Geo-Strategic Trend - 240. page

The Chinese Embassy in Italy held a press conference on October 1 in Rome announcing “Chinese Culture Year” in Italy. The coordinator on the Italian side suggested that the project will “present today’s China.” Italy had an “Italian Culture Year” campaign in 1996, and this Chinese announcement marked the start of a similar initiative. The “Year” begins in October 2010 and ends in September 2011. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is expected to attend the opening ceremony scheduled for October 7. Multiple activities are planned to take place in 10 cities including Rome, Florence and Milan.

Source: Xinhua, October 1, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/01/c_12626369.htm

The Export-Import Bank of China has signed a $56.4 million loan agreement with the African Export-Import Bank. The loan will be used to finance Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Co., Ltd. (ZTE) so that it can export telecommunication equipment to Africa for projects in Zimbabwe and Burundi, said Xinhua, citing the African bank’s president, Jean-Louis Ekra.

According to officials from the Export-Import Bank of China, the African Export-Import Bank held its 85th Board meeting in Beijing, the first board meeting outside the African member countries. It was meant to promote across the board development of the China-Africa partnership.

ZTE was established in 1985 by a group of state-owned enterprises associated with China’s Ministry of Aerospace. It is publicly traded in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua, September 28, 2010.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-09/28/c_13534034.htm

On September 27, 2010, China’s President Hu Jintao and Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev signed a joint statement to "deepen their strategic coordination partnership.” Both sides agreed that mutual support on core interests of state sovereignty and territory claims is an important component of China-Russian strategic cooperation.

Russia reaffirmed its support for China’s positions on Taiwan, Tibet and East Turkistan, while China affirmed its support for Russia’s effort to stabilize the Caucasus and Commonwealth of Independent States. They also agreed to jointly work on anti-terrorism issues more frequently and hold regular working sessions. The joint statement was affirmed in a statement of the importance and efficiency of the Chinese-Russia energy negotiation mechanism. Both sides agreed “to hold the same position on maintaining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization region, as well as peace and stability in Central Asia.”

Source: Xinhua, September 28, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-09/28/c_13534081.htm

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited China from September 26 to 28, including Dalian, Beijing, and Shanghai. On September 27, Hu Jintao met Medvedev in Beijing. After the meeting, they attended a ceremony celebrating the signing of more than 10 cooperation agreements, including a joint statement on comprehensively promoting the Russian-Chinese relationship of partnership and strategic cooperation, a joint statement on the occasion of the 65th anniversary since the end of the Second World War, and a memorandum of understanding and treaties on cooperation regarding resources. Medvedev stated, “The size of my delegation was unprecedented. It shows the high level of cooperation between the two countries…”

Source: China News Service, September 27, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2010/09-27/2558988.shtml

On September 23, the Taiwan banking supervisory authorities approved the establishment of the Bank of China’s Taiwan Regional Office. The spokesman for the Bank of China confirmed the news and suggested that the bank will immediately start the registration process to set up its first branch. The Bank of China currently has a brokerage relationship with 19 Taiwanese banks.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission already issued approval for four Taiwanese banks to open branches in mainland China. Along with the Bank of China, Taiwanese authorities also approved the Bank of Communications, headquartered in Shanghai. Regional offices can only perform non-commercial functions.

Source: Xinhua, September 23, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-09/23/c_12599085.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/tw/2010-09/23/c_12599010.htm

From September 21 to 25, a South African Defense Exhibit was held in Cape Town. The China State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense organized the show, and nine Chinese arms sales companies attended. The main companies included the China Aviation Technology Import and Export Company, Ltd.; the China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation; the China North Industries Corporation; the Space Long March International Trade Company; etc. This was the largest gathering of Chinese arms sales companies ever. The Chinese Exhibition area occupied 735 square meters.

Source: Xinhua, September 21, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-09/22/c_13524715.htm

China News Service (CNS) reported that, on September 24, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s military joint exercises, entitled “Peace Mission – 2010," entered into the 3rd stage, which is combat simulation, at the Matybulak range in the southern part of Kazakhstan.

This is the 7th joint anti-terror military exercise held by SCO. More than 5,000 troops from Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China participated in the exercises supported by over 1,600 armored vehicles and tanks, 100 artillery pieces and rocket launchers, 50 combat aircraft, and armed helicopters.

Source: China News Service, September 24, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2010/09-24/2551334.shtml