According to the report, 
on December 28, 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislative body, passed the “Decision to Strengthen the Protection of Online Information.” The Decision contains troubling provisions that require internet access and telecommunications providers to collect personal information about users when they sign up for internet access, landline, or mobile phone service. Paragraph 6 of the Decision also applies to service providers that allow users to publish online, who must be able to connect pseudonyms to real identities when citizens post information. In the days following the decision, several well-known online activists found that their weibo micro-blogging accounts had been shut down.

“These new mandates send a chilling message to China’s netizens,” said Cynthia Wong, senior researcher on the internet and human rights at Human Rights Watch. “The government’s decision is an effort to silence critics and curb anonymity online by further conscripting internet companies to monitor and censor users.”

“Real name registration” requirements allow authorities to more easily identify online commentators or tie mobile use to specific individuals, limiting anonymous expression, “whistleblowers” who spotlight official corruption, and the right to privacy.

Even without energetic enforcement, the law will suppress critical speech as users may fear that anything they post critical of the government could lead to reprisals.

Although the right to freedom of expression is guaranteed in article 35 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government continues to regularly impose sharp curbs, including through broad internet censorship, surveillance practices, and prosecution of citizens and journalists for their online activity, Human Rights Watch warned.

The Festival takes place from the 9th to the 23rd October, and covers thematics directly related to renewable energy, social finance, soft transportation, responsible consumption. The documentaries, and short films, are accessible online, as well as tips and practical advice.

The audience learns right away that green economy begins with changing behaviours and everyday habits. Each action can have a bigger global impact than we might realize, as choosing sustainable modes of transportation, or avoiding individually packaged goods, is something that everybody can afford doing and its effect capitalizes on numbers.

What is more, many industrial processes have a significant ecological impact, as shown by several shorts; hence the importance for a transition towards greener industrial practices. Some of the documentaries offer example of companies who already implement such changed and might be an inspiration to others.

The Festival’s organizers, however, are not only active online. Since it is known that a green economy requires proactive policies, the festival will feature a screening at the European Parliament as a contribution towards increasing awareness among decision-makers.

The festival will also take place in Brussels during the Fair Trade Week. The program includes a family and general public day and a professional networking day. Finally, there will be a screening of the film Surviving Progress (produced by Martin Scorsese), which will be followed by a debate between students and representatives from international institutions on the limits of progress. The speakers include Isabelle Durant – European deputee, Vice-president of the European Parliament -, Chris Vanden Bilcke – Head of UNEP’s Liaison Office to the EU in Brussels -, Jeremy Wates – Head of the European Environmental Bureau -, Laurent Ledoux – Head of the ASBL Philosophy & management.

A rapid look at the shorts online leave the impression of a vast, rich, and diverse production. The shorts can be watched by the audience directly from the Festival’s website, and voted.

http://www.greenupfilmfestival.com/en

The first part was devoted to arguments on regional operation, the real economy and production networks, as well as the characteristics of the economic integration in East Asia. The second part was about the European Union, the debt crisis and the necessity of political leadership addressing financial reform to overcome the crisis. Then views were exchanged on East Asian economy, definitions of East Asia, the prospects of the Chinese economy, and the implication of the economic integration in East Asia for Europe etc.

Interestingly, all participants agreed that political will is the most important factor for crisis management and further economic integration, both in Europe and in East Asia. While I was writing this, it was already known that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to visit Athens tomorrow (Oct. 9). Besides the obvious feelings of insecurity and the patriotic symbolisms the visit will produce for all Greeks and particularly Athens inhabitants, I could not but consider the obvious: a political solution is on the way. I am not sure whether it will prove to be beneficial towards “further economic integration” or it is a way the German leader to appear bailing out Greeks on her own; again, in political terms.

The stalemate with the troika has to do with trust. Troika head representatives have been called many things in this country, but being inconsistent is not one of them. Since the beginning of negotiations in 2010, troika people have been steadily arguing for two parallel courses of action: cutting expenses and forwarding structural changes (to liberalise the market, invite competition and boost growth). Cuts did occur, reforms never happened. Either due to political cost or unionist phobia, structural changes have never been properly dealt with, remaining suppressed by partisan interests and clientelistic concerns. Hence today’s impasse.

Real growth (not the one driven by consumption and loans), economic integration, daring steps forward towards the unification of countries that share common interests, truly need political courage. Politicians need to be brave and think ahead; what they also need is the support of their peoples by regaining their trust.

This is where politics draw its power, people. Either in East Asia or in Europe, political solutions remain political when people are willing to play along. If they do not agree with politicians’ moves, then the latter are on their own, alienating themselves from society, thus failing to serve the [perception of] common goal.

Greek police and other security forces are bracing for Angela Merkel’s visit tomorrow. Demonstrations, sit-ins and heroisms in front of the German embassy in Athens are already scheduled, perhaps accompanied by the occasional riot activity. This is people’s way to express their outrage but hardly constitutes “solution” material. Even if the package is agreed, the symbolism for the government will be hard to read.

All participants in Japanese Embassy’s symposium agreed that political solutions are the way to move forward. I would add that political solutions should be decided by people themselves. If more integration is the way to go (in Europe and East Asia) then people (instead of politicians) should be asked whether they are willing to turn their countries into peripheral geographical entities of a centrally managed bureaucracy.

Finally, although Europe is much older in the integration game, I would say that the chances for real progress in the integration field lie more on the East Asia side. Both philosophically and technologically, they have all necessary elements to put forward a whole new paradigm of economic integration, based on 21st century politics; namely based on elements of fairness, honest cooperation, advanced sense of social responsibility. In order something like this to succeed, it should be grassroots; and on the web. Then mainstream politics could follow, framing the drive with ‘political solutions’. In the social networks era, cross-country political initiatives need to start from the base.

On-going online democracy could prove much more powerful than any old fashioned political initiative; Europe needs to understand this as well.

Dr. Demetris Kamaras is the Editor of Alyunaniya.com