The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

53. Zhang Shengzhi, “加强对群体性事件的研究演练”
(“Strengthen research and training in handling mass incidents”),
人民论坛 (People’s Forum), Vol. 6, 2009, available from
paper.people.com.cn/rmlt/html/2009-03/16/content_213819.htm.
54. Zhang Shuling, “民兵预备役要充分做好参与维稳准备”
(“Militia and reserve forces must do a good job of participating
in preparations for maintaining social stability”), 国防 (National
Defense), Vol. 11, 2008, pp. 23-4.
55. For example, a recent CASS study found that 69.4 percent
of those surveyed thought that government officials (as opposed
to business persons) had benefited the most from economic development.
China Youth Daily, September 12, 2008, cited in BBC
Monitoring: China Social Unrest Briefing, September 4-17, 2008,
September 17, 2008, p. 1.
56. Liu Chang, “委员建议处理群体性事件慎用警力" (“Committee
members suggest caution when using police force to handle
mass incidents”), 北京青年报 (Beijing Youth Daily), November
3, 2009, available from www.cyol.net/zqb/content/2009-03/11/
content_2576501.htm; Tan Ailing, “‘散步’是为了避免暴力.”
57. Xiao Shu, “群体性事件矛头为何总指向政府?” (“Why are
mass incidents always directed against the government?”), 南方
周末 (South China Weekend), November 27, 2008, available from
www.infzm.com/content/20482. The Chongqing taxi cab driver
strike of the fall of 2008 is cited as an example of how appropriate
action by local government officials can defuse a crisis which
had the potential to develop into a violent mass incident. In this
case, when taxi drivers went on strike over management fees,
low base fares, fuel shortages, and competition from unlicensed
“black cabs,” the city’s Communist Party leadership took steps
to address the cab drivers’ concerns, held multiple press conferences
to get the government’s point of view across, disciplined
lower-level officials in the city transportation commission, held
a televised discussion with representatives of the taxi drivers,
and agreed to the formation of a taxi drivers’ union. See Li Weiao
and Deng Hai, “Chaotic Taxi Strike Pays Off in Chongqing,” Caijing,
November 15, 2008, available from www.english.caijing.com.
cn/2008-11-15/110028781.html; Liao Haiqing, “就业危机或致群体
性事件发生几录增加.”
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