Awakening China

Australian Tennis 2012

2012-01-28T12:15:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

I was pleased to note the fantastic recovery of Djokovic in beating Andy Murray at the marathon match which was telecast live on TV. Every time, a British or a US player is unable to retrieve a shot, I will cheer wildly.

I like Serbian, Czech and Russian players, as long as it is not from the USA, UK, Germany, France and Italy which I believe always think very highly of themselves. As for Australians, they are considered neutral.

I wish that there would be more Asian players, particularly more "Li Na" to dominate the tennis scene in the near future.

Uighur and Tibetan Affairs are China Internal Policies

2012-01-28T12:00:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

Recently, the press particularly from the Western world are pleased to become the mouthpiece of the Uighurs Independence movement which is located non other then the arch enemies of the Chinese people, the USA.

The press freely claimed that two Uighurs had been sentenced to life and a few other had been put on the death panalty. Where are the evidences? Just listening to the liars from the Uighurs external trouble makers is what I have noted from ATP, CNN and other western media whose credibility are not to be taken at face value.

I like to reiterate that China Xinjiang policies are China's internal affairs for the Chinese to decide and not for the Western world to demand a hearing. If the Uighurs had broken Chinese laws there should be punish to the full extent of the law especially the involvement in the killing of the Han Chinese.

Just like what had also been published these few months on the self-burning of the Tibetans. It is just a stupid idea and I think these people are downright stupid. Maybe, the Han Chinese can just built a square specifically for them it these people want to sacrifice themselves.

The Tibetans can just forget about independence and the Han Chinese numbering 1.3 billion would not allow this even with Western assistance.

By the way, I am a Buddhist and I have no sympathy for the stupid Tibetans.

BBC is up to its tricks again

2012-01-15T09:43:00.006+08:00

By China Watcher

Yesterday night I was reading the news from BBC on the Taiwan recent concluded Presidential Election, of which Mr. Ma Ying Jeo, the incumbent, has secured another 4 year term, with the majority of the Taiwanese people wanting to continue the peaceful cross straits policies as initiated by Taiwan with the support of the mainland government.

The writer, a person of caucasian origin, obviously does not understand much about the Chinese people by making poor remarks and insinuating that President Ma policies towards China is too "friendly" and this cause a drop in the popularity vote from 58% to 51%. If analysis was carefully done, it is important to note that there is a third candidate from the ruling Kuomintang party which may have taken some of the votes from Mr. Ma. The DPP's candidate only managed to garner 46%, which is not much of an improvement. I believe this chap and most of the Western media, do have obvious hidden agenda to instigate and divide the Chinese people so that the threat towards Western civilization is minimized.

There is no other way but for Taiwan to peacefully co-exist with China whose people shared a common bond, both with cultural and language similarities until a solution can be found perhaps, in the next 50 years.

It is up to the Chinese people and only Chinese people alone who will decide the outcome of what is to happen to China and Taiwan. So my advice, is for people of caucasian origin to stop interfering with the affairs of the Chinese people.

Malaysian Sports Media tried to provoke hate against Chinese Badminton Players

2012-01-14T12:55:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Chinese badminton players have been dominating the international badminton circuit in almost all major badminton tournament leaving the rest of the countries behind. Malaysia, an avid badminton nation with lots of fans, has yet to uncover any world unbeatable player. The only bright spark is that it has a gem in the name of Lee Chong Wei. The rest of the players just make up the numbers.

What the Malaysian media failed to realize is that although the number of people playing badminton is probably a sizeable million but when compared to China it is as high as the population of Malaysia, that is, around 28 million. So the vast talents can be uncovered from the big base.

But Malaysian media always write to think very highly of its only "GEM' and sometimes it has become more like a self pleasing exercise.

And these media always tried to stir up rivalry between its no 1 men single player and the rest of the Chinese badminton players. Even the crowd at the current Malaysian Open is not there to support the better player but to create an anti-Chinese environment.

I do understand Chong Wei is a good player but then the media is singing so loud as though he is the best player (men single) in the world. Though the world's fan voted him as the most popular player, I sense that the poll did not take into consideration the Chinese voting public since the world badminton site does not have a mirror in mandarin. So we can actually discount the popularity poll which is taken only from the english speaking crowd.

To me, as a badminton fan myself, Lin Dan is still the best player in the world.

China miserable soccer fortunes continue

2011-10-13T17:59:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

China struggles again in a soccer match with Iraq on home ground in a 2014's Asia World Cup qualifier yesterday, losing 0-1 to a team who did not even have a competitive soccer league given that the country has gone through some civil strife a decade ago.

It is a common sight to see the despair on the football fans faces who came to support its team after the first round knockout of its soccer team from the Olympic qualifiers.

I still strongly believe that the future of Chinese soccer is in the youth programs and if there is to be a change in fortunes then we must see some strong wins against the teams from South Korea, Japan and the Middle Eastern countries at the Junior level - U16, U-19 and Youth, But then there is no current performance even to justify that the future of Chinese soccer is indeed encouraging.

There is a need to revamp the Chinese structure in the development of soccer towards one in which the players are motivated to take risks, develop individual skills and most important to learn the basics of kicking and passing the ball to its team mates. China need to learn from Korea and Japan and it is important to do it fast, otherwise they will continue to lose or just draw with the Middle Eastern countries like Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq and Iran.

Just watch how the Japanese, Korean and the Australian players who always have the upper hand when they deal with the Middle Eastern style of play which I think is not superior than the speedy work rate of the East Asian teams.

China should downgrade its relations with Mexico

2011-09-11T18:26:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher
Ever since the current Mexican President ascent to power, he has been promoting a-Western centric values closed to the US and his directions and diplomacy have always been anti-Chinese ranging from economic partnership and working against the good of the Chinese people.

By meeting the CIA sponsored Dalai Lama on 9 September 2011 he is sending a clear message to the Chinese government and its people that he could not care less for the feelings of the Chinese people including in large the overseas Chinese people as well.

The only plausible way the Chinese government could do is to downgrade this country relationship or if possible, use its international influence to “isolate” business activities with the Mexican government. I do not see any importance of promoting an economic relationship with the corrupt Mexican government as whatever goods and services produced are competing with China.

It is important as it could send a very powerful message to the world community.

The Chinese ways to counter the US continued challenge to China’s rise as an economic and military superpower in the Asia Pacific region.

2011-09-08T16:53:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

The US (and not America because the US do not represent the continent of America) empire as many critics say is heading on a declining slope due to its massive debt and the poor performance of its economy – which is heavily reliant on technological improvisation. What happens if the technological barrier has been lowered (other countries can innovate better) or the technological development has reached a plateau over the next few decades.

The US is very eager to see that its dominant superpower status is not in any way challenge by a growing China. China must realize that after the cold war ended, the Pacific Ocean became, in effect, a US haven. With its air and naval forces operating through bases in subordinate satellite countries like Japan, Philippines and South Korea.The United States believe that it could continue to deter its labeled aggressors and to insure safe passage for commercial shipping throughout the Western Pacific and into the Indian Ocean. Recently, it has started engaging Vietnam (a former enemy) and Singapore (a pro-US city State) to allow it to make port calls with the hope of creating future satellite naval bases to deter China movements in the South China Sea. The US forces presently is the only power which could operate everywhere with impunity.

Western media keeps generating various reports that China has over two decades engaged in the fast and wide-ranging military buildup which threatened not the US but also the surrounding countries. Though China is secretive about its military improvements, it is no different when it comes to the US. Did the US ever notify the world community why it needed 11 aircraft carriers to patrol the world?

China must continue to build on its “anti-access capability” and focus on more cost-effective ways to neutralize US capability in coming to the aid of nations which have been taking orders from the superpower. The building of a large number of relatively inexpensive non-nuclear ballistic missiles inclusive of sea- and air-launched cruise missiles is a good strategic move in the right direction. The important thing here is to make these weapons more precise, powerful and deadly in order not to allow the US the time to recoup and launch counter attacks. These weapons must be able to destroy or disable the satellite ports and airfields (like in Japan and Korea) from which US air and naval forces operate and sink warships with weapons that could reach an area from hundreds of miles out to sea, more particular the might of US aircraft carriers.

More developments are needed in the area of space technologies to accurately disable US satellites and cyber-networks which will “blind” the US military vision in high tech war. China should also continue to develop more potent long-range nuclear missiles that can easily reach the United States in the event of an attack from the US. The strategic direction is to minimize the “windows” or options for Washington to retaliate in an outbreak of hostilities leading to a war.

China must develop a strong détente with its improvement in all its military armaments in such a way that any US satellites states which allow its bases to be used in launching a war against the Chinese people (esp Korea, Japan and Philippines) will run the risk of being annihilated WITH OR WITHOUT the US support. It is important to create this atmosphere of uncertainty on the reliance for the US support which will prompt these countries to consider carefully before embarking on any war against the Chinese people.

China must continue to take its rightful place as Asia’s dominant power. It can do so in 2 ways by co-existing with the US or by eroding the credibility of America’s security guarantees, hollowing out its many military alliances and eventually easing it out of the region.

China is stating its claims to the various contested areas around South China Sea and Japan more on the basis of what has been written in the historical context based on 16th century maps but the surrounding countries have suddenly become bolder to challenge Chinese sovereign interest, mainly because of the US support from within.

Western media reporting have always been lopsided and branding China as the “aggressors”. Why? It is no surprise since most online and printed media are from the West. The West has stated that strength deters aggression and weakness tempts it, which I wholeheartedly agreed. Beijing must continue to build a more aggressive and efficient military like what the US had done over the last 100 years in order to bring about peace and stability in Asia.

Beijing’s must continue to stress that any nation that work closely with the United States to deter China’s right to takes its own place in Asia is viewed as an ‘unfriendly nation” which will be subjected to the same treatment as an “enemy”.

Can Washington shoulder the entire burden of preserving the Asian power balance, in a declining economic scenario? Can US continue to spend as lavishly to confront China openly to counter its anti-access capabilities, thereby reducing the likelihood that they will ever be used? The West always criticize China’s relentless military buildup but is there anyone who is willing to question the US year by year increase in military spending which is so much higher than the size of China’s military budget?

Field Hockey: China miserable performance at Ordos, Inner Mongolia

2011-09-05T09:29:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

For the past few days in the men’s Asian Champions Trophy, we have seen Asian hockey giants, India and Pakistan, continued its shameless hammering of China, a nation which is not known for its hockey prowess, with a score of 5-0 and 4-1 respectively.

It has always been the same story for China which has started playing field hockey more than 15 years ago, not progressing from its tag as the “whipping boys” of any tournament it participated. The hockey management in the country is pathetic with no improvement shown over the last 15 years. Nearly 4 years ago, under the guidance of a Korean coach, the men’s team has shown sign of hope by beating Pakistan and India but it faltered recently. We really do not know why? The women’s hockey team which used to be on top of the Asian league of nations also fare no much better losing to their previous rivals which they always have the upper-hand, that is, Japan and South Korea.

South Korea, a nation which was not known to be a field hockey playing nation has improved by leaps and bounds and was able to challenge the likes of world’s hockey playing nations like Australia, Germany and Holland 5 years ago and it is only recently that it has started to rebuild its credentials with a young team by beating Malaysia and Japan frequently. If the Koreans can play intelligently and adopted its European brand of physical contact and hard hitting game, I am perplexed at why the Chinese cannot do so. Most of Chinese players are from Inner Mongolia, the same breed of people like the Koreans. Maybe, the Koreans should be asked to revitalize a competitive hockey league in Inner Mongolia.

China is hosting the Asian premier championship and it is so ridiculous for the host to lose in such despicable manner. I am wondering why there is no such development of youth hockey and clubs in China. The basic skills are missing. The stamina is sadly lacking and there is just no direction in their team play, similar to the Chinese soccer team. Why is there a need to go through this torture in every tournament?

Perhaps, there should send a team of personnel to Holland to see how youth development programs have played an active role in the continued supply of new talents to the Senior Team. Holland is never short of new stars in the making whenever the veterans retired. If this is not possible, then China might as well stop hosting or play field hockey tournament anymore and the recent big losing streak in the tournament have become a laughing joke for the rest of countries in Asia.

China first aircraft carrier program is a first step to project naval power

2011-08-06T17:57:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

Being the second world’s largest economy, it is appropriate for China’s to possess its own aircraft carrier. In fact, China should use this self developed refurbished technologies to produce at least 5 more aircraft carriers, to reflect its status as an emerging superpower.

Smaller nations like the Philippines and Vietnam, of course, with the US backing, have recently provoked China by erecting building structures on the disputed isles and awarding oil drilling contracts within the zone of contention. This is outright challenging China’s sovereignty over the clusters of isolated islands and atolls which are reported to be rich in natural resources particularly oil.

China must also not forget that Japan and India are highly unpredictable in its foreign policy who are deemed US “satellites” in this part of Asia.

It is the right of every nation to own weapons for self defense and we observed that superior and highly technological weapons are widely being use as a leverage to negotiate for better terms in any sharing of resources that comes about in an country to country agreement.

The launch of the carrier is a great breakthrough and fills the gap of China’s navy power and boosts the ability in combined military operations. But China is still a long way from being a great naval power. Much still remains to be done.

China recognized that the refurbishment and ship reconstruction technology would be acquired in the process in taking the former Ukraine’s vessel to the seas. China should understand that the outdated carrier would be no match for the ships of other nations in times of war. But the Western internet participants have laughed off China’s efforts, which I personally feel will revitalize China’s effort to work even harder, as it will put them on their laurels until China can produce a nuclear powered one. This will not be a difficult task considering China had already built another more fearsome military vehicle - the nuclear submarine.

China must have already realized that it has to continually develop homegrown technologies and not dependent on any nations especially those from the West who will dictate terms not to your country’s favor. I am proud that China has proved to the West that with self determination and the combined hardworking abilities of the Chinese people there is no such impossible tasks, although I have to admit it will take a longer time. The EU and US sanctions on transferring high technologies military wares to China since 1989 have proven to be useless in keeping a great nation like China from acquiring home grown technologies. Who knows in years to come, we may see some new emerging technologies coming from China of which the West do not possess. Then we will see who has the last laugh.

China development of carriers for use is different from those of the US. China's aircraft carrier will not be used for attacks, unlike US ships. The carriers will be used for self-defense. It is important to note that the US have 11 nuclear-powered, whereas the former Varyag is gas-powered, a significant difference. US fighter planes have being developed to fly off the carrier with catapult assistance and the US carriers also far have considerable more advanced weapons technology and other systems. The technologies used on the former Varyag are still in an exploratory stage.

There is no doubt that China will compete with the US for domination and influence. But this task is still underway.

Making China a powerful nation is the dream of generations of all Chinese people, including people of Chinese origins throughout the world.

Deep within my heart, I always feel that there must be someone other than the people of Caucasian origins to one day lead a section of the world with very different cultural backgrounds from the Western world, which to this very day have shown its own fair share of weaknesses.

Let us hope China will continue to develop nuclear powered carriers in a decade.

US Orchestrated Move In Asia is Dangerous and Threaten Peace for The Chinese People

2011-07-16T12:35:00.008+08:00

By China Watcher

The Chinese people must realize that the real threat to the Chinese people throughout the world is not from its surrounding neighbors but from the US government and its 300 million people who are threatening to disrupt Chinese from growing and taking its rightful place as another big power in world politics.

I fully agree with the views from a writer at China Daily, which is re-produced for the readers of my blog.

China has been dedicated to a peaceful external environment so that it can concentrate on domestic agendas, bring more welfare to the world's biggest population and remain committed to world and regional peace and stability.

Contrary to its desire, a spate of escalations in tensions at its doorsteps is constantly challenging its role as a low-key, broad-minded power. The latest round of tensions has stemmed from maritime disputes with countries in the region including Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam and fueled by outside forces such as the United States.

The current skirmishes between China and Japan over the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands in East China Sea have been Tokyo's making. To reinforce the country's unreasonable claim on the islands, some Japanese fishing boats, orchestrated by the country's right-wing groups, deliberately went fishing in the adjacent waters on July 3. In the face of China's protest, the instigators had to leave in disgrace.
This is not the end of Japanese provocation. On July 4, Japan's air self-defense force sent F-15 fighters to intercept two Chinese military aircraft, which were flying in China's airspace some 60 kilometers away from the Diaoyu Islands. Statistics from Japan's ministry of defense indicate that from May to December last year Japan conducted 48 similar interceptions against China. In the first three months this year, Japanese interceptions had increased to almost 60 times.

If Tokyo does not refrain from staging such dangerous scenarios, a mid-air clash between the two militaries in the East China Sea can occur any time. If this were the case, it would change the nature of the Diaoyu Islands dispute and escalate it into a major conflict between Beijing and Tokyo. Beijing would be compelled to react strongly. Sino-Japanese ties would be seriously derailed. Such a result will serve neither country's interest, especially those of Japan's as the country is seeking Chinese support for its post-disaster rebuilding.

While a storm is simmering in the East China Sea, another has already gathered in the South China Sea. Before their foreign ministers flew to Beijing for consultations to defuse the tensions, both Vietnam and the Philippines had resorted to drastic moves in different forms to provoke China over the issue.

After their government pledged to solve the disputes with Beijing peacefully, Vietnamese protesters continued to stage demonstrations outside the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi. Anti-China sentiments are the highest in years in Vietnam at the moment. The country is scheduled to hold a joint military drill with the United States today. The two already held one last month amid tensions in the South China Sea.For the Philippines' part, it seems ready for both negotiations and military confrontation. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario wound up a three-day visit to Beijing on Saturday. A joint statement released by the two governments on Friday said China and the Philippines would not allow rising tensions over conflicting claims in the South China Sea to hamper bilateral relations.

The agreement marks a welcoming sign in easing tensions. However, Manila needs to match its words with concrete deeds. There is ample evidence for Beijing to gauge that Manila intends to play the card of diplomacy and confrontation at the same time. While the country's top diplomat arrived in Beijing on Thursday, Manila was engaged in an 11-day joint drill with the US starting June 28. This saber-rattling is not only a show of US-Philippine alliance but also targets China. Before his Beijing trip, Rosario went to Washington last month to seek more US military support. Upon his request, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was prompted to pledge that the US will provide "affordable material and equipment that will assist the Philippines military to take the steps necessary to defend itself."

All these indicate Manila is gathering chips for a military confrontation with China over the South China Sea issue. But, does Manila have the competence to do so? Will a showdown with Beijing serve its own interests?

The answers to both questions are negative.

On the one hand, the island country's military muscle is no match for China's. On the other hand, Manila enjoys surplus in its trade with Beijing. Bilateral trade volume has a chance to reach $30 billion this year. A full-blown conflict with Beijing over maritime territory dispute would easily squander the rosy prospect of bilateral trade. This apparently is not in the interests of Manila.

It is believed Rosario's China visit is paving the way for Philippine President Benigno Aquino's visit to China, which is likely to take place in late August or early September. Aquino needs to take concrete moves before Beijing can be convinced of his country's sincerity in solving the disputes peacefully.

The South China Sea disputes did not break out until the late 1970s, when the waters of 3.5 million sq km were believed to have vast deposits of oil and natural gas. Since then, countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam have competed with one another to seize isles and reefs and illegally tap the resources. Today, not one of the oil wells in the disputed waters belongs to China. Instead, Chinese fishermen legally operating on Chinese maritime territory have been harassed from time to time by the Philippines and Vietnam.

As a country holding historical proof of its sovereignty over the waters, China has so far exercised utmost restraint. It does not lack the means and resources to act more assertively in defense of territorial integrity. As a responsible country, it always opts for peaceful solutions to settle disputes with its neighbors.However, some countries in the region have taken advantage of China's restraint. To grab more benefits from the South China Sea, they have instigated the latest outbreak of disputes and vilified China as a bully in the international community.

The US strategy to seek a bigger role in the region has obviously fueled those countries' ambitions. One day before Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Beijing for a four-day visit, the US, Japan and Australia held naval drills in the South China Sea. The first of its kind since 2007, the show of force by the three outside forces clearly aims to contain China.

The US has orchestrated several military drills in the past month with countries in maritime territorial disputes with China. It has turned the South China Sea into the US playground to project its power in Asia.

The US meddling has aroused indignation from China. In a joint news conference with Mullen on Monday in Beijing, Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, criticized the US for masterminding the series of military drills at China's doorsteps and said the timing was very inappropriate.

The US military presence in the region should contribute to peace, not bring displeasure to the region, which was continuously warned by the Chinese Military.
For the South China Sea issue, claimant countries should understand that peaceful consultation is the only way to resolve the disputes. Washington's support would not come to them as a free lunch.

In conclusion, the US needs to perceive the rise of China as a chance for win-win cooperation on the regional and global stage. Treating China as a threat and containing it in the South China Sea issue would be a bad judgment benefiting neither country's interests. If Washington continues to go along the wrong direction, it should prepare for the severe consequences.

If there is a outbreak of another war, it will define changing countries borders. I wonder whether Vietnam, Philippines and the irritant, Japan would exist. China could be gone who knows, so is a large part of the US especially on the West Coast

Chinese is to be taught in Swedish schools

2011-07-08T09:37:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

Sweden, a former Viking country in northern Europe has been supportive of the European crusade against China on human rights but has so far taken a softer approach (non confrontational) as compared to Norway which has been in the forefront (through a disguised Committee with hidden agenda) in awarding the shamed Nobel Peace Prize to a criminal dissident from China last year.

The country has taken a bold and wise decision to introduce Chinese as an important foreign language at all primary and secondary schools and this would take around 15 years for the school systems to adjust. In 15 years time, you could probably get to observe younger Swedish citizens speaking Chinese among themselves,

The decision to prioritize the Chinese language is seen as a move to recognize the importance of China from the economic standpoint as compared to French and Spanish languages which were presently being used widely more because of the impact of colonization over the last 500 years and not from the economic standpoint.

For a start, we understand the Swedish authorities would begin the recruitment of qualified educators who can teach Chinese and assigned them to the schools.

I commend the Swedish administration move which will bring closer ties between the Chinese and the Swedish people.

China Soccer Blues

2011-06-24T05:51:00.005+08:00

By China Watcher

China was beaten by Oman last night 3-1 in an Olympic Soccer Qualifying match which, once again, put the Chinese population to shame. A nation with the largest population of 1.3 billion in the world at a strong economic position cannot even form a 'decent" outfit to represent the country. By the way, Oman has a small population of only 5 million.

What is really wrong with Chinese soccer? Corruption, an old issue?

I would probably suggest a full revamp of the whole top down Chinese Soccer Federation and appoint new corporates to run it. The Chinese need to learn from the Koreans and the Japanese how they have revitalized their soccer fortunes in the heydays of the 80s to what it is today. Even Chinese leading soccer clubs are not doing well in the Asian Champions league.

There is really something very wrong in the youth development programs. The younger players are not coming up especially Chinese appearance in the Asian U15, Youth qualification for the U-17 are clearly very disappointing. The Olympics features U-23 players which will provide the core of its world cup squad in the near future and this does not measure up well for Chinese soccer.

I am questioning whether physically or maybe there is an attribute or quality in the DNA of a Chinese which is not made up to play soccer or football in other parts of the world.

Then again, the Koreans and Japanese are from the same strain of DNA genetics. Why?

This is clearly a big wake-up call to the Chinese sports authorities that there is clearly a big problem and something needs to be drastically done to appease the many soccer fans in China.

Epoch Times is a mouth piece of the Illegal Falun Gong cult

2011-06-19T18:28:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Last night I went out to have a dinner with my family at an eatery shop serving Northern Indian Food and I managed to get hold of a free copy of the Epoch Times (English version) and the translated Mandarin copy, which were freely distributed in a country in South East Asia.

I was shocked by the written content in the paper which contained mostly anti-China news and the promotion of the banned Falun Gong. What I could not bear was the amount of news which were twisted to portray China as a big bully and a destroyer of Western forms of human rights. The articles published reminded me of some US newspapers who are championing a hidden agenda – to bash China at every known way it could to demonize China to the general public.

I performed a check on the Net and it is not a surprise that the Epoch Times is funded by the Falun Gong cult, a religious grouping who had been focused at overthrowing the current Chinese government in China. Is it possible? Nope, without the public or the Chinese support at large it is highly remote. That is the reason why they are actively promoting their cause to the world including the overseas Chinese.

What saddened me was that the Falun Gong (and the Tibetan dissidents) had been used as pawns by the Western world to promote the Western World hidden agenda that is to introduce Western type of democracy in China.

I am sure the Falun Gong has many followers and supporters (the human rights activists, Amnesty International and the US Congress) and the most important of all, the US government. To fund this particular exercise through the printed media as well as from the many online sites would require massive amount of free funds and I would not be the least surprise if the US government are fully behind this.

The “forces” behind this strong support wanted to cause instability in present China, with the hope to create an environment which would bring about a change of government that is more democratic and one which is fully dependent on them and if possible to be administered with a dotted line reporting to the US government. China, after all, is the only nation in the world who will be able to undermine the US dominance status (the last 80 years) in this world. The West has to date refused to admit that this autocratic government has succeeded to achieve many No 1s throughout the world.

When I left the place, I noted there were still many copies left at the corner of the shop even though it is free. I am sure there are many first time readers like me who thought that it is just a normal international paper which will provide a more balanced reporting. We were obviously wrong.

The copies which I took from the restaurant ended as paper trash fit for use in the toilet!

China's Li Na wins a Grand Slam Tournament

2011-06-04T23:15:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

Just watched the completion of the French's Ladies Tennis Open on Live TV and was pleased that this is the first Chinese women and an Asian to win a big tennis tournament by beating Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-6.

There is something very odd after so many years which the West has yet to get it right on Chinese Names, that is, the surname is stated last and which is always preceded by the actual name like Na Li that sounds odd to a Chinese. Anyway, the West always like to push its weight around and insisted as usual that their way is the best. On a brighter note, there are some Westerners who have been to Asia who had accepted the fact that the Chinese are different.

Well, who cares what the West thought is odd about the Chinese way of arranging the names. Li Na has certainly created history and hopefully, there will be more Chinese champions in a sport, which is still largely dominated by the West (including Australians).

Congrats to Li Na, you are awesome!

What is the big fuss over the Royal Wedding?

2011-04-29T11:26:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Over the past few weeks, especially, former British colonies, like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India where the people and its media are fascinated with the wedding of the second in line to the British Monarchy. These people and the media have nothing better to do than to highlight the wedding so prominently in its attempt to build up a “make-believe” fantasy which has been missing from their own lives. There will be a live telecast of the event like the World Cup! Sad, isn’t it. Some of my own family members were also looking forward to witness the wedding, which to me is just a normal matrimony between two loving individuals. The event of course will be lavishly and extravagantly celebrated by the British people.

The British people, who wanted something to cheer up their own miserable lives, with the "Wedding" is perfectly understandable which after all, the royal family is actually their own creation when they disbanded direct Royal rule for the Constitutional Monarchy political system years ago. But for other people who do not depend on these events concerning the Royal Family for their livelihood and the happenings in Britain, why do we actually pay so much attention to it?

If the British couple survives the marriage or wanted to kill each other, how does this concern us? If this is not worshipping another fellow human being, I really don’t know what to say. In this world, we are taught to only look up to intelligent beings and leaders who can share innovative and beneficial ideas which will bring about development to mankind. And the royal family is definitely not on my list.

In China, at least it is being depicted just as a marriage and also, in the US, there is no such fanfare over just a simple wedding. At least there is sanity in this part of the world.

China should tell Germany to mind its own business

2011-04-08T13:01:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

I have not been writing anything for the past few months because of busy work schedule.

This morning I managed to catch a glimpse of a news report stating that the Chinese Ambassador to Germany has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry over not the fate of a German citizen but over a Chinese writer who was detained over issues pertaining to economic matters.

It comes as no surprise to me because of the meddling ways the West would try to put its foot into Chinese internal affairs just because China has different ideology and own approach in handling citizens who breaks Chinese laws.

Well, Germany is not what it used to be when it controlled part of Shanghai and Tsingtao during the early 20th Century as what is called "Slicing of the Chinese Melon". It is just an European power which is very good in making cars with a population of not more than 100 million. Yet, it wanted to act like a big brother to the US in questioning the local laws of the Chinese.

China should just tell the Germans to look at themselves first and most important, tell them point blank.. it will affects Sino-German relations in the long run.

Minus 10 points on Sino-German relations. The Chinese should start thinking twice about buying Mercedes and BMW.

The test flight of the prototype J-20 has further reduced the technological gap between the Western advanced nations and China

2011-01-14T14:33:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

This is one piece of good news for the Chinese people throughout the world. The Chinese people are catching up with the “whites” from the Western world. The development of an Aircraft Killer Missile, the Dongfeng 21D, is another sign that the Chinese are developing weapons to cope with the aggressive US posture in Asia.

The Chinese military aviation industry has made impressive strides over the past 15 years in narrowing the technological gap with the world’s advanced aviation powers. In the mid-1990s, China was struggling to produce third-generation, 1970s-era combat aircraft that were 20-to-30 years behind their global counterparts. After major structural reforms and considerable assistance from Russia and also from its homebred scientists, China is now able to manufacture an indigenous fighter aircraft such as the Chengdu J-10 and Shenyang J-11 that are only 10-to-15 years behind the most advanced Western models. The successful test flight of the J-20, even though the quality of its craft is not known, has to a certain extent indicated that the Chinese has further reduced this gap.

I agreed that the J-20 is still in the testing phase and it will take a while for the planes to be introduced for military use. But the indigenously develop stealth aircraft proved the resolute determination of the Chinese people to bring its technological advancement to be ON PAR with the Western world in 10-20 years time. China has stated clearly that it is in no position to threaten the US military might at this juncture, given the state of its own military readiness and the US edge on weapon power alone which the US still holds even when compared to the Russian military.

Some Western critics from the many China bashing media (The Independent -UK and the Guardian-UK) loudly claimed that the Chinese would not be able to close the gap and has confidently maintained that the US military superiority would not be challenged in the next 50 years. It is clear the United Kingdom is not mention here as the UK is a smaller “brother” of the US. Somehow I noted that there is a tinge of widespread jealously in the many articles coming from the Caucasian based community which convinced me further that there so worried or fearful about losing their political and military dominance as well as influence. As a rational person, I personally believe that the fulcrum of power will change according to time and I sense that the time is now ripe for a gradual decline of the “Western Empire” of which I may not live to see the collapse of these bragging societies but perhaps, in another 50-100 years from now. We are already seeing some symptoms of Chinese political influence throughout the world but the West as expounded by its many so called international media failed to accept the fact or choose not to accept the real situations.

The Chinese should openly thank the embargo of high-tech weapons from the EU and the US for motivating them to embark on its own intensive research project to use its own resources in the development of high-tech weapons. It may take a longer time but it makes the country self sufficient and less reliant of the Western world. I applaud the Chinese and its inborn culture to be self reliant and the strong perseverance to achieve its eventual objective however difficult the task may pose to be. The Western created Iraq war opened up the eyes of the Chinese on how the US literally uses technology to defeat the “enemies” with the least number of human fatalities.

Over the past one week, the Chinese has stated that the development of advanced weapons like the stealth is not a threat to neighboring countries and it is more for defense. In Chinese viewpoint, “defence” would mean protecting its “core security interest”, which includes:

1. the possible secession of Taiwan by the independence forces (promoted by the Western world) and the assistance from the US forces in the outbreak of a war.
2. the protection of sea lanes in the transportation of raw materials/resources needed by its industries, which is normal for a nation which rely heavily on imported natural resources like oil and coal.
3. a stronger bargaining position in the negotiation of territorial disputes with Japan, India and some of the South East Asian countries.

The above are the 3 main reasons why China embarked on a military modernization over the past 2 decades. There is no threat to US dominance in the Asia Pacific unless the US interferes in the event of a war between the Taiwanese independence forces and China.

There was this one person (a Caucasian I think) who posed 3 questions in a China bashing article:
1. If China is such a peaceful nation and at peace with all its neighbors and distant nations, then why do they need to spend money on such high tech military equipment?
2. Who do they fear will attack them and why?
3. Who do they think they need to attack and why?

It is the right of every nation to develop itself whether it is economical or military and the 3 reasons for China are given above. The Iraq War has shown to the Chinese that if the bargaining odds are down they could be attacked by an aggressor, like the US. The need to attack is more to prevent a unilateral secession of Taiwan from the motherland of which the West chooses not to accept this fact.

If the US has the right to continuously upgrade and improved the power of its weapons, why is this right not given to China? I am sure you know the answer.

To the many Western critics or the supporters of the US, don’t be too sure that the US military superiority cannot be challenged at all. Just wait and see in another 20 years.

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T06:00:00.003+08:00

I would like to wish all my followers and readers a very Happy New Year 2011.

Awakening China will continue to highlight press report especially reports from the West which is bias and has no basis but with an anti-China bashing agenda.

Let's hope that 2011 will see more progress in our struggle for equality and less dominance by a presumed superpower, greater respect for self governance and model of democracy for the good of all Chinese citizens and not catering for a few minorities.

My wish - I sincerely hope the Chinese government could strengthen its efforts further to combat corruption (which is still at a high level) and continue its effort to curb degradation of the environment (pollution level), which brings about an unhealthy culture that retards societal growth as well as the improvement of the quality of lives of its own people.

China Watcher

South Korea risky move is emboldened by its protector, the US

2010-12-21T10:30:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

When South Korea’s President remarked that it is the right of his country to conduct the live fire drill and no country can interfere with this, we believe these words are encouraged and emboldened by its main protector, the US. This comes about after Russia and China have urged the South Koreans to cancel the drill over their concerns of provoking a dangerous response from the unpredictable Koreans in the North. The live fire drill is viewed more as a psychological warfare, to boost the South Koreans morale after two shocking incidents over the past few months supposedly started by the Northern socialist state.

If there is no US, South Korea will not even exist today and that’s very true. When the Korean President speaks with the added courage, it is because of the strong backing from the US who is deemed by most people as the self appointed “policeman” of the world.

But to conduct such live military drill in the wake of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsular, it is not a wise decision. And if there is an outbreak of war, as a result of such a move, we can without doubt put the blame on the South Koreans and its US protector, the US.

Sometimes, to resolve an old outstanding issue, it is best to let the 2 separated Koreans fight and the winner takes over everything just like the war in Vietnam….and of course without the Chinese and Americans interference. But the Western world will not let this happen…fearful of a crumbling liberal supported Western society.

Sino-Indian ties can only be stable and good and no more than that

2010-12-17T13:25:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I woke up to the news on the visit by China’s PM Wen to India and I got the feeling that it is largely a diplomatic exercise for the promotion of trade ties between the two emerging nations. Trade deficit favoring China can easily be offset by larger imports of one’s goods and services in subsequent years but there are glaring contentious issues which remained notable “hurdles” for growing strategic ties.

1. India continuous act in allowing the dissidents and trouble makers from the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet to establish a base in Northern India remains a sticky sore thumb in an otherwise cool relationship.

2. The border disputes over areas in Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh in the Northern States will also be an issue which I foresee cannot be resolved overnight and may extend to the next generations of Indians or Chinese or some unexpected twist like a Third World War where boundary lines are redrawn.

The competing of resources worldwide is normal for any potential economic force and this can be genuinely avoided if communication barriers are brought down and informal links are promoted widely which I can see that both the PMs are mature enough to find the means to work together. The important thing here is to ensure that the Western world do not take this opportunity to delay the growth of this two countries. The main rivalry I see here is that with the growth of emerging nations, it will deprive these Western nations from holding on to their current dominant positions which are still being actively promoted by their influential media with a hidden agenda to drive a wedge between the two countries.

I think that it is the right of every country including China to develop close and brotherly ties with each other and that includes countries surrounding India like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. And it also India’s right to develop close ties with South Korea and Japan in East Asia which I believe the Chinese do not mind at all. The Western media used this to highlight that is an issue and I personally do not think so.

Sino-India ties will not develop into a more trustworthy relationship similar to the present state of Sino-Pakistan relations but it also not that bad as portray by the West. India is just trying to stand on its own and I do not think the West would easily win the country’s leaders over to stand on its side should there be an outbreak of hostility between the West and China.

Let me remind the West that India is an Asian country and its cultures and customs are quite different from the West.

Who attended the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

2010-12-12T04:07:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

Following the Nobel Piss Prize, I have done a bit of research of all the emissaries and Consulates in Norway and provided below is a listing. I am not too sure whether some of these countries at Consulate level were invited or attended. However, there are comments I have made by the side of each country names:

British – foregone conclusion
Chile – surprise here which China must take note
Belize – small nation, unimportant
Canada – foregone conclusion
Guinea-Bissau – small country
Hondura – West Indies no ties with China
Netherland – foregone conclusion
Uruguay – surprise here and lately trying to do some business with China, China to note
Austria – foregone conclusion
Belgium – foregone conclusion
Bosnia-Herzegovina - Europe
Brazil – the new President is afterall not so “friendly” with China
Costa Rica – surprise after switching ties from Taiwan to China, China to note
Croatia - Europe
Czech Republic - Europe
Finland – foregone conclusion
Germany - Europe
Greece – Surprise here after China has sincerely offers aids packages to them, China take note
Guatemala – no ties with China
Hungary - Europe
Iceland – Europe, bankrupt nation
India – More rivalry than anything else, China to note
Indonesia – More pro-US, China to note
Ireland - Europe
Italy - Europe
Lithuania – Former Soviet..now swing to the Western world.
Palestine – need US support more
Poland – foregone conclusion
Portugal – Europe, just business ties, China to note
Romania – Surprise here, Romania has been very supportive of China
Serbia – Makes a U turn after pressure from European members – at least courage to make initial decision.
Slovakia - Europe
Spain – foregone conclusion
Sweden – foregone conclusion
Switzerland – foregone conclusion
Thailand – pro-US PM and China should take note
Bulgaria – Europe
South Korea – Puppet of US
Latvia - Europe
South Africa – Surprise perhaps, strong pressure from US
Turkey – foregone conclusion since the Uighurs grievances and trying to fit into Europe
Ukraine – Europe, but surprise here as this nation has a closer link with China
Japan – US puppet
France – foregone conclusion
Singapore – don’t know whether this country attend but has been pro-US
Ethiopia – poor country
Jamaica – West Indies, more due to US influence
Luxembourg - Europe
Malaysia – do not know whether this country attend but is relatively quiet
Mauritius – surprise..trying to promote tourists from China
Namibia – business ties up but policies still very pro-Westerm
Nepal – don’t know whether this country attend..but has been supportive of China
Nicaragua – no political ties
Madagascar – big country and very little business tie up with China
Australia – foregone conclusion
US – the biggest hypocrite
The Seychelles – small island nation very pro-Western from French colony days

If you review the list, most of these countries are from Caucasian based European nations and nations that do not have diplomatic links with China. Outside this Group, I can deduce that they are merely “US puppets” or because of their close dependencies to the Western world. If you are thinking that most of these countries which have attended the Ceremony are supportive of the Western cause, YOU ARE WRONG and probably misled by the Western media.

China is not wrong to say in claiming that it has the support of more than 100 countries throughout the world because there are close to 200 nations on the UN sovereign nations list. There are only 58 embassies/representatives offices in Norway.

For all the right thinking Chinese and pro-China supporters, the non-verified completed listing above is for you to make reference when doing business or Chinese politicians who are planning to cooperate with these countries.

The 'clowns' have celebrated its fanfare..now what

2010-12-11T13:21:00.006+08:00

By China Watcher

Yesterday, the Western world has celebrated its cherished idealistic world complete with human rights dignity as they called themselves ...so now what.

The criminal is still imprisoned for 11 years..if not more. It is not for the West to decide but for the course of Chinese laws and if the convicted person is on good behavior, the Courts may allowed the person to be pardoned and not from PRESSURE from the WEST especially from the US and EU.

The Nobel Peace is now over and the Chinese now should note who are their true and sincere friends throughout the World. The Indians have make qualification that it is attending not to go against China but the Committee and Norway especially is challenging Chinese authority to run its own country. I am just wondering why those foreign exiles and dissidents cannot keep quiet since there are supposed to lived in a FREE Western World. That is because most of them are under Western salary payroll to cause trouble towards Chinese continuous political and economic development along its own pace with its own governance model.

The Western world will continue to challenge the Chinese government right to rule its own country and as such, they must plot its own path and strategy to ward off such pressure. Perhaps, it must continue to strengthen its relationship with those friendly countries and develop a strong grouping like the Third World during the Cold War.

I dare the West and the Nobel Committee to publish a list of those countries which have attended the ceremony as I could not find any on the Net other than the list of those countries which did not attend. Maybe, Chinese media can publish a list for all the pro-Chinese government supporters who is doing business in such "double-faced" countries.

The countries that did not attend should be commended and China should send its representatives personally to thank them and reward them with preferential trading and investment status.

I reiterate once again for China to sever all ties with Norway.

UK is a BAD LOSER

2010-12-10T10:00:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I need to comment on this topic although it is not related to China.

It is good that the FIFA President had made a comment on the critics especially those coming from former colonist, UK on the selection of Russia as the host for FIFA World Cup in 2018. He viewed such criticisms as negative and more like the noises from a BAD LOSER. The main cause of the failure of the UK bid is due to the British media which is making inaccurate supportive insinuations and at present, it is still not willing to shoulder the blame but trying to point the finger at the selection process and the corruption within FIFA.

What a bad loser..which I had to agree in totality.

When China lost out the Olympic host bidding process to Sydney in 2000, it did not blame everyone but to build up a more sturdy and reliable presentation to bid for the 2008 Olympics of which it had won and successfully hosted.

Who is more civilized here - the Western world or China?

The Nobel Peace Prize is essentially a tool of the Western world

2010-12-10T09:56:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

A Norwegian critic commented recently that the past few Nobel Peace Prize winners indicate that the Norwegian Nobel Committee lacked sound analysis and even disregarded facts. The foundation of the Nobel Peace Prize conferments in recent years was weak, including the latest one to a convicted Chinese criminal named Liu Xiaobo.

The admired critic mentioned that the Nobel Committee's selection approach is problematic in itself and that it does consider the overall global picture but squarely based on its own emotions and carving to the present power based authority and the human rights activists which is centered in the Western world. One good example is the award to Bangladeshi banker Muhammad Yunus in 2006.

From U.S. President Barack Obama in 2009 to Liu Xiaobo in 2010, the selections showed evidently that the Nobel Committee served as conduit for support given to Western leaders on the one hand and as a backer of opposition forces in Eastern countries on the other. While the committee had many reasons to sing paeans to the United States and find fault with China, it suffered a fatal failure: its background checks focused merely on the nominees and how well it can promote its own agenda to propagate Western values which the decision makers deemed as universal values.

Why were Nobel concerts anchored by Hollywood stars from the United States instead of Bollywood stars from India? Did Western countries still think the center of the world was somewhere in the Atlantic? India which has send a representative to the Ceremony will need to re-consider because there will be day when a Kashmir activist or dissident who will be awarded the Prize.

The current Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland intended to take part in some significant events to change the direction of the global development, but he often tripped over his own path as he is challenging the international norm and acting with the West to challenge a potential superpower. There is no strong rationale to award to the present US President last year. What has he done for World Peace? Isn’t the prize reserve for prominent personalities like Chou En Lai, a former premier of China, who has contributed to so much to his country’s peaceful integration with the world community and the Third World or to Mr. Gandhi to his non violence protests in India against former colonist, Britain?

The decision to award the prize to a dissident was unwise because it is enforcing support for Chinese nationals throughout the world as it is viewed as a Western political tool to force Western values on 1.3 billion residents of the World. It further exposed the Western countries agenda together with its massive media to try to influence and lecture others who do not subscribe to such values.

Anyone who wanted to shape history must carefully and comprehensively discern the global situation and accept the fact that the world would need to embrace fundamental changes and there is a different political model other than Western democracies.

The five members of the Nobel Committee were retired politicians at senior ages and lacked professional knowledge on the world situation would inevitably erode the meaning and glory of the Nobel Peace Prize. Should the committee continue making decisions against the tenet of the Nobel Peace Prize its reputation of the award among the Third World especially would fall further and rated as a “Western junk”.

Nobel Peace Prize Post-Mortem

2010-12-08T17:55:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

Based on the latest statistics:

The countries which have declined the Norwegian government invitations and are considered “good and trusted’ friends of China and its people are:

1. Russia
2. Kazakhstan
3. Colombia
4. Tunisia
5. Saudi Arabia
6. Pakistan
7. Serbia
8. Iraq
9. Iran
10. Vietnam
11. Afghanistan
12. Venezuela
13. Philippines
14. Egypt
15. Sudan
16. Ukraine
17. Cuba
18. Morocco
19. Algeria (no response)
20. Sri Lanka

I am a bit surprise at the rejection coming from two so-called US new found “friendly” countries. First, Vietnam which the US has openly made claims through its media that they are entering a new military partnership phase with the Socialist State to ward off Chinese influence in South East Asia. Secondly, the Philippines which also said that they would like US presence in the South China Sea to deter any Chinese perceived aggression in Asia. Anyway, it is good to know that there are 20 trusted “friends” which the Chinese can develop very strong “preferential” relationship with financial assistance for the growth of these countries. 20 out of 66 countries is quite noticeable and very encouraging and as usual, I do not understand what the Norwegian “enemies” were saying and the Western promoted activists were proud of.

On the other hand, we notice some so called “double” faced countries like South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa. There is no surprise for countries like South Korea and Japan which I have long ago written off as US or Western puppets. The other 4 countries are more of a surprise and the Chinese government should take note that these are the very nations that will let you down when you need the support.

Let us bring the fight against Western dominance and its political instrument like the Nobel Prize.

A big snub to the Western World

2010-12-03T17:49:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

This topic is not related to China but I have the pleasure to write something on it nonetheless.

At the recent World Cup bidding to host the 2018 and 2022, Russia and Qatar have successful won the rights to host one of the most prestigious tournaments on Earth.

Of course, there were sour grapes coming from the supporters especially from Caucasian based countries like England, the US and Australia. Some comments from the racist Australia is that how could Qatar won the bid and the tiny country with such a small population with an unsuitable climate. He went on further to say that it is joke to award the host to such country. If this is not racist and ringed of so much on Caucasian based authority, I do not know what to say.

The Western media as usual could not believe that its many articles singing praises for the favorites have so few influence among the Third World delegates.

I was so happy to note that the white country of England was brought down to earth thinking that by sending three famous celebrities they could win the host job but unfortunately, there could only win 2 votes. The US even has a recorded speech of their talkative President but it does not help.

It was certainly a good day for me after also seeing the US puppet countries of South Korea and Japan were also eliminated in each rounds.

Congratulations to Russia and Qatar.

China should sever its relations with Norway

2010-12-03T13:26:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

China as a big nation should just cut off ties with Norway immediately over its recent comments that China has itself to be blame for the deterioration of relations between the 2 nations. The arrogant Viking country is not remorseful and even openly declared its support of the Nobel Peace Prize.Initially the country claimed that it has no say in the award of the Prize. A whole lot of nonsense and this country is merely a puppet of the big brother, the US.

China should strongly considered to bring the relations to a Consulate status and then if there is no improvement to cut off links immediately. The Chinese people throughout the world must take note of this development.

This should send a strong message to the Western world.

Without China assistance the North Korea issue will not go away

2010-12-02T14:15:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Western media has again painted a picture that the West together with its East Asia’s Marshals, Japan and South Korea (still tied to a dog noose after the Korean War because without US there is no South Korea) will be able to resolve the North Korean problems without China. The media were freely and unceasingly using words like “Reject China” and “Snub China”.

Honestly, what can these countries do to solve the broader problems involving a stubborn North Korea with an uncompromising posture? Talking tough is one thing but having to put the action into practice is another matter altogether. There is without doubt close coordination between the United States, Republic of Korea and Japan due to its intricate war linkages and hence, we are already aware of, so why is there a need to continue to highlight it. The media tried very hard to emphasize this close relationship with an agenda to show to the world that it would imply in simple meaning “we will endure the difficult situation and we rise or fall together if need be” as we have a “brotherly” relation. I am sure China is well aware of it and there are strategies to counter this type of joint force like what Russia is now doing to counter NATO expansion.

If these countries are not interested in talks, then the only way out is a full scale WAR. The large scale military manoeuvres are sure signs that the US and its “Sheriffs” are moving towards this solution. And I am sure the US is leading the two smaller protectorates into believing that it is the only alternative to remove North Korea from the big “picture”. If there is a full scale war, then the useless US President Barack Obama and his fellow Congressmen have to answer for any repercussions in the near future.

Some Congressmen have even go one step further to demand outright economic sanctions on China for not succumbing to the request of the US to pressure North Korea and also, for the perceived assistance provided towards Iranian nuclear program. I would love to see how the US is going to carry out this threat or threats.

My personal opinion is that for a peaceful resolution of the current destabilizing situation, the only way forward is through talks unless if WAR is the only way forward as promoted by the US. Without China, I do not think the problem can be resolved whatever angles the Western media would like to portray they are coming from.

The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony is a way to show the Chinese people who their true friends are

2010-11-19T16:43:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The Nobel Committee by awarding the Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo has won the trust of the Western people but losing the trust of 1.3 billion Chinese people. They support a “criminal” while creating 1.3 billion “dissidents” that are dissatisfied with the Nobel Committee, which is definitely a bad decision.

From the latest statistics, the following countries are understandably good friends of the Chinese people:
Russia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Iraq who have declined invitations to attend the peace prize ceremony.

China should send commendation letters and further strengthen and deepen brotherly relations with these countries.

And without forgetting the strong allies of China – Pakistan, North Korea and Myammar.

There are a large number of countries who are sitting on the fence and deciding whether to attend the ceremony like the countries in ASEAN and Latin American countries.

As usual, the “enemies’ of China and its people will be the US and most of the Western countries including Japan. China should devise strategies to move away from depending on these countries. Japan as usual has no guts but had to rely on its protector, the US.

I have read a proposal from China that this is a good opportunity and China’s civil society to consider setting up a “Confucius Peace Prize,” launching the evaluation and selection and finding the real Peace Prize winners from all over the world.

I believe this is the best opportunity for the Chinese people to declare China’s view in peace and human rights to the world free of Western influence.

Through such evaluation and selection, people around the world can have the most direct, sensible and comparative opportunity to observe, analyze and understand the Eastern and Western values.

Let see how Norway is able to rise up to the challenge.

Japanese finally come face to face with its past territorial aggression

2010-11-02T13:42:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

There was an article in a Korean daily which I would like to share with the readers. Mind you, this is not a propaganda article from China but from another Asian country. This is not the typical or stereo-type of reporting from the West like the US said this and Japan warned this and so forth. We’ll see now how the US, the Japan protector, can come to its assistance.

Japan refers to the four islands of the southern Kuril archipelago as the "Northern Territories." The Japanese government designated Feb. 7 as "Northern Territories Day" to mark its claimed ownership of the islands. This is different from "Takeshima Day," which was designated by only one Japanese province to mark Japan's claim to Korea's Dokdo islets.

But the four southernmost Kuril Islands are under Russian control, unlike the Senkaku Islands, which are under Japanese jurisdiction and which China calls Diaoyutai. Japan has taken a noisy approach in its dispute over the Kuril Islands and a silent approach in dealing with the Senkaku Islands.

Tokyo's strategy has been to present areas under foreign control as being disputed and areas under its control unquestionably so. In dealing with Dokdo, it has taken the clever approach of annoying Korea so that it protests loudly against Tokyo's claim. The approach did not stem from a belief that Dokdo and Kuril Islands are different. It merely places lower priority on Dokdo because of Korea's strong alliance with the U.S, which also plays a key role in Japan's national security.

Tokyo applies one principle to all of these territories -- that there are no historical problems that could undermine its territorial claims. In other words, it claims it never controlled those territories against the will of other countries during the colonial period. But China and Russia see the territorial disputes as historical issues. China says Japan occupied the Senkaku Islands in the late 19th century when China was in turmoil, while Russia believes it merely won back the four islands in its World War II victory.

Dokdo cannot be seen from the same perspective, but the common factor is Japan's persistent denials of history. It writes off anti-Japanese protests in China as internal disputes stemming from a widening income gap, high unemployment among the young and political chaos, almost as if it is chiding China for being politically underdeveloped. There is no soul-searching whatsoever among Japanese officials asking themselves why there is anti-Japanese sentiment among the Chinese.

The same goes for Korea. When anti-Japanese sentiment flared in Korea after Tokyo identified Dokdo as part of its own territory in school texts in 2008, Japanese officials and experts wrote it off as a ploy by the Korean government to unite a public divided over beef imports. And when the global financial crisis erupted, a Japanese newspaper even featured a column saying Korea will most likely end up begging Japan for money.

On Monday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the Kuril Islands, rubbing salt on a highly sensitive spot for Japan as its territorial dispute with China rages on over the Senkaku Islands. Now it is Japan that is accusing its regional neighbors of reigniting imperialism. It says China and Russia, which have grown economically powerful, are flexing their muscle. But if China and Russia are guilty of imperialism, Japan is equally guilty of denying its imperialist past. This is clearly demonstrated in the anti-Japanese sentiments flaring up among the Chinese and Russian public, which are fueling China and Russia's territorial challenges against Japan.

China and Russia are no longer former communist countries lagging behind in economic power. The more Japan denies its history, the greater the challenge it will face, and this will hurt stability in Northeast Asia. Japan has finally met its match.

China may need to plot a long term strategy to live without Japan

2010-10-30T17:29:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The diplomatic skill of the Japanese in handling its relationship with China is deplorable. Perhaps, the hard line stance and the recent comments on the disputed isles were strengthened by the military and moral support given by its main protector, the US.

The US, a country which dwells on its technological superiority and military might played the game of a two-timer – on one hand to be a strong protector of Japan and on the other hand to try to come in as a mediator to the current flare between the second and third largest economies. So can you really trust the US? The answer is obvious.

Rare earth is a commodity which we know is depleting in its supplies throughout the world and it is China right to limit the volume of export to manage and to preserve the commodity for future generation. Furthermore, the extraction of the minerals is known to pose a major health risk due to the polluting effect of the industry. China is indirectly telling the users that it is the right time for these users to search for the minerals elsewhere and China is not interested to be a 97% world producer of such commodity at the lowest price indefinitely. The cheap price of its own commodities can best be used in its own industries where the consumption is already assured. But Japan and other Western nations continue to make a hue and cry over the issue, perhaps, to portray to the world that China is an unethical producer and neighbor.

Japan will not relent on the few islets which remain an important part of Japanese mission to stretch its sovereignty claim that would include even Taiwan and certain parts of Philippines under the 200 km exclusive economic zone from the nearest islets or atolls.

China must clearly re-look at a strategy to be less dependent on Japan and if possible, to plot the country mission to grow and develop further without Japan.

China, being a self sufficient country with a huge productive population, can survive without Japan but I am very doubtful Japan can survive without China, given that the US, a strong provider to the island nation 30 years of prosperity, is at the pinnacle of its economic and military level and is now on a declining slope. But the Western media and many experts from the West still do not accept this fact willingly but to try to hide the outright shame of losing the status to an Asian country that do not practice Western liberal democracies. That is the main reason why these Westerners and power makers from the West (with a clear hidden agenda) have been promoting India, not because of its potential as a future economic power but because it is a democracy. India has many fallacies and I don’t think it would even match up to China in the next 30 years. I have more faith in Brazil than India when it comes to making a prediction even though I am the same person who believes that Asia should be main impetus of growth in the next 50 years.

China is aware that the US still plays an important part as the main provider of economic activities but over the past few years, we have also seen China role in enlarging its trade with other emerging countries other than the US. As for Japan, I can only view Japan as an investor and possibly as a miser in providing technology.

Presently, China view India as a more important economic partner than Japan and as such the redeployment of a strategy to move out of the Japanese economic sphere would not be very difficult although I have to admit a large measure of sacrifice had to be made by all Chinese people throughout the world in the short to medium term.

What new pressure is the West talking about over the Nobel Prize

2010-10-14T13:18:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

It really amazes me how the Western media continue to twist the issue to its own advantage by claiming that there is new pressure over the Nobel laureate.

Taking comments from the Japanese Prime Minister, the US and possibly the voice from EU in Brussels and another comment from Norway over the cancellation of meetings with two small time diplomats, the media tried desperately to portray and exaggerate the situation as though the pressure on China is so great that China will need to change. A clear case of trying to mislead the reader to think that this is what is happening.

First and foremost, the criticisms are mainly from WESTERN NATIONS (make up of not more than 30 nations) and also, from a US “protectorate” JAPAN. They do not represent the WORLD. So where is the PRESSURE!

Secondly, a lot of Third World countries (160 independent nations) have not made any comments on the awards. Silent meant that they do not agree with the West. One possibly reason is that its own dissidents would someday be given the JUNK AWARD if they do not toe the Western way of livings or standards like what happened in Cuba and Venezuela.

I like to state here, that the JUNK AWARD has no impact on China. China should continue to ignore what the Norwegian government has commented or will said in the near future as it will have no bearing on its relationship with the rest of the world.

Let the Norwegian government think about the repercussions of its wrongful decision. The Sino- Norwegian ties is just not worth the trouble.

Who says Norway is not involved in the Nobel Peace Prize

2010-10-12T18:49:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

Norwegian Minister claimed that the Norway Government has no role in the prize winners' selection is not true. The Norwegian Parliament is the body which appointed the members on the Committee that decided on the Nobel Peace Prize just like the Corporate Board which appointed its members to a decision making Committee who then will vote for a particular venture or business proposals. The Norwegian Parliament consists of elected representatives of the present ruling Norwegian Administration and I am sure that the Cabinet will have an influence in the appointment of “friendly” members. But the government choose to “wash its hands” by making untruthful claims that they are not the people in the selection of the peace prize. Furthermore, the government has been pre-warned not to support such a move but continue to make press statement supporting the choice of the Nobel Peace Award for this year.

The Nobel Prize is a western tool and it does not represent the wishes of the people who crafted it. Last year winner, the selection of the current US President was really a bad choice as I am still wondering and continue to wonder how did Obama contributed to Peace when he could not even resolve the Middle East Crisis and the North Korean nuclear issue.

China shall continue to retaliate against the Norwegian government and to send a clear message to the world that they should not interfere in the governance of China and its people.

What Nobel Prize? A piece of Western Junk!

2010-10-09T16:35:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

If you witnessed every year on the award of Nobel Prizes for Sciences like Chemistry and Physics, the winners are mostly people of Caucasian background with perhaps, one or two Japanese who are known to be very gullible for things that are Western. Does this really mean that the people of other backgrounds other than the Caucasian people are not intelligent or creative enough to win such awards? Why? If you can do just a bit of research and find out who are behind these awards you will have the right answers. Yes, the Committees (decision makers) of these awards are made of persons appointed by the Swedish government and sponsored by the US and big Western companies. Don’t ask me the reason but somehow the world press (mostly Western media) has given so much authority to Sweden, a small European nation, who is very proud of themselves as intelligent beings and civilized people of this earth.

And the Nobel Prize is administered by the Norwegian parliament, another small Viking nation whose elected representatives consist of only 5 million inhabitants. The reason why this award is given so much recognition is also due to the flow of information controlled by the mostly Western media. As people of the Third World and the developing nations, representing 2/3 of the population of the world, the question I would like to pose is why should we be easily influenced by these awards which is to spread Western influence and its’ so called universal values into our civilized societies. (“WHY” here means Third World and Emerging Nations).

The award of the Peace Prize to Third World countries dissidents is not new and yesterday prize given to Liu Xiaobo is not a surprise. The West hope that by giving this award it will spur democratic changes in China and that the Western standard of human rights are adopted in the most populous nation. I have stated this many times – the change to the political structure in China is up to the Chinese people and that being an ancient country with a strong asian values and age-old tradition, it will take a while. It is not up to a few sparkling individuals promoted by the West to champion the downfall of the one party rule. The Chinese people in groups will have the final say and it is also up to the Chinese people to develop its own brand of democracy which may not be similar to the West.

The award of such prize will normally have no impact on the country concerned of which it is directed and if you run through the list of dissidents awarded, did you see any change to the ruling government. A big NO. The award perhaps will do its part to excite the human right activists and lovers.

Following the award, some of world WESTERN political leaders call for the release of the imprisoned dissident. Take note of the world – only WESTERN. And the interviews published by the Western media only focus on those few human right activists certified persona-non-grata by the Chinese government like Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama and of course, the foolish Lech Walesa. Why only now? Shouldn’t this be a continuous call if they are serious about it? The hypocrisy demonstrated is really unbecoming.

Beijing have every right to make a very strong representation over the case. Liu Xiaobo is just a normal criminal based on Chinese laws and I call for China to downgrade its bilateral relations with Norway. This is one of the many acts of the West to demonize China and its people and people of Chinese origin throughout the world should take note of this.

If you are an Asian and you want to win the Nobel Prize, just become a famous dissident and you will be rewarded handsomely by the West. Winning the other Sciences prizes are difficult because you may need to turn yourselves into a Caucasian performing research in a Western university.

China is not fearful of a “US protectorate” known as Japan

2010-10-06T21:26:00.006+08:00

By China Watcher

Western media, as usual, played up a similar tune that Japan has the upper-hand and continue to emphasize that the Diaoyu islands are Japan’s territory which is not up for discussion following the Chinese fishing boat collision with Japanese patrol vessels in September near the islands in the East China Sea that are claimed by both countries as well as Taiwan.

Chinese media pointed out that the disputed islands are Chinese owned based on Chinese historical annals. Actually, both sides have reiterated their own stand but most Western or US media, with a hidden agenda, left out the Chinese version of this and highlighted the Japanese version which is only one part of the story. Some Asian countries media particularly the online Singaporean owned Channel News Asia, published the one sided story taken wholesale from Reuters or AFP.

I noticed over the past weeks since the arrest of the fishing boat captain after the incident, the news coming from the West put the blame squarely on China and its’ so called “authoritarian” rulers.

First, what has this current Chinese government, which is not elected by the people generally, has to do with the crisis. Even if the Chinese government is run by democratically elected individuals, the response towards the infringement of Chinese territory or sovereignty will still be the same, if not worse. There were actual Chinese government efforts to restrain the huge anti-Japanese protest in China over the incident. Taiwan, a renegade province of China, is a good example of a democratic entity where the people are also up in arms against the Japanese claim that the no man area is its own territories.

Secondly, the reaction of the Chinese, I would say is normal and the response is acceptable to the large number of people of Chinese origin throughout the world. Japan put the good bilateral ties with China at risk by gambling on the notion that maintaining a tough stance with the arrest of the “trespassers” will strengthen its opinion that these disputed islands belonged to them. Beijing suspended ministerial-level talks with Tokyo and postponed talks on jointly developing undersea gas fields were good calculated decision which are deemed more “mature” responses as compared to the Tokyo release of the fishing boat captain (as stated by the Western media).

Beijing demanded that Tokyo offer an apology is also a measured and well thought request because the captain and his crew were detained in an area where the sovereignty is questionable and hence, it is not wrong of the Chinese government to seek for one. The argument from the Japanese that the Chinese trawler tried to ramp the Japanese coast guards is also questionable since the collision of a small trawler with a strongly build steel hull would tantamount to be more like a “suicidal” effort.

The imposition of a de facto export ban on rare earth materials needed in Japan for advanced manufacturing during the spat has opened up debates in the Nippon country of seeking substitutes or alternatives. The exports of valuable resources from China to the world are many and it is not easy for a small nation like Japan which is deprived of natural resources to locate cheaper and reliable substitutes elsewhere. Let see how Japan in the next few months come up with such a strategy.
The hue and cry by the Japanese cabinet and the many hawkish politicians can be depicted as “smaller little brothers throwing tantrums at their bigger brother who refused to give it to their unreasonable request”.

The impromptu meeting in a hallway at a conference in Europe was the highest-level contact between the countries since a bitter territorial dispute. This is needed very much by the Japanese and I believe it is initiated by the Japanese delegation.

Japan still has territorial claim or disputes with Russia over the northern territories off Hokkaido since the Second World War. The Russian has stand firm on the matter and Japan is left pondering what to do next. Perhaps, the bigger protector of Japan the US has some ideas but so far, we have not seen any.

As China is getting stronger and confident by the day, it is important not to be afraid of Japan for the following reasons:

1. Japan is deemed a small nation with no resources. India, Brazil and even Russia will one day overtake the industrialized nation due to the vast potential in terms of size and resources.

2. China is no longer the “sick man of Asia” as proclaimed by imperial Japan in the 1930s and 40s. At present, China has already proven over and over again that this stigma is wrong by becoming the second largest economy and has also made significant advances in science and technology.

3. The US which is Japan’s known protector is already on top of the world for the past one century and I believe that there is only direction when you are at the peak, that is, to move down and we are seeing some signs that this is happening. The question is how many years more can US protect them.

4. Japan has certainly lost its Asian identity and it is becoming more Western which indirectly means that its own society that promotes family bonding, industriousness and the display of strong problem solving spirit would no longer be present.

5. Japan cannot even do anything over the Kurile Islands occupied by Russia since World War Two.

6. China has diversified its investment and its market to the EU countries, ASEAN, Africa and certain Latin American countries to be less reliant on Japan and the US.

7. Japan and the South Korea economies are now very dependent on the strength of the Chinese economy, and the well being of these two countries would suffer if they antagonize China.

8. Even it there is no investment from Japan, China will still be able to survive albeit at a slower growth rate. In fact, the Japanese are not known to be generous in the transfer of technologies as compared to the French and the Germans.

9. China has team up with Russia and made a common stand in dealing with Japan over the territorial matters.

10. In terms of international diplomacy, the Chinese are far ahead of the Japanese whose foreign policy had become very much US-centric.

China winning ways shut up the French crowd

2010-08-31T16:11:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

At the recently concluded World Badminton Championship 2010 in Paris, France, China won all five titles a feat that they have achieved only once at the World Championships in 1987 in Beijing. The 5 titles are the Men and Women Singles, Men and Women Doubles and the Mixed Doubles.

China has already won 3 titles on that day given that the matches involved players among the Chinese. I watched the final 5 matches on Sunday and it is no surprise that the French crowd was cheering for the opponents. Why? If you remember, this is the city which has given the honorary citizenship to the hated dissident Tibetan independence leader, the Dalai Lama. By openly cheering against the Chinese players at every point within a game, it indicates that the French do not want a Chinese to win, a sign which is extended to the ordinary Chinese people.

A survey taken last year during the height of the Tibetan spiritual visit to France revealed that Parisians have a soft spot for the wily Tibetan leader. More than 50% of the Paris citizens do not like the Chinese. I think if a survey is conducted in China after the announcement of the results, it would also indicate a distinct dislike of the hypocritical French people.

Although the sport is not a top sport in the Western world as compared to other racquet games like Tennis, it is still one sport where the Asian people shall continue to assert its authority. Tennis popularity is where it is today because it is played by people in the West and at one time, completely dominated by the Caucasian.

China has proven to the other Asian communities that they can excel in sports which do not require strong physical attributes but with “skills and brains”.

It was certainly and eventful day. The winning of the 5 titles was good not only, to assert the Chinese near domination in the sports but also to silent and shut up the largely Parisians crowd.

China should not give much priority to its relations with Britain

2010-07-16T14:07:00.006+08:00

By China Watcher

The recent trip by the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, to China has damaged the already worsening relations with China. Instead of building political trusts and enhancing economic ties, he has completely shown discourteous acts by passing negative remarks on Tibet.

The issue of Tibet has been and always will be a prerogative of the Chinese and nothing to do with foreigners or let me put it specifically, Western government. Westerners in this context, I refer to comprising mainly the people and its government from the US, France, Germany and the UK at this particular juncture. Let me reiterate that these governments and its people are sympathizers of the Dalai Lama.

Britain has its own fair share of problem with the Northern Irish community who wants independence from UK but this was not given for the fact that it still wants to preserve a united Britain. There were still dissenting bombs exploding every year in Northern Ireland and there is nothing the UK government has done other than to delay the ultimate truth.

Mr. Hague raised his concerns on Tibetans while meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. It is also likely that he picked up the same topic when holding strategic talks with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo. Both Chinese officials sternly refuted the British stance on the Tibet issue. But the Western media mentioned that the Chinese officials took these criticisms in stride. Is that so? I personally do not think so, as the Chinese Foreign Ministry made it very clear and warned that the Tibet issue bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that it is China’s internal affairs.

As a government seeking stronger relations with Beijing, Britain should show real sincerity in respecting China's core interests. The situation of human rights in present-day Tibet is the best in history if compared to the situation when it is still a feudal country ruled by the monks. Britain, as a former colonizer in India, would clearly understand this particular predicament when it ruled India which is just next door to Tibet in the early 90s. With due respect, Britain should not give any stage to Tibetan separatists led by the Dalai Lama.

Judging from the unfriendly remarks passed by one of the highest British officials, I doubt whether there would be an improvement in ties between China and UK since the execution of a British subject by the Chinese authorities last year and the trading of words at the Copenhagen summit on global warming between the two nations.

China and its people can accept criticisms but it must be constructive and do not borders on Chinese sovereignty. The Western media also said that the Chinese government is the hated ruler and did not have the support of its own people. Let me say it one more time. Most Chinese nationals including overseas Chinese supported the inclusion of Tibet within China and that most Asian nations would agree that it is essentially a Chinese affair except perhaps, Japan who has a long history of rivalry with China.

The fallout of political issues will leave indelible marks on co-operation in other fields sooner or later and it will impact the current so-called partnership with Beijing on economic growth.

I would suggest that the Chinese enterprises and its hordes of companies to do less business with the British government.

The cultural values and customs between the East and the West are really wide. In Eastern society, we do not go to someone home to embarrass the host but to the Westerner this is acceptable. If I am the host, I would tell my guest to pack his bags and leave my home immediately.

China economic crash is a “white man” dream

2010-05-29T18:30:00.005+08:00

By China Watcher

Western mass media had been circulating news that a China economic crash is inevitable and perhaps, in the next two years. According to them, China’s property prices, bank lending rate and inflation rate are symptoms of an overheating economy waiting for disaster to happen.

In 1995, there was a group of anti-China so-called “economic experts” with credentials from Harvard and from another US most prestigious university concluded that there was so much development going on in Shanghai at that time with economic growth spiraling at 25% that it is almost impossible to maintain. The experts predicted the “Shanghai Malady” will bring a total collapse of the Chinese economy in 10 years time. I wonder whether such bold predictions was a “fair” comment given the many “western experts” who have a hidden agenda to see China going down and probably, eliminate the “yellow” threat to a civilization dominated by the “white man” which is more real and significant than Japan poses in the early 70s.

Well, it is 2010 and is already 15 years and I have yet to see a Chinese bubble exploding resulting in the demise of the Chinese economy. In fact, the Chinese people and its government have proven these bias soothsayers wrong and wrong over and over again. Looking deeply, it is these Western media who are at war with the Chinese government and its people.

And then, there is another group of Westerners who tried to pit the Chinese against the Indian. This group would love to see India overtaking China in every sphere of the economic activities. Why? Because India represents the largest DEMOCRACY and China is still COMMUNIST. Is it wrong of being a Socialist State? These communist haters are all over the place and they are represented by the “hawks” in the US Congress and the military and in various parliaments in Germany, Spain, Italy and United Kingdom.

As pointed out by one of the articles from iCapital, it is India economy most likely to follow the path of Greece rather than China. Why? The Indian economy has a high persistent level of budget deficit, external trade deficit, greater degree of social ills and also a high inflation rate. In contrast, the Chinese economy is far better managed. But the West has been relatively quiet on the Indian economic development but love to pick on China at every opportunity.

Maybe, the China bashers are also human rights “bed partners” because you cannot separate them. The China bashers are also lovers of the Dalai Lama and the dissidents in Xinjiang and continue to highlight whenever there is slightest sign of troubles inside the two Chinese provinces. The Western governments except Russia had been playing a “two-faced” political game with China - by supporting China’s sovereignty on the provinces but also, instigating the dissidents to overthrow its ruler. Of course, the hidden message is that they cannot see the rise of the “yellow community” outshining them at their own “civilized” game in political influence, economic assistance and cultural importance.

Unfortunately, to these Goldman Sachs or Bloomberg economists, the facts of the matter do not support a China crash if these world’s readers are smart enough to see through their devious attempts. I had to point this out to the many internet readers the “white-man” dream. I am not racist and I do have some very nice Caucasian friends. I am also not an extremist as the world is big enough for everyone. I just do not like one single race professing that they are much superior than others not in merely words but also in their actions. And not all Western cultures and practices are good for everyone. I still believe in the saying that, “there is no one solution that fits all.”

I will continue to challenge those China bashers (with a hidden agenda), though I am in the minority, and hopefully there will be lots of people who can rise up and tell these people to mind their own business and look at their own problems in its own backyard first (USA, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy and France just to mention a few of those Western countries).

I personally do not see a China crash and in fact, I foresee a soft landing in the next one year.

Let us see who is right.

Western new agency tried to promote its version of popular figure

2010-04-25T11:43:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

I read this piece of news in a foreign press and I could not stop criticizing some Asian media especially those pro-US countries from publishing this piece of one-sided bias news. Instead of analyzing the article, it acted like a “parrot” and happily published the recycled news supporting those behind this scheme with a hidden agenda.

The newspaper claimed that Obama and the Dalai Lama as the WORLD’S most POPULAR LEADERS. First, when you proclaimed WORLD, it should cover at least a wide spectrum of readers or netizens but it is not. The survey only includes readers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States and these few Western agencies unashamedly said it is the WORLD. I almost laughed my heads off. I think we should send these people to learn GEOGRAPHY. Everyone knows that the WORLD is not made up of these few countries. It does not include populated nations like China, India, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia or even Russia. Why? Because all these countries do not share the same favorable opinion of the US President or the EXILED religious and POLITICAL FIGURE who seems to enjoyed Western patronage for a reason – to provoke and antagonize the Chinese government.

Let us take a closer look at those countries on the list. The US and UK are both tied up through some past Anglo connection. France, Germany, Italy and Spain are all former colonizers who could not bear to sit idly and watched China, with its new brand of relationship, winning friends in Africa, Latin America and certain parts of Asia. Worse still, some of these countries in the poorer parts of the WORLD suffered under centuries of abuse from the above mentioned COLONIZERS. And going into the racist and religion elements, these listed countries are all Caucasian based with a strong Christianity background. I do not want to dwell into this but somehow it has to be highlighted for some readers who may not be able to decipher the clear common attributes.

Whether the US President obtained 77% or the sly and cunning Tibetan leader securing 75%, it will have no bearing if the international readers can read through the hidden motives of the survey.

I am not surprised that the Chinese President is one of the least popular in the survey, given the Western media continuous anti-bashing news on the Chinese leaders over the last decade. It is important that with the growth of China and its influence, world news reporting will be more diversified and not controlled only by Westerners. More so, reports should be balanced and not relying solely on AFP, Reuters, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, just to name a few of them.

I would rate the Chinese President very high on my own list, for his ability to ensure 1.3 billion people basic needs are met and also, to maintain stability in the most populated country in the WORLD.

Is popular so important?

I never doubted Obama is the most powerful person in the world given the economic and military superiority of the US viz-a-viz the nearest country but after having evaluated his performance over the last two years, he, of course can speak quite well with his oratorical skills but that is all. There are nothing significant he has contributed to the WORLD – Middle East is still in turmoil, North Korea and Iran are still nuclear outcast, Iraq and Afghanistan are still not stable and the US troops still maintained a heavy presence in these two countries. You decide.

Good Riddance! Google finally call it quit on April 1, 2010

2010-03-21T14:46:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

I have heard the good news from China State Information that Google will leave China on 1 April 2010, after issuing so many veil threats.

The arrogant US company plan to negotiate with a big nation like China is similar to its government thinking that it had the clout to pressure any damn body on earth, just like every US residents thinking they could do just to about anyone on this planet, just because they are living in a country “full of stripes”. I watched the movie. “Law abiding citizen” yesterday and I came across this arrogant judge who said that she can do almost everything because of her position. She was shot on the head after making the statement. This is exactly the same thinking carried by almost all US companies, particularly the human rights lover, Google.

A majority of netizens at a major Chinese daily seems to formulate the opinion that if Google wants to continue to do business in China, it should obey China's law.

Here are some of the comments:

1. Google thought it had the privilege to disobey the host country's law. All foreign companies doing business in a country have an unspoken duty to the host and its people, i.e. its code of conduct, responsibilities and compliance to procedures, rules and regulations, not least the laws of the country. China is not unreasonable to expect its laws to be followed to the letter. All other countries have regulatory procedures too. No matter who you are, how big you are, when you are in someone's house you respect his space and his rights. You seek permission and you just do not impose your views. That is manners.

2. In Italy, Google has also broken the law, and I know how disrespectful American companies and Americans themselves are. Something needs to be done to Google to make it adhere to countries' laws. Otherwise Google needs to be fined for its arrogance."

3. Each country has a different history and background. The laws and regulations in each country are different, especially for China, which has 1.3 billion in population. You shouldn't expect every country must be the same as USA. Any company that operates in the other countries must respect the law of those countries. If Google is not satisfied with China's rules, Google should leave China.

4. Google's business tactics, it's an all-out failure. Looks like Google's plan backfired. In trying to stir up Chinese netizens against their government, it has instead stirred up a lot more resentment against itself. Chinese people do care about freedom of expression, but not as much as they care about a perceived slight to their national sovereignty. A dose of American humility is long overdue. It comes down to one word: respect.

Yes, respect is the key word and sadly speaking, most US people especially the US Congressmen lacks this finesse and quality. The US strongly believe that its democratic values and its human right practices are a size that fit all for everyone on this earth and that if you are not, then you are not with them.

China is big enough to stand on its own two feet not like some Asian countries and it should not just blindly succumb to coercive pressure from a big bully like the US. Even a big country like the US can fall as demonstrated with the defeat of the mighty US military by the NAVIs in the movie, “AVATAR”.

China firm in allowing Google to exit from its market

2010-03-13T07:38:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I applaud the strong stand taken by the Chinese government in dealing with company that is conniving and sleeping with human rights activists in the name of business.

Here is the text from the Chinese media and obviously this type of news would not get published in the Western media.

It is up to Google to decide whether to withdraw from China or continue to stay, Li Yizhong, minister of industry and information technology, said Friday.
Li made the remarks in response to questions about Google's suspenseful "quiting China" claim at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliament session.
Google, the world's largest Internet search engine, said in January it was considering leaving China because of censoring requirements and alleged hacker attacks.
However, there had been no major actions or further comments from Google until its vice president Nicole Wong urged the U.S. Congress Wednesday in a hearing to put pressure on countries scrutinizing Internet contents, saying the company was firm in the decision to "stop censoring our search results for China" and that it was "prepared" to leave the country if that was the option.

"If Google decides to stay in China, we welcome and it will help boost the development of the country's Internet industry," Li said. "The company is welcome to expand its business and market share in the country."
"If it decides to quit, we will follow our procedures," he said, adding that Google's quit, if it does so, will have no major influence on China's Internet market, which will continue its fast expansion momentum.

The company, which entered China in 2007, now accounts for more than 30 percent of the country's search engine market, according to Li.

"I hope Google can abide by China's laws and regulations," he said. "It is irresponsible and unfriendly if Google insists in doing something that goes against China's laws and regulations, and it will have to bear the consequence for doing so."

The minister said China's Internet environment is open and administered in line with the country's laws. "Internet administration is not a special case in China as all countries regulate networks according to their own laws."

I believe the Chinese government is just being courteous and that they do not want to be seen as an aggressor which may prompt those human rights activists to lodge a report at the World Trade Organization for unfair trade practices or rules. If they leave on their own accord, it is their own will.

Bravo, China.

Google stop talking, Get out of China now

2010-03-11T14:08:00.006+08:00

By China Watcher

If Google is sincere on its wishes to not allow the censoring of its filter results, then get of China and don’t talk so much. I think all Chinese people would be glad that they are really acting on their threat or threats. If they move out, we welcome it and it helps China to weed out those unscrupulous and insincere US corporate from the Chinese market.

I have always stated if the US companies refused to obey Chinese laws then moved out and stop trying to use excuses and delaying tactics to promote its stay in China. China does not welcome such companies. In fact, these companies need China more. If these companies want to succumb to the wish of its democratic activists then by all means “pack your bags” and get out of China. If I am given a say in the China’s Foreign Investment Committee, I would without hesitation issue a “deportation order” to Google telling them to ship out immediately for not subscribing to Chinese laws.

I am truly sad that a top Google executive of Chinese descent is willing to stoop so low to face a bunch of anti-China US lawmakers and informing them that the Internet giant is prepared to leave China if Beijing continues to censor its Web searches. China has already stated that it will NOT bend to the whims and fancies of a US corporate or to pacify them to stay. So why is Google still waiting. GET OUT NOW AND STOP MAKING NOISES. WE ARE FED UP!

Nicole Wong or whatever her name is should be labeled a “traitor” to the Chinese people by succumbing to Western ideologies and discarding her Chinese beliefs and cultural roots where throughout many age old governance practices that relied on the acceptance of changes but it must be gradual, controlled and within a code of laws to ensure that the nation is stable without affecting the livelihood of the 1.3 billion Chinese.

Google threatened in January to leave China over what it said were mid-December cyberattacks aimed at its source code and at the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists around the world. If they are so strong in its human rights BELIEF, then why do Google still continue to filter results on its Chinese search engine, Google.cn, and posted ads for dozens of positions in China, which has the world's largest number of online users at 384 million. They should be preparing to leave China.

With regards to the hundreds of employees that Google has hired, the Chinese authorities can easily request its local Internet companies like Baidu to absorb them. I was informed that there are already head hunters on the instructions of the local companies to tap those workers expected to be retrenched by Google.

If Google is not going to change its decision then why stay in China and issues more threats. It makes no sense.

A US Congresswoman correctly put it “we welcomed Google's commitment to stop censoring search results in China but, unfortunately Google has yet to follow through on and to stop self-censoring”. In other words, when do they execute its threat(s).

To make everyone happy, there is only one solution, PLEASE MOVE OUT NOW!

China must develop a clear effective punishment strategy to ward off continuous Western leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama

2010-02-19T17:52:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

Every time there is a meeting of foreign leaders with the Dalai Lama, the Chinese government representing the 1.3 billion Han Chinese would lodge “solemn representations” and diplomatic protest to the ambassador of that country. The Western governments are fully aware of such a reaction and were able to minimize the fallout in the bilateral ties by choosing to make it less official, thus rendering such move as ineffective.

A “low-key meeting” with the Dalai Lama is still a MEETING regardless of whether it less formal as the West chooses to describe it. The symbolic gesture of a handshake or “pat on the back” is what the Dalai Lama and its hordes of rebels in Northern India would call it as a political or moral support that they truly believe would keep whatever hopes alive (in the exiled political base and elsewhere) to seek secession from the Chinese motherland.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is a wily fox. The Tibetan exiles in Daramsala are going all out to ensure that he gets all the respect from the West to attain its objectives of “full independence” from the Han Chinese.

The meeting by foreign leaders with the Dalai Lama is actually a “slap in the face” for all Chinese, both in China (1.3 billion) and overseas Chinese (100 million) throughout the world. A Tibetan commented that a Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to a Tibetan numbering only 6 million and there is no Nobel Prize for even a single Han Chinese numbering almost 1.5 billion! If this is not a slap on the face of the Han Chinese, I really do not know how to phrase it differently. Human rights activists of Chinese origins, I am asking you to wake up from your slumber and not become a tool of the Western governments.

If the Western governments recognizes that the “one-China” policy espoused by China and that Tibet and Taiwan is part of the People Republic (as always in its official joint statement), then how come they conveniently and ever willing to meet up with such outcast “figures” who are deemed not representative of the people. The meeting of such “Western glorified figures” will only promotes a harden stance from the exiles to accept a national reconciliation. What happens if Chinese leaders choose to meet up with the Governor of Hawaii and supported his move to secede from the United States of America?

The Dalai Lama says he is merely seeking greater autonomy but I have seen through his actions and the demands at the talks that he is asking for “almost full autonomy” – the independency to control foreign affairs and religious matters, which I do not think any central government would readily agree to. Just ask the Russian or Canadian governments whether they agree to allow the province of Chechen and Quebec such federal control actions?

If the Tibetans refuse to accept Chinese leadership, then a more radical approach is needed. The movement of Han Chinese to Tibet and Qinghai over the past decade would help to break up any tracts of Tibetan objection to integration. National integration of the 56 ethnic races in China should not be taken as an act to wipe out the cultures and traditions of the minorities. In fact, in festivities across China, all the 56 cultures and its associated traditions are promoted openly and accepted by the Han Chinese. I am fully supportive to preserve the 56 different cultures and dances of its people. The diversity of its cultures and traditions is what makes China an interesting place to explore and live in. Chinese civilization is 3000 years old and the Han Chinese can wait for another 500 years if need to promote national reconciliation and integration.

China reaction towards Western persistence to meet with unacceptable Chinese separatists and rebels must be effective. Chinese leverage against the West at this moment is quite limited as the economy is still largely dependent on the Western demand for its goods. Even Chinese’s holdings in US Treasury bonds are not that big to put the chill on the US economists. China did in fact reduce its holdings of US Treasuries to US$755.4 billion in November, seen by some analysts as a sign of protest at US policies but it is not an effective tool.

I have always emphasized that it is very critical for the Chinese to diversify its markets away from the West and to develop strategies to grow its own internal consumption. It should also explore military alliances with friendly countries and to continue to develop more sophisticated weapons, not to fight a war, but to increase its bargaining chip at the negotiation table in the near future.

The world should not be dominated by the West.

Microsoft is a true friend of the Chinese

2010-01-26T14:05:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

Bill Gates, one of the co-founders of the very well known Microsoft, was criticized by the Western media for playing down the issue of Google exit from China. The philanthropist was probably referred by most people as a world’s entrepreneur who represents aggressive US capitalism that is not so appealing. He was praised for his ingenious inventions and ideas but is criticized for not supporting the Western initiated fights to free up the Internet society in China.

So it remains very clear that Google fight (with the undivided US government support) with the Chinese authorities is not about illegal intrusion on its servers, but more so to do with the unfettered availability of news, information and material which runs counter to the values of the Chinese people.

Gates disapproved of his rival's decision and insisted that agreeing to Beijing's demands was just part of doing business in the country. In an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America programme, he said "You've got to decide: do you want to obey the laws of the countries you're in or not? If not, you may not end up doing business there”. He also brushed aside accusations that Microsoft has been complicit in helping filter the web by saying that it was not an issue because any censorship could be circumvented with technical knowledge. "Chinese efforts to censor the internet have been very limited," he said. "It's easy to go around it, so I think keeping the internet thriving there is very important."

Last week, Microsoft chief executive, Steve Ballmer, bombarded Google by suggesting that the company had over-reacted in China. He said that people are always trying to break into other people's data and that there's always somebody trying to break into Microsoft. Ballmer also likened Microsoft's complicity in actively filtering internet content to the oil industry's decision to import oil from Saudi Arabia, despite the censorship that takes place there. "If the Chinese government gives us proper legal notice, we'll take that piece of information out of the Bing search engine," adding that even countries with "extreme" free speech laws, such as the US, exercised some censorship.

The direct censorship of news relating to Falun Gong religious group, Tibetan independence campaigners and Xinjiang’s East Turkestan is important to safeguard China’s security and ensuring that China does not fall apart like the former Soviet Union.

BBC and the Guardian, have always complained that their websites have been blocked in China but as Gates said that there is always a way around it and Chinese surfers are an ingenious lot and I believe that whatever the Chinese wants to read, they would be able to do so…. only that the Western ways of doing things might not be so appealing to them.

Thank you Microsoft, you are a true friend of the Chinese people, both in China and abroad.

Singapore’s Straits Times playing up the importance of Western influence

2010-01-23T14:47:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

It is not surprising to me anymore that a small nation state or a tiny blot in South East Asia is willing to go all the way to shoulder the US imperialist activities in this part of the region.

In a recent article published in its government controlled Straits Times, the writer tried to play up the importance of Google in the world. To him, Google is as powerful as a sovereign state. Huh! Really! Google is just another US company subjected to US laws and it a tool for the US to use in promoting its Western based style of freedom, cultures and brand of human rights.

Google has been trying to paint a negative light of China that it does not follow universal humanity rules. Most of the Chinese I met believe that Google is only trying to use its pullout as a leverage to negotiate for better censorship terms with the Chinese authorities. In the past weeks, China has stated very CLEARLY that any company who wants to operate in CHINA must RESPECT CHINESE LAWS. If that is not clear to the Western media, I would like to stress it one more time. FOREIGN COMPANIES MUST RESPECT CHINESE RULES. So why make a fuss out of it. If you do not want to play on that same set of rule, just get out, please don’t cry like a spoiled brat like Google. This is what I truly believe and there is not even a small piece of sympathy inside me for Google.

If Google is a defender of freedom and openness, why does it take them 3 years to do so? Why do they want to get into China in the first place? And what about succumbing to other countries censorship laws in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia? Western media did not play up this censorship issues in these countries but tend to highlight this when it comes to China. It is China bashing at its best and Western media has organized a concerted attack using this highly exaggerated issue. Most overseas Chinese and even local mainland Chinese is aware of this devious plan. I do not think Google is a genuine crusader but the writer would like its readers to believe him.

I tend to agree with Martin Jacques (the author of When China Rules The World) opinion that even a big company like Google cannot take on the Chinese government or for that matter, the Chinese people throughout the world and hope to win. Google will exit from the Chinese market and that will have an impact to its long term global ambitions. I would add that if a company cannot conquer the Chinese 1.3 billion market then it is not a global company and I wish to see Google as just that.

The writer did not mention that Google has failed to dominate the Internet search engine market. Baidu, a home grown company, has taken up 65% of the market consisting of 380 million online surfers. Other competitors are waiting earnestly in the wings to assume the vacuum in the event of a Google exit. There is no loss for the Chinese users.

China has already built up quite a fair bit of followers and its supporters since the Olympic Games and being the 3rd largest economy (to overtake Japan as the second largest in the next 2 years), China will continue to draw more support. The writer’s claim that China is hungry for international respect and recognition is highly debatable. China has invited the world’s leaders for the Olympic Games and the soon to be organized, World Expos in Shanghai and if the invitees do not turn up, there is no loss to China. What matters most is the ability to maintain its composure, pride and dignity of the Chinese people. The world’s overseas Chinese (except maybe some Singaporean and Hong Kong Chinese) is strongly supporting the Chinese government in its tiff with Google (which represent a Caucasian face). The important thing is that the Chinese should not sell its self governing right especially when a US based company is being strongly backed by a known superpower.

The writer said that the Chinese should regard Google as a significant player on the world stage and that it has the power to hurt like a nation state might. What a load of rubbish! The writer is clearly playing up to the tune of the West and is sulking up to Western influence. I like to state that GOOGLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HURT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, MORE SO THE CHINESE PEOPLE. The writer a Chinese descendent should be ashamed. He is selling his soul to the West for a piece of action or perhaps, under instructions from the Singapore government.

Singapore has always been pro-Western or more specifically pro-US and China should realize by now that its positive overtures to strengthen military ties with this small republic has been put on the shelf whereas the highly publicized military links with US and the Commonwealth nations will remain as the core defensive structure in this part of the world. On a comparison basis, China has already developed military ties with Thailand, Cambodia and Myammar. Indonesia and Malaysia have also positively responded to a military dialogue with China. Singapore is the only country in South East Asia that is pursuing a US centered military pact. It is only keen to advance trade and business ties with the growing superpower in Asia and nothing else. That I believe China should take note.

In the event of an outbreak of hostilities between the US and China, I do hope China would know who its strategic partners and genuine friends are while devising a military warfare to defend its people.

China should tell Google to pack its bag and leave China immediately

2010-01-19T21:17:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

It is not a game of being nice. Before Google does any damage to the security and business interest of the Chinese, the Chinese government should just tell Google to leave China immediately.

Google is trying to use whatever publicity in collaboration with its hordes of Western media particularly US owned to paint China in the negative light but this is not working for them. In fact, a large percentage of the overseas Chinese I met recently expressed its undivided support to the Chinese government for making a stand that if you operate in China – RESPECT CHINESE LAW otherwise SHIPPED OUT and DO IT QUIETLY.

I would like to share a comment from an oversea Chinese who aptly summarizes what many Chinese throughout the world would have expressed:

“ I question Google's Drummond going to CNBC to publicize its threat to leave China. I happened to see the show on that night and I was not particularly pleased at the jibes and poison barbs thrown at the Chinese government without even them having an opportunity to reply. Google seemed to have misjudgedthe public's mood when it - a business entity - tried to make the Chinese look bad by slandering it on global television. That must be the height of arrogance and hypocrisy. The immediate similarity that comes to mind is Steven Spielberg's pullout from his commitment to his contract prior to the launching of the Beijing Olympic games. It was a downright utterly contemptible move .. stabbing your benefactor in the back! I bet he has not lived that down even today. All said, these two incidents bear the hall marks of the US President's campaign of its bad cops while the President tries to play good cop. The US and Britain are just most despicable in this matter .. seen from people from the East.”

The US government is behind the devious Google’s planned exit from China

2010-01-16T18:24:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Yesterday, the US government (inclusive of the hated and nosy Congressmen) has demonstrated its true colors by coming from behind to support the Google THREAT to pullout from China. The Obama Administration has requested an explanation of the hacking activities of Google’s servers whereby, in actuality, only the names of 2 human rights activist accounts were lost and not much confidential data were leaked.

I applaud Microsoft for its upright and just opinion by commenting that that it is all a business game and that Google is merely crying like a “spoilt child” over the inability to dominate the Chinese search engine market after more than 3 years. Microsoft added that hacking of information is a “common phenomena” and it is up to the Internet operator to upgrade its security fix or infrastructure to deter hackers.

A corporate pullout from a lucrative market is really nothing for China but one which is fully backed by its own government, maybe, that is something. Or so they think? But the Chinese has never succumbed to Threats and Pressure especially from the West, more so from the US government.

A few more comments from online parties on the subject:

1. Google by right should leave China for a long time and please let Microsoft takes over the business in China since the Chinese needs time for adjustments to polish its skills further before a genuine fight with Google. Microsoft will certainly help China in all aspects to polish its skills and by that time Google wouldn't have any place in China and the Chinese should be able to export its advanced search engines to other countries in direct competition with Google. With commitments, I believe Skill and Knowledge can be acquired with others to hold you at ransoms.

2. Yes Google should leave China now that the USA State Dept., has made a big deal about their intention. Read the Chinese responses to this issue. I say to those who make a big deal of this that China will be happier if Google leaves.

3. Well done China! Don't let yourselves be dictated to in your internal affairs by a mere multinational corporation from the imperialist west. Do what is right and best for the interests of your people and don't succumb to their bankrupt and discredited right-wing anarchist, Neo-Liberal ideology. After all, how much does Google contribute to China's economy compared to how much China's economy contributes to Google.

4. Every country has it's own rules and regulations. Even taxes are different! If Google intends to do business in China, they are atleast follow their rules and regulation. If Google intends to business but NOT following their rules and regulations, that's ILLEGAL.Crying over cyberattacks and censorship is lame. Google is a large multinational corporate which its business its Internet search engine and advertisement. Cyberattacks are expected. All Internet servers are all attacked every day, every hour. What do Google expect? Censorship is applied everywhere in the World! Some countries censor child porn, some censor religious taboos, others have their software piracy censorship. It's just China happened to be reinforced heavier censorship. It's not like something Google search engines cannot afford to do.

5. Just alone India and China make up 2/3rds of the world's population, and counting in the Soviet Union, all Muslim nations, Latin American-Brazilian region and African countries, that would make Google's relevance to the world merely that of a minority stakeholder. Google had better toe the line before these 4 major forces decide Google is just a proxy of the certain Caucasian factions and should be shut out of their business models.

Let Google leave and set stricter rules if they beg to come back later. Support other friendly non -US corporate and companies. The US cannot be trusted.

Is it really a mixed type of view about Google exit from China?

2010-01-14T17:31:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Most of the internet comments I read from Chinese citizens in China supported the Chinese government stand to impose restrictions on the Internet. But the Western media, as usual, published a few favorable comments supporting Google decision, in an attempt to sway public opinions. Washington Post went even further with its report that 80 million Chinese netizens would be angry from Google exit. Really? What they could do is to turn to Baidu, which is home-grown and liked by the majority of its 360 million netizens. This is the type of bias reporting which can irk your nerves.

Do you really think the West is so principled that their authorities do not retrieve information from its US-owned Internet and networking companies? I have come across articles revealing that the CIA and the FBI have illegally poke its “intelligence eyes” into Google private accounts in an effort to filter those with terrorist innuendos.

Provided below is a few interesting comments taken from an online news portal on the issue:

1. Google is OK with The US Government screening every single email that go through Google's server and listening to every phone call in US and else where, but he has problem with the Chinese looking into email of couple of their citizens. I guess the human-right champion operates on double standard.

2. Google is trying do another Steven Speilberg with misinformation and making the Chinese look bad. Google now has been roped in as part of the US and British campaign to villify the Chinese. They can't accept an independent China after that veto on sanctions against Iran. Only obedient boys like the Japanese under Koizumi and others before him, are considered good boys. Besides, Google is trying to divert public's attention from their major felony of digitizing of 80,000 Chinese books without permission from its authors. The US-Anglo governments are behind all these. No question about it.

3. Never heard of a bee who is finish with a flower, hahahha... The biggest flower of them all, too. Oh Please lah. China is OK without Google, but is Google OK without China?

4. The Chinese Government never pretend they are a nice guy. All the rules are already there well before Google was formed. So, Google went into China with its' eye wide open (Singapore famous leader quote). I am wondering why Google never inform people about they allow US Government to screen every single email that go through Google's server.

I am very happy that the Chinese government has not relented on Google’s threat. I also hope that they would place a moratorium of at least 3 years on Google if they intend to crawl back into the Chinese market.

The Chinese should just allow Google to leave

2010-01-13T16:37:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Google Inc has just made a threat to pullout from China after hackers have accessed human rights activists’ e-mail accounts. In fact, the illegal retrieval of information was not the main discontentment from Google. The actual reason is that Google do not want to subscribe to Chinese censorship rules.

Chinese rules are meant for an orderly and consistent operation of a search engine and it is crafted to be compliance with domestic laws. Chinese laws are very clear and everyone knows that the forbidden topics which undermine the country’s security like discussion on Tibetan independence and the promotion of the banned spiritual movement, Falun Gong are not allowed. But why is there such a need to hold such discussion on Chinese domain? Isn’t the topics widely discussed outside of China of which most Chinese including overseas Chinese do not give so much prominence on this other than the Western media.

If Google’s latest strategic business plan cannot accommodate the domestic laws of the operating country, I would suggest they go away quietly and not make a fuss out of it.

China has over 350 million Web surfers which is still growing exponentially while its annual search revenue topped USD1 billion in 2009 and is expected to hit USD1.5 billion in 2010. This is a very huge and lucrative market and if Google do not want to play the right rules, the Chinese government should just allow them to leave.

Baidu and Sina, two Chinese owned companies, will obligingly complied with the rules but US companies like Microsoft and Yahoo somehow are doing so reluctantly as they have to respond to its hordes of interfering human rights organizations in its so-called “freedom” nation.

The Chinese government intention to keep pornography out of the hands of China's Youth, is a good move supported by parents and is in line with Asian traditions and customs to promote a healthy and caring society. And the West should not question the motive behind this worthwhile initiative.

Google Inc.'s pullout from China will not disrupt the country's Internet economy and its 30% share would easily be filled and shared between the few likely competitors like Baidu Inc, Netease.com Inc, Sohu.com Inc, and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

The threat by Google to pullout is seen as a ploy by the US based company to use this extra bargaining position in reaching an amicable agreement with the Chinese authorities on how to do so within the bounds of Chinese law. Should the Chinese government be accommodating the threat, more so from a US corporate, which has a reputation of overcharging its customers for its online advertisements?

I would also suggest that all Chinese technology companies who had tied-up with Google to quickly dissociate itself from depending too much on the US corporate who had turned out to be a human rights lover. SINA, one of China's largest Internet portals, will need to locate more trustworthy partners when it decided to sever its ties with Google.

Telecom operator China Mobile Ltd. (CHL) should consider developing its own smartphone processing system than relying on its collaboration with Google on the Android platform.

If Google realized its withdrawal threat within the next few days or months, the Chinese authorities should also seriously consider imposing a moratorium on Google, let say, for 3 years before allowing them back into the Chinese market if it intends to crawl back in the near future.

Full democracy will come to Hong Kong but at China’s pace

2010-01-02T06:56:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Western media like AFP, Reuters have been reporting every new year concerning marching protest in Hong Kong with headlines like “thousands demand full democracy” (more like only 5,000) and way back in 2003 was even more pronounced like “Half a million on the street”. The news became a bit far fetched when the actual number was only 150,000. So much exaggeration was present that even a commoner will be able to see through the hidden and bias agenda of the Western media in siding with the pro-democracy supporters.

Hong Kong has been ruled by the British for over 100 years but there was no clamoring for full democracy but once it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, 13 years ago, it had become an annual affair seeking to pressure the Chinese government and the locally elected government or Legislative Council.

Even though half the Council is elected, the pro-democracy camp with the funding from mainly Western non governmental bodies are not satisfied until it achieved full democracy. It is amazing that some of the leaders who are behind the protest had actually fled to Canada, in the early 90s. Many of these PR residents of their adopted countries had started to move back to Hong Kong, knowing that the economic life is better than during the colonial times and that China has kept its promise to let Hong Kong remains self- governed, are the one asking for universal suffrage, and of course with the full backing of the Western “invisible forces”.

If you read the mainly Western news on the topic, the opinions from the Hong Kong people are one-sided, as the published ones are mainly from the pro-democracy camp. I couldn’t be bothered to read the prejudicial comments. A large majority of the people is silent on the issue and there were no comments coming from the pro-China camp who are more keen on economic issues and maintaining the competitive status of the self-autonomous island under the “one-country two systems”,

Democracy is promised in Hong Kong’s constitution, and the Chinese government had mentioned that in 2007 that the territory will only get to directly elect its leader in 2017 and its legislature until 2020. Anyway, 2017 is only 7 years from today.

What is the big fuss and isn’t the roadmap to full democracy clear enough?

Going into 2010

2010-01-01T06:06:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

It has been a great year which we had seen China’s growing world economic power and political influence amid Western continuous pressure to stifle its progress by insisting on a Yuan revaluation, trade protectionism and also, the demand to adopt the Western code of human right practices.

All these hiccups would not go away and is expected to be on the increase and worse still, there are certain Asian countries which allowed its societies to be totally subjected to Western culture and its way of life. The youths of today are exposed to lots of Western propaganda in the form of movies, books, literatures and of course, from the Net which are assimilated wholesale without any thoughts of it being good or bad.

China will continue to lead the challenge against Western ideology and its pressure to submit to a Western order of the day in the next few decades. The Western media had been largely responsible for painting a negative image of China and that is the reason this blog is born in the first place.

For the brand new year, I hope that China would be successful in curbing corruption practices and reduce it to a manageable level and also, to properly handle its worsening environment, both are by-products of a country trying to catch up with the West.

Happy New Year 2010!

China should review its rocky relations with Britain

2009-12-30T06:48:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

It is always a country prerogative to carry out its own court sentence based on its own laws but the nosy Western media, once again, provides full coverage in its attempt to highlight China’s non respect for Western code of human rights practices. Human Rights organizations of all kinds, like the unknown Reprieve, even jumped onto the bandwagon to try to get into the spotlight.

The rejection of British PM call for clemency is certainly a right move as it goes to show that the Chinese court do not entertain interference from “outsiders” even though they are deemed VVIPs, which to Westerners will always carry some weights. It is good for China to send a clear message to the mainly Western countries and its nosy media that even Western citizens will not be given preferential treatment if there are caught infringing the country’s laws.

The so-called mentally-ill Briton who has been executed by lethal injection, has already been given full access to the Chinese legal system, and he has exhausted every available avenues including the Supreme Court, the highest body to review the case. According to the Chinese, he has failed to prove adequately that he is mentally unstable when he carried out the offence of drug trafficking. I am not a doctor but from my research bi-polar or manic depression is not a mental illness which would bring a person state of consciousness to a low where he does not know what he is doing. From the conversation I gathered through my association with people in the medical line, the state of “highs and lows” in a person can be controlled with proper medication and the person at a certain point of time would be able to realize that he is doing a job which considered illegal.

It is only in the West particularly in Europe which has triggered off protest and also, in one or two pro-Western Asian countries which allowed these media to carry out its news reporting unobtrusively with headline news which would be considered “unfriendly” to China. I am sure you would know which are those countries I am referring to from my earlier articles.

Why is it that China needs to accept Western code of ethics before it can garner respect throughout the world? It had already been “respected” in most Asian and African countries who shared many common bonds of imposing strict laws to curb the many severe crimes in its countries. Is the West respect so important? The media tried to imply that the respect is international. I full disagree. It is only Western or to put it racially “white-man” code of ethics which is not suppose to be a universally accepted stand human rights code for all human beings.The historical issues surrounding the return of Hong Kong to China, the condemnation of China by the British Environment Minister on the failure of the Copenhagen climate talks, the sending of a junior Minister to Tibet to support greater autonomy for the Chinese province all adds to the stickiness of the relationship between the growing world’s power and an ex-colonizer whose international influence is on the decline.

Most Asian countries introduced very tough punishment, including the death sentence, for offences like drugs and kidnapping which had grown quite big and remained as a “sore-thumb” in each country’s government effort to readdress a society where the poverty level is still significant. In fact, most visitors and tourists are provided with clear warning notice that drug trafficking is a capital punishment offence.

Why should China commute the death sentence which has been decided by the higher Court? China should not succumb from the interference especially from the West.

And China should seriously review its existing relations with Britain and possibly, cut down the number of business links with the British.

Bravo, China.

The West is supporting a big liar in Rebiya Kadeer

2009-11-12T21:58:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

The West opinions in its many articles supporting Uighur dissident, Rebiya Kadeer is nothing more than Western propaganda in undermining the image and authority of the Chinese government or the Han Chinese’s control over Xinjiang. Some of these were actually bordering on pure rubbish and are clearly one-sided and typically Western prejudices towards modern China.

Kadeer's allegations of state-sponsored prostitution of Uighur women are simply too hard to believe. Perhaps, only Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International would open their idle ears (with nothing better to do) to excite and spread these fantasies to the gullible Western public.

The despicable woman considers the influx of Han Chinese into Xinjiang as a threat to Uighur culture, which is totally baseless and unjustifiable. Xinjiang is a province of China and its people are considered Chinese whether they are Hui Chinese, Han Chinese, Tibetan Chinese or Han Chinese. Chinese citizens within the People Republic of China are free to move whenever there are job opportunities or feasible business ventures. Even in the US there were no restrictions to stop people from migrating from the Eastern part of US to the West during the gold rush of the early 19th Century. As the mainly white settlers moved to inhabit the Western portion of the US, Red Indians culture and traditions were gradually being replaced and until today it is more or less disappeared, and the Indian Reservations which were established half-heartedly soon gave way to casinos and unscrupulous developers.

On the contrary, there is this current policy practiced by the Chinese government of providing preferential treatment towards minority groups in China; for example, Uighurs, like Tibetans are exempted from China's one-child policy. Every year there are festivals in Tibet and Xinjiang where the locals were encouraged to display their traditional customs and cultures which were still very much alive as I could see in the many documentaries. Beijing actually tried to work with the Uighurs in governing Xinjiang by recognizing it as an autonomous region. The Han Chinese were also jailed by the military police for attacking the Uighurs during the July riots and not only the Uighurs were arrested as portrayed by the West as the only victims.

One of the Chinese netizen correctly challenged Rebiya’s allegations, which the Western media conveniently played along the “bullying” theme without seriously questioning the logical aspect of the facts:

1. Rebiya claims there are 10,000 Uyghurs imprisoned. What proof does she have?
2. Uighur migrants that were recruited to work on the east coast of China went there of their own free will and not force upon them as alleged by her. The Uighurs can always go back to where they came from. To my knowledge, traveling within China for Chinese citizens has never been a problem over the last decade.
3. Who would actually poured money into the highly risky western parts of China? The Han Chinese brought with them money and their entrepreneurial spirit to develop Xinjiang and if these “locals” are smart, they could actually profit or gain in terms of acquiring expertise and learning the trades but they choose to kill the migrants and burned their properties.
4. The Western based Uighur woman claims that she speak on behalf of the Uighurs in China but it is more obvious that she represent thousands of dissidents and exiles living abroad in Western countries and not the 4 millions Uighurs in China.

Every time she was given an opportunity to face the press, she would bad mouthed China’s ethnic policy but I would like to ask a more pertinent question, if it is really that bad then how could she has amassed a fortune of about US$25 million when she was an enterprising business woman before she was deported from China.

Let us quietly ponder about it and not blindly supporting a big liar like what the Western media do.

Women Hockey: A boastful India loses the final to China

2009-11-09T06:11:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

I have on numerous occasions noted the boastful attitude of the Indian coaches, politicians and their mainly one sided media which highlighted the near impossible feat and the praises only you would find in a country like India.

When the country has successful launched its satellite, it tells the world we will be going to the moon. When it grew at 7-8% GDP, it commented that it will overtake the US in terms of size in 30 years. When it develops a missile which can hit Shanghai, it tells the world they are a potential superpower. When it defeated the Koreans in the semi-final in the recently concluded Asia Cup Women’s Hockey in Bangkok, it again told the world they will win the title handsomely.

These are the words of the coach. "Our girls are talented, they deserved the ultimate honour here. I have asked them to go all out. China are tactically strong, they can trouble us. Unless my girls give one hundred per cent, we can't come out winners. My players will deliver, I believe in their caliber," "China are good at counter attacks, forwards are opportunistic and good inside the circle. So, we have to be cautious, then nothing can stop us from getting the gold,"

The Indian goalkeeper goes on to say, “"After defeating Korea which is a better team than China, we are confident of a good result in the final. We are ready to face the best in the Asia," "Their fullback Ma Yi Bo is good at penalty corners, but their forwards are hungry inside the circle. Not just goalkeeping the whole defence has to combine well and I am sure we will win,"

Are the Indians so sure? Yes the Western media would love to have India to beat China, if they could manufactured the news from here.

In the final, the Chinese women’s hockey team soundly beaten the Indian team 5-3 and won the Cup. Well, being boastful doesn’t help at all, does it?

Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew opinion re-affirmed the island republic pro-US stance

2009-11-08T19:01:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I am being kept busy lately with meetings and running personal errands. Also, I was also down with a very bad cough and flu but not the H1N1 which is causing a scare worldwide. I apologize for not updating the blog.

Last week, I was able to review some comments from China’s netizens who were very angry at the aging Statesman who has called openly for the US to remain engage in Asia at a US-ASEAN Business Council dinner in Washington. He quotes that “The size of China makes it impossible for the rest of Asia, including Japan and India, to match it in weight and capacity in about 20 to 30 years. So we need America to strike a balance.”

He could be playing to the tune of the mainly US audience but it at least re-affirmed my belief that Singapore has always been a strong US supporter even though 70% of its population has its roots in China. There are quite a vast number of youth who wish they could be termed “whites” but unfortunately, their skin is still very much yellow. The influence of US entertainment programs and the superiority of “white-man” technology do have a very strong influence on the lifestyle of the average Singaporeans.

Lee Kuan Yew was the person who refused to establish Mandarin as a medium of instruction in the early 70s when he was the Prime Minister of the tiny island but he only relented to allow Mandarin as an important optional language for Singaporeans to pick up when he saw the tremendous progress in the mainland Chinese society since the late 80s. Then he suddenly became the spokesperson for the Chinese government whenever he traveled to various parts of the world because he could speak English fluently. I have seen many Western educated graduates who have adopted a Western lifestyle but they remain very Chinese in their heart. I am clear on this point that I cannot speak for this white-haired grandfather who seem to have an inert fear of being a Chinese.

The action and his past behavior demonstrated that he still treat Chinese as outsiders and he personally fear a resurgent China which will reduce whatever left of Singapore’s political influence in the region.

One netizen commented that Lee is a “political animal”, saying that while Singapore depended more and more on China to develop his country’s economy, he is ushering wolves here to deal with China”.

In short, he is labeled a traitor to the Chinese and who is willing to speak out for the West and to protect their interest, indirectly also safeguarding Singapore’s assets and influence.

A third posting said: “Just because he has achieved some success in Singapore, he dares to play the guiding light that shows US the way. If he has the stuff, he should go to Africa and offer tips on how to shake off poverty and achieve wealth.”

I just do not understand why the Chinese government still regards the senior Statesman as an old “friend” to China when he is actually inviting other military forces to limit China’s influence in the region.
As a comparison, the Malaysian government has never made any comments of this nature even in the presence of the US politicians, businessmen or investors. In fact, the Malaysian government has been very supportive of the Chinese government active role in South East Asia.

Perhaps, the main reason I could deduce from the Chinese government non comment from the many angry comments by its netizens is that it has always been the Chinese reaction to be diplomatic and to manipulate Singapore in other ways possible to channel and to disseminate its mission and vision, both positive and negative to the West.

Singapore is a small country and the question of whether the West’s political and military advisors will listen to his comment is another thing. The reality is that a country needs to be big and powerful before it is heard. A leader’s speech by a big and influential country is normally reported in the media of many countries. For smaller countries, the leader speech normally is not broadcasted widely but only in the home country.

With the current batch of Singaporean leaders who are pro-US, I am not at all surprise that the media in the republic are also pro-US namely Channel News Asia and Singapore’s New Straits Times.

I would like to call the Chinese government to carefully review its relations with Singapore though it may not wish to make a fuss of the elder statesman call to the US to increase its influence in the region. I would place Singapore as next only to Japan in this part of the Asia Pacific as a strong US ally when we compared the nation support to the “white-run” Australia down under.

In times of an outbreak of hostility between China and US over Taiwan in the future, China must not forget that only two countries would come to the US assistance and that is Japan and very likely Singapore. Yes, it is Singapore and not Australia who will provide the necessary supplies bases needed to keep the US armed for its military offence in this part of the world.

US President was right in deciding not to meet the Dalai Lama this time

2009-10-06T17:50:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The US is not succumbing to Chinese pressure to meet the religious leader. In fact, this is the first time, the US has a thinking President (and a few advisors) who would be willing to view Sino-US relations from a larger perspective as compared to the past Presidents in over two decades.

The criticisms came from the US rights activists and the anti-China US media. The US had been bombarding the Tibetan spiritual separatist with countless awards which means nothing to the world who is supportive of China. These meaningless awards are only for the Western world to appreciate. Most Asian, African and Latin American countries could not even care whether he had won the Nobel Peace Prize, or not.

The spiritual talk he is embarking on the tour of the US is only a guise of the cunning political figure and his exiled supporters who will take every opportunity to promote his independence cause and to shame China and its people. Let me remind the Western world that the fight for independence among the Tibetan exiles is not a political fight against China’s government but also a fight against all Han Chinese in mainland China and oversea Chinese throughout the world.

And every Western move to support the Dalai Lama independence and separatist activities will provoke anger and retaliation from the many Han Chinese. Of course, there would be a sporadic few in Taiwan, Hong Kong and perhaps, in Vancouver who will listen to the Dalai Lama’s plight but deep inside, I strongly believe they would not support an independent Tibet or allow an almost self governing status with foreign diplomatic rights (which was demanded in the earlier talks a few years ago) to the Dalai Lama and his cliques.

Using religion to shield his political demands is a devious ploy but that had already backfired on many occasions, and ultimately more will come to see the truth. It is only the Western governments who are providing him with the full news coverage as an international political figure. The non interference in Chinese affairs by the US this time is a right decision.

The Dalai Lama had never shown any genuine concern for the welfare of Tibetans. He is more concern of the well being of his spiritual followers who are mostly Caucasian whites. If he really cares about his fellow Tibetans, he should not have escaped to Northern India in the late 50s. As a religious leader claiming to be only interested in promoting religious affairs concerning Tibet, why is he so concern about not being able to meet a top political leader in his trip? Do you think that he and his many cohorts have a political agenda? The answer is an affirmative yes.

Taiwan separatists are merely stirring up troubles for political motives

2009-09-25T16:00:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The screening of a movie by a Western glorified anti-China dissident in the city of Kaoshiung in Taiwan recently is clearly a move to antagonize China and also, to gain political mileage from the clusters of independence leaning supporters, mainly from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party.

The film which Beijing criticized is a distorted movie that supports separatism and will not help to reunite the various ethnic races on the mainland. Westerners who viewed the documentary will also have a negative perception of the dominant Han Chinese.

A pro-independence singer of a Taiwan's metal rock band invited the self nominated exiled dissident from Xinjiang to visit Taiwan in December 2009, is another move to counter the warming of relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, which is strongly promoted by the ruling Kuomintang Party.

Even the pro-business and tourist association are against the moves to show the movie and to invite a controversial figure to the self-ruled island, which historically has been accepted to be a part of China. Of course, the West which has a hidden agenda was non committal on the issue as against the majority of the nations which evidently supported China’s claim.

The Chinese authorities have indicated that the snubbed on China will not in any way help to promote Taiwan as a priority travel destination for Han Chinese.

Being a politically influential and economically powerful country presently, China should leverage on this position to ensure that only persons who are friendly to the China cause would benefit the most from the enhanced activities between mainland China and Taiwan. The majority of Taiwanese should not be made to suffer by the actions from these pro-dissidents and anti-Chinese supporters.

China will be able to reduce US dominance in the Asia Pacific in the next decade

2009-09-19T13:42:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I completely agree with US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, that China would be able to reduce US complete dominance in the high seas, in space and in cyberspace probably in a decade from now.

Further, I am quite confident that as China military power continues to make progressive advancement towards 2050, the challenges to US supremacy in terms of symmetrically head to head in numbers and quality should be not be discounted so openly by the US military think-tank.

It is always a right of a sovereign nation (truly independent and not US subservient Asian countries like Japan and South Korea) to develop its own stable of arsenal to meet its requirements reflective of its size and importance. Historically, the Chinese were at one time a peaceful sea-faring nation in the 14th Century when the US was not even born.

The repeated warnings by Gates are viewed more for lobbying of additional funds from the Congress to develop highly advanced weapons and machines to counter any Chinese upgrade of its weaponry, to keep it one to two steps ahead of its rival.

The US residents realized that it is impossible to continue to keep abreast of the latest in high technology development to maintain its no.1 status throughout the world (given its self appointed role as the “policemen” of the world) if the economy keeps stumbling. In fact, the huge debt owed by the US can only be repaid in the medium to longer term by the sale of its territories like Alaska, Hawaii or perhaps, a portion of New Mexico, as one of the critics pointed out in a seminar on US’s role in Asia.

I would not put it as a threat which was used willingly and aggressively by the US media but the closing of technological gap between the military of the two powerful nations. Even the Russians were making advancement in the weapons and ballistics section of the military recently.

What does Gates actually meant when he said the progress by other nations, namely China, would undermine US power in the Asia Pacific? In the first place, should US be allowed in Asia since most countries have more or less stabilized and why should independent nations in Asia allowed the US to continue establishing military bases in its territories? And why must the US be the only country allowed to set up bases around the world?

We are currently moving towards a world order which must not only be controlled solely by only one power, namely the US. I believe the future order would be transformed to one which is influenced by – US, China, Russia and perhaps, EU (mainly Germany, UK and France).

On another aspect, he said that long range military aircraft would take greater significance in the next decade since the development of new short term Chinese arsenals can counter its short range fighters. China military growth and its development not only focus on short term measures but also long term. I am of the opinion that the Chinese has also extended its long range capability especially in its nuclear submarines and warships which would indirectly reduce the effectiveness of the US long range military aircraft as well.

The US would definitely lose its dominance in the future, It is just a matter of time and the faster the US can come to accept it as a reality, the better it is for the world.

I am waiting anxiously on October 1 on China’s 60th Anniversary of the CPC rule, to review the vast array of its new military warfare on parade to ascertain whether China can truly take its rightful place as a superpower in this century.

What is the rationale calling for the release of ex-Taiwanese leader?

2009-09-13T16:27:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

On Saturday, the Democratic Progressive Party which is now in Opposition called for the immediate release of ex-Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian while he appeals against his conviction on graft charges. Last Friday, he was sentenced to prison for life for being convicted of embezzling state funds, laundering money and accepting bribes of around US$28 million.

What is the justification for the release of a rogue President?

Just because he was a former President or that he truly fought for Taiwanese independence. He was actually pandering to the Western agenda to “break up” China to create a position in which a convergence of Chinese conglomerate would be less threatening to Western continued dominance. It is also obvious that the hordes of WESTERN human right activists and the bunch of supporters are behind the charade.

US$28 million is not a small amount in Asian societies. Maybe, in the West the amount is considered insignificant.

Most WESTERN so called experts are now questioning the fairness of the legal system in Taiwan. These people are not stakeholders in the prosperity and unity of the Chinese people. They are merely outsiders who will have no bearing if the Taiwanese political or economic system did not meet up to the expectation of the Western judicial standards.

To these people or the West “white-based” societies, the legal system in non-Western countries are subjected to many irregularities and inadequate “check and balances” that would cast suspicion on the fairness of the trial. That is why historically in circumstance where a foreign national from the so-called advanced nation was passed judgment in an Asian Court, you can almost tell from the faces of its relatives, friends that it is not fair even after so many witnesses were called to testify. In the mind of a Western person, a judge of Asian origin is just not capable to adjudge a person who comes from a place where there is democracy and there is respect for individual freedom.

The case demonstrated to the world that nobody is above the law and that the conviction indicated that there is progress in a civil society dictated strongly by law. The fact that he was not charged while he was a President for two terms even though there were evidences pointing to many wrongdoings was because of his immunity status for being the most powerful person in Taiwan during that time.

I am very sure that the government’s prosecutor would have double checked all the facts of the case, which is subjected to questioning by the legal team of the ex-President if it is not proper or irregular during the trial.

Most Asian commentators were of the view that the Taiwan's judicial system is undergoing a transformation which had already reached a respectable standard as compared to most emerging Asian countries and personally, I think that there is already a certain measure of fairness. The above suspicion appearances without political bias as proclaimed by the West do not even exist in the true sense in Western societies.

Taiwanese legal system allows a convicted person an automatic appeal if it is a life sentence. If the opposition and their Western supporters think the process is unfair then the appeal avenue is a viable platform for them to seek redress but it must be devoid of any Western interference and pressures.

But the system is such that he must be detained and not release as called upon by the opposition and their independence seeking supporters.

From a survey of the Taiwanese public, 50 percent said the verdict proved Taiwan's judicial independence and only 25 percent considered it a political persecution.

I fully disagree with the Western perception that the verdict has divided the island 23 million people which to the contrary has strengthened the people’s resolve to ensure that the Taiwanese legal process takes it full course for person who breaks Taiwanese regulations and statutes.

Nephew of Dalai Lama tried to seek world’s sympathy of an imposed “gag order” by the Taiwanese authorities

2009-09-03T09:09:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

By allowing the visit of this despise religious figure to Taiwan is already creating a lot of irreparable and untold damage to the cool ties between Taiwan and China. The condition for the visitation permit is that the Dalai Lama should keep his mouth quiet when he tours the island province.

His nephew told the nosy Western media that there was a "gag order" on his uncle out of fears of China's reaction. This is an obvious attempt to seek international sympathy that he should be allowed to speak freely as an individual. Unfortunately the spiritual leader is not any normal person. He is a political dissident seeking full or possibly 90% autonomy from China.

First, his visitation rights are confined to spiritual “comfort” for the victims of the Typhoon Morakot and nothing more. Secondly, this is an island whereby traditional Asian values are still practiced in which the guest will need to respect the wishes of the host. Perhaps a western country may allow you to criticize a “friend” of yours in their house but not in an Asian country.

The host “nation” has every right to set conditions for its visitors in its territory. If the Dalai Lama and his entourage do not like the imposed conditions, they can just hop on the next flight back to India.

As one demonstrator aptly put it, “the Chinese are here to help (economically), the Dalai Lama comes to make trouble.

This is Taiwan and it is not the US or a Western country.

Turkey mends ties with China

2009-09-02T17:45:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Turkish special envoy to the Prime Minister, Zafer Caglayan has conveyed a very eventful and bonding message which states that Turkey understands the measures which China took to deal with the Xinjiang unrest on July 5 2009. This means that China’s decision to send its paramilitary forces to ensure stability and prevent further bloodshed between two ethnic races in China is the correct move. The West reportedly called this action as “a suppression act” which I totally disagree.

The extended warm friendship is without doubt came about after the Turkish government truly understood the actual situation in Xinjiang on that day and NOT from the twisted and highly spun news coming from the West, where its sources are readily and conveniently taken from the Uighur International Council, a body with a publicized aim at seeking independence from China.

The Turkish’s envoy also stressed its country’s opposition to any form of separatism in China and said that the two countries should expand trade and diplomatic ties. This is a blow to the supporters of Rebiya Kadeer, a self proclaimed dissident and her hordes of so-called “supporters’ mainly from Western agencies and organization. The main objective of the independence group is to disrupt the stability in the autonomous region in order to garner world’s sympathy to its plight and to secure a meeting with the Chinese authorities.

The Uighurs were being instigated and manipulated by the external-based separatist movement and there were evidences confirming this matter, supported by the few non coercive statements made by Rebiya’s own family members. I am of the view that the Uighurs are being told to target the country’s dominant Han Chinese in its mission to create instability among the various races. I strongly believe every Chinese – whether it is in China or overseas - should take note of this unhealthy trend.

The Chinese government must stand firm and continue with its development plan for Xinjiang, which has brought a certain measure of success economically over the past decade, though further improvement is needed to bring the status of the Uighurs on par with the local Han Chinese.

I wish the Chinese people of Uighur descent would boldly accept this promising challenge and contribute to the overall well being of a united Chinese society.

Western media provides good publicity to the Dalai Lama’s Taiwan visit

2009-08-31T20:09:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The Dalai Lama visit to Taiwan is clearly a political ploy by the opposition, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to create trouble for the administration of Taiwan leader, Ma Ting-jeou. He was invited by seven mayors and local government chiefs from the DPP, where the party quietly has the support of mostly Western organization and its media.

The Taiwanese leader is being criticized for the handling of the devastating typhoon which killed 571 people and the approval was given to appease to the residents for his declining popularity.

The Western media attempt to stir up the Chinese population by making statement that the Taiwanese government snubbed China’s government opposition by approving the visit. This is not the case. The reason behind this was the various attempts by the independence leaning DPP to create instability in the current government in its effort to win over the votes of the people.

China should take note of these few mayors and the people behind the visit and use its political and world’s influence to ensure that these trouble-makers lives would be a difficult one ahead. I am disappointed that these people are traitors to a united China and are playing into the hands of the Western agenda to see a “broken-up’ China. The Dalai Lama, as his usual self, will not reject such a golden opportunity to promote his independence cause under his Tibetan monastery rule.

The Western media is also delighted to provide the publicity to the spiritual leader and to try to portray China as a bully. Sadly, some of the South East Asia media are also openly providing good coverage mimicking Western media namely Channel News Asia, Media Corp, a company based in Singapore. The company is probably headed by a pro-Western editor who I believed had an agenda to promote human rights in Asia but I do not see any article which is critical of the host country. Why? I am sure you know the reason.

It is a blow to the Western world and its media that the Taiwanese leader would not meet the religious leader, which is to play down the importance of the visit and also, to ensure that the visit is more for humanitarian purpose and NOT POLITICAL of which the Western media and its supporters are hoping for.

About 30 people of Taiwan’s non-Han aboriginal community demonstrated outside his hotel Monday, accusing the Dalai Lama of politicking. They told the press that if the religious leader has a heart for the victims, he should not be staying in a big and comfortable hotel.

Well said.

Chinese H1N1 flu vaccine will challenge Western firm strangleholds

2009-08-31T19:24:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

It is certainly pleasing news this week that the Chinese drugmaker Sinovac will market its H1NI shot at 30 percent cheaper than those offered by Western firms like US pharmaceuticals group Baxter, France's Sanofi-Pasteur, Switzerland's Novartis and Britain's GlaxoSmithKline.

Firstly, it will make the drug available to the less affordable and secondly, it will break the monopolistic hold of western drug companies on poor and developing nations.

In addition to its cheaper price tag, the Sinovac’s H1N1 flu vaccine works after just one dose whereas the Western requires two.

The vaccine currently is undergoing local regulator testing for the right to commercialize the drug after the clinical trials at Sinovac lab had proven to be effective to counter the H1N1 virus.

Expected production rate may not be as fast as the bigger western funded pharmaceutical companies but it is a sure promising sign that at least a non Western company is giving a fight to the West dominated world in which the global’s pharmaceutical industry is largely controlled by US and European firms.

I always feel that China’s biotechnology research and drug development is not too far off from its Western peers.

I congratulate China in this project and I wish that this is the beginning to the production of many more alternatives and options for the world to choose rather than depending on the West.

The future is in Asia.

Chinese unity in the face of Western society in the promotion Xinjiang independence

2009-08-02T08:54:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I am certainly very proud of Chinese unity in the face of the Australian organizer stubbornness in staging the nation’s biggest film festival by inviting Chinese dissident, Rebiya Kadeer to officiate a film about her life.

Obviously, this dishonest and self proclaimed leader of her tribe would use the opportunity to seek Western sympathizers towards her cause for independence from China. As usual, the West’s hidden political agenda is to continue using the current platform of allowing mostly Chinese dissidents and “outcast” in an attempt to portray a “failed” China both politically and socially in order to reduce the perceived Chinese threat to the present Western dominated societies.

The Western film organizers choose to defend the rights of individuals and said that the invitation is only for the promotion of the film festival but they were completely ignorant of the fact that this woman is a “hated face” in China and the invitation is actually in total disregards and disrespect for the many Han Chinese throughout the world, including overseas Chinese. This woman would certainly use the ongoing publicity in conjunction with the festival to highlight not the FILM but her very own political adventures, which was why the Chinese government has lodged a solemn representation against her visit.

To date, seven directors not only from China but Hong Kong and Taipei have pulled their work as well as its sponsorship from the Melbourne International Film Festival. The directors were clearly not happy with the attendance of this controversial political figure and the showing of the film “Ten Conditions of Love”, a documentary about her life.

Western media of late have been trying to emphasize that her attendance has actually boosted ticket sales and her writings have received good response and most likely, it is not from Asians. This is a normal staple of the Western media hidden agenda, which I am used to anyway.

A woman spokesperson of the Festival adamantly told the media that Rebiya will take her rightful role in the event and the film would be screened as usual. She also added that the act of withdrawal of the sponsors and directors are beyond her control due to circumstances beyond the directors’ control. Really! This is a very shameful and untruthful statement indeed from a one sided organizer.

China has labelled the US-based Muslim minority leader a "criminal" and accuses her of inciting recent violence in the restive Xinjiang region, which left at least 197 dead. Canberra has rebuffed Chinese objections to the visit by Kadeer, saying she is not a "terrorist" and there is no reason to exclude her.

Sino- Australian relation was strong and stable after a mandarin speaking Kevin Rudd has been elected as a PM but I have to say that the culmination of these series of negative events would bring the diplomacy to its previous level of a Tier 3 nation or worse.

I believe that the Chinese resolve on this matter is very strong and united – NO INDEPENDENCE FOR XINJIANG. Even the overseas Chinese is supportive of this matter.

How could the West be so foolish? I do not think so. Confrontational? Most likely.

Australian business threat with political innuendos had no effect on China

2009-07-21T14:30:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

The arrest of Stern Hu, a naturalized Australian citizen, has raised all sorts of corporate complications littered with external business risk arising mainly from a different set of political and social environment standards. But the Australian communities have chosen to openly confront the Chinese government in handling of the incident.

A disappointed senator clamored over the lack of direction in resolving the case with the Chinese government has declared his intention to push for the Australian Senate Economics Committee, to inquire into foreign investment by state-owned enterprises and sovereign wealth funds and to recommend an overhaul of foreign-investment regulations. He said that ownership of Australian businesses by state-owned enterprises is an inherently unhealthy thing and once the state-owned bodies have ownership of Australia’s resources it is even more problematic, with a direct reference to China’s international business operating model.

But he must also understand that China can also play the same “business game” and disallowed monopolistic companies like Rio Tinto and similar Aussie companies to operate in China.

The frustration is seen in the many threats and “lecturing” techniques used by the Australian government, media and the business communities to try to pressure China in releasing the detainees.

China is Australia's biggest trade partner, worth $53 billion last year, and iron ore exports injected $14 billion, powered by Rio, Australia's BHP Billiton Ltd and others.

An Australian government lawmaker and foreign policy expert commented that China's justice system had only a "facade of legality" and that Canberra had "learned the hard way" that Australia-China relations must be handled carefully. Is he implying that only the Western forms of justice system are acceptable for “white-based” societies and its people?

I like to acknowledge and agree with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee of Australia's Parliament, who openly told the media that the Australian Prime Minister should not intervene with China's top leadership because the days when Western countries can demand exemption for its citizens in any Asian country are over, even in China.

The world is evolving and the new societal order is that it not going to be dominated by Western countries any more.

Comparison – Chinese police admit to killing 12 Uighur rioters

2009-07-19T16:27:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

It is rare that the Chinese government has admitted openly the act of killing 12 Uighur rioters during the ethnic unrest in Xinjiang recently. Anyway, the West would as usual doubted the figures and would continue to make its assertion that it is much higher, trusting the unreliable sources of the Uighur exiles (or the exiled Tibetans earlier).

I came across the two different reports on the same set of news and I want the readers to take note and tell me the difference.

Western news media

The Chinese news media reported that the Chinese police shot dead 12 "mobsters" during ethnic unrest in Urumqi on July 5, which was necessary to prevent further bloodshed. It went on to mention that three died on the spot and nine after unsuccessful treatment.

The report did not give details of the ethnicity of the deceased, but Beijing has blamed the violence in the Xinjiang regional capital that day on the Uighurs. Chinese authorities previously said the "riot" on July 5 left 192 people dead, most from China's dominant ethnic group, the Han.

The Uighurs, many of whom have complained of repression under China's 60-year rule in the huge mountainous region of Xinjiang, have accused Chinese forces of opening fire on peaceful protests. Thousands of Han Chinese went on the rampage in the following days, arming themselves with makeshift weapons and marching through Urumqi vowing vengeance against the Uighurs in some of the worst ethnic violence in China in decades.

Xinhua news agency

A senior official of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region said here Saturday Xinjiang has the confidence to erase the negative impacts of the July 5 riot "in the shortest time" in an interview with overseas reporters.

Nur Bekri, chairman of the regional government, also said in the interview that on the night of July 5, policemen in the regional capital Urumqi "resolutely" shot 12 mobsters after firing guns into the air had no effects on these "extremely vicious" thugs.

Three of them died on the spot while nine died after failing treatment.

"The police showed as much restraint as possible during the unrest. Many of them were injured and a 31-year-old officer was killed. He was hit by mobsters in the head with a stone," said Nur Bekri. He added that many innocent people were injured in the head by thugs with iron rods, stones and bricks. Knives were also used.

According to the official, the riot has left a total of 197 people dead, and most of them were innocent residents. Nur Bekri admitted that they had never expected a student parade could turn into such ferocious violence.

He said that the local government had taken timely actions to prevent emergencies as soon as they received information on the students' plan.

"But we could never imagine that the mobsters were so extremely vicious and inhumane... We really didn't expect that," he said, referring to thugs entering small alleys and lanes to attack innocent people.
He said that these perpetrators had prepared many weapons such as rods, stones and took actions in various places at the same time, which experts said was similar to the terrorist attacks that occurred in other countries recently. Nur Bekri said as the local situation is becoming more stable, "it won't be long" before the Internet was completely reopened to the public.

He said that during the riot, the Internet and cell phone messages became the main communication methods for mobsters, and it was necessary for the government to shut down the Internet to stabilize people's emotions and restore social order.

He pointed out this is a measure all countries in the world would adopt in similar situations.

Currently some professional web sites are already accessible in the region, he added.

In summary Nur Bekri told reporters the following:

1. The negative effects left by the riot would be erased "in the shortest time" and the government had the confidence to ensure the fast development of the region's economy. He said worries about the future situation of Xinjiang were completely "unnecessary".

2. Statistics show that thousands of traveling groups were cancelled after the riot, involving hundreds of thousands of tourists. He told the press that Xinjiang is capable of providing a harmonious and safe environment for tourists... The riot will not affect the opening up policy of the region and the local authority sincerely welcome businessmen from home and aboard to invest in the region.

3. He refuted foreign reports which claimed that women of Uygur were forced to go eastward to work. Such reports are completely untrue. Before these women were organized to work in other provinces, the government must get permission from their parents and consent from the individuals.The local government spent 300 million to 400 million yuan to provide free courses on technology and language for people going to work in other places. Every year, a total of 100,000 migrant workers from south Xinjiang will be organized to work in other regions to earn more money.

4. He denied that promoting mandarin Chinese in the region was aimed to eliminate or replace ethnic languages. He reiterated that other than learning the Uighur language well, it is very beneficial for ethnic people to learn mandarin and even other foreign language.as this would provide more working opportunities.

5. He revealed that the Chinese government will spend a total of 3 billion yuan rebuilding the old town area of Kashgar, a key city on the silk road whose population is mostly of Uygur ethnic group. The Uighur leader said that most of the houses in the old town were made of brick-wood and were very unstable if an earthquake occurs. Also some residents live on high slopes and their houses may collapse at any time.

Which one will give you a more detailed explanation and which one is more one-sided, bias and inflammatory?

Foreign nationals should respect Chinese laws

2009-07-16T21:23:00.007+08:00

By China Watcher

Lately, the Australian government under pressure from its own media and the opposition has been making lots of diplomatic noises and repeatedly mentioned that the treatment of a naturalized Australian citizen (Stern Hu of Rio Tinto) who was arrested for spying and stealing state secrets may affect China's business reputation and frighten off existing and potential investors.

I applaud China’s strong stand in repudiating these “lectures” coming from Down Under and warned the Australian government very clearly not to interfere in China’s investigation and handling of the case. Hu was accused together with 3 Chinese colleagues of spying and stealing state secrets by allegedly bribing steel mill officials, which may have resulted in huge losses to China’s economic interests and security.

Foreign companies and its staff must abide and respect Chinese laws and regulations when they do business in the country. There is no double standards and everyone is equal when the law in enforced and there is no one set of laws for foreigners and another set for the Chinese residents. The independent judiciary authority in China must be respected.

I am very sure that the Chinese authorities would have sufficiently taken into consideration all negative factors and economic repercussions from this incident and they do require more “lecturing” from a “white-based” country who thinks that there are always right and that only its Western laws and practices are to be TRUSTED.

The international business community and nation states who do business with China would not only take one single incident to cast its opinion on the treatment of foreigners and investors in the country. In fact, China is now looking inwards for more domestic investments and funds coming from “friendly nations” in the Asian region. So Western investments, other than those with high technologies (which is already curb in the US) is only a handful and negligible, of which if it is reduced, would not have a major impact on its economy.

China's last quarter growth was announced at 7.1%, which is encouraging and recovery symptoms were noted. For your information, Western media had earlier pessimistically predicted that China's growth will trickled down to only 5%. So Western views are very bias and one-sided indeed.

Let me remind the Australian government that it stands to lose more if it acts tough on China. Australian strong economic performance for the past few years was due to the increased in demand for its natural minerals like iron ore and copper and dairy products like milk, cheese and butter, a big percentage coming from China. China can always turned to competitors nations in Latin America and Africa for raw materials but can Australia afford to allow its export to drop 50%?

If it is true that Rio is pulling its staff out from China, I would be very pleased if they do so. More importantly, if they are really serious about the withdrawal move, China should just blacklist them and do not allow them to come back to the country in the future.

However, in a few reports both Rio and its mining partner BHP Billiton have denied the malicious and devious Australian Financial report that iron ore shipments to China had been disrupted, by insisting that it was business as usual.

China can just ignore these ridiculous complaints and proceed to administer the correct justice based on Chinese laws if it had been infringed by the company's staff.

Chinese people views on the Xinjiang violence

2009-07-12T18:49:00.000+08:00

I have always hold on to my belief that it is the Chinese people themselves who will decide the fate of the provinces within the People Republic of China and NOT some Caucasian journalists based in the West or worse still, some naturalized Han Chinese citizen residing in their adopted new homes overseas singing to the same tune and making wild accusations which are bordering nonsense and not even worth considering. Maybe such peoples have yet to shed off the dependence on their “white” colonial masters and have willingly assimilated a Western mentality in its writings. I am not racist but not everything from the West is right or good.

I have taken the liberty to extract 4 Chinese citizens (including the minorities) viewpoints on the Xinjiang incident and I find it more worthwhile and truthful than the many one sided and bias articles and reports from the West. Surprisingly, the comments were taken from BBC, which had been one of the most critical media on China from the Western world.

From BBC,

Harry He, tradesman, Xian says,

I used to work for a travel company, so I've travelled to Xinjiang a lot. I was totally shocked when I heard what happened there. Uighurs believe this is their land, and it is. But Han Chinese have been settling down there since the Tang dynasty, when the Silk Route opened up new cities and new opportunities.

Maybe the Chinese did rule Xinjiang with an iron first. But we are learning the lesson. Things have already got better for ethnic minorities. In some ways, they enjoy more privileges. For example I have to study really hard to get into university while it's easier for Uighurs, as there is a reserved quota for them regardless of how well they've performed.

Uighurs have a bad reputation in the rest of China. They get involved in criminal activities. They also don't speak Mandarin well. That's why many Han Chinese have little respect for them and some even hate them.

Urumqi is a wealthy, modern city. Twenty years ago you couldn't see such prosperity. All this wealth goes back into their education and social welfare. I've been reading blogs and I know that so many people want to talk about it. But I also know that if I post a comment, it will disappear in two minutes.

The government is controlling the information in order to contain the violence. Information should be released step by step, not at once. If they let people comment freely, anger and hatred will spread quickly and some Han Chinese might want to retaliate against Uighurs. I am confident that my government is doing the right thing to bring harmony.

Kalder, IT engineer, Beijing, originally from Urumqi

I belong to the Hui minority group. Back in Urumqi I've got friends from the Hui, Han and Uighur groups. Relations between us have always been fine, that's why I was totally shocked when I heard what happened earlier in the week. I don't think the rioters represent the Uighur minority. Most of the Uighurs are good people and they don't want such things to happen.
I feel that both Uighurs and Hui people are supported by the government. It's easier for us to get into university and there are more opportunities.

It's true that many Han people have come to Xinjiang in the last few years and that more Han Chinese live in Urumqi than Uighurs. But I don't mind that. If I can come to Beijing, why can't Han Chinese go to Urumqi?
I don't feel anybody is looking down on me here because I am from the Hui ethnic group. But I know that Han Chinese look down on Uighurs, because some Uighurs do bad things, like stealing, so they attract bad feelings.

The situation in Xinjiang is getting better and better. People earn more money, their life style is better than before and they are happier. The visitors from other parts of China create more, not less, opportunities. So I think that the most important thing for the future stability of Xinjiang is economic prosperity benefiting everyone.

I am a little bit worried about stability in the short term. My parents told me that they feel much safer now that the army is there. So I think that the army should stay there for a few months at least to ensure the safety of the people there.

Uighur migrant worker, Dongguan, Guangdong province

This Uighur man, who has been working in Guangdong province for five years, wanted to remain anonymous. I was shocked to hear about the recent unrest in Xinjiang. Violence is wrong, from whichever side.

It's obvious that just a handful of people took part in the rioting. My friends told me that they didn't recognise any of the guys that they saw in the TV reports - where were they from?

Attacking people and ransacking shops is definitely wrong, because it undermines national unity. I have many classmates and friends from many nationalities, and we all enjoy good relationships.
We cannot really tell what's happening from the reports on TV. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. It must have been premeditated; otherwise, how come there were so many people?

I have many friends in Urumqi, but I haven't heard about these reports of large numbers of people at train stations and airports trying to leave.
July and August have always been popular with travellers, and people come and go. It is always difficult to get tickets during these months, and transport terminals are busy when things are normal.

Wang Bin, student, Chongqing, originally from Ningxia

I believe in what the government is saying - that the riots are caused by the World Uighur Congress, which used the Guangdong factory incident to fuel anger among Uighurs. I think that Uighurs are angry because of the failure of the government's ethnic policy. China has given many privileges to minority groups. When Uighurs break the law, for example, they don't get punished as heavily as Han Chinese would. But these privileges fail to bring true benefits to the Uighur people. As the economy develops, the gap between poor and rich within the Uighur ethnic group has become very big, just like anywhere else in China.

And some of them feel that they have been marginalised. I think this is the fundamental reason for the unrest.

In addition, it's true that there are many Han Chinese who went to Xinjiang in the last few years and in some industries there are more Han Chinese than Uighurs. So I think that Uighurs can benefit more from the prosperity of Xinjiang.

I think that the government should start treating all ethnic groups equally. There shouldn't be any preferential treatment for anyone, so that all ethnicities can live together in harmony.

I would like to thank BBC for sharing this information with us.

China should seriously review its relations with Turkey

2009-07-10T16:28:00.005+08:00

By China Watcher

Recently, Turkey, a poor Muslim country, which is in the middle of nowhere, not European or Asian, continued its negative vibes against the Chinese people (Han Chinese) for mistreating the Uighurs, an ethnic tribe which has close cultural and linguistic ties with them.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey had earlier criticized China for hunting Uighurs openly. Yesterday the Turkish Minister for Trade and Industry called for a boycott of Chinese goods to protest the crackdown in Xinjiang. He commented that since China does not respect human values we should not consume its goods. I do not know the extent of truth in the report and how much spin was put into it which was taken from one of China's most critical papers, the New York Times.

What sort of human values did this stupid Minister used as a yardstick? Since the 1980s, the Han Chinese have been treated well with better economic opportunities and adequate freedom in China and so are the other 53 ethnic races in China, excluding the rebellious Uighurs and Tibetans. Why do they continue to harbor these resentment feelings? It was reported that about 90% of the 156 deaths were Han Chinese. Why is he so disenchanted? The Turkish government throughout history has ill-treated and attempted to assimilate the Kurdish minority from the South East and now he talked about championing human values. What a big hypocrite!

These rebellious people are being heavily influenced and given hope – both from internal and external forces - to fight for independence from China – which I believe is not likely to happen in the next 50 years or so. The reason is very clear. These people cannot co-exist with the Han Chinese and it will not be possible unless they could accept the real truth that they are part of the People Republic of China. Even if China is a democratic state, I am sure every single Han Chinese would not allow this to happen. So the Western “white” society can just forget that if China has an elected government, all these problems would go away.

If the Turkish leaders are so short sighted and cannot see the bigger picture of a trading diplomacy, I would advise the Chinese government to review the current state of relations and if possible downgrade this to a consulate level.

Perhaps, if the Turkish people truly love the Uighurs so much, the Chinese government should contemplate dispatching the 8 million Uighurs to them.

Russia support demonstrated that it is a true and sincere friend to China

2009-07-08T21:27:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

I am pleased to note the strong Russia stance and support on the violent clashes in Xinjiang by stating unequivocally that it is purely an internal Chinese affair.

In contrast, Western governments have voiced concerns. The West nosy media is even worse taking the opportunity to bash China on the handling of its ethnic minorities and constantly emphasizing stories that the minorities rights have been trampled and that they are being discriminated economically. Repeated very often, the media continue to harp that the Uighurs are closer to its “brothers” in Central Asia than with the Han Chinese and it is only a matter of time when the frustration boils over. That’s not true. In Kazakhstan, the Kazakh and Uighurs are rivals. In Turkey and Iraq, the various ethnic groups though they share the same customs and religion are in an unending tussle over control of territories.

Rightist groups demanded an independent investigation and urged the Chinese government to address the many social ills and economic needs which were the root cause of the deadly protest. If you asked any ordinary Han Chinese in Urumqi or Kashgar, most of them would tell you that the Uighurs (as well as the Tibetans) are being given preferential treatment for university entrance, special funds to establish new retail businesses, easy accessibility to job opportunities and is not restricted to the national one-child policy. Whenever a minority and a Han Chinese commit a criminal act, the punishment would be less severe to the former. Frankly speaking, the Uighurs are actually fighting for secession from the Chinese motherland and that is the underlying reason why it has been very reluctant to accept sincere integration within the Chinese societies.

If you reviewed the racial riot in Xinjiang, it is the Uighurs which had started the “a life for a life” act. They committed acts of torching buildings, cars and murdering civilians – most of them sadly are Han Chinese. So who is the victim? The Uighurs?

The Russian foreign ministry commented that the Uighur separatists used slogans and provoked ethnic intolerance, attacked citizens and beat them, turned over cars and torched them and looted shops and other buildings. It further adds that the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China and considers that these unfortunate developments are purely an internal affair of China.

On the same day in a phone conversation with China’s foreign minister, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his condolences to the relatives of those killed.
I would like to thank Russia for its supportive stance and for being a good friend to the Chinese people.

China should bring the full force of the law on the Uighur rebels and murderers

2009-07-07T22:27:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

The Uighurs, the ethnic group, in Xinjiang was the main cause of the riots in the capital, Urumqi, on Sunday. China’s CCTV showed that the Muslim Uighurs attacked and kicked Han Chinese. Some of the victims were seen with blood pouring down their faces.

To date, more than 180 people were reported dead, 90% of them were Han Chinese. It is the deadliest racial riot to strike Xinjiang, a Western province of the People Republic of China, since the country open up to the world in 1979.

I am happy to note that there are groups of Han Chinese who have taken to the streets to vent their anger and cried for revenge for the murder of their own kind. The response was seen as positive in the light of the killings of many Han Chinese. The Han Chinese protesters were observed to be carrying clubs and machetes, and there were reports that these groups have gone to the Uighurs populated areas to sent a clear warning to the Uighurs.

Even on the net, there were many angry Chinese surfers of Han Chinese origin who were asking the government to bring those trouble makers to face the full force of the law. The laws are created to maintain order and bring stability to the country. If the Uighurs had infringed the laws then the military police should ensure that these murderers and criminals are brought to justice as fast as possible. The effective administration of justice would be the best possible solution to minimize the growing “revengeful spirit” of the Han Chinese.

Western reports mainly focused on the rights of the Uighurs to protest and highlighted willingly the list of disenchantment and grievances of the Uighurs under Chinese rule. The Western media even denied that there is such a terrorist group like the Eastern Turkestan group, which was responsible for the sporadic bombings across China’s western frontier. The Uighurs protest was not peaceful, as claimed by the Uighur American Association, but it was definitely violent and as noted the damage to buses and buildings were rampant. What is sad is the loss of many Han Chinese lives. The Han Chinese were dragged out of their vehicles and some were beaten to death.

The Chinese government should ignore international human rights group demand for an independent investigation, which is seen as hidden moves to interfere in the affairs of the Chinese people. I believe no independent and truly sovereign nation like China would allow Western based organizations to conduct an investigation on Chinese soil. Do you think the British people would allow a Chinese based organization to conduct an investigation into the abuses of the British forces on Northern Ireland two decades ago?

The Chinese security forces had imposed a curfew in Urumqi and surrounding areas and had also set up checkpoints to flush out the rioters. State Television revealed that the military police have been largely a responsible unit and it showed a high degree of restrain in curbing the violence. Barricades of police using shield to protect themselves against the stream of Uighur rebels seen to be throwing stones and bricks at them. Tear gas was fired to disperse the crowds, both Han Chinese and Uighurs. The military police had arrested thousands and I have heard that those who were not involved in the brutal assault of Chinese civilians will be released after the questioning session ends.

Whether the Uighur’s violent protest was initiated or instigated by the Uighur exiles or motivated by an internal rebel organization, the most important step now is to restore law and order to the region and that all murderers will need to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

China could have sweep at least 4 titles convincingly at the Singapore Badminton Open

2009-06-15T11:11:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

At the close of the annual badminton tournament, the press announced that China had dominated by winning 3 out of 5 titles at stake. The Chinese failed to win the men’s doubles and the women singles event.

Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark were playing at their best level and it is not at all surprise that they were able to win the title this time around in Singapore. Congratulations! The English duo was so happy with the win they thought they had won the Olympic or the world’s title. It is just a Super Series title – that’s all. The news media (mostly from writers who have a fixed Western mindset) praised the players incessantly. But can they repeat the feat in the Indonesian Open or the World Championship in Hyderabad, India? If you asked me, I would say no. It is just that the Asian doubles players are not playing at their best. The top Korean doubles have not been able to settle down since the other half joined serious training after the military conscription late last year. The top Chinese double pair was also absent. The veteran Danish pairs were on the declined and the younger pair was inconsistent. The top Indonesian double pair of Kido and Setiawan has not been able to show the known zeal to win. The Indonesian Open may change things. Doubles play has evolved into accurate and matching reflex oriented moves that the pair which makes less unforced errors will win the match. As such, my reply would still be an affirmative no.

In the women singles event, Zhou Mi beat Xie Xingfang and the press would, once again, extolled the determination of the Hong Kong player and emphasized that Zhou played in a relax mode which actually was the winning factor implying that the Chinese players were brought up like “robots” and could not have gone very far. Just plain jealously, I see it. Let me stressed that Zhou Mi was previously a Chinese player until she was asked to make way for the younger batch of players like Lu Lan, Jiang Yanjiao, Wang Yihan and Wang Lin. She had quit actually but revived her career with the Hong Kong Badminton Association.

In the Singapore badminton draw and probably, in other tournaments as well, there will be many Chinese versus Chinese meetings at the early stages – thus ending a very good player path to the semi or final. A few notable examples were the women doubles of Cheng Su and Zhao Yunlei and women singles player, Wang Yihan and the elimination of Chen Jin in the semis by their colleagues. If these players were to face non-Chinese players in the earlier rounds, do you think that non Chinese player can advance to the semis or finals or we may see more Chinese versus Chinese final like in the mixed doubles? This is the current acceptable draw format based on World Badminton Federation's (WBF) seeding. I do not even relied on the seeding which is clearly not reflective of the rankings. Lin Dan has beaten Peter Gade and Chong Wei more times in the men singles event and yet, he is ranked only as no. 3 after the two non-Chinese players. To be ranked higher and probably get good match up, just play in as many tournaments as possible and score points. Is this a very fair system to use in the future?

At the Open, I also noticed that Singapore is represented by former Chinese based players who have benefited from the “robotic” training programs in China. Why is Singapore so proud – they are not even home grown players? These are imported players like in their table tennis, swimming and diving teams.

In the men singles, Bao Chunlai deservingly beat Ponsana, who as the bias media reported earlier that the Thai should be able to win the title given his strong run in the tournament. What a bunch of crap from these writers? A win is a win and there is no two ways about it.

Final results

MS : Bao Chunlai (THA) beat Boonsak Ponsana (CHN) : 19/21 – 21/16 – 21/15

WS : Zhou Mi (HKG) beat Xie Xingfang (CHN) : 21/19 – 18/21 – 21/10

MD : Clark/Robertson (ENG) beat Kido/Setiawan (INA) : 21/12 – 21/11

WD : Zhang/Zhao (CHN) beat Maheswari/Polii (INA) : 21/14 – 21/13

MX: Zheng/Ma (CHN) beat Xie/Zhang (CHN) : 19/21 – 21/19 – 21/11

The rejection of Chinalco bid for a stake in Rio Tinto is a move to keep China away as a major shareholder

2009-06-05T17:07:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The dramatic development of the mining conglomerate, Rio Tinto (Rio), to switch bidding partner at the last minute is perceived strongly within the Chinese community as a concerted scheme by Western financial investors to keep China state-owned companies from controlling strategic assets in Western companies.

The acceptance of the bid from BHP Billiton (BHP) on the grounds that the deal would maximize shareholder value and improve the group's capital structure were merely excuses to deny the Chinese company from taking up a sizeable stake in the mining entity.

Under the deal, BHP would pay Rio $5.8bn to take its equity stake in the joint venture to 50pc. Rio plans to raise $15.2billion through a 21-for-40 rights offer, one of the largest rights issues ever. The new shares will be offered at £14 each, which is 49pc below Thursday's closing price in London.

The Chinalco’s deal involves a cash injection of US19.5 billion as part of Rio’s debt restructuring scheme in return for an increase eventually in the shareholdings for Chinalco at 18 percent.

The Rio-BHP deal would allow Australian miners to control 70% of the world’s iron-ore supplies thus providing them with a stronger position to influence price-setting in both good and bad markets. Though the joint-venture must be cleared by competition regulators at home and abroad, I have no doubt that the Australian authorities would be endorsed as soon as the written proposal is submitted as the joint-venture essentially is a Western based deal (without any Asian company involvement). I hate to sound racist here but that is a fact.

Top institutional shareholders, mainly Western based, have indicated their undivided support of the rights issue if the China’s deal is scrapped. The initial objection to the Chinalco deal was very obvious and smeared with racist remarks highlighted by the “yellow threat” which were actively discussed in the Australian media. I am sure those critics or “racists” were relief and happy over the outcome of the latest development. Even the Australian government and the Foreign Review Investment Board have been weighing the option of how to keep the Chinese at bay over the acquisition issue.

Asian steelmakers from China, Japan and South Korea are crying foul over the deal and the likelihood that there would need to pay higher prices in the future. The outlook does not look good since 60 percent of the iron-ore are purchased from Australia due to the geographical closeness.

For comparison purpose, Rio and BHP joint venture would eventually supply 270 million tons of iron ore a year whereas the top producer from Brazil (Vale) supplies only about 240 million tons annually. The monopolistic power of the tied-up would definitely have a longer term bearing on the price of iron-ore.

The Western based companies with its “colonial mentality” may find it hard to dismantle its “yellow threat” philosophy and we would see more Asian companies be sidelined if it takes similar route to acquire a majority stake in Western based companies.

China would now have to work harder to acquire smaller resources based companies and also, to pursue a longer term objective of dealing directly with African and Latin American countries to build conglomerates free from any Western controlling influence. It may take time but at least it is steady and it is an assured ways of winning genuine and trusted partners.

Forget about Rio and BHP, as there may not be around in the next 10 years. Whether Rio and BHP combined entity would generate an expected more than $10 billion in synergies as announced is just an estimated figure and it may not materialize at all.

Being the largest consumer of resources does have its advantages. Work on it.

A Chinese Perspective: The Tiananmen Incident is still a taboo subject

2009-06-03T16:33:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Every year around this time, June 4, the world (outside China) seemed to be more interested in the Tiananmen Incident than the Chinese themselves. Why? There are always foreign hands involvements when it concerns China. The Western human rights activists (some of them with a hidden agenda) and the handful of Chinese dissidents continued to highlight the Chinese government brutal use of force as though it is the “killing machine of the last Century”.

There was this article written by a Caucasian human rights supporter which appeared in the Western world and circulated to the many online newspapers in Asia criticizing every aspect of activities of the present Chinese government and what sadden me was he choose to conveniently ignored the many economic and wealth advancement success attained by Chinese societies, at large, under the same Chinese government over the past 20 years.

The Western media had put a spin on the many write-ups of the historical day on Tiananmen Square as a “massacre” in which hundreds and probably thousands had died. Yet to this day, the numbers who died remain unclear and post-event records revealed merely from word-of-mouth by eye-witnesses and information gathered from people who lived around the Square during that time.

I do agree that the present government under the Chinese Communist Party has put in all efforts to wipe out the tainted incident from its historical annals but it has also implemented practical economic measures to bring greater prosperity to the Chinese residents after 1989. The Western world has a different agenda - it would play up the incident every year with the hope to bring down the Chinese Communist Party which is presently governing China. Would it be possible? Not likely.

I would not label “June 4 Tiananmen” as a “Massacre” which was readily accepted without any debate by the Western media (with a hidden human rights agenda) as the numbers were small and there are already new developments and witnesses in which perhaps, a few hundreds could have died more due to the military police actions arising from the many incidences of pillaging and riots which followed the protest outside Tiananmen and not from the tanks that rolled into the Square. Until and unless, there are circumstantial proof that there are thousands which died in the Square, the event will still be remembered as an “Incident”.

What I am baffled is why does a white man need to keep reminding himself of the Incident every year and keep repeating the supposedly atrocity committed by Chinese government during that time? Is he a stakeholder on the matter? The Chinese people are intelligent enough to judge the event and it would come a time in the near future whereby the “taboo’ stigma can be removed for good which would then allow the truth of the incident to surface, not to the Western world, but to the Chinese public.

June 4, 1989 is definitely a historical event in Chinese history and the Chinese government would have to bring out the truth someday at the demands of the Chinese people and not from the pressure from the Western world and its media. The Chinese would have more political rights in the future as I believe the transformation is gradual given the sizeable population and the high percentage of people who have yet to satisfy their security or social needs. Democracy will come to China but it will not be the model promoted by the Western world – it would be a managed democracy.

The few questions posed here is that would China be able to progress economically to its present status if the protest resulted in the fall of the Communist Party? Would the political climate be more stable than it is now? Would the political climate be stable for the business communities to conduct economic activities? But I am very sure that the stand on Tibet (not to allow full autonomy) shall remain regardless of whether China is democratic or autocratic.

The level of corruption and injustice which happened during the time as compared to the present have to a certain extent improved but there is certainly more room for improvement.

On the positive note, the fallout of the Tiananmen Incident has also strengthened the pro-liberal camp of the Communist Party to push forward its capitalist economic policies which was opposed strongly by the conservative camp within the party during that time. The implementation of the pro-liberal economic policy is highly successful and the rest is history.
Compared to the “poor China” in the 70s, I believe that every Chinese resident including the rural peasants have benefited greatly from the China’s open economic policies. There is no guarantee that with an elected government it would have been better with lower level of corruption, accountability and exploitation of workers. Even some of the world past critics and the World Bank has praised China for the elevation of nearly 400 million Chinese from poverty (based on the benchmark of US$1 of expenditure per person per day) since the late 70s.

To better understand China, you will need to learn its 3000 years of rich history under various dynasties and emperors. China has been governed by autocratic emperors in its past and warlords during the Kuomintang and at present, I noticed that China has improved by leaps and bounds under the Collective Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. Though the mandate from heaven no longer exists, the rule from the people is there, theoretically, from the 60 million members of the party. With economic improvements, ordinary Chinese would demand more political right and I am of the opinion that it will indirectly put pressure on the present single party government to bring changes to the political environment. It may take 30, 40 or even 100 years and I am sure every member of the present ruling party is conscious of the inevitable, but by then China would be highly influential and a strong world power. China would not be weak and take orders from Western powers or Japan again.

The Cultural Revolution, the Great Leap Forward and the Tiananmen Incident are three past human related events or failed economic programs which can be placed in the closet at this period of time until the time is ripe for a re-visit. The younger generations of Chinese leaders in the near future may be bold enough to re-look at those events and put it in the proper historical perspective. If it is a lesson well learned from such events, whether it is good or bad, it should be made known to the Chinese public (not the Western people as it is a Chinese issue) and I am sure the Chinese people would readily accept it since there is no such thing as a perfect Chinese world.

I have always held on to my belief that only by facing the truth from history, we can then really put those dark episodes behind probably forever.

China should downgrade its relations with Denmark

2009-05-31T10:23:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

In terms of bilateral relationship, there is this very unambiguous phrase that each country should respect other’s sovereignty interest over one’s territorial rights. Under the case of Tibet, every country that agreed to set up diplomatic relationship with China has more or less agreed that Tibet is an inalienable part of China.

But Western nations, as usual, choose, to conveniently leave this portion out of its agreement for reasons it seemed, to them, will win them votes for being a government who stands on its own principles, that is, it condones human rights advancement. To me, the meeting of the Dalai Lama may seem “harmless” from their political viewpoint but it is also a moral encouragement to the spiritual leader and his bunch of exiles to work out a long term plan for independence. The Western nations should actually encourage the Tibetans-in-exile to accept “partial” autonomy instead of a “full scale” autonomy which is demanded by the Dalai Lama and his independence cohorts.

African and Asian countries will continue to be the Chinese trusted partners, and they rarely allowed such visits by the Dalai Lama, more so, to meet the senior officials of these countries concerned. No wonder the Tibetan exiled spiritual leader loves the Western people and he will always try to arrange with these sympathetic governments to highlight its full autonomy cause. The cunning and shrewd religious leader knows very well that he will not receive any “red carpet’ welcome from any Asian (except probably Japan) and African countries.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller in its official capacity met with the Dalai Lama in Copenhagen on Saturday.

The Chinese government should not only protest over Danish government officials' meeting with the Dalai Lama, but to take the bold step to downgrade the diplomatic status to a “consular” level and to monitor for a period of six months, and if there is no improvement to cut off all ties with the government.

The constant warnings to Western governments in its many meetings with the Dalai Lama will meant nothing if the Chinese government do not take stern actions. The meeting, even after strong verbal reminders from China, indicates that the Western governments do not take the diplomatic relationship with China seriously and there is only one course of action – to downgrade the status not now but immediately. It will serve as a strong message to the Western world.

China should boldly face the threat of currency manipulation label coming from the US

2009-05-14T16:14:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Every year at around this time, you would be able to hear high handed political rhetoric from the US lawmakers and an incessant stream of anti-China tirades ringing across the floors of the Congress and Senate.

The hottest topic is still the alleged currency manipulation by China. Either the US lawmakers are congregating to try to justify imposing punitive tariffs on China goods which indirectly support the hordes of inefficient and badly managed US’s manufacturers from further revamp and closure or there is a hidden agenda to hold back a rising China.

The accusation of China of keeping the Yuan artificially low is not a new issue but one which was raised countless times by the US politicians since the Bush era. The current US Treasury Secretary has made some remarks concerning China as a currency manipulator when he took office late last year. Since then, he has toned down his aggressive overtures after a meeting with Chinese trade and commerce officials. There will be another round of government to government commercial negotiations in June 2009.

The US lawmakers plan to propose the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, which is to counter any currency manipulator nation by allowing the imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on its goods to protect US based industries. Is it not that the US already had existing legislation to bring about fair trade policies and to protect its people from exporting nations?

The question being asked here is “Does China has an obvious advantage in international trade if it manipulates its currency?

First, China does not only trade with the US. It also imports lots of intermediate components from surrounding countries like Japan, Korea and ASEAN to be assembled into finished goods (which is then re-exported to US and EU). The Chinese only makes a small profit margin as a final producer of goods. With the relative lower exchange rate against the US presently, the Chinese would need to pay more local currency to buy the same quantity of intermediate goods. If the Yuan is higher, the producers need not have to spend so much local currency to obtain the same volume of components. The production cost in making the item is therefore lower, making it even more competitive. In the production chain, the actual contribution of the Chinese is in its lower cost of labor of which the US or developed countries will not be able to match.

Second, if China’s currency value (Yuan against US) is higher, it indicates that the US importers would need to pay more US$ for Yuan denominated goods thus making China’s goods more expensive. The US importer which previously imports garment A from China at US$3 per piece would now review its other choices since the price of the same garment A from China has gone up to US$8 (due to the increase in exchange rate). The importer would continue to import from other low cost producing nations like Vietnam, Sri Lanka or India at perhaps, US$7 a piece. The local US producer can only sell the same quality garment at US$12 (due to the higher cost of production). Even if the US succeeds in getting the Chinese to revise upward on its exchange rate, the US would still need to import from other low cost producing countries unless the US would be able to label the other low cost producing nations as “currency manipulator” as well. From the economic standpoint, the US consumers are worse off – they had to pay a higher price for the same quality of goods (US$3 as against US7) – which means a lower standard of living for US residents.

Third, the flow of trade would not just go back to the US if China’s relented to shore up its exchange rate unless the US residents can also adjust to a lower cost of living and/or increasing its level of work productivity. Personally, I think the US residents actually spent more than what they earned which have been happening throughout the last decade. The savings rate in the US society is extremely low. There are just not enough funds to support the the average family expenditure on a rainy day as was observed n the recent financial related crisis. Translated into a macro arena, the outrageous spending by its populace has caused the US economy to be in deficit since the Bush’s Presidency. Is the US single household willing to live a lifestyle similar to a typical Asian household where the apartment/house is much smaller and the car is just a compact? There is also lots of wastage in the US societies. US children are seen to eat only 30-40% of the food served on the table, with the rest going into the garbage bins. If there is going to be any significant decrease in the US’s current account deficit with a heavy reduction in imports (from China), every US individual will need to change their lifestyle. Are there willing to make this sacrifice?

Fourth, politicians felt that is always easy to blame someone when things go wrong and the best possible way is to continue to harp on the low currency exchange and the cheap imports from its top trading nation. China being the biggest creditor to the US will always have to bear the brunt.

As stated before in my article, China must be strong to fend off the heavy rhetoric from these US politicians. It must also accept the fact that one day the US would impose trade protectionist measures on the flow of goods and services between the two countries once the trade friction cannot be managed anymore. A good ongoing initiative taken by China is to diversify its markets elsewhere and reduce the dependence of its exports to the US to, let say, 10% within 10 years’ time. Another suggestive move would be to increase domestic consumption and become less reliance on overseas market.

In the future if those diversification efforts are successful and if these politicians continue to bark, China can just turn a deaf ear.

China quarantine measures are crucial to keep the swine flu (A/H1N1) at the borders

2009-05-05T17:24:00.005+08:00

By China Watcher

For the past few days, the Western media had an “open day” reporting of the overly aggressive approach used by the “authoritarian government” of China in putting about 70 suspected Mexicans under quarantine. These reporters would go to every extent to interview the affected Mexicans to highlight the negative side of the ordeal and stressed that the rights of the foreigners have been infringed. Some of them even tried to link it to the extreme measures taken in locking down Tibet last year months ahead of the Olympic Games. What has this got to do with the swine flu? It is not surprising as it is expected if the news come from Western news agencies. Fortunately a high percentage of people of Chinese origin do not rely on Western sources for their information.

I fully support the Chinese government in the use of its existing laws (the isolation approach) to prevent the outbreak of contagious disease in the country. China is a huge country with a population of about 1.35 billion and if there is a runaway pandemic, the impact would really be severe and could result in deaths of an unimaginable proportion. Then, who is to be blame? Not the West.

Most Chinese online users also support the decision to quarantine Mexicans. A poll by major information portal Sina.com showed that 92.5 percent of 4,263 online users said the quarantine was "a necessary preventive method and had nothing to do with discrimination". The quarantine measures were taken in the interest of both the detained guests and the public.

Yesterday, the Chinese government also quarantined 29 students, the majority of them are Canadians, in a hotel over the suspicions that the Canadians, the second highest risk group besides the Mexicans, have contacted the deadly flu. Even Chinese nationals who returned from Mexico are subjected to preventive measures. All these proved that what the Mexicans claimed that the quarantine acts are discriminatory in nature is clearly unfounded.

Being supportive of Mexico as a Third World and a developing nation, China offered US$5 million in aid to Mexico last Wednesday – US$1 million in cash and US$4 million in medical supplies - the first country to send aid after the epidemic broke out. Yesterday, the second batch of US$5 million of disinfection tools, gloves and screener equipments were transported out from Guangdong Province to Mexico

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said yesterday although the mainland has not yet reported any cases of H1N1, there is a possibility of the virus making its way. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said yesterday six more supervision teams had been sent to Shandong, Hebei, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces to work with local authorities in epidemic prevention. It sent five teams to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in late April.

The Chinese government hoped that Mexico would understand the current strict measures adopted and that the two countries can jointly addressed the epidemic in an objective manner without any strong emotional outburst.

I think it is a wise move on the part of the Mexican government to issue travel warnings to China. At least the Chinese government can devote more efforts and resources to curb the spread of the virus from elsewhere and also, to develop cost effective vaccines for the Chinese people and the world.

China need not follow the “relax-type approach” of the West in the implementation of preventive measures during a potential disaster or a crisis. The measures undertaken must be effective and practical. The important thing is to ensure that the health and safety of its people are protected at all times.

Friendly Ties: China and Russia

2009-04-28T15:28:00.005+08:00

By China Watcher

Can you tell me which photos project a much more sincere and friendlier atmosphere?

I am pleased to note that Sino-Russian strategic relationship has proceeded so well and the partnership has expanded cooperation in all areas. A month ago, the signing of a long awaited agreement to allow the construction of a major pipeline linking Russia to China was testimony of the strength of the political and economic relationship between the two countries.

Perhaps the West should realize that in any relationship there is bound to be “mutual respect” of each other cultural values, a strong and genuine people-to-people ties, the sincere and “complete” recognition of a country’s sovereignty interest and most crucial, the ability to view the relationship from a global future perspective.

A strong naval presence is necessary for respect as a global power

2009-04-24T18:01:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

I witnessed the impressive display of the Chinese armada of ships at the port city of Qingdao for the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army on television yesterday.

For once, I was proud to note the progress made by the Chinese navy from the heydays of coastal ships and frigates in the 1950s to what it is today. The show-stopper was obviously the 2 nuclear submarines which led the flotilla of ships at sea. The Chinese fleet comprises 56 vessels, including submarines, an array of destroyers and frigates, and missile boats.

I do agree that in terms of firepower and technology the Chinese navy is still two or maybe three notches lower than the US but the gap is slowly closing in given the committed will of the Chinese people to accelerate the development of its navy by making better submarines, destroyers and long-range missiles. A senior Chinese naval officer has already indicated the need to construct at least one aircraft carrier to be ready by 2013. I am of the opinion that the presence of a large carrier is more for power projection and image rather than for improving latent fighting power.

The heavy movement of the carrier is actually a liability rather than an advantage in a war situation. The carriers without air and sea protection are easy target for submarines. Bigger modern ships are now better equipped with accurate missiles and together with its advanced anti-submarine features coupled with the ability to move faster, in numbers, would definitely add firepower. Single-purpose and a few wide-platform ships for aircraft movement instead of one large single carrier that would reduce the single-point vulnerability risk, is one important point the Chinese navy should consider when developing “big” ships.

A western media, Reuters, of which I could sense its envious attitude made a passing comment that the US and Vietnamese relationship have progressively improved with the single visit of several Vietnamese military officers on the US aircraft carrier off the coast of Hanoi two days ago. And it added that the Vietnamese are wary of Beijing’s fleet modernization because of the country’s outstanding territorial issues with China. Western media are always good at making inferences, which are merely assumptions, to suit its very own agenda – to constantly highlight Chinese threat and to preserve US superiority in the Asia-Pacific region.

Personally, I think there are only two Asian countries of which its leaders and its people are concerned over China’s military growth (including its naval improvements) and perhaps, to a certain extent China’s economic growth namely India and Japan.

India has always harbored an inert “jealously” tendency over China ever since it lost the Sino-Indian border war with China in 1962. The “could-not-accept” attitude grows over the years and it deteriorated, when it realized that its economic size is only one-quarter of China. Further, India is gradually losing control even in its own sphere of influence in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myammar and most recently, in Maoist controlled Nepal. This is a fact but the Western media selectively choose not to highlight negative development affecting its “democratic” allies. China have made attempts to improve Sino-Indian ties through stronger people to people relations but all these had been shunned by the past and present Indian government due to the deep mistrust. The “comparison only china syndrome” is an indication of the deep estrangement that had not gone away. Two can actually play the game. China should cast a watchful eye on the rapid development of Indian military especially on its missile development, which I think is not only targeting the country's main rival Pakistan but China.

Japan is the other country who had yet to recover from its “prideful” defeat during the Second World War and the Liberal Party controlled government – past and present – had not genuinely shown any remorse to the countless sufferings the imperialist army had inflicted on the Chinese and Koreans. Even after nearly 60 years, the subject of the Japanese army is still very sensitive to the people in China and Korea. A recent survey in Japan stated that 70% of the Japanese do not like the Chinese and in China, an equally big percentage of Chinese (75%) also dislike the Japanese people. You see there are always two sides to a coin. But the Western media selectively choose to publish only one side of the story. Historically, the Japanese have been taught to consider themselves as more superior than the other races, besides the Germans and the Jews. In the eyes of the Japanese, the Chinese were at the lowest rungs of the race category and were called “the sick man of Asia” nearly seven decades ago. Even though the Japanese people have not outwardly displayed their true resentful character it had not been able to accept the reality that ultimately it had to play “second fiddle” to China in Asia. Until and unless these perceived superiority thoughts are discarded, the estrangement would remain and any military advancement by China would be taken as a threat.

The flexing of the Chinese naval muscle is also to show to the US that China presently has the ability to deny the US navy access to certain waters in the region, most likely the water surrounding Taiwan.

If there is tension in the Taiwan Straits, the US would now think twice before sending two aircraft carriers like what it did in 1996 to the contested area. The writing on the wall is very clear. Whether the US or its allies like it or not, it had to contend with a strong China – both militarily and economically.

Australia’s thinking is still racist and anti-Chinese

2009-04-21T10:17:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

A few years ago, I visited the Gold Coast, a tourist belt on the eastern coast of Australia in the state of Queensland of which I had my first encounter with Australian pent up racism. A couple of Caucasian youths in their cars sped by us and shouted inflammatory words like “you chinks, go back to your country” and “you should not pollute our civilized environment”. A little further ahead in a motel-typed restaurant, there were anti-Asian sentiments being expressed like “why are there so many yellow-skinned people in our country - to takeover the country someday?” Being a tourist who had no interest in the country, I decided to ignore those outrageous remarks and went back to my hotel room to rest.

These are only samples of racial and hateful tantrums coming from the majority white based societies in Australia. Anti-racist supporters may defend that these are sporadic events and it does not reflect the majority feelings of the Australian residents but the indoctrination of the youths by the parents with anti-racist thinking is certainly not the way to go, given that Australia had quite a large Asian immigrant population especially in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Recently the Mandarin speaking Australian Prime Minister had been lambasted by the opposition leader for being too pro-China when he made a call to support China’s greater role in the International Monetary Fund. First, China’s as the third largest economy (very soon, to be the second largest) does not require any initiative from any Western (white based) leader to elevate China’s role in the international financial body. Second, international organization or grouping that fail to take into consideration China’s influence and importance in resolving global issues will be rendered ineffective as what is happening to the G-8 meeting in the past few years. The G-20 with China’s participation is believed to be a more effective grouping. Finally, what does speaking out in support of China by Mr. Kevin Rudd has anything to do with Australia’s national interest as mentioned by the Australia opposition leader? I hope this is only a fiery brand of Australian politics.

The emergence of the anti-Chinese sentiment in the Australian public was elevated to a level not seen since the “white-Australia policy” of the early 1900s when these Australian dailies highlighted the purchases of billions of Australian assets by Chinese state-owned companies this year. If the purchases were to be made by a Western country, I do not think such outwardly racial rhetoric would be heard? Let us be realistic, if the Australian residents are not racially reserved or not racially inclined, the trumpeting of the threat of the “yellow peril” would not have caused so much grievances and concerns.

Moving forward and looking at the present economic trends, Australia’s future is very much connected to Asia rather than with Europe. China’s resounding economic growth provides vast opportunities of a ready market for resource-rich Australia. Australian experts are fully aware of it. Shelving all suspicious thoughts and the threat of the “yellow peril” would be a welcome effort on the part of the Australian society for the peaceful co-existence and economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

US hypocritical stance on the demonstration in Thailand

2009-04-15T14:32:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Not surprising, the two-faced US government finally revealed its stance after being silent for the past 3 weeks on the just diffused street protest in Thailand. The US government condemned the violence by anti-government protestors and urged its citizens to exercise caution while in the country.

Western media reported that the US government has joined the chorus of nations (yes, nosy Western nations again) in reacting to the violence in Thailand. The US State Department in a media conference urged an end to the violence by the “red shirted” demonstrators.

The first thing that comes to my mind was how could the US, a country which had traveled to all corners of the world to defend Western brand of democracy could condemn the very act of protest, which is one of the tenets of democracy and a mode for freedom of expression as promoted in democratic societies. The red-shirted protesters resorted to the use of violence to seek their demand for general elections after its peaceful protests have been largely ignored by the present Thai administration. The protesters were merely trying to garner world attention to its plight for a fair and proper representative government chosen by the majority of the people of Thailand. If I am not mistaken, the current Thai government came to power through the courts which invalidated the previous populist government. Does Western democracy stands for an elected government by the majority of its population?

Actually, I do support protest but only if it is peaceful in nature regardless of the system of governance.

In a brief revisit to Tibet, a China’s province, the protests that turned violent and deadly in March last year, the US and the Western media were the very first to support the protest as a human right to assemble and to express oneself and that the Chinese security police was putting down the unrest aggressively. The media were quick to highlight that there was a military clampdown on the Tibetan population. There is just no consistency in the US stance on the two incidents.

We all know very well that when it comes to China, there is always an exception whenever there was a hidden agenda behind it and the hawkish support from the US elected representatives. Perhaps, the US is gradually losing its touch on current events and it may be a sign of its dwindling influence throughout the world.

South Korea strategies to counter China’s growing influence is futile

2009-04-14T14:37:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

A recent report by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance from South Korea suggested that the country needs to counter China’s growing influence in the world but did not provide any strategic measures, leaving it to the economic experts in the small but “fiercely patriotic” country of about 50 million people to decide on the next course of action.

The so-called strategic “thinkers” said that China’s growing economic might and influence will turn the world’s crisis into an opportunity for themselves thus depriving small export oriented nations like South Korea of similar lucrative markets to sell its manufactured goods. The report pointed out that China has been beefing up the "Beijing Consensus" through signing currency swap deals with Asian and Latin American nations, expanding assistance to developing countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, and increasing investment in natural resources in Latin America. Currency swap deals worth about US$91 billion have been concluded to date. The initiative is one of the efforts of the Chinese government to reduce the reliance on the US dollar as the main global trading and investment currency.

Though China is a direct competitor for markets for manufactured goods throughout the world, it it is also presently South Korea’s largest export market. According to the South Korea’s statistical data, trade volume with China stood at USD168 billion in 2008 and constituted about a fifth of its total trade volume.

China with its huge foreign reserves of US$1.9 trillion and its large appetite for natural resources would provide them with stronger leverages to negotiate with resourced rich countries. As a influential permanent UN Security Council member like the US, it can also use its diplomatic links to support its many international deals especially with developing nations.

Personally, I think there are only two feasible options. The first is to work with the European Union (EU), the US and maybe, to a certain extent with Japan as an informal conglomerate to COUNTER China’s economic growth and influence throughout the world using agreed quotas and other non-free trade protective mechanisms like tariff and trade barriers. The protective shield is already being used actively by EU in its trade with China. The second would be to work with China jointly like the ASEAN trade initiative to increase intra-trade among them, and to complement the production of goods in countries where there are noticeable comparative advantage. As to the sharing of limited resources, China could use its strong purchasing power and large warehouses to distribute it among the signatories of the Asian grouping including South Korea to secure the lowest possible cost.

The second option which is non-confrontational and a win-win scenario would be the best bet, and I am sure the Koreans would know which one to pick for the prosperity of its people in the next 10 to 20 years.

Why did the President of China meet up with Prince Charles?

2009-04-09T11:32:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

As we all know, the Prince of United Kingdom has been an ardent fan and a ferocious supporter of the deposed religious leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama. He has taken every opportunity to meet and provide “sympathetic support” to the spiritual leader. The wily religious figure currently employs a worldwide strategy (not world as reported but to only certain Western countries leaders and celebrities) to garner attention and sympathies for his hordes of exiled monastery monks and their plight for independence of a land they lost 50 years ago.

Being polite, the President of China told the monarch-to-be that the Prince placed importance on Sino-UK ties and actively promoted “practical” cooperation between the two countries. Do you think so? I am of the opinion that he has done more damage to the relationship than in promoting it. I remembered very clearly at the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China when he was observed to be feeling very uncomfortable sitting next to the then Chinese President, Jiang Ximin. Being very undiplomatic and rude to the host, he openly condemned the Chinese administration as comprising leaders that are "known waxworks” which are inflexible when dealing with foreigners and its own people.

The UK’s rights record has not been perfect. It has been fighting the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Northern Ireland for the past 40 years or so, and is responsible for the many deaths that followed the independence-seeking initiatives of this faction. I have not heard anything from the British heir-to-be King commenting on the many outrageous British human rights infringements in Northern Ireland. But yet he can comment so much on China and Tibet. Isn’t this a case of being hypocritical?

The Chinese should not place so much importance on the royal private meeting but since the British are still a “king or queen based monarchy political system” the meeting can be viewed as a respect to the British political system and also to the British people and nothing more than that.

Western media incites comparison between China and India

2009-04-04T07:09:00.008+08:00

By China Watcher

Financial Times UK at an interview session asked the Indian Prime Minister the divisive question on the rate of economic development between China and India? Being drawn into a corner and obviously, losing face, due to wide gap in economic progress between the two countries he stated that the Indian economy is more durable on in other words, lasting.

In the past, I always hold to the opinion that the Indian economy will grow in its own right to be a large economy within the Top 5 in due course, perhaps, in 15 years. The Chinese economy is more broad-based and is largely export driven. Infrastructural development is impressive if we observe the number of bridges, roads, highways, railways and dams just over the last 15 years. The Chinese are also slowly catching up on its technological prowess in IT (lately more into software) and biotechnology. In terms of enhancement of management expertise, it had joint leadership forums with certain US educational institute and also, with sincere and slightly better developed Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Further, it can also tap into the labor strength of its SAR, Hong Kong.

Presently, the Chinese economy is clearly more diversified than before and I do not understand what the Indian PM had in mind when he told the media Indian economy is more durable. The economic bubble created by the hypnotic frenzy on its Shanghai Stock Exchange has also come down to a more reasonable level and the prices of its properties are now within reasonable range. I just cannot comprehend the statement.

Anyway, the educated elite in India have been passionately comparing the success on India and China in every field/aspect as I pointed out in my earlier article. Why compared with China alone and not benchmarked against UK, Germany, Japan or the US? Where is the Asian solidarity which had been the driving force behind the non-aligned movement? Maybe it is the intense rivalry which goes back to the 1960s in which both the countries economic development are on par but China has surged beyond the level for the Indians to catch up – 4 times of GDP?

If I am the Indian PM, I would have answered the British media in a more thoughtful way, “well, both the economies are doing well and I am sure in the future we will both have our niche areas and one thing which is certain, both our economies will be among the top in the world nudging out all the European economies”.

That would be a good reply to the nosy British press.

Do you think the French has learn the lessons?

2009-04-02T12:57:00.007+08:00

By China Watcher

Nicolas Sarkozy, the current French President who said he has "principled values" and one of the few leaders of which the Chinese residents dislike was literally "forced" to shake hands with the President of China at a sideline meeting of the G20 Economic forum in London. He is not laughing and his feeling is not sincere. I always believe that a picture can reveal what cannot be expressed adequately even in one thousand words. After the brickbats of protests against his administration in France, he is compelled to demonstrate to the French people that he can accomplish more in the foreign scene. Just 6 months ago, he was very cheerful when he met the Dalai Lama.

Let us hope the French has learned the painful lessons that historical ties and trusts are more important when dealing with the Chinese. Don't mince your words and do not let the wily Dalai Lama and his exiles hijack an important and beneficial relationship. Is it really worth it? Most Asian countries have realistically picked their choices but not the West and their hypocritical principled stance.

China uses its economic muscles to gradually make the US Dollar less relevant

2009-04-01T14:52:00.007+08:00

By China Watcher

First the Chinese called to the world’s financial communities to seriously consider replacing the US Dollar as the standard international trading and investment currency with a new reserve currency. Now they are living up to its promises of unilaterally finalizing currency swaps with a couple of nations on its trading list to build a global economic order less dominated by the West and the wealthy nations. Stripping the West of its economic influence will also help to make their prejudicial Western media less prominent and less imposing on others.

On April 1 2009, China and Argentina had agreed to swap US$14.5 billion (RM53 billion) of their currencies to boost trading volume between the two nations. Argentina is the second largest economy in Latin America and is deemed within the “backyard” of the US. Actually, the whole purpose of the currency swap is to avoid using the US dollars in trade between the two sovereign countries and to allow Argentineans to purchase Chinese goods directly in Yuan.

This is the first time a currency swap has been concluded successfully with a Latin America’s nation. The move aims to help Argentina by cutting trading costs, giving it access to hard currency and strengthening its financial position as it is battered by the global financial crisis. Argentina imported mainly electronics, computers and chemicals from China, and it exported chiefly commodities such as wheat and soy beans.

Besides this, China had also completed similar deals with Belarus, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. I have a strong feeling that there are more of the same deals with other trading countries which would be announced in the near future.

The Argentina’s central bank governor in support of the swap told the media that his country backed China’s suggestion to replace the US dollar with a broader based alternative like a reserve currency issued by the International Monetary Fund. Chinese central bank governor commented that the special drawing rights of the IMF shall comprise a basket of the yen, euro and pound sterling and not only the US dollar. Additional support for change is provided by Venezuela, a strong ally of the Chinese government. On the same vein, Russia also recommended that the IMF considers issuing the world’s currency, and emphasized the need to update "the obsolescent uni-polar world economic order."

Asian countries (excluding Japan which tend to be a US’s self-appointed speaker) progressive support for the new proposal also indicated that Asia might be adopting the Yuan as the main Asian currency unit in the future as China gains intra-trade prominence as the second largest economy, overtaking the Japanese economy, in about 5-6 years from today.

It is understandable that the Chinese, being a large holder of US government bonds, are increasingly worried of the value of its US dollars assets of which it has no control. News that the US may finance its huge stimulus package by printing more money will trigger a fall in the value of the US dollar, thus negating the value of its US dollar held assets.

The US being the largest economy at USD13 trillion (as compared to China’s USD3.4 trillion based on 2008’s rankings), holds 17% voting power in the Western dominated IMF and as such, is still directly influential in the restructuring of the governance of the world international financial systems. And China’s proposal to replace the US currency may be rejected. China called for a greater voice for the developing countries may be tabled instead at the G20 forum.

China as the third largest economy presently is lumped together with Switzerland and Austria with the same voting rights. Where are the Western media and the NGOs voices in support of fairness and proper democratic rights based on economic influence and the size of its populace as reflected in the world’s financial body? As usual, the West’s self-righteousness becomes muffled suddenly or it fell conveniently into a “volunteered silent hole”. Never mind, the West thinking has been clouded by matters such as Tibetan rights and independence which are more important.

In reality, the establishment of a world reserve currency with a stable valuation may take some time as agreed by the Chinese bank’s governor but efforts must begin from somewhere, however, small that effort may be. China’s currency swaps are laudable as it is a step in the right direction to make international trade and investment less reliant on the US dollar and also, to a certain extent making the US less dominant in the world’s new financial structure.

Understanding the Tibetan situation

2009-03-27T18:02:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

Actually I have other more interesting China’s issues and matters to convey in my blog but there is this nauseating feeling from within inciting me to put forward my opinion on the Tibetan problem of which the West has unashamedly created more attention by putting the Dalai Lama on its front page, even though the focus in terms of priority should be on the world economy which is presently mired with so much uncertainty.

The legacy issues of the Tibetan and their exiled religious leader have managed to garner the interest of the Western people and not the WORLD as incorrectly reported by these mostly Western news agencies and reprinted by the English version of a few emerging Asian countries. I have never doubted the global influence and “might” of the Western media particularly the ones based in the US. In Asia, efforts were now being made to establish the Asia News Network and other non Western news agencies to counter the very pro-West views coming from the US and Europe. I hope there would be more of the same committed efforts in becoming less reliance on Western sources in the near future.

What I found amusing was that the Tibetan issue and even to this day, in the Western media, the authors are wholly preoccupied with disseminating one and only one thing – the deprivation of human rights for the Tibetan people. The thorny issue behind Tibet is that the deposed religious leader and its many sympathizers and supporters wanted “independence” from China. I called it independence and not “AUTONOMY” because the Dalai Lama demanded that the whole of Tibet, Qinghai, part of Sichuan and Gansu, to be relieved of Han Chinese who have migrated from elsewhere over the past 50 years. The Han Chinese size in these provinces is huge and even, in Tibet itself, the numbers are not small. Further the Han Chinese has taken big sacrifices to uproot their families from familiar territory to establish business links in the uncharted and tough “Wild Wild West” region. Over the past decade, the Han Chinese has contributed to the economic progress of Tibet and it is not as simple as to “force” them to go back to their place of origins. In addition, the force repatriation of labor and people ran contrary to the Chinese government’s ethnic protection laws and policy to develop the “undeveloped West”. Even in the US, you cannot bar a US citizen from working in California if he is from New York.

In the memorandum given to the Chinese government by the Tibetan exiles at the latest dialogue, they also demanded that all Chinese military personnel be withdrawn from Tibet and the surrounding areas, and to a larger extent provide a high degree of diplomatic control to the Tibetan Administration of the Dalai Lama. If this is not independence or separation from the Beijing’s Central government, what terminology should we employ then? Can we still continue to accept the statement made by the Dalai Lama that he is not seeking independence but autonomy from China? People who have ulterior motives especially the Western rights NGOs and activists would readily accept the so-called fabricated “middle-path” lies as enunciated by the Dalai Lama.

If you reviewed the Chinese Constitution with regards to the local autonomous regional laws, the demands (within the Tibetan memorandum) made by the exiled Tibetan government is very far-fetched and it is not possible to be met unless the religious leader is willing to agree to similar terms that are currently being used to govern Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang (both autonomous regions). I personally do not see any progress from this stalemate at least until the Tibetan side is willing to face the present reality of the changing political landscape in Tibet.

Tibet is no longer a feudal serfdom where peasants are slaves to the Lamas. Even if there is a managed democracy in Tibet, do you think the monks and the Lamas are willing to play a lesser role in the governance of Tibet? The West always promoted the separation of State from the religious authorities but has never commented openly on the existence of the control of the religious Tibetan Lamas over the ordinary citizens within the circles of political power as still practiced by the Tibetan exiled government in Northern India today. Why are there double standards in the treatment of critical comments when it comes to China?
Today the ordinary Tibetans are economically so much better than those days when they were under the Lamas. There are now roads, railways, schools, shopping plazas and a university. The Chinese government has poured in millions of dollars to equip the Tibetans with proper housing and to ensure that there do not lose out in education to the “smarter” Han Chinese. I was told that the minorities like the Tibetans are provided with easy passage in terms of entrance quota by the Central government if they choose to study in prestigious Universities like Tsinghua and Beijing. I have always supported the idea that it is only through education that the Tibetans can elevate the social status of its people.

The West uses the causes of human rights abuses and “cultural genocide” to discredit China rule and to intervene in the administration of Tibet If there are truly rampant human rights abuses of the magnitude described by the West, there would be no large scale violent riot last year. Communication channels in Tibet were relaxed for the Olympic Games but the indigenous Tibetans do not know how to appreciate the limited “freedoms”. Tourism was heavily promoted since 1996 and foreigners were allowed to interact with the people in Tibet but some of the sympathizers from Western countries were seen to be inciting them to hate the Han Chinese. The Tibetans were allowed to own hand-phones, travel to other parts of China and to practice their religions at the temples. Yet the Tibetan monks were not happy as they could not revive the days there were in control of the peasants and also, they stubbornly refused to integrate. The same predicament would happen if the Red Indians in US, the Australian aborigines and the Canadian Eskimos if they refuse to integrate in a Caucasian based societies. There will always be discontented persons who would try to sneak out of Tibet to India. I would not deny the fact that there were evidences of demolitions of temples during the tumultuous Cultural Revolution which began in 1967. If there was “cultural genocide” as reported by the West, how is it that I still get to watch Tibetan cultural performance in Chinese cultural events, the most recent in London?

Most visitors to Tibet have noticed that old temples were restored and new ones were built for followers of the 6 permitted religions in China. The Tibetans enjoy the same basic rights as any Han Chinese as provided in the Chinese Constitution. Some Han Chinese had already started questioning why should the Tibetans be given more rights than others? If Chinese societies developed on the basis of their own refined characteristics in the near future, Chinese residents would enjoy far better protection of individual rights which would likewise cover all other 55 ethnic groups in China including the Tibetans.

Foreign activists may argue that the Tibetans are not bothered by the better economic status presently but are not comfortable to be governed by “outsiders”. Historically, the Chinese are not considered “outsiders”. The Tibetan rulers have been known to send expensive gifts to the emperors in the capital to pacify and to recognize the Chinese “sphere of control” over them since the era of the Mongol Empire in the 13th Century. The Ching Dynasty (also known as Manchu) ruled the Chinese territory from 1644 to 1912 and it is evident from the Ching dynasty map Tibet had been an intricate part of the Chinese Empire. It was only momentarily “free” from China when China was centrally weak during the 1913 Revolution and a brief period after Second World War when the Chinese were embroiled in a civil war. Thus, it was and has been an inalienable and indisputable right of the Chinese government under the banner of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) when it re-established firm control of Tibet in 1959 when the Lamas tried to secede. If the Alaskan or the Chechens tried to breakaway from the US and Russia, what do you think Washington and Moscow would do?

I am sure some of you might have the idea that I am singing the same propaganda information of the CCP. I am not from China and I do not have to submit to the ideologies of the CCP but I am clearly defending Chinese sovereignty over its territories based on facts. I believe all Han Chinese should be seen giving all the support necessary to ensure Tibet will forever remain with China given the coordinated pressure coming from the West. I just cannot comprehend how a land-locked and barren land mass like Tibet could survive without China. The Central Intelligence Agency (of the US) were involved actively in funding and supplying weapons to the Tibetans to create unrest in Tibet and the surrounding areas with a clear objective to deter the spread of Communism from 1959 to 1980. The Americans were clearly not interested in liberating Tibet and the Dalai Lama was viewed as a pawn in a game of chess with the Chinese.

It is also sad to note that lots of Asians still hold strongly to the deeply rooted colonial mentality that everything from the West is good and progressive. Certain groups in Taiwan held street protest recently to support the Dalai Lama not because it wanted independence for Tibet but more to assure themselves and to send a message to the ruling Kuomintang that they would not like to be in the “hopeless situation” the Tibetans are currently in. But the Western media and the human rights activists trumpeted the notion that even Han Chinese supported the Dalai Lama’s cause. It is another plain ridiculous reporting from the West without actually diagnosing the background of the event.

The Tibet issue has various dimensions in the form of culture, race and religions and as such, it appears to be an attractive avenue for the West to attack China in the guise of human rights abuses. The West has always hold strongly to its core Western values – which are human rights and democracy – and Tibet with its many facets for exploitation remains the best possible way to spread its influence throughout the world in promoting its ideal societies.

The selection of the successor to the Dalai Lama has always been the right of the Panchen Lama. The governing authority in Tibet and the exiled government have appointed their own Panchen Lama. Western media on countless times reported that Beijing appointed second inline through a legally sanctioned Tibetan Council is not recognized by the Tibetans in China. I do not agree, once again, from Western findings. Perhaps, the Beijing’s endorsed Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu is not recognized by the Tibetan government-in-exiled and NOT the Tibetans residing in China. It is alarming to note how much efforts have been made by the few journalists in China to discredit the Tibetan provincial government involvement in the selection process. This age old traditions of the selection of the Dalai Lama has to be endorsed by the Beijing central government, which goes back during the time of the imperial emperor under the Ming and Ching dynasty. The government in exiled does not have that authority. The Dalai Lama has spoken numerous times that the Tibetan exiled government has the authority to do so but on what basis. Maybe, the power-to-be is implicitly crafted by the few European nations and the US which have actually emboldened the Dalai Lama’s quest for independence or full autonomy.

At the run-up to the Tibetan Uprising Anniversary recently, the Chinese government has increased its surveillance in Tibet after what happened last year just before the Olympic torch run made its way to Mount Everest. The increased army presence is justified in order to prevent a recurrence of the violent riots that resulted in unwarranted deaths among the Han Chinese and local Tibetans. The Western media as usual highlighted the increased military patrols as suppression of the Tibetans. Ridiculous!

In modern times, China has never succumbed to international pressure whether it is from the EU or US over issues concerning its sovereignty and I applauded this fine stance. To allow bilateral relationship to be strained by the Tibet issue shows a lack of political wisdom on the part of the Western governments. The only solution forward is to set aside the Tibetan matter and seek cooperation in other areas like in the spheres of trade, technology, cultural and finance.

I am sure the Chinese government has already implemented various strategies to deal with the continuous Western support given to the Dalai Lama to seek independence from China. One of the most immediate ways is to set up a bureau to counter all the “lies” from the exiled leader. And the introduction of the Serfs Emancipation Day in Tibet is a good move.

Who say the Han Chinese are not listening to the Chinese actions on Tibet? The West lacks of understanding of the actual situation allows Tibetan sympathisers (including certain anti-China media) and right activists to promote their hidden agenda.

Instead of lodging solemn representation with the Western government, the Chinese government should be serious in considering the reduction of the level of economic activities with the hypocritical governments in the West who choose to offer diplomatic space to the Dalai Lama. The diversification of economic dependence on exports to the US and European Union is a medium to long term effort to prevent the West from using “blackmailing tactics” in the near future.

Nobody tells China what to do

2009-03-14T17:17:00.003+08:00

By China Watcher

It is important that all Chinese of Han origins should take note that world’s personalities appointed by Western dominated societies speak only for values that are promoted by the West. What values? Yes, it is all about benchmarking using Western human standards again.

It is of no surprise that we have a persistent (listed as one of the persons that Chinese people dislike) anti-China Bishop from South Africa (Desmond Tutu) who criticize China for “verbally abusing” the Tibetan spiritual leader. The news obviously came out of a Human Rights website.

The aged South African religious leader said he was concerned with the deterioration of the human rights situation in Tibet, and an apparent breakdown in communication between the Chinese government and Tibetan representatives of the deposed Dalai Lama. Tibet is and forever a part of China and how it is being ruled is all up to the Chinese people. Using human rights as a lame excuse to criticize China’s handling of Tibet is clearly unacceptable. Even without these few Dalai Lama’s friends, the Olympics Games was a complete success. And in China quest to become an advance nation in the future, the Chinese people do not really need this type of friends to be around.

Personally, I do not even have an ounce of respect for the wily and cunning “imposter” the West revered so much. The “wolf in the sheep clothing” person claimed that he does not want independence but only autonomy from China. But what he is demanding is for the “freedom” of Greater Tibet and the authority to decide on foreign policy matters which actually means the “independence” and splitting of China. Han Chinese who have migrated to Tibet and the surrounding lands are to be redeployed back to where they came from. Furthermore, the very same “ethical” person referred the Tibet scenario as “hell on earth” and that China’s rule has resulted in “million of deaths” are pure nonsense and outright fabricated lies. When China brings development to Tibet, the Western critics called it a degradation of the scenic environment and if China does not do anything, the critics will say that there is no development in Tibet as compared to the coastal provinces. So either way, you will not be able to win the hearts of the Western media as they are all prejudicial in their opinions.

The West that is controlled by the neo-conservatives and pure rightist will seek to continue its dominance of the world and will not stop at anything to create additional hurdles for China’s gradual progress in economic development by using human rights as an excuse to fault China especially in the governing of Tibet. Tibet has been governed for more than 50 years already and only in the last 8 years that the criticism from the West has grown evidently stronger. Perhaps, the Dalai Lama is now closer to his mortality age with no successor. China’s human rights situation is presently so much better compared to the 60s and 70s and why do the West continue to harp on the same issues over and over again.

The 50th anniversary (this year) of a failed Tibetan uprising has passed and there is not a single incident of protest, clearly frustrating the many attempts by the Dalai Lama and its supporters to create troubles so as to garner world attention to what has been recognized in Asia as a dying cause.

It is believed that a letter would be sent to the Chinese President and the same website is currently soliciting signatures from Nobel laureates and celebrities to support their cause. Some of the well-known celebrities and award winners who have pledged their signatures were Elie Wiesel, Jody Williams, Richard Gere, Mia Farrow and Harrison Ford. The surprise addition here is Harrison Ford who will be listed as another person whom the Chinese dislikes on this blog.

I support the Chinese government way in bringing development to Tibet and to try to integrate every Tibetan into a modern society even if it takes another 100 years. It took more that 200 years to integrate the Red Indians into “white Caucasian” societies (some of them still lived on the streets to this day). Contrary to what is being reported, I am confident that the Chinese government will protect the rich cultures and ceremonies of the Tibetans in a century from now.

China firm in its position on extending hand of friendship to France

2009-03-13T17:16:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

I am pleased to note that the Chinese Premier has openly asked France to make a stand on Tibet.

If the French intends to hide under a hypocritical veil of expressing support for the Dalai Lama on one hand and, also saying it insincerely, that it wanted to develop a strategic partnership with China, it is clearly not acceptable.

The Paris Municipal Council hanging of a Tibetan flag at the City Hall is a clear disrespect to all Han Chinese throughout the world.

Relations between China and France nosedived after French President Nicolas Sarkozy met Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Poland in December.
The French must be brave enough to choose side and not try to be a “two-faced” poker like most Western nations.

If the France choose to side with the Dalai Lama, then it is good for the Chinese to start relegating the embassy status to a consulate and in future, to sever all ties with the French. Looking at the state of development, there is a high possibility that it is moving towards that direction.

On a bigger picture, the interest with the European Union will also be affected.

If that is the way, then let it be. China can survive without France.

What is the US doing around Hainan Island?

2009-03-11T10:22:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

The Impeccable, a US vessel, was caught conducting some maneuvers around Hainan Island (China’s Southern province) within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone, which the US claimed is “international waters”.

Based on a UN’s 1982 Law of The Sea, of which most countries have accepted and recognized, China is right in claiming that such “waters” are within its territory. The US, however, have yet to ratify the UN’s convention on this matter. In the most simplistic terms, the Chinese alleged that the US has trespassed on its territory but the US retorted that its vessel is not since it is still located in international waters.

My argument is such that if the so-called “territorial waters” are deemed doubtful from the perspective of both nations, then it would be better not to challenge the legality status of it which is what the US is doing. I am sure the US also would not want a Chinese destroyer or a Chinese surveillance vessel to be near the 200-mile economic zone off the coast of California. In this aspect, I strongly believe the US is wrong to boldly intrude in a zone which is questionable at his juncture.

Another question I seek to ask is what is the purpose of an unarmed US ocean surveillance vessel doing so close to the Chinese shore? It is not surprising as Hainan Island is the main base for China’s most advanced missile submarine fleet, which according to latest findings, comprises 5 nuclear submarines capable of launching nuclear ballistic missiles.

The US claimed that its vessel was there to protect its commercial interests in busy South China Sea shipping lanes traversed by half the world’s oil tankers. Can we accept such lame reasoning or is the US vessel on a spying mission? More likely, it is attempting to find out more about the movement of such submarines in the region.

The Chinese, like every sovereign country, has every right to project a “blue water” navy in every parts of the world just like the US have done over the past 50 years. But the Western media in its many articles indicated that the projection of “blue water” navy is the exclusive right of democratic nations like the US and not other countries which do not share its values. Nonsense!

Based on Western readings, I think that any challenge to the US dominance at sea is a threat to the world and stability of current world order. Again, what a load of rubbish! I don’t think the world had officially nominated the US as the world’s protector or policeman but the US would like to see it that way due to its number one status in the world (the sole superpower) and its promotion of “upright and just morality” throughout the world.

China may not row on the same boat with the US on many key international issues which does not mean that it challenges US’s initiatives but more towards the protection of its own interest like the expulsion of aid workers from Darfur at the UN Security Council recently. It is a known fact that China does have a lot of commercial interest in Sudan and it is only understandable why it blocked the US move.

As long as the US and the Chinese do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of conflicting issues especially with the US placing human rights as its core foreign policy, there would be more of this type of irritant disagreements that would cloud its relationship in the future which will not be helpful for world’s stability.

China sweep at the All England Badminton creates jealously among rivals

2009-03-09T19:13:00.005+08:00

By China Watcher

When China won all five titles at the All-England championship on Sunday, 8 March 2009, it provoked further criticism from the rivals.

Last year, some of the other team managers were noted not to be too happy when China skipped the Grand Prix finals, a finale for top players around the world, and said that the Chinese team had no respect for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for opting out of the Super Finals.

There was already unhappiness among certain rival countries over China who had the pleasure to practice “walkover” in certain China versus China matches to rest their players for more crucial and tough encounters. Yesterday, a Malaysian singles coach called for the BWF to tackle this issue and warned that if not, the sports may be dropped from the Olympics in the future.

Some of the overzealous sports reporters from the mainstream media in Malaysia formulated opinions which bordered more on their own insensible and unreasonable analysis rather than viewing the constraints and realistic chances the Malaysian players faced in international meets. Perhaps, the Malaysian players were gradually winning matches and moving up the BWF's rankings. Yesterday, China’s low ranking players proved how misguided the rankings are by winning all the coveted titles at the prestigious All England. Rankings are merely a guide and should not be the main yardstick to pick the best players of the world. Lin Dan, the Chinese number one men singles players put it appropriately, “I could not care whether I am number 1 or not, winning important titles are more satisfying”.

First, the dominance of the sports event by China indicates that the Chinese was able to cope with the changes in the development of badminton as a fast reflex game (too fast for the mind to react) and an attacking game with as little errors as possible. Mental strength to handle pressure at crucial winning points is equally important than the technical and strategic knowledge of the game. Except for the Koreans, Malaysian, Indonesian and maybe the Danish the rest of the countries are still very far off in terms of the standard of play when you benchmarked against China.

Second, the Chinese realistically has greater depth than the rest of the countries, that is, it has a large pool of talents to pick from. The second batch of young Chinese women players are now slowly finding its winning path in international tournaments and this do not bode well for the rival countries. The Chinese women have been dominating the women scene in this sports event for the last decade.

Third, the physical training the Chinese players have to undergo are many times more strenuous than what have been adopted by other badminton nations. Just take a look at how the Chinese divers, the paddlers and gymnasts trained when they have been selected at a very young age and you would have a better a picture of the type of training at its badminton halls.

Fourth, the dominance of the sports by China is no fault of them, the rest of the countries just fail to keep up given their lack of resources and the quality of their players. The BWF has made numerous changes to the draw by allowing seeded players of the same countries to compete among themselves at the preliminary rounds, thus opening the path for certain unseeded players of other countries to advance as far as the semi-finals. Imagine if the BWF adopted rules that seeded players do not meet in the early stages, the possibility of an all Chinese players at the semi-finals and finals is even higher. Now, the armada of Chinese players of about 7-8 players in the single event especially in the women category are already a fearsome lot with the current ruling.

Fifth, when the Chinese “throw away “matches that other countries deemed as “match-fixing”, it invited the warily eyes of other countries teams but when the Koreans do the same thing, nobody bothers. Why? Again, it is the dominance of this sports by China and the jealously of the other team managers and coaches which are really the main reasons behind the complaints.

My advice, be more mature and raise your own badminton standards before you criticize the winning team.

Chinese Bank is now the largest in terms of market capitalization

2009-03-06T19:13:00.001+08:00

By China Watcher

For the many anti-China bashers, so-called experts, economists and critics who predicted that China’s economy will collapse way back in 1995 due to its infrastructural bottlenecks and the poor management inefficiency because of its perceived lack of human rights and freedom of speech, the results showed otherwise.

Some sincere and truthful economist (devoid of a hidden agenda) predicted that the Chinese economy is going to recover first from the economic slum. From the recent market developments in Asia, it was the expectation of a Chinese second stimulus package which has generated renewed and strong interest in the markets from Japan to Indonesia. Most Asian markets were up yesterday.

The surprising news that comes from Bloomberg (a media supporting Western type human rights blatantly) indicated that the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is now the largest bank in the world in terms of market capitalization. Among the Top 10, China has 3 banks on the list.

The following is a table of the world's biggest banks by market capitalization in current U.S. dollar terms, showing their rank at the end of January 2008, 2007 and 2003.

1/31/08 Mkt cap (US$bln)
1 ICBC 277.514
2 Bank of America 195.933
3 HSBC Holdings 176.788
4 China Construction 165.234
5 Bank of China 165.087
6 JPMorgan Chase 159.615
7 Citigroup 140.698
8 Wells Fargo 112.365
9 Banco Santander 109.862
10 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial 105.412
11 ABN Amro+ 103.643
12 UniCredit 97.591
13 Intesa SanPaolo 89.954
14 BNP Paribas 88.487
15 Goldman Sachs 87.602
16 UBS 84.878
17 BBVA 78.302
18 Sberbank 77.713
19 Royal Bank of Scotland 76.023
20 Wachovia 75.401

So what does the anti-China critics have to say?

Banned Christie’s Auction House from China and Hong Kong

2009-02-28T13:20:00.000+08:00

By China Watcher

It is not enough to impose a tougher supervision on all items that the short-sighted auction house import and export from China.

China, with its thousand years of confirmed history, is one of the most important places where every auctioneer would source for ancient artifacts, but unfortunately Christie’s house can only see the businesses from a narrow perspective. It has boldly and daringly offended the Chinese government and its people by going ahead with the sale of the two sculptured items which was known to have been stolen by the imperialist forces of France and Britain during the 1860 Opium War.

The regret coming from Christie’s does not indicate that they are wrong in being an accessory to the sale of “stolen” items. Christie’s auction house claimed that the legal ownership was confirmed and they are directly and honestly engaged in legal trade. What a bunch of lies and nonsense just to justify its promotion of the looted items. Whoever purchase goods or items that are illegally acquired in the first place (from the original source – which was stolen) do not have ownership from the legal perspective.

China should ban Christie’s sale in China and Hong Kong and exert its political influence on Egypt or other cradles of civilization that are sited in Third World countries to ensure that Christie’s businesses in ancient items would be severely affected in the future.

Western auction house and a Western Court condoned the sale of looted items

2009-02-25T21:57:00.004+08:00

By China Watcher

With the Paris Court ruling allowing the sale of the two looted Chinese bronze sculptures, a reputable Western auction house has now potentially become an accessory with the “owner” responsible for the sale of “stolen” assets/items. The two items are expected to fetch between US$20.8 million to US$30 million.

The historical relics were taken from Beijing's Old Summer Palace when it was looted by invading French and British forces in 1860 during the Second Opium War. It formed part of the original set of 12 bronze animal heads kept at Yuanmingyuan. To date, five of the 12 bronze animal heads have been returned to China, while the whereabouts of five others are unknown.

Under UNESCO's Convention on Stolen and Illegally Exported Cultural Objects, any cultural relics looted or lost during wars should be returned without any limitation of the time span. On the basis of international law, it is also important that cultural relics are returned to the originating countries if it can be traced that the right of ownership at the source is not acquired legally. Similarly, if you purchased an item which was found to be stolen in the first place, you would lose the legal ownership and the goods would be confiscated and then eventually return to the first owner.

What really irked me was that the partner of the original collector, Pierre Berge, who told the media that he would return the sculptured items so long as China gives liberty to the Tibet people and invited the Dalai Lama back to Tibet. What does he mean by giving liberty to the Tibetans? The Frenchman thinks that with his wealth he can trade or bargain for concessions with the Chinese government. He is being ridiculous as China is not as weak as it was during the Qing dynasty.

Generally, it is sad to note here that Western people are completely misguided on the concept of human rights in Tibet. The Tibetans have been provoked on many occasions by the exiled religious leader to rise up against Chinese rule and to seek independence (disguised as autonomy to gain Western sympathies). Under such a compelling situation, it would be unwise of any government to allow total human rights to the Tibetans (as practiced in the West) since stability and safety of the Han Chinese and the Hui Muslim minorities in Qinghai and Tibet would be compromised. This is what happened in March last year as the Tibetan ran riot murdering some of the Han Chinese.

The American Chinese Collector's Association and the Eastern Cultural Foundation jointly issued an open letter to the media requesting all Chinese collectors and antique dealers around the world to stop doing business with the auction house.

The insincere French government is silent on the matter.

I supported the call to the Chinese government to suspend all activities with the auction house in Hong Kong and China and to urge all Chinese consumers around the world to boycott Yves Saint Laurent products. At least we will not be perceived as an accomplice in the trading of “stolen” properties.

Why bother so much about US owned Oscar, Chinese based film awards are well received within the Chinese speaking world

2009-02-25T16:15:00.006+08:00

By China Watcher

The recently concluded Oscar ceremony has given an obscure film, Slumdog Millionaire, a overnight prominence when it successfully scooped the majority of the prizes in terms of quality and recognition values. The film was unmistakably made in India by a British movie director using lots of unknown Indian talents.

A few scheming reporters asked a famous Hong Kong actress, Michelle Yeoh at the ceremony when will China ever going to have a winner at the Oscar. Her reply as quoted "I believe very strongly in the Hong Kong and Chinese cinemas. I think ...... our day (to win the Oscar) will come very, very soon".

First, why is it so important for a Chinese film to win an Oscar? There were already an assortment of quality Chinese-made films in Mandarin (not in English) that have been successful at Venice and the Bears Film Festivals. Hollywood’s Oscars and Golden Globe are awards for the English-speaking community and is supported by the 300 million residents in the US.

The Oscar Awards is widely accepted as the international standards of recognition on filmmaking in the world because the US was the centre of movie production since the 1930s and its media and the distribution agencies were responsible to provide the maximum exposure possible in every parts of the world. And the US being an economic and political power has also helped to a certain extent to influence the purchasing requirements of the international society.

Second, most of the quality movies made in Hong Kong and China are scripted in Mandarin or Cantonese (a Chinese dialect) that would not appeal much to the English speaking American public. Hong Kong movie rights have been sold to US entrepreneurs who will produce movies that are tailored to the US audience. One such movie was “The Departed”, a remake of a Hong Kong crime thriller, the Infernal Affairs. Normally when re-make movies are produced and adapted to an exclusive audience who do not understand the original language and its cultural background, the end-movie tends to lose its originality and the cultural “flavor” relevant towards the storyline. It is not surprising such movies failed miserably at the box-office or win any awards.

Third, there was a Hollywood movie directed by an Italian which has won the Best Picture – The Last Emperor, although it was not made by a Chinese director. There was also a Chinese director – Ang Lee, who has won the Best Director for a gay movie not too long ago.

The Chinese do not need to demonstrate to Hollywood that it has quality movies mirroring the “Slumdog Millionaire” as its directors have already proven in other film international conventions in which English is not regarded as an important component in the recognition of films in the "Best Picture" or in other field of production and performance of its actors. Further this year winner at the Oscar is not even directed by an Asian.

Michelle Yeoh should just tell the reporters that the Chinese already had winners, why bother with Hollywood. Perhaps, the day will come when the US will look up to the Chinese awards for recognition.

If Western large institutional shareholders do not like the Chinalco deal, stop complaining just get out

2009-02-14T16:07:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

Rio Tinto US$19.5 billion deal with Chinese state-owned aluminum group Chinalco was reported to have infuriated two large institutional shareholders, London based fund manager, Legal & General Investment Management Ltd (LGIML) and Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP).

LGIML currently holds 5 percent of Rio Tinto’s total shares whereas SWIP owns 1.3 percent. Both funds expressed disappointment with the deal.

The agreement would ultimately result in Chinalco owning 19 percent of Rio Tinto Plc and 14.9 percent of Rio Tinto if the Chinese company converts all the subordinated convertible bonds.

British media has its hand full by reporting that these institutions are concerns about business deals with Chinese state-owned companies. Perhaps, if the same deal is made with other non Chinese companies, I bet the agreement would be readily acceptable. The largest mine based company needs the funds to partially offset its total debt of US$39 billion.

These Western based fund managers expressed their apprehension over the dilution of shares which, I am not wrong, would arise anyway if the raising of capital is from issuance of new shares or convertible bonds. So, what is really the true agenda of the objections?

On a simple note, these shareholders can keep its current shareholdings intact, if there are willing to inject additional capital to keep the company’s financial healthy with a manageable gearing position. Are they willing?

Western initiated actions against China human rights records failed miserably

2009-02-13T22:24:00.002+08:00

By China Watcher

On 9 February 2009, the Group of Western nations and some Latin American countries called on China to bring an end to the death penalty and to adopt a listing of human rights reforms which include the enactment of laws to allow independent labor unions at the United Nations Human Rights Council three hour session.

The debate came in the 2-1/2-year-old Council's Universal Periodic Review procedure that all U.N. members are expected to undergo every four years.

China boldly and clearly told these countries that China actions have always been according to the rule of law and vehemently denied there are such rampant rights related issues like child labor and “secret prisons” for tortures of dissidents.

China has however accepted more constructive suggestions to reinforce censorship of the Internet that relates to “defamation of religion” and the rights of action against any “self styled human rights defenders’ especially from US and Europe. Chinese officials have on many occasions blamed human right activists particularly those from Europe which has a hidden agenda to bring instability to the country with the hope to slow China’s amazing economic growth rate and to preserve a world order which is heavily Western dominated.

China should take note that certain Latin American nations have jumped onto the bandwagon steered by most Western states to hit at China’s death penalty record. Three countries reported in the media are Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. I urge the Chinese government to condemn these countries human rights activities when it is their turn to face the Council..

Trusted and all weathered nations like Pakistan, Cuba and Sri Lanka supported China’s progress on its own version of human rights were also noted. Egypt supported China’s stance that under the "current environment" capital punishment cannot be abolished. Even certain states in the US (like Texas) had not done away with the death penalty.

I applauded China’s outright rejection of recommendations on rights reform and greater rights for ethnic minorities such as Tibetans and Uighurs as these are political ploy used by the West to break up China into many small entities which would not pose a threat to the largely Western dominated world order in the near future. Tibetans and Uighurs had received equal treatment from the Chinese government as what the other 53 smaller minorities in China enjoyed and why should they be given better rights than others?

In the debate over China’s overall human right record, many Third World Countries praised China as beacon of progress and an alternative for them to follow, and many of them fiercely criticized Western delegations for "politicizing" the discussion.

Western countries that have continuously raised human rights issues against China in the UN are Britain, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland. China must find an innovative approach to deal with such coordinated efforts from these same Group of Western countries which had been actively using human rights as a tool to garner electoral support from its citizens in their own country.

Since January 2007 when China’s Supreme Court took back the sole authority in reviewing the death penalty, I have noticed a substantial decrease in issuing death sentences, especially those cases for immediate execution. Last year, 860 were given death sentences and at least 470 were executed, a remarkable reduction from 2006’s 1010, or 2005’s 1770. If we viewed the deaths from a percentage of its population of 1.3 billion, 470 is small.

I strongly support the Chinese government efforts to continuously review its judicial procedures rather than the outright condemnation of its records in order to gain the trust of the Chinese people (not the nosy Western people) so that innocent people are not wrongfully convicted.

Person who threw a shoe at Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

2009-02-11T20:51:00.008+08:00

By China Watcher

The man responsible for disrupting peace (a public offence) at Cambridge is reported to be a German student by the name of Martin Jahnke who threw a shoe at the Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, during his tour of Britain.

He is reported to be a researcher at the University. The Chinese Premier at his website mentioned that the British Court should not be too strict on the student. The offender should be given another chance as education is the best remedy for such outrageous behavior. I disagree with his opinion.

Showing no remorse, the accuser pleaded not guilty and the hearing has been fixed on 10 March 2009. He was given an unconditional bail.

If the British officials are serious about tackling this type of despicable behavior, they should terminate his student status and deport him back to Germany so that he could create no further trouble in Britain. Then again, these few Western nations embrace freedom of expression to the hilt (even to the extent of breaking the law) and I guess the incident will be let off with a small fine. It is of no surprise that moral decadence has already seeped into their societies.