Xi navigates tensions with Deng’s legacy over centralising political power

Straits Times,

BEIJING – Deng Xiaoping is not only widely regarded as the architect of economic reforms in modern China, but also respected for his views on the need for collective leadership in the Communist Party of China (CPC).

So when it comes to honouring his legacy today, Chinese President Xi Jinping – who has systematically amassed political power since coming to office in 2012, representing a break from the latter principle – had to be selective. 

This was what he did in a major speech on Deng’s life and contributions to China and the CPC at a symposium to commemorate the late patriarch’s 120th birth anniversary on Aug 22, China watchers said.

Deng died on Feb 19, 1997 at the age of 92. There have been three such party symposiums studying his legacy held every 10 years since then: In 2004 under former president Hu Jintao, and in 2014 under Mr Xi, in addition to the Aug 22 event on Deng’s birthday. 

In his 5,500-word speech on Aug 22, Mr Xi called for the continued study and application of Deng Xiaoping Theory, for instance in deepening the reform of the system of party and state leadership, and promoting intra-party democracy.

He said that, learning from Deng, “the party must have a core; the party central committee must have authority”, a line which was absent from the speeches given at previous symposiums. 

The emphasis on a leadership “core” – a term used to refer to Chinese leaders who enjoyed unparalleled power such as Mao Zedong, Deng, Mr Jiang Zemin and Mr Xi, but not Mr Hu – was in stark contrast to 2004’s symposium, when his predecessor Mr Hu quoted Deng as saying that “the individual is a member of the collective; nothing can be done by one .

Sagada closes Sumaguing Cave for a month

The Manila Times 

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE — The mystical town of Sagada has announced the closure of the world-renowned Sumaguing Cave from spelunkers, adventure seekers and tourists for the whole month of September.

The Sagada Municipal Tourism Office posted on its official social media account that Sumaguing Cave will be closed for 30 days in compliance to section 5 of the Sagada Revised Tourism Code of 2022.

This would allow for the cave to rejuvenate and restore its splendor.Earlier, the municipal government closed the Balangagan Cave for the whole month of August for the same reason.The closure of the caves will also limit the number of tourists entering the caves during the rainy months.

The tourism office also reminded travel and tour organizers to inform their clients of the closure of the Sumaguing Cave.The Balangagan Cave, however, was reopened to the public starting September 1.Sumaguing and Balangagan are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Sagada.

Sumaguing or the “Big Cave” is famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations and is a favored site for beginners in spelunking.Balangagan, on the other hand, used to be an ancient burial site and was also a refuge of residents mostly of Barangay Taccong during World War II. It was closed for decades before the municipality opened it to the public in 2014.

The tourism office also said that other tourism sites in the municipality such as the Eco Valley, Bomod-ok Falls and the hanging coffins remained open to the public.

It was in 2023 when the municipality first implemented the one-month closure of the two major cave systems in Sagada after the revised tourism ordinance was approved in 2022.

Inside ‘Goethe Tehran’

Tehran Times,

TEHRAN– A putative language school endorsed by the German embassy in Tehran funded underground entertainment, illicitly provided scholarships to students, and helped employ agents for the German government, according to information obtained by the Tehran Times. 

Earlier this month, two branches of the German Language Institute (DSIT) were closed following orders from the Iranian judiciary. The Tehran Times has gathered information suggesting that the language school functioned as a covert operation for the German government to influence Iranian citizens and advance Germany’s political agenda in Iran. 

The Tehran Times understands that the DSIT spent half a million Euros annually to support music, film, and entertainment groups aiming to bypass the scrutiny of Iran’s Ministry of Culture, which must review and certify all cultural content before it can be distributed. Much of the material funded by this supposed language institute conflicted with Iranian social and cultural values.

The money came from the Goethe-Institut, an organization officially financed by the German government that has over a hundred branches globally. While it presents itself as an independent entity dedicated to promoting the German language and culture, numerous reports indicate that the Goethe-Institut frequently functions as a political arm of the German government. 

Although the DSIT asserts that it has no connections to the Goethe-Institut, documents seized during the closure of two of its branches in Tehran reveal that the language school maintained regular communication with the organization and frequently received directives from its officials. The Tehran Times has reviewed multiple of these documents, as well as at least nine financial records indicating payments totaling tens of thousands of Euros to individuals not affiliated with the DSIT. The records were signed by the language school’s CEO and the German ambassador to Tehran.

Furthermore, the DSIT illegally engaged with Iranian citizens by offering students scholarships for study at German universities, a practice unusual for an institute claiming to be merely teaching language. In numerous instances, the DSIT assisted students interested in relocating to Germany by helping them schedule appointments with the German embassy in Tehran. Evidence indicates that these students were often recognized as elites in their professional or academic domains.

Certain individuals with whom the DSIT established close connections became involved in networks aimed at executing illegal activities or schemes that benefit German and Western interests. The Tehran Times may disclose more information on some of these networks in the future.

The Tehran Times has also learned that the DSIT lacked the required operating licenses despite operating in Iran since 1995. This means the school evaded taxes on the income generated from its 10,000 annual students. According to information compiled by the Tehran Times, the DSIT held a financial balance of 400 billion Tomans in 2022.