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SCHWEIZER
BOTSCHAFT IN BEIJING
EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN BEIJING
AMBASSADE DE SUISSE EN CHINE |
Der wöchentliche
Presserückblick der Schweizer Botschaft in der VR China
The Weekly Press Review of the Swiss Embassy in the People's Republic
of China
La revue de presse hebdomadaire de l'Ambassade de Suisse en RP
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DPRK
Mongolia
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| Foreign Policy |
China, Russia vow to further develop ties (Xinhua)
2018-08-03
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China and Russia should make concerted efforts to push forward the China-Russia all-around strategic cooperation. He made the remarks while meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and related meetings. Wang noted that Chinese and Russian leaders reached new important consensus during their meeting in South Africa, adding that this has demonstrated the fact China and Russia are each other's key strategic partners. Noting that there are a series of high-level visits between China and Russia scheduled for this year, Lavrov said Russia expects to work together with China to ensure the meetings a success, and is determined to strengthen strategic dialogue and coordination with China on major international issues. They also exchanged views on issues of common concern. ^ top ^
China calls for joint efforts to continue developing Sino-Japanese ties along right path (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
China on Thursday called for joint efforts to continue developing the China-Japan ties along the right path. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the call while meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' meeting and related meetings. As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the two sides should learn from the past, and consolidate the political foundation of the bilateral relationship laid out in the four political documents signed between the two sides, Wang said. The Chinese top diplomat hoped that the Japanese side cherishes the ongoing momentum of the improvement in bilateral ties, properly handle sensitive issues, increase positive energy and eliminate interference so as to ensure that the Sino-Japanese relations will develop along the right path. China is willing to join hands with Japan to fully implement the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries and deepen cooperation in the fields of high-tech, innovation and third-party market, among others. For his part, Kono said that his country is pleased that the development of Japan-China relations has gone back to the right track and good progress has been made in economic cooperation. Japan is willing to make further efforts to earnestly implement the important consensus reached between the two sides, enhance high-level exchanges and push forward cooperation in the fields including innovation and the third-party market, the Japanese foreign minister added. ^ top ^
China, ASEAN arrive at single draft negotiating text of COC in South China Sea (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have arrived at a single draft negotiating text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday. Wang made the remarks at the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting. The draft text will serve as the basis of future COC negotiations. It is another significant progress on the negotiations of COC, Wang noted. "I believe that the negotiations on COC can be speeded up if we exclude external interference," Wang said. Facts will prove that China and ASEAN member states are capable of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and reaching regional rules adhered to by all through negotiations, Wang said. China has dispatched its most advanced rescue ship equipped with professional search-and-rescue teams to the Nansha Islands days ago, which will be stationed there to carry out various missions, and the ship will provide maritime assistance for ships from countries around the world when necessary, he said. China will provide service on scientific research and meteorology for the regional countries in the future, Wang added. Speaking on the same occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan said ASEAN member states and China have arrived at a single draft negotiating text of COC which will be a living document and the basis of future COC negotiations. "We also agreed on the key modalities for future rounds of COC negotiations," the Singaporean foreign minister added. At a press conference after the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, the Chinese top diplomat said the biggest achievement made at the meeting is that the China-ASEAN relations have developed from growth to maturity, thus entering a new era of all-round development. "We will share opportunities and face challenges together so as to build a closer community with shared future." The China-ASEAN cooperation plan has been elevated to a new high, Wang said, noting that the two sides have reached consensus on the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030. The two sides have also made achievements in security cooperation, innovation cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, he added. According to Wang, China will provide more financial support to China-ASEAN cooperation in the future. As this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, he also called for joint efforts to push for greater development in East Asian regional cooperation. ^ top ^
ASEAN agrees on basis for talks (Global Times)
2018-08-02
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are fully capable of safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea, and negotiating regional rules that will be accepted and followed by all, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Singapore on Thursday. Top diplomats from the Southeast Asian countries and China have reached a consensus on a document that will be the basis of negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced at the beginning of an annual ministerial meeting between China and the ASEAN member states on Thursday, Singapore broadcaster Channel Newsasia reported. "Reaching consensus on the document marks another major progress in the negotiation process over the code of conduct," said Wang in a statement posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website. Wang said he believes that China and ASEAN member states can accelerate negotiations on the matter, as long as "we can eliminate disturbances from outside the region." China has deployed the most advanced ocean salvage vessels together with professional search and rescue teams to Nansha Island, which are ready to provide immediate services to ships from any country. China will also offer scientific and meteorological research as an international public service, said Wang. Wang is visiting Singapore for the China-ASEAN foreign ministers meeting and the foreign ministers meetings of the East Asia Summit. Chinese observers hailed the document as it is a promising foundation for future negotiations and shows that countries in the region are fully capable of managing and controlling disputes despite the complexity of the issues. "It sets a basic framework in which China and the 10 ASEAN countries have agreed on discussion topics and the extent to which the future code of conduct will be binding," Zhu Feng, executive director of China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University, told the Global Times on Thursday. The document also signifies that China's long-held desire for stability in the region has gained more support from ASEAN countries, said Zhu, adding that this constructive attitude has brought China and ASEAN ever closer. While the document maps out a direction for negotiations, which are aimed at better safeguarding regional stability and good order, the troublesome actions of some countries outside the region cannot be overlooked, said Xing Guangmei, head of the law studies sector at the Chinese Naval Research Institute. Those outside countries are interested only in sustaining their attempts at hegemony and reaching a final code of conduct remains a "fragile" process, Xing told the Global Times on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Japan's public broadcaster NHK claimed that it has obtained a draft of a joint communiqué of the ASEAN ministers' meeting, which opens in Singapore on Thursday. The NHK report said some ASEAN countries raised fresh "concerns" "on China's activity in the South China Sea," "which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region." The report was immediately slammed as "fake news" by the Chinese media, with unnamed sources who are familiar with the matter saying that "this year's joint communiqué is likely to be more positive than the one issued last year." The source also pointed that "the overwhelming majority of ASEAN members agree on the need to increase stability in the South China Sea, and they speak positively of the progress in managing and controlling the South China Sea situation jointly achieved by China and the ASEAN countries." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is also currently on a trip to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia this week, during which he will attend the Singapore ministerial meetings. "It is very likely Pompeo will finally make clear Donald Trump's foreign policy over the Southeast Asian region," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University's Institute of International Relations, told the Global Times. As policymakers in ASEAN countries have increasingly realized that the US presence in the area is of a "divisive nature" that undermines the solidarity of the region and China-ASEAN relations, Li noted that Pompeo can talk as much as he wants but few will follow this time. ^ top ^
China should 'strike back' at US Senate bill (Global Times)
2018-08-02
China should prepare to strike back at the US with countermeasures, even a showdown, to quash US interference in cross-Straits ties, Chinese experts warned after the US Senate passed a defense bill that would improve Taiwan's self-defense capabilities by expanding joint training. By an 87-10 vote, the US Senate on Wednesday approved the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019, after the US House of Representatives approved it last week, and US President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law. On the Taiwan question, several of the bill's provisions call for the strengthening of the defense partnership with the island. It suggests improving Taiwan's self-defense capabilities by expanding joint training, military equipment sales, the use of security cooperation authorities, and senior-level military-to-military engagement. It also proposes sending a service secretary or member of the Joint Chiefs to Taiwan for senior-level defense engagement under the Taiwan Travel Act. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Thursday that China discussed the bill with the US several times, and "we urge the US side to discard the outdated Cold War and zero-sum game mentality." China urges the US not to allow the bill to become law, much less to be implemented, Geng said, stressing that "China firmly opposes official interaction and military relationship between any country and Taiwan." "It is mere a trick to pressure China and increase its bargaining power with the Chinese mainland amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington on trade," Yang Lixian, a specially-appointed research fellow at the Beijing-based Research Center on Cross-Strait Relations, told the Global Times on Thursday. Trump, a shrewd businessman, will not easily cross the red line and trade China-US ties for the relationship between the US and Taiwan, Yang noted. "But China should always prepare to strike back with countermeasures and insist the firm determination to safeguard national unity." Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, said the Chinese military is always prepared for a crisis in the Taiwan Straits and is not afraid of reunifying the island by force. "China faces a huge threat from US interference in the Taiwan Straits. The US will strengthen its military connection with the island and soon establish an information-sharing system in Taiwan," Song said. Although the bill deleted the part of "participation in appropriate Taiwan exercises, such as the annual Han Kuang exercise" previously seen in the draft, it does not mean the US will give up its ambition to conduct more joint military actions, Song added. "China will closely watch what the US does, and once the US crosses the red line by sending military forces or equipment to the island, even supporting Taiwan independence, China will risk everything to protect its own territorial integrity." Analysts pointed out that in the past, the US' previous engagement in defense cooperation with the island of Taiwan usually maintains a low profile, but things are changing now. Security collaboration between the US and the island of Taiwan is increasing, and some of it has been made public. Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, recently tweeted that "Taiwan will join US navy drills in the Solomon Islands as part of Pacific Partnership. Not the first time, but now being announced publicly." In the past two years, the Pentagon has stressed the US' commitment to arms sales to Taiwan. Washington has also granted the marketing license for the sale of submarine technology to the island. In early July, Washington sent two US destroyers through the Taiwan Straits, which is a gesture that many observers believe is directed at China-US ties and the Taiwan question. Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen is relying more heavily on US protection. After Trump announced the US' Indo-Pacific strategy, Tsai has sought to participate in it and play a special role in military and security affairs. ^ top ^
Chinese Muslims say they feel a stronger sense of national identity during pilgrimage to Mecca (Global Times)
2018-08-02
For many Chinese Muslims, the once-in-a-lifetime hajj is not only a religious duty, but also an opportunity to present a positive image of Chinese Muslims to the world, correcting misunderstandings that are sometimes held in international society. Starting July 20, around 11,500 Chinese Muslims headed in official groups to Mecca, the holiest of all Islamic sites, for the month-long hajj this year. China's religious authorities organized the groups and chartered 34 flights. The joyful and excited mood could easily be felt among a group of around 500 Chinese Muslims who took a chartered flight from Beijing to Saudi Arabic over the weekend. "Chinese hajji" was printed in English and Arabic on the cards hanging on their chests, close to a Chinese national flag. "We are representing China and Chinese Muslims," was the most frequently mentioned sentence when a Global Times reporter spoke to members of the group, which was mostly comprised of older people. "When we are in foreign countries, we should strictly watch our behavior. We share the responsibility to safeguard the image of Chinese Muslims," Li Yong'an, a 38-year-old Muslim from the group, told the Global Times. "There are many misunderstandings about us, and we want to show that Chinese Muslims are happy and very friendly," said Li. Yang Quan (pseudonym), a 34-year-old Muslim from South China's Guangdong Province, told the Global Times that she was excited to be the fourth one in her family to participate in the pilgrimage to Mecca. Yang said she is prepared for the trip, which her family members describe as a "harmonious" journey that would benefit her for a lifetime. The group gathers pilgrims from regions that have small numbers of Muslims, and Li is the only one from Central China's Hunan Province in the group. For Muslim-dense regions like Xinjiang, Ningxia and Gansu, the official groups leave from local airports. The last group of Chinese pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia from Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, on Wednesday. The hajj of 2018 takes place approximately from August 20 to August 23. Coordinating a group of mostly elderly Chinese Muslims for a 40-day pilgrimage to the city of Mecca under 40 C heat is not an easy job. But organizers say it is getting easier every year with the improvement of the pilgrims. The quality of Muslims attending the pilgrimage has improved significantly, as well as the organization and management of the trips, an organizer surnamed Huang, who accompanied the 500 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, told the Global Times. Chinese food is available three meals a day, and luggage and transportation services have been improved to facilitate the trip for the pilgrims who are mostly in their 50s or 60s, said Huang, who is helping organize the trip for her fourth time. China's religious authorities coordinate with local police officers in Mecca to ensure the Chinese groups are protected and also to make sure lines of communication are in place in case of emergencies, according to the China Islamic Association, a national Muslim organization that organizes visits for Chinese pilgrims. "Previously, most of the pilgrims were elderly. The number of middle-aged people has increased during recent years, which gives us more hands for helping during the trip," said Huang. Although there is no age requirement for pilgrims in Islamic teachings, some Chinese provinces set the bar from 25 or 35 years old to around 70 or 75. According to China's regulations on pilgrimages, Muslims will receive patriotic education and courses to enhance their awareness about safeguarding national unity and resisting separatism and religious extremism before they begin the pilgrimage. They will also receive training courses on religious practices, local law and regulations, and security awareness. Every year, China sends around 12,000 pilgrims on the hajj, and the quota is split up among 30 provincial-level Islamic administrations. Most Chinese Muslims need to register online to get a spot. A physical examination is also necessary before they can join the pilgrimage. Those from regions with large amounts of Muslims need to queue up to get a spot. Online registration has made the process more transparent and fair, said Huang, adding that those who register online can check their status on a website. As of Wednesday, more than 64,000 Muslims signed up on the website for registration for the pilgrimage in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. ^ top ^
Xi's special envoy to attend Colombian presidential inauguration (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Li Xiaopeng, also the transport minister, will attend the Colombian presidential inauguration in Bogota, which is scheduled for Aug. 7. Li's attendance is at the invitation of the Colombian government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Thursday. ^ top ^
Beijing's aggression in South China Sea driving expansion of Southeast Asian coastguard fleets, report says (SCMP)
2018-08-03
Beijing's increasingly aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea has driven many Southeast Asian nations to expand their coastguard capabilities as a way to maintain a presence in the region without risking military engagement, an Australian think tank said. To stop maritime encounters, with China or each other, escalating into military conflicts, countries with claims to the disputed waterway have been transferring security forces from their navies to their coastguards, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said in a report published on Wednesday. "The coastguards have become important strategic cushions between navies in Asean," it said, using the acronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. To stop maritime encounters, with China or each other, escalating into military conflicts, countries with claims to the disputed waterway have been transferring security forces from their navies to their coastguards, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said in a report published on Wednesday. "The coastguards have become important strategic cushions between navies in Asean," it said, using the acronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Of the 45 major incidents to have been reported in the South China Sea between 2010 and 2016, 32 involved at least one China Coast Guard or other Chinese maritime law enforcement vessel, it said. One of the most tense was the 2012 Scarborough Shoal stand-off between the Philippine navy and the China Marine Surveillance (which was later merged with the nation's coastguard). The incident began when the former attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen it spotted operating near the reef, which is claimed by Beijing, Taipei and Manila, but at the time was under the de facto control of Manila. The stand-off lasted more than two months and ended with the Philippines backing down and effectively losing control of the area to China. According to the Australian report, the Philippines added 14 boats and two transport aircraft to its coastguard fleet in 2013, and a further 14 vessels three years later. Similarly, Malaysia bolstered its coastal patrol force with the addition of 105 new boats in the 2013-14 period. Between 2005 and 2016, Indonesia increased its coastguard fleet from nine vessels to 34, the report said, while Vietnam boosted its coastal force by eight vessels to 40 and almost doubled its fleet of navy patrol ships from 37 to 71. Despite their tense stand-off more than six years ago, China last week offered to donate four patrol boats to the Philippines. […] ^ top ^
China agrees US$2 billion loan to Pakistan, report says, as Beijing seeks to keep Imran Khan close (SCMP)
2018-08-02
If there were any doubts about China's intent to keep ties close with its all-weather ally Pakistan, Beijing demolished them with a reported US$2 billion loan just days after the election of a new Pakistani premier. While cricketing legend Imran Khan attempts to form a coalition government, China has stepped up to reinforce a geopolitical alliance that shapes the South Asian nation's policies towards the US and India. The announcement caused Pakistan's rupee to jump the most in nearly a decade as Khan takes power with an economy in chaos. The gesture speaks to Pakistan's overwhelming reliance on China as a source of financial, diplomatic and military support at a time when US President Donald Trump has cut military aid to Islamabad. Ultimately, Khan may not have a choice. Pakistan's powerful military has continued to push its civilian counterparts for close ties with China to ensure the flow of more than US$60 billion in loans for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects. "There is a deep, far-reaching political consensus in Pakistan for a continued strong partnership with Beijing," said Michael Kugelman, a senior associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington. "This is especially true now, with Pakistan's relationship with America facing an uncertain future." Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or Movement for Justice, party won the most seats in an election last week that was marred by allegations of military interference. Like China, Khan acted quickly to send a public message. "Our neighbour is China, we will further strengthen our relations with it," Khan said as he declared victory in a televised statement. "The CPEC project which China started in Pakistan will give us chance to bring in investment to Pakistan." Speaking at a press briefing on July 30, Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry said China welcomed the new government. Khan "is likely to try to balance the US and China, but China and Pakistan are mutually dependent", said Wang Yiwei, director of Renmin University's Institute of International Affairs in Beijing. "He won't be able to change that." While China was initially focused on former premier Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Beijing had "diversified its contacts and investments" in Pakistan, said Dhruva Jaishankar, a foreign policy fellow at Brookings India. At the same time, Pakistan's military, which has ruled the country outright for much of its 71-year history, defines the country's policy towards CPEC projects. Khan "does not have a lot of wiggle room", Jaishankar said. "We may continue to see a gradual trend of Pakistan drifting closer to China and more distant from the United States. But that would have to do with a number of factors beyond Imran Khan's election." Indeed, the political consensus on China is especially important now, said Kugelman. "Pakistan needs powerful friends, and China is one of the few that Islamabad can depend on – Khan knows this, and he'll do what's necessary to ensure that the China-Pakistan relationship remains strong," he said. One of the most crucial tasks ahead of Khan is Pakistan's ailing economy, which analysts say is likely to push Pakistan towards yet another International Monetary Fund bailout. […] ^ top ^
China donates warships to Sri Lanka and Philippines in drive to expand regional influence (SCMP)
2018-07-31
China will donate warships to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in the latest effort to boost its military influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The gift of a frigate to Sri Lanka was announced last week by Senior Colonel Xu Jianwei, military attaché at the Chinese embassy in Colombo, while Philippine naval spokesman Commander Jonathan Zata confirmed the donation of four new patrol boats from Beijing on Sunday. The People's Liberation Army will also provide "various training" to the Sri Lankan military and build an auditorium complex at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Xu told an event last Monday, the Colombo Gazette reported. On Sunday Zata said China would also give the Philippines 200 rocket propelled grenade launchers and ammunition, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. Despite the unresolved South China Sea dispute with Manila, China has offered military aid worth US$14 million in small arms and fast boats to the Philippines, and donated thousands of rifles and ammunition to the Philippine police and military for counter terrorist purposes. China's efforts to expand its military presence in the region have caused concern in India, which fears that it may use Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port for military purposes even though the concession contract that handed control to a Chinese firm last year prohibits this. "China has had close military connections with Sri Lanka since the campaign against the Tamil Tigers in the 2000s," said Wang Dehua, a South Asian expert at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for International Studies. "India also has donated many armaments to South Asian countries, including warships to Sri Lanka. Why cannot China do the same? Sri Lanka is in need and China is able and willing to provide assistance," Wang said. No details have been released about the frigate given to Sri Lanka, but Chinese military analysts believe it is likely to be a type C28A or C13B corvette, or even a newly retired type 053 frigate. The three classes are the most common Chinese warships exported to other countries, with buyers including Algeria, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Third world countries that have bought Chinese warships regard them as affordable and cost-efficient, according to Zhou Chenming, a Beijing-based military commentator. "It is possible China will give [Sri Lanka] one or two more," said Zhou. "This one single ship would not make much difference to the current regional military balance in South Asia, and it will be mainly used for anti-piracy purposes." Zhou also argued that China had been supporting its ship building industry in the wake of the global downturn, with the navy expanding and upgrading its fleet. "It has been common practice for the government and military to place orders to sustain those industries in the recession," said Zhou. Zhou added these ships were relatively cheap to build and the ships given to other countries could became profitable for China in the long term through refitting and maintenance. ^ top ^
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100 Chinese selected as "good young netizens" (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
Shi Yue, a 29-year-old "xue ba," or straight-A student, holds degrees from top universities in China, but is much more famous online as a live streaming host who promotes healthy video gaming habits. Nicknamed "Nü Liu," Shi started editing and narrating video games on the internet while studying architecture at Tsinghua University and Peking University, and then became a full-time live streaming host after graduation. Shi was selected as one of 100 "good young netizens" and recognized as a role model for young Chinese for introducing viewers to the gaming industry and the science, knowledge, culture and history behind it, and for promoting healthy gaming habits. "Nü Liu has passed on much positivity to her 2.6 million followers," said a statement issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the Cyberspace Administration of China, which organized the "good young netizens" campaign. All 100 winners, who are between the ages of 14 and 40, were selected by both internet users and campaign judges. Li Ziqi, a well-known food blogger, is also among the "good young netizens." Li has posted over 100 videos online to teach her audience how to make traditional Chinese food. Her recipes are closely connected to the seasons and festivals of the Chinese lunar calendar. The statement praised her work for combining the rich food culture of China with new media presentation and for promoting Chinese culture. The list of model netizens also includes activists advocating the public interest, cartoonists and editors promoting knowledge and kindness, and citizens who fight internet crimes and illegal content. ^ top ^
China to require patriotism education for intellectuals (Global Times)
2018-08-02
Chinese authorities are requiring intellectuals to participate in patriotism-themed activities and training to achieve the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. The campaign will be "launched mainly among young and middle-aged intellectuals at schools, research institutes, enterprises and public institutes," according to a notice released by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Organization Department and the Publicity Department, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. It needs to be promoted at a "normal" pace, without any time frame. The format of the activities should not be uniform, or have rigid regulations and targets, the notice says. Because of the wide range of intellectuals who have distinguished themselves in different fields, the activities should respect their diversity, the notice said. "China's patriotism education has faded in recent years, which has led to many abnormal phenomena," Su Wei, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, told the Global Times on Thursday. Amid US-China trade tensions, voices supporting the country should prevail, but many are turning against their country on social media, Weibo and WeChat. Some patriotic intellectuals are even called "patriotic thieves" or "50 cents" or wumao. It demonizes patriotic behaviors, Su said. The national identity is also being challenged by globalization and corruption among Party leaders and officials prior to the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Su said. Intellectuals expect more toward democracy and the rule of law from globalization. Some of them express unrealistic dissatisfaction toward the country. Corruption has also affected people's trust in government and the nation, Su added. The notice says intellectuals should strengthen their political consciousness, thereby improving their sense of identity with the Party and the country. Meng Qingshan, an employee at a Beijing-based public institution, agrees with widely promoting patriotism, particularly on social media, saying there are unpatriotic people who always post irrational statements online in an attempt to confuse the public. Meng, also a Party member, hailed the column on Weibo called "new era" where many hashtags feature patriotism. "I read some every day. They motivate me to work harder and become a better person. It is a good way to promote patriotism among netizens," Meng told the Global Times. To ensure the campaign's success, authorities will ask intellectuals to integrate patriotism education with their personal work through seminars, training and daily studies. Local Party organizations should also mobilize intellectuals and encourage them to participate in the campaign, the notice says. ^ top ^
Tsinghua alumni call for firing of prominent economist (Global Times)
2018-08-02
A group of 27 Tsinghua University graduates has allegedly called for the firing of one of China's leading economists for reportedly claiming in a speech last year that China's national strength had surpassed that of the US. China has overtaken the US in all respects, Hu Angang, head of the Institute of Contemporary China Study at Tsinghua University, said in a speech at a workshop hosted by the CITIC Foundation for Reform and Development Studies in April 2017, The Beijing News reported. China surpassed the US in economic power in 2013, in technology in 2015 and in overall power in 2012, Hu reportedly asserted. "As of 2016, China's economic power, technology power and overall power is respectively 1.15, 1.31 and 1.36 times that of the US, ranking first in the world," Hu was quoted as saying by the newspaper. In a photo of a letter published online by Weibo user yudihanzi, the alumni appealed to the president of Tsinghua University to fire Hu. Hu's research opposed common sense, the letter said. "It not only exposes him to ridicule… but raises the vigilance of other countries. It misleads the public." The 27 accused Hu of failing to respect facts and objective data in his studies. More than 500 Tsinghua alumni agreed to sign the statement as of Thursday, yudihanzi posted. Tsinghua University could not be reached for comment. The letter could not be verified as of press time. Rhetoric such as "China surpassing the US" is popular at a time when nationalist sentiments run strong, read a commentary on news site sohu.com. Hu's remarks, which were packaged as academic research, made him an "academic opportunist," the commentary said. It suggested the university investigate the alleged academic misconduct of Hu. Overconfidence toward China's development is not welcomed in Chinese society amid trade tensions between the US and China, Liu Weidong, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times. Catering to a certain social sentiment or a boasting style of research will damage the academic atmosphere and should be avoided, especially from scholars at public universities, read a Thursday commentary from the Beijing News. ^ top ^
Chinese police take away father of woman who splashed ink on Xi Jinping poster, as he tries to visit her at psychiatric unit (HKFP)
2018-08-02
The father of a Chinese woman who splashed ink on a poster of Xi Jinping was taken away by police on Wednesday. His daughter, Dong Yaoqiong, was sent to Hunan's Zhuzhou No. 3 Hospital – a psychiatric hospital – after she live-streamed a video on July 4 of her protest against the Chinese president's "tyranny." Her father Dong Jianbiao was trying to visit his daughter at the hospital on Wednesday, alongside two lawyers. But he was soon taken away by plain clothes police. Wen Donghai, one of the human rights lawyers who accompanied Dong, told Radio Free Asia that the police accused Dong of harming public security by creating an explosion. Wen said that a person named Feng Yong from the hospital demanded proof of the father-daughter relationship – which they had already provided. Feng claimed Wen had no power to represent Dong Jianbiao. Wen said he had the relevant licence to represent Dong, but they were still barred from visiting his daughter. Wen said Feng called the police, accusing Wen of insulting him. Wen was the brought to a police station to make a statement over the matter. A day before Dong Jianbiao was taken away, he said in a statement that he did not believe his daughter had any form of mental illness. "I wish to visit my daughter," he wrote. "I wish to view her medical records in their entirety." "Even if there is a medical condition needing treatment, I do not give my consent for my daughter to be treated at the Zhuzhou No. 3 Hospital," he wrote. "I want to take my daughter home." ^ top ^
Fear of loneliness prompts second-child birth boom (China Daily)
2018-08-03
Despite the extra financial pressure of raising a second child, Dai Shujuan and her husband wanted another baby so their firstborn would have a sibling to share life's joys and difficulties. Dai, a 32-year-old homemaker from Changchun, Jilin province, had her first daughter in 2011 and a second in 2015. The family now spends nearly 40 percent of its monthly income on the children. "It doesn't matter if our children have lives that are rich in material possessions or not - it's important for them not to be lonely," Dai said. In October 2015, when the universal second-child policy was adopted, an online survey conducted by marketing company CVSC-TNS Research showed that 32 percent of the more than 35,000 respondents said they had a second child because they were worried that their firstborn would be lonely. Dai has a sister who is four years younger than her. "My sister is always in my mind. We share lots of things, such as burdens and even friends. When I got married, she felt as though a treasure had been taken away, and vice versa. Modern society is demanding, and human hearts are not what they were in the old days, so a blood sister is someone to trust and rely on throughout your life, especially after your parents die," she said. Dai's husband, an only child, was even more in favor of having a second child than she was. "When his father was ill, he had no brother or sister to share the difficulties. Also, when the old man died, my husband had no one to share his grief. Talking with me is not the same as talking with a sibling," Dai said. "I didn't want my child to grow older and feel lonely after we die." In 2010, there were nearly 140 million only children age 30 and younger in China, and the number will rise to 200 million by 2020, according to research by Wang Guangzhou, an expert in demographics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In January 2016, the central government scrapped the family planning policy in the hope of seeing the population grow. Now, every couple is allowed to have two children. Last year, the number of second children born in China reached 8.83 million, a rise of 1.62 million from 2016, according to an article on the website of the National Bureau of Statistics. While concerns about loneliness are a major reason parents decide to have a second child, according to the CTR online poll, sometimes a child expresses the wish to have a sister or brother. In November, Xu Huiying, a 29-year-old mother, decided to have a second child after her son complained every day about being bored. The middle school teacher realized that what her 5-year-old son needed most was company, so she decided to have another child. "Before that my son told me repeatedly, 'Mom, it is so boring staying at home by myself.' He played with our neighbor's son sometimes, but back home he still felt lonely. As the advertisement for a toy brand says, 'Technology will never replace company.' A brother or sister is a child's best companion," she said.[…] ^ top ^
China helps military veterans find jobs, set up businesses (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
Chinese authorities have issued a guideline to help military veterans find jobs or set up businesses. The guideline, drawn up by 12 government bodies including the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, demanded efforts from all sources to give veterans additional preferential treatment. Multi-level and diversified job training should be provided, hiring requirements should be lowered, and quotas for governmental jobs should be raised, the guideline said, adding that businesses may be qualified for tax benefits if they hire veterans. The guideline proposed that space be reserved for veterans in start-up incubators or industrial parks. Veterans who set up businesses are entitled to financial and tax benefits, it added. "Helping veterans get jobs or run businesses is vital to realizing their self-worth, promoting social and economic development, and contributing to national defense and armed forces building," said the guideline, adding that supervision will be strengthened to ensure these policies are enforced. ^ top ^
China moves to improve legal services for disabled (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
Chinese authorities have pledged to improve legal services for the disabled and enable them to fully participate in litigation, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said Thursday. People's courts are required to facilitate ways for the disabled to engage in proceeding such as filing a case, trial, or investigation, according to a circular issued by the SPC and the China Disabled Person's Federation. In this regard, people's courts are allowed to help the disabled who lack access to transportation file a case, it said, adding that filing a case on the internet or via calling the disabled person is also viable. The courts should also provide the disabled with door-to-door mediation and guidance in litigation and providing proof, so as to ensure the legal rights and interests of the disabled are well protected, it said. ^ top ^
China removes online music for vulgar, fascist content (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
A crackdown on vulgar online content has seen the removal of thousands of videos and online music, as well as cartoons, and investigations into musical works advocating fascism or militarism, China's cultural authority said Thursday. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in a statement that it had ordered 18 key online music platforms to conduct checks of their online content, and that 4,664 online music products, over 100,000 video clips and 4,300 user comments had been removed for violations. The ministry also directed local cultural authorities in Beijing Municipality, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces to investigate cases of online musical works advocating fascism or militarism, the statement said. A total of 977 online animated works and 167 comics have been removed in self-inspections carried out by 11 online cartoon companies. The ministry said it would strengthen supervision over such operators to crack down on online pornographic, vulgar, violent and unethical content, as well as those abetting crime. It also encouraged the public to report any violations. ^ top ^
China to restore frescoes of grassland grottoes (Global Times)
2018-08-01
Cultural heritage workers will launch a program to restore the frescoes of the 1,600-year-old Arjai Grottoes in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the regional cultural heritage administration. The work, scheduled to start from later this month, will be undertaken by staff with the cultural heritage institute of China's Dunhuang Academy, and is expected to finish in 2021, according to the administration. The grottoes, home to nearly 1,000 frescoes related to Tibetan Buddhism, are located on a hill in the grasslands of Otog Banner, Ordos City, along with other ancient structures including temples and palaces. The structures were put under state-level protection in 2003. The technicians plan to take digital pictures of the frescoes and then repair them as they have been damaged by time and the environment. ^ top ^
Head of charity confesses to sexual assaults (China Daily)
2018-07-25
Environmental activist Feng Yongfeng has become the second high-profile charity chief to confess publicly this week to sexually assaulting women. Feng, the founder of the Beijing Fengtai Origin Enthusiast Environment Research Center, released a statement online on Tuesday admitting he had harassed three women in charity circles since October while "under the influence of alcohol". "Harassment is impossible when I am awake, but alcohol sometimes destroys my bottom line and leads me to harm women," said Feng, who also works for Guangming Daily, a national newspaper. The statement was released via the WeChat account of Environmental Activists, another NGO founded by Feng, but it was deleted shortly after it appeared. A screenshot of the statement showed the 47-year-old felt sorry for his deeds and had stepped down from managing the organizations. He also apologized to all the women involved and pledged he would not repeat the offenses. The Fengtai research center promotes awareness of environmental protection and animal welfare. The Ai You Foundation, which provides financial support for the center, said on Tuesday that it had severed all ties with the center. Feng's confessions came after an anonymous letter was released late on Monday accusing someone identified as "Xiaozhang" (headmaster) of raping and otherwise harassing female colleagues. Although Feng was not named in it, he was believed by many to be the target. The letter said Xiaozhang's victims worked for several charitable organizations, including the well-known Narada Foundation. Feng said in his since-deleted statement that he believed the author of the letter was an environmentalist in Nantong, Jiangsu province, who received support from Environmental Activists between May 2015 and June 2018. Feng's confession came just 24 hours after a similar one by Lei Chuang, founder of Yi You Charity, which addresses discrimination against people with hepatitis B. Lei confessed to perpetrating sexual abuse three years ago and announced he would quit as head of the NGO. His statement came after an anonymous article was posted online on Monday by a person claiming to be a woman whom Lei had sexually abused after a charity hike. A charitable industry insider who asked not to be named said people working for charities should draw lessons from the two cases and strengthen oversight to prevent similar offenses. "Charitable organizations have the trait of being ruled by people, and this is a problem all people in the industry should face," she said. But she noted that sexual assaults are not exclusive to charitable organizations; therefore, there's no need for demonizing charity workers. ^ top ^
Cyber sector authority undergoes reshuffle (China Daily)
2018-08-02
China's top internet regulator has named a new chief amid an ongoing effort to build and develop a topnotch cyberspace network, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. Zhuang Rongwen was appointed head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, replacing Xu Lin. In April, Zhuang took over as head of the State Administration of Press and Publication. The replacement, authorized by the central leadership, was announced at a commission meeting on Tuesday. In March, under the Communist Party of China Central Committee's plan to deepen reforms of Party and state institutions, the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs was upgraded into the new commission to further improve the country's virtual network construction, safeguard cybersecurity and promote internet-related development. Zhuang, 57, a native of Fujian province, joined the Party in 1987 and began his career from his hometown. The senior engineer previously worked for the Fujian Development and Reform Commission, the Fujian Bureau of Science and Technology and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. Xu, 55, a Shanghai native, joined the Party in September 1982 and started his career in a middle school in the city a month later. Before being engaged in managing cyberspace affairs, he held various posts including chief of Shanghai's civil affairs bureau. He was named vice-minister of the CPC Publicity Department and head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission - known then as the Office of the Central Leading Group for Cyberspace Affairs - in June 2016. Xu's predecessor at the office, Lu Wei, was formally accused on Monday of accepting bribes. The Ningbo people's procuratorate in Zhejiang province said the 58-year-old Lu took advantage of various posts, including as deputy head of Xinhua News Agency, to seek benefits for others and accepted a large amount of bribes. Lu was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office in February. ^ top ^
Ministry pledges to boost welfare for veterans (China Daily)
2018-08-01
The minister of veterans affairs said his department is making comprehensive efforts to collect information on former service members to better help them after they hang up their uniforms. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs, which was established in April, will focus on improving the treatment of veterans and helping them find civilian employment, Sun Shaocheng told reporters at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday - his first media briefing since taking charge of the ministry. "There was no specific department in charge of veterans affairs before us, so we lack some information and data about veterans," he said. "We must obtain more information to support our decision-making. "We will improve the welfare system for veterans and families of those who have died in the line of duty, and will link the benefits with each serviceman or servicewoman's performance and contribution while in service." More than 530,000 personnel will retire from the armed forces this year, according to Sun. To help them with the transition, he said the ministry will make sure more than 80,000 officers and nearly 40,000 soldiers find civilian jobs arranged by local governments and State-owned enterprises. The ministry will also strengthen its support for more than 400,000 officers and soldiers leaving the armed forces this year who want to find civilian jobs on their own or start businesses, he added. The ministry is also working to construct a special allowance system for veterans who have been laid off from civilian jobs and have difficulties funding geriatric care and medical services. Veterans affairs vice-ministers Qian Feng and Fang Yongxiang - a People's Liberation Army major general - also took part in the news conference, which was organized by the State Council Information Office. Fang said at the news conference that the ministry received nearly 20,000 veterans at its headquarters in Beijing, many of whom had grievances about veterans' benefits, the hardships of civilian life and legal problems. He noted that the ministry will open a website for veterans to submit their petitions, and will also enhance inspections over local authorities' handling of retirees' complaints and requests. He also said the ministry will ask State-owned enterprises to reserve 5 percent of jobs on offer during their annual recruitment drives for veterans. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, more than 57 million personnel have left the military, according to the ministry. However, the exact number of living veterans remains unknown, it said. The ministry is drafting a law on the welfare of military veterans to safeguard their rights and interests. According to the first draft, the law will focus on resolving difficulties faced by veterans. It will also specify rules for handling veterans' affairs, stipulate responsibilities of authorities and arrange civilian-job training for military retirees. Additionally, it will set up an award system for veterans and create an assessment system to examine local governments' performance in veterans' affairs. ^ top ^
Inspection team to verify substandard vaccine disposition (Xinhua)
2018-08-01
An inspection team was dispatched to check the disposition of substandard DPT vaccines produced by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd. Wednesday. The team is jointly formed by members from departments including the State Drug Administration (SDA) and National Health Commission, and led by Li Li, deputy director of the SDA. DPT refers to a combination of vaccines for three infectious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. A batch of 400,520 doses of DPT vaccines produced by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co, Ltd. was found defective due to a short-term failure in the packaging equipment last year. The finding was disclosed to the public in November 2017. The biological company was fined, and its illegal gains were confiscated. ^ top ^
Livestream hosts to get patriotic education (China Daily)
2018-08-02
Livestreaming website Douyu has said it will provide patriotic education to its hosts after closing an account on Thursday because of a video that joked about the Nanjing Massacre and the occupation of Northeast China by the Japanese army. Footage of host Chen Yifa making fun of a painful moment in national history against the background music of a Japanese song spread rapidly via social media. Police ordered the website - which is based in Wuhan, Hubei province - to strengthen its management. Chen - who broadcasts under the name Chenyifaer - is a well-known song and video game streamer on Douyu. She has about 11 million followers on the livestreaming platform and about 5 million followers on Sina Weibo. Netizens found that Chen had also made extreme remarks on her Sina Weibo posts in 2010 and 2011, including insulting Chinese veterans. Chen apologized on Tuesday afternoon. She said in a statement that the video clip was a slip of the tongue when she was streaming in 2016 and pledged that she will fulfill the social responsibility of public figures in the future. Douyu banned Chen's account and reported it to related authorities for further treatment, the company said in a statement on Tuesday night. It added that it will organize visits for streamers to revolutionary sites and historical museums, and that such activities will become regular to help them remember and truly understand history. The company said the video was from 2016 and that in the past two years it has had the strictest content review in the industry and welcomes supervision from the public. Yuan Gang, deputy CEO of Douyu, told China Daily in May that livestreaming can be delayed for 20 seconds to allow for better reviewing, and the algorithm for content monitoring is being improved. Pi Yong, deputy head of the Cyberspace Governance Research Institute at Wuhan University, said that harmful or illegal content is a universal phenomenon on livestreaming sites, and content review remains no easy job for operators because there are a large numbers of streamers active at any moment. Zhang Xiaoqiang, a professor of journalism at Chongqing University, said the operators should at least ensure that the streamers are aware of the regulations that govern online content before they register, and pay close attention to the streamers who have large followings because they have greater influence. "A tip-off system may work well," he said. "Both the regulators and operators should encourage the public to report harmful content, because the number of users is rising quickly, making it extremely difficult to track everyone." It is also important to raise the media literacy of netizens, especially for minors, and schools should pay more attention to teaching them right and wrong. ^ top ^
China's highest-ranking Buddhist monk accused of sexually harassing nuns (Global Times)
2018-08-01
The abbot of a Beijing-based temple, who is also a national political adviser, allegedly sexually harassed several nuns and "controlled their minds" to force them into sexual relations. Shi Xianjia and Shi Xianqi from the Longquan Temple said in a report to relevant governmental departments that Master Xuecheng, the abbot of Longquan Temple, sexually harassed several nuns, including sending illicit messages to them and forcing them to have sexual relations with him, according to a copy of the report circulated online on Wednesday. However, the temple said the two whistleblowers have "forged materials, distorted facts and spread false information" that misled the public. The temple will ask the government to establish an investigation team, read a statement from the temple, which was released by Xuecheng on his Weibo account on Wednesday night. A source with information on the alleged incident in Longquan Temple told the Global Times that the report was initially given to relevant governmental departments and people in the Buddhist field. Xuecheng was taken for questioning by relevant authorities days ago before being released, said the insider who requested anonymity. Xuecheng is a member of the Standing Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and also the head of the Buddhist Association of China. Shi Zewu, deputy head of the association, told the Global Times on Wednesday that he has never heard about the report and refused to comment on the incident. Xuecheng could not be reached by the Global Times on Wednesday. Xuecheng posted pictures of a national flag raising ceremony on his Sina social media account on Wednesday after the scandal broke out, vowing to carry forward patriotism. The report said Xuecheng used text messages to mind-control nuns to tempt them into having sex with him, claiming it was part of their study of Buddhist doctrines. Shi Xianqi and Shi Xianjia started investigating Xuecheng's message after a nun, who stayed in Beijing in December 2017, turned to them for help with sexual messages from Xuecheng, the report said. They have consulted with experts from the Ministry of Public Security to make sure that the messages were indeed sent by Xuecheng. Shi Xianjia and Shi Xianqi also allegedly acquired a record of Xuecheng's cell phone messages "through legal means." The messages showed that Xuecheng tempted or threatened at least six nuns to have sex with him, four of whom capitulated to his requests. One of the nuns reported to a police station in Haidian district on June 29 that Xuecheng had sexually assaulted her, the report said. "Longquan Temple is under his spell. Xuecheng manipulated disciples to serve his 'Buddhist Empire'… disciples under his control sacrificed their precious practices of Buddhist doctrines and violated these doctrines, even laws," read the report. The Wednesday incident is the latest sexual harassment case following reports of sexual harassment involving prominent Chinese intellectuals and activists. ^ top ^
Research ship leaves on scientific mission (China Daily)
2018-08-01
Research vessel Dayang Yihao, or Ocean No 1, departed its home port in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Tuesday and embarked on a 100-day scientific ocean expedition. The research vessel will head for areas of seamounts－underwater mountains－in the western Pacific Ocean to investigate resources and the environment. Eighty-seven scientists and technicians from domestic universities and research institutions and 30 crew members are aboard. "The area is full of mineral resources, such as cobalt-rich crusts and manganese nodules. It's a hot spot for international seabed expeditions," said Li Bo, an official with the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources. "Around the area are a lot of seamounts of different shapes, where research related to biodiversity and the environment will be mainly focused," he said. According to the association, the expedition will carry out deep-sea investigations of marine microplastics and radioactive isotopes. Researchers will also observe ocean birds and mammals. Sun Lijia, director of the expedition, said the vessel is carrying innovative deep-sea research equipment, such as the submersible vehicle Hailong 11000, and will test its function during the expedition. Officials from the ministry, which approved the expedition, said scientific ocean expeditions are part of an effort to build China into a strong maritime power and has major significance for the enhancement of deep-water technology, increasing understanding of the ocean and taking advantage of the ocean in a peaceful way. The Dayang Yihao is a 5,600-metric-ton vessel with equipment for research in geophysics, marine chemistry, biology and acoustics. It has successfully carried out 18 missions. It is expected to cover 6,700 nautical miles and return to its home port in November. ^ top ^
Beijing names new internet watchdog as China keeps door closed to global tech giants (SCMP)
2018-08-01
China has officially named Zhuang Rongwen as the new chief of the agency supervising China's internet. The announcement that Zhuang would replace Xu Lin as head of the Cyberspace Administration of China confirms a report by the South China Morning Post last week, which also said that President Xi Jinping was seeking to shake up the country's propaganda and censorship wings. Xu, a former aide to Xi in Shanghai, is expected to become the party's new international propaganda chief, sources told the Post last week. Wednesday's official statement did not say what Xu's new role would be, only that he would be given a new title later. Zhuang, in his new role as China's cyberspace tsar, will be a key figure for global technology giants trying to get a foothold in the market of about 800 million online users. Facebook received local authority approval and incorporated a subsidiary in the Chinese city of Hangzhou last month but the business licence was quickly revoked by Chinese censors, according to a New York Times report. China still bans a long list of social media platforms and websites from accessing the China market, including Twitter, Google, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Zhuang, 57, who earlier worked under Xi in the province of Fujian, is rising quickly in the official hierarchy. He was just promoted in April to head of the State Administration of Press and Publication. Earlier this month, Zhuang assumed a new title as the director for National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications. While the CAC appears ruthless and formidable as an internet regulator, China's leaders have previously signalled their dissatisfaction at its performance. In an open criticism in June 2017, the administration was harshly criticised by Communist Party inspectors. Ning Yanling, the head of the inspection team, said the internet regulator had "for a period not carried out General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and requirements resolutely and promptly enough", according to a statement on the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection then. The CAC's former chief, Lu Wei, was charged with taking a "huge amount" of bribes on Monday. Lu, widely seen as the public face of China's draconian control over the internet during his term at the helm of the agency until 2016, now faces a trial, after he was expelled from the party and publicly shamed for a long list of wrongdoings, including trading power for sex. Lu was known as the flamboyant gatekeeper of China's internet in his heyday, courted by the world's most prominent technology executives including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. He made headlines in the United States in 2014 when he visited the Californian headquarters of Facebook and sat in Zuckerberg's seat. In comparison, his successors, both Xu and Zhuang, kept low profiles. According to Zhuang's official biography, he had worked an economic planning official in Fujian for many years before he was promoted to Beijing to work at the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, handling complaints and petitions from overseas Chinese about economic issues. Zhuang's career path had little to do with ideology control before his promotion to the cyberspace administration in 2015 as a deputy director. In that role, Zhuang had made a few public speeches about how to use internet technology to improve the governance of China. In a public speech in August 2017, Zhuang lauded the "internet court" in Hangzhou, which allows cases to be settled online, as a new achievement in using the internet to administer the country. In April that same year, Zhuang, attended the Internet Economy Summit in Hong Kong and suggested that the city embrace internet technology to speed up "digital economy development". ^ top ^
Religious sites in China to raise national flag to enhance national identity (Global Times)
2018-07-31
All religious venues should raise China's national flag to strengthen awareness of respect to the flag and preserve the flag's dignity, China's major religious associations said on Tuesday. Chinese experts hailed the initiative for seeking to assimilate religion into a socialist society and as progress for religious development. The measure was proposed by the heads and representatives of national religious groups, including the Buddhist Association of China, the Taoist Association of China, the Islamic Association of China, and the Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China. They gathered in Beijing on Tuesday for their sixth joint conference. The national flag shall be raised at religious venues on National Day, International Labor Day, New Year's Day, Spring Festival, and other important festivals and celebrations of each religion, according to the proposal at the conference, which was participated by Wang Zuoan, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs. The groups also require the venues to put up the national flag at prominent locations while simultaneously raising religious flags and put the national flag before religious flags in the row. It also includes the raising of national flag as an evaluation index in the activities of selecting harmonious temples or churches. The advocate shows Chinese major religious associations have reached a consensus on the sinicization of religions by integrating religious doctrines into Chinese culture, Xiong Kunxin, an ethnic studies expert and a professor at Tibet University in Lhasa, told the Global Times. The move is to strengthen national consciousness, help religious believers better practice socialist core values, and carry forward the tradition of patriotism, the report said. The national religious associations called for organizing activities to study China's Constitution and the National Flag Law, while stressing the need to sinicize religions and assimilate religions in socialist society, it added. Some internet users questioned whether raising a national flag at a religious site was a violation of the principle of separation of politics and religion. "Raising the national flag is a way to express religious believer's spirit of patriotism. It has nothing to do with interference of religious freedom," Yan Kejia, director of the Institute of Religious Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Yan added that the national flag represents the country, not politics. It is a common phenomenon in the world that religious venues have raised their national flags, especially in the US, he noted. Flags have been raised at all 69 religious sites - including Christian churches and Buddhist temples - in the city of Lanxi in East China's Zhejiang Province to "have patriotism guide devotion to religions," according to the website of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of Zhejiang Province. ^ top ^
China's ex-cyberspace watchdog head charged with bribery (Global Times)
2018-07-30
Prosecutors in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province have filed corruption charges against the former head of the country's cyberspace administration, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Monday. Prosecutors said Lu Wei took advantage of his positions by taking huge amounts of cash and goods from others and seeking benefits for them, the SPP statement said. Lu, former deputy head of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and former head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office for offenses including bribery, the Xinhua News Agency reported in February. The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement issued in February that Lu was found to "lie to, make reckless remarks on the CPC Central Committee and disturb the patrolling works of the committee," and that he was "extremely disloyal to the CPC Central Committee." According to the statement, Lu had a "boasting ambition" and unscrupulously made a show of his power. It also blasted Lu's "vicious conduct," saying he anonymously made false accusations against others, formed cliques and frequently entered private clubs. As a senior Party official, Lu lost his faith, his mission and "completely lost Party spirit," it added. Lu was later used as a warning to eliminate threats to the political security of the CPC in provincial anti-corruption education, with East China's Anhui Province, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and South China's Guangdong Province launching education campaigns in April and May asking Party members and officials to use Lu as a negative example. Zhuang Deshui, deputy director at Peking University's Research Center for Government Integrity-Building, told the Global Times on Monday that such corruption, including taking advantage of positions to accumulate illegal wealth and trading money for power, has done great damage to the public interest and the image of the Party and the country. Mo Jiancheng, a former member of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Finance, and Zhang Jiehui, a former deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial People's Congress, were also charged with bribery, according to the same statement from the SPP. "Prosecuting the three at this time shows again the Party's determination to fight corruption," Zhu Lijia, a professor of public management at the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Global Times on Monday. "Laws must be applied to judge corruption," Zhu said. "The prosecutions mark China's accelerating steps in terms of anti-corruption by the legal system," Zhuang noted. Announcing the prosecutions to the public will let people better understand the process of anti-corruption and is a form of education, Zhuang said, adding that it has become a strong deterrent for those officials who still plan to go corrupt. ^ top ^
China allocates 140 bln yuan to help needy groups (Xinhua)
2018-07-30
China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Monday it had injected 140 billion yuan (about 20.5 billion U.S. dollars) into an allowance scheme to help needy families and individuals. China has met its allocation target for this year ahead of schedule, according to the ministry. The MOF and the Ministry of Civil Affairs urged local authorities to ensure timely allocation and strengthened management of the allowances, which will fund aid programs including the basic living allowance, according to an official with the MOF. Another 26.6 billion yuan has been allocated to help renovate dilapidated homes for some 1.9 million impoverished families, according to the ministry. Families living in areas affected by extreme poverty will receive higher subsidies to improve their living conditions, according to the MOF official. ^ top ^
Ethnic Han parents protest exam policy favoring minority students (Global Times)
2018-07-30
Parents of Han ethnic students in Southwest China's Guizhou Province staged a rally to protest against preferential policies toward ethnic minority students on China's college entrance exams, or gaokao, prompting local education authorities to reconsider the policy. Photos of the gathering have gone viral since July 21 when hundreds of parents held up signs reading, "Remove unreasonable extra points," "Adjust preferential policies toward ethnic minority students," and "Equitable exam" reportedly inside a Guizhou provincial office. Departments and offices involved in the policymaking process are discussing a policy adjustment, a Guizhou provincial office staffer of the office of letters and calls told the Global Times on Monday. She refused to provide her full name or any details on the issue. The policy states that students of ethnic minorities, including Yi and Hui in Guizhou, are entitled to 10 to 20 extra points to their total gaokao score depending on their household registration information. In Liupanshui, one of the nine cities and prefectures in Guizhou, 9,735 minority ethnic students received extra points on the 2018 gaokao in June, the Liupanshui government website said. Xi Wuyi, an expert on Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also a Sina Weibo blogger with more than 390,000 followers, posted on July 21 a letter sent to her from a Guizhou Han ethnic student's mother, in which she expressed her concerns about the "unfair" policy. The preferential policy "should benefit students in poor areas who truly need help, but the current high ratio of ethnic minority students receiving extra points has caused inequality in the exam," a netizen claiming to be a parent of a Han ethnic student in Guizhou wrote in an online message to Guizhou government officials. Messages with similar petitions are available on the website, where citizens can petition the local government officials. None of the messages have received replies. Some netizens consider the policy discriminatory against the Han ethnic group. Xi said amending the policy in favor of minority ethnic students in Guizhou "will cultivate a sense of national community in the country." ^ top ^
Coffins smashed, seized, exhumed in China as province bans burials to save land (SCMP)
2018-07-31
A campaign banning people in a southeast China province from burying their dead that has seen coffins smashed and exhumed – all to preserve land resources – has stirred anger and resentment among locals, with even state media describing it as "barbaric and unpopular". Under a "zero burial" policy introduced about six months ago, authorities in rural regions of Jiangxi province have waged war on the traditional practice, going so far as to seize or destroy coffins that many poor families have spent their lives saving up to buy. The Jiangxi government's aim is to make cremation the sole approved method of disposing of people's remains. Intended as a way to save land and to discourage extravagant burial ceremonies, authorities in many cities across the province have set a deadline of September for becoming "cremation only". In photographs and videos shared on Chinese social media over the weekend, officials were seen entering villages in the cities of Ganzhou, Jian and Yichun and forcibly removing coffins from people's homes. Huge numbers of the boxes were then put into piles and smashed by excavators, with many elderly residents who tried to prevent the destruction by lying inside the coffins were dragged away. Since the zero-burial policy was introduced, owning or making a coffin has been banned, and officials in many parts of Jiangxi have spent the past six months confiscating those already in existence. A government appeal for people to surrender their coffins voluntarily yielded more than 5,800 from 24 villages and townships in Gaoan county, the Chinese news portal Thepaper.cn reported last month. The achievement was the result of "solid work involving far-reaching policy communication and door-to-door home visits", the report said, adding that some authorities also offered about 2,000 yuan (US$290) per coffin as compensation. But not everyone was ready to sell. A 29-year-old man from a remote village in Jian who declined to be identified for fear of reprisal said on Monday evening that officials confiscated two coffins from the home of his grandparents, both of whom are in their 70s, on Sunday. "These coffins had been stored in ancestral halls and had been with my grandparents for more than 30 years, as they were made by carpenters using wood grown from our own land," he said. A government appeal for people to surrender their coffins voluntarily yielded more than 5,800 from 24 villages and townships in Gaoan county, the Chinese news portal Thepaper.cn reported last month. The achievement was the result of "solid work involving far-reaching policy communication and door-to-door home visits", the report said, adding that some authorities also offered about 2,000 yuan (US$290) per coffin as compensation. But not everyone was ready to sell. A 29-year-old man from a remote village in Jian who declined to be identified for fear of reprisal said on Monday evening that officials confiscated two coffins from the home of his grandparents, both of whom are in their 70s, on Sunday. "These coffins had been stored in ancestral halls and had been with my grandparents for more than 30 years, as they were made by carpenters using wood grown from our own land," he said. Lu Liangbiao, a native of Jiangxi who works as a lawyer in Beijing, urged the Jiangxi government to involve the public in the reform process and ensure that people receive adequate compensation for any losses they incur as a result of it. "It was the government's intention to introduce environmentally friendly funeral practices, but it has gone overboard and created resentment," he said. The Beijing News reported in 2014 that at least six elderly citizens of Anqing in southeast China's Anhui province committed suicide after learning of a government plan to seize coffins they wanted as their final resting place. ^ top ^
Chinese president back home after Asian and African visits, BRICS summit (Global Times)
2018-07-29
President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing Sunday after state visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa. During his stay in South Africa, Xi attended the 10th BRICS summit in Johannesburg. He also paid a friendly visit to Mauritius during a stopover on his way back to Beijing. Xi's entourage included his wife Peng Liyuan; Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee; Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister; and He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission. When Xi left Port Louis for Beijing, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, together with his wife and cabinet members, saw him off at the airport. Xi thanked the Mauritian side for its warm reception and thoughtful arrangements. He said the friendly visit to Mauritius has been a successful conclusion to his trip to Asia and Africa. Although the visit to Mauritius was brief, the results were fruitful and significant, which will surely consolidate and strengthen the friendly ties between China and Mauritius, said Xi. Jugnauth congratulated Xi on the success of his visit to Mauritius. He thanked China for its long-term assistance and support to Mauritius and looked forward to meeting Xi again during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September. ^ top ^
Arrests of 18 sought for rabies vaccine (China Daily)
2018-07-29
Police in Changchun, Jilin province, asked prosecutors on Sunday to approve the formal arrests of 18 people from Changchun Changsheng Biotech Co accused of faking production and inspection records for a substandard rabies vaccine. The 18 include the chairwoman of the vaccine maker, surnamed Gao, and others who were detained on suspicion of involvement in producing and selling drugs of inferior quality. In a statement released on Sunday evening, the Changchun police said investigators had discovered violations of the law in the company's production of the rabies vaccine. An inspection by the State Drug Administration on July 15 found the company falsified production and inspection records to cover up illegal practices. Although the administration said all of the company's rabies vaccines had been recalled, and no quality problems were found in vaccines that had already entered the market, the incident aroused public outrage because of the virtual 100 percent mortality rate of rabies. In addition, police found 60 computer hard disks that the company had intended to destroy, according to an investigation team sent by the State Council. The company mixed several batches of vaccine fluid to reduce costs, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday, citing the team. Some of the fluid was past its shelf life. The company was found to have fabricated the liquid's expiration date and conducted an experiment on mice with unprocessed liquid－a procedure that should only be done using the final product. ^ top ^
Red Notice fugitive returns to China (China Daily)
2018-07-29
Zhang Yongguang, one of China's most wanted graft fugitives, returned to China Saturday, surrendering to the police and returning bribes he had taken, the anti-corruption authority said Saturday. Zhang was among China's top 100 fugitives listed on an Interpol Red Notice. He used to be a policeman at a police station affiliated to the Nanshan Branch of the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Public Security in South China's Guangdong province, suspected of receiving bribes. He fled to the United States in 2010 and was listed on an Interpol Red Notice in August 2013. So far a total of 54 fugitives on the notice have been seized. "We will make persistent effort in fighting against corruption and recovering stolen assets, leaving no room for corrupt fugitives to hide and no hope for those who want to flee," said an official with the office in charge of fugitive repatriation and asset recovery under the central anti-corruption coordination group. ^ top ^
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| Tibet |
Tibet requires lawyers to strengthen Party construction, education (Global Times)
2018-07-31
Authorities from China's Tibet Autonomous Region are requiring lawyers in the region to strengthen their Party construction and education. Party committees of the legal profession need to educate lawyers, making sure every law office and lawyer understands Party construction in the new era, Wang Liping, the deputy head of Tibet's department of justice, said at a workshop on Sunday. The legal profession in Tibet should set off a "learning craze" for Party building, Wang said, according to a statement obtained by the Global Times from Tibet's department of justice on Tuesday. Cai Zhiqiang, a professor at the Party School of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday that strengthening Party building among lawyers doesn't mean the Party would interfere in the work of lawyers. If an institute has more than three Party members it should build its own Party organization, regardless of industry or sector, Cai said. Party construction only applies to CPC Party members, but non-Party members should also be familiar with the laws and national policies. Since Tibet has complex ethnic relations and religion, Party construction among lawyers in the region is significant, Cai added. The All-China Lawyers Association said Party building work among lawyers has made huge strides in recent years. The Xinhua News Agency reported that by the end of 2016, lawyers' associations in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, had established Party organizations. Among the 26,000 law firms in China, 6,538 have their own Party branches and 10,159 have joint Party branches, the report said. ^ top ^
Premier Li stresses sustainable development, prosperity in Tibet (Xinhua)
2018-07-29
Premier Li Keqiang has stressed sustainable development and the improvement of people's livelihood while visiting southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. During his visit from July 25 to July 27 to Nyingchi, Shannan, and Lhasa, Li talked with officials and residents, learning about local economic and social development, and extending his good wishes to people of all ethnic groups in Tibet. In a village of Nyingchi, where residents enjoy better housing and more incomes thanks to poverty alleviation programs, Li said development is key to increasing people's wealth and achieving prosperity in Tibet. People's livelihood should be improved through sustainable development, which should be based on actual conditions of Tibet, he said. At the confluence of the Yarlung Zangbo River and its tributary Nyang River, Li was briefed on the conservation of water resources and eco-system. He said that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the "water tower" of China and Asia, where ecological conservation should be strengthened to support sustainable development in the whole country. At the construction site of the Lhasa-Nyingchi section of the Sichuan-Tibet railway, Li stressed the importance of the project to the development of Tibet and to ecological protection. The railway project is beneficial for Tibet to cultivate new growth drivers, and it is the right thing that must be done. Full construction work should be accelerated, Li said. At present, infrastructure development in the country's central and western regions is relatively weak, and promoting effective investments to improve weak links will not only narrow the gap in regional development but also helpful for the country to cope with economic downturn, he said. China should avoid strong stimulus and take targeted measures that are beneficial in both short and long terms, Li said. At Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital in Lhasa, Li said that the government will step up support to hospitals in Tibet and colleges for traditional Tibetan medicine to meet the needs of local residents. In Lhasa, Li also interacted with young makers at a startup base. The premier said entrepreneurship and innovation in Tibet are very important to high-quality growth. The country will create better environment to support the education of skilled workers and train more talented workers that are in high demand. While visiting Jokhang Temple, a renowned temple for Tibetan Buddhism in Lhasa, Li said Tibet has been an inalienable part of China ever since ancient times and he hoped that religious circles will continue to make contributions in safeguarding national unity and promoting ethnic solidarity as well as social harmony. At the Potala Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site, Li said that the government will step up support for the research on precious documents and push cultural inheritance and exchanges. Li expressed the hope that Tibet can stick to strategies and policies of the Communist Party of China to achieve development and prosperity, safeguard national unity, enhance solidarity among ethnic groups, promote social and economic development, and maintain lasting peace and stability in Tibet. ^ top ^
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| Xinjiang |
Cheers as Kazakh court thwarts deportation of Chinese woman who fled 're-education camp' in Xinjiang (SCMP)
2018-08-02
A Chinese national who gave rare public testimony about China's secretive "re-education" camps in Xinjiang will be allowed to stay in Kazakhstan, where she has applied for asylum. Sayragul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh from Xinjiang, had been at risk of deportation to China after being charged with illegally crossing the border. She has said she fled after being forced to teach Chinese history to detainees at a re-education camp. Her lawyer said she would face detention and possible torture if sent back to China. On Wednesday, a Kazakh court imposed a six-month suspended sentence and ordered her to regularly check in with police. Supporters in the courtroom broke into applause and cheered after the verdict was announced. After being released, Sauytbay said to a crowd outside the courthouse: "When I came to Kazakhstan, I had a feeling that I am on my own. Now I am confident that it is not true … I have my people, my nation, my homeland that can stand for me." Serikzhan Bilash, a local activist who had been advocating for her release, said: "I think it's a very good judgment. This is a first in Kazakhstan. This evening we will celebrate." Kazakhstan has previously deported ethnic Uygurs back to Xinjiang, where China has launched a "strike hard" campaign against extremism and potential separatist movements. The western territory is home to about 12 million Muslims, mostly ethnic Uygurs, as well as about 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs. Giving testimony in July, Sauytbay spoke about a re-education camp in Xinjiang where she had worked, saying it held about 2,500 ethnic Kazakhs. "In China they call it a political camp but really it was a prison in the mountains," Sauytbay said, according to a video of her testimony. "That I am discussing this camp in an open court means I am already revealing state secrets." Researchers say tens if not hundreds of thousands of people are held at camps. China denies the camps exist, but Chinese state media have hailed the use of education in Xinjiang " to rectify extremist thinking ". Sauytbay's case put Kazakh authorities in an awkward position, caught between China, one of Kazakhstan's largest trading partners, and a public increasingly angry about the number of ethnic Kazakhs detained in Xinjiang. Activists in Kazakhstan say many families are searching for relatives who have disappeared over the border. "The case shows the Kazakh authorities can stand up to China, even given its close economic ties," said Maya Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Our hope is that other governments can find their courage to confront the Chinese government on the escalating repression in Xinjiang." ^ top ^
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| Hongkong |
Typhoon Jongdari likely to make landfall in Shanghai (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
Jongdari, the 12th typhoon this year, is likely to make landfall in Shanghai Friday morning, the local weather station said Thursday. At 3 p.m. Thursday, the eye of the tropical storm was 470 km offshore from Shanghai and was moving northwest at the speed of 25-30 kph, the municipal meteorological observatory said. Rain and strong winds up to 20 meters per second are expected on Thursday evening and Friday morning in the city. Shanghai raised its typhoon alert from blue to yellow, and in some districts, such as Pudong New Area, the alert was raised to orange. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. Related departments have been asked to prepare for an emergency response. In neighboring Zhejiang Province, 38 under-construction offshore projects were suspended in the city of Zhoushan, with over 160 ships involved in the construction evacuated, said Hu Yaowen, from the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters. In Jiaxing, floodgates at Changshan and Nantaitou started to discharge water in advance on Thursday afternoon to prevent typhoon-triggered flooding near Taihu Lake, Hu said. Nearly 6,000 people living along the coast in the cities of Ningbo, Taizhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou were moved inland, and some 20,000 fishery vessels were harbored or evacuated to safe water areas, according to the headquarters. ^ top ^
China asks consulates in Hong Kong to remove 'Macau' from their official names (HKFP)
2018-08-02
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked consulates general in Hong Kong and Macau to rename their diplomatic offices, requesting that those based in Hong Kong remove "Macau" from their names, and vice-versa. Many countries have consulates located in Hong Kong to cover consular services for Macau at the same time, with their official names containing the names of both Special Administrative Regions. For instance, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau could be renamed as the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, if it adheres to the Chinese foreign ministry request. The Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao told HKFP that they understood that all consulates in Hong Kong and Macau had received the request. "The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concerns about various inconsistencies in local consular missions' nomenclature," the consulate said. "In Hong Kong, the matter is being coordinated by the Dean of the Consular Corps from Argentina," the consulate added. "The request is under review." The region's Portuguese consulate is located in Macau instead of Hong Kong – since Macau was a former Portuguese colony. Its official name is the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong. If Portugal agrees to the Chinese request, the consulate may be renamed as the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau. Some countries have consulates located in Hong Kong which also serve Macau, but only contain Hong Kong in their official name – for instance, the Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong and the German Consulate General Hong Kong. Meanwhile, countries such as Angola – a Portuguese-speaking country – and the Philippines, have two separate consulates in Hong Kong and Macau. Therefore, they may not be affected by the Chinese request. The European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao told HKFP that the office was not asked to change its name. Wilson Chan Wai-shun, a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Global Studies programme, told HKFP that inconsistencies among the names of consulates have existed since the 1997 Handover of Hong Kong. He said a reason for the Chinese foreign ministry request could simply be to standardise the names of consulates. Chan said another potential reason – though he maintained it was "highly speculative" – could be linked to China's wish to have more consular missions in Macau. "In handling certain diplomatic issues, China tends to conduct them in Macau," he said, referring to a regular forum in Macau between China and Portuguese-speaking countries on economic and trade co-operation. "Macau is a very special place for China and Portuguese-speaking countries to handle diplomatic and business issues, as well as for the training of officials," he said. "China may want to discuss with Portuguese-speaking countries about increasing the role of Macau on issues such as the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative." "This could be the deeper meaning behind the name changes," he added. "But, for now, we can only believe that the reason is 'inconsistencies,' as explained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." In April, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong asked foreign consulates in the city to make a "formal note of application" before they set up election ballot boxes for their expatriate citizens living in Hong Kong. ^ top ^
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| Taiwan |
Chinese mainland denounces Taiwan's actions at APEC meeting (China Daily)
2018-07-31
A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday denounced Taiwan's recent move to obstruct a mainland delegation's participation in an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. Three members of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade traveled to Taiwan on July 17 to attend a forum on digital innovation held by the APEC Business Advisory Council, said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. However, the delegation was unable to participate in the forum due to deliberate obstruction by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, said the spokesperson. "The DPP administration disregarded APEC practices and rudely blocked the mainland delegation from entering the meeting. Meanwhile, they confused right with wrong and released false information," An said. "We resolutely oppose and strongly condemn such actions." ^ top ^
China lodges solemn representations with the U.S. over Taiwan issue (Xinhua)
2018-08-01
China has lodged solemn representations with the United States as Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen reportedly plans to "make a stopover" in the country next month, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Spokesperson Geng Shuang told a routine news briefing that the one-China principle is the general consensus of the international community. He said any attempt to create 'two Chinas' or 'one China, one Taiwan' will be firmly opposed by the Chinese people, and such an attempt is not in accordance with the fundamental interests of the people of Taiwan. "We urge the Taiwan authority to return to the right track set in the 1992 Consensus," Geng said. He said China has already lodged solemn representations with the United States. China resolutely opposes the United States or any other country that has established diplomatic relations with China arranging such contacts with Taiwan and this position is clear and firm. "We urge the United States to abide by the one-China policy and the principle of the three joint communiques, not to allow Taiwan leader to 'make a stopover' and not to send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces, and maintain China-U.S. relations as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait with practical acts," Geng said. ^ top ^
Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen to transit in US on trip to Paraguay and Belize (SCMP)
2018-07-30
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will transit in the US on a visit to Paraguay and Belize next month, officials said on Monday, a move likely to annoy mainland China, which is deeply suspicious of ties between Washington and the self-ruled island. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its own territory, to be reunified by force if necessary, and has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure since independence-leaning Tsai came to power in 2016. Tsai will transit in Los Angeles and Houston during the trip set for August 12 to 20, officials said, although when asked if Tsai would meet US officials, deputy foreign minister Jose Liu said details were "still pending confirmation". Typically, Taiwan does not provide detailed itineraries when officials travel abroad, fearing Beijing's ability to disrupt their visits. During a visit to three Pacific allies last year, Tsai transited through Hawaii and the US territory of Guam, prompting protests from Beijing. Tsai's trip comes as Taiwan seeks to firm up ties with its dwindling number of foreign allies, many of whom have been lured away by what Tsai has decried as Beijing's "dollar diplomacy". Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic switched recognition to Beijing in May, leaving Taipei with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world. Under pressure from Beijing, a growing number of international airlines and companies have also recently changed their website classifications of Taiwan to "Taiwan, China" or "Chinese Taipei". ^ top ^
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| Economy |
U.S. tariff plan doomed to be futile (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
The United States is playing hard and soft tactics with China on the trade issue, however, such a two-faced approach is doomed to be futile and will disappoint countries and regions opposing the trade war, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday. The comments came after the United States, on one hand, threatened to raise tariffs to be imposed on 200 billion U.S. dollars worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent, while on the other hand, spread the news that it wants to restart negotiations with China. The U.S. act set aside the interests of its own farmers, business owners, consumers, and the interests of the world, the spokesperson said. "Facing such an escalating trade war threat, China has made full preparations and will be forced to take countermeasures in order to defend national dignity, the interests of its people, free trade, and the multilateral system, as well as the common interests of all countries," the spokesperson said. In the meantime, China, as always, believes in solving differences through dialogue, but that should come with the prerequisite of equal treatment and honoring commitments, the spokesperson said. The ultimate purpose of the U.S. baseless accusations against China is to suppress China's peaceful development, according to the spokesperson. "We always believe, bad things can be turned into good things, and challenges can be converted into opportunities. We have full confidence in achieving the high-quality economic development target," the spokesperson said. ^ top ^
'Profit before human rights': NGOs slam Google's reported plan to launch censored service in China (HKFP)
2018-08-02
NGOs have criticised Google's reported plan to develop a censored version of its search engine in China, calling it an attack on internet freedom. According to reports by the Intercept on Wednesday, the project was launched in December 2017 under the codename "Dragonfly" and involves an Android search app that limits access to websites blocked by Beijing. CEO of Google Sunday Pichai is said to have already met with Chinese officials and the plans are currently pending approval from mainland authorities. "Google risks abetting Chinese government abuses with a censored version of a search engine in China," Maya Wang, China researcher at NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), told HKFP. "That Google appears to be developing this censored version of a search engine in the midst of a harsh nationwide crackdown on human rights in China — with the consultation of senior Chinese government officials — is alarming," she added. Google's search engine services have long been blocked in China under the so-called Great Firewall. The US technology giant said that it withdrew from the Chinese market in 2010 in protest of online censorship and hacking. According to the Intercept's anonymous sources, Project Dragonfly was restricted to a few hundred engineers and was not made available for public consultation. In response to the report, a Google spokesperson told HKFP: "We provide a number of mobile apps in China, such as Google Translate and Files Go, help Chinese developers, and have made significant investments in Chinese companies like JD.com. But we don't comment on speculation about future plans." Patrick Poon, a China researcher at Amnesty International, said the move puts money before human rights: "It will be a dark day for internet freedom if Google has acquiesced to China's extreme censorship rules to gain market access. It is impossible to see how such a move is compatible with Google's 'Do the right thing' motto, and we are calling on the company to change course." "For the world's biggest search engine to adopt such extreme measures would be a gross attack on freedom of information and internet freedom. In putting profits before human rights, Google would be setting a chilling precedent and handing the Chinese government a victory." China has one of the strictest censorship regimes in the world, according to HRW. The ruling Communist Party led by President Xi Jinping frequently conducts widespread crackdowns on dissent, including targeting 300 human rights lawyers in 2015 and sending thousands of ethnic minorities to "re-education" centres in the predominantly Muslim region of Xinjiang, according to NGOs. Cédric Alviani from Reporters Without Borders told HKFP: "China has been lobbying for years to promote the idea of 'national sovereignty' over the internet, which is a pretext for making it a tool of censorship and surveillance." "Xi Jinping's repressive regime, by forcing Google to abide by its censorship, wins a battle against the free circulation of information over the internet." Beijing passed its Cybersecurity Law in 2016, which requires network operators to store select information on users and provide authorities with unfettered access to data under the term "technical support." Wang told HKFP: "Google has also not explained how it plans to protect users from surveillance given China's Cybersecurity Law passed in 2016, which requires companies to restrict online anonymity…" Poon added that the move poses a threat to personal data security: "Would Google roll over and hand over personal data should the Chinese authorities request it?" Google's plan reflects a growing effort by tech companies to access the Chinese market, which boasts the world's second-largest economy. Facebook briefly received the green light from mainland authorities to set up a US$30 million subsidiary in Hangzhou last month, before having their approval withdrawn within a matter of hours. Their website was censored in 2009 by mainland authorities. Last year, Apple removed hundreds of apps that allow users to avoid censorship from its download store in China at the request of the Beijing government. Alviani told HKFP: "After Apple's decision to remove VPNs from its Chinese store and to host its Chinese iCloud on local servers, Google's decision would set a new precedent that could encourage other major online contents distributors, especially Facebook and Linkedin, to abide by the Chinese censorship model." ^ top ^
Australia's exports of goods to China second highest on record in June (SCMP)
2018-08-02
Australia's trade surplus in June was higher than expected as exports to China boomed to their second highest on record, a sign the commodity-leveraged country was weathering the early stages of the tariff dispute between Beijing and Washington. A report on Thursday from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Australia's trade surplus rose by 158 per cent to A$1.87 billion (US$1.39 billion), twice the forecast and the largest since May last year. Exports rose 2.6 per cent on a pickup in a broad range of goods from iron ore and gold to farm and manufactured items, the data showed. Imports fell 0.7 per cent as lower purchases of petrol outweighed an increase in transport and telecoms equipment. The windfall owed much to China, which has been hoovering up Australia's iron ore and coal output even as trade tensions with the United States have escalated. Analysts said that much of Australia's exports to China are primary products used in the Asian nation's domestic economy rather than for re-export. There has also been no sign of a slowdown in the rapid growth of Chinese tourism or the flow of students from the country. Indeed, exports of goods to China hit the second strongest on record in June at A$10.34 billion, an increase of almost 40 per cent from the same month last year. Sales of liquefied natural gas to China and Japan have been a major growth area, with export earnings up 14 per cent in June alone at just over A$4 billion. One risk to exports is a drought currently ravaging large parts of the farm belt in Australia, which is likely to cut agricultural shipments later in the year. But in the US, Soren Schroder, chief executive of Bunge Ltd, the world's biggest oilseed processor, said American farmers could not expect soybean demand from other countries to fill the void created by China if the trade war between the countries persisted. Last month, China imposed 25 per cent tariffs on American soybeans and also targeted other farm goods in retaliation for US duties on imports of steel and aluminium. China is instead splurging on soybeans from South America. "That will clearly be a significant change," Schroder said. "China in a normal year would take over 20 million tonnes of US soybeans in the fourth and first quarter. That will be a hole in US exports that will be difficult to fill with other business. "I don't think it is likely that others can make up for the shortfall that China will have if they don't come back to the US market." China was currently using supplies bought from Brazil, and "unless there's a resolution, they will continue to buy those beans in Brazil as opposed to the US," Schroder said. ^ top ^
Central bank to continue implementing prudent monetary policy (Xinhua)
2018-08-01
China's central bank said Wednesday that it will continue to implement the prudent monetary policy in the latter half of 2018 to ensure economic and financial stability. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will make policies more forward-looking, flexible and effective, ensure the proper policy intensity and tempo, enhance policy coordination and pay more attention to guiding expectations, according to a statement following a teleconference. Since the beginning of the year, the central bank has maintained policy stability, and at the same time preset or fine-tuned the monetary policy, realizing reasonably abundant liquidity, the statement said. "At present, domestic and external economic and financial situations are complicated, so the PBOC faces arduous tasks in doing its work well in the latter half of 2018," the central bank said. In the second half, the PBOC will encourage financial institutions to enhance support of the real economy and lower financing costs, forestall and defuse financial risks, and continue to improve financial services for small and micro-sized companies and poverty alleviation in areas of deep poverty. The central bank will also further expand financial opening-up, seek steady progress in making the yuan more international, and make the currency convertible under the capital account in an orderly manner, the statement read. ^ top ^
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| DPRK |
Declaring end to Korean War in line with trend of times (Xinhua)
2018-08-02
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the declaration of an end to the Korean War is in line with the trend of the times. "The declaration of the end of the war is in line with the trend of the times and reflects the aspiration of people of all countries, including the two countries on the Korean Peninsula," Wang told a press conference after the China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting. The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice. Turning the armistice into a peace treaty is however, another thing, the Chinese state councilor stressed, adding that such a treaty should be signed by all parties through negotiations. The efforts by both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea to move toward that end should be encouraged and supported, he added. Wang stressed that in dealing with foreign affairs, China always sticks to principles and never makes any deal. "We will take our position on an issue on its own merits," he said, adding that China has always insisted on establishing a peace mechanism along with denuclearization of Korean Peninsula as the right direction in resolving the nuclear issue of the Peninsula. The initiative also suits the common interests of international community, including the United States and the DPRK. China will stick to this basic principle, the state councilor said. ^ top ^
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| Mongolia |
Shiveekhuren-Ceke railway to be commissioned in 2019 (Gogo)
2018-08-02
During its regular session on August 1, the Cabinet instructed relevant ministers to take measures concerning the construction of the 13 kilometer Shiveekhuren-Ceke port railway to be completed by the end of 2019. It was decided that structural construction of the port railway will begin in the third quarter of 2018. Officials hope that the railway will create new opportunities to export mining products from Nariinsukhait as port entry capacity will increase three-fold and transportation cost will decrease. Currently, coal trucks transport 10 million to 15 million tons of coal through the port annually. It is predicted that this number will rise to 25 million tons once the railway is opened. ^ top ^
Statement of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hami Akcoy in response to a question regarding news about FETO structures in Mongolia (Gogo)
2018-07-31
FETÖ terrorist organization has a large presence in Mongolia, posing a danger to the Mongolian national security, as well. We have conveyed our serious concerns and expectations to the Mongolian authorities concerning this issue, time and again. We rightfully expect that FETÖ members be brought to justice. Yet, it is up to the Mongolian government to decide on the course of action against FETÖ in Mongolia. Turkey never interferes with the internal security measures of other countries. Therefore, we are deeply resentful that the developments on Friday in Mongolia were presented as an abduction operation. Such allegations are totally unfounded and therefore we reject them. The Ambassador of Mongolia in Ankara was summoned to the Ministry on Friday, informed about these facts and the handling of the case by the Mongolian authorities has been strongly protested. The recent smearing campaign conducted by FETÖ in Mongolia should be a wake up call for our Mongolian friends, demonstrating their capacity to fabricate lies, and to manipulate and influence the public. We expect Mongolian authorities to take the necessary steps against this terrorist structure and its extensions in Mongolia. ^ top ^
Turkey denies reports on 'abduction of FETÖ member' in Mongolia (Hürriyet)
2018-07-31
Turkey on July 30 refuted allegations that there was an attempt to kidnap a Turkish national with alleged links to the Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) in Mongolia. Media outlets had speculated last week that Veysel Akçay, who allegedly managed FETÖ's school network in Mongolia, was apprehended by members of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) with the help of the Mongolian intelligence and taken to an airport in Ulaanbaatar to be transferred to Turkey. According to media reports, the Mongolian authorities, however, grounded the plane for several hours. The fate of the FETÖ suspect was unknown. "Turkey never interferes with the internal security measures of other countries," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said in a written statement. "Therefore, we are deeply resentful that the developments on July 27 in Mongolia were presented as an abduction operation. Such allegations are totally unfounded and therefore we reject them," Aksoy added. "FETÖ has a large presence in Mongolia, posing a danger to the Mongolian national security, as well. We have conveyed our serious concerns and expectations to the Mongolian authorities concerning this issue, time and again," the spokesman added. Turkey rightfully expects that FETÖ members be brought to justice, yet, it is up to the Mongolian government to decide on the course of action against FETÖ in Mongolia, according to Aksoy. The ambassador of Mongolia in Ankara was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on July 28. "The ambassador was informed about these facts and the handling of the case by the Mongolian authorities was strongly protested," Aksoy said. The followers of U.S-based Fethullah Gülen, the leader of the Gülen movement, are widely believed to have carried out the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which left 250 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured. ^ top ^
MoU on work and holiday visa arrangement to be established with Australia (Montsame)
2018-08-01
During its regular meeting on August 1, the Cabinet backed a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Mongolia and Australia on a Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement. The MoU asserts about the issuance of the visa, entry, stay and working condition, removal, suspension and dispute resolution. An applicant to the visa shall hold tertiary qualifications, or have successfully completed at least two years of undergraduate university study, qualify 4.5 scores of IELTS and have onward ticket and possess sufficient funds for personal support for the purposes of the proposed period of work and holiday in Australia. ^ top ^
Mongolia and Hungary to intensify renovation project of BioKombinat (Montsame)
2018-07-31
On July 31, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Light Industry B.Batzorig received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Mongolia Mihaly Galosfai and Head of Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Adam Szucs. At the meeting, the sides focused on renovation project of BioKombinat State-owned Company which was re-established with economic and technical assistance of Hungary in 1973. Mongolian and Hungarian professionals had worked together in BioKombinat and since 1990, Mongolian national professionals and specialized workers have been working there and producing bio preparations for domestic use. The sides established a memorandum of understanding to urgently launch construction work of BioKombinat extension with a soft loan of USD 25 million from the Hungarian Government. Construction work of BioKombinat extension is planned to complete within 1-2 years. The new factory will have a capacity of producing 15-20 million doses of freeze dried and 10-15 million doses of liquid vaccines, and a laboratory in which vaccines to be examined at international standard level. Thanks to the extension, Mongolia will be able to produce vaccines for cattle plague, small pox and other animal virus infections. and ensure domestic demands as well as control diseases. Minister B.Batzorig noted, "Mongolia imports vaccines from Russian Federation and third neighbor countries when contagious animal diseases spread, as we cannot meet the local demand with domestic production. It is essential for Mongolia to produce vaccines that meet the international standards and ensure domestic demand. We are happy that renovation project of BioKombinat is to be realized with a soft loan of USD 25 million from the Hungarian Government". He also emphasized that two countries have great potentials to cooperate in animal husbandry, light industry and SMEs. ^ top ^
Deputy Minister B.Battsetseg calls urgent meeting with Turkish diplomat (Montsame)
2018-07-27
In connection with the information on abduction of Veysel Akcay, a Turkish national and current Director of the Mongolia-Turkish Joint school, by anonymous people in the morning of 27 July 2018, following the directives given by the Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia has taken immediate measures and working with local authorities. The Deputy Foreign Minister B.Batsetseg met a diplomat from the Turkish Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and stated that if the news of abduction is true then it is an unacceptable act of violation of Mongolia's sovereignty and independence and Mongolia will strongly object it. The Turkish diplomat reaffirmed that the Republic of Turkey respects the independence and sovereignty of Mongolia, and any illegal activities, including the abduction of persons, have not been conducted on the territory of Mongolia, and conveyed the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's request to have a phone call with Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar on this matter. Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar expressed readiness to talk on this matter. During a phone call with the Deputy Foreign Minister B.Batsetseg, Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Yazal, who is currently working in the countryside, has also reaffirmed aforementioned position. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the relevant authorities to hold a Turkish charter flight aircraft, currently landed at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport, until the matter is resolved. In addition, a working group led by the Deputy Foreign Minister B.Batsetseg has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the directive given by the Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar. ^ top ^
Minister D.Sumiyabazar receives representatives from China Energy Group (Gogo)
2018-07-26
On July 23, Minister of Mining, Infrastructure and Heavy Industry D.Sumiyabazar received representatives from China Energy Group. Last June, Parliament adopted Resolution No.73 on intensifying the economic circulation of the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine. As set out in the resolution, 30 percent of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi shares will be traded on the MSE and international stock markets, and infrastructure issues are to be resolved quickly. The China Energy Group delegation received detailed information regarding the parliamentary resolution and exchanged views about cooperating on infrastructure projects. ^ top ^
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Selina Morell
Embassy of Switzerland
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The Press review is a random selection
of political and social related news gathered from various media
and news services located in the PRC, edited or translated by
the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and distributed among Swiss
Government Offices. The Embassy does not accept responsibility
for accuracy of quotes or truthfulness of content. Additionally
the contents of the selected news mustn't correspond to the opinion
of the Embassy.
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