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China Tells Local Authorities To Address Social Instability
Beijing (AFP) Jul 10, 2007 China has ordered local authorities to address the root causes of rising public discontent, state media reported on Saturday, in an apparent sign of growing concern over social stability. Local officials have been told they will be denied promotions unless they minimise social unrest in their areas, Xinhua news agency quoted a top Community Party official as saying. "Officials who perform poorly in maintaining social stability in rural areas will not be qualified for promotion," it quoted Ouyang Song, a senior party official in charge of personnel matters, as saying. The vice minister of public security, Liu Jinguo, also has ordered local police to launch month-long inspections of the causes and extent of "mass incidents" and other social disorder in rural areas. "Mass incidents" is a term used by the government for the fast-growing numbers of riots, protests and other mass public outbursts. "Fugitive criminals and underworld gangs, as well as those who steal rural production materials, produce or sell fake and substandard commodities, kidnap children and women and smuggle drugs, explosives and guns will be targeted," Liu was quoted as saying. Both men made the comments during a Beijing conference on rural security Thursday, it said. Rising public discontent, especially among the huge segments of society marginalised in China's economic boom, has become a top source of government concern. According to the most recent publicised government figures, 87,000 "mass incidents," were reported across China in 2005, up 6.6 percent on 2004 and 50 percent on 2003. Such outbursts have a range of causes, often including illegal seizures of farmers' land by corrupt businesses and officials, anger over worsening environmental degradation, or heavy-handed treatment by local authorities, human rights groups have said. The officials' comments come as the Communist Party prepares for a five-yearly party congress later this year. Congresses are typically preceded by efforts to address politically embarrassing problems.
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Hu Dons Shirtsleeves, But Energy Demand Surges
Beijing (AFP) June 27, 2007Beijing is struggling with record demand for electricity, despite an energy-slashing campaign that included President Hu Jintao holding a meeting in his shirtsleeves, state media reported Wednesday. As temperatures soared to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in Beijing on Tuesday, air conditioning use lifted electricity consumption to 11.22 million kilowatts by late afternoon, the highest in history, Xinhua news agency said. |
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