2014 is the year of horse in chinese zodiac signs. · 2014-02-14 · 2014 is the year of horse in...
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VOL. XXVI No. January 2014 Rs. 20.001
2014 is the Year of Horse in Chinese Zodiac Signs.
Mr. Zhang Kunsheng, the Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister and Director-General of the Protocol Department accepts the copy of credentials of Mr. Ashok K Kantha, the new Indian Ambassador to China, on Jan.6, 2014 in Beijing.
Chinese Foreign Minister Mr.Wang Yi meets with Dr. S. Jaishankar, the outgoing Indian Ambassador to China and appreciates his contribution to promote China-India relations on Dec.9, 2013 in Beijing.
Chinese Ambassador Mr. Wei Wei talks with representatives of Chinese enterprises during the “Haat of India”. The Trade Fair provided many conveniences for Chinese exhibitors, including complimentary booths, free room and translation.
The First Joint Study Group Meeting of Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor was held in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province of China from Dec.18 to 19, 2013. Officials, experts, scholars and representatives of the four countries and international organizations attended the meeting.
Customers and shop owners of China and India talk happily at Renqinggang market in Yadong County of southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. With the booming of China-India border trade the market posted a 23.3 percent rise in the year of 2013.
Mr. Wei Wei, the Chinese Ambassador to India, addresses in the inauguration of “Haat of India” held in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh on Dec. 21,2013. Over 150 representatives of various Chinese enterprises attended the three-day’s Trade Fair.
Welcome to Yiwu
An International Commodity Circulation Center!
Crowned as ‘a sea of commodities and a paradise for shoppers’, Yiwu of China, which is located in Zhejiang province, boasts an aggregate market floor area of 2.6 million square meters with 53,000 booths and 160,000 persons engaging in business. The market gathers 320,000 varieties of goods of 1,502 categories from 34 trades. As you should know that there are 500,000 varieties of goods in the whole world as released by the UN! Yiwu has also cultivated a group of predominant industries, scale enterprises and famous products of socks, ornaments, zippers, cosmetics, shirts, cultural articles, pen-making, toys, etc, formed industrial developing structure of small commodity, large industry, small enterprise, and large colonization., manufacturing center, R&D center and shopping center.
With the ever-increasing economic internationalization of the Yiwu market, Yiwu
has been a converging place of more than 4,000 distributing centers and general agents of famous enterprises from home and abroad, including enterprises and merchants from more than 40 countries such as USA, Japan, Australia, Korea, etc. There are also more than 220 foreign business institutions in Yiwu with are more than 5,000 permanent foreign businesspeople. There are over 800 TEUs of goods exported to more than 188 countries and regions everyday. Exports to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Occident are prominent, which accounts for no less than 50% of the annual total turnover. Among its exports, products from dominant trades represent over 70% of all trades’ aggregate. More than 60% of booths in the market have supplied goods for foreign customers.
The local government carries out five-action simultaneous development strategy of foreign trade drawing, trade and industry
1January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
linkage, famous brand driving, mass impelling, government motivating, endeavoring to construct Yiwu into International Commodity Circulation Center with the lowest cost, best credit and best service. So, Welcome to Yiwu!
Yiwu: 2014 International Consumer Goods Fair Date Apr.20-22,2014Venue Yiwu International Expo CentreScale
Exhibition Area: 10,000 square meters
for daily use/Home furniture/Case and bagHandicraft Decorations
G i f t s a n d p r e s e n t s / C h r i s t m a s products/Articles for happy events/Resinic crafts/ Gifts packing/Traditional crafts/Tourism crafts/Home decoration/ Picture and photo frame/Simulation crafts/Crystal glass/Pottery and porcelain crafts/ Metal crafts/Ornaments and accessories Medical Health Care/Beauty Care Products/Hairwork
Profile of ExhibitsHousehold Textiles
Bedclothes/Garments/Cloth art/Cloth accessories/Underclothing/Socks/Scarves/ Gloves/Ties/Hats/Shoes/Zippers/Threads and Ribbons/Ethnic costumes for festivalsHousehold Commodities
Plastic commodities/Bamboo or paper commodities/Sanitary commodities/ Maternal and infant supplies/Pet products/Washing products/ Personal care products/Accessories
Yi Wu-Hong KongFlight No. : CZ649Date of Flight : 1, 3, 5, 7Type of Aircraft : B738Departure Point : Yi Wu AirportTakeoff Time : 08:30Destination: Hong Kong International AirportArrival Time : 10:30
Hong Kong-Yi WuFlight No. : CZ650Date of Flight : 1, 3, 5, 7Type of Aircraft : B738Destination : Hong Kong International AirportTakeoff Time : 11:30Destination : Yi Wu AirportArrival Time : 13:30
Direct Flight From Yiwu to Hong KongHotline
0086-579-85665205Inquiry Office of Yiwu Administration of Civil Aviation
0086-579-85456786International Section of the Ticket Office of Yiwu Civil Airline
For more informat ion p lease v is i t http://www.yiwusourcingfair.com/
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of India
In Association with
India China Economic and Cultural CouncilCordially invite you to
At 6:30 PM on 13th February 2014
Venue: Siri Fort Auditorium, Asian Games Village Complex, New DelhiJoin us as we celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival through a special
Acrobatic Show from China
Note:1 Since we have limited no. of seats, kindly confirm your participation at the earliest at below given
details: Vinny Sachdeva (Tel: 011-46550348, 41017185/86/87, Email: [email protected])2 Entry will be on first come first serve basis. Gates will be open at 6 PM & will be closed as soon as the
Hall is fully occupied.
CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2014
1,
2 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
CONTENTS
3January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
CHINESE PRESIDENT'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS
1. President Xi Confident of New Year Reforms 4
CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS
1. Open Up a New Chapter for China-India Relations 62. Central Indian State Opens China Trade Fair to Lure Investment 83. China-India Border Trade Booms 9
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
1. Chinese President Meets GCC Delegation 102. China, Gulf states outline 2014-2017 cooperation 113. China, Bulgaria Announce All-round Friendly Partnership 134. Chinese Premier Meets Science Editor-in-chief 145. 2013: A Fruitful Year in Chinese Diplomacy 156. Diplomacy to Focus on Neighborhood 167. Remarks by Yang Jiechi on Abe's Visit to the Yasukuni Shrine 188. Statement from Chinese Side 199. Work for a Better World 2010. Peace, Stability and Development Have to be Firmly Safeguarded 2211. History of Japanese Militarism and Circumstances Concerning the Issue of Yasukuni Shrine 24
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
1. Communist Party of China Promises Harsher Anti-corruption Drive 312. China to Deepen Rural Reforms 343. New Year, New Direction 354. A New Trend 385. Reducing Reliance on Resources 41
SILK ROAD ECONOMIC BELT
1. China Approves New Zones on the "Silk Road Economic Belt" 442. The Silk Road Economic Belt Are Expected to Deepen China's Cooperation with Its Neighbors 45
CULTURE AND LIFE
1. History & Legend of Spring Festival 462. 2013 in Review, 8 Subcultures in China 483. Eating Frozen Food in Winter 534. A Popular Game in China---Mahjong Solitaire 555. Chinese Cheng Yu--- If You Wish Good Advice, Consult an Old Man 56
TIBET TODAY
1. Zhu Weiqun Talks to Swiss Reporter About Contact and Talks with Dalai Lama 572. Tibet Passes Four Measures to Protect Environment 613. Tibet Receives 2.76 Million Air Passengers in 2013 614. Tibetan Monastery Repair Work Half-completed 625. Tibetan New Year 62
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHINESE VISA APPLICATION 65FLIGHTS BETWEEN CHINA AND INDIA 74BOOKS REVIEW 76
4 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Chinese President’s New Year Address
Beijing, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) — President
Xi Jinping expressed his confidence in
China’s reform and extended good
wishes to all Chinese in his New Year
address Tuesday.
“In 2013, we made an overall
arrangement on comprehensively
deepening reform, drawing a grand
blueprint for the country’s future
development,” Xi said in the address via
state broadcasters.
“In 2014, we will make new strides
along the path of reform.”
The fundamental purpose of the
reform is to make the country rich and
strong, the society fair and just and
people’s lives better, he said.
Addressing domestic and overseas
CHINESE PRESIDENT’S NEW YEAR ADDRESS
President Xi Confident of New Year Reforms
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers his New Year message via state broadcasters in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2013. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
5January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Chinese President’s New Year Address
audiences, Xi called on the people to
fight hard together for this great cause.
“We have numerous glories in the
name of the great cause of reform and
opening-up. I firmly believe that new
glories are awaiting the Chinese
people,” he said.
“We welcome a 2014 that is full of
hope,” Xi said, extending his New Year
greetings to compatriots in Hong Kong
and Macao, compatriots from Taiwan,
overseas Chinese and friends from
various countries and regions across the
world.
Xi wished the elderly health, children
happiness and every family felicity and
safety.
According to Xi, numerous workers,
farmers, intellectuals and cadres are still
serving at their posts; many compatriots
around the world are still diligently
working for their motherland; many
People’s Liberation Army and Armed
Police soldiers and officers as well as
police are performing their glorious
duties.
“Some of them are far from the
motherland and their relatives, and some
can’t reunite with their families,” said Xi.
“On behalf of the homeland and its
people, I bid the sincerest greetings to
them and wished them peace and safety.”
Xi said that 2013 was a very unusual
year for the country and the people as
the Chinese people jointly overcame
various difficulties and challenges and
won prominent achievements.
“These precious achievements
contained people’s sweat and blood, and
I thank you from the bottom of my
heart,” Xi said.
Xi said that more than 7 billion people
live together on the planet, and they
should help each other and work
together to weather hardships and seek
common development.
Xi said that the Chinese people are
pursuing the Chinese dream to realize
the nation’s great rejuvenation, and
expressed his hope that people from
various countries could realize their
dreams too.
“I sincerely hope that people from all
countries, while striving for their own
dreams, can understand and help each
other, and make efforts to build our
Earth into a wonderful homest,” Xi said.
“Life is always full of hope, and
success always belongs to people who
strive hard and never give up,” he said.
Noting various risks and challenges
ahead, Xi admitted that “a huge amount
of work” need to be done in order to
ensure a better life for the people.
“Let’s be modest and discreet, and
work hard to jointly compose a new
chapter for the development of our great
motherland,” Xi said.
6 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
China-India Relations
The Year of 2013 is a harvest year for Sino-
Indian Strategic Cooperative Partnership,
which witnessed great progress in friendship
and fruitful cooperation. Three aspects are
featured in a whole year of our relationship.
First, frequent and close high-level
interactions between China and India with
continually strengthened strategic trust with
each other. Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping
met twice with Indian Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh during the Durban BRICS
Summit and G20 St. Petersburg Summit to
outline a grand blueprint for future
development of China-India relations;
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Dr. Singh
exchanged visits within one year after a lapse
of nearly 60 years, during which joint
statements were issued and more then 10
agreements reached. The visits resulted in
comprehensive plans of pragmatic
cooperation in various fields between China
and India. Moreover, the 16th Special
Representatives’ Meeting for the China-India
Boundary Question and the 5th China-India
Strategic Dialogue were respectively held to
enhance mutual communication and
understanding between our two sides.
Second, converging interests deepened
between China and India with continually
expanded cultural exchanges. Mechanisms
like China-India Strategic Economic
Dialogue, Financial Dialogue, Joint Economic
Group are becoming more effective while our
cooperation has spread from trade in goods
and project contracting to trade in service, etc.
The two sides also reached consensus in the
principle to set up Chinese industrial parks in
India, carry out railway cooperation and to
strengthen investment cooperation in order to
find out effective measures for a balanced
bilateral trade. The just concluded first joint
working group meeting of Bangladesh-
China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic
Corridor formally established the cooperation
mechanism among the four countries which
we believe will play an important role in
integration of interests for China and India,
and for the region at large. It is also conducive
to an early realization of a balanced trade
between China and India and common
prosperity in the region. China-India cultural
exchanges continue to deepen with more and
more people favoring each other’s country as
CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS
Open Up a New Chapter for China-India Relations
Wei WeiChinese Ambassador to India
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 7
China-India Relations
their tourist destination. The number of
tourists between our two countries increased
steadily in 2013 and is expected to exceed 7.5
lakhs. The two countries also signed three
pairs of sister city agreements, held the first
China-India Media Forum and exchanged
visits of 100-youth delegations from each
other.
Third, increased collaboration on
international affairs between China and India
with proper handling of divergences. China
and India closely coordinated and cooperated
in multilateral fora including G-20 and BRICS
and jointly tackled with global challenges.
B o t h s i d e s a l s o m a i n t a i n e d g o o d
communication and cooperation in a number
of international and regional hot spots, and as
a result, our bilateral relationship has been
enhanced and important contributions have
been done to peace and development of the
world. On the China-India border issue, we
signed the Border Defence Cooperation
Agreement which reaffirmed the principle
that we will not let local differences get in the
way of our overall development of bilateral
relationship. Both sides are more confident on
the established way of focusing on mutual
benefit and common development while
addressing each other’s concerns and
properly handling differences.
2014 is “the Year of Friendly Exchanges”
between China and India. It is also the 60th
anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful
Coexistence (Panchsheel). We two countries
will host a variety of activities. I believe
China-India relations will have a promising
and brilliant prospect in the year. From the
perspective of development of bilateral
relations, I think we should focus our efforts
on the following aspects.
First is to further deepen mutual trust and
expand mutually beneficial and pragmatic
partnership. The international situation is
undergoing profound changes while the
global economy is facing a depth adjustment.
Against this backdrop, China and India
should deepen mutual trust in a spirit of
treating each other with sincerity as well as
expand our pragmatic cooperation in
political, economic, military, cultural and
other fields with a broader vision and
increasing efforts.
Second is to further promote the
complementarities and build a stable and
prosperous neighboring community of
common destiny. The prior task for both
China and India is to develop the economy
and improve people’s living standard. Both
sides should explore complementary
cooperation in the major f ields of
infrastructure construction, manufacturing,
service, IT, telecommunication, investment,
pharmaceutical and industrial parks. Both
China and India need a favorable external
environment especially the periphery. Both
should play its leading role in regional
economic integration for a common
development of neighboring countries and
promote connectivity, mutual benefit and
common prosperity in the region.
The third is to further strengthen
coordination and cooperation in regional and
international issues. China-India relations
should go in accordance with the international
general trend which requires closer
cooperation of the two sides on international
and regional affairs, as well as multilateral
issues. We should also actively take part in the
reform of international economic governance
system and work jointly to empower
developing countries in making of
international rules in order to safeguard our
common interests, and thus push for the
establishment of international relationship
8 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
China-India Relations
based on equality and mutual trust,
inclusiveness and mutual learning, as well as
cooperation and win-win outcomes.
The Third Plenum of the 18th Central
Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
opened up a new historic stage of China’s
reform and development, which not only will
shape a new China, but also usher in new
opportunities of cooperation between China
and the rest of the world. I believe that China-
India relations will continue to open up new
space for development and upgrade to a
higher level in the New Year.
Central Indian State Opens China Trade Fair to Lure Investment
Bhopal, India, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) — A three-day “Haat of India” China trade fair on Chinese investment was opened in the state capital of the central Indian state Madhya Pradesh here Saturday.
Attending the inauguration were Chinese Ambassador to India Wei Wei, President of India-China Economic and Cultural Council P.S. D e v d h a r a n d o v e r 1 5 0 representatives of various Chinese industries.
Wei praised the occasion for providing a platform to Chinese industries to invest in Madhya Pradesh, one of the most populous states of India. He said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have exchanged visits, which have cemented ties between the two Asian neighbors.
“While we pay attention to our border disputes, we must pay more attention to people-to-people contact and improving relations. Land disputes are flagging problems. We must give more attention to economic and cultural relations,” he said.
The ambassador said constant efforts are made to resolve border disputes and promote
economic cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
According to Wei, bilateral trade between China and India last year was worth 66 billion U.S. dollars.
He urged both countries to expand economic activities and remove trade imbalance between them while emphasizing the need for Indian industrialists to be motivated to do business in China and Chinese industrialists vice versa.
Mr. Wei Wei, the Chinese Ambassador to India gives a lecture on the inauguration of "Haat of India".
January 2014 9NEWS FROM CHINA
China-India Relations
“Our collective population is 2.5 billion, yet we have as much trade with Singapore that has a population of five million,” he said.
“Positive atmosphere was vital to increase economic cooperation between the two Asian giants. Since the countries were neighbors, they should continue to promote mutual economic cooperation,” said the ambassador.
He said he hoped that a Chinese Industrial Park could be set up in India, including in the state of Madhya Pradesh, which can help create a great number of jobs for local people and develop the rural economy which the state largely relies upon.
“If a Chinese Industrial Park on the lines of Chinese model is set up, Chinese industrialists will be motivated to invest in the country,” he added.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anthony
De Sa said his state was the heartland of India due to which smooth means of transport to and from all parts of India were available.
“With its central location, Madhya Pradesh has immense scope for emerging as logistics hub of the country,” he said.
He also said the state claims India’s highest farm product growth while being a pioneer state in the production of wheat and rice.
The chief secretary said the state also has adequate water storage and a power-surplus while boasting adequate man power and trained human resources.
The state would welcome Chinese investment and consider establishing a Chinese Industrial Park that would help in improving people’s living conditions apart from jobs to youths on a large scale, he added.
China-India Border Trade Booms
Lhasa, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — China-India border trade in Renqinggang market in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region posted a 23.3 percent rise in 2013, local authorities said Wednesday.
Renqinggang saw trade volume reach 86.8 million yuan (about 14.3 million U.S. dollars), about 54 times that when the post reopened in 2006, a spokesman wi th the reg ion ’s commercial department said.
Imports totaled 72.4 million yuan while exports were a mere 14.5 million yuan, official statistics suggests.
The Yadong customs was set up in May 1962, but was closed in October in the same year. China and India restarted border trade on July 6, 2006 through the Nathu La Pass, which sits 4,545 meters above sea level and is
wedged between Yadong County of Tibet’s Xigaze Prefecture and India’s Sikkim State.
They also opened two border trade markets - Renqinggang market in Yadong and Changgu mart in Sikkim. The Renqinggang market opened on May 1 and was closed on Nov. 30, this year.
External Affairs
10 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Chinese President Meets GCC Delegation
Beijing, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese
President Xi Jinping on Friday met with a
delegation from the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) on the sidelines of the third
round of China-GCC strategic dialogue.
China will continue to develop long-term
friendship with the GCC. The two sides
should strengthen planning and expand their
cooperation, Xi told the delegation, led by
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah
Khaled al-Sabah.
Xi described China and the GCC as good
brothers, friends and partners featuring high
mutual trust, substantial trade cooperation
and close cultural and people-to-people
exchanges.
He called on the two sides to speed up
their free trade area negotiation and sign an
agreement as early as possible.
China will work with GCC to promote the
building of the new Silk Road economic belt
across Eurasia and the 21st Century Maritime
Silk Road that connects the Pacific, the Indian
Ocean and the Atlantic, which are likely to
meet in the Middle East.
With regard to the situation in the Middle
East and Gulf region, Xi said China firmly
Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th R) meets with a delegation from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the sidelines of the third round of China-GCC strategic dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2014.(Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)
External Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 11
supports the efforts by GCC members to
safeguard their sovereignty and regional
stability. China also supports GCC in its
constructive role in global and regional
affairs.
China will strengthen communication
and coordination with GCC, the president
noted.
He also applauded the China-GCC
strategic dialogue.
Sabah conveyed the good wishes of heads
of GCC member states to Xi and the Chinese
people. He said GCC members attached high
importance to relations with China and are
willing to further enhance their friendly
cooperation in all areas.
He added that GCC members will actively
participate in the construction of the new Silk
Road economic belt and the 21st Century
Maritime Silk Road.
The third round of China-GCC strategic
dialogue was held on Friday morning in the
Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, which was co-
chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
and Sabah.
China, Gulf States Outline 2014-2017 Cooperation
Beijing, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) — China and the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Friday
mapped out an action plan for cooperation
from 2014 to 2017 and vowed to speed up
their free trade talks.
T h e p l a n ,
announced after their
t h i r d s t r a t e g i c
dialogue in Beijing,
s e t g o a l s f o r
c o o p e r a t i o n i n
p o l i t i c s , t r a d e ,
energy, environ-
mental protection
and climate, culture,
education, health and
sports.
China and the
GCC will speed up
free trade agreement
(FTA) talks as they
complement each other in economy and
building a FTA serves their mutual interests, a
press release after the dialogue said.
Friday’s dialogue was co-chaired by
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and
The third round of strategic dialogue between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is held in Beijing, China, Jan. 17, 2014. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the dialogue with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
External Affairs
12 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah, the first
deputy prime minister and minister of foreign
affairs of Kuwait, rotating chair of the GCC.
“Kuwait will play its role to reboot the
negotiations soon,” Al-Sabah said.
The GCC, a regional political and
economic alliance set up in 1981, includes
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
and the United Arab Emirates. China started
FTA negotiations with the bloc in July, 2004
and had five rounds of talks and two panel
meetings before talks stalled after 2009.
“China is eying the establishment of a
strategic partnership, using the FTA as a
driving force to boost pragmatic cooperation
in all fields,” Wang said.
China hopes to work with the GCC to
build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the
21st-century maritime Silk Road, Wang said,
referring to President Xi Jinping’s proposal of
reviving the ancient Silk Roads, which
historically linked China with Europe and
east coast of Africa, as a way of developing
political and economic ties.
Both sides understand the strategic
importance of the Middle East and Gulf
region and maintaining regional peace and
stability will be in the interests of regional
countries and the international community,
according to the press release.
China appreciates the GCC members’
efforts to preserve regional security and
stability and supports them.
China and the GCC agreed that the
international community should make joint
efforts to ensure the Geneva-II conference is
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd R) meets with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah (2nd, L) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2014. A delegation from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) led by Sabah came to attend the third round of China-GCC strategic dialogue held on Friday morning in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, which was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Sabah. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
13January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
China, Bulgaria Announce All-round Friendly Partnership
Beijing, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese
President Xi Jinping held talks with his
Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Plevneliev here
on Monday and the two leaders announced
the establishment of an all-round friendly
partnership between the two countries.
“The two sides have decided to set up an
all-round friendly partnership in order to
cement the traditional friendship and
promote the comprehensive cooperation
between China and Bulgaria as well as make
more contribution to world peace
a n d d e v e l o p m e n t , ” s a y s a
communique issued after the two
presidents’ talks at the Great Hall of
the People in downtown Beijing.
A red-carpet ceremony was held
to welcome the visiting leader
before the talks.
Plevneliev arrived in China on
Sunday for a four-day state visit at
Xi’s invitation.
During Monday’s talks, Xi
hailed the smooth development of
bilateral ties and the time-tested
friendship between China and
Bulgaria.
The two countries established
diplomatic relations on Oct. 4, 1949.
The two countries should boost
cooperation and work together to achieve
their respective goals of development, Xi said,
adding that the establishment of the
partnership will set the direction for the future
of the China-Bulgaria relationship.
Plevneliev said he admires China for its
great achievement of development and
believes that the Chinese dream of national
rejuvenation will benefit the whole world as
well as the Chinese people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds a welcome ceremony for Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev before their talks at the
Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2014 (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
convened as scheduled and facilitate a
political solution on the Syria issue.
Prior to the dialogue, Chinese and Kuwait
foreign ministers met on bilateral relations,
pledging to enhance ties between China and
Kuwait as well as relations with the GCC and
League of Arab States.
The fourth dialogue between China and
the GCC will be held in Qatar in 2015.
External Affairs
14 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Bulgaria regards China as its most
important partner in Asia, Plevneliev said,
adding that his administration stands ready
to expand reciprocal cooperation and further
step up bilateral ties as the two sides observe
the 65th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations.
According to the communique, the two
sides shall respect each other’s path of
development, support each other on issues
involving their respective core interests, and
b o o s t c o o p e r a t i o n i n a g r i c u l t u r e ,
infrastructure, energy, trade, culture,
education and tourism.
The two sides agreed to increase
communication and coordination on global
and regional affairs.
During the talks, Xi said China is confident
of Europe’s prospects, and cooperation
between China and central and eastern
European countries is an important
component of China-Europe ties. The
cooperation helps to promote development of
China and central and eastern countries, and
is also beneficial to the all-round and balanced
growth of China-Europe relations, Xi said.
Bulgaria is a reliable and good friend of
China in the European Union, Plevneliev said,
vowing that his country would make a greater
contribution to boosting Europe-China ties.
Plevneliev said he appreciates China’s
move to boost cooperation with central and
eastern Europe, adding that he is committed
to participating in the process.
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed
the signing of four documents, including
those regarding maritime transport and
setting up cultural centers.
Chinese Premier Meets Science Editor-in-Chief
Beijing, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) —
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with
Marcia McNutt, editor-in-chief of
U.S. journal Science, here on Monday.
Li said he hoped the journal
would continue to help China’s
scientific and technological progress,
promote research on basic science,
disseminate the voice of China’s
scientific community to the world,
and increase exchanges of scientific
achievements.
He added that the development
of science and technology is of vital
importance to the quality and
efficiency of China’s economy.
S c i e n t i f i c a n d t e c h n o l o g i c a l
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Editor-in-Chief of U.S. journal Science Marcia McNutt in Beijing, China, Jan. 13, 2014. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
External Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 15
innovation also played a positive role in
helping China achieve good and steady
economic growth last year.
China will promote innovation and
economic and social development, Li said.
McNutt congratulated China for the
successful landing of the Chang’e-3 lunar
probe, and wished the country to make
greater achievements in aerospace and space
exploration.
She spoke highly of China’s efforts to use
science and technology to promote its
economic development, improve people’s
well-being and cope with global challenges
such as climate change and environmental
pollution.
2013: A Fruitful Year in Chinese Diplomacy
Beijing, Dec. 26 (Xinhuanet) – Senior
diplomats from Chinese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs spoke highly of China’s diplomacy in
2013.
Speaking at the “2013 Chinese Diplomatic
Discussion” in Beijing on Wednesday, they
defined the year of 2013 as a “fruitful year in
foreign affairs of China”.
Chinese diplomacy has been developed in
a creative and inspired way. China has been
forming a powerful diplomacy with Chinese
characteristics, said Qin Gang, director-
general of the Information Department, in his
opening speech.
Cai Run, director-general of the Policy
Planning Department, said that Chinese
diplomacy has been more initiative, more
open and more effective in 2013.
The diplomacy of China has focused both
on domestic development and international
contribution. President Xi Jinping and
Premier Li Keqiang have visited 22 countries,
he said.
Over 800 agreements have been signed on
political, economic, cultural
and safety matters. The idea
of “Chinese Dream” has been
welcomed by various leaders
around the world, and China
h a s a l s o r a i s e d m a n y
contributive co-operative
initiatives, he added.
S e n i o r d i p l o m a t s
restressed the importance of
public diplomacy, saying
promoting the mutual
understandings between
China and other countries is
the task public diplomacy
faces.
China needs to build its Senior diplomats from Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs attend “2013
Chinese Diplomatic Discussion”, Dec. 25, 2013 (Xinhuanet/Shen Qing)
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16 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
image at the international stage. Traditional
media and new media have vital social
responsibilities in making international voice
on Chinese-related information and matters
and showing positive and contributive
images of China, they added.
T h e “ 2 0 1 3 C h i n e s e D i p l o m a t i c
Discussion” was held jointly by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and China Radio
International.
Diplomacy to Focus on Neighborhood
Beijing, Jan. 2 (Xinhuanet) — China’s diplomacy in 2014 will focus on neighboring countries, as its new leadership aims to forge the nation into a stronger regional power, observers from various countries said.
A stable relationship with its neighbors, particularly where the interests of Beijing and Washington overlap, will also help prevent major clashes between the two giants, they said.
“It does not mean we do not attach importance to big nations or developing countries, but neighbors will be the focus at the moment,” said Jin Canrong, deputy dean of the School of International Studies under Renmin University of China.
The Peripheral Diplomacy Work Conference, held in Beijing in October, signifies this trend, Jin said. The event was the first of its kind since the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949.
All seven members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee’s Political Bureau attended the conference, which set the direction for work in this field for the coming five to 10 years.
President Xi Jinping said at the meeting that the neighboring region is strategically important, and that in diplomacy, one must understand the trends of the time, devise an appropriate strategy and plan carefully.
He said sound relations with neighbors will benefit both China and the region, adding
that the basic tenet of diplomacy with neighboring countries is to treat them as friends and partners, make them feel safe and help them develop.
Jin said the priority in China’s regional diplomacy in 2014 is to “ease tensions while adhering to China’s basic stance”, referring to China’s territorial disputes with some nations.
He added that there are two major external problems facing Chinese diplomacy: the United States’ distrust of China, and China’s conflicts with some neighbors.
“It seems that so far, the US does not have the will nor the energy to directly confront China. Instead, it chose to take advantage of China’s neighboring nations” to create confrontations, Jin said. “So if China can maintain stable relations with its neighbors, it can ease the two problems at the same time.”
Washington has many cards to play in China, such as issues related to Japan, the Philippines and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jin said, adding that Beijing has to remain alert.
Bob Berring, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and a noted scholar, said that China will continue to assert itself as a great power in the Pacific.
“The age in which the United States exercised virtual control of the Pacific region is passing. Diplomacy may make this easy, but bad judgment on either side could make it hard.”
External Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 17
However, Berring added, “The United States is easily distracted and has no coherent foreign policy toward China. This, and a looming election in the United States, will make the job more difficult.”
He said “the Chinese leadership puts the good of the Chinese people before any dogmatic ideas”, and he expects the coming years to see “a flexible but strong stance on international affairs”.
“Regaining control of all territory that is rightfully part of China will remain the highest priority,” Berring said.
Historian Odd Arne Westad, speaking to the Asia Society of New York on Dec 18, said, “There’s no one that I know of currently in China, at the top level of Chinese politics, who sees China as a successful global power anytime soon.
“Today and for the next decade, possibly the next two decades, China will first and foremost be a regional power.”
Japan and ASEAN nations
Duncan Freeman, senior research fellow of Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies, said Beijing should be “very careful” in its relations with its neighbors.
“It’s not in China’s interests to get neighbors nervous about the peaceful-rise strategy,” said Steve Tsang, professor of Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Nottingham in England.
On Sino-Japanese ties, arguably the rockiest of China’s diplomatic relationships, Jin from Renmin University said that in 2014, the two countries should ease their confrontation over the Diaoyu Islands, which hurts both sides.
Ian Taylor, professor of international relations at University of St Andrews in the UK, said, “What China, Japan and others should do is to make themselves heard without making others feel nervous. It’s a
difficult balance because making yourself heard can also be interpreted by others as being aggressive … particularly in that part of Asia. There are a lot of historical memories and tensions.”
But Su Hao, a professor of Asia-Pacific studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said that Japan is committed to enhancing its ability to confront China in the “rivalry of peers”.
He said China should strengthen legal enforcement and patrols in the East China Sea, including waters around the Diaoyu Islands and increase air forces in the region to “gradually win a strategic advantage”.
“Tensions in the East China Sea are also a concern of the US. China should make concerted efforts with the US to contain the rising right-wing and militarist forces in Japan.”
In Southeast Asia, Su said, Beijing wants to maintain stability, which was boosted in 2013 by China’s breakthrough agreements with Brunei and Vietnam on joint development in disputed areas in the South China Sea.
There fore , one pr ior i ty wi l l be implementation of the deals, he said.
Su said that Beijing also will seek “an upgrade in quality” in its economic relationship with ASEAN.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in December that China will seek early results in the building of the “maritime Silk Road” in 2014.
Beijing will also push for “tangible achievements” in upgrading the Sino-ASEAN free trade area and negotiations on the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership, he said.
“The will is important, the proposals are also eye-catching, but the key lies in implementation,” Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin said when talking about China’s 2014 diplomacy plan in Asia in an
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18 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
interview released on Wednesday.Still, Su said, the Philippines will remain a
spot of potential conflicts with China as Manila seeks international arbitration on the South China Sea instead of peacefully negotiating with Beijing.
DPRK and Afghanistan
Qu Xing, president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the “unstable and somehow unpredictable” situation in the DPRK might bring new turbulence and pose a challenge to China, which has all along tried to quench fires on the peninsula.
Beijing will also have to be alert for the
potential security, political and economic impact of the withdrawal of troops of the US and NATO from Afghanistan and the presidential election in Afghanistan in 2014, he said.
The Chinese have increasing investments in their war-torn neighbor, which also plays a significant role in China’s fight against terrorism, which is rampant in its western areas such as the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
China will host an international foreign ministers’ meeting on the Afghanistan issue in 2014.
Remarks by Yang Jiechi on Abe's Visit to the Yasukuni Shrine
Beijing, Dec. 28 (Xinhuanet) — On 28
December 2013, Chinese State Councilor Yang
Jiechi spoke on Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine.
Yang Jiechi said that in total disregard of
international opposition, Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe blatantly paid homage to
the Yasukuni Shrine three days ago where
Class-A war criminals of World War II are
honored. This act brazenly affronted people of
all countries that once suffered from Japanese
militarist aggression and colonial rule. It is a
flagrant provocation to the peace-loving
people of the entire world, a gross trampling
upon historical justice and human conscience,
and an outrageous challenge to the outcomes
of the world’s victory in the war against
fascism and the post-war international order
established on the basis of the Charter of the
United Nations. The perverse act by Abe has,
as it should, aroused firm opposition and
strong condemnation of the Chinese
government and people and the international
community.
Yang Jiechi pointed out that the issue of
Yasukuni Shrine, in essence, boils down to
whether or not the Japanese government is
able to correctly look at and profoundly
repent its past of militarist aggression and
colonial rule. Abe is the Prime Minister of
Japan. His visit to the Yasukuni Shrine is by no
means a domestic affair of Japan, still less an
act by an individual. Instead, it is a major issue
of right and wrong that concerns aggression
versus anti-aggression, justice versus evil, and
light versus darkness. It is a fundamental
issue of direction about whether Japan’s
leader will adhere to the purposes and
principles of the UN Charter and stay with the
path of peaceful development. And it is a
matter of major principle that bears on the
political foundation of Japan’s relations with
External Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 19
its Asian neighbors and the international
community. What Abe has done is pushing
Japan toward a dangerous road that
undermines the fundamental interests of
people of all countries and of Japan. This has
already given rise to high vigilance of the
international community and of people with
vision in Japan in various sectors.
Yang Jiechi stressed that the Chinese
people cannot be insulted, nor can people of
Asia and throughout the world be humiliated.
Abe must own up to the wrongdoing, correct
the mistake and take concrete measures to
remove its egregious impacts. We urge Abe to
give up any illusion and mend his way,
otherwise he will further discredit himself
before Japan’s Asian neighbors and the
international community and end up being an
out-and-out loser in history.
Statement from Chinese Side
On December 26, Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe of Japan, in disregard of the strong
opposition of China and other parties,
blatantly paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine
where Class-A war criminals of World War II
are honored. This is a brazen challenge to all
the victimized peoples in the Japanese
militarist war of aggression and to the
outcome of World War II and the post-war
order. Abe’s action is leading Japan down an
extremely dangerous path and has gravely
undermined regional peace and stability,
h e n c e t h e s t r o n g o p p o s i t i o n a n d
condemnation from its Asian neighbors and
the international community.
The Yasukuni Shrine was the spiritual
instrument and symbol of Japanese
militarism in its war of aggression and
colonial rule during World War II. To date, it
still openly clings to its claim that aggression
is ‘justified’ and honors 14 Class-A war
criminals of World War II as ‘heroes’, doing its
utmost to trumpet the militarist view of
history. By paying homage to the Yasukuni
Shrine as Japanese Prime Minister, Abe is
seeking to clear the name of the criminals of
the war of aggression. This has fully exposed
his right-wing nature and spoken to the fact
that today, nearly 70 years after the end of
World War II, Japan still fails to correctly
understand and treat its past aggression. This
is an attempt to overturn the just trial of
Japanese militarism by the international
community after the war and challenge the
outcome of World War II and the post-war
international order.
Only with a right approach to the past can
the future be embraced. The war of aggression
against China waged by militarist Japan
inflicted untold calamities on the Chinese
people, and the invading Japanese army
committed the Nanjing Massacre and many
other heinous atrocities. China suffered as
many as 35 million casualties and 600 billion
US dollars in direct and indirect losses. Japan
is China’s neighbor. We are willing to develop
normal ties of good-neighborliness and
friendship with the Japanese people. When
China and Japan normalized their diplomatic
ties in 1972, the Chinese leadership made the
important decision not to seek war
reparations from Japan. This is because we
believe that the crimes and responsibilities of
the war of aggression against China should be
External Affairs
20 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
borne by the small number of militarists. The
Japanese people are also victims of the war.
However, Abe has refused to assume
historical responsibilities or own up to
Japan’s past crimes. Instead, he has gone so
far as to worship Class-A war criminals. This
has severely damaged and overturned the
political foundation of China-Japan relations.
The victorious outcomes of the world anti-
Fascist War and the post-war international
order were achieved with the loss of the lives
and blood of people of China and the world.
We will never allow Japan to overthrow the
verdict on its history of aggression or turn
back the wheel of history. We stand ready to
work with the rest of the world to jointly
uphold historical justice and world peace.
Work for a Better World
Wang Yi
A more proactive and enterprising China
will help resolve hotspot issues and make
greater contributions to global peace
Nearly one year into office by the current
Chinese government, China, which has
enjoyed stability and steady progress, is
attracting increasing attention from around
the world. Many are eager to see what China
will bring to the world. My answer: a better
China will make for a better world. As the
Report to the 18th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China pointed out, China
w i l l r e m a i n c o m m i t t e d t o p e a c e ,
development, cooperation and mutual
benefit, unswervingly follow the path of
peaceful development, get more actively
involved in international affairs, play its due
role as a major responsible country, and
continue to promote friendship and
partnership with its neighbors and
consolidate amicable relations with them.
This is the pledge China has made to the
world.
A China that constantly deepens reform
and opens still wider to the outside is an
important force for peace and stability in the
world. The defining features of the present-
day China are reform and opening-up. To
achieve modernization, China needs to secure
a peaceful international environment to
develop itself, and safeguard and promote
world peace with its own development. It
needs to enlarge the convergence of interests
of all parties and work toward a harmonious
world of lasting peace and common
prosperity. That is why our diplomacy flatly
rejects the law of the jungle, embraces equality
of all countries irrespective of size and stands
against hegemonism. China has the
confidence to prove, with its own actions and
by working with other countries, that a
country growing stronger does not inevitably
seek hegemony. As the world’s largest
developing country and largest grouping of
developed countries, China and the European
Union should respect each other’s
development paths as chosen in line with
respective realities and work together to
maintain world peace and stability.
A China tha t upholds win-win
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January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 21
cooperation is providing a strong impetus to
global prosperity and development. “A single
flower does not make spring.” China is ready
to join the rest of the world to share
opportunity and seek prosperity. China and
the United States have agreed to build a new
model of major-country relationship
featuring non-confrontation, non-conflict,
mutual respect and win-win cooperation.
China and Russia, by vigorously deepening
their comprehensive strategic partnership of
coordination, have set a good example of
mutual trust and cooperation between major
countries. Committed to a right approach to
morality and interests, China is willing to give
greater consideration to the interests of other
developing countries. We are also happy to
see the developed countries sharing in the
dividends of China’s development. The
recently concluded Third Plenum of the 18th
CPC Central Committee has put forth specific
goals for a comprehensively deepened reform
in the political, economic, cultural, social and
ecological fields. In all these areas, we find
Europe our important cooperation partner.
We hope to see a combination of China’s
ongoing program of urbanizat ion ,
industrialization, IT application and
agricultural modernization with Europe’s
project of economic recovery. We would also
like to see the Chinese and European markets
reinforce each other to boost our respective
development and provide fresh impetus to a
dynamic, sustainable and balanced growth of
the world economy.
A more proactive and enterprising China
is making important contributions to
appropriate resolutions of international
hotspot issues. As a permanent member of the
UN Security Council, China knows full well
its major mandates and responsibilities and
works hard to address hotspot issues at
regional and international levels. In December
2013, China sent peacekeeping troops to Mali,
the 24th UN peacekeeping mission it has
participated in since 1990. Not long ago, I
attended on behalf of China the dialogue of
the P5+1 countries and the EU with Iran. The
Chinese s ide upheld just ice , made
construct ive recommendat ions and
encouraged the parties to reach agreement on
the first-step measures to resolve the Iranian
nuclear issue. We have also actively
supported the destruction of chemical
weapons in Syria and decided to provide a
naval escort for the Syrian weapons. As two
major forces working for world peace, both
China and the EU stand for defusing crises
with diplomacy. And the two sides should
work together to uphold the sanctity of the
UN Charter and make still greater
c o n t r i b u t i o n t o w o r l d p e a c e a n d
development.
A China that is committed to good
neighborliness is injecting ever greater
positive energy to peace and development in
the Asia-Pacific region. With 20 land and
maritime neighbors and a land boundary
totaling 22,000 kilometers, China has more
neighbors than any other country in the
world. The neighborhood where China finds
itself is what China depends on for survival,
development and prosperity. Therefore, we
will commit ourselves to developing amicable
relationships and partnerships with our
neighbors, fostering an amicable, secure and
prosperous neighborhood and pursuing the
principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit
and inclusiveness. China and Russia are
committed to ensuring peace and friendship
generation after generation along their 4,300-
kilometer boundary. From Dandong (on the
China-DPRK border) to Manzhouli (on the
China-Russia border), and from Horgos (on
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22 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
the China-Kazakhstan border) to Dongxing
(on the China-Vietnam border), over 50
Chinese ports are bustling with people doing
a brisk business. China has worked
vigorously to develop a partnership of
maritime cooperation with ASEAN countries
and its initiative for a Maritime Silk Road of
the 21st century has been enthusiastically
received. All this stands as a convincing proof
that peace, development and cooperation
prevai l s in China’s ne ighborhood.
Admittedly, there are outstanding territorial
or maritime disputes between China and
certain countries. We have always stood for
peaceful settlement of such issues through
negotiations and hope relevant countries will
work with us toward the same goal.
What deserves our attention is that 68
years after World War II came to its end, Japan
remains unwilling to face up to its past of
aggression and its leader has gone so far as to
pay homage to the Yasukuni Shrine where 14
Class A war criminals of World War II are
honored and even regard war criminals as
“those who had fought for the country and
made ultimate sacrifices”. Japan’s attitude
toward its past of militarist aggression
contrasts sharply with that of Europe which
made a thorough condemnation of Nazi
crimes. The Japanese leader, by trying to turn
back the wheel of history, is leading his
country down a dangerous road. The
international community needs to stay
vigilant and stand firmly for human
conscience and the post-war international
order.
Today’s China has come under the
spotlight of the world, but the international
stage belongs to all countries. China is
increasingly in need of the world for its
development while the world also needs
China for its prosperity. Looking into 2014,
countries will form a community of shared
destinies in which their interests mingle and
integrate more closely, while at the same time
they will face still more complicated global
challenges. In the year 2014, China will play its
role as a responsible major country more
effectively. Its diplomacy will display a
broader global vision, an enterprising and
innovative spirit and more actions to translate
the principle of win-win cooperation into
practice. We will respond to what the
international community has expected of us
with a more proactive and vigorous
diplomacy and present the world with a better
China. Together, we, all of us, will make our
world an even better place.
(The author is foreign minister of China.)
Peace, Stability and Development Have to be Firmly Safeguarded
Wei WeiChinese Ambassador to India
The year of 2013 is a year of development
and cooperation for Asia. Asia remains to be a
major engine of the world economy.
Emerging economies in Asia kept a rapid
growth and contributed to development and
prosperity of the world. Asia is generally
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January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 23
stable. It is a common aspiration of Asian
countries to live with peace, stability and
development. In the meantime, Asia is in a
continuous process of economic integration,
as well as cooperation in politics and security.
Regional cooperation as a whole is further
deepened. As a matter of fact, the rise of Asia
has become a prominent factor in the
international situation. It is important for us to
have a proper understanding of the status and
role of Asia in global affairs.
The current global economy, though in a
slow process of recovery, is undergoing in-
depth restruction. Its future is, however, of
some uncertainty. The U.S. economy shows
rejuvenation but the momentum is relatively
weak. It is difficult to say for the time being
that the U.S. will end up with its quantitative
easing (QE) policy. The European debt crisis is
at a turning point but its recovery is still slow.
The emerging economies like BRICS countries
keep growing but in a slower pace. They’re
encountered with more and more pressure
due to the change of external environment
and their own structural adjustment. Against
this background, the whole world including
Asia is more committed to economic
development and improving people’s
livelihood so as to consolidate the momentum
of economic recovery and to buffet
uncertainty. Especially for Asian emerging
economies like China and India, it is
imperative to seize the hard-won economic
recovery tendency and enhance mutually
beneficial cooperation and push forward the
reform of international financial regulatory
system, thus to reduce the impact on their
own import and export and stable currency
resulted from the withdrawal of QE by the
U.S.
Unfortunately, some Japanese leaders
blatantly paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine
where Class-A war criminals of World War II
are honored. This is a brazen challenge to the
post-war international order and to the
historical justice and human conscience. This
will also undermine the political stability in
East Asia and hurt the economic relation
between China and Japan and even the U.S.
economy. China, United States and Japan’s
GDP ranks top three in the world. Any
disturbance to the above three economies will
not only damage the global economic
recovery impetus, but also do harm to Asian
economies, India included. Japan, as an Asian
country per se, should have assumed its
responsibility of promoting common
prosperity in Asia. The Japanese government,
however, is fiercely implementing its right-
wing doctrine by trying to get rid of the post-
war order, by amending its pacifist
Constitution and by developing into a
“military power”. This obviously runs against
the world trend of pursuing development and
enhancing world economic recovery.
Both China and India have made
important contribution to the fight against the
Japanese militarist aggression in World War
II. Dr. Kotnis and his medical team went to
China and helped Chinese people against the
Japanese aggression during the Anti-Japanese
War. The doctor even sacrificed his valuable
life in China. He is well cherished by the
people of China. With assistance from the
United States and the United Kingdom, the
Indian and Chinese soldiers were together in
fighting against the Japanese aggression in
India. We, after suffering from the invasion by
Japan, should by no means forget this part of
the history. As Julia Lovell writes in her book
review of China’s War with Japan, 1937-1945 :
The Struggle for Survival by Prof. Rana Mitter
of Oxford University, “China’s eight years of
resistance changed the course of the Second
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24 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
I. Expansion and Collapse of Militarist Japan
After the Meiji Restoration (Meiji Ishin), Japan took the path of ‘fukoku kyohei’ (enrich the country, strengthen the military) and began its external expansion and aggression in the sea and on land.
Stage one: Expansion in the East China Sea. Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1872 and turned it into Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. In 1874, Japanese troops invaded Taiwan under the excuse of Ryukyu fishermen being harassed by Taiwan ethnic minorities. In 1885, Japan conducted some fact-finding missions to Diaoyu Dao and attempted to invade and occupy the island. In 1894, Japan waged the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. In January the following year, Japan stole Diaoyu Dao and forced the Qing court to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki in April, under which China ceded Taiwan to Japan and paid Japan 230 million tael of silver.
Stage two: Expansion on land. Through the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Japan also
gained control over China’s Liaodong Peninsula, only to give it up due to the intervention of Russia, France and Germany. Japan thus perceived Russia as the biggest obstacle in its on-land expansion strategy and started its ‘ Gashin Shotan’ movement (persevering through hardship for the sake of revenge). It ferociously scaled up its armed forces, vying with Russia for hegemony. In 1904, Japan waged the Russo-Japanese War and signed with Russia the Treaty of Portsmouth in the following year. The treaty forced Russia to recognize Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula, renounce part of its power in Northeast China to Japan and cede the southern half of the Island of Sakhalin to Japan. In 1905 Japan declared Korea its protectorate before its full annexation of
Korea in 1910.
After World War I broke out, Japan declared war against Germany and took this as an opportunity to invade China’s Q i n g d a o a n d S h a n d o n g Peninsula. In 1918, at the time of the October Revolution in Russia, Japan invaded Siberia. Japan’s evil ambition raised the alert of European countries and
World War. By refusing to surrender, China’s
armies detained at least half a million
Japanese troops which could otherwise have
been deployed to other territories.” Prof.
Mitter also mentioned in his book that “A
pacified China would have made the invasion
of British India much more plausible.”
Today, people of Asian countries
including China, India and Japan would all
bear in mind the lessons of history, not for the
sake of hostility or revenge, but for the
purpose of telling right from wrong, for the
purpose of upholding the path of peace and
for the purpose of realizing common
development.
History of Japanese Militarism and Circumstances Concerning the Issue of Yasukuni Shrine
After World War I broke out, Japan declared war against Germany and took this as an opportunity to invade China’s Qingdao and Shandong Peninsula.
External Affairs
After World War II, with the start of the Cold War, the United States shifted its policy over Japan from ‘reform’ to ‘support’. Japanese militarist crimes were thus not thoroughly exposed and punished.
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 25
the United States. Under increased international pressure, Japan gave up its claims over Shandong and withdrew from Siberia. But with the pro-invasion forces taking the upper hand inside Japan, Japan’s relations with the west deteriorated and the country became increasingly hostile to China’s national revolution and the unification process between northern and southern China. During the Northern Expedition (a military campaign led by Kuomintang to unify China), Japan instigated the Jinan Incident (May 3 Tragedy) and Huanggutun Incident to obstruct China’s unification. In 1927, the Tanaka Giichi administration held a Far East Conference which adopted the Tanaka Memorial, A full expression of Japan’s wild ambition to conquer the entire w o r l d . T h e m e m o r i a l preached, ‘in order to take over the world, you need to take over China; in order to take over China, you need to take over Manchuria and Mongolia.’ In 1931, Japan plotted the September 18 Incident (Mukden Incident), established the puppet state of Manchukuo and incited independence of China’s Inner Mongolia and ‘ autonomy’ of five provinces in northern China.
In 1937, Japan launched a full-scale invasion into China by provoking the Marco Polo Bridge (Lugouqiao) Incident and occupied over half of China. During its invasion in China, Japan committed the Nanjing Massacre, the Chongqing Bombing and the massacres in Pingdingshan and other places. In the anti-Japanese bases, Japan implemented the policy of ‘burn all, kill all and loot all’. It used chemical and biological weapons and its Unit 731 conducted
experiments on living human bodies. It also forcefully recruited Chinese laborers and comfort women. Throughout the war against Japanese aggression, China suffered 35 million casualties, 100 billion US dollars in direct economic losses and 500 billion US dollars in indirect losses.
Stage Three: Expansion to the Pacific. In December 1941, Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor destroyed the US pacific Fleet, leading to the outbreak of the Pacific War. China, the United States and the United Kingdom simultaneously declared war on Japan, which, for quite some time, occupied the whole of West Pacific, including Southeast
Asia. Japan created numerous massacres in Malaysia , Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar and other places, killed hundreds of thousands of local people, Chinese included, and tortured many prisoners of the Allies to death. By containing and destroying most of the Japanese army in the Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War, China provided
effective backing for the European theater. At the same time, the United States launched counter attacks from the sea. In August 1945, the Soviet Union joined the war and the United States air- dropped two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Finally, Japan was forced to declare unconditional surrender and accepted the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, in which it was deprived by the Allies of all the territories it took through invasion and expansion. That marked the complete failure of Japan’s militarist policy since modern times of invading and expanding to the continent and the sea.
After World War II, with the start of the
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26 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Cold War, the United States shifted its policy over Japan from ‘reform’ to ‘support’. Japanese militarist crimes were thus not thoroughly exposed and punished. With the support of the United States, Japan made territorial claims over the ‘four northern islands’ that were under the occupation of the Soviet Union. In 1972, the United States ‘returned’ Okinawa to Japan. Japan then seized the chance to illegally take control of Diaoyu Dao.
II. Japan’s False View of History Embodied in the Yushukan Museum
The Yushukan Museum is a war museum located in the Yasukuni Shrine. Established in 1882, it stores the trophies, documents, weapons and personal items of Japanese soldiers killed in wars from the time of Meiji Restoration to WWII. It is Japan’s first military museum and its biggest war museum. The name of the museum ‘Yushu’ comes from a line in the article An Exhortation to Learning by ancient Chinese philosopher Xunzi: ‘When a gentleman settles down, he would select a good neighborhood and when he travels, he would only associated with and learn from people of high principle in order to steer away from evil and maintain his integrity.’ The name of the museum suggests that the war criminals honored in the Yasukuni Shrine are people of high principle and the war of aggression waged by militarist Japan is a just cause. The Yushukan Museum is the most important part of the Yasukuni Shrine and a key facility to glorify Japan’s war of aggression. A false view of history, embodied in the captions and exhibitions in the museum, blatantly advocates militarism and a wrong perspective on history, glorifies militarists and whitewashes Japan’s acts of aggression.
1. Covering up and distorting history. Japan attributes the war to the ‘ provocation’ and ‘oppression’ by the United States, the
United Kingdom and even China and portrays its aggression as a holy war for national defense.
The Japanese depiction of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident is : On the night of 7 July, the
th12 year of the Showa reign (1937), a Japanese detachment (Kiyomoto Squadron) was shot at when it was training at a drill ground near the Marco Polo Bridge in Beijing’s suburbs. The next morning, the Ichiki Battalion heading there was also shot at and exchanged fire with the Chinese army in the city of Wanping. The skirmish at the Marco Polo Bridge escalated into the ‘Incident of Northern China’ as a result of illegal attack by regular Chinese troops on Japanese soldiers and counterattack by the Japanese, turning the whole of northern China into a battlefield. It happened against the background of Chinese refusal to join the peace negotiation proposed by Japan.
Japan’s interpretation of the Pacific War is a war of life and death for Japan and the whole country and nation were devoted to the war to safeguard Japan. The United States, the United Kingdom, China and the Netherlands formed a so-called ‘ABCD Circle’ (ABCD are the initials of America, Britain, China and the Dutch) around Japan. According to Japan, it was the United States who scrapped the trade agreement, put a stop to its export of pig iron and other important resources and then issued a complete ban on oil export to Japan. Japan, who could not possibly survive without oil, made representations with the US on several occasions but only received an ultimatum in return, demanding that the Japanese army withdraw completely from China’s mainland and Manchuria. Even if launching a war against the United States was not an option, accepting the ultimatum would have meant national subjugation. Japan had legitimate interests in China, especially in Northeast China, which was obtained through its war with Russia and Japan had tombs of its fallen soldiers there. Without
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January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 27
waging the war, Japan would have lost its soul. Therefore Japan decided to put up a desperate fight instead of awaiting its doom and swore to continue the fight one generation after another even if it would fail one day.
The Japanese version of the Nanjing Massacre is like this: A Japanese general named Iwane Matsui handed out maps to his subordinates in which foreign residential areas and safe zones were marked in red, and asked them to comply with military discipline or else face severe punishment. He also warned the Chinese army to surrender. Commander Tang Shengzhi of the Chinese army ignored the warning and ordered his troops to fight to death while he slipped away. Chinese troops were defeated with heavy casualties.
2. Glorifying militarism. The Museum whitewashes the purpose of waging the war as to help Asia get rid of the colonial rule of the Caucasians and realize the goal of the ‘ Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’. It displays and advocates the ‘ war glories’ of the Japanese servicemen and the ‘ Bushido’ spirit that calls for the ultimate dedication to the Japanese Emperor.
On the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, the Museum claims that Japan fought the Japan-Qing War (the 1894-1895 Sino-Japanese War) to help Korea become independent. The Qing government of China took Japan as the enemy because it didn’t want to lose Korea, its last tributary state. The result of the war was that Korea was freed from the Qing government’s control. Japan waged the Russo-Japanese War to prevent Tsarist Russia from moving southward to control China’s Northeast and Korea. The result of the war was that China’s Northeast was seized back from Russia and returned to China. Japan, in turn, received its due interests in China.
On the ‘Divine Wind Special Attack Forces’ (Kamikaze Tokkoutai), the Museum focuses on displaying their suicide attacks against US naval vessels at the end of the Pacific War. Inside the hall are many exhibits showing the personal information of the Special Attack Force members and the weapons including human torpedoes and human rockets. A bronze statue of the Special Attack Force members is set at the right of the hall entrance, the introduction saying that they ‘represent the foundation of the peace and prosperity of the nation today. Their pure and noble martyr spirit shall be respected, worshipped and forever carried forward by the whole nation’. The ‘brave’ and ‘patriotic’ image of the Special Attack Force members is specially highlighted.
On Japan’s aggression against Southeast Asia, the Museum claims that all Southeast Asian countries were colonized by the West at that time, with no independent state in the region. As a ‘liberating force’, Japan drove away the Western Caucasians, laying the foundation for the success of the post-war movements in these countries against colonialism and for independence.
There is also a C56 steam locomotive on display in the entrance hall of the Museum. The Museum claims that such locomotive used to run on the Burma-Thailand railway, a world engineering miracle, bringing enormous economic benefits to Southeast Asian countries. In fact, the railway, also known as the ‘Death Railway’, was built at the cost of the lives of 13,000 prisoners of war of the Allied Forces and 90,000 laborers from Myanmar, Malaysia and the Netherlands’ East Indies. Yet not a single word on that is mentioned at the Yushukan Museum.
3. Denying the Tokyo Trial. The Museum completely denies the trial at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), and considers the executed
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28 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Class-A war criminals as martyrs persecuted by the victorious nations.
On the Tokyo Trial, the Museum claims that the Tokyo Trial was a unilateral trial by victorious nations against the defeated Japan. Japan at that time was unable to claim its own legitimate rights. The Allied Forces took Japan as the defendant in accordance with the laws developed by themselves. Provisions made by the IMTFE such as ‘crime against peace’ and ‘crime against humanity’ are against the principle of nulla poena sine lege (no penalty without a law), as the defendants were tried retroactively for violating laws which had not existed when the acts were conducted. In accordance with the principles of the international law, the trial on war criminals shall be rendered invalid once a peace treaty is signed. In the Treaty of San Francisco, Japan committed to accept the results of the Tokyo Trial. Yet it doesn’t mean that Japan accepts the historical view embodied in the Trial.
III. About the Tokyo Trial
From 3 May 1946 to 12 November 1948, principal Japanese WWII war criminals were put on trial at the IMTFE. Such crimes as planning, preparation, initiation, or waging of wars of aggression were classified as Class-A crimes. There were over 50 Japanese war tribunals around the world, and the IMTFE was the only place where Class-A criminal suspects were prosecuted. Since the trial took place in Tokyo, it is also known as the Tokyo Trial.
1. The composition of the IMTFE
On 26 July 1945, toward the end of WWII, China, the United States and the United Kingdom issued the Potsdam Proclamation, whose terms specified the elimination “ for all time[of ] the authority and influence of those who have deceived and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest” (Article 6) and “stern justice” to “be meted out
to all war criminals, including those who have visited cruelties upon our prisoners” (Article 10).Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced unconditional surrender on 15 August 1945 and signed the Instrument of Surrender on 2 September. These events provided the political and legal foundation and realistic conditions for the Tokyo Trial.
On 26 December 1945, foreign ministers of the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom released the Communique on the Moscow Conference, giving General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allies Powers in the Far East, the authority to prosecute Japanese war criminals. On 19 January 1946, MacArthur issued a special proclamation ordering the establishment of the IMTFE and approved its Charter. The IMTFE was officially launched.
In February 1946, MacArthur appointed a panel of nine judges to the Tribunal, one candidate from each of the nine countries that signed the Instrument of Surrender, namely China, the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Canada , Australia and New Zealand. Justice William Webb from Australia was President of the Tribunal. On 26 April, amendments were made to the IMTFEC Charter to add two judges from India and Philippinese respectively to the panel so that the countries on the Far East Commission could be fully represented at the Tribunal. Each of the 11 countries also sent a prosecutor to form a panel of prosecutors headed by Chief Prosecutor Joseph Keenan from the United States. Justice Mei Ruao and Prosecutor Xiang Zhejun represented China at the Tribunal.
2. The trial and its outcome
On 28 April 1946, the IMTFE identified 28 Class-A war criminal suspects, including Hideki Tojo. On 29 April, the prosecutors officially lodged an indictment with the Tribunal, containing 55 counts charging the 28
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January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 29
defendants with Crimes against Peace, Conventional War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. The Tokyo Trial lasted for two years and seven months. In the 818 court sessions in all, 419 witness took the stand, 779 witness presented written statements, and 4336 pieces of evidence were handled, all pointing to the crimes of the Japanese militarists in planning and preparing for the war of aggression against China and other Asian countries as well as staging the Pacific War.
On 4 November 1948, the Toyko Trial delivered a 1213-page judgment, which took the Tribunal seven days to read out. Among the 28 defendants, Osami Nagano and Yosuke Matsuoka died of illness and charges were dropped against the mentally unfit Shumei Okawa. All the remaining 25 were found guilty. Seven were sentenced to death, including Hideki Tojo, Kenji Doihara and Seishiro Itagaki; 16 were sentenced to life imprisonment, including Kiichiro Hiranuma, Kuniaki Koiso and Yoshijiro Umezu; and Shigenori Togo and Mamoru Shigemitsu were sentenced to 20 and 7 years of imprisonment respectively. On 23 December 1948, Hideki Tojo and the other six criminals were executed by hanging at Sugamo Prison in Tokyo.
In drafing the judgment, several judges raised dissenting opinions over the legal basis of the trial and the penalties to be given. The judgment delivered by the Tribunal reflected the views of the majority. Separate opinions were made by the few dissenting judges, which were ont read out at the Tribunal.
3. The significance of the Tokyo Trial
The Tokyo Trial is a trial of justice conducted by the international community on Japan’s responsibility for waging aggressive wars and the atrocities committed by Japanese militarists. Like the Nuremberg Trial, it constitutes a significant part of the
political basis of the post-war international order.
The Tokyo Trial is regarded by many as the largest international trial in human history. It has exposed the crimes of aggression committed by the Japanese Fascists, meted out severe punishment to the militarist leaders, promoted international justice, and had a far-reaching impact on the enrichment and development of the norms of international law for upholding world peace and on the establishment of post-war international order.
On 8 September 1951, Japan concluded the Treaty of San Francisco with the United States and some other countries . Article 11 of the Treaty clearly stipulates that “Japan accepts the judgment of the IMTFE and of other Allied War Crimes Courts both within and outside Japan, and will carry out the sentences imposed thereby upon Japanese nationals imprisoned in Japan.” This is a clear indication of the Japanese government’s commitment to accept the results of the “Tokyo Trial”, yet such a commitment is deeply resisted by the right-wing forces in Japan, who have continued to run against the trend of the times by challenging the “Tokyo Trial” and attempting to rewrite Japan’s history of aggression.
Because of the loopholes left by the United States in its dealings of post-war Japan, the right-wing forces managed to return to the top echelon of the Japanese society and even regained power of the state. The absurd questions they raised to negate the Tokyo Trial had a pernicious impact across the Japanese society. Afterwards, pushed by the r ight-wing conservat ives and with acquiescence from the United States, the Japanese authorities began to clear the name of the war criminals in roughly three steps.
First, the Japanese authorities pardoned war criminals serving their sentences. On 3
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30 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
August 1953, the Japanese House of Representatives adopted the resolution on pardoning such war criminals. As a result, 13 Class-A war criminals were one by one released from prison(the other five had died while serving in prison). Among them, Mamoru Shigemitsu and Okinori Kaya even went on to become Foreign Minister and Justice Minister respectively.
Second, the Japanese authorities awarded assistance to the bereaved families of the Class-A war criminals on the ground that these war criminals “died in public service.” On 1 August 1953, the Japanese Diet revised the Assistance Act for the Wounded and Sick Veterans and Bereaved Families of Fallen Soldiers, allowing the bereaved families of the 14 Class-A war criminals to enjoy equal assistance as those of ordinary fallen soldiers(the legal term being”died in public service”).
Third, the Japanese authorities helped the Yasukuni Shrine enshrine the 14 Class-A war criminals. In February 1966, the Ministry of Welfare forwarded to the Yasukuni Shrine information of the 14 Class-A war criminals included in a list of figures to be enshrined. Yet the purpose was not achieved due to the reluctance of the head priest Fujimaro Tsukuba, who came from the royal family, and other reasons, until the change of head priest in October 1978. As soon as he took office, Nagayoshi Matsudaira, the new head priest, enshrined the 14 Class-A war criminals as “Martyrs of Showa” in a secret ceremony. Later on , he indicated in an interview that the enshrinement was approved by the Japanese government.
The abovementioned steps by the Japanese government watered down and blurred the responsibility for war of these Class-A criminals and further emboldened the right-wing forces to overturn the historic verdict given on Japan’s aggression. Following these steps, Japan has raised its voice to negate the Tokyo Trial. Japanese
leaders even began to openly question the legitimacy of the trial.
In June 1979, Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira told the Diet, “ I think that the judgment on the Class-A war criminals or on the Greater East Asia War will be made by history.” In September 1986, Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone said during a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party(LDP), “Allied Powers put Japan on trial according to their own laws and tried Japan in the name of civilization, humanity and peace at the Tokyo Trial.” “ A judgment on whether such form of trial is correct will sooner or later be made by history.
Current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plays a leadership role among the right-wing conservatives in Japan. He has a wrong understanding of history and has kept making negative remarks on the issue of the Tokyo Trial. When he was the acting secretary-general of the LDP, he tried to establish an association of young members of the Diet to Support visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and called for discussions on “ the illegitimacy of the Tokyo Trial” and “wrong verdicts on Class-A war criminals”. On 12 March 2013, Abe said to the Diet that the verdict of the Tokyo Trial was passed by the victor, i.e. the Allied Powers,not by Japan itself. In April 2013, Abe claimed in the Diet that the definition of aggression is unclear in academia and the international community. On 26 December 2013, in defiance of strong international opposition, Abe blatantly paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine where Class-A war criminals are honored. Such rhetoric and behavior of Abe has laid bare his intention to negate the Tokyo Trial, clear the name of Class-A war criminals and overturn the historic verdict on Japan’s aggression. This has caused a great uproar in and outside Japan and aroused strong condemnation from China, the ROK , the United States and the International community.
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Beijing, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) —
Chinese President Xi Jinping on
Tuesday stressed that the anti-
graft fight is vital for the Party’s
integrity in the long term, urging
independent and authoritative
supervision from disciplinary
agencies.
“Preventing the Party from
being corrupted in its long-term
rule of the country is a major
political mission. And we must do
it right,” said Xi, also general
secretary of the Communist Party
o f C h i n a ( C P C ) C e n t r a l
Committee, when addressing the
third plenary session of the CPC
Central Commission for Discipline
Inspection (CCDI) that opened
Monday.
He stressed zero tolerance of
graft and promised to seriously
punish every corrupt official being
caught.
Xi urged efforts to ensure “relatively
independent and authoritative supervisory
power” of disciplinary agencies at all levels.
Authorities should reform the Party’s
disciplinary inspection system, improve the
anti-graft mechanism and enhance the checks
and supervision of power, he said.
“Do not let regulations become ‘paper
tigers’ or ‘scarecrows,’” he went on, adding
that endeavors would be intensified to hold
officials accountable for wrongdoing.
“Every CPC official should keep in mind
that all dirty hands will be caught,” he said.
“Senior officials should hold Party disciplines
in awe and stop taking chances.”
In 2013, the Party leadership struck hard
on corruption and made major progress, Xi
said.
“The Political Bureau of the CPC Central
Committee set the example for lower
officials,” according to Xi.
The country brought down both “tigers”
and “flies,” metaphors for senior and low-
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Communist Party of China Promises Harsher
Anti-corruption Drive
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 14, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
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32 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
ranking corrupt officials, and mounted high
pressure on corrupt officials, he told his
audience.
The CPC tightened supervision and
inspection on the use of power and expanded
channels for the public to supervise and
report corrupt officials, which earned positive
feedback from the people, Xi added.
According to the CCDI, discipline
inspection agencies punished about 182,000
officials nationwide in 2013, 13.3 percent more
than in 2012. Thirty-one high-profile officials
were investigated by the CCDI itself and eight
of them were handed over to prosecutors.
POWER RESTRICTION
While praising the achievements, Xi
stressed that hotbeds of corruption still exist,
and the anti-corruption situation is still
austere and complicated.
Describing the problem as “a disease that
calls for powerful drugs,” Xi urged all Party
members to continue the fight against
corruption until the end with the resolution
and courage depicted in an ancient Chinese
idiom where a man has to cut off his own
snake-bitten wrist to save his life.
Power should be subject to stricter checks,
for which purpose the way how powers are
distributed among different levels and
departments of governments and how are
they exercised must be improved, he said.
The President also stressed intensified
supervision on leading officials’ exercise of
power as well as internal supervision within
the leading bodies.
To ensure correct exercising of power, its
operational process must be made public,
with citizens invited to supervise, he said.
The prevention of corruption must be
taken into consideration in the country’s
various reform measures so as to stop all
potential loopholes and ensure reform
proceeds smoothly, according to the
president.
Xi urged Party officials to follow a selfless
work style, divide public and personal
matters clearly, give priority to public matters,
discreetly wield their power and lead open
and honest lives.
“Problems in work style are always related
to public money and official power. Not one
cent of public money should be squandered
and not a slight bit of official power should be
abused for personal ends,” Xi said.
Stressing unconditional obedience to
Party disciplines, he urged disciplinary
departments at all levels to safeguard these
disciplines and investigate every case of
violation.
According to Xi, long-term efforts are
needed to solve problems that hinder the
flesh-and-blood relations between the Party
and the people, and a good start must be
followed by surefooted steps.
He cited a five-year (2013-2017) plan on
building a system to punish and prevent
corruption as a guideline that needs
meticulous implementation by Party
committees at various levels in all their work
aspects including reform, development and
stability.
Released last month by the CPC Central
Committee, the plan vowed a “high-handed
posture” in the anti-graft drive and urged
particular efforts to deal with cases involving
power-for-money deals, judicial corruption,
major violations of political discipline,
corruption-induced mass incidents ,
commercial bribery, and official selection.
PARTY ORGANIZATION
“The strength of the Party comes from its
organization,” Xi said, adding that all
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January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 33
members should enhance their sense of Party
spirit.
“Party members should remember that
their foremost identity is a CPC member and
their top obligation is to work for the Party
and maintain their loyalty to the Party,” he
said.
“CPC members should always bear it in
mind that they are part of the organization,
and they should keep confidence in the
organization, be obedient to the organization
and take the initiative in safeguarding the
Party’s unity,” Xi said.
The Party’s disciplines should be followed
without any except ion , and Par ty
organizations at all levels should be resolute
to enforce them and rectify violations, so that
the disciplines will be regarded as a “high
voltage line that is always switched on,”
according to Xi.
Also, Xi stressed the importance of
democratic centralism and organizational
rules of the Party.
Efforts should be made to keep members
well organized and direct each other and
cadres to take matters about Party
organization seriously, Xi said.
Members and cadres should be honest and
speak the truth, Xi said, adding that they are
obliged to accept Party organizations’
education and supervision.
Xi noted that decisions and arrangements
by the CPC Central Committee should be well
implemented.
Party departments as well as Party
organizations within the country’s legislative
authorities, government departments,
p o l i t i c a l a d v i s o r y b o d i e s , c o u r t s ,
procuratorates, and government-sponsored
institutions and organizations should all
make efforts to carry out the decisions, Xi said.
The meeting was presided over by CCDI
Secretary Wang Qishan. He also gave a report
on behalf of the CCDI Standing Committee at
the meeting.
Wang urged Party organizations and
disciplinary authorities at all levels to take
responsibility to cultivate a clean governance
atmosphere within the Party and supervise
practices in this regard.
Wang also called for strengthened anti-
corruption efforts to resolutely rein in the
spread of corruption.
Premier Li Keqiang and other top Chinese
leaders Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu
Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli also attended the
meeting.
The power-for-money trade is always a
major hotbed of corruption and lack of
supervision may give rise to corruption and
power misuse, said Ma Huaide, vice president
of China University of Political Science and
Law.
Ma said effective supervision and restraint
of the use of power will be emphasized in the
anti-corruption drive.
Xin Ming, a professor with the Party
School of the CPC Central Committee, noted
the importance of Party organization as
highlighted in Xi’s speech.
“The CPC is a well-organized political
party and it is the organization that unites
every individual member to form a potent
whole,” Xin said.
“Meanwhile, the Party is anything but a
‘personal club,’ and it may only be a vigorous
one with strong disciplines,” he said.
The professor said strict enforcement of
disciplines is a must in deepening reforms,
and selective implementation of Party
decisions to seek interests for individuals or
small groups should be prohibited.
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34 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
China to Deepen Rural Reforms
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the central
rural work conference in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 23, 2013. China pledged to deepen rural reforms
and step up agricultural modernization, according to a statement issued after the central rural work conference which ended on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Beijing, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — China has pledged to deepen rural reforms and step up agricultural modernization, according to a statement issued after a central rural work conference which ended on Tuesday.
The two-day meeting was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and senior leaders Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli.
Central government policy on the countryside, agriculture and farmers has been effective in arousing enthusiasm in the new century and has boosted the development of agriculture and the countryside, the statement said.
Reform started in the countryside and rural growth has contributed much to the leap from being barely fed and clothed to moderate prosperity.
“When defining a moderately prosperous society, the key is to observe the condition of farmers,” the statement said.
It must be noted that agriculture is still the weakest among the four pursuits of industrialization, informatization, urban-ization and agricultural modernization. The countryside still lags behind, the statement said.
“If China wants to be strong, agriculture must be strong. If China wants to be beautiful, the countryside must be beautiful. If China wants to get rich, the farmers must get rich,” the statement said.
Tackling problems in the countryside should be at the core of work of the central authorities, the statement said.
FULL BOWLS OF RICE
Populous as China is, the task of simply feeding the people remains a high priority, the statement said.
“The bowls of the Chinese, in any situation, must rest soundly in our own hands. Our bowls should be filled mainly with Chinese grain. Only when a country is basically self-sufficient in food, can it take the initiative in food security and grasp the overall situation for economic and social growth,” it said.
China has set a red-line guarantee that arable land never shrinks to less than 1.8 billion mu (120 million hectares). The line should be strictly followed, the statement stressed.
To ensure the farmers profit from grain planting and the key production bases are active in encouraging farmers to plant grain, more efforts should be made to link agricultural subsidies with grain output, it said.
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January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 35
IRREPLACEABLE RURAL FAMILIES
To stick to the central authorities’ rural policies, the first lies in the basic rural management system.
Rural land is owned by the peasantry collectively and this is the “soul” of the rural basic management system, the statement read.
Collective land should be contracted by rural families, namely members of the collective economic organizations.
No other party can substitute the rural family status in contracting land and no matter how the right to contract for management is transferred, the right to contract collective land belongs to rural families, it said.
“The subjects of the rights to contract for management will grow apart from the subjects of the rights to manage. This is the new trend for China’s agricultural production relations,” the statement stressed.
The rural basic management system must improve
The rural land management rights transfer, land concentration and scale land
use should move in proportion to urbanization and changes of rural labor, as well as technological progress and social service in agriculture.
SAFER FOOD, BETTER VILLAGES
The government has vowed to improve agricultural product quality and food safety. The environment where agricultural products grow will be improved, the statement said.
If any farmland or water is seriously polluted, the area should be taken out of use, and supervision should be stepped up on food safety.
The government has also pledged to enrich the peasantry and take care care of their children, women and the aged left behind in villages, as many of their families might be working in cities.
“Soil culture” shall not be ruptured, as villages were sources for the Chinese traditional civilization and the countryside shall by no means turn into “desolate villages, left-behind villages or hometowns alive only in memory,” the statement said.
New Year, New Direction
By Lan Xinzhen
The Central Economic Work Conference
held on December 10-13 made plain that
making progress while ensuring stability will
be the focus for 2014, the first year to fully
implement the guidelines of the Third Plenary
Session of 18th CPC Central Committee.
For one, China should maintain
consistency when formulating its economic
policies by inheriting the principle of making
progress while ensuring stability adopted in
2012. For another, the country should carry
out economic reforms stably , g ive
consideration to medium and long-term
economic goals and enhance quality and
efficiency of economic growth, said Jia Kang,
Director of the Research Institute for Fiscal
Science under the Ministry of Finance.
In 2014, downward pressures will persist,
with other social and economic problems,
such as overcapacity in some industries,
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36 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
structural unemployment,
eco log ica l envi ronment
deterioration, food and drug
safety and public security.
At the same time, global
economic recovery wil l
remain fragile. New growth
engines have not yet been
discovered, and uncertainties
still exist in the monetary
policies of major powers, their
investment and trade patterns,
and commodity prices.
Against the odds, China
will try to maintain stable
economic expansion next year.
This explains why the country
will continue to follow a proactive fiscal
policy and a prudent monetary policy.
Grain Security
Unexpectedly, grain security tops the six
major tasks put forward at the conference.
According to statistics from the National
Bureau of Statistics, China’s total grain output
reached 601.94 million tons in 2013, up 2.1
percent year on year, marking an increase for
10 consecutive years. Moreover, China
imports large quantities of grain from the rest
of the world every year. In the eyes of many
Chinese, food should not be a problem.
Li Guoxiang, a research fellow from the
Rural Development Institute of the Chinese
Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the
priority given to grain security reflects the
importance the Central Government attaches
to the issue.
Even though China has witnessed
continuous increases in its grain output,
consumer demand has also grown every year.
China still faces great pressure to maintain a
consistent growth in grain output.
Obviously, the Central Government
insists that China’s grain security should be
guaranteed by its own supply, and imports
should only play a supplementary role. It was
the first time that the concept of “moderate
import” was put forward at the Central
Economic Work Conference, which hinted
that China would not rely entirely on grain
imports.
Now, China’s grain production still faces
an array of challenges, such as high costs,
narrowing room for output increases,
extensive use of arable land and heavy
dependence on imports of corn, rice and
wheat.
To surmount these factors, China should
transform its agricultural development
pattern, strengthen the construction of
agricultural infrastructure and advance
agricultural scientific and technological
progress.
Debt Risk Prevention
In recent years, a large number of local
governments across the country have
Rice ripes in Donglan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (ZHOU ENGE)
Domestic Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 37
acquired debts due to blindly seeking GDP
growth and pitching into vanity projects. At
the Central Economic Work Conference, the
government attached great importance to the
prevention and control of the local
government debt.
Jia suggested that since local government
debt may affect the banking industry and
government finance at all levels, the Central
Government should pay special attention to
the debt problem to strengthen their
responsibility and risk awareness.
In the United States and Europe, debt
problems have undermined social and
economic development. Though China has a
different political system and governance
mode, the local government debt crisis, once it
breaks out, will drag down the financial
industry, which serves as the economic
lifeline.
Before the conference, the State Council
issued a statement rejecting GDP as the sole
gauge for assessing the achievements of
government officials.
The Central Economic Work Conference
reiterated the importance of maintaining
reasonable GDP growth, pushing forward
economic restructuring, and ensuring both
the quality and efficiency of economic growth
without negative effects.
FTA Talks
Another major task is opening China up to
the outside world and furthering talks on free
trade areas (FTAs) and investment
agreements.
China may make breakthroughs in FTA
negotiations, said Guan Qingyou, Assistant
Dean of Minsheng Securities Research
Institute.
At present, China is establishing 18 FTAs,
involving 31 countries and regions. Of them,
12 free trade agreements have been signed,
including agreements with Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
Singapore, Pakistan, New Zealand, Peru,
Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland,
closer economic partnership arrangements
with Hong Kong and Macao, and Economic
Cooperation Framework Agreement with
Taiwan. All but free trade agreements with
Iceland and Switzerland have come into force.
Another six free trade agreements under
negotiation include ones with South Korea,
Gulf Cooperation Council, Australia and
Norway, as well as China-Japan-South Korea
Free Trade Agreement and Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Guan believes negotiations for the China-
South Korea free trade agreement are most
likely to see progress in 2014. The bilateral
talks started in 2012, and went through eight
rounds this year. Now, the two countries have
exchanged draft texts concerning other
sectors, drawing closer to a conclusion.
China and the United States have finished
10 rounds of talks. Negotiations on a Sino-U.S.
investment treaty will also be sped up.
In the next year, China is prepared to
accelerate the opening up of its central and
western regions, promote the Silk Road
Economic Belt in central Asia and Maritime
Silk Road of the 21st century among ASEAN
members.
Guan noted that FTA talks were picking
up steam across the world. By October, a total
of 221 FTAs had been submitted to the World
Trade Organization, most of which were
finalized in recent years. As the trend of trade
l iberal izat ion becomes increasingly
overwhelming, China has been committed to
building a global free trade network.
New Urbanization
The central urbanization work conference
was also held on December 12-13, where the
Domestic Affairs
38 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
concept of “human-centered urbanization”
was proposed for the first time. In view of
that, 2014 is regarded as the starting year of
China’s new urbanization.
Urbanization was stressed as one of the
major economic tasks at the 2012 Central
Economic Work Conference. This year, things
have moved ahead. A special session was held
for urbanization, indicating the Central
Government’s determination to push forward
urbanization in a rapidly developing country
with a population of 1.3 billion.
Wang Yong, an analyst from Citic
Securities, noted that the Central Government
intends to carry out urbanization more
rationally by emphasizing development
quality and benefits people can enjoy.
Different from the blind pursuit of urban
spatial expansion in the past, human-oriented
urbanization is a timely adjustment.
Today, 52 percent of Chinese residents
live in urban areas, but migrant populations
from rural areas cannot enjoy the same public
services as urban residents. In the process of
new urbanization, more attention will be
devoted to the will and demands of the rural
population and ensuring equal access to
urban public services. Wang said in the
process of new urbanization, efforts will be
made to help migrant rural population settle
down in the cities.
Cities should develop characteristic
industrial systems, intensify the specialized
division of labor, promote industrial transfer,
boost the service industry and strengthen
innovation capacity.
While maintaining at least 1.8 billion mu
(120 million hectares) of arable land, urban
construction land should be efficiently used,
ensuring that the space for production is used
intensively and efficiently, that living space is
livable and proper in size, and that ecological
space is unspoiled and beautiful.
Three urban agglomerations have
gradually taken shape in the Beijing-Tianjin-
Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta and the
Pearl River Delta. In the future, some qualified
areas in China’s central, western and
northeastern regions are expected to nurture
more city agglomerations.
“There is a long way to go in promoting
new urbanization. China must make a good
start in 2014,” said Xu Shaoshi, Minister of the
National Development and Reform
Commission, at a national meeting on
development and reform held on December
15.
Xu suggested that the new urbanization
plan will be promulgated as soon as possible.
A New Trend
By Zhang Liqun
China’s gross domestic product (GDP)
grew 7.8 percent in the third quarter, 0.3
percentage points higher than in the second
quarter. Economic growth rate has been
ranging from 7 to 8 percent since the second
quarter of 2012. The fourth quarter of 2013 will
be no exception.
Therefore, the growth rate floating
between 7 to 8 percent is not an accidental
phenomenon but a periodical trend for the
country.
O n t h e b a s i s o f 2 0 1 3 , C h i n a ’ s
Domestic Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 39
macroeconomic policies will be further
optimized in 2014 to ensure economic
stability. Meanwhile, deepening reform will
g r a d u a l l y r o o t o u t i n s t i t u t i o n a l
disadvantages, improve governance and
public services and modify the market
environment . The launch of more
urbanization will further unleash growth
potential.
In 2014, the economic growth rate will stay
within this range while vital achievements
will be made in economic restructuring,
institutional improvement and sustainable
development. People will reap more benefits
from economic development and each
percentage point of growth will come with
higher quality.
Growth Engines
Chinese exports grew 8 percent in the first
three quarters of 2013, edging up by 0.6
percentage points from the same period last
year. The increase was partially caused by hot
money inflows in the disguise of foreign trade
settlements. After excluding that factor,
exports grew 6 percent in the first quarter, 4
percent in the second and 6 percent in the
third. This means the contribution of external
demand to China’s economic growth has
gradually dropped.
The nominal growth rate of retail sales was
12.9 percent in the first three quarters, up 0.2
percentage points from the first half of 2013.
Steady consumption growth is a
result of the following factors. First,
China has a healthy employment
situation, which has resulted in
stable income growth for residents.
Despite a continuous slowdown
since 2010, the growth rate has been
stable in general and was never
below 7 percent. This means no
massive layoffs have occurred and
the employment situation is
similarly stable. Second, a sizzling
property market has brought
s u r g i n g s a l e s r e v e n u e f o r
downstream sectors, including
furnishing, home appliances and
decoration materials. Finally, the
auto market is bottoming out, with
increasing sales for cars and related
products. These factors are bound to further
support steady consumption growth in
China.
Investment grew 20.2 percent nominally
in the first three quarters of 2013, up 0.1
percentage point over the first half of 2013.
Property investment has stabilized after
sliding; growth in infrastructure investment
has slowed down slightly; and manufacturing
investment is accelerating.
Infrastructure investment and property
investment are leading indicators of
investment increases that play a dominant
role. Since early 2013, infrastructure
A worker from the Qingdao subsidiary of the China National Offshore Oil Corp. welds components to a drilling platform on October 27 in Qingdao, Shandong Province (XINHUA)
Domestic Affairs
40 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
investment has maintained a high growth
rate, despite a slight fall recently. Property
investment, affected by sales figures in the
real estate market and land supply, has
dropped a little, but is generally stable. In all,
future investment will consistently increase.
It’s reasonable to believe that China’s
current economic growth is backed by
sufficient market demand and can be
sustained in the future.
To align with the trend of a slower growth
rate in the range of 7-8 percent, a
corresponding macroeconomic policy
environment was created in 2013, including
macro-control targets, more policy stability,
no random expansion of fiscal policies and
more caution on government-funded
projects. The government has more effectively
supported economic upgrading and
transformation by speeding up investment in
areas such as urban infrastructure, energy
c o n s e r v a t i o n , e m i s s i o n r e d u c t i o n ,
information infrastructure and railway
network. More efforts have been made to
deepen reform, give the market a bigger role
in allocating resources and encourage private
investment in the above-mentioned areas.
Macroeconomic policies are playing a more
and more prominent role in supporting
economic growth.
A Reasonable Level
After drastic fluctuations in the initial
phase of China’s reform and opening up, the
country’s economic growth has been both fast
and stable since the late 1990s and always
above 7 percent. This is driven by China’s
industrialization and urbanization. The
reform and opening-up policies have given
the market a bigger role in distributing
resources, which has greatly improved
people’s livelihoods and aroused their
enthusiasm in starting up businesses, thus
further pushing forward industrialization
and urbanization.
The vanishing demographic dividend,
lower technology innovation capability and
mounting challenges from the deteriorating
environment are three main reasons for
people’s concerns over further economic
slowdown.
In 2012, China’s working-age population
stood at 930 million, among which 370 million
work in cities and 260 million are migrant
workers. These figures show that China
doesn’t lack manpower. Difficulties in
recruiting workers are mainly related to rising
living costs in cities which have driven away
potential workers. In terms of technology
innovation, China is transitioning from
simply introducing new technologies to
learning, absorbing and then innovating.
With an array of policies aimed at supporting
technological innovation, China’s innovation
ability is growing. When it comes to the
environment, China has embarked on a
sustainable growth path featuring energy
saving and environmental protection.
Therefore, China’s growth potential won’t be
compromised because of these three
problems.
China still has a very high deposit rate.
Yuan deposits have exceeded 100 trillion yuan
($16.47 trillion) while individual deposits
have surpassed 45 trillion yuan ($7.41 trillion),
both higher than fixed-asset investment in the
country and offering enough financial
guarantees for economic development.
Alongside economic upgrading, more
potential will be unleashed and the growth
rate could potentially increase in the future.
The growth rate slowing to 7-8 percent is
beneficial for the virtuous cycle of social
production. In 2013, when the economic
Domestic Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 41
growth rate was within this range, the
employment situation was generally stable,
there were no massive shutdowns, and
enterprises even gained increasing profits.
Despite more difficulties in fiscal revenue and
expenditure, the expenditure structure was
optimized and the effect of fiscal expenditure
was improved. Monetary and financial
environment and capital chains were
generally stable. Local government debt was
in control and the price level was also stable.
Meanwhile, progress was made in economic
restructuring amid government function
transformation, improvement of the business
environment, the launch of new urbanization
and achievements in energy saving and
environment protection.
It can be said that the growth rate between
7 to 8 percent is bearable for residents,
companies, the government and society as a
whole. It is beneficial for economic upgrade
and transformation, a virtuous cycle of
economic production and sound economic
growth.
The author is a macroeconomic researcher
with the Development Research Center of the
State Council.
Reducing Reliance on Resources
by Lan Xinzhen
Liu Wenze works at the Haizhou open-pit coal mine in Fuxin,
Liaoning Province. Fuxin is in the process of developing a
hydraulics industry to take over from its coal-dependent economy
before their coal reserves are used up (JIANG BING)
As in developed countries,
there are many cities in China that
rely on natural resources for
d e v e l o p m e n t . W i t h t h e
exhaustion of resources, some of
them are facing difficulties,
presenting a challenge for
economic transformation.
The State Council released on
December 3 the Sustainable
Development Planning for
National Resource-Based Cities
(2013-20), the first national-level
plan in China to guide the
sustainable development of
resource-dependent cities.
Du Ying, Vice Minister of the
National Development and
Reform Commission (NDRC),
said the plan aims to solve
problems all resource-dependent cities are
facing, including disorderly and excessive
exploitation of resources and damages to the
ecological environment. Moreover, industrial
Domestic Affairs
42 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
structure in these cities is unbalanced, with
resource-based industries accounting for a
large proportion of the local economy while
other industries lag far behind. Once
resources dwindle, these cities may decline,
posing a threat to their sustainable
development.
Based on the potential for sustainable
development and resource conditions,
China’s resource-based cities are divided into
four categories: growing, mature, declining
and regenerative.Growing resource-
dependent cities are considered bases for
China’s energy supply and reserves and
mature resource-dependent cities are core
areas for guaranteeing China’s energy
security. Declining resource-dependent cities
are listed as key areas for transformation.
Regenerative resource-dependent cities are
s e t a s p i o n e e r s a n d m o d e l s f o r
transformation.
Differentiated Tasks
Du said the NDRC has set differentiated
tasks for different types of resource-
dependent cities. As for the growing ones, the
NDRC will mainly boost their development,
raise the access to resource extraction
industries, ensure exploitation of resources at
a reasonable rate and strictly implement
environmental impact assessments.
In the mature ones, the NDRC will
advance the adjustment and upgrade of their
industrial structure; solve problems caused
by resource extraction; extend industrial
chains, nurture enterprises for deep
processing of resources; and incorporate
environmental costs into the total production
costs.
In the declining cities, the government will
vigorously develop alternative industries.
According to the NDRC figures, the
population of the 67 declining resource-
dependent cities only accounts for 4 percent of
the country’s total, but they have one fourth of
the country’s shantytowns, one 10th of the
country’s unemployed mine workers, and one
third of the country’s subsided areas.
As for the regenerative cities, the NDRC
will guide their innovation-oriented
development, improve the quality and
efficiency of their economic development and
establish a long-lasting mechanism for
sustainable development.
Du said for the development of resource-
dependent cities, the government should not
only solve the problems in cities where
resources are depleting, but also boost
sustainable development of all resource-
dependent cities.
Model Cities
Among all the resource-dependent cities,
people are more concerned about the
development of the declining ones. However,
NDRC officials, who are responsible for
guiding industrial development, have shown
enough confidence in their transformation, as
they already have two successful examples:
China’s Fuxin and Ruhr in Germany.
Located in northeast China’s Liaoning
Province, Fuxin was once prosperous because
of its coal industry, with an aggregate output
of 700 million tons. But as the coal reserves
depleted, the city’s GDP growth once
dropped to 2 percent in the years around 2000,
in a striking contrast to its previous peak of 20
percent. Its unemployed population
amounted to nearly half of the city’s total
employees. In 2001, the State Council set
Fuxin, a resource-exhausted city, as a pilot for
transformation. Fuxin had a developed
hydraulic industry in the 1960s and was once
home to China’s first hydraulic component
Domestic Affairs
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 43
factory. The city, therefore, identified the
hydraulic industry as an alternative industry
after coal resources were exhausted.
Following over 10 years of experiments,
Fuxin has solved problems involving people’s
livelihood and, more importantly, expanded
its hydraulic equipment manufacturing
industry. By 2012, there had been 970
enterprises producing hydraulic equipment,
and many laid-off workers from the coal
industry found jobs in the new industry.
Du said the transformation of Fuxin has
made progress, but has not yet been
completed. If successfully transformed, it will
be listed as a regenerative city.
R u h r i s a m o d e l o f s u c c e s s f u l
transformation. Once a city of steel and coal,
Ruhr made great contributions to Germany’s
recovery after World War II. But since the
1960s and 1970s, the heavy industry in Ruhr
supported by steel and coal industries began
to decline, with a large number of shuttered
mines and steel mills, laid-off workers and
worsening public security.
From 1966 to 1971, Germany spent more
than 15 billion Deutsche marks on
reinvigorating Ruhr, and later increased the
investment and formulated a plan to revive
the city. Decades later, Ruhr has regained
vitality and become a university town and a
cultural center. The service industry now
contributes 70 percent to its GDP.
According to Du, after Fuxin, the NDRC,
the Ministry of Land and Resources and
Ministry of Finance listed another 60
resource-exhausted cities as pilot cases and
granted specific support. The NDRC
established a special program on supporting
alternative industries in these cities and
allocated 2.1 billion yuan ($342.58 million),
stimulating 30 billion yuan ($4.89 billion) in
investment from other sources. This has
greatly promoted the development of
diversified industrial structures in resource-
dependent cities.
Assessment Mechanisms
Du said China will no longer use GDP as
an indicator to assess economic development
in resource-dependent cities, with the aim of
guiding them to focus on ecological and
environmental protection and sustainable
development instead of blindly chasing
foreign investment and excessively exploiting
local resources.
The NDRC is formulating a mechanism for
pricing of resources that can fully reflect the
supply and demand as well as the scarcity of
the resources. The core issue is to further
advance reform of the resource tax.
The NDRC is also formulating a
compensation mechanism for the ecological
system, under which those who exploit
resources and benefit from the development
should be responsible for compensating for
and restoring the environmental degradation.
“After these mechanisms are established,
the problem of sole pursuit of GDP growth by
the resource-dependent cities can be solved to
some extent,” said Du.
Xu Hongcai, Director of the Budget
Department of the Ministry of Finance, said
the ministry has a whole set of criteria for
assessing the achievements of resource-
exhausted ci t ies , including unif ied
requirements for all resource-dependent cities
and some specific requirements for different
cities of particular resource types such as coal,
metal, oil and gas as well as forestry.
The ministry will also assess the
proportion of resource extraction industry in a
city’s total GDP. “The more the proportion
drops, the better the achievements the city has
made,” Xu said.
Domestic Affairs
44 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Beijing, Jan. 11 (Xinhuanet) — China’s
cabinet on Friday approved the establishment
of new zones in Northwest China’s Shaanxi
and Guizhou provinces in the southwest, the
latest move to open up inland regions.
Shaanxi’s Xi’an-Xianyang New Area and
Guizhou’s Guiyang-Anshun New Area got
the nod from the State Council, adding to a
string of “new areas”.
Some previous new areas are the
Chongqing Liangjiang New Area (approved
in 2010) and the Lanzhou New Area (2012).
But while the Chongqing and Lanzhou areas
were designated as State-level development
areas, along with four other such areas, the
two latest areas approved didn’t achieve that
top position.
The Xi’an-Xianyang New Area, with a
planned area of 882 square kilometers, is
designed to be a hub that will help open up
China’s west — an example of urbanization
with Chinese characteristics, according to the
State Council’s statement.
The Guiyang-Anshun New Area, with a
planned area of 1,795 sq km, is designed to be
a growth hub in western China and a model of
environmental development.
“The latest move suggests that the central
government wants the ‘urban cluster’ to be a
major form of the ‘new style urbanization’, “
said Yi Peng, director of the Urbanization
Research Center under the International
Finance Forum, a non-governmental
organization that conducts research and holds
events regarding the financial sector.
In terms of core industries, the Xi’an-
Xianyang New Area focuses on information
services, modern logistics and culture.
Shaanxi has implemented 10 policies to
support the new district’s development,
including cheaper electricity for information
service companies.
The Guiyang-Anshun New Area
emphasizes advanced manufacturing and
services, as well as leisure and tourism, Qin
Rupei, Party secretary of the new area, told
China Daily previously.
Anticipating great potential in these new
areas, domestic and overseas investors quietly
established a presence in these zones even
before the State Council approvals.
The world’s largest electronics contractor,
Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Co
Ltd, also known as Foxconn Technology
Group, started work in October on a “fourth-
generation” plant in the Guiyang-Anshun
New Area. The first phase, covering 260
hectares, is expected to be completed by July.
Terry Gou, chairman of the company, said
that Guizhou previously lagged behind
because of constraints on information and
transportation. As information and
transportation networks develop, its potential
will be unlocked, he said.
SILK ROAD ECONOMIC BELT
China Approves New Zones on the “Silk Road Economic Belt”
Silk Road Economic Belt
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 45
Vantone Real Estate Co Ltd, a major
developer in China, will spend 30 billion yuan
($4.96 billion) in the next seven years to
develop “the great city”, a micro-sized city
that will integrate health care, education and
agriculture, with 80,000 residents.
Hao Jiebin, chief executive of Beijing
Vantone Citylogic Investment Corp, told
China Daily that Xi’an is the starting point of
the “silk road economic belt” proposed by
President Xi Jinping, which inspired the
company to get involved with the project.
“We were attracted by the ci ty
government’s advanced development idea,
which is industry-focused, energy-efficient
and environmentally friendly. That is exactly
what we appreciate,” he said.
The Silk Road Economic Belt are Expected to Deepen China's Cooperation with its Neighbors
Beijing, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) — After 35 years of
economic boom sparked by the reform and
opening-up policy, China is advancing its
reforms in the new year by building “a new
open economic system.”
The new system, brought up during the
third plenum of the 18th Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last
November, aims to relax investment access
and speed up the construction of free trade
zones.
In order to carry out the new system put
forward by the new leadership, the notion of
“interconnection” is highly valued.
The Silk Road economic belt with Central
Asian countries and the 21st century Maritime
Silk Road with Southeast Asian countries,
proposed by the new Chinese leadership, well
reflected this notion of “interconnection.”
The two “silk roads” are expected to
deepen China’s cooperation with its
neighbors , and help spi l l over i ts
development bonuses to other countries.
Yuri Tavrovsky, a prominent political
expert from Moscow Friendship University,
said China’s strategy for the two “silk roads”
was a logical extension of the Chinese Dream
concept.
To push forward the “interconnection,”
China also dedicated itself to promoting
regional free trade negotiations.
While regional trade cooperations are
gaining momentum worldwide, China was
excluded from the negotiations of the Trans-
Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic
Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
pushed hard by the United States.
The new economic strategy adopted by
Washington was dubbed “ABC” — “Anyone
But China” — by the British newspaper
Financial Times.
Chinese Commerce Minister Gao
Hucheng said in an article in the People’s
Daily, the flagship newspaper of the CPC, that
“if we responded inadequately in the forming
of the new rules, we will risk being
marginalized, which will bring negative
effects on our external environment for
Silk Road Economic Belt
46 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
development.”
To meet the challenges, China has
accelerated its negotiation on the China-South
Korea, China-Australia and China-Japan-
South Korea free trade areas (FTA) with
relevant countries. Meanwhile, China also
tries to achieve substantial progress in the
Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement
involving deeper engagement than the
existing FTAs of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China’s resolution of economic reform
comes at a time when the international
economic pattern is undergoing drastic
changes: emerging economies like China are
rising fast and becoming important engines of
global growth.
In the meantime, regional economic
cooperation and the collectivization and
regionalization of the world economy are
becoming ever more prevailing.
While facing a changing economic
situation, China’s adjustment of its economic
systems does not only need to emancipate the
domestic productivity, but also comply with
China’s role in international economic
systems.
By deepening its economic cooperation
with foreign countries, China’s economic
reform aims to realize win-win cooperation
with other countries.
Ryan Rutkowski, a researcher with the
Washington-based Peterson Institute for
International Economics, estimated that the
broader change appeared to be the theme for
2014, and said he “expected more from the
Shanghai FTZ pilot, and an expansion of
efforts to pursue international trade and
investment agreements.”
According to National Bureau of Statistics,
China has contributed an averaged 20 percent
of the world’s economic growth annually
since the 2008 financial crisis.
Just as Joergen Oerstroem Moeller,
visiting senior research fellow with the
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, pointed
out, it is important for China to manage its
own economy well, because it will boost other
country’s confidence that a continued and
stable economic growth is achievable.
The new open economic system will not
only shape the future development of the
Chinese economy, but also offer inspiration
and a different way of thinking for the creation
of a more balanced and just international
economic order.
CULTURE AND LIFE
History & Legend of Spring Festival
It is unclear when the exact beginning of
the New Year celebration in China is.
Normally, it was said to start from the year
end religious ceremony in Shang Dynasty
(1766 BC - 1122 BC). A few said that it started
from as early as Emperor Yao and Shun (~2300
Culture and Life
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 47
BC). At the beginning, the date of celebration
varies from mid winter to early spring. With
the mature of lunar calendar, Emperor Wu
(157 BC - 87 BC) of the Han Dynasty
established the first day of the first month as
the beginning of the year. It remains today.
Fireworks are used today and crack
bamboo was used at first since it create loud
cracking sound when put on fire. It is believed
that the sound can drive away evil.
Spring Festival is also called ‘Guo Nian’ in
Chinese. ‘Guo’ means pass over and the
‘Nian’ or ‘Year’ in Chinese refers to a mythical
beast that will bring bad luck.
An ancient Chinese legend tells of a big
horned monster looking like ox with lion head
called Nian who lived at the bottom of the sea
all year, but came out on Spring Festival Eve.
Nian would come to devour livestock, crops,
and even villagers, especially children.
Therefore, all the people would flee from their
home to remote mountains to escape the
danger.
One Spring Festival Eve, villagers of
Taohua (Peach Blooms) Village were
preparing to flee, closing the doors and
windows, some were pulling cows and sheep
and the whole village was scared. An old
beggar with a stick and a bag in his hands
came to the village to beg, his grey hair and
beard fluttered with the wind. But no one has
time to care about a beggar except for an old
woman who gave him something to eat and
suggested that he in the mountains to get
away from Nian.
The old beggar smiled and said: “Lady, if
you let me stay one night in your house, I will
get rid of Nian for you.” The old woman was
surprised and looked at the old beggar carefully
and found that the old beggar, with white hair
and ruddy complexion, was hale and hearty
and that there was something different about
him. She still tried to convince him to flee to the
mountain but the old beggar only smiled
without reply. Having no alternative, the old
Culture and Life
48 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
woman ran away to the mountains leaving only
the old beggar in the house.
On the stroke of midnight, the monster
Nian rushed into the village, but immediately
found that there was something different in
the village. He quivered all over on seeing the
red paper glued on the door of the old
woman’s house. The house was well-
illuminated by candlelight. Nian scowled at
the house for a moment and howled fiercely to
throw himself at the house. Approaching the
door gate, he heard fireworks explosing. At
that moment, the door was opened and the
old beggar dressed in red came out and burst
into laughter. Nian turned pale with fright
and took flight with great haste.
The next day villagers came back home
and were very surprised to find everything
was in good condition. At that moment, the
old woman suddenly recalled what the old
beggar said and told the other villagers.
Villagers rushed to the old woman’s house to
see what had happened. There was red paper
glued on the door, the fireworks in the yard
were still exploding and all of the candles
were alight. They then understood that the
Nian was afraid of color red, the sounds of
fireworks explosion and the light.
Wild with joy, villagers celebrated the
coming of the New Year and the good fortune.
They all dressed up with new clothes and hats,
greeting with each other. The ways to get rid
out the Nian spread from mouth to mouth and
became prevalent quickly. From then on,
every Spring Festival Eve, every family would
glue red paper with couplets written on them,
and stay up late or all night (Shousui) to wait
for the New Year’s coming, lighting lanterns
and setting fireworks.
On the first day of New Year people like to
visit friend and neighbors (Bainian) with a
present.
Society is always evolving. Different types
of subcultures emerge every year. With their
own distinct values and cultures, they help to
increase social diversity. That’s why, to mark
the close of 2013 and the start of 2014, we’ve
created this roundup of the most intriguing
subcultures of the past year in China. Here’s
everything you need to know about them.
Baifumei
B a i f u m e i a r e w o m e n w i t h f a i r
complexion, richness, and beauty (the term is
a literal combination of the three attributes),
basically a female version of Gaofushuai.
Baifumei, emerging in recent years,
constitute the major consumer demography
2013 in Review, 8 Subcultures in China
[bai fu mei]
Culture and Life
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 49
and are trend-setters in big and medium-sized
cities. As high as 81.2 percent of young
Chinese see Baifumei or their male
counterpart Gaofushuai as ideal partners,
according to a survey carried out by China
Youth Daily in May.
Guo Meimei, a young pretty woman,
claimed to be the general manager of China’s
Red Cross Commerce and kept showing off
online. She partly reduced Baifumei to
women who are mercenary, materialistic,
arrogant and idiotic. Some netizens have thus
revised the definition of Baifumei to women
who have character, intelligence and
personality.
Moreover, the emergence of Baifumei also
demonstrates a change in the Chinese
perception of women and the ensuing spouse-
seeking standard. Whereas Chinese women
used to be seen and encouraged to be weak
and obedient, Chinese now tend to favor
beautiful women who embrace good
character and economic independence.
Dama
Dama, literally means “big mama,”
referring mainly to married women between
the age 40-60. They don’t know about
economy but they do know how and where to
invest their money. When gold is cheap, they
spend a lot of money buying gold. When the
real estate market abroad is in recession, they
go abroad and start to buy houses.
They were pushed to the forefront for the
first time in 2013 when thousands of Chinese
women began buying record amounts of
gold. They were the driving force in the
global gold market between April and June,
when prices had slumped. The word
“Dama” will probably be included in the
Oxford English Dictionary and some
foreign media have described Dama as
China’s secret weapon.
When critics began to question their
purchasing power, there was an unusual story
in the media. According to the monthly
statement of online shopping in 2012, China’s
consumption comes mostly from people aged
between 50-60 years old. The purchasing
behavior of an individual from this group is
eight times more than a young consumer.
Bitcoin is an online currency that can be
exchanged into any real currency in the world.
Its value has surged by 89 times, since it was
released. Chinese “Dama” have made inroads
into Bitcoins. According to a Chinese Bitcoin
exchange Website, 40 percent of their VIP
clients who buy and sell more than 10 million
yuan Bitcoins per day are female Dama.
As well as making investments, Dama also
love public square dancing, a form of
spontaneous communal dancing, which takes
place in parks or public squares, to keep fit.
However, their neighbors are often disturbed
by the loud music. Therefore, some people
have taken extreme action to expel Dama from
the public areas.[da ma]
Culture and Life
50 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Diaosi
[diaosi]
“Diaosi” means loser or sucker. It is a term
often used by young people to mock their own
low social status.
(diao) refers to the male sexual organ,
hence the term is primarily used by and for
males unless specified as nv diaosi.
Some say (si) refers to “pubic hair,” others
claim its use is copied from other slang such as
fìnsî (fans) to refer to a group of people.
Calling yourself or others diaosi is a form
of social commentary, to say that you are at the
bottom of the social ladder. Diaosi have no
direction or purpose in life, or perhaps they
simply don’t have any opportunities to
advance, or perhaps they just don’t care and
are happy to hang out at the bottom. “Diaosi”
may be superficial and insignificant, but they
make fun of their marginalized social status to
despise mainstream tastes and theories of
success. They do not believe in Carnegie, nor
in themselves. They know that ideals are far
away, but reality is harsh. Therefore, they
would rather choose escape and mockery than
face challenges. To some degree, they are the
web 2.0 cynics.
The diaosi identity is strongest among 30
to 39 year-olds. We’ve heard that their main
profession is “moving bricks” (slang for
playing video games), because the highest
percentage of self-proclaimed “diaosi” are
among the programmers.
“Diaosi” reflects not only cynicism of the
youth, but China’s growing social
contradictions as its economy continues to
rise.
Gaofushuai
[gao fu shuai]
Gaofushuai are men who are high, rich,
and handsome (the alias is a direct literal
combination of the three attributes), a distinct
contrast to Diaosi.
Gaofushuai, with a height of 180 cm (about
6 feet) and a handsome look, are often the
offspring of rich businessmen, government
officials, or simply people on the upper rung
of the social ladder. They drive in limousines,
live in luxury houses, and are not confronted
with the struggles that their fellow generation
often find themselves in. They are the new
princes Charming, ideal husbands or
boyfriends for Chinese women.
Culture and Life
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 51
In the eyes of ordinary Chinese,
Gaofushuai are often synonymous with
Fuerdai, the affluent second generation or
silver-spoon kids, though some are self-made,
self-reliant, and have good academic
backgrounds and high social status.
Though richness holds a priority in the
three attributes for the female Diaosi (tall,
handsome men without money are not seen as
Gaofushuai), a man with enough money to
spend but who has a malicious personality is
not a Gaofushuai either. By contrast, if a man
is good and kind-hearted, he may as well be
eligible as a Gaofushuai even if he is not rich
or handsome.
A Gaofushuai is an elevated male
paragon.
Tuhao
[tu hao]
[shamate]
In Chinese, “tu” means uncouth and “hao”
means rich. “Tuhao” has traditionally been
used to refer to wealthy landlords who bullied
their tenants before the establishment of the
People’s Republic of China, but it now
represents China’s nouveau riche who have
more money than taste and splash it in an
unchecked manner.
Tuhao love fancy designer logos,
ostentatious clothing, jewelry and luxury cars.
Flaunting wealth with everything from gold-
plated iPhones to gilded cars, tuhao have
become the main target of ridicule on the
China blogosphere.
A famous online joke about Tuhao goes: A
young man asks a Zen master, “I’m wealthy,
but unhappy. What should I do?” The Zen
master says: “Define being wealthy.” The
young man answers:”I have millions in the
bank and three apartments in central Beijing.
Is that wealthy?” The Zen master silently
holds out a hand. The young man says:
“Master, are you telling me that I should be
thankful and give back?” The Zen master says,
“No ... Tuhao, can I become your friend?”
While Chinese netizens have made fun of
the Tuhao’s garish tastes and uncultured
behaviors, “tuhao” phenomenon has
attracted global attention. The media has
reported that the Oxford English Dictionary is
considering adding the Chinese word to its
2014 edition.
Shamate
Culture and Life
52 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
“Shamate” is an emerging subculture in
China. It represents a group of young urban
migrants who are in their late teens or early
20s.
Featuring an exaggerated hairstyle, odd
makeup and cheap clothing bought in street
markets, they usually linger in small hair
salons, smoky Internet cafes or street market
stalls in China’s big cities. Most of the shamate
only have a middle school education and few
ski l l s , working low-paid jobs l ike
hairdressers, security guards, delivery
people, or servers.
Shamate -- named after a deliberately
direct translation of pronunciation of the
E n g l i s h w o r d “ s m a r t ” — i s n o t a
commendatory term. Instead, it refers to
philistinism. These young migrants from
small towns and villages hope to gain
attention with their cheap and kitsch
fashion tastes and try to integrate into
urban life. But they are alienated from
mainstream life.
Lvchabiao
“Lvchabiao” literally means green tea
bitch (GTB). It refers to a group of girls who
look innocent, pretty and harmless, but
actually are sluts with more ambitions than
any others.
This new term caught on during this
Spring’s Hainan Rendez-vous, a trade show
for luxury items like yachts and jets held in
Sanya, a tropical paradise in China’s Hainan
Province. A weibo post said that many young
models with their innocent looks attend
luxury parties to make sexual deals with the
wealthy. Netizens began to call these girls
GTBs and try to define them.
On China’s Twitter-like Weibo, some
commenters said a GTB often works as an
actress/journalist/hostess/writer, and likes
to talk about literature or politics to win a
man’s heart. She has either been cheating in a
relationship or has been somebody’s mistress.
GTB and its definition have triggered hot
debate online. Some have said that it is verbal
abuse and a stereotype against women. On
April 18, 2013, three girls in Northwest
China’s Xi’an held a protest to oppose the
public usage of GTB and other insulting labels
for women. They held up signs saying ‘not
your tea, not your bitch,’ calling for a halt to
degrading terminology for women and more
respect to women.
Chinese women’s incomes and social
positions have risen with social development.
But in recent years, the online social debate
has often taken a derogatory tone against
women. GTB and its similarities, like “coffee
bitch” and “milk tea bitch,” are the examples.
It will be a long time before Chinese women
have true equality and there is a friendly social
environment.
[lv cha biao]
Culture and Life
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 53
Ziganwu Ziganwu emerged as a reaction to
online views that irrationally advocate
Western society and systems and play up
China’s social issues. They are having
doubts on the ideas promoted by Chinese
liberals and pseudo-liberals, as they have
s e e n C h i n a ’ s e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l
achievements since reform and opening-
up, and the decline of major western
economies’ in recent years, including their
weak performance during the global
financial crisis and its aftermath.
Interestingly, some Ziganwu are leftists
and nationalists who converted from
liberalists and fight against their former allies
online.[zi gan wu]
Eating Frozen Food in Winter
dumplings, and frozen fruits in the freezing
days.
Eating frozen sucker in winter.
The northeasterners like to eat frozen
suckers in winter. Peddlers would
hawk around to sell their frozen
suckers in the streets during severe
winter, and sometimes ice cream,
strings of sugarcoated haws, and so on.
All people, men and women, old and
young, would invariably wear leather
coats and leather gloves and enjoy
themselves to the frozen suckers.
There are generally three reasons for
the northeasterners to form the habit:
firstly, the good living condition,
though it is freezing cold outside, it is
Though it is very cold during winter in
north China, the northern Chinese have the
custom of eating frozen sucker, frozen
Sticks of Sugar-coated haws/grapes and so on
Culture and Life
54 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
quite warm indoors, so people
gradually get accustomed to the
dramatic change of temperature;
secondly, sound physical conditions
and tremendous meat eating, great
heat stored in the body, so it would
not matter much to have a frozen
sucker; finally, having frozen sucker
in winter would stimulate the
appet i te and s t rengthen the
constriction of blood vessels, thus
accelerate blood circulation, improve
health and defer the aging of
physiological function.
F r o z e n d u m p l i n g s . T h e
northeasterners have kept the custom of
eating frozen dumplings in winter, especially
during the Spring Festival. They put the
dumplings outdoors to get frozen, and then
put the frozen ones in a bag. When they’d like
to eat the dumplings, they would put them in
the boiler to cook. The fire must be strong, and
when the water and the dumplings are
boiling, add some cold water to the boiler so
that the skin of the dumplings would not be
softened. The cooked frozen dumplings taste
as fresh and savory as newly-made ones.
Frozen fruits. The long winter brings
people coldness, but a convenient natural
fridge as well. As the fruit produced in
n o r t h e a s t C h i n a i s l i m i t e d , t h e
northeasterners usually buy fruits from other
places in China. The fruits tend to rot during
spring and summer, yet keep fresh in winter
thanks to the cold temperature. Fruits like
frozen pears, frozen persimmons, and frozen
apples are as hard as steel balls. People not
knowing the case can hardly taste the frozen
fruits, but the northeasterners have
their knack to enjoy the fruits. They
neither use hot water or big fire to
defreeze the fruits; instead, they
would put them into cold water and
soak them for half an hour until a
layer of ice appears outside the
fruits. By the time the inside has
been softened, and just a small bite,
you can enjoy the sour, sweet and
crisp taste, which is appetite-
stimulating.
Frozen persimmon
Culture and Life
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 55
Mahjong solitaire is a
solitaire matching game that
uses a set of Mahjong tiles
rather than cards. It is also
k n o w n a s S h a n g h a i
solitaire, electronic or
computerized mahjong,
MahJong solitaire, solitaire
Mahjong and, erroneously,
as Mahjong. The tiles come
from the four-player game
popular in East Asia known
as Mahjong. The 144 tiles are
arranged in a special four-
layer pattern with their faces
upwards. A tile is said to be open or exposed if
it can be moved either left or right without
disturbing other tiles. The goal is to match
open pairs of identical tiles and remove them
from the board, exposing the tiles under them
for play. The game is finished when all pairs of
tiles have been removed from the board or
when there are no exposed pairs remaining.
Mahjong solitaire can be played using
genuine tiles and a special wooden frame for
set-up. Usually though, it is played in an
electronic form as a computer game. This
removes the tedium of set-up and the
temptation to cheat. Some electronic Mahjong
solitaire games offer extra options, such as (1)
changing the tile set and patterns from the
traditional tiles to flowers, jewels or other
items that may be easier to match up at a
glance, (2) playing a series of different layouts
with varying levels of difficulty (usually
given Chinese names such as ‘the ox’ or ‘the
snake’), or (3) adding “wildcard tiles” and
other tiles that have special functions. These
games also have an optional time limit. They
may also offer hints/cheat options such as the
ability to have a match found for the player or
to backtrack and undo already made moves.
Additionally, most implementations of the
game arrange the tiles in such a way that the
game is solvable in at least one way.
Mahjong solitaire can be played either solo
or with a partner, in which case the aim is to
accumulate the most pairs, to be the last one to
match a pair, or to score the most points.
Points are gained for each pair removed, with
bonus points for removing matched pairs in
sequence or removing pairs in sequence that
are parts of sets. Using traditional mahjong
tiles, the sets include the dragons, the flowers,
the seasons, and the winds (with the winds
being worth the most bonus points).
Players should open up new tiles with
every pair they eliminate. Choosing obvious
pairs from the top levels will often end the
game prematurely (i.e. lose) by leaving
essential tiles under cover.
A Popular Game in China--Mahjong Solitaire
Culture and Life
56 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Chinese Cheng Yu-- If You Wish Good Advice, Consult an Old Man
1. In the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi led an army to attack a small state in the
north.
2. They went in spring when green grass covered the ground.
3. But when they came back it was winter.Everywhere was white with snow and the wind was
howling. The troops lost their way.
4. While everybody was worrying, Guan Zhong, the duke’s chief minister, suggested: ‘An old
horse may know the way.’
5. So the duke ordered several old horse to be selected to lead the army. Finally, they found the
way back home.
6. This idiom refers to the value of experience.
*2014 is the Year of Horse in Chinese Zodiac Signs/
Culture and Life
Tibet Today
57January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Editor’s Note: Zhu Weiqun, director of the
Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of
the National Committee of the Chinese
People’s Political Consultative Conference -
China’s top political advisory body talked to
Beat U. Wieser, a reporter of the Swiss
newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung on Oct.
18, 2013 and answered questions about
China’s ethnic policy, religious affairs as well
as the contact and talks with envoys of the
14th Dalai Lama. Following is the memoir:
Reporter(R): As far as I know, when you
said in an interview with the China
Newsweek that a communist member should
not believe in any religion£¬do you oppose to
religion?
Zhu Weiqun (Zhu): China’s history is
different from that of Europe. In a long period
of history, Christianity in Europe had a
dominant advantage; while the major religion
in Western and Central Asian countries was
Islam. In history, China took a tolerant
attitude towards region, which resulted in the
coexistence of five religions. Of the 1.3 billion
people in China, over 100 million people
believe in religions while the majority of
people are not. No matter in the period of war
or social construction, the Communist Party
of China (CPC) must unite the 100 million
religious people in order to gain the success of
the undertakings of China. If the unification is
needed, the policy of religious freedom must
be carried out, for it is not only a necessity of
the cause, but also a long-standing
phenomenon in human society analyzed
theoretically by the CPC. The stability of
Chinese society needs to unite everyone with
a common target, and the religious policy
should conform to the inherent law of region’s
social phenomena.
R: Then what is the target?
Zhu: The target is to develop the country
and improve the life of its people. All people of
China accept the target, which has exceeded
the divergence in religious belief.
R: Is religion an obstacle or a threat for
achieving the target?
Zhu: We never consider religion an
obstacle or a threat for achieving the target. Of
course, religion, as an outlook of idealism
world, is quite different from that of the
materialism world. But the mass religious
followers have the same and reconcilable
target with us to develop the country and
improve the life of its people. Since the
founding of the CPC in 1921, the policy of
religious belief freedom has been carried out
and was never changed. Sometimes, we didn’t
implement it effectively during the Great
Cultural Revolution (1966-1976); but as soon
as the period was over, we continued to carry
out the policy. The theoretical basis of the CPC
is the Marxism. As a communist, I surely
adhere to the materialism world outlook and
atheism, and I believe that a communist
without religious belief does not interfere
with the execution of the policy of religious
belief freedom.
R: Do you believe that all party members
should stand for atheism?
TIBET TODAY
Zhu Weiqun Talks to Swiss Reporter About Contact and Talks with Dalai Lama
Tibet Today
58 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Zhu: Yes, because the Constitution of the
CPC has clearly pointed out that our guiding
ideology is Marxism, the theoretical basis of
which is dialectical materialism and historical
materialism, however, the materialism and
theism are clearly two different view of the
world. A person has to swear to follow
materialism instead of theism when he joints
the CPC. This is very clear and simple.
R: In China, some party members are not
atheist as they have practiced FaLungong,
and some of them even donate to temples
secretly. Do you think the situation should be
changed?
Zhu: FaLungong is an anti-social cult and
banned by Chinese law. Some party members
have participated in this religious activity for
some faith reasons, which have violated the
party constitution in my view. We should first
correct their behavior through ideological
education, and ask them to abide by the
constitution. However, if someone deviates
from our ideological foundation and insists
on religious belief, then he could choose to be
a religious disciple other than a CPC party
member, which embodies the freedom of
religion in China.
In addition, I have been engaged in
religious affairs for a long time. I find that no
religious belief for CPC members is not a
harmful thing but an advantage to our work.
Because no matter which kind of religion I
choose to believe, the other four would be
suspicious to me as there are five major
religions in China. The reason why people
believe me and think I can execute the
religious policies of the party honestly is I am
an atheist.
R: Do you mean you are neutral?
Zhu: I keep neutral between different
religions, not between materialism and
idealism.
R: You also study ethnic issues, and I have
read one of your articles in which you
addressed “ethnic fusion”. There is little
success for ethnic fusion around the world.
Will China succeed in forcing so many ethnic
minorities integrate into only one nation?
Whether you can make these ethnic minorities
have their own choices within the scope of
law?
Zhu: What you said about not forcing so
many ethnic minorities integrate into only one
nation and making these ethnic minorities
have their own choices within the scope of law
are right and actually they are what we are
doing now.
Every ethnic group of China enjoys same
laws, equal rights, and has full rights to
develop their own business, culture,
education, language and other activities. I just
think that it is essential to enlarge the
intercommunity and consistency rather than
increasing diversity among various ethnic
groups, in front of the complicated
international situation and the severe
challenge of domestic development.
Take language as an example, the law
protects freedom of using and promoting own
spoken and written languages of various
ethnic groups. However, since we all live in
the same country it will be much better to have
a common language that everyone knows, so
that different ethnic groups can communicate
with each other with convenience to our daily
life. Therefore, the law promotes the
commonly-used standard spoken and written
Chinese language all over the country.
Another example is that the 14th Dalai
Lama is against people of Han Chinese
entering Tibet, because he thinks that it would
change the ethnic composition of Tibet; on the
contrary, Deng Xiaoping, the second
generation of Chinese leader used to say that it
was insufficient to develop Tibet with a vast
area only by two million local Tibetans, while
Tibet Today
January 2014 59NEWS FROM CHINA
that Han Chinese could help them. Of course
we agree with Deng Xiaoping and are against
the 14th Dalai Lama, who even proposes to
drive all Han Chinese emigrants out of Tibet,
which undoubtedly would be a huge disaster
for a multi-ethnic country like China if it
happened.
R: I have different opinions on this topic. I
have carefully read the document you
mentioned, as well as your response at the
press conference, and carried the document
with me now. His proposition is not driving
Han Chinese or other ethnic groups out of
Tibet, but preventing a large-scaled migration
to Tibet in the future.
Zhu: what I mentioned refers to the “Five
Point Peace Plan” addressed by the Dalai
Lama to the U.S. Congressional Human
Right’s Caucus in 1987. The original words he
said are “For the Tibetans to survive as a
people, it is imperative that the population
transfer is stopped and Chinese settlers return
to China”, which undoubtedly means driving
people of Han ethnic group out of Tibet.
R: The memorandum of last talk between
Chinese central government and envoys of
14th Dalai Lama was in 2008!
Zhu: I know you are talking about the
“high degree of autonomy” of Tibetan people
put forth by the Dalai Lama in 2008. Still, the
Dalai Lama did not withdraw the Five-Point
Peace Plan’s claim to drive Han Chinese away
from Tibet, just denied what he said before.
Zhu: He said, “Our purpose is not to expel
those settled in Tibet for a long time, not to
cast them out, but to reduce the mass
migration to Tibet. It is not our intention to
e x p e l t h e n o n - T i b e t a n s w h o h a v e
permanently settled in Tibet and have lived
there and grown up there for a considerable
time. Our concern is the induced massive
movement of primarily Han but also some
other nationalities into many areas of Tibet”.
Zhu: Please pay attention that no matter in
which occasion, the Dalai Lama has never
withdrawn his demands that the Han Chinese
emigrants in Tibet should return to China.
Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese
territory since ancient times, and Chinese
citizens have rights to migrate and live in any
place of their homeland, which is an inevitable
requirement in a civilized and democratic
country. So the Dalai Lama could not deprive
Chinese people of the rights to come to Tibet.
R: So, can every Chinese people settle in
Hong Kong?
Zhu: It is well known that Hong Kong is a
special administrative region of China, with
the implementation of “one country, two
systems”. Its population movement is under
the framework of “one country, two systems”,
which has a vast difference from that of Tibet.
Under the condition of market economy, it is
reasonable and lawful for people from other
provinces to help construction and to make a
living in Tibet, and there is no reason to limit
their activities on the basis of “ethnic
identity”. In fact, there were no big changes in
the population structure of Tibet, and
Tibetans still account for over 90 percent of the
total population. Both economy and society
have developed quickly and the people’s life
has improved greatly in Tibet. It is not a result
of self-sealing, but a result of mutual help and
exchanges among people nationwide in
China.
R: I have known the envoy of the Dalai
Lama, who said they were unwilling to talk
for they believed it made no sense at present
and never mentioned they represented the
“Tibetan government-in-exile”. I am also
aware that they have written down their
requests as you asked. Since you were not
likely to agree with them, why did you still
take a try?
Zhu: First question, the “representative”
Tibet Today
60 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
you mentioned above refers to Lodi Gyari,
who indeed worked on behalf of the Dalai
Lama rather than the “government-in-exile”,
just because of this, our talk could proceed
further.
However, Lobsang Sangay, the head of
the Dalai clique at present, repeatedly
stressed that the talk would be between the
“Tibet government-in-exile” and the China’s
central government, which hence destroyed
the foundation of the talk completely.
As far as I know, Mr. Lodi Gyari actually
was not satisfied with Lobsang Sangay. In
despite of the conflicting viewpoints, I respect
Mr. Lodi Gyari, who in fact was stripped off
the post as the envoy by Lobsang Sangay and
his followers. Second question, the reason
why we talked many times with the personal
representatives of the Dalai Lama earlier was
due to the Dalai Lama’s contribution to China
during his reign over Tibet in the 1950s,
namely, the carrying out of peaceful liberation
of Tibet and the signing of the 17-Article
Agreement.
Considering the Dalai Lama’s identity as a
religious leader was affirmed by the central
government, it shows our respect to the
history by talking with his personal
representatives. And the contact could be
traced back to the reform and opening-up
policy in 1979 since when the central
government has built relationships with the
Dalai Lama by inviting his delegations to pay
visits to Tibet for many times. The only
purpose for us is to persuade the Dalai Lama
to stopping separatist activities and turn back
on the right patriotic track instead of arguing
with the so-called “Tibet issue”.
R: Having made efforts to understand the
nature of the contact and the attitudes held by
both parties, I think it would only end up with
deadlock. At a personal perspective, the Dalai
Lama is a rational negotiation partner,
without whom, the discussion is to face more
difficulties and consequently, China’s
interests will be in jeopardy.
Zhu: Our fight against the Dalai clique
serves as an important pre-condition for the
development of Tibet and the wellbeing of
Tibetan people. We pay close attention to the
Dalai clique who is both a separatist group
campaigning overseas and interference to our
own cause. We hope to see the Dalai Lama
make a correct choice and break away from his
stance of separation during the rest of his life.
We cannot do anything, though, if he insists
on his existing stance.
The fact is that the fate and the future of
Tibet are in the hands of the Chinese including
Tibetans, not the Dalai clique. I hope the Dalai
Lama could live as long as 113 years old. Yet
there is nothing to be afraid of even some
people would try to rival with us using violence
and terrorism after the Dalai Lama passed away
because it has been proved by history that they
were not as much a competitor for us in that
sense. Besides, terrorism equals political suicide
in present days.
I appreciate your patience today and you
are the only foreign journalist I have seen who
knows the most about this issue. Before
leaving, I would like to give you another
material which you might have seen before.
This map is an inserted picture of the Dalai
Lama’s autobiography published in 2010.
What do you think a Chinese would feel if he
or she sees the map?
R: I agree with you on the “Great Tibet”
issue that they have asked too much.
Zhu: You have to pay attention that he not
only requests the “Great Tibet”, but also
marks China’s Xinjiang Province as “East
Turkestan” , Inner Mongol ia as an
independent country, and three provinces in
northeast China as “Manchukuo”.
R: It is unrealistic.
Tibet Today
January 2014 61NEWS FROM CHINA
Tibet Passes Four Measures to Protect Environment
Beijing, Jan. 1 (Xinhuanet) — Chen
Quanguo, Party chief of the Tibet
autonomous region, said protecting every
mountain, every river, every tree, every blade
of grass is essential during the regional
economic conference on Tuesday.
The regional government has adopted
four measures to improve environmental
protection and economic development.
The first measure creates strict standards
for emissions on new projects, guaranteeing
that they do not harm the ecology.
The second takes strict control measures
on the exploitation of mineral resources and
sets the protection of the environment as a
priority.
The third measure schedules tight
ecological conservation to be done between
2013 to 2030, launches forestation projects
along four rivers to create tree coverage of
more than 66,670 hectares.
The fourth strengthens the supervision of
ecological conservation and implements
administrative measures on regional
environment protection.
These measures ensure that key rivers and
lakes in the region maintain a high water and
air quality and to control total pollutant
emissions within the State-approved range.
E c o l o g i c a l a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l
conservation was one of the highlights of
economic development in 2013, Chen said.
“Tibet invested 4.8 billion yuan over the
construction of ecological shelter zones and
carried out a total compensation of 2.8 billion
toward subsidies for grassland ecological
conservation”.
Tibet Receives 2.76 Million Air Passengers in 2013
Lhasa, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) — Southwest
China’s Tibet Autonomous Region received a
record 2.76 million air passengers in 2013, up
24.4 percent from the previous year,
according to the regional civil aviation
authorities on Thursday.
Tibet opened 13 new air routes last year,
bringing the total number in the region to 48
and the number of cities linked with Tibet to
29.
The decreasing number of days with
sandy weather in recent years has contributed
to the increasing air passenger traffic, said
Sonam Tsephel, an official with the regional
capital Lhasa’s Gonggar Airport.
The number of sandy days in Gonggar
County, where the airport is, was about 206 in
the 1980s but dropped to 100 between 2001
and 2010, according to statistics from the
regional meteorological bureau.
The annual passenger volume of Gonggar
Airport, which was opened in 1965, surpassed
1 million in 2006 and 2 million in 2013. It is
expected to exceed 3 million in 2014,
according to civil aviation authorities.
“Sound social stability and economic
development have attracted more tourists to
Tibet,” said Tsephel.
Tibet Today
62 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Lhasa, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) — Workers have
completed half of a 12-century-old Tibetan
Buddhism monastery renovation project, the
first of its kind in Tibet.
Renovation of the Sanyai Monastery,
about 200 kilometers southeast of Lhasa, will
cost 76.97 million yuan (12.72 million U.S.
dollars) and take about five years, according
to the temple’s administrative committee.
The project involves reinforcement of its
12 buildings, improvement of fire and flood
control systems and maintenance of sewage
treatment facilities. It is expected to be
completed in two years.
The monastery remains open to pilgrims
and tourists during the renovation.
Built in the late 770s in Zhanang County of
Shannan Prefecture, the monastery features a
blend of traditional Tibetan, Chinese and
Indian architecture.
The first floor of its main hall is Tibetan in
style. Its second floor is a traditional Chinese
quadrangle with houses on four sides with an
Indian pagoda-like top.
As one of Tibet’s biggest heritage
renovation projects under the 11th Five Year
Plan (2006-2010), work began in September
2010.
China launched a 570-million-yuan (94.21
million U.S. dollars) project in 2008 to
preserve 22 historical and cultural heritage
sites in Tibet, including the Zhaxi Lhunbo
Lamasery, the Jokhang, Ramogia and
Samgya-Goutog monasteries.
The move came after a 330-million-yuan
preservation project on the Potala Palace,
Sagya Monastery and Norbu Lingka Palace.
Tibetan Monastery Repair Work Half-completed
Tibetan New Year
Tibetan New year, also known as Losar, is
the most important festival in the Tibetan
calendar. Tibetan New Year is said to last 15
days, but the first 3 days are most important. It
is mainly celebrated over a period of 3 days in
late January or February, according to the
Tibetan calendar (see Tibetan New Year
dates).
The Tibetan Calendar
The Tibetan calendar consists of 12 (or 13)
lunar months, and Losar begins on the first
day of the Tibetan year. The Tibetan calendar
is lunisolar and almost identical to the
Chinese calendar.
Tibetan New Year the same as Chinese
New Year, a day earlier, or a day later. The
adding of a 30-day month is occasionally done
differently (e.g. in 1966), making Tibetan New
Tibet Today
January 2014 63NEWS FROM CHINA
Year one a month later than Chinese New
Year.
Festival Activities
Losar is celebrated by Tibetan people. It is
marked with ancient ceremonies that
represents the struggle between good and
evil. There is chanting and passing of fire
torches through the crowds.
A certain amount of levity is provided by
events such as the dance of the deer and the
amusing battles between the King and his
various ministers. Losar Festival is
characterized especially by dancing, music,
and a general spirit of merrymaking.
Losar Day 1
During the last two days of the old year,
which is called Gutor, people in Tibet begin to
prepare for the New Year.
The first day of Gutor is spent doing the
house cleaning. The kitchen especially must
be cleaned because it is where the family’s
food is prepared, and hence is the most
important part of the house. The chimney is
also swept free of dirt. Special dishes are
cooked. One such dish is a soup served with
small dumplings. The soup is made from
meat, wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, cheese,
peas, green peppers, vermicelli and radishes.
The fillings for dumplings include scraps of
wood, paper, or pebbles.
The celebration of Losar begins on the 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan
calendar, the day before Tibetan New Year’s
Eve. On that day monasteries hold a special
kind of ritual in preparation for the Losar
celebrations. In addition a kind of special
noodle called guthuk, which is made of nine
different ingredients including dried cheese
and various grains, is made.
Dough balls: Also, people place various
ingredients, such as chilies, salt, wool, rice,
and coal, in dough balls, which are then
handed out. The ingredients that one finds
hidden in one’s dough ball are supposed to be
a lighthearted comment on one’s character.
For example, if a person finds chilie in his
dough, that means he is talkative. If white-
colored ingredients such as salt or rice are
hided in the dough, it is believed as a good
sign. If someone finds coal in his dough, it has
the same meaning as finding coal in a
Christmas stocking; it means that one has a
“black heart”.
Losar Day 2
On the second day of Gutor, religious
ceremonies are held. People go to visit the
local monastery to worship and give gifts to
Tibet Today
64 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
the monks. Tibetans also set off firecrackers to
get rid of evil spirits, which are believed to be
lurking around.
The last day of the year is a time to clean
and prepare for the approaching New Year.
Houses are thoroughly cleared, after which
people get dressed, and proceed to have a
reunion feast, which is similar in spirit to the
Han Chinese New Year feast. Read more on
Chinese New Year food.
Losar Day 3
On Tibetan New Year’s Day, Tibetans get
up early, and put on new clothes after having
taken a bath. They then worship the gods by
placing offerings in the front of their
household shrines. The offerings
usually consist of animals and
demons made from a kind of dough
called torma. In addition this day is
for family members to exchange
gifts. Families also have a reunion
dinner, which usually consists of a
kind of cake called kapseand an
alcoholic drink called chang, which is
drunk to keep warm.
Traditionally, on the first day of
the New Year, the housewife will get
up very early. After cooking a pot of
barley wine for the family, she will
sit beside the window awaiting the
sunrise. As the first ray of sunshine of the New
Year touches the nearby earth, the housewife
takes a bucket and heads for a nearby river, or
well, to fetch the year’s first bucket of water,
which is seen as the most sacred, clearest
water of the coming year. The family that
fetches the first bucket of water from the
river/well is believed to be blessed with good
luck for the coming year.
Monastery Activities
At Ta’er Monastery, on the first day,
Lamas will hold religious celebrations, which
include worshiping Buddhist deities,
chanting Buddhist scriptures, and having a
new year banquet.
On the second day, people visit friends
and relatives. At night Tibetans whirl
burning torches in the homes to drive away
evil spirits.
On the third day, Tibetans in Lhasa
especially visit the local monasteries, where
they make offerings.
The Story of Losar
The word losar is a Tibetan word which
means New Year. The word is composed of
two characters: lo and sar. Lo means ‘year’ and
sar means ‘new’. The celebration of Losar can
be traced back to the Tibetan pre-Buddhist
period (127 BC – 629 AD). At that time
Tibetans were followers of the Bon religion,
and held a spiritual ceremony every winter.
During the ceremonies, people burnt a large
quantity of incense to appease local spirits,
deities, and protectors. Later this religious
festival developed into an annual Buddhist
festival.
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 65
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
(Effective from September 1, 2013)
What is the main purpose of your visit to China and which is the most appropriate visa category for
your application?
Visa Description of VisaCategories
C Issued to foreign crew members of means of international transportation, including aircraft, trains and ships, or motor vehicle drivers engaged in cross-bordertransport activities, or to the accompanying family members of the crew members of the above-mentioned ships.
D Issued to those who intend to reside in China permanently.
F Issued to those who intend to go to China for exchanges, visits, study tours and other activities.
G Issued to those who intend to transit through China.
J1 Issued to resident foreign journalists of foreign news organizations stationed inChina. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
J2 Issued to foreign journalists who intend to go to China for short-term news coverage. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
L Issued to those who intend to go to China as a tourist.
M Issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
Q1 Issued to those who are family members of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with Chinese permanent residence and intend to go to China for family reunion, or to those who intend to go to China for the purpose of foster care. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days. “Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
Q2 Issued to those who intend to visit their relatives who are Chinese citizens residing in China or foreigners with permanent residence in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
R Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.
S1 Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners working or studying in China to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, or to those who intend to go to China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
66 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Visa Description of VisaCategories
S2 Issued to those who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working or studying in China, or to those who intend to go to China for other private matters. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.”family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
X1 Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
X2 Issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
Z Issued to those who intend to work in China.
Here are the documents you shall prepare before submission of visa application:
1. Basic Documents and Reminders
(1) Passport
Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity, at least 2 blank visa pages, a
photocopy of the passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate. For multiple-visa
application, the remaining validity of the passport must cover the validity of visa and the duration of
stay. For example, if applying for a visa with 6 months validity, multiple entries, and 30 days of each
stay, the remaining validity of the passport should be at least 7 months.
(2) Visa Application Form and Photo
One completed Visa Application Form (2013) with a recently-taken color passport photo (bare-head,
full face) against a light background attached
(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those who are not of Indian citizenship).
The applicant from a third country should provide valid Indian visa or valid Residence Permit in
India and its copy, and fill up the Additional Application Form. In case the applicant from a third
country staying in India with a short-term visa, a note verbale (with details as follows: applicant’s
name, passport number, occupation, purpose to go to China, duration of stay in China) by the
Embassy or Consulate-General of his / her own country is required.
(4) Photocopy of previous Chinese passports or previous Chinese visas (applicable to those who were
Chinese citizens and have obtained foreign citizenship).
If you are applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, you should provide your previous Chinese
passport and a photocopy of its data page.
If you have obtained Chinese visas before and want to apply for a Chinese visa with a renewed foreign
passport that does not contain any Chinese visa, you should present the photocopy of the previous
passport’s data page and the photo page if it is separate, as well as the previous Chinese visa page. (If
your name on the current passport differs from that on the previous one, you must provide an official
document of name change.)
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 67
(5) The Visa Application Form shall be signed by the applicant. In case the applicant is a person without
or with limited capacity for civil conduct, the application form should be signed by his / her guardian
on his / her behalf. If the form is filled out by entrusted travel / visa agent, both the applicant’s
signature and the stamp of the agent are required.
(6) Child of Chinese descent born either in China or in India applies for a Chinese visa for the first time,
the Birth Certificate with his / her parents’ names on, the original certificate for renunciation of
Chinese nationality and its copy, and the statement written by his / her parents or guardian are
required.
(7) Child of Chinese descent born in a third country should make his / her Chinese visa application in his
/ her resident country if the Birth Certificate and the certificate for renunciation of Chinese
nationality cannot be submitted.
(8) The applicant must be in India while making the application for a Chinese Visa. Otherwise, the
applicant should take full consequences.
(9) Different types of visas will be issued according to applicants’ identities, purposes and activities. The
applicant should not engage in activities not conform to the type of visa he / she is holding in China.
Application should be made in line with the purpose of activity in China. Otherwise, the applicant
should take full consequences.
(10) Fraud documents or false information provided by the applicant will result in rejection of individual
application and disqualification of travel / visa agency to apply for Chinese visa.
(11) Ordinary passport holders are required to submit applications to the Chinese Visa Application
Service Centre (CVASC) where CVASC is available.
(12) The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General do not accept applications by post.
(13) The normal processing of Chinese visa takes about one to two weeks. The applicant should plan
ahead. Any applicant who attempts to interfere with the office of Chinese Embassy or Consulates by
using “my air ticket has been confirmed” as a pretext may likely result in the rejection of his / her visa
application.
(14) In case of urgent service is provided at the approval of the Chinese Embassy or the Consulates-
General, the applicant should pay extra fee accordingly.
(15) Applicants residing within consular district of Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata and Mumbai
are required to submit their applications to the respective Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata and
Mumbai. The consular district of the Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata covers Bihar, Jharkhand,
Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The consular district of the Chinese Consulate-General in
Mumbai covers Maharashtra and Karnataka.
2. Supporting Documents
C Visa
(1) A letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant
entity in China.
(2) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
68 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Note:
Non-regular scheduled flight, chartered flight, private plane must get the Aviation Permit before
departure.
D Visa
(1) The original and photocopy of the Confirmation Form for Foreigners Permanent Residence Status
issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.
(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place of destination in China,
name, address and contact number of the inviting / contact company / person).
(3) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of D Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations
of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed
places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
F Visa
(1) An invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The invitation should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be
visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for
expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address,
official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
(2) Personal or Company’s written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name,
address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).
(3) For a multiple entry visa application, copies of previous Chinese visas (on one A4 paper) are required.
(4) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
G Visa
(1) An onward air (train or ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the destination country or region.
(2) Personal or company’s written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name,
address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).
(3) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
J1 Visa
(1) Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
China and an official letter issued by the media organization for which the journalist works.
(2) Applicants are required to contact the Press Section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in
advance and complete relevant formalities.
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 69
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations
of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed
places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
J2 Visa
(1) Visa Notification Letter issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
China or other authorized units in China and an official letter issued by the media organization for
which the journalist works.
(2) Applicants should contact the press section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General in advance
and complete the relevant formalities.
L Visa
(1) Documents showing the itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel
reservation, etc. or an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China. The
invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address,
official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual)
(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name, address and
contact number of the inviting / contact company / person); Certification letter from the working
unit of the applicant (with details as follows: name and contact number of the working unit, the
applicant’s income statement), or Original copy of recent 6-month bank statement of the applicant.
(3) If applicant repeatedly applies for tourist visa to China, the following information shall be covered in
the personal statement: reasons for revisit, the places the applicant plans to visit this time and places
he/ she visited before.
(4) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
(5) If the applicants travel in China on a group basis, the invitation letter issued by the travel agency is
required.
M Visa
(1) Documents on the commercial activity issued by a trade partner in China, or trade fair invitation
relevant entity or individual. The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the planned visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be
visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for
expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting entity or individual (name, contact telephone number, address,
official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
70 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
(2) For application of a multiple entry visa: copy of all previous Chinese visas (on one A-4 sized paper)
should be attached.
(3) Personal or company’s written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name,
address and contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).
(4) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
Q1 Visa
For family reunion, the following documents are required:
(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign with a Chinese permanent residence
permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit ( purpose of visit, intended arrival date, place(s) of intended residence,
intended duration of residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual,
financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp,
signature of legal representative or the inviting individual, etc.)
(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID of the inviting individual or foreign passport and permanent residence
permit.
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship
issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of
family members between applicant and inviting individual.
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers,
sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
(4) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
For foster care, the following documents are required:
(1) Foster entrustment notarization issued by Chinese Embassies/Consulates General in foreign
countries or Foster Care Power of Attorney notarized and authenticated in the country of residence or
in China.
(2) Original and photocopy of the consignor’s passport(s), as well as the original and photocopy of
certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Public Security
Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship between parents and children.
(3) A letter of consent on foster care issued by the trustee living in China who has agreed to provide foster
care services and a photocopy of the ID of the trustee.
(4) A photocopy of the certificate indicating the permanent residence status abroad of the parent(s) when
the child was born, provided that either or both parents of the child are Chinese citizens.
(5) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
We kindly remind you that:
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 71
Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations
of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed
places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
Q2 Visa
(1) An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent
residence permit who lives in China. The invitation letter should contain:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited,
relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact number, address, signature etc.)
(2) Photocopy of Chinese ID or foreign passport and permanent residence permit of the inviting
individual.
(3) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
R Visa
(1) The applicant should submit relevant certification in accordance with relevent regulations, and meet
the relevant requirements of the competent authorities of the Chinese government on high-level
talents and individual personnel with special skills urgently needed by China.
(2) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
S1 Visa
(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or
studies) which contains:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place of intended
residence, relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for
expenditures, etc.)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature,
etc.)
(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit.
(3) Original and photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship
issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of
immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.
“Immediate family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18, parents-in-
law.
(4) For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs such as marriage,
inheritance, adoption, etc. should be provided as required by the consular officer.
(5) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name, address and
contact number of the inviting person).
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
72 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
(6) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations
of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed
places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
S2-Visa
For visiting family members for a short period, the following documents are required:
(1) An invitation letter issued by the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for
work or studies) which contains:
a. Information on the applicant (full name, gender, date of birth, etc.)
b. Information on the visit (purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited,
relations between the applicant and the inviting individual, financial source for expenditures,
etc.)
c. Information on the inviting individual (name, contact telephone number, address, signature,
etc.)
(2) A photocopy of the inviting individual’s (a foreigner who stays or lives in China for work or studies)
passport and residence permit
(3) Photocopy of certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate or notarized certification of kinship)
showing the relationship of family members between the applicant and the inviting individual.
“Family members” refers to spouses, parents, sons, daughters, spouses of sons or daughters, brothers,
sisters, grandparents, grandsons, granddaughters and parents-in-law.
(4) For private affairs, documentation identifying the nature of the private affairs such as marriage,
inheritance, adoption, should be provided as required by the consular officer.
X1-Visa
(1) Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
(2) Original and photocopy of “Visa Application for Study in China” (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
(3) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name, address and
contact number of the school or entity of admission).
(4) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations
of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed
places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
X2-Visa
(1) Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 73
(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name, address and
contact number of the school or entity of admission).
(3) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General.
Z-Visa
(1 ) One of the following documents:
a. Foreigners Employment Permit of the People’s Republic of China issued by Chinese government
authorities for Human Resources and Social Security, as well as Invitation Letter of Duly
Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
b. Permit for Foreign Experts Working in China issued by the State Bureau of Foreign Experts as
well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by
relevant Chinese entities.
c. Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of enterprises of foreign
countries(regions) issued by Chinese authorities of industrial and commercial administration, as
well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by
relevant Chinese entities as well as Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation
Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Chinese entities.
d. An approval document for commercial performances issued by the Chinese government
authorities for cultural affairs or Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Entity or Confirmation
Letter of Invitation issued by relevant Foreign Affairs Office of provincial governments of
China.
e. Letter of Invitation to Foreigners for Offshore Petroleum Operations in China issued by China
National Offshore Oil Corporation;
(2) Personal written statement (covering letter with details as follows: place to visit, name, address and
contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).
(3) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General.
We kindly remind you that:
Holders of Z Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations
of public security organs under local people’s governments at or above the county level in the proposed
places of residence for foreigners’ residence permits.
3. Special Reminder
(1) The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular
officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter..
(2) If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other documents or
supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.
(3) The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay
and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.
Instructions for Chinese Visa Application
74 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
Flights Between India China and
Airlines Flight No. Route Dep. Arr. Frequency
Air China CA947 Beijing-Delhi 2050 0140+1 1,3,6 (Jul-Aug 2013)
1,3,5,6 (Sep 2013-Mar 2014)
CA948 Delhi-Beijing 0315 1225 2,4,7 (Jul-Aug 2013)
2,4,6,7 (Sep 2013-Mar 2014)
CA429 Shanghai-Chengdu-Mumbai 1700 0010+1 1,3,5,7 (Jul-Oct 2013)
3,5,7 (Nov 2013-Mar 2014)
CA430 Mumbai-Chengdu-Shanghai 0140 1240 1,2,4,6 (Jul-Oct 2013)
1,4,6 (Nov 2013-Mar 2014)
China MU563 Shanghai (Pudong)-Delhi 2105 0125+1 Daily
Eastern Jul 2013-26Oct 2013
Airlines 2120 0205+1
27 Oct2013-27 Nov 2013
1350 1940
29 Nov 2013-29 Jan
2120 0205+1
30 Jan 2014-29 Mar
MU564 Delhi-Shanghai (Pudong) 0245 1100 Daily
Jul 2013-26 Oct
0320 1105
27 Oct 2013-28 Nov
2125 0530+1
29 Nov 2013-29 Jan 2014
0320 1105
31Jan 2014-29 Mar
MU555 Kunming-Kolkata 2355 2345 Daily
Dec 2013-Dec
MU556 Kolkata-Kunming 0035 0510
Dec 2013-Dec
China CZ359 Guangzhou-Delhi 1830 2215 Daily
Southern CZ3027 Guangzhou-Delhi 0730 1130 Daily
Airlines CZ360 Delhi-Guangzhou 2325 0630+1 Daily
Flights Between China and India
January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA 75
Airlines Flight No. Route Dep. Arr. Frequency
CZ3028 Delhi-Guangzhou 1245 1950 Daily
Cathy Pacific CX697 Hong Kong-Delhi 2015 2335 Daily
CX698 Delhi-Hong Kong 0105 0905 Daily
Air India AI349 Shanghai-Delhi-Mumbai 2200 0525+1 2,4,6,7
AI348 Mumbai-Delhi-Shanghai 0750 2020 2,4,6,7
AI315 Hong Kong-Delhi 1805 2110 2,4,6
AI317 Hong Kong-Delhi 1805 2110 1,3,5,7
AI310 Delhi-Hong Kong 2315 0650+1 2,4,6,7
AI314 Delhi-Hong Kong 2315 0650+1 1,3,5
Address Contact No.
Ground Floor, E-9 Connaught House, Connaught Place, Tel: 011-43508888New Delhi 110001 Fax: 011-43508899
Unit No. 9/2, Queen’s Road, Bangalore 560001 Tel: 080-43587900Fax: 080-43587999
Ground Floor, C&B Square,127 Andheri-Kurla Road, Tel: 022-61175555 Andheri (east), Mumbai 400069 Fax: 022-61175566 Thapar House, 124, Janpath, New Delhi 110001 Tel: 011-43513166
Fax: 011-43513155
228A, Land Mark Building, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata 700020 Tel: 033-40448887/88Fax: 033-22875173
118, New Delhi House, 27, Barakhamba Road, Tel: 011-43596075/77/78 New Delhi 110001 Fax:011-23737453
G123, Tolstoy House, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi Tel:011-23321286/3332Fax: 011-23721550
Air China
ChinaEasternAirlines
Airlines
China SouthernAirlines
Cathy Pacific
Note: Frequency: 1=Monday, 2=Tuesday,…,7=Sunday
(+1): Flight arrives next day.
Departure & Arrival Times: In local time of departure / arrival destination.
The flight schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the airlines booking data for updates.
Flights Between China and India
Books Review
76 January 2014 NEWS FROM CHINA
BOOKS REVIEWDear Readers,
Happy New Year!
Since the beginning of 2014, we present you this new page Books From China. In every issue, we will bring you two books about China in fields like culture, history, literature, tourism, etc. If you find interest in any book here, you are most welcome to write to us for a free subscribe for it. However, since some books are quiet limited, we can only send the books based on the principle of “first come first serve”. I am sure you know the best way to reach us. Hope to get your letters in the coming future.
Editor News From China
E-mail: [email protected]: 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021Fax: 0091-11-26882024
This book introduces some of China’s most beautiful sights in an easy-to understand format. Our guide has two parts: the first section consists of 53 articles grouped into seven geographic areas, northeast China, north China, northwest China, east China, central China, southwest China, and south China, and the cities of Beijing, Hon Kong, Macau and Taipei.
The articles consist of a destination guide followed by a practical information section. In the destination guide you’ll find destination information with cultural and historic overviews. Chinese characters and pinyin are included—if you need help finding a sight, just show the Chinese characters to a local and they’ll help you on your way. Underneath the
article title is the names of local UNESCO World Heritage Sites and to the right of the title is the local area code.
The ‘Making Your Trip Easy’ section gives all the practical information you’ll need to make your trip a success. Inside this section are useful travel tips, transportation information, hotel and restaurant listings, and food and souvenir information describing local specialties and goods. Out ‘Best Of’ list includes some of the more spectacular sights that shouldn’t be missed. At the end of the information section we’ve included the phone numbers of information and complaint hotlines, and hospital and postal information. The information we’ve gathered represents the most up-to-date and accurate information available.
As every person has their own dreams, so does every nation. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), recently pointed out that achieving the rejuvenation of the great Chinese nation is our greatest dream in modern times. He said that the ‘Chinese Dream’ is in fact the people’s dream, and that ‘to achieve the rejuvenation dream of the great Chinese nation is to achieve national prosperity and rejuvenation and the people’s happiness.’
In such an era as we as a nation work toward fulfilling the ‘Chinese Dream’, we found 24 Chinese people in 2012 and 2013, and this book records their glory and dreams, laughter and tears. Although they do not represent all of the Chinese people, what they experienced, thought and accomplished in more than a year placed them in the spotlight.
When these people are presented to us, their glory and splendor, joy and sorrow pieced together illustrate the common experience of the Chinese people. In these stories, we can witness the development of China and the pursuits of the Chinese people.
As a long-cherished wish for several generations of the Chinese people, the ‘Chinese Dream’ is the common aspiration of every Chinese person. Recalling the past, based on the present, the ‘Chinese’ is guiding contemporary China toward a bright future ahead.
PDF Version of this Issue is available at http://in.china-embassy.org
Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-16/4034/12-14R.N.I. No. 47440/88
January 2014
A visitor plays with his child on the ice to celebrate the new year in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.
Chinese Embassy Website: http://in.china-embassy.orgWebsite of Foreign Ministry of China: www.mfa.gov.cn
www.fmprc.gov.cn
E-mail: [email protected]:[email protected]
Published, Printed and Edited by Mme. Xie Liyan on behalf of the Press Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 50-D, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. Tel: 26881249, Fax: 26882024
Printed at A.K. Printers, S-217, Bank Street, Munirka, New Delhi-110067, Ph: 9818114996