FEATURED ARTICLEThe Facts about the Church in China (September 4, 2012, ChinaSource)Facts about the church in China may be more readily available than they were 10 or 15 years ago. But more information does not necessarily produce greater clarity. Often the opposite results. What, then, can be said with any certainty about the church in China? Here are some observations, along with a few thoughts on why making sense of the church in China is so difficult.GOVERNMENT / POLITICS / FOREIGN AFFAIRSChinese Dissident, Jailed on Evidence Provided by Yahoo, Is Freed (August 31, 2012, The New York Times)The Chinese dissident who served 10 years after being convicted of state subversion on evidence provided by the American Internet giant Yahoo is under sharp restrictions, his wife said Friday, after he was released and returned home. The dissident, Wang Xiaoning, 62, was released from the Beijing No. 2 prison. Just after 2 a.m., he was taken to a local police station and told that he was not to speak to the news media, not to participate in any protests or demonstrations, and not to give any speeches, and that he would be closely monitored, his wife, Yu Ling, said in a telephone interview.Top China official Ling Jihua in surprise demotion (September 3, 2012, BBC News)A close ally of China’s president has been demoted, according to state media, in what is seen as a surprise move. Ling Jihua had been tipped for promotion in the country’s leadership change, which starts later this year. Correspondents say Mr Ling’s demotion may have been the result of political manoeuvring ahead of the change, which happens once every 10 years. But there have also been reports that his son’s involvement in a Ferrari car crash may have been to blame. Ling Jihua held a senior position in President Hu’s government as head of the Central Committee’s General Office, in effect the chief of staff to China’s leader. He was moved to the less influential position of head of the United Front Work Department over the weekend.Bo Xilai scandal: Ex-police chief Wang Lijun charged (September 5, 2012, BBC News)The ex-police chief at the centre of China’s biggest political scandal for years has been charged with a number of offences, Chinese state media say. Wang Lijun is charged with defection, abuse of power and bribe-taking. He briefly fled to a US consulate in February, triggering a series of events that led to the downfall of the powerful politician Bo XilaiThe BBC’s Martin Patience in Beijing says the charges against Mr Wang appear to be an attempt to bring the scandal to an end before China embarks on a change of leadership later this year.Ready, steady, go for China Congress, not marathon runners (September 5, 2012, Reuters)A delayed Beijing marathon and postponement of an exhibition on security equipment offer the clearest signs yet that the 18th Communist Party Congress, at which China’s next top leaders will be unveiled, will take place in mid-October. China has yet to announce a start date for the congress, China’s biggest political meeting in 10 years, which will see the transfer of power from President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to a new generation. The sudden delays to the two events underscore the secrecy shrouding the event – as well as the degree to which the security measures put in place will disrupt normal life.Runners who have registered for the Beijing marathon, originally scheduled for October 14, have received notice that it is subject to delay, and a clock on the marathon’s website (www.beijing-marathon.com/en/) counting down the days, hours and minutes to the event was left blank on Wednesday.Chinese president meets U.S. Secretary of State (September 5, 2012, Xinhua)President Hu Jintao met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday morning, stressing that China will strengthen dialogue and coordination with the U.S to ensure that the development of bilateral ties heads in the right direction. Hu recalled Clinton’s last seven visits to China as the U.S. Secretary of State, including four visits for the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and another three for the High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges. He commended Clinton’s efforts in promoting the construction of the U.S. Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo and the program for U.S. students to study in China. The president appreciated Clinton’s efforts to push forward relations between the two countries.India, China Push for Closer Defense Ties (September 5, 2012, The New York Times)China and India unveiled plans to resume joint military exercises, a gesture aimed at strengthening defense ties but that experts say will do little to resolve long-standing territorial disputes. In a statement Tuesday, Indias Ministry of Defense said joint military exercises would resume at the earliest. The announcement was made after Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony met his Chinese counterpart, General Liang Guanglie, in New Delhi. This is the first time the two countries have agreed to hold joint military exercises since 2008.Everything You Think You Know About China Is Wrong (August 29, 2012, Foreign Policy)Are we obsessing about its rise when we should be worried about its fall?Chinas Greatest Challenge: Not America, But Itself (September 2, 2012, The Diplomat)China faces tough economic, demographic and social issues it must deal with. Foreign affairs may take a back seat.Doesnt matter if the Ferrari is black or red (September 4, 2012, Analects)Salacious rumours had started swirling on the internet within hours of the spectacular crash in March: another Ferrari in Beijing, another Chinese leaders son. But which leader? Months later the answer appears to be emerging into view, just as the leadership negotiates a crucial transition of power.Late Nights, Mysterious Women, and Communism (September 5, 2012, Letter from China)The men who run China today are avid readers of history, especially of the decline and fall of the Soviet Union. They can recite its causes, and they are explicitly dedicated to avoiding a repeat of the experience.When Local Officials Don’t Listen(September 5, 2012, Caixin Online)Contrary to Beijing’s wishes, provinces and cities are imprudently pursuing large development projects, and only reorganizing government can prevent such schismsChina territorial disputes: a warning in the history of Imperial Japan (September 5, 2012, Christian Science Monitor)The emerging Japan of the 1920s and 30s, like todays China, was steeped in historic resentment of the Wests forcible imposition of commercial and cultural influence. Both countries set about building military capabilities commensurate with their new economic prowess.RELIGIONJesus vs. Mao? An Interview With Yuan Zhiming (September 4, 2012, NYR Blog)After the Tiananmen crackdown, Yuan became one of the countrys most-wanted dissidents, fleeing to Paris and eventually making his way to Princeton. It was there, in 1992, that he converted to Christianity and later started his US-based charity, China Soul for Christ Foundation. Although banned from entering China, he has become one of the countrys most influential spiritual figures through his documentaries and videotaped sermons. This summer, I met Yuan at his offices north of San Francisco, where we talked about Chinas moral crisis, the future of communism, and the problems Christianity has in adapting to its new home.30,000 Bibles headed to China (September 6, 2012, Mission Network News)Bibles for China CEO Barry Werner says they’ll be heading to rural China next month. “We have about 30,000 [Bibles] that our team of four will hand out over a period of four days.HEALTH4 Medical workers injured in hospital attacks (September 4, 2012, Shanghai Daily)FOUR medical workers were injured in a hospital attack in the southern city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province yesterday morning, local health authorities confirmed. The incident happened at around 10am at the Shenzhen Pengcheng Hospital in the Luohu District when a man surnamed Ou broke into the E.N.T.department of the hospital and slashed four medical workers, said a spokesman for the Health, Population and Family Planning Commission of Shenzhen. Two of the four victims, who were seriously injured, underwent surgery. All four are now out of danger, the spokesman said. Ou, who had a surgical treatment in the hospital in July, was arrested by local police and his motive is being investigated, according to the spokesman.EDUCATION / CULTUREPeking University to sue former professor for libel (September 3, 2012, China Daily)Peking University has announced it is suing a former professor for libel over claims he made about a sex scandal at the college. The college is seeking an apology and damages from Zou Hengfu, an economist who falsely alleged that its deans and directors had sexually harassed waitresses working on campus.Zous micro blog posts have caused severe damage to the reputation of Peking University and our teachers, and hurt the feelings of our students and alumni, as well as the feelings of innocent waitresses, Jiang Langlang, Peking University spokesman, said on Sunday. He said that because the university has launched legal proceedings, it will cease to respond to questions related to the issue.More protests over HK ‘national education’ row (September 4, 2012, BBC News)Thousands protested outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on Monday, amid a row over a controversial national education programme. The protesters accuse the government of trying to brainwash students with pro-China education and want the programme to be scrapped. But the government says it is about building national pride and identity. Protests have been rumbling for months, but built over the weekend before the start of the new school year. A small number of activists have been taking part in hunger strikes. The government wants schools to introduce the programme now and plans to make it compulsory by 2016. But protesters – who comprise parents, students and teachers – say its core aim is to bolster support for China’s communist rulers.Translation: Whats Wrong With Chinese Higher Education(September 3, 2012, Tea Leaf Nation)A graduate from an elite Chinese university describes his experiences in the (literally stuffing the duck, or spoon feeding) systemalso known as (rote learning)and why he became disillusioned with the education system.In parts of China, BYO school supplies include desks(September 4, 2012, Behind the Wall)While millions of students all over the world return to school this month, youngsters in one part of China were expected to bring not just pencils and notebooks, but their own desks and chairs when school opened.Diving deep into the secrets of the Great Wall (September 4, 2012, Behind The Wall)The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s most famous landmarks, but much of it is still being explored. NBC’s Ian Williams joined noted Great Wall historian, William Lindesay and Steven Schwankert of SinoScuba to take a unique look at one hidden section of the wall, diving down into a vast lake that submerged the wall when an entire valley was flooded decades ago.SOCIETY / LIFEChina has 12.6 million migrant children (September 4, 2012, China Daily)More than 12 million school-age children of migrant workers live with their parents who work outside their hometowns, Beijing News reported. According to a document released by the Ministry of Education, 12.6 million children within the compulsory education age moved with their parents who work away from their rural homes in 2011, 938,000 more than in 2010. Among them, 9.3 million were primary school-age children, and 3.3 million were in middle school, the national education career development statistics report of 2011 showed. Children who were left behind by migrant workers totaled 22 million in 2011, 712,000 less than 2010, the report also showed.China official ‘suspended over stewardess attack’ (September 4, 2012, BBC News)A Chinese official accused of beating a flight attendant has been suspended from his post pending an investigation, Chinese state media say. Fang Daguo was described by Xinhua as a senior official from Yuexiu District in Guangdong province. He was accused of attacking the woman in a row over luggage on a flight from Hefei to Guangzhou last week. He was initially exonerated of blame in a local probe, creating an angry buzz among netizens and then state media. The incident on Wednesday came to light after the attendant, employed by China Southern Airlines, reported it on her microblog.US demand for visas to China hold steady (September 6, 2012, China Daily)The number of Americans applying for visas to China has remained flat since the country revised its rules for visitors from the United States. “We have seen a stable number of applications since the launch of new visa rules on Aug 1,” said Chen Xiongfeng, a visa-affairs officer at the Chinese Embassy in Washington. “The feedback from visa officers is positive.” Chen said the new rules are in line with other countries’ procedures and require Americans applying for Chinese tourist or business visas to submit a letter from an authorized tourism agency, a company or an individual inviting them to China. The letter should include personal information of both host and invitee , along with information such as the purpose of the visit, arrival and departure dates, places to be visited, and who will pay for the visitor’s accommodations in China.Humor: China’s Six Great Inventions (August 31, 2012, Inside-Out)(A friend forwarded me the following joke even though we all know humor is lost in translation, it is still tempting to try this one.)Slide show: China’s One Percent (August 31, 2012, Foreign Policy)Portraits of the lucky ones, living large in the People’s Republic.Modern China: A tale of luxury villas and displaced villagers(August 31, 2012, McClatchey)As uniformed maids bustled about the yard of the villa, Zhu Xinxin ushered a guest across black and tan Italian marble floors to an elevator that rose with a hushed glide. In the master bathroom upstairs, Zhu paused to point out gold-plated swan sink faucets that cost $7,865 each.Translation: Chinese Writer Sarcastically Calls Americans Foolish For Being Honest, Generous (September 4, 2012, Tea Leaf Nation)This piece, of uncertain author and origin, laughingly criticizes Americans as foolish, primitive, and naive. Lest American readers be offended, it soon becomes apparent that the essay is in fact a sharp, backhanded critique of China.In Chinese Netizen Outrage, Echoes of Mao-Era Struggle (September 4, 2012, Tea Leaf Nation)Its no secret that China has changed tremendously since the Cultural Revolution seized a then-poor and insular China. Yet these Party-line quotations could easily be held up as mantras on the Chinese Internet calling for netizens to be vigilant in exposing corrupt officials.As China Ages, Beijing Turns to Morality Tales to Spur Filial Devotion (September 5, 2012, The New York Times)Compared with its predecessor, the new book brims with down-to-earth suggestions for keeping parents happy in their golden years. Readers are urged to teach them how to surf the Internet, take Mom to a classic film and buy health insurance for retired parents.Hard Living in Beijing(September 12, 2012, The Economic Observer)People coming to Beijing to work and pursue their dreams are increasingly meeting with insurmountable frustration. The slowing economy, rising living costs and government policies that disadvantage residents without a Beijing Hukou are combining to see an unprecedented reduction in the citys migrant population.Han Han on Typos, Race Cars, Censorship in China (September 5, 2012, China Real Time Report)On Oct. 9, Simon & Schuster releases This Generation: Dispatches From Chinas Most Popular Literary Star (and Race Car Driver), a collection of work that dates back to when Mr. Han started blogging in 2005. The volume presents an overview of the social and political issues, both large and small, that have preoccupied him and much of China during the past several years of constant change.Agencies help foreigners evade rules to land jobs (September 6, 2012, China Daily)According to information gathered by China Daily, consultation companies in Beijing and Shanghai are charging 1,500 yuan ($236) to 20,000 yuan to foreigners who cannot meet the work-visa requirements to help them obtain one. Prices are based on the client’s nationality, age and educational background.Top 10 most popular China blogs (September 4, 2012, China Whisper)SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY / ENVIRONMENTBeijing to finish PM2.5 network by end of Sept (September 5, 2012, China Daily)Beijing plans to finish building its PM2.5 monitor network across the city by the end of September, according to the official website of Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. These air pollutant particles can invade even the smallest airways. Thirty-five monitoring stations will be built before collected data is published. The bureau is also working on an emergency plan for heavy pollution days.BUSINESS / ECONOMICS / FOREIGN TRADEChina’s manufacturing slump deepens (September 3, 2012, CNN)More bad news about China’s factories: The decline in the country’s crucial manufacturing sector got worse last month. A closely-followed report by bank HSBC, released Monday, said export orders for China’s factories slid at the sharpest rate since March 2009. And on Saturday, the Chinese government’s official manufacturing index fell to 49.2 from 50.1 in July. Any reading below 50 indicates that factory activity is shrinking rather than growing. The reports could add further pressure on Chinese government authorities to take steps to reverse the slowdown, which was driven by a slowdown in factory orders, analysts said.Illuminants Chinese Takeout: Colors to use and colors to avoid in China (August 28, 2012, Illuminant)This months Chinese Takeout the third in our yearlong series addresses one of the fundamentals of how to localize your brand identity for China: the use and misuse of color.Good Guanxi Gone Bad. Connections Can Be Fleeting. (August 31, 2012, China Law Blog)The problem with the typical China shortcut is that it involves doing something not completely legally but with assurances that it will work because someone knows someone in such and such Chinese government agency and that someone will make sure that it goes through without a hitch.What’s Next? China’s Fast-Growing Economy Slows (September 4, 2012, NPR)China’s economic boom has altered the global economy but its growth is slowing down. Steve Inskeep talks to Beijing-based economist Patrick Chovanec about China’s economic troubles, and how that affects the U.S. economy.China’s Economy Faces 9 Major Challenges (September 6, 2012, Business Insider, via Yahoo! News)As Chinese data continues to deteriorate, housing continues to show weakness and bad debts rise, some take solace in the fact that this is all part of China’s plan to rebalance its economy and cool growth. In a paper, Li Zuojun, deputy director at the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) writes that after 30 years of rapid growth, China is beginning to restructure. And that the economy now faces 9 major challenges.MISCELLANEOUSThis is what Shanghai looked like in 1932 (September 6, 2012, Shanghaiist)Beijing revisited after half a century (September 4, 2012, BBC News)Returning to Beijing after nearly 50 years sparks recollections of a China long gone, and the memory of one very special meeting.ARTICLES IN CHINESE240 (August 30, 2012, Peoples Daily)(September 4, 2012, Christian Times) (September 6, 2012, Christian Times) (Pacific Institute for Social Science) (Pacific Institute for Social Science) (Pacific Institute for Social Science)BOOKSA Jesuit in the Forbidden City Matteo Ricci 1552-1610 (September 5, 2012, China Rhyming)The Jesuits, Matteo Ricci and all that are an industry really books on them/him just keep coming and why not indeed. Recently I noted Mary Lavens Mission to China and now we have the paperback edition (from OUP but thankfully affordable) of R. Po Chia-Hsias A Jesuit in the Forbidden CityThe Dragon’s Gift: Chinese Translation Published (September 3, 2012, China in Africa)The Dragon’s Gift has now been published in a Chinese translation, by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences press.A Great Leap Into the Abyss (September 5, 2012, The New York Times)Unlike the horrors of the Soviet gulag or the Holocaust, what happened in China during the Great Leap Forward has received little attention from the larger world, even though it is one of the worst catastrophes in twentieth-century history, writes Ms. Zhou, an assistant professor of history at the University of Hong Kong, in the introduction to The Great Famine in China, 1958-1962.In China itself, the famine is a dark episode, one that is not discussed or officially recognized, she writes. type essay online ZGBriefs is a weekly compilation of the news in China, condensed from published sources and emailed free-of-charge to more than 6,000 readers in China and abroad. ZGBriefs brings you not only the most important stories of the week, but also links to blogs, commentaries, articles, and resources to help fill out your understanding of what is happening in China today. Coverage includes domestic and international politics, economics, culture, and social trends, among other areas. Seeking to explore all facets of life in China, ZGBriefs also includes coverage of spiritual movements and the role of religious believers and faith-based groups in China. The publication of ZGBriefs is supported by readers who find this weekly service useful. ZGBriefs is a publication of ChinaSource.