2014 is the year of horse in chinese zodiac...

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


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


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)


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.


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


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



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


“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


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


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


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)


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


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


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)

External Affairs


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


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

External Affairs


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


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


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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.


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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

External Affairs


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.

External Affairs


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)

Domestic Affairs


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

Domestic Affairs


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.

Domestic Affairs


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.

Domestic Affairs


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,

Domestic Affairs


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


“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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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.



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.)



(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.



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).


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.


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,



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.




Holders of J1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations



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:


b. Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)


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.


(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:


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)


official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual).



(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,



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:


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.


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.





Holders of Q1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations



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:


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.


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.


S1 Visa

(1) An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work or

studies) which contains:


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.


contact number of the inviting person).





Holders of S1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations



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:


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).


contact number of the school or entity of admission).



Holders of X1 Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations



X2-Visa

(1) Original and photocopy of Admission Notice issued by a school or other entities in China.




contact number of the school or entity of admission).


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;


contact number of the inviting / contact company or person).

(3) Other documents required by the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General.


Holders of Z Visa shall, within 30 days from the date of their entry, apply to the exit/entry administrations



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.



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


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


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