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CHINA E-LOBBY UPDATE: MARCH 31, 2004
The next Week�s Links will be sent one day ahead of schedule, on April 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: COMMUNISTS ARREST ZING DILIN
ORIGINAL �MOTHER OF TIANANMEN� NOW BEHIND BARS
Communist Chinese police arrested Zing Dilin, leader of the Tiananmen Mothers, an activist group for the families of those killed in the Tiananmen Square massacre. The arrest came as the group �planned to send representatives to submit a report of people missing during the massacre to the UN Human Rights Conference in Geneva� (Epoch Times, HK).
The police searched Zing�s home, and also arrested two other Tiananmen relatives. All three lost their sons in Tiananmen Square in June, 1989. Zing founded and led the Tiananmen mothers ever since. Last week, the group �published video testimonies of the massacre from six victims� family members.�
The arrests came as the People�s Republic had the audacity to call 2003 �a year of great, landmark significance for progress in human rights in the country� (Washington Post). Also reporting: China Support Network, BBC
NEWS FROM THE FALUN GONG WAR
LIAONING GOVERNOR IN GERMANY: CRITICS RIGHT BEHIND HIM
Bo Xilai, governor of the thoroughly corrupt Liaoning Province, is visiting Germany, and right behind him are Falun Gong practitioners who have detailed Bo�s role in the PRC�s brutal crackdown against the spiritual movement. Report: Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times
OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS NEWS
COMMUNIST POLICE BEAT CHRISTIAN PASTOR FOR CONVERTING INMATES
South China Church pastor Chen Jingmao is incredibly brave. Already in prison for spreading the �cult� of Christianity, Chen began converting his fellow prisoners. When he got to 50 converts, the guards broke both of his legs. Report: World Net Daily
COMMUNISTS BEAT ELDERLY PROTESTORS IN CHONGQING
Elderly retirees in Chongqing took to the streets to protest their forced eviction by the Communists. The police responded by beating �at least two couples� (RFA via Epoch Times). The land will be cleared for Communist-connected developer Shui On. The evictees were told, in a Communist newspaper, that they had one month to move.
PETITION AGAINST CORRUPT HEBEI CADRE GETS 10,000 SIGNATURES . . .
A petition to the PRC Parliament on the corruption of Tangshan Party boss Zhang He and other local cadres garnered an astonishing 23,000 signatures. Zhang et al won the ire of the signatories by evicting over 20,000 residents on Tangshan for a water conservation project, while pocketing the $7 million plus in relocation money. Report: Epoch Times
. . . AND COMMUNISTS REACT BY HOUNDING PETITION AUTHORS AND REPRESENTATIVES
How did the Communists react to this petition, the first of its kind with so many signatures �in the last hundred years� (Epoch Times)? They started a police manhunt for the original sponsors of the petition, Youren Zhang and Meisun Yu. They are now in hiding. The petitioners� representative was kicked out of Beijing, and is now under surveillance.
INTERNET CAFES BANNED FROM SCHOOL ZONES
Communist China has declared �that new public Internet access services must be at least 200 meters (656 feet) from middle schools and elementary schools and not in residential districts� (Central News Agency, Tiawan via Epoch Times).
U.S. IGNORING COMMUNIST CRITICISM OF ANTI-PRC UN RESOLUTION
The Bush Administration dismissed Communist criticism of a U.S.-sponsored anti-PRC resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Regarding Beijing�s suspension of human rights talks, the U.S. said those talks �were backsliding� (VOA via Epoch Times).
For its part, Communist China �is confident it can muster the numbers to derail� any resolution the U.S. puts forth (Washington Times).
CORRUPTION NEWS
COMMUNISTS CAN�T CATCH ESCAPING, CORRUPT CADRES
Communist China is �finding it increasingly difficult to prevent the flight of the most corrupt Party and government officials to developed countries� (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times). The damage done by the escapees, who take their stolen money with them �is irreparable.�
One of the best examples of this was Tong Yanbai, the cadre in Henan Province who bolted on New Year�s Day with a �huge sum of money� (see last Update).
LIGHT SENTENCE FOR CADRE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AUTOCIDE UPHELD
A ridiculously light sentence for Su Xiuwen, daughter-in-law of Heliongjiang�s number three cadre and driver of BMW that killed a peasant woman after the two had an argument (see 12/31/03 and 1/21 Updates), has been upheld by an appeals panel. Report: BBC
OTHER MAINLAND NEWS
ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE HITS TWENTY-ONE PROVINCES
The energy shortage in Guangdong Province last year (see 12/10/03 and 12/17/03 Update) had actually reached twenty-one provinces, which were forced to �cut off and restrict the usage of electricity� (Central News Agency, Tiawan via Epoch Times). Moreover, every province owes �at least hundreds of millions of yuan� in electricity payments.
UN BLAMES COMMUNIST MIGRATION RESTRICTIONS FOR POVERTY
A United Nations report on Communist China blames its restrictions on letting its rural residents enter the cities for creating �new forms of poverty� (BBC) by freezing the poor peasants of the ruler interior out of the more prosperous urban areas. The report also noted the damaging effect of rampant PRC-pushed industrialization on the ecology.
SUICIDES IN COMMUNIST CHINA NOW AT THE RATE OF ONE EVERY TWO MINUTES
Communist China now witnesses 287,000 suicides a year, roughly one for every two minutes. Two million people, more than 1 in every 1,000 in the PRC, attempt to kill themselves. Report: United Press International via Washington Times
REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) NEWS
CHEN BLASTS COMMUNIST TREATMENT OF HONG KONG
In an interview with the Washington Post, Republic of China (Taiwan) President Chen Shui-bian blasted Communist China for refusing to agree to the demands of the people of Hong Kong for a completely elected legislature and elected Chief Executive. At present, a majority of legislators and the Chief Executive are picked by a PRC-appointed panel.
Chen flatly said the one country, one-and-a-half systems regime in Hong Kong �is a total failure� and �For the 23 million people of Taiwan, this is the greatest warning, and also the clearest signal.� He also credited �a rising Taiwan identity� (CNN) for his recent re-election.
CHEN SAYS NEW CONSTITUTION PLANS �NEVER A TIMETABLE FOR INDEPENDENCE�
Chen also tried, again, to debunk a Communist myth that his call for a new Taiwanese constitution in two years is a hidden plot for formal independence. He told the BBC that the proposed constitution �is never a timetable for independence.�
CHEN DECLARED WINNER, AGREES TO FAST-TRACK RECOUNT
Chen publicly agreed to �an immediate, court-supervised recount� (Cybercast News) after Taiwan�s Central Election Commission officially confirmed his re-election last Friday. The �pan-blue� (Nationalist/People First) repeated demanded a recount (VOA via Epoch Times). Roughly half a million pan-blue protestors demanded a recount in the streets Saturday.
Chen�s agreement to the recount should dramatically speed up the process, which could have taken months. Chen, the Democratic Progressive nominee, defeated pan-blue candidate Lien Chan by a margin of 50.1% to 49.9%.
Since the vote, Lien, whose parties are far cozier with Communist China than either the DPP or its �pan-green� allies (in particular the Lee Teng-hui founded Taiwan Solidarity Union), has claimed Chen rigged the vote, and even darkly hinted that the President staged an assassination attempt during which he was wounded (see last Update).
Chen was gracious enough to reach out to the throng of protestors, saying �he could fully understand their feelings, having lost two elections himself, as well as having led street demonstrations for decades� (Taipei Times, Taiwan, via Epoch Times). A High Court will hold hearing is scheduled for Friday (BBC). Also reporting: Washington Post
COMMUNIST CHINA FINALLY REPORTS ON ELECTION DRAMA, AND MAKES A FEW THREATS
Meanwhile, Communist China decided smearing Chen was worth the risk of exposing its own people to Taiwan�s election. The Communists �reported the popular protests over the poll result and the calls for a recount amid accusations of corruption and vote-rigging� (CNN).
The PRC threatened to �not sit idly by if the island's post-election turmoil spun out of control and affected relations with the mainland� (Washington Post), demanded that the U.S. �cut off arms sales to Chen's government,� and also called for �the United States to do more to rein in Taiwan's independence-minded leader.�
TAIWAN LOSES DOMINICA TO COMMUNIST CHINA IN DIPLOMACY BATTLE
The island nation of Dominica switched diplomatic recognition to Communist China, and publicly cited �$100 million in aid over the next five years� (BBC) as the reason for the switch. The Communist bribe amounts to �$1,500 for each Dominican - amount half their annual per capita income.�
FUTURE PRC-ROC TALKS LIKELY TO FOCUS ON TRADE
Any talks between Communist China and Taiwan will likely focus on trade, according to Ruan Ming, professor at Taiwan Tam-Kang University and former advisor to Zhao Ziyang � the last true reformer within the Chinese Communist Party. Zhao is under house arrest for support the Tiananmen protestors. Report: CNA via Epoch Times
HONG KONG NEWS
COMMUNIST CHINA TO �PRESENT ITS OPINION� ON HONG KONG DEMOCRACY
Communist China has earmarked a meeting of the Parliament Standing Committee to rubber-stamp its refusal of � ahem, �present its opinion on� (Cybercast News) � the Hong Kong people�s request for a fully-elected city legislature and executive.
One high-ranking cadre flatly said, �China will not permit any activity in Hong Kong that is against China�s central government� (Epoch Times) The PRC has tried to compete against pro-democracy parties for the elected seats in the Legislative Council, but pro-Communist parties never beaten them. Also reporting: Washington Post
No news from Tibet was reported this week.
NEWS ON COMMUNIST CHINA, EAST TURKESTAN, AND THE TERRORIST WAR
Check out the Communist China and the Terrorist War page.
COMMUNISTS TO RETALIATE FOR U.S. FINGERPRINTING PLANS
American plans to fingerprint most foreign visitors to keep track of them, including from Communist China, has outraged the PRC, which is now planning a series of retaliatory actions. The U.S. is taking this action after several foreign nationals on expired visas committed the September 11, 2001 outrages. Report: BBC
NORTH KOREA NEWS
For more on Communist China�s Stalinist ally, sign up for Monday�s North Korea Report.
COMMUNIST CHINA BACK NK HUMAN CHEMICAL WEAPONS TEST WHISTLEBLOWER
Kang Byong-sop, the man who presented evidence to the BBC that North Korea was testing chemical weapons on political prisoners (see 2/11 Update), was sent back to the Stalinist regime by Communist China, who arrested him in January. Kang was quickly on Stalinist television recanting his charges, which is likely the only reason he is still alive.
NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES HELD BY COMMUNIST CHINA ON REPORTED HUNGER STRIKE
Reports out of Communist China indicate some North Korean refugees detained by the PRC are on a hunger strike to protest being sent back to North Korea. As the BBC notes, �If they are discovered by Chinese police, they are almost certain to be returned home. China has a treaty with its ally North Korea which obliges it to send refugees back.�
South Korea, whose dovish government has a checkered history of dealing with North Korean refugees, stepped up to the plate and announced �they are willing to accept North Korean refugees who want to go to the South� (VOA via Epoch Times).
PRC FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS NK OK WITH THIRD NUKE TALK ROUND
Communist Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing told the world that North Korea, his two-day host last week (see last Update) �agreed to push towards a third round of international talks� (BBC) on its nuclear weapons program. Li said North Korea �holds a positive attitude� toward the situation � no surprise considering how well things have gone for the regime.
OTHER AMERICAN-RELATED NEWS
Sign the petition for an American boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
SNOW ASKS, AGAIN, FOR COMMUNISTS TO FLOAT RENMINBI
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow repeated his call for Communist China to end the undervalued �peg� of its currency at 12 U.S. cents. A free-floating renminbi would be worth about 16 cents. The mandated currency discount has greatly damaged U.S. manufacturing and American allies� exporters; the PRC ignored the call, again (VOA via Epoch Times).
EU ARMS SALES BAN TO COMMUNIST CHINA LIVES FOR ANOTHER MONTH
France�s efforts to lift the European Union�s ban on arms sales to Communist China (see 11/12/03, 12/10/03, 1/28, 2/4, 3/17, and last Updates) were thwarted by �opposition from some EU members� (BBC). However, the issue will return to the fore �at a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg next month.�
SINGAPOREAN INDICTED FOR BRINGING PRC ESCAPEES TO U.S.
Hway Hong Ow, a Singaporean, is under indictment in the U.S. for �smuggling illegal aliens from the People's Republic of China into the U.S.� (World Net Daily). Most of these �people-smugglers� charge huge amounts for helping the escapees, who are then forced to choose between indentured servitude and being sent back to Communist China.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
MORE �ACTIVISTS� CAMP OUTSIDE JAPANESE EMBASSY TO PROTEST SENKAKU ARRESTS
About 30 more �activists� marched on the Japanese Embassy to protest the Japanese arrest of seven PRC �activists� who landed on the Senkaku Island chain, which are under Japan�s control. Communist China, which made a claim to the islands when oil was found there in the 1970s, �had given permission for the demonstrators' actions� (BBC). What a surprise!
Japan deported the �activists� (Washington Post), but not before questioning them. Correction from the last Update: a story on this subject switched the names of the disputed islands. The PRC calls them the Diaoyu Islands; Japan uses the Senkaku name.
WORLD PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION CANCELS PRC PROBE
A World Psychiatric Association investigation of �allegations of psychiatric abuse of Falun Gong practitioners� (Epoch Times) by Communist China has run aground thanks to �a letter from the President of the Chinese Psychiatric Association (CSP).� The WPA head did not say what was in the letter, but it was likely a refusal to give the group the access it needed.
COMMUNIST CHINESE DEMANDS FOR STEEL, OTHER MARTERIALS BLEEDING MARKET DRY
The price of steel, at least in Europe, is headed through the roof thanks to �rising demand in China which is threatening to create shortages in certain metals� (BBC). As one analyst put the situation: �The question now is: are they going to run out.� Yikes.
ISRAELI MILITARY HEADS MEET PRC COUNTERPARTS
General Amos Yaron, the director general of the Israeli Defense Ministry, led a three-person delegation to Beijing for �high-level military talks� (Asia Times). Israel tried to sell air radar systems to the PRC in 2000, but backed down under U.S. pressure (see 7/12/00 Update).
Since then, they have sold the system to India, the PRC�s lead regional rival (see 10/15/03 and 3/3 Updates). Thus, Israel�s attempt at rapprochement with the Communists may not catch President Bush�s eye, but India will certainly be �waiting to see what happens.�
COMMUNIST DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS INDIA
Meanwhile, PRC Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan held talks with Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes in New Delhi. Fernandes once called Communist China India�s number one threat (BBC). India lost 40,000 square miles to the PRC during a 1962 border war.
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