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Hong Kong: Beijing Direct Intervention on Radio Operation Leaked

Posted: 20 Oct 2012 10:33 PM PDT

A recently established commercial radio station, Digital Broadcasting Corporation Hong Kong Limited (DBC) [zh], has ceased to operate since October 10, 2012 because of internal disagreement among major shareholders. However, its founder Albert Cheng, a famous radio host, revealed that the top management and major shareholders have been pressured by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong to wind up the company and return the license back to the Hong Kong government.

To stop Albert Cheng and others top management staff from exposing the details of internal discussion, one of the shareholders Wong Cho Bau, a property developer whose major business is in mainland China, applied for an injunction court order on September 26, 2012. In response to this legal harassment, supporters of Albert Cheng and DBC have occupied the square outside the Hong Kong Government office since October 19 and demanded that the government conduct an open investigation [zh] of the issue and pressure the major shareholders to fulfill the capital investment agreement according to terms of reference that come with the radio license. The assembly is planned last for at least seven days.

The latest development is the leakage last night October 20, 2012 of an audio tape that reveals Beijing's direct intervention in the radio station's operation:

Below is a partial transcription of the tape:

2011年5月
黃楚標：大班，你頭先話節目，大聲台見到有個李慧玲，佢主要鬧政府，仲要鬧中央政府，你係咪想我地做到咁樣…（李國寶：係呀，就是鬧 Donald ）咁佢來到我地台，你主要想佢做咩？政策係咩先？
鄭經翰：先講個政策先，做電台，最緊要有公信力，包括我在內，唔可以做政府喉舌…做電台最緊要有公信力，先有人聽。有人聽先有錢賺。最緊要係無政治立場，最緊要是其是，非其非。政府需要監察，唔監察點得呢？我就唔擔心，最緊要唔犯規，無針對性，但我地又唔好做喉舌。如果唔係電台無公信力，就無人聽。
黃楚標：李慧玲…是好惹火，你同我講過後，我地同彭（清華），中聯辦好反感，David（李國寶），你知嗎？（李國寶：知，係好唔想見到佢。），唔想我地要佢。但我亦同佢講此消彼長。但萬一佢來到（DBC），大班控制唔到呢？賺錢，我地當然同意，但我地唔想參與政治，或者捲入漩渦。我地應該明確清晰。
鄭經翰：做傳媒，第一要有獨立性…第二，我無可以話你聽我控制佢，如果我控制佢，係好大鑊，我無可能控制李慧玲，呢樣一定唔可以做。
我解釋畀你聽，有個宗旨，股東係分開。一頂帽，我係股東，另一頂帽我管內容。我係編輯，我都有自主…立場，我地不能預設，我同所有主持人都講，我地一定要根據事實，你地可以話有唔同立場…但我地一定唔可以有政治交易，我地唔可以話Donald話過，咁可唔以過…或者中聯辦我地話，專鬧民主派，就專鬧民主派，咁樣係唔得。一定有公信力。
黃楚標：我地唔想話為了個電台，引起不必要的…
鄭經翰：當你做傳媒，一定有是非…但有是非，你地咪話，找大班囉，把你地壓力卸開去，卸落我到。亦不需要話照住我，我唔使你照。
李國寶：我地照到你。
黃楚標：我地有意見表達，因為李慧玲係好惹火…
李國寶：就是河水不犯井水，我地無謂講咁多，你讚佢又好，彈又好…我地剩係睇返香港。
鄭：要講，一定要講，今日個個都講艾未未，你唔講唔得，咁講完咪算囉。

The public assembly outside the government building which is planned to last for at least 7 days. Photo from DBC Facebook Fan's page

May 20011

Wong Cho Bau: Albert, you just said the Loud Voice Channel will have Lee Wai Ling, her role is to criticize the government, including the Central government, do you really want to lead us there…

David Li [another major shareholder]: Yes, she will criticize Donald [the former Hong Kong mayor] Do you want her here? What is our policy?

Albert Cheng: Let's talk about our policy first. We need credibility to be a radio station. We can't turn into government mouthpiece… we need credibility to attract an audience and then make money. We can't have a political stand and it is important that we stick to what is right and what is wrong. The government has to be monitored, why shouldn't we do that? The most important thing is not crossing the line and making personal attacks. If we become a mouthpiece, we lose our credibility and no one will listen to us.

Wong Cho Bau: Lee Wai Ling… many are angry at her. After you told me, I talked to Peng (Qinghua) [the current director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong], the Liaison Office is very pissed. David, do you know that?

David Li: Yes, they don't want to see her. They don't want us to hire her. I tried to explain that there are pros and cons. But what if Albert cannot keep her under control? Of course I want to make money, but I don't want to get involved in politics. We have to make this clear.

Albert Cheng: The first criteria of running media is to keep it independent… Secondly, it is impossible for me to control her. This would be disastrous. I ought not do that.
Let me explain. The principle is that shareholders and management should be separated. There are two hats, one is shareholder, one is content manager. I am in both positions. As editor, I have to uphold the principle of autonomy. I tell all the hosts that we have to base our comments on fact and they can have their own political stands. Moreover, we cannot have political deals. We can't echo with Donald's talk… or we can't criticize the democrats according to the Liaison Office's instruction. We can't do that, we need credibility.

Wong Cho Bau: This radio station will result in unexpected consequence…

Albert Cheng: As a media organization, we will face a lot of pressure. Just leave it to me. You don't need to protect me, I don't need your protection.

David Li: We can protect you.

Wong Cho Bau: We just want to raise our opinion that Lee Wai Ling will stir up a lot of anger…

David Li: Just make sure that we don't intervene into mainland Chinese politics. Whether she is good or bad… let's focus on Hong Kong.

Albert Cheng: We have to talk about China… now everyone is talking about Ai Weiwei, you can't be silent on that. After all we are just talking.

2012年2月錄音
黃楚標：你亦知道點解我唔點賣得畀你，我係唔肯……我不如買多架飛機。
鄭經翰：如果我找到買家，佢又合資格，你地無得拒絕。
（不詳）：但我地同意（買家）先得。
黃楚標：我地做呢，就唔會好似大班咁鬧政府。

DBC supporters talking on stage outside the HK Government Office on October 20, 2012. Photo from DBC's Facebook Fan's page

February 2012

Wong Cho Bau: You know why I can't sell it to you. I don't want to… I prefer to buy another plane.

Albert Cheng: What if I can find another buyer who is qualified. You can't reject that, right?

(Unknown voice): We have to review the buyer first.

Wong Cho Bau: If we take over, we won't criticize the government like Albert did.

The leaked tape proves that the top management of the radio, represented by Albert Cheng, has been under pressure from major shareholders who keep constant communication with the Beijing government's representative in Hong Kong. The shareholders eventually decided to stop injecting capital into the company according to plan, at the same time, refused to sell their shares to Albert Cheng, forcing the radio station to cease operation.

One of the program hosts at DBC, Lau Nan Kwong, has decided to hunger strike for seven days outside the government office building after he listened to the tape. Another communication rights activist Tsang Kin Shing, who has been challenging the government's radio and television broadcast license system, has also joined the hunger strike action.

Written by Oiwan Lam · comments (0)
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Rights Group Says Another Tibetan Sets Himself on Fire

Posted: 20 Oct 2012 10:35 PM PDT

In the fourth such this month, a Tibetan died after setting himself on fire in Gansu. From AP:

Free said Lhamo Kyeb, 27, died Saturday near a monastery in northwestern China's province. Citing a witness, it said he set himself on fire and ran toward Bhora monastery in Xiahe county and that state security forces standing nearby ran after him and tried to put out the flames.

The witness said Lhamo Kyeb attempted to stop them from extinguishing the fire, forcing them to back away, and then he walked toward the monastery and fell to the ground.

The group said nearly 60 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since March 2011 to protest Chinese rule over the Himalayan region.

Calls to the county government and police rang unanswered Sunday. A man on duty at the prefectural government said he had no information.

While the exact number varies by source, close to 60 people have self-immolated since 2009 in protest against Beijing's policies in Tibet, including another fatality on October 10. Read more about these incidents via CDT. See also a recent installment of Hexie Farm's cartoon series for CDT in which he honors Tibetan self-immolators.

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Elizabeth Economy’s Wish List for the upcoming Romney-Obama Debate on China and Foreign Policy

Posted: 20 Oct 2012 12:37 AM PDT

Elizabeth Economy (of Council on Foreign Relations) made a list of topics for the upcoming Romney-Obama debate in hopes for a better American public discourse on China. With both of their campaigns almost competing to see who can be more harsh in criticizing China, Americans are polarized more than ever on this critical relationship, and Economy is right that there needs to be a more thoughtful conversation. While I applaud her efforts, I think her list still leaves a lot to be desired. For conflicts between the two countries to truly dissipate, the issues must be couched in terms both sides recognize. In this post, I offer alternative framing of the issues and explain why.

Elizabeth Economy's List

My critique and alternative narrative
China has a seat on the UN Security Council, the world's second largest economy, and one of the world's largest standing armies. Yet it remains reluctant to assume a leading role in addressing global challenges. How can the next U.S. President ensure that China works with the United States and does its fair share to meet the world's most pressing global problems? Let's take a step back.  Majority of the population on this planet thought NATO's bombing of Libya was illegal.  Americans should first recognize China not supportive of regime change or other U.S.-led geopolitical moves does not automatically mean China not wanting to "assume a leading role in addressing global challenges."

Americans are not interested in China 'leading' per se, but they would probably acquiesce to China truly leading as long as in doing so brings Americans tangible benefits.

Let's also look at world institutions such as the World Bank.  Unless America let go and give countries like China a chance to preside over it, how is it China to lead it?

Consider the International Space Station where the U.S. habitually block efforts for China to participate, how can it be possible for China to assume leadership there?

China in fact has increasingly been playing a 'leading' role, though the American media never bother to offer such a narrative.

During the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, it was China not devaluing her currency which stemmed the complete collapse of other countries' currencies in the region.

The African continent is finally growing because of trade with China.  China is helping it build much needed infrastructure, schools, and hospitals.

China leads by example in pulling hundreds of millions of her people out of poverty.

So, I would phrase the issue differently as follows:

How can the next U.S. President ensure that China aligns better with the United States?

This is essentially what Economy wants to say and what Americans really want.  At least it is honest and not so presumptive.
China's economy is widely anticipated to become the largest in the world—surpassing that of the United States—within the next five to ten years. What difference, if any, do you expect that will make in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship and in global economic relations? Her narrative appeals to anxiety.  Perhaps I am being nit-picky.   A better way to frame the issue might be:

Being the largest economy, what sort of advantage does the United States enjoy over China?  Will China wrestle those advantages away as her economy overtakes ours, and as President, what would you do to preserve them?
In the past several months, a number of conflicts have flared up in the Asia Pacific between China and its neighbors. Some have blamed the U.S. pivot for emboldening actors in the region to take provocative actions. Mr. President, is this growing regional tension an outcome you anticipated or did you miscalculate? What further steps would you take to help decrease tensions? Governor Romney, you have asserted that the pivot was oversold and under-resourced. Please explain what you would do differently as president. Remember though, conflicts between Japan and her neighbors have flared up too.  Look at the on-going dispute with South Korea over Dokdo/Takeshima and with Russia on the Kuril Islands.

So, the way this question is framed paints China as the sole problem within the region.  It is helping to further cement into the American psyche that the pivot is targeted at China only.  Publicly, the Obama administration has said that is not the case.

A better way to ask would be:

Mr. President, what do you wish to accomplish with the pivot?  What should the Americans expect, results wise, in 1, 5, and 10 years?  Governor Romney, you have asserted that the pivot was oversold and under-resourced.  What is your goal and are your expected results different from the president's?  What would you do differently?
China has achieved extraordinary economic success with a one-party authoritarian system that continues to limit many of the basic human rights that we in the United States value and have fought for throughout the world. Does China present a credible alternative development model for other countries? Does this pose an existential threat to U.S. standing abroad? First of all, Economy is likely ignorant about human rights.  The United States or the West certainly do not have monopoly over the idea.  When the idea is espoused, it is usually in the context of justifying the West's geopolitics.  I'd like to remind our readers a number of excellent articles on this topic featured on the right side of the blog.  (See, for example, 's "On Human Rights, Intervention and the International Order.")

I certainly hope both candidates say China's alternative development model does not automatically pose "existential threat to U.S. standing abroad."  If America is so convinced her political system epitomizes the height of human civilization, then be confident in due time the world over will copy it.

In fact, "democratic" countries like India more often voted the same way as China (often in opposition to the United States) in the U.N. when it comes to "human rights" issues.  So, what does that mean?  "Human rights" in the name of politics is politics, and people outside the United States can see through them.

Chinese leaders have always said China is willing to consult with the United States on improving true human rights.

If America wants to be viewed more as a leader on the global stage, she must continue to work towards a more just and humane world.  She should constructively lead our world in combating climate change and push forward renewable energy.  If China does more of it in the course of her development, then she will naturally garner more respect.  In turn, more countries will follow in her foot-steps.

Americans should ask themselves: if Germany in the coming generation becomes the new hegemonic power, would they consider the country an "existential threat to U.S. standing abroad?"  Would U.S. response be?

The danger that confronts all of us humans in modern times is no different than the past: too many of us believe our religion is inherently 'good' while non-believers are automatically 'evil.'  In the case of "democracy," "human rights," and "freedom" religions, the believer and non-believer camps are in fact mostly contrived.  We are all believers and practitioners of them in varying degrees.  The qualitative differences over them across societies has much more to do with history and unique local circumstances.

Instead, I would ask:

Does China present a credible alternative development model for other countries?  If so, what new challenges will emerge for the United States?  Would those challenges still exist if China evolves into a multi-party state?

The Creation Myth of Xi Jinping

Posted: 20 Oct 2012 12:20 AM PDT

At Foreign Policy, John Garnaut digs into the often vague history of China's likely next president, Xi Jinping.

If every modern president needs a creation myth, then 's begins on the dusty loess plateau of northwest China. It was here that Xi spent seven formative years, working among the peasants and living in a lice-infested cave dug into the silty clay that extends around the . Gradually, the selfless peasants and the unforgiving "Yellow Earth" — a term for China's land that symbolizes relentless toil and noble sacrifice — transformed this pale, skinny, and nervous-looking teenager into the man who in November will take control of the world's second-most powerful country.

"When I arrived at the Yellow Earth, at 15, I was anxious and confused," wrote Xi in 1998, by which time he was working his way to the top of the Communist Party hierarchy in the prosperous coastal province of . "When I left the Yellow Earth, at 22, my life goals were firm and I was filled with confidence."

[…] The Yellow Earth story matters, says Geremie Barme, director of the Australian National University's Centre on China in the World. "It is … the log cabin of American politics, and Xi Jinping can claim it." It's a narrative that affirms that he "suffered hardship" and "knows what it's like at China's grassroots," says Zhang Musheng, an intellectual whose father was a high official, explaining why Xi and others of his leadership cohort are more qualified than their predecessors to represent the Chinese people.

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Photo: Hall of Friendship, by rajkumar1220

Posted: 19 Oct 2012 09:59 PM PDT

Hall of Friendship

Hall of Friendship

Hall of Friendship

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