Geo-Strategic Trend - 99. page

China’s state media People’s Daily reported that, on August 25, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Democratic Revolutionary Party (RPD) of Panama held the opening ceremony of an online seminar for party cadres. Song Tao, head of the CCP’s International Liaison Department, said that, under the joint promotion of General Secretary Xi Jinping and Panama’s leader, over the past three years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there have been “fruitful cooperation results.” The purpose of this online seminar was to “implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, and contribute to the development of Sino-Panama relations.” Song discussed the content of the third volume of Xi Jinping’s writings on State Governance. Fujian’s provincial CCP Committee Secretary Yu Weiguo talked about Fujian’s social economic development under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with Panama in areas such as the “Belt and Road Initiative.”

Panama’s RPD reportedly agreed with Xi Jinping’s idea of a “community with a shared future for mankind,” and stated that it firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to participate actively in the “Belt and Road Initiative.”

Source: People’s Daily, August 26, 2020
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2020-08/26/nw.D110000renmrb_20200826_6-03.htm

According to its state media People’s Daily, from January to July, China made 423.65 billion yuan (US$61.23 billion) in non-financial direct investments overseas, a year-over-year decrease of 2.1 percent. The value of newly signed foreign contracted projects was 855.67 billion yuan (US$123.66 billion), an increase of 4.3 percent. The completed business turnover was 491.26 billion yuan (US$71.0 billion), 10.5 percent lower than the same period last year. 159,000 workers were dispatched for foreign contracts. At the end of July, 644,000 Chinese workers were still abroad.

From January to July, China’s non-financial direct investment in “Belt and Road” countries totaled US$10.27 billion, a year-over-year increase of 28.9 percent, accounting for 17 percent of total outward investment in the same period. The contract value of newly signed projects in “Belt and Road” countries amounted to US$67.18 billion, and a completed turnover of US$40.43 billion.

Outward direct investment was sent mainly to leasing and business services, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail industries. Leasing and business services increased 18.1 percent and wholesale and retail investment 43.2 percent. The newly signed contracts in construction, petrochemical, and water conservancy construction projects have shown high growth.

Source: People’s Daily, August 21, 2020
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2020-08/21/nw.D110000renmrb_20200821_2-01.htm

Recently a number of controversial incidents involving restriction on freedom of speech have been reported on Australian university campuses. Scholars have criticized Australian universities for catering to Beijing and for suppressing academic freedom and freedom of speech. The Australian reported on August 7 that the Australian Federal Minister of Education Dan Tehan will launch an investigation into the university’s speech and academic freedom environment.

Below is a list of some recent incidents:
1. On July 31, the University of New South Wales twitter account shared a link to an article that expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Hong Kong. A few hours later, this post was deleted due to pressure from Chinese students. The incident was exposed and drew considerable criticism. On August 5, the President of the University admitted that deleting the tweet was a mistake and that, “There is no excuse for mistakes. … We clearly reaffirm our previous commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom.” However in a separate university statement published in Chinese, the wording was different. The Chinese statement read, “Due to the misleading content, the school has deleted this tweet. We are deeply disturbed by the trouble this incident has caused to you. Thank you all for your understanding.”

The University of New South Wales has 16,000 foreign students from China. They account for 25 percent of the total students; 68.8 percent of foreign students; and they contribute 22 percent of the university’s income. The University of New South Wales is reported to have launched a “Torch Innovation Precinct” project with China which includes a training program for PLA scientists.

2. On August 5, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that a professor from the School of Engineering at Charles Darwin University used the wording “Chinese Wuhan COVID-19 virus outbreak” in an assignment. It caused dissatisfaction among many Chinese students. After the Chinese students filed complaints, the school apologized and the professor changed the wording of the homework.

3. A Chinese student studying in Melbourne and her family members in China were harassed and the officers from State Security in China warned them against the student’s organizing events on campus and being outspoken about her position on Hong Kong and COVID 19.

4. Another Chinese student, Kevin, who did not want his real name to be used due to security reasons is currently studying for a graduate degree at the University of Sydney. He said that there are roughly three types of surveillance on campus: one is the embassy’s direct surveillance; the second is from fellow students; the third is from the local Chinese media because the CCP has infiltrated them. The media employees would take photos, conduct online searches, and indirectly assist the CCP in conducting overseas surveillance. Kevin said he felt afraid because he has to deal with this kind threat overseas.

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 7, 2020
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/jt-08072020143222.html

Serbia has purchased a new generation of medium-range radar-guided surface-to-air missiles from China. The move is considered the latest sign of deepening cooperation between Beijing and Belgrade.

According to Reuters report on August 3, “the purchase of the FK-3 missile defense system was included in the state-run arms company Jugoimport SDPR’s annual report, submitted to the state Business Registers Agency last week and seen by Reuters.”

The FK-3 is an export version of China’s latest generation of HQ-22 medium-range air defense missiles, which first appeared at the 2016 Zhuhai Air Show.

“Jugoimport SDPR said it made 163 import deals with 31 countries for $620.3 million in 2019. The weapons purchases included armed drones from China and Europe’s first known purchase of the FK-3.”

The FK-3 air defense missile, which Serbia purchased has a maximum range of 100 kilometers and a shooting height of 50 meters to 27,000 meters. The source said that Serbia has purchased 3 sets of FK-3 systems.

“In late June, Serbia’s air force received six CH-92A combat drones armed with laser-guided missiles, the first such deployment of Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles in Europe.”

China’s state media Global Times said that this drone is mainly used for reconnaissance and surveillance, but it also has certain strike capabilities.

The Serbian military traditionally uses the technology of the former Soviet Union. In recent years, Belgrade has purchased MiG-29 fighter jets, missiles, helicopters, tanks and armored personnel carriers from Russia.

China has been pumping money into Balkan countries, mainly on soft loans, infrastructure and energy projects. Beijing sees Serbia as part of its “One Belt, One Road” initiative and an important springboard to enter the Balkans.

In April last year, the Chinese government stated that, under the framework of the “One Belt, One Road,” the cooperation between the two countries achieved remarkable results. In the past six years, until 2019, the bilateral trade volume increased by 55.7 percent; the number of tourists from China to Serbia has also increased significantly. 2018 saw more than 100,000 Chinese tourists; the total contractual value of infrastructure construction projects of Chinese-funded enterprises exceeded US$5 billion. In recent years, China’s construction in the western Balkans and issuance of preferential loans in the name of promoting the development of infrastructure has attracted widespread international attention. The European Union expressed its concern that Southeast European countries in the western Balkans might suffer from China’s “debt trap diplomacy.”

Source: Voice of America, August 3, 2020
https://www.voachinese.com/a/serbian-purchase-missile-defence-system-shows-ties-deepening-china-20200803/5528464.html