一虎一席谈 – 中印关系是合作还是对抗？Tiger Talk Are Sino-India relationships based on cooperation or resistance? [Youtube] #SinoIndiaDispute

If you have 46 minutes to spare, Tiger Talk 一虎一席谈 is a recommended watch.

A prominent political forum on the more outward looking Phoenix TV, it features international representation conversant in Chinese to provide an offering of balanced perspectives. It shows the strides many foreigners have gone through to be competent to engage in discourse and often argument with Chinese policy makers, intellectuals, military officials and the like.

This episodes shows both sides of the coin on the China India border dispute.

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Will Manmohan Singh become another leader in the Deng Xiaoping mould? [Global Times] #ChinaIndia

Manmohan Singh to continue in public life after crossing 80?

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Will Manmohan Singh become another leader in the Deng Xiaoping mould?
By Rajeev Sharma
Source – Global Times, published March 31, 2013

Indian politics has just received a flash in the pan by an incredibly enigmatic statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a man known for his reticence.

While returning home after attending the fifth BRICS Summit in Durban, Singh was asked by accompanying media at his onboard press conference in Air India One on Thursday evening whether he had the drive, energy and motivation like Deng Xiaoping, one of the most popular and charismatic leaders of China in modern times, to continue in public life even after crossing 80.

Singh, who will turn 81 in six months, bamboozled everybody when he answered: “I have tried my very best to serve this country with all sincerity, with all dedication. Whether I have succeeded or not, it is for the public at large the people of India to judge.”

Please click here to read the rest of the article at its source.

Filed under: BRIC, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, global times, India, Influence, International Relations, New Leadership, Politics, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities

China’s ‘String of Pearls’ – Real or Fake? #Forbes #China #India #Pakistan

China’s ‘String of Pearls’ not a figment of journalists’ imaginations: Maha Atal on seeing the economic forest for the trees.

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China’s ‘String of Pearls’ – Real or Fake?
by Maha Atal
Source – Forbes, published February 2, 2013

Dan Drezner has a blog post up arguing that China‘s ‘string of pearls’ is a figment of journalists’ imaginations. The ‘string of pearls’ is the name given to China’s strategic investments in South and Southeast Asia, which, when plotted on a map, look awfully like a string of pearls encircling India. Pakistan is critical to this strategy, both because of its size and its location. Drezner is right to suggest that without the Sino-Pakistani link, the string of pearls theory doesn’t hold.

I’ve written about the string of pearls, and specifically about its Pakistani component, several times, for Forbes and other outlets, and I confess I’m not fully persuaded by Drezner’s critique.

1. Drezner depicts the Sino-Pakistani relationship as something that has arisen in response to the U.S. presence in the region and China’s growth:

Please click here to read the rest of article at its source.

Filed under: Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Communications, Forbes, Foreign aid, Government & Policy, India, Influence, International Relations, military, Pakistan, Peaceful Development, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, Strategy, Territorial Disputes, The Chinese Identity

India irked as China gets Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar port [Times of India] #China #India #Strategy

On China’s string of pearls move into the Indian Ocean.

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India irked as China gets Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar port
Source – Times of India, published February 2, 2013

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s cabinet formally agreed to hand over the operation of its strategically located Gwadar port to China on Wednesday. This puts in place China’s famed “string of pearls” strategy which may have significant implications for India.

On Wednesday, the Pakistan cabinet, in one of its last decisions, transferred the operations responsibility of the Gwadar port from Singapore’s PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) International to China’s Overseas Port Holdings. This had been agreed some time ago as PSA International and Pakistani navy fell out over land transfers, security issues and lack of infrastructure. PSA had asked to withdraw from the contract and Pakistan had agreed.

In 2011, the Pakistani defence minister had announced in Beijing that Islamabad would transfer ownership to a Chinese company. China had demurred then, but despite the worsening security situation in Balochistan, the Chinese have apparently agreed to take it over.

Please click here to read rest of article at its source.

Filed under: Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Government & Policy, India, Influence, Infrastructure, Mapping Feelings, Nationalism, Peaceful Development, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Singapore, Soft Power, Strategy, Territorial Disputes, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities, Times of India

China warns India against oil exploitation #China [Global Times]

Global Times: Advancing the pieces and nipping the bud before the SCS festering grounds …

Also- Wandering China will be back fully over the weekend! The dissertation on Chinese public diplomacy can take a break for the time being, more updates on that soon!

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China warns India against oil exploitation.
by Hao Zhao
Source – Global Times, published December 5, 2012

China opposes any unilateral energy exploration and development activities in the disputed areas in the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The statement came in response to remarks by the Indian navy chief that its navy is prepared to deploy vessels to the sea to defend the South Asian country’s economic interests there.

“China opposes any unilateral oil and gas exploration activities in disputed areas in the South China Sea and hopes relevant countries respect China’s sovereignty and national interests, as well as the efforts of countries within the region to resolve disputes through bilateral negotiations,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei said.

Hong’s remarks came after Indian navy chief Admiral D.K. Joshi said on Monday that Indian warships would sail to the South China Sea to protect its economic interests and freedom of navigation.

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BRICS seek unity, influence at New Delhi summit [Global Times]

BRICS Meet: China and its collective of rising powers on consensus building toward the “Delhi Declaration”.

And…from the India Express (March 30, 2012) Delhi declaration: Talks only solution to resolve India, Syria issues – “Concerned about the situation in West Asia due to Iran’s nuclear programme and Syria’s internal affairs, India, China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa on Thursday agreed that the issues in these countries should be resolved only through dialogue.”

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BRICS seek unity, influence at New Delhi summit
Xinhua, AFP
Source – Global Times, published March 28, 2012

The leaders of BRICS countries gather in New Delhi Thursday for their fourth summit, and they will also hold private talks, with the emerging market bloc struggling to convert its growing economic strength into collective diplomatic clout.

These will conclude with a “Delhi Declaration,” which will summarize the consensus of their views and could include a statement on the bloodshed in Syria, the Iranian nuclear crisis or Europe’s debt problems.

Zhang Yan, Chinese Ambassador to India, said the leaders of China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa would have in-depth discussions on global economic management, sustainable development and cooperation among the five BRICS countries with the theme “Partnership for Stability, Security and Prosperity.”

China regards this summit as a new opportunity for BRICS countries to reach consensus and deepen cooperation among BRICS countries to deliver a message of confidence to the world economy, provide dynamics to strengthen global economic management, and contribute more to the global economic recovery, Zhang said.

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India, US have many shared strategic objectives on China: Report [Times of India]

How does one deal with “heavy handed PRC actions… that are some incompatible with the reciprocal creation of goodwill of India and the US”?

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India, US have many shared strategic objectives on China: Report
Source – Times of India, published September 18, 2011

NEW DELHI: India and US have many shared strategic objectives vis-a-vis China, two major US think-tanks have concluded. A report prepared by a joint study group for US-based Council for Foreign relations and the India chapter of Aspen Institute has said that for a stable international order the role of China must be sought and enlisted.

“Both India and US have major national interests that are best served by good relations with China,” the study says but adds that both countries also find “some Chinese actions incompatible with the reciprocal creation of goodwill”.

The report mentions that “heavy handed PRC (People’s Republic of China) actions since 2007”, have been particularly worrisome for the United States, India and other nations in the region. 

Filed under: Beijing Consensus, Chinese Model, Domestic Growth, Environment, India, Influence, International Relations, Politics, Strategy, Territorial Disputes, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities, U.S.

China our ‘best friend’: Pakistan PM [Straits Times]

Pakistan declares China its best friend as China was quick,and the first to show its support of Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden by US Navy SEAL Team 6  in Operation Neptune’s Spear. ‘Both countries also see each other as an important counter-balance to India. To Pakistan, Beijing represents an uncritical friend, ready to provide aid, investment and military assistance.’

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China our ‘best friend’: Pakistan PM
Declaration comes amid tense ties with the US
Source – Straits Times, published May 18, 2011

Source - Straits Times

BEIJING: In an apparent dig at the United States, Pakistan’s prime minister declared China his country’s best friend as he began an official visit to China yesterday.

China, noted Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani, was the first country to show its support of Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden by US forces in the northern Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

His statement came amid soured ties with Washington over the raid, which is expected to nudge Islamabad even closer to Beijing, an old ally.

Filed under: AFP, AP, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, India, Influence, International Relations, military, Pakistan, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Straits Times, Strategy

China prepares for war ‘in all directions’ [The Age]

The key is here – the Chinese think that China’s military growth corresponds to its national power strategy, who would not want the means to protect oneself?

Analysts remain divided over whether China is initiating an Asian arms race. Even allowing for undeclared spending, China’s annual defence budget is still less than one-sixth of America’s $US663 billion ($A651.5 billion) a year, or less than half the US figure when expressed as a percentage of GDP.

Related article –
Military must be self-reliant: [Defence] minister [China Daily]

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China prepares for war ‘in all directions’
Peter Foster, Beijing
Source – The Age, published December 31, 2010

CHINA is preparing for conflict ”in every direction”, its Defence Minister says.

”In the coming five years, our military will push forward preparations for military conflict in every strategic direction,” General Liang Guanglie said in an interview published by state-backed newspapers in China.

”We may be living in peaceful times, but we can never forget war, never send the horses south or put the bayonets and guns away.”

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World’s big enough for India and China, says Chinese PM [BBC]

World’s big enough for India and China, says Chinese PM|
Source – BBC, published October 29, 2010

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (right) is expected to visit India in December. Photo - AFP

Chinese PM Wen Jiabao has told his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, that there is “enough space” in the world for both countries to develop.

His comments came during a meeting on the sidelines of a regional meeting in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Mr Wen said he would visit India this year.

China is India’s largest trading partner; two-way trade volumes surpassed $50bn (£31bn) in 2008.

The two nations fought a brief border war in 1962, but ties have improved.

Tensions remain, however, between the rising regional powers over their shared 3,500-km (2,170-mile) border, decades on from the conflict, which China won.

Another bone of contention is the presence in India of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama.

Beijing and Delhi have had a “strategic and co-operative partnership” since 2005.

Filed under: BBC, Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Communications, Economics, India, Influence, International Relations, Soft Power, Strategy, Territorial Disputes, Trade