News of the Day (July 14)

Hu Jintao bans people of Color, closes publishers to maintain Communist power: Ok, that was a word twist – the “Color” is actually a reference to the Color Revolutions that hit Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia. The order came directly from Communist leader Hu Jintao, who also “ordered strict media control and censorship” (Epoch Times), “instructed county governments to closely monitor those who promoted the liberalization of the capitalist class, those who promoted human rights, Falun Gong practitioners, and all non-governmental organizations,” and “ordered a comprehensive clean up of all publishing groups.” Over fifty publishing houses were promptly shut down.

Media joint ventures halted: Echoing Hu’s order sbove, Communist China effectively shut the door on any foreign media ventures, specifically stating, “all local TV and radio stations should not rent their channels to foreign companies and also should not co-operate with foreign companies in running channels” (BBC).

Han Guangsheng reveals details of Falun Gong war: Han Guangsheng, the cadre who is trying to defect to Canada (third item), provided details of Communist China’s persecution of Falun Gong to the Epoch Times. In addition to confirm much of Hao Fengjun’s information on the anti-Falun Gong 610 office (we repeat our call to grant Hao asylum in the U.S., and add Han to that call), he (Han) also detailed how Communist labor camps treated practitioners, and the punishment deemed out to local cadres by Zhongnanhai if practitioners from their areas keep reaching Beijing.

Foreign investment falls again, as does oil consumption: Direct foreign investment in Communist China fell for the fourth straight month and is now “down 22 per cent from a year earlier” (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, oil consumption in Communist China also fell (Small Dead Animals) – a key indicator implying that the cadres’ claims of white-hot economic growth are bogus (tenth item, fifteenth item).

Chen Yonglin worried about Brisbane consulate: Former cadre diplomat Chen Yonglin “revealed that the Chinese Government’s new consulate in Brisbane, that opened on Tuesday July 12, was established so its officials could pressure local Queensland Governments and monitor the Taiwanese community, Chinese dissidents and Falun Gong practitioners” (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, Australia – which granted Chen a protection visa nearly two months after he defected, and is still quiet on Hao Fengjun – is finally debriefing him (United Press Int’l via Washington Times).

Pakistan military signs deal for Communist frigates: Pakistan’s military will receive four F-22 P frigates from Communist China over the next eight years as part of what Pakistani Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah called “a new era of friendship and cooperation” (UPI via Washington Times, second item). Pakistan, which supported the Taliban for years before 9/11/01, is a half-century-plus Communist ally.

Japan awards drilling contract in disputed zone: Japan awarded Teikoku Oil the right to drill in East China Sea waters also claimed by Communist China. Report: BBC

Communist auto firm tries again to get MG Rover: Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation “signed an agreement with Martin Leach, ex-head of Ford of Europe, to rescue MG Rover” (BBC). It is the latest attempt by the Communist-owned auto firm to buy MG Rover (seventh and sixth items).

On Communist China and the United States: The Communists’ attempt to buy Unocal has incensed John Farmer (Star Ledger). Gary Andres (Washington Times) seems less disturbed by it; nor does the cadres’ devaluation of their currency bother him – like many opponents of the currency tariff, he treats the fact that “boosting the currency would only decrease PRC imports into this country and raise them from other Asian nations” is irrelevant, rather than of the major purposes of the tariff. Finally, exiled dissident Wei Jingsheng talks about the Communist China-U.S. minuet to the Epoch Times.

Other Commentary on Communist China: George Wehrfritz, Newsweek, examines the bad debt that threatens to drown Communist China’s banking system, but says nothing of value about the corruption that has created it. Jing Xibing, Epoch Times, details the Communist disinformation campaign against the Chinese people and Western media.

On Taiwan: Caroline Gluck, BBC, profiles the two candidates in the race to lead Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang Party. The party vote will take place Saturday.

A harrowing tale of hiding from the Stalinists and their Communist allies: To couples who escaped Stalinist North Korea were forced to dig holes in the mountains of Communist China “to hide from police . . . for years despite bitter cold and the constant threat of starvation” (Radio Free Asia). Communist China sends back all SNK refugees it finds – forcing them to live as nonperson and risked being “raped, trafficked, and otherwise abused in China.”

Is a deal on SNK nukes in the offing? This is just a guess by yours truly, but with Glenn Kessler Washington Post, taking about U.S. envoy Christopher Hill thinking “he has won significant leeway to negotiate a deal,” and Stalinist-in-chief Kim Jong-il talking about “the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” (CNN), the impression is that the next round of talks may reach an agreement similar to last year’s U.S. surrender – ahem, offer – never mind that the regime has already busted through the last deal (although Jonathan Beale, BBC, is skeptical). Meanwhile, officials from the U.S., South Korea, and Japan met to discuss “how to address North Korea's energy needs and to persuade Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear weapons programs.” Will they never learn?