CHINA INSIDER - CHINESE MILITARY SECRETS DEFECTED COMMUNIST SPY REVEALED BY - TIANANMEN MASSACRE 30 YEARS: EPOCH CLOUD
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NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images
WEEK 23, 2019
CHINA
INSIDER
Tiananmen Massacre 30 Years:
The World Remembers 2
Chinese Military Secrets
Revealed by
Defected Communist Spy
See Page 6
2 | CHINA INSIDER Week 23, 2019 Week 23, 2019 CHINA INSIDER |3
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
SOCIAL MEDIA
TIANANMEN 30 YEARS
Twitter Suspends Accounts Critical
Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo
Chinese Netizens, Governments Around
in Bellinzona,
of Chinese Regime Days Before
Switzerland, on
June 2, 2019.
Pompeo called on
World Commemorate 30th Anniversary of
Beijing to give a
public accounting
about those who
were killed or
Tiananmen Anniversary
Tiananmen Square Massacre
went missing in Loic Venance/AFP/Getty Images
the Tiananmen Jennifer Zeng
massacre.
Just days before one of the most sensitive
anniversaries in China, Twitter suspend-
ed a host of Chinese-language accounts,
many of which identified as “anti-CCP
[Chinese Communist Party],” in what the
company said was an accident.
C
Nicole Hao Videos posted by Chinese netizens showed hundreds ing widely on the Chinese internet. In the photo, those held for seeking to exercise these rights and The action, which some say may have
of police officers, plainclothes police, and security six bottles of juice are purposely arranged so that freedoms,” noting that China’s human rights record affected more than 1,000 accounts, oc-
hinese citizens have found subtle ways to mourn guards monitoring the square. In some places, police Some netizens their labels would spell out a message. The first four has failed to improve since the events of 1989. curred overnight between May 31 and
the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre on checked people’s IDs, bags, and other possessions. labels show the numbers 8964, which represents He also urged China to make a full public account- June 1. It drew heavy criticism from Chi-
June 4, amid continued government efforts to censor Meanwhile, the United States, European Union, said they June 4, 1989; the last two labels contain the Chinese ing of those killed or missing in the Tiananmen na commentators on the platform, with
any mentions of the 30th anniversary of the Chi-
nese regime’s brutal suppression of pro-democracy
and other international bodies have renewed their
criticisms of the Beijing regime for the violent crack- have begun a characters for “students absent,” alluding to the fact
that some students who protested at Tiananmen
crackdown.
The official Twitter account of the U.S. Mission in
many speculating that the timing of the
suspensions three days before the 30th
protests in 1989.
Meanwhile, the United States, European Union,
down and continued human rights abuses.
Others said they were unable to send via text mes-
hunger strike Square 30 years ago are no longer living.
Another photo, which appears to be a doctored
China posted a memorial video titled “China, 30 Years
After the Tiananmen Square Massacre” on June 3.
anniversary of the Tiananmen Square
massacre was more than a coincidence.
and other international bodies have renewed their
criticisms of the Beijing regime for the violent crack-
sage an emoji of a candle, likely because Chinese
censors believe it represents people mourning vic-
for 24 hours in image of a page within a Chinese almanac calendar,
has also been making the rounds. The page marked
Meanwhile, European Union foreign affairs chief
Federica Mogherini stated that on behalf of the 28
On May 31, many Chinese dissidents,
rights lawyers, activists, college stu-
down and continued human rights abuses. tims of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Some Chinese dissidents reported that they
remembrance “June 4” has the message “do not speak.” At the bot-
tom, where there is usually a Chinese astrological
EU nations, she “strongly condemned the brutal
repression” that had occurred at Tiananmen Square
dents, and ordinary netizens reported
that they had lost access to their Twit-
China Suppression and Resistance haven’t been allowed to leave their homes, similar to of the June 4, forecast, it reads: “This is a big year. People with basic 30 years ago. ter accounts. While Twitter is banned
In the early morning of June 4 in Beijing, police previous occasions when authorities would monitor common sense are mourning inside their hearts.” Ahead of vigils held at Liberty Square in Taipei in China, many netizens circumvent the
cars and trucks were seen blocking roads around them closely ahead of sensitive dates. Others have 1989, victims. Some netizens said they had begun a 24-hour fast City, Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on Face- internet blockade to use the platform.
Tiananmen Square, according to foreign media out- been forced to travel to rural areas, as authorities in remembrance of June 4 victims, while others said book on June 4, “The Chinese government not only One Chinese Twitter user, whose ac-
lets. Police were only allowing people to enter the fear that they would incite local protests. they lit candles. Many posts were later deleted by did not plan to repent for the past mistakes, but it count is named “709 Inciter,” said he sud-
square by foot or by bike. In Shenzhen City of Guangdong Province, some Chinese censors. also continued to cover up the truth.” denly found his Twitter account frozen
Foreign journalists were barred from taking photos people have had to present their IDs to ride the sub- Tsai vowed: “Please be reassured—Taiwan will defi- on May 31. Logos of social networking service Twitter displayed on computers’ screens on
and told by police that special approval was needed to way, according to a report by Radio Free Asia. World Reaction nitely defend democracy and freedom. Regardless of “I cannot reply, retweet, comment, Nov. 20, 2017.
enter Tiananmen Square on June 4. AFP reported that Some Chinese found clever ways to subtly com- U.S. Secretary of State Mike threats and infiltration [from Beijing], as long as I’m tweet, like or send private messages. I
one officer told journalists that engaging in “illegal memorate the event. Pompeo, in a statement on June the president, Taiwan would not bow to pressure.” can see my tweets. However, all my fol-
media behavior” could affect their visa renewals. A photo of a supermarket shelf has been spread- 3, called on Beijing “to release all lowers and followings got cleared away. ing students in Tiananmen Square,
My friends cannot find me when search- which remains a strictly censored topic
ing for my username,” the user told the Since last August, the Chinese in China. In the lead-up to the sensitive
Chinese-language edition of The Epoch regime has been clamping down date, China censors have gone into over-
on Chinese citizens’ activities on
Reuters/Arthur Tsang/File Photo
Times. drive to scrub the web of content relating
Tang Baiqiao, a student leader during to the 1989 tragedy.
A man stands in the 1989 protests and president of the the U.S. social media site. Meanwhile, many Chinese netizens,
front of a convoy Democracy Academy of China, posted who use virtual private network soft-
of tanks in the on his Facebook account on May 31: “My result of its routine efforts to curb spam ware to circumvent China’s “Great Fire-
Avenue of Eternal Twitter account was attacked! I cannot and “inauthentic” behavior. wall” to access foreign websites and so-
Peace in Beijing on log in now. Almost all the materials (in “We suspended a number of accounts cial media, have complained on Twitter
CRED June 5, 1989. my account) have disappeared. Not only this week,” it said. “However, some of that it’s become harder for them “jump
me, but also almost all Twitter accounts these were involved in commentary over the Great Firewall.”
of other members of our organization about China. These accounts were not The Great Firewall refers to China’s
were attacked, with their contents de- mass reported by the Chinese authori- internet censorship apparatus that in-
leted.” ties—this was a routine action on our cludes blockading foreign websites and
Sasha Gong, a former Voice of America part. censoring content deemed undesirable
journalist, condemned Twitter’s actions. “Sometimes, our routine actions catch by the Chinese Communist Party.
“So far, every suspended account I have false positives or we make errors. We Since last August, the Chinese regime
located was critical of the Chinese gov- apologize. We’re working today to en- has been clamping down on Chinese citi-
ernment,” she said in a statement about sure we overturn any errors but that we zens’ activities on the U.S. social media
the suspension of her Twitter account. remain vigilant in enforcing our rules for site. Many Chinese dissidents and com-
“Twitter’s action seems to be in accor- those who violate them.” mentators have been forced by local police
dance with that of the Chinese authori- Some users, however, weren’t con- to shut down their accounts, while some
ties, who launched sever crackdown vinced by Twitter’s explanation. One have been detained and imprisoned.
against any criticism in the eve of the user, named Jack Blum, commented, In December, Twitter user Liu Hongbo,
big anniversary [sic]. No wonder many “And this just so happened to occur right from Yangzhou City in China’s Jiangsu
Chinese call it ‘the Twitter massacre.’” before the anniversary of Tiananmen?” Province, was sentenced to six months in
Amid mounting reports of the account Other users, in response, posted an prison for posting more than 400 tweets
suspensions, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R- image of Twitter’s bird mascot with a that allegedly “defamed the Chinese
Fla.) voiced his concern on June 1, writ- hammer and sickle—the symbol of the Communist Party and Party leaders.”
ing that “Twitter has become a Chinese Chinese Communist Party—as its eye, In October, independent commentator
govt censor.” on top of a red background. Wang Yajun was detained for 10 days for
In a statement on June 1, Twitter said This year marks the 30th anniversary his Twitter activity. After his release, he
that the suspensions were an inadvertent of the massacre of peacefully protest- wrote, “Twitter, it’s time to say goodbye!”
CENSORSHIP
Chinese Artist Censored by Authorities
for Mention of Tiananmen Square
Massacre in Award Speech
Olivia Li the award ceremony on May 27. But what might happen to Zhang next, since
C
both reports—and many online articles he mentioned a topic that the Chinese
hinese artist Zhang Yue received that previously mentioned Zhang were regime has continually denied and even
China’s top art award in Beijing removed from the internet within two erased from history books.
on May 27. However, all news re- days. The only information about Zhang Former 1989 student leader Zhou Feng-
ports about the award ceremony on AAC’s website is an article from April, suo told Radio Free Asia that Zhang’s ac-
and previous reports about Zhang’s art which announced that Zhang was one ceptance speech could be seen as a form
CENSORSHIP
Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images
accomplishments were deleted from the of the nominees for “Young Artist of the of art.
internet shortly after—because Zhang Year in 2019.” “When the majority of Chinese choose
China Tested Internet Shutdown Ahead of
mentioned the 30th anniversary of the to remain silent, either by choice or forced
Tiananmen Square Massacre in his ac- by the Chinese authorities, their silence
ceptance speech. is yet another attack to the victims of the
30th Anniversary of Tiananmen Massacre
The Chinese regime’s brutal suppres- Tiananmen Square Massacre.” Zhou said.
sion of student-led pro-democracy pro- “Zhang’s speech offers a striking contrast
tests at Tiananmen Square is still a taboo I feel even more to their hypocrisy and cowardice.”
topic inside China. Fellow artist Ji Feng, who also took
Established in 2006, Award of Art embarrassed to accept part in the 1989 movement, told Radio
China (AAC) is China’s most prestigious Free Asia that state security agents had
Olivia Li to communicate with their headquarters. Other- China has taken a series of actions to tighten in- title in the field of contemporary art. The this award being so warned him ahead of the 30th anniver-
wise, they would have had difficulty sending emails ternet censorship ahead of the 30th anniversary of honor of “Young Artist of the Year” in close to Tiananmen sary not to make any public remarks.
Several different regions in China encountered in- The ‘one-button back to their home countries, he said. Tiananmen Square Massacre. 2019 went to 34-year-old Zhang. “Very few artists are willing to stand
ternet shutdowns from May 20 to May 31. The Ep- According to China Finance Online, Guangdong On June 4 of 1989, Chinese soldiers opened fire at According to a May 28 Radio Free Square [in the up like Zhang Yue,” Ji said. “Artists like
och Times learned from an anonymous source that internet shutdown’ Telecom experienced a large-scale network failure unarmed civilians in the early morning on Tianan- Asia report, during the 13th annual Zhang have a conscience.”
Chinese authorities were doing a test to temporarily around 11:00 am on May 31. Many netizens from men Square to end the pro-democracy protests. AAC award ceremony held in Beijing’s run-up to] the 30th He also said that Zhang’s statement
shut down regional networks with a “one-button” could be seen as Shantou, Jinping, Haojiang, Chaoyang and other Chinese authorities announced the next day that Forbidden City, Zhang told the audience was all the more remarkable because
operation ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Ti- areas reported that their metropolitan area network the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had successfully that he was “embarrassed” to accept this anniversary of June 4. Zhang was born in 1985, meaning that
ananmen Square Massacre. another censorship stopped working, and the result from network di- “suppressed the riots,” and “not a single person died” A paramilitary police officer stands guard in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on award, as he had to make concessions to he was only a toddler at the time of the
March 11, 2018. Zhang Yue,
A Beijing-based journalist, who spoke on the con-
dition of anonymity, told The Epoch Times that in tool at times of agnosis indicated that DNS (Domain Name Server)
resolution had issues, meaning, it was difficult to
during the whole process.
The bloody crackdown has always been a taboo
government censorship in his work. He
further explained that he did not dare to Chinese artist
1989 military crackdown.
Zhang held an art exhibition named
Guangdong Province, Shanghai, Chongqing and
other places, netizens recently experienced internet
emergency. access certain sites that may have been blocked or
censored.
topic in the past 30 years. Starting in late April,
before the anniversary this year, the censorship campaign this year. It suspended more than 1,000
make the subversive themes of his work
too obvious, and did not go all out to fight
“The Song of the Mountain Eagle” last
year. Most of his work at the exhibit was
shutdowns. He got confirmed information from China Economic Net reported a similar situation has reached an unprecedented level and accuracy. accounts of Chinese dissidents days before the an- for freedom of expression. Another Chinese artist, Wu Wenjian, in the form of documents and archives,
relevant government departments that these were in Shanghai. On May 29, Shanghai Mobile collapsed For instance, any picture showing the Tiananmen niversary. Twitter had to offer an apology on June 1, “I feel even more embarrassed to ac- who took part in the 1989 pro-democracy highlighting the difference between
the result of a so-called “nationwide one-button around 11 a.m. Not only did 4G stop working, but Square would be removed from social network by saying that these accounts had been suspended as cept this award being so close to Tianan- movement, told Radio Free Asia that he history as presented by the Chinese
internet shutdown test.” even the basic functions of sending text messages robot censors; Wikipedia was blocked in all lan- part of routine operation to target accounts engaging men Square [in the run-up to] the 30th commended Zhang’s unusual courage Communist Party and history recorded
He added that the cell phone and network signals and making phone calls were disabled. guages; video-sharing sites Bilibili and AcFun sus- in “platform manipulations.” anniversary of June 4,” Zhang said in when almost all Chinese artists delib- by Chinese civilians. Although Zhang
were very poor in Beijing in the past several days, Chongqing was likely the first city to experience pended real-time comments with the excuse that Although Twitter promised that it would make his acceptance speech. June 4 is a com- erately skirt around the topic. did not “make the themes too obvious,”
“to the point we have to put off all live programs network disruption. Netizens in Chongqing com- they needed to perform “system maintenance.” sure to “overturn any errors,” many Twitter users mon reference to the massacre, which “He spoke very well—and at this par- Zhang’s work was still considered by his
involving offsite communication,” he said. Some plained on WeChat, a Facebook-like social media The “one-button internet shutdown” could be seen reported two days later that their accounts have occurred on June 4, 1989. ticular time and place—I found it pretty peers as a courageous way to subtly criti-
journalists for foreign media outlets had to rely on platform, that the internet was down from about as another censorship tool at times of emergency. not been restored and they had to register a new AAC’s organizer artron.net and Chi- moving,” Wu said. cize the Chinese regime for its pattern of
network cards from some Southeast Asian countries 11 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 20. Even Twitter became part of the censorship account. nese media Phoenix TV both reported Wu also said he was very worried about distorting historical facts.
4 | CHINA INSIDER Week 23, 2019 Week 23, 2019 CHINA INSIDER |5
NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images Andrea Verdelli/Getty Images
OPINION
The Chinese Regime
Aims to Vanquish
Capitalism With
Socialism, but
What’s Really
at Stake?
Peter Zhang
a
mid intense trade negotiations between Beijing
and Washington on April 1, General Secretary Xi
Jinping’s 2013 speech to the new members of the
Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee
was published.
It was an important speech, as evidenced by its
appearance in QiuShi (“Seeking Truth” in Chinese), Deputies of the National People’s Congress during the second plenary meeting at the
an official journal of the Chinese Communist Party
Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 8, 2019.
(CCP). And soon thereafter, Xi’s speech was simul-
taneously published by People’s Daily and Xinhua
News Agency, which are two other prominent
mouthpieces of the Party.
The simultaneous publication of Xi’s years-old PARTY POLITICS
speech indicated something significant: a deep con-
cern by the CCP pertaining to the current standoff
between China and the United States. The speech
Contradictory Opinions
in Chinese Media Indicate
was notable especially for a prophecy by Xi. Cit-
ing Marx and Engels’ doctrines, Xi claimed that
socialism would inevitably vanquish capitalism,
Split Within Party Over
despite the fact that the fall of capitalism is a very
distant prospect.
Indeed, the timing of this publication appears
to be no accident. Multiple media sources have re-
ported that Xi called an urgent meeting on Jan. 21,
summoning top provincial leaders to Beijing to hear
US Trade Talks
his stern warnings about mounting risks the CCP China Communist
faces in this Year of the Pig. Party leader Xi
In addition to the economic slowdown prompted Jinping (L) speaks Nicole Hao against us recently. If it wants to talk, we
by the trade dispute with the United States, and by next to President are open to that. If it wants to fight, we
China’s rising debts, the CCP is gravely concerned Donald Trump during Amid rising U.S.–China trade tensions, will fight until the last moment.
about grassroots rumblings stemming from acute a business leaders senior Chinese officials and state me- “There’s no way the United States can
social and political threats. event at the Great Hall dia have begun making hawkish com- bully us.”
of the People in Beijing ments criticizing the United States in
CCP Leaders Showing Anxiety, Worry on Nov. 9, 2017. the past week. Another Opinion
The tone of the government at the highest levels is But a commentary published by privately
one of heightened alert. There is a palpable fear that owned Caixin magazine, which often
the foundation upon which the Party relies may be represents the views of the CCP’s pacifist
crumbling.
At the January meeting, Xi raised “seven risks”: 1) ($9,608). China’s economy simply isn’t where it cratic country such as Japan will likely work, as around the world that helps form our humanity. As
The two faction, took a different stance.
On June 1, Caixin published an edi-
politics; 2) ideology; 3) economy; 4) technology; 5)
society; 6) the external environment; and 7) Party-
needs to be in order to mount a serious challenge
to the United States.
such countries tend to honor the rule of law and
international norms and covenants, any agreement There is a palpable fear
bluntly stated in Xi’s speech, his totalitarian social-
ism aims ultimately to vanquish capitalism and
contradictory torial titled “The People’s Interests Are
Fundamental,” in which it criticized the
building. Xi urged his subordinates to resort to Following in the footsteps of Google, Microsoft, (trade or otherwise) with the deceptive communist
that the foundation that
democratic institutions. opinions on display state propaganda’s viewpoint. “History
tough measures to avert these risks, which he said and UK-based ARM, Japan’s Panasonic announced regime in China will not, based on its past record, Rational longtime China-watchers would hope has proven that [the attitude of] self-
are both real and pressing. that it would suspend its business with Huawei on lead anywhere.
the Party relies upon may to see the trade war weaken, if not vanquish, the hints at political limiting, self-isolating, and starting a
In his government report at the People’s Congress May 23. In response to Beijing’s tariff retaliation, on May communist regime in Beijing and thereby bring new path on one’s own does not work
on March 5, Premier Li Keqiang was visibly nervous Prominent academic institutions such as Massa- 23, Washington was set to offer $16 billion in an
be crumbling. about fundamental social changes that are long infighting—and ... and will bring huge losses to people’s
on camera, bringing up the word “risk” 24 times; the chusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford Univer- effort to help U.S. farmers hit by the trade conflict overdue inside that Orwellian state, replacing it interests,” it states.
word “difficulty” 13 times; and the word “stability” sity, University of California–Berkeley, and Oxford with Beijing. The decline in exports to China has with an open society governed by the rule of law. indecision—within The article called out the People’s Dai-
more than 70 times.
In terms of the economy, Li anticipates that local
University have all ceased to cooperate with Huawei
as well.
actually been offset by the increase in exports to
Mexico and other countries.
As pointed out by Winston Churchill in his speech
at the House of Commons on Oct. 22, 1945: “The
the Chinese ly’s rhetoric, which claimed that since
the United States has enacted punitive
debts in 2019 will grow to 2.15 trillion yuan ($320
billion)—800 billion yuan more than in 2018—which
The Trump administration’s ban on Huawei, along
with the 25 percent tariff on $200 billion of annual
Despite the temporary hardships that may occur,
the Trump administration is prepared to bring about
inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing
of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the
Communist Party measures against China, the Chinese
regime should stop business with the
will surpass the new tax reduction amount. This
year, the total government expenditure will be some
Chinese imports, has caused sharp pains with enor-
mous potential to affect China’s economy.
structural change in doing business with China, in
addition to ending, once and for all, Beijing’s theft
equal sharing of miseries.”
The modern world simply cannot afford a USSR-
(CCP) regarding United States, and develop its own
technological standards and economic
23 trillion yuan, an increase of about 6.5 percent of U.S. technological know-how. styled communist China in the 21st century. how to deal with the system. Caixin called such attitudes
from 2018. Bringing Red China to Terms “extreme nationalism” that will end up
Economists questioned the validity of Li’s claim Trump’s top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, What’s Really at Stake Peter Zhang is a researcher on political economy United States. hurting the country.
that the reduction of 2018’s corporate tax amounted was a member of President Ronald Reagan’s team The current trade dispute between China and the in China and East Asia. He is a graduate of Beijing In the U.S.–China trade dispute, the
to 1.3 trillion yuan, while the annual tax revenue that addressed the U.S. trade deficit with Japan in United States, after all, isn’t only about the trade International Studies University, the Fletcher article suggested a different approach:
increased by 8.3 percent, reaching some 15.6 tril- the 1980s. The Plaza Accord, signed by West Ger- deficit. More significantly, it is about whether the School of Law and Diplomacy, and the Harvard However, one Chinese media outlet “Achieving common ground while re-
lion yuan. With the government’s tax reduction many, the UK, France, Japan, and the United States, United States and the rest of the world can afford a Kennedy School as a Mason fellow. recently published an editorial urging serving our differences as much as pos-
plan, the 2018 tax revenue should be decreasing, coupled with a 100 percent tariff on $300 million rising communist superpower that is reminiscent Beijing to put “people’s interests first” sible is the way to meet the interests of
not increasing. worth of Japanese imports in 1987, played a critical of the former USSR in terms of both military and Views expressed in this article are the opinions and openly criticizing the state media’s both the people of the United States and
Based on 2018 data from the International Mon- role in averting the tide of Japanese goods flooding ideological threats. of the author and do not necessarily reflect the rhetoric that encouraged the country to China. ”
etary Fund, the United States ranks No. 8 in terms into the U.S. market. The Red Dragon is set to disrupt the world or- views of The Epoch Times. close off contact with the United States. The report was broadly shared by Chi-
of GDP per capita ($62,606), while China is No. 67 However, while a trade agreement with a demo- der and undermine every code of morality or law The two contradictory opinions on nese netizens, but was taken down the
display hint at political infighting—and following day.
indecision—within the Chinese Commu-
nist Party (CCP) regarding how to deal Factional Infighting
with the United States. Some former officials have expressed
Thomas Peter - Pool/Getty Images similar pacifist views. Li Ruogu, who
OPINION CCP Propaganda served as the chairman and president
Does US–China Rift Mean a New Cold War—or Worse?
From May 23 to May 31, the CCP’s offi- of China Export-Import Bank until 2015
cial mouthpiece People’s Daily criticized and still regularly makes public appear-
the U.S. administration continually for ances, said earlier this year at a confer-
nine days, with scathing commentaries ence: “The U.S.–China relationship is the
published daily. foundation of relations between China
A new era is emerging—is the world ready for it? The articles took on a hawkish tone
in criticizing the United States for the
breakdown in trade talks. For example,
and the West. ... It will impact our rela-
tionship with other developed countries
if we can’t manage it well.”
one editorial published on May 24 read, Zhou Xiaochuan, former governor
“The United States was self-destructive of the People’s Bank of China (PBoC),
James Gorrie nations are seeing that their long-term Meanwhile, it’s China’s economy that The essential fact is that the CCP has (World War II remains in China’s histori- in its capabilities and achievements, China’s central bank, said at a finance
interests lie in expanding their rela- is suffering from a very deep malaise. For sucked the value out of its economy. For cal memory, as do the Opium Wars of the which put the United States into a stra- conference held in Japan on May 27 that
Since the beginning of the Trump presi- tionships with America rather than instance, from January through March of decades it has been exchanging debt for West). Even smaller nations in China’s tegic trap of its own making.” he disagreed with the Chinese regime’s
dency, we’ve been witnessing a new era China. 2019, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) value and then moving the value into bona backyard, such as Malaysia, are backing “When the United States is moving insistence on keeping the currency ex-
emerging in the world. This new era is What’s more, China understands the injected about $164 billion in new debt fide offshore investments. The middle class, out of multibillion-dollar development away from the correct direction of glo- change rate below seven yuan against
most easily defined by the rising trade changes that Trump is bringing about. into the economy. That’s four times the desperate and afraid, is trying to do the deals, citing unfair and economically de- balization, China will take the respon- the U.S. dollar. He added that the ex-
conflict between the United States and That’s why China is doing all it can to debt it issued in the same time period same. In short, the CCP is losing its self- structive terms from China. sibility of fully supporting globalization. change rate should be decided by the
China. shape the world’s opinion toward its in 2018. described legitimacy by failing on its ... China is always the builder of world market.
Though true, it tells only part of the grand One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also promise to deliver economic prosperity. Trump’s Energy Squeeze on China President Donald How will China react if put in a similar world, or gain more of it. On the other, peace, a contributor to global develop- This opinion differs from the current
new realities. The context is much broad- known as Belt and Road) initiative China’s Economy in Meltdown Add America’s tight sanctions restricting Trump talks to corner? the traditional powers of the United ment, and a defender of the interna- leadership. Yi Gang, the current governor
er and deeper than that. and away from the reality of its failing And yet, that debt has failed to stimulate Falling Out of Love With China Iranian and Venezuelan oil exports puts Chinese leader States, Europe, the United Kingdom and tional order,” another editorial stated of PBoC, and Guo Shuqing, chairman of
Of course, over the past several de- economy. Remarkable, as reported in the economy. In fact, it’s having a delete- What’s more, much of the world is fall- the squeeze on China’s energy supply. Xi Jinping at the Choosing Sides Australia more or less align their trade on May 25. the China Banking Regulatory Commis-
cades, the world has gotten used to le- the South China Morning Post, Renmin rious effect rather than a reparative one. ing out of love with China. It’s not just Saudi Arabia production may make up Great Hall of the Trump is convincing consequential na- policies when it comes to China, Huawei Publishing nine articles consecutively sion, have all publicly stated that seven
veraging China’s low wage, high-output University vice-president professor Wu A real estate bubble remains a serious Trump’s America that is hammering it. the difference, but for how long? People in Beijing tions in Europe and Asia to adopt more and IP security. to criticize a strategic rival was a tactic is the bottom line of the yuan-dollar
labor force. It has led to massive profits Xiaoqiu insists that China’s economy is risk for the Chinese economy, as does a Australia has led the way to banning It is likely that Trump is trying to make on Nov. 9, 2017. and new trade positions in favor of the Some warn of a new cold war be- previously adopted by the CCP during exchange rate.
for thousands of companies, cheaper healthy and that it is the U.S. economy stock market collapse. Plus, both massive Huawei, China’s huge but insidious arrangements with the Saudis to prevent United States and against China. Mean- tween the United States and China. rising tensions with the Soviet Union Li Linyi, a U.S.-based commentator,
goods for billions of people, and an ex- that’s in danger. public and private debt levels that have telecom maker that allows it to steal and that. The president’s short and long-term while, China’s most reliable geopoliti- That would be unfortunate, but defi- back in 1966. “Both of us [Soviet Union told the Chinese-language Epoch Times
plosion of wealth for China. But the facts don’t support that as- led to overproduce goods that many of sabotage highly classified technical and goal is to put enormous and continuous cal relationships are with nations that nitely preferable when one recalls what and CCP] said a lot of words which are on June 2 that this stark difference in
Those days are over. sertion. The American economy enjoys China’s consumers neither want nor no government data. The European Union pressure on China to force a reorganiza- are economic basket cases: Russia, Iran came before it. nonsense [in those commentaries],” opinion indicates that the political in-
record performance in most of the key longer can afford. will likely follow Australia and the U.S. tion of their economic, and perhaps even and Pakistan. Turkey, another nation Deng Xiaoping, former CCP leader, fighting within the Party has worsened,
The New Realities indicators. The United States is enjoying That’s a key indicator. Consumer con- lead on banning it and other subsidiary political system. whose economy is in meltdown, may James Gorrie is a writer based in Texas. once summarized in the 1980s. since the Party stresses unity in the pub-
A few have recognized this fact, but its high employment levels and rising fidence and spending have been negative Chinese telecom providers. The aggregate negative impact of these join these three nations and tilt toward He is the author of “The China Crisis.” Following the People’s Daily articles, lic eye in order to appear stable.
many in Congress, the media and aca- wages, a lofty stock market, a boom- for a few years and that trend is continu- But it’s not just the United States, Austra- factors means that the geopolitical aspect China sooner than later. Essentially, sides China’s defense minister, Wei Fenghe, “Under the pressure of the U.S.–Chi-
demia have yet to accept the new re- ing real estate market as well as a re- ing, which will deepen China’s economic lia, and Europe pulling back from China. must not to be taken lightly. It is worth are being chosen. Views expressed in this article are delivered a speech critical of the United na trade war, the cracks between CCP
ality: Trump is forcing nations of the surgent manufacturing sector. Tariffs woes. Consumer belief in the Chinese Japan realizes that it must choose between recalling that in 1941, the United States On the one hand, we’re seeing an axis the opinions of the author and do not States, at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Sin- factions are enlarging. Sooner or later,
world to decide with which nation they may change that picture a bit, or they Communist Party’s (CCP) leadership is working with the open and liberal United blocked Japan’s access to much needed oil. of brutal, dictatorial regimes seeking to necessarily reflect the views of The gapore on June 2: “The United States has people will see these cracks as the trade
want to do business. More and more, may not. fractured, if not shattered. States or a dictatorial and vengeful China The attack on Pearl Harbor soon followed. hold onto power and influence in the Epoch Times. launched economic and trade frictions pressure increases,” Li said.
6 | CHINA INSIDER Week 23, 2019 Week 23, 2019 CHINA INSIDER |7
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
MILITARY
Defected
Communist Spy
Reveals Secrets of
China’s Military and
Intelligence Network
Olivia Li China once routinely stole military Yao also mentioned China’s intercep-
C
technologies from developed countries tor fighter series: the Shenyang J-6 was
hina’s military technology de- by replicating weapons, fighter aircrafts, modeled after the Soviet Union’s MiG-
velopment is on a fast track only destroyers, and submarines bought from 19, and the Chengdu J-7 was modeled
because it has stolen trade se- the United States and European Union. after the MiG-21. The Shenyang J-8 was
crets from the West, according However, shortly after the Tiananmen developed during the Sino-Soviet split
to a former Chinese Communist spy who Square Massacre in 1989, NATO im- (1956–1966), when Soviet scientists re-
says he stole key technologies for the Chi- posed an arms embargo on China. In fused to offer any help.
nese navy. the following years, China had to rely “How was the J-8 developed? It was
Yao Cheng told The Epoch Times on its own scientists and engineers. The just a combination of the tail of J-6 and
that he wants to share his knowledge military technologies and products de- the head of J-7,” Yao explained. “It was
about China’s military and intelligence veloped during this period of time are until the 10th generation Chengdu J-10
network to remind everyone that the mostly of poor quality. The Xi’an JH-7, a that there was some real improvement,
Chinese Communist regime poses a fighter jet developed in the mid-1990s, but it was actually developed with the
threat to free, democratic countries. is a typical example. help from Israel.”
There is also a model of warship de-
Chinese Regime Mobilizes People to veloped by a Chinese team and proudly
Steal Technologies touted in China, called a Type 053 frig-
Yao, a former Chinese naval officer, told ate. As it combines technologies from
The Epoch Times on May 31 that China
heavily relies on stealing technologies
China once routinely different countries (the Chinese experts
figured out the technologies by studying
from developed countries to be able to stole military parts from various foreign-made war-
make quick technological advances in ships), Chinese navy personnel gave it
its military, auto, and aircraft industries. technologies from the nickname “The Eight-Nation Co-
“China is eager to catch up with de- alition.” Yao explained that, because
veloped countries, especially in military developed countries of the awkward combination, it would
technologies, but Beijing knows that if
they are to depend on Chinese experts to
by replicating inevitably have major problems, making
the warship very difficult and unsafe to
develop these technologies independent- weapons, fighter operate.
ly, it is going to take a long, long time, as
the gap is huge. They simply can’t wait aircrafts, destroyers,
The Eight-Nation Coalition was a mul-
tinational military coalition, set up in
ECONOMY
that long,” Yao said. response to the Boxer Rebellion during ists, and gradually turn them into pro- ties were shocked that these veterans The organizational work was consid-
and submarines
Yao gave several examples to illustrate
his point.
The People’s Liberation Army of China
bought from the
the late Qing Dynasty. In the summer
of 1900, when the extra-jurisdictional
international legations in Beijing came
Before NATO’s arms
embargo on China,
Beijing supporters.
These social and political elites either
sell top secrets to China for profit, or be-
knew how to connect with their com-
rades in other provinces and had the
ability to coordinate so well.
Chinese J-10
fighter jets fly in
formation over the
ered a great success.
In preparation for the second protest,
military officials decided to go one step
China’s Economic Woes
(PLA) now has mastered electromag-
netic aircraft launch technology and
stealth aircraft technology. Yao revealed
United States and
European Union.
under attack by Boxer rebels supported
by the Qing government, the coalition
dispatched their armed forces to defend
China routinely
stole military
come brainwashed and willingly help
China implement its agenda.
A few months later, in February 2017,
hundreds of Chinese veterans arrived in
Beijing. This time, they surrounded the
Yangcun Air Force
base of the People’s
Liberation Army Air
further. They secretly incited the vet-
erans to surround the building of the
Central Commission for Discipline In-
Go Well Beyond Tariffs
that a professor at the PLA Naval Univer- their people. The incident ended with a technologies from The 47 Million Veterans in China office building of the Central Commis- Force in Tianjin on spection, intending to send a message Emel Akan themselves to death before this.”
April 13, 2010.
sity of Engineering, Ma Weiming, and Yao Cheng, coalition victory and the signing of the developed countries According to Yao, frequent protests by sion for Discipline Inspection, China’s that the top-level military will retaliate In addition, China is vulnerable to for-
his research team developed the tech-
nology for the PLA. On Ma’s research
former Chinese naval officer Boxer Protocol.
by replicating army veterans are one of the biggest
concerns for the Chinese regime.
central anti-corruption watchdog, and
staged a demonstration.
if the anti-corruption campaign contin-
ues to target military officials.
WASHINGTON—Last year, the world’s
second-biggest economy experienced its
eign exchange pressure from the United
States, he added.
team, three people had studied in the Intelligence Network Targets weapons, fighter In the 1985 disarmament, at least 1 Yao exposed a secret behind the pro- Yao, who still has connections with slowest domestic growth in nearly three
United States. “I was present when the first batch of Government, Social Elites aircrafts, destroyers, million soldiers returned home. Some tests: Top military officials were involved. a number of military officials, often decades. But while China’s economic Demographic Problems
As for stealth aircraft technology, Yao Xi’an JH-7 were delivered to China’s air Yao exposed a hidden unit in China’s submarines bought were given a blue-collar job in factories, “Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s anti- advises that the only way out is army troubles run deep, they aren’t driven by China’s aging population also creates
explained that during the civil war in force for evaluation,” Yao told The Epoch intelligence network, and cautioned through various job assistance programs corruption campaign has already taken nationalization. Otherwise, the gener- the trade war with the United States, an new challenges for the government.
the former Yugoslavia, a Lockheed F-117 Times. “The pilots who test-flew these politicians in Western countries not to
from the United for veterans, while some had to look for down many military officials. The re- als and commanders always risk the expert says. Working-age population between the
Nighthawk was shot down and the for- aircraft told me this model is very dif- fall into their trap. States and European jobs on their own. When Chinese facto- maining officials are both scared and danger of becoming a victim of politi- The weakening in the Chinese econo- ages of 20 and 64 began to shrink in 2017.
mer Yugoslavian government gave it to ficult and awkward to operate. They felt The Liaison Division of the PLA General Union. ries went bankrupt one after another in frustrated. Because the veterans also cal struggles in China, especially when my has nothing to do with the U.S.–Chi- And China’s median age is forecast to
the Chinese military. China’s stealth exhausted after the flight test.” Political Department is one of China’s the past 20 years, many veterans were went back to their original military unit political powers change hands. na dispute, according to Derek Scissors, increase to 47 by 2033 and 56 in 2050, ac-
technology was developed by studying Yao revealed that the JH-7 was basical- intelligence agencies, with a focus on forced to live in poverty. to seek help, some officials figured out Yao also revealed that many army vet- a resident scholar at the American Enter- cording to Yi Fuxian, a senior researcher at
that aircraft. ly developed by Chinese scientists, how- infiltrating foreign governments and These veterans often go to local gov- they could do something about it.” erans have seen through the evil nature prise Institute (AEI) and chief economist the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In
Yao also shared stories about mili- ever, the engine technology was from influential social circles. This organiza- ernments to appeal for better welfare, Yao explained that these military of the Chinese communist regime. “If of the “China Beige Book.” comparison, the median age in the United
tary technologies developed by China a fighter jet engine stolen by a Chinese tion uses another name for outsiders: but encounter harsh suppression, in- officials helped coordinate the 2016 there is a war breaking out between “It has to deal with the longstanding States will be 41 in 2033 and 44 in 2050.
independently in the past. “From these intelligence agent from the UK in 1985. China Association for International cluding beatings and verbal humilia- protest. The whole process was so well China and Taiwan, these veterans hope failure to engage in pro-productivity re-
past lessons, you will understand why According to public data, since 1988, at Friendship Contact. The special agents tion, by armed police. organized that several months before to support the Taiwanese soldiers from form,” he said at a Heritage Foundation
China has already given up the attempt least 12 Xi’an JH-7 have crashed, causing from this agency try to build strong rela- The first large-scale protest occurred the scheduled protest, many veterans inside as militia, to put an end to the event on May 30.
to solely rely on Chinese scientists to at least 17 deaths. This year alone, two tionships with top officials or influential in October 2016, when thousands of already started to work in Beijing or its totalitarian communist regime. They Sources of growth—innovation, capital,
advance military technology from Xi’an JH-7 have crashed, killing three individuals in other countries, such as Chinese veterans arrived at Beijing at surrounding areas as migrant workers, are really anxious to see that day come labor, and land—were all in “bad shape,” It’s not anywhere close to being a
scratch,” he said. pilots. entrepreneurs, artists, and social activ- around the same time. Chinese authori- to better prepare themselves. soon,” Yao said. and there was no movement toward rich country. It has become highly
change, he added.
According to Scissors, official data for
indebted only in the last nine [or]
economic expansion shows a pretty clear 10 years, and growth has slowed
trend, where the growth of gross domes- dramatically over that same period.
tic product (GDP) fell to 6.6 percent in
HUMAN RIGHTS 2018 from 14.2 percent in 2007.
However, China’s economic troubles
Derek Scissors,
chief economist, 'China Beige Book'
US Could Bar Entry to Chinese Officials
may be more severe than official data in-
on the tenets of truthfulness, compas- persecute Falun Gong,” he said. tians, and Tibetan Buddhists. dicates. National wealth as an alternative
sion, and tolerance. The practice was in- A spokesperson with the State Depart- In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama indicator may be much more informative Demographics are going to hurt the
This shows the
Involved in Persecution of Falun Gong
troduced to the public in China in 1992 ment, in an email to The Epoch Times, signed a proclamation to suspend entry than GDP, he said. Chinese economy much more than the
and quickly gained popularity, spreading didn’t respond to questions seeking con- U.S. government of serious human rights violators to the According to a report by the Credit trade war, Scissors said.
from China to more than 80 countries. firmation of the measures, but said that United States as immigrants or non- Suisse Research Institute, China’s total Although bilateral trade between
According to a state survey, the prac- “the United States seeks to ensure that has entered a new immigrants. national wealth grew 26 percent from the China and the United States is signifi-
AP Photo/Chien-min Chung, File tice reached over 70 million adherents by individuals who have violated human phase in its concern “Universal respect for human rights end of 2013 to the middle of 2018. How- cant, neither economy relies on trade for
Cathy He & Janita Kan 1999—though practitioners estimated the rights do not secure safe haven in the for the persecution and humanitarian law and the preven- ever, in the previous five years, which is domestic growth.
The U.S. State Department is looking to Jiang Zemin launched
number was over 100 million.
Fearing that its popularity would jeop-
United States.”
“There are a number of potential in-
of people of tion of atrocities internationally pro-
motes U.S. values and fundamental U.S.
the aftermath of the financial crisis, the
growth was 132 percent.
Last year, U.S. goods and services trade
with China totaled $739 billion, mak-
increase the enforcement of immigration a nationwide ardize the Chinese Communist Party eligibility grounds applicable to U.S. faith worldwide, interests,” the proclamation stated. In the past 4 1/2 years, in comparison, ing China the largest trading partner.
controls against human rights violators, persecution, in (CCP)’s rule, in July 1999, then-regime visa applicants who have engaged in especially in relation Earlier this year, U.S. Ambassador-at- U.S. total wealth has increased faster Exports were $180 billion and imports
in a move that could see Chinese offi-
which practitioners leader Jiang Zemin launched a nation- human rights violations or corruption, to China—the most Large for International Religious Free- than China’s, at 29 percent. were $559 billion. Yet total trade flow
cials involved in the persecution of Fa- wide persecution, in which practitio- including ineligibilities for foreign gov- dom Sam Brownback delivered a speech “So, China has a growth problem and with China equaled only 3.6 percent of
lun Gong being barred from the United are rounded up ners are rounded up and sent to prisons, ernment officials who have engaged in severe violator of at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in it is understated by official GDP,” Scis- U.S. GDP.
States, according to a statement from and sent to prisons, labor camps, and brainwashing cen- severe violations of religious freedom,” religious freedom in Hong Kong calling on Beijing to end all sors said. The United States is also China’s larg-
a U.S. website that acts as a clearing- labor camps, and ters—where they are often tortured in the spokesperson said. the world. forms of religious persecution in China. According to Scissors, official dispos- est trading partner; however, total U.S.
house on the persecution of the spiritual an attempt to coerce them into giving “Chinese government is at war with able income in China is one-ninth of the trade of goods made up only 4.9 percent
practice. brainwashing up their faith. The suppression continues Chinese Regime at War With Faith faith. It is a war they will not win,” U.S. level. of China’s GDP in 2018.
Lai Shantao,
The agency plans to increase its scruti- centers—where they today. Gary Bauer, commissioner at the U.S. president, Falun Dafa Brownback said on March 8. “It’s not anywhere close to being a rich The Trump administration’s increased
ny of visa applications of foreign officials are often tortured in Lai Shantao, president of the Falun Commission on International Religious Association of Washington This isn’t the first time a government country. It has become highly indebted crackdown on Chinese investment in the
who have participated in severe viola-
an attempt to coerce Dafa Association of Washington, D.C., Freedom, told The Epoch Times on May 31 D.C. concerned about the persecution of Fa- only in the last nine [or] 10 years, and United States, as well as export controls,
tions of religious freedom, according to a confirmed to The Epoch Times that as- that he would welcome the U.S. admin- lun Gong in China has made moves to growth has slowed dramatically over also exacerbate China’s economic woes.
May 31 news release by U.S. website Min- them into giving up sociation representatives met with the istration’s steps in this direction. bar Chinese officials from entering their that same period,” he said. The new U.S. legislation, which was
ghui.org. According to the release, these their faith. State Department official earlier this “I certainly do not want to see the country. There is a concerning rise in debt levels, signed into law in 2018, granted more
officials could have their immigration or year about the new action. The official United States be a haven for those that In 2017, a joint task force of Taiwanese despite Beijing’s ongoing campaign to power to the Committee on Foreign In-
non-immigration visas (such as tourist told them the Trump administration have been implicated in persecution in government bodies denied entry to at curb risks. According to the Institute of vestment in the United States (CFIUS)
or business visas) rejected. Those who is stepping up its enforcement of these other countries, in China or [elsewhere],” least three CCP officials and members International Finance, China’s debt-to- to monitor foreign investments in the
Police detain a Falun Gong practitioner who was protesting in Tiananmen Square as a
have already been issued visas could be laws, he said. Bauer said. “My hope will be that anyone of their “professional exchange groups” GDP ratio is close to 300 percent. United States. In addition, the Trump
crowd watches in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2000.
blocked from entering the country, the “This shows the U.S. government has in the United States that [has] engaged in because of their involvement with the In the past decade, the Chinese regime administration has also taken steps
notice said. entered a new phase in its concern for the the persecution against people of faith persecution of Falun Gong practitioners heavily relied on debt to boost invest- toward issuing more restrictions on
Under the Immigration and Nation- ing, egregious violations of religious free- told various religious and faith-based persecution of people of faith worldwide, in China will pay a suitable price in the inside China. ments and economic growth. Since 2016, exports of high-technology products
ality Act (INA) Section 212(a)(2)(G), any dom such as torture or cruel, inhuman, groups about the intensified scrutiny. especially in relation to China—the most United States for that persecution.” The joint task force further said Beijing has been trying to reduce its reli- to China.
person, while serving as a foreign gov- or degrading treatment or punishment; The official advised Falun Gong practitio- severe violator of religious freedom in the An April report by the commission, an that any CCP officials with ties to the “610 ance on debt through its deleveraging According to Scissors, it’s too early to
ernment official, who is responsible for prolonged detention without charges; ners in the United States that they could world,” Lai said. independent federal body that advises Office,” an extralegal Party organization efforts. However, the recent trade war quantify the effects of these changes on
or have directly carried out particularly causing the disappearance of persons by submit a list of Chinese officials known He added that the development is a the U.S. government and Congress on created for the sole purpose of carrying is likely to put a dent in the process of the Chinese economy.
severe violations of religious freedom at the abduction or clandestine detention to be involved in the persecution, the warning for officials involved in the per- religious freedom issues, highlighted out the persecution, wouldn’t be permit- reducing debt. “We still don’t have the implementing
any time, are inadmissible for entry to of those persons; or other flagrant denial news release stated. secution of Falun Gong in China, espe- that over the past year, the Chinese re- ted entry to Taiwan in the future. “I suppose the trade conflict could regulations,” he said. “We need to see the
the United States. of the right to life, liberty, or the security Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, cially those who are thinking of visiting gime has ramped up its persecution of make China borrow even faster,” Scis- regulations, which are coming out over
Particularly severe violations of reli- of persons. is a traditional self-improvement disci- or fleeing to the United States. religious groups, including Falun Gong Jennifer Zeng and Frank Fang contrib- sors said. “That’s what’s happened so far the course of this year. And then we need
gious freedom include systematic, ongo- An official from the State Department pline with meditation exercises based “It sends them a message that you can’t practitioners, Uyghur Muslims, Chris- uted to this report. this year. They were already borrowing a year of data to see the impact.”
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