News of the Day (January 17)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth has the latest on Communist China's plans to upgrade its paramilitary police, celebrates the discovery of a lost passport issued by Tibet's last independent government, and relays a lament at the silence of Canada's would-be leaders on Communist China (although this quarter maintains cause for optimism with the Conservatives). One Free Korea was its usual active self, taking note of the latest battle between the Communist police and the citizens of Guangdong Province (Sanjiao, more on that below), and Kim Jong-il's visit to his colonial masters (also reporting: BBC). As for the Stalinists themselves, OFK looks at two American bureaucrats dealing with SNK who have disappointed him, and notes the growing awareness that the Stalinist regime is a financial disaster area for outside investors (original link: Washington Post) - the blog's view on this news of Stalinist Viagra (Newsmax) is eagerly anticipated. Of course, OFK is much happier with U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, and not so happy with the shenanigans of the dovish clique in charge of South Korea, and on that he is in esteemed company. Finally, Shaun Kenney approvingly notes Pope Benedict XVI's veiled criticism of Communist China and Iran, which brings us to our top story.

Communist China OK with words against Iran, but not actions: American media (namely the Washington Post and United Press Int'l via Washington Times) focused on Communist China's willingness to criticize the Iranian mullahcracy's nuclear ambitions. The BBC, however, noticed that said willingness did not extend to the U.S. demand that the mullahs' nuclear weapons program be punished by the United Nations Security Council: "China said it would do everything to achieve a diplomatic solution." Communist China has a Security Council veto it can use to protect Iran, whose nuclear ambitions have been fed by the cadres.

Another village in Guangdong falls to Communist police brutality: Communist China sent in police to violently suppress another peaceful protest, this time in Sanjiao Town (Zhongshan City). A sit-in protest by villagers calling for fair compensation in a land dispute (sound familiar?) led the cadres to send in the police. At least one protestor was murdered (Epoch Times). The regime, of course, insists all is well (BBC).

Gao Zhisheng arrested, then released: Communist police briefly detained human-rights attorney Gao Zhisheng (sixth, tenth, fifth, lead, third, last, twelfth, eighth, third, second, third, eighth, eleventh, eighth, fourth, fourth, and last items), and later released him (Epoch Times). Gao also had a few things to say about the police that had tailed and now arrested him (Epoch Times), who are also watching his colleague, Taishi hero Guo Feixiong (Epoch Times).

On the Falun Gong War - inside Communist China: Practitioner and Communist prisoner Liu Ruping (fifth and second items) hoped to have fellow attorney Yang Zaixin represent him, but the Communists had other ideas (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, He Di, also in the Epoch Times, details how the Communists' anti-Falun Gong 610 office is dividing families in Communist China.

On the Falun Gong War - outside Communist China: In an ungodly and sickening perversion of "art," Communist China is taking part of its brainwashing tour on the road (Global Service Center for Quitting Chinese Communist Party and Epoch Times). Meanwhile, one of the Thailand protestors talks to the Epoch Times from his new home - in New Zealand.

Cleared Uighurs held in Guantanamo Bay take case to Supreme Court: Attorneys for Uighurs held in Guantanamo bay despite being cleared of any ties to anti-American terrorism are going to the Supreme Court ahead of schedule in the hope on ending their clients' imprisonment (Washington Post). The U.S. has acknowledged that the Uighurs have no ties to terror, and have correctly refused to send them back to occupied East Turkestan. Unfortunately, the Administration won't let them come to the U.S. either, and has been unable to find anyone else willing to take them in (fifth and thirteenth item).

Microsoft hears it again for aiding Communist repression, and the Wall Street Journal found they weren't the only ones "cooperating with repressive regimes" (Central News Agency, Taiwan, via Epoch Times).

Journalist scares Communist Ambassador away from press conference: Guess which paper spooked the cadre in London.

Taiwan's ruling party chooses new leader; Prime Minister steps down: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party began (we hope) its recovery from last month's local election drubbing (sixth item) with a new party chairman (BBC). Meanwhile, Prime Minister and DPP heavyweight Frank Hsieh also quit today (BBC). The DPP is still looking for the person to run for President in 2008 to succeed Chen Shui-bian, who carried the party's anti-Communist banner during his victories in 2000 and 2004.

Communist foreign reserves grow: Communist China's holdings of foreign currencies (also known as foreign reserves) "jumped 34% to a new record of $818.9bn (£462.5bn) last year" (BBC). Such an increase in foreign currency holdings is a necessary part of holding one's currency at a deliberately cheap exchange rate - one that has damaged American manufacturing and our allies' export markets. Also reporting: UPI via Washington Times

Communists tell firms to be "low-key" when buying up other companies: Communist China "has warned its companies to keep a low profile when trying to buy a foreign firm, so as not to stir up anti-Chinese feeling" (BBC). The Communists believe "the growing strength of China's economy and the surge in Chinese exports" has "caused political suspicion." Of course, the Communists are certain that their support for terrorists had nothing to do with it.

Australian biscuit-making jobs go to Communist China: Over 150 workers in Melbourne, Australia became economic victims of the Communists' cheap currency and lack of union rights: their biscuit factory was shut down "in order to move production to China" (Epoch Times).

Hong Kong leader drops faux reforms: Donald Tsang, the Communist-anointed leader of Hong Kong, has decided to drop his "reforms" of city government (BBC). Said "reforms" were pilloried, and defeated, by the pro-democracy movement in the city (tenth, second, seventh, and eighth items).

On the Nine Commentaries: Professor Yuan Hongbin (second item) tells a Nine Commentaries seminar in Sydney, Australia that the Chinese people have become "conquered" (Epoch Times) by the Communists. Meanwhile, Zhang Tianliang, also in the Epoch Times, sees the Commentaries as the foundation for a post-Communist China.

On Communist China and the outside world: Oliver North is growing more worried about Communist China's growing influence in Latin America (Washington Times), while the Epoch Times reprinted yours truly's concern about Bolivia in particular. Charles R. Smith, Newsmax, notes the cadres' ties to the murderous regime in Sudan.