Politics | CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

26/04/2012

* China Invests in Germany Amid Uncertainty

New York Times: “As Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China tours Europe this week, it is no accident that Germany occupies a special place on his itinerary. After all, Germany is the one European Union country that has a trade surplus with China. And it has also been a focus of Chinese investment in Europe — so much so that analysts say some Germans are growing wary as Chinese businesses have been snapping up German engineering companies.

Mr. Wen, making his sixth visit in eight years, and the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, on Sunday opened the annual trade fair in Hanover, billed as the world’s leading showcase for industrial technology. They plan to witness the signing of an economic agreement at the Volkswagen headquarters, in Wolfsburg, on Monday. According to German media reports, the deal will include the opening of a new car plant in the far western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Mr. Wen’s agenda, as with a follow-up trip planned by his likely successor, Vice Prime Minister Li Keqiang, seems aimed at presenting an aura of business as usual, even as trade tensions flare with the West and the Communist Party at home is embroiled in its biggest scandal in years, involving the deposed Politburo member Bo Xilai.”

via China Invests in Germany Amid Uncertainty – NYTimes.com.

Two birds with one stone: Collaboration with Germany & VW; and opening up a major auto plant in Xinjiang, one of the two provinces with significant unrest (the other, of course, is Tibet).

China Does Not Want To ‘Buy’ Europe (myfoxdc.com)

Posted in China alert, Diplomacy, Economics, Ethnic clash, GeoPolitics, Good news, Investment in tangibles, Manufacturing, unrest | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Angela Merkel, Bo Xilai, cars, China, European Union, Germany, Li Keqiang, politics, transportation, Wen Jiabao

23/04/2012

* China Court Overturns Death Penalty for Wu Ying in Fraud Case

New York Times: “The Supreme People’s Court on Friday overturned the death penalty against a 31-year-old woman who was convicted of financial fraud three years ago after becoming rich through a company that sold beauty products and other goods. The case of the woman, Wu Ying, ignited an enormous outcry in China, especially on the Internet, and strengthened public criticism of the death penalty.

Xinhua, the state news agency, reported that the supreme court, which agreed in February to review the case, refused to approve the death sentence imposed by a lower court and said that the sentence needed to be revised by the High People’s Court of Zhejiang, a coastal province that is home to Ms. Wu and many other entrepreneurs. Ms. Wu was sentenced to death in December 2009 by the Jinhua Intermediate People’s Court in Zhejiang for cheating investors out of $60.2 million. Ms. Wu, the founder of Bense Holding Group, raised $122 million from investors between 2005 and 2007, according to official reports.”

via China Court Overturns Death Penalty for Wu Ying in Fraud Case – NYTimes.com.

China court to review Wu sentence (bbc.co.uk)

Posted in Good news, Justice, Law suit | Leave a Comment »

Tags: capital punishment, China, Fraud, Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, Wu Ying, Zhejiang

22/04/2012

* Time to Start Thinking by Edward Luce

Time to Start Thinking is a book destined to spark debate among liberals and conservatives alike. Drawing on his decades of exceptional journalism and his connections in Washington and around the world, Luce advances a carefully constructed and controversial argument that America is losing its position at the top of the world’s pecking order. He supports this argument with his interviews with key players in politics and business, from U.S. senators, senior White House officials, Fortune 100 chief executives, and many others, including Bill Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen.

Luce’s central thesis is that America is sleepwalking into economic and geopolitical decline. In a tightly argued book, Luce turns his attention to a number of critical issues set to determine America’s future: the changing structure of the U.S. economy, the continued polarization of American politics, the debilitating effect of the “permanent election campaign,” the challenges involved in the overhaul of the country’s public education system, the desperate situation facing America’s middle class, and the health of American innovation in technology and business.

His conclusion investigates America’s dwindling options in a world where the pace is increasingly being set elsewhere. Luce turns particular attention to Washington—he identifies the city’s insidious lobbying culture, the politicians’ constant need to fund raise, and the lack of bipartisanship as key stumbling blocks to an effectively functioning political system.

As distressing as it is important, Time to Start Thinking presents an America in economic, social, and political crisis. Those unwilling to face up to this reality may be tempted to blindly trust in American exceptionalism—but Luce argues that it is American pragmatism that will be the key to securing America’s future, if it is to be secured.

via Time to Start Thinking by Edward Luce.

From my limited understanding of Americans, I suspect that more non-Americans than Americans will bother to read this book. Which will be a great shame.

Posted in Chindia Alert, Economics, GeoPolitics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: current-events, economy, Edward Luce, politics, United States, Washington DC

21/04/2012

* China’s Premier in Iceland, eyes on Arctic riches

extract from Reuters: “China signed accords on energy cooperation and the Arctic in Iceland on Friday as Premier Wen Jiabao started a tour of northern Europe that will focus on Chinese investment in a continent eager for funds and to trade with the rising world power.

Centrepiece of the trip will be a visit to Germany, where Wen and Chancellor Angela Merkel will on Sunday and Monday burnish industrial ties that have done much for both economies. That the prime minister of the world’s most populous nation should stop first, however, on a remote island of just 320,000 has raised hopes for an injection of Chinese cash into an economy ravaged by the bursting of a financial bubble in 2008 – but also suspicion of Beijing’s hunger for natural resources. …

Over two days, Wen, who trained as a geologist, will see volcanic geysers and electricity plants where Iceland captures geothermal energy. Friday’s meetings between Wen and Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir resulted in agreements to cooperate in the Arctic region, in marine and polar science and in geothermal energy. Orka Energy Ltd – an Icelandic firm focused on producing geothermal energy – and China’s Sinopec Group also signed a deal to develop geothermal energy in China for heating houses and the production of electricity, though no figures were provided. …

But by starting with a full-scale visit to Iceland, Wen has fuelled European concern that China might be trying to exploit the country’s economic troubles to gain a strategic foothold in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. The area has big reserves of oil, gas, gold, diamonds, zinc and iron. And with global warming melting polar ice, it may offer world powers new shipping routes – and naval interests – for the trade between Asia, Europe and America’s east coast. “When it comes to the Arctic, we always have China on our mind,” said one European diplomat from the Nordic region, who spoke to Reuters this week on condition of anonymity.

But conspiracy theories over why such an Asian giant would be interested in such a small nation abound. “Given Chinas investment pattern around the globe, people have asked questions. Why are doing this? Is there some ulterior motive?” said Embla Eir Oddsdottir at the Stefansson Arctic Institute. “For next decade they are going to be battling some sort of suspicion as to their motive, because people have a tendency to link them to some type of regime.” …”

via UPDATE 3-Chinas Wen in Iceland, eyes on Arctic riches | Reuters.

Why the suspicion and conspiracy theory? China has been wooing all sorts of countries in the recent past – see posts:

https://chindia-alert.org/2012/04/16/us-alert-as-chinas-cash-buys-inroads-in-caribbean/

https://chindia-alert.org/2012/12/31/question-who-did-china-woo-in-2012/

https://chindia-alert.org/political-factors/geopolitics-chinese/

It is part of China’s geopolitical plan to be friends wioth everyone – without prejudice to religion, race, politics, etc!

Posted in China alert, Climate change, Diplomacy, Economics, GeoPolitics, Good news, Natural resources, Transport | 3 Comments »

Tags: Arctic, China, environment, Iceland, Suez Canal, transportation, Wen Jiabao

19/04/2012

* Agni-V launch: India demonstrates ICBM capability; China reacts cautiously, says India not rival

Times of India: “Reacting cautiously to India’s test of Agni-V missile, China on Thursday said the two countries are not rivals and enjoy “sound” relations though the sources in the Chinese establishment feel that the launch can give rise to another round of arms race in the region.

“China has taken note of reports on India’s missile launch. The two countries have sound relationship. “During the recently held BRICS meeting in Delhi the leadership had consensus to take the relationship further and to push forward bilateral strategic cooperative partnership,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told a media briefing in Beijing when asked about the launch.

In Delhi, the diplomatic sources in the Chinese embassy said the “Agni-V launch can give rise to another round of arms race in this part of the world. “They were also critical of the media commentary on the successful launch of the nuclear capable 5000 km-range Agni-V missile, saying it sounded provocative. Asked whether China was concerned as most of the country would come under the Agnis range, Liu said in Beijing that “both the countries are emerging powers. We are not rivals. We are cooperative partners. We should cherish the hard earned momentum of cooperation.”

via Agni-V launch: India demonstrates ICBM capability; China reacts cautiously, says India not rival – The Times of India.

Posted in China alert, Chindia Alert, Defence, Diplomacy, GeoPolitics, India alert, Military | 1 Comment »

Tags: Agni-V, Beijing, BRICS, China, Delhi, India, Intercontinental ballistic missile, missile launch, politics

18/04/2012

* India to test fire long-range missile

BBC News: “India is due to test fire a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The locally-developed Agni-V missile has a range of more than 5,000km 3,100 miles and is expected to be launched in the eastern state of Orissa.

Visual description of the approximate range of the (Indian) Agni ballistic missile series. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Analysts say the Agni meaning “fire” in Hindi and Sanskrit missile family is to be the cornerstone of Indias missile-based nuclear deterrent. The missiles are among India’s most sophisticated weapons. In 2010, India successfully test-fired Agni-II, an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of more than 2,000km 1,250 miles.

Defence analyst Rahul Bedi says the successful test flight of the Agni-V missile, which is capable of delivering a single 1.5-ton warhead deep inside nuclear rival China’s territory, will strengthen India’s nuclear deterrence once it comes into service by 2014-15. It is 17.5m-tall, solid-fuelled, has three stages and a launch weight of 50 tons. It has cost more than 2.5bn rupees $480m; £307m to develop.

Only China, Russia, France, the US, and Great Britain have such long-range missiles. Israel is thought to possess them.”

via BBC News – India to test fire long-range missile.

Let’s hope this doesn’t start a military space race between India and China. Both countries must surely haev better things to invest their money in than nuclear missiles!

North Korea Isn’t The Only Country Testing Long Distance Missiles (businessinsider.com)
Agni V – The Project which will be revolutionary missile weapon (buildingthegateways.wordpress.com)

Posted in Chindia Alert, Defence, GeoPolitics, India alert, Military | 2 Comments »

Tags: Agni, Agni-II, Agni-V, China, Chindia, Chindiapedia, India, Missile, politics, Sanskrit

16/04/2012

* US Alert as China’s Cash Buys Inroads in Caribbean

New York Times: “A brand new $35 million stadium opened here in the Bahamas a few weeks ago, a gift from the Chinese government. The tiny island nation of Dominica has received a grammar school, a renovated hospital and a sports stadium, also courtesy of the Chinese. Antigua and Barbuda got a power plant and a cricket stadium, and a new school is on its way. The prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago can thank Chinese contractors for the craftsmanship in her official residence.

China’s economic might has rolled up to America’s doorstep in the Caribbean, with a flurry of loans from state banks, investments by companies and outright gifts from the government in the form of new stadiums, roads, official buildings, ports and resorts in a region where the United States has long been a prime benefactor.

The Chinese have flexed their economic prowess in nearly every corner of the world. But planting a flag so close to the United States has generated intense vetting — and some raised eyebrows — among diplomats, economists and investors. “When you’ve got a new player in the hemisphere all of a sudden, it’s obviously something talked about at the highest level of governments,” said Kevin P. Gallagher, a Boston University professor who is an author of a recent report on Chinese financing, “The New Banks in Town.”

Most analysts do not see a security threat, noting that the Chinese are not building bases or forging any military ties that could invoke fears of another Cuban missile crisis. But they do see an emerging superpower securing economic inroads and political support from a bloc of developing countries with anemic budgets that once counted almost exclusively on the United States, Canada and Europe.

China announced late last year that it would lend $6.3 billion to Caribbean governments, adding considerably to the hundreds of millions of dollars in loans, grants and other forms of economic assistance it has already channeled there in the past decade. Unlike in Africa, South America and other parts of the world where China’s forays are largely driven by a search for commodities, its presence in the Caribbean derives mainly from long-term economic ventures, like tourism and loans, and potential new allies that are inexpensive to win over, analysts say.

American diplomatic cables released through WikiLeaks and published in the British newspaper The Guardian quoted diplomats as being increasingly worried about the Chinese presence here “less than 190 miles from the United States” and speculating on its purpose. One theory, according to a 2003 cable, suggested that China was lining up allies as “a strategic move” for the eventual end of the Castro era in Cuba, with which it has strong relations.

via U.S. Alert as China’s Cash Buys Inroads in Caribbean – NYTimes.com.

While the US is trying to encroach on China’s backyard with military alliances with Australia and other South Pacific nations, China is encroaching the US backyard too, but with stadiums, roads and other civilian projects.

Posted in China alert, Economics, GeoPolitics, Infrastructure | 1 Comment »

Tags: Bahamas, Caribbean, China, Chindia, Chindiapedia, Chinese, Cuban Missile Crisis, United States

15/04/2012

* US says China making progress on currency, urges more

Reuters: “A senior White House aide said on Saturday that China had made some progress toward easing restrictions on its currency but stressed the United States wanted to see more actions taken.

At a briefing with reporters in Colombia, where President Barack Obama is attending a summit with Latin American leaders, White House adviser Ben Rhodes said the Obama administration was closely reviewing Beijing’s announcement that it was doubling the size of its yuan’s trading band against the dollar. “It comes in the continuum of us wanting to see the Chinese take more of these steps to see their currency appreciate to come in line with market value,” Rhodes said. “They’ve made some progress. We’d like to see more movement.”

“The Peoples Bank of China said on Saturday it would allow the yuan to rise or fall 1 percent from a mid-point every day, effective Monday, compared to its previous 0.5 percent limit. Currency experts said the move reflected a belief in Beijing that the currency is near its equilibrium level and that China’s economy, although cooling, is sturdy enough to handle long-promised structural reforms.

China’s currency is a sensitive topic in the United States, where many business leaders believe an undervalued yuan gives Chinese exports an unfair price advantage on global markets.”

via U.S. says China making progress on currency, urges more | Reuters.

Posted in Banking, China alert, Ecology, GeoPolitics | Leave a Comment »

Tags: Business, Chindia, Chindiapedia, economy, politics

14/04/2012

* Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khans detention: US apologises, India talks tough

Cover of My Name Is Khan

Times of India: “The US customs and border protection authorities have expressed “profound” apologies for the Shah Rukh Khan detention incident. However, taking the incident seriously, external affairs minister SM Krishna has asked the Indian ambassador to US, Nirupama Rao, to take up the matter with the authorities. Reacting strongly to the detention, Krishna said it has become a policy of detention and apology by the US which cannot continue.

Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan was detained at a New York airport for over two hours by immigration officials after arriving from India in a private plane with Nita Ambani, to address students at Yale University here. While Nita, wife of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, and the rest of their group were cleared immediately, Khan was stopped and was given immigration clearance only after about two hours, sources told PTI. 46-year-old Khan was to address a press conference at 2pm and deliver his lecture at 4pm at the Yale University. However, he arrived for the press meet three hours behind schedule and his hour-long lecture started at about 6pm.

“Whenever I start feeling too arrogant about myself, I always take a trip to America. The immigration guys kicked the star out of stardom,” Khan said with some sarcasm addressing the students at the University. He added that he always has his “small victories” even in such circumstances. “The immigration officials always ask me how tall I am and I always lie and say 5 feet 10 inches. Next time I am going to get more adventurous. If they ask me What colour are you, I am going to say white,” Khan said.”

via Shah Rukh Khans detention: US apologises, India talks tough – The Times of India.

Life imitates art. Shah Rukh Khan starred in a film called “My name is Khan” – which was subtitled and I’m not a terrorist – is mainly about him being stopped at US airports after the 911 Twin Towers terrorist action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Name_Is_Khan – “Upon its release, the film broke many box office records.^[9] My Name is Khan was the highest-grossing Bollywood film overseas at the time. Within four weeks, the film crossed the 70 crore (US$13.97 million) mark in India and became the first film of 2010 to do so. In the overseas markets, the film grossed 110.34 crore (US$22.01 million).^[10] My Name is Khan is currently the sixth highest grossing Bollywood film with a worldwide gross of 200 crores.^[11] The film was released in India on DVD on 28 April 2010. Blu-ray in India, plus a DVD release worldwide followed on 10 August 2010.^[12]“

Posted in China alert, GeoPolitics, India alert | Leave a Comment »

Tags: celebrities, Chindia, Chindiapedia, India, media, My Name Is Khan, politics, Shah Rukh Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Yale University

14/04/2012

* Police reinvestigate death of Neil Heywood according to law

Xinhua: “Chinese police have set up a team to reinvestigate the case that British citizen Neil Heywood was found dead in Chongqing on Nov. 15, 2011, which was alleged by Wang Lijun who entered, without authorization, the U.S. general consulate in Chengdu on Feb. 6 and stayed there, Xinhua learned from authorities.

Police authorities paid high attention to the case, and set up the team to reinvestigate the case according to law with an attitude to seek truth from facts. According to investigation results, Bogu Kailai, wife of Comrade Bo Xilai, and their son were in good terms with Heywood. However, they had conflict over economic interests, which had been intensified. According to reinvestigation results, the existing evidence indicated that Heywood died of homicide, of which Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, an orderly at Bo’s home, are highly suspected. Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun have been transferred to judicial authorities on suspected crime of intentional homicide.”

via Police reinvestigate death of Neil Heywood according to law – Xinhua | English.news.cn.

Note that Xinhua prefixed Bo to Mme Gu’s surname, which is not usual in mainland China, but common in Hong Kong and elsewhere where the wife has a business profile of her own, but wants to be associated with her husband. One wonders if this is the authorities subtle way of linking Mme Gu to Bo, who is in political disgrace.

Posted in China alert, Politics, Rule of law | 1 Comment »

Tags: Bo Xilai, Chengdu, China, Chindia, Chindiapedia, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Neil Heywood

CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon

Chindia Alert: You’ll be Living in their World Very Soon

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* China Invests in Germany Amid Uncertainty

* China Court Overturns Death Penalty for Wu Ying in Fraud Case

* Time to Start Thinking by Edward Luce

* China’s Premier in Iceland, eyes on Arctic riches

* Agni-V launch: India demonstrates ICBM capability; China reacts cautiously, says India not rival

* India to test fire long-range missile

* US Alert as China’s Cash Buys Inroads in Caribbean

* US says China making progress on currency, urges more

* Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khans detention: US apologises, India talks tough

* Police reinvestigate death of Neil Heywood according to law

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