Dubi Ben-Gedalyahu
Globes: Israel's Business Arena - 29/04/2015
Chinese is becoming the dominant force in Israel’s transport infrastructure as it seeks to establish new trade routes in the region. “Independence” is a very popular concept in Israel, however, the concept is a very flexible one. In reality, Israel’s strategic geopolitical position has made it the political and economic playground of foreign powers throughout history, leaving very limited room for the judgment of the “local” residents. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 did not change the big picture much. Until last decade, for example, the dominant force that molded Israel’s financial-political “independence” was the United States. US interests still carry significant weight in Israel’s economic and political conduct, but over the past five years, the beginnings of what may be termed the “Chinese chapter” in the history of the Israeli economy have become apparent.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
A New Article: A View From Ankara: Turkey’s Relations with China in a Changing Middle East
Altay Atli
Mediterranean Quarterly, Volume 26, Number 1, March 2015, pp. 117-136
The Middle East is going through a period of profound change in the wake of the Arab Spring, and there are several dynamics and actors shaping the contours of the change. China is one of the relatively new actors on this stage, actively engaging the Middle East both economically and politically. Beijing’s dependence on Middle East hydrocarbons is increasing, and the stakes are rising in the competition between global powers seeking to secure their interests in the region. It is therefore crucial to examine how relations between China and the countries of the region are taking shape. This essay investigates how Turkey’s relations with China have been evolving in recent years within the context of a changing Middle East and how these relations, at both the bilateral and the regional levels, will be an important factor shaping the dynamics of a transforming region.
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Mediterranean Quarterly, Volume 26, Number 1, March 2015, pp. 117-136
The Middle East is going through a period of profound change in the wake of the Arab Spring, and there are several dynamics and actors shaping the contours of the change. China is one of the relatively new actors on this stage, actively engaging the Middle East both economically and politically. Beijing’s dependence on Middle East hydrocarbons is increasing, and the stakes are rising in the competition between global powers seeking to secure their interests in the region. It is therefore crucial to examine how relations between China and the countries of the region are taking shape. This essay investigates how Turkey’s relations with China have been evolving in recent years within the context of a changing Middle East and how these relations, at both the bilateral and the regional levels, will be an important factor shaping the dynamics of a transforming region.
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A New Report: Interdependence: the dynamics of China and the Middle East
By: Chaoling Feng
The Brookings Doha Center Policy Briefing | April 28, 2015
Brookings Doha Center Publications | No. 43 of 43
n 2013, China surpassed the European Union to become the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s largest trading partner, and Chinese oil imports from the region rival those of the United States. Do China’s growing interests in the Middle East imply a greater commitment to the region’s security? How can China and regional governments reinforce these ties through greater diplomatic engagement?
In a new Policy Briefing, Chaoling Feng addresses the key choices facing Chinese and Middle East policymakers. She finds that China’s continued reliance on a framework of “non-intervention” is being challenged by the region’s divisive conflicts. Indeed, China’s economic interests face mounting risks when even maintaining “neutrality” can be perceived as taking a side. Furthermore, China’s case-by-case, bilateral engagement with MENA countries has hindered efforts to develop a broader diplomatic approach to the region.
Feng argues that China and particularly the GCC states must work to further institutionalize their growing economic interdependence. China, drawing on its experiences in Africa and Latin America, should take a more holistic approach to engagement with the MENA region, while enhancing Chinese institutions for energy trading. GCC countries, for their part, should aim to facilitate bilateral investments in energy production and support China’s plans for Central and West Asian infrastructure development projects.
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The Brookings Doha Center Policy Briefing | April 28, 2015
Brookings Doha Center Publications | No. 43 of 43
n 2013, China surpassed the European Union to become the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s largest trading partner, and Chinese oil imports from the region rival those of the United States. Do China’s growing interests in the Middle East imply a greater commitment to the region’s security? How can China and regional governments reinforce these ties through greater diplomatic engagement?
In a new Policy Briefing, Chaoling Feng addresses the key choices facing Chinese and Middle East policymakers. She finds that China’s continued reliance on a framework of “non-intervention” is being challenged by the region’s divisive conflicts. Indeed, China’s economic interests face mounting risks when even maintaining “neutrality” can be perceived as taking a side. Furthermore, China’s case-by-case, bilateral engagement with MENA countries has hindered efforts to develop a broader diplomatic approach to the region.
Feng argues that China and particularly the GCC states must work to further institutionalize their growing economic interdependence. China, drawing on its experiences in Africa and Latin America, should take a more holistic approach to engagement with the MENA region, while enhancing Chinese institutions for energy trading. GCC countries, for their part, should aim to facilitate bilateral investments in energy production and support China’s plans for Central and West Asian infrastructure development projects.
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China plans mergers to cut number of big state firms to 40: state media
Reuters -
China will likely cut the number of its central government-owned conglomerates to 40 through a series of mergers, as Beijing pushes forward a plan to overhaul the country's underperforming state sector, state media reported on Monday.
Currently, the central government owns 112 conglomerates, including 277 public firms listed on the Shanghai or Shenzhen stock exchanges with a market capitalization of more than 10 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion), according to the official newspaper Economic Information Daily.
The consolidation will first take place in commercial sectors, especially in competitive industries, the paper said quoting an anonymous authority.
"Resources will be increasingly concentrated on large enterprises to avoid cut-throat competition, like what CSR Corp Ltd (601766.SS) (1766.HK) and China CNR Corp Ltd (601299.SS) (6199.HK) did when competing against each other for projects overseas," the paper said.
China will likely cut the number of its central government-owned conglomerates to 40 through a series of mergers, as Beijing pushes forward a plan to overhaul the country's underperforming state sector, state media reported on Monday.
Currently, the central government owns 112 conglomerates, including 277 public firms listed on the Shanghai or Shenzhen stock exchanges with a market capitalization of more than 10 trillion yuan ($1.6 trillion), according to the official newspaper Economic Information Daily.
The consolidation will first take place in commercial sectors, especially in competitive industries, the paper said quoting an anonymous authority.
"Resources will be increasingly concentrated on large enterprises to avoid cut-throat competition, like what CSR Corp Ltd (601766.SS) (1766.HK) and China CNR Corp Ltd (601299.SS) (6199.HK) did when competing against each other for projects overseas," the paper said.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Report: Carriers from Middle East, China pose competitive threat
By Gregory Karp Chicago Tribune contact the reporter
APRIL 27, 2015
The recent high-profile fight about whether three Persian Gulf airlines get unfair government subsidies highlights the next stage of competition in the global airline business, with head-spinning growth not only by Gulf carriers but Chinese ones too, according to a research report released Monday. The big three U.S. airlines, Chicago-based United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have sorted out the domestic market and are "spooked" by what they see as they look for growth in international travel, said the report by aviation data provider OAG, which has its headquarters for the Americas in Downers Grove.
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APRIL 27, 2015
The recent high-profile fight about whether three Persian Gulf airlines get unfair government subsidies highlights the next stage of competition in the global airline business, with head-spinning growth not only by Gulf carriers but Chinese ones too, according to a research report released Monday. The big three U.S. airlines, Chicago-based United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have sorted out the domestic market and are "spooked" by what they see as they look for growth in international travel, said the report by aviation data provider OAG, which has its headquarters for the Americas in Downers Grove.
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The Middle East’s Pivot to Asia
Allies and adversaries alike are “strategically rebalancing” away from the United States and toward China.
By David Rothkopf
FOREIGN POLICY - April 24, 2015
Remember the pivot to Asia? The big signature move of first-term Obama foreign policy? Some called it a “strategic rebalancing.” We were going to reset our priorities, put the conflicts of the Middle East behind us, and devote big efforts to creating and implementing a strategy to deal with the vital strategic moves America needed to make to account for the rise of the world’s fastest-growing region. As it happened, and as anyone with eyes could see, after its champions like Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon left their jobs in Barack Obama’s administration, the initiative lost steam. Since 2013, there have been little more than assertions that the pivot was still pivoting — even though there was precious little concrete evidence to that effect. (See below for a brief note on one of the few significant Asia-Pacific efforts, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.) The region the administration had so hoped to pivot away from, the Middle East, was still sucking up every bit and bite of excess bandwidth, and top officials in the administration just weren’t able to muster up anything much more than symbolic gestures or relatively small initiatives to demonstrate America’s reprioritization of Asia at the top of its foreign-policy to-do list.
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By David Rothkopf
FOREIGN POLICY - April 24, 2015
Remember the pivot to Asia? The big signature move of first-term Obama foreign policy? Some called it a “strategic rebalancing.” We were going to reset our priorities, put the conflicts of the Middle East behind us, and devote big efforts to creating and implementing a strategy to deal with the vital strategic moves America needed to make to account for the rise of the world’s fastest-growing region. As it happened, and as anyone with eyes could see, after its champions like Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon left their jobs in Barack Obama’s administration, the initiative lost steam. Since 2013, there have been little more than assertions that the pivot was still pivoting — even though there was precious little concrete evidence to that effect. (See below for a brief note on one of the few significant Asia-Pacific efforts, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.) The region the administration had so hoped to pivot away from, the Middle East, was still sucking up every bit and bite of excess bandwidth, and top officials in the administration just weren’t able to muster up anything much more than symbolic gestures or relatively small initiatives to demonstrate America’s reprioritization of Asia at the top of its foreign-policy to-do list.
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Algerian PM's China visit to boost bilateral partnership
English.news.cn | 2015-04-28
ALGIERS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal will on Tuesday kick off his three-day visit to China to boost bilateral relations.
According to a statement from the prime minister's office, Sellal will head a large delegation of government officials and members of the country's business community.
The visit follows the 7th session of the Algerian-Chinese Joint Cooperation Commission, held earlier this month in capital Algiers.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Sellal will next week become the first Algerian head of government to visit China since the north African country won independence in 1962.
During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are expected to meet with Sellal. The two sides will exchange views on enhancing bilateral partnership as well as on international and regional issues, Hong Lei, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told a daily news briefing.
Following Beijing, Sellal will also visit Shanghai.
Hong hailed Algeria's contribution in helping China resume its legitimate seat at the United Nations in 1971.
China was a founding member of the United Nations. However, after the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), its seat was occupied by Taiwanese authorities backed by the United States.
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ALGIERS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal will on Tuesday kick off his three-day visit to China to boost bilateral relations.
According to a statement from the prime minister's office, Sellal will head a large delegation of government officials and members of the country's business community.
The visit follows the 7th session of the Algerian-Chinese Joint Cooperation Commission, held earlier this month in capital Algiers.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Sellal will next week become the first Algerian head of government to visit China since the north African country won independence in 1962.
During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang are expected to meet with Sellal. The two sides will exchange views on enhancing bilateral partnership as well as on international and regional issues, Hong Lei, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told a daily news briefing.
Following Beijing, Sellal will also visit Shanghai.
Hong hailed Algeria's contribution in helping China resume its legitimate seat at the United Nations in 1971.
China was a founding member of the United Nations. However, after the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), its seat was occupied by Taiwanese authorities backed by the United States.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015
China’s Middle East Tightrope
Beijing is walking a fine line between Saudi Arabia and Iran. But, in this region, even a big checkbook can't buy friends in both places.
By Ilan Goldenberg, Ely Ratner
Foreign Policy - April 20, 2015
To understand China’s role in the Middle East, consider one recent event, and one recent non-event. In late March, Beijing made headlines by sending warships to rescue hundreds of Chinese and foreign nationals from conflict-torn Yemen. Yet in early April, Chinese President Xi Jinping canceled what was supposed to be his first official trip to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, reportedly as a result of the fighting in Yemen — underscoring that Beijing would rather get out of the kitchen than stand the heat of Middle Eastern politics. Indeed, it is China’s considerable absence, rather than burgeoning influence, that continues to define its role in this turbulent region. China has good reasons to care about events in the Middle East: Roughly half of its oil imports come from the Persian Gulf. Moreover, Beijing worries about extremist elements in the region providing training and inspiration to Muslim separatists in western China.
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By Ilan Goldenberg, Ely Ratner
Foreign Policy - April 20, 2015
To understand China’s role in the Middle East, consider one recent event, and one recent non-event. In late March, Beijing made headlines by sending warships to rescue hundreds of Chinese and foreign nationals from conflict-torn Yemen. Yet in early April, Chinese President Xi Jinping canceled what was supposed to be his first official trip to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, reportedly as a result of the fighting in Yemen — underscoring that Beijing would rather get out of the kitchen than stand the heat of Middle Eastern politics. Indeed, it is China’s considerable absence, rather than burgeoning influence, that continues to define its role in this turbulent region. China has good reasons to care about events in the Middle East: Roughly half of its oil imports come from the Persian Gulf. Moreover, Beijing worries about extremist elements in the region providing training and inspiration to Muslim separatists in western China.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Chinese workers in Israel sign no-sex contract
Conal Urquhart in Tel Aviv
The Guardian - Wednesday 24 December 2003
Chinese workers at a company in Israel have been forced to agree not to have sex with or marry Israelis as a condition of getting a job.
According to a contact they are required to sign, male workers may not have any contact with Israeli women - including prostitutes, a police spokesman, Rafi Yaffe, said.
He said there was nothing illegal about the requirement and that no investigation had been opened.
An Israeli lawyer who did not want to be named said while the contract might appear legal, it would be rejected if challenged in court. "The point is that a Chinese worker will agree to anything and then will not have anyone to help them if there is a problem," he said.
The labourers are also forbidden from engaging in any religious or political activity. The contract states that offenders will be sent back to China at their own expense.
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The Guardian - Wednesday 24 December 2003
Chinese workers at a company in Israel have been forced to agree not to have sex with or marry Israelis as a condition of getting a job.
According to a contact they are required to sign, male workers may not have any contact with Israeli women - including prostitutes, a police spokesman, Rafi Yaffe, said.
He said there was nothing illegal about the requirement and that no investigation had been opened.
An Israeli lawyer who did not want to be named said while the contract might appear legal, it would be rejected if challenged in court. "The point is that a Chinese worker will agree to anything and then will not have anyone to help them if there is a problem," he said.
The labourers are also forbidden from engaging in any religious or political activity. The contract states that offenders will be sent back to China at their own expense.
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Monday, April 20, 2015
Chinese president arrives in Islamabad on historic visit
Dawn.com — April 20, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Islamabad on his maiden visit to Pakistan on Monday. The much anticipated visit is the first by a Chinese president to Pakistan after nine years. The Chinese president was received at the Noor Khan airbase by President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif and members of the prime minister's cabinet. Accompanying the Chinese president is a high-level delegation comprising businessmen and senior government officials. A 21-gun salute and guard of honour was presented to welcome the Chinese president.
Banners reading "Pakistan-China Friendship Zindabad", portraits of the Chinese and Pakistani presidents and flags of the two countries waving across Constitution Avenue welcomed Mr Jinping to the capital.
Mr Jinping's visit is being dubbed as a ‘fate-changing visit’ as he is expected to roll out nearly $28 billion for the first phase of the $45bn flagship Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (PCEC) Project.
Stringent security measures have been taken in the capital while security personnel have been deployed on all the important city roads in wake of the Chinese president's visit.
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Banners reading "Pakistan-China Friendship Zindabad", portraits of the Chinese and Pakistani presidents and flags of the two countries waving across Constitution Avenue welcomed Mr Jinping to the capital.
Mr Jinping's visit is being dubbed as a ‘fate-changing visit’ as he is expected to roll out nearly $28 billion for the first phase of the $45bn flagship Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (PCEC) Project.
Stringent security measures have been taken in the capital while security personnel have been deployed on all the important city roads in wake of the Chinese president's visit.
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Commentary: China-Pakistan traditional friendship faces new development opportunities
English.news.cn | 2015-04-20
BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Pakistan on Monday and Tuesday, which will be his first trip to the South Asian country since he assumed the presidency in 2013 and will bring new development opportunities for the bilateral traditional friendship. Xi's visit shows the importance of China-Pakistan relations, as the South Asian country is a key neighbor as well as an all-weather strategic cooperative partner of China. China and Pakistan are linked by mountains and rivers and the two peoples share a traditional friendship based on sincerity and mutual support since the establishment of diplomatic ties 64 years ago. The Chinese people have always regarded the Pakistani people as reliable friends, and Pakistan has supported China on many issues concerning China's core interests and spared no effort in helping the Chinese people and government when natural disasters occurred. Today, China and Pakistan stand at a new starting point and are blessed with favorable conditions of new opportunities, geographical convenience and common resolve to develop traditional friendship.
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BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Pakistan on Monday and Tuesday, which will be his first trip to the South Asian country since he assumed the presidency in 2013 and will bring new development opportunities for the bilateral traditional friendship. Xi's visit shows the importance of China-Pakistan relations, as the South Asian country is a key neighbor as well as an all-weather strategic cooperative partner of China. China and Pakistan are linked by mountains and rivers and the two peoples share a traditional friendship based on sincerity and mutual support since the establishment of diplomatic ties 64 years ago. The Chinese people have always regarded the Pakistani people as reliable friends, and Pakistan has supported China on many issues concerning China's core interests and spared no effort in helping the Chinese people and government when natural disasters occurred. Today, China and Pakistan stand at a new starting point and are blessed with favorable conditions of new opportunities, geographical convenience and common resolve to develop traditional friendship.
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
China's Welcome Bridge to Pakistan
BLOOMBERG - Apr 19, 2015
American and Chinese leaders like to talk about how they can cooperate in specific areas even as they compete for global influence. Pakistan, where Xi Jinping arrives Monday on the first visit by a Chinese president in nearly a decade, should be one of those areas.
Xi’s trip certainly looks like yet another in a series of power plays by Beijing. He will reportedly announce $46 billion in new energy and infrastructure spending, much of it devoted to a network of roads, rail and pipelines linking the Pakistani port of Gwadar to China’s far western Xinjiang province. China also looks set to build the Pakistani half of a long-delayed natural-gas pipeline to Iran. The infrastructure projects are central to Xi’s ambitious “One Belt, One Road” plan to connect China by land and sea to the Middle East and Europe.
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American and Chinese leaders like to talk about how they can cooperate in specific areas even as they compete for global influence. Pakistan, where Xi Jinping arrives Monday on the first visit by a Chinese president in nearly a decade, should be one of those areas.
Xi’s trip certainly looks like yet another in a series of power plays by Beijing. He will reportedly announce $46 billion in new energy and infrastructure spending, much of it devoted to a network of roads, rail and pipelines linking the Pakistani port of Gwadar to China’s far western Xinjiang province. China also looks set to build the Pakistani half of a long-delayed natural-gas pipeline to Iran. The infrastructure projects are central to Xi’s ambitious “One Belt, One Road” plan to connect China by land and sea to the Middle East and Europe.
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China-aided highway changes life of Pakistanis
English.news.cn | 2015-04-20
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- "I really love working here for the Chinese company," Abass Ali, a Pakistani employee of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), told Xinhua at a construction site next to a barrier lake that is two hours drive from the northern city of Gilgit. The ongoing construction work by the CRBC is the last phase of a project undertaken by the Chinese company to renovate a 335-km stretch of the Karakoram Highway, the only overland connection between China and Pakistan at present. The highway, built with fund from China during 1966-1978, is the only economic lifeline for Pakistan's northern region. Hundreds of Chinese engineers died while building the road. Ali and two of his brothers have been working for the CRBC since 2008 when the CRBC started to upgrade a section of the highway that became increasingly dilapidated because of poor maintainance. Salaries from the job at CRBC made it possible for Ali and his brothers each to build their own houses, and allow them to buy a car for their father. Meanwhile, they also use part of the money they received from the Chinese company to support the education of their two younger siblings. According to Ali, who works as a driver for the CRBC, his two brothers were first hired as general laborers for the company because they were then without any specific skills.
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ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- "I really love working here for the Chinese company," Abass Ali, a Pakistani employee of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), told Xinhua at a construction site next to a barrier lake that is two hours drive from the northern city of Gilgit. The ongoing construction work by the CRBC is the last phase of a project undertaken by the Chinese company to renovate a 335-km stretch of the Karakoram Highway, the only overland connection between China and Pakistan at present. The highway, built with fund from China during 1966-1978, is the only economic lifeline for Pakistan's northern region. Hundreds of Chinese engineers died while building the road. Ali and two of his brothers have been working for the CRBC since 2008 when the CRBC started to upgrade a section of the highway that became increasingly dilapidated because of poor maintainance. Salaries from the job at CRBC made it possible for Ali and his brothers each to build their own houses, and allow them to buy a car for their father. Meanwhile, they also use part of the money they received from the Chinese company to support the education of their two younger siblings. According to Ali, who works as a driver for the CRBC, his two brothers were first hired as general laborers for the company because they were then without any specific skills.
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Dreaming of Uighuristan
By Rustam Qobil
BBC Uzbek - 16 April 2015
The last attempt to create such a state was crushed by the Chinese in 1949, prompting more than 60,000 Uighurs to cross the Soviet border into Central Asia in the years that followed.
Now about 350,000 live in the region, mostly in Kazakhstan, and until recently they were free to voice support for Uighur self-rule in Xinjiang.
But things have been changing, as China has poured investment into Central Asia, building oil and gas pipelines, railways, roads and cross-border trading zones.
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BBC Uzbek - 16 April 2015
The Uighurs of north-western China
have long fled to neighbouring countries of Central Asia to escape
restrictions on their freedom at home. But now - as China's influence
grows across the region - campaigning for Uighur independence has become
impossible in Central Asia too.
The outside world knows a lot
about the Tibetans' historic struggle for independence, but much less
about the Uighurs' dream of a state in Xinjiang, to the north of Tibet -
Uighuristan, as they call it, or just Watan, meaning "homeland".The last attempt to create such a state was crushed by the Chinese in 1949, prompting more than 60,000 Uighurs to cross the Soviet border into Central Asia in the years that followed.
Now about 350,000 live in the region, mostly in Kazakhstan, and until recently they were free to voice support for Uighur self-rule in Xinjiang.
But things have been changing, as China has poured investment into Central Asia, building oil and gas pipelines, railways, roads and cross-border trading zones.
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Friday, April 17, 2015
Xi's visit to Pakistan, Indonesia highlights commitment to stronger ties with neighbors
Xinhua - April 17, 2015
BEIJING, April 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinpingwill visit Pakistanand attend meetings in Indonesia next week, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Friday morning.
The president will pay a state visit to Pakistan from Monday to Tuesday at the invitation of Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement.
At the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi will attend the Asian-African Summit as well as activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference from Tuesday to Friday in Indonesia.
Xi's two-day state visit to Pakistan will be Xi's first trip to the South Asian country since he assumed the presidency in 2013.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the visit would provide a powerful impetus to build on the China-Pakistan friendship and deepen comprehensive collaboration.
Sharif said as 2015 was the Pakistan-China Year of Friendly Exchanges, Xi's visit would lift the strategic cooperative partnership to a new high.
READ MORE.....
BEIJING, April 17 -- Chinese President Xi Jinpingwill visit Pakistanand attend meetings in Indonesia next week, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Friday morning.
The president will pay a state visit to Pakistan from Monday to Tuesday at the invitation of Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement.
At the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Xi will attend the Asian-African Summit as well as activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference from Tuesday to Friday in Indonesia.
Xi's two-day state visit to Pakistan will be Xi's first trip to the South Asian country since he assumed the presidency in 2013.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the visit would provide a powerful impetus to build on the China-Pakistan friendship and deepen comprehensive collaboration.
Sharif said as 2015 was the Pakistan-China Year of Friendly Exchanges, Xi's visit would lift the strategic cooperative partnership to a new high.
READ MORE.....
Erdoğan: Doğu Türkistan'dan gelen haberlerden endişeliyiz
SABAH - 17.04.2015
Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Kazakistan'da bulunun Ahmet Yesevi Üniversitesi'nde konuştu. Erdoğan'a fahri doktora verildi. Cumhurbaşkanı Tayyip Erdoğan'a Türkistan'da fahri doktora verildi. Erdoğan, Türkistan'da Ahmet Yesevi Üniversitesi'nde bir de konuşma yaptı. Erdoğan'ın konuşmasından satır başları: Ortak kültür tarihimizden aldığımız bu mirası gelecek nesillere aktarmak görevimizdir. -Türkiye olarak, tarihimizin ve coğrafyamızın bize yüklediği sorumlulukların farkındayız. - Mısır'da darbeci yönetim verdiği idam kararlarıyla halkta büyük yaralar açıyor. - Filistinlilerin haklarına saygı göstermeyen İsrail'in politikacıları yüzünden bölgede huzursuzluk hala devam ediyor. Myanmar'dan, Doğu Türkistan'dan gelen haberler bizleri endişelendirmeye devam ediyor.
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Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Kazakistan'da bulunun Ahmet Yesevi Üniversitesi'nde konuştu. Erdoğan'a fahri doktora verildi. Cumhurbaşkanı Tayyip Erdoğan'a Türkistan'da fahri doktora verildi. Erdoğan, Türkistan'da Ahmet Yesevi Üniversitesi'nde bir de konuşma yaptı. Erdoğan'ın konuşmasından satır başları: Ortak kültür tarihimizden aldığımız bu mirası gelecek nesillere aktarmak görevimizdir. -Türkiye olarak, tarihimizin ve coğrafyamızın bize yüklediği sorumlulukların farkındayız. - Mısır'da darbeci yönetim verdiği idam kararlarıyla halkta büyük yaralar açıyor. - Filistinlilerin haklarına saygı göstermeyen İsrail'in politikacıları yüzünden bölgede huzursuzluk hala devam ediyor. Myanmar'dan, Doğu Türkistan'dan gelen haberler bizleri endişelendirmeye devam ediyor.
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Soldiers of navy escort fleet receive training
Chinanews.com - April 17, 2015
Soldiers of the 20th fleet from China's navy train
while sailing to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali to escort civil
ships, April 16, 2015. The fleet is comprised of the missile destroyer
Jinan, missile frigate Yiyang and supply ship Qiandaohu. It is equipped
with two helicopters and staffed by dozens of special operation soldiers
and more than 800 officers and soldiers. (Photo: China News Service/Dai
Zongfeng)
READ MORE.....
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Thursday, April 16, 2015
China stresses dialogue in improving international security cooperation
Xinhua - April 17, 2015
MOSCOW, April 16 -- China insists that every country should place
equal emphasis on development and security while advocating
sustainability in the process and having common prosperity as the basic
objective.
The remarks were made by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in addressing the Fourth Moscow Conference on International Security held in the Russian capital Thursday.
To improve international cooperation in security and cope with global challenges in this regard, China believes it is necessary to advance establishing a fair and just international order, said Chang.
"All nations should safeguard the tenets and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and work together to undertake the responsibility of safeguarding regional and international security and build a new international relationship characterized by win-win, cooperative nature at the core," said Chang.
It is important to insist in the effective way of developing cooperation via dialogue and all countries should work hard to forge security interest ties, improve crisis control and properly settle disputes by taking the other side's rational concerns into consideration, Chang stressed.
READ MORE....
The remarks were made by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in addressing the Fourth Moscow Conference on International Security held in the Russian capital Thursday.
To improve international cooperation in security and cope with global challenges in this regard, China believes it is necessary to advance establishing a fair and just international order, said Chang.
"All nations should safeguard the tenets and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and work together to undertake the responsibility of safeguarding regional and international security and build a new international relationship characterized by win-win, cooperative nature at the core," said Chang.
It is important to insist in the effective way of developing cooperation via dialogue and all countries should work hard to forge security interest ties, improve crisis control and properly settle disputes by taking the other side's rational concerns into consideration, Chang stressed.
READ MORE....
Egypt joins China-based infrastructure bank, hopes for funds
YAHOO NEWS - APRIL 16, 2015
Cairo (AFP) - Egypt has been approved as a founding member of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, opening the way for it to benefit from the bank's $50 billion in funds, the foreign ministry said Thursday.
Cairo (AFP) - Egypt has been approved as a founding member of the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, opening the way for it to benefit from the bank's $50 billion in funds, the foreign ministry said Thursday.
Britain, Germany, France and
Italy are also among the 57 founders of the AIIB, despite scepticism
about it in Washington and Tokyo.
As
a result of its acceptance, Cairo will also have access to its "vast
funding opportunities to finance development and infrastructure
projects," the ministry said.
It will also be able to participate in formulating the institution's regulations and policies, the ministry said.
President
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who ousted his Islamist Mohamed Morsi in 2013,
has vowed to revive Egypt's economy battered after years of political
turmoil.
Turkey detains two suspected IS members from China
CCTV.com 04-15-2015
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has responded to Turkish reports that Turkey has detained two Chinese nationals suspected of being members of the Islamic State militant group. The reports say the two were caught as they attempted to enter Turkish borders last week.
Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press conference there has been collusion between an Islamic militant group active in western China, and Islamic State. He said the group, named the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, has been responsible for terrorist attacks in China, and has also sent its members to conflict areas. And it is a grave threat to stability and security in the region and internationally. Hong said fighting the East Turkestan Islamic Movement is a part of the international counter-terrorism campaign, and China will strengthen international collaboration to do so.
READ MORE....
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has responded to Turkish reports that Turkey has detained two Chinese nationals suspected of being members of the Islamic State militant group. The reports say the two were caught as they attempted to enter Turkish borders last week.
Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press conference there has been collusion between an Islamic militant group active in western China, and Islamic State. He said the group, named the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, has been responsible for terrorist attacks in China, and has also sent its members to conflict areas. And it is a grave threat to stability and security in the region and internationally. Hong said fighting the East Turkestan Islamic Movement is a part of the international counter-terrorism campaign, and China will strengthen international collaboration to do so.
READ MORE....
Israel joins Chinese infrastructure bank
Amiram Barkat
Globes - 15/04/2015
The secretariat of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(AIIB) today officially announced that Israel had been approved as the
bank's 52nd out of 57 founding members. The Chinese initiative for
founding the multinational financial institution was designed to provide
financing for infrastructure development projects in Asian countries -
general development of the region. The founding of the bank is slated
for completion towards the end of this year.
The bank's founding is arousing concern in the US, which fears that it is the start of a process that will eventually end the dominance currently enjoyed by the US in the world's important financial institutions. Former US Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers even warned 10 days ago that "This past month may be remembered as the moment the United States lost its role as the underwriter of the global economic system."
READ MORE....
Globes - 15/04/2015
Israel is joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) despite US opposition.
The bank's founding is arousing concern in the US, which fears that it is the start of a process that will eventually end the dominance currently enjoyed by the US in the world's important financial institutions. Former US Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers even warned 10 days ago that "This past month may be remembered as the moment the United States lost its role as the underwriter of the global economic system."
READ MORE....
Chinese Leader to Pledge $46 Billion for Projects in Pakistan
SPUTNIK - 16.04.2015
During a two day visit to Pakistan next week, Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to finalize a $46 billion deal which will jumpstart Pakistani infrastructure projects and strengthen ties between the two nations. According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, President Xi will visit on Monday and Tuesday, and plans to cement several multi-billion dollar agreements. If the deal goes through, Chinese will invest $34 billion in energy contracts and $12 billion in infrastructure projects.
The move is likely to worry US officials. As tensions rise between Washington and Beijing over the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, the US has expressed concerns about the growing influence of China in the region. Stronger ties with China’s neighbor to the west will likely increase those concerns. But Pakistani officials think that a Chinese partnership will prove beneficial. "China treats us as a friend, an ally, a partner and above all an equal – not how the Americans and others do," Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistani parliament’s defense committee said, according to Reuters.
READ MORE....
The move is likely to worry US officials. As tensions rise between Washington and Beijing over the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, the US has expressed concerns about the growing influence of China in the region. Stronger ties with China’s neighbor to the west will likely increase those concerns. But Pakistani officials think that a Chinese partnership will prove beneficial. "China treats us as a friend, an ally, a partner and above all an equal – not how the Americans and others do," Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistani parliament’s defense committee said, according to Reuters.
READ MORE....
China Has a Role to Play in Setting the ‘Right’ Standards
Yukon Huang
Op-Ed April 9, 2015 - Financial Times
Summary The shaping of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank should be seen not as a threat to achieving the highest standards, but as a rare opportunity to help existing multilateral agencies develop the right standards.
With nearly 50 applicants so far, the attention of the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has shifted from concerns that it would not secure enough participants for a credible presence on the international stage to having possibly too many to coalesce on important issues. Now comes the hard part: creating a development institution that is responsive to both the diverse needs of its Asian borrowers and the governance concerns of its broader funding countries in Europe and elsewhere. Joining the bank is not politically feasible for Washington in the foreseeable future given the negative congressional sentiments, but the messages coming from the US have become more constructive, shifting from adamant opposition to signalling a willingness to co-operate in statements from senior Treasury officials. Yet these statements continue to raise concerns about whether the AIIB — with an intended $100bn registered capital — will adhere to the “highest standards” and over conditions on safeguards relating to social and environmental consequences at project level. Some of the later applicant countries such as Australia have cited such reservations to justify their initially lukewarm approach to joining.
READ MORE.....
Op-Ed April 9, 2015 - Financial Times
Summary The shaping of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank should be seen not as a threat to achieving the highest standards, but as a rare opportunity to help existing multilateral agencies develop the right standards.
With nearly 50 applicants so far, the attention of the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has shifted from concerns that it would not secure enough participants for a credible presence on the international stage to having possibly too many to coalesce on important issues. Now comes the hard part: creating a development institution that is responsive to both the diverse needs of its Asian borrowers and the governance concerns of its broader funding countries in Europe and elsewhere. Joining the bank is not politically feasible for Washington in the foreseeable future given the negative congressional sentiments, but the messages coming from the US have become more constructive, shifting from adamant opposition to signalling a willingness to co-operate in statements from senior Treasury officials. Yet these statements continue to raise concerns about whether the AIIB — with an intended $100bn registered capital — will adhere to the “highest standards” and over conditions on safeguards relating to social and environmental consequences at project level. Some of the later applicant countries such as Australia have cited such reservations to justify their initially lukewarm approach to joining.
READ MORE.....
With
nearly 50 applicants so far, the attention of the China-initiated Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank has shifted from concerns that it would
not secure enough participants for a credible presence on the
international stage to having possibly too many to coalesce on important
issues. Now comes the hard part: creating a development institution
that is responsive to both the diverse needs of its Asian borrowers and
the governance concerns of its broader funding countries in Europe and
elsewhere.
Joining the bank is not politically feasible for Washington in the foreseeable future given the negative congressional sentiments, but the messages coming from the US have become more constructive, shifting from adamant opposition to signalling a willingness to co-operate in statements from senior Treasury officials. Yet these statements continue to raise concerns about whether the AIIB — with an intended $100bn registered capital — will adhere to the “highest standards” and over conditions on safeguards relating to social and environmental consequences at project level. Some of the later applicant countries such as Australia have cited such reservations to justify their initially lukewarm approach to joining.
Read more at: http://carnegieendowment.org/2015/04/09/china-has-role-to-play-in-setting-right-standards/i68e?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRois6jKZKXonjHpfsX76O8uXKSg38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YcHT8p0aPyQAgobGp5I5FEIQ7XYTLB2t60MWA%3D%3D
Joining the bank is not politically feasible for Washington in the foreseeable future given the negative congressional sentiments, but the messages coming from the US have become more constructive, shifting from adamant opposition to signalling a willingness to co-operate in statements from senior Treasury officials. Yet these statements continue to raise concerns about whether the AIIB — with an intended $100bn registered capital — will adhere to the “highest standards” and over conditions on safeguards relating to social and environmental consequences at project level. Some of the later applicant countries such as Australia have cited such reservations to justify their initially lukewarm approach to joining.
Read more at: http://carnegieendowment.org/2015/04/09/china-has-role-to-play-in-setting-right-standards/i68e?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRois6jKZKXonjHpfsX76O8uXKSg38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YcHT8p0aPyQAgobGp5I5FEIQ7XYTLB2t60MWA%3D%3D
The Future of U.S.-China Relations Under Xi Jinping:
Toward a New Framework of Constructive Realism for a Common Purpose
Summary Report, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School April 2015
Kevin Rudd, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
The future relationship between China and the United States is one of the mega-changes and mega-challenges of our age. China’s rise is the geopolitical equivalent of the melting polar ice caps – gradual change on a massive scale that can suddenly lead to dramatic turns of events.
In this Summary Report of a longer forthcoming work, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a senior fellow at the Belfer Center, asks if this defining trend of the 21st century can be managed peacefully. He argues that it can – if Washington and Beijing commit to placing their relationship on a stable, long-term footing.
Rudd's findings emerge from a major study he led at the Belfer Center on the possibilities and impacts of a new strategic relationship between China and the United States.
The choice is stark: Either China and America will author a common narrative of mutually beneficial achievements, or they will drift toward conflict. While the likelihood of near-term conflict is low, leaders on both sides of the Pacific are well aware of “Thucydides’ Trap,” the historical pattern of conflict when rising powers rival ruling ones.
Avoiding that trap means answering key questions about U.S.-China relations:
FULL REPORT.....
Summary Report, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School April 2015
Kevin Rudd, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
The future relationship between China and the United States is one of the mega-changes and mega-challenges of our age. China’s rise is the geopolitical equivalent of the melting polar ice caps – gradual change on a massive scale that can suddenly lead to dramatic turns of events.
In this Summary Report of a longer forthcoming work, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a senior fellow at the Belfer Center, asks if this defining trend of the 21st century can be managed peacefully. He argues that it can – if Washington and Beijing commit to placing their relationship on a stable, long-term footing.
Rudd's findings emerge from a major study he led at the Belfer Center on the possibilities and impacts of a new strategic relationship between China and the United States.
The choice is stark: Either China and America will author a common narrative of mutually beneficial achievements, or they will drift toward conflict. While the likelihood of near-term conflict is low, leaders on both sides of the Pacific are well aware of “Thucydides’ Trap,” the historical pattern of conflict when rising powers rival ruling ones.
Avoiding that trap means answering key questions about U.S.-China relations:
- Is China’s economic rise sustainable?
- How will China exert power differently under Xi Jinping?
- What does Beijing regard as Washington’s grand strategy toward China – and vice versa?
- What are the risks of armed conflict?
- How will China’s growing clout impact the regional and global order?
- Can both sides develop a common strategic narrative?
FULL REPORT.....
"Katar'ın iki bankası, Çin'le İslami bankacılık konusunda bir anlaşmaya vardı."
卡塔尔银行拟与西南证券在华成立金融公司
美股腾讯证券[微博]
2015-04-14
美股腾讯证券[微博]
2015-04-14
腾讯证券讯 北京时间4月14日下午消息，卡塔尔央行行长阿勒萨尼（Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani）周二向媒体透露，卡塔尔国内两家银行计划与中国券商西南证券签署一项谅解备忘录，双方将共同设立一家公司处理在华伊斯兰金融交易。
这两家银行分别是卡塔尔国民银行（Qatar National Bank）和卡塔尔国际伊斯兰银行（Qatar International Islamic Bank），不过，阿勒萨尼并未透露有关新公司的更多细节。
官
网资料显示，西南证券成立于1999年，注册资本23.23亿元，是重庆地区唯一一家全国综合性证券公司。公司在全国19个经济中心城市设有41家营业网
点，在北京、上海、深圳、成都、重庆5地设有投资银行业务部，并于2010年设立了从事直接投资业务的全资控股子公司西证股权投资有限公司。（萧何）
微信扫一扫，关注您的私人投资管家——腾讯证券公众号：腾讯证券（qqzixuangu）
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
The Leader Ruling China, from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping
David M. Lampton
University of California Press - 2014
With unique access to Chinese leaders at all levels of the party and
government, best-selling author David M. Lampton tells the story of
China’s political elites from their own perspectives. Based on over five
hundred interviews, Following the Leader offers a rare glimpse into how
the attitudes and ideas of those at the top have evolved over the past
four decades. Here China’s rulers explain their strategies and ideas for
moving the nation forward, share their reflections on matters of
leadership and policy, and discuss the challenges that keep them awake
at night.
As the Chinese Communist Party installs its new president, Xi Jinping, for a presumably ten-year term, questions abound. How will the country move forward as its explosive rate of economic growth begins to slow? How does it plan to deal with domestic and international calls for political reform and to cope with an aging population, not to mention an increasingly fragmented bureaucracy and society? In this insightful book we learn how China’s leaders see the nation’s political future, as well as about its global strategic influence.
Table of Contents
1. Evolution in the Revolution
Part One. China, a Wide-Angle View
2. Governance and Leadership
3. Policy Making
4. The World
Part Two. China, an Up-Close View
5. Nightmares
6. Soldiers and Civilians
7. Negotiation Chinese Style
READ MORE.....
University of California Press - 2014
As the Chinese Communist Party installs its new president, Xi Jinping, for a presumably ten-year term, questions abound. How will the country move forward as its explosive rate of economic growth begins to slow? How does it plan to deal with domestic and international calls for political reform and to cope with an aging population, not to mention an increasingly fragmented bureaucracy and society? In this insightful book we learn how China’s leaders see the nation’s political future, as well as about its global strategic influence.
Table of Contents
1. Evolution in the Revolution
Part One. China, a Wide-Angle View
2. Governance and Leadership
3. Policy Making
4. The World
Part Two. China, an Up-Close View
5. Nightmares
6. Soldiers and Civilians
7. Negotiation Chinese Style
READ MORE.....
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
"The China Challenge"
The Boston Globe - April 3, 2015
Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor
Since World War II, the United States has been the most powerful state in world politics. Many analysts view a rising China as the most likely contender to end the American century. One recent book is even entitled "When China Rules the World."
Most projections of Chinese power are based on the rapid growth rate of its GDP, and China may pass the United States in total economic size in the 2020s. But even then, it will be decades before it equals America in per capita income (a measure of the sophistication of an economy). China also has other significant power resources. In terms of basic resources, its territory is equal to that of the United States and its population is four times greater. It has the world's largest army, more than 250 nuclear weapons, and modern capabilities in space and cyberspace. In soft power (the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than payment or coercion), China still lacks cultural industries able to compete with Hollywood; its universities are not top ranked; and it lacks the many non-governmental organizations that generate much of America's soft or attractive power.
In the 1990s, I wrote that the rapid rise of China might cause the type of conflict predicted by Thucydides when he attributed the disastrous Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece to the rise in the power of Athens and the fear it created in Sparta. Today, I think that is unlikely, though some analysts flatly assert that China cannot rise peacefully. Many draw analogies to World War I, when Germany had surpassed Britain in industrial power. But we should also recall Thucydides' other warning, that belief in the inevitability of conflict can become one of its main causes. Each side, believing it will end up at war with the other, makes reasonable military preparations which then are read by the other side as confirmation of its worst fears.
READ MORE....
Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor
Since World War II, the United States has been the most powerful state in world politics. Many analysts view a rising China as the most likely contender to end the American century. One recent book is even entitled "When China Rules the World."
Most projections of Chinese power are based on the rapid growth rate of its GDP, and China may pass the United States in total economic size in the 2020s. But even then, it will be decades before it equals America in per capita income (a measure of the sophistication of an economy). China also has other significant power resources. In terms of basic resources, its territory is equal to that of the United States and its population is four times greater. It has the world's largest army, more than 250 nuclear weapons, and modern capabilities in space and cyberspace. In soft power (the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than payment or coercion), China still lacks cultural industries able to compete with Hollywood; its universities are not top ranked; and it lacks the many non-governmental organizations that generate much of America's soft or attractive power.
In the 1990s, I wrote that the rapid rise of China might cause the type of conflict predicted by Thucydides when he attributed the disastrous Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece to the rise in the power of Athens and the fear it created in Sparta. Today, I think that is unlikely, though some analysts flatly assert that China cannot rise peacefully. Many draw analogies to World War I, when Germany had surpassed Britain in industrial power. But we should also recall Thucydides' other warning, that belief in the inevitability of conflict can become one of its main causes. Each side, believing it will end up at war with the other, makes reasonable military preparations which then are read by the other side as confirmation of its worst fears.
READ MORE....
CFP: Trans-l Encounters: Religious Education and Islamic Popular Culture in Asia and the Middle East
Call for Papers International Conference:
Trans-l Encounters: Religious Education and Islamic Popular Culture in Asia and the Middle East
The research network “Re-Configurations: History, Remembrance and Transformation Processes in the Middle East and North Africa” invites submissions for the international conference “Trans-l Encounters: Religious Education and Islamic Popular Culture in Asia and the Middle East”, to be held between 26 and 28 May 2016 at the Philipps-Universität Marburg. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 01 October 2015.
Follow this link: http://www.uni-marburg.de/cnms/forschung/re-konfigurationen/aktuelles/news/call_for_papers_transregional_islamic_encounters.
--
Prof. Dr. Claudia Derichs
Philipps University Marburg / Centre for Global Cooperation Research Duisburg
derichs[a]gcr21.uni-due.de
Trans-l Encounters: Religious Education and Islamic Popular Culture in Asia and the Middle East
The research network “Re-Configurations: History, Remembrance and Transformation Processes in the Middle East and North Africa” invites submissions for the international conference “Trans-l Encounters: Religious Education and Islamic Popular Culture in Asia and the Middle East”, to be held between 26 and 28 May 2016 at the Philipps-Universität Marburg. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 01 October 2015.
Follow this link: http://www.uni-marburg.de/cnms/forschung/re-konfigurationen/aktuelles/news/call_for_papers_transregional_islamic_encounters.
--
Prof. Dr. Claudia Derichs
Philipps University Marburg / Centre for Global Cooperation Research Duisburg
derichs[a]gcr21.uni-due.de
A New Report: Revising U.S. Grand Strategy Toward China
Council on Foreign Relations April 2015
"China represents and will remain the most significant competitor to the United States for decades to come. As such, the need for a more coherent U.S. response to increasing Chinese power is long overdue," write CFR Senior Fellow Robert D. Blackwill and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Associate Ashley J. Tellis in a new Council Special Report, Revising U.S. Grand Strategy Toward China.
"Because the American effort to 'integrate' China into the liberal international order has now generated new threats to U.S. primacy in Asia—and could result in a consequential challenge to American power globally—Washington needs a new grand strategy toward China that centers on balancing the rise of Chinese power rather than continuing to assist its ascendancy."
The authors argue that such a strategy is designed to limit the dangers that China's geoeconomic and military power pose to U.S. national interests in Asia and globally, even as the United States and its allies maintain diplomatic and economic interactions with China.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT......
"China represents and will remain the most significant competitor to the United States for decades to come. As such, the need for a more coherent U.S. response to increasing Chinese power is long overdue," write CFR Senior Fellow Robert D. Blackwill and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Associate Ashley J. Tellis in a new Council Special Report, Revising U.S. Grand Strategy Toward China.
"Because the American effort to 'integrate' China into the liberal international order has now generated new threats to U.S. primacy in Asia—and could result in a consequential challenge to American power globally—Washington needs a new grand strategy toward China that centers on balancing the rise of Chinese power rather than continuing to assist its ascendancy."
The authors argue that such a strategy is designed to limit the dangers that China's geoeconomic and military power pose to U.S. national interests in Asia and globally, even as the United States and its allies maintain diplomatic and economic interactions with China.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT......
Joint Conference: The Silk Road Heritage in Asia's Imagined Futures - May 14-15, 2015
China Policy Institute
University of Nottingham
Date: Thursday 14th (09:00) - Friday 15th May 2015 (18:00)
Queries can be directed to Mrs Hua Geddes, External Relations Manager, hua.geddes (at) nottingham.ac.uk
This joint conference aims to examine China's New Silk Road (NSR) initiative in historical perspective. How do NSR geo-political, economic and cultural realities measure up with life on the Silk Road in pre-modern times? Beyond superficial symbolism, can a continuum of globalisation be drawn from pre-modernity to modernity? How do we historically characterise and parse down moments of trade intensification across Eurasia? And how might such an undertaking help predict the future of the continent? How does Chinese NSR or pan-Asian rhetoric compare with other pan-Asian strands elsewhere at present and further back in time? Will NSR impact on the formulation of ideology, religion or culture across Eurasia in the near future? To what extent can China’s New Confucian discourse capture the hearts and minds of Asians, where Maoism previously failed? To what extent can NSR temper ethnic tension in Xinjiang? These are some of the question we will hopefully try to tackle.
Joint Organisers:
HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme at Durham University
The China Policy Institute at the University of Nottingham
Sponsors:
The Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW)
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cpi/news-events/events/silk-road-event-14-5-2015.aspx
University of Nottingham
Date: Thursday 14th (09:00) - Friday 15th May 2015 (18:00)
Queries can be directed to Mrs Hua Geddes, External Relations Manager, hua.geddes (at) nottingham.ac.uk
This joint conference aims to examine China's New Silk Road (NSR) initiative in historical perspective. How do NSR geo-political, economic and cultural realities measure up with life on the Silk Road in pre-modern times? Beyond superficial symbolism, can a continuum of globalisation be drawn from pre-modernity to modernity? How do we historically characterise and parse down moments of trade intensification across Eurasia? And how might such an undertaking help predict the future of the continent? How does Chinese NSR or pan-Asian rhetoric compare with other pan-Asian strands elsewhere at present and further back in time? Will NSR impact on the formulation of ideology, religion or culture across Eurasia in the near future? To what extent can China’s New Confucian discourse capture the hearts and minds of Asians, where Maoism previously failed? To what extent can NSR temper ethnic tension in Xinjiang? These are some of the question we will hopefully try to tackle.
Joint Organisers:
HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme at Durham University
The China Policy Institute at the University of Nottingham
Sponsors:
The Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW)
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cpi/news-events/events/silk-road-event-14-5-2015.aspx
Imams dancing to “Little Apple” in Uch Turpan, Xinjiang
By Sic on March 25, 2015
Imams in Uch Turpan dancing to the internet hit ‘Little Apple’ (Spring 2015)
Song and dance has long been harnessed
in the service of China’s state policy, but this latest campaign in
Xinjiang seems set to make music and dance into an ideological
battleground.
Throughout Spring 2015, the people of Xinjiang have been involved in one of China’s more bizarre social campaigns: organised public dancing sessions to the internet hit ‘Little Apple’ (小苹果), in order to promote social harmony and combat religious extremism.
READ MORE.....
Imams in Uch Turpan dancing to the internet hit ‘Little Apple’ (Spring 2015)
Song and dance has long been harnessed
in the service of China’s state policy, but this latest campaign in
Xinjiang seems set to make music and dance into an ideological
battleground.Throughout Spring 2015, the people of Xinjiang have been involved in one of China’s more bizarre social campaigns: organised public dancing sessions to the internet hit ‘Little Apple’ (小苹果), in order to promote social harmony and combat religious extremism.
READ MORE.....
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
China and the Middle East Academic Network and Mailing List at VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY
China and the Middle East Academic Network and Mailing List
China and the Middle East Mailing List is a scholarly network for all scholars and across disciplines such as sociology, political science, history, international studies and international relations. The major aim of this network is to study and understand China and the Middle East.
China and the Middle East mailing list facilitates the academic exchange of information on conferences, panels, articles, books, and events.
China and the Middle East
http://chinaandthemiddleeast.blogspot.com/
THE LIST STATISTIC
* Country Subscribers
* ------- -----------
* ??? (AC) 1
* Australia 6
* Austria 1
* Canada 2
* China 5
* Colombia 1
* France 2
* Germany 3
* Hong Kong 1
* India 4
* Indonesia 1
* Islamic Republic of Iran 1
* Israel 2
* Italy 1
* Japan 5
* Malaysia 4
* Netherlands 2
* New Zealand 1
* Republic of Korea 1
* Singapore 9
* Switzerland 1
* Turkey 13
* United arab emirates 3
* United kingdom 9
* United states 166
*
* Total number of users subscribed to the list: 245
* Total number of countries represented: 25
--
Tugrul Keskin
Assistant Professor of International and Middle Eastern Studies
Portland State University
Editor of Sociology of Islam Journal (Brill)
Region Editor of Critical Sociology (Middle East and North Africa)
Book Review Editor of Societies Without Borders
China and the Middle East Mailing List is a scholarly network for all scholars and across disciplines such as sociology, political science, history, international studies and international relations. The major aim of this network is to study and understand China and the Middle East.
China and the Middle East mailing list facilitates the academic exchange of information on conferences, panels, articles, books, and events.
China and the Middle East
http://chinaandthemiddleeast.blogspot.com/
THE LIST STATISTIC
* Country Subscribers
* ------- -----------
* ??? (AC) 1
* Australia 6
* Austria 1
* Canada 2
* China 5
* Colombia 1
* France 2
* Germany 3
* Hong Kong 1
* India 4
* Indonesia 1
* Islamic Republic of Iran 1
* Israel 2
* Italy 1
* Japan 5
* Malaysia 4
* Netherlands 2
* New Zealand 1
* Republic of Korea 1
* Singapore 9
* Switzerland 1
* Turkey 13
* United arab emirates 3
* United kingdom 9
* United states 166
*
* Total number of users subscribed to the list: 245
* Total number of countries represented: 25
--
Tugrul Keskin
Assistant Professor of International and Middle Eastern Studies
Portland State University
Editor of Sociology of Islam Journal (Brill)
Region Editor of Critical Sociology (Middle East and North Africa)
Book Review Editor of Societies Without Borders
China: Egypt’s advancement towards the East on the chessboard
Aya Nader
Daily News Egypt - March 13, 2015
A significant part of Egypt’s move towards the East to check Western influence is China. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi gave a speech before the Egyptian-Chinese Business Council in China late December, inviting Chinese investors and companies to actively participate in the Economic Summit.
“This population is now inviting you to form a serious partnership and have constructive cooperation to achieve development,” the president said.
China was the first country outside the Arab region that Al-Sisi visited after his inauguration, with the Chinese premiere set to visit Egypt in April, Kandil said.
China’s policy towards Egypt has been clear and fixed for four years. It stood by both the 25 January and 30 June Revolutions, Kandil said.
“There is concordance between both the Egyptian and Chinese governments,” he added.
READ MORE....
Daily News Egypt - March 13, 2015
A significant part of Egypt’s move towards the East to check Western influence is China. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi gave a speech before the Egyptian-Chinese Business Council in China late December, inviting Chinese investors and companies to actively participate in the Economic Summit.
“This population is now inviting you to form a serious partnership and have constructive cooperation to achieve development,” the president said.
China was the first country outside the Arab region that Al-Sisi visited after his inauguration, with the Chinese premiere set to visit Egypt in April, Kandil said.
China’s policy towards Egypt has been clear and fixed for four years. It stood by both the 25 January and 30 June Revolutions, Kandil said.
“There is concordance between both the Egyptian and Chinese governments,” he added.
READ MORE....
Trade between China, Israel at record high
T24 - March 21st 2015
Trade between Israel and China in 2014 reached record peaks Haaretz newspaper reported on Friday. Calculating completed deals, transactions and plans for future transactions, the tally for 2014 reaches close to $4 billion.
The figure was determined by a law firm working on mergers and acquisitions involving Chinese companies, Weinstock Zecler & Co, led by partner Micki Shapira.
Shapira reported that Chinese investors are "investing more broadly in the Israeli economy."
“We are currently seeing the Chinese also investing in local venture capital funds, which had not happened before,” he said. “At its peak, it involves huge investment on their part in the Israeli market via holdings in companies like Tnuva and [Adama]. The trend will grow: 2014 is just the beginning, and we are already dealing with two more transactions and getting additional inquiries. If 2015 continues this way, it will surpass 2014.”
READ MORE....
Trade between Israel and China in 2014 reached record peaks Haaretz newspaper reported on Friday. Calculating completed deals, transactions and plans for future transactions, the tally for 2014 reaches close to $4 billion.
The figure was determined by a law firm working on mergers and acquisitions involving Chinese companies, Weinstock Zecler & Co, led by partner Micki Shapira.
Shapira reported that Chinese investors are "investing more broadly in the Israeli economy."
“We are currently seeing the Chinese also investing in local venture capital funds, which had not happened before,” he said. “At its peak, it involves huge investment on their part in the Israeli market via holdings in companies like Tnuva and [Adama]. The trend will grow: 2014 is just the beginning, and we are already dealing with two more transactions and getting additional inquiries. If 2015 continues this way, it will surpass 2014.”
READ MORE....
SINO-ISRAELI RELATIONS
- "Ushering in a New Scene in China's Development of Rule of Law"(2015-01-22)
- Israeli President Shimon Peres gives an interview to Chinese press(2014-04-08)
- The Jerusalem Post Publishes Ambassador Gao Yanping's Article Entitled "China-Israel relations are bound to blossom"(2014-04-04)
- President Shimon Peres of the State of Israel will visit China(2014-04-03)
China and Iran Economic, Political, and Military Relations by Scott Warren Harold, Alireza Nader
RAND CORPORATION - 2012
Over the past few decades, China and Iran have developed a broad and deep partnership centered on China's energy needs and Iran's abundant resources as well as significant non-energy economic ties, arms sales and defense cooperation, and geostrategic balancing against the United States. This partnership presents a unique challenge to U.S. interests and objectives. In particular, China's policies have hampered U.S. and international efforts to dissuade Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. This paper examines factors driving Chinese-Iranian cooperation, potential tensions in the Chinese-Iranian partnership, and U.S. policy options for influencing this partnership to meet U.S. objectives. The authors conclude that the U.S. ability to fundamentally reshape China's relationship with Iran is fairly limited, but that the United States should continue to forestall an Iranian nuclear weapons capability and pressure China to reduce ties to Iran.
READ MORE.....
Over the past few decades, China and Iran have developed a broad and deep partnership centered on China's energy needs and Iran's abundant resources as well as significant non-energy economic ties, arms sales and defense cooperation, and geostrategic balancing against the United States. This partnership presents a unique challenge to U.S. interests and objectives. In particular, China's policies have hampered U.S. and international efforts to dissuade Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability. This paper examines factors driving Chinese-Iranian cooperation, potential tensions in the Chinese-Iranian partnership, and U.S. policy options for influencing this partnership to meet U.S. objectives. The authors conclude that the U.S. ability to fundamentally reshape China's relationship with Iran is fairly limited, but that the United States should continue to forestall an Iranian nuclear weapons capability and pressure China to reduce ties to Iran.
READ MORE.....
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Chinese Foreign Policy Comes of Age
By ANDREW SMALL
The New York Times - MARCH 26, 2015
WASHINGTON — China’s public offer to mediate peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government marks a notable departure in Chinese foreign policy. It is the first time Beijing is taking a genuine leadership role, on its own initiative, on a geopolitical issue both sensitive and significant.
If Beijing has alarmed its neighbors in East Asia with its assertiveness over contested territory, elsewhere it is its policy of noninterference that has been criticized, especially by Western governments, as a form of free-riding or obstructionism. But now its efforts in Afghanistan suggest it will no longer leave all the diplomatic heavy-lifting to other states. Beijing is finally easing into its role as a great power.
China’s noninterventionism has been a diplomatic mantra since Zhou Enlai laid out the “five principles of peaceful coexistence” over half a century ago. The policy didn’t stop Mao Zedong from sending Chinese troops into India in 1962 and supporting revolutionary movements across the globe, nor Deng Xiaoping from invading Vietnam in 1979 and providing arms to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Yet noninterference remained a defining feature of China’s foreign policy mind-set.
In more recent decades, it was coupled with Deng’s injunctions to “hide our capabilities and bide our time” and “never claim leadership.” Partly a means of distinguishing China’s identity as a developing country from Western powers, partly a strategy to minimize risk, these principles have also been an excuse for inaction, and for protecting China’s commercial interests abroad, especially in the world’s trouble spots.
READ MORE.....
The New York Times - MARCH 26, 2015
WASHINGTON — China’s public offer to mediate peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government marks a notable departure in Chinese foreign policy. It is the first time Beijing is taking a genuine leadership role, on its own initiative, on a geopolitical issue both sensitive and significant.
If Beijing has alarmed its neighbors in East Asia with its assertiveness over contested territory, elsewhere it is its policy of noninterference that has been criticized, especially by Western governments, as a form of free-riding or obstructionism. But now its efforts in Afghanistan suggest it will no longer leave all the diplomatic heavy-lifting to other states. Beijing is finally easing into its role as a great power.
China’s noninterventionism has been a diplomatic mantra since Zhou Enlai laid out the “five principles of peaceful coexistence” over half a century ago. The policy didn’t stop Mao Zedong from sending Chinese troops into India in 1962 and supporting revolutionary movements across the globe, nor Deng Xiaoping from invading Vietnam in 1979 and providing arms to the mujahedeen in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Yet noninterference remained a defining feature of China’s foreign policy mind-set.
In more recent decades, it was coupled with Deng’s injunctions to “hide our capabilities and bide our time” and “never claim leadership.” Partly a means of distinguishing China’s identity as a developing country from Western powers, partly a strategy to minimize risk, these principles have also been an excuse for inaction, and for protecting China’s commercial interests abroad, especially in the world’s trouble spots.
READ MORE.....
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Revisiting the Uygurs of Kashgar, in north-west China
Joyce Morgan
In China’s far north-west, the Uygurs of Kashgar are a reminder of the Silk Road outpost’s cultural convergence.
The Saturday Paper - Apr 4, 2015
The little mudbrick building is hidden behind gleaming high-rises. Nothing suggests the white-washed residence in the heart of Kashgar, China’s most far-flung city, was once a vital but unlikely listening post in a high-stakes spying game. Or that the assortment of explorers, spooks, writers and oddballs who stayed under its roof made it a Chelsea Hotel of the Far East.
Today, the down-at-heel Chini Bagh houses a Chinese restaurant serving mediocre food. Its shady verandah still offers refuge from summer heat. Inside, cast-iron stoves are reminders of how winters were spent more than a century ago where desert temperatures drop to minus 12.
I’m overjoyed to find the old house, battered but still standing, when so much of the traditional Muslim oasis has vanished. The building has suffered numerous indignities over the years. After its terraced orchards were left to rot and stables converted into a dank shower block, Chini Bagh was a flophouse sheltering Pakistani traders and backpackers when I first stayed under its castellated roof in the late 1980s. A view across Kashgar’s tilled fields to distant snow-capped Muztagh Ata was compensation for a sagging bed in a room shared with a Portuguese juggler, a Japanese with a taste for local rocket fuel and a brawny German yellowed with jaundice.
I wandered Kashgar’s enchanting alleys, bought pomegranates from stout matrons with heads covered for modesty, who raised their skirts to pull change from substantial cotton bloomers.
READ MORE.....
In China’s far north-west, the Uygurs of Kashgar are a reminder of the Silk Road outpost’s cultural convergence.
The Saturday Paper - Apr 4, 2015
The little mudbrick building is hidden behind gleaming high-rises. Nothing suggests the white-washed residence in the heart of Kashgar, China’s most far-flung city, was once a vital but unlikely listening post in a high-stakes spying game. Or that the assortment of explorers, spooks, writers and oddballs who stayed under its roof made it a Chelsea Hotel of the Far East.
Today, the down-at-heel Chini Bagh houses a Chinese restaurant serving mediocre food. Its shady verandah still offers refuge from summer heat. Inside, cast-iron stoves are reminders of how winters were spent more than a century ago where desert temperatures drop to minus 12.
I’m overjoyed to find the old house, battered but still standing, when so much of the traditional Muslim oasis has vanished. The building has suffered numerous indignities over the years. After its terraced orchards were left to rot and stables converted into a dank shower block, Chini Bagh was a flophouse sheltering Pakistani traders and backpackers when I first stayed under its castellated roof in the late 1980s. A view across Kashgar’s tilled fields to distant snow-capped Muztagh Ata was compensation for a sagging bed in a room shared with a Portuguese juggler, a Japanese with a taste for local rocket fuel and a brawny German yellowed with jaundice.
I wandered Kashgar’s enchanting alleys, bought pomegranates from stout matrons with heads covered for modesty, who raised their skirts to pull change from substantial cotton bloomers.
READ MORE.....
Friday, April 3, 2015
Israel Applies to New China-led Global Investment Bank
JNS.OR - April 2, 2015
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a letter of application to join the new China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Israel seeks to join roughly 40 countries, including several Western and Asian allies such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore Korea, Switzerland and Denmark, as founding members of the bank. The US and Japan have not applied for membership.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that the country’s application to the bank highlights the importance of Israel “joining major Asian organizations on the continent.”
READ MORE....
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a letter of application to join the new China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Israel seeks to join roughly 40 countries, including several Western and Asian allies such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore Korea, Switzerland and Denmark, as founding members of the bank. The US and Japan have not applied for membership.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that the country’s application to the bank highlights the importance of Israel “joining major Asian organizations on the continent.”
READ MORE....
Turkey plans to join China-led Asian infrastructure bank
REUTERS - Thu Mar 26, 2015
ISTANBUL
Turkey intends to become member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, the Treasury said on Thursday.
At least 35 countries will join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) by the deadline of March 31.
India, Indonesia and New Zealand have also expressed interest in joining the bank, following a request by Britain, France, Italy and Luxembourg to become founding members. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; editing by David Dolan)
ISTANBUL
Turkey intends to become member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, the Treasury said on Thursday.
At least 35 countries will join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) by the deadline of March 31.
India, Indonesia and New Zealand have also expressed interest in joining the bank, following a request by Britain, France, Italy and Luxembourg to become founding members. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; editing by David Dolan)
Tug-of-war between China, Turkey over suspected Uighurs in Thailand
Reuters - Tue Mar 24, 2015
Thailand BANGKOK |
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre
A group of suspected Uighur Muslims has become the focus of a diplomatic tug-of-war in Thailand between China and Turkey, with both countries wanting to repatriate them and hundreds of other suspected Uighurs detained in Thailand as illegal immigrants.
The group of 17, all from the same family, were detained by Thai police in March 2014 after illegally entering overland from Cambodia, said their lawyer Worasit Piriyawiboon.
Two of the family's 13 children were born in custody.
The family, who use the name Teklimakan, have spent most of the past year in the main police immigration detention center in Bangkok.
The group claimed to be Turkish and, while still in detention, were issued with passports by the Turkish Embassy and granted permission to travel to Turkey.
China insists the 17 detainees are Chinese Uighurs who should be returned to the northwest Chinese region of Xinjiang, according to court documents seen by Reuters.
Hundreds of people have been killed in unrest in Xinjiang in the past two years, prompting a crackdown by Chinese authorities and small numbers of Uighurs to try and flee the country.
READ MORE....
Thailand BANGKOK |
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre
A group of suspected Uighur Muslims has become the focus of a diplomatic tug-of-war in Thailand between China and Turkey, with both countries wanting to repatriate them and hundreds of other suspected Uighurs detained in Thailand as illegal immigrants.
The group of 17, all from the same family, were detained by Thai police in March 2014 after illegally entering overland from Cambodia, said their lawyer Worasit Piriyawiboon.
Two of the family's 13 children were born in custody.
The family, who use the name Teklimakan, have spent most of the past year in the main police immigration detention center in Bangkok.
The group claimed to be Turkish and, while still in detention, were issued with passports by the Turkish Embassy and granted permission to travel to Turkey.
China insists the 17 detainees are Chinese Uighurs who should be returned to the northwest Chinese region of Xinjiang, according to court documents seen by Reuters.
Hundreds of people have been killed in unrest in Xinjiang in the past two years, prompting a crackdown by Chinese authorities and small numbers of Uighurs to try and flee the country.
READ MORE....
Turkey, China fight over Uighurs detained in Thailand
By Miles Yu
The Washington Times - Thursday, April 2, 2015
A diplomatic dispute has erupted over China’s and Turkey’s competing claims for 17 ethnic Uighurs who were detained in Thailand on charges of illegal border-crossing. Each is demanding the Uighurs’ return. The Uighurs entered Thailand via Cambodia to escape their homeland in China’s Central Asian region of Xinjiang, where ethnic tensions between the Uighurs and the Chinese government have escalated in recent years. The Uighurs are Turkic Muslims who live mostly inside Xinjiang, which was conquered by China’s Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Because of ethnic, cultural and linguistic affinities, Turkey has been actively involved in improving the Uighurs’ lot in communist China. Ankara has been vocal in criticizing China for its mistreatment of the ethnic minority group.
READ MORE.....
The Washington Times - Thursday, April 2, 2015
A diplomatic dispute has erupted over China’s and Turkey’s competing claims for 17 ethnic Uighurs who were detained in Thailand on charges of illegal border-crossing. Each is demanding the Uighurs’ return. The Uighurs entered Thailand via Cambodia to escape their homeland in China’s Central Asian region of Xinjiang, where ethnic tensions between the Uighurs and the Chinese government have escalated in recent years. The Uighurs are Turkic Muslims who live mostly inside Xinjiang, which was conquered by China’s Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Because of ethnic, cultural and linguistic affinities, Turkey has been actively involved in improving the Uighurs’ lot in communist China. Ankara has been vocal in criticizing China for its mistreatment of the ethnic minority group.
READ MORE.....
Video: A Pakistani's grateful kiss for the Chinese navy
China Xinhua News @XHNews
APRIL 2, 2015
A sweet kiss from a little Pakistani girl on the cheek of a Chinese navy offical soothed people's nerves, leaving the flames of war in Yemen far behind. The girl was among 225 nationals from Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Britain, and other 6 countries who arrived in Djibouti Thursday evening onboard the Chinese Navy's missile frigateon, Linyi.
APRIL 2, 2015
A sweet kiss from a little Pakistani girl on the cheek of a Chinese navy offical soothed people's nerves, leaving the flames of war in Yemen far behind. The girl was among 225 nationals from Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Britain, and other 6 countries who arrived in Djibouti Thursday evening onboard the Chinese Navy's missile frigateon, Linyi.
China state visit to Egypt, Saudi Arabia delayed
The Cairo Post - April 1, 2015
CAIRO: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Egypt and other
regional states, which was scheduled mid-April, has been delayed,
according to a brief presidential statement Wednesday.
Minister of Industry Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour told Al-Borsa and MENA that Xi was planned to visit Saudi Arabia then Egypt, and that the president “apparently” found it was better to postpone the visits due to the kingdom’s “current preoccupations.”
Abdel Nour said he called Chinese ambassador to Cairo Song Aiguo, who advised him the postponement is temporary and that his country would arrange another date for the visit.
The Egyptian minister had announced last month that Cairo was going to receive an economic delegation accompanying Xi. Earlier in March, a delegation from the Chinese presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Egypt for several days to prepare for the state visit.
After the ongoing Operation Resolute Storm, led by Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels in Yemen, was launched March 25, China expressed its concerns over deteriorating conditions in Yemen.
Egyptian-Chinese relations have been relatively positive in the past decades, continuing after the January 25 Revolution in 2011, and reaching high levels economically under the presidency of Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.
READ MORE....
Minister of Industry Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour told Al-Borsa and MENA that Xi was planned to visit Saudi Arabia then Egypt, and that the president “apparently” found it was better to postpone the visits due to the kingdom’s “current preoccupations.”
Abdel Nour said he called Chinese ambassador to Cairo Song Aiguo, who advised him the postponement is temporary and that his country would arrange another date for the visit.
The Egyptian minister had announced last month that Cairo was going to receive an economic delegation accompanying Xi. Earlier in March, a delegation from the Chinese presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Egypt for several days to prepare for the state visit.
After the ongoing Operation Resolute Storm, led by Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels in Yemen, was launched March 25, China expressed its concerns over deteriorating conditions in Yemen.
Egyptian-Chinese relations have been relatively positive in the past decades, continuing after the January 25 Revolution in 2011, and reaching high levels economically under the presidency of Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.
READ MORE....
Thursday, April 2, 2015
China unveils action plan on Belt and Road Initiative
Xinhua, March 28, 2015
China
unveiled on Saturday the principles, framework, and cooperation
priorities and mechanisms in its Belt and Road Initiative in a bid to
enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future together. The
vision and actions on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and
21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, an initiative raised by Chinese
President Xi Jinping during visits to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in
2013, was issued by China's top economic planner, the National
Development and Reform Commission and ministries of foreign affairs and
commerce. The
initiative aims to promote orderly and free flow of economic factors,
highly efficient allocation of resources and deep integration of markets
by enhancing connectivity of Asian, European and African continents and
their adjacent seas.It is
open to all countries and international and regional organizations for
engagement and honors mutual respect and market operation to seek common
prosperity, the plan said. "The
programs of development will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They
will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a
solo for China itself," Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday
while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2015 annual conference of
the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in the coastal town of China's
southernmost island province of Hainan. The
Initiative is not meant as rhetoric. It represents real work that could
be seen and felt to bring real benefits to countries in the region, Xi
added. The plan
called for policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded
trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds to make
complementary use of participating countries' unique resource advantages
through multilateral mechanisms and multilevel platforms.
READ MORE....
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