The Chinese President Hu Jintao told President Obama that any change to the yuan will be made only for the benefit of domestic interests. He made it clear that if China is going to change the value of the yuan they will not do it because of pressure from the United States. President Hu Jintao stated that reform would come based on China's "own economic and social development needs". Congress has been trying to get the Obama administration to punish China for the exchange rate between the yuan and the dollar because of the high unemployment rate in the US. Jintao said to Obama that a rise in the yuan would not help the unemployment rates in America. He also told Obama that the Chinese government is not intentionally keep the yuan low to gain a trade surplus with the US, and told him that his government would only buy more US goods if Washington relxed controls on exports of high technology goods. The White House's stance on this issue is that there needs to be "a more market-oriented rate". Despite all of the resistance coming from the Chinese government about changing the value of the yuan, economists say that China will indeed re-value their currency by the end of the second or third quarter of this year.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iVrZfzV5XIi6CtLpF2GyRDVD5RBgD9F27Q180

ADB: Developing Asia to grow by 7.5% in 2010

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2010-04/13/c_13249408.htm

The ADB (Asian Development Bank) predicts that developing Asia, which includes China, India, and the Southeast Asian region, will grow "7.5 percent this year and 7.3 percent in 2011 on back of a rebound in global trade and ongoing fiscal and monetary stimulus."Apparently due the growth of Asia's industry is leading to even more foreign investment. "The stimulus measures last year will continue to fuel investment in the region, while private consumption is likely to increase as income prospects pick up and unemployment declines," the ADB said. This year, as the global economy recovers, the developing Asian region is also expected to recover. But the region faces some dangers, which may affect its growth potential. These include "a slower global recovery, rising commodity prices, deteriorating fiscal positions and uncertainties as to whether private demand can be strong enough to sustain recovery." The ADB said that Asia's policy makers need to improve its monetary, exchange rate, and fiscal policies to sustain recovery over the long term.

Hu meets with Obama in Washington on China-US ties

April 12, president Obama and Chinese president Hu Jintao met in Washington to converse about US-China relations. This is the first opportunity for both presidents to discuss problems since Obamas last visit on November. One of the main topics for this weeks discussions was the prevention of nuclear terrorism. since president Obama's election, US-China relations have improved; both sides are giving their best efforts to create a "positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st century."
A healthy and stable relations between the US and china is beneficiary for strategic reasons. in order to maintain a poositive cooperation, the Chinese president has said that they will properly handle issues with Tibet and Taiwan. Both sides keep striving to improve and develop a positive working relation.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/13/content_9719025.htm

China Unmoved on Iran Sanctions

China maintains that they are not shifting their position despite White House claims that they have become more open to sanctions in Iran. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry says that "China has always believed that sanctions and pressure cannot fundamentally resolve the issue". China "upholds its consistent stance on the Iran nuclear issue." Beijing opposes Iran gaining nuclear weapons, rather they support a "dual track strategy," combining negotiations with pressure. The sanctions are aimed at dissuading Iran from proceeding with a nuclear program that many world powers believed is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon. Iran insists it wants nuclear power only for peaceful purposes. The Obama administration along with the Bush administration have struggled to get commitments from China and Russia in its campaign to keep Iran from gaining nuclear weapons. The US has repeatedly claimed progress in winning these nations support only to see them go in a different direction just days later. The Obama administration insists that there is no contradiction between the continuing diplomatic efforts.A senior Obama official said today "We believe a sanctions resolution is the best way to get back to dialogue and negotiations at some stage."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-dc-china-iran,0,293638.story

China Blacklists 100 Journalists For Wrongdoings

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/08/content_9699239.htm

About one hundred media workers were blacklisted in 2009 for "illegal deeds like bribery and blackmail." More than 20 were convicted of offenses. Apparently more than ten major newspapers nationwide, including the Beijing Times and the Guangzhou-based 21st Century Business Herald, received warnings or were suspended for publishing false reports in 2009.When nine journalists from eight media organizations had received jail sentences, news leaked that journalists were taking hush money to cover up a deadly coal mine accident in north China. They accepted the bribes from the owner of the coal mind to cover up the deaths of over 35 workers in the mine. All in all there were over 76 instances of taking bribes and blackmailing. Punishment will occur.

China Blocks Bobby D??!!

http://www.heavy.com/post/china-blocks-bob-dylan-concert-5289

Apparently Bob Dylan was forced to cancel his East Asia tour due to the fact that Chinese officials
told him he was not allowed to play in Shanghai or Beijing. Some speculations on this occurence link this decision to Bjork's "Tibet! Tibet! Tibet!" during a show in Shanghai.

Geithner Visits China Bearing 'Olive Branch' Ahead of Summit

The US Treasury Secretary is traveling to China to discuss whether or not China will consider letting the curency appreciate. This meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan will be held in Beijing, and will be closed to the press. Geithner is being pressured from Congress to label China as a 'currency manipulator' for keeping the value of the yuan lower than its real value, giving China the upper hand in US trades. Geithner stated that there will be several more meetings with officials of China over the next three months. The Chinese President Hu Jintao plans to visit Washington some time next week to talk with President Obama concerning this issue. One of the main issues concerning whether or not China will let the yuan appreciate is the current instability of the global economy. Premier Wen Jiabo does not want his country's currency to be able to fall or rise according to the international economy. However, Geithner remains optomistic, stating that, "They're becoming more open to the world, and with that, you're going to see the currency take on a broader role internationally".

Chinese TV Asked to Stop Using English Phrases

No More Abbreviations

TV viewers may no longer be able to hear English abbreviations like NBA (National Basketball Association) from mainland broadcasters. China Central Television (CCTV) and Beijing Television (BTV)confirmed that they had received notice from a government department asking them to avoid certain English abbreviations in Chinese programs. They did not, however say how many English phrases were included on the list, and broadcasters and journalists have been asked to provide Chinese explanations for unavoidable English abbreviations in their programs, the report said. The notice not only limits the use of English abbreviations in sports news, but also in economic and political news. Phrases such as "GDP" (gross domestic product), "WTO" (World Trade Organization) and "CPI" (consumer price index) will also be substituted with their Chinese pronunciations. The move came after a number of national legislators and political advisers called for preventative measures to preserve the purity of the Chinese language. Huang Youyi, editor-in-chief of the China International Publishing Group and secretary-general of the Translators' Association of China said that if China did not "stop mixing Chinese with English, the Chinese language won't remain pure in a couple of years". The restricted use proposal has provoked debate amongst China's scholars who insist that move would be counter productive and promote cultural conservatism. China is not the only country to attempt to preserve the purity of their language. France outlaws advertising in English and mandates that at least 40% of the songs on the radio are French.

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There's Somethin' Brewin' In The Air

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/science/earth/23hong.html

Air Pollution has reached a record high in Hong Kong. On Monday they reached the highest levels in history and continued in intensity on Tuesday. The government even issued an " official government warning to avoid outdoor activities and physical exertion." For the past few days the city has been obscured by a grey haze and you can't even see the city scape. Pollution levels were 12 to 14 times the amount recommended by the World Health Organization, according to the Clean Air Network, which campaigns to inform the public on Hong Kong’s pollution issues, on Monday. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, there are two dozen sandstorms a year, six times the number 50 years ago, according to China Daily, an official English-language newspaper. While natural pollution has had a substantial affect on the cities air quality, it is the roadside pollution stemming from factories and car emissions that will destroy the world.

Premier Urges Redoubled Drought-Relief Efforts

A drought in Southwest China caused a visit from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The premier has called for intesified efforts to help the people of the region. During a three day trip to the region that ended on Sunday, Wen visited Qujing, one of the regions that suffered the most from the recent severe drought, to comfort the affected locals and direct relief work. Wen went to drought affected villages, farmlands, and reseviors to learn about the impact that the drought has had on local life. The premier says that the prioroty should be given to the guarentee of drinking water and the preperation of spring farming. He urged officials however to prepare for the worst as the drought is likely to continue. Wen said that more efforts should be put into spring farming as a good harvest is needed to ensure a steady and rapid economic growth and stable commodity prices. To address water-shortage, Wen ordered intensified efforts on water conservancy project construction and promised more government support in this field. The severe drought has affected 51 million Chinese and left more than 16 million people and 11 million livestock with drinking water shortages. Since autumn last year, southwest China, has received only half its annual average rainfall and water stores are severely depleted.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-03/22/content_9621608.htm

Animal Cruelty=Out in China

Find Your Dog Soup Elsewhere (or at least in the next town)

The latest draft of China's first anti-cruelty against animals was made public on Wednesday. It has banned zoos from mistreating animals by not giving them adequate food and water a stipulation added after 13 Siberian tigers died within in a 3 months at a northern Chinese zoo. The draft has also changed a controversial point that banned the consumption of cats and dogs , it now leaves this up to regional authorities. Experts changed the ban on eating dogs and cats because many people do not agree with a complete nationwide ban, and the situation varies by region. The latest draft allows provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to decide which areas in their jurisdiction can adopt the ban. In areas where the ban is in place offenders can up to 5,000 yuan ($730) and organizations found guilty of selling the meat can be fined between 10,000 and 500,000 yuan. The panel would submit the draft next week to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the top legislature. If legislators deem it important, the draft might take two or three years to be adopted as a law, or it might take longer, even 10 years, before it can be really implemented. China currently has the Wildlife Protection Law, the Animal Epidemic Prevention Law, the Livestock Husbandry Law, the Pig Slaughter Regulations, the Laboratory Animal Management Regulations and other specific laws and regulations that address animal protection and management. These laws however do not enable the Chinese people to fully protect the animals.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/19/content_9611306.htm

The Myths About China's Currency

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/opinion/20iht-edbottelier.html

So pretty much a lot of China bashers are all getting hyped up again because we are nearing the April deadline for the US Treasury to announce whether or not "China manipulates its currency for unfair trade advantage." There are a lot of myths revolving around China's currency relationship with the US, and this article covers a few of them.

1: China's growth depends on exports- false
It only accounts for about 1%

2: China’s consumption is not growing fast enough- false
Its working just fine

3: Revaluation of the renminbi will help the United States- false
It has little effect on the relationship

Overall, China’s nominal exchange rate is much less important than the domestic policy adjustments needed in both countries.

Chinese Tourists To See the World in Greater Numbers

More Chinese tourists are expected to travel abroad this year. The Annual Tourism Report conducted by the China Tourism Academy reported that an estimated 54 million Chinese citizens would go aborad this year, as opposed to 47 million in 2009. These tourists are expected to spend 48 billion yuan, 6.86 billion dollars. The director of the academy's international tourism development institute stated that the tourism will "contribute to the recovery of the world economy and help offset China's trade surplus". The global economic crisis has greatly influenced people's decisions on where to travel. Only 27% of the tourists visited foreign nations in 2009, with 34% traveling to foreign countries in 2008. The majority of the travel occured withing the country, with tourists traveling to the major cities of China. China is currently the biggest tourist market in Asia.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/19/content_9611291.htm

Toyoda On Mapo Tofu

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/03/02/toyoda-on-mapo-tofu/

In his visit to Beijing, Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda used a culinary analogy as he tried to end anxiety among some Chinese consumers over the quality of Toyota’s cars that predates its recent global recall. In his exclusive interview with the state broadcaster, he compared Toyota cars to Mapo Tofu, a popular spicy bean curd dish in Asia. The interviewer asked if the well known rumors of the worst quality cars being sent to China was true, and he responded by saying that all cars are created the same, but different areas often have their own tastes, just like Mapo Tofu. Due to the noticeable dip in interests, this comparison might stay.

CPPCC Calls for Less Containment in Sino-US Ties

On Tuesday during a press conference, Zhao Qizheng, a spokesman for the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), stated that there should be more cooperation and less containment concerning Sino-US relations. He stated that the two countries had already established good ties between them, but at the beginning of 2010, Barack Obama "chilled" the ties among the two countries. These two events were Obama's arms sales plan involving Taiwan, and his meeting with the Dalai Lama. Zhao Qizheng said that these events "seriously disturbed" and "seriously violated" Sino-US realtions. Zhao also stated this relationship is like a game of tennis, and now the ball is in America's court. He added to his statement that China held no responsibility concerning the recent conflicts that have occured. The CPPCC National Committee will hold another conference on Wednesday, and will have over 2,000 political advisors proposing different solutions to state affairs.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/guangxisessions/2010-03/02/content_9526797.htm

Government to Increase Education Spending

The Chinese government has vowed to increase spending on education. They say they will increase spending to 4% of the country's gross domestic product by 2012, a target previously set in 1993. The outline which addresses everything from the education system and the quality of teaching to school enrollment and is expected to be the leading document on education reform for the next ten years. Although they first pledged to increase spending in 1993 they have yet to meet that target. Education is an issue that has been the target of much criticism from the public, especially education imbalances, the academic workload of students, academic corruption as well as a growing education bureaucracy. China is vowing to change their system to one that is run by "educationalists" or those who love to teach and know how to teach, and those who have been teachers for their entire lives. This seems like an admirable goal for the government, and it is good that they are responding to what the people want.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/01/content_9515384.htm

China Mulls Amendment to State Secret Laws

Psssst....I've got a secret to tell you.

The standing committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) on Wednesday deliberated a draft amendment to the state secrets law. The draft specifies a definition for state secrets: information that concerns state security and interests that if leaked would damage state security and interests in the areas of politics, economy and national defense. An NPC Law committee member qualified secrets: state, work and commercial. The existing law which took effect in 1989, stated that information concerning major state policies and decisions, armed forces and diplomatic events, national economic and social development, science and technology, and acts safeguarding national security and criminal investigation, among other items, were state secrets. According to the NPC this draft raises citizens awareness of the importance of guarding state secrets and that original range of what a secret was was too broad. This draft makes it clear that these secrets must be protected and should be protected and "any act threatening the security of a state secret must be punished by law." The time limit for keeping secrets should be no more than 30 years old. Entities and companies entrusted should be subject to security scrutiny. Lawmakers will review the law and deliberations will begin soon.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2010-02/24/content_19467397.htm

Dumping Could Lead to Domino Effect

China could reduce its holdings of dollar assets because the country is concerned about the stability of the US economy. China's foreign exchange reserves add up to nearly $2.4 trillion by the end of 2009. Almost 70% of these reserves are dollar assets, according to various estimates.

However, if China was to dump its dollar assets, it could lead to a domino effect on other investors and consequently cause a depreciation of the rest of China's holdings. The country's total number of total US treasury securities declined to 20.9% from 23% in 2009. Sun Lijian state that, "While it is not clear that the selling is part of a consistent strategy, the country should keep a considerable proportion of dollar assets in its foreign echange reserves". There are many suggestions that China should use its growing reserves to buy resources, and technologies. The most important thing for China right now is to protect its financial stability.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/22/content_9481339.htm

Tainted Milk-Spoiler Alert

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/24/content_9492174.htm

After a the massive country wide food safety scandal two years ago, when hundreds of thousands of children became ill due to contaminated infant formula, concerns have been risen again over the safety of consuming milk. According to recent research, one in ten children have been found to still show signs of kidney damage six months afterward. "Researchers from Peking University studying ultrasound images of infants who fell ill in the 2008 contamination found that while most children in a rural Chinese area fully recovered, about 12 percent still showed kidney abnormalities six months later." Parents have expressed worries about long term health and medical expenses, especially since local hospitals are paying little to no attention to the problem at hand. Many people are looking to the government to create a treatment plan so that sick children like his son will be "insured" in case of any future health problems related to the tainted milk.

This is obviously a serious problem for the future health of China, but I can't help but wonder if there is also a correlation to the lactose intolerance history of the Asian ethnic group.

Fewer Chinese children available for adoption in US

In china, a great decrease of the ammount of children that become adopted in the USA has been noticed, many ask the question as to why. Adoptions in the U.S have decreased since 2005, when it was around 8000 a year compared to 3000 last year. the number of adopted children has drecreased since more chinese parents are adopting in china and the rate of abandoned kids has decreased dramatically. Yet it is all good becasue the interest of adopting chinese is actually increasing, which leaves for much hope to many abandoned or unwanted children. http//.www.chinadaily.com/

Dalai meeting interferes in internal affairs: Experts

Last thursday, despite of Chinas opposition, president Obama met with the Dalai Lama. the chinese did not wasnt president Obama to talk to the Dalai lama because they thought that they would be conversing about political issues; Possilby thoses of the idea of Tibets independence. And yet is was important for the Dalai Lama to include political ideas since he is not only a religious leader, but the facto leader of the "government in exile." Now china believes that the U.S violated the norms governing international relations. China said that they would like foreign nations away from private matters such as Tibets independence.

I wish China looked like this

All That Glitters is Not Gold

On Monday, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo won the first ever Olympic gold medal for China in figure skating. Pang Qing adn Tong Jian also won the silver medal in figure skating, gaining a second medal for China in one event. Shen and Zhao was the first couple to win three medals in a row during consecutive Olympic Games. China's couples wound up in first and second place, with the Americans not even placing in the top seven. This is a huge win for China, especially since the US did not do well in the figure skating event. This win has instilled even more national pride for their country.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2010-02/17/content_9472500.htm

Japan and China Dicuss Food Safety

Dumpling Incident of '08 Sparks Talks

China and Japan are negotiating new draft food safety that would allow Japanese officials to enter Chinese factories for safety inspections. When tainted food from China enters Japan, Japanese officials would be allowed to investigate the factory. The safety of food made in China has been a concern to the Japanese since the toxic dumpling incident of 2008. Traces of methamidophos, an insecticide, were found in some Chinese-made dumpling and made 10 people ill. China said it was unlikely that the dumplings were contaminated in China, but Japan asked for further investigation. The two countries agreed in a summit last November to improve food safety between the two countries. There is no word if Chinese officials would be allowed into Japanese factories. That move would demonstrate China's openness to Japan, "since the bilateral trade relations mean much to both countries". Once this agreement takes place it could open the door for other such arrangements. I think that this shows that China is truly trying to clean up their practices, which have been under fire in recent years.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/11/content_9459637.htm

The Great Yuan

“Something’s brewing." says Goldman chief economist Jim O’Neil about the current currency of Bejing. “I have a strong opinion that they’re close to moving the exchange rate...It could happen anytime.” Economically, there are reasons to move quickly, but politically there are reasons to stay put. Obama says it is crucial for them to "allow their currency to appreciate because, frankly, they have got a potentially overheating economy.” A change in currency policy now would be a big win for Obama – and might lead people in China and overseas to conclude that putting pressure on Beijing works. So even if a revaluation of the yuan is in China’s interest, it probably isn’t going to happen for a while.


http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/05/0517_china_money/image/10yuan_1.jpg

Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!

The year of the Tiger begins on February 14

Chinese Humor

These are some fine examples of political cartoons aimed at some of the controversy in China. While some are more crude than others, they often depict very harsh realities while providing comical relief.

China Concludes Investigation into Bribery Case

Every Man Has His Price

Chinese police have finished the investigation into four employees of the Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto, who are in custody on suspicion of illegally obtaining business secrets and taking bribes. The case is now in the hands of the Shanghai People's Procuratorate, who has 45 days to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to take the case to trial. The four employees are Australian citizen Stern Hu (Hu Shitai), who before being detained by Shanghai's security bureau worked as an executive at Rio Tinto's Shanghai Office, and three local employees Liu Caikui, Ge Minqiang and Wang Yong. The statement was made yesterday five months after the arrests were made. According to Chinese law investigations must be wrapped up within two months, but due to special circumstances investigations may be extended up to three months. One of the lawyers representing the defendant says that he is certain that the case will make it to court. The maximum sentence for obtaining business secrets is no more than seven years. I'm not really sure of what the American equivalent of this is so, but seven years feels like not very much for something that was obviously giving this company a leg up.

http://www.eeo.com.cn/ens/Politics/2010/01/12/160443.shtml

Crackdown on kidnap scams nets 17 suspects

Recently, police have arrested 17 men suspected of major child kidnapping organizations. in the past couple of months, concern over kidnappings has increased due to a problem weith scaming. As it turns out, kidnappers are trying to fool the parents of young kids by calling them and demanding money.
Yet, the real problem is wether these kidnappings are real or not. real kidnapings happen often, and their brutality often kills the children. it is a tough choice to make, so most people assume that it is real.
In one of the latest kidnappings, a man named Gu got a phone call from a mysterious man telling him that they had his son. he said that it was so realistic because he heard a child crying in the background. he immediately transfered 50,000 yuan, and later he found out that it was only a scam. He states that the problem is primerily affecting the poor, because they have no money, but are willing to pay to get their child back.

China Issues Guidelines to Limit Death Penalty Use

In a meeting on Tuesday in Beijing, the Supreme People's Court created new guidelines concerning criminal cases. It's new policies focus on "justice tempered with mercy" in an effort to limit the use of the death penalty. The guidelines state that the death penalty can be used, but only for a small minority and in cases that have overwhelming evidence. The policy of "justice tempered with mercy" was first introduced into a document dealing with capitol punishment in 2006. The document was approved by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. This new policy requires courts to issue severe or lenient sentences depending on the severity of the case being reviewed, according to guidelines the Court has issued. Although the death penalty is still legal, this is a big step in restricting the use of capitol punishment.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/09/content_9453134.htm

North Korea nuclear envoy visits China, talks closer

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100209/wl_nm/us_korea_north_8

A border security soldier of South Korea checks a bus carrying a South Korean delegation at the CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) office, just south of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, north of Seoul February 8, 2010. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won


North Korea's top nuclear envoy found themselves in Beijing on Tuesday. Pyongyang said it was willing to step up talks with China on the previously stalled disarmament-for-aid talks. This shift by North Korea happened a day after the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, pledged again to remove nuclear weapons from the peninsula. Analysts say it is unlikely he will ever completely get rid of nuclear arms, which are seen at home as the "crowning achievement" in his military-first rule. The North can win aid to prop up its broken economy at the six-way talks if it reduces the security threat it poses to North Asia, which is responsible for one-sixth of the global economy.

Government and Policy Door for talks with Dalai still open:

But it's Really Closed

A meeting with the Dalai Lama's envoys lead Chinese officials to say that the door for talks was open, but that there would be no concessions made on the issue of national sovereignty. Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that Greater Tibet violated China's constitution and only if the Dalai Lama gave up those claims would there be a solid foundation for talks. Du said that China has been consistent in its policy on Tibet and that if the Dalai Lama wanted to make progress he should conform to the times and that his words should reflect his actions. Du says that it is the CPC who can "represent the fundamental interests of all Tibetan people, and can ensure them a happy life" They also reiterated during talks that the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is completely illegal. "We hope the Dalai Lama can envisage reality, and get back on the track of patriotism," said a statement by CPC officials "Only by doing so, can the Dalai Lama have a future." This is a tough stance taken by the Chinese government and shows that they have no intention of backing down.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/01/content_9410106.htm

Chinese Premier Warns of Challenges in Economy

The Chinese economy is still very unbalanced, according to the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He stated that until balance is achieved inside and outside of the country, the economy cannot prosper. Even though he has doubts about the economy, Wen Jiabao remains optomistic that China will be able to overcome the challenges it faces and succeed in fixing the economy. The Premier stated that China's international trade market is also hurting the stability of the economy. While presiding over one of many meetings to assess the status of the economy, he commented that China will focus on keeping stable macroeconomic policies while also trying to become more flexible. One of his main goals for this year is to "...realize a democratic and scientific style to decision making". During these meetings, both communist and non-communist representatives from several different fields were present. Premier Wen Jiabao's optomism is not unfounded, since China's economy expanded 8.7% by the end of 2009, exceeding its 8% goal.


http://www.china.org.cn/business/2010-02/02/content_19348262.htm

10-day crackdown on latest milk scare

A problem with melamine tainted foods in 2008, which killed 6 and hospitalized over 300,000, has now resurfaced in China. On the verge of another scandal, China launched a 10-day nationwide inspection to find and destroy these products to prevent the contamination of more people. The problem with the melamine infected food began when Chinese food companies began adding melamine (commonly used for the manufacture of plastics and fertilizers) to fool inspectors testing for the protein content. A former chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Dairy Association says that the products involved in the scandal of 2008 were pulled off the shelves "but none of them said the tainted products were ever destroyed."

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/02/content_9410731.htm

China's Human Rights Hacking

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704722304575038080333488998.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

So much attention has been given to the whole China-Google scandal, but something a little more under the radar has been taking a huge toll on Chinese online activists.For about the last three years, human-rights sites have not been able to operate from within China's censored borders. Now, the government is freezing human rights websites on foriegn browsers, especially during "sensitive times" such as the 20-year anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre last June and China's 60th anniversary in October. These "cyber-espionage campaigns" starting in 2003 and have involved hackers systematically infiltrating thousands of computer systems in hundreds of countries.

While this may not seem to be a dangerous threat, it has a huge impact on the voice of China, and acts as a serious silencing mechanism for the government. Should there be a limit to free speech internationally? How can governments regulate foreign internet? When do they cross the line?

Tourist city denies renaming mountain after "Avatar" site

Chinese authorities of the tourist city of Zhangjiajie have denied accusations that they renamed a mountain after the sci-fi movie, Avatar. The first accusation came from users who felt that tourist authorities were "money oriented", and were "blindly worshiping western culture." Authorities stated that comparing a picture of China's South Sky Pillar' , and the movies' Hallelujah Mountain revealed evidence that graphic artist originated the idea here. Some, as the head of the tourist department, insist that it is a source of pride. Yet many locals do not agree; according to an online survey, 56,619 people rejected the name change, while only 5000 supported it. Some say that renaming this mountain has been for the interest of tourist attraction, and it was never intended for it to become a legal subject, or an official change.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-01/28/c_13154928.htm

New Pollution Reduction Targets Listed

For the past five years, China has been trying to reduce its sulfur dioxide(SO2) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions as part of their eleventh Five Year Plan. These two chemicals are the major sources of China's air and water pollution. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) wants to reduce these emissions by 10% by the end of 2010. During the annual environmental protection conference in Beijing, the MEP stated that China's sulfur dioxide emissions have already been reduced by 10% at the end of 2009. Although China has been successful in reducing its SO2 and COD, China is still facing heavy-metal pollution. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has identified two new pollutants, nitrogen oxide, which causes acid rain, and ammonia nitrogen. These two new pollutants will be incorporated in China's next Five Year Plan (2011-2015). China is making a great effort in order to correct the excessive emissions of several different pollutants. With the fast rise in cars in the country, as well as other factors, these efforts will substantially help China as well as the environment as a whole.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-01/26/content_9376178.htm

Chinese Vice Premier Calls For More Resources For Rural Areas

http://www.yellowbridge.com/general/invoke.php?u=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/17/content_12826731.htm

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu wants more public resources for rural areas to enhance rural and agricultural development. Essentially he wants to balance out the public resources in the city and the country so the interests of farmers will be safeguarded in the process of development. As of right now, over seventy percent of Chinese live in rural areas, but more often then not government resources are given to better developed, wealthier urban areas.
Personally, I feel like this may be an empty promise with no backbone given to the majority by a politician who may or may not move forward with his speech.

China Issues Sharp Rebuke to U.S. Calls for an Investigation on Google Attacks

Are You Being Monitored?

China issued a scathing response to U.S. demands that it investigate the recent attacks by unidentified attackers on American computers from Chinese soil. China believes that suggestions that it condones or conducted the attack are attempts to "denigrate China". Google which issued an ultimatum after the attacks were discovered; they will leave China unless the government stops censoring its results. After Secretary of State Hilary Clinton called out China on Friday the country's response has turned. In the last few months China has become increasingly stringent on what Chinese citizens can view on the internet. An official for the State Council (which is the equivalent of American cabinet) Information Office defends China's positions as "totally correct". Harsh words came from the communist backed Global Times which said that the demands were “a U.S. government-initiated strategy with covert political intentions.” Although this appears to be a morality choice for Google, America has also done similar things such as monitoring e-mails and Internet activities after 9/11.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/world/asia/26google.html