Iin a recent article, Du Jifeng, a scholar at the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, discussed China-Burma relations amid Burma’s political reform. Du expressed the belief that, although Burma is re-balancing the three-way relationship between China, the U.S., and Burma, China’s strategic importance to Burma in geopolitics, energy supply, and border security has not changed substantially.
Geo-Strategic Trend - 204. page
Xinhua: North Korea Asks Mongolia for Food
Global Times: Japan Claims Highest Numerber of Interceptions of Chinese Airplanes
Confucius Institute Opened at Columbia University
Xinhua reported that Hanban, the headquarters of the Confucius Institute, In collaboration with Columbia University, held an opening ceremony for the Confucius Institute. The ceremony was held at Columbia University on April 9, 2013. Xu Ling, the Director of Han Ban, Lee C. Bollinger, the university president, Chen Yulu, President of Renmin University of China, as well as Dong Xiaojun, consul-general of the Chinese Consulate General in New York, attended and spoke at the ceremony.
Source: People’s Daily, April 10, 2013
http://usa.people.com.cn/n/2013/0410/c241376-21077219.html
Xinhua: Who Really Wants to Make Trouble on the Korean Peninsula?
On April 11, 2013, Xinhua published an article by Hu Wenlong, research fellow at the China Academy of Military Sciences. Hu stated that it is inevitable and understandable that North Korea may be making trouble because of the U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution against North Korea. However, the United States may want North Korea to make trouble.
According to Hu, the U.S. response this time is different from its previous responses in three respects. First, its ultimate motive is different. The U.S. is not trying to diffuse the tension or push for negotiations. Instead, it is watching North Korea and following suit. It is escalating the military confrontation, thereby demonstrating its selfishness rather than a desire to safeguard world peace. “In fact, a phone call would diffuse the tension, but Obama does not pick up the phone.” Second, the U.S. is maneuvering things militarily. Besides issuing threats and escalating the situation, the U.S. is preparing for war. “More importantly, the U.S. is engaging in combat deployment and is rehearsing operations. Clearly the U.S. wants North Korea to make trouble. It is not the U.S.’s real wish for North Korea not to make trouble.” Third, the U.S. points a finger at China in order to mislead the media, to the extent that it wants to hold China responsible. “Now it is clearly pressuring China and blaming China for not taking tougher measures against North Korea. … Targeting North Korea is a pretext; targeting China is its true intent.”
Source: Xinhua, April 11, 2013
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2013-04/11/c_124564746.htm
China’s State-Media Comments on The U.S. Air Force’s Designation of Six Cyber Tools as Weapons
China’s state-run media published an article commenting on the U.S. Air Force’s designation of six cyber tools as weapons. It said, “This unprecedented decision means that the government and the military of the United States officially define the attacks on the Internet as the reality of war. In addition to land, sea, air, and outer space, virtual cyberspace has become the new real battlefield.” “This approach will extend the arms race to Internet space, thereby affecting the international military and political structure.”
China Has again Become Canada’s Largest Source for Immigration
According to Radio Free Asia on April 8, 2013, China has again become Canada’s largest source for immigration. In 2012, a total of 32,990 Chinese people obtained permanent resident visas. China’s social system, social problems, and environmental disasters have filled the Chinese people with despair. That is why China has been Canada’s largest source for immigration. However, China is in the 3rd position in terms of the number of permanent residents having become Canadian citizens.
Source: Radio Free Asia, April 8, 2013
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/to-04082013102050.html
Why Is China the Biggest Financial Contributor to the BRICS Development Bank?
On March 26, 2013, the fifth BRICS summit opened in Durban, South Africa. The BRICS leaders agenda included discussion of the establishment of a BRICS development bank, intended to finance infrastructure. China will contribute US$41 billion to the BRICS Bank. India, Brazil, and Russia will each contribute US$18 billion, while South Africa will contribute US$5 billion.
Due to the fact that China is the biggest financial contributor, China will thus become the largest beneficiary. China can expand the domain of its own power by taking advantage of providing loans to developing countries. China should have the corresponding rights to express its voice as well. The bank headquarter should also be located in Beijing or Shanghai.
Source: China Review News, March 31, 2013
http://www.zhgpl.com/doc/1024/8/7/4/102487470.html?coluid=53&kindid=0&docid=102487470&mdate=0331064608