Jamming of BBC World Service on Shortwave continues

Tuned in to the BBC World Service last night, on 15,335 kHz (Singapore relay) and on 15,755; 13,725 and 9,410 kHz (all Thailand relay) respectively. Apart from the transmission on 9,410 kHz, all wavelengths were beamed into the direction of China, if Shortwave Info is correct.

If the jamming originates from China, it is still different from the “Firedrake” recorded here. The noise jamming the BBC isn’t a tune, but a blunt row of monotonous sound waves – click the Soundcloud symbol underneath for a recording.

Last night’s Singapore relay transmission

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The BBC’s broadcasts from Singapore start with a very traditional interval tune – the bells from St Mary-le-Bow. This interval was recorded in 1926 and has been used by the BBC World Service since the early 1940s, according to Wikipedia. If the signal is still the original from 1926, the bells don’t even exist anymore, as they were destroyed during the German “Blitz”, and replaced by new ones, cast in 1956.

Apart from China, Vietnam, too, is said to jam foreign broadcasters – Radio Free Asia (RFE) is said to be the target in the case recorded here. If it is indeed RFE should be hard to tell, because you don’t hear anything but the jamming signal.

In a statement thirteen months ago, on February 25, 2013, the BBC issued a statement saying that

[t]hough it is not possible at this stage to attribute the source of the jamming definitively, the extensive and co-ordinated efforts are indicative of a well-resourced country such as China. The BBC strongly condemns this action, which is designed to disrupt audiences’ free access to news and information.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying (华春莹) referred reporters to relevant departments at the time when asked about the BBC’s accusation on a press conference.

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Related

» China vs BBC, Kim Andrew Elliott, March 9, 2013
» Particularly intense in Tibet, CDT, Febr 26, 2013

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China and the Crimean Crisis: official Statements (from New York and Beijing) and semi-official Interviews (on the Ground)

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An early-morning try to catch up with some Chinese coverage of the Crimea crisis. Links within blockquotes added during translation.

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Xinhua published this communiqué on Thursday morning:
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1. Xinhua online, March 20, 2014

Xinhua, United Nations, March 19. China’s permanent envoy to the United Nations, Liu Jieyi, said on March 19 that in China’s view, a political solution needed to be sought for the Crimean issue, under a lawful and orderly framework. All sides needed to maintain restraint and to avoid action that would exacerbate the contradictions.

新华网联合国３月１９日电  中国常驻联合国代表刘结一１９日说，中方认为，克里米亚问题应在法律和秩序框架下寻求政治解决。各方应保持克制，避免采取激化矛盾的行动。

The Security Council held a public session that day, concerning the situation in Ukraine. Liu Jieyi said in a speech that China had always paid great attention to the developments in Ukraine. The Security Council had discussed the Ukraine issue several times previously, and China had clearly set forth its principled position concerning the relevant issues. Respecting all countries’ independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity had been China’s consistent position.

安理会当天就乌克兰局势举行公开会议。刘结一发言说，中方一直高度关注乌克兰局势发展。安理会已多次讨论乌克兰问题，中方已明确阐述在有关问题上的原则立场。尊重各国的独立、主权和领土完整是中方的一贯立场。

He said that China had always upheld a just [or impartial], objective attitude. We will continue efforts to promote peace talks and to play a constructive role in a political solution of the Ukraine crisis. China has made a proposal: to establish, as soon as possible, an international coordination mechanism, formed by all parties involved, to discuss ways for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, with no side taking action during that phase that could aggravate the situation, with the International Monetary Fund starting discussions and assisting Ukraine in maintaining economic and financial stability.

他说，中国在乌克兰问题上始终秉持 公正、客观的态度。我们将继续劝和促谈，为政治解决乌克兰危机进一步发挥建设性作用。中方已就政治解决乌 克兰危机提出建议：尽快设立由有关各方组成的国际协调机制，探讨政治解决乌克兰危机的途径；各方在此期间均不采取进一步恶化局势的行动；国际金融机构着手 探讨，并协助乌克兰维护经济和金融稳定。

He also said that the international community should make constructive efforts to mitigate the tense situation. China supports Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s good offices [mediation] in Russia and Ukraine, and [China] hopes that the international community will continue to make constructive efforts to mitigate the tense situation.

他还说，国际社会应为缓和紧张局势作出建设性努力。中国支持潘基文秘书长今日赴有关国家进行斡旋，希望国际社会继续为缓和紧张局势作出建设性努力。

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon left for Russia and Ukraine on the afternoon of March 19, to make diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution of the current crisis.

联合国秘书长潘基文１９日下午已启程前往俄罗斯和乌克兰访问，为和平解决当前危机展开外交努力。

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2. Earlier this month, on March 3 and 4, Qin Gang replied to several Ukraine-related questions:

Q: The Russian Parliament approved the use of force against Ukraine. Does China offer diplomatic support to Russia? Does China recognize the new Ukrainian government?

A: On your first question, please refer to the remarks I made yesterday. With respect to the Ukrainian issue, we uphold China’s long-standing diplomatic principles and basic norms governing international relations, and also take into account the history and complexity of the issue. It is fair to say that our position, which is objective, fair, just and peaceful, follows both principles and facts.

On the second question, judgement needs to be made based on laws of Ukraine.

[…]

Q: Some western leaders believe that what Russia did violates international law. What is China’s comment?

A: Yesterday, I elaborated on China’s view and position on the current situation in Ukraine and you may take a look at that.

I want to point out that we are aware of the historical facts and realistic complexity of the Ukrainian issue. There are reasons for why the situation in Ukraine is what it is today. We hope relevant parties can seek a political resolution of their differences through dialogue and consultation, prevent tensions from growing and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

Qin Gang, FMPRC spokesman, March 3, 2014

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Q: China says that not to interfere in others’ internal affairs is its long-standing position and it also takes into account the historical facts and the realistic complexity of the Ukrainian issue. What do you mean by historical facts? Does China view Russia’s operation in Crimea as interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs?

A:China has made clear of its position on the Ukrainian issue. As for the historical facts of this issue, please review or refer to the history of Ukraine and this region. I believe that you will understand what we mean after learning about relevant history.

On your second question, please have a complete and comprehensive understanding of China’s position. We uphold the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs and respect international law and widely recognized norms governing international relations. Meanwhile we take into account the historical facts and realistic complexity of the Ukrainian issue. You may also analyze why the situation in Ukraine is what it is today based on activities and behaviors of relevant parties in the past months.

[…]

Q: Chinese and Russian Foreign Ministers had a telephone conversation yesterday. The Russian side says that China backs Russia’s position on the Ukrainian issue. What is China’s comment? Please give us more details and China’s position on the Ukrainian issue.

A: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation yesterday. Foreign Minister Lavrov talked about Russia’s position and viewpoint on the current situation in Ukraine and the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on that. Both believe that a proper settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is of vital importance to regional peace and stability.

We have already issued China’s principle and position on the Ukrainian issue.

Qin Gang, FMPRC spokesman, March 4, 2014

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3. Life in Crimea, according to a Chinese press article

“(The turmoil) doesn’t have a great impact on daily life and on Chinese overseas students studying here in Crimea”, Yu Junwei, a second-grade graduate student at  Crimea Comprehensive University’s Faculty of Management tells the “Huanqiu Shibao” reporter[s]. “The most tense two days were those of the stand-off in front of the Crimean parliament building, between pro-Russian forces and anti-Russian factions, when classes were suspended. At all other times, we regularly had classes.” A student from Sichuan who is interviewed together with Yu says: “I’ve been here as a student for five years, and after graduation, I want to stay here to work for some time. After that, I will think about returning home.” She says that Crimea is a good human and natural environment, with a rather high ecducational level, a comfortable pace of work and rather little stress in life which made her “feel at home” [or, possibly meant this way: having such a good time that one forgets to go home]. Yu Junwei has similar feelings: “Apart from studying, I also guide some domestic business delegations and earn some money to reduce my family’s burden, and also gather some social experience.” Yu Junwei says: “After Crimea has joined Russia, it should be easier to come from China to travel here, and adding Chinese peoples’ historic feelings for Yalta in Crimea, its tourism industry should develop faster, which would also somewhat improve my work prospects.”

“从生活角度来说，(动乱)对正在克里米亚求学的中国留学生 影响不大。”正在克里米亚综合大学管理系上研究生二年级的余军伟告诉《环球时报》记者：“局势最紧张的两天，也就是亲俄力量与反俄派在国会大厦对峙的时候 学校停课，其他时候我们都正常上课。”和余军伟一起接受采访的一位四川籍女生表示：“我在这里学生生活5年时间了，毕业后也想继续留在这里工作一段时间， 然后再考虑回国。”她表示，克里米亚良好的自然与人文环境，相对较高的教育水平，闲适的工作节奏和相对较小的生活压力让她“乐不思蜀”。余军伟也有同样的 感受：“学习之余，我也带一些从国内来的商务考察团，赚一些钱来减轻家里的负担，同时也能积累更多的社会经验。”余军伟表示：“克里米亚加入俄罗斯之后， 从中国来这里旅游会更加方便，加上中国人对克里米亚的雅尔塔所抱有的历史感情，该地旅游业未来会有更快的发展，我的工作前景也会更好一些。”

Because of rather high educational levels and comparatively low costs of studying abroad, Crimea has been an important place for many Chinese overseas students. [A local, employee at] Crimea Comprehensive University’s foreign affairs office] tells the “Huanqiu Shibao” reporter[s]: “1995 to 1998 were the years when most Chinese overseas students studied here, more than three hundred every year, a peak time.” Yu Junwei says: “Originally, you paid seventy US dollars a year for a bed. Now the price has risen to 500 dollars. All expenses have risen. A Chinese overseas student spends 50,000 to 60,000 Yuan RMB a year, but to study in America or Europe comes at amounts as high as 300,000 to 400,000 Yuan RMB.” However, given much lowerd thresholds in America and Europe, the numbers of Chinese overseas students in Crimea are going down. In 2014, a total number of 28 Chinese overseas students studied at Crimea Comprehensive University, Crimea Medical University and other schools.

因为当地较高的教育水平和相对低廉的留学费用。克里米亚曾经是中国留学生的重要求学地。曾在克里米亚综合大学外事办工作 的当地人吴成克告诉《环球时报》记者：“1995年至1998年间，克里米亚的中国留学生最多，一年多达300人左右，是一个高峰期。”余军伟说：“这里 原来的学校住宿费是一张床一年70美元，现在涨到500美元。所有费用加起来，一个中国留学生一年的开销也就是5万至6万人民币，而在美欧留学一年开销高 达三四十万人民币。”不过，由于美国与欧洲留学门槛近年来降低了许多，现在在克里米亚求学的中国留学生逐年减少。2014年，克里米亚综合大学、克里米亚 医科大学和其他学校的中国留学生总计28人。

After a paragraph about the technicalities of continuing studies with old or new visas in Crimea, the article turns to Kiev, where a Chinese students is quoted as saying that the most tense areas had been confined to Independence Square [Maidan] and the streets around there. The student also has words of approval for the educaton department at the Chinese embassy in Kiev: “The diplomats are OK, just great.”

[The student] says that there are about ten thousand Chinese overseas students in Ukraine, many of them in Kiev. “Costs of studying are much lower here, than in America and Europe, as well, but the educational level is not low. Therefore, the political unrest doesn’t affect the lessons, and most overseas students will continue and complete their studies here.”

[…] 表示，在乌克兰留学的中国学生有一万人左右，其中不少在基辅：“同样，这里的留学费用相对于美国与欧洲要低很多，而教育水平并不低，所以眼下的政治动荡并不影响学生们的功课，多数的留学生也会继续在乌克兰完成学业。”

Huanqiu Shibao [“Global Times”], March 26, 2014

Russia Today: the Failed State of Germany

Russian president Vladimir Putin lives in another world, possibly not in touch with reality, German chancellor Angela Merkel – reportedly – believes.

That may or may not be so. But if Foarp is right, there are people at Russia Today, the newly created propaganda machine into which RIA Novosti and the Voice of Russia have now been blended together by a presidential decree, lives who live in a world where Germany is a failed state.

It’s an old story (occured in 2011), but one that hasn’t ended since. Nice stuff therefore for a debate about Westerners working for mere state propaganda outlets, and what they may find there. If you want to comment, please comment there.

No Comment, if Facebook is Required

Dear Bloggers,

or those of you who would like to read foreign comments under their posts:

it’s not that I wouldn’t want to comment on your blogs. But if a facebook profile is required, or if I have to register with some “discuss” software, or whatever, it doesn’t seem worth the hassle. There are bloggers who are not active on facebook, and I’m one of them.

Just make sure that a name and a url (or a mailbox) will be all that is required to leave a comment.

This hunter probably spends most of his days in an office

Chinese Press Review: Kunming Attack

Order at Kunming Railway Station has basically been restored, Caixin wrote on Sunday evening, March 2, quoting Xinhua newsagency. Apart from the square east of the station which is still cordoned off, everything operates normally, with not-too-long queues in front of the ticketing booths, all of which had been re-opened by 2 p.m..

In the automatic-vending-machines hall no. 2, there are people standing together and chatting.

在有自动售卖机的2号售票大厅，有人站在一起聊天。

On March 1 at about 21 hours, a serious, violent terrorist incident occured on the square in front of Kunming Railway Station. People in charge at the station said that the incident not only hampered three arriving trains with more than 3,000 passengers, while trains leaving Kunming Railway Station hadn’t been greatly impeded. From 21:30 to 23:50, a total of nine trains left Kunming. About 59,000 people went on a departing train on March 1, and about 60,000 were expected to do so on March 2.

1日21时许，昆明站站前广场发生严重暴力恐怖事件。昆明站相关负责人表示，该事件除影响3趟抵昆列车的3000余乘客，出站列车没有受到太大影响，从1日21时30分至23时50分，从昆明共发出9趟列车。1日共发送乘客59000余人，2日预计在60000人左右。

Kunming Railway Bureau asks all units under its management to contiuously strengthen security management and preventive work along the railroads. Currently, all cadres at Kunming Railway Station are divided into four groups that maintain order, organize overtime work, strengthen broadcasts of guidance and propaganda, enabling all vending machines, opening additional ticketing booths to keep waiting queues as short as possible, and strictly carry out security checks, checking 100 percent of people and goods by hand and machine.

昆 明铁路局要求局属各单位进一步加强沿线治安防范工作。目前，昆明站全体干部分为4个组在人流密集地、行车指挥室等地现场维持秩序，组织职工加班，加强广播 引导宣传；启用全部自动售取设备，增开了临时售票窗口并适时调整窗口功能尽量减少旅客排队时间；严格安检，做到人、物100%手检、过机。

According to Huanqiu Shibao, also in an article published on Sunday evening, the “incident” occured at 21:20 hours, and the account of it is also somewhat more graphic:

In the evening of March 1, at about 21:20 hours, armed thugs stormed into Kunming Railway Station’s square, into the ticketing halls, and chopped at anyone they saw. According to latest news, by six hours today, 29 people had already died, and more than 130 been wounded. After the incident, the Secretary General of the CCP Central Committee, State Chairman, and Central Military Commission Chairman Xi Jinping immediately issued important instructions, requiring to severely punish the terrorist elements in accordance with the law, and to resolutely overcome their arrogant aggression.

最新消息显示，截至2日6时，已造成29人死亡、130余人受伤。案件发生后，中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平立即作出重要指示，要求依法从严惩处暴恐分子，坚决将其嚣张气焰打下去。

The attack was carried out with melon knives, Huanqiu (apparently) quotes China News Service (中 新社). The story centers around the observations the rescue work of a hostel employee or owner who stood at the exits of the railway hall when the attacks began. A police officer saved him and possibly others by distracting the attackers, challenging them to kill him.

Some of the fear and misery of the wounded is also described, plus some stabbing and fighting scenes, with “five people still provokingly waving their knives” (五人仍然胡乱挥舞着手中的刀不断挑衅) after the first warning shots, hence being killed or overwhelmed (one female attacker) respectively.

According to the usual Huanqiu emoticon board, 1476 readers were angry, 102 moved, 57 saddened, 46 shocked, 14 found the story ridiculous, eleven were delighted, four happy, and one was bored.

The story is also carried by China News Service (the original source) itself, by Dongfang Morning Post (Shanghai), sina.com, and several other online papers or news portals.

Also on March 2, the Chinese press carried reports that the 3-01 Kunming serious terrorist incident (昆明3·01严重暴恐事件) had been planned by Xinjiang separatist forces (新疆分裂势力).

Xinhua Net, March 2, 07:28 h.

2014年03月02日 07:28 来源：新华网

Reporters have learned from Kunming city government information office that evidence found at the scene of the Kunming “3-01” incident indicates that this serious violent incident was jointly planned and organized by Xinjiang separatist forces.

记者从昆明市政府新闻办获悉，昆明“3·01”事件事发现场证据表明，这是一起由新疆分裂势力一手策划组织的严重暴力恐怖事件。

In July 2013, Huanqiu Shibao spelled out five “not-afraids” to fight terrorism. The term “arrogance” (嚣张气焰) was also used in the article, which reacted to unrest in Xinjiang in June 2013. While many countries and areas worldwide were plagued by terrorism, Xinjiang was different, the article asserted.

The terrorists’ capabilities there are small. They hardly have access to military weaponry or powerful explosives. Their main tools to commit their crimes are hacking knives. They can’t shake the foundations of Xinjiang’s stability, the overall situation is under control, the normal economic development is real, and the chances for committing crimes successfully generally remain very small. This reality and phenomenon in Xinjiang is “normal” by global standards. Such things happen in a modern and prosperous society.

35 people had reportedly been killed at the time, in early summer 2013. The scope of the Kunming attacks appears to be similar.

The World Uyghur Congress denied any involvement in the Kunming attack and said there was no justification for attacks on civilians.

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Related

All-out efforts, BBC, March 3, 2014
UN SC statement, NY Times, March 3, 2014
Ilham Tohti, Feb 12, 2014
Convenient arrest warrants, Sep 19, 2009
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Tibetan New Year, and The Role of the Exiles

I’ve known many of you for a long time and now we’re all showing signs of age. I was 24 years old when our exile began and I’m nearly 79 now. Meanwhile the spirit of our people in Tibet is still strong; they have a strength that has been passed down generation to generation. Wherever we are, we shouldn’t forget that we are Tibetans. Those of us in exile number about 150,000, but what is most important is that the spirit of those in Tibet remains alive, they are the bosses. And it’s because of the hope they have placed in us that we have to keep our cause alive.

The Dalai Lama, addressing Tibetans in Los Angeles on Thursday. He is scheduled to celebrate Tibetan New Year on March 2, with the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota.

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Related

» Zhu Weiqun: keep calm, Feb 23, 2013

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