VOL. XXV No. 6 June 2013 Rs. 10.00

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. President Barack Obama at the Annenberg Retreat, California, the United States on June 7, 2013. Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, who is also a member of the Chinese Film Festival was held from June 18 to 23, 2013 at Siri Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Fort Auditorium, New Delhi. Mr. Cai Fuchao, Director of Chinese Committee, met with Prakash Karat, General Secretary of State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Beijing, China on June 19, and Television, Mr. Manish Tewari, Minister of Information and 2013. Broadcasting, Government of India, Chinese Ambassador Mr. Wei Wei, and Mr. Jackie Chan, legendary Chinese actor attended the inaugural ceremony and screening of film Chinese Zodiac on June 18.

Lamp lighting ceremony was held at the Chinese Film Festival on Mr. Jackie Chan sang the song Country at the Inaugural June 18. Ceremony of Chinese Film Festival at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi on June 18.

Chinese Ambassador Wei Wei met with Rahul Gandhi, Vice Mr. Zhou Huaiyang, Professor of the School of Marine and Earth President of the Indian National Congress Party at Rahul’s office Science at Tongji University, waved as he came out of the on May 7, 2013. They expressed their willingness to further Jiaolong manned deep-sea submersible after a deep-sea dive into promote cooperation between the two countries. the South China Sea on June 18, 2013. The Jiaolong manned deep-sea submersible carried him as crew member during a deep-sea dive. CONTENTS

I. CHINESE PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN VISITS

1. President Xi Jinping Arrives California for China-US Presidential Meeting with 4 President Barack Obama 2. Xi, Obama Meet for First Summit 4 3. Xi Jinping and US President Obama Hold Joint Press Conference 6 4. Xi Jinping and Obama Hold the Second China-U.S. Presidential Meeting 8 5. Transpacific Cooperation--State Councilor Yang Jiechi's Remarks on the Results of the Presidential 11 Meeting between Xi Jinping and Obama at the Annenberg Estate 6. Chinese President Voices Confidence in China-U.S. Cooperation 18 7. Xi Jinping and His Wife Mme. Peng Liyuan Meet with US President Obama 19 8. China-Mexico Ties Face Unprecedented Opportunity 19 9. President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago 21 10. President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla 23 11. Chinese President Urges More Vigor for Ties with Caribbean Nations 25 12. China Pledges More Assistance to Caribbean Countries 28

II. CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS

1. Ambassador Wei Wei Holds an Appreciation Reception for the Successful Visit of 28 Premier Li Keqiang to India 2. A Fresh Start for China-India Relations 30 3. Private Sectors to Form Think-Tank for Trilateral Cooperation among Nepal, China, India 31

III. EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

1. Xi, Putin Discuss Bilateral Ties, Korean Peninsula 32 2. Premier Li Keqiang Holds Talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia 32 3. Deeper China-U.S.Cooperation to Drive Economic Growth 34 4. China Commits to Win-Win Development in Pursuing National Interests 35 5. China Calls for Peace & Stability at 2013 Shangri-La Dialogue 36 6. People-to-People Dialogue Urged to Boost China-SE Asia Ties 37 7. China-South Asia Expo Opens in Kunming 38 8. China, South Asia Jointly Weather Financial Crisis 39

IV. DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

1. China's Space Dream Crystallized with Shenzhou-10 Launch 41 2. Senior Official Details China's Wildlife Protection Efforts 43 3. Job Dilemma 45 4. Short of Serious Reading 48 5. Rescuing Our Land 50

V. TIBET TODAY

1. Disabled Tibetans Get Jobs in Lhasa 54 2. Bank of Tibet Wins Big with Local Edge 55 3. Tibet Launches Wildlife Field Survey 56 4. Distinctive Buildings Renovated in Old City of Lhasa 56 5. Development Brings Well-being to Tibetans 57

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 3 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

I. CHINESE PRESIDENT’S FOREIGN VISITS

President Xi Jinping Arrives California for China-US Presidential Meeting with President Barack Obama

On June 6, 2013, President Xi Jinping arrived in California State of the United States of America. He will hold China-US presidential meeting with US President Barack Obama on June 7 and 8 at Sunnylands, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Estate. Around 6: 15 p.m. June 6 local time, Xi Jinping arrived by special plane at Ontario International Airport in California. Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan were greeted by California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Mrs Brown as well as Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Mrs Villaraigosa. Xi Jinping will have an extensive and in- depth exchange of views with Obama on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. It will be the first China-US presidential meeting since the new governments of the two countries took office.

Xi, Obama Meet for First Summit

Sunnylands, United States, June 7 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, met Friday in this picturesque estate in Rancho Mirage, California, to exchange views on major issues of common concern. Obama received Xi upon his arrival, and the two heads of state greeted each other. At the beginning of the meeting, Xi thanked Obama for the invitation, saying that he was glad to hold talks with the U.S. president at Sunnylands. “Sunnylands is close to the Pacific Ocean, and China is just on the other side of the

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ocean,” Xi said. Xi recalled his visit to the United States last year when he said that the vast Pacific Ocean has enough room to accommodate the development of the two large countries of China and the United States. “Today I meet here with President Obama to map out a blueprint for the development of China-U.S. relations and conduct cooperation across the Pacific Ocean,” the Chinese president said. More than four decades ago, Xi said, the then leaders of the two countries sides to work together to build a new type of opened the door for China-U.S. interactions relations between major countries in an with political courage and wisdom, making a innovative and active way to serve the “handshake across the Pacific Ocean.” fundamental interests of the two peoples and Since then, the Chinese president said, the to promote development and progress of China-U.S. relations, despite ups and downs, human society. have achieved historic progress and brought Xi said that he was looking forward to huge benefits to the two peoples. having extensive and in-depth exchanges Noting that their relationship now stands with Obama on major strategic issues of at a new historic starting point, Xi said the two common concern, so as to strengthen mutual countries share important converging understanding and promote comprehensive interests, from promoting each other’s cooperation between the two countries. economic development and steady global “I believe with joint efforts of both sides, e c o n o m i c r e c o v e r y t o a d d r e s s i n g the summit will achieve important and international and regional hot issues and positive results, and inject new vigor into the global challenges. future development of China-U.S. relations,” That requires, he added, the two nations to Xi said. strengthen bilateral cooperation. Obama, for his part, welcomed Xi’s visit Xi stressed that China and the United and said the U.S.-China relationship is States, under new circumstances, should have important not only for the prosperity and an in-depth review of their ties. security of the two countries, but also for the “What kind of a relationship do we need? Asia Pacific region and the whole world. What type of cooperation should China and “Our decision to meet so early, I think, the United States have to achieve win-win signifies the importance of the U.S.-China results? How can both countries work relationship,” the U.S. president said. together to promote peace and development He said that the unusual setting in which in the world? These questions are major the U.S. side is hosting Xi also reflects the concerns not only of the two countries and importance they attach to the bilateral two peoples, but also of the whole relationship. international community,” he said. The summit meeting provides an The Chinese president called on the two opportunity for both sides to have a more

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 5 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

extended conversation, to share their visions the United States,” he said. for their respective countries and to discuss Both the Chinese and the U.S. people want the construction of a new model of a strong and cooperative relationship, Obama cooperation between countries based on said, adding that he is willing to work mutual interest and mutual respect, he said. together with Xi to meet the global challenges. Obama said his country welcomes the “I’m very much looking forward to this continuing peaceful rise of China as a world (Xi’s visit) being a strong foundation for the power and in fact it is in the interest of the kind of new model of cooperation that we can United States that China continues on the path establish for years to come,” he said. of success. The summit is the first face-to-face “We believe that a peaceful, stable and meeting between the presidents of China and prosperous China is not only good for the United States since the two countries Chinese but also good for the world and for completed their latest leadership transitions.

Xi Jinping and US President Obama Hold Joint Press Conference

On June 7 local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Obama held the first China-U.S. presidential meeting at the Annenberg Retreat in California, the U.S.. The two heads of state held a joint press conference after the meeting. Xi Jinping said, I have just held the first meeting with President Obama. We exchanged candid and in-depth views on the respective domestic and foreign policies of our countries, the new type of relationship between the two great powers of China and the U.S. as well as some major international and regional issues of common interest, and reached important consensus. Xi Jinping said, I have made it clear to President Obama that China will unswervingly adhere to the road of peaceful economic prosperity, national rejuvenation development, continue to deepen reform and and people’s well-beings. The Chinese dream opening up, make great efforts to realize the is about peace, development, cooperation and Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of win-win results, and it is connected to the the Chinese Nation and strive to promote the American dream and beautiful dreams of just cause of peace and development for people all over the world. humankind. Xi Jinping emphasized, I and President By the Chinese dream, we seek to have Obama both agreed that in order to meet the

6 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

objective needs of the rapid development of for a forceful, sustainable and balanced economic globalization and jointly economic growth in the Asian-Pacific region weathering difficulties by various countries, as well as the whole world. China and the U.S. should blaze a new path With regard to the new type of different from that of conflicts and relationship between the two great powers of confrontation between great powers in China and the U.S., Xi Jinping stressed, history. Both sides agreed that we will build human effort is the decisive force. I am fully together a new type of relationship between confident of constructing a new type of great powers based on mutual respect, relationship between China and the U.S.. cooperation and win-win results for the Firstly, both sides have the political will to benefit of the people of the two countries as construct a new type of relationship between well as of the world. The international great powers. Secondly, cooperation between community also expects for continuous the two sides over more than 40 years improvement and development in China-US constitutes a solid foundation for the further relations. A good cooperative relationship cooperation between the two countries. between China and the U.S. is conducive to Thirdly, both sides have set up over 90 world stability and peace. dialogue and communication mechanisms Both sides agreed to strengthen dialogue such as the strategic and economic dialogue, and communication at various levels, and cultural and educational exchanges and high- continuously enhance mutual understanding level consultations, providing a mechanism and trust. I and President Obama will guarantee for the construction of a new continue to keep close contacts through pattern of relationship between great powers. exchange of visits, meetings, telephone calls Fourthly, both sides have established over 220 and letters. I have invited President Obama to pairs of sister provinces and states and sister China for a new round of meetings. I and cities. There are nearly 190,000 Chinese President Obama will try to realize exchange students in the U.S. and over 20,000 U.S. of visits as early as possible. Both teams will students in China, laying a profound work close together to ensure that the new foundation of public opinion favourable for round of China-US strategic and economic the construction of a new type of relationship dialogue, cultural and educational exchanges between great powers. Fifthly, there is as well as high-level consultations will yield enormous space for future cooperation positive achievements. Minister of National between the two countries. Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Xi Jinping pointed out that this endeavor is China will visit the U.S. at the invitation. unprecedented and will inspire future Both sides agreed to strengthen generations. China and the U.S. need to cooperation in wide areas of economy and constantly push forward the construction of a trade, energy, environment, humanity as well new type of relationship between great as local affairs, to deepen the pattern of an powers in the process of strengthening overall interest converging, to improve and dialogue, enhancing mutual trust, developing develop bilateral military ties and push cooperation and managing differences. forward the construction of a new type of Xi Jinping stated, the Chinese nation and military relations, to reinforce the macro- the American nation are both great nations, economic policy coordination, to expand and the Chinese people and the American cooperation in the process of economic people are great peoples. As long as we development of the two countries and to push maintain determination and confidence, as

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 7 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

long as we have wisdom and patience, as long with the U.S. as equal partners in dealing with as we stand high and look far, as long as we many global challenges. US-China make specific progress and accumulate them cooperation rather than confrontation, makes over time, I am confident that we will succeed it more possible to realize the goal of in achieving this cause. respective safety and prosperity. He and Obama said that he and President Xi President Xi both recognize that now the two Jinping conducted constructive discussions countries have the unique opportunity to take on broad range of topics. He believed that the bilateral relations to a higher level. He will President Xi Jinping has well summarized the commit himself not to miss this opportunity. discussions between the two sides. US and Responding to a question about cyber China need to understand each other’s security, Xi Jinping emphasized that China is strategic goals. Bilateral military relationship a victim of cyber attacks, China firmly is an area in which specific progress could be supports cyber security. Both China and the made as well as an example in promoting the U.S. share common concerns over cyber construction of the new type of relationship security. Both sides agreed to set up a working between great powers. Should take measures team and continue to discuss cyber security to institutionalize and regularize the bilateral issues within the framework of the China-US discussions. China continuing its peaceful rise Strategic Security Dialogue. Both sides should is in the interests of the United States. If China remove misgivings and conduct cooperation is successful, it will help to drive world so as to make cyber security a new highlight in economy and put China in a position to work China-US cooperation.

Xi Jinping and Obama Hold the Second China-U.S. Presidential Meeting

On June 8, 2013, Chinese President Xi s u s t a i n e d a n d h e a l t h y e c o n o m i c Jinping held the second China-U.S. development. Under the premise that Presidential meeting with US President optimistic economic prospects have been Barack Obama at the Annenberg Retreat, California. The two leaders informed each other of their domestic economic situation and policy, and exchanged in-depth views on economic relations between China and the U.S.. Xi Jinping expressed that China’s GDP grew by 7.7 percent in the first quarter of this year, which is conductive to adjusting economic structure and improving the quality and efficiency of economic growth. We have full confidence in a long-term

8 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

fully foreseen in China, we also believe there development in the process of continuously are some risks as well as challenges. In overcoming difficulties and challenges. We general, these risks are controllable and we have full confidence in it. are taking targeted measures to prevent and Xi Jinping stressed that we must deepen eliminate them. the reform in order to advance the sustained Xi Jinping said that the keynote of the and healthy economic development. Besides current macro-policy of China is to seek the short-term reform, we are studying the improvement in stability. To be specific, promotion of a comprehensive reform scheme macro-policy should be more stable, micro- for a medium and long term. policy should be more liberal, and social Xi Jinping pointed out that economic ties policy should serve as the base. China is have always been an important cornerstone speeding up the change of the economic for China-US relations. As the first two largest development mode, making efforts to push economies of the world, China and the U.S. f o r w a r d n e w i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n , have forged economic ties characterized by highly complementary structure and profoundly converging interests. China-US cooperation is not only of benefit to the development of the two countries, but also of great significance to the world economic growth. We should enhance our awareness of opportunity, win-win results as well as innovation, deepen and expand bilateral economic cooperation and endeavor to tap new interest converging points and cooperation growth points. Xi Jinping expressed that the Chinese side hopes the American side would adopt responsible macro- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Barack Obama take a economic policy, pay attention to the walk before heading into their second meeting, at the Annenberg Retreat, spillover influence of its economic California, the United States, June 8, 2013. and financial policy, adhere to free trade, object to protectionism, relax i n f o r m a t i z a t i o n , u r b a n i z a t i o n a n d the restriction of high technology exportation agricultural modernization, implementing to China, provide a fair environment for the t h e s t r a t e g y o f i n n o v a t i o n - d r i v e n investments made by Chinese enterprises in development and striving to boost domestic the U.S., guarantee the safety of China’s assets demand. Therefore, there is very broad space in the U.S., and work together with China to for development. The change of the economic create a new pattern in China- U.S. economic development mode is at a critical stage in relations. China. It will bring about enormous market Xi Jinping proposed that both sides should potential as well as new growth points. China strengthen cooperation in such areas of is fully capable of maintaining the sustained overall and strategic significance to the a n d h e a l t h y l o n g - t e r m e c o n o m i c economic development of both countries as

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 9 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

two-way investment, energy, infrastructure results. construction and regional cooperation. Xi Jinping stressed that under the new Xi Jinping pointed out that it is for the circumstances, China-U.S. relations should common interests of the two countries to push keep forging ahead and make progress, forward together the construction of a more China-U.S. cooperation should be expanded thorough global governance system which is and innovated, and the two countries should better in line with the development respect and be tolerant to each other. The two requirements of the world productive force sides of China and the U.S. should always and better conductive to the common proceed from a strategic and long-term development of various countries of the perspective, firmly seize the right direction of world. China and the U.S. should continue to China-U.S. relations and open up a new type build and safeguard together the G20 of relationship between great powers step by mechanism, and realize the unification of the step. G20 development with the mutual benefit and win-win results of China and the U.S.. Xi Jinping said, this meeting is the first face-to-face contact and exchange between the two heads of state of China and the U.S. since the two countries completed their latest leadership transitions. Besides, it is a pioneering undertaking in the high-level exchanges between the two countries. Over the past two days, President Obama and I have had in-depth and candid exchanges on bilateral relations as well as major international and regional issues by centering round the U.S. President Barack Obama presents Chinese President Xi Jinping subject of building together a new type with a bench made of California redwood while they take a joint of relationship between the two great walk before heading into their second meeting, at the Annenberg powers of China and the U.S.. The talks Retreat, California, the United States, June 8, 2013. went on smoothly and a series of important consensus have been reached. This Obama introduced the current situation of meeting sends a positive message to the the American economy. He said that the people of the two countries as well as the broad economic ties between the U.S. and international community that China and the China are closely connected to the stability U.S. are firmly devoted to strengthening and prosperity of the two countries, and are strategic communication, enhancing strategic sure to exert a significantly positive effect on mutual trust, pushing forward the world economy. The U.S. encourages Chinese construction of a new type of relationship enterprises to invest in the U.S., and is willing between great powers, and jointly promoting to take measures to relax the restriction of the peace, stability and prosperity in the exportation of American high-tech products Asian-Pacific region as well as the whole to China. The U.S. hopes to strengthen world. This meeting has yielded fruitful cooperation together with China in the fields

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of economy, trade and energy. Xi Jinping and Obama had a talk in a As for intellectual property protection, relaxed atmosphere while taking a walk at the Xi Jinping stressed that China places great Annenberg Retreat before the meeting. importance to it, and believed that Obama presented a bench made of sequoia of protection of intellectual property is not California to Xi Jinping as a gift. Sequoia is a only a requirement for China to perform its rare and precious tree species in California. international obligations, but also a When former US President Nixon visit. requirement for China to build an China in 1972, he presented several innovation-oriented country and achieve sequoia saplings of California to China as its own economic and social development gifts. From then on, California sequoia has objectives. China observes its obligations been successfully introduced into some t o t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r e a t i e s a n d provinces and cities in China and become a s t r e n g t h e n s i n t e l l e c t u a l p r o p e r t y symbol of China-U.S. friendship. protection by laws. On June 7, Xi Jinping and Obama held Xi Jinping pointed out that the issue of the first Presidential meeting and the climate change is one of the common working dinner, exchanging views on their challenges in front of the two countries of respective domestic development, the China and the U.S. as well as the whole world. construction of a new type of relationship China pays high attention to it and is willing between the two great powers of China and to carry out extensive and practical the U.S. as well as some international and cooperation in this field together with the regional issues of common interest. Xi U.S., so as to make it a new cooperation Jinping reiterated China’s principle growth point in China-U.S. relations. position on Taiwan issue.

Transpacific Cooperation

– State Councilor Yang Jiechi's Remarks on the Results of the Presidential Meeting between Xi Jinping and Obama at the Annenberg Estate

On June 8, 2013, State Councilor Yang Jiechi held a briefing on the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Obama at the Annenberg Estate, introducing the results of China-US presidential meeting and answering the reporters’ questions. Yang Jiechi said that on June 7 and 8, President Xi Jinping had a meeting with President Obama at the Annenberg Estate in California, America at the invitation of President Obama. This meeting is not only the first face-to-face contact and communication between the two heads of state after the two

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 11 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

countries completed their leadership transition, but also a pioneering undertaking in high- level association between China and America. Over the past two days, the two presidents have held two meetings, a working dinner and a walk together. The time of meetings and communication adds up to over eight hours. Their discussions cover a lot of subjects, ranging from their respective domestic situation and state governing experience, to China- US relations and international and regional issues, from political and security US relations, conforms to the requirement of issues to economic and financial issues, from the China-US relationship development in the bilateral issues to some global issues of cyber new period and shows the strategic security and climate change. In their significance and global impact of China-US discussions about cooperation without relations. avoiding differences, they strive to be Through the meetings, the two heads of thorough and candid instead of trying to state enhance mutual understanding and reach every aspect of a matter. It is trust, reach a series of important consensus, unprecedented no matter in the time and yield significantly positive results, point out quality of interaction, or the depth and the direction and plan the blueprint for the breadth of communication, which reflects the future development of China-US relations, as great importance both sides attach to China- well as open up a new page of “transpacific cooperation” between China and America. First, President Xi Jinping introduced to President Obama the governing idea and domestic and foreign policies of the Chinese government, reiterated that China will unswervingly adhere to the road of peaceful development, continuously deepen reform and open up the country, and strive to realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Chinese dream aims t o b r i n g a b o u t e c o n o m i c prosperity, national renewal and

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people’s well-being. Therefore, it is a dream of understanding and trust. Both sides will peace, development, cooperation and win- continue to maintain close contacts through win results, identical to the American dream reciprocal visits, meetings, dialogue and a n d b e a u t i f u l correspondence, make dreams of people in e f f o r t s t o r e a l i z e other countries. The exchange of visits, and realization of the hold similar meetings in C h i n e s e d r e a m good time in China. requires a peaceful The two presidents a n d s t a b l e spoke positively of the international and important role of such n e i g h b o r i n g significant dialogue environment. In the mechanisms as China- p r o c e s s o f t h e U S s t r a t e g i c a n d realization of its own economic dialogue, dream, China will high-level consultations make contributions o n c u l t u r a l a n d to the peace, stability educational exchanges and prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region as in expanding cooperation and controlling well as the whole world. differences. They will instruct the two teams President Obama also introduced its to strengthen coordination and cooperation governing idea, governing objective and so as to enable the 5th round China-US priority agenda to Xi Jinping. Strategic and Economic Dialogue as well as Second, the two heads both emphasized the 4th China-US High-level Consultations on the importance of China-US relations, Cultural and Educational Exchanges in this believing that China and America could summer to yield positive and practical embark on a new road different from that of results. China’s Minister of National Defense conflicts and confrontation between great and Foreign Minister will visit America in powers in history against the background of good time on invitation. rapid global economic development and Fourth, both sides agreed to continuously jointly weathering difficulties by various strengthen practical cooperation between the countries. Both sides agreed to work together two countries in such areas as economy and to construct a new pattern of relationship trade, investment, energy, environment, between great powers on the basis of mutual humanity and local affairs and deepen the respect, cooperation and win-win results for overall pattern of interest converging. They the benefit of the people of the two countries agreed to reinforce dialogue and cooperation as well as the world. The international on the issues of climate change and cyber community also expects for the continuous security, and give full play to the role of the improvement and development of China-US relevant working groups. Both sides stressed relations. A good cooperation between China the importance of improving and developing and America is conductive to world stability bilateral military relations and their desire to and peace. push forward the construction of a new Third, both sides agreed to strengthen pattern of China-US military relations. China dialogue and communication at various will attend the 2014 RIMPAC on invitation. levels and continuously enhance mutual Fifth, President Xi reiterated China’s

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 13 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

principled stand on Taiwan issue, stressing prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region even that Taiwan issue concerns the national the whole world. feeling of 1.3 billion Chinese people and Yang Jiechi also answered questions from hoping that America would scrupulously the reporters. abide by the three Sino-US Joint Some reporter asked: What is the core Communiqués, stick to the one-China policy, meaning of a new pattern of relationship support the peaceful development of the between the two great powers of China and relations across the Taiwan Straits with its America? And what is the striving direction? practical action, and stop selling weapon to Yang Jiechi said that the two presidents Taiwan. agreed to make joint efforts to construct a new Sixth, the two presidents exchanged views pattern of relationship between the two great on the situation in the Asian-Pacific region powers of China and America on the basis of and the interaction between China and mutual respect, cooperation and win-win America in that region. Both sides thought results. This is an importance consensus that the Asian-Pacific region is where China reached by the two sides based on the worldly and America share the most interests and affairs, national conditions as well as the have the most frequent interaction. Common future development of China-US relations, interests far surpass differences in the Asian- reflecting the political wisdom and historical Pacific region between China and America. responsibility of China and America to open Both sides should strengthen communication up a new pattern of relationship between and coordination, reduce friction, strive to great powers without stepping on the form a pattern of benign interaction and bring traditional road of conflicts between great about development opportunities to China counties in history. and America and even the whole region. Just as President Xi has pointed out, both Seventh, the two presidents agreed to as countries that have an important impact on continue to deepen China-US cooperation in the world, China and America should play an bilateral agencies, maintain close exemplary role in dealing with relationship c o o r d i n a t i o n a n d c o o p e r a t i o n o n between major countries. President Obama international and regional hot issues, further expressed that America welcomes China’s strengthen cooperation on global issues and peaceful rise as a great power. A peaceful, play an active role in s t a b l e a n d promoting world prosperous China peace, stability and will be not only in the prosperity. interest of China and In a word, it is a America, but also in meeting of strategic, the interest of the constructive and w h o l e w o r l d . historic significance, America hopes to which will exert a m a i n t a i n s t r o n g significantly positive c o o p e r a t i v e influence on the relationship with future development C h i n a a s e q u a l o f C h i n a - U S partners. relations, and peace, With regard to the s t a b i l i t y a n d connotation of the

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new pattern of relationship between the two interaction between great powers. Both sides great powers of China and America, should maintain close coordination and President Xi made a brilliant summarization cooperation on such international and with three sentences during the meetings: regional hot issues as the situation of the First, seek no conflicts and no Korean Peninsula and the Afghanistan issue, confrontation. This means to see each other’s and strengthen cooperation in such areas as strategic intent from an objective and rational anti-piracy operation, transnational crime perspective, and insist on being partners fighting, peacekeeping, disaster reduction rather than opponents. Properly handle and prevention, cyber security, climate contradictions and divergence through change and space safety, etc. Fourth, explore dialogue and cooperation rather than new approach in controlling differences, and conflicts or confrontation. positively construct a new pattern of military Second, have respect for each other. This relations compatible with the new pattern of means to respect each other’s social system relationship between the two great powers of and development road, respect each other’s China and America. President Obama core interests and significant concerns and actively responded to it and expressed that make common progress through seeking America places great importance to US-China common points while reserving differences. relations and it is willing to construct together Third, conduct cooperation for win-win with China a new cooperative pattern results. This means to abandon the zero-sum between countries on the basis of mutual thinking, give consideration to the interests of interest and mutual respect so as to cope with the other side while pursuing its own interest, various global challenges together. promote common development while In general, China hopes that China and seeking its own development and America will make joint efforts and continuously deepen the interest converging steadfastly push forward the construction of a pattern. new pattern of relationship between great With regard to how to implement the powers by following the direction pointed out principle of a new pattern of relationship by the two presidents. between major countries into every aspect of Some reporter asked: Does the China-US China-US relations, President Xi put forward Presidential Meetings cover such issues as four suggestions: First, advance dialogue and cyber security, intellectual property mutual trust to a new level, institutionalize protection and RMB exchange rate? the practice of the meetings between leaders Yang Jiechi said that the two presidents of the two countries in such multilateral held the second meeting this morning, mainly occasions as the G20 and the Asia-Pacific discussing the economic issues. The deepest Economic Cooperation, and make good use of impression left on me is that the two the over 90 existing inter-governmental presidents both pay high attention to dialogue and communication mechanisms. developing China-US economic relations, Second, open up a new situation of practical and they both believe there is enormous space cooperation. America should take active and great potential for China-US economic measures to relax restrictions on the cooperation. exportation of high-tech products to China, During the meeting, the two presidents and advance a more balanced development of introduced their respective economic trade and investment structure of the two situation, macroeconomic policies, countries. Third, establish a new pattern of prominent problems in front of them as well

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 15 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

as the striving direction for the next step. ago is the first institutional platform for Both sides believed that China and promoting local economic and trade America have forged an economic investment cooperation between China and relationship characterized by highly America. It is believed that China-US local complementary structure and deeply cooperation will have more bright prospects converging interests. By seizing the present and yield more fruitful results. moment when the two countries are adjusting B o t h s i d e s v o w e d t o m a i n t a i n economic structure and promoting economic coordination and cooperation within the growth, both sides should give further play to multilateral and regional economic their complementary advantages, tap new framework of the G20 as well as the Asia- cooperative growth points and promote Pacific Economic Cooperation, adhere to China-US economic relations to a new level. trade and investment liberalization, oppose This is of great importance to the economic protectionism, improve global economic growth of the two countries even the whole governance and promote a forceful, sustained world. and balanced regional and global economic Both sides agreed to make full use of such growth. mechanisms as the strategic and economic Both sides agreed to properly handle dialogue, joint commission on commerce and economic and trade frictions through trade as well as provincial and state governor dialogue and cooperation. forum, strengthen policy coordination and Both sides agreed to strengthen promote practical cooperation. coordination and cooperation in the area of Both sides spoke positively of the 9th climate change and advance practical round of China-US Bilateral Investment cooperation in this area through the climate Treaty Negotiation held recently, agreed to change working group of the two countries. actively push forward negotiation and They also vowed to work together and with provide a fair, transparent and stable policy other nations via multilateral mechanisms, framework for two-way investment. China including the use of the expertise and hoped that America will create a fair institution of the Montreal Protocol, to environment for investment by Chinese gradually reduce the production and enterprises in America. consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Both sides agreed to expand local and continue to include HFCs within the economic and trade cooperation. Several boundary of the related emission reports and minutes ago, I attended the meeting between calculation clauses of the UN Framework President Xi and Governor Brown. Brown Convention on Climate Change and the introduced the situation on the economic and Kyoto Protocol. trade exchanges and cooperation between With regard to cyber security, China California and China, which is really exciting. pointed out that the Chinese government At present, California’s export volume to pays high attention to cyber security and China ranks the first among the various states objects to any form of hacker and cyber in America. In the customs territory in Los attacks. China is also a victim of cyber attack Angles, 40 percent of the total volume of trade and firmly supports cyber security. On the between China and America is transacted. issue of cyber security, China and America “Trade and Investment Cooperation Joint face common challenges. Instead of being a Working Group between Provinces in China source of mutual suspicion and friction and California, America” established not long between China and America, cyber security

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should be a new highlight in the bilateral meeting is to carry out “transpacific cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation”. How did the two presidents dialogue, coordination and cooperation define the interaction between China and through the established network working America in the Asia-Pacific during the group of the two countries, and through the meeting? main channel of the United Nations, to push Yang Jiechi said that the Asian-Pacific forward the establishment of a fair, region is of particularly great significance to democratic and transparent international both China and America. For this time, the internet management mechanism and two presidents held the meetings in construct peaceful, safe, open and California known as “a door leading to Asia cooperative cyber space. from America”, which itself sends a positive As for intellectual property protection, signal that China and America are committed China stressed that the protection of to dialogue and cooperation in the Asia- intellectual property rights is not only a Pacific. requirement for China in performing its In April this year, during the annual international obligations, but also a meeting of Boao Forum for Asia, President Xi requirement in constructing an innovation- Jinping discussed together with the large oriented country and pursuing its own numbers of distinguished guests from 43 economic and social development. The countries and regions about the major Chinese government places great importance program for the development of the Asian- to the protection of intellectual property Pacific region. Two months later, President Xi rights, and it will further improve the law and met with President Obama and visited the strengthen law enforcement, and render three countries of Latin America along the equal protection to the interests of enterprises coast of the Pacific or close to it, which shows from various countries in China. that China will continue to make constant With regards to RMB exchange rate, efforts to promote transpacific cooperation, China said that RMB exchange rate is and is willing to work together with countries approaching an equilibrium interval, and in and out of the region to safeguard peace China will continue to push forward the and stability, push forward mutual beneficial exchange rate forming mechanism reform. cooperation and promote common China also pointed out that the root of Sino- development in the Asian-Pacific region. US trade imbalance lies in RMB exchange rate. Over the past 30 years, the situation in the During the meetings, both sides also Asia-Pacific has been generally stable and the exchanged views on the issue of human economy has maintained rapid development. rights. President Xi introduced China’s view China and America should coordinate and of human rights, and stressed that China has cooperate with each other in order to maintain been paying attention to and promoting the this favorable development momentum. Both development of the cause of human rights. sides believe that they should support the China has made conspicuous achievements in regional economic integration process in the its cause of human rights. With the economic Asia-Pacific and advance the construction of and social development in China, the human regional interconnection and interworking. rights cause will make greater progress. Both sides vowed to strengthen coordination Some reporter asked: President Xi Jinping and cooperation within the regional has expressed in the opening remarks of the multilateral framework. meeting that the major objective of this Both sides believed that the two countries

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 17 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

should keep close communication and issue. It becomes imperative to resume coordination on the situation of the Asian- dialogue as soon as possible. China is willing Pacific region and hotspot issues, to maintain close dialogue and cooperation emergencies as well as their respective with America. policies on the Asia-Pacific. The two President Xi expounded to President presidents exchanged views on the North Obama China’s principled stand on the issue Korea nuclear issue. President Xi reiterated of Diaoyu Island as well as the South China the principled stand of China, emphasized Sea dispute, emphasizing that China will that China insists on denuclearization of the steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty Korean peninsula, persists in the and territorial integrity, meanwhile, China safeguarding of peace and stability in the constantly proposes to handle and solve Korean Peninsula and adheres to the solving related issues through dialogue. It is hoped of the North Korea nuclear issue and the that the parties concerned will assume a peninsula issue through dialogue and responsible attitude, stop provocation and negotiation. China will continue to make return to the track of properly handling and unremitting efforts towards it. China and solving problems through dialogue as soon as America share identical principled stand and possible. overall objective on the North Korea nuclear

Chinese President Voices Confidence in China-U.S. Cooperation

Palm Springs, United States, June 8 before wrapping up a two-day meetings with (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama. here on June 8 that he is fully confident that The two presidents met twice and took a there is a broad prospect for cooperation walk together over the weekend at between China and the United States. Sunnylands, a 200-acre picturesque estate in Xi made the remarks when meeting with the Californian city of Rancho Mirage. Californian Governor Edmund Brown shortly Xi thanked Brown and other state officials for their hospitality and arrangements in hosting the face-to-face meeting between him and Obama, the first since the two countries completed their latest leadership transitions. Xi told Brown that he and Obama had in-depth, sincere and candid discussions on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, and reached important

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consensus. China is willing to expand economic Both sides agreed to build a new type of cooperation and two-way investment with major country relationship based on mutual California and strengthen cooperation with respect, mutual benefits with win-win results the state in such fields as clean energy, and laid out a comprehensive blueprint for information technologies, infrastructure the future development of bilateral ties, Xi construction and culture industries. said. Brown said it is an honor of California to Speaking positively of the achievements host the meetings between the Chinese and and efforts made by Californian state U.S. presidents. government in promoting cooperation and He said the world needs China and the exchanges with China, Xi said local-level United States to build a new type of major cooperation can consolidate societal basis for country relationship, which is in the China-U.S. relations. fundamental interests of the two countries Both China and the United States have and their people. been making structural adjustments, California wants to strengthen maintaining economic growth and increasing cooperation and exchanges with China to employment, which provide numerous m a k e g r e a t e r c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e opportunities for cooperation, Xi said. development of U.S.-China relations, the governor said.

Xi Jinping and His Wife Mme. Peng Liyuan Meet with US President Obama

On June 8, 2013, Chinese President Xi Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan thanked Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan met Obama and the U.S. side for their warm with US President Barack Obama at the reception and considerate arrangements for Annenberg Estate in California. The two sides the meeting. had a warm and friendly talk. Obama also conveyed the greetings of his The two heads of state agreed that the wife Michelle to Peng Liyuan and presented China-U.S. Presidential meeting this time is a her the welcome letter in Michelle’s own great success. Both sides will make joint handwriting. In the letter, Michelle wishes efforts to keep contacts, put into practice the that Peng Liyuan enjoys her visit in the U.S. consensus and achievements made during and expresses that she is looking forward to the meetings and push forward the visiting China together with her daughters in continuous development of China-US the near future. relations.

China-Mexico Ties Face Unprecedented Opportunity

Mexico City, June 5 (Xinhua) — China and opportunity for further development of their Mexico are facing an unprecedented relations, visiting Chinese President Xi

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 19 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

Jinping said here on June common interests. 5. Secondly, they In a speech at the should pursue win- Mexican Senate, Xi also win cooperation and called for concerted promote common efforts to beef up the development, Xi said. c o m p r e h e n s i v e The two countries cooperative partnership should each see the between China and other’s development Latin America. as an opportunity for A s C h i n a a n d its own, and boost M e x i c o “ a r e b o t h through cooperation moving onto a fast-track t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e of economic and social development and d e v e l o p m e n t a n d then their common embracing a promising d e v e l o p m e n t , h e future,” there is “an added. u n p r e c e d e n t e d He suggested that opportunity for our two t h e t w o s i d e s countries to further s t r e n g t h e n a d v a n c e b i l a t e r a l communication on relations,” he noted. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the d e v e l o p m e n t A g a i n s t t h i s Mexican Senate in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, June s t r a t e g i e s a n d 5, 2013. propitious backdrop, Xi upgrade bilateral added, he and President cooperation through Enrique Pena Nieto have just decided to expanding two-way investment, optimizing elevate the bilateral relationship to a their trade structure and enhancing industrial comprehensive strategic partnership, “to the connectivity. benefit of continued growth of China-Mexico Thirdly, the two countries should relations at a higher level, in a broader scope communicate and coordinate with each other and on a bigger platform, and usher our and safeguard their common interests, Xi relations into a new stage of development.” said. The Chinese president raised a four-point He urge the two sides to “take an active proposal aimed at making good use of the part in global economic governance and work opportunities and steering the two countries’ together for world economic recovery and partnership forward. growth and equilibrium of international Firstly, China and Mexico should respect forces.” and trust each other, treat each other as equals “We should work together to promote and strengthen strategic coordination, he democracy in international relations, jointly said. meet global challenges such as the The two countries, he added, should international financial crisis, climate change continue to understand and support each and sustainable development, and safeguard other on issues concerning their core interests, the common interests of our two countries beef up exchanges and dialogue, enhance and developing countries in general,” he strategic mutual trust and safeguard their added.

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Fourthly, China and Mexico should learn They should also enhance cultural from each other through exchanges and carry exchanges and build “an exemplary forward their friendship, the Chinese relationship of different civilizations living in president said, calling for joint efforts to harmony and reinforcing each other,” Xi said. expand exchanges in such areas as culture, The Chinese president also expressed the education, sports, media and tourism, and hope that the two sides will make concerted boost interaction between the two countries’ efforts to put in place a forum of China-Latin young generations. America cooperation at an early date. Noting that Mexico is an important player “We are firmly convinced that a stronger in Latin America, Xi said the deepening of partnership of comprehensive cooperation China-Mexico ties will inject great impetus between China and Latin America will boost into the development of China’s relations the development of both sides and will serve with the entire region. the peace, stability and prosperity of the Latin America “is embracing another region and the world,” he said. golden period of development,” he said. “We In addition, Xi said China has set the target believe that a more prosperous Latin America for its future development and will continue and the Caribbean will benefit the world in to hold high in the course of development the general, China as well.” banner of peace, development, cooperation Blessed with “an important window of and win-win outcome. opportunity,” China and Latin America “We will continue the reform and should join hands to achieve “fresh and opening-up program, promote common greater progress” in their partnership of development and bring more opportunities to comprehensive cooperation, he said. the world,” said the Chinese president. On the political front, China and Latin For his part, Ricardo Anaya Cortes, America should treat each other as sincere chairman of the Permanent Committee of friends and continue to understand and Mexico’s Congress of the Union, said both support each other on issues involving the China and Mexico are major developing core interests and major concerns of either countries striving for the same goal of side, Xi said. promoting national development and In the economic arena, he added, the two improving the well-being of the people. sides should further explore their cooperation The two countries, he said, are partners for potential, create new cooperation patterns, mutually beneficial cooperation and common and expand converging interests, so as to development, and should collaborate more foster an enduring and stable partnership of closely for the sake of each other’s mutually beneficial economic cooperation development and world peace. and trade.

President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago

On June 1, 2013, President Xi Jinping held Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of talks with Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Spain. Both sides exchanged views on

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 21 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

strengthening China-Trinidad and Tobago friendly cooperation and reached broad consensus. Xi Jinping noted that the people of China and Trinidad and Tobago enjoy a time-honoured history of friendship. Trinidad and Tobago is one of China’s most important cooperative partners in the Caribbean Region and the two sides have great potential for cooperation. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries. China is willing to join hands with Trinidad and Tobago to look friendship. forward into the future and to push China- Fourth, to keep close cooperation in Trinidad and Tobago relationship for greater international affairs. Xi Jinping said that development. China fully understands the special situation First, to enhance exchanges of high-level and concerns of small island countries on the visits and of government agencies, legislative issue of climate change, and has always been bodies and political parties of the two supportive of their reasonable appeals in countries. The foreign ministries of the two climate change negotiations. China will give countries to held irregular consultations for positive consideration for providing energy- timely communication with each other to saving products to relevant Caribbean promote mutual understanding and trust. countries, to help them enhance their abilities Second, to actively promote cooperation to get adapted and to cope with the climate in the fields of infrastructure, energy and change. mining. To explore more cooperation in the Persad-Bissessar said that the friendship fields of agriculture, fishery, science and between Trinidad and Tobago and China has technology, investment and financing, been getting firm as time goes by. The Chinese telecommunications and new energy. people first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago as Third, to expand people-to-people early as more than two centuries ago, got exchanges, to strengthen exchanges and rooted as part of the multiculturalism of cooperation in the fields of tourism and Trinidad and Tobago. The people of Trinidad culture, especially creative industries, and Tobago thank China for the support and education, health, sports, journalism and assistance over the years. Trinidad and personnel training, to support youth Tobago is pursuing a strategy of economic exchanges, to set up a Confucius Institute in diversification, hopes to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago at an early date, and to exchanges with China and to promote carry out celebrations for the 40th anniversary cooperation in relevant fields. Trinidad and of the establishment of diplomatic Tobago welcomes investment from Chinese relationship between the two countries next businesses. Trinidad and Tobago is willing to year, so as to enhance understanding and actively carry out people-to-people

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exchanges, to promote language training and help push the bilateral relationship for greater to enhance cooperation on health care with development. China. Trinidad and Tobago welcomes The both sides as well exchanged views on Chinese citizens travelling to the country and China’s relations with the Caribbean and proposes for a Caribbean music festival to be Latin American countries, pledging joint held every year in China. Trinidad and efforts to push China-Caribbean, China-Latin Tobago is willing to boost cooperation with America relations for new development. China on major international issues and to Following the talks, the two leaders join hands with China to meet global attended the signing ceremony of cooperation challenges. Persad-Bissessar expressed her documents including the economic and belief that President Xi Jinping’s visit will technological cooperation agreement open up broad prospects for cooperation between the two governments and met the between the two countries and will surely press.

President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla

On June 3 local time, President Xi Jinping C h i n c h i l l a s a i d t h a t s i n c e t h e held talks with Costa Rican President Laura establishment of diplomatic relationship Chinchilla in San Jose. The two heads of state between Costa Rica and China, the two expressed their satisfaction for the countries have witnessed frequent high-level achievements of bilateral relationship over exchanges and fruitful results from the past six years since the establishment of cooperation in various fields. It brings diplomatic relationship and decided to tangible benefits to both sides. Costa Rica strengthen exchanges and cooperation to hopes to deepen mutual trust, cooperation push the China-Costa Rica relationship for and friendship with China, and wishes the greater development. Chinese people will make continuous Xi Jinping said that although China and achievements in the process of realizing the Costa Rica has established diplomatic Chinese dream. relationship for only six years, the The two heads of state exchanged views relationship between the two countries has on the cooperation between the two countries achieved substantial progress. Facts prove and they reached broad consensus: that it is in the fundamental interests of the First, to enhance high-level exchanges and two countries and the two peoples for China to consolidate political mutual trust. To and Costa Rica to develop friendly promote friendly exchanges between the cooperative relations based on the principles government agencies, legislative bodies and of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit political parties of the two countries. To and common development. The China-Costa continue to provide firm support to each other Rica relationship can absolutely be paradigm on issues concerning each other’s core of friendly cooperation between countries of interests. different sizes and different national Second, to continue to push forward conditions. practical cooperation. To expand the scope,

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 23 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

optimize the structure and enlarge the scale of and Caribbean countries. They agreed to trade based on the free trade agreement work together to set up a China-Latin between the two countries with the guidance America cooperation forum and will support of government and the participation of each other to host China-Latin America enterprises. China supports Costa Rica in agriculture ministers’ forum, think tanks constructing a special economic zone, and exchange forum and entrepreneur summit Costa Rica welcomes Chinese enterprises within this year. Costa Rica will hold the investing in the country. The two countries rotating presidency of the Community of will explore cooperation on clean energy. Latin American and Caribbean States next year and will play an active role in promoting the overall cooperation between Latin America and China. Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of a number of cooperation documents including the economic and technological cooperation agreement between the two governments as well as the agreement on investment and financing for renovation and expansion of roads and refineries in Costa Rica. They jointly met the press. Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping attended the welcome ceremony held by Chinchilla. All along the way to the Presidential Palace, thousands of local Third, to deepen exchanges in the fields of people and children were standing by the culture, education, sports and tourism. To streets, waving national flags of Costa Rica strengthen youth and local exchanges, and China to welcome distinguished guests implementing projects of students exchange from China. Upon their arrival at the square in and Confucius Institute. China will continue front of the Presidential Palace, Xi Jinping and to train professional and technical personnels his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by for Costa Rica. Costa Rica will simplify visa President Chinchilla and her husband. A application procedure for the Chinese people, welcoming team of Costa Rican children were as a favourable measure for people-to-people at the site. Xi Jinping and his wife Peng exchange. Liyuan, accompanied by President Fourth, to enhance cooperation on Chinchilla, walked along the red carpet onto international affairs, especially to strengthen the inspection platform. The military band communication and coordination on climate played the national anthems of the two change, sustainable development and other countries. Costa Rican Legislative Assembly major issues. To push forward democracy in President, Supreme Court President, international relations and to work together Supreme Electoral Tribunal President, First to safeguard the interests of developing Vice President, Second Vice President and countries as a whole. cabinet ministers were present at the welcome The two sides exchanged views on the ceremony. relations between China and Latin American

24 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

Chinese President Urges More Vigor for Ties with Caribbean Nations

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping extensive common interests in the domains of called in Port of Spain on June 2 for more vigor climate change and the reform of the and cooperation to boost ties between China international system, urging close and Caribbean nations. cooperation in multilateral sphere. When meeting with Donald Ramotar, For his part, Ramotar spoke highly of President of Guyana, Xi said Guyana is the China’s development and its important first English-speaking Caribbean country to contribution to safeguarding world peace and establish diplomatic relations with China, assisting developing countries. which laid a solid foundation for the bilateral Guyana looks forward to beefing up relationship. communication and cooperation with China so as to raise its level of development, the president said. When meeting Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Xi said that Antigua and Barbuda is an important partner of China in the Caribbean region, and that China appreciates its support on issues concerning Beijing’s core interests.

C h i n a i s w i l l i n g t o e n h a n c e communication and cooperation between the two countries’ governments, parliaments and political parties, and deepen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, mining, Xi said China values the cooperation agriculture, forestry and fishery, Xi said. proposals put forward by Antigua and He pledged to carry out projects including Barbuda related to people’s livelihoods and airport, hydro-power generation plant and e- tourism, and is ready to exchange views with government in Guyana. the Caribbean nation and learn from each Xi also noted that China and Guyana share other on environmental protection and

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 25 Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

ecological conservation. and technology, explore clean energy, jointly He said this year marks the 30th cope with climate change, expand people-to- anniversary of the establishment of people exchanges and strengthen cooperation diplomatic ties between China and Antigua in personnel training. and Barbuda, calling on the two countries to Skerrit, for his part, thanked China for its use the occasion to lift their cooperation to a assistance and expressed willingness to higher level. enhance cooperation with China in such fields Noting Antigua and Barbuda will hold the as transport infrastructure, education and rotating chair of the 68th session of the UN medical services. General Assembly, Xi said China is willing to Dominica appreciates China’s position on strengthen coordination and cooperation climate change and its assistance to small with the Caribbean country. island countries, the prime minister said, Spencer thanked China for its aid to his expressing hope that Dominica and China country and lauded the Asian nation for its could support each other and enhance efforts to develop relations with Antigua and cooperation. Barbuda on the basis of the Five Principles of When meeting with Grenadian Prime Peaceful Coexistence. Minister Keith Mitchell, Xi said China He expressed hope the two countries can appreciates Grenada’s support on issues strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, concerning Beijing’s core interests. culture and multilateral issues, adding that C h i n a ’ s d e v e l o p m e n t w i l l b r i n g opportunities for his country and the Caribbean region at large. When meeting with Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, Xi described the country as China’s good friend and partner.

Bilateral relations have developed smoothly over the past eight years, Xi said, adding that the two sides should adopt a future-oriented perspective and continue to work together for a long-term, sound and stable development of bilateral ties. The two countries, Xi said, should He urged the two countries to continue to maintain high-level exchanges, consolidate transfer technologies and share experiences in political mutual trust, and improve such areas as agriculture and medical cooperation in such sectors as infrastructure, services, cooperate in the fields of economy agriculture, human resources, education,

26 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Chinese President’s Foreign Visits

culture and tourism. most important cooperation partners in the Noting that bilateral cooperation has born region, he said. rich fruit, Mitchell said the two countries are Xi suggested the two sides improve facing fine opportunities to further bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, ties. telecommunications and mining. He said Grenada hopes to, based on the principle of mutual respect, cement its friendship with China and advance bilateral cooperation. During a meeting with Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie, Xi said the Bahamas, boasting strong tourism, is an important offshore financial center and marine transportation hub in the world.

Recalling his visit to Jamaica four years ago, Xi said he was deeply impressed by Jamaican people’s passion for the Chinese culture. The Chinese people are also familiar with Jamaican great athletes, Xi said, adding that the two countries should improve exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, sports and tourism. The country, the Chinese president said, is Simpson-Miller said Jamaica cherishes its a key economic and trade partner of China in friendship with China and appreciates the Caribbean, and bilateral cooperation Beijing’s assistance. enjoys great potential. Jamaica, she said, is ready to strengthen China and the Bahamas, Xi suggested, economic cooperation and people-to-people should improve communication, deepen exchanges with China, and to conduct cooperation in trade and tourism, and communication and mutual learning on enhance educational, cultural and people-to- sports and environmental protection. people exchanges so as to lift bilateral ties to a Xi also exchanged views on China- new level. Caribbean ties with the leaders. Noting that For his part, Christie said intensified the Caribbean region is an important force in cooperation with China is crucial to his the international community, Xi said China- country’s social and economic development. Caribbean cooperation has boosted their Xi also met with Portia Simpson-Miller, development and benefited their peoples. Prime Minister of Jamaica. Jamaica is a big China is ready to establish and develop power in the Caribbean and one of China’s

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 27 China-India Relations

comprehensive cooperative partnership with Caribbean region, the leaders said their countries in the region, Xi said. countries are willing to join hands with China Acknowledging that Xi’s visit attests to to advance Caribbean-China ties to a new the importance China has attached to the phase.

China Pledges More Assistance to Caribbean Countries

Port of Spain, June 2 (Xinhua) — Chinese play their respective advantages and expand President Xi Jinping pledged here on Sunday bilateral cooperation, China and Caribbean to scale up assistance to Caribbean nations in nations can be good partners that respect and an effort to give fresh impetus to the trust each other politically, benefit and cooperation between China and the region. complement each other economically, and C h i n a w i l l s e t u p o n e o r t w o learn from each other culturally, the Chinese demonstration centers in the next three years president added. to showcase agricultural technologies, Xi said Xi noted that the relations between China at a luncheon meeting with leaders of and Caribbean countries are becoming more Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Guyana, mature and closer, adding the priority for the Dominica, Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas, two sides now is how to make concerted Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, all of efforts to seek common development for the which are Caribbean countries with benefit of the people. diplomatic ties with Beijing. The Caribbean leaders, for their part, China will also send 100 medical staff to thanked China for its long-term assistance the Caribbean region, train 100 part-time and welcomed the new measures put forward postgraduate students and provide by Xi, which they said would boost the government scholarship for 1,000 students, Xi development of Caribbean countries. said. C a r i b b e a n c o u n t r i e s v a l u e t h e As long as the two sides uphold the opportunities brought by the development of principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual China and want to beef up cooperation with benefit and common development, bring into the Asian country, they said.

II. CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS

Ambassador Wei Wei Holds an Appreciation Reception for the Successful Visit of Premier Li Keqiang to India

On the evening of May 29, 2013, Chinese hospitality by the Indian side during the visit Ambassador to India Wei Wei held an of Premier Li Keqiang to India from May 19 to appreciation reception at Leela Hotel in New 22. Ms. Ruchira Kamboj, Joint Secretary of Delhi for the thoughtful arrangement and Protocol Division, Ministry of External Affairs

28 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA China-India Relations

(MEA), Government of India attended the reception as chief guest. Representatives from East Asia Division of MEA, Indian C o u n c i l o f W o r l d A f f a i r s , Federation of Indian Chambers of C o m m e r c e a n d I n d u s t r y , Confederation of Indian Industry, the Associated Chambers of Indian Commerce and Industry, Rajghat Samadhi Committee, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Hyderabad House, Hotel Taj Palace, media organizations and diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in India, round manner. It was a successful visit with altogether more than 100 people were present great significance, far-reaching impact and at the event. fruitful results. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Wei Ambassador Wei Wei extended sincere Wei said that Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to thanks to relevant government departments, India was the first leg of the first overseas visit organizations, communities and all people since he took office in March. During the visit, who contributed to this visit. He appreciated Premier Li had held candid, friendly and their diligent, delicate, professional and fruitful meetings and talks with Prime efficient work as well as support and Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other collaboration given to Premier Li’s delegation Indian leaders. The two countries issued a and the Chinese Embassy, which helped us to joint statement and signed 8 agreements. This overcome many difficulties such as tight visit had converged strategic consensus, schedule and scorching heat. He wished the enhanced political mutual trust and friendship between China and India flourish expanded economic cooperation between the and blossom. two countries, charting out the future Ms. Kamboj appreciated the hosting of development of China-India relations in all- this reception by Ambassador Wei Wei. She was deeply touched. She emphasized that the significance of protocol work during high level visits was collaboration. She was impressed by the professionalism, diligence and devotion showed by the Chinese side. She also wished further development of the China- India relations. During the reception, the Indian guests and Chinese diplomats exchange views in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 29 China-India Relations

A Fresh Start for China-India Relations

Indian English Magazine Diplomatist economic dialogue, and so on. The two published message from Ambassador to countries have actively carried out political India Wei Wei on its Chinese Special Edition dialogue and consultations at all levels, of May 2013. The full text is as follows: efficiently managed their disputes and China and India, both ancient civilizations differences and increased strategic mutual in Asia and important neighbouring trust, while gradually finding out a pragmatic countries to each other, share a traditional way of friendly co-existence between them. friendly history for thousands of years. Now, At the same time, we have witnessed they are regarded as the two largest increasingly closer exchanges and developing countries and emerging market cooperation at all levels. Trade volume and economies in Asia, sharing the mutual investment expanded similar historical mission to boost The two countries rapidly; military contact made their social and economic are heading progress; people-to-people development. There have been ups towards the right exchanges enjoyed sufficient and downs through the history of direction of increase; multilateral cooperation China-India relations, but with the developing earned remarkable notice, all of joint efforts of both sides, we have which have accumulated positive always been able to put the wheel bilateral relations energy to promote the China- of friendly history back to the right India relations to a new level. track and move forward. Next decade is a strategically important Last decade witnessed a great progress of period of opportunities to develop China- China-India relations. The two countries are India relations. The world today is heading towards the right direction of undergoing a transition of political and developing bilateral relations, establishing economic pattern. Countries have become the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for increasingly inter-connected and inter- Peace and Prosperity, formulated a “Ten- dependent while China-India Relations have pronged Strategy” to deepen cooperation, broad prospects for development. We should and signed “A Shared Vision for the 21st be more positive and inclusive, firmly grasp Century of China and India.” The leaders of the general direction of bilateral relations, the two countries have maintained close constantly enhance mutual political trust, contacts on dozens of bilateral and strengthen strategic communication, deepen multilateral occasions, almost creating a the integration of interests, properly handle record of meetings between top leaders in the differences and seek common development, contemporary history of international expand the exchanges and cooperation relations. The two sides have successively between governments, political parties, established a series of effective bilateral parliaments, militaries, corporations and cooperation mechanisms and communication civilians so as to push forward China-India platform including “special representatives Strategic Cooperative Partnership. talks” on boundary questions, defense and As emphasized by leaders of our two security consultation, joint economic group countries, the world needs the common on economic relations and trade, science and development of China and India and can technology, financial dialogue, strategic provide sufficient room for the two

30 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA China-India Relations

neighbours’ development. We believe that accommodate each other’s core concerns and our two countries, by enhancing cooperation, properly handle problems and differences can expand our space for development, and existing between the two countries. Indian increase common interests so as to facilitate a Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also said sustainable economic and social development that developing good-neighbourly and and help the world order and system advance friendly relations with China and realizing in a just and reasonable direction. This will common development along with China is a promote better livelihood of more than 2.5 priority of the India’s foreign policy. India billion people in the two countries, which and China are cooperative partners instead of bears a great significance for the whole world. rivals. I believe that China-India relations Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping put have stood on a fresh start and will see greater forward a five-point proposal to promote and better development with the care and China-India relations which in short is to guidance of the leaders of the two countries, maintain strategic communication; harness thus to bring greater benefits to our countries each other’s comparative strengths and and peoples and make more contributions to expand win-win cooperation; strengthen the peace and prosperity of the region and the cultural ties; expand coordination and world at large. collaboration in multilateral affairs;

Private Sectors to Form Think-Tank for Trilateral Cooperation among Nepal, China, India

Kathmandu, June 10 (Xinhua) — The businessman Pandey told Xinhua. business community of Nepal, China and The possibility of the trilateral cooperation India are going to form a joint think-tank body was much hyped during recent China visit of to accelerate trilateral cooperation, a Nepali Nepal’s former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal business leader said here on June 10. Dahal. The representative organizations of the FNCCI has opened discussion over the business community in three nations are formation of think-tank non-governmental working to declare such a body by the first organization with All-China Federation of week of September, 2013, according to Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and Pradeep Jung Pandey, vice president of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Federation of Nepalese Chambers of recently. Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). FNCCI and ACFIC represent their “Realizing that trilateral cooperation respective countries in Nepal- China Non should be initiated from people-to-people Governmental Aid Forum. level, the private sector representative bodies The proposed think tank body will seek of three countries have reached an mutual benefits for all three countries on understanding for a think-tank organization infrastructure, culture, tourism and other to conduct through study on possibilities,” areas.

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 31 External Affairs

III. EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Xi, Putin Discuss Bilateral Ties, Korean Peninsula

Beijing, June 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese regional issues in the spirit of comprehensive President Xi Jinping and his Russian strategic cooperative partnership. counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed Xi also briefed Putin on reconstruction bilateral ties and the situation on the Korean efforts in Sichuan province’s Lushan County Peninsula in a telephone conversation after a strong earthquake jolted the region in Saturday. April. Xi also once again voiced gratitude to Xi said the current China-Russia Putin for Russia’s support and aid. relationship is advancing to a higher level. Putin, on his part, said Russia-China ties The two sides are actively implementing have reached an unprecedented high in terms the important consensus and agreements of the level of mutual trust and quality of reached at the leaders’ summit in Moscow in cooperation. March, Xi said. The Russian president said that Xi’s state High-level exchanges between Russia and visit to Russia in March strongly promoted China are becoming more frequent and bilateral ties. cooperation between the two nations in the To push forward Russia-China relations fields of investment, energy, culture, law has long-term strategic bearings, Putin said. enforcement, security, etc has gained positive Russia is willing to make joint efforts with headway, Xi said. China to put into action the main fruits of Xi’s Beijing and Moscow have also conducted visit, he said. closer coordination and collaboration on Putin said he highly values the international affairs, Xi said, adding that constructive friendly relationship between China supports Russia in hosting the St. the two heads of state and is ready to continue Petersburg International Economic Forum. regular exchanges with Xi, hoping to meet the Xi said he cherishes his personal Chinese president again during the G-20 friendship and mutual trust with President summit in St. Petersburg later this year. Putin. Putin wished China’s construction cause China is ready to maintain close smooth development. communication and cooperation with Russia The two leaders also exchanged views on on bilateral ties and major international and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Premier Li Keqiang Holds Talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia

On June 13, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang held Li Keqiang said, China and Ethiopia have talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam a long history of traditional friendship. Since Desalegn of Ethiopia at the Great Hall of the the two countries established diplomatic People. relationship, the bilateral relations have

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enjoyed smooth growth with fruitful coordination on international and regional cooperation. As both China and Ethiopia are hotspot issues, including reform of the United developing countries and committed to Nations Security Council, Somali and the developing their economies and improving Sudan-South Sudan issue, so as to promote people’s livelihood, the two countries boast regional and world prosperity and stability. strong complementarity and huge potential Li Keqiang said, Africa is always a for cooperation. This year marks the 10th trustworthy good friend and good partner of anniversary of the China-Ethiopia China, and both sides have offered sincere comprehensive cooperative partnership. assistance and precious support for each China is willing to work with Ethiopia to push other. In the new century, both sides have bilateral friendly cooperation to a new level. continuously made new achievements in The Chinese government supports cooperation within the framework of the competitive companies to work with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Ethiopian side in the fields of infrastructure, (FOCAC). No political strings are attached to energy, natural resources, industrial parks, China’s aid within its ability to Africa and manufacturing and agriculture. Hope the Chinese companies and citizens are required Ethiopian side will continue to offer support to comply with local laws and customs. We through specific policies and further improve hope African countries will protect the the environment for investment. China is legitimate rights and interests of Chinese ready to work with Ethiopia to keep frequent companies and citizens and properly deal people-to-people exchanges, to deepen with problems through consultations. China cooperation on education, culture and will continue to firmly support peace, tourism and to enhance communication and development and integration process in

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Africa, to help African countries increase their this and is willing to comprehensively deepen self-development capabilities and make the practical cooperation with China in all fields. China-Africa cooperation better benefit the Ethiopia welcomes Chinese businesses to peoples. Hope Ethiopia, as holding the invest in the country and is willing to protect rotating presidency of the African Union, will Chinese interests and to offer necessary play the constructive role and make more facilitation. As a sincere friend of Africa, contribution for the promotion of the China- China has played an important role in Africa relations. boosting African peace, stability and Hailemariam Desalegn noted that development. Ethiopia will make efforts for Ethiopia and China are long-time reliable greater development of Africa-China cooperative partners. China has offered relations. valuable support to Ethiopia for the national Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a liberation and development, training a large welcome ceremony for Hailemariam number of professionals for the Ethiopian Desalegn at the Square outside the East Gate side. The Ethiopian side is deeply grateful for of the Great Hall of the People.

Deeper China-U.S.Cooperation to Drive Economic Growth

Beijing June 4 (Xinhua) — Stronger China- group of senior business executives. U.S. cooperation will drive economic growth Li said China-U.S. relations are entering in both countries, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday. If both countries work more closely to combine China’s huge market and the leading technology of the United States, the cooperation will create a stronger impetus for economic growth and turn development opportunities into cooperative results, Li said at a seminar held with a delegation of U.S. business leaders and former senior officials. The delegation, headed by President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Thomas Donohue, included former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger,former U.S. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang shakes hands with President of the U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Chamber of Commerce Thomas Donohue during a seminar with a Barshefsky, former Secretary of delegation of U.S. business leaders and former senior officials, in Beijing, Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and a capital of China, June 4, 2013.

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an important period. President Xi Jinping’s Li said he hopes the fourth China-U.S. upcoming summit with U.S. President Barack business leaders’ and former senior officials’ Obama will chart a blueprint for a new type of dialogue, which ran from Tuesday to bilateral relationship that features equality, Wednesday in Beijing, will play a positive role trust, tolerance, cooperation and common in enabling both countries to deepen prosperity, Li said. communication and expand pragmatic Li called for both sides to respect each cooperation. other on issues concerning their core interests, Donohue and several delegation members improve cooperation and play a positive role said the seminar will help U.S. businessmen in safeguarding peace and stability in Asia more fully understand the Chinese and the world. government’s policies and give them more He said both countries’ economies are in confidence in deepening cooperation with different stages of development but are still China. highly complementary. They said they will work with the Chinese Li said China is upgrading its economy side to contribute to the development of and opening more widely to the outside bilateral relations. world, while the United States is also Several U.S. business leaders asked Li restructuring its economy. about China’s reform and opening up, the As the world’s largest developing development of its finance sector, energy country, China’s development is its biggest security, the environment and China’s energy contribution to the world, Li said. cooperation with foreign countries. The premier said China will assume its Li asked the business leaders to continue responsibilities and work with the United to play a constructive role in promoting States to make efforts to promote global economic and trade cooperation between the economic recovery. two countries.

China Commits to Win-Win Development in Pursuing National Interests

Singapore, June 2 (Xinhua) — China’s hope for sustained peace and stability in this region and stress on dialogues and consultations for the sake of peace by no means denotes unconditional compromise, said Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. “Our resolve and commitment to safeguarding core national interests always stands steadfast,” Qi said in a speech at the Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese 12th Shangri-La Dialogue, a multilateral People's Liberation Army, during the Shangri-La Dialogue forum organized by the London-based think in Singapore, June 2, 2013

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 35 External Affairs

tank International Institute for Strategic the only way forward is to take cooperation as Studies. the overriding principle, Qi noted. Qi said China upholds an open spirit of “We believe that win-win development not only taking strides towards the world, but entails sharing of interests, one should take also welcoming the world to engage China, the legitimate concerns of others’ into with the purpose of sharing resources and consideration instead of only maximizing jointly creating a better future. one’s own interests,” Qi said. “For this end, we should discard cold-war He stressed that countries, no matter big mentality, go beyond the outdated zero-sum or small, are all equal, and they should respect games, and refrain from building military each other and build win-win relationships. alliances, setting imaginary enemies and The 12th Shangri-la Dialogue, which taking actions against a third party,” he said. opened on May 31, gathered defense To realize prosperity, stability and ministers, vice ministers, senior military development of Asia- Pacific region, one officials and scholars from over 20 Asia- cannot merely rely on the efforts of a single Pacific countries and regions, as well as nation, nor on expansion and plundering, countries in North America, Europe and the even less on the obsession with use of force — Middle East.

China Calls for Peace & Stability at 2013 Shangri-La Dialogue

Beijing, June 3 (Xinhuanet) — The 12th development and prosperity is a major Shangri-la Dialogue, also known as the Asia- opportunity rather than a challenge or even a Pacific Security Summit, has concluded in threat to countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore. China’s representative has China seeks cooperation and mutual benefit, insisted that its development is peaceful and and just its own exclusive development.” poses no threat to the Asia-Pacific region. Qi also said that China encourages Instead of focusing on conflicts, this year’s dialogue and consultation to resolve disputes Shangri-la dialogue has taken the theme of in the region, but it will not waiver in its cooperation. That theme was evident in a determination to safeguard national interests. speech delivered by Lieutenant General Qi “China’s hope for sustained peace and Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the stability in this region, and its stress on People’s Liberation Army of China. dialogue and consultation for the sake of Qi Jianguo, Deputy peace by no means Chief of General Staff, PLA, China will always follow the denotes unconditional said, “China will always road of peaceful develop- compromise. Our resolve follow the road of peaceful and commitment to ment and remain committed development and remain s a f e g u a r d i n g c o r e committed to peaceful, to peaceful, open, co- national interests always open, co operative and operative and mutually stands steadfast.” m u t u a l l y b e n e f i c i a l beneficial development I n 2 0 1 2 , t h e U S development. China’s

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officially laid out a strategy of rebalancing its only way you do that is to talk to each other. presence in the region. One year on, its You got to be direct with each other. You have relationship with China has become a center to share with each other. I think we are on of attention at the Dialogue. US Defense track with that. We’ve made progress on that. Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US welcomes I think we’ve made continued progress and the rise of a powerful and responsible China. we’ll make more progress.” Chuck Hagel, US Defense Secretary, said, The Shangri-La Dialogue was launched in “We have interests here too, just as China and 2002. It aims to provide a platform for Asia- Russia and other nations have interests all Pacific military and government officials to o v e r t h e w o r l d . W e d o n ’ t w a n t foster practical security cooperation in the miscalculations and misunderstandings. The region.

People-to-People Dialogue Urged to Boost China-SE Asia Ties

Nanning, June 4 (Xinhua) — Delegates with those in China. I strongly encourage this from China and Southeast Asian countries are because it will contribute to our common calling for more people-to-people prosperity,” he said. communication at an ongoing conference in Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a senator from the south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Philippines, said people-to-people dialogue is Region. an important way to solve conflicts. Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity He said it is necessary to enhance non- Department of the Communist Party of China governmental exchanges between China and (CPC) Central Committee, said China is the Philippines in the areas of tourism, willing to work with prosperity. education and health care. Organized by the China NGO Network Sidney C Bata, director of the Ricardo for International Exchange (CNIE), a national Leong Center for Chinese Studies at Ateneo non-profit social organization, the two-day de Manila University, said Chinese culture conference is being attended by delegates has had a great influence on many Southeast from 11 Southeast Asian countries. Asian countries, including the Philippines. Liu’s views were echoed by delegates He said young people in the Philippines attending the event. Political figures, scholars do not know China very well, adding that and entrepreneurs voiced strong support for there is an urgent need for both countries to more exchanges between China and encourage communication among young Southeast Asia. people. Ung Huot, former first prime minister of Exchanges between China and Southeast C a m b o d i a , s a i d p e o p l e - t o - p e o p l e Asian countries have intensified since China communication will create a win-win and Association of Southeast Asian Nations situation for China and Southeast Asian (ASEAN) member countries starting boosting nations. political, trade and cultural ties in 2003. “Many non-governmental organizations Trade between China and ASEAN has (NGOs) in Cambodia are having exchanges exceeded 400 billion yuan (about 65 billion

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U.S. dollars), making China ASEAN’s biggest governments should step up efforts to boost trade partner. [ “However, people-to-people communication between NGOs. communication is still weak compared with Zhang Xinsheng, honorary vice president frequent official contact between China and of CNIE, said people-to-people dialogue Southeast Asian nations,” said Li Jinjun, vice should focus on local governments, women, minister of the International Department of young people and ethnic groups, adding that the CPC Central Committee and executive such contact will complement official contact. vice president of CNIE. The China-Southeast Asia High-level “It’s necessary for us to strengthen direct People-to-People Dialogue, which was held contact among our people to enhance in the cities of Nanning and Fangchenggang, understanding and trust,” he said. was held to enhance non-governmental Noppamest Suwannamai, a researcher at exchanges between China and Southeast the Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center in Asian countries. Bangkok, said uniting NGOs in China and Organized by the China NGO Network Southeast Asia is a good way to enhance for International Exchange, a national non- people-to-people communication. profit social organization, the two-day event But he said many NGOs do not have was attended by delegates from 11 Southeast enough personnel and funds, adding that Asian countries.

China-South Asia Expo Opens in Kunming

Kunmimg, June 6 (Xinhua) — The first divided into four display areas, including a China-South Asia Expo, aimed at boosting mechanical and electrical equipment zone cooperation and development of the region, and a biological resources section. There are kicked off Thursday in Kunming, capital of also two outdoor display zones for furniture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. large machinery and equipment. With the theme of opening up to each South Asian countries are registered to other, pragmatic cooperation, mutual benefit and harmonious development, the expo is expected to serve as a platform for economic, technological and cultural exchanges between China and South Asian countries. The five-day expo is expected to attract more than 1,200 exhibitors and buyers from 43 countries or regions, according to organizers. The first China-South Asia Expo, aimed at boosting cooperation and development of the region, opens on June 6, 2013 in Kunming, capital of There are 2,420 indoor southwest China's Yunnan Province, attracting over 1,400 exhibitors from exhibitor booths which are Asian countries and regions.

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take up 748 booths, accounting for about one third of the total. Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai and foreign leaders or senior officials from Malawi, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand attended the opening ceremony. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Secretary-General Ahmed Saleem was also present. The event has been upgraded from the South Asian Countries Commodities Fair which was first held in Kunming in 2010. The 21st Kunming Import A buyer from Maldives chooses South Korean Jewelry at the first China-South a n d E x p o r t F a i r o p e n e d Asia Expo in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 6, simultaneously with the expo. 2013. The five-day China-South Asia Expo opened here on June 6, attracting over 1,400 exhibitors from Asian countries and regions.

China, South Asia Jointly Weather Financial Crisis

Kunming, June 11 (Xinhua) — Trade Kunming, capital of southwest China’s officials from China and South Asian Yunnan Province, was held simultaneously countries at the just-concluded 1st China- with the 21st China Kunming Import and South Asia Expo proposed to strengthen Export Fair. cooperation and maintain economic growth According to statistics from the expos’ amid the lackluster economic rebound. organizing committee, transaction volume The expo, which ran from June 6 to 10 in during both of the five-day fairs reached 17.47 billion U.S. dollars, up 116.5 percent compared with last year. Macky Hashim, former president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), said many South Asian countries have made considerable economic development with the help of cooperation with China at a time when Western nations are struggling against economic woes. Being complementary to each other

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in various fields, China and South Asian countries should boost persistent cooperation in order to maintain the stability of t h e r e g i o n a l e c o n o m i c development, said Masood Khalid, ambassador of Pakistan to China. Along with the increasingly close economic and trade relations between China and South Asian nations, the bilateral trade volume between China and these countries has increased from 34.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2006 to 93 billion U.S. vowed. dollars in 2012. Rafeeque Ahmed, president of the China has become an important trade Federation of Indian Export Organizations, partner and foreign investment source for said it is necessary for China and India to South Asian countries while these nations are develop their trade relations. India hopes to serving as China’s major overseas project make joint efforts with China in infrastructure contracting markets and investment construction, skills training, as well as destinations. industrial research and development. Yu Ping, vice chairman of the China In recent years, Bangladesh has attracted Council for the Promotion of International many Chinese companies including Huawei, Trade, said China should further expand ZTE and Haier Group to invest and set up cooperative areas with South Asian countries. plants there under a series of preferential Small and middle-sized enterprises policies, according to sources with the should strengthen pragmatic joint work with Embassy of Bangladesh to China. South Asian countries in traditional fields China has also implemented an while exploring emerging fields such as exemption policy on tariffs on about 5,000 financing, environmental protection, and imported goods from Bangladesh such as high-tech areas, according to Yu. leather products, textiles and electronic Ahmed Saleem, secretary general of the components. SAARC, said at the expo that senior officials Tariq Sayeed, president of the Planet from China and most SAARC member Energy Limited (a Pakistani company), said countries have attended the expo, indicating more products from South Asian countries that they are very willing to take bilateral would be exported to Chinese consumers via economic and trade relations to a higher the expo. level.\The SAARC will keep deepening Sayeed expressed hope about further regional economic cooperation with China market expansion, more investment, and said and make full use of the abundant resources transfer of labor forces between China and of both sides so as to help South Asian nations South Asian countries should be encouraged get rid of poverty and make the region a s o a s t o r e a l i z e s u s t a i n a b l e a n d dynamic economic growth point, Saleem comprehensive development in the region.

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IV. DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

China's Space Dream Crystallized with Shenzhou-10 Launch

Jiuquan, June 11 (Xinhua) — China Compared with the previous nine successfully launched its fifth manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Shenzhou-10 is no spacecraft on June 11 afternoon, sending three longer experimental but considered an astronauts on the country’s longest space trip. applicable shuttle system for transporting With 10 astronauts and six spacecraft astronauts and supplies to orbiting modules. launched into space in a decade, China is “It is like developing a new type of car. speeding up on the path of exploration and You have to try it on roads of different building a home for Chinese in the galaxy. conditions. Now trials are over and the car can At a see-off ceremony held hours before be put into formal operation,” said Zhou the launch, Chinese President Xi Jinping Jianping, chief engineer of China’s manned extended good wishes to the three astronauts. space program. “The mission’s crew members carry a On the other hand, the upgraded Long space dream of the Chinese nation, and March-2F carrier rocket is technically the represent the lofty aspirations of the Chinese same as the one used with the Shenzhou-9 people to explore space,” said Xi. manned spacecraft. The President later watched the launch at “No alteration means that China’s rocket the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in technology is becoming mature,” said Jing northwest China, and shook hands with staff Muchun, chief designer of the carrier rocket. at the center after the successful launch. Unlike the space trip of Yang Liwei, China’s first astronaut who boarded the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft in 2003, of less than a day, the three astronauts will stay for half a month. In its journey, Shenzhou- 10 will dock with the orbiting space lab Tiangong-1 twice, once through automatic operation and the other manual, and a lecture will for the first time be given on board the assembled orbiter The Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying China’s manned Shenzhou-10 to a group of teenage spacecraft blasts off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in students on the ground. northwest China’s Gansu Province, June 11, 2013.

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This mission aims to further test technologies designed for docking and supporting astronauts’ stay in space, as well as to use new technologies related to the construction of a space station, said Wu Ping, China’s manned space program spokeswoman, at a press conference on Monday. The Tiangong-1 space lab has been in orbit for about 620 days, and about three months are left before the designated end of its service. The module is considered the first step toward China operating a permanent space Chinese PresidentXi Jinping shakes hands with those participating in the station around 2020 and making program of Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft and sends his warm greetings to them at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's it the world’s third country to do Gansu Province, June 11, 2013. so. The nation is likely to launch a space environment, surface tension of liquid, and station before 2016. help students understand weight, mass and There are risks that the conditions of some Newton’s Laws. components on Tiangong-1 might not be at Wang will also interact with students and their best since the module is near the end of teachers on Earth and the lecture will be its service and has gone through four docking broadcast live. tests, Wu said. Ordinary Chinese, especially science For Nie Haisheng, commander of the enthusiasts, are excited about the new three-member crew and a second-time space mission. traveler, this mission will be longer, with “It is a festival for space fans,” said Zhao more experiments to be conducted, than his Yang, a researcher with the China Science and previous outing in 2006. Technology Museum, who just watched the “It will be a new challenge with greater Hollywood sci-fi blockbuster Star Trek Into risks,” Nie told the media on Monday. Darkness on Monday. However, he is looking forward to He was very much interested in the lecture entering the space lab module. “My to be given in space, saying, “There might be colleagues and I will work in a home for an interesting introduction about the Chinese in space,” he said. weightless condition.” For this mission, the manned space For renowned science fiction novelist Liu program also considered approaching the Xinci, Tuesday’s events reinforced his belief public. that he will live to see space travel become In a lecture through a live video feed accessible for all common people. system, female astronaut Wang Yaping will He has a very vivid vision of future life. introduce motion in a microgravity “In the next century, human beings will

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set foot on all planets in the solar system. Chinese astronauts, who are Party members, People will inhabit the moon and Mars. A lot might set up a Party branch up there,” Yang of people will work in space as space journeys said. will be as easy as flights.” Of the crew, 48-year-old Nie is commander of this mission, and responsible COMMUNISTS IN SPACE for the manual docking operation with the The three-member crew were all veteran Tiangong-1 target orbiter. Air Force pilots before being selected as Zhang Xiaoguang, 47, will assist the astronauts. Nie is the first general visiting commander to accomplish the spacecraft’s space while his teammate Wang Yaping is manual docking with Tiangong-1. Another China’s first space traveler born in the 1980s, a job that Zhang will be doing in space is to film generation growing up in era of reform and Wang’s lecture lecture, which will be opening up. broadcast to middle and elementary school All of them are members of the students in China. Communist Party of China. Wang, 33, is the second Chinese female Yang Liwei, the country’s first astronaut, astronaut after Liu Yang in the Shenzhou-9 once told Xinhua that Chinese astronauts mission, which blasted off in June last year. might not pray like their foreign counterparts Wang will be responsible for monitoring the do before they set off on a space mission; conditions of the spacecraft, space however, Communism, as their shared faith, experiments, operation of equipment and supports them. taking care of fellow crew members. “If the country has its own space station,

Senior Official Details China's Wildlife Protection Efforts

A top Chinese wildlife official on May 21, native only to China, including the giant 2013 detailed how recent years have seen panda, golden monkey, South China tiger and China intensify efforts to protect animals and Chinese alligator. promote biodiversity. To better protect the country’s Speaking at a press conference on the eve biodiversity, China has constantly worked to of the International Day for Biological improve its legal framework in the past few Diversity, Yin Hong, Deputy Director of the decades, Yin said. State Forestry Administration (SFA), said that The country’s put the Law on the the country, among the richest in wildlife Protection of Wildlife into effect in 1988, species in the world, has attached great laying down the basic principles for the importance to wildlife protection. conservation of precious and endangered There are more than 6,500 vertebrate species, as well as the protection, species in China, representing about 10 development and rational use of wildlife to percent of the world’s total, data from the SFA safeguard the ecological balance. showed. The country has now built a fully fledged Over 470 land-living vertebrates are legal framework with a series of laws and

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regulations made by both the central steadily during the past 10 years, Yin said. government and local-level governments. “Some extremely endangered species are Building nature reserves has played an stepping away from the danger of extinction,” important role in China’s wildlife protection she said. efforts. Her view is proved by changes in the SFA data showed there are currently more number of giant pandas, an endangered than 2,150 natural reserve areas covering 13 species native only to China. percent of the country’s territory, giving More than 2,000 giant pandas were living effective protection to more than 85 percent of in the wild in the 1970s. The number dropped wildlife under national-level protection. to 1,114 in the 1980s, according to two China included a total of 256 species in a separate surveys. catalog of national-level protected species A third survey conducted from 1999 to released in 1988. It is illegal to slaughter or sell 2003 showed that the number had risen to those species. 1,596. The country has also constructed natural An update on the number of giant pandas protection districts, wetlands and forest parks is not available as the country is currently to serve as the major battlefields to protect conducting the fourth survey, which may last wild animals, according to Yin. to 2014, according to Yan Xun, chief engineer The SFA has set up more than 1,000 of the wildlife conservation department stations for wildlife disease monitoring under the SFA. around the country, which played a The number of crested ibises, a rare bird significant role during China’s recent efforts species, has risen from only seven in 1981 to to guard against the H7N9 bird flu. more than 1,700 at present thanks to the China has also moved to expand the country’s protection and artificial breeding population of endangered species, cracked efforts. down on illegal slaughtering and sales of The administration is going to vigorously wildlife and intensified international push forward wildlife protection to collaboration in conserving endangered contribute to safeguarding the biodiversity of species and promoting biodiversity. China and the whole world, Yin said. After decades of consistent effort, China’s Regarding doubts over the link between endangered species have reversed the trend China’s legal ivory trade and the rising of continuous decline and started rising elephant poaching in Africa, Yan Xun, chief

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engineer of the wildlife conservation said, adding the annual combined department under the SFA, said there is “no consumption of China’s 37 legal processing necessary connection” between the two. companies was no more than 5,000 kilograms. He said the reasons of rampant poaching “China is very tough on ivory smuggling are very complex, ranging from resources and illegal trade,” he said. competition between people and elephants in The International Day for Biological some countries, wars to illegal trade. Diversity, sanctioned by the United Nations, “China has so far gained over 60 tonnes of is marked around the world on May 22 each ivory through international auctions,” Yan year.

Job Dilemma

by Yuan Yuan

A l m o s t 7 shining halo for million—this will Chinese people in be the number of the 1980s and 1990s, college graduates is now virtually in China in 2013, a synonymous with y e a r w h i c h “ s o o n - t o - b e promises to be the unemployed.” t o u g h e s t j o b Harsh Reality hunting season in “ I n t h e l a t e Chinese history. 1990s, the number of Never before college graduates has the nation had A job hunter applies for a job at a job fair in Xi'an, capital of just exceeded 1 so many graduates northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 29, 2013. China will see million. Now we competing for jobs, a record-high 6.99 million people graduate from college this year according to official figures. h a v e a l m o s t 7 particularly when million,” said Xiong s o f e w a r e B i n g q i , V i c e available. The number of vacant positions President of the Beijing-based 21st Century offered by employers has shrunk by 15 Education Research Center. percent. Without a doubt, the job market is The reason for such an increase lies in the white-hot. expansion of college enrollment in the late As of April 19, less than 30 percent of 1990s as the government hoped to make more graduating seniors in Beijing had signed people have access to higher education. The contracts with employers. Shanghai faces a expansion was also expected to boost similar situation. consumer spending to fend off the impacts of The title of “college student,” once a the Asian Financial Crisis, as well as to ease

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 45 Domestic Affairs

immediate pressure on the labor market. in early 2012 state that to be a white-collar Expanded enrollment finally gave 70 to 80 worker in China, one needs to earn a monthly percent of high school graduates the chance to salary of no less than 20,000 yuan ($3,258), enter college. Figures from the Ministry of own an apartment with at least two bedrooms Education show that the number of college and a car worth around 150,000 yuan graduates already exceeded 6 million in 2009 ($24,435). and since then the number has grown The criteria, though lacking systematic steadily. social research and statistical analysis, to The bleak employment situation for some extent, reflect China’s public opinions college students has been a problem for years on the financial requirements of leading a and is just becoming more prominent in 2013. leisurely life amid soaring prices in “While at the same time, the majors in everything from real estate to food. It also colleges haven’t changed that much as many suggests that employability itself is closely colleges are not market-oriented and set up tied to perceptions of socioeconomic status, majors en masse,” said Xiong. said a report by Xinhua News Agency. In first-tier cities including Shanghai, Yan Zhaolong, in charge of Nanjing Beijing, as well as Guangzhou and Shenzhen Andemen Job Fair for Migrant Workers, is in Guangdong Province, where most inundated with college students consulting graduates wish to make a living, young job him for opportunities as migrants. The job fair hunters cluster in low-rent tenements in old ended setting up a window specifically for parts of town or on the outskirts. graduates. In 2009, Lian Si, a scholar at the University “I feel sad about this,” said Yan, who is of International Business and Economics in over 40 years old. “In my days, college Beijing and then a post-doctoral fellow in students were people that we should admire. I Peking University, coined the term “ant tribe” never thought they could end up like this.” based on three years of research of recent To Market graduates. “If I could start college over...” prefaces an “Now the living cost in such cities is even online photographic phenomenon. Students higher and with the displacement of such from Hangzhou Electronic Science and areas, it is much more difficult for the college Technology University in Zhejiang Province graduates to find cheap accommodations,” stand in front of cameras holding papers said Zhang Yi, a researcher with the Chinese written about their hypothetical second Academy of Social Sciences. chances as freshmen. For 25-year-old Fan Lihui, who just got his Wishes include changing majors, reading master in business administration, the more books, going to the lab more, taking part situation is worse than previously imagined. in more activities on campus, playing fewer “I lowered my salary expectation to 2,500 computer games or going abroad for further yuan ($407) a month, but I still couldn’t get an study. interview,” Fan told national broadcaster “I don’t think the knowledge we’ve China Central Television. learned in college is of practical use and In comparison, criteria drafted by netizens neither do my classmates,” said a netizen who

46 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Domestic Affairs

calls himself Ballack, a Hunan University especially unkind to women with senior who still hadn’t found a job as of May postgraduate degrees,” said Tu. 26. The grim situation, though, dragged some “College life is too easy as it is much easier students out of the ivy tower to face reality. to graduate than to be enrolled. You won’t Liao Weidong, a junior material chemistry major at Shanghai’s Fudan University, one of learn anything without self-control. The the top universities in China, is already teachers won’t care that much,” said Liu looking for work. Tongxue, a student at Shandong Normal Liao goes off campus for his internship University in Shandong Province who said every weekend and always works until that her contemporaries are self-centered yet midnight. As a leader of the student union of fail to consider their individual competence the university, he frequently organizes for the most desirable employment students for mock job interviews and job- opportunities. hunting lectures. Guo Hengyu, a sophomore at Suzhou “Even though we come from a top University of Science and Technology in university, we can’t just take for granted that we will be well-received by the job market,” Jiangsu Province, has been hunting for a job said Liao. since freshman year. “We have to prepare Meng Xiangbo, a 23-year-old economics early and talk to the employers more to learn major at Anhui University in Anhui Province, what kind of people they want. I’m worried opened a pet care shop near campus in 2012. It what it will be like when I graduate.” made about 70,000 yuan ($11,403) in its first Li Siyao, a graduate from Laizhou No. 1 year, and Meng plans to expand. Middle School in Laizhou, Shandong, who “Opportunities are everywhere as long as barely passed the college entrance exam by 37 you can work hard,” said Meng. “I think the points last year, eschewed university to future for college students to start up business attend a vocational school—Shandong is very promising.” But Meng also admitted that it is very hard Property Management College. for the college startups to get loans from the “I made this decision on the serious bank. He still hasn’t told his parents that he is employment situation and I think this can running his own business. only get worse in the following years,” said Li. “In Chinese parents’ eyes, the best choice “I’d rather learn some vocational skills that is always to get a well-paid job in a decent can quickly be used in the market. For the company. Running one’s own business degree, I can get that through self-taught would be regarded as risky and not on the exams if I want.” right track,” said Meng. Postgraduates face an even worse “The number of college students will be situation, according to Tu Minxia, Director of even more in the future, so we should deal the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao with this at the root,” said Ding Dajian, a Youngsters Research Institute. researcher with the China Institute for “Many college students choose to stay in Employment Research. “The core is to universities for further study to avoid the develop the private companies and make serious employment situation but find out some preferential policies for college things can only get worse. The job market is startups.”

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 47 Domestic Affairs

Short of Serious Reading

by Li Li

China lacks avid readers, according to a bookstore chains in China as their bestselling recently published survey of reading habits in categories were textbooks and study guides 2012. The proportion of people surveyed who for certification exams. reported reading a paperback last year is only Heavy academic burdens hinder Beijing 55 percent, about 5 percentage points lower students’ after-school reading, says a report than in 1999. released by the China Youth and Children The Chinese Academy of Press and Research Center in April. Publications (CAPP) surveyed reading habits More than 1,400 students in the fourth to of 18,619 people in 28 provincial-level seventh grade were surveyed about their regions. About 31.3 percent of respondents extracurricular reading habits. About 52 were under 17 years old, and 26 percent were rural residents. Chinese people’s reading volume trails far behind many countries. Hao Zhensheng, CAPP President, said that South Koreans read an average of 11 books per year, Japanese read 8.5 and French read 8.4. Only 1.3 percent of those surveyed said that they read a lot, and more than 50 percent admitted not reading enough books. Forty-three percent of respondents reported “having no time because of busy work” and 35.8 percent “have no reading habit.” Other commonly cited reasons for insufficient reading include “watching too much TV,” “not knowing what to read” and “cannot find interesting books.” Unaffordable Enjoyment Leisure-time reading is losing popularity among adults and most people only read to advance their career opportunities, say researchers. According to a report by Xinhua News Agency in April 2010, around 80 percent of Children read books at a special reading area for children books sold in China were textbooks. This at the Yinchuan book center in Yinchuan, capital of preference for pragmatic reading was northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May supported by the sales statistics of major 26, 2013

48 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Domestic Affairs

percent electively read for about 30 minutes digital reading offers a fragmented style of and about 12 percent read less than 15 reading that significantly reduces the amount minutes outside of regular studies, according of knowledge readers can absorb from a to the report. publication. Lu Min, a researcher who led the survey, A China Youth Daily report explains the said that the research team found students “fragmented reading” as with use of reading didn’t have much time for reading because software or apps, people tend to start reading they had to finish homework or attend after- books without finishing, or even forget ever school classes. having read a book. “The students don’t take up a good “Digital reading makes it convenient for reading habit. Therefore, during their limited people to read whenever and wherever they spare time, they prefer to watch television, want, but other entertainment functions of play online games or chat online,” Lu said. digital devices often distract readers. I believe Only 35 percent of students read for at that people still have to rely on paperbacks if least an hour after school, and half of the total they want to really digest the contents of a said that they prefer digital reading. The book,” said Jin Lihong, Vice President of the report says that half of students go to school Changjiang Literature and Art Publishing libraries once a week while 7.7 percent never House in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei go. Province. Lu also said that when reading books on Fragmented Reading digital devices, students tend to give up According to the CAPP poll, 97.9 percent reading when links to games, videos and of Internet users read books, periodicals or other entertainment pop up. newspapers online at some time last year, “The multimedia terminals such as compared with 96.4 percent in 2011. smartphones and iPads easily distract Renowned writer Han Shaogong said that students’ attention,” Lu said. The limitations of digital reading compared with holding a paperback are also echoed by the public in general. According to the CAPP poll, 74.4 percent of respondents aged 18 to 70 still prefer holding a paperback when reading a book. Unworthy Books According to a recent n a t i o n w i d e s u r v e y conducted by the China Youth Daily, more than 73 percent of 9,116 respondents A man reads at a bookstore in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on said that there were too February 13. many trashy books on the

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 49 Domestic Affairs

market. More than 55 percent said that the publishers Wang Feng, a Beijing resident, told China lack independent thought, and more than 45 Youth Daily it is getting increasingly difficult percent referred to a shallow reading culture. to find books worth reading. Wang said that Almost 56 percent said that trashy books were during his recent shopping trip in a “submerging” good ones. bookstore, he found shelves filled with Bai said that many publishing shoddy novels, self-help books promising professionals lack good taste and use personal success and guides to managing bestselling genres as their only guide in finances. No page-turners to be found. selecting titles. “They are manufacturers of “I believe the ancient proverb that one can trashy books as well as participants in a always benefit from reading a book is no vulgar culture. It is a shame that some of them longer true. Many authors write nonsense take pride in their actions,” said Bai. and many others plagiarize, showing no Li Mingsheng, a highly acclaimed author, respect for readers at all,” said Wang. said that many publishing houses weaned Bai Ye, a senior research fellow with the from government subsidies became totally Institute of Literature under the Chinese profit-driven in selecting titles to publish, Academy of Social Sciences, blames Chinese which resulted in the surge of trashy books. people’s loss of interest in reading on a deluge Li said that to avoid the production of of trashy books on the market. He said that a more trashy books, authors should not simply large population has experienced difficulty in cater to some people’s vulgar tastes, but that finding a worthy book to read. publishing professionals should give up Nearly 62 percent of respondents to China profit-oriented operating guidelines and Youth Daily survey complained of publishing reviewers should recommend only truly companies’ obsession with making money. excellent works to readers.

Rescuing Our Land

by Yin Pumin

The food safety watchdog of Guangzhou, F r o m J a n u a r y t o M a r c h , t h e capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, administration checked 18 samples of rice said it would expand inspections on May 19 from local markets and found eight had after detecting cadmium in eight samples of cadmium levels exceeding national food rice products. safety standards. The move aims to ensure only quality rice, Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal rice noodles and related products are sold in used in pigments and batteries. Excessive the southern metropolis where the grain is a cadmium intake can lead to kidney failure, staple food, according to a statement released lung impairment, bone diseases and cancer. by the Guangzhou Food and Drug Monitoring cadmium levels is a priority for Administration. many countries’ grain production. “All packages of tainted rice and rice Cadmium-tainted rice products were noodles have been sealed shut,” it said. found in two university cafeterias and two

50 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Domestic Affairs

restaurants in Guangzhou, with some samples reaching twice the national limit of 0.2 mg per kg. Their suppliers are based in Zhuzhou and Hengyang cities in central China’s Hunan P r o v i n c e a n d D o n g g u a n o f Guangdong. More tainted rice products were also found in Shunde District in Guangdong’s Foshan, the local Nanfang Daily reported on May 21. Inspectors found nine batches of tainted rice during a district-wide inspection campaign. A young couple is picking vegetables in their own mini home garden. Contaminated rice has long been a Green food has become the favorite of Chinese citizens these years. problem in China. A Nanjing Agricultural University research in 2011 develop local economies, and called for found that around 10 percent of rice sold immediate government measures to control across the country contained excessive soil contamination. amounts of cadmium. Pan Genxing, a soil scientist at Nanjing “Cadmium in rice usually comes from the Agricultural University, said that the soil soil where it grows, and the soil was polluted pollution in China is more severe than other by mining and chemical waste,” said Fan countries, and the effect may last 30 years or Zhihong, a food safety expert at Beijing-based worsen even further. China Agricultural University. A Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) survey of 4.5 million square km of land Soil Pollution indicates soil quality in more developed Xu Xudong, Deputy Director of the regions, such as the Pearl and Yangtze river Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese deltas in south and east China and the Bohai Academy of Sciences (CAS), said that rice Economic Rim surrounding Beijing and with excessive cadmium indicates that soil Tianjin, has deteriorated to different extents. pollution in China has affected grain quality China is facing a grave situation in soil and safety. pollution of arable land, with problems “We have been concerned that accelerated including expanding use of pesticides and urbanization will increase demand for land,” c h e m i c a l f e r t i l i z e r s , h e a v y m e t a l said Xu, warning that the nation’s total arable contamination and pollution at mining and land acreage could fall below the factory sites, said Zhou Yikai, an government’s target for minimum environmental medicine researcher at availability of 120 million hectares. “But now, Huazhong University of Science and we should also worry about the damage from Technology in Wuhan, Hubei Province. heavy metal pollution on cultivated land.” In 2010, the MEP found 960 industrial He said there could be immeasurable companies out of 10,896 made use of heavy disaster if grain-producing areas are allowed metals violating environmental standards, to randomly introduce industries likely to leading to mass pollution of arable land. bring heavy metal pollution in order to Another major cause of soil pollution is

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 51 Domestic Affairs

the overuse of agricultural chemicals. Figures Control Efforts from the Soil and Fertilizer Institute under the A MEP report reveals that 21.5 percent of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences soil samples from 364 rural villages failed to (CAAS) show that in half of the regions meet national soil quality standards in 2011. surveyed, the average level of nitrogen In Hunan, where mining and nonferrous fertilizer use is 318 kg per hectare, far metal production are prevalent, 715,000 exceeding the internationally accepted limit hectares of land, or roughly 3.4 percent of the of 225 kg. province’s total area, are contaminated by Zhuang Guotai, Director of the MEP’s heavy metals, a CAS report says. Nature and Ecology Conservation Division, Another study conducted by the Ministry said that only 35 percent of fertilizer used by a of Land and Resources (MLR) in Hunan typical Chinese farm actually contributed to identified elevated levels of heavy metals in a the growth of crops, meaning the rest was 250 km by 10 km belt adjacent to the Dongting washed into waterways or just left on the Lake, China’s second largest freshwater lake. land. Nearby crops, reeds and shellfish were found According to Huang Hongxiang, a to have been contaminated with cadmium. researcher with the CAAS’ Institute of In a serious case of heavy metal pollution Agricultural Resources and Regional in Liuyang of Hunan in 2009, cadmium- Planning, year-round planting requires the containing pollutants from a chemical plant large-scale use of pesticides and fertilizers affected more than 500 people and polluted and this inevitably creates soil and water the land within a radius of 500 to 1,200 meters pollution. of the plant. “Some kinds of pesticides and fertilizers In addition to health hazards, soil can cause heavy metal pollution so we should pollution also leads to a reduction in grain reduce or avoid using them altogether,” production. Huang said. According to an MLR report in January, heavy metal pollution alone results in the loss of 10 million t o n s o f g r a i n a n d t h e contamination of another 12 m i l l i o n t o n s a n n u a l l y , incurring 20 billion yuan ($3.21 billion) in direct economic losses each year. Gao Shengda, Secretary G e n e r a l o f t h e C h i n a Environmental Remediation Industry Alliance, said that the nation must develop targeted soil remediation techniques and bring in advanced technology from A farmer in Youxian County, central China's Hunan Province, presents his rice on overseas. May 23, where three mills were found to have sold rice contaminated with cadmium, a toxic metal. Hou Yanlin, a soil scientist

52 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Domestic Affairs

with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), The call has been heard by state suggests the government establish a leadership. monitoring and early warning system for soil At the 2012 session of the National contamination so that it can evaluate how Committee of the Chinese People’s Political severe and widespread the pollution is. Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the In January, the State Council, China’s country’s top advisory body, Zhou at cabinet, also publicized a circular on soil Huazhong University of Science and pollution that sets out a plan to contain the Technology proposed to speed up the increasingly severe problem by 2015. legislation on the prevention and control of The circular ordered a thorough survey soil pollution. into soil conditions be conducted by 2015 and Wu Qing, Director of Foshan-based a system be established to protect Gujinlai Law Office, also arable land and sources of Soil pollution, if not focused her attention on the drinking water. brought under control, legislation of soil pollution It proposed building a soil will become irreversible prevention at the NPC annual e n v i r o n m e n t m o n i t o r i n g in a couple of years, session in March. More than 30 network to cover 60 percent of all posing serious threats to lawmakers echoed her call, Wu arable land and drinking water food safety, human said. sources that serve more than health and social stability In response to growing 500,000 people, so that regular public expectations, the first surveillance will be possible for draft of China’s Soil Protection these regions. Law has been completed, according to a The State Council also required rigorous report by Legal Daily on May 2. controls on newly polluted soil, which Jointly formulated by eight different prioritize the prevention of soil pollution and ministries including the MEP, MLR, MOA treatment of contaminated land. National Development and Reform These efforts have been widely expected to Commission and Ministry of Industry and pave the way for the establishment of a Information Technology, the legislation is national soil protection system and meant to bring some form of management significantly improve the quality of the over the amount of toxins that are dumped country’s soil by 2020. into the soil, primarily farmland and urban industrial land where most of China’s soil Voices Heard pollution is found. “Soil pollution, if not brought under According to the Legal Daily report, the control, will become irreversible in a couple of MEP invited several NPC deputies and years, posing serious threats to food safety, CPPCC National Committee members who human health and social stability,” said Li are interested in the legislation process to a Fasheng, a researcher with the Chinese symposium at the end of April. During the Research Academy of Environmental symposium, officials introduced China’s Sciences. current soil situation and measures that will Li believes that a soil protection law is be taken for future protection. urgently needed. “China has enacted laws In addition to facilitating soil protection against air and water pollution, but still lacks efforts, people also pin high hopes on the new a policy framework and applicable laws to law to boost China’s environmental fight the contamination of the soil,” he said. transparency.

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 53 Tibet Today

According to a 2006-10 MEP investigation, interview with Legal Daily that the public half of the arable farmland in south China had should have the right to be informed about the been totally ruined by toxic levels of heavy real situation as polluted soil may affect metal and organic pollutants, while 10 public health via food, crops and percent of farmland in the Yangtze River underground water. Delta region had lost production capability Ma cited experience following the due to heavy metal pollution. issuance of data on PM2.5, or airborne Despite this, the ministry refused to particles measuring 2.5 microns or less in release all results of the investigation. diameter, as an example. In January, Beijing lawyer Dong This year, real-time air-quality Zhengwei sent an application to the MEP monitoring data detailing PM2.5 intensity in asking the ministry to issue soil pollution 74 major Chinese cities were made available data, as well as create detailed measures to to the public this year following complaints. handle the problem. “The information must be in plain But the ministry said in February that the language, something made clear by the way data are confidential and refused to release the government handled the release of air- them. Dong was not satisfied and sent a pollution information,” Ma said. second request. Ma said that compared with air and water The MEP issued its second response to pollution, soil pollution is much more Dong on May 5. It said that soil contamination difficult to judge by the public, which is one is still being investigated and related data reason why the government should publish remain a state secret, adding that data will be the information to keep them informed. released after further evaluation. “No matter what, a law on soil protection Ma Jun, Director of the Institute of Public is urgently needed to make such obligations and Environmental Affairs, said in an clear,” said Hou from the MOA.

V. TIBET TODAY

Disabled Tibetans Get Jobs in Lhasa

A publicity and education campaign to mat factory,” said Dorje, a 27-year-old mat- maintain the rights of disabled people was making teacher with hearing disorders. held jointly by Tibet Disabled Persons’ Occupational guidance and vocational Federation, the Civil Affairs Bureau of Tibet trainings are very crucial in exploiting the Autonomous Region and other governmental potentialities of the disabled persons. units in Lhasa on May 19, the 23th National Regarding the vocational trainings, the Tibet Handicapped Day. During the campaign, Autonomous Region has provided trainings exquisite mats and embroideries caught the for them in sewing, Thangka paintings, attention of many visitors. hairdressing, color decoration of the house, “These seven mats are handmade by computer, massage by blind people, khada thirty seven teachers and staffs working in our making, embroidery and so on, according to

54 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Tibet Today

Gong Demin, vice chairman of Tibet Disabled and service system for disabled persons and Persons’ Federation. solve their livelihood issues. According to our “The society should create fair plan, 1,000 disabled persons will receive employment opportunities for the disabled occupational guidance and vocational by exploiting their potentialities. In 2013, the training in 2013, and 300 of them are expected Tibet Disabled Persons’ Federation will to find jobs,” said Gong Demin. continue to promote the social security system

Bank of Tibet Wins Big with Local Edge

Amid global economic woes and the four new branches due to open this year. By fluctuating fortunes of China’s economy, last 2015, it will extend its operations to coastal year would hardly be considered the best time provinces. “Our achievements are to some to launch a new bank, especially in a relatively extent a result of the favorable financial remote area where only 3 million people live policies Tibet enjoys,” Tian said. on a 1.2 million square kilometer plateau. Though major State-owned commercial, But against all odds, including bitter policy or development banks boast extensive competition between eight established networks, products and talented staff, Tian lenders in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet insists Bank of Tibet has its own unparalleled autonomous region, Bank of Tibet made its competitive edge. debut on May 22, 2012. He said that banks operating across China The new bank notched an 18 million yuan allocate most investment and loans to (2.9 million US dollars) profit in 2012 and a developed, coastal regions, where “returns bad-debt ratio of nil, a figure that very few are guaranteed and healthy”. banks in China can boast of. Tian said Bank of Tibet would leverage its “We have experienced hardships and understanding of the local market to ensure it challenges,” said Tian Wei, executive director was better positioned to serve local people. of the bank. A desire to improve local people’s access In 2012, Tibet’s GDP was 70 billion yuan, to banking services is also the driving force while the bank received 6.6 billion yuan in behind Bank of Tibet’s plan to develop a loan deposits and made 4.3 billion yuan in loans. center for small and medium-sized The loans were made to major enterprises. infrastructure projects in the rail, hydropower Asong, the owner of a ghee blender and energy sectors, as well as to smaller local manufacturer in Lhasa, said he used to businesses engaged in traditional Tibetan borrow from a State-owned bank, which took medicine, farming and animal husbandry, at least a month to process his loan which previously had difficulties obtaining applications, and gave him only three years to funding. make repayments. The bank said it has started preparations “The autonomous region now has its own to begin operations in other parts of the bank, which we should surely support,” said region, including the city of Shigatse, with Asong, who added that he likes the fact that

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 55 Tibet Today

the bank’s staff can converse with him in with chambers of commerce from other parts either Mandarin or Tibetan. of China the possibility of providing loans to His application for a 5 million yuan loan member of the chambers, if the chambers act was approved within a week. as guarantors. According to Tian, one target group of his In the near future, the bank also aims to loan center is the more than 100,000 shops in provide mobile banking services such as Lhasa, which account for more than 40 “banks on horseback”, “motorbike banks” percent of civilian deposits in Lhasa. and “car banks” to very remote parts of the Meanwhile, Bank of Tibet is discussing autonomous region.

Tibet Launches Wildlife Field Survey

A wildlife field survey is under way in deserts. southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous “Our survey will involve a total of 153 Region. The four-year survey will result in the species. After the survey, the number and creation of a database for wildlife living in the distribution of Tibetan antelopes and wild region, as well as a comprehensive evaluation yaks will become clearer,” Liu said. of the region’s wildlife resources, technical The survey is the second of its kind to be director Liu Wulin said on 20 May. conducted in Tibet. The first wildlife survey The survey will focus on the distribution, was conducted from 1998 to 2001, according habitats and populations of wildlife in Tibet, to Liu. as well as habitat protection and wildlife The first survey gave scientists an initial breeding, Liu said. understanding of the population, distribution Survey experts have divided the region and habitats of 83 species. into 19 geographical units consisting of all Tibet has 795 species of vertebrates, 141 of wildlife and their habitats, which include which are under national- or regional-level forests, grasslands, meadows, wetlands and protection.

Distinctive Buildings Renovated in Old City of Lhasa

Over 172 distinctive Tibetan buildings are in charge from Tianjin Real Estate Appraise renovated with unique protection schemes to Survey & Design Institute on May 16. keep their original appearance in the old city At present, parts of the buildings are of Lhasa, capital of southwest China’s Tibet covered by protective screenings and Autonomous Region. scaffoldings in the old city of Lhasa radiated “Each building has its own blueprint of out from Barkhor Street, the most famous renovation to well protect its distinctive street for pilgrimage and business for the features,” said Liu Yu, a construction engineer locals.

56 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Tibet Today

The final effect of renovation is unable to project started,” said Ma Xinming, secretary see right now. of the publicity department of Lhasa. During a recently held press conference, “At present, the 172 historical building the protection project is open to the local including 21 courtyards are renovated residents, including how to keep the original according to the effect picture of the designing appearance of the historical buildings and scheme,” said Liu Yu. “The final effect will be how to strictly follow the traditional Tibetan showed to the public after the project is culture. completed.” “In order to realize keeping the original The top official of Lhasa Cultural Relics appearance, photos of the historical buildings Bureau is in charge of site supervision and were taken and recorded, providing a coordination to solve the problems occurred reference and contrast method before the in time in the course of construction.

Development Brings Well-being to Tibetans

Tibet’s peaceful liberation was marked by did not have enough food to eat and decent the signing of the Agreement on Measures for clothing to cover our bodies. How life has the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, also known changed.” Now Lodro has moved into the as the 17-Article Agreement between the nursing home and been taken care of by the central government and the former local working staff. He is in good health and government of Tibet on May 23, 1951. Sixty- enjoying his life. two years have passed, no one denies the Regarding the economic development, rapid development Tibet has made and the before the peaceful liberation, Tibet’s well-being it has brought to the Tibetan economy was in a state of stagnation, and people. people lived in dire poverty. Since the In terms of the social system, since its peaceful liberation however, the economy has peaceful liberation Tibet has abolished feudal developed with each passing day. serfdom, implemented regional ethnic According to the statistics from the autonomy and established socialism Minister of Industry and Information featuring people’s democracy. The former serfs and slaves have since become masters of their own country and society. They enjoy both the right to equally participate in the administration of state affairs and to handle local and ethnic affairs on their own. Lodro, a 79-year-old man described his suffering in old Tibet: “I experienced the cruel torture of face- slapping by whips. My father had his eyes gouged out and died later. We

June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA 57 Tibet Today

Technology of TAR, Tibet had gained an industrial added value of 2,064 million yuan (about US$331.27 million) during the first half year of 2012 with an increase of 12.7 percent. The increment speed of industry was 1.4 percent over the whole region’s GDP, 0.7 percent higher than that of China’s Western Region Industry and 2.2 percent higher than that of the whole country. In regard to the ethnic culture, the central and regional governments always attach great importance to inheriting, protecting and developing the traditional culture of the Tibetan ethnic group. The inherited and revived. learning, use and development of the Tibetan Religious belief freedom is always a target language are protected by law, and the for people who have ulterior motives. Tibetan script has become the first ethnic- According to a white paper published by the minority script in China that has international Information Office of the State Council on July text coding standards for information 2011, freedom of religious belief of all ethnic exchange. groups is well respected and protected in In addition, Tibet’s radio, TV, press and Tibet. All religions, all religious sects are publication have also grown rapidly. Tibet equal in Tibet. now has 10 professional art performing The Living Buddha reincarnation system, troupes, 500-odd amateur art performing and unique to Tibetan Buddhism, is fully Tibetan opera teams, and 19 folk art respected. People are free to learn and debate performing groups at the county level. A large Buddhist doctrines, get ordained as monks number of traditional festivals have been and practice Buddhist rites. Academic degrees in Buddhism are also promoted. According to the previous report by the China Tibet Online, a total of 26 young representatives of Tibetan Buddhism from Tibet had been sent to study in Guangdong Province in 2012. Many exchange tours have been organized for lama students in the eighth grade to pursue the advanced Tibetan Buddhism degree from the Buddhism College of China to east China’s cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou. Therefore, Tibet’s development is so closely linked to the well-being of its people as numerous historical facts have proved that only development can bring well-being and prosperity to the Tibetan people.

58 June 2013 NEWS FROM CHINA Fam tour group picture in front of the Bird’s Nest Postal Regd. No. DL-SW-16/4034/12-14 R.N.I. No. 47440/88 June 2013

The Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying China's manned Shenzhou-10 spacecraft blasted off from the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province on June 11, 2013.

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