Who Is Hacking China?

Oriental Outlook
August 8

With the China hacker threat being exaggerated, statistics show that the country is in fact the biggest victim of cyber attacks.

A recent report from the National Computer Network Emergency Response Team Coordination Center of China (CNCERT/CC) indicates that attacks from IP addresses in the United States, no matter in the form of Remote Access Trojans or spear-phishing, rank the highest.

Although frequent attacks on the Chinese network have not caused large-scale harm, they do pose stiff challenges to its cyber security.

In the first half of 2013, CNCERT/CC lodged 1,760 complaints to international network emergency response organizations, among which 1,110 are American.

Wang Minghua, Director of the Operational Department at CNCERT/CC, told Oriental Outlook that to cope with cyber attacks, countries should build such trust by talking face to face and through bilateral and multi-lateral organizations.

Helping Hands

Changjiang Daily
August 5

In Liaoning Province's draft amendment on rewarding and protecting people willing to help others in an emergency, the original article "not to encourage teenagers to help others in an emergency" was changed to "encourage legal, proper and effective ways of helping others in an emergency."

Rising to the occasion requires people to stand up when other people are in need, the beneficiaries being public order and social morality. Encouraging such acts promotes a public value sensibility.

Although the act applies to all members of society, it bears different interpretations for different age groups. For teenagers, whose bodies and minds are immature and socialization levels low, recklessly helping others in an emergency tend to bring big regret.

Helping others in an emergency is not only a moral question, but also a technical one. As an act of taking social responsibility other than a legal duty, it not only requires a person to have sound moral qualities and courage, but also good physical strength, rich experience and professional knowledge. All these qualities are lacking in teenagers. A mature society stops teenagers from taking responsibilities beyond their abilities, especially at the cost of life.

Reform of the Pension System

Yangtze Evening News
August 5

Hu Xiaoyi, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, recently confirmed plans to reform the pension system.

China's current pension system covers government departments and public institutions that don't pay endowment insurance, and enterprises, which do pay. This dual-track system has been criticized for years for not being able to adapt to a changing society.

Experts say that the core of pension reform lies in realizing social justice and equity by increasing low incomes. This means interest groups will have to make substantial concessions during the reform. Premier Li Keqiang once said that the reform would not make real strides without determination and courage.

Pension reform has in fact been carried out across several pilot cities since 2009, but with little result, which has raised fears about the new attempts. Eventual success of its pension reforms depends on a clear timetable and roadmap, as well as a transparent platform for the public to express their views.

The Enemy of Feminism

China Newsweek
August 5

Over the 30 years since China's reform and opening-up drive kicked off, its feminist movement has evolved into an active platform for online and street protest, drawing increasing public attention. Some feminists have gone as far as to express their views on social issues and influence government decisions.

However, this has not necessarily entailed a rise in the status of women. Statistics show that behind the active feminist movement, widespread gender inequality remains, specifically related to employment discrimination, family violence, sexual assault, rape and keeping mistresses.

Undoubtedly, women now have more opportunities than 30 years ago; however, they still face many dilemmas. Feminists alone are not capable of changing the status quo. Additional policies, a law-making and judicial system as well as the positive input of men, are required.