Geo-Strategic Trend - 222. page

On October 20, 2011, Xinhua published a commentary on the death of Gaddafi. It stated that Gaddafi’s death does not mean the game in Libya is over. “People realize that Gaddafi’s death does not mean that everything is now all right in Libya. Gaddafi’s surviving forces will still make trouble. Conflicts between the eastern and western regions, large and small tribes, and various political forces may still surface. A flood of weapons among the people, foreign interference, as well as extremist and terrorist forces fishing in troubled waters are further elements that may contribute to the volatility of the situation in Libya. For the foreseeable future, Libya, in the post-Gaddafi era, will not be at peace. In fact, the death of Gaddafi really raises the curtain for the maneuvers of the various Libyans who are vying for power.”

Source: Xinhua, October 20, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-10/20/c_122181840.htm

In an interview with People’s Daily, Colonel Luo Ruan, deputy secretary of the China Association for Military Sciences, commented on Japan’s recent statement that Japan is increasing its cooperation with the Philippines and other South East Asian countries on South Sea issues. Luo said that the following three factors enter into Japan’s involvement in the South Sea: 1). Economic interests. The rich oil in the South Sea can boost Japan’s energy resources, which is what Japan dreams about. 2). Strategic geographic interests. The South Sea is an important strategic location connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Japan is heavily dependent on the South Sea for the transportation of both its imports and exports. Japan believes that if China controls the South Sea route, Japan’s economic development will be under China’s control. 3). Strategic security interests. Japan hopes to utilize the South Sea conflict to reduce the pressure it faces in the East Sea and the Senkaku islands.

Luo said that for Japan, as a Northeast Asian country, to actively get into the South Sea conflict is an act of reckless expansion. It violates Japan’s Peace Constitution, and also violates the international laws that restrict its expansion.

Source: People’s Daily, October 13, 2011
http://military.people.com.cn/GB/15881711.html

Xinhua reported that a China-built 3×330MW power plant was completed on October 12, 2011, in Indramayu, a city in the West Java province of Indonesia. Three companies, China National Electric Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNEEC), China National Machinery Industry Group (CNMIG), and Indonesian PENTA, formed the consortium that contracted to complete the project. 

Huanqiu published a special commentary on the new coalition of Vietnam, India, the Philippines, and Japan. The article stated that the driving force behind the coalition came from Vietnam and the Philippines and that regardless of what China does, they will not back down. The U.S. and Japan are really reluctant to come to a wide-reaching impasse with China. India, ambitious as it may be, is not mature; it has low productivity and tends to act on impulse. “Based on the foregoing, to ‘shelve the dispute and jointly develop,’ we must dare to dispute and to develop. … Only if China draws an ‘insurmountable red line’ on key principles and demonstrates the power and resolve to defend that red line will other countries weigh the pros and cons and become prudent. Then the coalition will vanish."

Source: Huanqiu, reprinted by Xinhua, October 7, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2011-10/07/c_131176474.htm

Radio Free Asia reported that, in recent weeks, under pressure from Beijing, Vietnamese authorities have been escalating their intimidation and abuse of the local Falun Gong community, further intensifying a policy change that began last year. Two Falun Gong practitioners are scheduled to stand trial next week for broadcasting uncensored news to China. Since the end of August, on two occasions, the police have abducted or thugs have assaulted local Falun Gong practitioners while they were practicing their exercises in a park. 

According to People’s Liberation Army Daily, at the 10th strategic dialogue between the Chinese and French defense ministries in Paris on September 28 and 29, both sides “conducted frank, friendly and fruitful exchanges on defense policies, military buildup, the regional security situation, and issues of international focus. They also had an in-depth exchange of views on further developing bilateral military relations.” “Both sides agreed that the Sino-French defense ministry dialogue mechanism will help deepen strategic mutual trust, expand areas of cooperation, and play a positive role for the two countries in building a new, mature and stable, comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual trust and mutual benefit, while having a global perspective.”

Source: Xinhua, October 1, 2011
http://www.chinamil.com.cn/jfjbmap/content/2011-10/01/content_68269.htm

According to Chen Jian, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, China’s 2010 investments in Europe jumped to US$6.8 billion, registering a 102 percent growth over the previous year. Europe accounts for 10 percent of China’s total foreign investment.

According to the Commerce Ministry, China’s total foreign investment reached US$68.8 billion in 2010. Spread over 178 countries and regions, 70 percent was in Asia, followed by Africa and then Latin America. The statistics showed that State Owned Enterprises accounted for most of the companies making foreign investments overseas.

It was reported that the challenges these Chinese enterprises face are in the areas of business strategy, environment, national resource management, and human resources. Yao Zhizhong, Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that, in addition, they face “notions coming from the European countries.” “The EU should loosen its restrictions on Chinese enterprises and break through its notions and prejudice against Chinese companies.”

Source: People’s Daily Oversea’s Edition, September 30, 2011
http://mnc.people.com.cn/GB/15791354.html

Outlook Weekly, a magazine under Xinhua News Agency, recently published a commentary calling for “ocean development.” The commentary suggested that the oceans will provide China’s future “living space.” To develop awareness and to improve the sustainability of the Chinese civilization, China must change its old fashioned “land centric” mentality. The author suggested that the oceans connect all continents and are the cheapest “highway” that needs no construction. If China uses the potential of the oceans, it immediately brings vast economic benefits. The commentary drew on Japan as an example to increase awareness of how it used the oceans to protect Japanese interests. It expressed the belief that China should have a strategic view of the oceans and should take full advantage of ocean development for solving the problems of growth, unemployment and lack of resources.

Source: Outlook Weekly, September 17, 2011
http://news.sohu.com/20110917/n319690526.shtml