Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Israel - Sino Relations through the Prism of Advocacy Groups

Mohammed Turki al - Sudairi

HH Sheikh Nasser al - Mohammad al - Sabah Publication Series
Number 8: November 2013

Advocacy for the state of Israel  – in the sense of attempting to favourably shape public and elite  perceptions  and  discou rses  about  the  Jewish  state  and  the  nature  of  its  conflict  with  the  Palestinians  and  the  surrounding  Arab  states  – has  been,  and  continues  to  be,  of  pivotal  concern  to  both  the  Israeli  government  and  pro - Israeli  organisations  operating  in  the  United  States and  elsewhere.  What  underlines  this  advocacy  – understood  here  to  unfold  through  multiple  media,  academic,  and  political  spaces  – is  a  desire  to  [1]  reinforce  political  (and  cultural)  identification  and  support  for  Israel  and  its  narrative,  and  [2]  more  p ressingly,  to  contain  alternative  critical  discourses  about  the  state  and  its  role  in  various  Middle  Eastern  conflicts.  Although  the  US  has  been  the  main  focus  of  these  advocacy  efforts  – which  is  a  natural byproduct of its position as a global hegemonic e mpire, the susceptibility of its political  system  to  special  interests,  and  more  significantly,  due  to  the  presence  of  a  sizable  and  influential Jewish American community sympathetic to Israeli and Zionist interests  – there are  signs  of  a  nascent  and  incre asingly  sustained  Israeli/Zionist  advocacy  effort  directed  at  China  (amongst  other  theatres)  that,  while  conditioned  by  a  unique  Chinese  cultural  and  political  topography,  seeks  to  influence  prevailing  attitudes  and  perceptions  amongst  Chinese  scholars  and political  elite  in  ways  conducive  to  the  preservation  and  maximisation  of  Israeli  interests  over the long - term.

READ MORE.....

Monday, October 5, 2015

China Construction to build, finance, new Egypt capital

DAILY STAR -  Sep. 08, 2015

CAIRO: Egypt signed an agreement with a Chinese company on building and financing part of a planned new administrative capital east of Cairo, the investment minister told Reuters Monday.
The memorandum of understanding calls for China State Construction Engineering Corporation, also known as China Construction, to “study building and financing” the administrative part of the new capital, which will include ministries, government agencies and the president’s office. Egypt had so far only highlighted the involvement of the UAE’s Capital City Partners, which signed an initial agreement for the mega-project at a March economic summit.
Egypt’s housing minister in June acknowledged “complications” in contract negotiations with UAE businessman Mohamed Alabbar, the founding partner of CCP.

READ MORE.....

China, Egypt friends with long civilizations, key strategic ties: Cairo governor

English.news.cn | 2015-09-30

CAIRO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China and Egypt are two friend states with long civilization and very important strategic ties, Cairo Governor Galal al-Saeed told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The governor's remarks came during a ceremony held by the Chinese embassy in Cairo to mark the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"The Chinese and Egyptian peoples share mutual love and respect. I hope for the Egyptian-Chinese ties to further grow in the future, whether strong political or economic relations in favor of both peoples," Saeed said during the ceremony.
For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo described the friendship between Egypt and China as "time-honored" and the bilateral relations between the two countries as "strong and close."
He noted that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has recently visited China and that Egypt was the only African and Arab country that participated in the military parade recently held in Chinese capital Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII) and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
"Egypt is a major Arab, African and developing country. China has always been viewing and developing the China-Egypt relations from a strategic and long-term prospective," Song said.

READ MORE....

The first China-built high-speed rail in Turkey

English.news.cn - 2015-10-05 

BEIJING, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- China boasts the fastest and longest high-speed railways in the world. And the world is taking notice. Turkey's Istanbul-Ankara high-speed railway was built by China.  It was a first for the China Railway Construction Corporation, but also a first for Liu Lin. He has been the on-the-ground man for China's largest railway contractor for 6 years. And it was a rough beginning.  Liu Lin, General Manager of Chinese Railway Contractor said, "A Chinese state-owned company and a private Turkish company. It was like a marriage from afar." To make the marriage work, Liu tried every way to bridge the differences.  "The ways we both do business are different. Execution and efficiency, applying these here was a big problem. We learned the hard way - which maybe is not the best way to do it," said Liu.  $1.2 billion and 4 years of intensive construction later, China's first highspeed rail built outside the country has become a reality. Chinese contractors have finished one third of the 500 kilometer project. So far it's turned out to be a success. But to see how successful it is, we took the train from Ankara to Istanbul. And we were allowed access to the driver's cabin.

READ MORE....

Iran welcomes China’s role in reconstructing Arak reactor

Tehran Times Political Desk  TEHRAN – Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that Iran welcomes China’s role in implementing a plan to reconstruct the Arak heavy-water reactor.  China played a “constructive” role in the nuclear talks and the country should continue to play a positive role in implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, he said during a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday.    He also said that the governments are duty-bound to implement their commitments in the international areas and the U.S. government is committed to removing the sanctions.    The U.S. commitments will not be changed after changing the U.S. president, he added.    Zarif also expressed hope that Iran-China relations would be expanded.    China has been a friend in hard times for Iran, he said, adding Iran expects China to continue it positive role into the implementation of the JCPOA.    Elsewhere, he said that crises in the Middle East region will be settled through “political” solution.    The Chinese foreign minister urged the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) to abide by their commitments in the nuclear deal.    Wang said that the nuclear agreement will contribute to establishing peace and stability in the region.    He also called for expansion of relations between Iran and China.    On July 14, Iran and the six major powers finalized the JCPOA in Vienna.

Plans from China and Iran to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

China Briefing - September 30, 2015  

By Dezan Shira & Associates

On September 22, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Prime Minister Li Keqiang met with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif in Beijing. The meeting aimed to further bilateral ties between Iran and China. During the visit, both Iran and China predicted a successful future for Iran-China relations, especially with the current nuclear deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – underway.  Through the years, China and Iran have continued to foster an extensive diplomatic relationship. Today, China is the biggest customer of Iranian oil and the first in line for Iranian overseas business. Thus, with the progression of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, strengthening bilateral ties between Iran and China looks inevitable.  Details of the Nuclear Deal (JCPOA)   Under the JCPOA, Iran is called to enact restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against the country. This will include both multilateral and national sanctions related to trade, technology, finance and energy. The implementation of the deal will ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, and is endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.  Iran and China have emphasized the importance of sticking to the deal, as its completion is expected to be conducive for stronger bilateral ties between the two. Wang Yi stated that both countries agreed that “it is urgent for all sides to deliver their promises and kick off the first step of the implementation process”. Once the deal is in full effect, China and Iran have plans to deepen their already strong economic ties.

READ MORE....

Oil demand to rise in China, says CTO of Saudi Aramco

China Daily - 2015-09-09

Editor's note: At the World Economic Forum's three-day meeting in Dalian, Liaoning province, China's economic growth is once again in the spotlight. More than 1,700 participants from 90 countries are attending "Summer Davos", opening on Wednesday, to chart a new course for growth as global recovery sinks into uncertainty. Before the conference began, business leaders from international companies shared their opinions with China Daily about China's economic prospects and what strategies they may take to readjust to the nation's new normal of growth.
Here are the excerpts from the interview:
1.Economic slowdown pressures have increased in China since the second half of 2014. During the first six months this year, GDP growth has fallen below 7 percent, while deflation pressures have risen in the manufacturing sector. Against this backdrop, what are the challenges that you have faced/continue to face in China, especially with regard to the business development strategy and actual operations?
Companies like Saudi Aramco make investments in the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry that take many years to complete and provide products to our customers for many decades. In our industry having a very long term perspective is essential. While there are certainly challenges in managing the short term business and economic issues facing China today, we are still very optimistic that the energy needed to fuel China's economic growth will continue to increase.

READ MORE....

Iran to compete with Russia, Saudi Arabia to supply China's huge demands for oil

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Tuesday, 15 September, 2015

In the race to supply crude to the world’s biggest energy user, it’s the tussle for second place that’s too close to call.
Russia, Angola and Iran are vying to be runner-up to Saudi Arabia as the top seller to China. The contest is set to intensify as Iran seeks to recover market share lost because of sanctions and the US Congress debates a nuclear deal that will allow the Persian Gulf state to boost shipments.
China overtook the US as the biggest importer of crude most recently in June, taking advantage of a 50 per cent slump in benchmark prices over the past year to boost strategic reserves. With the Asian nation forecast to account for more than a quarter of global demand growth in 2016, the prize of becoming a top supplier will bolster the economic health of national producers that depend on energy exports for most of their budget revenue.
"Whether you’re number 2 or number 3, the numbers are very close," said Victor Shum, a vice-president at consultant IHS. "In a globally oversupplied market, there is more competition for the growing Chinese pie."
China is the biggest oil buyer in Asia, a region that the International Energy Agency estimates will use 23.4 million barrels a day in 2015, or about 25 per cent of worldwide consumption. The IEA predicts China will consume 10.9 million barrels a day this year.

READ MORE...

China, Saudi Arabia strike deal to launch more joint ventures

They will also activate agreement to prevent entry of counterfeit and contraband goods

AME INFO - 29/09/2015 

Saudi Arabia and China have agreed to boost bilateral economic ties and launch additional joint investments in the kingdom.  They will also activate an already-signed agreement to prevent the entry of counterfeit and contraband goods.  The two countries have signed a new agreement in which they underlined the need to increase the two-way trade exchange to higher levels.  The agreement, inked on the sidelines of a joint Saudi-Chinese committee meeting, indicates that Saudi Arabia-based joint ventures between the two countries don’t surpass 88 projects.  The deal urges businessmen and investors from both countries to make optimal use of bilateral agreements related to investment promotion and protection and avoidance of double taxation.  The Saudi side has welcomed China’s initiative to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and has said that the Chinese-led institution will help member countries achieve economic growth and strike closer links between Asian nations to coordinate development efforts.  Officials said an anticipated visit by the Chinese president to Saudi Arabia is expected to push Saudi-Sino economic cooperation forward and open broader scopes of coordination on various issues of mutual concern.  According to previous data, the two-way trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and China amounted to $71.3 billion in 2014.

READ MORE....

Israel’s Ambassador To China Reflects On Sino-Israeli Relations

Maxine Dovere

JEWISH PRESS - September 22nd, 2015

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited him to be Israel’s ambassador to China in 2012, Matan Vilnai’s decorated career had included time as a cabinet minister, military general, and Knesset member. But there was one hole in his resumé.
“I knew nothing at all about China,” Vilnai told JNS in an exclusive interview from his Beijing office.
To prepare for his current role, Vilnai embarked on an intensive six-month study program that included learning basic Mandarin, the official language of China. His teacher, Shalva Jin, an Israeli Jewish woman of Chinese descent, traces her heritage to the ancient Kaifeng Jewish community and made aliyah in 2000.
Vilnai says China and Israel “have become very important allies” in a relationship that is “always improving.”

READ MORE....

Israel and China: Allies at a distance

Maxine Dovere

JEWISH NEWS - Thursday, 01 October 2015

WHEN PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited him to be Israel’s ambassador to China in 2012, Matan Vilnai already had a decorated career as a cabinent minister, military general and Knesset member. But there was one hole in his resumé.
“I knew nothing at all about China,” Amb. Vilnai reveals in an exclusive interview from his Beijing office.
To prepare for his current role, Vilnai embarked on an intensive six-month study program that included basic Mandarin, the official language of China. His teacher, Shalva Jin — an Israeli Jewish woman of Chinese descent — traces her heritage to the ancient Kaifeng Jewish community. She made aliyah in 2000.
Vilnai says China and Israel “have become very important allies” in a relationship that is “always improving.
“The Jewish people and the Chinese people are the oldest civilizations in the world. Both are well-connected to their respective histories,” says Vilnai, who notes “similar values” between the two peoples.
“In the writings of [the Chinese scholar] Confucius, you will find the ideas and values of our and their culture . . . the family values, the values between people. This is the very solid common denominator,” he says.
But while the Israeli and Chinese populations are strongly aligned at the “grassroots” level, the diplomatic front is not as rosy.
“It’s politics, it’s economic interests — it’s absolutely different,” says Vilnai.

READ MORE.....

'Belt and Road' initiative: The first China-built high-speed rail in Turkey

Reporter: Zou Yue 丨 CCTV.com  10-05-2015

China boasts the fastest and longest high-speed railways in the world. And the world is taking notice. Turkey's Istanbul-Ankara high-speed railway was built by China.
It was a first for the China Railway Construction Corporation, but also a first for Liu Lin. He has been the on-the-ground man for China's largest railway contractor for 6 years. And it was a rough beginning.
Liu Lin, General Manager of Chinese Railway Contractor said:"A Chinese state-owned company and a private Turkish company. It was like a marriage from afar." To make the marriage work, Liu tried every way to bridge the differences.
"The ways we both do business are different. Execution and efficiency, applying these here was a big problem.  We learned the hard way - which maybe is not the best way to do it," said Liu.
$1.2 billion and 4 years of intensive construction later, China's first highspeed rail built outside the country has become a reality. Chinese contractors have finished one third of the 500 kilometer project. So far it's turned out to be a success. But to see how successful it is, we took the train from Ankara to Istanbul.  And we were allowed access to the driver's cabin.

READ MORE....

ICBC becomes the first Chinese bank in Turkey

DAILY SABAH - MAY 25, 2015

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) took over a majority stake in Tekstilbank from Turkish GSD Holding, becoming the first Chinese bank operating in Turkey. Last April, GSD Holding signed a contract to sell its entire stake of 75.5 percent in Tekstilbank to ICBC, one of the four largest of China's banks, for TL 669 million ($256 million). The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) approved the sale on April 3. A statement released by Tekstilbank said: "While taking advantage of corporate, personal, investment and correspondent banking and securities, asset management and other products of the group, Tekstilbank aims to offer service to Turkish and Chinese consumers on a global basis." The statement also said that ICBC's acquisition of stakes in Tekstilbank would help invigorate financial services between Turkey and China and the economic development of both countries, in addition to being a globalization strategy.

READ MORE....

China’s ICBC acquires Turkish lender

INVEST IN TURKEY - 30.04.2014

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world’s largest lender by total assets, has announced an agreement with Turkish GSD Holding for the acquisition of 75.5 percent shares in Tekstilbank. Subject to approval by the relevant authorities in Turkey and China, the TRY 669 million (approx. USD 314 million) deal is slated to make the Chinese lender the latest entrant in Turkey’s lucrative banking sector. Founded in 1986, Tekstilbank is active corporate, retail and investment banking. The rest of Tekstilbank shares are publicly traded on the Borsa Istanbul. With over USD 3 trillion of assets, ICBC is the world’s largest bank. A crisis-tested financial system and a sturdy and profitable banking sector have encouraged many new lenders into Turkey in recent years. The Commercial Bank of Qatar, Kuwaiti Burgan, and Saudi National Commercial Bank have all made their entries into the Turkish banking market via acquisitions in recent years.

READ MORE....

Chinese consortium buys 65% stake of Turkish port terminal

CHINA DAILY - 2015-09-17

BEIJING - A joint venture set up by a Chinese investor consortium has bought a 65 percent share of Turkey's third largest container terminal for $940 million, the company reported Thursday.
The acquisition was made Wednesday by a firm jointly established by the subsidiaries of COSCO Pacific, China Merchants Holdings (International) and an affiliate with the China Investment Corporation, according to a report filed by China COSCO Holdings to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
COSCO Pacific is a subsidiary of China COSCO Holdings, the country's largest shipper.
The investors purchased Kumport Terminal, located on the northwest coast of the Marmara Sea on the European side of Istanbul. It's able to handle 1.84 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) of cargo and has room for expansion to up to 3.5 million TEU capacity.
Located at a gateway to the Black Sea and a strategic interchange between Europe and Asia, the terminal maintained a compound annual growth rate of around 30 percent in container volume over the past five years, according to the report.
It said the deal is a valuable investment opportunity for COSCO Pacific to enhance its terminal profitability, as the terminal has a good growth prospect while Turkey is a strategic location along the Belt and Road, an infrastructure and trade network proposed by China.

READ MORE....

'Belt and Road' initiative: East meets West at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar

CCTV.com  10-05-2015

Buoyed by years of economic growth, China's tourism sector has undergone a huge transformation. And nowhere is more apparent than in countries along the trade routes advocated by China, such as Turkey.
CCTV's Zou yue, who's in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, an important starting port along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, told us about his Turkey visit and the changes people there have seen.
The location of Istanbul is strategic. You still see how trade has changed the world in the same way at a different time.
Like his father before him, Hasim Gureli starts his day by cataloguing his stock, talking with customers, the usual things, but also things that mean so much to him. Gureli said:"I like my business, this is our culture, all are hand-made"
The dealers in the market today do business in a variety of tongues, using different types of money. Together they make up the oldest, largest and busiest closed bazaar in the world.  3,600 stores occupy an area as big as 6 soccer fields, with some dating back to the Ottoman empire, a time which saw the golden era of the old silk road.

READ MORE.....

Sunday, October 4, 2015

'Belt & Road' initiative aims to connect energy network

CCTV.com  10-04-2015

What's the energy picture along the new Silk Road? How can countries cooperate in the energy industry? Let's look at some facts and figures.
As the "One Belt, One Road" Initiative picks up steam, improvements can be expected in transportation and logistics, infrastructure construction, and financing in countries along the route. These should create favorite conditions for exploitation of traditional energy resources such as oil and gas, alongside the development of renewable energy.
Let's first take a look at the current energy landscape worldwide.
According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy for 2014, global primary energy consumption increased by just 0.9 percent last year. But this still represented record highs for every fuel type except nuclear power…and production increased for all fuel types except coal.
Among all the world economies, the Review found that emerging economies accounted for all of the net growth in energy consumption. That's been the case on average over the past decade.
In order to withstand volatility of energy prices, a Chinese government report says countries along the "One Belt, One Road" route in Eurasia should be more aware of the importance of establishing oil and gas pipeline networks connecting regional economic corridors.

READ MORE......