Wang Zhicheng

China cuts its US assets by US$ 5.8 billion; Japan drops US$ 300 million. Wen Jiabao wants the US to give assurances over China’s dollar holdings; Washington wants Beijing to stop manipulating the yuan exchange rate, which is penalising the rest of the world economy. A majority (51 per cent) of Chinese fear inflation will rise. Bad debt is growing as the government’s aid package ends.

The economy’s planned growth rate is set at 8 per cent, inflation at 3 per cent. Real estate speculation should be reined in, domestic consumption increased. For the first time, social spending (education, health care and pensions) should grow faster than defence spending. Doubts linger over the plan’s overall feasibility because of resistance by local government.

Chinese military expenditures are second only to those of the United States, twice higher than India’s. Many experts believe that the actual defence budget is much higher. National People’s Congress spokesman criticises Obama for meeting the Dalai Lama and world leaders for using Taiwan to interfere in China’s internal affairs. He claims ‘solidarity and harmony” reign in Xinjiang.

The article published in 13 newspapers. The hukou has increased the gap between urban and country residents. For decades, migrant farmers were exploited as cheap labour, without benefit from public health, education or justice system. There is some ambiguity: migrants are needed in the cities now more than ever: industries lack manpower to increase domestic demand to overcome the economic crisis.

The guide lists 52"unacceptable” practices from receiving bribes to being involved in business, from helping their relatives to owning shares in foreign companies. But the code is only for internal use with and without power. "It's like a patient trying to cure himself." Democracy excluded. Corruption affects about 3% of GDP.

Before leaving for Seoul, the U.S. president met with Wen Jiabao and visited the Great Wall. Hundreds of activists with petitions arrested or deported.

Vague consensus on economic problems, climate change, the North Korean nuclear problem and cooperation. The issue of human rights almost absent. Obama hopes for a resumption of talks with the Dalai Lama and says that "Tibet is an integral part of China." China "godfather" of U.S. debt.

The U.S. president is speaking to a select group of "future leaders" and students on the value of China, cooperation with the U.S., human rights. Meanwhile in Shanghai, Beijing and other parts of the country's dissidents and activists under house arrest or forced "vacation" to "guarantee the success of the Obama visit".

Chinese media maintain a veil of silence over the anniversary. Only one newspaper with a foreign readership mentions celebrations over German reunification without me a word about the fall of Communism. For Chinese leaders, John Paul II was one of the agents behind the fall of Wall and Communism in Eastern Europe.

Fan Yafeng, a model professor, is engaged in the social field of human rights and is leader of an underground Protestant community. The government worried about the alliance between social activism and Christianity.

The anniversary celebration has exhibited the full military strength of the country. Hu Jintao reaffirms socialism with Chinese characteristics and exalts the party. Maximum security. Roads blocked and monitored until the third city district. The international airport also closed.

The expected appointment of Xi Jinping as Hu Jintao’s successor did not take place. Vague promises are made to fight corruption, enhance internal party democracy and increase inter-ethnic harmony; but Hu says China should not copy Western democracy.