Japanese men chase virtual girls

The article makes some good points about the rather peculiar facets of otaku culture, but a few other (structural) sources of Japan’s population crisis are apparent.  As the article mentions, Japan is desperately trying to maintain cultural ‘purity’ in an increasingly globalized world.  By restricting immigration, Japan greatly restricts its economic potential (both by preventing highly-skilled technological / technical workers from coming to Japan and bogging down potential cheap labor with burdensome visa processes).  Quite astutely, Roland Kelts points out the crushing cost of living in Japan.  Faced with the burdensome task of raising children (and unsure of their ability to support a family in a long-stagnant economy), many find the prospect of marriage to be ‘unrealistic’.  In that regard, otaku culture might be less of an escape to childhood and more of an escape from the present. 

International Perspective: Japanese men enjoy flirting with virtual girls

Anita Rani

BBC “This World”Host

Last updated: October 26^th, 2013 GMT 3:36 PM

The passion some Japanese men have for cartoons and computers far surpasses that of their sex life

Unless something occurs to raise the birth rate in Japan, by the year 2060 Japan’s population will have dropped to a third of the present population.  One of the reasons for this decrease is the appearance of the ‘otaku’ group.  Their passion for cartoons and computers far surpasses that of their sex lives.

Tokyo is the largest city in the world, with over 35 million residing there.  You would be hard-pressed to believe there is a population crisis here.

Akihabara, the center of Japan’s anime culture, hints at the problem.  This place might be called an otaku heaven.  As Japan’s economy has stagnated for almost twenty years, geeks growing up in during this time period have chosen to hide in their own world.

Kunio Kitamara, the director of the Japan Family Planning Research Center, described many Japanese men as ‘herbivores’: they lack drive and desire.  They are very different from the ambitious generation that arose after the war.  That generation built Japan into an economic power.  This generation however has no interest in white-collar work.  They live like moles, anxious about meeting with members of the opposite sex.

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in 2010 showed that 36% of Japanese males aged 16-19 had no interest in sex; this statistic has doubled in the space of two years.

Two otaku I met believed they had found love with virtual girls.

This ‘girlfriend’ is actually a computer game, Love Plus, designed by Nintendo for handheld gaming systems.  Yuge and Nurikan bring their ‘girlfriends’ to the real-life park, and will even buy them birthday cakes.  “This is just like when we would date in high school”, Nurikan said.  In the game, this 38-year old is only 15.

As long as I have time, I will continue this relationship, the 39-year old Yuge said.

“Because she’s still a high-school student, we go to school together in the morning.  After school we go home together.  In the game I’m 17 years old.”  Yuge said he often times puts his ‘girlfriend’ Nene in the basket of his bicycle and takes pictures with her.

While Yuge would like to meet real girls, Nurikan is already married.  They said having a virtual girlfriend is much easier than having a real female partner.  Yuge said that with high school dating you don’t need to think about getting married, but with real girlfriends you have to consider it.  Because of this problem, they prefer going out with virtual girls.

Nurikan says he has a relationship with both his wife and his ‘girlfriend’ Rinko.  He hopes he never has to choose between his wife and Rinko.

Otaku often give others the impression that they are stuck forever in their childhoods, that they enjoy this kind of life.  What exactly it is that makes them leave reality and escape to a virtual world of make-believe, the reason isn’t entirely clear.

Social commentator Roland Kelts, who has lived in Tokyo for a long time, expressed that many young Japanese males are pessimistic about the future.  They don’t believe they will be able to make as much money as their parents, and don’t want to have a committed marriage.

Kelts stated “Compare it with China and Vietnam: many young people will go to night clubs and even start engaging in sexual behavior.  They know that in the future their income will surpass that of their parents.  The Japanese, in contrast, don’t think this way.”

A few reports showed that among Japanese heterosexual couples, sexual activity was rather infrequent.  One survey showed that 27% of those surveyed had sexual relations every week.  Marriage rates were similarly low, with birth rates even lower, and 2% of children born out of wedlock.

Another important reason for Japan’s population crisis is a lack of immigration.  In the UK, one out of eight people were born overseas; in Japan, only one out of sixty were born abroad.  Despite this trend, Japan still strictly controls immigration, even though there is a major lack of technological and technical skills.

In the face of globalization, which increases in scope by the day, Japan is attempting to protect its indigenous culture.  But when it comes to the solving the population problem, is this method really appropriate?  Or is it just a question of time, and Japanese men will grow up and engage in more sexual activity and have more children?

Translator-editor: You You Editor: Ling Lan

Translator (Chinese to English) : Paul Orner

Original Chinese source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/world_outlook/2013/10/131026_world_outlook_japanese_male_vitual.shtml

Japan will 'shoot down drones'

This announcement is just a reiteration of earlier statements, although it would appear that the policy has now been approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori.  While drones are praised for their ability to conduct military operations without risking the life of a pilot and crew, this ‘low-risk’ technology may increase risk in some cases.  Specifically, Chinese military leaders may be more willing to dispatch drones as a way of showcasing Chinese military power without risking the life of a pilot and potential backlash.  Likewise, it makes Japanese officials more likely to order that such craft be ‘shot down’, as the loss of an unmanned vehicle would provoke substantially less public outrage than the death of a fighter pilot.  Still, it makes these decisions much easier to make, and to a certain extent it harms the stability of the East Asian region by making Sino-Japanese brinksmanship more acceptable and ‘low-cost’.  Drones are undoubtedly a major breakthrough in military technology, and the way they will change both warfare and policymaking cannot be overlooked.

Japan states it can shoot down foreign drones that ‘invade its airspace’

Last updated: October 21^st, 2013 GMT 5:22 PM

The equipping of weapons of mass-destruction by drones is still a difficult problem, and such discussions are continuing.

According to Japanese media reports, the Japanese government has essentially decided on how it will handle drones that invade its airspace, stating that it will handle drones with measures as equally strong for those for manned vehicles that do not heed Japanese warnings, including shooting them down.

Jiji Press quoted government officials as stating that on the 11^th of this month, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori’s plan for “How to respond to drones that invade Japanese airspace.”

Onodera Itsunori’s plan states that if “Foreign drones invade Japanese airspace and ignore Japanese warnings, Japan will handle drones with measures as equally strong as those for manned vehicles, including shooting them down.

The report stated that in September of this year, a Chinese drone entered Japanese air-defense perimeters, and proceeded to enter the airspace of the Senkaku Islands (known in China as the Diaoyu Islands).  Afterwards it flew towards China; Japan has yet to confirm that it was a military vehicle.

Japanese analysis holds that China is currently developing drones that are equipped with high-function cameras and radar, and can recognize warnings the way a manned vehicle can.

In response to Japan’s statement that it “would consider shooting down Chinese drones”, Chinese Defense Department spokesperson Geng Yansheng expressed on September 26^th that Japan has fabricated the premise for its statement; these statements are purposely provocative, and create a tense atmosphere.  

Jiji Press pointed out that the equipping of weapons of mass-destruction by drones is still a difficult problem, and such discussions are continuing.

Compiler/Editor: Lu Xi

Xi Jinping at the APEC Head of State Meeting

Xi Jinping’s Speech at the Informal APEC Head-of-State Meeting

October 7^th, 2013 7:58 PM XinHuanet

　　    XinHuaNet Bali, October 7^th Electronic Edition – On the 7^th, National Chairman Xi Jinping attended the twenty-first Informal APEC Head-of-State Meeting, giving a speech titled “Serving as a Leader in the Asia-Pacific: Maintaining and Developing an Open Economic World”.  The full speech is below:

Serving as a Leader in the Asia-Pacific: Maintaining and Developing an Open Economic World

APEC Head-of-State Meeting: Regarding the Global Economic State and Multilateral Economic Institutions

 (October 7^th, 2013)

Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping

Honorable President Susilo,

Colleagues,

　　    I am very happy to discuss world economic planning in the beautiful Bali, and to cooperate for the future of Asia-Pacific cooperation.  First, I would like to thank President Susilo and the Indonesian government for all of their timely preparations!

　　    At present, the world economy is developing in a positive direction, but sources of instability and uncertainty remain.  The deep-running effects of the financial crisis have not yet disappeared, and international financial risk cannot be ignored.  Major problems in developed countries’ economic structures are far from being solved, and the need to coordinate international economic policies is particularly evident.  Some markets in the Asia-Pacific are meeting increasing risks and burdens, fluctuations in the financial market, and cooling economic growth.  The WTO Doha Round has stated that progressive cooling could cause new development of trade and investment protectionism.

            It is the important role of APEC to push for both regional and global development, meet the above-mentioned challenges, and display courage and determination, serving as a leader in cooperation, maintaining and developing an open economic world, and serving to push for continued global economic recovery.

1.      Strengthen international economic policy coordination, and push for mutual development in the Asia-Pacific.  In a globalized economy, when one benefits everyone benefits; when one is hurt all are hurt.  Through cooperation on international economic policy, we can establish effective economic links, and reduce trade deficits.

　　    APEC should fill such a role, pushing for coordinated policies, increased communication, and an open and developed integration of interests.

2.      Look at the situation objectively, calmly meet these challenges, and uphold financial stability in the Asia-Pacific.  At present, changes in the world economy are creating challenges for financial markets, capital flows, and exchange rates, increasing the economic and financial risk in the region.  We must be wary of risks that could cause unrest in the financial markets of the Asia-Pacific, set economic policy that underpins social policy, and preventing economic and financial problems from evolving into political and social problems.

　　At the same time we must foster peace and stability.  The need to promote unchanged, mutual expectations has not changed.  The expanding status and role of the Asia-Pacific region in the world economy has not changed.  The force and potential of sustained, high-speed growth of the Asia-Pacific region has not changed.  The economies of the Asia-Pacific have already learned from the lessons of the past, and have reduced the possibility of increased risk.  We have reason to be confident in the economic outlook of the Asia-Pacific.   

3.      In the long-term, we must push for all members to increase adjustments to their economic structures to increase the strength of the Asia-Pacific’s long-term development.  If we do not think of the future, we will be quick to encounter hardship.  While we are solving current problems, we must also plan for the future.  The key to future development is reform and innovation.  We must transform methods of economic development, adjust economic structures, push for reform and innovation, and free up domestic demand, innovative forces, and market forces, fostering sustainable economic development through domestic forces.  The road to reform is not smooth.  Whether a developed country or developing country, each country must make basic preparations and carry out the necessary reforms.  Only through difficulty can we display courage.  Only through sincerity can we reach prosperity.

　　Each economy in the Asia-Pacific should hasten the adjustment of its economic structures, deepen chain of value integration, and push for the Asia-Pacific to take the lead in creating a new group of industries, continuing to assume the responsibilities of a major economic engine of the world.

　　Colleagues!

　　At the 9^th WTO Department Head Meeting in two months, the Doha Round will discuss the future of multilateral trade organizations and their important effects.  At the same time, as regional trade arrangements appear and enter the scene, regulations and standards are different, and our paths are different.  Thus, I wish to propose the following.

　　First: to foster cooperation, together pushing for economic integration in the Asia-Pacific.  China has an open and supportive attitude of any institution that benefits the integration of the Asia-Pacific.  At the same time, such plans should be established in the spirit of cooperation, not opposition, open-mindedness, not close-mindedness, mutually-beneficial, not zero-sum results, realizing integration, not fragmentation.

　　The members of APEC should use openness, inclusion, and transparency, establishing institutions for the exchange of free trade information, using APEC to lead cooperation, allowing regional leaders to have input on developing and executing regional trade agreements, strengthen communication and exchange, and establishing conditions conducive to free trade in the Asia-Pacific.

　　Second: to work for open development, strongly opposing trade-protectionism.  Each country’s economy should open up and work with others to solve its problems.  That this year’s meeting is conducted in Bogor has special meaning.  We must channel the spirit of Bogor, maintaining openness and regionalism; we must not let “each household sweep its doorstep, not paying attention to others.”  Developed members should set an example of market openness, placing importance on technological cooperation and helping developing members become more competitive.

　　Third: to maintain confidence, infusing multilateral trade institutions with new life.  APEC once played an important role in concluding the Uruguay Round Negotiations.  History has once again arrived at a similar moment in time.  We should courageously take on new responsibilities, sending strong political messages for the Doha Round, giving political guidance and flexibility to the Trade Department Heads, urging all sides to reach early decisions, fully carry out the resolutions of the Doha Round, and determine a realistic course of action.

　　Colleagues!

　　APEC is currently entering a new period of development.  Standing at a new, historical starting point, we must raise our hands, maintain openness and inclusiveness, a spirit of cooperation and mutually benefits, and push for APEC to fulfill an even larger role!

    Thank you.

Translated by: Paul Orner

Japan-US 2+2 Meeting

Japanese and American Heads of Foreign Affairs and National Defense meet in Tokyo to discuss the threat of China

Tong Qian

BBC Chinese Net – Japan Special Correspondent

Last updated September 27^th, 2013 GMT 4:28 AM

Japan-America Foreign Relations - National Defense Heads 2 + 2 Meetings will take place in Tokyo on October 3^rd

Currently visiting New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida announced that on October 3^rd, Japan and the US will conduct the National Defense Head 2 + 2 meeting, formally amending the “Japan-US Defense Guide” agreement.

The two military allies Japan and the US established their foreign policy in 1960 by setting up the “Japan-US Security Council”, made up of the heads of National Defense, thus called the “2 + 2”, to meet at key times to discuss how Japan and the US should meet situations around the world, particularly those concerning military cooperation and movement in the Asia-Pacific.  Frequent topics for discussion include the “Japan-US Defense Guide” and the deployment of US trips in Japan.  

This meeting is the first since June of 2011.  It is expected that Japan will be represented by Kishida and Minister Onodera Itsunori, and the US will be represented by Secretary of State Kerry and Secretary of Defense Hagel.  Major topics include China’s military movements on the seas and North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, the way missiles are changing the security environment in East Asia, and guidelines for how Japan and the US could effectively respond should an incident occur close to Japan.

In addition, the meeting plans to deal with the issues of moving the Okinawa military base and the planned “Osprey” exercises.

US not at ease

Since Shinzo Abe has established his administration, it is clear that the US has not been at ease regarding Abe’s diplomatic relations and policies with China.  Worried that Japan’s hard-line way of dealing with China will in the end make it difficult to avoid an armed conflict in the East China Sea, the US, which is already troubled by problems in the Middle East, does not wish for changes to overburden US finances.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is at present visiting New York, stated on Thursday at the UN General Meeting that maritime order mustn’t be changed by the use of force, and that Japan contributes “Positive Pacifism” to the world.  These statements may reflect that Abe has come to recognize the US’s unease.

China blames “Small people”

But concerning the disagreements between Abe’s government and China over territory and Chinese military vessels’ increased activities in the waters surrounding Japan, Abe has already started to strengthen the Coast Guard’s patrolling of the East China Sea and institutions for the Self-Defense Force in the southwest.  At present, the Ministry of Defense has already decided to use 12 billion yen (approximately $1 million US) to establish facilities on Iwojima that would monitor Chinese naval activity in the Asia-Pacific, operational by 2017.

Chinese Department of Defense spokesperson Geng Yansheng stated on Thursday during a press conference that “Chinese vessels and their exercises in the region of the Western Asia-Pacific are in accordance with international law.  No country should respond out of proportion.”  He also quoted the Analects of Confucius: ““The gentleman is open and at ease; the mean man is full of worries and anxieties.””, condemning Japan’s decision to establish facilities to monitor the Chinese navy.

Editor: Xiao Er

Translated by: Paul Orner

'Values Diplomacy' Scores another Ally

An interesting report from Japanese media.  While the NHK reports are almost certainly predigested, the fact remains that Myanmar’s agreement with Japan represents a turning point for Myanmar.  While Bejing has been fueling nationalism on the mainland, and Chinese ships have been more and more assertive in the East and South China Seas, this new assertiveness has given rise to much concern among China’s neighbors.  Vietnam and the Philippines have already reached agreements with Japan, and Thailand has already begun to conduct joint exercises with the US. 

With Shinzo Abe back in power (and very direct about his affiliation with the right wing), we can expect Japan to continue pushing for agreements with South Asian countries that will help ‘contain’ China.  While Abe’s ‘Security Diamond’ has not yet been established, his ‘Values Diplomacy’ (creating alliances between democratic countries in Asia) is already being set up.  While China wishes to solve its territorial disputes one-on-one, where it can bring all of its clout to bear against each nation individually, the nations of Southeast Asia will attempt to bring China into multilateral talks, restricting China in a negotiation environment where multiple countries working together can even the playing field.

Japanese Media: Myanmar turns its back on China, welcomes Japanese patrol boats

Tong Qian

BBC Chinese Net – Japan Special Correspondent

Last updated October 2^nd, 2013 GMT 4:17 AM

Japanese military ships dock in Myanmar to counter the Chinese navy

Japanese ships docked at Myanmar for the first time and held serious dialogues and activities, drawing much attention from mainstream Japanese media.

On Tuesday night, state news channel NHK described the new situation of exchange between Japanese and Myanmar militaries: “As Myanmar undergoes democratization and turns its back on China, Japan is taking advantage of the situation.”

At present there three Japanese military vessels anchored in the Thilawa Harbor outside of Myanmar’s capital, Yangon.  The Japanese Self-Defense Force naval vessels include the exercise vessels Kashima and Shirayuki, and the frigate Jiyuki.  In total there are 170 JSDF soldiers overseeing military exercises of 730 people.

With its purpose as ‘Far Sea Exercises’, the ships left Tokyo’s Harumi Bay on May 22^nd, planning to dock at 17 ports in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa, travelling around the world and back to Tokyo on October 30^th.

According to the Japanese government, the Japanese navy arrived at Thilawa Harbor on September 30^th to establish friendly relations with Myanmar, and will leave on October 4^th.

Although Japanese and Myanmar statements described the purpose of the visit only as “docking” to explain the Japan’s first docking and conducting of military exercises with Myanmar forces, officials from the Myanmar navy greeted Japan’s ships when they arrived at Thilawa Harbor.

NHK released footage showing Myanmar military officials escorting the Japanese military as they entered the harbor.

Docking has “Deep Meaning”

According to mainstream news sources in Japan, Japanese naval division head Kitagawa told reporters at the scene that: “Being the first time Japan has conducted military dialogue with the democratizing Myanmar, this exchange has deep meaning, and serves as a starting point for new Japan-Myanmar military dialogues.

He also expressed that, so long as Myanmar is convenient, Japan and Myanmar could conduct joint exercises within a short period of time.

A report from Jiji Press pointed out that although the stated purpose of the Japanese ships docking at Myanmar is friendship, it appears that they are seeking to contain the Chinese navy, which is currently increasing its maritime activities.

The Tokyo Broadcast System TBS stated that “Following its democratization, Myanmar is currently pushing for military dialogue with a number of nations.  In February of this year, Myanmar attended US-Thai military drills for the first time.  Afterwards, in May, Myanmar’s president Thein Sein reached an agreement with the visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to push for a security partnership.”

Defense University ‘Plants Seeds’

NHK also reported quoted a Myanmar military official who, because he had previously studied at Japan’s National Defense University, could speak Japanese, and expressed his thanks to Japan.

The report also brought up the Thai military.  When Self-Defense Force official Onodera Itsunori visited Thailand last month, Thai officials who had previously studied at Japan’s National Defense University spoke to Onodera in Japanese.

The report pointed out that as China has become estranged from Southeast Asian countries because of political matters and issues of soveriengty, the ‘seeds planted’ through the National Defense University’s study abroad institutions are coming to fruition.

Translated by: Paul Orner

Original Chinese: http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/world/2013/10/131002_burma_japan.shtml

Zhou Yongkang off the Hook?

An exciting article for anyone following the anti-corruption campaign in China.  Despite numerous reports that speculated his downfall, it would seem that Zhou Yongkang will NOT in fact face investigation.  As the article explains, it seems unlikely that Zhou would make such a public appearance if he were under political pressure.

So what’s going on?  If he won’t face investigation, why were there so many whispers, subtle hints, and NOT SO SUBTLE hints that suggested he would be taken down?  There seem to be a few possibilities:

1)      The media was wrong from the start.  It might be the case that the media simply got things WRONG.  Perhaps they cooked up a story that took on a life of its own, or maybe they misread the Party’s signals.  However, given how much attention Zhou attracted (and the Caixin report that went after his son), it seems unlikely that the Zhou scandal was ‘much ado about nothing’.

2)      Zhou Yongkang is acting without the Party’s blessing, and conducted the visit on his own.  This seems rather unlikely, given the extent to which personal relations dominate Chinese politics; visits and meetings often bear much more significance than their official purpose.  However, it IS possible that Zhou is acting on his own.  While it is an extremely dangerous move, his ally Bo Xilai has already proven that not everyone is willing to play by the rules anymore (the former-mayor refused to go quietly, unlike other officials who were taken down and left the stage as discreetly as possible).  While this possibility seems extremely unlikely, it’s worth noting that if anyone could pull it off, it would be someone like Zhou Yongkang: he has connections throughout the Chinese government, including influential political arenas such as the police, the courts, and the much-feared Discipline Commission.  Given that investigation of a Standing Committee Member (past or present) is taboo, the idea that Zhou could be ‘thumbing his nose’ at Xi is at least worth exploring, if not entirely realistic.

3)      As mentioned in the report, this public appearance is a way for Zhou to show that he has ‘mended the fence’ with Party leadership.  As many analysts noted before, formally charging Zhou would be a MAJOR breech of protocol, given his influence and previous post on the Standing Committee.  As the whole purpose of Bo’s takedown was to UNIFY the Party, it seemed unlikely that Xi would make such a daring move (that could potentially destabilize the Party even more by showing that Xi wasn’t going to follow the rules).  Most likely, Xi and his supporters turned up the heat on Zhou in the media; not enough to remove him from power, but enough to establish Xi’s authority and warn other cadres to fall in line.  As the Third Plenary Congress will take place in November, this reconciliation with the Party seems to be arriving just in time.  Zhou has public acknowledged Xi Jinping’s authority, and the Party can start legislation in November knowing that everyone will dance to Xi’s tune.

I’m not sure if we can expect anything more from this story, but should the vast majority of analysts be wrong, and this meeting does NOT spell a ‘clearing of the air’, things could turn sour for Zhou very quickly.  Most likely, however, Zhou’s name will take a quick bow and disappear from the headlines.

Zhou Yongkang makes an appearance at his Alma mater, corruption investigation seems unlikely

Last updated October 1^st, 2013 GMT 12:31 PM

Zhou Yongkang visits his alma mater, the China Petroleum University, attending an exhibit highlighting school spirit

On Tuesday, Former Politburo Standing Committee member and former head of the Ministry of Public Security Zhou Yongkang visited his alma mater.  This is his first public appearance since foreign media first speculated that he would be investigated for corruption.

Ten years ago, the now 70-year-old Zhou Yongkang was one of the most powerful figures in Chinese politics.

The China Petroleum University’s website displayed pictures of Zhou Yongkang smiling, shaking hands, and catching up with old classmates, casting doubt on earlier speculation that he would be investigated for corruption.

In China, if a leader is suspected of illegal activity, he or she will disappear from the public eye right up until they are formally convicted.

In November of last year, Zhou Yongkang resigned from his most influential post as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee.

The Hong Kong-based English language paper South China Morning Post reported in August of this year that Zhou Yongkang was facing investigation for corruption.

Chinese news networks based in the United States also reported that Zhou Yongkang was facing a corruption investigation, but later removed this information for unspecified reasons.

However, sources connected with the Chinese leadership revealed last month to Reuters that, as a political ally of former-mayor of Chongqing Bo Xilai, Zhou Yongkang was only assisting the authorities with a corruption investigation; he himself was not the target of investigation.

Among other signs that Zhou Yongkang was possibly not in trouble, websites of the major Chinese media networks carried two reports mentioning his name after he was said to be under investigation.

At the end of August, Chinese reports broadcasted officials, including Xi Jinping and Zhou Yongkang, giving flowers when Liu Xiyao, one of China’s top nuclear scientists, passed away.

On September 5^th, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported that Xi Jinping, Wen Jiabao, Zhou Yongkang, and others expressed their condolences when an old cadre of the Justice Department, Wang Ning, passed away.

Since taking office in March, Chairman Xi Jinping has stated that corruption is the most serious threat to the Communist Party’s survival, warning that the fight against corruption would fight both “tigers and flies” together.

Having previously handles issues of China’s domestic security, Zhou Yongkang continuously delt with matters concerning the police, armed police, investigative organs, the courts, and domestic intelligence.

During his term in office, government funding for maintaining domestic stability surpassed funding for the individual budgets of national defense, medicine, and eduation.

During Zhou Yongkang’s time in office, he also managed matters concerning energy resources, very much related to his background in petroleum.

Not long ago, some of Zhou Yongkang’s old allies and subordinates from his time managing energy resources were taken down in quick succession, being subjected to corruption investigations.  The outside world once believed these takedowns to be the prelude to moves against Zhou Yongkang.

According to many media reports, on September 25^th the site CaiXin, which had broken numerous scandalous stories concerning Zhou Yongkang’s family, hinted that when Zhou and his son Zhou Bin exchanged positions in the Petroleum business, it was the first time his family’s connections between government and business were made apparent.

However, two days later the report was deleted.  Some analysts believe that the purpose of this report was clear: to build even more support for Xi Jinping’s fight against corruption and “big tigers”.  The fact that it was deleted so quickly shows the intensity of the power struggle among Party leadership.

Some analysts believe this report to be a way of clearing away the reports of Zhou Yongkang being investigated.

Author: Tong Qing Editor: Li Li

Translated by: Paul Orner

Original Chinese: http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2013/10/131001_china_zhouyongkang_reappearance.shtml

Facebook in China*!

An interesting article about developments in Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone.  While it certainly represents a movement towards internet freedom, onlookers should see this development as what it is: a very SMALL opening in the Great Firewall (in a district where most residents already have ways of getting to foreign sites).  Put simply, such freedom can be granted because it is largely irrelevant. 

Some have seen the opening of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone as a way of putting political pressure on Hong Kong, which has long been China’s main liaison with the outside world, offering political and economic freedom that greatly expedited foreign business in China.  With the opening of Shanghai, however, the city could serve as a second door into the country for foreign business, allowing for increased investment and development in a city that already has well established institutions for business and finance.

While the opening up of the internet in Shanghai may not be all it’s cracked up to be, it’s still worth keeping in mind as more details are released about the city.  The Trade Zone may serve a similar purpose as Shenzhen did years ago: the vanguard of ‘reform and opening up’, lighting the way for the rest of China.

Shanghai Free Trade Zone schedules “opening online restrictions” at the end of the month

Last updated: September 24^th, 2013, GMT 12:03 PM

The Shanghai Experimental Free Trade Zone is a major initiative by the Chinese government to reform China’s financial sector

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone will officially open on September 29^th, and China will release the internet restrictions in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, granting access to “politically sensitive” foreign websites within the Free Trade Zone.

A report in the Hong Kong South China Morning Post stated that the Chinese government made a major decision yesterday to release the internet restrictions in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, allowing those within the zone to access sites such as Facebook, Twitter, the New York Times, and other foreign sites that have long been viewed by the Chinese government as politically sensitive.

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone will officially open on September 29^th under the full name “China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone”.

On the afternoon of September 29^th, the Shanghai City government will hold a press conference, releasing the policies, rules, and regulations of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

The Shanghai Experimental Free Trade Zone is a major initiative by the Chinese government to reform China’s financial sector.  According to comments on the Xinhua site, the intent to open the zone has existed since China first entered into the World Trade Organization.

Open Internet?

The South China Morning Post stated: “according to information provided by those close with the government, the Free Trade Zone management will allow foreign telecommunications companies to get licenses to compete within the Free Trade Zone.

China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom” will all be able to compete directly with foreign companies.

According to the report, “informants, who requested to remain anonymous because of the highly sensitive nature of the information, said that because the Free Trade Zone must attract foreign investment, the zone must make foreign nationals feel safe and secure, and create an environment where they will feel at home”; thus, they needed to open up the internet.

However, the internet will only be opened up within the Shanghai Free Trade Zone; internet throughout the rest of the Mainland will still not open up.

At present, all parties are still monitoring the possibility of realistic internet freedom in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, and to what extent it will open up.  However, many Chinese netizens reacted positively to the South China Morning Post’s report, many believing it to be a first step for a continued opening up of the Chinese economy and society.

Translator (Chinese) Li Xing   Editor Gu Yin

Translator (English) Paul Orner

Original Chinese http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/business/2013/09/130924_china_shanghai_pftz.shtml