This Week in China

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Earthquake

The Chinese government has launched an immense rescue effort to help victims of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Sichuan province on Monday.  The death toll has risen to near 15,000 with an estimated 26,000 still buried and an additional 14,000 missing. The tragedies unfolding have been met with condolences and offers of aid from countries around the world.

Politics

Saturday was Chinese President Hu Jintao’s last day on a visit to Japan, the first visit by a Chinese leader in a decade.  On Thursday, he remarked, “The revival of Asia cannot do without cooperation between China and Japan.” Before departing, he visited Buddhist temples and bowed before a statue of a Chinese Buddhist monk, reportedly to ease an image of hostility to religion on the part of the atheistic Chinese Communist Party.  He also managed to squeeze in some ping pong diplomacy.

Three Chinese construction workers abducted in Nigeria were released unharmed on Saturday.  The employees of China Civil Engineering Construction Corp appear to have been wrapped up in a plot on the part of local staff to demand higher wages and better working conditions though it is still under investigation.

The Australian Olympic Committee said Saturday its athletes can say whatever they want in interviews and on blogs during the Beijing Olympic Games. Olympic rules prohibit demonstrations on the part of athletes, but the AOC interprets freedom of speech as separate from this statute.

China will “guarantee as much as possible” that internet sites will not be blocked during this summer’s Olympics, but access to some sites will still be prohibited according to Technology Minister Wan Gang. Wireless internet will be widely available to facilitate timely reporting by journalists. As for knock-off Olympic goods, China says while it’s making a great effort to curb copyright infringement, it can’t guarantee that no pirated paraphernalia will be sold.

John Kamm of the Duihua Foundation which advocates for Chinese political prisoners, has requested Beijingrelease the remaining prisoners associated with the 1989 Tiananmen protests ahead of schedule coinciding with the Olympics as a goodwill gesture and a symbol of moving past the incident.

Economy

Wan Feng, president of China Life Insurance, said the earthquake will be “a huge test for the whole Chinese insurance industry.” Life insurance claims in the wake of the earthquake will outstrip those from the snowstorm this past winter, but the brunt of claims will still be for property damage.

Apple’s iPhone is coming to India, Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines later this year, but no comment so far on whether when it’s China and Japan’s turn.

Lou Jiwei, the head of China’s $200 billion sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, said, “The current international market turbulence has produced unprecedented investment opportunities.” CIC has allotted $90 billion to overseas investment, but pledges not to cause further economic destabilization by exploiting the current financial turmoil.

Taiwan

Four Taiwanese facilities are competing to receive the set of pandas offered by China. The acceptance of the pandas, which were offered in 2005, was guaranteed by the election of pro-mainland engagement candidate Ma Ying-jeou. Some facilities have already spent millions getting ready for the cuddly pair, both of which weathered the earthquake just fine.

Analysis

In today’s Seven Questions, Art Lerner-Lam of the Earth Institute at Columbia University talks about natural disasters and commends China’s preparedness and response, stressing that local terrain is providing logistical challenges to rescue operations.

Carnegie Endowment’s MinxinPei discusses the survival and evolution of the Chinese Communist Party and looks at how they plan to exercise control in an ever-changing world in an article for the American Interest.

In The New Republic, Carnegie’s Joshua Kurlantzick criticizes the Bush administration’s China policy for its failure to stand up for human rights and looks ahead to the next administration.