Posts tagged ‘China’

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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 »

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19/04/2012

* HSBC issue of renminbi bonds in London

China Daily: “George Osborne, British chancellor of the exchequer, announced an initiative on Wednesday that reaffirms his support of London becoming an offshore yuan center. That came as the banking and financial services company HSBC Holdings Plc introduced the first yuan-denominated bond to be offered in London.

Meanwhile, the City of London Corp, which governs an area in central London, published a report showing that 109 billion yuan $17.3 billion worth of customer and interbank yuan deposits were held in the city at the end of December. “This is a significant moment,” Osborne said as he introduced a policy named “London as a center for offshore renminbi business”. “This builds on the progress London has already made toward becoming the Western hub for renminbi. “Today’s event emphasizes that we are not prepared to let anyone steal a march on us in terms of new products and new markets. We are the natural home in the West for those who want to invest in China’s economic success story.

“Osbornes comments came after HSBC announced the introduction of a 3-year yuan bond. HSBC’s term sheet for the bond issuance implied it was worth at least 500 million yuan, Reuters has reported. The proposed issuance comes amid reforms Beijing has made to advance its plans to make the yuan an international currency. London is working to make itself into a center for offshore yuan trade following an agreement that was reached between Britain and China last year.

via HSBC issue of renminbi bonds in London real|Europe|chinadaily.com.cn.

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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 »

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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...

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!

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17/04/2012

* Irish horses to race in China as Magnier wins €38m stud deal

Independent.ie: “HUNDREDS of Irish horses are set to race regularly in China after bloodstock giant Coolmore announced a ground-breaking deal. The agreement is part of a plan that will see Ireland help set up a horse racing industry in Tianjin, China’s fourth largest city.

Horse racing in Sligo, Ireland

Horse racing in Sligo, Ireland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Top Irish stud farm Coolmore – owned by racing tycoon John Magnier and based in Fethard, Co Tipperary – will help China set up a similar operation. The planned equine centre will be the first of its kind in the country.

It is due to open for business next year. The contract is worth more than €38.5m to Ireland over three years.

via Irish horses to race in China as Magnier wins €38m stud deal – Irish, Business – Independent.ie.

A sure sign that China is liberalising. As far as we know gambling is illegal in China. Though, behind closed doors …  

But now we are going to see real horse racing in China. Or will the races be run without any betting?!

Posted in Affluence, China alert, Consumer, Good news, Social & cultural | Leave a Comment »

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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.

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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.

Related post: https://chindia-alert.org/2012/04/05/deciphering-chinese-names/

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14/04/2012

* China ejects Bo from elite ranks, wife suspected of murder

Reuters: “China’s Communist Party has banished the country’s brashest and most controversial politician from its top ranks and detained his wife in connection with the murder of a British businessman, the most tumultuous upheaval in the nation’s leadership in decades.

The decision to cast out Bo Xilai from the party’s Central Committee and its Politburo effectively ends the career of the former high-flyer, widely seen as pressing for a top post in China’s next leadership to be decided later this year.

The official Xinhua news agency confirmed a Reuters report several hours earlier on Tuesday that Bo had been suspended from his party posts, and separately reported that his wife, Gu Kailai, was suspected in the murder of Briton Neil Heywood.

“Comrade Bo Xilai is suspected of being involved in serious disciplinary violations,” said Xinhua, citing a decision by the central party leadership to banish Bo from its top ranks.

“Police set up a team to reinvestigate the case of the British national Neil Heywood who was found dead in Chongqing,” the news agency said, referring to the sprawling southwestern municipality where Bo was party chief until he was dismissed in March as a scandal surrounding him unfolded.

It was the most dramatic convulsion in China’s secretive leadership since 1989, when Jiang Zemin was plucked from obscurity to head the Communist Party after the bloody crackdown on democracy protests in Beijing.

Jiang replaced Zhao Ziyang, who was toppled by hardliners for supporting the student movement centered on Tiananmen Square that was crushed by the army with heavy loss of life.

Xinhua said evidence indicated Heywood’s death was a homicide and Gu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun, an assistant in Bo’s household, were “highly suspected.” It cited a dispute over unspecified “economic interests” between Gu and Heywood that “constantly intensified”.

Gu and Zhang had been “handed over to the judicial authorities”, it said – meaning they have been detained.”

via China ejects Bo from elite ranks, wife suspected of murder | Reuters.

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06/04/2012

* China’s import tariffs cut praised by WTO

China Daily: “China’s decision to cut import tariffs, against the backdrop of lurking protectionism in “too many” countries, has been hailed by the World Trade Organization.”

At a time when too many governments are reverting to trade restrictive measures, news of China’s market-opening initiative is most welcome,” WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell said in an interview with China Daily in Brussels. Rockwell was speaking after China announced a package of measures cutting import tariffs last week. The measures will see duty reduced on “some energy products, raw materials, consumer goods closely related to peoples lives, and key items that China does not produce”. And Beijing will encourage more purchases from countries and regions that have signed free trade agreements with China. Boosting imports will entail a more open market for a range of goods, Rockwell said.  The Ministry of Commerce will announce details of the measures soon.”

via Chinas import tariffs cut praised|Economy|chinadaily.com.cn.

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05/04/2012

# Deciphering Chinese names

Chiang Kaishek with Muslim General Ma Fushou a...

There are around 100 common Chinese surnames and, apart from possibly Ma (馬), there is no religious or regional clustering. The colloquial for ‘the public’ is lao bai xing, which literally means “old hundred surnames”. The surname Ma, more often than not, is used by Muslim Chinese; and is thought to be derived from the Prophet Mohammed.

Traditionally, for many centuries, most Chinese families followed the standard practice of using three mono-syllabic words for their names, such as Sun Yatsen, father of modern China.
Maybe surprisingly, Dr Sun is revered in both the Peoples’ Republic and Taiwan. Both have huge memorials to him. The photo courtesy –
http://hcyip.wordpress.com/tag/nanjing-massacre/ – is of the mainland memorial.

The first, Sun (孫), is the family or clan name. After all what is most important, your antecedents, of course rather than you yourself – back to the collective mindset of Chinese.

The second, Yat, is the ‘generation name’. It is given by the parents to each of the siblings. So, all of Yatsen’s brothers and sisters would have Yat plus another word as their name. And, indeed, all his paternal first cousins. In some families, the boys and girls may have variants of this name.

If the family is conforming to old traditions, then the middle name (the generation name) is taken from a poem specially composed for the family, with each generation taking a successive word from the poem. Typically, the poem will be about something noble and aspirational, such as: “World peace, national unity; Social harmony, family prosperity”. So, the first generation’s middle name will be world, the next peace and so forth. Of course, in most families, long before they reach the eighth generation, some successor would have thought to create his own couplet to be more modern and so the cycle restarts.

The third, sen, is the personal name and can be any word in the Chinese vocabulary. Having said that, some words are regarded as more masculine and others more feminine.

Just to confuse everyone, some families use the second name as the personal name and third as the generation name. So, for example, Sun Yatsen’s wife Madam Sun was named Soong Chingling and her two sisters were Soong Ailing and Soong Meiling. Although Sun and Soong sound similar, Soong is a differnt name altogether (宋) incidentally, Meiling was Chiang Kaishek‘s wife, Madame Chiang.

Despite being a feudal society until recent times, women kept their names after marriage. So the wife of the disgraced leader Bo

 

Xilai is Gu Kailai; rarely – but confusingly – called Bogu Kailai.
In places like Singapore and Hong Kong sometimes married women, esp business women, would keep their maiden name along with the husband’s surname, making it four names. Sort of like the British ‘double-

barrelled‘ surnames such as the actress Helene Bonham Carter.

Most Chinese who live in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and other enclaves of Chinese emigrees tend to keep to the traditional way of naming.

Her Excellency Wu Yi, Vice Premier of the Peop...

But since the revolution in 1949 and especially since the Cultural Revolution in the 70s, many mainland Chinese have stopped using the generation name and use just one name after the surname such as Madame Wu Yi, retired senior leader who led China into the WTO and who managed the SARS crisis of early 2000s.

This causes huge problems for the authorities as, it is not uncommon, at roll call in school, several kids would raise their hands– for example – to Wang Ta (= Wang senior). The authorities are encouraging parents to revert to a middle name when naming their children.

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