Falun Gong and the China Democratic Party emerged almost simultaneously ten years ago.  In 1999, ten thousand practitioners of Falun Gong appeared silently and respectfully at the Chinese government leadership compound in Beijing to protest the beatings of forty fellow members in a nearby city.  At the same time, the China Democratic Party registered as an opposition party to advance prospects for political pluralism in China.  Both groups were met with a tidal wave of repression generated by former president Jiang Zemin which left a sea of human suffering in its shocking wake.  One of the victimized groups is a spiritual apolitical movement and the other group is extremely political, so what are the prospects for Falun Gong and the CDP helping advance human rights and democracy in China?

Guests:  Caylan Ford, Senior Analyst, Falun Dafa Information Center, and Tim Cooper, Executive Director, Worldrights

Segment 2:  China and the World Economy

One year after the near-collapse of the global financial system this much is clear:  the financial world as we knew it is over and something new is rising from its ashes.  One year later, the easy-money system that financed the boom-era that lasted from the 1980’s until a year ago has been smashed.  Once ravenous U.S. comsumers are saving money and paying down debt.  Banks are building reserves and hoarding cash, and governments are fashioning a new global financial order.  Forming a sharp contrast, the Chinese central bank said that the country’s economy surged at an annual rate of 14.9% in the second quarter while the United States economy shrank at an annual rate of 1% in that same period.  It is quite obvious that the U.S. consumer alone will no longer be the locomotive of the world economy.  The million dollar question is, will another country, such as China, fill the vacuum?

Guest:  Robert Sherretta, President, International Investor Corporation

Shen Yun Performing Arts, formerly known as Divine Performing Arts, will return to Washington, DC, August 26-30th with its breathtaking classical Chinese dance and orchestral music after a successful run in February.  The six shows at the Kennedy Center Opera House from February 11-15th were so well-received that the company is returning for a Summer encore.  Consisting of three dancing companies, two orchestras, and a host of choreographers, composers, costume designers, backdrop artists, and artistic staff Shen Yun has just completed its tour of over 80 cities on five continents attracting over 800,000 audience members.  Show-goers have witnessed an unparalleled and unprecedented tour-de-force of the best of 5000 years of Chinese culture.

Guests:  Mrs. Lantos, wife of the late Congressman Tom Lantos, and Annette Lantos Tillemann-Dick, Director of the Executive Committee of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice

Segment 2:  Shen Yun Performing Arts:  Audience Feedback

June 4th marks the twentieth anniversary of the brutal crackdown on China’s 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations.  The student-led protests, which started in April, grew throughout May until early June when troops were sent in killing hundreds of protesters.  Every year the Tiananmen Mothers send China’s top leaders a letter demanding to know what happened to their children on June 4, 1989, and every year they have been ignored.  Officials in China don’t acknowledge their existence-or consider that they are owed an explanation, an apology, or a factual account of what happened to their sons and daughters 20 years ago.  How does China’s next generation remember this atrocity?

Guest:  Grace Wang, Duke University Student

Segment 2:  U.S. Economic Recovery

What will it take to make the U.S. economy recover?  Is it stimulating consumption or stimulating production, increasing borrowing or increasing income?  Will China help the U.S. economic recovery or stand in its way?  Should all Americans be worried over the fact that the U.S. owes China more than $1 trillion?  Have U.S. consumerism and “upgrade-ism” become things of the past?

Guest:  Alan Tonelson, Trade Analyst, U.S. Business & Industrial Council

Afghanistan isn’t called the graveyard of empires for nothing.
Alexander the Great was struck by an Afghan archer’s arrow.  Genghis
Khan established a powerful empire only after reaching painful
accommodations with the Afghans.  While exercising their influence on
surrounding lands, the Greeks, Arabs, Iranians, and Buddhists each
sought to bring their culture’s influence into Afghanistan and all
failed to remain there in the end.  To make the list longer, we can add
would-be rulers from India, Britain, and Russia, as well as from the
Soviet Union.  And now, at this point in history, while the U.S. would
assert that it is not seeking to conquer, we have a world superpower
striving to once again exert influence upon the graveyard of empires.
Will the United States see Afghanistan become a stable, democratic
country and U.S. ally, or will the U.S. superpower suffer the same fate
as these empires?

Guest:  Dr. Ved Pratap Vaidik, Chairman, Council for Indian Foreign Policy

Segment 2:  Obama’s First 100 Days

In January, the month President Barack Obama took office, the U.S.
lost 741,000 jobs while almost 275,000 homes went into foreclosure.
From the time of the 2008 election until President Obama was sworn in,
the stock market lost 14% of its value.  Against that backdrop, the
first 100 days of the Obama presidency have brought forth a set of
giant initiatives.  Obama has overseen the passage of a $787 billion
economic stimulus bill and the dispersal of another $350 billion in
financial-sector rescue funds.  His real budget calls for, among other
things, a $630 billion down payment on a new health system and a plan
to dramatically curb greenhouse gases.  So far, president Obama remains
popular with the public, enjoying a more than 60% approval rating.  We
will offer you a unique perspective of his first 100 days.

Guest:  Dr. Sasha Gong, Republican candidate for the 46th District, Virginia House of Delegates

On Sunday, March 7, the Navy surveillance ship Impeccable was harassed by a group of Chinese naval vessels.  Both sides questioned the other’s motives, with Beijing accusing the U.S. of conducting “activities in China’s special economic zone in the South China Sea without China’s permission”.  In other words, the U.S. was engaged in surveillance activities in and around Chinese waters.  The U.S., on the other hand, said it was operating in international waters, thus casting China’s behavior as aggressive in nature.  You may recall in April 2001, a U.S. Navy surveillance plane operating in international airspace over the South China Sea had a midair collision with a Chinese fighter jet that was stalking it.  The incident resulted in the death of the Chinese pilot and led to the detention of 24 U.S. service personnel for 11 days when the plane made an emergency landing in China.  It was speculated at the time that the Chinese were testing the resolve of the new Bush administration.  If so, this new incident, not long after the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, could have set a pattern for Beijing’s “warm welcome” of new U.S. presidents.

Guest:  Admiral James “Ace” Lyons, former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Segment 2:  China’s Purchase of U.S. Treasuries

In September last year, China surpassed Japan to become the largest overseas holder of U.S. Treasuries.  China’s holdings of the securities increased $67 billion in October to $653 billion, according to Treasury Department data.  China’s foreign reserve, the world’s largest at about $1.9 trillion, recently fell for the first time in five years.  With less dollars flowing into the country, China’s need to buy U.S. debt is reduced.  Other factors that may slow growth in the reserves this year include a possible narrowing of the trade surplus and less foreign direct investment.  If China is losing its appetite for debt from the U.S., this could have painful effects for American borrowers.

Guest:  Robert Sherretta, President of International Investor Corporation

On Sunday, March 7, the Navy surveillance ship Impeccable was harassed by a group of Chinese naval vessels.  One of the vessels tried to snag the sonar device and came within 25 feet of the American ship.  The Chinese government has asserted that the U.S. maneuver was an illegal activity within Beijing’s 200-mile economic exclusive zone, a charge American officials insist is based on an inaccurate reading of international law.  Legal experts attribute the apparently conflicting accounts to ambiguities in international conventions and different views about what types of activities are permitted in economic exclusive zones.

Guest:  Rear Admiral Eric McVadon, former U.S. Defense and Naval Attaché in Beijing

Segment 2:  Success of Divine Performing Arts

With 23 shows in 2006, 80 shows in 2007 and 216 shows in 2008, the growth of Divine Performing Arts has been exponential.  With music and dance embracing the traditional culture of China’s classic heritage, Divine Performing Arts completed its tour at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and left an impressive record.  On average more than 93% of seats were sold.  All weekend shows were sold out.  Divine Performing Art’s masterful choreography and graceful offerings range from grand classical processions to ethnic and folk dances, with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in stunning synchronized patterns.  Its themes are drawn from the pages of history as well as our world today.  What is the secret to DPA’s success?

Guest:  Dr. Tianliang Zhang, Senior Analyst, New Tang Dynasty TV

President-elect Obama has a thin resume.  This is particularly true regarding his record on U.S.-China relations.  At the April 2007 debate among Democratic candidates, Obama said China is “neither our enemy nor our friend.  They’re our competitors.”  Senator Obama has noted the problems with China’s revaluation of the Yuan, and he considered to co-sponsor a bill with Senator Clinton to impose high duties on Chinese goods.  In March 2008, he condemned China’s crackdown on Tibetan Buddhist monks.  Senator Obama has expressed support for the one China policy.

Guest:  Nancy Bernkopf Tucker, Professor of History, Georgetown University

Segment 2:  The FDA’s Beijing Office

After eighteen months of food and safety scandals involving Chinese-made toys, toothpaste, cough syrup, pet food, drugs and milk, the United States in November opened a Beijing office of the Food and Drug Administration.  The office is the first FDA inspection agency outside the United States, and similar FDA operations in Shanghai and Guangzhou are scheduled to begin soon.  All three will work with Chinese counterpart agencies to inspect products bound for the United States.  Each year, the average American eats about 260 pounds of imported foods, including processed, ready-to-eat products and single ingredients.  Imports account for about 13% of the annual diet.  With food supply globalized as it is, can the FDA inspect enough food to guarantee safety?

Guest:  Carl Nielsen, former Director for the FDA’s Division of Import Operations

Beijing has unveiled an economic stimulus program totaling $586 billion.  It aims to bolster domestic demand and help avert global recession.  The size of the stimulus plan was clearly designed to revive the fading confidence of Chinese businesses and consumers and impress foreign governments.  The announced sum of four trillion yuan represents 16% of China’s output last year and is roughly equal to the total of all central and local government spending in 2006.  The plan includes spending in housing, infrastructure, agriculture, health care, and social welfare.  But the million dollar question is will it work?

Guest:  Robert Sherretta, President of International Investor Corporation

Segment 2:  U.S.-China Policy, Is Obama’s Change for Real?

Given American concerns over China’s international behavior, its dissatisfaction with bilateral economic relations, and its dissatisfaction with the domestic, political, and economic situation in China, should the United States fundamentally alter its policy toward Beijing?  If so, in what direction?  And if not, can present policy be implemented more effectively?  Is Obama’s change for real?

Guest:  John Kusumi, Director Emeritus of China Support Network

Fifty-four thousand infants were sick in China, six thousand hospitalized, four died.  The tainted milk scandal has sparked global concern about Chinese food products, with more than 30 countries restricting Chinese dairy products, and in some cases, all imports of Chinese made food.  EU has a Europe-wide ban on all food for children coming from China.  The U.S. hasn’t implemented any restriction on dairy products from China yet.  Why?

Guest:  Tony Corbo, legislative representative of Food and Water Watch

Segment 2:  U.S.-India Nuclear Pact

On October 1, 2008, the U.S. Congress gave final approval to an agreement facilitating nuclear cooperation between the United States and India.  The deal is seen as a watershed in U.S.-India relations and introduces a new aspect to international nonproliferation efforts.  The deal lifts a three-decade U.S. moratorium on nuclear trade with India.  It provides U.S. assistance to India’s civilian nuclear energy program, and expands U.S.-India cooperation in energy and satellite technology.  But critics in the United States say the deal fundamentally reverses half a century of U.S. nonproliferation efforts, undermines attempts to prevent states like Iran and North Korea from acquiring nuclear weapons, and potentially contributes to a nuclear arms race in Asia.

Guest:  Michael O’Hanlon, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute

Wall Street is in crisis.  It drove Lehman Brothers into bankruptcy and forced American International Group into the hands of the U.S. government.  Merrill Lynch sold itself to Bank of America.  Goldman and Morgan Stanley are to become commercial banks.  China has resisted years of pressure from U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to open its financial system more quickly and add new products.  Those barriers helped the nation limit its losses and write-downs from the credit-market crisis to less than 1 percent of the $516 billion global total.  Chinese officials warned that the U.S. had set off a financial tsunami by allowing Wall Street lenders to trade in subprime debts and unstable financial derivatives.

Guest:  Robert Sherretta, President of International Investor, Inc.

Segment 2:  Asian American Voters Keeping Virginia Red?

The growing electoral clout of Asian Americans could play an important role in the upcoming presidential election.  For the first time in more than four decades, Virginia is a battleground in the presidential race.  A recent survey found that a significant number of Asian Americans voted for the first time in 2006.  The survey also pointed out that a growing number of Asians, particularly Chinese Americans, call themselves “independent voters” and do not affiliate themselves with any party.  The most important issues to be addressed by the 2008 presidential candidates include the economy, jobs, and health care.

Guest:  Ken Feng, Community Activist with Chinese American Republicans of Vir

Wall Street is in crisis. It drove Lehman Brothers into bankruptcy and forced American International Group into the hands of the U.S. government. Merrill Lynch sold itself to Bank of America. Goldman and Morgan Stanley are to become commercial banks. China has resisted years of pressure from U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to open its financial system more quickly and add new products. Those barriers helped the nation limit its losses and write-downs from the credit-market crisis to less than 1 percent of the $516 billion global total. Chinese officials warned that the U.S. had set off a financial tsunami by allowing Wall Street lenders to trade in subprime debts and unstable financial derivatives.

Guest: Robert Sherretta, President of International Investor, Inc.

Segment 2: Asian American Voters Keeping Virginia Red?

The growing electoral clout of Asian Americans could play an important role in the upcoming presidential election. For the first time in more than four decades, Virginia is a battleground in the presidential race. A recent survey found that a significant number of Asian Americans voted for the first time in 2006. The survey also pointed out that a growing number of Asians, particularly Chinese Americans, call themselves “independent voters” and do not affiliate themselves with any party. The most important issues to be addressed by the 2008 presidential candidates include the economy, jobs, and health care.

Guest: Ken Feng, Community Activist with Chinese American Republicans of Virginia

Guest: Naomi Tacuyan, Deputy Director of APIAVote

Segment 2: Patrolling the Virtual World

Most of us use computers these days. We use computers for everything from banking and investing to shopping and communicating with others through email or chat programs. Even though you may not consider your communications top secret, you probably do not want strangers reading your email or examining personal information stored on your computer, or using your computer to attack other systems or send forged email. With more and more electronic based gadgets people find it more and more difficult to live their lives without computers. At times, the virtual world seems to dwarf the real world. Is there a sheriff in this virtual world?

Guest: Larry Greenblatt, Lead Instructor of Internetwork Defense

The Chinese security apparatus has tightened controls considerably, ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Chinese dissidents with grievances have been rounded up, or kept from entering Beijing by policed security cordons that ring the city. Congressmen Frank Wolf and Chris Smith, two outspoken critics of China’s human rights record, travelled to Beijing while there was still time before the Olympics for China to demonstrate its commitment to human rights. They had invited a number of dissident lawyers to meet with them their first night, however these lawyers were intercepted before they could make their appointment with the Congressmen. That afternoon police had taken two lawyers from their homes, blocked another lawyer from leaving his apartment, and warned off or barred at least six other invited lawyers.

Guest: Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA)

Segment 2: Global Online Freedom Act

Congressman Chris Smith, a long time critic of china’s human rights record, introduced house bill two-seventy-five, the Global Online Freedom Act, through which U.S.-based companies could be held liable for helping officials in other countries censor the Internet. The Global Online Freedom Act will bar U.S. companies from disclosing personally-identifiable information about a user, unless that information is needed for “legitimate foreign law enforcement purposes.”

Guest: Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ)

If you think you’ve got it bad because of the recent market decline in the U.S., you should take a look at Chinese stock investors. By the end of the first quarter, China’s main market, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, had tumbled about 43% since its peak in October of last year. That’s quadruple the decline over the same period for the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index, which has lost 11%. Worse yet, China’s markets are relatively new, and investors are inexperienced. Many of those losing money got in just in the past year, buying near the peak and now suffering deep losses. What is going on?

Guest: Robert Sherretta, President, International Investors, Inc.

Segment 2: Post-Election Taiwan, DPPs future

On Sunday, March 22, 2008, Nationalist party nominee Ma Ying-jeou won Taiwan’s presidential election, with 58% of the vote, ending eight years of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rule. Along with the 2008 legislative election, Ma’s landslide victory brought the Nationalist Party back to power in Taiwan. The DPP has made indelible contributions to Taiwan’s democratization. Without its forceful appeal, Chiang Ching-kuo’s democratization from top down could not have gotten under way. Democracy triumphed in 2000 when Chen Shui-bian was elected president, completing the first transfer of power in Taiwan to end more than five decades of one-party rule by the Nationalist party. The DPP was and still is, at least, nominally, a revolutionary party. Will DPP come back as a credible and viable political group which is needed for checks and balances in the face of the now all-powerful Nationalist party for the good of Taiwan’s democracy?

Guest: Michael Fonte, Democratic Progressive Party Liaison