Free Republic

<p>HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Much of the delicate relationship between the army and the Communist Party leadership can be seen from a discussion last week between Vice-President Hu Jintao and a group of demobilized soldiers.</p> <p>While touring southwestern Yunnan Province, Hu found time to reassure the decommissioned rank and file that Beijing would find them employment and take care of their families.</p>

With the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 16th National Congress only two months away, there has been much speculation about how President Jiang Zemin (¦¿¿A¥Á) will hand over his posts. The succession issue has attracted great attention, as befits a matter which concerns the future of China and also has a close bearing on the global strategic situation and the triangular relations between the US, China and Taiwan. Ever since Jiang's anointed successor, Vice President Hu Jintao (­JÀAÀÜ), visited the US in early May, there have been many rumors about the succession. There are at least five reasons for this. First,...

Chinese Airlines Serve PLA Military The Chinese army operates over 2,000 front companies inside the United States. Newly declassified documents from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) show that China United Airlines is a one such front company. China United Airlines is a most curious business. A Chinese air force general heads China United. China United aircraft also double as troop transports for the People's Liberation Army. Yet documents obtained from the Defense Intelligence Agency show that China United is allowed to do business inside the U.S. without question. The newly declassified documents from the Defense Intelligence Agency had the names...

Bush Brother Promotes New Business WASHINGTON (AP) - Neil Bush is traveling the world raising money for his new education company, along the way getting entertained by a crown prince in the Middle East and wined, dined and serenaded by China's president. A decade after his ties to a failed savings and loan brought his family unwanted attention, the president's brother has raised at least $18 million for his Ignite Inc. startup from investors as far away as Egypt and Japan. "Let's face the reality: I probably have access to people who probably wouldn't meet with a development-stage company, but...