Geo-Strategic Trend - 249. page

Study Times published an article that suggests that China’s rise requires it to develop alternate natural resources despite its present favorable Sino-Russian relationship (continued friendly relations with China). Currently, China has access to a vast supply of natural resources from Russia, which may not be the case in the future. Therefore, China needs to develop alternatives to protect its supply of natural resources, including building the blue water naval capability to ship natural resources over the sea, before the Sino-Russian strategic relationship turns sour. At this time, the US has closed down any possible land route over which China could obtain oil from the Middle East, except Iran. China’s land route is limited to the Central Asian countries and Russia.

Source: Study Times, October 19, 2009
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=3001&nid=10873&bid=12&page=1

On October 13, 2009, China and Russia signed an agreement regarding mutual notification when launching ballistic missiles and carriers. The People’s Daily published a commentary by Wang Baofu, a professor at the Strategic Institute of China’s National Defense University. Wang acknowledged that signing of the pact is a clear indication that the security collaboration between the two countries has reached a new high. The significance of this collaboration has reached beyond military security and trust. The development of the Sino-Russian relationship in all areas is the result of strategic trust between the two countries.

Source: People’s Daily, October 17, 2009
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2009-10/17/content_361741.htm

The International Herald Leader, a newspaper under the auspices of Xinhua, published a commentary on October 13, 2009, debunking the Western claim that China practices “neocolonialism in Africa because of its need for natural resources.”

The article stated that the Western media portrays China as a new colonialist, a “destroyer” (using cheap made-in-China goods and workers flown from China to destroy Africa’s traditional economy), and a spreader of hatred to encourage and support ethnic group cleansing. Additionally, it accused Western companies of colluding with local rebel groups because of wanting to profiteer from natural resources and block China from entering the market. It declared that China’s presence in Africa brings economic growth to Africa, which unfortunately takes years for people to realize.

According to a report from the Ministry of Commerce, there are more than 800 Chinese companies and nearly 1 million Chinese workers in Africa. They are mainly employed in infrastructure industries, such as construction and oil extraction.

Source: International Herald Leader, October 13, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-10/13/content_12221552.htm

The International Herald, a publication under the domain of Xinhua, the Chinese Communist regimes’ mouthpiece, published a commentary concerning the democracy issue, at the symposium, "China and the World – Perceptions and Realities," in Frankfurt on September 12. The Chinese delegation left the event because two Chinese dissidents addressed the symposium. They only returned after the organizer apologized.

The International Herald accused Western countries of using “democracy” and “human rights” issues to criticize and slander China. “Digging out the ‘dark side’ of China becomes the preferred approach for some Western politicians to please the public….Democracy sounds good in concept. However, history has proved over and over again that imposing Western democracy on other countries is often frustrating, and could be catastrophic.”

The International Herald quoted words by Mei Zhaorong, former Chinese ambassador to Germany, "We did not come here for a lesson in democracy. Those times are over."

Source: International Herald, September 21, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2009-09/21/content_12087947.htm

Premier Wen Jiabao visited North Korea from October 4 to 6. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi who accompanied Wen to North Korea commented that Wen’s visit brought two great results: 1. It deepened the traditional friendship between China and North Korea. 2. The visit resulted in active progress on pushing for Korean Peninsula Denuclearization. North Korea expressed that denuclearization was the will of its former head Kim Il-sung. It wishes to change the US-Korea relationship from a hostile to a peaceful relationship. It is willing to return to the Six Party Talks, depending on its negotiations with the US.

Source: People’s Daily, October 6, 2009
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1024/10155693.html

On September 7, Hong Kong Agile Property Holdings, Ltd. donated 20 Million Yuan to China’s Chinese Language Education Foundation.

The Foundation was founded in 2004. Its mission was to raise funds from overseas connections to promote Chinese language education and promote cultural exchanges.

Source: Xinhua, September 7, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2009-09/07/content_12010402.htm

The Speaker of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council released comments on the Dalai Lama’s visit to Taiwan, stating that the Democratic Progressive Party engineered the visit of the Dalai Lama, who is a long term devoted splitter of China. We are strongly against this move. Our position is clear and firm: The Dalai Lama’s visit will surely have a negative impact on the cross-strait relationship and we will keep a close eye on this matter’s development.

Source: China Youth Online, August 31, 2009
http://www.cyol.net/node/index.htm

The opening ceremony for the Confucius Institute at the University of Incheon was held on August 28, Xinhua reported. This institute was established through a joint venture between the University of Incheon and Dalian University of Foreign Languages (Liaoning Province). It is the fifteenth Confucius Institute in South Korea. The first one was opened in 2004.

Source: Xinhua, August 28, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-08/28/content_11960175.htm