The Chinese Communist Party Central Committee sent the Deputy Director of the International Liaison Department, Chen Fengxiang, to attend the 11th Congress of the United Russia Party held on November 21 in Saint Petersburg. Chen also delivered a speech in the forum entitled “Party Responsibilities During A Period of Crisis.”
Source: People’s Daily, November 21, 2009
http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64107/64112/10423109.html
In Sudan, on the evening of November 17, according to the website of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee’s International Department, the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir had a meeting in Khartoum with the CCP’s chief of legal affairs and Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang.
On November 20, 2009, Xinhua reported that China is Iran’s largest trading partner. In 2008, the direct bilateral trade amounted to 27.6 billion U.S. dollars. The trade volume from January to September this year has already reached 15.4 billion U.S. dollars including 5.5 billion U.S. dollars in exports and 10.0 billion U.S. dollars in imports.
In November 2008, China and Iran signed an “Understanding Memorandum on Sino-Iranian Investment.” From January to September this year, Iran has invested $67.0 million in China; China has invested $159 million in Iran. Iran is China’s third largest crude oil importer. In 2008, china imported 21.3 million tons of crude oil from Iran, accounting for 12% of China’s imported crude oil.
Source: Xinhua, November 20, 2009.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-11/20/content_12512183.htm
Lee Kuan Yew, former paramount leader of Singapore, during his recent tour of the U.S., delivered a speech reminding the U.S. to play an important role in Asian affairs in order to balance China’s military and economic power. Chinese state-run media exhibited limited dissatisfaction, stating that the Chinese netizens were furious about Lee’s speech, but then quoting reports from oversees media and interviews with experts with mild criticism of Lee Kuan Yew or even an explanation for Lee from Singapore’s perspective.
Sources:
1. Global Times, November 4, 2009
http://world.huanqiu.com/roll/2009-11/622707.html
2. China News Service, November 4, 2009
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/hb/news/2009/11-04/1946402.shtml
On October 27, 2009, foreign affairs ministers of China, India and Russia met in Bangalore, India. A Joint Communique was issued afterwards and published in People’s Daily.
The Communique stated that the improved economic conditions of the three countries will facilitate even faster growth. “The strengthened communication of the three countries will benefit improvement of their overall influence, promotion of the democratic process, and development of a multi-polar world.”
The Communique enumerated mechanisms for the three countries to launch talks on global economic management, climate change, trade policy, development, and cooperation.
The Communique asked for a “comprehensive reform” of the United Nations. China and Russia support India’s wish to play a larger role in the UN.
Source: People’s Daily, October 29, 2009
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2009-10/29/content_371134.htm
Jointly hosted by the State Council of the Overseas Chinese Office and the Chinese Foreign Exchange Association, the first World Chinese Language Education Conference took place in the capital city of Sichuan Province. The focal point of the conference was a call for more exchange and cooperation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. The Deputy Director of the State Council Overseas Chinese Office, Zhao Yang, delivered a speech suggesting overseas Chinese associations should take the leading position in organizing and managing overseas Chinese language education. The conference, formerly known as the International Chinese Education Seminar, was originally started in 1990.
Source: United Front Work Department of the Party Central Committee, October 20, 2009
http://www.zytzb.org.cn/zytzbwz/newscenter/hlkd08/200910/t20091020_579748.htm
The International Herald Leader reported that Russia is facing a dilemma on supplying natural gas to China. On October 13, 2009. China and Russia signed a framework agreement for the building of two natural gas pipelines from Russia’s gas fields in the Far East to China. However, for the two countires to reach an agreeable price will be a challenge. China suggested $100-120 USD per thousand cubic meters, but Russia’s lowest price is $250-270 USD. Russia is afraid that asking for too high a price may drive China to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Russia is also concerned regarding whether it will depend too heavily on China financially and will become just a “natural resource provider” to China.
Source: International Herald Leader, October 15, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-10/15/content_12237118.htm
Global Times reported that on October 24, 2009, Premier Wen Jiabao attended the 12th ASEAN Plus Three summit, or "10+3" summit (10 ASEAN member countries plus China, Japan, and South Korea). Wen Jiabao suggested establishing a regional foreign-exchange reserve pool by the end of this year and also speeding up the independent regional economic monitoring organization, and the Asian bond market. China is willing to provide $200 million for the regional credit guarantee and investment funds. Wen also promoted the expansion of regional trade and investment among the 10+3 countries and expressed that China is willing to take the lead in advancing 10+3 economic and trade cooperation.
Source: Global Times, October 24, 2009
http://china.huanqiu.com/roll/2009-10/612343.html