China describes Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg’s two-day fence-mending visit to Beijing as candid and in depth.

But, if there has been an improvement in ties after Steinberg’s talks with his Chinese counterparts, it was not evident at the media briefing given by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after his departure.

Spokesman Qin Gang repeated in the determined tone used in recent weeks that, if the bilateral relationship is to continue on a stable path, it is up to Washington to make amends and push the relationship back to more friendly terms.

He says Washington has to sincerely respect China’s core interests and specifically mentioned Taiwan and Tibet, referring to the U.S. arms sales to Taipei and the White House meeting with Tibet’s exiled leader, the Dalai Lama – just two of several issues that have angered Beijing.

An American embassy spokesman told VOA it is too early to assess the impact of the deputy secretary of state’s visit.

“Our goal has always been to make our relationship more mature to weather any issue good or bad, to [a point] where we can continue to the number of dialogues and numerous lines of communications we have to overcome our differences and find areas of cooperation,” he said.

His response emphases how the slightest nuances of the talks will be poured over by both sides for true their meaning and significance.

In the talks, Steinberg pressed Beijing to consider sanctions against Iran because of Tehran’s nuclear program. But, with oil interests in the country, Beijing is reluctant to upset a key ally.

And Qin again said China, which has the power to veto any UN Security Council sanctions – still believes there is room for diplomacy.

U.S. officials say they will offer clearer insight into Steinberg’s talks Friday.

The deputy secretary of state has flown on to Tokyo to meet Japanese government officials.

By Peter Simpson
Via

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu issued a statement Friday, urging the United States to, in his words, “immediately withdraw” plans for a meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama.

Ma indicated that the meeting could further hurt Sino-American relations, which are already strained because of a U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, disagreements over China’s currency exchange rate and U.S. concerns over Chinese internet censorship.

Zhu Weiqun, the vice-minister of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, which handles Tibet issues, recently made the same point.

Zhu says if the U.S. leader chooses to meet with the Dalai Lama, it will threaten trust and cooperation between China and the United States.

The White House Thursday confirmed that President Obama will meet the Dalai Lama on February 18, despite China’s objections. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr. Obama will meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader, a fellow Nobel laureate, as an internationally respected religious figure.

The United States recognizes Tibet as a part of China, but has urged Beijing and the Dalai Lama to talk together to address differences over the region’s future.

China took over Tibet in 1950. The Dalai Lama fled to exile in India in 1959, after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in his homeland. China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and has tried to isolate him by urging foreign leaders not to meet with him.

The Dalai Lama repeatedly has said he is not seeking independence for Tibet, but instead wants what he describes as a high level of genuine autonomy for his homeland.

China has sent hundreds of millions of dollars in development aid to Tibet, in an effort to ensure stability by actively raising living standards there. Tibetan exiles accuse the Chinese government of discriminating against and repressing their culture and religion.

Via

Australia reacted cautiously to news that Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu and his three Chinese colleagues have been formally charged.

A foreign affairs spokesman in Canberra urged Beijing to handle the men’s cases “transparently and expeditiously.”

Foreign affairs analysts say the case could further destabilize Australia’s relationship with China, its biggest trading partner.

The four Rio Tinto employees have been in custody since last July. They were detained during sensitive iron ore contract talks and the Chinese prosecutors accuse them of soliciting or accepting large bribes.

Jerome Cohen, a professor of Chinese law at New York University, thinks there is little chance the men will avoid a conviction.

“The Chinese lawyers involved in the case are very able, experienced people but, of course, being Chinese criminal defense lawyers they do not have as much opportunity to defend their clients as they would in other systems,” Cohen said. “The odds are very great now that these fellows are going to get convicted.”

Although the news that the four were formally charged came Wednesday, a date for the trial, which is expected to be held in Shanghai, has not been set.

Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian mining corporation, has said it is not aware of any wrongdoing by its employees.

On Thursday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the legal rights of the Rio Tinto employees would be guaranteed.

The maximum penalty for commercial espionage in China is seven years in prison. Taking large bribes can bring a five-year sentence.

China is the world’s biggest steel producer and consumer of iron ore, much of which is exported from Australian mines.

Australia’s minerals industry has helped to insulate the country from the worst of the global economic slowdown.

Via

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi answers questions after a meeting with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner in Paris, 03 Feb 2010

Iran’s key allies, China and Russia, are sending divergent messages on whether to pursue further sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi warned Thursday that talk of additional sanctions is complicating the situation and hindering efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

Meantime, a leading Russian lawmaker, Konstantin Kosachyov, suggested Russia is more in agreement with Western nations calling for additional sanctions.

He told Russian state news that Iran’s recent launch of a satellite has raised concerns that the Islamic Republic could eventually fire a long-range nuclear weapon.

China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, traditionally have opposed past efforts to punish Iran for its nuclear activity.

Western countries are pushing for a fourth round of U.N. sanctions against Iran to try to force the country to enter into negotiations.

In another development, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said his country blocked at least three shipments of cargo to Iran after invoking an Australian law aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. Rudd did not reveal the contents of the blocked cargo, but the Australian newspaper reports one shipment included pumps that could be used to cool nuclear power plants.

The Australian says Australia’s defense minister, John Faulkner, issued the order late last year.

Western nations fear Iran is working to produce atomic weapons, but Iran says its nuclear program is meant only for peaceful purposes.

Via

The Chinese government indicated Tuesday it is still angry over a nearly $6.5 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan that was announced in Washington Friday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu warned that the sale will hurt Sino-American relations.

Ma says the United States disregarded China’s firm opposition to the arms sale to Taiwan.  He says the sale will have a serious negative effect on Sino-American exchanges and cooperation on many issues, and could lead to what he describes as “unwelcome consequences.”

He also stresses that China intends to pass what he describes as sanctions on the U.S. companies involved in the arms sale.

He did not name any companies or specify what the sanctions would entail.  But some companies that could be affected include Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing.

China considers Taiwan a renegade province and has vowed to take the separately governed island back, by force, if necessary. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but has said it will help the island defend itself.

China immediately responded to the latest arms sale by suspending military exchanges with Washington.

In another Sino-American military issue, Ma says China is dissatisfied with the U.S. Defense Department’s just released Quadrennial Defense Review. The report analyzes strategic objectives and potential military threats to the United States.

It details China’s recent military build-up, and says a lack of transparency raises questions about Beijing’s intentions.

Ma calls those comments cliché and says China’s defense buildup is normal. He also says the U.S. report interferes in China’s internal affairs and says it will mislead public opinion.

Sino-American relations are being strained by several other issues. They include a possible meeting between President Barack Obama and Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, as well as U.S. concern over Internet censorship in China.

Stephanie Ho | Beijing

Via VOANews

The sale is a wrong decision, which not only undermines China’s national security interests and her national unification cause, but also once again hurts the national feelings of the Chinese people.

Moreover, it also will cause serious damage to the overall cooperation and relationship between China and the United States.

Frankly speaking, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have become a chronic disease that has been disturbing China-U.S. ties for a long period of time.

In the August 17 Communique jointly issued by China and the United States in 1982, the U.S. said clearly it intended to gradually reduce the sale of arms to Taiwan both in quality and quantity, leading to a final termination of such sales.

Although those words are crystal clear, this time the U.S. once again stubbornly made a wrong decision to plan a new arms sale to Taiwan, seriously violating the principles of three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, especially those of the August 17 Communique.

Such an act violently interferes in China’s internal affairs, seriously undermines China’s national security and her national unification cause, and thus inevitably casts a shadow on China-U.S. relations.

The Taiwan issue is closely related to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, her core national interests, and the national feelings of the 1.3 billion Chinese people.

The China-U.S. Joint Statement points out that “the fundamental principle of respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is at the core of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques that guide China-U.S. relations.

“Neither side supports any attempt by any force to undermine this principle. The two sides agreed that respecting each other’s core interests is extremely important to ensure steady progress in China-U.S. relations.”

The words are still echoing but the U.S. government broke the promise and acted in a way that seriously undermines the core interests of China.

As a result, it is totally reasonable to suspect the sincerity of U.S. pledges on “respecting each other’s core interests.”

With efforts made by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, recent years have witnessed more frequent cross-Strait dialogues and exchanges, and closer cross-Strait economic and trade relations.

The cross-Strait relationship has started to walk on a path of positive interaction.

The U.S. has said repeatedly that peace between both sides of the Taiwan Strait is “in the interests of the United States” and it welcomes peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

It has also said, many times, that it hopes both sides of the Taiwan Strait strengthen their dialogues and interactions in economic, politics and other areas and establish a more positive and stable relationship.

However, while the entire picture of the cross-Strait relations became brighter, the U.S. made a new decision on an arms sale to Taiwan.

The decision not only runs counter to the mainstream will of pursuing development and cooperation among the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, but also exposes the U.S. usage of double standards and hypocrisy on major issues related to China’s core interests.

China and the United States, both world powers, have broad common interests and important responsibilities in a series of major issues related to peace and development of each nation and all mankind.

Despite all the ups and downs over the past 30 years, the overall China-U.S. relationship has maintained forward-moving development, while common interests and cooperation between the two countries have continuously expanded.

That not only brought concrete benefits to the peoples of both nations, but also contributed to world peace and development.

Obviously, the current good situation in China-U.S. relations is a result of no easy effort, and both nations need to take extra care of it.

The global financial situation has been improved, but uncertainties remain.

It requires China, the United States and the international community as a whole to make continuous efforts in a coordinated way.

China-U.S. cooperation is indispensable in solving counter-terrorism, nuclear nonproliferation, climate change and other major international and regional security issues.

The age of our times needs healthy, stable and developing China-U.S. ties.

Defying such a historic trend and making such a wrong decision that undermines China’s core interests and the overall situation of China-U.S. cooperation, can’t be viewed as a wise action by any responsible government, no matter if it was influenced by residue of the Cold War mentality or the pressure of certain special interests.

China recently has made several solemn representations to the American government on the arms sale issue, asking the U.S. to fully assess the serious damage caused by the sale and to take China’s concerns seriously and stop the transaction.

Otherwise, the sale will cause seriously negative effects on China-U.S. exchanges and cooperation in important areas, and ultimately will lead to consequences that neither side wishes to see.

If the U.S. continues to ignore the solemn position made by China and is determined to make the wrong decision to sell arms to Taiwan, it ought to take all the responsibilities for any serious consequence caused by such a decision.

Following are the highlights of the joint statement:

CORE-INTEREST

Both sides reaffirmed the fundamental principle of respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, core interests and major concerns. Neither side supports any attempt by any force to undermine the principle.

The Chinese side emphasized that the question of Taiwan concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Canadian side reiterated its consistent and long-standing one-China policy, which was established at the founding of diplomatic ties. The country underlined its support for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, including the efforts from both sides to increase dialogue and interactions in economic, political and other areas.

TRADE, INVESTMENT

The two countries reiterated commitment to maintaining an open investment and trade policy, opposing protectionism in all its manifestations, reducing barriers to investment and encouraging cooperation between the two countries’ enterprises.

Both sides undertake to expedite negotiations of a China-Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, to offer predictable and stable legal framework to boost confidence of investors.

The two countries also agreed on the need to encourage further growth of bilateral trade from its current levels, increasing trade in goods and services in all sectors, including energy and resources, infrastructure, telecommunication and transportation, advanced technology, tourism, agriculture and financial services. They also agreed to enhance cooperation on clean energy.

CROSS-BORDER CRIMES

The two sides pledged to strengthen cooperation on combating transnational crime and repatriating fugitives in accordance with their respective laws.

They agreed to sign a MOU on cooperation on combating crime at an early date and carry out negotiation on an agreement on the sharing of the proceeds of crime.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Both sides acknowledged that differing histories and national conditions can create some distinct points of view on issues such as human rights. They agreed to increased dialogue and exchanges on human rights, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to promote and protect human rights consistent with international human rights instruments.

VISIT DESTINATION STATUS

China and Canada welcome two new channels to increase people-to-people interaction, through the opening of a new Chinese Consulate General in Montreal, and China’s announcement of approved destination status for Canada during Harper’s visit.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The two sides agreed to enhance policy dialogue and cooperation on climate change and clean energy technologies as a complement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol.

VANCOUVER OLYMPICS, SHANGHAI EXPO

China welcomes the approaching of Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games and will send a large team of athletes to the games.

The Canadian side expressed its support for 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Starting in May of 2010, the Canada Pavilion at the Expo will provide large numbers of Chinese citizens the opportunity to visit and enjoy numerous Canadian arts, cultural and other public events.

(The missing parts are marked in red in both original English version and suggested Chinese translation)

And Chinese veterans of that war still warmly greet those American veterans who return to the sites where they fought to help liberate China from occupation.

奥巴马总统：参加过二战的中国老兵仍然热情欢迎故地重游的美国老兵，他们曾经在那里作战，帮助中国从占领下获得解放。

Xinhua: 奥巴马：而参加二战的中国老兵仍然欢迎故地重游的美国老兵，他们在那里参战。

In 1979, the political cooperation between the United States and China was rooted largely in our shared rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, we have a positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to partnership on the key global issues of our time — economic recovery and the development of clean energy; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and the scourge of climate change; the promotion of peace and security in Asia and around the globe. All of these issues will be on the agenda tomorrow when I meet with President Hu.

奥巴马总统：1979年，美中之间的政治合作主要立足于双方共同面对的竞争对手苏联。如今我们享有积极的、建设性的、全面的关系，为我们在当今时代的关键性全球问题上建立伙伴关系打开了大门，这些问题包括：经济复苏和清洁能源开发、制止核武器扩散和气候变化的影响、在亚洲及全球各地促进和平与安全。所有这些问题都是我明天与胡主席会谈的内容。

Xinhua: 奥巴马：如今我们有着积极合作和全面的关系，为我们在当前重大的全球问题上建立伙伴关系打开了大门，这些问题包括经济复苏、洁净能源的开发、制止核武器扩散以及应对气候变化。还有在亚洲及全球各地促进和平和稳定，所有这些问题我明天与胡主席会谈时都会谈到。

It is no coincidence that the relationship between our countries has accompanied a period of positive change. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty — an accomplishment unparalleled in human history — while playing a larger role in global events. And the United States has seen our economy grow along with the standard of living enjoyed by our people, while bringing the Cold War to a successful conclusion.

奥巴马总统：我们两国之间的关系相伴着一个积极变化的时期，这不是偶然的。中国实现了亿万人民脱贫，这一成就史无前例，同时，中国在全球问题中也在发挥更大的作用。美国在促使冷战顺利结束的同时，经济也取得了增长，人民的生活水平提高。

Xinhua: 奥巴马：我们两国之间的这种关系给我们带来了积极的变化，这并不是偶然的，中国使得亿万人民脱贫，而这种成就是人类历史上史无前例的。而中国在全球问题中也发挥更大的作用，美国也目睹了我们经济的成长。

I believe that each country must chart its own course. China is an ancient nation, with a deeply rooted culture. The United States, by comparison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have come to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy.

Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they enshrine several core principles — that all men and women are created equal, and possess certain fundamental rights; that government should reflect the will of the people and respond to their wishes; that commerce should be open, information freely accessible; and that laws, and not simply men, should guarantee the administration of justice.

奥巴马总统：我认为每个国家都必须规划自己的前进方向。中国是一个文明古国，文化深远。而美国相对而言是一个年轻的国家，它的文化由来自许多不同国家的移民以及指导我国民主制度的建国纲领所形成。
这些纲领中提出了对人类事务的简单明了的瞩望，并包含了一些核心原则——不论男女人人生而平等，都享有某些基本权利；政府应当反映民意，并对人民的愿望作出回应；商贸应该是开放的，信息应该自由流通；司法保障应该来自法治而不是人治。

Xinhua: 奥巴马：我认为每个国家都应该勾画出自己要走的路，中国是一个文明古国，它有着博大精深的文化。相对而言，美国是一个年轻的国家，它的文化受到来自许多不同国家移民的影响，还受到我们民主制度文件的影响。我有一个非常简单的向往，代表了一些核心的原则，就是所有的人生来平等，都有着基本的权利，而政府应当反映人们的意志，贸易应该是开放的，信息流通应当是自由的，而法律要保证这个公平。

That is why Lincoln could stand up in the midst of civil war and declare it a struggle to see whether any nation, conceived in liberty, and “dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” could long endure. That is why Dr. Martin Luther King could stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and ask that our nation live out the true meaning of its creed. That’s why immigrants from China to Kenya could find a home on our shores; why opportunity is available to all who would work for it; and why someone like me, who less than 50 years ago would have had trouble voting in some parts of America, is now able to serve as its President.

奥巴马总统：这就是为什么林肯（Lincoln）能在南北战争中挺身而出并宣布，这是一场考验一个孕育于自由之中、“忠实于人人生而平等这一原则”的国家能否永存的斗争。这也就是为什么马丁·路德·金（Martin Luther King）博士能够站立在林肯纪念堂（Lincoln Memorial）的台阶上，要求我们的国家实践自身信仰的真正含义。这也就是为什么来自从中国到肯尼亚的各国移民能够在我国的土地上安家；为什么所有努力寻求机会的人都能获得机会；为什么像我这种在不到50年前在美国的某些地方连投票都遇到困难的人，现在能够出任这个国家的总统。

Xinhua: 奥巴马：这是为什么林肯在内战期间站起来说过，任何一个国家以自由、以所有人类平等的原则能够长久的存在，也就是为什么金博士在林肯纪念馆的前台站起来，说我们国家要必须真正的实现我们的信念。也就是为什么来自中国或者肯尼亚的移民能够到我们的家，也是为什么一个不到50年前在某些地方连投票都遇到困难的人，现在就能够做到那个国家的总统。

On the contrary, we welcome China as a strong and prosperous and successful member of the community of nations — a China that draws on the rights, strengths, and creativ
ity of individual Chinese like you.

奥巴马总统：恰恰相反，我们欢迎中国成为国际社会中一个强大、繁荣、成功的成员——一个从你们这样的每个中国人的权利、实力和创造力中获得力量的中国。

Xinhua: 奥巴马：相反，我们欢迎中国作为一个国际社会的强的、繁荣的、成功的成员。

The spokesman of Somali pirates said they agreed to accept a ransom of 3.5 million U.S. dollars, the Chinese bulk carrier “De Xin Hai” and 25 crew members are to be released next week. A few days ago in regular press conference the spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry was asked about the ransom and negotiations, he said he couldn’t provide any relevant information on this.

“De Xin Hai” was hijacked last month on its route from South Africa to India. All 25 crew members come from China and 22 of them are from Shandong Province. The bulk carrier was 1080 sea miles away from Chinese convoy fleet when the incident happened.

Some observers criticized the government for banning the media report on this incident, while it is necessary for the state-owned media to keep quiet before those crew members safely come home. Similar strategy has been deployed by the U.S. when their soldiers been kidnapped by terrorists.

The writer is a professor
and Director of the Center
for American Studies
and Executive Dean
of the Institute of
International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, China