Bush's Empty Words Mask Defeat

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bush's Empty Words Mask Defeat THE WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE! NEWNo 1478 Week commencing 21 March 2008 Weekly paperWORKER of the New Communist Party of Britain 60p CAPITALIST CHAOS by Daphne Liddle These measures were England’s Monetary foreclosures and repos- fectly clearly and showed less than the banks had Policy Committee had met sessions and falling prop- that capitalism is inherently THE WORLD of high finance rocked and been asking for, but by and voted by seven to two erty prices – digging capi- unstable. Booms and busts reeled last week after Bear Stearns, one of Tuesday they seemed to not to cut interest rates be- talism into a deeper hole. are inevitable. America’s biggest investment banks, col- have done the trick. Stock cause of fears of inflation. If the capitalists raise The capitalists have lapsed and was bought out by rival JP Mor- markets around the world Rates had already been interest rates fewer people staved off recession for a gan for $2-a-share – shares that had been val- rose again, dramatically, cut from 5.5 to 5.25 per will be able to buy, lead- couple of decades now on ued at $62 a few days before and over $150 a recovering nearly all of cent in February. ing to a drying up of mar- the basis of promoting per- few months ago. what had been lost. The capitalists are in an kets. Debt repayments will sonal debt, getting work- impossible position. If they rise, driving more workers ers to spend their future Once again the sub- In London the Gov- tumbling cut interest rates it will al- over the edge into collapse. earnings to keep the mar- prime lending crisis was at ernment put up some £10 low some people to bor- Again, property prices will kets going. But this had to the root of the crash, with billion to underwrite bank- Wednesday they row and spend and keep tumble. crash in the end. the epidemic of foreclo- ing debts – this on top of started tumbling again and the markets active. But that The capitalists will lose sures of mortgages the billions it has already there were accusations will quickly add to the al- pundits the value of their property, spreading from working pledged to bail out North- that some traders were ready huge personal debt their stocks and their class borrowers to the ern Rock, which it even- not playing by the book but problem, with its long The newspapers are full shares. The workers will middle classes. tually had to nationalise to were deliberately circulat- hours culture leading to ex- of finance pundits saying lose their jobs, their homes Across the United save it from collapse. ing false rumours that cer- hausted, stressed and they can’t understand how and in some cases their States people who a few And in Washington tain banks were in trouble burnt out workers – who this is happening, what has minds. They will also lose months ago felt safe and they wheeled out fading in order to make profits will collapse economically, caused it all and what can all illusions about the capi- secure in their homes and President Bush to make a from sharply falling and ris- physically and mentally – be done about it. talist system. Our job is to jobs can no longer keep up reassuring speech, which ing shares. Police investi- and be unable to repay the Karl Marx, who died help them rediscover their with rising debt payments, basically boiled down to: gations were threatened. debts. exactly 125 years ago this fighting spirit. are losing their homes and “Don’t panic!” By midday the Bank of That will lead to more week, explained it all per- being forced to join the growing tent cities that are springing up outside major American cities. For them FUND the American dream has turned into a living night- Bush’s empty words mask defeat Our fund this week mare. is down again after last The collapse of Bear by our Arab Affairs week’s very good total – Sterns sent shock waves Correspondent just £252.50. This around the stock markets brings our March total of the world, wiping bil- PROTESTS and demonstra- so far to £2,025.50 and tions around the world leaves £974.50 to raise lions off of stocks and marked the fifth anniversary to meet our £3,000 shares. The FTSE 100 top of the occupation of Iraq that monthly target. shares index fell more than George W Bush upholds as We thank an Epsom a “victory” to an increasingly comrade for £15, a 200 points – around four Carlisle friend for two per cent of the total. The sceptical American public. Speaking at the Pentagon gifts totalling £9 and a Japanese Nikkei fell 3.7 Bush claimed the United Manchester supporter per cent, the German Dax States and the world were for £5. We also thank 4.2 per cent and the “safer” after the invasion our Cumbrian bees for French CAC 3.5 per cent. and that his “surge” offen- the regular £10, sive had succeeded in pro- Southall NCP for £10 Investors around the moting stability in the occu- and another friend for world were mainly dump- pied Arab country. £3.50. ing shares in banks; in Brit- But words have a differ- All the rest came ain the Royal Bank of ent meaning in Iraq these from bankers’ orders days, like “stability” which and we thank the stal- Scotland shares fell 8.7 per simply means that the level wart comrades who give cent, Barclay’s lost 9.4 per of resistance attacks on regularly in this way. cent and HSBC nearly 13 American forces, which Stocks and shares per cent. peaked last year, has gone have been going up and The dollar fell to a down because some of the down like yo-yos this militias are on ceasefire and week and some capital- record low against the other Sunni forces have tem- ists have been losing for- euro and the pound also porarily aligned themselves tunes. We never had any with the occupation. But when fell. American tourists in • Anti war protest in Seoul, south Korea. fortunes or stocks and Europe complained that Bush’s deputy, Dick Cheney, shares to lose and when no one would take their touched down in Baghdad for the capitalists complain unannounced talks with his effort to flush out their where- imperialist standards be de- The International Com- they have been ruined worthless dollars any commanders and puppet abouts. scribed as a “failed state” if it mittee of the Red Cross they are still far better more. leaders in Iraq he was Two partisans breached wasn’t for the fact that it’s oc- warned on Monday that the off than we are. The US and British greeted with the usual rock- the prison security and freed cupied by US imperialism. humanitarian situation in Iraq We depend on con- eting of the “Green Zone”. the prisoners after a battle After five years of trying to con- remains among the most tributions from readers governments, who have While the US vice-president that left two wardens and four ceal the truth from national critical in the world. More than vaunted their belief in the and supporters and we talked about the “phenom- security officers dead. The and world public opinion, 27 million Iraqis have no func- know you are not wealthy power of the free market, enal” and “spectacular” im- partisans and 22 freed pris- Washington is persisting in tioning water or sanitation fa- either. But the capital- unchecked capitalism and provement recorded in the oners returned safely to base. camouflaging the failure of its cilities. The Red Cross says ists are not going to fund country since his last visit in American casualties in war on and occupation of Iraq. Iraq’s health care system is us. Fighting capitalism derided state intervention May 2007, Kerbala – some in the market as backdoor Iraq are on the rise again, a Amnesty International now in its worse shape ever. is a way of life that re- 110 km south of the capital – pattern that has been re- says the current human Unemployment is run- quires dedication and socialism, suddenly started was rocked by the biggest peated over and over as re- rights situation in Iraq is “di- ning at 60 to 70 per cent ac- real sacrifice but it’s a intervening like mad. bomb blast it’s seen for a year. sistance fighters relocate, sastrous”. In a new report, cording to the puppet govern- war worth fighting. And The US Federal Re- Earlier last week resis- reorganise and re-engage Amnesty said: “Hundreds of ment in Baghdad. This is tance fighters carried out a this week the cracks in American targets with con- people are being killed every nearly twice what it was in the the enemy’s edifice are serve cut interest rates by bold attack to liberate young centrated attacks. The war month in the pervasive vio- period of the sanctions in the three-quarters of a per captives being held at a pup- has cost the United States lence, while countless lives 1990s. Public services like showing. pet regime juvenile facility in more than $400 billion, mak- are threatened every day by water and electricity have yet Help us fight on by cent – the second cut sending whatever you within a few weeks and the Baghdad. The operation had ing it the most expensive con- poverty, cuts to power and to be fully restored, despite been four months in plan- flict in history.
Recommended publications
  • Hong Kong SAR
    China Data Supplement November 2006 J People’s Republic of China J Hong Kong SAR J Macau SAR J Taiwan ISSN 0943-7533 China aktuell Data Supplement – PRC, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan 1 Contents The Main National Leadership of the PRC 2 LIU Jen-Kai The Main Provincial Leadership of the PRC 30 LIU Jen-Kai Data on Changes in PRC Main Leadership 37 LIU Jen-Kai PRC Agreements with Foreign Countries 47 LIU Jen-Kai PRC Laws and Regulations 50 LIU Jen-Kai Hong Kong SAR 54 Political, Social and Economic Data LIU Jen-Kai Macau SAR 61 Political, Social and Economic Data LIU Jen-Kai Taiwan 65 Political, Social and Economic Data LIU Jen-Kai ISSN 0943-7533 All information given here is derived from generally accessible sources. Publisher/Distributor: GIGA Institute of Asian Affairs Rothenbaumchaussee 32 20148 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 (0 40) 42 88 74-0 Fax: +49 (040) 4107945 2 November 2006 The Main National Leadership of the PRC LIU Jen-Kai Abbreviations and Explanatory Notes CCP CC Chinese Communist Party Central Committee CCa Central Committee, alternate member CCm Central Committee, member CCSm Central Committee Secretariat, member PBa Politburo, alternate member PBm Politburo, member Cdr. Commander Chp. Chairperson CPPCC Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference CYL Communist Youth League Dep. P.C. Deputy Political Commissar Dir. Director exec. executive f female Gen.Man. General Manager Gen.Sec. General Secretary Hon.Chp. Honorary Chairperson H.V.-Chp. Honorary Vice-Chairperson MPC Municipal People’s Congress NPC National People’s Congress PCC Political Consultative Conference PLA People’s Liberation Army Pol.Com.
    [Show full text]
  • Issue 1 2013
    ISSUE 1 · 2013 NPC《中国人大》对外版 CHAIRMAN ZHANG DEJIANG VOWS TO PROMOTE SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW ISSUE 4 · 2012 1 Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang (7th, L) has a group photo with vice-chairpersons Zhang Baowen, Arken Imirbaki, Zhang Ping, Shen Yueyue, Yan Junqi, Wang Shengjun, Li Jianguo, Chen Changzhi, Wang Chen, Ji Bingxuan, Qiangba Puncog, Wan Exiang, Chen Zhu (from left to right). Ma Zengke China’s new leadership takes 6 shape amid high expectations Contents Special Report Speech In–depth 6 18 24 China’s new leadership takes shape President Xi Jinping vows to bring China capable of sustaining economic amid high expectations benefits to people in realizing growth: Premier ‘Chinese dream’ 8 25 Chinese top legislature has younger 19 China rolls out plan to transform leaders Chairman Zhang Dejiang vows government functions to promote socialist democracy, 12 rule of law 27 China unveils new cabinet amid China’s anti-graft efforts to get function reform People institutional impetus 15 20 28 Report on the work of the Standing Chairman Zhang Dejiang: ‘Power China defense budget to grow 10.7 Committee of the National People’s should not be aloof from public percent in 2013 Congress (excerpt) supervision’ 20 Chairman Zhang Dejiang: ‘Power should not be aloof from public supervision’ Doubling income is easy, narrowing 30 regional gap is anything but 34 New age for China’s women deputies ISSUE 1 · 2013 29 37 Rural reform helps China ensure grain Style changes take center stage at security Beijing’s political season 30 Doubling
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
    China Data Supplement May 2007 J People’s Republic of China J Hong Kong SAR J Macau SAR J Taiwan ISSN 0943-7533 China aktuell Data Supplement – PRC, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan 1 Contents The Main National Leadership of the PRC .......................................................................... 2 LIU Jen-Kai The Main Provincial Leadership of the PRC ..................................................................... 30 LIU Jen-Kai Data on Changes in PRC Main Leadership ...................................................................... 37 LIU Jen-Kai PRC Agreements with Foreign Countries ......................................................................... 42 LIU Jen-Kai PRC Laws and Regulations .............................................................................................. 44 LIU Jen-Kai Hong Kong SAR ................................................................................................................ 45 LIU Jen-Kai Macau SAR ....................................................................................................................... 52 LIU Jen-Kai Taiwan .............................................................................................................................. 56 LIU Jen-Kai ISSN 0943-7533 All information given here is derived from generally accessible sources. Publisher/Distributor: GIGA Institute of Asian Studies Rothenbaumchaussee 32 20148 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 (0 40) 42 88 74-0 Fax: +49 (040) 4107945 2 May 2007 The Main National Leadership of the PRC
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
    China Data Supplement March 2007 J People’s Republic of China J Hong Kong SAR J Macau SAR J Taiwan ISSN 0943-7533 China aktuell Data Supplement – PRC, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan 1 Contents The Main National Leadership of the PRC 2 LIU Jen-Kai The Main Provincial Leadership of the PRC 30 LIU Jen-Kai Data on Changes in PRC Main Leadership 37 LIU Jen-Kai PRC Agreements with Foreign Countries 45 LIU Jen-Kai PRC Laws and Regulations 48 LIU Jen-Kai Hong Kong SAR 51 Political, Social and Economic Data LIU Jen-Kai Macau SAR 58 Political, Social and Economic Data LIU Jen-Kai Taiwan 62 Political, Social and Economic Data LIU Jen-Kai ISSN 0943-7533 All information given here is derived from generally accessible sources. Publisher/Distributor: GIGA Institute of Asian Studies Rothenbaumchaussee 32 20148 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 (0 40) 42 88 74-0 Fax: +49 (040) 4107945 2 March 2007 The Main National Leadership of the PRC LIU Jen-Kai Abbreviations and Explanatory Notes CCP CC Chinese Communist Party Central Committee CCa Central Committee, alternate member CCm Central Committee, member CCSm Central Committee Secretariat, member PBa Politburo, alternate member PBm Politburo, member BoD Board of Directors Cdr. Commander CEO Chief Executive Officer Chp. Chairperson COO Chief Operating Officer CPPCC Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference CYL Communist Youth League Dep.Cdr. Deputy Commander Dep. P.C. Deputy Political Commissar Dir. Director exec. executive f female Gen.Man. General Manager Hon.Chp. Honorary Chairperson Hon.V.-Chp. Honorary Vice-Chairperson MPC Municipal People’s Congress NPC National People’s Congress PCC Political Consultative Conference PLA People’s Liberation Army Pol.Com.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Affairs Questions and Answers for February 2010: 1. Which Bollywood Film Is Set to Become the First Indian Film to Hit T
    ho”. With this latest honour the Mozart of Madras joins Current Affairs Questions and Answers for other Indian music greats like Pandit Ravi Shankar, February 2010: Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayak and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt who have won a Grammy in the past. 1. Which bollywood film is set to become the first A. R. Rahman also won Two Academy Awards, four Indian film to hit the Egyptian theaters after a gap of National Film Awards, thirteen Filmfare Awards, a 15 years? BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe. Answer: “My Name is Khan”. 9. Which bank became the first Indian bank to break 2. Who becomes the 3rd South African after Andrew into the world’s Top 50 list, according to the Brand Hudson and Jacques Rudoph to score a century on Finance Global Banking 500, an annual international Test debut? ranking by UK-based Brand Finance Plc, this year? Answer: Alviro Petersen Answer: The State Bank of India (SBI). 3. Which Northeastern state of India now has four HSBC retain its top slot for the third year and there are ‘Chief Ministers’, apparently to douse a simmering 20 Indian banks in the Brand Finance® Global Banking discontent within the main party in the coalition? 500. Answer: Meghalaya 10. Which country won the African Cup of Nations Veteran Congress leader D D Lapang had assumed soccer tournament for the third consecutive time office as chief minister on May 13, 2009. He is the chief with a 1-0 victory over Ghana in the final in Luanda, minister with statutory authority vested in him.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinese Leadership in Tibet
    WWW.SAVETIBET.ORG CHINESE LEADERSHIP IN TIBET PAGE 1 / 3 Chinese leaders in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa Little is reliably known about which individuals therefore have a vested interest in averting any kind and institutions in the People’s Republic of China of conciliation between the Chinese government and (PRC) are ultimately responsible for formulating the Dalai Lama. While such “anti-Dalai” postures and implementing government policy in Tibet. may have been key to advancing their own careers, Instead, China’s complex and factionalized pow- the frequently vicious personal condemnations of er structures are almost entirely opaque on the the Dalai Lama have profoundly alienated the vast question of Tibet, and the relevant government majority of Tibetans from the Chinese establishment and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials in Tibet - long before any considerations of Tibetans’ remain entirely unaccountable to the Tibetan growing social and economic marginalization are people themselves. taken into account. Tibet continues to be controlled - both regionally as THE CENTRAL STATE LEADERSHIP, XI JINPING well as in relevant Party and government offices in Xi Jinping, as the President and, more importantly, as Beijing - by a hard-line conservative faction, made General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, up of people whom several observers have noted currently has the ultimate say on matters concerning over the years have based their careers almost entirely Tibet. His father, Xi Zhongxun, had close connec- on being “anti-Dalai” and “anti-splittist,” and who tions to Tibet and this makes President Xi someone WWW.SAVETIBET.ORG CHINESE LEADERSHIP IN TIBET PAGE 2 / 3 who has a direct family connection with Tibet.
    [Show full text]
  • Tablica Chronologiczna
    TABLICA CHRONOLOGICZNA Około 160000 p.n.e. Żuchwa denisowianina odnaleziona przez mnichów w jaskini, w Labrangu (prowincja Gansu) i zbadana przez międzynarodowy zespół uczonych w 2019 roku. Około 40000 p.n.e. Kamienne groty i narzędzia (odnalezione w środkowym Tybecie i opisane przez międzynarodowy zespół badaczy w 2018 roku) z uznanego za najwyżej położone paleolityczne stanowisko archeologiczne na świecie. Około 18000 p.n.e. Epoka lodowcowa; ślady paleniska oraz stóp i dłoni sześciu osób w oddalonej o 85 kilometrów od Lhasy litej skale (odkryte w marcu 2002 roku). 12000 do 6000 p.n.e. Mezolit: ślady pierwszych plemion tybetańskich. 5000 p.n.e. Kości i neolityczne wyroby z gliny (odnalezione w Czamdo w 1978 roku). 1600 p.n.e. Najstarsze grobowce (odnalezione w Camdzie, w Ngari w 2018 roku). około X wiek p.n.e. Szenrab Miło z Szangszungu, twórca pierwotnej religii Tybetu, bonu (wedle kronik bonpów przed Niatrim Cenpo Szangszungiem włada osiemnastu królów). około 313 p.n.e. (wedle tybetańskich kronik 127 rok p.n.e.) Na tronie zasiada Niatri Cenpo, pierwszy król Tybetu – początek królewskiego kalendarza tybetańskiego. V wiek n.e. Pierwszy „kontakt” z buddyzmem. Za panowania Lhatotoriego, dwudziestego ósmego władcy dynastii jarluńskiej, na dziedziniec pałacu Jumbu Lakhang spada kosz z buddyjskimi pismami i przedmiotami rytualnymi. Nikt w Tybecie nie wie, co o nich sądzić, król ma jednak sen, w którym słyszy głos, wyjaśniający, iż „znaczenie owych przedmiotów stanie się czytelne dla piątego pokolenia”. około 600 Król Namri Songcen z Jarlungu zaczyna jednoczyć tybetańskie królestwo. 618–907 W Chinach rządzi dynastia Tang. około 627–649 Panowanie Songcena Gampo (609–649), pierwszego „króla Dharmy”, który jednoczy Tybet.
    [Show full text]
  • Special Topic Paper: Tibet 2008-2009
    Congressional-Executive Commission on China Special Topic Paper: Tibet 2008-2009 October 22, 2009 This Commission topic paper adds to and further develops information and analysis provided in Section V—Tibet of the Commission’s 2009 Annual Report, and incorporates the information and analysis contained therein. Congressional-Executive Commission on China Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Chairman Representative Sander M. Levin, Cochairman 243 Ford House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 | 202-226-3766 | 202-226-3804 (FAX) www.cecc.gov Congressional-Executive Commission on China Special Topic Paper: Tibet 2008-2009 Table of Contents Findings ........................................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction: Tibetans Persist With Protest, Government Strengthens Unpopular Policies ...............................3 Government Shifts Toward More Aggressive International Policy on Tibet Issue ...............................................5 Beijing Think Tank Finds Chinese Government Policy Principally Responsible for the “3.14 Incident” ...................................................8 Status of Negotiations Between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama or His Representatives............13 The China-Dalai Lama Dialogue Stalls ..............................................................................................................................................................14 The Eighth Round of Dialogue, Handing Over
    [Show full text]
  • Local Leadership and Economic Development: Democratic India Vs
    No. 24 | 2010 China Papers Local Leadership and Economic Development: Democratic India vs. Authoritarian China Bo Zhiyue China Papers ABSTRACT What is the impact of the type of political regime on economic development? Does democracy foster economic growth? Or is an authoritarian regime in a better position to promote material welfare? The conventional wisdom, as detailed in Adam Przeworski et al (2000), is that the regime type has no impact on economic growth. Democracy neither fosters nor hinders economic development. However, the cases of India and China seem to suggest otherwise. In the past three decades, India—the largest democracy in the world—has sustained a moderate rate of economic growth while China—the largest authoritarian regime— has witnessed an unprecedented period of economic expansion. Using data on economic growth at the state/provincial level from India and China, this study attempts to understand the impact of political regimes on economic development. The chapter will review the literature on regimes and economic development, highlight the contrast in economic growth between India and China in the past six decades, examine the two countries at the state/provincial level, and explore the impact of local leadership on economic development in a comparative framework. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Zhiyue BO is a Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore. China Papers Local Leadership and Economic Development: Democratic India vs. Authoritarian China Bo Zhiyue I. Introduction What is the impact of the type of political regime on economic development? Does democracy foster economic growth? Or is an authoritarian regime in a better position to promote material welfare? The conventional wisdom, as detailed in Adam Przeworski et al (2000),1 is that the regime type has no impact on economic growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinabrief Volume X  Issue 2  January 21, 2010
    ChinaBrief Volume X Issue 2 January 21, 2010 VOLUME X ISSUE 2 JANUARY 21, 2010 IN THIS ISSUE: IN A FORTNIGHT By L.C. Russell Hsiao 1 HU’S “NEW DEAL” WITH TIBET: CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS AND TIBETAN TRAITS? By Willy Lam 2 THE PLA’S MULTIPLE MILITARY TASKS: PRIORITIZING COMBAT OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPING MOOTW CAPABILITIES By Michael S. Chase and Kristen Gunness 5 CHINESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TROUBLE INDIA By Vijay Sakhuja 8 MANAGING THE CHIANG-CHEN TALKS IN CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS Chen Yunlin (L) and Chiang Pin-kung (R) By Cheng-yi Lin 10 China Brief is a bi-weekly jour- nal of information and analysis In a Fortnight covering Greater China in Eur- asia. By L.C. Russell Hsiao China Brief is a publication of AIMS AND MOTIVES OF CHINA’S RECENT MISSILE DEFENSE TEST The Jamestown Foundation, a private non-profit organization he U.S. government announced on January 6 that it awarded the defense based in Washington D.C. and Tmanufacturer, Lockheed Martin, a contract to build the Patriot Advanced is edited by L.C. Russell Hsiao. Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles for Taiwan. The agreement is part of an arms package that the United States agreed to sell to Taiwan in 2008 (eTaiwan news, January 7). The opinions expressed in The Indian government also recently declared that it was expanding its anti-ballistic China Brief are solely those missile system to include an anti-satellite program (ASM) (Space News, January 4). of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Following these announcements the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced The Jamestown Foundation.
    [Show full text]
  • ISSUE 1 2009 Npcnational People’S Congress of China
    ISSUE 1 2009 NPCNational People’s Congress of China Xinjiang’s future is promising Democratic great changes through legislative development 3 President Hu Jintao talks to NPC deputies from Southwest China's Tibet Au- tonomous Region in a panel discussion on March 9, 2009. The Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) was held in Beijing on March 5-13, 2009. (Photo by: Lai Xiangdong) Premier Wen Jiabao joins NPC deputies from Northwest China's Gansu Prov- ince in Beijing on March 6, 2009. (Photo by: Li Xueren) Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), joins NPC deputies from Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality in the panel discussion on March 6, 2009. (Pho- to by: Liu Jiansheng) 2 Foreign envoys listen to Premier Wen Jiabao delivering the Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for the Second Session of the 11th Na- government work report during the opening of the Second Ses- tional People's Congress (NPC), talks with Li Lianning, deputy sion of the 11th NPC in Beijing on March 5, 2009. (Photo by: Du secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee during a press Yang) conference on the sideline of the Second Session of the 11th NPC in Beijing on March 4, 2009. (AFP) Zhang Ping, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commis- sion, explains the "4-trillion yuan stimulus package” to journalists at Reporters encircle to interview Liu Chuanzhi, president of Lenovo Group Ltd, as he enters the Great the press conference held on side- Hall of the People for the opening of the NPC annual session on March 5, 2009 in Beijing.
    [Show full text]
  • China's Politics in 2007: Power Consolidation, Personnel Change
    Briefing Series – Issue 33 CHINA’S POLITICS IN 2007: POWER CONSOLIDATION, PERSONNEL CHANGE AND POLICY REORIENTATION Gang CHEN Liang Fook LYE Dali YANG Zhengxu WANG © Copyright China Policy Institute January 2008 China House University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)115 846 7769 Fax: +44 (0)115 846 7900 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chinapolicyinstitute.org The China Policy Institute was set up to analyse critical policy challenges faced by China in its rapid development. Its goals are to help expand the knowledge and understanding of contemporary China in Britain, Europe and worldwide, to help build a more informed dialogue between China and the UK and Europe, and to contribute to government and business strategies. 1 Summary 1. The year 2007 witnessed the convening of the 17 th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). General Secretary Hu Jintao further consolidated his power by bringing his trusted officials into the Political Bureau and having his “Scientific Development” concept enshrined in the Party Constitution. 2. Nevertheless, the Party Congress was not a landslide victory for Hu, who reportedly made a compromise with the Shanghai Clique and the Princelings Group by making Xi Jinping the frontrunner to succeed him in five year’s time. 3. Li Keqiang, two years younger than Xi and favored by Hu, joined the Standing Political Bureau Committee. He is to become vice premier in March 2008 and expected to succeed Wen Jiabao as premier five years later. 4. Besides Xi and Li, several new Political Bureau members in their 50s, including Li Yuanchao, Wang Yang, Bo Xilai and Wang Qishan, have the potential to stay in the core leadership for another ten years and may even stand a chance to become General Secretary or Premier.
    [Show full text]