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CHINA E-LOBBY UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2004
Dragon in the Dark: How and Why Communist China Helps Our Enemies in the War on Terror is now available: here, at Amazon, or call 1-888-280-7715.
TOP STORY: COMMUNIST CHINA TAKES SUMMER OLYMPIC MANTLE FROM ATHENS
TIBET, BIRD FLU IMMEDIATELY BECOME ISSUES OF CONCERN
The Athens Olympics have ended; Communist China�s gold medal winners are home (BBC); and now Beijing is �on the clock� for the 2008 Games (Voice of America via Epoch Times 8/29). Reporters Without Borders repeated its call for a boycott of the Games if the Communists don�t improve their abysmal human rights record (VOA via Epoch Times 8/28).
Two protestors actually made it into Beijing to unfurl a banner demanding �'No Olympics for China until Tibet is Free� (VOA via Epoch Times 8/30). Naturally, they were quickly arrested. Meanwhile, one scientist is worried about the epidemics in the People�s Republic affecting the Games, particularly the �bird flu� (Liberty Times, Taiwan, via Epoch Times).
The Communists, of course, did nothing to ease those concerns with their �decision not to publicize their discovery of a deadly bird flu strain in pigs last year, saying the cases did not pose a threat to humans� (Washington Times). Jia Youling, the PRC�s top veterinary cadre insisted the flu strain was not dangerous to humans.
One would have hoped the Communists would have erred on the side of more disclosure after the cover-up fiasco on SARS (see 3/19/03, 3/26/03, 4/2/03, 4/9/03, 4/16/03, and 4/23/03 Updates). What does this mean for the Olympics? More reasons not to go.
NEWS ON COMMUNIST CHINA, EAST TURKESTAN, AND THE TERRORIST WAR
Check out the latest on the Communist China and the Terrorist War page.
TOYS MADE IN COMMUNIST CHINA GLORIFY WTC ATTACK
A candy bag sent by Lisy Corporation to �small grocery stores around the country� (Washington Post, second item) included in some a supposed plastic �swing set� toy from Communist China. The �toy� was actually �small plastic figurines� that were �showing an airplane flying into the World Trade Center.� WFTV (Florida) has pictures of the �toys.�
NORTH KOREA NEWS
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COMMUNIST PROFESSORS BLASTS NK, BUT ARTICLE PUT ON HOLD
Wang Zhongwen, an economic researcher at the Tianjin Social Sciences Research Institute, �attacked North Korea�s patrimonial system and leftist policy� (Epoch Times), and even hinted that the Communist ally �instigates disputes between China and the U.S.� It was one of the most blistering commentaries against North Korea to be written in the PRC.
What does this mean for PRC-NK relations? It seems a lot less than meets the eye. The magazine that was to publish the article is suddenly suffering �internal difficulty,� a sign that at least some cadres are not happy. Moreover, the Communists have already laid the groundwork for Plan B: North Korea as PRC territory (see 1/26, 8/16, and 8/23 NKRs).
TWENTY-NINE MORE REFUGEES ENTER JAPANESE SCHOOL IN BEIJING
Twenty-nine more refugees have entered a democracy�s diplomatic compounds in Beijing, in this case a Japanese school. The refugees are hoping to complete their escape from North Korea, and South Korea has already said they would take them. Report: BBC
Communist China � a North Korean ally for over fifty years � sends back any NK refugee it can find, forcing them to either live as nonpersons, try to reach Vietnam, or make a dash for diplomatic compounds in Beijing run by democratic nations.
. . . AS NORTH KOREA PULLS ENVOY FROM NATION THAT HELPED OVER 450 REFUGEES
Speaking of Vietnam, North Korea angrily �recalled its ambassador from a South East Asian country to protest its role in a mass defection of North Korean refugees� (BBC). The unnamed nation, which helped over 450 refugees from North Korea go to South Korea last month, has been reported to be Vietnam.
CADRE WHO LED PRC DELEGATION TO TALKS OUT AS VICE FOREIGN MINISTER
Wang Yi, who led the Communist Chinese delegation to the six-party talks on North Korea�s nuclear weapons program, is no longer Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. What effect this will have on the talks, which have led to little besides U.S. concessions, is unclear. Report: Central News Agency, Taiwan, via Epoch Times
REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) NEWS
CHEN CANCELS MILITARY EXERCISE AFTER COMMMUNIST CHINA ABANDONS ITS OWN
After the PRC abruptly scrapped a major military exercises just across the Taiwan Strait, President Chen Shui-bian announced the island democracy �decided that we will cancel the 9 September Han Kuang exercises� (BBC) as a gesture of �good will.� Chen has repeatedly made attempts to reach out to Communist China; all have been rejected.
WHO ADMITS TAIWAN CAN BE OBSERVER WITHOUT VOTE; WMA REITERATES SUPPORT
The World Health Organization admitted this week �that its director-general could simply invite Taiwan to become an observer if he wanted to, without the annual rigmarole of member states voting on -- and defeating -- Taiwan's bid� (Cybercast News-1). Sadly, Director-general Lee Jong-Wook has already made public his opposition to doing that.
Meanwhile, the World Medical Association, through Secretary-General Dr. Delon Human, reiterated its support for the island democracy�s bid. He also recommended �that Taiwan bring together an international team of health professionals and well-known personalities �who believe in Taiwan and its right to access to the WHO.�� to buttress its case (CN-2).
THE VELVET CRACKDOWN (HONG KONG NEWS)
PRC CELEBRATES DENG�S 100TH BIRTHDAY IN HK; OLYMPIC WINNERS ON THE WAY
An exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping�s birth opened in Hong Kong in the Communists� �latest attempt to boost patriotism in the territory� (BBC). Further in that vein, the PRC is sending its Athens Olympic gold medalists to the city. All of this comes less than a month before the city�s legislative elections on September 12.
The PRC is clearly hoping patriotic fervor will lead to more votes for pro-Beijing candidates (30 seats are filled by the voters, the remaining 30 by a PRC-picked panel). They�d better hope the voters don�t see Tiananmen butcher Li Peng�s insistence � backed by other evidence � that Deng was an unstinting supporter of the 1989 massacre (see last Update).
LEADING HONG KONG DEMOCRAT BARRED FROM MAINLAND
Meanwhile, Law Chi-kwong, and executive member of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, was barred from visiting Shanghai for a social work study tour. Given that Law had been told he �would be allowed on the trip,� (Voice of America via Epoch Times) he has chalked it up as a miscommunication, for now.
MACAU NEWS
COMMUNIST-APPOINTED PANEL GIVES EDMUND HO SECOND TERM AS LEADER
Edmund Ho, the current leader of the Macau, was given a second term by a Communist-appointed panel. Ho won 296 of the 300 �votes� to continue his rule over the former Portugese colony. Pro-democracy politicians �boycotted the poll, arguing that the process was �too conservative and oligarchic�� (BBC).
OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS
JAPAN MEETS CENTRAL ASIAN NATIONS TO COUNTER PRC INFLUENCE
Japan�s Foreign Minister �met her counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the Kazakh capital Saturday� (United Press International via Washington Times), plus an Ambassador from Turkmenistan. The meeting was intended �to win support and counter Chinese and Russian influence in Eurasia.�
Communist China and Russia founded the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, three years ago. The Communists had hoped it would become �Beijing�s NATO.� Japan�s efforts aside, the PRC�s hopes have not exactly been fulfilled (see 5/22/02 and 8/13/03 Updates).
IMF TELLS COMMUNIST CHINA TO FLOAT ITS CURRENCY
The International Monetary Fund called on Communist China to, among other things, �make a move towards initial exchange rate flexibility without undue delay� (BBC). The PRC has held its currency to an undervalued �peg� for years, flattening parts of America�s industrial sector and the export industries of her allies in East Asia.
THREE FOREIGN FIRMS TO HELP PRC MODERNIZE ITS RAILWAYS
The PRC awarded contracts to three foreign firms with the aim of modernizing its railroads. As with every foreign investment, the three firms � Alstom of France, Bombardier of Canada, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan � �all won their contracts in conjunction with Chinese partner companies� (BBC). Also reporting: E-Commerce Times
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT VISITS PRC
Communist China is hosting Gloria Arroyo, President of the Philippines, for talks on a �broad range of issues, including security, trade and investment� (BBC). Arroyo apparently hopes to �strengthen trade and co-operation with China.� Note to Jiang-Hu watchers: Arroyo will see both the party boss and the Central Military Commission Chairman.
EU OPENS TOURIST DOORS
Today began the implementation of an agreement �allowing Chinese tour groups to visit 29 European nations � not including Britain, Ireland and Denmark� (BBC).
HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS NEWS
PRISONER FORCED TO ABORT BABY, SO COMMUNISTS CAN EXECUTE HER
A pregnant woman jailed for transporting drugs in Communist China suffered a forced abortion by the Communists �so that she could be eligible for the death penalty� (Agence France Press via Medical News Today). The local police �signed a consent form ordering an abortion �on her behalf.�� On her behalf?!
PETITIONER BEATEN TO DEATH AFTER WAITING TEN YEARS TO CLEAR SON�S NAME
Wang Shunyuan came from Gansu Province to Beijing to petition for his son, who �had died due to punishment after being falsely charged with a crime� (Epoch Times). That was ten years ago. Last month, the Communist Supreme Court finally called his name. When he went inside, he was promptly beaten to death, and his body was left to rot.
ZHENG ENCHONG�S WIFE PETITIONS BEIJING FOR HER HUSBAND
Meanwhile, Jiang Meili, wife of jailed attorney Zheng Enchong, has traveled to Beijing �to petition a state government agency on behalf of her husband� (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times). We can only hope she doesn�t meet Wang Shunyun�s fate.
Zheng�s crime was exposing the corruption of Zhou Zhengyi a real estate developer from Shanghai who became rich through his crooked dealings with cadres there (see 6/4/03, 6/11/03, 6/18/03, 10/29/03, 11/26/03, and 12/31/03 Updates).
RALLY ORGANIZERS ARRESTED AMD COMMUNIST CRACKDOWN ON PETITIONERS
Zheng Mingfang and Ye Guozhu hoped to bring 10,000 to Tiananmen Square to �appeal for citizen�s rights� (Epoch Times), in particular the rights of themselves and their friends, who lost their homes to a Communist bulldozer without compensation. The Communists responded by arresting them. Zheng was held for 24 hours; Ye is still in custody.
Their arrests are part of a larger move against petitioners, also known as appellants, who bring their grievance against local cadres to Beijing. The number of appellants has now �reached nearly 230,000 people� (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times).
ANOTHER SOUTHERN METROPOLIS DAILY EDITOR SET FREE
Days after releasing Southern Metropolis Daily vice-chief editor Deng Haiyan�s release (see last Update), Communist China released his colleague: executive editor Cheng Yizhong. However, �it was not clear if conditions were placed on his release or whether he would be permitted to return to the newspaper� (Washington Post). Also reporting: BBC
Further putting a damper on things, two other high ranking officials at the paper, Yu Huafeng and Li Minying, are still behind bars. SMD was one of the most open papers in Communist China, exposing the SARS coverup and the murder of Sun Zhigang last year, before the Communists cracked down (see 5/28/03, 6/11/03, 6/25/03, and 4/7 Updates).
CORRUPTION NEWS
COMMUNIST FIRMS PUBLISHING COUNTERFEIT GARFIELD BOOKS
Not even Garfield can steer clear of Communist China�s piracy. Three PRC firms have, according to Garfield copyright owner Paws Incorporated, been �publishing Garfield books without permission� (BBC).
COMMUNISTS SUSPEND IPOS FOR A MONTH
Communist China announced it would suspend all initial public offerings (IPOs) for a month, �after heavy falls in the shares of newly-listed firms amid investor criticism of flotations at inflated prices� (BBC). The apparent overpricing of IPOs � the cadres in charge of the stock markets set the prices themselves � have cost PRC stock markets �a quarter of their value�.
EPIDEMIC NEWS
COMMUNIST CHINA BANS SALE OF BLOOD
As part of a slew of laws �specifically targeting the spread of Aids� (BBC), Communist China has now �banned buying and selling of blood.� The PRC did not mention the reason behind the ban: the one million sufferers in Henan Province who contracted AIDS via unhygienic blood sales in the 1980s (see 9/4/02, 9/25/02, and 5/12 Updates).
COMMUNIST TUBERCULOSIS VACCINE INFECTS CHILDREN WITH THE DISEASE
A tuberculosis vaccine given children in Longhui County (Hunan Province) by the local epidemic prevention station has actually infected a number of the children with the disease. The number of infected is not known, but at least 600 had been singled out for X-ray examinations. Report: Epoch Times
OTHER MAINLAND NEWS
DENG XIAOPING REVISITED: MESSAGE TO JIANG ZEMIN TO RETIRE?
A series of interviews with the late Deng Xiaoping�s family by Communist-run CCTV is leading many to believe the authors were hinting that Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin should retire. Radio Free Asia (via Epoch Times) cited quotes from his family, and a caption from PRC-run Xinhua Net: �I am 84 years old this year, I should retire.�
Two things undermine the argument. First of all, Jiang Zemin will not be 84 until 2010 � something upon which Jiang�s supporters in the Shanghai faction are sure to seize. More importantly, at 84, Deng did not in fact retire, but held on to the very post Jiang currently holds, and used it to order the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS KILL 350 A DAY IN PRC
Communist China suffered over 2,000 worker accidents in the first half of this year; the accidents killed, on average, 350 people a day (Central News Agency, Taiwan, via Epoch Times). Safety regulations in the PRC are far from fully enforced, while independent labor unions, which could protect their workers and push for stronger enforcement, are illegal.
ENERGY CADRE SAYS SPENDS $120 BILLION FOR POWER . . .
Wang Yonggan, general secretary of the China Electricity Council, called for the PRC �to invest $120bn (�67bn) over the next five years to increase electricity supplies to meet demand� (BBC). Communist China�s power shortage is so widespread it is leading to fistfights with workers in factories forced to be shutdown (see last Update, and below).
. . . AMID REPORTS THE COMMUNISTS ARE HOARDING OIL
Meanwhile, the London Times reports that Communist China �is buying more oil than it consumes, raising fears that oil hoarding may be supporting the current high price of crude.� The PRC�s oil binge is certainly understandable, given the depth of its power shortage (see 12/10/03, 12/17/03, 3/31, 6/10, 6/16, 7/21, and 8/5 Updates).
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