China Daily has just reported Premier Wen Jiabao reaffirming political and economic reforms. On the table are government transparency, creating conditions allowing people to criticize and supervise the government, and media being a watch-dog. Given how Wu Bangguo's speech was skewed by the BBC (see my prior post, "Wu Bangguo on 'multi party rule' ruffles some feathers in … [Read more...] about Premier Wen Jiabao reaffirms political and economic reforms
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Wu Bangguo on “multi party rule” ruffles some feathers in the West
Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, recently precautioned other Chinese leaders of "chaos unless correct path is taken." Wu's key point is that China should not blindly follow others' political systems for the sake of following. Rather, China should advance one suiting her own conditions. He even pointedly said, "on the basis of … [Read more...] about Wu Bangguo on “multi party rule” ruffles some feathers in the West
Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake Hits Japan
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit Japan on March 11, 2011 in the northeastern coast, near Tokyo. The 2008 Sichuan earthquake was a massive 8.0, releasing about 15 megatons (of TNT) or 63.1 petajoules of energy equivalent. At 9.0, it is 474 megatons or 31 times that. (Wikipedia) Given Japan's relatively earthquake-proof buildings, the resulting tsunami is what causing most of … [Read more...] about Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake Hits Japan
Seiji Maehara, Japanese Foreign Minister resigns; for 250k Yen or Kuril Islands?
On March 6, 2011, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara resigned officially due to accepting donation from a Korean national. Most countries have laws banning officials from accepting foreign donations directly or indirectly. Obama was forced to return some donations in 2008 for this same reason. Maehara's receiving of 250k Yen is paltry though, and I don't think that is … [Read more...] about Seiji Maehara, Japanese Foreign Minister resigns; for 250k Yen or Kuril Islands?
Outline of China’s 12th 5-year Plan
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has just reported on the work of the Chinese government and outlined the country's 12th 5-year plan (2011-2015). For China watchers, it would be a shame to not be familiar with at least some of these specifics. CCTV has all the materials in English, Russian, Spanish, French, and Arabic. For convenience, I have quoted below "Key targets of China's … [Read more...] about Outline of China’s 12th 5-year Plan