Monday China links:
China’s state media is alternatively blaming opposition forces in Syria and Turkey for the burst of violence in its Western Xinjiang Province that killed 35 people. A commentary piece in the People’s Daily has said that the U.S. encouraging the violence because it “fears a lack of chaos in China.” Interestingly, this commentary piece doesn’t appear on the English-language website.
Beijing has ordered a security crackdown—consisting of tanks and military vehicles—and 24-hour patrols in the region.
The EU Ambassador to China has asked for clarification on the causes of unrest in Xinjiang Province. "We do believe it is necessary to address the underlying causes of ethnic tensions in order to achieve lasting stability and prosperity," Markus Ederer, the ambassador said, the Associated Press reported.
According to China Want Times, there are reports circulating that former Vice Premier and Politburo member Hui Liangyu is under preliminary investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the CCP’s highest watchdog group.
The largest freestanding building in the world opened up in Chengdu on Friday. At 500 meters long, 400 meters wide and 100 meters high, the New Global Center is three times the size of the Pentagon, but isn’t actually that tall, CNN reports.
Xi Jinping said Saturday that the Chinese Communist Party’s will look beyond an officials’ record in growing the economy when selecting which leaders to promote. Instead, Xi said that “the Party's cadres should be firm followers of Communist ideal, true believers of Marxism and devoted fighters for the socialism with Chinese characteristics” As The Diplomat has previously pointed out, the promotion system is a key mechanism the central government in Beijing uses to ensure local officials’ compliance.
China and ASEAN have agreed to hold talks over concluding a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea.