Month: January 2013

© Global Times

China’s economy speeds up

22nd January 2013 Socialist Action 0

The following article by John Ross analyses the economic policies underpinning the slowdown and then the accelerated growth of China’s economy in 2012. Since the article was published on china.org.cn on 1 January, the release of new economic data confirms the article. They show that China’s GDP expanded by 7.9 per cent year on year in the fourth quarter of 2012, accelerating from 7.4 per cent in the third quarter, and resulting in 2012 full-year growth of 7.8 per cent.

China’s economy in 2012 was “a tale of two halves”: In the first six months slowdown, even a feeling of developing crisis; in the second half recovery and accelerating growth. The story therefore had a happy ending. But it is worth noting what went wrong in the first half, and how it was corrected in the second, as this contains lessons for the future.

© 2011 Robin Stevens

Syria – NATO steps in

18th January 2013 Socialist Action 0

 

By Paul Roberts

In a further escalation of Western intervention in the conflict in Syria, NATO is currently deploying advanced surface to air guided missiles that can intercept and destroy aircraft, along Turkey’s border with Syria.

US, German and Dutch troops are arriving to operate these Patriot systems, while Czech, Slovak and Polish units are also reported to be on their way to the border.

No going back

17th January 2013 Socialist Action 0

The following article by Gerry Adams explaining the context of the sectarian attacks in Belfast, appeared on the Léargas blog on 12 January.

Belfast 2013 is not the City I grew up in. In my youth and for much of my adult life Belfast was a place in which nationalists had no rights; a place where sectarianism and discrimination, injustice and inequality were commonplace and exercised as a matter of institutional and political practice.

Image by Mark Dingemanse

Hands Off Mali!

16th January 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Tom Castle

The French military intervention in Mali has been trumpeted as a relaunch of the French Presidency, an example of Anglo-French co-operation and a necessary strike against militant Al Qaida-linked terrorists.

The grubby reality is that it is an extension of the joint imperialist project for northern Africa which is based on promoting the entirely selfish and strategic interests of imperialism. It follows the murderous interventions in Libya and Cote d’Ivoire as well as the desperate attempts to shore up other pro-Western dictatorships in the course of the Arab Spring.

Support Greek anti-fascists

10th January 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Nicky Dempsey

Greek anti-fascists have called for a major mobilisation in Athens and internationally on January 19th against the growing threat of the far right in Europe. The Greek protest will centre on Syntagma Square in central Athens. There will also be a large number of demonstrations in other European cities in solidarity with the Greek mobilisation.

In London a protest will take place outside the Greek embassy, initiated by Unite Against Fascism.