BBC Monitoring Quotes From China, Taiwan Press 9 Mar 07

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and commentaries carried in 9 March 2007 website editions of mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwan newspapers available to BBC Monitoring. Unless otherwise stated, the quotes are in Chinese. The figure in brackets after the quote indicates the date of publication on the website

Cote d’Ivoire

Beijing’s Renmin Ribao (People’s Daily, Chinese Communist Party newspaper): www.people.com.cn “…The signing of the [peace] agreement [in Cote d'Ivoire] is a success story for African countries to rely on their own strength to resolve internal conflicts… However, the road to peace will be difficult, and the implementation of the agreement will not be plain sailing… As long as the parties concerned place importance on the interests of the country and nation, take the overall situation into account, effectively implement the peace accord, eliminate war and achieve national reconciliation, the people of Cote d’Ivoire will be able to enjoy peace, prosperity and dignity soon.” (Prof Li Baoping, School of International Relations, Peking University) (9)

“Japan’s shameful ignorance”

Taipei’s Taipei Times in English: www.taipeitimes.com “[Japanese Prime Minister] Shinzo Abe, shame on you. Shame on you for attempting to deny the culpability of the Japanese government and military in forcing thousands of women to work as sex slaves during and prior to World War II. Shame on you for sacrificing the honour of your country to placate a rabid minority of rightist ultra- nationalists… The arrogance, the sheer lack of compassion and of empathy for the people who suffered under the Imperial Japanese Army demonstrates that you have not even attempted to understand the realities of the world in which you live…” (Editorial) (9)

Property rights law

Beijing’s China Daily in English: www.chinadaily.com.cn “After six readings and 13 years of debate, the latest draft of the real [property] rights law is awaiting approval by the National People’s Congress [NPC]. Hopes are high that the 10th NPC will sign it into law at the current, and final, full session. If it does, the 10th NPC will be remembered for one of contemporary China’s most important pieces of legislation… We see no major stumbling blocks ahead. The framework of the draft appears flawless…” (Commentary) (9)

Hong Kong’s Wen Wei Po (Beijing-backed daily): www.wenweipo.com “…An outstanding feature of the draft property rights law lies in establishing the principle of the equal protection of state, collective and private property rights, and while taking into account the country’s basic economic system, strengthening safeguards for all legitimate owners of private property in China, including foreign businesses. This is not only conducive to encouraging the efforts of every citizen to create wealth through honest labour and helping to attract more foreign businesses to invest in property with more confidence, it has even greater significance for promoting economic development and the rule of law and bringing about long-term stability in the country…” (Editorial) (9)

“Still long way to go in protecting private property rights”

Hong Kong’s Singtao Daily: www.singtao.com “…The property rights law will help to protect property, but since it is only a framework at present, there is still a long way to go before private property is truly protected… In theory, under the premise of protecting private property, the ‘property rights law’ will restrict land requisitions and will also help to alleviate the wealth gap, creating a more equitable and harmonious society. However, due to all sorts of practical limitations, the extent of the anticipated results of the new regulations has yet to be proved over time.” (Editorial) (9)

“Property law crucial to mainland’s progress”

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post in English: www.scmp.com “…Without laws clearly defining property rights, President Hu Jintao’s promise of a harmonious society will be difficult to attain. It is essential that they be promptly put in place… The biggest problem will be enforcement… The government must do its utmost to ensure the law is followed and that violations are dealt with swiftly… The law is a landmark shift for the mainland. Its implementation will embark the nation on a new course that will lift it to a higher level of development. Short-term, the gains are many. Over a longer period, the mainland will be healthier and wealthier.” (Editorial) (9)

Hong Kong’s Ming Pao: www.mingpaonews.com “…The recognition of the universal principle of protecting legitimate private property is a remarkable breakthrough in China, which is still practicing a socialist system, and it is another major step towards a market economy… The next step that should be considered by [Chinese President] Hu and [Chinese Premier] Wen is how to let the people enjoy extensive political rights. Without truly democratically elected representatives of the people participating in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, it will be truly hard to bring about fairness and justice in China.” (Editorial) (9)

Corporate tax law

China Daily in English: “A new law to unify income taxes for both Chinese and foreign enterprises has been in the pipeline for a while. It is high time to get it passed to create an equal taxation footing for all businesses in the country… It has become evident that preferential income tax rates for foreign-funded companies now amount to unnecessary discrimination against domestic enterprises…” (Commentary) (9)

“Build and share a harmonious society together”

Renmin Ribao: “…Without the people’s interests, a harmonious society will have no significance; and with a lack of public participation, social harmony cannot be achieved. The building of a harmonious society depends on the people, the achievements of this construction should be shared by the masses, this is the significance that the terms ‘harmonious society’ and ‘common prosperity’ should have… In a new situation where reform and development have entered a crucial period, strengthening and improving the work of the masses is particularly important…” (Lin Zhibo) (9)

Workers and farmers

Beijing’s Xin Jing Bao (The Beijing News): www.thebeijingnews.com “…In political life, especially on this country’s most important political stage – the National People’s Congress – the voice of frontline workers, farmers and migrant labourers has not only not been increased, it is weakening instead. This can only be alarming… The country could more fully promote the rights of the floating population to vote and stand for election, which would enable outstanding spokespersons for the people to be elected and also be conducive to building up experience in developing democracy in our country in the future.” (Editorial) (9)

Hong Kong chief executive election

Hong Kong’s Apple Daily: appledaily.atnext.com/ “The manifesto of chief executive candidate Mr [Alan] Leong Kah-kit on the appointment of senior officials being handed over to the chief executive has obviously touched upon a taboo area of the Beijing government… NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo also refuted Mr Leong’s views when receiving NPC deputies from Hong Kong, stating that the political system is under the authority of the central government, not the authority of the special administrative region; and some provisions of the ‘Basic Law’ are ‘not be challenged’. However, Mr Wu Bangguo’s view and the ‘taboo areas’ set by Mr Wu Bangguo are not only unreasonable, they do not conform with the spirit of the ‘Basic Law’ and the Sino-British Joint Declaration…” (Lo Fung) (9)

“Clear rules needed on carrying guns in planes”

South China Morning Post in English: “…Concerns are being expressed about the presence of armed bodyguards on mainland flights… Special problems have arisen … as a result of the mainland guards carrying their weapons onto flights using Hong Kong- registered planes [Dragonair planes leased along with their crews to Air China for use on domestic mainland routes]… There is a need for a clear protocol to be established. Certainly, the captain of an aircraft must have authority over all those who travel on it. Passengers may have to tolerate the presence of armed bodyguards on board. But measures must be put in place to ensure the practice is safe – and carried out according to clear rules.” (Editorial) (9)

Sources: As listed

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