China's National People's Congress
March 5-15, 2002
[
News ] [
Papers ]
Beijing's Threat to
Use Force Unchanged, Says China's
Zhu
(AFP, March 16, 2002) Beijing has not changed
its policy on Taiwan
despite a recent speech characterized by many observers as surprisingly mild,
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said. He also stressed that a pledge to use force
to reunite the island with China
still stood.
NPC
Annual Session Closes
(People’s Daily, March 15, 2002) The National People's Congress closed its
annual session in Beijing
Friday, after approving Premier Zhu Rongji's government work report and other
important documents.
China's Army to
Prepare for 'Military Struggle'
(CNN.com, March 13, 2002) Chinese President Jiang Zemin has asked the armed
forces to make "solid preparation for military struggle" in order
to attain national reunification. Jiang said: "to solve the issue of Taiwan
and realize complete reunification of the motherland is one of the three
major tasks for the Party and the nation in the new century."
Sino-US
Co-operation Vital to World Peace: Tang Jiaxuan
(China Daily, March 7, 2002) Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Wednesday
that China and the United States are committed to developing a
"constructive and co-operative relationship,'' which is essential to
global peace, stability and security. "I want to emphasize that the
Taiwan question remains the most sensitive and most important core issue in
Sino-US relations.''
Nothing
New in Zhu's Remarks on Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Mar. 6, 2002) Zhu repeated China's
precondition for the resumption of cross-strait talks, namely, that Taiwan should accept the "one China"
principle. Zhu's speech was the the first time the Chinese premier mentioned
the so-called "one China,
three phases" rhetoric in remarks before the Chinese parliament.
China Plays Down
Army Budget Increase
(CNN.com, Mar 6, 2002) China's
generals have indicated that the army's big budget boost is modest and will
not constitute a threat to foreign countries. However, they have stressed the
determination of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to smash any "separatist
plots," a reference to the pro-independence movement in Taiwan.
China Raises Defense Budget Again
(Washington Post, March 5, 2002) The increase reflects Beijing's
ambition to build a powerful military to complement its robust economy and
underpin its strategic position in Asia. But
the 2.5-million-member People's Liberation Army is struggling with its
modernization program, handicapped by low pay, poor morale and difficulty
absorbing new weapons.
China Said Set to
Announce More Military Spending
(Reuters, Mar. 4, 2002) China
will announce another double-digit rise in its military budget this year as
it seeks to streamline the world's largest standing army into a lean,
high-technology force.
Beijing Boosts Military Prowess By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, March 12, 2002) A newly set-up military research unit says much
about Beijing's
determination to pursue defense modernization -- and the armed forces'
growing clout. President Jiang Zemin had earlier this year approved the
establishment of an inter-departmental organ to coordinate military research
and development.
New Breed of Leader Emerging in China By Willy Wo-lap
Lam
(CNN.com, Mar. 5, 2002) While all eyes are on forthcoming leadership changes
in Beijing,
an equally significant reshuffle is taking place in the provinces and major
cities. In the past year, half of China's 31 provinces and
centrally administered cities have witnessed a changing of the guard.
China's Jiang Battles to Ensure His
Legacy Survives By Brian
Rhoads
(Reuters, Mar. 5, 2002) Once viewed as a mere transitional figure, Jiang is
pushing for a place in China's ideological pantheon along with Deng and
Chairman Mao Zedong with a controversial drive to allow entrepreneurs into
the party.
China's
Congress Sets Stage for Leadership Handover
(Reuters, Mar. 4, 2002) When the curtain rises on mainland China's annual
setpiece of political theater this week, the real drama will be unfolding
behind the scenes as top leaders jockey for position ahead of a leadership
change late this year.
China's National People's Congress
(CNN, Mar. 2002) The NPC is considered the highest organ of state power in China.
Its main functions and powers include formulation of laws, election of
politicians, and supervision of government policy and its implementation.
|
