News of the Day (February 24)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: The Korea Liberator examines the notion of "reformers" in Communist China, and scores the Enlightened Comment of the Day.

Guangdong party boss calls for more "autonomy": Zheng Liping, party boss in the deeply troubled Guangdong Province (next to last item) has called for villages in his province to have "full autonomy within the confines of the law and constitution" (Asianews). Of course, Communist games with the "law and constitution" are what has lead to Guangdong's troubles - Taishi, Shanwei, Sanshan (fifth item), and Sanjiao (third item) - in the first place.

Press crackdown damaging to Communist image, except in the eyes of Time Warner: The Communist crackdown on the press (Freezing Point, Zhao Yan, etc.) is "starting to alter the image of China overseas" (Christian Science Monitor), i.e., people are finally starting to notice. Sadly, that does not appear to include Time Warner, who is eagerly "seeking publishing partners in China to license the mainland editions of a number of its titles" (South China Morning Post via Asia Media).

Ching Cheong case delayed by skittish prosecution: Meanwhile, another victim of the Communist press crackdown, Singapore Straits-Times reporter Ching Cheong (sixth and eighth items), has had his case delayed a month by the prosecution, which sent the case "back to the State Security Department for a more thorough investigation" (Boxun), i.e., a better shot at jailing Ching without looking ridiculous.

Communists want Cardinal Zen to muzzle himself: Communist China's reaction to the appointment of Cardinal Zen (twentieth, seventh, sixth, second to last, third to last, tenth, and fifth items) was a demand that he "not interfere with politics," (London Telegraph via Washington Times) i.e., end his previous support for democracy in Hong Kong.

Hunger strike news: A Beijing group forms (Epoch Times), an activist is arrested (Epoch Times), and relay group founder Gao Zhisheng (sixth, tenth, fifth, lead, third, last, twelfth, eighth, third, second, third, eighth, eleventh, eighth, fourth, fourth, last, fourth, fifth, twelfth, fifth, second, lead, next to last, seventh, last, next to last, lead, second, and last items) rips the cadres again (Epoch Times).

EU to impose tariffs on Communist shoe exports: The European Union announced plans to "phase in import duties of 19.4 percent on some Chinese-made footwear" (United Press Int'l via Washington Times) in response to a Communist surge in shoe exports (last item). Needless to say, the cadres were miffed (BBC).

On Communist China and the United States: Andrew C. McCarthy, in National Review Online, wonders why Senator Hillary Clinton cares so much about the United Arab Emirates running some American ports, but was so unperturbed at Communist China in the same role during her husband's Administration. Meanwhile, U.S.-Communist China military exchanges have "quietly" (Washington Times) resumed.

On the Communists' Korean colony: The Stalinist regime has finally agreed to talk about "the fate of South Korean prisoners of war and civilians suspected of being captured and held by the North" (Washington Times, second item), but it still won't call them that. Meanwhile, Daily NK ponders Korea without Stalinist-in-chief Kim Jong-il.