China’s top legislature has reviewed a plan to gradually raise the retirement age, months after the ruling Communist Party’s Central Committee proposed it be lifted in a “voluntary and flexible” way. The retirement age has been in place since 1951 and is among the lowest in the world. It is currently 60 for men, 55 … Read more
Chinese schools must raise students’ awareness about military service by stepping up their national defence education, according to a new set of legislative amendments. The proposed amendments, which are now under review by the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, included clauses about the contents of military training for students and military units’ obligations, China’s … Read more
Chinese state media has warned that selling government data risks privacy breaches and could even put national security at risk. “Government data is characterised by a large sample size, high sensitivity, and strong aggregation, making it highly susceptible to breaches of privacy data,” said a report published on Tuesday by Xinhua Daily Telegraph, an outlet … Read more
The former defence minister Li Shangfu, who is facing corruption charges, and two other senior commanders have also been removed from the committee. There continues to be much speculation about the fate of Qin, China’s shortest-serving foreign minister, whose disappearance the foreign ministry attributed to “health reasons”. Once seen as a trusted aide to the … Read more
The revision, passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body, takes effect in November. Maximum penalties for anyone failing to fulfil their legal responsibilities during emergencies will increase fivefold under the revised law – from 200,000 yuan (US$27,520) to a million yuan to deter “particularly serious” situations, according to … Read more
The original clause – “producing, disseminating, propagating or spreading articles or remarks that are harmful to the spirit or the feelings of the Chinese nation” – has been removed from the article. In the first proposed draft amendment released in September, the clause stipulated six acts that could attract up to 15 days in detention, … Read more
In an accompanying statement, the cyberspace commission – Beijing’s top internet watchdog – identified the plan’s main challenges as ineffective application of existing standards in the bureaucracy, as well as a need to build China’s global standing. “There is a lack of coordination across departments, and issues such as missing, misplaced and conflicting standards have … Read more
A floral tribute at the funeral of a senior official on Monday suggests China’s former defence chief and rocket army veteran Wei Fenghe may be politically safe, after his absence from state events sparked months of speculation about his fate. Wei’s name was spotted on a wreath at the funeral of Oyunqemag, 81, who served … Read more
China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region would prioritise addressing the “hollowing out” of its border areas amid population concerns that could hinder its economic development and add to security risks. “Inner Mongolia … has more than 4,000km (2,485 miles) of borderline, shouldering a major political responsibility in safeguarding national security and border peace,” said Wang … Read more
He then took part in a discussion with the NPC delegation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police Force on Thursday. Xi, who is also China’s top military commander, called on the military representatives to integrate hi-tech development with the PLA’s war capacity to “comprehensively enhance strategic capabilities in emerging areas”. … Read more
