Your irregular China round-up

[hirley0]

Yeah i think the 12 yeat Chinese ROUND{Astrology
has as much relevance as the 12 Month Middle Eastern thoughts
about what the future holds & Although i AM not sure
As i recall this is the year of the dragon |=| Beware October ?
Or was it Augest?/?   /-/

As far as -Mail, my pdx.edu account has been turned off
i cant find the gals e-m on the web or i would write
3? i DO hope they{ the Chinese devise an OS | 4 usb  | no Hd

[Cain]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/world/asia/bo-xilai-said-to-have-spied-on-top-china-officials.html

One political analyst with senior-level ties, citing information obtained from a colonel he recently dined with, said Mr. Bo had tried to tap the phones of virtually all high-ranking leaders who visited Chongqing in recent years, including Zhou Yongkang, the law-and-order czar who was said to have backed Mr. Bo as his potential successor. “Bo wanted to be extremely clear about what leaders’ attitudes toward him were,” the analyst said.

Tapping Zhou Yongkang is essentially the equivalent of tapping the Director of National Intelligence would be in the United States...if that's true, no wonder the Politburo wanted him done in.

Also note the mention of Fang Binxing.  You may know him as the man who invented the Great Firewall of China.

China has a highly sophisticated information operations system - far more so than almost any other country in the world.  The Great Firewall is not your average DNS-blacklisting method, far from it.  It's also allied with PR firms, the Ministry of Information, the police, large website owners, moderators, China's infamous troll army etc

A suspicious person might think that Bo or a network involving him was trying to usurp the control of information flow in Chinese society.  And the CCP thrive precisely because they consider every possible scenario, and act accordingly.

[Cain]

It's been all but confirmed that Bo Xilai was on the shortlist for a CPC ruling seat before the crisis that deposed him.

In other news

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/11/world/asia/chinas-unique-economic-model-gets-new-scrutiny.html?hp&pagewanted=all

After the economies of Western nations imploded in late 2008, Chinese leaders began boasting of their nation’s supremacy. Talk spread, not only in China but also across the West, of the advantages of the so-called China model — a vaguely defined combination of authoritarian politics and state-driven capitalism — that was to be the guiding light for this century.

But now, with the recent political upheavals, and a growing number of influential voices demanding a resurrection of freer economic policies, it appears that the sense of triumphalism was, at best, premature, and perhaps seriously misguided. Chinese leaders are grappling with a range of uncertainties, from the once-a-decade leadership transition this year that has been marred by a seismic political scandal, to a slowdown of growth in an economy in which deeply entrenched state-owned enterprises and their political patrons have hobbled market forces and private entrepreneurship.

“Many economic problems that we face are actually political problems in disguise, such as the nature of the economy, the nature of the ownership system in the country and groups of vested interests,” said Zhang Ming, a political scientist at Renmin University in Beijing. “The problems are so serious that they have to be solved now and can no longer be put off.” 

Clyde Prestowitz does an analysis on what the Chen Guangcheng debacle actually accomplished

http://prestowitz.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/05/08/double_debacle_in_beijing

What is clear is that a great sigh of relief went up from the U.S. delegation when the Chinese proceeded to move ahead with the Strategic and Economic Dialogue on schedule. There had been concern that they might postpone or call the whole thing off in response to the U.S. handling of Chen.

Perhaps out of gratitude and certainly to prove to themselves that it had all been worth the effort, the U.S. team then proceeded to present the Dialogue as an outstanding success -- one obviously worth the ambiguity with Chen.

So of what did all this success consist? According to the Wall Street Journal, China agreed to consider making changes to boost domestic consumption, to rely more on domestic consumption than investment or exports for growth, to boost dividends paid by state owned companies to the national treasury to support social spending that arguably will enable Chinese consumers to spend more of their earnings instead of saving, and slightly open the Chinese economy to additional competition.

For instance, foreign financial firms will now be allowed to increase their stake in Chinese firms to a maximum of 49 percent from the current 33 percent. There was also agreement to consider reducing some of the favorable export financing provided to Chinese exporters and thereby bring China's practice into conformity with global standards. China will also give consideration to removing or reducing advantageous financial and regulatory standards for state owned enterprises. And, although there was no Chinese commitment of any kind on currency valuation, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner could not repress the urge to point out that the yuan has appreciated by 13 percent in real terms over the past two years.

Some of this may indeed be useful, although Chinese and American analysts differ about the likely effects. Americans think increased Chinese consumption will boost U.S. exports and jobs. The Chinese don't believe that but think the increased consumption might make for more balanced and stable domestic growth. But in any case none of it is game changing in the least, partly because, as the Journal's Bob Davis was quick to note, none of the agreements to consider doing various things are at all binding on Beijing, or the United States for that matter.

More important, however, are the questions of framework, direction, and impact on long term wealth creation and power. Clinton could not repress a telling burst of clichés. "Our countries," she said, "have become thoroughly, inescapably interdependent." And, "the United States believes that a thriving China is good for America, and a thriving America is good for China."

I guess, she has to say that, but why does she particularly want to celebrate this interdependence? China is clearly doing its best to become less interdependent. And is it true that a thriving China is good for America and vice versa? Well, it may or may not be true. It depends on circumstances. And Clinton's job is quintessentially to assure that circumstances in China are favorable to making America thrive and perhaps making America less interdependent.

At the moment, the circumstances are such that most of the incentives in the U.S. -China relationship are to move the production of tradable goods and the provision of tradable services and the related jobs out of the United States to China. Under those circumstances a thriving China does not necessarily result in a thriving America. What are those incentives? Regardless of Geithner's praise of the revaluation of the yuan in real terms, it is still undervalued. Moreover, the markets know that the Chinese can and will increase the undervaluation whenever it suits them.

So the initiative and the dynamics are with China. Investment incentives of both the financial and administrative guidance type are set in a pro-China anti-America direction. In many industries like avionics and aerospace, it is clear to market players that if they want to sell in China they will need to produce in China because of both overt and covert Buy China policies and attitudes. By the same token, it is also the case that China provides very aggressive tax, investment grant, and other financial investment incentives that are usually unmatched by the United States. The use by China of Value Added Taxes combined with their non-existence in the United States is a powerful incentive to move production to China.

Until these fundamental factors change, no amount of agreements to consider having state owned enterprises pay more dividends to the Chinese national treasury and to allow foreign financial firms to invest up to 49 percent in Chinese firms is going to change any important trajectories. In particular, they will not change the trajectory of loss of American wealth producing capability and global influence.

Not only have our "top diplomats" led by Clinton given us a feckless performance in Beijing. They are leading to nowhere in particular. They are captives of the status quo, of slogans and shibboleths and the march of events. No one is thinking. They're all too busy doing Dialogues.

[Cain]

Interesting.  Bo Xilai's fall means that China appears to be allowing much greater discussion about the negative aspects of the Cultural Revolution - Bo being on the left of the CPC meant he thought it was great, and made constant reference to it.  Interesting way of delegitimizing Bo without being explicit about it.

[Cain]

Suicide bombing in China

http://english.caixin.com/2012-05-14/100390024.html

On the day of the blast, both state-run national and local media reported that a local woman carrying her one-year-old son detonated explosives at the meeting after failing to reach an agreement with officials over forced evictions and relocation plans.

A reporter with the Kunming-based Spring City Evening News, Huang Xingneng, wrote on his microblogging account May 10, "Witnesses at the explosion site said they saw a woman ignite explosives after she was told her family would not be given compensation for her demolished home."

[Doktor Howl]

Suicide bombing in China

http://english.caixin.com/2012-05-14/100390024.html

On the day of the blast, both state-run national and local media reported that a local woman carrying her one-year-old son detonated explosives at the meeting after failing to reach an agreement with officials over forced evictions and relocation plans.

A reporter with the Kunming-based Spring City Evening News, Huang Xingneng, wrote on his microblogging account May 10, "Witnesses at the explosion site said they saw a woman ignite explosives after she was told her family would not be given compensation for her demolished home."

You can only push people so far.

[Cain]

More proof of Chinese developement

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/05/18/state-tv-host-offers-advice-on-how-to-throw-out-foreign-trash/

The Public Security Bureau wants to clean out the foreign trash: To arrest foreign thugs and protect innocent girls, they need to concentrate on the disaster zones in [student district] Wudaokou and [drinking district] Sanlitun. Cut off the foreign snake heads. People who can’t find jobs in the U.S. and Europe come to China to grab our money, engage in human trafficking and spread deceitful lies to encourage emigration. Foreign spies seek out Chinese girls to mask their espionage and pretend to be tourists while compiling maps and GPS data for Japan, Korea and the West. We kicked out that foreign bitch and closed Al-Jazeera’s Beijing bureau. We should shut up those who demonize China and send them packing.

It seems to me at least that every advanced country has a core of reactionary media blowhards who hate foreigners.  Admittedly, his delivery is a bit rough around the edges, but this is new territory for China, it's going to take time for these things to become more polished and smooth.

[Doktor Howl]

More proof of Chinese developement

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/05/18/state-tv-host-offers-advice-on-how-to-throw-out-foreign-trash/

The Public Security Bureau wants to clean out the foreign trash: To arrest foreign thugs and protect innocent girls, they need to concentrate on the disaster zones in [student district] Wudaokou and [drinking district] Sanlitun. Cut off the foreign snake heads. People who can’t find jobs in the U.S. and Europe come to China to grab our money, engage in human trafficking and spread deceitful lies to encourage emigration. Foreign spies seek out Chinese girls to mask their espionage and pretend to be tourists while compiling maps and GPS data for Japan, Korea and the West. We kicked out that foreign bitch and closed Al-Jazeera’s Beijing bureau. We should shut up those who demonize China and send them packing.

It seems to me at least that every advanced country has a core of reactionary media blowhards who hate foreigners.  Admittedly, his delivery is a bit rough around the edges, but this is new territory for China, it's going to take time for these things to become more polished and smooth.

 

Has anyone seen Enrico?

[stelz]

More proof of Chinese developement

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/05/18/state-tv-host-offers-advice-on-how-to-throw-out-foreign-trash/

The Public Security Bureau wants to clean out the foreign trash: To arrest foreign thugs and protect innocent girls, they need to concentrate on the disaster zones in [student district] Wudaokou and [drinking district] Sanlitun. Cut off the foreign snake heads. People who can’t find jobs in the U.S. and Europe come to China to grab our money, engage in human trafficking and spread deceitful lies to encourage emigration. Foreign spies seek out Chinese girls to mask their espionage and pretend to be tourists while compiling maps and GPS data for Japan, Korea and the West. We kicked out that foreign bitch and closed Al-Jazeera’s Beijing bureau. We should shut up those who demonize China and send them packing.

It seems to me at least that every advanced country has a core of reactionary media blowhards who hate foreigners.  Admittedly, his delivery is a bit rough around the edges, but this is new territory for China, it's going to take time for these things to become more polished and smooth.

 

Has anyone seen Enrico?

[Prince Glittersnatch III]

More proof of Chinese developement

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/05/18/state-tv-host-offers-advice-on-how-to-throw-out-foreign-trash/

The Public Security Bureau wants to clean out the foreign trash: To arrest foreign thugs and protect innocent girls, they need to concentrate on the disaster zones in [student district] Wudaokou and [drinking district] Sanlitun. Cut off the foreign snake heads. People who can’t find jobs in the U.S. and Europe come to China to grab our money, engage in human trafficking and spread deceitful lies to encourage emigration. Foreign spies seek out Chinese girls to mask their espionage and pretend to be tourists while compiling maps and GPS data for Japan, Korea and the West. We kicked out that foreign bitch and closed Al-Jazeera’s Beijing bureau. We should shut up those who demonize China and send them packing.

It seems to me at least that every advanced country has a core of reactionary media blowhards who hate foreigners.  Admittedly, his delivery is a bit rough around the edges, but this is new territory for China, it's going to take time for these things to become more polished and smooth.

For a first time gig this shows a lot of promise. He managed to combine the "stealing our women" meme with the "commiecapitalist infiltrator" meme.

[Doktor Howl]

More proof of Chinese developement

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/05/18/state-tv-host-offers-advice-on-how-to-throw-out-foreign-trash/

The Public Security Bureau wants to clean out the foreign trash: To arrest foreign thugs and protect innocent girls, they need to concentrate on the disaster zones in [student district] Wudaokou and [drinking district] Sanlitun. Cut off the foreign snake heads. People who can’t find jobs in the U.S. and Europe come to China to grab our money, engage in human trafficking and spread deceitful lies to encourage emigration. Foreign spies seek out Chinese girls to mask their espionage and pretend to be tourists while compiling maps and GPS data for Japan, Korea and the West. We kicked out that foreign bitch and closed Al-Jazeera’s Beijing bureau. We should shut up those who demonize China and send them packing.

It seems to me at least that every advanced country has a core of reactionary media blowhards who hate foreigners.  Admittedly, his delivery is a bit rough around the edges, but this is new territory for China, it's going to take time for these things to become more polished and smooth.

For a first time gig this shows a lot of promise. He managed to combine the "stealing our women" meme with the "commiecapitalist infiltrator" meme.

He seems to have a firm grasp of the basics, yes. 

[Cain]

Part-time jobs going in China for tall, white, male, Jewish, Harvard-educated fluent Mandarin speakers.

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/05/23/the_worlds_most_racist_job_ad

I hope all is going well with you. The reason I'm contacting you is because today I had a meeting with a contact of mine (deleted) who asked me for some assistance in finding people for some part-time work in Beijing. Essentially they are in the business of (deleted.) They are looking for some Americans to act as assistants in meetings with potential investors, and essentially act as the "white face" to give some more credibility to the project. He said it would need assistance for about 3-4 meetings per month, maybe more, maybe less - it all depends on how the business goes. Of course this will be a paid job, but I have not discussed any payment amount or payment terms so you would have to negotiate that yourself. 

The first requirement of the job is that you must be an advanced Mandarin Chinese speaker, since the meetings will all be with Chinese people. Also men only, no females. The other requirement is that you must have some sort of background that Chinese people typically value. My contact is (deleted) and is slightly obsessed with Jewish people and thinks they are the smartest, so he naturally prefers this person to be Jewish. If he can't get someone Jewish, he would also like someone who went to a famous university -- Harvard, Yale, etc. Besides those 2 qualifications, I'm sure he'd be happy with someone who has some sort of connection to someone famous or important, or maybe someone who is really tall and handsome. Basically any characteristic that Chinese people are impressed by - he is looking for in this person. Of course it wouldn't hurt if this person was good-looking, well-dressed, etc. - I think you can get it.  (deleted).

[hirley0]

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/05/22/world_of_fakes


Yeah, new 21St cent song writers have a place to stand!


C.H.2ch4-  

[Cain]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cef3a89a-a9a9-11e1-a6a7-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1wJ96ki3t

“Around 1,000 migrant workers rushed the government office building, turning over an iron fence gate and damaging over a dozen cars with stones and bricks,” Xinhua’s English language report said.

“Local government sources said the protest was sparked by the death of 19-year-old migrant worker Yang Zhi, allegedly killed by his employer Xu Qiyin during a dispute over salary,” it said.

The protest ended just before midday after the family of the dead man was given 300,000 yuan ($47,300) in compensation, Xinhua said.

The usual Chinese construction sham is "payment upon completion", which usually involves being jumped by the hired goons of the employer on the way to pick up your wages.

Instead of doing that, the workers banded together and put pressure on the local government to initiate the change they wanted.  Smart, and political.

[Cain]

Gu Kailai's trial for the killing of British businessman Neil Heywood is over.

According to a court official, she did not deny the charges.

My personal belief is, regardless of who killed Heywood, Kailai is being used as a stand-in for Bo.  The Chinese government has a strict no bloodshed rule within its own top ranks, because...well, look at how bloody things were when there was no rule like that.  That means executing Bo Xilai is a no-go, even if he was attempting to usurp China's strategic information management infrastructure for his own ends, as I speculated above.

But you can't just let people off that easy.  There needs to be some deterrent.  So executing Kailai will send a suitable warning to all the other Ambitious Young Things who want to play at subterfuge: if you get caught, your family will suffer the consequences.

Now, we don't know for sure what verdict the court will pass.  But given how Kailai has been villified in the press and on the internet, her prospects do not look good.