Sunday, December 01, 2013

China's Air-Defence Zone - Civil Aviation




亚太多国航空公司向中国通报飞行计划

Headline:
Many airlines from the Asia-Pacific [region] transmit their flight plans to China.

美国三大航空公司联合航空、美国航空与达美航空30号分别表示,已经遵照美国政府的建议,向中方通报有关在中国东海防空识别区的飞行计划。同时,新加坡航空、大韩航空、以及澳航,早前也都表示将会遵守中方的规定。

Three great U.S. alliances of airlines and 30 separate aviation [companies], U.S. based or with a U.S. destination, made clear they already comply with a U.S. government proposal to transmit their flight plans to China as far as these are related to China's East Sea air-defence identification zone. At the same time, [civil] aviation in Singapore, [South] Korea and Australia showed early [disposition] to comply with China's regulations.

..........

对中国划设防空识别区反应最激烈的日本,则继续要求国内航空公司无须提交飞行计划。但是,美国政府要求航空公司按中国规定、向中方通报飞行计划,等于变相承认中国的防空识别区,这让日本感到十分困惑和被动,国土交通大臣太田昭宏30号表示,日本正向美国确认“真意”。

Now Japan, most fiercely responding to the air-defence identification zone which has been demarcated and set up by China, continues to demand its domestic airline not to submit any flight plan. However, the U.S. government demands airlines to act according to China's stipulations and transmit flight plans to the Chinese side which means [nothing else but] a recognition of China's air-defence identification zone in a disguised form. This makes Japan feel very much pinned down and [in a passive position]. These obviously greatest 30 [companies], [covering] a territorial traffic of the hugest area, make Japan's affirmation of [its] " true intentions " towards the U.S. [even more visible].


At the same time, the Japanese delegate to the ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization's recently opened meeting of the council suggested a discussion about China's air-defence zone. On that occasion, Japan pointed at China's behaviour which should pose a security threat to international civil aviation. Although China opposed, the council member nations U.S.A., Britain and Australia endorsed the proposal to " undergo discussion to get a deeper understanding " of the matter.

[Source: IFENG Network 凤凰网 on 1st December, 2013]

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

East China Sea - Aircraft Carrier Liaoning


Latest UPDATE: November 29





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UPDATE for November 29:

中国空军识别查证进入东海防空识别区的外国军机

Headline:
China's air force spotted and verified foreign military planes entering the East [China] Sea air-defence identification zone.

中新社北京11月29日电:中国空军新闻发言人申进科空军上校29日在北京表示,当天,中国空军识别查证了进入中国东海防空识别区的外国军机,实现了对防空识别区内空中目标的常态化有效监控。

According to a XinHua report from Beijing on November 29, the news spokesman for China's air force in Beijing, air force colonel Shen JinKe, indicated that, on the same day, China's air force spotted and verified foreign military planes entering the East [China] Sea air-defence identification zone; such realizing [its] goal of normalizing an efficient supervision and control in the air-defence identification zone's air space.

据申进科介绍,29日上午,中国空军组织苏-30、歼-11等主战飞机紧急起飞,查证美国P-3、EP-3侦察机2批2架,识别进入中国东海防空识别区的日本E-767、P-3、F-15等3型飞机7批10架。

According to Shen JinKe's presentation, [Suchoi] Su-30 and [Shenyang] J-11 main combat planes of China's air force [organization] took off immediately on [November] 29 in the morning to investigate and verify two groups of U.S. P-3 and EP-3 surveillance planes, comprising two planes each. Seven groups of Japanese E-767, P-3 and F-15 planes, comprising ten planes each, were spotted [as well] while entering China's Eastern Sea air-defence identification zone.


[Source: China News Network 中国新闻网 on November 29, 2013]


China Air Force: Planes deployed for observation and control
in the East China Sea Air-Defence Identification Zone.


Colonel Yang YuJun, another news spokesman said in a press conference for China's ministry of defence that aircraft carrier "Liaoning" had moved to the South China Sea to engage in manoeuvres which would last a certain time. Furthermore, he said, the seaport of Sanya (in Hainan province) should already have undergone certain preparations as an anchorage for the aircraft carrier.
The ministry's official evaluation of China's actual military situation has been quoted by QIANYAN ("Forward Position" 军事前沿), a military news service.


Colonel Yang YuJun, spokesman for China's ministry of defence.



Wednesday, November 27, 2013

East China Sea - U.S. Interference


美轰炸机进入东海防空识别区未携武备未通知中国

U.S. bombers entered the East China Sea air-defence identification zone, not prepared for defence and without notifying China.

According to The Wallstreet Journal which is quoting U.S. officials, a pair of B-52 bombers flew over disputed islands in the East China Sea without informing Beijing. This can be seen as a direct challenge to China and its establishment of its recently declared air-defence zone.




[Chinese source: Global Network 环球网—国际新闻 on November 27, 2013]


美国官员宣称,两架美国B-52轰炸机从关岛起飞,华盛顿时间25日晚间7时左右进入中国东海防空识别区。报道称,B-52没有装备武器,没有战机护航。

According to another Chinese news service, referring to U.S. officials and a Washington Times article, both B-52 bombers should have taken off at Guam airbase and entered China's air-defence zone on November 25 at about seven o'clock in the evening. They carried no weapons and were not accompanied by any fighter escort.

[Chinese source: Tencent News 腾讯新闻, an internet news service in People's China, on November 27, 2013]


At the time this blogspot came into being, there were no official Chinese comments available on the incident.

Monday, November 25, 2013

China vs. Japan - Verbal Attacks and More


Latest UPDATE added on November 26 (2nd).

In the light of an earlier reported operation of Japan's self-defence units after having detected two Chinese surveillance planes over China's newly declared air defence identification zone in the East China Sea and another diplomatic approach from Tokyo, the Chinese government now launches a verbal counter-attack:



中方:划防空识别区日无权说三道四

China says:
As to the delimitation of an air defence identification zone,
Japan has no right to act differently from what it says.

从中国海监B-3837飞机上拍摄的钓鱼岛及其附属岛屿画面。2012年12月13日10时许,中国海监B-3837飞机抵达钓鱼岛领空,与中国海监50、46、66、137船编队会合,对钓鱼岛开展海空立体巡航。 新华社发

An overall picture of Diaoyu Island and the islets attached to it, taken by a Chinese B-3837 maritime surveillance plane. On December 13, 2012, at about 10 o'clock, a Chinese B-3837 maritime surveillance plane arrived at the territorial air space of Dianyu Island, meeting with a formation of China's maritime surveillance vessels No. 50, 46, 66 and 137 for unfolding a three-dimensional cruising of sea and air [near] Diaoyu Island. - Info launched by XINHUA agency.



..........

11月23日,中国政府发布划设东海防空识别区的声明,引发了个别国家的强烈反应。

On November 23 [2013], China's government released a statement regarding the delimitation and setting up of an air defence identification zone in the East [China] Sea, thus initiating a strong response by a few countries.

针对日本方面对中国划设东海防空识别区的交涉,外交部发言人秦刚25日表示,中国外交部、国防部和中国驻日本使馆已据理驳回日方的无理交涉,要求日方立即纠正错误。

On November 25 and in the light of an [approach] from the Japanese side against China's delimitation and setting up of an air defence identification zone in the East [China] Sea, Qin Gang, spokesman of the ministry of foreign affairs showed that China's ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of defence, and China's embassy in Japan already rejected [that] unreasonable [approach] of the Japanese side on just grounds. The Japanese side is requested to correct [its] mistake immediately.

..........


On November 25, China's deputy minister of foreign affairs, Zheng ZeGuang, summoned the Japanese ambassador to China to clarify his country's position:

郑泽光说,上世纪50年代以来,包括日本在内的20多个国家先后设立了防空识别区。钓鱼岛及其附属岛屿自古以来就是中国固有领土,中国东海防空识别区覆盖这一区域理所当然。日本方面无权对中方这一符合国际法的正当行动说三道四、蓄意攻击。中方敦促日方立即纠正错误,停止对中方进行无端指责,停止制造摩擦、损害地区稳定的言行,以免进一步损害中日关系。

Zheng ZeGuang [declares] that since the 1950ies more than 20 nations, including Japan, have established air defence identification zones. As Diaoyu Island and the islets attached to it are China's inherent territory since ancient times, China's air defence identification zone is certainly covering that region. The Japanese side has [therefore] no right to [oppose] the Chinese side's legitimate action and which is conform to international law [while Japan is] acting differently from what it is saying and with a premeditated attack. .....


The Chinese official then demands Japan to stop pointing out at China in order to avoid further damage to Chinese-Japanese relations.

[Source: China News 中国新闻网—军事新闻 on November 26 (local date!), 2013]

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As to the air defence identification zone, china.com has prepared a special webpage containing links to related news and comments. The following two headlines are shown on top of that page:

日专家:中国宣告愿为防空识别区打仗

Japanese expert: China declares its will to fight for the air defence identification zone.


On November 25, a Japanese scholar demonstrated that China's unexpected proclamation of an air defence identification zone is to inform Japan and foreign societies that China considers the possibility of a war to take place on this subject.

美日轮番攻击中国 东海将擦枪走火?

While China [is facing] U.S.-Japanese waves of aggression - Will the East [China] Sea [experience] an accidental discharge of the weapon that is just being cleant ?


A map of the region attached to the china.com page is referring to additional information on recent surveillance missions of China's Tupolev-154 plane. The latest mission took place on November 23 and passed Diaoyu Island at a distance of about 40 km according to Chinese military sources while the Japanese side said it was rather 20 km. The plane approaching the disputed group of islands then triggered off an emergency start of Japanese fighters as already reported.



[Source: china.com 中华王—军事 on November 26, 2013]




Localized visitor to "blueprint news" who came from Pyongyang / North Korea and is interested in Chinese space technology:



Module of China's space station - North Korea's docking point: 欢迎朝鲜



Iran's Nuclear Issue - Historic Treaty ?




روحاني: الاتفاق النووي مع الدول الكبرى يقر حق إيران في تخصيب اليورانيوم على أراضيها

Rouhani: The nuclear treaty with the great powers installs Iran's right to enrich uranium on its territory.


[Source: Al-Jazeera الجزيرة on November 24, 2013]

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Escalation in the East China Sea


UPDATE included on November 24


[English text has been added to the Chinese map for clarification.]



新华网北京11月23日电 中华人民共和国政府根据一九九七年三月十四日《中华人民共和国国防法》、一九九五年十月三十日《中华人民共和国民用航空法》和二〇〇一年七月二十七日《中华人民共和国飞行基本规则》,宣布划设东海防空识别区。

Telegram from New China (XINHUA) Network in Beijing on November 23:
The government of the People's Republic of China, while referring to the "National Defence Law of the People's Republic of China" from March 14, 1997, the "Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China" from October 30, 1995, and the "Basic Regulations for Air Traffic of the People's Republic of China" from July 27, 2001, announces the delimitation and setting up of a distinguished air defence zone in the East [China] Sea.

[Official announcement by XINHUA 新华 news agency on November 23, 2013]

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Later that day, the BBC World Service quoted XINHUA on their website. Here an excerpt from the BBC report:


China has demarcated an "air-defence identification zone" over an area of the East China Sea, covering islands that are also claimed by Japan.

China's defence ministry said aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the countries.

Japan lodged a strong protest over what it said was an "escalation".

"Setting up such airspace unilaterally escalates the situations surrounding Senkaku islands and has danger of leading to an unexpected situation," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan, which also claims the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, expressed regret at the move and promised that the military would take measure to protect national security.

In its statement, the Chinese defence ministry said aircraft must report a flight plan, "maintain two-way radio communications", and "respond in a timely and accurate manner" to identification inquiries.

"China's armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not co-operate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions," said the statement.

It said the zone came into effect from 10:00 local time (02:00GMT) on Saturday.


[Source: BBC World Service on November 23, 2013]

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环球网报道 据日本NHK电视台11月23日报道称,经日本航空自卫队巡逻机确认,23日当天,中国2架军机相继进入东海海域巡逻。其中一架军机飞近至距钓鱼岛以北60公里空域,但未进入钓鱼岛领空。日空自紧急出动战机升空进行跟踪和监视。

A Global Network report, based on [today's] TV report by Japan's NHK channel, is saying:
An aircraft on patrol for Japan's aviation self-defence group confirmed that, on the same day of [November] 23, two Chinese military planes entered the East [China] Sea area in succession while being on patrol. One of these military planes was nearing the air space of the [Senkaku / Diaoyu] islands at a distance of up to 60 km from the North but did not enter [the island's] territorial air space. Japan's aviation self-defence dispatched combat planes in an emergency take-off to engage in pursuit and observation.


According to Japanese defence officials, the Chinese planes were identified as air force reconnaissance planes belonging to the Shaanxi Y-8 and Tupolev TU-154 type.


It was the Tu-154 that came near to the Senkaku / Diaoyu islands.


[Source: news.163 quoting the Global Times 环球时报, Beijing, on November 24, 2013]


According to another article originating from Reuters news agency and dating from November 23, vessels from the China Maritime Surveillance and the Japanese Coast Guard were already seen at small distance near the disputed islands, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, on November 10, 2013.

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Unmanned War Planes Made in China




盘点世界先进无人机

Headline:
Making an Inventory of the World's Advanced Unmanned Aircraft

2013年11月21日下午13时,中国国产隐身无人作战飞机“利剑”成功首飞。“利剑”的首飞,使得中国成为世界第四个试飞大型隐身无人攻击机的国家,意味着中国已经实现了从无人机向无人作战飞机的跨越,其重大意义不亚于歼-20等新型第四代战机的试飞。

On November 21, 2013, at one o'clock in the afternoon, China's homemade unmanned stealth fighter "Sharp Sword" successfully undertook its first flight. With the maiden flight of "Sharp Sword", China became the world's fourth nation to test large unmanned stealth attack planes in flight. This implies, China has already lept over from [the stage of simple] unmanned planes to [that of] unmanned combat planes. The essential significance of which [lies in] the test flight of some new type of fighter planes [belonging to] the fourth generation and [which is] not inferior to the [Chengdu J-20] -20 class [of regular Chinese combat planes].


"Sharp Sword" during its 20 minutes maiden flight.


除“利剑”外,中国还有“翼龙”、“彩虹”等多款无人攻击机。美英法等传统航天强国在无人机发展方面也走在前列,已经拥有并在研多种性能卓越的无人作战飞机。以色列的无人机在世界上也占有非常重要的地位。伊朗等后起之秀也在大力发展无人作战飞机。飞行员根本不用上天,仅需控制台前轻轻点击按钮,便能决胜万里之外,无人作战飞机已然成为新空军力量。以下为世界主要无人作战飞机盘点。

Besides "Sharp Sword", China has at its disposal the "Winged Dragon" and the "Rainbow" as multi-pattern unmanned attack planes. America, Britain and France as powerful nations regarding spaceflight [ ? better: aviation 航空], are also moving in the forefront when it comes to the development of unmanned planes. They already possess and are studying multi-functional and remarkable unmanned combat planes.


The Chinese text then mentions the development of unmanned planes in Israel and Iran. Moreover, it points out the additional power unmanned combat planes can provide for a country's air force. Under that aspect the article's goal to make an inventory of available unmanned aircraft in China and abroad has been established.

In one of the following chapters the article is discussing the outer appearance of the "Winged Dragon" which seems to be the very image of the U.S. "Predator" device. The Chinese version should be propelled by a 100 horsepower engine, its overall weight at take-off reaching 1.100 kg. The Winged Dragon can cruise up to 20 hours and reach a maximum altitude of 5.000 m.


China's unmanned combat plane "Winged Dragon".


China's unmanned combat plane "Rainbow 4".


The "Rainbow" plane is available in two versions named Rainbow 3 / Rainbow 4. The type 4 version has a wing span of 18 m. Its overall weight at take-off being 1.330 kg, the Rainbow plane provides for a payload of 350 kg. Maximum cruising time is 40 hours.

[Source: People's Network 人民网—中新网 on November 23, 2013.]

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Aspects of Russia's Foreign Policy


Last UPDATE: November 21

The following statements, quoted from an important Egyptian daily, imply that Russia's foreign policy is aimed at weakening U.S. influence in Egypt and the East-Pacific. While the Middle East is dominated by a U.S.-Israeli alliance, the East-Pacific is where U.S.-Japanese interests collide with long-standing territorial claims made by China and Russia. China, as well, has already undertaken or encouraged joint naval manoeuvres with Russia (2012 / 2013) and India, another regional power on the rise.




ـ«لافروف»: روسيا مستعدة لتمويل مشروعات الطاقة النووية المصرية

Headline:
[Russia's foreign minister] Lavrov: Russia is prepared to finance nuclear energy projects in Egypt.

روسيا والهند تجريان مناورات بحرية مشتركة في بحر اليابان العام المقبل

Russia and India encourage joint naval manoeuvres in the Japanese Sea for the coming year.

ـ«نوفوستي»: مصر وقَّعت مع روسيا عقودًا لشراء أنظمة دفاع جوي جديدة

[Russia's news agency] Novosti: Egypt signs contracts with Russia for buying new air defence systems.


As a price for Russia's help, Lavrov mentions some "helpfulness" from Egypt when it comes to support Russia's navy in the Mediterranean as there is no Russian naval base left after the Syrian base of Tartus was allegedly abandoned in 2012 because of the civil war in Syria.

وشدد «لافروف» على أن «روسيا ومصر لم تقطعا العلاقات بعد الثورة»، مؤكدًا رغبة بلاده في توطيد مواقعها في منطقة البحر المتوسط، ومن أجل ذلك تريد روسيا أن تحصل على تسهيلات لقواتها البحرية من مصر.ـ

ِAnd Lavrov pointed out that while " Russia and Egypt did not break off [their] relations after the revolution ", it's a certain wish of his country to stabilize its positions in the Mediterranean region. And because of that, Russia wishes to obtain "helpfulness" for its maritime forces in Egypt.

وقال «لافروف»: «إن ما يقال بخصوص قاعدة في مصر كلام مبالغ فيه ويسمون (طرطوس) أيضًا بالقاعدة العسكرية البحرية، لكنها ليست قاعدة، ..... ».ـ

And Lavrov said: " Only to [specially mention] a base in Egypt would be saying too much, and, even more, [naming] Tartus as the navy's base. Yet, there is no such base. ... "


[Source: Egypt Today المصري اليوم on November 20, 2013]



Chinese TV screenshot: Joint Chinese-Russian naval manoeuvres
in the Japanese Sea in 2012. Similar naval exercises took place
in the same region in 2013.







Washington DC: Public hotspot at the White House (above).
Saint Petersburg: Seaport and Ermitage Museum (below).



Choice of localized visitors to "blueprint news" for November 15-22 (below).



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

China - New Directions for Economic Reforms


Last UPDATE on November 15:

Yesterday, November 12, Linda Yueh, the chief business correspondent of BBC, delivered her report on China's Mysterious Third Plenum that should have been summoned for a rather short session compared to the importance of decisions expected to be taken. Here is an excerpt from that report:

Among the few phrases in the short communique, the key ones are "comprehensively deepening reform" and "crossing the river by feeling stones".

The reference to "comprehensive" reforms fits with the billing in the Chinese state media that this meeting of the top Chinese Communist Party officials will result in significant reforms under the new president and premier during their decade in power.

The details of their economic policies are scant from the communique. In the coming weeks and months, the official media may divulge more at the whim of the Chinese leaders.

So far, allowing the market to play a "decisive" role in the economy has emerged as a message in the state media.

..........

But, the invocation of the phrase, "crossing the river by feeling stones" is a deliberate echo of the 1978 Third Plenum which ushered in the reform era.

The story goes that the phrase is attributed to Deng Xiaoping. When he was asked how he planned to introduce market forces into the centrally planned economy and achieve his reform aims under such difficult circumstances, he reportedly said that it's by "crossing the river by feeling stones".

In other words, step by step in a pragmatic manner is how big reforms are ultimately achieved in China.

It's worth bearing in mind that China's economic reforms under Mr Deng were considered gradual and not radical. It's in contrast to the radical dismantling of the command economy that much of the former Soviet Union undertook.

But, in retrospect, the 1978 reforms were transformative.

By invoking the spirit of Mr Deng's reforms, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are perhaps signalling that, in time, their multi-pronged reforms will be similarly transformative as China faces the next era of growth.

But, for now, we are likely to mostly hear disappointment over the lack of transparency of the economic policies of the world's second biggest economy which has implications for the rest of the world.



To shed some further light on what has just happened in China, here are some data about that mysterious third plenum and which have been quoted from a Chinese source:

十八届三中全会公报:创新社会治理 设立国安委

Bulletin on the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee:
Bringing forth new ideas to administer society; setting up a committee for national safety.

中国共产党第十八届中央委员会第三次全体会议,于2013年11月9日至12日在北京举行。

From November 9-12 the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of China's Communist Party was held in Beijing.

出席这次全会的有,中央委员204人,候补中央委员169人。中央纪律检查委员会常务委员会委员和有关方面负责同志列席了会议。党的十八大代表中部分基层同志和 专家学者也列席了会议。

Attending that plenary meeting were 204 members of the Central Committee and 169 candidates of the Central Committee. Members of the standing committee of the Central Commission for Inspecting Discipline and comrades in charge of related aspects attended the meeting [as nonvoting delegates]. Among the delegates of the 18th [greater Central Committee] a part of comrades came from the grass-roots level, and specialized scholars were attending the conference as well [as nonvoting delegates].


[Source: Xin Hua Network 新华网 on November 13, 2013]



Chinese media praising the Third Plenary Session.


高尚全:三中全会是开启新一轮改革的战略起点

A noble entity: The Third Plenary Session is opening a new starting point for strategical reforms.


The article quoted above with its headline is referring to similar Third Plenary Sessions of former Central Committees, namely those in 1984, 1993 and 2003, when important changes were brought on their way on such meetings. Chinese numerology, regarding the number three as one of two basic numbers (3 and 5) being related to luck, might have played a decisive role in choosing a third plenary session for dealing with most important subjects. There are lots of other Chinese examples fitting in with such estimation.

[Source: People's Network - Chinese Communist Party News 人民网—中国共产党新闻 on November 14, 2013]




三十五年的改革之路——中国锐改 泽被世界

35 Years on the Road to Reform - China's Vigorous Change - The World's Favourite.


[Source: Sou Fun Network 搜房网 quoting a regional report, November 13, 2013. Lots of articles like that could be found on that day, emerging one after the other in related search engine results.]

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UPDATE for November 15:

中央统战部向党外人士通报中共十八届三中全会精神

Headline:
The Central Committee's [united front] circulates [information] to such personnel not belonging to the Party on [the vital results] of the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of China's Communist [Party].


[Source: China News Network 中新网 on November 14, 2013]


The following text is an evaluation of Xi Jin Ping's proceedings since he took over the post of a secretary general of China's Communist Party:

中共十八大后一年:铁腕纠四风 反腐动真格

Headline:
In the year following the 18th [greater Central Committe's meeting]:
Correcting the "Four Styles" with an iron hand - Truly opposing rotten action.


What is meant by the so-called four styles are four different ways to approach things in daily work. This could imply there's only one efficient procedure to be followed under the guidance of the party. On the other hand, rotten action should refer to nasty habits like corruption and which has to be "truly" eradicated.
The following excerpt from the body of the same text quoted above with its headline is showing that China's Communist Party is willing to use all its autocratic power and influence to carry out reforms. The expression "managing the tiger and the fly" most probably means an equal treatment of the influential and the weak, of big and small-scale business.
However, all language used in this article is a mixture of the Party's typical vocabulary, used together with cryptic abbreviations or typical Chinese proverbs. This is what makes such kind of text so difficult to understand for any foreigner. If real news on definite reforms are hidden there, it might need some time-consuming "information mining" to unearth them.

十八大以来,以习近平同志为总书记的党中央,型持党要管党、从严治党, ..... 铁腕纠正“四风”,型持“老虎”“苍蝇” .....

Since the 18th [greater Central Committee's meeting] , the Party's Central Committee under comrade Xi JinPing, being [chosen] as its secretary general, is running the party in an exemplary way [as to] the need of discipline and by following a strict guidance of the party.
.....
Correcting the "four styles" with an iron hand, and [giving an] example of [how to] manage, both, "the tiger and the fly".


[Source: China News Network 中新网 on November 14, 2013]


《决定》指出:推动国有企业完善现代企业制度

Headline:
[Latest "decisions"] give impetus to a pushing forward of state owned enterprises [by striving for] perfection of modern business systems.


The expression "decisions 决定" is referring to a paper released by the Central Committee of China's Communist Party and that is summing up decisions regarding the reform of most important items.

[Source: xinmin.cn 新民网 on November 15, 2013]


Here now some news on definite changes to take place in mainland China, even though not related to economics:

According to Western sources, China's national TV should have recently announced that China's long-standing one-child policy will soon be softened.
On the same occasion, it was confirmed that an often criticized habit of law enforcement authorities to take suspects in undefined custody will finally be stopped.

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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Arafat Poisoning - Palestinian Reaction


Last UPDATE on November 12, 20:30 GMT



Today, Palestinians celebrate the memory of their former leader Yasir Arafat at his mausoleum in Ramallah. An exhibition of photos and articles reminds his life that is closely related to recent history of Palestine under Israeli rule. The news on Yasir Arafat being poisoned in an unusually sophisticated way are, once again, raising Palestinian mistrust against Israel that is regarded as the most probable culprit for that murder.




القدوة يؤكد وفاة عرفات مسموما و يدعو لنقل القضية الى الأمم المتحدة لتحديد مسؤولية إسرائيل تجاهها

[The sample] assures Arafat's death from poisoning and calls for passing the case to the United Nations for a [fixing] of the responsibility [for it] and which Israel [should face].





هل السلطة الفلسطينية مهتمة فعلا في ملاحقة المتورطين في تسميم الزعيم الفلسطيني ياسر عرفات؟

Is Palestine's administration really interested in the prosecution of those involved in the poisoning of Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat ?


This is a subject to be discussed soon in a special broadcast by Al-Jazeera's Arabic service:



[Source: Al-Jazeera الجزيرة on November 11, 2013]


UPDATE for November 12, 20:30 GMT:


Opinion poll on Al-Jazeera's Arabic service.


هل تعتقد أن السلطات الفلسطينية مهتمة فعلا بملاحقة المتورطين بجريمة قتل عرفات؟

Do you think that Palestinian authorities are really interested in the prosecution of those engaged in killing Arafat?

No لا %93.9
Yes نعم %6.1





Read more on The Arafat Poisoning !







Saturday, November 09, 2013

Iran's Nuclear Program - No Real Breakthrough ?


Last UPDATE: November 10

Yesterday, November 8, the Spanish service of Russia Today RT expressed a rather optimistic view on the Geneva talks dealing with the subject of Iran's nuclear program and announced the appearance of Russia's foreign minister Lavrov in Geneva for the next day, Sunday November 9. As U.S. foreign secretary Kerry already arrived there on Saturday, expectations are high for some kind of deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran.



The U.S. broadcaster CNN extensively covered that story and hinted at a widespread popular interest of the Iranian people in the normalization of foreign relations between Iran and the West. That estimation has been quoted by a news service from Dubai on the same day.



Photo: A smiling Iranian president Rouhani.


ـ«سي إن إن»: رغبة شعبية جارفة داخل إيران لتحسين العلاقات مع الغرب

CNN: A passionate popular desire has seized Iran for the improvement of relations with the West.


[Source: moheet.com محيط, news service from Dubai, on November 8, 2013]

However, the proposed solution, now negotiated behind closed doors in Geneva, seems to be tricky enough to create reservations on the U.S. side and clear disapproval on the Israeli side.



Photo: The Iranian envoy (left) meeting his counterpart in Geneva.


واشنطن: بعض المسائل المهمة جداً لم تحلّ بعد مع طهران

Washington: Some much worrying problems are not yet settled with Tehran.

يوم حاسم في جنيف للبرنامج النووي الإيراني

Decisive day in Geneva on Iran's nuclear program.


[Source: Al-Mustaqbal المستقبل, Lebanese daily, on November 9, 2013]



On CNN: A spokesman for the Israeli government accusing Iran (right picture).


Most probably Israel will not support any shaky deal that might be reached between Iran, Russia and most Western nations. Their stance remaining the unconditioned renunciation of uranium enrichment on the Iranian side.

[Source: CNN on November 8, 2013]


Latest news on November 9:
"Interim deal elusive on Iran's nuclear program" published by U.S.A. Today.

..............................


Latest News on November 10:



Rouhani: Iran doesn't abandon its nuclear rights including the enrichment of uranium.
[Iran's president Rouhani in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly.]



Kerry: [On the next possible occasion] the international powers [will continue
to reach] an agreement with Iran concerning their nuclear program.


[Source: Al-Jazeera الجزيرة on November 10, 2013]





Typhoon Warning: Hai Yan just haunting South-East Asia.
Recent visitors from Ha Noi (Vietnam) and Nanning (China).




Police on the Philippines: First estimations indicate that 10.000 [residents]
found their deaths while braving typhoon HaiYan
[Al-Jazeera, Nov.10, 2013]



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