Geo-Strategic Trend - 27. page

A report in China’s state newspaper People’s Daily stated that the 2023 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) and the Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music launched in Beijing on November 13. Over 300 representatives from 187 international art institutions in 30 countries gathered to “discuss new developments and challenges facing symphonic activities worldwide.”

According to People’s Daily, WAPA is an international, professional, non-profit organization voluntarily formed by theaters, cultural groups, art schools, and other performing arts institutions. It is headquartered in Beijing with its secretariat at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA). WAPA aims to “build an open exchange platform to promote outstanding performing arts, strengthen technology integration, and encourage civilizational exchange and common prosperity.”

NCPA President Wang Ning, also the Chair of WAPA, said that the NCPA has long promoted cultural integration and Sino-foreign communication, and that the NCPA will continue working with global institutions to support WAPA in organizing activities and weaving “a spiritual bond of beauty and commonality in the global performing arts.”

Cormac Sims, Administrative Director of the British Royal Opera House, applauded WAPA’s initiative as “an important link between countries.” He looks forward to “making more progress together.”

WAPA regularly organizes forums on performing arts and symphonic music. The 2023 Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music has the theme “Seeking New Horizons, Sharing and Coexistence.” Discussions will focus on music education and audience expansion, contemporary symphonic music visions, and co-creation platforms. Artists and industry leaders will address symphonic music developments and promote global exchange and mutual understanding.

Source: People’s Daily, November 14, 2023
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2023-11/14/nw.D110000renmrb_20231114_2-04.htm

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey comparing people’s views on China and the United States in 24 countries, most people support the United States far more than China.

Most respondents had a more favorable impression of U.S. President Joe Biden than of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Around 56 percent were more confident in how Biden has handled foreign affairs, while 19 percent were more confident in Xi Jinping than Biden. Across 24 countries, including Japan, Canada and Mexico, more people believe that the United States is more likely than China to consider their own country’s interests.

In countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, and India, the greater portion of respondents believe that the United States has contributed more to global peace and stability than China. The survey found that China has a poor image in North America, Europe and Asia, but a better image in Africa and Latin America. High-income countries tend to favor the United States more. In Japan and South Korea there are gaps of 57 percent and 62 percent, respectively, between the portions of respondents who support the United States versus those who support China. Even in the majority of middle-income countries, respondents are more confident in Biden than in Xi Jinping, with the exception of Indonesia and Hungary, where the U.S. and Chinese leaders were nearly tied in terms of respondent perceptions.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, November 7, 2023
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20231107-1448477

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that the Estonian government has agreed to allow Taiwan to open an economic and cultural representative office in the Estonian capital Tallinn under the name Taipei. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna issued a statement after a regular review of Estonian policy regarding China. The statement indicated that, like many other European Union countries, Estonia is ready to accept the establishment of a non-diplomatic Taipei economic and cultural representative office to promote bilateral relations. However, Tsahkna also emphasized that Estonia does not recognize Taiwan as a country based on the one-China policy framework. He said that Estonia wants its China policy to be consistent with the EU and supports Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) to fight against global disasters like the pandemic. He pointed out that “Obviously, it is also important for us that we defend fundamental values, including democracy and human rights. We stress this every time we meet with Chinese representatives.”

Source: CNA, November 4, 2023
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202311040003.aspx

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that the name “Israel” no longer appears on major Chinese online electronic maps such as Baidu Maps and AMap. Israel does still appear if the user specifically searches for the word “Israel.” All other nations in the region still have their names correctly displayed.

At a press conference of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reporter asked about the reason behind this change in the apps’ behavior, inquiring whether Beijing had required the apps to remove Israel. The spokesperson of the Ministry responded that “the relevant country is clearly marked on the standard map issued by the Chinese competent authorities.” He also stated that the Chinese position on the Palestinian-Israeli situation is: “China has always condemned and opposed all acts that harm civilians and violated international law, and has always been committed to working with the international community to promote ceasefires, ensure the safety of civilians, improve humanitarian assistance, and prevent serious humanitarian disasters.”

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, October 31, 2023
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20231031-1446946

According to well-known Chinese news site NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES), North Korea has just announced the closure of its Consulate General in Hong Kong. The move follows the closing of North Korean embassies in many African countries such as Angola and Uganda.

It is reported that North Korea plans to close 12 of its embassies and consulates in Spain, Hong Kong and other places, accounting for nearly a quarter of its 53 diplomatic missions around the world. These closures have triggered widespread attention to changes in North Korea’s foreign policy.

North Korea has long implemented a planned economy, and the size of the country’s economy has continued to shrink. According to one estimate, closing an embassy or consulate could save the North Korean government approximately US$500,000 per year. North Korea may also believe that, given the current diplomatic environment, it does not make sense to maintain North Korean diplomatic missions in countries with which the country has less friendly or less important relations.

Although North Korea’s move will affect the relationship between China and North Korea to some extent, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it respects North Korea’s decision. This statement from China likely creates international space for North Korea to further adjust its foreign policy. If China were to strongly oppose or criticizes North Korea, on the other hand, this would inevitably lead to a rebound in North Korean public sentiment and cause unnecessary negative impacts on relations between the two countries.

Source: NetEase, November 1, 2023
https://www.163.com/dy/article/IIFOSRAG05562Z7A.html