The Observer

One Billion Couch Potatoes

2005-06-03T10:09:00.000-05:00

Chinese by the millions are channel surfing their way into the future. How reforms and the onslaught of new technologies are enhancing their ride.

The China Scapegoat

2005-06-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

A story by New York Times.

May 29, 2005
The China Scapegoat
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Beijing

The most important diplomatic relationship in the world is between the U.S. and China. It's souring and could get much worse.

Alas, the U.S. is mostly to blame for this. And the biggest culprit of all is the demagoguery of some Democrats in Congress.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to be angry with China's leaders, but its trade success and exchange rate policy are not among them. The country that is distorting global capital flows and destabilizing the world economy is not China but the U.S. American fiscal recklessness is a genuine international problem, while blaming Chinese for making shoes efficiently amounts to a protectionist assault on the global trade system.

In fact, China's pegged exchange rate has brought stability to Asia, and the Chinese boom has tugged Japan out of recession and increased prosperity worldwide. In recent years, China has supplied almost one-third of the growth in the global economy (measured by purchasing power), compared with the 13 percent that came from the U.S.

Moreover, the U.S. has a history of offering Asia economic advice that proves awful. U.S. pressure helped produce Japan's disastrous bubble economy and aggravated the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. So when American officials urge an adjustment in the yuan exchange rate, the Chinese should keep a hand on their wallets.

Over the last five years, President Bush has done an excellent job in managing relations with China - it's one of his very few successes in foreign policy - but lately he has engaged in protectionism. This month he reimposed quotas on certain Chinese textiles, and the Treasury warned China that it had better adjust its exchange rate or else.

Mr. Bush abandoned his principles because he was under attack from Democrats waving the bloody shirt of lost jobs. Sure, China's cheap yuan has cost us manufacturing jobs - but it has also led to a flood of Chinese capital to America, keeping interest rates low. If we blame China for lost American jobs in making shirts, we should credit it for new American jobs in banking and construction.

Americans are also unfair in accusing China of not stopping North Korea's nuclear program. The reality is that the North Koreans don't listen to the Chinese about anything, and many on each side look down on the other. Privately, some Chinese dismiss the North Koreans as "Gaoli bangzi" or Korean hillbillies. And fortified by a bit of liquor, North Koreans denounce Chinese as unscrupulous, money-grubbing traitors. Whenever I meet North Koreans, I tell them that the Chinese government doesn't like me - and my status soars.

China has been pushing hard in the last two years for a negotiated solution to the North Korean crisis, and it at least has a coherent policy on North Korea. That's more than you can say for the Bush administration.

One of the biggest risks for U.S.-China relations is the - very outside - chance that President Bush will order a military strike on the North Korean nuclear complex at Yongbyon. Most experts say that the resulting radiation leakage would probably not harm nearby countries, and in any case South Korea and Japan would be more at risk than China. But any hint that radiation had reached the Chinese coast would provoke anti-American fury across China.

There's a third big danger for U.S.-China relations, and this one is Beijing's fault: China's schools teach hatred of Japan, resulting in last month's street demonstrations in which Chinese protesters screamed slogans such as "Japanese must die."

The next act in the drama will unfold at sea. Japanese ships may start exploring disputed waters for oil and gas in the late summer or fall, perhaps with military escorts. China's leaders will then be under tremendous popular pressure to send China's own military vessels to block what Chinese will see as an armed Japanese incursion. And then Japan will ask the U.S. for help under the U.S.-Japan security treaty. ...

In the past, President Jiang Zemin protected the U.S.-Chinese relationship. But many Chinese scorned him as "qin Mei," or soft on the U.S. The new president, Hu Jintao, seems much less likely to go out on a limb to preserve good relations with the U.S.

So it's time for Americans to take a deep breath. Poisonous trade disputes with China will only aggravate the risks ahead, strengthen the hard- liners in Beijing and leave ordinary Chinese feeling that Americans are turning into China-bashers. Sadly, they'll have a point.

E-mail: nicholas@nytimes.com

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Everybody is busy these days

2005-05-10T00:29:00.000-05:00

China and South Korea is working to put pressure on North Korea. They want Kim Jong-Il and his colleagues to come back to negotiation table. By doing this, China and South Korea are sure can demonstrate their influence in East Asia since they can do what the United States can’t accomplish. That will certainly earn them credits.

Another topic that both countries take part in is Japan and its wartime history. In Moscow, when celebrating the 60th anniversary of World War Two, China’s President Hu Jintao and South Korean’s President Roh Moo Hyun agreed that Japan should have a correct view of its history.

Speaking of Japan’s wartime history, the anti-Japan anger goes on. It goes beyond physical form, and the new battle field is the Internet and sports games. Thousands of Chinese Internet surfers, joined by South Korean counterparts, send e-mails and requests to Japanese websites. The information volume soon overloads those Japanese servers, and eventually crash down the servers. It is exactly what the Red Hackers, Chinese hackers prefer this name, did to the U.S.-based websites in 2001.

Actually, besides the above, the fire has spread out on sports games. The Chinese authorities urged soccer fans to keep calm, and not to throw objects on Japanese soccer players and fans. Well, the fans did that when the two countries played in the finals of Asian Soccer Champion last year. But who can guarantee anything?

James Soong flied to Beijing to meet with President Hu. This is the second wave of the cross-striate communication of the high officials.

China is said to “rewrite” its history book to extol the role played by the Communist Party. This is ironic, especially after the government just criticized Japan for its distorted history book. In fact, who played a more important role in World War Two, the Communist Party or KMT, is a widely discussed issue on the Internet. At last, surfers settled with this answer: it doesn’t matter who was more important as long as they were fighting the Japanese invaders.

Yeah, I know, everybody is busy these days. Partly because it is the end of the semester.

Good luck to everyone, and thank you for visiting my blog. Wish to see you guys in the fall semester. So sad, that is my last semester in Roosevelt Unitversity.

China and South Korea: future allies?

2005-05-08T19:38:00.000-05:00

May 8 is Mother's Day, but that doesn't necessary mean everyone in the world will celebrate it.

Saturday, China called on Japan and South Korea to sign on a possible three-way free trade agreement, Japanese officials said. This the free trade agreement is believed to improve the tension among the three countries. This is a sign that China is releasing its goodwill to the neighbors, Japan and South Korea. Money and profit are still the maintream voice in the world, right?

Meanwhile, the leaders of China and South Korea met in Moscow and pledged to work to solve the North Korean nuclear bomb issue. China wants to be closer to South Korea, not only for North Korea, but also to confront with Japan in the future.

China won't talk to Chen Shui-bian

2005-05-03T15:30:00.000-05:00

China turned down Chen Shui-bian's,Taiwan president, proposal to hold a peace walk, unless he drops his idea of formal independence for the island.

As Lien Chan, President of KMT, finished his ice-breaking trip to mainland, Beijing government sent him a panda as a gift to the people in Taiwan. Several days later, the communication between the Taiwan strait will reach another peak: James Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, will visit mainland China. So, Chen Shui-bian is the only politician who is not welcomed and turned down by Beijing.

Beijing declared that it will soon allow its residents to visit Taiwan. Surely it is good, since tourists will spend a lot of many in the tiny island. And the spoekesperson said allowing tourism will not only be conducive to boosting tourism, but will contribute to people-to-people contacts between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Beisides, Hu Jintao, President of China, and President Bush will meet in Moscow next month. After that, Hu will visit Washington for a formal state visit. Then, Hu will return the favor in November, hosting Bush for a bilateral summit in Beijing. Taiwan issue will certainly be on the top of their list.

Taiwan's President Invites China to Talks

2005-05-02T12:56:00.000-05:00

Lien Chan's hitorical visit to mainland China ended up with great vicotry. Mr. Lien and President Hun Jintao on Friday issued a joint pledge to promote an end to hostilities. On Monday, Lien called again for peace talks, saying mainland leaders appear more responsive to Taiwanese proposals on settling their 59-year-old feud than in the past.

This pledge had a active reponse from the current leader of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian. He invited China's leaders to talks under the principles of "peace, democracy and parity" while visiting Mashall Islands.

China's plot of islolating Chen worked.

Wen Jinbao's visit to India: US-China cold war in the offing ?

2005-04-27T11:22:00.000-05:00

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 325

This is a good article analysising the relationships among China, India and the United States.

The reason I like it is that it offers a balanced, fair and in-depth view of the future relationship among the three contries.

China paper sees 'evil plot' in anti-Japan protests

2005-04-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

China paper sees 'evil plot' in anti-Japan protests
According to this article, the recent anti-Japan protests were not patriotic behaviors, but were part of an "evil plot."

I feel strange abou it since I remember that the authorities claim that those protests were patriotic behaviors from the Chinese people comdemning Japan's wartime criminals.

I found the original Chinese copy, from the Liberation Daily in Shanghai, of this article and read it. I feel strange since the tone the article used is totally different from the central government's. It is not imageable in mainstream media in China since they need to follow the government's propoganda agenda.

What happened between Shanghai govenment and the central government?

China works on hazardous waste problem

2005-04-27T10:13:00.000-05:00

World Peace Herald

China' government is working on pollution problems in five cities that are seriousely affected by pollution.
And successful solutions will be applied nationwide.

Lien Chan, President of KMT, visits mainland China

2005-04-26T12:06:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a week since my last post about the tension between China and Japan. It is reported that Japan has apologized for its wartime criminals to the Chinese people. I think that is a good move, since both being big countries in East Asia, China and Japan both need time and room to develop, and this is good for the situation for Asia. But some 150 Japanese marched an anti-China protest this passed weekend. What should the Japanese government do to avoid another wave of chaos?

Big news for this week is Lien Chan, President of KMT of Taiwan, is visiting mainland China for the first time in 56 years. Lien will visit Nanjing, where Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s tomb is located, Xi’an, Lien’s birthplace, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Surely, this is a good thing. It helps to ease the tension between the Taiwan Strait after mainland China passed the Anti-Secession Law earlier this year. Personally, I think Beijing government is doing something to improve the relationship with Taiwan. I guess that Taiwan government and its people were so scared by the law which entitled the army to fight against the tiny island.

By saying “something good,” I mean Beijing government is trying to draw KMT to its sides. Moreover, James Soong, chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, also accepted an invitation from Hu Jintao last week and is expected to head a party delegation to tour the mainland from May 5 to 12. That means PFP is going to pro-Beijing, as well. Well, the two major opposite parties in Taiwan are welcomed by Beijing, and the President, Chen Shui-bian, has nothing but himself. Beijing has said that it also welcomes Chen, but only under the condition that he abandons the proposal of Taiwan independence. I don’t think Chen will accept that invitation since what he did in the past, is doing now and will do in the future is to make Taiwan win its independence.

Now you see how smart, or foxy if you want to say, Beijing government is. It sows dissension between you and your friends, making your friends off against you. One day you will find that you are with nobody on your side. I think this article from New York Times talks about this from this angle.

Actually, Taiwan people and media have different voice about Lien’s historical visit to mainland China. Some say that he is selling Taiwan, while the others agree that his visit is good thing.

Besides, just before Lien started his visit, Chen ordered Lien to report to him. Chen said that visiting mainland China, both military enemy and political rival, is not allowed, specially under the statues of the President of KMT. If Lien is going to do it, he needs permission from the President. The potential worst result of visiting mainland China without permission might be treason. This is an anecdote, or say rumor.

Whatever it take, it is always good to see China and Taiwan is moving forward in a peaceful way.

Flooding in Chinese coal mine traps 69

2005-04-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

Chinese mining industry is surely the most dangerous place in world mining industry. Over a thousand miners die in different kinds of accidents. Some of the accidents are covered on newspapers while the others remain in dark under the order of local authorities in order to protect their images. So no one really knows how many accidents and miners are there each year.

This one is said to be one of the world's deadliest accidents, the flood has trapped some 69 miners and has been out of contact for 24 hours. Their chance of survive is really slim. Driven by profit, many mine owners still urge miners to work underground even though they don't have the permission from authorities and lack of safety and life support equipments that will help them escape from accidents. Miners know that, but they still need to do the job since they need the money to support their families. And, the country needs energy to make everything run properly.

China and Gulf states are said to set up a free trade area in 2007. I don't know if gas will be on the list of free trade. If so, mining industry in China may be safer since the need for coal will decrease, and mine accidents will decrease.

It is the third consecutive weekend

2005-04-19T14:40:00.000-05:00

It is the third consecutive weekends that there were anti-Japan protests happen in China. Big cities like Shanghai and Nanjing both had anti-Japan protests.

To my surprise, hundreds of Hong Kong citizens went onto downtown streets to protest against Japan too. For me, Hong Kong people are material, what they care most is money and interest. Seldom do they care about politics, but not this time when the history is distorted.

However, the government began to calm down the anger among its people. Foreign Affair Minister Li Zhaoxing urged people to stop protesting, and “turn the patriotic fever toward working, so as to contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”. Well, he is right. Protest is not the only thing people need to do, and China needs time and a stable situation to develop. China has been on the right track for 26 years by developing its economy, and the country needs more peace time like this to strengthen it power in economy and politics. Chinese people widely think that Li did a good and right thing while meeting with Japan’s Foreign Affair Minister Nobutaka Machimura. Li refused to apologize for recent protests that caused damage to Japan’s embassies and companies, and refused to pay for the repair. The Chinese applause for Li’s toughness, and they think the government should be tough enough when dealing with countries like Japan who distorts and modifies the past history. But local governments are not on the same boat with Li, some governments have begun to pay for those damages. That might be a sign indicates that all these are going to be an end.

Protests are necessary to show people’s anger. But blood is not necessary. It is said that two Japanese were hurt in Shanghai. They were beaten up by angry Chinese. Certainly this is overacted, especially in a day that even revolution doesn’t necessary mean blood and brutality, like “the Orange Revolution” happened in Ukraine couples months ago. For me, protesters that used violence are symbols of lack of self-confidence. Isn’t it a good thing that we can achieve our goal without blood?

During a talk with two of my Japanese friends, they told me that the Japanese have no idea why Chinese all at a sudden rose up and protest against Japan. They said the media didn’t tell them why. And now they knew that the reason is Japan’s new history textbook. What made our talk drama was that one Japanese student apologized to me for what his country did about sixty years ago. “They were so stupid to do that (distort the history),” he said. But we are still good friends.

Well, some Japanese go even further. On one Japanese website, media are doing survey on whether the country should boycott Beijing Olympics 2008. One out of seven says that boycott is a good thing to do. The survey is a response to rumors that Japan may to boycott the Olympics which will be hold in Beijing in 2008.

I think Luf2004 is right. In his article, I have no idea what its gender is, on China Daily’s forum, Luf2004 says that the majority of Chinese are calm and believe that violence does no help to the problem. Also he said that China shouldn’t be the only part in the current issue, “Two suicide bombings (though failed) have happened, Chinese ambassador’s apartment has been attacked and damaged, the embassy has been threatened numerous times.” That Chinese in Japan are under threat and danger, shouldn’t Japan do something to protect them? I agree with he at this point. Things always have two sides, like mirror.

Of course protests are no the only way to get the problem solved. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan hopes that China and Japan can resolve the dispute in a peaceful way by keep on dialogue. That certainly is a good way to work it out.

China should control the situation, calm down the anger, and solve the problem through dialogue. Also, I think Japan should learn from how Germany treats its wartime crimes, but not just focus on wiping out the past. Yes, try to win your neighbors’ respects by acknowledging your wartime past and crimes.

That is my words for both China and Japan.

China's tense links with the Vatican

2005-04-14T10:52:00.000-05:00

It was one of the Pope's dearest wishes to reach out to China's Catholics, and one he never achieved.

It was said that the Vatican is about to cut off the relationship with Taiwan and re-establish relationship with China, in spite that Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, appeared on the Pope's funeral.

However, all facts link to one thing: So many hurdles to come over for the Vatican and China to join together.

Asian giants keep up war of words

2005-04-14T10:42:00.000-05:00

Tow giants in East Asia keep on "fighting," not for history this time, but for gas reserves.

Japan announced its plan to drill gas in East China Sea, and China said the decision to issue drilling rights in a disputed area is a "serious provocation".

This weekend, Japan's foreign minister, Nobutaka Machimura, is going to visit Beijing for talks aimed at defusing the tension, and both governments have expressed a desire to solve their differences peacefully.

Considering the disput with Taiwan not long ago, China is having trouble with Japan and Taiwan, both of them are allies of the United States. March and April are tough time for Beijing, since it needs to deal with so many diplomatic problems.

Japan's Revisionist History

2005-04-12T19:05:00.000-05:00

By Philip J. Cunningham, LA Times

The United States, ever quick to criticize China for human rights abuses, has of late been remarkably silent about Japan's ethical lapses, current and historical.

Did you ever see Chinese so angry?

2005-04-12T15:12:00.000-05:00

By Shan Lu

Did you ever see the Chinese so angry? Being modest, at least most of them, the Chinese seldom show their anger in public and in front of others. However, what made them get so angry this time? The answer is the Japanese.

In my life, this is the second time that I see my people get so angry. The other time is back in 1999 when the United States bombed the Chinese embassy killing several people, including two journalists. Encouraged by the government, college students marched into the street, and went to the U.S. embassy to protest the Americans. They threw eggs and tomatoes at the U.S. embassy building, and shouted anti-America slogans to show their anger.

My wife was one of them (Of course, she was my girlfriend then). She told me that she was not tired at all even though she walked a long way that day. One of my classmates told me that when he threw tomatoes toward the building, one police officer pointed his finger and him. To his surprise, the officer didn’t try to stop him by catching him, but just told him to behave himself. That protest went on for several days. Everyday, the public transportation company will send buses to college campuses, and pick up students and send them to the U.S. embassies. Chairman Mao said that the Americans are “paper tiger.” The students wanted to see if the Americans are really “paper tiger.” Eventually, the U.S. government said sorry and paid to build a new Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia.

However, this time the situation is different. It was Japan that triggered the anger of the Chinese. Actually, this is not the first time that Japan’s rightists modify the history textbook. The Chinese, along with South Koreans, were provoked by Japan’s approval of its new textbook which distorts the war history.

For the Chinese, the Japanese invasion from 1931 to 1945 is a history of blood and brutality. Millions of Chinese sacrificed their lives to fight against the Japanese invaders. That war is always associated with Nanjing Massacre, Unite 731, and Comfort Women and so on. For the Chinese, the anti-Japan War is not something that anyone can play with. They can never tolerate anyone to distort the history.

The Koreans go even further than the Chinese. It was said that several Koreans went to the Japanese embassy and asked the Japanese government to withdraw the textbook. Moreover, they cut their fingers to show the anger and their hatred to the Japanese invaders. Korea was occupied by Japan in early 1900s, and won its independence after the Second World War. One more thing that the Koreans can’t stand is that Japan claims that Dokdo Island is Japan’s territory.

The Chinese government is doing the “routine job” like every time Japan change the history in its textbook. First, they express their concern about it, then they claim their dissatisfaction about the new textbook, at last, they call the Japanese ambassador to China to show their “anger.”

However, the Chinese take actions. About 20 million Chinese all over the world signed their names, trying to block Japan from the Security Council of United Nations. Last weekend, about 20,000 Chinese in Guangzhou and Shenzhen marched to Japan’s embassy to protest. Also, they went to some Japanese companies to protest. Outraged Chinese even smashed a Japanese car parking in a parking lot. Some Chinese called on people to boycott Japanese products like Sony, Panasonic, Honda, Toyota and Nissan. They believe if the Chinese stop buying Japanese products for one month, Japan will suffer from loosing money and job lost. Eventually, the Japanese government will withdraw the history textbook, and apologize to the Chinese officially.

This time the Chinese are not encouraged by the government. Their behaviors are totally non-official. Nothing about the anti-Japan protest and boycott of Japanese products can be found on official media in China, but can be easily found from the Internet and overseas media like VOA, BBC news, Donga news, China Post, Voice of Germany, and so on. This is different from the last time when the Chinese protest against the United States. At this point, these actions are not encouraged by the government, and they are from the Chinese people. If the actions are encouraged by the government, the propaganda machine will do every effort to cover them. However, this time the actions are from the Chinese people.

The Japanese government called China’s ambassador to Japan, and urged the Chinese government to clam down the angry Chinese people.

In 1998, the United States apologized for bombing the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, but what the Japanese government will do next? We will see.

Japan Calls for Dialogue After Violent Protests in China

2005-04-11T17:42:00.000-05:00

The Chinese took their action against Japan's approval of its new history textbook to a new stage: they refuse to buy products that were made in Japan.
In addition, they marched along the street in city of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, both of which are big cities in Southern China, to protest the Japanese.
So, what will Japan respond?

China's quandary over Japan's UN bid

2005-04-07T14:22:00.000-05:00

China has been in a situation of dilemma these days: On one hand, they need to cool down the rising anger, which is triggered by Japan's approval of new history textbook, of its people; on the other hand, it has to deal with the United Nation and Japan, the latter is the No. 1 trading partner of China.

So, what shall China do?

China: Vatican is welcomed, but no Taiwan, please.

2005-04-05T12:50:00.000-05:00

China reportedly to tend to move close to Vatican, expressing its willingness to establish a formal diplomatic relationship with the Roman Catholics under the condition that the Vatican should cut off its tie with Taiwan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that “We are ready to improve relations with the Vatican.”

The tension is still critical

2005-04-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

The tension among China, South Korean and Japan is still critical, due to the fact that Japan just approved its new history text book by distorting war-time behaviors.

According to BBC news, “The move follows a row between Japan and South Korea over disputed islands, and anti-Japanese protests in China.”

Besides, the Chinese foreign affair minister summoned Japan’s ambassador to Beijing to express its “indignation” over Japan’s approval of the new history textbook. And the Iraq War has been a target in the textbook, according to the ABC Asia Pacific.

In addition, the Chinese farmers hold an exhibition to the Japanese invaders’ behavior during the anti-Japan War from 1930s to the end of the Second World War.

The followings are some examples of the Japanese' behavior during the war:
Nanjing Massacre
Unit 731
Comfort Women

A top aide in Taiwan denounces China visit

2005-04-01T15:12:00.000-06:00

Joseph Wu, chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, the cabinet-level agency responsible for relations with China, accused the Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang, of helping the Chinese Communist Party at the expense of Taiwan.

Shui-bien Chen, Taiwan's pro-independence president, said Tuesday that the Nationalists' visit was a backward effort to dominate dealings with mainland China.

From the International Herald Tribune

Millions of Chinese try to block Japan

2005-04-01T14:42:00.000-06:00

Lately, millions of Chinese sign online to show their outrage over Japan's seek of finding a seat in the UN Security Council. And I am one of the 22 millions.

Oftentimes, foreignors criticise China on issues like human rights and so on, since they heard the vioce from Chinese people. I don't know how will they respond this time, because millions of people are making their voices heard.

KMT chairman invited to visit Chinese mainland

2005-03-31T15:04:00.000-06:00

After Chiang Pink-kun, Vice-President of the Nationalist Party and a 30-member delegation visited mainland China for an “ice-breaking” journey, Lien Chan, chairman of the party, to visit the Chinese mainland at a time he considers appropriate.

A "War" is Going on in East Asia?

2005-03-31T14:57:00.000-06:00

Recently, diplomatic disputes are going on among China, South Korean, and Japan.

The diplomatic dispute between China and Japan is long story which can be tracked back to the World War Two. After the two countries established their diplomatic relationship in 1960s, China and Japan were good friends and good neighbors for decades, until recent years Japan changes its history textbook by distorting the fact that Japan invaded China in 1937 and later launched a war against the Asia-Pacific countries. As a matter of fact, this is not the first time that Japan changes its history textbook. Japan has been doing this for years, little by little, and step by step, totally ignoring the outrages from neighbors like China and South Korea (Taiwan stays in silence on this issue).

It is reported that Japan wants to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Millions of Chinese have signed online to opposite Japan’s will. And they want their voice to be heard by Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary-General. The Chinese are doing this by themselves, not guided by the government.

China’s neighbor, South Korea is taking even more aggressive actions. They are having a “diplomatic war” against Japan, wishing to stop the latter from getting a sit in the UN Security Council. Besides, South Korea and Japan are arguing over the authority of a tiny island, Dokdo.

A volunteer teacher and a village primary school

2005-03-29T14:49:00.000-06:00

Translated By Shan Lu

Dafang is located in Wumeng mountain area in Guizhou province in southwest China. The villagers live under the poverty line, and so do their children.
The biggest concern of the parents is that where can they find money for their children’s education.
Besides, another concern of the village head is that how can he find a teacher for school children, and make him stay here?
Things have changed after the arriving of Benyu Xu, a volunteer teacher from Huazhong Agricultural University.
And our story begins…

This river is beautiful, but it is also an obstacle for communication with the world outside.

In the eyes of the villagers, this should be what rich is like: They can cook meat with vegetable every day.

Young men in the village have been used to this kind of life. They know what poverty is when they were born.

This 10-year-old boy has to carry the basket of his size everyday. He needs to carry that to work, and help with his family. He wishes that he can go to school, but the family can’t afford his education which is a RMB 140 (equals to $ 18).

This was where the only primary school used to be before 2003. The school moved to another location under the help of some charities form Hong Kong.

This is the view from the inside of the old primary school.

Benyu Xu, a student from Huazhong Agriculture University, came here for a social survey during his summer vacation in 2002. He worked as a substitute teacher in the school. Children liked Benyu since he told them so much about the world outside. A world that they can’t imagine, and maybe don’t have a chance to look at it in their lives. On the day when Benyu went back to school, the children asked: “Will you come back, brother?”

Benyu was enrolled by Huangzhong Agricultural University as a graduate student, which he didn’t tell the school children. His outstanding grade had earned him RMB 6,000 national scholarship. On the day he learned the news of his admission, Benyu couldn’t sleep, and he always thought about the school children.
Benyu came from a poor family too, and he knows what poverty means to a family. He decided to do something for those children: Be their teacher. He phoned his father, telling him his decision. His father cried at the other end of the telephone. Finally, he told Benyu, “We respect what you decided. Go, my boy.”
Besides, the university promised that they will keep the position for Benyu for two years.
As an undergraduate student, Benyu’s hard work had earned him many scholarships from the school, province and even the state. He donated some of the money to those who need it. He also worked part-time, not only to support himself, but also to sponsor other poor students.

Benyu told the village head that he will teach the students. Benyu’s story has moved many people, and drawn many followers. They came to the village to help. However, Dafong is a remote area, with no telephone, no Internet access. The villagers use oil lamp at night.

The nearest post office is 11 miles away, and the only transportation to there is by walking. All the followers left, and Benyu is the only teacher in the school.
He was invited by the university to give a speech to college students in 2004. However, his first sentence was: “I feel lonely. Several times when I woke up during the night, I found my pillow was wet by my tears.” Students were moved into tear...

Every year, the government calls on volunteers to teach in remote areas, and give them financial subsidization. But Benyu is a “pure” volunteer; he is not in the system, so he can’t get financial subsidization for his individual behavior. In this mean, Benyu is a lonely volunteer outside of the system.
The Guizhou Provincial Government puts him ion the volunteer list, so that they can give him subsidization. But Benyu still feels lonely, mentally.

The Guizhou Provincial Government sends two more volunteers to the village. The two boys volunteer to work with Benyu. They have worked here for six month. Three boys are experiencing what the other young men would never imagine in this little remote village.

Benyu tells his students: “You are the best students. You are as good as the students in the big cities!”

Benyu feels sorry for his students since he will transfer to an even poorer village tomorrow, along with the other two volunteers.

They are about to say goodbye to those children. Before leaving, Benyu and his companies want to leave some good memories to their students.

They take a picture in from of the school, and in front of the National Flag. Some of the students may save this picture for the rest of their lives.

The students feel that something is going to happen. They look serious.

They read their textbook as loud as they can. They think this is the best way to make Benyu and his companies stay.

After the class, the students go to the school principal’s office. They ask: “Will we have a teacher tomorrow?”

KMT, arms embargo, financial embarrassment, and Human Rights

2005-03-28T13:23:00.000-06:00

On March 28, Beijing time, Chiang Pink-kun, Vice-President of the Nationalist Part or Kuomintang (KMT) with a 30-member delegation, arrived Guangzhou for an “ice-breaking” visit to mainland China. This is the first time that KMT leader step on the soil of mainland since 1949. Chiang and other members will visit Guangzhou, where Dr Sun Yat-sen founded the Republic of China which was turned over by the Communist Party in 1949, Nanjing, where the ROC government used to be, and Beijing.

Just two days before Chiang’s visit, about one million Taiwanese people paraded in Taipei to protest China’s passage of the Anti-Secession Law. The Taiwanese people wanted their voice to be heard by the international community, and expressed their outrages.

Besides, France and Japan publicly expressed their disagreement over the EU’s plan to life an arms embargo on China. Yes, Japan is a long-term rival of China, and it is understandable that Japan will oppose the lift. But why France did so? France is considered to be a long-term international friend of China, and they support One China Policy. France may pay for its disagreement someday. Last time when France sold fighter planes to Taiwan in mid-1990s, French contractors were banned by the Chinese government from bidding for subway construction in Shanghai and Guangzhou. So, the Germany contractors, mainly Siemens, benefited a lot from the absence of the French.

The Chinese may feel unsafe to deposit their money in banks since many banks are in the embarrassment of bad debts. Many banks don’t have enough money reserve for their clients since they lend the money to companies. However, many companies don’t run very well and can’t pay back the loans. Besides, the lack of sufficient internal supervises leads to many problems in China’s banks, for example the ones that NY Times and BBC reported.

Finally, just for fun: NT Times eventually noticed China’s release of the Human Rights Record of the United States 2004.

China reportedly buys $2.4 billion of weapons from Russia

2005-03-24T21:52:00.000-06:00

Beijing reportedly purchased, on average, some $1.2 billion worth of Russian weapons each year during the 1990s, accounting for about 30 percent of total Russian arms sales.

However, beginning in 1999, China’s purchases from Russia rose and have averaged approximately twice that amount annually. Russian leaders are not likely to significantly reduce their sales effort in China, even under pressure from a third party.

- From the United States Department of Defense Report 2004

Russia will benefit from the delay

2005-03-22T15:29:00.000-06:00

The EU's delay to lift the arms ban on China seems to be confirmed by international media.

I tried to find some responses from Beijing, but all efforts turned out to be nothing. Beijing still make no response to the delay, at least I didn't find from the official media.

No wonder that Beijing will keep on urging the EU to lift the ban.

What will happen after the delay is confirm from Beijing? Here is some of my thoughts:

First, maybe they will turn to Russia, a long-term partner. The government just proved to raise military expenditure by 12.6% this year. My thought is who will the army count on if they couldn't weapon from the EU, perhaps they will buy it from Russia. And there is a big chance that this will happen. As I mentioned before that China has been dong weapon trade with Russia for a long time. So Russia will benefit from the delay. Chinese army has the tradition to use the Soviet Union weapons and equipments, from AK47 to Su-27, and Su-30.

Secondly, Beijing will keep one urging and waiting. The EU'S arms ban is a result of the Tiananmen Accident which can be tracked back for 15 years. Beijing has been waitting for 15 years, and they don't care about waitting one more year. The EU will lift the ban, especially when the EU sees that Russia makes billions of U.S. dollar from the weapon trade with China.

The lift is just a matter of time. I believe that the EU will not do nothing but just watching Russia make money.

EU split on Chinese arms ban, delay seen

2005-03-22T15:19:00.000-06:00

No more weapons for China, at least this year.

Under the pressure from the United States, and the Anti-Secession Law, the EU feels that it is not the right time to lift the arms ban.

Four Reasons that Brought Rice to China

2005-03-22T13:02:00.000-06:00

By Shan Lu

This passing Sunday, Beijing Time, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a whirlwind-like visit to China. In about 23 hours, she met with several China’s leaders Hu Jintao, President of the country; Prime Minister Wen Jiabao; Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing; and Vice Premier Wu Yi.

Personally, I think four reasons have brought Rice to China: North Korea, Taiwan issue, human rights and China’s military modernization.

North Korea
Geographically, North Korea is a country located in Korea Peninsula, but when it comes to nuclear weapon, North Korea is not a regional problem any more, especially when it declared that it owns nuclear bomb.

North Korea, South Korea, Japan, United States, China and Russia joint a six-party dialogue to solve North Korea’s problem. However, North Korea has been flip-flop during the dialogue, and withdrew from the dialogue forcing the negotiation to stop. During her visit to Beijing, Rice said the United States has showed patience, but can’t wait forever. Rice also says the United States has other choice on this issue, which may give the hint that the United States might take military action against North Korea. However, she emphasized that the United States don’t have a plan to attack North Korea right now. Rice insisted that North Korea should go back to six-party dialogue, and the United States won’t hold any bilateral negotiation with North Korea.

Taiwan Issue and Anti-Secession Law
Again, Rice criticized the newly-passed Anti-Secession Law which entitled the Chinese army to launch a war against Taiwan.

“The Anti-Secession Law did demonstrate the unsettled nature of relations between China and some others in the region,” Rice said. She also said that the law does not help to solve the tension across the Taiwan Striate.

President Hu Jintao pointed out when meet with Rice that Taiwan issue is the key point in the relationship between China and the United States, and reminded Rice that the United States should not giving wrong signals to Taiwan.

Human rights and free religion
During her visit, Rice made a visit to Gangwashi Protestant Church, listened to a translation of service and sang hymns. Rice expressed her wish that China can improve its human rights record and give more freedom in religion.

Sources say that Rice could have gone to church in Seoul, South Korea, but she chose Beijing and allow journalist to follow her to send a signal to the Beijing government to improve its human rights and free religion.

EU to lift on China's weapon ban
Rice expressed her concern about China’s doubt-digit increase in its military expenditure this year, and criticized EU’s plan to lift the arm ban on China. The European Union “should do nothing to contribute to a circumstance in which Chinese military modernization draws on European technology...” Rice said.

Rice also stressed that the United States will help to protect Taiwan, and keep the military balance in the region.

Rice Highlights Religious Rights at China Church

2005-03-22T10:55:00.000-06:00

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a whirlwind-like visit to China this passing Sunday.

In about 23 hours, she met with several Chna's top leaders, and talked about topics like economic relationship, North Korea and Taiwan.

Besides, she made a surprise visit to a Chinese church, listened to a translation of the service through headphones and sang hymns.

She must be busy that day, wasn't she?

Rice made a whirlwind-like visit to China

2005-03-21T15:52:00.000-06:00

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a whirlwind-like visit to Beijing this passing weekend, one week after China passed the Anti-Secession Law.

In less than 48 hours, Rice met with Hu Jintao, President of the country, , Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice Premier Wu Yi.

Rice's meet with the three leaders covered topics about economic relationship between two countries, North Korean six-party negotiation, and of course Taiwan issue.

Before her visit, China's top legislature expressed strong dissatisfaction over U.S.'s criticism about the Anti-Secession Law, so Rice expressed that the United States will abide the one-China policy and the three US-China joint communiques will not change.

A better understand of the Taiwan Issue

2005-03-21T15:29:00.000-06:00

Occasionally, people ask why China entangles with an island located less than 200 miles away from southeast China, Taiwan.

It is a long story which can be tracked back to World War Two. Taiwan is a by-product of the Cold War.

This article from the Asia Times is a good one to make you a better understand of the relationship between China, Taiwan, Uinted States and Japan.

The article is kind of long, so please take your time to read it.

River dolpins killed in polluted water

2005-03-21T15:02:00.000-06:00

I post this article as a follow-up of the pollution article I wrote two weeks ago.

The World Wildlife Fund says that the pollute water is no longer suitable for river dophins to live due to the pollution.

The article also says that "only 13 of the dolphins were known to be left in China's Yangtze River where they once proliferated." River dolphins were often seen by people working or living along the Yangtze River, one of two "Mother Rivers" in China, but currently is an endangered species.

My father told me once that he saw a river dolpin when he was a high school student back in the 1950s. But now, the many rivers in China are not suitable for swimming, and even drinking.

Finally, widely supported

2005-03-17T12:37:00.000-06:00

In the last several days, the major Chinese media are so eager to broadcast news about how international community claim their supports about the Anti-Secesion Law. Among them are the Xinhua News Agency and CCTV, frontrunner in China's news agencies and TV stations. According to the media, the list of counties that support China are getting longer and longer. And even people in Taiwan say yes to the law. Does that mean a war is getting closer and cloer?

Russian lawmakers, Russia army chief, France, Albania, and Belgium are on the list. I believe some other countries will be added onto the list later on.

Yeah...everyone says yes to the law.

Personally, I don't like a war between the two parts, but I think a war is necessary to solve the problem: Take over Taiwan.

And these days are not peace days in East Asia: the Koreans are "attacking" the Japanese.

Seems like East Asia is not a peaceful place any more?

Widely Supported by International Community?

2005-03-15T14:20:00.000-06:00

Today, the China Central TV Station broadcast that the newly-pass Anti-Secesion Law has gained support from foreign countries. Among them are Russia, Pakistan and some countries the name of which barely heard of. No major countries in Europe, North America.

No doubt that Russia and Pakistan will support China since they are long-term allies of the country.

Some other countries that are not on the list are Belarus, Macedonia and Venezuela. Last year, President Hu Jintao visited Venezuela, trying to convict the country to sell oil to China. Maybe that is the reason this South America country will show its support.

But the question is, can these countries stand for the mainstream international community?

Besides, CCTV said the law has gained support from Taiwan and overseas Chinese. Let's hope it is true.

This article may make you better understand the situation and history across the stait.

For the unity of the country?

2005-03-14T22:16:00.000-06:00

On the last day, March 14, 2005, of its annual meeting in Beijing, the National People’s Congress Council voted 2896-2 to pass a law , the Anti-Secession Law. The 10-article law entitles the People’s Liberation Army to take any necessary mean to fight with Taiwan if the island declares its independence, or intends to break away from the country.

In my opinion, the two parts across the Taiwan Strait has no chance to resume their negotiation to unite together under the influence of this law. The only way brings the two parts together again will be a war, and not to mention years of reconstruction both physically and mentally after the potential war.

Personally, I think Taiwan chooses a wrong time to try to break away from the mainland.

In the 1950s, when mainland China was helping North Korea to fight against the United States and South Korea, Taiwan was a formal member of the United Nations, and considered to be the authorized representative of China. Many Chinese now express their pity that the government missed the chance to take over Taiwan since Chairman Mao launched the Korean War to help North Korea, both backed by the Soviet Union.

In 1971, the mainland became a legal member of the UN and the only representative of China. However, Taiwan didn’t declare its independence. It would be better if Taiwan chose to breakaway at that time since the mainland was in the mist of the Great Cultural Revolution and had no time and energy to take care of this. One of the reasons that Taiwan still stick with the mainland was that the old generation of Taiwanese and the leaders still thought they are the master of mainland China, and still had chance to strike back and take over the mainland. Chiang Kai-shek, former president of Taiwan, was said to have made over a thousand plans to fight back to the mainland.

From the early 1980s, mainland China opened its doors to the world, and ever since it has become an important role both in economy and politics, at least in the East Asian. Gradually, China wants to be the leading country in the region, and kick the United States out of the East Asian, its traditional power range.

As days go by, Taiwan has its new president, and this new generation wants to have its independence, especially Chen Shui-bian. Chen wished to cut off the relationship between Taiwan and China. Last year, he even suggested to “de-china” by emphasizing everything on Taiwan. For example, Taiwanese students should learn Taiwanese history, everything more than that is world history. Following this logic, Dr Sun Yat-sen, who over turned the Qing Dynasty and founded the Republic of China, will be a foreigner since he was not born in Taiwan. Besides, many Taiwanese young men don’t want to admit that they are Chinese. They preferred to say that they are Taiwanese.

Obviously, China can’t tolerate Taiwan to break away, but it still has one concern: the United States. The United States and Taiwan signed an agreement in the 1940s, which states that the United States has the responsibility to protect Taiwan and maintain the current situation between the two parts across the strait. If you have a map of the world, you will see that around east coast of China is a chain of countries, South Korean, Japan, Taiwan (calls itself to be a country), Thailand, Indonesia and Philippine, all of which are friends of the United States. I think, besides unity and harmony of the country and all other reasons that China declares, to find an exit to the Pacific Ocean is an untold one for the country especially when its navy is not strong enough.

In his recent speech, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says the law is for the good of Taiwan people. However, did someone really talk to Taiwan people and ask for their opinions? That is a doubt. However, people really encouraged by Wen’s sentence which says China doesn’t afraid of any foreign interference in the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan.

Once the war is launched, missiles from the PLA will pour over Taiwan in several minutes. And the army will land on the island following the missiles attack. Killing and bleeding are inevitable. Why should Chinese kill each other? It is time to think over the situation and stay calm. We are all Chinese after all, aren’t we?

IBM PC Division Sale Gains US Approval

2005-03-10T17:57:00.000-06:00

IBM PC made in China! Are you kidding me?

I learned this news last December, and read many stories about this. Chinese seem to be proud of this since Lenovo is the owner of the front runner in IT industry.

Also, I read a story which was written by a Chinese who lives and works in the United States. She went the IBM, and talked to some of the staffs. The idea she got from the purchase was that: the staffs are wondering if their new Chinese boss will do a good job; if anyone will get fired; if their salaries will be cut... Most important of, will IBM PC still good as it used to be. A suggestion from staff she talked to is that: Buy yourself an IBM PC, since right now it is still made in the USA (at least under the quality controll of the USA), but who knows who will controll the quality months later?

So sad, the Chinese are coming... not as an employee, but a boss.

A polluted country

2005-03-08T14:44:00.000-06:00

Two workers take a rest outside of a private chemistry factory.

Can I plant crops on this?

A polluted river near a suburb village.

Waste water from a factory running into a river.

“The Day after Tomorrow”

2005-03-08T13:27:00.000-06:00

By Shan Lu

Let’s do a little research: pick up something around you randomly, and see how many of them are “made in China?” I am sure you will find a lot. Unfortunately, most of the products are made of plastics or stainless steel, which are harmful to the environment.
Surely, China is a big manufacture country, which exports countless products to countries around the world. In return, China has almost a double-digit growth in economy annually.

However, the rapid growth is ruining the environment in some degree, making the environment not suitable for people to live in gradually. According to a survey, China will consume seven times more raw material than Japan, and six times more than the United States, and even twice more than India, which is also widely regarded as a cheap labor country, whenever it is making products that are worth of $ 10,000.

Among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, China has eight, Guiyang, Chongqing, Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Zibo, Beijing, Guangzhou and Jinan. The other two are Milan and Mexico City.

About one third of the country has acid rain problem, half of the seven main rivers are severe polluted, one forth of the residents don’t have clear water to drink, and one third of the citizens have to breath polluted air. In Beijing, capital of the country, over 70% of the causes of cancer is related to the polluted environment. Lung cancer is the No. 1 killer among the cancer patient.

Also, the pollution of the environment has raised the cost of product, leading to lost of 8% to 15% in gross national product.

The government has realized the problem, and is trying to solve the problem. Take Beijing as an instance, the Beijing government launched a project called “Blue Sky, Green Water and White Cloud” to protect the environment, partly because the Olympics will be hold in the city three years later. As a result of that, Beijing residents can breathe fresher air, and go boating in the river now, which they could not do before due to the severe pollution.

However, some government officials still think environment protection is not a big deal. They think they can develop economy first, and then turn around to save the environment.

Recently, this idea is turned down and condemned by Yue Pan, vice director of the State Environmental Protection Administration. He said the rapid growth in economy doesn’t mean the country has sufficient means to solve the crises in environment protection and raw materials. Thus, he launched a series of actions to protect the environment, which are called “Environment Protection Storm” by Chinese media.

The State Environmental Protection Administration said “time out” to up to 46 state-owned power plants. One state-owned company is building three water-powered plants along the Yangtze River, but all of its projects are suspended since they evaluated to be harmful to the environment. The company challenged the State Environmental Protection Administration, saying that they are helping the country to solve energy problem. But the State Environmental Protection Administration was backed up by Premier Wen Jiabao. Wen stated that the country can not afford to pay the result of polluting the environment.

However, the results are not what people expected. 26 of the power plants resume their jobs after paying fine, which is stingy comparing to what they earn every year. Certainly, they need to work, since they are so important to the country, especially in days when energy shortage is worldwide problem.

Overall, the environment protection jobs are on the right track. All projects concerning about environment are asked to get permits from the Environmental Protection Administration. If the Environmental Protection Administration votes “No,” nothing can be done. Eventually, China imports advanced environment protection technology. For example, a China-Germany joint-venture environment project was just launched in Northern China.

Surely, the country and the people should do something to protect the environment. Otherwise, I am afraid the scene you see in the movie, “The Day after Tomorrow,” will happen not in Hollywood or special effect studio, but in China.

Human Rights Record of the US in 2004

2005-03-08T11:29:00.000-06:00

Every year in February or March, the United States and some independent organization will release a human rights report by nation. China is definitely in the report.
I think it was three or four years ago that Chinese government started to release U.S. human rights report. This year, they released the report again.
As I said ealier, it is intesting to compare the two reports.
And also as I said ealier, I will find an English version and put it on my webblog. However, I found out it is not that easy to find an Enligsh one as I have imaged, although I have read the Chinese version one week ago.
Anyway, read it if you have the time and it doesn't bother you since it is not short.

China issues human rights record of the US

2005-03-03T14:47:00.000-06:00

I think this is interesting: two counties are accusing each other's human right record.

Sino-Japanese ties face challenges

2005-03-02T22:09:00.000-06:00

Last year, the Japanese government condemned China for letting a nuclear-powered submarine to enter the Japanese sea. The Chinese government denied it and said it was a technical mistake.

On the cyber space, millions of Chinese young men praised what the government did. They thought it is time for the Japanese, who once invaded and occupied China from 1931 to 1945, to learn that the Chinese are tough. Some military fans analysted what type of submarine it was, and what kind of technology it used to hide itself from the Japanese Navy, who is widely regarded as at the technology forfront of anti-submarine among the world. It was said that the Japanese Navy even didn't know the fact that there was a Chinese submarine in their water until the U.S. Navy and the Taiwan government informed them.

Several days later after the accident happened, the Chinese government apoligized. However, this was not the end of it. The government refused to accept financial aide from its Japanese counterpart. This kind of financial aide have been given to China every year for decades, as a pay back of the war that Japan had brought to its neighbor.

It is also on the Internet, the idea that there will be a potential war between China and Japan is widely accepted. One of the reasons is that there is not enough room for two strong countries to survive in East Asia, especially in days like today when energy and natural resouces becoming less and less, and both countries are using every mean to get energy and resouces.

For the last several years, China and Japan competed with each other for an oil pine connecting Russia's oil field to one of the pair. I will talk about it later if I have the chance and the time, of course.

While the economic tie between the two countries are getting stronger, the political tie is becoming weaker and weaker. The article I post tells the reason.

China to 'boost' military spending

2005-03-01T10:55:00.000-06:00

As I said earlier, the government wants to play a role in military to match its role as an important country in economic and politics in the world.
An key reason for doing this is Taiwan, an island that is governed by the National Party, always threats to break away from the Mainland China. The Taiwan government passed a bill to spend around 60 billion U.S. dollars to purchase weapons from the United States, who claims will protect the island once a war is launched by the Chinese government.

Ethnic autonomous regions account for 64 pct of China's territory

2005-02-28T22:54:00.000-06:00

Well, I hope you will have an idea about how the Chinese government are dealing with the minorities in the country.
Personally, I think most of the minorities are doing good. At least I think so.

Clinton Visits Beijing AIDS Patients

2005-02-24T16:00:00.000-06:00

From China Radio International
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton visited AIDS patients in Beijing.

EU to lift the ban on China

2005-02-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

More than a decade ago, after the Tiananmen Square Accident, the European countries reached an agreement banning weapon trades with China.
The European countries based their decision on the fact that the Chinese government suppress the college students who were protesting on Tiananmen Square, where is said to be “the heart of the country,” for more than three months. As a result of this, no weapon trade was done for more than 10 years.

Also in the past 10 years, China has been on the fast track of economy development. It has become not only an important country in economy, but also an important country in world politics. Meanwhile, the country is seeking development in military field, which according to the government “to match its roles in economy and politics.” From the late 1990s, the government has been doing trade with its long-term friend, Russia. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army got Su-27, Mig-29, some warships, submarines and missiles from Russia, and Russia earned more than $ 13 billions.

The military growth of China makes the United States upset. One of the reasons is Taiwan, an island located in the southeast of China mainland. Taiwan claims itself to be an independent country, although it is turned down more than a dozen times by the United Nation. At the same time, China says that Taiwan is a part of the country, since when the Communist Party took over the power of the mainland in 1949, the Nationalist Party fled to the island and rules the island ever since, and what is important is the fact that the government on the island never announce its independence, and keeps claim that it is the legal government of the mainland China. The Chinese government will launch a war at any risk to take over the island if Taiwan announces it independence.

The U.S. government promised to support and protect Taiwan from being taken over by the Chinese government. As a result of the promise, the U.S. government sells weapons to Taiwan but don’t like other to sell weapons to the Chinese government in order to keep the military balance on both sides. Any weapon trades with China will make the U.S. government upset and nervous.

Some U.S. politicians think that China’s fast growth in military is a potential threat to the Southeast Asia, and will make the area in a state of instability. In terms of this, any action from EU leads to weapon trade with China is a mistake. The U.S. thinks that China is a threat to the Western democracy, especially the government keeps on saying it will take over Taiwan.

Unlike the United States, who has around 80,000 soldiers in Southeast Asia, the EU doesn’t care about strategic interest in the area, what they concern more is money stuff. Sources say that as late as this summer, the EU will lift the ban on weapon trade with China.

By Shan Lu

China cautions India, US on Patriot sales

2005-02-24T11:02:00.000-06:00

The United States government is trying to find a new buyer for its weapon. What makes this news funny is the fact that the buyer happends to be a neighbor of China, some of the other buys are Japan, South Korean and Taiwan (which is a part of China).
Is it a coincidence?

China, too, wants to mend US fences

2005-02-22T20:15:00.000-06:00

From Asia Times

China's still political waters run deep

2005-02-22T20:08:00.000-06:00

From Asia Times

EU Intends to End China's Arms Embargo

2005-02-22T20:02:00.000-06:00

This is a hot topic in the relationship between the European Union and America. The Eu wants to make money from China, and speak its own vioce, maybe stay away from the giant across the Atlantic Ocean.
China wants to buy new and powerful weapons from countries other than America and Russia, which will put it in advantage in the potential war with Taiwan, an island in southeast China sea. Also, China intends to build up a good relationship with the EU.
America, of course, wish to stop China to develope too fast into not only a big country in economy, but also an important country in world politics.
Which side will win, the EU, China or America? Let's wait and see.

A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq

2005-02-22T17:52:00.000-06:00

yahoo.com

hello

2005-02-16T13:11:00.000-06:00

http://www2.roosevelt.edu/pr/fullrecord.asp?thejob=411

Gas explosion kills 203 miners in China

2005-02-15T20:28:00.000-06:00

Gas explosion kills 203 miners in China

2005-02-15T20:10:00.000-06:00

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/15/asia/web.0215china.html

'Kyoto' era begins

2005-02-15T20:05:00.000-06:00

By Brad Knickerbocker, The Christian Science Monitor
More than a century ago, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius warned that burning oil and coal could lead to an atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide that would eventually warm the planet. It was a radical idea back in those horse-and-buggy days.

An Italian environmentalist protests in front of Rome's U.S. Embassy. The Kyoto Protocol becomes effective Feb. 16 despite U.S. resistance.
By Dario Pignatelli, AP

Most experts now believe that to be true, and this week a group of nations took an important if modest step in addressing the concern that motor vehicles, factories, and other development are changing Earth's climate in ways that could be dangerous.

The Kyoto Protocol, which goes into effect Wednesday, commits 35 industrialized countries to reducing by 2012 their emissions of six "greenhouse gases" that trap heat in the earth's atmosphere — principally carbon dioxide — by 5% less than 1990 levels.

Seven years in the making and ratified by 141 countries, the agreement — formulated in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 — has been controversial from the start. Advocates see it as a baby step along the necessary road to reducing human impact on climate before the oceans rise and prairie songbirds emigrate to the Arctic. Of opponents who accept the notion of global warming at all, some say the accord is based on sketchy science and in any case would damage the economic growth most people demand.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, scientists have established, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 has increased 35%. While debates have raged over the extent and causes, and even the reality, of global warming, the evidence of climate change keeps mounting. This has included record annual temperature levels, retreating glaciers, shrinking Arctic ice, and shifting global rainfall patterns.

Last week, NASA said a combination of weather conditions and greenhouse gases could make this year the warmest on record. Earlier this month, experts at a government-sponsored conference in England reported "greater clarity and reduced uncertainty about the impacts of climate change."

Countries will use a variety of means to comply with Kyoto. The European Union, for example, just launched a program in which some 12,000 power plants and factories can buy and sell carbon dioxide allowances on the way to meeting their carbon-reduction goals by 2012. They can also earn credits against their targets by financing clean-energy technology in developing countries.

While the US government declines to join the international Kyoto effort, businesses around the country already are moving in that direction.

A group of major companies (including DuPont, International Paper, and IBM), have formed the Chicago Climate Exchange to trade carbon dioxide emission reductions on a spot market basis. Member companies have agreed to reduce their greenhouse emissions by 4% by 2006.

Another group of major corporations has joined the Pew Center on Global Climate Change's Business Environmental Leadership Council. They agree that "enough is known about the science and environmental impacts of climate change for us to take actions to address its consequences." Businesses, they say, "can and should take concrete steps now in the US and abroad to assess opportunities for emission reductions; establish and meet emission reduction objectives; and invest in new, more efficient products, practices and technologies."

Members of this high-powered group include Boeing, CH2M Hill, United Technologies, and Hewlett-Packard. Some CEOs believe strongly that global warming is a threat that must be addressed; others — especially those with overseas operations — accept the inevitability of international controls on carbon emissions, and they don't want to be caught behind the competition.

"Whether you still believe that Kyoto is based on fuzzy science or is a stealth campaign by other countries to damage US companies, it's time to face reality," Industry Week editor in chief Patricia Panchak wrote recently. "Kyoto likely will affect how you do business no matter where your company is."

Meanwhile, nine eastern states (the six New England states plus Delaware, New Jersey, and New York) have formed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative requiring large power plants to reduce carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade system. Auto-clogged California is even trying to force automakers to limit emissions.

The Bush administration refused, along with 95 US senators, to sign on to Kyoto for two principal reasons: That it would harm the US economy by requiring very costly changes to manufacturing, transportation, and other aspects of business; and because the agreement did not initially cover the most rapidly developing countries — India and China — where economic advancement is valued over smokestack issues.

But the president has begun to feel some political heat from his friends on global warming. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while not a big fan of Kyoto, is raising alarms. "What is now plain is that the emission of greenhouse gases, associated with industrialization and strong economic growth from a world population that has increased sixfold in 200 years, is causing global warming at a rate that began as significant, has become alarming and is simply unsustainable in the long-term," Mr. Blair said in a speech to Parliament last fall.

Sen. John McCain warns of the "devastating consequences of climate change." The Arizona Republican has joined with Sen. Joe Lieberman (D) of Connecticut in sponsoring the Climate Stewardship Act. The bill would require mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generation, transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors of the economy, which represent 85% of overall US greenhouse gas emissions.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, the Nebraska Republican who led the Senate fight to reject Kyoto, now says, "Achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is one of the important challenges of our time."

As everyone acknowledges, the job won't be done even if all Kyoto goals are met by 2012. Discussions about how to lower greenhouse gas emissions beyond that already are under way.

Warming's potential impact, up close and personal

Tuesday, a research team from three universities offered the first in-depth model of how rising global temperatures could affect one coastal city — Boston. The report, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, foresees significant change for the Massachusetts port:

• Temperatures rising 6 to 10 degrees F. by the end of the century. The number of 90-degree days could double, to 30 per year.

• Sea levels along Boston's coastline could rise at least 24 inches, flooding inland parks and walkways.

• Property damage and emergency services following flooding could total $94 billion during this century.

• By 2030, the average number of days in July requiring air conditioning could increase by 24%.

• A sea level rise of 1 foot could give a typical 10-year storm the force of a what is now a 100-year (once a century) storm.

'Kyoto' era begins

2005-02-15T19:59:00.000-06:00

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-02-15-kyoto-csm_x.htm