTRADITION TREATY WITH HONGKONG The British Foreign Secretary announced (July 20) that the UK had suspended its extradition treaty with Hongkong.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-EU: ICT REPORTS EU STATEMENT ON DALAI LAMA'S SUCCESSION The International Campaign for Tibet reported (July 20) the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell's statement of July 16 expressing the EU’s position on the Dalai Lama's succession. He said “The selection of religious leaders should happen without any government interference and in respect of religious norms.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TOUGHLY WORDED GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE WARNS OF DETERIORATION IN POLITICAL AND SECURITY SITUATION BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA A toughly worded Global Times (July 20) article by Zhou Wenxing, a research fellow at Shang Dao Institute for Social Research who holds a doctorate in Public Administration from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and was Asia Fellow at Harvard University, said Taiwan's 36th annual 'Han Kuang' military exercise, which began on July 13 and is based on the scenario of an "invasion" by the mainland military reveals the US role behind the island's display of its military power.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.S. CUI TIANKAI SPEAKS ON SINO-US RELATIONS TO FARID ZAKARIA ON CNN China's state-owned CGTN quoted China's Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai as saying (July 18) during an interview with Farid Zakaria on CNN that “Actually, the Chinese civilization has been there for about 5,000 years, much longer than the United States.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE RESEARCHER CHARGED WITH VISA FRAUD FOR CONCEALING EMPLOYMENT WITH PLA Song Chen, a 38-year old visiting Stanford University researcher on a J-1 visa meant for work- and study-based exchange programs, supposedly as a neurologist interested in studying brain disease, has been charged with visa fraud for allegedly concealing her job as a member of the Chinese military.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO JOINT INDIA-US NAVY EXERCISES OFF ANDAMAN ISLANDS Reacting to the joint India-US Naval exercises near the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago on July 20, in an interview in Global Times (July 21) Tian Shichen, a retired PLA Navy Captain, Vice President of the Grandview Institution and Director of the Center for International Law of Military Operations, noted Indian media reports interpreting the joint exercise as an effort by New Delhi to step up pressure on Beijing in the sea to "acquire leverage over China" and as a "strong strategic signal to China" and "a show of solidarity" between the US and India amid tensions both countries face with China.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S COMMERCE MINISTRY CLAIMS INVESTMENT IN 'ONE BELT, ONE ROAD' (BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE - BRI) HAVE RISEN The Guangming Daily (July 17) said data for the first half of this year released by China's Ministry of Commerce on July 16, showed that Chinese domestic investors made non-financial direct investments in 159 countries and regions around the world, for a total investment of 362.14 billion yuan (US$51.79 billion), a decrease of 0.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-NATURAL DISASTER: FLOODING IN CHONGQING, JIANGSU AND ANHUI IN CHINA A new round of heavy rain that started on July 17 is wreaking havoc on the middle and lower reaches along the Yangtze River.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CCTV TELECASTS FOOTAGE RELEASED BY PLA OF Y-9 AIRCRAFT TRANSPORTS INJURED OFFICER FROM TIBET TO HOSPITAL IN XIAN The state-owned CCTV telecast a video released by the PLA on its WeChat account on July 17 for the first time showing a Y-9 aircraft deployed by China's Western Theatre Command transferring a critically injured officer from a base in Tibet to a hospital in Xian.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE AND PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT INSTRUCT PARTY ORGANISATIONS AT ALL LEVELS TO STUDY XI JINPING'S THIRD VOLUME ON GOVERNANCE Xinhua (July 8) reported that the CCP CC General Office forwarded the “Notice of the Central Propaganda Department and the Central Organization Department on Earnestly Organizing and Studying the Third Volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China”.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: NEW CAMPAIGN MANDATES STUDENTS TO STUDY 'FOUR HISTORIES' According to Radio Free Asia (RFA - July 15), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched a new campaign requiring its members and school students to study the “Four Histories,” which refers to “the history of the CCP, the history of new China, the history of the reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development.”
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: NEW CAMPAIGN FOR STUDY OF CHINA'S NATIONAL CIVIL CODE The People's Daily reported (July 14) that on July 13, central departments including the Propaganda Department, Organization Bureau, Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Cyberspace Administration of China, General Office of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, and National Legal Awareness Office published a joint notice launching a program of study and education about the national civil code.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: XU ZHIYONG FORMER TSINGHUA PROFESSOR AND CRITIC OF CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING WAS FORMALLY ARRESTED ON JUNE 19 Former Tsinghua University Professor, prominent legal scholar and activist Xu Zhiyong, who has been held incommunicado for five months, was formally arrested on June 19 for “inciting subversion of state power”.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Liu Zhao was appointed Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Public Security on July 10, 2020.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S SPEECH AT INAUGURATION OF 'XI JINPING RESEARCH CENTRE FOR DIPLOMATIC THOUGHT' In a nearly 2460-word speech on July 22 at the inauguration ceremony of the 'Xi Jinping Research Center for Diplomatic Thought', Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi mentioned Xi Jinping 22 times and said "General Secretary Xi Jinping used the foresight of a great strategist" and in "Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Thought, has pointed out the direction and provided fundamental follow for the Chinese diplomacy entering the new era".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: RACE ON FOR CHINA'S NEXT SECURITY CZAR CCP cadres have begun competing for elevation to the Politburo and Politburo Standing Committee at the 20th Party Congress in 2022. A strong, leading contender is Chen Yixin, an Alternate Member of the CCP's 19th CC and current secretary-general of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC).
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINJIANG PARTY SECRETARY PUBLICLY DISMISSES US SANCTION Chen Quanguo, Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region and Politburo member, was reported by Mingjing News on July 21 to have recently made a rare appearance and made shocking remarks: "The people who sanctioned me are disgusting, and I am honoured to be sanctioned".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER PBSC MEETING TO DISCUSS FLOODS CCP CC General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) on July 17 to discuss flood management and response as the worst flooding in decades has been ravaging southern China since June and looks set to continue until August.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI CRITICISES U.S. BY NAME IN CONVERSATION WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART China's Foreign Ministry website on July 18 posted a report on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on July 17.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN APPOINTS NEW AMBASSADOR TO CHINA Citing government sources Asahi Shimbun (July 15) reported that 59-year old Hideo Tarumi, a Foreign Ministry official with close connections in Beijing has been selected as Japan's next Ambassador to China at a time of increasing uncertainty over the bilateral relationship.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES PROPOSAL TO IMPOSE VISA RESTRICTIONS ON HUAWEI EMPLOYEES AND PUTS TECH COMPANIES ON NOTICE The U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said (July 15) in a press briefing that the US will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of Chinese technology companies, including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US AMBASSADOR TO INDIA KEN JUSTER MEETS HEAD OF DALAI LAMA'S BUREAU IN DELHI ON JULY 18 US Ambassador to India, Ken Juster, on July 18, said he met Ngodup-la, Representative of Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Delhi and Secretary Gyalpo.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: FORMER DEPUTY COMMANDER OF NANJING MILITARY REGION COMMANDER SAYS INDIA'S TROOPS IN LADAKH ARE ONLY FOR 'SHOW' In an article on China's social media posted on July 16, Lt. General Wang Hongguang, former Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region, claimed that the 100,000 Indian troops deployed in Ladakh are just a show and they will not be able to sustain themselves in Ladakh in the winters.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EFFECTS OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME Caixin (July 17) reported "dramatic changes" in the Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in recent years, as Beijing’s ambitious campaign to end absolute poverty by the end of this year has led to greater urbanization and generous subsidies being handed out to those deemed deserving.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER NINE FINANCIAL FIRMS WITH ASSETS TOTALLING OVER US$ 171.5 BILLION Caixin reported (July 18) that the Chinese government had taken over nine financial companies formerly controlled by the mysteriously fallen tycoon Xiao Jianhua for alleged infractions in an unusually aggressive move to attack risks from his once free-wheeling financial empire.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE CHIP MANUFACTURER'S STOCKS RISE Caixin (July 17) reported that shares of China’s leading contract computer chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) more than tripled from their offering price in their Shanghai trading debut on July 16, as investors raced to buy into the mainland’s largest new listing in a decade.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S ECONOMY REGISTERS GROWTH Caixin reported (July 17) that China’s economy grew 3.2% year-on-year in the second quarter this year, returning to growth after a record 6.8% contraction in the first quarter, official data (link in Chinese) showed on July 16, as the world’s second-largest economy recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF PILOT RECRUITMENT The PLAAF announced (July 16) that its pilot recruitment campaign for 2020 has begun and that more than 3,800 fresh high school graduates who have passed the preliminary and second round of selection are now in the final-stage test.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CHINA LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN IN CCP AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has once again launched a brainwashing campaign. According to Radio Free Asia (July 15), its members and school students are required to study the “Four Histories,” which refers to “the history of the CCP, the history of new China, the history of the reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development.”
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: NOTIFICATION OF TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY FIRING PROF XU ZHANRUN RELEASED South China Morning Post (July 18) reported that Tsinghua University's notification dated July 15, terminating the services of 57-year old Prof. Xu Zhangrun, was sent to him by courier on July 18, according to a friend who requested anonymity for fear of retribution.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-VATICAN: POPE'S SPEECH DELETES ALL REFERENCES TO HONGKONG Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (July 7) that, according to the Italian newspapers 'Il Tempo' and 'La Verite', Pope Francis’ speech on July 5 removed the content related to the Hong Kong situation from the original draft that was released.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA SANCTIONS LOCKHEED MARTIN FOR U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT DEAL TO UPGRADE TAIWAN'S PATRIOT MISSILES China's ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced (July 15) that it would sanction US aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin, the principal contractor in a US$ 620 million arms deal to Taiwan.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA REACTS TO US REJECTION OF CHINA'S CLAIM ON SOUTH CHINA SEA AND WARNS US NOT TO TEST IT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Reacting to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement on July 13 of the US' formal rejection of China's claims in the South China Sea, an article in the the CCP-owned Global Times (July 14) said "The US now stands on the opposite side of China and is aiming to turn the waters into a hot spot again".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO BRITISH PLANS TO DEPLOY NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIER 'QUEEN ELIZABETH' IN FAR EAST Zhang Junshe, senior research Fellow at the PLA Naval Research Institute wrote in the Global Times (July 15) that British plans to base the HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the UK's new aircraft carriers as the centrepiece of a carrier strike group in the Far East, is to play a part in countering "an increasingly assertive China".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: HUAWEI PAYS OFF ENTITIES IN UK TO CLEAN UP ITS IMAGE The British newspaper The Times reported on July 10 that Cambridge University’s Jesus College produced a paper accused of “reputation laundering” for Huawei and that it had received £200,000 (US $255,000) from the Chinese state and £155,000 (US $198,000) from Huawei.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS APPOINT 'SUPPLY CHAIN CHIEFS' The government of Nanjing, Jiangsu announced (July 13) that it will appoint eight 'Supply Chain Chiefs'.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-SOCIAL ORDER: BUS ACCIDENT CAUSED PROBABLY BY MENTALLY DISTURBED DRIVER 21 people died and 37 were injured when a bus crashed through the guard rails and drove into the Hongshan Lake Reservoir, Anshun City at noon on July 7.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S ARTICLE IN LATEST EDITION OF QIU SHI Chinese President Xi Jinping's new article in the latest edition (2020/14 dated15 July 2020) flagship CCP Party ideological journal Qiushi is important. In addition to the CCP CC Propaganda Department describing it as such, it is the lead article on all China’s major state media channels on July 16 – CCTV evening news, Xinhua, People’s Daily, etc.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S GLOBAL TIMES SAYS INDIA HAS NOW SOUGHT CONFRONTATION IN ECONOMIC FIELDS Dai Yonghong, Director of the Institute of Global Governance and Area Studies at Shenzhen University, wrote in the Global Times (July 14) that by "echoing the US' attempt to decouple from China, India has recently sought confrontation with China in economic fields.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: PLAN SR. COLONEL WRITES COMMENTARY ON US MILITARY MOVES IN SCS In commentary in the PLA Daily (July 12) PLA Navy Senior Colonel Zhang Junshe, who is also a senior research fellow at the People’s Liberation Army Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said the US should stop its provocative acts in the South China Sea and Beijing was determined to safeguard its maritime sovereignty.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON HONGKONG SAR On July 14, the US President imposed severe restrictions on the Hongkong SAR restricting its relationship with the US.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: UK RULES OUT HUAWEI FOR 5G Britain will stop using equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. in the country’s 5G telecom network and will completely eliminate all existing Huawei gear by the end of 2027, the U.K. government said on July 14.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA APPOINTS SENIOR HONGKONG OFFICIALS AFTER ANNOUNCING NEW NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Eric Chan (陈国基) was appointed secretary general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHED FIVE COMMENTARIES BETWEEN JULY 1 AND JULY 5 DEFENDING ENACTMENT OF NEW NATIONAL SECURITY LAW People’s Daily published a series of Commentator Articles between July 1 and 5, eulogising and defending the decision to pass national security legislation for Hong Kong against international criticism.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Wu Yongjie (吴永杰) was appointed General Manager of China National Machinery Industry Corporation; Xu Qiang (徐强) was appointed General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation; Liu Liehong (刘烈宏) was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; Liu Zhao (刘钊) was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Security; Chang Zhengguo (常正国) was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs; and Wang Jingtao (王京涛) was appointed deputy head of the National Administration of State Secrets Protection.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: XU ZHANGRUN DISMISSED BY TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (July 15) that outspoken Chinese Professor Xu Zhangrun has been fired from his post at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University after being released from police detention.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CENTRAL DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION (CDIC) AND NATIONAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION (NSC) NOTIFY THAT RETIREMENT IS NO PROTECTION AGAINST CHARGES OF CORRUPTION The Central Discipline Inspection CommissioN (CDIC) and National Supervisory Commission (NSC) published an article on their website about party retirees who were found guilty of corruption after retiring.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 'RECTIFICATION' DRIVE IN CHINA'S PUBLIC SECURITY APPARATUS On July 9, China's Ministry of Public Security convened a meeting on mobilization for the new “Persist in Political Construction of Police, Comprehensively and Strictly Govern Police” education and rectification campaign, which included a speech by Ministry of Public Security Head Zhao Kezhi.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. TAKES POSITION ON SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE On July 13, the U.S. Department of State unveiled an important set of clarifications concerning U.S. policy in the South China Sea.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT ADVISES US NATIONALS TO BE CAREFUL WHILE VISITING CHINA The US State Department issued a notice (July 13) advising its nationals to: "Exercise increased caution in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws for purposes other than maintaining law and order.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S TIT-FOR-TAT SANCTIONS AGAINST FOUR AMERICANS FOR INTERFERENCE IN CHINA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS In a tit-for-tat retaliation, China on July 13 announced sanctions on four American officials for “interfering in China’s internal affairs” through their condemnation of Beijing’s human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: CHINESE AMBASSADOR WARNS BRITAIN OF CONSEQUENCES IF IT BANS HUAWEI China’s Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming told reporters on July 6: “We hope that they will reconsider their position. With regard to what the response China is going to make, we have to wait and see what will be the specific actions of the British side.”
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: UK TO BAN HUAWEI FROM ITS 5G NETWORKS The UK is expected to announce on July 14 that it will bar new deployments of Huawei equipment in its fledgeling high-speed 5G network.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINA SIGNS 25 YEAR AGREEMENT FOR IRANIAN OIL The New York Times (July 13) reported that it had in its possession the copy of an 18-page agreement signed between Iran and China envisioning a sweeping economic and security partnership.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PAKISTAN ARMY OFFICER COMMENTS ON ONGOING CHINA-INDIA FACE-OFF ALONG LAC Lt Col. Khalid Masood (Retd) of the Pakistan Army wrote in 'The Nation' (July 13), that "The present Sino-Indian crisis can be attributed to multidimensional factors.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-BHUTAN: CHINA RAISES NEW BORDER ISSUE WITH BHUTAN At the 58th meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility, created after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, China’s delegate unexpectedly raised objections to Bhutan’s having placed the entire Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary on its side of the Bhutan-China border, claiming that is a “disputed area.”
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAN CONCLUDES 5-DAY EXERCISES AROUND PARACELS ISLANDS ON JULY 5 China's People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) wrapped up five days of drills around the Paracel Islands, (Xisha Islands), a chain also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan on July 5, 2020. China did not give details about the Paracel drills involved, but the Global Times (July 5) called them "intensive".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: TSINGHUA LAW PROFESSOR XU ZHANGRUN RELEASED ON JULY 12 Tsinghua University Law Professor Xu Zhangrun, who has been a trenchant critic of Chinese President XI Jinping since at least 2016, was released by the authorities on July 12.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: REPORT ON FIRST MEETING OF 'SAFE CHINA CONSTRUCTION COORDINATION GROUP POLITICAL SECURITY TASK FORCE' The first meeting of the Ping An China Construction Coordination Group Political Security Task Force was held on July 6, 2020, in Beijing.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING ON JUNE 29 Xi Jinping presided over a CCP Politburo meeting on June 29, which discussed two new regulations. The first, titled “CCP Military Party Building Regulations” (中国共产党军队党的建设条例), is intended to “carry out the Central Military Commission Chairman responsibility system (军委主席负责制) and ensure the Party’s absolute leadership over the military” as well as maintain the goals and missions of the military.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO'S 21ST 'COLLECTIVE STUDY' MEETING ON JUNE 29 The CCP Politburo held its twenty-first collective study on "In-depth Study, Understanding and Implementing the Organizational Line of the New Era Party" on the afternoon of June 29. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CCP Central Committee, emphasized that organization building is an important foundation for party building.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: HONGKONG-BASED CHINESE SCIENTIST AND VIROLOGIST FLEES TO U.S. Hong Kong scientist Dr. Li-Meng Yan, a respected doctor who specialized in virology and immunology at the Hong Kong School of Public Health, boarded a Cathay Pacific flight to the United States on April 28.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FOR IMPROVING CHINA-US TIES AT THINK-TANK FORUM On July 9, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed a forum on China-US relations. In the audience were participants from think tanks of both countries.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: FORMER DEPUTY MINISTER OF CCP CC ILD ASSESSES INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND SUGGESTS STEPS CHINA SHOULD TAKE China Social Science Network (June 22) reproduced an article by Zhou Li, a former Deputy Minister of the CCP’s International Liaison Department (now called the International Department), entitled, “Proactively Responding to Changes in the External Environment” and published the same day (June 22) in the China Social Science News magazine brought out by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE ANALYSTS RECOMMEND BEIJING SHOULD An Gang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Wang Yiming of Renmin University and Hu Xin of China's National Defence University (NDU) co-authored a lengthy 5-part article, which was published on July 6, 2020, in a journal.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA WTC ARMY'S DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF VISITS XIDE COUNTY IN TAR TO INSPECT POVERTY ALLEVIATION WORK Major General Lai Wenyi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army in the PLA Western Theatre Command went to Xide County on July 3 to investigate poverty alleviation.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER WANG YANG VISITS TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION (TAR) PBSC Member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang visited the Tibet Autonomous Region from July 6-8, 2020.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SECRETARY GENERAL OF CCP CC'S POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION (PLAC) LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN A protege of Chinese President Xi Jinping and 60-year-old Zhejiang native, Chen Yixin, Secretary-General of the Party’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), convened a meeting in Beijing on July 8 to launch a new nationwide “education and rectification” campaign.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA-PAK-AFGHAN VIRTUAL MEETING ON JULY 7 Pakistan's News International on July 8, reported that the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Vice Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue’s third round was convened virtually on July 7.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-FRANCE: FRANCE RESTRICTS USE OF HUAWEI EQUIPMENT IN FRANCE Guillaume Poupard, head of the French cybersecurity agency ANSSI, was quoted by Reuters (July 6) saying there would not be a total ban on using equipment from Huawei in the rollout of the French 5G telecoms network, but that it was pushing French telcos to avoid switching to the Chinese company.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ASSERTS CHINA HAS CONFIDENCE IN HONGKONG'S FUTURE At the regular weekly press conference in Beijing on July 7, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian, responding to a question about the status of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Zoom and others in the wake of the National Security Law (NSL) said: "I recall what Deng Xiaoping noted in 1982 when he met with Margaret Thatcher, after Hong Kong's return to the motherland, "Horses will still run, stocks will still sizzle, and dancers will still dance" in Hong Kong.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: CHINESE OFFICIAL CLAIMS TENSIONS HAVE MOUNTED IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Wu Shicun, President of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies and Chairman of Board of Directors of China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea, writing in China Military on July 7, 2020, anticipated that 2020 will witness the situation in the South China Sea shift from "stabilizing" to "turbulent".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: GLOBAL AI CONFERENCE OPENS IN SHANGHAI The Global AI Conference opened in Shanghai on July 2. Despite its title, the forum will see almost entirely Chinese attendees because of travel bans and geopolitical tensions.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SHANGHAI FORUM ON CHINA'S CAPITAL MARKETS Xiao Gang, former Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), speaking at a financial forum in Shanghai about the development of China’s capital markets, said he had a message from the leaders in Beijing.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SAFE APPOINTS NEW DEPUTY CHIEF Born in 1969, Ms Wang Chunying was appointed Deputy Chief of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), which manages more than US$ 3 trillion in reserves, on July 6.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: MORE TIBETANS IN TAR ENROLL TO BECOME CCP MEMBERS Radio Free Asia (July 6) quoted the state-run China's Tibet portal as saying on July 1, that following the drive last year by China to enrol ethnic Tibetans in the ruling Chinese Communist Party, at least 16,000 Tibetans joined the CCP bringing the total Tibetan membership number to 398,000. Almost 8,000 new members are Tibetan nomads and farmers.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: HUBEI PROVINCE ANNOUNCES PLANS TO REVAMP HEALTH SYSTEM Health officials of Hubei province, that had the highest number of coronavirus deaths in China, on July 6 held a press conference to announce its plans to reform its disease control systems as policymakers mull a public health overhaul in the wake of the pandemic.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: NO NEW COVID-19 CASES IN BEIJING Beijing (Caixin, July 7) reported no additional confirmed Covid-19 cases on July 7.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE LEADERS SANCTIONED BY U.S. FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN XINJIANG-UYGHUR AR Under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which enables the U.S. government to place travel bans and asset freezes on human rights abusers, the US Treasury Department on July 9, 2020, named Chen Quanguo, the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) Party Secretary, and Zhu Hailun, a former XUAR Deputy Party Secretary as on the list of those sanctioned.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS (JULY 6 - 7) GUIZHOU PROVINCE Chinese Premier Li Keqing inspected Tongren and Guiyang during his visit (July 6 & 7) to Guizhou province. He was accompanied by Guizhou Provincial Party Committee Secretary Sun Zhigang and Governor Chen Yiqin. Li Keqiang advocated promoting the government’s “new infrastructure” drive.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT ENFORCES RATA On July 7, the US State Department announced that the Chinese Communist Party and government officials responsible for keeping Americans out of Tibet will be denied entry to the US. In his statement US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the department restricted visas for the officials under the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (RATA), which forbids entry to the US by Chinese authorities “substantially involved” in creating and enforcing policies that keep American citizens out of Tibet.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US BILATERAL TRADE DROPS BY 6.6 PER CENT The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on July 6, 2020, reported that U.S. goods imports from China stood at $36.6 billion in May 2020, down 6.6 per cent year-on-year; the U.S. and that global demand for Chinese exports is likely to remain weak through the summer.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-UK: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO UK URGES CHINESE STUDENTS TO PRACTICE "PATRIOTISM" China’s Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming has told the 120,000 Chinese students to “leverage their strength” as the UK overtakes the US as the most popular destination for Chinese students for the first time.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR WARNS INDIA AGAINST WORSENING AN ALREADY BAD SITUATION Li Hong, an editor with the CCP-owned Global Times, wrote (July 5) a hard-hitting article captioned 'India should not make a bad situation worse', which warned the "Indian leadership to ponder the outcome of continuously antagonizing China" adding that "It should not make a bad situation worse".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES REPORTS ON STATEMENTS ISSUED BY INDIA AND CHINA TO DEFUSE BORDER TENSIONS The Global Times report (July 6) on the statements issued by India and China: "The Chinese Special Representative of the China-India Boundary Question, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spoke July 5 night, and the two sides reached a consensus on de-escalating border tensions.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE STOCKS TRADED AT US$ 215 BILLION ON JULY 6 China's official media reported that China’s stock market recorded its biggest rally in more than a year on July 6, after state media encouraged investors to invest and reap the benefits of a post- coronavirus economic boom.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO UK HINTS THAT HONGKONG RESIDENTS COULD REQUIRE EXIT VISA TO LEAVE HONGKONG PRC Ambassador to UK Li Shaoming hinted (July 6) that HK people who try to use their BNO passport to leave Hongkong for the UK could be subject to an exit ban.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CAMBRIDGE CONSIDERING WITHDRAWING HK CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM'S HONY. FELLOWSHIP Major Taiwanese news network China Times reported (July 2) that Cambridge Wolfson College President, Professor Jane Clarke, issued an announcement that the College paid strong attention to the series of events that happened after China passed the Hong Kong National Security Law.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: COUNTRIES SUPPORTING AND AGAINST CHINA'S CRACKDOWN ON HONGKONG Axios compiled the following list of countries supporting and against China's crackdown on Hongkong.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-CENSORSHIP: HONGKONG'S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ASKS SCHOOLS TO REMOVE BOOKS THAT MAY VIOLATE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW FROM LIBRARIES The South China Morning Post reported (July 6) that Hong Kong education officials have told schools to review their book collections and immediately remove those titles that might breach Beijing’s National Security Law.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: PROF XU ZHANGRUN PROTESTS DEMOLITION OF BEIJING'S ART DISTRICT Radio Free Asia reported (June 26) that Xu Zhangrun, a Professor at Tsinghua University who has published articles critical of Xi Jinping and the CCP many times, on June 25, criticized the Beijing authorities for the demolition of the art district, which was actually for the benefit of the land, and even more to crack down on the art world and monopolize ideas.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: PROF. XU ZHANGRUN FORMALLY DETAINED IN BEIJING ON JULY 6 Reliable reports state that Tsinghua University Law Professor Xu Zhangrun has been formally detained in Beijing. He was arrested on July 6.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CRITICISM OF XI JINPING Chinese social media’s nickname for Xi Jinping is 加速器/Accelerant.” He’s accelerating the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party. It’s a pun on the nickname for reform and opening “Chief Architect“/總設計師 Deng Xiaoping.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO NEW OFFICES IN HONGKONG China's State Council announced the formation of the new apparatus to enforce the newly passed Hong Kong national security law. On July 3, the Hong Kong government established its new Committee for Safeguarding National Security.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA RECALLS ITS CLAIM ON VLADIVOSTOK South China Morning Post (July 2) reported that after the Russian embassy posted a video on Weibo of a party held on July 2, to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the founding of the city, whose name means “ruler of the east” in Russian, it prompted an online backlash.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIA CRITICISES IMPOSITION OF CHINA'S NATIONAL SECURITY LAW ON HONGKONG The Times of India (July 2) reported that India's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Rajiv Chander said, "We have heard several statements expressing concern on these developments.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: COMMENT ON PRIME MINISTER MODI'S VISIT TO LADAKH China's popular social media platform Baidu on July 3 carried the following post: On June 30, China and India held more than 12 hours of army commander-level talks. The third round of talks reached a consensus that the two parties organized a batch of front-line troops to "disengage" and the talks have made positive progress.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN OPENS OFFICE TO FACILITATE MIGRATION OF HONGKONG RESIDENTS On July 1, Taipei opened the new Taiwan Hong Kong Service Exchange Office to facilitate large-scale migration of Hongkongers to the island. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council minister, Chen Ming-tong, described the move as “not only a statement on Taiwan’s support to Hong Kong’s democracy and freedom but also highlights our determination to care for Hong Kong people.”
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: LEADER OF PRO-DEMOCRACY 'DEMISISTO' MOVEMENT FLEES HONGKONG One of Demisisto's founding leaders Nathan Law told (July 2) the US's National Public Radio (NPR) that he has fled Hongkong in order to carry on his pro-democracy movement abroad. He did not disclose where he was. Demosisto and Studentlocalism have also announced their disbandment.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA CELEBRATED HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY ON JULY 6, 2020 The 85th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader, HH the XIV Dalai Lama was celebrated globally as World Tibet Day on July 6, 2020.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION OF ITS THIRD AIRCRAFT CARRIER China's military media on July 4 announced that construction of its third aircraft carrier Type-003 has now been almost completed and it is getting closer to the launch of outfitting!
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHENGDU AGRICULTURAL BUREAU ASKS FARMERS TO PRODUCE GRAIN NOT FRUITS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (July 2) the Chengdu Municipal Agriculture and Rural Bureau had issued a document encouraging farmers to stop producing fruit and cultivating gardens and to start producing rice grains instead.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA DEVELOPING CAPABILITY IN A.I National Interest (July 3) in an article on China's A.I., said that under General Secretary Xi Jinping, China has invested heavily in AI-related technologies, making it a core focus for the modernization of Chinese industry.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA CHANGES NAME OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES Taking cognisance of the growing global backlash against the Confucius Institutes promoted by China's Hanban, China issued a notice on July 4, announcing that the name of the Confucius Institutes has been changed to the 'Centre for Language Exchange and Cooperation'.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY CONDUCTS DUAL CARRIER OPERATIONS IN "PHILIPPINE SEA" The US Navy announced (June 28) that the Nimitz and Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Groups are conducting dual-carrier operations in the Philippine Sea.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US STOPS EXPORTS OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGY TO HONGKONG In a statement on June 29, 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the “United States will today end exports of U.S.-origin defense equipment and will take steps toward imposing the same restrictions on U.S. defense and dual-use technologies to Hong Kong as it does for China.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 56 PERCENT OF HONGKONG RESIDENTS OPPOSE NEW SECURITY LAW United Daily News (UDN), one of Taiwan's main newsgroups, reported on June 26, that the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) had released the results of a poll that Reuters commissioned on the National Security Law that the Mainland communists imposed on Hong Kong. Around 56 per cent of the people polled were against the new law. Among them, 49 per cent were “strongly against” it.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG RESIDENTS PROTEST IMPOSITION OF NEW 'NATIONAL SECURITY LAW' The South China Morning Post (July 1) and Bloomberg (July 2) reported that on July 1, the first full day of the new National Security Law (NSL) being in force in Hong Kong and despite police raising a new flag warning the crowds that they were violating the national security law, campaigners still gathered in Causeway Bay.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE BLAMES "RIGHT WING NATIONALISM" FOR INDIA'S POOR RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS Writing in the Global Times (June 28) Xie Chao, an Assistant Professor at the Institute for International and Area Studies, Tsinghua, said while "Modi came to power with a lot of charm and confidence and his "Neighborhood First" initiative.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLES SAYS "HINDU NATIONALISM" WANTS TO WIN OVER CHINA TO BECOME A "BIG COUNTRY OF HINDUISM" An unusual article in the Global Times (July 1) by Yang Jirong, a former correspondent of the Global Times, commenting on the ban on 59 Apps saying they are "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order", said "we can see that anti-China sentiment among Indians stems from something more than just the border clashes between the two countries.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE-OWNED US-BASED MEDIA DESCRIBES SITUATION ON LAC AS "CONFUSING" The Chinese-owned US-based Duowei (June 30) said that the "dispute over the Galwan River Valley caused tensions between China and India.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CANTON FAIR HELD VIRTUALLY CLOSED ON JUNE 24 Singapore’s main Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao on June 26, reported on the China Import Export Fair (also known as The Canton Fair), which concluded on June 24.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ETHNIC MINORITIES: CHINA REPORTED TO BE IMPOSING BIRTH CONTROL IN XINJIANG-UYGHUR AR The Associated Press reported (June 30) that population control measures backed by mass detention, both as a threat and as a punishment for failure to comply, are being imposed across the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: COMMENTARY ASSERTS CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE OBSTRUCTED BY CHALLENGES LIKE CORONAVIRUS AND TENSIONS WITH U.S. PLA Daily published (June 22) a lengthy nine-part 'Xie Xinping' commentary affirming that China’s development would not be obstructed by challenges such as the novel coronavirus epidemic and the tensions with the US that the disease exacerbated.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER SUN CHUNLAN INSPECTS EPIDEMIC PREVENTION WORK IN BEIJING Politburo member and Vice Premier Ms. Sun Chunlan inspected the epidemic prevention and control work in Beijing on June 23, and emphasised the need to keep an eye on the key parts and key links and said the prevention and control points should be moved forward, prevention and control measures should be more precise, and all-out efforts must be made to prevent the spread of the epidemic. Politburo member and Beijing Party Secretary Cai Qi accompanied her.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC SESSION CONCLUDED ON JUNE 24 CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang presided over the 12th meeting of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Standing Committee in Beijing on June 24.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANALYSIS OF CHINESE LEADERS MOVEMENTS Hongkong's Apple Daily and the Epoch Times separately reported some interesting data about the whereabouts of China's leaders in recent days. They said that since June 11, when Beijing reported its coronavirus cases, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) top leaders have rarely appeared in public settings.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-VATICAN: CHINESE BILLIONAIRE DISSIDENT CLAIMS CHINA PAYING VATICAN US$ 2 BILLION A YEAR Exiled Chinese billionaire dissident Guo Wengui in an interview (June 20) with Breitbart (June 23) alleged that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) “allocates $2 billion a year” to pay off the Vatican for its silence concerning Chinese atrocities.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHIEF OF XINHUA CANBERRA BUREAU SPARKS ROW WHEN SHE BLOCKS PUBLIC BROADCASTER FROM FILMING HER Tensions flared in the Australian Prime Minister's courtyard on June 26, when Bai Xu, Chief of Xinhua's Canberra bureau, became angry that an SBS [public broadcaster] cameraman was filming her.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHAMA SHUTS DOWN CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION University of Oklahoma spokesperson Kesha Keith said (June 23) that "In March 2019, the U. S. Department of State conducted an inquiry into the Confucius Institute housed at OU and made certain operational recommendations.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES VISA RESTRICTIONS ON CCP OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT IN UNDERMINING HONGKONG'S AUTONOMY US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced (June 26) the imposition of "visa restrictions on current and former CCP officials who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, as guaranteed in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, or undermining human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions".
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN UNVEILS ITS FIRST FIFTH GENERATION ADVANCED JET TRAINER Taiwan's first indigenous fifth-generation advanced jet trainer (AJT), codenamed Brave Eagle, is unveiled at the Ching Chuan Kang airbase in Taichung on Monday.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF FIGHTERS ENTER TAIWAN AIR SPACE China's military media reported (June 26) that PLA Air Force aircraft had entered and exited Taiwan's airspace eight times in two weeks. It said in the southeast coastal area, between June 9 to June 21 in just 13 days, the PLA Air Force fighters carried out eight tactical pieces of training in the Taiwan Strait and the airspace south of Taiwan.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: US-BASED CHINESE OUTLET SAYS INDIA BEGAN TO ENCROACH ON CHINESE TERRITORY AFTER CHINA "PEACEFULLY LIBERATED" TIBET LEADING TO "ARMED CONFLICT" IN 1962 The US-based Chinese-owned Duowei News on June 28 published an article titled 'Coveting Tibet: The First Diplomatic Friction in China and India in 1950'.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TENSION ON LAC COULD LEAD TO CLASHES The South China Morning Post (June 27) said hawkish Chinese military strategists have called on Beijing to be better prepared for an escalation in its border dispute with India, saying the potential for armed conflict between the two nuclear powers is on the rise.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA DEPLOYS MARTIAL ARTS 'TRAINERS' TO LHASA The South China Morning Post (June 27) reported that official Chinese news outlets on June 20, disclosed news of the PLA sending martial arts trainers to Tibet. China's state-owned CCTV said 20 fighters from the Enbo Fight Club would be based in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. There is no indication of whether they would be training troops on the border with India.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRO-DEMOCRACY MARCH ON JULY 1 BANNED IN HONGKONG In a letter to Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) convenor Jimmy Sham, the Hong Kong police have prohibited the annual pro-democracy march on July 1 on the basis of coronavirus social distancing measures and previous unrest.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GOLD SCAM IN CHINA More than a dozen Chinese financial institutions, mainly trust companies, loaned 20 billion yuan ($2.8 billion) over the past five years to Wuhan Kingold Jewelry Inc. with pure gold as collateral and insurance policies to cover any losses. Recently at least some of 83 tons of gold bars used as loan collateral turned out to be nothing but gilded copper.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-NATURAL CALAMITY: HEAVY RAINFALL FLOODS 26 PROVINCES The National Flood Control and Drought Relief Department hosted a video conference and disclosed that, as of June 23, flooding was reported in 26 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) including Guangxi, Guizhou, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Chongqing.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-NATURAL CALAMITY: CHINESE HYDROLOGIST WARNS THAT THREE GORGES DAM IS AT RISK OF COLLAPSE The Chinese government is denying that the infamous Three Gorges Dam is at risk of collapse after heavy flooding and a warning from notable Chinese hydrologist Wang Weiluo — raising suspicions that it is in fact at risk.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: SURVEILLANCE OF TEACHERS BY STUDENTS The LA Times reported (June 27) that Sun Peidong, a teacher in Shanghai’s prestigious Fudan University, was turned in to the authorities by her students.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PERSONNEL CHANGES IN MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY Following personnel changes over the past two years in China's Ministry of Public Security, the official website of China's Ministry of Public Security lists a total of 9 'leaders'.
Jul 2020 |
CHINA-US: US IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON 4 MAJOR CHINESE NEWS OUTLETS On June 22, the US State Department notified that four major Chinese state-owned media outlets will be required to inform the U.S. State Department of their personnel rosters and real-estate holdings as if they were foreign embassies.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WARNS INDIA As de-escalation talks are underway between India and China, Hu Jixin, Editor-in-Chief of the Party-owned Global Times tweeted on June 23 evening: "New Delhi has loud voices, but needs to restrain actions.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S TWEET REMINDS INDIA ITS GDP IS ONLY ONE FIFTH OF CHINA'S In a tweet on June 25, Hu Jixin, Editor-in-Chief, that Indian public opinion is impulsive and overbearing on international issues, putting own dignity & pride above others’ & not understanding importance of mutual respect.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN ARMY CHIEF VISITS BORDER FORMATIONS IN LADAKH Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane visited the forward areas in Ladakh on June 24 and 25 when he awarded Commendation Certificates to the soldiers who fought in the action at Galwan Valley.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA SEEKING 'NUCLEAR POWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS MODEL' The Central News Agency reported on June 25, that on June 23, the website of the “Military Weapon and Equipment Procurement Information Network” (http://www.weain.mil.cn/), headed by the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission, released “nine new procurement needs and 53 procurement announcements.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI COULD CUT STAFF BY 50% The Hong Kong new online media HK01 Network reported (June 15) that, according to unverified internal sources from Huawei, the company is planning a mid-July announcement that it will cut its workforce in half.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA PREPARING FOR DECOUPLING FROM U.S. South China Morning Post (June 21) reported that China Securities Regulatory Commission Vice Chairman Fang Xinghai warned that China needs to guard against the risk of the US cutting it off from the dollar payments system.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF FINANCE ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR USING RMB 1 TRILLION SPECIAL TREASURY BONDS China's Ministry of Finance (MoF) on June 23, clarified how it plans to use proceeds from its Special Treasury Bonds (STBs) which the government announced at the 'Two Sessions' in May, to support the economy. This marks the first STB issuance since 2007.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA PORTAL 'ATTACKS' CITIZEN JOURNALIST AND CRITIC FANG FANG China Media Project on June 23 reported that on June 10, the website chinamil.com.cn, a PLA news portal, published an 'attack' piece on the author Fang Fang, whose diary documenting 74 days under quarantine in Wuhan during the coronavirus epidemic was recently published in both English and German editions.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: ARREST OF CITIZEN JOURNALIST WHO CRITICISED RESPONSE DURING CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN WUHAN The China Media Project on June 22 reported that Shanghai-based citizen journalist Zhang Zhan (张展), who was arrested in May after posting a video criticizing the government’s epidemic response measures, was formally charged on June with the crime of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: INNER MONGOLIA AUTONOMOUS REGION TO STOP USE OF MONGOLIAN AS MAJOR LANGUAGE FOR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES Radio Free Asia reported (June 24) the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is to issue regulations later this year curbing the use of Mongolian.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: MS CHEN CHU APPOINTED HEAD OF TAIWAN'S CONTROL YUAN AND NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Ms Chen Chu, former longtime Mayor of Kaohsiung, who shared a prison cell with former Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu for many years after they were arrested December 10, 1979, for their Human Rights Day rally, is to head Taiwan’s Control Yuan and the recently-established National Human Rights Commission.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN:JAPAN'S ISHIGAKI CITY BEGINS TO COMPLETE INTEGRATION OF SENKAKUS ISLAND CHAIN Japan on June 21 is reported to have begun the legal process of complete integration of the Senkakus island chain, approx.1,931 km southwest of Tokyo, that Beijing has long claimed.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: US NEWSPAPER CITES US INTELLIGENCE SOURCES SAYING PLA WESTERN THEATRE COMMANDER GENERAL ZHAO ZONGQI APPROVED ACTION AT GALWAN VALLEY ON JUNE 15 Writing in US News on June 23, 2020, Paul D. Shinkman claimed that according to a U.S. intelligence assessment senior Chinese General Zhao Zongqi, head of the PLA Western Theater Command, authorized his forces to attack Indian troops in the Galwan River valley last week, resulting in a brutal skirmish that killed dozens and dramatically escalated tensions between the two Asian powerhouses.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES HU JIXIN STATES CHINA NOT INTERESTED IN ESCALATION Hu Jixin, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times in an article in the newspaper (June 22), referring to Indian media reports that India had given "complete freedom of action" to commanders deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to "handle situations at the tactical level", described it as seriously violating the Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field along the Line of Actual Control in the China-India Border Areas.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE ACADEMIC COMMENTS THAT CHINESE PEOPLE NOT INTERESTED IN INDIA-CHINA BORDER CLASH A Reuters report of June 24, said Chinese analysts have said, following the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers in hand-to-hand fighting in the Galwan Valley, that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces strident calls for a strong response, but Chinese President Xi Jinping is under no such public pressure.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ENERGY: CONCERN OVER INCREASING CARBON EMISSIONS DUE TO PROJECTS BY CHINESE SOEs As China’s Energy Authority announced in May that a public consultation would be held for a draft energy law, setting the agenda for “green, low-carbon” production and a “safe and efficient” energy system, there is concern about compliance by China's State-owned Enterprises.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG TO GET NEW COMMISSION FOR SAFEGUARDING NATIONAL SECURITY An editorial in the South China Morning Post (June 23) observed that a summary of the new national security law for Hongkong was published over the weekend by the official Xinhua News Agency.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: HUBEI UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR DISMISSED FROM PARTY MEMBERSHIP AND SUSPENDED FROM TEACHING Radio France Internationale reported (June 20, 2020) that Ms Liang Yanping, a Professor at the School of Liberal Arts of Hubei University in China, was dismissed from her CCP party membership and suspended from teaching.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE SOLICITS COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC ON TWO BILLS BUT NOT ON LAW REGARDING HONGKONG The NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) is soliciting public comments on the draft 'Veterans Support Law' and draft 'Rural Revitalisation Promotion Law' through July 21, 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: FRESH OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 IN BEIJING Medical staff were dispatched from other parts of the country to help treat COVID-19 patients in Beijing as the city launched more travel restrictions.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE SUBMARINE IN JAPANESE WATERS Japan's Defence Ministry reported (June 20) that on June 18 a submarine of foreign origin, presumed to belong to the Chinese Navy, was spotted passing through the contiguous zone off the coast of Amami-Oshima island in southern Japan.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA PERMITS US CARRIERS TO RESUME FLIGHTS TO CHINA Caixin (June 17) reported that the Shanghai government has allowed United Airlines Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. to resume flights to China after months of suspension amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The two American airlines were cleared to operate two flights a week.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: FORMER CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER FU YING WRITES ON CHINA-US RELATIONS Former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ms Fu Ying published an important article in the latest edition of China Newsweek (June 17) titled “Sino-US relations after the pandemic: Is it possible to realize benign competition?.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-WTO: CHINA LOSES DISPUTE IN WTO FOR EU TO RECOGNISE IT AS A 'MARKET ECONOMY' Bloomberg reported (June 16) that the Chinese government allowed a landmark World Trade Organization dispute aimed at forcing the European Union to recognize it as a market economy in trade investigations to lapse on June 15.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN'S 'NATION' CRITICISES CLASH OF JUNE 15 AT GALWAN AND SAYS SITUATION IS OF BJP GOVERNMENT'S MAKING An opinion by Samson Simon Sharaf in the Nation (June 20) titled " Bereaving hearts of Galwan heights" is critical of the recent clash between the Chinese and Indian forces in the Galwan valley.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PAKISTAN THINK-TANK HOSTS WEBINAR ON CHINA-INDIA STAND-OFF Pakistan's Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) hosted a webinar titled “China-India standoff: Implications for Regional Security” to discuss the rapidly evolving situation on the China-India border and risks of further escalation.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA TIBET MILITARY REGION STEPS UP MILITARY EXERCISES A pro-Beijing Hong Kong media reported that the PLA Tibet Military Region has conducted joint exercises frequently during this time.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA ESTABLISHES 5 NEW MILITIA UNITS IN TIBET MILITARY COMMAND On the background of the conflict between the Chinese and Indian armed forces on the border and damage to both sides, the PLA Tibet Military Command and the Tibet Autonomous Region organized five militia units in Lhasa on June 15. According to a Chinese military media report on June 18, the Tibetan military on June 15 held a militia unit flag-giving ceremony at the Lhasa police district militia training base.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: SECURITY MEASURES IN THE TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION Zhang Yangqing, Vice Chairman of the TAR People’s Government and Party Secretary of the Shigatse Municipal Party Committee inspected the border checkpoints and met frontline officers on May 21.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF GLOBAL TIMES AND CHINESE MILITARY COMMENTATOR CALL INDIAN ARMY The US-based Chinese-owned Duowei News reported that Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese official media "Global Times", tweeted on June 17, mocking the Indian army.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA DELETES INDIAN EMBASSY'S PRESS RELEASE OF INDIAN PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT FROM WECHAT On June 20 afternoon the Chinese authorities got the Chinese social media platform WeChat to delete the Indian PM's statement, read out of Wang Yi-Jaishankar meeting and MEA reaction on India-China stand-off, released by the Indian Embassy in Beijing.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US$ 7.1 BILLION OF FUNDS LIE UNUSED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS China's National Audit Office found that 50.4 billion yuan ($7.1 billion) of funds local governments raised from new special-purpose bonds (SPBs) went unused last year, including 13.2 billion yuan that had been left idle for more than a year, after it examined the books of 18 provincial-level governments and 36 cities and counties.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INCREASED WHEAT HARVEST TO HELP FARMERS China is completing one of the biggest wheat harvests ever this month and the government is expected to purchase a significant chunk of the crop to prop up the price and keep its farmers happy. China's official media reports that the summer grain harvest is 90 per cent complete.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE TO MEET FROM JUNE 28 - 30, 2020 Xinhua reported (June 21) that the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will convene its 20th session from June 28 to 30 in Beijing, within a week of its 19th session. The decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee Saturday, which was presided over by Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-EU: EU TIGHTENS FOREIGN INVESTMENT POLICIES Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported (June 6) that the European Union is considering further tightening up foreign investment policies. It is aiming at the Chinese government’s subsidies to Chinese companies’ international acquisitions.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ADDS MORE CHINESE TECH COMPANIES TO ENTITIES LIST IN MAY The US Department of Commerce added more Chinese technology companies/institutes to its Entities List in May 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO AND CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER YANG JIECHI ARE MEETING IN WASHINGTON THIS (JUNE 18) AFTERNOON The Washington Post reported (June 18) that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Politburo member in charge of foreign affairs, Yang Jiechi are meeting in Hawaii on June 18 afternoon.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CASS RESEARCHER SAYS CALL FOR BOYCOTT OF CHINESE GOODS PLACES The Global Times (June 17) quoted Liu Xiaoxue, an Associate Research Fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, reacting to the calls for boycott said some extreme anti-China groups and individuals in India have been promoting a China "boycott."
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TOUGHLY WORDED GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE ASKS INDIA TO A Global Times article (June 17) noted that the Chinese Foreign Minister had pointed out to the Indian Foreign Minister during their conversation that "it was the Indian side that intentionally provoked and started a violent attack.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE REACTIONS TO SITUATION AND KILLINGS ON LAC The South China Morning Post (June 17) quoted a source close to the PLA as saying that Beijing was “very sensitive” about military casualties, saying all numbers had to be approved by President Xi Jinping, who heads the Central Military Commission, before being released.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: HU ZHIYONG, A SHANGHAI THINK-TANK RESEARCHER WARNS THAT IF BORDER TENSIONS ESCALATE INDIA COULD FACE PRESSURE FROM PAKISTAN AND NEPAL Global Times (June 17) quoted Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, as saying on June 17, that China has no intention to change the border situation at all, and the incident happened on the Chinese side of the LAC, so the confrontation causing the deaths of 20 Indian military personnel was entirely provoked by the Indian side.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CLARIFICATION ON NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Commencing on the National Security Law recently passed by the NPC plenum in Beijing in May, the Guardian (June 17) said that Deng Zhonghua, the deputy head of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told a conference that “in very special circumstances” and in “very few cases”, China must have the power to exercise jurisdiction over offences in Hong Kong that “seriously endanger national security”.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA PLANS TO BAIL OUT MEDIUM AND SMALL BANKS BURDENED WITH BAD DEBTS Caixin (June 18) disclosed that small and midsize banks in China worried about the bad debts on their balance sheets may soon get a helping hand from local governments.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA TIGHTENS CONTROLS ON INDIVIDUALS SUBSCRIBING FOR LITERATURE The official Xinhua News Agency reported (June 15) that China’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) issued a “Notice on Further Strengthening the Administration of Online Literature Publishing.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY IN BEIJING Caixin (June 18) said Beijing reported 31 new Covid-19 cases on June 17, four more than the day before, as other parts of China imposed restrictions on people entering from the capital.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CICIR ARTICLE CITED BY CHINESE EMBASSY SPOKESMAN IN ISLAMABAD; ARTICLE ACCUSES INDIA OF INCORPORATING CHINESE TERRITORY IN A NEW MAP The Spokesman and Press Officer of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Wang Xianfeng, on June 11 tweeted: "India's actions of unilaterally changing the status quo of Kashmir and continuing to exacerbate regional tensions have posed a challenge to the sovereignty of China and Pakistan and made the India-Pakistan relations and China-India relations more complex."
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: REPUBLICAN PARTY ISSUES NEW NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY PUSHING BACK AGAINST CCP The Republican Study Committee, which includes 147 members of Congress, published a new national security strategy on June 10, aiming to “push back against the [Chinese Communist Party] and its efforts to undermine U.S. interests, remake the world order, and promote an alternative form of governance.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PLACES CHINESE PROPAGANDA ACTIVITIES UNDER SCRUTINY A report in OpIndia.com dated June 12 reported that China Daily, a propaganda outlet of the Chinese government, is under scrutiny by US authorities. It said China Daily has reportedly paid $19 million to American newspapers in advertisement and printing charges in the past 4 years.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ARRESTS CHINESE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER FOR CONCEALING LINKS TO PLA Xin Wang, a Chinese scientific researcher suspected of espionage was arrested in Los Angeles on June 7 as he prepared to board a flight to Tianjin, China, the US Attorney’s Office in San Francisco and the local FBI office said in a joint statement.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US COMMERCE DEPTT ADDED TWO CHINESE UNIVERSITIES ON The South China Morning Post reported (June 12) that the US Department of Commerce added the Harbin Institute of Technology and Harbin Engineering University to its “entity list” late last week, barring them from access to products subjected to US Export Administration Regulations.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-REPATRIATION OF CHINESE NATIONALS: 80,000 CHINESE SAILORS ARE STRANDED ABOARD SHIPS AT FOREIGN PORTS An Epoch Times report (June 12) stated that numerous Chinese crew members of civilian ships and cruises have been stranded for months due to entry restrictions amid the pandemic.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: POLITICAL COMMISSAR OF PLA ROCKET FORCE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF HIGH STANDARDS OF POLITICAL LOYALTY Yue Jijun, Political Commissar of a research institute of the PLA Rocket Army, wrote in a commentary in the People's Daily (June 10) that political loyalty is at the heart of assessing cadre performance, even when it comes to the response to Covid-19.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS CASES FOUND IN CENTRAL BEIJING As new Coronavirus cases became known on June 3, the authorities swabbed 1,940 workers in major supermarkets and other food markets in the capital and collected 5,424 environmental samples.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: CHINESE CITIZEN SUES WUHAN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT FOR DEATH OF HIS FATHER DUE TO CORONAVIRUS Kyodo News Agency reported (June 10) that 50-year-old Zhang Hai had sent a complaint against the municipal governments of Wuhan and Hubei Province to the Wuhan Intermediate People's Court on June 10, but it is uncertain whether it will be accepted.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: WECHAT POST OF WIFE OF DECEASED CHINESE DR LI WENLIANG OF WUHAN HOSPITAL ATTRACTS 52 MILLION VIEWS The wife of Wuhan whistle-blower Dr. Li Wenliang, Ms Fu Xuejie, 付雪洁 (pure as snow), an optometrist at Wuhan Aier Eye Hospital, on June 12 gave given birth to their second child. She wrote on WeChat:
老公你在天堂看到了吗?你送给我的最后的礼物今天出省了。我一定会好好的爱护他们。
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: CHINA DIGITAL TIMES POSTS 20 MINUTE RECORDING BY RETIRED SENIOR CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL PROFESSOR CALLING CCP A “POLITICAL ZOMBIE” China Digital Times posted the 20-minute recording by a retired senior Central Party School Professor Cai Xia that has circulated widely on China's internet through May 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: CHINA DIGITAL TIMES POSTS 20 MINUTE RECORDING BY RETIRED SENIOR CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL PROFESSOR CALLING CCP A “POLITICAL ZOMBIE” China Digital Times posted the 20-minute recording by a retired senior Central Party School Professor Cai Xia that has circulated widely on China's internet through May 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHONGQING POLICE CHIEF UNDER INVESTIGATION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission announced on June 14, that 55-year old Deng Huilin, police chief of the Chinese Municipality of Chongqing is under investigation for suspected “serious violations” of the Communist Party’s code of conduct.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-CANADA: TWO CANADIAN COMPANIES REJECT PARTNERING WITH HUAWEI The Well-known Chinese news site NetEase reported on June 3, that Canada’s two largest telecommunications providers, Bell Canada and Telus Corp., announced they will partner with Ericsson and Nokia for their core 5G networks. Both companies had said earlier in the year that they would still use Huawei’s 5G technology.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA'S COMMENT ON US OFFER TO RUSSIA FOR DISARMAMENT TALKS On June 10, the Global Times (Chinese version) reported that the US and Russia would be holding a new round of Russian-US military control and strategic stability consultations in Vienna on June 22.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY SAYS CHINA'S MINISTRY OF COMMERCE RESPONDS TO US SANCTIONS People’s Daily (June 5) reported that the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded to the recent actions taken by the U.S. Department of Commerce to list additional Chinese individuals and agencies on the “Entity List” for sanction.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S OFFICIAL FIGURES SHOW CONSUMER INFLATION EASES Caixin (June 11) reported that data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on June 10, showed that China’s consumer inflation eased to a 14-month low in May, dragged down by moderating gains in pork and food costs, while the decline in prices at the factory gate deepened to a four-year low as oil prices slumped.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORECLOSURES ON MORTGAGE PAYMENTS INCREASE IN CHINA RAISING WORRIES OF UNEMPLOYMENT China Finance Online reported on June 1, that with the destructive pandemic and a very weak reopening and economic come-back, average Chinese are seeing significantly reduced income.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: NEW GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL 'DEVELOPMENT' OF STUDENTS The Central News Agency (June 5) reported that China's Ministry of Education announced (June 5) the introduction of “Guidelines for the Ideological and Political Development of the Higher Education Curriculum,” which will modify the contents of courses around the issues of political identity and national feelings.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA'S CYBER ADMINISTRATION PUNISHES SINA WEIBO The Paper reported (June 10) that the State Cyberspace Administration instructed the Beijing Cyberspace Administration to interview and punish Sina Weibo according to law.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY'S BUREAU NO: 1 CHANGES ITS NAME Hong Kong based Sing Tao Daily reported that the Domestic Security Bureau (DSB), code-named Bureau No. 1 under China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), has been renamed the “Political Security Bureau (PSB).”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CCP AND CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL ISSUE INTERNAL DOCUMENT LISTING 20 'DONT'S' FOR PARTY MEMBERS The New York-based New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) on June 7, 2020 reported that a six-page internal document was issued by the CCP Central Committee and the State Council on May 20.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER TO MEET EU LEADERS ON JUNE 22 Caixin (June 11) reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will meet with European Union leaders online during the week starting June 22, clearing the way for a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the 27-country bloc previously scheduled for September in Leipzig, Germany.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S VISITS YANTAI IN SHANDONG PROVINCE The Beijing Daily (June 6), People's Daily (June 6) and CCTV (June 7) all carried reports on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the city of Yantai in Shandong province on June 1 and 2, 2020, when he said street stalls and small shops “are important sources of jobs.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US CUSTOMS SEIZES COUNTERFEIT DOLLAR BILLS SHIPPED FROM CHINA CNN reported (January 28) that United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized $900,000 in counterfeit US currency from a commercial rail shipment from China. They were packed in 45 cartons of counterfeit $1 bills.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HKMAO DEPUTY DIRECTOR ASSURED THAT NATIONAL SECURITY LAW WILL TARGET ONLY Zhang Xiaoming, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) said, according to the South China Morning Post (June 8) that the new national security law for Hong Kong is meant to strengthen, not undermine, the “one country, two systems” principle and will ensure the freedoms granted to the city can be extended beyond 2047.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG'S SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE SAYS CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE "DUAL IDENTITIES" AND MUST BE LOYAL TO SAR AND PRC At a round-table meeting hosted by the pro-Beijing DAB party on Sunday, Nip said that – under One Country, Two Systems – the city’s civil servants also served the Chinese government.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA PUBLICISES MILITARY EXERCISE THE DAY SENIOR COMMANDERS MEET AT LAC China released video clips of a military exercise in which thousands of paratroopers, armoured vehicles and equipment were mobilised, saying they could be deployed “within hours” to the border with India in the Himalayas.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA CONTINUES PROPAGANDA WAR AGAINST INDIA The CCP-owned Global Times (June 9) publicised the conduct of military manoeuvres by the PLA. It said PLA paratroopers held intensive tactical drills and mock battles in June.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA CONSTRUCTING MILITARY TRAINING BASE ON BORDER WITH BHUTAN A report (May 25) disclosed that China started construction of a new military training base (Base No: 32) at Drowa village, Lodrak, Lhuntze County from May 8.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: NGARI PUBLIC SECURITY TRAINS PERSONNEL IN 'REAL COMBAT' In late May, the Municipal Public Security Bureau of Ngari revealed it had organised a three-stage intensive ‘real combat training’ of all Public Security organs in Ngari.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: RUDOK AUTHORITIES EXPLAIN CONSTITUTION AND BOUNDARY ON BORDER TO LOCAL VILLAGERS Ngari News publicised (April 30) that The Judicial Bureau of Rutok County and Ngari Regional Customs and Commerce Bureau, were reported (April 30) by the Ngari (Ali) government, to have conducted propaganda campaigns in the border villages of Deru and Jaggang also known as Chagkang village, not far from Demchok of Ladakh, India.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINESE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIVITY ON PANGONG TSO TAR official government sources (April 21, 2020) reported that Dorjee Tsedup, Deputy Chairman of the TAR People’s Government and Head of Pangong Lake Governance went to Rutok County of Ngari to conduct ‘on-site inspections of the water level of Pangong lake and overall environment of the lake.’
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH: CHINA ISSUES WHITE PAPER ON COVID-19 EXONERATING ITSELF Xu Lin, Deputy Head of the CCP CC's Publicity Department released China's 4-chapter, 37,000-word White Paper on fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at the State Council Information Office in Beijing on June 7, 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE EULOGISES XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP IN FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS Writing in the People's Daily on June 5, Gao Xian, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Academic Adviser of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences 'Xi Jinping's New Age Socialism Thought Research Center with Chinese Characteristics', described the sudden outbreak of Coronavirus as "an extremely severe test for a great civilisation like China".
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS NINGXIA-HUI A.R. Xinhua reported (June 8) that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on June 8.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S VISIT TO TOKYO WILL PROBABLY BE POSTPONED Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi suggested in a television interview (June 3) that Xi Jinping's visit would wait until after the Group of Seven summit, now being rescheduled for September, and the Group of 20 summit slated for November.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE DISSIDENT ACADEMIC XU ZHIYONG HONOURED WITH PEN 2020 AWARD The PEN organisation announced (June 5) that they are bestowing the 2020 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award on Chinese essayist and human rights defender Xu Zhiyong.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE WARNS INDIA AGAINST JOINING G-7 An article based on an interview given by Liu Zongyi, Secretary General of the Research Centre for China-South Asia Cooperation at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, a visiting fellow of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China and a distinguished fellow of the China (Kunming) South Asia & Southeast Asia Institute, was published by the Global Times on June 5, which warned India against joining the G-7.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST EDITORIAL CALLS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF CONFRONTATION AT LAC An intriguing editorial in the Hongkong-based South China Morning Post of June 4 claimed that nationalists in China and India eager to deflect attention from their countries’ Covid-19 crises are pushing deployment of soldiers to the border.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE LEADERSHIP SETS UP NEW LEADING GROUP FOR HONGKONG AFFAIRS The Central News Agency reported (June 3) that after the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs was recently elevated to the Central Leading Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, the group leader Han Zheng met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Beijing.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG: RESIDENTS PROTEST ON JUNE 4 Thousands of people in Hong Kong defied a police ban on June 4 evening, breaking through barricades to mark the 31st anniversary of the crushing of a democracy movement cantered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: CHINA TO ALLOW FOREIGN AIRLINES A day after the US banned seven Chinese airlines from flying to the US in retaliation for China prohibiting two US airlines flying to China, China announced (June 4) it will allow foreign airlines that previously operated flights to the country but are now barred under virus control measures to resume limited flights.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TECH: HUAWEI IS SHORT ON SUPPLY OF CUSTOM-MADE CHIPS FOLLOWING US SANCTIONS Caixin (June 4) reported that Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., which has long been stocking up on custom-made chips as a hedge against U.S. sanctions, should have enough to last at least until the end of the year.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECRUITMENT OF GRADUATES People's Daily (June 3) reported that China’s Ministry of Education and the CMC's National Defense Mobilization Department jointly issued a notice on enlisting college graduates in 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: OVERSEAS CHINESE SPORTSMEN 'DELETED' FROM CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA SITES China’s all-time record goalscorer Hao Haidong and his wife Ye Zhaoying, an ex-badminton world champion, both face being wiped from the country’s record books after denouncing the Chinese Communist Party and announcing an intention to overthrow the government.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: GLOBAL TIMES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF REACTS TO U.S. STATEMENT Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily, said the United States was marking the Tiananmen anniversary “in a unique way”.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES STATEMENT TO MARK TIANANMEN PROTESTS The US State Department issued a statement on June 3 to mark the Tiananmen protests in which thousands of Chinese lost their lives.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. BANS SEVEN CHINESE AIRLINES FROM FLYING TO US The Washington Post reported (June 3) that in a move bound to exacerbate tensions between the US and China, the US Department of Transportation said (June 3) it will ban all commercial passenger flights by Chinese carriers beginning June 16.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA EXERCISES IN TIBET Main battle tanks (MBTs) and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) attached to an armoured brigade under the PLA 76th Group Army were on exercise in a high altitude area in Tibet on May 19, 2020.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM VISITS BEIJING AND MEETS TOP OFFICIALS Carrie Lam told reporters in Beijing on June 3, after a three-hour meeting with Chinese officials including Vice Premier Han Zheng, Public Security Minister Zhao Kezhi and Xia Baolong.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XIA BAOLONG INFORMS CPPCC DELEGATES OF CHINA'S POSITION ON HONGKONG Ta Kung Pao reported (May 28) that meeting 200 members of the CPPCC on May 28 in Beijing, Xia Baolong said that it is "Hong Kong independence", tyranny and external hostile forces that cause harm to Hong Kong.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER INSTRUCTS REGIONS AND DEPARTMENTS TO FIND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYING GRADUATES In a written instruction to a teleconference held in Beijing on June 3, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang observed that "college graduates are facing grim employment prospects due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic".
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S COMMENTS ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION At a press conference on the side-lines of the 13th NPC on May 28, People's Daily (May 28) reported that China’s Premier Li Keqiang said the government would focus its stimulus measures on domestic economics while admitting that China is a developing a country with a large population, with an average annual per capita disposable income of 30,000 yuan (US$4,213.30).
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: CAMBODIA DENIES GIVING NAVY BASE TO CHINA The South China Morning Post (June 2) reported that speaking at a road construction ceremony in the coastal city of Sihanoukville, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said (June 1) that China has not been given exclusive rights to use a naval base on the country’s southern coast, and said that warships from all nations, including the United States, are welcome to dock there.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LATIN AMERICA: CHINA TO CUT BACK LENDING IN LATIN AMERICA The Global Times (May 31) quoting Chinese experts said that China may scale back direct lending to the region to minimise credit risks, but the long-term infrastructure projects will likely boost local economies after the Covid-19 outbreak is contained.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ESTIMATED TO SHRINK US ECONOMY BY APPROX US$ 8 TRILLION OVER NEXT DECADE Projections released by the US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on June 1 estimated that the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will shrink the size of the U.S. economy by roughly $8 trillion over the next decade.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: WASHINGTON ACCUSES CHINA OF BLOCKING AMERICAN CARRIERS FROM RESUMING FLIGHTS TO CHINA CNN Business News (May 25) reported that Washington has accused Beijing of blocking American carriers from resuming flights to China, prompting US authorities to more heavily scrutinise Chinese airlines.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: XINHUA COMMENTARY ACCUSES US OF MCCARTHYISM A Xinhua commentary (May 31) said by prohibiting entry of Chinese students and researchers into the United States, the US Administration had broken the U.S. leadership's promise of welcoming Chinese students who want to pursue studies there.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: FIRST COMMENTS BY US CONGRESSMAN ON CHINA-INDIA TENSION ALONG LAC In a statement on June 1 night, US Congress’ House Committee Chair Eliot L Engel said, “I am extremely concerned by the ongoing Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control on the India-China border.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY'S COMMENTS ON TENSIONS ON LAC Global times (June 1) reported that China's Foreign Ministry had stressed that "the situation on the China-India border is stable and controllable, and diplomatic and military channels of communication between the two sides are unimpeded".
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TECH: CHINA'S XIAOMI LOOKING TO DEVELOP 6G Xiaomi's co-founder and Chairman Lei Jun has, according to South China Morning Post (June 1) already started pre-research into the next generation of mobile connectivity.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: FIVE HONGKONG UNIVERSITY HEADS SUPPORT NATIONAL SECURITY LAW RTHK reported (June 1) that the heads of five universities in Hongkong issued a statement supporting Beijing's imposition of the National security Law for Hongkong while also stressing that they cherish the city's freedoms.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBET MILITARY REGION ORGANISED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT DRILL ON MAY 20 The Tibet Military Region Support Department organised a comprehensive support practice drill with the transfer of wounded personnel and airdropped medical supplies to explore new methods of support in the Plateau and cold environment on May 20.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW WESTERN THEATRE AIR FORCE COMMANDER APPOINTED Official Chinese media reports on May 23, 2020 disclosed that Lieutenant General Wang Qiang, Deputy Commander of the PLA Western Theatre Command has succeeded Lieutenant General Zhan Houshun (战厚顺), who was 63 years old, as the new Commander of the PLA Western Theatre Command Air Force.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PEOPLE'S DAILY EDITORIAL COMMENDS CPPCC PLENARY SESSION The People’s Daily published (May 28) a front page editorial commending the conclusion of the third session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee on May 27.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING MEETS PLA DELEGATION DURING NPC Xinhua (May 26) reported that Chinese President and CMC Chairman Xi Jinping attended the plenary meeting of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police (PAP) delegations to the third session of the 13th NPC. He appreciated the military's response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO COLLECTIVE STUDY SESSION TO STUDY 'CIVIL CODE' Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the Politburo's 20th Collective Study Session on May 29, on China’s newly enacted Civil Code, during which he emphasised the important role of the Civil Code in the “legal system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: VIDEO PROMOTED BY CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO PROMOTE CHINESE-PHILIPPINES COLLABORATION IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 CRITICISED BY THE PEOPLE On April 23, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) posted a song on YouTube with the Filipino name “Lisang Dagat” (meaning “One Ocean,” the song’s Chinese name is “海的那邊”).
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN ANNOUNCES HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PLAN FOR HONGKONG CITIZENS Radio Free Asia reported (May 28) that as Beijing pushed forward and imposed a new national security law on Hong Kong, Chen Ming-Tong, Minister of the Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), announced on May 29 that Taiwan developed the Hong Kong Humanitarian Assistance.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL OF SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS GRANTED TO HONGKONG US President Donald Trump announced on May 29 that the US government will begin eliminating special policy exemptions it grants Hong Kong, following its determination earlier this week that the city is “no longer autonomous” from mainland China.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-UK: UK ALLOWS 350,000 BN(O) PASSPORT HOLDERS IN HONKONG TO GET EXTENDED VISAS On May 28, British Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said the UK would extend visa rights for about 350,000 British national (overseas) (BNOs) passport holders if Beijing went ahead with its plans to impose a national security law on Hong Kong.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO US CUI TIANKAI JUSTIFIES IMPOSITION OF NATIONAL SECURITY LAW ON HONGKONG The People's Daily (June 1) published the highlights of an Op-Ed (May 31) by Chinese Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai in which he justified the NPC's approval of the National Security Law for Hongkong.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE BLACK-TOPPING TRACK IN FINGER 4 AREA ON PANGONG TSO IN LADAKH Writing in The Print (May 30) Snehesh Alex Philip wrote that fresh construction activity of blacktopping of a motorable road by the Chinese has been spotted happening around Finger 4, a disputed territory.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: NGARI PUBLIC SECURITY TRAINS PERSONNEL IN 'REAL COMBAT' In late May, the Municipal Public Security Bureau of Ngari revealed it had organised a three-stage intensive ‘real combat training’ of all Public Security organs in Ngari.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE VILLAGES IN DEBT China's plans to improve its own countryside, namely the public works, environmental protection, and beautification projects under the Rural Revitalization Campaign have visibly improved China's rural landscape but put the villages under huge hidden debts.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SURVEY BY CHINA FILM ASSOCIATION SHOWS HUGE LOSSES FOR CINEMAS IN CHINA BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC Sina.com publicised (May 29) that according to a survey released by the China Film Association on May 27, 2020, the pandemic has had a severe adverse impact on the entire Chinese film industry.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MAO'S TRANSLATOR JI CHAOZHU DIES IN BEIJING Ji Chaozhu, long-time Chinese Communist Party cadre translator and diplomat, died on April 29, 2020, aged 90 in Beijing.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE GENERAL ASSERTS THAT OPTION TO USE MILITARY FORCE TO REUNIFY TAIWAN WITH MAINLAND STILL EXISTS Speaking at Beijing's Great Hall of the People during the NPC and on the 15th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law, General Li Zuocheng, Chief of the Joint Staff Department and member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) told the NPC that an attack on Taiwan with help from people on the island was a possibility.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ON SIDELINES OF CPPCC/NPC MEETINGS CPPCC MEMBER FROM XINJIANG CRITICISES US HOUSE EFFORTS TO "DEMONISE" CHINA Mutanlip Khasem, a member of the CPPCC and Deputy Head of the AR Congress Standing Committee, said on the side-lines of the 'Big Two' meetings that the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has recorded no terror-related incidents in the past three and half years.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: PLAN "EXPELS" US WARSHIP FROM WATERS NEAR XISHA ISLANDS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Senior Colonel Li Huamin, spokesperson of the PLA Southern Theatre Command, said (May 26) that the PLA Southern Theatre Command organised naval and aerial forces to follow the US guided missile destroyer USS Mustin when it illegally trespassed into China's territorial waters off the Xisha Islands on May 21 without authorisation from the Chinese government.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-US: US CANCELS STUDENT VISAS FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS LINKED TO PLA UNIVERSITIES Bloomberg reported (May 28) that the US intends to cancel student visas for students and researchers with direct ties to universities affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: US-BASED DUOWEI PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON CHINA-INDIA BORDER CONFRONTATION The US-based Chinese news outlet 'Duowei' published a detailed article on May 27 on the Sino-Indian border confrontation, which it said, "is still continuing".
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA'S AIRCRAFT CARRIER SHANDONG LEAVES FOR SEA TRIALS State-owned CCTV said (May 27) that China's second aircraft carrier and the first domestically built one, the Shandong, is now conducting testing and training missions in an undisclosed location at sea.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: FINANCE REPORT - HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET ALLOCATIONS China's central government expenditures approved by the NPC on May 28 are projected at 3.5035 trillion yuan, down 0.2%.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: WORK REPORT'S REFERENCE TO CHINA'S UNIFICATION WITH TAIWAN The China Youth Daily (May 28) reported that the final version of the Government Work Report contained 89 revisions to the version delivered by the Chinese Premier on May 22.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: MPS TO OVERSEE HONGKONG POLICE China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on May 29 evening that they will "DIRECT and support" the Hong Kong police force.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC & NPC - NPC PASSES HONGKONG NATIONAL SECURITY LAW The plenary session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) officially closed in Beijing on May 28, 2020, and Li Zhanshu, PBSC member and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, delivered the closing speech.
Jun 2020 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN JUDGE ALLOWS EXTRADITION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HUAWEI FOUNDER'S DAUGHTER MENG WANZHOU A Canadian judge ruled (May 27) that Meng’s actions could be considered a crime in Canada, thereby removing an important barrier to her deportation to the United States to stand trial.
May 2020 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN PUBLIC OPINION TURNS AGAINST CHINA Hong Kong Economic Times (HKET), the leading financial daily in Hong Kong, reported (May 14) that, based on the latest polls conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, the number of Canadians with positive views about China reached a record low.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ZAMBIA: THREE CHINESE NATIONALS MURDERED IN LUSAKA Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Li Jie made representations to the Zambian Foreign Ministry on May 25, after three Chinese nationals were murdered in the capital Lusaka, demanding the Zambian authority solve the case immediately.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE STOCKS DECLINE IN US STOCK EXCHANGE Writing in the Diplomat, New York City financial analyst Chutian Zhou said (May 26) while the U.S. stock market is recovering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Chinese companies listed in the country have just received a severe blow.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN REACTS TO CHINA IMPOSING NATIONAL SECURITY LAW IN HONGKONG Reuters (May 25) reported that China's planned national security law may prompt Taiwan to revoke the special status it extends to Hong Kong, in a move that could anger Beijing and make it harder for Hong Kongers to visit and invest.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS "OVERALL SITUATION IN CHINA-INDIA BORDER AREA IS STABLE AND UNDER CONTROL" The overall situation in the China-India border area is stable and under control, and the two countries are capable of resolving border issues through dialogue and negotiations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, following reports claiming China had moved 5,000 troops to the China-India border area.
May 2020 |
CHINA--HONGKONG: PLA GARRISON COMMANDER SAYS THEY ARE READY TO SAFEGUARD NATIONAL SECURITY IN HONGKONG The South China Morning Post (May 26) reported Chen Daoxiang, Commander of the PLA’s Hong Kong garrison, saying it would “act with firm resolve to implement the central government’s decision and plans” as well as continuing to implement the “one country, two systems” policy in the city.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PAK DEFENCE ANALYST ASSESSES THE CHINA-BUILT JF-7 'THUNDER' Lahore-based Defence and Security analyst Ammad Malik wrote in the Diplomat (May 27) that while the Pakistan Air Force needs additional platforms to balance the Indian Air Force.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA CONSTRUCTING MILITARY TRAINING BASE ON BORDER WITH BHUTAN A report (May 25) disclosed that China started construction of a new military training base (Base No: 32) at Drowa village, Lodrak, Lhuntze County from May 8. Construction of the base was to commence in February but has been delayed due to Covid-19 till now.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: TAIWAN COMPANY REJECTS CHINA'S ORDER FOR MICROCHIPS Chinese technology news site Moore reported (May 19) that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) received a US$ 700 million emergency order from Huawei on May 18.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA TO GIVE COMPENSATION TO AIRLINES China's Ministry of Finance and the Civil Aviation Administration issued a notice to compensate airlines for costs associated with international cargo shipping.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PROPOSAL TO MAKE PERMANENT SURVEILLANCE OF MOBILE PHONE USERS AT 'BIG TWO' MEETINGS The Wall Street Journal (May 25) reported that anger spread across Chinese social media sites over the weekend following an announcement that officials in Hangzhou could create a permanent version of a smartphone-based health-rating system developed to fight Covid-19.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT AND CMC CHAIRMAN XI JINPING ASKS PLA TO SPEED UP ANTI-COVID VACCINE AND THINK OF WORST CASE SCENARIOS Xinhua reported (May 26) that speaking to PLA and PAP Deputies to the NPC on May 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the delegates to accelerate research and development of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: “XI JINPING TALKS TO ECONOMIC PLANNERS IN BEIJING OF NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN” South China Morning Post (May 26) said Chinese President Xi Jinping told dozens of top economic advisers in Beijing over the weekend that China was pursuing a new development plan in which "domestic circulation plays the dominant role".
May 2020 |
CHINA--LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CONCLUDES PLENARY SESSION ON MAY 27, 2020 The closing meeting of the third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 27.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA TROOPS VIOLATED LAC AND INTRUDED UPTO 5 KMS INTO INDIAN TERRITORY IN LADAKH PLA troops violated the LAC in 5 places at Hot Spring, Galwan Valley and Gogra in Ladakh and Naku La in north Sikkim on May 5. The intrusions were deliberate and preplanned.
May 2020 |
CHINA-GLOBALISATION: CASS ANTICIPATES MAJOR CHANGES IN NEXT 5 YEARS Writing in the SCMP (May 23), Finnbarr Bermingham said 'A recent advisory paper by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a government-linked think tank, suggested that the next five years would present “major changes unseen in a century” for China, as “the strategic game between superpowers has intensified, while international systems and orders are reshuffled”.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SANCTIONS 33 CHINESE ENTITIES The US Department of Commerce on May 22 announced that the US Government has sanctioned 33 Chinese companies and institutions, putting them on two so-called entity lists.
May 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS BY CPPCC AND NPC DEPUTIES i) Zhang Chuanwei, a Deputy to the NPC who is also Chairman of Mingyang Smart Energy, a wind turbine manufacturer and clean energy integrated solution provider based in South China's Guangdong Province, proposed on May 23 that China should accelerate the pace in the adjustment of its energy structure to shape a clean energy support belt around the sea by building multiple wind power projects on the sea.
May 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC DEPUTY AND RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF PLA NAVY ACADEMY REVEALED RECENTLY THAT SUGGESTIONS HAD BEEN OFFERED FOR AI-BASED FUTURE NAVAL WARFARE REQUIREMENTS TO PLAN Cao Jingyi, a Deputy to the NPC and Research Director with the PLA Navy Academy, in a recent interview, said that her team has extensively researched and offered strategic suggestions to PLAN on its requirements for AI-based future naval warfare.
May 2020 |
CHINA--NPC: 4 PLA DEPUTIES TO NPC ORDERED TO RESIGN DUE TO 'VIOLATIONS OF DISCIPLINE AND LAW' Of the 17 NPC Deputies dismissed in a surprise move "due to violations of discipline and law", 4 were senior former officers of the PLA who held high positions in the past.
May 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: 17 NPC DEPUTIES DISMISSED DUE TO 'VIOLATIONS OF DISCIPLINE AND LAW' In a surprise move, the NPC dismissed 17 Deputies, who held higher positions in the past, due to 'violations of discipline and law'.
May 2020 |
CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S GOVT. WORK REPORT TO NPC -HIGHLIGHTS Premier Li Keqiang announced in the Government Work Report he delivered to the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, on May 22 in Beijing that China will not this year set annual economic growth targets as it used to since 1994.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US APPROVES ARMS SALE TO TAIWAN In a statement on May 20, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that the U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale to Taiwan of 18 MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedoes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $180 million.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY SUBMARINE FLEET IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The US Pacific Fleet Submarine Force announced (May 18) that all its forward-deployed subs were simultaneously conducting “contingency response operations” in the Western Pacific.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SENATE PASSES BILL THAT COULD DELIST 800 COMPANIES FROM U.S. STOCK EXCHANGES The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation on May 20 that could lead to Chinese companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc. being barred from listing on U.S. stock exchanges amid increasingly tense relations between the US and China.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIA MENTIONED BY GLOBAL TIMES WHILE DISCUSSING CHINA'S DEFENCE BUDGET Commenting on the interest taken by foreign countries in China's defence budget, Song Zhongping was quoted by Global Times (May 22) as saying "People should ask first, which countries are threatening China's national security in the first place?
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TWO INDIAN MPS FOR FIRST TIME "VIRTUALLY" ATTEND TAIWAN PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL CEREMONY Two BJP MPs — Meenakshi Lekhi and Rahul Kaswan — virtually attended the swearing-in ceremony of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and even sent her congratulatory messages, in a departure from the Modi government’s position on the country that China claims is its territory.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TWO INDIAN MPS FOR FIRST TIME "VIRTUALLY" ATTEND TAIWAN PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL CEREMONY Two BJP MPs — Meenakshi Lekhi and Rahul Kaswan — virtually attended the swearing-in ceremony of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and even sent her congratulatory messages, in a departure from the Modi government’s position on the country that China claims is its territory.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: TENSION MOUNTS AS CHINESE TROOPS INTRUDE ACROSS LAC AT THREE PLACES Tensions have increased since the end of April with Chinese troops crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC). disputed Sino-Indian boundary remain high.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MINISTRY OF FINANCE REPORTS DECLINE IN REVENUES IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 2020 People's Daily (May 18) reported that according to the statistics released by China’s Ministry of Finance on May 18, in the first four months of this year, Mainland China’s general public budget revenue fell by 14.5 percent year-on-year, indicating that the Chinese economy has been hit hard by the Wuhan virus and its fiscal revenue has also declined.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE: CHINESE SPY ACTIVITIES IN BELGIUM Radio Free Asia (May 15) and EU Observer (May 6) reported that the Veiligheid van de Staat (VSSE), a Belgian state Intelligence agency, recently disclosed China’s spy activities in the military and scientific arena posing threats to EU security.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW TYPE-052 DESTROYER LIKELY TO BE COMMISSIONED BY PLAN IN AUGUST The ninth of Type 052D destroyers of PLAN, Tangshan (Pennant no 122) is in the final stages of her trials and is likely to be commissioned in Aug 2020.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW UAV DESIGNED FOR HIGH ALTITUDES MAKES FIRST TEST FLIGHT The first flight of AV500C UAV, designed for high altitudes, has been successfully completed by the Chinese group AVIC.
May 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINA'S DEFENCE BUDGET HIKED TO US$ 179 BILLION China in its draft defence budget hiked the allocation from last year’s US$ 177.6 billion by only 6.6 per cent to 1.268 trillion yuan (US$ 178.2 billion), the lowest increment in recent years apparently due to the heavy disruption caused to its economy by the COVID-19.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC VICE CHAIRMAN AND NPC SPOKESMAN WANG CHEN SPEAKS ON DRAFT CIVIL CODE AND HONGKONG Xinhua (May 22) reported that Wang Chen, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on May 22, explained the draft civil code to NPC Deputies and explained the draft decision on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
May 2020 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING MEETS NPC DEPUTIES FROM INNER MONGOLIA Chinese President Xi Jinping took part on May 22 afternoon in a deliberation with his fellow Deputies from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region delegation attending the third session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC).
May 2020 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG DROPS MENTION OF "PEACEFUL" WHILE TALKING OF REUNIFICATION OF TAIWAN TO CPPCC In his speech to the CPPCC, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang dropped the word 'peaceful' whilst talking about the unification of Taiwan.
May 2020 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING MEETS ECONOMIC DELEGATES AT CPPCC MEETING President Xi Jinping on May 23 morning et CPPCC Delegates from the economic sector attending a joint group meeting at the third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: NEPAL ISSUES NEW MAP SHOWING LIPULEKH, KALAPANI AND LIMPIYADHURA AS NEPALESE TERRITORY Nepal on May 20 published a new, authoritative political map showing the areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as part of its territory.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: 70 PER CENT OF GLOBAL TIMES EDITORIALS CRITICISE USA The Central News Agency (May 18) reported that as the 2019 coronavirus epidemic continues its worldwide rampage, China’s official media has concentrated on criticizing the United States.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: NEW US STUDY ASSESSES INCREASING CHINA-JAPAN NAVAL RIVALRY IN COMING YEARS The Washington-based Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments published a report on May 19, 2020 titled 'Dragon Against the Sun: Chinese Views of Japanese Seapower' authored bySenior Fellow Toshi Yoshihara.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: USCIRF IMPLICATES HIKVISION CHAIRMAN IN RELIGIOUS VIOLATIONS IN XINJIANG The US government's religious freedom watchdog, USCIRF, has criticised Hikvision for being "credibly implicated in serious religious freedom violations". Three US Congressmen have requested Hikvision chairman Chen Zongnian be sanctioned over Hikvision's "complicity in human rights abuses" in Xinjiang.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US GOVERNMENT ISSUES 16-PAGE DOCUMENT SAYS U.S. IS "FUNDAMENTALLY REEVALUATING" ITS RELATIONS WITH CHINA A 16-page document issued by the White House "fundamentally re-evaluates" the US relationship with China and declares it to be "competitive".
May 2020 |
CHINA-SHIPBUILDING: CSSC DELIVERS NEW OIL TANKER TO CNOOC A 150,000 T FPSO (Haiyangshi You) designed by CSSC was delivered to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on May 18.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NANCHANG DESTROYER COMPLETES FIRST UNDERWAY FUELLING TRIALS The PLA Navy's public WeChat account disclosed (May 20) that the PLAN's first Type-055 large 10,000-ton class destroyer Nanchang (101) and supply ship Taihu completed the first replenishment training (underway fuelling trials), which experts said is crucial for the newly commissioned warship's combat capability.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINA REVEALS A LITTLE MORE ABOUT DALAI LAMA-NOMINATED PANCHEN LAMA Responding to US Secretary of State Mike Pompo's strong statement demanding disclosure of the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the then 6-year old boy recognised by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman responded on May 20.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: NEW US$ 1.4 TRILLION MASTER PLAN TO PROMOTE DOMESTIC TECHNOLOGY OVER 6 YEARS TILL 2025 Bloomberg (May 21) reported that a new masterplan backed by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself, China will invest an estimated $1.4 trillion over six years to 2025, calling on urban governments and private tech giants like Huawei Technologies Co. to lay 5G wireless networks, install cameras and sensors, and develop AI software that will underpin autonomous driving to automated factories and mass surveillance.
May 2020 |
CHINA-CCP: CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS The state-owned CCTV reported that CCP members donated 8.36 billion RMB (US$ 1.18 billion) for the fight the coronavirus in the past three months. All the money has been sent to the party central for redistribution.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHAIRMAN OF HIKVISION AND NPC DEPUTY CHEN ZONGNIAN Hikvision Chairman and Communist Party Secretary Chen Zongnian joined the National People's Congress in 2018.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC SESSION OPENS ON MAY 22 AND WILL CLOSE ON MAY 28 A day before its inaugural session on May 22, the NPC elected a 174-member presidium, with Wang Chen as the Secretary General of the NPC session.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG ANNOUNCES CHINA WILL ENSURE LONG-TERM STABILITY OF HONGKONG On May 21, the opening day of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang in his Report announced: “We will ensure the long-term stability of ‘one country, two systems.’ We will continue to support the improvement of the implementation of the systems and mechanisms of the constitution and Basic Law.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC OPENS ON MAY 21 AND WILL CLOSE ON MAY 27 The spokesman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Guo Weimin said at a press conference the CPPCC's annual session will begin on May 21 afternoon in Beijing, and conclude on May 27.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACADEMIC YAN XUETONG SAYS US-CHINA RIVALRY WILL NOT BE THROUGH PROXIES In an interview with Caixin (May 18) Yan Xuetong, Dean of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University and general secretary of the Beijing-based World Peace Forum, anticipated that that the U.S. and China will compete over the coronavirus vaccine and digital technology, including advanced telecommunications networks.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA ALLEGES INDIA BUILDING DEFENCES IN GALWAN VALLEY The Global Times (May 18) front-paged an article quoting Chinese military sources alleging that "Chinese border defense troops have bolstered border control measures and made necessary moves in response to India's recent, illegal construction of defense facilities across the border into Chinese territory in the Galwan Valley region."
May 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: VIGIL PLANNED FOR JUNE 4 WILL PROBABLY BE BANNED The news outlet HK01 reported (May 19) that as the new coronary pneumonia epidemic continues there are indications that the Hongkong government intends to extend the "restriction order" for 14 days to June 4. It said this means that the annual June 4th party may not be held.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: SMIC TO RAISE FUNDS TO RAMP UP PRODUCTION OF CHIPS China's leading chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) announced two fundraising plans so far this month in a bid to ramp up production.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE BANKS CLOSE BRANCHES Caixin reported (May 19) that in order to cut costs, China's banks had closed a number of branches.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 15-YEAR PLAN FOR WESTERN REGION DEVELOPMENT UNVEILED The CCP Central Committee and the State Council on May 17, issued a document announced for development of China’s western regions for the next 15 years.
May 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINA'S NATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION REPORTS THAT TESTING HAS BEEN RAMPED UP China's National Health Commission announced (May 18) that testing has been ramped up. Citing Hubei as an example, Xinhua said the province had 11 institutions capable of conducting nucleic acid tests at the beginning of February. Now there are 216 such institutions.
May 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: SHANGHAI POLICE DETAINS LAWYER-TURNED-CITIZEN JOURNALIST Radio Free Asia reported (May 18) that police from Shanghai have detained Zhang Zhan, a lawyer-turned-citizen journalist who reported on the emerging coronavirus epidemic in the city of Wuhan.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENTS OF SENIOR CADRES China's State Council on May 9 appointed Shen Haixiong (慎海雄) as Chief Editor of China Media Group and Wang Junzheng (王君正) was appointed Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and Chairman of the China Xinjian Group.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING TO REVIEW WORK REPORT TO BE PRESENTED TO NPC Xinhua (May 15) reported that the Politburo met on May 15 to discuss the draft of the "Government Work Report" that the State Council intends to submit to the third meeting of the 13th National People's Congress.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC & CPPCC PLENUMS IN BEIJING ON MAY 21 AND 22 RESPECTIVELY The 'Big Two', as the annual CPPCC and NPC plenary sessions are called, will open on May 21 and 22 respectively in Beijing with the unusual provision, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, for Deputies and officials to participate via videoconference.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT W.H.O. ON MAY 18 Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the opening speech at an annual meeting of the World Health Organisation on May 18 via a video feed, where he portrayed China as an exemplar of “transparency” during the pandemic and a champion of the developing world.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: ETHNIC CHINESE PROFESSOR ARRESTED IN US FOR NOT DECLARING FUNDS FROM CHINESE SOURCES The Cleveland media on May 14 reported that Dr. Qing Wang, a former Cleveland Clinic employee, was arrested by the FBI today at his home in Shaker Heights and charged in federal court on allegations that he failed to disclose funding and employment in China to the National Institute of Health.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA THREATENS US WITH SERIOUS COUNTERMEASURES The CCP paper Global Times (May 15) threatened the US with a series of countermeasures if the US went ahead with plans to block shipments of semiconductors to Chinese telecom firm Huawei.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S THREAT TO CUT RELATIONS Amid rapidly worsening relations, US President Trump in an interview with Fox TV on May 14 threatened: “We could cut off the whole relationship.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA OBJECTS TO HONGKONG EXAM QUESTION WHETHER JAPAN DID BETTER THAN HARM TO CHINA IN 20TH CENTURY The South China Morning Post reported (May 15) that a question set by the Diploma of Secondary Examination world history subject committee in Hongkong's University Entrance Examinations sparked furious controversy on May 14-15, 2020.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN REJECTS CHINA'S CONDITION FOR ITS PARTICIPATION IN W.H.O. Responding to Mainland China's insistence that Taiwan can participate in the W.H.O. as "part of China", Taiwan's Health Minister Chen Shih-chung at a news conference in Taipei (May 15) rejected China’s condition, saying: “I have no way to accept something which does not exist.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BABY FOOD ADULTERATION CAUSES CONCERN IN HUNAN PROVINCE Asia Nikkkei (May 15) reported that the Hunan provincial government is investigating allegations of Bei An Min, a protein drink, being sold as milk formula in the city of Chenzhou.
May 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: ENTRANCE EXAMS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS WAIVED BY CHINESE UNIVERSITIES TO COUNTER PRESSURE FOR CLOSURE OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES Radio Free Asia (May 11) reported that Undergraduate programs in a few top universities in China are cancelling their entrance exams for foreign students.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHANGES OF PLA REPRESENTATION IN BEIJING MUNICIPAL PARTY STANDING COMMITTEE Xinhua announced on May 10, that Major General Zhang Fandi, the Political Commissar of Beijing Garrison replaced Lt. General Wang Chunning as a Beijing Communist Party Committee Member and a Standing Committee Member.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: FORMER HEAD OF CSIC CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced at midnight on May 12 that Hu Wenming, former Chairman and Party branch secretary of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), is now under investigation for “being suspected of serious violations of discipline and the law.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL FOUND DEAD ON MAY 17 The Israeli media on May 17, reported that China's Ambassador to Israel Du Wei was found dead in his official residence in Herzliya on the morning of May 17. He was 58 years old.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: PHASE-I OF US-CHINA TRADE DEAL ON SHAKY GROUND China's financial magazine Caixin disclosed (May 14) that China's State-run companies have purchased more than 20 cargoes, or over 1 million metric tons, of American soybeans in the past two weeks. The beans were bought using tariff waivers previously issued.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US-BASED DISSIDENTS PROJECT XI JINPING'S IMAGE ON CHINESE CONSULATE BUILDING IN LOS ANGELES An organisation of Chinese dissidents based in the US and calling itself the 'Anti-Totalitarian Chinese Alliance', on May 12, 2020, projected onto the exterior of the building housing the Chinese Consulate the words "CCP virus", along with a graphic of Chinese President Xi Jinping with viral spike proteins growing from his head.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE SOE CONCLUDES YUAN DOMINATED DEAL China Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., also known as Baosteel, announced (May 11) on its public social media account that it had made a Yuan-denominated iron ore purchase worth more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) from Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto Group using blockchain technology.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S COLLEGE GRADUATES FACE UNEMPLOYMENT With the 6.8 per cent contraction in China's economy in the first quarter of this year and a Peking University survey showing that the number of jobs on offer
shrank by 27 per cent in the first quarter in the the entertainment and services sector, followed by education, sports, information technology and finance, the 8.7 million Chinese students graduating this year are finding it difficult to get jobs.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FINANCE MINISTER LIU KUN CALLS FOR MORE PROACTIVE FISCAL POLICY China's Minister of Finance Liu Kun published an editorial in People’s Daily (May 14) signalling a more proactive fiscal policy.
May 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: BEIJING ALLOWS UNIVERSITIES TO REOPEN FROM JUNE 6 The Beijing Municipal Education Commission announced (May 13) that universities will reopen universities from June 6.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: PLA NAVY PLANS 11-WEEK EXERCISE TIILL JULY 31 The PLA Navy announced on May 13 that after delays in the training schedule due to Covid-19, the PLA Navy will resume training exercises in the area off Tangshan’s coast in the Yellow Sea till July 31.
May 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: QUESTIONS RAISED ON TESTING ALL 11 MILLION WUHAN RESIDENTS WITHIN TEN DAYS Wuhan, the epicentre of the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak, began its programme to test all 11 million of its residents on May 14.
May 2020 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: CHINA'S 'WOLF WARRIORS' ASKED TO TONE DOWN RHETORIC Yan Xuetong said that more “rationality” was needed and warned against the influence of nationalist sentiment on policymaking.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC AND NPC MEETINGS TO USE VIDEO-CONFERENCING FOR THOSE DEPUTIES AND OFFICIALS NOT ATTENDING IN PERSON China's State Council announced (May 13) that arrangements will be made for those Deputies and officials not physically attending the third plenary session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) scheduled to start on May 21.
May 2020 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA SUSPENDS BEEF IMPORTS FROM FOUR AUSTRALIAN ABATTOIRS Caixin reported (may 12) that China on may 12, suspended meat imports from four Australian abattoirs accounting for 35 per cent of China''s beef imports from Australia on May 12, citing the need to protect the health and safety of Chinese consumers, as relations between the two nations hit a low point.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: TWO US PROFESSORS ARRESTED FOR TAKING FUNDS FROM CHINA The New York Times (May 11) reported that the US Justice Department had arrested Simon Ang of the University of Arkansas of improperly accepting funds from the Chinese government.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US FEDERAL RETIREMENT FUND STOPPED FROM INVESTING IN CHINA Associated Press reported (May 12) that The Trump administration has directed the U.S. Federal Employee Retirement Fund to scrap its plan to place more than $4 billion into Chinese investments.
May 2020 |
CHINA--ECONOMY: CHINA'S FILM AND TV INDUSTRY SUFFERS HUGE LOSSES DUE TO COVID-19 Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that China’s film and television industry's box office revenues is expected to show a loss of 30 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion) this year. The latest data shows that, since the beginning of this year, more than 6,600 film and television companies have closed down.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA LAUNCHES KUAIZHOU-1A ROCKET ON MAY 12 China launched the Kuaizhou-1A rocket with XingYun-2-01 and XingYun-2-02 satellites on 12 May 20 at 0712 Hr.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL PUBLICATION 'STUDY TIMES' SEEKS TO COOL DOWN NATIONALIST SENTIMENT INSISTING ON MILITARY TAKEOVER OF TAIWAN The South China Morning Post reported (May 10) that the Central Party School's publication 'Study Times' published a 5000-word article by historian Deng Tao reminding readers how the Qing had spent 20 years repairing for the invasion and conquest of Taiwan and that they had used political, diplomatic and economic measures to achieve their goal rather than just relying on force.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CENSORSHIP OF US DY NSA POTTINGER'S MAY4th SPEECH On May 5, the CCP CC Propaganda (now called 'Publicity') Department issued instructions to all Chinese media to: Strictly delete any reposts, comments, and content related to U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger’s Chinese speech from all platforms, websites, and interactive comment sections, leaving no dead corners.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WUHAN TO TEST ALL 11 MILLION INHABITANTS FOR COVID-19 Caixin reported (May 13) that Wuhan, the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in China, intends to test all its 11 million population after new infections appeared more than a month after the city ended a lockdown.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PSB MINISTER ZHAO KEZHI OUTLINES PUBLIC SECURITY TASKS FOR "NEW ERA" China's State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi wrote a lengthy article in the Party official newspaper People’s Daily (May 6) discussing a speech Xi Jinping delivered at the National Conference on Public Security last year on May 7.
May 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: HARBIN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR 'NAMED AND SHAMED' FOR CRITICISING KARL MARX RFA (May 8) reported that Yu Linqi, a History professor at Harbin Normal University, Heilongjiang, was recently named and shamed for criticising Karl Marx, whose theory is viewed as the founding ideology of Communist China.
May 2020 |
CHINA-DISSENT: CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER ZHANG XUEZHONG DETAINED FOR POSTING OPEN LETTER ON INTERNET TO NPC DEPUTIES CALLING FOR REFORM 43-year old Zhang Xuezhong, a Shanghai-based Chinese Constitutional lawyer, was taken away by public security authorities on May 10 after he posted an 'open' letter on WeChat on May 9 addressed to all NPC Deputies calling for reforms and freedom of speech.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS SHANXI PROVINCE Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Shanxi province on May 11 on his fourth visit outside Beijing in two months.
May 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINA COAST GUARD CHASES JAPANESE FISHING VESSEL INSIDE JAPAN'S TERRITORIAL WATERS Nikkei Asia (May 10) reported the Japanese Coast Guard as saying (May 9) that two China Coast Guard ships had approached and chased a Japanese fishing vessel, which was about 12 km southwest of Uotsuri Island, within Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea on May 8.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESS PROPOSES TO CHANGE ADDRESS OF CHINESE EMBASSY TO 1, LI WENLIANG PLAZA FROM 3505, INTERNATIONAL PLACE New Bills have been introduced on May 8, in both, the US Senate and House, proposing that the official address of the Chinese embassy in Washington’s leafy northwest be changed from 3505 International Place to 1 Li Wenliang Plaza.
May 2020 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: CHINA COAST GUARD ANNOUNCES DRIVE TO STOP VIOLATIONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The South China Morning Post (May 4) reported that the China Coast Guard, on April 1, launched an eight-month law enforcement campaign named “Blue Sea 2020”, with one of its stated aims being to crackdown on “violations in offshore oil exploration and exploitation”, as well as marine and coastal project construction.
May 2020 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: HEAD OF CHINESE THINK-TANK SAYS SOUTH CHINA SEA IS INDISPENSABLE FOR U.S. HEGEMONY IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC Wu Shicun, President of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies and Chairman of the board of directors of the China-Southeast Asia Research Centre on the South China Sea, writing in the South China Morning Post (May 9) said though Covid-19 has dealt a "body blow to the United States, including its military combat capabilities and deployment" and "the virus has been found in at least 150 US military bases and on four aircraft carriers", nevertheless, the US military has continued its relentless pursuit of hegemony in the Western Pacific.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TESLA SUSPENDS PRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC CAR AT ITS FACTORY IN SHANGHAI Tesla Inc. suspended production at its plant on the outskirts of Shanghai, according to Caixin news magazine (May 8) quoting people familiar with the matter, bringing to a halt all of the company’s vehicle manufacturing globally.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA STEPS UP IMPORT OF SOYBEANS FROM USA China's financial news magazine Caixin reported (May 8) that China is boosting its purchases of U.S. soybeans to fulfil commitments under a trade deal signed by the world’s two largest economies in January.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLAN: CHINESE OIL COMPANY COMMENCES OPERATIONS AT ITS NEW OIL DEPOT AT HAMBANTOTA The China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation has operationalised its Oil Depot at Hambantota port. It successfully refuelled its first ship, MV Melody, on April 7, 2020.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLAN: CONSTRUCTION OF HELIPORT CONTINUES AT PLA SUPPORT BASE AT DJIBOUTI Satellite imagery of March 2020 available online indicated that construction on the heliport and a possible new quay continued through the pandemic months has continued at the PLA Support Base at Djibouti base.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLAA: PLA ARMY DEPLOYS ZTQ-15 LIGHT TANKS IN TIBET Reports indicate that PLA light ZTQ-15 tanks have been positioned at Kamba County/ Shigatse in Tibet.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: COMMENTS BY CHINESE EXPERTS ON TWITTER AND CHINESE MEDIA Captioned 'China-US war unlikely despite rising hostility' an article in Global Times (May 10) said Washington's hostility toward China and escalated concern that worsening bilateral ties might lead to a China-US war, had prompted Chinese experts to assert that Beijing has sufficient nuclear capacity to assure mutually assured destruction (MAD) and create deterrence to reduce the risks of any direct conflict.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: OFFICIAL CHINESE NEWSPAPER GLOBAL TIMES CALLS FOR INCREASING NUCLEAR ARSENAL In a front-page article in the official Global Times on May 8, its Editor-in-Chief He Xijin argued that China needs to expand the number of its nuclear warheads to 1,000 in a relatively short time.
May 2020 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CITIZENS PROTEST AT GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO REPATRIATE THEM Chinese nationals and parents of students studying abroad staged small-scale protests over a lack of government support outside consulates and embassies in Nepal, Dubai, Kenya, Pakistan and Russia as well as in Beijing.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDIA CRITICISES CCP FOR NOT ALLOWING CHINESE TO RETURN FROM RUSSIA Epoch Times (April 18), Beijing News (April 25) and Epoch Times (May 1) disclosed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to bring Chinese citizens in Russia home.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA PUTS 'THOUSAND TALENTS PLAN' ON HOLD Taiwan's Central News Agency (May 6) stated that China's 'Thousand Talents Plan' (TTP), designed to attract overseas talent, is now not being mentioned. on total radio silence.
May 2020 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: CHINA TO VET POLITICAL VIEWS OF TV AND FILM ARTISTES AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES PERSONNEL FROM HONGKONG AND TAIWAN According to a Voice of America report (May 6), China has again tightened its ideological control over the film and television circles in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
May 2020 |
CHINA-EU: EU AMBASSADORS TO CHINA WRITE JOINT OP-ED IN CHINA DAILY The EU ambassador to China and Ambassadors of the 27 EU member states to China jointly wrote an Op-Ed in China Daily on May 6, on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China.
May 2020 |
CHINA-EU: EU BACKS INVESTIGATION IN TO COVID-19 The South China Morning Post reported on May 5 that the European Union has called for a worldwide investigation into the origins and spread of Covid-19 in a move its foreign policy chief described as “standing aside from the battlefield between China and the US”.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLAN: TAIWAN SAYS CHINA WILL ESTABLISH ADIZ OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on May 4 confirmed that China is planning to set up an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: MOVE TO PROPOSE OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN W.H.O. World Health Organisation legal counsel Steven Solomon said on May 4 that two WHO member nations have proposed the organisation grant observer status to Taiwan.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. OFFICIALS EXAMINING HOW US REPRESENTATIVES CAN WORK WITH HUAWEI IN STANDARDS BODIES Reuters reported (May 6) that US regulators are working to clarify how American companies can work with China’s sanctioned Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. in setting standards for next generation 5G wireless networks.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US TIES IN "NEW COLD WAR" Shi Yinhong, an International Relations Professor at China’s Renmin University and an adviser to China’s State Council, was quoted by South China Morning Post (May 5) as saying “The United States and China are actually in the era of a new Cold War.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA COAST GUARD TO GET ANOTHER 10,000 TON SHIP A report disclosed that China Coast Guard is scheduled to get another 10,000-ton ship later this year. Christening ceremony of the ship was held at the Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard on April 28, 2020.
May 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CASS ADVISES CHINESE LEADERSHIP HOW TO COUNTER GROWING ANTI-CHINA SENTIMENT IN THE WORLD The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on April 24, 2020 published an article analysing foreign media attacks, especially in the United States, against China during the Covid-19 pandemic which, it said, had made it difficult for China to cooperate with other countries and fight the pandemic globally.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE ECONOMY REGISTERS Caixin (May 8) reported that China’s goods exports unexpectedly rose in April, breaking a three-month decline and boosted by a surge in shipments of medical supplies to countries fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PLA DAILY WARNS OF INTENSIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONFLICT The PLA Daily on May 5 published an essay on page 3 on the importance of financial security. The essay was titled: "We should guard against the "high explosive point" of the strategic game of the financial "chess game" and earnestly safeguard the national financial security" (警惕金融博弈这一战略博弈高爆点,切实维护国家金融安全 - 中国军网).
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREIGN INVESTORS UNLOAD OVER US$ 31 BILLION WORTH CHINESE STOCKS AND BONDS Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported (April 30), based on data released by the People's Bank of China (PBoC) that, in the month of March, international investors unloaded around RMB 208.4 billion (US$29.5 billion) in stocks and around RMB 20 billion (US$2.83 billion) in bonds.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FINANCIAL STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (FSDC) MEETS ON MAY 4 Vice Premier Liu He presided over a meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Committee (FSDC) in Beijing on May 4.
May 2020 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CHINA COMMEMORATES MARTYRS OF US BOMBING OF CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE IN 1999 The Global Times front-paged an article on May 8, marking the twenty-first anniversary of the "brutal missile attack on the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999" which, it said, "Chinese people still cannot forget the sorrows and humiliation it caused" and "the US claimed" was a mistake. Chinese netizens commemorated the martyrs online on May 8, the 21th anniversary of the attack, and the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade too marked the event.
May 2020 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA'S ILD HOLDS TELECONFERENCE WITH NEPAL'S LEADERS ON CORONAVIRUS On April 29, the Head of the CCP CC International Department Song Tao attended and delivered a speech at a teleconference between the ruling parties of China and Nepal on novel coronavirus diagnosis and treatment plans and prevention and control measures.
May 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HKMAO CALLS HONGKONG PROTESTORS A Reuters (May 6) reported that in a strongly worded statement China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office warned on May 6, that the city will never be calm unless “black-clad violent protesters” were all removed, describingthem as a “political virus” that seeks independence from Beijing.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA, AUSTRALIA AND EU SET UP NEW MULTI-PARTY TRADE APPELLATE BODY Citing the Australian Financial Review, China's financial magazine reported (May 4) that China, the European Union and Australia have teamed up to back a new global trade dispute resolution mechanism.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PAPER BY PETERSON INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS ASSESSES DIFFICULT ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR CHINA Reuters quoted (May 4) economists Nicholas Lardy and Tianlie Huang of the Peterson Institute for International Economics as observing that China’s domestic institutions, notably its weak social safety net, are not up to the task of supporting private consumption, which is critically important for its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FILM INDUSTRY WILL LOSE OVER 30 BILLION YUAN (US$ 4.3 BILLION) THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID-19 The China Film Administration — which decides what films are released in China and when — estimated on April 29 that the country’s box office will lose over 30 billion yuan ($4.3 billion) this year.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS STATES CHINA EXPORTED 71.2 BILLION YUAN OF ANTI-EPIDEMIC MATERIALS BETWEEN MARCH 1 - APRIL 30 China's General Administration of Customs disclosed on May 1 that following the spread of the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, according to customs statistics China exported a total of 71.2 billion yuan of major anti-epidemic materials between from March 1 to April 30.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC GOVERNOR SAYS CHINA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH DEPENDENT ON HOW REST OF WORLD RECOVERS Speaking at an online roundtable organized by Caixin on April 17, China’s PBoC Governor Yi Gang said rebound from the Covid-19 epidemic has so far been better than expected and economic growth in the second half of the year will continue to gradually improve to “more or less the potential growth rate.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF LONG MARCH 5B ROCKET WITH TWO PAYLOADS ON MAY 5 China successfully launched the Long March 5B rocket on May 5, 2020 and with it the insertion of the prototype new-generation crewed spacecraft into its planned orbit.
May 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CO-AUTHOR OF 'UNRESTRICTED WARFARE' WARNS AGAINST TAKING OVER TAIWAN BY FORCE The South China Morning Post (May 4) reported that in an interview on May 4, retired PLAAF Major General Qiao Liang, co-author of the book 'Unrestricted warfare' and a Chinese foreign policy 'hawk', has warned that the coronavirus pandemic should not be seen as a chance for Beijing to take back Taiwan by force.
May 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE SECURITY THINK-TANK WARNS CHINESE LEADERS OF GROWING ANTI-CHINA SENTIMENT IN THE WORLD Reuters (May 4) reported that an internal Chinese report prepared by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), a think tank affiliated with the Ministry of State Security (MoSS), was presented in early April by the Ministry of State Security to top Beijing leaders including President Xi Jinping.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENTS The following were among the appointments announced recently:
i) Huang Runqiu (黄润秋): appointed Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
ii) Tang Yijun (唐一军): appointed Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
iii) He Rong (贺荣): appointed Vice President of the Supreme People’s Court.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG EMPHASISES POVERTY ALLEVIATION DURING TOUR OF YUNNAN AND GUIZHOU Xinhua (April 26) reported that PBSC member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang "recently investigated poverty alleviation in Yunnan and Guizhou".
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI PUBLISHES XI JINPING'S FEBRUARY 12 SPEECH ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION The April 30 issue of the Party theoretical fortnightly 'Qiu Shi' published the February 12 speech that Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered at the 12 February symposium on “fighting the tough battle against poverty well.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS MEETING OF COMMITTEE ON DEEPENING REFORM AND EMPHASISES THAT PARTY LEADERSHIP AND CHINA'S SOCIALIST SYSTEM HELPED CONTROL THE EPIDEMIC Xinhua (April 26) reported that Xi Jinping, "General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, State Chairman, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Director of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Committee", chaired the 13th meeting of the Central Comprehensive Deepening Reform Committee on April 27 and delivered an "important" speech.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: GLOBAL TIMES ALLEGES TAIWAN PAID HUGE AMOUNTS TO HAVE TAIWAN ACT PASSED China's official Global Times (May 1, 2020) alleged that Taiwan authorities had made huge "donations" to the US in order to promote the passage of the "Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act of 2019" on March 26.
May 2020 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINESE ENVOY MEETS NEPAL'S SENIOR COMMUNIST LEADERS DAYS PRIOR TO NEPAL COMMUNIST PARTY MEETING The Kathmandu Post reported (May 2) that Chinese Ambassador Ms Hou Yanqi met Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma, NCP Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on April 30 in Kathmandu just days before a crucial meeting of the party's Secretariat.
May 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: LIAISON OFFICE OF HKSAR WARNS HONGKONG WILL HAVE NO FUTURE IF PROTESTORS RETURN TO VIOLENCE Beijing’s Liaison Office of HKSAR reacted sharply to report by the US Congress-funded National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), and blamed “anti-China” politicians and foreign forces for opposing national security legislation and glorifying the criminal acts of the city’s radical protesters.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBSC DECIDES TO SUPPORT HUBEI'S ECONOMY April 29, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) where the main agenda item was supporting the Hubei economy.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: ICE-BREAKER 'XUELONG-2' RETURNS FROM ANTARCTIC MISSION China's ice-breaker the Xuelong-2 was photographed on April 29, in harbour on its return from a mission to the Antarctica.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING RETURNS TO HOME PORT China's first aircraft carrier the 'Liaoning', Type-001, accompanied by 2 frigates, 2 missile destroyers and a supply ship sailed through waters between Okinawa main island and Miyako island and through the sea area to the East China Sea on April 20.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: ZTQ15 105MMM LIGHT TANK DEPLOYED WITH 54TH HEAVY ARMOUR COMBINED BRIGADE OF TIBET MILITARY COMMAND A Chinese blog published photographs of the ZTQ15 105mm Light Tank built specifically to operate under the mountainous and wet jungle regions of China. It disclosed the tank is now with the 54th Heavy Armor Combined-Arms Brigade, Tibet Military Area Command, and displays their new unit-code of "LZ".
May 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA TO IMPOSE CENSORSHIP AND MONITORING OF TWITTER, YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS On April 25, Han Lianchao, a former employee of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a screenshot on Twitter of a notice from the Publicity Department of the Party Committee of the Beijing International Studies University.
May 2020 |
CHINA-TANZANIA: TANZANIAN PRESIDENT CANCELS REQUEST FOR US$ 10 BILLION TO EXPAND BAGAMOYO PORT The Hongkong Oriental Daily reported (April 24) that China’s “Belt and Road” economic strategy faced a setback. it said African media reported that Tanzanian President John Magufuli terminated the US $10 billion loan with China that was to be used to expand the Bagamoyo port.
May 2020 |
CHINA-COVID-19: FOREIGN ENTITIES FILE LAWSUITS AGAINST CHINA The Epoch Times (April 29) reported that on April 16, attorney Alejandro Sánchez Kalbermatten of Argentina filed a criminal lawsuit against China in Argentina’s Criminal and Correctional Court 12.
May 2020 |
CHINA-US: US DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SAYS COVID-19 NOT MANMADE The Office of the Director of National Intelligence of the US issued a press release on April 30, which stated “The entire Intelligence Community has been consistently providing critical support to U.S. policymakers and those responding to the COVID-19 virus, which originated in China.
May 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE MILITARY ACTIVITY ACROSS DEMCHOK (LADAKH) The Chairperson of the BDC of Nyuma-Changthang reported on April 27 that between 300-500 Chinese military vehicles were in the Tashigong area opposite Demchok. Flying activity by fighter jets during the day was also reported.
May 2020 |
CHINA-CCP: TAIWANESE PUBLICATION SURVEY CLAIMS 81.8 PER CENT OF THOSE POLLED SUPPORT A US BID TO TAKE DOWN CCP Taiwan's Liberty Times disclosed (April 5) that on April 3, a Chinese language media New Highland Vision conducted an online survey, with the question: “If the United States wanted to take down the communist regime in China, in case of a war, would you support the American army or the communist army?”
May 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: HUAWEI LOOKING FOR ALTERNATE SUPPLIES China Times (April 22) reported that, despite the news about the U.S. planning to expand the export ban on Huawei, Huawei commented that it can still purchase critical chips from South Korea’s Samsung, Taiwan’s MediaTek and China’s own Spreadtrum Communications, instead of U.S. suppliers.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: TWO TYPE-094 NUCLEAR SUBMARINES JOIN PLAN Quoting two Chinese military sources the South China Morning Post disclosed (April 29) that two new upgraded Type 094, or Jin-class, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) have gone into service in China in time for the 71st anniversary of the Navy. One of the sources said "The subs had upgrades to technology such as radar, sonar and torpedoes.”
May 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA LAUNCHES NEW TYPE-055 FRIGATE AND TYPE075 AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP A Type-055 destroyer was launched at the Jiangnan Shipyard on April 28, 2020.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE GRID'S FIRST LOSS IN 5 YEARS ATTRIBUTED TO COVID-19 China's financial magazine Caixin reported (April 30) that State Grid Corp. of China, one of China’s two largest state-owned power utilities, posted a net loss of 920 million yuan ($130 million) for the first quarter, compared with net profit of 15.3 billion yuan a year ago.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC TIES UP WITH AI SPECIALIST 'SENSE TIME' TO TEST DIGITAL YUAN Caixin reported on April 30 that, amid rumours that PBoC is planning a pilot programme for a Digital Yuan,the agreement between Hong Kong-headquartered Artificial Intelligence specialist SenseTime and the Digital Currency Research Institute of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), which oversees the development of the country’s sovereign digital currency, sets a target of “enhancing financial institutions’ capabilities in risk control and operations. No further details were given.
May 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC TESTING DIGITAL CURRENCY Xinhua (April 20) reported that a Guangzhou Daily report said that the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), is testing the use of digital currency in the accounts of the Bank of Agriculture through transportation subsidies.
May 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: AMNESTY CLAIMS CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST LI QIAOCHU HAS BEEN DETAINED Amnesty initiated a campaign on April 29 for Chinese human rights defender Ms Li Qiaochu, who is reported to have been taken away by Beijing police on February 16, 2020.
May 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINESE THINK-TANK'S VIEW OF CHINA-US RELATIONS The Beijing-based think-tank 'Minzhi International Research Institute' on April 24, published an article on Sino-US relations by Megn Weizhan (孟维瞻), Assistant Researcher at the China Research Institute at Fudan University.
May 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: RFA CLAIMS EMERGENCY MEETING OF PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTRY DECIDES TO INCREASE MONITORING OF TOP CCP LEADERS Radio Free Asia reported (April 27) that, after taking down Sun Lijun, the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Xi Jinping’s followers held three emergency meetings: an emergency meeting of the Ministry of Public Security on April 20, an emergency meeting of the Secret Service Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security on April 21, and an emergency meeting of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Political and Legal Affairs Commission on April 22.
May 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: 10-MEMBER CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM REACHES PAKISTAN A team of Chinese doctors led by PLA Major General Huang Qingzhen arrived in Pakistan in two special aircraft, carrying medical supplies to help Pakistan fight the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-G-20: G-20 SUMMIT POSTPONED DUE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US-CHINA OVER WHO South China Morning Post (April 25) reported that the video conference of the second 'virtual' Group of 20 (G20) leaders’ summit planned for May 1 and to be attended by President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump was called off amid the US-China row over the World Health Organisation (WHO). It could, however, happen in the near future.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: PRIVATE CYBER SECURITY FIRM ALLEGES ’INTRUSIONS CAMPAIGN' AGAINST CHINESE TARGETS BY VIETNAMESE HACKERS On April 22, the cyber security firm 'FireEye' reported that “From at least January to April 2020, suspected Vietnamese actors APT32 carried out intrusion campaigns against Chinese targets that… [were] designed to collect intelligence on the COVID-19 crisis.”
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-NETHERLANDS: NETHERLANDS RENAMES ITS OFFICE IN TAIWAN Apparently upgrading its presence in Taiwan, The Hague has renamed its 'Netherlands Trade and Investment Office' as the "Netherlands Office Taipei” on April 27. The PRC media are publishing strident criticism that observers say reminds them of the beginning of the Dutch-Taiwan submarine crisis of 1980.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: MANDARIN REPLACING TIBETAN AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS IN TAR The ICT reported that Human Rights Watch has issued a document in March 2020 detailing the rapid replacement of Tibetan by Chinese Mandarin in schools and educational institutions in TAR.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-US: PLA SOUTHERN THEATRE COMMAND CLAIMS IT "EXPELLED" USS BARRY FROM SOUTH CHINA SEA A spokesperson of the PLA Southern Theatre Command Senior Colonel Li Huamin on April 28, said 'The PLA Southern Theatre Command organised naval and aerial forces to follow the US guided missile destroyer USS Barry when it trespassed into China's territorial waters off the Xisha Islands on April 28'.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: FIRST FOREIGNER TO BE PROSECUTED FOR INVOLVEMENT IN HONGKONG PROTESTS Guangdong province’s state newspaper, the Nanfang Daily disclosed on April 24 that Guangzhou City’s National Security Bureau had finished investigations into Lee Henley Hu Xiang, a Belizean national and Taiwan resident, and his case had been transferred to the Guangzhou People’s Procuratorate for prosecution.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA'S SPACE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MISSION TO MARS On April 24, 2020 on the occasion of Space Day for China, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of China announced the program, "Mission to Mars". The series has been named as the 'Tianwen series' and the first mission has been named as 'Tianwen-1'.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: JIANGNAN SHIPYARD ARTICLE REVEALS IT TAKES 8 HOURS TO FIT RADARS ON TYPE-052 & TYPE-055 DESTROYERS An article published by the Changxing Jiangnan Shipyard revealed that fitment of the four APAR Type 346A radars and on the Type-052 and Type-055 Destroyers takes approx. 8 hours or 2 hours per side of the radar.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: WORK CONTINUING ON CHINA'S THIRD AIRCRAFT CARRIER An open source image of March 2020 showed progress on China's third aircraft carrier (CV-003) being built at the Jiangnan shipyard.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINA'S NHC SENDS INSPECTORS TO PROVINCES Beijing News reported (April 27) that the Inspector General of China's National Health Commission (NHC)’s Disease Control Bureau, Wang Bin, announced (April 27) that that the NHC had “Sent a working group of 16 experts to Yunnan, Guangxi and Tibet to provide on-site guidance on prevention and control of border areas and help formulate implementation plans.”
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CHINA TO RELEASE "CHINA STANDARDS 2035" China is set to release an ambitious 15-year blueprint that will lay out its plans to set the global standards for the next-generation of technologies. CNBC (April 26) quoted experts as saying the move could have wide-ranging implications for the power Beijing wields on the global stage in areas from artificial intelligence, to telecommunications networks and the flow of data.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: DATES ANNNOUNCED FOR CPPCC & NPC PLENUMS Dates were announced in Beijing on April 29 for the 'Big Two', or the plenary sessions of China's top advisory body, the CPPCC and its version of a parliament, the NPC.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: AUTRALIAN WARSHIP JOINS 3 US WARSHIPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA IN 'SHOW OF FORCE' UK's Daily Telegraph reported (April 23) that the Australian frigate HMAS Parramatta joined the USS America, an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Bunker Hill, a guided missile cruiser and the USS USS Barry this week close to where the Chinese government survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 is suspected to be exploring for oil.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA REACTS TO US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO'S REFERENCE TO 'WET MARKETS' China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reacted to a remark on April 22, by US Secretary of State Pompeo in a speech on the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, where he said "wildlife wet markets create risks for the generation and spread of diseases, and may have played a critical role in the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic" and urged their closure.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: CHINESE DIPLOMATS FOLLOW AGGRESSIVE OR "WOLF" DIPLOMACY Of late some Chinese diplomats have adopted an aggressive response to comments by senior officials of foreign Governments.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: TRADE UNIONS AND PROTESTORS PLAN TO RESUME PROTESTS The South China Morning Post reported (April 22) that organisers of a major Labour Day protest in Hong Kong have decided to go ahead with their march defying a police warning to cancel it because of the coronavirus epidemic.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NEW CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS Erick Tsang, the former Head of Hongkong's Immigration Department was appointed new Head of the Constitutional Affairs Department on April 22, 2020.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY SENDS PSYCHOLOGISTS TO FIERY CROSS REEF AND OTHER OCCUPIED ISLANDS AND REEFS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA (SCS) China has set up mental health stations on its occupied islands and reefs in the SCS. A PLA website disclosed April 17, 2020 that a psychologist from the PLAN Medical University went to Fiery Cross Reef on April 7. PLA is devoting attention to the psychological well-being of soldiers/ sailors/ airmen posted in far-flung areas and remote outposts.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER RETURNS TO CHINA AFTER 10-DAY EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The aircraft carrier Liaoning and its escort ships are on the way back to their port in China after 10 days of exercises in the South China Sea. They passed through the Bashi Strait on April 22, 2020.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLAN: PLAN RELEASES VIDEO ON IT'S 71ST ANNIVERSARY On the occasion of its 71st anniversary on April 21, the PLAN released a video showing PLAN activities.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECNOMY: CHINESE OIL COMPANIES STORE CRUDE On April 21, the Shanghai International Energy Exchange permitted a South China-based subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corp. Ltd. to increase storage for crude oil by 20% to 500,000 cubic meters.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BANK OF CHINA STOPS BETTING ON CRUDE OIL FUTURES In a statement issued (April 22) the Bank of China Ltd. (BoC) said it had temporarily stopped taking bets from clients on oil futures via one of its financial products in the wake of the collapse in global crude prices this week that cost some investors millions of Yuan.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE UNIVERSITY SURVEYS HOUSEHOLD FINANCES IN FIRST 3 MONTHS OF 2020 The Daily Economic News reported ( released on April 21) that a survey of household finances done jointly by the China Family Finance Survey and Research Center of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and the Research Institute of Ant Financial Services Group and released as a Report.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI'S GROWTH SLOWS AS REVENUES DROP Caixin (April 23) reported that Huawei Technologies Co.’s rapid growth had slowed to a crawl in the first quarter after Covid-19 depressed demand for smartphones and networking gear around the globe.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE CENTRAL SOE'S GENERATE 58.8% LESS PROFITS IN FIRST QUARTER China's State Council said at a press conference on April 20, that profits of central state-owned enterprises plunged by more than half in the first quarter as demand evaporated and supply chains were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WORLD BANK FORECASTS 4% DROP IN CHINA'S GROWTH RATE BBC (April 17) quoted official Chinese data that say China's GDP shrank by 6.8% for the first three months of the year. The World Bank says in the base case scenario, China will see growth fall to 2% this year from 6% last year - and if things get worse, it would see growth fall to 0.1%.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINA APPOINTS NEW MINISTER OF JUSTICE Tang Yijun, former Governor of Liaoning, has been approved for appointment as China's new Minister of Justice, but he will formally take over after receiving the NPC Standing Committee's approval when it meets from April 25 - 29, 2020.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: VICE PREMIER & PB MEMBER HU CHUNHUA TRAVELS TO XINJIANG, HENAN AND SHANDONG China's PB member and Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has recently travelled to Xinjiang from April 18-20 and Henan and Shandong on April 21-22. In Xinjiang, Hu Chunhua inspected poverty alleviation efforts while in Henan and Shandong the focus was on agriculture.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW LEADING SMALL GROUP SET UP TO OVERSEE SECURITY Reflecting the Party's anxieties about domestic social unrest, the Party has established a new high-level coordination group called the 'Safe China Construction Coordinating Small Group'.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CALL FOR 10 PER CENT REDUCTION IN MINING OF ANTHRACITE COAL A statement published (April 18) on the website of the China Coal Transport & Distribution Association said a dozen Chinese anthracite coal mining companies had called on the industry to slash production by 10% from current levels amid weak demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The statement said while anthracite coal output is now back at last year’s levels, demand recovery has lagged, leading to a “severe mismatch” in market fundamentals. It quoted the 12 companies as saying Coal producers should limit output, focus on reducing inventory and eliminate outdated capacity to resolve the supply-demand imbalance.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA ANNOUNCES FALL OF 14.3 PER CENT GENERAL PUBLIC REVENUES FOR JAN-MAR 2020 On April 20, 2020, China's Ministry of Finance held a press conference on fiscal revenue and expenditure in the first quarter of 2020, to introduce fiscal revenue and expenditure in the first quarter of 2020,January-March and release the figures. It said the total the national general public budget income was 4.5984 trillion yuan, down 14.3 percent year on year.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINESE BLOGGER COMMENTS ON COVID-19 Chinese blogger "Ms. V" said in an episode of "China View" that was published by CGTN Arabic TV (China) on March 17, 2020 that the presence of multiple coronavirus strains in the United States, the coincidence between the initial coronavirus outbreak and the 2019 Military World Games in Wuhan in which the U.S. participated, the possibility that the U.S. may have had many coronavirus deaths that have been documented as influenza deaths, and the CDC's shut down of former U.S. biological weapons research lab Fort Detrick, all suggest that COVID-19 originated in the United States, and not in China.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-SOVEREIGNTY: CHINA REASSERTS SOVEREIGNTY OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA ISLANDS The Global Times (April 19) reported that China's State Council had announced the establishment of two new districts in the city of Sansha "to administer waters in the South China Sea" and "for better scientific management and to safeguard territorial sovereignty."
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-SOVEREIGNTY: CHINA 'UPDATES' OFFICIAL 1989 DIGITAL MAP AND REDRAWS BOUNDARIES OF COUNTIES IN TIBET The national geographic information public service platform "Tianditu", established and operated by the National Basic Geographic Information Center, a unit directly under the National Surveying and Mapping Geographic Information Bureau of China, is China's authority in the field of digital maps.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN HARBIN, HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE The Financial times (April 19) reported that a new cluster of coronavirus cases in Harbin city has forced authorities to impose new lockdowns. By April 19, Heilongjiang said it had 61 active cases of Covid-19 from local transmission, including non-symptomatic cases, 54 of which were in Harbin.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO MEETING ENUNCIATES "SIX ENSURES" Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo on April 17, when they said that COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to the economy and forced the Party to change their policy priorities.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS XI'AN, SHAANXI During his visit to Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province on April 21, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised ecological environment.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-WHO: W.H.O. IN DAMAGE CONTROL MODE WITH TAIWAN Going into a damage control mode after its Director General Tedros’ irrational outburst against Taiwan last week, Dr. Van Kerkhove and another official called the Taiwan CECC / Ministry of Health and had an hour-long discussion with them, asking how Taiwan had handled the crisis.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-WHO: W.H.O. IN DAMAGE CONTROL MODE WITH TAIWAN Going into a damage control mode after its Director General Tedros’ irrational outburst against Taiwan last week, Dr. Van Kerkhove and another official called the Taiwan CECC / Ministry of Health and had an hour-long discussion with them, asking how Taiwan had handled the crisis.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRO-DEMOCRACY FIGURES 'ARRESTED' IN HONGKONG ON APRIL 19 MORNING The following pro-democracy figures including lawyers, former Legco members and democracy 'activists' have been arrested in Hongkong on April 19 morning.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: BEIJING ANNOUNCES CHINA IS NOT BOUND BY BASIC LAW The official Radio Hongkong (RTHK) announced on April 17 that: "Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong declared on Friday that it is not subject to Basic Law restrictions that bar central government departments from interfering in local affairs – saying it has the responsibility and the right to comment as it wishes on Hong Kong matters."
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: COMPRESSOR OF NEW FL-62 WIND TUNNEL PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY TESTED Global Times (April 14) reported that the Aerodynamics Research Institute, under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), announced (April 11) that it had successfully conducted a test run on the main compressor of the FL-62 wind tunnel at maximum speed on April 1.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: ANNUAL RECRUITMENT RESUMES China Military Online reported on April 13 that the PLA has officially started the military recruitment registration for the second half of 2020 in April.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DESPITE RESUMING OPERATIONS PRODUCTION IN CHINESE COS. IS STALLED BECAUSE OF DISRUPTED SUPPLY CHAINS Xu Kemin, Director of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) Department of Industrial Policy and Regulations (MIIT) recently warned that "Due to the poor flow of international personnel and logistics, enterprises that have returned to work and resumed production are again faced with the risk of having to reduce production or shutting down.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: REVIVAL OF BUSINESS STILL SLOW The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce provided a detailed picture on the resumption of businesses.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CSRC INCREASES NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued a statement on April 15 that there will be 20 new appointees to the 21-member committee, who will join shortly.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: TWO OLDER MONASTERIES IN SHANNAN CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 In separate but similar notifications issued on April 14 and 15, the Samye and Yasang Monastery Management Committees respectively said that as “per circular from higher authorities, and in accordance with the need of work relating to the prevention of the infectious coronavirus” the monasteries will be closed from those dates including for "visitation and purification ritual and providing support".
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CHINA REVISES DEATH RATE IN WUHAN UPWARD 'The Paper' (April 17) reported that China has revised its official count of deaths from the coronavirus, adding some 1,290 deaths in Wuhan, the city where the virus first emerged last December.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI AUTHORS ESSAY FLATTERING CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 16, 2020, published a 3711-word essay flattering Chinese President Xi Jinping' s leadership which "has won high recognition from the international community".
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NPC MEETINGS The well informed Hongkong newspaper Singtao reported (April 17) that the 'Two Sessions' (i.e. the CPPCC and NPC) will be held in late May.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE POST CLAIMS TEN THOUSAND CHINESE TROOPS GO TO PAKISTAN A post captioned 'Ten thousand Chinese troops rushed to Pakistan, attracting local residents cheers' appeared on a Chinese website on April 9.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE WRITINGS ASSERT THAT WEST'S EFFORTS TO BLAME CHINA ARE PART OF U.S. ORCHESTRATED PR CAMPAIGN The tenor of US-China relations is reflected in the recent writings of some prominent Chinese. Zhou Xiaoming, former Deputy Head of China’s mission in Geneva, wrote that the West’s efforts to blame China for the global outbreak is “a carefully coordinated PR campaign” initiated by American government to contain China. It is a new battle ground carved out by the US in its war to contain China’s rise. We must not underestimate it.”
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO WHO On April 14, US President Trump announced that the U.S. would suspend funding for the World Health Organisation, pending a review. Rising scrutiny of the WHO, and especially the perception that China wields strong influence over it, has led GOP leaders to call for funding cuts.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S GROWTH LIKELY HIT 44 YEAR LOW Reuters reported (April 14) that according to the median of 62 analysts surveyed by it, growth in the world’s second-biggest economy for 2020 was forecast at 2.5%, which would mark the weakest since 1976, the final year of the decade-long Cultural Revolution that wrecked the economy.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S DECIDES ON SUPPORT MEASURES TO HELP COLLEGE GRADUATES AND COMPANIES INCLUDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT Xinhua stated (April 14) that an executive meeting of China's State Council had decided that China will take "solid steps" to implement supportive measures for enterprises to help them through challenges, and boost employment for college graduates.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EUROPEAN BUSINESSES WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO LEAVE CHINA European business people in China told Caixin (April 15) that they are generally not looking to move their operations outside of the world’s biggest manufacturing nation. In some countries the idea was raised that manufacturers should move factories back home after disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S STATE GRID TO INSTALL NEW HI-TECH INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCT BATTERY CHARGING PILES AT GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST State Grid Co. of China pledged 2.7 billion yuan ($382 million) for the construction of electric vehicle (EV) battery charging piles this year, responding to a push from the central government to develop high-tech infrastructure.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MAJOR LEAK OF PRIVATE DATA COULD COMPROMISE CHINESE BANKS China's financial news service magazine Caixin disclosed (April 15) that an online post openly offered to sell more than 1 million pieces of customer information allegedly belonging to several Chinese financial institutions fuelling fears of potentially massive leaks of private data.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PREMIER ASKS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT MEASURES At the State Council's weekly executive meeting on April 14, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said“The support measures we have rolled out since the start of this year are adequate and robust and what is crucial is to ensure their full delivery.”
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: COLLEGES TO REOPEN AFTER COVID-19 Xinhua reported (April 14) that China has issued a 'technical' guideline for universities and colleges nationwide to reopen in an orderly manner on the premise that local COVID-19 epidemic is "well tamed".
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19 LIKELY IN WINTER Zhang Wenhong, who heads Shanghai’s Covid-19 clinical expert team and directs the infectious disease department at one of the city’s top hospitals, said during an online livestream broadcast by popular short-video platform Kuaishou on April 11, that while countries may be able to bring the deadly pandemic under adequate control by autumn, the coming winter may bring a “second wave” of infections in China and elsewhere.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-NUCLEAR: WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYS CHINA HAS RESUMED NUCLEAR TESTING AT LOP NOR The Wall Street Journal reported on April 15 that Beijing might secretly be conducting small nuclear tests at its Lop Nur site in Xinjiang.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA TO GIVE PAKISTAN RS 2.04 BILLION FOR SMART UNIVERSITY China will provide Pakistan with an unrequited assistance of Rs 2.048 billion for completion of a smart university transformation project.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MANUFACTURERS RAISE COSTS OF PRODUCTS The Chinese financial magazine reported (April 15) that as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic moves outside China, multiple major construction equipment makers raised the prices of their excavators amid rebounding domestic demand and the rising cost of imported components.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-EONOMY: UNEMPLOYMENT RISES IN CHINA The South China Morning Post reported (April 13) that a recent monthly survey showed that the unemployment rate had already hit a record high last month.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTO SALES SLUMP Caixin reported (April 15) that the SAIC Motor Corp., the biggest automaker in China, reported a 28.9% drop in earnings for 2019 as an industrywide sales slump undermined manufacturers’ profitability in the world’s largest market.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: CHINESE TECH COMPANY CLAIMS IT WILL CATCH UP WITH FOREIGN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURERS IN A YEAR Caixin reported (April 15) that the up-and-coming Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. Ltd. unveiled its latest 3D NAND memory chip with cutting-edge 128-layer technology as it plays catch-up with global leaders like Samsung in China’s drive to become a semiconductor powerhouse.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA COMMENTARY LAUDS CHINA'S MANAGEMENT OF CORONAVIRUS The PLA Daily published (April 8) a front-page Xie Xinping (解辛平 --a pen name that stands for PLA news commentary -- about China’s “extraordinary journey” in the management of the coronavirus outbreak.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE CONTINUE TO MOURN DR LI WENLIANG OF WUHAN HOSPITAL An article in the New York Times (April 13) reported that hundreds of Chinese ''netizens' continue to virtually mourn and post flowers the deceased Dr Li Wenliang of Wuhan Hospital who blew the whistle on the Coronavirus.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW DEPUTY HEAD OF CCP CC PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT Fu Hua, of Han nationality born in August 1964, born in Rudong, Jiangsu, joined the party in December 1993, and joined the work in July 1985 was appointed the Deputy Minister of the CCP CC Propaganda Department on April 7, 2020.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT SUN JINLONG On April 13, Sun Jinlong was appointed Party Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Ecology (MEE).
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN TAKES CHARGE OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION Wang Yang, Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) Member and Chairman of the CPPCC) chaired a meeting on poverty alleviation on April 14, 2020.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: TENSIONS IN THE RELATIONSHIP The Diplomat reported (April 10) that Japan Air Self Defence Force’s (JASDF) fighter jets scrambled 675 times in 2019 to intercept PLA AF and PLAN’s aircraft.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: RESEARCH PAPERS REVEAL DEVELOPMENTS BY CHINA IN NUCLEAR SUBMARINES The Jane''s Defence Weekly reported (April 9) that two Chinese research papers that emerged in early April through social media provide further evidence of significant technological developments in PLAN’s next generation of nuclear submarines.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN CHINA PICKING UP As of April 9 the Trivium National Business Activity Index indicates that China’s economy is operating at 81.2% of typical output, up from 80.6% on April 8; the Trivium National Large Enterprise Activity Index indicates that China’s large enterprises are operating at 81.8% of typical output, the same proportion as on April 8; and the Trivium National SME Activity Index indicates that China’s small businesses are operating at 80.7% of typical output, up from 79.7% on April 8.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: SMALL TOWN OF SUIFENHE, HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE ON BORDER WITH RUSSIA CLOSED Following China's National Health Commission (NHC) revealing that from March 21 to April 7, over 2,400 people passed through the Suifenhe border alone and that 45 new COVID-19 cases were detected among returning Chinese nationals on April 6 and 7, authorities of the small city of Suifenhe, Heilongjiang province, sealed off the city’s border with Russia.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: STATE COUNCIL ISSUES RULES TO CONTAIN SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS China's State Council at its meeting on April 8, instructed local governments to be “prudent” in allowing gatherings of people. It also issued its first set of rules to local governments on how to contain the spread of asymptomatic cases.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COUPONS/VOUCHERS ISSUED TO REVIVE ECONOMY China Daily and Beijing News reported (April ) that more regions are releasing numbers on their voucher programs.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MEASURES TO REVIVE ECONOMY CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) on April 8 when he told them that things in the rest of the world are really bad and that is bad for China.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW GOVERNOR OF SHANDONG TO BE APPOINTED cpc.gov announced (April 9) that China's Minister of Ecology and Environment (MEE) Li Ganjie will be taking over as deputy Party secretary of Shandong. He would soon be appointed Governor. At age 55, Li Ganjie will become one of the youngest provincial Governors.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: REN ZHIQIANG BEING INVESTIGATED BY BEIJING DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION The Beijing Western District Supervision Commission/Party Disciplinary Commission announced (April 8) that it is 'investigating' Ren Zhiqiang, the 'princeling' real estate tycoon, for serious violations of Communist Party discipline and law.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN LAWYER SUES CHINA FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY COVID-19 Radio France International reported (April 5), based on multiple sources, that the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in India and the All India Bar Association (AIBA) have filed a complaint in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) seeking $20 trillion as reparations from China over the global spread of the coronavirus.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-US: THREAT TO US IMPORTS OF MEDICINES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES Globalization has resulted in the manufacturing of many medical products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) moving to China.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: NATIONAL REVIEW CLAIMS PHOENIX TV OWNED BY CCP The US publication National Review on April 7 stated that Phoenix TV is owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The report said at the White House briefing on April 6, a Phoenix Television reporter asked President Trump whether he is “personally working directly with China” on securing medical supplies. “Only last week, there were multiple flights coming from China full of medical supplies,” the reporter said.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA FEARS THAT US MAY IMPOSE MORE HI-TECH SANCTIONS ON CHINA The Global Times on April 3, published a commentary written by Ni Guangnan, one of the founding members of the China Engineering Academy and the former Chief Engineer of the Legend Group.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CURBS IMPOSED DUE TO COVID-19 EASED IN WUHAN Starting at 12 am on April 8, the Wuhan City government lifted the lockdown which had been in place since January 23.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN CHINA POST COVID-19 HawkEye360 data recently showed that as China locked down for the coronavirus, activity at ports around the country slowed to a crawl. A strong recovery is, however, now underway in some places, including Shanghai. Wuhan's port activity remains suppressed, though it began to tick upward at the end of March.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS STILL SLOW A survey of business activity in China till April 8 showed that recovery of China's economy is slow.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EMPLOYMENT FORECAST FOR CHINA IS BLEAK The independent Chinese financial magazine Caixin (March 31) assessed that China is facing a severe economic slowdown and massive unemployment because the coronavirus hit it so badly.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA APPREHENDS FOOD IMPORTS COULD BE IMPACTED 'Beijing News' reported (April 1) that, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), food safety may become an issue in some countries and regions due to the lack of labor and to supply chain disruptions.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE 'PRINCELING' REN ZHIQIANG OFFICIALLY ADMITTED TO BE UNDER INVESTIGATION After his disappearance on March 12, it has been officially disclosed that 69-year old real estate tycoon and frequent CCP critic Ren Zhiqiang, is under investigation probably presaging his arrest and seizure of his assets.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE: REPARATIONS FROM CHINESE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY CORONAVIRUS An Indian advocate in the has filed an appeal (April 3) for payment of damages by the Chinese government and agencies for the damage caused by the Coronavirus.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CHINESE VESSELS SINK VIETNAMESE FISHING BOATS Li Shiqu, spokesman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said (April 3) that two Chinese maritime police ships stopped and sank the Vietnamese fishing vessel QNg 90617 TS and 8 fishermen who were on board, during their normal fishing activities on Fulin Island.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINA'S MASK DIPLOMACY Radio France International (March 29, 2020) and Global News (March 31, 2020) published reports that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been conducting a “mask diplomacy.”
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-XENOPHOBIA: WESTERN JOURNALISTS ARE REPORTING GROWING XENOPHOBIA IN CHINA Vagabondjourney.com cited (April 4) western journalists reporting increasing instances of xenophobic behaviour by Chinese including in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF CONDUCTS 36 HOUR EXERCISE NEAR TAIWAN The PLA Daily reported (April 1) that the PLAAF had conducted a 36-hour long-endurance early warning exercise simulating countering enemy planes during wartime and placing increasing emphasis on airborne early-warning and control aircraft.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA EXPORTS FRST BATCH OF THIRD GENERATION 'RED ARROW' ANTI-TANK MISSILE (HJ-12) The Russian Satellite News Agency on April 3, stated that China's arms exporter Norinco Corp announced that the first batch of the third-generation anti-tank missile complex "Red Arrow-12 Anti-tank Missile" (HJ-12) was sold.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DEBATE ON GOVERNMENT MENTIONING GROWTH RATE TARGET In the wake of the unprecedented economic damage caused by the Coronavirus, debate has been intensifying in China as to whether China should set a growth target this year.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER CHONGQING MAYOR SAYS CORONAVIRUS COULD BE "ONCE IN A CENTURY" OPPORTUNITY FOR CHINA Writing in the Chinese publication 'First Financial Daily', (March 27) the former Mayor of Chongqing Huang Qifan wrote that, the global virus outbreak could be a “once in a century” opportunity for Chinese economy.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE SoEs IMPORT HUGE QUANTUMS OF SOYBEANS China's State-owned companies significantly increased their purchases of U.S. soybeans, while other Chinese companies bought mainly from South America last year.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AGRICULTURE SHORTFALL IN GRAIN PRODUCTION WORRYING CHINA LEADERSHIP Agricultural worries threaten to undermine China's plan to eliminate rural poverty in 2020. Chinese journalists warn that Chinese farmers need higher subsidies to prevent them from abandoning grain production, and rice and soybean supplies from abroad could be interrupted during the Covid-19 crisis.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-SECURITY: NEW COMMUNICATIONS APP 'ZOOM' IS FOUND TO BE COMPROMISED BY CHINA The University of Toronto's Citizen Lab published an interesting report on Nasdaq's teleconference app Zoom, a Silicon Valley based company.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-AVIATION: CHINA SAYS 'AIRSHOW CHINA' WILL BE HELD IN NOVEMBER ON SCHEDULE Organisers of the Airshow China, which is scheduled in November this year, said it will not be cancelled More than 400 companies from China and the world have already confirmed their participation in the airshow.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINA'S NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMITTEES ARE HELPING CONTROL CORONAVIRUS Global Times (March 31) reported that the neighbourhood committee, which began as urban grassroots civil organisations in the 1950s and are the lowest level of governance in charge of civil affairs, were helping in controlling the Coronavirus.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINA TO TEST COVID-19 VACCINE ON PATIENTS ABROAD The South China Morning Post reports (April 3) that China hopes to conduct a large-scale test of a possible Covid-19 vaccine abroad in the worst-hit countries.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: MINISTRY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLAIMS 55,000 EX-SERVICEMEN REHABILITATED Xinhua (March 31) reported a claim by China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs that it has secured 55,000 jobs for ex-service personnel in four leading Chinese companies in the private sector, in accordance with agreements signed online between the ministry and the four job providers.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE WARNS CHINA WILL GET NO ORDERS TILL U.S. AND EUROPE RECOVER FROM CORONAVIRUS The Chinese website Sina quoted (March 30) Xu Xiaonian, a Professor of Economics and Finance at the China Europe International Business School, said that as long as the pandemic in Europe and America is not over, Chinese export companies will have no orders, and a recession is inevitable.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INTERNAL DEBATE WHETHER GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET TARGET GROWTH RATE The Chinese magazine Caixin reported (April 2) that a major debate is heating up among economists and Chinese government advisers over whether the country should abandon its annual growth target this year given the huge uncertainties facing both domestic and external demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INSTRUCTIONS TO SoEs OPERATING ABROAD ON GUARDING AGAINST COVID-19 The Department of Cooperation of China's Ministry of Commerce on April 1, issued "Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic in Overseas Enterprises and Projects" listing 16 specific measures under Six requirements. It said the Guideline represents "the motherland's deep concern for overseas enterprises and staff in the project".
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA RELEASES LIQUIDITY INTO MARKET TO HELP ECONOMY The Chinese financial magazine reported on April 3, that to help economic recovery China’s central bank cut the amount of cash that banks need to hold in reserve for the third time this year, releasing about 400 billion yuan ($56.4 billion) of liquidity into the financial system.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA ESTABLISHES NEW CENTRAL SoE The State-owned Assets Administrator (SASAC) announced the formation on March 31, of a new central SoE called the 'China Rongtong Asset Management Group'.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: VETERAN CHINESE DIPLOMAT ADVISES SOPHISTICATION IN DIPLOMACY On April 2, the official 'The Paper' published an article by veteran diplomat and former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: COUNTY IN HENAN PROVINCE INSTRUCTS THAT RESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS BE SEALED BECAUSE OF FRESH CASES OF CORONAVIRUS Bloomberg reported (April 2) that Jia county, Henan province, whose population numbers around 640,000, issued a directive on April 1, asking all residential compounds to be sealed off and those visiting and leaving homes to produce identity cards, wear masks and submit to temperature checks. Car traffic will also be limited.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE STUDENT IN SHANDONG CALLS ON CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO STEP DOWN Radio Free Asia reported (March 31) that Zhang Wenbin, a university student in Shandong Province due to graduate this academic year and who described himself as "once a little pink" supporter of the CCP, posted a video to social media calling on President Xi Jinping to step down.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: WUHAN ACTIVIST FANG FANG CONCLUDES 60TH ENTRY IN HER DIARY Fang Fang, an activist blogger resident in Wuhan, posted the final episode of her diary captioned 'Conscience of Wuhan' on March 25. Fang Fang who has been attacked by ultra-leftists daily said 'that the extreme left threatens Chinese society with a national calamity.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SENIOR APPOINTMENTS Li Yi, was appointed Deputy Head of the Central Party School in Beijing in March. Of Han nationality, he was born in 1963 in Tianjin and joined the Chinese Communist Party and work in July 1984.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 'IMPORTANT COMMENTARY' IN PEOPLE'S DAILY PRAISES CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP A People’s Daily commentary under the highly authoritative pen name Ren Zhongping (任仲平), standing for “important People’s Daily commentary”, while reflecting on the Chinese nation’s responses to the COVID-19 epidemic, specifically praised Xi Jinping’s leadership, listing his key meetings and inspection tours, as well as several of his “powerful and resonating” remarks on the epidemic.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: STATE COUNCIL DECLARES 4TH APRIL DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING FOR COVID-19 VICTIMS China's State Council, declared Saturday the 4th April a national day of mourning for citizens who died in the fight against the coronavirus and patients who died from the disease.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-UN: UN DECIDES TO USE TENCENT FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS The United Nations has decided to partner with the Chinese technology giant Tencent to hold online meetings for its 75th anniversary celebrations, despite the company’s role in state surveillance and censorship within China.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: MYANMAR CARDINAL CRITICISES CHINA FOR COVID-19 UCA News reported (April 2) that Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, who heads the Federation of Asian Bishop's Conferences, launched a searing attack on the CCP over the COVID virus, branding it "moral culpable", demanding an apology and reparations. His statement also attacks Beijing's human rights record.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN DONATES 5.6 MILLION MASKS TO EU; MORE TO FOLOW TO OTHERS i) EU President Ursula von der Leyen Tweeted on April 2, thanking Taiwan on behalf of the European Union for its donation of 5.6 million masks to help fight the Coronavirus, describing it as a gesture of solidarity.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: XI JINPING SAYS CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS AT NEW STARTING POINT Xinhua (April 2) reported Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying in his congratulatory message to India's President Ramnath Kovind on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties that China-India relations are standing at a new starting point and facing new opportunities.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EXPORT OF VENTILATORS Xu Kemin, an official of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said at a news conference in Beijing on March 30 that in the 10 days starting March 19, China shipped around 1,700 mechanical ventilators to markets outside the country.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA MOBILE BOOSTS SALES OF HUAWEI AND ZTE AMID US RESTRICTIONS ON HUAWEI Chinese telecom giant Huawei and hometown rival ZTE won China Mobile’s latest tender of 5G contracts to build 232,143 fifth-generation wireless network base stations in 28 provincial-level regions.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RECOVERY IN MFG SECTOR According to a Caixin sponsored survey of April 1, China’s manufacturing activity recovered in March as workers returned to businesses, despite the expanding coronavirus outbreak overseas denting foreign demand.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL APPROVES INCREASED RELENDING BY BANKS AND LOANS AT CONCESSIONAL RATES TO MICRO, SMALL AND MIDSIZE COMPANIES China’s State Council decided at a meeting on March 31 to enhance the country’s monetary response to Covid-19, including a further reduction in the amount of cash some banks must hold in reserve to provide further assistance to small and midsize businesses.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-COVID-19: WUHAN AUTHORITIES HELD EXERCISE ON HANDLING EPIDEMICS IN JULY 2019 New York Times on Match 29 reported that the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention held the country’s biggest infectious outbreak training exercise since the SARS epidemic in 2002 and 2003, in n July, to showcase the strides made since the virus killed hundreds and traumatised the nation.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: MONASTERIES IN TAR REOPEN AFTER CORONAVIRUS Xinhua quoted (March 31) the Buddhist Association of Lhasa as announcing (March 30) that a total of 214 religious venues in suburban areas of Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, which were temporarily closed due to the novel coronavirus epidemic, will reopen to the public starting from March 31.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINESE EMBASSY IN LONDON EVACUATING STUDENTS FROM UK BY AIR Caixin reported (April 2) on the basis of reports from families that the Chinese Embassy in UK is chartering a plane to bring home Chinese students attempting to flee the country’s Covid-19 outbreak.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING VISITS NINGBO On March 29, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Ningbo port in Zhejiang province – one of the world’s busiest ports and a trade hub for eastern China.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEETING ON MARCH 27 Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee n march 27 to discuss 'Dealing with the Coronavirus'. The meeting discussed keeping imported cases from entering the country and staying vigilant against the virus at home. It announced that the government will be rolling out a basket of supportive measures to help the economy.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-DISCONTENT: CLASHES ON HUBEI-JIANGXI BORDER Late on March 27, reports and videos were publicised via Twitter by Hubei residents who were trying to leave the province after the authorities had eased travel restrictions and the Jiangxi provincial traffic police who tried to stop them at the check-post.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: PROVINCES BEGIN REOPENING SCHOOLS Caixin reported (March 27) that kindergartens in Jiangsu province will reopen on April 7, the third grades will start on March 30th, and the high school starts on April 13. Jiangsu said colleges and universities will start on April 13.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE SCIENTIST GAO QUANXI SAYS GOVERNMENT FAILED TO STIMULATE SOCIAL SOCIETY Prof. Gao, now Chair Professor Law at Koguan School of Law, Jiaotong University, was quoted by Xinjing bao on February 29, 2020 as saying ”Improve social mechanisms, let conscience and rule of law prevail”.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CONFUSION LEADS TO CLOSURE OF CINEMAS IN CHINA Following government approval, China's 600 cinemas reopened for business early this week, but they were directed to be closed again on March 27.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S INDUSTRIAL PROFITS DROPPED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2020 China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that industrial profits for January and February had dropped.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EXECUTIVE VICE PREMIER HAN ZHENG CHAIRS MEETING ON STABILISING INVESTMENT Xinhua reported (March 27) that China’s Executive Vice Premier Han Zheng chaired a meeting on March 26 in Beijing on stabilising investment.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW MILITARY DISCIPLINE INSPECTION REGULATIONS China National Defence News reported (March 23) that with the CMC's approval the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision issued the "Code of Daily Conduct for Party Members and Cadres in the Army Discipline Inspection and Supervision System".
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM ARRIVES IN ISLAMABAD FOR 2 WEEKS A team of Chinese health experts reached Islamabad on March 28 to assess the preventive measures taken by the government so far to fight the COVID-19.
Apr 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG WARNS ABOUT RECURRENCE OF CORONAVIRUS On March 24, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned officials “not to hide cases for the sake of reporting zero.” He told officials "Everywhere you want to be truthful and publicly and transparently release epidemic information."
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: FEARS OF A SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19 PROMPTS CHINA TO STOP ENTRY OF ALMOST ALL FOREIGNERS FT reported (March 27) that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced (March 26) it would temporarily suspend visits from almost all foreign nationals amid mounting fears that those returning to China after the country eased its travel restrictions were sparking a second wave of cases.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-CIVIL AVIATION: CHINA SUSPENDS MOST INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS The Civil Administration of China (CAAC) announced (March 26) that it will drastically cut back the number of international flights from March 29. It said all domestic airlines that fly internationally can keep only one international route in operation, with just one flight on that route per week. Meanwhile, foreign carriers flying to China can also keep only one route, which can also not fly more than once a week.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: HUBEI PROVINCE BEGINS LOOSENING TRANSPORT CURBS Caixin reported (March 25) that “Hubei provincial authorities issued a notice on March 24 announcing that they will end restrictions on outbound traffic" starting March 25, with the exception of its capital city of Wuhan, which will block departures for two more weeks.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: 27 CHINESE PROVINCES RELAX RESTRICTIONS At a press conference in Beijing on March 26, China's Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Xu Nanping, said that it is not yet time to summarize China ’s experience in science and technology against epidemics.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAR RELAXES QUARANTINE REGULATIONS The Lhasa City Epidemic Prevention and Control Leading Committee issued an official notice dated March 23, saying that people from “low-risk” areas who are quarantined in hotels or elsewhere can move outside if they have already been in quarantine for a week. The notice, a copy of which was posted on Chinese social media, also says that while people arriving from “low-risk” places may not have to stay in quarantine, people arriving from medium- and high-risk places should be quarantined for seven and 14 days respectively. Tibetans quarantined for 14 days would be kept at their own expense.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BUSINESS INDEXES REGISTER VERY SLOW GROWTH Xinhua reported (March 26) that according to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology by March 24, only 71.7% of small and medium-sized enterprises had resumed operations. Another National Business Activity Index shows that as of March 25, the economy was operating at 73.9% of pre-crisis levels. These figures have prompted estimates that the economy is running at less than three-fourths normal levels and that if the economy doesn’t get rebooted quickly, the damage will be intense and long-lasting.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE ECONOMY CONTRACTS YIELDING LOWER REVENUES Bloomberg financial services reported that “The income of central and local governments contracted 9.9% in the first two months of the year compared to a year ago”, describing it as the deepest fall since February 2009.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SURVEY SHOWS SHARP DECLINE IN JOB OPENINGS Lu Hai, Professor at Peking University, who organised a recent survey under a joint project between Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management and Zhaopin, one of China’s largest hiring platforms, revealed (March 25) that job openings in China for the first two months of 2020 dropped by more than 30% as the coronavirus epidemic severely disrupted economic activity.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WORKERS COMPETE FOR GETTING BENEFITS APPROVED BY CHINESE GOVERNMENT Foreign Policy reported (March 25) that in most Chinese cities, offices and factories have reopened, but many workers have reported slashed salaries or the loss of benefits. To avoid catastrophic unemployment, the authorities have tightened already restrictive laws around layoffs, pushing the financial burden onto businesses. There is aid in place for many hard-hit enterprises, but a lot of political competition around who gets it. Chinese labor laws have always been excellent on paper: It’s hard to fire workers without cause or carry out mass layoffs. But they are highly difficult to enforce in practice.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA FILLS ALL ITS OIL STORAGE CAPACITY With oil prices dropping to an 18-year low, demand in China’s oil storage sector has soared as companies hoard the fossil fuel. Data from energy information provider OilChem China showed that since March 7, the day after talks between oil-producers cartel OPEC and Russia collapsed and prices began to plummet, Chinese ports have added around 1.5 million tons of commercial crude oil to their stockpiles. A manager at a Chinese oil storage company said “All of China’s coastal storage tanks and those near rivers are all booked, wherever they are in the country”. The total quantum of oil in OilChem China's storage is now 29.45 million tonnes.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-GERMANY: XI JINPING CALLS GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERKEL Chinese President Xi Jinping placed a call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on March 25, to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed a desire for deeper Sino-German cooperation and said “China is willing to share prevention, control and treatment experience with Germany, strengthen cooperation in vaccine and drug research and development, and contribute to the health and well-being of the two peoples and global public health and safety.” Angela Merkel agreed and said “Germany thanks China for its timely and valuable help and hopes to carry out scientific research cooperation with China in the areas of vaccine and drug research and development and other fields, so as to set an example of solidarity.”
(Comment: Over the last two weeks, Xi Jinping has called various foreign leaders each day to express support and offer medical aid and expertise.)
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES SAYS CHINESE COMPANIES IN INDIA CAN HELP BUILD HOSPITALS Global Times (March 25) quoted Chinese experts as suggesting that Chinese companies already in India can offer help including aiding the locals to build makeshift hospitals like those in Wuhan if asked. It quoted an expert from the China Railway Construction Corp. as saying Chinese companies can help countries undergoing coronavirus lockdowns like India. "Chinese companies working on existing projects in India, with sufficient supply networks in place, can take over the construction of makeshift hospitals like those in Wuhan upon India's invitation."
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: US DESTROYER PASSES THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT Anthony Junco, a spokesman for the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell conducted “a routine Taiwan Strait transit” on March 25, in line with international law. He said “The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE STUDENTS LEAVING U.S. TO RETURN TO CHINA Chinese students based in the US are paying upto UK Pounds 22,000 to charter aircraft in a bid to escape the potential Coronavirus epidemic in the US and get to China. China has, in turn, prohibited all charter flights from the US.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES PBSC MEETING ON COVID-19 ON MARCH 18 Addressing the PBSC meeting on March 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping said there has been a positive trend in preventing and controlling the epidemic and restoring normal production. Everyday life has quickened.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW SHANGHAI MAYOR IS GONG ZHENG On March 19, it was announced that Shandong Governor Gong Zheng will be taking over as Deputy Party Secretary in Shanghai. Gong Zheng is likely to soon be appointed Mayor of Shanghai. Shanghai has been without a Mayor since Ying Yong was appointed Party Secretary of Hubei on February 13.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW PARTY SECRETARY AT STATE-OWNED CITIC The trillion dollar State-owned conglomerate Citic Group Corp. on March 20 announced the appointment of Zhu Hexin, a Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), as its new Communist Party secretary. The Citic Group said at a management meeting that Zhu became party chief, replacing Chang Zhenming. Caixin cited sources to say that Zhu Hexin will also succeed Chang Zhenming as Chairman shortly. A regulator told Caixin that it seems to be “an important task to have the deputy governor of the central bank lead Citic Group at the moment.”
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: PARTY TRIES TO RECTIFY WRONG DONE TO DR. LI WENLIANG TO ASSUAGE PUBLIC ANGER More than a month after launching an investigation into local authorities’ handling of the case of Dr. Li Wenliang, a whistleblower doctor in Wuhan, the National Supervisory Commission (NSC) reported their findings on March 19.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: ONE HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE DIES IN WUHAN The Chinese magazine Caixin reported (March 20) that 45 year-old Liu Li, an employee of the Central Hospital of Wuhan who worked on the hospital’s Ethics Committee and was a colleague of the late whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, died from the Coronavirus disease, becoming the fifth since the epidemic broke out. She was first diagnosed with viral pneumonia on January 28 after running a high temperature for nearly a week, and was later diagnosed as having Covid-19. More than 230 of the hospital’s 4,000 employees have been diagnosed with the disease.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-EMPLOYMENT: JOB LOSSES IN WAKE OF CORONAVIRUS CNBC reported (March 16) that 5 million Chinese had lost jobs in the first two months of 2020, pushing the unemployment rate up to 6.2%. China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also revealed that retail sales plunged 20.5% over the same period in 2019, industrial output was down 13.5%, fixed asset investment fell by nearly 25%, real estate construction slid 44.9%, home sales fell 34.7% and investment in the real-estate sector was off 16.3%. The NBS said the shock of all of this is likely to last for some time, a recovery won’t be rapid or easy.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL AID: CHINA PROVIDES EMERGENCY HEALTH ASSISTANCE TO EUROPE The Wall Street Journal reported (March 20) that a group of 300 Chinese intensive-care doctors began to arrive in Italy on March 18. China has also sent supplies to Serbia and Brussels at their request offering to provide more than two million medical masks and 50,000 coronavirus testing kits. The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation have assured assistance to European countries. Pakistan says that China has provided it with “grant assistance of $4 million along with 300,000 medical face masks, 10 ventilators, and other equipment” to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE DEFENCE MINISTRY REPORTS PLA NAVY FLEET SAILING BETWEEN OKINAWA'S MAIN ISLAND AND MIYAKOJIMA ON MARCH 19 Japan's Defence Ministry reported that on March 19 in an area about 80 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island a PLA Navy Type-052D guided missile destroyer, two Type-054A frigates and a Type-903A integrated supply ship were spotted by its PC-3 patrol aircraft sailing eastward. The Japanese Ministry of Defense said that afterwards, these Chinese warships sailed northward from the sea between Okinawa's main island and Miyakojima and headed for the East China Sea.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: PROPAGANDA WAR OVER CORONAVIRUS Following the accusation on March 12, by Zhao Lijian, Spokesman & Deputy Director General of the Information Department, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the United States is the origin of the novel Coronavirus, Chinese bots took to Twitter to spread the accusation.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT CHAIRS PBSC MEETING AND SAYS CRISIS MAY NOT BE OVER Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) on March 18 when the agenda was preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINA RECORDS NO NEW LOCALLY TRANSMITTED CASES Official figures showed (March 18) that for the first day since the virus took hold late last year, China has recorded no locally transmitted cases.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: PROMINENT CHINESE VIROLOGIST SAYS AUTHORITIES FAILED TO IDENTIFY AND CONTROL CORONAVIRUS BECAUSE OF FAULTY ASSUMPTIONS Shao Yiming, a prominent virologist who is chief HIV/AIDS expert at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was reported by Caixin on March 20 as saying that Chinese health authorities initially failed to identify and control the threats posed by Covid-19 because of faulty assumptions and weaknesses in a carefully constructed direct reporting system.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES AND CONTROL MEASURES i) Shao Yiming, a prominent virologist who is chief HIV/AIDS expert at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was reported by Caixin on March 20 as saying that Chinese health authorities initially failed to identify and control the threats posed by Covid-19 because of faulty assumptions and weaknesses in a carefully constructed direct reporting system.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-CZECH REPUBLIC: MEDICAL AID TO OVERSEAS CHINESE SEIZED BY AUTHORITIES IN USTI STATE, CZECH REPUBLIC The WeChat public account "Lishui Qiaolian" of China's Guancha magazine on March 20, reported that according to Czech media reports on March 19, the Czech Usti State Customs on March 17 inspected the Lovosicích na Litomě icku Industrial Park and found that there were about 680,000 breathing masks and 28,000 masks in a warehouse.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: CHINA DEVELOPS NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR FACIAL RECOGNITION WHEN MASKS ARE WORN Xinhua (March 11) that the China Railway Science Research Institute just developed a new technology that can perform facial recognition even when the individual wears a regular mask and a helmet.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: US WHITE HOUSE TRADE ADVISOR PETER NAVARRO PUSHES DRAFT PLAN FOR DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF MEDICAL GOODS AND EQUIPMENT The Daily Beast reported (March 19) that White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro with President Trump's encouragement is pushing a slew of policies to ultimately curb the importing of foreign goods and create conditions that would allow for the increased production of American medicines, raw materials, and vaccines.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: BEIJING SAYS NO PLANS TO REOPEN SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS Beijing has no plan for reopening schools and kindergartens at present, said (March 17) the Beijing Municipal Education Commission. It said it is still too early to consider any plans for reopening of schools and the timetable will be decided considering the situation of the coronavirus outbreak.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: RELAXING OF ISOLATION MEASURES An unconfirmed report (March 18) states that cinemas are being reopened in order to keep the economy humming. The film distributors have agreed to waive their fee to distribute some top domestic films. The revenue split is normally 49% to the distributor and 51% to the local cinema. One of the first regions to open the cinemas was reportedly Xinjiang.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINA BEGINS WITHDRAWING MEDICAL PERSONNEL FROM HUBEI The first batch of medical assistance teams started leaving Hubei Province early on March 17 as the epidemic outbreak in the hard-hit province has been subdued. The 3,675 medical staffers belonging to 41 medical teams from across China have assisted 14 temporary hospitals and seven designated hospitals in Wuhan.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHONGQING IMPOSES 14-DAY QUARANTINE ON ALL OVERSEAS ARRIVALS China’s Chongqing city announced (March 17) it will require all overseas arrivals to be quarantined in designated locations or residences for 14 days.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINESE S & T OFFICIAL SAYS JAPANESE FLU DRUG "CLEARLY EFFECTIVE" IN TREATING CORONAVIRUS The Guardian reported (March 18) that a Chinese official of the S&T Ministry said the Japanese flu drug called ' ' and developed by a subsidiary of Fujifilm, was 'clearly effective' in treating coronavirus.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINESE SCIENTISTS RACING TO DEVELOP VACCINE Wang Junzhi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said (March 18) that Chinese scientists have been racing to develop COVID-19 vaccines by five approaches, namely inactivated vaccines, genetic engineering subunit vaccines, adenovirus vector vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, and vaccines using attenuated influenza virus as vectors.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CHINESE SCIENTISTS RACING TO DEVELOP VACCINE Wang Junzhi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said (March 18) that Chinese scientists have been racing to develop COVID-19 vaccines by five approaches, namely inactivated vaccines, genetic engineering subunit vaccines, adenovirus vector vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, and vaccines using attenuated influenza virus as vectors.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE PROTEST AT XINHUA REPORTER BEING PRAISED FOR HER REPORTING ON CORONAVIRUS The Wall Street Journal on March 19 reported that as China’s government promotes its successes in containing the coronavirus to audiences abroad, a heated backlash against a state-media reporter’s coverage of the pathogen shows that Beijing still faces a tough task selling its narrative at home.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S ECONOMY TO SHRINK BY 9% Goldman Sachs said on March 17, that China’s economy will likely shrink 9% in the first quarter, underscoring how the coronavirus has disrupted normal business activities, while China reported an uptick in new cases of the disease, most of them imported.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: POOR HOUSEHOLD CANNOT SURVIVE BEYOND 2.3 MONTHS WITHOUT INCOME A survey of 120,000 people conducted last week by the Chengdu-based China Household Finance Survey and Research Centre said that a fifth of Chinese households can survive only 2.3 months without any income, while 40 per cent cannot last past three months.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE MOBILE PHONE MARKET SHARPLY DECLINES AND APPPLE iPHONE SALES DROP 61 PER CENT Shanghai-based Chinese financial news site East Money reported on March 9, that according to statistics released by the China Academy of Information and Communication Technologies, the Chinese smartphone market declined by 54.7 percent, year-over-year.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE MEDIA COMMENTS ON US DOLLARS STRONG POSITION WHILE OTHER CURRENCIES SUFFER Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported on March 14, that the U.S. Dollar Index has frequently reached highs when the financial market saw free falls across the globe. Key non-U.S. currencies suffered most, including the Euro, the British Pound, the Canadian Dollar, and the Australian Dollar.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA SENDS PEOPLE'S ARMED POLICE (PAP) OFFICERS TO HONGKONG Reuters quoted (March 18) senior foreign diplomats as saying that officers from China’s People’s Armed Police (PAP) had joined Hong Kong police on the frontlines to observe anti-government protests that peaked last year.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: US LEGAL FIRM FILES CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHINA FOR CORONAVIRUS CBS and the Palm Beach Post both reported (March 13) that the Berman Law Group, a law firm in Boca Raton, Florida, filed a class-action lawsuit on March 12, to hold the Chinese government accountable for the deadly coronavirus now sweeping America.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA EXPELS US JOURNALISTS China announced (March 18) the following measures, effective immediately:
Mar 2020 |
VOICE OF AMERICA REPORTS STORY OF A RESIDENT OF WUHAN The Voice of America (VOA) on March 12, claimed that a young man in Wuhan, in his twenties, with the pseudonym “Tulong,” had decided not to remain silent in front the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) propaganda and thought control, but to speak out for the people who died from the coronavirus.
Mar 2020 |
US PRESIDENT'S REACTION TO CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ACCUSING US OF BEING THE ORIGIN OF THE CORONAVIRUS The official website of the White House posted the following on March 13. It said on March 12, Zhao Lijian, Spokesman & Deputy Director General of the Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused the United States of being the origin of the novel coronavirus, stating, “It might be the US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN PRESIDENT VISITS CHINA Global times reported (March 17) that as the world is facing challenges brought about by COVID-19, Pakistani President Arif Alvi chose this special time to visit China to show solidarity between the two "iron brothers.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S NEW YORK-BASED CRITIC REN ZHIQIANG DISAPPEARS New York Times reported (March 14) that friends of Chinese property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang,
also known as 'The Canon', who has been a vociferous critic of Chinese President Xi Jinping
and recently wrote a scathing essay calling him a power-hungry “clown”, said he
had disappeared from his New York apartment on March 14. His whereabouts, it said, are
unknown.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CONTAINMENT MEASURES AGAINST 'IMPORTED' CASES Chinese officials on March 15, drastically tightened restrictions on travellers arriving in Beijing
as fears mounted that China could see a renewed uptick in imported cases from travellers
bringing the disease back to China.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-FINANCIAL RELIEF: HEALTH EMERGENCY Caixin reported (March 14) that China’s policymakers are trying to shore up the economy as
the coronavirus pandemic continues to shake global markets. The central bank decided on
March 13 to once again cut the amount of money banks must keep in reserve to cover
2
losses, unleashing 550 billion yuan ($78.5 billion) of long-term liquidity into the banking
system.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COMPANIES RESUME OPERATIONS On March 8, the Hubei Airport Group issued a notice to prepare for resuming operations.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COMPANIES BEGIN TO REOPEN China's industry regulator said nearly all of China’s largest companies have reopened and the
majority of the country’s labour force has returned to work, though they will have to contend
with ongoing subdued demand as virus fears linger at home and bring other economies to a
halt. Chinese auto manufacturers are, however, operating at less than 40% of capacity, even
with most of their production facilities back online, Chinese shares opened sharply lower on
the last day of the trading week after the worst U.S. sell-off in more than 30 years but later pared
losses amid signs that markets in Europe and North America were stabilizing.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-TOURISM: CHINA CANCELS PERMITS FOR MT. EVEREST AFP reported that China has cancelled climbing permits for Mount Everest, as the spring
climbing season for the world's highest peak approaches.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS LAW BANNING US TELECOM CARRIERS FROM BUYING EQUIPMENT FROM HUAWEI On March 13, US President Donald Trump signed legislation barring U.S. telecom carriers
from using government subsidies to buy networking equipment from Huawei, just days after
his administration said it would extend a license allowing Huawei’s U.S.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER AND US DEFENCE SECRETARY CONVERSE The PLA Daily reported (March 4) that Chinese State Councillor and Defense Minister General
Wei Fenghe held a phone talk with US Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper on March 3,
2020. Gen. Wei Fenghe said that the Chinese people are waging an arduous battle to prevent
and control the epidemic.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HEALTH EMERGENCY & INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION On March 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres by phone when he said China is prepared to help the world tackle COVID-19.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC IN CHINA Caixin reported (March 12) that Chinese officials are relaxing restrictions to allow business activities to recover in many places across Hubei province, the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak, amid signs that the domestic spread of the disease is under control. Officials in several other Hubei cities also confirmed that local businesses would be encouraged to resume production starting March 10 if they meet certain criteria.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEETING CALLS FOR STABILISING FOREIGN INVESTMENT A State Council Executive Meeting convened by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on March 10 called for more efforts to stabilise foreign investment.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RHODIUM GROUP ASSES BLEAK FUTURE FOR CHINA'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY A recent assessment by the Rhodium Group maintained that while the pace of new COVID-2019 transmissions is coming down in China, but the pathway to economic recovery remains deeply uncertain.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AMERICAN BUSINESS INVESTMENT IN CHINA SLOWS The annual China Business Climate Survey, conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China late last year, found that 21% of member companies reported declines in revenue in 2019, compared with 7% in 2017.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FOREIGN TRADE DROPS Foreign Policy's China Brief reported (March 11) that Chinese trade dropped 17.2 percent in January and February, according to official data. The government is hoping for a recovery in May, but that is dependent the rest of the world not being swept up by coronavirus panic and slowed production.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI LOSES TOP SPOT AMONG PHONES Hong Kong Economic Times (HKET), the leading financial daily in Hong Kong, reported on March 2 that, according to market researcher Counterpoint, the Apple iPhone XR was ranked number one in the 2019 global top ten best seller of the smartphone market.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI NAMED FOR ILLEGAL TRADING WITH IRAN Deutsche Welle Chinese Edition reported on March 3 that newly obtained Huawei internal documents showed that the company did supply Iran with banned goods such as computer equipment that the US company HP had made.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GOVERNMENT RUNS HNA The Stock Times on February 29 reported that the HNA Group is a rapidly expanding airline and conglomerate in China. After the high-profile mysterious death of its Chairman, Wang Jian, in France in last year, the Hainan Provincial government has been leading its restructuring.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ITALY: CHINA DONATES MASKS TO ITALY TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio on March 10, that Beijing was willing to donate 100,000 high-tech masks to Italy, 20,000 protective suits and 50,000 diagnostic tests.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: US PROFESSOR ARRESTED FOR WORKING IN CHINA'S 'THOUSAND TALENTS' PROGRAMME James Patrick Lewis, a former Physics Professor at West Virginia University was reported on March 11 to have pleaded guilty to fraud charges based on his work for a Chinese global talent program.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS WUHAN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE OUTBREAK OF EPIDEMIC Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 10, made his first visit to Wuhan, the city that has been hit hardest by the new virus epidemic. State media reported Xi Jinping arrived in the morning in Wuhan, which is currently under lockdown along with several nearby cities. State media showed him inspecting the epidemic prevention and control work and visiting medical workers, community volunteers, patients and others on the 'front lines'.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING VISITS ACADEMY OF MILITARY SCIENCES IN TIANJIN Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the PLA Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Tsinghua University Medicine School in Beijing on March 6, to inspect scientific research work related to the coronavirus. Xi Jinping called for treating the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs as a “major and urgent” task and stressed the importance of technology in increasing the cure rate and lowering the mortality rate. Xi Jinping held a meeting after his visit to listen to work briefings by the Ministry of Science and Technology and National Health Commission.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER PBSC MEETING IN BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) meeting on March 4, to 'study the current epidemic prevention and control work and economic and social stability'.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PUBLIC ANGER OVER WUHAN PARTY SECRETARY'S CALL TO "CARRY OUT GRATITUDE EDUCATION" Wang Zhonglin (王忠林), a close associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping who was appointed Party Secretary of Wuhan in February, has evoked sharp and widespread anger for his remarks during a video conference on March 6, saying it was necessary to “carry out gratitude education among the citizens of the whole city, so that they thank the General Secretary [Xi Jinping], thank the Chinese Communist Party, heed the Party, walk with the Party, and create strong positive energy.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: ARREST OF XU ZHIYONG FOR CRITICISING XI JINPING Prominent Chinese activist Xu Zhiyong, a former law lecturer and founder of the social campaign New Citizens Movement, has been detained on a state security charge that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail for criticising President Xi Jinping’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: TWO NEW MAJOR STRAINS OF CORONAVIRUS DETECTED IN CHINA The Chinese financial magazine Caixin reported (March 8) that a new study by Chinese researchers published in the National Science Review, a peer reviewed journal affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences suggests not only that two major strains of the deadly new coronavirus exist but also that China’s intrusive lockdown measures at the center of the outbreak may have concentrated the more infectious strain in the disease-hit city of Wuhan.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: FOURTH DOCTOR DIES FROM COVID-19; CHINA DONATES US$ 20 MILLION TO WHO Zhu Heping, a colleague of whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang, has become the fourth doctor at Wuhan Central Hospital to die from Covid-19. Separately, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang said on March 9, that China will donate US$ 20 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support international cooperation in the fight against Covid-19.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-PLAAF: PLAAF CADETS TRAIN ON NEWLY COMMISSIONED JL-10 FALCON The Global Times reported on March 9 that jet fighter pilot cadets at the PLAAF's Shijiazhuang Flight Academy have received intensified training with the newly commissioned JL-10 Falcon to familiarise cadets with the country's top combat planes like the J-16 and J-20. Weihutang, a columnist on military affairs affiliated with China Central Television, said (March 5) the Shijiazhuang Flight Academy was satisfied with the JL-10 and recognised its performance during the specialised training.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MAJOR CHINESE COMPANIES RENEGE ON IMPORT COMMITMENTS CITING FORCE MAJEUR Bloomberg financial services reported (March 6) that in a rare and major step, China National Offshore Oil Corp., China's biggest LNG buyer, invoked force majeure and told some suppliers it won’t take delivery of cargoes because of constraints caused by the coronavirus. French oil and gas giant Total SA have rejected the declaration. Hours later, the Chinese copper smelter Guangxi Nanguo also declared it would refuse to take delivery of raw materials. China’s biggest oil refiner, Sinopec Group, is similarly likely to ask Saudi Arabia to reduce crude supplies next month.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHES ARTICLE CRITICAL OF INDIA Writing in the official Global Times (March 8) Liu Zhongyi, Secretary General of the Research Center for China-South Asia Cooperation at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION: SINGAPORE'S CANDIDATE BEATS CHINESE RIVAL TO HEAD WIPO Daren Tang of Singapore has won a hotly contested election to lead the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) defeating China’s Wang Binying. The WIPO General Assembly will now meet on May 7-8 to formally approve the nomination by its coordination committee.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PB MEMBER AND VICE PREMIER SUN CHUNLAN VISITS WUHAN Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, one of the most senior government officials to visit the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, toured a residential community in Wuhan’s Qingshan district on March 5 when, according to state media, Sun Chunlan inspected the operations of the neighbourhood committee to supply residents each day with necessities like medicine, food and fresh vegetables.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS CASES Caixin reported (March 6) that according to the count of Johns Hopkins University in the US, there are now 101,598 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and 3,460 deaths around the world as of March 6 morning.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA OFFCERS IN QUARANTINE IN BEIJING The Epoch Times reported (March 5) that a large number of Chinese military officers have been forcibly isolated since the end of January to ensure that they won’t be infected with the novel coronavirus. It quoted a source who resides in an apartment complex reserved for ranking and retired senior PLA Air Force officers in the Haidian District of Beijing, who said family members can only visit them twice a week to deliver food and clothes.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF AIRCRAFT OVERFLY TAIWAN AND US AIRCRAFT AND SHIP RESPOND Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said that on February 28, an unspecified number of People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft flew over the sea southwest of Taiwan.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA PERSONNEL ILLEGALLY IN PHILIPPINES Filipino Senator Panfilo Lacson On March 4, 2020, expressed concerns about the 2000 to 3000 Chinese PLA personnel in the country. Lacson said the PLA members might be here for an 'immersion mission', of which the exact purpose remains unknown.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PURCHASE OF US$ 1.92 MILLION WORTH BULLET PROOF VESTS BY PLA ARMY (PLAA) The Hongkong-based Apple Daily reported on February 26, that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) opened a bid for suppliers to provide 1.4 million bullet proof vests, including 930,000 general vests and 467,000 vests with enhanced functions. The price may be up to 13.4 billion yuan (US $1.92 billion).
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP OF PEOPLE Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a meeting of the Central Leading Small Group (CLSG) for the Work to Counter the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic on March 5, to alleviate the financial hardship of people because of the coronavirus.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 'THE PAPER' SURVEYS REOPENING OF BUSINESSES The official 'The Paper' observed (March. ) that while businesses are re-opening, the economy remains severely depressed.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: MONGOLIAN PRESIDENT AND HIS DELEGATION QUARANTINED AFTER RETURNING FROM VISIT TO BEIJING Hongkong's Apple Daily reported (February 28) that the President of Mongolia, Khaltmaa Battulga, who visited Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on February 27
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: UK FIRM TESCO EXITS CHINA Well-known new Chinese newspaper The Paper reported on February 26, that the British retail giant Tesco had recently announced the sale of a 20 percent stake in Gain Land to China Resources Group (also known as CRC). Gain Land is a joint venture between Tesco and CRC. This 275 million Pound deal marked the final exit for Tesco in leaving the Chinese market.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: FREEDOM MOVEMENT SUPPORTERS DETAINED BY HONGKONG POLICE BBC Chinese reported (February 28) that Hong Kong police had very recently detained Hong Kong Next Digital Group founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, former HK Legislative Council Member and former Democratic Party Chairman Yeung Sum
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S VISIT TO JAPAN DEFERRED The Japanese government announced (March 5) that Chinese President Xi Jinping has postponed his state visit to Japan in April. Xi Jinping would have been the first Chinese President received by Japan as a state guest in more than a decade and was due to have a meeting with Emperor Naruhito and hold a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: UNCONFIRMED REPORTS STATE CORONAVIRUS INFECTS COUPLE OF HIGH RANKING CCP LEADERS' RELATIVES i) An unconfirmed Internet posting (Rolia.net on February 21, 2020) stated that Cai Erjin, who is the son of Cai Qi (蔡奇), Beijing Communist Party Secretary is infected with the Coronavirus. It claimed that Cai Erjin’s lover was infected with the coronavirus and later transmitted it to Cai Erjin and his wife. Cai Qi and his wife have been put under 14 days of quarantine.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS INFECTION CASES & CONTROL MEASURES i) China's financial news magazine Caixin reported (March 4) that confirmed cases of coronavirus in China had climbed to 80,303 as of March 3, with the death toll reaching 2,947.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTO SALES DROP IN CHINA IN FIRST HALF OF FEBRUARY Beijing Daily reported (February 21) that the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) had released data showing that, in the first half of February, Chinese passenger car sales saw a landslide decline.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS An employee of the State-owned CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute (CNPC ETRI) recently said they were exploring the possibility of a Beijing-led global health organization that would rival the WHO.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US financial magazine's report on BRI The US financial news service Bloomberg published (March 2) a report that there had been little progress on the BRI or the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA REACTS TO LIMIT PLACED BY US ON NUMBER OF CHINESE JOURNALISTS Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on March 2, said that the US was conducting “political oppression” on Chinese media in the US, and the move would seriously harm ties between the two countries.
Mar 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG CHAIRS CLSG MEETING FOR CORONAVIRUS On February 21, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired another meeting of the Central Leading Small Group (CLSG) for the Work to Counter the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: STABILITY MEASURES IN HUBEI Epoch Times reported (February 19) that Ying Yong, the newly appointed Hubei Province Party Secretary, directed the Hubei Provincial Department of Publicity and CCP to organise 1,600 people to monitor, delete posts, and find people, and used so-called positive publicity to hedge negative public opinion.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: WUHAN PLANS TO BUILD 19 HOSPITALS IN WUHAN Hu Yabo, Deputy Mayor of Wuhan at a press briefing on epidemic prevention and control on February 21 said that another 19 makeshift hospitals to receive more infected patients are to built in Wuhan. Upon completion, all the makeshift hospitals in Wuhan are expected to offer 30,000 beds by February 25.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS IMPACTS BUSINESSES; CENTRAL GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO EASE RESTRICTIONS
The Foreign Policy China Brief (February 19) says the central government in Beijing is pushing for reopening businesses, but there is conflict emerging at the local level. Feb 2020 |
CHINA-CORONAVIRUS: CHINA'S NATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION DISCLOSES INFECTION AND FATALITIES AMONG MEDICAL PERSONNEL
i) Caixin reported that by February 21, China's patient count had climbed to 75,567 and the death toll had reached 2,239. Outside China, 1,153 confirmed cases and eight deaths were reported in 26 countries. Feb 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA PERSONNEL ISOLATED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC The Liberty Times of Taiwan on February 19 reported that personnel at the Sanya Naval Base, Erya PLA Navy Base and the Northeast shipyard have been diagnosed and accepted for isolation.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE THINK-TANK ANALYSES PRO AND ANTI-CHINA U.S. STATE GOVERNORS Captioned 'The U.S. Governors Report', 'D&C Think', a think tank based in Beijing, in collaboration with Tsinghua University released a Report on June 22, 2019, which stated that while a hardline attitude toward China now prevails in Washington, the American federal system means that state-level governments may not be in lockstep.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA SUSPECTS U.S. EAGERNESS TO SEND EXPERTS FOR CONTROLLING EPIDEMIC TO CHINA China’s state-run media Global Times published an article (February 10) -- which was rrepeated by Wenxuecity the same day -- asking why the United States is very eager to send its experts to China (to help control the epidemic of Wuhan pneumonia.) The article listed three possible reasons that are being discussed:
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE REACTION TO RUSSIA CLOSING ITS BORDER WITH CHINA BECAUSE OF CORINAVIRUS Global Times on February 19, observed that Russia's new precautionary move amid the coronavirus epidemic starting from February 18, 'is a bit of an overreaction' and it is regrettable, 'but due to Russia's basic medical conditions and shortage of medical resources, it is also understandable for Moscow to make the hard decision for the health of its own people'.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE EXPERTS TO ASSIST PAKISTAN IN FIGHTING LOCUSTS Global Times (February 20) quoted Chinese officials as saying China is sending a team of locust extermination experts to Pakistan this week to help the country end the ongoing locust outbreak there. It said China possesses world-leading technologies in locust control, and can provide pesticide and machines that are much needed in Pakistan.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING MAKES PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN BEIJING ON FEBRUARY 10 Chinese President and CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping made a public appearance in Beijing on February 10, and called for “resolutely winning the people’s war, overall battle, and defensive battle for epidemic prevention and control.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: ANOTHER CHINESE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CALLS FOR PRESS FREEDOM The South China Morning Post reported (February 18) that He Weifang, Professor of law at Peking University, wrote a 2-page handwritten article which he shared with friends on WeChat on February 17, 2020, calling for press freedoms. He Weifang said “I hope the heavy price [of the outbreak] will make Chinese authorities come to realise that without press freedom, people will live in distress and the government in mendacity.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: PLAN WARSHIPS EXERCISE IN PACIFIC OCEAN The Global Times on February 18, reported that a fleet of PLA Navy warships recently conducted an air defense exercise in the far seas of the Pacific Ocean.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTOMOBILE SALES DOWN Xinhua reported (February 13) that according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) data released for January, Chinese national automobile manufacturing volume declined 33.5 percent, month-over-month, and 24.6 percent, year-over-year. The sales volume declined 27 percent, month-over-month and 18 percent, year-over-year. Passenger car sales declined 27.1 percent month-over-month and 20.2 percent, year-over-year.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: REMARKS ON CORONAVIRUS The Party's official mouthpiece People's Daily between February 8 and 14 each day published a commentary on the coronavirus drawing mainly on Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks made on February 3 and 10.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC CASES The Chinese magazine Caixin quoting official reports released on February 18 night revealed that confirmed cases of coronavirus in China had climbed to 72,531 with the official death toll reaching 1,871. Outside China, 896 confirmed cases and three deaths were reported in 25 countries. Liu Zhiming, 51, the head of Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan, died of the virus at 10:54 a.m. on February 18 according to a statement released by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEOPLES BANK OF CHINA IS SANITISING CURRENCY NOTES The Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), Fan Yifei disclosed on February 15 that the PBoC was sanitizing bank notes as well as blocking their movement between cities in regions most affected by the outbreak to limit the transmission of the virus.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LOSSES CAUSED BY THE CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC A broad survey of American companies in China released on February 18, showed that more than three-quarters also have insufficient staff to run a full production line. Global electronics giant Foxconn, which employs more than 400,000 on the Chinese mainland, is struggling to fill its factory floors after officially resuming operations February 17.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS CASES INCREASE IN CHINA The Chinese magazine Caixin reported that confirmed cases of the coronavirus had increased by February 18 to 70,643 with the official death toll at 1772.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-CORONAVIRUS: PROVINCES CONFISCATE EACH OTHERS' MEDICAL SUPPLIES BECAUSE OF SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIE The shortage of medical supplies has created tension between local governments as everyone works on control and prevention of the novel coronavirus. Several places have been reported for confiscating other locality’s medical supplies.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PUNITIVE MEASURES TO CHECK MONEY LAUNDERING China’s central bank has increased the punishment for financial institutions that fail to adequately guard against money laundering, imposing fines of more than 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) for the first time.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SINGAPORE LOWERS GROWTH FORECAST DUE TO CORONAVIRUS Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on February 17, downgraded its economic growth forecast to between -0.5% and 1.5% — indicating a possible recession — reflecting a weakened outlook after the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN CUSTOMS SEIZES CHINESE SHIP CARRYING MISSILE LAUNCH EQUIPMENT Indian Custom officials on February 3, 2020, intercepted the ship named Da Cui Yun going to Karachi port in Kandla port Gujarat. The ship sailed from the Jiangyin port on the Yangtze river in China’s Jiangsu province to Qasim port in Karachi.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: US DESIGNATES 5 CHINESE NEWS AGENCIES AS 'FOREIGN MISSIONS' On February 18, 2020, the US State Department designated five Chinese state-run media organizations as foreign missions.These are the: Xinhua News Agency; China Global Television Network which falls under China Central Television, CCTV; China Radio International; China Daily Distribution Corporation; and Hai Tian Development USA, which is the distributor for the People’s Daily here in the United States.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING REAPPEARS IN BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public appearance for nearly a week February 10, as he touried Beijing wearing a mask.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW PARTY BOSES FOR HUBEI PROVINCE Following the Politburo Standing Committee meeting on February 12, the Party announced the dismissal of two top officials in Hubei:
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW DIRECTOR OF HONGKONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE Xia Baolong, an ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was appointed Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council on February 13, replacing Zhang Xiaoming. Zhang Xiaoming has become the most senior Beijing-appointed official to lose his job in the wake of months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong. Xia Baolong was Xi Jinping’s deputy when he was the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province from 2003 to 2007.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: POST ON PUBLIC ACCOUNT BY SUPREME COURT JUDGE A Judge of China's Supreme People's Procratorate, Duan Zhanjiang on February 13, unprecedentedly posted a lengthy article on his public social media account criticising the shortcomings in governance, not allowing civil society to have a larger role, suppression of free speech, prediction of a far serious fallout for Chinese economy etc. He referred also Tsinghua University Professor Xu Zhangrun's recent lengthy article.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONAVIRUS CASUALTIES i) By February 13, China's Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) patient cases had reached 44,763 and the death toll to 1,115. A total of 24 other countries have confirmed a combined more than 398 cases of infections.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ECONOMIC COST OF CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC Some of China’s major internet companies, including Tencent, ByteDance, Baidu and Didi, have further pushed back the date for their employees to return to their offices to February 17 or 24, though work has resumed remotely.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: EFFORTS TO 'RATIONALISE' SHUTDOWN AND ISOLATION OF CITIES, FACTORIES ETC AND ESTIMATES OF GROWTH
Chinese President Xi Jinping told local officials during a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee on February 3, that some of the actions taken to contain the virus are harming the economy. He urged them to refrain from “more restrictive measures”, the two people said. Feb 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GROWING DISSIDENCE IN CHINA Well known Chinese Professor of Beijing's Tsinghua University, Xu Zhangrun, on February 5, posted a scathing criticism of Xi Jinping and the Chinese authorities in a 6246-character article captioned 'Angry People No Longer Fear', that has gone viral on China's social media.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE INTELLECTUALS CRITICESE XI JINPING South China Morning Post reported (February 6) that prominent Chinese intellectual Xu Zhiyong published an article on social media on February 3, in which he urged Xi Jinping to step down for his “inability to handle major crises”.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONA VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD Caixin reported on February 6, that the patient count for the coronavirus rose to 24,421, and the death toll reached 493. however, Ten Cent posted far higher numbers and reported cases with . deaths. The posts were quickly taken down but not before some people had taken photographs.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-CYBER ADMINISTRATION: CLOSER SUPERVISION OF CYBER A notice issued on February 5, by the Cyberspace Administration of China, provides a glimpse not just of the actions being taken now by the authorities to control information about the coronavirus epidemic, but also of the platforms and activities that have threatened the Party’s dominance of information in recent days.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CORONAVIRUS PROMPTS CLOSURE OF NUMBER OF HIGH-PROFILE COMPANIES IN CHINA Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported (January 31) that, with the spread of the coronavirus across China, several high profile international companies have suspended their Chinese operations.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE AUTHORITIES ISSUE NEW LABOUR REGULATIONS Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported on January 27, that China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security had just released new regulations to relax certain labor laws for the period when the nation is combating the coronavirus.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-GERMANY: FREE UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN CRITICISED BY GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR ACCEPTING FUNDS WITH STRINGS ATTACHED
The Free University of Berlin (FU) has been criticised by German parliamentarians on the basis of a report by the Berlin newspaper Tagesspiegel for accepting terms stipulated by Hanban which runs the Confucius Institutes and which critics fear give the Chinese government leverage to prevent teaching about subjects such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and Tibet. On January 20, a group of FU alumni signed a joint letter expressing grave concerns about the university’s academic independence. Berlin’s Senate has said it will investigate the contract, which is worth almost €500,000 (£420,000) over five years, and is designed to train up to 20 Chinese teachers a year. Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: TELECON BETWEEN TRUMP AND XI JINPING China's official 'The Paper' reported there was a telephone conversation beteen US Prresident Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 7, 2020. No further details are available yet.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: 2019-nCoV (CORONA) VIRUS EPIDEMIC The corona virus continues to spread rapidly across China with 17,332 confirmed, another 21,558 suspected cases and 361 deaths in China by the 4th February. In a bid to tackle the epidemic, Chinese authorities have fast-tracked clinical trials by the pharmaceutical drug company Gilead.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-CCP: PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE ISSUES CIRCULAR ON COMBATTING EPIDEMIC The Politburo Standing Committee under the chairmanship of Chinese President Xi Jinping held a closed-door meeting on January 27, on the epidemic of new coronary methamphetamine in Wuhan and measures to combat it. Xi Jinping warned that those failing to perform their duties will be severely punished.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN GIVES MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHINA Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Pakistani side firmly supports China's efforts to combat the epidemic and expresses gratitude to China for providing help to Pakistani citizens in China.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: TAIWAN'S VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT TO VISIT WASHINGTON ON FEBRUARY 5-6, 2020 Taiwan Vice President-elect Lai Ching-te is scheduled to attend the National Prayer Meeting Breakfast in Washington DC on February 5-6, 2020. It will be the first time in decades for such a high level visit to the U.S. by a Taiwan official. He will be accompanied by, Bikhim Hsiao, a close confidant of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH EMERGENCY: CORONA VIRUS The WHO declared a global health emergency on January 31, while the US promptly issued a travel advisory advising against unnecessary travel to China and suspended entry of foreign nationals returning from the center of the outbreak in China to be quarantined for two weeks.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITICAL FALL-OUT ON CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING Xi Jinping has not figured on the front pages of the People's Daily since the 29th January and neither has he been seen on the state-owned CCTV telecasts.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: INTERNATIONAL ARMS SALES The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported (January 27) that, based on data from 2015 to 2017, China is the world’s second-biggest arms producer, behind the United States and ahead of Russia. It added that four Chinese companies had combined estimated arms sales of $54.1 billion for 2017, which would put them among the top 20 arms producers in the world. It said “Three of the companies would be ranked in the top 10”. Total U.S. arms sales in 2017 were $226.6 billion, and in Russia, $37.7 billion, according to the think tank’s Top 100 list for that year. Aircraft and avionics group Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) would rank as the sixth-largest arms producer, with estimated 2017 sales of $20.1 billion.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY'S COMMENT ON CORONAVIRUS CAUSING RELOCATION OF JOBS TO U.S. On January 30, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said the coronavirus outbreak in China, which has killed more than 100 people and sickened thousands there, will help bring jobs back to the U.S. He said “The fact is, it does give businesses yet another thing to consider when they go through their review of their supply chain. On top of all the other things, because you had SARS, you had the African Swine virus there, now you have this.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO IN DISCUSSIONS WITH BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DOMINIC RAAB POINTS TO CCP AS THREAT
US Secretary of State Pompeo, during discussions on the special relationship between the US and UK, stated that 'the Chinese Communist Party presents the central threat of our times. It is an enormous economy to which the American economy is deeply tied. There is huge opportunity for us to do really great, creative, innovative business work between our two countries. But the Chinese Communist Party, under President Xi, has made clear that they have an agenda that is not always consistent with the very values that Dominic and I have been speaking about this morning'. Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: US LIFTS SANCTIONS ON ONE CHINESE SHIPPING COMPANY The U.S. Treasury Departmen on January 31, deleted the COSCO Shipping Tanker (Dalian) Co. from its sanctions list, but continues to blacklist the second unit - COSCO Shipping Tanker (Dalian) Seaman & Ship Management Co Ltd.of COSCO.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SENATORS SEEK TAIWAN'S ADMISSION IN WHO A number of U.S. Senators, including Cory Gardner, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific group of the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee,Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton, John Cornyn, James Inhofe, Mitt Romney, Ted Cruz, etc signed a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary-General Tan Desai, urging WHO to invite Taiwan to become an observer, and asking WHO to provide Taiwan with the information and assistance needed to respond to the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic.
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-US: USAF B-52 H BOMBER ENTERED CHINA AND EAST CHINA SEA REGION Aircraft Spots, an aircraft monitoring website, disclosed on January 31 that a U.S. military B-52H bomber flew into the Taipei Flight Information District and entered mainland China and the East China Sea region of Taiwan. The bomber flew back to the U.S. Guam Anderson Air Force Base .
Feb 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH CRISIS: BEIJING CLOSES SCHOOLS The State Council General Office has extended the holidays for schools and universities till February 2, because of the Coronavirus.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESS RESOLUTION ON TIBET The US House of Representatives on January 28, 2020, voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill bolstering Washington’s support for human rights and environmental protection in Tibet. The Bill introduced and voted upon as a stand-alone piece of legislation, passed 392 to 22 and serves as an amendment to the Tibet Policy Act of 2002.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: US ARRESTS LEADING U.S. ACADEMIC FOR CONCEALING DETAILS OF WORKING FOR CHINA Dr. Charles M. Lieber, the chair of Harvard’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, was charged on January 28, with making false statements about money he had received from a Chinese government-run program ( the Ten Thousand Talents Programme), as part of a broad-ranging F.B.I. effort to root out theft of biomedical research from American laboratories.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA DAILY CLAIMS SENTIMENTS FAVOURING FORCEFUL REUNIFICATION OF TAIWAN ARE RISING IN C Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council , was quoted by PLA Daily on January 16, as saying that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taiwan secessionist forces have provoked a growing sentiment in the Chinese mainland of reunifying with the island of Taiwan by military force, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC SETS UP CENTRAL LEADING GROUP TO TACKLE HEALTH EMERGENCY The CCP CC Politburo Standing Committee met on January 25, on the prevention and control of the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus. CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired the meeting. The meeting decided to set up a CCP Central Committee Leading Group to oversee the work.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH CRISIS: CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY By midnight of January 25, Hubei Province had reported nearly 700 cases of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus infection; 31 patients have been discharged from the hospital; and 24 have died. At present, 494 patients are still being treated in the hospital.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PROVINCES REPORT LOWER GDP Reuters reported (January 22) that about two-thirds of China’s provinces, regions and municipalities have cut their 2020 growth targets from last year, despite easing trade tensions with the United States.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOODGRAIN RESERVES ARE SECRET China's Administration of Food and Commodity Reserves announced (January 25, 2020) on its web site that the State Secrets bureau had awarded the Grain Reserve Bureau for its "secrecy work" in January 2019. The award given in January 2019 is a recognition of the bureau's work in maintaining secrecy that is given out only once every five years. The reserves administration is responsible for overseeing the procurement, storage and distribution of government grain and cotton reserves.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC RELEASES NEW OUTLINES TO STRENGTHEN MILITARY AT PRIMARY LEVEL China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) released a new Outline to strengthen the military at the primary level. The Outline, approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping, will take effect from February 1.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: A PLARF COMMANDER SAYS PLA ENTERING NEW ESCALATED PHASE OF TRAINING PLARF Major General Xue Jinfeng wrote in the PLA Daily (January 22) about the military training and sharpening of the battlefield in the background of Xi Jinping’s directive at the beginning of the year to train more and in harsh conditions.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA DEVELOPS NEW 3--ENGINE DRONE The Global Times reported (January 20) that China had indigenously developed the world's first large, three-engine utility drone which recently made its first flight and can be used in transport and attack missions.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CPEC Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to travel to Pakistan around May or June this year. The NDRC has asked Pakistan to convene the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting under
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: TERRORISM AND FATF An FATF meeting was held in Beijing this week. Indication is that Pakistan could be getting off the graylist. Pakistan's News International reports that the FATF was “showed satisfaction over
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA DEBUNKS INDIA'S ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSSILE SYSTEM Fang Xiaozhi, a researcher at the BRI Institute of Strategy and International Security, Fudan University, wrote in the PLA Daily (January 21) that India 'has adopted the most conservative plan in all its anti-
missile tests -- only intercepting a target whose launching spot, flying velocity and direction, altitude or ballistic parameters are all known and there is no actively maneuvering and changing trajectory.
This testing approach of “hitting a fixed target” doesn’t comply with real combat situation, nor can it truly test the anti-missile system’s stability and reliability, so the testing results are hardly
reliable. Besides, India heavily relies on developed countries for ballistic missile defense technology, and many parts of its homemade missile defense system use foreign technologies, which has seriously
restricted the system’s combat capability.' He concluded that 'New Delhi has a long way to go before it can establish a truly effective ballistic missile defense system and fully exert its real combat force.'
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: NEW U.S.ENVOY TO COUNTER CHINA The U.S. State Department on January 22, appointed Mark Lambert as a new special envoy with a mandate to stall China’s growing influence at the United Nations and other international organizations. His mandate includes countering the BRI.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH CRISIS: CORONAVIRUS By 10.00pm on the 23rd January evening, China had confirmed 639 cases of coronavirus while the official death toll rose to 18. All recorded deaths were in Hubei, where there were 444 confirmed cases.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOURTH PLENUM OF 19TH CENTRAL DISCIPLINE INSPECTION COMMISSION (CDIC) The 4th Plenary session of the 19th CCP CC was held in Beijing from January 13 - 15, 2020 and presided over by CCP CC General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC CDIC EMPHASISES ADVANCES IN PLA'S ARMY BUILDING The Discipline Inspection Commission of the Central Military Commission (CMC) convened in Beijing to discuss “resolutely implementing the requirement of comprehensively governing the Party strictly” and “providing a strong guarantee for advancing the cause of a strong army in the new era.”
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: EDUCATION IN UNIVERSITIES TO PRODUCE TALENT FOR CRITICAL AREAS OF NATIONAL DEFENCE On January 15, 2020, China’s Ministry of Education released the “Opinion on the Pilot Work of Basic Subject Enrollment Reform in Some Universities,”
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLAAF: PLAAF PLANES FLY THROUGH BASHI STRAIT Reuters reported quoting Taiwan's Ministry of Defence that People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force aircraft, including H-6 bombers and KJ-500 early warning and control aircraft, passed through the narrow Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan on a long-range exercise on January 23.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SoE APPOINTMENTS Mao Weiming (毛伟明) was appointed Chairman of State Grid Corporation of China and Secretary of its Party group. Born in May 1961, Mao Weiming is Alternate Member of the 19th CCP CC.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S POPULATION IN AUGUST IS 1.4 BILLION China News reported (January 17) that, according to newly released data of the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics, Mainland China’s total population exceeded 1.4 billion in 2019.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: CHINESE NATIONAL ARRESTED FOR POSTING OFFENSIVE TWEET WHILE IN U.S A 20-year-old University of Minnesota student, Luo Daiqing, was arrested in in July 2019 in Wuhan, China and sentenced to six months in prison for tweets he posted while in the United States, according to an official Chinese court document dated November 5, 2019. Some of the tweets contained images deemed to be unflattering portrayals of a "national leader."
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA ROCKET FORCES CONDUCT NUCLEAR EXERCISE State-owned China Central Television (CCTV) disclosed (January 15) that the PLA Rocket Force conducted a nuclear attack survival exercise where troops in an underground missile facility had to endure extreme conditions and make sure they could still launch nuclear counterattacks.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA RECRUITMENT NOW TWICE A YEAR Global Times reported (January 16) that starting 2020 onwards China will increase the frequency of its military recruitment and retirement to twice a year, to maintain a smooth flow of troops, the military's high vigilance and to better train new recruits.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US-CHINA TRADE NEGOTIATIONS The South China Morning Post on December 14, scooped the terms of the long-awaited phase one trade deal between the US and China. According to several US sources, China will agree to purchase an additional USD 200 billion of American goods per year, including: USD 75 billion of manufactured goods; USD 50 billion worth of energy; USD 40 billion of agricultural goods; and USD 35-40 billion worth of services.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US-CHINA TRADE DEAL A firm of financial analysts assessed the US-China Trade Deal concluded on January 15 as follows:
We are still in a trade war. Tariffs remain levied on hundreds of billions of USD worth of goods.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC STATEMENT ON US-CHINA TRADE DEAL China's central People's Bank of China (PBoC) in an official statement on January 16, on the section of the phase one trade deal covering financial services stated, inter alia, that “[We want to] broaden market access for financial services…which is consistent with many opening measures introduced in China in the past two years.”
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING CHAIRS POLITBURO MEETING The Xinhua News Agency reported on January 16, that Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau to review the "Report on the Work of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central People's Congress Listening to and Studying the Work of the National People's Congress Standing Committee,
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW VICE GOVERNOR FOR GUANGDONG PROVINCE Rising financial star Zhang Xin has been appointed a new vice governor of Guangdong province. Zhang Xin has a PhD in Economics from Colombia Business School; in 1997-2001, Zhang Xin worked as a senior economist at the World Bank; in 2001, he returned to China to work at the China Securities Regulatory Commission; in 2004, he was promoted to People’s Bank of China (PBoC) where he worked until 2017; for the past three years, he was Vice Director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLAN: NEW TYPE-055 DESTROYER COMMISSIONED AT QINGDAO PORT China Central Television (CCTV) reported (January 12) that a commissioning ceremony for the domestically developed Type-055 destroyer Nanchang, was held on January 12, at Qingdao naval port, Shandong Province.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: UPGRADATION OF PLA POLITICAL WARFARE China’s 79th army started its wartime political drills with newer equipment and weapons from January 1. PLA Daily said the leaders realised that the existing wartime political work equipment was of a single and relatively old type incapable of matching the pace of information warfare and they took the initiative to upgrade some existing equipment and innovate tactics.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FUDAN UNIVERSITY'S FORECAST POSTED ON OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF TSAI ING-WEN'S ELECTION VICTORY IN TAIWAN TAKEN DOWN
A study by China's Fudan University forecasting a decisive win for President Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan’s election on Saturday was been deleted from its website, hours after it was released. Jan 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE REACTION TO DPP'S TSAI ING-WEN'S WIN IN ELECTIONS China's official news agency Xinhua on January 11 reported DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen's victory in Taiwan's national elections, results of which came in on January 11 night, where Taiwan President secured an unprecedented win of nearly a million votes over her next rival.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OIL EXPLORATION China's Vice Minister of Natural Resources Yao Huajun, said at a press briefing in Beijing on January 9 that effective May 1, all companies registered in China with net assets of 300 million yuan ($43 million), no matter whether domestically or foreign funded, will be allowed to apply for licenses to conduct oil and gas exploration and production.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-POPULATION: AGEING China has 166 million seniors aged 65 and above, and 25% of the population is expected to be over 60 by 2030.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: US DELEGATION IN UK ON JANUARY 13 TO CAUTION AGAINST ACCEPTING 5G A 6-member American delegation including Matthew Pottinger, the Deputy National Security Advisor, Robert Blair, Special Representative on International Telecommunications Policy, and Dr Christopher Ford, Assistant Secretary of State met senior British ministers on January 13, with discussions focusing on 5G.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US TRADE DEAL The state-affiliated social media account Taoran Notes published (January 13) an op-ed commenting on the expected signing of phase one of the US-China Trade Deal by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on January 15.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-INDIA: VISIT BY INDIAN ARMY NORTHERN AREA COMMANDER TO CHINA India's Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh travelled to China on a 5-day official (January 7-12) visit to China when he met the Commander of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) ground forces, General Han Weiguo.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: JOINT SEA EXERCISES 'SEA GUARDIAN' China and Pakistan are holding their first nine-day (January 6-14) naval exercises featuring anti-submarine and submarine rescue training in the Arabian Sea titled “Sea Guardians 2020”. Chinese media reports state that PLA Southern Theater Command Navy troops are participating in the drills.
Jan 2020 |
SCHOOL CHILDREN PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES DURING WINTER VACATIONS The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said that a directive issued on December 31, 2019 by the Lhasa Chengguan Haicheng Elementary School contained 7-point guidelines on winter break school tasks and projects, healthcare and forbidden behaviour, including religious activities.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE INVESTMENTS DROP TO 10-YEAR LOW Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported (December 31) that China saw its lowest level of overseas acquisitions in 2019, with a total value of US$41 billion.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA SPEEDS UP DEVELOPMENT OF JL-3 MISSILES The South China Morning Post quoted Chinese military sources (January 4, 2020) as saying that China has accelerated development of its most advanced submarine-launched nuclear missile, a weapon capable of striking the US mainland.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE APPLICANTS FOR U.S. VISAS DROPS Xinhua (January 2, 2020) published a commentary on the visa issues Chinese students face in the U.S. The commentary disclosed statistics showing that the U.S. issued a total of 78,100 student visas in fiscal year 2018.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA'S JIANGNAN SHIPYARD BUILDS 4 NEW GENERATION (VLGC) SUPERTANKERS FOR SINGAPORE On January 7, 2020, Jiangnan Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, built 4 new generation utra-large 84000 cubic meters of (ultra-large liquefied petroleum gas ship) VLGC for Singapore-based LPG trader PETREDEC HOLDINGS (EASTERN) PTE. The series ship is officially named.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA-MADE J-7 FIGHTER JET CRASHES IN PAKISTAN A China-built J-7P fighter jet in the Pakistan Air Force crashed in Mianwali on January 7, 2020 killing a Squadron Leader and Flying Officer.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: XINHUA COMMENCES URDU SERVICE IN PAKISTAN Nikkei asia reported (January 4, 2020) that China's authoritative, official news agency Xinhua launched its Urdu service in Pakistan to promote cooperation with local media, ostensibly to counter criticism against the major projects under the BRI in the country, known as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: US IMPOSES REQUIREMENT OF LICENCE FOR AI-RELATED EXPORTS TO CHINA Reuters reported (January 6, 2020) that the U.S. government imposed new restrictions on exports of American-made Artificial Intelligence software.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN ELECTIONS ON JANUARY 11, 2020 Taiwan will hold its national elections on January 11, 2020 at a time when public sentiment is anti-China resulting in a boost to incumbent Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's chances of victory.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-CZECH REPUBLIC: CHINA'S INFLUENCE BUYING OPERATIONS IN CZECH REPUBLIC The Czech Republic’s richest man Petr Kellner, owner of a domestic loans company 'Home Credit' is reported to be at the centre of a suspected foreign influence campaign by the Chinese government after one of his businesses financed an attempt to boost China’s image in the central European country.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN NAVY AND PLA NAVY START JOINT 'SEA GUARDIANS-2020' EXERCISE The Pakistan Navy (PN) and PLAN Bilateral Exercise, code-named Sea Guardians-2020, kicked off at the Pakistan Navy Dock Yard in Karachi, Pakistan on January 6 morning.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE VICE PREMIER LIU HE TO VISIT USA IN MID-JANUARY 2020 Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is scheduled to visit Washington, US from January 13-16, 2020. Separately, US President Trump tweeted on December 31, that the US-China trade deal would be signed in Washington on January 15 by “high level representatives of China”.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF LIAISON OFFICE IN HONGKONG On January 4, the Chinese government announced that Luo Huining, born in October 1954, will be taking over as head of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong replacing Wang Zhimin.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PLA HONGKONG GARRISON EXERCISES The South China Morning Post quoted (December 25, 2019) that China’s state-owned CCTV as releasing a video on Christmas Eve of Hong Kong’s PLA garrison conducting live-fire sea drills in the South China Sea.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE: CHINA'S NEW UPGRADED JF-17 'THUNDERBIRD' COMPLETES MAIDEN FLIGHT The Global Times (January 1, 2020) reported that the latest upgraded version of the JF-17 Thunderbird co-produced by China and Pakistan completed its maiden flight last week.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA'S SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER 'SHANDONG' JOINS SERVICE South China Morning Post reported (December 25) that about 30 carrier-based fighter jet pilots were present on December 24 when Chinese President Xi Jinping commissioned the Shandong in Sanya, Hainan province, according to footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV.
Jan 2020 |
TIBET MILITARY REGION BEGINS MAJOR HIGH ALTITUDE EXERCISES AND DISPLAYS NEW WEAPONS IN NEW YEAR The official Global Times (January 6) reported that the PLA Tibet Military Command has begun major military exercises in the New Year in the high-altitude Tibet region bordering India.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-AIR DEFENCE: CHINA REACTS TO U.S. DRONE ATTACK ON IRANIAN OFFICIAL IN BAGHDAD China's official Global Times reacted swiftly to the U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad and said (January 5) that it has raised concerns from Chinese netizens of drones being an increasingly dangerous instrument of war that could one day threaten China.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW YEAR RESOLVE China Defence News Network publicised (January 1, 2020) that of national defense and the army will have been basically realised by 2020 and major progress will be made in informationization.
Jan 2020 |
TAIWAN-HELICOPTER CRASH: TAIWANESE MILITARY OFFICERS KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH ON JANUARY 2 A UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter purchased by Taiwan from the United States in 2010 and carrying 13 people crashed in a mountainous region in the northern part of the island on January 2 morning.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-KENYA: CHINA COMPLETES AID PROJECT People's Daily on December 22 quoted China’s official news agency Xinhua to report that the completion ceremony for Kenya’s “10,000 Villages Connected” project was held at the Kinyanjui Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya, on December 20, 2019. The “10,000 Villages Connected” project is an African aid project that China launched in 2019. The plan was to install satellite receiving antennas, set-top boxes, digital televisions, projection televisions, solar systems, and other facilities in 800 villages in 47 counties in Kenya.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN PRESSURES EL SALVADOR AGAINST ALLOWING CHINESE COMPANY TO GET OPERATING RIGHTS AT PORT
Japan Times reported (December 31) that the Japanese government prevented a Chinese corporation from getting operating rights at a port in El Salvador to be built with a concessional loan from Tokyo. Citing diplomatic sources it said Japan warned of withdrawing its plan to provide ¥11.2 billion (US$ 102 million) in official development assistance after Washington took issue with the Chinese company’s interest in the project and pressured the El Salvadoran government into suspending a tender. Japanese Prime Minister Abe cautioned El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele over China’s intentions when he visited Tokyo last month, citing U.S. concerns about Beijing’s potential attempt to use ports in Latin America for military purposes. Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HUAWEI: CHINA CLAIMS HUAWEI'S REVENUE RISE DESPITE US-CHINA TRADE WAR Global Times claimed (December 31) that Huawei's rotating chairman Xu Zhijun had said the overall 2019 revenue of Huawei Technologies is expected to reach 850 billion yuan (US$ 121.72 billion), surging by 18 percent year-on-year, but lower than its earlier projection amid the US government's crackdown on China's largest smartphone and telecom manufacturer.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HUAWEI: HUAWEI'S MANAGEMENT RESHUFFLE CLEARS DECKS FOR TAKING ON U.S. IN TECH WAR The official newspaper Global Times (December 30) reported that Huawei founder and ex-PLA Engineer Ren Zhengfei and his daughter Meng Wanzhou, who is also Huawei's Chief Financial Officer, stepped down from their positions on the Board of Huawei. Meng Wanzhou has quit her position as a member of the board of directors of Hangzhou Huawei Enterprises Communications Technologies Co, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shenzhen-based Huawei Tech Investment Co, data from corporate information search platform Tianyancha showed.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-HEALTH: SUSPECTED OUTBREAK OF SARS IN MAINLAND CHINA China's state-owned CCTV disclosed on December 31 that a group of medical experts had arrived in the city of Wuhan on December 31 morning to investigate a suspected outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NETIZEN POSTS DATA ONLINE Sina.com on December 8 published economic data posted on the Internet by Tuozhanlaogou (拓展老狗, WeChat account name) which has been widely disseminated across the internet in China. Using data and charts, the author explained that China’s economy is at its most difficult time.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-GOVERNMENT: CITY LEADERS BEING RESHUFFLED Bloomberg reported (December 31) that China’s bureaucracy is undergoing a rare large-scale regional reshuffle with new appointments and job swaps offering hints of potential future leaders being groomed by Beijing. It said at least 32 new mayoral-level officials have been appointed since December 21, with 29 of them being relocated to a new province for the first time. The other three are being moved for just the second time.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CPPCC'S ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES RELIGION Xinhua (November 26) and Radio France Internationale (Dcember 23) reported that the Ethnic Group and Religion Committee of the Chinese National People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) recently had a discussion forum on religion.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PLA GENERAL'S SON ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN ILLEGALLY TRANSFER OF FUNDS ABROAD The Epoch Times reported (December 14, 2019) that "a person" has been instrumental in helping some top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials and their families move their money out of China. It said he remains low-key, rarely interacting with Chinese and hiding behind those transactions, so very few people know about him.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE On the evening of December 31, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a congratulatory message for the New Year 2020, where he referred to many topics such as poverty alleviation, the situation in Hong Kong, and the Sino-US trade war.
Jan 2020 |
CHINA-US: CHINA TOUGHENS STANCE TOWARDS U.S. AND THREATENS TAIWAN People’s Daily reported on December 2 that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a ban on U.S. military vessels and aircraft.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POLICE RECOVER 10KGS OF EXPLOSIVES FROM COLLEGE PREMISES Hongkong Police on December 9 night said they recovered and defused two home-made bombs near the Wah Yan College, a Jesuit high school, in Wan Chai. Officers said the "bombs" were complete and ready to be used.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES 7-PART SERIES OF COMMENTATOR ARTICLES ON HONGKONG The People’s Daily published a seven-part series of commentator articles condemning the United States for signing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) into law on November 27.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG OFFICIALS SAY REGION'S ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS SUCCESSFUL AND 'RE-EDUCATION' CAMPS WILL BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES
The PRC's State Council Information Office held a press conference on December 9, with senior officials from the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to discuss Xinjiang’s anti-terrorism re-education camps. Dec 2019 |
CHINA-AI: EXPENDITURE ON AI R&D In its Report of December 2019, the Centre for Security and Emerging Technologies estimated China's R&D spending on AI. Acknowledging that these were estimates based on 2018 data, it estimated China's spending on AI under civilian S&T as between approx. US$ 90 million and US$ 2 billion. It estimated military spending on AI-related R&D at US$ 2.7 billion.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-AI: TSINGHUA PROFESSOR OBJECTS TO USE OF FACIAL RECOGNITION AND AI FOR SCREENING PEOPLE BBC Chinese reported (December 6) that starting in December, whenever the Chinese people had to register their new mobile phone numbers, they also had to undergo facial scanning. However, a survey showed that Chinese respondents were very concerned about the security of facial recognition.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY: UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT DEPUTY HEAD WRITES IN QIU SHI State Ethnic Affairs Commission Director and United Front Department Deputy Head Bagatur, published an article in Qiushi (No. 2019/23 dated December 1, 2019) about Xi Jinping’s speech in late September at a national meeting that honoured national role models for ethnic unity and progress in Beijing. The article generally reiterated the main talking points of the speech.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-SECURITY: HEAD OF CHINA'S POLITICAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION ASKS PEOPLE TO 'STRENGTHEN DEFENCE LINE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY'
On November 28, Guo Shengkun, head of the CCP's Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), published an article in People’s Daily calling for the firm defense of “national political security,” which is “the lifeline of the Party’s and the nation’s security, and an unshakable bottom line.” Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY: CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT CALLS FOR SETTING UP LEADING GROUPS TO PROPAGATE XI JINP The People’s Daily published (December 5) a commentary under the Zhong Zuwen (仲祖文) byline, which is used to convey the views of the Central Organization Department, to summarize the “Outline of the 2019-2023 National Party and Government Leadership Body Construction Plan”, which was recently published by the CCP Central Committee General Office.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-US: CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE CLOSED IN KANSAS UNIVERSITY The Confucius Institute will close in January of 2020, according to an email distributed December 16 night to faculty and staff from University of Kansas interim Provost Carl Lejuez.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S DEFENCE MINISTER CRTICISES CHINA AT DOHA FORUM Speaking at the Doha Forum on December16, Japan's Defence Minister Taro Kono said Japan “is also concerned about China’s rapid enhancement of its military power without transparency, including its nuclear and missile capabilities.”
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-EU: EU AWARDS JAILED UYGHUR DISSIDENT SCHOLAR Jewher Ilham, daughter of jailed Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti, received the European Parliament’s top Sakharov Prize prize on his behalf on December 18, saying she did not even know if he was still alive. She hoped the award of the Sakharov Prize would help her father, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for “separatism”.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: THREE TIBETANS ARRESTED Authorities in China’s Gansu province have, according to a report (December 10) issued by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), detained three Tibetans, including a painter of traditional religious art, apparently for sharing politically sensitive information on the social-media messaging platform WeChat.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: STUDENTS IN SHANGHAI'S FUDAN UNIVERSITY ANGRY Students at the prestigious Fudan University in Shanghai are outraged after “freedom of thought” was removed as a core value from its charter.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE HELD in beijing ON DECEMBER 10-12 The Central Economic Work Conference was held from 10 to 12 December in Beijing. Xi Jinping attended the conference and offered a summary of the economic work in 2019 and an analysis of both the current economic situation and future economic activity in 2020. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang discussed the specifics of next year’s work on the economy.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA DAILY SAYS NEW ROUND OF MILITARY DISCIPLINE INSPECTION HAS BEGUN IN THE PLA The PLA Daily reported (December 12) that the second round of training for military discipline inspection and supervision cadres on two party regulations regarding discipline inspection and law enforcement work had begun.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETIRED MILITARY VETERANS Xinhua (December 9) reported that Xi Jinping had made important comments on retired military cadre work at a teleconference on the subject.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: RUSSIA COMPLAINS OF MILITARY TECHNOLOGY THEFT BY CHINA Asia Nikkei reported on December 20 that Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec accused China of illegally copying a broad range of Russian weaponry and other military hardware.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE GOVERNMENT OWNED PROPERTY IN HONGKONG A Bloomberg (December 20) report said after examination of hundreds of Hong Kong Land Registry documents, it found that China's Liaison Office owns properties in more than 20 buildings across the city, with an estimated value of more than $1.5 billion. It described the figure as conservative.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POLICE CLOSES NGO AND ARRESTS 4 PERSONS Bloomberg reported (December 20) that Hong Kong’s police arrested four people for suspected money laundering linked to ongoing pro- democracy protests and and froze money from a fund that’s raised millions to help support the demonstrations.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING -TRUMP TALK ON TELEPHONE The People's Daily front-paged (December 20) a report that Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Trump spoke on the telephone on December 20 after the first phase trade agreement negotiations concluded.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-BANGLADESH: PLA NAVY HANDS OVER TWO FRIGATES TO BANGLADESH NAVY Senior Bangladeshi Navy officials received two second generation Chinese Type-053H3 frigates, Jiaxing (Hull 521) and Lianyungang (Hull 522), in Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard on December 18.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: PLA DAILY HIGHLIGHTS "FIVE BREAKTHROUGHS" OF CHINA'S SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER The PLA Daily said (December 18) that induction of the first China-made aircraft carrier Shandong (Hull 17) to the PLA Navy on December 17, 2019, marked 5 breakthroughs. It listed these as, briefly: (i) it was independently designed by China, which realizes the historic leap from renovation to self-development of aircraft carriers and is a major milestone in China's warship construction history.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLAAF: ROADS TO BE USED AS BACK-UP RUNWAYS Discussing that expressways could be used as back-up runways for China's latest four and half generation J-20 'stealth' fighter, China's military media (December 9) cited precedents and asserted that more than 10 such special runways have been built nationwide since the Ninth Five Year Plan. China's total highway mileage has exceeded 4 million kilometers, of which more than 150,000 kilometers are expressways. In the event of an attack on a military airfield making it impossible to operate, China's 100, 000 kilometers of highways would be another runway for fighter jets to take off.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: FIRST MILITARY TRAINING CONFERENCE AT SANYA The first annual conference for optimising the PLA Military training bases and Simulated Blue Forces (mock enemy armies) was held in Sanya, Hainan Province. Over one hundred officers-in-charge and experts related to military training gathered in a Naval Joint Training Base to talk about the macro-design on the building of Chinese military training bases.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PAPF: PROMOTIONS IN PEOPLE'S ARMED POLICE FORCE (PAPF) The South China Morning Post also reported (December 15) that large scale promotions have taken place in China's People's Armed Police Force (PAPF).
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: PROMOTIONS OF PLA OFFICERS Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported (December 15) that Chinese President Xi Jinping had the previous week promoted more than 170 senior military officers as part of an ongoing reform of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Dec 2019 |
CCP CC ORGANISATION DEPARTMENT CALLS FOR SETTING UP LEADING GROUPS TO PROPAGATE XI JINPING THOUGHT The People’s Daily published (December 5) a commentary under the Zhong Zuwen (仲祖文) byline, which is used to convey the views of the Central Organization Department, to summarize the “Outline of the 2019-2023 National Party and Government Leadership Body Construction Plan”, which was recently published by the CCP Central Committee General Office.
Dec 2019 |
HEAD OF THE CCP'S PLAC ASKS PEOPLE TO 'STRENGTHEN DEFENCE LINE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY On November 28, Guo Shengkun, head of the CCP's Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC), published an article in People’s Daily calling for the firm defense of “national political security,” which is “the lifeline of the Party’s and the nation’s security, and an unshakable bottom line.”
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY: UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT DEPUTY HEAD WRITES IN QIU SHI State Ethnic Affairs Commission Director and United Front Department Deputy Head Bagatur, published an article in Qiushi (No. 2019/23 dated December 1, 2019) about Xi Jinping’s speech in late September at a national meeting that honoured national role models for ethnic unity and progress in Beijing.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-AI: TSINGHUA PROFESSOR OBJECTS TO USE OF FACIAL RECOGNITION AND AI FOR SCREENING PEOPLE In an approx. 2900-word sharply worded article posted on her public Wechat account on October 31, 2019, Tsinghua University Professor Lao Dongyan (劳东燕) expressed her worries about facial recognition technology. She called for stricter regulations on facial recognition.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-AI: SURVEY INDICATES PEOPLE UNHAPPY WITH FACIAL RECOGNITION BBC Chinese reported (December 6) that starting in December, whenever the Chinese people had to register their new mobile phone numbers, they also had to undergo facial scanning.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-AI: EXPENDITURE ON AI R&D In its Report of December 2019, the Centre for Security and Emerging Technologies estimated China's R&D spending on AI. Acknowledging that these were estimates based on 2018 data, it estimated China's spending on AI under civilian S&T as between approx. US$ 90 million and US$ 2 billion. It estimated military spending on AI-related R&D at US$ 2.7 billion.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: XINJIANG OFFICIALS SAY REGION'S ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS SUCCESSFUL AND 'RE-EDUCATION' The PRC's State Council Information Office held a press conference on December 9, with senior officials from the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to discuss Xinjiang’s anti-terrorism re-education camps.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES 7-PART SERIES OF COMMENTATOR ARTICLES ON HONGKONG The People’s Daily published a seven-part series of commentator articles condemning the United States for signing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) into law on November 27.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG POLICE RECOVER 10KGS OF EXPLOSIVES FROM COLLEGE PREMISES Hongkong Police on December 9 night said they recovered and defused two home-made bombs near the Wah Yan College, a Jesuit high school, in Wan Chai.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA TOUGHENS STANCE TOWARDS U.S. AND THREATENS TAIWAN People’s Daily reported on December 2 that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a ban on U.S. military vessels and aircraft.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO MEETING Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo meeting in Beijing on December 6, to analyse and study the economic work for 2020 and make plans for improving conduct and building integrity as well as fighting corruption.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA IS UPGRADING ITS NATIONAL MEDIUM-TO LONG TERM S& T DEVELOPMENT PLAN On December 5, China's official The Paper reported that the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is ramping up its work on the National Medium- to Long-Term Science and Technology Development Plan (2021-2035) to specify China’s scientific and technological development priorities until 2035.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-COMPUTERS: CHINA ORDERS REMOVAL OF ALL FOREIGN COMPUTERS IN 3 YEARS The Financial Times reported (December 9) that an internal Party directive issued earlier this year ordered all Party-State institutions to remove all foreign computer equipment and software in the next three years.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-CYBER: BELGIUM ACCUSES CHINA OF CYBER HACKING The Belgian media reported that the Belgian Trade Delegation, which visited Beijing and Shanghai from November 17 to 22, experienced severe cyberattacks that were as high as 135 times per hour, while visiting Beijing.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINESE STATE-OWNED TECH COMPANY SIGNS DEALS TO ACQUIRE CHIP TECHNOLOGIES A 3-year-old state-backed memory-chip maker signed two deals with a Canadian patent-licensing company that will give China access to the technology it needs to produce the widely used chips domestically.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HKSAR POLICE ARREST 11 PERSONS IN TERRITORY-WIDE RAIDS AND SEIZE WEAPONS The South China Morning Post reported (December 8) that Hongkong police conducted city-wide raids in the early hours of the morning and seized weapons including a new Glock semi-automatic pistol ahead of a planned anti-government march that day. 11 persons between the ages of 16 and 63 were arrested.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: STATEMENT ISSUED BY HKSAR The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government at 9.15 pm on December 6 "expressed deep regret over the spreading of untrue claims overseas in recent days by several members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and political figures who urged foreign governments or legislatures to interfere with the affairs of the HKSAR".
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-MACAU: AMCHAM CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT DENIED ENTRY TO MACAU The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) said that the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Robert Grieves, and the President, Tara Joseph, were denied entry to Macau.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: EFFECT OF HONGKONG PROTESTS IN TAIWAN An article in the South China Morning Post by Wang Xiangwei, a former Editor-in-Chief and currently Beijing-based Adviser to the newspaper, reported that latest data from Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior revealed that approx. 4,352 Hongkongers received residency approvals in the first 10 months of 2019, up 20.6 per cent from the same period last year.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-CZECH REPUBLIC: CZECH REPUBLIC'S CAPITAL TO SIGN SISTER-CITY AGREEMENT WITH TAIPEI The Hongkong Free Press reported (December 5) that the capital of the Czech Republic will sign a sister city agreement with Taipei in January 2020 after previously breaking off its relationship with Beijing, its Mayor Zdenek Hrib said.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE INVESTMENTS IN U.S.DROP Chinese investors invested U.S.$ 1.4 billion into U.S. commercial real estate in the 12 months through September, a 76% plunge from a year earlier, according to a report from Real Capital Analytics.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-U.S.: U.S. PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKS WORLD BANK TO STOP LENDING TO CHINA Reuters reported (December 7) that U.S. President Donald Trump on December 6 called for the World Bank to stop loaning money to China.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-SWEDEN: FORMER SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO CHINA CHARGED Sweden’s former Ambassador to China was on December 9, formally indicted with arbitrariness during negotiations with a foreign power.
Dec 2019 |
PAKISTAN AUTHORITIES STOP INVESTIGATIONS INTO TRAFFICKING OF OVER 630 PAKISTANI GIRLS The Associated Press (AP) reported (December 5) that an investigation into the trafficking of more than 600 Pakistani girls and women, who were sold as brides to Chinese men and taken to China in the space of 18 months, was halted over fears it would harm ties with Beijing.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA IMPOSES DIPLOMATIC RESTRICTIONS ON U.S. DIPLOMATS Guancha.cn said that, with immediate effect, U.S. diplomats based in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Wuhan should notify the foreign ministry five working days before any meetings with local government officials and educational and research institutes. The instructions were issued on December 5.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-LAW: CHINA GLOBAL LEGAL CONFERENCE On November 21, the Guangzhou Lawyers Association convened a meeting of all law firm directors and disseminated the following orders issued “from higher authorities.”
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW APPOINTMENT IN BANK OF CHINA China's financial news service Caixin reported (December 3) that the Deputy Governor of Jiangsu Province is to be appointed President of the Bank of China Ltd. The post has been vacant for nearly 18 months.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PROFITS OF CHINA'S LARGE SCALE INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES DECLINED BY 9.9 PERCENT Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported (November 27) that, based on the data that the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics just released, China’s large-scale (officially classified as “Above Designated Size”) industrial companies’ total profits declined by 9.9 percent, year-over-year.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SPEECH OF CHIEF ECONOMIST FORECASTING LOW GROWTH FOR YEARS DELETED FROM INTERNET Radio free Asia reported on December 4, that the Chief Economist of China’s Essence Securities, Gao Shanwen, delivered a speech at an internal annual strategy meeting on November 27, when he predicted that China’s economic slowdown will last several years and that the average annual economic growth between 2020 and 2030 will stay below five percent.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CHINA OPENS NEW 'INSTITUTE FOR A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE' At a ceremony in Beijing on November 29, the Communication University of China formally announced the creation of the “Institute for a Community with Shared Future” — a new think tank paying homage to Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy concept.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: DISCONTENT AMONG HAN CADRES In an unusual report the South China Morning Post (December 4) quoted a source and publicised that the measures targeting Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang have triggered “widespread discontent among Han Chinese officials and citizens”.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY BUILDING Xinhua reported on December 4, that the General Office of the Party Central Committee has issued an outline of the 2019-2023 national plan for the construction of leadership groups in Party and state organs.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW PARTY SECRETARY FOR SHANXI PROVINCE Lou Yangsheng has taken over as Party Secretary of Shanxi Province from Luo Huining, who stepped down due to reaching retirement age.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PBSC MEMBER AND NPC CHAIRMAN LI ZHANSHU PRAISES MACAU On December 3, National People's Congress (NPC) Chairman Li Zhanshu spoke at a symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Basic Law of Macau where he said “National identity has a broad and deep foundation in Macau society” and, more importantly ,that“The chief executive and key government officials, as well as the principals of the legislature and the judiciary are all patriots.”
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: CHINESE DIPLOMATS OPENING TWITTER ACCOUNTS AND GETTING MORE ASSERTIVE Reuters reported (December 4) that Chinese diplomats have been instructed to promote Beijing's view more aggressively in the backdrop of the trade war with the United States, anti-government protests in Hong Kong and other crises that could dent its image.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC GOVERNOR PUBLISHED LENGTHY ARTICLE ON CHINA'S ECONOMY ON DECEMBER 1 China's Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang published a lengthy 4365-word article on monetary policy in the Party’s most important theoretical journal on December 1.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-NATIONAL SECURITY: CHINA DEVISING NEW SYSTEM TO MINIMISE RISKS TO NATIONAL SECURITY Xinhua (June 8) reported that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has been tasked with setting up a list system which will “more effectively forestall and defuse national security risks.”
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE SPECIAL FORCES IN HONGKONG Hong Kong’s Oriental Daily reported on November 16, 2019, that Special Forces of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have shown up in Hong Kong.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE OFFICIAL MEDIA ACCUSE U.S. OF 'INTERFERENCE' IN HONGKONG A November 26 editorial in the Huanqiu (Global Times) attributed the results of the November 24 Hong Kong District Council election to the influence of Western countries. It said “In the past week, some Western forces have worked at full steam to assist the Hong Kong opposition in the District Council elections.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY ANNOUNCES VISA BAN ON 5 U.S. NGOs, SUSPENSION OF PORT VISITS BY US NAVY China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on December 2, that China would suspend reviewing applications for US warships and aircraft to make port calls in Hong Kong and will impose sanctions on five NGOs, including the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Human Rights Watch.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA ACCUSES INDIA OF ATTEMPTING TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM WORSENING INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS Referring to an an article titled "India, China spar over legacy of Tibetan medicinal system" by the Press Trust of India (PTI) on November 24, the Global Times said (November 27) an anonymous Indian official said that "India has approached UNESCO, seeking the enlisting of the Sowa Rigpa as its intangible cultural heritage."
Dec 2019 |
CHINESE COUNTER-TERRORISM HEAD CRITICISES PASSAGE OF "UYGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS" ACT BY U.S. CONGRESS In a sharp criticism of the US "Uyghur human rights act" passed by the US House of Representatives on November 4, the Commissioner of Counter-Terrorism commissioner of China's Ministry of Public Security, Liu Yuejin "slammed it for wantonly smearing Chinese policies and counter-terrorism measures as well as misrepresenting the human rights situation in Xinjiang".
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: NUCLEAR COOPERATION The China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) announced (June 19) that China has finished building the outer safety dome at its first overseas “Hualong One” nuclear reactor in Pakistan, with the project scheduled to be finished by the end of 2020.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA--RUSSIA: NEW OIL PIPELINE OPENED ON DECEMBER 2 Xinhua reported (December 2) that the 8,000 km Power of Siberia gas pipeline linking Russia and China began operation.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ADDRESSES PLA On Wednesday, the big man Delivering the opening address for a training session at the PLA National Defense University in Beijing on November 27, Chinese President and CMC Chairman Xi Jinping called for a new type of military talent, possessed of both unimpeachable moral rectitude and impeccable professional ability.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW GUIDELINES FOR PATRIOTIC EDUCATION Xinhua (November 12) publicised the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and the State Council's new guidelines titled, “Outline for Promoting Patriotic Education for the New Era”.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN FOREIGN UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES IN CHINA Radio France International disclosed on November 22, 2019, that New York University Shanghai has disclosed that since 2018, its students of Chinese citizenship have been forced to take a “civic education” course which covers the history of the Communist Party and China’s socialist path.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: PEOPLE'S DAILY CLAIMS CHINESE TV SERIES HAVE LARGE EXPORT MARKET The Party mouthpiece People’s Daily on November 15, 2019 claimed that between November 11th and the 14th, the '25th Beijing TV Program Market & Exhibition', which was previously the Capital TV Program Promotion Fair, was held at the Beijing Convention Center.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLICE FIRE TEARGAS AND BEAT PROTESTORS IN WENLOU VILLAGE, GUANGDONG The Guardian reported (November 30) that hundreds of residents in Wenlou, a township in Guangdong province about 60 miles from Hong Kong, protested on November 29 against plans for a large crematorium in an area that officials had previously said would become an “ecological park”.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN: CHINA'S INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER SAILS THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT IN MID-NOVEMBER United Daily News (UDN), one of the primary Taiwanese news groups, reported on November 17, 2019 that China’s first fully domestically made aircraft carrier led a fleet to enter the Taiwan Strait.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN: CHINA TO BUILD FOURTH AIRCRAFT CARRIER Chinese military analysts were quoted by Global Times on November 28 as saying the development of four or more aircraft carriers is only natural in order to satisfy China's burgeoning national security needs.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: CONROLS IMPOSED FOLLOWING PLAGUE SCARE IN XINJIANG China’s Caixin.com reported on November 22 that an emergency response group of the provincial government of Inner Mongolia in northern China issued a “Work Plan for a Firewall for Exiting Inner Mongolia and entering Beijing” to prevent the spread of the plague.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE: CHINA ARRESTS NATIONAL OF BELIZE FOR ESPIONAGE The official Guangdong Communist Party newspaper 'Southern Daily' reported on November 30, that China has arrested Lee Henley Hu Xiang, a Belizean businessman who lives in China, for allegedly colluding with people in the United States to meddle in the affairs of Hong Kong.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE: CHINA ARRESTS NATIONAL OF TAIWAN FOR ESPIONAGE Separately, 'Southern Daily' confirmed that a Taiwanese man, Lee Meng-Chu, was also arrested by police in Shenzhen city on October 31, for allegedly stealing state secrets for foreign forces after he made a trip to Hong Kong in August to support "anti-China" activities.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA PROTESTS U.S. PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNING HONGKONG HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2019 Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng on November 28 summoned U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad to lodge 'stern representations and strong protest' against the United States signing of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 into law.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-GERMANY: 5G NOT TO BE ALLOWED IN DEUTSCHE TELECOM The Chinese Edition of Deutsche Welle reported ton November 29, that Deutsche Telekom’s management had decided to discontinue the use of Huawei products.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ZHU HAILUN, CADRES OF XINJIANG RESPONSIBLE FOR 'RE-EDUCATION' CAMPS IN XINJIANG Newly revealed, confidential documents have revealed that 61-year old Zhu Hailun, as head of the CCP's powerful Political and Legal Affairs Commission in the Xinjiang region in 2017, played a key role in planning and executing a campaign that has incarcerated a million or more Uighurs into detention camps.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS DECLARE ONLY DALAI LAMA CAN CHOOSE HIS SUCCESSOR The 3-day 14th Tibetan Religious Conference that commenced in Dharamsala on November 27, on its opening day declared "The authority of decision concerning the way and manner in which the next reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama should appear solely rests with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama himself."
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETAN YOUTH COMMITS SELF-IMMOLATION According to information given by Dharamshala-based Kirti Jhepa Monastery's monks Lobsang Yeshi and Kanyag Tsering, a Tibetan youth named Yonten died after committing self immolation in Ngaba town situated in Ngaba county in TAR’s Amdo region, Sichuan Province on November 27, 2019.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SCARE OF BUBONIC PLAGUE Reports indicate that Inner Mongolia's emergency management authority is trying to prevent the further spread of pneumonic plague, including by establishing a “firewall” for those leaving the region, after reports earlier this month of two pneumonic cases and a bubonic plague case originating in the region sparked panic.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MANY CHINESE BANKS ARE IN 'HIGH RISK' CATEGORY The 2019 China Financial Stability Report published on November 25 by the People's Bank of China (PBoC) reported that China’s banking sector is showing signs of strain, with more than 13% of 4,379 lenders now considered “high risk”.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DRAFTING OF 14TH FIVE YEAR PLAN BEGINS Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on November 25, chaired a meeting of the State Council to discuss China’s 14th Five Year Plan (FYP), which will run from 2021 to 2025.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: ELECTIONS IN HONGKONG The elections over the weekend of November 23-24, 2019, saw a record voter turnout of over 71 per cent of eligible voters (2.94 million voted out of 4 million registered voters) who ensured that pro-Beijing candidates won just 58 seats compared to the 300 they previously held.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE MAN ARRESTED IN CHANGSHA ON CHARGE OF ESPIONAGE A Japanese government source said on November 27 that a Japanese man in his 50s has been detained since July in Changsha, Hunan province with access to consular services possibly for alleged spying.
Dec 2019 |
CHINA-ARGENTINA: SHIPS PORK TO CHINA The Argentine Agriculture Ministry in Buenos Aires stated on November 21 that it had sent its first shipment of 26 tons of chilled pork cuts to China.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN Addressing a gathering of executives and researchers from Japan's top companies and universities at a luxury hotel in Tokyo on November 21, Huawei Technologies Chairman Liang Hua spoke of technology and collaboration.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY EXPORTS: HUAWEI HAS 'SAFE CITY' AGREEMENTS WITH 73 CITIES A report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in November states that more than 73 cities in 52 countries around the world have entered into “safe city” agreements with Huawei.
Nov 2019 |
HUAWEI FILES SUIT IN FRANCE AGAINST CRITICS ALLEGING IT HAS CONNECTIONS WITH STATE SECURITY Bloomberg reported on November 22, that Huawei Technologies Co. is suing critics in France who alleged it has ties to the Chinese state.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: AMERICAN FIRM PROSECUTED FOR SELLING CHINESE CAMERAS TO U.S. MILITARY FACILITIES Federal prosecutors filed fraud charges against seven current and former employers of the New York-based Aventura Technologies in early November.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: UNHCR ISSUES STATEMENT OF CONCERN REGARDING SITUATION IN HONGKONG In a statement issued on November 19, 2019, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed "deepening concern" at the situation in Hongkong and "increasing violence by groups of young people engaging in the protests who are clearly very angry, with deep-seated grievances".
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HUGE VOTER TURNOUT OF HONGKONG RESIDENTS FOR DISTRICT COUNCIL VOTING Hong Kong residents turned out in unprecedented numbers, with more than 1.5 million people at polling booths exceeding the total ballots cast in the 2015 elections, for local elections that many in the city are treating as a proxy referendum on months of anti-government protests.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: TAIWAN HELPING STUDENTS LEAVE HONGKONG The Apple Daily reported (November 14) that Taiwanese students are being helped by their government to return to Taiwan.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG'S CHINESE-LANGUAGE MEDIA RUN ADS 'OPPOSING RIOTING' Six prominent Chinese-language newspapers in Hong Kong on November 13, ran the same ad on their front page calling for people to “oppose rioting,” a day after intense clashes between protesters and police at a university campus.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE OFFICIALS RECOMMENDS HONGKONG LEGISLATE ARTICLE 23 OF BASIC LAW On November 9, 2019, Zhang Xiaoming, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, the official agency coordinating Beijing’s ties with Hong Kong, published an article entitled, “Adhering to and improving the ‘one country, two systems,'” in a way to interpret the decision out of the recently concluded Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
Nov 2019 |
INDIVIDUAL MOVES PETITION FOR REVOCATION OF HONGKONG CE CARRIE LAM'S BRITISH CITIZENSHIP Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that an individual named Deeran Kumar submitted a petition on Change.org asking the government of the United Kingdom to revoke the citizenship of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s husband and her two sons.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S RAILWAY BUREAUS SHOW LOSSES According to a report (November 4) from mainland Chinese media China Business Network, China State Railway Group Company, Ltd. (China Railway, CR) for the first time announced the profitability of its subsidiaries.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA PLANS TO ESTABLISH EARTH-MOON ECONOMIC ZONE BY 2050 The official newspaper of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Science and Technology Daily, quoted Bao Weimin, Director of the Science and Technology Commission of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), as saying China is considering the development of an economy outside of the Earth’s perimeter and is planning to establish an Earth-Moon economic zone by 2050.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-MARS EXPLORATION AND MARS LANDING BY 2021 Science and Technology Daily also quoted Zhang Yulin, former chief of the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), as saying that Beijing plans to launch a Mars exploration mission in 2020 and a Mars landing in 2021.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CRACKDOWN IMMINENT IN HONGKONG Various signs indicate that the Hong Kong government could go ahead with a large-scale crackdown on the anti-extradition bill protests as early as this evening (November 13, 2019, Hong Kong time).
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-GERMANY: HUAWEI'S 5G STILL BEING CONSIDERED BY GERMANY Following her 12th visit to China in September 2019, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has indicated that Germany would consider Huawei's 5G for its network.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA RESERVES INCREASE BY 0.4% IN OCTOBER China's financial news service Caixin reported (November 9) that China’s foreign exchange reserves rebounded to US$ 3.11 trillion in October, rising by 0.4% from US$ 3.09 trillion the previous month, according to official data.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SoE REFORM Chairing the third meeting of the State Council Leading Group on State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Reform on November 12, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He praised officials for the improvements made in recent years. Liu He tasked policymakers with drafting a three-year action plan for SOE reform with “clear targets, timelines, and road maps.”
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG CONVENES HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE On Tuesday, Premier Li Keqiang, along with other top officials, sat down with economists and businessmen to discuss the economy.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY: PATRIOTIC EDUCATION Xinhua reported that the CCP Central Committee and the PRC State Council published an outline for implementing "patriotic education." It declared “The essence of patriotism is to adhere to the high unity of patriotism, love for the Party, and love for socialism.”
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ASKS PLAAF TO BE COMBAT READY Addressing PLAAF personnel on November 8, at the China Aviation Museum on the outskirts of Beijing on the occasion of the the Air Force’s 70th anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping was quoted by the state-owned CGTN saying"We must…strive to build the People's Air Force into a world-class air force."
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-U.S._ HUAWEI FOUNDER SAYS HE DOES NOT NEED THE U.S. In wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal (November 6), Huawei’s 75-year-old founder, Ren Zhengfei, struck a defiant tone on the Trump administration’s recent moves against the company, while also praising the U.S.’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-FRANCE: FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON'S MEETING WITH CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING Euronews-1 reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping has spent a lot of time with French President Emmanuel Macron over the past 24 hours.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN SEEKS US$ 9 BILLION LOAN FROM CHINA Pakistan's 'Dawn' reported on November 6, that Pakistan had on November 5, asked China to finance the US$ 9 billion Main Railway Line (ML-1) and other road and infrastructure projects to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IMPORTANT CENTRAL APPOINTMENTS Key central appointments were announced during the past week
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CPPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG INSPECTS ZHEJIANG PROVINCE Xinhua reported (October 27) that CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang inspected Zhejiang province to meet local cadres on October 26 and 27.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW CODE FOR BOOSTING PUBLIC MORALITY ISSUED BY CCP CC AND PRC STATE COUNCIL Xinhua carried (October 27) the full text of the report by the CCP Central Committee and State Council aimed at enhancing China’s public morality and establishing guidelines specifying what constitutes good citizenship in the eyes of the Communist Party.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA--INTERNAL: CHONGQING DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY COMMITS SUICIDE AT 4TH PLENUM MEETING IN BEIJING 54-year old Ren Xuefeng, Deputy Party Secretary of the centrally controlled Chongqing Municipality, died on October 31, the last day of at the 4th plenary meeting of the CCP CC, by jumping from Jingxi Hotel in Beijing.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROCESS FOR 4TH PLENUM DOCUMENT Xinhua (November 5) publicised Xi Jinping’s explanation of the Fourth Plenum Decisions released by the Party. The 4th Plenum decisions went through an exhaustive process.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: US OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO CHINA-OWNED TIK-TOK Reuters cited three unidentified sources as saying that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has started a national security review of Chinese-owned TikTok’s $1 billion acquisition of U.S. social media app Musical.ly. TikTok didn’t seek clearance from CFIUS when it acquired Musical.ly, which gives the U.S. security panel scope to investigate it now.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-FRANCE: FRENCH PRESIDENT MACRON'S VISIT TO SHANGHAI French President Emmanuel Macron travels to Beijing on November 4, as a guest of honour of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: SALE OF CHINESE GOODS IN INDIA DROPS The sale of Chinese goods has witnessed a major drop in the run-up to Diwali as about 60% less Chinese products were sold this year. However, Indians still purchased Chinese goods worth about Rs 3,200 crore while items worth Rs 8,000 crore were sold in the country during the Diwali last year, industry body CAIT said in a statement.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 400 REAL ESTATE COMPANIES BANKRUPT The Central News Agency (October 30, 2019) quoting the mainland Chinese paper 'The 21st Century Business Herald' said China's real estate industry has been the first to bear the brunt of the Chinese government’s actions to tighten corporate finance and citing court data said that at least 408 real estate firms have declared bankruptcy.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BUDDHIST MONKS ASKED TO DISPLAY PATRIOTISM ON CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY Aboluowang reported (November 4) that, on October 1, China’s National Day, Buddhist temples were required to put on patriotic performances while monks and nuns had to participate in the ceremony to pledge allegiance to the communist party.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL CONTROLS ON EDUCATION The official website of China’s Ministry of Education on October 21, 2019, published a “Notice on Launching a Special Campaign to Examine and Cleanse Books in Nationwide Elementary and Middle School Libraries.”
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S NEW BOOK The official Xinhua news agency reported (October 27) that the CCP CC's Institute of Party History and Literature published CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping’s new book 'Ensuring the Party’s Leadership over All Work' .
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING IN SHANGHAI Chinese President travelled to Shanghai for the Second China International Import Expo (CIIE) where French President Macron is the guest of honour. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness and Serbian Prime Minister Anna Brna Beach (Ana Brnabić) are also attending the opening ceremony of the second Expo.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA CRITICISES INDIA'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF UNION TERRITORIES OF KASHMIR, JAMMU AND LADAKH Global Times on October 31, said 'China slammed India's unilateral move to change administrative status of Kashmir and Ladakh, saying the move challenges China's sovereignty and is illegal and invalid'.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-UK: BRITAIN PUTS DECISION ON HUAWEI'S 5G ON HOLD In a letter dated November 1, written by Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the UK's decision on going in for Huawei's 5G was put on hold till installation of the next government due to "the market uncertainty caused by US action to place Huawei on its Entity List for restricted trading on national security grounds".
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN USING CHINESE MISSILES IN KASHMIR An official Chinese media report said that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is understood to be "using the 295 FN-16 portable air-defense missiles to strengthen its low-altitude air defense in Kashmir, where India has begun deploying advanced apache helicopters".
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-COAL: COAL IMPORTS SURGE China’s coal imports are likely to exceed last year’s tally, negating predictions that the government would cap purchases at 2018’s levels. This year, a slowing economy and the attraction of cheaper overseas coal are likely to steer policymakers away from a repeat of 2018’s curbs.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S MANUFACTURING INDEX SHOWS FASTEST INCREASE SINCE DECEMBER The Caixin China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) said China’s manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in nearly three years in October as output and new orders grew at a pace not seen in several years.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: CHINA CALLS FOR UPGRADING QUALITY OF ONLINE AND LONG DISTANCE EDUCATION China’s Ministry of Education has called for a three-year revamp of the higher education system, aiming to devote vast resources to undergraduate studies, including the expertise of those who are part of its controversial Thousand Talents Program.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-SPACE: CHINA TO CREATE ZONE IN SPACE The Science and Technology Daily, a newspaper affiliated with the Ministry of Science and Technology, reported (November 1) that Bao Weimin, Chief of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.’s Science and Technology Commission, said at a forum in Beijing on October 30, that China plans to set up the economic zone in "cislunar space" — the area lying inside the moon’s orbit — within the next few decades.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: TWO CHINESE NATIONALS SEEK POLITICAL ASYLUM IN KAZAKHSTAN 25-year-old Murager Alimuly and 30-year-old Qaster Musakhanuly, both ethnic Kazakhs from China, entered Kazakhstan on October 1 and on October 9 appeared in video testimonies posted to Facebook recounting their experiences in Xinjiang.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE POLITBURO MEMBER CRITICISES U.S. FOR ADDING TENSION IN SPACE BUT WITHOUT NAMING IT Singapore's Chinese-language Lianhe Zaobao newspaper reported (October 21) Huang Kunming, head of the CCP CC Propaganda Department and Politburo member, as saying in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 6th World Internet Conference, that “Some countries have used national security as an excuse and have restricted and attacked other countries and enterprises.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: NOTED CHINESE SCHOLAR PROF. JIN CANRONG SAYS CHINA CAN DEFEAT U.S. IN 'HOT WAR' Speaking to Taiwan's Central News Agency on the siddelines of the annual Xiangshan Forum meeting in Beijing on October 21, Jin Canrong, a scholar at Renmin University of China, stated that China and the United States should show transparency to each other and that both countries ought to avoid a hot war.
Nov 2019 |
CHINESE DIRECTOR OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE ACCUSED OF ESPIONAGE AND BARRED FROM VISITING SCHENGEN AREA Song Xinning, former Director of the Confucius Institute at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), in Brussels has been barred from entering the Schengen Area for eight years after being accused of espionage.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA BACKS PAKISTAN AT FATF Reiterating its support to Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) platform, the Daily Pakistan said on October 29 that China has 'categorically announced that it did not want the forum to be politicised as some countries are pursuing their political agenda in a bid to blacklist Pakistan'.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ETHNIC UNITY: INSTRUCTIONS ON PROMOTING ETHNIC UNITY The General Offices of the CCP CC and State Council jointly released opinions on “comprehensively, deeply, and enduringly implementing the work on pursuing ethnic unity and progress to consolidate a sense of community for the Chinese Nation” and issued a notice requesting each region and department conscientiously implement the opinions.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT: POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND ETHNIC UNITY CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang spoke on October 21 at the conference organised by the United Front Work Department (UFWD) to commemorate continuation of the “Guangcai Program”, which was “launched in 1994 by China's private enterprises in a bid to aid the country's poverty-relief efforts.”
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO STUDY SESSION Xi Jinping presided over the 18th Politburo collective study session on October 25, on the topic of blockchain technology development.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO MEETING Xinhua reported (October 24) that the Politburo met on October 24 and set the dates for the Central Committee’s long-awaited Fourth Plenum for 28 to 31 October in Beijing.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: US AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN SOUTH CHINA SEA A South China Morning Post report (October 21) said the USS Ronald Reagan is carrying out drills above the South China Sea.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: US DENIES VISA TO HEAD OF CHINA NATIONAL SPACE ADMINISTRATION Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said (October 23) that a Chinese delegation had wanted to take part in the ongoing International Astronautical Congress being held in Washington.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-US: DIFFERENCES IN USA REGARDING TECHNOLOGIES TO BE DENIED TO CHINA The New York Times (October 23) reported that the Trump Administration is divided over which technologies can be shared with China.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-THAILAND: CHINA AND JAPAN INVEST IN BUILDING HI-SPEED RAIL IN THAILAND A Charoen Pokphand Group-led consortium signed a contract with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Thursday to build the high-speed train route linking three major airports, which is expected to boost economic development and create more than 100,000 jobs.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: NASDAQ SAYS CHINA'S PINDUODUO'S SHARES HAVE RISEN Nasdaq-listed Pinduoduo's share price rose more than 12% on October 24, reaching a record high of $39.96.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S STATE ASSETS TOTAL US$ 67 trillion A report containing the second annual review of the condition of state assets submitted by China's State Council to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress stated that the total assets on the books of the Chinese government at the end of last year came to 474.7 trillion yuan ($67 trillion), equivalent to almost 80% of global GDP for 2018.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-MILITARY WORLD GAMES: MEMBERS OF CHINESE TEAM EXPELLED FOR CHEATING The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) announced on October 25 that a Chinese team has been kicked out of its own Military World Games after other countries alerted judges to "extensive cheating" by the hosts.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: OUYANG WEIMIN APPOINTED HEAD OF CHINA DEVELOPMENT BANK (CDB) The CDB on October 24, announced the appointment of Ouyang Weimin, a Vice Governor of China's Guangdong province. Ouyang worked 20 years at the PBOC before he was transferred to local government positions in Guangdong in 2011.
Nov 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH CC FOURTH PLENUM Xinhua reported (October 28) that the CCP 19th Central Committee’s Fourth Plenum began on October 28 morning in Beijing.
Nov 2019 |
NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR PRAISES CONTRIBUTION OF CANADIAN ANTHROPOLOGIST TO COMMUNIST CAUSE New Chinese Ambassador Cong Peiwu speaking at a reception in Ottawa to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China cited the case of 104-year old Isabel Crook, a Canadian anthropologist and teacher who has been a supporter of the communist cause for many decades, and continues to live in China.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE SoE CNOOC GETS NEW CHAIRMAN China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), announced on October 24 afternoon that Wang Dongjin, a Vice Chairman at one of the petroleum SoEs is to replace Yang Hua, who resigned as CNOOC’s chairman in early September.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 4TH PARTY PLENUM TO BE HELD IN BEIJING FROM OCTOBER 28 - 31 The CCP CC Politburo decided at its meeting on October 24 that the Fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be held from Oct. 28 to 31 in Beijing.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-MILITARY GAMES AND XIANGSHAN FORUM On October 19, the CISM World Military Games commenced in central China’s Wuhan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the games where, according to Xinhua (October 19) he said:“Let the ‘sunshine of sports’ dispel the shadow of war, foster communications between different cultures, and bring together people's hearts for peace.”
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PLAAF: NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS Chinese large transport aircraft Y-20 and stealth fighter J-20s gave demonstration flights on the opening of a five-day air show held to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETANS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT ASKED TO DENOUNCE DALAI LAMA BEFORE RECRUITMENT Quoting from recruitment notices recently issued in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said (October 16) that Tibetan college graduates looking for work in Tibet’s public sector are being forced by Chinese authorities to denounce exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before they are given jobs.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SALES OF AUTOMOBILES ARE DOWN According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China’s auto sales in September were 2.271 million.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN HONGKONG Reports said (October 20) a 19-year old boy was stabbed in the neck and stomach at Tai Po 'Lennon wall' by an assailant who shouted "Hongkong is part of China'?
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-GERMANY: GERMANY LIKELY TO OPT FOR HUAWEI'S 5G The German government appears poised to put in place newly drafted security requirements that do not set clear limits on the Chinese telecommunications firms Huawei and ZTE supplying technology for German fifth-generation cellular networks.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: VISA LIBERALISATION AND INDIAN FILMS An article published in China's official Global Times (October 14) said that the "significant relaxations" announced in visa policy by the Indian embassy is sure to boost Chinese tourism to India.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PACIFIC ISLANDS: COOPERATION FORUM The 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Development and Cooperation Forum opened in the Samoan capital of Apia on October 21, with Vice Premier Hu HUAWEI TO representing the PRC.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-US: APPLE WITHDRAWS TRACKING APP Hong Kong Economic Times (HKET), the leading financial daily in Hong Kong, on October 10 reported that Apple once again unlisted the popular app HKmap.live from its AppStore.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-KENYA: CHINA BUILDS ANOTHER RAILWAY Voice of America (VoA) reported (October 16) that a new railway built by China at a cost of US$ 1.5 billion was put into operation in Kenya on October 16. It connects the capital city Nairobi with Naivasha, a small town in the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted the opening ceremony of the railway.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-USA: CHINA STEALS DATA FOR ITS C919 AIRCRAFT U.S. cybersecurity research and consulting firm Crowdstrike on October 15 released a report that claimed officials from China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), underground hacking groups and personnel, cyber security researchers, and employees (moles) of multiple companies in many countries were involved in cyber theft operations to assist development of the C919 commercial aircraft by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (Comac).
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LATE CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY ZHAO ZIYANG'S ASHES LAID TO REST The ashes of late CCP CC General Secretary Zhao Ziyang and his wife were buried in a cemetery north of Beijing on October 18.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S DAUGHTER RETURNS TO U.S. Chinese President Xi Jinping's daughter, Xi Mingze (習明澤) who previously completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard in 2014 has re-enrolled in Harvard University in 2019.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-CCP: CCP BRANCHES PRESENT IN PRIVATE ENTERPRISES The People's Daily reported (October 15) that efforts to get a CCP branch in every enterprise, including private enterprises, are succeeding. It observed that technology companies particularly have taken the lead in establishing Party branches in their companies.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HI-TECH: CHINA PLANS TO BECOME SELF-RELIANT IN HI-TECHNOLOGIES Addressing the "2019 National Manufacturing Powerhouse Construction Expert Forum (Ningbo)" in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province on October 15, Zhou Ji, President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), said that the CAE had recently assessed the value chains of 26 manufacturing sub-sectors.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SHIPBUILDING COMPANY SEEKS CAPITAL INFUSION FROM ABROAD China Merchants Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. (CMIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of China Merchants Group, initiated a mixed-ownership reform, a campaign promoted by Beijing to diversify shareholding structures of major state-owned enterprises.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISICS CITES POSITIVE SIGNS FOR SEPTEMBER The Chinese financial news service Caixin on October 18 reported that China’s economy grew by 6% YOY in the third quarter, hitting the bottom of the government’s 2019 target range and the weakest pace in almost three decades, reflecting sluggish domestic and global demand exacerbated by the ongoing trade war with the U.S. It said for the first nine months, GDP rose 6.2% YOY, within this year’s target range of 6% to 6.5% announced by Premier Li Keqiang in March.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES COMMENTS ON FATF MEETING REG PAKISTAN An article critical of India published in the official Global Times (October 16) commented "How many shades of grey fits India's fantasy? It seems that India makes too much fuss about whether Pakistan will be moved to the "dark grey" list from the "grey" list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) while China is presiding over the Paris-based terrorist financing watchdog".
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: BEIJING MOVES TO QUELL TROUBLE The Wall Street Journal (October 16) reports that Beijing has begun to selectively target pro-democracy activist. 35-year old Stanley Ho Wai-hong of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions was severely beaten on September 29 resulting in injuries including three broken fingers and a thumb.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA BANS EXPORT OF BLACK CLOTHING TO HONGKONG The South China Morning Post (October 17) reported that according to a notice issued by Guangdong courier company PHXBUY on July 11, mainland Chinese customs required courier companies to halt delivery of a list of products.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-SOLOMON ISLANDS: CHINA PURCHASES ISLAND OF TULAGI IN SOLOMON ISLANDS China's Sam Enterprise Group, a State-owned Enterprise, set up in 1985 has singed a renewable 75-year lease agreement with the provincial government of Tulagi whose terms have not been publicly released.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ACCUSATION OF CORRUPTION In a hard hitting expose the New York Times on October 15 front-paged details of bribes and gifts given by the Deutsche Bank over the past 15 years to over a 100 past and present top ranking Chinese communist cadres.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: CHINA'S WHITE PAPER ON FOOD SECURITY The Chinese government on October 14, released a white paper on food security, which stressed it produces enough grain to feed its 1.4 billion people, but projected a rise in medium- to long-term grain demand.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RISING COST OF LIVING AND CONSUMER INFLATION Data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics on October 15, stated that surging pork prices had pushed China’s consumer inflation to a near six-year high in September, complicating Beijing’s effort to stimulate growth but also giving it an incentive to buy more agricultural goods from the U.S.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: FIRST PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE ON TROUBLE IN HONGKONG IN FIVE WEEKS People’s Daily (October 5) published its first Commentator's article on the Hong Kong protests in 5 weeks, expressing the central government’s support for the Hong Kong government’s 4 October decision to invoke the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to enact anti-mask regulation.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: POLICE CLAIMS SERIOUS ESCALATION IN VIOLENCE HINTING AT FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT Radio HongKong quoted the HongKong Police as saying on October 14, that a remote-controlled improvised explosive device, similar to those used in terrorist attacks in foreign countries, was detonated at Nathan Road on October 13.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: XI-MODI SECOND 'INFORMAL' SUMMIT The second 'informal' summit meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping was held on October 11-12 at the ancient coastal town of Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram).
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO NEPAL WAS FIRST IN 23 YEARS BY CHINESE PRESIDENT Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a 20-hour visit to Kathmandu, becoming the first Chinese President to visit Nepal in 23 years.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE NEGOTIATIONS PROVIDE BREATHER FOR CHINA China emerged with wins in this week’s trade talks, with the U.S. shelving new tariffs against Beijing while leaving many demands to be worked out later in return for an assurance of increased agriculture purchases.
Oct 2019 |
VIETNAM BANS CHINA-PRODUCED MOVIE BECAUSE OF MAP SHOWING INCORRECT MARITIME BOUNDARIES Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was quoted as saying by Vietnam's Thanh Nien newspaper as saying “We will revoke (the film’s license).”
Oct 2019 |
PEOPLE'S DAILY ON OCTOBER 1 EXHORTS PEOPLE TO RALLY MORE CLOSELY AROUND THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE Publishing an article on China's 70th National Day on October 1, the People's Daily quoted Xi Jinping in describing China’s journey of the past 70 years as “a deeply moving saga of struggle both in the history of the Chinese nation and the history of the world.”
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY PATRIOTIC CAMPAIGN EMPHASISED ON EVE OF CHINA'S 70TH NATIONAL DAY The People's Daily (September 20) reported that the Central Leading Group for the “Remain True to Original Aspiration, Keep Mission Firmly in Mind” Education Campaign issued a notice on September 29 stressing the importance of strengthening patriotic education and promoting patriotic spirit through the education campaign.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT: OFFICIAL INTERVIEW WITH PANCHEN LAMA On September 28, the United Front News published an exclusive interview with the Eleventh Panchen Lama.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TECHNOLOGY SECTOR BADLY HIT A Bloomberg report of October 9 stated that China's broader economic slowdown and trade war with the US has ended the boom that saw the emergence of big IT/ CHINA BACKS giants like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Group Holdings Ltd.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN DEPORTS CHINESE CITIZEN FOR "ILLEGAL" ACTIVITIES Taiwan on 8 October deported a Chinese tourist, Li Shaodong, for engaging in “criminal activities” for damaging a “Lennon Wall” that was put up in support of Hong Kong’s democracy movement.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: IMRAN KHAN AND XI JINPING'S COMMENTS ON KASHMIR Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on October 9.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-US: US ADDS TO BLACKLIST The US Commerce Department on October 7, added 28 Chinese companies and government agencies to its Entity List over human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINA BACKS OUT OF MAJOR OIL DEAL WITH IRAN The Wall Street Journal reported (October 6) that the China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) has pulled out of a $5 billion natural-gas project in Iran as escalating tensions threaten to sever Beijing’s trade with Tehran.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-70TH ANIVERSARY: NATIONAL DAY PARADE AND INTERNAL DISSIDENCE Police in Anshan City, Liaoning Province, announced on its official Weibo account on October 2 that a 37-year-old man surnamed Gao would be detained for 15 days, after commenting adversely about the October 1 parade on WeChat.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION FELLS CHINA'S FORMER SECURITIES REGULATOR The CDIC announced (October 4) that the former head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission Liu Shiyu, has been removed from his post of Deputy Party Chief at the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: BBC SAYS CHINA HAS POTENTIAL TO BUILD AIRCRAFT CARRIER-CENTERED NAVY BBC Chinese published (September 25) an analysis on the growth of China’s Navy after the Cold War.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PORK PRICES China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently stated that wholesale pork price in the third week of September was up 81 percent from a year earlier.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PAP/PLA IN HONGKONG Photographs of PAP/PLA personnel in trucks at various locations in Hong Kong and marching alongside hedges through lanes are being circulated by hong Kong residents on Twitter and social media since October 4 evening. Reports also claim that between 10,000 to 15,000 PAP personnel are already in Hong Kong.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-US: LEVEL OF U.S. OFFICIALS ATTENDING CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY EVENTS IN U.S.A. DROPS Radio France Internationale reported (September 29) that the number of U.S. officials who attended the 70th National Anniversary cocktail reception that the Chinese Embassy held in Washington, DC significantly decreased this year. Fewer attendees appeared from the U.S. side.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPALESE STATEMENTS DURING CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S VISIT Statements issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Nepal from September 8-10, and meetings with the Prime Minister, Ministers and senior leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties, clarified that the U.S. strategy was discussed.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PERU: ENERGY SUPPLIES Financial times (October 2) reported that the China Yangtze Power International has agreed to buy Peru’s largest electric company Luz del Sur from US-based Sempra Energy for $3.6bn.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA: PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC)'S 70TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY AND PARADE Amidst heavy security which allowed entry to Beijing's Tiananmen Square only to invitees, China's leaders held a massive parade -- China's largest ever till now -- on October 1, to showcase China's military might.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN TIBET Thousands of monks and laypeople across Tibet were made to participate in a series of major staged performances to mark the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on October 1.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA HONOURS OUTSTANDING SCIENTISTS, DIPLOMATS ETC China Daily announced on September 30, 2019 that National honorary titles had been given to individuals who have made great contributions and have achieved recognition in various fields, including national defense, diplomacy and education.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA HONOURS FOREIGN EXPERTS At a meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 29, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the Chinese people will not forget foreign experts' support and assistance to China's development over the 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTEST IN HONGKONG ON CHINA'S NATIONAL DAY The MTR Corporation of Hongkong has announced the closure of 3 MTR stations, namely Wan Chai, Admiralty and Prince Edward on October 1. The airport express will not stop between Hong Kong station and the airport.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG PROTESTORS PUBLICISE A PARLIAMENT AND RADIO STATION FOR HONGKONG Some unidentified persons have announced a "HK Provisional Parliament" with its own website where a "Draft Civil Charter of HK" in either Cantonese or English versions is available.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTESTOR SHOT BY 'LIVE ROUND' The South China Morning post (October 1) reported that a protester had been shot in the chest by a live round fired by police on Hoi Pa Street, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 12,000 CHINESE PLA/PAPF TROOPS QUIETLY INDUCTED INTO HONGKONG A Reuters special report (October 1) citing unidentified Chinese military officers claimed that between 10,000 to 12,000 well trained PLA/PAPF personnel have been quietly inducted into Hong Kong.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA OPENS FIRST VISA CENTRE IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN China openeD its first visa application service center in Lahore, Punjab to facilitate applicants wishing to visit China. Yao Jing, the Chinese Ambassador to Islamabad, inaugurated the centre on September 23. China’s Consul General in Lahore Long Dingbin, Deputy Consul General Peng Zhengwu and officials from the Punjab government also attended the ceremony.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES CPPCC WORK CONFERENCE IN BEIJING On September 20, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping spoke at the CPPCC Central Work Conference in Beijing on promoting a greater exchange of ideas, broader consultation in decision-making, and the need of finding consensus.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA'S NEW WHITE PAPER STRESSES CHINA WILL NOT FOLLOW THE PATH "POWER LEADING TO HEGEMONY"! The official Global Times (September 27) publicised the issue by the State Council Information Office on September 27 of a new White Paper entitled "China and the world in the New Era" which, it said, comprehensively reviews China's development in the past 70 years, its contribution to the world and the country's role in an evolving world.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY TO PROMOTE 'NEW ERA OF PATRIOTIC EDUCATION CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Politburo on September 24 to consider "a new era of patriotic education Implementation Outline" and the "Chinese Communist Party School (Administration Institute) Regulations."
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN UNIVERSITY ORDERS DISBANDMENT OF CHINESE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION The student union at Canada's McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, has revoked the club status of the school’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) after an appeal by students seeking to decertify the group over concerns about alleged links to the Chinese government.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: U.S. ACADEMIC BANNED FROM ENTERING HONGKONG US academic Dan Garrett was barred from entering Hong Kong on September 26, a week after he testified at the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) in Washington DC about the ongoing protests in the city.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: RALLIES IN TAIWAN IN FAVOUR OF HONGKONG PROTESTORS Despite heavy rain on September 29, hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in Taipei and other cities in Taiwan in support of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN RELEASES DEFENCE WHITE PAPER ON SEPTEMBER 29 Japan released its Defence White Paper on September 24, 2019. It is 415 pages in length and China figures prominently in it.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S OFFICIAL MEDIA CRITICAL OF INDIA Commenting on the recent success of TCS, the official Global Times (September 26) observed that "Nevertheless, while China's stock market pales in comparison to India's, China's top tech companies are far ahead of their Indian counterparts.
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN SENATE COMMITTEE EXAMINES CPEC The Senate Special Committee on the Project of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) discussed in detail SMEs and SEZs, uninterrupted power supply along CPEC routes, delaying of tariff determination by NEPRA for Coal based energy project in Gwadar and the Second Phase of Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: CHINA APPROVED EXTRADITION TREATY WITH SRI LANKA Xinhua (Beijing - August 26) reported that the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) decided on August 26 to approve the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".
Oct 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO HENAN Xinhua (September 18) reported that during his tour of Henan province from September 16 to 18, Chinese President and CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping, accompanied by Secretary of the Henan Provincial Party Committee Wang Guosheng and Governor Chen Runer, visited Xinyang, Zhengzhou and other places to "deepen the revolutionary old areas, rural areas, enterprises, etc., on economic and social development" and “not forgetting the original heart.
Sep 2019 |
QIU SHI REPUBLISHES XI JINPING'S SPEECH THAT POLITICAL SYSTEM OF ANOTHER COUNTRY WILL NOT WORK The Chinese Communist Party’s leading theoretical fortnightly Qiushi published (September 16) a speech that Chinese President Xi Jinping gave five years ago emphasising that copying the political system of another country will not work and will ruin China’s future.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: YE JIANYING'S SON AND XI JINPING SUPPORTER, YE XUANPING DIED ON SEPTEMBER 17 Ye Xuanping, elder son of Ye Jianying, one of the ten founding Marshals of communist China, died on September 17 at the age of 95. Ye Jianying and his family were very close to that of Xi Zhongxun.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OBJECTIVES OF NEW TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OUTLINED BY CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL China's State Council and the CCP Central Committee released a new outline on September 19, stating that by 2035 China wants a transportation system that allows citizens to Commute within any metropolitan area in under one hour.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S PENSION FUND SHORT OF FUNDS As China tries to fill a pension shortfall, the government ordered SOEs to stop dragging their feet on the mandated transfer of equity to the national social security fund.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA RELEASES 10,000 TONS OF PORK FROM STRATEGIC RESERVE In a notice issued on September 17, the China Merchandise Reserve Management Center (CMRMC) announced it will release 10,000 metric tons of frozen pork from its national pork reserve through auction.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S OVERSEAS ACQUISITIONS REGISTER DECLINE Nikkei Chinese Edition reported (September 5) from Hong Kong that, according to statistics provided by a U.S. market research leader, Chinese overseas acquisitions saw a significant decline in the first half of this year.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-US: FEDEX PILOT DETAINED IN GUANGZHOU FOR CARRYING AI-GUN PELLETS A FedEx Corp. pilot, who is an American citizen, was temporarily detained in Guangzhou after authorities found hundreds of air-gun pellets in his luggage prior to boarding a commercial flight to Hong Kong, marking the delivery firm’s latest setback in the country.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-IRAN: STRATEGIC OIL PURCHASE AGREEMENT The Petroleum Economist disclosed (September 3) that Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif visited his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the end of August 2019 to present a road map for the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, which was signed in 2016.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-SERBIA: SERBIA TO PURCHASE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT FROM CHINA Global Times (September 11) recently reported that, according to the Defense Ministry of Serbia, Serbia will purchase armed unmanned aircraft from China. This was announced after a Chinese military delegation visited Serbia.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG INSPECTS RELIGIOUS WORK IN JIANGXI Xinhua (September 10) reported that Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang conducted an inspection and research tour on religious work in Jiangxi Province.
Sep 2019 |
UNITED FRONT WORK: WANG YANG ADDRESSES SYMPOSIUM ON UNITED FRONT HELD IN BEIJING ON SEPTEMBER 11 PBSC member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang delivered a speech at a united front symposium celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Approximately 160 united front representatives and heads of relevant departments at party and state organizations attended.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN CONTINUES China’s Caixin Daily (September 17) said that China's major economic indicators posted a worse-than-expected performance for August as growth of fixed-asset investment and value-added industrial output further slowed to multi-month, even multi-year, lows.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA CONTEMPLATING PORK IMPORTS AS PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE Caixin Daily reported (September 17) that China is contemplating increasing purchases of pork from overseas, including the U.S. and the EU, as the government grows increasingly concerned about soaring prices.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA UNICOM ANNOUNCES 2 BILLION RMB CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT IN 200 BRI PROJECTS A Hong Kong news report (September 9) said that China Unicom Global Limited (CUG), the subsidiary of China Unicom, announced that it has invested a cumulative RMB 2 billion along the Belt and Road countries in 200 projects.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S 3-DAY VISIT (Sept 16-18, 2019) TO RUSSIA Xinhua reported (September 17) the arrival of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in St. Petersburg on September 16, for a three-day official visit to Russia. During the visit, Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will co-chair the 24th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-U.S: UN DROPS REFERENCE TO BRI IN RESOLUTION ON AFGHANISTAN Associated Press (September 17) reported that the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a compromise resolution extending the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan, dropping a Chinese demand to include a reference to China’s $1 trillion “belt and road” initiative.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: ESTONIA BANS HUAWEI'S 5G According to a September 13, article by Estonian news site Delfi, Paul Rikk, Estonia’s national cybersecurity policy director, said the country’s 5G network shouldn’t be equipped with Huawei equipment.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-IRAN: CHINA PROPOSES US$ 400 BILLION CREDIT LINE FOR IRAN Iran.com reported (September 17) that Chairwoman of the Money and Capital Market Commission of Tehran’s Chamber of Commerce Farial Mostofi said on September 17 a US$ 400 billion credit line has been launched for trade between Iran and China. She added that the credit line has allowed Chinese investors to undertake projects in Iran without bidding.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-DIPLOMACY: YANG JIECHI'S ARTICLE IN QIU SHI Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) in its issue 17/2019 published an article by Politburo member and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office dated September 1, on “thoroughly studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy."
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: CHINA NEDS TO REORIENT RELATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS Asian-Pacific Security and Maritime Affairs published in June 2019 an article titled 'Trade and Science and Technology Wars and the “Paradigm Shift” in Sino-U. S. Relations' by Prof Zhu Feng, Dean at the Institute of International Relations at Nanjing University and Executive Director of the China South China Sea Research Center of Nanjing University.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AS CHINA'S NEW CHAMPIONS OF AI According to the South China Morning Post (August 29) China has named Huawei Technologies and Hikvision Digital Technology as new national champions in artificial intelligence (AI).
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-SPACE: SECOND LONG MARCH ROCKET LAUNCH NEXT YEAR Space News reported (September 11) Xing He, Executive Vice President of the China Great Wall Industry Corp., a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. as saying at the World Satellite Business Week conference (September 10) that China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. is likely to resume flights of its heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket this year.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTESTS CONTINUE AND PROTESTORS GET NEW ANTHEM The stand-off between the Beijing and its HKSAR government has recently got accentuated with the official China-owned 'China Daily' posting a notice on Facebook on September 10 morning warning that protestors in Hong Kong have decided on secret plans to escalate protests from September 11 with "massive" terrorist attacks including blowing up gas pipelines in Hong Kong and attacks on non-Cantonese speaking people.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: DIGITAL SILK ROAD PROJECT The database released by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) shows that Chinese entities have provided more than US$ 17 billion for Digital Silk Road projects completed since 2013.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: COOPERATION IN S&T The South China Morning Post reported (August 28) that China and Russia are forging stronger ties in space technology.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POST IMPLYNG CRITICISM OF ABOLITION OF TERM LIMITS BARRED On August 22, as China marked the 115th birthday of Deng Xiaoping, the paramount leader who led China into the reform era, a post sent to “People’s Reading” (人民阅读) and “People’s Daily Press” (人民日报出版社), both official WeChat public accounts operated by the People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, dealt with the now very sensitive issue of term limits for national leaders and reproduced a front-page article of the People's Daily captioned “Deng Xiaoping Abolishes the Lifelong Tenure System for Leaders” (邓小平废除领导职务终身制).
Sep 2019 |
XINHUA REPORTS XI JINPING USES TERM Xinhua reported that in his speech to a training session for young leaders at the Central Party School on September 3, Chinese President and CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping spoke of the immense challenges facing the country and the Chinese Communist Party.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-PUBLIC SECURITY: SECURITY STEPPED UP IN SHANXI AND XINJIANG-UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION The head of the Shanxi Public Security Bureau issued (September 5) a "wartime" order banning alcohol consumption by all provincial PSB employees from September 15 to October 4, to ensure nothing goes wrong during the 70th anniversary celebration period around October 1.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETAN MONK ARRESTED IN SEPTEMBER The ICT reported on August 6, 2019 that 36-year old Lobsang Dorje, a Tibetan monk from the influential Kirti monastery was sentenced to three years in prison on September 3 this week after being arrested in his room in mid-July 2018.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION BOARD (STAR) REPORTED TO BE DOING WELL Qian Han, a Professor at the Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics, Xiamen University, in an article published by East Asia Forum claimed that China's official Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR) launched on June 13, 2019, as part of its capital market reform, has been quite active since its debut on 22 July 2019.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-RARE EARTHS: CHINA REDUCES RESOURCE TAX ON HEAVY RARE EARTHS FROM 27 PERCENT TO 20 PERCENT China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has formalized a new law that reduces the resource tax on heavy rare earths from 27 percent to 20 percent, which Chinese analysts say is a move that shows China's resolve to support the industry's development amid a heated trade war.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US TRADE TALKS TO BE HELD IN EARLY OCTOBER Chinese and US negotiators agreed on September 5 to hold the 13th round of China-U.S. high-level economic and trade consultations in early October in Washington and maintain close communication before that.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINESE PROFESSOR SAYS HONGKONG PROTESTS INCLUDE ELEMENTS OF 'COLOUR REVOLUTION' Zhang Dinghuai, a Professor of Hong Kong and Macao Studies at Shenzhen University and a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Strait Times (September 6) that common elements of colour revolutions include strong specific political demands, interference by external forces, attempts to motivate the public, social standoff and turmoil, huge pressure upon the authorities, and pursuit of power transfer through purportedly "nonviolent" approaches.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: AMERICAN COMPANY SUPPLYING TEAR GAS CANISTERS TO HONGKONG POLICE BuzzFeed News reported (September 7) that Nonlethal Technologies has been supplying hundreds of canisters of tear gas to Hongkong police.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES CHINA OF USING ARBITRARY DETENTIONS FOR POLITICAL ENDS Speaking (September 5) to the Editorial Board of the Toronto Star, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Beijing of using “Using arbitrary detention as a tool to achieve political goals, international or domestic, is something that is of concern not just to Canada but to all our allies.”
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN PRESENCE ON SENKAKU ISLANDS Japan Times (September 6) reported that Japan’s National Police Agency has in the 2020 budget requested a new unit dedicated to protecting the Senkaku Islands.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-AFRICA: ENHANCED TRADE The Africa China Research Initiative shows that Africa’s trade deficit with China was USD 27.91 billion in 2018, as trade between the two sides rose to USD 170 billion.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a speech (September 3) at the CCP CC's Central Party School in Beijing.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S LEADERSHIP REVIEWING DEPENDENCY ON U.S. HI-TECH Mingpao (September 1) disclosed that the Chinese government is assessing the dependency level that Chinese domestic high-tech vendors have on U.S. technologies.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN The Chinese Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Security held an urgent teleconference and ordered all schools nationwide to enhance safety measures on September 4, two days after eight pupils died in an attack at a school in Enshi, Hubei Province.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN: NEW Type 075 Helicopter Ship Nears Completion The South China Morning Post (August 22) reported that pictures taken by Chinese military enthusiasts earlier this week appear to show that construction of China’s first Type 075 amphibious helicopter assault ship is moving quickly.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S VERSION OF GPS HAS MORE SATELLITES THAN U.S. ORIGINAL A Nikkei analysis (August 19) of satellite orbit data from leading U.S. receiver maker Trimble highlighted BeiDou's rapid growth. China launched 18 satellites for the system in 2018 alone.
Sep 2019 |
CHINESE SCIENTISTS TEST SATELLITE POSITIONING TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN WORK INDEPENDENTLY IN SPACE The South China Morning Post reported (August 23) that Chinese scientists have successfully tested a satellite positioning technology called pulsar navigation, catching up to the United States, which was the first to do so last year.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITHDRAWS EXTRADITION BILL The day Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of HKSAR, withdrew (September 4) the Extradition Bill in an attempt calm the situation in Hongkong, the home of pro-democracy media tycoon and publisher of Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai was firebombed in the early hours of September 5.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-US: TWO U.S. COMPANIES SUING TWO CHINESE COMPANIES FOR PATENT VIOLATIONS China’s vision of profiting from the driverless economy is being clouded by intellectual property debates, as two Chinese suppliers of a key self-driving technology are accused of stealing IP from a Silicon Valley company.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SOLOMON ISLANDS TO SWITCH RECOGNITION TO PRC Reuters reported (September 5) that the Solomon Islands intends to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan and align itself with Beijing. The switch still needs to be formalized.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINA DECLINES TO WARM TO CANADA'S NEW AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTMENT Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Shuang said (September 5) that “Relations between China and Canada have encountered serious difficulties, and the responsibility lies entirely with the Canadian side.”
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: NATIONAL DAY PARADE WILL DISPLAY J-20s, YUN-20s, AND 16 DONGFENG 41 ICBMs Wang Xiaohui, Executive Deputy Director of the CCP CC Propaganda Department announced (August 29) that it will hold a conference to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, when CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping will deliver an "important" speech.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PLA TROOPS ENTER HONGKONG APPARENTLY FOR 'TROOP ROTATION' Reports from Hongkong state that China rotated troops in its People’s Liberation Army garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on August 28, days before protesters planned to hold a march calling for full democracy for the HKSAR.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-US: US DESTROYER CROSSES 12 NAUTICAL MILE RANGE OF YONGSHU REEF IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The South China Morning Post (August 28) reported that the US Navy Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Wayne E. Meye, with the DDG-108 sailed into the South China Sea, Yongshu Reef and Meiji breaking the 12-mile range of China's South Island Reef on August 28.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CHINA THREATENS VIETNAM FOR EXCLUDING CHINA FROM ITS 5G ROLLOUT An article in China's official Global Times (August 28) said the Viettel Group, Vietnam's largest mobile telecom operator, has reportedly excluded China's Huawei from its 5G rollout.
Sep 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CMC VICE CHAIRMAN VISITING PAKISTAN The China-owned US-based news outlet Duowei News reported with the caption 'The situation in India and Pakistan is escalating.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING INSPECTS AIR FORCE BASE IN GANSU Inspecting a PLAAF Base in Gansu on August 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping used a tele-conferencing facility at the combat command center, to inspect the troops including personnel at a radar station on a plateau over 3,600 meters above sea level and a transport and rescue regiment, and called on the air force to enhance its capability to win and greet the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) with great achievements.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER RETURNS TO DALIAN AFTER SEVENTH SEA TRIAL TEST On August 23, China’s first domestic aircraft carrier returned to Dalian shipyard after completing the seventh sea trial.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: XI JINPING ORDERS 'STAND STILL' ON HONGKONG According to The Epoch Times, after the anti-extradition movement had continued for more than two months in Hong Kong, the CCP’s media repeatedly released the film, “A Large Number of Armed Police Convoys in Shenzhen” to intimidate protesters.
Aug 2019 |
THE CHINESE EDITION OF GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHED A LIST OF LEADERS INVOLVED IN THE PROTESTS IN HONGKONG Huanqiu (August 17) published an article that condemned a list of leaders of those in Hong Kong who have been involved in the protest against the proposed extradition bill and warned them not to use democracy as an excuse and not to portray students as victims.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-UK: PROTEST AT VIOLENCE IN HONGKONG The HSBC Bank, Standard Chartered and Bank of East Asia on August 23 placed full page advertisements in the Wen Wei Po, Ta Kung Pao and Sing Tao Daily condemning the violence in HongKong and calling for a peaceful resolution.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA IMPOSES NEW TARIFFS IN CHINA-US TRADE WAR China’s State Council announced (August 23) that it will impose tariffs of 5% and 10% Chinese tariffs on $75 billion in U.S. goods.
Aug 2019 |
US CONGRESSMEN EXPRESS CONCERN AT WORD BANK FUNDING TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL PROJECTS IN XINJIANG On August 23, U.S. Representative James McGovern (D-MA) and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the Chair and Cochair respectively of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), released a letter dated August 13 written by them to World Bank President David Malpass expressing concern and raising questions about a World Bank loan that funds technical and vocational training projects in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY SHIPS PASSES THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT Commander Reann Mommsen, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, told Reuters (August 23) that the United States sent the 'Green Bay', an amphibious transport dock ship of the US Navy through the 122-mile wide Taiwan Strait on August 23.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-UK: UK EMBASSY STAFFER CHARGED BY BEIJING FOR SOLICITING PROSTITUTES UK Embassy staffer Simon Cheng was released by the Chinese authorities on August 24 after 15 days of detention. China's official Global Times reported on August 22 that a staffer at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong, who has been detained by police in the Luohu district of Shenzhen City, is being held for solicitation of prostitution.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-UK: UK EMBASSY STAFFER CHARGED BY BEIJING FOR SOLICITING PROSTITUTES UK Embassy staffer Simon Cheng was released by the Chinese authorities on August 24 after 15 days of detention. China's official Global Times reported on August 22 that a staffer at the British Consulate General in Hong Kong, who has been detained by police in the Luohu district of Shenzhen City, is being held for solicitation of prostitution.
Aug 2019 |
CHINESE AMBASSADOR ZHANG MING ASSERTS CHINA WAS "FIRST TO DISCOVER, NAME AND DEVELOP SOUTH CHINA" China Daily (August 23) published a Xinhua report of August 23 reporting the remarks made by China's Ambassador to the EU on August 22. He said 'A major power outside the region is trying to turn the South China Sea into an arena for major-power wrestling, which is the source of tensions in the region'.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING VISITS PLA MARTYRS CEMETERY WHILE INSPECTING GANSU PROVINCE Apparently underscoring his exhortation to the people to prepare for another 'Long March', while touring Gansu province on August 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to the martyrs' cemetery of the West Route Army of Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in Zhangye.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-DEFENCE WHITE PAPER China’s Ministry of National Defense issued a 27,000 word, 6 chapter White Paper on July 24, 2019 released a white paper titled "China’s National Defense in the New Era," disclosing that, before 2017, its military spending accounted for 1.28 percent of its GDP and that from 2012 to 2017, China’s defense expenditure increased from US$98 billion to $152 billion.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINESE MILITARY ANALYST WARNS THAT NEW US MISSILE DEPLOYMENTS RENDER CHINA VULNERABLE In an article posted on Sina.com and published in the Global Times on August 8, retired PLA Lt. Gen. Wang Hongguang, who was formerly Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region, commented on the United States announcement (August 2) that it has officially withdrawn from the "Guidelines on the Treaty" signed in 1987 with the Soviet Union.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF Su-35s OF SOUTHERN THEATRE COMMAND AIR FORCE EXERCISE OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA The official China Pictorial disclosed on July 22, that pilots of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) have tested the sea warfare capabilities of their advanced Su-35 fighter jets over the South China Sea.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA--TECH: HUAWEI FOUNDER SAYS ITS "DO OR DIE" TIME On August 20, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei put the company on a war footing in the face of mounting US pressure. On August 19, the US gave Huawei a 90-day reprieve to continue to do business with US clients, but also put 46 of the company’s affiliates on the Entity List.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INVESTMENTS INTO CHINA FROM HONGKONG The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of Hong Kong Edward Yau said (August 23) the number of people visiting the Hongkong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has dipped in the last two months, taking a toll on its tourism and retail sectors.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CHINESE INVESTMENTS IN VIETNAM INCREASE During the first seven months of this year, pledges of foreign direct investment(FDI) in Vietnam from China jumped 134% to $2.48 billion, moving China up to the third-biggest FDI source from fifth in 2018, data from the Foreign Investment Agency of Vietnam showed. The FDI total reflects only investment commitments.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: NEGOTIATIONS FOR A TRADE AGREEMENT Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Beijing on August 22 to discuss a potential trade agreement between their countries.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: SOUTH KOREA SCRAPS INTELLIGENCE SHARING PACT WITH JAPAN At a time when China is becoming increasingly assertive, South Korea said (August 23) it will scrap an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, drawing a swift protest from Tokyo.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-NUCLEAR:CHINA BUILDING SMALL NUCLEAR REACTOR ON HAINAN ISLAND The state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said on July 18, that it has started construction of China's first demonstration SMR at the Changjiang nuclear facility in Hainan as part of efforts to diversify the nuclear sector.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: PROEST IN NEW YORK'S TIMES SQUARE IN SUPPORT OF HONGKONG The China Democracy Party and Falungong jointly staged a protest on August 18 in New York's Times Square in support of the protesters in Hongkong.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION Caixin (August 16) quoted state-owned China Central Television as reporting that Xing Yun, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Inner Mongolia, was charged with corruption.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLAAF: FIFTH GENERATION STEALTH J-20 FIGHTER JETS ALLOTTED TO FRONTLINE BRIGADES The Diplomat (August 16) published an analysis that a recent officially released photo of China's 5th generation fighter J-20 with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) bore a serial number indicating it belonged to a frontline combat unit.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLAAF: CHINA'S H-6 STRATEGIC BOMBERS LIKELY TO BE ARMED WITH HYPERSONIC WEAPONS Reporting an exercise in March by 12 H-6 strategic bombers, the official Global Times (August 6) disclosed that the main mission objective of China's H-6K bomber is to strike key strategic points deep within enemy territories.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: US PLACES 4 CHINESE NUCLEAR ENTITIES ON BLACKLIST On August 14, the U.S. added four Chinese nuclear entities to a trade blacklist, accusing them of helping to acquire advanced U.S. technology for military use in China.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: US SECRETARY OF STATE APPROVES SALE OF 66 F-16 JETS TO TAIWAN The State Department told Congress on August 15 night, right after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had signed a memo approving the $8 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: GLOBAL TIMES CRITICISES AMAZON FOR "CHALLENGING" CHINA'S SOVEREIGNTY The nationalist official daily 'Global Times', on August 15, criticised Amazon for challenging China’s sovereignty by allowing the sale of T-shirts with slogans like “Free Hong Kong Democracy Now”, written in English, or “Go Hong Kong”, written in traditional Chinese characters.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG PROTESTERS CLAIM THEY ARE RECEIVING DEATH THREATS The Hongkong Free Press on August 16, reported that several Hongkong protesters had received death threats from anonymous persons.
Aug 2019 |
VOA CITES CHINESE INVESTMENT BANK REPORT AS SAYING CHINA LOST 1.8 TO 1.9 MILLION JOBS Voice of America (VOA) Chinese edition recently published an article stating that, according to a report that a large Chinese investment bank CICC (China International Capital Corporation) just released, China’s manufacturing industry has lost around five million jobs.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA ADJUSTS RMB(YUAN)'S DAILY TRADING RANGE China’s central bank set the midpoint of the yuan’s daily trading range at 7.0039 to the U.S. dollar on August 8, the first time it has set the rate above the psychologically important 7-to-the-dollar mark since 2008.
Aug 2019 |
GOVERNMENT PAPER SAYS CHINA WILL HENCEFORTH NOT ATTEMPT TO KEEP YUAN EXCHANGE RATE LOW Separately, The Paper (August 5) published a commentary analyzing the meaning. It said “It reflects a big change in China’s currency policy. It will no longer attempt to keep the exchange rate below 7. From the short-term perspective, under the pressure of Trump’s new tariff on over $300 billion of Chinese goods and the downward pressure on China’s economy this year, devaluing the Renminbi will help the economy.”
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: AIRCRAFT CARRIER BEING TESTED WITHIN TWO DAYS Citing military observers the South China Morning Post (August 6) reported that the 65,000-tonne Type 001A, China’s first home-grown aircraft carrier, is undergoing another sea trial, straight after four days of testing, suggesting that the PLA Navy may have identified technical problems requiring immediate attention.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET RAILWAY: BUKAMU TUNNEL IN MANLING COUNTY IN NYINGCHI COMPLETED China Daily (August 6) reported that the 9,240-meter Bukamu Tunnel, located in Manling county of the region's eastern Nyingchi city, has been completed.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA ACTS AGAINST CATHAY AIRLINE STAFF WHO PARTICIPATED IN PROTESTS The South China Morning Post (August 9) reported that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) told the Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific that from August 10, staff who had taken part in “illegal protests”, “violent actions” and “overly radical activities” in the city would not be allowed on services to or from the mainland.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA THREATENS TO IMPOSE REVERSE SANCTIONS IN CASE INDIA DOES NOT ACCEPT HUAWEI'S 5G Reuters (August 6) reported that two sources privy to internal discussions in New Delhi said India's Ambassador in Beijing, Vikram Misri, was called to the Chinese foreign ministry on July 10 to hear China's concerns about the U.S. campaign to keep Huawei out of 5G mobile infrastructure worldwide.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY COMMENTS ON AMENDMENT OF ART. 370 Replying to a question at the routine Foreign Ministry briefing in Beijing on August 6, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: China is always opposed to India's inclusion of the Chinese territory in the western sector of the China-India boundary into its administrative jurisdiction.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-QATAR: QATAR DECLINES TO DEPORT UYGHUR WANTED BY CHINA In an unexpected move on August 6, Qatar refused to bow down to requests from China by rejecting the deportation of Ablikim Yusuf, a Uighur man who had fled China. Ablikim Yusuf only days ago was stranded in Doha’s Hamad International Airport expecting the Qatari authorities to deport him back to China.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-GERMANY: CHINA BANS VISIT BY GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIAN MARGARET BAUSE The Bundestag has appealed China's travel ban on a Green party politician, apparently over her criticism of its human rights record.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA ACCUSES WASHINGTON OF USING "GANGSTER LOGIC" China on August 9, accused Washington of applying “gangster logic” after US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus described Beijing as a “thuggish regime”.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANNUAL BEIDAIHE CONCLAVE Confirmation that the annual Beidaihe 'informal' retreat of senior veteran CCP leaders is underway was visible in the issue of a traffic control ordinance on June 29 announcing special vehicle inspection from July 13 to August 18, by the Qinhuangdao City that administers the Beidaihe resort.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO MEETING TO DISCUSS ANNUAL ECONOMIC PLAN Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo meeting on analysing the current economic situation and making a plan for economic work in the second half of the year.
Aug 2019 |
XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO'S 16th COLLECTIVE STUDY MEETING ON REFORM OF THE MILITARY SYSTEM China's official Xinhua news agency (July 31) reported on the 16th collective study on the reform of the military policy system held by the Politburo on July 30. In his remarks, Xi Jinping stressed that the military policy system "is an important guarantee for our party to govern the country".
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN BBC's monitoring service on July 25, reported that former Chairman of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region and subsequently Director of the National Energy Administration, Nur Bekri was put on trial in Shenyang.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW COAL MINES A Reuters report ( August 6) said that approvals issued by the Chinese government for new coal mine construction in China have surged in 2019.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: RIOTING CONTINUES FOR NINTH STRAIGHT WEEK Defying stern warnings from both the local government and Beijing, people in seven districts in Hong Kong—most notably teachers, airport workers, and civil servants—participated in a general strike on August 5, shutting down portions of the territory.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: US TREASURY DEPARTMENT DETERMINES CHINA IS A CURRENCY MANIPULATOR A notification issued by the US Treasury Department on August 6, stated that "under Section 3004 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, US Secretary of the Treasury Mnuchin, under the auspices of President Trump, has today determined that China is a Currency Manipulator."
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA REACTS TO US REMARK ABOUT DEPLOYING INTERMEDIATE RANGE MISSILES IN ASIA-PACIFIC The Director of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Arms Control Department, Fu Cong, said on August 6, that China “will not stand idly by” and will take countermeasures if the U.S. deploys intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA REACTION TO INDIA'S ABOLITION OF ARTICLE 370 FROM J&K China's official news agency Xinhua on August 6, reported the abolition of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution "which guarantees a "special status" to Indian-controlled Kashmir" and claimed "as soon as the proposal was made, there was a pandemonium in the house."
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BEIDAIHE MEETING Xinhua on August 3 indicated that the secretive annual conclave of China's senior veteran leaders had commenced at the seaside resort.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER REGULATIONS The Cyberspace Administration of China released (July 22 ) a draft regulation released for public comment that proposes restricting the internet access of users and providers of online information services that “fabricate, publish, or spread information that violates public morality, business ethics, or good faith,” or deliberately provide technological assistance to those who do so.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA REVEALS COMPOSITION OF ITS FOREX HOLDINGS China for the first time revealed the historical composition of its massive forex reserves and the return on investments it made with the money, as part of what regulators called efforts to improve transparency and confidence in the country’s economic and financial position.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S NUCLEAR ARSENAL Vice Admiral David Kriete, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, at a press briefing reported in The Beacon (August 1, 2019), expressed concern at China's rapidly growing nuclear arsenal when combined with other alarming activities in the South China Sea and elsewhere.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE WARNS OF "DANGEROUS SITUATION" Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hongkong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on August 5 announced she would not be stepping down and warned that the city of Hong Kong, which is now "full of bullying and maltreatment," is on the verge of a "very dangerous situation."
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: SECOND BATCH OF PLA PERSONNEL COMPLETE TRAINING ON S-400 TRIUMF AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM TASS news agency reported (July 31) that “About 100 military servicemen from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army who will maintain the second S-400 regiment set, completed a training course to use the S-400 systems in July and returned to their home country.”
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINA SUSPENDS ALL POLICE COOPERATION WITH FRANCE The French newspaper Le Monde reported (August 3) that Beijing has announced it would stop all cooperation between its police services and French counterparts.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY WARNS OF PUNISHMENT TO "CRIMINAL ELEMENTS" People’s Daily on July 22, published a commentator article that strongly condemned “extremist protestors” for “surrounding the Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Central People's Government, damaging its facilities, defacing the National Emblem, and spray-painting expressions insulting the country and people” on 21 July.
Aug 2019 |
FOUR PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARIES WARN PARTY CADRES NOT TO BE 'MUDDLE-HEADED', LAZY OR CORRUPT The Party's official mouthpiece 'People’s Daily' published (July 15-18, 2019) a series of articles under the byline “Ren Ping” (任平), which is likely a homophonous pen name standing for “People’s Daily Commentary” (人民日报评论), each of which warned party officials to not become a certain negative archetype of official, as identified by Xi Jinping.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENTS Liu Junchuan (刘军川) was appointed Deputy Director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HUAWEI PAYS HIGHER SALARIES TO ATTRACT TALENT POST-U.S. TRADE SANCTIONS Asia-Nikkei news reported (July 27) that top Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies is offering salaries of up to 2 million yuan ($291,000) per year to new graduates with advanced degrees, to bolster in-house research and development in the face of U.S. sanctions.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's Economic Daily (July 16) published a commentary under the byline “Ping Yan” (平言), which is likely a pen name used by the Economic Daily Theoretical Commentary Department (经济日报理论评论部), arguing that China’s 6.3% GDP growth rate for the first half of this year fell within a "reasonable interval and actually showed China’s success in maintaining stability in the face of unstable and uncertain external conditions".
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN: PLAN BEGINS EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA ON 28 JULY Two large-scale military drills close to the Taiwan Strait commenced on July 28 in waters off the coast of eastern China’s Zhejiang province and another set of military exercises are being held from July 29 till August 2., 2019.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG CONDUCTS INSPECTION TOUR OF QINGHAI Xinhua July 18, reported that PBSC Member and Chairman of the CPPCC Wang Yang while on an inspection visit to Qinghai, praised recent achievements in Qinghai’s ethnic, religious and anti-poverty work, and stressed that doing a good job in ethnic and religious is important to maintaining social and long-term stability in Tibetan areas.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: SICHUAN AUTHORITIES CRACK-DOWN ON YACHEN GAR TIBETAN BUDDHIST CENTRE Radio Free Asia (RFA - 27 July) quoting unnamed Tibetan sources reported that authorities in western China’s Sichuan province have begun a campaign of large-scale demolition at the Yachen Gar Tibetan Buddhist center, with Chinese work crews tearing down over a hundred dwellings of nuns evicted from the complex in recent weeks.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: FORMER HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE TUNG CHEE-HWA BLAMES "FOREIGN FORCES" FOR THE TROUBLES Radio Hongkong (RTHK) on July 31 reported that former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa on July 31, blamed “foreign forces” in Taiwan and the US for the ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTESTS BY HONGKONG RESIDENTS AGAINST EXTRADITION BILL The Financial Times (July 28) reported that tens of thousands of Hong Kong protesters besieged traditional villages in the territory’s northern district of Yuen Long in defiance of police on 27 July afternoon as the city’s worst political crisis in decades took a dangerous turn.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: RIOTS AFFECT RETAIL SALES IN HONGKONG BBC Chinese reported (July 19) that, over the past month or so, Hong Kong has had several major protests against the “Extradition Bill.” More protests are expected in the coming days.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA SUSPENDS TRAVEL BY TOURISTS FROM 47 CHINESE CITIES TO TAIWAN The China Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association on July 31, 2019 posted a notification on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Government portal suspending travel to Taiwan by Mainland residents of 47 cities with effect from August 1, 2019 for an undetermined period.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-CZECH REPUBLIC: DETERIORATING RELATIONS BETWEEN PRAGUE AND BEIJING CITIES Deutsche Welle Chinese reported on July 19, that the friendly relationship between the City of Prague and the City of Beijing is changing.
Aug 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BEIDAIHE CONCLAVE The CCP leadership is due to travel to Beidaihe shortly for the usual summer conclave.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ASKS LOCAL LEADERSHIP TO TAKE MORE INITIATIVE The ninth meeting of the Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform (CCCDR), which was established in March 2018 as part of the massive restructuring of the CCP and chaired by Chinese President and CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping on July 24, stressed that grassroots officials need to be given more leeway to craft solutions to fit their own circumstances.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING DEPUTES PBSC MEMBERS WANG ZHEN AND HAN ZHENG TO XINJIANG AND HONGKONG The state-owned CCTV reported (July 16) that PBSC Member and Chairman of the CPPCC Wang Zhen had attended a three-day conference in the Hetian district of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous where PB Member and Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo was among those present.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-UK: CONSERVATIVE MP INTRODUCES BILL FOR RECIPROCAL ACCESS TO TIBET Conservative Party MP Tim Loughton said as he submitted the Reciprocal Access Bill on July 23, 2019 in the House of Commons.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: JOINT AIR OPERATIONS OVER SEA OF JAPAN AND EAST CHINA SEA On July 23, for the first time Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the Russian Air Force jointly conducted a long-range aerial patrol in the Indo-Pacific region to “strengthen global strategic stability.”
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: CHINA HAS SECRET AGREEMENT WIH CAMBODIA FOR USE OF REAM NAVAL BASE The Asia-Nikkei news service reported July 23, quoted the Wall Street Journal report that China and Cambodia have signed a secret agreement that allows Beijing to use Ream for 30 years.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US TRADE WAR POISED TO INTENSIFY IF NEW BILL PASSES IN US SENATE The Nikkei-Asia index reported (July 26) that US Senator Marco Rubio last month introduced legislation that would increase oversight of Chinese companies listed on American stock exchanges, delisting those that fail to comply with the new requirements. =
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE TALKS SCHEDULED TO RESUME IN SHANGHAI ON JULY 30 Reuters reported (July . ) that US US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will be in Shanghai on July 30, to reopen trade negotiations with their Chinese counterparts Vice Premier Liu He and Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan.
Jul 2019 |
CHINESE OFFICIAL MEDIA RESPONSE TO 'COUNTER LETTER' ADDRESSED TO US PRESIDENT A compilation of Chinese language articles in PRC state and Party media that directly or indirectly attack the "Stay the Course" letter
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPAL PERMITS PPAY TO OPERATE IN NEPAL The Nepal Rastra Bank granted a license on July 24 for the payment system operator to Chinese company--UnionPay International to provide its services in Nepal recently.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-UAE: UAE CROWN PRINCE AL-NAHYAN MEETS XI JINPING IN BEIJING On July 22, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates met Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: OBITUARY FOR FORMER CHINESE PREMIER LI PENG Former Chinese Premier Li Peng died on 22 July 2019 in Beijing at the age of 90.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S MEETING NPC DEPUTIES AT NPC SYMPOSIUM On July 18, the National People’s Congress held a symposium in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of standing committees at local people’s congresses.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROTEST BY DOCTORS IN HEILONGJIANG More than 100 rural doctors have resigned in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province over unpaid public health subsidies and alleged unfair treatment, following a first wave of departures in the central Henan province over similar issues.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA WARNS IT COULD USE PLA TO QUELL RIOTING The chief spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) Senior Col. Wu Qian, warned on July 24 that “The behavior of some radical protesters challenges the central government’s authority, touching on the bottom line principle of ‘one country, two systems.’” He asserted “That absolutely cannot be tolerated.”
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA TEST FIRED DF-21(D) IN SOUTH CHINA SEA ON JULY 1 Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun disclosed (July 20) that China fired six DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles on July 1 from different points in southern China which landed almost simultaneously in the sea north of the Spratly Islands.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SOYBEAN PRODUCTION China's National Bureau of Statistics said July 15, that China's agricultural planting area for the high-protein food crop increased in the first half of the year.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE SHOW OF FORCE AT DEMCHOK/KOYUL Epoch Times (July 14) reported that a group of Chinese soldiers had "recently crossed the border into India and tried to prevent local Tibetan residents from hosting an annual birthday celebration for the Dalai Lama".
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S U.S. TREASURY HOLDINGS DROP China’s holdings of U.S. Treasuries dipped in May to the lowest in two years amid an escalation of the trade war, falling by $2.8 billion to $1.11 trillion, according to Treasury Department data released in Washington on July 16.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: U.S. COMPANY STOPS SUPPLY OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA The Redwood City, California-based startup Cape Productions Inc., an American supplier of drone technology to dozens of state and local law enforcement and public safety agencies said it will stop working with Chinese drone manufacturers, citing security concerns.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN PRESIDENT OFFERS POLITICAL ASYLUM TO REFUGEES ESCAPING HONGKONG Responding to Radio Free Asia reports on July 18, that about 10 Hong Kong protesters had arrived in Taiwan and of Apple Daily that about 30 had arrived on the island and 30 more were planning to follow.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING MEETS CHINA'S AMBASSADORS On July 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Chinese ambassadors from all over the world at the 2019 Annual Overseas Diplomats Work Conference.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO INNER MONGOLIA Xinhua reported the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Inner Mongolia on July 15 and 16, his third to the region since the 19th Party Congress, when he highlighted the need to carry out the theme education of “not forgetting the original heart and keeping in mind the mission”, which is a party internal rectification campaign.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG DISCUSSES ECONOMY WITH ECONOMISTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS On July 16, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang discussed the economy with top officials and invited economists and business leaders to give their thoughts on the current economic trajectory.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CPPCC CONVENES MEETING ON THE ECONOMY China's top political advisory body, the CPPCC, held a symposium on the economy on July 15. Nine CPPCC members shared their views, including former top Party and state economic advisors Yang Weimin and Liu Shijin.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NIKKEI FINDS 50 GLOBAL COMPANIES QUITTING CHINA Nikkei Research reported on July 18, that a year into the trade war with Washington, more than 50 global companies, including Apple and Nintendo, have announced or are considering plans to move production out of China.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: SENIOR OFFICER ARRESTED FOR ESPIONAGE A report on July 17 disclosed that according to Hong Kong's "Ming Pao", the Deputy Director of the Equipment Development Department of the CCP Central Military Commission Qian Weiping, was arrested and investigated by the Chinese military for being involved in espionage in early July.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: VILLAGE LEVEL 'DEMOCRATIC' ELECTIONS The Party journal 'China Comment' (13/2019) recently stated that village-level elections are flawed with a large bottle of cooking oil being the going rate for securing a single vote in one specific village.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP MEETS UYGHUR DISSIDENT ILHAM TOHTI'S DAUGHTER President Trump met with a number of relatives of political prisoners in the White House including Ilham Tohti and Tenzin Delek's daughters.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: LINKS BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN MEDIA HOUSE A Financial Times report of July 18 detailing the links between the Want Want China Times Group, a major Taiwanese media group, and various PRC entities was publicised recently.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: INVESTMENTS IN SE ASIA A 2018 study by Oxford Economics and the CIMB ASEAN Research Institute was quoted in mid-July to say that BRI projects in ASEAN countries amount to more than US$739 billion.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY BUILDING Chinese President and General Secretary of the CCP convened a high-level meeting (July 9) to discuss Party-building in central Party and state institutions.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING CONVENES MEETING OF LEADING PARTY, GOVERNMENT AND PLA CADRES Xi Jinping convened a meeting of leading Party, Government and PLA cadres, excluding representatives of the other democratic parties and All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, who attended the opening ceremony of the January seminar on July 5, 2019. e.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: ARREST OF "BLACK" AND "EVIL FORCES' IN TIBET The International Campaign for Tibet reported (Global Times - June 18, 2019) that a nationwide political campaign in China against “black” and “evil forces” has intensified in Chinese-occupied Tibet with a strong emphasis on cracking down on “separatism in the name of religion” and loyalty to the Dalai Lama.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S SOE'S RESTRICT FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS The American Enterprise Institute in a report in July 2019 stated that China’s investment and construction around the world plunged in the first half of 2019 and is unlikely to return to 2016–17 levels in the foreseeable future.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT Caixin Daily (July 12) reported that China’s best and brightest are struggling to land prestigious jobs as the lowest level of economic growth in a decade and a prolonged trade war with the U.S. drive down job openings.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT: ACTIVITIES ABROAD In an article in the Atlantic (July 2019) Didi Kirsten Tatlow mentioned that there are at least 230 groups in Germany linked to China’s United Front in addition to 20 Confucius Institutes.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: TAIWAN'S TSAI ING-WEN STOPPING OVER 4 DAYS IN USA Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in the US on July 11 while on a visit to four Caribbean allies. Tsai will go to New York on her way there, and then is expected to stop in Denver on the way back.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-US: U.S. CONSUL GENERAL IN HONGKONG ASKED NOT TO GIVE CRITICAL FAREWELL SPEECH Kurt Tong, the outgoing US Consul General in Hong Kong was barred by the U.S. State Department from giving a tough valedictory speech because of fears criticism of government actions could offend Beijing and derail a trade war truce agreed by Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at last month’s G20 meeting in Japan.
Jul 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO ATTEND G-20 SUMMIT Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced on June 22 that Chinese President Xi Jinping would attend the 14th Group of 20 (G20) summit in Osaka, Japan from June 27 to 29, at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DISSENT AMONG INTELLECTUALS Qu Weiguo, Head of the English Department of the prestigious Tsinghua University in a speech to the Class of 2019 on June 19, praised the importance of fighting for individual liberty, talking with the world outside and thinking independently.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STATE COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 19 Top Chinese leaders appear to be increasingly worried about the deteriorating economic picture.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-TELECOMMUNICATIONS: PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR 5G On June 6, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued 5G commercial licenses to four state-owned telecommunication companies. China Mobile is keen to get rolling with its 5G build out.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S NEW AV500 UNMANNED HELICOPTER COMPLETES FIRST NIGHT OPERATION The People's Daily reported on June 21, that China's unmanned helicopter, the AV500, has successfully conducted its first night operation under challenging conditions, demonstrating its any-time, all-terrain capabilities.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: APPLE ASKS MAJOR SUPPLIERS TO SHIFT 15-30% OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY OUT OF CHINA The Nikkei Asian Review reported on June 19, that Apple has asked its major suppliers to weigh the costs of moving 15% to 30% of their production capacity from China to Southeast Asia as it preps for a fundamental restructuring of its supply chain.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: US CEO'S TO MEET CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG IN BEIJING Prior to the all-important Xi-Trump meeting next week, a group of five US CEOs including the heads of the chemical giant Dow Inc., United Parcel Service Inc., drugmaker Pfizer Inc. and Honeywell International Inc., are set to meet with Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.
Jun 2019 |
ARTICLE ASSESSES INDIA WILL RETAIN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY IN USA'S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY The official Global Times published (June 16) an article by Long Xingchun, Director of the Center for Indian Studies at China West Normal University, which argued that while the US is trying to sell more weaponry to India it has not been a reliable partner in the past and Russia is still India's main supplier.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE COAST GUARD VESSELS OPERATES WITHIN 24 NAUTICAL MILES OF SENKAKUS June 17, marked the 60th consecutive day that China Coast Guard vessels operated within 24 nautical miles (nm) of the Senkaku Islands. This is the longest stretch of continuous Chinese activity in those waters since Japan started tracking it.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING TO VISIT DPRK ON 20-21 JUNE Hu Zhaoming, spokesman for the Chinese Communist Party’s International Department, Xi Jinping would visit North Korea on June 20-21, 2019 , at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE WITH-HOLDS PASSAGE OF NEW EXTRADITION LAW Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced at a press conference on June 15, that she has suspended indefinitely efforts to pass a controversial new extradition law, after a week of unprecedented mass protests and street violence.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE REACTION TO US TRADE WAR The CCP CC's ideological theoretical journal Qiushi on June 17, asserted that China would not give way on major principles in its negotiations with the US on ending the dispute.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-WORLD BANK: WORLD BANK DEBARS CHINESE SOE FOR FRAUD Bloomberg business news reported (June 14) that the World Bank on June 12 announced a 15-month debarment of China-based Dongfang Electronics Co. Ltd. (Dongfang) in connection with fraudulent practices while bidding on a power project in Liberia.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER CENTRAL BANK CHIEF EXPRESSES CONCERN AT LUJIAZUI FORUM IN SHANGHAI Former central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan, speaking on a panel at the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on June 14, expressed concern over the impact of a protracted trade war.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SENIOR CADRE SUSPECTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN MILITARY-CIVIL INTEGRATION ESPIONAGE China Daily reported (June 17) that Peng Yuxing, a former Vice Governor of Sichuan Province and head of the Military Civil Integration Working Group, is under investigation by the CDIC.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PANCHEN LAMA TRAVELS ABROAD FOR FIRST TIME China News reported on June 10, that in mid-May, a Chinese Buddhist delegation headed by the Panchen Lama, Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association went to Thailand to attend the celebration of the closing ceremony of the United Nations Welcome Day and made a friendly visit to the Thai Buddhist community. This is the first time the Panchen has gone abroad.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PARTY IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN The People’s Daily published a series of Commentator articles from June 2 to June 6 to stress the importance of “building the Party based on ideology” and implementing the goals set by the education campaign with “high standards” and for Party Committees (Party Leadership Groups) to take on the responsibilities to lead and supervise the implementation of the campaign.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-NDRC ORGANISES MEET TO PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY DEVELOPMENT OF RARE EARTHS INDUSTRY China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a forum on 4 June, for experts of the rare earth industry to promote the “high-quality development of the industry.”
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN: TWO NEW TYPE 052 DESTROYERS JOIN PLA NAVY The Global times reported (May 13) that China has launched two new Type 052D guided-missile destroyers at the Dalian shipyard. The report said “China now has 20 Type 052Ds either in active service or being fitted out for service soon.”
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: NEW HIGH-TECH BOARD OPENS Proposed by Chinese President in November 2018, China's new high-tech board called the SSE Star Market, opened in Shanghai on June 13.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: CHINESE IT GIANT RESTRUCTURES Tencent Holdings' restructuring takes place as the company posted its first quarterly profit drop in 13 years in Q2 2018. The move will eventually affect the company’s 50,000 employees and at least 30 VP-level executives.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: XI JINPING'S STATE VISIT TO RUSSIA The People's Daily on June 6, publicised Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Russia this week and meting on June 5 with Russian President Vladimir Putin to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: CHINESE VESSELS SINKS PHILIPPINES FISHING VESSEL AND DOESN'T RESCUE FISHERMEN Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement on June 12, that a collision between a Chinese and a Philippine vessel, the FB Gimver 1, was reported by Filipino fishermen near the Recto Bank in the South China Sea on the evening of June 9, with the collision sinking the vessel.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: U.S. SENATE CONFIRMS NEW AMBASSADOR TO CHINA The United States Senate on June 13, confirmed former Air Force Brig. General David Stilwell as the U.S. Ambassador to China.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY WARNS U.S. AGAINST PURSUING 'SELF-DESTRUCTIVE' POLICY A front page People's Daily article on June 1, noted that the Chinese government had from that day begun to raise tariffs on US goods worth about 60 billion U.S. dollars "as a counterattack against the U.S.’s move to raise the tariff of 200 billion U.S. dollars to China’s exports to the United States".
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISHES SERIES OF 'ZHONG SHENG' ARTICLES ON CHINA-US TRADE WAR The People’s Daily launched a new series of Zhong Sheng articles on the US-China trade war focusing on “clearly seeing the true colours of US politicians.”
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE RMB VALUE AGAINST U.S. DOLLAR COULD DROP Amidst concerns about a weakening Chinese economy, the PBoC Governor Yi Gang said in an interview on June 7, that no hard limit existed for the dollar exchange rate, indicating that the tightly controlled onshore renminbi could drop further against the US Dollar.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MANUFACTURING INDICES DOWN IN MAY Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported on May 31, that China’s National Bureau of Statics just released its May Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) number.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FLIGHT OF CURRENCY The South China Morning Post (May 14) reported that Regulators in Hong Kong are increasingly nervous about the accelerating pace of capital outflows from China after the collapse of trade talks, fearing a wave of financial turbulence that could jeopardize the hub's longstanding dollar peg.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RISE IN COST OF LIVING Official Chinese date quoted on June 5, by the business news journal Caixin revealed that average wholesale prices of several fruits climbed as much as 42% as of June 3 compared with the start of the year most likely because of cold snaps in several fruit-producing regions.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INFLATION RISES IN CHINA China inflation hit a 15-month high in May as swine fever pushed Pork prices nearly 20% over last year.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S PLA TO TEST RUSSIAN S-400 MISSILES The Russian News Agency TASS, on June 5, said that the experimental team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army will test the second batch of Russian-made S-400 missiles delivered to China in the first 10 days of June. This test will continue to test the anti-missile capability of this type of missile.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE INVESTMENTS IN U.S. START-UPS DECLINE Since late last year, amid rising U.S-China tensions and unwelcome climate, venture firms with China ties have held back their U.S. investments. U.S. startups in the Silicon Valley also prefer to look for funding to U.S. Government entities and push their Chinese investors out to avoid scrutiny.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S ARMS PURCHASES FROM USA Taiwan confirmed on June 6 that it has asked to purchase more than 100 tanks from the United States, along with a letter of request for 108 cutting-edge M1A2 Abrams tanks, 1,240 TOW anti-armor missiles, 409 Javelin anti-tank missiles, and 250 Stinger man-portable air defense systems.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-AIIB: AIIB LENDING INCREASES The China-sponsored Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has ramped up the pace of its lending since late last year, approving eight new projects in countries ranging from Indonesia to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka over the last six months, according to its website.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-TAJIKISTAN: XI JINPING'S SIGNED ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY TAJIK MEDIA Xi Jinping wrote a signed article titled "Working Together for a Brighter Future of China-Tajikistan Friendship" published on June 12, by the Tajik media on the eve of his state visit .
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW TYPE-055 DESTROYER JOINS PLAN AT INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW The official Global Times (June 4) publicised that the new Type-055 Destroyer, the 'Nanchang' (Hull No: 101) took part in the recent International Fleet Review at Qingdao. It said the warship will join the PLAN's North Sea Fleet.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: CHINA REACTS TO US ACTG. DY. SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO NEPAL China's Global Times published (June 6) an article by Ding Gang, Senior Editor with the Party paper 'People's Daily' and currently also a Senior Fellow with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, asserting that Nepal's "strategic position" is the cause for increased US interest on Nepal in its Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO RUSSIA Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his eighth visit (and fourth state visit) to Russia from June 5 to 7, when he will attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. which is due to kick off Thursday.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: PERSONNEL DATA FROM AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY SUSPECTED TO BE HACKED BY CHINA The Sydney Morning Herald reported (June 4) that Australian Intelligence officials believe China may have been behind a massive data breach which compromised the personal details of thousands of Australian National University students and staff.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-SAUDI ARABIA: CNN REPORTED ON JUNE 5 THAT CHINA HELPED SAUDI ARABIA DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS CNN citing three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said (June 5) that the US government has obtained intelligence that Saudi Arabia has significantly escalated its ballistic missile program with the help of China.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: DENIAL OF VISAS TO CHINESE STUDENTS According to statistics from China's Education Ministry released on June 3, among the more than 10,000 Chinese whose studies in the US were sponsored by the Chinese government in 2018, 331 people were unable to do so because of a visa issue.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: WANG YANG VISITS GARZE TIBETAN AUTONOMOUS PREFECTURE IN SICHUAN Xinhua reported (may 27) that CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang (汪洋) conducted an inspection tour of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province from May 25 to 27, 2019.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LUO ZHAOHUI NEW CHINESE DY. FOREIGN MINISTER China's State Council on May 29 announced the appointment of the former Chinese Ambassador to India, 62-year old Luo Zhaohui (罗照辉) as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA BUILDS PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST U.S. ON TRADE WAR The official CCP newspaper People’s Daily launched a new Zhong Sheng series on the US-China trade war. Each article focused on a particular reason why US actions will result in “inevitable failure”.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW PARTY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY XI JINPING On May 31, the CCP launched a new campaign with the theme "staying true to our founding mission" among all Party members, especially officials at or above the county and director level.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE LEADERSHIP MOBILISES AGAINST U.S. TRADE WAR Duowei, an official Chinese news outlet in North America, reported that, “China, in the face of the unreasonable demands that the United States has made on China in trade negotiations, emphasized its ‘core interests’ and showed that it has the will never to yield to the United States.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-DEFENCE: CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER ADDRESSES SHANGRI-LA ANNUAL MEETING Speaking at the annual Shangri'la Dialogue in Singapore on June 1, Chinese Defence Minister Lt. General Wei Fenghe dressed in full military uniform asserted that “Building facilities on one’s own territories is not militarisation.”
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA RELEASES WHITE PAPER ON TRADE WAR China declared on June 2, that the U.S. must withdraw its latest round of tariffs before a deal can be reached.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S EXPORTS TO U.S. DROP Nikkei reported (June1) that China's exports to U.S. dropped by US$ 15.2 billion, or 12%, in the first quarter of Jan-March 2019.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: U.S. BANS SIX CHINESE TECHNOLOGY ENTITIES FROM EXPORTING SENSITIVE U.S. GOODS The U.S. Commerce Department on May 13, banned six Chinese technology entities, one Pakistani firm and five based in the United Arab Emirates from exporting sensitive U.S. technologies and other goods.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY TO REGULATE PROMOTION OF CADRES The CCP CC General Office in a circular issued on May 27, instructed that the Party collective should have absolute control over promotions, taking away decision-making power from individuals.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GLOBAL TIMES ADVISES RESTRAINT IN NATIONAL DEBATE ON HUAWEI The official Global Times on May 28 said that there had been wide spread and heated discussion following an interview with Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-SINGAPORE: UPGRADING OF DEFENCE TIES Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe arrived in Singapore earlier this week combining attendance at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue with meetings with Singapore Government officials.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: XI JINPING TO VISIT RUSSIA ON JUNE 5-7, 2019 When Chinese President Xi Jinping pays a state visit to Russia from June 5 to 7, China and Russia are expected to sign joint communiqués that will propel bilateral ties to a higher level.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-IRAN: SHARP RISE IN CHINA'S OIL IMPORTS FROM IRAN China’s imports from Iran of Iranian crude oil surged to a five-year high in April as it gorged itself ahead of the return of U.S. sanctions.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA THREATENS STOPPAGE OF RARE EARTHS EXPORTS TO U.S. The official mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, the People's Daily, warned on May 30 that China might ban export of rare earths — which are crucial in much high-performance modern technology including Circuit boards, batteries, sensors and thrusters.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA THREATENS TO RETALIATE AND BLACKLIST U.S. COMPANIES Gao Feng, spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce, stated during a briefing in Beijing on May 30, that “The U.S. keeps escalating the trade tensions, and makes various tricks, which has severely hurt the trade talks.” He also said “Whether the China-U.S. trade talks can make any progress largely hinges on the U.S. attitude and sincerity.”
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-US: LEADING PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY 'PFIZER UPJOHN' OPENS GLOBAL HQRS IN SHANGHAI The leading Chinese business magazine Caixin quoting China's official news agency Xinhua reported that “Pfizer Upjohn, Pfizer's generic drug unit, opened its global headquarters in Shanghai on May 30, marking the first time any multinational drug company has placed its main office in China.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-THE 'CHINA DREAM' EXPLAINED BY ITS AUTHOR PLA COLONEL LIU MINGFU Excerpts from a recent interview by Asahi Shimbun with Retired PLA Colonel and Professor at China's National Defense University, Liu Mingfu, who wrote the 'China Dream' are reproduced below.
Jun 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FIVE DAY IMMERSION IN CONFUCIAN CULTURE FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS South China Morning Post disclosed (May 28) that the CCP CC's United Front Work Department issued a news release on May 27, stating that China has begun five-day Confucian culture immersion courses for religious leaders in the sage’s hometown as part of a campaign to extend government control over faith communities through a process of Sinicisation.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EX-PLA OFFICER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST TIANANMEN EVENT The New York Times reported (May 28) that on the eve of the anniversary of the "Tiananmen incident" on June 3-4, 1998, 66-year old former PLA Lieutenant Ms. Jiang Lin called for a public reckoning because generations of Chinese Communist Party leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have expressed no remorse for the violence.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW SMALL LEADING GROUP TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT China's leading business news service reported that on May 22 a new high-level “small leading group” was set up to work on employment. This followed the surveyed urban unemployment rates for the first four months of this year showing that these were all higher than last year's rates.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RISING COST OF LIVING DETERS CHINESE FROM FOREIGN TRAVEL The South China Morning Post (May 27) reported that food prices in China jumped 6.1 per cent in April due to higher pork and fruit prices, with pork price increases accelerating to 14.4 per cent from 5.1 per cent in March.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SMIC DELISTS IN NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE Asia Nikkei reported on May 29, that China's largest chip foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., will delist from the New York Stock Exchange.
May 2019 |
CHINA-TECHNOLOGY: HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. STOCKS DROP 12.2% BETWEEN MAY 17-27, 2019 In seven trading days through May 13, foreign investors sold a net 3.7 billion yuan ($530 million) of shares in Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. through the stock connect program between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, according to data compiled by financial data provider iFind from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: US AND TAIWAN OFFICIALS MEET TO DISCUSS SECURITY TIES Taiwan’s official Central News Agency disclosed on May 25, that Taiwan National Security Chief David Lee met White House National Security Adviser John Bolton during David Lee’s visit to the U.S. from May 13 to 21.
May 2019 |
AUSTRALIAN HELICOPTER 'BLINDED' BY LASERS FROM CHINESE FISHING VESSELS WHILE EXERCISING IN SCS Associated Press reported (May 28) that Australian Navy helicopter pilots were hit by lasers while exercising in the South China Sea, forcing them to land as a precaution. It quoted Euan Graham, who was onboard the Royal Australian Navy flagship HMAS Canberra on a voyage from Vietnam to Singapore.
May 2019 |
XI JINPING ASKS PEOPLE TO PREPARE FOR NEW 'LONG MARCH' TOWARD 'NATIONAL REJUVENATION On May 20, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping visited a 'revolutionary base' in Jiangxi province to commemorate the 12,500 kms 'Long March' that lasted from October 1934 to October 1936.
May 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP:XI JINPING'S INSTRUCTION TO MILITARY EDUCATION SYSTEMS Inspecting the Infantry Academy of the PLA Ground Force in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province on May 21, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered military schools to 'move forward in the correct political direction' and asserted that their training must be focussed on what the military needs to win wars and that they must provide capable human resources to support the effort of building a strong military.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE SECURITY CRACKS DOWN ON STUDENT MARXIST SOCIETIES A Washington Post report on May 25, disclosed that 21-year Qiu Zhanxuan, leader of the Marxist student association at the elite Peking University, had released a scathing video in February of the inhuman treatment meted out to him by China's security authorities during his four days of detention.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RESTRUCTURING OF BANKING AND ANTI-CORRUPTION China's Banking regulators issued a statement (May 24) stating that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) have taken over the management of Baoshang Bank for two years.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA MAY REDUCE SPENDING ON PLA NAVY The South China Morning Post on May 26 reported, quoting an unnamed Chinese military source, that “The escalating tension between China and the United States has reminded Beijing’s leaders that they need to be careful how much they spend on new warships.”
May 2019 |
CHINA-PIG REARING: AFRICAN SWINE FEVER THREATENS CHINA'S PIG FARMERS Threatened by African Swine Fever that is cutting across Asia, the Chinese government has banned the use of non heated swill and doesn't allow swill feeding at all in provinces with ongoing outbreaks.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: EMORY UNIVERSITY TERMINATED SERVICES OF TENURED ETHNIC CHINESE FACULTY Emory University fired two neuroscientists after they were accused of failing to disclose foreign research funding and connections with China.
May 2019 |
CHINA-TANZANIA: US$ 10 BILLION PORT PROJECT STALLED Reuters reported (May 23) that a planned US$10 billion port project in Tanzania has hit an impasse, with China and Tanzania disagreeing on terms of the infrastructure investment. Deusdedit Kakoko.
May 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: X JINPING'S ARTICLE IN QIU SHI An article by CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping entitled "Deepening Understanding of the New Vision of Development," was published on May 16 in the 10th issue of the Party theoretical journal Qiushi.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY REACTS TO IMPOSITION OF NEW U.S. TARIFFS On May 17, the official Chinese Communist Party (CCP) newspaper 'People's Daily' published a commentary captioned 'No power can stop the Chinese people from realising their dreams'.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on May 17, that while the nationwide spread of the deadly African swine fever has sent live pig and pork prices soaring, it will not have a major impact on consumers due to the stable supply of other protein sources including poultry, aquaculture products and eggs.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DIGITALISATION OF VILLAGES On May 16, the General Offices of the State Council and Central Committee released new guidelines to promote "digital villages."
May 2019 |
CHINA-SSF ACCUSED OF HACKING INTO EU'S DIPLOMATIC CABLES A report publicised by ZDNET. on May 14 and released by cybersecurity professionals from the BlackBerry Cylance Threat Intelligence team on recent Chinese hacking activity based on research was made public in December by Area 1 Security.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: HUAWEI DEVELOPED "ALTERNATE CHIPS" FOR EVENTUALITY OF U.S. BANNING EXPORTS TO CHINA According to a recently leaked letter from He Tingbo, President of Huawei's chip unit HiSilicon, the Chinese smartphone giant anticipated years ago that the U.S. government might “suppress” the company and cut channels for it to acquire chip-related technology from the U.S., and has developed “alternative chips” for just such a scenario — though it did not expect the situation to actually happen.
May 2019 |
CHINA-HUAWEI: HUAWEI COULD LOOSE SUPPLIERS FOR ONE-THIRD OF ITS COMPONENTS The Trump administration on May 15, imposed an extreme penalty on Huawei that bars U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by Chinese company Huawei and its 70 subsidiaries.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: SECURITY OF CPEC Since 2016, Pakistan has allocated 1.3 billion rupees (US$9.1 million) for CPEC security, on top of the efforts of the Balochistan provincial government and created the 15,000-man SSD.
May 2019 |
NPC CHAIRMAN AND PBSC MEMBER LI ZHANSHU PRAISES XI JINPING'S LEADERSHIP AND HIS SPEECH AT BRI The official Party newspaper People's Daily on May 6, publicised that NPC Chairman and PBSC member Li Zhanshu (栗战书) presided over a study seminar focusing on Xi Jinping’s diplomatic thought and Xi’s important speech at the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF).
May 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP XI JINPING LAUNCHES NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AT POLITBURO MEETING ON 13 MAY Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo meeting on May 13, where the Party decided to launch a “Stay true to the Party’s founding mission” education campaign from June 2019.
May 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: OPPOSITION TO GOVERNMENT POLICY SILENCED Lou Jiwei, a former Chinese Minister of Finance and till recently Chairman of China’s Social Security Fund, told South China Morning Post in early March that the Made in China 2025 plan had “wasted taxpayers’ money.”
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE INTELLECTUALS CALL FOR COOLING DOWN TARIFF WAR WITH U.S Prominent intellectuals including children of veteran leaders have called for review and change in Beijing's policies towards the US, while stopping short of directly criticising existing policies.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S RESPONSE TO INCREASED US TARIFFS In a statement on its website on May 13, the Chinese Ministry of Finance announced an escalation of the trade war on May 14 and said it would raise tariffs on US$60 billion of US goods from June 1, by “25, 20 and 10 per cent” respectively.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL TAKES MEASURES TO CONTAIN UNEMPLOYMENT Two Chinese Vice Premiers, Sun Chunlan and Hu Chunhua, chaired a National Conference on Employment in Beijing on May 13, to which Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent instructions.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: PUBLIC RHETORIC AGAINST US The 90-second rhetoric tirade against the US by anchor Kang Hui on the 13th May evening edition of the Party's flagship news program, Xinwen Lianbo on the state-owned CCTV was strong and has become an internet sensation in China.
May 2019 |
SAUDI CROWN PRINCE DEFENDED CHINA'S RIGHT TO OPEN CONCENTRATION CAMPS FOR MUSLIMS Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’’s crown prince, on May 10, defended China’s use of concentration camps for Muslims, saying it was Beijing’s “right”.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA LAUNCHES TWO NEW DESTROYERS By May 2019, China had launched two more new Type-052 Destroyers bringing the total in service to nine. The report said the 20th Type-052 Destroyer will be ready in three years.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NAVY MODERNISATION PLANS The US Economic and Security Review Commission (USESRC) has assessed that China's military spending will increase between 2015 - 2021 by 55 % from US$ 167.9 billion to US$ 260.87 bn. The PLAN's spending, it said, will increase by 82% from US$ 31.4 billion to US$ 57.1 billion.
May 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: HUAWEI CFO'S LETTER TO COMPANY PERSONNEL Huawei CFO and daughter of Huawei founder Ren , Ms. Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, who is presently in detention in Canada awaiting completion of extradition proceedings, wrote a letter on May 13, to all 188,000 personnel of Huawei which was published on the Xinsheng Community (Huawei's internal online forum).
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE NEGOTIATIONS As Chinese Vice Premier and Xi Jinping's trade envoy Liu He arrived in Washington on May 10 to continue negotiations, US President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent claiming that will garner around US$ 300 billion for the US.
May 2019 |
CHINA-POPULAR REACTIONS IN CHINA TO SINO-US TRADE WAR POPULAR REACTIONS IN CHINA TO SINO-US TRADE WAR
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL EVICTED FROM NEW YORK BUILDING OWNED BY CHINESE SoE Amnesty International, which had recently moved its headquarters to a building in New York, was asked on May 10 to vacate the building as it had been purchased by a Chinese SoE and they didn't want Amnesty International as a tenant.
May 2019 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: FOREIGN NAVIES EXERCISE Between May 2 and May 8, 2019, warships from the United States Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Philippines Navy, and the Indian Navy sailed together for the first time in a four-way event demonstrating presence and cooperation.
May 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES FOR AMPHIBUOUS ASSAULT ON TAIWAN Asia Times (May 5) citing the Pentagon’s recently released 2019 China Military Power Report said the PLA Marine Corps is scheduled to expand from its current 20,000 to upwards of 30,000 Marines – and quite possibly a lot more.
May 2019 |
CHINA-UN: UN EXPERTS EXAMINING USE OF CHINESE MISSILES IN LIBYA Agence France-Presse reported that a panel of experts reported to the UN Security Council that it examined photographs of the debris and identified a Chinese-made Blue Arrow air-to-surface missile.
May 2019 |
CHINA SHOULD NOT ASSUME IT WILL OVERTAKE USA TO BECOME WORLD'S TOP SUPERPOWER South China Morning Post (April 15) reported that former Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming, speaking at a seminar organised by the Beijing-based Centre for China and Globalisation, cautioned that China would remain in the "primary stage of socialism for long" and said its economic size did not give it leeway to dictate global rules.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BACKGROUND OF 'MADE IN CHINA 2025' PLAN The South China Morning Post on April 22 said that the 'Made in China-2025' plan was authored by the Chinese Academy of Engineering in August 2013 and was to counter the reforms announced at the Third plenum in 2013.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: AI FOR CHINA'S MILITARY The South China Morning Post (May 4) quoted Adam Ni, China researcher from Macquarie University in Sydney, as saying that China has set up two major research organisations focused on AI unmanned systems and present trends suggest that the gap with the US will narrow as China is moving quickly to develop its military AI capability.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE SCHOLAR CLAIMS U.S. SANCTIONS ON IRAN HIT INDIA'S TIES WITH U.S. Zhang Jiadong, a Professor at the Center for American Studies, Fudan University, in an article published in Global Times on April 29, claimed that the U.S. announcement that it would not extend sanctions waivers for Iran oil importers "will highly likely affect US-India ties".
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY DESTROYERS CONDUCT "ROUTINE TAIWAN STRAIT TRANSIT" Two USN destroyers the USS Stethem and USS William P. Lawrence conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" on April 28-29, 2019.
May 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JASDF FIGHTERS SCRAMBLE TO INTERCEPT CHINESE AIRCRAFT On April 15, Japanese Self Defence Force fighters scrambled to intercept Chinese H-6K bombers and a Y-8G ECM near Okinawa entering the East China Sea.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PAY TO GET CHILDREN INTO ELITE U.S. COLLEGES Pharmaceutical billionaire Zhao Tao, owner of Shandong Buchang Pharmaceuticals Co., paid US$ 6.5 million to college counselor William “Rick” Singer for his daughter, Yusi's admission to Stanford University.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY MEASURES IN BEIJING Possibly because of the sensitive May 4 anniversary, the subway stations at Tiananmen in Beijing were closed from May 1 to 4.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY EDUCATION The Epoch Times reported (April 18) that Beijing made April 15 the “State Security Education Day for All People.”
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: MANNED SPACE FLIGHTS The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) said on April 21, that the Long March 5B carrier rocket is expected to make its maiden flight in the first half of 2020.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR WIDENS IN CHINA Voice of America reported (April 12) that in the past few decades, the fiscal income of the top groups has grown at an alarming rate and their proportion of the national income has almost doubled.
May 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: BELT AND ROAD FORUM China’s largest trading partners, the U.S. and India, were absent from the summit. None of the leaders from the U.S. G7 industrial countries including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Britain, and Germany were present at the summit.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE MILITARY EXPERT COMMENTS ON FIRE ON INDIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER The official Global Times (April 29) quoted Chinese military experts as saying on April 28 that 'India's military culture cannot keep up with its ambitious weapon and equipment development, which might be the reason behind its aircraft carrier's fatal fire' on April 26.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: VISIT OF PAKISTAN NAVY CHIEF TO SHANGHAI China Military Online, citing the Pakistan media, reported (April 29) that Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of Pakistan, visited Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai and the Wuhan Shuangliu Base of Wuchang Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., and met with heads of the relevant Chinese shipbuilding corporations.
May 2019 |
CHINA-NETHERLANDS: NETHERLANDS DOES NOT ALLOW HUAWEI'S 5G Well-known Chinese news site Sina on April 26, reported that the Netherlands’ largest telecommunications company, Royal KPN NV, announced recently that it will select a European supplier for its core 5G mobile network.
May 2019 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE DEVELOPING STRATEGY TO FIGHT A DIFFERENT CIVILISATION The Washington Examiner (April 30) said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s team is developing a strategy for China based on the idea of “a fight with a really different civilization” for the first time in American history.
May 2019 |
CANADA ASKS U.S. NOT TO CONCLUDE TRADE DEAL TILL CANADIANS IN CHINESE JAILS ARE RELEASED The Globe and Mail on April 28 reported that theTrudeau government through its Ambassador in Washington has delivered a message to the White House: Don’t sign a trade deal with China while Canadians are being held hostage in that country.
May 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ON MAY 4th MOVEMENT One hundred years after thousands of Chinese students marched on Tiananmen
Square on May 4, 1919, to protest against Western colonialism, President Xi Jinping on April 22, reiterated the Chinese Communist Party’s determination to control the legacy of the movement.
May 2019 |
XI JINPING ADDRESSES FOREIGN DELEGATES ATTENDING INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW AT QINDAO Xinhua said that addressing heads of foreign delegations invited to participate in the events marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on April 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for 'concerted efforts to safeguard maritime peace and build a maritime community with a shared future'.
May 2019 |
LEADERSHIP MAO'S SECRETARY'S WIFE FILES LAWSUIT TO PREVENT PUBLICATION OF LATE HUSBAND'S DIARIES Zhang Yuzhen, widow of Mao Zedong’s personal secretary has filed a lawsuit IN Beijing’s Xicheng district court to prevent the publication of his diaries, which are held by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and could shed invaluable light on the inner workings of the Communist Party.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 10 MILLION YOUTH BEING SENT TO THE COUNTRYSIDE A Communist Party document revealed recently (April 11) that China's Communist Youth League (CYL) has promised to despatch more than 10 million students to 'rural zones' by 2022 in order to 'increase their skills, spread civilisation and promote science and technology'.
May 2019 |
CHINA-XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT BRI FORUM Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address at the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) on April 25, 2019. Compared with the inaugural 2017 event, Xi’ Jinping's speech was shorter and contained fewer concrete proposals.
May 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: RECENT REPORT CAUTIONS AGAINST HASTY BRI INITIATIVES The reputed Chinese financial newspaper Caixin (April 23) said that a recent report from a research group said that many Belt and Road Initiative port projects have suffered from a “premature mentality,” in which investors jump in without adequate research, and could “stimulate regional political conflicts”.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: STEALTH PAINT R&D China's official Global Times (April 9, 2019) disclosed that Zhang Xuetong, leader of the research team from the Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, had said they will continue to research stealth and camouflage materials that can hide from a broad spectrum of electromagnetic waves, after they successfully fabricated a material that can hide a hot object from heat-sensing infrared cameras.
May 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: BEIDOU Zhang Quande, Secretary General of China’s Association of Global Navigation System Applications and Location-based Services, said at a conference in Shenzhen on April 14, that China's home developed Beidou navigation system will generate a services market of over US$ 298 billion by 2020.
May 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TELECOM & 5G The reputed Chinese financial newspaper reported (April 25 ) that China Unicom will be the first Chinese carrier to offer 5G wireless telecom services to the public in selected cities this year, putting China among the global frontrunners in rolling out next-gen mobile internet networks.
May 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CANADIAN AND US CITIZENS SENTENCED TO DEATH BY CHINESE COURT FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING CNN reported (April 30) that China's Jiangmen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong province on April 30, sentenced a Canadian, whose name is translated as Fan Wei and a US national Mark Swidan, to death in China for producing and trafficking a large amount of methamphetamine.
May 2019 |
FRENCH FRIGATE SAILS THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT PROMPTING CHINA TO DISINVITE FRANCE FROM PLAN ANNIVERSARY Reuters cited two U.S. military officials as saying that the French frigate ' BEIDOU ' (F734) navigated through the Taiwan Strait on April 6.
May 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINA EXPANDS LIST OF CANADIAN GOODS SUBJECT TO PUNITIVE TARIFFS Reuters reported (April 29) that China has recently targeted other Canadian exporters. It has already blocked Canadian canola from Richardson International and Viterra, two of Canada’s biggest farm exporters, saying that shipments had pests.
May 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL ECONOMY: XI JINPING CHAIRS CCFEA MEETING On April 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the the CCP’s most important economic policymaking body, the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs (CCFEA). The agenda was to discuss ensuring that China achieves the goal of becoming a “moderately prosperous society” by 2021.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO DISCUSSES PROPAGANDA WORK Xinhua (April 19) reported that the CCP CC Politburo met on April 19 to discuss the Party’s propaganda work and deliberate new Party regulations that govern work of the propaganda system.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: CHINESE AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS TAKEN TO 'RE-EDUCATION CENTRES' IN XINJIANG China's State Council Information Office, last week took Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" and eight other Chinese and foreign media to visit two 'Education and Training Centers' in Xinjiang province for on-site interviews to counter western criticism.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG'S 'OCCUPY CENTRAL' PROTESTORS SENTENCED The Hongkong District Court on April 23, sentenced four 'pro-democracy' leaders for terms varying from eight to 16 months over the 2014 Occupy protests, while sparing another four custodial sentences.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING REPLIES TO LETTER WRITTEN BY 40 US STUDENTS The South China Morning Post on April 22, reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter written by group of 40 US high school students from the Niles North High school in Illinois saying he is impressed by USA's "beautiful landscape, hospitable people and diverse culture" and has made many friends.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA DISCLOSES MILITARY SATELLITE PROGRAMME The South China Morning Post (April 23) revealed that China has launched at least 10 experimental "scavenger" satellites into space in the last decade.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: UAE ELECTED VICE CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BRI TAX ADMINISTRATION ORGANISATION The Emirates News Agency on April 22, reported that the UAE had been elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Organisation..
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE STUDENTS ABROAD RETURNING TO CHINA IN LARGER NUMBERS The official Global Times (April 22) said data shows there is an increasing number of overseas Chinese students coming back to China to work.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY'S VISIT TO BEIJING Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing after a day's discussions with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou on April 22, 2019.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: POLICY TOWARDS CHINA TO CONTINUE REGARDLESS OF ELECTION OUTCOME An article in the official Global Times on April 21, by Lu Yang, a research fellow with Institute of the Belt and Road Initiative, Tsinghua University, said "There is little doubt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will emerge as the largest party in parliament.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: TWO INDIAN NAVY SHIPS TO PARTICIPATE IN CHINA'S INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW IN APRIL China's official news agency Xinhua on April 19 reported that India's indigenous stealth destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet tanker INS Shakti will participate in the international fleet review in Qingdao, China, as part of the celebrations of the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: REGIONAL AID PROGRAMMES International Monetary Fund data shows that collectively, Japan owned $1.667 trillion in foreign assets in the third quarter of 2018, while China owned $1.542 trillion in the second quarter, the most recent available data for each country.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: QIU SHI REPRINTS XI JINPING'S SPEECH OF 2013 WITH PREVIOUSLY OMITTED PARAGRAPH The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s official theoretical fortnightly journal 'Qiushi' on April 1 2019, republished a speech that Xi Jinping delivered in 2013, in which he discussed 'socialism with Chinese characteristics'. Xi’s speech identified several problems or confusions in people’s understanding of the Chinese system.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EFFICIENCY OF SOCIAL CREDIT MGT SYSTEM Hongkong's South China Morning Post (April 18) reported that China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had confirmed that the sale of 20.47 million plane tickets and 5.71 million train tickets were stopped by the social credit management system.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GOVERNMENT & BUREAUCRACY Bloomberg reported that ever since Xi Jinping came to power, the criteria for bureaucrats to continue in office and for promotion has become tougher with social conduct being emphasised over competence.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA: BELT AND ROAD FORUM (BRI) China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi announced at a media briefing on April 19, that China will host the second Belt and Road Forum from April 25 to April 27 in Beijing. He said it will be the “most important” diplomatic event in China this year.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PENSIONS FUND HAS RUN OUT A report released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on states that China’s pension funds will fall to zero in 2035 after peaking in 2027 at 6.99 trillion yuan ($1.04 trillion).
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA RAIL REDUCES COAL TRANSPORTATION PRICES Caixin reported (April 18) that the state-owned China Railway Corp. (CRC) has slashed the price of transporting coal and ore along certain routes in northern China, as growth in its cargo business shows signs of slowing.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NDRC TRIES TO BOOST AUTO SALES A document circulated on China’s social media showed that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top industry policy-setting body, proposed relaxing controls on the issuance of car licenses in major cities, a move designed to expand auto consumption.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: AI IN MODERN WARFARE The Jamestown Foundation (Vol 19, Issue 7) reported that in early 2019, PLA Senior Colonel Li Minghai (李明海), Director of the National Security Studies Institute at NDU, and Deputy Secretary of NDU’s Communist Party Committee, published a pair of articles that offered a new set of terms and theoretical ideas related to the incorporation and operationalization of emerging technology by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: LIGHTWEIGHT REMOTE SENSING PLATFORMS FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA China displayed new lightweight, remote sensing platforms at the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition recently with China's Ministry of National Defence hinting that they may be deployed for military application in the South China Sea to aid protecting island construction and contested areas.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: TIANLIAN 11-01, NEW SATELLITE LAUNCHED Xinhua reported on April 1, that China had launched a new data relay satellite, the Tianlian II-01, into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on March 31. It was launched by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ARAB: COOPERATION IN CHINA'S BEIDOU NAVIGATION SYSTEM The state-owned CGTN announced on April 3, that more than 200 Chinese and Arab officials, experts and business people attended the second China-Arab States BDS Cooperation Forum two-day forum in Tunis to discuss the wider application of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) in the Middle East.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: HIGH-LEVEL VISITS SUGGEST IMPROVING TIES Asia nikkei news on April 18, 2019, reported that "Japan hand" Kong Xuanyou, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister is soon to arrive in Tokyo to serve as Ambassador.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINA HIRES LOBBYING FIRM IN CANADA The South China Morning Post, quoting the Toronto Star, on April 18, disclosed that the Chinese Consulate-General in Toronto had in August 2018 hired the services of a private lobbying firm, Solstice Public Affairs.
Apr 2019 |
US ASKS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTRE TO TERMINATE APPOINTMENT OF THREE ETHNIC CHINESE RESEARCHERS The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, has ousted three senior researchers after the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, informed it that the scientists had committed potentially “serious” violations of agency rules involving confidentiality of peer review and the disclosure of foreign ties.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: MIT SEVERS TIES WITH HUAWEI AND ZTE South China Morning Post on April 4, reported that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ending its funding ties with Chinese telecoms equipment makers Huawei and ZTE, citing the risks that such arrangements might cause in the light of US federal investigations of the two companies.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PLANTS TREES Xinhua reported (April 8) that Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanied by the entire CCP CC Politburo Standing Committee went to Tongzhou, Beijing to participate in a tree-planting activity at a site formerly occupied by chemical plants, signaling their resolve to tackle China’s environmental problems.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FORMER PEKING UNIVERSITY GUARD ARRESTED FOR CRITICISING XI JINPING Radio Free Asia reported (April 10) that Zhang Pancheng, a former security guard at Peking University, was arrested because he posted a video on the Internet last November criticizing China’s human rights situation and Xi Jinping for giving out generous foreign aid to 3rd world countries.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-EU: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG ATTENDS 21st CHINA-EU SUMMIT Chinese Premier Li Keqiang co-chaired the 21st China-EU Summit in Brussels with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ATTENDANCE DROPS AT CANTON TRADE FAIR Caixin Daily reported (April 16) that the China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, seen as a barometer of the vitality of China’s international trade, apparently has struggled to attract buyers to its spring session.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PENSION FUND A report released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on April 15, predicted that the pension funds collected in 2019 will not cover expenses of the same year. The shortfall is appearing much earlier than expected.
Apr 2019 |
LARGEST VIETNAMESE TELECOM COMPANY VIETTEL TO ROLL OUT 5G HIGH SPEED WIRELESS SERVICE IN 2021 Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported (April 11) that Viettel, Vietnam’s largest telecommunications company has developed a plan to provide its 5G high-speed wireless services in 2021.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESS ASKS WASHINGTON METRO NOT TO PURCHASE RAIL CARS FROM CHINA The Washington Post reported (April 13) that U.S. Senators have proposed legislation that stipulates it would approve 10 more years of critical federal funding for Metro, but only if the transit agency agreed to not buy its next generation of rail cars from China.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: VISAS DENIED TO TWO FORMER US OFFICIALS China on April 16 with held issue of visas to Michael Pillsbury, a former US Defence Department official and currently advisor on China to US President Trump and Ms Wendy Cutler, former USTR.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: VISA DENIED TO CHINESE MSS OFFICIAL Canada was reported on April 16, to have rejected the visa and appeal of a People's Daily reporter who was an MSS officer, according to the court documents.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE China and Japan held the China-Japan High-level Dialogue in Beijing on April 14. The meeting was chaired by State Councilor Wang Yi on the Chinese side and Foreign Minister Taro Kono on the Japanese side.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: INCREASE IN PLAAF INTRUSIONS IN JAPAN AIR SPACE Japan’s National Institute of Defence Studies said on April 17, that Japan scrambled fighter jets 999 times as Chinese sorties increased last financial year. The number of interceptions is the second highest figure on record.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN/JAPAN: PLAAF CONDUCTS LONG-RANGE MILITARY DRILL NEAR TAIWAN AND JAPAN ON APRIL 5 The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) conducted a long-range military drill involving Xian H-6K bombers, a Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AWAC) aircraft, a Shaanxi Y-9JB (GX-8) electronic warfare and surveillance plane, as well as Su-30 and J-11 fighter jets near Taiwan and Japan on April 15.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: CHINESE PARAMILITARY FORCES SWARM AROUND THITU ISLAND OCCUPIED BY PHILIPPINES Over the past three months, an armada of Chinese paramilitary vessels has swarmed around the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, marking a dramatic escalation in the two countries' maritime disputes.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HU YAOBANG'S 30th DEATH ANNIVERSARY April 15 is the popular CCP CC General Secretary Hu Yaobang's death anniversary.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP 'VOLUNTEERS' BEING SENT TO VILLAGES A report on April 10, stated that the Central Committee (CC) of the Communist Youth League (CYL), membership of which is for young people between the ages of fourteen and twenty-eight, recently announced that over the next three years it will send ten million college students to the countryside, in order to implement president Xi Jinping’s “important thoughts on youth work” and his Strategic Plan for the Vitalization of Rural Areas.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: 510,000 OVERSEAS CHINESE STUDENTS RETURN TO CHINA IN 2018 Asia Times reported (April 12) that more than 510,000 overseas educated Chinese students chose to return to their home country in 2018, representing a record high over three decades.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: 'REMOVAL' OF TAIWAN MILITARY BASE China's official Global Times (April 2) published a commentary after Chinese PLA warplanes flew over the “Taiwan Strait Line” recently, threatening that the mainland will not exclude the possibility of wiping out the targeted Taiwan military base.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-CYBER: YUNNAN PROVINCE BUILDING DATA CENTRES FOR CHINESE POLICE People’s Daily reported on April 10, that since 2018, Yunnan province has been vigorously promoting the construction of big data centers for the police force.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE OIL RIG COMMENCES OPERATIONS AND PLANS TO SUPPLY LNG TO GREATER BAY AREA The Offshore Oil 981 drilling platform, a sixth-generation ultra-deepwater rig that was developed by state-owned shipbuilder China State Shipbuilding Corp for CNOOC, has started deepwater operations in the South China Sea, which officials said would supply liquefied natural gas to the “Greater Bay Area”.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: SoEs participation in BRI According to Baker McKenzie, Chinese government statements indicae that 50 state-owned firms have invested or participated in almost 1,700 projects in countries along Belt and Road’s path over the past three years.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: BRI PROJECT REVIVED Malaysia a signed a fresh deal to proceed with the stalled China-backed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) on April 12, 2019.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: BRI BECOMES POLITICAL ISSUE IN ELECTIONS Ex-General Prabowo Subianto who is challenging Indonesian leader Joko Widodo for the Presidency has demanded a review of all BRI projects.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS Peng Chun (彭纯), former chairman of "Big Five" state-owned lender Bank of Communications Co. Ltd., is the new chair of China Investment Corp. (CIC), the world’s second-largest sovereign wealth fund.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: FLEET REVIEW ON NAVY FOUNDING DAY China is holding an international fleet review on April 23 at Qingdao to mark the 70th anniversary of founding the PLA Navy.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELAXATION OF HUKOU RESTRICTIONS IN SECOND AND THIRD TIER CITIES Caixin reported (April 8) that China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had instructed local governments to lift household registration restrictions for people who live and work in some second- and third-tier cities in an effort to advance reform of the residency system for migrants.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIGHTENING CONTROLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA The South China Morning Post reported (April 9) that Sina, owner of the Twitter-style microblog Weibo and one of China’s leading social media platforms, announced on April 8, that it had suspended or shut down more than 50 accounts which published “politically harmful information”, including of Yu Jianrong, a popular outspoken liberal intellectual with more than seven million followers.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: REMITTANCES FROM ABROAD A World Bank Report has said that China is at the second spot with remittances from abroad totalling US$ 67 billion.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: IMF RAISES CHINA'S GROWTH FORECAST Caixin Global reported (April 10) that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its 2019 China growth forecast to 6.3% from 6.2% on April 9, but warned of “more subdued” momentum next year.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-U.S.: U.S. CONGRESSMAN SAYS U.S. WILL NEVER RECOGNISE CHINA-APPOINTED DALAI LAMA US Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) on April 9, strongly rejected the Chinese government’s claim that it will decide the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-EUROPE: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S VISIT TO EUROPE On April 3, Xinhua announced that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will visit Europe to "intensify cooperation between China and European countries and provide new impetus to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership".
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S TECHNOLOGY THEFT Asia Nikkei reported on April 7, how a mounting string of allegations from the US paint a damning portrait of how China's advanced technology sector has rapidly grown due to corporate espionage at a near-systemic level.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF AIRCRAFT VIOLATE MEDIAN LINE IN TAIWAN STRAITS China's state-owned Global Times reported (April 1) that on March 31, two People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) J-11 fighter jets crossed the middle line on the Taiwan Straits forcing Taiwan to scramble its own fighters.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PLAAF AIR VIOLATIONS OF JAPANESE AIR SPACE The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) dispatched two Xian H-6G maritime strike bombers and one Shaanxi Y-9JB (GX-8) electronic warfare and surveillance aircraft through international airspace between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako in the East China Sea on April 1.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: U.S WARSHIP NEAR SCARBOROUGH REEF IN SOUTH CHINA SEA FOR FIRST TIME Bloomberg News reported (April 10) that the U.S. sent the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship outfitted last year with F-35B jets, to join the annual Exercise Balikatan with the Philippines this month.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: RADIO FREE ASIA CLAIMS XI JINPING UNWELL Radio Free Asia (RFA) on March 27 claimed that netizens after viewing foreign media films of Xi Jinping, during his European tour commencing March 22, reported that Xi Jinping was swinging on both sides while walking, his feet were not balanced, and his movements were a bit stiff.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XU ZHANGRUN RELIEVED OF ACADEMIC DUTIES AND UNDER INVESTIGATION Xu Zhangrun, a law professor at Beijing’s Tsinghua University who has penned a series of essays critical of policies of the Chinese Communist Party and of its current leader, Xi Jinping, was banned from teaching, relieved of his academic duties, and put under investigation.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI THANKS KAZAKHSTAN FOR SUPPORTING ITS RE-EDUCATION A statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry said that meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on March 28, his Kazakhstan counterpart Beibut Atamkulov said his country “understands and supports the measures taken by China’s Xinjiang region” to rein in terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-US: US FONOPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Wu Shicun, head of the government-affiliated National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan on March 29, that the US would step up what it called freedom of navigation operations in the area with more frequent and wider-ranging manoeuvres this year.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPAL POLITICIAN CRITICISES TIBETAN PRACTICE OF OFFERING 'KHATAKS' The International Campaign for Tibet reported (April 3) that a Member of Parliament from Nepal’s Communist Party, Khaga Raj Adhikari, asserted at a public event that the use of the khata in Nepal “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people,” connecting it to Tibet issue and giving political color to a fundamentally spiritual and cultural tradition.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-VENEZUELA: EXERCISE WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS AFP on April 4, reported that Beijing has dismissed reports that it sent 120 soldiers to Venezuela along with a shipment of humanitarian aid as reported in some sections of the media earlier.
Apr 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING FOREIGN TRAVELS Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on March 21, for state visits to Italy, Monaco and France.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: ARREST OF EDITOR AND CO-OWNERS OF SHENZHEN ONLINE LABOUR PORTAL 31-year old Wei Zili, editor and co-owner of the Shenzhen-based online labour news portal Xinshengdai, was reported to have been taken from his parents’ home in Baiyun district in Guangzhou by police at about 1pm on March 20.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: AT NPC CHINA REASSERTS RIGHT TO APPOINT DALAI LAMA On March 19, the 83-year old Dalai Lama told Reuters news agency that “In future, in case you see two Dalai Lamas come, one from here, in free country, one chosen by Chinese, then nobody will trust, nobody will respect [the one chosen by China].
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-HI-TECHNOLOGY: APPLE OPENS FIRST DATA CENTRE IN ULANQAB, INNER MONGOLIA The Apple (Ulanqab) Data Center Project held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 15 in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: DIVERSION OF CPEC FUNDS BY PAKISTAN Writing in the Asia Nikkei Review on March 20, Adnan Amir stated that the Pakistani government has diverted around 24 billion Pakistani rupees ($171.6 million) in funds meant for joint infrastructure development projects with China into other construction plans, as Islamabad distances itself from Beijing.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: ISRAEL BEGINS REVIEW OF CHINESE INVESTMENTS IN ISRAEL Foreign Policy reported on March 24, that this month, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) will present the cabinet with its recommendations on foreign investments in Israel.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (IDB): CHINA CALLS OFF IDB GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING The Inter-American Development Bank is calling off its general assembly next week in China amid a dispute over the participation of a Venezuelan representative opposed by Beijing. The IDB did not say in its press release the reason for canceling the meeting, planned for March 28-31 in Chengdu.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA LINKS CANOLA IMPORTS TO CANADIAN ACTIONS RELATING TO HUAWEI CFO'S EXTRADITION TO USA Associated Press reported on March 27, that China says Canada should make moves to "correct the mistakes it made earlier".
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY ORGANISATION: CRITERIA FOR PROMOTING CADRES Over the weekend, the party released revised rules for selecting top officials. This is the second revision under Xi Jinping.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PARTY: CCP CC GENERAL OFFICE ISSUES NOTICE ON REDUCING FORMALISM The General Office of the CCP CC released a “Notice on Resolving the Outstanding Problems of Formalism to Reduce the Grassroots Burden” and identified 2019 as the “Year of Reducing the Grassroots Burden.”
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: XI JINPING ON MEDIA Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a Politburo study session on propaganda in the age of the internet in January.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: XI JINPING CHAIRS SYMPOSIUM OF TEACHERS OF POLITICS AND IDEOLOGY Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a symposium in Beijing on March 18, of teachers of politics and ideology from around the country where he delivered an "important" speech. Speaking at the symposium, the official news agency quoted Xi Jinping as saying education is all about training good Communists.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: PRC GOVERNMENT REPORT China's approx 10,000-word White Paper released on March 18 noted that "some of the most notorious terrorist attacks" that have taken place in the world in the course of which it referred to "the Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008 that killed 195 and injured close to 300 people in India".
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NPC: ECONOMY At the conclusion of its annual session on March 15, the National People’s Congress (NPC) passed the Foreign Investment Law (FIL).
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The reputed Chinese financial magazine Caixin (March 15) reported that Beijing has announced big tax cuts for businesses. It calculated that half of the proposed RMB 2 trillion in tax cuts will be borne by local governments.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PLAAF AEROBATICS TEAM ARRIVES TO WARM WELCOME TO PERFORM ON PAKISTAN'S NATIONAL DAY China Central Television reported (March 17) that PLAAF J-10 fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)'s Bayi Aerobatic Team had arrived in Pakistan to a warm welcome as local children greeted them with bouquets.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-EU: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO ITALY Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to finalise a BRI Memorandum of Understanding during his official visit to Italy on March 22-23. Beijing sees Italy as a priority for its Maritime Silk Road, considered vital to China’s ever-growing wealth maritime strategy, including greater access to Northern European markets.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S ARTICLE ON MEDIA PUBLISHED IN QIU SHI The official Party paper People’s Daily on March 16, 2019, reported that the CCP theoretical fortnightly journal Qiushi had published an article that Xi Jinping wrote, titled, “Accelerate the Development of Media Integration and Build a Communication Pattern for Omnimedia.”
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: DISMISSAL OF NUR BEKRI The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CDIC) said in a statement on March 17, that the former former Director of the National Energy Administration and former Governor of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Nur Bekri, who was placed under investigation last September and removed from his post a month later, has been expelled from the CCP because he engaged in “family-style corruption”, illegally accepting property directly or through his relatives.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: CRITICISM OF DALAI LAMA In the run up to the anniversary of Tibet's 10th March uprising, China’s state-run media, The Tibet Daily, on March 8, began a series of articles on “Recognizing the Reactionary Essence of the 14th Dalai Lama,” directly attacking the Dalai Lama as the “head of the feudal serfdom system of the old Tibet’s joined politics and religion.”
Mar 2019 |
DISCREPANCY BETWEEN REGIONAL & NATIONAL FIGURES HAS AFFECTED GOVERNMENT'S CREDIBILITY Yin Zhongqing, Deputy Director of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), was quoted by Beijing News as saying that the total amount of all local GDP added together is greater than the national GDP due to data fraud.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GUANGDONG'S PUBLIC SECURITY BUDGET IS HIGHEST IN CHINA The Hong Kong based newspaper Ming Pao published an article by Bruce Lui, a senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism at the Hong Kong Baptist University, claiming that the Chinese government’s “stability maintenance” expenditure last year was 1.37 trillion yuan (US$200 billion).
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PLAAF AEROBATICS TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN PAKISTAN NATIONAL DAY AEROBATICS DISPLAY China's official news agency Xinhua reported on March 16, that China's PLA Air Force Ba Yi Aerobatics Team was invited to participate in the Pakistan National Day aerobatics demonstration to be held on March 23 and flew to Pakistan on March 16, 2019.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-US: BRI IN AFGHANISTAN Associated Press reported on March 16, that the U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told the UN Security Council after the vote that "China held the resolution hostage and insisted on making it about Chinese national political priorities rather than the people of Afghanistan."
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-EU: EU HARDENS STAND ON CHINA The Nikkei Asian Review (March 16) said the European Union will revise its official approach to China in summit meetings here next week, after its executive body named Beijing a "systemic rival" and outlined 10 suggested points of action on China, including ensuring security for the fifth generation of mobile networks and thoroughly screening foreign direct investment in the EU in a memo on March 12.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ARGENTINA: CHINA IN TALKS TO BUILD NUCLEAR POWER PLANT Quoting Reuters, the Asahi Shimbun on March 16, disclosed that a "technical" delegation from China will visit Argentina this month to discuss construction of a nuclear power plant, reportedly worth up to $8 billion.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN AVIATION: JH-7A FIGHTER BOMBER AIR CRASH ON MARCH 12 KILLS TWO PILOTS The crash of a PLA Navy Aviation JH-7A fighter-bomber aircraft during training in Ledong, Hainan, was announced on March 12, by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: VTOL DRONE DEPLOYED ON AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING The Global Times reported (February 27) that the PLA Navy deployed a new vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing drone on a guided missile destroyer during a three-day exercise in the South China Sea in late February.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-SPACE: CASIC TO LAUNCH NEW SOLID PROPELLANT LAUNCH VEHICLE The State-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) is preparing to launch the Kuaizhou-11 (KZ-11) a new solid propellant launch vehicle in the first half of the year as part of a multiplatform commercial space strategy.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S PLANS TO HARNESS SOLAR ENERGY China's official Science and Technology Daily says the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation hopes to be operating a commercially viable solar space station by 2050. It is working to develop a solar energy plant in space that could one day beam enough power back to Earth to light up an entire city.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINA CLAIMS TO HAVE MEDIATED TO DE-ESCALATE INDIA-PAKISTAN TENSION The South China Morning Post reported (March 8) that at a press conference on the sidelines of the NPC on March 8, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed Beijing had played a “constructive role” in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan over the terrorist attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NPC: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S REMARKS ON INDIA ON SIDELINES OF NPC Xinhua reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a press conference on March 8 on the sidelines of the NPC, said China and India should be each other's partner in pursuing their respective dreams and each other's important opportunity for growing respective economies.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLANS FOR DIVERTING WATER FROM LAKE BAIKAL TO N.W. CHINA According to a report in the Guardian of March 7, 2019, urban planners in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, have drawn up proposals to pipe water into the chronically parched region from Russia’s Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake on earth.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA'S TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE CRITICISES TSAI ING-WEN'S REMARKS AT NATIONAL SECURITY MEETING In a statement issued on March 12, the spokesman for the PRC State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office An Fengshan accused Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of harming relations between the sides and using the welfare of the Taiwanese people as a "poker chip" for the sake of electoral gains.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: NPC DEPUTY PROPOSES BORDER TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA Global Times (March 13) said that An Ran, a professor at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, who is also a deputy to the National People's Congress, had proposed that the country allow residents in the border area with India to trade to improve China-India relations, reduce military confrontations and benefit the local inhabitants.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: BRI & TRANS-HIMALAYAN REGIONAL CORRIDOR (THRC) A report published by the China Institute of International Studies in April 2017, stated that since Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Oli’s Beijing visit in March 2016, China and Nepal have accelerated cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and have strengthened interconnection through trade, transportation, and telecommunications.
Mar 2019 |
XI JINPING TELLS CPPCC SOCIAL SCIENCE AND ART SHOULD FOCUS ON SOCIALISM WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS China's authoritative Xinhua News Agency said (March 8) that during the ongoing sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Chinese President Xi Jinping told the conference delegates that social science and the works of art and culture relate to the theoretical foundation and propaganda vehicles of the Chinese Communist Party’s ideology.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-BRI: XI JINPING TO ATTEND 2ND BRI FORUM IN APRIL Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced on March 8 on the sidelines of the NPC, that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in late April in Beijing and deliver a keynote speech.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PREMIER LI KEQIANG ANNOUNCES TAX CUTS TO NPC ON MARCH 5 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in his report to the NPC on March 5, 2019, stated that "In pursuing development this year, we will face a graver and more complicated environment as well as risks and challenges... that are greater in number and size."
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NPC: NPC CHAIRMAN STIPULATES PRIORITIES FOR 2019 NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu delivered the NPC’s annual work report, which laid out the body’s priorities for the coming year.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-CPPCC: CPPCC INFORMED THAT S & T SPENDING IS TO INCREASE AND TOUCH 2.5% OF GDP Biophysicist Rao Zihe, a CPPCC delegate, said on March 10, that research and development spending would hit 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product in 2019, citing Beijing’s medium and long-term plan for science and technology development for 2006 to 2020.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ELEVATION OF HU JINTAO'S SON, HU HAIFENG Hu Haifeng, the 46-year old only son of former President Hu Jintao is tipped to be elevated to Vice Ministerial rank and become the new Communist Party chief of Xian, China’s ancient capital and current capital of Shaanxi Province.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NPC People's Bank of China (PBoC) Governor Yi Gang said China has cut the ratio of cash that banks must hold as reserves five times in the past year, in the face of the weakest economic growth in 28 years amid slowing consumption and the trade conflict with Washington.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: CRACKDOWN ON ANTI-CHINA ACTIVISTS Around 1am local time on March 9, Kazakh National Security Services (KNB) in Almaty raided the offices of human rights defender Serikjan Bilash, the founder of the Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights organization.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-EU: CHINESE AID TO FIVE NON-EU STATES Data compiled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that more than half of the US$ 9.4bn invested in all 16 countries in 2016 and 2017 went to the five non-EU members namely, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE TELECOM COMPANIES DOUBLE IMPORT DEMANDS FROM JAPANESE TECH SUPPLIERS Asia Nikkei reported on March 6, that Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies has asked Japanese companies including Murata Manufacturing and Toshiba Memory to increase supplies of smartphone components.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ITALY: ITALY TO SIGN BRI AGREEMENT DURING XI JINPING'S VISIT TO ROME ON MARCH 22 Britain's "Financial Times" published an exclusive interview on March 6, confirming that the Italian government is actively negotiating with Beijing to sign the "One Belt and One Road Project" agreement during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit on March 22, 2019.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINA ADMINISTERS PUNITIVE ECONOMIC RETRIBUTION TO CANADA A Chinese customs document dated March 1 revoked the registration of Winnipeg-based agricultural handler Richardson International to ship canola seeds to China.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: 100 PLA PERSONNEL GO TO RUSSIA FOR TRAINING ON S-400 'TRIUMF' SYSTEM TASS news agency on February 5, quoted a Russian government source as revealing that “About 100 military servicemen from the People’s Liberation Army of China will undergo instruction at a Russian training center in the operation and combat uses of the second regimental set of the S-400 system, to be provided to China in the second half of the year.”
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA EXERCISES ON HIMALAYAN PLATEAU ON FEBRUARY 18 Officers and men of the Daba border defense company "stationed in the hinterland of the Himalayas" at an average height of over 4,500 meters above sea level conducted tactical and physical training on February 18, 2019.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S UNITED FRONTS CONNECTIONS IN US REPUBLICAN PARTY A recent Miami Herald report has sparked a controversy about latest Trump political donor Li Yang, also known as Cindy Yang , a 45-year-old Florida entrepreneur from China who founded a chain of spas and massage parlors that included the one where New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft was busted for soliciting prostitution.
Mar 2019 |
CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER ENDORSES HUAWEI FILING LAWSUITS AGAINST DEPORTATION OF ITS CFO MENG WANZH At a news conference on March 8, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi endorsed Huawei and its chief financial officer for filing lawsuits challenging a U.S. ban on purchases of its equipment and the Huawei CFO's arrest by Canada.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: S&T/R&D: HUAWEI'S EXPENDITURE ON R&D China's expenditure on R&D is the world's second highest at 1.7 trillion Yuan.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-MICROCHIP AND SOFTWARE INDUSTRIES Wang Jiangping, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, while speaking o CPPCC delegates at the 'Two sessions' on March 7, disclosed that China has a secret program to support the microchip and software industries.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER TAKEN AWAY BY AUTHORITIES ON MARCH 2 The Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Group on March 8, 2019, said that Lu Tingge (卢廷阁) is a lawyer based in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NPC: BRI Commenting on debts incurred by nations participating in the BRI, China's Vice Minister of commerce, Qian Keming, said at a press conference in Beijing on the sidelines of the NPC on March 9, said the trade and infrastructure strategy was not a “one-way street”.
Mar 2019 |
TIBET'S DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY INFORMS TIBETAN BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES HAVE REDUCED BY 10% Speaking at the NPC meetings on March 6, in Beijing, Go Khok, the Mayor and Deputy Party Secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) stated that the TAR government had restricted religious activities in Tibet.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's nearly 100-minute speech to the NPC on March 5, very surprisingly omitted any reference to “Made in China 2025,” a government-led industrial program at the center of the contentious U.S.-China trade dispute.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO USA Fox Business News reported (March 8) that China has removed a planned trip to President Trump's Mar-a-Lago, Florida, property planned for late March from Xi Jinping's calendar.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES MID-LEVEL OFFICIALS IN CENTRAL PARTY SCHOOL Xinhua reported that on March 1, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed 800 mid-level officials who will undergo training at the Central Party School in Beijing for the next four months.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CPPCC MEETING CPPCC Chairman and Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member Wang Yang delivered the CPPCC’s annual work report to the 2158 assembled delegates.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY FOR 'BIG TWO' SESSIONS Beijing and other cities have initiated stability-maintenance mechanisms for China’s national “Two Conferences” (the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) that commenced in Beijing on March 5 and 3 respectively.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: FILMS TO PUSH CHINA'S 'SOFT POWER' Speaking on March 3, at the first nationwide industry symposium since the Central Propaganda Department took jurisdiction over the National Film Bureau, Wang Xiaohui, Executive Deputy Director of the Central Propaganda Department and director of the National Film Bureau, exhorted filmmakers to turn the country into a “strong film power” like the U.S. by 2035 and called for the production of 100 movies a year that each earn more than RMB100 million ($15 million) as part of a push to increase China’s soft power.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CONTROL OF SOCIAL MEDIA The Central News Agency reported (February 27) that, in the past two months, the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission has closed more than 490,000 illegal accounts and thousands of websites.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA DEVELOPS NEW PLASMA WEAPONS Chinese experts announced that they are beginning to develop new types of weapons and plasma guns. Russian experts commented that they are not "revolutionary breakthroughs".
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LIST PURPORTEDLY OF CDIC OF CORRUPT CHINESE OFFICIALS The Boxun site on November 7, 2018, posted a list of corrupt Chinese officials who have disappeared, fled overseas, or committed suicide.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-TURKEY: CHINA TEMPORARILY CLOSES CONSULATE GENERAL IN IZMIR The Chinese Embassy in Turkey announced on February 26 that the Chinese Consulate-General in Izmir, Turkey will be temporarily closed from the next day.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINATOWN EMERGES ON MYANMAR-THAI BORDER Shwe Kokko, an enclave on the Myanmar side of the Moei river that forms the border with Thailand some 500 kilometers northwest of Bangkok and 420 kilometers east of Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, is fast becoming a Chinese town.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S J-20 RECENTLY DISPLAYED TWO KEY TECHNOLOGIES UNIQUE TO US FIGHTER AIRCRAFT A picture of a Chinese fighter jet was recently publicized on social media featuring key technology systems developed for the American F-35.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: AT LEAST FIVE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS WILL BE IN SERVICE BY 2030 An article in the Diplomat newspaper (February 15) said that recent pictures of Jiangnan shipyard have effectively confirmed that construction of China’s third aircraft carrier – 003, a conventionally powered carrier displacing about 80,000 tons full and equipped with electromagnetic catapults – is now underway.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SOUTH CHINA SEA FLEET EXERCISES According to a statement issued by the PLA Navy (PLAN) South Sea Fleet several of China’s newest warships including the guided missile destroyer the Hefei, guided missile frigate the Yuncheng, amphibious landing dock Changbaishan and the replenishment oiler Honghu took part in the 34-day long exercises that commenced on January 16, and included 20 drills by joint forces.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF PLAN ON APRIL 23, 2019 Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, deputy head and spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense announced on Mach 1, 2019 that China will host a multinational naval activity on April 23 in Qingdao, Shandong province, to honor the 70th birthday of the People's Liberation Army Navy.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: MODERNISATION OF EDUCATION China announced two development plans on China’s education on February 23, outlining blueprints for the sector’s modernization and development by 2035.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO GROUP STUDY SESSION China's official news agency Xinhua on February 23 reported that Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CCP CC underscored that China should deepen supply-side structural reform in the financial sector and strengthen the sector's ability to serve the real economy.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GOVT WORK REPORTS TO NPC/CPPCC SESSIONS Xinhua (February 22) reported that the CCP CC Politburo met on February 22, to discuss a draft report on the work of the government and deliberate several other documents.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-DEFENCE: GLOBAL TIMES PITCHES FOR INCREASE IN DEFENCE BUDGET The official Global Times published an article on March 3, a day prior to commencement of the annual plenum of the National People's Congress (NPC), pitching for an increase in the national defence budget.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CPPCC ANNUAL PLENUM OPENS IN BEIJING ON MARCH 3, 2019 The annual plenary meeting of the CPPCC, China's top advisory body, opened in Beijing on March 3 afternoon. The NPC session will commence on March 5.
The CPPCC has approx 2200 delegates.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: RIC COMMUNIQUE ON FEBRUARY 27, REFERS TO TERRORIST ATTACK ON INDIA The communique issued after the 16th Russia, India and China (RIC) Foreign Ministerial Meeting held in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang Province on February 27, 2019, was the first following its surgical airstrike inside Pakistan on the previous day. The official Global Times reported that the RIC Foreign Ministers had "strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations" and that "they also stressed that terrorist groups cannot be supported and used in political and geopolitical goals." The Global Times observed that the RIC meeting "gave New Delhi an apt platform to explain and engage China which is not only the closest friend of Pakistan but also seen as the world's second most important power." Another Global Times report of February 27, made no reference to the situation between India and Pakistan.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-US: CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES IN USA The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in its report issued on February 27, 2019, said that China has spent nearly $200 million on the Confucius Institutes. These programs have been instated in U.S. schools across the country with the mission of indoctrinating students and painting a sympathetic portrait of the Chinese Communist government. It said there are more than 100 Confucius Institutes currently operating in America—the most of any country—and China has plans to open many more. The report said "As China opened over 100 additional Confucius Institutes in the United States over the last 15 years, the Department of Education remained silent." It aded that the Chinese government also has plans to expand into the kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum. The report disclosed "The Chinese government also funds and provides language instructors for Confucius Classrooms, which offer classes for kindergarten through 12th grade students. Confucius Classrooms are currently in 519 elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States. Continued expansion of the program is a priority for China."
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM China'National Public Credit Information Centre reported that in 2018 China blocked 23 million “discredited” travellers from buying plane or train tickets last year as part of the country’s controversial “social credit” system aimed at improving the behaviour of citizens. It said 17.5 million people were banned from buying flights and 5.5 million barred from purchasing high-speed train tickets because of social credit offences.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: MODERNISATION OF CHINA'S ARMED FORCES Speaking at a seminar at the University of Hong Kong on February 23, Jin Canrong, Associate Dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University, said China had made great strides in expanding its military capability, but there was a lot more to come. He also said there would be "something new" at this years October parade, but did not clarify what it might be. Saying that China is gearing up for a possible conflict over Taiwan, he said over the next five or 10 years, Taiwan could provide the “biggest uncertainty” for Beijing, he said, especially if the US decided to “ignite” the situation.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-WORLD ECONOMY: PEOPLE'S DAILY SAYS CHINA DETERMINED TO PLAY LARGER GLOBAL ROLE The February 27 issue of the official Party newspaper People's Daily front-paged an article titled Participating in the transformation of the global economic governance system (参与全球经济治理体系变革).
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-OFFICIAL STATISTICS SHOW GROWTH OF CHINA'S INTERNET A report released by the China Internet Network Information Center on February 28, revealed the following data of internet usage in China: (i) 829 million users at the end of December; (ii) 648 million short video users, 78.2% of China’s total Internet users; (iii) National Internet availability rate at 59.6%, with 26.7% of internet users or 222 million living in rural areas; (iv) Cumulative mobile internet traffic increased 189.1% to 71.1 billion GB (v) Average time people spent online of 27.6 hours per week; (vi) 610 million online shoppers, 592 million of whom used mobile phones to shop; and (vii) 600 million online payment users.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY In a communique issued on February 28, China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) provided data on the demographic challenges for the country. Caixin reported that China's employment population has shrunk for the first time ever.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENT IN XINJIANG Xinjiang Daily reported on February 26, 2019, the appointment of Wang Junzheng, former Party Secretary of Changchun, as Party Secretary in charge of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Xinjiang. Official media reports state that Wang Junzheng would ensure the Party’s ‘absolute leadership’ in the autonomous region. He will be in charge of law and order and take responsibility for the security crackdown in which a reported 1 million Muslims have been interned.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: US PLANS TO BUILD HOMELAND DEFENCE RADAR UNIT IN JAPAN Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported (Jan 30) that Washington plans to ask Tokyo to host its Homeland Defence Radar unit, which is designed to give the US military an early warning of ICBM launches by China, Russia and North Korea.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE TALKS IN WASHINGTON Negotiations in Washington were extended on February 23, for another 48 hours as the US and China try to reach a deal to end the tariff war. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said they have made ‘positive progress’ in areas including the trade imbalance, agriculture, forced technology transfers and financial services.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG UN LEAVES CHINA FOR VIETNAM BY TRAIN The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reportedNorth Korean President Kim Jong Un left Beijing by train on February 23, for the Vietnamese capital Hanoi for the second DPRK-U.S. summit.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: PLAAF -- CHINA LEADING IN HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY An article in the US publication Politico on February 8, cited data from the Munich Security Conference stating that China is dominating research into technology that could allow missiles to travel five times the speed of sound and outmaneuver air defense systems.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: REAL-TIME DEEP-SEA DATA TRANSMISSION Xinhua reported (February 1) that China has achieved real-time transmission of deep-sea data at 6,000-meter depth through its self-developed BeiDou satellites for the first time. It described this as essential to more secure, independent, and reliable deep-sea data transmission.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: CHINA COAST GUARD (CCG) A report in the Diplomat (January 30) claimed that the China Coast Guard (CCG) has shown a lot of initiative in the new year, partly due to its incorporation into the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP) last year and partly associated with its new commander, Wang Zhongcai.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE FELLS MORE GENERALS Xinhua reported (February 22, 2019) that among the 300 PLA officers charged with corruption following investigations into Fang Fenghui, former Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the CMC, at least six "military tigers" are under investigation and warned that "the “tiger” in the army has not been cleaned up". Fang Fenghui was sentenced to life imprisonment, deprived of his political rights for life, all his personal property was confiscated and stolen goods recovered. The six senior military officials being investigated are: Xu Linping, He Qingcheng, Ding Guoxin, Wang Xixin, Zhao Yiliang and Pan Changjie. Of them Xu Linping, He Qingcheng, Diao Guoxin and Wang Xixin have been investigated and reduced in rank from a deputy theater level to a military position.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS ARE LEAVING CHINA The New York Times reported (February 24) that 53-year old Chen Tianyong, a former judge and lawyer and now a Chinese real estate developer in Shanghai, boarded a flight to Malta last month with no plans to return anytime soon.
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRITICISM OF VICE PREMIER LIU HE BY CHINA'S 'LEFT' An article in the Nikkei Asia Review on February 28, claimed that 'Leftists' in China are angry that China is making concessions to the US in the ongoing tariff negotiations. It said that since they cannot directly attack Xi Jinping, they are focussing criticism against Chinese Vice Premier Liu
Mar 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPAL TO USE CHINESE GUAGE STANDARD FOR RAILWAY Nikkei news quoted Nepal's Transport Minister as saying (February 22) that Nepal will use Chinese gauge standards for a planned nationwide rail network.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: GLOBAL TIMES 'ADVISES' INDIA NOT TO ENGAGE IN TRADE WAR WITH PAKISTAN An article in China's official Global Times (February 21) cautioned that "India and Pakistan need to avoid engaging in a trade war that will deal a blow to their own economies as well as that of China".
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-US: IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS CHINA AGREES TO BUY US $ 1.2 TRILLION WORTH GOODS In an attempt to bring an end to the ongoing trade war between the US and China, CNBC reported on February 22, that Beijing has agreed to buy up to $1.2 trillion in goods from the United States. US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could also meet in late March in Florida. Meanwhile, Trump was scheduled to talk with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on February 22 afternoon, in the hopes of coming closer to a trade deal before March 1, when U.S. tariffs on a variety of goods are set to rise to 25 percent from 10 percent.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO COUNTER NEGATIVE REPORTS ON XINJIANG Reuters reported (February 22) that China is stepping up its diplomatic outreach over controversial camps in its heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang by inviting foreign diplomats. It said since December, China has taken at least three groups of foreign diplomats to visit the re-education and training facilities. A fourth group is scheduled to visit this month. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said ( February 16) that Geneva-based diplomats from Pakistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Egypt, Cambodia, Russia, Senegal and Belarus were visiting Xinjiang on a trip that ended on February 19.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UYGHURS IMPRISONED IN CAMPS ACROSS CHINA Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on February 7, that ethnic Uyghurs held in political “re-education camps” in northwest China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region (XUAR) have been sent to prisons in Heilongjiang, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces and that officials in the XUAR and Heilongjiang had confirmed the reports came in the same month that XUAR chairman Shohrat Zakir confirmed to China’s official Xinhua news agency the existence of the camps, calling them an effective tool to protect the country from terrorism and provide vocational training for Uyghurs.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-'ONE BELT, ONE ROAD': STRATEGIC MILITARY-CIVILIAN INTEGRATION A Chinese scholar, Shen Yanxin, on April 25, 2017, disclosed that discussions were underway on 'how to ensure that both the strategic military-civilian integration and the “One Belt and One Road” work hand in hand to achieve coordinated progress and mutual reinforcement'.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINA DEPLOYS DRILLING SHIP IN JAPAN-CLAIMED WATERS IN EAST CHINA SEA Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on February 7, that Japan has lodged another protest with China through diplomatic channels over its continued deployment of a drilling ship at a gas field in a contested area of the East China Sea. Tokyo said that the drilling ship had moved in January to a location a few kilometres northeast of where it was in mid-November.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA INCLUDES TAIWANESE IN 'BRAINSTORMING' SESSIONS The Financial Times reported (February 7) that China has started inviting mainland-based Taiwanese businesspeople and students into “brainstorming” sessions on the future of the de facto independent nation.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-NEPAL: XI JINPING TO VISIT NEPAL During his visit to Kathmandu, Nepal in April 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to sign the Trade and Transit Protocol allowing Nepal the use of the four Chinese seaports of Tianjin, Shenzhen, Lianyungang and Zhanjiang as well as the dry ports of Lhanzin, Lhasa, Xigatsê for third-party trade.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BBC LISTS NINE RISKS FOR CCP IN 2019 BBC Chinese reported (January 31, 2019) that, entering the year 2019, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is steering into high political risk zones.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-XINJIANG:RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF MUSLIMS IN XINJIANG Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on February 8, that residents of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) had told RFA that officials had invited them to celebratory dinners marking the Lunar New Year at which pork was served, then threatening to send them to a "re-education" camp if they refused to take part.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SPRING FESTIVAL GALA Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released a report on the morning of February 6 summarising the viewership and audience response to the 2019 Spring Festival Gala.
Feb 2019 |
The ban on the monasteries for taking Tibetan classes, Qinghai The Department of the United Front Work of the CPC Nangchen County Committee and the County Ethnic and Religious Bureau issued a two-page notice on 25th December of prohibiting any initiation of Tibetan language classes or tuition during the winter vacation in and around the monastery.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA- RUSSIA: OIL IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA Quoting data from China’s General Administration of Customs the Chinese news site Sina reported (January 25), that Russia was China’s largest oil supplier in 2018, reaching 1.49 million barrels.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING AND TRUMP TO MEET Hongkong's South China Morning Post quoted Chinese sources as saying that Xi Jinping and Trump will meet in Danang, Vietnam on February 27 and 28.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-US: SHENZHEN CITY DOCUMENT WARNS 'NEW COLD WAR' HAS STARTED BETWEN THE U.S. AND CHINA The Epoch Times (October 17, 2018) reported that Wu Sikang, Director of the Policy Research Office of the Shenzhen Municipal government wrote an 'internal' document after a study visit to the U.S. in August 2018, and that Wang Weizhong, head of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, and Ai Xuefeng, Deputy Mayor, reviewed the document and gave some instructions.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE STUDENT ARRESTED IN KEY WEST, U.S. ON ESPIONAGE CHARGES 20-year old Zhao Qianli, who says he’s a musicology student from North University of China (Taiyuan, Shaanxi) and was visiting Key West as a tourist after completing a summer exchange program, got caught by Key West police for trespassing onto the high-security Naval Air Station. He later told federal authorities that he lost his way on the tourist trail and did not realise it was a military base.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA- CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION UNDERWAY IN 2019 Data released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and National Supervision Commission’s (NSC) on their website on the results of the 2018 'Operation Skynet' shows that 1,335 fugitives were arrested and 3.54 billion RMB was retrieved in 2018. Of the arrested fugitives, 307 were Party members and state functionaries, and 5 were on China’s Interpol Red Notice List.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-HUAWEI: HUAWEI'S FOUNDER WARNS OF DIFFICULT TIMES AND POSSIBLY RETRENCHMENT Ren Zhifei, the founder of Huawei, according to a Chinese media report (January 21) issued two letters to Huawei employees in which he warned them not to be too optimistic about the prospects for Huawei and that they should prepare for bitter days. Ren Zhifei stated that, if they assess that certain business units are not providing much value, they should be cut or the work reduced so as to focus on more valuable segments.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW INSTRUCTIONS ON 'COMPREHENSIVELY PREPARING FOR WAR' The PLA Daily reported on January 30, that the Central Military Commission recently issued the "Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening Force Management", which aimed to "thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's strong military thinking" and strengthen and improve the management of troops in the new era.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO BOOST ECONOMY China's top economic decision-making body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) accelerated its review process and approved 27 infrastructure projects with a total expected investment of 1.48 trillion yuan (US$219.43 billion) since the start of 2018. Of these, 16 worth around 1.1 trillion yuan were approved since the start of November. Despite concerns over a return to the debt-fuelled infrastructure investment policy halted in 2017, the new infrastructure projects were necessitated by the need to stabilise the economy and took precedent. Each of the top 10 infrastructure projects costs over 50 billion yuan (US$7.41 billion).
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HU JINTAO'S SON IS SECRETARY OF LISHUI COUNTY While former Chinese President Hu Jintao has kept low-key, his son Hu Haifeng has appeared in public several times recently. On January 15, the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee’s “Zhejiang Daily” published Hu Haifeng’s “Working hard to build a clean and beautiful water of Haiyan River Qing”. The article said that it is necessary to continue the anti-corruption campaign and officials should live simply. On January 30, Hu Haifeng, who is Secretary of the Lishui Municipal Party Committee of Zhejiang Province, expressed his condolences to the provincial military region.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XINHUA SAYS XI JINPING'S SPRING FESTIVAL ADDRESS WELL RECEIVED ABROAD China's official news agency Xinhua on February 4, publicised that "Overseas Chinese were attentive to the speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the festival reception" held in Beijing on February 3, where he spokehighly of China's achievements in the past year and expecting a brighter future. Xi Jinping said "In the past year ... we have made efforts and achieved a lot." It noted that Xi Jinping had extended greetings to Chinese nationals of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.
Feb 2019 |
TAR Official inspects main monasteries ahead of the Tibetan New Year Executive Vice-Chairman of TAR Party Committee, Party Secretary of TAR CPPCC and President of the TAR Party school, Ding Yexian (Ethnicity: Han) went on an inspection tour to Drepung and Gaden Monasteries in Lhasa.
Feb 2019 |
Jokhang Temple to be closed for Public during the Tibetan New Year According to an announcement by the TAR Public Security Bureau, the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa will be opened only on 1st day of Tibetan New Year(Losar), Earth-Pig year (February 05-07) at 7am for a brief period of time for religious rituals and ‘tourists’. On other days of Losar, i.e on 6th -7th, the Jokhang will be closed.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-US: FBI OFFICES PROBING CHINESE ESPIONAGE CASES FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress on January 30, that FBI is investigating Chinese economic espionage in nearly all of its 56 field offices around the country.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-US: MAP IN US PRESS ROOM SHOWS TAIWAN SEPARATE FROM CHINA A White House map that excluded Taiwan from Chinese territory has caught the attention of internet users on the self-ruled island.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CYBER ATTACK National Post (February 1) quoted Yuval Shavitt, an electrical-engineering expert at Tel Aviv University, as saying that China Telecom, a state-owned internet service provider that has two legally operating “points of presence” on Canadian soil had in 2016 secretly diverted Canadian internet traffic to China, particularly from Rogers subscribers in the Ottawa area says an Israeli cybersecurity specialist.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-DEFENCE SoE: SATELLITE LAUNCHES The China Great Wall Industry Corp. signed an agreement with Satellogic, a company based in Argentina and backed by Chinese financing, to launch 90 commercial Earth observation nano-satellites or micro-satellites by the end of 2020, via 5 or 6 dedicated Long March rocket flights. Satellogic has launched 8 satellites till now.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-XIONGAN NEW AREA: CHINA'S NEW CAPITAL? The CCP CC and State Council jointly approved the 2018-2035 master plan for Xiongan New Area, stressing that its creation is significant to high-quality development and the building of the modern economic system.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE CASH ILLEGALLY KEPT ABROAD According to one official PRC estimate, Chinese citizens have US$ 21 trillion stashed overseas.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-TIBET: BAN ON TIBETAN CHILDREN STUDYING IN MONASTERIES Human Rights Watch reported on February 1, that Qinghai’s Nangchen county in December 2018, published a ban notice entitled “Urgent notice concerning stopping illegal study classes in monasteries”, which describes informal classes run by monks as “ideological infiltration among the young,” “dangerous,” and “harmful” and calls on local officials and Chinese Communist Party cadres responsible for managing monasteries to “understand the harmful nature of monasteries running open schools,” and to stop them from doing so.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW BOOK WITHDRAWN FOR BEING LIBERAL A constitutional law textbook written by Zhang Qianfan, a professor at Peking University known for his advocacy of constitutionalism and judicial reform and one of China's best-known reform-minded legal scholars, has been pulled from book shops.
Feb 2019 |
PLA DAILY AND PEOPLE'S DAILY PUBLISH COMMENTARIES HIGHLIGHTING XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON MEDIA The People’s Daily and the PLA Daily separately published commentaries praising Xi Jinping’s speech on January 25, on media integration and the Party’s news and public opinion work since the 18th Party Congress.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-BRI Han Zheng, PBSC member and Leader of the Leading Group for Promoting the Construction of the "Belt and Road", hosted a meeting of the "One Belt, One Road" Initiative in Beijing on January 31, when he claimed 'the principle of sharing has been highly recognised by countries along the route' and it is necessary to 'effectively respond to the challenges brought about by changes in the external environment'.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES PB MEETING Xi Jinping, CCP CC General Secretary, presided over the meeting of the Political Bureau on January 25 to review the Reports of the Standing Committees of the CCP CC Political Bureau and of the National People's Congress.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRACKDOWN ON CRIME Xinhua reported (February 1) that China has punished 3,021 people in a crackdown on organised crime and the local “protective umbrellas” that allow it to operate. It said China ordered 10 regions to take action against organised crime following a three-month inspection campaign last year.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA LAUNCHES ROCKET FROM UNMANNED SUBMARINE FOR FIRST TIME The Hongkong based 'Mirror' reported on January 31, that Chinese scientists have launched a rocket from an unmanned submarine for the first time in history.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CPPCC MEETING ON IPR PROTECTION Wang Yang, PBSC member and Chairman of the CPPCC, chaired the 19th Bi-weekly Consultation Symposium of the 13th National Committee on January 28. Xinhua said the topic was IPR protection.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP SECURITY: XI JINPING'S SECURITY ON VISIT TO MACAO The South China Morning Post reported (January 29) that Li Chunsheng, head of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, disclosed that President Xi Jinping will visit Macau later this year for the 20th anniversary of the city’s reunification with China.
Feb 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP - XI JINPING MEETS NON-COMMUNIST PERSONAGES Keeping up the annual tradition, on January 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping met and extended Spring Festival greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation.
Feb 2019 |
INDIAN MINISTER'S REMARK RIGGERS BACKLASH IN CHINA'S SOCIAL MEDIA South China Morning Post reported on January 22, that remarks by Giriraj Singh, India's Minister of State for Small Enterprises, at an investor summit in Gujarat that those countries did not have places where people were able to “gather to protest against the policies of the government” elicited a strong reaction in China after the media picked up on the story a few days later.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE AIRCRAFT INTRUDE INTO JAPANESE AIRSPACE The South China Morning Post reported (January 25) that between the start of April and the end of December, 758 foreign aircraft that flew close to Japanese airspace were intercepted, an increase from 736 incidents in the same period a year before and the second-highest total on record.
Jan 2019 |
AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN OF CHINESE DESCENT APPREHENDED BY SECURITY AUTHORITIES WHILE IN CHINA Australian author Yang Hengjun, an Australian citizen and author, was reportedly seized on January 19 during a visit to China, as he attempted to board a flight from Guangzhuo to Shanghai.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE NEGOTIATIONS The US financial news news service, Bloomberg reported (January 25) that a Chinese delegation including Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen and Vice Finance Minister Liao Min will arrive in Washington on January 28 to prepare for high-level trade talks led by Vice Premier Liu He.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OIL & GAS On January 26, the South China Morning Post publicised that Professor Zhang Yongming from the State Key Laboratory of Controlled Shock Waves at Xian Jiaotong University in Shaanxi province, had released details of a new “energy rod” that China is planning to use to access its massive shale gas reserves in Sichuan province.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-HUAWEI: CHINA WANTS TO INCREASE SELF-RELIANCE IN SEMI-CONDUCTORS Alarmed at the policies of the US and West restricting Chinese companies from purchasing microchips, switches and semi-conductors, the Nikkei Asian Review reported (January 25) that “To address this risk, President Xi Jinping aims to increase China's semiconductor self-sufficiency to 40% in 2020 and 70% in 2025 as part of his ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative to modernize domestic industry.”
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-CYBER: CHINA BLOCKS LAST FOREIGN SEARCH ENGINE Microsoft Corp’s (MSFT.O) Bing search engine has officially been blocked in China on January 23, making it the latest foreign technology service to be shut down behind the country’s Great Firewall.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW CAPITAL CITY? A document to guide reforms in Xiong’an New Area was issued by central authorities on January 24. The proposed new city of Xiong’an is in Hebei, 100 km south of Beijing.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN WORK CONFERENCE PBSC member and Chairman of the CPPCC, Wang Yang, addressing the conference on Taiwan affairs on January 23, said the basic policy on Taiwan remains unchanged and called for efforts to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and the process toward peaceful reunification of the motherland.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 'STUDY TIMES' ON XI JINPING An editorial in the Central Party School magazine 'Study Times' on January 23, by top Party theoretician Xin Ming elaborating on Xi Jinping's thinking said that the Party faces numerous risks to its rule on multiple fronts.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S ARTICLE IN JANUARY 15 ISSUE OF 'QIU SHI' ON BUILDING PARTY CADRES Xi Jinping wrote an article titled 'Strive to create a team of high-quality cadres who are loyal and clean', which was published in the January 15, 2019 issue of Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth).
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HIGH LEVEL PARTY STUDY SESSION The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ended a four-day study session, attended by hundreds of top officials from across the country, on January 25.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: XI JINPING PROMISES AID Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, who was on a three day visit to Beijing, said Chinese President pledged 4 billion Yuan (US$ 588 million) as aid to be spread over 2019-2021.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-KYRGYZSTAN: ANTI-CHINA PROTESTS Reuters reported that on January 17, Kyrgyz police detained more than a dozen people as they dispersed a hundreds-strong anti-Chinese rally in the capital, Bishkek, the biggest public protest to date in Central Asia against Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: CASE OF HUAWEI FOUNDER'S DAUGHTER MENG WANZHOU Reacting to Canada's confirmation on January 22, that the US plans to proceed with a formal request to extradite Huawei chief financial officer Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China will take action in response to measures taken by the US.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SUPREME COURT The Party Secretary and President of the Supreme People's Court Zhou Qiang on January 17, attended a meeting of the Presidents of the National High Court and delivered a speech where he stressed that it is necessary to adhere to the spirit of Xi Jinping's socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY REFORMS DOWNSIZE GROUND FORCES China’s official news agency Xinhua in a feature article reported on January 20, that the Chinese military has significantly boosted its navy, air force and new strategic units and downsized its land-based army as part of a strategic shift designed to transform the People’s Liberation Army into a comprehensive modern force.
Jan 2019 |
XI JINPING WARNS PBSC, PB AND SENIOR OFFICIALS TO BE ON HIGH ALERT FOR "BLACK SWAN" EVENTS Chinese President Xi Jinping warned China's central and provincial leaders who had assembled in Beijing for a meeting on January 20, to be on high alert for “black swan” incidents amid a “complicated and sensitive external environment”.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: LATEST US DEFENCE DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT WARNS OF CHINA'S DEFENCE CAPABILITY A new assessment of China’s military power published by the department’s Defense Intelligence Agency suggests that Beijing is building up its military capabilities so that it will have a range of options to attack Taiwan if it decides to—and potentially the United States if it intervenes militarily.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: BRI AND TRANSFER OF 269 HECTARES IN COLOMBO PORT CITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO CHINA With the completion of the US$ 1.9 billion Colombo Port City Development project, Sri Lanka handed over two-thirds of the new 269-hectare reclamation project, which is envisaged as the site of a new financial district, to China on a 99-year lease.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: GETTING TOGETHER Mukesh Sharma, described as an editor with the People's Daily-owned Global Times on January 16, published an article recommending close India-China ties at a time when Sino-US ties are strained and "The US has almost declared China an enemy in its national defense strategy by calling it a strategic competitor."
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY FDI Citing data released by China's Ministry of Commerce on January 14, the 21st Century Business Herald reported that China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2018 hit a record high of US$134.97 billion, an increase of 3% from a year earlier.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: PROMOTIONS OF OFFICERS Local media and Chinese military analysts were quoted by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (January 2) as saying that in December 2018, at least 38 Senior Colonels were promoted to the rank of Major General.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY-CIVIL FUSION - CHINA IN RACE WITH U.S. IN 5G TECHNOLOGY A specialised US Defence publication on January 8 described the next-generation cell-network technology, popularly called 5G, promises high speed, low latency, and high throughput and is a new frontier of rivalry in U.S.-China relations.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: RESTRUCTURING OF INSTITUTES IN PLA ACADEMY OF MILITARY SCIENCE (AMS) The Jamestown Foundation brief (January 18, 2019) reported on a recent 'key' change in the PLA Academy of Military Science (AMS) as part of Xi Jinping urging (Xinhua, July 19 2017) AMS, and other PLA Institutes, to adapt to the “new requirements of military scientific work” and to build a “world-class military scientific research institution”.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: INCREASED TRAINING PLANNED FOR 2019 The Chinese military is expected to ramp up training in 2019, a year of rising geopolitical challenges and several key anniversaries.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL LEADERSHIP: HU DEPING WARNS AGAINST 'PLANNED SOCIALIST ECONOMY' 76-year old Hu Deping, son of the late popular CCP CC General Secretary Hu Yaobang and former member of the CPPCC till 2013, spoke at a seminar in Beijing on January 16, hosted by the Hongfan Institute of Legal and Economic Studies mark the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up to and attended by former economic and policy advisers and academics.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WARNING TO BE VIGILANT AGAINST 'COLOUR REVOLUTIONS' The Asahi Shimbun on January 18, reported that the official website of China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) reported on January 15, that Public Security Minister Zhao Kezhi had on January 15, cautioned China's police to "stress the prevention and resistance of 'color revolutions' and firmly fight to protect China's political security."
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION FELLS FORMER PARTY SECRETARY OF SHAANXI PROVINCE In a one-sentence statement on January 14, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced the dismissal and arrest of Zhao Zhengyong, former Party Secretary of Shaanxi province, saying he is the biggest “tiger” to be caught this year.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING VISITS VETERAN'S OFFICE IN TIANJIN Reporting Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Tianjin, Xinhua (January 18) reported that he visited a service and administration station for veterans in the community and stressed that setting up institutions for veteran affairs is to enhance the management of veterans and better protect their welfare in order to make military service a publicly respected occupation.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: US GOVERNMENT BAN ON HUAWEI EXPORTING R&D FROM ITS U.S. ENTITY TO CHINA Separately, on January 27, the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. government announced it is blocking some of Huawei's exports from its U.S. R&D operations.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-CZECH REPUBLIC: CZECH WARNING ABOUT HUAWEI The National Cyber and Information Security Agency (Národní úřad pro kybernetickou a informační bezpečnost, NÚKIB) of the Czech Republic on December 17, called the use of software and hardware products of Huawei, ZTE, and their subsidiaries a “threat against information security.”
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-POLAND: HUAWEI EXECUTIVE ARRESTED FOR ESPIONAGE Polish public broadcaster reported (January 11) that Poland's counter-intelligence service has arrested Weijing Wang, @ Stanislaw Wang, a Chinese Sales Director of tech giant Huawei and a Polish former senior intelligence agent in Warsaw on suspicion of spying.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE TALKS The U.S. and China deputy-level trade talks that concluded in Beijing on January 27, lasted one day longer than planned with both sides issuing vague but mildly positive official statements about the discussions.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: US CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS VISITS CHINA Admiral John Richardson, US Chief of Naval Operations, was on a 3-day (January 13-15, 2019) visit to China.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA TO SET LOWER GROWTH TARGET FOR 2019 Reuters, quoting 'policy sources', said China plans to set a lower economic growth target of 6-6.5 percent in 2019 compared with last year’s target of “around” 6.5 percent.”
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET The official Global Times reported (January 11) that Qizhala, Chairman of the TAR Regional Government said in his government work report to the second session of the 11th People's Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region on January 10, that TAR's GDP in 2018 was estimated to have exceeded 140 billion yuan (US$ 21 billion).
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The CDIC announced on January 12, that Chen Gang, a former Vice Mayor of Beijing in 2006, has been arrested for corruption. He had headed the municipal urban planning committee, which approves and supervises construction projects, since 2002.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES CDIC MEETING Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, while addressing the third plenary session (January 11-12, 2019) of the 19th Central Discipline Inspection Commission Inspection (CDIC) called for consolidating and developing a "sweeping victory" in the fight against corruption.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-KAZAKH: CHINA ALLOWS 2000 KAZAKHS TO LEAVE The Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry press office, in an email response to the Wall Street Journal on January 9, confirmed Kazakh media reports in December that China has agreed to let 2,000-plus ethnic Kazakhs leave. It did not say who could leave or why. It said they will be allowed to apply for Kazakh citizenship or permanent residency after their arrival in Kazakhstan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-THAILAND: CHINA APPOINTS YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA CHAIRPERSON OF CHINA'S SHANTOU INTERNATIONAL CONT The CCP's official newspaper People's Daily reported that former Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was named the Chairwoman of the Shantou International Container Terminal in Guangdong province. The brief article said she was also appointed the firm’s legal representative.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: RETIRED PLA GENERAL HE LEI WARNS TAIWAN 'INDEPENDENCE SEPARATISTS' WOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS 'WAR CRIMINALS' IF THEY DON'T PULL BACK
Former Vice President PLA Academy of Military Science and retired General He Lei said at a press conference of the State Council Information Office that "The very few "Taiwan-independence" separatists would be classified as war criminals that must be punished if the Chinese mainland is forced to deal with the Taiwan question by force. Jan 2019 |
CHINA-MILITARY R&D: NEW OTH RADAR 70-year old Liu Yongtan, a Professor with the Department of Electric and Information Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology, received China’s top science award from President Xi Jinping at a national ceremony on January 8.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLAN: CHINESE NAVY EXPERT SAYS CHINA NEEDS THREE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Commodore Zhang Junshe, a member of the Naval Research Institute, was quoted by Japan's Jiji press on January 9 as saying that China needs “at least three aircraft carriers” to protect its extensive coastline and its interests abroad.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA DEPLOYS DF-26 MISSILE TO NORTHWEST PLATEAU China's official Global Times quoted the state--broadcaster CCTV on January 9, as publicising that the 4500-kms range anti-ship ballistic missile the DF-26 has been deployed to Northwest China's plateau and desert areas.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CONTROLS ON INTERNET Global Times reported on January 7, 2019 that a notice issued by the public security bureau in Shaoguan, Guangdong province, on December 28, stated that a man, surnamed Zhu, was fined 1,000 yuan ($150) for using a virtual private network — a tool for encrypting online data traffic.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEKING UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CALLS FOR CCP TO FADE OUT OF POWER WHILE ANOTHER QUESTIONS XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON TAIWAN
Radio France International reported on January 8, 2019, that Peking University Professor Zheng Yefu, had in a recent article pointed out that the interests of the Communist Party of China are inconsistent with the fundamental interests of the Chinese people in most cases. He said he firmly believes that "the only hope that the leaders of the Communist Party of China can make in the future is to lead the party to decently fade out of the historical arena." Zheng Yefu said to his colleagues: "If we don't make a sound and don't exert pressure, we shouldn't, we don't deserve to see the end of the autocratic regime. Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ASEAN: PUBLIC OPINION IN ASEAN ON BRI The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, affiliated with the Singapore government, recently polled 1,008 respondents from all ten nations of the ASEAN grouping across different sections of society to gauge attitudes towards the BRI.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: YOGA COLLEGE ENROLLS 12 STUDENTS The China-India Yoga College was jointly created by China’s Yunnan Minzu University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: VICE MINISTER LEVEL TRADE TALKS Vice Ministerial level talks between China and the US began today and are being led on the US side by Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINA PROTESTS USN FONOPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The official Global Times reported (January 7) that China lodged a protest against the US guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell conducting FONOPS near the Xisha Islands on January 7, 2019.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG-UN VISITS CHINA China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua and official newspaper Global Times on January 8, reported that Kim Jong-un is visiting Beijing from January 7 until January 10, 2019 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INDIA: PAK CLAIMS IT SHOT DOWN TWO CHINESE-MADE DRONES USED BY INDIAN ARMY China Military News on January 4, reported Pakistani spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor announcing on January 2 & 3, that the Pakistan Army had shot down a UAV used by the Indian military for the second time in two days on the Pakistani side of the Satwal area.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: HYPERSONIC ENGINE SUCCESSFULLY TESTED AND ENTERS AIRCRAFT-ENGINE INTEGRATION PHASE The WeChat account of the Chengdu Aircraft Research and Design Institute, a design facility of the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co, announced on January 7, 2019 that China's home-grown turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine system has completed its design and development stage and entered the aircraft-engine integration test phase.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: CMC RELEASES "NEW OPINIONS" The Central Military Commission (CMC) General Office released “Opinions on the Implementation of Further Encouraging Military Cadres to Take on New Responsibilities and take New Actions in a New Era” (关于进一步激励全军广大干部新时代新担当新作为的实施意见).
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CENTRAL RURAL WORK CONFERENCE A People’s Daily editorial on December 30, 2018 on the Central Rural Work Conference said it had concluded that it is necessary to adhere to the development of agriculture and rural areas, deeply implement the rural revitalization strategy, resolutely win the battle against poverty, and earnestly do “three rural issues” (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers) work well.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Following the annual Central Economic Work Conference last month, the government said it will “channel more energy into weak areas, including infrastructure.”
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEOPLE'S DAILY NEW YEAR EDITORIAL People’s Daily published an editorial on the first day of 2019 that reflected the achievements of 2018 and outlines the challenges of coming year.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CHIEF HUANG KUNMING WRITES IN QIUSHI In an article in the January 1, 2019 issue of the Party theoretical journal Qiushi (Seeking Truth), Central Propaganda Department Head Huang Kunming (黄坤明) discussed strengthening propaganda and ideological work in the new year, specifically by strengthening the “four forces” (四力) of propaganda work: the foot, the eye, the brain, and the pen.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON TAIWAN ON JANUARY 2, 2019 Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1979 “Open Letter to Taiwan Compatriots.”
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS PBSC MEETING Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) convened on January 7, 2019, to hear work reports from the Party’s Central Secretariat, as well as Party groups from the: State Council; National People’s Congress ; Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Supreme People's Court ; and Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN International Department Vice Minister Qian Hongshan on December 8, met a delegation of political parties of western Pakistan led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Secretary General and Senate Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Haideri.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: ARREST OF HUAWEI CFO Ms MENG WANZHOU The People’s Daily used its Zhong Sheng column, which authoritatively transmits the opinions of the People’s Daily on matters of international affairs, on December 9, to denounce Canada’s detention of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the behest of the United States.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-AUSTRIA: TAR DELEGATION VISITS AUSTRIA Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Party Committee Executive Deputy Secretary Ding Yexian (丁业现) led a CCP delegation to Austria on December 8, 2018, to meet with Austria-China Friendly Association President and former President of Austria Heinz Fischer.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA INCREASES PRESSURE ON TAIWAN SAY THREE MAINLAND CHINESE SCHOLARS The official Global Times on January 3, published an article by three Mainland Chinese scholars on the best way to realise reunification with Taiwan.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S DPP APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) elected Mr Cho Jung-tai, a consensus candidate backed by major party figures, as its new Chairman on Jan 6, thereby choosing a moderate to fill up the post vacated by President Tsai Ing-wen after the party’s disappointing performance in recent polls.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: VETERANS AFFAIRS A People’s Daily commentator article on December 10, addressed protests by Chinese veterans this year against the lack of job prospects for retired soldiers and inadequate services.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: FOURTH MEETING OF CMC ARMED FORCES REFORM LEADING GROUP General Xu Qiliang, CMC Vice Chairman and Executive Deputy Head of the CMC Leading Group for Deepening Reform on National Defense and the Armed Forces, presided over the fourth meeting of the leading group on December 18.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RARE EARTH EXPORTS TO BE CHECKED The official Global Times reported on January 6, that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and 11 other government agencies, have said China will step up its supervision on the rare-earth sector and vows to impose severe penalties on those illegally mine, produce or export rare-earth materials and fully realize the "strategic support" from rare-earth materials.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 19-21, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered important speeches at the conference.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING CONGRATULATES NEW ACADEMY OF HISTORY IN CASS CCP CC General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the opening of the Academy of Chinese History Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in a letter on January 3, 2019. Huang Kunming, PB member for Propaganda attended.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-CANADA: 13 CANADIAN CITIZENS DETAINED IN CHINA Global Affairs Canada spokesman Guillaume Bérubé said (January 4) in a statement to The Globe and Mail that the government is aware that 13 Canadians have been detained in China, excluding Hong Kong, since December 1, 2018.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: TRADE TALKS Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jeff Gerrish, who will be 50 years old this year, will next week lead a delegation that includes U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs David Malpass and other officials to China for the first round of face-to-face talks since President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on December 1, to a ceasefire in a trade war that has led to tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of U.S. and Chinese goods.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOUTH CHINA SEA The People's Daily and Xinhua on January 2, 2019 publicised a statement issued by China's Ministry of Natural Resources announcing that China had set up ecological protection facilities on three reefs of the Nansha Islands, namely the Yongshu, Zhubi and Meiji reefs.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ASEAN: PLEA FOR COOPERATION An article jointly authored by Dr Zha Daojiong, Professor of International Political Economy at the School of International Studies, Peking University and Dr Dong Ting, Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School of International Studies, Peking University, was published on January 3, 2019 by the South China Morning Post to mark the 15th anniversary of the Asean-China strategic partnership.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 'PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE' Radio Free Asia reported on December 31, 2018 that China has imprisoned 879 'prisoners of conscience' in its jails in 2018.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGIOUS CONTROLS AND CLOSURE OF MOSQUES The South China Morning Post reported on December 31, that the closure of three mosques in the villages of Huihuideng, Sanjia and Mamichang in Weishan County was coordinated by the Weishan County Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee to “protect harmony and stability in the religious domain”.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POPULATION The South China Morning Post reported (January 2) that the number of children born in China in 2018 is expected to have dropped to the lowest level since 2000 after a year that “will be remembered as a historical turning point for Chinese population”, signalling a “demographic crisis” that threatens already struggling economic growth prospects.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTERNET CENSORSHIP COMPANY 'BEYONDSOFT' Beyondsoft' is a Beijing-based tech services company that, among other businesses, takes on the censorship burden for other companies.
Jan 2019 |
PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA ANNOUNCES ONE PERCENTAGE REDUCTION IN RESERVES REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL BANKS The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) on January 4, announced a 1-percentage-point reduction in the required reserves for commercial banks to stall flagging growth.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROTEST BY CHINESE INTELLECTUALS Reuters reported that on December 29, 2018, the social network circulated that "China's 100 public intellectuals published "Reform and Open" for 40 years".
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING ISSUES NEW PLA MOBILISATION ORDER FOR 2019 The Global Times (January 4) reported that Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Xi Jinping had on January 4, 2019, signed a mobilization order for the training of the armed forces, the CMC's first order in 2019, which demands all PLA units to welcome the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with "excellent performance."
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING CONVENES PBSC MEETING TO REVIEW SECURITY REGULATIONS China's official 'The Paper' on December 28, reported that Xi Jinping chaired a Political Bureau meeting on December 27, and reviewed the “Regulations on the Political and Legal Work of the Party.”
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENTS The PRC State Council announced (December 28, 2018) the appointment of 61-year old former Vice Commerce Minister Fu Ziying as Director of the central government’s Liaison Office in Macau.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES CRITICISE CHINA'S CRACKDOWN ON UYGHURS AND CHRISTIANS An article in the Washington Post on December 27, highlighted the efforts of Chris Smith, a Republican, representing New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives, to dissuade the Vatican from seeking a form of accommodation with Beijing despite its ongoing anti-religion campaign.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE SCHOLAR WANG JISI SEES NO IMPROVEMENT IN SINO-US TIES In an article published in the latest issue of World Affairs, a journal controlled by the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang Jisi, President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, observed that a clash of civilisations was at the heart of the bitter geostrategic competition between the world’s top two economies.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-US: PRESIDENTS EXCHANGE GREETINGS ON 4OTH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF TIES The official Global Times on January 1, 2019, reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump 'exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations' on January 1.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-UN: CHINA IS SECOND HIGHEST CONTRIBUTOR TO UN The BBC reported (December 31) that China is set to overtake Japan as the United Nations' second biggest funding country for the next three years and the development is fuelling nationalistic opinions in the media of both countries.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AGRICULTURE Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu said at a work conference said on December 30, that China will produce at least 600 million tonnes of grain in 2019.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP - XI JINPING The South China Morning Post reported (December 31) that Chinese President Xi Jinping had on December 18, summoned a grand gathering to mark the 40th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping’s landmark reform and opening up, which was attended by the most important Communist Party cadres, entrepreneurs and Olympic champions.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year message telecast (January 1, 2019) on the state-owned CGTN was devoted to listing China's achievements including the number of counties and people lifted out of poverty.
Jan 2019 |
CHINA-JAPAN: HUAWEI IN DISCUSSION WITH JAPANESE GOVERNMENT Asahi Shimbun reported on December 27, that Wang Jianfeng, President of Huawei Technologies Japan KK, in an exclusive interview with The Asahi Shimbun on December 27, disclosed that Huawei Technologies Co. is holding talks with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and is cooperating with the Japanese government and bolstering purchases of parts in Japan to ease concerns that its products could be used in espionage or cyber-attacks by Beijing.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINA CRITICISES FRANCE FOR SUPPORTING CANADA Chinese Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, at a press briefing on December 25, criticised France for siding with its “allies”, as the list of countries calling for the release of two Canadians detained in China continues to grow.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINA RELEASES DETAINED CANADIAN NATIONAL Global Affairs reported on December 29, that Sarah McIver of Alberta who was detained over a work permit issue related to her teaching job has been released and she has returned to Canada.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ROK: CHINESE SPY PLANE ENTERS SOUTH KOREAN AIRSPACE Korea's JoongAng Daily said on December 29, that Seoul lodged a protest after a Chinese PLA Air Force (PLAAF) Shaanxi Y-9JB electronic warfare and surveillance aircraft flew through South Korea’s air defense identification zone (Kadiz) without notice three times over the course of five hours on December 27.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The official newspaper 'The Paper' reported (December 27) that China has made major breakthroughs in important indicators for measuring overall national strength, namely the scale of social net wealth and GDP.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CHRISTIANITY: CCTV 9 MENTIONS JESUS CHRIST On November 25, China's official CCTV Channel 9 released a 42-minute documentary captioned "Human, Our Story", publicly acknowledging "Jesus, the process that affects the entire history".
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CRACKDOWN ON CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS BBC reported on December 25, that the Chinese authorities have issued a notice prohibiting traders from using Christmas decorations and students in many Chinese universities and primary and secondary schools from discussing Christmas-related content on social media.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRACKDOWN ON IDEOLOGY Qiu Zhanxuan, head of the Peking University Marxist Society, was grabbed and forced into a black car outside the east gate of Peking University by a group of heavy-set men who identified themselves as police, according to students quoted by Reuters on December 28.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO MEMBERS INSTRUCTED TO DO CRITICISM AND SELF-CRITICISM Xinhua on December 27, disclosed that China's 25 Politburo members "were asked to conduct criticism and self-criticism in light of work experience" during two sessions of the Politburo on December 25 and 26 both of which were chaired by Xi Jinping.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: THIRD CANADIAN CITIZEN ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS The state-owned Global Times on December 27, quoted runsky.com, a website run by the Dalian Radio and Television Station which reported that Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, a Canadian citizen, will be put on trial by Liaoning Provincial High People’s Court on drug smuggling charges.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-DALA LAMA: DALAI LAMA IS AMONG THE MOST ADMIRED MEN IN THE WORLD Gallup’s 2018 Most Admired Man list showed that Americans love the Dalai Lama and he ranks eighth on the list of the most admired men in the world.
Dec 2018 |
LUO YUAN ADVOCATED “ASYMMETRIC COUNTERATTACKS AS A RESPONSE TO US TRADE WAR Taiwan's Central News Agency reported (December 23) that Retired PLA Navy Rear Admiral Luo Yuan, who is presently Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, while speaking at a meeting in Shenzhen on December 20 on the current Sino–U.S. relationship, claimed the US-China trade war “is definitely not a simple economic and trade friction” but an “important strategic issue.”
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: GLOBAL TIMES' YEAR-END ROUNDUP The official Global Times published (December 26, 2018) a year-end roundup of China's foreign policy. It claimed "China went through a warm year in 2018 as there was no crisis-level conflict between China and its neighbouring countries. Those who once had tense relations with China are now moving closer to Beijing."
Dec 2018 |
CHINESE BILLIONAIRE AND MEMBER OF CPPCC WARNS OF "COLDER AND LONGER" WINTER FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES The South China Morning Post (December 28) reported that 59-year old Chen Hongtian, a self-made Chinese billionaire, Chairman of the Cheung Kei Group and member of the CPPCC, warned a group of about 150 tycoons mostly based in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, that a winter “colder and longer than expected” is arriving for China’s private business entrepreneurs and Beijing’s supportive rhetoric has yet to translate into concrete policies that will help the private economy.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHINESE PROFESSOR CRITICISES STATE OF CHINA'S ECONOMY On December 16, Prof. Xiang Songzuo (向松祚) of Renmin University School of Finance and former Chief Economist of China Agriculture Bank, gave a 25-minute speech during a CEO class at Renmin Business School , which was immediately censored over the Chinese internet.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DRAFT LAW ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT SUBMITTED TO NPC ON DECEMBER 23 Xinhua reported on December 23, that a draft law on foreign investment was submitted to a bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on December 23.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN FELLS VICE MINISTER OF MoSS China officially announced (December 27) that after four years in detention, Ma Jian, former Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of State Security and head of China’s counter-espionage operations, was tried on December 27, at Dalian Intermediate Court where he was fined 50.5 million yuan.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-SWEDEN: TRAVEL ADVISORY China issued a second travel advisory in three months warning tourists against visiting Sweden because of “the security situation in Sweden”.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ROK: NEW CHINA BUREAU IN ROK FOREIGN MINISTRY South China Morning Post reported (December 22) that RoK Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk had the previous week confirmed that Seoul plans to overhaul its diplomatic focus on China by establishing a separate bureau in its foreign ministry entirely dedicated to China affairs.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: CHINESE MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY ON MONTH-LONG VISIT TO JAPAN Quoting sources the Yomiuri Shimbun on December 23, disclosed that China's Minister of State Security Chen Wenqing visited Japan in late October through early November to meet secretly with senior Japanese officials from the Public Security Intelligence Agency and intelligence authorities, as well as the Foreign Ministry.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: MESSAGE FROM XI JINPING Xinhua reported on December 21, that Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent a congratulatory message on the holding of the first meeting of China-India high-level people-to-people exchanges mechanism in India's capital New Delhi.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CENTRAL ECONOMIC WORK CONFERENCE China’s Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC) concluded on December 21, in Beijing.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-- MAO ON 'PROTRACTED WAR' On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s speeches, the state-run People’s Publishing House decided to republish the collection of speeches that Mao Zedong gave in 1938.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF REFORMS President Xi Jinping’s speech at the grand gathering in Beijing on December 18, to mark China’s 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, belied expectations that he would announce substantive measures to defuse the trade war with the United States and outline plans to overhaul the economy.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S SHARPE COMPANY CONSTRUCTING SEMI-CONDUCTER FACTORY IN ZHUHAI The Japanese Nikkei newspaper (December 21) reported that Sharpe, a subsidiary of the Hon Hai Precision Industry and the Zhuhai Municipal Government of China's Guangdong Province are constructing a semi-conductor factory a a 1 trillion yen state-of-the-art semiconductor plant.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-KENYA: BECAUSE OF BRI DEBT KENYA COULD RISK LOSING MOMBASA PORT TO CHINA The Maritime Executive on December 20, disclosed that in a recent report Kenya's Auditor General had warned that Kenya runs the risk of losing control of the Port of Mombasa if it should default on loans from state financial institution China Exim Bank.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: BRI The Asahi Shimbun reported on December 21 that Nippon Express Co., a leading Japanese shipping firm conducted a trial run on December 20 on the exclusive China Railway Express freight train as a pilot program. The train cars used in the trial run are about 12 meters long.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: COOPERATION FOR BEIDU AND IN AEROSPACE Writing in the New York Times (December 19, 2018) Maria Abi-Habib said that according to the undisclosed proposal drawn up by the Pakistani Air Force and Chinese officials at the start of the year, a special economic zone under CPEC would be created in Pakistan to produce a new generation of fighter jets.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: GLOBAL TIMES CASTIGATES US RECIPROCAL ACCESS TO TIBET ACT OF 2018 The state-owned Global Times on December 20, castigated the 'Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018', signed into law by US President Trump on December 19.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-US: US CHARGES AND NAMES TWO CHINESE HACKERS ON DECEMBER 20 The Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York, Director Christopher A. Wray of the FBI, Director Dermot F. O’Reilly of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers on December 20, unsealed an indictment charging Zhu Hua (朱华), aka Afwar, aka CVNX, aka Alayos, aka Godkiller; and Zhang Shilong (张士龙), aka Baobeilong, aka Zhang Jianguo, aka Atreexp, both PRC nationals with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY AND 'PATRIOTIC CHURCHES' The Catholic News Service on December 17, reported that a group of Vatican officials led by Pope Francis' chief China negotiator, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli had recently visited Beijing for talks regarding joint recognition by the Vatican and CCP-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association of a group of Vatican-appointed bishops from the so-called underground church.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: REGULATIONS EASED ON HOUSING SECTOR The Chinese economic journal Caixin reported that the government of Heze , a fourth-tier city in Shandong province, announced on December 18, that that it will relax property controls from the following day.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE STATE COUNCIL'S OFFICE OF THE FINANCIAL STABILITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HOLDS On December 20, Liu Guoqiang, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) and Deputy Director of the Office of the Financial Stability Development Committee of the State Council, presided over symposiums of some commercial banks, securities companies, insurance institutions, trust companies and fund companies to listen to the views on the current capital market reform and development.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SLOWDOWN PROMPTS CHINA TO CEASE PUBLICATION OF PMI China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has ordered authorities in Guangdong province to stop producing a regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector as it seeks to control the flow of sensitive economic data.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: ON MENG WAZHOU'S BAIL IN CANADA, GLOBAL TIMES EDITORIAL SAYS WHILE CHINA WILL NOT OVER Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's wife Qian Wei's application for a visa to Canada was reportedly not accepted by the authorities.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: ON MENG WAZHOU'S BAIL IN CANADA, GLOBAL TIMES EDITORIAL SAYS WHILE CHINA WILL NOT OVER A Global Times editorial on December 16, said "By calling on its allies, the US has gradually formed a collective encirclement and suppression of Chinese high-tech enterprise Huawei" and described it as "a wicked precedent."
Dec 2018 |
DETENTION OF CANADIAN EX-DIPLOMAT AND BUSINESSMAN IN RETAILATION TO ARREST OF MENG WANZHOU, CFO, HUA Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, said in a video posted on December 12, that Canada can expect retaliation “far worse” than the detainment of a former diplomat if Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou isn’t released.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION CHRISTIANITY AsiaNews reported on December 13 that Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli went to Beijing as special envoy of Pope Francis to “accept” the resignations of the bishops of the Underground Catholic Church for the dioceses of Mindong, Mgr.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA's ANTI CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN An unconfirmed report from Bowen news claimed (November 30) that the Fourth Plenum of the 19th CCP CC was postponed due to tension in the military. It said Wu Shengli, Cai Yingting and Wang Hongyu were arrested on the same day.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO STATEMENT ON CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION In a statement after its meeting on December 13, the party’s top 25-member decision-making body, the Politburo, said “the fight against corruption has achieved a crushing (overwhelming) victory” since the 19th party congress late last year. At the same time it warned that the situation ahead was still tough and the fight must go on.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE-SOYBEAN PURCHASES Reuters reported (December 12) that on December 12, China purchased Soybean worth at least US$ 180 million. This was the first purchase after US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a trade war truce at the G-20 at Rio.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTO SALES DROP Reuters quoted China's premier auto industry association as acknowledging on December 13, that China's automobile sales fell about 14 percent in November from a year earlier, marking the steepest such drop in nearly seven years in the world's largest auto market. The drop in sales to 2.55 million vehicles, a fifth straight decline in monthly numbers, comes against a backdrop of slowing economic growth and a crippling China-U.S. trade war. It was the steepest decline since January 2012, when the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday hurt auto sales.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FDI DROPS According to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce on December 13, Foreign Investment in China fell sharply in November as concerns over the tariff battle between China and the United States hit investor confidence. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the month fell 27.6 per cent year on year to US$13.6 billion. The slide came despite Beijing making the stabilisation of foreign investment one of its top economic policy priorities. Although even before November, the FDI growth rate had being slowing for the past three months, hitting a four-month low of 7.3 per cent in October.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 'MADE IN CHINA 2025' BEING REWORKED Indications are that the 'Made in China 2025' plan for upgrading China's technological capabilities is being reworked ahead of the Central Economic Work Conference scheduled for December 19. The US pressure appears to be responsible.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: FORMER CANADIAN DIPLOMAT DETAINED IN CHINA Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Hao said at the regular press briefing on December 13 that "two Canadian citizens have been subject to compulsory measures by the Chinese side because they are suspected of engaging in activities that endanger China's national security". She said Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor "are suspected of engaging in activities that endanger the national security of the People's Republic of China."
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RESEARCH ON AI Data released by AI Index on December 12, revealed that more than 87% of the world’s AI research comes from academia, and that new initiatives in China have dramatically increased the amount of research directly affiliated with the Chinese government.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: ATTACK HELICOPTERS TRAIN FOR URBAN WARFARE National Interest cited a recent PLA Daily report on November 24, 2018 as saying that Chinese pilots are training for urban warfare. It added this suggests that the People's Liberation Army is reorienting itself toward a different kind of warfare.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE OFFICIAL RECOMMENDS CHINESE NAVY RAMS US NAVY VESSELS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The official China Military Online quoted Dai Xu, President of China's Institute of Marine Safety and Cooperation, as saying in a discussion on December 8, during a discussion on the topic 'What Lies ahead for the South China Sea Issue and the Taiwan Question' that, if a US warship illegally enters into Chinese territorial waters again, two Chinese warships should be sent, one to stop it and the other to bump against and sink it, adding, "In China's territorial waters, we won't allow US warships to run amok."
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: MAJOR GENERAL MENG XIANGQING SAYS NATIONALISM WILL NOT INFLUENCE CHINA'S PEACEFUL RISE South China Morning Post reported (December 14) that PLA Major General Meng Xiangqing, who specialises in national security at the PLA’s National Defence University, said at at a rare media briefing organised by China's National Defence University (NDU) in Beijing on December 13, that China will not let nationalist sentiment hijack its policymaking as it continues its peaceful rise.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: DETENTION OF MENG WANZHOU OF HUAWEI The Global Times (December 12) in another article said while Canada has freed Meng Wanzhou on bail, but the Huawei executive deserves to be given back her freedom by the courts, bringing closure to the fraught legal saga. It pointed out that the Canadian judge had observed that Meng Wanzhou has no criminal record in China and elsewhere adding that her release should depend also on Canada's obligations to China.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-PLA VETERANS PUNISHED FOR PROTESTING The authorities have taken severe action for committing a "serious violent crime" against 10 of the hundreds of People's Liberation Army (PLA) veterans who protested in Pingdu City, Shandong Province during the National Day holiday this year to fight for post-retirement treatment. The official identified the case as a “serious violent crime” and took criminal enforcement measures against ten of them. The official media condemned the veterans involved in affecting social stability.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-PLA MODERNISATION: NEW ARMED DRONE FOR BORDER RECCEE Li Wei, a professor at the National Defense University, in a report published in the China Youth Daily revealed on November 29, 2018 the first details of China's new armed reconnaissance drone, the GJ-2, following its debut at the Airshow China 2018 earlier this month. Made by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the GJ-2 is a medium-to-high altitude armed unmanned reconnaissance aerial vehicle intended to to enhance China's border patrol and counter-terrorism efforts. Installed with a turboprop engine, the aircraft can reach a top speed of 370 kilometers an hour at an altitude of 9,000 meters, and can stay in the air for 20 hours.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-PLA MODERNISATION: ROCKET FORCE An article in Epoch Times (December 6) claimed that much of China’s innovation is in areas that it can’t effectively steal or reverse engineer technology. Much of its own breakthroughs have been with rockets and missiles.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRACKDOWN ON RELIGION The New York Times reported on December 10, that Chinese police on December 9, arrested Wang Yi, a prominent pastor and head of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu along with 100 members of hIs congregation.
(Comment: The Early Rain Covenant Church has about 500 followers. It attracts more than 800 church-goers on a weekly basis and also has about 100 seminary students and a primary school catering to about 40 children.)
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: SELF IMMOLATION IN NGABA A young man in his 20s named Drugkho was reported by Radio Free Asia on December 9, to have self-immolated on December 8 in Ngaba county. The self-immolator belonged to Soruma Village in the same county.
(Comment: This is the third instance of self-immolation by a Tibetan in Tibet this year.)
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMIC REFORM The Office of the Central Commission on Comprehensively Deepening Reform and the CCP CC Propaganda Department have produced a political documentary, the first episode of which ran on December 11 night. It is called 'The Only Path' (必由之路).
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Xinhua on December 9, quoted the latest report by Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) saying that China's core AI industry could exceed US$ 145 bn by 2030 with that of AI-enabled industries more than 10 trillion yuan. Titled "China's great tech leap forward", the report said that China's push to commercialize AI technologies, supported by the rollout of the world's biggest 5G network, could position the country as a global leader for technology and innovation. The report said "Based on the growth trajectory in the past decade, China may overtake the U.S. in global technology-patents share by 2025". AI-related industries may exceed 6 percent of China's GDP by 2030. According to Tsinghua University, private funding for Chinese AI-related companies in 2017 totaled 27.7 billion dollars, equivalent to 70 percent of global investments in the industry. Data showed China's cumulative venture-capital investments in AI startups had already caught up with the United States by 2016.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP General Wang Ruilin, former Deputy Head of the People’s Liberation Army’s General Political Department, passed away at the PLA’s General Hospital in Beijing on December 8, 2018 morning. He was a close aide of Deng Xiaoping.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA: CHINESE FUNDING TO US UNIVERSITIES An article in the Journal of Higher Education highlighted that by 2016, Hanban, a propaganda arm of the Chinese government, had successfully established Confucius Institutes (CIs) at
15% of the largest institutions of higher education, including some of the most prestigious institutions, and in almost every state across the United States.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-US: CRITICISM OF CANADA'S DETENTION OF HUAWEI'S CHEIF FINANCIAL OFFICER MENG WANZHOU China's state-owned Global Times on December 9, observed that the bail hearing of 46-year old Ms Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies and daughter and possible successor of Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei, had been deferred, but cited a source as saying "she has been subjected to rude and degrading treatment", was handcuffed and that the Canadian detention facility is not offering her the necessary health care.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: CRACKDOWN ON ARTICES ABOUT DALAI LAMA The International Campaign for Tibet reported on December 3, that in a nationwide campaign in China against so-called “illegal content,” Chinese authorities are offering rewards to those who inform on others suspected of reading or speaking about, for instance, foreign newspaper articles or broadcasts about Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: REMITTANCES FROM ABROAD A World Bank report released (December 8) stated that India will retain its position as the world’s top recipient of remittances this year with its diaspora sending $80 billion back home and it is followed by China ($67 billion), Mexico and the Philippines ($34 billion each) and Egypt ($26 billion).
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN: 'SKYNET OPERATION' The People's Daily on December 6, publicised on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, the statement of the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Group's Office of International Pursuit and Recovery, which claimed that the “Skynet” operation, launched since March 2015, has netted more than 4,833 people from more than 120 countries and regions, including 995 national staff and more than 10.3 billion yuan of assets. It also said that China has signed 54 extradition treaties and 63 criminal justice assistance treaties with 71 countries.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP LIN BIAO According to Duowei News (December 5, 2018), in October 2018, the hometown of the Chinese Communist Marshal Lin Biao put up a statue in his honour in Baiyang Mountain, Huilong Town, Tuanfeng County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province.
Dec 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: REFERENDUM ON NAME-CHANGE IN TAIWAN The South China Morning Post on November 11, said a referendum is to be held in Taiwan on November 24, asking whether Taiwan should compete in the next Summer Olympics -- 2020 Games in Tokyo -- and other international sporting events under that name, rather than “Chinese Taipei” – a title that has been used since 1981. The referendum is among 10 such votes being held alongside the island’s local government elections on November 24, but is the only one so far condemned by Beijing as a prelude of the island’s attempt to declare independence and change the cross-strait status quo – a move the mainland has said would lead to its attack.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA TRYING TO INFLUENCE ELECTIONS IN TAIWAN Taiwan police recently arrested eight members of the pro-Beijing China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP). Reports suggest the PRC is channeling significant amounts of money through some fringe organizations such as the China Unification Promotion Party (CCUP), led by former Bamboo Union gagster Chang An-le.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: CHINA DEVELOPING HAIFA PORT ANNOYS USA A Haaretz report of November 9, recalled it had reported two months ago that, at a conference with their Israeli counterparts, retired American Admirals warned that Washington was simply astonished at Israel’s decision to award major infrastructure projects, including the construction of a civilian port in Haifa, to Chinese companies. Somebody even suggested that the U.S. Sixth Fleet might steer clear of the Israel Navy base in Haifa because of the Chinese involvement in building a civilian port there.It said based on conversations with ministers and other top officials, it now turns out that the Israelis were amazed at the intensity of their American counterparts’ ire on the matter.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINA APPROVES 16 TRADEMARKS FOR IVANKA TRUMP President Donald Trump's daughter and senior advisor, Ivanka Trump, last month won initial approval from the Chinese government for 16 new trademarks, covering a wide range of products that include "voting machines".
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: WANG QISHAN MEETS KISSINGER Xinhua reported (November 11) that Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger on November 10, calling on the two nations to properly solve differences and further promote bilateral ties in the future. During their meeting at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in downtown Beijing, Wang Qishan said the China-U.S. relationship has had its share of ups and downs since the two countries forged diplomatic ties nearly four decades ago, yet it has generally moved forward.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: SECURITY DIALOGUE The U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue (D&SD) is meeting in Washington, D.C. on November 11. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis are hosting two key diplomats, Yang Jiechi and Wei Fenghe. Yang Jechi is the Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Central Commission of the Communist Party of China and Wei Fenghe is the Minister of National Defense.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TWELVE LABOUR ACTIVISTS ARRESTED IN CHINA Reuters reported on November 12 that at least 12 Chinese labor activists have gone missing in recent days, in what sources close to them believe was a coordinated effort by authorities to silence the vocal group. Most of them are university students or recent graduates. Authorities took away at least nine activists in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen on November 9, and three more activists were taken away on November 11 in the city of Wuhan. At least five are graduates of Peking University.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY APPOINTMENTS Lin Rui has been appointed Vice Minister of Public Security. Lin Rui spent most of his career in Fujian, including as police chief and Deputy Mayor in Xiamen, and moved to Beijing in June as an Assistant Minister, a member of the ministry's Communist Party Committee, and head of the Cybersecurity Bureau. Lin Rui is regarded as one of Xi’ Jinpings trusted allies, having worked for many years in southeast China’s Fujian province, where the president spent 17 years during the earlier stages of his political career.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE SCHOLARS BANNED FROM ATTENDING SEMINAR AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY According to a statement issued on its website on November 5, the Fairbank Center of Harvard University said a visiting delegation of leading scholars from the Unirule Institute of Economics — China’s top independent think tank, based in Beijing — which it planned to host for a series of roundtable discussions this week had been prevented from coming.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ARMS DEALS WITH ROSOBORONEXPORT Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms seller, said it signed three more weapons contracts with China during the Zhuhai Airshow in China’s Guangdong province. He said “Rosoboronexport expects that participation in the exhibition will give further impetus to the positive trend in Russian-Chinese relations in the field of military-technical cooperation".
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: EXILED US-BASED CHINESE WRITER DEBARRED FROM GIVING TALKS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL Ma Jian, a US-based exiled Chinese writer was debarred from giving two lectures at the International Literary Festival in Hongkong on November 8.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINA DISQUALIFIES TAIWAN E-SPORTS TEAM A Taiwanese e-sports team competing against a Japanese team in the Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2019 was disqualified on November 8, 2018, because they declined to play under the nomenclature "China region".
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: SELF-IMMOLATION A 23-year old Tibetan man, Dorbe from Jakorma (Chinese: Xiakunma) village in the pastoral Choejema (Chinese: Qiujima) township of Ngaba county (Chinese: Aba) Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province, set himself on fire on November 4 in Amdo, saying “May the Dalai Lama live long! May we soon behold his golden countenance!” Images that emerged depicted the young Tibetan man beside a nomad tent in traditional Tibetan dress.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-MILITARY-CIVIL FUSION: PLA AND BAIDU JOIN UP FOR AI The Financial Times published a photograph of Mao Yongqing, Head of the 28th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group, which develops electronic warfare technology for the People’s Liberation Army and Yin Shiming, Vice President of Cloud Computing at Baidu, one of China’s privately owned internet groups at a conference in Nanjing.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-MILITARY-CIVIL FUSION: CHINA TRAINING AI WARRIORS The South China Morning Post reported on November 8, that the Beijing Institute of Technology has recruited 31 ‘patriotic’ youngsters straight from high school to begin training as the world’s youngest AI weapons scientists in a new AI weapons development programme.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-CYBER/INTERNET The Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, an institute affiliated with the Cyberspace Administration of China, said in its second annual World Internet Development Report released on November 8, that China’s comprehensive internet development ranked No 2 in a group of 45 countries. Yang Shuzhen, the head of the academy, said at a press conference on November 8, at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China, that China has become a big country in terms of internet development but its development is still imbalanced. the Chinese report said while the US leads the world in innovation, industry development and security, it took eighth place in internet governance, behind countries like the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 'GHOST' APARTMENTS Professor Gan Li of Chengdu’s Southwestern University of Finance and Economics said a nationwide study on November 9, which is soon to be published, will show roughly 22 percent of China’s urban housing stock is unoccupied. He said that adds up to more than 50 million empty homes. He added “There’s no other single country with such a high vacancy rate.”
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OIL IMPORTS China’s Customs data showed (November 8) that crude oil imports rose to all-time high on a daily basis in October, supported by record demand from private refiners and healthy margins. Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that imports in October surged 32 percent from a year earlier to 40.80 million tonnes, or 9.61 million barrels per day (bpd), climbing from 9.05 million bpd in September.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL ISSUES 55 MEASURES TO IMPROVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Also on November 8, the State Council General Office released the "Notice on Implementing Policies to Improve the Operating Environment and Focus on the Concerns of Business."
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TOP CHINESE OFFICIALS TRY TO REASSURE PRIVATE BUSINESSMEN Guo Shuqing, Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, spoke to the media on November 8 after People's Bank of China (PBoC) Governor Yi Gang did the rounds of the media on November 6. Caixin reported that Guo Shuqing, well known as a firebrand who speaks his mind, outlined an ambitious plan which "suggested a goal that no less than 50% of new corporate loans go to private companies in the next three years"; and "at least a third of big banks’ new corporate loans and at least two-thirds of small and medium-sized banks’ new corporate loans should go to the private sector." Separately, Liu Shiyu, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, is also trying to step up support and called the chief economists of China’s major brokerages to a meeting and told them to talk favourably about the economy.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: TRADE With an eye on India's fast growing white goods market expected to grow at an annual rate of 6 percent to 7 percent and reach 700 billion Indian rupees by 2019, Fang Hongbo, the Chairman of China's Midea Group said India is "a key market for our global strategy" and the group will invest 13.5 billion Indian rupees ($185.1 million) in Supa Parner, Pune to set up a 270,000-square-meter technology park there. Once put into production, it will have an annual production capacity of 500,000 units of refrigerators, washing machines, water purifiers and water heaters.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY ON SINO-JAPAN TIES On October 27, 2018, the People's Daily's Zhong Sheng column said on the basis of "mutually partnering with each other and not posing a threat", China and Japan will further tap potential and strengthen cooperation, which will bring more benefits to the two countries and their peoples.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-CHINA INTERNATIONAL EXPO CENTRE, SHANGHAI At the first China International Import Expo, which opened in Shanghai on November 2, Sina.com reported that 10 companies affiliated to China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. and 13 companies from 11 countries and regions around the world signed 16 projects worth nearly 5 billion RMB. The procurement contract or agreement covers a wide range of fields including aviation logistics, new materials, advanced sensing, new energy, and special equipment.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PREMIER LI KEQIANG MEETS HEADS ON INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS On November 6, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met leaders of six multilateral economic bodies namely, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim; International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde; World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo; OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria; Financial Stability Board Chairman Mark Carney; and International Labor Organization Deputy Director-General Deborah Greenfield.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-FIFTH WORLD BUDDHIST FORUM China convened its Fifth World Buddhist Forum Convened in Putian, Fujian on October 29, 2018. CPPCC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Yang sent a letter of congratulations.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING AND BIG DATA People's Daily on November 5, announced that restructuring plans of 29 provinces had been approved by the central authorities. Almost all of China’s 31 provincial governments have announced re-organization plans.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MARXIST STUDENT PROTESTORS AT NANJING UNIVERSTY MANHANDLED China Digital Times reported on November 7, that Yang Kai and Zhu Shunqing, both members of the unofficial student Marxist group at Nanjing University, were among the leaders of protests on campus which drew a crowd of more than 100 people, according to video footage. Yang Kai, a fourth-year software engineering major at Nanjing University, was shoved and dragged on the ground before being bundled away by unidentified men, according to a classmate and fellow member of Nanjing’s Marxist student society who requested anonymity.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EDUCATION OF PARTY CADRES The People's Daily on November 2, reported that the CCP CC released its 2018-2022 plan for National Cadre Education and Training (2018-2022年全国干部教育培训规划). A People’s Daily commentator published an article praising the plan as “being of great and profound significance to thoroughly implementing the Party’s construction and organizational line in the new era, cultivating a team of high-quality and professionalized cadres who are loyal, clean, and responsible, and ensuring the Party has successors to carry on its undertaking.”
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PRINCELING CAUTIONS IT IS PRUDENT TO 'LIE LOW' South China Morning Post reported on October 30, that 74-year Deng Pufang, the crippled son of Deng Xiaoping and Chairman of the China Disabled Persons Federation, had on September 16, delivered a speech in the presence of all 7 PBSC members where, after praising Xi Jinping, he said “The reform and opening-up policy brought about earth-shaking changes to China – comprehensive changes in politics, economy, society and culture.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS The following appointments were announced between October 27 and November 2, 2018: Ma Yongsheng (马永生) was appointed President of Sinopec; Xu Qiang (徐强) was appointed a board member of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and Deputy Secretary of its Party leadership group; Gong Bo (龚波) was appointed a Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and a member of its Party leadership group; and Shen Yueyue (沈跃跃) was elected chairwoman of the All-China Women’s Federation.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINA STOPS ALL SOYABEAN IMPORTS FROM USA The New York Times reported on November 5, that China, the largest market for Soyabeans, has all but stopped buying soyabean from the US. The Chinese government imposed a tariff on American soybeans in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese goods. The latest federal data, through mid-October, shows American soybean sales to China have declined by 94 percent from last year’s harvest.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: ARTICLE IN SCMP SAYS US IS JJUST ANOTHER MEMBER OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY In an article published in Hongkong's South China Morning Post on October 27, Zhou Bo, an honorary fellow at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said "the US believes it is exceptional". He went on to say "If Brexit is costing Europe in no small way, then America’s withdrawal from the international system and its undisguised contempt for the United Nations are far more consequential. In terms of morale and credibility, the US has fallen off the hill. On Trump’s decision to end the Iran nuclear deal and impose trade tariffs on Europe, president of the European Council Donald Tusk put it this way: “With friends like that, who needs enemies?”He said in conclusion that "After all, the US is no more than a member of the international community, like the rest of us. When it admits that, it is the start of its walk down the hill towards the plain, where the weather is certainly less chilly there than on a hill".
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: CORNELL UNIVERSITY SEVERS TIES WITH RENMIN UNIVERSITY America's Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, has on October 29, 2018 severed ties with its Chinese partner institution, Renmin University of China, on the ground that they had punished, surveilled or suppressed students who supported workers’ rights in a labor conflict that erupted this past summer involving workers trying to unionize at Jasic Technology in Shenzhen -- or who have otherwise been supportive of workers’ rights.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-S&T The state-run 'The Paper' on October 29, reported that the World's Leading Scientists Forum with the theme of “Science and Technology for the Common Destiny of Mankind”opened in Shanghai on the banks of the Shanghai Lingang Lake. 35 leading scientists of the world including 26 Nobel Prize winners, many world-renowned academic award winners, nearly 40 academics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and outstanding young scientists from China and abroad attended the forum. Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: VALUE OF IMPORTED GOODS AND SERVICES IN NEXT 15 YEARS Xinhua reported on November 5, that Chinese President Xi Jinping said on November 5 in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, that China's imported goods and services are estimated to exceed 30 trillion US dollars and 10 trillion US dollars, respectively, in the next 15 years. He said measures announced in April to relax market access have been so far implemented.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STUDY TIMES ARTICLE ON PARTY BUILDING An article authored by Xu Lejiang, Executive Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department (UFWD), on Party building in all enterprises was published in the Study Times on November 2, 2018. He said Party building work must be promoted with the goal of administering the party strictly.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC STANDING COMMITTEE HAS STUDY SESSION ON AI The NPC Standing Committee had a special 'study session' after its bi-monthly session on October 26, when they heard a presentation on artificial intelligence from Tan Tieniu, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: US NAVY EXERCISES Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the Director General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense, said China expects the U.S. Navy to send warships through the Taiwan Strait in November, an action Chinese officials say infringes on their national sovereignty.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR In an article published in Bloomberg News on October 30, former Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade and presently Chief Expert of the National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and adjunct professor of the Tsinghua University, Ms Fu Ying, acknowledged that "China-U.S. relations have deteriorated faster than almost anyone could have expected" and asserted that "the U.S. is driving this process and should reflect carefully whether it’s in Americans’ best interests to continue down this path".
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING'S TELEPHONE CALL TO US PRESIDENT TRUMP Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on November 2, 2018 when they spoke of bilateral trade and the Korean Peninsula issue while agreeing to meet bilaterally during the upcoming G20 summit in Argentina. It said that during the conversation Trump said he looks forward to meeting Xi Jinping during the G20 summit so that they can have an in-depth discussion about some major issues. The US president added that he hopes their two countries will make joint efforts to prepare for the meeting and that the United States attaches importance to US-China economic and trade cooperation and would like to continue to expand export to China. He said the economic teams from the two sides need to enhance exchanges and consultations.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Figures of the purchasing managers’ index of the National Bureau of Statistics and the China of Logistics and Purchasing -- an industry group -- showed that China’s manufacturing activity fell to a two-year low in October as domestic demand weakened, adding to pressure on Beijing to shore up economic growth amid a tariff war with Washington. The figures fell to 50.2 from September’s 50.8 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 show activity expanding. Export orders weakened but the biggest impact was from cooling domestic demand.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO MEETING ON AI The Politburo meeting on October 31, held a 'study session' on Artificial Intelligence. Observing that the external environment is experiencing "profound changes”, or that the United States is restricting China from buying technology or investing in high-tech companies abroad, Xi Jinping said AI is core to China’s future.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO MEETING Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CCP CC presided over a meeting of the CCP CC Politburo in Beijing on October 31, to analyze and study the current economic situation and deploy current economic work.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP - XI JINPING REASSURES PRIVATE ENTERPRISES Xinhua reported (November 2) that Chinese President Xi Jinping convened an unprecedented “symposium” on November 1, to hear the views of dozens of representatives from the private sector – including Robin Li of Baidu and Pony Ma of Tencent.
Nov 2018 |
CHINA-ASEAN: FIRST JOINT CHINA-ASEAN MARITIME EXERCISE On October 22, China and ASEAN held their first joint maritime naval exercise, the “Joint Maritime Exercise-2018” in Zhanjiang city, Guangdong.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: COMMENTS OF LT GENERAL HODGES FORMER US COMMANDER IN EUROPE: CHINA'S OVERSEAS PORTS Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum on October 24, Retired US Lt General Ben Hodges said "I think in 15 years --it’s not inevitable – but it is a very strong likelihood that we will be at war with China.” He also said that in Europe, China owns more than 10 per cent of the ports.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FINANCIAL TIE UP BETWEEN NOMURA AND CHINA INVESTMENT CORPN. Japan's Nomura Holdings will jointly set up an investment fund with Chinese state-run investment fund China Investment Corp., Nikkei learned on October 23, 2018.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE'S VISIT TO BEIJING Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by approximately 500 Japanese businesspeople arrived in Beijing for a three-day official visit on the first formal bilateral visit by a Japanese leader to China in nearly seven years on October 25, 2018.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BEIJING TO ISSUE 6000 HUKOUS ANNUALLY Xinhua reported on October 17 that the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security on Monday announced a name list of 6,019 people who had the most points among over 124,000 applicants for a Beijing hukou. in the pilot period, Beijing's quota for new hukou holders is set at 6,000 each year based on the city's development planning and population capacity, according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security. By the end of 2017, the number of people holding a Beijing hukou reached 13.59 million, while the city's permanent population totalled 21.7 million. Beijing plans to cap its population at 23 million by 2020 and also in the long term, as it seeks to address "big city diseases" such as traffic congestion and pollution.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HOLDING OF STATE-OWNED ASSETS Caixin Global reported on October 25, 2018 that two central financial committees on October 24 released the new “Comprehensive Report on the Management of State-Owned Assets in 2017.”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US REPORT ON CHINA'S 'INTERNET OF THINGS' (IoT) The U.S.-China Commission released a contracted report written by SOS International on China’s Internet of Things on October 25, 2018. The Report says that since 2009, China has taken steps to catalyse domestic IoT research and development (R&D) and infrastructure development through robust planning initiatives and extensive financial support.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-S&T FORUM The 14th China Science and Technology Periodical Development Forum co-sponsored by the China Association for Science and Technology and the National Press and Publication Administration, was held on October 23-24, in Wuhan, Hubei Province. More than 600 experts, scholars and scientific journal workers from all over the country attended the forum.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENT OF NEW JIANGXI GOVERNOR Yi Lianhong was appointed the new Governor of Jiangxi on October 23. He has been acting governor since August. Yi Lianhong was born in 1959 in Hunan.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WANG HUNING ADDRESSES 17th CONGRESS OF ACFTU Addressing the 17th Congress of the 300-million All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) on October 22, Politburo member Wang Huning said the "country’s worker class should….unswervingly follow the Party’s leadership.”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-EIGHTH XIANGSHAN FORUM Chinese President sent a congratulatory letter to China’s annual high-level security eighth 'Xiangshan Forum' being held in Beijing. According to Xinhua, in the letter he said “The global governance system and international order are changing at a faster pace.” Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe who read out the letter quoted Xi Jinping as expressing in the letter 'China's sincere willingness to increase strategic mutual trust and security cooperation with countries around the world and demonstrated China's resolve to stay on the path of peaceful development and cooperate with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.'
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE'S VISIT TO BEIJING The Washington Post reported (October 26) that meeting Shinzo Abe on October 26, during the first formal visit by a Japanese leader to Beijing in nearly seven years, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the two countries are “sharing more common interests and concerns".
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-S&T: ROBOTICS A report reveals that China is rapidly advancing efforts to acquire factory robots. In 2017, China bought 36% of all factory robots in the world last year, more than any other country including the U.S., and intends to ramp up its own production of them in its attempt to become the pre-eminent technological superpower.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WEAKENING OF THE YUAN The Vice President of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) and the Director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), Pan Gongsheng, introduced the establishment of a private enterprise bond financing at a briefing on the policy of the State Council at the State Council Information Office held a briefing on the policy of the State Council on October 26, 2018.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW DRAFT REGULATIONS FOR FOREIGN BANKS RELEASED ON OCTOBER 25 China’s banking regulator (CBIRC) released new draft regulations on October 25 inviting comments until November 25 and opening the financial sector wider.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE BILLIONAIRES YOUNGER THAN US COUNTERPARTS The fourth edition of the UBS/PwC Billionaires Report reveals that China now has a total of 318 billionaires while the U.S. has 563 and Europe 637. It also claims the average age of a Chinese billionaire in 2016 is 55, compared to 66 in Europe and 67 in the U.S.)
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NEW FORBES CHINA RICH LIST SHOWS RISE OF TECH SECTOR A new 2018 Forbes China Rich List released on October 25, showed that some of China's richest entrepreneurs had their wealth shrink substantially over the past year, but also included new faces. According to the summary, more than 75 percent of the 400 richest Chinese people on last year's list saw their fortunes shrink, with 93 of them dropping out of the ranks this year. Of those who reappeared on this year's list, 229 saw their fortunes drop and nearly one third saw a decline of 20 percent or more.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY CONTROL ON EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS The Deputy Minister of the Organization Department Zhou Yi, Minister of Education Chen Baosheng and the head of the Beijing Municipal Organization Department Wei Xiaodong, announced the appointment of Qiu Shuiping, former Party Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security, as the new Party secretary for BeiDa.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE CRITICISES BRI While on a Latin America tour at the end of last week, US Secretary of State Pompeo told reporters during the trip on October 18, in Mexico City that “when China comes calling it’s not always to the good of your citizens.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: USN WARSHIPS TRANSIT TAIWAN STRAIT Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning confirmed to reporters during a press briefing on October 22, that “in the Taiwan Strait, earlier today, USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit in accordance with international law”.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-FOREIGN BANKS ASK EMPLOYEES TO RECONSIDER TRAVEL TO CHINA Global banks including Citigroup, Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas and JPMorgan have asked their private banking staff to postpone or reconsider travel to China after authorities there prevented a UBS banker from leaving the country.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FDI According to the latest Investment Trends Monitor published on October 22, by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), China has become the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first half of 2018, attracting an estimated US$ 70 billion in inflows.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CLASH IN TAR The International Campaign for Tibet reported (October 19) that on October 11 when Chinese work crews arrived in Choeje village in the Tsolho (Chinese: Hainan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s Chabcha (Chinese: Gonghe) county, according to a source and reported by Radio Free Asia (October 17), Tibetans were attacked for protesting the intrusion of a Chinese work team into a grassland area of Amdo (Qinghai) to set up a solar panel installation.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL CONTROLS ON EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS South China Morning Post reported (October 20) that as the battle over political ideology intensifies on mainland Chinese campuses where students are being mobilised to monitor and report “radical” political views, in the past three months, several professors and schoolteachers have been sacked or disciplined for “out of line” opinions.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: CHINA LIKELY TO DISPLAY NEW STEALTH BOMBER The Chinese media announced on October 15, that the newest long-range strategic bomber will be unveiled during a parade as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2019.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RELIEF TO INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX PAYEES In an unprecedented move, China's Ministry of Finance (MoF) on October 20, announced unveiled draft revisions to the Individual Income Tax Law detailed tax deductions in six different areas.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MEETING OF FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY COMMITTEE (FSDC) The State Council's Financial Development and Stability Committee (FSDC) held its 10th special meeting -- the 10th time in two months -- on October 20. The meeting said that financial risks are under control.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING'S LETTER TO PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS Xinhua on October 21 published Chinese President Xi Jinping's 'open' letter to owners of China's private businesses saying Beijing will continue to value and protect them to ensure a "better tomorrow.’”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING'S INSTRUCTION TO PARTY CHIEFS CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping, has called on General Offices of Party committees at all levels to resolutely safeguard the authority of the CCP "Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership".
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: A CHINESE SCHOLAR'S ASSESSMENT In a recent (October 18) interview with FT, the Dean of the Institute of International Strategy, Peking University Wang Jisi commented that 'the trade war is an omen and a manifestation of the deterioration of Sino-US relations.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: MATTIS' MEETING WITH PRC DEFENCE MINISTER WEI FENGHE ON OCTOBER 18 The New York Times reported (October 19) that US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis tried to lower the temperature on the array of hostilities between Washington and Beijing, saying it is up to the militaries of the two competing global superpowers to act as a stabilizing force amid rising political tensions.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE STATISTICAL BUREAU RELEASES FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER The State Statistical Bureau released monthly economic data for September which shows an economy that continued to decelerate.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COMMENTS BY TOP CHINESE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC OFFICIALS TO SHORE CONFIDENCE There is obvious nervousness about the state of China's economy, indicated also by China's four top economic officials all releasing statements on October 19 apparently in a coordinated attempt to project confidence and calm.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-MILITARY-CIVIL INTEGRATION BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for a stronger sense of mission for deeper military-civilian integration.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA A source close to the military revealed that more than 300 military personnel were implicated in the case involving former PLA General Fang Fenghui who, the CDIC said has been stripped of Party membership for corruption.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING TO TOUR GUANGDONG The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported (October 19) that Chinese President Xi Jinping is to soon embark on what he hopes will be a confidence-boosting tour of Guangdong province.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING'S THOUGHTS EXPLAINED The party’s official mouthpiece 'People's daily' has made an attempt to visually project the Chinese President’s thoughts.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: CHINESE FEMALE ACTIVIST DENIED POLITICAL ASYLUM AFP reported that Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, refused asylum to 41-year old Sayragul Sauytbay, an escaped Chinese national whose court testimony helped expose a secretive network of re-education camps in China’s restive Xinjiang region.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: REACTION TO DEVELOPMENTS IN XINJIANG A former Pakistani Ambassador to the US shared a Times article suggesting that authorities "demand" muslims in Xinjiang to eat Pork.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA 'ADVISES' INDIA NOT TO OVER-REACT TO DRONES SALE TO PAKISTAN The Global Times (October 10, 2018) 'advised' India not to over react to the sale of 48 Wing Loong-II drones by China to Pakistan and sought to justify it by saying "Combating terrorism is a priority for Pakistan, but it is also a big concern for India.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-SOFT POWER: INTERNATIONAL PERCEPTIONS According to data released on October 14 and compiled by the Pew Research Centre, 73 per cent of Asian respondents – represented by polls taken in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia – favoured the United States as the leading global power versus 12 per cent for China.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S REACTION TO US VICE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH OF OCTOBER 5 Xinhua published at least 8 responses attacking the speech. The Central Propaganda Department’s Theory Bureau, writing under the pen name "Zhongxuanli 钟轩理," published 2 commentaries attacking Pence's comments in People's Daily in the week ending October 13.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW 3-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PLAN On October 9, China released a new three-year action plan to restructure the transport sector. Briefly, it provides for more investment in railway freight and shipping and less reliance on long-distance road freight.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA- ECONOMY: CHINA'S NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS ESTIMATES MIDDLE CLASS China's National Statistical Bureau estimates the number of China's middle class at nearly 400 million, less than a third of the population. It defines a middle-class household as one making 25,000 yuan (US$3,640) to 250,000 (US$36,400) yuan a year – a fairly low threshold.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: R&D China's National Statistical Bureau released national R&D spending data for 2017 on October 9.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-'THOUSAND TALENTS PROGRAMME' An article in the Taipei Times on October 14 disclosed that 33 Taiwanese are among the 8,000 experts and academics so far recruited under the Recruitment Program of Global Experts -- known as the 'Thousand Talents Programme' till China’s National Natural Science Foundation banned usage of the term -- launched in 2008 to attract overseas talent to boost development in China’s key technologies, the high-tech industry and emerging technologies.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: PLA NAVY AIR FORCE REPLACING H-6G AIRCRAFT WITH XIAN H-6J VARIANT AIRCRAFT An article in the Diplomat (October 12) reported that the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) has acquired Xian-H-6J anti-ship cruise missile-carrying bombers, according to satellite imagery taken on September 7.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY-CIVIL FUSION At the 4th Exhibition of High-tech Equipment Development of Military-Civilian Integration and Development held on October 13, in Beijing, 176 Military Units signed 154 High-Tech Product Cooperation Projects valued at an estimated 2 Billion RMBs.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP ANTI-CORRUPTION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) said in a statement on its website on October 19, that Lai Xiaomin, former Chairman of China Huarong Asset Management, has been expelled from the Communist Party and will be prosecuted for suspected corruption.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG Xinhua (October 14) reported that You Quan, Member of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee and Head of the CCP CC United Front Work Department visited Urumqi and Hotan in Xinjiang from October 11 - 14, 2018.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: COMMENT ON QUALCOMM INVESTING IN INDIA The state-run Global Times on October 9, 2018 claimed that India was learning from China's reform and opening-up. It noted that the US chipmaker Qualcomm has announced plans to build a US$ 400 million plant in Hyderabad, India, which will be its largest facility outside the US.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US RESTRICTIONS ON TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES AND COOPERATION WITH CHINA Responding to the letter addressed on August 31, by US Senators, and publicised on October 12, about Google collaborating with China on sensitive technologies and products like 'Dragonfly', Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote: “We hope to stay at the forefront of technology developments and believe that Google's tools could help to facilitate an exchange of information and learning that would have broad benefits inside and outside of China.
Oct 2018 |
MEETING BETWEEN US PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING ON SIDELINES OF G-20 in NOVEMBER The Wall Street Journal first reported that US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to hold bilateral meetings during the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE'S VISIT TO CHINA Japan's Prime minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit China from October 25-27, 2018.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AUTO SALES DROP According to data released by the company Friday, overall sales in China fell 43% in September compared with the same month last year and were down 30% through the first nine months of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met Harald Kruger, Chairman of the board of management of BMW Group, in Beijing on October 10.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STRICTER PARTY CONTROLS IMPOSED ON XINJIANG PROCURATORATE The government of Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), vowed on October 8, to launch a campaign against the pan-halal tendency, and require officials and Party members to firmly believe in Marxism and Leninism and speak Putonghua in public.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG LAUNCHES ANTI-HALAL CRACKDOWN In an article posted on Urumqi city’s official WeChat social media account on October 8, party cadres were told to post the same oath on their social media accounts, which read: “My belief is Marxism-Leninism… I must fly the flag high and battle (the) ‘pan-halal trend’ to the end, resolute in my beliefs, even to death!”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-SIERRA LEONE: CHINA'S BRI $ 400 MILLION AIRPORT PROJECT CANCELLED One month after attending the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who took office in April, has cancelled a loan agreement signed by his predecessor for China to build a new $400 million international airport at Mamamah on the ground that the project is “uneconomical” given that the only existing international airport is “grossly under-utilized.” The new airport was supposed to be completed by 2022.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER EXTRADITED FROM BELGIUM AND ARRESTED BY US The New York Times publicised on October 10, that Yanjun Xu, a Deputy Division Director in a regional office of China’s Ministry of State Security (MoSS) was arrested in Belgium and brought to the United States to face espionage charges.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: CECC REPORT OF 2018 PROPOSES NEW INITIATIVES AGAINST CHINA The bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) on October 10, issued the Commission’s 2018 Annual Report which proposed several new joint initiatives to protect U.S. citizens and residents from intimidation and address possible crimes against humanity occurring in China.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: OIL IMPORTS FROM US DROP TO ZERO Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported (October 6) that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the level of U.S. oil exports to China dropped to zero in August. Also in August, U.S. oil exports dropped significantly overall.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINESE STOCKS DROP Chinese stocks registered a major drop on October 8 as traders returned to work after a weeklong holiday. Losses on major indexes in mainland China were as high as 4.8% in a major market rout, with the China A50, which includes major companies from both the Shenzhen and Shanghai indexes, as the biggest loser.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CONTROLS ON MEDIA The online news sites including Phoenix Satellite TV, one of the most influential Chinese-language media based in Hong Kong and the mainland, and 'i.feng' were issued notices on September 26, stating that networks must undergo a shake-up.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: PARTY'S VIEW ON ENHANCING EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION On October 8, the CCP's official newspaper People’s Daily's online edition carried an article by two researchers from the Hunan University School of the Communication and Arts of Film and Television, about China’s propaganda practice in the world entitled “Precision Communication is the inevitable choice for International Communication.”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: PROTESTS BY PLA VETERANS Epoch Times between October 5-8, 2018 published three reports with embedded videos on the suppression of veterans in Pingdu City, Shandong Province. The veterans were protesting that they should receive a fair retirement settlement from the government.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ISLAM: RE-EDUCATION CAMPS FOR MUSLIMS IN XINJIANG GENERATING OPPOSITION A report in China Digital Times on October 9, 2018 claimed that Muslims in India and Bangladesh have condemned China for its ill-treatment of Muslims and incarcerating almost a million Muslims in 're-education' camps.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: 3 CHINESE NATIONALS KILLED Xinhua reported (October 5) that three Chinese nationals were killed on October 4, in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURS FEELING UNCERTAIN Wu Jinglian, the 88-year-old Dean of pro-market Chinese economists, at a forum last month said to Liu He, China’s economic czar, said that “unharmonious voices” were now condemning private enterprise. Wu Jinglian added “The phenomenon is worth noting.”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC PUMPS EXTRA US$ 110 BILLION INTO ECONOMY China on Sunday announced a big cut in the amount of cash commercial banks have to put aside at the central bank, a move that will make an extra US$110 billion available for lending as Beijing works to shore up confidence in its economy and markets.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CONTROLS ON TEACHERS Radio Free Asia reported (October 1, 2018) that the Chinese government issued a notice before the October 1 National Day holiday requiring local schools to strengthen their control over elementary and middle school teachers’ travel abroad. The regulation also applies to kindergarten and retired teachers.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA- DEFENCE S & T: QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY A Report released on September 12, 2018 by the Centre for a New American Security stated that China is positioning itself as a powerhouse in quantum science and in the past several years, Chinese researchers had achieved consistent advances in basic research and development of quantum technologies, including quantum cryptography, communications, and computing, as well as reports of progress in quantum radar, sensing, imaging, metrology, and navigation.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY-CIVIL FUSION In accordance with the guidelines issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the PLA Daily disclosed (October 4) that the think-tank of the PLA Rocket Force recently recruited 13 Chinese technicians from private companies.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-ITALY: BRI Michele Geraci, Undersecretary at the Ministry for Economic Development, said in an interview at his Rome office, that Italy’s government is scrapping the previous administration’s efforts to limit Chinese investment in strategic sectors in favor of fostering relations with Beijing.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-UK: CCTV REPORTER ARRESTED FOR DISRUPTING PUBLIC MEETING IN LONDON One of CCTV's main reporters in London, Lin Lin Kong was arrested for assaulting a volunteer at a Conservative Party Conference Fringe event on human rights in Hong Kong on September 30. She was later released without charge on October 2.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US-HONGKONG AND CHINA ENERGY FUND COMMITTEE (CEFC) US prosecutors on October 3, filed a 32-page document in New York charging former Hong Kong Minister Patrick Ho Chi-ping with bribery and illegally selling weapons to Libya, Qatar and possibly South Sudan in 2015.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US DoD REPORT ON US VULNERABILITIES IN CORE SECTORS In a special 150-page Report prepared by the US DoD on weaknesses in core US industries vital to national security, China represents a “significant and growing risk” to the supply of materials vital to the US military.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US VICE PRESIDENT PENCE'S SPEECH ON SEPTEMBER 4 US Vice President Mike Pence's speech at the Hudson Institute, Washington, scheduled for October 4, 2018 will had a far tougher line on China than till now.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: HONGKONG DENIES VISA TO FINANCIAL TIMES NEWS EDITOR The Hong Kong authorities have rejected an application to renew the work visa of Victor Mallet, Asia News Editor at the Financial Times and Vice President of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC), after he chaired a controversial talk by an independence activist in August.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MPS VICE MINISTER AND INTERPOL CHIEF CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION 64-year Meng Hongwei, head of Interpol and a Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS), has been reported missing from Paris and, according to Hongkong's South China Morning Post may be under investigation in China and was “taken away” for questioning by discipline authorities “as soon as he landed in China” last week.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-PBSC MEMBER ZHAO LEJI VISITS BELARUS AND LAOS Politburo Standing Committee Member and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection head Zhao Leji met Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on September 22 while on an official goodwill visit.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US AND PLA NAVY SHIPS AVOID COLLISION The Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73) was approached on September 30, morning in the South China Sea by a PLAN Luyang-class destroyer in what Navy officials are calling an "unsafe and unprofessional maneuver".
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: US-CANADA-MEXICO TRADE AGREEMENT COULD POTENTIALLY ISOLATE CHINA A special clause in the new US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement gives Washington a near-veto over any attempt by Canada or Mexico to agree to a free-trade deal with a “non-market economy”.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: CMC REACTS TO US SANCTION AGAINST EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT The Deputy Head of the CMC Office for International Military Cooperation Huang Xueping on September 22, 2018, “lodged solemn representations and expressed opposition” to the Acting US Defense Attache David Menser in China and said that the United States’ action is a “flagrant violation of the principles of international relations and a full demonstration of hegemonism which seriously damaged the relationships between the two countries and the two militaries.”
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: REACTION TO SANCTIONS AGAINST PLA EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF CMC The CCP's authoritative official newspaper 'People’s Daily' under its “Zhong Sheng” column criticised the US decision to impose sanctions on the military department.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TOP ACTRESS FAN BINGBING TO PAY TAX China's state media reported on October 3, that 37-year old Fan Bingbing, one of the world's highest paid actresses, has been ordered to pay nearly 892 million yuan (about $130 million) in fines and back taxes.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING CHAIRS EIGHTH PB COLLECTIVE STUDY SESSION Xi Jinping presided over the Eighth Politburo Collective Study Session in Beijing on September 21, where he pointed out that “without modernization for agriculture and rural areas, there will be no modernization for the whole country.”
Oct 2018 |
XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER POLITBURO MEETING ON CCP BRANCH WORK AND NATIONAL CADRE EDUCATION Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo meeting on September 21 on reviewing trial regulations for CCP branch work and a 2018-2022 plan for national cadre education and training.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINA-MYANMAR ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CMEC) On September 9, 2018 Myanmar and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Oct 2018 |
CHINA: EU'S CONNECTIVITY PLAN The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, in the last week of September set out the Europe-Asia Connectivity plan providing for the construction of transport links, as well as development of human, energy and digital networks. It needs to be approved by the EU Parliament and the European Council.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE TOURISM TO US DROPS The South China Morning Post reported that flight bookings from China to the U.S. for the upcoming golden week holiday are down by a dramatic 42 per cent compared with last year’s holiday week.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI MEETS KISSINGER IN NEW YORK Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi met Dr Henry Kissinger in New York on September 25, when he urged the US to stop viewing China with a cold war mentality to keep the Sino-US bilateral ties on a healthy track.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE STUDENTS FORM MAO-MARX STUDY GROUPS IN UNIVERSITIES Chinese students are forming study groups to study Chinese communist ideology and discuss the progress of socialism.
Oct 2018 |
LEADERSHIP- XI JINPING STRESSES 'SELF RELIANCE' ON VISIT TO HEILONGJIANG AND JILIN PROVINCES The state-run China Daily reported (September 27) that Chinese President Xi Jinping was on tour in Heilongjiang province since September 26, where he stressed the importance of self-reliance in food security, the real economy and manufacturing.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGY - RE-EVALUATION OF MAO ZEDONG A new edition of eighth grade Chinese history textbooks printed by the Government-owned People's Education Press carries an amended version of Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution.
Oct 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION The official Global Times on September 25, 2018 quoted experts as saying the ongoing Sino-US trade dispute will provide a chance for China and India to strengthen their agricultural trade, which will help to address the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE NATIONAL CAUGHT IN US FOR ESPIONAGE 27-year old Ji Chaoqun, a Chinese citizen living in Chicago was arrested on September 25, 2018 for allegedly spying, including by helping with the recruitment of U.S. engineers, defense contractors and scientists for intelligence services in China.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINA CANCELS PORT VISIT BY US NAVY SHIP The Chinese Consulate in Hong Kong in a statement on September 26, 2018 stated: “The Chinese government did not approve a request for a port visit to Hong Kong by the USS Wasp.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: DEFENCE R&D - QUANTUM RADAR People's Daily reported on September 25, 2018 that the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology in Jiangsu province, a major State-owned defense contractor, has designed and built a cutting-edge quantum radar which will eventually be able to detect stealth aircraft from great distances.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA INTRODUCES BUDGET PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT The CCP CC and and the State Council issued a top-level policy document on September 24,, called “Opinions on Comprehensive Implementation of Budget Performance Management.”
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: PROTESTS IN TIBET On September 5, 2018, Dorje Rabten, aged about 23 and a monk of Kirti Monastery in Tibet, was arrested by police for staging a public protest in Ngaba (Chinese: Aba) county town, shouting pro-Tibet slogans, according to Kanyag Tsering and Lobsang Yeshe, from the Kirti Monastery in Dharamsala, India. Dorjee Rabten is from Me’uruma township.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE TIGHTENED ON ONLINE BEHAVIOUR Newly revised regulations on Party disciplinary action that will take effect in October, stipulate that members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be expelled from the Party if they openly adhere to bourgeois liberalization online.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PBSC MEMBER HAN ZHENG MEETS PUTIN IN MOSCOW Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member and Vice Premier Han Zheng visited Russia and met Russian President Vladimir Putin. Han Zheng said that “China is willing to work with Russia on … implementing the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders in all respects and promoting bilateral investment and energy cooperation.”
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PEOPLE'S DAILY PRAISES CHINA-RUSSIA BILATERAL COOPERATION The official Party newspaper 'People’s Daily' on September 15, 2018, under its “Zhong Sheng” column, which authoritatively transmits the official positions of the People’s Daily on matters of international affairs, praised Sino-Russian regional cooperation. It observed "in 2017, China’s trade with the Russian Far East Federal District exceeded US$7.7 billion.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY US-CHINA TRADE WAR South China Morning Post on September 22 reported that stocks of major surveillance equipment suppliers to the Chinese government have tumbled since the start of the trade war earlier this year.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: PRC STATE COUNCIL ISSUES WHITE PAPER ON SINO-US TRADE China's State Council Information Office issued a White Paper on China-US trade in September 2018, which was released on September 24. The 68-page White Paper criticised the US for flouting WTO provisions and instead of "free trade" advocating "fair trade".
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: GRAIN PRODUCTION The China Economic Daily on September 16, quoted the State Grain and Reserves Administration in conjunction with eight other departments jointly issuing a notice on conducting well the acquisition of grains in autumn 2018 and requiring local governments to organize and guide market transition from policy-based purchases and storage to market-based acquisitions and purchases.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE COUNCIL SAYS NO 'STAGFLATION' China Economic Daily reported on September 15, that the spokesman of the National Bureau of Statistics, Mao Shengyong said that throughout this year China’s macroeconomic indicators have remained “stable” and there is no danger of stagflation.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DIRECTIVE ON CARING FOR MILITARY VETERANS The PLA Daily on September 18, 2018 reported that the Propaganda Department of the CCP CC, Retired Military Affairs Department of the CCP CC and Department of Veterans Affairs issued a "Notice on Carrying out the "The Most Beautiful Retired Soldiers" Learning and Publicity Activities" stressing study and propaganda activities to "fully implement the spirit of the Party's 19th and 19th Central Committees and the 3rd Plenary Session, and take the approach of Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics as the guide, implement the spirit of the National Propaganda and Ideological Work Conference" to fully demonstrate "the excellent quality and good spirit of retired military veterans".
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING AND NATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE The People’s Daily published four more commentaries between September 15 and 19, 2018, on Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Education Conference held in Beijing on September 10, 2018 where Xi Jinping stressed that “our education must treat cultivating the builders and successors of socialism as its fundamental mission” and “lead the students to love and support the CCP and to be determined in listening to and following the Party.”
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-VATICAN South China Morning Post reported on September 22, that China and the Vatican have reached a historic agreement on the appointment of Chinese bishops, with Pope Francis recognising seven clerics ordained by Beijing without the approval of the Holy See.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: JACK MA OF ALIBABA RENEGS ON PROMISE TO CREATE 1 MILLION JOBS IN US In an interview with China’s state news agency Xinhua published September 19, the Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Jack Ma backed out of his commitment to then President-elect Donald Trump in January 2017 to create 1 million jobs in the US.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: PAKISTAN URGES CHINA TO STOP ILL-TREATMENT OF MUSLIMS The Pakistani newspaper 'Nation' on September 20, reported that Pakistan Federal Minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri while meeting Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing demanded that China soften restrictions on Chinese Muslims living in Xinjiang province.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY'S LEADERSHIP OVER LAWYERS China’s Ministry of Justice recently held a National Party Development Work Conference in Kunming on September 17, to promote the Party’s development work among all lawyers across the nation.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-CYBER: CHINA'S NEW CYBER SECURITY CHIEF WRITES IN QIUSHI Zhuang Rongwen, the new Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) wrote an article in the latest issue of Qiushi on the need to deepen controls over the internet, following Xi jinping's directions at the Aug. 21–22 National Conference on Publicity and Ideological Work.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING CHAIRS CCP CC MEETING ON DEEPENING OVERALL REFORM Xinhua reported on September 20, that Chinese President and General Secretary of the CCP Central Committee Xi Jinping chaired the fourth meeting of the Central Committee for Deepening Overall Reform, which he heads, on September 20.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NUR BEKRI CAUGHT IN ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) said in a brief statement September 21, Nur Bekri, Deputy Chief of the National Economic Planning Agency, has been placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.”
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA A signed People's Daily commentary, under the pen name “Zhong Sheng”, on September 9, 2018 stated that PBSC Member Li Zhanshu’s visit to North Korea as Xi Jinping’s special representative “fully demonstrated the great importance China attached to China-North Korean relationship under a new situation,” and that this arrangement “is helpful in safeguarding the region’s peace and stability.”
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW DRONE BASE IN SHANGHAI The state news outlet 'The Paper' reported (August 30, 2018) that an unmanned aerial vehicle base, the first compound in which the country officially allows drones to carry out multi-scenario testing and applications, officially opened in Shanghai's Jinshan Industrial Zone.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DEFENCE S&T - CIVIL-MILITARY FUSION In keeping with Chinese President Xi Jinping's directives, 4,038 patents were declassified in April to aid military-civilian integration.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM The annual China World Economic Forum meeting opened in Tianjin on September 18, 2018. Speaking at a session on 'China's financial opening', Liu Shijin, Vice Chairman of the China Development Research Foundation and Member of the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, implied a loosening of monetary policy to further support economic growth by saying that the central bank will provide a reasonable and sufficient supply of funds for the economy.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNITED FRONT PBSC Member and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Wang Yang attended the 3rd collective study session of the CPPCC Party leadership group in Beijing on September 10.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING The People's Daily reported (September 11) that Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a National Education Conference on 10 September in Beijing.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: ACQUISITION OF HAIFA PORT A report in an Israeli newspaper claimed The Shanghai International Port Group's management of the newly expanded Haifa port is due to be inaugurated in 2021.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-SWEDEN: ALLEGED ILL TREATMENT OF CHINESE TOURIST The latest diplomatic incident between China and Sweden that erupted in the media related to a Chinese tourist, Zeng, travelling with his parents and who were denied admission to a Generator Hotel in Stockholm.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINA CRITICISES APPLE FOR DISPLAYING FLAGS OF HONG KONG AND TAIWAN At the launch of its new new model of iPhones in California on September 12, the background screen prepared for the event showed the individual flags of Hong Kong and Taiwan, and used the flag of the Republic of China for the latter.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: US DEPT OF JUSTICE ASKS CGTN AND XINHUA TO REGISTER AS 'FOREIGN AGENTS' The US Justice Department ordered Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network—known as CGTN now and earlier as CCTV -- to register as foreign agents.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: ANTI-ESPIONAGE CAMPAIGN TARGETING TAIWAN According to a report, a variety of sources reported that Chinese authorities sent out an urgent notice on September 14 to work units, companies, government departments, universities and more, across the country, demanding that they watch the September 15 nightly Network News Broadcast on CCTV, as well as CCTV’s September 15 and 16 “Focus Talk” programs, and also study the detailed reports due to be published on September 16 on Global Times online, as well as its the September 17 print edition.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa began a three-day visit to China on September 16, 2018, days after a Pakistani Minister stirred unease about Chinese Silk Road projects in the South Asian nation.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY Chinese President Xi Jinping’s top economic adviser, Vice Premier Liu He attended the 20th anniversary conference of the Chinese Economists 50 Forum, a club he helped co-found when he was a government adviser, on September 16, and met a group of pro-reform economists in a show of support for a liberal vision of the country’s economic future.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 10th National Assembly OF OVERSEAS CHINESE HELD IN BEIJING A major convocation of overseas Chinese, overseas Chinese returnees and their families, was held in Beijing from August 29 to September 1. All seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) attended the opening ceremony.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-NEPAL: HYDRO PROJECT PART OF BRI CANCELLED A high-level delegation from CWE Investment Corporation, a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation which had in 2012 undertaken to execute the project in a memorandum of understanding (MOU), told the Nepalese authorities in the last week of August 2018 that the 750-megawatt West Seti hydropower project is financially unfeasible because of the steep resettlement and rehabilitation costs.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY EXERCISES Russia's Vostok-2018 military exercises in the Far East and Siberia is the largest military drill in post-Soviet history. Beijing has sent a contingent of 3,200 troops, 30 aircraft, 900 tanks and armored vehicles.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RAIL TRANSPORTATION PLANS Citing official figures Asia times reported on September 15, that the total length of China’s railway network reached 127,000km by the end of last year.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-DOMESTIC POLICY IN FACE OF TRUMP'S TARIFFS Writing in the Washington Post on August 23, 2018, China's Tsinghua University Professor Yan Xuetong observed that U.S.-China trade tensions this year have bolstered protectionist forces in both countries that support a tit-for-tat trade war, posing a serious threat to China’s development.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: 'RE-EDUCATION SCHOOLS FOR UYGHUR STUDENTS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on September 13, that nearly 3,000 Uyghur children from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), whose parents have been taken to political re-education camps, are being held in so-called 'Little Angel Schools', where they take classes.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET POLICY Chinese diplomat traveled to Lhasa on August 21 to attend a meeting on promoting the Party’s talking points on Tibet through China’s global influence operations.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-AFRICA: XI JINPING'S SPEECH TO FORUM ON CHINA-AFRICAN COOPERATION (FOCAC) In his keynote address at the opening of the Forum on China-African Cooperation (FOCAC) on September 3, 2018 Chinese President Xi Jinping promised that China’s aid to Africa comes with no strings attached.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-THAILAND: CSIC BUILDING TYPE S26T SUBMARINE FOR THAI NAVY The state-owned Global Times on September 5, publicised that the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) announced on its WeChat account on September 4, that it has started building a Type S26T submarine for the Royal Thai Navy.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: ANOTHER BID TO GET INDIA TO JOIN BRI Reacting to India's proposed US$ 60 billion plan to build 100 airports in the next 10-15 years, China's state-owned Global Times on September 5, again recommended that India "embrace the China-proposed Belt and Road (B&R) initiative as it would help the South Asian country's massive airport plan."
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-NPC CHAIRMAN LI ZHANSHU WILL VISIT NORTH KOREA FOR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS National People’s Congress (NPC) Chairman and PBSC Member Li Zhanshu will represent Chinese President Xi Jinping at the DPRK’s 70th anniversary celebrations on September 9, 2018.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US:TRADE WAR Reacting to reports that the US is poised to impose previously announced tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods as early as september 7, Gao Feng spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) warned on September 6 that China will take necessary countermeasures to protect its own economic interests if the US imposes new tariffs on Chinese goods.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED OBSERVATION SYSTEM INSTALLED IN TIBET The official news agency Xinhua reported on September 5, 2018, that China installed its first independently-developed atmosphere observation system known as APSOS in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CURBS ON TAX EVASION The People's Daily reported on September 4, 2018 that China has now signed an information sharing agreement with 100 other countries to makes sure that Chinese citizens are paying their taxes abroad, as well. The agreement is called the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEBT The Wall Street Journal (September 3) reported that 'Zhang Ming, an economist with state-run Institute of World Economics and Politics, estimates that “hidden debt” totaled 23.57 trillion yuan ($3.45 trillion) at the end of 2017, greater than the 18.58 trillion yuan of local government debt acknowledged in official data.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: PLAN COMMANDER TO VISIT USA People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Commander Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong plans to visit the US in the middle and end of September 2018.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S DEFENCE CHIEF SAYS CHINESE MILITARY ACTIVITIES HAVE INCREASED Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera on September 3, warned that Japan faces a tough security environment, with China and Russia stepping up military activity and North Korea posing "imminent threats".
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE PREMIER SHINZO ABE TO VISIT CHINA Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Sankei Shimbun in September that “Premier Li Keqiang visited Japan in May and the Japan-China relationship has completely returned to a normal track,”and he hoped to visit Beijing in October 2018.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN: SUBMARINE RESCUE Xinhua on September 2 publicised that the PLAN had successfully carried out a submarine rescue drill in the East China Sea the previous day. It added that Chinese military experts had described it a "worldwide challenge." The drill involved frigates, submarines, rescue vessels and anti-submarine aircraft from multiple PLA Navy forces.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW POLITICAL COMMISSAR OF TIBET MILITARY REGION PLAA Major General Zhang Xuejie was recently promoted as Political Commissar of the Tibet Military Region. The appointment was revealed on August 3, 2018. He was earlier the Deputy Director of the Political Work Department of the PLA Eastern Theater Command.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW REVISED REGULATIONS FOR PARTY DISCIPLINE On August 26, 2018 the CCP CC issued new revised 'Regulations on Disciplinary Actions of the Communist Party of China'.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PBSC MEMBER AND CPPCC CHAIRMAN WANG YANG INSPECTS TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION (TAR) Xinhua reported (August 26) that PBSC Member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang 'inspected' Tibet from August 24 to 26, 2018 and visited Changdu and Lhasa.
Sep 2018 |
XI JINPING ADDRESSES FIRST MEETING OF 'CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR COMPREHENSIVE RULING BY LAW China's official news agency Xinhua reported on August 24, that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping, who is also the Director of the Central Committee for Comprehensive Ruling by Law, hosted its first meeting and delivered an important speech.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING ADDRESSES NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROPAGANDA AND IDEOLOGICAL WORK CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping addressed the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work held in Beijing on August 21-22, 2018. Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) and Central Committee (CC) Secretariat member Wang Huning presided over the conference.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-BRI: ETHIOPIA HAS DEBT REPAYMENT DIFFICULTIES As Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrives in Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which starts on September 3, 2018, China’s mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa said on its website in July that “The intensifying repayment risks from the Ethiopian government’s debt reaching 59 percent of GDP is worrying investors.”
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR: PEOPLE'S DAILY COMMENTARY BY DY HEAD OF NDRC In a commentary in the People's Daily on August 26, Long Guoqiang, Vice President of the PRC State Council’s in-house think tank, the Development Research Center, voiced what is quickly becoming the consensus view on American motivations for a trade war.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-OVERSEAS PLA BASE: AFGHANISTAN The South China Morning Post on August 28, 2018 quoted the Afghan Embassy in Beijing as saying that China is helping Afghanistan to set up a mountain brigade in the country’s north to boost counterterrorism efforts.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-HI-TECH DEFENCE SOEs The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) with 170,000 employees and annual revenue hovering around the US$34 billion-mark, is one of China's bigger SoEs and its core is the nation’s space program and missile development and an array of hi-tech defence projects from devastating ‘wave-riders’ to nuclear-powered space shuttles and micro rockets.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-PLA RESTRUCTURING As part of the downsizing of the PLA, the staff and circulation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily is also being reduced and restricted.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP- XI JINPING Since the 2-week long Beidaihe meetings, Chinese President Xi Jinping has held at least 4 high-level Party meetings. He first convened a meeting on August 18 of China's top generals and demanded that the military show absolute loyalty to the party.
Sep 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: OPERATIONALISATION OF 'HOTLINE' Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on August 24, 2018 reported that an agreement on a Japan-China hotline aimed at averting military clashes between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military in the East China Sea and other areas includes a provision that allows for a moratorium of up to 48 hours from the breakout of a volatile situation to the start of communications.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGIOUS CONTROLS The Voice of America (VOA) Chinese-language service on August 24, cited a Chinese-American Christian minister Liu Yi as having tweeted online that in parts of Henan Province some Christians are required to renounce their Christian beliefs and to sign a document to that effect.
Aug 2018 |
XI JINPING CHAIRS FIRST MEETING OF CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR COMPREHENSIVELY RULING THE COUNTRY BY LAW Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 24, chaired the first session of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Ruling the Country by Law, which was established in March 2018.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on August 24, 2018 that General Wei Liang, Political Commissar of the PLA Southern Theatre Command and General Xu Fenlin, a former deputy chief of the CMC’s Joint Staff Department and former Commander of the now defunct Guangzhou Military Area Command, which was absorbed into the Southern Theatre Command, were demoted to deputy regimental officer as a result of unspecified disciplinary action.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA The PLA Daily published a series of commentator articles propagating Xi Jinping’s speech at the CMC Party construction conference. The first article emphasized that “the key to strengthening the military is the Party” and that “the Party leads everything.”
Aug 2018 |
CHINESE MAGAZINE SAYS NEW AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER HAS HISTORY OF BLOCKING CHINESE INVESTMENT An article in the reputed Chinese financial magazine Caixin on August 24 said new Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2016 rejected bids by two Chinese companies in the sale of Australia's largest power grid and as a Cabinet member took a "skeptical view" toward G5 network equipment vendors with ties to foreign governments.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: PLAN PARTICIPATING FOR FIRST TIME IN NAVY EXERCISE China's PLA Navy’s guided missile corvette 'Huangshan' with a helicopter sailed from Guangdong on August 21 to participate in Australia’s premier multilateral naval war games, Exercise Kakadu.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR AND WTO COMPLAINT On August 23, after the US announced tariffs on an additional $16 billion worth of Chinese goods, China's Ministry of commerce announced that China has filed a complaint with the WTO against the US levies.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: MAHATHIR EXPRESSES DOUBTS ABOUT BRI AND 'SUSPENDS' US$ 20 BILLION PROJECT At a press conference after meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 20, 2018 on his first visit to Beijing since his election in May, 93-year Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad said he supports free trade as long as it’s fair.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: VISA DENIED TO JOURNALIST FOR REPORTING ON XINJIANG Buzzfeed’s China bureau chief, Megha Rajagopalan has been denied a visa by Chinese authorities.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-XINHUA REPORT ON 5 YEARS OF BRI China's official news agency Xinhua on August 22, 2018 published a report on the opportunities created by the Belt & road Initiative in the Five Years since 2013.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INDICATORS OF ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN Over the weekend of August 18-20, a post by Chinese blogger Ming Na and headlined “This Generation of Young Chinese, Brace for the Bitter Days Ahead,” by Ming Na, a blogger, received more than 300,000 views on the social media platform WeChat.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: THREE SENIOR CHINA SHIP BUILDING INDUSTRY CORPN (CSIC) PERSONNEL KILLED IN TYPHOON 51-year old Huang Qun, Deputy Director of CSIC’s No 760 Institute in Dalian, Song Yuecai, 61-year former submarine Captain and Chief Scientist of the Experimental Programme and Jiang Kaibin, its Chief Electromechanical Engineer were confirmed to have drowned off the coast of Dalian on August 20 after being swept out to sea by Typhoon Rumbia.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STATE COUNCIL LEADING SMALL GROUP FOR DEVELOPING WESTERN REGIONS MEETS PRC Premier Li Keqiang chaired a meeting of the State Council Leading Small Group on Development of Western Regions on August 20. Others who attended were: Vice-Premiers Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan and Liu He, State Councilor Wang Yong, Secretary General Xiao Jie, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng, and Bater, Minister of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW APPOINTMENT 1963-born Xu Lin, head of China Cyberspace Administration from July 2016 to July 2018 has been appointed head of the State Council Information Office.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP PARTY BUILDING IN PLA Speaking in Beijing on August 19, 2018 at a conference on Party building in the PLA (August 17-19,2018) Chinese President Xi Jinping called for efforts to 'comprehensively strengthen the leadership' of the CCP and Party building in the country's armed forces 'to ensure a solid political guarantee for the building of a strong military'.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING ADDRESSES NATIONAL PROPAGANDA AND IDEOLOGY WORK CONFERENCE Addressing a 2-day National Propaganda and Ideology Work Conference in Beijing that ended on August 22, 2018 CCP CC General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping started by addressing criticism that propaganda has gotten out of control recently.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: EL SALVADOR SWITCHES RECOGNITION TO PRC El Salvador on August 7, 2018 officially established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China after severing ties with Taiwan.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: BRI AND DEBT SERVICING Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan in his first speech to the nation after his swearing-in as Prime Minister admitted that Pakistan's finances are in dire straits and it needs to take a loan to pay the interest on loans it had taken.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-BRI: DEBTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES PILE UP Recipients of BRI projects and loans are increasingly finding it difficult to repay their loans.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TELECOMMUNICATION China's Economic Daily reported (August 22) ) that as of June 2018, the number of Internet users in China reached 802 million, with a penetration rate of 57.7%.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-VATICAN: RELIGIOUS CONTROLS “The separation of government and religion must be upheld.”
Wang Zuoan made no direct reference to any religion or the talks with the Vatican.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW PROJECTS FOR NEXT 3 - 5 YEARS Quoting a US media report, an official Chinese news outlet on August 15, 2018 listed the five big projects of the Chinese Navy in the next five years.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA- National People’s Congress Standing Committee China's National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee announced on August 18, that it will hold its next session from August 27-31.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-POVERTY ALLEVIATION The CCP CC Politburo and China's State Council on June 1, released guidelines on winning the battle against poverty over the next three years.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING PRESIDES OVER PBSC MEETING TO DISCUSS DEFECTIVE VACCINE CASE Xinhua reported (July 16) that Chinese President and CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over and delivered an important speech at a Politburo Standing Committee meeting on July 16, 2018 on the Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology Company defective vaccine case.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-ISLAM: ISLAMIC TERRORIST TRAINING OUTFIT 'MALHAMA TACTICAL' PLANS EXPANSION INTO CHINA According to a Jamestown Foundation Brief, in early August 2017, 'Malhama Tactical', a militant group operating in Syria and sometimes labelled the “Blackwater of jihad,” issued a statement in which it hinted at a planned expansion into China and alluded to the experiences of China’s Uighur population in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FRIENDLY CONTACTS Exchanging congratulatory messages on August 12 to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Beijing is willing to join hands with Tokyo to work for the long-term healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: VOA JOURNALISTS DETAINED BY CHINESE POLICE Chinese authorities detained a Voice of America Mandarin Service correspondent Yibing Feng and a multimedia journalist on contract with VoA, Allen Ai for at least six hours ON August 13 evening i n Jinan, Shandong province .
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN PRESIDENT'S STOP OVER IN US Three pro-Taiwan U.S. House representatives in California including Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, the committee’s Asia and Pacific subcommittee ranking member Brad Sherman and Congresswoman Judy Chu, joined Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen during her stopover in Los Angeles.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR & CHINA'S DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN SEMI-CONDUCTORS In the aftermath of the US ban initially and later punitive fines on China's telecom company ZTE, top Chinese leaders are concerned about their vulnerability to potentially “neck-choking” technologies. especially dependence on foreign semiconductors.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: US-CHINA TRADE WARS On August 6, 2018, the People’s Daily Foreign Edition launched an attack against US President Donald Trump’s trade policy using a Wang Hailou (望海楼) column, an important column directed at members of the Chinese diaspora, written by a senior editor for the newspaper, Hu Jihong (胡继鸿).
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHES NEGATIVE ARTICLE ON INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY A Global Times article published (August 15, 2018) on "the anniversary of the country's independence from the British Empire in 1947" said while in the subsequent decades India lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, "but it has long been beset by a failure to achieve its manufacturing ambitions".
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HONGKONG TO BE FURTHER INTEGRATED WITH MAINLAND China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that PBSC member and Vice Premier Han Zheng presided over the first meeting of the State Council Leading Small Group for Developing the Greater Bay Area in Beijing on August 15.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA- RE-EDUCATION CENTRES IN XINJIANG At a meeting of a United Nations human rights panel in Geneva on August 13, a Chinese delegation categorically denied there was no such thing as 're-education centers' in Xinjiang or that there was any subjugation of religious freedom in the Muslim-majority region.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG PCC TAKES EMERGENCY LOAN In an unprecedented development the Sixth Division of the Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps [XPCC] borrowed RMB 500 million as a 270-day loan at a punitive 5.89% rate of interest to make a bond payment that defaulted on August 13.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Ding Xuexiang, Director of the CCP CC General Office delivered a lecture to staff of the Party’s General Office on July 1, the anniversary of the founding of the CCP.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: LEADING RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER QUESTIONS BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE The Global Times reacted on August 7 to an article in Russia's daily newspaper 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta' which said "the more Beijing invests in promoting BRI for Central Asia, the more local people oppose China".
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL SOFTENS ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHINA Speaking at the University of New South Wales on August 7, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in a departure from his previous speeches said Australia and China had prospered by deepening collaboration.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-CIVIL AVIATION: 'RECTIFICATION' OF DESTINATIONS At a press conference on August 10, Gu Xiaohong, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said that as of July 25, among the 44 airlines, 40 completed the rectification (depiction of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) and the remaining four submitted a rectification report to the CAAC on July 25.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: UYGHURS IN CAMPS IN XINJIANG Asahi Shimbun on August 11 reported that Gay McDougall, a member of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, cited estimates on August 10 at the start of a two-day regular review of China's record including Hong Kong and Macao, and said that 2 million Uyghurs and Muslim minorities were forced into "political camps for indoctrination" in the western Xinjiang autonomous region. A Chinese delegation of some 50 officials made no comment on her remarks at the Geneva session.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: S&T DAILY EDITOR CRITICISES "BOASTFULNESS" AND "EXAGGERATED NATIONALIST PRIDE" A speech delivered by Liu Yadong (刘亚东), Editor-in-Chief of the Science and Technology Daily, has been circulating extensively on China's social media.
Aug 2018 |
PEOPLE'S DAILY DEFENDS CHINA'S POLICIES SAYING CHINA'S GROWTH HAS TRIGGERED US REACTIONS A 2000-character article published in the People's Daily on August 10, 2018 acknowledged that "there are also some plausible views circulating on the Internet.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: RESEARCHERS RECEIVE AWARDS According to Xinhua, recently Chinese government awarded three PLA researchers. Professor Xiao Fei, Director of a research institute at the Naval Engineering University, was awarded the ‘First Class’.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS The State Council’s Leading Small Group for Migrant Workers has been reshuffled.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BEIDIAHE CONCLAVE 62 expert academicians arrived in Beidaihe from Beijing on August 3 for a vacation at the invitation of the Party Central Committee and the State Council.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP CHARACTERISES CHINESE STUDENTS IN US AS SPIES At a dinner on August 7, 2018, US President Trump "expressed concern that some foreign students were acting as foreign agents, particularly from China".
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP CHARACTERISES CHINESE STUDENTS IN US AS SPIES At a dinner on August 7, 2018, US President Trump "expressed concern that some foreign students were acting as foreign agents, particularly from China".
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP AND US-CHINA TRADE WAR Japan's Nikkei Asian Review on August 9, 2018 said that the ruling party's annual conclave in Beidaihe, a seaside resort in Hebei Province, has begun.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREIGN TRADE The Customs Bureau released trade date for July on August 8, 2018.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREX RESERVES The People's Bank of China (PBoC) released the official Foreign Exchange reserve data on August 7, 2018.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY CONTROLS ON TAX AUTHORITIES Over the past month, bodies for collecting national and local taxes, which had thus far been separate, have been merged. Leading Party groups (党组) within tax authorities at all levels have been changed to Party committees (党委).
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-S & T: NEW NATIONAL S & T LEADING GROUP (NSTLG) On August 8, 2018 the State Council has decided to change the name of the National Science, Technology and Education Leading Group to the National Science and Technology Leading Group [NSTLG].”
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FAMILY PLANNING POLICY Release of the new stamps on August 9 to mark the Year of the Pig sparked speculation of a loosening of the two-child policy as the stamps depicted a family of pigs with three little pigs.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP CONSULTATIONS AT BEIDAIHE The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP CC) and State Council between August 3 and 8, 2018 invited outstanding experts from the scientific research and production departments across the country to Beidaihe for vacation.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR -- CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS CHINA WILLING TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES WITH USA Reuters reported on August 3, 2018 that China's Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi, said on August 3 that cooperation between China and the US is the only right choice and "China is willing to resolve differences on a principle of equal footing".
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTELLECTUAL PROTESTS In September 2017 just prior to the 19th Party Congress, Luo Jianbo, Head of the China Foreign Policy Center at the Central Party School, Beijing had cautioned against over-estimating China's strength and said the people need to guard against "arrogance" and "conceit".
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) SUBMARINE UNDER DEVELOPMENT A Chinese blog recently cited foreign media reports that China is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) submarine to attack enemy aircraft carrier battle groups.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY (PLAN): NEW TYPE 052 "AEGIS" DESTROYER INDUCTED INTO PLAN The PLAN inducted its thirteenth Type 052 (Aegis) Destroyer, named 'Nanjing', into service on August 1, 2018. The destroyer was described as deployed with an unidentified “full shield” destroyer detachment of the PLA Eastern Theatre Command Navy.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA- PLA NAVY: PLAN FIGHTER JET TAKES OFF AND LANDS ON 'LIAONING' -- TIBET On the eve of the PLA's 91st Founding anniversary a fighter jet of the PLA Navy conducted its maiden take-off, landing and firing drills from China's first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, at an unidentified distant sea, under simulated real-combat conditions.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA- PLA: MILITARY-CIVIL DEVELOPMENT On August 1, Xinhua reported that a high-level meeting coordinated jointly by the office of the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development, the Standardization Administration, the Equipment Development Department under the Central Military Commission, the State Administration of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense had been held in Beijing on July 31.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: REFORM On the occasion of the PLA's 90th Founding Anniversary on August 1, 2018 China's official news agency Xinhua published an article reviewing Xi Jinping’s military reforms over the past three years.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA 91st FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY The PLA organised a ceremony on August 1 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to celebrate the 91st Founding Anniversary of the PLA.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG VISITS LHASA AND LINZHI IN TIBET Premier Li Keqiang visited the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) from July 25-27, 2018 to inspect work on the Sichuan-Tibet Railway.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BEIDAIHE MEETING Speculation in Beijing that the senior, veteran Party leaders and members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) are at Beidaihe for the annual confabulations was confirmed on August 8 with China's official media reporting that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang received newly-elected President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces there on August 8, 2018.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-GERMANY: TAKE-OVER BY CHINESE COMPANY BLOCKED Bloomberg News reported on July 28, 2018 that at the instance of the German authorities the State-owned investment bank KfW will temporarily acquire a 20 percent holding in 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, one of Germany's largest power-grid operators.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR The Wall Street Journal reported on August 1, that to ratchet up pressure on Beijing the US is considering more than doubling its proposed tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25%.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-US: DEFENCE CONTACT Chinese Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, disclosed on July 30 at an embassy event in Washington celebrating the anniversary of the PLA’s founding, that PLA Navy Commander Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong, will accompany Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on the latter's visit to the US later this year.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA'S RESIDENCE DEMOLISHED The International Campaign for Tibet reported on July 30, that the former home of the parents of the Dalai Lama, 'one of the largest and most important of the few remaining historic buildings in Lhasa', has been demolished and a new concrete structure is being built in its place.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS 57-year old Zhuang Rongwen was named on August 1, to head the Cyberspace Administration of China.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL PROTEST On July 24, Unirule (天则), the liberal economic think tank in Beijing, published a 10,000-character essay by Tsinghua University legal scholar Xu Zhangrun (许章润) which has sparked wide interest inside China and among observers abroad.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMIC DAILY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PROPAGATES XI JINPING THOUGHT ON MEDIA The Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Economic Daily Zhang Lei (张磊) wrote an article in the PLA Daily stressing that the core of “Xi Jinping’s Thought on News” is to “reinforce and improve the Party’s leadership on the work of news and public opinion.”
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW PATRIOTIC CAMPAIGN Xinhua on July 31 publicised a directive jointly issued by the CCP CC Organisation Department and CCP CC Propaganda (Publicity) Department on June 29, 2018 urging members of the Party, Military, Government, intellectuals and others to "carry forward the patriotic spirit of struggle, to make contributions to a new era" campaign.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS 57-year old Zhuang Rongwen was named on August 1, to head the Cyberspace Administration of China. He had been a Deputy Director since 2015. Zhuang Rongwen succeeds Xu Lin, a propaganda official who had held the job since June 2016.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S PERSONALITY CULT On July 5, the People’s Daily reported a speech Xi Jinping made to a national work conference on Party appointments, known as “organization work,” or zuzhi gongzuo (组织工作), that was held in Beijing from July 3-4.
Aug 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLAAF AIRBORNE TROOPS CARRY OUT 'LIVE-FIRE' EXERCISES IN HIGH-ALTITUDE PLATEAU IN WESTE A Brigade of PLAAF Airborne troops were reported on July 11 to have carried out 'live-fire' exercises in the high-altitude plateau region in west Sichuan province.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA EXERCISES IN TIBET An Unidentified Reccee Regiment of the Tibet Military Region Frontier Defense conducted a Confrontation drill " at the southern Tibetan plateau" at an altitude of 4700 meters.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RESTRICTIONS IN SICHUAN ON TIBETANS DRIVING MOTORCYCLES Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on 26 July that the authorities in Sichuan’s Serthar county are refusing to issue drivers’ licenses to Tibetan nomads.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA PROMOTIONS A number of Officers from the PLA Army (PLAA), PLA Air Force (PLAAF), PLA Navy (PLAN) and PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) have been promoted to the rank of Major General and Lt General since June 19, 2018.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PREMIER LI KEQIANG Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Lhasa's Gonggar airport on July 26 on an inspection of the Gala mountain tunnel, which is at an altitude of 3500 metres, on the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. PRC Premier Li Keqiang also visited Linzhi.
Jul 2018 |
China- Security companies ingress Africa Foreign Policy (July 24) said Chinese security technology companies are present in many parts of Africa and that many countries in Africa are reliant on Chinese companies for their telecoms and digital services.
Jul 2018 |
China-Taiwan: 50 PLA Navy ships go through Taiwan Strait Taiwan Defense Department sources reportedly disclosed that on June 20 and 21, 2018 a total of 50 PLA Navy ships including the "Chinese Shendun 中华神盾" destroyer passed through the Taiwan Strait.
Jul 2018 |
China-Chinese Communist Party's reaction to the US-China 'Trade War' Since the US first decided to impose tarrifs on US$ 34 billion worth of Chinese exports on 6 July, the CCP's official newspaper published 7 commentaries on the 'Trade War'.
Jul 2018 |
China-Internal: Big Data and National Defence Mobilisation The PLA Daily on June 20 published an article stressing that “the application of big data to national defense mobilization is a trend; only by following the trend, reinforcing big data infrastructure building, and enhancing the ability to utilize big data in national defense mobilization can one have the initiative in future warfare mobilization.”
Jul 2018 |
China-Internal: Ideological education The official 'The Paper' on July 8, reported that eight students graduated from Shandong University with degrees in “United Front Studies.”
Jul 2018 |
China-Internal: Party discipline A commentary titled 'Straighten Out The Communist Party’s Spiritual Backbone' was published by the CCP CC theoretical fortnightly journal on June 15 under the pen-name “Qiu Shi” (秋石).
Jul 2018 |
China-Internal: CPPCC Inspection Team visits Gansu Province The CPPCC Daily on June 16, reported that the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee’s Ethnic and Religious Committee Director
Jul 2018 |
China-Internal: CCP Composition The CPC News released several graphs in late June 2018 reviewing the demographic changes and other information on the development of the CCP in 2017.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-DJIBOUTI: INAUGURATION OF LARGEST FREE TRADE ZONE IN AFRICA 240-hectares of a 4,800 hectare US$ 3.5 billion initiative Free Trade Zone, the largest in Africa, was inaugurated in Djibouti on July 5, 2018.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-GERMANY: CHINESE ESPIONAGE The German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on July 6 that Chinese agents were using fake social media profiles — already networked with several members of the German parliament — to contact German MPs and offer them money in exchange for expertise and insider knowledge.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-US: THE TRADE WAR On July 6, 2018 China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, said China’s tit-for-tat measures “had taken effect immediately after the implementation of the US tariffs.”
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION CHRISTIANITY An open-church priest who serves in Luoyang Diocese of Sanmenxia City, Henan province claims that local officials visited his church on July 1 and handed him a circular titled "Special Office Emergency Notice", ordering clergy to follow the instructions laid out therein.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP- ANTI XI JINPING PROTEST On July 4th morning a young woman live-streamed herself splashing ink on an image of Xi Jinping in front of a Shanghai office building while speaking out against one-party rule in China.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE NATIONAL ARRESTED FOR ESPIONAGE The US Department of Justice disclosed on June 21, 2018 that 41-year old Shuren Qin, a Chinese national residing in Wellesley, Mass., was arrested on June 21 and will appear in federal court in Boston on June 22, 2018.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WOMENS RIGHTS NEW REGULATION ON ABORTIONS According to a report of June 22, Jiangxi province issued guidelines the previous week stipulating that women more than 14 weeks pregnant must have signed approval from three medical professionals confirming an abortion is medically necessary before any procedure.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW REGULATIONS FOR COAST GUARD The bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress on June 22 passed a resolution specifying the authority and responsibilities of the newly reshuffled China Coast Guard.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WORK ON NEW NUCLEAR ICE BREAKER SHIP COMMENCED The PLA Daily on June 23 reported that China has opened the bid to construct its first nuclear-powered icebreaker support ship, which according to Chinese military observers is a move to prepare for the construction of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY AND CSIC Separately, a photo of the meeting, held at CSIC’s China Ship and Vessel Research and Design Institute in the central city of Wuhan, has aroused interest.
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NO: 2 RANKED CSIC OFFICIAL APPREHENDED FOR CORRUPTION AND POSSIBLE ESPIONAGE 57-year Sun Bo, General Manager and second-highest-ranking executive at the state-owned military-industry shipbuilding juggernaut China Shipbuilding Industry Corp (CSIC), has been arrested by the National Supervision Commission and the Communist Party’s Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and is under investigation for “gross violation of laws and party discipline.”
Jul 2018 |
CHINA-US: US THINKING OF LIMITING VISAS TO CHINESE To protect U.S. technological discoveries, the US State Department is beginning a new practice from this month which gives consular officers increased discretion to restrict visas for Chinese graduate students in certain important high-tech fields to one year.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: FDI FROM CHINA PLUMMETS The New York-based Rhodium Group reported last week that Chinese foreign direct investment in the U.S. plummeted 92% in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: US PILOTS BLINDED BY LASER IN PACIFIC A report on CNN's website on June 22 stated that Lasers have been used to target US aerial operations in the Pacific and 20 incidents have been recorded since September 2017.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CRITICAL ARTICLE ON BJP The state-run Global Times on June 21 published an article citing a report in the Indian Express and asserted that "the "China threat" theory is once again being hyped up in India".
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM ON MARKET REGULATION A report of May 18 disclosed that China recently established the State Administration for Market Regulation ("SAMR"), which combines the antitrust enforcement responsibilities of the previous Price Supervision and Antimonopoly Bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC"), the Antimonopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce ("MOFCOM"), and the Antimonopoly and Anti-unfair Competition Bureau of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: JACK MA WARNS GOOD DAYS FOR CHINA'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ARE NUMBERED The well-known Chinese news site Tencent News reported on June 14 that Alibaba Group Chairman Jack Ma had recently delivered a speech at the Conference of the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY In an editorial on June 20, China's leading influential financial magazine Caixin commented on the recent emergence of cases of local government employees in China demanding overdue wages and said this has caused widespread concern.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINA USING TRADE AS A WEAPON Australia's wine industry which sells approx US$ 644 million worth of wines to China is facing an imminent crisis as wine shipments are now being delayed at major Chinese ports.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: HOW BAN ON ZTE WAS LIFTED The US website americanconservative.com reported that the Chinese Telecom company Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment (ZTE) Corporation opted for an aggressive, extremely well-paid Chinese influence operation in Washington.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: 'TRADE WAR' The US Administration on June 15 announced it would move ahead with imposing a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of Chinese products that are imported into the United States, escalating what had primarily been a war of words between the world’s two largest economies into a full-blown trade war.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA'S KIM JUNG UN TO MEET SHINZO ABE? China's state-run Global Times Chinese-language edition on June 14 quoted Japan’s Kyodo News as saying on June 14 that 'According to relevant sources of the Japanese government on the 14th, the North Korean Workers’ Party Chairman Kim Jong-un said at the U.S.-DPRK summit meeting that “it is possible to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Be open-minded.'
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DELAY PAYING WAGES Civil servants in Leiyang were supposed to receive their wages on May 15, but their pay was only released on June 8.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-CCP: CPPCC FUNDS NEWS OUTLET A report of June 14, 2018 claimed that the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), a privately funded nonprofit organization based in Hong Kong that is dedicated to ‘facilitating open and constructive exchange among policy-makers, business leaders, academics, think-tanks, cultural figures, and educators from the United States and China,' has funded the online news outlet Vox.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY ACADEMIES TO ENROL 30,500 STUDENTS IN 2018 Xinhua (June 16, 2018) reported that China's 26 military colleges and academies plan to enroll 30,500 students this year.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-PLAAF: NEW AIRPORTS IN TIBET China's official news agency Xinhua reported on June 8, that is planning to build three new airports in Tibet.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S VISITS PLAN BASE AT QINGDAO Reporting Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the PLAN Base HQ under the PLA Northern Theatre Command at Qingdao, China Daily said he urged the PLAN to further strengthen its combat training and enhance its elite forces' capabilities.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: US-NORTH KOREA SUMMIT TALKS ON JUNE 12 Writing in the Washington Post on June 10, 2018 former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and former member of the Six Party Talks Ms Fu Ying said of the impending Summit talks of June 12 as "an unprecedented opportunity for peaceful resolution has emerged".
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-THAILAND: NEW REGIONAL FUND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO LESSEN DEPENDENCE ON CHINA The Nikkei Asia Review on June 4 revealed that Thailand is taking the lead in creating a regional fund with its neighbors, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, to back infrastructure and other development projects and to lessen reliance on Chinese investment.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: KYAUKPYU PORT Major Singapore newspaper Sinchew recently reported that the Myanmar government is in the middle of re-evaluating a Chinese investment project to develop a deep-water port at the Port of Kyaukpyu.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: ANTI-CHINA PROTESTS Anti-China protests erupted throughout Vietnam on June 11 and more than 100 people were arrested late on June 10 after demonstrators stormed a provincial government building east of Ho Chi Minh City, the local news media reported.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: SOFT POWER The state-owned Chinese state broadcaster CGTN plans to hire more than 350 London-based journalists in less than 18 months.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA - IN XINJIANG As part of the nationwide "Ten million teachers and students having the same class to study new thoughts" campaign organised by the Ministry of Education and which began on June 8, universities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region have begun a lecture series on the thoughts of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ALL CHINA TRUCK DRIVERS STRIKE Taiwan News reported on June 11, 2018 that mass protests were staged by truck drivers across 9 provinces and municipalities in China to voice their anger over high costs, decreasing wages, excessive highway tolls, changing government policies and police harassment.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S BIRTHDAY Chinese President Xi Jinping will be 65 years old on June 15, 2018.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-UK: HM NAVY SHIPS SAIL CONDUCT FONOPS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA British Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson revealed at the Shangri La Dialogue that two British naval ships have taken part in ‘freedom of navigation’ operations in the South China Sea during the past month.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-FRANCE: FRENCH WARSHIP QUESTIONED BY PLA NAVY IN SOUTH CHINA SEA A report in the Wall Street Journal on June 8, claimed that a French warship passing through the Spratly Islands was challenged by a PLA Navy warship According to the news report, the PLAN warship said:‘This is China warship calling.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: US DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR ESPIONAGE 58-year old Ron Rockwell Hansen of Syracuse, Utah, a former US Defense Intelligence Agency officer, was arrested on June 2, by the FBI and charged with trying to sell U.S. government secrets to Chinese spies and taking at least $800,000 in suspicious funds flowing from China.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: BILATERAL TRADE INCREASES China's General Administration of Customs stated on June 8 that imports of US products were up 11.4 per cent to touch US$14.7 billion in May from a year earlier.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: ZTE The US is going to lift the ban on Chinese telecom company ZTE consequent to its agreeing to pay a fine of US$ 1 billion and agreeing to the deployment of US Enforcement officers inside the company to monitor its activities.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: DEFENCE HOT LINE AND BILATERAL MARITIME AND AERIAL COMMUNICATION MECHANISM The Japanese and Chinese governments on June 8 officially started operating a bilateral maritime and aerial communication mechanism designed to avert unintended clashes between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: FRIENDSHIP AWARD CONFERRED ON PUTIN Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded the inaugural Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China to Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 8, 2018 and praised his "contribution and efforts to building a peaceful world."
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL RELIGION: CURBS ON BUILDING OF LARGE STATUES BY BUDDHISTS AND DAOISTS China's State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) under the UFWD posted a report on its official website of a meeting convened on May 23 to discuss curbs on the construction of large statues.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL RELIGION: SINICIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY Zongjiao Zhoukan (宗教周刊), a weekly publication associated with the China Ethnic News (中国民族报) reported that a Leading Small Group on pushing forward the sinicization of Chinese Christianity was established on May 22, during a meeting of the China Christian Council (CCC).
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: THE CCP AND CHINA'S IT COMPANIES The Chinese government allows its corporate 'champions' nearly unfettered access to the country's 770 million internet users, but as China's tech giants get bigger and richer they realise that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gets more nervous.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL CREDIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM At an executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on May 6, the State Council decided that China will make strenuous efforts to build a more comprehensive and rigorous social credit system to improve the business environment and boost development.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: SYMPOSIUM ON 'DEEPENING INSPECTION WORK' IN PLA The official Party paper People's Daily on May 26, reported that Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia attended a symposium on inspection work for the armed services and the People’s Armed Police Forces, where he stressed the necessity of deeply comprehending and resolutely carrying out Xi Jinping’s instructions on inspection work.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION The CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) posted on its official website a lengthy Xinhua report dated June 1 that said the Politburo convened a meeting to deliberate the "Guidelines for Rural Revitalization Strategic Planning (2018-2022) (乡村振兴战略规划 (2018-2022年) " and "Guiding Opinions on Three-Year Action on Winning Poverty Alleviation Strategies" (关于打赢脱贫攻坚战三年行动的指导意) .
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-NEPAL: NEPAL SCRAPS HYDEL POWER PROJECT UNDER BRI Nepal’s government on May 29, 2018 said it would build on its own a 750 megawatt hydroelectric plant that was earlier cleared to be developed by China’s state-owned Three Gorges International Corp.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESS TO IMPOSE CURBS ON CHINESE INFLUENCE OPERATIONS IN USA The US newspaper Washington Free Beacon on June 4, 2018 reported that members of the US Congress are moving ahead with legislation seeking curbs on Chinese government influence operations in the United States.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-SOFT POWER: CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES According to an official Chinese government website, since the Chinese government’s Ministry of Education -- the Office of Chinese Languages Council International, better known as the Hanban -- began establishing Confucious Institutes in 2004, there are now 500 "Confucius Institutes" around the world and the aim is to have 1,000 by 2020.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE PLA RESUMES HACKING A US report of June 7, 2018 states that Chinese PLA entities have resumed hacking after a hiatus of several years.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-ZTE: EXPOSE ON ZTE'S ESPIONAGE ACTIVITIES The Sydney Morning Herald on May 31, 2018 published a front-page report stating that court documents filed in the US establish that the Chinese telecommunications company ZTE, was established partly as a front for military intelligence and has been linked to corruption in 18 countries.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN: MISSILES REMOVED FROM SOUTH CHINA SEA ISLANDS? New analysis from Israeli intelligence firm ImageSat International (ISI) made public on June 6, 2018 indicates that the Chinese missile systems on Woody Island in the Paracel archipelago may have been removed or relocated.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-SHIPBUILDING The People's Daily reported on May 30, that Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS) had delivered a 20,000 TEU container vessel to COSCO SHIPPING Lines Co., Ltd after a naming ceremony on May 29.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP; XI JINPING ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY On May 28, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the 19th Meeting of Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the 14th Meeting of Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE (PLAAF): SOUTH CHINA SEA On May 18, the PLAAF announced that the H-6K nuclear bomber, also known as 'God of War', had landed at Yongxing Island in the Xisha Island group in the South China Sea.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-WARNING TO AIRLINES: CHINA'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONGKONG, MACAU AND TAIWAN On May 26, the Civil Aviation Administration of China stated that 18 airlines out of 44 have made requisite corrections regarding mentioning Taiwan as part of China and the remaining 26 airlines have also promised to correct.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: MODI'S SPEECH AT SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE Xinhua in May 23 reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his keynote speech at the 17th Asia Security Summit, or the Shangri-la Dialogue, on May 22 "hailed his country's relationship with China, saying that cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing will benefit Asia and the world".
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-US: RENAMING BY US OF PACIFIC COMMAND AS INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND The Global Times reaction (June 1, 2018) to the US decision to rename the US Pacific Command as the US Indo-Pacific Command was short and swift.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-DISSIDENTS: EXILED CHINESE DISSIDENTS SET UP NEW THINK-TANK IN US Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on June 2, that Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung will be a council member on a think tank led by Chinese dissident Wang Dan, to be launched on Monday in the United States.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US TECHNOLOGY AND TRADE China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua published an article on its WeChat Official Account on May 26, on the lesson learned from the ZTE incident after the U.S. Department of Commerce issued the notice on May 25, 2018, regarding the lifting of the ban on ZTE’s sales.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TRADE WAR AND VICE PREMIER LIU HE'S NEGOTIATION POSITION The major Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily on May 31 published an analysis by senior Chinese journalist Lu Yue on China’s Vice Premier Liu He and his position on trade.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS FIGURES The official People's Daily reported on June 1 that China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had reported on May 31 that China contributed more than 30 percent to world economic growth during 2017.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S SPEECH ON ENVIRONMENT Xi Jinping gave an 'important speech' at the National Conference on Eco-environmental Protection held in Beijing from May 18 to 19.
Jun 2018 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: CONCERNS AT CHINESE COMPANIES BUYING ISRAELI FIRMS Over the last decade, dozens of Chinese companies have entered the Israeli market as sole or sub-contractors or suppliers in major transportation, infrastructure, agriculture and food projects.
May 2018 |
CHINA-FRANCE: CHINESE ESPIONAGE EFFORTS IN FRANCE Two ex-DGSE officers are suspected of "extremely serious" treason on behalf of a foreign power according to a French media report of May 25, 2018 quoting the French Defence Ministry.
May 2018 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINESE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BLOCKED FROM BUYING CANADIAN FIRM Canada has blocked a proposed C$1.51 billion (US$ 1.18 billion) takeover of construction company Aecon (ARE.TO) by the overseas investment and financing arm of a Chinese State owned Enterprise 'China Communications Construction Co Ltd' on national security grounds.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA AND RIMPAC EXERCISES China's continued militarization of the South China Sea the US has "disinvited the PLA Navy from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise.
May 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: BURKINA FASO SWITCHES RECOGNITION When Burkina Faso switched recognition to China on May 25, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen reacted angrily.
May 2018 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE-2018 PLA Lieutenant General He Lei, Vice President of the PLA Academy of Military Science (AMS) will lead the Chinese delegation for the upcoming 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OIL IMPORTS According to Russian statistics of China's oil imports in May published in the Global Times (military) in Chinese on May 26, figures showed an overall decrease of oil imports, but a steep rise in imports from Russia.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TECH -- CHIP MANUFACTURING Pony Ma Huateng, Chairman and Chief Executive of Tencent, said China’s internet giant would consider investing into the research and development of computer chips, as the country must focus on research of core technologies.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLAAF: RED SWORD 'CONFRONTATION' EXERCISE Xinhua reported on May 23 that the Air Force “Hong Jian-2018” system large-scale confrontation exercise commenced on May 23 "in the Northwest Wilderness of China (Western Theatre Command)".
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CADRE DISSATISFACTION An article published in Radio Free Asia (RFA) on May 21, claimed that Wang Xiaoming, the Deputy Secretary General of the Beijing municipal government, committed suicide by jumping off the building. Medical records indicate that Wang Xiaoming had been suffering from depression for a long period of time.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MAOIST GROUP DEMONSTRATES IN HONGKONG Chinese authorities disclosed that dozens of mainland Maoists headed across the border last week for a demonstration to mark the 52nd anniversary of the start of the Cultural Revolution.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE AND COVER ORGANISATIONS In the recent case of espionage in the US, the affidavit filed by the FBI revealed that Mallory told FBI agents in May that he had been contacted in February on a social media site by a recruiter for a Chinese think tank, the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE TALKS At the invitation of the US government, Xi Jinping’s special envoy, leader of the China-US Comprehensive Economic Dialogue (中美全面经济对话), and Vice Premier Liu He (刘鹤) led a delegation to Washington, DC.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE EFFORTS TO ACQUISITION The US is beginning to feel that the gap in oversight over Chinese activities in buying up US tech firms has became a more urgent problem in 2015, when China unveiled its “Made in China 2025” strategy of working with private investors to buy overseas tech firms.
May 2018 |
CHINA-SOVEREIGNTY: CAAC INSISTS FOREIGN AIRLINES MUST DEPICT TAIWAN, HONGKONG, MACAU ETC AS PART OF Following the directive issued on April 25 by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to 36 airlines to depict Taiwan, Hongkong and Macau as part of China within 30 days or face the consequences including legal sanctions, the Associated Press found on May 22, that 20 carriers, including Air Canada, British Airways and Lufthansa, now refer to Taiwan as a part of China on their global websites.
May 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETAN SENTENCED FOR "INCITING SEPARATISM" Tibetan language education activist Tashi Wangchuk was sentenced on May 21, to 5 years imprisonment for “inciting separatism” by the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SIX AIRCRAFT CARRIERS? In an interview with the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper on May 22, Chinese military expert Liang Fang said China will certainly build more aircraft carriers.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER COMPLETES SEA TRIALS China's second aircraft carrier returned to dock at the Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning Province on May 18 after its first sea trials.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CONTROLS ON ULTRA LEFT MEDIA The ruling Chinese Communist Party has shut down the prominent Maoist website Utopia amid concerns it may boost extreme nationalist sentiment that could undermine Beijing's trade policy with the United States.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BIRTH CONTROL POLICY Bloomberg News reported on May 21, that China is planning to scrap all limits on the number of children a family can have.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ALL SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS INSTRUCTED TO ADD PARTY BUILDING AND CORE SOCIALIST VALUES China's Ministry of Civil Affairs published a notification of April 28, 2018 requiring social organizations to add content on Party building and core socialist values to their charters on its website.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:CENTRAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS WORKING COMMITTEE Xinhua reported (May 15) that CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping who is also Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Working Committee, chaired the first meeting of the Central Foreign Affairs Working Committee on May 15 and delivered an "important" speech.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP WANG QISHAN Xinhua reported (May 21) Wang Qishan’s membership of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, headed by President Xi Jinping.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMIC TRADE WAR The main points in the U.S. briefing paper for the first round of US-China talks on Trade in Beijing recently, were at first leaked on the social-media site Weibo and was deleted by Chinese government censors.
May 2018 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CARTOGRAPHIC AGGRESSION THROUGH TOURISM Chinese tourists to Vietnam sporting T-shirts with a map of China showing the 9-dash line arrived in southern Cam Ranh airport on May 13 night and were stopped by security at the Immigration desk.
May 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: DENIAL OF ACCREDITION TO TAIWAN JOURNALISTS COVERING WHO AT GENEVA The accreditation for two Taiwanese journalists to cover the upcoming World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland has been denied.
May 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: THREAT OF DECAPITATION OF TAIWAN'S LEADERS The South China Morning Post on May 16, 2018 published a report quoting PLAAF spokesman Senior Colonel Shen Jinke talking about the flights going around Taiwan and the missiles the aircraft were carrying.
May 2018 |
CHINA: SOVEREIGNTY: ASSERTING CARTOGRAPHIC CLAIMS The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) recently sent a letter to 36 international air carriers demanding that they remove from their websites references implying that Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are not part of China. T
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY- UNRELIABLE STATISTICS A Working Paper by Luis R. Martinez of the University of Chicago, and published recently claims that authoritarian regimes are especially likely to artificially boost their gross domestic product numbers in the years before elections.
May 2018 |
CHINA-SPACE EXPLORATION: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION On May 21, China plans to launch a satellite with a vital but unglamorous mission. From a vantage point beyond the moon, Queqiao, as the satellite is called, will relay data from Chang'e 4, a lander and rover that is supposed to touch down on the lunar far side before the end of the year.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA LEADERSHIP South China Morning Post (SCMP) May 13.reported on May 16, 2018 that 64-year old PLA General Cai Yingting, a former Nanjing Military Region Commander and rising star who retired prematurely after his appointment as President of the Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) when the five Theater Commands were formed, has been demoted by eight grades to become a battalion commander. )
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SENIOR APPOINTMENTS The official CCTV reported on May 13, 2018 on China’s first domestically made aircraft carrier and mentioned that its Commander was PLAN Senior Captain Lai Yijun.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: ARREST OF CHINESE SPY The FBI Press Release of May 8 provided additional details on the arrest of 53-year old Jerry Chun Shing Lee, a resident of Hong Kong and U.S. citizen who speaks fluent Chinese.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRUMP ASSURES HE WILL HELP ZTE The Washington Post on May 13, 2018 quoted US President Trump as tweeting “President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: HONGKONG AS NEW S&T HUB There are reports to indicate that in the wake of US-China trade tension and Washington’s efforts to scuttle the 'Made in China 2025' initiative, Beijing is using Hong Kong to counter US efforts.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE (BRI) China's state-owned Economic Times reported (May 7, 2018) the release of a Blue Book focusing on the current situation of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investment security, assessment of investment risks, and impact of cultural differences and climate change on investment.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER PARTY CONTROL ON PRIVATE INTERNET COMPANIES In a ceremony in Beijing earlier this week, Xu Lin, Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), presided over the inauguration of the China Federation of Internet Societies (CFIS), an internet industry grouping whose stated purpose is to “promote the development of Party organizations in the industry.”
May 2018 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CCP CC UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT PUBLICISES USE BY ADVANCED BUDDHIST SCHOOL OF SP The website of the Chinese Tibetan Department of Advanced Buddhist College on May 11, 2018 reported on a conference of Party members held by the College the previous day to convey and study the “Notice on Conducting the Special Work on the Party’s Style and Incorruptible Politics” focusing on the use of the “first form” by the Central United Front Work Department.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGY In an article in the Party theoretical journal 'Qiu Shi' on May 7, 2018, Zhu Jidong, Deputy Director of the Chinese Academy of Social Security and the National Center for Cultural Studies and Secretary General of the Ideological Construction of Marxism Research, argued against the interpretation that Marxism is a foreign culture.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN TO INTEGRATE CORE SOCIALIST VALUES INTO LEGISLATION Xinhua reported on May 7, 2018 that the CCP CC had printed and issued the "Law of the Socialist Core Values into the Legislative Construction of Laws and Regulations" (hereinafter referred to as the "Planning"), and issued a notice requesting all regions and departments to implement the plan in accordance with actual conditions.
May 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS Few senior appointments were publicised by the CCP CC Organisation Department in early May.
May 2018 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: TAIWAN FLAG COVERED IN LINCOLN CITY ABC reported on May 9, 2018 that Lincoln City in Australia's central Queensland region of Rockhampton removed the Taiwanese flag from a children’s art project ahead of a major international beef expo.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: BAN ON ZTE The US Commerce Department last month blocked American firms from selling parts or providing services to ZTE until 2025.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: REGULATIONS ON RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on May 9, 2018 that China intends to further tighten the regulation of public religious worship in a bid to prevent "hostile foreign forces" from infiltrating the country.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: SOLOMON ISLANDS China is currently discussing the construction of airport and airplane maintenance facilities at Guadalcanal Island (Solomon Islands) in the western Pacific Ocean.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DRAFT AMENDMENT TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW China's official Xinhua News Agency reported on May 10, that a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law was announced on the Chinese People's Congress website to solicit opinions from the public.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER The Paper, an official newspaper of China, reported on May 9, 2018 that Han Kun, founder CEO of Yixia Technology had announced at his acceptance speech in Guangzhou on May 8 that he would whole heartedly support the Party and actively cooperate with the authorities to ensure a "clean" internet.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER The Cyberspace Administration of China announced on May 9, 2018 that 53-year old Ma Yun (Jack Ma) founder Chairman of Alibaba and 46-year old Ma Huateng, also known as 'Pony' Ma, and founder Chairman of TenCent, are Chairmen of the China Federation of Internet Societies consisting of 300 groups to study and implement Xi Jinping thought and promote “correct political direction”.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: YOUTH SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM Xinhua reported (May 10, 2018) that China is developing a "youth credit system" to encourage young people to take an active part in building a high-trust society.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: FORMER CIA OFFICER INDICTED FOR SPYING FOR CHINA Jerry Chun Shing Lee, 53, a former C.I.A. officer suspected of helping China unravel the agency’s spy network in China was indicted on May 8 on a charge of conspiring to commit espionage.
May 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: HIGH LEVEL VISITOR TO CHINA North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Dalian on May 7, when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported that the official had arrived by North Korea's Air Koryo.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S FOREIGN AID RECEPIENTS The top ten recipients of China's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) are strategically or resource rich countries looking for aid.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INCOME GAP BETWEEN PROVINCES IN CHINA WIDENS The National Bureau of Statistics reported on May 9, 2018 that Shanghai retained the top spot on the list of 31 province-level jurisdictions, with residents of the financial hub earning an average of 17,277 yuan (US$2,700) over the January-March period.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PROTEST BY MILITARY VETERANS More than 200 ex-PLA personnel who had been employed by 4 banks after demobilisation and then ""illegally" laid off without commensurate medical or pensionary benefits, wrote letters on May 8, 2018 to China's newly established Ministry of Veterans Affairs requesting intervention.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CALL FOR NATIONWIDE STRIKE BY CRANE OPERATORS China Change reported on May 7, 2018 that a WeChat group named “Changsha tower crane operator federation” posted an "open letter' om April 25 asking construction, crane, and mechanical equipment operators and engineers in China to trigger a wave of simultaneous strikes among crane operators around the country.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY DIPLOMACY Senior military officers from 19 countries in Asia and the Pacific have gathered in Shanghai for a regional workshop on the law of armed conflict at sea to be held from May 8 to11, 2018.
May 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION SUN ZHENGCAI 54-year old dismissed Politburo member and former Party Secretary of Chongqing, was found guilty of taking over 170 million yuan ($26.7 million) in bribes, the First Intermediate People’s Court of Tianjin said in a statement on its website.
May 2018 |
CHINA-AFRICA: PROPAGANDA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Chinese media and telecommunication companies in Africa who are there as part of Beijing’s “going out policy”, have increased and diversified their operations.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE NEGOTIATIONS Tensions between the US and China increased on May 4 as it emerged that US officials had handed Beijing a list of demands including a $200bn cut in its trade deficit and an end to state subsidies on strategic industries.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: SOUTH CHINA SEA CNBC reported on May 4, 2018 that China had quietly deployed HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles and YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles onto its outposts in the South China Sea in the past month.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA TO BUILD WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITIES WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS While inpecting Peking University (PKU) on May 2, 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for building world-class universities with Chinese characteristics to nurture people well-prepared to join the socialist cause.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA IS BIGGEST ARMS SUPPLIER TO PAKISTAN FT on April 18, 2018 reported that since 2010, US weapons exports to Pakistan have plummeted from $1bn to just $21m last year, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: US AIRMEN INJURED BY CHINESE LASER IN DJIBOUTI Defence News quoted Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White as saying on May 3, 2018 that two U.S. airmen suffered “minor” injuries as a result of the use of Chinese-deployed lasers in Djibouti.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR Writing in the FT of May 6, Keyu Jin, daughter of the Director General of AIIB Jin Liqun and an Associate Professor at LSE, argued that , paradoxically, it may be better for China to lose a trade conflict with the US than to win it as China would be the winner in the long run. She said reformers within China are likely to seize on it as an opportunity to hasten domestic reforms which will strengthen the country.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: US DEMANDS FROM CHINA ON TRADE In a document entitled “Balancing the Trade Relationship” that was 'leaked' to Bloomberg News on May 4, the U.S. government made a series of demands from China at the outset of meetings in Beijing on May 4-5, 2018 to resolve a simmering trade dispute.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE TALKS The New York Times on May 3 reported from Beijing that members of the Trump administration delegation who arrived in Beijing on May 3 for two days of high-level talks found that their Chinese official counterparts had limited experience in trade matters.
May 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADVISES STUDENTS Earlier the same week, Xi Jinping visited Peking University (PKU), China’s most prestigious school, and according to Xinhua told students about his "enlightenment" at age 15 when he grasped the truth that is Marxism.
May 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ON MARX Xinhua reported that at an event in Beijing on May 4, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth, Xi Jinping praised Marx as: "[A]Teacher of revolution for the proletariat and working people all over the world, the main founder of Marxism, creator of Marxist parties, pathfinder for international communism and the greatest thinker of modern times…".
May 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SWITCHES RECOGNITION TO PRC On May 1, 2018 the Dominican Republic switched formal diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.CCTV on May 1, 2018 showed PRC Vice President Wang Qishan meeting the visiting Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TO MEET KIM JONG UN IN DMZ US President Trump on April 30, raised expectations for his meeting with DPRK President Kim Jong-un, saying he would like to hold the at the Peace House in the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas because “there’s a great celebration to be had on the site” if the negotiations are successful.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: US CONSIDERING RESTRICTIONS ON CHINESE RESEARCHERS After China tested an "invisibility cloak" that would allow ordinary fighter jets to suddenly vanish from radar screens in April, American officials fear China may have gained the technology in part from a Chinese researcher who roused suspicions while working on a similar technology at a Duke University laboratory in 2008.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE WAR Sina.com reported on April 22, 2018 that Huanqiu, a subsidiary under People’s Daily, published an article asking the Chinese people not to boycott U.S. goods.
May 2018 |
CHINA-LABOUR UNREST Reports reveal that the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) was active in breaking up what was probably the largest strike in China in the past 2 years.
May 2018 |
CHINA-DUAL USE R&D: DEEP WATER RESEARCH Xinhua quoted a statement released by the China Geological Survey's Guangzhou branch on May 2, 2018 which disclosed that China has carried out deep-sea scientific research with two domestically-made deep-sea submersibles, the unmanned submersible Haima (Seahorse) and manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior), to explore a cold seep in the South China Sea.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PUBLIC SECURITY PERSONNEL HONOURED The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) disclosed on April 27, 2018 that MPS personnel had been honoured for "loyalty to the Party' in a ceremony on April 27.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA AND CYBER CENSORSHIP The China Cyberspace Administration disclosed on April 27, 2018 that the Guangdong Internet and Informatization Office had mobilised 5000 police officers and censored 6 million pieces of “harmful information,” shut down 580,000 Internet accounts and had taken down 700 apps in 2018.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/MAO ZEDONG'S STATUES DESTROYED Radio Free Asia reported on April 27, 2018 that an unofficial shrine to late supreme leader Mao Zedong and other heroes of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's mythology has been destroyed in Henan province.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S SPEECH CENSORED Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's speech at the State Council’s first meeting on clean administration on April 27, 2018 had emphasized that the people should use the Internet and big data to “ oversee the government’s behavior throughout the process. ”
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NATIONAL LAW TO PROTECT HONOUR OF HEROES AND MARTYRS A law to protect the reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs has been passed and will take effect on May 1, 2018.
May 2018 |
CHINA-DAR-ES-SALAAM: CHINA GETS APPROVAL FOR BAGAMOYO PORT Tanzania has officially submitted its letter of approval on April 24, 2018 for the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone venture to China Merchants Port, agreeing and accepting the investor’s comprehensive project proposal.
May 2018 |
CHINA-US: US NAVAL BUILD UP IN ASIA PACIFIC US Admiral Philip Davidson, tipped to take over the US Pacific Command, said in testimony to a US Senate Committee on April 24, 2014 that he will restructure the 375,000 military and civilian personnel, 200 ships and nearly 1,100 aircraft in the region and “recalibrate” the command in line with the Pentagon’s new national defense strategy.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA OFFERS SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR CPEC Meeting the Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in Beijing on April 20, 2018, Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe has said that China is willing to work with Pakistan to focus on building a community of human destiny, consolidate the all-weather friendship and deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two armed forces.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY An article posted on April 18, 2018 on the Council on Foreign Relations website showed that even though the RMB is the 7th most widely used in global payments, settling 1.6 percent of transactions, it is only the 20th most “globalized” among major currencies—as measured by adjusting for how much trade each country does.
May 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: KIM JUNG UN CONDOLES DEATH OF MAOIST PAPER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Diao Weiming, Editor-in-Chief of the prominent Maoist website 'Utopia' died in a crash with 36 other people during a tour to North Korea.
May 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: CHINESE ART TROUPE PERFORMS 'THE RED DETACHMENT OF WOMEN' IN PYONGYANG On April 17, 2018, Xinhua reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his wife Ri Sol Ju and the head of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's International Department Song Tao watched a performance of the ballet "The Red Detachment of Women" at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater, Pyongyang on April 16. Kim Jong Un "highly praised the Chinese artists' performance" and took a group photo with them on stage along with his wife Ri Sol Ju.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MODI MEETS CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING (APRIL 27-28, 2018) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi travbelled to Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, for an "informal" meting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 27-28, 2018.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL EDUCATION IN XINJIANG Global Times reported on April 25, 2018 that hundreds of primary school students in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region recently recited classic texts from Chinese ancient philosophical works to promote traditional culture.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STUDENTS AGITATION Students of Beijing University circulated a letter via email on April 25, 2018 protesting against the "anti-sexual harrassment" of a Peking University student and Yue Yue college students in Shenyang for disclosure of information.
May 2018 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: MERGER OF NEWS OUTLETS INTO SINGLE 'VOICE OF CHINA' China is creating a giant media outlet called Voice of China, which combines the three state television and radio broadcasters namely China Global Television Network, China Radio International, and China National Radio.
May 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER SECURITY The National Cyber Security and Informationization Conference was held in Beijing on April 20-21, 2018. CCP CC General Secretary, Chairman of the State Council, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Director of the Central Cyber Security and Information Technology Committee Xi Jinping attended and delivered an "important" speech.
May 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA SPENDS 15 - 17% OF GDP ON INTEREST PAYMENTS According to an article the Jing Rong Jie (Financial World) website published on April 14, 2018, during the Tenth Chinese Mulan (Women) Entrepreneur Annual Conference held on April 14 in Beijing, Mao Zhenhua, the Founder and Chairman of China Chengxin Credit Management Company gave a speech in which he stated that, each year, China spends 15 to 17 percent of its GDP to make its interest payments.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BELT & ROAD INITIATIVE (BRI) SHORT OF FUNDS South China Morning Post reported (April 14, 2018) that while speaking at a forum in Guangzhou on April 13, 2018, Li Ruogu, the former president of Export-Import Bank of China, said that most of the countries along the route of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, as the plan is known, did not have the money to pay for the projects with which they were involved.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-PLAAF: J-10C FIGHTER JET INDUCTED IN PLAAF The ossicial Global Times on April 16, 2018 publicised that China's new J-10C fighter jets have been put into service improving the combat capabilities of the PLA Air Force.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: LARGEST EXERCISE ACROSS TAIWAN IN 20 YEARS 45 warships, including two Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), along with at least two new Shang-class nuclear attack submarines, participated in the recent PLAN parade.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP, CULTURE AND PROPAGANDA On April 8, 2018, PB Member and Director of the CCP CC Central Propaganda Department Huang Kunming attended the unveiling ceremony of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism where he emphasised 'the need to adhere to the guidance of socialist ideas with Chinese characteristics in the new era of Xi Jinping'.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES COMMENT ON 'INDIA'S ADJUSTMENT OF POLICY' TOWARDS CHINA An article in the state-run Global Times on April 12, 2018 by Wu Zhenglong, senior research fellow at the China Foundation for International Studies, claimed "Sino-Indian relations have presented a rosy development scenario recently" and "It seems that a new day has dawned for the two countries which were once at odds."
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CPEC The official Global Times on April 12, 2018 published an article titled 'CPEC can build bridges between India, Pakistan through economic cooperation' in which it claimed "those most qualified to evaluate the impact and realities of the cooperation in the South Asian country are the people of Pakistan" and that "the project is considered by some Indian observers as a strategic tool of China to contain India's rise".
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-PLA MARINES TRAIN IN PLATEAU AREA On April 7, 2018 an unidentified Brigade of the PLA Marine Corps participated in the driving training of armored units in accordance with 'real combat requirements', to fully test the combat driving skills of the driver and improve the maneuverability of the troops in environment of a complex terrain.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER TRIALS Chinese media reports indicate that China's second aircraft carrier might undergo its first sea trial on 23rd April, which is China’s Navy Day.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MISSILE SUPPLIES Russia delivered the first regimental set of S-400 Triumf advanced interceptor-based Air Defense Systems (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) to China under a 2014 government-to-government contract, an unnamed Russian official told TASS news agency on April 3.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOOD SUPPLIES The Global Times on April 4, 2018 reported that, according to Russian news media, voices from the Moscow Economic Forum expressed the expectation that China’s tariff hikes on American food would be very helpful in turning Russia into China’s primary foreign food supplier.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-IMF: BRI FT reported (April 8, 2018) that IMF Chief Ms Christine Lagarde has warned China on Belt and Road to the risks of burdening recipients of its infrastructure finance with heavy debts.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: XI JINPING'S SPEECH AT BOAO ASIA FORUM The Japan Times on April 12, 2018 claimed Xi Jinping "has emerged as one of the protectors of the global trade order."
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION-COMMENTS ON VATICAN'S RELATIONS WITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN CHINA Chen Zongrong, a senior Chinese religious-affairs official described at a press conference in Beijing on April 3, 2018 as a “former vice administrator” of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, said the Chinese government is making concerted efforts to conclude an agreement with the Pope, which would end a decades long rift.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT (UFWD) Writing in the US newspaper 'The Beacon' on April 2, 2018, Bill Gertz claimed that a secret program authorized by the CCP CC's General Office approved a "working plan on strengthening the intensity of United Front Work in the area of science and technology of the United States in 2017."
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT (UFWD) Wang Zuoan has been promoted as Deputy Director of the CCP CC's powerful United Front Work Department (UFWD) as it takes control of all religious.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WORKERS STRIKE IN ZHUHAI Almost 6,000 workers in Zhuhai have been on strike since March 29, 2018 after learning that their employer Flex, a NASDAQ-listed technology company, plans to sell Multek, its Chinese subsidiary, to MFLEX, a subsidiary of Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing (DSBJ).
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STRIKE IN SHANGHAI In late March 2018, 3000 Sanitary workers went on a six-day strike in Shanghai's Changning District caused by a $110 pay cut.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL STABILITY: PROTESTS AT SHUTTING DOWN OF VIDEO APP Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on April 12, 2018 that fans of a humorous video app shut down by the ruling Chinese Communist Party for "vulgar content" staged traffic-stopping and horn-honking protests around the country on April 12.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION China Daily reported on April 12, 2018 that 54-year old Sun Zhengcai, former secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, went on trial in Tianjin on April 12, 2018 on bribery charges.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING REVIEWS "SPECTACULAR" PLA NAVY PARADE Chinese state media reported that two days after the Boao Forum (April 11, 2018), Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Xi Jinping reviewed a "spectacular parade" involving 10,000 Naval personnel, China's only operational aircraft carrier, 48 ships and submarines and 76 aircraft.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: CHINA'S ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON NORTH KOREA The Financial Times on April reported that China virtually halted exports of petroleum products, coal and other key materials to North Korea in the months leading to this week’s unprecedented summit between Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NORTH KOREAN LEADER KIM JUNG UN'S VISIT Japan Times on April 2, 2018 disclosed that in a phone call on March 9 with U.S. President Donald Trump last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for setting up a new four-way security framework involving China, North Korea, South Korea and the United States to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CHINESE GENERAL WARNS FORCIBLE REUNIFICATION FEASIBLE WITHIN THREE DAYS The state-run Global Times, published an article on March 27, 2018 citing former Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region, General Wang Hongguang, as declaring that China could take over Taiwan in three days with “six fighting means.”
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CDIC'S ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Duowei News reported on March 31, 2018 that the CCP CC's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) issued a notice that Feng Xinzhu, Deputy Governor of Shaanxi Province, was “expelled from party membership and stripped of his public office title” for violation of political discipline and rules.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TARIFFS AGAINST USA As threatened, China's official news agency on April 2, 2018 confirmed that China with the approval of the State Council and the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council decided, starting April 2, 2018, to suspend tariff concession obligations on the seven categories of 128 imported commodities originating in the United States.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: XINJIANG-UYGHUR AR China Education Daily reported on April 2, 2018 that the Xinjiang government will pay special attention to preschool education this year, which includes building more public kindergartens and improving kindergarten students' mandarin in preparation for primary school.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EDUCATION On March 25, 2018 China's Ministry of Education notified that commencing this year's gaokao, sports, math and science competition winners nationwide will no longer get bonus points added to their gaokao results.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: POLITBURO REPORTS TO XI JINPING Xinhua on March 21, 2018 reported that acting in accordance with the new regulation on enhancing and safeguarding the centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee, for the first time Politburo members submitted annual reports on their work to Xi Jinping and the Central Committee.
Apr 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PLAAF FLIES OVER OKINAWA AND MIYAKO IN EAST CHINA SEA AND EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) issued a statement that China's PLAAF sent four Xian H-6K long-range bombers, one Shaanxi Y-8 electronic countermeasures aircraft, one Tupolev Tu-154MD electronic intelligence plane, and at least two Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighter jets through international airspace between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako in the East China Sea on March 23 as part of a military exercise.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-THAILAND: LOCAL GROUPS RESIST CHINESE COMPANIES Nikkei Asian Review reported on March 26, 2018 that grassroots activists in Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province have successfully lobbied the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), a state power utility, to suspend its decision to purchase electricity from a controversial hydropower dam proposed by China's Datong Corporation on the Lao side of the Mekong river.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG UN'S VISIT TO BEIJING Xinhua and Global Times on March 28, 2018 confirmed that North Korean President Kim Jong Un had visited Beijing from March 25-28 and been "warmly received" by Xi Jinping.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: LARGE SCALE RAIN SEEDING ACROSS TIBETAN PLATEAU Interesting Engineering reported on March 27, 2018 that China is planning to implement a large-scale weather changing project to ensure a consistent rain supply in the Tibetan Plateau.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINESE TELECOM COMPANY'S FOCUS ON AI HAS SECURITY IMPLICATIONS China's Xiaomi Corp founder Lei Jun disclosed on March 28, 2018 that it has formed an artificial intelligence team with about 500 employees.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: TAIWAN TRADE Taiwan`s Ministry of Economic Affairs expressed regret March 23 that the US did not give Taiwan immunity from the Trump tariffs (the ``DTs``?) and therefore will face additional levies of 25 percent on steel imported into the US and 10 percent on aluminum.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-NEPAL: TRADE According to the Nepal Rashtra Bank, Nepal's exports to China rose by 72% to US$ 17 million in the first 7 months of 2018.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN AMBASSADOR'S INTERVIEW TO SCMP The SCMP published an interview with India's Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale on March 24, 2018 when he said “Political level communication has come back, but more importantly, I think we need to have discussions between the two militaries.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE PERCEPTION ON INDIAN THINKING ON THE BORDER ISSUE The state-run Global Times on March 21, 2018 published a lengthy article entitled 'Sino-Indian border row a wound from history' the concluding paragraphs offered an insight to China's perception of India's stand on the border issue.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN AID TO NEIGHBOURS An article in the state-run Global Times on March 22, 2018 captioned 'India shouldn’t make aid to needy neighbors a bargaining chip against China' said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government's generosity "to its neighbors, notably Nepal, is worthy of applause" adding that "Increased Indian pledges of aid can support growth in the recipient countries, thus contributing to the shared prosperity that China, the initiator of the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative, has long advocated".
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-IRAN: IRAN INVITES CHINA TO PARTICIPATE IN CHABAHAR PORT The state-run Global Times on March 20, 2018 front-paged Iran's invitation to China and Pakistan to participate in construction of the Chabahar Sea Port.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: CREATION OF MILITIAS Wang Shumao, a Deputy to the Thirteenth NPC and Deputy Head of the militia at Tanmen, the port township nearest to Nansha in the South China Sea, said to Global Times on the sidelines of the NPC session that China should send more militia missions to safeguard national sovereignty.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (UNHRC) RESOLUTION ADOPTS CHINESE-WORDED RESOLUTION On March 23, 2018 the UNHRC passed a resolution that without specifying any immediate action called for “a community of shared future for human beings” and “mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights.”
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: KIM JONG-UN'S VISIT Bloomberg News cited "numerous sources" as stating on March 26, 2018 that Kim Jong-un is visiting China in what is his first trip outside North Korea since 2011.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Qizhala, Chairman of TAR, said at the NPC that TAR plan to build a modern high altitude economic system. It will focus on supporting key industries that are unique and suitable for its high altitude environment such as tourism, border trade and clean energy.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA CONFIDENTLY SAYS CHINESE SYSTEM SUPERIOR TO US DEMOCRACY A People's Daily commentary of March 14. under the pen name “Zhong Sheng” (钟声), which stands for “Voice of China” and authoritatively transmits the official positions of People’s Daily on matters of international affairs, compared China’s Two Sessions with the current political situation in the West.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC SPECIAL COMMITTEES The People's Daily reported that the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) established 10 Special Committees.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PBoC Less than a week after Yi Gang was appointed Governor of PBoC, Beijing unexpectedly placed Guo Shuqing, former head of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, as the Communist Party secretary at the central bank.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW STATE COUNCIL CABINET The new Cabinet announced by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on March 19 at the NPC, included Wang Yi as Foreign Minister, 1954-born former Commander of the PLA Rocket Force Wei Fenghe as Defence Minister, Han Zheng, Sun Chunlan, Hu Chunhua and Liu He as Vice Premiers, Zhao Kezhi as Minister of Public Security, and US-educated former Vice Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) Yu Gang as Governor of PBoC.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-NPC: SUPERVISION COMMITTEE A People's Daily commentary on March 14, 2018 under the byline “Zhong Jiyan” (钟纪言) noted that there are 21 amendments to the constitution, 11 of which are related to reforming the country’s supervision system, including those related to the new National Supervision Commission which has been added to Chapter 3, “National Institutions” (国家机构).
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEOPLE'S DAILY ARTICLE BY PRC FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI On March 15, 2018 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in an article captioned Unswervingly taking the path of peaceful development and promoting the establishment of a community of human destiny said China "will surely maintain and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era and realize "the goal of struggle and the Chinese dream of a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" which provide a strong constitutional guarantee of "great practical significance and far-reaching historical significance".
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:3 PB MEMBERS PRAISE CCP CC DECISION ON DEEPENING STRUCTURAL REFORMS OF PARTY & STATE Three CCP CC Politburo members published articles in People’s Daily indicating their support for the “CCP Central Committee Decision on deepening structural reforms of Party and state institutions” (中共中央关于深化党和国家机构改革的决定), after Wang Yong introduced plans for institutional reform at the NPC meeting.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XI JINPING Writing in Hongkong's South China Morning Post on March 24, 2018, its former Editor-in-Chief Wang Xiangwei pointed out that the Party's official newspaper 'People’s Daily' in a front page editorial last week described Xi Jinping as “the helmsman of the nation” and the “guide of the people”, both terms very close to how Mao used to be referred to. It is the first time that Xi Jinping has been publicly referred to as "the helmsman".
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: MODI GREETINGS TO XI JINPING Publishing the list of congratulatory messages sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his re-election as President, the state-run English-language China Daily mentioned the message from Indian Prime Minister Modi at the end.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: AIRCRAFT CARRIER SAILS IN TAIWAN STRAIT Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier 'Liaoning' entered and sailed through the Taiwan Strait on March 20, 2018.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TIBET The United States Congress continued its steady support for Tibet through the provision of approximately $20 million for Tibet programs in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (H.R. 1625).
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: CONTRIBUTION OF CHINESE STUDENTS IN US COLLEGES During the 2016-17 academic year, the number of Chinese students studying in the US climbed to 350,755, accounting for one-third of the 1.1 million foreign students in U.S. universities, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE AND IMPORT TARIFFS The US announced on March 22, 2018 that it will propose import tariffs amounting to US$50 billion on products from China as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to fight Beijing’s industrial policy that is meant to strengthen the country’s tech sector and long-standing imbalances in the bilateral trade and investment relationship.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY: US, INDIA AND NORTH KOREA Jin Canrong, Professor and Associate Dean with School of International Studies at Renmin University of China and an influential Chinese commentator on China-US relations, on March 12, 2018 wrote that China should be aware of challenges while advancing its diplomatic agenda and advised that China needs new metrics to evaluate diplomatic risks and needs caution and increased emphasis on regional security.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SHANGHAI ORDERS NO HUKOU FOR FOREIGN GREEN CARD HOLDERS Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on March 22, 2018 that Shanghai has become the first mainland city to enforce a ban on its registered citizens from holding permanent residency in other countries – for example the US green card.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL CREDIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN PLA The Beijing News reported on March 20, 2018 that 17 PLA personnel who decided they were fed up with their daily duties were blacklisted in China’s social credit system, restricting them from traveling by air and rail and from seeking civil service employment.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL CREDIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The official Chinese newspaper 'The Paper' reported on March 19, 2018 that China's Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Civil Affairs had signed an agreement to implement sharing of parties' marriage registration information, minimum guarantee information (including household income information), registration information of social organizations, case information concerning marriage and income-related assets of social assistance recipients, and untrustworthy persons Social organizations) list information, etc.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC - NORTH KOREA Following Xi Jinping's re-election as President of China, the CCP official newspaper People’s Daily published a number of greeting letters from foreign leaders.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC BOOSTS STATUS OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS In an article on March 20, 2018 the US-based Chinese online news outlet Duowei News stated that Xi Jinping has changed his focus on China’s foreign affairs effort, thereby elevating it to an important position and that there will be a major reshaping of China’s foreign affairs work to enable it to play a more important role in the party’s governing body.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE COMPANIES PURCHASING AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES Bloomberg News service reported that Chinese companies are purchasing cash-strapped US universities and that four universities have already been purchased.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: TAIWAN Alex Wong, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, arrived in Taipei on March 20, 2018 a 3-day visit.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: J-20 STEALTH AIRCRAFT Yang Wei, Deputy to the Thirteenth National People's Congress (NPC), Vice President of China Aeronautical Academy and Chief Engineer of J-20 Fighter Jets, said in an interview before the closing session of the 13th NPC that the J-20 has made many "breakthroughs" in many aspects such as situational awareness, information confrontation, airborne weapons, and coordinated operations.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Ye Jiangming, Chairman of the Shanghai-based CEFC China Energy Co. is reported to be under investigation and likely to step down as Chairman soon.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL POLICING IN COLLEGE PROMPTS OUTRAGE Squads of students dressed in camouflage and helmets performed night time drills recently and clamped down on a range of "inappropriate behaviour", including smoking and dropping litter in the Binzhou Vocational College, in eastern Shandong province, according to videos shared on Chinese social media.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: DEATH OF UYGHUR BOY RFA’s Uyghur Service on March reported the death of 17-year-old Yaqupjan Naman of Yekshenbe Bazar township, in Kashgar’s Yopurgha (Yuepuhu) county.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA BUILDING FIRST ETHNIC DNA DATA BASE IN YUNNAN According to a statement sent by Shunxi to the Global Times, China is to build its first DNA database from ethnic minorities of Yunnan Province to assist research into diseases and biological traits.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY: SECURITY SPENDING EXCEEDS NATIONAL DEFENCE Over the last few years, China has actually been pouring even more resources into domestic security than external security.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-PROTEST AGAINST LIFE-LONG TENURE BY STUDENTS IN SHANXI UNIVERSITY On March 13, 2018, a poster captioned “Protest China’s Pseudo-Constitution and Xi Jinping” appeared in the building of the Student Union of the Shanxi University of China, on the campus billboards and other public places in the University.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS CMC -The Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping nominated Xu Qiliang and Zhang Hexia as candidates for the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FIRST SESSION OF 13TH NPC (March 5-20, 2018) On March 11, 2018, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed broad changes to the existing government structure. The number of ministries under the State Council, China’s cabinet, will be reduced by eight to 26, while seven non-ministerial agencies will also be cut.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-GERMANY: CHINA'S AUTO MANUFACTURER GEELY ACQUIRES TEN PERCENT SHARE IN DIAMLER On March 2, Daimler made a surprise announcement that Geely's founder and Chairman, Li Shufu, had acquired almost 10 percent of the automaker.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: US AIRCRAFT CARRIER VISITS VIETNAM For the first time since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, a United States aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson, will make a port call in Danang, Vietnam on March 5, 2018.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: INTER-MARRIAGE CAUSES TENSION AND COULD IMPACT BRI Voice of America (VoA) reported on March 5, 2018 that China has allegedly detained dozens of Muslim women in its restive Xinjiang province for marrying men of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA JUSTIFIES CONSTRUCTION OF BORDER DEFENCE INFRASTRUCTURE A Global Times article of March 6, 2018 quoted a Chinese expert as saying China has the right to build military facilities within its own territory and complaints from New Delhi made "no sense".
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BRI The Wall Street Journal on March 6 reported that data from a study by the Center for Global Development, an international think tank, reveals that China is financing as much as $8 trillion in deals as part of its “Belt and Road Initiative” in 68 countries winding through Asia, Africa and Europe.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-DEFENCE BUDGET FOR 2018 There is an 8.1% increase in China's defence budget this year bringing the total amount to US$ 175 billion.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BUDGET FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROPOSED AT 13TH NPC ON MARCH 5, 2018 The budget proposed by the Ministry of Finance on March 5, 2018 to the first session of the 13th NPC said the Central government will allocate 106.095 billion yuan to subsidize local poverty reduction, an increase of 20 billion yuan, or 23.2 percent over last year.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FIRST SESSION OF 13TH NPC The constitutional changes including removal of the term limits on the posts of China's President and Vice President were passed by China's National People's Congress on March 11, 2018.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: BEIJING PUTS FREEZE ON TIES WITH AUSTRALIA The Australian media reports that China is putting Australia into a diplomatic deep freeze, stalling on ministerial visits, deferring a trip by its top diplomat and putting off a broad range of lower-level exchanges to pressure Malcolm Turnbull over the new foreign interference laws and naval challenges to disputed Chinese claims in the South China Sea.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: NEW METEOROLOGICAL STATION ON BORDER The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Shannan City government announced on March 3 that a new meteorological observation station has been established in the Yumei Township 'frontier well-off model village'.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE Unconfirmed reports sourced to Taiwan claim that Ms Hua Chunying, Deputy Director and spokesman for the Information Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA), who has been well known for her style and eloquence has reportedly been found with US$ 5 million in her possession by police prosecutors at her residence.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE AND LEADERSHIP Domestic media outlet Caixin reported on February 28, 2018 that Ye Jianming, founder and Chairman of the Chinese conglomerate CEFC China Energy Co., has been investigated by government authorities.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN: AIRCRAFT CARRIER Speaking to China Daily on March 3, 2018 Liu Zheng, Chairman of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry in Liaoning province, said his company and its parent, China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, the world's largest shipbuilder, have acquired the ability to design and build aircraft carriers-the most technologically sophisticated of all surface vessels.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: COLLECTION OF DATA ON UYGHURS ABROAD An article in Foreign Policy on March 2, 2018 claimed that as part of the campaign to monitor and control the Uighur diaspora, Chinese police are demanding that Uighurs living in France hand over personal information, photos, and identity documents — and in some cases, the personal information of their French spouses.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RESTRUCTURING OF PARTY AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS The PRC State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office is being 'readjusted' according to the latest restructuring plan to be approved by the NPC that opens on March 5, 2018. Former PRC Ambassador to the UN, Liu Jieyi is expected to play a key role.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CPPCC SESSION TO OPEN ON MARCH 3, 2018 It was announced in Beijing on March 2, that the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, will open its annual session on Saturday afternoon in Beijing.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 3RD PLENUM OF 19TH CCP CC (Feb 26-28) The Third Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party was held in Beijing from February 26 to February 28, 2018 where CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important speech.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP AND AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION A commentary in the authoritative official Party newspaper 'People's Daily' on March 1, 2018 defended the constitutional change as an "important move."
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA OBJECTS TO INDIA'S 'MILAN' NAVAL EXERCISES China's official Global Times on February 26, 2018 reacted sharply to India's 'Milan' Navy Exercises in which 16 nations are participating saying they will "inflame tensions with China, expand potential conflict from land to sea" and has prompted "Chinese observers to warn that Sino-Indian tensions are spreading from the land to the sea and that China should prepare a military response".
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WATER SCARCITY China’s overall resources of water are roughly 2,000 cubic meters, but 80 per cent of water resources are in the south. In the north, eight provinces suffer from acute water scarcity, a further four from scarcity.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE AND ECONOMY Liu He, Politburo member, Director of the General Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs and Harvard trained economist fluent in English, arrived in the US for 5 days (February 28 - March 5, 2018) to exchange views on China-US ties and economic and trade cooperation.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT China's Ministry of Environmental Protection notified on February 27, 2018 that more than 1,100 people have been held accountable of which 60 are departmental level cadres and more than 240 are division level cadres.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-LAW: SEARCH AND SEIZURE OF MOBILE TELEPHONES Zhu Zhengfu suggested that mobile telephones be seqized only in cases of criminal investigation and that since they contain a lot of private personal information there should be strict checks and procedures for seizing mobile phones.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC Of the 2980 Deputies elected to the 13th NPC more than 2,200, or nearly 75% , of those elected are new deputies.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: DISMISSALS FOR VIOLATIONS OF PARTY DISCIPLINE Xinhua and South China Morning Post both reported on February 25, 2018 that 65-year Yang Jing, Secretary General of China’s State Council, has been removed from his administrative posts, which decide his perks, and demoted from deputy state to ministerial level, partly because of links to troubled businessman Xiao Jianhua.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP WARNING TO JIANG ZEMIN FACTION According to a commentary published in the huaglad.com on February 25, 2018, Ding Xuexiang, Director of the CCP CC General Office and close aide to Xi Jinping, recently spoke at a meeting attended by departments under the Party Central Committee.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: OPPOSITION TO ABOLITION OF TWO TERM RESTRICTION ON POSTS OF PRC PRESIDENT AND VICE In a statement on WeChat on February 25, 2018 addressed to Beijing’s Deputies to China’s National People's Congress (NPC), Li Datong, a former editor for the state-run China Youth Daily, wrote that lifting term limits would “sow the seeds of chaos.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ABOLISHES 2-TERM RESTRICTION ON INCUMBENTS OF PRC PRESIDENT AND VICE PR After news emerged on Feburary 25, 2018 that the Chinese Communist Party had proposed abolishing term limits for China’s President and Vice President from the State Constitution, a long-standing meme comparing President Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh quickly resurfaced on Sina Weibo and Tencent’s WeChat, including this image showing the bear dressed as a king.
Mar 2018 |
CHINA-ARGENTINE: ARGENTINE COAST GUARD FIRES ON PLAN VESSEL Argentina's Coast Guard said on February 25, 2018 that it opened fire on a Chinese vessel illegally fishing in its waters. Nobody was reportedly injured and the Chinese fishermen were not detained.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-MACAU: ONLY CHINESE JUDGES TO TRY NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES South China Morning Post reported on February 21, 2018 that a move is underway in Macau to amend a law which came into force when Macau returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999 and bar non-Chinese judges in Macau from presiding at court hearings involving national security issues.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-RELIGION: RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON ISLAMIC HUI ETHNIC MINORITY IN GANSU The ethnic Hui minority in Gansu which is Muslim apprehend that the latest restrictions on education are the beginning of more severe measures. In January 2018, education officials from the local government in Guanghe county, which is a heavily Muslim area, banned children from attending religious education during the Lunar New Year break.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: NON-ADHERENCE TO PARTY DISCIPLINE PUNISHED IN XINJIANG UNIVERSITY Taxpolat Tiyip , Prominent scholar, Geographer and President of Xinjiang University in northwestern China was removed from his post and detained after a meeting of Communist Party cadres on March 31, 2017.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS ON MEDIA OUTLETS The Hongkong Free Press Journal reported on February 20, 2018 that a Chinese Weibo user ZhuoLawyera6j_ – a former lawyer in Shandong province -- had been fined and detained for 10 days.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: GENERAL WEI FENGHE TIPPED TO BECOME CHINA'S DEFENCE MINISTER 63-year General Wei Fenghe, a reputed 'quiet achiever' and the last Commander of the PLA Second Artillery Corps, is tipped to be appointed the next Defence Minister at the upcoming NPC session in March 2018. Wei Fenghe was named as one of the members of the Communist Party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) on October 25.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE The Party's official paper, People's Daily on February 15, 2018 front-paged a report highlighting that 'Chinese President Xi Jinping's Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people with references to hard work and family values on Wednesday have struck a chord with overseas Chinese'.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-NEW ZEALAND: CHINESE SECURITY HARASSES NEW ZEALAND ACADEMIC University of Canterbury Professor Anne-Marie Brady told t he Australian Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee in Canberra of three recent break-ins to her office in December 2017 and at her Upper Riccarton home.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-US: FRACAS DURING US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT On November 9, 2017 when US President Trump and his team visited Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Chief of Staff John Kelly and a U.S. Secret Service agent skirmished with Chinese security officials over the nuclear football.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-ANTARCTICA: CHINESE VISITORS The number of Chinese tourists to Antarctica and the Arctic has spiked. Antarctica attracted 5,289 Chinese visitors last year - making up 12 per cent of visitors - overtaking Australians as the second-largest group of travellers there.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA REACTS TO PRIME MINISTER MODI'S VISIT TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH China's official Global Times on February 15, 2018 reported that China had "expressed firm opposition" to the visit by Prime Minister Modi "to a disputed area, urging the Indian side not to take action that could complicate the boundary issue". It quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang as saying "China's position on the China-India boundary question is consistent and clear-cut.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA ENGAGES BALOCH REBELS UK's Financial Times reported on February 19, 2018 that China has been quietly holding talks with Pakistani tribal separatists for more than five years in an effort to protect the $60bn worth of infrastructure projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-'SOFT POWER: UNITED FRONT AND CSSA IN US There is a lot of focus on the activities of the Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSA) set up by Chinese diplomatic missions in the US and elsewhere including the funding received by them from the Chinese Embassy/Consulates.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-'SOFT POWER' : CONFUCIOUS INSTITUTES A commentary written on January 31, 2018 in the People’s Daily Foreign Edition’s Wang Hailou (望海楼) column, an important column that targets foreign Chinese speakers, discusses the “guiding opinion on pushing forward the reform and development of the Confucius Institute” (关于推进孔子学院改革发展的指导意见) recently passed by the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA EXERCISES PLAAF: J-11 FIGHTER JETS IN MILITARY EXERCISES
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: FIRE IN JOKHANG TEMPLE IN LHASA There was a fire in Lhasa's famous Tibetan Buddhist Jokhang Temple on February 17, 2018 night but reports say that it did not destroy the whole temple.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) Member and CDIC Chairman Zhao Leji (赵乐际) addressed the Central Inspection Work Mobilization and Deployment Conference held in Beijing on February 2, 2018.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: LEADERSHIP 1958-born PLAAF General Yi Xiaoguang was on February 1, 2018 been appointed Commander of the PLA Central Theater Command, becoming the first-ever PLAAF officer to be appointed as head of a Theater Command.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY - APPLE TO BUY CHIPS FROM CHINA Nikkei reported that Apple is in talks with Yangtze Memory Technologies over a potential deal for purchase of storage chips from the Chinese state-backed semiconductor manufacturer.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE EMBASSY FUNDING CHINESE STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS IN US Foreign Policy on February 14, 2018 published an article revealing that the Georgetown University Chinese Students and Scholars Association disclosed in September 2011 that the group received $800 each semester that school year from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S TAKE-OVER OF CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE BLOCKED In a notice issued on February 15, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission of the US highlighted various concerns, including whether the deal would allow it to supervise the exchange properly.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: CRACKDOWN ON PRO-DALAI LAMA FORCES INSIDE TAR Mong Pao reported on February 13, 2018 that the CCP Central Committee and PRC State Council issued a circular in January month urging the entire nation to launch a "special campaign to eliminate the evil in black" and move rapidly around the country.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: PROTEST BY TIBETAN INTELLECTUALS 117 Tibetan intellectuals published a letter on Trimleng, an important forum for discussion particularly on legal and policy issues affecting Tibetans in Tibet, on January 11, 2018.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA AND AI The South China Morning Post (SCMP) on February 4, 2018, quoted a “senior scientist involved with the programme” as saying there is a project underway to update the computer systems on PLAN nuclear submarines with an AI decision-support system with “its own thoughts” that would reduce commanding officers’ workload and mental burden.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY IN PLA A Chinese source has been quoted as saying that a new government directive requires the PLA personnel to stop using their phones and buy a new kind. The name of the phone is nt clear but it could be the 'OPPO'.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: ELECTION OF DEPUTIES TO NPC 23 election units, including the Theater Commands, all armed forces, Departments and Commissions of the military authority, the Academy of Military Sciences, the National Defense University, and the National University of Defense Technology, convened a conference of military representatives to elect Deputies to the 13th NPC session by secret ballot.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING VISITS PLA BASE On February 10, 2018, CCP CC General Secretary and Chairman of the CMC, Xi Jinping visited a base in Sichuan and met the officers and soldiers and extended sincere New Year greetings on behalf of the Central Committee and CMC.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Lu Wei, former Deputy Head of the CCP CC Publicity Department and former Head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, has been expelled from the Party.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Former PBSC member Wang Qishan has been elected on January 29, 2018 as one of 118 Deputies from Hunan Province to the National People's Congress (NPC).
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP RELEASE OF MICRO-VIDEO EULOGISING XI JINPING On February 12, 2018 on the eve of Spring Festival -- that commences on February 15 -- the 'People's Daily' and CCTV co-produced the online micro-video "People's Leader."
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-US: APPLE OPENS DATA CENTRE IN GUIZHOU According to a report dated February 3, 2018, construction of a Chinese data centre for Apple Inc, the U.S. tech giant, is scheduled to begin later this year and the centre is expected to open in 2020.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-GERMANY: PEOPLE'S DAILY REACTS TO DAIMLER-BENZ QUOTING THE DALAI LAMA The official CCP newspaper People's Daily on February 9, 2018, observed that Daimler’s Chairman Dieter Zetsche and Daimler Greater China’s Chairman Hubertus Troika sent a joint letter of apology to the Chinese ambassador in Germany on Wednesday, sincerely apologizing to China for quoting the Dalai Lama in a social media post.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-HOLLAND: DUTCH KING RAISES HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES WITH XI JINPING Dutch newspapers on February 7, 2018 reported that during his brief visit to Beijing – on his way to the Winter Olympics – Dutch King Willem-Alexander had dinner with Xi Jinping and raised the issues of human rights in China.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PRIVATE TEACHERS IN HUBEI PETITION PREMIER LI KEQIANG 3258 private teachers in Hubei province jointly wrote a letter to PRC Premier Li Keqiang which they posted on a blog on February 9.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EDUCATION Beijing Review on February 9 said that the PRC Ministry of Education had instructed that supervisors of postgraduate students should have ethics and maintain socialist ways of teaching and that offenders will be punished.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: JUDICIAL REFORM The Vice Minister of Justice Xiong Xuanguo released the document on judicial reforms entitled 'Interpretations for Administrative Procedure Law', which is based on the "Opinions on Accelerating the Reform of Judicial Administration" which began being drafted in Match 2017.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLICE HAS NEW FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY The Wall Street Journal on February 7, 2018 reported that Beijing police are using a new addition to their crowd-surveillance toolbox: mobile facial-recognition units mounted on eyeglasses.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: OVERHAUL OF MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Bloomberg News on February 7, 2018 reported that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was being overhauled with more authority being given to Ambassadors on matters regarding personnel deployment and budgets.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE (PLAAF): PLANE CRASH On January 29, 2018 afternoon a PLAAF aircraft crashed during flight training in Guizhou killing all the crew.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: ELECTRIFICATION OF BORDER DEFENCE POSTS ON LAND AND SEA By the beginning of February 2018, the Military Energy Bureau of the Military Logistics Department under the CMC disclosed that 144 border posts of the entire army have been connected to the national power grid, and electric power has been made widely available for application in such fields as combat readiness, equipment support, medical communication in the work and life of the frontier defense units.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN PLA In recent months, 12 experts and leaders of PLA Universities and Military Units divided into six groups and went to various units to explain the 'spirit' of the 19th Party Congress and 'Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era'.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-VATICAN: RELATIONS LIKELY TO BE NORMALISED IN FEW MONTHS The pope has decided to recognize seven government-appointed Chinese bishops, according to a person familiar with the matter, in a major concession to Beijing in pursuit of warmer relations and—in the very long term—possible re-establishment of diplomatic ties broken in 1951.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MUJI STORE ORDERED TO WITHDRAW CATALOGUES The Washington Post reported on January 30, 2018 that Japanese retailer Muji has been ordered by Chinese authorities to destroy a catalog with a map that Beijing says mislabels Taiwan and omits disputed islands, joining a string of companies rebuked for commercial materials that fail to reflect China’s territorial claims.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-US: WTO SANCTIONS China’s Commerce Ministry said on February 4, 2018 that it had initiated an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation after preliminarily finding that heavy volumes and low prices of American exports of sorghum, bolstered by U.S. government subsidies, hurt Chinese growers.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-UK: OFFICIAL CHINESE MEDIA PRAISES THERESA MAY FOR NOT RAISING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES DURING VISI The Chinese-language Global Times on February 2, 2018 in an editorial praised British Prime Minister Theresa May f or "wisely" resisting calls to publicly challenge Beijing over Hong Kong and human rights during her three-day visit.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SUSPENSION OF FLIGHTS BY TAIWAN Spokesman for the Chinese Cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office Ma Xiaoguang said Taiwan's move to cancel 176 flights over the holiday beginning February 16 is creating inconveniences and is “foolish and unpopular.”
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA TO BLOCK VPNS FROM MARCH 2018 RFA on January 31, 2018 cited official Chinese media reports saying that China will begin blocking overseas providers of virtual private networks (VPN) used to circumvent its Great Firewall of government censorship from March 31, 2018.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTERNET USERS The Cyberspace Administration of China on January 31, 2018 announced that as of December 2017, the number of netizens in China reached 772 million with a penetration rate of 55.8%, surpassing the global average of 51.7% by 4.1% and surpassing the Asian average of 46.7% by 9.1%.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MICRO-BLOGGING SERVICE REGULATIONS The Cyberspace Administration of China on February 2, 2018 published new regulations entitled 'Microblogging Information Service Management Regulations' to come into force from March 20, 2018.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTERNET SURVEILLANCE China's Ministry of Culture (MOF) on February 2, 2018 publicised that as of January 30, all major internet culture units had 'cleaned up' 3898 videos of spoofs of classic revolutionary songs and of spoofed 165 songs.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: RELIGION Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on January 31, 2018 that Ngawang Tsomo, 51 , a Tibetan nun and former political prisoner jailed for seven years after calling for an end to Chinese rule in Tibet, has died of complications arising from a chronic ailment.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HEADS OF SUPERVISION COMMISSIONS IN 31 PROVINCES APPOINTED Following the issue by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CMBPA) at end October last year, of the "Proposal on Pilot Project of Reforming the National Surveillance System across the Country", all 31 provinces and Autonomous Regions have appointed heads of the Supervisory Commissions.
Feb 2018 |
CHINA-HOLLAND: EDUCATION COOPERATION CALLED OFF The Dutch media reported that the University of Groningen has cancelled plans to establish an education center in Yantai University because of concerns about academic freedom and independence.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: RESUMPTION OF MILITARY TRAINING EXCHANGES The Yomiuri Shimbun on January 29, 2018 reported that Japan and China are likely to restart their education and training exchanges for defense officials in September, after a six-year hiatus. It said both governments are making arrangements to resume the exchanges.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: ECONOMY-USE OF YUAN FOR IMPORTS The China Reform Monitor" on January 8, 2018 reported that Pakistan will now pay for imports from China in yuan rather than in U.S. dollars.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: MILITARY PREPAREDNESS AT SHIGATSE AIRFIELD Chinese websites kept a post of the US-based Stratfor, reporting that upgrading work had been carried out at Shigatse military airfield in Tibet between September 2017 and January 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TEACHING ARABIC IN MOSQUES CRITICISED The official Global Times on January 29, 2018 cited Sina Weibo microblog posts, which were subsequently deleted, as saying a mosque in the city of Baoshan opened classes during winter vacation for "left-behind" Muslim children to learn Arabic, study the Koran, Islamic culture and customs.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG The Uyghur Human Rights Project reported (January 29, 2018) ) that prominent 82-year old Uyghur scholar Muhammad Salih Hajim died in Chinese police custody 40 days after he was detained in Urumqi. His daughter and other relatives were also detained.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION From January 23 to January 27, 2018 the PLA Army organized a collective group study of military cadres on news and public opinion.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The eople's Daily on January 25, 2018 cited a Legal Daily report to say that 60 days after the 19th Party Congress, seven centrally managed cadres (中管干部), including National Energy Administration Deputy Head Wang Xiaolin and former Propaganda Department Deputy Head Lu Wei (鲁炜), had been put under investigation.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS Wang Yajun (王亚军) was appointed Deputy Minister of the CCP International Department and Wang Xiaohui (王晓晖) was appointed Executive Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS The Cyberspace Administration of China on January 27, 2018 ordered Sina Weibo, one of the country's largest social media platforms, to temporarily shut down several portals for spreading content that allegedly contradicts Chinese values.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN: EXERCISES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA WARNING TO TAIWAN Website navy.81.cn, affiliated to PLA Daily, reported on January 25, 2018, that six landing ships were taking part in an exercise in the South China Sea on January 22, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLAAF: NEW ELECTRONIC WARFARE AIRCRAFT AND SOUTH CHINA SEA Peole's Daily on January 24, 2018 reported that China deployed its new electronic-warfare aircraft in its recent combat maneuvers in a move which, it said, many military experts believe will help boost Chinese naval power in the disputed South China Sea.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INNER MONGOLIA AND TIANJIN MUNICIPALITY REVISE THEIR 2016 GDP FIGURES DOWNWARDS Xinhua reported on January 28, 2018 that the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and centrally administered Tianjin Municipality revised down their 2016 GDP numbers. Inner Mongolia adjusted down its public budget revenue by 26.3 percent, or 53 billion yuan (US$8.5 billion) and industrial added value down by 40 percent, or 290 billion yuan (US$46 billion).
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DROP IN CHINESE SMARTPHONE EXPORTS BBC on January 26, 2018 reported that China's smartphone market has fallen for the first time since 2009, with annual shipments down by 4% in 2017, according to data from research firm Canalys.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: POVERTY ALLEVIATION FOR RETURNING OVERSEAS CHINESE China News Agency on January 26, 2018 reported that since 2016, in accordance with the overall plan of the Central Government's precise poverty alleviation strategy, the Office of the Overseas Chinese Affairs of the State Council has taken advantage of its resources and solidly promoted poverty alleviation work for overseas Chinese.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POPULATION According to the National Bureau of Statistics, there were 17.23 million babies born in China in 2017, a drop of 630,000 from a year earlier.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: MONKS IN TAR'S CPPCC REDUCED The first session of the Eleventh Tibet Committee of the CPPCC (hereinafter referred to as the CPPCC National Committee) was held in Lhasa on January 23, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, DAVOS An article in the New York Times on January 28, 2018 said China was using the WEF meeting to further extend its influence. President Michel Temer of Brazil received an unexpected offer from Beijing for Latin American nations to work closely with a Chinese initiative, known as the Belt and Road.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-US: RIMPAC 2018 On January 25, 2018, Beijing confirmed it will participate in the summer’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise off Hawaii June 27 to August 2, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-APPLE: IT DATA AND SECURITY CONCERNS The official Party paper People's Daily reported on January 10, 2018 that the US company Apple had announced that, starting on February 28, it will hand over its iCloud service for Chinese customers to the Guizhou Provincial government-owned 'Guizhou Cloud Big Data (GCBD)'. GCBD will be responsible for the iCloud operations serving customers in China and also responsible for legal and financial relations with those customers.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWANESE ESPIONAGE RING BUSTED IN JIANGSU PROVINCE The official WeChat account of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Procuratorate said on January 28, 2018 that Liu Hua, People's Procurator the People's Procuratorate of Jiangsu Province, informed a People's Congressional meeting that the Suzhou Municipal Procuratorate had initiated prosecution of Ma Liangliang and Liang Xin for providing major espionage cases for military intelligence to overseas organizations.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: CAMBODIAN GOVERNOR WARNS OF INFLUX OF CHINESE MAFIA In a three-page letter to the Interior Minister, Governor Yun Min warned that the Chinese influx had "created opportunities for Chinese mafia to come in and commit various crimes and kidnap Chinese investors, causing insecurity in the province".
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES INTERVIEW OF INDIA'S AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, GAUTAM BAMBAWALE, ON JANUARY 25, Zhang Xin Source:Global Times Published: 2018/1/25 21:18:39
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-VATICAN: VATICAN ORDAINED BISHOP IN CHINA REFUSES TO RETIRE The Catholic News Agency on January 23, 2018, reported that 88-year-old Bishop Peter Zhuang Jianjian of Shantou in southern Guangdong province refused a request made by the Holy See in December to retire.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-CATCHING UP WITH US IN INVESTMENT IN AI The Wall Street Journal reported on January 23, 2018 that last Fall a U.S. intelligence-community contest sought algorithms that could identify surveillance images of people out of a database of millions of photos.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: FORMER HONGKONG OFFICIALS APPOINTED CPPCC MEMBERS Ex-World Health Organisation head 70-year old Dr Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, Hongkong's first Chief Executive 80-year old Tung Chee-hwa, previous Food and Health Minister Dr Ko Wing-man; ex-Security Chief Lai Tung-kwok; and former Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung are among those recommended for membership to CPPCC.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ARCTIC POLICY WHITE PAPER The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a white paper titled "China's Arctic Policy" which it released on January 26, 2018. With this China joins other non-Arctic states including Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan in presenting an Arctic policy document.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LIBERALISATION POLICY AND WEF, DAVOS Liu He, Politburo member and Director of the General Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, told Global Times on January -- that China is prepared to "further open up in four aspects," including the financial, manufacturing and services sectors as well as strengthen intellectual property protection and expand imports.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: RECRUITMENT OF PARTY MEMBERS IN RURAL AREAS OF TAR To promote its effort to recruit Tibetans in the CCP and expand Party surveillance in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Chamdo City Party organisation in December 2017 began utilising 'unemployed' Party members in the pastoral areas to play the role of propagandist and 'participate in the Party’s internal work.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION The Tibet Daily publicised on December 23, 2017 that in order to enhance the overall capacity of volunteers in TAR and upgrade the management and systematization of volunteer service, the Tibet Autonomous Region Culture Bureau held a training class for volunteers in Lhasa that day.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RISE IN NUMBER OF ONLINE PETITIONS A meeting on January 23, 2018 of the National Bureau of Letters and Visits disclosed that the number of online petitions in China increased in 2017 by 79.4%.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CENTRAL POLITICAL AND LEGAL WORK CONFERENCE The Central Political and Legal Work Conference held its meeting in Beijing on January 22, which was addressed over by Politburo member Guo Shengkun.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP 59-year old Ms Tsui yi Ying, a woman of Tibetan origin, was appointed Party Secretary of Fujian province on Janary 21, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BEIDA ESTABLISHES INSTITUTE TO STUDY XI JINPING THOUGHT Beijing University (Beida), also known as Peking University (PKU), announced on January 23, 2018, the opening of a new department to study "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era".
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING China's official newsagency Xinhua reported that on January 23, 2018 Xi Jinping General Secretary and chairman of the CCP CC, Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Chairman of the Leading Group for Deepening the Reform of the Central Government, presided over the second meeting of the leading group and delivered an important speech.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: UNDERSEA SENSORS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on January 22, 2018 that the Chinese Academy of Sciences had this month disclosed that it has planted two powerful cutting-edge acoustic sensors – some of which have a listening range of more than 1,000km – for scientific research such as studying earthquakes, typhoons and whales near Guam, America’s biggest military base in the Western Pacific.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-HONGKONG The New York Times reported on January 22, 2018 that 53-year old Gui Minhai, a Hongkong bookseller who was one of five Hong Kong booksellers who disappeared in 2015, 'disappeared' yet again when in dramatic fashion when he was snatched from a train bound for Beijing by ten plainclothes police officers under the eyes of two Swedish diplomats.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-OVERSEAS STUDENTS Almost 800,000 Chinese students studying in overseas universities are not yet under the Party’s control.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SoEs According to an article published by Xinhua on January 15, 2018, only 11 Chinese companies made the Fortune Global 500 list in 2002, but, in 2017, 115 Chinese companies made the list compared to 132 U.S. companies.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION EMPHASISES IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION On January 16, 2018, China's Ministry of Education issued directions for the further study and implementation of the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and to "further promote Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics into the classroom into the brain, and constantly improve the quality and level of ideological and political course construction."
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS IN XINJIANG Al Jazeera reported on January 17, 2018 that Chinese government authorities have banned Muslim children from attending religious events during winter break in Linxia county in Gansu province where there are many members of the Muslim Hui ethnic minority.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEETING OF HEADS OF UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENTS A meeting for the heads of the united front work departments nationwide was held in Beijing on January 1, 2018. United Front Work Department head and CCP Secretariat member You Quan presided over the meeting and emphasiSed the reinforcement of Party building, especially political construction, in the united front work system.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE At least three article in the CDIC magazine “China Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision” made specific critical mention of the now incarcerated former Politburo member Sun Zhengcai.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE The official China Daily on January 11, 2018 quoted the official news agency Xinhua as saying at the second plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection that on January 5, 2018 General Secretary of the CCP Xi Jinping asked Chinese Communist Party officials to remain loyal to the Party "at any time, and under any circumstance."
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY EXPRESSES LOYALTY TO XI JINPING Xinhua on January 8, 2018 reported that Full and Alternate members of the 19th CCP CC as well as provincial and ministerial-level officials attended a 4-day workshop at the CCP's Central Party School where they were urged to "resolutely defend General Secretary Xi Jinping's core status in the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party."
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: ACTIVITIES OF CHINESE EMBASSY IN INDIA The Chinese Embassy website announced that on January 18, PRC Ambassador Luo Zhaohui met and hosted a banquet for Professor Anita Sharma, Chairperson of the Department of East Asian Studies at Delhi University, her husband and Professor Ye Shujun, to exchange views on academic exchange and cooperation.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE COMMENTS ON SITUATION AT DOKLAM Responding to recent observations by Indian Army Chief General Rawat and satellite photographs published by the Indian newspaper The Print, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang at the routine weekly press briefing in Beijing on January 18, 2018 asserted "China's position on the Donglang (Doklam) area is quite clear.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: REF TO INDIA The state-owned Global Times on January 11, 2018, said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been fully executing military training instructions issued by President Xi Jinping on January 3 by conducting drills at home and abroad involving its ground forces, navy, air force, rocket force and armed police, as the PLA's news media cautioned the troops on January 11 of imminent threats and to avoid complacency.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-US: DETENTION OF US CITIZEN Associated Press on January 17, 2018 reported Chen Xiaoping, a New York-based editor at Chinese-language Mirror Media Group, as saying that his wife has been kidnapped and held for months by Chinese security forces after he extensively interviewed New York-based exiled businessman Guo Wengui.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-US: TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON HUAWEI Reuters reported on January 18, 2018 that US Congressmen are urging AT&T Inc., the No. 2 wireless carrier in the US, to cut all commercial ties to Chinese phone maker Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. They are also opposing plans by China Mobile Ltd to enter the US market because of national security concerns.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-US: CONGRESS SEEKS REGISTRATION BY CHINESE MEDIA OUTLETS OPERATING IN US A bipartisan group of US Senators is urging the US Justice Department to examine why Chinese state media outlets operating in the United States have not registered as foreign agents. In a letter to US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on January 16, seven senators led by Sens.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CRACKDOWN ON PEOPLE DISCUSSING 'JUNE 4' EVENT Mingpao on January 18, 2018 reported that at least two young Maoists had been detained for organising reading groups and talking about 'June Fourth'.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNITED FRONT WORK MINISTERIAL MEETING ON JANUARY 16, 2018 The official newspaper 'The Paper' on January 16, 2018 reported the decisions taken at the Ministerial Meeting of the CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) the same day.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE Xinhua announced that in the communique issued after its second plenary session on January 13, 2018, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) listed its priorities for this year.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP CC POLITBURO MEETING China's official news agency Xinhua reported that at a meeting of the Politburo in Beijing on January 12 it was agreed that the proposal to amend the country's Constitution should only include "changes to part of it, not revision on a large scale."
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CC PLENUM-XI JINPING THOUGHT WILL NOW BE IN CHINA'S CONSTITUTION The CCP CC held its second plenary session on January 18-19, 2018 when, according to China's official news agency Xinhua, it passed a resolution approving amendment of China's constitution to incorporate 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era' in view of it having generated "national fervour".
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP - ZHAO ZIYANG People were not permitted to commemorate former ousted CCP CC General Secretary Zhao Ziyang on his thirteenth death anniversary at his former home in Beijing on January 18, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-CCP: PARTY ORGANISATION IN SoEs Southern Weekend, a Chinese media headquartered in Guangzhou of Guang Dong Province, published an article on December 7, 2017 detailing how China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) carry out the (Communist) Party’s activities in their overseas operations.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: FOUR WEALTHIEST UYGHUR BUSINESSMEN ARRESTED FOR RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM Radio Free Asia reported on January 5, 2018 that the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region authorities had after seven months disclosed the arrest in Kashi city, Kashgar of Xinjiang's four wealthiest men for acts of “religious extremism”.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES LAUNCHED According to Xinhua, China on January 9, 2018 launched a pair of 0.5-meter high-resolution remote sensing satellites from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN: NEW DESTROYER Quoting the official news agency Xinhua, the state-owned China Daily on January 6, 2018 reported that a new 10,000- metric ton Chinese-built naval destroyer entered the water in June and is now being outfitted.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLAN: AIRCRAFT CARRIER Citing Taiwan military experts, a report in China's social media said China's latest aircraft carrier 002 will conduct its first maritime navigation trial in the near future around the Spring Festival and will be delivered to the Navy in 2020.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: FORMER GENERAL FANG FENGHUI BEING PROSECUTED According to Xinhua on January 9, 2018 former General Fang Fenghui, member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and former chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, has been transferred to the military prosecution authority on suspicion of offering and accepting bribery.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES PLA On January 3, 2018 Xi Jinping addressed via video 7000 PLA personnel at the Baoding Training Centre in Hebei Province and PLA troops at another 4000 bases across the country. Wearing camouflage battle fatigues, Xi Jinping In his 3 minute speech, asked the PLA to prepare for war and not fear fighting.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE ACQUISITION OF MONEYGRAM FAILS Reuters reported on January 3, 2018 that Chinese company Ant Financial’s plan to acquire U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram was denied by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: XI JINPING PLANS TO REUNIFY TAIWAN WITH MAINLAND BY 2020 Deng Yuwen, a researcher at China's Charhar Institute think-tank and who formerly worked in the Study Times, a newspaper of the Central Party School when Xi Jinping was its President but was removed and penalised after advocating a rethink of China’s policy towards N Korea as Xi Jinping became General Secretary, wrote in Hongkong's South China Morning Post on January 3, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-FILM REVENUES Data published on January 1, 2018 by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television showed gross box office in China expanding from RMB45.7 billion in 2016 to RMB55.9 billion in 2017.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: 'SPIRIT' OF 19TH PARTY CONGRESS TO PROMOTE HERITAGE OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM In an article published in Tibet Daily on December 20, 2017, Dawa Tsering, member of the Shannan Municipal CPPCC Standing, Vice Chairman of the Tibet Branch of the Buddhist Association of China and President of the Buddhist Association of Nan Shan, Samye Monastery monks, disclosed that 'guided by the Spirit' of the 19th Party Congress religious circles in Shannan City "organized propaganda groups to conduct propaganda activities in various temples and monasteries and monasteries, setting off a wave of studying the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the Ninth National Committee of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Central Committee".
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: TRIAL OF A TIBETAN FOR GIVING INTERVIEW TO A FOREIGN NEWSPAPER The International Campaign for Tibet on January 3 2018 reported that Tibetan shopkeeper Tashi Wangchuk, who has been in prison since January 2016 after giving an interview to New York Times in 2015 that was critical of Chinese cultural and educational policies on Tibetans, is due to be tried.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TIBET: DETENTION OF TIBETAN FOR A REPORT BY TCHRD ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER 40-year old Shonu Palden, a former Tibetan political prisoner, was summoned by police in Gansu province’s Machu (in Chinese, Maqu) county on December 27 and was questioned for hours about a report published by the Dharamsala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) earlier in the month.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: MOON LANDINGS China is plans for lunar exploration are proceeding rapidly and in 2018, China will launch a pair of missions known collectively as Chang’e 4. These are the fourth mission in a series named after the Chinese moon goddess.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CYBER POLICING Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on January 4, 2018 that online Chinese news platform Toutiao is recruiting some 2,000 editors to oversee content delivered to its smartphone app, after being admonished last week for alleged breaches of regulations and for spreading "pornographic and vulgar content."
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-DEEP OCEAN RESEARCH The state-owned Global Times quoted China's official news agency Xinhua as reporting on January 4, 2018 that China's underwater glider Haiyi, which means "sea wings" in Chinese, successfully ended its mission to the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLAAF: NEW PLAAF PARTY APPOINTMENTS Pengpai News reported on January 1, 2018, that it had learned from authoritative sources that Lt General Xu Anxiang, former Deputy Commander of the Southern Theatre Command and Commander of the Theater Command Air Force, and Major General Yu Qingjiang, former Chief of the Air Command Academy, have become members of the PLA Air Force Party Standing Committee.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES PLA ON JANUARY 3 Addresssing 7000 PLA personnel during a parade in Hebei, Xi Jinping asked them to fear “neither hardship nor death” as they implemented the Communist party’s orders.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE China's official newsagency Xinhua on December 31, 2017 front-paged CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping's 1161-word New Year message, which was also repeated by China Radio International, China National Radio, China Central Television, China International Television (China Globo) and the Internet published Er 〇 Yi Ba New Year address.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TAX HOLIDAY FOR FOREIGN ENTERPRISES The New York Times reported on December 28, 2017 that China's Finance Ministry had decided that from January 1, 2018 it would temporarily exempt foreign companies from paying tax on their earnings in a bid to keep American businesses from taking their profits out of China following Washington’s overhaul of the United States tax code.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-JAPAN: COOPERATION IN AFRICA Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on December 31, 2017, said that Shinzo Abe's government in Japan is trying to improve relations with China by cooperating on development assistance to African countries with a view to gaining African support for becoming a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-NEW ZEALAND: SUSPICIONS ABOUT ESPIONAGE BY OVERSEAS CHINESE Controversy about a China-born member of New Zealand's parliament has prompted Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters on December 20, 2017, to call for an investigation of Jian Yang, a National Party MP who previously worked 10 years for Chinese Military Intelligence.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TAR: DEVELOPMENT OF BORDER VILLAGES On December 21, 2017, the official Tibet Daily publicised that Jiang Jie,member of the Standing Committee of District Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), led a team to Yumai Township, Longzi County, Shannan City to conduct field research to "guide the construction of a well-off and well-to-do demonstration township at Yumei Township".
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-RELIGION China issued a number of documents demanding that the Party, the government organs, the schools, and other organizations prohibit any participation in activities related to Western religious festivals.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SICHUAN UFWD Ms Tian Xiangli has been appointed as the Head of the Sichuan Provincial United Front Works Department.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA: HOT LINE FOR PUBLIC The state-owned Global Times announced on December 29, 2017 that effective January 1, 2018, China will launch a website that allows members of the public to make tip-offs on information suspected of undermining national security and rumors about the military.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PLA TO REPLACE PAP AND GUARD FLAG AND FIRE CANNONS AT TAM Xinhua reported on December 30, 2017, that responsibility for guarding China's national flag and firing salute cannons will be transferred to the PLA starting January 1, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-PEOPLE'S ARMED POLICE FORCE (PAPF) NOW UNDER CMC China's official news agency Xinhua reported on December 27, 2017 that the 1.5 million strong People’s Armed Police Force (PAPF) will be brought under the direct control of the Central Military Commission with effect from January 1, 2018.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ADDRESSES CHINESE DIPLOMATS ATTENDING ANNUAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS CONFERENCE Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 28, called on China's diplomats attending the Foreign Ministry's annual meeting at the Great Hall of the People, to remain loyal to the Party and make contributions to the nation.
Jan 2018 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN REACTS TO CHINESE THREAT Addressing a press conference for foreign journalists on December 5, 2017, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Minister Chang Hsiao-Yueh declared that China would “pay a very very high price” if it invaded Taiwan.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLAAF EXERCISES: OVER TSUSHIMA STRAIT AND OKINAWA AND MIYAKO ISLANDS IN EAST CHINA SEA Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that on December 18, 2017, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) flew two Xian H-6K long-range heavy bombers, two Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter jets, and one Tupolev Tu-154MD electronic intelligence aircraft through the Tsushima Strait, a waterway between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: DEFENCE R & D China State Television was quoted by Hongkong's South China Morning Post as showing live images of the AG600 lifting off from Zhuhai airport in Guangdong province. The official news agency Xinhua described the aircraft as the “protector spirit of the sea, islands and reefs”.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA REFORM China.com on December 18, 2017 reported that Chinese lawmakers had recently passed The Regulations of The People’s Liberation Army Civilian Personnel.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EDUCATION DRIVE IN TIBET AND XINJIANG The official Global Times on December 25, 2017 reported that China's Education Ministry plans to send more than 10,000 experienced teachers to the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to improve education in the regions.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: ETHNIC ISSUES OVER LANGUAGE The Southern Mongolia Human Rights Information Centre (SMHRIC) on December 22, 2017, reported that the Bayangol No.3 High School, the last school to provide instruction in the Mongolian language in the Bayangol Prefecture of China’s “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region” was banned from using Mongolian earlier this week.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT An article in the state-owned Global Times on December 25, 2017 said that a high priority item for 2018 on the agenda of China's annual central conference on rural work, which will set the tone for next year's agricultural and rural development and is expected to convene in Beijing soon, is revitalising the countryside.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Reuters quoted China's official news agency Xinhua as reporting on December 24, 2017 that China has closed more than 13,000 websites since the beginning of 2015 for breaking the law or other rules and that the vast majority of people support government efforts to clean up cyberspace.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-SPAIN: TAIWANESE DEPORTED TO CHINA A Spanish court on December 15, 2017, granted China's extradition request for 121 Taiwanese accused of belonging to Spain-based gangs that swindled people in China out of millions of euros by telephone. Interpol told Spain about the scam a year ago, and Spanish and Chinese authorities cooperated in an operation that nabbed a total of 269 people. The National Court ruled there was no impediment to the extradition. Spain has an extradition treaty with China and no diplomatic relations with Taipei.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: CHINESE OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR WAR South China Morning Post reported on December 16, 2017, that at a conference on the crisis in the Korean Peninsula in Beijing recently Shi Yinhong, Professor of International Relations at Renmin University who also advises the State Council, warned “Conditions on the peninsula now make for the biggest risk of a war in decades.”
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: PLA NAVY COMMANDER'S COMMENTS During a meeting between PLA Navy Commander Shen Jinlong and the Australian Navy Chief Tim Barrett on December 14, 2017, the PLAN Commander is reported to have said “The situation in the South China Sea is positive, but a series of moves by the Australian army this year have compromised the overall trend of peace and stability in the area.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-DALAI LAMA'S NEW APP The Dalai Lama, who already has a Twitter account with more than 16 million followers, has launched a mobile app for followers to stay up to date with his travels and teachings.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA- BUDDHISM AND THE CCP On December 11, 2017, Yin Shun, a Buddhist monk and Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and President of the Hainan Buddhist Association, said that "the Communist Party is the living Buddha of the world."
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: SECURITY AT LARUNG GAR TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONASTERY Quoting sources Radio Free Asia (RFA) on December 14, 2017, reported that authorities in Sichuan province have further tightened controls at the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, setting up checkpoints at which monks, nuns, and visitors must now show permits allowing them to enter.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: JUDICIAL SYSTEM A new White Paper titled "New Progress in the Legal Protection of Human Rights in China" issued by China's State Council Information Office on December 15, 2017, claimed China has put people first in its judicial system, integrated criminal punishment with human rights protection and pressed ahead with judicial system reform effectively enhancing judicial protection of human rights over the last five years.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW HIGH-ALTITUDE DRONE On December 15, 2017, Eugene K Chow wrote that in a major breakthrough, China recently unveiled a formidable new high-altitude drone that could give its military a significant advantage.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING INSPECTS 71st GROUP ARMY Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected the PLA's 71st Group Army in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province on December 13, 2017. He urged the army to restructure and enhance its combat capability and asked officers of the Group Army to grasp the spirit of the 19th Party Congress and incorporate the principles into military practice.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PUTIN'S ANNUAL PRESS CONFERENCE Xinhua on December 15, 2017, quoted Russian President Putin as saying at his annual press conference: "I am fully convinced that the development of relations with China enjoys a national consensus in Russia, and irrespectively of the outcome of the (Russian presidential) election campaign, Russia and China will remain strategic partners for an extensive historic perspective."
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR TESTS PLA Major General Jin Yinan was a guest at the military forum “National Defense Space” on The Voice of China {a radio station} on December 7, 2017, talking about the recent North Korean intercontinental missile launch and the US-Korea joint military exercises.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: CHINESE SECURITY PERSONNEL BEAT SOUTH KOREAN JOURNALISTS Chinese security guards on December 14, 2017, attacked South Korean reporters travelling with South Korea President Moon Jae-in at a trade fair in Beijing.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: SOUTH CHINA SEA An official document jointly issued on December 12, 2017, by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and State Oceanic Administration said China will advance construction of seawater desalination projects on about 100 islands in coastal provinces including Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Hainan in the next 3 to 5 years.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: PLAAF EXERCISES OFF JAPAN Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, said at a meeting of senior air force officers that a PLAAF fighter plane took part in a regular patrol exercise on Decemer 11, 2017.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA TROOP REINFORCEMENTS AT DOKLAM The South China Morning Post reported on December 14, 2017, that in a bid to tighten control of its borders and prepare for any future problems in the region, China is improving its military infrastructure, including new mortar and gun positions, at a site between five and 10km from the site of this summer’s stand-off on the Doklam Plateau.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AIIB LOAN TO CHINA The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on December 11 approved its first corporate lending — a US$ 250 million loan that will allow state-owned Beijing Gas Group to extend gas pipeline infrastructure to roughly 217,000 households around Beijing by 2021.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-BRI: CALL FOR ENHANCED SECURITY The Global Times on December 11, 2017, asserted that an increase in security input by Chinese enterprises is more important.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: REORGANISATION The state-owned Global Times on December 11, 2017, quoted experts as saying the PLA's ground force's top priority is actual combat readiness and that it had been selecting and deploying officers based on battle requirements.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW EDUCATION NORMS IN XINJIANG The state-owned Global Times on December 13, 2017, reported that in a a move "to inherit traditional Chinese culture and explore core socialist values", the 7th Primary School, located in Kuqa county, Aksu prefecture invited calligraphy expert Wang Zufeng to teach students, and displayed the students' calligraphy works on campus.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP - XI JINPING China's official news agency Xinhua reported on December 14, 2017, that the CCP Central Committee on December 14, approved the founding of 10 research institutes on “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era”.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINESE ESPIONAGE ACTIVITIES The Australian Intelligence organisation ASIO has identified about 10 political candidates at state and local government elections whom it believes have close ties to Chinese intelligence services.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: JOINT AIR DEFENCE EXERCISES 'AEROSPACE SECURITY-2017' A statement by the Russian Ministry of Defence said that Russia and China have kicked-off a series of joint air defense exercises called Aerospace Security-2017, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two great powers.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PRC DIPLOMAT THREATENS WAR A report in Taipei Times on December 10, 2017, quoted a senior US-based PRC diplomat as saying "Cross-strait ties are none of the US’ business and do not need to rely on the mediation of any other nation".
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMY-XIAOMI'S INVESTMENT PLANS Xiaomi Founder and CEO Lei Jun said in November 2017 that India, the world’s second most populous market, is Xiaomi’s top priority and that the company plans to invest US$1 billion in 100 Indian start-ups over the next five years to create an ecosystem of apps for Xiaomi phones.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: TERROR THREAT On December 8, 2017, the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad took the unusual step of posting on its official website a warning to Chinese nationals of plans for a series of imminent “terrorist attacks” on Chinese targets there.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: SRI LANKA-HAMBANTOTA PORT An article in the state-owned Global Times on December 12, 2017, confirmed that the Sri Lanka government had last week handed over the Hambantota Port to China on a 99-year lease, which had "stirred alarm in New Delhi".
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-BRI (OBOR): ESTIMTATE OF INVESTMENTS The American Enterprise Institute this summer estimated approx US$1.6 trillion of contracts in OBOR countries since 2005. However, actual investment is a mere $98 billion.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT:LIAISON WITH FOREIGN POLITICAL PARTIES China's official news agency Xinhua reported on December 4, 2017, that a recent 4-day high-level political party conference in Beijing called 'Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting' had representatives of nearly 300 political parties and organizations from more than 120 countries.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INNER MONGOLIA The Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center's (SMHRIC) intervention at the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues 10th Session held in Geneva from November 29 to December 1, 2017, as well as the transcripts of responses from a Chinese GONGO (government operated non-governmental organization) and the Chinese Government delegation, were publicised by SMHRIC on December 8, 2017.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-SECURITY: COLLECTION OF DNA SAMPLES IN XINJIANG In February 2017, the Xinjiang government authorised an official document called “The [Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous] Region Working Guidelines on the Accurate Registration and Verification of Population” (全区人口精准登记核实工作指南, “The Population Registration Program”) specifying that it would be carried out in stages.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on its website on November 21, 2017, that Lu Wei, the former head of the Chinese Internet regulator, has been placed under corruption investigation.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-XI JINPING OUTLINES BIG DATA STRATEGY AT POLITBURO MEETING ON DECEMBER 8, 2017 Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the Politburo's second 'collective study session' on December 8, 2017 when he outlined a strategy for the implementation of national big data.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-CANADA: TIBET- REQUEST TO MEET GEDHUN CHOEKYI NYIMA Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland called on China to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief to visit Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-SYRIA: CHINA TO SEND SPECIAL FORCES TO SYRIA TO FIGHT ETIM The Saudi-founded, London-based media company Asharq Al-Awsat reported from Beirut on November 29, 2017, that China will soon its Special Forces to Syria to participate in countering terrorism of the Islamic East Turkestan Movement in the Damascus countryside.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Derek M Scissors, a Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote in National Interest on November 27, 2017, that estimates of China's GDP as compared to that of the US are over rated as are those of its wealth.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW CORVETTES COMMMISSIONED The PLA Navy (PLAN) inducted two Type 056/056A Jiangdao-class corvettes into service in November 2017.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: REMOVAL OF HOMELESS MIGRANT WORKERS FROM BEIJING A 40-day campaign to evict and remove homeless migrant workers from Beijing got seriously underway from November 18, 2017. Reports on blog sites claim that some hanged themselves on receiving the 'removal' notices. Rumours say that Beijing has a population of over 7 million and the aim is to bring it down to around 5 million.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: AUTHORITIES DISALLOW FESTIVAL IN LARUNG GAR Radio Free Asia reported that authorities of Sichuan province on October 29, 2017, disallowed a major prayer gathering called Dechen Shedrub at the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy reversing an earlier decision to allow the festival.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SELF-IMMOLATION IN TIBET A 63-year old Tibetan monk, Tenga, self-immolated on November 26, 2017, in Kardze county, Sichuan province.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: A CHINA MODEL FOR THE WORLD An article by Chen Meidong in the Renmin Wang of November 27, 2017, expanded on Xi Jinping's remarks in his Work Report to the 19th Party Congress and advanced the proposition that "socialism with Chinese characteristics has broadened the path to modernisation for developing countries".
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: WANG QISHAN AND CYBER CONTROL 62-year Wang Huning, PBSC member in charge of ideology and the propaganda apparatus and head of the CCP CC Secretariat, made his first major speech since joining the Politburo Standing Committee on December 3, 2017, at a conference in Wuzhen staged to show China's technological strengths.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECOND VOLUME OF 'XI JINPING: THE GOVERNANCE OF CHINA' Xinhua on November 27, 2017, publicised that major publishing houses from 16 countries have signed memorandums with the Foreign Languages Press (FLP) to translate and publish the second volume of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book on governance.
Dec 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN On November 28, 2017, the Yueyang Intermediate People's Court of Hunan Province sentenced Li Mingzhe, a citizen of Taiwan, and Peng Yuhua, a Chinese citizen, to "Subversion of State Power".
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: BRIBERY CHARGES AGAINST CHINESE FRONT ORGANISATION HEAD The United States has charged 61-year old Cheikh Gadio, a former Senegalese foreign minister and Chi Ping Patrick Ho, 68 years, of Hong Kong with bribing high-level officials in Chad and Uganda in exchange for contracts for a Chinese oil and gas company.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE NATIONALS ARRESTED FOR HACKING Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei, all Chinese nationals and residents of China, were indicted on November 28, 2017 by a grand jury for computer hacking, theft of trade secrets, conspiracy and identity theft directed at U.S. and foreign employees and computers of three corporate victims in the financial, engineering and technology industries between 2011 and May 2017.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: BEIJING'S PROPOSAL ON ROHINGYA REFUGEE ISSUE On November 19, 2017, the South China Morning Post reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had travelled to Myanmar's capital on November 19 and Naypitaw and said the international community must help Myanmar and Bangladesh tackle the problem caused by the 600,000 Rohingya muslim refugees who had fled to Bangladesh following military operations since August.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-GERMANY: TIBETAN PROTEST DISRUPTS FOOTBALL A round of friendly matches in Germany with China’s Under 20 national team was cancelled on November 24, 2017, after a group of protesters unfurled Tibetan flags at a game last week in Mainz, causing the Chinese team to walk off the pitch.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: LHASA-KATHMANDU RAILWAY The Nepalese press recently reported that China and Nepal had completed a study on the cross-border, 100-km railway that they say will connect Kathmandu with the border town of Kyirong (Chinese: Gyirong) in the TAR.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: LHASA-NYINGTRI RAILWAY LINE Construction has begun on a new line to Nyingtri (Chinese: Linzhi) in the TAR, in the sensitive border area with Arunachal Pradesh, which the Chinese government flagged as “a new era in railway construction”. The Nyingtri line will be part of a new railway route linking the TAR to the capital of Sichuan, Chengdu, and beyond, running east from Lhasa.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: SAFETY ISSUES IN LHASA-TIBET RAILWAY A blog is circulating in China's social media expressing fears on safety of the Lhasa-Shigatse railway route. The author of the blog, who appears to have detailed knowledge of the railway's construction, details six problematic issues of the line which endanger its safety.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-CYBER CONTROLS In his keynote speech on November 25, 2017,at the Centenary of Peking University Lecture Hall titled "solidly promoting the building of a network powerhouse under the guidance of the 19th CCP National Congress", Ren Xianliang, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Cybersecurity and Informatization (Netsub Network) Office and Deputy Director of the State Internet Information Office, justified the new cyber regulations.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-CCP: IDEOLOGICAL CONTROLS The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has ordered foreign-funded universities to establish Party units and grant decision-making powers to a Party official. This reverses an earlier promise to guarantee academic freedom.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SUICIDE BY FORMER PLA GENERAL ZHANG YANG General Zhang Yang, a former head of the powerful Central Military Commission’s (CMC) Political Work Department who was arrested on charges of corruption in May 2017, committed suicide last week.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-ZIMBABWE: A ROLE IN THE COUP? Zimbabwe Army Chief, General Constantine Chiwenga's visit to Beijing just days before the military coup on November 15, 2017, that overthrew 93-year old Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, has sparked speculation that Beijing either had advance warning of the coup or had a hand in it.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-CPEC AND BRI: NEPAL AND PAKISTAN EXPRESS DOUBTS ABOUT PROJECTS Pakistan’s Express Tribune quoted Water and Power Development Authority Chairman Muzammil Hussain as saying on November 15, 2017, that the exclusion of the Diamer-Bhasha dam from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, a key element to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, was because China’s hyper strict conditions for funding the project were “not doable and against our interests”.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: MEETING ON WORKING MECHANISM FOR CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ON INDIA-CHINA BORDER AF The 10th round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held in Beijing on November 17, 2017.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-DPRK: ILD MINISTER SONG TAO'S VISIT CCP CC ILD Minister Song Tao left Beijing for Pyongyang on November 17, 2017, on what was described as a routine briefing trip for fraternal socialist countries on the 19th Party Congress.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY EXERCISE The China and the United States military humanitarian relief disaster reduction command postulation and military exercise started on November 16 morning.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: RESOLUTION ON TIBET A bipartisan Concurrent Resolution (S. Con. Res. 30) was introduced to the Senate on November 16, 2017 asking the Trump Administration to make Tibet an important factor in US-China relations.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: MODERNISATION IN NEW ERA UNDER XI JINPING The state-owned Global Times on November 17, 2017, reproduced a 10,000-character Xinhua report entitled: 'Xi Jinping and His Era: Top Commander Reshaping the Military'.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-THAILAND: PLAN PARTICIPATES IN FLEET REVIEW China's indigenously built guided-missile destroyer Zhengzhou (Hull 151) left from the naval port in Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province on November 9, 2017, to participate in the International Fleet Review 2017, to be held in Pattaya Bay, Thailand, to mark the ASEAN's 50th founding anniversary.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: SENIOR APPOINTMENTS General Wei Fenghe, Commander of the PLA Rocket Forces was replaced in September 2017, by Zhou Yaning (周亚宁). Wei Fenghe continues as member of the CMC and member of the 19th CCP's CC.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES In the week prior to November10, 2017, there were a few major deals.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY AND STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES (SoEs) The prominence of the party-state authorities in enterprises is illustrated by the unprecedented number of SoE chiefs who have been appointed to the policy-setting Central Committee. At least twenty such state entrepreneurs have attained this rare honor of joining the policy-setting Central Committee, albeit as alternate or non-voting members (Ta Kung Pao [Hong Kong], October 25; Finance.sina.com, October 24).
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-SOCIAL CREDIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM China's Legal Daily reported on November 15, 2017, that China's Supreme Court had since 2013 prepared a 'black list' of 8.7 million "dishonest" persons as part of the social credit management system.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP CC'S PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT Initium, recently published an article detailing the structure and functions of China's central propaganda department which was re-published by Advox, the international organisation for media rights, on November 12, 2017.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PUBLICITY OF XI JINPING POST 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua reported that soon after the Party Congress, the CCP CC constituted a 36-member "Central Publicity team" comprising 3 Politburo members which includes Xi Jinping's protege Chen Min'er.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS Chen Xi, a close confidante of Xi Jinping and member of the CCP CC's Politburo, has been appointed head of the Central Party School in Beijing.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: XI JINPING'S MEETING WITH ROK PRESIDENT MOON JAE-IN In their second Summit Meeting on November 11, in Da Nang in Vietnam on the sidelines of the APEC leaders' meeting, President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to “normalize exchanges and cooperation in all areas”, signalling a thaw in bilateral relations following the row over the deployment of the U.S.-led Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) battery in Korea.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: KASHMIR At the regular press conference of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 22, 2017, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang replied to a question on Kashmir.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: XI JINPING THOUGHT China's official news agency Xinhua reported on November 8, 2017, that Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo delivered a 2-hour lecture on 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era' to about 120 students at the University of Cambodia that day.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-CYBER OPS/THEFT US security researchers recently found a hacking group with suspected ties to the Chinese government engaged in what appears to be corporate espionage against multiple U.S. companies.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT WORK IN BEIJING MUNICIPALITY At a meeting of the Beijing Communist Party's United Front Work department on October 27, 2017, Qi Jing, Standing Committee Member and Minister of the United Front Work Department of Beijing City, said that 'the 19th Party Congress is a political declaration that our Party has entered a new era, opened the scientific guide for the new journey and continued writing new chapters for programme of action'.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-OVERSEAS FUGITIVES The Chinese government reported in October 2017, that its multi-year Operation Sky Net has recovered 9.36 billion renminbi in allegedly stolen funds and returned 48 fugitives that China placed on Interpol’s red notice list.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on November 10, 2017, that with effect from June 2017 foreign new-energy carmakers like Tesla Inc. will be able to set up their own factories in free trade zones in China without a local partner.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China on November 10, 2017, took a major step and said it will remove foreign ownership limits on banks while allowing overseas firms to take majority stakes in local securities ventures, fund managers and insurers.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE China Discipline Inspection, a newspaper run by the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) Oon November 8, 2017, reported that two members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) were held accountable for bringing books with serious political issues from overseas.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: CHONGQING DEPUTY MAYOR MU HUAPING REMOVED Caixin reported on November 10, 2017, that Mu Huaping, Deputy Mayor in charge of the science and technology sectors of the centrally administered Chongqing Municipality had been removed for alleged financial ties with the local financial technology firm IZP Group November 9.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 'GREAT LEADER' XI JINPING A Guizhou newspaper, the Qian Xi Nan Ri Bao, on November 7, 2017, referred to Xi Jinping as "Great Leader" (伟大领袖).
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT (NOV 8-10, 2017) TO BEIJING China's official news agency Xinhua on November 9, reported that Chinese and U.S. companies had signed trade and investment deals worth more than 250 billion U.S. dollars on November 9 in Beijing.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTELLIGENCE APPARATUS: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT Well known US journalist Bill Gertz on November 8, 2017, wrote that hundreds of Chinese government analysts worked nonstop for months studying every detail on President Trump in preparation for his state visit to China this week.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On November 8, 2017, China released fresh details about a new financial regulatory body intended to calm a financial system that in recent years has endured a stock market crash, a huge exodus of money outside the country and the rapid accumulation of debt.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-TERRORISM: XINJIANG The Xinjiang United Front website (新疆统一战线) had a post on their website on June 19, 2017 of a list circulated earlier this year by the UFWD of “75 Signs of Religious Extremism”.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Soon after the 19th Party Congress (October 18 - 24, 2017) held in Beijing, the Chinese-appointed 11th Panchen Lama said that the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) could benefit Buddhism and called on all Buddhists to be grateful to the homeland.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS At the 19th Party Congress in October 2017, Xi Jinping instead of continuing with the straw poll, dismissed it as a gimmick which could elect the wrong people.
Nov 2017 |
Panchen Lama inaugurates the Seventh Annual Seminar on Tibetan Buddhist Doctrine Interpretation The Chinese appointed Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu, inaugurated the seventh Annual Seminar on Tibetan Buddhist Doctrine Interpretation at Tibetan Buddhism College of China in Beijing on November 06, 2017.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-NEPAL: OFFICIALS LEARNING CHINESE Xinhua reported on October 31, that Government officials from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have started to learn Chinese language from October 31, 2017, 'to enhance their understanding about China'.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: JAPAN AND INDIA HEDGING AGAINST CHINA Chinese observers note that India is a main target of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wider outreach efforts.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: REMARKS OF CHINESE AMBASSADOR CUI TIANKAI China's Ambassador to Washington said on October 30, in Washington, that US President Donald Trump's state visit to Beijing from November 8 was a "historic opportunity" to boost cooperation, but warned against attempts to "contain" Beijing.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT (NOV 8-10, 2017) TO BEIJING China accorded US President Trump a high-profile ceremonial welcome on November 8, 2017, with a red carpet, full military band, children waving flags and dinner at Zhongnanhai.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY : ISLAND CONSTRUCTION AND SOUTH CHINA SEA China launched its ‘magical’ island-building ship on the eve of US President Trump visit to Asia, namely the dredger The Tiankun, presently tied up in Qidong.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: SECURITY PERSONNEL ALSO BEING ARRESTED Family members of ethnic Uyghur security personnel in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region, who authorities had previously considered “off limits,” are among those now being detained as part of “stability” measures the officers have been tasked with enforcing.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LABOUR: PROBLEMS WITH OVERSEAS CHINESE LABOUR A Hongkong media report said on November 1, 2017, that numerous problems involving Chinese labour overseas have surfaced in countries where Chinese-funded enterprises in the field of infrastructure projects are engaged in OBOR projects.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Xinhua reported on November 5, 2017 that "As of the end of June, there were 13,554 projects nationwide with investment of 16.3 trillion yuan ($2.4 trillion), according to data from the China Public Private Partnerships Center".
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION In a speech on November 1, 2017, Chinese Presodent Xi Jinping vowed to fulfill the Communists’ original intent and staked his legacy on an ambitious plan to complete the eradication of rural poverty by 2020.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHINA LAWYERS INDUSTRY COMMITTEE According to a report in the Legal Daily on October 31, after the CCP CC's Organisation Department approved the PRC Ministry of Justice proposal the Communist Party of China Lawyers Industry Committee was established on October 26, 2017.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING STYLE In his first public appearance since the 19th Party Congress, Xi Jinping accompanied by the entire 7-member Politburo Standing Committee on October 31, 2017,Xi Jinping travelled to the Party’s roots to a brick house in Shanghai’s French Concession that hosted the Party’s founding congress almost a century ago.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-XI JINPING SELECTS LEADERS SETTING ASIDE VOTING An important development at the 19th Party Congress in October 2017 has been the dismissal by Xi Jinping of the system of the straw poll.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 'XI JINPING THOUGHT' TO BE TAUGHT IN UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA Immediately following the 19th Party Congress unanimously adopting 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for the New Era' in the Party Constitution, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has begun introducing "Xi Jinping Thought" into every aspect of public life, including as a research topic in universities.
Nov 2017 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT (NOV 8 - 10, 2017) TO CHINA Representatives from about 40 US companies are expected to accompany President Donald Trump on the first presidential trade mission to China from November 8-10, 2017, and sign deals for billions of dollars in U.S. investments.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP'S INNER PARTY ELECTIONS An interesting Xinhua article on October 26, 2017, stated that Xi Jinping was re-elected General Secretary of the CCP Central Committee by a unanimous vote at the first plenum of the new Central Committee that was elected at the party's twice-a-decade national congress.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH CCP CC-SoEs This is the first time in at least 15 years that SOEs have not had a representative on the Party’s Central Committee.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITBURO'S FIRST MEETING ON OCTOBER 27 At its first meeting on October 27, 2017, the new CCCP CC Political Bureau reviewed two documents to safeguard the centralized, unified leadership of the CCP Central Committee and fully implement frugality rules. The meeting was presided over by Xi Jinping.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA INTERNAL_LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING At its first meeting after the 19th Party Congress, the new Politburo formally recognised Xi Jinping as the ruling Communist Party’s lingxiu – a reverential term for “leader”.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES CRITICISES HOME MINISTER RAJNATH SINGH'S REMARKS ON CULTURE In an article headlined '‘India culture controls China’ remarks a trick to boost national pride: experts', China's state-owned Global Times on October 25, 2017, said Chinese experts had on October 25, "slammed an Indian official's remarks that China has been culturally controlled by India, saying the official is trying to boost the country's national pride".
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 2-DAY VISIT TO CHINA FROM NOVEMBER 7 US Administration officials expected to travel with US President Trump during his 12-day Asia tour tat includes 2 days in China, include National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senior Policy Adviser Stephen Miller, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-UNITED FRONT WORK DEPARTMENT The CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) located at 135, Fuyou Street, next to the Communist Party leadership's compound, has increased its activities since xi Jinping took over. The UFWD's operations in several countries is directed towards charming, co-opting or attacking well-defined groups and individuals in order to win support for China’s political agenda, accumulate influence overseas and gather key information.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BIO INFORMATION ON PBSC MEMBER WANG HUNING Wang Huning's ancestry is traced back to Shandong Province.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: PLA REPRESENTATION IN NEW 19TH CC The 19th CCP CC has 39 officers representing the PLA and 2 representing the PAPF in the new 19th CC.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: NEW 19TH CCP CC There are 14 CC Members in the new 19th Central Committee (CC) who have a background in academics and universities especially in aeronautical sciences indicating a focus on R&D and scientific research.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH CCP CC POLITBURO'S FIRST MEETING The new Politburo held its first meeting on October 27, 2017. At the meeting, the Politburo passed two regulations: one concerns the strengthening and preserving the centralized unified leading role of the central party, and the other regarding a revised and further operationalised eight-items regulations. The first regulation is most interesting.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS AND THE NEW CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION (CMC) The list of members of the new CMC of the CCP was released also on October 25 morning.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: CHINA'S NEW LEADERSHIP LINE-UP (IN RANK ORDER) Clearly confirming Xi Jinping's loaded assurance in his Work Report to the 19th Party Congress on October 18 -- and repeated in the Communique and explanatory documents released later -- that the campaign against corruption would continue with equal vigour, the first announcement of a portfolio for a PBSC Member was that of 60-year old Zhao Leji, as head of the Central Discipline Inspection commission (CDIC).
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-SECURITY: STATE SURVEILLANCE Human Rights Watch said on October 22, 2017, that the Chinese government's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is collaborating with iFlytek, a Chinese company that produces 80 percent of all speech recognition technology in the country, to develop a pilot surveillance system that can automatically identify targeted voices in phone conversations and has begun collecting “voice pattern” samples of individuals to establish a national voice biometric database.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-XI JINPING'S WORK REPORT AND RULE OF LAW China's Legal Daily on October 20, 2017, said the 'Rule of Law is the Essential Requirement and Important Guarantee of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics'.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS- NEW 19TH CCP CENTRAL COMMITTEE The name list of the CCP's new 19th Central Committee comprising 204 Full Members and 172 Alternate Members was released on October 24, 2017.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS INCLUDES XI JINPING THOUGHT ON SOCIALISM ETC IN PARTY CONSTITUTION The new 19th Central Committee of the CCP unanimously approved an amendment to the Party Constitution placing 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era' in the charter's preamble as part of the guiding ideology of the Party.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: AFGHANISTAN JOINS AIIB Jin Liqun, President of the Beijing-based AIIB, formally presented a certificate confirming the country’s new status to Afghan Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi on October 13, 2017, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Washington.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-US: PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FIRST VISIT TO CHINA AS US PRESIDENT US President Donald Trump will pay a 2-day visit to China from November 7, 2017.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY & JUDICIARY The Supreme people's Procurator General and Party Secretary Cao Jianming at a Party Group meeting held on October 16, 2017, in Beijing exhorted procuratorate organs to adhere to the "four musts", strengthen the "four consciousness" and firmly uphold the authority and concentration of the Party Central Committee Unified leadership.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: AUSTERITY CAMPAIGN The official news agency Xinhua and the official Party mouthpiece People's Daily on October 18, 2017 -- the opening day of the 19th Party Congress in Beijing -- publicised that the austerity campaign initiated by Xi Jinping had resulted in 140 central and state organisations disposing off 3868 official vehicles and that in 2016 expenditure on official entertainment had dropped by 61.8%.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The Deputy Secretary of the CDIC Yang Xiaodu said on October 19, 2017, that a large number of Party cadres and members had been "severely" punished for corruption.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS AND DALAI LAMA/TIBET China's authoritative oficial news agency Xinhua reported on October 21, 2017, that at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing 19th Party Congress on October 21, the Vice Minister of the CCP CC's United Front Work Department and its Executive Deputy Head Zhang Yijiong had reaffirmed China's opposition to the Dalai Lama's visits to foreign countries.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS AND PROPAGANDA FOR XI JINPING The Chinese IT firm Tencent came out with a new online game during the 19th Party Congress in Beijing in which Chinese netizens can compete in applauding for Xi Jinping.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LEADERSHIP/19TH PARTY CONGRESS There is considerable speculation in Beijing that 61-YEAR OLD Guo Shuqing, current chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, is likely to replace Zhou Xiaochuan as Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC).
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS 66-year old former Finance Minister and current head of the National Council for Social Security Fund, on October 20, 2017, changed his earlier opinion and said on the sidelines of the ongoing Party congress in Beijing that the introduction of government reforms in recent years meant China would now avoid problem of the middle-income trap.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADING CADRES PRAISE XI JINPING'S WORK REPORT TO 19TH PARTY CONGRESS During the first two days of the Party Congress, various delegations have held discussions about Xi Jinping’s work report. Leading cadres utilised these forums to publicly show their loyalty and praise General Secretary Xi Jinping.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: SPECULATED PBSC LEADERSHIP LINE-UP The South China Morning Post claimed on October 22, 2017, that Li Zhanshu, Han Zheng, Zhao Leji, Wang Yang, Wang Huning will be appointed to the new PBSC and Premier Li Keqiang will continue.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping took three hours and thirty two minutes to read out his 32,000-character Work Report to 2870 delegates to the 19th Party Congress on October 18, 2017.
Oct 2017 |
NORTH KOREA: PERSONNEL CHANGES Tsutomu Nishioka, a member of the Planning Committee at the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals and Visiting Professor at Reitaku University, recently wrote that on October 7, 2017, just before the anniversary of the Korea Workers’ Party (KWP), a KWP Central Committee meeting made some senior official appointments.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING & 19TH PARTY CONGRESS An article in Foreign Policy on October 16, 2017, said that to strengthen his base, Xi Jinping had turned his attention to the lower levels where he has overseen a massive shake-up in the provincial leadership, with 23 of the 31 party secretaries being reassigned since 2016 alone.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: 'MAINLANDISATION' An article in the Hongkong Free Press on October 15, 2017, claimed that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to 'mainlandise' Hong Kong by exerting greater control over Hong Kong politically, economically, socially and culturally, to integrate it into the mainland before the end of the 50-year “one country, two systems” period in 2047.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-UK: PLA NAVY FRIENDSHIP PORT CALLS Chinese warships, loaded with air defence missiles, anti-submarine rockets, banks of radar as well as ship-borne helicopters, sailed along the Thames and docked in Canary Wharf on October 14, 2017, at the start of a 5-day goodwill visit.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-NEPAL: TRADE AND PROHIBITION ON IMPORT OF INDIAN GOODS TO TIBET Radio Free Asia on October 16, 2017, quoted a source as reporting that Tibetan businessmen traveling to Nepal from southern Tibet’s Kyirong county are being stopped at the border for lengthy document checks, while Chinese tourists and traders are allowed to pass through without scrutiny.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ACCUSATION THAT INDIA IS ALWAYS WHINING An article in the state-owned Global Times on October 12, 2017, alleged that "India seems to view whatever China does as suspicious and deem it a threat, like a victim of persecutory delusion".
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LOCAL SoEs An official of the State Council's National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) recently disclosed that there are a total of 144,700 local government SoEs.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIETAL PROBLEMS According to an article published by the state-owned Guangming Daily on October 13, 2017, 30 million people in China who are between the ages of 20 and 60 suffer from depression.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: RED ARMY SCHOOLS AND IDEOLOGY/POLITICAL EDUCATION Chinese President Xi Jinping is reshaping political education across China’s more than 283,000 primary and secondary schools for a new era.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY: MEDIA AT 19TH PARTY CONGRESS The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has criticised China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) for not granting accreditation to several Hong Kong journalists and media outlets.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS: SECURITY The Hongkong Free Press Journal reported on October 16, 2017, that Liu Xia, wife of the Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo whio has been under house arrest since 2008, was "forced" to travel and taken away from Beijing.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: SECURITY Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that, as part of China’s increased security measures, Chinese authorities have installed facial recognition video cameras on street corners or in stores to monitor public activities.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: REVISION OF MINIMUM WAGES BEFORE 19TH PARTY CONGRESS The China Labour Bulletin announced on October 16, 2017, that shortly before the 19th Party Congress just over half of China's 31 provinces and municipalities have announced increases in the minimum wage this year, and four major cities now have a monthly minimum wage of 2,000 yuan or above, the highest being Shanghai at 2,300 yuan per month.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: LEADERSHIP The Chinese Communist Party expelled the country’s former long-serving Justice Minister, 65-year Wu Aiying, for unspecified corruption charges just days before the 19th Party Congress opens in Beijing on October 18.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Qiu Shi ("Seeking Truth") wrote that the since the 18th Party Congress with Xi Jinping "as the core of the Party" and "standing at a strategic and overall height" had comprehensively and accurately implemented the principle of "one country, two systems" in dealing with "new situations, new problems and new challenges encountered in Hong Kong and Macao work" and maintained stability in Hong Kong and Macao "in the wind and waves to achieve new success"!
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 7TH PLENUM OF 18TH CCP CC PRIOR TO 19TH PARTY CONGRESS On October 14, 2017, China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua issued the text of the 7th CCP CC Plenum held from October 11 to 14, 2017, in Beijing. It was attended by 191 full members of the CC and 141 Alternate Members.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: US NAVY EXERCISES WITH JAPAN'S NAVY NEAR OKINAWA Japan's Maritime Self Defence Force headquarters announced on October 11, 2017, that the 100,000-ton US Navy aircraft carrier, the Ronald Reagan, is conducting drills with the Japanese destroyer Shimkaze in waters around Okinawa south-west of the Korean peninsula.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-US: CHINA PROTESTS AT US NAVY DESTROYER CHAFEE SAILING IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Chafeee sailed near the Paracel, islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on October 10, 2017 provoking, a Chinese response.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE EMBASSY IN INDIA ON CHARM OFFENSIVE On October 12, 2017, the Chinese Embassy in Delhi invited 70 "young politicians, businessmen, journalists and government officials" including Tarun Gogoi to a party in the Embassy premises attended by Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaogui and the Embassy's two senior diplomats Liu Jinsong and Li Bijian.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE CRITICISM OF INDIA ACCUSING PAKISTAN OF TERRORISM AND ASSERTION ON KASHMIR Writing in the Global Times on October 10, 2017, Long Xingchun, a senior research fellow at The Charhar Institute and Director of the Center for Indian Studies at China West Normal University, referred to EAM Sushma Swaraj's comment at the 72nd UN General Assembly, saying that Islamabad had given the world "terrorists" while New Delhi was producing top-notch doctors and engineers, and said "Swaraj's speech will only lead to deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, and is not conducive to improving the security situation in Kashmir".
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: CONFERENCE ON STRENGTHENING PARTY BUILDING A conference on strengthening Party building work in Tibet was held in ---- on May 19, 2017.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: BORDER STABILITY AND GOVERNANCE CONFERENCE AND REFERENCE TO DOKLAM On September 14-15, 2017, the China Borderland Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences held an academic seminar on "Border issues and Political Boundary stability of Tibet" in Beijing.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHINESE PROPAGANDA Weeks before commencement of the 19th Party Congress in Beijing on October 18, 2017, China sought to publicise the progress acheived in Tibet over the past five years. Penpa Lhamo, Deputy Head of the Contemporary Studies Institute of the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences, told Global Times on October 10, 2017, that the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) had seen great development and stability in the past five years and is expected to progress even further thanks to its development path with Chinese characteristics.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW REGULATIONS ON JUDICIARY The CCP CC's Organization Department, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the State Administration of Civil Service jointly issued a notification on "Opinions on Regulating the Professional Conduct of Civil Servants After Leaving Public Office". Effective from April 28, 2017.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW ENVIRONMENT REGULATIONS BEFORE 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Radio Free Asia reported on October 12, 2017, that the CCP CC and China's State Council had jointly issued a document on September 20, that devised an “environmental and resource capacity” alert system to measure “overloading” in at-risk regions. Xinhua said the colour-coded alert scheme divides regional environments into three categories, those with “overloading, near overloading and not overloading.”
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEOPLE'S DAILY WARNS PARTY MEMBERS AGAINST PRACTICE OF RELIGION A People's Daily commentary on October 12, 2017, warned Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials not to “pray to God and worship Buddha”, because communism is about atheism and superstition is at the root of many corrupt officials who fall from grace.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-SECURITY: FACIAL RECOGNITION SYSTEM Isvision, a security company based in Shanghai, is developing a facial recognition system to cover 1.3 billion people.The system developed by Isvision will use an algorithm developed by SeetaTech, a start-up established by several researchers from the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CLAMPDOWN BEFORE 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Authorities in Beijing have shut down the well-known Qingzhen Bookstore in Beijing's Haidian district.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL CREDIT MANAGEMENT A notice jointly issued by the CCP CC Publicity Department, the Supreme People’s Court, and the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), instructed authorities across the country to establish online platforms to expose debtors who fail to honor their credit obligations within two years. Municipal- and county-level authorities are encouraged to set up their own online platforms.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS AND CHINA'S WEALTHY The Hurun Rich List on September 14 revealed that at least 74 individuals had joined the group with fortunes of at least US$300 million in this year’s list, adding to the 2,056 who made last year’s list, and bringing their combined assets to US$2.6 trillion, roughly the same size as the GDP of the UK, the world’s fifth largest economy.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS In an article published in the Study Times, a journal of the CCP CC Central Party School, on October 11, 2017, PAPF commander Gen. Wang Ning said China's armed forces should stick to the leadership and show absolute loyalty to the Communist Party of China (CPC) to better accomplish its mission of safeguarding national security and stability ahead of the national Party congress.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS Cheng Li of the US-based Brookings Institution, in a recent article on China's 19th Party Congress said an extraordinary 90% of the 300 military delegates will be first-time attendees.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-CDIC PLENUM AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua reported that the CCP's 18th Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) held its Eighth Plenary Session in Beijing on October 10, 2017. The meeting discussed and approved a work report to be submitted by the CDIC to the 19th Party Congress, scheduled to open on October 18.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP In 2015. He Yiting, a vice-chairman of the CCP CC Central Party School, was tasked to research and define Xi Jinping’s approach to governing the country and put it in a digestible form for 90 million members of the party’s rank and file to absorb and apply.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-US: CYBER ATTACKS China's Ministry of Public Security issued a press release on September 23, 2017, stating that China had provided evidence to the US government that documents, presented by US-based Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui to support some of his allegations against China, were forged.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SOVEREIGN FUND China's official news agency Xinhua reported on October 7, 2017, that the total assets of the China Investment Corporation (CIC), China's sovereign wealth fund, had surpassed US$ 900 billion by August 2017.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-CYBER SECURITY/SURVEILLANCE On September 27, 2017, the Chinese social media mega-platform Weibo, which has more than 340 million monthly users, posted on its verified “Weibo Manager” account that it sought to recruit 1,000 new “Weibo Supervisors”.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS ON UYGHURS AND TIBETANS PRIOR TO 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on October 9, 2017, that authorities in Guangdong province had fined the manager of a hotel in Shenzhen's Lo Wu district for violating a ban on ethnic minority Uyghur guests imposed prior to the 19th Party Congress later this month.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY BEFORE 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Radio Free Asia reported on October 9, 2017, that Yao Lijuan, a resident of the northern port city of Tianjin was detained by security authorities after she openly challenged a group of men watching her movements and posted a video of the conversation to social media.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-NATIONAL DEFENCE On October 7, 2017, Xinhua and the Liberation Army Daily jointly published an article captioned "Write a new chapter in the construction of National Defense Mobilization" quoting Xi Jinping's speeches on national defence mobilisation work.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION The Beijing Daily on October 10, 2017, published the car registration numbers of vehicles of government work units that were being used for personal use.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: ADVOCATING XI JINPING THOUGHT A second article published on October 7, 2017, by 'Study Times' and authored by Han Qingxiang, Committee member,Vice President and Director of the Department of Education and Research in the Central Party School, once again highlighted salient aspects of Xi Jinping's important speeches in an apparent push for their inclusion in the Party Constitution as Xi jinping Thought at the 19th Party Congress.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: PROPAGANDA EXTOLLING XI JINPING China's Ministry of Propaganda, The Central Party Literature Research Office, The Central Party History Research Office, The National Development and Reform Commission, The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, The Central Military Commission Political Work Department and the state-owned CCTV have produced a new 7-episode propaganda documentary officially translated as "Be Faithful to Our Original Aspiration and Continue Marching Forward".
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/POLITICAL MEETINGS PRIOR TO 19TH PARTY CONGRESS The 8th Plenum of the 18th CCP Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) met in Beijing on October 10, 2017. A communique and follow up notification were issued on October 11 and 12 respectively.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: BOOK CLAIMS BATTLE PLANS READY American journalist Bill Gertz wrote that China has drawn up secret military plans to take over the island of Taiwan by 2020, according to newly-disclosed internal Chinese military documents.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-US: CONSERVATIVE US THINK-TANK CANCELS TALK BY CHINESE BUSINESSMAN The conservative Washington-based US think-tank 'The Hudson Institute' cancelled a talk scheduled to be given by Chinese businessman Guo Wengui.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: ABE BECOMES FIRST JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND CHINA NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION ON SEP The Asahi Shimbun reported on September 29, 2017, that Japan's prime Minister Shinzo Abe started a new diplomatic offensive towards China by attending China's national Day reception at a hotel in Tokyo on September 28, hotel to celebrate China's National Day on October 1 and the 45th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations on Sept. 29, 1972.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA: CYBER SECURITY CONTROLS In the past two weeks, the Cyberspace Administration of China released four overlapping regulations that apply to all online interactions. They cover all internet forums, message boards, group chats, and news comment threats.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRACKDOWN ON HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS In early September, the Justice Department of Shandong province notified Zhu Shengwu, a 36-year-old lawyer in Jinan, the provincial capital, that his “anti-Communist Party, anti-socialism” expressions online had “threatened national security.”
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CHINA'S OIL DEMAND The growth in oil demand next year is expected to be driven by OECD Europe and China. China’s oil demand rose by 690,000 BPD in July, marking a 6 percent year-over-year (YOY) increase. China’s total oil demand reached 11.67 million BPD in July. Year-to-date data indicates an average growth of 550,000 BPD, more than double the 210,000 BPD growth recorded during the same period in 2016.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COMPOSITION OF DELEGATES TO 19TH PARTY CONGRESS The Chinese magazine Caixin on September 30, 2017, gave a breakup of the 2287 Delegates to the 19th Party Congress. It clarified that the number of Delegates had reduced to 2287 from 2300 because the Party had not approved 13 delegates from the centrally administered Chongqing municipality though they had been elected.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS: SUN ZHENGCAI EXPELLED Xinhua reported on September 29, 2017, that 54-year old former rising political star Sun Zhengcai has been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and will face prosecution.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING ON MARXISM Gu Liping, an editor in Xinhua, wrote in his despatch of September 30, that CCP CC General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a group study session of the Politburo on September 29, when he called for "a profound understanding of Marxism and vigorous promotion of the sinicization of Marxism".
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: US DEFENCE SECRETARY MATTIS' VISIT An article in Global Times on September 28, 2017, reacting to the visit to India of US Defence Secretary Mattis said "Washington is attempting to tie New Delhi to its chariot" but "India will have to rely on itself rather than a few weapons the US sells to it, for its ambitions".
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: FOOD EXPORTS Beijing’s General Administration of Customs disclosed on September 29, 2017, that Chinese corn exports to North Korea jumped about 100 times in July and August to 34,964 tonnes from year-earlier levels.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: ECONOMIC TIES Despite Beijing terminating official communications with Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen government in June last year and political relations plunging to their coolest in nearly a decade, China remains Taiwan’s number-one trading partner, and the trade volumes continue to rise.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRO-INDEPENDENCE PROTEST Mingpao reported on September 27, 2017, that political groups in Hongkong SAR on September 26, 2017, distributed moon-cakes with notes inside that read “say no to authoritarianism”.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RE-EDUCATION CAMPS IN XINJIANG Quoting official sources, RFA said there are re-education camps, called "career development centres", in Ghulja (in Chinese, Yining) county, in Ili Kazakh (Yili Hasake) Autonomous Prefecture, and Korla (Kuerle) city, in neighboring Bayin’gholin Mongol (Bayinguoleng Menggu) Autonomous Prefecture which hold at least 3,600 inmates.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: AIR AMBULANCE RESCUE SERVICE An emergency rescue center has been established in Tsechokling airport in the regional capital of Lhasa. These will be the first two air ambulances for civil use in the region.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Radio Free Asia reported on September 25, 2017, that authorities in Tsolho (in Chinese, Hainan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture’s Trika (Guide) county, in Qinghai province, summoned the heads of local Buddhist monasteries the previous week to warn against the use of social media to view or spread “illegal content” while top-level Party meetings are held in Beijing in October.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Authorities have banned travel to Tibet from outside the politically sensitive region while the top-level meetings of the CCP are held. Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on September 29, 2017, that authorities in Sichuan province are tightening controls on undocumented driving by Tibetans ahead of major meetings of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing in October.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS DELEGATES The Chinese magazine Caixin published the name list of all the 2287 delegates to the 19th Party Congress scheduled to be held in Beijing from October 18-28, 2017.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-XI JINPING ADDRESSES FIRST INTERPOL MEETING IN CHINA Addressing the first meeting of Interpol's General Assembly in Beijing on September 26, 2017, and flanked by China's top law enforcement leadership including Party security chief Meng Jianzhu and Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun, Chinese President Xi Jinping said all nations have a right to be involved in regional and global security issues.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION Xinhua stated on September 27, 2017, that the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Central Military Commission will conduct discipline inspection and supervision of misconduct during the eight-day holidays for celebrating the National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival starting on October 1.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-PLA RESTRUCTURING The old 121st Jungle-Mountain Infantry Brigade has been disbanded and merged with the old 12th LH (Army Aviation) Regiment to form the new 121st Air-Assault Brigade (空中突击第121旅).
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLAAF J-20 AIRCRAFT Xinhua on September 28, 2017, quoted Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, as saying that China's latest J-20 stealth fighter has been officially commissioned into military service.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ELECTED CHONGQING DELEGATES EXCLUDED FROM LIST OF DELEGATES TO 19TH PARTY CONGRESS In a rare move, five senior Chinese Communist Party officials in Chongqing who were earlier elected to represent the centrally administered Municipality at the upcoming 19th National Party Congress have been excluded from the final list of attendees of 2,287 delegates.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua reported on September 30, 2017, that according to the CCP CC's Organisation Department a total of 771 delegates, or 33.7 percent of the total, are from frontline production and manufacturing.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING At a group study session of the CCP CC Politburo on September 29, 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a profound understanding of Marxism and vigorous promotion of the sinicization of Marxism.
Oct 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ENERGY COOPERATION The Asia Times quoted China's official '21st Century Business Herald' as reporting on September 25, 2017, that Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich formally agreed to expand energy cooperation between the two nations at the 14th annual China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee summit.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Addressing the DPP's National Congress on September 22, 2017, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan must find a new way of talking about China and the issues it poses.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-US: US SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT CHINA (SEPT 28 TO OCTOBER 1) U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Beijing September 28 – October 1 to meet with senior Chinese leaders.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-US: US COMMERCE SECRETARY WARNS AGAINST CHINA'S FAST GROWING ROBOTICS INDUSTRY US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was reported on September 27 as warning that the big subsidies China is giving to its approximately 400 robotics companies poses an emerging threat to the US economy.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LIBERAL POLICY TO ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURS The PRC State Council and CCP CC jointly issued guidelines on September 25, 2017, on encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurship in a bid to spur market vitality.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY IN INNER MONGOLIA FOR 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Chinese authorities in Inner Mongolia have placed 63-year old Hada, a prominent ethnic Mongolian dissident, under closer surveillance ahead of the 19th Party Congress in Beijing.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY IN INNER MONGOLIA FOR 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Chinese authorities in Inner Mongolia have placed 63-year old Hada, a prominent ethnic Mongolian dissident, under closer surveillance ahead of the 19th Party Congress in Beijing.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-SECURITY IN BEIJING FOR 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Beijing's Party Secretary Cai Qi, who was handpicked by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the position, was quoted by Hongkong's South China Morning Post on September 27, 2017, as promising to eradicate online political rumours ahead of the Party Congress in October. Speaking to Party authorities in charge of preparations on September 26, Cai Qi asked local officials to ensure security and stability in the capital.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Moves to have Xi Jinping's writings and speeches incorporated in an amended Party Constitution at the upcoming 19th Party Congress continue.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-CYBERSPACE AT 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Cyber policy and security were publicised in China in September in advance of the 19th Party Congress with the authoritative Party journal Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) publishing an important article by the previously unknown Theoretical Studies Centre Group under the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-MALDIVES:FTA After five rounds of talks, with the last in Beijing on September 15 - 16, 2017, China and Maldives signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on September 19.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: TREMORS DETECTED On September 23, 2017, China's earthquake administration at 0830 GMT detected possible earthquake tremors of 3.4 magnitude sparking suspicion that North Korea has conducted another "explosion".
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: THE DOKLAM FACE-OFF Following the withdrawal of Indian and Chinese troops from the face-off on the Doklam Plateau, interesting are two articles published on September 12, 2017, in China's official state-owned Global Times.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PYRAMIDS FINANCIAL SCAM Over the past couple of months Pyramids schemes have attracted the adverse notice of China's official media and security authorities. At the end of July 2017, hundreds of members of one such scheme took to the streets to protest against the arrest of their leader.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: APPOINTMENTS On September 20, 2017, the PRC State Council announced some appointments.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA SENIOR APPOINTMENTS The top leaders of 10 organs under the Central Military commission (CMC) have been changed recently. The two most recent appointments are Qin Shengxiang (秦生祥), former Director of the General Office of the CMC, who was appointed as the Political Commissar of the Navy and Song Puxuan (宋普选) the former Commander of the Northern Theater, who replaced Zhao Keshi (赵克石) as the head of the CMC Logistic Support Department.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Reuters reported on September 22, 2017, that the official website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) had posted a report that 64-year old Wang Sanyun, who was appointed Gansu Province Party Secretary in late 2011.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PUBLIC SECURITY ANTI-CULT DRIVE The PRC State Council on September 22, 2017, announced that official website and micro-blogging sites had been established by China's Anti-Cult Office to prevent and deal with the principles and policies of cults.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PUBLIC SECURITY/19TH PARTY CONGRESS The official newspaper 'The Paper' reported on September 21, 2017, that the Fujian Province Public Security Bureau had arrested an individual on September 21 for inciting taxi drivers in Xiamen to create trouble and stage protests.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: COMPLIANCE WITH UNSC SANCTIONS Reuters on September 22, 2017, reported that China’s central bank instructed Chinese banks on September 18, to strictly implement United Nations sanctions against North Korea.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-US: FORMER WHITE HOUSE STRATEGIST STEVE BANNON'S 'SECRET' MEETING WITH WANG QISHAN The Financial Times reported on September 22, 2017, that the previous week former US White House Strategist Steve Bannon had flown to Beijing from Hong Kong, where he had gone to give a closed-door speech at a big investor conference hosted by CLSA, a Chinese state-owned investment bank.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-AGRICULTURE: OBOR Following the spike in global grain prices a decade ago, Chinese officials urged agribusinesses to secure farmland overseas to fill the country's growing food deficit. China's Agriculture Ministry claims China now has 1,300 companies which have made $11.7 billion in total investments in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in 85 countries and regions.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: SECURITY Huang Yunmin, a 58-year old former judge in the quasi-military Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp (XPCC) ) Brigade (bingtuan)'s Third Brigade People's Court in Kashgar prefecture, who was initially briefly held on administrative detention in March in the bingtuan city of Tumxuk for helping local workers protest at their treatment by the authorities, was tried on September 19, 2017, on suspicion of "incitement to racial hatred."
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION The South China Morning Post reported on September 22, 2017, that China’s top universities are encouraging academics and students to write online articles promoting socialist values, with some offering authors the same academic credits they would get for papers published in journals.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW NUCLEAR SUBMARINE The People's Daily reported on September 21, 2017, that the PLA Navy had received a new nuclear submarine from the State-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), which also manufactures China's aircraft carrier. The submarine was built in the Dalian shipyard. Chinese military experts speculate that it is the type 093 or 094 Type submarine.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Cheng Li, a well known China analyst in America's Brookings Institution, published an assessment on September 18, 2017, where he stated that of the 303 Delegates selected to represent the PLA and People’s Armed Police (PAP), as many as 90 percent are first-time delegates and that most, or all, of the military members on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) new Central Committee will be selected from among these names.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS/IDEOLOGY The state-owned Global Times reported on September 21, 2017, that CCP committees in many cities and provinces like Fujian, Hainan, Guangdong, Sichuan and Tianjin Municipality, are studying the books of Chairman Mao Zedong,"a move hailed by experts as part of the momentum leading up to the 19th National Congress of the CCP that will help implement future Party policies".
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY MEASURES IN XINJIANG Meanwhile, during a 5-day inspection of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region in August 2017, Meng Jianzhu asserted that 'large-scale use of cloud computing and AI, as well as analysis of “big data”, should be used to fight terrorism'.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL STABILITY/19TH PARTY CONGRESS The People's Daily reported on September 21, 2017 that while addressing a press conference in Beijing on September 20, Meng Jianzhu, head of China's top Party body overseeing security, the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, said "The homicide rate in China in 2016 was 0.62 per 100,000 residents, better than most countries in the world."
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA AND THE US An interesting article published in the New Yorker on September 19, 2017, analysed China's interests in the developments concerning North Korea and the US. Relevant highlights are extracted: "At the center of the North Korean nuclear crisis is a pivotal question: How much is China really willing to pressure and punish its longtime ally in Pyongyang?"
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: ARREST OF JAPANESE NATIONAL The Dalian Daily reported on September 18, 2017, that Ken Higuchi, a Japanese national had been arrested in the port city of Dalian, Liaoning province, which borders North Korea, on suspicion of spying against China.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-SINGAPORE: SINGAPORE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong began an official three-day visit to China from September 19, 2017, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He was accorded a formal welcome with guard of honour at the Great Hall of the People and had a meeting with Li Keqiang later that afternoon.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC DISPARITY In an article published in the Global times on September 18, 2017, Song Guoyou, Director of the Center for Economic Diplomacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, commented on reports that India's economy is likely to catch up with China's soon. He said that measuring FDI is not only about the amount of money absorbed from foreign direct investment, but the amount of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) is also important.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES ASSERTS COMMITTMENT TO CPEC HYDEL PROJECT IN PoK An article published in Global Times on September 20, 2017, quoted Bloomberg News as reporting that "China is racing to complete the Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) ahead of schedule" and nine months ahead of its December 2021 completion date.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WATER DIVERSION TO BEIJING Xinhua on September 18, 2017, claimed that the south-to-north water diversion project had benefited more than 11 million people. It recalled that the project was conceived by Mao Zedong in 1952 and approved by the PRC State Council in December 2002.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: URBANISATION Zhou Tianyong, a well-known professor at the Central Party School in Beijing, recently said in an article that "there is now a large group of people who have been prevented from urbanizing by hukou restrictions, and who realistically will never be able to urbanize in the future–thereby resulting in a permanent loss of income: because cities do not provide education and other public services, or because they do not have any income from rural land while urban housing prices are too high." He argued that the existence of a large group of people who have missed out on urbanization creates economic losses in three ways.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-DALAI LAMA: US COLLEGE PENALISED FOR INVITING DALAI LAMA The China Scholarship Council (CSC), a branch of the PRC government that funds overseas study for Chinese citizens, has informed the University of California San Diego (UCSD) that it would no longer process applications to study at UCSD for scholars who had not already received a visa appointment from the US embassy.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET Passports held by Tibetans which were confiscated by authorities earlier this year in a bid to tighten control over travel outside China are still being held in spite of police promises that they would be quickly returned.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS BEFORE 19TH CONGRESS PLA Lieutenant General Zhou Yaning, 59, has taken over as chief of the Rocket Force, replacing General Wei Fenghe, who has retired.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY IN BEIJING FOR 19TH PARTY CONGRESS A Tibetan traveling to Beijing this week was refused a room at a hotel after showing identification, and was taken by police to a special facility set up to accommodate Tibetans under supervision.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua reported that the CCP CC Politburo on September 18, 2017, deliberated a draft amendment to the constitution at a meeting which was presided over by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CCP Central Committee.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on September 13, 2017, that the visit of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to China may have been cancelled because some officials in the White House decided the couple were not suitable to make preparations for US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA'S COMPLAINT OF INDIA'S GRUDGE AGAINST NEIGHBOUR A Global Times article of September 11, 2017, headline 'India sends mixed signal by denying official's China trip' said India's denial of permission to Kerala's Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran to visit China to attend the 22nd session of the General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization held in Chengdu, China, shows that "New Delhi still holds a grudge against its neighbor."
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINA WILLING TO REOPEN NATHULA An article published in Global Times on September 13, 2017, said China is willing to discuss the reopening of the Nathu La Pass with India, "a mountain pass in the Himalayas which connects India's Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region, which has been closed due to the standoff in Doklam".
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: INTERNATIONALISATION OF YUAN (RMB) Li Yang, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who had served as an adviser to China’s central bank, was quoted by South China Morning Post on September 13, 2017, as saying at a forum in Beijing that China made a mistake in promoting the use of the currency in trade and investment, but not in financial transactions.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SHAANXI PROVINCE SECURITY AUTHORITIES DETAIN PRIVATE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER On September 8, 2017, the public security authorities of Shanxi Province detained Chen Yanhua, a private kindergarten teacher for organising protests about their poor working conditions.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL RE-EDUCATION CENTRES IN XINJIANG The Human Rights Watch in a report released on September 10, 2017, claimed that since April 2017, the authorities in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region have forcibly detained thousands of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities at 'political re-education centres' and ben subjecting them to propaganda promoting Chinese identity. Human Rights Watch said these political re-education centres were located around Kashgar City and Bortala Prefecture in 2017.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW REGULATIONS ON RELIGION The PRC State Council promulgated the 77-article, 2017 Religious Affairs Regulation (RAR) on August 28, 2017, which will come into force on February 1, 2018. According to a Reuters report of September 7, 2017, the new regulations “use strong and specific language about the need to protect China’s national security against threats from religious groups.”
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGIOUS INFILTRATION In an article in the CCP mouthpiece People's Daily on September 12, 2017, Wang Zuoan, Head of China’s religious affairs bureau, commented on the new rules regarding religion and said “the foreign use of religion to infiltrate (China) intensifies by the day and religious extremist thought is spreading in some areas.”
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: APPOINTMENTS Global Times on September 13, 2017, quoting the PLA Daily, said General Song Puxuan, Commander of the PLA Northern Theatre Command has been appointed the new Head of the CMC Logistical Support Department.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER SECURITY CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 16 - 24, 2017 At a press conference in Shanghai on September 8, 2017, Zhao Xueliang, Director of the Network Security Coordination Bureau of the Central Network Administration and Jiang Xun, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Committee, said the Central Network Security and Information Leading Group had approved that this year's "National Network Security Promotion Week Program" will be held nationwide from September 16 to 24, 2017.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA RESTRICTIONS FOR 19TH PARTY CONGRESS In the run up to the 19th Party Congress, due to open in Beijing on October 18, 2017,China's central Propaganda Department and media regulatory authorities have instructed all media work units and personnel not to spread or give credence to rumors.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY & TRADE The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai very recently released its 2017 Business Report.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-UK: NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY AWARDS CHINESE AMBASSADOR China's Ambassador to UK since 2009, Liu Xiaoming, received a Doctor of Laws on September 6, 2017, in recognition of his contribution to Sino-UK relations and his support for the university's endeavors to contribute to education in China.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: 'SHAHEEEN - VI' AIR FORCE EXERCISES China's official news agency publicised on September 8, 2017, that the joint China-Pakistan Shaheen -VI Air Force joint training exercises had begun on September 7 and will last till September 27.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBETANS IN QINGHAI On August 8, 2017, in some areas of Darlag county in Golog, officials began implementation of a new policy to move nomads off their summer grazing land. August 23 was set as the deadline, by which most nomads were able to leave but some did not meet the deadline.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS-PLA/PAP DELEGATES The People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) on September 6, 2017, announced that they had elected a total of 303 Delegates to the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-WANG QISHAN 19TH PARTY CONGRESS PBSC Member and CDIC Chairman Wang Qishan appeared on the CCTV Evening News on September 5 & 6, 2017.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA: TIBET-VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong of the Tibetan government in exile, alongwith Hoi Trinh, a Vietnamese and Australian lawyer lauded as an expert in international refugee law and policies, attended an unprecedented gathering in Westminster, California, USA to highlight human rights abuses.
Sep 2017 |
TAIWAN-US: DONATION TO U.S. FOR RELIEF EFFORTS FOR HURRICANE HARVEY Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)said on September 2, 2017, that Taiwan had donated US$ 800,000 to the US Government for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CHINA HARASSING VIETNAMESE FISHING BOATS The Vietnamese news outlet Zing.vn reported on August 24, 2017, that from the beginning of June until now, 21 fishing boats of Quang Ngai and their fishermen have been attacked and chased in the maritime area of the Paracels [in the South China Sea].
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-SWITZERLAND: TIBETAN REFUGEES TO BE DEPORTED The Dharamsala-based online newsoutlet Phayul reported on August 31, 2017, that Swiss immigration authorities have asked close to 300 Tibetans to leave the country as their documents are inadmissible for asylum application. Sporadic reports also suggested that the Swiss government is willing to bear expenses of travel as well as give monetary assistance of 5000 Swiss Franc to each Tibetan to leave the country.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The official website of the National People’s Congress on September 1, 2017, reported that Li Gang, former Deputy Director of the central government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong, has been removed from his post and is under investigation for “severe violations of party discipline.”
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW SUPPLY SHIP JOINS NAVY The PLA Daily reported that an advanced comprehensive supply ship 'Hulun Nur' (Hull 965) joined the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in Guangzhou city on September 1, 2017.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: APPOINTMENT OF NEW PLA NAVY DEPUTY COMMANDER Feng Danyu, the grandson of the famous Chinese General Feng Yuxiang, has been appointed Deputy Commander of the PLA Navy.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW TOP PLA APPOINTMENTS IN PLAA, PLAAF AND PLAN On September 1, 2017, China's Ministry of National Defence announced the appointments of Han Weiguo as PLA Army (PLAA) Commander and 60-year old Ding Laihang as PLA Air Force (PLAAF) Commander. Shen Jinlong was appointed PLA Navy Commander early this year.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-JUDICIAL SYSTEM Addressing a symposium, attended by more than 70 lawyers with a history of defending vulnerable groups in cases considered politically sensitive by the government, in Beijing from August 28-31, 2017, China's Minister for Justice Zhang Jun told the assembled lawyers that a "Western-style" separation of powers and judicial independence is not suited to China.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS ON STUDENTS Beijing News reported on September 4, 2017, that this year’s incoming class of 2,626 freshmen are required to have their faces scanned as part of the university’s induction procedure. The new technology was first tested in 13 of the university’s student halls earlier in May, before being installed in all dormitories in mid-August.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS-NORTH KOREA Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on September 4, 2017 that the State Council press office, the powerful Cyberspace Administration, the State Administration of Press and Publications, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) and Culture Ministry, were designated the authorised agencies to comment on developments regarding North Korea in the wake of the hydrogen test.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS The South China Morning Post reported on September 4, 2017, that just weeks before the 19th Party Congress the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued more than a dozen guidelines on TV content on September 4, 2017.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP AND 19TH PARTY CONGRESS - WANG QISHAN PBSC Member and Chairman of the CDIC Wang Qishan has been reported visiting Hunan on an inspection tour on September 4, 2017. Earlier on August 24, 2017, he was seen along with other PBSC members at Babaoshan, Beijing, attending the funeral of an old Chinese Communist Party cadre, An Zhiwen.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING'S 'DIPLOMATIC THOUGHT' China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Study Times, the official newspaper of the Central Party School, on September 1, 2017, wrote that Xi Jinping’s “diplomatic thought” “innovates upon and transcends the past 300 years of traditional Western international relations theory.”
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS Xinhua on August 31, 2017, reported that the Politburo had announced that the the 7th Plenum of the 18th Party Congress would be held on October 17 and the 19th Party Congress would open on the 18th October 2017.
Sep 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said at its regular press conference that economic and trade relations between China and India have maintained a steady growth momentum and have a large room for cooperation.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: BRICS SUMMIT In an article published by the state-owned Global Times on August 30, 2017, Li Zhiqin, senior fellow with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University, said "there are still voices of discontent in some BRICS countries". He said for the future of BRICS, Sino-Indian relations is a topic that cannot be ignored. Saying that China and India share many similarities, he pointed out that recently, however, "India's attitude toward China has changed a lot.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TOURISM IN TIBET The Hilton Nyingchi Resort in the city of Nyingchi in Tibet is the first international brand resort in Nyingchi and the Hilton Group's first hotel in Tibet.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA & EDUCATION New liberal arts textbooks written by the Ministry of Education will appear in all first-year primary and middle schools across China effective this September.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS As yet unconfirmed reports state that the date for the 19th Party Congress has been set for October 18, 2017.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COMPOSITION OF NEW CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION Rumours circulating on Wechat this (August 31, 2017) morning mention the composition of the new Central Military Commission (CMC). It says the new CMC will have one Chairman (Xi Jinping) and four Vice Chairmen: Xu Qiliang, Zhang Youxia, Wei Fenghe and Li Zuocheng. There will be no CMC members.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: ON AFGHANISTAN In an article in the Dawn on August 26, 2017, Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Iran, India and China, commented on US President Donald Trump accusing Pakistan of giving “safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror” and said Trump's new Afghan strategy will “change the approach in how to deal with Pakistan”.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: DISCUSSIONS ON TRUMP'S STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN Reuters on August 30, 2017, that Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua met China’s special envoy Deng Xijun on Afghan affairs Deng Xijun on August 28, a day after Islamabad canceled a scheduled visit by Alice Wells, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE REACTIONS TO DISENGAGEMENT AT DOKLUM The South China Morning Post on August 30, 2017, quoted Wang Dehua, Head of South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, as saying “China understands the importance of creating a favourable atmosphere for the success of the summit and the all-important party congress.”
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: DOKLUM DISENGAGEMENT A carefully worded editorial in the official Global Times on August 30, 2017, sought to clearly suggest that India had backed down at Doklum and 'India withdrew its troops to its own territory along the China-India border on Monday. The next day, it announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the BRICS summit in Xiamen, China in early September'.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION The Guangzhou City Intermediate People's Court on August 28, 2017, sentenced the former Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipality Politics and Law Committee and member of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee Standing Committee, Jiang Zunyu for taking bribes totalling nearly HK$ 85.22 million.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-XINJIANG:TERRORISM On August 28, 2017, China's official news agency Xinhua quoted Meng Jianzhu, Political Bureau member and head of the CCP CC's Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, as saying after a 5-day inspection in Xinjiang that new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence must be used to fight terrorism in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS USA's Princeton University Press announced the opening of its China office in Beijing on August 15, 2017, describing it as the first such presence for a U.S. university press.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CHONGQING UNIVERSITY ERADICATION OF BO XILAI'S INFLUENCE According to a statement issued by the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) on August 28, 2017, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) committee of Chongqing University required all its members to be profoundly aware that the cases of Bo and Wang have caused bad influence on the CPC and the country, and the degrading impact of the two has greatly jeopardized the Party's cause as well as Chongqing's reform and development efforts.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES China’s top universities have set up Communist Party departments to oversee the political thinking of their teaching staff after the colleges were criticised as part of the government’s tightening of ideological control on campuses.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: APPOINTMENTS General Fang Fenghui, till last week the Head of the Joint Staff Department of the CMC before he was replaced by General Li Zuocheng, was reported on August 30, 2017, by the online Boxun site to be 'under investigation'.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: STUDENT ENROLLMENT There has been a huge increase in the number of Chinese students studying in Universities in Israel. The University of Haifa has 200 Chinese students with the majority coming from the University of East China Normal University in Shanghai, which is a sister city of Haifa.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-US: AMERICA'S NEW PAK-AFGHANISTAN POLICY The People's Daily, offficial mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), on August 24, 2017, quoted Li Yan, Assistant Director of the Institute of American Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), and Wang Shida, Assistant Director of CICIR's Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies, as listing three main impacts of 'the new Afghanistan strategy introduced by US President Donald Trump' and said this might mean changes to its global strategy'.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE REACTION TO INDIA BUILDING A ROAD IN LADAKH On August 25, 2017, China's official news agency reiterated that it is three months "since Indian military trespassed into Chinese territory, to which China has shown the utmost tolerance.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: DOKLUM STAND-OFF DEFUSED In a surprise, but welcome, development India's Ministry of External Affairs and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 28, 2017, announced the simultaneous disengagement of troops involved in the face-off on the Doklum Plateau. Later that afternoon India confirmed that bulldozers and other road building equipment had been removed by the Chinese.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA Ceremonies were held in Beijing and Seoul on Thursday to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, but neither of the Foreign Ministers attended the ceremonies.Presidents Xi Jinping and Moon Jae-in also sent each other polite messages, but without mentioning the current political stand-off.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT In a 143 page report outlining a "battleplan" to fight winter smog released on August 24, 2017, and available on its website, China's Ministry of Environmental Protection said China has pledged to cut average concentrations of airborne particles known as PM2.5 by more than 15 percent year-on-year in the winter months in 28 northern cities to meet key smog targets.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA & INTERNET CONTROLS The Global Times on August 25, 2017, reported that the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) had on August 25, announced that Chinese Internet users must register using their real names and information before they can be allowed to post online comments.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: NEXT GENERATION MILITARY LEADERS: ASSESSMENT BY CHENG LI Cheng Li also identified that none of the 41 military leaders with full membership on the 18th Central Committee belong to the sixth generation.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS: NEXT GENERATION PARTY LEADERS: ASSESSMENT BY CHENG LI China analyst Cheng Li recently wrote that as of August 2017, an impressive 298 of the 369 members of China’s 31 province-level party standing committees were born in the 1960s, or 80.7% of the total. By contrast, in August 2015, only 40% (158 out of 395) of these standing committee members had been born in the 1960s. In other words, the proportion of sixth-generation representation in this important leadership group has doubled in only two years.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN A lengthy front page report in the People’s Liberation Army Daily on August 25, 2017, military warns against return to bad old ways of graft and said the “illusions of the corrupt elements had been smashed” and that the “evil begotten” by Xu and Guo had been cleared away like smog dispersed by the wind, but that the corruption fight needed to continue, not stop, with perseverance and tenacity.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: REFORM & DOWNSIZING The official Chinese newspaper, The Paper, stated on August 16, 2017, that “During this round of military reform, the PLA cut over 1,000 units at the Regimental level or above. It cut nearly half of the non-combat staff and 30 percent of officers.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENTS China's Ministry of National Defence Ministry announced on August 26, 2017, that General Li Zuocheng, Commander of the PLAA (Ground Forces) has been appointed Head of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), replacing General Fang Fenghui.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS, BEIDAIHE - PBSC Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported on August 24, 2017, that in a short list of candidates for the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) prepared after the meeting at Beidaihe, the 69-year old Chairman of the CDIC Wang Qishan did not figure.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-US: INTERNET MALWARE & DATA THEFT The FBI on August 23, 2017, arrested Chinese national Yu Pingan @ 'Gold Sun', who is facing charges related to the malware used in the 2015 data theft from the Office of Personnel Management computer systems -- a breach that compromised the personal information of more than 21 million current and former US government employees or their spouses -- according to US officials briefed on the investigation.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SoE REFORM China Daily on August 23, 2017, quoted Li Jin, Chief Researcher at the China Enterprise Research Institute, as describing the merger of Real estate developer China Poly Group Corp with Sinolight Corp and China National Arts and Crafts Group as part of China's ongoing efforts to improve its State sector adding that it is more like a "big fish eating smaller fish", and could further reduce the resistance of State-owned companies to reform and raise competitiveness.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Hong Kong’s Mainland-backed Phoenix New Media on August 14, 2017, reported that, based on an analysis by Morgan Stanley Chase, the commercial real estate markets in New York, Sydney, and London may face serious challenges in the next two years. The primary cause of this warning is that Chinese investors have started withdrawing from overseas real estate markets.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN On August 21, 2017, the official website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) released data showing that in July 2017 the CDIC investigated and punished more than 4342 senior cadres.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS, INTERNET & IDEOLOGY The June 23, 2017, issue of the Party theoretical journal Qiushi (Seeking Truth) published an article entitled “The U.S.’s Strategy of Exporting Ideology over the Internet will not change” by Li Yanyan, a Deputy Professor at the Marxism Institute, Beijing Technology Institute and a Postdoctoral candidate at the Institute of Philosophy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Qiushi article discussed how the US exports ideology over the Internet and that this had become a core part of the US ’strategy of “public diplomacy.”
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WORKER AND TEACHER PROTESTS The official website of the Heilongjiang Province this month reported that nearly 6000 private, substitute and kindergarten teachers and in-service substitute kindergarten teacher had been dismissed.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PETITIONS Just months prior to the 19th Party Congress, Xinhua reported that the State Office of Letters and Calls, the highest office for dealing with petitions, had announced that Petitions lodged against the government had dropped across China by a quarter last year compared with 2013.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: RELIGIOUS CONTROLS/ NEW MONASTERY MGT COMMITTEE AT LARUNG GAR Chinese authorities, on August 20, 2017, announced the appointment of Chinese Communist Party members to key positions at Larung Gar Tibetan Buddhist Institute to exercise direct control over the management and day to day operations of the world’s largest Tibetan Buddhist institute in Larung valley in Tibet’s Serthar (Ch: Seda) County in Kardze (Ch: Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS IN XINJIANG On August 21, 2017, the authorities in Urumqi issued a notice mandating that Uyghurs and Kazakh citizens residing in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region must undergo a security procedure before they can register a new car.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: FALLING QUALITY OF RECRUITS According to an article posted on the WeChat account of the People's Liberation Army Daily, 56.9% of the candidates at one unnamed town were rejected for failing to meet physical fitness standards.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW ANTICIPATED APPOINTMENTS The South China Morning Post reported on August 23, 2017, that 60-year old Lt General Ding Laihang is expected to be appointed the next Commander of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP & 19TH PARTY CONGRESS In its September 2017 issue, Hongkong's Mingjing magazine published an 80-plus page interview of Guo Wengui with journalist Chen Xiaoping. In the interview, Guo Wengui praises Xi Jinping but targets PBSC member and CDIC Chairman Wang Qishan.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-BEIDIAHE MEETING: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS A recent article published in Duowei on August 19, 2017, claimed that the outcome from the recent Beidaihe meeting or “summer summit” indicated that Beijing has finished the final stretch of the preparation that has been planned for the upcoming 19th People’s Congress.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINA DEFENDS PAKISTAN AFTER TRUMP'S CRITICISM China defended its ally Pakistan on August 22, 2017, after US President Donald Trump said the United States could no longer be silent about Pakistan's "safe havens" for militants and warned it had much to lose by continuing to "harbor terrorists".
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-US: US AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO VISIT VIETNAM In a move sure to upset China, a US aircraft carrier will visit Vietnam in 2018, the first time an American carrier will be in the country since the end of the Vietnam War.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-US: US SANCTIONS CHINESE COMPANIES FOR TRADING WITH NORTH KOREA The United States on August 22, 2017, imposed new North Korea-related sanctions, targeting Chinese and Russian firms and individuals for supporting Pyongyang’s weapons programs, but stopped short of an anticipated focus on Chinese banks.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ANALYSIS OF WEIBO TRENDS There are many people who feel that there are other countries, mainly India, deserving more punishment than North Korea. As China-Indian relations are worsening over the Doklam border dispute, many netizens seem to think that a possible conflict with India is currently a more relevant topic to discuss than the heightening tensions between the US and North Korea.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE PROPAGANDA ON DOKLUM On August 17, 2017, China's state-owned Global Times published an unsubstantiated report claiming that the PLA is in the process of transferring large quantums of blood stock to Tibet to tackle the eventuality of conflict with India.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-WEIBO TRENDS: NORTH KOREA In the backdrop of rising tensions in the US standoff with North Korea, the question of China’s position in the conflict is growing more important. Although China's state media earlier said China would help North Korea if the US would attempt to overthrow its government, some renowned Chinese experts hold a different view.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CRACKDOWN ON PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets in Hongkong on August 20, 2017.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OBOR Reuters reported on August 23, 2017, that four of China's largest state-owned commercial banks are raising billions to fund investment under Beijing's "Belt and Road" drive, bolstering ambitions to to revive Silk Road trade routes and internationalize the yuan.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's GreatWall Motor Company said on August 21, 2017, that it is interested in buying the Jeep brand, which has a strong resonance in China, and which is valued at US$ 19 billion.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19th PARTY CONGRESS AND CONTROLS ON MEDIA The Apple Daily reported on August 20, 2017, that in the run up to the 19th Party Congress, the authorities suspended incoming and outgoing WhatsApp messages on August 19 evening and August 20. The newspaper said this could be a prelude to blocking WhatsApp entirely.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEASANT PROTESTS The Chinese blogsite Weiquanwang reported on August 19, 2017, that 49 representatives of farmers who lost their lands protested outside the Shanghai Social Security Authority for the 35th time on August 19, 2017. The authorities declined to receive them or their petition.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-SCIENCE & TECHNOLOY: QUANTUM SATELLITE Reuters quoted China's authoritative Xinhua newsagency as disclosing that China has sent an "unbreakable" code from a satellite to the Earth, marking the first time space-to-ground quantum key distribution technology has been realized.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: ORGANISATIONAL REFORM With the deepening of the national defense and military reforms, the Military Region leadership which earlier handled the provincial military system will now transfer this function to the leadership of the CMC's National Defense Mobilization Department.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: REFORMS & NEW APPOINTMENTS/PROMOTIONS Some appointments at senior echelons of the PLA have been reported recently which include the new unit designations for the 13 Group Armies, numbering from 71 to 84. The move has been interpreted as indicating Xi Jinping’s desire to tear down existing loyalty networks and entirely rebuild the army.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-US: HI-TECH MILITARY EQUIPMENT SALES A report mentions that the American compny, Teledyne, which makes all kinds of specialized equipment for deep-sea exploration, including some very powerful sonar systems that offer high resolution imagery (among others purposes, for tracking deep sea cables) has been selling equipment to China's PLA Navy (PLAN).
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLAAF FLIGHTS AROUND TAIWAN China has increased training runs by PLAAF aircraft around Taiwan and indicated that such flights are the new normal. Each day from August 12 to 14, 2017, PLAAF aircraft flew in routes that circled Taiwan.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY EXERCISES WITH INDIA On August 18, 2017, China's official news agency Xinhua quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on August 16, that the upcoming Russia-India military drills do not target China and expressing confidence that China and India can resolve their border tensions.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: DOKLAM FACE-OFF AND PROPAGANDA RHETORIC The People's Daily, the CCP's official newspaper, on August 14, 2017 stated that "as of press time, China has laid out its position 67 times, with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterating its firm stance on the issue for 54 times, while the Ministry of National Defense has issued 4 announcements regarding the incident".
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW YJ-12 ANTI-SHIP MISSILE The Pentagon's latest annual report includes a brief reference to the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM). According to a 2011 study that appeared in Naval War College Review, the YJ-12 ASCM has a range of 400 kilometers, making it one of the longest-ranged ASCMs ever fielded.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-MASSIVE GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN XINJIANG Radio Free Asia reported on August 18, 2017, that Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region have launched a nationwide drive to recruit more than 12,000 staff out of the 30,000 or more jobs now on offer and including new police officers, civil servants, teachers, academics, and airline staff.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER CONTROLS AND SECURITY Writing in the Diplomat on August 17, 2017, Charlotte Gao reported that on August 15, China’s top internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China, and China’s Education Ministry in a joint notification announced that China is planning to “build four to six world-famous cyber-security schools in ten years (from 2017 to 2027)”.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 19TH PARTY CONGRESS-PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Early in August 2017, the Beijing security authorities placed Zhu Delong, a Deputy Professor at the Capital Normal University in Beijing under five days' administrative detention for posts that he had made online criticizing the growing "cult of personality" around Xi Jinping.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CHINA ENERGY IN TALKS TO BUY RUSSIA'S ROSNEFT According to a Reuters report of August 17, 2017, CEFC China Energy, China's sprawling energy conglomerate, is in talks to acquire a stake in Russian state oil giant Rosneft (ROSN.MM).
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: FIRST BILATERAL MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS In their first bilateral meeting on August 7, 2017, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized his new Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, for not being like his father, a former political heavyweight who placed importance on improving relations with Asian countries. After meeting Taro Kono he said “I was disappointed.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: FOOD EXPORTS Chinese customs data showed a surge in exports of nearly 30 items, with corn increasing 32-fold from 400 tonnes to nearly 12,724 tonnes, bananas from just over 63.4 tonnes to 1,156 tonnes and wheat powder from less than 0.6 tonnes to 7.6 tonnes.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NEW ENVOY FOR TALKS 58-year old career diplomat Kong Xuanyou, took over from the 71-year-old Wu Dawei as China's special envoy on North Korea at the start of August.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY EXCHANGE China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua reported on August 17, 2017, that Chinese President Xi Jinping met visiting Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford on August 17, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMY & TRADE An article in China's state-owned Global Times on August 10, 2017, expressed concern that India, which it described as "a rising star in the world's manufacturing arena ... but still 10 years behind China" "has grown increasingly attractive to overseas investors in the manufacturing sector. ... " could impose restrictions on Chinese companies.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: PROPAGANDA WARFARE On August 16, 2017, evening China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua released a 3-minute video clip on the face-off at Doklum entitled "The Spark: India’s Seven Sins.”
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: RAIL LINK TO GUANGZHOU The South China Morning Post reported on August 9, 2017, that Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on August 9, 2017, rejected suggestions to limit the power of mainland officers operating under the controversial joint checkpoint plans for the cross-border express rail link terminus.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT The Hongkong Department of Justice (DOJ), dissatisfied with the original sentence to “community service” for the pro-Independence protesters, has appealed for a much harsher, immediate prison sentence.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PENALTIES FOR PRO-INDEPENDENCE LEGISLATORS Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy student leaders, Joshua Wong Chi-fung, Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Alex Chow Yong-kang, were jailed for six to eight months on August 17, 2017, for storming the government headquarters compound at Tamar during an illegal protest that triggered the 79-day Occupy sit-ins of 2014.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC Bloomberg News service reported on August 9, 2017, that Ma Jun, Chief Economist of the People’s Bank of China (PBoC)’s research bureau, left his position after his contract expired on August 8.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: DEMOLITION OF HOUSES AT YACHEN GAR, KARDZE, PALYUL (BAIYU) COUNTY Radio Free Asia reported on August 15, 2017, that authorities in Yachen Gar, located in Kardze (in Chinese, Ganzi) prefecture’s Palyul (Baiyu) county in China’s Sichuan province, began demolishing 2,000 residences of Tibetan clergy at the Yachen Gar Buddhist Center from August 8.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-APPLE: CCP PARTY COMMITTEE TO MONITOR APPLE DATA CENTRE IN GUIZHOU The Guizhou government said on its website (www.gzgov.gov.cn) on August 14, 2017, that a CCP Comittee would oversee the Apple iCloud Data Centre to be set up in Guizhou.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-CULTURE: FIRST CHINESE ACTION WAR FILM BOX OFFICE HIT Xinhua on August 16, 2017, publicised that 'Wolf Warrior II', directed by and staring Chinese actor Wu Jing, has become the first non-Hollywood movie ever to crack the list of 100 global box office champions.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDIA CONTROLS The Hongkong media quoted the Cyberspace Administration of China as saying on August 11, 2017, that Chinese regulators are investigating the three internet giants Tencent, Baidu and Sina Weibo for potential violations.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: APPOINTMENTS - CMC VICE CHAIRMAN Hongkong's South China Morning Post, quoting two unidentified sources, reported on August 16, 2017, that General Li Zuocheng, the 64-year-old commanding officer of the ground force of the People’s Liberation Army, will fill the vacancy left by CMC Vice Chairman Xu Qiliang who is likely to take over as CMC First Vice Chairman next month from Fan Changlong.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 19th PARTY CONGRESS - BEIDIAHE MEETING The annual meeting of top Chinese leaders at the seaside resort of Beidiahe where senior CCP appointments are decided, ended after 15 days on August 17, 2017.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR & MISSILE TESTS Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on August 6, 2017, urged North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho to abide by U.N. resolutions and stop provoking “the international community’s goodwill” with missile launches and nuclear tests.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: NORTH KOREA Yomiuri Shimbun on August 6, 2017 reported that Kenji Kanasugi, Director General of Japan's Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, met Wu Dawei, then China’s special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs, in Japan on April 26, 2017 and asked him to take action toward restricting China’s acceptance of North Korean workers.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMY The investment exposure of Chinese companies in India over the last 17 years remains limited to a cumulative FDI inflow of US$ 1.63 billion as on July 31, 2017.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: TRANSCRIPT OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN MAO ZEDONG AND KHRUSCHEV The South China Morning Post on August 5, 2017, excerpted from documents compiled by the Wilson Centre in Washington and published a transcript of a meeting attended by Khrushchev, Mao Zedong (毛澤東), M.A. Suslov, A.A. Gromyko, Liu Shaoqi (劉少奇), Zhou Enlai (周恩來), Lin Biao (林彪), Peng Zhen (彭真), Chen Yi and Wan Xia Sang.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: FACE-OFF AT DOKA LA On August 4, 2017, Global Times published an article by You Dongxiao, Associate Professor with the International College of Defense at the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army, which was publicised by China's official news agency Xinhua.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: CHINA'S DONATION TO SRI LANKA'S PARLIAMENT China has donated equipment, including office materials and laptops, estimated at 293,000 U.S. dollars to the Sri Lankan Parliament in order to further strengthen parliament to parliament ties between the two countries.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: PLA NAVY In the week before June 11, 2017, a three-ship task force of the PLA Navy (PLAN), consisting of the Luyang II-class destroyer Changchun , the Jiangkai II-class frigate Jingzhou and the Fuchi-class oiler Chaohu, had been on the Indian Ocean phase of a six-month deployment. Scheduled to visit Sri Lanka, their planned goodwill stop quickly became a disaster relief effort and left well before a US Navy task force could arrive.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SoE REFORM China's centrally administered State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) are steadily promoting the merger process this year as required by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), with a new merged company about to be born in the coal and power sector.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-DEFENCE: CHINA'S DECLINING DEFENCE STOCKS A report in Asia Times on August 1, 2017, by Zi Yang claimed that while Chinese President Xi Jinping has championed defense industry mixed-ownership reform in the past, he made no mention of it in his Army Day speech.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Media reports claim that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) may induct its first indigenously designed and developed Type 001A aircraft carrier Shandong ahead of schedule and as early as 2018, two Chinese military sources revealed to the South China Morning Post last week.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: PANCHEN LAMA China said on July 26, 2017, that Gyaltsen Norbu, the China-appointed 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet, had taken part in a series of religious and social activities during a visit to Qinghai Province from July 18 to 24.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN-US: TAIWAN'S FOXCONN INVESTS IN USA Apple supplier and Taiwan's leading IT company, Foxconn Technology Group has announced it will build a massive plant in Wisconsin that would employ thousands.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: MOUNTING ECONOMIC DEBT AND CPEC Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that imports reached a historic level of US$ 53 billion, while the trade deficit was US$32.58 billion for the fiscal year 2016/2017.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: THE DOKA LA FACE-OFF AND CHINA'S THREATS On July 30, 2017 a retired PLA Major General Yao Yunzhu, presently Director Emeritus at the PLA’s prestigious Academy of Military Science (AMS) Centre on China-America Defence Relations and whose remarks usually reflect the official Chinese ‘line’, described the face-off as of “unprecedented nature” that could make Beijing look for a strong resolution. She claimed the CCP and the PLA are under “huge pressure” to take strong action against the “invasion”.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: E-COMMERCE The market research firm YouGov earlier this month reported that over 30% of mainland internet users believe China will be a completely cashless society within the next 10 years.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDIA CONTROLS An online essay titled “Beijing Has 20 Million People Pretending to Have a Life Here” by Chinese writer and blogger Zhang Wumao became a viral hit on WeChat and Weibo after it was published on the author’s WeChat account on July 23.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: SELF-IMMOLATION IN INDIA A young Tibetan boy aged between 25 and 35 years self-immolated around 3 pm (local time) in Dharamsala, India, on August 1, 2017 on the roadside not far from the Dalai Lama's temple.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION - POLICE DETAIN 18 MEMBERS OF CHRISTIAN CULT QUANNENGSHEN (EASTERN LIGHTENI Police in China's Changxing County, Zhejiang Province have, following a 6-month investigation, detained 18 members and destroyed two “lairs” of the Quannengshen (Eastern Lightning) sect, notorious for its followers’ murder of a woman in a McDonald’s in 2014.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION - POLICE DETAIN 18 MEMBERS OF CHRISTIAN CULT QUANNENGSHEN (EASTERN LIGHTENI Police in China's Changxing County, Zhejiang Province have, following a 6-month investigation, detained 18 members and destroyed two “lairs” of the Quannengshen (Eastern Lightning) sect, notorious for its followers’ murder of a woman in a McDonald’s in 2014.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION - POLICE DETAIN 18 MEMBERS OF CHRISTIAN CULT QUANNENGSHEN (EASTERN LIGHTENI Police in China's Changxing County, Zhejiang Province have, following a 6-month investigation, detained 18 members and destroyed two “lairs” of the Quannengshen (Eastern Lightning) sect, notorious for its followers’ murder of a woman in a McDonald’s in 2014.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: BO XILAI'S LINGERING INFLUENCE The official Chongqing Daily reported on July 25, 2017, that the city had called a special meeting of senior cadres the previous day following Beijing’s decision to investigate Sun Zhengcai, once seen as a candidate for the next generation of Chinese leadership.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW MILITARY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BODY A documentary on state-owned CCTV on July 24, 2017, revealed for the first time that 'The Scientific Research Steering Committee' was set up early this year.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MILITARY REFORM At a group study meeting of Politburo members on July 24, 2017, in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to push forward military reform.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Xinhua on July 27, 2017, reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had delivered a 'keynote' speech to a specially convened meeting of high-level central and provincial Party and military officials in Beijing on July 26, 2017, Xinhua described the meeting as routine and held prior to the Party Congresses.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING TAKES SALUTE AT PLA'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE On August 1, 2017, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) celebrated its 90th anniversary at the Zhurihe Combined Tactics Training Base in Inner Mongolia with a parade for the first time ever featuring 12,000 troops in battle gear rather than the traditional dress uniform. Xi Jinping took the salute dressed in combat fatigues and a military forage cap in a military jeep.
Aug 2017 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: CHINA WANTS TO BUY HAMBANTOTA OUTRIGHT On July 24, 2017, China's Ambassador told Colombo's Sunday Times that China was not interested in any debt for equity swaps proposed by Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for infrastructure projects, including Mattala International Airport and portions of the Hambantota deep sea port.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: XINHUA LIST FOR CHINESE MEDIA OF BANNED TERMS Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus secretary-general Lin Wei-chou on July 22, 2017, described Beijing’s guidelines banning Chinese media from using the name “Republic of China (ROC)” — Taiwan’s official title — as “overkill.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US:ECONOMY: Committee on Foreign Investment in Committee on Foreign Investment in the United The US Government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has objected to at least nine acquisitions of U.S. companies by foreign buyers so far this year, indicating that it is becoming more risk-averse under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on July 19, 2017, reportedly dispensed with any pretense that the first meeting of the new U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue had yielded anything close to a breakthrough.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: CONFRONTATION OF FIGHTER JETS US Officials told Fox News that on July 23, 2017, a pair of armed Chinese fighter jets flew dangerously close to a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane flying in the East China Sea.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-CANADA: ARREST OF CANADIAN CITIZENS According to Radio-Canada, Chinese police officials entered a hotel room where members of the travelling equestrian show Cavalia were staying on July 14, 2017, and made a number of arrests and two Canadians remain in prison allegedly for using marijuana.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: CHINA THREATENS MILITARY ACTION OVER OIL EXPLORATION IN SOUTH CHINA SEA A source in the south-east Asian oil industry has told the BBC that Repsol of Spain, was ordered by Vietnam to terminate a gas-drilling expedition only days after it had confirmed the existence of a major gas field in a disputed area of the South China Sea, following strong threats from China.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: FACE-OFF AT DOKA LA Xiao Bin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Research Center affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), wrote in the state-owned Global times on July 23, 2017, that "Since Indian troops illegally crossed the border with China in the Doklam area, China and India, both of which are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), have been locked in a standoff, and as a result bilateral ties have plunged to a record low".
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PEW SURVEY OF GLOBAL PERCEPTIONS Pew Global released a report on July 13, 2017, which said that a median of 47% across the 38 countries surveyed have a favorable opinion of China, while 37% express an unfavorable view. Majorities or pluralities in 24 countries give China a positive rating.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA - INTERNAL:WEB COMMENTS ON 'HALAL' FOOD Discussions on the Chinese web on the so-called ‘halal-ification’ of China have flared up after delivery app Meituan introduced separate boxes for its halal food deliveries this week. Many netizens see the growing prevalence of halal food in China as a threat to a unified society and say that featuring special services for Muslims is discriminatory against non-Muslims.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: ARREST OF TIBETAN MONK TULKU LOBSANG Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on July 24, 2017, that Chinese authorities had detained Tulku Lobsang, a monk of Boroe monastery in Sichuan’s Sershul (in Chinese, Shiqu) county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on July 21, without explanation.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BEIJING RECRUITING SECURITY PERSONNEL The Chaoyang District Police Bureau in Beijing said on July 17, 2017, that it was “hiring 2,464 administrators” to assist officers to check whether residents from outside Beijing had the proper registration documents.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INSTRUCTIONS TO PARTY MEMBERS NOT TO PRACTICE RELIGION Wang Zuoan, Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) wrote in an article published in the Qiushi Journal on July 15, 2017, and reported by the Global Times, that "Party members should not have religious beliefs, which is a red line for all members. ... Party members should be firm Marxist atheists, obey Party rules and stick to the Party's faith ... they are not allowed to seek value and belief in religion." He warned that officials who have religious faith will be persuaded to give it up, and those who resist will be punished by the Party.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP On July 19, 2017, China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua published an article by Chinese State Councilor and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Leading Group Yang Jiechi titled "Study and Implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's Thought on Diplomacy in a Deep-going Way and Keep Writing New Chapters of Major-Country Diplomacy with Distinctive Chinese Features.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PLA AIR FORCE FLIGHTS OVER JAPAN Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on July 21, 2017, that the flight path of 10 Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft flying over international waters off Taiwan’s east coast and through the Miyako Strait between Japan’s Miyako and Okinawa islands on Thursday was fully monitored.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: ARREST OF US STUDENT Guthrie McLean, a student of the University of Montana was detained on July 16, 2017, in China for what his mother and a family friend are calling "a shakedown."
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: STEEL TALKS A meeting on jULY 18, 2017, between US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and China’s Vice Premier, Wang Yang, on steel yielded what people close to the situation said were productive discussions.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Quoting the state-owned asset management company (AMC) that absorbs toxic assets from banks, China's financial magazine Caixin reported on July 20, 2017, that more businesses in China may be unable to repay their bank loans in coming years as the economy slows while the government steps up its deleveraging campaign.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: XI JINPING ISSUES NEW INSTRUCTIONS TO PLA RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES The lead news item on the state-owned CCTV on July 19, 2017, showed Chinese President Xi Jinping presenting new flags to the Academy of Military Science (AMS), National Defence University (NDU) and the National University of Defense Technology.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: OVERSEAS BASES Financial Times on July 16, 2017 reported that China has been doubling its investments in acquiring bases over the past year to $20bn and is pushing ahead with plans to open new shipping routes through the Arctic circle.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA CONDUCTS MILITARY EXERCISES ALONG THE BORDER AT TIME OF TENSION During the fifth week of continuing tension between India and China at Doka La, China released footage on July 16, 2017, of a major military live-fire assault exercise in the Tibet Autonomous Region where, it said, soldiers used flame-throwers, rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns to strike bunkers and various types of heavy weapons, including mortars, self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket launchers and anti-tank missiles in the display of fire-power, which also trialled a new type of tank.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW APPOINTMENTS IN NDU On 19th July 2017, at the Central Military Commission (CMC) Headquarters in Beijing, an inaugural session of the newly restructured PLA Academy of Military Science (AMS), PLA National Defense University (NDU) and the PLA National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) was held. Leaders of Military academies, scientific research institutions, and training institutions were present.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDICAL EDUCATION On July 11, 2017, China's State Council introduced bold plans to immediately revolutionise medical education to achieve the Healthy China 2030 targets. Medical schools are asked to admit more, higher calibre students, and provide better quality teaching that is accredited by the Chinese Medical Doctor Association.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS The state-owned China Telecom in a letter to corporate customers seen by The Associated Press, said virtual private networks (VPN), which create encrypted links between computers and can be used to see sites blocked by Beijing’s web filters, will be permitted only to connect to a company’s headquarters abroad.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE LAW China’s National Intelligence Law was enacted on June 27 with unusual speed and limited public discussion. Like the more widely reported Cybersecurity Law (which went into effect on June 1) and a raft of other recent statutes, the Intelligence Law places open-ended new security obligations and risks not only on U.S. and other foreign citizens doing business or studying in China, but in particular on their Chinese partners and co-workers.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HU CHUNHUA A Reuters report of July 20, 2017, quoted an unidentified Beijing-based Asian diplomat who, claiming conversations with Chinese officials, said they had told him that the publicity-shy 54-year old Hu Chunhua could be sent to take over the high-profile but largely ceremonial advisory Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI ZHONGXUN The Central Party School Publishing issued new book of Xi Zhongxun, covering 1913-1952, with a foreward by his widow Qi Xin.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: AMCHAM REPORT ON US COMPANIES IN CHINA AmCham Shanghai released its annual business climate survey on July 12, 2017. The survey, which gives a mid-year snapshot of how U.S. companies are doing in China, was conducted from April 11 – May 7 and had responses from 426 companies.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: INDONESIA RENAMES EEZ IN SCS AS 'NORTH NATUNA SEA' SOUTH CHINA SEA Global Times reported on July 15, 2017, that Indonesia had reportedly renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the North Natuna Sea.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: CHINA BLAMES MONGOLIA FOR NOT BEING ACTIVE ON OBOR/BRI An article in the Global Times on July 13, 2017, by its reporter said "The lingering nationalist sentiment in Mongolia is not a cure for the country's economic woes" and saying "Mongolia cannot sit on the sidelines" urged it to "be more active in promoting China's Belt and Road (B&R) initiative to revive its economy".
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: PLAAF BOMBERS FLY OVER MIYAKO STRAIT Japan's Defense Ministry issued a statement late on July 13, 2017, describing the flyover over the Miyako Strait by the formation of Xian H-6 bombers earlier that day as "unusual", while noting that there had been no violation of Japanese airspace.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-DALAI LAMA: BOTSWANA On July 14, 2017, Xinhua quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang as saying China firmly opposes the Dalai Lama's anti-China separatist activities and opposes him meeting with officials of any country.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG The removal of four opposition lawmakers i.e. “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Lau Siu-lai and Edward Yiu Chung-yim on July 14, 2017, for "improper oath-taking" has further crippled the democratic bloc in terms of its already limited veto power in Hong Kong’s divided legislature.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RACIAL PROFILING IN XINJIANG A local official has claimed, according to RFA on July that authorities in China’s Xinjiang region have launched a racial profiling campaign to assess the security threat posed by non-Han Chinese majority residents of the capital Urumqi, with points automatically docked for members of the mostly Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS IN XINJIANG Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on July 14, 2017, that all local residents in northern Xinjiang have been ordered to install an app called CleanWebGuard, on their cell phones that will monitor their activity for "terrorist" content.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-PROBLEMS IN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY Sina on July 2 and July 7, 2017, noted that on July 2, 2017, China’s second Long March 5 rocket, carrying an experimental communications satellite, failed after it took off.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FORMER CHINESE PREMIER ZHU RONGJI'S SON COMMENTS ON HOUSING MARKET Sina on June 25, 2017, quoted Zhu Yunlai (Levin Zhu), son of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and an outspoken banker in China, as recently commenting on China’s housing market. It quoted him as saying: “Actually according to the Statistics Bureau, if you add each year’s numbers together, China’s current total housing capacity can supply 1 billion people, at an average rate of 30 square meters per person.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PARTY PUBLICATION REFERS TO 'XI JINPING'S THOUGHT' The CCP CC's Organisation Department's publication "Party Building Research" in the editorial its seventh issue of 2017 on June 16, 2017, entitled "under the banner of the great banner of innovation in the party's progress," said "Since the 18th Party Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping took the baton of history, in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new journey, with extraordinary theoretical courage, superb political wisdom, perseverance History to play the spirit of the great struggle, great works, great cause, around the reform and development and stability, internal and external political defense, rule the party and state administration issued a series of important speeches, the formation of a series of interrelated, mutual governance of the new concept of governance new Thinking new strategies to further enrich and develop the party's scientific theory. "
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-19TH PARTY CONGRESS AND PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES China.com reported on July 7, 2017, that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) had very recently sent out notifications on guidelines for TV contents suitable for the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and the Ninetieth Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW PARTY SECRETARIES FOR CHONGQING AND GUIZHOU Xinhua on July 15, 2017, announced that Guizhou Party Secretary Chen Min'er had taken over as Party Secretary of Chongqing from Sun Zhengcai at a "hastily arranged ceremony on July 15, 2017.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: US ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN On July 4, 2017, the South China Morning Post published the list released by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency of the weapons to be supplied to Taiwan
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: G-20 MEETING Ahead of this year’s annual G-20 meeting to be held in Germany’s Hamburg port, Chinese President wrote an op-ed article that was published on July 4, 2017, by the German newspaper Die Welt.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: REPATRIATION OF NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES Human Rights Watch reported on July 6, 2017, that a group of eight North Koreans have been detained in Shenyang city in Liaoning province since mid-March 2017 and are at imminent risk of being returned to North Korea.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-EGYPT: FORCIBLE REPATRIATION OF UYGHURS TO CHINA Citing reports Amnest International reported on July 7, 2017, that around 150 Uighurs have been detained in Egypt and have either already been, or are currently at imminent risk of, being forcibly returned to China.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: FACE OFF AT SIKKIM An article published in the Global Times on July 3, 2017, quoted Wang Dehua, a Professor at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, as saying -- in response to the Indian Defence Minister's obsevation that India today is not the India of 1962 -- that "China is also different from what it was in 1962" and India has been treating China as its biggest competitor since 1962, as both countries share many similarities.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: TIBETANS CELEBRATE DALAI LAMA'S BIRTHDAY Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on July 10, 2017, that Tibetans living in Lhasa and in western China’s Qinghai and Sichuan provinces celebrated the Dalai Lama’s birthday last week with prayer gatherings and public picnics in open defiance of Chinese bans.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET COMMUNICATIONS: SICHUAN-TIBET RAILWAY On July 5, 2017, China's official news agency Xinhua publicised that construction of the Sichuan-Tibet railway had begun at the two ends of the railway. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway will be the second railway into southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The line will go through the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most geologically active areas.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-JUDICIARY: "HIDDEN RULES" OF CHINA'S CRIMINAL SYSTEM The Dui Hua Foundation's Human Rights Journal on July 7, 2017, in a post said that Professor Chen Ruihua, an expert on criminal procedure law at Peking University Law School, in a recent blog online, observed that there are 17 “hidden rules” that govern how the Chinese criminal justice system “really” operates.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRACKDOWN ON HR ACTIVISM Chinese labour activist and former factory worker, Liu Shaoming was sentenced to four and a half years in jail for publishing his story of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: DJIBOUTI BASE Reuters quoting Xinhua reported on July 12, 2017, that ships carrying Chinese military personnel had departed from Zhanjiang in southern China "to set up a support base in Djibouti", Beijing's first overseas military base.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DISSIDENCE The People's Republic of China’s solitary Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo, who epitomized the dissident tradition and joined other intellectuals in publishing Charter 08, died of liver cancer on July 13, 2017 at age 61.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: MILITARISATION OF REEFS The Washington-based think-tank 'Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative' recently reported that major construction on the Subi, Mischief and Fiery Cross reefs in the Spratly Islands are readying them for deployment of military assets.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MARITIME MEETING According to Japan Times of July 1, 2017, the meeting of high-level officials from the Japanese and Chinese Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries as well as Maritime Security authorities held in Fukuoka on June 29 and 30, 2017, failed to make progress toward resuming negotiations on joint gas field development in the East China Sea.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: CHINA STOPS OIL SALES Business News quoted Reuters as reporting on June 28, 2017, that the state-owned China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) has suspended sales of fuel to North Korea over concerns that it might not get paid, as pressure mounts on Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: FILMS The Wall Street Journal reported on June 27, 2017, that Hollywood studios are conducting an audit of box-office receipts from Chinese movie theaters suspecting that their box-office receipts in China are underreported since 2016.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: S&D DIALOGUE The Japan Institute for National Fundamentals (JINF), a Japanese think-tank, has assessed that the US and China confronted each other on June 21, 2017, during the diplomatic security dialogue, which was part of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-US: US STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT CRITICISES CHINA The US State Department's Annual Report on Global efforts to end Modern Slavery, which was released on June 27, 2017, named China as among the world’s worst offenders for allowing modern slavery to thrive within its borders.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-S&T: CHINA'S ADVANCES IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE An article by Elsa Kanla published in Lawfare on June 20, 2017, assessed that the US might be overtaken by China in cutting edge technologies and Artificial Intelligence unless the US took active measures to prevent it acquiring technology companies in the US and stealing hi-tech. is unlikely recent.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-CYBERSECURITY: CONTROLS ON INTERNET After the popular VPN service provider Green announced that the company would cease operations by 1 July, 2017, reports are circulating widely on Twitter and Weibo that a state ban on unauthorized VPNs is imminent.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: ANTI-CHINA PROTESTS Anti-China political activists in Hongkong including Joshua Wong, Long Hair, Nathan Law, etc. were arrested by police on June 28, 2017, after they staged a protest at Golden Bahunia Square and shouted slogans like "overthrow the Communist Party".
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW TANK TESTED IN TIBET People's Liberation Army (PLA) spokesman Col Wu Qian said at a media briefing on June 27, 2017, that has conducted trials of a new light weight 35-tonne battle tank in Tibet near the Indian border.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: SECURITY CONTROLS HEIGHTENED Radio Free Asia reported on June 29, 2017, that a new notice issued on June 27, 2017, orders all residents of Xinjiang to hand in all digital devices for “checking” at local police stations by Aug. 1, as part of an operation targeting “terrorist videos.”
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: POLITICAL EDUCATION IN COLLEGES The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) on June 16, 2017, issued a report critical of at least 12 main universities as "lacking in 'four awarenesses'."
Jul 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING Xinhua publicised on June 26, 2017, that a book on governance written by Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the 1,000-day anniversary of its debut over the weekend.
Jul 2017 |
CHINA - EU The European Union also did not mark the 28th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-GREECE: GREECE BLOCKS EU CRITICISM OF CHINA ON HUMAN RIGHTS AT UN Greece, a significant recipient of Chinese investment, blocked an E.U. statement at the United Nations last week criticizing China’s human rights record.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA: INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM A new alliance of Islamist militant groups linked to al Qaeda on jUNE 19, 2017, claimed responsibility for an attack that killed at least five people at a Mali luxury resort popular with Western expatriates just outside the capital Bamako.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: S&D DIALOGUE US Secretary of State Tillerson and US Secretary of Defense Mattis hosted China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi and the PLA Chief of the General Staff General Fang Fenghui on June 21, 2017, for the first meeting of the Diplomatic and Security Dialogue with the Chinese and the Trump Administration. "
Jun 2017 |
CHINA- THREE NEW "BLUE ECONOMIC PASSAGES" On June 20, 2017, Xinhua publicised that China has put forward plans for three ocean-based "blue economic passages" that will connect Asia with Africa, Oceania, Europe and beyond, in a bid to advance maritime cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN The state-run Global Times on June 25, 2017, reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Afghanistan's National Security Advisor Haneef Atmar in Beijing on June 24, when he said China hopes Afghanistan could achieve peace and national reconciliation as soon as possible.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: BORDER INCURSIONS Chinese PLA troops and Indian Army personnel have faced-off in the sensitive and tactically important Dhoka La area at the Sikkim-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction in Sikkim for the past ten days after PLA personnel destroyed two Indian bunkers in the Lalten area and stopped a batch of pilgrims from proceeding on the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW DESTROYER China's official news agency Xinhua reported on June 28, 2017, that China had the same day launched a new type of domestically-built destroyer.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO HONGKONG Hong Kong police have launched a crackdown on political banners and images ahead of a visit to the city by Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to avoid “embarrassing” the country’s leaders.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-CHINESE DISSIDENT AND NOBEL LAUREATTE LIU XIAOBO RELEASED FROM JAIL Liu Xiaobo, the jailed Chinese dissident who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his writings promoting democracy and was imprisoned in northeast China, has been moved from prison to be treated for late-stage liver cancer, according to his lawyer Shang Baojun on June 26, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: TWO TIBETAN MONKS SENTENCED Two Tibetan monks, Gendun Drakpa, 40, and Lobsang Sherab, 36, missing since last year after being detained by police in Sichuan have been sentenced to prison terms of from four to five years for engaging in “separatist activities,” according to Tibetan sources quoted by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on June 21, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ENHANCED SECURITY IN XINJIANG The Wall Street Journal on June 21, 2017, reported that Chen Quanguo, Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Automous Region, had recently launched a new campaign in Xinjiang called "Together in Five Things Campain" under which cadres are living in the homes of the Uyghur minority in the Autonomous Region.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE LAW The 28th Meeting of China's 12th NPC Standing Committee on June 27, 2017, passed the National Intelligence Law of the PRC.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Radio Free Asia reported on June 27, 2017, that former Politburo member Bo Xilai, who has been incarcerated since 2012, has sought and obtained medical release for liver cancer.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: REACTION TO THREAT BY GLOBAL TIMES Ms Dianne Feinstein, the influential US Senator from California, asked the Global Times to retract its editorial of June 20, 2017, which threatened the University of California San Diego and Chancellor Pradeep Khosla.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: PACOM CHIEF ADMIRAL HARRIS TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR US PACOM Chief Admiral Harry Harris is to retire next year. Last year China's Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai had requested the removal of Harris for describing China's island building in the South China Sea as building a "great wall of sand".
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: VISIT BY IVANKA AND JARED KUSHNER TO BEIJING Bloomberg News has said that China has invited President Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, to visit later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING'S PROPOSED VISIT TO HONGKONG Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to be in Hong Kong for three days between June 29 and July 1 for the handover celebrations. On June 30, he is likely to review the local garrison of the People’s Liberation Army.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA GARRISON IN HONGKONG To mark the 20th anniversary of the Chinese military presence in Hongkong since the takeover, the PLA Commander of the Southern Theatre Command Vice Admiral Yuan Yubai and Political Commissar of the Southern Theatre Command Wei Liang wrote an article in the Party theoretical journal 'Qiu Shi' on June 15, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-DRAFT LAW ON REFORM OF DETENTION HOUSES Xinhua announced on June 20, 2017, that China's Ministry of Public Security is soliciting public opinion on a draft law on detention houses, which will consider better human rights protection for those in custody. Opinions from the public will be accepted till July 15, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-SoEs ARE A RELIABLE FORCE OF THE CCP Xiao Yaqing, Director of the State Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, was quoted by the Central Party School's journal 'Study Times' on June 16, 2017, as saying that of the 40 million people who work for State owned Enterprises (SoEs) more than 10 million are CCP members.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TEACHERS FOR TIBET AND XINJIANG On June 19, 2017, the official Global Times disclosed China's decision to dispatch 10,000 teachers to the Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Regions to support local education and help solve the educational problems and improve local education in the regions.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR INTEGRATED MILITARY AND CIVILIAN DEVELOPMENT China's official news agency Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping held the first plenary meeting of the 'Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development', on June 20, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: DALAI LAMA China's official state-run Global Times on June 20, 2017, reacted stridently to the invitation to the 14th Dalai Lama to address the graduating students at the commencement at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) recently.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PANAMA SEVERS TIES WITH TAIWAN On June 12, 2017, Panama severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of recognizing China. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “indignation and regret” at the decision.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MARITIME TALKS Quoting government sources Japan's Asahi Shumbun reported on June 13, 2017, that Japan and China will discuss joint resource development in the East China Sea and setting up a hotline to avoid unintended clashes at the senior-level maritime talks to be held as early as late June.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-VIETNAM BORDER TALKS POSTPONED The New York Times on June 21, 2017 reported that State-run newspapers in Vietnam and China had recently reported that senior military officials from the two countries would hold a fence-mending gathering along a border, but on June 20, 2017, disclosed that the scheduled meeting was not held. The Chinese Defense Ministry later said in a terse statement that it had canceled the event “for reasons related to working arrangements.”
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AIIB Xinhua reported on June 13, 2017, that the previous day the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) had become a new member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CCP'S ESPIONAGE AND EXPANDING INFLUENCE A joint investigation by a team of journalists from 4 Corners and Fairfax Media on June 6, 2017, claimed to have exposed a concerted campaign by the Chinese government and its proxies to infiltrate the Australian political process to promote its own interests.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-IRELAND: HU CHUNHUA Guangdong Party Secretary Hu Chunhua arrived in Ireland at the head of a delegation of more than 150 Chinese companies presumably looking for alternative English-speaking destinations to locate post-Brexit.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CPEC, CHINESE WORKERS IN BALOCHISTAN The Islamic State's Amaq news agency said on June 8, 2017 that the ISIS has killed the two Chinese teachers that it kidnapped from Baluchistan province on May 24.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FINANCE AND SECURITY Speaking at a Politburo group session on April 25, 2017, Xi Jinping described financial regulation as a matter of national security, with existential relevance for the Party.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-RIGHTS LAWYERS LIST OF THOSE CHARGED The Human Rights in China' have on June 7, 2017, released the following list of Chinese rights lawyers charged by the Chinese authorities.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS/TAM The Hongkong Free Press reported on June 6, 2017, that Chinese authorities only allowed two family members and prevented other mourners from visiting the grave of mainland Tiananmen activist Li Wangyang, who died five years ago under mysterious circumstances after being interviewed by Hong Kong media.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS China's Jing Daily reported on June 8, 2017, that in the latest instance in a series of crackdowns on the media, China’s internet regulators have called for the closing of 60 social media accounts.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Wan Zhe, Chief Economist at the NDRC International Cooperation Centre (ICC) since 2016 has come to prominence as interpreter of Xi Jinping's 'new financial doctrine' that elevates ‘financial security’ to an existential concern.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CCP'S EXPANDING INFLUENCE On June 6, 2017, conversation.com published an article by Associate Professor Chongyi Feng of the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. Chongyi Feng, of Chinese descent, was held and interrogated by Chinese officials for ten days before being allowed to return to Australia.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: US GOVERNOR BROWN'S VISIT US California Governor Jerry Brown arrived in Chengdu, China on June 3, 2017, for a five night visit to reaffirm a global obligation to green growth as America’s de facto envoy on climate change. On June 4, he will travel to Nanjing, Jiangsu province, which shares a sister relationship with California.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-QATAR: OBOR The worsening rift between Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates which cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017, citing Doha’s alleged links to terrorism will complicate the realisation of OBOR.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN RAILWAYS An article in the Global Times on June 4, 2016, picked up on remarks by India's Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and suggested that "India could accelerate its rail upgrading process and shorten the investment time if it were to cooperate with China".
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying on June 4, 2017, expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to "irresponsible remarks" made by the US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on the South China Sea and Taiwan issues during the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA On June 1, 2017, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that since May 2017, North Korea has been imposing different types of tax and fees on merchants who come from China to enter the Rason Special Economic Zone.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-ZAMBIA Lin Songtian, Director General for African Affairs in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was reported by Japan's Asahi Shimbun as saying on June 5 that Zambia has detained 31 Chinese nationals for illegal mining in the African country's copper belt but has failed to provide strong proof of their crimes.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY China's state-owned CCTV reported on May 29, 2017, that China plans to build a network of submarine detectors at a cost of 2 billion yuan (US$290 million) and that these seabed observation systems will provide real-time information about the environmental conditions and seabed activities at a time when China is expanding its presence in both the East and South China seas.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYERS Jiang Tianyong, a lawyer who was disbarred in 2009 for defending high-profile dissidents and practitioners of Falun Gong and continued to speak out against government crackdowns on rights lawyers, has after six months of detention been chargedon suspicion of subverting state power.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: REGULATIONS IMPOSING CONTROLS ON FOREIGN STUDENTS China's Ministries of Education, Foreign Affairs and Public Security jointly issued new regulations for foreign students on June 5, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: GRADUATE RECRUITMENT Xinhua reported that on May 26, 2017, China's Ministry of National Defence announced new regulations that the PLA will no longer recruit senior high school graduates and college students for reserve officers. Instead, the PLA will select and recruit college graduates, with new policies to be put in place to support the change.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW REGULATIONS FOR SENIOR CADRES Xinhua reported on May 28, 2017, that new regulations had been promulgated prohibiting those in leadership positions or at the county level and above from taking up work in businesses or for-profit organizations related to their previous administration for three years after resignation.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The South China Morning Post reported on June 3, 2017, that a source with the Chongqing Municipality who declined to be named said He Ting, the Municipal Police Bureau Chief and the Executive Deputy Mayor, “was taken away by discipline inspection personnel for investigation on March 31”.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: CHINA BROKERS MEETING BETWEEN MYANMAR ARMY AND MYANMAR'S ETHNIC ARMED GROUPS In the last week of May 2017, China organised the second in a planned series of meetings between the Myanmar military, the government and various ethnic armed groups aimed at ending the decades-long civil war in Myanmar.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA REORGANISATION/PLA'S NEW GROUP ARMY ORBAT On May 18, 2017, China disclosed the PLA'S NEW GROUP ARMY ORBAT
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA REORGANISATION Xinhua on May 31, 2017, reported that the Central Military Commission (CMC) will terminate all paid services provided by the military by the end of June 2018.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS ON UYGHURS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on June 1, 2017, that according to a recent posting on WeChat by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region’s Public Security Bureau, Order No. 4425 requires all Uyghur parents to change the names of children under 16 years of age, if they are among those listed in a region-wide ban.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY CONTROLS ON TIBETAN OFFICIALS Reports from the Kardze region of Sichuan Province said officials in the Tibetan areas of of the province have been instructed to take a lie detector test. Since April 2017, 168 cadres have undergone the test.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY: JUNE 4 Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on May 30, 2017, that before the 28th anniversary of the 'Tiananmen Incident' on June 4, security measures in China had been enhanced.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Lin Duo, born in 1956, was appointed Party Secretary of Gansu on April 11, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-US: RIMPAC EXERCISES The US Navy confirmed on May 29, 2017, that China has been invited to attend next year’s U.S.-hosted Rim of the Pacific exercises.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: NORTH KOREA MISSILE TESTS Two analysts, Tal Inbar in Israel and Bruce Bechtol in Texas, have noted the similarity between China’s submarine-launched Jl-1 missile and the sub-launched missile North Korea tested on August 24, 2016.
May 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS In an article published by the Global Times on May 30, 2017, Li Chen, a PhD candidate of the Department of History at Fudan University, said that Japan had sent its delegation to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and expressed its willingness to become a member of the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) earlier in May, not to mend diplomatic ties with China but in an attempt to influence the program from within.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-OBOR: KENYA In its Talking Points for May 29, 2017, the China-Africa Project said President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya on his visit to Beijing for the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Forum, secured Sh362 billion from China for extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu. Uhuru is also reported to have requested for another Sh16 billion for the construction of the Western Bypass.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA A new World Association of Chinese Studies was founded in Beijing in September 2016. Its inaugural ceremony, led by Gong Pengcheng, the Taipei-born scholar of classical Chinese literature based at Beida, was broadcast live to 36 countries. Former CCP CC General Secretary Hu Yaobang's son, Hu Deping is its Honorary Chairman.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET Radio Free Asia (RFA) quoted Tibetan sources on May 30, 2017, as reporting that following the rise in self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibetan areas in the first five months of 2017 alone, the authorities have intensified monitoring of internet communications, with police regularly monitoring social media sites for evidence of news-sharing outside the area.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-OBOR Xi Jinping planned to use the Belt and Road Forum, held in Beijing on May 14-15, 2017, to send two main messages.
May 2017 |
CHINA-G-7: SOUTH CHINA SEA Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang on May 28, 2017, stated that China is "strongly dissatisfied" with the mention of the East and South China Sea issues in a Group of Seven (G7) statement, and the G7 allies should stop making irresponsible remarks, refrain from taking positions and fully respect the efforts of countries in the region in handling the disputes.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: US FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE DALAI LAMA The US State Department has sent a detailed proposal to the US Congress proposing 'zero' aid to the Tibetans in the fiscal year 2018 that commences on October 1, 2017.
May 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: TALKS WITH DALAI LAMA The Tibet Support Group of Arunachal Pradesh (TSGAP) has urged China to start a dialogue with the Tibetan government in exile for a final solution.
May 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA On May 26, 2017, China reacted to the Dalai Lama's remark that his incarnation cannot be born in a place where "there is no freedom".
May 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NPC CHAIRMAN ZHANG DEJIANG'S OBSERVATIONS PBSC Member and Chairman of China's NPC, Zhang Dejiang in a talk at a Symposium Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong Basic Law held by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee in Beijing on May 27, 2017, cautioned Hongkongers not to confront the central government over its promised “high degree of autonomy”, and called on the city to enact controversial national security laws.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INVESTMENT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) The New York Times on May 27, 2017, reported that China is making massive investments to develop AI. China has plans to use it to predict crimes, lend money, track people on the country’s ubiquitous closed-circuit cameras, alleviate traffic jams, create self-guided missiles and censor the internet.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION Authorities in China's Zhejiang province have recently launched a province-wide operation to install surveillance cameras in the majority of Protestant Christian churches.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY IN XINJIANG FOR RAMADAN Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on May 26, 2017, that Xinjiang-Uyghur Province authorities are implementing a set of “stability maintenance” measures during Ramadan, but sources say restaurants have been ordered to stay open throughout the Islamic holy month as part of the directive.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP INFIGHTING Ling Wancheng, the Sacramento-based brother of former Director of the powerful CCP CC General Office Ling Jihua had promised to release his own 'explosive' expose on May 29, 2017.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP INFIGHTING Guo Wengui released his latest video on May 29, 2017, in which he has launched a direct attack on Wang Qishan. Guo Wengui describes Wang Qiohan as the real power now and as incredibly corrupt from his many years of involvement in China's financial sector.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE The state-run Global Times on May 22, 2017, reacted to a New York Times article that said the Chinese authorities had apprehended a number of spies working for the US and killed ten CIA officers between 2010-2012.
May 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA Australia's Monash University confirmed on May 15, 2017, that it had suspended a lecturer after Chinese students complained about a quiz that suggested Chinese officials were truthful only when drunk.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TOURISM According to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) direct investment in the tourism industry is predicted to reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($218 billion) this year, representing a more than 20% jump compared to 2016.
May 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: JET AIRCRAFT CO-PRODUCTION Bloomberg news announced on May 22 that China and Russia have teamed up to develop twin-aisle 280-seat jet aircraft that that can fly about 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) and will compete with Airbus SE and Boeing Co. UAC Chairman Yury Slyusar said at a briefing in Shanghai Monday that on May 22, that the State-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. and Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. plan to hand over the plane to customers by 2025-2027.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: KIDNAPPING OF TWO CHINESE TEACHERS IN QUETTA On May 24, 2017, armed men pretending to be policemen kidnapped two Chinese language teachers in the Pakistani city of Quetta. Anwar ul Haq Kakar, a Baluchistan government spokesman, said "A Chinese couple has been kidnapped," adding that officials had earlier mistaken the wounded passerby for a security guard.
May 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS More than 482 scholars from overseas academic institutions and 280 scholars from local Hongkong universities have signed a document expressing concern that the prosecution of the 'Occupy' leaders marked only the beginning of “more political prosecutions” against academics, students and citizens in Hong Kong.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG-UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION'S CONTROLS ON MUSLIMS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on May 25, 2017, that village chiefs from Barin township, in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture’s Peyziwat (Jiashi) county had recently said that hundreds of the Islamic holy books printed before 2012 had been seized since authorities issued an order recalling them on January 15, 2017.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POPULATION Yi Fuxian, a scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of the book, Big Country with an Empty Nest, published in 2007, recently said that India may be more populous than China and that the number of Chinese born since 1990 might have been overestimated by 90 million.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMIC REFORM China's official news agency Xinhua reported on May 21, 2017, that the CCP CC and State Council had on May 21, announced a reform plan for the country's oil and gas industry, eyeing better efficiency and competitiveness by giving market a decisive role in the sector.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY Moody's Investors Service downgraded China's credit ratings in long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings, to A1 from Aa3, on May 24, 2017, for the first time in nearly 30 years, saying it expects the financial strength of the economy will erode in coming years as growth slows and debt continues to rise.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP South China Morning Post reported on May 23, 2017, that with just a few months to go before the 19th Party Congress, Guangdong Province Party Secretary Hu Chunhua made a high-profile declaration of his political loyalty in front of the Provincial Party Congress on May 22.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NEW BEIJING PARTY SECRETARY 60 year old Cai Qi, a long-time protégé of President Xi Jinping who spent a decade at his side in Fujian and then Zhejiang province, was appointed Party Secretary of Beijing on May 27, 2017.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMY - HOUSING SECTOR A Global Times article of May 18, 2017, citing recent data of China's National Bureau of Statistics said that there had been a moderate growth in home prices across major Chinese cities in April, indicating that tougher measures to rein in the red hot housing market have taken effect and that China's property sector might have passed its peak growth period.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: SET BACK TO US ESPIONAGE EFFORTS IN CHINA The New York Times on May 20, 2017, front-paged a report highlighting that China's government had since 2010 systematically dismantled C.I.A. spying operations inside China, killing or imprisoning more than a dozen sources over two years and crippling intelligence gathering there for years afterward.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: CLOSE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTER US officials have claimed that on May 17, 2017, two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 jets conducted an "unprofessional" intercept of a US WC-135 Constant Phoenix.
May 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: RAPPROCHEMENT? State Councilor Yang Jiechi stressed the importance of relations with South Korea on May 19, 20`17, while meeting South Korean Special Envoy and former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.
May 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: ESPIONAGE Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga confirmed at a regular press briefing in Tokyo on May 22, 2017, that Chinese authorities have incarcerated six Japanese men since March on charges of espionage.
May 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: VIOLATION OF AIRSPACE Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on May 19, 2017, that China had claimed on May 19, that a drone that flew near a group of Japan-controlled islands belonged to a media outlet, not to its coast guard.
May 2017 |
CHINA-ANTARCTIC China is, for the first time since it signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983, hosting the 40th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting which opened in Beijing on May 22, 2017.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY (PLAN): AIRCRAFT CARRIER A report by Minnie Chan on May 21, 2017, analysing China's aircraft carrier power quoted retired PLAN Senior Captain and Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie as saying that China carrier strike group air crews are still far below international standard.
May 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET Radio Free Asia reported on May 19, 2017, that 22-year old Jamyang Losal, a Tibetan monk belonging to Gyerteng monastery in Kangtsa’s Nangra town located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the Kangtsa county seat in China’s Qinghai province, set himself on fire and died on May 19.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS ON CHINESE STUDENTS ABROAD Yang Shuping, a Chinese student who just graduated from the University of Maryland was criticised for her commencement speech on May 21, 2017, by People's Daily in an article on May 22. In her speech, Yang Shuping explained that it was “fresh air” that made her come to the university in the first place.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP INFIGHTING Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, who has suspected ties to China’s intelligence apparatus and is currently living in New York, began releasing allegations of corruption and division among top levels of the CCP in March.
May 2017 |
CHINA-OBOR: EU DECLINES TO BACK OBOR The Guardian on May 15, 2017, reported that the EU has refused to endorse the multibillion-dollar OBOR project plan because it did not include commitments to social and environmental sustainability and transparency anfd the EU’s 28 member states decided not to support a statement about trade prepared by Beijing to mark the end of the summit.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DNA TESTING IN XINJIANG South China Morning Post revealed on May 16, 2017, that the Police in Xinjiang had confirmed they are in the process of purchasing at least US$8.7 million in equipment to analyse DNA samples.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DRAFT OF INTELLIGENCE LAW On May 16, 2017, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) released a draft version of the National Intelligence Law on its Web site, inviting responses from the public until June 14.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: OBOR PROJECTS Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s dilapidated hometown of Davao into a Southeast Asian springboard for Beijing’s grand “Belt and Road Initiative”.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMIC/OBOR Reuters confirmed on May 13, 2017, that USA's Trump Administration will be sending a delegation led by Matt Pottinger, special assistant to thePresident and the National Security Council's senior director for East Asia to the OBOR Forum being held in Beijing on May 14-15, 2017.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: OPPOSITION TO CPEC Reuters reported on May 13, 2017 that ten laborers were gunned down in southwestern Pakistan on May 13, 2017, while working on link roads to connect outlying towns to the country's $57-billion Chinese "Belt and Road" initiative.
May 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NORTH KOREA INVITED TO OBOR FORUM South Korea's Korea Herald reported on May 9, 2017, that China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang had said at the regular press briefing on May 9 that "North Korea will send its delegation to the forum and will do relevant activities."
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY FOR OBOR FORUM The South China Morning Post reported on May 13, 2017, that a two-day academic seminar at China’s largest non-official think tank, the Unirule Institute of Economics, did not take place on May 13, 2017, because the doors and lifts at its office building were locked and disabled amid upgraded security for Beijing’s two-day OBOR Forum that began on May 14.
May 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: GLOBAL TIMES REACTS TO US CONGRESSWOMAN PELOSI MEETING DALAI LAMA The Global Times on May 13, 2017, published an article reacting to US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's recent meeting with the Dalai Lama.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: US CONGRESSMEN MEET DALAI LAMA Reacting to the meeting between a 7-member US Congress delegation and the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on May 9, 2017, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a news conference on May 10, that 'the Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion.
May 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET Wu Yingjie, TAR Party Secretary, early this month (May 2017) visited Konggar County and Chanang County, Lhoka, for on-site inspection of the farmland water conservancy project.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL ECONOMY: ANBANG Caixin, China's most respected business publication, on April 29, 2017, published an explosive investigative report by its special correspondent, Guo Tinbing, about Anbang Insurance.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL ECONOMY: REDUCED AUTO SALES China’s passenger-car sales in April saw their biggest decline in nearly two years as the world’s largest car market continued to feel the effect of a higher sales tax, though several foreign auto makers bucked the trend by logging sales increases.
May 2017 |
CHINA-OBOR China's financial magazine Caixing on May 10, 2017, quoted the Chinese government as saying that almost 50 Chinese SoEs have invested or participated in nearly 1,700 projects in countries along the new Silk Road routes over the past three years.
May 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA According to Defence News datelined Tel Aviv, new Imagery captured on May 8, 2017, from an ImageSat International (ISI) Eros B satellite indicates Chinese preparations for new land-based missile installations on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)'s Yulin Naval Base at the tip of Hainan Island.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: CHINA DEMONSTRATES NEW MISSILE TO COUNTER THAAD A Global Times article of May 10, 2017, cited a statement by China's Ministry of National Defense confirming that the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force had conducted an operational test for a new missile recently in the Bohai Sea, which had achieved the expected results.
May 2017 |
CHINA-USA: NORTH KOREA Writing in USA Today on May 8, 2017, China's Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said "China is deeply concerned about the current tension on the Korean Peninsula, which poses a grave threat to our national security.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: WARSHIP CONSTRUCTION The 'Strategist' on May 8, 2017, assessed that since 2000, China has built 19 large surface combatants (destroyers and aircraft carriers) and 63 small surface combatants (frigates and corvettes). Of the 124 surface vessels currently in service, 53% have been built since 2010, at an average of almost nine surface vessels commissioned per year.
May 2017 |
CHINA-PLAAF:PURCHASES FROM UKRAINE A report on China's Soho blog claimed that because of Russia's reluctance to sell it advanced aircraft, China has concluded a US$ 4 billion agreement with Ukraine for the world's largest cargo plane.
May 2017 |
CHINA-MACAU: PBSC MEMBER ZHANG DEJIANG'S VISIT The Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, Zhang Dejiang, said in Macau on May 10, 2017, at the end of a 3-day visit that Macau is the role model when it comes to the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, and its success is down to the territory's education policies.
May 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG Hongkong's 'Civil Human Rights Front' (which organises the annual 1 July protest marches) has been told that it will not be allowed to use Victoria Park for this year's march.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG According to a Radio Free Asia report of May 9, 2017, Uyghur students enrolled in schools outside China have been ordered by the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region Government to return to their home towns by May 20.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP CREATES NEW BUREAU FOR XINJIANG Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on May 5, 2017, that the CC CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) has created a new bureau to improve intelligence and policy coordination in Xinjiang.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS A Chinese game development firm, Zuo BuLai Game Studio, has created a computer game called, The Wall, which alludes to China’s Great Firewall and encourages players to destroy it.
May 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Former Chinese Vice Premier and Security Czar Qian Qichen died at the age of 90 in Beijing on the morning of May 9, 2017.
May 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: PROTEST AT TAIWAN ATTENDING KIMBERLEY PROCESS In the weekly press briefing on May 3, 2017, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuan, while replying to a question asking why Chinese delegates had shouted down the Chairman of the Kimberley Process Working Group Joint Meeting in Australia and disrupted proceedings, said "Our position on the participation of Taiwan in the activities of international organizations is clear and consistent, that is, we must follow the one-China principle.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CPEC An article by Xiao Xin, a reporter with Global Times on May 3, 2017, criticised a recent article in the Economic Times which claimed that "the "One Belt and One Road" initiative, which aims to facilitate joint prosperity across the countries and regions along the route, was presented as offering benefits only to China while setting a trap for countries in South Asia.
May 2017 |
CHINA-THAILAND: POPULAR OPPOSITION TO CHINESE PLANS TO BROADEN MEKONG RIVER China's plan to dynamite the Pi Long rapids and other sections of the Mekong between Thailand and Laos to allow bigger cargo ships has met with opposition from Thai protesters who say this will harm the environment and bring trade advantages only to China.
May 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on May 7, 2017, that a low-key civilian group headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s former deputy, Wang Yifu, may take a more prominent role in driving Beijing’s new strategy to engage the Taiwanese public, as mainland China continues to shake up senior members of its Taiwan policy team.
May 2017 |
CHINA-ASEAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA Reuters reported on April 30, 2017, that Southeast Asian leaders took a softer stance on disputes in the South China Sea during the summit that ended on April 29, 2017, and avoided tacit references to China’s building and arming of its manmade islands.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: US ASSISTS DISSIDENTS ESCAPE FROM THAILAND Chen Guiqiu , the wife of Chinese rights lawyer Xie Yang, revealed earlier this March to AP that she and her two daughters were rescued by US Embassy officials just minutes before Chinese security personnel were to escort them back to China.
May 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: US-JAPAN WAR GAMES The scenario for a war game organised in the US in March 2017 envisaged that "an armed group has come ashore on one of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, and while the Japan Coast Guard and police forces struggle to bring the incident under control, China indicates it will intervene and dispatches a military vessel to waters around the island."
May 2017 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE: NEW JET MULTI-ROLE FIGHTER China's state-owned CCTV 1 recently publicised the debut last week of the L-15B prototype attack jet.
May 2017 |
CHINA-US: ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS A report in the Overseas Chinese Daily Qiaobao, datelined Los Angeles May 1, 2017, claimed that China's anti corruption "fox hunting" squad has been using the services of at least one Chinese-origin US Los Angeles-based detective for several years to track down corrupt Chinese officials now living in Southern California.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBETAN YOUTH SELF IMMOLATES VOA Tibetan confirmed on May 4, 2017, that a 16-year-old student Chagdor Kyab from Bora Township, in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the Amdo region of Gansu province, staged a self-immolation protest on May 2 against Chinese rule.
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG-UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION Four senior Uighur officials, writing in a front-page article in the official Xinjiang Daily newspaper on April 27, 2017, said young members of China's Uighur Muslim minority should "love the motherland" and learn Mandarin."
May 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTENSIFIED MEDIA CONTROLS The Chinese government issued new rules on May 2, 2017, further tightening controls over the already heavily censored online news services.
May 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES According to data released by the People’s Bank of China on May 7, 2017, China’s foreign-exchange reserves rose for the third straight month in April, edging up on the back of a less bullish U.S. dollar and Chinese government controls on money moving offshore.
May 2017 |
CHINA-OBOR: CONNECTIVITY The first freight train linking China directly to the UK arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu on April 29, 2017, after a 12,000-kilometre (7,500-mile) trip, becoming the world's second-longest rail route.
Apr 2017 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: ASIAN UNIVERSITIES ALLIANCE The Asian Universities Alliance, consisting of 15 Asian universities, was established on April 29, 2017, at an inaugural meeting attended by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong in Beijing.
Apr 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The Financial Times reported on April 26, 2017, that rising imports and falling exports as well as a drop in remittances from Pakistanis abroad had brought Pakistan to the brink of a currency crisis, but Beijing banks came to the rescue.
May 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: BASIC LAW The Hong Kong media reported that speaking at a seminar on April 29, 2017, Wang Zhemin, legal chief of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said that the “one country, two systems” policy under which Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy for half a century may be scrapped if it becomes a tool to confront Beijing.
Apr 2017 |
CHINA-US: TAIWAN During an interview with Reuters on April 28, 2017, US President Trump turned down Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's suggestion that another call could take place, saying he did not want to risk his newfound "personal relationship" with China's president Xi Jinping.
Apr 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: ECONOMIC TIES As tension mounts in the Korean Peninsula on whether Pyongyang decides to launch an ICBM or not, there is increasing attention on China’s substantial economic ties to North Korea. Nearly 90% of North Korea’s legal trade is with China, with the South Korean government estimating that China bought US$2.8 billion in North Korean exports in 2016.
Apr 2017 |
CHINA- INTERNAL: ALERT FOR RADIOACTIVITY ON KOREAN PENINSULA Taiwan's news agency CNA (The Central News Agency) on April 17, 2017, reported that China's Ministry of Environmental Protection sent internal orders to environment monitoring stations in Northeast China to establish 24-hour on-duty monitoring schedules for radioactive pollution signs.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TELECOMMUNICATIONS BROADBAND PENETRATION Wen Ku, Director of China's Information and Communication Development Department, said during a recent press briefing that China’s fixed-line broadband and mobile broadband penetration rate is expected to reach 63% and 75% respectively by the end of this year.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER A special editorial report on April 26, 2017, by Global Times reporter Liu Jianxi based on an interview with Zhang Xiaojun, a military expert based in Beijing, described the second aircraft carrier designed and built exclusively by China as a milestone in China's naval and national defense construction.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA REFORM The spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense Yang Yujun, said on April 27, that the Central Military Commission has decided to reorganize the army groups of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army.
Jun 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP XIA BAOLONG MOVED TO NPC According to Xinhua News Agency, the Twelfth Meeting of the Twelfth National People's Congress Standing Committee on April 27 afternoon voted to appoint former Zhejiang Province Party Secretary, 64-year old Xia Baolong as Vice Chairman of the the National People's Congress (NPC) Environmental and Resources Protection Committee. Xinhua News Agency also reported on April 26, that Che Jun has been appointed as Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-NEW ZEALAND: OBOR New Zealand's Northland Regional Council agreed this week to provide China Railway with information on possible investments, such as high-end hotels and roads, and advise the firm on the New Zealand government procurement process and making introductions to national government officials. Reuters April 14 report did not specify how much China Railway is planning to invest in Northland. In particular the regional authority plans to help China Railway bid for the construction of a 22 km (13.6 miles) stretch of national highway from the Northland city of Whangarei to a commercial port at Marsden Point to the south. The move is the latest on New Zealand's part to cooperate on Chinese President Xi Jinping's OBOR global infrastructure spend to link China to Asia and beyond.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA- NORTH KOREA MISSILE LAUNCH North Korea launched a missile on April 16, 2017, morning from its Sinpo Launch base. US Sources say the missile launch was a failure with the missile exploding very soon after launch. They also said it was not an ICBM.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: TRADE INCREASES The New York Times on April 13, 2017, reported that amid sharply rising tensions over North Korea’s nuclear arms program, China's General Administration of Customs said at a news conference in Beijing on April 13, that its trade with North Korea had expanded by 37.4% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the previous year, even though it had complied with United Nations sanctions and stopped buying North Korean coal. Chinese exports surged 54.5 % and imports increased 18.4 %. China released the first-quarter trade data just days after President Trump urged Xi Jinping to clamp down on trade with North Korea.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-PLA EXERCISES: TENSION IN NORTH KOREA China Central Television (CCTV-7) 30-minute programme, 'Military Reports', yesterday revealed footage of the country's various missiles in a daily military programme. 0ne of the weapons featured in the programme was the anti-ship DF-21 missile, which has a firing distance of up to 1,926 miles (3,100km) and has been dubbed 'the killer of aircraft carrier'. It showed Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles drive past the Tiananmen Gate during a military parade on September 3, 2015 in Beijing.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLAN THIRD AIRCRAFT CARRIER Chinese Military expert Xu Guangyu forecast during an interview with BTVAthat China's second aircraft carrier, and the country's first domestically built carrier, will see dramaticbreakthroughs, such as the use of nuclear power and the capability for an electromagnetic launch. He said "The first domestically built carrier is likely to be like the Liaoning [China's first aircraftcarrier]. It will be conventionally powered and use a ski-jump take-off, whereas the second one is likely to use a catapult take-off..
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SELECTION OF DELEGATES FOR 19TH PARTY CONGRESS There is an increased focus on grassroots delegates representing a change in Party membership. Party authorities approved 1.965 million new candidates in 2015, of whom 977,000 were frontline workers, such as industrial employees, farmers, herders and migrants.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), chaired the biweekly meeting of the CPPCC on April 13, when it was decided that the country lacks high-caliber and influential personages among various religious groups and it is an important duty for all religious groups to train more believers that "are politically reliable, accomplished in religious study, moral and can play a role in critical moments." Some members suggested government authorities encourage the establishment of more religious education institutions and give them more support in capital and land use. They also called on religious groups to improve curriculums and training of faculty.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL CONTROLS ON LAWYERS China's Ministry of Justice last month issued a notice stipulating new standards that tighten its grip on the legal sector. Shanghai, Inner Mongolia, Anhui and Shaanxi provinces will pilot the scheme, which classifies lawyers into nine specialist areas, ranging from criminal law to intellectual property law.., with plans for a ¬professional standard based to a great extent on each lawyer’s “political performance”. Lawyers would have to meet four criteria to be listed, the top one being political correctness, followed by record of “integrity”, length of experience and professional skills. The political performance assessment includes supporting the Communist Party’s leadership and “socialist rule by law”, abiding by the constitution and law, and observing the legal profession’s ethics and discipline.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: OBOR According to the China Daily of April 21, the Beijing Foreign Studies University has started a recruitment programme to find candidates for 22 language majors relating to OBOR countries in the next academic year. Only 270 students are to be admitted to keep standards high.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA China Daily reported on April 21, 2017, that Li Zhanshu, CCP CC Politburo member and Head of the CCP CC General Office, will visit Russia from April 25-27, 2017. He will meet the Chief of Staff of Russia's Presidential Executive Office, Anton Vaino.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: ENVIRONMENT The South China Morning Post reported on April 22, 2017, that China is considering turning the entire Tibetan plateau and surrounding mountains into a huge 2.5 million sq km park national park to protect “the last piece of pure land”. Dubbed the Third Pole National Park because the plateau and mountains, including the Himalayas, have a natural environment that in many ways resembles polar regions, it would be the world’s biggest national park.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY: THE WEALTH GAP A recent Chinese Academy of Science report says that though the wealth gap between different regions is narrowing, inequality between different income groups is growing. Xi Jinping has pledged to wipe out poverty, or annual incomes less than Yuan 2300, by 2020. Xi Jinping has also made himself a delegate to the 19th Party Congress from Guizhou where much of the population lives below the poverty line.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR TENSION IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA On April 22, 2017, the state-run Global Times published an Op-Ed outlining China’s limited options for preventing war on the Korean peninsula. The Chinese communist party mouthpiece, known for its harsh criticism of the US, surprisingly argued that China: 1) should drastically limit oil supply to their northeastern ally if they conduct another nuclear test, and 2) should not respond militarily in the event that the US carries out a surgical strike on North Korean nuclear facilities.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OBOR SUMMIT AND JAPAN LDP Secretary General Nikai said on April 25, 2017, that he will attend China's New Silk Road summit in May. This is being interpreted as an indicator that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to improve ties with Beijing amid tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY-HNA GROUP The Hainan-based closely held HNA Group, which started as a local airline operator is now becoming one of the world's biggest conglomerates with interests in hotels, tourism, logistics, real estate and finance. Its total assets, at around US$ 146 billion in 2016, grew more than four times since 2010, Some of HNA’s most high- profile outbound acquisitions have been U.S.-based companies—a US$ 6.5 billion purchase of a 25% stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a US$ 6 billion deal to buy technology distributor Ingram Micro Inc. and a US 4 billion purchase of CIT Group ’s leasing business. The HNA Group and its subsidiaries hold around US$ 9.7 billion in bonds, putting it among China’s top 30 most indebted companies, according to Dealogic.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION IN XINJIANG-UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION Radio Free Asia reported on April 26, 2017, that Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have banned dozens of baby names with religious meanings that are widely used by Muslims elsewhere in the world. It said sources in Hotan, in the southern part of the AR, had previously detailed a list of banned names in 2015 and the ban now appears to have been rolled out throughout the XUAR.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY'S 68TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY South China Morning Post reported on April 25, 2017, that China's Ministry of National Defence erred in the official poster used to commemorate the anniversary.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER Xinhua reported that China’s first indigenously-produced aircraft carrier, was officially launched on April 26, 2017, at China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation’s Dalian shipyard two days after the PLA Navy's 68th anniversary.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA REFORM The South China Morning Post reported on April 24, 2017, that PLA army corps are likely to have their unit numbers changed for the first time in their history. It quoted Chinese military sources as saying “Serial numbers for the 13 army corps are likely restart from 71 and end at 83.”
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING INSPECTS SOUTHERN THEATRE COMMAND Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected the PLA's Southern Theater Command in Nanning on April 22, 2017, when he stressed building a strong army and exhorted all military personnel to resolutely safeguard the authority of CPC Central Committee and unswervingly follow the Party's leadership. He asked all military personnel to greet the 19th CPC National Congress scheduled for later this year with outstanding achievements.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS South China Morning Post on April 26, 2017, quoted two independent sources as saying that Xia Baolong, Party Secretary of Zhejiang province, will likely become the new head of the Central Politics and Legal Affairs Committee. Separately, the state-run authoritative Xinhua news agency reported on April 26, 2017, that Xia Baolong had left his Zhejiang party secretary position.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: ELECTIONS 59-year Ms Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was elected Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive on March 26, 2017. She was Beijing's preferred candidate and won 777 votes from the 1,194-member Election Committee, composed mostly of Beijing loyalists. The former Chief Secretary beat former Finance chief John Tsang Chun-wah and retired judge Woo Kwok-hing Lam. Soon after Carrie Lam's election, the central leader in charge of Hongkong organized a 'leak' to the press revealing that the next Chief Executive had been selected in a December 25th Politburo meeting.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET Pema Gyaltsen, a 24-year-old Tibetan man from Nyagrong (in Chinese, Xinlong) in Kardze (Ganzi) county Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,on March 19, 2017, in a protest against Chinese rule in the first reported self-immolation of 2017. A one-minute video clip depicting the incident was circulating on Tibetan social media.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA/MILITARY China's official news agency Xinhua reported on March 26, 2017 that while speaking to PLA Delegates on March 12, 2017, at the recent NPC session Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised that the military needs to promote technological innovation as the "key" to its upgrading and modernization.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), said at the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan on March 26, 2017, that China will substantially cut the number of sectors closed to foreign investment and as China opens wider, “we want China to get fair treatment overseas.” Among financial sectors targeted for further opening in China are banking, insurance, investment banking, securities firms, and payments.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG'S VISIT Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's week-long visit to Australia and New Zealand was decided after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Australia soon after US President-elect Trump's telephone conversation with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-US: XI-TRUMP SUMMIT IN APRIL US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not participate in the NATO meeting in Brussels on April 5-6 in order to attend US President Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping on April 6-7. Tillerson plans to visit Moscow on April 12, 2017.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-US: US SECY OF STATE TILLERSON'S VISIT TO BEIJING US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Beijing on March 19, 2017, for talks with Chinese officials and to prepare for the Summit Meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Trump on April 6-7, 2017. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted by Xinhua as saying on March 18, that China and the United States are now in close communication on arrangements for the meeting and exchanges at other levels.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: VIETNAM NAVY CHIEF MEETS PLAN COMMANDER Meeting his Vietnamese counterpart Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam this (March 13-18, 2017) week in Beijing, PLAN Chief Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong noted that relations are improving and that the two navies and their countries should “together play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS SRI LANKA AND NEPAL Chinese Defence Minister 68-year old Chang Wanquan arrived in Sri Lanka on March 20 accompanied by the Deputy Commander of the PLA Navy Si Zhiquan. The problem centering on the Hambantota Port, where the Sri Lankan government is unwilling to accept China having a 80% share and two Sri Lankan individuals have approached the court, is top of the agenda for discussion. He will also visit a military facility. Chang Wanquan is to arrive in Nepal on March 23 for a 3-day visit where he will witness the first ever military exercise between the PLA and Nepal Army.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: DALAI LAMA An article in Global Times on March 20, 2017, by Liu Caiyu reported the Chinese Foreign Ministry's strong opposition to the Dalai Lama's participation in a Buddhism conference in India last week. It quoted the Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying as saying on March 20, that "We urge the Indian side to clearly recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai clique, abide by its promises on the Tibet question,
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA Sansha Communist Party Secretary Xiao Jie was quoted by the official Hainan Daily newspaper as saying on March 17, 2017, that a couple of environmental monitoring stations are being built on six islands and reefs, including Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG OFFERS REWARDS FOR IDENTIFYING 'TERRORISTS' On March 17, 2017, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that authorities in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region are offering hefty sums of cash to would-be tipsters on terrorist activities. A statement dated February 23, but obtained recently by RFA disclosed that the Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) prefecture government had said 100 million yuan (U.S. $14.5 million) had been set aside to reward residents reporting “suspicious” acts following the knife attack a week earlier in Guma (Pishan) county.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: REFORM
Sheng Bin, Chief of the National Defense Mobilization Department of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), said on the closing day of the NPC session on March 15, 2017, that China will reduce its army reserve while increasing reserves for other services.He said the army reserve will be reduced, while the reserves of other military services including the navy, air force and the rocket force will be increased in a bid to keep up with China's military buildup, as the military reform has made headway.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-PLA AND THE DEFENCE BUDGET At the press conference of China's State Council Information Office on March 4, 2017, Maj. Gen. Chen Zhou, military deputy to China's National People's Congress (NPC) and researcher with the Military Strategy Department of the PLA Academy of Military Science, said the 7% military budget increase in 2017 will be used to support the national defense and military reform, update equipment, improve the training and living environment of grassroot-level troops, in-depth development of military-civilian integration and so on.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-US: THE TECHNOLOGY ECONOMY A report released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China in March 2017 said that China is marshaling massive resources to march into high-tech industries, from robotics to medical devices. In the case of semiconductors alone, the Chinese state has amassed US$ 150 billion to build a homegrown industry. It said China is employing a wide range of tools to pursue these ambitions, from lavishing subsidies on favored sectors to squeezing technology out of foreign firms.
CCASApr 2017 |
CHINA-US: NORTH KOREA/THAAD Retired PLA General Wang Hongguang, former Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region, disclosed on March 13, 2017, that China was preparing to counter the US deployment of THAAD with its own anti-radar equipment.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-US: SUMMIT MEETING Chinese President Xi Jinping will have his first Summit Meeting with US President Donald Trump probably on April 6-7, 2017, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will prepare for the summit during his stop at Beijing next week. Trade and North Korea are expected to top the agenda.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: PEW SURVEY OF INTERNET USAGE The latest Pew survey showed that 71% of Chinese say they use the internet at least occasionally or own a smartphone while, in contrast, only 21% of Indians say they use the internet or own a smartphone. The gap between China and India is similarly large when it comes to smartphone ownership.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: MODI POST VICTORY IN U.P. An important article in the state-owned Global Times on March 16, 2017, commented that following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent electoral victory in Uttar Pradesh "as well as vigorous support in several other major state elections, which have increased Modi's chance to win India's 2019 general elections", "Beijing-New Delhi ties have recently entered a subtle and delicate phase". Observers have begun to "pay close attention to how the bilateral relationship will develop after Modi tightens his grip on power". It said "Modi's hard-line attitude is embodied in both his domestic policies, such as the ban on high-value currency notes, and in his diplomatic logic. In the international arena, he changed India's previous attitude of trying never to offend anyone and started to take a clear stance in controversies among other nations to maximize its own interests. He enhanced New Delhi's ties with China and Moscow and applied to be a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Yet he also upgraded defense collaboration with the US and Japan, articulated his support for the US rebalance to the Asia-Pacific strategy and Washington's stance on the South China Sea issue. If Modi wins the next election, India's current firm and tough manner is bound to continue.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LONG-TERM RESIDENCY A new pilot program unveiled by the Ministry of Public Security on March 13, 2017, allows anyone who has been employed in China for at least two consecutive years to apply for a five-year work permit. Earlier, most foreign employees had to apply for a new work permit every year, even when hired on multiyear contracts. The trial program is expected to be rolled out in coming months in “demonstration zones for innovative reform” in a total of nine cities and province-level governments, including Beijing, Wuhan and Hebei province, and 11 free-trade zones, including those in Tianjin, Chongqing and Henan province.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INCREASING SECURITY PRESENCE IN XINJIANG A recent study by Adrian Zenz and James Leibold and issued on March 14, 2017, by the Jamestown Foundation stated that data collected from job postings reveals four stages in the Party-state’s incremental securitization strategy in Xinjiang. It detailed these as::
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-CPPCC: PANCHEN LAMA In his first speech to the CPPCC plenary session on March 12, 2017, the Chinese appointed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu denounced fake monks and called for the stricter regulation of religious personnel. He said "With the development of the market economy, Buddhism has suffered the effects of commercialization.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-NPC: PLA NAVY Wang Weiming, Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA Navy who is also a Deputy to the NPC, told Xinhua on March 10, 2017, on the sidelines of the NPC's plenary session that building of the second aircraft carrier is in good shape as the hull blocks have been joined in the dock.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: GRAND EVENT FOR 90TH ANNIVERSARY IN AUGUST PLA Lieutenant General Rong Guiqing, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Western Theatre Command, said on March 15, 2017, that there would be massive celebrations for PLA Day. He said President Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, was expected to inspect troops on PLA Day on August 1.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: DEATH OF HU YAOBANG'S WIFE Li Zhao, the wife of former CCP CC General Secretary Hu Yaobang, died on Saturday afternoon aged 96, according to her son.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-US: OPINION POLLS 50% of the Americans surveyed in a Gallup Poll recently said they have a favorable opinion of China -- up from 44% in 2016 and 41% in 2012.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA An unusually candid article in the state-run Global Times on March 3, 2017, reported the meeting on March 1, between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and visiting North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Ri Kil Song and said both expressed the hope for improved Beijing-Pyongyang ties and that Ri Kil Song had claimed that North Korea is willing to have in-depth talks with China on the situation of the Korean Peninsula.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: WATER SUPPLY TO XINJIANG AND GANSU The Guardian newspaper on March 7, 2017,reported that China is considering plans to build a 1,000km (620 mile) pipeline to pump water from Siberia to its drought-stricken northwest.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-CUBA: ECONOMIC TIES Cuban imports from China reached a record US$ 1.9 billion in 2015, nearly 60 percent above the annual average of the previous decade, and were at US$ 1.8 billion in 2016 as the flow of oil and cash slowed from Venezuela due to economic and political turmoil in the South American country.
Mar 2017 |
CHINA-US: SHANGHAI COMMUNIQUE February 28, 2017 was the 45th anniversary of the Shanghai Communique.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: EEZ The Japan Times on February 28, 2017, quoted the Japan Coast Guard as stating that China had conducted a total of 63 seabed surveys inside Japan’s EEZ in the East China Sea and elsewhere without consent over the five years from 2012 to 2016.
Mar 2017 |
CHINA-US: TIBET WOMENS FOOTBALL TEAM DENIED VISAS Fifteen players between the ages of 18 and 20 of the Tibetan Women’s Soccer were all refused US visas to go as guests to participate in this spring’s Dallas Cup tournament for young players.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: DPRK VICE FM VISITS (FEB 28-MAR 4, 2017) North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Ri Kil Song arrived in Beijing on February 28, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for talks.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA: PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES DeWe Security, a Chinese private security firm was founded in 2011 by a number of former military and police officers who had first worked together during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN:LEADERSHIP The Shanxi Provincial Higher People's Court on February 28, 2017, sentenced Zhao Liping, a former senior political advisor in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, to death on charges of murder, taking bribes and possession of firearms.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: TAX BREAK Because of a package of tax breaks, companies registered in Tibet are subject to a corporate tax rate of 15 per cent, well below the national standard rate of 25 per cent.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: PANCHEN LAMA'S (LOSAR) NEW YEAR MESSAGE The China selected Gyaltsen Norbu, appointed the 11th Panchen Lama in 1995 by China, issued a message to mark the Tibetan lunar new year which was publicised on February 27, 2017, by the CCP CC's United Front Work Department which helps oversee religious groups.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FIFTEENTH MEETING OF THE CENTRAL FINANCIAL WORK LEADING GROUP Xinhua reported (Feb 28, 2017) that the Central Financial Work Leading Group held its fifteenth meeting in Beijing on Febrary 28, 2017 which was attended by Li Keqiang, Premier and Deputy Head of the Central Financial Work Leading Group, Liu Yunshan, PBSC member and member of the Central Financial Work Leading Group, and Zhang Gaoli, Vice Premier of the State Council and member of the Central Financial Work Leading Group.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-EDUCATION The Xinhua News Agency reported on February 27, 2017, that the CCP CC and State Council had jointly issued a circular "on strengthening and improving ideological and political work under the new situation of opinions" (hereinafter referred to as "Opinion").
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: LABOUR UNREST The official China News Service reported on February 24, 2017 that hundreds of workers in Myanmar attacked a Chinese garment factory run by Hangzhou Hundred-Tex Garment (Myanmar) Co, in Yangon on February 23, destroying equipment and briefly detaining seven Chinese workers.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-VATICAN: IMPROVING RELATIONS On February 27, 2017, at 1.30 hrs the programme 'Dialogue', of the English language Chinese Central Television, CGTN, screened a show on the possibility of normalising relations between China and the Vatican.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: PLA MILITARY OPERATIONS INSIDE AFGHANISTAN Mystery over recent reported sightings of Chinese military vehicles patrolling inside Afghanistan deepened last week as Beijing denied its troops were in Afghanistan but confirmed it was undertaking “joint counter-terrorism operations” with Kabul.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INDIAN : ATTRACTING INDIAN HI-TECH TALENT An interesting article in the state-run Global Times on February 24, 2017, suggested that "China has perhaps not been working hard enough to attract science and technology talent from India to work in the country".
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: CPEC The state-run Global Times on February 23, 2017, claimed that "many observers consider the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) an important opportunity, not only for the potential economic benefits it brings to China and Pakistan, but also because it allows greater cooperation among nations in the region.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: PROTESTS BY DEMOBILISED SOLDIERS HongKong's South China Morning Post reported on February 23, 2017, that Chinese military veterans demonstrated in central Beijing for two days, demanding unpaid retirement benefits.
CCASMar 2017 |
CHINA-JAPAN: UNDERSEA CLAIMS Japan's Yomiuri newsagency reports that last year the State Oceanic Administration of China filed 50 applications to name undersea features in Chinese last year. This is more than double the number of applications filed the previous year with the Monaco-based International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-TURKEY: UYGHUR TERRORISM Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak said on January 5, 2017, that dozens of people of Uyghur origin had been arrested in connection with the deadly nightclub attack in Istanbul on New Year's eve that killed 39 people. He said the main suspect is on the run and that the arrested suspect, who was probably Uyghur, had acted alone but may have had help. He also described the suspect as "specially trained". The Turkish Foreign Minister separately said the authorities have identified the attacker, but gave no further details.
Turkish media have run images of a suspect, saying the pictures were handed out by the police.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-BILATERAL TRADE China is Vietnam’s biggest trading partner, providing 29 percent of its imports and buying more than 10 percent of its exports. Approvals for Chinese investment into Thailand (including informal trade) have jumped from $50 million a two years ago to close to $1 billion currently. China and the Philippines have bilateral trade of $17 billion and growing quickly.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: CLASHES OVER HAMBANTOTA The New York Times on January 8, 2017, reported that at least 21 people had been injured in violent clashes on January 7, 2017, between Sri Lankan government supporters and villagers marching against what they say is a plan to take over private land for an industrial zone in which China will have a major stake. Police used tear gas and water cannons to try to break up the clashes, which took place as Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was attending an opening ceremony for the industrial zone, located near the port city of Hambantota, about 240 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of the capital, Colombo.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: TEST OF AGNI-V On January 5, 2017, China's state-owned official Global Times once again reacted to India's test of the Agni-V strategic missile which, it claimed, "is widely regarded as a strategic missile targeted at China as it can reach almost all parts of the Chinese mainland". It accused India of having "broken" UN limits on nuclear arms and long-range missiles and said Pakistan should also be accorded the same "privilege".
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-DISSIDENCE: WANG DAN Chinese dissident Wang Dan who was active during the TAM protests in 1989, has announced his decision to leave Taiwan after residing there for 7 years and move to Washington DC.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ARREST OF HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER The Changsha City Public Security Bureau on December 23, 2016, notified Beijing-based human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong's father-in-law that Jiang Tianyong had been placed under “residential surveillance in a designated location” on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”. On 16 December, mainland Chinese media reported that Jiang Tianyong had been placed under police custody for allegedly having “illegally possessed multiple secret state documents, colluded with overseas institutions, organizations and individuals, and is suspected of illegally providing state secrets abroad”. Jiang Tianyong's activism resulted in him being disbarred in 2009.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-WATER: TIBET China for the first time on December 28, 2016, transported 1,890 tonnes of bottled water in 35 carriages from Tibet to Ningbo in China’s Zhejiang Province. Xinhua described it as the first of a regular set of cargo trains to bring bottled drinking water from Tibet to China’s inland areas. It said there are plans to run trains between Lhasa and other cities such as Beijing, Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Lanzhou.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT The New York Times reported on January 5, 2017, that China's National Energy Administration had that same day announced plans to spend more than US$ 360 billion till 2020 on renewable power sources like solar and wind. The agency said China would create more than 13 million jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2020.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The People's Bank of China reported on January 7, 2017, that China’s foreign exchange reserves fell by US$41 billion to US$3.011 trillion in December. The December figure is the sixth straight monthly fall in the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The reserves declined by US$69.06 billion in November.
(Comment: The decline was less than expected but still edged the reserves closer to a drop below the US$3 trillion mark that could rattle confidence in the currency.)
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY-XINJIANG: FACE RECOGNITION "Since 2014, Xinjiang has introduced face recognition technology at all major passenger terminals including for purchase of train tickets. It has implemented the real-name system into the station tickets. Passengers entering the station need to produce ID cards and tickets and are subjected to face recognition in case they are waiting to enter the waiting hall. A person with someone else's ID card or buying a ticket for someone else cannot do so. Authorities say other potential applications are University student attendance, retrieving QQ passwords, looking for missing children, etc.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG ID CARDS Radio Free Asia reported on January 5, 2017, that ethnic Uyghur government workers in Xinjiang region are being ordered to remove the word “Islam” from a box indicating religious affiliation on their household registration forms.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY: ALIBABA, TENCENT AND FACE RECOGNITION Face recognition software has already been introduced and is in use at border controls in Beijing and Kunming. All border guards and major passenger terminals in Xinjiang have already deployed "face recognition" equipment.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS The state-owned Global Times on January 8, 2017, reported that 62-year old Deng Xiangchao, Deputy Head of the School of Art at Shangdong Jianzhu University, had been made to retire for posting controversial comments about Mao Zedong online. He has simultaneously been instructed to stop any teaching-related activities both on and off campus.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: JAPAN Japan's informal office in Taipei called the 'Interchange Association, Japan' has from December 31, 2016, been renamed 'The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association'. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted quickly to the change of name saying it was “extremely dissatisfied” by the Japanese government's implicit nod to Taiwan's Taiwaneseness.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: MILITARY BUILD-UP Dr Ross Babbage, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Forum Pty Ltd and Non-Resident Senior Fellow of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) in Washington DC who has also formerly held the position of Head of Strategic Analysis in Australia's Office of National Assessments and Assistant Secretary for ANZUS and then Force Development in the Department of Defence, on December 28, 2016 wrote that Beijing’s footprint has expanded markedly in the South China Sea during the last five years.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-US: TOURISM AND CHILDBIRTH In 2015, the US State Department issued 2.27 million visas to Chinese tourists. It does not track what proportion of visas are issued to tourists wanting to give birth to children in the US, which is reportedly a thriving industry. For example, Chinese listings show several hundred maternity clinics in southern California. Jessica Vaughan, Executive Director of The Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative-leaning think tank, estimates that nearly 36,000 Chinese nationals give birth in the U.S. each year. Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said “There is nothing in the law that makes it illegal for pregnant women to enter the United States.”
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-US: A CHINESE ACADEMIC'S ASSESSMENT OF REX TILLERSON AS US SECRETARY OF STATE Shen Dingli, a Professor and Associate Dean at Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies, on December 26, 2016, assessed that the US President-elect’s choice of Tillerson indicates that "Trump will tap Tillerson’s rich experience in conducting international business and negotiation" He added that the nomination conforms with Trump’s style of bringing successful business people into his cabinet, to “make America great again.”
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA A tough article in the official state-owned Global Times on December 29, 2016, Li Kaisheng, Associate Research Fellow of the Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said "It is possible that Washington will continue instigating antagonism by the agency of countries that have conflicts with China".He suggested that "the US is most likely to provoke China by intensifying warship cruises and surveillance activities in the SCS, because the Pentagon is able to make these moves without support from its allies".
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: AGNI-V AND UNSC On December 26, 2016, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reacting to the successful test by India of its 5000-kms range Agni-V missile, issued a sharp statement asserting “We have noted reports on India’s test fire of [the] Agni-V ballistic missile. The UN Security Council has explicit regulations on whether India can develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.” The reference to the UNSC resolution 1172 has been noticed for the first time in 18 years.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA: TERRORISM China on December 30, 2016, retained its 'hold' on India's request to the UN Sanctions Committee against internationally recognised terrorists residing in Pakistan. In doing so it became the only one of 15 members of the UNSC Sanctions Committee to exercise its veto.
(Comment: China's action comes despite its claimed efforts to join the international community in their fight to combat terrorism. It also exhibits continued insensitivity to India's interests.)
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ENVIRONMENT/WILDLIFE CONSERVATION On December 30, 2016, China's State Council announced that the commercial processing and sale of ivory will stop by March 31, 2017, and all registered traders will then be phased out, bringing a full halt to the market by the end of the year. Ivory can presently reach US$ 1,100 (£850) per kilogram in China.
(Comment: The announcement has been praised by international wildlife conservationists.)
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-TIBET: RELIGIOUS CONTROLS Reuters on December 29, 2016, reported the TAR Party Secretary Wu Yingjie, who was appointed in August 2016, as saying that the CCP control over religion in Tibet can only increase and efforts would be intensified to expose the "sinister intentions" of the Dalai Lama. Tibet Daily, which publicised excerpts of the speech, quoted Wu Yingjie as saying that 'Tibetan Buddhism had a fine tradition of patriotism and had made important contributions to maintaining national unity. But Tibetan Buddhism needs to march with the times.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: UNREST The official news portal of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region on December 28, 2016, announced that a car carrying several terrorists had crashed into the yard of the Moyu County Committee of the CCP office building in Karakax county at 4.50 pm that day. Quoting the Ministry of Public Security, Xinhua reported that police shot and killed the three attackers, who were wielding knives and managed to detonate a home-made explosive. It said there were four attackers and an official and a security worker were also killed and three others injured. It added that "social order" had been restored.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The CCP CC's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on December 30, 2016, that an investigation launched into former Vice Minister of State Security (MoSS) Ma Jian's "serious disciplinary violations" had concluded and he had been expelled from the CCP. The CDIC statement said he had "seriously violated political discipline and the code of conduct, confronted an organizational probe, as well as transferred and hid money and property related to his case. He also failed to give a report on his personal information, including real estate properties, in accordance with regulations, and illicitly handled exit permits for his family."
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN 63-year old General Wang Jianping, named as Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department under the powerful Central Military Commission in January 2016, was officially reported by China’s Ministry of National Defence spokesman Yang Yujun on December 29, 2016, to have been placed under investigation on suspicion of taking bribes.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS Hongkong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on December 29, 2016, that 57-year old Ying Yong, presently Vice Mayor of Shanghai, will soon take over as Mayor of Shanghai from Yang Xiong who was appointed Shanghai Mayor in Fbruary 2013.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CPEC Criticism about the CPEC has been rising in Pakistan with provincial politicians being especially critical. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took the issue to the court, which was not appreciated by China. Consequently, a high level delegation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, comprising Ministers and senior bureaucrats who were scheduled to visit China to study the mass transit transport system, were refused visas by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad in November, 2016. Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Sun Weidong specially met (October 18, 2016) PTI chief Imran Khan and sought assurances that projects under CPEC would not be harmed or sabotaged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Reports suggest concern at the highest levels of the Chinese leadership about the criticism of the CPEC.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE DONATIONS TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES The US-based University World News reported on December 22, 2016, that a number of wealthy Chinese are giving donations to US educational Institutes. Chen, chairman of China’s Shanda Group, and his wife Luo who are now gave large donations to Caltech and say they will be donating US$ 1 billion on brain discovery, research and development.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-US: NEW CABINET APPOINTMENTS China has expressed concern about the appointment of Peter Navarro as head of the newly created National Trade Council. China's state-owned Global Times and the CCP's official authoritative newspaper 'People's Daily' on December 22, 2016, quoted China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi as anticipating that Sino-US ties would face some “complexity” in the future. They quoted Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying as saying that Beijing was concerned by Trump’s policy direction and “I hope the United States and China can work together to maintain Sino-US relations, including the healthy and stable development of economic and trade ties.”as expressing concern about the appointment of Peter Navarro as head of the newly created National Trade Council. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted as anticipating "some complexity" ahead.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: DALAI LAMA Mongolia's Foreign MinisterTsend Munkh-Orgil expressed regret, during an interview on December 21, 2016, to the local newspaper 'Unuudur', that the Dalai Lama’s visit last month had hurt ties with Beijing and said “You can understand that during the full term of this government, the Dalai Lama will not be allowed to visit Mongolia even for religious purposes.” China’s Foreign Ministry responded the same day that Beijing “attached importance” to the remarks by Mongolia’s top diplomat and hoped the country would “honor the commitment” it has made on the issue.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FOREIGN RELATIONS
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is due to lead a 90-member delegation to visit four of Taiwan's allies in Central America viz Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador in January 2017. Her itinerary calls for a stop-over in the US. There is a possibility she will meet members of the US Congress during her stop-over.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET Radio Free Asia reported that Chinese police in Sichuan’s Ngaba county detained and beat Tenpa, a young 18 year old former monk of Kirti Monastery on December 16, 2016, after he launched a solo protest calling for freedom for Tibet. This is the eighth such protest reported in the county so far this year. Tenpa was carrying a photo of exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANALYSIS OF PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Freedom House has analyzed hundreds of leaked directives of the CCP CC's Propaganda Department, including all of those from 2016 that were available in China Digital Times collection as of December 1. A total of 86 were found in 2016 to have ordered “negative” actions, such as deleting an article, declining to send reporters to cover a news event, or closing the relevant comment sections on websites. Another eight directives ordered strictly “positive” actions to promote the party line, such as covering specific topics or using only copy from the official Xinhua news agency on a given story.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA A seven-and-a-half minute video issued by the CCP CC Propaganda Department a week ago (third week of December) focuses on the dangers of a 'Colour Revolution', of which it said "Embassies in China are the forward command, combining forces to promote street politics". The video, which has no title, is being promoted online under the head "Who most wants to overthrow China". The theme was highlighted in a high-level conference in December 2016 to discuss strengthening of ideological controls in Universities.
CCASJan 2017 |
CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS In an article published in National Interest on December 1, 2016, assessing China's neighbourhood environment, Liu Xuejun and Liu Jun, both Associate Professors at the Institute of International Studies of Yunnan University based in Kunming, Yunnan, in brief wrote: the DPRK, once China’s closest ally, is quickly becoming a “negative asset” for China, with new faces in the top brass believed to be less China-friendly.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-US: LIKELY NEW US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who is the longest-serving governor in US history and a long-time friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is reported to be the frontrunner for the crucial post of US ambassador to China.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: ECONOMY Tourist arrivals from mainland China plunged more than 40% in October from a year earlier. The cheaper hotels popular with Chinese tour groups are half empty; bus fleets are idle.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN China's official Global Times reported on December 6, 2016, that Taiwan defense officials confirmed on December 5, that several fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) flew over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait last month during a drill in the Western Pacific Ocean. This is the first time PLAAF fighter jets have done so.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: TAIWAN'S LOBBYISTS IN USA Reports in the Politico and New York Times on December 7, 2016, disclosed that former US Senator Bob Dole, acting as a foreign agent for the government of Taiwan, worked behind the scenes over the past six months to establish high-level contact between Taiwanese officials and President-elect Donald J. Trump’s staff, an outreach effort that culminated last week in an unorthodox telephone call between Mr. Trump and Taiwan’s president.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-US: TRUMP'S CONVERSATION WITH TAIWAN PRESIDENT On December 2, 2016, US President-elect Donald J. Trump spoke over telephone to Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, “who offered her congratulations.” Trump is believed to be the first US President or President-elect who has spoken to a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when the United States severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan after its recognition of the People’s Republic of China. The statement issued by Trump’s office said the two leaders noted that “close economic, political, and security ties” exist between Taiwan and the United States and that Trump “congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year.”
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CIVIL AVIATION The Beijing Times on December 2, 2016, reported that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) had on December 1, instructed all airplanes to send their location reports more frequently. It said all airliners need to send their longitude, latitude and height every 15 minutes or even less to the ground. The move is aimed at improving civil aviation safety by monitoring the location of planes.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: COMPARISON WITH U.S. WEALTH Derek Scissors wrote on November 29, 2016, that new estimates by Credit Suisse of private wealth through the middle of 2016, show American private wealth at $84.8 trillion and Chinese private wealth at $23.4 trillion and the gap is widening.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:CONTROLS ON OUTBOUND INVESTMENTS The Financial Times on December 2, 2016, said China intends to scrutinise acquisitions of overseas companies costing more than $1bn if they are outside the investors’ core business scope. Meanwhile, SoEs will not be allowed to invest more than $1bn on a single real estate transaction abroad. Gold purchases are also being curbed.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-SPACE LAUNCHES In 2016, China became the world's no:2 leading launcher of space rockets with 19 launches just behind the United States which has 20 launches. Russia fell to number 3 position with 18 launches.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA A ROC government press release of November 30, 2016, announced that the ROC Coast Guard Administration under the Executive Yuan conducted a humanitarian rescue exercise in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands Nov. 29 in accordance with President Tsai Ing-wen’s policy concerning the South China Sea.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-VATICAN: RELIGION At a ceremony at Pinganqiao Cathedral in Chengdu, Sichuan province during the feast of St Andrew on November 30, 2016, two Chinese bishops recognised by the Holy See were consecrated.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG Speaking in Beijing on November 30, 2016, morning, Chen Zuoer, President of Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and former Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, quoted the old Chinese saying to describe the Hongkong 'independence' supporters as “running rat across the streets”.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: OVERSEAS BASES-DJIBOUTI China's Ministry of National Defence announced on December 1, 2016, that a Chinese logistics base in Djibouti is not part of an overseas military expansion.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MONGOLIA-HAN ETHNIC TENSION The official Weixin news release of the Tongliao Municipality Public Security Bureau of Southern Mongolia’s Left Uzumchin Banner reported on November 25, 2016, that Unench, a Mongolian herder from the Ulgai area of Southern Mongolia’s Left Uzumchin Banner, had killed four Chinese named Wei Jianguo, Wei Jianqi (cousin of Wei Jianguo), Wei Jianchen (brother of Wei Jianqi) and An Xiaoping after being beaten by three of the four in a dispute over grazing land and payment of sheep tending. Unench was arrested nine hours later in his home place of eastern Southern Mongolia’s Horchin Left Wing Middle Banner.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: NATIONAL DEBT AND COST OVERRUNS IN INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION A recent study by Atif Ansar, Fellow of Keble College and Programme Director of the MSc in Major Programme Management (MMPM) at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and Bent Flyvbjerg, the first BT Professor and inaugural Chair of Major Programme Management at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and a Professorial Fellow of St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, claimed that in 2014, China spent US$4.6 trillion on fixed assets, accounting for 24.8 per cent of total worldwide investments and more than double the entire GDP of India.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on November 29, that the People's Bank of China had decided on a policy shift to stop capital outflows and that payments of more than US$ 5 million will require the approval of central authorities.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Bai Enpei and Wei Pengyuan, two former high-ranking Chinese officials were sentenced on October 9, 2016, by the the Anyang City Intermediate People’s Court in Henan province and Baoding City Intermediate Court in Hebei province respectively, to life in prison without the possibility of a sentence reduction or parole (“life without parole,” or LWOP). Bai Enpei was previously Party Secretary in Yunnan and Qinghai provinces and most recently a Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress Environment and Resources Protection Committee.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING ON LITERATURE AND ART Xinhua reported on November 30 that President Xi Jinping addressed the 10th Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the ninth Congress of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA) in Beijing on November 30, 2016.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-SECURITY: SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM Hangzhou and more than three dozen local governments throughout China are piloting a "social credit system" to track individual behavior and assign ratings to citizens.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-PREMIER Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, paid his third visit to Shanghai’s free-trade zone last week. Hours after his inspection, the local branch of the PBoC held a rare press conference to announce a new risk-control system to monitor currency flows through the zone to ensure they are balanced by supporting inflows—an oblique indication that cash had been leaking out.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Xinhua reported that the CCP CC Politburo issued a decision on November 30 pledging to streamline and tighten the benefits for serving and retired party and state leaders, including housing, offices, holidays, vehicles and staff.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-SINGAPORE: MILITARY SHIPMENTS VIA HONGKONG The South China Morning Post reported on November 25, 2016 that on November 23, 2016 Hongkong Customs officers at Kwai Chung Terminal seized nine advanced combat vehicles tat were on the way back from Taiwan to Singapore.
CCASDec 2016 |
NEPAL-CHINA: XI JINPING'S VISIT In an interview with Mikel Dunham on November 16, 2016, Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, @ Prachanda, disclosed that Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit Nepal in January or February 2017.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: MEETING AT APEC SUMMIT Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s special envoy to the APEC Summit (Nov 17-19, 2016) People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong, had a ten minute meeting on the sideline of the Informal Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Peru.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-US: TRUMP'S TIES WITH CHINESE COMPANY Bloomberg reported on November 28, 2016, that the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., a state-controlled enterprise and the world’s biggest lender by assets, is due to renegotiate its lease at Trump Tower in Manhattan during Donald Trump’s presidency.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY According to a study by the private US-based Rhodium Group, Chinese investment in the United States already accounts for over 100,000 jobs and the number is growing. It estimates nearly 6,700 American investments in China with a combined value of US$ 228 billion.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DEBT According to estimates released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China’s total debt – including housing, financial and government sector debt – hit 168.48 trillion yuan ($25 trillion) at the end of last year, equivalent to 249% of national GDP. China's household debt has also written appreciably in the past few years with the debt owed by households having increased now from 28% of GDP to more than 40% in the past five years.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China in 2015 ran a US$ 334.1 billion trade surplus against the United States. China’s two-way trade also fell 8.0% last year and imports were down 7.5% and exports off by 7.7% in the first ten months of 2016.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POPULATION China's National Health and Family Planning Commission announced on November 26, 2016, that this year’s number of newborns would exceed 17.5 million – similar to the total number in 2000. The Commission's Deputy Director, Wang Peian,said the new population total this year had met its expectations after it permitted all Chinese parents to have a second child from January 1 this year.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HAN-TIBETAN TENSION The Tibetan news service Phayul reported on November 22, 2016, that an ethnic Han-Chinese woman from Shanghai broadcast a live post through the Chinese social media site menpai earlier last week, hurling offensive racial slur against Tibetans calling them an uncivilized race, unaccustomed to any culture and likened them to “garbage” and “low class villagers”. In her minute-long post that went viral, according to a translation done by a Tibetan, the Chinese woman asked, “Do you know what culture is?
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INNER MONGOLIA Since November 5, 2016, Mongolian parents from eastern Southern (Inner) Mongolia’s Ulaanhad Municipality have launched a series of protests against the educational authorities for appointing Chinese principals to the only two Mongolian kindergartens allowed to teach in Mongolian. These are the former Ulaanhad Municipality 6.1 Kindergarten and the Ulaanhad Municipality Xincheng District Mongolian Kindergarten. Outraged by the newly appointed Chinese principals’ ban of the Mongolian language in the kindergartens, Mongolian parents collected signatures and published open letters via Chinese social media.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG The official Global Times reported on November 24, 2016, that a “passport-management policy” is being implemented across the entire Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region, which requires all citizens to turn in the documents and apply for permission if they wish to leave the country. Officials quoted by Global Times, on condition of anonymity, insisted the move is meant to maintain public order amid a rising threat of terrorism in the region. that borders Central Asia. Xinjiang is home to some 10 million Uighur Muslims, many of whom have agitated against what they say is decades of discrimination such as controls on their religion and culture. It said the new passport policy “will not affect ordinary people’s travel plans,” and would only serve to keep criminals or people with “suspicious records” from going abroad.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XIXTH PARTY CONGRESS Commencing preparations for the 19th Party Congress due to be held around October/November 2017, China held its once-every-five-year grassroots elections for county-district level People’s Representatives on November 15.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: MARITIME AMBITIONS Captain Li Jie of the PLA’s Naval Research Institute (NRI) in Beijing and known to be an influential voice in Chinese naval strategy development, wrote an interesting article in the Fall Special issue of Military Digest. In the second paragraph of the essay, he asserts: “Externally, [the strategy] responds to the imperative to break the American blockade chokehold” He adds “The United States is continuously compressing China’s strategic space on the maritime flank, so that the East Sea passages are at great risk.” Likewise, Li Jie points to India as a potential threat to China’s maritime trading routes.
CCASDec 2016 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NEW MILITARY FACILITY Radio Free Asia (RFA) quoted sources as saying that since August 2016, China has been constructing a large-scale military facility in the Chinese city of Longjing, in Jilin Province facing the Sambong workers' zone in the North Korean county of Onsong. The source said "Heavy equipment and material are being brought in order for building to take place." North Korea is responding to the new measures by deploying about 20 soldiers to monitor the situation from the Sambong workers' zone. A Korean-Chinese source in Longjing described the government's measures as "unprecedented" in the area close to the border, adding that "The Chinese leadership seems to preparing for the collapse of the North Korean regime." Barbed wire fencing along the border in Yanbian prefecture have been reinforced as well.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-UK RELATIONS: CHINESE VICE PREMIER MA KAI'S VISIT Meeting China’s Vice Premier Ma Kai on November 9, 2016, in Downing Street, British Prime Minister Theresa May described Britain’s relationship with China as still “golden”. The reference was to welcomed a Chinese developer’s plans to build a £1.7bn business district in east London.
Several China-backed projects under way in London with four Chinese banks providing £1.2bn of funding for a 35-acre scheme close to London City Airport and the new Crossrail line. Others include The Spire, a 67-storey residential tower in east London, the Ram Brewery project in Wandsworth to be built by Shanghai’s Greenland Group, and the Wanda One hotel and residential project south of the Thames by Dalian Wanda.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-US: NEW BOOK BY CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY A new book entitled: 'Warning Order: China Prepares for Conflict and Why We Must Do the Same' has recently been issued by the Center for Security Policy. Contributers to the book include former U.S. Senator Jim Talent, former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral James “Ace” Lyons, China and national security experts Dr. Peter Navarro, Gordon Chang, Dean Cheng, Kevin Freeman and Lindsey Neas and journalist Bill Gertz.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: DALAI LAMA'S VISIT 81-year old Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived in Mongolia on November 18, 2016, to begin a four-day visit despite strong objections by Beijing. He was received at the airport by government representatives, senior monks of Mongolian monasteries, and the Indian ambassador. Mongolian officials described it as a religious visit to a predominantly Buddhist country. China had earlier demanded that Mongolia not allow the Dalai Lama to enter the country, saying that relations with China—on which Mongolia heavily depends for trade and investment—would be harmed if the visit goes ahead.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE REACTIONS TO DONALD TRUMP'S VICTORY IN US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Many Chinese netizens in Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Beihai responded to the U.S. election with happiness. The users of Chinese social media platform Weibo viewed Trump’s isolationist “America First” proclamations from the campaign trail as an opportunity for Beijing to advance its foreign policy interests around the globe. Weibo user “Big Hero” from Shenzhen, wrote that Trump’s proposed retreat from Asia meant that China could exert greater influence over Japan and other nations in the Asia-Pacific.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-USA: US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Yuan Peng, Vice President of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) which is a think-tank closely affiliated to the Ministry of State Security -- China's External Intelligence outfit -- and Director of its Institute of American Studies, in a commentary in the Party's official newspaper People's Daily on November 8, 2016, observed that "it has become evident that – no matter who wins -- history will deem this election the most dark, chaotic and negative one in the past two centuries.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRO-DEMOCRACY LEGISLATORS Almost 100 of the top Chinese business leaders have put their names to the cover of the Sing Tao Daily newspaper in protest against two Hong Kong Legislative Council members' advocacy of democracy. These include: Tencent founder and President, Pony Ma; SF Express founder Wang Wei; and Skyworth TV founder Huang Hongsheng. They were calling for the removal of Liang Songheng (Sixtus “Baggio” Leung) and You Huizhen (Yau Wai-ching).
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ROBOTICS Recent data released by the International Federation of Robotics observed that recent deployments of industrial robots in developing countries have been concentrated in China, and the country is expected to maintain its front-runner status.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY-CAPITAL FLIGHT China's hina's official foreign exchange reserves fell more than half a trillion dollars last year and are still falling, with a loss of nearly $46 billion in October alone.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET: CONTROLS ON TIBETAN ESCAPEES TO NEPAL 41 Tibetans who arrived in Nepal from eastern Tibet were detained this week and released on November 16, 2016.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PASSPORT CONTROLS ON TIBETANS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on November 14, 2016, that Chinese government officials in Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu are visiting the homes of Tibetan passport holders to collect their documents saying that new seals must be affixed. Sources were quoted as saying “the passports will be returned once the newly required seals of township and village authorities are in place.” The source said “Many Tibetans fear that this is an attempt by [Chinese] authorities to stop Tibetans who intend to travel to attend the Kalachakra (“Wheel of Time") teachings in India in January.”
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP The CCP this month ordered members to greet each other as “comrade” and eliminate the growing importance attached to rank and titles. A document entitled “Norms of political life within the party under current conditions” was issued early this month after a meeting at which Xi Jinping was designated the “core” of the party.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SCHOOL EDUCATION According to the Wall Street Journal of November 11, 2016, China's Education Ministry this week announced a legal change that prohibits for-profit schools for younger students and seeks to ensure schools are run “in a way supportive of socialism”. The revised law calls for more activities focused on the Communist Party and stronger party “infrastructure” in private schools, the better to “ensure private schools are run from start to finish in a way supportive of socialism.” Peking University Education Professor Yan Fengqiao said the law may be motivated in part by a central-government desire for more influence in education.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL-CDIC: REPATRIATION OF CHINESE CORRUPTION SUSPECTS Xinhua reported on November 16, 2016, that the US had agreed to the repatriation of 70-year old Yang Xiuzhu. A former Deputy Director of the Construction Bureau of China's Zhejiang Province and Vice Mayor of Wenzhou City, she fled China in April 2003 after being accused of 'stealing' US$ 39 million. She fled to the US in May 2014.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Chairman of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), 68-year old Wang Qishan wrote an article in the People's Daily of November 8, 2016, warning senior Party cadres to stay vigilant against those who harbour plots to seize the power of the party and the state. He said “The higher one’s position is, the more trust [the Party] bestows on him, so the higher the risk. Absolute power leads to absolute corruption, and thus unsupervised power is extremely dangerous.” He also urged party officials, especially senior ones, to “raise their political awareness” and “stay clean”.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-US: TRADE AND BANKING Agricultural Bank of China, one of the country’s largest banks, agreed to pay a $215 million penalty Friday to resolve allegations by New York’s banking regulator that the lender violated anti-money-laundering laws.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: BORDER INTRUSION Chinese PAPF troops entered Indian territory in the Demchok area in Ladakh to stop construction of a water pipeline for a developmental project on the ground that it was being constructed in Chinese territory. Indian troops and border defence personnel reached the spot where a stand-off has been underway since November 2, 2016. The Deputy Commissioner of Ladakh (J&K) in Leh confirmed that a stand-off was underway in a Twitter posted on November 5.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY-PENSIONS Pension payments is becoming a problem for the Chinese authorities as lay-offs of workers increases. Presently the burden of supporting each person over 65 is now shared by more than seven workers. But, according to UN data that will drop to just two people in 35 years or, according to the World Bank even fewer than that.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NPC & THE BASIC LAW On November 4, 2016, the Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, Zhang Dejiang, announced that the Committee will issue an interpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The Basic Law sets parameters for NPCSC interpretations of its provisions. This interpretation, which has not been requested by Hong Kong authorities, is expected to dictate the ruling of Hong Kong courts in an ongoing case involving two pro-independence members of the Legislative Council. There is anticipation that the ruling could disqualify them from office.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HONGKONG Protests mushroomed across Hongkong on November 7, 2016, as thousands of Hongkong residents objected to the NPC's ruling on the Basic Law. The tense stand-off between police and protesters outside the central government’s liaison office in Sai Wan ended late on November 6 night with calls from Demosisto, Student Fight for Democracy, the League of Social Democrats and the Labour Party for protesters to leave the site.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET-RELIGION Authorities overseeing the destruction of Sichuan’s Larung Gar Buddhist Academy have on November 7, 2016, canceled the eight-day festival called Dechen Shingdrup, or Accomplishing the Pure Land of Great Bliss, and forbidden public gatherings, leaving the center’s remaining monks and nuns to pray privately in their rooms. The Dechen Shingdrup is an annual religious assembly, that begins each year on the 18th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. That date falls this year on Nov. 17.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG CYBER SECURITY CONTROLS Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on October 28, 2016, that public security authorities in Changji city in Xinjiang have detained a man for using circumvention software to scale the complex system of blocks, filters, and human censorship known as the Great Firewall. Police said he had been detained this month for allegedly "downloading violent and terrorist circumvention software" on October 13.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COAL MINE EXPLOSION IN SHAANXI 72 hours after the explosion that blasted a section of the coal mine at Dajingta village in Shaanxi and claimed 14 lives and injured more than one-hundred people,reports of the tragedy have been blacked out of the official media.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XIXTH PEOPLE'S CONGRESS Yao Lifa, an advocate of grassroots elections in Qianjing County, Hubei Province, along with 57 others have signed a petition on November 1, 2016, demanding the right to elect the electorate group leader and deputy group leader in their constituency. They have said that they have the right to jointly nominate preliminary candidates for People’s Representative elections and the right to be nominated as preliminary candidates for People’s Representative elections,
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: FORMER PREMIER ZHU RONGJI'S SON Levin Zhu Yunlai, the son of former premier Zhu Rongji, spoke as a “financial expert” at the Global Innovator Conference, in Beijing on November 4, 2016. In his keynote speech he praised the state of new technology in China. Just a week earlier he had expressed pessimism about China's property market.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS According to Xinhua, China's Minister of State Security, 65-year old Geng Huichang was on November 1, 2016, named as the Deputy Director of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee’s panel on Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese affairs. He is likely to step down soon. An announcement on November 7, 2016, said that Geng Huichang will be succeeded by Chen Wenqing, the Party Secretary of Ministry of State Security’s Communist Party committee. A key ally of CDIC Chairman Wang Qishan, Chen Wenqing started his career as a policeman in Sichuan province and was Wang’ Qishan's deputy at the CDIC from 2012-2015.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Hongkong's South China Morning Post on October 31, 2016, quoted Deng Maosheng, who has helped draft the communiques for all the plenums of the 18th Central Committee including the recent Sixth plenum, as hinting that the Chinese Communist Party could be willing to bend unofficial age limits for the country’s most powerful political body.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: NAVAL SHIP PURCHASES According to a Facebook posting by Malaysia's Ministry of Defense of the text of a speech to be delivered by Malaysian defense minister Hishammuddin Hussein, mentioned that Malaysia will sign a contract to purchase Littoral Mission Ships from China when Prime Minister Najib Razak visits Beijing on October 30.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: SOUTH CHINA SEA Reuters on October 28, 2016, reported the Philippine's Defence Minister as saying that Chinese ships are no longer at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea and that Philippine boats can resume fishing, and describing the departure a "welcome development". Philippine's Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said fishermen can now access the shoal unimpeded for the first time in four years.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: TRADE RFA on October 21, 2016, quoted sources as saying that China's offshore trade with North Korea is not recorded in Chinese customs data. It said trade between China and North Korea officially amounted to US$5.5 billion last year, but an intelligence source said the illicit trade is estimated at another $2.2 billion.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION The Mingbao newspaper reported on October 29, 2016, that China's National Audit Office and Anti Corruption Bureau of the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate may be merged into the Central Disciplinary Inspection Commission (CDIC). The report was subsequently removed from the Wechat site.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG RELIGION RFA’s Uyghur Service reported on October 24, 2016 that China has sent more than 350 officials to Hotan (Hetian, in Chinese) prefecture in Xinjiang for a three-year term to monitor mosques.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CULTURE A Global Times article on October 30, 2016 commented on what it described as a growing trend among Chinese students in schools in China and observed that "celebrating Western festivals like Halloween and Christmas has become a tradition in many kindergartens".
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW BEIJING MAYOR Hongkong's SCMP reported on October 30, 2016 that 61-year old Cai Qi, Deputy Director of the Central National Security Commission (CNSC), which was created and chaired by Xi, would replace current Mayor Wang Anshun, who is rumoured to be moving to the Development Research Centre of the State Council, later this year. The report says he could be promoted as Party Secretary of Beijing early next year.
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: XI JINPING DESIGNATED 'CORE' OF LEADERSHIP On October 27, 2016, after 4 day-long deliberations the Sixth Plenum of the 18th CCP CC agreed to designated Xi Jinping as the 'core' (he xin) of the Party centre, or fifth generation leadership. The Plenum was attended by 197 full members and 151 alternate members of the CCP CC who met under the chairmanship of Xi Jinping. In addition, while endorsing the tough policies implemented by Xi Jinping so far, the 6000-word Plenum document also seemed to clearly hold back from granting Xi Jinping unfettered authority by equally carefully emphasising 'collective leadership' and asserting that 'no party organisation or individual should suppress or undermine intra-party democracy.'
CCASNov 2016 |
CHINA-AFRICA: ETHIOPIA RAILWAY Xinhua reported that the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, built at a cost of US$ 40 billion started operations on October 5, 2016. It was described as Africa’s first electric railway and spanning almost 750 km and is China Railway’s first whole-industry chain built to Chinese standards outside China. Meng Fengchao, Chairman of the China Railway Construction Corp (CRCC) said "This is a landmark achievement for Belt and Road and China-Africa collaboration".
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA Analysts point out that the DPRK media has not reported on the 67th anniversary of DPRK-PRC diplomatic ties, mentioned the usual congratulations for October 1, sent by Kim Joung-Un, or remarked on thereceptions held by the PRC embassy in Pyongyang in honor of the national day.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: ILHAM TOHTI A jury of 10 human rights organisations has given the incarcerated Uyghur dissident activist, Ilham Tohti, the 2016 Martin Ennals Award. The award is to be presented in Geneva on October 11, 2016.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-US: CAPITAL FLIGHT AND MIGRATION The US programme which allows individuals bringing in US$ 500,000 in a project which generates at least 10 jobs and get EB-5 permanent residence visas was fully subscribed for the first time in 2014. EB-5 visas are capped at 10,000 annually. Chinese investors are the biggest users, accounting for 86 per cent of the visas issued last year. The programme presently has a backlog of 18 months comprising almost entirely of Chinese applicants. The latest place to benefit from Chinese cash after New York and California is Miami.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: UPGRADED J-15 AIRCRAFT New imagery shows that China's carrier borne fighter, the J-15, will receive major upgrades, which point to gains in not just Chna's engine-making but overall carrier fleet. Derived from the Russian SU-33, the J-15 is crrently in limited production by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is used by the PLA Navy on its sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS: ILHAM TOHTI UN High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein attended the awards ceremony in Geneva for incarcerated Uyghur activist, Ilham Tohti, on October 12, 2016, where he also spoke. Responding to a question at the weekly press briefing about the UN High Commissioner's attendance, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said ZeidRa'ad al Hussein had ignored the facts, confused right with wrong and "boosted the arrogance of separatists".
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EX-PLA SOLDIERS PROTEST Over 1000 retired or demobilised ex-PLA soldiers protested on October 11, 2016, outside the Bayi building in central Beijing, where China's Ministry of National Defence is housed, demanding jobs.Many wore green fatigues bearing the hammer-and-sickle logo of China’s ruling Communist party.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-PUBLIC SECURITY REGULATIONS: JUDICIAL SYSTEM China introduced a new set of rules called “Provisions Concerning the Collection, Extraction, Review, and Judgment of Electronic Data in the Handling of Criminal Cases” on October 1, 2016. The rules were issued jointly by the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and the Ministry of Public Security.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-CANADA: ANTI-CORRUPTION Canada's The Globe and Mail reported on September 21, 2016, that China’s security services have been sending undercover agents into Canada on tourist visas to strong-arm expatriates to return home, including some suspected of corruption and other criminal activities.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN In a study of the anti-corruption campaign launched by Xi Jinping four years ago, Ni Xing and Li Zhen at the Institute of Governance and Public Affairs of Guangzhou’s Sun Yat-sen University, state that “If local government is overflowing with corruption, people will gradually shift responsibility for that to the centre as they perceive the centre’s failure of management to have led to such a state of affairs.”
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION The Chinese magazine Caixin reported on October 9, 2016, that a court in Anyang, Henan province had sentenced 70-year old Bai Enpei, a former Party Secretary of Yunnan and Qinghai provinces between 2000 and 2013 and a former member and Deputy Director of the Environment and Resources Protection Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery. The court also said Bai Enpei will be ineligible for parole or a reduced sentence if his death sentence is commuted to life in prison.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: JUDICIAL REFORM On September 27, 2016, Zhou Qiang, the Chief Justice of China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) and head of the country’s judiciary, announced the debut of an impressive new website, the Chinese Open Trial Network.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RISE IN BILLIONAIRES IN CHINA On October 18, 2016, a sharply-worded article in the Global Times cited a new report published by UBS and Pricewaterhouse Coopers on October 11, that claimed that due to China's surging economy, Asia is able to create a billionaire every three days. It said of the 113 Asian billionaires, 80 are from China and joined the billionaire ranks in 2015.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CONSUMER SALES According to a recent Bain-Kantar China Shopper Report, consumer goods companies in China saw sales plummet to about 3.5% in 2015 from nearly 12% in 2012. Mainly affected were sales of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) like beer and cigarettes, diapers and dish soap. The sharp drop is attributed to China's slowing economy and shifting consumer behavior. China is now described as "a two-speed market", with some categories continuing to prosper while others, such as instant noodles, are getting whacked with sales declines of more than 5%.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SOE's DEBT Latest figures from the Bank for International Settlements state that Chinese companies sit on US$ 18 trillion in debt, equivalent to about 169 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Most of it is held by State-owned Enterprises (SoEs).
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: HU JINTAO The Party Literature Editing Committee of the CCP CentralCommittee on September 20, 2016, published the selected works of Hu Jintao, former Chinese President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee. It has been published by the People's Publishing House and comprises three volumes and 242 selected works from June 1988 to November 2012.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: SOUTH CHINA SEA After Philippines President Duterte said he would lead a business delegation to Beijing this month after having proposed removing American military advisers from the troubled southern region of Mindanao. and declaring that he was shopping in China and Russia for military supplies readily available in the US, China's Ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua, said at China's National Day Reception that “The clouds are fading away, the sun is rising over the horizon, and will shine beautifully on the new chapter of bilateral relations.”
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-JAPAN: 12TH BEIJING-TOKYO FORUM On the occasion of the 12th Beijing-Tokyo Forum, the official Chinese daily 'Global Times' on September 29, 2016, observed that while "officials and experts from both sides are seeking to deepen communication and revamp bilateral ties", "Beijing-Tokyo ties have lingered at a low ebb and could still worsen.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-VATICAN: DALAI LAMA The BBC reported at 0730 on September 19, 2016, that the Dalai Lama had been excluded from the big inter-faith event in Assisi because of the Vatican wanting better relations with China.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG Joshua Wong, the student activist who has became a global symbol of the fight for democracy in Hong Kong, is reported to have been detained in Thailand following a request from China.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: VILLAGERS' PROTEST IN WUKAN VILLAGE The protest by villagers in Wukan village, Guangdong, that had been continuing since June 19, 2016, escalated on September 14 when the police of the Lufeng city removed five journalists from Hong Kong media outlets – Mingpao, the South China Morning Post and HK01 - who tried to report on the on-going protests. Three of the journalists were beaten and taken away while in Wukan village and two were taken away outside of Wukan while they were trying to get into the village. The police held the journalists in custody for five to six hours. The police finally escorted the journalists to Shenzhen.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: US UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA In a US Congressional survey of US Universities in China, conducted at the behest of US Rep. Chris Smith, (New Jersey Republican) and released in August 2016, universities reported receiving financial support from Chinese government entities ranging from $1.5 million to over $15 million. Several described the support provided as including classroom space, campus facilities, and student scholarships.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STRATEGIC OIL RESERVES A US satellite-imaging firm called Orbital Insight claims that Chinese inventories in May 2016, stood at 600 million barrels. James Crawford, said that for its Chinese analysis the firm went back to images taken from 2010 to 2014 and counted the number of oil storage tanks built and destroyed and came up with a figure of 2,100 storage tanks, far more than the 500 tanks in the industry standard database in TankTerminals.com.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY International property consultant Knight Frank said mainland companies paid a total of US$2.9 billion for Grade-A offices from January to June, representing 64 per cent of the total office sales transactions value in the city.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL CONTROLS AND STABILITY The CCP CC's General Office and the General Office of the State Council on September 25, 2016 jointly issued the 'Opinions Concerning Acceleration of the Advancement of the Construction of the Institution of the Social Credit Supervision, Warning and Punishment System Against Persons Disciplined for Loss of Credit' (the “Social Credit Opinions”).
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN As of September 2016, 127 civilian tigers (defined as state officials, party cadres, and state-owned enterprise managers holding bureaucratic ranks equal to or above that vice minister) and 86 military tigers (officers holding ranks of major general or above) had been implicated in corruption and are either under investigation or under arrest. These include one former member of the Politburo Standing Committee (Zhou Yongkang); three former members of the Politburo (Bo Xilai (former Party Secretary Chongqing), General Xu Caihou (former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission), and General Guo Boxiong (former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission); and the former Director of the CCP Central Committee General Office (Ling Jihua).
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: SING TAO HINTS AT INFIGHTING IN BEIJING On October 3, 2016, the Pro-Beijing Hongkong-based Sing Pao newspaper front-paged a commentary denouncing the political syndicate associated with China’s former President Jiang Zemin for allowing the China Liaison Office to 'expand its network of cronies in Hong Kong'.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN LIAONING China's official news agency Xinhua reported on September 13, 2016, that forty-five of the 94 current National People's congress (NPC) delegates from Liaoning have been expelled from the congress and 523 of the 613 delegates to the Liaoning Provincial People’s Congress have been sacked, including 38 of the 62 members of the Congress’s Standing Committee and Vice Chair Zheng Yuzhou, have been expelled from that body. Xinhua described it as an “unprecedented” scandal involving vote buying and electoral fraud.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP:ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN-TIANJIN According to an announcement on September 9, 2016, Huang Xingguo, Acting Mayor of Tianjin Municipality has been placed under investigation on 'serious' charges of corruption.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN- GUANGZHOU A Chinese court jailed Wan Qingliang, former CCP Party Secretarys of Guangzhou for life on September 30, 2016, after finding him guilty of corruption. The latest official to fall in the anti-corruption campaign launched by President Xi Jinping, Wan Qingliang was placed under party investigation in 2014, before being handed over to legal authorities for prosecution.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: NEW TIANJIN PARTY SECRETARY 60-year old Li Hongzhong, the former party chief of Shenzhen, has been appointed the new Municipal Party Secretary in Tianjin, succeeding Huang Xingguo, who was the acting party head for almost two years and also mayor of the northern municipality, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL/LEADERSHIP To commemorate Mao Zedong's 40th death anniversary on September 9, 2016, tens of thousands of people flocked to the hometown of China's late leader in Shaoshan in Hunan province.
CCASOct 2016 |
CHINA’S NEW APPOINTMENTS AND THE NEW TIBET PARTY SECRETARY Weeks after the annual conclave of senior leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at the Beidaihe seaside resort, China’s official news agency Xinhua on August 28, 2016, announced the appointments of six new Party Secretaries. Priority appears to have been given to the Autonomous Regions with three of them getting new leaders. Of interest to India are the appointments of Wu Yingjie as the new Party Secretary for the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Chen Quanguo as the Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and 62-year old Chen Hao as the Party Secretary of Yunnan.
Jayadeva Ranade Sep 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's highest-ranking officer, Gen. Fan Changlong, is making an inspection visit to the Southern Theater Command, which includes the South China Sea. On July 20, 2016, Fan Changlong ordered officers and others to "profoundly understand the complexity of the grim situation facing our nation's security, step up all preparations for military struggle, ensure that orders are followed, and that we can get there and fight to win."
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: NON-RENEWAL OF XINHUA JOURNALISTS VISAS India on July 24, 2016, declined to renew the visas of three Chinese journalists working for China's official Xinhua news agency. The three journalists are: Wu Qiang and Lu Tang, heads of Xinhua’s bureaus in Delhi and Mumbai respectively and She Yonggang, a reporter with Xinhua’s Mumbai bureau. A Ministry of Home Affairs source was quoted as saying that the journalists had travelled to Bengaluru recently for an event where they met Tibetan activists which became an issue. China's official media reaction to this news was sharp and threatening with reports and editorials in the Chinese and English versions of the state-run Global Times declaring on July 25, 2016, that 'If New Delhi is really taking revenge due to the NSG membership issue, there will be serious consequences'.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA JOINT PATROLS WITH PAK ARMY IN XINJIANG The People's Daily published a 12-photograph pictorial report on July 21, 2016, which depicted soldiers from Pakistan and China ostentatiously posing for photographs at various locations along the shared border. The caption with the photos read: “A frontier defense regiment of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) in Xinjiang, along with a border police force from Pakistan, carries out a joint patrol along the China-Pakistan border.”
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: SPACE According to the the official PLA Daily and Space Daily of June 25, 2016, China will send its second orbiting space lab, Tiangong-2, into space in mid-September then send two astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft to dock with Tiangong-2 in mid-October. The Tiangong-2 and Shenzhou-11 will be carried by the Long March-2F carrier rocket. In April 2017, the country's first cargo spaceship, Tianzhou-1, will be launched by the Long March-7. The latter was successfully tested this month and is expected to become the main carrier for space launches. The Long March-7, which is over a hundred meters in length and nearly 10 meters in diameter, will carry manned lunar missions until 2031.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-CLEAN ENERGY A study in the journal Nature Energy of June 20, 2016, states that China is on track to generate more than a quarter of its electricity from wind power by 2030. As of 2015, China's 145GW of installed wind capacity eclipsed both Europe and the U.S. and within 14 years more new generating capacity – mostly clean energy – will come online in China than currently exists in the entire U.S. The Guardian quoted the co-author of the Nature Energy 's study as saying "China is now the world's wind energy leader by a fairly large margin. With more extensive reforms leading China to transition to spot markets and allowing electricity providers to reflect the marginal costs of wind generation, China's clean energy potential could be further increased."
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-XINJIANG'S UYGHURS: ISIS AND TERRORISM China's state media has claimed that 300 Chinese Muslims are fighting with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and authorities have blamed the violence emanating from Xinjiang on radical Islamist ideology and residents’ ties to foreign terrorist networks. New documents leaked by an Islamic State defector in early 2016, suggest that Beijing is correct about the scale of UYghur involvement with the militant movement.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FLOODS The Hebei government reported that flooding in northern Hebei province has killed 114 people and led to direct losses of 16.4 billion yuan ($2.5 billion) to the economy. In a statement released on July 24, 2016, it said at least 308,900 people have been evacuated and 111 are missing. About 53,000 houses have collapsed from the floods and 30,000 hectares of crop have been destroyed.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Chinese President paid a 3-day (July 18-20, 2016) inspection visit to the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region when he specially travelled to Guyuan City and Yinchuan City, home to many Chinese Muslims and people from the Hui ethnic minority group.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CURBS ON CHRISTIANITY The Christianity Daily reported on July 6, 2016, that China's Zhejiang provincial government has implemented a new law for some of the churches to hand over all their income and donations to the authorities.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The South China Morning Post reported on July 8, 2016, that General Tian Xiusi, 66, former Political Commissar in the PLA Air Force and member of the CCP's 18th Central Committee, has been placed under “shuanggui". A book published earlier this year by Chen Xi, a former official in a department affiliated with the former Lanzhou Military Command, alleges that Tian Xiusi paid 50 million yuan (HK$58 million) to the disgraced former military chief Guo Boxiong to secure the position of Political Commissar in 2012.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PUBLIC SECURITY The Nanning Evening News and Nanning Radio on July 1, 2016, announced that new rules had been promulgated requiring that overseas chinese who do not stay at regular hotels must report to the police within 24 hours or risk being detained and fined upto US$ 10,000.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY ORGANISATION The CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD) has very recently established a new, 8th Bureau to target work on the "new social class".
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-GERMANY: CYBER ATTACKS/HACKING A report released by the German Intelligence Service 'Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz' on June 28, 2016, claimed to have ddetected Chinese attacks targetted at Germany. It described the Chinese attacks as a little bit broader than that of the Russians.They focused on industrial espionage and a broad range of political interests, including German support for ethnic, religious and pro-democratic groups in China such as the Uighurs, Tibetans, Falun Gong and proponents of an 'independent' Taiwan.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ECONOMY China is Russia's single largest source of foreign capital with US$ 18 billion in loans.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: BILATERAL RELATIONS While, according to a report in USA's Jamestown Foundation, Russian President Putin is eager to confirm that Russia’s positions on key international issues are close to the Chinese, and he promises to fully support Beijing in organizing the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, this September (RIA Novosti, June 25), this warmth in bilateral relations is not borne out by a survey of Russian public opinion.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY AND TRADE The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee (CC)'s United Front Work Department (UFWD) has warned the San Francisco-based Cloudflare company that cooperates with dominant Chinese search engine company Baidu that it should stop providing internet service to some websites run by Tibetans and Uigurs that the Chinese government considers to be separatist.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY A recent Report by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the New York-based Rhodium Group said Chinese firms are generating jobs in the US and addied about 13,000 employees to their payrolls in 2015, up 12 percent from 2014. It stated that approx 90,000 Americans are now employed by Chinese affiliated U.S. companies, a threefold increase in three years.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/IDEOLOGY The July 2016 issue of the Chinese Communist Party ideological journal Qiushi [Seeking Truth] published an Interview with Zhang Shunhong, Chairman of the World History Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP AND THE PARTY At a rally on June 1, 2016, to mark the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s 95th founding anniversary, Chinese President and Party General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasised that the CCP must adhere to its Marxist roots and strictly prevent its members from becoming corrupt, otherwise it will lose power. Stating that China should maintain the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said that we should firmly believe that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the system that will guarantee China's social development, and it has advantages and self-improvement ability. He addressed the need for Marxism and to update the theoretical work of the Party.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL DECISION The tribunal hearing the Philippines v. China case on the South China Sea has announced that it will issue its award on July 12, 2016.
CCASJul 2016 |
BREXIT: OTHER CHINESE REACTIONS A Chinese working in a business association helping investment overseas, recently said that she thought Chinese investment to the UK would fall because the UK had always been seen as the gateway to Europe. She then added that Chinese would be selling their houses in London and buying in Berlin. Elsewhere, ordinary Chinese (even ordinary Chinese, and not only the rich elite, seem to have foreign exchange savings) are selling Pounds and the Euro.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-REACTION TO BREXIT The Party-owned Global Times on June 24, 2016, adopted a tone of qualified triumphalism and questioned the wisdom of using a democracy to settle the question. It said: 'The center of the world was once in the Atlantic, with its most developed components, the U.S. and the U.K, located on either side. Today, as East Asia has developed and flourished rapidly over recent decades the center of gravity has moved to the Pacific. Europe has not progressed; it has become the world’s museum and tourist destination, and it has a few decent school districts.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-DALAI LAMA: MEETING WITH POP STAR LADY GAGA A sharply worded article in the Global Times on June 29, 2016, criticised the US pop star Lady Gaga for publicising via video her recent 19-minute meeting with the Dalai Lama and hinted that she would not be allowed access to the huge Chinese market. The article said the "Dalai Lama is both a religious and political figure. His role as a "dissident leader" and a saboteur of socialist China is the fundamental reason for his popularity in the West. The Dalai Lama skillfully bonds religion with politics, always presenting himself as a spiritual leader, but in the meantime selling his political schemes and damaging the unity of Chinese society." It added "The Dalai Lama is the most politicized religious figure in the world. Western leaders' meetings with him have long been defined as a highly sensitive political behavior. This will inevitably affect how the public feels, including how 1.3 billion Chinese feel, if celebrities from each part of the world have contact with the Dalai Lama, or publicly show their worship of him. Although Lady Gaga did not discuss politics with the Dalai Lama, still, ordinary people in China find it hard to accept her showering high praise on him in this way."
(Comments: Some months ago China had reacted sharply to some popular Chinese artistes attending a religious ceremony organised by the Karma Kagyu sect in Bodh Gaya, India where representatives of the Dalai Lama were present.)
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA-DETENTION OF JOURNALISTS The Committee to Protect Journalists reported on June 28, 2016, that Lu Yuyu and Li Tingyu, two journalists who systematically document protests on social media websites, were detained on June 16, 2016 by police in Dali, Yunnan province, on suspicion of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble." Xu Hui, a writer and friend of Lu, told CPJ that the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Detention Center confirmed to him that Lu and Li were being held in the center when he visited on June 25.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA--INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA-PUNISHMENT OF JOURNALIST The Beijing Xicheng District People’s Court on June 27, 2016, ordered Hong Zhenkuai, the former Chief Editor of the influential political magazine Yanhuang Chunqiu to apologise for challenging an official account of history. Hong Zhenkuai cast doubt on the story of the “Five Warriors of Mount Langyashan”, who allegedly jumped off a cliff while fighting the Japanese during World War II rather than surrender. He said two had not. Their two sons who were the plaintiffs, Ge Changsheng and Song Fubao, 'along with those of the Chinese people as a whole ' said that he had “tarnished their reputation and honour” and hurt their feelings.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA-QIUSHI EDITOR'S SUICIDE The online edition of the Party's official newspaper People's Daily, reported that 56-year old Zhu Tiezhi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Party theoretical journal Qiushi died on the morning of June 26, 2016. Wile it did not state the cause of death, other reports claimed that he apparently committed suicide after becoming depressed over growing infighting between government reformists and conservatives nostalgic about less corrupt times under the rule of the late Chairman Mao Zedong. Zhu Tiezhi was discovered to have hanged himself in the office's garage around 1 am the next day, according to Caixin.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL; LEADERSHIP China's official newsagency Xinhua on June 30, 2016, announced the appointment of Xu Lin, Deputy Director at the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) since June last year and formerly propaganda chief of Shanghai, as Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs. He will take over from 56-year old Lu Wei, the high-profile cyber chief who famously met with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a visit to the US in 2014, who will retain his position as a Deputy Director in the CCP CC's Propaganda Department.
CCASJul 2016 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: SOUTH CHINA SEA A People's Daily commentary on June 27, 2016, warned that 'China is fully capable of removing a Philippine naval vessel set up as a permanent base in a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, but has so far shown restraint.'
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Capital flight and a weakening currency remain great concerns for the Chinese government, but halting them will not be easy because they are rooted in some fundamental flaws in the country. Chinese investment in foreign countries surged 62% on the year to $73.5 billion in the January-May period, surpassing foreign investment inside China. This development has prompted the Ministry of Commerce to evaluate the possible impact. "We are studying whether this will create certain short-term risks," Shen Danyang, a spokesperson at the ministry, said during a news conference in Beijing on June 17.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY AFP news agency quoting a Chinese official reported on June 23, 2016, that Chinese banks have written off more than $300 billion of bad loans in the past three years as Beijing seeks to reassure investors that the country can cope with its mounting debt problem. Wang Shengbang, a high-ranking official with the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), said the country's banks had seen their non-performing loan ratios rise consistently for four and a half years, reaching 1.75 percent at the end of March. But they were well-prepared to handle the losses and domestic lenders had written off two trillion yuan ($304 billion) of bad loans over the past three years.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-VENEZUELA: RENEGOTIATION OF LOAN China is renegotiating loans worth US$ 25 billion given to Venezuela, which it once viewed as a US counterweight in the Americas. Beijing, which has already extended the repayment schedules for debts, has also sent unofficial envoys to hold talks with Venezuela’s opposition.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-US: CYBER HACKING The New York Times reported on june 20, 2016 that the iSight intelligence unit of FireEye, a company that manages large network breaches, concluded recently that there has been a sharp drop in the almost daily raids on Silicon Valley firms, military contractors and other commercial targets. Kevin Mandia, the founder of Mandiant and now part of FireEye, which first detailed the activities of a People’s Liberation Army cyber-arm, called Unit 61398, that had been responsible for some of the most highly publicized thefts of American technology said “We still see semiconductor companies and aerospace firms attacked” but the daily barrage of attacks has diminished.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA There is renewed uncertainty about the international tribunal’s ruling over territorial claims in the South China Sea after the Hong Kong-based Asia-Pacific Institute of International Law challenged the case that the Philippines has brought against China. The Asia-Pacific Institute of International, headed by Daniel R. Fung filed a 41-page legal document.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-SERBIA: XI JINPING'S VISIT On June 17, 2016, Xinhua reported the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan -- first by a top Chinese leader in 32 years -- to the memorial for the 3 Chinese killed in the May 1999 US bombing of the PRC embassy in Belgrade. This was Xi Jinping's first public engagement during the visit and was given prominent coverage on CCTV. The last 60 seconds of the CCTV report makes it clear the US was behind the bombing.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OBOR Xinhua reported Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying in an address to the Uzbek Parliament on June 22, 2016, that China’s trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative surpassed 1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2015, accounting for a quarter of its total foreign trade.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA On June 19, 2016, the People's Daily published on page 5 a lengthy article entitled “Grasping the Important Position of News and Public Opinion Work” by Tian Jin, Deputy Director of China’s State Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film, and Television (SAPPRFT), as part of a series on the “study and implementation” of Xi Jinping’s February 19 speech on the media. The article gives a noticeably harder edge to Xi jinping’s already hard language on the media .The main points in Tian Jin's article are:
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Taiwan's official Central News Agency reported on June 15, 2016, that Chinese organizers have cancelled an invitation to a children's choir who performed Taiwan's national anthem at last month's inauguration of the island's new president. It said the Puzangalan Choir made up of children from Taiwan's native Paiwan aboriginal tribe were due to perform at a festival in southern China's Guangdong province on July 20. It quoted the choir's musical director Wu Sheng-ying as saying the Chinese organizers informed the choir one week after they appeared at the May 20 inauguration of Tsai Ing-wen.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-JAPAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA
Also on June 15, 2016, the Japanese government separately said that a separate Chinese navy observation ship entered its territorial waters south of its southern Kyushu island. China said it was acting within the law and following the principle of freedom of navigation. Meanwhile, Captain Gregory C. Huffman, commander of the Stennis, told reporters aboard the carrier after it recovered its F-18 jet fighters taking part in the exercise that "There is a Chinese vessel about seven to 10 miles away". The Chinese ship had followed the U.S. vessel from the South China Sea, he added.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA On June 15, 2016, Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, commander of the US Navy's Stennis strike group, said Chinese warships closely followed the powerful USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group from nearly the minute it entered the disputed South China Sea on a regular patrol in early March. He said “We did see PLAN ships quite routinely throughout the South China Sea. In fact, we were in constant visual contact with at least one PLAN ship at any one time, 24/7.” He described it as a major departure from recent years.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-US: TIBET/DALAI LAMA Reacting promptly to US President Obama's closed-door meeting in the White House with the Dalai Lama on June 15, 2016, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a daily news briefing on June 16, 2016, that "Tibet affairs are China's domestic affairs and no foreign country has the right to interfere."
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA:ECONOMY Global Times on June 16, 2016 reported that China's official data showed that its trade with India totaled $71.64 billion in 2015, well below the ambitious $100 billion mark the two countries had envisioned for last year. It said "worryingly for India, its trade deficit with China rose to a whopping $45 billion last year, as its exports to China plunged by more than 18 percent".
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY As part of the effort to streamline the government and simplify procedures for business, Xinhua reported that a State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on June 15, 2016, announced it would invalidate hundreds of outdated documents to tackle conflicts between policy and regulations or between previous and present policy documents.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION/ZHOU YONGKANG China’s Central Television reported that the Yichang City People’s Intermediate Court of Hubei Province, handed down a nine-year term to Jia Xiaoye, whose husband, Zhou Yongkang, former PBSC Member and until 2012 one of China’s most powerful officials. His son by a previous marriage, Zhou Bin, received an 18-year prison sentence from the same court. The court’s official social media site announced Ms. Jia’s sentence on June 8, but it was reported by China’s state news media only on June 15.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-CANADA: CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER'S REBUKE TO CANADIAN JOURNALIST At the jpint press conference of the Chinese and Canadian Foreign Ministers in Ottawa on June 1, 2016, a Canadian journalist who asked the Canadian Foreign Minister a question about a Canadian couple, Kevin Garratt and Julia Dawn Garratt, who were detained in China in 2014.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: PUBLICITY COOPERATION Xinhua reported on May 28, 2016 that at least six media cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between Chinese and Australian media outlets on May 27 in Sydney. The agreements involve Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, China Radio International, People's Daily Website, and Qingdao Publishing Group on the Chinese side, and University of Technology Sydney, Fairfax Media, Sky News Australia, Global CAMG, and Weldon International on the Australian side.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA: TAIWAN-JAPAN RELATIONS Soon after taking over as President on May 20, 2016, there are indications that Ms Tsai Ing-wen appears to be reorienting Taiwan towards Japan. She has appointed DPP heavyweights Frank Hsieh Chang-ting as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to Tokyo and Chiou Yi-jen has been appointed to direct Taiwan-Japan relations from Taipei.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-US: TRADE INVESTIGATIONS OF HUAWEI The United States Commerce Department is demanding that the company, based in the south China city of Shenzhen, turn over all information regarding the export or re-export of American technology to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, according to a subpoena sent to Huawei and viewed by The New York Times. The subpoena is part of an investigation into whether Huawei broke United States export controls.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY According to a Xinhua report of May 31, 2016, The People's Bank of China (PBOC) injected 55 billion yuan (US$8.3 billion) into the money market on May 31, 2016, to ease a liquidity strain. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) conducted 120 billion yuan of seven-day reverse repurchase agreements (repo), a process in which central banks purchase securities from banks with an agreement to resell them in the future.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-RELIGION: XINJIANG China's State Council issued a White Paper on June 3, 2016, that said religious freedom in China's Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region was unparalleled. It disclosed that there are now 24,000 mosques, 59 Buddhist temples and 277 Christian churches in the region.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: ADIZ IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The South China Morning Post reported on June 1, 2016, that China is preparing an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea, two years after it announced a similar one in the East China Sea, according to sources close to the People’s Liberation Army and a defence report. But one source said the timing of any declaration would depend on security conditions in the region, particularly the United States’ military presence and diplomatic ties with neighbouring countries.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Some key promotions of cadres close to Chinese President Xi Jinping were effected recently. Lin Duo, considered a protege of Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) Chairman Wang Qishan, was appointed Governor of Gansu province in April.
CCASJun 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA The state-run Global Times on May 23, 2016, rejected the view voiced in certain US and Chinese media that Russia's position in its declaration with ASEAN is close to that of the US, thus adding pressure on China.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-EUROPE: ECONOMIC INVESTMENT According to the Rhodium Group, between 2000–14 Chinese companies spent $52 billion on direct investments in the 28 member states of the EU. Investments increased after the sovereign debt crisis when European assets could be bought at reduced prices. The largest beneficiaries of Chinese FDI were Europe’s ‘Big 3’ countries: $13.8 billion was invested in the UK; $7.8 billion in Germany; and $6.7 billion in France. In 2015 Italy became the largest recipient of Chinese FDI with the sale of Pirelli to ChemChina. Competition between EU member states to attract Chinese FDI may give Beijing increased influence and leverage.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Reacting to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's speech at her inaugration on May 20, 2016, the spokesman of the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), Ma Xiaoguang said on May 21 that “Only by confirming adherence to the common political foundation of the 1992 consensus that embodies the one-China principle can cross-strait affairs authorities continue regular communication.”
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOE REFORM The official news agency Xinhua reported on May 19, 2016, that at an executive meeting of the State Council chaired by Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on May 19, it was decided that 345 "zombie companies," which are all subsidiaries of the 106 centrally-administered SOEs, will be reorganized or left to the market within three years.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-PLA A lengthy PLA Daily article on May 23, 2016, summarising Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said he had ordered the military to boost its battlefield capabilities and address its weaknesses to cope with the more complicated security challenges caused by the nation’s growing stature in the world. Xi Jinping said if nothing was done to improve the force’s capabilities it would not be able to deal with the growing national security risks associated with the country’s rising economic might.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PUBLIC SECURITY Xinhua reported on May 22, 2016 that after a meeting chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 22, 2016, Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun urged police bureaus around the country to understand the “significance and urgency” to standardise law enforcement practice.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-KENYA: POLICE COOPERATION Kenya's The Standard reported on May 3, 2016, that the police in Nairobi, Kenya have paid an undisclosed amount to acquire riot gear from China. The items include special protective gear, clubs, and 20 anti-riot water cannons. the shipment was unloaded from Port Mombasa and driven aboard trailers under an armed escort. In February, China supplied Kenya 30 armored personnel carriers and 25 mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles at an unknown cost.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ZIMBABWE: ECONOMY c Zimbabwe's Financial Gazette on April 21, 2016, quoted An official of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) as saying that "We have seen Chinese from Zimbabwe with suitcases depositing cash with a Chinese bank in Johannesburg. It's not just the currency, it's also ivory and precious stones". He said in 2015, US$ 684 million was “externalized” from Zimbabwe "for various dubious and unwarranted purposes.” Last year the Chinese diamond mining firm Jinan Mining took some $546 million offshore. George Guvamatanga at Barclays Bank Zimbabwe said: "[Chinese] are taking the cash outside the country and depositing it with their banks in South Africa,” which are said to offer more services.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA The Pentagon disclosed on May 18, 2016, that two Chinese fighter jets carried out an "unsafe" intercept of a U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea on May 17, 2016, as the U.S. maritime patrol aircraft carried out "a routine U.S. patrol." The incident, which is a further escalation of tensions in the area, comes a week after China scrambled fighter jets as a U.S. Navy ship sailed close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea. The intercept is also days before President Barack Obama travels to parts of Asia from May 21-28, which will include a Group of Seven summit in Japan and his first trip to Vietnam.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET: CHENGDU-LHASA RAILWAY The 1600-kms (1000-mile) Sichuan-Tibet Railway that has been included in the Thirteenth Five Year Plan will cross 14 mountains -- two of them higher than Mont Blanc western Europe’s highest mountain -- to climb 14,000 metres up to Lhasa (about 3,200 metres) which is 10,500 feet higher than Chengdu.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: INNOVATION In the past 15 years, China has more than doubled the percentage of its gross domestic product that it spends on research and development (R&D). National, provincial and local governments offer generous funding for almost anything related to innovation and entrepreneurship, and education reforms mean that schools are encouraged to foster the next generation of innovators.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT Gary King, Margaret Roberts and Jennifer Pan of Harvard University in a study released this month (May 2016) and titled 'How the Chinese Government Fabricates Social Media Posts for Strategic Distraction, not Engaged Argument', estimated that the Chinese government fabricates and posts about 488 million social media comments a year, indicating a high level of coordination on the part of the government. Their sample finds that more than 99% of the fifty-cent party comments analysed originate from government offices, rather than freelance fifty-centers.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA/ABOLISHING OF COMMERCIAL VENTURES The Phoenix Weekly, state-run Global Times and official Xinhua on May 5, 2016, reported that China's Central Military Commission is planning to gradually terminate all the military's commercial activities. Seen as the toughest move against military commercialization in China's history, they said this new step will put an end to a practice that has existed for three decades, has long been a hotbed for corruption and has led to many top generals falling in disgrace due to dodgy real estate deals in recent years.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL/CULTURAL REVOLUTION The official mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) the ' People's Daily' on May 17, 2016, categorically stated that Mao Zedong had made a "mistake" in launching the Cultural Revolution and that it had been as a "grave mistake" in launching the 'Cultural Revolution' which had then been misused by 'counter-revolutionary' groups bringing "civil strife and serious disaster" and that the damage it had caused had been "comprehensive and serious".
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Wenxuecity and Duowei reported on May 18 and 19, 2016 respectively that Hong Kong's "Trends" magazine reported in its May issue that the Chairman of the CDIC and PBSC Member Wang Qishan, has started another round of anti-corruption activity.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US INVESTMENT IN CHINESE TAXI COMPANY Didi Chuxing, the Beijing-based ride-hailing firm that rivals Uber in China (also referred to as Didi Kuaidi), announced it has received a strategic investment of US$ 1 billion from Apple. “We are making the investment for a number of strategic reasons, including a chance to learn more about certain segments of the China market,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told Reuters. “Of course, we believe it will deliver a strong return for our invested capital over time as well.” In a conference call, Didi president Jean Liu said that Apple’s investment comes as part of an ongoing funding round for Didi that has yet to close. The deal was finalized at “lightning speed,” she says. Liu met Cook for the first time less than a month ago, in Cupertino, California.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMIC TIES According to a study released in October 2015 by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and Rhodium Group, between 2000 to 2014, Chinese firms spent nearly US$ 46 billion on new establishments and acquisitions in the U.S., most of it in the past five years. Chinese-affiliated companies now directly employ more than 80,000 Americans. If the U.S. continues to be a major recipient of China’s booming outward investment, it could receive between $100-200 billion of investment by 2020.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN On March 19, 2016, the Holy See announced that Monsignor Paul Fitzpatrick Russell, a 57-year old US citizen from Greenfield, Mass., had been appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Turkey and Turkmenistan. Monsignor Paul Fitzpatrick Russell was a charge d'affairs in Taipei.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBET MILITARY COMMAND-INDIA A report in the state-run Global Times on May 13, 2016, said that the Tibet Military Command had been placed under direct command of the PLA --- and that its political status had been raised. It quoted a Chinese military analyst as saying: "After the [recent] military reform, most of the provincial military commands are now under the control of the newly established National Defense Mobilization Department of the Central Military Commission, and their priority is to the region's militia reserves and conscription
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: IMPACT OF SLOWDOWN ON PROVINCES China's economic slowdown has particularly adversely affected China's industrial northeastern provinces namely Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Shanxi. All four reported the lowest economic growth of all Chinese provinces for the first quarter of 2016. Liaoning, was badly hit with the economy shrinking by 1.3 per cent compared to the first quarter of the previous year, placing the province at the bottom of the ladder.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CAPITAL FLIGHT Writing in the New York Times on May 10, 2016, Murong Xuecun said "In the last year, as the stock markets have tumbled and the renminbi has slowly lost value, many Chinese people have been trying to find ways to move money abroad.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: XI JINPING'S EXPLANATION OF 'SUPPLY-SIDE ECONOMICS' People's Daily, the official mouthpiece of the CCP, published the official explanation of President Xi Jinping’s hallmark economic policy on May 11, 2016. Thes explanation – a 20,000-character transcript of Xi Jinping's speech made in January to principal ministerial and provincial officials, occupied two pages in the newspaper – and is the most comprehensive elaboration of Xi Jinping's thinking on the Chinese economy’s past, present and future and its role in the global economy since he became the country’s leader more than three years ago.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROTESTS IN JIANGSU Reports and videos of several thousand parents outraged at sudden cuts in quotas for admission to top tier universities for students passing the the 'gaokao' (centralised school admission examinations) are circulating on WeChat. 38,000 students of Jiangsu province are affected with their chances of admission to top tier universities diminishing.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW AND ORDER The death in police custody of a young father Lei Yang, has sparked outrage online. Lei Yang's family say that he left to pick up a relative from the airport between 8:30 and 9 p.m. on Saturday evening. At 10:09 p.m. he was admitted to the hospital.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: FOREIGN CONSULTANT 47-year-old, Cairo-born and British educated El-Shahat has been advising the Chinese Propaganda authorities since 2007 on how to better communicate with foreign audiences. He was contracted from 2008-2010 to provide communications training to government officials and state-industry executives. El-Shahat is a British national as is his sister, Samah,who joined him full-time in 2012. Shewas earlier a TV presenter in Al Jazeera. El-Shahat's company, with 19 staff, operates from offices in Beijing and London.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA The CCP CC's Propaganda Department recently reprimanded the state-run Global Times for exaggerating its reports covering Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, South China Sea, and US issues. The official criticism was prompted by an opinion poll recently published by Global Times which said 85% of the respondents support the military invasion of Taiwan. The paper was ordered to readjust within a month.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION A Global Times article on May 12, 2016, publicised details of the functioning of the the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), the Party's anti-corruption outfit.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP CC's PROPAGANDA DEPARTMENT LIFTS BAN ON TV SERIALS ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION China’s media regulators have lifted a long-standing ban on the production and prime-time broadcast of television dramas featuring high-level corruption, clearing the way for harder-hitting content not seen since 2004.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-POLITICAL: COMMUNIST YOUTH LEAGUE (CYL) Xinhua online (Xinmin.cn) and the Cyl website (CCYL.org) reported on May 2, 2016, and April 15, 2016 respectively that the CYL’s budget for 2016 had been brought down to 306.27 million yuan, representing a cut of almost 50 percent compared to that of last year. They also disclosed that the China Youth University of Political Studies (CYUPS)—which is responsible for training cadres within the CYL system—is expected to curtail its student enrollment from September this year.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION The China News Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website reported on May that 56-year old Zhang Kunsheng, an Assistant Foreign Minister originally from Shanxi province and who has been posted at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, has been dismissed and put under investigation on suspicion "of violating discipline".
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP A rumour circulating in Beijing claims the pro-Xi faction is proposing a strategy for further centralisation of power by Xi Jinping, namely: abolishing the institution of the Politburo Standing Committee at the 19th Party Congress, thus making Xi into an overall dictator, and also pledging to lift the restrictions on political parties and the press, completing a political transition within 15 years.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH AFRICA Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co, one of China's largest automakers in terms of sales, plans to produce up to 100,000 vehicles at its new manufacturing base in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 2018. The $773 million project is said to be one of the largest Chinese corporate investments in Africa up to now.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-EGYPT The China State Construction Engineering Corp. has signed an agreement with Egyptian authorities to build a US$ 45 billion administrative and business capital outside Cairo. While the details of the deal are still unclear, construction has apparently already begun.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ALGERIA Ahmed Madani, an adviser to Algeria's Minister of Housing, disclosed on May 6, 2016 that a Chinese firm is constructing the Djamaa El Djazair mosque is being built facing the picturesque bay of Algiers. The complex will include a one-million book library, a Qu’ranic school and a museum of Islamic art and history. The mosque will have a 265-metre high minaret - the world's tallest - and a prayer hall capable of accommodating up to 120 000 worshippers and be completed by 2017. The cost of the mosque complex is estimated at 1.2 billion euros (US$1.4 billion).
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE STATE COUNCILLOR DAI BINGGUO'S BOOK 'STRATEGIC DIALOGUES' Dai Bingguo, China's Special Representative (SR) in the over 15 rounds of boundary talks with four Indian Special Representatives (SR) between 2003 and his retirement in 2013, published his book 'Strategic Dialogues' in Beijing in late April (in Mandarin). The book reveals:
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION-ISLAM In the run-up to the G20 meeting in Hangzhou, Chinese public security authorities have stepped up surveillance on Muslim minorities and Muslims residing in China. According to reports, in the past month the PSB has for visited some Iranians residing for many years in Hangzhou on at least four occasions
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY: HONGKONG'S 'LEFTISTS' Hundreds of 'Leftists' reportedly gathered on April 30-May 2, 2016, at the Regal Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Oriental Hotel to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Revolution. Organised by the Mao Zedong Thought Society of Hong Kong, they issued a resolution praising Mao's contributions and declaring that "Our cause is just, just cause any enemy unassailable! Our aim must be to achieve! Our aim will be achieved!"
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China's official news agency Xinhua reported on May 5, 2016 that China's military has for the first time sent dedicated teams of 'corruption inspectors' into its units. Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, which controls the military, told the inspectors they were fulfilling an important role in cleaning up and strengthening the armed forces, Xinhua quoted Xu Qiliang as saying "Keep firmly in mind the expectations and great trust of Chairman Xi."
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On May 9, 2016, the People's Daily published a lengthy 11, 360-character article quoting an “authoritative person’s” opinions on China’s macroeconomic development and policies. It was promptly reproduced in Caixing online.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP China named Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao to a senior position in the Communist Party’s elite financial and economic panel led by President Xi Jinping, giving him a bigger role in shaping policies to help support growth. 62-year old Zhu Guangyao, is also a Deputy Director of the General Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, according to an April 28 article published by the Chinese Academy of Governance.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-GERMANY Writing prior to German Chancellor Merkel's visit to China in June and later for the G-20 Summit this September, an assessment in Foreign Affairs issue of May 3, 2016, by Klaus Larres, the Richard M. Krasno Distinguished Professor of History and International Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently a Visiting Fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik in Berlin, (Germany’s leading think tank on security and international affairs) revealed that, based on 2013 figures, roughly 45 percent of the EU’s exports to China come from Germany and that Germany accounts for 28 percent of EU imports from China.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-US: PUBLIC OPINION POLL BY PEW Public opinion poll results released by the Pew Research Centre on May 5, 2016, showed little change in the US in concerns over China and Russia. Only about a quarter of Americans (23%) viewed China as an “adversary” of the United States, while an identical percentage (23%) said the same about Russia. Pluralities describe both countries as serious problems but not adversaries (44% each). These opinions have changed little in recent years.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: US-CHINA TRADE U.S. goods trade deficit with China fell 5.4 percent year-on-year In the first quarter of 2016,due to weaker imports.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY-PORK PRICES In April 2016, Chinese wholesale pork prices climbed to over RMB 26 per kilogram, an increase of over 43 percent year-on-year and around 8 percent higher than in March 2016.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION From this April, the Chinese authorities have cracked down on overt Jewish ceremonies. The Jewish Passover seder, led in Hebrew by Barnaby Yeh, a Jewish Chinese American, was not allowed in Kaifeng.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RESTIVENESS AMONG TIBETANS RFA’s Tibetan Service reported on May 6, 2016, that Sonam Tso, believed to have been in her 50s, self-immolated on March 23 near a monastery in Dzoege (in Chinese, Ruo’ergai) county in the Ngaba (Aba) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DEMOCRACY DEBATE On April 20, 2016, Yu Keping, Chair of Politics and Professor and Dean at the School of Government at Peking University, wrote in 'The Conversation' that "Everyone fears that advancing democracy will cause a loss of order and will bring social unrest.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION According to a report in the Wall Street Journal on April 28, 2016, CDIC inspectors between November-December 2015 found that more than 300 cadres of China's National Bureau of Statistics profited by charging fees for providing data, research and other services. Party authorities have asked the cadres to return 3.23 million yuan ($496,865) for providing unauthorized data services.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CULTURAL REVOLUTION Following an outcry against a concert staged by the Fifty-Six Flowers troupe and the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre, which is directly under the Ministry of Culture, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 2, 2016, the performers are refusing to take responsibility for the event.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA The People's Daily on April 22, 2016, published a toughly worded article on US military activities in the South China Sea by retired PLA Rear Admiral Luo Yuan, presently Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the Chinese Strategic Culture Association. In the article, Luo Yuan said: “The Military’s core function is to focus on how to fight; it is to be able to fight and to win the war. There is no such thing as 'hawks' or 'doves' [in the military].
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-JAPAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on May 2, 2016, that in what was supposed to be a friendly lunch in Tokyo on April 12, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua complained to Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki about a statement on maritime security issued the day before by the Foreign Ministers of the G-7 countries.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER KISHIDA'S VISIT TO BEIJING During the meeting between Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on April 30, 2016, China firmly informed Japan that for improved ties there could be "no ambiguity or vacillation" in meeting Beijing's demands over historical interpretation, relations with Taiwan and other key matters.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-PLA Xinhua reported ON aPRIL 25, 2016, that a People’s Liberation Army Senior Officials Military Reform Seminar was held for the first time from April 18 to 22, 2016, in Beijing.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW ON NGOs On April 28, 2016, the 20th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People's Congress adopted a law to regulate the activities of foreign NGOs in China. The law will become effective in January 2017.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY DISCIPLINE Outspoken Chinese tycoon and CPPCC member Ren Zhiqiang has been placed on a year's probation for remarks that ran counter to major Communist Party policies. In a notice issued on May 2, 2016, the Party Committee of Beijing’s Xicheng district said that Ren Zhiqiang, the former head of Hua Yuan Property, had been placed on probation for seriously violating political discipline.
(Comment: Ren Zhiqiang is a friend of PBSC Member Wang Qishang and reportedly of Xi Jinping.)
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS ON ACADEMIC RESEARCH Qiushi, the authoritative Party theoretical journal, on May 1, 2016, published the full transcript of a high-level meeting held in December 2015 to improve the Central Party School's work.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING'S COMMENTS ON PARTY DISCIPLINE On May 3, 2016, the CCP's mouthpiece 'People's Daily' and China's official news agency Xinhua published the full text of Xi Jinping's speech at a plenary session of the CCP CC's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), which mapped out the anti-graft work for 2016, and was held in January in Beijing.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-JAPAN: YASUKUNI SHRINE China criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's offering at the Yasukuni Shrine during the shrine's Spring Festival on April 22, 2016.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA As China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi tries to minimise weakening of China's claims over the South China Sea and extent of diplomatic isolation following any adverse judgement by the International Tribunal, there are reports of construction of military facilities by China in South China Sea islands.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ASEAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Vientiane on April 24, 2016, that China had reached “an important consensus” with Brunei, Cambodia and Laos.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-CONFERENCE ON INTERACTION AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES IN ASIA(CICA) Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the Fifth regular Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) scheduled for April 28, 2016 in Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang also said that Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-MILITARY: HYPERSONIC GLIDE VEHICLE Writing in the Washington Free Beacon on April 27, 2016, US journalist Bill Gertz reported that "China successfully flight tested its new high-speed maneuvering warhead last week, days after Russia carried out its own hypersonic glider test, according to Pentagon officials.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CENTRAL PARTY WORK CONFERENCE Addressing the 2-day Central Party Work Conference that concluded in Beijing on April 23, 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping said religious affairs carry "special importance" in the work of the CCP and the central government, and that the CCP's religious policies and theories had been proven right through past practices.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NATIONAL SECURITY STUDY CAMPAIGN The CCP CC's Organization and Publicity Departments jointly issued a circular urging relevant authorities to hold forums, lectures, discussions and other activities among CCP members to promote their understanding of the core tenet of the overall national security outlook.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP A statement posted on the website of Wenling City’s Commission for Discipline Inspection disclosed that Mu Yifei, who was a Deputy Propaganda Department Chief and Section Head of the Party school in Wenling, Zhejiang province, has been issued a severe warning.
CCASMay 2016 |
CHINA-ASEAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA Xinhua quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying at a press conference in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei on April 21, 2016, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted by Xinhua as saying said on Thursday that the "dual-track" approach is a practical and feasible way to solve the South China Sea issue.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TALKS Xinhua reported that Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had an "extensive, deep and candid" discussion on boundary issues in the 19th round of talks on April 20, 2016 in Beijing.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NATIONAL RELIGIOUS WORK CONFERENCE Xinhua reported that China held its National Religious Work Conference on April 22-23, 2016. CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng presided over the Conference which was attended by Xi jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan. Yu Zhengsheng stressed the development of socialist theory with Chinese characteristics and the need to comprehensively improve the religious level religious work under the new situation.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-MILITARY: DF-41 MISSILE TESTc The US-based website Washington Free Beacon, quoting unnamed Pentagon officials, reported that a DF-41 – which has a range of at least 12,000km – was launched on April 12, 2016.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNET: MILITARY TIE-UP China's oficial news agency Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting of his Internet Brain trust in Beijing on April 20, 2016, which was attended among others by Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma and Huawei Chairman Ren Zhengfei.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MILITARY China's official media on April 20, 2016, for the first time referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping by his new military title of "Commander-in-Chief of the PLA’s Joint Battle Command".
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Tao Siju, a former Minister for Public Security (MPS), from 1990 to 1997, died in Beijing on Monday. He was 81.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ARCTIC SHIPPING ROUTE China Daily on April 21, 2016, said China's Maritime Safety Administration released a 356-page guide in Chinese earlier this month offering detailed route guidance from the northern coast of North America to the northern Pacific.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PRESS FREEDOM Keung Kwok-yuen, the No. 2 editor in the newsroom of the independent Hongkong newspaper Ming Pao was fired on April 20, 2016, after the publication of a front page devoted to the offshore holdings uncovered by the Panama Papers of some of the city’s tycoons, celebrities and politicians.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PHILANTHROPHY Pony Ma, the founder of China's Tencent Holdings Ltd, has announced plans to donate 100 million company shares, worth more than $2 billion, to a new charity fund in one of China's biggest philanthropic pledges ever.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-HEALTH The WHO issued a notification on April 6, 2016, stating that China had informed it of 8 additional imported cases of yellow fever between March 18 and April 1, 2016. The cases had recently returned to China from Angola. They are originally from 3 provinces in China: Fujian (6), Jiangsu (1), and Sichuan (1).
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-LABOUR REGULATIONS On March 30, 2016, China issued new regulations improving protection for 'whistle-blowers' who report work-related crimes. Among the provisions are several articles that not only prohibit retaliation, but also, for the first time, describe the many forms it can take and provide greater detail on how the government should prevent and address reprisals. Some experts expect that China may amend the Labour Contract Law in the near future
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Bloomberg financial services reports that the "unprecedented boom in China’s $3 trillion corporate bond market is starting to unravel" and that investors in China’s yuan-denominated company notes have driven up yields for nine of the past 10 days and triggered the biggest selloff in onshore junk debt since 2014.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL PROPAGANDA According to a Reuters investigation, China Radio International owned by the CCP CC's Propaganda Department, has bought “at least thirty-three radio stations in fourteen countries.”
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-TWITTER AND PLA Kathy Chen, a Chinese citizen was appointed Twitter's new Managing Director for Greater China on April 14, 2016.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-REFORMS Xinhua reported on April 18, 2016, that at the meeting that day of China's Leading Group for Overall Reform,
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA- 'MODEL' COUNTER-ESPIONAGE OFFICER The People's Daily on April 16, 2016, publicised the achievements of Beijing State Security Bureau Deputy Director Wang Zheng and portrayed him as "an excellent representative" of the counter-espionage department. It credited him with apprehending 10 'spies' in three years.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE Chinese state television on April 19, 2016, reported that Huang Yu, a Chinese computer technician from Sichuan has been sentenced to death for leaking more than 150,000 classified documents to an unidentified foreign power.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Xinhua reported that 56-year old Zhang Yue, an ex-senior Hebei security official accused of colluding with former Vice Minister of State Security, Ma Jian, has been placed under investigation for suspected disciplinary violations. Zhang Yue is the fourth Hebei official at the vice-ministerial level or higher to fall amid the national anti-corruption campaign.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: FDI A report in the Economic Times on April 14, 2016, quoted officials as acknowledging that investment from China to India witnessed a decline in the first half of 2015, but the Chinese officials claimed that rapid growth came back in the second half.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA: FDI A report in the Economic Times on April 14, 2016, quoted officials as acknowledging that investment from China to India witnessed a decline in the first half of 2015, but the Chinese officials claimed that rapid growth came back in the second half.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: PROPAGANDA OUTREACH The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does have a propaganda presence in Australia. There is one free-to-air 6 to 6.30am Mandarin TV News bulletin syndicated from the state-run CCTV. An Australian-Chinese advertising firm lists 6 papers as having the widest circulation (between 25,000-35,000, though its website hasn't been updated for a few years).
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: US/PHILIPPINES US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on April 14, 2016, that U.S. troops and military equipment would be sent on regular rotations in the Philippines and that the two countries had started joint patrols in the South China Sea.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA- SOUTH CHINA SEA: US China's Defence Ministry reported on April 15, 2016, that General Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, had inspected "soldiers and building work" on islands and reefs in the disputed South China Sea that day. In a statement on its website earlier on April 14, 2016, China said it would “resolutely defend” its interests and said “The joint patrols between the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea are militarising the region and are non-beneficial to regional peace and stability.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-UK: ERIC X. LI AND THE WHITTINGDALE CASE Byline.com, the website that on April 1, 2016, revealed the story of the alleged “blackmail from [the] criminal underworld” and a “year-long relationship between a senior figure (Culture Minister Whittingdale) in David Cameron’s government and a dominatrix (Ms Olivia King) which potentially jeopardised government security” has among its three major investors Eric Li, a Shanghai businessman. He invested £160,000.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COUNTER ESPIONAGE April 15 was China’s first annual National Security Education Day, observed with speeches and distribution of materials to raise awareness of security problems. The images below come from a two poster campaign called “Dangerous Love” (危险的爱情)that appeared in residential communities all over Xicheng in Beijing. The posters warned younger Chinese to be on guard against information collection activities by foreigners.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-TIBET Jambey Gyatso, a veteran Tibetan scholar in China working within the CCP system published two articles to criticize two Chinese officials, Ye Xiaowen, the former Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA), and Zhu Weiqun, Director of the Ethnic and Religious Commission of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee. In the article Jambey Gyatso observed that, over the past decade, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) religious management group, of which both Ye Xiaowen and Zhu Weiqun are key members, adopted the wrong policies to govern Tibet.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AIIB/WORLD BANK The new China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank on April 13, 2016, signed an agreement to co-finance projects.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-KENYA: FORCIBLE EXTRADITION OF TAIWAN NATIONALS Eight Taiwanese nationals were forcibly extradited to China on April 8, 2016, along with a group of PRC nationals.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: KMT/DPP In their first closed-door meeting on March 31, 2016, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou told President-elect Tsai Ing-wen about "the stance of the Philippines and Vietnam on Taiping Island and how the United States interprets the issue."
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on March 21, 2016, that China has instructed local governments along the North Korean border to implement the new UN Security Council sanctions adopted earlier this month, which restricts countries from importing North Korean coal, iron ore and other mineral resources if the proceeds go to the North's nuclear and missile programs
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS/HEALTH The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee (CC)'s Propaganda Department on March 23, 2016, instructed all government-controlled media outlets to "play down" the recent scandal about the sale and distribution of improperly stored vaccines by unlicensed vendors in Shandong. Media outlets are forbidden from publishing feature stories or to send reporters to cover the story in Shandong. Instead, they are required to "reprint government press releases and news reports by central media outlets only."
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TERRORISM A security official of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region told Radio Free Asia's Uyghur Service that the government is offering a cash bounty of up to 5 million yuan (U.S. $774,000) for tips about suspicious activity linked to terrorism or religious extremism.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STABILITY The official English-language China Daily on April 13, 2016, published an article by Peng Chun, a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Law, Peking University, titled 'China demise theory wrong and unhelpful' which criticised the 'fad' of predicting "the end of China." It said that David Shambaug, a veteran China watcher and prominent Sinologist known for his moderate views, had joined Gordon Chang and sparked an international debate on "China's future".
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: NEW ROCKET FORCE APPOINTMENTS Wang Dajun, an official with the Rocket Force's Political Work Department, told China National Radio (CNR) that the Rocket Force has assigned almost 100 military officers to five newly-established military theater commands to support joint operations.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA "CORE INTEREST" Days before Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull makes his first official visit to Beijing, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that Australia's Chinese community held a forum in Sydney on April 10, 2016, to "clarify facts and standardise understanding" about the South China Sea dispute.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: VIETNAM Rebuffing Vietnam's second demand this year to move the controversial US$1 billion oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 and drop plans to drill in South China Sea waters where jurisdiction is unclear, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told the daily news briefing that "The relevant work is in undisputed Chinese waters, and it is normal commercial exploration. We hope the relevant party takes an objective and reasonable view on this."
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE The New York Times on April 11, 2016, disclosed that the US Navy is contemplating charges against Lt. Cmdr. Edward C. Lin, who was born in Taiwan and is a naturalized American citizen, on suspicion of providing secret information to China and Taiwan.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RIVER WATER POLLUTION The report of a survey conducted by China's Ministry of Water Resources states that about 80 per cent of groundwater in the mainland’s major river basins is unsafe for human contact.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: URBANISATION A study issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on April 6, 2016, stated that only about 33 percent of the farmers from rural areas were positive about the idea of relocating to cities, while 17 percent expressed neither negative nor positive view.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PANAMA PAPERS When contacted by the South China Morning Post on April 8, 2016, Hu Dehua, the businessman son of the former Communist Party chief Hu Yaobang who was ousted in 1987, said that he had nothing to hide.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: MOSSACK FONSECA Mossack Fonseca is known in Beijing and has seven offices in China -- the largest number it has in any country.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DEFLATION CRISIS? Yu Yongding, of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and currently a member of the National Planning Committee, has warned that Beijing risks a currency blow-up akin to Britain's traumatic ordeal in 1992, if it continues trying to defend its exchange rate peg amid a deepening deflation crisis.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: WORLD SOCCER POWER A document released on April 11, 2016, by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Chinese Football Association, Sports Bureau and Ministry of Education announced that China aims to become one of Asia’s best soccer teams by 2030 and have almost 50 million soccer players by 2020.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLAAF The US Air Force chief-of-staff General Mark Welsh told the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee on March 2, 2016, that the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will be poised to overtake the US Air Force by 2030.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: MILITARY AID The Afghan Defence Ministry confirmed on March 9, 2016, that during his visit to Kabul in late February 2016, General Fang Fenghui, Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), offered the Afghanistan army expanded military aid to combat the Taliban. Mohammad Radmanish, Deputy Spokesman of the Afghan Defence Minister, said a commission has been assigned to make the wish list, which could include light weapons, aircraft parts and uniforms.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STATE PURCHASE OF SYGENTA A 92-year old former Minister of the PRC's Ministry of Chemical Industry, Qin Zhong-da and over 400 individuals in a letter dated March 31, 2016 raised 4 pointed questions regarding ChinaChem Group's announcement of February 2016 that they will acquire Syngenta for US$ 43 billion (about RMB300 billion).
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY A recent workshop organised by the US-based Council on Foreign Relations discussed China's likely economic trajectory.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-PLA MARTYR The state-owned Global Times on April 4, 2016 published an article commemorating the anniversary of the death of PLA Air Force fighter pilot Wang Wei, who died when his fighter jet collided with a US military reconnaissance aircraft on April 1, 2011. It noted that every year on April 1, many Chinese online users commemorate the passing of Chinese air force pilot Wang Wei. It added that as tensions in the South China Sea are running high, this year's online commemoration has attracted more people's attention with mixed feelings of pride in the PLA's improved capabilities and indignation over what they see as incessant provocations.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CORRUPTION-PANAMA PAPERS Among the senior CCP leaders and 'princelings named in the so-called Panama Papers are:Deng Jiagui-- brother in law of China’s present President Xi Jinping; Li Xiaolin-- daughter of Li Peng, China’s premier from 1987 to 1998; Jasmine Li Zidan--granddaughter of Jia Qinglin, who served as member of the Politburo Standing Committee until 2012;Lee Shing Put-- son-in-law of Zhang Gaoli current Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member; Jia Liqing-- daughter-in-law of Liu Yunshan, current PBSC member; Zeng Qinghuai-- brother of Zeng Qinghong, who was Vice President of China from 2002 to 2007;Hu Dehua -- son of late Hu Yaobang who was head of the Chinese Communist Party from 1982 to 1987; Chen Dongsheng-- grandson-in-law of Mao Zedong, who led Communist China from 1949 to his death in 1976; Tian Chenggang-- son of former Vice Premier and Politburo member Tian Jiyun;and Gu Kailai-- former Politburo member Bo Xilai's wife and herself the daughter of a PLA General.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: OVERSEAS BASE-DJIBOUTI Katrina Manson of the Financial Times, recently interviewed the 50-year old Foreign Minister of Djibouti Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, a former head of the secret police who has run the country since 1999.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET MINORITY PROTEST A letter written from prison on February 24, 2016, and addressed to the Qinghai Higher People's Court by the well-known and popular Tibetan blogger Druklo, more widely known by his pen name Shokjang, is being circulated among members of the Tibetan community, including in exile. Druklo is being held in detention in Rebkong (Chinese: Tongren), Qinghai after his arrest on March 19, 2015.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WORKER UNREST Over a thousand policemen broke up a workers strike on April 4, 2016, in Tuopai Township, Shehong County, Sichuan province. Many workers were injured and at least 100 arrested.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CULTURAL REVOLUTION Retired Chinese Supreme Cout Judge Cai Xiaoxue wrote an article on April 3, 2016, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Revolution and which was posted on Wechat. He reminisced about the ill treatment meted out to his parents, their deaths and the humiliation heaped on his sister and him that forced them to move to another province.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTERNATIONAL DISCLOSURE OF CORRUPTION/SECRET BANK ACCOUNTS News of the Panama Papers and their disclosures triggered a prompt reaction from the stare-owned Global Times, which on April 5, 2016, said that very powerful entities are behind these manipulations and " For ordinary people, it is useless to wrestle with the power behind the leak, which can wield such a huge amount of documents".News reports about the disclosures claim that Xi Jinping's brother-in-law, Deng Jiagui, former Chinese Premier Li Peng's daughter Li Xiaoli and family members of two Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) members viz. Zhang Gaoli and Liu Yunshun are involved.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ZIMBABWE Xinhua news agency reported on March 28, 2016, that Chinese companies and experts expressed concerns over renewed efforts in Zimbabwe to enforce a controversial law that requires foreign firms to sell stakes of at least 51 percent to locals in Zimbabwe.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-EU: XI JINPING'S VISIT TO CZECH REPUBLIC Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Prague on his first state visit to the Czech Republic on March 27, 2016. He will stay there till March 30, 2016.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA In a rare and revealing interview to The Asahi Shimbun, which was published on March 31, 2016, retired PLA Major General Qian Lihua, who once served as director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the National Defense Ministry and is now Vice Chairman of the China Committee within the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP), provided some insight into Chinese defense spending. Qian Lihua said that construct of artificial islands in the South China Sea for military installations "will continue in the future".
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY The newly-formed Hong Kong National Party (HKNP) has attracted a lot of notice from the media in Hongkong as well as critical comment from the Mainland Chinese authorities. The PRC State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office issued a statement through the official Xinhua news agency on March 29, 2016, following the announcement of the formation of Hong Kong National Party on March 26, 2016.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's official news agency, Xinhua quoted Xu Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the China Coal Industry Association as saying demand for coal will slide 2 percent this year and prices will remain at a low level. Output by the world’s largest producer will also fall by 2 percent. Xinhua said China’s coal use is forecast to fall a third year as industrial output slows.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL POLITICAL SITUATION As the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Revolution nears (on May 16), an editorial in the state-owned Global Times warned that reflections on the Cultural Revolution must not go beyond the Communist Party’s official verdict.
CCASApr 2016 |
CHINA-GERMANY: HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY Addressing students in Shanghai University on March 23, 2016,German President Joachim Gauck condemned the "illegitimacy of Communist rule" in East Germany and lauded the benefits of human rights. He said “Most people were neither happy nor liberated, and the entire system lacked proper legitimacy. Free, equal and secret public elections were not held.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: MILITARY BASES Just days after the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe-led government gave the green light to resume construction on the $1.5 billion China-funded Colombo Port City project which was suspended a year back over environmental issues and on grounds that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had not followed proper procedure while signing the deal with China, the Asia Times reported on March 18, 2016,
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: MARITIME DISPUTE The Associated Press reported that on March 21, 2016, Indonesia officially protested to China against its Coast Guard retrieving a ship while it was detained for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. An Indonesian Fisheries Ministry patrol ship had intercepted the Chinese vessel 'Kway Fey' on March 19, 2016, within Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone that overlaps with the southernmost reaches of the South China Sea, and detained eight crewmen.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE On March 23, 2016, Su Bin, a Chinese national and China-based businessman who worked in aviation and aerospace, pleaded guilty to participating in a years-long conspiracy to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors, steal sensitive military information and send the stolen data to China.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-US: OBAMA-XI JINPING SUMMIT IN MARCH China’s President Xi Jinping is scheduled to once again meet US President Obama at the end of March on the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS An article in the Hongkong-based well-informed newspaper Ming Pao said that Shanghai's delegates to the 'Big Two' that recently concluded in Beijing, asked Xi Jinping to talk to the Shanghai delegation about cross-strait relations since the Shanghai people were deeply concerned about the issue as there were 10,000 Taiwan businesses in the city and 300,000 Taiwanese lived there. Addressing the Shanghai delegation,
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-EDUCATION A recent paper from America’s National Bureau of Economic Research by Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato and Xiao Yu Wang of Duke University and Shuang Zhang of University of Colorado, Boulder, found a relationship between GDP growth in an official’s administrative jurisdiction and subsequent promotion.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP According to a BBC report of March 25, 2016, a total of 20 people have been detained in China following the publication of a letter calling on President Xi Jinping to resign. The letter was posted earlier this month on a state-backed website Wujie News. Although quickly deleted by the authorities, a cached version can still be found online.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-LAOS: ATTACKS ON CHINESE WORKERS China's official news agency Xinhua reported on March 2, 2016, that one Chinese national was killed and three wounded in a "militant" attack in Laos.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: RAIL TUNNEL FOR PLA The well-informed Hong Kong Economic Journal reported on March 14, 2016, that a giant tunnel across the Taiwan Strait for an express rail link between Beijing and Taipei is listed as a key project under China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NPC: RAILWAYS During the ongoing NPC session the Chinese government confirmed plans to accelerate construction of a new railway line to Lhasa in Tibet from Chengdu and that of an extension of the railway to Kyirong on the border with Nepal.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NPC: MARITIME JUDICIAL CENTRES China's Chief Justice Zhou Qiang in his work report to the NPC said on March 13, 2016, that courts across China were working to implement the national strategy of building China into a "maritime power".
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NPC:SUPREME COURT WAGE LITIGATIONS The Chief Justice of China's Supreme Court Zhou Qiang, presenting the latest work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate revealed the following statistics: 300,000 civil cases of migrant worker wage arrears (and other cases involving the interests of rural residents) and that criminal cases involving refusal to pay wages were up 58%. Last year’s report revealed that 753 persons were convicted in 2014, which means that 2015 convictions were close to 1200.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-JAPAN: ANTI-CHINA SENTIMENT A Japanese government survey issued on March 11, 2016, revealed an increase in the percentage of Japanese who do not feel friendly toward China, which has reached a record high of 83.2 percent.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMY A US$ 1.3 billion contract to replace almost half the fleet of rail cars of the Chicago Transit Authority with 846 new generation rail cars was approved on March 9, 2016. The new generation rail cars will be built at a new manufacturing facility on the Southeast Side of Chicago.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET: ANTI DALAI LAMA OUTFIT TO CEASE PROTESTS In a statement on its website on March 10, 2016, the Directors of the International Shugden Community (ISC) announced they had decided to “completely stop organizing demonstrations against the Dalai Lama.”
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-CPPCC/NPC: ECONOMY Speaking on March 12, 2016, on the sidelines of the NPC session, the Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan said "There is no need at all to rush to buy U.S. dollars. There is no basis for continued weakness of the Renminbi and China will not seek to boost exports through competitive devaluation.” Attributing the previous depreciation to concerns on a slowing Chinese economy and market jitters caused by easing policies from Europe and Japan, he added that the Renminbi has started to return to its normal and reasonable level after volatility, and the trend will continue.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CPPCC/NPC- EDUCATION REFORM The newspaper Beijing News reported on March 11, 2016, that China's Vice Minister of Education had announced that education officials are working with the
All-China Women's Federation to prepare a draft law on home schooling.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DISSENT IN MEDIA AT PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Coinciding with the CPPCC and NPC sessions underway in Beijing and obviously for maximum impact, Zhou Fang, a Xinhua employee who gave his work address as Xinhua News Agency headquarters in Beijing and included his cellphone number and identity card number, on March 11, 2016, published an online denunciation of China's formidable propaganda apparatus.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-CPPCC/NPC: JUDICIAL REFORM During the ongoing annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhu Zhengfu, a delegate to the CPPCC and Deputy Director of the All-China Lawyers Association, criticized the common practice of using televised confessions, which are used “to humiliate human rights advocates, lawyers” and others as part of the current crackdown launched by President Xi Jinping.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Yet another song praising Xi Jinping @ 'Xi Dada' is circulating on Youtube, this time saying that one should marry someone brave and heroic just like him.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-US: HUMAN RIGHTS China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Fu Cong reacted forcefully at the United States, saying “The US is notorious for prison abuse at Guantanamo prison, its gun violence is rampant, racism is its deep-rooted malaise.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: US ASSESSMENT In an unclassified letter dated February 23, 2016, USA's Director of National Intelligence James Clapper informed US Senator John McCain that China has the capability to provide basic self-defense at its Spratly Islands outposts.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WOMEN'S RIGHTS New legislation on family violence came into effect in China on March 1, prohibiting the causing of physical harm, as well as verbal and emotional abuse. The legislation also applies to unmarried cohabiting couples, although currently only in male–female cohabitation.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NPC:JUDICIARY Ambrose Lau Hon-chen, a Standing Committee member of the CPPCC, told journalists on March 9, 2016, in Beijing on the sidelines of the ongoing CPPCC session that the Chief Justice of China's Supreme Court Zhou Qiang had told him that they were now able to monitor any hearing in the country.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Following Chinese President Xi Jinping's first public remarks on cross-strait relations since Tsai’s victory last week when he said that Beijing would “resolutely contain Taiwan secessionist activities in any form”, Li Yihu, a Deputy to the NPC and key advisor on Beijing’s Taiwan policies, recommended on March 10, 2016, that Beijing should set up a “reward and penalty scheme” for all Taiwanese entrepreneurs doing business on the mainland to single out those with pro-independence tendencies.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET In a letter dated March 8, 2016, China's diplomatic mission in Geneva raised objections about the presence of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader on the panel of Nobel laureates, being held at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEOPLE'S ARMED POLICE The PLA Daily reported that Sun Sijing, Political Commissar of the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) and a Deputy to the National People’s Congress, proposed a legal amendment on March that would clear the way for the changes and ensure that the PAPF's highest power of command was “firmly in the hands of the Communist Party’s central leadership, the CMC and [CMC] Chairman Xi”.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP 19-year old Jasmine Yin, a first-year student at Columbia University in US and granddaughter of the late Marshal Ye Jianying, wrote a startlingly revealing letter published on March 9, 2016, where she said 'Xi sent his only child to study at Harvard.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA Coinciding with the 4th plenum of the 12th NPC session, the USS John S. Stennis, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier; two guided-missile destroyers, the USS Chung-Hoon and USS Stockdale; the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay; and the supply ship USNS Rainier have been operating in the eastern part of the South China Sea since March 1, 2016.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-US: HR LAWYER'S RELEASE 45-year old Chen Taihe, a Chinese lawyer and Professor who was detained in Guilin along with over 200 lawyers and human rights activists in the Guangxi-Zhuang Autonomous Region last July, fled to the US on March 1, 2016, after being released from surveillance.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NPC/ECONOMY Li Chao, Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, informed the CPPCC on March 8, 2016, that China is still “researching and discussing” the registration-based initial public offering system.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NPC/CPPCC:SOUTH CHINA SEA Speaking at the ongoing NPC session in Beijing, Luo Baoming, the Party Secretary of Hainan province, said“China is encouraging its fishermen to venture into the South China Sea by offering subsidies and security training"
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINORITIES/MONGOLS The Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) reported that as part of the effort to maintain social stability during China’s “Two Sessions” --- annual meetings of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress --- presently underway in Beijing, the local Public Security Bureau of Urad Middle Banner in western Southern (Inner) Mongolia has arrested and detained more than twenty Mongolian herders since two weeks ago. In a message posted in Mongolian herders’ WeChat groups by Zou Xinchao, head of the State Security Squad of Urad Middle Banner, the herders were accused of “giving interviews to foreign news media and assisting those who have ulterior motives to frame and denounce the socialist regime”.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: JUDICIAL REFORM Just two days before the 12th NPC session convened in Beijing, the Supreme People's Court on March 3, 2016, issued a bilingual White Paper on Judicial Reform which was posted on the website of the Supreme People's Court.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:NPC/LAW 52 lawyers including 27 Defence Counseld and 8 family members of those detained by the authorities, submitted a petition to the Deputies attending the 4th plenary meeting of the 12th Session of the National People’s Congress on March 4, 2016.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA The Beijing Times reported last week that new guidelines have been issued by the CCP CC Propaganda Department prohibiting a wide range of subjects including depictions of gay relationships, underage romance, extramarital affairs, smoking, witchcraft and reincarnation.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS (NPC) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presented a 38-page 'REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT' to the fourth plenary meeting of the 12th session of the NPC,on March 5, 2016. Interestingly, the references to Xi Jinping in the report referred to him as heading the CCP CC and not, as "core of the leadership".
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-VIETNAM Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping met Hoang Binh Quan, the special envoy of Vietnam's communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, on February 29, 2016, when they pledging to boost party-to-party relationship and bilateral ties. Hoang Binh Quan conveyed a message from Nguyen Phu Trong to Xi Jinping.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WORKER UNREST In the wake of reports of lay-offs of coal miners, about 150 miners from the Anyuan Coal Mines of the Pingxiang Mining Group gathering at a crossroads and temporarily blocked traffic on February 29, 2016 to complain to the company.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AGRICULTURE/NPC Chen Xiwen, Vice Director of the Leadership Group on Rural Work, said at a meeting on rural affairs sponsored by Farmers Daily on February 27, 2016, that soon after the 'Big Two' (CPPCC and NPC) meetings in March there would be a reform of the corn pricing mechanism soon. He added that the reform should be announced ahead of spring planting.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW/NPC Zhu Zhengfu, Deputy Chairman of the All China Lawyers Association,said in an interview with Beijing News that was widely disseminated in China on mARCH 3, 2016, that China should not drag people in front of the cameras to plead guilty and that such confessions are of little legal value and may rely on coercion.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: APPOINTMENTS Caixin reported that 1957-born Maj. Gen. Chi Xingbei, son of former Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian and a Signal Corps officer, has been appointed Political Commissar of the General Armaments Department.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-DEFENCE BUDGET National People's Congress (NPC) spokeswoman Fu Ying announced at a press conference on March 4, 2016, that China's defence budget this year will rise by about seven to eight percent compared with 2015. She said that the actual figure would be released on March 5, 2016, when the annual session of China's version of parliament opens. Last year, defense spending was budgeted to rise 10.1 percent to 886.9 billion yuan ($135.39 billion).
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LEADERSHIP The State Council announced on February 26, 2016, that 59-year old Ning Jizhe, who has advised Premier Li Keqiang on economic policy, will lead the National Bureau of Statistics and be its top Communist Party official.He will continue in his current position as Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY/LAY-OFFS Quoting two independent sources Reuters reported on March 3, 2016, that China plans to lay off 5-6 million workers employed in State-owned Enterprises (SoE) over the next two to three years as part of efforts to curb industrial overcapacity and pollution.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC/ECONOMY Chinese President Xi Jinping will reportedly unveil a new set of economic reforms to be called "supply-side structural reform,” at the NPC session scheduled to open in Beijing on March 5, 2016. The supply side that Xi Jinping is referring to would include lowering taxes and reducing the government burden on investors. Yet its main goal appears to be shutting or paring down mines and factories that produce far more coal, steel, cement and other industrial products than the market demands and reining in the credit and subsidies that feed that glut.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The NPC Standing Committee in charge of legislature affairs between the full meetings said that over the past year six of its members were ousted because they were the subject of corruption probes and 19 other resigned because they had come under suspicion.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA: CPPCC & NPC China's top political advisory body the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and China's version of aa parliament the National People's Congress (NPC) opened in Beijing amidst heightened security on March 3 and March 5, 2016 respectively.
CCASMar 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA Long Xingchun, a research fellow at the Charhar Institute, Director of the Center for Indian Studies at China West Normal University, and a visiting scholar at the Department of International Relations at the University of Colombo, wrote an article captioned 'S. China Sea patrols bring no benefit to India', which was published by the state-owned Global Times on February 25, 2016.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: MARITIME COURTS According to a report , China's maritime courts, established 30 years ago, are said to be the busiest in the Asia Pacific region and hear cases arising in Chinese waters, coastal and inland. In 2015, the maritime courts heard about 31,000 cases, a 43% increase year on year, with cases involving foreign parties accounting for about 15%.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA The People's Daily on February quoted the PLA's new South Theatre Commander, General Wang Jiaocheng as saying “The military will be capable of dealing with any security threat. No country will be allowed to use any excuse or action to threaten China’s sovereignty and safety.” General Wang Jiaocheng, who previously commanded the Shenyang region, said his aim was to “ensure security in border controls and maritime defence, but the foremost mission is to safeguard rights and interests in the South China Sea.”
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-RESTRICTIONS ON ASSOCIATION WITH 'TIBETAN-INDEPENDENCE CLIQUE' LEADERS An article on China Tibet Online this week that was widely carried by other state media criticized celebrities for attending an event in northeastern India with members of the Tibetan government-in-exile, adding to Chinese authorities' warnings that actors and singers must "serve the people and socialism."
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION/VATICAN The state-owned Global Times published a very unusual article on February 25, 2016, speculating that the Pope may visit China for a meeting with Xi Jinping.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA Cai Xia, a Professor at the Central Party School in Beijing posted an article on the media criticism of real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, where she said that the former property tycoon’s criticism of President Xi Jinping’s address to state media last week underscores the lack of internal channels for Communist Party members to discuss policy. The article penned by Cai Xia vanished from cyberspace soon after it was posted.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY China's official news agency Xinhua on February 28, 2016, reported that the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has ordered the launch of another year-long campaign to instill the values it wants in its 88 million members. The campaign will focus on the study of the Party Constitution and rules, as well as remarks made by CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping. It will particularly target Party members with wavering confidence in communism and socialism with Chinese characteristics, those who are advocating the Western value, violating Party rules, working inefficiently or behaving unethically. The CCP central authority asked Party committees to regard the campaign as "a major political task."
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The well-informed Hongkong newspaper South China Morning Post reported that Rear Admiral Wang Yu, who from March till September 2015 was in charge of the Armour and Equipment Department of the PLAN's South China Sea Fleet, is being investigated for alleged corruption. 52-year old Rear Admiral Wang Yu, considered a rising star, had offered to resign from the National People’s Congress in September because of “severe violations of party discipline” -- euphemism for corruption or bribery -- according to a communique posed on the website of the top legislative body’s standing committee.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP China's Central Television (CCTV) reported on February 26, 2016, that 64-year old General Liu Yuan, former Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army’s General Logistics Department, who stepped down a year prior to his official retirement, had been sworn in as a Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress and Vice Chairman of its Economic and Finance Committee.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US: MINORITY RIGHTS The Chinese social media platform WeChat, a.k.a. Weixin, was allowed by the Chinese authorities to post comments by tens of thousands of people, spanning more than 40 cities on the same day, protesting the sentence awarded to Peter Liang, a Chinese American rookie cop who fatally shot an unarmed African American man, Akai Gurley, in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 2014. China's state-run CCTV, which often avoids showing demonstrations, on February 21, 2016, devoted numerous segments throughout the day to the U.S. gatherings.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY COOPERATION Wu Qian, a spokesman of China’s Ministry of Defense, said at the regular press briefing in Beijing on February 25, 2016, that China will send warships to participate in the the world’s largest international maritime exercise known as 'The Rim of the Pacific Exercise', or RIMPAC, which is held every two years in Hawaii in June and July. Wu Qian said “Joining these military exercises will be beneficial to improving the Chinese navy’s ability to contend with non-traditional security threats. Needless to say, military relations between China and the U.S. have some difficulties and obstacles.”
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMIC/TECHNOLOGY TIES The annual report of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), which reviews foreign acquisitions for national security threats, noted that there had been rather a sharp uptick in Chinese deal-making activity in the US, and a shift of that interest towards technology.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:GINI COEFFICIENT A Peking University report says China's Gini coefficient has increased from 0.3 in the early 1980s to 0.45 last year, but it is down from 0.49 in 2012. The Report also said one-third of China’s wealth is owned by the top 1% of households, while the bottom 25% account for only 1% of the wealth. The China Family Panel Studies, launched in 2010, covers 14,960 households in 160 regions of 25 provinces nationwide, and focuses on the “well-being of the Chinese population.”
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY/WEALTH According to the Hurun Report issued on February 24, 2016, China minted 90 new billionaires last year giving it for the first time more billionaires than the US, 568 to 535. The Hurun Report said that with 32 new billionaires, Beijing topped 100, replacing New York — with only 95 — as the billionaire capital of the world.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HONGKONG There is growing resentment, called 'Localism', at Beijing apparently ignoring the interests of Honkong and focussing on integration of the territory with the Mainland. Localism is a new thinking among Hong Kong youth.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINORITY NATIONALITIES/MONGOLS The Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) reported on February 23, 2016, that Mongolian herders from western Southern (Inner) Mongolia’s Urad Middle Banner (“wu la te zhong qi” in Chinese) gathered in front of the local government building in Haliut Township (“hai liu tu zhen” in Chinese).
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET Authorities of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) have instructed all foreigners to leave the Region by February 25, 2016. No foreigners will be allowed to visit Tibet till the end of March. These are part of precautions being taken in connection with the 57th anniversary of the March 10 Uprising after which the Dalai Lama fled into exile in 1959 and the 8th anniversary of the 2008 riots in Tibet.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDIA CONTROLS Responding to a critical article by retired Chinese real estate mogul Ren Zhiqiang aka as “Cannon Ren,” on Chinese President Xi Jinping's tour of China Central Television (CCTV) on February 19, 2016, where he announced new regulations for the media, Ren Zhiqiang has been subjected to strident criticism.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: REFORMS Presiding over the 21st meeting of the Central Leading Group for Overall Reform in Beijing on February 23, 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered officials at all levels to implement reform measures and address lingering problems to ensure the reform drive is successful.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-MILITARY: SOUTH CHINA SEA USA's Fox News reported on February 16, 2016, that by February 14, China had deployed two batteries of eight HQ-9 Surface-to-Air Missiles launchers as well as a radar system on Woody Island. Fox News obtained the satellite imagery from ImageSat International (ISI).
(Comment: The HQ-9 has a range of 125 kms.)
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister had a 5-hour meeting in Washington to discuss a range of issues between, what Kerry described as "one of the most consequential relationships in the world".
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPERTY RIGHTS On February 21, 2016, China's State Council and CCP Central Committee jointly issued an "opinion" on urbanization stating that authorities will "in principle" no longer approve gated communities. It added that existing communities will gradually have to open their premises to the outside.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-DISSIDENTS: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR LIU XIAOBO On February 15, 2016, 134 Nobel laureates asked Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping to release Liu Xiaobo, who has been jailed since 2009. By the 17th February over 300 persons had signed the appeal.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDIA CONTROLS Hu Xijin, Editor in Chief of the state-owned Global Times, in a post on his Weibo microblog on February 21, 2016 said “China should open up more channels for criticism and suggestions and encourage constructive criticism.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP The usually well-informed magazine Caixin reported on February 15, 2016, that Xiao Qing has been appointed Director of State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ETHNIC MINORITIES Adem Karadag, also known as Bilal Mohammed, an ethic Uyghur, along with a second suspect, Yusufu Mieraili, arrested in Thailand over a bombing that killed 20 people in Bangkok August 17, 2015, on February 15, 2016, denied charges of murder or involvement in the attack, retracting an earlier confession that his lawyer said he was tortured into making. The lawyer for Karadag, said his client was coerced into confessing that he took part in the attack. Most of the victims were foreign tourists, raising concerns that the country's lucrative tourist industry could suffer.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: SOUTH CHINA SEA Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop arrived in Beijing late on February 17, 2016, to a frosty reception in Beijing after being rapped over Australia's stance on the South China Sea ahead of a series of high-level meetings in the Chinese capital. She had made clear during her preceding trip to Tokyo that she intended to push her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for clarification on how China intended to use its man-made islands in the disputed waters. Beijing has repeatedly said it will not recognise the case filed by the Philippines at the Hague and defended its right to build on what it considers to be its sovereign territory. Stating that Australia took no sides on the competing territorial claims but awaited the outcome of the arbitration, Julie Bishop said "We recognise the Philippines' right to seek to resolve the matter through arbitration, but we urge all claimants to settle their disputes peacefully without coercion, without intimidation." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China would "never" accept the Philippines' "unilateral" initiation of international arbitration which it contends as a contravention of international law, adding that "Australia should not selectively evade that objective fact. Australia should adopt an objective and unbiased attitude and refrain from doing anything that undermines regional peace and stability."
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ASEAN:US A Joint Statement was issued on February 16, 2016, after the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America gathered in Sunnylands, California, on February 15-16, 2016, for a Special Leaders Summit. This Special U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Summit was the first ever to be held in the United States and the very first Summit following the establishment of the ASEAN Community. Paragraphs i, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the 17 paragraph statement referred to the safeguarding of territorial integrity of ASEAN members and the maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US As the US Senate passed a Bill on February 12, 2016 to name 3503 International Place, which is presently the official address of the Chinese Embassy, as “1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza” to honour the Nobel Prize winning Chinese dissident on the seventh anniversary of his arrest, the state-controlled Global Times on February 14, 2016, called the move provocative and said it was intended to outrage Beijing, although China would not consider it a big deal. It said “The US has been at its wits’ end in dealing with China as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire,” adding that “The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China.”
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-OBOR Xinhua on February 14, 2016, stated that the State Administration of Taxation had said that tax treaties that China had signed with countries participating in the OBOR will save financial institutions in China 9.6 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion) in taxes, according to the State Administration of Taxation.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: NATIONAL SECURITY LAW Rao Geping, a law professor at Peking University and member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee on February 16, 2016, called for urgent enactment of the national security legislation in the wake of last week’s riot in Mong Kok, backing Beijing’s move to label the rioters “separatists” in a similar category as those in Tibet and Xinjiang.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Bloomberg news service reported on February 11, 2016, that China’s exports fell 1.8 percent in 2015, while its imports tumbled 13.2 percent. It also quoted China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as saying that new orders for Chinese shipbuilders fell by nearly half last year. In December, Zhoushan Wuzhou Ship Repairing & Building became the first state-owned shipbuilder to go bankrupt in a decade.Sales at Shanghai International Port were 7.5 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in the third quarter, down from 7.6 billion yuan the year before, and net profit was 1.4 billion yuan, a decline of 18 percent.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: DECLINE IN WORKING POPULATION China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that working-age population fell by 4.87 million last year, sharper than the 3.71 million decline recorded in 2014. Also, approx 16.55 million babies were born last year, down from 16.87 million in 2014. The workforce of China, which has 1.37 billion people, now stands at 911 million.China's migrant population also dropped by 5.68 million to 247 million, meaning that fewer were going to the cities to look for workCHINA-ECONOMY: DECLINE IN WORKING POPULATION
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The China Discipline Inspection Paper , a paper owned by the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), on February 16, 2016, said “[We] must constantly be alert of, discover and punish in time those who form their own circles within the party.” It added that “The Petroleum Gang and the Secretary Gang have already been eradicated. They are lessons to be learned and others should watch their steps. If you don’t toe the line, get out.”
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-KOREAN PENINSULA:THAAD DEPLOYMENT Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin summoned South Korean Ambassador Kim Jang-soo on February 6, 2016, to protest against Seoul and Washington's agreement to begin talks on deploying a U.S.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Qiming Venture Partners, just raised $648 million from investors including Princeton University and Duke University.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL ORDER Since President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign began in December 2012, at least 146 fallen “tigers” (officials holding the rank of minister or provincial governor) have often being detained without warning.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-TERRORISM MEASURES As an estimated 6,000,000 Chinese head home by rail for Chinese New Year, security has been tightened at railway stations and transport hubs in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai,Hangzhou and other cities across China.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: LONG-RANGE MISSILE LAUNCH North Korea on February 7, 2016 defied international warnings and launched a long-range rocket from its Dongchang-ri missile base in the country's northwest at around 9:30 am, which was tracked separately by the United States, Japan and South Korea. North Korea, which calls its launches part of a peaceful space program, announced through its state media that it had successfully put a new Earth observation satellite into orbit.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:AIIB The authoritative, official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported on February 5, 2016, that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has appointed five Vice Presidents with experience helping both developed and emerging economies, as well as multilateral institutions.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREX RESERVES China's foreign reserves fell for a third straight month in January, as the central bank dumped dollars to defend the yuan and prevent an increase in capital outflows. The size of the drop was second only to the $107.9 billion fall in December, the largest monthly decline on record. China's foreign reserves fell $99.5 billion to $3.23 trillion in January, the lowest level since May 2012, central bank data showed, but higher than the median forecast of $3.20 trillion from economists surveyed in a Reuters poll.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN A one-line statement on the CDIC website announced on February 6, 2016, that Cai Xiyou, President of Sinochem Group, the Chinese energy and chemicals conglomerates, has been put under investigation for serious discipline violations. Cai Xiyou, a 30-year oil industry veteran who has been with Sinochem at least since 1995, was named to lead Sinochem in 2014, after a long career at China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec) where he was previously a Communist Party committee member, Senior Vice President, and Sinopec Corp's General Consul.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on its official website on February 5, 2016, that Sichuan Governor Wei Hong was removed from his post for "seriously violating political and organizational discipline" and subverting the investigation, refusing to confess and interfering with judicial activities. There was no mention of graft or any other crime in the notice.The CDIC also announced an investigation into Liu Zhigeng, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province on the same charge.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: MISSING PUBLISHERS On February 5, 2016, the Guangdong police confirmed for the first time that Lui Por, Cheung Chi-ping and Lam Wing-kee, the three Hong Kong booksellers who were missing since last October were being investigated in mainland China.
Gui Minhai, another bookseller missing since October, earlier said on state TV that he had turned himself in over a fatal accident he was involved in 12 years ago.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-MINORITIES: TIBET Authorities in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province ordered shopkeepers in the Tibetan-populated county to hand over all stocks of photos of exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, with “severe punishment” threatened for those who fail to comply by Feb. 2.
The order, which was issued on Jan. 31 by three government departments in Draggo (in Chinese, Luhuo) county in the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, adds that the photos can also no longer be sold or displayed in shops or stores serving the public.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA The two pro-Beijing newspapers in Hongkong, Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao announced on February 2, 2016, that they will pool their editorial and technical resources.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: REDUCTION OF JAIL TERMS FOR UYGURS In a rare act of mass clemency, the Xinjiang High People’s Court reduced the sentences of 11 Uyghurs convicted of endangering state security and terrorism. The reductions were announced at a rally held at Xinjiang Number One Prison on February 1, 2016.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ESPIONAGE/LEADERSHIP American intelligence officials have confirmed that Ling Wancheng, brother of former Chinese President Hu Jintao's powerful aide Ling Jihua, had revealed some of the innermost secrets of the Chinese government and military, including details of its nuclear command and control system.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US: PEW OPINION SURVEY According to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey almost half of Americans say that China's emergence as a world power is a major threat to their well-being and 46% think China will or already has replaced the U.S. as the world's leading superpower.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA The US warned Australia of plans for the US navy guided-missile destroyer the 'Curtis Wilbur' to sail within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island (Zhongjian Dao) – part of the Paracel Island chain -- on January 30, 2016. Zhongjian Dao has been under China's control since 1974 after a naval conflict with Vietnam.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-DJIBOUTI: PLAN'S IOR NAVY 'BASE' U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) Commander General David Rodriguez, U.S. Army, confirmed on January 21, 2016, that China has signed a 10-year contract for a military logistics hub in Djibouti. General David Rodriguez said “They are going to build a base in Djibouti, so that will be their first military location in Africa.”
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA Liu Siyang was appointed Xinhua's vice president and Zhou Zongmin was appointed vice editor-in-chief of Xinhua.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY ORGANISATION Li Zhanshu, PB member and Director of the CCP CC's powerful General Office, while addressing a meeting on the work of authorities affiliated to the CCP on January 27, 2016, said "All CPC organizations and Party members should take absolute loyalty to the Party as their fundamental political requirement and foremost political discipline." He called for a "high degree of conformity" with the Party Central Committee.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PATRIOTISM AND SOCIALIST CORE VALUES Liu Yunshan, PBSC member and Director of the Central Commission for Guiding Ethic and Cultural Progress, called on the 4th plenary meeting of the Commission in Beijing on January 27, 2016,to bolster patriotism and shared values.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE: CANADA On Januarty 28, 2016, China's official newsagency Xinhua reported that Kevin Garratt, a Canadian Christian activist who helped provide humanitarian aid to North Koreans, has been indicted of spying and stealing China’s state secrets. He has been indicted by prosecutors in Dandong city, China’s main border town with North Korea in northeast Liaoning province.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PRO-INDEPENDENCE STICKERS A Taiwanese woman was refused entry to Macau on January 25, 2016, because her passport was decorated with “Republic of Taiwan” stickers which advocate Taiwanese independence. Three Taiwanese were denied entry to Singapore in December 2015 on similar grounds.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINORITIES EDUCATION Parents and students of Tibetan and Muslim origin belonging to a local school called the Gangjong School in the Qinghai province's capital Xining, protested on January 24, 2016, outside government offices. They were demanding an investigation into the activities of Ma Trinlung, head of the Education Department of the Bayan Khar (in Chinese, Hualong) Hui Autonomous County in Qinghai’s Tsoshar (Haidong) prefecture
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL SOCIETY Guo Jianmei, a lawyer who heads the Beijing Zhongze Women’s Legal Counseling and Service Center announced on January 29, 2016, that the Center had been closed by the authorities.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-PLA REFORMS:CLOSURE OF MILITARY NEWSPAPERS It was announced on January 21, 2016, that as part of the reform process the newspapers published by China's seven Military Regions, including War Flag, Vanguard, People’s Armed Forces and the oldest, Soldiers News, established in 1930, were shut down last week. The closures leave the PLA Daily, and its affiliated China Defence Newspaper as the military’s two remaining daily publications.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-NUCLEAR SAFETY In its first White Paper on Nuclear Emergency Response, published on January 28, 2016, Beijing said “Facing the new situation and new challenges of the nuclear sector, China’s nuclear emergency response [system] still has certain inadequacies in terms of technology, equipment, human resources, capacity and standards." Xu Dazhe, Chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority, told a press conference on January 28 that construction of the two European Pressurised Reactors in Taishan, in Guangdong, had been delayed owing to safety concerns.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CAPITAL OUTFLOWS China’s capital outflows jumped in December increased by almost $50 billion from a month earlier, with the estimated 2015 total reaching $1 trillion. Outflows increased to $158.7 billion in December, the second-highest monthly outflow of the year after September’s $194.3 billion, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On January 29, 2016 morning, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) made a highly unusual injection in addition to injecting a net Rmb 690bn ($105bn) into the banking system this week through open market operations — the largest single-week injection on record. Normally the PBoC conducts such operations only on Tuesday and Thursday, but the central bank said on January 28, that it would increase the frequency of its cash injections uptill February 19.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has set up a new agency, called the Department of Overseas Fugitives Affairs, to handle fugitives who have fled overseas.
CCASFeb 2016 |
CHINA-IRAN During his visit to Iran in the course of his tour of three Middle Eastern countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced US$ 55 billion in aid and gave a speech to the Arab League in which he vowed not to seek proxies, a thinly veiled jab at U.S. history in the region. In Iran, Xi Jinping signed a strategic partnership that covers military and security cooperation. The main acheivements during the visit were:
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou announced that he and 20 members of his staff and law of the sea experts would fly 1600 km on January 28, 2016, without media on board, to wish Republic of China personnel on Taiping (Itu Aba) island a Happy Year of the Monkey. The US Government representative in Taiwan, has expressed its “disappointment” over Ma’s travel plan and denounced it as an action that “is extremely unhelpful and (that) does not contribute to the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN China issued a statement on January 27, 2016, which said "Chinese officials are urging the government of Afghanistan to restart peace talks with the Taliban after the last round of discussions collapsed." Meanwhile on January 27, 2016, evening Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Salahuddin Rabbani, the Afghan Foreign Minister in Beijing. Afterward, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced: "Wang Yi said that as a peaceful mediator of the Afghan issue, China supports the 'Afghan-led and Afghan-owned' reconciliation process.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STATE-SPONSORED CYBER ATTACKS ON TIBETAN AND UYGHUR MINORITIES Palo Alto Networks, Unit 42, a security research organisation disclosed on January 25, 2016, that an apparently Chinese government-sponsored hacking group has progressed from targeting activists to setting its sights on foreign government organisations gathering intelligence on the same targets. It said the so-called "Scarlet Mimic" organisation has been active for at least four years and initially focused on minority rights activists,primarily Uyghur and Tibetan groups. Both groups have been targets of multiple sophisticated attacks in the past decade.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Chinese scholar Wu Zuolai revealed on January 25, 2016, that Gao Hua's collection The Realm of History, which includes the late historian's essays, lecture notes, book reviews and observations, was halted just ahead of publication by Party censors, who ruled it "forbidden".
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL AND LEGAL WORK Beijing Times reported on January 23, 2016, that the two-day Central Political and Legal Work Conference held in Beijing concluded on January 22, 2016.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PBoC'S ECONOMIC SURVEY The People's Bank of China (PBoC) surveyed the overcapacity situation in 696 industrial enterprises in Jiangsu province and published the results in a Working Paper on December 11, 2015.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: CAPITAL OUTFLOWS The Institute of International Finance recently estimated that the capital outflow from China last year amounted to $676 billion, much of that in Q4. Separately, the financial reporting service Bloomberg stated that capital outflow amounted to $843 billion between February and November. There was probably little or no outflow in January, but December outflow was well over $150 billion.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY REFORMS On December 31, 2015, the PLA launched a significant reorganization which included re-naming of its missile forces as the Rocket Forces and creating the Strategic Support Force that is designed for high-technology warfare, including space, cyber and electronic warfare.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-DJIBOUTI: INDIAN OCEAN Following reports last year that China is in talks to build logistics facilities in Djibouti, Djibouti's President has signed agreements with China on January 20, 2016, to set up a trade zone and establish a legal framework to let Chinese banks operate in the tiny Horn of Africa nation.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA Reuters reported on January 21, 2016, that the US military has stepped up discussions on converting its Aegis missile defense test site in Hawaii into a combat-ready facility that would bolster American defenses against ballistic missile attacks.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA On January 19, 2016, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry stated that Haiyang Shiyou 981, the same rig that caused the 2014 dispute, had entered disputed waters in the South China Sea on January 16, 2016. The statement said the rig was still 25 miles from an “assumed median line” between the two countries, but it was in “an overlapping area between the two continental shelves” of Vietnam and Hainan Island, China, which “has not yet been delimited.”
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: SUPPLY OF SU-35 FIGHTERS China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will start receiving its first Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighters from Russia later this year. A Russian military source told TASS that "Supplies of fighter jets will start in the 4th quarter of this year. For now, everything goes according to plan."
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-XINJIANG: HUMAN RIGHTS On January 15, 2016, rights activist and Han Chinese, Zhang Haitao, was sentenced to 19 years in prison by the Urumqi Intermediate Court of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region. 44-year-old Zhang Haitao was convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” and “probing and illegally supplying intelligence abroad”.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ONE CHILD POLICY China Business News reported on January 22, 2016, that an unnamed researcher said the National Health and Family Planning Commission could roll out a revised policy by the end of the year at the earliest to help the country cope with its greying population.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China's official news agency Xinhua reported on January 21, 2016, that since Beijing issued an ethical code for officials banning the use of public funds for lavish private ceremonies and celebrations, the CCP CC's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) has investigated 11,445 people and punished 7,558 of them.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LAX BANK CONTROLS The reputed Chinese magazine Caixin stated on January 22, 2016, that Police and regulators are investigating two junior employees at the Agricultural Bank of China, China’s third-largest bank, who allegedly embezzled Rmb 3.8bn (US$ 578 million) to invest in the once-booming stock market.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On January 22, 2016, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) announced that China intended to issue a digital currency as soon as possible. The move could help the yuan offset the global dominance of the US dollar and limit capital outflows. The bank said the currency could reduce the costs involved in circulating banknotes, facilitate economic activities and help combat money-laundering.
A virtual currency would also help the bank improve control of the money supply and payment efficiency, it added.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Official statistics recently released state that total employment in China rose by 1.98 million in 2015. The total number of employed persons was 774.51 million in 2015, compared with 772.53 million in 2014
The number of rural migrant workers in 2015 totaled 277.47 million, which was 3.52 million more than that in last year, or up by 1.3 percent.The average monthly income of migrant workers was 3,072 yuan, up by 7.2 percent."
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-DPRK: POLITICAL-ECONOMIC RELATIONS Statistics show that North Korea’s decision to begin nuclear testing in 2006 has exerted only a limited impact on bilateral trade relationships. Trade, with a few exceptions, has steadily surged since the DPRK exploded its first small nuclear device on October 9, 2006.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-USA: ECONOMY The US-based Rhodium Group's China Investment Monitor reported on January 19, 2016, that a strong fourth quarter has pushed Chinese FDI in the US to a new record level of $15.7 billion in 2015, up 30% from last year. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity was particularly strong with 103 deals worth $14 billion. Greenfield investment also reached an all-time high of $1.8 billion in 2015, as several projects with large capex broke ground or made significant progress.Venture capitalists also poured a record $37 billion into China startups last year.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-US:NORTH KOREAN N-TEST On January 15, 2016, the US State Department officially announced US Secretary of State John Kerry’s plans to visit China on January 27, 2016. This was just one day after the announcement that US Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken would be visiting China from Jan. 20 to Jan. 21 to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Yesui.
(Comment: It is unusual for the US Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of State to visit a particular country just one week apart.)
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS The Swedish co-founder of the Chinese Urgent Action Working Group, 35-year old Peter Dahlin, was reported by the official newsagency Xinhua as confessing to Chinese officials that he had “undertaken activities in China in violation of Chinese law, and harmed the government and the people of China, for which I offer deep apologies.” Soon after Xinhua published its report, Chinese news websites posted a video produced by the state television network showing Dahlin making the confession while in detention.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-HUMAN RIGHTS Xu Qin, acting Secretary General of Rose China, a human rights organization based in Hubei Province, was taken away by Beijing police on January 8, 2016. Rose Group’s Deputy Secretary General Pan Lu said that Xu Qin’s family later received a notice from the police informing them that he had been arrested on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL ORDER-NINGXIA-HUI AR On January 16, 2016, seventeen people were killed in an arson attack on a public bus in Yingchuan, Ningxia. Police arrested 33-year-old Ma Yongping, who according to state media was involved in a debt dispute with a contractor, which led him to commit the “extreme act.”
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION: LIVING BUDDHAS On January 18, 2016, China published its first list of 'verified' Living Buddhas on the official website of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, www.sara.gov.cn, and www.tibet.cn. ostensibly to prevent swindling by imposters in the name of religion. Jian Jianyong, deputy head of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, said the online database should help reduce the ability of fake Buddhas to take advantage of people.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE The official website of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) on January 20, 2016, posted a notice that Gong Qinggai, a Deputy Head of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, has been placed under investigation on suspicion of "serious violations of discipline," which is an euphemism for corruption.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics on January 19, 2016, assessed that "generally speaking, China’s economy has maintained within a proper range".
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP On the 11th anniversary of former Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang's death, the former State Press and Publications Administration Director Du Daozheng said a few words in public. Accompanied by his daughter, Du Daozheng said: "Comrade Ziyang: Today is the 11th anniversary of your death. Comrade Li Rui called this morning, he's ill and cannot visit himself. He asked me to sign your memorial on his behalf.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-TAIWAN:PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION On January 17, 2016, DPP leader 59-year old Ms Tsai Ing-wen won Taiwan's Presidential elections by 56% or 113 votes to 68, to become the first woman President of Taiwan. A former lawyer, Ms Tsai Ing-wen is known for her strong will and ability to bring together fractious party elements. She has been educated at Taiwan National University, Cornell University in the US and the London School of Economics.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:CHINA SECURITIES REGULATORY COMMISSION (CSRC) Xiao Gang, 57, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), tendered his resignation last week after the "circuit breaker" mechanism to limit stock market losses, was blamed for exacerbating a sharp selloff and was deactivated on Jan. 7, just three days after its introduction. The "circuit breaker" mechanism was developed by Xiao Gang. It is unclear whether Xiao's resignation offer has been accepted by the central government.
(Comment: Xiao Gang's term does not formally expire until end-2018.)
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:CHINA SECURITIES REGULATORY COMMISSION (CSRC) Xiao Gang, 57, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), tendered his resignation last week after the "circuit breaker" mechanism to limit stock market losses, was blamed for exacerbating a sharp selloff and was deactivated on Jan. 7, just three days after its introduction. The "circuit breaker" mechanism was developed by Xiao Gang. It is unclear whether Xiao's resignation offer has been accepted by the central government.
(Comment: Xiao Gang's term does not formally expire until end-2018.)
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will impose required reserve ratios on yuan deposits of offshore participant banks in the mainland in a bid to stabilize the currency. The move will take effect from January 25, 2016.The reserve ratio was previously at zero percent on offshore banks’ yuan deposits in the mainland. The deposits will now attract the same ratio as applicable to Chinese banks.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: CYBERSPACE DETERRENCE The People's Daily on January 6, 2016, published an article by Yuan Yi, a military expert from the Chinese PLA Military Academy of Sciences (AMS), discussing the strategy of cyberspace deterrence. Yuan Yi said “As human society's dependence on cyberspace is deepening, cyberspace is becoming the ‘second living space’ of human beings and the ‘fifth-dimensional battle space’ of military confrontation.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY REFORM China's official news-agency reported on January 11, 2016, that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met the new leaders of the Central Military Commission's (CMC's) 15 administrative organs that day. It said that after the adjustment, the former four headquarters/departments of the CMC, namely the General Staff Department (GSD), the General Political Department (GPD), the General Logistics Department (GLD), and the General Armaments Department (GAD), were replaced by 15 functional sections including seven departments (offices), three commissions, and five directly affiliated bodies.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The sixth plenary session of the 18th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was held from January 12 to 14, 2016. Xi Jinping spoke at the meeting. Other senior Party leaders including all members of the Politburo Standing Committee nmely, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli, attended the session.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-US: ANTI-CORRUPTION China for the first time acknowledged on January 15, 2016, that Ling Wancheng, the brother of a disgraced former Communist Party officialLing Jihua was living in the United States. Liu Jianchao, the Head of International Cooperation for the Party’s Anti-Corruption Commission.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-MIDDLE EAST: XI JINPING'S VISIT Chinese President Xi Jinping's begins his first tour of the Middle East on January 19, 2013. The 5-day tour will include Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HUMAN RIGHTS Reports on January 13, 2016, stated that mainland human rights lawyer Wang Yu and her husband Bao Longjun have been formally arrested on subversion charges, after being detained in isolation for six months. The news came after the confirmation this week of the formal arrests of another six rights advocates on related charges. All eight advocates were detained in a sweeping crackdown on human rights lawyers that started in July.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-TIBET: LANGUAGE RFA reported on January 13, 2016, that authorities of Rebgong (in Chinese, Tongren) county in Qinghai’s Malho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture issued a notice written in Chinese on January 11, 2016, directing government offices, schools, and state-owned businesses to use both Tibetan and Chinese on official seals, signboards, letterhead, and other forms of communication. According to the notice, the Tibetan language will also be given prominence in some cases, for example when used on a signboard or official letter. The notice also instructs people to print Tibetan and Chinese characters in the same size.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-TERRORISM: XINJIANG Nayim Yassen, Director of the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress, said on the sidelines of the annual session of the local people's congress in Urumqi, that lawmakers in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will begin to draft a regulation against religious extremism this year. It will be China's first legislation targeting religious extremism.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LABOUR UNREST Reports indicate that with increasing layoffs of workers, unrest in factories and on construction sites is growing. Worker protests and demonstrations doubled last year, to 2,774, with December’s total of more than 400 such incidents, setting a monthly record. Geoffrey Crothall, Communications Director at the Hong Kong-based workers’ advocacy organization China Labour Bulletin, said “The increase in strikes and protests began last August around the time of the yuan devaluation and subsequent stock market crash and continued to build during the final quarter of the year, as the economy has showed little sign of improvement.”
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Caixin reported on January 13, 2016, that the General Office of the State Council has created a Secretariat to coordinate the administrative affairs of China's major financial regulators. It will focus on facilitating communication and cooperation between the central bank and the regulators for the securities, banking and insurances industries on administrative issues. Li Zhenjiang, a former vice president of the Agricultural Bank of China, has been appointed the deputy chief of the new unit in charge of its daily operations.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY A recent Peking University's Institute of Social Science survey has found that the poorest 25 per cent of Chinese households own just 1 per cent of the country’s total wealth. China’s Gini coefficient for income, a widely used measure of inequality, was 0.49 in 2012, according to the report.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's official media on January 6, 2016, reported that two civilian aircraft had landed on one of the islands in the Fiery Cross reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, which are claimed by Hanoi but controlled by Beijing.
The following day, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said the landings are "a serious violation of Vietnam's sovereignty and threaten peace and stability in the region".
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:ARREST OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE 35-year old Peter Jesper Dahlin, a Swedish national who worked for the Chinese Urgent Action Working Group, was detained in Beijing on January 3, 2016, on charges of endangering state security. Peter Dahlin reportedly suffers from Addison’s disease, a hormonal disorder that requires daily medication.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Established in 2015, China's National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ),or 'New Third Board' as it is called, is being described as a dumping ground for Chinese garbage companies, or "zombie companies".
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP & PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Shanghai media sources were cited by Hongkong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) as saying that Shanghai Municipality Party Secretary Han Zheng had directed authorities to further tightened their grip on the city’s media, with specific orders given about speculating on politically sensitive topics like personnel shuffles. SCMP said several journalists said Han Zheng was upset over an article about Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan published by Thepaper.cn, an online subsidiary of Oriental Morning Post. The article detailed how Huang orchestrated economic growth in Chongqing and provided background information about his experience in Shanghai.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: POK. Pakistan is considering upgrading the constitutional status of its northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, which is also claimed by India, in a bid to provide legal cover to a multi-billion-dollar Chinese investment plan, officials said on January 7, 2016.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-MILITARY REFORMS: ABOLITION OF PLA CULTURE WORK UNITS Washington Times reported on January 7, 2016, that as part of downsizing the PLA and structural reforms, the PLA Culture Work Units under the PLA's General Political Department (GPD) has been dismantled after 63 years.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY REFORMS AND XI JINPING Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Chongqing when he also inspected the Headquarters of the 13th Group Army and urged the strengthening of the armed forces through reforms. Xi Jinping was quoted by Xinhua as saying the military must be guided by the objective of building a strong army, carry out military strategies under the new circumstances and advance army building through the enhancement of political awareness.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-CLIMATE CHANGE: US-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY COMMISSION Commenting on commitments made by China in Paris on December 12, 2015, at the conference on climate change, the US-China Economic and Security Commission's Economic and Trade Bulletin issued on January 7, 2016, observed that "Since Chinese public concerns over pollution undermine the government's legitimacy, the government has every incentive to take seriously its commitments to address pollution and climate change".
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:LEADERSHIP 1958-born Xiao Gang, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) is rumoured to have resigned on January 8, 2016 morning at an emergency meeting of the State Council.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:STOCK MARKET
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 400 points on January 7, 2016 as steep falls in Chinese equities spilled over to global markets. The sell-off came after the People’s Bank of China made its largest downward adjustment to the yuan since August. China's stock market fell more than 7% amid concerns about capital flight and China’s stock markets stopped trading after only 30 minutes, ending the shortest trading day in their history after the newly installed mechanism to limit volatility was triggered for the second time this week.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MAO ZEDONG Local officials of the Tongxu County Land Resources Bureau staff confirmed to a People's Daily reporter confirmed that a gold-plated statue of Mao Zedong erected in Sun Yingxiang Zhu Village, Tongxu County in Henan province was dismantled and removed on January 8, 2016. The grounds cited was reportedly lack of approval from the village Sculpture Department for constructing the statue.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Days prior to the sixth plenary session of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), which is to meet from January 12 to 14, 2016, CDIC Chairman and Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member Wang Qishan said “Punishment works better than words.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN:NAVY COOPERATION The Pakistani Navy and Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) conducted their first-ever exercise in the East China Sea from December 31, 2015 to January 1, 2016.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: UYGHUR/TERRORISM Saud Usman Nasution, head of Indonesia's National Counter-Terrorism Agency told Reuters in an interview on January 6, 2016, that several Uighurs had responded to a call last year by Santoso, Indonesia's most high-profile backer of Islamic State, to join his band of fighters and that Islamic State and human trafficking networks helped them travel via Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia to Santoso's hideout in an equatorial jungle of eastern Indonesia.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW China's Southern Weekly on December 5, 2015, published an article stating that 'over the past couple of weeks, opinions have suddenly started to form regarding a ranking system that would limit the ability of certain lawyers to appear in court'.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR TEST The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a seismic event that had a magnitude of 5.1 on January 5, 2016, in an area 19 kilometers (12 miles) east-northeast of Sungjibaegam at about 9:30 a.m. local time. In South Korea, the meteorological agency said the "man-made" event registered magnitude 4.3. China Earthquake Networks Center in Beijing is describing the event as a "suspected explosion."
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Bloomberg reported on January 6, 2016,that net capital outflow from China in Q4 2015 amounted to US$ 367 billion.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The state-run Global Times, quoting the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), announced on January 6, 2016, that Lu Xiwen, a former Beijing Deputy Party chief had been dismissed her from public office for multiple offenses, including making groundless statements against the Party line.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INDIA Global Times published an article on China-India relations on January 5, 2015, by Fu Xiaoqiang, Research Fellow and Director, Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) which is affiliated with China's Ministry of State Security.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The China Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for December stated that Chinese manufacturers saw their operating conditions deteriorate for the 10th straight month with the PMI figure at 48.2. It shrank from 48.6 in November.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-HONGKONG Commenting on the the alleged "missing person's" case of Lee Bo, a shareholder in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay Books, the state-run Global Times on January 5,2016, sought to clarify that Lee Bo is actually "assisting an investigation" in the Chinese mainland and that he was not taken away by Chinese mainland police officers as alleged in the Hongkong media. Asserting that reports in the Hongkong media were "ideologically biased", it said that "Causeway Bay Books almost only publishes and sells mainland-related political books, many of which contain maliciously fabricated content.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: MAO ZEDONG Local villagers have built a 36.6 meters high gold statue of Mao Zedong at a cost of Yuan 300 million at the northwest corner of Zhu Village, Tongxu County in Henan province.
(Comment: Report of construction of this statue comes amidst other reports of resurfacing of Mao nostalgia.)
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP 51-year od Li Shulei, a close aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been appointed secretary of Beijing’s Commission for Disciplinary Inspection on January 3, 2016. His predecessor Ye Qingchun, 64, has reached retirement age.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/MILITARY REFORM On December 31, 2015, on the occasion of conferring flags on the newly created organisations, Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined the direction of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in an official speech known as a “precept”, becoming only the second person to do so since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Xuexi Zhongguo, a smartphone app managed by the Central Party School said Xi Jinping delivered a 'precept' speech, or Xun Ci, which literally translates as “admonishing words”, on December 31, 2015.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: PLA AIR FORCE FLIGHTS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Following a test-flight late last week by China's PLA Air Force (PLAAF) on the airstrip completed by China in November 2015,Vietnam formally accused China on January 2, 2016, 'of violating its sovereignty' and a recent confidence-building pact.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-STRATEGY:OBJECTIVES OF MILITARY REFORM The state-run Global Times on January 2, 2016, publicised that China's Central Military Commission (CMC) had released a guideline on deepening national defense and military reform on New Years Day. It noted that a day earlier, the CMC had announced establishment of the General Command of Army, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL; PROPAGANDA/CULTURE Following the Chinese Culture Ministry's publication of a list of 120 songs banned from the internet, Beijing's top rapper group IN3 was detained by local police and is likely to be prohibited from performing on stage in China.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP A group of academics fro m the People's Republic of China plan to recommend grant of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's Ma Ying jeou.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SECOND AIRCRAFT CARRIER Col. Yang Yujun, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence, confirmed at the monthly news briefing in Beijing on December 31, 2015, that China is building a second aircraft carrier and that, unlike the first, this will be produced entirely using China’s own designs and technology.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-PLA Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Col Yang Yujun confirmed at the monthly briefing of the Ministry of National Defence (MND) on December 31, 2015 that Zhang Yan, who was the head of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) 26th Group Army and one of its youngest commanders, went drinking with two subordinates currently serving in the PLA's 39th Group Army, one of whom drank himself to death.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL STABILITY The official Xinhua news agency almost 1,000 local people protested outside the Huadong Supermarket in Yongchang's county town, overturning police cars and beating up Jinchang's mayor Zhang Yinghua, after a 13-year-old girl and resident of Yongchang county in Gansu province, jumped from the top of a tall building on Monday after being accused of shoplifting. Armed police were dispatched to disperse the crowd provoking clashes with local people.
CCASJan 2016 |
CHINA-ROK: MARITIME DISPUTES The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on December 9, 2015, that the South Korean Navy fired warning shots at a Chinese patrol boat that crossed the Yellow Sea border between Seoul and Pyongyang and sailed 2 kms into South Korean waters. South Korea's Navy fired after broadcasting six warnings through radio communications.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:IMF In the biggest shake-up since the IMF and the World Bank were set up to manage the post-World War II economy, the US Senate voted on December 29, 2015, to increase China’s voting rights in the International Monetary Fund by nearly 60%.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREX BUSINESS Reuters reported on December 30, 2015, that the People's Bank of China (PBoC) has temporarily suspended some foreign exchange businesses of several foreign banks until the end of March.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA PERSONNEL CHANGES PLA General and Political Commissar of the General Logistics Department Liu Yuan, retired on December 23, 2015. Attending a farewell ceremony with colleagues from the General Logistics Department, he delivered a speech. Liu Yuan is 64 years old, one year below the mandatory retirement age for officers of his rank who are not members of the decision-making Central Military Commission.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA REFORM The Hongkong-based South China Morning Post on December 20, 2015, reported that by the end of January 2016, five new "strategic zones" will replace the PLA's seven military commands and that the General Political Department, General Logistics Department, and General Armaments Department will be closed.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: RESHUFFLE IN ECONOMIC ENTITIES The China Power New Energy Development announced that 54-year old Li Xiaolin, daughter of former Chinese Premier Li Peng, had resigned on December 30, 2015, as Chairwoman of the company. Li Xiaolin was also Chairwoman of China Power International Development, a sister firm of China Power New Energy Development.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PARTY AND CHINA DREAM Xinhua reported that speaking on December 30, 2015, during the CCP CC Politburo's group study session on the history of the Chinese nation's patriotism, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for promoting patriotism to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Xinhua on December 29, 2015, disclosed that the 25-member Politburo of the CCP CC had held a “democratic life meeting” on December 28, 2015, when China’s President Xi Jinping called on top Communist Party leaders to strictly manage the people close to them to prevent corruption – and to learn from the fall of their former colleagues Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai and others.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: SOUTH CHINA SEA 47 young Filipinos calling themselves 'Kalayaan Atin Ito' (Kalayaan This Is Ours) camped on a remote Philippine-held island of Pag-asa, also known as Thitu, in the Spratlys chain in the South China Sea in a symbolic stand against China’s claim to most of the waterway. “Kalayaan”, the Filipino word for freedom, is also the name of the township established by the Philippines in the Spratlys to assert its claim to part of the island chain. While the government opposed the move, President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma said on December 27, 2015, that “We recognise the patriotism of these youths that made them venture out.”
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY The Vatican's official news service ucanews, reported sources in Sichuan province as saying the Holy See had approved the appointment of Bishop-designate Tang Yuange of Chengdu in October, shortly after a six-member Vatican delegation visited Beijing to meet with Chinese officials. The ordination will take place in 2016.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed on December 26, 2015, that it denied Mme Gauthier’s application to renew her press card, effectively resulting in her expulsion from China since her journalist visa – set to expire on December 31 – cannot be renewed without a valid press card. MOFA found Gauthier “no longer suitable to continue working in China” because her November 18, 2015 article in the French newsmagazine, L’Obs, “championed acts of terrorism and the slaughter of innocent civilians . . .”
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW On December 27, 2015, China's National People's Congress, -- its version of a parliament -- passed a new 38 Article anti-terrorism law that requires technology firms to hand over sensitive information such as encryption keys to the government and allows the military to venture overseas on counter-terror operations. Speaking after China passed the law, Li Shouwei, Deputy Head of the NPC's Criminal Law Division under the Legislative Affairs Committee, said China was simply doing what other Western nations already do in asking technology firms to help fight terror.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ECONOMY Xinhua reported on December 29, 2015, that the State-owned Enterprises (SOE)s have been instructed to reserve 5 per cent of their total recruitment for those who have left the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
(Comments: There have been reports, including in China's official media, of PLA officers being concerned that the impending demobilisation of 300,000 personnel would adversely impact them and could provoke social instability.)
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: URBAN PLANNING Xinhua reported on December 22, 2015, that China held its Central Urban Work Conference in Beijing on December 20 - 21, 2015, when Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made speeches mapping out blueprints for urban development.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Speaking at a meeting on China's economy for the 2015-2016 period, which was attended by government officials, think tanks, and entrepreneurs, Yang Weimin, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Economic Affairs said: "Structural reform, especially cutting overcapacity, will inevitably affect the employment status and income of some people, but that's a step we have to take."
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION BBC on December 28, 2015, reported that the official website of the Party's anti-corruption body the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) had announced the removal of 58-year old Chang Xiaobing as Chairman of China's second-largest telecom company, China Unicom on suspicion of "serious violation of discipline". He was reported missing by the local media on Sunday.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE: DEFECTION 1947-born Meng Jianzhu, Politburo member and Secretary of Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (Zhengfawei), was recently reported by two independent Hong Kong-based political magazines, Qianshao and Chengming, to have disclosed in a confidential speech to party cadres that China's most closely guarded secrets, including nuclear codes, had been lost to America.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: DEVELOPMENT OF STEALTH AIRCRAFT On December 27, 2015, China's official news agency Xinhua published slightly blurry photos that show a plane parked on a runway at an unidentified military airfield, coated in a yellowish paint typically used before the application of radar absorption material.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-PLA The Hongkong-based South China Morning Post reported on December 28, 2015, that in a signed commentary in the PLA Daily published on December 27, 2015, recently, Cui Lianjie, a Deputy Director at the PLA Nanjing Institute of Politics, said that President Xi Jinping’s reforms of the military were aimed at consolidating the Communist Party’s control over the armed forces.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The South China Morning Post on December 26, 2015, reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping has become among the most travelled world leaders since he took office in 2012. He visited 14 countries in 2015 alone.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-US: COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION On December 22, 2015, Tang Energy Group Ltd, a Dallas-based clean energy company, won a more than $70 million arbitration award for breach of contract against China's biggest state-owned aerospace and defence company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). Tang Energy argued in front of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in Dallas that AVIC did not fulfill commitments to help fund a West Texas wind farm and develop a global wind energy business as part of a joint venture, Soaring Wind Energy.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XIV DALAI LAMA AND TIBET Responding to a Reuters special report headlined "China co-opts Buddhist sect in drive to discredit Dalai Lama" alleging that the Chinese government is materially supporting Shugden worshippers to undermine the XIVth Dalai Lama, the Chinese government issued a statement on December 21, 2015.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROTESTS IN TIBET News has just emerged of the detention of Tashi Dhondup, a young Tibetan man, who walked along a road in Dzoege (Chinese: Ruo’ergai) county town on December 19, 2015, wearing traditional Tibetan dress and bearing a photograph of the Dalai Lama, with a Buddhist flag on his back.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: DF-41 MISSILE TEST U.S. intelligence agencies monitored the canister ejection test of a DF-41 missile from a rail-mobile launcher on December 5, 2015, at the Wuzhai missile test center, also known as the Taiyuan satellite launch centre in Shanxi Province. US officials say this test 'marks a significant milestone for Chinese strategic weapons developers and demonstrates that Beijing is moving ahead with building and deploying the DF-41 on difficult-to-locate rail cars, in addition to previously-known road-mobile launchers.' Phillip A. Karber, a defense expert who heads the Potomac Foundation, said his organization recently identified a DF-41 at a special launch site at Taiyuan.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: DRONES Chinese Predator-type drones are being used on two fronts in the Middle East, the first time modern, high-tech weaponry by the People's Republic has been used on the battlefield. The CH-4 (Cai Hong, or Rainbow)-4, a medium-altitude, long endurance armed drone, entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2014.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA The PLA Daily on December 9, 2015, reported that “China has been updating its home-made blinding laser weapons in recent years to meet the needs of different combat operations,” clarifying that “Blinding laser weapons are primarily used to blind … targets with laser[s] in [the] short distance, or interfere [with] and damage … laser and night vision equipment” .
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA/DISSENT The state-run Global Times on December 22, 2015, reported that the Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court's verdict delivered on December 22 morning in the case of Pu Zhiqiang sentenced him to 3 years imprisonment, suspended for three years for 'the crime of incitement to ethnic hatred'. Xinhua News Agency said that Pu Zhiqiang pleaded guilty to repentance.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY China drafted three new laws in 2015 that will provide security officials with unprecedented powers to monitor online and offline activities across the country. These are: the draft Counter-Terrorism Law, which calls for the introduction of facial recognition software and a national database on criminal suspects; the National Security Law; and the Draft Internet Security Law, both of which require telecommunication and internet service providers to store and share all data located on their servers with Party authorities.
CCASDec 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY The Party theoretical journal Qiu Shi on Nov 1, 2015, published a detailed excerpt of Politburo member and Secretary of the Politics and Law Commission Meng Jianzhu's speech at the National Social Security Protection System Construction Work Conference held in Beijing on September 23, 2015. In his speech, Meng Jianzhu focussed on internet security and controls.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY As China prepares to enter its 13th Five-year Plan period, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also heads the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reform, called for more reform and innovation on November 9, 2015.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA- TIBET: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN In comments posted on the CDIC website, TAR Party Secretary Chen Quanguo of the party's graft-busting Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, asserted that "Tibet's lack of oxygen and position at the frontline of fighting separatism did not mean it ignored the battle against corruption".
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Reports circulating in China claim that Shanghai Vice Mayor Ai Baojun is under investigation on charges of corruption. Ai Baojun was formerly a senior executive at Baosteel, and was appointed to head the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (SHFTZ) in 2013.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: MEETING OF PRESIDENTS The office of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on Nov 5, 2015, clarified that such a meeting had been under discussion since the APEC Summit in 2013 and that its purpose is to "to consolidate cross-strait peace and maintain the status quo by reviewing the past and looking to the future". Recalling that the "23 agreements signed over the past seven years had brought about the most stable and peaceful period in cross-strait relations in 66 years", the statement said "the task now is to further reduce ill will". It stressed that "no agreement will be signed and no joint statement released".
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA
Speaking at the National University of Singapore hours before his historic meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel with President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that islands in the South China Sea “have been China’s territory since ancient times,” and that countries from outside the region should respect the need of Asian nations for a “peaceful and stable environment” so the nations could develop rapidly. Xinhua reported these remarks.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Figures released by the People's Bank of China , China's central bank on its website on Nov 8, 2015, announced that China's foreign exchange reserves, the world's largest, rose by $11.5 billion in October to $3.5255 trillion.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-VIETNAM Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on a 2-day visit to Vietnam on Nov 5, 2015 -- the first by a top Chinese leader in 10 years. Acknowledging that bilateral relations "have been at a low ebb" since last May when China deployed an oil rig around the Xisha Islands, the state-run Global Times claimed on Nov 5, 2015, that "recent months have seen tensions thawing as the leaderships of both countries have sped up the frequency of their interaction".
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA Well-known Chinese news site Sina reported on October 31, 2015, that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an official statement that The Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) rulings on the South China Sea were not valid and were not binding.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION Reports state that 22 provinces, more than 200 enterprises/suppliers, and 36 universities/institutes were involved in producing the C919 aircraft. Some analysts have observed that the wings of the Chinese aircraft resemble the latest curved wingtips on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION China's official news agency Xinhua reported on October 30, 2015, that Wu Zeheng, founder of the Guangdong-based Buddhist group Huazang Dharma, was sentenced to life in prison and lifetime deprivation of political rights on October 30, 2015, by the Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court and fined 7.15 million yuan. The Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court also declared that Huazang Dharma was a “heretical religious organization.”
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLLUTION AND PROTESTS At 8.00 am on Sunday, November 1, 2015, over 10,000 villagers demonstrated at the Stone Township, Wannian County Industrial Park demanding removal of the polluting chemical plant. They carried placards saying: "All the people reject pollution, heavily polluting toxic chemical plant get out!" During the protest angry villagers smashed some of the chemical plant equipment in an attempt to shut down the toxic plant, and clashed violently with hundreds of police.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: SOUTH KOREA In the strongest remarks yet by a South Korean official, South Korea’s Defense Minister Han Min-Koo, at a news briefing with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, called for freedom of the seas and the skies in the South China Sea. He said “It is our stance that freedom of navigation and freedom of flight should be ensured in this area, and that any conflicts be resolved according to relevant agreements and established international norms,"
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said on Nov 1, 2015, that the U.S. Navy plans to conduct patrols within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands in the South China Sea about twice a quarter to remind China and other countries about U.S. rights under international law.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PRESIDENTIAL MEETING The Taiwan President's office confirmed an initial report in the Chinese-language Liberty Times late on Nov 3, 2015, evening that Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Singapore on Nov 7, 2015. The two Presidents will not sign agreements and will not issue a joint statement but, according to SET-TV, will hold separate press conferences after the meeting.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-CLIMATE CHANGE Already the second largest polluter in the world, latest figures disclosed in China's official statistics reveal that China is burning far more coal annually than previously thought.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On Nov 3, 2015, China announced that it will allow its tightly managed yuan to trade freely by 2020, potentially easing trade tensions with the United States and other nations.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The CDIC website on Nov 3, 2015, announced the expulsion from the CCP of Zhang Genheng, former head of the frontier army regiment under Xinjiang's public security bureau and Li Wenli, former director of the military service office of the Inner Mongolia regional public security department.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao is to arrive in India on Nov 3, 2015, on a 5-day visit.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-TRILATERAL MEETING WITH JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA After the sixth Trilateral China-Japan-South Korea meeting over the weekend of Oct 30-Nov 1, 2015, South Korean President Park Geun-hye announced: "All sides shared the view that trilateral cooperation has been completely restored in this meeting."
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-GERMANY: ECONOMIC Airbus signed an order on October 30, 2015, to sell 130 commercial jets to China in a deal worth US$17 billion. This includes an order for 30 A330 jets. Airbus - which has an assembly facility in the northern Chinese port of Tianjin - is engaged in a fierce struggle with the US' Boeing for dominance in the crucial Chinese market.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOREIGN OUTREACH ON THE 13TH FIVE YEAR PLAN The Second Understanding China Conference opened on November 2 at the Yanqi Lake International Conference Center in the suburbs of Beijing with over 40 former heads of state, global strategists and business leaders attending the conference and discussing the development of China's 13th Five-Year Plan as well as the country's role in global governance.
CCASNov 2015 |
China-Internal: Macau 56-year-old Lai Man Wa, the first ever customs Chief of Macau, was found dead on October 30, 2015, with her wrists and neck slashed and a plastic bag over her head, prompting Macau's Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak to summon an emergency meeting. She and her husband came from very loyal leftist patriotic families.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG Amendments to the Criminal Law announced by China's highest court Nov. 1 included preparing an attack, inciting terrorism, using extremism to break the law, carrying goods for terrorism purposes and wearing clothing or logos linked to religious extremism.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY On Nov 1, 2015, China established a new national 'espionage or clues' hotline for people to report on foreign spies along with an 8 point guideline on how to spot potential spies.
CCASNov 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: XI JINPING In a written interview with Reuters on Sunday Oct 18, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping asserted China's stand on South China Sea territory and expressed hope for peaceful collaboration with neighboring countries.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-LAOS: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT On October 19, 2015, China announced an investment of 200 billion yuan (US$ 31.4 billion) in a 4,500-sq-km zone pilot economic zone on the border with Laos.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-TERRORISM: SHOOTING IN PHILIPPINES Chinese Consul General Song Ronghua was injured and two employees of the Chinese Consulate in Cebu, Philippines, were killed at 1.30 pm on October 20, 2015, while attending a luncheon celebration at the Lighthouse Restaurant.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: JOBS/UNEMPLOYMENT The People’s Daily on September 19, 2015, published an article reporting that the unemployment rate among college graduates who came from the countryside is 30.5 percent.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA:ECONOMY The CCP CC Propaganda Department on September 9, 2015, issued a series of 'Neibu' (classified-internal use) documents to all media and news outlets instructing them to only report positively on the economic situation. They also recommended some points for inclusion in the news reports.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Addressing the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in Beijing on October 16, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping was quoted by Xinhua as saying that the Chinese government will enact more support policies to lift the country's 70 million poor people above the poverty line by 2020.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CYBERSPACE A new “Chinese on-line volunteer army” staffed by members of a nationalist right-wing network group, is springing up.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN On October 21, 2015, the Chinese publication Caixin quoted an official PLA website as reporting that 66-year old retired academician PLA Major General Zhou Guotai, who was formerly Deputy Head in charge of fuel and supplies at the PLA's General Logistics Department and is a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was being investigated on charges of corruption.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP Rumors circulating on Chinese cyberspace claim that Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan (b. 1962) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (b. 1955) have both recently visited top cancer hospitals in the US.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: SYRIA Though China has not yet officially supported Russia's bombing campaign in Syria, Putin’s move is popular among both China’s state media and its online populace. Reports in China’s official state media have characterized Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria as a productive measure, welcomed by both the Syrian government and people, and purely aimed at stopping the Islamic State.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-US: AMERICAN IT COMPANIES IN CHINA While Cyberhacking and Cyber theft were major items high on the US agenda for discussion with the visiting Chinese President in late September 2015, the American IT giant International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) has become the first major U.S. tech company to comply with Beijing’s demands for reviewing source codes of products.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA-US: ESPIONAGE 57-year old Ms Sheri Yan, a very well networked Australian socialite who holds Australian and US dual nationality, has been charged in New York with funnelling almost US$1 million in bribes to the President of the United Nations General Assembly, John Ashe.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS CCP CC Politburo Standing Committee member and in charge of the country's propaganda apparatus Liu Yunshan attended North Korea's 70th anniversary celebrations in Pyongyang on October 10, 2015. He stood on the dias with North Korean leader Kim Jung-Un where he was seen talking animatedly and exchanging jokes with the latter.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-UK: XI JINPING'S VISIT Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in London on October 19, 2015, evening to begin his 4-day state visit to UK on October 20, 2015.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-MARITIME STRATEGY: ARCTIC ROUTE The September 2015 issue of the Chinese journal World Regional Studies contains an article discussing Chinese interests in navigation in the Arctic region.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ONE ROAD, ONE BELT Meeting the foreign representatives attending the Asian Political Parties' Special Conference on the Silk Road on October 15, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the 'conference with the theme of "New Vision of the Silk Road, Actions for Common Development," is of important practical significance.'
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA Xinhua announced on October 9, 2015, that China has completed the construction of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea. A completion ceremony was held for the lighthouses on Cuateron Reef and Johnson South Reef in the Spratly islands.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On October 15, 2015, China's authoritative and official news agency Xinhua reported that China's State Council had set a timetable for reform of the country's pricing mechanism.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY/LEADERSHIP 63-year old Mayor of Chongqing, Huang Qifan, who accompanied Chinese President Xi Jinping on his recent visit to the US this September is tipped to get a key appointment in China's economic establishment.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS-DETENTION OF JOURNALIST 37-year old Liu Wei, Deputy Director of the Guangdong-based Southern Metropolis News, was detained by police in the city of Pingxiang, in Jiangxi province, on October 8, 2015, on suspicion of allegedly illegally obtaining state secrets.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS The official Shanghai Daily reported on September 24, 2015, that the Chinese government had ordered all provincial-level regions to set up a "journalistic ethics committee" to catch “paid journalism, reporting of mistruths and blackmail with the threat of negative stories.”
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Hebei -based Yanzhao Metropolis Daily confirmed on October 8, 2015, that 55-year old Chen Wenqing, a former deputy chief of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), toured the Xibaipo Memorial Museum on September 22, 2015, in his capacity as party chief of the Ministry of State Security.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-XI JINPING Reports referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping's past as a "social youth" are quietly circulating in Beijing.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS By a show of hands, the KMT has this (Oct 17, 2015) morning decided to replace the unpopular Hung Hsiu-chu with KMT Chaiman Eric Chu as its 2016 presidential candidate. KMT Chairman Eric Chu has already been warning that if the DPP comes to power it would mean an end to democracy as it will gain control of both the executive and legislative branches after January 2016.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-ARCTIC CONFERENCE Participating in the third annual Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavík earlier this week, PRC Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming referred to China as a ‘near-Arctic’ state, a term which has probably not been used by such a high-ranking official till now.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA Addressing a high-level security forum attended by Southeast Asian defense ministers in China, CMC Vice Chairman General Fan Changlong said “We will never recklessly resort to the use of force, even on issues of sovereignty, and have done our utmost to avoid unexpected conflicts.”
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: SUBMARINE SALES TO PAKISTAN China's English-language official Global Times on October 15, 2015 published an article captioned 'Sub sales no cause for worry in India' under a cartoon where India -- represented by apparently the Hindu god Lord Ganesh -- was watching one hand give a submarine to the other!
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: AIR FORCE On October 14, 2015, the official China Daily publicised that the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) now had the capability to launch all-weather, long-range precision strikes as indicated by the H-6K bombers successfully completing several long-distance drills far into the Pacific Ocean.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGY-MARXISM Peking University, which has been giving increasing attention to Marxism, sponsored the biggest academic conference on Marxism held in China on October 11, 2015.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP- XI JINPING The Shaanxi Daily reported on October 15, 2015, that the central authorities had approved a 45-part Television series on Xi Jinping to be called Liangjiahe, after the villge where he spent time as a 'sent-down' youth during the Cultural Revolution.
CCASOct 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN On September 19, 2015, Japan's parliament voted into law a defence policy shift that could let troops fight overseas for the first time since 1945. This marks a milestone in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to loosen the limits of the pacifist constitution on the military.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA At London’s Defence & Security Equipment International, or DSEI, conference on September 14, 2015, American and Chinese Admirals sat alongside one another to present their views on maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-US: REPATRIATION OF CHINESE ECONOMIC CRIMINAL Shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in the US, the Obama Administration has decided to repatriate Yang Jijun, who has been on China's list of '100 wanted economic fugitives' since April 2015.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING'S VISIT Writing in the Washington Times on September 16, 2015, well-informed American journalist Bill Gertz discloses that talks this week between the Pentagon and Chinese military officials on minimizing dangers during aerial encounters got bogged down because of Beijing's insistence that US military halt all surveillance flights near Chinese coasts.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-US: PLA NAVY IN BERING SEA Pentagon officials said on September 3, 2015 morning that five PLA Navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska, the first time the U.S. military has seen such activity in the area.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA-VIETNAM: OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Videsh Limited, the overseas arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corp, recently signed a production-sharing contract with PetroVietnam, the state-run oil company of the Southeast Asian country, to explore a section of the South China Sea known as Block 128, currently under Vietnamese control.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: CARTOGRAPHIC AGGRESSION China's official Global Times published a map on August 25, 2015, as part of its report on the distribution of Tibetan herbs (parasitic fungus), which depicted the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as disputed.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET The official Global Times reported on September 2, 2015, that a newspaper affiliated with the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security had again stressed that political standards will come first in selecting cadres in Tibet, and people who violate six rules will be disqualified. Wang Chunhuan, Deputy Director of the Theoretical Marxism Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Social Sciences (TARASS), said these criteria have rarely been publicized.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Financial Times recently reported that more than 60 per cent of wealthy Chinese people surveyed in July said they planned to increase their overseas holdings in the coming two years. Residential property was the most popular future investment, followed by fixed-income securities, commercial property, trust products and life insurance policies.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-GRAND MILITARY PARADE The 70-minute long grand military parade to comemmorate the 70th anniversary of Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War started in Beijing at 10.00 am on September 3, 2015. 12,000 officers and troops of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) marched along Chang’an Avenue by Tiananmen Square and over 500 items of weaponry and about 200 aircraft were on display.
CCASSep 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY AIRCRAFT DEVELOMENT The Beijing-based China Aviation News reported on August 25, 2015 that the engine division of the Xi'an-based aeronautic and aerospace firm AVIC Qingan Group may be preparing to develop an aircraft with a higher speed than the US Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft. Quoting the Shanghai-based news web portal 'New Outlook', the report mentions a planned project which would see the development of China's first domestically-made turbofan-ramjet combined cycle engine, designed for an unnamed aircraft.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: SIXTH WORK FORUM China convened its Sixth Tibet Work Forum on August 24-25, 2015, n Beijing. Attended by the entire Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC), the Forum set out Tibet policy for the coming years. The emphasis of the CCP leadership at this forum was on ‘stability’, an euphemism for security.According to the Chinese state media, the meeting also emphasized the struggle against ‘separatism’, above economic development
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) announced on August 28, 2015 that two top executives at the online news website of the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, are being investigated on charges of bribery. Liao Hong, President of the news site people.com.cn and Chen Zhixia, Vice President, are being investigated. Liao Hong, 52, had been in high-ranking positions at the People's Daily website since 2004, and was last seen in public at a media financial conference in Shenzhen on Aug. 19.
CCASAug 2015 |
China-70TH ANNIVERSARY ANTI-JAPANESE MILITARY PARADE Shanghai's Guancha Syndicate has disclosed that the PLA's Second Artillery Corps will be showing off seven models of missiles from its DF series at the upcoming Sept. 3 military parade. Releasing details of a full rehearsal on Aug. 23 of the parade, the official microblog of China's state broadcaster CCTV said six forces and seven models of the DF — "Dongfeng" or "East Wind" — missiles from the Second Artillery Corps, the PLA's strategic missile force, will appear in the formal parade on Sept. 3.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-70TH ANNIVERSARY ANTI-JAPANESE MILITARY PARADE China's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television has directed that China Central Television (CCTV) and all regional networks suspend broadcasting all entertainment programs and continuously play anti-Japanese dramas on September 3, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: NAVY EXERCISES Seven Chinese warships sailed through the Tsushima Strait on August 17, 2015, on their way to participate in the China-Russian naval exercise codenamed Joint Sea-2015 (II) to be held in the Peter the Great Gulf, waters off the Clerk Cape, and the Sea of Japan from August 20 to 28, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The Central Military Commission (CMC)'s Discipline Inspection Commission disclosed on August 18, 2015, that former PLA Major General Zhang Wansong is under investigation. Zhang Wansong was formerly Director of the Joint Logistics Department of the PLA Lanzhou Military Area Command (MAC), and was probed on suspicion of serious disciplinary violations. His case has been transferred to the military procuratorates.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: NAVY EXERCISES Seven Chinese warships sailed through the Tsushima Strait on August 17, 2015, on their way to participate in the China-Russian naval exercise codenamed Joint Sea-2015 (II) to be held in the Peter the Great Gulf, waters off the Clerk Cape, and the Sea of Japan from August 20 to 28, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: DEFENCE COLLABORATION NAV Technology Company, a Beijing-based People's Liberation Army (PLA)-accredited, publicly traded firm is marketing an advanced airborne fire-control radar believed to be from Elta Systems, an Israeli state-owned subsidiary.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-STRATEGIC MISSILE DEVELOPMENT Washington-based Bill Gertz recently reported that China had successfully carried out its fourth test of the road-mobile DF-41 ICBM with a range of between 6,835 miles and 7,456 miles and capable of carrying 10 nuclear warheads. The DF-41. The DF-41will hold multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV).
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: LANZHOU MR 'LIVE-FIRE' ARTILLERY EXERCISES Recently, an anti-aircraft artillery regiment under the PLA Lanzhou Military Area Command (MAC) conducted a live-fire shooting training exercise with its anti-aircraft artillery system in a training ground at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: TRANS-MR MILITARY EXERCISES The "Firepower-2015 Qingtongxia D" trans-Military Area Command (MAC) live-fire military exercises, in which troops from a Regiment under the 21st Group Army of the PLA Lanzhou MAC and an Artillery Brigade under the 16th Group Army of the PLA Shenyang MAC, concluded at a training ground of the PLA Lanzhou MAC on the afternoon of August 16, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIANJIN FACTORY EXPLOSION 54-yea old Yang Dongliang, Director, State Administration of Work Safety in the State Council and Member of the 18th CCP Central Committee, resigned on August 17, 2015, accepting moral responsibility for the explosion recently in a Tianjin-based factory.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Eleven shadow banks have written an open letter to Zhao Kezhi, Hebei Party Secretary, asking for a bailout that would enable the bankrupt company to backstop loans to deadbeat borrowers. The letter appeals directly to the government’s concern about social stability and the fear of retail investors protesting the loss of “blood and sweat money”.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY In the first seven months of 2015, China’s total trade volume decreased by 7.3 percent, with exports and imports dropping 8.8 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively, in July.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA Captioned 'China-Sri Lanka ties transcend partisan politics' an article on August 19, 2015, in China's official Global Times commented on Mahinda Rajapaksa, former president and the UPFA's candidate for prime minister conceding defeat and argued that 'No matter which party takes power, it will maintain a good relationship with China'.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MARITIME SECURITY The June 2015 issue of World Regional Studies, which is also circulated among Chinese Foreign Ministry officials and strategic analysts, published an examination of China’s maritime security vulnerabilities and how China can reduce them.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-EDUCATION: VETTING POLITICAL RELIABILITY OF TEACHERS The CCP CC's Propaganda Department and China's Ministry of Education issued a joint communication stating that 'political and ideological theory will be assigned to qualified teachers, but political loyalty is a prerequisite for being hired'.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: VETTING OF CIVILIAN PERSONNEL IN PLA The official PLA Daily on August 6, 2015, disclosed that “To ensure absolute loyalty and reliability” the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Ministry of Public Security have expanded background checks for civilian personnel working for the military.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: FIGHTER AIRCRAFT PURCHASES Citing a report of August 11, 2015, in the Moscow-based Vedomosti, the WantChina Times said that China will have to pay double what the Russian Air Force pays to purchase the Su-35 fighter.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-US: OP FOX-HUNT A month prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit to the US, the US administration has delivered a warning to Beijing about the presence of Chinese government agents operating secretly in the United States to pressure prominent expatriates, including some wanted in China on charges of corruption, to return home immediately.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIANJIN BLAST The Chinese magazine Caijin has claimed that Dong Mengmeng, son of former Tianjin Port Public Security Bureau Dong Peijun, is suspected of being a shareholder of the company at the centre of last week’s massive chemical blasts when 700 tons of sodium cyanide exploded at the Hebei-based Ruihai International Logistics warehouse. The private company which has been accused of violating laws and regulations.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: FIGHTER AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT According to the Beijing-based Sina Military Network, the PLAAF views the new JH-7A "Flying Leopard" fighter-bomber as giving China a much-needed boost in aerial electronic warfare. The JH-7A is an upgraded version of the JH-7 twin-engine fourth generation aircraft manufactured by the Xi'an Aircraft Industry Corporation and is considered by Chinese military strategists to be a major step forward in China's bid for "electromagnetic supremacy."
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: MISSILE DEVELOPMENT The Chinese-language Want Daily Times quoted Japanese and US media reports as saying that China is believed to be developing a new DF-5B liquid-fuel missile that will be able to strike any target on the planet. Military commentator Gao Feng said the brand new DF-5B liquid-propellant rocket, as compared to the DF-5A, the DF-5B, will have an improved engine and superior precision and warheads and reports indicate that the range will also be boosted to 13,000 km and 15,000 km, enabling the missile to cover the entire planet. Its load capacity will be upgraded to carry from four to six warheads.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA 54-year old PLA Major General Dong Youxin, who is Deputy Director of the Information Department of the PLA's General Staff Department and a Vice President of the All-China Women's Federation, was detained by the military's anti-graft watchdog for allegedly taking 7 million yuan (HK$8.86 million) in bribes.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: ILLEGAL LOGGING According to Kyodo news agency a court in northern Myanmar has sentenced 153 Chinese to life imprisonment for illegal logging, illegal entry and drug possession.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: TIBETANS On July 22, 2015, Australia's New South Wales Police arrested eight Tibetan protesters who stormed the Chinese consulate in Sydney, including one person who scaled a flagpole to pull down the Chinese flag.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: EXPORT OF DRONES Twitter traffic on January 27, 2015 revealed that China remote-controlled warplanes have had their combat debut in Nigeria, apparently helping Abuja’s military battle the deadly Boko Haram extremist group.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY As part of an ongoing crackdown against 'underground' churches and religious cults, the official Global Times reported on July 22, 2015, that nine members of "Almighty God," known in Chinese as 'Quannengshen', have been jailed for between 18 months and three years in Zigui County, Hubei.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SLUMP IN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY The China Passenger Car Association reported that retail deliveries of passenger automobiles dropped by 2.5 percent to 1.3 million units, the lowest level since February 2014.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On August 11, 2015, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) devalued the Yuan (RMB) against the US Dollar by 1.9%: fixing the rate at 6.2298 from 6.1162.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: GRAND MILITARY PARADE The US-based Duowei News reported on that the grand military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia, will feature the latest variant of the PLA's DF-31 long-range, road-mobile, solid-fuel rocket intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).The DF-31 is among several strategic missiles of the PLA's Second Artillery Corps along with the DF-5 three-stage ICBM and the latest DF-41 nuclear solid-fueled road-mobile ICBM.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-US: NAVY CAPABILITY Russian defence analyst Konstantin Sivkov wrote in the Moscow-based 'Military Parade' that even as China speeds up the development of its first domestic aircraft carrier, it would still be unable to defeat the United States in a future carrier battle.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-US: NAVY PORT CALL A US Navy Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer 'USS Stethem (DDG 63)' with 365 US Navy personnel aboard arrived in Qingdao port Shandong province on July 28, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SOE REFORM Xinhua reported tha a fresh round of inspections will be launched at 26 governmental agencies, institutions and SOEs including the Ministry of Transport, the People's Daily, the China Resources and the Aluminum Corp.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Xinhua reported on August 10, 2015, that a military court had that day sentenced Gu Junshan, former deputy head of the General Logistics Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-SEPTEMBER 3 MILITARY PARADE The US-based Chinese political news outlet Duowei reported on August 6, 2015, that China is likely to show off its latest and most advanced weapons and military equipment at the major military parade in Beijing next month to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: PLA NAVY EXERCISES The official website of the PRC's Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration (LMSA) announced on August 11, 2015, that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will perform military missions in the relevant waters of the Bohai Strait and the north of the Yellow Sea at 07:00 to 18:00 from August 11 to 12, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-IRAN: J-10 AIRCRAFT SALES DebkaFile, an Israeli Military and Intelligence site of doubtful credibility reported last week that China and Iran are close to finalising an almost US$ 1 billion deal for the sale of 24 J-10 (Vigorous Dragon) aircraft to Iran.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: MILITARY COOPERATION WITH JAPAN An article captioned 'Expanded Indo-Japanese military cooperation dangerous for Asia' authored by Lu Yaodong, Director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was published in the Global Times on August 5, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: INDIAN OCEAN At the send off ceremony at Sanya for the PLA Navy's 21st anti-piracy Taskforce in the Indian Ocean, the Chief of Staff of the PLA Navy Vice Adm. Qiu Yanpeng said that since December 26, 2008, the navy has successively dispatched 20 taskforces to fulfill the escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast, thereby demonstrating that China is a "responsible country".
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: THREE PROPOSALS Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at a press conference after meeting Foreign Ministers from 10 ASEAN countries at the ongoing ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, listed three proposals for resolving the South China Sea disputes.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER SECURITY China's Ministry of Public Security issued a statement on August 6, 2015, that China plans to set up "cybersecurity police stations” at major internet companies and for websites so authorities can move more quickly against illegal online behaviour.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION The official Global Times publicised that China's Ministry of Education and the CCP CC's Propaganda and Organisation Departments jointly directed on August 5, 2015, that Chinese officials from the city level should give political science lectures to university students at least once every semester.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP China's official Global Times reported on August 6, 2015 that Chinese leaders may not be meeting at Beidaihe the seaside resort in Hebei Province this year.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: NAVY EXERCISES Reflecting their deepened military cooperation, the navies of China and Russia will hold their first ever joint landing drills during a large-scale naval exercise later this month in the Sea of Japan. This will be their largest joint Pacific exercise and will be held from August 20 to 28, 2015.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-US: RETURN OF CORRUPT OFFICIALS There are strains in China-US relations caused by the US' refusal so far to return former CCP CC Politburo member Ling Jihua's businessman younger brother, Ling Wancheng. Ling Wancheng owns a 7,800-square-foot home, which he bought from a professional basketball player for US$2.5 million. US officials say that Ling Wancheng would have a treasure trove of information regarding the CCP and Chinese cadres close to Xi Jinping, which the Chinese would not like the US to have access to .
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: JAPAN In addition to Chinese investing in properties and real estate in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, in the first three months of 2015, Japan has emerged as another investment destination. The sale of Japan's residential property to Chinese buyers rose 70% to around US$908 million, according to statistics from Taiwan-based Sinyi Real Estate. Out of every 100 apartments sold in Japan, 10-15% are sold to foreign investors from Asia. Chinese buyers are reported to be attracted by easy loan procedures and low interest rates. Down payments on houses in Japan are also as low as 10%, and the investments generally draw a stable return from rent.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: HONGKONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL Lam Shan-muk, founder of the Hong Kong Economic Journal, sold all his remaining shares to an offshore trust company privately owned by telecoms tycoon Richard Li Tzar-kai, at a time when the publication's editorial independence is under question.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: NEW STRATEGIC WEAPONS AGAINST US, JAPAN AND INDIA Japan's Kyodo News on August 2, 2015, reported that China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Command College had published a report in November 2014 which said that China needs to develop new strategic weapons against the United States, Japan, India and Vietnam in the Asia-Pacific region.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: LOYALTY TO CCP A commentary in the People's Liberation Army Daily asserted on Augusr 3, 2015, that a " handful of corrupt officers cannot alter the "true color" of the People's Liberation Army" and that "the PLA, after removing its own tumor, will become healthier."
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CORRUPTION IN PLA The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s official mouthpiece on July 6, 2015, reported that since 2013 more than 200 officers in The PLA of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above had been punished for corruption-related offences.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA RECRUITMENT On August 1, 2015, the PLA began a two-month drive to recruit young people, especially those with education. China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it is looking mostly for people educated to high school level or above.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP The Chinese Communist Party on July 29, 2015, issued new regulations on the promotion and demotion of Party cadres.
CCASAug 2015 |
CHINA-KYRGYZSTAN: SECURITY COOPERATION PLA Major General Ni Rong, Deputy Director of China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Border Control Department, met the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Border Service (SBS), in Bishkek on July 16, 2015, and handed over security-related equipment valued at 300,000 yuan.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ETHNIC MINORITIES: XINJIANG On July 14, 2015, more than 200 police in Shenyang, Liaoning, shot dead three “knife-wielding” Uighurs, caught 16 "terrorism suspects," and detained a woman and her three children during a raid. Police were reportedly searching for suspects related to the “June 12 Hijra case,” but provided no further details.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STOCK EXCHANGE CRISIS FALL OUT The managing director of a subsidiary at Aviation Industry Corp of China, Yang Shengjun, has lost his job for illicitly selling stocks of another subsidiary. Earlier,Lin Zuoming, Chairman of AVIC was among the first senior Chinese officials to declare he would defend the country's stock market from "malicious foreign short-sellers".
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: ADIZ On July 25, 2015, for the first time since its imposition, a Lao Airlines flight, number QV916, enroute from South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), was turned back by Chinese airspace controllers for not having approval to pass through 'Chinese airspace'.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLAN NAVY The Chinese-language website of China's official Global Times, citing an article in the August issue of Kanwa Defense Review, on July 27, 2015 said the PLA Navy (PLAN) was constructing its second aircraft carrier base on Hainan island. According to the report, the base incorporates a pier which can dock large ships on both sides, suggesting that both carriers can dock at the PLA Navy's carrier bases at the same time.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE TRAINING China's official media publicised on July , 2015, that 77 new PLAAF pilots were imparted 5 hours flight training using the two seater training aircrafts under the supervision of a trainer. They highlighted that this is the first time in China that such young cadets are being given the flight training.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA SECOND ARTILLERY EXERCISE IN TIBET PLATEAU On July 28, 2015 a Regiment of the Second Artillery conducted a live-firing exercise with " new artillery guns" at a location in the Tibet Plateau and at heights between 3700 metres and 4800 metres.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA 'LIVE-FIRE' EXERCISE "JOINT OPERATION-2015B" Live-fire training exercises codenamed “Joint Operation-2015B” and participated in by troops from the PLA's air force, army aviation force, armoured force and special operations force, began in eastern Anhui Province, East China, on July 27, 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LI XIAOLIN The Chinese dissident-run news outlet Boxun, or Bowen News, reported on 27 July 2015 that former Chinese Premier Li Peng's eldest daughter Li Xiaolin has taken Buddhist monastic vows and her new religious name is “Gedan Yangjin Cuomu.”
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENTS Unconfirmed rumours emanating from Beijing claim that at an 'informal' meeting of the PBSC in Beidaihe on July 223-24, 2015, it had been decided to appoint Wang Huning as Shanghai Party Secretary; to move Han Zheng from Shanghai to Beijing as director of the office of Deepening Reform Leading Small Group; and Xiao Gang as Deputy Party Secretary in Chongqing.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP A former Vice President of Xinhua news agency who masterminded a crackdown on Guangdong’s relatively liberal media since May 2012, 55-year old Tuo Zhen was promoted on July 18, 2015, to Deputy Head of the Central Publicity Department, a ministerial level position. HongKong's South China Morning Post said that the promotion comes as a reward for tightening the restrictions on Guangzhou’s media,
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA An article in China's official Global Times on July 21, 2015, reacted to the US Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Scott Swift's confirmation that he had been aboard a P-8 for a seven-hour close surveillance flight over the South China Sea.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S DEFENCE WHITE PAPER The latest Defence White Paper issued on July 21, 2015, by Japan's Defence Ministry demanded that China top construction of a new offshore platform near the median line between China's coastline and that of Japan in the East China Sea. Confirming construction of the platform the White Paper entitled: 'Defense of Japan 2015', did not reveal the number of new platforms China is building, their size and location, or other details. However, on July 10, 2015, Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a Diet session that China "could deploy a radar system on the platform and use it as an operating base for helicopters or drones conducting air patrols" over the East China Sea where Beijing asserts claim over the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: 2016 ELECTIONS Wu'er Kaixi, an ethnic Uyghur and well-known Chinese dissident who fled China just at the time of the crackdown in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989 and a Taiwanese citizen for the past 20 years, is to announce his decision to be a candidate for the pro-independence DPP in Taiwan's forthcoming national elections in January 2016. He is to make the announcement on July 25, 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PARTY SHAKE-UP China's State Council on July 22, 2015, suddenly announced that it had accepted Hongkong Chief Executive CY Leung's recommendation to fire two high rank officials.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ETHNIC MINORITIES: TIBET Sonam Topgyal, who self-immolated on July 9, 2015, at the centre of Kyegudo, in the rural county of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province (the Tibetan area of Kham) is reported to have left a note for the Dalai Lama where he said that 'China’s policies are aimed at eradicating Tibet’s religion, culture and traditions, and destroying the environment. Tibetans have no recourse to express their views about the situation'.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-CCP LEADERSHIP China's state media including Xinhua and CCTV reported on July 21, 2015 night that one-time top aide to former Chinese President Hu Jintao and Director of the powerful CCP CC's General Office, Ling Jihua, was officially expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and formally arrested and will be criminally prosecuted on corruption charges.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: AIRCRAFT CARRIER China's official media reported that the Dalian Shipyard, a renowned subsidiary of the China Shipping Industry Corporation (CSIC), will build China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier. The Jiangnan Shipyard will likely build China's second domestically-built aircraft carrier.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY The Science and Technology Daily, a newspaper owned by the official Ministry of Science and Technology, disclosed that China will build a hybrid reactor to achieve nuclear fusion and fission in one place by 2030.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STOCK EXCHANGE CRISIS According to latest revelations, China's big state-owned banks have lent a combined Rmb1.3tn ($209bn) in recent weeks to the China Securities Finance Corp, for lending on to brokerages to finance their investment in shares and to purchase mutual funds directly.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY In its first announcement on the subject in more than six years, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced that it held 53.3 million troy ounces of gold as of the end of June 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PLA Xi Jinping, who combines the posts of Chinese President, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met senior officers of the Chinese armed forces while visiting the 16th Group Army, on July 18, 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY Some scholars have criticised a government-approved exhibition that opened to the public on July 1 at the Beijing National Stadium and will run for two to three years. Admission is free for "sent-down youths".
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Around 50 students demonstrated on July 13, 2015 at the Education Administration building to present their demands to the Ministry of Education and protest against a China-centric curriculum. Despite the heavy presence of security guards, the students lifted up a rolling shutter and 13 of them forced their way into the building, according to Taiwanese newspapers.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PROTESTS ABROAD BY CIVIL/HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS Protests were organised by different 'interest' groups outside the Chinese Consulate in New York July 13, 2015. Falungong members protested against organ harvesting in the morning; Chinese 'democrats' (dissidents) protested against the recent arrests and disappearance of more than 150 human rights lawyers and activists, and demanded their immediate release the same afternoon; and later in the afternoon Tibetans staged a protest against Tenzin Gelek Rinpoche's death and demanded that the Chinese government give his body to his family. Members of Students for a Free Tibet managed to get inside the New York Chinese Consulate yesterday and created quite a scene.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ETHNIC VIOLENCE Police in Shenyang shot and killed three men on July 13, 2015 when they lashed out with knives and shouted jihadist slogans when officers tried to enter their apartment.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RESETTLEMENT OF CHINESE MILLIONAIRES ABROAD In its latest list the New World Wealth, a company which provides information on the global wealth sector, noted that out of the top 10 nations with the most millionaires, China came in fifth, with 608,500 millionaires in 2014.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The National Bureau of Statistics of China on July 15, 2015 released statistics for the first half of 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL/LEADERSHIP Wan Li, the last of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s revolutionary veteran cadres known as the “Eight Immortals,” died on July 15, 2015, at the age of 98. Wan Li, who joined the Party in 1936 and rose to become Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC), was a close associate of Deng Xiaoping's and had a hand in some of China's earliest economic reforms after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL: XIANGSHAN FORUM The sixth Xiangshan Forum, cosponsored by China Military Science Society (CMSS) and China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS), will be held in Beijing from Oct 16 to 18. The theme will be "Security and Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Reality and Vision", and subjects will include discussions on security trends in the Asia-Pacific region, security concepts in Asia, maritime security and anti-terrorism.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN: LABOUR DISPUTE Citing Kazakhstan's KAZ Minerals company, Tengrinews reported that a large fig
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLAAF: LONG-RANGE AIRCRAFT A report in the official China Daily published on July , stated that at a Central Military Commission (CMC) meeting, the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) was referred to as a “strategic force” a title usually reserved for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Second Artillery Corps.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY On July 14, 2015 the People's Bank of China (PBoC) announced on its website that “For the purpose of supporting the stock market's stable development, the People’s Bank of China will actively assist China Securities Finance in getting liquidity by way of repos, collateral lending or issue financial debt papers”
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-US: XI JINPING'S VISIT IN SEPTEMBER 2015 Human Rights activist and Civil Rights groups in the US have petitioned the US President requesting cancellation of the invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping in view of the ongoing crack-down against civil rights lawyers in China.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: SECOND ARTILLERY EXERCISES China's military news media reported on July 7, 2015 that recently a Second Artillery Regiment of the 1st Group Army commenced large-scale live ammunition exercises combat exercises in Northwest China to brush up the combat ability of the troops.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STOCK MARKET The financial crisis in China took an ominous turn for the worse over the week-end as investors dumped shares despite government-led measures to stabilize prices.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NATURAL CALAMITY Super Typhoon Chan-hom hit the coast south of Shanghai late on July 12, 2015 afternoon as winds of up to 160km/h forced the evacuation of at least 1.1 million people and the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) website announced on July 12, 2015, afternoon that 61-year old Xi Xiaoming, Vice President of the Supreme People's Court has been detained on suspicion of serious violation of law and is currently undergoing investigation.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: SELF-IMMOLATION BY MONK Despite heightened security imposed across Tibet during the period around the Dalai Lama's birthday which was on July 6, 2015, Sonam Topgyal, a Tibetan monk in his late twenties set fire to himself in the main square of Kyegudo (Yushu) on July 9, 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CRACKDOWN ON HUMAN/CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYERS In an apparent crackdown on human and civil rights lawyers over the last week, at least 18 rights lawyers have been detained or have gone missing, and more have been temporarily taken away. Many more have reported being asked to 'have chats' and been told by the authorities not to participate in any rescue actions, with 57 affected in total.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HUKOU REFORM The Guangdong authorities published new guidelines on reform of the hukou (national household registration) system on July 6, 2015 which aims to grant local household registration to roughly 13 million migrant workers by 2020, allowing them to access public services—spanning housing, health-care, social security and education—that are typically reserved for urban residents.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY EXERCISES IN TIBET An Artillery Regiment of the Tibet Military District (TMD) carried out a live fire tactical exercises on June 29, 2015, using new types on cannon at a height of about 4800 meters in a cold mountain. Female soldiers participated in the artillery live firing exercises in this region for the first time, with 7 female soldiers participating.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLAAF'S NEW AIR CRAFT The official China Daily recently reported that the PLA Navy had late last year received delivery of several four-engined Gaoxin-6 anti-submarine aircraft.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS The Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Central Military Commission (CMC) announced on July 10, 2015, that Major General Deng Ruihua, former Political Commissar of the Joint Logistics Department of the PLA Lanzhou Military Area Command (MAC), was under investigation "on suspicion of serious disciplinary violations" and has been transferred to the military procuratorates.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: 2ND ARTILLERY PROMOTIONS On July 9, 2015, the Second Artillery announced the promotions of:Tang Guoqing and Chen Pinghua to the rank of Lieutenant General.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-THAILAND: REPATRIATION OF UYGHURS On July 8, 2015, Thailand forcibly handed over 109 Uyghurs to Chinese authorities. The Uyghur American Association (UAA) condemned the "forcible return" of the 109 Uyghur refugees stating it placed them at high risk of mistreatment. The UAA quoted Thai diplomatic sources as saying that that 67 Uyghurs remain in Thailand, among them elderly persons, women and children.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ARMED POLICE APPOINTMENTS The appointments of Xu Guoyan as Political Commissar of Shanghai and Zhao Shuyi as Political Commissar of Heilongjiang People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) were announced on July 8, 2015.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: STOCK MARKET Following the rout in China's stock market last week that erased almost US$ 3.9 in market value, China's Ministry of Public Security said it will help the China Securities Regulatory Commission investigate evidence of “malicious” short selling of stocks and indexes, according to a statement on its website Thursday.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PARTY The CCP CC Politburo met on July 6-7, 2015 to discuss the work of 'mass organisations'. All seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee were present. The meeting decided to deepen the reach of the mass organizations in society and directed Party committees to make their work a higher priority, and mobilize them to push state ideological goals among the public.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-GREECE: ECONOMIC BAILOUT In a press briefing on July 6, 2015, China's Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping insisted that China is involved in finding a way to resolve the situation in Greece and that Beijing has been in discussions with both Athens and Brussels.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: MISSILE DEPLOYMENT China's official Global Times on July 3, 2015, reported that China has deployed HQ-9 air defense missiles to Hetian airfield in the south of the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIETY China's Ministry of Civil Affairs recently showed that divorce rates in China have continued to rise steadily in the past 12 years since 2003 and that around 3.6 million Chinese couples got divorced in 2014. According to statistics, Beijing has the highest number of divorces of any of China's major cities as over 55,000 of its couples have split up.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: RAPID MOBILITY EXERCISES BY TRAIN As part of rapid mobility exercises, a People's Liberation Army brigade from the Lanzhou Military Region boarded a high-speed train on May 14, 2015 and was transported to Xinjiang — 300 miles to the west. The exercises are part of preparations for rapid transportation of troops to sites of potential conflict along land borders.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA SECOND ARTILLERY EXERCISES China's military newspapers reported on July 6, 2015 that the PLA Second Artillery Brigade is participating in the 2-month long Artillery Live-Firing Exercises "Fire Power- 2015. Qingtongxia A" at the Qingtongxia Training Base of Lanzhou Military Region. It added that this year the PLA will organise Army Second Artillery cross-MR bases live ammunition exercises.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television issued a circular that effective July 1, 2015, guests of TV programs, TV shows, including news, commentary and interview panels should not recruit guests in the role of supporting host will no longer be allowed to be employed as presenters.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: WORLD BANK REPORT Denying accusations on July 3, 2015, that the World Bank had bowed to Chinese pressure and censored itself by removing a contentious chapter from its Report on China's economy, the World Bank quietly removed a chapter from its website that delineated “reform priorities in China’s financial sector”.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA DOCUMENT ON WORK MGT With the approval of the Central Military Commission (CMC) the PLA General Staff Department (GSD) issued a document on July 3, 2015, further regularizing work guidance and management at the grassroots level for the PLA and PAPF. Consisting of 12 articles, the documents lists measures to intensify overall work planning and coordination, cut meetings and messages, reduce big events, strictly control the number of inspection and evaluation activities, and implement rules on vacation and home leave.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA NAVY ETIQUETTE PROTOCOL The PLA Navy on July 2, 2015, issued a Naval Etiquette Protocol to all naval troops for trial implementation.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA'S CAPABILITIES China's military newspapers recently announced that the PLA's landing combat capability has improved due to a series of new equipment and facilities and that China's Marine Corps is now capable of landing any where around the world.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY (PLAN): EXERCISES The destroyer (054A) of the PLA Navy's North Sea Fleet, 'Daqing', conducted live-ammunition firing and fired anti-aircraft missiles in early July. Official Chinese media reports on July 3, 2015 stated that the exercise was under a complex electromagnetic environment and that the ship hit all the "enemy" incoming missiles.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLAA: MILITARY EXERCISES China's official media reported on July 5, 2015, that commandos of a Division of the 13th Group Army carried out high-altitude para-jump training in a high altitude mountainous forest to enhance combat capability.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-THAILAND: PURCHASE OF CHINESE SUBMARINES The Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Kraisorn Chansuwanit said on July 2, 2015, that the Royal Thai Navy has decided to buy three submarines from China in a government-to-government contract worth Bt36 billion.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA AIR DEFENCE EXERCISES The PLA began its 7 trans-MAC live-fire training exercises codenamed "Firepower 2015 Shandan" successively in the Hexi Corridor of northwest China's Gansu Province from July 1 to middle September, 2015. A new type of Air Defence Missile is being used in the exercise.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: EX IN SOUTH CHINA SEA A PLA Navy website announced on July 2, 2015,that the North China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy organized and conducted a joint live-fire confrontation exercise that day in which "hundreds of ships, dozens of combat aircraft conducted combat exercises in the Yellow Sea" participated.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEAS: CONSTRUCTION ON ISLETS China said on June 29, 2015, that land reclamation had now finished on "some islands" in the South China Sea.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-TERRITORIAL CLAIMS: SOUTH CHINA SEA On June 27, 2015, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted by Reuters as saying that changing position on China's claims over the South China Sea would shame its ancestors, while not facing up to infringements of Chinese sovereignty there that would shame its children.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CHINA PROTESTS BY MUSLIMS Anti-China protests continued across Turkey for a second day on July 2, 2015, with crowds gathering in public places to demand that China stop what marchers perceive to be discrimination against its Muslim population.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP The Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee released a report on June 29, 2015, announcing that the CCP membership increased to 87.793 million members as of the end of 2014.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP CONTROLS IN ENTERPRISES IN CHINA Xiaomi, China's largest smartphone maker established a Party committee on June 19, 2015, according to the Beijing Haidian district government website on June 28, 2015. The event was attended by officials from both Beijing municipal and Haidian district governments and Xiaomi Chief Executive Lei Jun gave a speech. during the event, the website said.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA-CIVIL RELATIONS The PLA's Nanjing Military Area Command (MAC) announced on June 30, 2015, that following the heavy floods approx.11,000 troops have been deployed to Nanjing, Changzhou and Wuxi, to assist the civilian population in relief work.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BAD BANK LOANS The Bank of China's bad loans rose 38% in 2014. There was a 58% rise in loans that are a complete loss, and a 68% increase in loans that were repaid late between 91 and 180 days. However, the biggest category of problem loans is the "special mention" loans. These totalled:
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER SECURITY On July 1, 2015, China's National People's Congress adopted a National Security Law that enables authorities to "take all necessary" measures to safeguard territorial sovereignty and ensure full control over China's Internet infrastructure.
CCASJul 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA'S 80th BIRTHDAY The International Campaign for Tibet, quoting Radio Free Asia (RFA) claimed on June 29, 2015, that the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday was marked in Tibet on the weekend of June 21-22 in devotional ceremonies in monasteries and in the heart of Lhasa, despite the dangers of punitive actions from the Chinese Government.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA EXERCISES IN EAST CHINA SEA China's Maritime Safety Administration announced on its website that PLA troops will conduct live-fire exercises using actual weapons from June 30 to July 6 in the waters near East China Sea.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN Asahi Shimbun reported on June 28, 2015, that while speaking at the World Peace Forum Symposium in Tsinghua University in Beijing on June 27, 2015, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Japan must accept the reality that China is now a major player on the world stage for bilateral relations to improve.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN/PHILIPPINES AND SOUTH CHINA SEA A Japanese military patrol plane circled over disputed parts of the South China Sea on June 23, 2015 at the start of an exercise with the Philippine military that has irked China.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's Maritime Safety Administration announced on June 25, 2015, that the US$ 1 billion oil-rig the 'Haiyang Shiyou 981' rig would carry out "ocean drilling operations" 75 nautical miles south of the resort city of Sanya on southern Hainan island.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US: CMC VICE CHAIRMAN FAN CHANGLONG'S VISIT US President Barack Obama broke with a two-decades long precedent last week when he did not meet General Fan Changlong, the Vice Chairman of China's powerful Central Military Commission, during his five-day trip to Washington that commenced on June 15, 2015.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNREST IN SHANGHAI The Shanghai authorities have thus far successfully blocked and censored information about a rare massive protest happening in Jinshan district, far from the city centre.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNREST IN XINJIANG On June 22, 2015, a group of ethnic Uyghurs attacked a police traffic checkpoint in he Tahtakoruk district of southwestern Xinjiang’s Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) city, leaving at least 28 people dead, several of whom were bystanders.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNREST AMONG PLA VETERANS Authorities in Beijing have detained hundreds of former People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers after thousands of them staged a sit-in outside China's Central Military Command on June 23, 2015, in protest over a lack of pension and other benefits.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROVINCIAL SECURITY REORGANISATION China Police Daily reported on June 23, 2015 that Sun Jianguo resigned as Hunan's police chief, but stayed on as head of the province's politics and law committee, which oversees the police, courts and prosecutors for the entire province.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:AIIB Delegates from 57 countries will gather in Beijing to sign an agreement on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Shanghai Composite index dropped 7.4 per cent on June 26, 2015, when two-thirds of the listed stocks hit their 10 per cent daily downward limit. Since June 12 intra-day peak the index has lost 19 per cent.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA The South China Morning Post reported recently that PLA Major General Dong Youxin (f), 54, who is Deputy Director of the Information Department of the PLA's General Staff Department and a Vice Ppresident of the All-China Women's Federation, was detained by the PLA's anti-corruption body for allegedly taking 7 million yuan (HK$8.86 million) in bribes.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN TAR The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), China's anti corruption watchdog body, on June 26, 2015, announced that 55-year old Le Dake, Deputy Chief of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) People's Congress Standing Committee had been detained.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA REFORM The Boxun news outlet also reported on June 22, 2015, that military reforms are now to begin being implemented. They will involve readjustment of military benefits and entitlements, as well as restructuring of the army, air force, navy, Second Artillery Corps and other branches of the military. Professionalization and specialized training will be stepped up.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA-CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION he Chinese-language Bowen News outlet reported on June 22, 2015, that the Chinese Communist Party leadership under Xi Jinping has decided to send the case involving former Central Military Commission Vice Chairman General Guo Boxiong to the military procuratorate. It said an announcement will be made in the next few days, but because the case involves military secrets, the trial will not be held in public. Boxun cites news reports of Guo Boxiong's stone commemoration tablet being removed from the Laoshan Mountain battlefield site on the border between China and Vietnam as another signal that the decision on Guo Boxiong's case is about to be made public.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MONGOLIA: MILITARY COOPERATION/'KAHAN QUEST-2015' More than 1200 troops are participating in the "Khaan Quest -2015" multinational peacekeeping and military exercises which commenced on June 20, 2015 at the Mongolia Armed Forces Training Center.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-US SED & HIGH LEVEL CONSULTATION ON CULTURAL EXCHANGES China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on June 19, 2015, announced that the seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED) and the sixth China-US High-level Consultation on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges will both be held in Washington on June 23 and 24, 2015.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US:ECONOMY A report from the National Association of Realtors of the US, which tracks property purchases across the country, said that in the 12 months to the end of March 2015, Chinese buyers spent $28.6bn on mostly residential property in the US.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US: STRATEGIC & ECONOMIC DIALOGUE The South China Sea, cyber security and human rights are to be high on the U.S. agenda at the annual U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) to be held in Washington next week.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's leading website Sina Weibo displayed a slideshow of 17 photographs from Fiery Cross Reef. These show women sailors posing on ocean breakwalls, vegetable gardens and pigs in a pen.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Pan Gongsheng, Vice Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) on June 21, 2015, said that China is close to its goal of allowing the yuan to be exchanged for foreign currency without any limits on the amount.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: AIRCRAFT MFG COOPERATION The JF-17 fighter, co-developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Pakistan's Air Force (PAF), made its debut at the 51st Paris International Air Show which officially opened in Islamabad. Press reports say the JF-17 fighter presented a series of impressive actions during a 5-minute display of aerobatics.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/XI JINPING China's official media showed enthusiastic crowds greeting President Xi Jinping as he toured the southwestern province of Guizhou this week and shook hands and waved to cheering bystanders. Photos and videos posted on Weibo did not diverge from the script.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY AND MERCHANT VESSELS Unveiling the 'Technical Standards for New Civilian Ships to Implement National Defense Requirements', the China Classification Society said the plan will "enable China to convert the considerable potential of its civilian fleet into military strength".
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION Separately, China's Central Military Commission issued a a circular on June 17, 2015, pledging to continue fighting corruption in the People's Liberation Army (PLA), after it initiated prosecutions of two more senior officers.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION Confirming that Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption is not slowing down, the state-owned English-language China Daily quoted a CDIC announcement to report on June 17, 2015, that Long Zenglai, Board Chairman and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) chief of the state-owned China Investment Securities, has been removed from office following a graft investigation.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOMES Earlier this month the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics along with the Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security released a joint report regarding the average yearly income of Beijing residents during 2014. According to the report, the average employee in Beijing makes RMB 77,560 per year, or RMB 6,463 per month, an increase of 11.6 percent over 2013's figures, which were RMB 69,521 and RMB 5,793, respectively.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AGRICULTURE Since the 1990s the Chinese government has invested a huge amount of money to build grain facilities. It built 300 granaries in the 1990s and more than 1,100 national reserve facilities at the beginning of the century.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: SOUTH CHINA SEA A report on China's Global Times website on June 17, 2015, said that most recent satellite images provided by Google Maps show a PLA warship docked at Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea.The boat's pennant number is 999, suggesting it is the Jinggang Shan, an Yuzhao-class Type 071 amphibious transport dock.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: CENTRAL ASIA China's Global Times on June 16, 2015, claimed that Russia had decided to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles into Central Asia, reportedly to confront Chinese influence in the region, since China's declaration of its Belt and Road initiative.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY A Xinhua despatch noted a statement of China's National Energy Administration (NEA) issued on June 15, 2015, that China's electricity consumption, an important indicator of economic activity, rose only 1.6 percent year-on-year to 456.7 billion kilowatt hours in May, slightly up from the 1.3 percent rise seen a month earlier.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: SHINZO ABE'S INTERVIEW WITH PHOENIX TV In the first interview by a Japanese Prime Minister with the Chinese-language media in seven years, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke to the Chinese-language Hongkong-based Phoenix TV station on June 15, 2015, and said 'Japan has learned profound lessons from World War II' and that the proposed security legislation would not lead to conflict between China and Japan.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: MILITARY EXERCISES China last week announced that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) were conducting a joint exercise near the Bashi Channel.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: MILITARY COOPERATION General Zhao Keshi, Member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and Director of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s General Logistics Department (GLD), met Lt. Gen. Syed Tariq Nadeem Gilani, Chief of Logistics Staff of the Pakistan Army in Beijing on June 15, 2015.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's State Council on June 15, 2015, announced the appointment of the following seven new members of the Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee: Deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Lian Weiliang; Vice Finance Minister Shi Yaobin; the People's Bank of China (PBOC) Assistant Governor Zhang Xiaohui; and head of China Banking Association Tian Guoli. The PBOC Monetary Policy Committee will continue to be chaired by PBOC Governor Zhou Xiaochuan.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CCP/POLITICAL
On June 16, 2015, China's official news agency Xinhua published the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s set of new 39-Article Regulations on the recently constituted Party Work Groups. These were to become effective from June 11, 2015.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily on its official Sina Weibo account disclosed on June that two more senior officers are under investigation, namely Kou Tie, former Commander of the Heilongjiang Provincial Military Command and Liu Zhanqi, former Commander of the Communications Division of the People's Armed Police Force. Both were initially probed in November 2014 by the CDIC units of the PLA and the Armed Police Force, respectively, and their cases were transferred to military procurators in May.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC The China Railway Rolling Stock Corp Ltd (CRRC) announced on June 12, that it will provide 14 subway trains with 112 carriages in total to Kolkata, India. This is the first overseas order that CRRC has received. The train giant, a merger of CNR Corp and CSR Corp, got this order from its subsidiary company – CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company in February.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng announced at the seventh Straits Forum, the largest annual event for cross-Strait exchanges, in Xiamen, Fujian province, that the Taibaozheng, a passport-like document that carries the entry permits for Taibao, or Taiwan compatriots, will be abolished and replaced by a card.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA Vietnam's Thanh Nien newspaper reported that on June 7, 2015, Chinese vessels damaged a Vietnamese fishing boat with water cannons and three days later a Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked and robbed of equipment and its catch.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's Coast Guard has plans to use a large-scale coastal base proposed to be built in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, to conduct maintenance and repair work on ships and training crew members.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG Zhang Chunxian, Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region, at a meeting of 700 Muslim, Buddhist and Christian religious leaders in Urumqi on June 14, 2015, warned that "hostile forces" were stepping up their infiltration in the restive region and that their teaching must be "sinicised" to ensure social stability.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CIVIL SERVICE EDUCATION IN CHINESE CLASSICS Millions of government officials and civil servants on the mainland have been asked to learn ancient Chinese classics - or "guoxue" - as part of a patriotic indoctrination course aimed at boosting their talents and morals and for a nation-wide examination.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY The CCP's official newspaper People’s Daily on June 14, 2015, launched an assault on colour revolutions, saying the movements are a by-product of the United States spreading its ideology. Page five of the newspaper carried five articles written by scholars exploring the roots of colour revolutions, their negative impacts, and how China might learn from the experience of those nations affected.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SOCIAL DISCIPLINE China Daily, quoting Beijing Youth Daily, reported on June 15, 2015, that more than 70 offspring of billionaires in East China's Fujian province were educated at a training session to raise their awareness of social responsibility and patriotism.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) in a statement disclosed that Sun Hongzhi, Vice Minister of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce, and Liao Yongyuan, former General Manager with China National Petroleum Corporation, have been expelled from the CCP following investigations for graft.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: AUNG SAN SUU KYI The CCP's International Department announced on May 6 that the National League for Democracy of Burma (NLD), led by democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, will visit China from June 10-14, 2015. The official news agency Xinhua emphasised that her visit does not indicate any change in Beijing's relations with Myanmar and Yangon need not be concerned. This will be Aung San Suu Kyi's first visit to China.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: AIR FORCE AND MILITARY COOPERATION The Liberation Army Daily reported on June 6, 2015 that Pakistan Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, had an hour-long meeting with General Ma Xiaotian, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and Commander of the PLA Air Force, at the PLA Air Force headquarters in Beijing on June 1, 2015.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's military media publicised on June 5, 2015 that an Air Defense Regiment of the Nanjing MR and an aviation Unit of PLAAF had conducted a combat confrontation exercise on June 4, 2015.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-MALAYSIA: SOUTH CHINA SEA Malaysia's Borneo Post reported on June 3, 2015, that a patrol boat of the China Coast Guard had been detected encroaching on the waters surrounding the Luconia Shoals, which are administered by Malaysia but also claimed by China and Taiwan.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA Liang Fang, a professor at China's National Defense University (NDU), published an article on the website of China's state-run Global Times on June 5, 2015 where he attributed three reasons for the US making moves to heighten tension in the South China Sea region.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US: PLANNED HIGH LEVEL EXCHANGES Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, General Fan Changlong is scheduled to pay an official visit to the US in early June. This will be followed by visits by Vice-Premier Wang Yang and State Councillor Yang Jiechi for the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and a summit between Presidents Obama and Xi Jinping planned for September.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA Chinese Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai in an interview with Adam Horvath, world editor of the Wall Street Journal, on May 29, 2015, warned it was "very surprising to us that the US has overreacted to the situation and is escalating the situation."
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY The Beijing-based Sina Military Network reported on May 25, 2015, that China appears to be developing a Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) similar in concept to that being built by the United States.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHT HOUSES The official news agency Xinhua reported on May 26, 2015, that China’s Ministry of Transport hosted the ceremony for the construction of two multifunctional lighthouses on Huayang Reef (in English Cuateron Reef) and Chigua Reef (in English Johnson South Reef) on the disputed Spratly islands, in defiance of calls from the United States and the Philippines for a freeze on such activity.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE CONFLICT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on May 28, 2015, that the People's Liberation Army has decided to demonstrate several of its most advanced weapon systems to the people living on Hainan island.
CCASJun 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA On May 16, China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, reiterated his government's firm stance on its activities in the South China Sea following a meeting with the visiting US secretary of state, John Kerry. He said "The determination of the Chinese side to safeguard our own sovereignty and territorial integrity is as firm as a rock, and it is unshakable."
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-SINGAPORE: NAVY EXERCISE On May 24, 2015, the Singapore and Chinese navies concluded their inaugural Exercise Maritime Cooperation 2015. Chinese missile frigate Yulin, Singapore's Formidable-class frigate the RSS Intrepid and Victory-class missile corvette the RSS Valiant participated in the bilateral maritime exercise. Zhang Mingqiang, was the Commander of the Task Group of the Chinese Navy.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: US SEC INVESTIGATIONS The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a subpoena in late April to the JP Morgan bank requesting all of its communications related to 35 mostly high-ranking Chinese government officials. PBSC member and CDIC Chairman Wang Qishan’s name was first on the list .The Wall Street Journal has a copy of the subpoena. Investigators have focused on the bank’s employment of the son of China’s commerce minister, Gao Hucheng, who offered to help the bank if it let his son hold on to his job at J.P. Morgan, according to emails between J.P. Morgan bankers.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:TIBET A 37-year old Tibetan woman and mother of two from Chone County in Kanlho region of Gansu Province, Sangye Tso, has reportedly died after setting herself on fire around 4AM (local time) on May 27, 2015, in front of a building of Chinese Security personnel and armed forces near Tashi Choekhorling monastery in protest against China’s occupation of Tibet and its hard-line policies.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA NAVY At a two-day conference held by the US Naval War College's China Maritime Studies Institute in Newport, Rhode Island last week, James Fanell, the former director of the US Pacific Fleet's intelligence and information, predicted China will eventually have about 415 warships including four aircraft carriers and 100 submarines in the near future.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: AGRICULTURE In a despatch on May 27, 2015, Xinhua reported that China's Ministry of Agriculture had published a guideline the previous day on achieving "zero discharge" of agricultural waste by 2030. The guideline also set targets on agricultural science and mechanization.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA On May 25, 2015, an editorial in China's state-owned Global Times said that China was determined to finish its construction work, calling it the country's "most important bottom line."
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: CHINA'S FIRST WHITE PAPER ON MILITARY STRATEGY On May 26, 2015, China's State Council Information Office issued China's first white paper captioned 'China's Military Strategy'.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INDONESIA: ILLEGAL FISHING On May 20, 2015, Indonesia destroyed the Gui Xei Yu 12661, a steel-made, 300-gross-ton Chinese fishing vessel caught fishing illegally in Indonesian waters near the South China Sea. This was the first Chinese vessel to be destroyed by the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo since it came to office last year and declared war on illegal fishing.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:ONE ROAD, ONE BELT The Financial Times on May 24, 2015, published an article written by China's Ambassador to UK, Liu Xiaoming, captioned 'New Silk Road is an opportunity not a threat'. It claimed that "the Chinese mind is never programmed around geopolitical or geoeconomic theory. As Confucius said: “He who wants success should enable others to succeed.”
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-SPACE The Beijing Institute of Space Science and Technology Information, affiliated to the China Academy of Space Technology, on May 23, 2015, released its evaluation that China's space capabilities are ranked the fourth in the world and that the gap between the leading powers is narrowing. It said that China is at a crucial period developing from a major power to a great power in space.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH AMERICA: RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION China's scheme to build an east-west railway 5,300km (3,300 miles) across South America, cutting across parts of the Amazon rain forest, and linking Peru's Pacific coast with Brazil's Atlantic shores moved forward on Maty 23, 2015, after talks between the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala. It will cost more than $10 billion (£6.5 billion).
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-IMDEX ASIA 2015: PLA NAVY The PLA Navy's new domestic-made Type-054A guided-missile frigate, 'Yulin' participated in the 2015 International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX Asia) held at the Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) in Singapore on May 19 to 21, 2015 and was berthed at the naval base in Changi.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHNIA SEA Separately, on May 21, 2015, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei reaffirmed China's territorial claims in the South China Sea and urged the U.S. to keep its promise of a neutral position on the sovereignty issue.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-WEST PACIFIC: PLAAF On May 21, 2015, People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) spokesman,Shen Jinke, said the aviation division has for the first time flown across the Miyako Strait, the open sea between Japan's Miyako and Okinawa islands, for deep-sea training in the West Pacific.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGEc Xiaoxing Xi, a world-renowned expert in the field of superconductivity and Chairman of theTemple University's physics department, was suspended after being was charged on May 20, 2015, for involvement in a scheme to provide sensitive U.S. defense technology to entities in China, including its government.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: BORDER SECURITY In view of the increased fighting between the Myanmar Armyand rebel forces in the Southern Tianmemshan plateau, Chinese Public Security, the People's Armed Police Force and PLA have strengthened their patrolling and deployments along the border with Myanmar.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER HACKING AND '50-CENT' ARMY Unicorn Nocturne , a Chinese hacker group, says it has penetrated the computer system of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's powerful Communist Youth League, exposing 100 internal documents that reveal the inner workings of a nationwide network of online propagandists known as the "50-cent army."
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY Addressing the top echelons of China's security apparatus in Beijing on May 19, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked them to keep "firm faith" and "absolute loyalty" to the Party in the face of the tough tasks to safeguard national security and social stability in the fast changing domestic and international environment and where there are huge uncertainty and risks.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TELECONFERENCE OF NATIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION The Canada-based political news website 'Boxun' claims to have obtained a memo from a telephone conference of the National Security Commission describing official efforts toward a unified crackdown on politically-liberal thought and civil society. A translation of Boxun's post is given below::
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTEGRITY CHECKS FOR CADRES Zhuang Deshui, Vice Director of the Research Center for Government Integrity Building at Peking University, said that the Party's anti-corruption office has done a good job in cracking down on graft, and should expand on that by establishing a mechanism for ensuring officials are clean.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: HACKING/CYBER THEFT It was reported on May 15, 2015, that Penn State University President Eric Barron wrote to 500 partners, comprising companies, government agencies, and other universities as well as 18,000 students and professors whose personal data, including social security numbers, were on one of the computers, of "the advanced attack against our College of Engineering by very sophisticated threat actors.”
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: PACOM-PALS According to a recent report in the Star Advertiser, the US Marine Corps is holding its inaugural PACOM Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) , from May 17 to 21, 2015, in Hawaii to which around two dozen foreign nations have been invited.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: PLA NAVY'S ENCOUNTER WITH US NAVY PATROL The Beijing-based Sina Military Network reported on May 13, 2015, that USS Fort Worth, a US Navy Freedom-class littoral combat ship, had a run-in with the Yancheng, a PLA Navy Type 054A guided-missile frigate, during its patrol over the disputed Spratly islands on May 11, 2015. The US Navy ship was on a 7-day patrol from its base in Singapore.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE: J-16 AIRCRAFT The Beijing-based Sina Military Network on May described China's domestic J-16 multirole fighter/bomber as the key in the People's Liberation Army Air Force's transformation from a from a defense-oriented unit into an offensive power.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH AMERICA: BRAZIL BBC reported on May 15, 2015 that during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Brazil next week, agreements for Chinese investments totalling almost US$ 50 billion for new infrastructure projects are due to be signed by banks from both countries.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA Morning Star, the UK-based affiliate of the official mouthpiece of the CCP, People's Daily,quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying as saying at a routine press briefing on May 13, 2015, that US officials should clarify their remarks and warned that countries should avoid “risky and provocative approaches to maintain regional peace and stability.”
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: 70TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE OF WW-II China was represented at the 70th anniversary parade of WW-II in Moscow by a 102-strong Honour Guard whose average height was six foot. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife were in the audience. The honor guard gave a rousing rendition of the Russian wartime ballad “Katyusha” during a parade rehearsal in Russia—the clip of the singing has been viewed more than 16.5 million times on Chinese video-sharing website Youku
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: NAVY EXERCISES An article in the official Global Times on May 7, 2015, quoted the Beijing-based Sina Military Network article explaining the reasons for the China-Russia navy drills being held for the first time in the Mediterranean. It said that despite the statement of the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Geng Yansheng that "The aim [of the drills] is to deepen both countries' friendly and practical cooperation and increase our navies' ability to jointly deal with maritime security threats," and that "These exercises are not aimed at any third party and have nothing to do with the regional situation," there is no doubt that joint military drills will always send a signal. It asserted that, for example, US-Japan drills in the East China Sea and US-Philippines drills in the South China Sea "are surely aimed at China due to the territorial disputes in those regions". Similarly "US-South Korea drills, on the other hand, are clearly aimed at North Korea".
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA Satellite images recently released by Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), show Vietnam has carried out significant land reclamation and added buildings at two sites in the disputed South China Sea in the land area of Vietnamese-controlled Sand Cay and West London Reef in the Spratly archipelago. The additions include military facilities like defensive positions, gun emplacements, and new buildings at Sand Cay and West London Reef. China has condemned Vietnam's actions.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: PM MODI'S VISIT TO CHINA IN MAY Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying, at the regular weekly Press Conference on May 6, 2015, made the following comments on Indian Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to China.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA The BBC on May 9, 2015, quoted US Pentagon officials as saying that China has reclaimed 810 hectares (2,000 acres) since the beginning of 2014 that could potentially be for military use. The Pentagon report said that China had reclaimed 200 hectares (500 acres) in 2014 at five of its outposts in the Spratly Islands and that another 610 (1,500 acres) have been reclaimed since then. The reclamations suggest the possibility that "China is attempting to change facts on the ground by improving its defence infrastructure in the South China Sea".
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-PLA REORGANISATION The Canada-based Chinese-language Kanwa Defense Review disclosed on May 8, 2015 that Chinese Generals attending the recent NPC session in March 2015 discussed redefining the national interests of China and launching major military command structure reform. The article stated that the Generals felt that for the PLA to carry out missions to protect China's interest around the Asia-Pacific region, it needs to change the command structure of the PLA.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA: LEADERSHIP TRAVELS Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on May 6, 2015 afternoon for visits to Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus. Xi Jinping's visit to Kazakhstan is at the invitation of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Xi Jinping will visit Russia from May 8 to 10 and attend the ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War in Moscow. He will pay a state visit to Belarus from May 10 to 12 at the invitation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: PLA NAVY IN BLACK SEA China's official Global Times reported that internet users in Turkey uploaded pictures of the PLA Navy's 19th Naval Escort Task Force, consisting of a Type 903 replenishment ship and two Type 054A guided-missile frigates, entering the Black Sea through the Bosphorus on May 4, 2015.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC/LAW ON FOREIGN NGOs China's National People's Congress (NPC) posted the Draft Law on Foreign NGOs on its official website on April 15, 2015, for public comment.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on May 5, 2015, that Chinese authorities have ordered Muslim shopkeepers and restaurant owners in Aktash village in the southern part of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region to sell alcohol and cigarettes, and promote them in “eye-catching displays.” Establishments that failed to comply were threatened with closure and their owners with prosecution.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the twelfth meeting of the Central Leadership Group on Comprehensively Deepening Reforms on May 5, 2015 in Beijing.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: GLOBAL TIMES PUBLISHES ARTICLE LAUDING MODI'S CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN-FUNDED NGOs The May 5, 2015, issue of the official Global Times published an article by a Delhi-based Indian described as an 'independent journalist and strategic analyst', Rajeev Sharma.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA EXERCISES The US-based Chinese political news outlet 'Duowei' reported on May 5, 2015, that China's national broadcaster CCTV had been authorised to to expose cheating in the People's Liberation Army during military drills.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: KMT CHAIRMAN AND CCP CC GENERAL SECRETARY MEET IN BEIJING After almost six years the Chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) journeyed to Beijing to meet the General Secretary of the Chinese Community Party (CCP) Central Committee (CC), President Xi Jinping on May 4, 2015.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE: PURCHASES Quoting the Beijing-based Sina Military Network, the Wantchina Times on May 3, 2015, claimed that China's acquisition of Su-35 supermaneuverable multi-role fighters from Russia is necessary despite the development of the J-11D air superiority fighter. The J-11D, an upgraded version of the J-11B, conducted its maiden flight on April 29, just as China is preparing to receive its first batch of 24 Su-35 aircraft from Russia.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-AIIB: ADB COOPERATION Takehiko Nakao, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), announced at a news conference in Azerbaijan on the first day of the annual meeting of the ADB's Board of Governors on May 2, that the ADB is set to provide joint project financing with the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and expand its annual credit line by 50 percent to $20 billion (2.4 trillion yen) in 2017.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: KMT CHAIRMAN MEETS YU ZHENGSHENG AND XI JINPING Politburo Standing Committee member and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng along with the new Chinese KMT Chairman Chu, attended the opening ceremony of the Tenth Strait Trade and Cultural Forum in Shanghai. KMT Chairman Chu later flew to Beijing where he met CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping.
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT Below are the replies by the spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defence to questions posed at the regular press briefing by in Beijing on April 30, 2015
CCASMay 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: GX-6 ANTI-SUBMARINE AIRCRAFT The Global Times on April 28, 2015, reported that China's new GX-6 anti-submarine patrol aircraft appears to be ready for action.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: XI JINPING TO MEET KMT CHAIRMAN ERIC CHU President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet the Chairman of Taiwan's ruling KMT party in Beijing on May 4, 2015. This will be the first meeting between the CCP General secretary and KMT Chairman since 2009. No major breakthroughs are expected.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-NEPAL: RESCUE AND RELIEF EFFORTS China's official news agency Xinhua publicised China's rescue and relief efforts in Nepal after the disaster caused by the earthquake. China dispatched a 62-member search-and-rescue team, comprising mainly military personnel, to Katmandu along with six sniffer dogs and medical equipment which arrived there by midday on April 26, 2015. Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “The Chinese side is willing to offer all necessary disaster assistance to the Nepalese side.”
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: JET FIGHTER AIRCRAFT Li Pei, former head of the aircraft project under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, told the Party mouthpiece People's Daily on April 24, 2015, that China will turn over the last batch of 50 FC-1 Xiaolong fighters to Pakistan over the next three years.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY The Beijing-based 'Maritime China' on April 23, 2015, posted a picture of a model of the PLA Navy's future 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship on its official Weibo account.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET EARTHQUAKE RELIEF Xinhua reported on April 26, 2015 that the Chinese government is dealing with rescue and relief in Tibet, where 17 people were killed, another 53 injured and 12,000 evacuated. The Liberation Army Daily said that more than 1,700 Chinese troops in Tibet were mobilized for the relief efforts,
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NUCLEAR ARSENAL Siegfried Hecker, a Stanford University Professor and former head of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, disclosed that at a closed-door meeting with US nuclear specialists that he had attended, Chinese officials had conveyed that as per their estimates North Korea may already have 20 warheads, as well as the capability of producing enough weapons-grade uranium to double its arsenal by next year. US Admiral William Gortney, head of US Northern Command, earlier this month said that defence officials believed North Korea could now mount a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile called the KN-08.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PANCHEN LAMA'S SPEECH AT CPPCC On Aprill 22, 2015, the US-based International Campaign for Tibet published the text of the speech that Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese appointed Panchen Lama, made at the CPPCC session in Beijing on March 4, 2015.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China's anti-corruption body, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission published its list of the 100 most wanted economic fugitives on April 23, 2015, to emphasise China’s determination to seek foreign assistance to prosecute economic crimes.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: SHINZO ABE MEETS XI JINPING On April 22, 2015, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo A Abe met Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second time in less than six months.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA'S WORLD VIEW: PROF YAN XUETONG'S ARTICLE An interesting article in the Huffington Post on April 22, 2015, by Tsinghua University Professor Yan Xuetong argued that China is very unlikely to be able to overtake the US by 2049; that as global power shifts to the East, the world is moving towards a bipolar world; and that China and the US will be the two power global power centres.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE The Global Times website on April 22, 2015, said China is making significant progress on the next version of its J-20 stealth and published photographs showing a modified Tupolev Tu-204 passenger plane suggesting clues to the J-20's radar system.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: MILITARY CONSTRUCTION According to an analysis by IHS Jane’s based on satellite imagery from Airbus Defense and Space, China has begun construction of a military-length runway along the Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: XI JINPING'S VISIT Xi Jinping arrived in Islamabad on April 20, 2015, to begin a 2-day state visit to Pakistan, the first by a Chinese President in nine years.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 'EDUCATION' CAMPAIGN FOR PARTY CADRES Xinhua disclosed on April 19, 2015, that the CCP CC General Office is set to soon launch a campaign to improve the conduct of officials at county-level and above. It will focus on the "three strictness" and three solidness".
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: AIIB Quoting informed sources Reuters reported on April 19, 2015, that China offered Japan the top-ranking post of the Vice President at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), but Japan did not accept the offer.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING'S VISIT Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2-day state visit to Pakistan commenced on April 20, 2015. He will address a joint session of the Pakistani Parliament.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: OFFICIAL CHINESE COMMENT ON PURCHASE OF RAFALE Commenting on India's recent purchase of the Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter jet from France, China's official news agency Xinhua said the aircraft's aerodynamic design, avionics and engines are superior to its Chinese counterpart, the Chengdu J-10, which has entered service with the PLA.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-BUREAUCRACY China's State Council released a statement on its website on April 16, 2015, of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's meeting with China's bureaucrats this week.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: AIIB Hong Kong's South China Morning Post said on April 18, 2015, that the Chinese government will push for the yuan to become one of the denominations and settlement currencies for the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP China's official media front-paged commemorative articles on April 15 on the occasion of the late popular Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang's birth centenary.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-SOEs: AFRICA- PRIVATE SECURITY The Frontier Services Group, owned by Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, a former member of the Navy SEALs and heir to a Michigan auto parts fortune, is now focussing efforts on Africa.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S ASAT TEST Speaking at the annual Warfighters Lunch at the Space Symposium in Colorado on April 14, 2015, US Air Force Lt General Raymond, head of the 14th Air Force, confirmed that China's ASAT test of July 23, 2014 had been “successful” and that China has successfully placed low earth orbit satellites at risk. He said “Soon every satellite in every orbit will be able to be held at risk.”
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA: COUNTERS US PROPAGANDA China's official Global Times reacted strongly to a report entitled "China's Ideological Spectrum," authored by two students from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), using material from a survey covering 171,000 respondents in 29 provinces, cities and autonomous regions in China.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: WHITE PAPER China State Council Information Office issued its thirteenth White Paper on Tibet on April 14, 2015, denouncing the "middle way" advocated by the 14th Dalai Lama as an attempt to achieve "Tibetan independence."
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: REINCARNATION Ughyen Thinley Dorje, popularly regarded as the 17th Karmapa, told Radio Free Asia during an interview while travelling in USA on April 15, 2015, that he had "complete belief and trust in the future decision" on a successor that may be made by the 79-year-old Dalai Lama.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA Major General Dong Minxiang, formerly head of the Logistics Department in the Beijing Military Region and responsible for military related housing and construction projects, has been placed under investigation on charges of corruption.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-NORWAY: AIIB MEMBERSHIP Norway was accepted as a founding member of the AIIB on April 14, 2015 along with Egypt and Russia.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's official 'Outlook' magazine in its issue of April 14, 2015, quoting sources in think-tanks revealed that Beijing will push for the yuan to be included in a basket of currencies used to denominate and settle loans from the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). It said Beijing will also encourage the AIIB and the Silk Road Fund to set up special currency funds and issue yuan-denominated loans through both institutions.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: SALE OF S-400 ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS SYSTEM Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet, on April 15, 2015, quoted Rosoboronexport CEO Anatoly Isaykin as telling the Russian media that China will become the first foreign purchaser of Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft weapon system. The deal was reportedly made last September, when China agreed to pay US$3 billion for delivery of at least six S-400 battalions.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-NEPAL: ACTIVITIES TARGETTING TIBETAN BUDDHISM On April 9, 2015, the Chinese Temple of Nepal, which is the first temple that China built overseas, donated Yuan (RMB) 300 thousand to Boudhanath, a stupa in Kathmandu. The money is to be used to revamp a 600-meter-long prayer road in the 1600-year-old stupa.
There are over 50 Tibetan Monasteries around the stupa and many people from Tibet live in the area.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Jiang Jiemin, who headed the China National Petroleum Corp., confessed to his crimes on April 14, 2015. His post on the microblog of the Hanjiang Intermediate People’s Court in Hubei said: “The crimes I committed are severe and my family assets are far more than my lawful earnings.” The verdict will be announced later.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Retired PLA Lieutenant General Wang Hongguang, who is a former Deputy Commander of the Nanjng Miliatary Region, wrote a strongly worded article in the official Global Times on April 10, 2015, in a vitriolic response to a Taiwan-based journalist's assessment of three ways Taiwan could stave off a potential Chinese invasion.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: SELF-IMMOLATION A 47-year old nun, Yeshi Khando, of Ngangang Nunnery set herself on fire at around 9 am on April 8 at at Kubumshab, near the County police station in Kardze County, Sichuan Province.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: REPORT OF US OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE ON PLA NAVY The US Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence released its first unclassified report on China’s maritime forces in six years entitled: “The PLA Navy: New Capabilities and Missions for the 21st Century,” The report's focus is on the PLA Navy (PLAN) and the China Coast Guard.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY Vasily Kashin, a Russian military expert was cited by the Moscow-based Sputnik News on April 12, 2015 as saying that China is likely to re-design its second fifth-generation stealth fighter, the J-31, with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER The New York Times on April 10, 2015, quoted researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and University of Toronto as saying that China did not use the Great Firewall to insulate their internet but a powerful new weapon which they are calling the 'Great Cannon'.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TRANSPORT AND ECONOMY On April 11, 2015, Xinhua quoted Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as saying at a work conference on regional railway development in Chongqing, that China aims to invest over 800 billion yuan (130.36 billion U.S. dollars) in railway construction to put more than 8000 kilometers additional railway lines into operation, almost equal to last year's target.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-US: COOPERATION IN ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China's official Xinhua news agency reported on April 11, 2015 that after meetings between China's Politburo Member and Secretary Politics and Law Commission Meng Jianzhu, Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun and US Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, the US has promised support for China’s campaign to hunt corrupt officials fleeing abroad.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA'S ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The US-based website Boxun reported on April 11, 2015, that General Guo Boxiong, former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission was arrested on April 10th (Beijing local time).
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: AIIB Kyodo said on April 10, 2015, that Japan's joining the AIIB will be on the agenda of the Japan-U.S. summit between President Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scheduled for April 28, 2015, in Washington, D.C.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-US: SOUTH CHINA SEA The US and the Philippines have doubled the size of their annual 10-day exercises, called Balikatan, at locations that include a Philippines' naval station 220 kilometres from Scarborough Shoal, a hotly contested area that has been occupied by China since 2012.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY China's Global Times reported on April that the US military plans to deploy ASW Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessels (ACTUV) that can detect and track submarines in Autumn in response to potential threats from Russian and Chinese submarines.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: SALE OF SU-35 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT Duowei News, a US-based news outlet operated by overseas Chinese, reported on April 9, 2015, that Russia's sale of 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters to China may be postponed because the PLA Air Force feels the price is too high.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES On April 3, 2015, China Central Television showed a satellite picture of three submarines anchored at an unidentified port, describing the vessels as China's most advanced Type-093G nuclear-powered attack submarines, just completed by a Chinese shipyard and a waiting delivery.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA In an interview with Asahi Shimbun in Tokyo on April 8, the 14th Dalai Lama said “Today’s China, compared with (that of) a few years ago, (has) changed much under the leadership of Xi Jinping.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Chinese Communist Party on April 5, 2015, conveyed permission to the family of the late Premier Zhao Ziyang for the burial of his ashes a decade after his death. His ashes were kept at his former courtyard home in Beijing because there was previously no agreement with the government on a burial site. Zhao Ziyang's son-in-law, Wang Zhihua, said the authorities also agreed that Zhao Ziyang and his wife Liang Boqi, who died in late 2013, be buried together.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PENSIONS The Chinese government plans to ease pressure on the strained pension system by gradually raising retirement ages for the nation's workers between 2017 and 2022.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The website of the Communist Party's official People's Daily Chinese authorities have detained and fined a person from southern Hunan Province, identified only by his family name 'Hong', for spreading rumours on the Internet that several high-ranking naval officers are being investigated for corruption.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-US: PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT Preparations have commenced in Beijing and Washington for President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Washington DC in September prior to attending the 70thanniversary of the United Nations in New York in October 2015. The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is a high priority agenda item together with a range of security issues, including broadening bilateral military exchanges.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: MILITARY SALES/NEGOTIATIONS The Canada-based Kanwa Defence Review reported in its April 2015 issue that Pakistan was the first country to start negotiations with China on the import of the HQ-9 medium to long-range active radar homing surface-to-air missile and the HQ-16 truck-based vertically launched surface-to-air missile.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MILITARY A Japanese defense expert,Mitsuharu Furuze, has been quoted by the Tokyo-based Livedoor News as saying that Japan needs about 800 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to defend itself against a potential attack by China's huge quantity of ballistic missiles.He said that with the Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMDSF) would be able to launch effective strikes against Chinese warships and crucial ground targets in the event of a regional conflict.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: SENIOR-LEVEL CONTACTS Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported on April 4, 2015, that the Vice Chairman of China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Ji Bingxuan, will lead a group of parliamentarians to Japan.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET Writing in the latest issue of the CCP CC theoretical magazine Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth), TAR Party Secretary Chen Quanguo said “Buddhist temples and monasteries in Tibet must become propaganda centers for the ruling Communist Party, where monks and nuns learn to "revere" science and appreciate the party's love".
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CDIC China's official news agency Xinhua reported on March 31, 2015, that China's anti-corruption and disciplinary watchdog body the 'Central Discipline Inspection Commission',has established resident offices in four CCP central organs for the first time.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TAIWAN: AIIB China's official news agency Xinhua said on April 2, 2015, that China welcomes Taiwan's decision to apply to join the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as long as the self-ruled island uses an appropriate name.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:AIIB Israel has joined over 40 countries, including Australia, South Korea, Britain, France, Germany and Italy, and applied for membership of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA AIR FORCE EXERCISES IN WESTERN PACIFIC The state run China News Service disclosed on March 30, 2015, that the PLAAF had used its H-6 strategic bombers for the exercise in the airspace of the Western Pacific for the first time. Photos published by the PLA Air Force indicated the bombers taking part in the drill were the H-6K variant.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN: ZHOU YONGKANG The CCP's official news paper People's Daily reported on April 3, 2015, that China’s former Security Chief and PBSC member Zhou Yongkang has been formally charged with corruption, abuse of power and intentionally leaking state secrets.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PROMOTION OF XI JINPING The website of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is offering a new free app publicising texts of Xi Jinping's speeches and books, news reports, analyses from experts and a map that traces his travels. Called 学习中国 (Xuexi Zhongguo), which translates directly as “Study China,” the name is also a play on Xi Jinping’s surname, and can mean “Study Xi’s China.” People are already calling it the 'little Red App"!
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: MILITARY EXERCISES AND PLA NAVY China's state broadcaster CCTV on March 31, 2015, reported that the PLA's 14th Army Corps recently began a large-scale military exercise in the western region of southwest China's Yunnan province, near the China-Myanmar border.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-AIIB: TAIWAN'S APPLICATION On March 31, 2015, Taiwan formally applied to join the proposed China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY A new 'working report' published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that the widening gap between China’s rich and poor makes it “one of the most unequal countries in the world.”
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA_PLA NAVY: MOOTW The Chinese media reported that on March 29, 2015, China's PLA Navy deployed the warships 'Linyi' and 'Weifang', both operating in the waters off Somalia on anti-piracy patrols, for evacuating Chinese nationals in Aden and endangered by the advance of Houthi militiamen whose forces have been bombed for four days by a Saudi-led coalition.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN: MOSS VICE MINISTER MA JIAN China's financial news outlets Tencent, Caixin and Caijing last week alleged that 48-year old Chinese businessman Guo Wengui, controlling shareholder of Beijing Zenith Holdings and Beijing Pangu Investment, conspired with government officials - including former deputy spy chief Ma Jian who came under investigation for corruption in January - in his rise to riches.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA China's official and quasi-official propaganda and media apparatus have since March 25, 2015, launched a smear campaign against 45-year old Major General Guo Zhenggang, the Deputy Political Commissar of the Zhejiang Military District and son of General Guo Boxiong, former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission who retired in 2012 and is presently under investigation on charges of corruption.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLAAF PLA Air Force (PLAAF) spokesman Colonel Shen Jinke disclosed on March 31, 2015, that the PLA held its first drill in airspace above the western Pacific Ocean on Monday, as part of its plan to boost capacity in far-seas operations.
CCASApr 2015 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: NEW ENVOY Xinhua announced on March 17, 2015, that 59-year old Li Jinjun, who was Deputy Director of the CCP CC's International Department, has been appointed China's Ambassador to North Korea. Li Jinjun studied German at what later became the Shanghai International Studies University and went to Europe.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-NEPAL: ECONOMIC COOPERATION On March 17, 2015, China enlarged its already significant economic assistance to Nepal five-fold and pledged US$ 130 million (RMB 800 million) for infrastructure projects.
The Nepal Finance Ministry said the grant would help implement "mutually agreed development projects".
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-US: COOPERATION IN ANTI-CORRUPTION Shilan Zhao, the 51-year old ex-wife of Jianjun Qiao, a former director of a grain store house in Zhoukou City, Henan Province from 1998-2011, was arrested on March 17, 2015, in Newcastle, Washington, on charges that she and her former husband laundered money to buy property in Washington State and lied to obtain U.S. visas through the immigrant investor program.
The US Department of Justice said it had help from the Supreme People's Procuratorate and Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION The office of China's Chief Procuratorate announced recently that Li Chuncheng, a former Deputy Party Secretary of Sichuan Province and Jiang Jiemin, a former Chairman of the China National Petroleum Corporation, will face trial in Hubei Province.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STUDENT PROTEST Hundreds of students in Henan Province demonstrated for several days, vandalised the school and the Headmaster's offce and took down the national flag after nursing school authorities in Zhoukou City, Henan Province unilaterally cancelled a specialty class track and refused to refund tuition fees of ¥6000.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION The Party Secretary of Yunnan Province, Li Jiheng recently disclosed that Gao Yan, former head of the State Grid, had fled to Australia after being to linked to corruption way back in 1995 and accused of pilfering millions of dollars earmarked for power projects.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA Yanhuang Chunqiu, a publication which is already under pressure and has been a voice for liberals in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was directed by the Chinese National Academy of Arts, which is its supervisory body, to defer its annual dinner planned for March 18, 2015. Almost 240 supporters, many of them Party veterans, had been invited to the event.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIBET/OLYMPIC GAMES A global coalition of more than 175 Tibet organisations was to submit a report to Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), on March 19, 2015, calling on the IOC to reject Beijing’s bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2022. IOC members are due to visit Beijing from 24 - 28 March. The only other candidate is Almaty in Kazakhstan.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA A Global Times article of March 13, 20125, that is critical of the Dalai Lama and asserted that his "selfishness will be revealing", also quite interestingly said "The Chinese central government has been consistently paying respect to Tibetan Buddhism.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: INDIAN OCEAN Writing in the official Global Times on March 19, 2015, Liu Zongyi, Assistant Research Fellow of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and Visiting Fellow of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, while referring to Indian Prime Minister Modi's five-day visit to three Indian Ocean island nations of Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, said that "recent incidents are sufficient to merit Beijing's attention".
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ICBM: DF-31B Wantchina Times stated on March 18, 2015, that China had successfully carried out a launch test for the DF-31B from a mobile launcher.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: AIRCRAFT CARRIER Quoting the Moscow-based Sputnik News, the Wantchina Times reported on March 19, 2015, that Russia is very likely to start construction on the world's third nuclear-powered destroyer with China's assistance.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-CYBER WARFARE Joe McReynolds of the Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis told the US newspaper Daily Beast, that 'The Science of Military Strategy', an authoritative analysis of China’s military thinking which was updated in December 2013 but only recently became available to foreign analysts , includes references to China’s cyber-warfare units.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC-NEW SILK ROAD In his report on March 17, 2015, at the recently concluded NPC session, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang linked the New Silk Road with China’s domestic economic development strategy and said, “We will integrate the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with the development and opening up of related regions.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-SPACE The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced that it will launch 40 spacecraft into orbit through 20 launches in 2015. Zhao Xiaojun, Director of the Space Department of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said that most of them will be communications or geosynchronous satellites operating at the height of 36,000 miles and some will be remote sensing satellites. There will also be some navigation satellites for the Beidou system. He added that many cutting-edge technologies will be tested for the first time.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Wang Qishan, Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) member and Chairman of China's watchdog anti-corruption body the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), is scheduled to visit the USA in September 2015. People familiar with the planned trip have been quoted as saying it is connected with the anti-corruption campaign and particularly Operation Foxhunt, which is aimed at recovering illegal wealth stashed abroad by Chinese. This is Wang Qishan's first overseas trip since the 18th Party Congress in November 2012.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Global Times published a report on March 18, 2015, disclosing that Liao Yongyuan, Vice Chairman of PetroChina, a subsidiary of Chinese oil giant China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), had resigned on March 17, due to disciplinary investigations.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-US: NAVY In response to a New York Times pieces by Gregg Easterbrook on March 9, 2015, China's official Global Times published a commentary asserting that China is capable of defeating the US Navy in the Western Pacific with anti-ship missiles built at low prices.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR China's authoritative official news agency 'Xinhua' on March 14, 2015, reported the General Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), as warning General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defense Services, over the telephone, that 'no further deadly stray fire incidents should happen or the Chinese military will take "firm and decisive action" to protect the safety of its people'.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WOMEN'S RIGHTS On March 6 and 7, 2015, public security officials in various cities across China apprehended at least 10 women who sought to mark International Women’s Day with a nation-wide campaign highlighting the increase in sexual harassment on public transportation.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-RELIGION: FOURTH WORLD BUDDHIST FORUM The State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) announced on March 15, 2015, that the Fourth World Buddhist Forum is scheduled to open in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi in October 2015.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY After Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, at a news conference in Beijing on March 15, 2015, assured that policymakers would prop up the economy if growth was at risk of breaching a "lower limit", or hurt employment and income gains, China's shares closed at their highest in five and a half years on March 16, 2015.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC The President of the Supreme People's Court of China Zhou Qiang presented his work report to the NPC on March 12, 2015. He said court reforms are in a "deep water area". President Zhou Qiang also, surprisingly, apologized for previous miscarriages of justice and highlighted efforts to prevent future ones.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:LEADERSHIP 71-year old General Xu Caihou, the highest ranking PLA officer to be accused and tried for corruption, died in Beijing on March 15, 2015, due to end-stage bladder cancer, systemic multiple metastases and multiple organ failure. At the time of his expulsion from the CCP, Xinhua said “His case is serious and leaves a vile impact. The party will not harbor corrupt members nor will the armed forces.”
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin summoned Myanmar Ambassador, Thit Linn Ohn, on March 14, 2015, after a bomb from a Burmese aircraft fell in Chinese territory and urged him to investigate the bombing and take steps to ensure the safety of the border area.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-MEDICAL: TECHNOLOGY Ningbo Cloud Hospital, the first virtual hospital based on Cloud technology in China, officially started operations on March 11. Ningbo Municipal Health Bureau Director Wang Renyuan told China Business News: "Ultimately, we hope that the hospital will be without walls and borders, that it will not only deal with Ningbo but also the entire country and even the whole world."
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION According to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimate, based on preliminary energy demand data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, China's total carbon emissions dropped 2 percent in 2014 compared with the previous year.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ENVIRONMENT The new Deputy Director of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Zhang Yong, will succeed retired top negotiator Xie Zhenhua to lead China to reach an international climate change deal in Paris in December 2015.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Recent China-based economic estimates assess that China has derived windfall benefits from lower prices for oil and other commodities.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Chinese official media reported on March 15, 2015, that Ji Youhe, Deputy Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, is currently under "organisational investigations" on charges of alleged serious violation of discipline.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN On March 14, 2015, China's official English-language Global Times as also some senior PLA officers criticised the Wall Street Journal (WSJ)'s report on corruption in the PLA published on March 11, 2015.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-US: EDUCATION/STUDENTS The Shanghai Daily reported on March 14, 2015, that the Institute of International Education says the number of US students studying in China fell 3.2 percent in 2012-13 to 14,413, even as overall study abroad numbers rose modestly. For US students, job opportunity is a concern. As multinationals in China hire mostly local Chinese, a growing percentage of whom have studied abroad, they have less need for foreigners.
The apparent loss of interest contrasts with Chinese students' clamor for a US education. The number of Chinese studying in the United States jumped 16.5 percent in 2013-14 to more than 274,000.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ASEAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA Reacting to ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh's remark on March 4, 2015, that the four ASEAN claimants – Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam – could not possibly accept China’s nine-dotted line because it was not in accordance with international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei accused him of making a series of allegedly biased and false remarks on South China Sea disputes. As quoted by Xinhua, she said: “Mr. Le Luong Minh has repeatedly made biased comments on the issue of the South China Sea, which were untrue and incompatible with his capacity as ASEAN secretary-general. We advise Mr. Le Luong Minh do his part as ASEAN secretary-general, stick to ASEAN’s neutrality on the South China Sea issue, and do more to promote the healthy development of China-ASEAN relations.”.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-NPC: INDIA
Replying to a question by a PTI correspondent at the press conference on March 8, 2015, on the occasion of the 3rd session of the 12th NPC, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: "Last September, President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to India. The picture of the two leaders working the spinning wheel in Gujarat, the home state of the Prime Minister, has spread far and wide in China. The Chinese people believe in reciprocating the courtesy of others. So I'm sure when Prime Minister Modi visits China later this year, he will be warmly welcomed by the Chinese government and people.
Mr. Deng Xiaoping once said that unless China and India are developed, there will be no Asian century. China is prepared to work with India to implement the important agreement reached by our leaders. The Chinese "dragon" and the Indian "elephant" should join each other in a duet to work for the early revitalization of two oriental civilizations, the common prosperity of two emerging markets and the amicable coexistence of two large neighbors.
As for the China-India boundary question, it is a legacy of history. We have worked on it for many years and made some progress in the boundary negotiation. The dispute has been contained. At the moment, the boundary negotiation is in the process of building up small positive developments. It is like climbing a mountain. The going is tough and that is only because we are on the way up. This is all the more reason that we should do more to strengthen China-India cooperation, so that we can enable and facilitate the settlement of the boundary question."
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: RADAR STATIONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo, who is a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, told China News Service on March 9, 2015, that Radar stations and lisening posts should be built on the islands China controls in the disputed South China Sea. He said radar stations and listening posts would assist future search and rescue operations and that such facilities could be used to monitor the communication between pilots and the control tower for aircraft flying over the South China Sea. Stating that China's presence in the South China Sea will be crucial for neighboring countries facing non-traditional security issues as well, Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo said the PLA Navy and other maritime security agencies of China and Hong Kong can be very useful to maintain peace and prosperity.
Yin Zhuo's remarks are an attempt to put a positive spin on China's attempts to assert its dominance in the South China Sea.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-COMMENTS ON DEFENCE ISSUES AT NPC/CPPCC SESSIONS Maj. Gen. Chen Zhou, a delegate to the National People’s Congress and researcher at the Academy of Military Sciences, commented on China's defence budget in an interview to Xinhua on March 4, 2015. He said: “How much are the needs for national security and how much will, our defence spending be? Wherever our national interests extend, that is where our defence spending will follow. This is the principle that investment in national defence spending must follow. Strong material support is indispensable in achieving the Communist Party’s goal of having a strong army in the new situation.”
Separately Rear Admiral Yin Zhou, a member of the CPPCC’s National Committee, observed (March 02) that China must continue to develop aircraft carriers to maintain the security of its Indian Ocean routes. Pointing out that Japan had two carriers and India will soon have three or four, he argued that in his view China required at least six aircraft carriers to meet its strategic needs.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, responding to reports about China reclaiming and buildng reefs and islands, he said on March 8, 2015, that “We are merely building facilities in our own yard” which are “lawful” and “justified” and poses no threat to other nations.
CCASMar 2015 |
Addressing the closing session of the 12th CPPCC in Beijing on March 13, 2015, CPPCC Chairman and PBSC Member Yu Zhengsheng urged political advisors to pool "positive energy" to contribute to the country's development. He said the Chinese people are en route towards the realization of the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation under the leadership of the CCP. Specifically addressing CPPCC members he said 'Political advisors must unwaveringly uphold the Party's leadership, strengthen confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and build consensus among the public in order to bring together "positive energy" for the implementation of the strategic layout of "Four Comprehensives." He warned against bureaucracy and extravagance and asked "fellow political advisors" to forge closer ties with the people, maintain a clean work style and self-discipline, and abide by laws and regulations of the CPPCC, in order to contribute to the country and the people.
The political resolution adopted at the meeting made extensive references to the "Four Comprehensives".
CPPCC Deputies examined over 5800 proposals submitted by National Committee members. Many of them focussed on deepening reforms, advancing the rule of law, and safeguarding and improving the people's well-being. Almost 2,100 proposals related to China's economic development and formulation of the 13th Five Year Plan in the face of the "new normal" of slower economic growth. Another 600 proposals recommended intensification of the anti-corruption campaign, improving legislations including the criminal law, and building a law-based government. About 1,500 proposals focused on social governance, and over 400 on environmental protection and ecological progress.
Mar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: WEALTHY NPC/CPPCC DELEGATES The latest Hurun Report, released early in March 2015, reported that among the 1,271 richest Chinese people tracked by the Hurun Report, a record 203 -- or more than one in seven -- are delegates to the NPC or CPPCC. It disclosed too that the combined net worth of Chinese delegates to the NPC/CPPCC totalled US$ 436.8 billion and that 18 of the Delegates have a net wealth greater than all 535 members of Congress, President Obama's cabinet and nine Supreme Court judges combined. Of them, 106 are National People's Congress (NPC) Deputies and 97 are Delegates to the CPPCC, together accounting for 4% of the 5,200 delegates in the two highest bodies of the People's Republic of China (PRC).,
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-NPC: ECONOMY China's effort to improve efficiency at the 155,000 State-owned Enterprises (SOEs), which dominate crucial sectors of China's economy, found mention in the Premier Li Keqiang's Work Report to the NPC. It also reflected China's desire to strengthen control of lifeline industries, including energy, transportation and national security enterprises, while relaxing grips on non-essential sectors through stake sales and stock market listings. In his Work Report, Premier Li Keqiang outlined the "China-2025" strategy, which includes promoting machinery and communications equipment, automobiles, aircraft and electronics. The plan is part of a broader push by President Xi Jinping to raise the performance of China's state sector.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Observers have noted that in his Work Report presented to the ongoing NPC session, Premier Li Keqiang incorporated a lot of praise for Chinese President Xi Jinping. He began his speech by giving credit to “the firm leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping”. Discussing foreign relations, he attributed the success of Chinese diplomacy to the personal intervention of President Xi, who, along with other leaders, “had visited many countries”. Li Keqiang also credited the government’s achievements to “the overall planning and sound policymaking of the party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary”. Most unusual though was the exhortation to the Chinese people to “put into practice the guiding principles from General Secretary Xi Jinping’s major speeches” and Li Keqiang concluding his address with a call urging everyone to “rally closely around the party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as General Secretary” so as to realize this year’s objectives and achieve “the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA The Global Times on March 10, 2015, published an article by Liu Siwei, Assistant Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, commenting on Indian Prime Minister Modi's tour of three countries in the Indian Ocean. Liu Siwei recommended that "if possible, China and India should conduct more strategic dialogues concerning regional security and economic development and ensure mutual trust". He also advised" Modi should be prudent to avoid raising issues which could result in an "India or China" dilemma. Similarly, China should address doubts about the motivations of China's foreign policy in the region, and particularly India's worries about the "China threat."
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY IMPORTS According to a report by the global consultancy IHS, the People's Republic of China was the world's third-largest defense importer in 2014. It surpassed Taiwan and United Arab Emirates last year, moving from fifth place, ranking only behind Saudi Arabia and India. Russia is currently the largest defense exporter to the Chinese mainland.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ESPIONAGE The state-controlled Dalian Daily said on March 7, 2015, that two young 23-year old "ordinary workers", identified only by their surnames Han and Zhang, had been sentenced to 8 and 6 years respectively on charges of using their access to military bases in Dalian and taking photographs of the aircraft carrier Liaoning at the behest of a foreign intelligence operative.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL-XINJIANG UYGHUR AR: IS & ISLAMIST EXTREMISM Zhang Chunxian, Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region acknowledged on the sidelines of the annual National People's Congress (NPC) session that "Some Xinjiang residents have crossed the border illegally to join IS. The group currently has a growing international influence, and Xinjiang is affected by it, too." He added that "We recently broke up a terrorist cell run by those who returned from fighting with the group."
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-NPC: TIBET Zhu Weiqun, head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former Executive Vice Minister of the CCP CC's United Front Work Department (UFWD), on March 11, 2015, urged the Dalai Lama to "forsake his evil ways and return to the good." Stressing that Tibet will not descend into chaos, he said "We hope the Dalai Lama can abandon his separatist stance and his deceptive 'middle way' approach," he also called on the Dalai Lama and his followers to stop inciting self-immolation among the Tibetan people and sincerely discuss with the central government about his own future.Reiterating that 'the door for dialogue with the Dalai Lama is always open but when the dialogue will be held depends on the attitude of the Dalai Lama', he added the central government will not talk about Tibet's "high-level autonomy" or the "Greater Tibet". Commenting on the Dalai Lama's visits abroad, he said "We hope that the Daila Lama's visits will not affect the development of the good relationship between China and relevant countries."
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PETITIONERS IN CHINA China Reform Forum quoted Radio Free Asia as reporting on February 20, 2015, that petitioners had said that hundreds, maybe thousands, of petitioners from across China, many with longstanding grievances, were detained after they tried “to wish our leaders a Happy New Year, and tell them about our complaints.”
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION ARREST OF MAJOR GENERAL HUANG XING Writing in the Diplomat on March 7, 2015, Shannon Tiezzi reported that the South China Morning Post has suggested that Major General Huang Xing, one of the 14 officers listed as being investigated for corruption, stands accused not only of fraud, but of leaking state secrets and assisting Kokang rebels in Myanmar back in 2009.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: AIRCRAFT CARRIER Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet, quoted Rear Admiral Ding Haichun, a Deputy Political Commissar of the PLA Navy, as confirming for the first time that China is building its second aircraft carrier.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: GIFT OF Z-10 'ATTACK' HELICOPTERS Citing unconfirmed Russian sources the US-based Chinese language Duowei News reported that China had decided to 'gift' Pakistan three Z-10 attack helicopters,designed by Russia's Kamov Design Bureau, this year. The Z-10s are designed primarily for anti-tank missions with secondary air-to-air capabilities. The helicopter is said to be capable of targeting the enemy in the air or on the ground with a range of 3-4 kilometers without appearing on radar.
CCASMar 2015 |
TAR:PROTESTS Norchuk, a woman in her early forties, died in Tibet on March 6, 2015, after setting herself alight in eastern Tibet. This is the first self-immolation since December 2014 and took place four days before March 10, the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule and the most significant day in the Tibetan political calendar.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: S&T Duowei News, a US-based Chinese-language news outlet reported that China's 801st Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)'s Sixth Academy (the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology) has announced that it has produced a thruster which may last for 18,000 hours and a lamp which can last 75,000 hours. A thruster's life is said to be determined by how long it is used though there is no internationally recognized measurement for a lamp's life.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-PLA's ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Communist history writer Cai Xiaoxin, son of revolutionary Communist major-general Cai Zhangyuan and a 'princeling', said in an exclusive interview with Sichuan-based Honesty Outlook magazine, that some performers in PLA Dance troupes have taken advantage of their status as PLA "celebrities" for personal gains.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA Major General Xing Yunming, former Head of the People's Liberation Army's General Political Department, was taken away by the PLA's anti-corruption watchdog body on February 17, 2015.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY On March 2, 2-015, 69-year-old PLA Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo, who is also a member of the CPPCC, said China needs to continue to build aircraft carriers to secure its routes in the Indian Ocean. made the comments Monday, a day before the commencement of the annial "two sessions" of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. He said the PLA Navy requires at least six aircraft carriers to meet strategic needs.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA BUDGET The Beijing-based Sina Military Network estimates that a large portion of China's defense budget -- officially raised by 10% this year to 889 billion yuan (US$142 billion) -- will be applied to the salaries and living expenses of the 23 million soldiers and officers in the People's Liberation Army, especially as pay levels have been bumped up this year.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: CPPCC Delegates from Hongkong to the ongoing CPPCC session in Beijing suggested resolutions at a meeting with NPC Chairman and PBSC member Zhang Dejiang on March 4, 2015, that the Chinese government should build teams of teachers to promote patriotic education in Hong Kong.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-NPC: FOREIGN POLICY Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing NPC session in Beijing on March 8, 2015, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi defended his government’s efforts to reclaim and develop land around disputed reefs and islands in the South China Sea and said “This construction does not target or affect anyone. We are not like some countries who engage in illegal construction in another person’s house, and we do not accept criticism from others when we are merely building facilities in our own yard. We have every right to do things that are lawful and justified.”
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA Major General Xing Yunming, former Head of the People's Liberation Army's General Political Department, was taken away by the PLA's anti-corruption watchdog body on February 17, 2015.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-NPC: FOREIGN POLICY Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing NPC session in Beijing on China’s foreign minister defended his government’s efforts to reclaim and develop land around disputed reefs and islands in the South China Sea, saying the work was “necessary” and posed no threat to other nations.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's State Council on February 26, 2015, announced a new tax policy for small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the new policy, firms that pay 200,000 yuan (HK$250,000) or less in profits tax will have their bill cut in half. The policy comes into effect this year and will continue until 2017.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA HongKong's South China Morning Post, quoting a retired PLA Senior Colonel, reported on March 2, 2015, that at least 16 PLA Major Generals are under investigation. China's Mlitary Procuratorate also released a list on March 2, 2015, of 14 Generals charged with graft. Among those placed under investigation in January 2015, it mentioned Major General Guo Zhenggang, son of Guo Boxiong, a former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (45-year old Guo Zhenggang was promoted to Deputy Political Commissar of the Zhejiang Military District with the rank of Major General in January 2015); Major General Zhu Heping, a former secretary to the late General Zhang Wannian, another former CMC Vice Chairman who died in Beijing on January 15, 2015; Major General Wang Aiguo, a former head of the Joint Logistics Department at the Shenyang Military Command,; and Major General Zhan Guoqiao, who was head of the Joint Logistics Department at the Lanzhou Military Command. Also mentioned in this connection were Major General Chen Jianfeng, deputy head of the Joint Logistics Department of the Guangzhou Military Command; Major General Wang Sheng, PLA Air Force Chief of Logistics; and Major General Zhang Dongshui who was taken away on January 7, 2015, just 13 days after he was promoted as Deputy Political Commissar of the Second Artillery Corps; and Major General Lan Weijie, a former Deputy Commander in Hubei
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Xinhua announced that the CPPCC had revoked the membership of Ma Jian, former Vice Minister at the Ministry of State Security (MoSS), who is presently the most senior security official facing investigation.
(Comment: It is likely that the investigation into Ma Jian could lead to a shake-up in the MoSS.)
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP China's official news agency reported the release on March 1, 2015, of a book featuring President Xi Jinping's quotations from ancient stories and classics in his speeches and articles. It has been compiled by Yang Zhenwu , head of the CCP's official newspaper 'People's Daily'. Xinhua describes the book as suitable for Party and government officials, staff of government-affiliated agencies, teachers and people interested in Chinese classic culture.
CCASMar 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: PLA DELEGATION'S VISIT FOR CBMs A high-level 12-member PLA delegation led by General Zhang Youxia, Director of the PLA's General Armaments Department (GAD) arrived in Mumbai on February 27 and will reach Delhi for discussions on February 28, 2015 to discuss CBMs. The delegation, which includes at least four Lt Generals and one Major General, will also call on the Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh and Union Defence Minister Parikkar.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ENERGY Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said Russia may consider allowing Chinese investors more than 50 percent stakes in its strategic oil and gas fields.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC/CPPCC Results of two online surveys by state-run media were released just a week before Delegates to China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) assemble in Beijing for their annual meetings.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PLAAF Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a PLA Air Force (PLAAF) bomber unit which operates three variants of the H-6 bomber on February 17, 2015, which attracted the attention of Western experts. The H-6K bombers, which use a "glass" cockpit with five or more multi-function displays and use ejection seats for all three to four crew members, are currently in service with at least two PLAAF bomber regiments. The H-6K strategic bomber of the PLAAF equipped with KD-20 cruise missiles is capable of attacking all US military facilities from Northeast Asia to Guam, according to an expert in Chinese military development cited in the state-run Global Times on February 17, 2015.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEGAL REFORM On February 25, 2015, the official website of China's Supreme People's Court's posted the 4th Five Year Reform Plan. In addition to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s leadership, the other basic principles it cites are: independence of judicial power; neutrality; procedurality; and finality (all distinguished from "Western style" judicial independence).
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC In the 106-article draft of the Counter-terrorism Law submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which opened in Beijing on February 26, 2015, the controversial definition of "terrorism" in the revised draft has been narrowed by removing a reference to "thought" as a crime.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NPC & CPPCC MEETINGS The third session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will open in Beijing on March 3 and 5, 2015, respectively.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s official newspaper 'People’s Daily' and other Chinese media on February 25, 2015, gave prominent front-page coverage to what Xi Jinping has been calling the “Four Comprehensives.”
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-US: TIBET The US State Department hosted a reception on February 23, 2015 to celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year. The invited gathering included Tibetan Americans, diplomats, State Department officials and other dignitaries. This is the first time that such an event has been organized by the US State Department.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-CCP: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Global Times, the state-run affiliate of the Party paper People's Daily, published an interesting and revealing commentary on February 24, 2015, where it said that corrupt high-ranking officials in the CCP seek "not only money, but also political conspiracy, gravely threatening Party leadership and solidarity". The commentary was reproduced on the website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC).
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN: UYGHURS Reuters on February 20, 2015, quoted Afghan security officials as saying the same day that Afghanistan had arrested and handed over at least 15 Muslim Uighur militants -- three in the capital, Kabul, and 12 later in the eastern province of Kunar bordering Pakistan -- to China in a bid to persuade China to use its influence with Pakistan to help start negotiations with the Taliban.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: PM's VISIT TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH China upgraded its reaction to Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh to inaugurate a newly laid railway line by summoning the Indian Ambassador in Beijing on February 21, 2015.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: TRANS-EUROPE RAIL TRANSPORT A cargo train with 64 containers completed its maiden 13,000-km journey from Madrid, Spain, to China's eastern city of Yiwu on Sunday after a 24-day journey.
The train traveled along the Yixin'ou cargo line, the longest of all the China-European cargo railways, and its freight included wine and olive oil. The 13,000-km line, which passes through China, Spain, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and France, opened late last year. The first train from China to Spain left Yiwu on November 18, and arrived in Madrid after 21 days.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PLA 1961-born Major General Shen Longzhu has been promoted as the Deputy Commander of the Chengdu MR Air Force. He is an ethnic Korean.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY SALES The Moscow-based Russian Business Network reported on February 16, 2015, that China remains a huge market for Russian weapons systems since 76% of the People's Liberation Army's imported weapon systems are sourced from the country.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: KOKONGS The Myanmar Army launched an offensive with 1000 troops against rebel allied groups on February 9, 2015. According to Xinhua News Agency over 30,000 Kokongs, who are ethnic Chinese, have crossed the border into China since the fighting began on February 09 2015. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing that more fighting “will have an impact on the stability of the China-Myanmar border areas and the security on the Chinese side of the border”
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Official Chinese media reports stated on February 15, 2015, that in addition to Major General Liu Hongjie, who was very recently placed under "coercive measures" on charges of corruption and "abuse of power", Major General Gai Xiaoyan, Deputy Political Commissar and Chief of Discipline Inspection at the PLA Information Engineering University, was placed under internal investigation for alleged corruption in late 2014. Gao Xiaoyan is believed to be the first female general to be investigated since the new leadership took office.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Three online animations themed around China's anti-corruption campaign and featuring President Xi Jinping have been a hit over the Spring Festival, with netizens enjoying what appears to be a more a relaxed attitude to depicting Chinese leaders by cartoon. The animations, each about two minutes long, compare the situation before and after the 'Mass Line' campaign, the 2013-2014 initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the CCP officials and the public. They are entitled "Is the 'Mass Line' Campaign for Real?", "Is It Easier for the Public to Get Stuff Done with the Government?" and "Are Officials Really Scared?" The clips are credited to the unknown producer "Chaoyang Studio".
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The CCP mouthpiece People's Daily on February 17, 2015, publicised that on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping and his colleagues in the Party, State Council and Central Military Commission had called on veteran leaders to wish them a happy New Year, good health and longevity.
The leaders they called on included: Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, Li Peng, Wan Li, Qiao Shi, Zhu Rongji, Li, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Song Ping, Wei, Li, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, Luo Gan, He Guoqiang and Zhang Jinfu, Tian, Chi, Jiang Chunyun, Qian, Wang Lequan, Wang, Hui Liangyu, Liu Qi, Wu Yi, Guo, Cao, Zeng Peiyan, Wang Gang, Wang Hanbin, Zhang Zhen, He Yong, Wang Bingqian, Zou Jiahua, Wang Guangying, Buhe Dawamat, Peiyun, Zhou Guangzhou, Cao Zhi, Li Tieying, Ismail Amat, He Luli, Ding Sun, into Siwei, Xu Jialu, Jiang Zhenghua, Gu, hot places, Sheng Huaren, Lu Yongxiang, Uyunqimg, Hua Jianmin Chen Zhili, Tienong, Ismail Tiliwaldi, Jiang Shusheng, Sang Guowei, Tang Liang Guanglie, Dai Bingguo , Xiao Yang, Han Shubin, Jia Chunwang, Ye Xuanping, Rudai, Ren Jianxin, Song Jian, Qian Britain, Sun Fuling, IWC rights, Hu Qili, Chen Jinhua, Cho Nam Qi, Mao Zhiyong, Wang Zhongyu, Gui fresh, Zhang Siqing, Haocai, Kehui, Hao Jianxiu, Xu, Zhang Huaixi Li Meng, Liao Hui, Bai Lichen, Chen Kuiyuan, Abulahat Amudurexiti, Andy Lee Cheuk, Huang Meng Fu, Zhang Meiying, Zhang Rong Ming Qian Yunlu, Sun Jiazheng, Li Jinhua, Zheng Wantong, Deng, Li Wuwei, Chen Zongxing, Wang Zhizhen.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN Reporting from Islamabad, Xinhua on February 13, 2015, said that Pakistan and China had vowed to expedite work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor during a meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad on February 13, 2015.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA IHS Jane's has issued a report based on Imagery of the area showing that China has commenced land reclamation/construction activity on at least four reefs in the disputed South China Sea. The four reefs are: Hughes Reef, Johnson South Reef, Gaven Reefs (in the Tizard Banks), and Fiery Cross Reef.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLICE REFORM On January 15, 2015, the CCP released 100-point plan for police reforms. The plans propose that China’s police will record every interrogation; face life-time liability for mishandled criminal cases; have less power to deny urban migrants access to public services; simplify driver’s license testing; punish physical abuse of criminal suspects; raise pay and benefits for police; and scrap China’s controversial temporary urban residence permits and replace it with a permanent residency program.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Shanghai has set a policy precedent for China by deciding not to issue an economic growth target this year.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA China plans to spend 360 million yuan (HK$454 million) on expanding its overseas cultural centres this year, nearly double last year's amount.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PROPAGANDA: CONTROLS On January 31, 2015, China's propaganda authorities were noticed to have shut down the leftist website Haijiang Online.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP On the eve of Chinese New Year --the Year of the Goat-- Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanied by his wife visited Yan’an (Shaanxi province), the rural stronghold from where Mao Zedong pushed the Communist revolution to victory.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Speaking at a high-level Finance Forum in Beijing on February 16, 2015, Xu Lin, the Director General of the Planning Department at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said growth of 6.5 per cent is the 'bottom line' for the next five-year plan period which starts in 2016.
Yi Gang, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) which controls China's US$ 4 trillion foreign exchange reserves, says the potential growth rate for China’s economy could be as high as 7 per cent. He, however,advocated allowing the market to play a greater role in allocating resources.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: MILITARY SCENARIO Wu Shang-su, a research fellow from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies of Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, writing in Defense News on February 9, 2015, said that tourists from mainland China can be used as "fifth column" to support military operations launched against Taiwan by the People's Liberation Army. He said Taiwan's increasingly open policies have opened more channels for mainland Chinese tourists to visit the island for tourism, education, employment and commerce and that more than 3 million tourists from mainland China had visited Taiwan last year. Mentioning that just 1% of this number is equivalent to two divisions of PLA ground forces, he said the tourists provide the PLA a great opportunity to deploy "undercover" troops to the island prior to an invasion and will create strategic and tactical surprises since those "forward deployed" units would attack in the guise of non-combatants.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-EDUCATION Peking University's contentious President Wang Enge is leaving the prestigious institution after less than two years in the job, and will be succeeded by someone described by local media as an even more controversial choice. The CCP Central Committee's Organisation Department announced on February 15, 2015, that Lin Jianhua, a chemist who stirred controversy as president of two other universities, has been appointed to take Wang Enge's place. Lin Jianhua is currently President of Zhejiang University. 58-year old Wang Enge, a physicist and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will take another appointment.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: AGRICULTURE China's first Red Letter Document No:1 of this year issued on February 11, 2015, as per past practice, was on Agriculture. The 32-point document asserted that 'China would not become rich unless farmers became rich' and listed various measures to boost agriculture production. Noting that grain production had increased in 2014 for 11 consecutive years, it promised to 'speed up the construction of new storage facilities to meet the demand in 'The Plan for increasing the National Grain Production Capacity' by 50 billion Kilograms between 2009-2020'.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY The Beijing-based Sina Military recently described China's new Type 093G nuclear submarine as providing the PLA with a potential "aircraft carrier killer." Citing Taiwan's Defence Interntional magazine, it said the manufacturing of two Type 093G nuclear subs — upgraded versions of the Type 093 — were completed by the Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co in December. Another is resting in a dry dock. The report said that the primary difference between Type 093G subs and Type 093 subs is that the former added a vertical launcher capable of firing cruise missiles and the YJ-18 anti-ship missile. The addition of the Type 093G sub, which has a missile attack range of 300km, means it can provide strong support in taking on enemy aircraft carriers along with long-range bombers and surface warships. The Type 093 sub can also use long-range missiles to attack targets on foreign soil, laying a solid foundation for the development of the next-gen Type 096 sub. According to the report, the YJ-18 serializes and universalizes the PLA Navy's missile systems through its compatibility with vertical launchers, laying a solid foundation for building surface warships with greater stealth capabilities.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The official Xinhua news agency and the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily on February 14, 2015, reported that Major General Liu Hongjie, who held a top logistical support position in the General Staff Department and had earlier worked under Central Military Commission Vice Chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, had been placed under "coercive measures". The People's Daily said on its website that he is suspected of abusing his position in 2013 and taking bribes.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China Daily reported that on February 9, 2015, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang instructed officials to sign a written pledge to carry out major economic and social policies faithfully, saying that their dereliction of duty had slowed the economy.
(Comment: Over 100,000 Chinese Party and government officials have been disciplined in the three years since launch of the campaign against corruption in 2013.)
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-US: USCC REPORT ON PLA A report assessing the PLA's capabilities and entitled "China's Incomplete Military Transformation: Assessing the Weaknesses of the People's Liberation Army "commissioned by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) was released on February 11, 2015.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE The PLA Daily front-paged a report on February 11, 2015, announcing that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is launching a year-long retrospective audit to review military spending over the past two years to crack down on excessive behaviour in the world's largest army.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION Wang Qishan, Chairman of the Party's anti-corruption watchdog body the 'Central Discipline Inspection Commission' (CDIC) announced that the Party was expanding its anti-corruption drive and commencing inspections into 26 state-owned enterprises (SoEs).
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP More than 12,000 undergraduate candidates applying to the art school of Beijing University of Technology were asked to sketch a portrait of President Xi Jinping.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Veteran Chinese 'revolutionary' leader Deng Liqun (1915-2015) died at 4.56 pm on February 10, 2015, at the age of 100, in Beijing.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINORITIES China Human Rights reported (February 6-12, 2015) that a Hunan court had on February 9, 2015, sentenced relatives and supporters of Long Baorong (a popular ethnic Miao leader and former party official imprisoned for exposing government corruption, who died right after his medical release in 2012), his son-in-law, Long Xianyuan and the latter's brother Long Xianjiang to prison terms of 15 and 25 years respectively . They were convicted of “triad-related” crimes in Jishou City, Hunan Province.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-DENMARK: DALAI LAMA/TIBET Confirming that Denmark’s government will not be meeting the Dalai Lama in Copenhagen this week, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Lidegaard told reporters in e-mailed comments that “The Dalai Lama has not requested a meeting with the government.”
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-ARGENTINA: SPACE COOPERATION Of strategic is a communique signed on February 5, 2015, between China and Argentina outlining co-operation in space. According to this, China will build and man a new space tracking and control station on a 200 hectare facility in the southern Argentine province of Neuquen. For China this facility provides a vital deep southern hemisphere node for global ground-based tracking and control, which is needed to manage its growing satellite networks, manned space stations, and lunar programme. Argentine sources note that a crucial quid-pro-quo is that Buenos Aires will gain access to strategic information from China's formidable surveillance satellite constellation.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA-INDIA: MILITARY SALES China's official Global Times on February 8, 2015, said that the technology to be provided by the United States to India 'does not only help to prevent the People's Liberation Army from entering Indian Ocean, but also to reduce Russian influence in the region'.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGY AND PROPAGANDA On January 19, 2015, the CCP CC issued an official decree -- also called a “red letterhead document” -- entitled “Suggestions on further strengthening and improving ideological propaganda among tertiary institutions under new circumstances”.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-MARITIME SILK ROUTE A Chinese cruise liner to ply the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road started its maiden voyage from the Beihai port in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Monday morning.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: BILATERAL TIES The Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao reported on February 9, 2015, that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been invited to participate in the Victory Day Parade held in Russia's Red Square on May 9 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. Andrei Denisov, the Russian Ambassador to China, said President Xi Jinping has agreed to take part in the VE Day parade with a PLA delegation consisting of 60 military officers.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying announced at the weekly press conference on February 10, 2015, that Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Pakistan to attend the 23rd March Military Parade. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Islamabad on February 23 to prepare for the visit.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: 'PRINCELINGS' IN HSBC SCANDAL Thirteen high-ranking 'princelings' are mentioned in the recently released ICIJ article listing individuals in connection with the HSBC scandal. These are: Deng Jiagui, Wen Yusong, Liu Chuahang, Hu Yishi, Li Xiaolin, Wu Jianchang, Che Feng, Wang Zhi, Wang Jun, Fu Liang, Yeh Shuen-Ji, Wang Jingjing and Su Zhijun. Joseph Fok, a judge on Hong Kong’s highest court, also figures in the list.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Xinhua reported that Liu Han, former chairman of the Hanlong Group, was sentenced to death together with his younger brother, Liu Wei and three other associates, in May for "leading mafia-style crime and murder".
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION The Beijing-based Sina Military Network on February 7, 2015, said that China and Russia recently reached an agreement to design a new passenger aircraft with the potential to be modified into a refueling aircraft for the air forces of both nations.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: BORDER RESOLUTION The official english-language 'Global Times' on February 10, 2015, published an article captioned 'Sino-Indian border deal requires clear signals'. Stating that " If there is an "out-of-box solution," it is likely a breakthrough over the eastern part of the border, which contains the most controversial area between China and India", the newspaper added that "the illegal McMahon Line, which is at the heart of the boundary dispute.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY/PBOC Chinese media reports on February 10, 2015, said that changes are imminent at the People’s Bank of China. Two of its four Deputy Governors namely Hu Xiaolian and Li Dongrong will leave their posts.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP On February 8, 2015, PBSC member Liu Yunshan attended a meeting of the Leading Small Group on the Economy.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA NAVY Vincent R. Stewart, Director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), told a hearing of the House Committee on Armed Services on February 3, 2015, that Chinese nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines will begin routine patrol missions in open sea this year.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-US: DALAI LAMA Despite China warning the US against the Dalai Lama attending the Breakfast Prayer Meeting, the Dalai Lama was reportedly warmly welcomed by President Obama when participating for the first time in the National Prayer Breakfast on February 5, 2015 in Washington DC.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: SUSHMA SWARAJ'S MEETING WITH XI JINPING Xinhua on February 2, 2015 reported that in his meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on February 2, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping said "Leaders of the two countries should maintain communication and exchanges and work together to ensure the correct direction for the development of the bilateral ties."
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY The latest issue of the Hurun Research Institute, which tracks global wealth and the richest men in China and the world, in its latest report for 2015 claims that the world now has 2089 billionaires surpassing 2000 for the first time. Of these, the number of billionaires in China has increased by 72 and now totals 430.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-MISSILES The Global Times on February 5, 2015, reported that Beijing has shipped its liquid-fuelled carrier rocket, the Long March 7, to its Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan province for tests in preparation for the rocket's first launch next year.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Observing that here has been no official comment yet on whether China is building a second aircraft carrier, the CCP's official mouthpiece People's Daily on February 5, 2015, quoted Yang Yujun, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense as saying as having said at a regular press conference on August 29, 2013, that the "Liaoning is China's first aircraft carrier, but will definitely not be the only one".
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INNER MONGOLIA According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on January 13, 2015, dozens of ethnic Mongolian herders from China's Inner Mongolia region converged on Beijing to lodge a complaint with the national government over a land grab by the PLA in 2011 since when they have received little compensation.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-NORWAY China's official news agency reported on Feb 4, 2015 that Norwegian police had ordered a Chinese doctorate student working at the University of Agder to leave Norway before January 23, 2015. Ma Qiang, Political Counselor at the Chinese embassy in Norway, had raised the issue with Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 3, 2015.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: THINK-TANKS According to a recent report, China has the second largest number of think tanks in the world (426), behind only the United States (1,826).On October 27, at the sixth meeting of the Leading Group for Overall Reform, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a new type of think tank. He said think tanks should have “Chinese characteristics,” promote China’s modernization and governing system as well as strengthen China’s soft power.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY PARADE China plans to hold its first large-scale military parade since 2009 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. One key objective was described as being to "frighten Japan."
(China most recently held National Day parades in 1999 and 2009 to mark the 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Oct. 1 establishment of the People's Republic of China.)
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: AIRCRAFT SALES The Kanwa Defense Review, a Canada-based Chinese-language military magazine, on Jan 30, 2015, disclosed that China is likely to receive the first batch of Su-35 fighters from Russia between 2017 and 2018, if the contract can be signed this year. Russia has decided to sell only 24 Su-35 fighters to China.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-US: CHINA'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Navy Capt. James E. Fanell, outgoing intelligence chief of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, warned at his retirement party in Pearl Harbour, Honolulu on February 2, 2015, that China’s ruling Communist Party is “rejuvenating” and preparing for a military conflict in Asia.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s official mouthpiece 'People's Daily' on February 2, 2015, described Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Beijing for the trilateral regular meeting mechanism for FMs of India, China and Russia in positive tones. It said that "For India, which aspires to become a leading player on both regional and global arenas, it pays off by adopting a pragmatic approach in diplomacy: instead of purely looking to the West to heed every move in Washington, it also attaches great importance to relations with its two giant northern neighbors.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN One day after the President of China's Minsheng Bank resigned during the weekend as he was taken by the government for investigation, a Board Member of one of its smaller rivals, the Bank of Beijing, Lu Haijun, was taken by the government for investigation due to "serious breach of discipline",
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN ACADEMIA China's Education Minister Yuan Guiren, writing in the latest edition of the influential Communist Party theoretical journal Qiushi (Seeking Truth), said universities were the "front line of ideology" and that there were some trends on campus that required closer attention. He said "Young teachers and students are key targets of infiltration by enemy forces" and "Some countries have seen China's development as a challenge to their system and values and have stepped up infiltration in more discrete and diverse ways, resulting in a more difficult task to manage publicity and ideology." He said classroom guidelines would be drafted to put "Marxism at the forefront" and textbooks that spread incorrect Western viewpoints would be steadily barred from campus. Controls over philosophy and social science forums would be stepped up to stop "wrong talk".
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIER The Chinese Communist Party's official mouthpiece 'People's Daily' was quoted by its subsidiary Global Times on February 2, 2015, as revealing that construction of China's second aircraft carrier appears to be imminent. It said that on Saturday, the official microblog of the Changzhou city government in east China's Jiangsu province posted that a local company, Jiangsu Shangshang Cable Group, has won a tender to supply cabling for "China's second aircraft carrier." The post was reproduced in a report by the Changzhou Evening News the same day, but both the microblog post and the article were deleted shortly after publication.
CCASFeb 2015 |
CHINA-HONGKONG:MILITARY TRAINING Hong Kong established a new uniformed organization called the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association Limited (HKACAL), whose founding ceremony was held on January 18, 2015, at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-HONGKONG:MILITARY TRAINING Hong Kong established a new uniformed organization called the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association Limited (HKACAL), whose founding ceremony was held on January 18, 2015, at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA The PLA Daily reported on January 23, 2015, that following Xi Jinping's instruction at a PLA Political Work Conference in April 2013, by the end of 2014, more than 86,000 leaders and cadres above the regimental level, including 810 leaders above the combined corps level, had been organized to serve in the company as soldiers.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-GLOBAL MILITARY RANKING Global Firepower, a website that lists the world's military strength, has ranked China in the third place after the US and Russia.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA AIR FORCE's J-10B AIRCRAFT Commenting on recent pictures of the 14 J-10B fighters painted with the mark of the Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAAF) and parked on the apron at the airport of the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co., Ltd. under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the website of the Jane's Defense Weekly assessed that this type of modified fighter will possibly soon be deployed to the aviation troops of the PLAAF.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY On January 23, 2015, the CCP CC'S Politburo adopted the outline of a National Security Strategy. The Chinese media did not give details, but said the new strategy warned of “unpredictable” and “unprecedented” dangers facing China, both at home and abroad. Xinhua, in its official summary, said that to face these challenges, “national security must be under the absolute leadership of the CCP’s efficient and unified command.”
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: JAPAN An article published in the official Chinese newspaper Global Times on January 23, 2015, claimed that Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida's remarks in Delhi regarding Arunachal Pradesh "showed Japan's clear tactic of taking sides over disputed territory by backing India and that Tokyo's ambition goes beyond just strengthening its relationship with India". It said this revealed Japan's "intent of "uniting" the countries that have territorial disputes with China, in an attempt to create a strong impression that Japan, along with China's other neighboring countries, is bullied by a rising China. In the case of a conflict, Japan can put the blame on China instead of itself".
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW AND ORDER Hong Kong based infonews television and online media cnnt.hk reported that two people were stabbed and one beheaded at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, in a shopping mall in Yan'an city, north China's Shaanxi province. The cause of the attack is not yet known.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA--US PRESIDENT OBAMA'S VISIT TO INDIA China's official Global Times published an Op-Ed on January 20, 2015, showing its pique at US President Obama's visit to India and the growing warmth in Indo-US relations.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: ZUBR HOVERCRAFT Among photographs of various ships being built in Chinese shipyards that have recently surfaced online, are two hovercrafts resembling the Ukrainian Zubr-class air-cushioned landing craft.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STRENGTHENING PROPAGANDA AND IDEOLOGICAL WORK IN HIGHER EDUCATION The CCP CC's General Office and the State Council General Office recently issued the “Opinions concerning Further Strengthening and Improving Propaganda and Ideology Work in Higher Education Under New Circumstances”. The full text of the “Opinion” was released by Xinhua on January 19, 2015.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-POPE FRANCIS AND DALAI LAMA On January 19, 2015, Pope Francis denied earlier reports that he had refused to meet the Dalai Lama in December for fear of upsetting China. He told journalists that "The usual protocol of the secretary of state is not to receive heads of state and high ranking personalities when they are in Rome for an international meeting.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: AIRCRAFT CARRIER Xu Zengping, a former PLA basketball player was chosen to negotiate the acquisition of the second-hand Varyag aircraft carrier from Russia posing as a businessman. He was quoted on January 20, 2015, as saying that Beijing never repaid the US$120 million it cost him. He told Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper: "I still haven't received one fen (one hundredth of a yuan) from our government. I just handed it over to the navy." Xu Zengping also revealed that, contrary to reports, the ship was still fitted with its original engines at the time it was transported to China.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-XI JINPING WARNS PLA OFFICERS TO MANAGE WITHIN THEIR SALARIES At an important meeting on January 18, 2015, Chinese President and Chairma of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping warned PLA cadres and especially senior officers to manage within their salaries and not resort to trying to earn 'grey' or illegal incomes. He warned that corrupt officers will be caught and added that the days where officers could get by with doing the minimum work had gone.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN ACADEMIA The CCP CC Propaganda Department and the PRC State Council jointly issued a document on January 19, 2015, on strengthening propaganda and ideological work in Chinese universities. It mandates that 'China's Dream' be included in the required study material.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY With the removal and detention of Vice Minister Ma Jian of the Ministry of State Security (MoSS) there is a void at the top of China’s civilian intelligence apparatus. Ma Jian is the third Vice Minister of the MoSS to be removed in recent years. Till his removal he was viewed as a possible successor to Geng Huichang, the current Minister of State Security, who is due to retire in the next two to three years.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP SALARIES The official English-language newspaper China Daily reported on January 20, 2015, that Chinese President Xi Jinping and the other six members of the CCP CC's Politburo Standing Committee have been given a 62 per cent pay increase. Civil servants have also received their first salary increases since 2006. Xi Jinping's basic monthly pay will go up to 11,385 yuan (S$2,440) from 7,020 yuan, the China Daily said, citing announcements by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. At the bottom of the scale, the lowest-ranked civil servants have seen their pay more than double to 1,320 yuan.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION-PLA The Global Times, a subsidiary of the CCP CC mouthpiece Peope's Daily, reported on January 15, 2015, that Major General Liu Jixing, President of the PLA Military Court, had been promoted the previous day to the level of Commander of a major military command.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-US: CYBER THEFT The German magazine Der Spiegel on January 18, 2015 published new disclosures of signals intelligence collected by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) and its "Five Eyes" partners, including the Australian Signals Directorate.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INDIA: ARUNACHAL PRADESH Global Times, the subsidiary newspaper of the CCP mouthpiece People's Daily on January 19, 2015, reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, while on his 17th visit to India delivered a speech announcing Japan's large-scale investment in northeastern India. It said that during the speech he described " 'Arunachal Pradesh' (ie, southern Tibet)" as Indian territory. It noted his comment that "Japan has currently no plans to invest in this region. "
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: ICBMs Quoting from a report published in the International Herald Leader, a newspaper under the auspices of the official news agency Xinhua, the WantChina Times on January 18, 2015, said that China's Dong-Feng 21 ballistic missile may have been deployed at the Changbai Mountains in the northeastern region of the country as a deterrent against Japan and Taiwan.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION: PLA The Liberation Army Daily reported on January 9, 2015, that the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s General Political Department, General Logistics Department and the PLA Discipline Inspection Department had jointly issued a notice announcing that the PLA will start a two-year operation against malpractice and corruption in staff housing projects.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION LEADERSHIP The CDIC disclosed on January 18, 2015, that Huo Ke, Deputy Director of the China National Tourism Administration, is being investigated for suspected "serious discipline and law violations." Huo Ke, 54, was named tourism deputy head in December 2014.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INVESTIGATIONS FOR CORRUUPTION AGAINST MoSS VICE MINISTER Xinhua and a posting on the official CDIC website on January 16, 2015, confirmed the disclosure made on December 9, 2014, by the US-based Mingjing website that MoSS Executive Vice Minister Ma Jian was under investigation.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY COOPERATION China's state-owned Global Times reported the arrival of Chinese pilots at a Russian Air Force training center to train to fly the Su-35 fighter and said this indicates that Russia and China have reached a consensus about when the aircraft will be turned over to the PLA Air Force. According to a report from Zvezda, a television network run by the Russian military. Beijing and Moscow are likely to sign the final agreement regarding the sale of 24 Su-35 fighters to China on May 19, 2015. Turning over possession of the Su-35 fighters will begin in 2016.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS AGAINST 15 GENERALS IN PLA Very interestingly, the English-language official newspaper 'China Daily' with inputs from the official news agency Xinhua, published a report on January 16, 2015, listing 16 senior PLA officers at corps level and above as under investigation on charges of corruption. Among those listed are:
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA MISSILE CAPABILITY While experts from the United States and Russia have expressed their concerns regarding China's DF-31 and DF-31A intercontinental ballistic missiles, Chinese military analyst Liu Jiangping told Global Times on January 8, 2015, that China's ability to strike the continental United States had been exaggerated. He said China's ICBM arsenal is small compared to that of the United States and added that most of China's missiles could not be used to launch a first strike against North America due to their range. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is unable to launch a first strike against North America. Liu Jiangping also said that Russia is, meanwhile, trying to turn the attention of the United States to China through overstating the PLA's nuclear strike capability.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL Wang Yongqing, Secretary General of the CCP CC's Political-Legal Committee wrote a hard-hitting article in the Party theoretical journal, Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth) in its issue of January 4, 2015. In the article, Wang Yongqing stressed the need to uphold the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, uphold the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and implementing the rule of law and the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics. He emphasised that Party leadership is socialism with Chinese characteristics and a most essential feature and that it is the most fundamental guarantee of socialist rule.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LABOUR UNREST China Labour Bulletin recorded 569 incidents of strikes and protests during the fourth quarter of 2014, more than three times the number in the same period in 2013. Guangdong province continued to be the epicentre of worker activism in China, accounting for about 20 percent of all incidents. There has, however, been a sharp increase in the number of protests in several other provinces, with the number of incidents in Jiangsu, Shandong, and Henan jumping from 11, 6, and 6 respectively in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 43, 34, and 30 last year. There were 60 strikes in the transport sector, or just over ten percent of the total, down from 22 percent in the same quarter of 2013. One of the most notable features of the strike action seen in the last quarter were the 43 strikes and teachers, more than four times the number in the fourth quarter of 2013. After massive strikes by thousands of teachers in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang in November in protest at low wages and a new pension scheme, more and more teachers in Henan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Anhui staged protests over wage arrears, performance-related pay schemes and forced overtime.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TERRORISM AND UYGHURS Global Times reported on January 14, 2015, that police in Shanghai arrested 10 Turkish nationals suspected of supplying fake passports to ethnic Uighurs from Xinjiang who were described as "terror suspects". Another 11 people, including nine Xinjiang "terror suspects", were also detained in November while trying to leave China after paying 60,000 yuan for altered Turkish passports.
The paper said terrorism-related audio and video materials were found among the suspects and that some had been bound for Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Chinese foreign ministry and the Turkish embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for information about the case.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION The US-based Duowei News citing recent Chinese media reports said that General Jia Tingan, deputy head of the PLA's General Political Department, might be under investigation on corruption charges. Also, the life sentence handed down to the former deputy commander of the PLA Navy, Wang Shouye, was revealed recently for the first time in an article penned by Major General Zhang Jinchang, former deputy head of the infrastructure section at the General Logistics Department, in liberal reformist monthly journal Yanhuang Chunqiu.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Shanxi governor Li Xiaopeng, the 55 year old son of former Premier Li Peng, will no longer directly handle the province’s anti-graft and audit agencies and state-owned enterprises. An enlarged conference of Shanxi province decided to change the leadership’s division of responsibilities on December 31, with Li’s former portfolio handed to Executive Vice Governor Gao Jianmin. Li Xiaopeng will still be in charge of the province’s overall management.
(Comment: Li Xiaopeng was promoted to Governor in January, 2013.)
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: YASUKUNI SHRINE VISIT Xinhua quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei as saying at a daily press briefing that China calls on the Japanese government to distance itself from militarism following the visit on January 9, 2015 by Premier Shinzo Abe to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine. Hong Lei said: "China's stance on visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese leaders is firm and clear, [As long as] Japan earnestly faces up to and profoundly reflects upon its aggressive history, and distances itself from militarism, then China-Japan ties can develop in a sound and stable way."
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: FOREX RESERVES China’s foreign exchange reserves, the world’s largest since 2006, could drop to $3.5 trillion to $4 trillion or lower at the end of 2015, according to the majority of economists polled in a Bloomberg survey. Eleven said the $3.99 trillion posted on June 30 was the peak.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: LANGUAGE POLICY The TAR Bureau of Compilation and Translation announced on January 12, 2015, that all seven prefecture-level cities in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) have started organizing Tibetan language training for non-native cadres. Qoizha, Deputy Director of the Bureau, said they have handed out 40,000 books on basic Tibetan language for daily conversation.
Earlier, in September 2014 China's President Xi Jinping stressed at a conference on ethnic work that in ethnic regions, ethnic minority cadres should learn Mandarin, and Han cadres should also learn ethnic languages. The language skill should become a "requirement" for cadres.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG TERRORISM Xinjiang's government-run Tianshan news site reported that on January 12 police in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region shot dead six attackers amid a security clampdown in the region. There were no police or civilian casualties.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The US-based Mingjing News website reported on January 9, 2015, that Ma Jian, Executive Vice Minister in the Ministry of State Security has been detained over alleged corruption as part of President Xi Jinping's ever-widening crackdown on graft. Several of Ma Jian's close relatives are also under investigation.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: TERRITORIAL DISPUTE Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida held an official meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Japan for the first time in 13 months on Jan. 9, when the discussed efforts to repair strained bilateral ties. Fumio Kishida was quoted by Asahi Shimbun as telling Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua that "We want to build up mutual cooperation and bolster momentum for improved relations." The Ambassador replied: "We share the same view."
Also at the meeting, Kishida protested the intrusion of three Chinese government ships into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea the same day.
In response, Cheng reiterated Beijing's stance that the sovereignty issue has yet to be resolved between the two neighbors, despite Tokyo's claim that there is no territorial dispute.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG-UYGHUR AR: BAN ON BURQA'S On January 10, 2015, Xinhua reported that the legislature of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has approved a regulation banning the wearing of the burqa in public places in the regional capital of Urumqi. The XUAR People's Congress said the regulation will go into effect after being amended. It was drafted by the municipal legislature of Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, last year.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA REFORM A circular issued by the PLA's General Political Department (GPD) and endorsed by the Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping has directed that PLA Commanders and PLA Political Commissars switch posts . The objective is to enhance combat capability and eliminate the possibility of emergence of factions.
The move is limited to officers within the same unit and does not entail cross MR or cross formation switching of posts. A similar move was initiated in 2014 at the Company and Battalion levels.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: LATIN AMERICA According to figures released by the Boston University's Global Economic Governance Initiative, China has extended credit worth over US$ 100 billion to the Latin American region since 2005. China has also recently pledged billions of dollars of financing to Venezuela and Ecuador, becoming their biggest foreign financier.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: FLAG RAISING INCIDENT IN US Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Kao told a parliamentary session in Taipei yesterday that Taipei had expressed regret at embarrassing the United States after a Taiwanese flag-raising ceremony in Washington sparked US criticism and Beijing's anger. He said "This is an isolated incident. We regret that it caused the US inconvenience. We have an understanding [with the US] and we will continue to enhance communication."
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ACADEMIC REFORMS A report in Beijing News on January 7, 2015, disclosed that senior government officials have been told to stay away from standing in election for memberships of the country's two leading academies, namely, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). Both had announced their new election rules in December, which disqualify officials above division level from the biennial recruitment, which started on January 1, 2015.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY AIR FORCE The first carrier-based helicopter regiment in the history of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is affiliated to the North Sea Fleet, carried out its first flight on January 7, 2015 at an airport in Shandong province.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Local Chinese media reports claimed on January 9, 2015, morning that Jiang Mianheng, son of former CCP General Secretary Jiang Zemin, had stepped down as head of the Shanghai branch of the China Academy of Science, after holding this key position for many years. Local media cited "old age" as a reason to explain Jiang Mianheng's departure.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA The US-based Chinese Duowei News reported on January 7, 2015, that China's Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, is on its way from Sanya in southeast China's Hainan province to Singapore, where it will begin exploration in the Indian Ocean.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: NUCLEAR POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER Informed reports emanating from China claim that China is trying to build its own nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It is modelled on the unfinished former Soviet nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN On January 7, 2015, PLA's General Political Department announced that President Xi Jinping, who is also Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), had endorsed the launch of a new year-long education campaign throughout the PLA.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-CYBER ESPIONAGE The website of the Party newspaper 'People’s Daily' published an article on January 5, 2015, saying that the University of Electronic Technology and Science at Xi’an was opening its 17th school to be called the School of Cyber Engineering and Innovation Center.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE Caijing magazine on January 7, 2015, disclosed that an internet storm had erupted on January 7, after eagle-eyed readers found a list of equipment expenditures by the local police substation posted on its official website in the Wenzhou Economic and Technology Development Zone in Fujian province. The list included the 49,000-yuan purchase of surveillance equipment enabling police to remotely hijack Android and iPhone handsets for surveillance purposes.
CCASJan 2015 |
US-CHINA:REAL ESTATE CCCC International USA LLC, an affiliate of China Communications Construction Company U.S. International purchased a 2.4-acre site at 1430 S. Miami Ave in the posh Brickell neighborhood for US$ 74.7 million. Plans for what will be built on the 2.4-acre site at 1430 S. Miami Ave. According to Dr. Shan-Jie Li, Chief Executive Officer of the American Da Tang Group Co. Ltd. in New York, plans for the project are not yet complete, but it could be a mixed-use project that includes condominiums, hotel and office elements. The buyer of the land is listed as a newly formed Delaware entity, CCCC International USA LLC.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE FBI documents made public on December 30, 2014, revealed that Ms Xiafen “Sherry” Chen, an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) office in Ohio, was charged with illegally accessing the Army’s National Inventory of Dams (NID) and stealing sensitive infrastructure data from an Army Corps of Engineers database.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HONGKONG As warned at the time by China's official media that the 'Occupy Central' protesters will pay the price, the Hongkong Standard reported that Hongkong authorities have commenced arresting at least 50 protest leaders including professors, legislators, and students.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s official theoretical journal, Seeking Truth, paid a rare homage in its January 6 issue when it published a retrospective on its website summarising and linking to every article ever written for the journal by current Chinese President Xi Jinping. It traced articles back to October 1966.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: On December 27, 2014, a North Korean man believed to be an army deserter was detained by Chinese authorities for allegedly killing four Chinese citizens in an apparent robbery in the Chinese border town of Nanping in Helong, just north of the Tumen River. Chinese police and military authorities caught the North Korean man after a manhunt. Chinese authorities have not announced the incident and the country's state-run media organizations have also remained silent.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: AIRCRAFT SALES According to Moscow's Russian Military Analyst dated January 3, 2015, Russia has recently rejected China's request to purchase Tu-22 Supersonic strategic bombers to replace the PLA's Cold War-era H-6 strategic bombers.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-TIBET: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CENSORING BY FACEBOOK On January 5, 2015, The International Campaign for Tibet launched a campaign against Facebook calling its CEO Mark Zuckerberg to account after a video of a self-immolation in Tibet posted by a prominent Tibetan writer was deleted.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RARE EARTH EXPORTS Following the WTO's decision that China's 15-year-old export controls, in the form of quota controls, on rare earths violated trade rules, China's Ministry of Commerce on December 31, 2014, dropped rare earths from a list of products subject to export quotas. Exporters now need only provide sales contracts to win export licenses. China accounts for 90 percent of the world’s production of rare earths.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE 53-year old Yang Weize, Party Secretary of Nanjing has been placed under investigation by the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC). This was disclosed by the CDIC on its website on January 4, 2015. According to Caixin magazine, a Nanjing official who declined to be named is reported to have said the CDIC received a tip-off from a retired Jiangsu official, who alleged wrongdoing by Yang Weize during his tenures in the city governments of Suzhou and Wuxi from late 2000 to 2011.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/BO XILAI According to Foreign Policy, ousted Politburo member Bo Xilai's estranged son, 37-year old Li Wangzhi in a post on Weibo on January 1, 2015, said that he had his first meeting with Bo Xilai in seven years in early 2014.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-FOREIGN POLICY On December 27, 2014, the Chinese official media reported a speech by Vice Premier Wang Yang, entitled, "The United States is the guide of the world; China is willing to join this system." In the text, Wang Yang is reported to have said, "China and United States are global economic partners, but America is the guide of the world. America already has the leading system and its rules; China is willing to join the system and respect those rules and hopes to play a constructive role."
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-PLA: MILITARY In a move to make weapons and defence-related purchases transparent, the PLA's General Armament Department (GAD) launched a website on January 4, 2015, that lists a total of 350 items that need to be procured. The list will be updated on the first working day of every January and July.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Hongkong's South China Morning Post quoted China's official news agency on January 5, 2015, as making a rare acknowledgment of factions within the Communist Party, and named key members who are tied to disgraced top cadres Zhou Yongkang and Ling Jihua. Xinhua named several fallen senior officials as connected to the so-called Shanxi Gang, Secretary Gang and Petroleum Gang.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA & IDEOLOGY According to the official news agency, Xinhua, the CCP CC issued Document No:30 last week instructing universities to “enhance guidance over thinking and keep a tight grip on leading ideological work in higher education” and reinforcing warnings that Western-inspired notions of media independence, “universal values” and criticism of Mao threaten the party’s survival.
CCASJan 2015 |
CDIC-ANTI-CORRUPTION A total of 45 high-ranking cadres of the Party, Government and PLA are presently under investigation on charges of corruption and have been dismissed from their posts and the Party or are under suspension from their posts.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ANTI-CORRUPTION A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announcement of January 1, 2015, stated that Zhang Kunsheng, the senior most of MFA's four Assistant Foreign Ministers and in charge of the Protocol Department, was removed from his post as he is "suspected of violating discipline and is being investigated". Qin Gang, who was the ministry's chief spokesman, had assumed the protocol position while Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao will be acting chief spokesman.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INNER MONGOLIA DISSENT Hada, a resident of Inner Mongolia and ethnic Mongol, on December 19, 2014, filed a lawsuit against the Chinese authorities for placing him under extrajudicial detention for 4 years after his completion of a 15-year jail term and persecuting his wife Xinna and son Uiles on trumped-up charges.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA- NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE Reporting the PLA's leadership's New Year's message to PLA personnel, the Liberation Army Daily on January 1, 2015, observed that China's "surrounding situation is generally stable", but added that "some Western countries stepped up and instigated "color revolution", intensified the implementation of online "Cultural Cold War" and "political transgenic" project, and escalated attempts to uproot the soul of our military officers and soldiers". It said that the army faces grim challenges from attempts to separate the PLA from the Party's banner and dilute its ideological and political commitment. It urged PLA officers and soldiers to effectively enhance the sense of mission awareness, and resolutely obey the Central Military Commission with Chairman Xi in command.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: NAVAL PATROLS NEAR DIAOYU Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper said on December 31, 2014, that under direct orders from Chinese President Xi Jinping, China's patrol ships in the East China Sea have begun coming closer than ever to the disputed Diaoyutai (Diaoyu or Senkaku) islands from mid-December. The newspaper noted that while since August the Chinese ships had generally kept at a distance of 200 km from the islands, or at what has been called the "halfway line" between China and Japan, however since mid-December this policy saw a sudden shift with two patrol boats coming within 27 km north of the Diaoyutai's surrounding waters and within 70 km of the islands themselves.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: EAST CHINA SEA, DIAOYU ISLANDS China started an official website dedicated to asserting its claims in the East China Sea. The website went online on December 30, 2014 and uses the domain name “Diaoyu” in both Chinese and English. According to the online statement “The Chinese government has an unswerving determination and will to safeguard our national territorial integrity. We have confidence and ability to defeat Japan’s efforts to crush historical facts and international convention.”
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STAMPEDE IN SHANGHAI In what is being described as perhaps the worst mass stampede in three decades, reports till the morning of Jan 1, 2015, state that 35 deaths have been confirmed and more than 40 persons injured in the mass stampede that happened at midnight on New Year Eve in Shanghai Bund area. Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng, considered to be a rising star and possible candidate for Premiership the next time, has been placed in charge of rescue work. Injured persons have been sent to Shanghai No.1 People's Hospital.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XI JINPING'S NEW YEAR'S SPEECH China's official media, including the Party mouthpiece 'People's Daily', on January 1, 2015, front-paged Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech. In his speech, Xi Jinping emphasised the drive against corruption, ostentation and waste, economic reform programmes to improve the people's living standards. The speech contained references to events organised to mark the Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War Victory Day, Martyrs Day and the Nanjing Massacre victims of the National Mourning Day.
CCASJan 2015 |
CHINA-JAPAN: NAVY PROVOCATIONS A Sovremennyy-class destroyer with a displacement of 7,940 tons and a Jiangwei-class frigate with a displacement of 2,392 tons, both belonging to the PLAN's East Sea Fleet, came within about 70 kilometers of the Senkaku Islands in mid-December. This was the first occasion on which PLAN warships came so close to the Senkakus since the Tokyo-Beijing feud erupted in 2012.
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has dispatched vessels to keep an eye on the warships’ activities.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Sun Chunlan, Politburo Member and Tianjin Party Chief will take over as head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s United Front Work Department, apparently replacing disgraced Ling Jihua. After a brief mention of this appointment, China's official media later retrieved the news.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-ENERGY/STREAMLINING China’s official news agency announced on December 29, 2014 that Beijing Energy Investment Holding Co. and the Jingmei Group had been merged into a new 200 billion yuan ($32 billion) company to improve efficiency in the energy industry and reduce pollution.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-IDEOLOGY/UNIVERSITIES China's official media reported on December 29, 2014, that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for greater "ideological guidance" in China's universities and urged the study of Marxism. Xi Jinping said universities had to "shoulder the burden of learning and researching the dissemination of Marxism" and called on the authorities to step up the party's "leadership and guidance" in universities as well as to "strengthen and improve the ideological and political work". Xi Jinping urged campuses to "cultivate and practice the core values of socialism in their teaching".
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Two high-ranking executives of China Unicom namely Zhang Zhijiang, Unicom’s General Manager of Network Construction and Zong Xinhua, General Manager of the IT and E-Commerce Unit, were dismissed for “violations of discipline” after investigations by anti-corruption authorities. Zhang Zhijiang was dismissed on December 15, 2014, while Zong Xinhua was dismissed on December 18.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/CCP The CCP CC's Politburo met earlier today and decided it "would not tolerate" underground alliances.
(Comment: This appears to be recognition that the Bo-Xu-Ling-Zhou camp were clearly organized and challenging the existing power structure within the Party.)
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: NAVY The Canada-based Duowei News reported on December 24, 2014, that the six Kilo-class submarines which Vietnam purchased from Russia are very likely to be used to cut off the supply line of the People's Liberation Army's garrison at the disputed Spratly islands. Vietnam's Kilo-class submarines are all equipped with 3M-14E Klub-S ballistic missiles. With an attacking range of 280 kilometers, the missile can reach Guangdong province's Zhanjiang, where China's South Sea Fleet headquarters is located. China's major naval facilities on Hainan island are also within reach. In addition, the Kilo-submarines can attack PLA supply ships with its GE2-01 radar-guided torpedoes.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI'S VISIT Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Kathmandu on a 3-day visit on December 26, 2014, at the head of a 7-member delegation. He is expected to convey that Nepal features prominently in China’s “peripheral diplomacy”.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NORTH-SOUTH WATER DIVERSION PROJECT On December 27, 2014, Beijing received its first flows from the South-North Water Diversion Project, one of the most ambitious engineering projects in China's history. After decades of planning and at least 202.32 billion yuan (HK$255.45) in investment, more than a billion cubic metres of water is projected to flow north to the capital every year through more than 1,200km of channels and pipes. Another 8.5 billion cubic metres will reach provinces along the way. The authorities say the project, which will ultimately have three routes and cost an estimated US$81 billion, will solve a chronic water shortage in northern cities.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA The Global Times recently published a commentary critical of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) by Lt General Wang Hongguang, a former Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region, which was subsequently posted on a PLA website on December 2, 2014.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER COOPERATION Senior US Administration officials recently disclosed that the Obama Administration has sought China’s help in blocking North Korea’s ability to launch cyberattacks. This is part of the "first steps" toward the “proportional response” President Obama vowed to make North Korea pay for the assault on Sony Pictures. The Chinese have so far not responded and their cooperation is critical, since virtually all of North Korea’s telecommunications run through Chinese-operated networks.
Separately, Gordon Chang on December 21, 2014, told Al Jazeera America that the North Korean hacking group, Unit 121, is based in a luxury hotel in Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-US: VISAS TO OFFICIALS The PRC denied visas this year to the members of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ECONOMIC AID Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China is willing to help counteract an economic slowdown and provide financial aid to develop cooperation. He said this on December 15, at a gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Asthana (Kazakhstan) attended by Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and China. The remarks appeared intended for Russia.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-S&T Bai Chunlu, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), announced in August 2014, that the CAS's 104 Institutes would be reformed and the way it rewards its scientists would be changed to make the CAS a world leader in S&T by 2030. The CAS, which receives funding amounting to GBP 4.43 billion annually, is under pressure for its failure to produce enough breakthroughs that are changing the world. A document outlining the proposed changes was circulated in September 2014. It proposes creating four specified centres of excellence and increasing the salaries of scientists to reduce their dependence.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE: J-20 STEALTH AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION Global Times on December 21, 2014, published a report claiming that China's stealth fighter technology has overtaken Russia.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-POLITICAL: JOURNALISM In its latest report the 'Committee to Protect Journalists' states that the number of journalists in prison in China in 2014 is 44, an increase of 32 since 2013. It said that in recent years a larger number of journalists from ethnic minorities, mostly Tibetans and Uighurs, have been detained.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Wall Street Journal on December 17, 2014, quoted Chinese officials and experts familiar with China's policy-making as saying that China is more willing to allow the Yuan (RMB) to depreciate modestly to add flexibility to its trading.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-NEW BEIJING AIRPORT China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced that it had approved the construction of a new airport in the southern Beijing suburbs to ease congestion and overcapacity at Beijing International Airport. The new airport, which will be designed by Netherlands Airport Consultants, is expected to take five years to build at a total cost of 80 billion yuan ($13.1 billion).
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-OIL Chinese energy giant CNOOC Group is studying the possibility of building a multi-billion-dollar floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel. This is as yet an untried technology, but could be used to produce gas from the deep waters of the South China Sea. While CNOOC has made no public announcement, a pre-feasibility study is well under way according to CNOOC officials who also said that CNOOC is already talking to global engineering firms about possible joint design of the vessel.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA- COAST GUARD According to Shanghai's 'New Outlook' website, the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard is building two ships with a displacement of over 10,000 tons for the China Coast Guard Bureau, which was set up last year. One ship, named the Haijing 2901 is already in water and the painting process began last month and will be completed by the end of this year. It is the biggest coast guard ship in the world and scheduled to be next Spring.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: SELF- IMMOLATIONS Quoting a Tibetan source, the Tibetan administration in Dharamsala said that Sangyal Khar, an ethnic Tibetan, set himself on fire on December 16, 2014, right in front of the Police Station in Amchok town, Sangchu County, Kanlho Tibet Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu province. He set himself on fire right in front of the Police Station around 9 AM (local time). The situation in Amchok town remains tense as authorities cordoned off the area and put restrictions on local people's movement and communication lines.
Khar is the 134th Tibetan to immolate self, and 114th to succumb to the burns
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-PLA PROMOTIONS/RESHUFFLE IN DECEMBER 2014 Among the notable appointments/transfers effected by the PLA in December 2014 are those of: Rear Admiral Yang Jie, transferred as Deputy Commander of the 115th Airborne Corps; Sr. Col.Liu Faqing, promoted to Chief of Staff of the 15th Airborne Corps; Major General Dong Jinrong, promoted as the Political Commissar of the Logistics Department of the PLA's General Armaments Department (GAD); Major General Jiang Guoping, transferred as Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA Navy's North China Sea Fleet.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA:ECONOMY-ILLEGAL MONEY OUTFLOWS A report released by the Washington-based advocacy group 'Global Financial Integrity' claimed that Mainland China lost US$1.25 trillion between 2003 and 2012 to illicit outflows including tax evasion, crime and corruption, the largest loss of money among 151 developing nations it had surveyed. This number was described as “highly conservative” as it did not include cash settlements, common among drug dealers and money launderers. Dev Kar and Joseph Spanjers, the report's authors, wrote that “After a brief slowdown during the financial crisis, illicit outflows are once again on the rise, hitting a new peak of US$991.2 billion in 2012”.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-ZHOU YONGKANG The People's Daily's WeChat account on December 15, 2014 declared that Zhou Yongkang's deeds made him "no different from a 'traitor'". The People's Daily article also cited the examples of Gu Shunzhang, the head of the party's intelligence services in the 1920s who defected to then ruling Kuomintang in the 1930s and was later executed on the orders of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek for secretly setting up a new party. It also referred to more recent "traitors", citing three senior People's Liberation Army personnel who sold military intelligence to Taiwan. All three were executed.
The article said: "The word 'traitor' is rarely used in peacetime, but … corrupt elements who betray the party's purpose, violate discipline and tarnish the party's image … are no different from 'traitors'."
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: APECF-LUMBINI Nepal's Social Welfare Council on December 14, 2014, stated that it had started the necessary process to blacklist the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APECF), a Chinese non-governmental organisation, for its lack of transparency and accountability.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-PLA:CORRUPTION The investigations against PLA Major General Gu Junshan, former Deputy Head of the PLA's General Logistics Department, according to informed sources involves funds worth more than 30 billion yuan (US$4.9 billion), making it potentially the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the Communist Party and the PLA.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-US:ESPIONAGE The Washington's Defense News air warfare correspondent disclosed recently that Yu Long, a 36-year-old Chinese engineer was arrested on December 9, 2014, for stealing sensitive proprietary information on titanium used to develop the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Yu Long, a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, was arrested on November 7, 2014, on charges that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a fine of up to US$250,000.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-COUNTER-TERRORISM: ISIS According to as report in the Financial Times on December 12, 2014, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting with Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jafari on the sidelines of the UN meeting on anti-terrorism in September, offered to help Iraq defeat the ISIS Sunni extremists. Jafari told the Financial Times in Tehran, “I welcomed this initiative. I told him . . . we are ready to deal with the coalition and also co-operate with countries outside this coalition.” China’s Defence Ministry declined to comment on Jafari’s remarks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, would not comment on whether China was supplying air support or missiles, but said “China has been fighting terrorism and has been providing support and assistance to Iraq, including the Kurdish region, in our own way, and we will continue to do so within the best of our capabilities.”
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: HYDRO PROJECTS An eight-member team from China's CWE Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Three Gorges Corporation, was scheduled to arrive in Nepal on December 9, 2014 to conduct a field study of the long-planned West Seti Hydropower Project located in Dadeldhura and Doti districts. Officials of Investment Board Nepal (IBN) said the technicians would leave for the project site the following day. They will study the proposed sites for the dam and the powerhouse.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-VATICAN: DALAI LAMA The Pope has declined to meet the Dalai Lama while the latter visits (December 11-14, 2014) Rome for a meeting of Nobel Prize winners. Vatican officials frankly explained that they denied the Dalai Lama’s request for a papal audience “for obvious reasons concerning the delicate situation” with China. An anonymous Vatican official said the decision was “not taken out of fear but to avoid any suffering by those who have already suffered.”
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: WESTERN PACIFIC Japan reported on Dec. 6, 2014, that a Chinese Y9 intelligence gathering plane, two Y8 early warning planes and two H6 bombers were observed flying over an area between Okinawa's main island of Okinawa and Miyako island.
Chinese military commentator Li Xiaojian said the jets may have departed for the Western Pacific to take part in a large-scale naval and air combat exercise, in which Chinese naval ships also participated. This also signals that China has the joint combat capability of combining its naval and air power.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-AFRICA: CYBER On December 4, 2014, BBC reported the Kenyan police as saying they have cracked a cyber crime centre run by 77 Chinese nationals from upmarket homes in Rhunda estate in the capital, Nairobi.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY An article giving detailed information of the cost of a PLA soldier's uniform was published by Southern Weekly.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Rumours are circulating in Beijing that Premier Li Keqiang might be forced to 'resign' on grounds of ill health.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Retired PLA General Liu Jingsong, who retired from active service in 1997 and was formerly President of the influential Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, said at an annual conference of the Global Times newspaper that China will not leave the Taiwan problem "unresolved for a long time" and that the Chinese government would not be afraid to use force to resolve "the Taiwan issue".
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY In a recently released book entitled 'The Theory of Island Warfare', retired General Zhu Wenquan, former Commander of the People's Liberation Army's Nanjing Military Region, discussed the scenario of a Chinese takeover of disputed islands in the East and South China seas.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY OVERSEAS BASES The Namibian Times on November 24, 2014, disclosed that China and Namibia are holding high-level talks regarding construction of a naval maintenance and supply base for the PLA Navy at Walvis Bay.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL The CCP CC, at 8 minutes after midnight on December 6, 2014, announced that former Politburo Standing Committee member and China's Security Czar, Zhou Yongkang, had been expelled from the CC for serious violation of the Party's political discipline, organizational discipline and confidential discipline. Among the charges listed were: use of his office for people to seek illegal interests, accepting huge bribes directly or through family members; helping relatives, mistresses, friends, business activities to obtain huge profits, cause significant losses of state assets; disclosure of the party and state secrets; serious violations of the provisions of self-discipline; and a number of female adultery and illegal money transactions.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: ECONOMIC The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is preparing to sign an agreement with the People's Bank of China (PoBC) by the third week of December to facilitate the use of Chinese currency, renminbi (RMB) in transactions between the two neighbouring countries.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-US:TIBET The Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Lobsang Gyaltsen (Chinese: Luosang Jiangcun) is leading a delegation to Canada and the US from November 30, 2014.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-PLA:SECURITY On November 29, 2014, Xinhua reported that the General Staff Headquarters, General Political Department, General Logistics Department and the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) jointly issued rules to prevent "duty crimes".
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HOUKOU-SECURITY China's Ministry of Public Security and the State Ethnic Affairs Commission have issued draft regulations on "managing" ethnicity for hukou purposes ("ethnic element")"for public comment.The regulations are intended to become effective from July 1, 2015.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG UNREST Quoting the official Tianshan news portal, China's official news agency Xinhua reported on November 29, 2014, that 15 people were killed and 14 injured in an attack which took place at a “food street” on November 28, 2014, in Shache county.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL; EARTHQUAKE IN TIBET Official reports state that the earthquake in the Kangding (11' • 22") area at 7.00 pm on November 28, 2014, evening caused extensive damage.
CCASDec 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMY Global Times on November 27, 2014, published an article which said that India could benefit in its effort to create a manufacturing base by tapping in to China's sunset industries.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY The latest annual report of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission forecast that over the next three to five years, China's nuclear arsenal will weaken US deterrence in the Western Pacific, particularly with respect to Japan.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SPACE China's Global Times on November 27, 2014, published an article on the Kuaizhou-2 (KZ-2) quick-response launch vehicle launched into space by China on November 21, 2014, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA A report in OilPrice.com on November 26, 2014, reveals that recent satellite imagery confirms China is conducting significant land reclamation operations in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS).
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM Two of Vietnam's 100-metre-(330-ft-) long Russian-built missile-guided frigates docked in Manila Bay at the start of a three-day goodwill visit on November 25, 2014.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), a U.S. congressional advisory panel, in its annual report issued on November 20, 2014, anticipating that China could have as many as 351 submarines and missile-equipped surface ships in the Asia Pacific by 2020.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Xia Bin, Honorary Director General of the Finance Research Institute, Research Fellow at the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC), and Member of the PRC State Council, said in a recent speech that China's economy is in bad shape and at risk of falling into a severe slump.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL LEADERSHIP:ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Speaking to a group of retired Chinese Communist Party veteran cadres on November 26, 2014, in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that his administration's anti-graft campaign had the "staunch backing" of retired party cadres.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: BORDER TALKS China's official newsagency 'Xinhua' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, as saying on November 25, 2014, that China welcomed the appointment of Ajit Doval as India's new Special Representative on border talks with China and expects a new round of border talks with India soon.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: FIFTH XIANGSHAN FORUM The Liberation Army Daily reported on November 24, 2014 that at the 5th Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, Major General Luo Yuan, Deputy Secretary General of the China Association for Military Science (CAMS), said that Maj. Gen. Raul Del Rosario, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, had evaded answering questions.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CYBER SECURITY Inaugurating China's first Cyber Security Week on November 24, 2014, Politburo Standing Committee member in charge of Propaganda, Liu Yunshan, called for strengthening public awareness of Internet security and lawful cyberspace management. Among the organisers of the Cyber Security Week are the ministries of industry and information technology, education and public security.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION A high-level Indian Railway team comprising officials of the High Speed Rail Corp and the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd left for Beijing on November 25, 2014 to complete formalities for the project's feasibility study to build the world's second-longest high-speed railroad with a price tag of 200 billion yuan ($32.6 billion).
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG TERRORISM Xinjiang Daily reported that 115 terrorist cells had been eliminated in the past six months since a yearlong crackdown on terrorism was launched on May 23 in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL; ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN On November 14, 2014, the website of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), the party’s top anti-corruption body, posted on its website that Zhang Xiaodong, Communist Party chief of Anyang in Henan province, received a total of 21.23 million yuan and US$10,000 from selling positions in the government during his 11 years in office from 2002 to 2013.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: RECRUITMENT The 2015 civilian employee recruitment examination of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was held at 46 military examination sites in 42 cities across the country on November 23, 2014.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLA PROMOTION CRITERIA A lengthy article published by the General Political Department on front page of the PLA Daily, listed 36 key points which will be the determining criteria for promotions in the PLA.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: BORDER AID China and Nepal signed an agreement in Kathmandu on November 20, 2014, whereby China agreed to provide 10 million yuan (US$ 1.63 million) annually from 2014 to 2018 to help Nepal develop its northern districts bordering with China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: XIANGSHAN FORUM General Chang Wanquan, State Councilor and Minister of National Defence, addressed the Fifth Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on November 21, 2014.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE The Washington Post reported on November 20, 2014, that more than 200 PLA officers are being investigated for corruption. Separate reports claim that many PLA Generals have been placed under simultaneous detention in the past ten days or so.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-EARTHQUAKE: DISASTER MANAGEMENT Commenting on the 6.3-magnitude quake that hit the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 6.30 am on November 22, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked provincial and civil affairs authorities to be swift in organizing rescue and relief work and do their best to minimize casualties.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SOEs The state-owned Economic Information Daily reported on November 24, 2014, that China will soon executives at its biggest State-owned Enterprises publicly reveal their salaries.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY A source in a Chinese government think-tank involved in high-level policy discussions disclosed on November 23, 2014, that China's leadership and central bank -- concerned that falling prices could trigger a surge in debt defaults, business failures and job losses -- have changed their thinking and are ready to cut interest rates again and also loosen lending restrictions.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLAAF: SOUTH CHINA SEA ISLANDS Jin Zhirui, who teaches at the Air Force Command School and was once affiliated with the operations department of the PLA Air Force Headquarters, quite unusually for a high-ranking PLA officer disclosed during a national security dialogue session on November 22, 2014, at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, that "There is a need for a base to support our radar system and intelligence-gathering activities." China has done land reclamation work at six of the seven reefs in the islands it calls Nansha.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY ESPIONAGE CCTV revealed on November 22, 2014, that a Chinese individual identified only as 'Cao' from the eastern city of Qingdao, Shandong province, had been arrested for taking photos of an aircraft carrier base and selling them to a foreign spy.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA's ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE On November 20, 2014, General Liu Yazhou, Political Commissar of the Chinese National Defense University and a close associate of xi Jinping, writing in the Liberation Army Daily warned that “our investigation and punishment of corrupt elements such as General Xu Caihou and Major General Gu Junshan are only the beginning of our military’s anti-corruption battle of annihilation and protracted war.”
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER Admiral Michael Rogers, who heads the National Security Agency and is also head of the U.S. Cyber Command, told a US Congressional panel on November 20, 2014, that China and "probably one or two other" countries have the capacity to shut down the nation's power grid and other critical infrastructure through a cyber attack.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG The Xinjiang High People’s Court on November 21, 2014, upheld a life sentence for “separatism” against prominent Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti in proceedings that, according to Human Rights Watch, grossly violated his basic rights.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLLUTION An investigative report in the Beijing News, published in September 2014 and telecast on CCTV News, stated that a number of chemical plants continue to dump untreated chemical waste in the Tengger Desert in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-NEW ZEALAND: XI JINPING'S VISIT In a signed article published on the New Zealand Herald on November 19, 2014 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Zealand the same evening -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts with New Zealand to work for "an even better future" of bilateral relations.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: XI JINPING'S VISIT On the conclusion of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan's state visit to Australia, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott pledged on November 19, to boost bilateral ties.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION Yu Yansha, Director of the National Energy Administration's (NEA) Planning Department, has been detained by prosecutors. Yu Yansha is the sixth senior NEA official to come under scrutiny this year.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: MILITARY 'HAND-IN-HAND' EXERCISE A Xinhua despatch of November 17, 2014 captioned: "Hand in hand -2014" China and India ground forces joint anti-terrorism exercise began' reported that: the "Hand in hand -2014" China and India ground forces joint anti-terrorism exercise opening ceremony was conducted on 17th October at the Aundh Military Cantonment in Pune, Maharashtra.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: MILITARY EXCHANGE China's official news agency 'Xinhua' on November 16, 2014, reported that from November 9 to 14, a delegation of India's Eastern Army paid a friendly visit to the Military District of the Chengdu Military Region.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: G-20 China will play host to the Group of Twenty (G-20) Summit in 2016,
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION The Global Times on November 16, 2014, reported that Liang Shulin, a former Deputy Secretary General of the Hebei provincial committee, was arrested on November 15, 2014.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ZHUHAI AIR SHOW: DISPLAY OF CRUISE MISSILE China's Global Times reported on November 16, 2014, that the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation had for the first time demonstrated a supersonic cruise missile called the Chaoxun-1 or CX-1. It said the missile bears a close resemblance to the Russian-Indian BrahMos missile.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLAAF DEPLOYMENTS Recent imagery shows that Y-7, Y-8 and IL-76 transport aircraft and IL-78 tanker aircraft are based at Wuhan-Paozhuwan airbase in Hubei Province, home of the 38th Air Regiment of the 13th Transport Division of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLAAF RECRUITMENT The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) held a news conference on the pilot cadet enrollment work in Zhuhai in Guangdong province on November 14, 2014.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: MILITARY COOPERATION In a meeting with Pakistan's visiting Air Force Chief, "Air Staff Marshal" Tahir Rafique Butt, in Beijing on November 14, 2014, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan discussed bilateral military ties, including cooperation between the countries' air forces and said China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of two countries, promote construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and build a China-Pakistan "community of shared destiny."
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: MEETING BETWEEN INDIAN PRIME MINISTER AND CHINESE PREMIER Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 13, 2014, in Myanmar's capital, Nay Pyi Taw. A press note issued by China said:
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-US: CLIMATE CHANGE In what is being hailed as a landmark agreement, China and the US both agreed to limit carbon emissions. US President Obama announced on November 11, 2014, that the United States would emit 26 percent to 28 percent less carbon in 2025 than it did in 2005.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ILLEGAL FOREIGN CURRENCY REMITTANCES Beijing police authorities raided 10 'underground' banks across the city on November 14, 2014, uncovering almost US$ 23 billion in illegal transactions
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: EXPORT OF RADARS According to the Canada-based Chinese-language Kanwa Defense Review, Russia has rejected the idea of providing China with a radar system suitable for fifth-generation stealth fighters like the Chengdu J-20. China is currently testing the Type 1475 active electronically scanned array radar system designed for the still-in-development J-20 on the nose of a Tu-204 jetliner.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA COOPERATION IN GPS (GLONASS) Andrei Tyulin, General Manager of the Russian Space Systems Company disclosed on November 11, 2014, that several ground bases of Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (Glonass) will be deployed in China.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLAN COMMISSIONS NEW GUIDED MISSILE FRIGATE The new guided-missile frigate 'Sanmenxia' was commissioned and named at a ceremony on November 13, 2014 in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang province. The “Sanmenxia” warship, whose hull number is '593', is China's first independently-developed new type guide missile frigate and is deployed with the PLAN's East China Sea Fleet.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA/ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Hong Kong's South China Morning Post on November 16, 2014, reported that Vice Admiral Ma Faxiang, Deputy Commissar of the PLA Navy (PLAN) had committed suicide by leaping from a PLAN office complex in Beijing on November 13, 2014. Earlier, on September 2, 2014, Rear Admiral Jiang Zhonghua of the PLAN South Sea Fleet's Armaments Department, jumped to his death from a hotel building in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ASEAN/APEC/EAS MEETINGS The APEC Ministerial Meeting has decided to adopt an anti-corruption proclamation, and set up a law enforcement network to allow for cross-border cooperation in the anti-graft field.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-MYANMAR: LEADERSHIP The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on November 6, 2014 that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the Meetings of East Asian Leaders on Cooperation at Naypyidaw of Myanmar, including the 17th China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders' Meeting (ASEAN+1), the 17th ASEAN-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Leaders' Meeting (ASEAN+3), and the 9th East Asia Summit (EAS), and will pay an official visit to Myanmar after these Meetings.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that China and Japan agreed on November 7, 2014, to gradually resume political, diplomatic and security dialogue while acknowledging their different positions on the Diaoyu Islands.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SILK ROAD PROJECTS Presiding over the eighth meeting of the Central Leading Group on Financial and Economic Affairs on November 4, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will accelerate construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and strengthen cooperation with the countries involved.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN The Japanese media reported on November 6, 2014, that Tokyo and Beijing are preparing for a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next week.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: MILITARY EXCHANGE General Fang Fenghui, member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) and Chief of the PLA General Staff, held talks with General Rashad Mahmood, Chairman of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, in Beijing on November 5, 2014.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-NORINCO AT AVIATION AND AEROSPACE EXHIBITION The China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) announced on November 5, 2014 that it will participate in the 2014 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (China air show 2014) in a big way as the host for the first time.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ZHUHAI AIR SHOW Russia's most advanced jet fighter the Sukhoi SU-35, accompanied by an IL-76 transport aircraft, arrived on November 6, 2014, in the southern port city of Zhuhai, Guangdong Province for the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY IN INDIAN OCEAN The amphibious dock landing ship “Changbaishan” of the 18th escort taskforce of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), that just completed its 778th escort mission, docked at the Port of Djibouti on November 3, 2014, for a five-day-long in-port rest and replenishment.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: QATAR The People's Bank of China (PBoC) on Nov 3, 2014, announced that it has signed a 3-year currency swap deal worth 35 billion yuan (about 5.7 billion U.S. dollars) with the central bank of Qatar.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: TERRORISM Xinhua publicised the statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on November 3, 2014, condemning the suicide bombing in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore that left at least 55 dead and 118 others injured. Hua Chunying said: "China is shocked by the incident. China will continue to support the Pakistani government and its people's unremitting effort to safeguard national security and stability."
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STRATEGIC RAILWAY TO NYINGCHI China's official news agency Xinhua reported on November 5, 2014, that China had approved construction of a new strategically important high altitude railway line from Lhasa to Nyingchi in Tibet costing about USD 6 billion.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA The PLA Daily reported on November 5, 2014 that Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairmen, General Fan Changlong and General Xu Qiliang, led 420 senior military officials, including leaders of the CMC, the PLA's four headquarters and seven key military commands, in pledging allegiance to President Xi Jinping , reaffirming the rule that the "party controls the gun" following a 2-day political conference in Gutian, Shanghang County, Fujian province last week.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOURTH PARTY PLENUM At the conclusion of the four-day Fourth Plenary meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee from October 20-23, the Party endorsed disclosure as the norm, with non-disclosure as the exception.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA:ONE-CHILD POLICY On November 5, 2014, Zhao Yanpei, an official with China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), said that China currently has no plans to suspend or further relax its one-child policy.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INVESTIGATION OF ZHOU YONGKANG China's Vice Minister for Justice, Zhang Sujun, recently said that investigations into former Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang were still with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection - the party's anti-graft watchdog body.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MARITIME LIAISON CONSULTATIONS A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun disclosed on October 30, 2014 that China and Japan's defense agencies are moving forward with the expert consultation needed to resume maritime liaisons.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-US: APEC & OBAMA'S VISIT Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on October 30, 2014, that China welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama to China and the 22nd APEC economic leaders' meeting in Beijing next month.
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: NORTHEAST China's Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujunat the regular press briefing on October 30, 2014 "urged India not to take actions that will complicate the situation on the border, where the two countries have territorial disputes" He was replying to a question on India's plan to build 54 border posts near "the southern Tibet area".
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: KASHMIR Commenting on the death on October 28, 2014 of a junior military officer in Kashmir, China's official news agency reported that he had died in ".....a gunfight in Indian-controlled Kashmir".
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Commenting on the discovery of over HK$ 252 million in local and foreign currency at the home of Wei Pengyuan,Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission's (NDRC) coal department, Xu Jinhui , an official from the Supreme People's Procuratorate overseeing the handing of graft cases, said "It marks the largest amount of money in cash we have seized from a corrupt official during a single operation since 1949".
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY On October 30, 2014, China's official news agency Xinhua reported the denial by Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun, of reports of an explosion on the aircraft carrier 'Liaoning'. It quoted him as saying that the reports in the foreign media did "not conform with the facts".
CCASNov 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MEETING AT APEC Speaking to journalists, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will extend a hospitable welcome to all visiting APEC leaders.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN All Afghan newspapers on October 29, 2014, prominently front-paged the visit of President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai to China, describing it as "significant" and as of "great importance in boosting relations between the two neighboring nations".
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-BANGLADESH: NAVY COOPERATION Admiral Wu Shengli, PLA Navy Commander and Member of Central Military Commission (CMC), met the visiting chief of Navy Staff of Bangladesh Vice Admiral Farbid Habibul in Beijing on the afternoon of October 27, 2014. Wu Shengli said "that China and Bangladesh are connected by mountains and waters"
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: BORDER SITUATION Colonel Geng Yangsheng said at the routine weekly briefing of the Chinese Defence Ministry on October 25, 2014 that reports had appeared in the media about the recent confrontation in the "line of control" of the Sino-Indian border between the two sides appeared, and also how both sides resolved these confrontations.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INTELLIGENCE COORDINATION China has finalised a draft law to establish an anti-terrorism intelligence gathering center to coordinate and streamline intelligence gathering in the field. The counter-terrorism law aims to improve intelligence gathering and sharing of information across government bodies, the military, armed police and militia.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-TERRORISM: AL QAEDA The 'al-Sahab' media organization, al-Qaeda’s propaganda arm, released the first issue of its new English-language magazine Resurgence, which has a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific region in general, and feature articles on India and Bangladesh.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Pan Yiyang, Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was recently arrested and taken to Beijing on charges of corruption.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER ESPIONAGE A week before US Secretary of State John F. Kerry and two weeks before US President Obama are due to arrive in Beijing for a series of high-level talks, a coalition of security researchers identified a Chinese cyber-espionage group that appears to be the most sophisticated of any publicly known Chinese hacker unit and targets not only U.S. and Western government agencies but also dissidents inside and outside China.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: TAR CHAIRMAN'S VISIT TO KATHMANDU Lobsang Gyaltsen, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), arrived in Kathmandu on October 27, 2014, at the head of a 6-member delegation. During talks with Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam and Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, he urged them to "put in place measures to curb “anti-China activities” in Nepal".
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/PLA China's oficial news agency Xinhua reported on October 28, 2014, that Military prosecutors have finished investigating Xu Caihou's graft case.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong met visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Hanoi on October 27, 2014.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: LAOS/VIETNAM- PARTY TIES Xinhua, on Octiber 28, 2014 reported that Liu Qibao, Politburo member and Head of the CCP Central Committee's Publicity Department, will lead a CCP delegation to Laos and Vietnam to attend theory seminars on "rule of law" from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 at the invitation of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-AFGHANISTAN New Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai left Kabul on October 27, 2014 for a four-day official visit to China. He is accompanied by his National Security Adviser, Defence Minister and Financial Adviser. During his stay in China, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and the Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/THINK-TANK Attending the sixth meeting of the 'Leading Group for Overall Reform', Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a new type of think tank with Chinese characteristics. Describing intellectual resources as the most important resource for a nation, he said "building a new type of think tank with Chinese characteristics is an important and pressing mission.
CCASOct 2014 |
PLA: MILITARY FINANCIAL REFORM Reports in China's military media reveal that the Central Military Commission (CMC) has approved a new Military reform management system that will evaluate the efficiencyand accountability in military spending and optimisation of financial resources.
CCASOct 2014 |
PLA: DISMISSALS Media reports indicate that the dismissal of Yang Jinshan, former Deputy Commander of the People's Liberation Army's Chengdu Military Area Command, at the 18th CCP Central Committee's fourth plenary session on October 23, 2014 was because he had a "strong connection with Bo Yibo", father of disgraced former Chongqing Communist Party chief Bo Xilai.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA EXERCISE The PLA's Shenyang Military Region started a live-fire drill in northeast China, the largest in scale of the year, on October 26, 2014.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA/LEADERSHIP 72-year old Hu Deping, 'Princeling' son of the late, liberal-minded premier Hu Yaobang, will take over as Editor of China's cutting-edge political magazine Yanhuang Chunqiu. ,The change is expected to take effect] by the end of November 2014.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COMMUNIQUE OF FOURTH PLENUM Translation of the Communiqué of the 4th Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
(Passed at the 4th Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party on 23 October 2014)
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PEOPLE'S ARMED POLICE'S FIRST ANTI-HIJACKING CONFERENCE The Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) held its first international symposium on anti-aircraft-hijacking tactics at the Special Police College (SPC) in Beijing from October 20 to 24, 2014.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PLAAF: AVIATION UNIVERSITY The Aviation University of Air Force held its 2nd International Air Force Cadets Week on October 20, 2014. 35 foreign military cadets from Air Force cadet colleges, national defense universities and other military schools of 14 countries including the U.S., Britain and Canada will carry out one-week competition on the drill ground with their Chinese counterparts.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PLA AIR FORCE (PLAAF): INTERNATIONAL AVIATION EXHIBITION The 10th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition will be held from November 11, 2014 in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, where China's official media says the J-31 stealth fighter will also appear along with 130 other aircraft.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY (PLAN) China's military media reported that a rescue team of the PLAN's North China Sea Fleet conducted a rescue drill from October 21-23, 2014, under "bad weather" conditions. A LR-7 type deep submergence rescue vessel successfully connected with a submarine 40 meters under the sea surface and transferred 8 submariners.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY On October 24, 2014, China officially launched the new US$ 50 billion Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank which aims to finally challenge global financial institutions like the World Bank.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DEATH PENALTY The US-based Dui Hua Foundation in October 2014 published its estimates that China executed approximately 2,400 people in 2013 and will execute roughly the same number of people in 2014. It cited data from the official Chinese publication Southern Weekly as its source.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOURTH CCP CC PLENUM On October 23, 2014, China's official news agency publicised the communique issued on October 23 on the closing day of the fourth plenary session of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party of China.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA China's official news agency Xinhua reported on October 21, 2014 that China has installed 17 sets of submerged buoys in "key marine areas" of the western Pacific ocean.
CCASOct 2014 |
HONGKONG: STUDENT'S DEMOCRACY PROTESTS The Hong Kong government on October 21, 2014, held the first formal talks with student leaders speaking for sit-in protesters to find a peaceful way to end the Occupy Central movement which started on Sept. 28.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION According to a Reuters report, China's private equity firm Nepoch Capital has erased the name of He Jintao, a princeling and son of former veteran CCP leader and head of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission He Guoqiang, from documents it shows investors after he was questioned in connection with a corruption investigation.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLAN RECRUITMENT OF PILOTS CCTV announced (Oct 21) that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)'s 2015 pilot recruitment programme commenced recently with plans to recruit 5% more pilots next year. there is greater emphasis this time on the recruitment of ship-borne fighter-pilots.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: ANTI-CORRUPTION COOPERATION The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported on October 20, that Australia's police has agreed to assist China in the extradition and seizure of assets of corrupt Chinese officials who have fled with hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit funds.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: MILITARY EXCHANGE Phung Quang Thanh, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Vietnam's Defense Minister, met Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister Chang Wanquan, on October 17, 2014 in Beijing.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: APEC Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on October 20, 2014, that Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held in Beijing on Nov. 10 and 11.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: MILITARY EXERCISES China's official media reported that ten soldiers each from the Australian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and five each from the US Army and US Marine Corps are taking part in the first joint military exercise staged in Australia from October 7-25, 2014.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION Xinhua reported on October 17, 2014, that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has issued a revised regulation to expand the audit of military officers' spending.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOURTH PLENUM-MILITARY APPOINTMENTS With the commencement of the 18th CCP CC's Fourth Plenum on October 22, 2014, in Beijing, there is widespread speculation that CCP CC General Secretary and PRC President Xi Jinping might get the plenum to approve new inductions in the Central Military Commission (CMC).
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: SOUTH CHINA SEA Chen Yeong-kang, chief of Taiwan's navy disclosed on October 16, 2014, that Taiwan is considering stationing 3,000-tonne naval frigates and coastguard cutters at Itu Aba, also known as Tai Ping, the only island in the Spratlys large enough to accommodate a port, which is currently under construction.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-UK: HONGKONG China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on October 15, 2014, at a regular press briefing urged Britain to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-AFRICA: EBOLA DRUG China's Sihuan Pharmaceutical, a private Chinese company whose founders are ex-PLA military doctors purchased the rights to commercialise jk-05 (an experimental anti-Ebola drug developed by the PLA) from a branch of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and has sent thousands of doses of to Africa.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROTESTS China's official media reported on October 15, 2014, that eight people died in a clash between construction workers and villagers in Jinning county near Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: SUBMARINE IN INDIAN OCEAN In the weekly press briefing of China's Ministry of National Defence on September 30, 2014, PLA spokesman Colonel Geng Yansheng confirmed that a PLA Navy (PLAN) submarine was headed off the coast of Somalia to join anti-piracy operations.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-HONGKONG PROTESTS A Commentary in the Party's official mouthpiece 'People's Daily', which was reproduced by the Xinhua news agency on October 14, 2014, asserted that democracy must be based on the rule of law and it should never be hijacked as an excuse for "unchecked behavior."
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: SECURITY COOPERATION During his 5-day visit to Beijing from October 15, 2014, Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Bam Dev Gautam, will discuss cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries and other security related matters.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: SECRET CONTACTS Japan's Asahi Shimbun reported on October 12, 2014, that Shotaro Yachi, Adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief of the newly established National Security Secretariat, attended the secret meeting between former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China in July.
CCASOct 2014 |
OFFICIAL CHINESE REPORTING ON INDIA-PAK BORDER FIRING A carefully worded report in a despatch filed on October 11, 2014, by China's official news agency Xinhua, said "Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir".
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY On October 11, 2014, a new comprehensive test ship "Li Siguang" (hull number 894) was commissioned at a naval port in Zhanjiang.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA TRAINING The Liberation Army Daily on October 12, 2014, reported that the PLA's General Staff Headquarters had listed 40 problems with military training by its land, navy, air forces and artillery troops.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL; XI JINPING'S DIRECTIVE ON FRUGALITY China's official media on October 9, 2014, publicised that President Xi Jinping's 15-month campaign on frugality and austerity yielded savings of US$ 8.6 billion in public spending.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG PRODUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION CORPS On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, Chemng Jiazhu, Deputy Commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, said the Corps is altering its focus from frontier defense to maintaining social stability as China builds good relations with its neighbors to the west.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: SALARY AND ALLOWANCES With effect from October 1, 2014 China raised the PLA pensions for disabled soldiers, families of fallen soldiers and veterans of the Red Army.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY AND FOURTH PLENUM The website of the CCP CC's official newspaper 'People's Daily' reported on October 7, 2014 that scholars at the Central Party School in Beijing recently raised 'eight ideological questions' which they consider are crucial to the direction of China’s development.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-GERMANY Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Berlin on October 9 for a three-day official visit to Germany at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-EU: MILITARY DIALOGUE The European Union (EU) and China were to hold their first dialogue on Security and Defence in Beijing on October 9, 2014. This is the first such session to be held between the EU and China.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA China's Xinhua news agency reported on Oct 7, 2014, that Beijing had constructed a new runway for military aircraft on Woody Island, part of the Paracel chain.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY EXCHANGE China and the U.S. have agreed to hold the 15th defense consultative talk in mid-October in the United States.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: ABE'S CONTACT WITH CHINESE DIGNITARY On October 7, 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Ms Li Xiaolin, the youngest daughter of former President Li Xiannian and childhood friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is Chairperson of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: NAVY EXERCISES The 17th escort taskforce of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) arrived at Karachi on September 27, 2014 for a five-day-long goodwill visit to Pakistan. PLA Navy vessels included the Chinese guided missile destroyer "Changchun" and guided missile frigate "Changzhou" .
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: BORDER INTRUSION At the routine weekly press conference of China's Ministry of National Defence held on September 25, 2014, the correspondent from PTI asked: You are aware there is a stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for the past three weeks or so, a little ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to India.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ETHNIC AFFAIRS The CCP CC held a two-day (Sept 28-29, 2014) Ethnic Affairs Work Conference in Beijing, which was attended by all Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) members except Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli who was travelling abroad.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-TURKEY: NEW SILK ROAD The People's Daily on September 24, 2014 under the heading 'China Railway connecting New Silk Road in Turkey'reported that the China Railway Construction has finished the second stage of the Ankara-Istanbul high-speed rail project in Turkey, which is also the first high-speed railway line in the country.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTESTS OR 'UMBRELLA REVOLUTION The protest demonstrations in Hongkong, with students and civil servants at the centre, dissipated by October 6, 2014 with most protesters returning to classes and work.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION A report posted on October 6, 2014 by the China Court Network, which reproduced it from the website of the Central Discipline and Inspection (CDIC), indicated that 6 units of the CCP CC newspaper People's Daily organization are under investigation for 'paid news,' eg, accepting payments to influence their coverage.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: LEADERSHIP A report in the US-based Chinese political news website Duowei stated that Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang has been ordered by Chinese President and Chinese Communist Party chief Xi Jinping to remain on standby to handle the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: PRIME MINISTER MODI'S VISIT TO USA China's official,authoritative news agency Xinhua on September 26, 2014, republished an article earlier published in its subsidiary publication 'Global Times' with the caption 'Modi's first visit to the United States accused of desire to seek participation "Asia-Pacific rebalancing".
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA: COVERAGE OF INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MODI'S VISIT TO USA In a despatch on September 30, 2014, captioned 'Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to US is to seek investment and cooperation in security strategy', the China International Broadcasting Network (CIBN) news agency said Indian Prime Minister Modi on September 29 begins a two day official state visit to the U.S. and will also visit White House.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-FRANCE: HUAWEI On in a meeting between Ren Zhengfei, founder and head of Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications company linked to the PLA and Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, Huawei announced a 1.5 billion Euro investment in France which it said will create 2000 jobs.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: 18th CCP CC's PLENARY SESSION The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Tuesday announced that the fourth plenary session of the Party's 18th central committee will be held in Beijing from Oct 20-23, 2014.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-HONGKONG: PROTESTS British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats and junior partner in Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative-led government, was reported on October 1, 2014 as having said the previous day that he will summon China's Ambassador to London over the protests in Hong Kong.
CCASOct 2014 |
CHINA-IRAN: NAVY EXCHANGE ran's Press TV reported on September 20 that Chinese Navy ships docked in Iran's Bandar Abbas port for joint exercises for the first time ever.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US: SURVEILLANCE BY CHINESE NAVY The US newspaper 'Stars and Stripes' reported on September 22 that a Chinese surveillance ship has been detected observing the Valiant Shield military exercise, since it began on September 15 in and around Guam, from within the United States’ exclusive economic zone.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UNREST IN XINJIANG The Xinjiang Communist Party Committee news website "www.ts.cn" disclosed that two people were killed and several more injured in at least three explosions in Luntai county, on the northern edge of the Taklamakan desert in central Xinjiang on September 21, 2014.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-IRAN: NAVY COOPERATION PLA Navy warships for the first time docked in an Iranian port on September 20, 2014 as Beijing and Tehran prepared to conduct a series of joint naval drills.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA PROMOTIONS Hongkong's South China Morning Post reported on September 22 that Chinese President Xi Jinping will promote two People's Liberation Army (PLA) Generals, closely associated with him. At least one will be appointed a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) to head the PLA's anti-corruption body, the Discipline Inspection Commission.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US: SURVEILLANCE OF CHINA'S COASTLINE BY US People’s Liberation Army Navy(PLAN) Commander, Admiral Wu Shengli, said at the 21st International Seapower Symposium in Newport, USA, that China would keep intercepting U.S. military surveillance planes that come close to its coast, but wanted to avoid a repeat of a collision that downed two jets 13 years ago, killing a Chinese pilot.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US-CUBA: TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPORT US Intelligence officials of the U.S. Southern Command have revealed that two months ago Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company and global network equipment manufacturer based in Shenzhen, China, and with very close ties to China's People's Liberation Army(PLA), violated U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Cuba.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CORRUPTION The central anti-corruption watchdog body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) said on its website on September 17, that 48-year old Pan Yiyang, an Alternate Member of the CCP's 18th CC, Member of the Nei Mongol Communist Party's Standing Committee and Vice Governor of the Autonomous Region, is being probed on suspicion of violating discipline and law, an euphemism for graft.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA China's Ambassador to South Korea, Qiu Guohong, was quoted by Yonhap as saying at a forum in Seoul on September 18, that North Korean leader 31-year old Kim Jong-un could go to China on his first foreign trip since taking power.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ESPIONAGE An Editorial in the Global Times, an official newspaper and affiliate of the CCP mouthpiece People's Daily, on September 18, 2014, demanded that if foreign media reports of the arrest last year of Ma Jisheng, till recently China's Ambassador to Iceland, for alleged leaking state secrets to Japan were true, then details of the arrest should be made public.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE Benjamin Bishop, a 60-year old civilian defense contractor working at the U.S. military's Pacific headquarters was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison by a Honolulu U.S. District Courton September 17, 2014, for divulging military secrets, including ones outlining the U.S. Pentagon's China strategy and the U.S. military's force posture in Asia and the Pacific, to his Chinese girlfriend and keeping classified documents at his Honolulu home
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) has launched an operation called “Fox Hunt 2014”, to investigate allegedly corrupt officials who have absconded or sent relatives and assets abroad.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: XI JINPING'S VISIT At the conclusion of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit (Sept 16-17, 2014) to Sri Lanka, a 25-article Joint Statement emphasising their strategic cooperative partnership.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: XI JINPING'S OP-ED IN HINDU A 1003-word Op-Ed by Chinese President Xi Jinping was published in India's BusinessLine and Hindu newspapers on September 16.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ESPIONAGE Chinese Ambassador Ma Jisheng was recalled to Beijing from Tokyo in January 2014.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TERRORISM Four ethnic Uyghurs, suspected to be Islamic militants, were arrested on September 13, 2014, in Central Sulawesi province, a major hotbed of militancy in Indonesia, over the weekend.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-MALDIVES: XI JNPING'S VISIT AND MARITIME SILK ROUTE Xinhua quoted Ye Hailin of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences as saying that Maldives was "a key link of the Maritime Silk Road", and China planned to utilise its ports.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: CHINA TO MEND FENCES WITH NEIGHBOURS The Tokyo-based 'Nihon Keizai Shimbun' assessed recently that China will try to mend 'broken relations' with its neighbors in the months prior to the APEC summit in Beijing in November.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CONSTRUCTION A transparent sky-walk is currently under construction on the side of a mountain cliff 1,900 meters above sea level in Baoding, Hebei province.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-CORRUPTION Writing in the latest issue of the authoritative Party journal 'Study Times', the Deputy Party Secretary of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Qiu Xueqiang, rejected claims of a serious risk that 'tigers' may unite to resist the crackdown.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-MIGRATION OF WEALTHY CHINESE A new survey by the Barclays Bank, which questioned more than 2,000 high net-worth individuals with more than US$1.5 billion in total net worth, found that 47% of the Chinese respondents said they want to move, compared with a global average of 29%.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HOUSING IN BEIJING A survey by the Beijing Police last year showed that there are 13.2 million units of houses, of which 3.8 million are confirmed vacant, in Beijing.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: CHINESE AMBASSADOR'S INTERVIEW TO CHINESE JOURNALISTS ON SEPT 19. Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng, "President Xi Jinping's visit to India will be a landmark."
Chinese Ambassador to India on President Xi Jinping's visit to India accpeted an interview with Chinese media in India.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-NORWAY: RADAR AT SVALBARD Norway as declined to allow China’s request to build a large radar antenna on Norway’s Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: MALAYSIA/US The Wall Street Journal reported on September 12, 2014, that Malaysia has offered to host U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft at a base on the edge of a disputed part of the South China Sea.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ZHOU YONGKANG After the brief announcement on 29 July 2014, by the Central Discipline Inspection (CDIC) that Zhou Yongkang is under investigation “on suspicion of grave violations of discipline,” reports circulating in Beijing claim that the exact circumstances in which Wang Shuhua, former Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang's first wife, was killed are now being investigated.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CORRUPTION/SHANGHAI Dai Haibo, the 52-year old head of Shanghai's Free-Trade Zone is expected to step down, which some observers say could adversely impact on the already struggling economic project ahead of its first anniversary.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL" PLA/CORRUPTION Reliable reports suggest that the Director of the General Political Department (GPD) Security Department, Major General Yu Shanjun, is in trouble. He was one of three producers of the NDU program accusing the U.S. of subversion.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG The Supreme People's Procuratorate on September 11, instructed Chinese prosecutors, especially those in Xinjiang, to fast-track cases involving terrorists, religious extremists and manufacturers of firearms and explosives. Counterterrorism is to be a priority of prosecutors as part of tough measures against the "three evil forces" -- terrorism, separatism and extremism
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-SCO Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikstan, on September 11, 2014, for the 14th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, which will discuss regional security and economic cooperation.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/BO XILAI AFFAIR Ann Heywood, mother of Neil Heywood who was allegedly murdered by Bo Xilai's wife in November 2011, released the full text of a letter addressed to the Chinese Communist Party authorities, on September 11, 2014 through the Wall Street Journal.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-HONG KONG A Reuters report of September 11, 2014, said that a meeting was hosted in Hongkong by the head of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming on August 19, 2014.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN A recent Genron/China Daily survey found that 53 per cent of Chinese respondents – and 29 per cent of the Japanese polled – expect their nations to go to war.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: XI JINPING'S VISIT The Shanghai-based Gauncha business news service on September 11, 2014, disclosed the itinerary of Xi Jinping's visit to India. It said Xi Jinping will visit" Modi's hometown" and deliver a speech in New Delhi.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US: VISIT BY US NSA US National Security Advisor Rice's meeting with Xi Jinping #2 item on CCTV Evening News on September 9, 2014.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-HONG KONG On Aug. 31, the Standing Committee of China's National People’s Congress (NPC) voted on the method for selecting Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive in 2017.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: TIBET/DALAI LAMA China's Observer network on september 9, 2014, described this as an "unlucky year" for the Dalai Lama. It observed that his visit to Mongolia was canceled; he was denied a to visit South Africa; and the invitation to visit Russia was also canceled by the Russian Foreign Minister.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-PLAAF TEST FLIGHTS ON LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER A little noticed report in China's official media disclosed on August 27, 2014, that at least two People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) pilots have died while testing the Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark jet aircraft for operations on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported (September 8, 2014) that Jun Xie, 41, a “Chinese engineer who worked in Waukesha for a subsidiary of GE Healthcare stole about 2.4 million files of trade secrets and other confidential company information and sent it to China, according to GE and the FBI.”
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM Vietnam has taken possession of two of the state-of-the-art Kilo Class submarines from Russia and will get a third in November under a $2.6 billion deal agreed with Moscow in 2009.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-XI JINPING'S 4-NATION TOUR IN SEPTEMBER The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang, on September 9, 2014, announced that on the invitation from the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon, President of the Republic of Maldives Abdulla Yameen, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and the, President of the Republic of India Pranab Mukherjee , the Chinese President Xi Jinping will carry out a state visit to the four countries from 12 to 19 September, 2014.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The Nanfang-based Xinhua Daily, while reporting on the funeral of Cao Keming, former Secretary of the CCP CC's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee, listed Hu Jintao's name behind those of the incumbent members of the CCP CC Political Bureau (PB). Since 2012, Hu Jintao's name has usually been listed after those of the incumbent Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC).
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CONTROLS TO PREVENT CORRUPT OFFICIALS FLEEING China's official media, including the Beijing Youth Daily on August 28, 2014, reported that as part of continuing efforts to tighten controls on corrupt Chinese officials trying to flee abroad, Beijing recently issued rules requiring officials above division and bureau level to hand in their passports.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINESE MFA SPOKESPERSON'S COMMENT ON POSTPONEMENT On September 7, 2014, the website of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reported the remarks of MFA spokesperson Qin Gang on the postponed of President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: POSTPONEMENT OF XI JINPING'S VISIT The Hongkong-based private business information company Hexun.com assessed the reasons for postponement of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan, included in his itinerary for visits to Sri Lanka and India.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: DALAI LAMA The Dalai Lama told the German newspaper 'Welt am Sonntag' in Hamburg on September 8, 2014, that "the institution of the Dalai Lama has served its purpose".
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOODGRAIN PRODUCTION Estimates are that China will have bumper grain crops for the 11th consecutive year.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The top ten research projects for 2014 announced by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) recently relate to the study of Xi Jinping's speeches including two on the China Dream.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: DEMOCRATIC REFORM In a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 5, President Xi Jinping dismissed notions of Western-style political reform and underscored the importance of one-party rule.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN China is highly concerned about the current situation in Pakistan. As a friendly neighbor, we sincerely hope that all parties should keep in mind the national as well as the people's fundamental interests, properly resolve relevant issues through dialogue and consultation, and jointly safeguard the stability of the country.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-UK: HONG KONG Qin Gang, spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in Beijing on September 3, 2014, that the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee had written a letter two weeks ago to members of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Ottaway, advising them to "bear in mind the larger picture of China-UK relations".
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-US: CHINA-RUSSIA MILITARY COOPERATION At a press conference with Australia's Defence Minister David Johnston and before a NATO Summit, US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel on September 4 remarked that Russia and China are trying to close the technology gap with the U.S. military and developing weapons systems that appear designed to counter traditional U.S. advantages.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA 200 tourists sailed aboard the cruise ship 'Coconut Princess' on September 2, 2014, from Sanya port for the Xisha Islands, in south China's Hainan Province. Previously, in late 2009, the State Council announced that Hainan and the Xisha islands would be developed as a destination for international tourists. Sansha was designated a Prefecture in June 2012.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: TERRORISM Acting on a tip-off the Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation on September 1, arrested a group of 3 terrorists aged 43, 22 and 25 years led by a man named Grandeur Guerrero, as they were about to plant a petrol bomb in a toilet in the car park of Terminal 3 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The men allegedly planned to place three other bombs in the toilets of the nearby Mall of Asia.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ZHOU YONGKANG After Chinese authorities announced on July 29 -- just prior to the founding anniversary of the PLA -- that the case against former Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang was in the ultimate stage of being finalised, the official Times Weekly reported on Sept. 2 that the authorities were in the process of verifying the precise amount that Zhou is suspected of embezzling.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INDIA: XI JINPING'S VISIT The spokesmen of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Qin Gang, at the routine press conference said on September 1, 2014, that 'China and India are working to maintain close communication for the arrangements for President Xi Jinping's visit to India'.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: IDEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN UNIVERSITIES The latest issue of the Communist Party theoretical journal, 'Qiushi', in an article entitled "How to carry out ideological work at universities under new historical conditions", disclosed that Peking University, Shanghai's Fudan University and Guangzhou's Sun Yat-sen University plan to strengthen ideological control over students and teachers.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/JIANG ZEMIN China’s netizens promptly believed that the illustration referred to former Chinese President Jiang Zemin. One netizen said “this is a direct challenge to the old Jiang.” For years, Jiang Zemin has been referred to as a “toad” by Chinese netizens.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RATIONALISATION OF SALARIES IN SoEs China's official media reported on August 29, 2014, that senior executives at mainland state banks could face pay cuts in line with recent government reforms.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP On August 8, 2014, China’s official media published a report entitled “China University of Petroleum Deletes Zhou Yongkang Reports From Its Official Website”.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: INCENTIVES FOR INTER-RACIAL MARRIAGES IN XINJIANG According to new rules that came into effect from August 21, 2014, Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region have announced a cash incentive of an annual payment of 10,000 yuan (U.S.$1,630) for five years for interracial marriages between members of ethnic minority groups and majority Han Chinese.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA RESTRICTIONS All China Journalists' Association in a new set of guidelines published by the state news agency 'Xinhua', ordered Chinese journalists to learn "Marxist news values" and uphold the principles of news as prescribed by the ruling Communist Party.
CCASSep 2014 |
CHINA-ZIMBABWE The 90-year old President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, who has been one of Beijing’s staunchest allies in Africa was received in Beijing at the start of a 5-day (Aug 24-28, 2014) visit with full honours but left China on August 28, without the unconditional support he had sought.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY COOPERATION/SALES Kremlin's Chief of Staff, Sergei Ivanov was quoted by the official 'Voice of Russia' as saying last month that the "The chances that China may be the first foreign buyer [of S-400s] are high." If approved this will be their third big arms deal since last year.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HONGKONG On Thursday while visiting Hong Kong, Dean of the Tsinghua University School of Law, Wang Zhenmin said in Hongkong on August 28, 2014, that China needs to protect the interests of the city’s pro-Beijing tycoons.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Wang Qishan, Chairman of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC), China's central watchdog anti-corruption body, attended the seventh meeting of the 12th CPPCC chaired by CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng which began in Beijing on Aug. 25, 2014.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS The Tibet Tourism Bureau has issued an 'emergency notice' imposing new restrictions on tour groups going to Tibet.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-OIL EXPLORATION IN SOUTH CHINA SEA China needs to wield both the carrot and the stick in South China Sea oil development.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL SECURITY LAW On August 25, 2014, the 12th National People's Congress Standing Committee in Beijing held its 10th meeting where a bill was submitted for a first reading proposing change of the name of the 'National Security Law' to the 'Counter-espionage Law'.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Cao Changqin, a retired senior official and former Director General of the Key Construction Project Supervision Office, NDRC was arrested at Beijing airport on August 24.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS Beijing News reported that a violent clash erupted during a routine annual military training on August 24, 2014, at the Huangcang Middle School in Hunan Province.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-KUWAIT: OIL The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) will increase shipments to China by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil over the next three years.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY TALKS The China-US military talks were originally agreed as an attempt to improve military ties, but observers say they could be overshadowed by mutual suspicion reflected in the close encounter on August 19 between a Chinese fighter jet and a US Navy surveillance plane in international airspace off Hainan.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: IMMIGRATION Wealthy Chinese who migrate to the US under the EB-5 programme which grants visas to those investing US$ 500,000 or more in development projects will now have to wait.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: AIR INTRUSION On August 26, 2014, a Chinese Y-8 electronic surveillance aircraft intruded into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) four times that morning and was intercepted by Taiwanese fighter jets and escorted out of the zone each time.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA Clive Palmer, leader of Australia's Palmer United Party, who described the Chinese government as "mongrels" and "bastards" and accused them of trying to take over Australia on the ABC's Q&A program, on Monday, the 19th August, apologized to China's Ambassador for his televised remarks the following day.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: LIKELY HIGH LEVEL CONTACT Ms Li Xiaolin, the youngest daughter of former President Li Xiannian, is planning to visit Japan in mid-September when she could hold talks with senior Japanese officials.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: CHINESE RESPONSE The Global Times pointed to the Chinese military's denial of the allegations and said this incident was directly caused by the massive US surveillance operations against China.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY US Defence Department and Pentagon officials believe that the Chinese Air Force squadron responsible for the incident is the same unit that has been responsible for the series of incidents this year. They said that a Chinese PLAAF Wing Commander has repeatedly harassed U.S. military aircraft in the South China Sea.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY Chinese fighter jet this week flew within 30 feet of a US Navy surveillance and reconnaissance P-8 Poseidon aircraft in international airspace just off the Chinese coast
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: HYPERSONIC VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT Sources close to the PLA revealed that the PLA carried out a second, albeit unsuccessful, test of a hypersonic vehicle on August 7, 2014.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-CANADA: SUSPICION OF ESPIONAGE The office of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper banned reporters of China’s state-run Xinhua and People’s Daily news agencies from accompanying the Prime Minister on his ninth annual trip to the Arctic
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Despite the Renminbi not yet qualifying for official (RMB) reserve currency status, Central banks have caught the renminbi fever, and are showing strong interest in investing part of their foreign-currency reserves in the Chinese currency
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GOVERNMENT (SoE) REFORM officials in charge of China's State-owned Enterprises (SoEs) face pay cuts of up to 50 per cent and new job descriptions
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY EXERCISES Moscow is inviting Chinese fighter pilots to test their mettle against the best Russia has to offer
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA: BORDER MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS North Korea has moved scores of tanks and armored vehicles to reinforce the 12th Corps, which was established in 2010, near the border with China in Ryanggang Province
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: TIBET/KATHMANDU AIR LINK Himalaya Airlines, will commence operating services on the Kathmandu-Lhasa route from October 2014
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINORITY UNREST Enwaer Tursun, Mayor of Kashgar,stressed that officials should "make Kashgar the frontier and main battlefield in counter-terrorism operations and efforts to maintain stability".
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: GOVERNMENT REFORM President Xi Jinping announced plans to regulate the top salaries of executives in state-owned companies
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP-XI JINPING Xi Jinping is assuming the historical mission of awakening China, opening the door on an new era that will belong to him
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-NORTH KOREA The South Korean newspaper 'Chosun Ilbo' pointed to the apparently strained relations between China and North Korea following North Korea's third nuclear test last year
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US China’s rejection of America’s call for a construction freeze in the South China Sea (proposed by the US on July 12) reinforced worldwide impressions that the PRC is assertive and the U.S
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET China organised its first-ever large-scale international conference called the "2014 Forum on the Development of Tibet’" in Lhasa on August 12-13, 2014
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-CAMBODIA: RICE IMPORTS The Chinese government-run China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) was to formally sign an agreement on August 12, 2014, to import 100,000 tonnes of rice from Cambodia
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Preparations to commemorate Deng Xiaoping's 110th birth anniversary on August 22, 2014, have begun in China
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA The CCP CC's 4th Plenum is to be held in October
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: EXTREMIST ISLAMIST THREAT TO CHINA FROM ISIS Hongkong-based Chinese weekly magazine 'Phoenix Weekly' on August 8 publicised revenge threats issued by the extremist Islamist organisation, ISIS, against China as its cover story
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BEIJING CITY SECURITY AND CLEAN UP As Beijing hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s third senior officials’ meeting until August 21 and the APEC Summit in November, the Beijing City authorities have ordered 70 per cent of its government cars off the roads during the current meeting
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: EXTERNAL PUBLICITY Addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day forum on the development of Tibet, Losang Jamcan, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) government said that 'Leap-frog development is the basis for and key to solve all problems Tibet' and that the region' s sustainable development is at the core
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN General Guo Boxiong, a former Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/XI JINPING In its new App (available on Android etc), Xi Jinping's "three big contributions since taking office namely, iron-fisted corruption crackdown is winning peoples' hearts
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY The PLA's General Political Department has issued a circular urging officers and soldiers to stand united behind the leadership of President Xi Jinping
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: SOUTH CHINA SEA China-US Focus on August 11, 2014 published an article on the situation in the South China Sea by Zhai Kun
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET FORUM The Information Office of China' s State Council and the TAR government jointly sponsored a two-day (August 12-13, 2014) 'Tibet Forum for Development' in Lhasa
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: US/ANTI-CORRUPTION more than 150 people from China who are suspected of economic crimes and are officials facing corruption charges at home, are at large in the U.S
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY Chen Tong , an Associate Professor of Electronic Information Engineering at Southwest University in Chongqing,developing a potential tool for security forces to spot would-be suicide bombers
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: US/MISSILES A Chinese government environmental monitoring centre in Shaanxi in June accidently reported the development of the DF-41, long-range missile capable of hitting anywhere in the US
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROL The State Internet Information Office (SIIO) passed the new rule on August 7, 2014, that regulates the instant messaging on-line activities of China's 5.8 million public accounts
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:LEADERSHIP/DENG XIAOPING CCTV began telecasting a 48-episode CCTV teleseries on Deng Xiaoping
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION Senior and veteran Chinese Communist Party leaders will be gathering this week for their traditional meeting at the seaside resort of Beidaihe
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY/CORRUPTION Global Financial Integrity, a non-profit group that traces illicit flows of capital, said recently that US$1.06-trillion left China between 2002 and 2011 despite tough currency controls
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: ABE-XI JINPING SUMMIT? Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported on August that there are signs of a possible Summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) Meeting this November
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: ECONOMY The World Trade Organization on August 7, 2014, confirmed its ruling that China had violated global trade rules by restricting exports of rare earths, used in hi-tech goods like mobile phones and televisions
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA--PROPAGANDA: CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES Vice Minister Xu Lin, Director-General of Confucius Institute Headquarters decided that some of the professors' published abstracts "were contrary to Chinese regulations."
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-UK: PENALTY FOR 'STEALING STATE SECRETS Peter Humphrey and his wife 61-year old Yu Yingzeng to two-and-a-half years and two years respectively for illegally obtaining private information on Chinese citizens
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION Peter Hahn, a naturalised US citizen and Korean-American who runs a Christian non-profit organisation in the Chinese city Tumen on the border with North Korea, is being investigated by Chinese authorities
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY EXERCISES Chinese and U.S. Navy officials met on August 6 aboard the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge to discuss a joint search-and-rescue exercise that could take place within the next couple of weeks
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINING AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Greenpeace published the results of its detailed study of coal development in China prepared after its investigators made 7 separate trips
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UYGHUR UNREST Kashgar officials have upgraded the neighbourhood watch system and recruited entire households to monitor their blocks
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-PHILIPPINES The Palawan regional court of the Philippines on August 5, 2014, sentenced 12 Chinese fishermen who strayed into the Tubbataha protected area in southwestern Philippines -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- in April last year
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN Japanese investment in China has dropped
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY EXCHANGES Commander of the US 7th Fleet and his flagship, USS Blue Ridge, are visiting the PLA Navy base
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION China will construct a "Chinese Christian theology" suitable for the country
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MINORITY POLICIES Southern Xinjiang will “implement family planning policy equally on all ethnic groups, to lower and stabilize an appropriate birth rate.”
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UYGHUR EXILES Ms Rebiya Kadeer, the exiled President of the Germany-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC), recently claimed that at least 2,000 ethnic minority Uyghurs may have been killed by Chinese security forces following riots in Yarkand
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP According to Li Weidong, the ultimate goal of Xi Jinping's campaign is to stamp out the influence of all party elders so as to become a real dictator in China
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Inscription by former CCP CC General Secretary Jiang Zemin on a PLA Hospital in Beijing has been removed
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-CANADA-NORTH KOREA: ESPIONAGE China's official news agency Xinhua, on August 5, 2014, reported that the State Security Bureau of Dandong city in Liaoning province was investigating two Canadian nationals, Kevin Garratt and Julia Dawn Garratt, on charges of stealing state secrets
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA/MISSILE TEST US defense experts and the US State Department are describing China’s successful July 23 so-called “anti-missile test” as another anti-satellite test (ASAT)
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS The CCP CC's Propaganda Department has instructed China's official media to play down the report published on August 5, 2014, by a city newspaper 'The Karamay Daily' about a ban on what bus passengers wear
CCASAug 2014 |
XI JINPING AND THE ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN China's President Xi JInping told top officials he was disregarding “life, death and reputation” to fight corruption
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION In a statement issued on August 6, 2014, the Central Discipline Inspection Commission(CDIC) announced that Shen Peiping, former Vice Governor of Yunnan province, was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office for graft probe.
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY MODERNISATION/NDU REPORT The Center for Economic Research of China's prestigious National Defence University published a 6-part 'Chinese Military and Civilian Integration Development Report, 2014', which was revealed by Chinese state media outlets on 25 July
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UIGHUR UNREST/ILHAM TOHTI Authorities of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region have formally charged Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti with separatism
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP General Liu Yuan, the eldest son of late President Liu Shaoqi, is likely to be appointed to the Central Military Commission (CMC) during the Fourth Plenary meeting of the Chinese Communist Party’s elite 205-member Central Committee in October
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HUKOU REFORM China's household registration, or 'hukou' system, is being reformed
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION/ZHOU YONGKANG Zhou Yongkang’s son, Zhou Bin, has also been detained as have other members of Zhou Yongkang’s extended family
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: US/JAPAN US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced on July 28, that the US Navy plans to deploy new stealth destroyers, littoral combat ships (LCS) and an amphibious ready group to the Pacific
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: JAPAN On July 31, Japan named five uninhabited islands and added them to a disputed chain of 158 uninhabited islands in the East China Sea
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: THAILAND Thailand's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), headed by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, has approved a $23 billion (£13.6bn) transport project that will see two high-speed railways link up directly with China by 2021
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: MYANMAR/INDIA Eight Chinese nationals have been sentenced by a court in Myanmar to lengthy prison terms for transporting an arsenal of firearms and hand grenades while they lived in the country illegally
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: VIOLENCE IN XINJIANG 74-year old Jume Tahir (also spelt Juma Tayir), the Imam at China's largest mosque, Id Kah, in the Silk Road city of Kashgar, was killed on July 30, by three suspected Islamist militants armed with knives
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:EDUCATION China's Ministry of Education is revising the code of behaviour for primary and middle school students and has sought feedback from the public till August 20 on the new draft provisions
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ZHOU YONGKANG The investigation into Zhou Yongkang as one of the "biggest tests" of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since the commencement of reforms and opening up reports the People's Daily
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION A team of CCP's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) officials had arrived in Shanghai and would be there till the end of September to 'promote party discipline and clean government'
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: FOURTH CC PLENUM CCP CC's Fourth Plenum will be held in October, 2014
CCASAug 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Li Zhanshu (a confidant of Xi Jinping) is also concurrently the Director of CCP Central National Security Commission(NSC) Staff Office, and manages the external affairs relating to national security
teJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA NAVY China's Central Military Commission (CMC) has established the Inter-MR East China Sea Joint Warfare Command Center to coordinate and direct the air force and naval units of all the Military Regions, in order to have a more effective surveillance over the East China Sea ADIZ and possible Japanese provocations
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN The 120th anniversary of the first Sino-Japanese war on July 25, 2014, according to analysts, attracted more media interest than in past years possibly because of the current strained ties between the two countries and Beijing's push to modernise its military
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL Han Qingxiang, a Professor with the Central Party School, in an article published by People's Daily warned that the Party is facing multiple challenges originating both, within China and overseas
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA/CORRUPTION China's official news agency Xinhua reported on July 27, that PLA officers have been instructed to return non-essential public housing after an investigation found "irregularities".
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY/MISSILE TEST China's Ministry's of National Defense announced on its website that the tests of its missile interception system on July 23, had "achieved the preset goal."
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY EXERCISES China's Ministry of National Defense announced on July 29, 2014, that a military exercise will be conducted off China's southeast coast in the East China Sea starting July 29
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-DPRK No reports have been noticed of China sending a high-level delegation to North Korea for the 61st anniversary celebrations of the Korean War Victory Day
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN Japanese representative of Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, Sakuragi, has been charged with drug trafficking in Guangzhou
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: GALLUP POLL ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION Russian attitudes towards China's leaders have changed dramatically in the past year rising from 25% approving China's leadership in 2013, to a current approval rating of 42%.
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/CORRUPTION Investigations have begun into former PBSC member and Security Chief 71-year old Zhou Yongkang, for suspected "serious disciplinary violations"
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MARITIME POWER A full-scale 80-meter-long replica of the warship 'Zhiyuan', that was sunk during a naval confrontation of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), is under construction at a cost of 37 million Yuan (RMB-- US$ 6 million) in the city of Dandong, Liaoning province, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, which faces the western coast of the Korean Peninsula
Jul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY PLA installs a communications atop Hong Kong's tallest mountain
Jul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CORRUPTION China's Supreme People's Procuratorate has set up a Leading Work Group to go after officials who have fled overseas
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP In his first 18 months in power, Xi Jinpings name has been mentioned in 4,186 articles in the first eight pages of the Peoples Daily
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY MAPS Distribution of a total of over 15 million new-version paper-made battle maps to the troop units under the Lanzhou MAC has been completed
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: ESPIONAGE Cai Bo, a 28-year-old employee of a Chinese technology firm accused of trying to illegally export sensors primarily manufactured for sale to the US Department of Defense
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: EXTENSION OF RAILWAY FROM LHASA TO SHIGATSE China plans to extend a railway line linking Tibet with the rest of the country to the borders of India, Nepal and Bhutan by 2020
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HEALTH EPIDEMIC China's official state-controlled China Central Television (CCTV) reported on July 21, 2014, that Yumen city in China's north-western Gansu province had been sealed off and 151 people placed in quarantine since last week after a man died of bubonic plague
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TIGHTENING PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Dong Rubin, a businessman and blogger with 50,000 followers online convicted for fabricating and spreading online rumors for economic gain and of conducting illegal business operations.
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS A prominent Chinese journalist, Song Zhibiao, was compelled to terminate his contract with 'China Fortune'
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: NAVAL TIES PLA Navy Chief, Admiral Wu Shengli last week requested the visiting US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan W Greenert, to bring the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is based in Japan, to a port in China and allow the crew of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning to take a tour
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY/SOUTH CHINA SEA China's Ministry of Defense issued a statement on July 21, asserting that The Peoples Liberation Army naval ships operation in waters outside the territorial seas of other countries is in line with international law and international practice.
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION Clashes have been reported between protesters and police in Pingyang County of Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-DPRK (NORTH KOREA) South Korean newspapers reported that North Korea's relations with China, its sole ally and benefactor, appear to be going rapidly downhill
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL/POLITICAL: MONGOLIA Senior leaders of the CCP have been noticed visiting the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region often in recent weeks
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION The CCP CC's Organisation Department confirmed removal of Han Xiancong, Vice Chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY EXERCISES Flight delays at 12 airports and will last over 26 days due to PLA's military exercises
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: PRINCELINGS In September 2012, the Alibaba Group announced that it had concluded a US$ 7.6 billion deal -- described as the largest private financing deal in the history of China -- to buy back half of Yahoo's stake in it
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: RMB SWAP CENTRES China and Switzerland's central banks concluded a bilateral currency swap agreement in Beijing on July 21, 2014, that advances the international use of the renminbi and boosts Switzerlands hopes of becoming a trading hub for the Chinese currency
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EDUCATION In the last few days a statement is being circulated by the faculty in Beida opposing the Yanjing Academy, which is a new concept being promoted by the authorities
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA PROMOTIONS China yesterday (July 21) announced the promotion of a number of officers to the rank of Major General and above
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA: SOUTH CHINA SEA Albert Del Rosario, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) visited Jakarta on July 15 and met Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa where the two discussed Chinas aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN MILITARY Song Zuying, who was promoted to the rank of non-combatant Rear Admiral in 2009, is reported to be under investigation for misappropriation of funds
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN Banri Kaieda, the DPJ president and head of Japan's main opposition party, arrived in China on July 15, 2014, but was received the following day only by Liu Yunshan, the fifth-ranking Politburo Standing Committee member
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OIL & GAS Sinopec announces that the PRC Ministry of Land and Resources had verified proven reserves of nearly 107 billion cubic metres (bcm) in the Fuling shale gas field in Chongqing Municipality
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: HONG KONG's ELEVATED SECURITY Chairman of Hong Kong's Legislative Council Committee, Andrew, said the Government had suddenly announced on July 17, 2014, that the former East Wing, Central Government Offices ground (also known as the Citizens' Square) would be fenced
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP 74-year old Jia Qinglin, former Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and then the fourth-ranked Communist Party official when he retired last year, made a public appearance on July 16 in his native Hebei province in what is widely viewed as an attempt to dismiss a rumour that he has been under detention
Jul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLA 'LIVE FIRE' EXERCISES Chinese analysts following the recently announced ongoing 'live fire' exercises have observed on a blog site that the exercises have been going on for several weeks
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:CCP DISCIPLINE The Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) has stepped-up a campaign against so-called naked officials (a term used to describe Communist Party cadres who live in the mainland while their spouses and children stay abroad)
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PHILANTHROPY The Chinese real estate company SOHO China is setting up a $100 million endowment to send underprivileged Chinese children to elite universities around the world
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POPULAR PROTEST The "Nanfang Dushi Bao" reported on July 16, 2014, that a group of 7 petitioners (5 men and 2 women) committed mass suicide, outside the gates of the China Youth Daily newspaper in Hutong
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: 'LIVE-FIRE' EXERCISES Xinhua announced on July 15, that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) kicked off live-fire military training sessions for its ground forces that day
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: NAVY EXCHANGE PLA Navy Chief, Admiral Wu Shengli welcomed Admiral Jonathan Greenert, US Chief of Naval Operations, on July 15, 2014, with a red-carpet ceremony and an honour guard at his headquarters in Beijing
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: PEW PUBLIC PERCEPTION According to a survey by the Pew Research Center released on July 15, perceptions of Americans of China continued to slightly lose ground in the past year.Chinas favorable rating slipped from 37 percent to 35 percent, showing a deepening skepticism in the United States toward the country
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-BRICS BANK A press release issued at the BRICS conference says "the Bank shall have an initial authorized capital of US$ 100 billion
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: MARITIME DISPUTE US$ 1 billion oil rig that was deployed two months ago in waters claimed by Vietnam has completed drilling operations
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION Leading Party officials in the Guangzhou and Chengdu military commands inspected
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's second-quarter gross domestic product grew 7.5% from a year earlier, compared with 7.4% growth in the first quarter, which was the slowest pace in 18 months
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-GERMANY German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her 3-day trip to China -- her seventh as Chancellor -- on July 7, 2014, signed a number of trade and investment agreements, including for the establishment of two new Volkswagen factories and the sale of 123 Airbus helicopters
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: HI-TECH CYBER THEFT AND INDIAN DATA The arrest of Chinese national and businessman, Su Bin, by the US is the first time that the FBI has issued a warrant against a foreigner charged with an act of cyber espionage via a network attack that has till now been attributed solely to state actors like the PLA
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met German Chancellor Angela Merkel
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: LEADERSHIP MEETING ON SIDELINES OF APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Beijing this November would provide a "natural" environment for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet on the sidelines
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-NEPAL: TIBETAN AFFAIRS Nepal's Embassy in New Delhi withdrew a 'No Objection' letter issued by it permitting the body of the 14th Shamar Rimpoche, a high-ranking monk of the Karma Kagyu sect, to be brought to Nepal from India for the last rites
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ENERGY Chinese demand for oil will increase by 440,000 barrels a day in 2015
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STUDENT UNREST Plans to establish a Rhodes Scholarship type of in-residence elite academy called the Yenching Academy in the prestigious Peking University, is being opposed by students and faculty
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION Guo Boxiong, a former top military commander, and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) from 2002 to 2012, have almost been completed and he will be arrested soon
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER HACKING Chinese hackers had broken into the computer networks and databases of the US Office of Personnel Management in March this year
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: OIL AND GAS Shipping companies in China and Japan have said they will start a regular service to carry Siberian natural gas across the Arctic Ocean to East Asia
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: ALLEGED ILLEGAL LAUNDERING BY CHINESE GOVERNMENT BANKS China Citic Bank, which is directly controlled by the PRC State Council, also facilitated the movement of currency overseas
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Chinese journalists not to pass on any information obtained in the course of their work to any foreign media groups or to domestic media where they are not employed
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: ANTI-CORRUPTION The US-based Duowei news service reported on July 9, 2014, that a total of eight PLA Major Generals are involved in the corruption cases relating to CMC Vice Chairman Xu Caihou and Deputy Director of the PLA's General Logistics Department (GLD) Maj Gen Gu Junshang
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: STRATEGIC RAILWAY Lhasa Shigatse railway is expected to be put into operation in August 2014
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA Global Times, an official subsidiary of the Party mouthpiece 'People's Daily' on July 9, 2014, criticised critics of the country's political system who, it said, mainly populate the internet.
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PROPAGANDA CONTROLS Murong Xuecun, a New York Times columnist and one of China's best novelists and prominent bloggers, was taken away by Beijing police
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-LATIN AMERICA: XI JINPING'S VISIT Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: XINJIANG AND 'TERRORISM' Xinhua re-published an article, which named a few western media and stated that they assisted the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, spread rumors, and ultimately promoted violent ideology in China
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM China's authoritative official news agency Xinhua, reported on recent comments by Vietnam's three top leaders
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL Tibetan activist Woeser said she and her husband Wang Lixiong were kept under house arrest for two days
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM Vietnam's Thanh Nien News reported on July 3, 2014 that after China despatched a mobile drilling rig in Vietnams continent shelf and exclusive economic zone, which escalated tensions, the US has dispatched aircraft to the region at least twice in the past several days
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-US: DENIAL OF VISA Tibetologist Elliot Sperling (Elliot Shi Boling) and author of "The China-Tibet Conflict: History and Polemics," was denied entry to China at Beijing Airport
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: BANKING China has permitted banks to freely set their own exchange rates for the renminbi against the dollar in over-the-counter transactions, describing it as another step toward freeing the exchange rate from government control
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY: SWITZERLAND/FTA China and Switzerland on July 1, 2014, signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: ANNIVERSARY OF ANTI-JAPAN WAR 77th anniversary of the Anti-Japan War
CCASJul 2014 |
Panchen Lama Attends Religious Activities in Tibet The 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu visited monasteries in Jokhang and Sera in Lhasa, TAR on 2 -4th of July
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ROK: XI JINPING'S VISIT Xi Jinping's two-day Summit visit to Seoul marked his fifth meeting with his South Korean counter-part and appeared to hint at a subtle shift in Sino-North Korea relations
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: TERRITORIAL CLAIMS Chinese Youth League (CYL) has on July 3, 2014, published a half-page advertisement by a South Korean civic group publicising Koreas prefered name for its disputed waters with Japan
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-STRATEGY ON TERRITORIAL DISPUTES Shi Yinhong, Professor of International Relations at People's University in Beijing, said recently that China blames the United States for causing trouble with its neighbours in order to try to "contain" China's rise
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-HONGKONG PROTESTS Radio Hongkong (RTHK) reported the claim made by the Civil Human Rights Group, which organized the July 1 march, on July 4, that at least five of its members have been arrested
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Guangzhou Party Secretary Wan Qingliang was charged with corruption
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Zhang Haipeng, CEO of China Resources Medication Group (CRM), a pioneer in China's experiments in public hospital investment, has resigned amid an anti-corruption storm at its parent company
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Jia Kang, head of the Research Institute for Fiscal Science of China's Ministry of Finance (MOF), wrote that the prices for coal, electricity and other resources in China are expected to rise as a result of the upcoming reform of the resource tax
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA: SUMMIT Chinas President Xi Jinping and South Korean leader, Park Geun-hye, issued a joint statement that sought to smooth over differences in approach toward the development of nuclear weapons by North Korea
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/ANTI-CORRUPTION Hong Kong's 'Ming Pao' daily said on July 3, that action against former Politburo Standing Committee member and China's Security Czar, Zhou Yongkang, is imminient and sentencing is likely within the next few days
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY Reports suggest that Shanghai is competing to be the venue of the headquarters for the new BRICS Development Bank
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA & PUBLIC ATTITUDES Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on July 3, 2014, at the start of a two-day visit that is described as "significant" and expected to raise the relationship from "a strategic cooperative partnership to a comprehensive level"
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN/PHILIPPINES: SOUTH CHINA SEA China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang, at the daily press briefing on June 30, 2014, accused Japan and the Philippines of infringing on other countries' interests under the pretext of rule of law
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY:TECHNOLOGY A Chinese company has become the first to construct multiple buildings using 3D printers that extrude recycled building materials at breakneck speed
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: RELIGION--BAN ON FASTING DURING RAMADAN Chinese government websites announced on July 2, 2014, that fasting by civil servants, students and teachers during Ramadan has been banned
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-UK: OIL AND GAS British oil major BP PLC signed a deal worth around $20 billion to supply China National Offshore Oil Corp. with liquefied natural gas cargos
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP The CCP mouthpiece People's Daily and Liberation Army Daily in a front-page editorial expressed the support of the entire Party and PLA to the Politburo's decsion to expel former Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman 70-year old Xu Caihou
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: BORDER SECURITY Xi Jinping emphasized that the top priority is defending the country's sovereignty and security
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: JAPAN'S NEW POLICY OF 'COLLECTIVE SELF DEFENCE' Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas, by reinterpreting the law instead of amending the Constitution. The reinterpretation now allows Japan to resort to "collective self-defence"
CCASJul 2014 |
Leaders of National Development and Reform Commission of China Names of all the members of NDRC
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-TAIWAN Zhang Zhijun, head of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office and the first Ministerial level official from the People's Republic of China to visit Taiwan in 65 years, had to cancel three public appearances on Saturday after violent protests against his trip
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-EXTERNAL: CARTOGRAPHIC AGGRESSION Chinese authorities published a new map showing all of Beijing's territorial claims
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's state development banks provided upwards of $140 billion to help Chinese firms go abroad
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/CORRUPTION Party membership of General Xu Caihou, former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, revoked for "suspected crimes of taking bribery
CCASJul 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China under the category 'High Warning'
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-S&T: SUPER COMPUTER Concerns were voiced regarding China's 'Tianhe-2' billion-yuan supercomputer, reputed to be the most powerful in the world
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: LI PENG'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY Former retired Premier 85-year old Li Peng, who played a key role in the crackdown of the Tiananmen Square protest 25 years ago, published his official 490,000-word memoir yesterday
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-LEADERSHIP: PUBLICITY OF XI JINPING CCP CC's Propaganda Department recently published a compilation of Xi Jinping's speeches
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP/CORRUPTION Guangzhou Province Party Secretary Wan Qingliang has been dismissed from his post following an investigation for corruption
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AND TIBET More than 50 invited guests attended a seminar on Tibet hosted by the Confucius Institute in Auckland on June 24, 2014
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN In the first official bilateral contact since Shinzo Abe took over as Prime Minister of Japan in December 2012, the former leader of the New Komeito Party and Japan's Transport Minister, Akihiro Ota, arrived in Beijing on June 27, 2014, and met Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-IRAQ: TRAPPED CHINESE LABOUR An estimated 10,000 Chinese workers who traveled to Iraq in recent years, mostly on contract to Chinese oil companies, are still in Iraq
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-ISRAEL: PAKISTAN-TERRORISM Chinese delegation arrived at the beginning of this week to take part in a symposium organized jointly by JCPA and the Sino-Israel Global Network and Academic Leadership (SIGNAL), and to discuss joint Israeli-Chinese interests in the Middle East
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TERRORISM China has released a 23-minute film showing live footage of the terrorist attacks
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) announced on June 26, 2014, that 1948-born Su Rong, a Vice Chairman of its National Committee, had been dismissed on charges of corruption
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN IN PLA Two Major Generals in the PLA with connections to Sichuan province have been detained as part of a corruption investigation
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CLAIM ON SOUTH CHINA SEA China has published its first official vertical national map incorporating the vast South China Sea
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-US: PLA NAVY PLAAF had 280 drone units or 7000 drones operational by 2003
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: PLAAF President Xi Jinping stressed the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s "absolute leadership" of the PLA Air Force at the 12th Air Force Party Congress on June 17, 2014, in Beijing
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-US: HUMAN RIGHTS The US House Appropriations Committee voted on June 24, 2014, to rename the stretch of road in front of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Washington DC as the Liu Xiaobo Plaza
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-ASEAN: MARITIME TERRITORIAL DISPUTES China and Asean will be meeting for the 11th time at the two-day (June 24-25, 2014) meeting that started in Bali, Indonesia, to negotiate a binding set of rules governing engagements in the contested maritime areas
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:ECONOMY Li Yining, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), had on June 23 refuted the notion that China's economy is in decline
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Deng Xiaoping's only grandson 28-year old Deng Zhuodi, has recently been appointed Party Secretary of Pingguo County xin'anzhen
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: NUCLEAR POWER China General Nuclear Power Corp., a state enterprise, will soon complete and operate a US$ 8.3 billion generating station with two 1,750 megawatt reactors developed by Areva, the French company, in Taishan, in Chinas Guangdong province and approx. 80 miles west of Hong Kong
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: EDUCATION The country's leadership has begun promoting vocational schools
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN Ling Zhengce is being investigated for serious crimes and breaches of Communist party discipline.
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG 13 armed assailants who attacked an office of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region Public Security in the Kashgar area
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-EXPLORATION IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Beijing has sent four oil rigs into the South China Sea, suggesting that China is stepping up exploration for oil and gas in the region and less than two months after it positioned a giant drilling platform in waters claimed by Vietnam
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA Chinas Maritime Safety Administration, the second rig will be towed between June 18 and June 20 and is currently 104 nautical miles northeast of Da Nang (Vietnam's central hub) and 60 nautical miles from Chinas Hainan Island
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW AND ORDER Zhang Wei, a Tibetan who was Vice Director of the Stability Maintenance Office was shot and killed on June 14, as he was returning from policing the lucrative harvest of caterpillar fungus used in Chinese medicine
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER HACKING A new PLA Unit involved in cyber-espionage
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-UK: TIBET Britain states, as a long-term policy, that Tibet is a part of China and that it does not support "Tibet independence"
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-IRAQ: OIL COMPANY WORKERS China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) has evacuated some employees from its al-Ahdab oil field, which is 180 kilometers from Baghdad
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA- ECONOMY Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States rose 144 percent in the first five months of this year to US $2.03 billion
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: ARCTIC The Defence Policy Research Centre of China's Academy of Military Sciences (AMS) on June 18, 2014, made special mention of the Arctic in one entire chapter of an annual strategic assessment
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET: GLOBAL WARMING Geographical conditions in the world's highest Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are significantly affected by global warming
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: MEDIA New rules for Chinese journalists in what it described as a 'bid to crack down on false news and journalists who take bribes or extort money from their sources'.
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Zeng Wei and Jiang Mei bought a 106-year old home in 2008 called Craig-y-Mor in Sydney valued at 32.4?million Australian dollars (about US$30?million)
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-GERMANY: TELECOMMUNICATIONS/CYBER ESPIONAGE German security firm finds malicious code hidden deep in the propriety software of the Chinese-made smart phone 'Star N9500'
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN President Xi Jinping has asked his immediate family to sell hundreds of millions of dollars in investments to reduce his own political vulnerability
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG Three knife-wielding individuals attacked a group of civilians
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY Enlisting more high-quality soldiers is extremely important to building a strong and capable military
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-DENMARK: ONE CHINA POLICY Taiwan is a part of China
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-UK Li Keqiang is scheduled to meet the British Queen during his visit to UK
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: CORRUPTION More than US$1 billion was misappropriated in less than four months last year while constructing and running portions of a major electricity grid system
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL/POLITICAL: CASS Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)faces four ideological problems
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP CCP CC General Secretary Xi Jinping had presided over a meeting of the Leading Group of Financial and Economic Affairs
CCASJun 2014 |
Concerns Rise Over China's Detention of Uighur Scholar Concerns about the prolonged detention in China of prominent Uighur academic Ilham Tohti are rising
CCASJun 2014 |
13 executed over terror attacks, violent crimes in Xinjiang Thirteen people were executed on Monday for terrorist attacks and violent crimes in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region
CCASJun 2014 |
PLA eases standards for recruitment The Chinese military has relaxed its physical standards for new recruits in an effort to attract more young people with higher education backgrounds
CCASJun 2014 |
Chinese premier arrives in Britain for official visit Cooperation deals worth 30 billion U.S. dollars expected to be signed
CCASJun 2014 |
Anti-decadence Campaign Disciplinary inspections reveal problems
CCASJun 2014 |
South China knife attack Seven injured in the attack
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-UK: LEADERSHIP The Chong Hua Foundation in January 2012 donated 3.7?million to Cambridge University to endow a professorship for Chinese development studies
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-US: NAVY 'RIMPAC 2014' EXERCISES Chinese Navy taking part in RIMPAC for the first time
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER HACKING A 60 page report which provides evidence of a Chinese cyber espionage unit, PutterPanda released
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-TIBETANS IN EXILE Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei criticized the remarks of Lobsang Sangay, the "prime minister" of the "Tibetan government in exile"
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY A woman arrested for posting an article on Twitter that teaches how to use a pseudo base station to send illegal information.
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT (JUNE 8, 2014) ON SOUTH CHINA SEA
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY China's gross domestic product growth has fallen below its target of 7.5% for the year
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LAW & ORDER/TERRORISM An explosion occurred in 'Dicos' a fast-food restaurant in central Anda city, Heilongjiang province
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA PLA Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. General Wang Guanzhong's Comments at Shangri-La Dialogue
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-MYANMAR Ground surveys for construction of the railway, linking Kunming in China with the Kyaukphyu port township in Myanmar's Rakhine State through the border town of Muse in Shan State, has begun
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH KOREA-PHILIPPINES: SOUTH CHINA SEA South Korea has decided to donate a corvette warship to the Philippine Navy
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: SOUTH CHINA SEA China plans to expand its biggest installation on the disputed Fiery Cross Reef (known as Yongshu in China, Kagitingan in the Philippines and Da Chu Thap in Vietnam) in the Spratly Islands, into a fully formed 44 square kilometers artificial island
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-AUSTRALIA: DISSIDENTS 52-year old Australian artist Guo Jian has been instructed by Chinese authorities to "depart China" after serving a 15 day "administrative detention"
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: UYGHUR MINORITIES New directive had been issued on May 31, 2014 instructing all State enterprises in Xinjiang to hire at least 70 per cent of new staff locally
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY Opening of the annual 'Shanghai International Exhibition on Public Security and Safety' coincided this year with the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident in June 1989
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:ENVIRONMENT 700 mountains are being 'removed' creating several hundred square kilometers of flattened land and this is leading to air and water pollution, erosion, and flooding
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Xi Jinping's father, Xi Zhongxun,work as Political Commissar in Gansu and Shaanxi praised
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: G-7 Leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) expressed their concern about the tensions in the East and South China Sea.
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: COUNTER-TERRORISM Chinese authorities have arrested 29 people during a crackdown on terrorists in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: SECOND ARTILLERY FORCE China's missile force targetted at Taiwan is being constantly enhanced and improved
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL; ECONOMY Central authorities have suspended the establishment of Free Trade Zones (FTZ)s
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-US: TIANANMEN Write-ups on the Tiananmen incident
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STUDENTS/COUNTER-TERRORISM For the first time in more than 30 years the 'gaokao' examinations will be conducted under heavy guard
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL-MILITARY Official biographies of PLA General Zhang Yang and Major General Qin Shengxiang have been wiped clean of involvement in the PLA crackdown in Tiananmen on 3-4 June 1989
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA PLA Major General Zhu Chenghu, a Professor at China's National Defense University, suggested that if China came to blows with any of its neighbors the U.S. might not prove to be a reliable ally
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: XINJIANG CCP CC Politburo meeting on May 26, 2014 to discuss the worsening security crisis in Xinjiang
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL-POLITICAL: LEADERSHIP Xi Jinping had put forward new thinking, new views and new conclusions in a series of important speeches since the 18th National Party Congress in November 2012
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: TERRORISM 850,000 volunteers have been mobilised to patrol the capital together with the police
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET:RELIGION First management change of an important monastery in Tibetan-populated areas effected by Beijing in recent years
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Quotes uttered by President Xi Jinping
CCASJun 2014 |
CHINA-ASIA-PACIFIC: SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng announced on May 29 that Lt. Gen. Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of the PLA General Staff will lead a 11-member PLA delegation to attend the Shangri-la Dialogue being held in Singapore from May 30 to June 2, 2014
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL In compliance with orders recently issued by the CCP CC's Organisation Department that officials whose wives and children live abroad should not be promoted, the Guangdong Province's Organisation Department has transferred numerous Communist Party officials in this category to less sensitive posts as part of the anti-corruption campaign.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ETHNIC MINORITIES The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held its 'Second Central Work Forum on Xinjiang' in Beijing on May 29 and 30, 2014. All seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) attended.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinas Advance Spurs Indonesian Military Shift Chinas intensifying move to assert claims over the South China Sea has given fresh impetus to a military buildup in Indonesia that will see its forces deployed with greater focus on external risks.
CCASMay 2014 |
China is drafting Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei development plan Intensive efforts are being made to draft an integration development plan for Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province.
CCASMay 2014 |
FBIs Wanted List Sends Chinese Tech to First From Worst Investors in Chinese technology shares earn higher profits thanks to US_China cyber spat.
CCASMay 2014 |
The Hidden Loans that Sank Nanjing Tanker Nanjing Tanker Corp., China's first state-owned enterprise which is about to lose its stock market listing following four years of consecutive losses, has been withholding information about a massive amount of debt in the form of long-term, off-balance-sheet loans drawn between 2005 and 2008, research jointly conducted by British shipping industry journal Lloyd's List and Caixin has found.
CCASMay 2014 |
Suntech says solar PV costs to match coal in China by 2016 Suntech Power predicts that the cost of building large scale solar PV plants could match the cost of coal-fired generation in China by 2016, a development that will completely transform the energy market in the worlds second biggest economy.
CCASMay 2014 |
Tiananmen Comment Eyed After Professors Microblog Vanishes The popular microblog of a prominent nationalist professor at Peking University has been blocked, possibly in response to a comment he posted about the military suppression of the 1989 Tiananmen protest movement.
CCASMay 2014 |
Gov't Policies 'Deformed Market,' A property tycoon who is selling most of his stake in a developer of luxury homes says government policies have "deformed" the market.
CCASMay 2014 |
China's Middle-Class Protests Turn Violent After Petitions Ignored Authorities planned a waste incinerator in Hangzhou which was protested by the residents many of whom form the middle class of China.
CCASMay 2014 |
China shuts bomb factories as 'people's war' on terror begins China dismantled a major bomb-making network and arrested five suspected extremists at the start of a major nationwide "war on terror" that has seen armed police, helicopters and the military deployed in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai.
CCASMay 2014 |
China and Vietnam Point Fingers After Clash in South China Sea Tensions in the South China Sea escalated sharply on Tuesday, May 27 as China and Vietnam traded accusations over the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel in the vicinity of a Chinese oil rig parked in disputed waters off Vietnams coast.
CCASMay 2014 |
President Xi stresses coordinated functions of market, gov't Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for coordinated functioning of the market and government in resource allocation to promote sustainable economic and social development.
CCASMay 2014 |
China Might Study IBM Servers for Bank Security Risks The Chinese government is reviewing whether domestic banks reliance on high-end servers from International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) compromises the nations financial security, in an escalation of the dispute with the U.S. over spying claims
CCASMay 2014 |
Windows ban may open door for China's domestic OS With Windows 8 now banned from being installed on Chinese government computers, domestic operating system (OS) developers are itching for a niche in the world's biggest PC market.
CCASMay 2014 |
Xi Jinping shows support for Shanghai free-trade zone in whistle-stop visit Xi, together with the local Shanghai Communist Party chief Han Zheng and Mayor Yang Xiong, visited several locations and greeted local staff, according to a source who accompanied Xi. The Hong Kong-style economic zone was launched last October.
The zone is considered an integral part of China's economic and foreign exchange reform under Xi's leadership.
CCASMay 2014 |
China identifies suspects of suicide bombing attack in Xinjiang Chinese police have identified five suspects who carried out a suicide bombing in the deadliest attack in the country's restive Xinjiang region in years, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
CCASMay 2014 |
DoD Distances Itself From US Hacking Indictment of PLA Soldiers The Pentagon is distancing itself from the US Justice Departments charging of five Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) officers with 31 criminal counts of hacking and cyber espionage against six US companies.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MILITARY- SENKAKU ISLANDS Chinese PLA Air Force SU-27 fighters came as close as 50 meters to a Japanese Self Defence Force (SDF) P-3C surveillance plane near the uninhabited Senkaku Islands on May 24, 2014, and within 30 meters of a Japanese YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-US Reacting strongly to the indictment by the US Justice Department of five PLA officers on charges of cyber espionage and stealing commercial secrets from major US corporations, China is reported to have ordered State-owned Enterprises (SoEs) to sever ties with US consulting companies like McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group because of apprehensions that they are parting with secret commercial information to the US government.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-TAIWAN: ESPIONAGE It was confirmed on May 23, 2014, that 54-year old Chen Kun-shan (???), an expert on microwave remote-sensing technology and head of the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research (CSRSR) at National Central University (NCU) since 2001 till his disappearance in September 2013, has defected to China and surfaced at the State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science at Beijing Normal University
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA Vietnam's 'Thanh Nien' newspaper on May 23 reported that a 67-year-old Vietnamese woman had died after setting herself on fire at 6 am earlier that morning in front of Reunification Palace in downtown Ho Chi Minh City in protest against China's deployment of an oil rig in waters claimed by Hanoi.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: LEADERSHIP Chinese President Xi Jinping paid an unexpected first-time visit to the Shanghai Free Trade Zone on May 23. He is the highest-level official to visit the Free Trade Zone since its launch last October. Xi Jinping was accompanied by Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng and Mayor Yang Xiong.
CCASMay 2014 |
Pakistan, China sign pact on Lahore Orange Line metro project Pakistan and China on Thursday, May 22, 2014 signed the framework agreement on Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project.
CCASMay 2014 |
Xi defines new Asian security vision at CICA The opening session of the fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is held in east China's Shanghai, May 21, 2014.
CCASMay 2014 |
Beijing to the US by train China has outlined its plan to connect the world by high-speed rail, including an underwater link to the US running 13,000km.
CCASMay 2014 |
Windows 8 banned On May 20, the Chinese Government Procurement Net issued a notice promulgating that: 'The Windows 8 operating system may not be installed on any computer purchased by any level of Chinese government"
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-US: CYBER In an exclusive interview with Christiane Amanpour telecast on May 20, China's Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, criticised the US Government's decision to name and charge the 5 PLA officers with cyber espionage
CCASMay 2014 |
Windows 8 banned The ban on Windows 8 can be interpreted as based on three considerations: national security, lowering procurement costs and improvement work efficiency.
CCASMay 2014 |
39 convicted of spreading religious extremism in Xinjiang Thirty-nine people in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region have been found guilty of spreading online terrorism videos and other crimes, the region's high court said.
CCASMay 2014 |
Saving the Ecosystem The revised environmental protection law provides a sound legal base for pollution prevention and control
CCASMay 2014 |
Explosion rocks Urumqi, Xinjiang An explosion hit near a park in Urumqi, the capital of of Xinjiang, around 8:00 a.m. this morning,22 May 2014 according to Xinhua. As of writing, the number of casualties are unknown, and the most recent update from the news portal has attributed the blast to a vehicle collision at an open market near the park.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: ECONOMY/OIL State-owned China National Petroleum Corp, Chinas largest oil company, said on May 21, 2014 that it had signed a 30-year deal to buy up to 38bn cubic metres of gas per year from Russia beginning in 2018.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: POLITICAL A record-breaking 49 agreements covering political, trade and military areas were signed between Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, May 21, further strengthening the Sino-Russian partnership.
CCASMay 2014 |
The Deadly Tent Fire That China Doesnt Want People to Talk About A grisly crime arising out of a clash over land rights in eastern Chinas Shandong is the latest illustration of a critical disconnect among farmers, local village authorities and the central government, which has pledged land reforms that have not yet been enacted.
CCASMay 2014 |
Russian president arrives for state visit Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Shanghai to start his state visit to China and attend the upcoming Asian security summit.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinese Ships Arrive in Vietnam to Evacuate Workers Two Chinese passenger ships were moored off a central Vietnamese port on Monday, 19 May, preparing to evacuate Chinese workers following deadly rioting, officials said.
CCASMay 2014 |
No More Calling Chinese Officials Boss. In Guangdong, party officials have instructed the rank and file not to use boss or big guy when addressing supervisors, saying that such terms disturb the partys internal democracy.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:POLITICAL Reports circulating in Beijing claim that China's leaders are considering convening the Fourth Plenary Session of the CCP's 18th Central Committee plenum in Beijing earlier than usual and possibly before, or early in, September
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-SRI LANKA: POLITICAL/MILITARY Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 16, 2014, met the Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) General Xu Qiliang in Colombo.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY EXERCISES The China-Russia joint military exercise code-named Maritime Cooperation 2014 will be conducted from May 20-26, 2014 in the areas in the north of East China Sea
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: POLITICAL/MILITARY Troops, tanks, trucks, artillery, and armored personnel carriers of Chinas People's Liberation Army (PLA) were reported to be heading to the Vietnamese border on May 16 and 17.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinese Officials Head to Countryside to Try to Win Over Locals Some 200,000 officials in Xinjiang, the western region of China that has seen a rising tide of unrest, will be sent to live in rural areas over the next three years, the Global Times reported. So far, the paper reports, more than 70,000 have already arrived
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-PAKISTAN: ECONOMIC Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who his confidants say wants to maximise benefits from the US$ 32 billion investment package given by China, has taken serious notice of the delay in issuance of visas to Chinese nationals who are required by different Chinese companies in different projects in Pakistan.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA The official newspaper 'Global Times' on May 17, supported the use of non-peaceful measures against Vietnam and the Philippines.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-US: MILITARY/SOUTH CHINA SEA LA Chief of the General Staff Department (GSD) General Fang Fenghui, speaking after a meeting with Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the US on May 16,said "the rebalancing strategy of the U.S. has stirred up some of the problems which make the South China Sea and the East China Sea not so calm as before."
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ECONOMY/CORRUPTION Beijing News reported in 2012, that Chinese officials spent 300 billion yuan (US$48 billion) on public-funded dining receptions and functions. The Jiusan Society, one of eight legally recognized political parties in China, estimated that at an average cost of 1,000 yuan (US$160) per meal, the figures show that government funds were used for almost 300 million meals, or around 820,000 a day.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:TERRORISM RFAs Uyghur Service reported on May 14, 2014 that three senior Han Chinese officials aged between 38 and 45 were brutally murdered and their bodies dumped in a pond on April 27, the day Chinese President Xi Jinping started his visit to Xinjiang
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Bloomberg business news service reported on May 15, that China's banks had the biggest quarterly increase in bad loans since 2005 as a slowdown in the worlds second-largest economy causes defaults to rise.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:POLITICAL/TERRORISM The 'Site' monitoring service, which tracks Islamist militant statements, said that an Islamist militant group called the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) had claimed responsibility for the bomb attack at the Urumqi train station in late April that killed one person and injured 79
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: STABILITY Following the series of violent attacks in recent months including most recently at the Kunming and Urumqi railway stations, where 32 were killed and over 200 injured, many cities in China have stepped up security and tightened armed patrols on the streets.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-VIETNAM: SOUTH CHINA SEA Tension in the South China Sea has escalated since May 2 with Beijing insisting on placing an offshore oil drilling platform known as HD-981 accompanied by a number of military vessels to carry out activities within Vietnam's claimed exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinas $50 Billion Asia Bank Snubs Japan, India China's Finance Minister Lou Jiwei led discussions about the creation of the new $50 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which shall be funded mostly by China. Left out from the discussion,were regional rivals Japan and India, as well as the U.S.
CCASMay 2014 |
China Premier Li Says Confident Of Meeting 7.5% Growth Target China's Premier Li Keqiang said that his government was confident it would meet its growth target for this year, 2014 and pledged to push forward reforms.
CCASMay 2014 |
China blames U.S. for stoking tensions in South China Sea China's foreign ministry blamed the United States on Friday, 9 May 2014. for stoking tensions in the disputed South China Sea by encouraging countries to engage in dangerous behavior, following an uptick in tensions between China and both the Philippines and Vietnam.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:POLITICAL The Hebei Province Propaganda Department convened a forum on April 30, to inaugurate the establishment of the 'Hebei Provincial Secretary General Xi Jinping Speech Essence Research Centre'.
CCASMay 2014 |
Power Company Official 'Is Target of Investigation' The director and Communist Party boss of a branch of the country's largest distributor of electricity is the subject of an investigationZhu Changlin, who became director and party chief of the north branch of State Grid Corp. last year in 2013, was being investigated, the sources said on May 6, 2014. It was unclear what the inquiry is about or who is performing it.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-FRANCE: POLICE COOPERATION Economic considerations have raised the strange possibility of Chinese police (Public Security Bureau) personnel assisting their French counterparts to help patrol Paris during the peak summer tourist season.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: ESPIONAGE A 70-year old Beijing resident named Gao Yu was detained on May 8, 2014, for leaking "state secrets" to foreign contacts.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-NORWAY: DALAI LAMA As the exiled spiritual Tibetan leader Dalai Lama began his visit to Norway on May 7, 2014, the Norwegian government announced last week that it had decided against arranging meetings between him and top Norwegian politicians. The Norwegian government's decision came in for criticism
CCASMay 2014 |
China-Vietnam Tensions High over Drilling Rig in Disputed Waters Tensions between China and Vietnam over the disputed South China Sea are at their highest levels in years.
CCASMay 2014 |
11 Chinese poachers arrested Maritime patrollers intercepted on Tuesday, 6 May 2014 a Chinese fishing vessel with 11 crewmembers near Half Moon Shoal, an area very close to mainland Palawan in Philippines
CCASMay 2014 |
Beijing detains, parades journalist Gao Yu on state TV for 'leaking state secrets' The outspoken Chinese political analyst and journalist Gao Yu has been detained by Beijing police in a criminal investigation over charges of leaking state secrets abroad, weeks before the 25th anniversary of the military crackdown on the Tian'anmen Square democracy movement
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: POLITICAL CONTACTS Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) and No: 3 ranked Politburo Standing Committee member, Zhang Dejiang, suggested that China was open to contacts with Japanese lawmakers.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:POLITICAL The authoritative, official Party newspaper 'People's Daily' reported on May 7 that membership of China's Communist Youth League (CYL) touched 89 million at the end of 2013 in 3.8 million basic level organizations.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinese Giant Alibaba Will Go Public, Listing in U.S. The Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba Group filed paperwork in the United States to sell stock to the public for the first time, in an embrace of the global capital markets that represents a coming-of-age for Chinas booming Internet industry.
CCASMay 2014 |
Worries reasonable, housing price tumble unlikely Relentless rumors and declining sales rattled nerves in the Chinese economy as worries about a tumble in home prices
CCASMay 2014 |
The Tiananmen Square Meeting That Sparked a Crackdown in Beijing Chinese authorities have detained Pu Zhiqiang, one of the countrys most visible and prominent rights lawyers, after he attended a meeting held to discuss the June 4th Tiananmen Square crackdown.
CCASMay 2014 |
China To Force State Firms To Boost Payouts This Year China's biggest state firms will be required to increase their dividend payouts by 5 percentage points from 2014 as part of the Communist Party's broader attempt to streamline industry and boost competition.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinas Bitcoin Exchanges Pull Out of Summit After PBOC Several of Chinas largest bitcoin exchanges pulled out of a planned global conference in Beijing after the central bank signaled further curbs on speculative trading of the virtual currency.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:TERRORISM In the third attack in three months on a mass hub transport centre in China, six people were wounded in a knife attack at 11 am at the Guangzhou Railway Station on May 6, 2014
CCASMay 2014 |
China Nuclear Power eyes USD2.6bn in IPO State-owned China National Nuclear Power Co has announced plans to raise around USD2.60bn in the industry's first IPO.
CCASMay 2014 |
T-Mobile becomes first mobile virtual operator of China Telephone World Digital Groups subsidiary T-Mobile officially became the first mobile virtual network operator of China to offer services in wireless voice and data.
CCASMay 2014 |
USD2.2bn worth of deals signed at China cartoon festival The 10th China International Cartoon & Animation Festival, which closed on 3 May, saw deals signed worth Rmb13.8bn (USD2.2bn).
CCASMay 2014 |
Japan sends delegation to mend China ties Japan has sent a delegation composed of nine senior Japanese lawmakers to Beijing in an attempt to mend ties with China, amid a territorial dispute that has prevented the summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping
CCASMay 2014 |
China makes first delivery of aircraft to Nepal The first China-made airplane has been delivered to Nepal on 27 April
CCASMay 2014 |
World's first Tiananmen museum opens in Hong Kong The world's first museum dedicated to the Tiananmen Square crackdown has opened in Hong Kong with an emotive ceremony and protests from pro-China demonstrators
CCASMay 2014 |
China charges labour activist after Yue Yuen strike Police in China have formally charged a labour activist with disturbing public order, reports say, following one of the country's biggest strikes in years.
Lin Dong, who works at a labour dispute service, was charged with helping to organise protests, his colleague said.
CCASMay 2014 |
Chinas Toiling Masses Urged to Adopt Stick Stick Spirit Chinese workers are being urged to adopt a new role model: the stick stick men of Chongqing.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA-JAPAN: MILITARY EXERCISES Japan's public broadcasting service NHK was quoted by 'WantChina Times' on May 1, as saying that Russia and China will conduct 2-week long joint navy exercises in the waters off the Daioyutai (Senkaku) Islands in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: PLA WAGES The Hongkong-based Beijing owned and controlled 'Ta Kung Pao' reported on April 30, 2014 that the PLA will raise wages by as much as 40% over the next three years.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has written a lengthy article in the latest issue of the Party's authoritative fortnightly magazine 'Qiu Shi' (Seeking Truth), where he has emphasised that China will resort to reforms and not stimulus to generate growth.
CCASMay 2014 |
JAPAN-CHINA: MILITARY Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera attended a well publicised groundbreaking ceremony on April 19, 2014 for a small radar station on Yonaguni Island, located 67 miles east of Taiwan and 93 miles south of the Senkaku Islands
CCASMay 2014 |
Yangtze River Delta Leads Softening of Housing Market China Vanke Co. Ltd, the country's largest property developer, reduced home prices in Hangzhou, eastern Zhejiang Province, in the face of a continued downturn in the housing market. Economists said the latest move could signal another round of price-cuts for residential property.
CCASMay 2014 |
China denies declaring war on Christians after mega-church is razed Communist Party officials deny the controversial demolition of a church in China's 'Jerusalem' is designed to discourage Christianity amid fears of nationwide clampdown on religion
CCASMay 2014 |
CCB Deposits Getting Cut by Money Market Funds The China Construction Bank (CCB) may have lost up to 100 billion yuan worth of deposits to money market funds in the first three months of this year, an executive of the bank, who declined to be named, said in an internal conference on April 28.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:TERRORISM China's official news-agency on May 1, reported that the authorities had 'cracked' the case of the bombing on April 30, at the railway station in Urumqi with the identification of three known religious fundamentalist Uyghurs
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA INTERNAL: TERROISM More details of the bombing in Urumqi railway station on April 30, reveal that at least 3 people were killed and 79 injured in the attack by unidentified terrorists.
CCASMay 2014 |
Oil Spill Graft Inquiry at CNPC Uncovers Shady Deal Involving Productive Oil Block.
Company called Niandai Energy Development Co. profited from oilfield despite little investment. Then it was shut down
CCASMay 2014 |
China Army Targets Students for Officers to Match Weapons Chinas military has used annual budget increases in excess of 10 percent to buy precision-guided weapons, fighter jets and an aircraft carrier. Now its seeking to upgrade its recruits to operate them.
CCASMay 2014 |
China Said to Plan Capital Market Access for Military China plans to fold developers of military hardware into listed state-owned companies, people familiar with the matter said, giving them access to capital markets as the country prioritizes high-technology defense capability.
CCASMay 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:TERRORISM China's official media including Xinhua reported that on April 30, 2014 morning an explosion, suspected to be the handiwork of Uyghurs, occurred at the railway station in Urumqi, capital of the restive Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region
CCASMay 2014 |
Woman kneels down to beg officials for clean water A resident of Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, suddenly knelt down before local environmental officials during a live TV show asking them to help control the pollution in a local river, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
CCASApr 2014 |
Implementation of China's environmental law vital Vice minister for the environment Pan Yue described new environmental protection laws as powerful tools against pollution, but warned of challenges in implementation.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-NORWAY: DALAI LAMA China's Ministry f Foreign Affairs (MFA) on April 28 said that it approved of a decision by Norway's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister not to meet exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama when he visits Norway from May 7 to May 9 at the invitation of civil groups in Oslo, in part to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his Nobel Peace Prize.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:CORRUPTION The CCP CC's Propaganda Department has directed all websites in China to find and remove articles and posts related to Hu Zhanfan, Head of China Central Television (CCTV), being investigated for insider trading.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:POLITICAL Party Secretary of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region, Zhang Chunxian, is soon to be replaced by the Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, Xia Yulong
CCASApr 2014 |
US-CHINA U.S. Beefs Up Military Options for China as Obama Reassures Allies in Asia
CCASApr 2014 |
Open SimSim Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is preparing to file for an initial public offering
CCASApr 2014 |
China Orders 4 U.S. Shows Off Streaming Sites Chinese regulators have ordered streaming video websites nationwide to take down four popular American TV series, a move that precedes new regulations seeking to close a loophole that has allowed foreign shows to flourish online, even as censors have limited them on broadcast television.
CCASApr 2014 |
President Xi vows intense pressure on terrorism Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to resolutely crack down on terrorism and secessionism with high intensity to safeguard national security.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:RELIGION A Professor of Sociology at USA's Purdue University and author of 'Religion in China: Survival and Revival under Communist Rule', Fenggang Yang recently predicted that China will have around 160 million Protestants by 2025.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN Vice-Premier Wang Yang criticised Japanese Prime Minister Abe's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY: REPORTED CHEMICALS PROLIFERATION IN SYRIA Qin Gang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said on April 23, 2014 that it was investigating reports that a chlorine canister bearing the name of Norinco, also known as China North Industries Group Corporation, China's biggest arms maker was shown in footage believed to document a gas attack in Syria this month.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY:LEGAL PROCEDURES there is a cloak of secrecy over the proceedings of Chinese military courts to prevent foreign observers viewing them
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-CIVIL SOCIETY co-founders of Alibaba, have pledged to fund a new charitable foundation
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-PLA: TIBETAN TROOPS Tibetan minorities eulogized for joining PLA
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-US RELATIONS Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on 23 April met a 9-member US House Delegation visiting China and led by US House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MARITIME DISPUTES-OBAMA'S STATEMENT China has reacted sharply to US President Obama's statement that Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Agreement covered the Senkakus (called Diaoyu in Chinese) Islands
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA: JAPAN-US PRESIDENT OBAMA'S VISIT US President Barack Obama stated for the first time by an incumbent US President-- that the Senkakus Islands in the Okinawa
Prefecture are subject to Article 5 of the Japan- US Security Treaty.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY: MARITIME SYMPOSIUM All 21 nations attending the 2-day (April 21-22) Western Pacific Naval Symposium at Qingdao unanimously adopted a non-legally binding 'Code For Unplanned Encounters at Sea'
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICAL SECURITY Armed police patrols, have been intensified throughout China
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-PLA NAVY Zhang Junshe, Researcher and Deputy Head of the Naval Research Institute, PLA justified China's not inviting Japan to the Fleet Review ceremony at Qingdao
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA -JAPAN Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent an offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on Monday 21 April
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN China's Commerce Ministry disclosed that for the third consecutive quarter direct investments by Japanese companies in China had declined
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL POLITICAL The Fifth Bureau is responsible for regulating the Internet and enlarging the government/Party's presence on the web
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL MILITARY The PLA Daily on April 18 gave prominent coverage in a 2-page spread to pledges of fealty to Xi Jinping by 17 more PLA Generals
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA A 30-year gas supply deal is likely to be signed during Putin's visit to Beijing next month.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA INTERNAL POLITICAL: ANTI-CORRUPTION China's Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) on April 17 confirmed that 51-year old Song Lin, Chairman of the state-owned China Resources Holdings and a Vice Minister-rank official was under investigation.
CCASApr 2014 |
Update on corruption A senior government official in China's Sichuan province is under investigation for "severe discipline violations",
CCASApr 2014 |
The Politics of Chinas Urbanization China released what Xinhua hailed as a landmark urbanization plan for the years between 2014 and 2020.
CCASApr 2014 |
Ukraine crisis World markets turned lower on April 15 amid concerns about instability in Ukraine, the value of technology stocks and an economic slowdown in China.
Apr 2014 |
Activity against activist........ yet again Police broke into the apartment of activist Ding Hongfen and took her away with no warrant, China Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) reported.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: SECURITY Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the first meeting of a new National Security Commission on April 15, 2014
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL:POLITICAL LEADERSHIP Hu Dehua, son of popular former CCP CC General Secretary Hu Yaobang who died of a heart attack on 15 April 1989, told the South China Morning Post on the eve of his father's 25th death anniversary that over the past 25 years there had been inadequate progress in political reform and there was continued lack of protection for press freedom
CCASApr 2014 |
Space Wars Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the air force to adopt an integrated air and space defence capability, in what state media on Tuesday called a response to the increasing military use of space by the United States and others.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: MILITARY MISSILE SALES RBK TV, Russia's business channel, reported recently that Russian President Putin has approved the sale of between two and four S-400 air and missile defense systems to China.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: MILITARY CONFLICT OVER DIAOYU ISLANDS Retired People's Liberation Army (PLA) Major General Luo Yuan, who is presently Vice President of the China Strategy Culture Promotion Association in Beijing, recently told Hong Kong's South China Morning Post that a war with Japan over territorial disputes is becoming increasingly likely after China established the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL POLITICAL: CORRUPTION Xinhua reported on April 13, that Shen Weichen, Party Secretary and Executive Vice President of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), is under investigation for suspected corruption.
CCASApr 2014 |
JAPAN-CHINA: YASUKUNI SHRINE VISIT Japan's Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshitaka Shindo visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on April 11.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA--POLITICAL: CORRUPTION Investigations aimed at former Politburo Standing Committee member and China's powerful Security Czar, Zhou Yongkang appear to be accelerating
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA--MILITARY:PLAN According to a report in the official 'Global Times' of April 10, 2014, at least two out of four Zubr-class air-cushioned landing craft, with max. speeds of approx 63 knots or 111 kilometers per hour, are ready to be commissioned by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
CCASApr 2014 |
AUSTRALIA--CHINA: PM TONY ABBOT'S MEETING WITH XI JINPING Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in Beijing on April 11, 2014, that he anticipates closer military cooperation and joint military exercises with China.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA--BBC's PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON FREEDOMS 47% of Chinese perceive the Chinese media to be free, as opposed to 42% of Americans.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA: MILITARY-CIVIL RELATIONS A joint project to build a cultural centre launched by the Lanzhou Military Area Command and some local companies was the scene of a clash on April 7
CCASApr 2014 |
Another one down A former aide to China's retired domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang was sacked on Wednesday after authorities opened a corruption probe, the latest move targeting associates of Zhou, who is also under investigation for graft.
CCASApr 2014 |
Anti- Anti Corruption Media censorship is back in the spotlight after a newscaster was abruptly cut off the air during a tirade in which he criticized local officials for wasting public funds.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA- NORTH KOREA: FALLOUT OF NUCLEAR TEST North Korea's third nuclear test on Tuesday, the 8th April 2014, has aroused widespread concern among Chinese citizens about the danger of radioactive fallout and nuclear contamination.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Standard Chartered Bank recently said that at least 40 central banks have invested in the yuan while many others are preparing to do so.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA--POLITICAL: LEADERSHIP China's ex-President Hu Jintao today made a rare public appearance in the southern province of Hunan earlier today (April 9, 2014),
CCASApr 2014 |
China comments on its neighbour's home China describes northeast India as 'most neglected'
CCASApr 2014 |
Taiwan's 'Sunflower Movement' Goes Global Supporters of the Sunflower Movement have organized sympathetic protests in Europe, North America, and Asia.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-US:MILITARY
On the first day of his visit to China, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel was taken aboard for a 2-hour tour of China's first aircraft carrier, the 'Liaoning', on April 7 at Qingdao.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-US:MILITARY As a return visit and at the invitation of Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, US Secretary of Defense Hagel is scheduled to visit China from April 7 to 10, 2014.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN Xinhua quoted Chinese scholars and officials as claiming that literary evidence from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) showed Chinese officials took a trip to the Diaoyus in 1808 -- 76 years earlier than when Japan claimed it discovered the East China Sea chain.
CCASApr 2014 |
MISSING MALAYSIAN FLIGHT - 370 A few hours ago an Australian Navy vessel is reported to have picked up two extended signals from deep underwater, in what authorities described as the best lead yet in the month-long search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
CCASApr 2014 |
China- Hollywood Hollywood Trades Censorship for Chinese Market
CCASApr 2014 |
China-Taiwan Taiwan Politician Promises Pause on China Trade Deal
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY A new campaign was launched throughout the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on April 5, 2014, when the PLA's General Political Department (GPD) issued a directive requiring the armed forces and all Party committees in the PLA to 'seriously study' Xi Jinping's speeches and writings on the Party's 'mass line'.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-US: ECONOMIC Figures released in April by the US Trade Representative (USTR) in its '2014 National Trade Estimate' reveal that U.S. trade with China fell sharply in February.
CCASApr 2014 |
US-CHINA Daniel Russel, the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, on April 3, 2014, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that it was 'difficult to determine what Chinas intentions might be, but Russias annexation of Crimea had heightened concerns among US allies in the region about the possibility of China using force to pursue its claims'
CCASApr 2014 |
MH 370: the malady of tragedy China Martyr Brigade Claimed Responsibility for Missing MH370
CCASApr 2014 |
Protests in Maoming Protesters say the PX project site should be moved out of the citys downtown core and located beyond the city centers 100 kilometre radius.
CCASApr 2014 |
NORTH KOREA: MISSILE TESTS IMMINENT Analysts feel that North Korea's rejection on March 30, 2014 of international condemnation of earlier missile tests could suggest it is preparing to conduct another missile test.
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-MILITARY Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on April 3, 2014, that in a rare move Eighteen Generals of the PLA including PLA Air Force Commander and CMC Member General Ma Xiaotian swore allegiance to the Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping.
CCASApr 2014 |
Falun Gong gets no Lawyers Judge He Yunpo from Dalian Intermediate Court in Liaoning Province has obstructed family and lawyers from filing appeals for Falun Gong practitioners sentenced in January for installing satellite dishes to watch overseas television programs.
CCASApr 2014 |
MH 370: the malady of tragedy Spies tied to some of Chinas largest cyberespionage campaigns are using the disappearance of Malaysian Flight MH 370 to infect computers of governments and think tanks.
CCASApr 2014 |
South China Sea dispute China rejects US accusations of provoking the Philippines in maritime dispute
CCASApr 2014 |
MH 370 Malaysians lose patience with Chinese fury and scorn over missing flight
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA PLA Corruption A former deputy logistics chief of the People's Liberation Army Gu Junshan was charged with corruption yesterday as the party launches a massive drive to clean up the military.
CCASApr 2014 |
Death penalty in China According to Amnesty Internationals newly released death sentences and executions report, China has executed more people than the rest of the world put together in 2013.
CCASApr 2014 |
Ji Wenlin sacked Former security chief Zhou Yongkangs aide Ji Wenlin, the vice governor of Hainan, was dismissed from office following an expanded corruption probe into Zhous associates
CCASApr 2014 |
Baidu wins case against US pro-democracy activists Jonathan Stempel at Reuters reports that Baidu Inc has defeated a U.S. lawsuit by pro-democracy activists over censored search results, a case which had been allowed to resume after its dismissal on procedural grounds in March 2013
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA ECONOMY: HOUSING Ma Guangyuan cautioned that housing prices were rising slower and the number of homes sold in Beijing in February were the lowest since 2007
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-EU:Xi Jinping's visit A 20-point Joint Statement was issued on March 31,on the occasion of Chinese President Xi Jinping's March 31-April 1, 2014 visit to EU Headquarters at Brussels
CCASApr 2014 |
CHINA-POLITICAL: LEADERSHIP Chinese authorities have seized assets worth at least 90 billion yuan ($14.5 billion) from family members and associates of retired Security Czar 71-year old Zhou Yongkang.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-GERMANY:ECONOMY Reports claim that the Bundesbank and the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are due to sign a memorandum of understanding this week during Xi Jinping's State visit to Germany. Frankfurt will become the first hub for renminbi payment transactions in Europe.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-TIBET 92-year old Phuntsok Wangyal Goranangpa, popularly known as 'Baba', died in Beijing on March 30, 2014 morning at 0710.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-GERMANY Chinese President Xi Jinping on arrival in Berlin on March 28, 2014 was met at Schloss Bellevue by pro-Tibetan activists.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-EUROPE: GERMANY Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Berlin on March 28, 2014 on the third leg of his European tour and his first to Germany as China's President.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-ECONOMY The Chief Executive of Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC), Stuart Gulliver, recently forecast that the People's Republic of China (PRC)'s currency would become fully convertible by 2017.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-EUROPE: FRANCE On the final day of their 4-day visit (March 25-28, 2014) to France, which is the second country on Chinese President Xi Jinping's 10-day European tour, UNESCO named Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan as its Special Envoy for the promotion of education for girls and women.
CCASMar 2014 |
Capital market fraud n 2013 there were many events in China's capital market that made investors both angry and disappointed
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-OVERSEAS BASES Recalling that Beijing had recently denied a rumour that the Pakistani government had invited it to build a naval base at Gwadar, an article in Global Times on March 25, 2014, said "this doesn't stop some of the Western countries and India, China's regional competitor, playing with the so-called China threat theory".
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: DEFENCE AIRCRAFT
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-RUSSIA: DEFENCE SUBMARINES
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-JAPAN: US-Japan Nuclear deal Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, welcomed the Japan-US Nuclear deal announced at the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands on Monday, 24 March as "the first step in the right direction."
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-US: Michelle Obama's visit to China The US Fist Lady Michelle Obama was scheduled to dine at a Tibetan restaurant in Chengdu on March 25, 2014.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA-INTERNAL: POLITICS Well known Chinese author and Beijing University graduate Yu Jie's book 'China's Godfather, Xi Jinping', totaling 448 pages, was published in Hong Kong on March 24, 2014
CCASMar 2014 |
Taiwan's Tiananmen? Hundreds break into parliament building to protest against deal that will lead to greater economic integration with China
CCASMar 2014 |
US-CHINA The Chinese government called on the United States on Monday to explain its actions and halt the practice of cyberespionage
CCASMar 2014 |
US-CHINA Michelle Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing on March 21, the first day of Michelle Obama and her daughters' visit to China.
CCASMar 2014 |
CHINA- Economic According to a Capgemini and RBC Wealth report, there were some 643,000 millionaires in China in 2012
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Economy The Metallurgical Mines Association of China disclosed that China plans to create a conglomerate of iron-ore mining giants that would in 10 years produce at least half of its domestic ore.
CCASMar 2014 |
PLA-Corruption Investigations General Xu Caihou, former Vice- Chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), was taken from his sick bed at 301 Military Hospital in Beijing on March 16, 2014, and placed under 'shuanggui' (secretive detention) on charges of corruption.
CCASMar 2014 |
Taiwan-Political Internal Several hundred opponents continue to protest in Taiwan's Legislature against a trade agreement that would allow Taiwanese and Chinese service sector companies to set up branches or shops in the other's territory
CCASMar 2014 |
North Korea fires 25 short range missiles North Korea test-fired 25 short-range missiles off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula on March 16, 2014
CCASMar 2014 |
Taiwan-Internal Politics Protesters broke into Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to protest the controversial Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Pakistan-Terrorism Abdullah Mansour, leader of the rebel Turkestan Islamic Party, gave a rare interview to Reuters (March 14, 2014)
CCASMar 2014 |
China Internal Knife attacks in Kunming left at least 35 dead
CCASMar 2014 |
CPPCC Chinese men and women with foreign citizenship had been invited as special observers to attend this year's session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
CCASMar 2014 |
Supreme People's Court and Domestic Violence Increasing domestic violence in China has been highlighted in every important government legal forum
CCASMar 2014 |
Trading limit for China's currency increased by 1 per cent either side With effect from March 15, 2014 the People's Bank of China (PBOC) has permitted the onshore yuan to trade as much as 2 percent on either side of the reference rate.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-PLA Xi Jinping will head another Small Group for PLA reforms
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Japan In an interview with Hong Kong's South China Morning Post in Tokyo on March 4 and which was posted on the Japan Foreign Ministry website on March 12, Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said "China's peaceful development is a great benefit and opportunity not only for Japan but the entire region and the international community," and that resolving issues would reduce the risk of an unintended escalation in territorial tensions in the East China Sea and pave the way for improved relations overall. He urged China to continue "our candid exchange of views" and hoped that discussions would lead to high-level political talks. Kishida's remarks coincided with the decision of China's version of a parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), to approve two 'national remembrance days' to commemorate the 'Nanking massacre' and Japan's defeat in the Second World War.
CCASMar 2014 |
Ethnic clashes in Changsha On March 14 morning in the Changsha Wu Jialing area of Changsha (Hunan Province), five Uyghurs clashed with locals killing at least one person immediately and injuring many. Police arrived on the scene promptly and shot dead one assailant while three others ran away. Netizens claim at least five persons have died in the incident. A primary school in the vicinity was instructed to close.
CCASMar 2014 |
More on China- South China sea After China blocked two Filipino supply ships from reaching troops on the Second Thomas Shoal, the Philippines air-dropped food and water to soldiers stationed on a grounded transport ship on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Chinese ships patrolling waters around Second Thomas Shoal, known in China as the Ren'ai reef, had earlier on March 9 ordered the Philippine ships carrying construction materials to leave the area.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-South China Sea The US on March 12, 2014 accused China of raising tensions by blocking two Philippines vessels, contracted by the Philippines Navy, which were on their way to deliver supplies and troops to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal
CCASMar 2014 |
Pro-Shugden worshipers protest Protests by pro-Shugden worshippers occurred for the second time during the 78-year old Dalai Lama's current visit to the US, this time in the US capital outside the Washington National Cathedral on March 7, 2014.
CCASMar 2014 |
Malaysian airlines carried 158 Chinese Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which left Kuala Lumpur at 12.21 a.m. (11.21 a.m. ET Friday) and was expected to land in Beijing at 6.30 a.m. (5.30 p.m. ET) the same day has been reported missing
CCASMar 2014 |
NPC NPC Highlights
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Japan At a meeting in the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on March 6, Japanese Ambassadors were instructed to keep a close watch on China's efforts to distribute increasing quantities of one-sided information to other countries on the maritime disputes (Senkakus) including coverage of Abe's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine.
CCASMar 2014 |
MILITARY COURTS The Supreme People's Court website announced on March 2 the launch of an 8-month campaign in military courts to clear the backlog of civil disputes
CCASMar 2014 |
NDRC expands control National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Chairman Xu Shaoshi told China Daily on the sidelines of NPC session in Beijing on March 5 that the NDRC was undertaking reforms and making a transition from "micro-level control to macro-level control management"
CCASMar 2014 |
Missile launched by North Korea narrowly misses a China Southern Airlines Aircraft China expressed "deep concern" to Pyongyang after a missile launched by North Korea narrowly missed a China Southern Airlines passenger aircraft on March 6.
CCASMar 2014 |
PLA Coinciding with the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), which revealed the largest yet 12.2 per cent increase in the national defence budget, the PLA announced that it will conduct live ammunition shooting in the Bohai Sea on March 6 and-7, 2014.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-- military budget Announcing China's largest percentage increase in defence spending since 2011, the ongoing National People's Congress (NPC) said on March 5, that China's national defence budget for 2014 had been increased by 12.2% boosting it to US$ 131.58 billion (Yuan 808.23 billion).
CCASMar 2014 |
Beijing goes against Russia
'Foreign Policy' recently (March 5) reported that on Feb 24, Shen Bo, a Counsellor in China's mission at the UN, issued a statement suggesting a shift in Beijing's support for Moscow. The statement said: "We respect the choice made by the Ukrainian people on the basis of national conditions."
CCASMar 2014 |
Zhou junior detained Hong Kong's 'South China Morning Post' had revealed on Jan 10, 2014 that China's former Security Czar and Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkangs eldest son,Zhou Bin, a businessman with extensive ties in the oil industry and in Sichuan, has been formally detained.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-- military budget
China announced on Wednesday, the 5th March--the opening day of the National People's Congress (NPC) session-- that it would increase its military budget for 2014 to almost $132 billion, a 12.2 percent rise over last year.
CCASMar 2014 |
PLA Navy China's aircraft carrier 'Liaoning' sailed out of its home port of Qingdao in Shandong province on Sunday on a 'tests and training' mission. This is its first such mission in 2014.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Pakistan: Pak Premier Nawaz Sharif's visit Reporting the meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and China's visiting Defence Minister Chang Wanquan in Islamabad on Feb 28, Xinhua quoted the latter as appreciating Pakistan's valuable support on issues concerning its "core interests".
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Japan Echoing views expressed barely a fortnight ago by PLAN Senior Colonel Li Jie, PLA Major General Qian Lihua warned during the annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on March 3, that the Chinese army will not stir up a war but will fight back against any provocation.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Africa-PLA Navy Djibouti's Defense Minister Hassan Darar Houffaneh as calling for more military cooperation between his country and China to contribute to peace and security in the sub-region
CCASMar 2014 |
China-US Ms Michelle Obama, wife of US President Obama, is scheduled to visit China from March 19-26
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Ukraine Qin Gang, spokesman of China's Foreign Ministry, as saying on Feb 28, 2014 that the people of Ukraine have the ability to resolve their problems themselves
CCASMar 2014 |
China-- military budget
The Chinese government will unveil its defense budget for 2014 at the forthcoming annual session of the National Peoples Congress, set to begin on March 5, 2014.
CCASMar 2014 |
China-Leadership
CCTV announced on Feb 27, 2014 that Chinese President Xi Jinping will head the new government leading small group on cyber security and internet management.
CCASMar 2014 |
Chinese fire water cannon at Filipino fishermen The Philippines' military chief General Emmanuel Bautista on Monday, Feb 24 told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines that China's coastguard had fired water cannon at Filipino fishermen for the first time to drive them away from the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
CCASFeb 2014 |
China's FM meets his North Korean counterpart China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liu Zhenmin, visited North Korea from February 17 to 20 when he met DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun. They held talks on China-DPRK relations, the Korean Peninsula and other issues.
CCASFeb 2014 |
US wants China's cooperation in military US Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno met his Chinese counterpart PLA Lt General Wang Ning in Beijing on Feb 21, 2014 when he said both countries should boost cooperation between their two militaries
CCASFeb 2014 |
China criticises UN notice to Kim Jong-un The New York Times reported on Feb 18, that a 36-page and 372-page annexure of a United Nations report that served notice to North korean leader Kim Jong-un, that he might be personally held liable in court for crimes against humanity committed by state institutions and officials under his direct control, was criticised on 18 Feb by China
CCASFeb 2014 |
China prepares for taking on Senkaku island PLA's massive 'China Mission Action-2013' exercise all branches of the PLA had trained for taking the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands
CCASFeb 2014 |
Japan and Taiwan to move forward Almost 70 lawmakers of Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party led by Nobuo Kishi, a senior vice foreign minister and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's younger brother, are trying to institute a law that would serve as a basis for strengthening economic relations and personal exchanges with Taiwan, which does not have a diplomatic relationship with Japan
CCASFeb 2014 |
PLA Budget The People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s budget for 2014 will increase by 10% to an estimated 792 billion yuan (US$130.6 billion)
CCASFeb 2014 |
More Gas for China CNPC discovered a natural gas reserve with a reserve of 440 billion cubic meters, of which 308 billion cubic meters is technically recoverable, in Anyue county in the southeastern province of Sichuan
CCASFeb 2014 |
China- the life saviour? American businesses and F.D.A. officials are just as concerned about the quality of drugs coming out of China, but the F.D.A.'s efforts to increase inspections there have so far been frustrated by the Chinese government
CCASFeb 2014 |
Vietnam to study Chinese invasion Associate Professor Le Mau Han has urged the Vietnamese government to include Vietnam's "defensive war against China's 1979 invasion of the north" in school books.
CCASFeb 2014 |
Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council Minister Wang Yu-chi met met Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office Director Zhang Zhijun Meeting was scheduled during his recent visit to China from 11-14 February, 2014
CCASFeb 2014 |
Chinas New National Security Commission The CCP CC Politburo on Jan 24, 2014 formally approved the establishment of Chinas new national security commission
CCASFeb 2014 |
Xinjiang-Uyghur Atonomous Region reports a terrorist incident, Feb 14, 2014 The web portal of the government of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Atonomous Region reported on Feb 14, 2014 that a terrorist incident had occurred that afternoon in Aksu Prefecture of the Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region.
CCASFeb 2014 |
Queries relating to Shang Fulin Blocked Shang Fulin, Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission.
CCASFeb 2014 |
President Xi Jinping meets the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Feb 14 New model for China-U.S. relations discussed along with climate change and Korean Peninsula situation.
CCASFeb 2014 |
China unifies the pension systems for rural and urban residents China unifies the pension systems for rural and urban residents, a move which will help narrow the country's income gap
CCASFeb 2014 |
Taiwan's Defense Minister visits Singapore Taiwans defense minister is visiting Singapore to shore up military relations
CCASFeb 2014 |
Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Leaders Meeting Beijing to step up anti terrorism efforts which includes monitoring the internet more closely.
CCASFeb 2014 |
Members of the Leading Small Group for Deepening Reform Names of all the members of the group
CCASFeb 2014 |