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China Today...

October 01, 2018

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY CHINA

CHINA TODAY RETURNS

After long consideration and after visiting China this fall, I’ve decided to write China Today again. I’ve will archive Asia today. Based upon what I personally witnessed and experience in China, China is deserving of all international recognition and respect .

 I will write on China Today on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Thanks for your continued readership.

 经过长时间的考虑和今年访问中国后，今秋，我决定重新撰写“今日中国”。“亚洲今日”将会存档。根据我中国的亲眼目睹的和自身经历，中国的确值得所有国际国家的认可和尊重。

 我将会在星期一，星期三和星期五发表“今日中国”。感谢读者的大力支持！

December 31, 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR CHINA!

As 2013 draws to a close over China, here's to hoping that in 2014, reforms of the Hu kou registration be strengthen to allow the millions of Chinese children left parentless by the temporary migration of their parents for jobs in the cities, be eased and be adapted so as to allow these innocents to be with their parents in their work cities. Generations of migrant workers have now created strangers between parents and their children and the long lasting effects of such a paradox will undoubtedly result in a negative social impact upon China's society. The Washington Post, December 31, 2013, on the front page, reports on " China's 'left-behind children' reflect toll of labor migration"; and in this article, the Washington, DC newspaper reflects on the "61 million children - about one-fifth of the kids in China - live in villages without their parents...". In any real beneficial change to the Hu kou, reflections and provisions to allow migrant workers the opportunity to school their children in their cities of work must be accorded.

By H. M.

大妈捡11万现金原地等失主1小时：我穷得干净

重庆晚报：南川城区公路上，60岁罗云淑捡到一个11万现金的袋子。为了失主回来能够找到钱，她在原地站了近1个小时，很多围观者说她傻，但她丝毫不介意，终于等来失主。

罗大妈老家是农村的，有一个儿子和两个女儿，均已成家立业。前两年儿子在南川城区按揭了一套房子，她和老伴住在这套房子里照顾7岁孙子，儿子和儿媳都在广州打工。“我在超市买了鸡蛋准备回家，看到路边有一个红色纸袋。”罗大妈说，她想这个纸袋卖了还能给孙子买些零食，就过去拾起来，“提起来感觉有点重，两沓钱突然从纸袋里掉下来了。”当时没有其他路人发现，罗大妈完全可以抱着这些钱离开，不会被人注意。

但是罗大妈说：“我穷得干净，别人的东西我是绝对不能要的。”1小时守护终于等来失主。很多人知晓后，都说罗大妈傻。

相比那些政府贪官，罗大妈的行为证明底层民众很穷，但是精神很富有；相对于龌龊的贪官， 但是他们的心灵却很干净！

想说的是那位失主，怎么就没有感激之情？就不能给大妈点感谢？ 希望中国政府能够出台相关规定， 奖励拾金不昧的正能量精神，让民间的美德传承下去， 让中华美德发扬光大，不要让那些不了解情况的人以为中国人只是向钱看，我们大部分还是向前看的。向罗大妈学习！好人一生平安！祝罗大妈新年快乐，美梦成真！

December 30, 2013

How many more violent episodes there need be before Beijing acknowledges, bargains and resolves the deepening crisis concerning the Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province? Here on China Today, we've reported on this extensively because we have recognized the destabilizing variable that a lack of full inclusion of the Uyghurs into the development of Xinjiang represents to China's sustained security efforts. The question as to the treatment of the Uyghurs must be resolved. It has to be discussed with Uyghurs and not just amongst Communist Party members in Beijing. Suffice to say that yesterday morning in Xinjiang, there was yet another violent attack in which eight Uyghurs were killed and one arrested. Police reports alleged that a group attacked a police station in Yarkand County, close to the Old Silk Road in Kashgar. This is the second such attack in the area in this month of December, and as we have pointed out here on China Today, these attacks are becoming bolder; and despite Beijing's slaughter of the alleged perpetrators, others continue to surface. Beijing has been fortunate for these groups have not been armed with any sophisticated weaponry, but what will happen when they are armed to the gills? Beijing cannot kill off the entire Uyghur spirit, their concerns, their grievances nor their aspirations. However, Beijing's continued heavy-handedness serves as a radicalization element for possible future attackers. Beijing needs to start a dialogue forthwith with the Uyghurs.

By H. M.

2013年中国与周边关系发生很多变化，特别是在中日钓鱼岛争端、中菲黄岩岛对峙等已经成为令人关注的焦点。新华网北京12月21日电。

在12月18日“ 纵论天下”国际问题研讨会上，中国与周边国家，尤其是东北亚、海上争端等成为热点话题，而中国西部安全则少有人问津。

但是社科院全球战略院国际问题专家叶海林的《后2014的中国西部安全战略》却引发大家思考和网民热议。他认为，中国西部与东部问题的最大区别是西部问题的自主性更强。“2014年，阿富汗局势发生变化以后，会对中国的西部安全造成怎样影响，必须从国家安全角度把这个问题想清楚。实际上是，后2014中国西部安全局势会变得更加复杂。”叶海林说。

阿富汗问题与中国新疆问题息息相关。10月28日，“东伊运”幕后策划的天安门恐怖袭击事件，让民众深切感到中国西部安全局势的严峻。既然中央及各省市援疆力度非常大，新疆也发生了很大变化，可为什么恐怖活动之势却渐长？当初刚建国之时，条件非常艰苦，但当时却好像没有这么多恐怖活动。那到底是我们的政策出了问题？还是其他方面出了问题呢？叶海林认为，钱并不能完全解决新疆问题 现在真正问题，除了用钱弥平新疆与内地发展差距以外，我们有没有第二个办法？有没有尝试第二个办法？这是一个关键问题。那就是：政府在身份认同方面上投入不够。“目前，政府坚持民族区域自治政策，坚持多元文化，坚持尊重各种各样的文化价值，但在坚持中国认同方面没有投入同样的力量呢。如果一个国家的民族政策只讲多元，不讲认同，早晚会出现很多问题 。

作为国家、政府，是时候应该好好考虑一下关于新疆的问题了。国家的政策，不论是民族多元或是中国认同，都没有错，关键以下几点需要搞清楚和落到实处。

  • 民族多元化。谈到民族多元化，请问专家学者们有多少真正到过民族同志家里体验生活？了解他们的真实思想？体验他们的吃、喝、住、行？

  • 援疆和扶持贫困。多年来党中央和地方政府是对新疆进行了有偿、无偿多项援助。但我们说加强了援疆力度，是指什么方面？中央或地方政府官员有没有去问一问他们到底是为什么不满意这些援助？ 有没有问一问扶贫的款项是不是到位、够不够项目、工程建设所需？农民、牧民能不能够得到或者知道党中央给了他们有偿、无偿的资金支持？很多农牧民根本不知道何了解中央的政策与关怀。

  • 西方势力利用他们接受教育少、收入低来引诱他们暴动。中国政府要问一下自己为什么这么多年来没有让他们的教育同步或者至少跟上内地省区的发展？ 有没有想到他们虽然受教育程度不高、但他们大部分是朴实、善良、宽容和勤劳的？ 没有足够的让他们受到良好教育，有没有想到在祖国一日千里飞速发展的30年后他们是怎么想的、他们的父母看着别的孩子享受好的教育、过好日子时候的羡慕、嫉妒、然后生发恨？

  • 为什么怨恨？如果他们没有充足的、天然的、上帝眷顾的赤、橙、黄、绿、青、蓝、紫的彩色资源， 他们估计不会感觉不公平；如果他们不知道物价一天天涨、只有工资不涨，而官员们、内地的官员们来挂职几天回去就得到提拔重用而他们生活并没有改变；如果他们不知道隔壁邻居俄罗斯用水、电、天然气都是免费的而他们守着资源还要排队用天然气，他们会不满吗？会怨恨吗？不会，想想刚解放时候的日子，汉族维族团结一家亲... ...

  • 新疆需要反哺。新疆不想只是奉献他们的石油、矿藏、棉花、甜美的瓜果，以及不要回报的付出。他们反应过来了：为什么我们有资源却要受贫挨困？ 为什么有资源不能享受跟别人一样的好日子？ 就是因为我们是少数民族吗？ 他们当然会这么想。

说到底，专家建议也好、决策者说也好，身份统一也好、民族多元也好，本身并不矛盾。 总之目的是让普通新疆百姓内心感觉到他们是中国的公民、他们可以享有同等受教育、就业、医疗以及退休养老等机会。 希望不要忘记他们引以为自豪的人民、引以为自豪的土地、引以为自豪的自然资源和至少与八国接壤的战略地理位置、或者经济贸易优势通途---丝绸之路。 他们还有引以为自豪的天下最好吃的瓜果、最好看的棉花、优质的西红柿、和引以为自豪的比以色列都厉害的节水灌溉工程... ... 等等。真心理解、真诚关怀比什么都重要!他们要的是民主、和平等！人心都是肉长的，你不是农夫,他们也不会是蛇。

December 29, 2013

President Xi's gesture to get closer to the people was well crafted yesterday at a bun shop in Beijing. His arrival, purchase and consumption of dinner buns(I've been told he ate six) amongst the people was a wonderful gesture and a great photo opt for Beijing locals. He must be commended for this simple event as a means of reminding his colleagues in the Communist Party that they are of the people and are first and foremost, servants of the people. President Xi shouldn't stop at this one gesture if his intentions of being closer to the people are indeed genuine; he should do the noble thing and free all political prisoners of China. Such a declaration by Xi would make a very special New Year's present to the Chinese people and it would serve as a symbol to the World community that he is serious about real democratic changes in China. 

By H. M.

习近平排队买包子.

新华网北京12月28日电,今日上午，习近平排队买包子，还自己买单、端盘子、取包子,吃包子。---终于看到我们领导人像外国领导人一样亲民，想起奥巴马总统今年10月在政府关门第四天没有休带薪假，到街头买三明治。

消息发出后，人民日报、新华社、中央电视台等官方媒体法人微博纷纷转载，网友踊跃点“赞”，跟帖不断。越是高层领导越谦虚，他们也是人，需要吃喝拉撒过正常人日子。不要把领导人变成神，以后这样多了就习惯了。希望基层领导跟着学，让领导人到小餐馆吃饭、到商场买东西成为生活常态。希望所有官员都能这样，持续下去，真正走向人民群众，而不是作秀。

大家纷纷议论这是国家领导人开始尊重民主的力量,证明民主的呼声开始起作用。民主道路上随着民众的呼唤、人民的实践，民主的脚步越来越快、人民获得公平公正自由的权利会越多。希望人们生活的环境在民主的推动下会越来越好，希望人们为了争取民主权利而努力行动，只要行动就会有变化，只要行动就会有希望！

December 28, 2013

"tao guang yang hui"...has disappeared from Beijing's behavior in diplomacy. There is no low profile assertion nowadays in China. The stance has been bold, proactive and arrogant. As President Xi continues to solidify himself as the sole dragon of Beijing, China's navigation into international diplomacy has made a stark 360 from the admonitions of former leader Deng Xiaoping. Deng believed China should retain a low profile as it rose in wealth. Writing under the title "Contradictions in China's Foreign Policy", Douglas H. Paal, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Asia Program, explores and analyses Beijing's behavior in a well presented article dated December 13, 2013. [Paal is an expert, I'm a "lobo"(gray wolf), his writings could be found at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC.] But the gest of the matter here is that China has been able to facilitate its rise in power and wealth on a low key diplomatic basis as had been presented by Deng. And as with wealth, comes the drunkenness from sipping of the spiked 'kool-aide' of power, Beijing has become stupefied and arrogant. President Xi has now entered unchartered waters and inevitably, Beijing will be humbled into realizing that there actually exist more arrogant, fiercer and prouder people than Beijing estimated. Once again, Beijing will see that it has relied upon totally fallible intelligence. Beijing's analysis, that the whole World may be judged by the likes of those who have showed up in the East begging alms of Chinese investments for their infrastructural projects at home, is wrong and ill conceived. So, now what? How do we calm stoked fires?

By H. M.

英国商家圣诞节后促销 中国游客扫货能力惊人

据英国《每日邮报》报道，当地时间12月26日是英国圣诞节后第一个工作日，商场举行节礼日（Boxing Day）大促销，伦敦西区奢侈品商铺前聚集了大批排队抢货的外国游客。在促销中，中国游客消费力惊人，成为最大购物群体。他们平均单笔交易不少于1400英镑折合1.4万元人民币。 他们甚至从圣诞节的晚上11点就开始排队，一直等到第二天早上9点商场开门营业，排队时间长达10个小时。

是什么导致这种现象？

  • 跟风？ 虚荣，崇洋媚外？ 在国外彻夜排队买便宜名牌，回来后炫耀？为什么呢？这就是一部分人跟风心理，改革开放后中国这块古老大地特有的文化现象---那就是别人有的自己也要有，别人穿、用这个牌子，这个牌子质量、效果肯定好，别人有，我没有那有点丢人；另外就是炫耀、显摆。他们认为我穿名牌用名牌证明我是成功的，正如很多国人的思想上”金钱是衡量成功的标准“一样，正如祖爷爷讲的：学着有钱！努力学习、努力工作多挣钱---成功！因此出现了另外一些即使每月只挣5000元，也要买3800的包包来背、也要买Gucci、Burberry，至少也要弄个Coach。此时他们消费的不是金钱、得到的不是想要的东西，他们消费了信仰和追求、买回的物质填补了精神的空虚。 这种缺乏内涵，徒留光鲜亮丽的外表不能长久；这种金玉其外、败絮其中的畸形发展会引导这样一些人物质至上、精神空虚、找不到幸福感。

  • 中国实力还是不强、百姓购买力还是不够。否则为什么要抢在圣诞夜打折购买？不就是为了便宜吗？为什么要代购？代购可以产生差价。你真是有很强购买力那用不着算计这个差价，国内大商场有的是这些名牌产品。另外不想说的就是一些灰色收入、洗钱行为。一些贪官不想再国内消费，希望在国外消费可以不被监督和发现。否则谁不想取之于民、用之于民，在中国挣钱中国化！

  • 改善产品质量，让消费者买得起他们需要的好产品。为什么消费者要买外国货？特别是高消费人群。是西方国家货物质量好、价格好？花少钱买真东西、好东西？虽然不完全是，但是不排除这种可能。国内的一些厂家的产品确实不厚道、也不便宜。谁愿意在国内花高价买假货？百姓是想支持国货，但是太贵---关税贵、相对好的产品、名牌产品更贵。有的用不了多久就坏了，花时间费力气去修还弄一肚子气。如果我们国家产品话真价实，谁愿意大老远的摸黑熬夜的等在商铺门口，谁愿意大老远的坐十几个、二十几个小时飞机来回跑？其实中国可以做到，看管理者如何引导。我们怀念以前的老牌产品、怀念以前的没有瘦肉精的肉、怀念以前喝起来很纯、味道很香的牛奶，更怀念以前的皮包就是纯皮的、而不是假冒那种天然感觉。

想对中国政府说，我们不是决策者，我们不是高管，但是既然每年那么多国人外购，我们能不能考虑降低一下关税、或考虑一下提高国产商品的质量？外国超市中80-90%商品都是中国制造，为什么我们不能让自己的产品质量有保障，制造好的产品让百姓享有？ 为什么要让国人乘坐长达一天时间飞机到外国消费、在外国花掉他们在国内辛辛苦苦挣的血汗钱？为什么要让国人在寒冷的冬夜排着长队去买“中国制造”？让外国人看笑话？为什么为国外生产的东西就可以质量好，自己用的东东质量那么糟糕、粗制滥造？希望明年的圣诞在中国过，希望明年的新年礼品在中国购！希望明年的圣诞让所有外国人到中国来采购！ 

December 27, 2013

The rhetoric, the arrogance and the tension on the East China Sea is showing no signs of abating. Rather, they are escalating; and as the monkey remarked when his tail was chopped off: "it won't be long now" - this seems be the atmosphere over the East China Sea before bluffs and rhetoric yield action for a particular actor to save face on his home set because of the sphere of nationalism gripping the East China Sea region. No sooner had Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared his hand as a nationalist, China's Defense Ministry in Beijing gloated that "China had controlled the flight activity of 800 foreign war planes" over the East China Sea since China unilaterally on November 23, 2013, adopted an Air Defense Identification Zone(ADIZ). As reported by China Daily, Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng announced that 56 airline companies from 23 countries had filed flight plans totaling some 21,275 with China. Geng added that the Chinese military had sent 51 rounds of surveillance aircraft, early warning aircraft and fighters on 87 flights to the ADIZ "for policing or patrolling." Moreover, the Defense Ministry spokesman also revealed that China was developing a new line of helicopter, the Z-20, which appears to be in direct response to Japan's so called helicopter carrier fleet that according to experts, could be easily refitted to land and launch small jet fighters. So, the plot thickens over the East China Sea as we wind down 2013. 

By H. M.

中国将改进贫困县考核机制 研究建立重点县退出机制

12月25日，人大常委会召开全体会议，听取国务院关于农村扶贫开发工作情况告。

国务院扶贫开发领导小组办公室主任刘永富在表示，从2010年至2012年，农村贫困人口减少近6700万人。

  • 扶贫取得新进展：2011年，党中央、国务院制定实施《中国农村扶贫开发纲要(2011—2020年)》，到2020年稳定实现扶贫对象不愁吃、不愁穿，保障其义务教育、基本医疗和住房，同时将农民人均纯收入2300元作为新的国家扶贫标准，比原标准提高92%，并把连片特困地区作为扶贫攻坚的主战场。

  • 扶贫投入连年增加：据刘主任介绍，2011年，中央综合扶贫投入2272亿元，同比增长40.4%；2012年达到2996亿元，同比增长31.9%。2012年，28个省本级财政安排专项扶贫决算资金达到164.5亿元，比上年增长62.4%。新扶贫更加注重突出重点，确定了易地扶贫搬迁、就业促进、革命老区 等重点。

  • 扶贫任务仍艰巨 到2012年底，中国贫困人口仍有近1亿人，其中贫困发生率超过20%的有西藏、甘肃、贵州、新疆、云南和青海6个少数民族比例较高的省(区)。重点县农民人均纯收入为4602元，仅为全国平均水平的58%。要从根本上改变贫困地区面貌，帮助贫困人口脱贫致富，任务还很艰巨。

  • 扶贫机制待改进：“如何破除体制机制障碍，发挥政府和市场两方面的作用“将是下一阶段扶贫开发工作的思路。” 将通过改进贫困县考核机制，研究建立重点县退出机制。此外，还将推动精准扶贫，建立全国扶贫信息系统。同时还将研究完善“中央统筹、省负总责、县抓落实”的管理体制，逐步增加财政专项扶贫资金投入。

December 26, 2013

It is now official, assumptions had been made, but the truth has now been confirmed: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a nationalist, not a pragmatist as some might have hoped. And in spite of all the complaints from Beijing, China has no one else but itself to blame for Prime Minister Abe's reconfirmation as a nationalist. When Prime Minister Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine yesterday in Tokyo, he confirmed his nationalistic philosophy. His visit was the first by a Japanese Prime Minister since 2006. Not even when he was Prime Minister back in 2006 to 2007 did Abe visit the shrine. What has happened since then? He chose yesterday on the one-year anniversary of his becoming Prime Minister again to visit the site. South Korean has described the visit as a "deplorable" act because the shrine pays tribute to Japanese war heroes and war criminals alike. Many enshrined there carried out many atrocities against both the Korean and the Chinese people. Japan's neighbors see the shrine as a symbol of the militarism of Japan before and during WWII. In Beijing the Japanese Ambassador was summoned by the Chinese who lodged a "strong protest". Abe said his visit was not intended "to hurt the feelings of the Chinese and Korean people" but was meant as an anti-war symbol. He said he believes Japan must never wage war again and "...this is my conviction, based on the severe remorse for the past." With this much said, we look back at this escalation of tensions on the East and South China Seas; Japan purchased disputed islands from a private Japanese; China unilaterally redrew the skies. In demarking the East China Sea; Beijing, in growing its own national pride , has awakened and deepened Japanese nationalism. Once again, China's arrogant attitude to its neighbors and its faulty intelligence in creating its Air Defense Identification Zone, are suspect. Did Beijing not envisioned these responses? Beijing's nationalist promotion at home has secondary effects and the Japanese response is a result. The question today is: Now what?

By H. M.

行政诉讼法20余年来首次大修

新华社12月23日 “行政诉讼法修正案草案23日提请全国人大常委会第审议”。这是自1989年通过后，这部“民告官”法的首次修改。总共51条的修正案草案，表明立法机关决定对这部法律进行大幅度修改，着力解决行政诉讼中“立案难、审理难、执行难”等问题。

多年来公民、法人或者其他组织与政府机关及其工作人员产生纠纷，行政机关不愿当被告，法院不愿受理，导致许多应当通过诉讼解决的纠纷进入信访渠道，在有些地方形成了“信访不信法”局面。

----或可口头起诉。行政诉讼法出于完善对当事人诉权的保护：明确规定行政机关不得干预、阻碍人民法院受理行政案件，被诉行政机关应当依法应诉；扩大了受案范围，将行政机关侵犯农村土地承包经营权，行政机关违法集资、征收征用财产、摊派费用，行政机关没有依法支付最低生活保障待遇或社会保险待遇等纳入受案范围；明确可以口头起诉，方便当事人行使诉权。而且必要时当事人可以向上一级人民法院起等。

----检察院监督行政审判可提检察建议或抗诉。行政诉讼法修改参照民事诉讼法，进一步细化审判监督条款 。同时增加：最高人民检察院对各级人民法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定，上级检察院对下级法院已经发生法律效力的判决、裁定，发现存在再审法定情形的，应当提出抗诉。

以前政府部门以规范性文件侵犯公民权益的事时有发生，如2007年福建平和县下发的“红头文件”：没有初中毕业证不能办理结婚证（以被废止）老百姓对此类荒唐文件是不能提起行政诉讼的。行政诉讼法确定了“民告官”的权利，诸如对拘留、罚款、吊销许可证等行政处罚不服的，可向法院提起行政诉讼。

权力应尊重法律，尊重人民，无论如何，虽然20多年才修改，但行政诉讼法修改还是让平民看到了曙光和希望，希望“民告官”不再是难上加难，同时好的政策要有好的执行者。

December 25, 2013

Communist Party officials in China are being asked to tone down their extravagances by the party bosses. Among the luxuries under scrutiny are extravagant funerals and partying at illegal clubs in Beijing.

By H. M.

新华网北京１２月２３日电, 【中央纪委、中央教育实践活动领导小组发出通知 严肃整治“会所中的歪风”】通知指出，一些党员领导干部出入私人会所，吃喝玩乐，甚至搞权钱交易、权色交易，严重影响党风政风，带坏了社会风气。通知要求党员领导干部作出承诺：不出入私人会所、不接受和持有私人会所会员卡，自觉接受监督。

一是，”隐蔽与私密是会所共有的特性，那里吃喝玩乐，搞权钱交易、权色交易。 如：交通运输部综合规划司司长孙国庆用公款打高尔夫球，受到党内严重警告处分；达州市扶贫和移民工作局党组书记、局长谢承述和该局党组成员、副局长刘玲等人在达县某娱乐会所唱歌、喝酒，达州市纪委已对谢承述、刘玲的违纪问题立案调查；中国出口信用保险公司原总经理唐若昕受贿案、中煤集团原副总经理张宝山受贿案，两人均利用职权收受高尔夫会所卡，价值达数十万元。

二是，用制度和监督管住党员干部的嘴和手《党政机关国内公务接待管理规定》明确工作餐不得使用私人会所、高消费餐饮场所。切实管住党员领导干部的嘴和手。

三是， 从源头上规范会所经营一些地方将历史建筑、公园等公共资源变为私人会所，同时存在大量违法设立经营、侵占公共利益等问题，群众对此反映强烈，深恶痛绝。因为一些政府部门和国有企业租用风景名胜区的古建筑和旧居古宅，改造成会所，外界一般很难知道，这实际上是一种以权谋私。把名胜古建归还给群众，使其公共价值最大化，既能遏制会所腐败，又能让公共资源全民共享。同时工商税务部门加强会所税收管理可以防止其偷漏税，而且公安机关要加大检查力度，杜绝会所内存在的卖淫嫖娼、赌博、吸毒等，从而杜绝会所腐败。

自从十八大后的苍蝇老虎一起打运动以来，老百姓对共产党的信任逐渐恢复，特别是中央纪委这次的“通知”深得民心， 通知发出后得到了广大人民群众拥护和支持，感觉中央反腐力度很大。希望治标更要治本，不仅仅是关闭这些会所，或取消一些服务项目，或官员承诺不再进去消费等。更重要的是要把官员的权力关在法律的笼子里，使权力分散、权力被监管、被群众所监督。让群众认可领导干部的承诺，让群众相信这不仅仅是承诺，更是行动！让群众来考验一下这些官员的执行力！中纪委的力度---PRC的希望！！！

December 24, 2013

That China has behaved badly in Southeast Asia is a mere understatement; yet against this behavior, which at times has been darn-right arrogant; to hear China complain and whine about Japan's decision to increase its military capabilities over the next five years is as some might say an "insult to injury". China, in its test of the waters around the world with its new wealth borne from cheap labor, declared an Air Defense Identification Zone back in November. Someone in Beijing obviously thought the rest of the world was inflicted with a sedative. The United States, Japan and South Korea have all responded to Beijing's challenge and now that the effects of China's cause is beginning to bear fruit, Beijing is complaining and accusing Japan as using China's declaration as an excuse for Japan to beef up its power in arms. Hello! Beijing, hello! Are your egos so inflated that you accepted faulty intelligence from analysts following their visits to the high-end good-liquor illegal pubs of Beijing? What beverage do you think the rest of the world is drinking? Beijing, for the past year, you have flaunted new ships and an aircraft carrier around the East and South China Seas as though the rest of the world could not see. In your total arrogance you also allowed one of your ships to menace a US Destroyer which did not sink your vessel. What an ego-swollen head you must have sailed away with. But, Beijing, I assure you that many of us do recognize your arrogance because we are not as stupefied as some of the visitors you have had at your doorsteps begging bread. In the cards over the East China Sea, you have laid down a two-pair of fours, Japan just notified you its working on three-eights and I wouldn't even mention where the aces lie. Beijing, when the modern history of your region is written, it will be duly noted that China took to the air and seas first. Therefore, all your neighbors could now argue that they all have standings to strengthen their armies in light of your creation of a line in the sky over the East China Sea.

By H. M.

这孩子能不能生?

据新华社：广西一对夫妇怀孕后，被卫生部门发现准生证为工作人员失误所错发而将其收回，这对夫妇由此陷入尴尬。县计划生育局现已对当事人表示诚恳道歉，将采取补救措施；同时县纪检监察部门成立专门调查组对此进行了调查。

错发二胎生育证被收回。为由欺骗收回了已办理的《二孩生育证》。当地计生部门向夫妻道歉。武鸣县计生局表示，对此事给唐某某夫妇造成的影响表示道歉，将组织人员登门协商，采取补救措施。同时，加大对计生干部队伍培训力度，避免类似事件再次发生。

”生下孩子接受罚款、还是将胎儿进行流产？

没了准生证，孩子到底还能不能生？既然是政府工作人员错误，政府就该承担相应的纠错成本，不应将后果转嫁给无辜百姓。

到底罗先生的孩子能生不能生？是要追究这个不负责任的的人，还是让尚未出世的小生命来承担政府的过错？什么将是那个政府官员讲的“补救措施”？这么大的国家该不会因为几万元而杀掉这个小生命吧？ 期待着民主的呼声，希望这呼声足够强大，得以拯救无辜的生命---不想看到流产、引产的字眼出现！

December 23, 2013

Seven-hundred and sixty-three million customers is a gigantic swath to huge earnings and that is the potential cellphone giant Apple has just secured in a deal with China's largest carrier, China Mobile. With the announcement of the deal on Sunday, Apple could now directly court the world's largest smartphone market, China, a place dominated by Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo and Yulong. Chinese craving the sleek Apple products could now access them legally instead of through many black markets via Honk Kong. On January 17, 2014, China Mobile will make the IPhones available to their customers on the new 4G network China Mobile recently gained. Yes, the cellphones will be a premium for the 5C and 5S models of the iPhones, but we believe Apple has more than enough demand especially with the youth for its products.(And who said we couldn't write something good about China.) 

By H. M.

周末了，睡个懒觉吧？不行，还要加班，挣钱!!!

《人民网》市场咨询公司益普索(IPSOS)对20个国家的调查显示，71%受访中国人表示会根据自己拥有的东西衡量个人成功(I measure my success by the things I own)，这一比例明显高于其他调查国家，比排名第二的印度高13个百分点。全球平均值为34%，土耳其、巴西、韩国、波兰都在平均值之上，加拿大、英国、西班牙、瑞典则是比例最低的国家。

据第一财经日报，“我对于成功和赚钱有很大压力”(I feel under a lot of pressure to be successful and make money)，中国受访者同样最多(68%)，而全球平均值为46%。益普索分析说，调查体现出不少中国人将个人所有物等同于成功的全部。现在全球将近三分之一的奢侈品销往中国，五年前这一比例为10%。整体看，中国、印度、巴西等新兴市场国都喜欢将物质与衡量成功联系在一起，而发达国家受访者把物质和成功的相连度不高。调查的重要性在于，我们能不能稍微放松一下压力，从价值观上给自己一些从容?物质至上的压力感还能撑多久，它会不会让我们变形和扭曲?

《金钱不能买什么》作者、哈佛大学教授桑德尔说，在十多个国家做过关于金钱问题的报告，多数国家的听众都同意金钱必须有所不能，但是有两个国家有相当多的听众对他对金钱的批判不以为然，就是美国和中国。桑德尔反对「任何事物都可出售」、「金钱可以万能地兑换成任意的现实」的逻辑。他认为，过去30年所展示的最致命的变化并不是贪婪的不断升级，而是市场和市场价值观侵入了它们本不属于的那些生活领域，包括「健康、教育、家庭生活、自然、艺术、公民义务等」。

如果说这是国情，在中国普通百姓没钱寸步难行，得不到尊重、没有尊严，可以理解。但是已经有10 套8套、20套住房和多辆豪车的“成功人士” 不是也在每天累死累活的加班加点，开会、吃饭，拉关系吗？ 是说金钱决定成败吗？是说以“经济”建设为中心吗？ 这可以解释为什么贪官多、腐败广。他们拜金、捞钱、享乐，摆阔、排场、法不责权、官商勾结，性丑闻... ...使他们从来没想到停下那追逐的脚步。 因为他们追求的不是金钱，他们追求的是成功，成功呀！说白了，这已成为、或演变为一种社会文化。攀比，社会压力来自攀比、同事之间、亲朋之间，笑贫不笑娼，没钱得不到重视与尊重，没有话语权。社会变扭曲了，当然就是只认钱。 没有钱无法生存、没有钱住哪里？没有钱娶不到老婆，钱少了，娶到老婆也会跑。有了钱，可以村村都有丈母娘，夜夜入洞房。为了钱，部分国人不择手段、不顾廉耻、没有了道德、 不考虑别人死活，管他快乐不快乐... ...金钱可以把狗变成人，也可以把人变成狗。

为什么中国人迷信又没有信仰?为什么至少70% 认为信仰不好用、不管用。而金钱好使，管用？

钱不是万能但没钱是万万不能的。虽然钱多不代表素质高、钱多不代表有道德、钱多不代表水平高、钱多不代表有善心。但是钱可以买到很多很多“东西”---不仅可以买吃、买穿、买房子、买地；可以买学历、可以买法律；可以买器官、买生命；可以买违章、可以买违法；可以买减轻罪恶、可以买不坐牢；可以买野兽、可以买美女；可以买护照、绿卡，也可以买墓地... ....甚至在阴间都需要各类银行和货币。而且，令人担忧的是社会仍然用挣钱多少衡量一个年轻人的成功，因此他们也就自然而然的把梦想跟金钱紧紧挂钩。美梦---金钱，中国梦---就是当大官、挣大钱。

还有，中国与国外政府不同的是：国富民穷和国穷民富。 外国政府尽可能把钱用在民生，让国民生活有保障、有尊严，所以那些国家不会把金钱作为第一衡量标准；而中国国情不同---政府把钱用在国防建设和对外援助以及高铁、高速等重大基础设施建设，这些支出和投资，在实施过程中很多又很容易地进入了贪官的口袋---- 贪污了，花了、用了，满足了、高兴了，显摆了！同时很多政府的补贴也成为官员敛财的手段之一。而百姓的所有花费必须靠自己，政府的税收越来越重，他们就必须要挣钱、存钱。弄钱、多弄点钱---以备家用、 以备急需。因为结婚要钱、生子要钱、上学要钱、就医要钱、请客要钱、送礼要钱，连死了安葬没有熟人也要包红包---要钱。因为改革开放后我们的语录是：时间就是生命，效率就是金钱。不管白猫黑猫抓住老鼠就是好猫。成者诸侯败者寇... ...所以可怜的老百姓，包括那些贪得无厌的官员们不得不“向钱看”，不得不把“钱”作为唯一衡量成功的保证。 没有钱，不成功，没有钱，没性福。

现实的压力让我们也不能不现实，但这就是未来的出路吗? 对信仰的缺失、对金钱、权力的贪婪将会使中国在下一场战争中彻底输掉！所幸中国还有那30%不会被“金钱”压垮。上帝呀，救救他们吧，让久违的道德、让久违的良心、让久违的信仰真正回到这块美丽的土地、归还给他们，让国人把健康、教育、家庭生活放在首位吧， 让崇尚自然、艺术变得比金钱重要吧，让关爱、慈善成为公民的自觉行动吧！  

December 22, 2013

Corruption investigations into members of the Communist Party of China, spurred on by the chief dragon in Beijing intent on reducing the sphere of influence of the other six dragons, are reaching new heights. Recent disclosures that Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang and more recently a top security official Li Dongsheng, are both subjects of investigations, should come as no surprise. President Xi Jinping, since taking over the reins of China, has vowed to go after "flies and tigers" alike in routing out the graft. But as yet, such prosecutions and investigations appear concentrated against those who might carry an above average degree of influence and who might eventually rival President Xi politically as he solidifies himself as the sole dragon of Beijing. As Richard Mc Gregor, an expert on Chinese inner workings, has said and reported by the New York Times, President Xi in his so called corruption crusade, is obviously motivated more by power politics because corruption investigations have not been opened into party leaders whose family members have amassed enormous wealth, but centered on the likes of allies of the fallen hero of the people of Liaoning, Bo Xilai. In the days leading up to and on the specific day of President Xi's official inauguration(for lack of a more fitting word), the CPC would never admit this, but it appears that an event occurred giving rise to an internal conflict within the CPC between rival factions, the effects of which are being borne today in the investigations of the like such as Zhou Yongkang. So, though some of President's Xi's investigations are genuinely motivated at getting rid of corruption in the CPC, Richard Mc Gregor reminds us that we should "...not pretend Mr. Xi is ushering in a new era of fearless prosecution of graft." In layman's terms it is about power, consolidating your power. But President Xi must tread carefully: flies fall when swatted; tigers - well, they are ferocious feline carnivores and when they are fortified with the alliances of weak dragons and with the counsel of aging dragons; well, only time would yield the answers.

By H. M.

公安部副部长李东生被调查

中央纪委监察部网站20号发布消息称中央防范和处理邪教问题领导小组副组长、办公室主任，公安部党委副书记、副部长李东生涉嫌严重违纪违法，目前正接受组织调查。事不凑巧，接着，新华网北京12月21日电，湖南政协副主席童名谦涉嫌严重违纪，中央已决定免去其领导职务，现正在按程序办理。 至此，中共十八大以后落马副省级以上干部亿达19人。

我们是不是需要反思一下：为什么今年以来一抓一个准？为什么都是副手？为什么都是在中央党校学习过、培训过？为什么王岐山一上来就有这么多倒霉的家伙撞枪口？为什么每个省都有这样“出类拔萃”的领导干部？ 为什么这些贪官败类敢于前赴后继？级别那么高了还满足不了他们的贪欲？

我们是不是应该反思一下：什么是干部选拔、考核以及任用的标准和机制？到底哪个环节出了问题？ 不然的话，抓一批、提拔一批、再重用一批，再腐败一批，这么前赴后继下去，中国共产党的元气就彻底伤掉了、垮掉了！

权大于法在中国比较普遍，这是中国官场的悲剧。所幸得是中国共产党正在着力改变这种情况。希望中央加大力度继续抓贪官，不要半途而废，更不是腾笼换鸟。要形成制度，要成为长效机制。否则，抓得再多也没有用。 

December 21, 2013

"You can't pull yourself up by tugging on your own hair"...an official from southwestern China to the New York Times commenting on China's Communist Party's notion of self policing itself. This brave official obviously sees the flaw in Beijing's logic in the revival of the Maoist policy of "self criticism" as a means to reform the excessiveness of the leadership. As reported by the New York Times, "the self criticism campaign has picked up steam". Back in September, President Xi presided over a meeting in Hebei province where 25 officials confessed to excessive pride, opulent feasting and spending $74 million on government cars in one year. Sun Ruibin, the party chief of Hebei confessed his burning love for his official vehicle: "I knew it was excessive, but I really enjoyed riding in that SUV," he admitted. Ali Wenli the Hebei propaganda chief regretted spending $500,000 of public money on celebrity entertainers for a New Year's party at which he admitted "there was too much eating and drinking". Last month the PLA discovered more than 8, 100 apartments and 25, 000 vehicles illegally kept by military personnel. So to rectify the wrongs, party bosses can now engage in a self criticism session that is aimed to bathe away their wrongs. So on a Saturday, aging party bosses could slip away to Macau, or to one their many apartments with their younger girls; spend the People's money; return on Monday; self criticize on Tuesday; then all's well on Wednesday. Better yet, they could jet off to Europe or the US where they meet their women; spend the People's money on fine hotels and fine dining; return to China; self criticize; then repeat the self gratification feat again in two or three months. As the southwestern China official says, this self criticism all appears to be a big show that will not work in purging corruption from the communist party.

By H. M.

全国收缴超生罚款总额或达300亿元

来自china.com. 进入岁末，当单独“二孩”政策放开政策已然明确时，社会抚养费--这项对“违反计划生育政策者给予必要经济制约”的收费连续遭遇质疑和诟病。一方面，基层社会抚养费收支不透明造成了一笔笔糊涂账。与此同时，基层计生人员的纠结则在于，他们需要同时面临社会抚养费和计划生育两项指标的考核，二者却是一对“此消彼长”的矛盾体。“真实的数据应该远远大于现在公布的数据。”浙江律师吴有水接受采访时称。今年夏天以来，经调查24个省份去年的总额是200亿元,全国收缴总额估计在300亿元左右.

  • 12月4日，河北农民艾广栋因为超生交不起社会抚养费服农药自杀。悲剧发生的同时，另一个消息早已炒得沸沸扬扬--导演张艺谋因为超生可能将被课以数目可观的罚款。

  • “我家刚刚交了1万元，啥收据也没有。要收据罚得更多。”怀孕八个月的苏北农村妇女张梅(化)说。当被问及为何孩子还没出生就先交罚款，她回答说，没生的时候交1万元，生了以后再交就要1.5万元了。

  • 2012年，怀孕七个月的陕西孕妇冯建梅之所以被强制堕胎，原因之一就是没有交上4万元社会抚养费。

  • 一名将超生孩子的户口落在北京市的父亲对记者透露，他为此付出了22万元的代价。而在一些二线城市和农村，费用相对低得多，而且可能通过走关系少交甚至免交社会抚养费。

根据2002年实施的《社会抚养费征收管理办法》(下称《办法》)，社会抚养费是一项行政性收费，不是罚款，但具有一定的补偿和强制作用。由于《办法》没有就具体征收缴纳统一规定，各地规定不一，管理比较混乱。 审计署9月18日的社会抚养费征缴情况审计报告表明上述情况相当普遍。社会抚养费挪用可谓是五花八门：重庆酉阳县为完成“绿化长江、重庆行动”任务，2010年10月挪用24万元作为捐款上缴；湖南新化、湘潭、沅陵等3个县截留、坐支932万元用于乡镇工作经费以及招待费、奖金补助支出。

试问社会抚养费到底收缴了多少？都抚养了谁？其实全国人民都知道收费不止300亿，也都明白花在何处、抚养了谁。但是到底什么时候才能真正地取消这项收费，这项冠冕堂皇的收费纯属为腐败开路，为政府招待费找来源、垫支那些有权有势人的消费支出。超生的被抓、被罚、被死去，那些消费这些经费的不见一人被抓、被罚、被判刑、被死。没有超生的、严格执行计划生育的老老实实的夫妇也没有得到什么好处，那些不幸失去唯一的、珍爱的独生子女的家庭，又有谁来安慰他们的痛苦和排遣他们晚年的孤寂？支持吴律师，希望中国多多出现吴律师！

December 20, 2013

Yesterday, the Beijing government, after a long delay, went ahead and approved the resident documents needed by many Western journalists so that they could continue working in China. Journalists from Bloomberg and the New York Times are among the group who can now apply for their visas to continue working in the country. Yet, some journalists are still awaiting final approval from the PRC. The circumstances that led to Beijing's delay in granting the issuance of the work documents have to do with journalists reporting on corruption among the government's elite, something Beijing did not like. Beijing has had the notion that it could control Western media much like its own by dangling these work renewal papers before the media houses' faces. Here's to hoping that our Press friends continue to honor the duties of a free press and that they continue their objective, unbiased, uncensored reports on China. 

By H. M.

人民网北京12月18日 《咬文嚼字》发布了“2013年度十大流行语”，分别是“中国梦、光盘、倒逼、逆袭、女汉子、土豪、点赞、微XX 、大V、奇葩”。

十八大后，习总的“中国梦”迅速成为流行语；随后“光盘行动”席卷全国，“厉行节约”成为社会新风气；“倒逼”、“逆袭”充满正能量；“女汉子”、“土豪”、“奇葩”卷土重来，展现新时代新视角；小小“微X”上产“大V”，小“微”大能 量；“赞”字余热未了，“点赞”又成新宠。

  • “中国梦” 排名第一，成为2013年流行语。十八大以后，习总参观国家博物馆主办的“复兴路”展览后提出要实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦，之后使用上至国家元首、下至平民姓。

  • 2013年1月，一家民间公益组织发起“光盘行动”，倡议就餐后打包剩饭“光盘”离开。随后，中央电视台新闻联播，号召大家“节约粮食，从我做起”。 抵制“舌尖上的浪费”。

  • 榜上有名的正能量流行语还有“倒逼”和“逆袭”。“倒逼” 源于经济领域中货币供给的倒逼机制。如今，凡是下级迫使上级做出某种行动，都可以称为倒逼。习近平、李克强在讲话中多次用了“倒逼”。

  • “逆袭”指新事物冲击、取代旧事物，后浪推前浪，表达了一种百折不挠，奋发图强，充满正能量的精神。

  • “女汉子”、“土豪”、“奇葩”展现新时代新视角.“女汉子”指带有“纯爷们性格”的女性，集温柔和彪悍于一身。现代大都市中，竞争激烈，“亚历山大”---许多女性不得不把自己变成独立、自主、强悍的女汉子，成为有个性、有主见、敢作敢为的现代女性。

  • 小“微”释放大能量 “点赞“成新宠。“微”，原是常用的语素，可以构成微小、稍微、微乎其微，如今，“微”又成为时尚语素，“微××”表示很多新鲜事物，如微信、微博、微新闻、微电影等。

  • 大V指在微博上十分活跃并拥有众多粉丝的公众人物，通常粉丝量超过50万的用户称为网络大V。大V有着不容小觑的号召力和影响力，但制造谣言、随意转载引用，那就成了大谣。

  • 2012年的一个“赞”字表达了赞美、赞赏、赞扬等情绪，如今又扩展为“点赞”，变成动宾结构，点赞就是点一个赞，比“赞“字行动力更强，效果更明显，当下频频出现在报刊上的“点赞”成了点评的一种。与点评不同的是，点赞只说好话，即只表示肯定、喜爱、赞美这一类意思。

为什么会出现这些流行语？是仅仅因为搞笑或琅琅上口吗？有没有看到这些流行语背后都有它的故事，都有一小段发人深思、令人感慨，引发国民共鸣、一传十、十传百而说出百姓内心的故事？来表达他们当下的无奈、抑或自嘲、讥讽？ 为什么抵制“舌尖上浪费”---使人联想到公款吃喝；有没有想过所谓“倒逼”和“逆袭”，是多年来上级逼迫下级做的太多了而出炉的，就是以前行为方式往往是上级说什么、下边做什么，上级定调子、下边来操作。但是渐渐地、渐渐地顶层设计、上边的政策不能充分反映民间呼声、以及一些政策的制定缺乏可操作性，使得市场经济的手终于起作用了；“女汉子”的出现有时不得不说是中华民族的一种悲哀。为什么她们会“亚历山大”？为什么她们要变自己成为自主强悍地女“汉子”... ...？从另一角度看2013流行语，小微以及那些大V，就更能够说明这个社会需要正能量、需要号召力；需要表达、需要倾诉；需要“赞”,点赞 ！·----民间的观点、呼声需要得到保护、拥护、重视和支持，这里发出的不仅仅是要求“赞”的呼声，这里发出的不仅仅是一种能量、一种正能量，这里发出的是要求民主的呼声、否则不会出现大V！2013将要过去，愿中国梦会在新的一年，有所体现， 有所实现。不希望中国梦---梦之蓝。

December 19, 2013

"All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born"...from Irish Poet William Butler Yeats' poem - 'Easter 1916'. Vice President Joe Biden quoted this poem of the first Irish uprising in the 2oth century during a dinner with United States business men in Beijing on his recent visit there. The Vice President's analogy of this poem is reserved to himself. Since reading the Irish verses, I now likened them to China's modern rise. Firstly, I must disclose to my Irish lasses and lads that in no form nor fashion do I liken the Chinese emergence to the Irish experience. If such a likeness could be made, I respectfully defer to the likes of Stephen Douglas and Tess Robinson of Dublin to make such a connection.

With that disclosure, I hereby contend with respect to China that all changed, changed utterly and a terrible beauty has been born. From a runted economy of not too long ago, China changed utterly overnight to become the World's second largest economy. Most systems of the economy were reformed to produce such changes and the product has been this terribly beautiful nation. The people, the culture and the sites of China have retained their beauty. Yet, the one-party Communist government in Beijing tarnishes the true beauty that is China. Human rights issues coupled with Beijing's aggressive efforts to assert itself in the East and South China Seas scar China's true beauty. Beijing's heavy handedness to the Uyghurs is yet another blemish to the full glow of China. So here's to wishing full beauty China.

By H. M.

三个层次的城市群构建新型城镇化。

中国新闻网，国际经济交流中心郑新立：“未来中国城镇化不再新建上千万人口的超大城市，转向发展以省会为中心的次区域城市群和以县市为基础推进就地城镇化”。过去中国的城镇化，成千上万的人口以及资源不断地向北、上、广、深等超大城市聚集。造成目前我们可以看到和不愿意再看到的“城市病” --- 繁华都市被贫困地区包围，人口和产业高度密集，土地、淡水等资源严重短缺，房价不断攀升；交通拥挤、空气污染的难以治理，医院、学校供不应求。而临近的经济发展落后地区， 投资严重不足，资源大量闲置，半小时车程之内房价相差十倍以上。因此专家解释的三个层次都市群为： 首先， 以广州为中心的珠三角；以上海为中心的长三角和以京津为中心的环渤海，形成三大都市群，三大都市群将是中国三大经济支柱，带动经济发展，不仅是经济中心，还将是科研中心、金融中心、交通枢纽等。 在未来十年经济总量将超越纽约都市圈和东京都市圈： 其次，发展次区域城市群，即以省会为中心形成“次区域城市群”，比如中原城市群、武汉城市群等 。中心城市与周边城市将靠高速铁路连接起来，进而实现一体化发展。第三个层面则是以县城为中心、小城市为基础，就地城镇化 。发展中小城市，就是要解决中小城市生活成本低、就业机会少，而大城市就业机会多、但生活成本高的矛盾。

希望这次新型城镇化的“规划和投资” 切实见成效!!! 希望能够解决真正的"剪刀差",能够像政府讲的那样解决住房、解决交通、缓解群众遇到的教育、就医和投资等各种困难和压力!!!希望再次发扬民主精神,征求一下百姓意见!!!而不是经历了十几年试验之后再次陷入另外一种“ 疾病“或担忧: 就是钱投入进去了， 高铁、机场建起来了，农民的宅基地也贡献出去了，城市被建立起来了,人们似乎“ 被” 赶到城市去......然而年青人仍然不愿意去中小城市或只是晚上回来睡觉,白天还要到城里上班... ...小学文化的农民不适应”城市“生活，土地被征收了,没有资金来源,但是又回不到农村的尴尬!!!如果那样, 就不是发生一般的造反和"农民起义"了。

December 18, 2013

The question that China faces regarding the rights and treatment of minorities, especially with respect to the Uyghurs, appears complex on the surface, but remains solvable; and should the question not be addressed in a timely, orderly and respectful manner, it will fester causing Beijing harm and embarrassment of the likes it has not seen since Tiananmen Square in 1989. The third Plenum did not address Uyghur concerns. It addressed Beijing's recognition of a maturing concern in Xinjiang. That is why an internal security committee was formed out of the meetings of the hierarchy of the Communist Party. So rather than to engage the Uyghurs, Beijing made the decision to police the minority into submission. Mighty Beijing has now killed a quarter century Uyghurs in two incidents since the Plenum in November. The PRC, which is attempting to attain dominance in the East and South China Seas, has obviously decided to send a stark message to the meek Uyghurs. The Uyghurs are seeking greater autonomy in an attempt to protect their unique cultural identity with a view to retaining their language and religious practices. Also they seek a stake in the bounty gained from the soils of the resource rich Xinjiang province. As tough as Beijing gets with the Uyghurs, individual Uyghurs will become equally radicalized. When it appears that Beijing has gained total control of any Uyghur revolt, sympathizers of the "David" people in the fight against the Goliath Beijing, will step in to arm the Uyghurs with the sling shots needed to continue their struggles for human dignity. It is in Beijing's best interest to address the Uyghur question. In its short time of rise to economic wealth, Beijing has ruffled many feathers. There are sea and air disputes in the south, concerns to the west and southwest, powerful allies of the west to the east and a major nuclear power to the north. On how many fronts could you fight Beijing? With a war winding down in Afghanistan and with the dispersing of terrorists on the run from US drone strikes in Pakistan and elsewhere, radicals are constantly seeking their next battle. Beijing, the best solution seems apparent - dialogue with the Uyghurs with respect to their aspirations because left unanswered, the situation could become more complex along the "New Silk Road".

By H. M.

新型城镇化开局，钱从哪里来？

据新华社，国家开发银行预计，未来三年我国城镇化投融资资金需求量将达到25万亿元。如户籍改革、土地改革、财税体制改革等让农民享受城市生活的资金，如此巨大需求从哪里来？ 过去城镇化资金主要靠政府，以至于长期以来各地地方债务不断。那么地方政府如何解决这个难题呢？“多元可持续”！即：一些项目由政府掏钱，如基础设施建设，但是更多的资金要通过社会、企业投资、更多的是民间资本来筹集，由市场化需求判定谁来投资。而且完善地方税、逐步建立地方税主体税种，建立财政转移支付同农业转移人口市民化挂钩，同时城镇化建设减免一些如房产建设、交易环节税费，房地产、资源税给地方，有条件时发行城市建设债券等也是这次城镇化工作会议的主要安排。

在考虑钱从哪里来的时候，更要预测到城镇化建设同时也是一个促进经济增长新动力的来源。新型城镇化包括人口城镇化和城市生态化。 人口要从数量扩张到质量增长，而中国2万多个城市则要选择新型的、可持续发展的绿色、低碳生态发展道路。因此低碳、环保以及智慧型城市都是很多国际企业跃跃欲试的好项目。根据相关规划，到2030年，随着新增的3.1 亿城市居民，中国城镇化水平将达70%，城市对国内生产总值贡献将达75%。中国城镇化12年来，有7.1亿人口迈入城镇化进程，如果这些人真正的转化为城市人口，带动巨大市场和消费，将成为拉动经济进一步增长的新动力。而且这次新城镇化方案，除了国家发改委外，中国政府罕见地邀请了世界银行参与研究设计，可见中国政府之决心。

可以预测，新型城镇化建设不仅会刺激国内消费、投资需求，而且还会刺激国际企业投资中国市场。正如从去年开始欧盟国家很多人就表示，中国城镇化进程是一个巨大的市场， 对世界各国都可能带来很多投资和消费机会，所以不仅对中国、对世界来讲，中国城镇化都是一个重要的契机！

December 17, 2013

Beijing has determined that Sunday's violent event in Xinjiang that left 16 people dead was an organized terrorist act that was premeditated by a small "terrorist" group. Today, Xinhua, the Chinese News Agency reported that an investigation by police found that 14 of the dead were members of a 20-member group allegedly led by a Hasan Ismail. But the authorities are "...now opening fire and killing people, then calling them terrorists," reported Uyghur activist Dilxat Raxit to Aljazeera. But the issues China face with respect to its minority groups will not be shot away. Beijing must find a way to incorporate the ethnic, cultural and religious rites of these people into the lives of the Han majority society.

By H. M.

有序开放中等城市落户限制，北上广深等户口将收紧

中央城镇化工作会议明确了各类城市的城镇化路径，全面放开建制镇和小城市落户限制，有序开放中等城市落户限制，合理确定大城市落户条件，严格控制特大城市人口规模。这意味着中小城市户籍有望很快放开，而北上广深等一线城市的落户政策可能将进一步收紧。

中国最大的危机是城乡差别，因此消除城乡待遇差别成了目前当务之急。受等级化的城市管理体制影响，中国的中小城市发展不够充分，但是中小城市人口城镇化的成本相对于大城市要低很多，所以政策的导向是重点发展中小城市，引导大城市优质的资源向中小城市流动。北京、上海、广州等特大城市无法再集聚和承载再多的人口，“城市病”也越来越突出，譬如日趋严重的雾霾问题等。中国的户籍城镇化率远远低于城镇化率。国家统计局公布的数据显示，12年来，中国城镇化率达到了2012年的52.57%，但户籍城镇化率仅为35%左右。这种政策与待遇上的不平等，使得城乡的资金成本出现剪刀差，城市居民可以比较容易拿到资金，农民却被户籍挡在墙外。在这种“半城镇化”的现象下，被纳入城镇人口统计的2亿多农民工及其随迁家属，未能在教育、就业、医疗、养老、保障性住房等方面平等享受城镇居民的基本公共服务和城镇化红利。“城镇化真正意义在于解决农民问题，如果占人口65% 以上农民普遍有一种被剥夺感，改革将难以进行。”由于今年仅剩半个月左右的时间，国家新型城镇化规划有可能在修改后于明年发布。随着这一顶层设计的面世，2014年将成为中国推进新型城镇化的破题之年，让我们期待更详细、可操作的和有利于广大农民的城镇化户籍改革。

December 16, 2013

Yet another violent event has occurred in China's western province of Xinjiang. Slow evolving reports out of Shufu County, Kashi Prefecture are that some 16 people including two police officers have been killed as police clashed with a machete- wielding mob. It has been reported that police were trying to make an arrest in the area when an explosive device was thrown killing two policemen and security forces responded by killing 14 and arresting two. Once again, China's Central Government has demonstrated how it intends to deal with any social unrest involving the Uyghurs - kill as many as possible, arrest few. A similar incident in Xinjiang we reported on China Today, November 18, 2013(see Archives) involved the killing of two policemen and the deaths of 11 alleged axe-wielders. As I stated in that post concerning the increase in violence in Xinjiang: "Of note here is the frequency of events...which were averaging one event every two to three months, to less than 30 days now." I concluded: "If this stat holds true, then another event could be forthcoming by the end of December." I hate to say I told you so Beijing, but that is not the point here, which really is that Beijing needs to engage the Uyghurs in dialogue and that Beijing needs to work with the minority people in a partnership relationship in respect to any further development and expansion westward. Killing so many Uyghurs will only radicalized the survivors and it's only a matter of time before axes and machetes are replaced by guns and bombs.

By H. M.

中央城镇化工作会议

央广网北京12月15日消息：中央城镇化工作会议12月12日至13日在北京举行。这是改革开放以来中央召开的第一次城镇化工作会议。会议提出六大任务:

1.推进农业转移人口市民化--- 坚持自愿、分类、有序原则，主要解决已经转移到城镇的农业人口落户问题。

2.提高城镇建设用地利用效率--- 减少工业用地，适当增加生活用地特别是居住用地，守住耕地红线，包括数量和质量。

3.建立多元可持续的资金保障机制---完善地方税，建立财政转移支付同农业转移人口市民化挂钩。推进政策性金融机构改革，鼓励社会资本参与城市公用设施投资。

4.优化城镇化布局和形态--- “两横三纵”城市化战略，中西部和东北有条件地区发展若干城市群。把城市特别是特大城市开发边界划定，青山绿水保留给城市市民。

5.提高城镇建设水平--- 科学规划、务实行动，加强建筑质量管理，保留村庄原始风貌，少拆房、不填湖，原因形态上改善居民生活条件。

6.加强对城镇化管理--- 培养专家型城市管理干部，用科学态度和先进理念、专业知识建设和管理城市。保持规划连续性。

中央城镇化工作会议透露出的一系列重要信息也回应了人到哪去，钱从哪来，地怎么管等社会三大关切。当前，我国城镇化发展既面临巨大机遇，更面临诸多难题。在这样一个十分关键的路口，正确的方向就是新型城镇化。城镇化进程正站在一个新的历史起点上。随后几天将继续这一话题。

December 15, 2013

China has successfully completed an unmanned soft landing on the Moon. The Chang'e-3 Mission released the Jade Rabbit a moon rover over the surface of the moon. China now becomes the third country to have landed on the moon.

By H. M.

中国高铁经济步入飞速发展期

东北三省到长三角的距离正因高铁被迅速拉近。《国际金融报》，12月28日零时起，上海铁路局将实施新的列车运行图，首次开行上海虹桥至哈尔滨、长春、沈阳北、大连北、深圳北等多趟高铁、动车列车”。这意味着，除了飞机和长途汽车之外，中国的高速铁路网将首次实现长三角高铁列车与东三省的直通，同时，相比之前的铁路乘车时间，本次新开通的班次将大大降低普通旅客的时间成本。

新列车运行图将增开上海虹桥至哈尔滨西等方向30对直通动车组列车。长三角地区上海、南京、苏州、无锡、杭州、宁波等城市前往哈尔滨、长春、沈阳、深圳等地将更加方便快捷。

上海铁路局公布，首次开行的上海虹桥至哈尔滨西G1204/1、G1202/3次高速动车组列车全程运行时间12小时57分、13小时07分，往返时间比原来最快的列车分别缩短了18小时。

高铁的直达及出行时间的缩短，将利好两地的经济发展。可以预见的是，如果条件合适，长三角的资本会更好地将东三省的项目纳入考虑范围之列，同时，两地的人才、技术、管理、土地等各种要素，将加快流动，进而推进东三省的产业转型和发展。另外，东三省和长三角地区高铁的直通进一步地完善了中国高速铁路网络建设。2008年《中长期铁路网规划》的“四纵四横”---即省会城市及大中城市间，环渤海地区、长江三角洲地区、珠江三角洲地区三大经济区块之间都建立城际快速客运系统，建设客运专线12万公里以上。 在对中央经济工作会议的分析中，券商也将高铁作为重点，这也将带动诸多投资机会。2013年-2015年中国铁路固定资产投资约7000亿/年 。其中动车“十二五”末车辆总需求有望达到1200列-1400列，投资增速超30%。

December 14, 2013

Japanese and South East Asian leaders will work together to ensure "freedom of flight" over the South and East China Seas. At a current summit between Japan and the Association of South East Asian Nations(ASEAN), leaders pledged to work together to ensure free skies in the Asia Pacific. The ASEAN group includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

By H. M.

北京首都机场3号航站楼，是世界第二大的单体航站楼，位于北京首都国际机场2号航站楼东侧。3号航站楼(T3)由主楼和国内候机廊、国际候机廊组成，配备了自动处理和高速传输的行李系统、快捷的旅客捷运系统 以及信息系统，总建筑面积98.6万平方米。 建筑造型新颖独特，金顶红柱，庄重大气，体现北京的文化特色，展现了国门的崭新形象。3号航站楼由T3A、T3B、T3C和一座停车楼及交通中心等四个独立单元组成，主航站楼T3A 建筑面积51.5万m米，地下两层，地上五层， T3A主航站楼为3号航站楼的核心，包括了所有国内和国际旅客使用的值机、候机、迎客空间、行李分检设施、中转设施，以及供国内旅客出发、到达使用的空侧设施。

3号航站楼不仅建筑外形在时尚元素中融入中国古典意象，内部景观更是彰显文明古国源远流长的历史。旅客步入T3值机大厅，迎面即是《紫微辰恒》雕塑，它的原型是享誉世界的发明“浑天仪”，精巧逼真；国内进出港大厅摆放了4口大缸，名为《门海吉祥》，形似紫禁城太和殿两侧的铜缸；二层中轴线上，摆放了形似九龙壁的汉白玉制品——《九龙献瑞》，东、西两侧是“曲苑风和”和“高山流水”两个别致的休息区。

T3著名的红橙黄渐变“彩霞屋顶”不仅绚丽、美观，还能指方向，屋顶密布的条纹由红色向橘黄色渐变，始终指向北。而地面以青色大理石为主，中间穿插黑色大理石地面。“黑色大理石地面，就是每个主通道。”旅客一旦迷路，无论是抬头看屋顶，还是低头看地面，都能很容易找到要去的地方。在3号航站楼的停车场，“寻车服务”使成千上万辆停泊在庞大的停车场内的汽车找起来非常方便。旅客如果没有记住自己车辆停泊的位置，在停车场入口处，只要报一下自己的车牌号和车型，他们就会帮您寻找车辆，并在一两分钟内告诉您车辆停在哪里，还会提供一张详细的停车场地图供客人“按图索骥”。

3号航站楼于2008年2月29日顺利投入运行，圆满完成了2008年第29届北京奥运会和残奥会的接机任务，受到社会各界的高度评价，在国际上因其优美的建筑造型、完善的服务功能受到广泛的赞誉。

December 13, 2013

Often, I am asked why is it that I appear so anti-China; and I have to admit that even though my writings might suggest the afore said to some who don't know me, the truth is that I love China. I especially love the exotic, beautiful and graceful people. From Wuhan to Beijing to Fuzhou to Putian to Jinan, China, in my opinion, possesses infinite possibilities; and to stunt any facets to show off these characteristics and any attempt to stifle the development, freedom, culture, spirit, flare, beauty and romanticism of such a people, would be to deny our world the full participation of a people whose contributions could go very far in making our "blue marble" a better place.

December 12, 2013

Wellesley College and other United States Colleges and Universities along with multi-national corporations must now rethink, redefine and reassess their relationships with their Chinese counterparts in light of Beijing's continued blatant disregard for human rights. Wellesley College in Massachusetts which has a relationship with Peking University has opted to continue that marriage despite the communist school's human rights issues. Who will lead here? When will those of strong will and a devotion to freedom and democracy act? We await.

December 11, 2013

In yet another rebuke to international standards of human rights and freedoms, China yesterday fired a law professor because he refused to apologize for his writings criticizing the communist government. Zhang Xuehong was fired by East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai a day after international human rights day, and a day after United States Secretary of State John Kerry called for the release of a Nobel Laureate and his wife both detained by Beijing. Professor Zhang published an article in June of this year advocating constitutional rule while criticizing the leadership of the communist party. According to the BBC, another one of Zhang's articles, New Common Sense, questioned the legality of one-party rule. Another professor, Xia Yeliang a teacher of Economics was fired by Peking University in October because he helped draft the Charter 08 Manifesto with jailed Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo. Beijing's blatant disregard for individual rights shows its disrespect for the international community. Why? Because the international community prostrates itself before the communist government to grab cheap goods from cheap labor and Beijing realizes that the community continues to shop despite the abuses. Beijing will continue to behave badly until academia and multi-national corporations hold the communist accountable. [And some people had the audacity to criticize a hand shake between President Obama and the President of Cuba at Nelson Mandela's memorial.]

By H. M.

据新华社， 国家主席习近平特别代表、国家副主席李源潮１０日在南非约翰内斯堡出席了南非政府为前总统曼德拉举行的大型官方追悼活动并致辞。李源潮代表习近平主席，以中国政府和中国人民的名义，对曼德拉逝世表示深切哀悼。李源潮说，曼德拉是新南非的缔造者，是非洲人民的骄傲，他为非洲的民族解放、团结合作、发展进步贡献了毕生精力。他开创的事业后继有人，南非人民不断取得国家发展建设重要成就。曼德拉是中南关系的奠基人之一，中国人民永远不会忘记他对中南友好、中非关系做出的重要贡献。南非总统祖马及美国、巴西、纳米比亚、印度、古巴等国领导人先后致辞。１００多位各国领导人与南非各界代表９万余人出席。美国4任总统一起出席此次活动。作为一位国家领导人去世后享受如此尊敬和礼遇，证明其功不可没， 确实伟大，深得人心。

一个伟人离开了，他为了自己的人民而努力、奋斗，争取民族解放，让人民过上和平和不受歧视的平等日子。 正如外表漂亮不一定就内心善良，肤色不能决定种族的优劣和意志的坚强，曼德拉先生为非洲人民、也为世界人民树立起了光辉的榜样。

追悼仪式现场下起了雨,连老天爷都为他感动、哭泣、落泪。 祝福曼德拉先生一路走好---非洲人民的伟大父亲、世界人民的精神领袖！

唯一遗憾的是中国此次出席官方追悼活动是派代出表，而不是国家主席习近平亲自出席。想想美国去了4位新、老总统， 中国只去了一位副主席，以中国的经济实力、以中国在国际舞台上的影响力、以中国的政治地位，她在世界的副手位置上吗？ 以中国跟南非的友好关系，以中国跟曼德拉先生的友好情谊，以中国未来在非洲大陆发展的远大志向，可以是仅仅一位副主席就足够了吗？（ 李源潮副主席很有大将风度，这里没有贬低之意）

December 10, 2013

FREE LIU XIAOBO!

United States Secretary of State John Kerry has urged China to release the Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo, who China has jailed for subversion since 2009. In a statement released yesterday some five years after Liu was detained, the Secretary of State also called for the release of Liu's wife Xia, who has been under house arrest since 2010. Mr. Kerry said the US was "deeply concerned" that Chinese officials continued to detain Liu and other activists "for peacefully exercising their universal right to freedom of expression." Today is 'Human Rights Day' as designated by the United Nations and leading into this day of freedom, Mr. Kerry said: "We strongly urge Chinese authorities to release Liu Xiaobo, to end Liu Xia's house arrest, and to guarantee to Liu Xiaobo and his family members all internationally recognized human rights protections and freedoms. The Secretary of State added: "We continue to believe that respect for international human rights is critical to China's growth, prosperity, and long-term stability." As reported by the BBC, Liu Xiaobo was first detained in 2008 and jailed in 2009 for his role in simply drafting a manifesto - Charter 08, that calls for political change in China. He was sentenced to 11 years for inciting the subversion of state power. Other academics in China affiliated with that manifesto have also come under intense political pressure. One professor recently lost his teaching job at Peking University for having a mere relationship with Liu.

Secretary of State Kerry must be applauded for the US stance on these matters, for too long now, China has been reaping huge economic wealth from the world's demand for cheap products derived from cheap labor; and from this wealth, Beijing has been "greasing" its way around serious human rights issues. But there must be a time of reckoning. That time is neigh. Beijing must be held accountable for its actions on human rights. Multi-national corporations and institutions of higher learning across the globe hold the keys to checking China's compliance to international human rights. Let these entities convene and then intervene to reel in China's behavior. Once Beijing recognizes the economic impact that could be brought against China, then Beijing will reign in its ego. Beijing will not budge under the current conditions.

By H. M.

中国巴西合作研制卫星发射失败 或已坠落回地球

据"环球时报"：几天前，中国长征三号乙运载火箭成功将嫦娥三号送入太空带给人们的喜悦尚未消散，9日中国航天发射却迎来一个令人始料未及的消息——中国在太原卫星发射中心用长征四号乙运载火箭发射中国与巴西合作研制的“资源一号03星”，火箭飞行过程中发生故障，卫星未能进入预定轨道。一名火箭研究专家告诉《环球时报》，当中国人总是看到“成功发射”，突然听到“发射失败”的确让人难以接受。

美国宇航局网站“spaceflight”9日报道称，除发布此次发射任务失败消息外，中国方面并未透露更多信息。报道还特别提到，这是中国所执行的第200次轨道发射任务，此前中国已经187次成功完成任务。专家认为，航天毕竟是一项高风险的行业，包括美国、欧洲国家以及俄罗斯等航天大国，火箭发射都曾出现过不少失败。目前世界航天大国不载人的火箭发射成功率一般在91%至94%之间，没有谁能保证100%成功。所以不能因为一次发射失败就否定一切。

其实失败很正常，只是中国政府以前习惯报喜不报忧。一般情况不报道或者不愿意

报道失利、失败等消息、情况。遇到成功、顺利发射时就大张旗鼓宣传，播放录像一遍又一遍；失败了，就不公布或者只发个短消息，要不然就是寻找借口和理由；

其实失败很正常，不能因为失败就觉得没有信心、失去斗志，卫星发射本身就是高

风险技术，不是在玩玩具飞机，从航天发射角度而言这都是正常的；

其实失败了很正常，只要实事求是，有一说一，勇于面对失利，人们是理解的，百

姓是支持的。不用解释、不用找借口，只要实事求是，诚实做人，诚实做事，诚实地面对失败！体现出我党提出的科学发展观。否则，自己不报， 百姓从外网看到，那才是丢面子，才是真正的失利、失败、失策！很高兴这次敢于报道发射失利，是一大进步！

December 9, 2013

Earlier today, China expressed "regret" over the new expanded South Korea Air Defense Zone(ADZ). In a briefing with the Press in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, acknowledged that "there currently does not exist a territorial dispute between China and South Korea on this issue" referring to the rock known as Leodo in Seoul and as Suyan in Beijing. Leodo now falls within both South Korea's and China's demarcation zones. Yet, Hong claimed Leodo falls within the exclusive economic zones of both countries and that differences could only "be resolved through maritime negotiations." South Korea has objected to China's November 23 unilateral Air Defense Identification Zone(ADIZ) because it covers Leodo. South Korea has constructed and maintains a research platform over Leodo.

By H. M.

新华网12月8日， 中共中央办公厅、国务院办公厅印发《党政机关国内公务接待管理规定》 。大约3000字的《规定》严字当头，共提出38项禁令，包括11项“禁止”事项和27项“不得”要求。以“吃”为例，按照《规定》要求，公务接待工作餐应当供应家常菜，不得提供鱼翅、燕窝等高档菜肴和用野生保护动物制作的菜肴，不得提供香烟和高档酒水，不得使用私人会所、高消费餐饮场所。

呼和浩特１２月８日电, 内蒙达茂旗接待办主任郭才对“迎来送往”之苦体会深刻。在接待部门工作７年的郭才：几乎没有烤全羊、敬酒、警车开道、打横幅等迎接仪式了。中午的工作餐都不上酒，一般半个小时内就吃好结束。不仅如此，接待频次也大大降低。接待经费也随之减少，当地今年的接待经费比去年减少了３０％。一家国企分公司接待办主任王先生：说实在的，有几个基层干部愿意每天觥筹交错，喝得东倒西歪，连家庭都照顾不上？不过，接待产生“生产力”啊。于私，不掏自家一分钱就能黏糊上和对方的感情，将来自己办事也方便。于公，项目拨款、政策倾斜等都要靠接待来解决。尤其在贫困地区，热情的接待可能就是拉近感情最好的方式。平时想见都难见的上级部门的人下来调研，莫非就靠薄酒素菜招待一番？暗地里总想找办法补上。

早的不说，1989年9月18日根据《中共中央、国务院关于近期做几件群众关心的事的决定》的精神，就有 “中共中央公务活动严禁宴请和有关工作餐的规定” 即：... ...工作餐不准上价格昂贵的菜肴，不准用公款购买烟酒。工作餐的金额标准由各省、自治区、直辖市根据本地实际情况确定，并报财政部备案。... ... 用工作餐的人员需按当地规定标准交纳伙食费。... ...凡违反上述规定的，均属违纪行为。所动用的公款，必须由违纪单位负责向就餐者如数追还。对违反规定的单位和批准动用公款的责任人员，要按《国务院关于违反财政法规处罚的暂行规定》处理。是党员的，同时要按党的纪律进行处理。各省、自治区、直辖市常委、人民政府可根据本地情况制定具体办法，并报财政部、监察部和中纪委备案。

似乎从第一次规定公款吃喝，规定请客送礼、接受土特产品，类似规定有多少，下发的通知有多厚? 而且至少二十多年了吧？ 每年出台新规，每年印刷发行一堆废纸， 没有人执行 ! 而且这次新规定这么长，38条禁令能够记住吗？“应当.. ...不应当... ..., 严禁... ..., 不得... ..., 坚决 ..., 满篇都是规定, 没有提出如果违反, 怎么处置,怎样惩罚。老是禁止、严禁，不许等等，我们需要的是硬性的制度，违反后，直接跟法律挂钩,问题是我们有罚则吗？ 同时，应该有个量化标准，否则“家常菜”是没有价格的。 比如规定用餐不许超过20元，礼物不许超过50元等。不论什么单位，事业、企业，公务员还是办事员、什么长、什么员儿，工资照常领、出差有补助、车船住宿全报销，还有误餐补助。吃饭本应自己掏钱，为什么要规定吃什么？怎么吃？ 如果自己埋单，不信有人点五粮液、点鱼翅。可能连啤酒都懒得点，就是点了，那是人家自愿，自掏腰包。而且，取消接待费行不行？ 让各级政府这一项没有报销一说，出差按照规定天数给予补贴。没有人再用公款请客、送礼。 另外，中央开会，地方开会，我们有网络，电话，电视，没有必要再开一次，再组织什么多少人集中在什么酒店旅馆，再住几天，再吃几餐，再增加腐败机会！

为什么这么、这么多年，就管不住官员的那一张张馋嘴、控不住他们那一天天渐松的腰带？挡不住他们那一双双贪得无厌的双手？

可以说中央出台的政策不错，但是如何落在实处，如何实施有效的监管，“ 管住、管好、管控、管制” 机制重在：住、好、控、制，而不仅仅是“ 管”。否则国务院的“规定”就是形同虚设，口号千遍，口号20年，不如您行动一次。

December 8, 2013

In a bold challenge to China's quest for dominance over the East China Sea, South Korea yesterday announced the expansion of its own Air Defense Zone(ADZ) starting December 15, 2013. To protect its sovereignty over its territory, lands, rocks and islands in the East China Sea, Seoul's new ADZ overlaps with Beijing's unilateral demarcation of two weeks ago. China's ADIZ encompasses the rock known as Leodo to Seoul, Suyan to Beijing. South Korea's expanded zone includes this rock as well as the Marado and Hongdo Islands to the south of the Korean peninsula. South Korea has sent notification about its expanded zone to its neighbors. This South Korean push back against China sends a message to Beijing that Seoul, with the backing of the United States, will not idly stand and allow Beijing any unchecked expansion in Southeast Asia.

By H. M.

多地浓雾锁城市民口罩防袭

中心网2013年12月6日，10时上海环境部门发布数据显示，空气质量指数（AQI）为416，六级严重污染，首要污染物为PM2.5。同时继续发布大雾黄色预警，称京津地区、河北中部、山西南部、河南东部、浙江西部、福建北部、江西东部等地将出现能见度不足1000米的雾，部分地区能见度不足200米。在河南郑州、山西太原、江西南昌、重庆等地看到，这些城市均被大雾笼罩，许多市民都采取戴口罩或围围巾等方式防范大雾和冷空气的侵袭。路上行驶的车辆也都放慢了车速。同一天，在南京紫金爱涛黄金珠宝交易中心举办的深圳珠宝展，户外举行的T台秀上，靓丽的模特戴上了口罩。受严重雾霾天气的影响，南京当地幼儿园、中小学当日继续停课，红色预警响应措施继续执行。 昨天环境保护部的数据显示，全国20个省份104个城市空气质量达到重污染的状况。由于此特殊情况，南京交管部门甚至对于雾霭而造成的闯红灯现象不予进行处罚。造成雾霭的原因多样，有工业、农业、建筑和交通等各个方面都有贡献。面临发展经济，那些发达国家像英国伦敦、美国加州等都有过类似经历。中国是用了很短的时间，压缩为几十年走过了几百年其他国家走过的路。中国还是个发展中国家，正在爬坡阶段，面临经济发展、消除贫困、改善民生、保护环境和应对气候变暖等等，这些都是事实。发改委副主任解振华表示，减煤、控车、降尘可有效改善空气质量。2008年奥运会北京曾投入1200 亿元，比赛的16天均为一级，立竿见影-----但是这并不是常态的做法！十八届三中全会开过了，方向指明了，方针制定了，政策明了了，什么“十二五”联防联联控重点区确定了， 而且也不是讲了一次两次了，但是由于什么还得不到真正的在实际的可操作的行动呢 ？政府可以把造成雾霭的源头切断吗？雾霭的产生政府当然要承担主要责任。政府能不能也像伦敦政府那样把所有供暖设备改烧煤为天然气？能不能把所有供电厂关停，迁到郊区或更远地方？当然，企业也有更大责任，特别是工业、建筑企业等要立即行动起来，改善你的排放系统，推动创新，保证自律，不能为了GDP，为了发展的速度而牺牲我们的健康、幸福。中国， 你不能再继续过去粗放型发展的老路，牺牲环境保发展！治理雾霭是环保部门的事，但绝不仅仅是环保部门责任。 政府、企业、科技部门，所有部门真正行动起来，人人从我做起，那根本不是什么困难。想想看，勤劳勇敢的中国人民能够推翻三座大山，能够建立起新中国，能够以中国特色的发展速度，走过别的国家几百年的路，原子弹、航空母舰都能造的出来，嫦娥都奔月了... ... 。 小小的PM2.5，是我们克服不了的吗？

December 7, 2013

The fear over the new Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone(ADIZ) is that something gets lost in translation and as a result an event is triggered over the East China Sea which results in the lost of many lives. I fear a world that allows a communist government to demarcate the air over sovereign nations unilaterally. I fear a communist government with no other concerns in the world but its own existence and expansion encroaching upon smaller neighbors. I fear communist governments with veto powers at the United Nations Security Council.

My comments here must not be construed as being anti-anybody, simply and explicitly, I declare I am PRO-FREEDOM and PRO-DEMOCRACY.

By H. M.

中国应该降半旗吗!?

南非前总统纳尔逊·曼德拉当地时间5日与世长辞，世界各地民众表示哀悼。现任总统祖马则宣布，将为曼德拉举行国葬，南非各地从明天起将降半旗致哀直至葬礼完毕。

美国纽约联合国安理会中止正在举行的会议,全体代表起立,为已故南非前总统纳尔孙.曼德拉默哀一分钟。

“今天他回家了。我们失去了地球上最有影响力、最勇敢、最好的一个人，谁都愿意跟他在一起。”——美国总统奥巴马发表讲话

“现在，让我们停下工作感谢曼德拉在世，他亲手缔造历史，让世间的道德转向正义，愿上帝铭记他，保佑他安息。”奥巴马祈祷道。

“今天世界失去了其最重要的领导人之一。历史将会记住曼德拉对于人类尊严和自由、和平与和解的贡献。我永远不会忘记我的朋友马迪巴（曼德拉的昵称）。”——美国前总统克林顿

“世界失去了一盏明灯。纳尔逊•曼德拉是我们这个时代的英雄，一个真正的全球英雄。英国首相官邸办公室将降半旗致哀。” ——英国首相卡梅伦

澳大利亚总理艾伯特在获知曼德拉去世的消息后说，曼德拉是现代南非之父，一个“真正的伟人，也可以说是上个世界最伟大的人物之一”。

美国华盛顿，南非大使馆前竖起前总统曼德拉塑像，民众举行纪念活动哀悼曼德拉去世。

美国纽约民众举行纪念活动，哀悼南非前总统曼德拉去世。

澳大利亚阿德莱德板球比赛观众为已故南非前总统纳尔逊.曼德拉默哀。... ...

“12月6日，国家副主席李源潮前往南非驻华使馆，沉痛吊唁南非前总统曼德拉逝世。”

“习近平６日就新南非首任总统曼德拉不幸逝世向南非总统祖马致唁电。他代表中国政府和人民并以个人名义，对曼德拉逝世表示深切的哀悼，向曼德拉的亲属表示诚挚的慰问。

曼德拉登过长城、两次来访中国；Beyond 主唱黄家驹曾专为曼德拉创造《光辉岁月》，曼德拉听后曾潸然泪下... …中国与曼德拉先生情缘不浅。

中国没有降半旗，应不应该降？大部分网民认为应该。作为一个发展中国家、迅速发展的国家，现在的中国在国际舞台上不论在政治、经济、军事以及科学技术等方面是举足轻重、有相当影响力的国家。你不是老大，但是个子已经长高、体魄业已强壮，展示出自己应有的姿态吧，亮出对民族解放的态度，对世界和平的态度，对曼德拉伟大一生的敬仰之情，对失去这样世界级伟人的深表惋惜和悲痛没有不好，只有更好。纳尔孙曼德拉的一生贡献给了反对种族隔离，争取民族解放，争取种族平等和人类和平... ...他不仅仅是为了黑人的独立解放、为了南非的和平,而是为了全世界,各个国家人民民族的独立平等,使每个人都享有自己的尊严！中国，你已经站在了国际的舞台上，不再是昔日被列强欺辱的你了，你早已成为有影响力的民族了。体现出你的胸怀、展示出你的风采，世界看着你，站在前列吧，关键时刻考验大国风范，发出你的声音吧，中国！

December 6, 2013

Africa, Asia and the World lost a great soul yesterday with the passing of Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who endured 27 years in jail to become free in 1990, then to become the first Black President of the Republic of South Africa in 1994. Nelson Mandela was 95-years-old. May he rest in eternal peace.

By H. M.

今夜，全球悲哀因为巨星的陨落。

在这个世界上,每个人都爱他、敬仰他！ 不论什么种族、不分哪个国家，无论什么宗教、不分白人黑人，无论城市农村、工人还是商人、学生还是教师，朋友还是政敌......他就是伟大的非洲人民之父---纳尔逊.曼德拉。

"此时的世界也许还不够美好，但只要坚持我们的美好梦想并付出行动，未来的世界一定会比现在好。"

逝者已逝，精神永存！愿这位消灭种族歧视的勇士、和平的使者和金子般的心灵安息！上帝会照顾好他。

December 5, 2013

United States Vice President Joe Biden has encouraged Chinese to "challenge the government". Speaking before a group of US visa seekers in Beijing, Mr. Biden noted that "innovation can only occur where you can breathe freely". He reminded the Chinese that for positive change to come, people needed to "challenge the government, challenge religious leaders."

Mr. Biden who leaves Beijing for South Korea later today, was in China following a stay in Japan where he reaffirmed the US-Japanese alliance in light of China's new Air Identification Defense Zone, which encompasses Japanese territory.

It was fitting that Mr. Biden suggested the Chinese should challenge their government for there has been no real challenges to the communist government in Beijing since the Tiananmen Square uprising in the 1980s. Moreover, while China's economy has prospered on cheap labor, China lags in technological innovation. Thousands of patents are granted in China every year, but most that are really innovatively viable and applicable are the property of International companies.

By H. M.

 执子之手与子偕老,相濡以沫到白首!

据都市快报，昨天浙江宁波江北广电中心为1000多对金婚老人拍纪念照,老人们都有夫妻相。 据专家介绍， 结婚后，随着一起生活、起居，夫妻会越长越像。他们长年累月在一起，生活方式、饮食习惯，个性脾气都会互相影响，发生变化，并慢慢接近。花开花落、冬去春来，一年又一年，一起哭一起笑，分享各自的喜悦，共度生活的难关。 他们互相关心着、爱护着、牵挂着、注视着。久而久之，面部纹路都长一个方向，因此越来越像----夫妻相。俗话说，百年修得同船渡，千年修得共枕眠！什么才能修来50年，仍然共枕眠？改革开放以来，随着我国经济发展，物质生活水平不断提高和改善，人们越来越长寿。可是令人遗憾的是一代不如一代，结婚的不少，离婚的更多。如今又有几人能够相扶到老，携手度夕阳？是当初选错了对象，还是互相不能忍让？是生活压力过大，还是激情早已不再？ 是外界诱惑太多，不能再过安分的日子？还是世界变化快，另一半赶不上自己追逐的脚步？ 各类、各种、各自，情况各有不同。总之，羡慕他们、敬重他们，和谐社会需要他们。祝福他们健康长寿、白头到老，永远幸福！

December 4, 2013

Last Saturday, Canadian officials arrested a Chinese man in connection with passing Canadian military secrets to China. The accused man worked in a sensitive area of naval secrets. China has since called the Canadian charges "baseless." Yesterday, Australian authorities arrested another Chinese national on suspicion of accessing a super secret nanotechnology computer at a secret-sensitive lab in Melbourne. Australian authorities are in the process of ascertaining whether or not information on the computer has been leaked to another country. What are the ramifications of these two cases? How will China gain needed technology it doesn't possess?

By H. M.

快速发展的中国需要同情心。12月2日晚，上海发生一起车祸，一辆电瓶车被轿车撞倒在地，驾驶者立刻倒地痛苦不堪。周围围观者没有人甚至上前扶起他，倒是出现了一名美国女子将其扶起，紧握伤者手，使他温暖，给他鼓励。在人民焦急等待中，一辆救护车出现，在医生和这位美国女子帮助下，伤者被抬上担架，送上车，去往医院。这名外国女子紧握伤者手，不时鼓励他，他也用眼神表示出十分感激之情。这名年轻的美国女子名叫Jill Warner。既不是医生也没有做过护士，只是一名普通教师。是什么使这个美国女子能够非常自然、无私、带着巨大同情心来握住这个本不认识的突然被撞倒在地的伤者，虽然语言不通，丝毫不影响她来温暖他、鼓励他，使他能够在寒冷冬天舒服点，暖和些？就这么简单，简单到大家会问为什么？

中国这个礼仪之邦，号称热情友好、助人为乐的国度，怎么会出现在自己的土地上不幸被撞倒后没有人上前问候，没有人搀扶一下、没有人在寒冷冬天伸出温暖的双手？倒是由我们的国际友人来鼓励，帮忙。在此非常感谢Jill Warner小姐，感谢美国人民。同时我觉得需要自问一下国人，从什么时候开始大家对别人的事情变的冷漠？什么时候开始变的不那么友好、而自私？什么时候开始我们变的麻木、没有同情心？又是为什么只是会站在那里旁观而不伸出您那高贵的手？是经济发展太快，我们还没有来得及从物质文明发展到精神文明？还是一切向钱看挡住了我们双眼？怎么会连自然伸出手帮别人一把的举动都需要考虑半天？袖手旁观是怕别人笑话自己傻吗？小小的事情不会引发多大的讨论、争论，但是反映出了我们古老文明随着经济发展，物质生活丰富而逐渐地淡化。希望在物质文明一天天发展的同时，多丰富我们的精神文明、内心世界。多一点同情心，多一点助人为乐。爱国、爱家、爱我们的同胞，和谐社会需要你我真心建设。

December 3, 2013

As tensions remain high on the East China Sea over China's unilateral demarcation of the skies, Vice President Joe Biden, in a visit to Southeast Asia - Japan, China and South Korea; has reiterated that the US is concerned about China's action. So over the next couple of days, we will monitor whether or not the PRC signals any new changes to its Air Defense Identification Zone(ADIZ) which includes part of Japanese territory.

By H. M.

微信已经成为一种生活。在中国大陆，除了不用手机的人，只要说“加我微信”，几乎没有人不知道，只是愿不愿意加。微信不仅仅是可以发送短信息、图片、照片、影音，而且可以保存和分享；以它的语音系统的免费聊天功能使得大多数使用者特别是年轻的80-90 后感觉这是一种生活方式。同时他的“晒” 功能使得很多手机用户不仅仅是手机通话、短信息发送，更是随时随地的生活方式“秀”。他们可以晒自己的快乐、不快乐，晒饮食，筛服装、晒发型、晒时尚，晒心情，晒时尚，晒生活。没有手机是不可以的，早上醒啦，查微信，睡觉之前查微信，私人办公时间查微信。微信更以它强大的公众帐号来带动中国百姓的消费。银行查询用微信、保险推销用微信，甚至中老年人越来越多的开始使用微信。微信在表达大部分人自我经历、感受、经验、体验，等等的同时传递着爱心、友情和亲情。希望微信越走越好，不要由于阴私的管理上出现麻烦，使一些人滥用，希望它成为方便百姓生活的工具，创新中国的工具，励志的工具，传播正能量的工具，实现中国梦的工具。

December 2, 2013

Any solution to the brewing Sino-Shinto tensions in the East China Sea must involve the diffusion and toning down of nationalistic rhetoric on both sides. Thus far, Japan's has matched China's assertion in the region by acquiring the islands of Sankaku from a private Japanese owner.

So here's my quick fix to the tensions that affirms US interests and influences in the region: Japan should lease the disputed islands to the US for a share of any potential natural resources pluck from such in the future. Problem solve! We will leave the details to the US-Japan team.

By H. M.

走遍祖国大地,九寨沟美景是我觉得最美之一。九寨沟位于四川省阿坝州. 是中国唯一拥有世界自然遗产和世界生物圈保护区两项桂冠的圣地。2007年被正式批准为国家级 5 A级旅游景区。她是由于周围的九个藏族村寨而得名。那里海拔2000米，她的美名只是由于沟内分布着奇特美丽的108个湖泊，一半以上被原始森林所覆盖。美丽的湖水碧绿、宝蓝、晶莹剔透，当你见到那五彩斑斓的七彩池时，会以为到了仙境，不过更美得是那个取名为神仙池的小湖。从1993年第一次来到这个美得惊讶的布满大小湖泊的藏族小镇。清澈的，一望无际的湖水， 和一眼能看到湖底沉睡的树木花纹，那大自然赋予的让人喘不过气来的美使我驻足整个下午。第一次体验到什么叫流连忘返，让我感觉小时候没有读颂更多的唐诗、宋词，感觉投入真正大自然怀抱的那份激动、兴奋、快乐、自由舒畅的心情无法表达，恨自己的文学没有功底，书到用时感觉少。那美丽的镜湖，那份明亮、清澈，树木倒影令你分不清是在湖中还是岸上。虽然已经过去5次，虽然跟朋友讲起她的美已经超过100遍，我依旧那样兴奋。因为后来我曾经在春夏秋冬不同的季节去看望她。九寨的美因季节各有不同。春天里，那盛开的漫山遍野的杜鹃花，与彩色池水争艳；夏天是比较凉爽的季节，因为花草树木郁郁葱葱，不会由于高原而缺氧不舒服； 秋天漫山遍野的各色树叶，层林尽染的金色画面，最浪漫不过，是最理想的季节；冬天的白雪皑皑，并不感到真的那么冷，空气清新得让你不再留恋车内的温暖，想要大口呼吸，有一口气要跑上山的冲动。从2000年政府决定开发此景点并且投资修建了餐馆、环保的电瓶车后，游人在不断增加，甚至出现国庆节的门票限售情况。希望不会由于游人增加，而惊扰了这份美丽。保护环境，匹夫有责！

December 1, 2013

The Sino-Shinto escalation of tensions in Southeast Asia will have to be dealt with very soon. China's expansionist desires will have to be checked against the territorial integrity of other nations especially Japan. China must not be allowed to carry out unilateral demarcations to encroach upon other nations without fear of reprisals. Beijing cannot unilaterally interpret and implement International law with its own version.

By H. M.

变中国制造为中国创造、中国创作、中国设计

逐渐成为大众的话题，世界文化艺术中心也开始从欧洲向美国转向美国。有能力、有才华去担负起中华民族成为艺术大国和第一大艺术市场的使命，中国是第一消费大国，相信很快会成为创作大国、设计大国和艺术大国。她 不仅有日益增长的消费能力，更有激情无限的创新本能，他们有着独特的眼光和世界级的欣赏水准！他们有能力构建起中华民族文化艺术繁荣昌盛的宏图，他们有心潮澎湃、奋起直追实现中国梦的决心。 他们有不同的爱好和专长，从音乐、舞美，从服装到饰物，从油画、雕塑到艺术品收藏。 所有一切都是极富潜力的和有巨大升值空间的未来大市场，是中国社会进步和国力增长的又一个新的增长点。让我们期待吧！

November 30, 2013

Sooner or later, the sooner the better; Japan and China will sit across from each other and mediate their political and social differences and concerns. With China's new found wealth, nationalism is running high on the streets of Beijing and in Tokyo where there has been diminishing industrial output , Japan too remains very nationalistic. With nationalistic sentiment running at present levels in both countries, the fuel of controversy over rhetoric regarding the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan does nothing else but ratchet up the tension between the two South Asia brothers.

China remains angry over Japan's failing to duly apologize for Japan's natrocities against China dating from the 1930s. Jealous sentiments over Chinese wealth runs high in Tokyo.

Unless tensions are abated over the East China Sea, it'll be just a matter of time before an incident plunges the region into a full blown conflict.

 By H. M.

”美国是世界上最强大的国家，我们希望他（她）能有美好的未来。“ 一位准备给孩子一个美国国籍的中国先生说。这个来自中新网的消息说由于美国执行落地国籍政策，催生了“生育旅行”产业，加州和芝加哥等城市成为最受欢迎的“生育旅行”目的地。 据统计，仅去年就有超过10000名中国孕妇来美生子。而他们的婴儿由此而获得了美国国籍。如此大规模的产业， 催生了中国内地的相关机构和办事处的增加。 如，加美生子咨询服务中心， 对来美生子孕妇每人收取$30000- $40000。 包括机票、住房和费用以及新生儿办理入籍文件等。这些新生儿出生办理完一切手续后就回国。他们的家长希望孩子在中国上学后，特别是高中毕业后再来美国，享受更好的教育和环境。当然希望通过生育来实现曲线移民做法和过程也有潜在风险，也可能由于政策调整而白花钱。那么是什么使得这么些人要花费这么大一笔费用，冒一定风险---可能被当地美国人举报、可能被遣返回大陆，还可能由于手术中不当而丧命？而且说白了谁愿意背井离乡，到人生地不熟的城市生子，生活？我们可以反思一下，为什么这些人要想方设法花钱费力往美国来？甚至想出这么个点子？还有为什么大家要托朋友，找代理买外国产品？上外国学校？ 我们的政府或官员不应该反思一下吗？检讨一下吗？当然也许他们很多已经拥有绿卡并早已移民，尽管如此，相信他们也不是那么自愿的远离熟悉的文化、乡音以及环境、饮食和亲戚朋友。当然“生育旅行”表面看来是由于：准备超生，希望二胎或更多；寄希望于全家移民；富豪移民为孩子从小享受西方教育。那么还有吗？有没有想过那些说出来的只是表面的东东？ 有没有想过这个曾经引以为自豪的聪明智慧、勤劳勇敢，有几千年历史文化的国家正在以我们不想说，可是又不得不说的原因来让他的百姓被逼无奈？ 不再清洁的水，被污染的天空，新生儿不知道什么叫蓝天白云。有毒的食品、饮品，日益增长的拜金、重权，你欺我诈愈演愈烈、无官不贪，只有更贪！请客送礼成年轻人走上社会的必修课；价格高得供不起的住房和毕业就失业， 高分低能的教育，想看名医挂不上号，想做手术必须准备红包的医疗现状，说的是民主集中制，执行的是只有官僚和一言堂！美国也不是什么都好，也不是什么天堂，但是那些绝望了的聪明人还是想方设法地弄到了通行证。 爱她，送她去纽约，恨她，也送她去纽约！！！

November 29, 2013

As Beijing continues to struggle with the reality that nations with interests and sovereign lands in the East China Sea will not prostate themselves to China's egotistic dream of Southeast Asia dominance, the PRA is now sending patrol jets to police their air identification zone. The United States, Japan and South Korea have all flown aircraft in the region without filing flight plans with Beijing.

Beijing feels scorn. Why? It shouldn't. With China's human rights record; its Communist government; its lack of freedoms and democratic reforms; why would any rational world government trust Beijing's agenda and aspirations?

As President Xi continues his quest to become the one-headed dragon of Beijing, the world has already signaled that it will not sit idly and allow the PRC to demarcate World seas as China deems fitting.

By H. M.

中国需要强大正能量新华社电11月28日总书记习近平山东考察时强调，全面深化改革，对全面建成小康社会、实现中华民族伟大复兴意义重大而深远。要求各级党委以高度责任感抓紧抓好，把思想和行动统一到中央决策部署上来，汇聚起全面推进改革开放的强大正能量。同时要求“准确推进改革，认真执行中央要求，不要事情还没弄明白就盲目推进。该中央统一部署的不要抢跑，该尽早推进的不要拖宕，该试点的不要仓促推开，该深入研究后再推进的不要急于求成，该得到法律授权的不要超前推进。要协调推进改革，注重改革的关联性和耦合性，把握全局，力争最大综合效益。要善于把自觉维护中央大政方针的统一性严肃性和因地制宜、充分发挥主观能动性结合起来。”刘云山也强调，认真落实习近平总书记重要批示要求，深入开展宣讲活动，面对面地向干部群众讲清楚全面深化改革为什么改、改什么、怎么改，调动起各个方面支持改革、参与改革的积极性主动性。 贯彻落实全会精神必将使我们党和国家事业焕发出新的勃勃生机，必将对实现“两个一百年”奋斗目标、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦产生深远影响。 对习主席和十八届三中全会关于全面深化改革以及若干重大问题决定，中国百姓是支持的，赞同的，特别“抓苍蝇、打老虎”行动百姓更是拍手称快，强烈支持。因为这合民心又解民意！三中全会关于计划生育、高考制度、户籍制度改革、医疗保险、退休养老、农村土地改革以及金融、税收等一系列改革政策的提出都得到了广大人民群众的拥护。 但有些让人不解的一是，为什么强调提出“统一到中央决策部署上来” “不要盲目推进，不要抢跑，不要拖延，试点的不要仓促推开......不要急于求成？"同时又提出“因地制宜、主观能动性”？ 本身这个说法就不是很明确， 既要车跑，又不让加满油。是因为中央没有想好呢，还是怕太快乱了套？而且还要派出宣讲团到各地去宣讲。既然中央有决定，只有一个声音，那为什么还要宣讲？是各地区不懂中文？ 还是文件没有写清楚、不想把文件写清楚？ 宣讲团不会讲错了吗？二是，“贯彻全会精神必将使党和国家事业焕发新的勃勃生机“。感觉以前的共产党是死水一潭，我们党是枯木逢春？是要突出本届政府的影响还是来个全面崇拜？ 三是，“......跟干部群众讲清楚为什么改、改什么、怎么改，调动起各个方面支持改革”。中央为什么担心干部群众不清楚？而要派宣讲团去调动群众参与改革？ 既然是伟大的中国梦，全中国人民的梦想，不是噩梦，那无论干部、群众，市民、农民，工人，商人都应该是积极参与的，只要您尊重他们的意见，倾听真正的呼声，文件写的通俗易懂，切实为百姓着想， 没有人拒绝参与改革，没有人说看不懂文件，没有人不爱学习。否则，任你再动员、再宣讲也没有人愿意参与、积极参与，机关单位学习时职工感觉是一种负担，浪费时间。因为你的决策、决定跟他们无关，或关系不大，不会因为不学习而减少住房面积，也不会因为学习了或积极参与了而增加就业机会。一句话，聚集改革强大正能量， 需要真心倾听百姓声音，关注他们心声， 不是坐在你的办公室里，写你领导喜欢看的文件。中国需要强大正能量！

November 28, 2013

That in the rebalancing of Southeast Asia, policy should be implemented so as not to appear to be containing China, is a fallacy. China has to be contained. China is red. China is not democratic. China is not free. Hello, have all the stalwarts of democracy and freedom fallen asleep?

By H. M.

青岛输油管爆炸为十分严重责任事故？

青岛输油管道爆炸是十分严重？还是特别重大的安全事故、责任事故？11月22号,青岛,这座美丽的城市突然天降灾难。很不幸的由于中石化东黄输油管道泄漏爆燃事故受到重创。这起特别重大的责任事故已经造成55人遇难,9人失踪,136人受伤。爆燃之后国务院调查组组长、国家安检总局局长杨栋梁25日召开现场会时说“这次事故暴露出的突出问题是管网规划布置不合理；对输油管道疏于管理；泄漏后的应急处置不当。这是一起十分严重的责任事故。” 杨栋梁传达了习近平总书记现场重要讲话精神,强调各地区、各部门和各单位要认真学习领会贯彻,坚持把人的生命放在首位, 以对党和人民高度负责的精神,制定和落实加强安全生产工作的硬措施。要深刻汲取事故血的教训,严格执行《石油天然气管道保护法》等法律法规,立即在全国范围内开展以油气管道、城市管网等为重点的生产安全和公共安全专项整治。

（2013-11-26 10:10:34 文章来自:市住房和城乡建设局 ）

“11月25日，市住建局常务副局长陈国玺至贵州燃气（集团）有限责任公司调研我市燃气管网安全管理情况。在听取贵州燃气公司的情况汇报后，陈副局长要求贵州燃气公司深刻汲取事故教训，认真落实燃气企业的安全生产主体责任，严把安全关，坚决防范此类事故在我市发生，同时提出工作要求如下：

一是贵州燃气公司要根据我市的情况，重新梳理和制定老旧燃气管道的改造计划，结合我市其他基础设施的建设和重点工程的实施，合理安排作业范围和时间，形成总体实施方案报市政府审批，消除老旧管网的安全隐患，预防燃气管道安全事故的发生。

二是贵州燃气公司要针对目前天然气供应的现状，制定科学合理的管网巡查机制，认真履行燃气管网安全监护的职责，落实安全责任到人，落实应急处置方案，确保燃气管网和重要设施监管有力、措施到位、安全运行。2013年11月26日”

话音还没落，27日凌晨中国新闻网获悉，贵州：沪昆铁路六盘水马场至平坝县高峰段境内铁道旁发生地方输油管道泄漏事故。 因受贵州输油管道泄漏影响，沪昆铁路部分列车运行受影响。

福无双至，祸不单行？ 还是输油管道都到保质期了？难道是一种节奏？ 是不是国有企业普遍存在这种“管道“”保质期“问题？ 是不是国有企业普遍存在一种不负责任的隐患？ 如果真是一种节奏，这样的节奏下去中国的维稳谁来负责？如何让人感觉我们是和谐社会 ？死伤家属的社会责任谁来承担？中国人口多，也不能这样的逝去！生命不能就这样逝去，我们不需要烛光，我们需要的不仅仅是国家领导人的亲临现场、到医院的慰问。 我们需要更严格的制度和按照制度操作的流程。我们需要坚强的领导和有力地监督、监管，监管不是只发出一纸通知了事。愿逝者安息！

November 27, 2013

If the intelligence the People's Republic of China(PRC) accepted out of the United States(US) portrayed Washington as weak, conflict- weary and too marred in domestic policies to take an interest into the affairs of the East China Sea and its US allies in the region; then Beijing must be in dire need of educated analysts or accurate translators. For yesterday Washington sent a strong message to Beijing that it is not asleep as the US Air Force took to the skies over the East China Sea to bluntly refute China's claim to dominance of the air and sea in Southeast Asia.

In stark explicit defiance of last Saturday's creation by Beijing of a demarcation zone over the East China Sea that knowingly encompassed the Japanese Islands of Sankaku, the US on Tuesday flew two B52 bombers incident-free over the disputed islands without notifying Beijing.

Not commenting directly on the flight of the B52s, White House spokesman Josh Earnest reiterated to the Press that: "It continues to be our view that the policy announced by the Chinese over the weekend is unnecessarily inflammatory and has a destabilizing impact upon the region."

In Japan, its two largest airlines that had along with Singapore Airlines and Qantas of Australia, started reporting flight plans to China, also announced on Tuesday that they will not file any more plans with the Chinese after Wednesday. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airlines were urged by the Japanese government not to report to China. Moreover, in further opposition to China's quest for supremacy in Southeast Asia, Australia on Tuesday summoned the Chinese Ambassador to express opposition over China's flight identification zone.

Maybe Beijing would have gotten away with yet another ploy for egotistic supremacy in Southeast Asia, but its economic puffed-up pride got in the way when it decided to include another country's territory as part of its own identification zone. Why should I inform my neighbor that I intend to drive home?

Heads are swollen with economic egotism in Beijing and because so many countries have prostrated themselves before Beijing for a quick buck, the PRC has wrongfully assumed that America is unprincipled and uncaring for its allies. Boy did somebody get this stuff wrong or what?

By H. M.

200万辆“公车”大部分将取消。

中共中央、国务院近日印发《党政机关厉行节约反对浪费条例》，对党政机关经费管理、国内差旅、因公临时出国（境）、公务接待、公务用车、会议活动、办公用房、资源节约等方面作出全面规范。坚持社会化、市场化方向改革公务用车制度，改革公务用车实物配给方式，取消一般公务用车，保留必要的执法执勤、机要通信、应急和特种专业技术用车及按规定配备的其他车辆，普通公务出行实行社会化提供，适度发放公务交通补贴。

统筹安排年度因公临时出国计划，严格控制团组数量和规模，不得安排照顾性、无实质内容的一般性出访，不得安排考察性出访，严禁集中安排赴热门国家和地区出访，严禁以各种名义变相公款出国旅游。 条例非常好，百姓欢迎。这里先说说公务用车。2011年，中央行政单位、事业单位和其他单位用当年财政拨款开支的“三公经费”支出合计93.64亿元，其中车辆购置及运行费59.15亿元，占“三公经费”总数的六成以上，是公务接待费的4倍。据专家分析，全国的公车至少在200万辆以上。可这样数量庞大的公车，绝大多数都是一般公务用车。“按照国家规定，有资格配备专车的领导很少；而特殊需求的车辆也是在公安、气象等特殊部门。”如果取消一般公务用车，意味着不少单位，将来一辆公车都不应该有。那么是否真的未来部分基层政府将一辆公车都没有？事实上，“现在很多人都自己买了车，实现零公车并不困难。主要是要改变一些领导的特权意识。”

一般公务用车被取消，必会造成大量闲置，这些车怎么办？当然可以按照正常的程序，进行拍卖，拍卖资金入国库。问题出现了，一是在公车配备期间， 不仅是车辆自身的保养、维修费用，一些专用车辆还配有专门司机，是一笔不小的支出，对于一些人来讲那可是是一笔不小的灰色收入，你懂得！因此尽快出台具有可操作性的时间表，使这个规定切切实实落到实处可以尽快解决部分官员慷国家之慨之便利；二是， 在公车拍卖过程中要注意公产变私产的“对策”，即评估程序一定公平、公开、公正。避免一些地方政府利用职务之便把几十万的高档车花几万或者几千元买进，借此盈利，变公车为私有财产。同时还要避免取消公车后，部分人员一方面拿着每月政府补贴的交通费，另一方面利用自己手中的权力“借用” 关系单位或企业的车子以私用。 上面政策好，就怕下有对策。

November 26, 2013

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed to defend Japanese air space over the new Chinese demarcation zone. Speaking before the Japanese Parliament on Monday, Abe said China's move was an unacceptable effort to change the status quo of the East China Sea with threats of force and a ratcheting up of tensions in the region. "We are determined to defend our country's air and sea space...The measures by the Chinese side have no validity whatsoever for Japan," Abe said.

Japan has urged airlines not to follow China's new air defense zone rules, but word has come this morning that despite Japan's defiant stance, its Airlines, Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, have joined Singapore Air and Australian Qantas in informing the Chinese of their flight plans.

So if a score card is being kept on the East China Sea, then it should reflect: China 1; others 0.

November 25, 2013

Japan has refused to recognize China's redrawing of air spaces over the East China Sea. Japan has also signaled that it wont back down because Beijing is flexing its maritime muscles.

Japan's Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida said Sunday that China's Air Defense Identification Zone, which covers the Japanese islands of Senkaku, was "a one-sided action and cannot be allowed " to stand. He warned that the zone could trigger "unpredictable events".

So what will now happen in the East China Sea? Will the voiced concern by the United States, Japan and others fade in the wind quietly conceding the air and sea lanes to China? Will Japan promptly exert their sovereignty over Senkaku before the swollen egos in Beijing burst with pride?

China has made the opening move and somebody needs to play really fast before the clock runs out.

By H. M.

11月22日,中央纪委下发《关于严禁元旦春节期间公款购买赠送烟花爆竹等年货节礼的通知》，要求严禁用公款购买赠送烟花爆竹、烟酒、花卉、食品等年货节礼。 这是今年以来，中央纪委第三次下发通知，严刹公款送礼等不正之风。

  • 去年１２月４日，中央政治局会议一致同意关于改进工作作风、密切联系群众的八项规定；

  • 今年１月，中央出台六项禁令，倡导厉行节约、反对浪费；

  • ５月２７日全国纪检监察系统开展会员卡专项清退活动，要求做到“零持有、零报告”；

  • ７月，中办、国办印发通知，要求各级党政机关５年内一律不得以任何形式和理由新建楼堂馆所；

  • ８月，中宣部等五部门发出通知，要求制止豪华铺张，提倡节俭办晚会；

  • ９月，中央纪委和中央党的群众路线教育实践活动领导小组联合下发通知，要求坚决刹住中秋国庆期间公款送礼等不正之风；

  • ９月２３日，财政部等部门发布会议费管理新规，狠刹会议费支出；

  • １０月３１日，中央纪委发出通知，严禁公款购买印制寄送贺年卡等物品。

  • 今年３月至今，中纪委分３次集中通报了２０多起违反中央八项规定精神的典型问题

，各级纪检监察机关也集中通报了一批当地查处的典型问题；截至１０月７日，中央纪委收到中秋、国庆期间公款送礼等不正之风举报９１７件，目前正由有关地区和部门严肃查处；１１月１８日，中央纪委监察部发布数据，各省区市已查处违反中央八项规定精神问题１．４万余起，处理１６６９９人，给予党政纪处分３７２１人。这是一份作风建设“成绩单”——一个个数字，一起起事件，是警示，是震慑。但是有没有想过我们要的不仅仅是警示、不仅仅是震慑，有没有想过老百姓要的不仅仅是多少次的通知，多少次的查处，多少次的举报、多少人员、官员被处理、被处分。 过年过节要有气氛，官员要气氛，老百姓不要气氛吗？有时候表面上讲得是感情，实际上联络的是权力。有的领导干部在位时，送的鲜花家里都摆不下了，等到退下来两年以后就没有什么了，差别非常显著。 这联络的是感情还是联络的是权力？ 中央纪检部门从“舌尖上的腐败”开始抓起，接着抓“车轮上的腐败”，中秋抓“月饼盒子里的腐败”，元旦将近又抓“纸片上的腐败”……这一套阻击“四风”的组合拳，显示中央从大处着眼、从小处着手，整治“人情腐败”抓到了点子上。那么归根结底这些“组合拳”的目的是什么？是炫耀吗？是“晒”成绩吗？ 当然不是！几天来人民网等国内主要网站关于该内容的文章，大多数还是在说反腐败成绩，制定了什么政策，修改了什么规章，执行了什么纪律，做出了多少承诺，健全了反腐保障。等等这样那样。没有看到有哪个组织或单位承诺，或敢提出“如果谁受礼，公款请客、公款烟酒、公款旅行等等明天就回家，开除公职而不仅仅是党籍”。 否则， 到底哪天是个尾？ 什么时候可以开始就不要再提出什么“中纪委通知”了，国务院有指示了， 不能再接受礼品，不能再收现金卡、礼品券了等等？为什么年年提，年年发通知， 中国共产党有那么好的脾气容忍这些腐败或不良现象存续，或长期存在？共产党有那么好耐性容忍这种看似小事，影响和毁掉一个党的现象再长期存留下去吗？ 中国政法大学副校长马怀德则指出，反腐败要高度重视法律作用，特别是要从源头上有效遏制腐败高发多发的势头，还需要尽快制定政务公开法、行政组织法等法律，以保证权力的正确运行，构建起全面依法行政的制度基础。这里“尽快”， 希望不是到2014年再出台几个文件，然后中纪委再发几个通知， 然后有关腐败分子趁机再收受一年又一年老百姓的血汗。

November 24, 2013

The United States has warned that China's military claim to airspace over disputed islands in the East China Sea creates the risk of "misunderstanding and miscalculation." But the announcement by the PRC "will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region," US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has countered.

Secretary of State John Kerry also weighed in on China's bold maritime move in Southeast Asia, he observed: "This unilateral action constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea. Escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident...we have urged China to exercise caution and restraint, and we are consulting with Japan and other affected parties throughout the region," CNN reported John Kerry as saying.

This recent Air Defense Identification Zone by China created unilaterally on Saturday , covers most of the East China Sea as well as the disputed islands - Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Taiwan has also made some claim to the islands.

What is most fittingly related to this action by China is the immediate response from both Secretaries Kerry and Hagel. For sometime now, China has been behaving as it wishes at will and whim in Southeast Asia seemingly unchecked by the West. Beijing apparently has had a false sense of security that the US is marred in too many domestic issues to look way eastward; but the responses from Hagel and Kerry should remind China that the world will not sit idly by and allow the Communist Party in China to rewrite Sea Power Theory.

By H. M.

“自强计划”

昨天,清华大学公布了2014年自主选拔"新百年拔尖计划"实施办法,首次明确四类招生对象.学校通过扩大招生范围的方式承接部分失去保送资格的学生. 学生可以在清华大学本科招生网上报名"新百年拔尖计划",通过材料审核及笔试,面试的学生，最终可以在限定专业内给与高考总分最高降60分录取的优惠政策。值得一提的是此次自主招生的“自强计划”选拔工作同时启动，扩大了政策实施范围，参与高校数量，招收学生类型以及学生参与度和选择权等4个方面。 主要面向832个国家级扶贫开发工作重点县，包括集中连片特殊困难县，以及不在以上区域的全部乡镇农村中学也首次纳入“自强计划”候选人推荐考察行列。上海交通大学和浙江大学也将加入清华联合“自强计划”自主选拔。同时，清华大学自强计划还将考虑招收北京规划的生态涵养区和城市发展新区专项招生计划。这里想强调的是“自强计划”是“新百年计划”的三个组成部分之一。自强计划出发点很好，非常好，面对贫困地区招收和培养人才，然后反哺生源区，使其发展紧紧跟上国家发展步伐。但是在“自主”招生的过程中，希望不要发生所谓招收了贫困地区，或国家贫困县的学生，而出现照顾关系户等情况发生。而且为贫困地区培养人才是不是可以考虑结合哪里来哪里去的政策。否则，失去了在这些区域招收学生的初衷，没有人愿意看到清华学子你追我赶奋发向上过程中，由于降低60分而进入校门最后跟不上课程进度的情况，我们有前车之鉴。

November 23, 2013

The PRC has drawn a line in the East China Sea and has essentially created a Sea Power struggle in Southeast Asia. Today, Beijing announced the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of China and encompassing the controversial islands - Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan; demanding that aircraft in the demarcation area gain Chinese permission before entering the zone. But the zone includes islands claimed by Japan. How will the Japanese react? Who will rule the seas in Southeast Asia?

November 22, 2013

The Supreme Court of China has ruled that Chinese officials must stop torturing confessions out of suspects. The Supreme Court has also ordered the lower courts to disallow evidence obtained by torture in an attempt to promote fair justice. This decision by the High Court comes following the Third Plenum of the Communist Party at which Beijing leaders pledged many reforms across China aimed at improving the socio-economic lives of Chinese. Moreover, the court's ruling comes on the heels of a decision by the Communist Party to abolish the some 320 labor camps in China.

As reported by the BBC, the document released by the Supreme Court also made it clear that "courts should remain independent, must follow legal procedure and should not become involved in police investigations."

So with the abolition of labor camps and an outlawing of torture, will China's conviction rate of accused persons remain in the high nineties range? Possibly; for until the whole judicial system is reformed from bottom to top with respect accorded the rights of individuals, the same old decades- long processes of legal tangles and sure conviction rates will continue to plague China and they will continue to raise the radar of global human rights activists.

But kudos to the Supreme Court for making a publicly "look-good" statement and here's to hoping a true attempt will be made to institute the court's ruling.

November 21, 2013

By H. M.

三中全会后，《决定》被关注程度最高的是退休年龄问题，即延迟退休政策成为现实。《决定》明确提出，研究制定渐进式延迟退休年龄政策、实现基础养老金全国统筹、划转部分国有资本充实社会保障基金、推进机关事业单位养老保险制度改革以及适时适当降低社会保险费率五大有关社保的重大问题。

退休年龄的延迟，不仅是涉及面广，影响比较大，而且非常之敏感，搞好了，可以节约支出，减少资金缺口，反之将引发百姓不满，社会不稳，社保支出难以保障。一次同时出台几项政策可见中央对养老问题的重视，真是到了必须解决的时刻了。这些政策出台，既可以发挥一下可利用的人才资源，又可以增长养老统筹基金。据统计，退休年龄每延长一年，可以增长40亿养老统筹基金，减少支出160， 这样国家可以减缓资金缺口200亿元。

因此，《决议》提出了“分配秩序、透明预算、城乡整合、精算平衡、降低费率、减免和延期征税，国企红利用于社会保障，以及完善社会保障管理体制和经办机构”等一揽子计划。

基础养老金不进行全国统筹终将导致各地养老基金收支与结余不平衡，会引发缴费不公，责任分担失衡，资金余缺并存以及运行成本居高不下等系列问题。其实建立合理的养老结构才是最难和最关键的环节。一是实现基础养老金全统筹，即保险全国统筹、机关事业单位统筹、城乡居民统筹等机制，为养老金并轨打开通道；二是完善个人账户，保护受益人权益。同时规范资本市场，制定合理的投资策略实现保值增值才能让养老储蓄者分享收益成果，放心缴费，积极缴费，积极参与养老保险。

据了解，人社部已将延迟退休年龄、养老金统筹、养老制度并轨，社保缴费费率等问题纳入到了下一步社保改革的重要内容。希望社会保障改革早日落实，养老金与推迟退休政策完美结合，让退休职工待遇有保障，让那些独生子女不再为父母养老发愁，使“老有所养”的笑颜展现在那三个亿退休或将要退休国人的脸上。

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Chinese President and another former President is under investigation by a Spanish Court for genocide. Also arrest warrants have been issued for four other former Chinese government officials for genocide in Tibet.

Spain's National Court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, former Prime Minister Li Peng, former police chief Qiao Shi, former Communist Party official in Tibet Chen Kuiyan and former family planning Minister Pen Pelyun. The Court also signaled that recent President Hu Jintao was under investigation. All the cases involve alleged genocide of Tibetans.

In response to the Spanish Court warrants, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing firmly opposes the Court's decision and he urged Spain to repair "the severe damage."

November 20, 2013

By H. M.

建设美丽中国。

三中全会印证了人们的预测，也回应了中国民众对生态文明建设的期待。会议提出建立系统完整的生态文明制度体制，用制度保护生态环境。划定生态保护红线，实行资源有偿使用制度和生态补偿制度，改革生态环境保护管理体制。这次改革注重了系统性、整体性、协同性，党中央强调了生态文明“五位一体”的地位，即加快发展社会主义市场经济、民主政治、先进文化、和谐社会、生态文明。未来，无论是耕地保护制度，还是财税制度改革，都会体现生态文明的科学理念。前期已经开展的碳排放权、排污权、水权交易等试点也有望扩大范围。重要的是，本次会议提出的建设美丽中国的全新理念，提升了全民生活幸福感。

实现美丽中国梦，不仅仅是国家的战略，更是每个中国人的美好理想和期望。建设生态文明，除制订和完善国家法律制度，也少不了每个国民的力量。因此在制度建设的同时，加强生态文明教育，养成，相应的意识要深入每个国民的心中，时大家建立起生态价值意识、生态消费意识、生态伦理意识、生态审美意识……想自己的国家美丽如画，环境幽雅，不仅国家要有制度，国民也要做生态文明的国民，全国一条心，上下齐努力，美丽中国梦指日可待！

Another day has past since the conclusion of the Third Plenum in Beijing, yet the PRC has failed to issue any communiques with direct reference to the Uyghurs in Xinjiang province. Contrastingly, the PRC has said it will develop a new internal security committee. Until Beijing acknowledges the fact that there is a disgruntle situation in resource-rich Xinjiang, violent incidents of the kind witnessed this year in the province will continue and will evolve to adapt to Beijing's continued heavy-handedness. The Uyghurs and other minority groups in China, who fear the erosion of their religion and culture, all have legitimate concerns with Beijing and until Beijing addresses these issues, development and investment in Xinjiang will be hampered by acts of violence, and should they continue over time, will chase foreign investors out of the region because of the level of violence. 

November 19, 2013

Facing an increase in internal security issues, how will the PRC meet the challenges? Coming out of the Third Plenum, the Communist Party proposed the creation of an internal security committee, but how will this committee address the concerns in Xinjiang Province? The facts bluntly dispute that Beijing's heavy handed tactics in dealing with extremists of the region have worked. On the other hand Beijing's actions against the Uyghur minority appears to have radicalized some elements of the Muslim society in the region. Thus Beijing, to retain the peace and stability of the resource rich Xinjiang province, needs to establish an early dialogue with the Uyghur people well ahead of President's Xi New Silk Road.

By H. M.

正在湖南卫视和央视一套黄金时间热播的电视剧《咱们结婚吧》讲述一位黄金剩女与一位恐婚男之间，如何消除心理障碍和心中困惑而终成眷属的爱情故事。

《咱们结婚吧》之所以引起全社会关注，在央视黄金时间热播，是因为对于结婚人们有各自不同的理解，反映了社会现实。恐婚症结婚以男女主演的感情戏为主线，同时多条辅线相配合，涉及到恐婚、剩女、相亲等时下的社会热点话题。之所以受欢迎更是反映了年轻人当下的真实生活状态与心态。

过去的中国，单身似乎不可能，超过一定年龄，别说自己、家长、朋友邻居急，就是单位领导都帮助张罗对象。组织上感觉如果你不结婚，必然影响工作，似乎不结婚就没法生活下去。进入21世纪，年轻人生活更加独立，特别是思想独立，个性解放，当然也有来自社会、家庭、工作、婚姻、以及生活等各方面的压力，所以晚婚，恐混或不婚，是必然的社会现象。尤其是中国发展的转型期，大家都在忙，忙工作、忙学习、忙晋升、忙挣钱，就是没有时间忙自己的婚事。随之，这样那样的影响使得大家安全感指数降低了，幸福感指数降低了，人际关系的不确定性也让人产生犹豫，该不该结婚？不结婚行不行。

其实说到底，随着社会发展与进步和人民生活水平提高，人们对婚姻的期望值高于以前，使人感到现实离理想还是有一段距离。因为人类不是那么浪漫，光靠爱情远远不够，还需要一定经济基础等物质上考虑，因此婚姻又涉及什么房子，车子、票子，职务，家庭条件等。加之中国历史文化根源，门当户对，什么结婚是两家人的结合等等赋予了更沉重的东西在这个“结婚”本来很简单的概念上。

对于家有大龄美女，适龄帅哥的家长好好看看这部电视剧，也许你会对时下的风尚有所了解，改变一下对孩子另一半的要求和期待，产生“咱们结婚吧”的心动。否则即使放开“二胎”生育政策，他们恐婚或者就是不结婚，“中国的人口生产力”也是个大问题。

November 18, 2013

By H. M.

户籍制度改革是《中共中央关于全面深化改革若干重大问题的决定》10大看点之一。本次户籍改革主要精神是，推进农业转移人口市民化，逐步把符合条件的农业人口转为城镇居民。具体讲就是：全面放开建制镇和小城市落户制；有序放开中等城市落户限制；合理确定大城市落户条件（严格控制大城市人口规模）。

城镇化改革进行多年来，人口的城镇化主要两方面：一是剥离附在户籍上的各种社会福利安排，缩小并逐步取消不同户籍身份间的差别；二是放开户籍迁移和准入通道，直接将流动人口纳入城市社保和公共服务体系。

此次三中全会思路不仅仅是农村户口转为城镇居民，重要的还在于：户口落在城镇，同时相应的参加城镇的住房与社保体系，使在农村参加的“养老保险”和“医疗保险”能够规范地、顺利地纳入城镇社保体系里来。因此户籍改革本身就体现出本次改革的中心点---多层次、全方位（全面改革）。今后无论城镇居民、农村居民均享有公平机会和公平的权利，这是中国今后一段时期目标和努力方向，也为城镇化奠定了可操作的基础。

解决了农民转移的户口问题，也使这些流入城镇人口的公共服务问题解决了。改革提升和改善了对流动人口的服务水平，也将提高这些流动人口（流入人口）的素质。改善了社会治安，也推动了社会进步与保障了社区的和谐。希望细则早日出台，条件制定符合实际，农民放心，城镇居民安心。

Yet another violent event has occurred in Xinjiang Province China which has resulted in 11 deaths - two policemen and nine axe-wielding attackers. The event in Serikbuya Township, Bachu County, Kashgar Prefecture in Xinjiang, according to reports, involved a gang of knife and axe wielders who surrounded a police station, killed two policemen, injured another two, before they were ambushed and killed by a SWAT team. Beijing has blamed most of the violence in Xinjiang on separatists of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement(ETIM). Xinjiang is home to the Chinese minority Uyghur people who are predominantly Muslim.

On October 28, Beijing branded as a terror attack by the ETIM an event at Tiananmen Square that killed five and injured 40.

Of note here is the frequency of events said to be involving the ETIM, which were averaging one event every two to three months, to less than 30 days now. If this stat holds true, then another event could be forthcoming by the end of December.

November 16, 2013

By G. B.

三中全会《决定》：启动实施“单独”生育二胎政策

“坚持计划生育的基本国策，启动实施一方是独生子女的夫妇可生育两个孩子的政策，逐步调整完善生育政策，促进人口长期均衡发展。” 2013 年11月15日《中共中央关于全面深化改革若干重大问题的决定》的提出，宣布了这一人口与生育政策的重大调整。

分析人士指出，此举标志着中国逐步放开严控生育政策，向“放开二胎”过渡，这是中国人口和生育政策适应经济社会发展形势所作出的重大调整。

20世纪70年代初以来中国政府开始大力推行计划生育；1978年以后计划生育成为中国的一项基本国策。中国人口出生率由1970年的33.4%，下降到2012年的12.1%；人口自然增长率由1970年的25.8%，下降到2012年的4.95%，是世界平均水平的一半。实行“单独二胎”政策将使中国人口结构更为健康、完善，中国人口的超低生育率已延续20年之久。

人口问题和劳动力老龄化始终是影响中国全国协调可持续发展的重大问题，是影响中国经济社会发展的重要因素。中国 人口众多的基本国情没有根本改变，人口对经济、社会、资源、环境的压力将长期存在。如何均衡人口结构，老龄化和经济发展始终是一项艰巨的任务。

As promised, the PRC has initiated many policy reforms aimed at improving the social and economic life of Chinese. Notably, the government has proposed to reform its "One-Child" policy. The prior policy which had been in placed since the 1970s, allowed families, where both partners were an only child, to have a second child. Now, only one partner need be an only child to be permitted to have a second child.

This policy reform was a must for the PRC for the Chinese population is aging quickly. Fourteen percent of the Chinese population is now over 60. By 2050, thirty-three percent of the population is expected to be over 60. Also against the background that the Chinese workforce is declining by some 3.4 million persons a year, China faces an almost demographic collapse according to Elizabeth Economy, a Chinese Policy analyst with the Council on Foreign Relations. Ms. Economy has told Al Jazeera that the Chinese policy might be "too little, too late."

Ms. Economy cited a large number of Chinese being dependent on social services by 2050 and that such a shift would strain the Chinese social system.

So, how many more people are expected to procreate in China? Estimates are that some one to two million news births will be recorded each year. Will it be enough to enough to solve China's aging crisis? Maybe this particular second child reform will have to be amended to allow the population growth China needs to attain.

But kudos to Beijing for recognizing a looming problem and for taking some steps to rectify the impending demographic problem.

By H. M.

70年代以来中国由于计划生育政策少生了4亿多人口，人口自然增长率从1970年25.8% 下降到2012年的4.95%，只有世界平均水平的一半。最大程度减轻了人口增长对资源和环境的影响，同时也为世界人口推迟进入70亿作出了应有的贡献。

“未富先老”；劳动力短缺；独生子女家庭养老问题，即到2020年将近3个亿 60多岁的老年人需要照顾；男女婴儿出生比例失调，同时历年来低生育水平降低了中国经济的潜在增长率…… 这些、那些都是为什么本次三中全会出台 ”单独”（即夫妻只要一方为独生子女就可以生育两胎）政策的必要性。

新政策出台后，未来中国的主要家庭结构将向着幸福的4口之家迈进，你的孩子不再孤独，人们不必要再担心只能生一个而去人为选择男孩。那些因为男孩、女孩比例失调而发愁娶不到老婆的事情未来不是问题了。因为男孩多，女孩少，很多不得不到越南买老婆，娶俄罗斯小姐的事情只会是个人喜好或时尚，跟国家计生政策无关了。

但是，目前计划生育仍然是中国的基本国策，不是想生几个就生几个，是随着国情会逐步调整和放开的。试点过程中不少沿海发达省份，很多夫妇即使符合政策并不一定想生二胎，因为养育成本、保育条件以及幼儿教育等都在考虑之中。因此新政策固然好，更期盼各项措施、社会服务等也能跟得上，使中国人口能够长期均衡发展，国家更兴旺，人民得

November 15, 2013

Food cultivation, production and distribution are crucial to the sustained development of any nation. To achieve such goals, Nations must ameliorate the lives and opportunities of famers who toil the soils everyday to feed the World. The PRC has identified this important aspect as it pertains to China's continued development and economic growth; and following the recently concluded Third Plenum, Beijing has announced land reforms designed to allocate more rights to the land to farmers. As reported by China's CCTV, under current law, rural land is collectively owned by the farmers even though it's uncertain who actually owns the land - village, county or town. Farmers use the land but do not have rights to sell or develop said land.

Now, the PRC has said such land will be sold on the market and in pilot projects across some Chinese Provinces and Municipalities, farmers have been allowed to lease and sell land without changing the land use.

As the reforms become more defined overtime, it is possible that credit, something that has alluded many farmers, could now be given individual farmers as a percentage of the cooperative he/she occupies. In this way individual farmers could make decisions that best suite market forces and the needs and aspirations of individual farmers.

Then, Farmer Lee could recognize the demand for pigs and switch his cultivation of soy beans to pig farming. Contrastingly, Farmer Wang, who has grown old and weary of the land and wants to join his new University grad son in the city could sell his portion of the collective land and complete his trek to urbanization.

However it is done, the PRC recognition of the rights of rural farmers should be applauded. Good luck farmers. Continue to feed the World.

By. H.M.

三中全会要点之一是加强和完善城镇化体制机制,赋予农民更多财产权利。让广大农民平等参与现代化进程，分享改革开放现代化成果。在目前中国土地所有制一是属于国有，二是属于集体的情况下，农民作为集体成员对土地具有所有权。过去30年来法律方面对集体部分有权使用、支配、或拥有转换等是不够明确的。如果此次三中全会所讲能够让农民拥有更多财产权，那么目前在部分省份进行的试点，让宅基地、农民自留地、农民承包地---农民以此为生的生产和生活资料，能够以某种形式在市场上流转形成收益，保障农民的生活确实勾画了未来中国农民的美好蓝图。

住房可以买卖、抵押和出租，集体建设用地自由流转、让被限制的承包地、住房、宅基地流动起来，的确是好事。但是在试点过程中随意占用耕地、出让、转让出租用于非农建设，随意改变建设用途等应该尽可能减少，虽然难以避免。

希望试点后出台的实施意见能够克服这些弊端，同时在土地流转过程中使农民不吃亏，不希望出现土地低价出让后农民既失去土地，生活又没有着落的情况。让我们寄予美好期望，希望实施细则尽快出台，增加农民收入，保障农民权益，惠及广大百姓。政策好，关键在执行！

November 14, 2013

By H. M.

改革解决了35年来中国在发展中的一系列问题。此次三中全会让百姓松了一口气的是，习总在党外人士、工商联领导人座谈会上的表态，即国务院已经部署各项政策要兑现。正如你、我所关注的，我们希望会议开得成功，更希望各项措施落到实处。至于广大中国老百姓，他们关心的是政府的承诺，更关心的是承诺如何兑现，各项保障怎么落实，生活如何改善，日子过得更好！

希望政府在制度建设、民生保障和环境保护、污染治理等方面措施得力、可操作，落到实处。

希望政府不仅承诺，而且要兑现百姓们对本届领导的美好期待。希望本届政府能够顶住压力，克服阻力，开启动力。从根本上解决中国现阶段的问题、改革中的难题。加强国际合作，与世界人民友好往来，互惠互利，互相支持。不辜负百姓信任，让世界刮目相看！中国梦指日可待，习总大胆往前走！！！

November 13, 2013

Last week I wrote of what might actually be offered the Uyghurs following the Plenum of the Central Committee and I suggested "naught". Apparently I was wrong. Even though all the polices proposed by the Chinese leadership are yet to be made public, this little fact we now know: there will be a new committee to manage internal security within China. And in lieu of any revelations of any new policies and of any new reforms directly effecting the Uyghurs and similar minorities within China, I'm afraid but the Uyghurs get this new committee, which was obviously created to monitor groups Beijing deem problematic to the security of China. But the Uyghurs and other minority groups need not worry immediately, for tomorrow might bring news of a policy disclosure granting them greater autonomy. 

By H. M.

国家安全委员会的成立是一个积极的信号：对内安定兴旺，对外强大不容外侵。中国，作为一个大国，一个在世界政治、经济、国防安全方面举足轻重的的国家，成立国安委，非常有必要。在世界政治经济局势日益复杂的情况下，对内可以维护国家稳定，保障民生安全。同时有利于世界和平，亚太安宁。该组织成立后可以更好地配合国际反恐行动，特别是应对网络安全以及一些周边国家的挑衅很有利。

作为一个全新的，崭新的机构，需要积极学习先进国家的好经验，尽可能快的完善这个组织，使它尽早捍卫国家主权，发挥应有作用。同时希望它更积极用于对外战略研究和规划，而不是重点放在国内维稳方面。只要十八届三中全会后出台的《决定》，其方向正确，受人民拥护，被百姓支持，迎合全体人民的需求和呼声，国泰民安，自然而然！没有这个机构也不会乱。更希望这个机构不要成为新的“权利”机构。

November 12, 2013

By H. M.

十八届三中全会胜利闭幕了。《决定》将于近日面世。改革目的是惠及中国人民，特别是普通百姓。无论是土地改革，税收改革，金融改革，收入分配改革，户口改革，养老保险等等。总之，我们希望这次改革清晰点，可操作点，让我们拭目以待。

如果利益格局调整最终成为一句空话，那么未来中国，特别是大陆的“恐怖事件，类似撞金水桥，炸省委等不会减少。希望出台的<决定>能够得人心，切合实际，符合国情，成为开启未来中国成长发展的又一里程碑！

November 11, 2013

Free Bo Xilai! I wanted to be the first to disclose this mantra, for as I have written before, I have never met Bo Xilai, but there are matters concerning his fall from power and grace that appear to merit another look. Was he framed? Was he the victim of a materialistic and scorned woman? Did he fight the wrong fights? Anyhow, Bo Xilai holds a special place within my heart for he seemed to be a champion of the poor and the forgotten; the groups on whose behalf I have sworn to advocate.

Apparently, I am not the only one who feels this way; for the news out of China today is that supporters of Bo have now named him Chairman of a new party, the Zhi Xian Party. In this highly unusual move, since the Communists Party holds a monopoly in China, the supporters of Bo have told the BBC News that they were inspired to form the new party following Bo's trial.

A brave University Professor, Wang Zheng, says the party she has founded will act in a similar manner to a special interest group, calling for the Chinese constitution to be upheld and for income inequality to be tackled.

Ms. Wang told the BBC the party was inspired by Bo's work to help the poor. Bo, though imprisoned, has been named Honorary Chairman.

News reports suggest Ms. Wang is already feeling the heat from the government for such a brave move in China, her home is under police surveillance. "I have confidence that what I am doing is not illegal and most of the people I am in touch with, including the security police, they are actually nice people," Ms. Wang has stated.

We take off our hats to you Ms. Wang. May you find grace and success in championing the good of the people.

November 10, 2013

Another sign of Beijing's attempt to control World opinion of China is its recent denial of a resident visa for a veteran American journalist. Paul Mooney of Thomson Reuters who had been waiting eights months for an answer concerning his visa, was informed of the denial on Friday with Beijing offering no reasons for the denial. Mooney has reported from Beijing for the past 18 years. As reported by the New York Times, tension between the Foreign Press and China has been rising because China "has been using its economic clout, the issuance of visas and Internet controls to express displeasure with coverage it deems unflattering."

For the past year, China has blocked the websites of the New York Times and Bloomberg News in China following the publication of both news houses of investigative articles detailing the wealth accumulated by relatives of top Chinese leaders.

How should Washington react to Beijing's censorship of American media? Last time I checked I could still access Shanghai Daily and CCTV right here in Washington, DC. Maybe it's high time someone plays Beijing's game with Beijing. Do unto Beijing as Beijing has done unto America. What about American Colleges and Universities? Let's consider.

November 8, 2013

The Chinese Dream...that no major political reforms will come out of the Third Plenum of the CPC's Central Committee; what could Xi Jinping offer the average Chinese to satisfy their dreams and to keep them in line for the next couple of year? The Chinese Dreams of freedom of speech, uncensored Internet and media will not factor on the Central Committee's agenda.
So, after much boring economic talk of market reforms and opening up and deepening of the financial sector; topics not digestible by the Chinese lay person, we submit the following as Xi's overture to the average Chinese:
Medical - an easing of hospital registration and possible cross-province liberalization to allow treatment at most hospitals;
Hukou - amnesty for business owners in the cities where they have plied for 10 years or more, possible easing of access to schools for the children of migrant workers in the cities they work;
One Child Policy - easing of this policy to benefit those in the higher income brackets;
Environment - a phased in long term plan to control emissions from industry.
Uyghurs - you get naught. We hope you are given greater autonomy for self determination, but we do not think Mr. Xi will mention you. We hope that next week we can return to these pages and write of Beijing's grand offers to include the Uyghurs in the continued development of Xinjiang, but for now, we will not hold our breaths.
These are just our conclusions, maybe the average Chinese will get lucky with Mr. Xi's actual offerings. We shall see. Good luck.

November 7, 2013

Market-driven economic overhauls reinforcing the Communist Party's dictation of political and ideological control over the people of China are expected to dominate this Saturday's plenum of the CPC's Central Committee.

But the Committee will be meeting at a time when within the past 10 days two deadly events within China were orchestrated obviously to get the Party's attention. Yet Beijing, while aware of these events and their implications, is forging ahead with a themed vision of economic overhaul, healthy sustained growth by encouraging more market competition, private business, financial liberalization and individual consumption.

Since taking the helm of the 1.3 billion people nation, Xi Jinping has carried out acts to reinforce ideological conformity, tighten censorship of the Internet and media as well as to rid the country of liberal political thoughts. But at some point in time, China must undergo a reality check. Many people are dissatisfied with the current system; peasants complain of the growing wealth of the elite, contrasted against their decline. Minorities seek greater determination and Beijing seems to be casting a blind eye to these real concerns.

As reported by the New York Times, Wu Wei, a former aide to the Central Party who was involved in the planning of China's market overhauls in the 1980s, declares: "There are inescapable contradictions that Xi Jinping will have to face...In one hand, they're holding up the leftist banner. On the other hand, they say there must be reform...They don't show any desire to take on political issues, but if you don't take on issues at the political level, most of the economic reform measures will fall apart before they're complete."

I suffice from Mr. Wu's comments that should China continue to ignore political reforms, then political issues will inevitably effect the economic system, thus grinding progress to an end.

Freedom of the press, uncensored access to the Internet, freedom of political ideology and land reforms are paramount to sustaining a strong China. China's economic strength has come from cheap labor, not from any great technological innovations; and as China attempts to diverse itself from its past, glitches will emerge. Domestic consumption will not be enough to sustain China and the creation of "super cities" to drive such consumption holds better sway in theory than in practicality. Good luck PRC.

November 6, 2013

A number of small bombs have exploded in the northern city of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. Reports out of China are that the home-made bombs exploded outside the provincial offices of the Communist Party. One person has been killed and eight reported injured in the incident on Wednesday.

China is changing quickly and indications are that the PRC must now confront 21st century problems faced by developing nations.

November 5, 2013

When the Third Plenary session of the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China Central Committee meets on November 9, Uyghurs worldwide will be watching to determine China's policies toward their unique home of Xinjiang province in the next 10 years.

Self determination for Uyghurs is the aspiration of Mr. Alim Seytoff, president of the Uyghur American Association in Washington, DC. Mr. Seytoff submits that Uyghurs have been denied participation in the collected wealth out of Xinjiang soils. He adds that the jobs created and maintained by China's economic boom within the Uyghur Autonomous Region have all been doled to Han Chinese leaving Uyghurs with college degrees to sweep the streets.

As I stood with Mr. Seytoff in his humble offices in Washington, DC, I got the sense of a committed man - a man committed to the lands of his foreparents, a man committed to raising the social, economic and political welfare of his Uyghur people; but also a man frustrated by history and by the current state of affairs of Uyghurs especially in light of the recent allegation by Beijing that the perpetrators of the recent terrorist event in China were Uyghurs.

Mr. Seytoff declares there are no terrorists in Xinjiang and that repeated claims of a group named by Beijing as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement operating within Xinjiang are false; that past incidents of violence within the province have been the work of frustrated individuals and not by a colluding group. He, however admits that such a group once existed in the early 2000s, but that group has since dissipated with the death of its leader by Pakistani forces in 2003.

As to the future, Mr. Seytoff emphasized self determination for the Uyghur, real jobs and a stake in the wealth of the region.

So when China's bosses meet next week, the PRC might just determine that heavy-handed tactics against minorities, as history has taught in Europe and in the new World, as Mr. Seytoff points out, doesn't work.

To the Uyghurs, Beijing could offer a seat at a new table for inclusiveness and cooperation on mutually desired economic and social stability along a new Silk Road for prosperity for all. Good luck Uyghurs!

November 4, 2013

China has replaced the military commander in Xinjiang Province following last Monday's crash in Beijing allegedly by Xinjiang terrorists. As reported by the BBC, General Peng Yong has been dismissed from his post as a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party of Xinjiang. Chinese security in Xinjiang is said to be the tight and the dismissal of General Peng suggests Beijing intends to get even more heavy handed in Xinjiang, home of the Uyghurs and the apparent base of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement separatists blamed by Beijing for last Monday's deadly event.

November 2, 2013

The Chinese government has determined that the terrorist attacked in Beijing on Monday was carried out by the East Turkestan Islamic Movement(ETIM), which according to Meng Jianzhu, chief of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, "is entrenched in central and western Asia regions." But Chinese and exiled Uyghurs have urged caution against rushing to judgment because Chinese findings "cannot be accepted as facts without an independent and international investigation", Rebiya Kader, leader of the World Uyghur Congress told the BBC.

Activists have accused Beijing of carrying on a campaign of repression to weaken the religious and cultural traditions of the Uyghur minority.

Sean Roberts of the Elliott School for International Affairs at George Washington University, DC, claims that Beijing exaggerates the threat from Uyghur separatists and groups.(More to come in the days ahead)

November 1, 2013

The International Uighur community is skeptical as to Beijing's determination that last Monday's event at Tiananmen Square was orchestrated purposely by Uighurs. Alim Seytoff, president of the Washington, DC, based Uyghur American Association has told Al Jazeera that Beijing may use the crash to legitimize alleged cultural genocide in Xinjiang. As to the driver of the vehicle, Mr. Seytoff questioned: "If he was a terrorist, why would he bring his wife and mother?" He has also questioned why it took Beijing three days to come up with an explanation as to what happened that fateful day.

October 31, 2013

Beijing yesterday confirmed that the event at Tiananmen Square on Monday was a terrorist event and the government confirmed five arrests in connection with the deadly attack. Beijing has blamed the East Turkistan Islamic Movement based in Xinjiang for the attack.

October 30, 2013

The 'pigs have left the pens' and now China faces a dilemma. No farmer likes to see his pigs breech their pens and trod into their cash crops. That's why farmers take good care of their sows, hogs and piglets - feeding, medicating and penning his swine. For a number of years, Beijing has failed to rectify and understand the complex diversity and problems of minorities in Northwest Xinjiang Province - where on June 26, 2013, 24 policemen and civilians and 13 militants were killed in an attack. Now Beijing is tight lipped about the circumstances surrounding Mondays SUV event at the scared Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square because evidence appear to point to the event as being deliberate allegedly by Uighurs, who have now left Xinjiang and are taking their violent demonstration against Beijing to Beijing. Thus, the 'pigs have now left the pens' and China has to decide how to re-pen them or how to make them happy. The event on Monday involved the vehicle leaving the roadway over a barrier, travelling along a pedestrian path while willfully plowing down people as it sped toward Tiananmen Gate. After jumping the curb, the vehicle traveled some 400 yards before it caught on fire. Five people were killed and 38 injured. Following the event police canvassed Beijing hotels for registered Uyghurs staying since October 1 st. Police have since named one suspect according to Al Jazeera and his home province happens to be Xinjiang.

October 29, 2013

On China Today in our September 25, 2013 post, we briefly mentioned future security concerns facing China. We named Xinjiang province as a place China would have to place attention. Yesterday, following the event at Tiananmen Square, police named two suspects from Xinjiang. Even though Chinese media is down playing the incident - described in Chinese media as a traffic accident, the BBC reports that "following Monday's crash, police issued a notice to hotels in Beijing, seeking information about two people from Xinjiang province." The police note also included a description of a vehicle and four license plates from Xinjiang. China is not immune to terror events. There's still much work to be done to ensure such events do not fester.

October 28, 2013

An event occurred at Tiananmen Square today in which five people have been killed and some 38 injured. China state media refers to the event as an accident, which involved a jeep crashing, burning and killing three of its occupants along with two people at Tiananmen Square. The other casualties were at Tiananmen Square.  

October 25, 2013

Today, the Shandong Higher People's Court rejected the appeal of Bo Xilai, thus upholding his original sentence of life imprisonment for bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power. So long Bo - it would have been interesting and a pleasure to observe your approach on leading China in an evolving World. It would have been interesting to observe and contrast your style and your vision for a new China especially with respect to peasants and the poor. Gone now are the aspirations of a charismatic man - a man, who possessed a peoples-link to the underclasses in the PRC. He could have been an interesting link between the haves and the have nots in China in the testy times ahead. Now China is without the Bo alternative. Nothing here must be construed as taking away from the current President Xi, but it would have been interesting to see China with Bo as part of the decision- makers. A man too ambitious? A man scorned by a materialistic woman? A man who chose the wrong battles at the wrong time? A man with enemies more powerful than he thought? A corrupt man? History is now one-sided in terms of its judgment of you Bo. In the coming years, maybe on careful reflection, possibly you may write to shine light on exactly what went wrong. On accomplishing such a feat, maybe history could have a re-assessment of you; and your writings could help future generations serve the people in the best capacity possible. Serve your time with dignity and honor Bo, be well. We will pray for you. You could have been a true contender.

October 24, 2013

Tomorrow, we look forward to a fair and just appeal into the case of Bo Xilai before the Shandong People's Court.

October 23, 2013

"Please Release Him"...the headline of the New Express Newspaper from Guangzhou, Guangdong, calling for the release from Hunan police custody of journalist Chen Yongzhou. He has been arrested and detained by police for stories written about a state part-owned construction equipment company, Zoomlion. On the heels of the United Nations human rights council criticism of China over its human rights record, here comes another example of China stretching its control over the populace. The times, they're a changing...it's been long, but how long is long enough, the people they're a changing...  

October 22, 2013

The United Nations human rights council has criticized China over its human rights record. Members of the council have raised concern over the arrest of dissidents, the use of the death penalty and the use of torture in prisons. According to the BBC, Chinese officials have said major progress has been made in improving social and economic rights and that more people have access to healthcare and education, while incomes have risen. But a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch counters that China's focus on economic progress was a way of avoiding the real issues. The United Nations is expected to deliver a report on China later this week.

October 21, 2013

Smog in Northeast China has closed roads, airports and schools in Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces. In some places, visibility because of the unhealthy smog was less than 50 meters.

On Friday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m. the Shandong Higher People's Court will hear an appeal in the case of Bo Xilai. He was convicted of bribery, embezzlement and the abuse of power. Was he the victim of a materialistic and scorned wife? Was he fingered on faulty self-preservation testimony from his former chief of police? The odds are against Bo, China has a plus 99 percent conviction rate of accused persons. But I'm pulling for you Bo. Good luck! You could have been one with a positive impact upon history, now you battle just to see the sky. A sad loss.

Police in Dongguan, Guangdong province are finally investigating the claims of wheelchair-bound Beijing Airport bomber, Ji Zhongxing, 33, who was sentenced to 6 years in jail last week for an explosion at the airport on July 20, 2013. Ji has always maintained that his actions were to draw attention to his plight that he was unjustly disabled by police in Guangdong in an incident there 2005.

October 20, 2013

Administrators at United States Institutions of higher learning must call a summit to reassess their cooperation and their agreements with Chinese Universities especially in light of the recent censoring of Peking University Economics Professor Xia Yeliang. American colleges must not sit by and let case by case of the censoring of fellow academics blow in the wind.

October 19, 2013

Four days ago we reported on China's censorship of democracy leaning academics and their punishment by the Communist Party. Yesterday, Communist Party officials at Peking University expelled economist Xia Yeliang, who has written in favor of democratic values. The BBC reports that his dismissal comes "as China's leaders have been tightening their control of the media and internet, arresting bloggers and activists." Professor Xia helped draft Chapter 08, a manifesto calling for political change in China. Professor Xia is also a friend of imprisoned 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. Professor Xia spent the 2012-13 academic year as a visiting scholar at Stanford University. Here's to hoping that American academia find a way to readdress its cooperation with Chinese Universities in light of this news.  

October 18, 2013

Too lenient? A Government official who was sentenced to a lenient 5-years in jail for raping a 4-year-old girl has been ordered retried by the Zhaotong City Intermediate People's Court. Shanghai Daily reports that the sentence was deemed too lenient by the public, thus Guo Yuchi, a government staff sizing manager, must be retried because of the easy sentence meted out by the Daguan County Court on September 24, 2013. Prosecutors appealed the easy sentence and the Court agreed to the retrial. 

October 17, 2013

After a very strong warning from the Chinese Foreign Ministry in opposition to the visit of any Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has apparently listen to voices of reason and he has not visited the Shrine, which seems to glorify Japan's militaristic past. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed resolute opposition to any Japanese leaders visiting the Shrine at any time, in any form and in any capacity.

October 16, 2013

Yesterday the PRC criticized the Dalai Lama for violating the rights of Tibetan children by offering up for adoption non-orphaned kids as orphans to Switzerland in the 1960s. Hua Chunying of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the "Dalai Lama's deeds have trampled on the children's individual rights and publicly violated common ethics and morality..."

October 15, 2013

By 2016, the year of the next Presidential Election in the United States of America, the World community will stop, re-examine and reassess its partnerships with China with a view for clarification of China's Human Rights record. Journalists, lawyers, academics and lay people whose writings the Communist Party deems subversive cannot be thrown in jail and forgotten while democratic countries of freedoms continue to ink bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements with China. Professors at universities who are jailed and censored for circulating proposed meetings to discuss reforms have been jailed, yet American universities among others continue to do business with Communist-administered Chinese Institutions of higher learning. American and European universities hold the key and the answer to this debacle: demand freedoms. With due respect to the Communist Party, you hold all the power in China, but should you want to continue your relationship with the World community, you must at least accord these "on paper subversives" the opportunity of exile to an accepting country as an alternative to a Chinese prison.

October 14, 2013

That the PRC's CCTV would report that mental health is a problem; then it must really be a problem in China. Reports indicate that some 8 percent, if not a higher ratio, of the Chinese population are mentally ill. As with touchy issues within China, the discussion surrounding this sensitive topic remains sensitive as concerns of shame emerge within families. But there is some talk to bring this matter to the fore. Good luck with that. 

October 13, 2013

With regards to the present survey seeking Chinese reaction to a possible change to National Holidays and their lengths; we opine the following:

New Years Day - a three-day holiday;

Spring Festival - 14 day holiday

Qing Ming Jie / Dragon Boat - eliminated or combined for a three-day holiday;

Mid-Autumn - 7-10 day holiday and combined with a new Grandparents Day holiday;

National Day -three day weekend.

Also no more 6-8 work days to compensate for a holiday. If nothing else, the Spring Festival should be extended to accommodate those who travel very far. Good luck China. 

October 12, 2013

On China Today, we will not underscore China's trade surplus contraction, nor will we underscore the 90 school children stricken with dysentery in Chongqing, neither shall we underscore the collapse of the unfinished bridge across the Yangtze River also in Chongqing nor shall we underscore the oil tanker explosion in Ningbo City; but we will underscore the story as reported by Shanghai Daily of the first Panda cub born in Taiwan learning to walk. What a cutie! The three-month-old cub, Yuan Zai(so zookeepers call her), is a resident of the Taipei City Zoo.

October 11, 2013

Chinese journalist Liu Hu has been arrested for blogging on governmental corruption and he has been charged with defamation in Chongqing. The BBC reports that Mr. Liu's attorney, Zhou Ze, has called the charge a speech crime and that the government could be retaliating against Mr. Liu because he had detailed specific allegations against many officials from different provinces. The question remains as to a journalist's freedom and right to investigate and report in contrast to a government's attempt to minimize criticism of the ruling party. Journalists and human rights group need to monitor Mr. Liu's case.

October 10, 2013

The word out of Shandong province is that the People's Court has granted an appeal in the case of Bo Xilai. He was recently sentenced to life imprisonment on corruption charges. However, though this writer has never met Bo Xilai, I feel a sense of compassion and regret for this man who could have been the present President of the People's Republic of China. Was he the victim of a scorned and materialistic woman? Was he the victim of his own aggressive corruption policies and campaigns? I know not the answer, but I pray for transparent justice at his appeal. I am impressed by very few people in this world, but Bo Xilai intrigues me. I get goose pimples each time I speak or write about him. That sensation impresses upon me a feeling that a man who could have made a profound meaningful difference in the lives of many people has been derailed in his aspirations and quests.

October 8, 2013

Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao has weighted in on the US financial debate concerning the debt ceiling. Not that the White House is waiting for a Chinese Vice Minister to determine its financial policy, but Mr. Zhu had this observation: "The Executive branch of the US Government has to take decisive and credible steps to avoid a default on its Treasury bond". Is this guy for real? What does he think President Obama and his Administration have been doing? Playing mahjong? Imagine a day when Washington will be advised by Beijing on running the US? Mr. Zhu added as reported by the BBC: "We hope the US fully understands the lessons of history..." referring the 2011 11th hour deal on the debt ceiling that hurt the US credit rating. Mr. Zhu shouldn't worry about the US and history because within our short written history as compared to the Vice Finance Minister's, we've done pretty well for we remember ours - both the good and the bad; but, does the Vice Finance Minister remember his? Does he remember Tiananmen Square for example or is his history selective? This had to be mentioned for when a Vice Minister addresses the Executive Branch of the US Government, he is out of his realm. The White House might not respond, but I will.

October 7, 2013

As President Xi continues his bilateral quests throughout Southeast Asia, China's robust economy continues to attract many foreign entities from arts to diamonds with major auction houses slating major projects in China.

October 4, 2013

The beauty that is China is exemplified in many of its natural landmarks like

Huang Guoshu Waterfall on the Baishui River, Anshun, Guizhou province. This water-sprayed lush beauty stands 255 feet tall and 331 feet wide. A popular tourist attraction with nationals at holidays as it was on Chinese National Day, October 1, 2013, Huang Guoshu Waterfall is a refreshing destination getaway.

October 3, 2013

Killer hornets are on the swarm in Shaanxi province, where since late July, some 42 people have died and some 1,675 injured from hornet stings. Apparently, September and October are the main breeding months for the venomous Asian giant hornet or the vespa mandarinia; and it is while breeding that these insects become very aggressive and very irritated by motions and some scents, according to CNN. So far, as CNN reported, 710 hives have been removed. Residents will have to be well aware of the insects for a while since they reportedly wouldn't go into hibernation until December.

October 3, 2013

Thanks to House of Representatives Republicans who have engulfed President Obama in pressing Budgetary issues at home in Washington, DC; China's President Xi appears to be enjoying a monopoly of the courtship for Southeast Asia. Yesterday, President Xi addressed a receptive Indonesian Parliament.  

October 2, 2013

The Chinese President Xi is in Jakarta, Indonesia today on a state visit. President Xi has been busy and on the road since taking office as he continues to promote Chinese trade through many bilateral agreements. Sooner or later, President Xi will have to negotiate more multi faceted agreements should China wish to be successful in sustaining strong economic growth.

October 1, 2013

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY!

Happy National Day to the People's Republic of China!

But last night, China Today was in Washington, DC at the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University, where "A Moving Sound" a beautifully acoustic-pleasing artistic instrumental, dance and voice performance was had by all thanks to an Asian fusion of songs and chants by Mia Hsieh, Scott Prairie, Yeh Po Tsen I Fang Chen and I Tung Pan.

September 25, 2013

Will the new 'Silk Road' westward through China to its Central Asian neighbors be the modern equivalent of the historic roads to Timbuktu? Will this new trade route in a post - 2014 Afghanistan be the pulse and life-line to sustain China's economic growth? The fact remains that new robust trade markets remain virgin west of China and Beijing intends to exploit these possibilities. But as China ventures along this route, matters of security will be a reason for concern within China especially in Xinjiang province and these concerns will undoubtedly extend across the border into Central Asia. However, these concerns will not be enough to deter Chinese expansion for Beijing seems knowledgeable to the fact that unless an organism expands, it dies.

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