China
Li Na French Open Win Demonstrates ‘Superiority of Socialism’
Christophe Ena/Associated Press A socialist forehand with Chinese characteristics? Feng Zi/European Pressphoto Agency A provincial sports chief speaks to reporters after watching Li Na win the French Open in Wuhan, Li’s hometown, in central China’s Hubei province, June 4, 2011. More In Li Na Li Na Is Magnanimous in Victory Li Na Heats Up After Firing Husband China Watch: The Costs of Going Home, China the Next Egypt? In Chinese Tennis, Women Hold Up All The Sky Li and Zheng Lose in Australia , But Chinese Tennis Scores a Victory Apparently it wasn’t Wheaties that made Chinese tennis star Li Na a champion. In case global tennis fans had any questions about how the 30-year-old became China’s first Grand Slam singles champ at Roland Garros, the Communist Party chief from Ms. Li’s home province of Hubei provided an answer. “Li winning the French Open was a showcase of her competitive strength as well as a demonstration of the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China,” the party secretary, Li Hongzhong, said at a ceremony in her honor this week, according to the Party-backed Global Times tabloid. It’s an interesting theory for an athlete whose acumen with a racket parallels her reputation as an off-court rebel constantly clashing with China’s rigid state sports training system. But in the aftermath of her victory, the tattooed Ms. Li appears to have at least accepted – if not fully embraced – the hero’s welcome, which has catapulted her to the ranks of gold medal winners and NBA basketball star Yao Ming. “I want to thank the country, Hubei, my family and all my coaches for their support. I’m willing to dedicate my victory to the country,” Ms. Li said, according to the Global Times. Her speech this week in Hubei followed words of gratitude she offered after her victory for Sun Jinfang, director of China’s Tennis Sport Management Center with the General Administration of Sport, who’d heaped criticism on Ms. Li ‘s decision to finally break ties with the state sports system in 2008. Ms. Li appeared to put hard feelings aside, accepting a 600,000 yuan ($93,000) prize from the local government. It’s a fraction of the €1.2 million she pocketed for winning the French Open, but a tidy sum nonetheless from a still-developing region. She stopped short of performing the entire prodigal child act, however. A spokesman for the Hubei Administration of Sports said Ms. Li had already agreed to serve as deputy director of the province’s tennis administration center after she retired. Ms. Li denied the new gig, apparently not prepared to join the government of a province more famous for its freshwater fishing industry than its ability to produce athletic stars. “I heard about it, but haven’t taken it seriously,” she told a gaggle of reporters on Tuesday at a trendy shopping area in downtown Beijing, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. “I am not capable of managing others.” –Brian Spegele. Follow him on Twitter @bspegele .
- Christophe Ena/Associated Press
- A socialist forehand with Chinese characteristics?
- Feng Zi/European Pressphoto Agency
- A provincial sports chief speaks to reporters after watching Li Na win the French Open in Wuhan, Li’s hometown, in central China’s Hubei province, June 4, 2011.
Apparently it wasn’t Wheaties that made Chinese tennis star Li Na a champion.
In case global tennis fans had any questions about how the 30-year-old became China’s first Grand Slam singles champ at Roland Garros, the Communist Party chief from Ms. Li’s home province of Hubei provided an answer.
“Li winning the French Open was a showcase of her competitive strength as well as a demonstration of the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China,” the party secretary, Li Hongzhong, said at a ceremony in her honor this week, according to the Party-backed Global Times tabloid.
It’s an interesting theory for an athlete whose acumen with a racket parallels her reputation as an off-court rebel constantly clashing with China’s rigid state sports training system. But in the aftermath of her victory, the tattooed Ms. Li appears to have at least accepted – if not fully embraced – the hero’s welcome, which has catapulted her to the ranks of gold medal winners and NBA basketball star Yao Ming.
“I want to thank the country, Hubei, my family and all my coaches for their support. I’m willing to dedicate my victory to the country,” Ms. Li said, according to the Global Times.
Her speech this week in Hubei followed words of gratitude she offered after her victory for Sun Jinfang, director of China’s Tennis Sport Management Center with the General Administration of Sport, who’d heaped criticism on Ms. Li ‘s decision to finally break ties with the state sports system in 2008.
Ms. Li appeared to put hard feelings aside, accepting a 600,000 yuan ($93,000) prize from the local government. It’s a fraction of the €1.2 million she pocketed for winning the French Open, but a tidy sum nonetheless from a still-developing region.
She stopped short of performing the entire prodigal child act, however. A spokesman for the Hubei Administration of Sports said Ms. Li had already agreed to serve as deputy director of the province’s tennis administration center after she retired. Ms. Li denied the new gig, apparently not prepared to join the government of a province more famous for its freshwater fishing industry than its ability to produce athletic stars.
“I heard about it, but haven’t taken it seriously,” she told a gaggle of reporters on Tuesday at a trendy shopping area in downtown Beijing, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. “I am not capable of managing others.”
–Brian Spegele. Follow him on Twitter @bspegele.
China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or piecemeal fashion.
In 2006, China announced that by 2010 it would decrease energy intensity 20% from 2005 levels.
China is the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with an average growth rate of 10% for the past 30 years.
Some economists believe that Chinese economic growth has been in fact understated during much of the 1990s and early 2000s, failing to fully factor in the growth driven by the private sector and that the extent at which China is dependent on exports is exaggerated.
Its mineral resources are probably among the richest in the world but are only partially developed.
A report by UBS in 2009 concluded that China has experienced total factor productivity growth of 4 per cent per year since 1990, one of the fastest improvements in world economic history.
China’s increasing integration with the international economy and its growing efforts to use market forces to govern the domestic allocation of goods have exacerbated this problem.
The ministry made the announcements during a press conference held in Xiamen on the upcoming United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Forum and the 14th China International Fair for Investment and Trade.
Last year was the eighth consecutive year that the nation’s ODI had grown.
China is aiming to be the world’s largest new energy vehicle market by 2020 with 5 million cars.
Although China is still a developing country with a relatively low per capita income, it has experienced tremendous economic growth since the late 1970s.
Despite initial gains in farmers’ incomes in the early 1980s, taxes and fees have increasingly made farming an unprofitable occupation, and because the state owns all land farmers have at times been easily evicted when croplands are sought by developers.
In terms of cash crops, China ranks first in cotton and tobacco and is an important producer of oilseeds, silk, tea, ramie, jute, hemp, sugarcane, and sugar beets.
Livestock raising on a large scale is confined to the border regions and provinces in the north and west; it is mainly of the nomadic pastoral type.
China is one of the world’s major mineral-producing countries.
Alumina is found in many parts of the country; China is one of world’s largest producers of aluminum.
Major industrial products are textiles, chemicals, fertilizers, machinery (especially for agriculture), processed foods, iron and steel, building materials, plastics, toys, and electronics.
Shanghai and Guangzhou are the traditionally great textile centers, but many new mills have been built, concentrated mostly in the cotton-growing provinces of N China and along the Chang (Yangtze) River.
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Li Na French Open Win Demonstrates ‘Superiority of Socialism’
Business
Gordonstoun Severs Connections with Business Led by Individual Accused of Espionage for China
Gordonstoun school severed ties with Hampton Group over espionage allegations against chairman Yang Tengbo. He denies involvement and claims to be a victim of political tensions between the UK and China.
Allegations Lead to School’s Decision
Gordonstoun School in Moray has cut ties with Hampton Group International after serious allegations surfaced regarding its chairman, Yang Tengbo, who is accused of being a spy for the Chinese government. Known by the alias "H6," Mr. Tengbo was involved in a deal that aimed to establish five new schools in China affiliated with Gordonstoun. However, the recent allegations compelled the school to terminate their agreement.
Public Denial and Legal Action
In response to the spying claims, Mr. Tengbo publicly revealed his identity, asserting that he has committed no wrongdoing. A close associate of Prince Andrew and a former Gordonstoun student himself, Mr. Tengbo has strenuously denied the accusations, stating that he is a target of the escalating tensions between the UK and China. He has claimed that his mistreatment is politically motivated.
Immigration Challenges and Legal Responses
Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, has faced additional challenges regarding his immigration status in the UK. After losing an appeal against a ban enacted last year, he reiterated his innocence, condemning media speculation while emphasizing his commitment to clear his name. Gordonstoun, on its part, stated its inability to divulge further details due to legal constraints.
Source : Gordonstoun cuts ties with business chaired by man accused of spying for China
Business
China Dismantles Prominent Uyghur Business Landmark in Xinjiang – Shia Waves
The Chinese government demolished the Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center in Xinjiang, affecting Uyghur culture and commerce, prompting criticism from activists amid concerns over cultural erasure and human rights violations.
Demolition of a Cultural Landmark
The Chinese government recently demolished the Rebiya Kadeer Trade Center in Urumqi, Xinjiang, a vital hub for Uyghur culture and commerce, as reported by VOA. This center, once inhabited by more than 800 predominantly Uyghur-owned businesses, has been deserted since 2009. Authorities forcibly ordered local business owners to vacate the premises before proceeding with the demolition, which took place without any public notice.
Condemnation from Activists
Uyghur rights activists have condemned this demolition, perceiving it as part of China’s broader strategy to undermine Uyghur identity and heritage. The event has sparked heightened international concern regarding China’s policies in Xinjiang, which have been characterized by allegations of mass detentions and cultural suppression, prompting claims of crimes against humanity.
Rebiya Kadeer’s Response
Rebiya Kadeer, the center’s namesake and a notable Uyghur rights advocate, criticized the demolition as a deliberate attempt to erase her legacy. Kadeer, who has been living in exile in the U.S. since her release from imprisonment in 2005, continues to advocate for Uyghur rights. She has expressed that her family members have suffered persecution due to her activism, while the Chinese government has yet to comment on the legal ramifications of the demolition.
Source : China Demolishes Uyghur Business Landmark in Xinjiang – Shia Waves
China
China Expands Nationwide Private Pension Scheme After Two-Year Pilot Program
China’s private pension scheme, previously piloted in 36 cities, will roll out nationwide on December 15, 2024, enabling workers to open tax-deferred accounts. The initiative aims to enhance retirement savings, address aging population challenges, and stimulate financial sector growth.
After a two-year pilot program, China has officially expanded its private pension scheme nationwide. Starting December 15, 2024, workers covered by urban employee basic pension insurance or urban-rural resident basic pension insurance across the country can participate in this supplementary pension scheme. This nationwide rollout represents a significant milestone in China’s efforts to build a comprehensive pension system, addressing the challenges of a rapidly aging population.
On December 12, 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, together with four other departments including the Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration, the Financial Regulatory Administration, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, announced the nationwide implementation of China’s private pension scheme effective December 15, 2024. The initiative extends eligibility to all workers enrolled in urban employee basic pension insurance or urban-rural resident basic pension insurance.
A notable development is the expansion of tax incentives for private pensions, previously limited to pilot cities, to a national scale. Participants can now enjoy these benefits across China, with government agencies collaborating to ensure seamless implementation and to encourage broad participation through these enhanced incentives.
China first introduced its private pension scheme in November 2022 as a pilot program covering 36 cities and regions, including major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Chengdu. Under the program, individuals were allowed to open tax-deferred private pension accounts, contributing up to RMB 12,000 (approximately $1,654) annually to invest in a range of retirement products such as bank deposits, mutual funds, commercial pension insurance, and wealth management products.
Read more about China’s private pension pilot program launched two years ago: China Officially Launches New Private Pension Scheme – Who Can Take Part?
The nationwide implementation underscores the Chinese government’s commitment to addressing demographic challenges and promoting economic resilience. By providing tax advantages and expanding access, the scheme aims to incentivize long-term savings and foster greater participation in personal retirement planning.
The reform is expected to catalyze growth in China’s financial and insurance sectors while offering individuals a reliable mechanism to enhance their retirement security.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
Read the rest of the original article.
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