German Economic Cooperation Minister: China no longer needs Development Aid

8889 online readers of the Financial Times Germany “voted” on Germany’s new development aid minister Dirk Niebel‘s suggestion to stop development aid for China by 12:45 GMT today. 80 per cent of them believe that the idea is overdue; 15 per cent consider the idea populist, and 5 per cent believe it is dangerous.

Niebel’s suggestion is probably not meant to be mere populism, or Liberal Democrat “hostility towards China” – after all, India too, is on his list of countries which do no longer fulfill the criteria for development aid in Niebel’s book. Henrik Bork, (formerly a correspondent in China, and expelled / not re-accredited by the Chinese authorities in 1995) points out in an article for the Süddeutsche Zeitung that China itself grants development aid to Africa and Central Asia, often of little benefit for the people there, and rather in order to secure itself political influence.

Nevertheless, Bork argues that there are certain projects that should still be financed by the German development ministry (officially known as the Ministry for Cooperation and Development) – such as modernizing 6,000 Chinese gas stations in accordance with German environmental protection standards. The job could be assigned to a German medium-sized company, suggests Bork.

H1N1 Vaccines Squeeze

Several South East Asian and Middle Eastern countries contacted Taiwan’s sole H1N1 vaccine manufacturer, but were told that the company’s main concern was the welfare of Taiwan’s citizens.

Ma Zhaoxu: Very Thought-Provoking Question

“Asking”^*) foreign governments and organizations not to do something that it perceives to be against its interests doesn’t amount to a violation of the principle of non-interference into others’ internal affairs, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu (马朝旭) is quoted by the BBC’s Beijing correspondent Michael Bristow. The BBC report refers to brawls about the Melbourne International Film Festival in July and August, the Frankfurt Book Fair in September / October, and World Uyghur Congress chairwoman Rebiya Kadeer‘s visit to Japan in July.

Richard Moore, the Melbourne Film Festival’s executive director, received a phone call from a Chinese consular official, and that “it came down to [the consular official] saying we need to justify our decision to include the film in the programme”.

On October 23, foreign ministry spokesman Ma took two questions (the second being a follow-up) concerning Beijing’s protests against Rebiya Kadeer’s Japan visit in July.

Q: On Tuesday you urged Japan not to issue visa to Rebiya Kadeer. Isn’t that against China’s principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries?

A: I hope you do not listen to a lopsided statement when assessing the issue.
We all know what kind of person Rebiya is. Some forces in Japan attempt to facilitate her visit to Japan for engagement in anti-China activities. We should absolutely express our strong dissatisfaction. Standing resolute in fighting against national separatism and upholding national unity, we believe that any scheme of Rebiya and her kind to split China is doomed to failure.

Four questions later, it was the same reporter’s turn again, and still lopsided himself, he dwelled on the issue:

Q: I don’t think you have answered my question just now. I am aware of the Chinese Government’s position on Rebiya Kadeer’s visit to Japan. My question is about the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs. If China really does not interfere in other country’s internal affairs, then why did it pay no regard to the principle under some circumstances, such as demanding the Japanese Government not to issue visa to Rebiya?

A: First, I think I have already answered your question clearly. Second, I suggest that you look into the meaning of the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs. Third, I believe what China has done is precisely to uphold the principle, not on the contrary.

Five days later, on another press conference, the question of non-interference was back in a more courtly style (the published Foreign Ministry press conference records don’t mention the reporters and media who ask the questions).

Q: I have two questions on the APEC meeting to be held next month. Many people are concerned over China’s growing influence in regional and international affairs, and some people criticize China for ambitiously seeking dominance in these affairs. How do you respond to the criticism? What kind of world leader will China become? The second question bears on the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs upheld by China all along. There is a growing chorus of voices calling for China to play an even more positive role [emphasis added - JR] in the international arena. To what extent can China adhere to the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs?

A: You have raised a very thought-provoking question which is also of common interest of all. It is even a strategic question from a broader perspective. I appreciate that. The question deserves in-depth discussion at academic seminars, and I am afraid that it would be difficult for me to answer your question in one or two words on this occasion. However, I am still willing to share with you my opinions. First, concerning China’s role in international affairs, China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, remains committed to a path of peaceful development and plays a positive and constructive role in international affairs. It is our goal to work with other countries towards a harmonious world.
The principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs is universally recognized by the international community. It is also one of the basic ingredients of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the very foundation of China’s foreign policy. China unswervingly upholds the principle of non-interference in others’ internal affairs. In the meantime, given the rapid development of globalization and multi-polarization as well as increasingly complicated international situation, China, as a responsible country, will continue to play its due role as a positive and constructive party in the international arena.

____________

^*) Asking is apparently the wording the BBC chose to describe the CCP’s interference abroad.

____________

Related:
“World Media Summit”, Be More Xinhua, October 10, 2009
“Protest isn’t the Only Patriotic Way”, August 15, 2009

Lights for the Memories

Night falls early now, and lasts for many hours. Once in a while, on my way to or from work, I’m passing by a graveyard next to the road. There’s an air of solitude around it, as it lies outside the residential areas, the next street lamps are several hundred meters behind or ahead, and only few cars are passing through.

But no matter if the nightly skies are cobalt-blue and the moon is shining, or if it is overcast or rainy, there is that one light between the tombstones. It’s an old pagan, i. e. Catholic tradition, and in this Lutheran area, you won’t see it very often. They call it “ewiges Licht” or eternal light – in English, it would be sanctuary lamp. To people who believe in it, it may symbolize the eternal life or lives of departed souls. To me, it symbolizes the memories of the survivors.

Once in a while, I dismount and watch the light for a while. It flickers when the wind is blowing across the void place, and it shines silently under the cold and peaceful light of the moon. But it is always there. It isn’t eternal by itself – it only is because someone comes there once in a while and keeps it going. And it isn’t really eternal. Sooner or later, maybe when the bereaved themselves are dead, their light will go out.

But it’s both a sad and a comforting custom. Sanctuary lamps are sanctuaries for the survivors.

Qian Xuesen dies at 98

Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen (钱学森), who is known as the father of China’s space technology program, and arguably its first atomic bomb, died in Beijing yesterday, aged 98. The Voice of America (VoA) also notes the pre-pinyin Latin spelling of his name, which used to be Tsien Hsue-shen, and gives a short biography of his life.
Chinese Chief State Councillor Wen Jiabao (温家宝) had paid a visit to Qian in August. At the time, Qian was apparently at reasonably good health for his age, and in a good mood (Jiefang Daily, first photo).

His life was closely connected with Shanghai’s Jiaotong University (交通大学), writes Jiefang Daily. He studied at the university’s faculty of mechanical engineering from 1929 to 1934, and was awarded a Outstanding Friends of the University Lifetime Achievement Reward (杰出校友终身成就奖) in April this year, as Jiaotong University celebrated the 113th anniversary of its foundation.

From 1935, Qian studied mathematics and aviation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology. According to a Wikipedia entry, he applied for U.S. citizenship in 1949, but decided to return to China after being suspected of being a communist. After five years of arrests and house arrests in America, he was deported to China in 1955. In 1958, he joined the CCP, and was put in charge of developing ballistic missiles.