Geo-Strategic Trend - 242. page

A Xinhua reporter interviewed Pu Tong, the Cultural Counselor for the Chinese Embassy in France. Pu Tong said, “China and France are both big countries with a strong cultural background. The interaction of both countries started with a cultural exchange. … China-French cultural exchanges are an important part of the two countries’ relations.”

Pu expressed that culture naturally evokes curiosity, and a feeling of closeness and fascination. Therefore, cultural exchanges will play a major role at this juncture as China-French relations are reaching a new level.

Source: Xinhua, November 3, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-11/03/c_12732617.htm

Xinhua reported from the United Nations on October 26 that, in their speeches to the UN General Assembly Meeting, the European Union (EU), G77, the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), Venezuela, South Africa and Cuba strongly urged the United States to cease its embargo against Cuba. The EU complained about the extension of the U.S. embargo to a third country and CARICOM suggested that the embargo is unlawful. 187 out of 192 UN member countries voted for lifting the current U.S. blockade measures. This is the 19th time the UN has passed such a motion.

Source: Xinhua, October 27, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/27/c_13578060.htm

On October 27, 2010, the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon donated eight million yuan (US$1.18 million) worth of batteries, tents, and other military supplies to the Lebanese Army. Chinese Ambassador Liu Ziming and Lebanon Army Deputy Chief of Staff Hanna signed an exchange certificate at a formal ceremony. Liu praised the role of Lebanon’s Army in maintaining the security and stability of Lebanon. He also said that China pays close attention to the development of both countries and armies.

Source: Xinhua, October 27, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2010-10/27/c_12708639.htm

China held a high-profile celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Chinese army joining the Korean war. The Commemoration conference was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 25. Hu Jintao met with Korean War veterans prior to the conference. Xi Jinping, the newly-elected Vice Chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission, attended the meeting. Xi also gave a speech at the commemoration conference. In his speech, Xi paid tribute to the old CCP leaders, the North Korean government, and the USSR. Chinese media published articles to praise China’s achievements in the Korean war.

North Korea held a 30,000-person celebration in Pyongyang on October 25. Kim Jong-Il, King Jong-Un, and other top leaders attended the event. Guo Boxiong, the Vice Chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission, led a high-level PLA delegation to Pyongyang for the event.

Sources: Xinhua and Yangcheng Evening News, October 25, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2010-10/25/c_13574855.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/25/c_12700037.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/25/c_12699947.htm
http://www.ycwb.com/ePaper/ycwb/html/2010-10/25/content_953589.htm

According to Xinhua on October 14, 2010, Liu Yunshan, a member of the Politburo, member of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee, and the head of the Propaganda Department of the CCP Central Committee, held a meeting with more than 30 mainstream media heads from 17 developing countries. They were participating in a ministry-level seminar in China.

As a representative of the seminar class, Kerim, WAZ media group board member and CEO of Macedonia Media Publishing Group, praised China’s progress and positive role in the international community.

Source: Xinhua, October 14, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2010-10/14/c_12660648.htm

On October 20, a China News Agency reporter interviewed Qiu Yi, Vice Chairman of the Bank of China (BOC), while they were at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) second China-ASEAN Summit Forum on Financial Cooperation ＆ Development. Qiu said that business at the BOC’s branches in ASEAN is booming, and that BOC is planning to acquire banks in ASEAN in order to enhance BOC’s overseas expansion. Qiu also said that, as the strategy of having the Chinese renminbi go overseas is being implemented, BOC is experimenting with renminbi services in non-trade areas, including providing cash in renminbi, providing financial renminbi products, and becoming a major dealer in the renminbi overseas.

Source: China News Agency, October 21, 2010
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/fortune/2010/10-21/2602931.shtml

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently published the “Report 2010: Economic and Trade Relations between China and Africa,” in Chinese, English and French. The report claims that China is now Africa’s biggest trading partner, citing a $91 billion trade volume in 2009. In addition to the traditional infrastructure construction area, new developments in the relationship include finance, telecommunications, energy, tourism and aviation. The report includes a “Historic Review of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Relationship,” “The Relationship in 2009,” and “A Look into Year 2010.” This report is considered the first comprehensive annual report on China-Africa trade relations.

Source: People’s Daily, October 15, 2010
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1027/12961071.html

Cai Penghong, a research fellow at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, wrote that, due to continuous U.S. military presence and intervention, and because the U.S. encourages Vietnam’s and the Philippine’s claims over the Nanshan Islands, U.S. ships may mistakenly or purposely enter the territorial waters of the Nansha Islands.  

“The possibility of a Sino-US diplomatic crisis in the Nansha region might then become reality.”  

"While the U.S. tries to control the ASEAN, ASEAN has its own way to effectively deal with the situation," remarked Cai. “In this context, China should take the initiative, take a tougher stance to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, and speed up consultation with the respective countries to develop a ‘Nansha Code of Conduct.’"  

He suggested that, at present, China is the only country that can bring about a resolution to deal with the risk of trouble around the Nansha Islands.”

 
Source: Huanqiu, October 12, 2010
http://mil.huanqiu.com/Exclusive/2010-10/1163533.html