[War_ooc] China: 2013

[Chazenesq2b at aol.com]

Leader:  President Xia Hong
Party/Affiliation:  Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Recent History

Political Situation
When Beijing had hosted the 2008 summer olympics, the shining, sparkling 
jewel of Asia was seen as a metaphoric expression of the rise of China.  Even the 
United States could no longer claim, in the eyes of a few anti-american 
leaning journalists, to be the world's sole super power.  China had arrived.

And seemingly just as quickly, the brightest flame was nearly snuffed out.

With the price of oil and some raw materials reaching a low-point in 2008, a 
great deal of investment was made to procure vast quantity of stocks of 
strategic resources.  Massive expansion was forseen to keep up with China's 
continued economic growth, and private firms, particularly in the areas of 
construction and technology, were seeking to cash in on this promise.  The promise 
however, ended up being much more shallow than expected.

In 2010 the United States and the nations of the west entered a recession, 
forseen as inevitable.  China, which had been largely blinded by idealistic zeal 
and over-confidence, hadn't been prepared for it's most important trading 
partners to reduce their need of manufactured or industrial goods as much as they 
had.  As a result, billions were lost in speculation, and the Chinese people 
soon found themselves with a unique understanding of the cliche "When the 
United States sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold."  Over-extended, many 
businesses went under, the unemployment rate went up, and for China a recession 
became two-years of near-depression.  Coupled with the need to counter 
emerging health threats to it's population, and the police actions required to keep 
the population in check from the shock and desperation insuing to 2011, the 
Communist Party was reeling.  In Tibet, separtists demanded sovereignty, and 
Taiwan seemed closer to declaring independence than ever.  The party needed new 
leadership, desperately... someone who could change the collision course the 
nation seemed to be on with misery.

After President Jintao was forced out, the charismatic and idealist daughter 
of a senior Chinese military general and an American businesswoman found an 
opportunity to seize power, using her father's connections and her own 
credentials.  Xia Hong won election in the CCP late in 2012.  She got to work quickly, 
forcing through drastic changes to the Chinese government and policies in 
hopes of dealing with the simultaneous storm of events.  The Chinese Communist 
Party retains control of the nation at this time, but opposition has never been 
stronger, more vocal, or more popular.  There is talk about a potential 
revolution among some circles.

Economic Situation
Many of the recently passed emergency measures concerned solving China's 
economic woes.  A massive anti-corruption legislation bill stamped out wasteful 
spending and officials in a nation where bribery had long been an accepted 
practice.  A 'Green' infrastructure program was initiated, necessitating the 
rebuilding of roads, power networks, water purification projects, and many factories 
to accomodate the new legislation, jump starting the heavy industries that 
had been hit particularly hard by economic decline.  Safety standards had been 
imposed, and a national healthcare network established.  New banking and 
financial services legislation was passed to provide a shield against such violent 
economic growth, and combined with even more reduced prices thanks to the 
accumulated resources, a foreign direct investment campaign was begun in force to 
expand the economy and cut back on excess capacity.

Similarly, China's policies have been shaped to help induce the high-tech 
sector to stimulus as much as the manufacturing and production facilities.  Newer 
schools have been constructed, standards of excellence set, and tax 
incentives as well as government grants offered to attract research and development 
facilities in a myriad of fields.  Many observers have commented about the new 
standards closing most real gaps between Western and Eastern educational 
quality, and the diversification is hoped to provide an added buffer against any 
further economic declines.

Internal Affairs
The government was also 'shaken' badly, the need for money to fund expansive 
programs requiring drastic reorganization for the sake of efficiency.  Minimum 
qualification standards had been set or increased, the old system of 
patronage largely brought to heel.  The State Council had been broken into ministries, 
appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) and headed by the 
President, under which all government programs and agencies were placed.  The 
Ministries include the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of State, The Ministry of the 
Interior, The Ministry of Commerce, The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of 
Security and Intelligence, Ministry of Government Affairs, Ministry of Health, 
Ministry of Transportation, and Ministry of Education.  Initially there were a 
great deal of problems over turf battles, reorganizing the work force and 
expert positions, and assigning tasks and authority via legislation.  However 
these issues are being addressed by appointed policy makers, and slowly the 
effects of the shake up are dissipating.  

In addition, the subsequent construction of newer, high-tech transportation 
hubs, power-grids, and infrastructure facilities combined with increased 
health-care and educational capacity has resulted in a greater ability to meet the 
demands of all of China's people, the proverbial haves and have nots alike.  As 
a result the main crux of civil unrest has been severely hampered, and the 
new found unity of purpose and cooperative efforts of security forces have 
resulted in the more militant of detractors being largely arrested and controled.  
Subsequently, a broader policy of gradual 'Sino-democratization' has been 
institutionalized.  Although most NPC seats remain appointed positions and under 
Communist control, a vast number are now 'open' seats for election, and 
minority parties have made steady gains given the recent weakness of the CCP.  This 
has earned Xia a few critics among her own party, however the decision was 
based in strategy... taking the hits for the party now to preserve the nation it 
represents in the long run.

Environmental issues have been placed on a forefront, not only because of the 
organization and rising influence of the Chinese Environmental Party (CEP or 
known as the 'Greens'), but because of the need to rebuild and cut back on 
Chinese vulnerability to the markets of natural resources and simple popular 
demand.  A Parks Bureau and Land Use Bureau under the auspices of the Ministry of 
the Interior have been formed to insure the safe and productive use of 
resources.

Military Situation
The Military of China had continued it's reforms almost unabated, but was 
kicked into overdrive under the plethora of reforms instituted since 2012.  China 
now has seperate Naval, Army, Air Force, and Strategic Force services, 
although in honor of the unified PLA days the basic trainings are almost exactly the 
same for all services.  The major differences lay in advanced trainings, and 
even then joint service operations are in the new mindset emphasized over the 
former independent operations.  Ranks remain the same, although the services 
are recognized as separate.

Foreign Affairs
China remains an important member of the international community, even 
despite it's recent stumbles.  Economically and militarily powerful, and having a 
great deal of influence abroad, China often plays power-broker in Asian affairs, 
and has stated it's interests in flexing it's muscles elsewhere.  Russia, the 
United States, and the European Union remain China's greatest trading 
partners, and improving relations has been given a high-priority by the Ministry of 
State.  Other important partners include Iran, Japan, Venezuela, and the 
nations of Indochina.

Other Social Issues
Religious freedom is one of the newly acquired rights Chinese citizens are 
learning to explore.  Traditional Eastern religions retain their place of 
prominence, but it's widely reported that various Christian churches, including the 
Catholic Church itself, as well as Islam are making some headway on the 
prophery of Chinese territories, where influences of both are still tangible 
following the days of colonization and the proximity of Islamic nations.  These new 
discoveries are still ongoing, and as of yet unrest against the government has 
pre-empted religious disagreement, but the situation is still being monitored 
by the Ministry of Security and Intelligence and the Ministry of Law in fear 
that things may become volatile.

Tensions in Tibet have eased extensively.  While still sovereign Chinese 
territory, a greater tollerance for religious freedom have allowed some to return 
to the popularized traditional Tibetan 'Monk' lifestyle.

Although freedom has been expanded, for many it isn't moving quickly enough.  
A number of groups continue to push for 'democracy now', and although 
controlled for now, many of the hardliners retain a great deal of fear and suspicion 
of these groups.  Several popularly reported events world wide have 
demonstrated reactions that have tarnished the slowly liberalizing image of China 
somewhat, and this remains an obstacle to greater global integration and prosperity.

Traffiking of prisoners and illegal substances remains a problem that must be 
addressed, but understandably the resources of the Chinese government have 
been focussed elsewhere.  In addition terrorism, or rather the prospect of it, 
remains a frightening reality.

The Taiwan Issue
China still maintains Taiwan is a province of Mainland China, and an uneasy 
tolerance for each other's ways is maintained.