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- Taiwan and China [NYTimes] "Taiwan’s position as a de facto independent state seems to be morphing very slowly toward the “one country, two systems” status of Hong Kong. The process is not irreversible but the sentiments of those of mainland origin in the governing Nationalist Party, along with the self-interest of business groups and a widespread sense of economic vulnerability are all pushing the island toward accommodation with Beijing. The trend could mean an erosion in the support Taiwan gets, albeit erratically, from the United States and Japan."
- North Korea ready for six-party talks - with caveat [Christian Science Monitor] "North Korea's new readiness to return to stalled international talks about its nuclear program - if prior negotiations with the United States go well - puts the diplomatic ball in Washington's court. "This is a test for the Obama administration's policy on North Korea," says Ryoo Kihl-jae, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. Initial signs suggested that the US was prepared to pick the ball up. "We, of course, encourage any kind of dialogue that would help us lead to … the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly."
- Internet Blackout in Xinjiang? What blackout? [Xinjiang: Far West China] "Greetings world. If you’re reading this note, then my message in a bottle has somehow made it from this secluded island I live on to the shores of your country. Xinjiang is still under complete blackout and there is no end in sight. As a result, my knowledge of world events has vanished and my sanity has suffered primarily due to the fact that we are the only westerners in our city and I can’t contact my friends at home."
- So, Comrade, tell me: why did you censor my website? [The Guardian] "On 3 July Chinese government censors blocked access to Danwei.org, the website I have edited from my home in Beijing since 2003. It is hosted outside China, so it's easy for zealous regulators to flip an electronic switch and restrict access. Most of our content is translated from the Chinese media and internet, which gave us a certain amount of protection: most Chinese people who write or publish in China self-censor; this is why we had escaped the censor's wrath. Until July."
- China to slash medicines prices in October [Pharmafocus] "The Chinese government has announced it will cut the prices of more than 2,300 drugs by an average of 12% later this month. The move is similar to that of western governments that are trying to reign in spending and China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said the cuts on October 22 should ease the financial burden on citizens as part of far-reaching health reforms."
- Armed men attack Chinese firm in DR Congo [China Daily] "The Chinese company Sinohydro suffered an attack on Sunday by unidentified gunmen close to the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s eastern province of North Kivu, the commercial representative of the company in Kinshasa, Luo Xiaowei, told Xinhua. Gunmen launched the attack at the construction site along the National Road No. 4 (RN4), Luo said on Monday, without reporting casualties. The DRC armed forces on guard exchanged fire with the assailants, "but for now we do not know the consequences," he said."
- Chinks in the armour [The Times of India] "Despite stealing this march over the Chinese in the deep seas, Mehta was a realist. Days before he retired on August 31, he gave a candid appraisal of Chinese military might and intent. In a reflective mood, the admiral said, "In military terms, both conventional and non-conventional , we neither have the capability nor the intention to match China. China is in the process of consolidating its national power and creating formidable military capabilities. Once that is done, China is likely to be more assertive in its claims. Our trust deficit with China can never be liquidated unless our boundary problems are resolved.""
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No doubt "chinks in the armour" was no play on words...
Jeremy Goldkorn has some very interesting experiences to speak from. He is asking the question of "How can you be ready for the next phase of the Internet: a chaotic mass of fragmented streams?" at Spark Beijing.
Check out http://www.spark09.org for more info.