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CHINA E-LOBBY UPDATE: JANUARY 21, 2004
Dragon in the Dark: How and Why Communist China Helps Our Enemies in the War on Terror is now available! My book detailing Communist China�s history of aiding terrorist states, Saddam Hussein, the Taliban, and al Qaeda can be ordered here, at Barnes and Noble, or at Amazon. � D.J. McGuire
TOP STORY: CHEN SHUI-BIAN SOFTENS VOTE LANGUAGE; PRC STILL BLASTS HIM
PRC RIPS VOTE ON POSSIBLE MISSILE DEFENSE; U.S. HAPPY WITH IT; COMMUNISTS FORCING MAINLAND QUIET, PARADING �SPIES� BEFORE CAMERAS TO HURT CHEN
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian managed to get the United States off his back with referendum language that does not ask his people to demand Communist China withdraw its 500 missiles currently pointed at the island democracy. Instead, Chen will ask for approval to invest in missile defense (Voice of America via Epoch Times, HK).
While the U.S. praised Chen�s �flexibility,� Communist China whacked the vote, planned for the same day Chen faces the voters in his re-election bid: March 20. The People�s Republic called the vote a �one-sided provocation� (BBC) by Chen and his Democratic Progressive Party. Also reporting: Taipei Times via Epoch Times, Washington Post
The Communists have become so obsessed with Taiwan � in particular defeating Chen � that PRC President Hu Jintao has told his fellow cadres that �maintaining stability as the overriding task� (Willy Wo-Lap Lam, CNN 1/20), so the regime can �focus its energies� squarely on the island democracy.
The Communists have even publicized a supposed espionage scandal, parading alleged Taiwanese �spies� (Lam 1/21) in front of news cameras in order to embarrass Chen, who is in a nip-and-tuck battle for a second term against the Nationalist Party, which has grown much cozier with the Communists since Chen defeated them in 2000.
If the reaction of Taiwan News (via Epoch Times) is any indication, the PRC spy game is already backfiring: �no one with a nanogram of common sense will treat the statements of these hostages as anything but the equivalent of coerced confessions under torture.�
This was the only news on Taiwan this week.
NEWS ON COMMUNIST CHINA, EAST TURKESTAN, AND THE TERRORIST WAR
COMMUNIST CHINA UPSET OVER JAPANESE TROOPS IN IRAQ
Communist China is still �concerned� (VOA via Epoch Times) by Japan�s military deployment in Iraq (see last Update). The PRC did not elaborate its concern, thus leaving it to the rest of the world to determine the danger in Japan�s effort �to help rebuild schools, purify water supplies, and provide medical care in southern Iraq.�
It should be noted that the PRC had a long history of arming Saddam Hussein (see 2/21/01, 2/28/01, 3/7/01, 3/14/01, 3/21/01, 12/18/02, 3/19/03, 4/9/03, and 12/17/03 Updates).
COMMUNIST CHINA�S PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN: ONE COP
The People�s Republic announced its contribution to peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan: one police officer from Hainan (BBC). It should be noted that Communist China signed an economic agreement with the Taliban � the former Afghan regime that hosted Osama bin Laden � mere hours before the World Trade Center fell (see 9/19/01 Update).
Check out the Communist China and the Terrorist War page.
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OTHER AMERICAN-RELATED NEWS
GENERAL MYERS DEFENDS U.S. SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN DURING VISIT TO BEIJING
After meeting with Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin, General Richard Myers � Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff � �defended U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and said the Bush administration is committed to maintaining the self-governing island's ability to defend itself� (Washington Post).
Myers particularly noted the �very large build-up� (BBC) of Communist missiles as part of the reason for the American support for the island democracy. He also said that with American backing of Taiwan, �there will not be a temptation (for the PRC) to use force.� Also reporting: Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times
TRADE DEFICIT WITH COMMUNIST CHINA STILL ON TRACK FOR $125 BILLION
The U.S. trade deficit with Communist China was almost $11 billion for the month of November, staying on pace for an annual imbalance of $125 million (Voice of America via Epoch Times). The Communists have artificially devalued their currency for a decade, damaging both American manufacturing and the export sectors of our Asian allies.
U.S. MAY IMPOSE TARIFF ON PRC PLASTIC BAGS
The Bush Administration �may impose tariffs of up to 123% on Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai plastic shopping bag producers� (BBC). The U.S. has already placed restrictions on some Communist textiles and a tariff on PRC televisions (see 11/19/03 and 11/26/03 Updates).
GEPHARDT ENDS PRESIDENTIAL BID
Missouri Representative Richard Gephardt ended his bid for the Democratic nomination for President. Gephardt was the only Democratic candidate who, however marginally, was tougher than President George Bush on eastern Asia. Report: Washington Post
While Joseph Lieberman and Howard Dean have criticized Bush�s verbal slap at Taiwan last December � Lieberman the policy, Dean the tone (see 12/17/03 and last Updates) � both are more dovish on North Korea than the President.
WARNER BROTHERS TO RUN 30 THEATRES IN COMMUNIST CHINA
Warner Brothers has partnered with the Communist firm Wanda Group to �operate and manage� (BBC) 30 cinemas in the PRC.
WEN HO LEE SUES REPORTERS
Former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee � who admitted to mishandling classified information and is believed to have a role in nuclear secrets going to Communist China � is now suing reporters to reveal sources who leaked against him in the 1990s. Interestingly, the reporter who broke the espionage story is not on the defendant list (Newsmax).
PRESIDENT BUSH CALLS FOR A RETURN TO THE MOON, TRIPS TO MARS
President Bush announced ambitious plans to �explore space and extend a human presence across our solar system� (Washington Post 1/15). The plans include returning to the moon in 2015 �with the goal of living and working there for increasingly extended periods,� plus the �further exploration of Mars and other destinations.�
While many have wondered why the President has decided to suddenly re-energize the space program, the most obvious answer � Communist China�s plans to send missions to the moon beginning in 2010 (see 12/10/03 and last Update) � was finally out in the open.
As one space industry source told the Post (1/16), �the White House seemed anxious to revitalize the U.S. space program, in effect telling NASA that �we're not going to let the Chinese take the moon and let us look like fools.�� Amen.
NEWS FROM THE FALUN GONG WAR
CANADA: SUPREME COURT LETS CONTEMPT LAWSUIT AGAINST PAPER TO PROCEED
The Supreme Court of Canada allowed a contempt of court lawsuit by Falun Gong against Les Presses Chinoises to proceed after the Chinese-language paper printed articles �from quasi official statements made by the Chinese government� in the words of one of the justices (Epoch Times, see also 7/9/03 and 1/7 Updates).
UNITED STATES: DISMISSAL OF LAWSUIT AGAINST JIANG ZEMIN APPEALED
Terri Marsh filed an appeal of a dismissal against the lawsuit she filed �on behalf of Falun Gong followers� (Epoch Times) against Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin for authoring the brutal crackdown against the movement in July 1999.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS NEWS
COMMUNISTS WANT NO NEW YEAR PROTESTS
Communist China is �pulling out the stops to prevent politically embarrassing mishaps in the run-up to Chinese New Year� (Willy Wo-Lap Lam, CNN). Among the measures taken are more People's Armed Police � the Communist paramilitary group � in the capital, plus tighter controls over the internet.
COMMUNISTS TO TRY DU DAOBIN FOR �SUBVERSION�
Du Daobin, the Epoch Times columnist and cyber-dissident in Communist China currently in prison, may face charges for 28 articles the PRC claims �subvert state power� (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times, see also 11/12/03 Update).
BRITON ACCUSED OF OWING MONEY SET FREE
Communist China has let Andrew Hollingworth go home after imprisoning him for supposedly owing over $4 million (see 12/31/03 Update). Hollingworth insisted he owed no such amount. Report: BBC
�FRIENDS� FALLS UNDER COMMUNIST CENSORSHIP
Communist China has decided not to allow the U.S. television show �Friends� to air in the PRC �because its characters talk about sex too much� (BBC). Despite the censors� decision, the show �is already popular in China and counterfeit DVD copies of the show are available in the country's cities.� Oops.
DEATH PENALTY, LABOR CAMPS UNDER REVIEW
Communist China is re-examining their extensive use of the death penalty and their hideous �reeducation through labor� (Washington Post). Whether this will lead to any official changes, let alone the determination not to look the other way when rural cadres stick to their torturous ways, is still up in the air, at best.
SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) NEWS
COMMUNISTS ADMIT TO TWO SARS CASES, PLANNING TO TEST HUMAN SARS VACCINE
Communist China finally admitted to two SARS cases first reported last week (BBC, see also last Update). Meanwhile, the PRC is preparing to test a SARS vaccine on humans, and apparently has 30 �volunteers� for the tests (Newsmax). Be afraid; be very afraid. Also reporting: VOA via Epoch Times
CORRUPTION NEWS
THANKS TO ILLEGAL FEES, EDUCATION IS NOW A MAJOR MONEY MAKER FOR CADRES
Education, supposedly free in Communist China, has become �the second most profitable industry in China in 2003� (Epoch Times). The cash cow for Communist cadres is driven by �more than 700 million yuan of illegal fees� paid to the schools � more than $80 million.
STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES NOW BECOMING �FAMILY BUSINESSES�
Communist-owned firms �have quietly become family businesses� (Asia Times via Epoch Times), as rampant nepotism have enabled cadre-connected relatives to �monopolize administrative powers and use and borrow state-owned property.�
The nepotism and corruption continue right through the supposed transfer of these firms to private hands � usually the aforementioned family in charge of the old PRC-owned form � turning the �reform� of PRC-run firms into a complete joke.
OTHER MAINLAND NEWS
LOCAL CADRES IN WELOU HIDE AIDS PATIENTS FROM VISITING HEALTH MINISTER
Communists in Welou village (Shangcai County) �put 20 local AIDS patients under house arrest, so the Health Minister would not be aware of the true AIDS situation there� (Epoch Times). Welou has been hard hit by the disease thanks to the blood donation scandal of the 1980s, which infected one million in Henan Province (see 9/4/02 and 9/25/02 Updates).
MASSIVE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE BECOMING A MAJOR HEADACHE
Communist China�s 4,000-mile natural gas pipeline has hit some serious problems, mainly due to customers being unwilling to accept the �take-or-pay� contracts, without which the pipeline would go bankrupt. Report: Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times
COMMUNISTS CLAIM 9% GROWTH
Communist China claimed its economy grew over 9% in 2003 (BBC). Given the PRC�s history of fudging economic figures (see 10/30/02 Update), one has to take this statistic with a grain of salt.
COMMUNIST CHINA REOPENS CASE OF SU XIUWEN
The PRC �ordered a new investigation� (Washington Post) into Su Xiuwen, the daughter-in-law of a high-ranking cadre in Heliongjiang Province, who killed a woman with her SUV. The incident, and Su�s subsequent light punishment, angered many in the PRC Communist China (see 12/31/03 Update).
Meanwhile, the Communists reverted to their crackdown instincts, �closing down internet chat rooms� (BBC) on the issue.
CHONGQING GENDER IMBALANCE REACHES TWO TO ONE
New births in Chongqing are now nearly 2/3 male, a painful consequence of Communist China�s hideous �one child� policy. In some suburban areas of the city, there are actually 7 newborn boys for each girl. Report: Central News Agency (Taiwan) via Epoch Times
YELLOW RIVER TURNING BROWN
Thanks to the fact that two PRC departments that handle ecological health �claim to have no jurisdiction over the emissions� (Epoch Times) from numerous factories, the water in the Yellow River �is the color of a brown sauce with white foam drifting across the surface�.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN COMMUNIST CHINA PLUMMETS
They�ve finally begun to wise up. Foreign investment in Communist China �decreased every month of 2003� (Epoch Times), including a nearly 40% fall in November of last year (compared to November of 2002). The fall was spurred on by �cases of businessmen from Hong Kong and Taiwan in China being cheated, killed and forced into bankruptcy.�
There were plenty of other reasons: �An incomplete legal system plagued with corruption, the chaotic accounting systems of most business enterprises seeking investment, and the widespread lack of professional morals.� Unlike previous years, 2003 was apparently the year the world financial community finally started getting it.
COMMUNIST CHINA AND JAPAN CLASH OVER SENKAKU ISLANDS
A Japanese ship �fired a water cannon at two boats carrying Chinese activists near the disputed Senkaku islands� (BBC). Japan insisted the cannon was fired �after a rock was thrown from one of the protest ships.� Japan currently runs the islands, but Communist China claims them (see 1/2/03 and 6/25/03 Updates).
NEW PRC DAM PLANS UPSETTING GROUPS IN THAILAND AND BURMA
Groups in Thailand and Burma are furious over Communist China�s plans for 13 dams on the Nu River, which flows into Burma and Thailand. The ecological groups are worried about the massive disruption to the downstream populations in Burma and Thailand. Report: BBC
COMMUNIST CHINA SENDS PEACEKEEPERS TO LIBERIA
Communist China is sending 500 peacekeepers to Liberia, �its biggest ever contribution to a United Nations peacekeeping operation� (BBC). Liberia gets this treatment from the PRC thanks to its �recent decision to open diplomatic relations with Beijing at the expense of its rival Taiwan.�
HONG KONG NEWS
CITY KEEPS TOP SPOT IN ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Despite the city nearly ramming its �anti-subversion� law down the people�s throats, or perhaps because of their resistance to it (see 7/2, 7/9, and 7/16 Updates), Hong Kong held on to the title of �the world's freest market� (Washington Times, second item), according to the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal.
UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS
After setting numerous records, unemployment in Hong Kong finally fell thanks to a �wave of tourism� in the former British colony (BBC).
No news was reported from Tibet this week.
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