Quote of the day: “The Communist Party is like the parent to the Tibetan people, and it is always considerate about what the children need.”
- Zhang Qingli, Tibet’s party chief (Communists hailed as “living Buddha” for Tibet)

I’m switching to a new news format today. It will break down the news into sub-sections to make connections between stories more obvious. It will also include a quote of the day, and will not follow the “News: Date” format any longer, as tested in my last news roundup. This is better for search engines and will not bias your decision to read my articles. I am making these changes as a result of ChinaSpy’s growing traffic (100+ visitors a day).

ECONOMY

Paulson: China Reforms Too Slow – “Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Thursday that China is moving too slowly to overhaul its currency system and to crack down on copyright piracy, two factors that American businesses blame for the soaring trade deficit with China.”

China Expected to End Foreign Tax Breaks – “The tax honeymoon for foreign investors in China is ending. For two decades, China has rewarded new investors with hefty tax breaks, helping to lure the nearly $700 billion in investment that has helped make this the world’s fourth largest-economy, but fueling growing complaints by Chinese companies about unfair treatment. Now, China’s legislature is expected to end this special status after it opens its annual session Monday. A law that state media say is expected to be enacted would equalize tax rates, raising foreign companies’ tax bills and cutting those for many Chinese entities.” This is actually really good news for the U.S. economy and improving human rights in China.

China to Boost 2007 Rural Income, Living Standards – “China will enact laws this year aimed at improving the living standards of its 800 million rural people and ensuring equitable public services, according to the chairman of a legislative body.”

Go west, there are opportunities – *STATE MEDIA PROPAGANDA ALERT* – “‘In fact, the western region enjoys more favourable policies and has more fields opened up to foreign investors than the rest of China. Foreign investors should grasp the opportunities.’” Reeks of U.S. policy, circa 1849. Covered Wagons, gold-mining – you get the point.

MILITARY

China labels US ‘nosy neighbour’ – “It comes a week after US Vice-President Dick Cheney said China’s military build-up and satellite tests were at odds with its stated peaceful aims. A spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing accused the US of acting like a nosy neighbour. China’s policies were aimed only at defence, said Qin Gang, rejecting claims of opaque spending policies. What’s your response if your neighbour keeps peeking into your house through a crack in the door and yelling ‘Open the door, let’s see what’s inside’?’ Mr Qin said. ‘Will you call the police?’” I would liken it more to a man playing Solitaire on his laptop at work, but shielding his computer screen when his boss walks by to check on him. Maybe I’m too patriotic.

China Boosts Military Spending – “China announced Sunday that it will increase military spending at a sharply higher rate this year, budgeting a rise of nearly 18 percent, and a senior U.S. official immediately called for clarity on the planned expenditures.”

China demands US cancel planned missile sale to Taiwan – “The US Department of Defence this week notified Congress that it planned to sell Taiwan 421 million US dollars worth of missiles, which would help boost the island’s defences against rival China.”

ENVIRONMENT

Warmest winter on record for Shanghai – “Shanghai has experienced its warmest winter on record, but the global warming-induced phenomenon had some unexpected positive spin-offs for China’s economic hub, state press said Friday.”

Shanghai Daily: Strongest snowstorm in half century – “THE strongest March snowstorm to hit northeast China’s Liaoning Province in 56 years has left at least one person dead and seven injured after the roof of an agricultural trade building collapsed under the weight of the snow, local sources said.” See story above this. Clearly, they are experiencing the warmest winter on record. Clearly.

TAIWAN

China official reaches out to Taiwan – “Taiwan will hold an election in 2008 to choose a successor to President Chen Shui-bian, whose pro-independence steps have infuriated Beijing. Hoping that a candidate favouring eventual reunification will be elected, Beijing has been choosing its words about Taiwan with great care.”

China slams independence talk from Taiwan – “China slammed Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian’s intensified talk of independence on Monday, saying anyone who sought a split from China would be a ‘criminal in history.’”

Taiwanese set off 8.1-mile firecracker – “Organizers lit up a 8.1-mile string of explosives in a southern Taiwanese county Sunday, hoping to create the world’s longest firecracker in a record-setting attempt expected to last two hours.”

TIBET

I’d like to remind everyone that March 10 is coming up. Check your nearest city to find out where the demonstrations will be, and then, of course, put that place and time on your calendar, and go.

RANGZEN: THE CASE FOR INDEPENDENT TIBET — Jamyang Norbu – “It is absolutely essential that we Tibetans understand how longstanding and legitimate our claims to nationhood are. Many nations in this world are, in a sense, largely products of history. The United States, Canada, and Australia do not, in a true sense, derive their national origins from the land, as Tibet does.” Read this.

Canada-inspired TIBET initiative fostering worldwide parliamentary groundswell of support – “Motions in both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada calling on China to grant autonomous status to Tibet are fostering a groundswell of international parliamentary support ahead of the March 10 anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising of 1959.”

Hu Jintao: harmony, stability prerequisite for Tibet development – *STATE MEDIA PROPAGANDA ALERT* “Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday that to maintain a harmonious and stable society is a prerequisite for the development of Tibet and the well-being of all ethnic groups living there.”

New airport to be built on Qinghai plateau – “A new airport will be built at the source of three main Chinese rivers, the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers in northwest China, to boost economic development in this underdeveloped area, according to local sources.” First railroads, now airports.

CENSORSHIP

China Blocks LiveJournal – “The Chinese government began blocking access to the popular blogging site LiveJournal on Friday, cutting off its citizens from the roughly 1.8 million blogs the service hosts.” By the way, on the site mentioned in this article, I checked my own site, which is indeed blocked in China as well.

China bans new Internet cafes – “Xinhua said the curbs on new cybercafes were part of the government’s campaign to combat the rising problem of Internet addiction.” Right, right, Internet addiction. I’m sure. I believe you. If by Internet addiction you mean access to the rest of the world, then yes, I believe you.

China ‘to punish’ two-child rich – “‘We found out that most celebrities and rich people have two children, and 10% of them have three,’ he told the Beijing News. “The phenomenon must be stopped.’”