China alert | CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

13/07/2012

* Chinese couple paid for forced abortion

UPI: “A Chinese couple forced to abort their child at seven months in early June was paid an $11,200 settlement by the local government Wednesday.

Deng Jiyuan said the government agreed to pay $11,200 after already firing two officials, sanctioning five officials and issuing a former apology for forcing Deng’s wife, Feng Jianmei, to have an abortion when she was seven months pregnant, The New York Times reported.

Feng was forced to abort her second child because China limits families to one child per household. Deng could not afford to pay the fine for having a second child, so the government forced Feng to abort her child.

A picture of Feng next to the aborted fetus circulated through the Internet in China, prompting the government to respond.

“We want to return to our home and move on with our life, ” Deng said. “This was a tragedy but life has to continue.””

via Chinese couple paid for forced abortion – UPI.com.

$11,200 may not seem like much for a life. But note that this is the first publicly recorded compensation for such an act. It is the first step towards righting a historic wrong.

* China condemns new massacre in Syria

Xinhua: “China on Friday strongly condemned the massacre in Syria’s Hama region on Thursday, which caused the death of more than 200 Syrians, mostly civilians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the massacre.

Syria’s state TV said Thursday that armed groups committed a massacre in al-Traimseh of central Hama province in order to frame Syrian troops, as activists alleged that at least 200 people had been killed in the town.

“China has always strongly denounced actions that harm innocent civilians,” said Liu, calling on concerned Syrian parties to take concrete measures and fulfill their commitment to cease violence as soon as possible.

Ministers attending the Action Group meeting on Syria that concluded in Geneva on June 30 agreed to establish principles and guidelines to usher the way for a Syrian-led transition.

A joint communique issued after the meeting said that the global community wished to see “an end to the violence and human rights abuses” and that the Syrian people had the right to “independently and democratically determine their own future.””

via China condemns new massacre in Syria – Xinhua | English.news.cn.

China is gradually taking a hard line and moving towards a Western position and away from the Russian one.

Posted in China alert, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Action Group, China, Hama, human rights abuses, middle-east, politics, Syria, Syrian people

13/07/2012

* SE Asia meeting in disarray over sea dispute with China

Reuters: “Southeast Asian nations have failed to reach agreement on a maritime dispute involving China, ending a foreign ministers’ summit in disarray after Beijing appeared to split the 10 countries over the contentious issue.

The Philippines said in a statement on Friday that it “deplores” the failure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit to address the worsening row, and criticized Cambodia in unusually strong language for its handling of the issue.

China has been accused of using its heavy influence over summit chair Cambodia and several other ASEAN members to block regional-level discussions on the issue and attempts to agree a binding maritime Code of Conduct.

The Philippines said it took “strong exception” to Cambodia’s statement that the non-issuance of a communiqué was due to “bilateral conflict between some ASEAN member states and a neighboring country”.

It said it had only requested that the communiqué mention the recent standoff between Chinese and Philippine ships at the Scarborough Shoal, a horseshoe-shaped reef in waters that both countries claim.

“The Chair has consistently opposed any mention of the Scarborough Shoal at all in the Joint Communiqué and today announced that a Joint Communiqué ‘cannot be issued’,” the Philippine statement said.

The failure to issue a joint statement marks a sharp deterioration in efforts to cool tensions following recent incidents of naval brinkmanship over the oil-rich waters.

China, whose trade and investment ties with Cambodia have surged in recent years, has warned that “external forces” should not get involved in the dispute. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claim to parts of the South China Sea.”

via SE Asia meeting in disarray over sea dispute with China | Reuters.

Despite good intentions, territorial imperatives overcame desire for resolution.

See also: China’s external tensions

Posted in China alert, History, Politics, Territorial dispute | Leave a Comment »

Tags: ASEAN, Beijing, Cambodia, China, Philippine, politics, Scarborough Shoal, Southeast Asia

11/07/2012

* Socialist market economy turning point for China

Xinhua: “Good education, housing, medical care and insurance are within the reach of more Chinese since the adoption of a market economy, according to a Tuesday commentary in the People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The formation and improvement of China’s socialist market economy has reshaped the lives of 1.3 billion people and exerted an influence on the future of the whole world, wrote Ren Zhongping.

In the past 20 years, the most populous nation has become the world’s second-largest economy and has stood among middle-income countries in terms of its per capita gross domestic product, Ren said.

China turned itself from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market and became the world’s biggest exporter and a member of the World Trade Organization, Ren said.

At the beginning, China’s transformation faced many obstacles, including domestic prejudice and doubts of foreign countries, Ren said.

However, the “China miracle” surprised everyone, Ren wrote.

“It is said that everything happened in the past 20 years could not be planned in any plan,” Ren said.

Focusing on developing productivity, adhering to the common development of public-owned and private economies and integrating market allocation with the government regulation helped make China successful, Ren said.

However, the problems that have emerged after development are no smaller than those that existed before China’s prosperity, Ren said.

It’s imperative to enhance the quality of economic development, eliminate factors that hamper economic growth mode and smash the administrative monopoly so as to further free development of the private economy, Ren said.

The author called for a sound insurance system that can relieve social anxiety and narrow the income gap, as well as stark government reforms.

Unswerving reform is the only way to realize the goal of “establishing a sound social market economic system by 2020,” Ren said.

Changing China’s economic growth mode, promoting transformation of government functions and boosting equality in public services will allow China to shoulder a sea of challenges both now and in the future, Ren wrote.”

via Socialist market economy turning point for China: People’s Daily – Xinhua | English.news.cn.

A fair summary of the past 20 years and a good prognostication of the next twenty.

Related articles

https://chindia-alert.org/prognosis/
China’s Party approved version of history part 3 – “Socialism is the only way to save China” (seeingredinchina.com)
China pledges more support for small, micro-sized firms – Xinhua | English.news.cn (chindia-alert.org)
China’s economic success sets an example to the rest of the world | John Ross (guardian.co.uk)

China’s economic success sets an example to the rest of the world | John Ross (guardian.co.uk)

Posted in Affluence, China alert, Economics, Market economy, Reform, Socialism | Leave a Comment »

Tags: China, communist party of china, Economic growth, economy, Market economy, Socialist market economy, World Trade Organization

11/07/2012

* Ordination of Bishops Increases Tensions Between China and Vatican

NY Times: “In a sign of rising tensions between the Vatican and China, authorities in recent days have ordained one Catholic bishop without Rome’s consent and detained another after he made a dramatic break with the country’s Communist-run religious hierarchy.

On Friday, government officials organized the consecration of the Rev. Joseph Yue Fusheng as bishop in the northern city of Harbin. Bishop Yue’s nomination had not been approved by the Vatican, and reports said bishops loyal to the Vatican were forced to participate — a common practice meant to give Beijing-appointed bishops legitimacy in the eyes of local believers. The Vatican immediately excommunicated him.

Then, on Saturday in Shanghai, the most important city for China’s Catholics, the Rev. Thaddeus Ma Daqin, a man widely seen as acceptable to both Beijing and Rome, was consecrated as auxiliary bishop, which would put him in line to succeed Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian, 95, who had been approved by both Beijing and Rome.

But Bishop Ma stunned hundreds of worshipers in the city’s Cathedral of St. Ignatius by announcing that he would no longer work for the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, the government-run body that oversees Catholics in China.

“In the light of the teaching of our mother church, as I now serve as a bishop, I should focus on pastoral work and evangelization,” Bishop Ma told the crowded church. “Therefore, from this day of consecration, it will no longer be convenient for me to be a member of the patriotic association.”

The announcement, captured on video and posted on foreign and Chinese Web sites, was met with sustained applause from the congregation.

Bishop Ma’s fate is unclear. Catholic Church members in Shanghai said he did not lead Mass on Sunday as scheduled. They say he was taken away after the service and is being held at the Sheshan Catholic seminary, on the outskirts of Shanghai.”

via Ordination of Bishops Increases Tensions Between China and Vatican – NYTimes.com.

In terms of reform and liberalisation and so forth, China often takes two steps forward and one step back. This series of confrontations with the Vatican can be seen by many to be one of its backward steps.

See also: Chinese Christians

Posted in China alert, religion, Social & cultural | 3 Comments »

Tags: Beijing, Bishop, Catholic Church, catholic seminary, China, Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, Human rights, religion, religious hierarchy, Rome

11/07/2012

* China opens door to foreign hedge funds

FT: “China has given foreign hedge funds permission to tap its wealthy citizens inside the country for funds to invest overseas, according to people in the industry.

The move represents another important step by China to open its capital account – a process that involves dismantling regulations separating China from international markets.

The pace of these reforms has picked up over the past year with a flurry of small initiatives, but the hedge fund move would be among the boldest. As well as creating a new channel for domestic capital to flow abroad, it would give Chinese institutions access to alternative investment strategies – from short positions to arbitrage – which they have lacked.

The reform, called the Qualified Domestic Limited Partner programme, invites hedge funds to apply for licenses to register in Shanghai, two people said. One person said that only the world’s biggest hedge funds, with at least $10bn assets under management, would be allowed to participate at first.”

via China opens door to foreign hedge funds – FT.com.

Posted in China alert, Economics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: alternative investment strategies, Capital account, China, Funds, Hedge fund, Investing, wealthy citizens

10/07/2012

It is only natural that the world’s number two in GDP should sooner rather than later take number two spot in Fortune 500.

Tags: Fortune 500, GDP, Gross domestic product, United States

10/07/2012

* 5m greener vehicles on the Chinese streets by 2020

China Daily: “China has set a target of producing and selling 500,000 energy-efficient and alternative-energy vehicles a year by 2015, and five million vehicles by 2020.

The blueprint, announced by the State Council on Monday, has outlined generous subsidies to consumers and producers of the new generation of greener vehicles, as it aims to ease the country’s heavy dependence on imported oil, cut emissions, and speed up the restructuring of its automobile sector into a more environmentally sustainable model.

According to the details, there will be heavy government investment in the core technology needed to build a strong and globally competitive new-energy vehicle industry.

The short-term emphasis will be on developing pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as wider usage of hybrid vehicles and energy-saving combustion engine automobiles.

The world’s largest auto market has set an accumulated production and sales target of 500,000 units of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015, and that will be increased tenfold to more than 5 million units by 2020.”

via 5m greener vehicles on the streets by 2020 |Economy |chinadaily.com.cn.

Continuing on the path to a ‘greener’ China – https://chindia-alert.org/economic-factors/greening-of-china/

China Adopts Energy Saving And Green Car Industry Plan (earthtechling.com)

Posted in China alert, Economics, Good news, Green, Manufacturing, Sustainable development | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Automobile, Automotive industry, cars, China, Electric vehicle, Energy conservation, environment, Hybrid vehicle, Plug-in hybrid, State Council of the People's Republic of China, transportation

10/07/2012

* New rule to rein in Chinese govt spending

China Daily: “Officials face removal from their posts if they are found overspending on vehicles, receptions and overseas trips, according to new regulation released on Monday.

The regulation issued by the State Council are the first legal documents that ask authorities above county level to include spending on the three items in budgets. The rules will take effect from Oct 1.

The regulation is the latest in a series of moves the central government has taken in recent years to promote transparency and fight abuse of taxpayers’ money amid public complaints.”

via New rule to rein in govt spending |Politics |chinadaily.com.cn.

More and more steps are being taken to rein in excesses of party cadres and officials. Is this because of the 10-year leadership change or a desire to be more retrained with the public becoming more aware and assertive?

Tags: Economic, economy, Government, Regulation, State Council, State Council of the People's Republic of China

10/07/2012

* Chinese Firm Pursues Hawker

WSJ: “A Chinese bidder is in advanced talks to buy the bulk of aerospace company Hawker Beechcraft Inc.’s businesses for $1.79 billion, an approach that could raise political concerns given U.S. sensitivities about previous Chinese attempts to buy American assets.

Superior Aviation Beijing Co. will have an exclusive right for 45 days to negotiate to buy Hawker’s corporate jet and propeller plane operations, the U.S. company said. If a deal is reached, Superior would serve as the opening bidder in a bankruptcy auction in which other suitors could try to top its offer.

Hawker Beechcraft filed for bankruptcy protection in May. Above, an employee shown last year working on a jet at its Wichita, Kan., plant.

Superior, which has ownership ties to Beijing’s municipal government, won’t be bidding on Hawker’s defense unit because of potential U.S. national-security concerns about foreign purchases of such assets.

Hawker’s defense business houses military technology and sells military training and light attack aircraft to U.S. and foreign governments. The business, called Hawker Beechcraft Defense Co., will continue to operate and could later be sold separately. If sold, Hawker said, the company would refund as much as $400 million of Superior’s $1.79 billion purchase price.

A winning bid by Superior would further the ambitions of China’s aerospace industry to move deeper into jet production, as well as give Superior itself a bigger role in the industry. Makers of small aircraft have been looking to China recently as a key source of demand as the market for business jets shrinks.”

via Chinese Firm Pursues Hawker – WSJ.com.

This is in line with our analysis of Chinese acquisitions: https://chindia-alert.org/2012/02/13/pattern-of-chinese-overseas-investments/

Posted in Aerospace, China alert, Economics, Investment in tangibles, Manufacturing | Leave a Comment »

Tags: aviation, Beijing, Business jet, China, Hawker, Hawker Beechcraft, light attack aircraft, national security concerns, propeller plane, Superior, transportation

CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

Chindia Alert: You’ll be Living in their World Very Soon

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* China condemns new massacre in Syria

* SE Asia meeting in disarray over sea dispute with China

* Socialist market economy turning point for China

* China opens door to foreign hedge funds

* 5m greener vehicles on the Chinese streets by 2020

* New rule to rein in Chinese govt spending

* Chinese Firm Pursues Hawker

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