Geo-Strategic Trend - 233. page

Voice of America (VOA) recently reported that China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and its partners made a successful bid for part of the development work in the Halfaya Oil Field in southeast Iraq. Halfaya has a proven reserve of 4.1 billion barrels, with a current daily output of 3,100 barrels. The CNPC-led group won the bid for the 20-year development rights of Halfaya last year. The plan is to increase the daily production to 70,000 barrels by the end of this year. David Fridley from the U.S. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggested that the goal will be hard to achieve. Even if the goal is realized, the return on investment per barrel is only US$1.4. Many international oil companies gave up on the original bid due to the extremely low profit. The belief is that, even given the low profitability, China was still determined to drill in Halfaya just to secure an international source of oil. Half of China’s oil is imported. CNPC holds 37.5% of Halfaya shares.

Source: Voice of America, May 10, 2011
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/news/20110510-CNPC-121586299.html

Global Times published a commentary from a Chinese professor of international law criticizing U.S. infringement of Pakistan’s sovereignty in the raid on bin Laden. He argues that the cross-border military action is a violation of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty and constitutes an invasion. “The cross-border military action cannot be regarded as a legal means to exercise the national right of self-defense.” “International law does not encourage the preemptive nature of such a cross-border military action.”

Source: Global Times, May 11, 2011
http://world.huanqiu.com/hot/2011-05/1685628.html

According to a report from the Shanghai Evening Post, the Pakistani officials claim that they are interested in studying the remains of the U.S. military helicopter that was damaged in the raid on the bin Laden compound, although the U.S. wants it back. Pakistan may invite China to participate in the study. Based on the pictures, aeronautics and military experts believe it is a modified stealth helicopter.

Source: Guangming Daily website, May 11, 2011
http://mil.gmw.cn/2011-05/11/content_1947650.htm

China News Service carried an article reporting on Song Zhuying, the PLA singer from the Naval Song and Dance Troupe, who recently visited Taiwan. Song is the second PLA singer allowed to perform in Taiwan. The first was Chen Sisi who visited Taiwan in 2009, when politicians in Taiwan expressed resistance and placed numerous restrictions on Chen’s visit. However Song’s visit encountered a dramatic change. Other than the pro-green Liberty Times, fewer media outlets mentioned Song’s connection with the PLA. 

On May 6, 2011, in Kashi, Xinjiang Province, China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) launched a joint anti-terrorist exercise, “Tian Shan No. 2,” with the participation of China, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. This is the second of its kind following “Tian Shan No.1” back in 2006, in which China and Kazakhstan participated. The exercise included the following three areas: decision making, a hostage rescue force, and a fixed-point raid action. Law enforce officials from SCO member states observed the exercise, along with states with observer status.

Source: Ministry of Public Security, May 7, 2011
http://www.mps.gov.cn/n16/n1237/n1342/n803715/2773496.html

According to a recent report issued by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), a regional commission under the United Nations, in 2010, China became the third largest investor in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its direct investments of US$15 billion represented 9% of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the region. The U.S. remains the top investor bringing in 17% of FDI, followed by the Netherlands with 13% of the total.

Source: Xinhua, May 8, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-05/08/c_121390711.htm

On May 7, 2011, China Review News published an article titled, “The More Anti-terrorism, the More Terror: ‘the Post-bin Laden Era’ Tests U.S. Strategy.” Citing comments from overseas and mainland Chinese media, the article portrays a dark picture for the future of anti-terrorism around the world and predicts that China will be the next target of U.S. anti-terrorism. 

Recently, at a Confucius Institute in Norway, Tang Guoqiang, China’s Ambassador to the Nordic country, demanded that the Norwegian government apologize to Beijing for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to political dissident Liu Xiaobo. “Bilateral trade is not impossible, but as (the Norwegian government) has not apologized for the Nobel Peace Prize, it is more difficult than before,” said Tang. After the Nobel Committee honored Liu Xiaobo with the Prize in November 2010, China indefinitely suspended bilateral trade negotiations. Norway is the world’s fifth largest oil exporter.

Source: BBC Chinese, May 4, 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/zhongwen/simp/china/2011/05/110503_china_norway_nobel.shtml