On January 7, People’s Daily reported on the Japanese government’s plan to strengthen its defense forces. In response to China’s growing naval power, Japan will officially launch its 2015 plan for the Southwest area. In an interview with CCTV, military experts said that the reason for the Japanese to launch this program is out of consideration of Abe’s policy and domestic economic situation. The plan for the defense program is to increase Japan’s defense deployment in the Southwest and its ability to control the sea and air. [As a result], the possibility of misfires between China and Japan will increase.
Geo-Strategic Trend - 171. page
China Youth Daily: The United States Does Not Want to See a Close Inter-Korean Relationship
On January 7, 2015 China Youth Daily published an article criticizing the United States for imposing additional sanctions against North Korea (DPRK) following North Korea’s cyber-attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment. According to the article, the relationship between North Korea and South Korean is getting closer thanks to Kim Jong-un’s warm New Year’s TV messages from the DPRK for two consecutive years. However, the US decision to impose unilateral sanctions against North Korea has “poured cold water” over the inter-Korean reconciliation atmosphere.
The article concluded that, from its strategic point of view, the United States does not want to see a close inter-Korean relationship. If the tension in Northeast Asia eases up, the United States will not have an excuse to ask South Korea to pay more military costs for US troops to reside there; the US will, in particular, lose its rationale for containing China. Through maintaining the tension on the Korean peninsula, the United States is able to maintain its influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: China Youth Daily, January 7, 2015
http://zqb.cyol.com/html/2015-01/07/nw.D110000zgqnb_20150107_3-07.htm
China News: South Korea, U.S. and Japan to Share Intelligence on North Korea
Russian Oil Exported to China at 50 Percent Higher Price
Global Times: Qualcomm May be Fined US$1 Billion
Li Keqiang: China Willing to Provide Financial Support to SCO Countries
On the afternoon of December 15, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the 13th meeting of the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
Huanqiu: As Everyone Knows, China Does Not Want Russia to Fall”
On December 17, 2014, Huanqiu (the Chinese edition of Global Times) published an editorial titled, “As Everyone Knows, China Does Not Want Russia to Fall.” After an analysis of Russia’s situation and economic difficulties, the article said that Russia is still far away from any real danger of collapse. However, what Russia has to deal with is not a short-lived super storm either. “Sino-Russian relations are generally regarded as one of the key conditions for protecting Russia against strategic risks.” “China does not want Russia to fall; the whole world is clear about (China’s) stand.” According to the Huanqiu editorial, China must be clear about several points when dealing with Russia.
First, the China-Russia strategic partnership is no longer built on ideology but on the national interests of both countries. A Russia that does not show its weakness to the U.S. and the West is important to China in terms of China’s national interests. China and Russia mutually need each other with a back to back strategic relationship.
Source: Huanqiu, December 17, 2014
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/editorial/2014-12/5248588.html