Chinascope – Page 976

CRN: China Does Not Need to Take Obama’s Comments Too Seriously

China Review News (CRN) published a commentary after U.S. President Obama delivered his third State of the Union Address. The commentary briefly described the general content of Obama’s speech as well as Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romny’s reaction. The author then focused on the fact that Obama mentioned China five times in his speech. The commentary summarized that Obama repeatedly blamed China for “breaking the rules” and “acting unfairly in trade.” Obama also planned to establish a new federal agency to investigate “such trade behavior.” However, the author believed Obama’s accusations largely served his reelection campaign purposes and his attitude actually reflected his frustrations during this election year. The commentary therefore concluded that China should pay attention to President Obama’s comments but not take them too seriously.

Source: China Review News, January 29, 2012
http://gb.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1019/9/2/3/101992389.html?coluid=1&kindid=0&docid=101992389&mdate=0129001107

Briefings | | February 7, 2012 | US-China Relations

New Confucius Institute Started Operations in Ottawa

People’s Daily recently reported that the 138th Confucius Institute started classes on January 24 in Ottawa, Canada. The report indicated that the purpose of opening this new Confucius Institute was decided on as a reaction to filling students’ needs to face the challenges of globalization and to be more prepared for the future job market. In the opening ceremony, the mayor of Ottawa suggested that the number of Chinese tourists already surpassed those from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. China is now Canada’s second largest trading partner after the United States. The trade volume is expected to double within the next four years. In addition to teaching the Chinese language, this new Confucius Institute also offers business consulting and training services to government agencies, private enterprises, and chambers of commerce.

Source: People’s Daily, January 30, 2012
http://world.people.com.cn/BIG5/16949815.html

Briefings | | February 7, 2012 | Geo-Strategic Trend

How Should China’s Diplomatic Policy Respond to Changes in the International Environment?

[Editor’s Note: China Review Magazine, the monthly publication of China Review News, a Hong Kong-based, pro-China political commentary, published an article by Guo Zhenyuan, the magazine’s academic consultant, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies. Guo stated that, as the new world order is taking shape, emerging countries are commanding more power. Because of China’s growing power, though other countries including the U.S. take certain hostile actions against China, they still want to share in China’s economic growth. Thus, China’s diplomatic policies should be shaped on the basis of a full utilization of its economic and national power. The following are excerpts from the article.] [1]

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Reports | | February 6, 2012 | Report

CCP No. 1 Document for 2012 Is on Agricultural Innovation

The Chinese Communist Party issued its first official policy document in 2012, called the No. 1 Document, on the promotion of agricultural innovation. This is the ninth consecutive year that the No. 1 Document has had rural issues as the theme, but it is the first time it has focused on agricultural science and technological development. It emphasizes that more attention must be placed on technological innovation. Three sections of the six section document discuss this focus. Specifically, it would “substantially increase investments and subsidies for the agricultural technology sector, promote great leaps forwards in the sector, and provide a strong momentum for improvements in land yield, farmers’ income, and rural prosperity.”

Source: Xinhua, February 1, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2012-02/01/c_111478030.htm

Briefings | | February 6, 2012 | Economy/Resources

China’s Senior Diplomat: An Arab Spring in China Is a Fantasy

Zhang Zhijun, China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that 70% of the people in China support the current government and that an Arab Spring-style uprising in China is no more than a fantasy. “China has different policies and situations from those in West Asian and North African regions and countries. In fact, according to a poll conducted by a Western organization, China ranked No. 1 with over 70% of those responding giving favorable votes on satisfaction with the government. The reason why the people show such support for the Chinese government is simple. In the past 30 years of reform and opening-up, China has developed rapidly in the political, economic, and social fields, with unprecedented achievements in its history. Anyone, by looking at these changes, will know that the so called China’s Arab Spring is no more than a fantasy.”

[Editor’s note: Zhang’s remarks were made in response to those of Senator John McCain, who was on the same panel as Zhang at the 48th Munich Security Conference on February 4, 2012. McCain stated, "It is a matter of concern when Tibetans are burning themselves to death because of the continued repression of the Tibetan people in your country." "I have said on many occasion and I will say again the Arab Spring is coming to China as well."]

Sources:
International Finance News reprinted by People’s Daily, February 6, 2012
http://paper.people.com.cn/gjjrb/html/2012-02/06/content_1002186.htm
Huff Post, February 6, 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/04/john-mccain-arab-spring-china_n_1254462.html

Briefings | | February 6, 2012 | Government/Politics

2012 China-EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue Opened in Brussels

The 2012 China-EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue opened recently in Brussels. Cai Wu, China’s Minister of Culture, spoke at the opening. “China and Europe both influence international affairs. Although there are differences in their political systems and cultures, dialogues and communication between different civilizations are conducive to removing misunderstanding and promoting convergence. China has held the China Culture Year in France, Italy, and other countries in the past." Cai stated that for 2012 China planned to hold the China Culture Year in Germany and the China-EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue in Brussels.

Source: Xinhua, February 2, 2012
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2012-02/02/c_122643361.htm

Briefings | | February 6, 2012 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Europe Should Think More about What China Wants

An opinion article published in People’s Daily asks that European leaders consider offering China what China needs in exchange for economic help from China. The article states, "Immediately after the Chinese New Year, European leaders started visiting China one after the other. The first was German Chancellor Merkel, then Herman Van Rompuy, President of the Council of the European Union. Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission will follow. The speculation is that the suitcases they bring will contain long lists of requests for China’s help."

The article suggests that "European leaders coming to China should not simply ask for China’s help; they should also think more about what China needs, what Europe can offer China, and what can they do for the long-term stability and development of Sino-European relations. As compared to Europe’s request for ‘economic’ help from China, China hopes to gain political respect from Europe. Even now, Europe still maintains an arms embargo on China and is not willing to admit China’s position as a market economy. On the one hand, the E.U. welcomes China to increase its investments in Europe. On the other hand, it also follows the media to politicize China’s investments. The ‘China economic threat’ theory is quite popular within the E.U. There are still many obstacles keeping Chinese enterprises from investing in Europe."

In closing, the author asks, "After all, what image does the E.U. want to have among the Chinese people? We hope European leaders will think again and give a wise answer with far-reaching impact."

Source: People’s Daily, February, 2, 2012
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/14549/16999697.html

Briefings | | February 3, 2012 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

Cheng Xiaonong: U.S.-China Strategic Relations Have Crystallized

Xinhua Commentaries: “Exposing the Three Major Political Deficits of the U.S.”

The CCP’s Performing Arts Troupes in the U.S.