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

12/11/2013

China vows ‘decisive’ role for markets, results by 2020 | Reuters

China\’s leaders pledged to let markets play a \”decisive\” role in the economy as they unveiled a reform agenda for the next decade on Tuesday, looking to secure new drivers of future growth.

A worker wields a hammer at a demolition site in front of new residential buildings in Hefei, Anhui province, October 19, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer

China aims to achieve \”decisive results\” in its reform push by 2020, with economic changes in focus, the ruling Communist Party said in a communiqué released by state media at the end of a four-day conclave of its 205-member Central Committee.

The self-imposed deadline for progress – rare for Beijing to lay out in such clear terms – together with the creation of a top-level working group and an emphasis on \”top-level design\”, suggest a more decisive reform push by the administration of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang than under the previous leadership.

They must unleash new sources of growth as the economy, after three decades of breakneck expansion, begins to sputter, burdened by industrial overcapacity, piles of debt and eroding competitiveness.

\”You should look back in history. When Deng Xiaoping started the reform and opening movement, he actually did something very similar in nature, creating a very powerful working group,\” said Steve Wang, China chief economist with The Reorient Group in Hong Kong.

\”These guys report direct into the power center of the Communist Party. This is definitely not something to be looked at as another layer of bureaucracy, this is something to speed things up, to make things more efficient.\”

The leaders also set up a state committee to improve security as Beijing seeks to tackle growing social unrest and unify the powers of a disparate security apparatus in the face of growing challenges at home and abroad.

While the statement was short on details, which prompted disappointment on social media, it is expected to kick off specific measures by state agencies over the coming years to gradually reduce the role of the state in the economy.

Historically, such third plenary sessions of a newly installed Central Committee have acted as a springboard for key economic reforms, and the follow-up to this meeting will serve as a first test of the new leadership\’s commitment to reform.

via China vows ‘decisive’ role for markets, results by 2020 | Reuters.

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

Tags: Beijing, Central Committee, China, Communist Party, Deng Xiaoping, Hong Kong, Li Keqiang, Xi JinPing

01/08/2013

China treads cautiously to rebalance economy

Xinhua: “Despite all the heightened attention and occasional panic over China’s economic health, authorities in the world’s second-largest economy have so far remained confident of its ongoing rebalancing act.

On Tuesday, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee pledged at a meeting to keep the economy growing steadily in the second half of this year, while promising to fine-tune policies when necessary.

“The macro policy should be stable, the micro policy should be flexible and the social policy should support the bottom line. All of them should be coordinated,” read the statement released after the meeting.

The comments were seen as a reaffirmation that a stable environment is necessary for pushing ahead with reforms for long-term sustainable growth.

“A stable policy environment would not only allow time for the market to adjust itself, but also help create a favorable condition for reforms and avoid drastic fluctuations in market expectations,” said Kuang Xianming, director of economic research with the China Institute for Reform and Development.

Drastic policy changes are unlikely unless there are unforeseeable external or internal shocks, he added.

China’s economy expanded 7.6 percent in the first half of the year, slightly above the annual 7.5-percent target set for 2013, and prospects for the second half remain complicated given the sluggish external market, weak domestic strength, persisting overcapacity and growing financial risks.

Chinese leaders have so far demonstrated greater tolerance for slower growth in their efforts to switch the country’s growth model from its dependence on credit expansion and manufacturing toward one driven by consumption, innovation and services.

Instead of initiating a massive stimulus program again to lift the economy, the authorities are moving cautiously to steady growth while driving through reforms in which President Xi Jinping has called for “greater political courage and wisdom.”

Since taking office in March, the new government has been proceeding with reforms in a wide range of areas, including delegating administrative power to lower levels and easing controls in the financial sector.”

via China treads cautiously to rebalance economy – Xinhua | English.news.cn.

Posted in China alert, Economics, Re-balancing the economy | 1 Comment »

Tags: Central Committee, China, communist party of china, economy, List of countries by GDP (nominal), Politburo of the Communist Party of China, politics, Xi JinPing

23/07/2013

China starts 5-year ban on new gov’t buildings

First ostentatious spending, then came curtailment of banquets and now building construction. China is ratcheting up its austerity drive. But one wonders if this is countering the efforts to re-vitalise the economy.

Xinhua: “Central authorities on Tuesday introduced a five-year ban on the construction of new government buildings as part of an ongoing frugality campaign.

Building construction (Photo credit: Toban B.)

The General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued a directive that calls for an across-the-board halt to the construction of any new government buildings in the coming five years.

The ban also covers expensive structures built as training centers or hotels.

The directive said some departments and localities have built government office compounds in violation of regulations.

The directive called on all CPC and government bodies to be frugal and ensure that government funds and resources be spent on developing the economy and boosting the public’s well-being.

According to the directive, the construction, purchase, restoration or expansion of office compounds that is done in the guise of building repair or urban planning is strictly forbidden.

The directive also bans CPC and government organizations from receiving any form of construction sponsorship or donations, as well as collaborating with enterprises, in developing construction projects.

While allowing restoration projects for office buildings with dated facilities, the directive stresses that such projects must be exclusively aimed at erasing safety risks and restoring office functions.

According to the instruction, such projects must be approved first by related administrative departments and luxury interior decoration is prohibited, with criteria and spending to be set in accordance with local conditions.

The directive stipulates that expenditures on office building restoration should be included in CPC and government budgets.

According to the instruction, buildings with reception functions, such as those related to accommodation, meetings and catering, should not be restored.

The directive orders all CPC and government departments to rectify the misuse of office buildings, including those that are used for functions that have not been approved.

The directive says CPC and government officials with multiple posts should be each given only one office, while offices for those who have retired or taken leave should be returned in time.

Local authorities should establish or perfect the management of government buildings by strictly verifying the buildings’ size, according to the directive.

Departments that have moved to renovated or newly-built locations should transfer the original office blocks to government office administrators in a timely fashion, according to the directive.

Departments and units at all levels should address the office shortage caused by adding new institutions by themselves. If the additions do not meet their needs, government office administrators should adjust existing resources to solve the shortage, according to the directive.

Strict approval procedures are also required for renting new office blocks, according to the directive.

“Banning the building of new government buildings is important for building a clean government and also a requirement for boosting CPC-people ties and maintaining the image of the CPC and the government,” according to the circular.”

via China starts 5-year ban on new gov’t buildings – Xinhua | English.news.cn.

Posted in austerity, China alert, Construction, Economics | 1 Comment »

Tags: Central Committee, China, communist party of china, Construction, CPC, General Office of the Communist Party of China, Government Buildings, politics

07/01/2013

* China turns dark page of history, puts end to labour camps

Reform, reform and more reform.

SCMP: “In a clear reversal of a decades-old practice of human rights abuse, China announced on Monday that it would put a stop to the system of “re-education through labour”, more commonly known as labour camps, in 2013.

A senior Chinese legal official told the Post that Meng Jianzhu, head of the Communist Party’s Poltiical and Legal Affairs Committee, told a meeting of judicial and legal officials from all over the country on Monday that the Party had decided it would stop the practice of sending people to labour camps within the year.

“The Central Committee has decided, after research, that after approval by the National People’s Congress, to stop using the system of re-educastion through labour this year,” said the official who attended the meeting.

“I feel that Secretary Meng’s comments were filled with a new spirit, that they signal the progress our society has made. ””

via China turns dark page of history, puts end to labour camps | South China Morning Post.

Reforms in 2012
China war veteran, 80, sent to labour camp to be “re-educated”: Son (straitstimes.com)
‘Critical’ Chinese official released from labour camp (thetimes.co.uk)
Chinese women’s rights activist sent to labour camp again (straitstimes.com)

Posted in China alert, Good news, Politics, Reform | 1 Comment »

Tags: Central Committee, China, Labor camp, legal affairs committee, National People's Congress, politics, Re-education through labor

31/12/2012

* Top CPC leadership

Further signs of more openness amongst the Chinese leadership.

Xi leads top leadership, meeting press Xinhua: “Editor’s note: On the occasion of five weeks after the new central leadership elected at the first Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee took office, Xinhua News Agency opened the “Top CPC Leadership” special column. Over three consecutive days beginning Sunday, Xinhua will broadcast profiles and related photos of the seven members of the Standing Committee of the 18th CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.”

Go to – http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/special/topcpcleadership/index.htm

Posted in 10 year leadership change, China alert, Openness, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Central Committee, Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, communist party of china, CPC, CPC Central Committee Political Bureau

21/11/2012

* China’s commerce minister voted out in rare congress snub

Is this the start of something new and different – internal CPC democracy? Time will tell.

Reuters: “China’s commerce minister was surprisingly blocked from a spot on the ruling Communist Party’s elite body during a conclave this week, sources said, a rare snub for an official that could raise questions about trade policies during his tenure.

China's Minister of Commerce Chen Deming looks on during a news conference at the 8th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Geneva December 15, 2011. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

The failure of Chen Deming to secure a seat on the 25-member Politburo marks one of the few surprises to emerge from the party’s five-yearly congress that wrapped this week with the anointing of a new slate of top leaders who will run the world’s second largest economy.

It is also the first time in more than two decades that an official designated for a Politburo spot has been voted out of the party’s 205-member Central Committee in elections. Central Committee membership is a prerequisite for a Politburo seat.

“Chen Deming was voted out during multi-candidate elections to the Central Committee,” one source told Reuters. State news agency Xinhua said there were eight percent more candidates than seats in a preliminary vote before the formal election on Wednesday.”

via China’s commerce minister voted out in rare congress snub: sources | Reuters.

* China leaders consider internal democratic reform (chindia-alert.org)

Posted in China alert, Democracy, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Central Committee, Chen Deming, China, Communist Party, formal election, Politburo, politics, ruling communist party

06/11/2012

* Understanding China’s 18th Communist Party Congress

Reuters: “China’s ruling Communist Party opens its 18th Congress on Thursday, a complicated political coronation that will install the country’s fifth generation of leaders.

Here is how the process works and some pointers to what is at stake in this congress.

AGENDA

– The five-yearly congress elects about 370 full and alternate members of the party’s elite Central Committee in a session lasting about one week, drawing from a pre-selected pool of candidates expected to be only slightly larger than 370.

– The new Central Committee’s first session, held the day after the congress ends, then selects some two dozen members of the decision-making Politburo, again drawing from a list of candidates already selected by the party’s leadership over months of political jockeying.

– The new Politburo Standing Committee, the party’s top echelon of power which currently has nine members, will then be unveiled after the one-day Central Committee plenum ends. It is widely expected to be shrunk to seven, facilitating decision-making needed to push through key reforms.

– A series of other appointments will also be made over the congress period, and in some cases before it. These include provincial party chiefs and governors and heads of some state-owned enterprises.

– Vice President Xi Jinping is set to take over as party general secretary from President Hu Jintao at the end of the congress. Xi then takes over as head of state in March at the annual full meeting of parliament.

One uncertainty is whether Hu will also give up his job as military chief. His predecessor, Jiang Zemin, stayed on in that role for two years after stepping down as party chief.

POLICIES

– Hu will give a keynote report to the opening session of the congress, appraising the meeting of the party’s work over the past five years and mapping out challenges ahead for the next five years. Details of the speech remain a closely guarded secret ahead of time.

– The catchphrase in state media and among academics ahead of the congress has been “reform”. China experts say that unless the new leadership pushes through stalled reforms, the nation risks economic malaise, deepening unrest and ultimately even a crisis that could shake the party’s grip on power.

– Advocates of reform are pressing Xi to cut back the privileges of state-owned firms, make it easier for rural migrants to settle permanently in cities, fix a fiscal system that encourages local governments to live off land expropriations and, above all, tether the powers of a state that they say risks suffocating growth and fanning discontent.

– There may also perhaps be cautious efforts to answer calls for more political reforms, though nobody seriously expects a move towards full democracy.

The party may introduce experimental measures to broaden inner-party democracy – in other words, encouraging greater debate within the party – but stability remains a top concern and one-party rule will be safeguarded.”

via Factbox: Understanding China’s 18th Communist Party Congress | Reuters.

Posted in 10 year leadership change, China alert, Politics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Central Committee, central committee plenum, China, Hu Jintao, Jiang Zemin, Politburo, Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, politics, president hu jintao, Xi JinPing

06/11/2012

* China leaders consider internal democratic reform

Even if it seems to be somewhat internal, such a move would be the first step towards openness and transparency. And who knows where that might lead.

Reuters: “China’s outgoing leader and his likely successor are pushing the ruling Communist Party to adopt a more democratic process this month for choosing a new leadership, sources said, in an attempt to boost its flagging legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

A man walks past a logo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at a media center for the upcoming18th National Congress of the CPC, which starts Thursday, in Beijing November 5, 2012. REUTERS-Jason Lee

The extent of the reform would be unprecedented in communist China where elections for the highest tiers of the party, held every five years, have been mainly exercises in rubber-stamping candidates already agreed upon by party power-brokers.

The Communist Party, which has held unbroken power since 1949, is struggling to maintain its popular legitimacy in the face of rising inequality, corruption and environmental degradation, even as the economy continues to bound ahead.

President Hu Jintao and his heir, Xi Jinping, have proposed that the party’s 18th Congress, which opens on Thursday, should hold elections for the elite Politburo where for the first time there would be more candidates than available seats, said three sources with ties to the party leadership.

The Politburo, currently 24 members, is the second-highest level of power in China from which the highest decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, is chosen.

They are chosen by the roughly 200 full members of the Central Committee which is in turn chosen by the more than 2,000 delegates at this week’s Congress.

Under their proposal, there would be up to 20 percent more candidates than seats in the new Politburo in an election to be held next week, the sources said. It was unclear if competitive voting would also be extended to the Standing Committee.

“Hu wants expanding intra-party democracy to be one of his legacies,” one source said, requesting anonymity to avoid repercussions for discussing secretive elite politics.

“It would also be good for Xi’s image,” the source added.

Xi is considered certain to replace Hu as party chief at the congress, with Li Keqiang, currently a vice premier, tipped to become his deputy in the once-in-a-decade transition to a new administration. Xi would then take over as president, and Li as premier, at the annual full session of parliament in March.

China experts said a more competitive election for the Politburo would mark a historic reform that could lead to surprises in the formation of Xi’s administration, with wider implications for further political reform.

“This is a very, very important development,” said Cheng Li, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

“It would provide a new source of legitimacy. It would not just be dark-box manipulation … The party’s legitimacy is so low that they must do something to uplift the public’s confidence.”

However, Li and other experts remained skeptical that the proposal would be adopted, given that it could still be vetoed by party elders or conservatives.

via Exclusive: China leaders consider internal democratic reform | Reuters.

Posted in 10 year leadership change, China alert, Democracy, Good news, Politics, Reform, Transparency | 1 Comment »

Tags: Central Committee, China, Hu Jintao, Li Keqiang, Politburo, Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, politics, president hu jintao, Xi JinPing

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