Saturday, December 14, 2013

N Korean Reader: "The Trial of a Traitor"





North Korea: The Trial of Chang Sung-taek
Accusations Leading to His Death Penalty


- Quotations from the Chinese press translated by "Ulysses" -


张成泽从上世纪80年代光复大街建设时期就开始筹集贵金属,并在属下组建秘密机构,藐视国法,从银行调出巨额资金买进贵金属,结果对国家的财政管理体系造成巨大混乱,犯下了反国家罪行。

Starting in the "Main Road to Recovery" period of construction during the 1980ies, Chang Sung-taek began to acquire precious metal and simultaneously established a secret organization. Despising national law, he thoughtfully spent huge funds to buy precious metal. As a result, the nation's system of financial administration built up enormous chaos. Such he committed a crime against the country.

从2009年起,张成泽向其心腹走卒散布种种淫秽图片,带动资本主义寻欢作乐风气混入国内,到处挥霍无度、骄奢淫逸。

Since 2009, Chang Sung-taek spread all sorts of obscene photos towards his trusted lackeys. He brought along some capitalist mood of seeking pleasure and having a good time drifting into the country, everywhere spending without restraint and love of luxury.

仅以张成泽在2009年一年里从其小金库拿出挥霍460多万欧元,出入海外赌场一事,足以证明他何等堕落、变质。

Only [to mention that] Chang Sung-taek in 2009, within one single year, seized and spent more than 4.6 million Euro from his small treasure, in relation with entering into an overseas gambling house. Proof enough what kind of [morally] degenerate person he is.

张成泽被对政权的野心冲昏头脑,盲目猖狂,以至于愚蠢地认为若动员军队,政变可以得逞,因此执拗地企图对人民军伸出魔爪。

Chang Sung-taek, obsessed by wild ambition towards political power, blind and reckless to such an extent that he foolishly considered, if he [only] mobilized the army, a coup d'état could succeed. Therefore, he wilfully attempted to stretch out his claws towards the People's Army.

在庭审过程中,张成泽淋漓尽致地流露出了其作为千古逆贼的丑恶居心。他说:“我试图使军队和人民中间产生对现政权就国家经济状况和民生深陷困境束手无策的不满”,政变的对象正是“最高领导人”。

During the progress of law court interrogations, Chang Sung-taek thoroughly revealed that he harboured the evil intentions of an eternal traitor. He said: " I attempted to use the army and the people [to turn] against the current regime, [as] the condition of national economy and the people's living conditions sink into a difficult position, tieing their hands in a grievance without any plan [to get out]. " The target of a coup d'état [therefore] being exactly the " supreme leadership ".



Editor's Note:
The Chinese text above is quoting an official report from KCNA [朝鲜中央通信社(朝鲜语:조선중앙통신사;英语:Korean Central News Agency),简称朝中社]. The Chinese source [中国新闻网] on which my translation is based did not add any editorial or semi-official Chinese comment whatsoever.



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Editor's Comment: North Korea at the Edge December 16, 2013

In 2013, the news about North Korea have dominated the bandwidth of news reports provided by "blueprint news".

It began in January, on the occasion of his new year's speech, that leader Kim Jong-un surprised us with an announcement of political changes related to Korea's national economy. A new leader trying new ways of ruling his country, one might have thought. Even the successful launch of a Unha 3 rocket carrying an earth-observation satellite could have been seen at that time as a defensive measure rather than another preparation for nuclear war using intercontinental missiles.

Then, in February 2013, another nuclear test, even though not completely successful, brought Korea's nuclear subject back to our perception and on the agenda of a Japanese - U.S. summit. From there it took only some further weeks to North Korea's declaration that war on the peninsula "could not be avoided".

It was at the end of March that North Korea actually declared the state of war between North and South Korea. Furthermore, the North threatened to close the Gaeseong industrial complex near the border to South Korea. That industrial zone was once established to improve economic cooperation between both countries and has granted the impoverished North access to $2 billion in trade per year.

The industrial complex was really closed some time later, and in April 2013 the Korean peninsula found itself at the edge of war. During that month, "blueprint news" published 15 blogspots, all of them related to North Korea. However, the war declared by the North never became hot. Actually, it cooled off after some time, and business in the Gaesong industrial complex continued as usual.

In June, a new development was triggered off when China didn't put forward again the "relationship of sworn brothers" but, instead, urged N Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. Since then, Chinese - Korean relations seem to have cooled down, although neither Beijing nor Pyongyang have given official declarations about that.

In December 2013, the "grey kingdom of ghosts", ruled by the Kim family, got its first cracks when one of its few accessible representatives, Chang Sung-taek, was sentenced to death. No wonder that U.S. foreign secretary John Kerry is quoted as saying that North Korea has become even more unstable, while latest news from Germany are indicating that North Korea has just called back its citizens from China where they are now engaged in business, probably as an answer to China's unspoken sympathies for Chang Sung-taek whom they came to know for many years as a partner in Chinese - Korean negotiations.

It seems that Pyongyang's strict political isolation, in combination with military aggression at the edge of reason, is now going to take its toll.

- Ulysses -






Far Eastern News


China

中国军舰在南海逼开跟踪辽宁舰的美巡洋舰

Chinese navy ship was forced to make move a U.S. cruiser
that was shadowing [China's aircraft carrier] Liaoning.



USS Cowpens (CG-63) pulls alongside USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)


报道称,12月5日,美国海军提康德罗加级导弹巡洋舰考本斯号,在南海海域监视中国海军辽宁舰航母时,与中国一艘战舰两栖战舰“迎面遭遇”,美舰采取紧急机动规避了两舰相撞。报道还提到,美国国务院官员说,美国政府通过外交和军事渠道向中国提出了抗议。

A report from December 5 is saying, U.S. navy ship "Cowpens" [i.e. CG-63], a cruiser belonging to the Ticonderoga-class, had the opportunity to keep watch on China's navy ship [the aircraft carrier] Liaoning in the maritime region of the South [China] Sea. When a Chinese ship for amphibious warfare "headed on to run up against" it, the U.S. ship applied emergency power to avoid mutual collision. The report is quoting as well an official from the U.S. State Department as saying the U.S. government has lodged a protest with China by means of diplomatic and military channels.


[Source: SINA 新浪军事 on December 14, 2013]

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North Korea



December 14, 2013: Kim Jong-un inspecting the institute for military plannings and research.
[Source: China News 中国新闻网 quoting the news from North Korea's Workers' Party]



A visitor to "blueprint news" coming from South Korea
and who is interested in North Korea's missile tests.


Friday, December 13, 2013

North Korea - Execution of Chang Sung-taek


This morning, China's XINHUA agency and Chinese dailies report about the execution of former North Korean strongman Chang Sung-taek.



[Source: XINHUA agency 新华社 on December 13, 2013]

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韩媒:朝鲜疑似用机关枪枪毙张成泽

South Korean media: North Korea [can't believe] what seems
to be the execution of Chang Sung-taek with a machine gun.



朝鲜《劳动新闻》公布朝鲜军事法庭12日判处张成泽死刑的照片。

Photo published by North Korea's "Workers' News":........................
North Korea's military tribunal sentenced to death Chang Sung-taek.


[Source: WANGYI 网易, quoting "Overseas Network 海外网" on December 13, 2013]


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朝鲜判处张成泽死刑并已执行 称其承认谋图政变

North Korea sentenced to death Chang Sung-taek and executed [the death penalty] thereafter, saying he had admitted plannings for a coup d'état.


Alternative translation:
When North Korea sentenced to death Chang Sung-taek, it stopped the execution of plannings for a coup d'état which he had [allegedly] admitted.

[The difference between both translations is in a small space between two Chinese characters !]


死刑立即被执行。 The death penalty was executed immediately.

[Source: CHINANEWS Network 中国新闻网 on December 13, 2013]







Comment: The above visitor's IP belongs to the NetRange
of the "Voice of America" VOA in nearby Washington DC.


Monday, December 09, 2013

North Korea - Important Change in Staff


Important UPDATE added on December 11 !

Today, China's XINHUA Network remembered a high-ranking North Korean politician and officer who has just been expelled from North Korea's "Workers' Party". There are two articles referring to Chang Sung-taek (Chinese writing: Zhang ChengZe). Here are the headlines:

朝鲜宣布解除张成泽一切职务并开除出党

North Korea announces the removal of Chang Sung-taek from all of his posts and from the Party.




回顾张成泽被开除出党前的活动

Looking back at Chang Sung-taek's activity before he was expelled from the Party.


The Chinese article above is mentioning Chang's removal from office at the age of 67 because of "sectarian behaviour directed against the Party and the revolution". A series of pictures is showing Chang together with North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un on different occasions.

朝中社的报道说,最近党内的“异色分子”在继承主体革命事业的重大历史时期企图废除党的唯一领导体制,通过派别阴谋扩大自己势力,对党提出挑战。劳动党中央政治局召开扩大会议,讨论了张成泽的反党反革命宗派行为。

A report from the Korean Central News Agency [KCNA] says:
Recently some "differently colored element" within the Party, while carrying on the principal part in a great historical period [determined by] the revolutionary cause, attempted to abolish the Party's sole leading system, to extend his [personal] influence by means of factional conspiracy, and advance a challenge to battle against the Party.
The Workers Party's central political bureau convened an enlarged meeting to discuss Chang Sung-taek's sectarian behaviour directed against the Party and the revolution.


[Editor's Note: The Chinese text uses a common abbreviation for the N Korean news agency which might lead to misinterpretation during translation.]



August 13, 2012: The vice-chairman of North Korea's defence commission, Chang Sung-taek, just arriving in Beijing to attend the joint Chinese-Korean conference for economic cooperation.



December 12, 2012, in Pyongyang / North Korea: Kim Jong-un and Chang Sung-taek (right side) inspecting the central command for satellite control.

[Source: XINHUA Network 新华网 on November 9, 2013]

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UPDATE for December 11:



韩国情报机构:金正恩二哥出马抓捕张成泽

South Korea's intelligence apparatus: Kim Jong-un's second brother took up the matter to catch Chang Sung-taek.

据韩国朝鲜战略情报服务中心代表李允杰说:实际上,就连受到金正恩恩宠的朝鲜人民军总政治局局长崔龙海也不敢逮捕张成泽,国家保卫部也无法干涉此事,最后是由金正恩的二哥金正哲带领护卫司令部亲卫队逮捕了张成泽。

According to [Chin. name: Li YunJie], a representative of the South Korean center for strategic intelligence services [related to] North Korea, it is considered as a fact that one of Kim Jong-un's favourites Choe Ryong-hae, chief of the general political bureau for North Korea's People's Army, as well didn't dare to arrest Chang Sung-taek. The national ministry for public security was also unable to interfere in that matter. Finally, it was Kim Jong-un's second brother Kim Jong-chol to lead the command of the guard's squad of personal bodyguards to arrest Chang Sung-taek.

早在今年4月份,日本媒体就爆料说金正哲已经晋升为朝鲜太子党的秘密组织“烽火组”首领。看来,金正恩在平壤高层已经没有真正信得过的人,如今的亲信也很难不成为明天的敌人。所以他要由亲哥哥出面执行行刑任务。

Early this year in April, Japanese media [strongly proposed] that Kim Jong-chol had already risen to [his fully accepted] leadership of North Korea's secret organization "group of the beacon-fire" within the "Party of the crown prince". It looks as if Kim Jong-un has no real trustworthy man any longer at Pyongyang's highest level, as today's trusted follower could easily turn into tomorrow's enemy. He therefore needs his brother to appear personally to carry out the job of execution.


In the frame of a regular press conference, granted by China's ministry of foreign affairs on Monday December 9, their spokesman said, China regarded the matter of Chang Sung-taek as an entirely internal affair of North Korea.

[Source: SOHU News 搜狐—新闻, quoting the Guangzhou daily DAYOO 大洋网 on November 11, 2013]

South Korea Will Extend Air-Defence Zone


韩国扩大防空识别区 覆盖中韩争议岛屿

South Korea will extend its air-defence identification zone,
covering islands disputed between China and South Korea.


韩国国防部8日发布韩国防空识别区(KADIZ)扩大方案,区域范围延伸至半岛西南部的离於岛(苏岩礁)、马罗岛和红岛上空。

On [December] 8, South Korea's ministry of defence announced plans to extend Korea's air-defence identification zone (KADIZ). The regional limits are stretching to LiYu Island (or: SuYanJiao, Korean: Ieodo), MaLuo Island (Marado) and Hong Island (Hongdo) [belonging to] the South-Western part of the peninsula.





All names of Korean islands are given in Chinese Pinyin and Korean romanization. English text and the position of LiYu Island / Su YanJiao (i.e. Su Reef) / Ieodo have been added to the above map for a better understanding of South Korean plannings.

[Source: IFENG 凤凰, quoting a South Korean Source, on December 8, 2013]



Ieodo Rock and Navy Ship


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Saturday, December 07, 2013

China Watching Risks of Bit Money


Actual currency information added !
Last UPDATE: December 8

When I recently heard about "bit coins", I had to learn how much that kind of electronic payment system has already become subject to speculation. Invented by some anonymous, a fact which doesn't provide much confidence in its value anyway, that so-called bit money should facilitate internet trade as some clearing unit for services provided. It seems that in some corners of the world with shaky economic conditions, such bit money should even have replaced the local currency to some extent. Now, it has come to the attention of China's Central Bank as a potential source of danger to regular currency systems. However, its significance as a virtual clearing unit is not generally disputed. It's all about standardization and control.



国防范比特币风险 易宪容:再玩下去都被会死

Headline:
The country is watching out at risks related to bit money.
Yi XianRong: Continued gambling leads to [widespread social death].

中新网12月6日电 今年以来“疯狂生长”的比特币被狠狠浇了一盆冷水。12月5日下午,央行等五部委联合发通知防范比特币风险,消息发布后一个小时内比特币价格跌幅达35%。

Report from China News Network on December 6: This year the "insane growth" of bit money has [already] filled a basin of cold water in a "wolfish" manner. In the afternoon of December 5, five [members of the board] within the Central Bank [of China] jointly gave notice [that included] a warning of risks related to bit money. The news issued within the following hour said the price of bit money had dropped to an extent of 35%.

社科院金融研究所研究员易宪容表示,比特币等虚拟货币缺乏政府信用作担保,没有发展前景,且虚拟货币存在泡沫问题只是还未爆发,放任发展下去的结果就是大家都被“炒死”。业内人士则表示,通知并未说比特币不合法以及要取消,实施监管是为进行规范以及防洗钱和防止虚拟货币冲击货币体系。

Yi XianRong, a researcher at the [department] for financial research within the institute for social sciences, showed that bit money is a fictitious currency lacking [any] government's trustworthiness [or: credit] as a guarantee. It has no perspective for development and is just [like] foam existing as a fictitious currency, the only question then being whether this [=> fictitious currency] could erupt as well. [Its] noninterference with [=> economic] results based on development is therefore "stir-frying" [i.e. attracting] everybody. Personnel engaged in business [however] show, the [=> Central Bank's] notice doesn't say that bit money is not legitimate and must be abolished. To carry out supervision [and direction] then means to [introduce] standards along with guarding against money laundering and to avoid the fictitious currency lashing against the [=> regular] currency system.


[Source: IFENG Network 凤凰网 on December 6, 2013]

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人民币成全球第二大贸易融资货币

[China's] "Renminbi" has become the world's No.2 currency in trade spendings.

人民币的国际化进程不断向前推进。根据12月3日环球银行金融电信协会(SWIFT)数据,在10月份的全球贸易货币排名中,人民币已经超越欧元位列全球第二;美元继续占据全球主导货币地位,市场份额仍旧超八成;欧元和日元市场占比均出现微降,全球排名分别为第三和第四。

The continued progress of international spending [based on China's] Renminbi [currency] is pushing forward. According to data [received] from the World Bank's financial newsletter association (SWIFT) and dating from December 3, the October ranking of global trade currencies showed that [China's] Renminbi has already surpassed the Euro ranking position as a global No.2 while the U.S. $ continues to hold the position of a globally leading currency. [Its] market portion still exceeds 80%. The Euro and the Yen market are holding an equal portion that appears to have dropped, [their] global ranking being No.3 and 4.


[Source: SOHU News 搜狐新闻, quoting the "First Daily on Finance and Economics 第一财经日报" on December 4, 2013]

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UPDATE for December 8:

国内比特币产业链上 都有什么样的创业形态?

Domestic bit money [produced] on an industrial chain.
What's all behind that kind of pattern of pioneering work ?


目前,国内围绕比特币的创业领域主要集中在下游的挖掘芯片、挖矿机,以及比特币交易平台。深圳烤猫团队和北京Avalon团队主要在芯片领域内创业,一名比特币芯片创业者向经济观察报表示,这两个团队主要卖挖矿机和芯片,每年每家至少有上亿的利润。

At the moment, the country's pioneering domain where domestic "bit money" is revolving around is mainly concentrated on [advanced] excavation of chips and mining [activity] along with bit money transaction platforms. The "KaoMao" (chin.: Roasted Cat) group in Shenzhen and the "Avalon" group in Beijing are mainly doing pioneering work in the chip domain. One pioneer of bit money chips [told] "Economic Survey Report", these two groups are mainly selling mining opportunity and chips. Each year, each company makes a profit of at least one hundred million [Renminbi].


[Source: Finance.Stockstar - Economic Survey Report 经济观察报 December 8, 2013]

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Some Background Information:

An earlier Chinese source is marking the begin of public interest in bit money and which is dating back to April 2013. The expression "bit money" is fitting with the Chinese word used for it. I therefore avoided the use of "bit coin" which is more common in Western countries.

The expressions "gold mining" or "minig", used in the quoted Chinese article, are referring to the complicated process of an automatic generation of bit money and which has been designed to come to an end at 21 million "bit coins". The word "minig" is usually applied in the same context by Western sources.

Another expression used by the Chinese author is the "bucket of gold" which should refer to the Western expression of "bit coin wallet" or simply "wallet", some kind of personal bit money account.

虽然已经错过了第一个四年的挖矿黄金时间,但比特币进入中国大众视野还是依靠今年4月的一大批报道。对大部分人来说,这就是个新鲜的事物,但少数一部分人则 开始了就此的创业,而第一个方向,就是做挖矿机。

Even though, it already missed the first four years period of "gold mining", bit money is entering the field of vision of China's masses depending on the large number of news reports from April this year. Most people say this should be a [new and strange] matter, but a small number of people [consider] to start pioneering work where one direction, however, is "mining" [activity].

想接触比特币,但是找不到现成的挖矿机,这是很多人入行遇到的第一个门槛。于是,做挖矿机就成了第一桶金。

The thought to get in touch with bit money without looking for ready-made "mining" opportunity, this is for many people [entering business] the first threshold to come across. Consequent "mining" activity returns a first "bucket of gold".

与PC行业不同的是,挖矿机处于一个半年一大变、只接受预订不承诺出货、买卖全凭信任的绝对卖方市场。买者的疯狂成了第一桶金的买单人。

What is different in computer trade: "Mining" [activity] is undergoing much change within half a year. It only accepts bookings that do not undertake to issue goods. Selling and buying is completely based on markets of absolute trustworthy sellers. Buyers' frenzy then returns a single buyer's "bucket of gold".


[Source: WANGYI 网易—科技 June 24, 2013]

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Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Arafat's Death - Veiling the Facts ?




تشكيك بالتقرير الفرنسي عن وفاة عرفات

شكك ناصر القدوة ابن شقيقة الرئيس الفلسطيني الراحل ياسر عرفات في التقرير الفرنسي الذي استبعد فكرة و فاة خاله مسموما, بينما قالت إسرائيل إن نتائج التقرير لم تفاجئها.ـ


Headline: Suspicion raised by French report on Arafat's death.

Nasir al-Qadua, son of a sister [or: nephew] of the defunct Palestinian president Yasir Arafat, raised doubts on a French report that rejected the idea of his uncle's death from poisoning, [while] Israel said the results of that report are not surprising them.


[Source: Al-Jazeera Network الجزيرة نت on December 4, 2013]


As to the French scientist report that raised so much doubt, here a related article published by People's Network this morning:

法国科学家称阿拉法特死于全身感染 为自然死亡

据英国广播公司报道,法国媒体得到的知情者消息说,负责鉴定阿拉法特死因的法国科学家小组已经判定,这位前巴勒斯坦领导人2004年的去世是由于“自然原因”。
据悉,法国科学家的鉴定定性阿拉法体直接死因为“全身感染”。
此前的一份由瑞士科学家作出的验尸报告曾经指称阿拉法特的体内有“超常水平”的放射性元素钋。


French scientists: Arafat died from an overall infection which should imply a natural death.

According to the British broadcaster BBC, French media referring to insider information said a small group of French scientists, responsible for the identification of the cause of Arafat's death, have already decided that the former Palestinian leader's death should have been a "natural death" directly caused by an "infection affecting the whole body". An earlier report from Swiss scientists had pointed out that Arafat's body contained "a significant level" of the radioactive element Polonium.

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瑞士科学家同时指出,一是时间已经太久,二是阿拉法特的身体已经多次“转手”,因此难以用化验结果证明任何理论。

As an actual response to the French findings, the Swiss scientists quoted above are pointing out:
1) There has already passed too much time [to determine a general infection].
2) Arafat's body has already been "moved" many times before [which makes an infection even more difficult to prove].

[Source: People's Network 人民网—中国新闻网, quoting China News Network on December 4, 2013]


Editor's Comment:

What's all that fuzz about Arafat dying from some "general infection"? After Swiss scientists proved the existence of Polonium in Arafat's body, it must be clear that poisoning with a radioactive substance was at the origin of his death. Once the body being affected by such kind of poison, it is only a matter of time until immuno-deficiency and failure of essential organs would lead to the victim's death. Therefore, it is not the question what kind of infection or organ dysfunction finally caused Arafat's death but rather who applied the poison, a substance difficult to obtain and too expensive for any private person whoever that might be.

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Yitzhak Rabin, (born March 1, 1922, Jerusalem—died Nov. 4, 1995, Tel Aviv–Yafo, Israel), Israeli statesman and soldier who, as prime minister of Israel (1974–77, 1992–95), led his country toward peace with its Palestinian and Arab neighbours. He was chief of staff of Israel’s armed forces during the Six-Day War (June 1967). Along with Shimon Peres, his foreign minister, and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) chairman Yasir Arafat, Rabin received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1994.
..........
As prime minister, Rabin put a freeze on new Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. His government undertook secret negotiations with the PLO that culminated in the Israel-PLO accords (September 1993), in which Israel recognized the PLO and agreed to gradually implement limited self-rule for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In October 1994 Rabin and King Ḥussein of Jordan, after a series of secret meetings, signed a full peace treaty between their two countries.
The territorial concessions aroused intense opposition among many Israelis, particularly settlers in the West Bank. While attending a peace rally in November 1995, Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish extremist.

[Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica]

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

U.S. Support Libyan Law Enforcement


After the killing of a U.S. ambassador to Libya in a premeditated attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and a single-sided U.S. operation to capture an alleged Al-Qaeda activist in Libya's capital of Tripolis, America now concentrates on supporting Libyan law enforcement rather than carry out own operations that have a potential quality to trigger off tensions between the Libyan government and U.S. authorities while Libya is still facing a chaotic situation with regard to its internal security.



الـ"أف. بي. أي" تتولى تدريب ضباط الشرطة الليبية

Headline: The FBI cares for the training of Libyan police officers.

سيكون التدريب على كيفية جمع الأدلة في القضايا الجنائية ومسح مواقع الجرائم

Headline: There will be training for methods to compile evidence in cases of crime and [how] to touch sites of crime.

وقّعت السلطات الليبية اتفاقا مع الولايات المتحدة في طرابلس على تدريب الشرطة الليبية على إجراء التحقيقات الجنائية.ـ

Libyan authorities in Tripolis signed a treaty with the United States about training of the Libyan police [with respect to] criminal investigation.

وفي هذا السياق، قال وزير العدل الليبي، صلاح المرغني، إن ليبيا بحاجة إلى هذا الدعم الأميركي في مجال بناء القدرات للتحقيق والتعامل مع القضايا الجنائية، خاصة وأن "ليبيا تجدد نفسها بعد 42 سنة من حكم ديكتاتوري".ـ

In this context the Libyan minister of justice, Salaah al-Marghani, said that Libya needs that U.S. support in the field of building capacities for investigation [with respect to] cases of crime, especially as " Libya is regenerating itself after 42 years of dictatorial rule ".


[Source: Al-Arabiya Networkالعربية نت on December 3, 2013]

Monday, December 02, 2013

China's Mission to the Moon




Here a first report on China's mission to the moon, published by XinHua News Agency early this morning. It's a rather poetic perception of what happened just some hours ago:



飞向月宫 飞向梦想——嫦娥三号发射全记录

Flying to Moon Palace - Flying to our Dream
Complete Record of "Chang'e" No.3 Launch


[Editor's note: "Chang'e" is the goddess of the moon in Chinese legend.
She should have been a woman who drank some miraculous potion,
stolen from her husband, and flew to the moon.]


新华网西昌12月2日电2013年12月1日19时30分,西昌卫星发射场。群山环抱中,长征三号乙运载火箭静静地伫立在二号发射塔架旁。

它托举着的就是万众瞩目的主角——嫦娥三号。

6个小时后,承载着中国探月新梦想的嫦娥三号就将怀抱“玉兔”从这里启程,奔向36.8万公里之外的“月宫”。


December 2, Xinhua Network report from Xichang:
Xichang satellite launching facility on the first of December, 2013, at 19:30 [local time]. In the mountainous environment, a "Long March No.3 b" carrier rocket quietly reposed on its launching site.

It should serve as a support to lift off Chang'e No.3, the main "actress" in the focus of millions of people.

Six hours later, Chang'e No.3, bearing the weight of China's new dream of exploring the moon, the "Jade Hare", in her bosom, started on her journey and hurried to the "Moon Palace" which is 368.000 km away from here.


[Editor's note: "Jade Hare" is a legendary Chinese name for the moon. Here it seems to be the name of a scouting robot that should be deployed on the moon.]

[Source: XINHUA 新华网—军事 on December 2, 2013]


"Jade Hare" will carry China's flag to the moon.


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




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





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


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]

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




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]

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


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.]