Chen Weijun

The one-child policy is destroying the Chinese social system, based on the family and "filial piety". A nationwide survey shows that the approximately 160 million people over 65 in the country do not have enough money to meet daily expenses, live in poor health and have no family support.

Even though China's central government is responsible for a policy of repression and human rights abuses against dissidents, the wave of online complaints about corruption and nepotism is forcing the authorities to recognise that democracy helps the government "correct mistakes." The arrest for embezzlement of Liu Tienan, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, is such an example of cyber justice.

The Russian Orthodox Patriarch is the first high-ranking Christian leader to meet a president of Communist China. Whilst the two leaders praise each other, Moscow and Beijing boost their relations. Chinese leaders are now considering whether to recognise Christian Orthodoxy as one of China's official religions.

Breaking a tradition that began in 2006, China does not release defence spending estimates following rising military tensions with its Asian neighbours. The National People's Congress is getting ready to address issues like corruption, one-child policy and economic stability as well as crown Xi Jinping as China's new leader.

The two provinces have decided, in the wake of an indication of the central government to close the camps for "re-education through labor". But experts dampen enthusiasm: "Declarations and denials been going on for a month, it is too early to celebrate. And China needs a real rule of law, declarations by communists is not enough. "

For most Chinese workers, the lunar New Year is the only time for holidays. As legions of migrant workers try to get home to their families, they seek out all available means for a total of about 3.4 billion journeys. However, as wages stagnate, prices rise with state approval. Many are thus forced to take to the road on their motorcycles. Many more are now waiting what new things the Year of the Snake will bring.

After yet another military provocation by Chinese ships in disputed waters of the Senkaku / Diaoyu, the Japanese government convokes the Beijing ambassador. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warns: "We will defend the country from any threat." Meanwhile, the winds of war are also blowing on the Korean peninsula, with Seoul warning the UN: “nuclear test by Pyongyang is imminent."

After new chief Xi Jinping calls for action, party opens an investigation against Politburo member Li Jianguo. The 25-member body is one of the country's top political institutions. However, the signals are mixed. Some whistle-blowers end up investigated themselves.

While the central government debates whether to reform the system of "re-education through labor" cases of human rights violations multiply and worsen. The story of Chen Qingxia, wife of a mentally ill man, beaten until she lost the use of her legs as she tried to present his petition to the central government. Her husband was interned in a psychiatric hospital and her 12 year old son has disappeared into thin air.

China's new Communist ruler plans to ask the Central Commission of the Communist Party to adopt rules to catch corrupt officials. Analysts doubt slogans, like those of Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, can work without a democratic system of control. The facts are clear. In 2012, about a trillion dollars embezzled by corrupt officials left the country. This year, another US$ 1.5 trillion is expected to do the same.

For the third time in a month an official voice of the Communist regime announces the closing of laojiao, the fields of "re-education through labor" set up by Mao Zedong to silence opposition and now used against Christians, Falun Gong practitioners and dissidents. The first two were denied in the following days. The struggle for reform inside the CCP.

The latest figures on China's economic growth are released. The trend is good but not like pre-2008. For the first time in 13 years, data measuring economic divide is published. Social unrest remains a serious threat as ordinary Chinese are increasingly frustrated by injustice and the ruling elites. In 2010, 180,000 incidents were recorded; that is 500 a day.