Insights from Hong Kong

Posts Tagged ‘Hu Jintao’

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China: Hu Jintao Handing Over Military Leadership

In China, Public Affairs on 12 November 2012 at 9:42 AM

The world’s largest armed forces

Outgoing President of China Hu Jintao plans to also transfer leadership of the military this week. At the conclusion of the 18th National Party Congress concludes on Wednesday, Xi Jinping will assume command of the Communist Party, the Presidency and the People’s Liberation Army.

The immediate transfer of all powers is a return to tradition in China. Under transition plans developed by former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, all command was to be placed under new leadership at once. But Jiang Zemin changed that by retaining command of the army when he transferred power to Hu Jintao in 2002. This was widely criticised at the time.

Perhaps because of his own experiences at the time, Hu Jintao decided to make a clean break.

The People’s Liberation Army has some 3 million members and is the largest armed force on earth. The PLA was founded in 1927 as a guerilla force and fought the Japanese wartime invaders and the Kuomingtan. It’s 3 million members have all living expenses covered, and receive a salary of RMB4,000 per year (US$640 per year). Learn more here. 

“Without the people, there is no people’s army. Without the people’s army, the people have nothing.” PLA slogan

Combat ready

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From Today’s Cantonese Press

In China, Hong Kong, Public Affairs on 9 November 2012 at 2:22 PM

Hu Jintao says Hong Kong people can share in the pride of being Chinese

Yesterday, the curtain rose on the CCP’s Eighteenth Party Congress. In his political report, Party Chairman Hu Jintao stressed that the protection of national sovereignty, security and development was at the foundation of the mainland’s Hong Kong and Macau policies. He also said that he was confident that the people of Hong Kong and Macau could manage their special administrative regions well, contribute actively to national affairs, and share in the dignity and pride of being Chinese. Li Gang, Deputy Director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, who attended the event, denied that Hu was targeting supporters of Hong Kong independence in his remarks. He also said that there were not many pro-independence people in Hong Kong and that those people had not won over the population. Finally, he said that proposals to replace Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying were absurd.

 

CTI chairman may seek judicial review over slow licensing process

Chairman Ricky Wong of City Telecom (CTI), having already invested HK$300 million on a free-to-air television station, is running out of patience with the government’s foot dragging on issuing new free-to-air television licenses. Yesterday, Wong said that he was thinking of seeking a judicial review of the government’s slow response. He also said Secretary for Commerce and Development Gregory So had failed to show responsibility, although Wong did not mention So by name. So responded by saying that Wong’s decision to invest in the station before a license was granted was Wong’s own decision and would not influence the license-granting procedure.

 

Workers fear political motive in decision to cancel LegCo Review

Recently, the management of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) proposed adding an in-depth interview program to the station’s line-up. Chairman Roy Tang even suggested that the new show replace Legco Review, a 26-year program that covers legislative affairs. Yesterday, Tang backtracked on his suggestion, saying that Legco Review could stay on the air. Nevertheless, he still wants to include the proposed interview program in the line-up for next month. Tang was forced to back down due to the opposition of RTHK staff members to the removal of LegCo Review. Workers are worried that the station’s management has a political motive in seeking to cancel LegCo Review. The management insists that their proposal was not politically motivated.

 

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Hu Jintao: Corruption Could Lead to Collapse of China

In China, Public Affairs on 9 November 2012 at 9:55 AM

Hun Jintao yesterday at 18th National Congress of the CPC in Beijing

Corruption is a threat to the future of China, said Hu Jintao at the opening day of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China yesterday. Unchecked corruption could lead to the collapse of the Communist Party and the fall of the country, he warned. These were the most dire pronouncements against corruption at the most senior level (see related story on BBC News).

This week Communist Party leaders gather to manage a once-in-a-decade transfer of power. Incoming president Xi Jinping will lead the nation for the next ten years. By 2020 the GDP and per capita income of China should be double today’s level. The inclusion of a per capita income goal is a first. This demonstrates the leaderships recognition that increasing income disparities also threaten the Communist Party’s grip on power.

China’s Next President Xi Jinping on the cover of “The Economist”

Also added to the Party goals for the coming years is an ecological goal. Prior leadership statements focused on financial goals alone. The recognition that China needs to care for its environment is another nod to growing community concerns over the state of air and water.

In the same week American elected new leadership, some select individuals in China today select a next-generation leader. To those gathered in the drafty Hall of the People, their hope is they are nominating a strong leader who can unite the country and keep the Communist Party in power. Yet with all these challenges, Xi Jinping may become the Gorbachev of China presiding over the break-up of the world’s most populous nation.

Deng & Gorbachev before the collapse of the Soviet Union

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Forget “Where’s Wally?” Everyone’s Searching for China’s President-in-Waiting

In China on 11 September 2012 at 9:51 AM

Where’s Wally in China

Some nights my son chooses a “Where’s Wally” book for his night-time read. That usually means a long hunt for the red-striped traveler and his cohorts. (Modern Wally has a dog, wizard, friend and nemesis along with accouterments from a scroll to a camera.) We usually end the hunt a half hour after my vision has failed.

Today in China there’s a similar search underway. But instead of a miniature cartoon character in a confusing landscape, they’re trying to find the next President.

Xi Jinping is the anointed successor to President Hu Jintao. At the soon-to-be-scheduled 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China  Xi will be appointed President. This is a once in a decade transition of leadership.

Only they’ve misplaced the next President.

Xi Jinping cancelled meetings with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This was meant to include a photo opportunity profiling the future leader next to Madame Icon. (Doesn’t everyone want to get their photo taken next to Hillary? I mean, other than Bill.)

The rumours circulating online are wide and varied, including:

  • Broken back sustained in sports
  • Pulled back muscles from swimming
  • Assassination attempt by supporters of Bo Xilai
  • Car accident (but not a black Ferrari) staged by supporters of Bo Xilai
  • Incarcerated by opposing political camps

The Hong Kong Standard today summarised the reasons for concern:

“So when the presumptive head of that opaque leadership disappears from public view, rumour mills go into frenzy.”

The China rumour mill was also sent into overdrive when Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that the APEC Summit was delayed last weekend due to Hu Jintao’s need to attend to “an important but unspecified domestic issue.”

The answer remains unknown. By the end of the year Xi Jinping is due to take over leadership of the world’s second largest economy and a growing force in world politics.

Before then you have to find him. Is that Xi Jinping in the upper left corner below?

Where’s Xi Jinping?

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New Hong Kong Chief Executive Forced to Flee from Town Hall Meeting

In Hong Kong, Public Affairs on 3 July 2012 at 1:57 PM

It wasn’t supposed to start like this.

On his first full day in the job, Hong Kong’s newly appointed Chief Executive convened a town hall meeting in Tuen Mun. He has promised to visit each of the 18 districts that make up this nation. CY Leung was the first Chief Executive to host an open forum. Past sessions had been led by lower-level government bureaucrats.

Problem was, that an open forum means it was open. To the public. And some members of the public don’t like the new Chief Executive.

Just on Sunday people gathered to mark the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China. Only problem was they weren’t there to celebrate. In true Hong Kong fashion tens of thousands gathered in protest. And in true Hong Kong fashion police estimated 63,000 attendees while organisers estimated 400,000. We do love a good protest in Hong Kong! (See my earlier post on FacingChina.me.)

There was even a case on Sunday where protesters covered a police motorcycle in stickers and handbills and protests and placards.

Oh – and Hu Jintao flew back to China after three days on Sunday. On his first day here the President of China conducted an inspection of the troops of the People’s Liberation Army stationed here in Hong Kong. The open top truck with the senior leader driving past gathered troops was very “Kim Jong-Il-esque.”

Amid all this simmering (and bubbling) tension the new Chief Executive strode off to meet the people. Dressed in an orange polo shirt he started well with his commitment to a more equitable form of government. But soon opposing views filled the air and protesters filled the room. Our new Chief Executive was hustled from the meeting by security guards and holed up in an ante-room for an hour until they could coordinate his escape.

CY Leung escapes town hall meeting in Tuen Mun

It is an ignoble start for a new ruler. Leung was a much-loved alternative candidate to the pro-Beijing alternative Henry Tang. And his election was an old-style one where he worked the phones and the press and the meetings to garner as many votes as possible. He was seen as a viable and different leader.

But in the past few weeks that love has soured as details of a series of illegal structures at his residence came to light. Leung professed ignorance, said it was previous owners, and asked for more time. In a crisis you never get more time.

It’s most likely that CY Leung is the highest profile scapegoat for a city’s frustrations. The economy is under-performing. Income inequality is at its highest ever. Housing prices have increased 80% in the last three years. And as of Sunday we’re only 35 years from full integration with China.

Perhaps the single biggest mistake Leung made was to start a listening tour so soon after widespread national protests. He should have allowed more time to pass before meeting in public forums. Yet now that one has been upset and shown to embarrass the Chief Executive, future meetings will no doubt be targeted.

CY Leung needs to find a new way to hear the complaints and issues affecting the citizens. And he has to do so in a way that won’t create damaging front page headlines.

 

 

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Where are we from? HONG KONG! What do we like? PROTESTS!

In Hong Kong, Public Affairs on 29 June 2012 at 12:30 PM

We here in Hong Kong love a good protest. We arrive en masse in an orderly fashion - queuing politely to exit the MTR at the designated assembly spot. We bring placards and banners with wonderfully pithy sayings. We gather around a wide range of causes from income inequality to political corruption to basic freedoms.

Hell, we even protested at a Dolce & Gabbana store when they refused to allow Hong Kongers to take photos of their store (something they allow Mainlanders to do).

Protesters Outside D&G

But nothing brings this city together more than Hu Jintao, the President of China. Tens of thousands will show up to protest…everything.

Hu is due in town later today. He’s booked out two hotels for his entourage (The Grand Hyatt and the Hyatt Regency). He’s staying three days. On 1 July he will swear int he new Chief Executive CY Leung and his Administration. He flies out that same day just before the biggest protest gets underway at Victoria Park.

But Hu may have troubles seeing the protesters.  Police are deploying two metre high water barriers around the hotel and convention centre.

Two meter (six-foot) tall barriers block protesters

The officially designated protest zones have not been revealed yet. Yet most are expected further from the action than usual. To overcome this distance a smaller zone is prepared. This will accommodate 5-10 protesters. Hong Kong government officials will accept written messages for Hu.

“Your problem just got bigger. Think, what have you done?”

Of course these preparations have been decried by protest organisers. Some have called it a “public relations show.”

“Hu will have no chance to see the city’s real face. Hong Kong has become a city of barriers,” said Lee Cheuk-yan of the Labour Party

On the upside we may all be able to protest in peace. Police have been advised to avoid arresting anyone during the demonstrations. This has never been a city of rowdy demonstration. Don’t expect a WEF-Davos-G20 melee.

Hong Kong is a polite town, even when there are 500,000 of us united in protest.

Polite but still angry!

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Back to the Future: Will Xi Jinping be China’s Gorbachev?

In China, Public Affairs on 27 June 2012 at 10:32 AM

Much is wrong in the nation. The economy is slowing. Corruption is exposed daily.  Protests are an everyday occurrence. And the nation is preparing for a new leader.

While that may sound like China today, I’m referring instead to the Soviet Union in 1985.

“By the time of the 1985 rise to power of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s last leader, the country was in a situation of severe stagnation, with deep economic and political problems which sorely needed to be addressed and overcome.” (Source: The Cold War Museum)

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last General Secretary of the Soviet Union

Gorbachev instituted cultural reform allowing greater freedom of expression, known in Russian as ‘Glasnost.’ He also instituted economic reform to kick-start the economy, also known as ‘Perestroika.’ This double-down strategy did revive the economy, but the freedoms of expression meant fewer were willing to accept Communist rule. The dissolution started at the edges when Baltic States broke free. In time the entire country demanded freedom and the Soviet Union ended.

Xi Jinping, China’s Last Secretary General?

Xi Jinping is tipped to become the next Secretary General of China at the  18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会), expected to be held this autumn. Xi replaces Hu Jintao who has held the post since 2003. (For a complete list of China’s rulers from 206 BC to present day, click here.)

The similarities to what Xi face and Gorbachev faced are unsettling.

“China’s situation right now is similar to the end of the former USSR. The position that Hu Jintao is currently in and certainly the next leader will be in as well is similar to that of Mikhail Gorbachev’s in 1989,” said Roderick MacFarquhar, a Professor of History and former Director of the John King Fairbank Center at Harvard University (Source: Business Insider).

Xi inherits an economy in regress. Corruption is sapping productivity and diminishing the power of investments. State-owned enterprises receive the bulk of loans and investments yet aren’t performing to market conditions. At the local level people protest daily over corruption and unjust treatment.

The source points to prove these claims are rife, from the hospital opened in Shenzhen that differentiates itself by not allowing doctors to take “red envelopes” (aka bribes). Or the villager who exploded a suicide vest in front of municipal offices protesting the taking of her land killing herself and two others. Or the graphic images last week of a woman lying unconcious next to the 7 month old fetus of her child that was forcibly aborted.

Of course there are an equal number of proof points that show China’s progress. But that doesn’t negate that much needs to change in China.

Incoming Secretary General Xi is the first of a new, younger generation of political leaders to take the reins.

The so-called Fifth Generation of officials, led by Xi, will move up in what’s slated to be the biggest political turnover in the history of the People’s Republic of China…Such a massive transition is rare in China—it’s happened only three times since 1949.” (Source: The Daily Beast)

Xi is one of the camp labeled ‘elitists‘ who are known to favour economic reform. (The opposing camp is called the ‘populists‘ who are trying to bridge income inequality among the masses.)

It does sound like a repeat of history. A country in strife. A new leader. Demands for change. Willingness to adopt new policies. All of this sounds strikingly similar to what Gorbachev faced in the Soviet Union when he assumed the mantle of power.

For Xi Jinping, the struggle will be to reinvent the country without losing the nation in the process.

No longer a national leader, Gorbachev models for Louis Vuitton

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Hong Kong’s New Chief Executive: Under Fire for Illegal Structures

In Hong Kong, Public Affairs on 26 June 2012 at 10:09 AM

This coming weekend China’s President Hu Jintao will be in Hong Kong. He is here to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this nation’s return to China. Hu will also swear in a new government led by Chief Executive-elect CY Leung. But Hu Jintao will want to get a hotel room. There’s too much noise as demolition work is carried out at CY Leung’s private residence.

You may recall in February this year the surreal storm that surrounded Henry Tang, then a candidate for Chief Executive. He was found to have a 2,500 square foot “underground palace” below his home in Kowloon (see my earlier post). The controversy surrounding this structure – and Tang’s poor public relations management of the issue – contributed to Tang’s drop in the polls and his failure to secure the top spot. The media scrum camped outside his home became the fodder for on-line jokes, such as the image below.

Well the cranes are back. This time they’re at a different house.

CY Leung was found to have a series of illegal additions to his home on The Peak. The six amendments range from a pergola for plants to a covered car park. All were in place when Leung bought the home. The problem is he stated unequivocally that he did not have any illegal structures during the election campaign.

Today media and demolition crews pour over the site. Gone are the various illegal additions. Gone, too, is the trustworthiness of the incoming Chief Executive. CY Leung has apologised three times in the past five days.

Back in action – cranes above CY Leung’s residence

Illegal structures have been a hot political topic, not only during the debate. In the New Territories (where I live), many village houses have roof-top awnings or to-the-floor glass balcony walls. These and many other illegal renovations can be spotted in every village across the Territory.

What makes them illegal? Mainly these structures were added after a building approval was granted. The approved plans are all that can be constructed. Modifications and additions require further approval. Over the years the lack of enforcement means many have slowly, slowly expanded. Some are simple add-ons. Others have built entire floors.

CY Leung said in his campaign that he was going to enforce building codes across Hong Kong. That led to a bitter debate with the regional political authorities in the New Territories. Hang Yee Kuk – usually referred to as ‘the Kuk’ – has been defending the rights of villagers to retain these structures. An immediate abolition would cause chaos as house after house would require dismantling or even total demolition. There isn’t spare housing or access to builders to achieve all these amendments immediately.

So this week CY Leung was found with his hand in the metaphorical cookie jar. He was calling for an end to illegal structures everywhere else but hadn’t checked his own residence. His election campaign probably fueled the fire of Henry Tang’s illegal structure brouhaha. No doubt Tang or the Kuk are playing  a role in Leung’s current difficulties.

Amazingly Leung studied surveying in a diploma course. He’s eagerly trying to explain that his degree in estate surveying is different from building surveying. Few are paying attention to the distinction. Most assume he wasn’t paying attention in school – or to the contract when he bought the house.

The impropriety has led the third candidate for the Chief Executive to call for CY Leung’s removal even before he is installed. Democratic Party Chairman Albert Ho-Chun-yan is seeking redress through the courts. Ho wants Leung’s election negated as he wasn’t truthful in the campaign. (Note to politicians everywhere: Be truthful in campaigns!)

Right now the biggest threat is to CY Leung’s credibility. He is constantly apologising. Newspapers have placed this story on the front page for days now. It made weekend reading and carries on today. Any crisis that continues to generate front page coverage for more than a day is very serious. It’s not been properly managed at the outset.

In all likelihood CY Leung will go on to be appointed as Chief Executive this weekend. The damage to Hong Kong would be too great if he were to be replaced at short notice. Yet Leung enters the role with a backlog of credibility issues. He would be well-served to stop pursuing illegal structures in the New Territories and instead focus on larger issues challenging the Hong Kong people, from income disparity to housing to an overall economic slowdown.

And CY Leung should get his house in order. Finally.

Courtesy of RTHK

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China’s Hu Jintao @ G20: Is that patriotism or a sticker on my foot?

In China on 21 June 2012 at 9:17 AM

At the concluding photo shoot of world leaders before the G20 disbanded, China’s President Hu Jintao bent down to collect a sticker of the flag of China. These were placed on the floor to show the nation’s top bosses where to stand. Hu was next to Obama.

At the conclusion of the photo shoot, Hu bent down to collect the sticker with the flag of China. It was a simple act that electrified the nation.

China’s President Hu Jintao collects the flag of China.

“Hu is actually picking up the pride of China. I feel proud to be Chinese,” wrote one internet user.

Others weren’t so certain. Was the President of China so enamoured with the national flag? Or did the sticker come up and get stuck on his shoe? Looking closely at the photo you see the sticker half-way across Hu’s left shoe. Maybe it became dislodged when he shuffled closer to Obama? Maybe it wasn’t sticky enough to adhere to carpet? Perhaps it was ‘Made in China’?

Whatever the reason the simple act of Hu collecting the flag made national news. The official state news agency, Xinhua, wrote that other national leaders stepped all over their flags. Only Hu stooped to collect his national emblem.

But then deriders wrote that Hu was only trying to free his expensive shoes from gluey confusion.

I’d venture that the latter was correct. By yesterday afternoon anyone searching Weibo (China’s equivalent of Twitter)  for the terms ‘Hu Jintao’ or ‘Hu Jintao collecting national flag’ received an error message: “The search result cannot be displayed because of related laws and rules.” (Source: South China Morning Post)

Why would a search for news relating to the President of China be blocked? Only if censors were concerned people were poking fun at what was initially seen as a patriotic act. That saddened some netizens:

President, I actually want to praise you for your patriotic act. But I cannot say your full name. What a pity.”

Since the Olympics, sticker technology has been improved. Or has it?

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G20 to China’s Hu Jintao: Bring Cash!

In China, Economics on 18 June 2012 at 2:00 PM

Australia’s got a new reality show to fascinate over. Called “Border Security” this profiles real-life customs and immigration officers on the beat. Whoever thought standing by an airport luggage carousel would make gripping national television?

Well before reality came to Australian Customs, there were cases where they would arrest travelers coming in from China. They weren’t smuggling drugs or rare jewels. Instead they were carrying suitcases of cash. Apparently they weren’t aware you needed to declare amounts over $10,000.  These investors were coming to Australia to buy houses.

Yesterday China’s President Hu Jintao flew into Mexico. He is at Los Cabos to attend the G20 World Leader Summit today and tomorrow.

Can I help you with your suitcases?

All newspapers report a G20 summit that will be dominated by talk of Greece, Spain and the future of the Euro. That doesn’t please China. Given the new world order, more attention at these meetings need to be devoted to developing nations – like China.

“We should continue to give high priority to development and promote growth of developing countries so as to increase total global demand,” said Hu in a written interview with Mexico’s Reforma newspaper.

And these developing nations should have a greater say in world affairs. After all, if China is going to contribute to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) it should have a say as to where the cash goes. To date China has not revealed how much has been given to the IMF. Officials say they will reveal the amounts “when they are ready.”

But that doesn’t sit easy with the USA. According to Ding Chun, an expert in European affairs at Fudan University, China will face resistance to gaining greater power in exchange for propping up Europe’s economies.

“The US, though it does not want Europe to collapse, will not give up its leading role in the IMF just for China to make more contributions,” said Chun (Source: SCMP)

Given the likelihood the G20 will fail to make any meaningful headway – and the tempting location of the conference in a Mexican seaside resort – I like the advice from Simon Nixon in The Wall Street Journal:

“Los Cabos in Mexico is by all accounts a delightful place: Chic hotels, excellent beaches and fine weather at this time of year. World leaders descending on the resort for this week’s G-20 summit should make the most of what it has to offer. Nothing they discuss is likely to make any difference to the crisis raging in the global economy.”

Perhaps Hu Jintao is better off checking his suitcases with the Bell Captain then heading off to enjoy the beaches of Cabos. I’m sure jet-boat rental companies take Renminbi.

Letting off Steam in Los Cabos, Mexico

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