Chinese Media Digest - Thursday, January 10

Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2013-1-10 19:53:57

Keywords: Japan's interception plan upgrades Diaoyu Islands tensionParty's discipline watchdog calls for real-name informants, Debate flares after officials deny claim of homeless shelter beating  

Japan's interception plan upgrades Diaoyu Islands tension

The Japanese government plans to warn Chinese surveillance planes by firing tracer bullets at them, according to a Japan's Sankei Shimbun report on January 9.

Chinese media suggested that this act will upgrade tension over the Diaoyu Islands and might bring about a military confrontation between China and Japan.

Japan will destroy the peace and stability of Asia if they fire warning shots at Chinese surveillance planes, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

"This new action of the Abe cabinet intends to cater to the domestic rightists and promote militarization. 'Warning shots' is only a way to gauge international reaction and gain more diplomatic space for the Diaoyu Islands issue," it added.

The Global Times believes that if Japan starts using tracer bullets, a military clash between China and Japan is almost assured.

The Chinese people will certainly ask the government to send naval and air forces to retaliate. If the Chinese government is not earnestly prepared for such a move and will certainly suffer huge political losses.

"We abandon all hesitation and seriously prepare for mutual warnings and confrontation with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands. If the situation goes awry, we must make Japan pay more of a price than China," the paper said.

Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo said in an interview with People's Daily Online that warning shots will severely escalate the situation.

"If Shinzo Abe approves the plan to fire tracer bullets, he has to be responsible for potential bad results," Yin concluded.

Qi Leyi, a Taiwan military commentator, said in a Shenzhen TV interview that the plan aims to drive Chinese surveillance planes away with a warning but without firing directly at them. 

"Japan's military planes will not start firing without an order from the Prime Minister. Therefore, the first shot will be a political decision rather than military decision," Qi said.

Party's discipline watchdog calls for real-name informants

China's top discipline watchdog urged for more real-name whistle-blowing on disciplinary violations by Party members and officials Wednesday, promising to prioritize such tip-offs and respond in a timely manner.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) under the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the first time televised a live review of investigations over the past year, something regarded by observers as an attempt to increase transparency.

According to figures from the CCDI, more than 160,000 individuals were punished for disciplinary violations in 2012. The investigations led to the recovery of 7.83 billion yuan ($1.24 billion) in direct economic losses resulting from the violations.

The discipline watchdog's pilot program aroused media discussions on its significance in recent anti-graft campaigns and ways to better protect informants.

China News Service held in a report on Wednesday that since China entered the information age, the fight against corruption has become a public one, and people have an increased craving to know about it, quoting He Zengke, the director of the China Institute of Global Development Strategies from the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau (CCTB).

 "CCDI's move meets public demand and helps better curb rumors by winning more trust and support from the masses," said He.

Similarly, the Global Times ran an editorial on Thursday, commenting that the disclosure of more anti-graft information is probably one of the most difficult parts in ensuring authoritative power is executed according to the law.

Officials will be more aware in their future career, which is an encouraging change in central government's management approach, said the editorial.

The paper further appealed to authorities to intensify the disclosure of anti-graft information when dealing with issues other than national secrets.

"Do not block news or restrict reports every time an incident occurs. Gradually give the public a chance to judge for themselves through various news reports," said the editorial.

However, Li Chengyan, a Peking University expert on anti-graft issues, told China National Radio that the government needs to provide better protection to real-name whistle-blowers.

"Some informants were victimized after making cases public or reporting to discipline watchdogs."

He, the aforementioned expert from the CCTB, echoed Li and suggested putting laws in place to better protect tipsters and witnesses, as well as requiring authorities to keep whistle-blowers informed about their cases.

Lin Zhe, an anti-corruption expert with the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC, commented that discipline inspectors still have a long way to go and need to make public disclosure a routine part of fighting corruption.

Debate flares after officials deny claim of homeless shelter beating

Debate over the condition of homeless shelters in China continues after officials denied that an undercover reporter disguised as a homeless man was beaten by employees at a government rescue center in Changsha, Hunan Province on Wednesday. 

Changsha officials denied allegations in a Sanxiang Metropolis Daily article that ran January 9 by staff reporter Dai Peng that he had been beaten by employees of a Changsha rescue center while investigating the conditions there.

His article suggested other people seeking help at the shelter had likely been mistreated by staff.

According to an investigation by the Changsha Civil Affairs Bureau and police, employees were following protocol to have "physical contact" with Dai as they suspected he was carrying dangerous items in his pocket.

Employees later found he was carrying a voice recorder and asked him to leave, the bureau said.

The case triggered media concerns over rescue centers amid the ongoing investigation and reports that many homeless are not willing to stay in rescue centers due to their unfavorable conditions.

Beijing Youth Daily called on rescue center employees to show more compassion toward all homeless seeking refuge and never use force to turn away those in need. 

"Rescue centers are funded by the government and are obligated to help the homeless," the paper said.

The Oriental Morning Post called for an open investigation of the case and to punish any employee if they had beaten the reporter.

"Authorities should set up a supervision mechanism to keep an eye on rescue centers. Do not make the homeless fear rescue centers, whose purpose and responsibility is to help them."

Media commentator Li Yan wrote in the Chongqing Times on January 10 arguing that the integrity and quality of a society is exhibited in its attitude toward the disadvantaged.

Li proposed that the current system is suffering from lax management from above and called for more public supervision.

 

 



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