No Freedom On The Web For The Chinese

The Internet is limitless in a way. You can do so much without having to go far physically. The World Wide Web serves as the portal to unlimited possibilities and you are free to explore it whether for work or for fun. And that is the case for the majority of the people who are free to use the Internet without any limitations. However, that is not the case if you live in China because of the government’s extreme Internet censorship. You don’t have access to lots of content that other Internet users across the world can view on the web.

This totalitarian approach is the Chinese government’s way of limiting Western influence over its people. The Chinese obey their laws no matter how outrageous they may be. They are also stripped of many rights that are otherwise enjoyed by the majority of the people all over the world. If they have free access to the web, they will realize that life in China is not normal and that their human rights have been violated for a long time now. It may trigger dissent and encourage more people to protest in the streets, something that the Chinese government won’t allow to happen. So, that’s just the way it is. The government will do their best to curb Internet freedom of their people to the best that they can.

Great Firewall of China, or Golden Shield Project

If you look at the rating of Freedomhouse in the previous years, we can see that the last place is regularly taken by China. China started to develop the filtration system in 1998, and in 2003 it was implemented across its territory. The Shield is a system of servers on the Internet channel between providers and international information networks that filter the information.

Based on the description published on the website Techinasia, the current situation in the Chinese segment of the Network is as follows: a strict censorship was imposed, there are lists of ''bad words'' (mostly in political terms), input of which is blocked, or the activity of people using them is carefully monitored. Besides, many foreign resources (such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube, partially Wikipedia) are blocked in China. Local people use Chinese analogues and often do not even know about the existence of the originals. Besides, some of the scientific websites and other portals, in some way or another associated with the development of freedom of speech in the country, are blocked. Of course, bans complicate the lives of many educational institutions and hinder the businesses — any ''cloud-based office packages'' are out of the question.

(Via: https://realnoevremya.com/articles/1371-new-vitaly-milonovs-bill-on-children-and-social-networks)

Imagine life in China without all our favorite social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. Even Youtube that has saved your sanity from boredom for years now can’t be accessed in the Red Dragon of Asia. And Google. Google is one of the best things to happen to the web but the Chinese miss out on it big time. Not only does Google serve its purpose as a search engine but it does so much more.

Authorities in the northern Chinese province of Hebei are rolling out a series of measures that will require any businesses or workplaces providing public wi-fi access to install surveillance technology that records user activity online.

A copy of the regulations issued by the police department in Hebei Tangshan city seen by RFA call on local businesses and workplaces to comply with the new requirements, which are described as "online safety protection measures," or face fines or other sanctions.

Under the rules, companies must "record and retain user registration information ... user login and exit time, caller ID, port number, account number, IP address, domain name, and system maintenance log."

They must also record and retain internet sites visited by users, using "special safety equipment," holding onto records for more than 60 days.

Shopping, catering, leisure, entertainment, public transportation, hospitals, and other public places are all required to implement the rules, purchasing government-approved equipment at their own expense, the notice said.

"Police will strengthen supervision and control of wireless networks," it said.

(Via: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/monitor-04062017121748.html)

Even the use of wireless networks is monitored by Chinese authorities. China does not take this Internet censorship thing lightly. It means a lot to them to keep the status quo within their nation no matter what kind of commotion is going on in the outside world. In reality, the government isn’t just protecting their people from the dangers of the web but curtailing their freedom of speech and expression among many others. The people should be free to pursue their interests and not be persecuted for it. Regardless of how far technology has come, it is still a long way to go before China relaxes its control over the web or give its citizens the freedom to do as they wish without their actions being monitored by the authorities.

The article No Freedom On The Web For The Chinese Read more on: Chinese Human Rights Development Net

source https://chrdnet.org/2017/07/25/no-freedom-on-the-web-for-the-chinese/

The Chinese Educational System: Successful Or Failing?

For many people, education is the key to uplifting their lives. This belief is especially true among the poor and the impoverished that lacks material wealth and opportunities. They see education as the tool to open their doors for a better life in the future. And that is true. Educated people have higher chances of landing stable and better-paying jobs. However, competition in the global marketplace is tight and even college graduates struggle in looking for jobs despite having their diplomas.

China is the economy driver in the world for years now. As we all know, a big majority of the goods sold in the market today are made in China. Chinese factories and production lines are sought after by foreign investors, businessmen, and companies because they get to save a lot of money by hiring cheap Chinese laborers. However, things are changing now as the middle class is rising and more and more Chinese families are growing in affluence. And partly, education is responsible for this positive change in the Chinese landscape. However, is too much education depriving young kids of their chance to enjoy their childhood or is it but right for the adults to force kids to study hard for a bright future.

Like other East Asian societies, China has historically placed high value on educating children. Due to the country’s vast population and the limited resources of elite schools, not only is there intense competition during entrance exams, but there are also top colleges putting students’ unique abilities — such as performance in science competitions, writing ability, oral skills, musical talent, and achievements in dance — under the microscope.

Such cruel competitions have been denounced across society by those who feel that they monopolize children’s free time, place too much emphasis on performing under test conditions at the expense of cultivating creativity and imagination, and — most concerningly — stunt students’ interest in learning. Against this background, government departments have begun to staunchly promote holistic education.

(Via: http://www.sixthtone.com/news/why-relieving-student-burdens-will-not-work)

Like in other countries around the world, most students are overworked. From school to their homes, children are loaded with homework and assignments that take up most of their time. All they have left to do each day is study, study, and study some more. But despite this rigorous school routine, children aren’t performing as well as parents and teachers are hoping. China’s education system is a state-run public education system overseen by the Ministry of Education and characterized by a 9-year compulsory education. It seems that the Chinese are indeed taking the children’s education seriously.

The General Office of the Ministry of Education in China released its first official statement in February that condemns homeschooling and warns Chinese parents it is a forbidden practice.

“The statement follows a related decision by the Communist Party’s Central Committee in December, when it mandated that education must include ideological teachings on socialism, and that these teachings must be incorporated in the national curriculum,” writes Mike Donnelly, director of global outreach for the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

The Chinese government’s new policy states, “[Students] should not be allowed to study at home to replace the national unified implementation of compulsory education.”

According to the Communist Party’s instructions, “core socialist values” should be part of the national curriculum and “cover all schools and those receiving education.”

Parents who wish to homeschool their children for health issues are now required to obtain province-level approval.

(Via: http://www.breitbart.com/education/2017/04/06/china-adopts-policy-officially-condemning-homeschooling/)

Whether it is failing or not is not an easy question to answer. The Chinese government is among the most resilient in the world and they always find a way to enforce things they consider are important in building their nation. And you can see it now. The Chinese workers are no longer limited to jobs as factory workers who won’t mind getting treated badly and overworked for a measly few dollars. The affluent population in China are growing. You can see it from a growing number of Chinese tourists who can afford to travel the world for leisure.

Furthermore, their advancing infrastructure and modern technology are just proof of what the Chinese are capable of building and producing. It is all because they have put emphasis on the education of the Chinese youth who are the future of their nation, well basically, the future of just about everyone. They have tailored their educational system to match the demands of the times. Now, is it a hit or miss? It all depends on how the children feel and that is subject to interpretation.

The Chinese Educational System: Successful Or Failing? See more on: https://chrdnet.org/

source https://chrdnet.org/2017/07/11/the-chinese-educational-system-successful-or-failing/

Why You Should Travel To China In Your Lifetime

The Red Dragon of Asia is not just an emerging superpower because it always has been an influential country throughout time. It is home to one of the earliest civilizations and a culture that is as colorful as its history. For quite some time, China closed its door to the rest of the world and many of us are just discovering what this great nation has to offer. Whether for work or for leisure, China is a great place to live or travel for those who aren’t afraid to cross borders, embrace diversity and be open to all the possibilities.

China’s economy is booming. It is actually one of the strongest in the world with many of the biggest brands and businesses taking their business to Mainland China to enjoy cheaper labor without sacrificing production demands. The Chinese are also leading infrastructure and you won’t recognize China today from what you saw in the movies in the past. Its military force is one you shouldn’t mess around with and one of the most feared despite being practically neighbors to North Korea, which has one of the most vicious nuclear programs on the planet. If you aren’t scared to go to far away places, now is the best time to explore this nation with one of the largest land mass in the world.

Malaysian interest in travelling to China is on the rise, according to a recent joint research from Google and Malaysia Airlines which zooms in on consumer travel behaviour.

According to the study, searches on Google for flights to China are up 24% year on year worldwide, outpacing the growth for flights to popular tourism destinations such as France and Australia. China has also been as a key growth area for Malaysia Airlines following the launch of 11 new routes and 35 new services planned for the year.

According to Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer at Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB), there is huge potential for tourism between the two countries with the “shared roots in culture and language”.

“Today just 4% of the Chinese population has a passport but this is expected to increase to 12% in 10 years. This will create another 150 million potential visitors to Malaysia,” Muehlen added. According to Google and MAB, Malaysians are researching travel to China more. This includes comparing prices and products for increasingly popular travel destinations such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

“Searches from Malaysians for flight tickets to China grew 46% year on year. This growth in interest is on par with interest from the United States, with the highest volume of searches for travel to China,” the press statement read.

(Via: http://www.marketing-interactive.com/research-from-google-finds-malaysians-interest-in-travel-to-china-on-the-rise/)

Not only foreign Western tourists have increasing interests to travel to China but even local Asian tourists from neighboring countries as well. As the average income of most people increases, they have more spending power not only in providing for their needs but even in indulging to their desires like traveling for example. Moreover, the Internet made it easier for ordinary citizens to navigate foreign places and make the necessary arrangements for travel, which is not only more convenient but became more affordable too.

The newest major travel trade show is about to hit the shores of Shanghai in May 2017. It’s expected to be a big hit for both suppliers and buyers from around the world. Finally giving China a well-deserved, central place in the world for the travel industry and an excellent opportunity to do business with Chinese companies.

As one of the fastest growing B2B travel companies, Travellanda has always been keen to extend its reach into new markets, ever since its inception in 2010. When the company first discovered there was going to be an ITB exhibition in China, it jumped at the chance to exhibit.

Travellanda reported that in the past 12 months, China became the top source country for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. This is due to agreements with leading Chinese online companies and its investment in the Chinese market with the focus on marketing, product, sales activities and the hiring of Chinese speaking staff. APAC grew over 90% in the fiscal year end 31 March 2017 and China has been a great contributor of that spectacular achievement.

(Via: http://www.traveldailymedia.com/248833/fast-growing-travel-company-goes-to-china/)

So, what are you all waiting for? Make the necessary arrangements and pack your bags as you head to one of the most culturally-rich countries in this world - the home of the Forbidden City, pandas, Feng Shui, samurai and the world-renowned Great Wall of China among many others. China is no longer just an ancient country but a bustling modern nation with so many things to do and explore, so you can be sure you won’t run out of something unique and exciting to do within the walled city no matter what your interests are. And with the help of the web, you can definitely make the most of your vacation to this Asian superpower without so much of a fuss.

The article Why You Should Travel To China In Your Lifetime was originally published on CHRDNet

source https://chrdnet.org/2017/07/04/why-you-should-travel-to-china-in-your-lifetime/

China’s Economy: Unwavering Despite The Odds

Nothing is permanent in this world except for death and taxes. We all know that. It is a reality we have learned to live with throughout time, from one generation to another. And like everything else that changes over the years, how well or poorly a country’s economy fare is likewise dependent on many factors. And one of the most bustling economies right now is that of China. It has grown considerably over the last few decades and manages to keep everything together even if the economies of other nations have suffered badly.

Basing on the nominal GDP, China is the second largest economy worldwide. And according to the International Monetary Fund, China has the largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. Without a doubt, the Chinese have the fastest growing economy the world over. That’s not surprising at all considering how almost everything is made in China nowadays. Indeed, their economy has stood the test of time. The Chinese leaders definitely know what they are doing and other world leaders should learn from these Chinese masters.

Chinese economic data has a bad reputation for accuracy, and it’s often said to be overstated as China’s government, particularly at the provincial level, tries to burnish its reputation.

But three economists, including two from the New York Fed, say the problem may actually be the opposite — that official Chinese economic data understates performance from the world’s second-largest economy.

The Chinese are careful and meticulous people. Despite what they have achieved so far, they aren’t too full of themselves and keep on pushing themselves to their limits because they know that things can suddenly go downhill if they aren’t careful enough and put in place a good backup plan for when disaster strikes.

The findings suggest the Chinese economy is doing well. “We see that our methodology predicts Chinese [gross domestic product] growth to have been lower than official estimates before the crisis of 2008, to have experienced a shallower decline in 2008 and a stronger recovery in 2009 and 2010, and to have stabilized at a higher level after 2011,” they said.

They aren’t sure why China would understate its own performance. But they say it could be that Chinese national accounts understate the growth rate of services, which would increasingly matter as that country’s economy develops.

(Via: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chinese-data-is-often-called-faulty-but-what-if-its-for-being-too-low-2017-04-17)

And as expected, the New Year has been good to the Chinese. Their economy keeps on growing while other major cities and countries continue to struggle. They must know something that the rest of the world still don’t know of.

Gross domestic product grew 6.9% from a year earlier, according to official data published Monday, hitting its fastest pace since the third quarter of 2015.

It's an uptick from the 6.8% recorded in the fourth quarter of last year -- and slightly above what some economists had been predicting.

The question is how long the momentum in China's heavily-indebted economy can last.

"Things are pretty strong at the moment, but it's going to be difficult to sustain this level of growth given how reliant it is on the state, which will have to pull back at some point," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, an economist at Capital Economics.

First-quarter growth was largely driven by high levels of government investment in infrastructure and a recovery in exports, according to Evans-Pritchard.

China's frothy real estate market also continued to fuel growth, as authorities' efforts to cool the sector have yet to fully kick in, analysts said.

(Via: http://money.cnn.com/2017/04/16/news/economy/china-gdp-economic-growth/)

While things are looking pretty good for China now, everything may easily turn against them because their economy is also heavily indebted. No matter how resilient their economy may be, it is possible for it to crash just like the others. However, the experts from the IMF are banking on China’s positive growth during the first quarter, sturdy financial markets and rising commodity prices to help fuel and stabilize the global economy. Likewise, the positive meeting between the Chinese and American leaders in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago has eased the worries of many about a possible conflict between the two superpowers considering Trump was open about his antagonism towards the Red Dragon of Asia.

The following blog article China’s Economy: Unwavering Despite The Odds was first published to https://chrdnet.org

source https://chrdnet.org/2017/06/30/chinas-economy-unwavering-despite-the-odds/