Neutering & Defanging Chinese Threat (09-08-2014)

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 29 Aug 2016 05:27

zoverian wrote:China warns India, says it will intervene if New Delhi incites trouble in Balochistan

Beijing: China will have "to get involved" if any Indian "plot" disrupts the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in restive Balochistan, an influential Chinese think tank has warned India.AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech is the "latest concern" for China and among its scholars, Hu Shisheng, the Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), told IANS in a freewheeling interview.
http://www.firstpost.com/world/china-wa ... 80404.html

India should ask China to promote democracy!

Along with investment China should promote democracy

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 29 Aug 2016 19:57

NSG and China’s Grand Strategic Flip-flops: Some Plausible Explanations - A. Vinod Kumar, IDSA

When India responded cautiously to the international tribunal’s rejection of China’s claim over the South China Sea (SCS), many commentators construed it as India ceding crucial ground on an issue where a tit-for-tat response would have been more appropriate to China’s ‘sabotage’ of India’s admission to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). For South Block mandarins, a low-key diplomatic reaction to the tribunal’s verdict was an opportunity to not ruffle Beijing’s feathers and keep a window open for engagement with China on the NSG affair. The latter tactic seems to have been effective with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India– ostensibly to prepare for the upcoming G-20 and BRICS summits in Hangzhou and Goa, respectively – opening the space for dialogue on both the NSG and SCS. While Beijing evidently wants to buy New Delhi’s silence on the SCS at these summits, the possibility of a quid pro quo on the NSG was highlighted by the conciliatory voices in the Chinese media.

A commentary in Xinhua noted that India had ‘wrongly’ blamed China for the NSG episode, and that New Delhi should not be “downhearted as the door to the NSG is not tightly closed.”1 This apparent toning down of rhetoric is a far cry from the days when the Chinese official media spewed vitriol on India’s NSG quest, to the extent of warning India against letting “its nuclear ambitions blind itself.”2 Is a quid pro quo possible or tenable for India, especially since the SCS and NSG have emerged as strategic arenas for both powers to grapple with each other in their power balancing quests? The answer may lie in understanding China’s recent grand strategic behaviour, including why it blocked India’s NSG bid.

The ‘hedge’ finally takes-off

When the India-US nuclear deal was announced through a joint statement on 18 July 2005, followed by the NSG waiver of September 2008, the dominant perception was that the US was providing India with this special privilege as a means to counter-balance China. Though factors like India’s burgeoning nuclear energy market and the need to strengthen non-proliferation by including a country with a good record were espoused, that the US simultaneously talked of making India a ‘major power’ underlined the realpolitik that drove the deal. Both the Chinese and Indian strategic communities had then rejected this notion. Nor has India substantially added to any American effort to contain China or the Chinese sphere of influence in the subsequent years.

Things seem to have changed, however, with the advent of new dispensations in Beijing and New Delhi, with Xi Jinping showing signs of aggressive Chinese international posturing and Narendra Modi pursuing a proactive foreign policy agenda. The increasing strategic proximity between the US and India since Modi assumed office – including India’s consent to the logistics and communications agreement,3 firmly placing it in the US strategic ambit – seems to have convinced the Xi regime of India beginning to play a hedging role. Beijing could have seen the redline being crossed when India took the unprecedented step of issuing a joint statement4 with the US on SCS, and also espousing their common strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region – zones where China is beginning to engage in a contest for dominance with these powers. China’s NSG action has a clear message– that the hedging role will come at a cost for India.

A power transition in the works?

Another explanation for China’s behaviour could be linked to its larger strategic outlook – on the roles China wants to assume for itself on the global stage. This may be shaped by two key aspects: (a) Xi Jinping’s perception about the world order and the potential space for Chinese leadership in global affairs; and (b) the strategic imperative of countering the US rebalancing strategy in its periphery and securing its interests in the Asia-Pacific littorals. As the power transition argument goes, when a rising power is dissatisfied with the status quo maintained by a ruling hegemon, it could seek to challenge this condition through contestation, aggression or realignment. China’s evolving economic crisis and America’s Asia Pivot are developments that could undermine Beijing’s prominence as an economic and military power. The need to reverse these conditions, and thereby reduce the US hegemonic grip, might be the rationale for Beijing’s belligerence in its current global postures, be it on the SCS or at the NSG.

The NSG episode, in fact, suitably fits into this dimension as a calculated attempt to challenge US dominance of the non-proliferation regime. The US as the sole hegemon leads a group of guardians (described as a liberal security community, owing to its western domination)5 to lord over the regime and its normative structures. While Russia had figured in this group thanks to the superpower consensus that led to the creation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1968, China, having termed the guardians as an ‘imperial’ grouping in those formative years, later became a palpably incompatible partner in this framework. Beijing, hence, sees its NSG role as a means to restore its pride of place among the guardians, and also by virtue of being a nuclear weapon state and a leading nuclear energy producer. Well before India’s membership episode, Beijing had expanded the scope of its ‘grand-fathered’ nuclear agreement with Pakistan to newer facilities as a symbolic response to the India-US deal, thus demonstrating that it too could flex muscles within the regime– a posture further reinforced by blocking India. However, it needs to be seen whether these actions will elevate Beijing’s standing in the regime or instead further its image as an irresponsible actor.

Beijing’s dented image

At the core of China’s current problems is its inability to project itself as a responsible global player or one that is peacefully rising on the global scene. Its recent actions –the saboteur role at NSG and sabre rattling over SCS –only aggravate concerns of an authoritarian state seeking to further its hegemonic ambitions. Added to this dimension is China’s own shady record of indulging in or aiding proliferation and the strategic deception it pursues in its international behaviour. From Mao’s terming of nuclear weapons as ‘paper tigers’ and subsequent change of tack to develop a nuclear arsenal, staying out of NPT negotiations calling it an instrument of imperialism and ending up with the current “care about NPT,” 6 and from the activism on the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) and subsequent pursuit of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability, examples abound on how words and actions hardly match in China’s grand strategic posturing.

While currently attempting to assume a guardianship role, Beijing’s record of supporting many clandestine nuclear programmes7 had not just invited numerous sanctions from the US,8 but also underlined its own struggle for legitimacy as a nuclear-armed great power. In fact, China was nowhere involved in the initial construction of the non-proliferation regime, and was kept out for long years from the affairs of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).9 Though it managed to join the IAEA in 1983 and sign the NPT in 1992, Beijing’s failure to get into groups like the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), thanks to its proliferation history, reflects its frustrations on India gaining greater recognition in the system, despite being a non-NPT state.

Is a quid pro quo needed?

Though the reference to NPT and full-scope safeguards is cited to deny membership to India, the unprecedented India-specific waiver of 2008 and the possibility of devising new criteria for non-NPT states refutes any element of sanctity for this framework.10 Relevant to this aspect is the different set of parameters employed to endow the India-specific waiver, which illustrates the scope of flexibility that this grouping has to determine its membership rules.11 However, formulating criteria for non-NPT states with the objective of also including Pakistan will imply that the grouping has diluted its fundamental philosophy of non-proliferation. Such a criterion could also mean that the NSG may not deny a similar claim by even North Korea in the distant future.

Accordingly, it could be argued that the NSG may not be able to withhold the India membership question for long, in spite of China’s inconsistent positions. Given that, it would be unwise on India’s part to forfeit any advantage it has on the SCS issue. Therefore, India should emphasise upon freedom of navigation in the high seas at the forthcoming multilateral summits in order to convey the message that Beijing needs to perfect its behaviour if it seeks a respected global standing.

zoverian · Post by **zoverian** » 29 Aug 2016 20:27

Based on the past rack record there might be a possibility of border encroachment from china as the date comes closer before G-20 Summit,

Gyan · Post by **Gyan** » 29 Aug 2016 20:30

The ONLY way to retaliate against China is to impose heavy duties on non-essential China Consumer products. Note duties can raised within WTO ceiling to 40%? And can be imposed under anti dumping law, or as safeguard duties and or For National Security Reasons.

kit · Post by **kit** » 29 Aug 2016 21:41

For starters mobile phones and ancillaries , toys , textiles and general consumer goods .. that will be a good start .. move on to value added stuff .. "encourage" Chinese companies to manufacture here if they want to avoid taxes .. much like what China does itself !!

.. it can work .. starting downstream and moving up

zoverian · Post by **zoverian** » 29 Aug 2016 21:52

Guys what do you think....will India side with the west on SCS in G-20 summit or will remain mute .which means siding with China.
Russia is the another country to watch in G-20 summit.

zoverian · Post by **zoverian** » 29 Aug 2016 21:59

China Pushed Aside India In Myanmar. Why That Must Change.

Myanmar is an important neighbor of India and both countries have enjoyed a very close relationship in the past. But despite the physical proximity and the close relationship of the past, the distance between the two countries was allowed to increase because Myanmar came under military rule and remained under it for decades. Western powers, especially the US, imposed sanctions on Myanmar and refused to deal with the military regime. Aung San Suu Kyi who returned to Myanmar waged a relentless struggle for democracy and after a lot of sacrifices, including a long incarceration in jail and house arrest, finally succeeded in reestablishing democracy in Myanmar. Her party, the National League for Democracy, scored a stunning victory in the elections held earlier this year and the first democratically-elected government took office in Myanmar after decades of military rule. Aung San Suu Kyi could not become the head of government because of a constitutional bar and has therefore accepted the post of Foreign Minister. There is no doubt, however, that she remains the most important leader of Myanmar.

There was concern in India when, as Foreign Minister, she decided to visit China before visiting India. The visit to China took place a week ago. In the meanwhile, our External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Myanmar for a day. The President of Myanmar U Htin Kyaw has already arrived in India on a state visit. This is the President's first visit abroad after assuming office, which should be a matter of some satisfaction to India. Aung San Suu Kyi will herself visit India in October to participate in the BRICS Outreach Summit to be held in Goa in October. The Outreach Summit will include all the countries of BIMSTEC, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Thailand. Hopefully, this visit will enable India to also discuss bilateral issues with her and take care of India's concern at her visiting China first.

When she was freed from many years of house arrest in 2011, Aung San Suu Kyi was "disappointed" at India engaging with the military regime in Myanmar. I am sure the UPA government in power then would have explained India's policy to her in this matter. As I understand it, while India is a strong advocate of democracy worldwide, it does not subscribe to the theory of regime change and imposition of democracy from the outside by foreign powers. It naturally flows from the above formulation that India would deal with whichever regime is in power in a country, specially in India's neighborhood. We have had no hesitation, for instance, in dealing with military regimes in Pakistan or in Bangladesh. But Western powers have clearly been hypocritical and guilty of double standards in their espousal of the democratic cause. While they adopted a tough line against the military regime in Myanmar, they had no qualms in establishing the closest possible ties with the military regime of Musharraf in Pakistan.

It must also be noted that in all our interactions with the military regime, we continued to emphasise the need for restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
x

China has never demonstrated any such sensitivity in dealing with dictatorial and military regimes in other countries. So it went ahead with its agenda in Myanmar even while the military was in full control. The absence of other countries including India from the scene gave it freedom to do what it wanted in Myanmar. The result was that it became the only country in the world to help Myanmar during this period and establish deep roots in that country. Even the Myanmarese were not happy with this one-sided favour they were receiving from one single country. They were keen for India especially to participate in the developmental process of Myanmar. This was brought home to me by no less a person than the then Foreign Minister of Myanmar when I was the External Affairs Minister in India. The construction of the Asian Trilateral Highway to link India's North-East to Thailand and beyond through Myanmar was a product of this understanding which we reached after this conversation. It is a pity that this prestigious project still remains incomplete.

India should engage Myanmar on a range of issues. Security at the borders is of course of paramount importance, but India has to be careful. The repeated news leaks that our security forces crossed the border into Myanmar in hot pursuit of insurgents and destroyed them there does us no good. Such macho statements are best avoided, including by the Indian media. India can also commit much larger resources for the development of Myanmar. We should take up more visible projects there, as we have done in Afghanistan, while continuing the present approach of capacity-building in that country.

If the North-East of India has to become the economic hub of Asia and a powerful link on its cross roads, it is important that we pay more attention to Myanmar, Thailand, and the countries beyond in East Asia, and look upon them as connected to India by land and not merely by sea. With improved relations with Bangladesh, rail and road transit through that country into East Asia is a possibility that should be looked at in the Goa meeting in October. Trade by sea with the BIMSTEC countries minus Bhutan and Nepal should also be considered coastal trade and should be given all facilities available to such trade in India.

A historic opportunity beckons India and Myanmar. Let us seize the moment.

(Yashwant Sinha is a senior BJP leader and former Union Minister of External Affairs.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/indias-conc ... us-1451559

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 30 Aug 2016 14:19

http://indianexpress.com/article/world/ ... s-3002824/
Chinese media attacks PM Modi for Balochistan remarks
This is the first time Chinese media referred to Modi's remarks about PoK and Balochistan, where China is building Economic Corridor, which was objected to by India.
A state-run Chinese daily on Monday cried foul over India’s move to extend enhanced compensation for victims of terror to people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “lost patience and switched to the expected hard-line tone of hostility”. Referring to Modi’s comments on Balochistan for the first time, an article in the state-run Global Times website said he is raising it to divert attention from the tense situation prevailing in Kashmir.
“After reluctant attempts to revitalise Indo-Pak relations, Narendra Modi, now in his third year as Indian prime minister, has lost patience and switched to the expected hardline tone of hostility,” it said. Describing the extension of Rs five lakh compensation to the victims of terrorism to people in PoK, as a “provocation”, the article said “more importantly, Kashmiris on the Pakistani side of the border can claim this compensation, too”.
“This is not the only provocation. Another was his Independence Day address on August 15,” it said, referring to Modi’s remarks that people of Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK were thanking him for raising human rights violations there. This is the first time Chinese media referred to Modi’s remarks about PoK and Balochistan, where China is building USD 46 billion Economic Corridor, which was objected to by India as it goes through the disputed territory........
Gautam

arun · Post by **arun** » 30 Aug 2016 16:05

Harsh V Pant in Yale Global in an article titled “Modi Throws Down Gauntlet to Pakistan and China” :

Modi Throws Down Gauntlet to Pakistan and China : Modi no longer holds back criticism on Pakistan’s troubles in Balochistan – which also stings China

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 Aug 2016 19:12

One dead, three wounded in blast at Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan - ToI

A suspected suicide bomber rammed the gates of the Chinese embassy in the Kyrgyz capital Bishek on Tuesday, killing himself and wounding three others, officials said.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 Aug 2016 19:16

All will lose in any war over South China Sea, Vietnam warns

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang warned on Tuesday there would be no winners in any armed conflict sparked by territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Quang, who is on a state visit to Singapore, told a forum that recent developments there were threatening regional security.

The Vietnamese leader+ did not mention any country but there is growing unease over China's actions.

China claims most of the South China Sea. It has reclaimed reefs and built airstrips capable of hosting military equipment, sparking anger from competing claimants led by Vietnam and the Philippines.

"The South China Sea, located at the heart of Southeast Asia, not only brings about many important benefits to nations in the region but it is also a vital route to maritime and air transport of the world," Quang said.

But "recent worrying developments" there "have had a negative impact on the security environment of the region, especially maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight".

"And should we allow instability to take place, especially in the case of armed conflicts, there will be neither winners or losers but rather all will lose," he warned.

Tran was speaking to diplomats, academics and students at a forum organised by the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 Aug 2016 19:51

India's bid to join US alliance could irk China, Pakistan: Chinese media - ToI

Attempts by India to join US's alliance could "irritate" China, Pakistan or even Russia and bring "strategic troubles" to New Delhi while making it a centre of geopolitical rivalries in Asia, China's state-run media commented on Tuesday.

In an editorial written ahead of defence minister Manohar Parrikar and US defence secretary Ashton Carter signing a logistics agreement+ , state-run Global Times said India may lose strategic independence if it leans towards the US.

The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement+ (LEMOA) allows India and US militaries to access each other's military facilities for refuelling and replenishment.

"This is undoubtedly a leap forward in US-India military cooperation. US media highly applauded this deal, with Forbes hailing it as a 'war pact' and believing that India is shifting away from Russia, its Cold War ally, toward a new alliance with the US," the editorial said.

"If India hastily joins the US alliance system, it may irritate China, Pakistan or even Russia. It may not make India feel safer, but will bring strategic troubles to itself and make itself a centre of geopolitical rivalries in Asia," it said.

"India holds dear its independence and sovereignty after squeezing out of the UK's colonialism. It views itself as a major power and is developing on the wave of the emerging countries," the editorial said.

While India has adopted a prudent attitude so far refraining from joining US alliance, some defence analysts expressed worries that India may lose strategic independence and warned that the pact may render New Delhi a "follower" of Washington, it said.

Observing that India attaches high importance to national security, the editorial said, "It feels it is an urgent task because its defence+ levels are a necessary condition of being a major power, rather than out of a sense of crisis that requires an intimacy to the US."

Due to its non-alignment policy, India has been given attention from all the major powers such as the US, Japan, China and Russia in recent years, it noted.

"However, in recent years, Washington has deliberately wooed New Delhi to become its quasi ally so as to impose geopolitical pressure on China. It is possible that the (Narendra) Modi administration is trying an unconventional way to lean toward the US with the logistics agreement," the editorial said.

Gyan · Post by **Gyan** » 31 Aug 2016 01:16

The rumours are that China has bought huge amount of goodwill with Indian bureaucrats and political leaders of all parties during UPA regime ( Modi was not in picture then) using WWW.

Bheeshma · Post by **Bheeshma** » 31 Aug 2016 01:52

They seem clearly rattled. Russia seems to be in the loop. Haven't heard anything from RT or other source. This is all directed as china and they know it.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 31 Aug 2016 13:53

'Regrettable' that Indians are 'hostile' to China, Beijing media says - Shailaja Neelakantan, ToI

It is "regrettable" that Indians are hostile towards China and suspicious of the latter's "increasing" influence in Myanmar, China's state-run media said in an article on Wednesday.

"It is regrettable to see some Indians are still in a zero-sum mindset and treat China's increasing influence in Myanmar with suspicion and even hostility," an article in China's state-run Global Times said. In saying so, it also acknowledged that Beijing's influence in the beleaguered nation is indeed rising.

The article is referring to recent political commentary that has positioned Myanmar as a country of geopolitical competition between India and China. The context of the commentary was Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's recent trip to China and Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw's visit to India.

"It is understandable to evaluate bilateral ties from a geopolitical perspective, but China is unlikely to be interested in begrudging any increased interaction between India and Myanmar," the article also said.

In the past few days, India and China have both talked of playing a role in Myanmar's peace process.

"I have also conveyed India's full support to the peace process initiative under the '21st century Panglong conference'," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier this week. He was referring to the initiative by Suu Kyi to bring three armed rebel groups to the negotiating table with China's help.

The Panglong conference begins today.

In an attempt to strike a rapport with Suu Kyi, China has had a key role in pushing groups it has armed to join the peace conference. But its actions are seen as nothing more than an attempt to grab a stake in building roads and railways in northern Myanmar.

The Global Times article didn't address any of these issues.

Instead, it said India, needs "to think about how it can work with other countries, China and ASEAN members included, to provide economic assistance" to Myanmar .

"Hopefully, Asian countries can stop being suspicious of each other and seize the opportunity to promote regional peace, stability and development," the article advocated.

The Chinese attempts to take a moral high ground or appear reasonable always evoke a hearty laughter.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 31 Aug 2016 14:01

What is worrying them is not only India+US but that our neighbors and near-neighbors will see it as India+US and except Bakis make more adjustments for India.

It is not only what you do but also what others think you are doing. The agreement does not have to mean much to convey a lot. Policy is also about signalling and not only to you opponent but also to the fence sitter.

kit · Post by **kit** » 31 Aug 2016 23:01

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 946095.cms

the CPEC is militarily politically and economically a threat to India. Period . It should not happen . It serves India that Pakistan is dismembered in this context

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 01 Sep 2016 06:38

India outdoes China to regain Asian foothold - ToI

Some adroit diplomacy and China's penchant on betting on the top man in countries it looks to influence has helped India regain lost ground in its neighbourhood with the wheel turning in Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The decision of the Maldives government to issue an arrest warrant against ousted president Mohammed Nasheed signals the concern in the camp of incumbent Abdullah Yameen over Nasheed's recent return to the region. The sudden ouster of Nasheed in 2012 pushed India on the back foot and gave China an opening in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Some of Nasheed's hasty actions had helped bring about his downfall and arrest, ironically enough, on graft charges. But his travel to the UK for medical treatment and grant of asylum there set the stage for new political moves as he flew to Sri Lanka recently. Nasheed's moves are quietly backed by India and pressure is mounting on Yameen.

India is keen that elections allow Nasheed an opportunity to challenge rivals who have, in a bid to shore up their influence and keep India at bay, cozied up to China with President Xi Jinping visiting Male in 2014. Since then, the Modi government sought to retrieve ground with a defence cooperation pact earlier this year but Nasheed's return to the ring really challenges China's plans in the archipelago, which straddles important shipping lanes.

Apart from some behind-the-scene moves, India has been helped by China's strategy of relying heavily on the head of a country to conduct its business, a failing that has hurt its interests in Nepal and Lanka.

The over-reliance on K P Oli in Nepal saw China being discomfited when he stepped down after misreading the balance of power in the Nepalese parliament and his anti-India card finally came unstuck. Oli's nine months in office were marked by his attempt to turn Madhesi protests against provisions of the new constitution into political gains by blaming India for a "blockade", a pressure tactic Delhi saw though. The re-emergence of Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', this time more amenable to working with India, can check China's progress.

Under then president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka slipped into the Chinese orbit but he became vulnerable to claims that deals with Beijing were tinged with graft. PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lanka astutely reached out to Buddhist opinion while he also took care to visit Jaffna.

panduranghari · Post by **panduranghari** » 01 Sep 2016 13:58

I wonder if Chinese One belt one road Policy is to created an Asian Hanseatic league? Other than name having 'Han' within it, it's not Chinese in origin. In the Baltic states, the league permitted city states from becoming prosperous.

the league permitted the cities to maintain standing armies (which will be funded by China), they will get special access to funds ( through AIIB), military heft (through SCO) etc. All to sell cheap Chinese products.

Of course Reclaiming PoK and freeing Balochistan from Paki rules makes OBOR ineffective.

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 01 Sep 2016 16:48

China might just have admitted it is feeling cornered by US, India, Japan

NEW DELHI: Could it be that despite the belligerent front China keeps putting on, it's actually feeling cornered by recent moves of its neighbours to ally with other countries?

An editorial today in a Chinese government-run news outlet seems to indicate strongly that Beijing is indeed feeling threatened. The editorial also says that this means that "China has just become a real major power."

The editorial in Global Times talks about China's diplomatic efforts on various fronts, alludes to them as altruistic rather than strategic partnerships, and then says that similar efforts by other countries are actually all an attempt to encircle China.

In this context, the editorial mentions Japanese premier Shinzo Abe's upcoming Russia visit "despite the lack of progress in their long-standing territorial dispute." The leaders of the two states are expected to work on eight economic cooperation plans, the article says.

"Japan's moves can easily be viewed as imposing geopolitical pressure on China through improving ties with Russia," is the editorial's interpretation.

Then there's US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Laos, after the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou early next week. "He will be the first incumbent US president to visit Laos, and this has been interpreted as his last efforts to address his pivot to the Asia-Pacific strategy before he leaves office," Global Times analyzes.

And last but not least, there's bete noire India.

'India-US growing closer'

"Currently, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar is in the US to sign a logistics agreement with the US, and some US media explicitly said that this signals that India is leaning toward the US alliance system," the editorial says.

China, the article says, appears to be positioned in the centre of geopolitical manoeuvres by the US and Japan, and by extension, India. The article warns, though, to not take China lightly. "The outside world has miscalculated geopolitics by interpreting China's diplomacy," it adds.

Global Times, in fact, said earlier this week that India's pact with the US might just "irritate" China

"If India hastily joins the US alliance system, it may irritate China, Pakistan or even Russia. It may not make India feel safer, but will bring strategic troubles to itself and make itself a centre of geopolitical rivalries in Asia," Global Times said in an article two days ago.

State-run Chinese media has also indicated Beijing is extremely unhappy with India's strategic shift in dealing with Pakistan - by talking about Pakistan's atrocities in Balochistan and in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

Also earlier this week, an influential Chinese think tank warned that Beijing will have "to get involved" if any Indian "plot" disrupts the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in restive Balochistan.

The Chinese think tank, the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, is among China's most powerful, and is affiliated with the country's ministry of state security. A researcher there said India's growing military ties with the US as well as its changed attitude on the disputed South China Sea are ringing alarm bells for China.

And China would not at all have been thrilled with US secretary of state John Kerry's statement yesterday, which hinted that Beijing could learn from New Delhi how to accept international tribunals' non-binding judgments.

Of course, about China's own geopolitical forays, the article was more forgiving.

"Is China "encircling" the US when Chinese leaders visited Cuba or Mexico? Was China extending its footprints to the US' backyard when it enhanced economic cooperation with Latin American countries? In Asia, China keeps increasing its investment in Sri Lanka. Is China rivaling with India?" the editorial posits rhetorically. Without explicitly saying "no" to all these questions, the article is essentially saying China isn't doing any of these things for any strategic reasons.

As for the other countries, they are all acting to contain China, the editorial says.

"The US and Japan have the motivations to initiate a geopolitical competition with China, but China will not be made to give in," Global Times concludes.

Cheers

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 01 Sep 2016 17:15

^^

Also earlier this week, an influential Chinese think tank warned that Beijing will have "to get involved" if any Indian "plot" disrupts the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in restive Balochistan.

What CPEC is NOT
1. For the upliftment of poor Bakis or even the Baki state.
2. For upliftment of poor Chini from Kasgar and beyond.
3. For a more robust *Trade* connectivity between Chini and Baki.
4. A way around the malacca choke point.
5. Shortest access to the sea to Kasgar and beyond for import/export (Not the main reason)

It is a strategic project for China
1. Help it launch and sustain long-term deployment from Gwadar and help them establish dominance in the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
2. Position itself just above India's oil lifeline to negate any advantage India has at the mouth of the Malacca strait.
3. Threaten India's western seaboard at all times.
4. Base for its expansion into IOR and crimp India's freedom of action here.
5. Dominate the Gulf if US were to withdraw from this region.

Too much at stake for them if fact much more for them than the bakis. No wonder they are worried.

g.sarkar · Post by **g.sarkar** » 01 Sep 2016 23:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 956415.cms
China might just have admitted it is feeling cornered by US, India, Japan
NEW DELHI: Could it be that despite the belligerent front China keeps putting on, it's actually feeling cornered by recent moves of its neighbours to ally with other countries?
An editorial today in a Chinese government-run news outlet seems to indicate strongly that Beijing is indeed feeling threatened. The editorial also says that this means that "China has just become a real major power."
The editorial in Global Times talks about China's diplomatic efforts on various fronts, alludes to them as altruistic rather than strategic partnerships, and then says that similar efforts by other countries are actually all an attempt to encircle China.
In this context, the editorial mentions Japanese premier Shinzo Abe's upcoming Russia visit+ "despite the lack of progress in their long-standing territorial dispute." The leaders of the two states are expected to work on eight economic cooperation plans, the article says.
"Japan's moves can easily be viewed as imposing geopolitical pressure on China through improving ties with Russia," is the editorial's interpretation.
Then there's US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Laos+ , after the G20 summit in China's Hangzhou early next week. "He will be the first incumbent US president to visit Laos, and this has been interpreted as his last efforts to address his pivot to the Asia-Pacific strategy before he leaves office," Global Times analyzes.
And last but not least, there's bete noire India.
'India-US growing closer'
"Currently, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar is in the US to sign a logistics agreement+ with the US, and some US media explicitly said that this signals that India is leaning toward the US alliance system," the editorial says.
China, the article says, appears to be positioned in the centre of geopolitical manoeuvres by the US and Japan, and by extension, India. The article warns, though, to not take China lightly. "The outside world has miscalculated geopolitics by interpreting China's diplomacy," it adds.....
Gautam

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 02 Sep 2016 06:39

White Paki Like Brown Paki must choose between United States and China: U.S. Army official

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A senior U.S. soldier said on Thursday Australia must choose between a stronger U.S. alliance or closer ties with China, and urged Canberra to take a tougher stance against Chinese claims in the South China Sea.The Pentagon, however, disputed the statement by U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff Colonel Tom Hanson, saying it did not represent the position of the U.S. government."I think the Australians need to make a choice ... it's very difficult to walk this fine line between balancing the alliance with the United States and the economic engagement with China," Hanson said on Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio."There's going to have to be a decision as to which one is more of a vital national interest for Australia," he said. Hanson said the comments reflected his personal view and were not necessarily that of the U.S. government.A Pentagon spokesman said that Hanson was expressing his "personal view."Hanson's comments follow the publication of a parliamentary booklet warning Australian lawmakers to treat Chinese motives in the region with caution.Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, has previously drawn criticism from China for running surveillance flights over disputed islands in the South China Sea, and supporting U.S. freedom of navigation exercises there.However, Australia has not conducted a unilateral freedom of navigation voyage of its own."Clearly China believes that they have an opportunity and they feel empowered to flout that, and a demonstration by Australia would be welcome," Hanson said.Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in response to Hanson's comments that the U.S. role in the Indo-Pacific region was as important now as it had ever been."We are balancing relationships between our largest strategic ally and our largest trading partner with deft diplomacy, consistency an

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Sep 2016 07:05

PM to leave for China today, but via Vietnam - ToI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins another Asian sojourn, as he heads off on Friday afternoon to attend the G-20 summit in Hangzhou, China, making a politically important stop at Vietnam en route. Modi will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of G-20, months after their meeting in Tashkent before the NSG plenary in Seoul.

Modi will soon leave after meeting Egypt's President, Gen Abdul Fattah el-Sisi, who is on his first state visit to India and who is also on his way to the G-20. MEA secretary, Sujata Mehta, said India would use this 'leaders-only' forum to focus on measures to check terror financing and crack down on tax evasion and reduce Indian professionals' tax liabilities overseas.

But the PM's Vietnam visit, where energy, defence and a strategic partnership will get top billing, will be closely watched in Beijing and beyond. India is expected to give four patrol boats to Vietnam, a transfer holding significance in the context of Vietnam's claims against China in South China Sea.

India has a couple of oil exploration blocks given by Vietnam which fall within the 9-dash-line. India's ONGC Videsh Limited is engaged in oil exploration in Vietnam for over three decades and there may be announcements about new projects in the sector during the bilateral visit, which is taking place after a gap of 15 years. MEA secretary Preeti Saran said India would get additional blocks from Vietnam. {This is great. If China objects, which it would, we must simply say that the oil exploration & drilling are only for 'development purposes China wants India to refrain from undertaking oil exploration in the Vietnamese blocks in order to ensure "peace and stability" in the South China Sea. The issue is likely to be discussed in depth with Vietnam.

After Vietnam, Modi will leave for Hangzhou to attend the G-20 summit on September 4 and 5. He will return to India on September 5 and will again leave for Laos on a two-day visit to attend the annual India-ASEAN and East Asia summits on September 7.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Sep 2016 07:20

If China objects to oil drilling agreements between India & Vietnam, which it sure would, one of our China experts from some think-tank must release the following statement or interview (along the lines of what South Asia expert Hu Shisheng commented about India's concerns about CPEC and Modi's reference to Balochistan in the I-Day speech). I have just replaced India, Vietnam with China & Pakistan in his statement and it fits like a 'T'. China must be paid back in the same coin. In fact, we must and can add a lot more punch after delivering the reverse message, by including PCA verdicts, UNCLOS, ASEAN CoC in Indo China Sea and problems in Mer de Coree (Sea of Korea as the French referred to East China Sea during their colonial times)

"My personal view is that if China is adamant and if the Chinese factor is found by India or Vietnam in disrupting the process of oil drilling & exploarion in Vietnam's EEZ whereever Indian entities are involved, if that becomes a reality, it will really become a disturbance to India-China relations, Vietnam-China relations. If that happens India and Vietnam could have no other way but take united steps. All the three countries could be badly derailed from their current facts of economic and social development. It could be very bad. Oil drilling is only for ‘regional stability’. If oil & gas are found, not only Vietnam but also other countries in the region can benefit. This will not disturb the claims of China in any way. If China and Vietnam finally reach an agreement on maritime boundary and EEZ claims, then the agreement between India and Vietnam on oil exploration would be suitably amended. India dare not give up such a regional development for being sensitive to Chinese concerns. India has its own concerns. If the Chinese concern is too much, then let us talk because India, by virtue of the agreement between India and Vietnam on oil & gas exploration, is also a party to this issue. Let the three of us sit down to talk. Whatever happened in the past, it has not become so serious then let us talk about it. Do not let it stand in the way of our respective socio-economic developments and do not allow it to come in the way of India-China cooperation. Our concern is that if China becomes more hawkish, hostile, it could only create more troubles for Vietnam. India stands for respect by bigger countries for the sovereignty of smaller neighbours and resolution of all disputes in accordance with international laws without resorting to military threats. In recent years, the ‘peaceful rise’ of China is showing disturbing signs and throwing up challenges. The cooperation has been going really far more forward in the past one year."

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Sep 2016 09:10

Prime Minister to begin tour of East Asia from Vietnam - The Hindu

India’s position on the South China Sea and the newly evolving defence partnership with the United States for the Asia-Pacific region will be in focus over the next week as Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to Southeast Asia and China to participate in a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings.

The eastern outreach is important in view of the July 12 declaration of the Permanent Court of Arbitration challenging China’s territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea region, the heart of Southeast Asia. The outreach will begin on September 2 with Mr. Modi leaving for Vietnam before proceeding to Hangzhou in China for the G-20 summit on September 4 and 5.

The trip to Vietnam will highlight growing strategic convergence between the two sides, which includes the possibility of India transferring BrahMos missiles to Vietnam. Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), External Affairs Ministry, on Thursday, however, refused to confirm if India would commit to supply the BrahMos missile system to Vietnam, and hinted that naval cooperation had been ongoing with the country.

“Defence and strategic partnership with Vietnam more recently has covered defence procurement,” she said. Parallel to security and strategic partnership, India and Vietnam are cultural partners and the bilateral agenda will include archaeological support to Vietnam to safeguard the Cham temples of the country.

Vietnam is a significant partner of India as it is the country-coordinator of India in ASEAN. The Prime Ministerial delegation will then move to Hangzhou in China which is the venue of the 2016 G 20 summit. The delegation for G 20 will include Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and the Indian sherpa for G20, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya.

To meet Xi, Obama

Mr. Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping of China and President Barack Obama during the summit. Both the bilateral dialogues are significant since this will be the first time Mr. Modi is meeting Mr. Xi against the backdrop of the escalating war of words with Pakistan over the Balochistan province, which hosts a significant part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Obama-Modi dialogue will be the first since both sides signed the landmark Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement. Mr. Modi will return to the region on September 7 to attend the 14th India-ASEAN summit and the 11th East Asian Summit which will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Sep 2016 17:28

South China Sea dispute high on agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vietnam talks? - ToI

The media is hyping it up too much. While Indo-China Sea would certainly be discussed especially in view of the oil blocks, the dispute will not be 'high' on the agenda. India will put just enough emphasis to keep the idea simmering.

Naturally, China cannot object to the sale of BrahMos because China supplies a lot, lot more to Pakistan. What the heck, even n-weapons, delivery systems, Pu separation plants, diplomatic support in international fora etc. So, China cannot take any offence to military sales. Besides, this would happen only with Russian approval. Russia sells all kinds of military equipment to Vietnam anyway.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Sep 2016 09:52

As expected,

In Hanoi, Modi to strike a balanced note - Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu

India and Vietnam must have stronger economic and people-to-people ties, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he left for Hanoi, part of his East Asian outreach, which will take him to Vietnam, China and Laos over the next week.

“India-Vietnam partnership will benefit Asia and the rest of the world. We wish to forge a strong economic relationship with Vietnam that can mutually benefit our citizens. Strengthening the people-to-people ties will also be my endeavour during the Vietnam visit,” Mr. Modi said in a social media post on Friday, released before he landed in Hanoi.

During the one-day visit to Vietnam, the PM is expected to meet with his counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang. Officials said their agreements would include a cultural pact on archaeological support, as well as to boost bilateral trade to double its current levels.

“The bilateral trade between our two countries is around $ 8 billion; it has grown 400 per cent in the last six to seven years. The two leaderships have set a target of $ 15 billion by the year 2020,” Indian Ambassador to Vietnam P. Harish told ANI news agency on Friday.

But the PM’s visit will be watched most closely for any statements on defence cooperation as well as how their joint statement tackles tensions with China in the wake of the South China Sea tribunal award in favour of the Philippines on July 12.

India has issued several statements since then, calling on “all states” notably China to accept the tribunal award. In addition, India’s plans to provide the BrahMos Missile as well as boost Vietnam’s maritime capabilities in the South China Sea would be of most interest.

Analysts says that during his visit Mr. Modi might have to take a less strident tone given that he will be travelling to China straight after Vietnam for the G-20 summit on Saturday where he will meet President Xi Jinping. “It will be a balancing act for India, and I am sure the PM won’t allow it to appear as if his visit is directed at any other country,” explained Alka Acharya, Associated Professor of Chinese Studies in the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Key issues

Among the important issues to be taken up in the meeting with President Xi are India’s hopes for a membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. India is also keen on gaining support on terrorism issues ahead of the upcoming U.N. General Assembly session where a battle is brewing with Pakistan over the violence in Kashmir, and India wants China to lift the technical hold China has placed on banning JeM chief Masood Azhar. Mr. Modi’s recent statements on Balochistan have been viewed with concern by analysts in Beijing for their possible impact on the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which China is building via Balochistan.

On its part, China will seek reassurance from India on its growing military ties with the United States, which saw the logistics LEMOA agreement being signed this week in Washington, even as Secretary of State John Kerry spent the week in New Delhi.

arun · Post by **arun** » 03 Sep 2016 13:28

Ahead of our Prime Minister visit to the Peoples Republic of China, our Ambassador to Vietnam, P. Harish, reiterates our position that the Peoples Republic of China is expected to adhere to the South China Sea Arbitral award:

All must respect UN Convention on the Law of Sea, India makes it stand clear ahead of Modi's China visit

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Sep 2016 19:10

India, China set for “constructive” talks on G-20 sidelines - Atul Aneja, The Hindu

World leaders from the G-20 group of countries have started arriving in picturesque Hangzhou — a traditional seat of Chinese culture, but also now an innovation hub — to commence an eventful session from Sunday, where the energetic impulses of a rising China will clash with those of known heavyweights, opposed to a radical shift from the status quo.

During the summit, the Chinese are expected to work towards cementing their position as the leader of the Global South, with a defining voice among the emerging countries, represented by the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) grouping.

To host meet of BRICS leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping is slated to host a meeting of the BRICS leaders on the sidelines of the G-20 summit on Sunday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrives at Hangzhou from Vietnam later in the evening on Saturday, is expected to play a prominent role in discussions, which take place ahead of the Goa summit of the BRICS countries next month, highly placed sources said.

During the course of the G20 summit, Mr. Modi is slated to hold separate talks with Mr. Xi. Sources said that the meeting would be held after new mechanisms have been established between the two countries, including a platform for talks between the Foreign Secretary and the Vice-Foreign Minister from China.

Issues to be debated threadbare

All contentious issues are expected to be discussed “openly and frankly” on this forum. These include China’s reservations in sanctioning Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Speaking to The Hindu, Hu Shisheng, Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, highlighted that the “significance of the mechanism is that the officials will talk about all sensitive issues, in a very candid and frank manner.”

Mr. Hu added: “Do not bother the top leaders about these kinds of sensitive issues. It will only bring greater embarrassment.”

Special mechanism

During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India last month, a special mechanism has also been established that will focus only on China’s objections to India’s entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The Indian side has already conveyed to their Chinese interlocutors that New Delhi views the NSG as an “export control” mechanism, and not a “non-proliferation” initiative. Consequently, India’s entry to NSG cannot be tied with New Delhi’s signature to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — the criteria set by Beijing — whose role is essentially to prevent the spread of atomic weapons.

Besides, it was impressed on the Chinese side that the NSG framework does not specify that membership to the 48-nation group is necessarily tied to the subscription of the NPT.

‘We expect constructive talks’

“Now that the new mechanisms are in place, it is unlikely that the two leaders when they meet in Hangzhou will go into specific details about the contentious issues. We expect constructive talks,” the sources observed. {This is just a time-buying ruse by China to prevent unpleasantness during G-20 meet}

India is also unlikely to raise the recent ruling on the South China Sea by an international tribunal at The Hague, during Mr. Modi’s visit, the sources observed.

Modi may meet May

The Prime Minister is expected to hold direct talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May and the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the G-20 sidelines. A meeting with President Barack Obama is “unlikely,” though the two leaders will be present in Laos to participate in the East Asia Summit that commences on September 8.

Analysts say that while the West is showing greater signs off insularity and protectionism, the Chinese, during the G-20 summit, would wish to be recognised as champions of globalisation, although defined by new rules that give greater say to the emerging countries and the Global South.

Earlier, in an interview with The Hindu, Liu Zongyi of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies stressed that the BRICS countries at the G-20 summit should speak in one voice in defence of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). “The United States would like to establish mega-regional agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), among a large number of countries in the Asia-Pacific and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union. That will naturally dilute the significance of the WTO, which is not in our interest,” he observed.

panduranghari · Post by **panduranghari** » 03 Sep 2016 20:11

^Does PRC still not get it? They were brought into the WTO in 2001, to prolong the life of dollar based international monetary system. Of course, US did not know the behemoth that this would create. TRIPPS became GATT which became WTO. Why would US dilute its own interests when WTO does not suit its own goals anymore.

arun · Post by **arun** » 03 Sep 2016 20:11

While South China Sea Arbitral award may not be raised at G20 by India, Vietnamese Press has released the full text of India-Vietnam Joint Statement in which South China Sea Arbitral Award is most certainly touched upon:

…………… Noting the Award issued on 12 July 2016 of the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the Annex VII to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), both sides reiterated their support for peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS. Both sides also called on all states to resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability, respect the diplomatic and legal processes, fully observe the Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and soon finalize the Code of Conduct (COC). They also recognised that the sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development. Việt Nam and India, as State Parties to the UNCLOS, urged all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans. …………………..

Read more at :

Việt Nam, India issue Joint Statement

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Sep 2016 06:24

Play constructive role in South China Sea dispute, Xi Jinping tells Barack Obama - PTI

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday asked the US to "play a constructive role" in maintaining peace and stability in the disputed South China Sea,+ asserting that Beijing will "unswervingly" safeguard its sovereignty over the area.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with US President Barack Obama here on the eve of the key summit of G20 nations, where the leaders of the world's 20 strong economies+ will meet.

Xi said China will continue to "unswervingly safeguard" its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea (SCS).

"In the meantime, China will stick to peaceful settlement of disputes through consultation and negotiation with parties directly concerned, and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea along with ASEAN member states," Xi was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.

After several hours of talks, the White House said the leaders had a "candid exchange" over the arbitration case between China and the Philippines.

Obama also told Xi that the US would keep monitoring+ China's commitments on cybersecurity, the White House said.

In the meeting, Xi also said that China is willing to work with the US to ensure bilateral ties stay on the right track.

He urged the two countries to follow the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, deepen mutual trust and collaboration, and manage and control their differences in a constructive manner, in order to push forward continuous, sound and stable development of bilateral ties.

Noting that the city of Hangzhou holds historic significance to Sino-US relations, Xi spoke highly of his previous meetings with Obama since 2013, which "produced important consensus."

The US has voiced concern over Beijing's growing assertiveness in key waterways in the region.

The US has urged China to accept an international arbitration panel's ruling that sided with the Philippines in a dispute over claims in the SCS.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Sep 2016 07:08

PM Modi & his Vietnamese Counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on the Indo-China Sea issue

South China Sea conflict

Later in a joint statement, both India and Vietnam also called for “peaceful” resolution of the South China Sea issue and “exercise self-restraint.”

They also urged all parties to show “utmost respect” for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Both sides called on “all states to resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability, respect the diplomatic and legal processes, fully observe the Declaration on the conduct of parties in the South China Sea,” the joint statement said. — PTI

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Sep 2016 13:35

'Need to respect each other’s aspirations,' Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping tell each other - Shyam Balasubramanian, ToI

India and China should be sensitive to each other's aspirations and needs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit+ in Huangzhou on Sunday. The conciliatory note comes amid rising tensions in India-China ties over a number of issues.

"The Prime Minister told Presdent Xi that it is of paramount importance that India and China+ respect each other's aspirations," said Ministry of External Spokesperson Vikas Swarup in a briefing about the meeting between the two leaders.

"The India - China partnership is important not only to each other, but also to the region and the whole world," PM Modi was reported to have told Xi.

Xi too struck a similar note in his comments to PM Modi. "We ought to respect and give consideration to each other's concerns, and use constructive methods to appropriately handle questions on which there are disputes," Xi said, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

PM Modi also reportedly expressed his condolences to Xi over the attack on the Chinese embassy in Kyrgyztan's Bishkek, and called for collaboration in fighting terrorism. "Not just India, but countries like China, Russia and a number of others face the threat of terrorism emanating from our neighbourhood," he reportedly said, in an oblique reference to Pakistan.

The Modi - Xi meeting lasted half an hour. It was the second meeting between the two Asian giants in less than three months. The last meeting had come on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization+ (SCO) Summit in Tashkent in June. Modi and Xi are also set to meet again, when the BRICS Summit+ convenes in Goa in October.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Sep 2016 20:27

PM Narendra Modi's Vietnam visit aimed at piling pressure on China: Media - PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam ahead of G20 summit here was aimed at jointly piling pressure on China and to raise their "bargaining chips" with the country, Chinese state media said today.

"Given the South China Sea issue, Beijing-Hanoi relations have not been smooth over the past years. Negative emotions toward Beijing among the Vietnamese people have also been rising," an article in the state-run Global Times website said.

"Under such a backdrop, Modi's visit to Vietnam has without doubt made Indians associate the tour with many strategic meanings, believing that New Delhi and Hanoi might jointly pile pressure on Beijing," it said.

"The fundamental reason behind it is the interests of India and Vietnam. New Delhi and Hanoi both wish to raise their bargaining position while having interactions with China, but neither of them wants direct confrontation with Beijing," it said.

While such a possibility cannot be totally excluded, but it will not play a vital role either, it said.

"India has always been cautious when it comes to directly putting the screw on China. In this regard, the US has never stopped drawing New Delhi over to its side for its rebalance to the Asia-Pacific strategy, but India only showed reluctance toward it and has not responded to Washington actively.

"This has made the White House quite grouchy," it said. {This is a clever psyops and the Chinese side has been consistently and repeatedly following the same line, namely that the US has been wooing India against China but India is reluctant etc.}

Pointing to various commonalities between India and China which are emerging powers and members of BRICS, the editorial said, "India hopes it can improve its underdeveloped infrastructure with the help of Chinese investments and technology."

Vietnam just witnessed the first visit by an Indian prime minister in the last 15 years.

During the same period, Chinese former president Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, former premier Wen Jiabao, as well as sitting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have all paid formal visits to the country.

Some of them even visited Vietnam twice during their time in office, it said.

"Such a comparison can well illustrate what is going on behind Sino-Vietnam ties and Indo-Vietnamese relations," it said.

"For Vietnam, with or without China, cooperating with an emerging power like India is beyond doubt of great value. However, such a bilateral relationship will have only limited influence on China.

"After all, strong support from Washington and Tokyo has not yet worked in piling enough pressure on Beijing as Vietnam hoped, thus, how effective can India's vague support be?" it said.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 04 Sep 2016 21:00

^^^^^^^

And when the hans provoke the pakis and the lankans, just to name but two, to cock a snoot at India, the's not pressurizing India??

I think that all that jooling on the joola with Modi has given a wrong image to the hans, causing them to misread this govt.

They would not have gamed this well enough to anticipate the downside of pushing India which is growing at a scorching pace and at the same time also having markets big enough to cause the white skins to salivate at the mere thought of it.

Modi's outreach to the rest of the world has unsettled the hans thoroughly and the Chabahar port project has caught them with their pant's down.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration at the International Court of Justice which recently ruled on the SCS has made all the han efforts at intimidation illegal in everyone's eyes.

Xi Jinping's perch may have become a bit shaky after all this has gone down under his watch.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 05 Sep 2016 15:07

Barack Obama warns China of 'consequences' for its behaviour in South China Sea - AP

Warning China of "consequences" due to its aggressive behaviour, US President Barack Obama has asked the Communist nation to restrain itself from worrying its neighbours in the disputed South China Sea region.

"Part of what I've talked to communicate to President Xi (Jinping) is that the United States arrives at its power, in part, by restraining itself," Obama said.

"You know, when we bind ourselves to a bunch of international norms and rules, it's not because we have to, it's because we recognise that, over the long-term, building a strong international order is in our interests. And, I think, over the long-term, it will be in China's interests, as well," he told CNN in an interview recorded before he left for China to attend the G20 Summit.

"So where we see them violating international rules and norms, as we have seen in some cases in the South China Sea or in some of their behaviour when it comes to economic policy, we've been very firm. And we've indicated to them that there will be consequences," Obama said.

What the US has tried to emphasise to China is that if it is working within international rules and international norms, then they should be partners, he asserted.

"There is no reason that China and the US cannot be friendly competitors on the commercial side and important partners when it comes to dealing with the many international problems that threaten the two countries," Obama said.

Obama noted China has been run during his lifetime by a Communist party that has been "much more anti-Western" in the past.

"We went through a period over the course of 20 years, in the '90s and on through maybe the onset of my presidency, where, because state-sponsored capitalism and an export-driven model was very successful, China was less interested in making waves," Obama said.

"But, you know, you've got over a billion people, one of the largest economies now in the world. And so it's to be expected that they will want a bigger seat at the table when it comes to international affairs. And what we've said consistently is we welcome the peaceful rise of China, consistent with international norms. That's good for everybody. An impoverished and collapsing China would be dangerous for everybody," Obama said.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 05 Sep 2016 20:05

In reply to O'Bomber's warning,the Chinese "pulled" his "red carpet" welcome,a deliberate snub when other heads attending the G-20 summit were given a royal red carpet welcome on the gangway.Hats off to the PRC to call a spade a spade.India must learn from the PRC and be blunt and forthright especially when dealing with perfidious Pak and conniving China. We need to issue only stapled visas to all Chinese and bar any of their sh*tizens resident in Tibet,aka ,"Northern Arunachal".

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 06 Sep 2016 04:59

New Chinese vessels seen near disputed reef in South China Sea - Jane Perlez, NYT News

An unusually large number of Chinese vessels have been positioned close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea+ near the coast of the Philippines for the last week, despite warnings+ by the United States that China+ should stay away.

The Philippine defense department has photographs of four Chinese Coast Guard ships, and six other vessels, less than a mile from Scarborough Shoal+ , which is claimed by the Philippines and China, the defense minister, Delfin Lorenzana, said in an interview.

The presence of the Chinese ships during the Group of 20 summit+ meeting in Hangzhou, China, where President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping met on Saturday, seemed particularly provocative.

Obama specifically warned Xi at a meeting in Washington in March not to start building an artificial island+ at Scarborough Shoal. White House officials said that Obama planned to deliver the same message to Xi at their meeting in Hangzhou.

US officials have been waiting to see what China would do around Scarborough Shoal after the summit meeting, assuming that the Chinese wanted a seamless conference.

But the meeting has already been rocked by a chaotic arrival+ when the Chinese did not provide a rolling staircase for Obama to disembark from the main door of Air Force One on his arrival in Hangzhou on Saturday.

Obama got off the plane by a staircase carried on board Air Force One and released from the belly of the aircraft.

Scarborough Shoal has been the center of attention as one of the most desirable places in the South China Sea for the Chinese to convert into an artificial island. It is close to military bases in the Philippines where the US military has access.

In the last several years, the Chinese have built a group of artificial islands with military capabilities in the Spratly Archipelago, not far from Scarborough Shoal.

US military officials fear that China plans to build a bigger military base on Scarborough Shoal, which lies about 140 miles from the coast of the Philippines.

In a sweeping ruling against China on the South China Sea in July, an international tribunal in The Hague focused on Scarborough Shoal.

The tribunal said China had violated international law by interfering with fishing, endangering ships of the Philippines and failing to protect the marine environment at the shoal, the tribunal said.

Some of the Chinese vessels spotted off the shoal last week could be dredges to do preliminary building work, said Lorenzana, the defense minister.

One of the vessels was actually in the mouth of the shoal, he added.

Four Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been permanently positioned near the shoal, an area of about 56 square miles, in recent weeks, he said.

The six other vessels, one with what looked like large cable-laying machinery, were new additions spotted by Filipino fishermen last week, he said.

A Philippine Navy plane was then dispatched to take photos. The six vessels that look like civilian ships could be navy ships "masquerading" as other ships, Lorenzana said.

The Chinese ambassador in Manila had been warned about the ships last week, but the envoy denied that Chinese vessels were in the vicinity of the shoal, Lorenzana said. Now that the Philippines had photographs, the images would be taken to the Chinese Embassy as evidence, he added.

The new president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, said on Friday in Davao City that it was "unsettling" to read his government's intelligence reports that a lot of Chinese ships were in the Scarborough Shoal area.

Duterte is scheduled to attend an East Asian summit meeting in Laos on Tuesday. The Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, is also expected to be there, but Duterte said he may reserve stating his concern to the Chinese for another occasion, presumably when Xi is present.

"There will be a time when I have to make a stand and I have to make it clear to China, 'You know every time you talk about sole ownership or even entitlements there, it's something which is totally unacceptable to us,'" he told a crowd of supporters in Davao City on Friday.

Scarborough Shoal was at the center of a major dispute between the Philippines and China in 2012 after Chinese fishing vessels were found in the center of the lagoon, traditional Philippine fishing grounds.

The state department brokered a deal that called for the Chinese and the Philippine vessels to leave the shoal. The Chinese later defied the deal, placing a cordon across the mouth of the shoal and positioning a coast guard vessel nearby.