China’s Position: Ukraine still hopes for the Best

On February 27, Ukraine issued a rejection of sorts of China’s February 24 position paper “on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”. Advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, told “Freedom TV”  that the only effective measure the position paper called for was “immediate cessation of fire.”

“This means that Russia will remain in the occupied territories, we will have a new dividing line, and we will have a slow absorption of Ukraine. That is, the slow death of Ukraine,” the TV station quoted Pdolyak.

The rejection from Zelensky’s office, but only in an unofficial interview, suggests that Kiev doesn’t want to anger Beijing and possibly provoke Chinese lethal-arms supplies to Russia that wouldn’t happen otherwise.

^{中共中央外事工作委员会办公室主任王毅会见乌克兰外长库列巴，慕尼黑，Febr 18, 2023}

In an article published on March 3, “Freedom TV” quotes interviewees as saying that “it is too early to say that China is openly opposing Ukraine”. China’s “global ambitions”, its long common border with Russia, and its dependence on Russian energy supplies as well as the two countries’ traditional alliance are quoted as factors supporting the bilateral relationship, but “Beijing will not sacrifice its own well-being because of Russia, experts are sure”.

Part of China’s “well-beings” is the arable land it owns in Ukraine. It shouldn’t be too difficult to replace, given that Beijing’s investment companies are scouting all continents for farmable land to buy or rent, but it wouldn’t be fun to see the goose being killed by Russia – even if it isn’t quite the “golden” goose.

Besides, at least one of “Voice of America’s” interlocutors, Taiwan International Strategic Study Society director Ching-Sheng Lo (羅慶生), took a rather critical view of China’s food security, a year ago.

Lo Ching-Sheng says: “Having bought that much grain, with storage for a year and a half, there’s nothing to care about – no problem in the short run. If this should turn into an Afghanistan kind of war of twenty years, China’s problems will be very big.”
罗庆生说：“因为中国买了太多粮食的关系，它储存了一年半的粮食，所以一年半之内它不会有事情，所以短期的话没问题。长期的话，如果说变成阿富汗战争那个样子打个20年，那中国的问题就很大了。”

But the Russian hinterland will count more than Ukraine – be it for China’s “global ambitions”, be it for its food security. Beijing took a speaking decision in early February, 2022, a few weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine started. Answer to the unfolding crisis: more grain imports from Russia.

Ukraine’s hopes on China are unreasonably high. As Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a fellow for international political economy at the Council on Foreign Relations, recently wrote,

The party can survive setbacks in the chip war, but the stakes are much higher in the fight for food security. Failure on the food security front will threaten the survival of the regime.

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Related

Kuleba addresses Asia, March 22, 2022

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Sunday Press: “Resolutely preventing a Return of Large-Scale Poverty”

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1. Headlines

Let’s start with “Guanchazhe, a news portal from Shanghai that is frequently considered as not-so-politicized, but don’t buy into that, because it’s complicated.

New Normal:
Moving across Guanchazhe’s (Shanghai) wbsite top line, we are told that “the most important thing is to boost confidence” – a report on the economic conference held by the central committee and state council on Friday and Saturday – see details further down, under “Economic Work Conference”.

Another New Normal (or who knows):
Nucleic acid test station booths are advised to turn into service stations that provide feverish passerbys with “convenient” treatment and advice (through the booth window). That, the Chinese press and radio suggest, are ideas that had become “hot” among netizens in Suzhou.

“Guanchazhe” on Sunday

–

Old Normal:

When Sino-U.S. relations are bad, it must be America’s fault. Will U.S. President Biden come to his senses and stop believing that he can win against China? That’s the teaser for an exchange of opinions between Professors Zhang Weiwei (张维为) and Fan Yongpeng (范勇鹏), both from Fudan University.

–

Now, a few words ab out that “economic work conference, as promised. Let’s turn to an article published by CPBS, China’s nation-wide radio network.

2. Economic Work Conference

Reportedly held in Beijing on December 15 and 16. It’s an annual meeting … here’`s Wikepedia, as accessed on December 19:

held in the People’s Republic of China which sets the national agenda for the Economy of China and its financial and banking sectors. It is convened by the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Council[1] following themes, keywords, set by the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.[citation needed] As of 2012, the meetings, which are closed, were being held for 2 or 3 days during the 2nd or 3rd week of December.[1]

While closed, they do publish some details of what has been said (or what sounds plausible, etc.). The entire party, country and all nationalities have been up to the challenges, achieving that wasn’t easy and should be highly valued, and the foundations of economic recovery aren’t sound yet, as demand contraction, supply shocks and weakening expectations remain the three big pressures¹⁾. To blame were – who would have thought it – “a turbulent and unsafe environment outside China’s borders” (外部环境动荡不安，给我国经济带来的影响加深). A general upturn was expected for 2023, given the strength anbd potential of the Chinese economy.

The two unwaverings (两个毫不动摇) are going to stay with us, and so will the promotion of a policy of opening up to outside world on a high level (持推进高水平对外开放). The three safeguards (三保, people’s livelihood, safe wages, and operation of authorities) are also featuring, and so are greater efforts in attracting and using foreign investsment, and resolute prevention of a large-scale return of poverty (坚决防止出现规模性返贫). High-quality development (高质量发展) is mentioned a number of times.

Have a good pre-Christmas week.
________________

Notes

1)	demand contraction, supply shocks and weakening expectations

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–

China-GCC Summit: “Let’s be Partners in our Civilizational Rise”

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“The Chinese people see the Arab people as good friends”, then Chief State Councillor Wen Jiabao told his hosts during a visit to the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, thirteen years ago. A few months earlier, then Chinese special representative to the Middle East, Wu Sike, had told a press conference in Beijing that Islamic countries from government to the people, all understand and support the measures the Chinese government took to maintain stability.

To prove that, Xi Jinping held a summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (in the following: GCC) country leaders in Riyadh on Friday last week. Judging by the faces around the table, only God knows for sure how understanding and supportive the GCC leaders really are, but business is business, and maybe Arab heads of state and govenment never look happy during official appointments anyway. At any rate,

Mohammad Altowaim, a member of the Saudi Chinese Business Council, told the Global Times that he read Xi’s article carefully twice, and the second time he read it to his friends, he read it loud

China’s propaganda usually limits its posts on Twitter to trite feelgood quotes from their great helmsman, but Xi Jinping’s actual “keynote speech” was ambitious. How connective the interfaces of both sides, coined “highly complementary” by Xi, will turn out to be, remains to be seen.  But China’s reference point and litmus test – America – is showing promising signs: Washington is not happy, says CNN.

The following is my translation of Xi Jinping’s keynote speech, given at the China-GCC summit on Friday afternoon local time in Saudi Arabia. Links within blockquotes added during translation.

Esteemed Colleagues, Secretary General Nayef, Hello Everyone!
尊敬的各位同事，
纳伊夫秘书长：
大家好！

First of all, let me sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its efforts in holding the first Chinese-Gulf-Cooperation Council countries’ summit. I’m very glad that we are getting together all at once, to discuss the development of Sino-GCC relations together.
首先，我谨对沙特阿拉伯王国为举办首届中国－海湾阿拉伯国家合作委员会峰会作出的努力表示衷心感谢。很高兴同大家齐聚一堂，共商中海关系发展大计。

China and the GCC countries share a history of nearly two-thousand years of friendly contacts. China and the GCC countries have maintained and valued peace, harmony, and sought the real knowledge of “Eastern wisdom”, along the ancient Silk Road. Ever since the GCC was established in 1981, China and the GCC have, for more than fourty years, written a brilliant work of unity and mutual help and win-win cooperation.
中国同海合会国家有近两千年友好交往历史。双方人民秉持重和平、尚和谐、求真知的“东方智慧”，沿着古丝绸之路往来不绝。1981年海合会一成立，中国即同海合会建立联系。40余年来，双方谱写了团结互助、合作共赢的灿烂篇章。

China and the GCC countries relations have, after all, achieved rapid development rooted in deep mutual trust. China and the GCC countries have always supported each others’ sovereignty and independence, respected each others’ paths of development, equality of big and small countries without exception, and firmly maintained multilateralism. Rooted in highly complementary [economies], with China’s vast consumer market and its perfect industrial system and with the GCC’s rich energy resources and increasingly diversified development, the two sides are natural cooperation partners. Rooted in popular sentiment, China and the GCC both belong to the Eastern civilization, with similar civilizational values and its peoples knowing each other well. Rooted in trials and tribulations lived through together, facing the challenges of international and regional instabilities and the financial crisis, the COVID-19 epidemic situation, and major natural disasters, the two sides have been in the same boat, keeping watch over each other.
中海关系之所以实现跨越式发展，归根于深厚互信，中国和海合会国家始终相互支持彼此主权独立，尊重各自发展道路，坚持大小国家一律平等，坚定维护多边主义。归根于高度互补，中国拥有广阔消费市场，工业体系完备；海方能源资源丰富，经济多元化发展方兴未艾，双方是天然合作伙伴。归根于民心相通，中海同属东方文明，文化价值相近，人民相知相亲。归根于患难与共，面对国际和地区风云变幻以及金融危机、新冠肺炎疫情、重大自然灾害等挑战，双方同舟共济，守望相助。

Colleagues!
各位同事！

Facing a century of turbulent changes, the GCC countries have united in their strife for self-improvement, have overcome the negative epidemic impact and achieved economic growth, actively promoted political solutions for regional hotspots and problems, promoted the GCC to become the Middle Eastern Gulf’s most vital regional organization, which is highly appreciated by China. At a historical crossroads, let’s contintue the good tradition of China-GCC strategic partnership, and substantiate the content of China’s and the GCC’s strategic relationship.
面对百年变局，海合会国家团结自强，克服疫情影响实现经济增长，积极推动地区热点难点问题政治解决，推动海合会成为中东海湾最具活力的地区组织，中方对此高度赞赏。站在历史的十字路口，我们要赓续中海友好传统，以建立中海战略伙伴关系为契机，充实中海关系战略内涵。

Let’s be partners in unity and continuously solidify mutual political trust, let’s firmly support each others’ core interests. Let’s jointly uphold the principle of non-interference, join hands for a genuine practice of multilateralism, and protect the numerous developing countries’ common interests.
——做共促团结的伙伴。我们要不断夯实政治互信，坚定支持彼此核心利益。共同维护不干涉内政原则，携手践行真正的多边主义，维护广大发展中国家共同利益。

Let’s be jointly-planning¹ partners. Let’s strengthen strategic development interfaces, bring complementary advantages into play, and train the kinetic energy of development. China looks forward to cooperating with all parties to promote and implement global development initiatives, to implement the United Nations’ agenda for sustainable development, and to promote regional development and prosperity.
——做共谋发展的伙伴。我们要加强发展战略对接，发挥互补优势，培育发展动能。中方期待同各方一道推进落实全球发展倡议，落实联合国2030年可持续发展议程，促进地区发展繁荣。

Let’s be partners in building security together. China will continue its firm support for GCC countries’ protection of their security, its support for the region’s countries in solving disagreement through dialogue and consultations, and in building a Gulf security framework. GCC countries are welcome to participate in global security initiatives and in upholding regional peace and stability together.
——做共筑安全的伙伴。中国将继续坚定支持海合会国家维护自身安全，支持地区国家通过对话协商化解分歧，构建海湾集体安全架构。欢迎海合会国家参与全球安全倡议，共同维护地区和平稳定。

Let’s be partners in our civilizational rise. We should enhance communication between our peoples, enrich cultural exchanges, learn from each others’ outstanding civilizational products, promote the eastern civilizations’ profound marrows, and make positive contributions to humankind’s civilizational development and progress.
——做共兴文明的伙伴。我们要增进民心相通，丰富人文交流，借鉴彼此优秀文化成果，弘扬东方文明深厚精髓，为人类文明发展进步作出积极贡献。
Colleagues!
各位同事！

During the coming three to five years, China would like to make efforts with the GCC countries in the following major fields of cooperation:
未来3到5年，中国愿同海合会国家在以下重点合作领域作出努力：

Firstly, let’s build a new pattern of three-dimensional energy cooperation. China will continue to import great quanitities of crude oil from GCC countries, broaden its imports of liquified natural gas, strengthen upstream oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and cooperation in engineering services and refining logistics. Full use should be made of Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange, and the settlement of accounts in RMB should be developed. Hydrogen power, energy storage systems, wind and solar energy, intelligent electrical networks and other cooperation on clean and low-carbon energy technology as well as localization of new energy source equipment should be developed. A Sino-GCC forum for the peaceful use of nuclear technology as well as a Sino-GCC demonstration center for nuclear safety should be established, and 300 technical talents from GCC countries be educated in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
第一，构建能源立体合作新格局。中国将继续从海合会国家持续大量进口原油，扩大进口液化天然气，加强油气上游开发、工程服务、储运炼化合作。充分利用上海石油天然气交易中心平台，开展油气贸易人民币结算。加强氢能、储能、风电光伏、智能电网等清洁低碳能源技术合作和新能源设备本地化生产合作。设立中海和平利用核技术论坛，共建中海核安保示范中心，为海合会国家培养300名和平利用核能与核技术人才。

Secondly, let’s make headway in financial and investment cooperation. China would like to cooperate with GCC countries to develop financial-supervision cooperation, facilitate GCC countries’ access to the Chinese capital market. establish sovereign wealth funds with GCC countries, and launch cooperation in numerous ways. Let’s explore and hold Sino-GCC industrial and investment cooperation forums. Let’s strengthen cooperation in the fields of investment in the digitized economy and in green development, and establish bilateral mechanisms for investment and economic cooperation. Let’s work on the interchangeability of our own currencies, deepen digitized currency cooperation, and promote the multiple central bank digital currency bridge project.
第二，推动金融投资合作新进展。中国愿同海合会国家开展金融监管合作，便利海合会国家企业进入中国资本市场。同海方成立共同投资联合会，支持双方主权财富基金以多种方式开展合作。研究举办中海产业和投资合作论坛。加强数字经济和绿色发展等领域投资合作，建立双边投资和经济合作工作机制。开展本币互换合作，深化数字货币合作，推进多边央行数字货币桥项目。

Thirdly, let’s expand new fields of cooperation on innovative technology. China would like to establish a big-data and cloud-computing center with GCC countries, strengthen 5G and 6G technological cooperation, jointly establish a number of innovation and startup incubators, and ten projects around cross-border e-commerce and communications infrastructure. Let’s establish a cooperation mechanism for meteorological cooperation between China and the GCC and hold research Sino-GCC research forums on climate change.
第三，拓展创新科技合作新领域。中国愿同海合会国家共建大数据和云计算中心，加强5G和6G技术合作，共建一批创新创业孵化器，围绕跨境电商合作和通信网络建设等领域实施10个数字经济项目。建立中海气象科技合作机制，举办中海应对气候变化研讨会。

Fourthly, let’s achieve new breakthroughs in space cooperation. China would like to carry out a series of cooperation projects concerning remote-sensing and communications satellites, space applications, and space infrastructure. Let’s select the best astronauts² for training. China welcomes GCC austronauts to the Chinese space station, to carry out scientific experiments on flights together with Chinese austronauts. GCC austronauts are welcome to participate in China’s Chang’E, Tianwen, etc. transport cooperation. and in the establishment of a Sino-GCC moon-probing and space-probing center.
第四，实现航天太空合作新突破。中国愿同海合会国家在遥感和通信卫星、空间应用、航天基础设施等领域开展一系列合作项目。开展航天员选拔训练合作，欢迎海合会国家航天员进入中国空间站，同中国航天员联合飞行并进行空间科学实验。欢迎海方参与中国嫦娥和天问等航天任务的搭载合作，研究成立中海联合月球和深空探测中心。

Fifthly, let’s build cooperation highlights in language and cultural cooperation. China is going to cooperate with 300 GCC universities, middle- and elementary schools for Chinese-language education to establish 300 Chinese-language classrooms, to provide 3000 “Chinese Bridge” summer (or winter) camps, establish Chinese Learning and Testing Centers and online Chinese classrooms. Let’s hold Sino-GCC language and cultural forums, build humanities exchange and mutual-learning and bilingual data bases.
第五，打造语言文化合作新亮点。中国将同300所海合会国家大中小学合作开展中文教育，同海合会国家合作设立300个中文智慧教室，提供3000个“汉语桥”夏（冬）令营名额，建立中文学习测试中心和网络中文课堂。举办中海语言文化论坛，共建中海人文交流和互鉴双语文库。

Colleagues!
各位同事！

China and the GCC countries all shoulder their own responsibilities in the mission of rejuvenated national development. The Sino-GCC relations are both old and young. Let’s connect the past and the future, advance hand in hand, and jointly initiate the beautiful future of Sino-GCC relations!
中国和海合会国家各自肩负民族发展振兴的光荣使命，中海关系既古老又年轻。让我们继往开来，携手奋进，共同开创中海关系美好未来！

Thank you all!
谢谢大家！

________________

Notes

1	共谋 (gòngmóu) is actually a rather negative verb – to scheme, to conspire, etc.. “Jointly plan” is also a possible translation, but by far the nicest one among a rather nasty lot.
2	Chinese-English nomenclature: taikonaut

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Related

How to speak to Pakistan, April 22, 2015

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Russia in the Indo-Pacific

The following is a translation of an introduction by Radio Taiwan International’s (RTI) Mandarin program “Serving the People” (為人民服務), discussing Russia’s role in the region loosely defined as the “Indo-Pacific”.

Russian-built Gepard 3.9 frigate Quang Trung,
public domain

–

Lu Ssu-pin (魯斯濱), a columnist on Russian military affairs, discusses Russia’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific, and especially its ties with ASEAN, in “Serving the People’s” December 23 edition. The discussion can be listened to there (button top right).

No great secrets are revealed there, but while Russia’s business in the region doesn’t go unreported by Western media, it may often be underestimated. This includes areas of conflict with China.

Ssu also touches on the revival of the Russian language in Vietnamese lesson plans. The numbers don’t look overwhelming, but according to Ssu, Russian technology (such as military technology or its Global Navigation Satellite System) can be rather well absorbed by ASEAN countries, and is affordable, while a lot of Western technology isn’t.

Main link:
Russia also gets involved in Indo-Pacific, Russia and China singing different tunes (俄羅斯也插手印太 俄中各唱各的調)

The statement issued on December 12 after the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Liverpool emphasized that the G7 member states wanted to establish an investment and trade circle democracies so as to respond to China’s coercive economic policies more unitedly. Russia was also warned not to rashly use force against Ukraine as [Moscow] would face serious economic costs. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken travelled right on for visits to Southeast Asia, with the clear intention to draw in allies to crowd around China.
–
12月12日在英國利物浦落幕的G7外長會議發表聲明，強調G7成員國要在民主國家間建立投資圈經貿圈，以便團結應對中國的脅迫性經濟政策，而且還警告俄羅斯不要輕易對烏克蘭動武，否則將面對沉重經濟代價。美國國務卿布林肯在會後更直奔東南亞訪問，拉近盟友圍攏中國的意圖非常明顯。
–
This G7 foreign ministers’ meeting’s main emphasis appears to be on building a united front in response to China and Russia. However, if the Chinese friendship with Russia is what it appears to be is a different story. Concerning the South China Sea, for example, Russia’s approach is rather indistinct. It does, by no means, support China as imagined by the outside world when it comes to the South China Sea.
–
這次G7外長會議，統一陣線應對中國與俄國，顯然是最大重點。不過，中國與俄羅斯之間是否如表面的友好，又是另當別論。比方在南海，俄羅斯的態度就非常模糊，並不像外界所想像的那樣在南海事務上支持中國。
–
A confrontation erupted in waters disputed between China and Indonesia not long ago. Beijing accused Indonesia of building exploratory wellheads in oil and gas fields delimited by China. A Russian state-owned energy giant happens to be this oil and gas field’s owner¹. Before that, Russia also helped Vietnam with oil and gas extraction work, among them some fields also delimited by China in accordance with its so-called nine-dash line². This lead to Chinese dissatisfaction.
–
中國與印尼不久前在南海有爭議水域爆發爭執對峙。北京指責印尼在中國所劃定的海疆線內為一處油氣田區塊開鑿探井。俄羅斯國有能源巨頭恰好是這塊油氣田的所有人。而在印尼之前，俄羅斯也幫越南從事油氣開採，其中的一些油氣田區塊因為同樣位於中國所劃定的所謂「九段線」內而導致中國不滿。
–
All the same, Russia’s cooperation with Indonesia and Vietnam has continued.
–
儘管中國不滿，俄國與印尼和越南的能源合作一直在進行中 。
–
Also, early in December, ASEAN carried out the first joint maritime exercise with Russia. In the southeast Asian region As relations between the southeast Asian region and China continue to intensify, the question against who these may be directed is also up to the outside world’s imagination.
–
另外，12月初, 東南亞國家協會（ASEAN）也跟俄羅斯舉行了第一次聯合海上軍事演習。在東南亞地區和中國的緊張關係不斷升溫的同時，聯合軍演到底針對誰，也令外界有無限想像空間。
–
We have asked Lu Ssu-pin to discuss his observations with us.
–
今天節目我們請魯斯濱談談他的觀察。

____________

Notes

1	Zarubezhneft, according to reports
2	Wikipedia, accessed Dec 24

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Related

America, Japan: a more equal Relationship, May 22, 2016
Gas Deal, but no Military Alliance, May 23, 2014
“Like Polar Bears, no bit of humanity”, July 22, 2012
Indonesia-Russia Relations, Wikipedia
Russia-Vietnam Relations, Wikipedia
____________

Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Iran, “thanks to a Friendly Attitude and Unique Wisdom”

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif signed an agreement on a strategic partnership for the duration of 25 years, a deal that, the BBC believes, could give Iran more leverage with the US. While Iran is an important trading partner with even more potential for China, Zarif’s bow to Wang Yi (which apparently isn’t reciprocated) might indicate who needs who more urgently.

Washington reportedly evaluates if a $400 billion investment deal also signed by the two sides “will trigger sanctions under American law”. A day after the signing ceremony, Iran’s foreign radio reported that “major American papers and news outlets have warned about decline in the United States’ power and sphere of influence”.

The following is a translation of a commentary by a People’s University scholar in the Beijing Daily (北京日报), published on April 2 local time and UTC. Links within blockquotes added during translation.

SETV (Fujian) coverage – click photo for details

Main Link:
With the Sino-Iranian 25-years comprehensive cooperation agreement, the “road of Mideast diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” is becoming ever broader (中伊25年全面合作协议，“中国特色中东外交之路”越走越宽)

In the past few days, a Sino-Iranian comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement for the duration of 25 years has been officially signed. This is the first time that Iran has signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with any foreign country, and an important milestone in Sino-Iranian relations.

近日，为期25年的中伊全面合作协议正式签署。这是伊朗首次与外国签署全面战略合作协议，也是中伊关系的重要里程碑。

In 2016, China and Iran established a comprehensive strategic partnership. At the time they also jointly confirmed their intention of achieving this kind of comprehensive cooperation agreement. For five years, there have been high-level exchanges of opinion, a strengthening consensus, and finally the achievements as mentioned above. In the author’s view, the two countries’ movement into the same direction is also a microcosm of China’s Mideast diplomacy. Thanks to a friendly attitude and unique wisdom, we have opened a “road of Mideast diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” within the complicated international relations.

2016年，中伊建立全面战略伙伴关系，当时便共同确认了达成这项全面合作协议的意向。五年间，两国高层多次交换意见、强化共识，最终促成了上述硕果。在笔者看来，中伊两国长期的相向而行，也是中国中东外交的一个缩影。凭借友好态度与独特智慧，我们在中东纷繁复杂的国际关系中开辟了一条“中国特色中东外交之路”。

China has always upheld the spirit of the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence”, which has won it the wide-spread recognition of Mideast countries. When China recovered its legitimate seat at the United Nations in 1971, the overwhelming majority of Mideast countries firmly supported China’s legitimate claim. After the “One Belt one Road” initiative had been proposed, the Middle Eastern countries responded positively. During this period, China established comprehensive strategic partnership relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as strategic partnerships with Qatar and Jordan, and an innovative comprehensive strategic partnership with Israel. It can be said that China’s Mideastern “friendship circle” keeps widening.

中国在外交中一直秉持“和平共处五项原则”精神，赢得了中东国家的广泛认可。1971年中国恢复联合国合法席位时，绝大多数中东国家都坚定支持了中国的合法诉求。“一带一路”倡议提出后，中东国家更是积极响应。在此期间，中国与伊朗、沙特阿拉伯、埃及、阿拉伯联合酋长国建立了全面战略伙伴关系，与卡塔尔、约旦建立了战略伙伴关系，与以色列建立了创新全面伙伴关系。可以说，中国的中东“朋友圈”越来越大。

As everyone knows, the Middle East region is located centrally within the Eurasian continent, with numerous countries, complex situations, thickets of contradictions, and traditional interference by foreign powers. Big-power games and internal clashes have kept the Mideast region in war and chaos for a long time, with the economy developing only slowly. Therefore, Mideast countries have a skeptical attitude towards many foreign powers. Why does China have such a good reputation? In its diplomacy, China advocates tolerance and setting mutual example rather than civilizational concepts of bipolar antagonism. China and Mideastern countries, including Iran, have different civilizational backgrounds and political and economic environments, but we have never looked at this as something “other”, but looked at them as those who once established splendid civilizations, and which went through thick and thin with New China, who kept watch and defended one another as good partners. This concept of “goodwill, sincerity and tolerance” as well as China’s diplomatic practice of “non-aligned partnership” has led the politically and geographically troubled Mideastern countries to relax precautions and to develop still deeper and closer development with China.

众所周知，中东地区位于亚欧大陆中心位置，国家众多，形势复杂，矛盾丛生，长期以来频频遭受域外大国的干预。大国博弈和内部冲突让中东地区长期战乱，经济发展缓慢。因此，中东国家对很多域外大国都带有怀疑态度。为什么中国能够做到有口皆碑？正在于我们在外交中倡导包容互鉴而非二元对立的文明观念。中国与包括伊朗在内的中东国家有着不同的文化背景和政治经济环境，但我们从未将其视为“异类”，而是看作曾创立过辉煌文明，又与新中国甘苦与共、守望相助的好伙伴。这种“亲诚惠容”的理念，以及中国“结伴不结盟”的外交实践，让深陷政治地理困境的中东国家可以放下戒备，与中国开展更加深入密切的合作。

The official signing of the agreement is only a beginning, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Iran continues to grow stronger. From a wider perspective, China’s Mideast diplomacy also merits expectations: The “One Belt one Road” initiative is advancing steadily, China’s talks on free-trade agreements with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council and with Israel are unfolding, Notable achievements have been made in China’s vaccine cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iran and other countries, China plays a growing role in the Syria issue, the Palestine-Israel issue and other Mideast hot spots … We have reason to believe that the “road of Mideast diplomacy with Chinese characteristics” is becoming ever broader.

合作协议正式签署只是一个开始，中伊两国全面战略伙伴关系还在不断加强。以更大视野来看，中国的中东外交也值得期待：“一带一路”倡议稳步推进，中国与海合会六国、以色列的自由贸易协定谈判正在开展，中国与阿联酋、巴林、伊朗等国的疫苗合作取得显著成就，中国正在叙利亚问题、巴以问题等中东热点问题中发挥越来越大的作用……我们有理由相信，“中国特色中东外交之路”将越走越宽。

(The author, Li Kunze, is a doctor at the People’s University’s¹⁾ School of International Studies.)

（作者李坤泽系中国人民大学国际关系学院博士）

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Notes

¹⁾ aka Renmin University
____________

Related

Promising profits, Febr 19, 2018
The Persian paradox, Foarp, Jan 27, 2012
Trusted brothers, Nov 8 2009
Wu Sike corrects biased views, Aug 17, 2009

____________

Xi – Duda telephone minutes: China is a responsible great power under Xi’s leadership

All the news that’s fit to print

The following is a translation of a news item from CCTV’s main evening news program, Xinwen Lianbo. Links added during translation.

State Chairman Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the evening of March 1. 国家主席习近平日晚同波兰总统杜达通电话。

Xi Jinping pointed out that Poland is a big country in the eastern European area and an important member of the European Union. It is also a comprehensive strategic partner for China in Europe. China has always1 attached great importance to the development of Sino-Polish relations. After the outbreak of the new corona pneumonia pandemic, China and Poland have kept watch of and defended one another2, developed a good cooperation in going back to work and cooperating in pandemic prevention and control, thus writing a new chapter of friendship between the two countries. In the current situation, China and Poland must strengthen their strategic communication even further, deepen pragmatic3 cooperation, and jointly react to any crisis or challenge. China, together with Poland, wants to promote Sino-Polish relations in the new year and get them into a steady mode. 习近平指出，波兰是中东欧地区大国和欧盟重要成员国，也是中方在欧洲的全面战略伙伴。中方一向高度重视中波关系发展。新冠肺炎疫情发生后，中波守望相助，在疫情防控、复工复产等方面开展良好合作，谱写了两国友好新篇章。当前形势下，中波双方更加需要加强战略沟通，深化务实合作，共同应对各种风险挑战。中方愿同波方一道，推动中波关系在新的一年行稳致远。

Xi Jinping emphasized that China wants to continue its exchange with Poland, concerning joint prevention and control and exchanges about experience gained in the process, and resume orderly contacts between the two sides. China wants to provide Poland with vaccines, in accordance with Poland’s needs and what China can do.4 During the pandemic, Travels and freight of Sino-European freight trains between China and Poland reached a historic height, reflecting the high degree of supply-chain interdependence. This also shows the enormous potential of economic and trade cooperation between the two sides. China will, by establishing a Sino-Middle-Eastern-European countries’ cooperation framework with relevant mechanisms, promote the import of more Polish excellent-quality food products. The completion of the Sino-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment negotiations will open up a wider space for Sino-Polish cooperation5. 习近平强调，中方愿继续同波方加强联防联控和疫情防治经验交流，同时稳妥有序恢复人员往来。中方愿根据波方需求，在力所能及范围内向波方提供疫苗。疫情期间，往返于中波的中欧班列开行量和运货量创下历史新高，反映出中波、中欧供应链产业链高度相互依存，也表明双方经贸合作潜力巨大。中方将通过建立中国－中东欧国家合作框架内有关机制，推动进口更多波兰优质农食产品。中欧完成投资协定谈判，将为中波合作开辟更加广阔的空间。

Xi Jinping pointed out that not long ago, the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries6 summit was successfully held. I, with you and other national leaders have comprehensively reviewed the development of China-CEEC relations, thoroughly summarized development experiences, jointly looked ahead to development prospects, reached broad consensus, produced important plans and outlooks for cooperative mechanisms. With the CEEC summit as a new starting point, China wants to make joint efforts with Poland to promote Sino-CEEC and Sino-EU relations to become even more fruitful. 习近平指出，前不久中国－中东欧国家领导人视频峰会成功举行，我同你和其他各国领导人全面回顾中国－中东欧国家合作发展历程，深入总结发展经验，共同展望发展前景，达成广泛共识，为合作机制作出重要规划和引领。中方愿同波方一道努力，以这次峰会为新起点，推动中国－中东欧国家合作和中欧关系收获更多成果。

Duda said that Xi Jinping’s state visit to Poland in 2016 had vigorously advanced the development of Polish-Chinese relations. Not long ago, Chairman Xi Jinping had successfully chaired the CEEC summit which had promoted CEEC countries’ cooperation with China, critically helping CEEC countries to achieve economic recovery after the pandemic. Poland highly appreciated Xi Jinping’s promise that China would work to be a global supplier of new-corona-pneumonia pandemic-related products, and China’s wish to cooperate with CEEC countries, concerning the pandemic. This proved that China, under Chairman Xi’s leadership, was playing a responsible role as a great power. He hoped that both sides would continue to maintain contacts and cooperation in all fields and promote balanced growth of bilateral trade. Poland wnted to continue to contribute to the CEEC countries’ cooperation with China.7 I look forward to visiting China again after the pandemic8, I wish to continue close and friendly contact with Chairman Xi, and to jointly promote Polish-Chinese relations to take further steps. 杜达表示，习近平主席2016年对波兰的国事访问有力促进了波中关系发展。前不久习近平主席成功主持召开中东欧国家－中国领导人视频峰会，这对促进中东欧国家同中国合作、助力中东欧国家实现疫后经济复苏非常重要。波方高度赞赏习近平主席承诺中国致力于将新冠疫苗作为全球公共产品并表示愿同中东欧国家开展疫苗合作。这证明中国在习近平主席领导下发挥着负责任的大国作用。波方愿同中方加强抗疫合作。中欧班列为抗击疫情发挥了重要作用。希望双方继续保持各领域人员往来和合作，促进双边贸易平衡增长。波方愿继续为中东欧国家同中国合作作出贡献。我期待疫情过后再次访华，愿同习近平主席保持密切友好交往，共同推动波中关系迈上新台阶。

Notes

1一向isn’t exactly the usual word for “always” in Chinese speeches and seems somewhat more limited in its reach into the past, but I don’t remember the more frequently used word right now.

2No idea how this Mencius quote used here by Xi was translated to Duda (and what Duda thought when he heard it). Xi attaches great importance to an image as a learned paramount leader, and won’t slow down even when he talks to foreigners.

3Pragmatic cooperation – arguably a signal that Xi tries to take Polish history and the country’s narration of liberty and independence into account while talking to a conservative foreign politician. Poland used to be much more China-skeptical during the earlier rule of Polands governing conservative PIS party.

4According to a spokesman, Duda had brought the issue up “during phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping after a request by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki”.

5During the negotiations last year, Poland was, reportedly, the only EU member country to raise “serious objections to the deal with China, suggesting that earlier consultations with the Biden administration were needed”.

6CEEC

7Such efforts from Poland would certainly be welcome in Beijing. More recently, the Sino-CEEC project hasn’t been as enthusiastically supported as in the past, reportedly, although “chilly” is probably quite an exaggeration.

8Reportedly, Xi invited Duda.

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Related

Monument Policies, April 15, 2016

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New Diplomatic Normal: “Give your esteemed Country’s Voters an Explanation”

Latest diplomatic hero: Zhang Xiao,
ambassador to Kazakhstan

The following is a translation published by Guanchazhe online (观察者网, Shanghai) on Monday, covering a Facebook post written by China’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Zhang Xiao (张霄).

Diplomats, and especially Chinese diplomats, are usually the last officials who like to become noisy, but the times are changing, and so are the demands on them. The recent behavior of Chinese ambassadors, most notoriously the one to Sweden, Gui Congyou, should probably not be seen as populism, at least not in a classical sense.

Such explosions aren’t temper tantrums. They are attempts to intimidate other stakeholders, preferably smaller countries. Charm offensives aren’t completely out, but mostly restricted to “friendly” countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, or Pakistan.

Therefore, we should probably think of this as beauty contests on Xi Jinping’s catwalk – the new diplomatic normal, prescribed by the center. (A recall of Chinese ambassadors will just lead to another guy doing his best, so waste no time on it.)

Zhang Xiao’s facebook post, and Zhao Lijian‘s Tweet (referred to in the following Guanchazhe article) are somewhat different from Gui Congyou’s in that they apparently aren’t trying to pressurize a smaller country, but rather to excel in a global opinion struggle, and to impress their superiors.

Main link: Ambassador to Kazakhstan shows his dislike for America: a waste of the time won by China (我国驻哈萨克斯坦大使怼美国：浪费中国赢得的时间)

As some of America’s high-ranking officials and members of the House of Representatives have repeatedly talked about a “China virus” as a way to use it as a stigma, another Chinese diplomat strikes back on social media abroad.

【文/观察者网 齐倩】在美国部分高官、议员多次将新冠肺炎污名化为“中国病毒”后，又一中国外交官在国外社交媒体上发出回击。

On March 14, our country’s ambassador to Kazachstan, Zhang Xiao, denounced America of only caring about vilifying and slandering China, wasting precious time that China had earned the world.

3月14日，我国驻哈萨克斯坦大使张霄也在脸书用俄语发声，指责美国在疫情初期只顾诋毁诽谤中国，白白浪费了中方用生命为世界赢来的宝贵时间。

He also pointed straight away at America’s epidemic data as being “too watered-down”, yelling that America’s government should be public and transparent, not politicize the virus, or swing pans around and seek scapegoats!

他还直指美国的疫情数据“掺了太多水”，喊话美国政府要公开透明，不要将病毒政治化，也不要再甩锅找替罪羊了！

US Center for Disease Control and Prevention director previously conceded that Americans who died from influenza had in fact suffered from COVID-19 pneumonia, and after this matter had been exposed, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian had written five tweets in a row on Twitter in the evening of March 12, both in Chinese and English, fuming at America that you owe us an explanation!

美国疾控中心主任此前承认美国有流感死者可能实患新冠肺炎，此事被曝光之后，外交部发言人赵立坚12日晚在推特上，用中英双语连发5条推文怒怼美国：欠我们一个解释！

In his tweet, Zhang Xiao shouted at America’s government: In the early stages of COVID-19 pneumonia epidemic, what did you do? Still infatuated with geopolitical games, domestic political agendas and slanders against China. You have wasted precious time that China had earned the countries of the world, including your country.

张霄在贴文中喊话美国政府：新冠肺炎疫情初期你们在干什么？仍醉心于地缘政治游戏、国内政治议程和诽谤中国。你们浪费了中国用生命为世界所有国家，包括你们在内，赢得的宝贵时间。

Zhang Xiao also attacked American data for not being transparent. He said that the American government had been confident that health officials’ warnings were lies, claiming that the situation was under control. By now, the COVID-19 virus had already spread into more than 40 US states, and you are losing your head out of fear right away.

张霄还抨击美国数据不公开透明。他表示，美国政府笃定本国卫生官员的预警是“谎言”，坚称局势已在控制中。而现在，新冠病毒已在美国40多个州蔓延，“你们马上变得惊慌失措”。

According to CNN’s latest reports, combined data from the respective US state governments and the CDC say that in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. had at least 3,482 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of who at least 65 people had died. West Virginia remained the only state without confirmed cases.

据美国有线新闻网（CNN）最新报道，综合各州政府机构和疾控中心（CDC）数据，在49个州、波多黎各、美属维尔京群岛和华盛顿特区至少有3482例新冠肺炎确诊病例，至少65人死亡。西弗吉尼亚州仍然是唯一一个没有确诊病例的州。

It is worth noting that CDC data have stopped as of March 13: 1,629 confirmed cases, 41 deaths. (Guanchazhe online note: US CDC stopped updating updating data on the weekend.

值得注意的是，美国疾控中心（CDC）的数据仍停留在3月13日：确诊病例1629例，死亡41例。（观察者网注：美国疾控中心周末停止更新数据。）

Zhang Xiao said that all the same, American scientists had confirmed themselves that many many people who had died of influenza were really victims of the COVID-19 virus, making the actual number of deaths from COVID-19 much higher,

张霄称，然而美国的科学家自己也证实，许多死于流感的人实际上是新冠病毒的受害者，所以实际死亡人数要多得多。“你们的数据里水分太多，谈何透明？”

[Apparently a caption of the Facebook entry:] The ridiculous thing is that facing an epidemic disease, your esteemed country has not taken emergency measures to mend the leaks, but shifted the responsibility to China, calling it “China virus”. Such a careless conclusion will inevitably raise suspicions among the popular feelings.

“可笑荒谬的是，面对流行病，贵国没有采取紧急措施来弥补和修补漏洞，而是把责任推给了中国，称其为“中国病毒”。如此草率地下结论，不免让人心生怀疑。” [End of caption]

He also continued to call on experts from all countries of the world to carry out research about the origin of the virus, and the truth would eventually come to light [literally: become clear under heaven]. What we must do now is that all countries unite, jointly resist the virus, but not shirk responsibility! There must be no pan-swinging and scapegoating again!

他还继续呼吁，各国专家都在对病毒起源进行研究，真相终将大白于天下。现在我们需要做的事情，就是各国团结一致，共同对抗病毒，而不是推卸责任。不要再甩锅找替罪羊了！

With the American epidemic becoming more serious day by day, Zhang Xiao [rhetorically] asked if your esteemed country’s lack of face masks, gloves, test reagents, equipment, and goods supplies and even the stock market crash were also China’s fault? It is time now to give your esteemed country’s voters and the international community an explanation, “what are you actually hiding?”

对于美国日趋严峻的疫情，张霄称，贵国缺乏口罩、手套、测试试剂和设备物资，甚至股市崩盘，这也是中国的错吗？现在是时候给贵国选民和国际社会一个交待了，“你们到底隐瞒了什么？”

Closing, Zhang Xiao explained that America’s government, as a result of its negligence in epidemic prevention, wasted the time China had gained for the world, and urged the US not to continue this kind of meaningless trick, because politicizing the virus would make the situation worse.

最后张霄重申，美国政府在防疫上的粗心大意，导致白白浪费了中国为世界赢得的时间，并敦促美国不要继续这种无意义的把戏，因为将病毒政治化会使情况变得更糟。

The virus is awful, even the strongest countries of the world won’t be able to withstand its blow. We must always remember not to expectorate into the well (not to do stupid things).

“病毒是可怕的，即使是世界上最强大的国家也会不堪一击。我们要永远记住，不要往井里吐痰（不要做蠢事）。”

Earlier,  high-ranking American officials and Members of the House of Representatives had, in disregard of WHO appeals, deliberately talked about a “China virus” as a way to use it as a stigma. According to a report on the Chinese embassy to Kazakhstan’s website, Zhang Xiao had forcefully stated his dislike of American politicans’ ridiculous statements as early as on March 9, saying that the COVID-19 virus had torn off America’s cold-blooded, hypocritical and arrogant mask.^*)

此前，美国部分高官、议员多次无视世卫组织呼吁，故意将新冠肺炎污名化为“中国病毒”。据中国驻哈萨克斯坦大使馆网站报道，早在3月9日，张霄就在脸书力怼美国政客的荒谬发言，称新冠病毒撕下了美国冷血、虚伪和傲慢的面具。

Moreover, countering the so-called “virus’ orgin” controversy, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a reply on a regular press conference on March 13 that “we notice that recently, there have been discussions about the source of the virus. Individual high US government officials and Members of Congress are using this as a pretext for all kinds of false and irresponsible remarks to discredit and to attack China, to which we are resolutely opposed. In fact, the international community including America, have different views of the virus’ origin. China has always taken the view that this is a scientific issue and that we need to listen to scientific and professional opinions.”

另外，针对所谓“病毒起源”的争论，外交部发言人耿爽在3月13日召开的外交部例行记者会上回应称，“我们注意到，最近一段时间有一些关于新冠病毒源头的讨论。个别美国政府高官和国会议员借此发表种种不实和不负责任的言论，抹黑攻击中国，我们对此坚决反对。事实上，国际社会包括美国国内，对病毒源头问题有不同看法。中方始终认为，这是一个科学问题，需要听取科学和专业的意见。”

____________

Note

^*) This doesn’t seem to make sense, but it’s how I’m reading it.

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Ukraine between a Rock and a Hard Place: Washington wants to prevent China’s Acquisition of Motor Sich

Huanqiu Shibao quotes foreign media, as usual, without providing links to the specific articles. All links within blockquotes were added during translation. Topic: China’s planned Motor Sich acquisition.

Still Rambo’s favorite target,
the HIND helicopter –
Wikipedia / license CC BY-SA 3.0 –
click photo for source

 

Main Link: Ukraine declines Motor Sich acquisition by Chinese company? Russian media: America dissatisfied with Sino-Ukrainian transactions, has exerted pressure on Ukraine before (乌克兰拒绝中国公司买马达西奇？俄媒：美国不满中乌交易，曾对乌施压)

American website BuzzFeed said on February 25 that an official with the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine had revealed that in March, this commission would publicly announce a ban on Beijing Skyrizon Aviation buying Motor Sich company. There had been news before that in addition to buying shares, the Chinese company had als pledged to invest 250 mn US dollars within two years.

【环球时报综合报道】美国BuzzFeed网站25日称，乌克兰反垄断委员会官员透露，该委员会将在3月宣布，禁止中国的北京天骄航空产业投资有限公司购买乌克兰的马达西奇公司。此前有消息称，除购买股份外，中国公司还承诺在两年内对该工厂投资2.5亿美元。

Sputnik News said that Ukrainian president Zelensky took this decision because of so-called “geopolitical risks”, but Sputnik online  says that Sino-Ukrainian related transactions had caused American dissatisfaction, with the latter exerting pressure on Ukraine. Reportedly, America has plans to let Oriole Capital Group, which isn’t too well-known, become Motor Sich’s buyer. It is said that a penalty to be paid buy Motor Sich for breach of contract is in a range from 500 mn to 2 bn US dollars. As Ukraine’s budget can’t sustain these expenses, it had been hoped that this company would provide the amount. But America didn’t want that, and therefore, it could sanction Motor Sich to force force the Chinese company to abandon the acquisition plan.(Wang Zhen)

俄新社称，乌克兰总统泽连斯基是根据所谓 “地缘风险”做出上述决定的。但俄罗斯卫星网称，中乌的有关交易引起美方不满，后者曾对乌施压。据称，美国打算让一家不太出名的Oriole Capital Group公司成为马达西奇的收购者。据了解，有关马达西奇交易的违约金为5亿至20亿美元。由于乌预算无法负担这一费用，因此希望这家公司提供这笔钱。但美国却不愿意。因此，美方可能会通过制裁马达西奇公司逼迫中国公司放弃收购计划。(王臻)

In an online article, possibly the one referenced by “Huanqiu Shibao”, a BuzzFeed author that President Zelensky would probably prefer to keep the Ukrainian arms manufacturer out of “a larger Washington–Beijing power game” and find an investor “from a country other than the US and China”, but also points out the pressures from Washington, previously concerning “investigating” Biden business in Ukraine, now concerning Motor Sich.

While the Motor Sich saga appears to be continuing, at least until next month, Ukraine’s vice premier Dmytro Kuleba showed interest in economic cooperation with China, saying that the COVID-19 outbreak had delayed such cooperation, Radio Ukraine International reported on Friday morning (UTC).

“We need investment and we have to launch new industrial facilities. We could already be discussing this with China” [hadn’t there been the epidemic outbreak],

Kuleba was quoted as saying.