4th of April 2011
The Lion Awakes
Daily News, Culture & Current Affairs about China
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People's Daily
BRICS summit to focus on global developments, financing and cooperation: senior diplomat
An upcoming summit of emerging economic powers will focus on global developments, financing and cooperation the attending countries, a senior Chinese diplomat said in Beijing on Saturday.
The meeting of BRICS, or Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will be held in Sanya on south China's tropical island of Hainan Province on April 14.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
MOC says U.S. dumps cars on Chinese market
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Saturday that the United States has dumped sedans and sport utility vehicles with engines bigger than 2.5 liters of displacement on the Chinese market.
The manufacturers of the automobiles received subsidies from the U.S. government, thereby harming China's automotive industry, the ministry said in a statement on its website.
The announcement may be followed by a ruling on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties once China completes its investigation.
China to invest more than 10 billion yuan in aerospace park
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation announced on March 31 that it will invest more than 10 billion yuan in constructing the Beijing Aerospace Industrial Park (BAIP) during the "12th Five-Year Plan" period.
Safety core in nuclear power development: China's science minister
China's Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang said Saturday that security research is the key to safe nuclear power development.
Wan said during a press conference that China's current research on "third-generation pressurized water reactors and high temperature gas-cooled reactors" should be designed "in line with internationally recognized standards."
"Japan's nuclear leakage incident was the result of damage from earthquakes and a tsunami. Chinese scientists should draw a lesson from the accident," Wan said.
China, Zambia pledge to expand military ties
Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (R) meets with Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant General Wisdom Lopa in Beijing, capital of China, April 2, 2011. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Senior Chinese and Zambian military officials met in Beijing on Saturday, pledging to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.
Chinese central government says no to forced eviction of farmers
China's State Council, or Cabinet, on Saturday asked local governments not to abuse a reform of rural land use to forcibly occupy the land by demolishing homes of farmers against their will.
A State Council circular published on the central government's website (www.gov.cn) said measures must be taken to correct wrong deeds and protecting rural residents' rights and interests must always be top priority of the reform.
A major goal of the reform, starting from 2008, is to encourage rural dwellers to move into new residential buildings like urbanites, while their old houses and surrounding land, often in small pieces, would be recultivated into farmland to be used more efficiently.
The move is designed to increase arable land while improving farmers' living conditions.
See Kaixin's - CHINA REAL ESTATE
Tibetans benefit from improving healthcare system
Since the Democratic Reform succeeded 50 years ago, China has earmarked huge amount of development fund for Tibet Autonomous Region, to establish and improve its public healthcare system, in both urban and rural areas.
See Kaixin's - CHINA & TIBET
Advisable, China reset relations with Mideast
By Li Hongmei
The Western country have formed a popular perception that the Islam states of the currently unrest Middle East play an indescribable but indispensable role in deciding the rise or fall of any world power. Further, in the current context that the international system is in the phase of transformation, the significance of the Middle East "plate" looms large, geopolitically, economically and militarily. In addition, the region not only boasts abundant oil and gas reserves but has a strong and unique appeal in terms of culture and civilization. The Middle East, hence, could somewhat contain and block the extension of a power's comprehensive strength.
In what way a power, or a rising power like China, should do to deal with the strategically critical "plate"----flexing muscles for invasion or intervention, or treating each other at equal footing, seeking mutual respect and win-win----will undoubtedly determine life or death of any power's Mideast strategies.
Hukou - longest stopgap policy in China
By Li Hong
The discriminative home-buying policy, charted by Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities earlier this year, which permits permanent urban residents to buy two homes, but non-permanent migrant workers to purchase only one, again sheds light on a draconian systematic divide of Chinese people – the "Hukou", or residence registration regime -- a left-over from Chairman Mao Zedong's era.
Chinese leaders join Beijingers for tree planting campaign
Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) plants a tree during a tree-planting event in Beijing, capital of China, April 2, 2011. Chinese top state and Party leaders Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang joined Beijing residents in a tree planting event on Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of the country's volunteer tree planting campaign.
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
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China Tibet Online
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China Daily
Chinese cabinet warns over eviction of farmers
Farmers' rights and interests top priority of rural land-use reform
BEIJING - Local governments have been warned not to abuse the rural land-use reform by forcibly occupying farmers' land and demolishing their homes.
China's State Council, or Cabinet, said protecting rural residents' rights and interests must always be the top priority of the reform.
China moves to keep thermal coal prices steady
BEIJING - China's top economic planner on Saturday urged local authorities to take vigorous measures to ensure adequate supply and steady prices of thermal coal, which is used for power generation.
Local authorities and companies should better adjust the balance between production, delivery and demand of thermal coal in the market and closely monitor the prices to ensure key thermal coal contracts this year trade at the same price level with 2010, according to a notice issued by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
PMI rise indicates more growth
Expansion looks set to continue as index rises to 53.4 in March
BEIJING - The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) increased to 53.4 in March from 52.2 in February.
The official increase was shadowed by a PMI report from HSBC released on Friday, which rose slightly to 51.8 in March. The figures indicate that the world's second-largest economy may continue to expand at a rapid pace this year, and avoid the risk of a "hard landing", analysts said.
The official PMI rebounded from February's six-month low, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on Friday. The March figure is the first gain after three consecutive months of decline since December. A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while one below 50 suggests contraction.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
US automakers accused of dumping vehicles
Five companies, including GM and Chrysler, named by govt
BEIJING - China has accused automakers in the United States of dumping sedans and sports utility vehicles with engines larger than 2.5 liters into the country.
The Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website on Saturday that such dumping measures and subsidies have caused "substantial harm" to the Chinese industry.
Asian art market sizzles
Record purchases by Chinese collectors keeps market humming with activity and cash registers ringing.
Prestigious auction houses Sotheby's and Christy's both recently released 2010 results, revealing blockbuster numbers despite a worldwide recession. In fact, Christie's numbers broke records for the 245-year-old company ...
Collectors visit the pre-exhibition held before a Christie's auction in Paris.
China takes pole position in auctions
The global art market has undergone a sea change with China taking the pole position in auctions from the United States and the United Kingdom, says a new report from French art market information provider Artprice.com.
"China accounted for 33 percent of the global fine art sales (including paintings, installations, sculptures, drawings, photography and prints), compared with 30 percent in the US, 19 percent in the UK and 5 percent in France," says the report on the 2010 trends.
A Chinese vase made in the Qianlong period displayed by Hong Kong Sotheby's in Shanghai for its 2011 spring auction.
'Beautician' for the Yangtze River
A dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure the Yangtze River flows smoothly
Zhu Wenfu and his wife Li Xianmei still rely on the Yangtze River for their livelihood - despite the fact the building of the Three Gorges Dam displaced them and forced them to stop fishing for a living.
Today, they are working to keep the river clean, being part of the Wanzhou environmental sanitation team, set up in 2003 to ensure that floating garbage would not reach the dam's generators.
"If the river is not clean, there will be difficulty in fishing," Zhu told Xinhua News Agency. "My wife and I joined the team for the sake of next generation."
The couple is among 100 workers of the Wanzhou team, in Chongqing municipality, who work 12 hours a day on vessels rented and operated by the Three Gorges Corporation and the local government for the clean-up work.
Zhu Wenfu (L) and his colleague scoop floating garbage from the Yangtze River section in Wanzhou, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
Kaixin Travel
Witness of Tibet Photography Contest and Exhibit
2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, and the magazine China's Tibet and Federation of Literary and Art Circles of Tibet Autonomous Region are jointly holding a "Witness of Tibet, 1950-2010" photography contest. In addition to prizes, all winning works will be exhibited in Beijing and Lhasa in May 2011.
See Kaixin's - CHINA & TIBET & Jambhala (Photographer)
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XinHua News
Chinese mainland's official meets with KMT honorary chairman
XI'AN, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs chief Wang Yi met with Wu Poh-hsiung, honorary chairman of Taiwan-based Kuomintang (KMT) Party, in Shaanxi Province Sunday.
Sino-Israel trade boosted for mutually benefits
JERUSALEM, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli government has decided to spend some 28 million U.S. dollars on helping its exporters to increase their business ties with China and India.
Openness pledged in R&D funding: China's science minister
BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- China's minister of science and technology made a promise on Saturday to foster research and development by opening up the competition for government funding, the China Daily reported on Sunday.
New energy sector eyeing development due to aviation carbon tax
XI'AN, April 4 (Xinhua) -- As a new carbon tax sets China's aviation industry fidgeting over projected losses, Fu Pengcheng, a Chinese biofuel expert, is feeling the pressure.
Fu's office at the China University of Petroleum is developing new biological fuels. China's major airlines are now looking to his research to trim their flights' carbon emissions.
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
CCTV
CCTV Three-day Qingming Festival begins VIDEO
CCTV China, Germany call for resolution in Libya VIDEO
Germany's Vice Chancellor and foreign minister Guido Westerwelle is continuing his three day visit to China, where he has talked to senior leaders about the ongoing crisis in Libya.
Both China and Germany have called for a diplomatic and political solution, instead of military action to end the conflict in Libya.
Both countries abstained in a UN Security Council vote, that authorized the establishment of a no-fly zone.
Earlier on Friday, Westerweller co-chaired the first bilateral ministerial-level strategic dialogue with Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi.
China and Germany have held four strategic dialogues at the vice-minister level since 2006. Both countries agreed in 2010 to upgrade the dialogue to the ministerial level.
CCTV Studio interview: How will China build trust VIDEO
For more analysis into the national defense white paper, we are joined in our studio by Major General Zhu Chenghu, a Professor at the Defense Affairs Institute of the PLA National Defense University.
Q1: The white paper states that China's annual defense expenditure has been kept at a reasonable level, and is in line with its economic development. But some countries are skeptical about the transparency of China's defense budget, and see China's military development as a threat. What's your view on this?
Q2: As China's economy and military power gets stronger, it is developing a growing assertion over its sovereignty claims. But this is seen by some countries as a growing threat to China's neighbors. Do you think China is taking a more active role in defending its territorial sovereignty? And how does China build trust with its neighboring countries under such circumstances?
Q3. In the white paper, China has mentioned for the first time expanding military exchanges between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan, and the possibility of setting up a cross-strait military security mechanism. Is the Chinese Mainland gradually changing its military strategy towards Taiwan as the cross-strait relationship continues to improve?
CCTV Foreign militaries comment on PLA dev't VIDEO
With the release of China’s Defense White Paper, the country’s modernization and its new policies in military development are drawing much attention worldwide.
On Thursday, more than 100 military attaches from 80 countries attended an introduction of the paper arranged by the Ministry of National Defense.
Briefing foreign military attaches on China's National Defense policy is a routine practice of the Ministry. And a key part is clearing up doubts.
Thosmas Siegel, German Deputy Military AttachÉ, said, "The white paper says there are three stages for military development. And by 2010 you finish the first stage. How do you evaluate the situation now? ”
CCTV Tele interview: How to improve int'l monetary system? VIDEO
For more insight, we're joined on the phone by Francoise Nicolas. He's the Director of Center Asia at the French Institute of International Relations.
1) Francoise... there's a lot of talk about reforming the global monetary system. How can it be improved, to provide a more solid foundation for the global economy?
2) The dollar's dominance has been blamed by some, for financial turmoil in the past. Do you agree?
3) Seminar participants have called for a broader basket of currencies to underpin the IMF's international reserve assets... that could include currencies of emerging economies like China's yuan. What's your take on that?
4) And just briefly, can you outline what you think will add uncertainty to the global economic recovery this year?
CCTV Hu: China disapproves of use of force in int'l relations VIDEO
President Hu Jintao has met with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
President Hu says the Sino-French relationship has made great progress during the past year, adding that both sides should continue to enhance cooperation in the economy, astronomy and new energy, and particularly in nuclear power safety.
The situation in Libya was also discussed. President Hu said China maintains that Libya's sovereignty, independence, unification and territorial integrity should be respected, adding that China always disapproves of the use of force in international relations.
Meanwhile, Sarkozy stated he looks forward to exchanging views with President Hu concerning the international monetary system reforms at the G20 Summit in November.
CCTV China enacts new smoking ban VIDEO
hina has enacted a new rule to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces. The new rule will take effect on May 1 and has been added to the revised regulations on health management in public places from the country's Ministry of Health.
The revised regulations also stipulate that business owners with public places should put up non-smoking signs, carry out promotional activities to warn people of the danger of smoking and dispatch personnel to dissuade smokers.
Furthermore, the smoking area in outdoor locations should not occupy people's paths and cigarette vending machines should be excluded from public places. However, the new rule does not list any penalty provisions for violators, which arouses doubts over how the new legislation will be implemented.
Young minds remodel future style 
The ongoing China Fashion Week in Beijing is providing a platform for new comers and new ideas. This season, the fashion fiesta is holding seven professional competitions. Our reporter Zhang Song went to the one presented by young fashion designers from China and the United States.
Zhang Song, Beijing said "I'm here at the 798 contemporary art zone in Beijing -- famous for presenting new ideas. And now it's offering a fitting backdrop for the semiannual China Fashion Week. Young designers from China and abroad won't miss the opportunity to interpret the style of future."
See CULTURAL CHINA below
CCTV China makes first voluntary carbon deal VIDEO
China, the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, is making new environmental protection commitments, now highlighted by the first voluntary carbon credit purchase in Beijing. Tuesday's buy falls under the Panda Standard, which is the country's carbon credit evaluation and calculation mechanism.
The world's fastest growing economy is looking to move into one of the globe's hottest new financial markets: carbon trading.
See Kaixin's - GREEN CHINA
See Kaixin's - China & Tibet
Global Times
The UK taught the world how to produce in the 19th century, the US showed the world how to consume in the 20th century, and China needs to demonstrate how to develop in a sustainable way in the 21st century.
Backlash for West's cocky Libya gamble
The West has hailed the defections of Libya's foreign minister along with other senior officials as being a body blow to the embattled regime, casting the image of Gaddafi as being abandoned by his allies and more isolated by the day.
However, many Western media are pointing out that the chance for a quick resolution to the Libyan civil war from inside is looking tricky. The departure of his inner clique has painted Gaddafi into a corner, and the window for political negations is fast closing.
On Thursday, Gaddafi once again appealed for a cease-fire but vowed to "fight until the last drop of his blood." This defiant stance seems to be the only genuine card Gaddafi feels he has left to play.
Fact can often be a far crueler mistress than fiction. Loyalists and rebels, with their polar allegiances to Gaddafi and to the West, have stabbed at each other. When seeing the rebels losing ground, the West took the field, encouraging the rebels to topple the regime.
It is irresponsible for the West to abandon all political solutions but to adopt a life-and-death attitude toward the Libyan people. The West is waging a war by proxy, uncaring about the loss of civilian lives.
Libya has fallen under the influence of political conflict, marching in lockstep to the beat of Western drums. Western media spare no effort to paint Gaddafi as a consummate villain. Treacherous reports, including some barely more than rumors, are reported and spread rapidly. The only place for Gaddafi to flex his muscles is on the battlefield.
Despite being blessed by oil and awash with subsequent riches, the Middle East remains politically entrenched. As a result, its nations lack the experience to deal with drastic social changes. The disturbance in Libya has turned into a war, threatening to do harm to the whole region.
When observing the situation, outsiders usually have a clearer mind than the Libyans themselves. The Allies have sacrificed the interests of local people to secure their share of the loot, both politically and economically.
For example, Robert Kaplan, a senior fellow at the Center for New American Security, wrote in the Wall Street Journal last week that, from the US' standpoint, the spread of democracy in the Middle East was second to the power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
One thing is for certain, the street battles seen across Libya are nobody's first choice. This leads to heightened body counts and prolonged conflict. The West will find out soon: Following such a policy can only result in sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind.
UN resolution legality needs a gatekeeper
On March 29, Gaddafi's army recaptured two cities. This new twist to the Libyan military situation has heaped political embarrassment on the West. It is now time to prevent the West from further abusing Security Council Resolution No. 1973.
The Western powers have acted beyond the resolution. Although the leaders of the US, Britain and France have said their military actions are only aimed at establishing a no-fly zone, the Western air strikes have directly attacked Libyan government forces and provided air support for the opposition. They have jointly demanded Gaddafi to step down immediately, which has nothing to do with Security Council resolutions.
In the absence of China, Russia, the African Union and most members of the Arab League, the London conference centered around the political landscape of the "post-Gaddafi era." This countermands the authority of the United Nations and goes against the Western declaration of "letting Libyan people determine by themselves."
The intensification of Western direct military intervention could force Gaddafi to step down soon. But the West has two obstacles: the Security Council resolution does not grant them such authority and they have to consider public opinion. The greater the opposition of global opinion, the more hesitant the West will be.
China should unite with Russia in requiring the US, Britain and France to respect Security Council resolutions.
China needs flexible diplomacy in Mideast
London held an international meeting yesterday to map out what a post-Gaddafi Libya might look like. The US is looking to step back, but as long as its stalwart allies in the UK and France insist on military action, it will not let them stand alone.
Among the international powers, China is relatively detached from the conflict. To maintain and expand China's diplomatic initiative on the Libyan issue will better aid China in dealing with the Middle East.
As long as its society is not infected by the chaos sweeping the Middle East, China possesses a strong foundation for strategic initiative. The past two months have proven that the Chinese public desires stability and remains cool-headed toward the Middle East revolution. This enables China to consider its Middle East policy based on regional geopolitics and China's global interests.
China should set out to contact the Libyan opposition forces in time. We should neither rush to recognize them, nor continue seeing them as "rebels." We should also maintain contact with Gaddafi, too. This is real detachment in diplomacy.
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Dialogue
A 30 Minute Current Affairs Programme on CCTV - 9 (In English) where current issues are discussed by experts from China and Internationally:
G20 discusses int'l financial reform
China's white paper on national defense
International News Sources
The Wall Street Journal
China Meeting Highlights Currency Conflict
NANJING, China—Top officials at a meeting of the world's major developed and emerging economies offered starkly different views on exchange rates and other elements of the international monetary system, underlining the challenges facing efforts to find a new global financial architecture.
See Kaixin's - YUAN REVALUATION & INTERNATIONALISATION
Beijing's Price Fears Stay Unilever's Hand
BEIJING—Ramping up efforts to rein in inflation that has fueled widespread public discontent, China is pressuring companies that sell food and daily necessities—including global giant Unilever PLC—to avoid price increases.
Kaixin OpEd – Command & Control v Supply & Demand
A competition or synthesis??
Can China evolve a new model of economics in the 21st century?
The New York Times
Where ‘Jasmine’ Means Tea, Not a Revolt
Middle-class Chinese, enjoying a much better standard of living, are in no mood to bring down their own autocracy.
Kaixin OpEd – Kaixin thought at first, “oh, good, this journalist has finally got it!”
But no …. the article soon descended into the usual drivel about how western style democracy will save China, about how millions of Chinese are too stupid to think for themselves, about sound bites taken out of context, about Tiananmen 1989, which the ‘west’ just does not understand (it was a power grab, not a revolution, the students were naïve pawns, not initiators).
BOOK REVIEW
Casualties of China’s One Child Policy
A shocking account of family-planning attitudes and practices in China.
In 1989, the Chinese writer and broadcaster Xinran was in a remote mountain village in Shandong Province having dinner with the headman when she heard cries from an adjoining room, where his daughter-in-law was giving birth. A while later, as the midwife collected her fee, Xinran noticed a movement in the slops bucket. “To my absolute horror,” she recalls, “I saw a tiny foot poking out of the pail.” But she was the only one who was shocked. “It’s not a child,” the headman’s wife told her. “If it was, we’d be looking after it, wouldn’t we? It’s a girl baby, and we can’t keep it.”
A complex moral dimension
Kaixin OpEd – A breathtakingly shocking account of the effects of the one-child policy in China.
Kaixin reflects, though, that the same thing is happening in abortion clinics throughout the ‘west’. The major difference is that the one-child policy was implemented out of necessity; abortions in the ‘west’ are usually a lifestyle choice.
Or do you argue that killing a child at 6 weeks is different to killing a 36-week-old newborn child?
There is a complex moral dimension to this issue.
The one-child policy was implemented after the Mao era, when people were encouraged to have as many children as possible and where improvements in health meant that many more lived.
This uncontrolled growth in population had to be curtailed and the one-child policy was implemented in the early 1980’s.
It went against millennia of tradition but was accepted and implemented by the vast majority of people in the cities as a matter of necessity. These people were generally well educated and did not need a large family.
People in rural China were either un-educated or ill-educated and for millennia large families were a way of ensuring survival. In particular, male children ensured the survival of the family and the parents in their old age.
The one-child policy was soon changed to allow for two children in rural China.
However, the tradition of having a large family could not simply be legislated away. The powerful imperative to have a male heir cannot simply be legislated away.
The complex reasons behind the one-child policy were not understood by the vast majority in rural China who, as noted above, were either un-educated or ill-educated.
Hence, almost all of these horror stories will be about people in rural China.
The killing of new-born children or abandoning them is not supported by the educated people of China, who also see it with horror and disdain, and is certainly not supported by the government in China. However, as noted above, you cannot wipe away millennia of tradition with legislation.
One of the major initiatives of the government has been, as is, to educate the people from rural China as to the need for limiting the number of children.
Another initiative has been the banning of the results of a scan, so the sex of the foetus remains unknown (of course this is open to corruption, but the penalties for doctors or anyone who breaks the law are severe).
This does not excuse the killing of newborn babies. It does, perhaps, bring a little understanding as to the driving forces behind it.
Before people in the ‘west’ point their collective fingers in righteous indignation, perhaps they should ponder on the moral dimension of killing a new life at six weeks and at around thirty six weeks, killing a new-born life.
One, the taking of life driven by the practical imperative of curbing population and by millennia of tradition, the other, a life-style choice.
Stories of Loss and Love
By Xinran
Translated by Nicky Harman
Xue Xinran
"Real China is made by Chinese mothers and grandmothers, from each individual family's hard work," says Xinran.
Caixin Online
How China Plans to Strike an Economic Balance
Challenges ranging from a trade surplus to hot money are being addressed by monetary authorities, bit by bit
As in most countries, China's macroeconomic policy has four major goals: economic growth, full employment, price stability and an even balance of payments.
See Kaixin's - ECONOMIC CHINA
ICBC President Says Loan Risks Under Control
ICBC's outstanding loans to local government financing vehicles currently stand at 515 billion yuan, said ICBC President Yang Kaisheng
(Beijing) – China's largest lender, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (ICBC), said lending risks related to local government financing platforms are being contained.
How Japan's Earthquake Will Shake the World
By Andy Xie
The destructive event is stoking global inflation, threatening the yen's value and, we hope, burying nuclear power
Japan's 9.0 earthquake will increase global inflationary pressure through means such as the Bank of Japan's monetary expansion policy, disruptions for automobile and electronics industrial supply chains, and rising demand for fossil fuels.
A Moment Too Soon
Policymakers in Western countries have yet to come to the painful recognition that developed economies are still caught in the churning waters of the Great Financial Crisis
The world's policymakers are quietly confident that the worst of the economic news is now out of the way. Economic activity is booming in the emerging world and no longer declining in the Western world. Unemployment has stopped rising in most countries and, for the lucky few, is actually falling. Stock markets have rallied and bond markets have sold off, perhaps indicating a revival of animal spirits. And, whereas a year ago, many policymakers were worried about deflation, the bigger concern today in many parts of the world is the return of inflation.
Asia Times Online
THE ROVING EYE
Tripoli, the new Troy
By Pepe Escobar
Muammar Gaddafi is "winning" like the king of besieged Troy did for 10 years. The problem with the Odyssey Dawn script is that a rebel Ulysses or a Helen is nowhere to be found and a cast of characters of infiltrated special forces including Central Intelligence Agency covert ops will be key. Many a Libyan will eventually have to acknowledge it's best to beware of Westerners bearing gifts.
THE ROVING EYE
Endgame: Divide, rule and get the oil
By Pepe Escobar
Western moral uprightness on Libya to coalition Gulf countries goes something like this: If you sell us a lot of oil, buy our weapons, and smash al-Qaeda, that's fine; you may even kill your own people, provided it's dozens, not thousands. That's how Saudi Arabia can get away with anything. The forces of counter-revolution are now joined at the hip with the West.
Syrian sauce for the Chinese gander
By Peter Lee
The official Chinese mood over Libya is shaped by the speed with which a regime was stripped of legitimacy and exposed to military intervention, but whether it will shake the convictions of China's interventionist liberal hawks is another matter. The darkening fate of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, which models itself on China, is altogether more pertinent to Beijing's yearning for stability.
The issue in Libya is the astounding ease with which a regime that found itself at cross-purposes with the United States was unilaterally stripped of its legitimacy and exposed to military intervention through aggressive and creative interpretation of an ambiguous UN resolution - in a mere three days.
Kaixin OpEd - An insightful analysis
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See Over for the 2nd of April (Weekend Ed)
CULTURAL CHINA
Articles of interest from the week's news
Insights into China's Society & Cutlure
Yulan blossoms welcome spring in Beijing
Children play under a Yulan tree in blossom in a park in Beijing, capital of China, April 2, 2011. The Yulan festival opened Saturday in Beijing International Sculpture Park, where more than 5,000 Yulan trees are in blossom, attracting numerous visitors.
Picking a burial site is a grave decision
Feng Shui master helps people locate an ideal spot for the dead and the living
Zhen Yi was extremely busy between Spring Festival in February and April's Qingming or Tomb Sweeping Festival, the peak season for Chinese people to select graves and move the deceased to graveyards. The 64-year-old Beijing-based Feng Shui practitioner often accompanied his customers to cemeteries to help them choose an ideal place that balances the yin and yang, as well as the five elements of nature, to achieve harmony.
Stone statues line the 'Sacred Way', the road leading to the Ming Tombs in Changping county, Beijing, the final resting place for 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The road was designed to allow emperors travel between heaven and Earth.
See Kaixin's - Feng Shui 风水
"I think of Buddha." - VIDEO
Bow after bow, prayer after prayer, tens of thousands of devout Buddhists worship Buddha every day. For followers who believe in reincarnation, life doesn't really have a beginning or an end, just like a circle, so they call their worship "circling the scripture".
China Daily's multimedia reporter Feng Xin was in Tibet to circle the scripture and meet some Buddhists.
CCTV Exclusive interview: Bejing - New fashion capital VIDEO
Born in Brussels, made in New York and now here in Beijing. Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is an icon of our times.
She's just opened a major career retrospective in the Chinese capital.
Married first to a prince, and then to a media magnate, it's been four decades since her "Wrap Dress" rocked the world.
As she told James Chau in this special interview China is the place to be.
China Fashion Week
A model presents a creation for the 2011 Aimer Swimwear Collection during China Fashion Week in Beijing.
Bikini fever at China Fashion Week - VIDEO
A bikini show presented by Beijing Aimer Lingerie was the climax of China Fashion Week at D-Park Beijing House in the 798 Art District
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