Keywords: Public demand for officials' asset disclosure grows; China missile defense test successful

Public demand for officials' asset disclosure grows

A Guangzhou official released his assets and private holdings to the public during the city's Two Sessions meeting on January 18 to set an example and urge local policymakers to formalize an asset declaration policy.

Fan Songqing, deputy secretary of Guangzhou Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, proposed that Guangzhou should champion a pilot program to require officials to declare their assets and holdings to the public.

Although similar programs have been in effect since 2009, trials were scattered and information was not made public, according to Hunan-based Xiaoxiang Morning Herald.

The Global Times (Chinese edition) commented that declaring assets is a way to root out corruption and should be advocated.

"Though the public doesn't expect any quick results, the government should provide clearly laid out plans and a timeline to help bolster confidence among the people," read the article.

"Officials should take the initiative rather than wait for orders from above," said the China Youth Daily.

"Promoting asset declaration requires a joint effort from both decision makers and executers. If both just wait for each other to act first, there will be no progress."

The Beijing Times urged to remain calm and rational in promoting such policies.

"We should be clear that this cannot be achieved overnight as we have not reached a consensus about how and when to begin carrying it out," the paper said.

Another Beijing Times opinion piece also stressed how asset declaration needs to be paired with effective legislation.

"Laws will compel officials to publicize their assets, as well as protect officials' legal rights," read the article.

China missile defense test successful

China successfully conducted a missile defense system test on January 27 for the second time according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Reports also said the US also carried out the GMD (Ground-based Mid-course Defense) missile interception test on the same day.

China's first missile interception test was conducted on January 11, 2010.

Chinese media commented the success of the test is encouraging and suggested that it is no coincidence that the US and China conducted tests on the same day.

The Xinhua News Agency applauded the anti-missile test, saying that "it demonstrates the country's fast-growing ability to defend its national security and deter any possible threats."

"Speedy news reports of this important achievement are testimony to the country's increasing transparency in military affairs," it added.

The military expert Yin Zhuo said in a CRI Online interview that the success of this test illustrates how China's missile defense capabilities have greatly improved.

Yin also pointed out that the US intentionally conducted the test on the same day because they were able to make arrangements after receiving reports of China's tests due to the time difference.

"The land-based mid-course missile interception test is only the beginning. It will be useless if we do not develop early-warning satellites," military commentator Song Xiaojun told the Hubei Daily.

@不疾而速ing: International political strategy is a bigger issue than developing advanced warfare. China's strategy lacks competitive ideas because it is deeply influenced by Confucian philosophy.

@够瘦: The function of the missile interception test focuses more on deterring possible threats.

@tiny-king: Different countries may have different interpretations of the test, but many countries may share the same opinion. We can develop advanced technology but should be cautious of not getting caught up in an arms race. The former Soviet Union is an example.