China and US global warming politics

I recently blogged about a legislative issue in the US that concerns precisely the point where the world's number one policy issue intersects with the world's most important bilateral relationship: Climate change on one hand, and US-China relations on the other.

Should the US should take a carrot or a stick approach to China? Even among those who agree on global warming policy, there are differences of opinion concerning tactics by which various countries -- especially China -- might be brought on board. Case in point: Although journalist James Fallows and economist Paul Krugman both share similar views on a range of issues (both stand in agreement that climate change action is of the utmost importance), they have expressed quite different views on the question of means. That is, the manner by which a global agreement can best be reached.

A few weeks ago James Fallows, based in China, expressed disapproval of a column Krugman wrote in his NT Times after a visit to China. This line gives you an idea of the tone of the Krugman article:

Each time I raised the issue during my visit, I was met with outraged declarations that it was unfair to expect China to limit its use of fossil fuels. . . .

Fallows responded: "I've heard that Chinese response too many times to count. But it's mainly a throat-clearing prelude to talking-turkey discussions about what the country will and can do, and under what circumstances." Fallows says many Chinese he has spoken to are not nearly so intransigent on the issue of climate change as Krugman believes:

While his conclusion -- that China has to be part of global efforts to control carbon emissions -- is obviously correct and important, his premise -- that no one in China admits this -- does not square with my observation over these past three years. . . .

If blunt-instrument outside pressure like this column makes it more likely that Chinese authorities will keep making progress, then as a pure matter of power-politics I say: fine. But my guess and observation is that it is just as likely to get their back up -- and encourage the ever-present victimization mentality that makes it less rather than more likely that Chinese authorities will behave "responsibly" on the international stage.

Concerning global climate change policy, should the US take a leading-by-doing approach, or adopt a more coercive approach to getting countries like China to cooperate?

My perspective.
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* ----> Recommended reading: Technology and innovation: Climate change Rx?.

China scholars: Tibet riots rooted in valid complaints

NY Times (via CDT):

A group of prominent Chinese lawyers and legal scholars have released a research report arguing that the Tibetan riots and protests of March 2008 were rooted in legitimate grievances brought about by failed government policies — and not through a plot of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

... The research paper was quietly posted last month on Chinese Web sites, and an English translation was released this week by the International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group based in Washington.

The cybertarians are coming!

I was hoping we could all just forget about the Anti-CNN group that arose in the wake of the Tibet crisis. But it seems they are still around. Rebecca of Rconversation caught up with them for an interview. She has taken to calling such groups "cyber-tarians."

Bondage-themed ads for English Schools in China

James Fallows investigates.

How to thwart the Great Firewall

A Malaysian blogger lists ten ways to thwart the legions of state Internet censors in China -- the so-called "Great Firewall."

Used Japanese car imports power economy of the Russian Far East

Russian Jotman reader Sanjuro writes:

Triggered by the news of proposed higher import tariffs for used foreign-made cars, drivers in Vladivostok, Nakhodka and other Far Eastern cities (followed by other regional centers in Siberia and European part of Russia), convened in large numbers and demanded to drop the proposed tariffs and carried crude slogans suggesting the Russian political elites to use Russian cars instead of their Mercedes-Benzes.

This is the one of the rare instances that I recall (except perhaps the equally potentially dangerous social outrage in 2005-2006 over the failed social security reform) where the people's anger is aimed directly at ex-President Putin. Even as PM he is largely perceived as the sole center of responsibility and, in addition, as PM he is technically responsible for enacting of the proposed tariffs. Crude remarks and outright hostility towards Mr Putin from the Far Eastern drivers and car merchants come at stark constrast with the recently staged TV talk show.

According to the Kommersant, the regional parliament of the Primorsky Kray (one of the main constituencies of the Russian Far East, with its capital in Vladivostok) appealed to the federal government with a request to withdraw the proposal citing "growing social tensions". The Kommersant reports that Nov 22 protests gathered about 200 drivers on their cars and Dec 14, the number grew to nearly 2000 (http://kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1094866). New.Drom.Ru claims about a 1000 drivers in Novosibirsk (http://news.drom.ru/11803.html). The Car Owners Federation website started collecting votes against the proposed new tariffs - 18,200 votes so far (http://www.autofed.ru/actions/14.12.08.html).

The used car import and transit industry is the sole major job provider in the Russian Far East. In the Primorsky Kray alone approximately 100,000 people (local parliament's figure) are engaged in importing used Japanese cars and delivering them to buyers across Siberia, reaching the Urals and beyond. Russian Car Drivers Movement claims that 60% of the Primorsky Kray are engaged in this industry, but this is likely an exaggeration. In any case almost anyone living and working in Siberia and the Russian Far East would be affected by the new tariffs.

Among drivers in Siberia and the Russian Far East, there is certain affection towards these old Japanese vehicles, deep respect towards the Japan carmaking industry. There's also some sense of camaderie amongst the drivers and people in the tough car transit industry that potentially makes them a formidable political force. These people are not necessarily aggressive, but their business remembers violent times. I have visited Vladivostok in 1998 and 2004, and from I recall, I could also tell there's deeply embedded separatism in the Far East. Usually latent, it becomes apparent in incidents such as this. Vladivostok has been one of the rare politically active cities in Russia with quite turbulent history of new governance.

Both Kommersant and Gazeta.Ru report that unlike in case with the annual march of the dissidents, authorities are apparently taking these protests very seriously. So far the official reaction has been vague, mixed and reserved.

http://www.gazeta.ru/auto/2008/12/15_a_2911448.shtml

There some pictures on local Vladivostok websites:

http://news.vl.ru/vlad/2005/11/17/akcijaproshla/

http://foto.drom.ru/1043/

http://news.drom.ru/11803.html (This one has videos)

Chinese American to serve as Obama's Energy Secretary

Fallows applauds Obama's decision to bring Steven Chu into his administration:

Identity politics is a second- or third-order aspect of this nomination. Mainly his choice says something about the role of real science in public life, about America's commitment to retain its leadership as a research power, and about the redoubling of scientific/technical efforts to deal with energy and climate problems. But in karmic terms it doesn't hurt that Chu, who was born in St. Louis of Chinese parents, will head the very department that, under then-secretary Bill Richardson, was involved in the Wen Ho Lee imbroglio in the late 1990s. (In brief: Lee, who was born in Taiwan and who worked at Los Alamos, was accused of massive theft of U.S. nuclear secrets on China's behalf. The NY Times loudly trumpeted this story. Eventually nearly all the charges were dropped, and the presiding federal judge apologized to Lee for government excesses.) Again, this is not a reason to have chosen him, but it's worth noticing.

More about Steven Chu here.

They talk about "The Sleeping Giant". . .

But they obviously have not visited the blog Sleeping Chinese.

Hat-tip Fallows

Chinese bloggers pick up BOBs Awards in Berlin

In 2007 JOTMAN.COM won the Reporters "Without Borders Award" in the BOBs competition for reports relating to the monks' protests in Burma and the 2006 coup in Thailand. This year the same prize was awarded to Chinese blogger Zeng Jinyan. Zeng is the wife of imprisoned human rights champion Hu Jia.

Journalist Chi-Viet Giang of Deutsche Well, the German broadcaster that sponsors the international Best of the Blogs competetion, reports on Zeng Jinyan's prize and Chinese participation in this year's blog competition:

The jury for the Deutsche Welle International Weblog Awards -- The BOBs -- announced the winners in all 16 of the competition's categories on Thursday in Berlin. There were three Chinese among them.

The official jury was filled by selected international bloggers and experts who are respected in their respective blogospheres. But not all invited jurors were able to come to Berlin to attend the event hosted in Berlin. The nominated juror Zhou Shuguang from China was prevented by local authorities from leaving the country prior to his flight to Germany. The 35 year-old citizen journalist and well known blogger Zhou uses his blog to write regularly about social injustice that the state-run media conceals. Using the pen-name of Zola he is one of the first and most famous citizen journalists in China.

Obstacles by Chinese authorities

"On November 21 I wanted to cross the border to Hong Kong at Shenzhen and showed my passport. After the officials saw my data on the computer screen, they took me to a room. I had to give them my passport, other documents and my cell-phone. Two policemen were watching me. After half an hour they said that I was not allowed to leave the country," Zhou told Deutsche Welle by telephone.

After a second failed attempt to leave the country Zhou asked security authorities at his home province for the reason. There he was told that it was for national security reasons. Deutsche Welle and the German Federal Foreign Office were also in contact with Chinese authorities. But their efforts to arrange Zhou’s departure were not successful.

Activist's wife honoured with "Reporters Without Borders" award

25-year-old Zeng Jinyan, who is under house arrest, uses "her blog to provide a moving example of living life under the constant surveillance of the Chinese authorities", the jury found. Zeng's husband, the human activist Hu Jia was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in April this year. While fighting with Chinese authorities for the release of her husband, she still tries to live a normal life with her infant child. The award is the result of a cooperative project with "Reporters Without Borders"designed to recognize bloggers who use the platform to highlight, promote and further the advancement of the freedom of opinion throughout the world.

Best Blog Award in Chinese language goes to lawyer

Liu Xiaoyuan is a self-educated lawyer. He has been writing his blog for three years and helps people with their legal problems, telling them how to fight against unfairness in the system. Liu Xiaoyuan appeals for transparency in the legal process and, along with other experts in China, is dedicated to building a just legal system. Questioned about the case, Liu was indignant about the Chinese authority’s approach and offered Zhou legal assistance. He says he has to confront Chinese authorities often enough:

"I temporarily had more than 20 blogs at the same time because Chinese authorities censored or blocked my reports. I spend a lot of time in front of my computer to keep my blogs up to date."

Another award which went to China was the "People's Choice Award" in the category of "Best Weblog". The group blog named "Science Guru" is dedicated to bring the latest scientific news to a large audience by using a plain language.

Zeng Jinyan's blog
Liu Xiaoyuan's blog
"Science Guru"
Official website of the BOBs

Congratulations to Zeng Jinyan, Liu Xiaoyuan, and the Science Guru bloggers!
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Photo shows the son of Zeng Jinyan and imprisoned human rights advocate Hu Jia.

Loulan Beauty scandal

New Dominion blogs:

Some of you may have noticed about a week ago an article in the New York Times by correspondent Edward Wong titled, “The Dead Tell a Tale China Doesn’t Care to Listen To,” about the famous preserved corpse uncovered in the Tarim Basin and dubbed the “Loulan Beauty.” So the Loulan Beauty looks European and this doesn’t jive well with the continual and enthusiastic insistence on behalf of the Chinese government that Xinjiang has always been a part of Chinese territory. Like almost all the articles written about Xinjiang in mainstream media outlets there was nothing strikingly new about the content and the article itself relied mostly on the “wow” factor. . .

The post goes on to explain how some people in China have manufactured a conspiracy theory that claims the Times article is proof of a an American plot to take back Xinjiang (or some such absurdity).