Geo-Strategic Trend – Page 168

Global Times: Turkey May Still Purchase Chinese Red Flag 9 Missiles

Global Times recently reported, based on media content in Turkey, that Turkey may still buy Chinese missiles even if Turkey is willing to use American or European weapons. Since the U.S. and the EU suppliers did not meet Turkey’s standards, Turkey is prepared to accept the Chinese offer in a year, unless the U.S. or EU bidders make changes to abide by the standard that Turkey set. Turkey selected the Chinese supplier for its defense system but never signed the contract, since the United States and NATO expressed concerns about safety and satellite compatibility issues regarding the Chinese products. The Chinese supplier agreed to develop and manufacture the weapons jointly with Turkey.

Source: Global Times, July 18, 2015

http://mil.huanqiu.com/observation/2015-07/7038640.html

Briefings | | July 21, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Ukraine Has Become China’s Largest Corn Supplier

Well-known Chinese news site Sina recently reported that according to the latest statistics from Customs, China imported 403,881 tons of corn from Ukraine in May. This caused the total amount of corn imported from Ukraine to reach 1.55 million tons so far this year (as of May). That volume was near 90 percent of China’s total corn imports. China has been trying to establish the strategy of diversifying its supply sources for food and oil seeds. Since 2012, China has had in place a US$3-billion “loan for corn” agreement with Ukraine, which quickly became China’s largest corn supplier. Until the end of last year, the United States was China’s largest corn supplier. In the first five months of this year, the import volume from the United States sharply dropped by ninety-five percent. With a tougher relationship with Russia, Ukraine’s struggling agriculture is getting more and more dependent on China’s need for cereals and meat. U.S. senior economist Fred Gale suggested that this trend is in line with China’s strategy of investing in some of the “neglected regions.”

Source: Sina, July 6, 2015

http://finance.sina.com/bg/economy/sinacn/20150706/16421292316.html

Briefings | | July 14, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

HK Mingpao: New Poll Showed Impression of Beijing Getting Worse

Mingpao, one of the primary Hong Kong newspapers, recently reported on a poll of Hong Kong residents. The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a widely trusted polling organization, administered the poll. It tracked the Hong Kong residents’ level of confidence in the “one nation, two systems” policy and was taken not long after the Hong Kong Legislative Council vetoed the proposed political reform plan that Beijing supported. According to the poll, around 52.4 percent of the people had weakened confidence in Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy.” A record high of around 36.2 percent of the HK residents surveyed said they had a bad impression of the central government – the same number was 4.3 percent in 2007. At the same time, only 20.9 percent of the population had a good impression (the same number in 2007 was 58.2 percent).

Source: Mingpao, June 29, 2015

http://bit.ly/1RYTHos

Briefings | | July 6, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

People’s Daily: Be Vigilant to the Ulterior Motives behind Abe’s Statement of “Never Fight Again”

People Daily published an article commenting on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement of “never fight again” that he made when he was meeting with Chinese media for an interview.

The article said, “As soon as he returned from the G7 summit held in the German town of El Mao, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the meeting of [Japan’s] Congress to discuss the bills related to lifting the ban on the right to collective self-defense. Although he is very busy, he did not forget to arrange an interview with a Chinese media reporter.”

While answering the reporter’s questions, Abe said that Japan has deep remorse over the war and will never repeat the same mistakes. He stressed that he is willing to continue the efforts toward the development of Japan-China relations.

The article showed little trust in Abe’s statement. It said, “From the content of the answer, Abe is without doubt ‘releasing a friendly and goodwill signal.’ However, there were also critical comments that ‘the time and object of the interview was carefully arranged.’ According to a poll the media conducted on the matter, most Chinese people do not believe Abe’s position or his attitude.”

“It is not strange at all. Just a few days ago, Abe was stirring up trouble at the G7 summit, acting as Uncle Sam’s pawn, and attempting to instigate problems on the South China Sea issue. After returning home he immediately hugged Philippine President Aquino and vowed to participate in joint containment of China.”

The article furthered stated, “The world knows what is in his bones. How can he get away with a mere [statement of] ‘deep remorse’ and remove people’s doubts?

“In order finally to be able to amend the "Peace Constitution," Abe is fully implementing supporting laws and regulations for lifting the ban on collective self-defense. In his talks, he has always taken China as a target. His ‘true intention’ is known to all.”

Source: People’s Daily, June 15, 2015

http://world.people.com.cn/n/2015/0617/c1002-27170993.html

Briefings | | June 25, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

U.S. Invites Japan to Patrol the South China Sea, Fulfilling Japan’s Wishes

People’s Daily published an article reporting on Chinese military experts’ comments about U.S. Pacific commander Harris’s statement which he made while meeting Japanese media in Tokyo. Harris stated that he welcomed and was anticipating the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force that would participate in patrolling the South China Sea. He pointed out that the "South China Sea is the high seas and not a territorial sea. He therefore welcomed Japan’s participation in this action."

Regarding the military expert’s comments, in an interview with CCTV, Major General Yin Zhuo pointed out that Harris’s statement demonstrates a lack of knowledge of history and of international law. The South China Sea is not the United States’ territorial waters and not a place where the United States can play anyway it wants. The U.S. takes the South China Sea to be a battlefield to contain China, especially the military containment of China. The U.S. encouraged Japan and Australia to have a joint cruise in the South China Sea. Its intention was simply to stir up the South China Sea issue and use the opportunity to gather these countries under its banner so as to contain China using military means.

Gao Zhugui, deputy director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies of the Central Party School pointed out that, a few days ago, U.S. Secretary of Defense Carter said that the South China Sea issue is not an issue between the United States and China. The United States does not hold any position in the South China Sea dispute over sovereignty. "Harris’s remarks just made the South China Sea issue into a problem between China and U.S. He is taking a big risk with Sino-U.S. relations."

Yin Zhuo said, “Harris’s statement is explicit in fulfilling the wishes of the Abe administration. Japan would like to go out to the Sea using the U.S. boat and the South Sea. Harris just paved the road and loaned Abe a boat."

Yin also noted that Harris’s invitation to Japan to patrol the South China Sea precisely reflects the United States’ mindset of anxiety. The United States wants to contain China in the Asia-Pacific region but is experiencing a lack of force. The United States needs help. Japan is a staunch political, diplomatic, and military ally of the United States. The United States can only count on Japan and therefore invites the Japanese to patrol the South China Sea as a pioneer.

Gao Zhugui said that the U.S. is attempting to turn Japan into its platform in the Asia Pacific region, sharing responsibilities with the United States. The United States, Japan, Australia, and other countries have gathered together on this platform to form a U.S.-led multilateral networking mechanism. This mechanism can be used not only in the South China Sea, but also in other regional issues. In the future, Japan will follow the United States to play a greater role in the Asia-Pacific as well as the wider regions.

Source: People’s Daily, June 17, 2015

http://military.people.com.cn/n/2015/0617/c1011-27166915.html

Briefings | | June 18, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Japan’s Four Hidden Plots against China in the South China Sea

Xinhua published a series of articles, including an editor’s introduction, on its “International Channel” commenting on Japan’s involvement in the South China Sea issue.

Editor’s introduction: “In recent years, as the U.S. has been adjusting its Asia-Pacific strategy and openly intervening on the South China Sea issue, the Japanese government has also been stepping up its intervention. Recently, in addition to the U.S. military fulfilling its requirement to start military patrols in the South China Sea and performing military exercises with and providing equipment to the Philippines, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also repeatedly accused and discredited China. He has done so at the G7 summit and on many other occasions."

“Although the South China Sea dispute has nothing to do with Japan, the Japanese side is actively getting involved and continuously increasing its intervention efforts. Just what is Japan plotting as it hides behind the scenes?” The series then listed the following four agendas that indicate what Japan is "plotting" against China:

Plot I: to divert public attention in the international media from Japan’s history problem [in World War II];

Plot II: to stir up the "China threat theory" in order to create a favorable atmosphere for [Abe’s] security bill;

Plot III: to use the tactic of “relieving a besieged ally by attacking the home base of the besiegers,” thus trapping China on the South China Sea issue;

Plot IV: to curb the rise of China by creating an Asian version of NATO.

Source: Xinhua: June 17, 2015

http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-06/17/c_127922033.htm

Briefings | | June 17, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: China Sternly Refuted the Philippines on the South China Sea Issue

Xinhua recently reported that, at the 25th Conference of the Member Countries of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, held in New York on June 12, the representative from the Philippines delivered harsh criticism against China. The Head of the Chinese Delegation, Wang Min, “sternly refuted” the Philippines’ accusations. Wang stated that China’s land reclamation activities in the South China Sea are exercised solely under China’s sovereignty and that the purpose was to improve the living conditions of China’s citizens as well as to provide better maritime search and rescue missions. China considers these to be its international responsibilities. The construction work will also improve the freedom of navigation for all countries. China was also against any “single-sided” maritime arbitration – Wang called for peaceful nation-to-nation negotiations based on international laws to resolve all South China Sea related issues.

Source: Xinhua, June 13, 2015

http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2015-06/13/c_1115605446.htm

Briefings | | June 16, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: How Can the Half Torn G7 Intervene in the South China Sea Issue?

Xinhua’s web magazine, International Sphere (Volume 551) published a group of articles commenting on the G7 summit’s joint statement about China’s actions in South China Sea. The editor added the following comment in the introduction, “Because of [Japanese Prime Minister] Abe’s plot behind the scenes, the just-concluded summit of the G7 issued a joint statement, irresponsibly commenting on the South China Sea issue. Japan coerced the G7 summit into placing the South China Sea issue on its agenda. Its attempt to instigate the Western countries to choose sides is all too clear. In the end, though, the statement did not name China, indicating that the European G7 countries are very clear that the remote South China Sea belongs to Asia and that the issue should be resolved among the related countries through consultation. What qualifications do outsiders have to criticize the involved country so recklessly? Meanwhile, the rich G7 countries’ club is no longer what it once was. It is in a semi-torn state on many issues. Even though the U.S. and Japan forcefully pushed the South China Sea issue, how will the European countries that are in a big mess and have a hard time taking care of themselves have the energy to interfere in the South China Sea, not to mention their becoming an enemy of China? This is by no means the best policy!”

Source: Xinhua, June 11, 2015

http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/jrch/551.htm

Briefings | | June 12, 2015 | Geo-Strategic Trend

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