Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 1318

Are China and Russia Forging a New Ideological Bloc?

With evidence of ties strengthening between Beijing and Moscow—over energy contracts, the handling of the Ukraine, and their diplomats' stance toward outside interference in internal affairs, especially if it's perceived as coming from Washington—can the world soon expect Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to cooperate more broadly? Read more

Abe embraces U.S. alliance, voices ‘repentance’ over the war

In a historic speech before Congress, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe celebrated the evolution of ties with the U.S. since his nation’s defeat in World War II, voiced “deep repentance” for Japan’s role in the war, declared Tokyo’s emergence as a global security player in the face of China’s rising power in Asia and urged lawmakers to seal a groundbreaking Asia-Pacific trade deal. Read more

Full text of Abe’s speech before U.S. Congress

Following is a full text of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s speech at the U.S. Congress on Wednesday. Read more

Is China Building Up Soft Power by Aiding Nepal?

The  Chinese leadership announced immediately after the quake that China would be sending a specialized search and rescue team, medical supplies, and the kinds of relief assistance. Similarly, the Modi government in India responded in a quick and significant manner. Read more

How China's Ministry of Public Security Controls Cyber Policy

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) controls all aspects of cyber policy in China. As a ministry, the MPS is constituted as operating under the State Council. In practice, however, it operates under the direct control of the Communist Party leadership. Read more

China's Three Richest Casino Moguls Have Lost $22 Billion in Just the Last Year

Big losers in a rotten game - socialism with Chinese characteristics. Read more

Wang Jianlin, a Billionaire at the Intersection of Business and Power in China

There are as many as 430 billionaires in China, more than in any country besides the United States. But Wang Jianlin stands out, and not just because he is the richest person in Asia, with a fortune estimated at more than $35 billion. Read more  A sensitive name

The Sinocism China Newsletter, April 29, 2015

Get smarter about China. Read more

Keeping Count: Corrupt Chinese Officials and Their Mistresses

Chinese news organizations caused a stir when they published stories last month saying that a senior security and intelligence official ensnared in an anticorruption investigation had six mistresses and two sons with them. The official, Ma Jian, a former vice minister of state security, is the highest-ranking intelligence official to be caught up in theanticorruption drive and political purge

China -- Not the U.S. -- Is Leading the Solar Revolution

According to a recent report from China's National Energy Administration, the country connected 5.04 GW of solar capacity in the first quarter this year. That's nearly as much as the 6.20 GW installed in the U.S. during 2014; and China is planning to install as much as 17.8 GW this year alone. Read more