China bars English words in all publications
BEIJING, Dec 23 (ANTARA) - Chinese newspapers, books and websites will no longer be allowed to use English words and phrases, the country`s publishing body has announced, saying the "purity" of the Chinese language is in peril.
The General Administration of Press and Publication, which announced the new rule on Monday, said the increasing use of English words and abbreviations in Chinese texts had caused confusion and was a means of "abusing the language".
Such practices "severely damaged the standard and purity of the Chinese language and disrupted the harmonious and healthy language and cultural environment, causing negative social impacts," the body said on its website.
"It is banned to mix at will foreign language phrases such as English words or abbreviations with Chinese publications, creating words of vague meaning that are not exactly Chinese or of any foreign language," it said.
GAPP said companies which violated the regulation would face "administrative punishment" without offering specifics.
English abbreviations such as NBA (National Basketball Association), GDP (gross domestic product), CPI (consumer price index) and WTO (World Trade Organization) are commonly used in Chinese publications.
The body left a small loophole, saying that "if necessary", English terms could be used but now must be followed by a direct translation of the abbreviation or an explanation in Chinese, according to the regulation.
The names of people or places in English also must be translated, the China Daily reported Wednesday.
One editor at a Beijing publishing house told the newspaper that the new GAPP regulation could actually result in reduced understanding.
"The intention of protecting the Chinese language is good. But in an age ofglobalisation, when some English acronyms like WTO have been widely accepted by readers, it might be too absolute to eliminate them," the editor said.
"Conversationally, people also use these words all the time, so the regulation could create discord between the oral and written uses of language."
Earlier this year, China Central Television and Beijing Television told the China Daily that they had received notification from the government to avoid using certain English abbreviations on Chinese programmes. (ANTARA)
Friday, 24 December 2010
China Urges Calm for Korea/ Xinhua News/China Daily
China urges Korean Peninsula dialogue .
BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- China Thursday urged the two sides on the Korean Peninsula to value people's safety and regional peace, and resume dialogue and negotiation at an early date.
"The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains complicated and sensitive," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.
Jiang called on concerned parties to make the safety of the people on the peninsula and regional peace and stability their top priority.
Jiang's remarks came after the Republic of Korea (ROK) Thursday held a large-scale military drill near its land border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"We urge the relevant parties to keep calm, exercise restraint, adopt a responsible attitude, do more to ease the situation, and contribute to peace and stability on the peninsula," Jiang said.
"We hope all the parties could respond to China's proposal and push the Peninsula situation back onto the track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date."
Launched in 2003 and stalled since the end of 2008, the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue involve China, the United States, the DPRK, the ROK, Russia and Japan.
On Nov. 28, China proposed emergency consultations among the heads of delegations to the six-party talks after the ROK and DPRK exchanged fire.
BEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- China Thursday urged the two sides on the Korean Peninsula to value people's safety and regional peace, and resume dialogue and negotiation at an early date.
"The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains complicated and sensitive," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.
Jiang called on concerned parties to make the safety of the people on the peninsula and regional peace and stability their top priority.
Jiang's remarks came after the Republic of Korea (ROK) Thursday held a large-scale military drill near its land border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"We urge the relevant parties to keep calm, exercise restraint, adopt a responsible attitude, do more to ease the situation, and contribute to peace and stability on the peninsula," Jiang said.
"We hope all the parties could respond to China's proposal and push the Peninsula situation back onto the track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date."
Launched in 2003 and stalled since the end of 2008, the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue involve China, the United States, the DPRK, the ROK, Russia and Japan.
On Nov. 28, China proposed emergency consultations among the heads of delegations to the six-party talks after the ROK and DPRK exchanged fire.
Opinion: DPRK/North Korea: a New Israel
In China, especially the great North of it, the support for North Korea is equally passionate and China will not do anything that threatens not only the DPRK but also the loyalties of hundreds of millions of Northern Chinese who, through kin blood and trade, are very tightly linked with the DPRK.
As a Northern Han man said to me on a train leaving Shen Yang last year: The DPRK is the most inhuman government in the world, but they are our blood brothers. I wish them well. They have our support. We all have relatives who died fighting in Korea to get rid of the Americans last time. Even Mao's son died at their hands, yet the Americans did not win. No one in their right mind would go to war with North Korea.
He was a retired PLA colonel. His brother was killed by the Americans in Korea. I told him I was trying to learn the thai language. He said 'Don't bother with the small languages. Thailand is not a country, it is a border town. China is Asia.' That night we sang in a karaoke bar. He sang a PLA war-ballad with great sentiment, love and sincerity: "After all the suffering, I would still borrow from the god another 500 years."
DPRK North Korea ready to launch "Sacred War" Xinhua News
According to the KCNA, Korean People's Army (KPA) Vice Marshal Kim Yong Chun delivered a report at a national meeting held to mark the 19th anniversary of top leader Kim Jong Il's gaining of the supreme commandership of the KPA at the April 25 House of Culture on Thursday that South Korea's military provocation through holding shelling exercises again indicated its intention of starting "another Korean War" , leading the the Korean Peninsula to a situation that "a war may break out at any moment" .
"If the enemies intrude into the sky, land and seas of the DPRK even by0.001 mm, the KPA will as ever continue dealing more devastating physical blows at them without hesitation. The army and people of the DPRK never make an empty talk" , he said.
The army of the DPRK is getting fully prepared to launch a sacred war of justice "based on the nuclear deterrent" at any time necessary to cope with the enemies' actions deliberately pushing the situation to the brink of a war, he stressed.
At the end, he warned that in case the U.S. and its followers finally ignite an all-out war, the army of the DPRK will "not only wipe out the aggressors but also blow up their bases and thus eradicate the root cause of war and surely accomplish the historic cause of national reunification.
Situation on the peninsula is getting tense after the exchange of artillery fire on Nov. 23 between South Korea and the DPRK, which killed four people. The South Korean military held a live fire artillery drill in waters southwest of Yonphyong Island near the disputed water maritime border again on Dec. 20.
The South Korean Department of Defense declared on Dec. 22 that the three-day drills would be held in waters off the east coast of the Korean peninsula from Dec. 22 and large-scale joint drills involving the South Korean Army and the Air Force from Dec. 23.
Kim Yong Chun is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK and minister of the People's Armed Forces.
$AU /$US Parity
60 day cash forecast: the $AU should remain at least on par with the $US for the next 2 months. It may increase and be worth 1.02 or 1.03US but that should be about it.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Bangkok Chinatown
One of the things about Bangkok Chinatown is that it keeps getting more interesting. The coal smoke from the chestnut roasters, the fresh fruit, the vegetables, the remarkable fish and seafood stores, the restaurants spilling out legally into the grid-lock traffic every day, the outstanding varieties of just about everything...and ,for me, how everything that is transported is transported through narrow crowded alleys on beautiful vespa motorscooters from 30 years ago....it's an astounding place and, strangely enough, one of the deeply safe places in South East Asia. Even with Thailand's throes of political and military upheavals that continue because the Great King is old now, no one will cause any trouble in Bangkok Chinatown. Whoever you are, whatever political or social movement you are passionate about, no one in their right mind every causes a big disturbance in a 2 million-people strong sub-city of Chinese merchants just trying to make a living by having a shop. That's just crazy. No matter what your cause, it doesn't belong here. You will be hunted down and dealt with at a completely local level.
The best restaurant in Bangkok Chinatown: The Red Shirt Seafood Restaurant that cranks up on the footpath in the main drag at 5 pm every day, revolution or no revolution. The best seafood, freshest, cheapest, fastest.
The best restaurant in Bangkok Chinatown: The Red Shirt Seafood Restaurant that cranks up on the footpath in the main drag at 5 pm every day, revolution or no revolution. The best seafood, freshest, cheapest, fastest.
China's Approach is Consistent with Supporting Peace
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China strongly urges both sides of the Korean Peninsula to keep calm and restraint, solve issues through peaceful dialogue and engagement, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Wang Min said here Monday.
Wang made the remarks to reporters at the United Nations Headquarter in New York. He said China has taken note of the latest developments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula is in the interest of both the South and the North of the Peninsula, as well as other relevant parties, he said.
"We strongly appeal relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint, act in a responsible manner and avoid increase of tensions," Wang told reporters.
The Security Council met for an emergency close-door meeting on Sunday that lasted about eight hours, but failed to reach consensus due to gaps among the council members.
Wang said China on Sunday supported Russia's proposal to call for an urgent meeting of the Security Council on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
"Members of the Council, including China, the United States and Russia have made efforts to the extent possible to avoid armed conflict on the Peninsula. The meeting was positive and of great importance," he said.
South Korea staged a live-fire artillery drill in the sensitive area of Yonphyong Island off the west coast earlier on Monday. The army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) dealt no counterattack to the drill.
"Calm rather than tension, dialogue rather than confrontation, peace rather than warfare. This is the strong aspiration and voice of the peoples from both sides of the Peninsula and the international community," said Wang.
He said China recently has spared no efforts to engage both sides of the Peninsula and relevant parties through various channels, in order to avoid broadening of differences and escalation of tensions.
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo paid urgent visits to South Korea and the DPRK respectively, conducting candid and thorough discussions with leaders of the two countries. He urged the two sides to maintain calm and show restraint, pursue dialogue and engagement, and avoid taking any action that may worsen the situation.
During the last several days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China also urgently met with ambassadors of both the DPRK and the ROK in Beijing, reiterating for several times China's views and positions, Wang said.
"China strongly urges both sides of the Peninsula to keep calm and restraint, solve issues through peaceful dialogue and engagement. China will continue to make our efforts toward this end," Wang said.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
Wang made the remarks to reporters at the United Nations Headquarter in New York. He said China has taken note of the latest developments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula is in the interest of both the South and the North of the Peninsula, as well as other relevant parties, he said.
"We strongly appeal relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint, act in a responsible manner and avoid increase of tensions," Wang told reporters.
The Security Council met for an emergency close-door meeting on Sunday that lasted about eight hours, but failed to reach consensus due to gaps among the council members.
Wang said China on Sunday supported Russia's proposal to call for an urgent meeting of the Security Council on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
"Members of the Council, including China, the United States and Russia have made efforts to the extent possible to avoid armed conflict on the Peninsula. The meeting was positive and of great importance," he said.
South Korea staged a live-fire artillery drill in the sensitive area of Yonphyong Island off the west coast earlier on Monday. The army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) dealt no counterattack to the drill.
"Calm rather than tension, dialogue rather than confrontation, peace rather than warfare. This is the strong aspiration and voice of the peoples from both sides of the Peninsula and the international community," said Wang.
He said China recently has spared no efforts to engage both sides of the Peninsula and relevant parties through various channels, in order to avoid broadening of differences and escalation of tensions.
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo paid urgent visits to South Korea and the DPRK respectively, conducting candid and thorough discussions with leaders of the two countries. He urged the two sides to maintain calm and show restraint, pursue dialogue and engagement, and avoid taking any action that may worsen the situation.
During the last several days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China also urgently met with ambassadors of both the DPRK and the ROK in Beijing, reiterating for several times China's views and positions, Wang said.
"China strongly urges both sides of the Peninsula to keep calm and restraint, solve issues through peaceful dialogue and engagement. China will continue to make our efforts toward this end," Wang said.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
Monday, 20 December 2010
DPRK on alert/ SBS Australia News
N.Korea on alert ahead of S.Korea drill
Email to friendPrintEnlarge text20 December 2010
01:54:07 AM
Source: AAP
North Korea has boosted the readiness of its military forces on the coast nearest to a planned live-fire drill by South Korea, the South's Yonhap news agency said on Sunday, quoting a government source.
"The North Korean artillery unit along the Yellow Sea has raised its preparedness level," the anonymous source was quoted as saying.
"Some fighter jets that had been inside the air force hangar have come out to the ground," Yonhap quoted the source as saying, without confirming whether weapons had been moved closer to the south.
In November North Korean artillery fired on Yeonpyeong island, near the two countries' disputed maritime border, killing four people in its first shelling of a civilian area since the 1950-53 Korean War.
The attack has sparked fears of a conflict on the tense peninsula.
The North has threatened to hit back harder if South Korea carries out a planned live-fire drill in the area, but the South said on Sunday it will go ahead with the exercise on Monday or Tuesday.
Yonhap said the North's weapons in the area include a 76.2mm gun with a 12km range and a 122mm multiple rocket launcher with a 20km range.
Email to friendPrintEnlarge text20 December 2010
01:54:07 AM
Source: AAP
North Korea has boosted the readiness of its military forces on the coast nearest to a planned live-fire drill by South Korea, the South's Yonhap news agency said on Sunday, quoting a government source.
"The North Korean artillery unit along the Yellow Sea has raised its preparedness level," the anonymous source was quoted as saying.
"Some fighter jets that had been inside the air force hangar have come out to the ground," Yonhap quoted the source as saying, without confirming whether weapons had been moved closer to the south.
In November North Korean artillery fired on Yeonpyeong island, near the two countries' disputed maritime border, killing four people in its first shelling of a civilian area since the 1950-53 Korean War.
The attack has sparked fears of a conflict on the tense peninsula.
The North has threatened to hit back harder if South Korea carries out a planned live-fire drill in the area, but the South said on Sunday it will go ahead with the exercise on Monday or Tuesday.
Yonhap said the North's weapons in the area include a 76.2mm gun with a 12km range and a 122mm multiple rocket launcher with a 20km range.
Sunday, 19 December 2010
South Korean protestors hold banners and shout slogans during an anti-government rally in Seoul, capital of South Korea on Dec. 18, 2010. South Korea has declared plans for a live shell artillery drill in the waters southwest of Yeonpyeong Island on a selected date from Dec. 18-21 depending on weather conditions. (Xinhua/Park Jin Hee)
ReUnification or Integration?
The following article is from Al Jazeera regarding the views of the South Korean President. This is interesting and presents half an idea. The other half belongs to the North. To have any validity both North and South must work out the details without force being applied to either from foreign powers. I'm thinking they will surely fight each other because this is what warr-like brothers usually do. Whilst it's kind of good that the UN is getting involved, we should remember that it was the UN who created the division within the one Korea to suit the two powers USSR and USA...and the idea has worked abominably every day since. Still, there is some hope. As we can recall there was an equally bizarre and schizophrenic nation divided into North and South Vietnam some time back. Unification has worked out very well there.
The other alternative for the North I think would be for it to integrate into the greater China system with specific portfolios within the Chinese politburo held by NK present representatives. This would be far better than the current situation. Either would be far better than the current situation. Korea remains about the only place on earth that a real international war could commence: the strategic position, the untapped wealth of the north, the population densities etc. No one is really interested in peace between Palestinians and Israelis because on the whole no one likes either very much, and there's no real resources there, and, comparatively, not many people. Korea is very different and remarkably more significant and explosively 'tectonic' to life on earth.
_______________________________________________________-
South Korea's president says Seoul must prepare for a united country as the North becomes aware of South's affluence.
Despite calls for reunification, tensions still remain high on the Korean peninsula [GALLO/GETTY]
South Korea's president has said unification with North Korea has become more likely as people in the North become more aware of the South's affluence.
Lee Myung-bak said on Thursday, during a trip to Malaysia, that residents of the communist nation know the world is changing, but did not elaborate on how their knowledge has expanded, or how soon unification would come.
"Reunification will definitely come," Lee said in a speech marking the liberation of the Korean peninsula from Japanese colonial rule.
"I believe that the time has come to start discussing realistic policies to prepare for that day such as a reunification tax."
Heightened tensions
Lee's comments come amid a period of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula after the North shelled a South Korean island close to a disputed maritime border, killing at least four people.
The North has blamed the South for sparking the exchange of artillery fire last month and criticised both Seoul and its US allies for "provocative" military drills.
The two states are still technically at war having only signed a ceasefire in 1953 and since coming to power in 2008, Lee has abandoned the so-called "Sunshine Policy" of his predecessor for a more strident stance.
Lee said on Friday that North Korea's new understanding of circumstances in the outside world is "an important change that no one can stop".
He added that South Korea has a responsibility to ensure that the North's 23 million people enjoy basic rights, and that Seoul should use its economic power to prepare for unification.
One way Lee proposed was a "reunification tax" to help fund the expected $1 trillion it could cost when the two Koreas eventually rejoin.
Costly reunification
He also said it was now time to start saving for the massive cost of reuniting with the North, whose economy has been driven close to ruin by central economic planning, heavy military expenditure and years of famine.
North Korea is one of the world's poorest countries, with annual gross national income of about $24bn in 2009 - less than three per cent the size of the South's economy.
The cost of reunification could wreak havoc on South Korea's economy, with a state-funded research agency saying it would raise the tax bill for South Koreans by the equivalent of two percentage points annually for 60 years.
Opinion polls, however, show more than 60 per cent of South Koreans want unification, but they would prefer it happen later rather than sooner because of the cost.
The other alternative for the North I think would be for it to integrate into the greater China system with specific portfolios within the Chinese politburo held by NK present representatives. This would be far better than the current situation. Either would be far better than the current situation. Korea remains about the only place on earth that a real international war could commence: the strategic position, the untapped wealth of the north, the population densities etc. No one is really interested in peace between Palestinians and Israelis because on the whole no one likes either very much, and there's no real resources there, and, comparatively, not many people. Korea is very different and remarkably more significant and explosively 'tectonic' to life on earth.
_______________________________________________________-
South Korea's president says Seoul must prepare for a united country as the North becomes aware of South's affluence.
Despite calls for reunification, tensions still remain high on the Korean peninsula [GALLO/GETTY]
South Korea's president has said unification with North Korea has become more likely as people in the North become more aware of the South's affluence.
Lee Myung-bak said on Thursday, during a trip to Malaysia, that residents of the communist nation know the world is changing, but did not elaborate on how their knowledge has expanded, or how soon unification would come.
"Reunification will definitely come," Lee said in a speech marking the liberation of the Korean peninsula from Japanese colonial rule.
"I believe that the time has come to start discussing realistic policies to prepare for that day such as a reunification tax."
Heightened tensions
Lee's comments come amid a period of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula after the North shelled a South Korean island close to a disputed maritime border, killing at least four people.
The North has blamed the South for sparking the exchange of artillery fire last month and criticised both Seoul and its US allies for "provocative" military drills.
The two states are still technically at war having only signed a ceasefire in 1953 and since coming to power in 2008, Lee has abandoned the so-called "Sunshine Policy" of his predecessor for a more strident stance.
Lee said on Friday that North Korea's new understanding of circumstances in the outside world is "an important change that no one can stop".
He added that South Korea has a responsibility to ensure that the North's 23 million people enjoy basic rights, and that Seoul should use its economic power to prepare for unification.
One way Lee proposed was a "reunification tax" to help fund the expected $1 trillion it could cost when the two Koreas eventually rejoin.
Costly reunification
He also said it was now time to start saving for the massive cost of reuniting with the North, whose economy has been driven close to ruin by central economic planning, heavy military expenditure and years of famine.
North Korea is one of the world's poorest countries, with annual gross national income of about $24bn in 2009 - less than three per cent the size of the South's economy.
The cost of reunification could wreak havoc on South Korea's economy, with a state-funded research agency saying it would raise the tax bill for South Koreans by the equivalent of two percentage points annually for 60 years.
Opinion polls, however, show more than 60 per cent of South Koreans want unification, but they would prefer it happen later rather than sooner because of the cost.
One Korea
I guess this is what you get when one nation is sliced in half by the UN to protect the interests, and spheres of influence at the time, of the USA and the USSR. It was a crazed and stupid decision at the time and so it has remained ever since.
The resolution of the present situation really comes down to the 2 Korean 'brothers-North & South' working things out with each other. Whether this is a bloody and violent method or a peaceful one is really up to those 2 halves of the one whole. I think it will be quite bloody as this suits the prevailing and kindred temperaments on both sides... but it's really no one else' business at all.
The resolution of the present situation really comes down to the 2 Korean 'brothers-North & South' working things out with each other. Whether this is a bloody and violent method or a peaceful one is really up to those 2 halves of the one whole. I think it will be quite bloody as this suits the prevailing and kindred temperaments on both sides... but it's really no one else' business at all.
North Korea Ready for An All Out War that Will Not Be Confined to the Koreas/ China Daily
PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said its army and people were ready for escalated conflicts and all-out war that would not be confined to the peninsula, the official news agency KCNA reported Saturday.
According to the KCNA, a spokesman for the National Peace Committee of Korea said in the statement released Saturday that the recent moves of the US indicated that it was fully joining in Republic of Korea (ROK)'s moves for a war of aggression against the DPRK after "throwing away the disguise of a hypocrite".
It was clear that if the ROK army mobilized all flying corps, warships and missiles for a war against the DPRK and the US joined them with the latest weapons, it would develop into an all-out war, not a local war, he said.
The spokesman said ROK and the US fabricated the sinking of the ROK'S warship the Cheonan early this year and the recent Yonphyong Island shelling incident was aimed at sparking an all-out war.
It was ridiculous for the south to talk about a "right to self-defence". It was no more than "war servants and colonial stooges" of the US, he said.
"Should an all-out war break out again on this land, it will not be confined to the boundaries of the peninsula," he said.
The army and people who are ready for both escalated war and an all-out war will "deal merciless retaliatory blows" at the provocateurs and aggressors and blow up their bases and thus honorably defend the dignity and security of the nation, he said.
He warned ROK and the US to bear in mind that their ignition of a dangerous war would bring them nothing but self-destruction.
It was reported that the US and ROK held a meeting of the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of ROK and the US in Seoul on Dec 8 over a military attack on the DPRK under the pretext of "deterring provocation".
Tension on the peninsula increased after the exchange of artillery fire on Nov 23 between ROK and DPRK, which killed four people.
According to the KCNA, a spokesman for the National Peace Committee of Korea said in the statement released Saturday that the recent moves of the US indicated that it was fully joining in Republic of Korea (ROK)'s moves for a war of aggression against the DPRK after "throwing away the disguise of a hypocrite".
It was clear that if the ROK army mobilized all flying corps, warships and missiles for a war against the DPRK and the US joined them with the latest weapons, it would develop into an all-out war, not a local war, he said.
The spokesman said ROK and the US fabricated the sinking of the ROK'S warship the Cheonan early this year and the recent Yonphyong Island shelling incident was aimed at sparking an all-out war.
It was ridiculous for the south to talk about a "right to self-defence". It was no more than "war servants and colonial stooges" of the US, he said.
"Should an all-out war break out again on this land, it will not be confined to the boundaries of the peninsula," he said.
The army and people who are ready for both escalated war and an all-out war will "deal merciless retaliatory blows" at the provocateurs and aggressors and blow up their bases and thus honorably defend the dignity and security of the nation, he said.
He warned ROK and the US to bear in mind that their ignition of a dangerous war would bring them nothing but self-destruction.
It was reported that the US and ROK held a meeting of the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of ROK and the US in Seoul on Dec 8 over a military attack on the DPRK under the pretext of "deterring provocation".
Tension on the peninsula increased after the exchange of artillery fire on Nov 23 between ROK and DPRK, which killed four people.
For both ROK and DPRK China Urges Calm Calm Calm/ China Daily
China urges 'calm, calm, calm' on the peninsula
By Wu Jiao and Uking (chinadaily.com.cn)
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to show calm, restraint and not to take any action that may escalate the tension on the peninsula.
"The situation is highly complex and sensitive, and China is deeply concerned and worried. " Zhang said Saturday, in a latest call of talks, similar to the earlier statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.
Zhang said China has made unremitting efforts recently to defuse the tension by sending State Councilor Dai Bingguo to visit the DPRK and ROK to exchange ideas candidly and also encourage the engagement and dialogues.
"To ease, not nervous, to dialogue, not confrontation, to peace, not war, is the strong desire and voice of the people in the region and international community. There should be no more escalation on the peninsula. China will resolutely oppose any actions that could lead to a deterioration and escalation in the situation and wreck regional peace and stability," Zhang said.
"China calls on both countries to be calm, calm and calm, restraint, restraint and restraint, give top priority to the safety of 70 million Koreans, give priority to the regional peace, and avoid any new military clash. China hopes relevant parties could seek solutions in a responsible and peaceful way"
"The situation also highlights the necessity and urgency of holding Six-Party Talks. China calls again all parties to return to the right path of dialogue."
By Wu Jiao and Uking (chinadaily.com.cn)
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to show calm, restraint and not to take any action that may escalate the tension on the peninsula.
"The situation is highly complex and sensitive, and China is deeply concerned and worried. " Zhang said Saturday, in a latest call of talks, similar to the earlier statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.
Zhang said China has made unremitting efforts recently to defuse the tension by sending State Councilor Dai Bingguo to visit the DPRK and ROK to exchange ideas candidly and also encourage the engagement and dialogues.
"To ease, not nervous, to dialogue, not confrontation, to peace, not war, is the strong desire and voice of the people in the region and international community. There should be no more escalation on the peninsula. China will resolutely oppose any actions that could lead to a deterioration and escalation in the situation and wreck regional peace and stability," Zhang said.
"China calls on both countries to be calm, calm and calm, restraint, restraint and restraint, give top priority to the safety of 70 million Koreans, give priority to the regional peace, and avoid any new military clash. China hopes relevant parties could seek solutions in a responsible and peaceful way"
"The situation also highlights the necessity and urgency of holding Six-Party Talks. China calls again all parties to return to the right path of dialogue."
CNN/ North Korea, the Tinderbox
Blitzer Dispatch: Richardson says it's a 'tinderbox'
By: CNN’s “The Situation Room” Anchor Wolf Blitzer
Pyongyang, North Korea (CNN) - It's Saturday morning in Pyongyang and we're getting ready for another intense day. The situation here is very fluid right now and a lot of nerves are being frayed because of the tensions between North and South Korea. New Mexico governor Bill Richardson is getting ready for important talks in the next few hours with Kim Gye Gwan, North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, the man who invited him to Pyongyang.
Richardson is urging restraint everywhere he goes. He's really worried that this situation is, in his words, a "tinderbox" where one miscalculation could lead to all-out war. He says he's never seen the situation so tense in all his visits to North Korea over the years; he agrees it's the most serious crisis since the 1953 Armistice which ended the Korean War.
In my conversations with North Korean officials, they insist it's all the fault of South Korea and the U.S. They say they are being provoked and won't stand for it. Clearly though, they are anxious to send a message to the United States through Richardson and presumably through me and CNN as well.
On Friday, Richardson met with Ri Young Ho, the vice foreign minister for US affairs, and they talked about what can be done to ease the crisis. One event that's been added to Richardson's schedule Sunday is a meeting with top North Korean military officials, which is an important development.
On a personal level, all the North Koreans have treated me and my CNN photojournalist Miguel Castro with the utmost courtesy and respect. Still, we are restricted on where we can go, we don't have access to the internet or cell phones. The accommodations are very clean and nice, and the food is delicious, I can't complain about that. It is bitter cold outside, lots of snow on the ground, reminds me of my hometown of Buffalo, New York. North Koreans seem very energetic, you see people with shovels cleaning up the sidewalks, the streets, it's a massive operation but they're doing it all by hand.
That's all from Pyongyang for now. We'll see what happens in this big meeting over the next few hours with Kim Gye Gwan, who's been a major player in past negotiations with U.S. delegations.
By: CNN’s “The Situation Room” Anchor Wolf Blitzer
Pyongyang, North Korea (CNN) - It's Saturday morning in Pyongyang and we're getting ready for another intense day. The situation here is very fluid right now and a lot of nerves are being frayed because of the tensions between North and South Korea. New Mexico governor Bill Richardson is getting ready for important talks in the next few hours with Kim Gye Gwan, North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, the man who invited him to Pyongyang.
Richardson is urging restraint everywhere he goes. He's really worried that this situation is, in his words, a "tinderbox" where one miscalculation could lead to all-out war. He says he's never seen the situation so tense in all his visits to North Korea over the years; he agrees it's the most serious crisis since the 1953 Armistice which ended the Korean War.
In my conversations with North Korean officials, they insist it's all the fault of South Korea and the U.S. They say they are being provoked and won't stand for it. Clearly though, they are anxious to send a message to the United States through Richardson and presumably through me and CNN as well.
On Friday, Richardson met with Ri Young Ho, the vice foreign minister for US affairs, and they talked about what can be done to ease the crisis. One event that's been added to Richardson's schedule Sunday is a meeting with top North Korean military officials, which is an important development.
On a personal level, all the North Koreans have treated me and my CNN photojournalist Miguel Castro with the utmost courtesy and respect. Still, we are restricted on where we can go, we don't have access to the internet or cell phones. The accommodations are very clean and nice, and the food is delicious, I can't complain about that. It is bitter cold outside, lots of snow on the ground, reminds me of my hometown of Buffalo, New York. North Koreans seem very energetic, you see people with shovels cleaning up the sidewalks, the streets, it's a massive operation but they're doing it all by hand.
That's all from Pyongyang for now. We'll see what happens in this big meeting over the next few hours with Kim Gye Gwan, who's been a major player in past negotiations with U.S. delegations.
Saturday, 18 December 2010
The American Right is Wrong
The American Right is so opposed to abortion yet this bizarre sub-culture is in itself the most vicious aborter of decent human values on earth.
Friday, 17 December 2010
The scale of horror regarding current US 'standard practice' in Iraq and Afghanistan
"The supposed horror of the unveiled secrets (in Wikileaks) does not begin to compare to the public and documented horrors of aerial bombing, the near-daily use of which has left the US' reputation tarnished and tattered in a way no piece of paper could hope to achieve." Philip Cunningham, Cornel University, NY.
The US and Wikileaks, from China Daily's Philip Cunningham
The power behind the US curtain
By Philip J. Cunningham (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-16
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains committed to sharing and publishing secret US diplomatic cables, despite condemnation from Washington and threats from outraged politicians.
From what documents have been made public to date, it looks like the messy work of diplomacy as usual. As veteran whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg said on TV program Democracy Now, the material comes from a database which has been given a security classification so low in the hierarchy of US intelligence briefings that he wouldn't even have bothered to look at such cable summaries when he worked as a mid-level intelligence analyst, because of the priority accorded to truly secretive and sensitive documents.
That's not to say the data trove is irrelevant; it is the sort of raw material that makes diplomats cringe and historians rather intrigued. It is a random, grab-bag snapshot of official US thinking about friends and enemies, diplomatic challenges past and present. It has shed rather more humiliation than light, sort of like a bathroom stall being suddenly kicked open.
The unflattering material ranges from sordid to insightful, from Machiavellian finesse to blunt bullying, but it's the methods of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's State Department, which calls on diplomats to cull biometric data and engage in virtual stalking, that really raises eyebrows.
Much of the information is awkward but not at all secret, rather like transcripts of friends talking about friends behind their backs. Some of the "statecraft" described in the data has an odor of hypocrisy and deception, but what foreign ministry could survive without a certain amount of double-speak?
In due time, the sheer volume of data to come may help better determine whether the US government has so lost sight of its espoused ideals as to allow deception, petty thuggery and double standards to be the new norm.
The US State Department is quick to perceive skullduggery when dealing with others but it apparently cannot see the same in its own behavior.
What can be said about the US frittering away diplomatic goodwill and twisting arms to get allies like Belgium to accept token pariah prisoners from Guantanamo, or to pressure Germany to hush up and halt legal proceedings against illegal extraordinary renditions?
Is that the kind of wheeling and dealing the world's so-called beacon of democracy engages in? If it is so, it is not just petty but pathetic.
The supposed horror of the unveiled secrets does not begin to compare to the public and documented horrors of aerial bombing, the near-daily use of which has left the US' reputation tarnished and tattered in a way no piece of paper could hope to achieve.
What the data dump offers is a compelling view of the world as seen from Foggy Bottom, the State Department's home base in Washington. It's a Manichean view that reduces planet Earth to a giant game board of friends and enemies, informants and subjects.
Historians know well that the US has never been half as idealistic as it likes to see itself; it takes a certain amount of over-arching ego and sustained brutality to seize and secure a continental land mass, however sparsely populated it might have been when the great American experiment got started.
But the US was, and still is, in a much-diminished sense, a beacon for immigrants fleeing oppression or simply seeking economic opportunity. The spirit invoked by the Statue of Liberty, embracing the poor and huddled masses, still shines brighter than all the lights in New York City, but somewhere during the transition from an ordinary nation to an over-extended military power, the US lost touch with its better angels and set itself on the road to being the new Rome.
In doing so, the US lost what high moral ground it might have possessed after liberating Europe from Nazism and got stuck in a series of murky quagmires and armed interventions that have lead to the slippery slope it treads today.
There's a temptation to date the fork in the road to the back room machinations in 2000 that put George W. Bush in the White House, though the roots of imperial rot go back much further, back to bombs over Belgrade, bombs over Hanoi, bombs over Pyongyang and of course, back to the terrible juncture when the US, victory almost at hand, needlessly dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
The massive leak of documents, only a portion of which is already in plain view, may one day be seen as a moment in Uncle Sam's imperial history akin to the denouement in the Hollywood classic, The Wizard of Oz, when little dog Toto pulls back the curtain on the control room, revealing that the Wizard is not only less omniscient and powerful than was previously believed, but is something of a sham.
The author is a visiting fellow in the East Asia Program, Cornell University, New York.
By Philip J. Cunningham (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-16
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains committed to sharing and publishing secret US diplomatic cables, despite condemnation from Washington and threats from outraged politicians.
From what documents have been made public to date, it looks like the messy work of diplomacy as usual. As veteran whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg said on TV program Democracy Now, the material comes from a database which has been given a security classification so low in the hierarchy of US intelligence briefings that he wouldn't even have bothered to look at such cable summaries when he worked as a mid-level intelligence analyst, because of the priority accorded to truly secretive and sensitive documents.
That's not to say the data trove is irrelevant; it is the sort of raw material that makes diplomats cringe and historians rather intrigued. It is a random, grab-bag snapshot of official US thinking about friends and enemies, diplomatic challenges past and present. It has shed rather more humiliation than light, sort of like a bathroom stall being suddenly kicked open.
The unflattering material ranges from sordid to insightful, from Machiavellian finesse to blunt bullying, but it's the methods of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's State Department, which calls on diplomats to cull biometric data and engage in virtual stalking, that really raises eyebrows.
Much of the information is awkward but not at all secret, rather like transcripts of friends talking about friends behind their backs. Some of the "statecraft" described in the data has an odor of hypocrisy and deception, but what foreign ministry could survive without a certain amount of double-speak?
In due time, the sheer volume of data to come may help better determine whether the US government has so lost sight of its espoused ideals as to allow deception, petty thuggery and double standards to be the new norm.
The US State Department is quick to perceive skullduggery when dealing with others but it apparently cannot see the same in its own behavior.
What can be said about the US frittering away diplomatic goodwill and twisting arms to get allies like Belgium to accept token pariah prisoners from Guantanamo, or to pressure Germany to hush up and halt legal proceedings against illegal extraordinary renditions?
Is that the kind of wheeling and dealing the world's so-called beacon of democracy engages in? If it is so, it is not just petty but pathetic.
The supposed horror of the unveiled secrets does not begin to compare to the public and documented horrors of aerial bombing, the near-daily use of which has left the US' reputation tarnished and tattered in a way no piece of paper could hope to achieve.
What the data dump offers is a compelling view of the world as seen from Foggy Bottom, the State Department's home base in Washington. It's a Manichean view that reduces planet Earth to a giant game board of friends and enemies, informants and subjects.
Historians know well that the US has never been half as idealistic as it likes to see itself; it takes a certain amount of over-arching ego and sustained brutality to seize and secure a continental land mass, however sparsely populated it might have been when the great American experiment got started.
But the US was, and still is, in a much-diminished sense, a beacon for immigrants fleeing oppression or simply seeking economic opportunity. The spirit invoked by the Statue of Liberty, embracing the poor and huddled masses, still shines brighter than all the lights in New York City, but somewhere during the transition from an ordinary nation to an over-extended military power, the US lost touch with its better angels and set itself on the road to being the new Rome.
In doing so, the US lost what high moral ground it might have possessed after liberating Europe from Nazism and got stuck in a series of murky quagmires and armed interventions that have lead to the slippery slope it treads today.
There's a temptation to date the fork in the road to the back room machinations in 2000 that put George W. Bush in the White House, though the roots of imperial rot go back much further, back to bombs over Belgrade, bombs over Hanoi, bombs over Pyongyang and of course, back to the terrible juncture when the US, victory almost at hand, needlessly dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
The massive leak of documents, only a portion of which is already in plain view, may one day be seen as a moment in Uncle Sam's imperial history akin to the denouement in the Hollywood classic, The Wizard of Oz, when little dog Toto pulls back the curtain on the control room, revealing that the Wizard is not only less omniscient and powerful than was previously believed, but is something of a sham.
The author is a visiting fellow in the East Asia Program, Cornell University, New York.
CNN and Wikileaks Julian Assange
16 December 2010 Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is granted bail
Mr Assange is expected to be freed in the next hour after his paperwork is completed
The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been granted conditional bail by a judge.
The 39-year-old was granted bail in London earlier this week but prosecutors objected to the decision and he remained in jail.
The Australian is fighting extradition to Sweden over sex charges involving two women. He denies the allegations.
His supporters have offered to put up a surety of £240,000 to guarantee he surrenders to bail.
The appeal was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Mr Justice Ouseley.
Earlier the judge made a ruling banning the use of Twitter to give a blow-by-blow account of Thursday's proceedings.
The ruling was made just before 1300 GMT but it is understood it may take up an hour to process his release paperwork.
'Politically motivated'
Mr Assange has received the backing of a number of high-profile supporters including human rights campaigners Jemima Khan and Bianca Jagger, and film director Ken Loach.
Wikileaks has published hundreds of sensitive American diplomatic cables, details of which have appeared in the Guardian in the UK and several other newspapers around the world.
Mr Assange's supporters claim the charges are politically motivated He has come under criticism in the US where former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said he should be hunted down like the al-Qaeda leadership.
Mr Assange argues the allegations against him are politically motivated and designed to take attention away from the material appearing on Wikileaks.
He is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman, identified only as Miss A, when she insisted he use a condom.
He is also accused of having unprotected sex with another woman, Miss W, while she was asleep.
Mr Assange is expected to be freed in the next hour after his paperwork is completed
The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been granted conditional bail by a judge.
The 39-year-old was granted bail in London earlier this week but prosecutors objected to the decision and he remained in jail.
The Australian is fighting extradition to Sweden over sex charges involving two women. He denies the allegations.
His supporters have offered to put up a surety of £240,000 to guarantee he surrenders to bail.
The appeal was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Mr Justice Ouseley.
Earlier the judge made a ruling banning the use of Twitter to give a blow-by-blow account of Thursday's proceedings.
The ruling was made just before 1300 GMT but it is understood it may take up an hour to process his release paperwork.
'Politically motivated'
Mr Assange has received the backing of a number of high-profile supporters including human rights campaigners Jemima Khan and Bianca Jagger, and film director Ken Loach.
Wikileaks has published hundreds of sensitive American diplomatic cables, details of which have appeared in the Guardian in the UK and several other newspapers around the world.
Mr Assange's supporters claim the charges are politically motivated He has come under criticism in the US where former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said he should be hunted down like the al-Qaeda leadership.
Mr Assange argues the allegations against him are politically motivated and designed to take attention away from the material appearing on Wikileaks.
He is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman, identified only as Miss A, when she insisted he use a condom.
He is also accused of having unprotected sex with another woman, Miss W, while she was asleep.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Assange and the Little Twist of Perception
Even with the growing support for Julian Assange, it is interesting to note that this is mostly because he's a white guy. There is far more interest in him being either gaoled or freed than there is interest in bringing to judgement the monsters, the Great Molestors, employed by America to perform its systematic and ethnically focused tortures...and the vicious bombing of innocent peoples family homes...even though these continue today.
Resisting a Military Invasion is Not a Crime
I think one thing that defines the US & UK and Australia in the invasions of both Iraq and Afghanistan is that we have developed a sick righteousness where we believe that anyone who fights against us is a criminal/terrorist rather than a warrior fighting for their loved homeland against vastly superior and vicious forces. It is not a crime for people to fight against people who invade their country; it is far more of a crime not to.
Our sense of moral, cultural and racial righteousness blinds us to this fact and enables all kinds of tortures and incarcerations, deceits of self and others, and false-trials, simply to maintain this illusory righteousness as this 'buffer' enables us to feel comfortable in the face of inflicting terror on mostly children. The median age of Afghani people is 16. That's who are being killed for our 'vision'.
As for Iraq, well, a million indiscriminate deaths -men women and children-during the time of the continuing invasion. Somehow this is good for Iraqis? A million dead and for their own good? Those defending their nation butchered tortured and incarcerated as criminals. And why? To assuage the damage done on 9/11? To revenge it by killing these 'Arab' children en masse?
Many of us have lived long enough to know there is no 'great judgment' for good acts or evil ones; there is no karma like that in this world. We know that the idea related to treating each other as equals is basically a good one and it's an important one. Each nation has to work out its problems, as does each person, and hopefully without having to fight off invasions by bully-nations intent on their own 'vicious rights' revenge agenda.
Resisting an armed invasion by whatever means possible in any situation possible, in any place possible; is not a crime. We would do exactly the same to have any honour at all, and to have any good future at all.
Our sense of moral, cultural and racial righteousness blinds us to this fact and enables all kinds of tortures and incarcerations, deceits of self and others, and false-trials, simply to maintain this illusory righteousness as this 'buffer' enables us to feel comfortable in the face of inflicting terror on mostly children. The median age of Afghani people is 16. That's who are being killed for our 'vision'.
As for Iraq, well, a million indiscriminate deaths -men women and children-during the time of the continuing invasion. Somehow this is good for Iraqis? A million dead and for their own good? Those defending their nation butchered tortured and incarcerated as criminals. And why? To assuage the damage done on 9/11? To revenge it by killing these 'Arab' children en masse?
Many of us have lived long enough to know there is no 'great judgment' for good acts or evil ones; there is no karma like that in this world. We know that the idea related to treating each other as equals is basically a good one and it's an important one. Each nation has to work out its problems, as does each person, and hopefully without having to fight off invasions by bully-nations intent on their own 'vicious rights' revenge agenda.
Resisting an armed invasion by whatever means possible in any situation possible, in any place possible; is not a crime. We would do exactly the same to have any honour at all, and to have any good future at all.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Australian Forces in Afghanistan
The only worthy and decent way to support our soldiers is to question the current madness of the war against Afghani children.
Australia and Our Great Friend in Afghanistan
The Taliban forces that the brave, well equipped, Australian soldiers are fighting every day in Afghanistan have a median age of 16 years old.
16 year olds, with many much younger.
They are killing kids running with scissors and feeling proud and patriotic about it, just like the Americans do.
16 year olds, with many much younger.
They are killing kids running with scissors and feeling proud and patriotic about it, just like the Americans do.
Julian Assange, Wikileaks, and the Problem With Dangerous Bullies
Julian Assange and the Problem with Bullies
by John Wang-Fitzpatrick
Having very rare skills in codifying and undoing cyphers, Julian Assange is a very remarkable Australian individual. That he chooses his own position of some honesty and honour rather than being owned by corporations or governments, makes him quite unique. He is obviously a threat to duplicitous systems and politicians everywhere.
He is an enemy of state-duplicity and an enemy of human torture.
He is being punished for being a bright, self-directed, individual world-person and very few politicians in Australia or elsewhere will rally to his defence, preferring a continuation of supporting and encouraging American territorial and sphere of influence agendas; preferring deception and torture as the best way forward 'for us'.
I noted that the leaked US admissions of systematic torture based upon ethnicity were not actually seen as a bad thing by the US Government at all; but rather what was an unforgiveable thing was that 'someone told on them.' An interesting morality. Australia could have much more genuine friends than these, if we deserved better.
The thing that amazes me is the notion that if America, England and Australia etc actually violently invade a country it suddenly becomes a crime for the people of that country to fight back... whereas the truth is that it's a crime if they don't fight back. It's their country and they have every right to get rid of such vicious invaders.
.
by John Wang-Fitzpatrick
Having very rare skills in codifying and undoing cyphers, Julian Assange is a very remarkable Australian individual. That he chooses his own position of some honesty and honour rather than being owned by corporations or governments, makes him quite unique. He is obviously a threat to duplicitous systems and politicians everywhere.
He is an enemy of state-duplicity and an enemy of human torture.
He is being punished for being a bright, self-directed, individual world-person and very few politicians in Australia or elsewhere will rally to his defence, preferring a continuation of supporting and encouraging American territorial and sphere of influence agendas; preferring deception and torture as the best way forward 'for us'.
I noted that the leaked US admissions of systematic torture based upon ethnicity were not actually seen as a bad thing by the US Government at all; but rather what was an unforgiveable thing was that 'someone told on them.' An interesting morality. Australia could have much more genuine friends than these, if we deserved better.
The thing that amazes me is the notion that if America, England and Australia etc actually violently invade a country it suddenly becomes a crime for the people of that country to fight back... whereas the truth is that it's a crime if they don't fight back. It's their country and they have every right to get rid of such vicious invaders.
.
DPRK Foreign Minister in Beijing for Talks/ Xinhua News
DPRK FM in Beijing for talks
www.chinaview.cn 2006-05-30 21:38:05
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), arrived here Tuesday for talks with senior Chinese officials on issues of common concern.
"On issues that concern the interests of DPRK, China will keep communications with DPRK and step up mutual understanding and support," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in a meeting with Paek on Tuesday afternoon.
"Li and Paek exchanged views on Korean Peninsula nuclear issues," said a statement released by Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told the regular briefing Tuesday afternoon that Paek's talks with Chinese officials were "mainly about bilateral issues."
China and DPRK have conducted active exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and the bilateral relations have shown renewed vitality, the statement said.
Li reiterated that China would like to work with DPRK to continuously promote the bilateral ties.
"DPRK will try its best to advance its friendly cooperation with China, which is the unchanged guideline of the DPRK government," Paek said.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Paek on Tuesday afternoon, discussing bilateral relations and issues of common concern.
Paek is visiting China as a guest of his Chinese counterpart.
Paek's China tour came at a time when the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.
The last round of talks, involving China, DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.
But as Washington imposed financial sanctions on Pyongyang for alleged counterfeiting and money laundering. Until now, there has been no signs that the talks will be resumed.
Christopher Hill, chief U.S. negotiator to the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue, visited Beijing last week and said that there was no new progress on the six-party talks.
Experts said that Paek's talks with Chinese officials will not produce any substantial results on the resumption of six-party talks as he was not DPRK's chief negotiator to the nuclear talks.
"But Paek's visit could at least ensure the good communication between China and DPRK," experts said.
Paek will also tour Guangdong, a booming province in south China, where DPRK leader Kim Jong Il visited in January.
Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Paek's visit to Guangdong is helpful to enhancing mutual understanding and exchanging experience on economic development.
www.chinaview.cn 2006-05-30 21:38:05
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), arrived here Tuesday for talks with senior Chinese officials on issues of common concern.
"On issues that concern the interests of DPRK, China will keep communications with DPRK and step up mutual understanding and support," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in a meeting with Paek on Tuesday afternoon.
"Li and Paek exchanged views on Korean Peninsula nuclear issues," said a statement released by Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told the regular briefing Tuesday afternoon that Paek's talks with Chinese officials were "mainly about bilateral issues."
China and DPRK have conducted active exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and the bilateral relations have shown renewed vitality, the statement said.
Li reiterated that China would like to work with DPRK to continuously promote the bilateral ties.
"DPRK will try its best to advance its friendly cooperation with China, which is the unchanged guideline of the DPRK government," Paek said.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Paek on Tuesday afternoon, discussing bilateral relations and issues of common concern.
Paek is visiting China as a guest of his Chinese counterpart.
Paek's China tour came at a time when the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.
The last round of talks, involving China, DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.
But as Washington imposed financial sanctions on Pyongyang for alleged counterfeiting and money laundering. Until now, there has been no signs that the talks will be resumed.
Christopher Hill, chief U.S. negotiator to the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue, visited Beijing last week and said that there was no new progress on the six-party talks.
Experts said that Paek's talks with Chinese officials will not produce any substantial results on the resumption of six-party talks as he was not DPRK's chief negotiator to the nuclear talks.
"But Paek's visit could at least ensure the good communication between China and DPRK," experts said.
Paek will also tour Guangdong, a booming province in south China, where DPRK leader Kim Jong Il visited in January.
Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Paek's visit to Guangdong is helpful to enhancing mutual understanding and exchanging experience on economic development.
Mr Assange and Wikileaks, a view from China Daily
WikiLeaks' ordeal tests Internet freedom
English.news.cn 2010-12-14 09:12:33
By Chen Weihua
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Government officials of the United States have been busy apologizing to countries around the world for the huge embarrassment and political damage caused by the confidential diplomatic cables released by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks two weeks ago.
One important explanation it owes to the world, however, is whether it was behind the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London last Tuesday on charges of alleged sex crimes in Sweden.
People are naturally questioning the timing of the arrest and the refusal of bail for Assange, although some $150,000 in surety has already been guaranteed.
Somewhere there must be a confidential US diplomatic cable that would shed light on this.
New York Congressman Peter King has called on the US government to go after Assange and to prosecute the New York Times, which published some of the cables. Senator Joe Lieberman has also suggested investigation into the New York Times and described its action as "an act of bad citizenship".
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has depicted the leak as an attack on the fabric of responsible government. President Barack Obama has condemned the WikiLeaks' actions as "deplorable." The US government is considering legal action against WikiLeaks.
Under such pressure, Amazon.com, Visa, MasterCard and PayPal have all suspended their services to WikiLeaks. And the WikiLeaks website is no longer accessible in the US.
The US has also been trying numerous ways to press charges against Assange, including using the outdated World War I-era Espionage Act, although some cables suggest that some US diplomats should also be worried if that happens.
All these have been happening in a country, which loudly boasts of its First Amendment guaranteeing the freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Obama addressed Internet freedom in a town hall-style meeting in Shanghai in November 2009. Hillary Clinton also went on at great length about Internet freedom in her speech at the Newseum in Washington in January, pointing an accusing finger at China and several other countries.
But the Assange case reveals such rhetoric is just so much hypocrisy. It is apparent that when Internet freedom conflicts with self-declared US national interests, or when Internet freedom exposes lies by the self-proclaimed open and transparent government, it immediately becomes a crime.
The power of new media should never be underestimated. Even in China, many of the scandals, such as corruptions and coal mine disasters, are broken first by new media.
Up until recently, Obama must have loved new media and social media because they helped him raise funds and garner support to defeat John McCain during the 2008 presidential campaign. Now, he may be having second thoughts.
The arrest of Assange has triggered widespread concern and protest both inside the US and around the world. In the US, academics and professionals have talked about its possible implications for a free press. In other parts of the world, people are protesting against the attacks on Internet freedom.
Censoring the Internet by pushing for charges against Assange would only inflict more damage on the US. While the leaked cables may have damaged some trust between the US government and foreign governments, the crusade against WikiLeaks and Julian Assange would destroy people's trust in the freedom of the press preached by the US.
Remember, Assange is a fellow journalist, or a citizen journalist in the age of new media, and uncovering the secrets of governments, corporations and interest groups is part of a journalist's job.
The author is deputy editor of China Daily US Edition.
(Source: China Daily)
Editor: Zhang Xiang
English.news.cn 2010-12-14 09:12:33
By Chen Weihua
BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Government officials of the United States have been busy apologizing to countries around the world for the huge embarrassment and political damage caused by the confidential diplomatic cables released by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks two weeks ago.
One important explanation it owes to the world, however, is whether it was behind the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London last Tuesday on charges of alleged sex crimes in Sweden.
People are naturally questioning the timing of the arrest and the refusal of bail for Assange, although some $150,000 in surety has already been guaranteed.
Somewhere there must be a confidential US diplomatic cable that would shed light on this.
New York Congressman Peter King has called on the US government to go after Assange and to prosecute the New York Times, which published some of the cables. Senator Joe Lieberman has also suggested investigation into the New York Times and described its action as "an act of bad citizenship".
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has depicted the leak as an attack on the fabric of responsible government. President Barack Obama has condemned the WikiLeaks' actions as "deplorable." The US government is considering legal action against WikiLeaks.
Under such pressure, Amazon.com, Visa, MasterCard and PayPal have all suspended their services to WikiLeaks. And the WikiLeaks website is no longer accessible in the US.
The US has also been trying numerous ways to press charges against Assange, including using the outdated World War I-era Espionage Act, although some cables suggest that some US diplomats should also be worried if that happens.
All these have been happening in a country, which loudly boasts of its First Amendment guaranteeing the freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Obama addressed Internet freedom in a town hall-style meeting in Shanghai in November 2009. Hillary Clinton also went on at great length about Internet freedom in her speech at the Newseum in Washington in January, pointing an accusing finger at China and several other countries.
But the Assange case reveals such rhetoric is just so much hypocrisy. It is apparent that when Internet freedom conflicts with self-declared US national interests, or when Internet freedom exposes lies by the self-proclaimed open and transparent government, it immediately becomes a crime.
The power of new media should never be underestimated. Even in China, many of the scandals, such as corruptions and coal mine disasters, are broken first by new media.
Up until recently, Obama must have loved new media and social media because they helped him raise funds and garner support to defeat John McCain during the 2008 presidential campaign. Now, he may be having second thoughts.
The arrest of Assange has triggered widespread concern and protest both inside the US and around the world. In the US, academics and professionals have talked about its possible implications for a free press. In other parts of the world, people are protesting against the attacks on Internet freedom.
Censoring the Internet by pushing for charges against Assange would only inflict more damage on the US. While the leaked cables may have damaged some trust between the US government and foreign governments, the crusade against WikiLeaks and Julian Assange would destroy people's trust in the freedom of the press preached by the US.
Remember, Assange is a fellow journalist, or a citizen journalist in the age of new media, and uncovering the secrets of governments, corporations and interest groups is part of a journalist's job.
The author is deputy editor of China Daily US Edition.
(Source: China Daily)
Editor: Zhang Xiang
Julian Assange and WikiLeaks
It's interesting that Julian Assange's bullied plight, as an Australian citizen, is of far more concern to democratically minded people all over the world than it is to the Prime Minister and Government of Australia. Prime Minister Julia Gillard's notion that he is a criminal because the Americans say so really defines us as good little servant-helpers without conscience or care for our own.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Philosophy
'Oh young soul, so full of young soul; oh, to be so full again with the agitation of emptiness.'
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Photo taken on Dec. 1, 2010 shows the aluminum-lithium alloy fore part of the airframe of C919 jumbo jet, which is manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province. The C919 is China's self-developed jumbo jet, 17-meter-long, 5.6-meter-high, 3.96-meter-wide, which is designed to accomodate 156-168 passengers. (Xinhua/Zhou Ke)
MOUTAI
China starts residents relocation to protect "national liquor"
English.news.cn 2010-12-01 13:03:16
GUIYANG, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Moving away from her house after living there for decades, Chen Liangying waved a long goodbye to Moutai, both the name of her hometown and China's "national liquor".
"It takes just three minutes from my house to get to the distillery. The mild fragrance of wine is even integrated into our lives," said Chen Liangying, 57, a resident of Moutai town, in the city of Renhuai in southwest China's Guizhou Province, which enjoyed a long history of wine making.
The local government relocated Chen and about 16,000 local residents in Moutai town to a new residential zone in Renhuai, to protect the unique environment of the beverage's high quality in the old town.
The distillery of Moutai occupies three-fifths of the old town area, which is five square kilometers. The micro-environment of Moutai, including the water source, microflora, vegetation and geological environment, all contributes to the unique taste and quality of the world famous wine.
In Moutai, the brewing plants and the office building of Kweichow Moutai were even merged among the randomly built residential houses.
"Some people from outside the area longing for the Moutai secret may have the first impression of 'fragrance Moutai Wine, dirty Moutai Town' when they walk in the town," said Wang Zhaoda, the chief official with the Moutai Town.
In fact, there are about 49,000 people living in the small old town, and 15,000 among them are living nearby or mingled in the brewery zone.
The climate and vegetation in the town of Moutai is quite unique, which contribute to the taste of the liquor. Moutai is classified as "sauce-fragrances" for it offers an exceptionally pure, mild and mellow soy sauce-like fragrance that lingers after drinking.
_________________________
Moutai Red Diamond: $20,000 a bottle
English.news.cn 2010-12-01 13:03:16
GUIYANG, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Moving away from her house after living there for decades, Chen Liangying waved a long goodbye to Moutai, both the name of her hometown and China's "national liquor".
"It takes just three minutes from my house to get to the distillery. The mild fragrance of wine is even integrated into our lives," said Chen Liangying, 57, a resident of Moutai town, in the city of Renhuai in southwest China's Guizhou Province, which enjoyed a long history of wine making.
The local government relocated Chen and about 16,000 local residents in Moutai town to a new residential zone in Renhuai, to protect the unique environment of the beverage's high quality in the old town.
The distillery of Moutai occupies three-fifths of the old town area, which is five square kilometers. The micro-environment of Moutai, including the water source, microflora, vegetation and geological environment, all contributes to the unique taste and quality of the world famous wine.
In Moutai, the brewing plants and the office building of Kweichow Moutai were even merged among the randomly built residential houses.
"Some people from outside the area longing for the Moutai secret may have the first impression of 'fragrance Moutai Wine, dirty Moutai Town' when they walk in the town," said Wang Zhaoda, the chief official with the Moutai Town.
In fact, there are about 49,000 people living in the small old town, and 15,000 among them are living nearby or mingled in the brewery zone.
The climate and vegetation in the town of Moutai is quite unique, which contribute to the taste of the liquor. Moutai is classified as "sauce-fragrances" for it offers an exceptionally pure, mild and mellow soy sauce-like fragrance that lingers after drinking.
_________________________
Moutai Red Diamond: $20,000 a bottle
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