China Reform Monitor: No. 1190

October 8:

China has been accused of de-railing a ceasefire deal between Myanmar and rebel groups that would have brought Japan and Western nations in as observers to facilitate a peace process. Min Zaw Oo, an official at the official Myanmar Peace Center, said China's special envoy Sun Guoxiang pressed the United Wa State Army, which has received arms from China and is led by ethnic Chinese commanders, as well as the Kachin Independence Organization, which operates along the border, to refuse to sign. After Sun's intervention, only eight of 15 groups committed to the agreement. "China usually says they want stability, but at the same time, they want to wield influence on the groups along the Chinese border," Min Zaw Oo told Reuters. He said he had stayed quiet on China's interference, "but it was time to stop whispering." Beijing rejected Min Zaw Oo's claims.

October 12:

China's construction of two new lighthouses represents only the start of its construction in the South China Sea, which will include more civilian installations. Beijing will reportedly establish more military installations in the region for the country's security, reports the overseas edition of the official People's Daily. “As long as all other sides can rightly and fairly regard and understand China's construction, they can surely work with China to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Kang Lin at Hainan island-based National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

October 14:

China and Iran will expand military cooperation to form an anti-U.S. “Asian bloc,” Iran's Fars News Agency reports. Beijing and Tehran will establish a “cooperation pact” to promote reciprocal visits of warships and intelligence cooperation, and create joint training centers. “Iran and China share a common stance toward U.S. unilateralism and are looking for the formation of an Asian bloc and enhancement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We plan to expand our military cooperation with China, just as we expanded our economic ties," said Brig-Gen. Mohammad Baqeri of the Iranian Armed Forces after meeting in Tehran with PLA deputy chief of general staff, General Sun Jianguo. Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan and Navy Commander Habibollah Sayyari also met with Sun. Last month, for the first time, a flotilla of Chinese warships sailed in Iran's territorial waters and berthed in Bandar Abbas.

October 15:

Jin Liqun, the first head of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), told Natsuo Yamaguchi, the leader of Japan's Komeito party, that the new lender will start investing in projects as early as April 2016, reports the Japan Times. Although Japan is not an AIIB member, Jin, a former Chinese deputy finance minister, said he will visit Tokyo early next year to explore cooperation with Japanese institutions and companies. China has close ties with the Komeito party, which is backed by the major Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai, and has a track record of pursuing dovish foreign and security policies.

October 16:

China is recruiting a record 27,817 civil servants this year due to a personnel shortage at the grassroots level and instituted a new Criminal Law whereby cheaters on applications face heavy fines and up to seven years in prison, reports the South China Morning Post. New rules also prohibit serving government employees from applying, closing a previous shortcut to promotion. Vacancies are up 5,500 from last year, with 551 central government departments and institutes seeking new hires. The provincial State Administration of Taxation offices are hiring the most, with 27 provinces each looking for between 300 and 800 staff for county and district-level offices. Border inspectors, customs officials and bank regulators are also needed, and the Foreign Ministry and the Commerce Ministry need 204 and 150 extra staff, respectively. The online application process has begun and the National Civil Service Examination is held on November 29.

[Editor's Note: After peaking in 2013 with 1.52 million applicants competing for about 20,000 positions, applications dropped by 100,000 last year. Under President Xi's reforms, civil service salaries and pension systems are less attractive and the anti-corruption campaign has cut fringe benefits.]