Geo-Strategic Trend - 225. page

Yao Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, recently commented, in a monthly media briefing, that China must improve its national “soft power.” The commercial video currently playing in Times Square in New York is an example of this effort. The Ministry attempted this once before with another “image building” commercial video called “China Made with the World.” China also tried to promote the “China Brand” at the F1 games. Yao suggested that, in the future, China will use various means to continue the propaganda effort. On April 16, 2010, China rolled out a “Made in China” commercial at F1. At the end of 2009, China also aired another “Made in China” commercial on CNN.

Source: Global Times, January 18, 2011
http://world.huanqiu.com/roll/2011-01/1439440.html

Xinhua published an editorial commenting on the power struggle in the African country of Cote d’Ivoire. It reported that the power struggle surrounding the presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire has seriously affected social stability, economic development, and people’s livelihoods. The article described Cote d’Ivoire as a stable and prosperous country that became very unstable, full of violence and bloody conflict, after Western countries pressured it into introducing a multiple party system and presidential elections. The article further offered that this phenomenon is widespread in Africa.

The article concluded that “Western democracy” is not a panacea for every country. In different countries and in countries in different stages of development, arbitrarily transplanting Western democracy or “being democratized” frequently causes power struggles, instability, and violent conflicts. Thus it hinders economic development and damages the fundamental interests of the nation and the people.

Source: Xinhua, January 19, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-01/19/c_121000621.htm

 According to a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, in 2010, Chinese companies transacted 188 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) overseas. Totaling US$38 billion, this represented a 30% increase over the previous year. Thirty-four M&As occurred in the United States, which was the largest share. While the majority of M&As appeared to be in mining, metal, and chemical plants, the number in the technology sector increased from 11 in 2009 to 24 in 2010. Regarding whether China is treated fairly in its M&A activities in the United States, PricewaterhouseCoopers stated that the government review and approval process is the same for Chinese companies as it is for their competitors.

Source: Jinghua Times, January 18, 2011
http://epaper.jinghua.cn/html/2011-01/18/content_624117.htm

On January 12, 2011, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) published an Asian Pacific Blue Book. The book pointed out that, with respect to security, in 2010, China’s relations with its neighboring countries deteriorated. China faces the following four big threats. First, the mutual political trust between China and its neighboring countries has weakened due to the United States’ return to Asia. Second, the tension between South and North Korea has increased. Third, conflicts on the sea have intensified. Fourth, water issues have affected China’s non-conventional security. Chinese experts believe that China is unlikely to have the same stable environment for development that it saw in the first decade of this century. In the long period of time over the coming years, the peripheral environment will be in a state of flux.

Source: China Review News, January 13, 2011
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1015/6/8/5/101568505.html?coluid=45&kindid=0&docid=101568505&mdate=0113085205

On New Year’s Day, Qiushi published an article by the director of the China Institute of International Affairs that summarized the international situation in politics, the economy, and security in 2010. The article pointed out that one of the main features of the 2010 international situation was the significant progress in world multi-polarization. The U.S. obviously feels incompetent and has to adjust its strategy. The U.S. strengthened its involvement in the South China Sea, utilizing every possible opportunity to create divisions between China and the Southeast Asian countries. China is very active in diplomacy and has skillfully handled this complicated situation.

Source: Qiushi, January 1, 2011.
http://www.qsjournal.com.cn/zxdk/2011/201101/201012/t20101228_60716.htm

Global Times, under the Chinese state daily news Renmin, recently published an introductory article on the research report “2010: The Regional Security Situation and China’s Countermeasures“ by the Pacific Research Institute of the China Academy of Social Sciences. The bottom line of the report is that, from northwest to southwest, neighboring regions are relatively stable, while from northeast to southeast they are problematic. The biggest change identified was the U.S. return to Asia. The biggest issue identified was the potential formation of a US-Japan-Korea military alliance. The biggest source of security threats identified was sea-based conflict.

Source: Global Times, December 21, 2010
http://opinion.huanqiu.com/roll/2010-12/1360188.html

China Review News recently republished an article by Professor Zhu Feng from the School of International Relations, Peking University. Professor Zhu believes that the security structure in East Asia has been adjusting rapidly since the former post Cold War balance. The article described four adjustments: 1) “In the face of China’s rise, the U.S. involvement” brings “comfort” to the region; 2) Strategic competition between China and the primary powers in the region obviously extends to the level of naval forces; 3) Obama’s “Return to Asia” strategy over-emphasizes military alliances; 4) The Korean Peninsula situation is getting significantly worse – which may cause the Japanese to dramatically revitalize their arms situation. The author believes that two main factors have caused these adjustments: the change in the financial landscape of the region and China’s lack of a clear and consistent foreign policy.

Source: China Review News, December 24, 2010
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1015/4/9/0/101549093.html?coluid=5&kindid=23&docid=101549093&mdate=1224142600

The International Department of the CCP Central Committee recently announced that China and the Gulf Arab Countries held a seminar on economics on December 16, 2010, in Guangxi, China. The theme of the seminar was “Economic Transformation and Joint Development.” More than 70 people attended. They included envoys from Gulf Arab countries, Chinese and foreign government officials, experts, and business representatives. Li Jinjun, Deputy Director of the CCP International Department, suggested in his speech that the Gulf Arab countries and China are emerging markets and face similar economic challenges. He believes it would be worthwhile to find new approaches to improving joint development.

Source: International Department of the Central Committee of CCP, December 16, 2010
http://www.idcpc.org.cn/dongtai/101216-2.htm