Neutering & Defanging Chinese Threat (15-11-2017)

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 20 May 2018 19:40

^
Very strange report to say the least.

nam · Post by **nam** » 20 May 2018 22:55

chetak wrote: China’s gold mine at Arunachal border may become another flash point with India

If the place is very close to the border.. we need to thank the Chinese for all the hardwork and start digging on our side for some gold.

This is no South China sea, as we already have our foot in the place. The jokers in the South China sea, were only claiming. We put money where our mouth is. That is the difference.

TKiran · Post by **TKiran** » 21 May 2018 12:06

Brahma Chellaney
@Chellaney
·

The Chinese gold rush is to Lhunze, which, according to the report, "China took from India by force." In August 1959, attacking PLA troops forced Assam Rifles to retreat from their Longju post in Lhunze. Lhunze is now part of China's Shannan (Lhoka) region

Brahma Chellaney
@Chellaney
China's military work and intrusions in Himalayas have attracted attention but not its large-scale mining near the India border for precious metals. Such mining threatens to contaminate transnational rivers and turn Himalayas into "another South China Sea” (link: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/ ... flashpoint) scmp.com/news/china/soc…

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 21 May 2018 14:33

If it weren't for the this latest $60 billion precious metal discovery on the border, all would be milk and honey on the Indo-China border between the two countries. What analysis!

The sky is not falling. Yawn and move on ....

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 22 May 2018 00:38

X Posted on the Terroristan Thread

China calls on all mosques to raise national flag

BEIJING: All Chinese mosques should raise the national flag to "promote a spirit of patriotism" among Muslims, the country's top Islamic regulatory body has declared, as the Communist Party seeks to tighten its grip on religion.

Flags should be hung in a "prominent position" in all mosque courtyards, the China Islamic Association said in a letter published Saturday on its website.

This would "further strengthen the understanding of national and civic ideals, and promote a spirit of patriotism among Muslims of all ethnic groups", it read.

Mosques should also publicly display information on the party's "core socialist values", and explain them to devotees via Islamic scripture so that they will be "deeply rooted in people's hearts", it said.

The China Islamic Association is a government-affiliated body and has the sole power to accredit imams.

The letter comes on the heels of China's newly revised Regulations on Religious Affairs, which came into effect in February and prompted rights groups to voice concern for religious freedoms.

The new regulations intensified punishments for unsanctioned religious activities and increased state supervision of religion in a bid to "block extremism" and tackle what Beijing sees as internal threats.

Mosque staff should organise study of the Chinese constitution and other relevant laws — particularly the new religious regulations, the letter said.

They should also study Chinese classics and set up courses on traditional Chinese culture, while being sure to focus only on Muslim sages of Chinese rather than foreign origin, it added.

The goal, it said, was for mosques to become "a solid platform for the study of the party and the country's laws and policies" in addition to houses of worship, and thereby develop among Muslims "an understanding of a common Chinese identity" with the majority Han.

Islam is one of the five religions officially recognised by the atheist Communist party. The country is home to some 23 million Muslims.

But restrictions on them are intensifying, particularly in the northwestern province of Xinjiang which is home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority, where there are bans on beards and public prayers.

Tens of thousands of Uighurs have been sent to shadowy detention and re-education centres for perceived offences and can be held indefinitely without due process.

Authorities say the restrictions and heavy police presence in Xinjiang are intended to control the spread of Islamic extremism and separatist movements, but analysts say the region is becoming an open-air prison.

Cheers

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 22 May 2018 23:05

https://twitter.com/DavidInglesTV/statu ... 1413107712

David Ingles @DavidInglesTV

China has about 400 million people between 20-39 and a further 700 million people over 40. So within the span of just one generation, China's demographic problem goes from pretty bad to pretty dire.

In 30 years i.e. by 2048-50 China will have over 700 million people over 70 years of age and another 400 million between 50-69.

David Ingles Verified account @DavidInglesTV 16h16 hours ago

The number of Chinese above the age of 65 went from 50 million to 150 million over the course of ~35 years. If there's a time to make babies, it was yesterday #Problem

Misra · Post by **Misra** » 23 May 2018 00:20

^ yes, they can be in big doo-doo in the next several decades if they mismanage their affairs—domestic and international. by 2100 both the chinese and indian population pyramids are expected to have similar shape, but the planet may have many many more indians than chinese (of all age levels). indeed, the effects of demography should start being felt in the next 25-30 years itself:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7610&p=2251608#p2251608

TKiran · Post by **TKiran** » 23 May 2018 10:25

Demographics is hyped up problem for China. When demography gives dividends of large young population and big unexploited market, you start accumulation of wealth, that is what US did and became wealthy. That is the same thing did by Germany and also Japan. Once you have wealth, you can afford to become welfare state.

There are many cases where countries like India could not convert demography to their advantage and did not take political steps to eradicate poverty, and are still poor nations.

Actually demography could be a huge problem for India as India is not able to exploit it's demography due to political issues, and allowing China to exploit it's market and making sure that India is perpetually subservient to powers of the day, by buying imported shiny fighter aircrafts, imported plastics and electronics, and be code coolies.

India should stop China exploiting it's market, if not to climb out of poverty atleast to check China's growth. For that we need a leader who knows what are the India's national interests.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 23 May 2018 10:38

Even some Baki eCONomist have a better understanding of how economy works even when they used the correct economic understanding to cover up the mismanagement of their economy. I am saying this based on a recent snippet posted on the Bakistani thread like yesterday.

BWT, here is some chi-chi Sun Zu quote that landed on my screen today. This is for someone who advocates as our dharma/more honorable to die fighting than to live to fight another day. May not be exact quote but the gist should be about right.

History Facts ²⁴⁷ @historyfacts247

"It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them."

Also someone who doesn't understand the impact of the unfolding demographics in the China vs India dynamics. Let me reiterate by 2050, fully 700 million Chinese will be above the age of 70 years and fully 1.1 Billion will be above the age of 50+.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 23 May 2018 11:04

We are very interested in joining Exercise Malabar: Julie Bishop - Mukund Padmanabhan, The Hindu

Relevant excerpts

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop was the lead player in the development of the Australian Foreign Policy White Paper. Released in 2017, it sets out a course for Australia to navigate a world in which the international order is being reshaped and power balances altered with the rise of China. It regards the Indo-Pacific as critical to Australia’s interests and a deepening partnership with India as vital in securing peace and prosperity in the region. Ms. Bishop, who is also Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and tipped by many commentators as a future Prime Minister, fields questions on Australia’s place in what it sees as an increasingly “complex and contested” region.

Q:Does the main challenge to Australia’s strategic and economic future lie in what one of your international security scholars described as the “end of the Vasco da Gama era”, that is, the end of Western ascendancy in Asia?

A:Well, I think our primary foreign policy objective is to achieve an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in which the rights of all states are respected. This Indo-Pacific embraces India and the nations of the Asia Pacific. Not just as geographic description, but [one that reflects] the strategic and economic dynamics of our broader region and its changing balance of power and influence. So, our foreign policy debate is where Australia is positioned and where our interests lie — that’s how I describe the current scenario.

Q:The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, this strategic grouping of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia, has been resurrected. But what progress exactly has been made since the last meeting some months ago and do we know when the next one is going to be held?

A:I understand that our officials are scheduling a second Quad meeting soon. But the Quad is one of many subgroupings in the Indo-Pacific. Australia already has a trilateral strategic dialogue with the U.S. and Japan, while the U.S., Japan and India have their established meeting. I think the Quad is a natural extension of these mini-lateral relationships. It’s just one of the many ways in which Australia will seek to engage with partners that help shape our region at a time of geostrategic and technological and economic change. So, like many other groupings in the region, if the Quad is established at a higher level, it will allow our four nations to discuss all matters of common interest, as we do in other regional groupings. It’s obviously something to which Australia is committed, and I believe it’s a bipartisan approach towards the Quadrilateral.

Q:What has changed since Australia pulled out of the Quad a few years ago? It was the Labour government that pulled out because of apprehensions over how this might play out with Australia’s economic relationship with China. But doesn’t the same apply today?

A:Well, it certainly wasn’t a decision of my side of politics to pull out of the Quad. We were exceedingly disappointed when the Labour government made a decision to withdraw from the Quad. We think that India’s importance is not to be understated; it’s a significant strategic partner for Australia and I think we share converging interests, particularly in the Indian Ocean. And India is the world’s largest democracy and will soon be the world’s most populous nation and so its economy is integrating, with technology and global know-how. It’s becoming increasingly integrated with the economies of East Asia and North Asia.

We see our relationship with India growing, based on the key pillars of security cooperation, economic engagement and, obviously, people-to-people links. I think the security and defence relationship has expanded greatly in the past few years. We’ve now got joint exercises across all three services and we’ve most certainly got a shared interest in maritime security, upholding international law, regional stability and countering violent extremism.

Q:Is India as invested in the Quad as Australia is? I ask this in the context of the annual Malabar naval exercises. Are you a little disappointed that you are not a part of it this year?

A:Well, Malabar is a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S., and Japan was invited. Australia wasn’t invited to join. We are interested in joining Exercise Malabar but we are giving priority to the deepening of our bilateral exercises for now. As Indian Ocean nations with democratic values and an interest in regional security, I think Australia and India are natural defence partners. We conducted the second iteration of the bilateral navy exercise AUSINDEX in June 2017, so we’ll continue down that path.

Q:Do you have the sense that your participation in Malabar will resume a little later, or do you have a sense that India’s hesitation has to do with China?

A:That’s something obviously you’ll have to ask India about. I know that AUSINDEX is a tangible demonstration of strengthening defence cooperation between Australia and India and that was envisaged in the framework for security cooperation that the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers announced in 2014. And Australia and India also maintain a regular programme of dialogue and reciprocal ship visits and the like. Obviously, we remain interested in participating in the exercise and we just haven’t received an invitation from India to take part. So that’s really a matter for India.

Q:Is there any truth in the view that a full-fledged Quad arrangement will be seen as a kind of security threat in Beijing, an attempt to contain its rise? Is that a factor that the government has considered? Has it done anything to allay Chinese…

A:We’re committed to our engagement with Asia. We’re committed to ASEAN’s centrality to regional architecture. We have a very strong relationship and comprehensive strategic partnership with China. But all countries in the region have different groupings. They are members of different groups reflecting shared interests, common values, strategic issues and the like. China is a member of a number of groupings to which Australia is not a part and I think the Quad is just a natural extension of the two trilaterals that are currently in existence – Australia, Japan and the U.S., and India, Japan and the U.S. We are robust democracies, we do share a common world view and we are increasingly close and strategic partners.

Q:How do you respond to the view that there has been a weakening in the U.S.’s resolve in staying engaged with Asia, particularly South East Asia? And that this has only got worse with the advent of Donald Trump?

A:The U.S. has been the dominant power in our region throughout post-Second World War history. And today, the relative strategic weight of China and other regional powers, including India, is growing. Like all significant powers, China will seek to influence the region to suit its own interests. As will India, and as other nations will do. It will be a complex and contested region. The U.S. has indicated a keenness to remain deeply engaged in the region. The national security statement of recent times speaks about the Indo-Pacific as an area of significant priority for U.S. foreign policy.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 24 May 2018 09:27

X-posted from terroristan thread

China wants Pakistan to relocate Hafiz Saeed to a West Asian country - Mubashir Zaidi, The Hindu

China has asked Pakistan to explore ways of relocating Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed to a West Asian country in response to mounting international pressure to act against him for his links with terror groups.

Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested this course of action — allowing Saeed to live a quiet life in a West Asian country — to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in China last month.

“At a 35-minute meeting, at least 10 minutes of the discussion dealt with Hafiz Saeed. The Chinese President was keen on pressing the Prime Minister to find an early solution to keep Hafiz Saeed away from the limelight,” a close aide of Mr. Abbasi told The Hindu, requesting anonymity.

Mr. Abbasi has consulted the government’s legal team, which is yet to come up with a solution.

The issue is expected to be referred to the next government as the Prime Minister will leave office on May 31 after completion of the tenure.

The general election will be held at July-end.

The JuD has been accusing the government of taking action against Saeed at the instance of the U.S. and India.

Saeed, who met some journalists over Iftar on Tuesday in Karachi, refused to believe that China would want a ban on him or to see him out of the country. However, he admitted that China would act as a super power and dictate to Pakistan.

Saeed had denied that any government functionary had met him in recent weeks to discuss the future of the JuD.

Saeed, who has been declared a global terrorist by the United Nations, the U.S. and India, carries a reward of $5 million on his head for his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Pakistani authorities last year put him under house arrest for almost nine months but were forced to release him on the orders of the Lahore High Court.

The government also scuttled attempts by the JuD to enter the political arena by forming a political party, Milli Muslim League (MML).

The Interior Ministry refused to give clearance to the MML and the Election Commission did not register it as a party.

Reported by Indonesia

Earlier this year, the JuD was put on the list of banned organisations just before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris. Following the meeting, it was decided to put Pakistan on the grey list for its failure to prevent terror financing.

The JuD was reported by Indonesia after the authorities detected some money channelled through the country by the outfit. Indonesia notified the FATF.

No West Asian country would accept him. Hafeez Saeed was close to erstwhile power centres in Saudi Arabia but in present circumstances, his relocation there is unimaginable. Seriously, relocating Hafeez Saeed is not a solution anyone would accept at all. If the report were true, this is a red-herring by China (or a China-Pakistan nexus) in view of the upcoming FATF which China will vice-chair for the first time to appear as though some action is being contemplated, or China's desire to 'cultivate' India after the Wuhan meet, or to pre-empt Indian position during the upcoming SCO deliberations on counter-terrorism or all of these, so that PRC might appear as 'reasonable' as it begins to forcibly take over the role of an 'international arbitrator'

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 24 May 2018 12:06

Maldives a challenge, says Navy chief - The Hindu

Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Wednesday termed Maldives a “challenge” as the island nation grew closer to China during its domestic political crisis over the last few months.

“Maldives is a challenge at the moment. The present government is inclined towards China,” said Admiral Lanba while speaking at the Vivekananda International Foundation on the Navy’s changing role in the current security environment.

On February 5, 2018, the current President of Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom Yameen declared emergency after refusing the Supreme Court order to release some political prisoners which plunged the country into a political crisis. While former Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed repeatedly called India to intervene militarily, President Yemeen grew closer to China which caused discomfort in New Delhi.

Talking of the Quad consisting of India, Australia, Japan and the U.S., Admiral Lanba ruled out any military angle to it.

“We are not going down the route,” he stated.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 24 May 2018 16:21

X-posted from Terroristan thread

China says report on President Xi asking Pak to relocate Hafiz Saeed shocking, baseless - PTI

BEIJING: China on Thursday dismissed a media report that President Xi Jinping has asked Pakistan to explore ways to relocate Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed to a West Asian country amid mounting international pressure to act against him for his links with terror groups.

According to the report, a close aide of Pakistan Prime Minister said that Xi made the suggestion to Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during their meeting on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in China last month.

Reacting to it, Chinese Foriegn Ministry spokesperson's office has said the report that Xi has asked Abbasi to relocate the Pakistan-based JuD chief to a West Asian country was "shocking and baseless".

"It is shocking and baseless that's all we can say," the official told PTI here [Beijing].

chola · Post by **chola** » 24 May 2018 20:43

Promoting decadence in the Peepul’s Leepwublic. Why can’t our IT wallahs develop this kind of strategic software?

https://qz.com/1287403/seekingarrangeme ... twork/amp/

An app that matches sugar daddies and babies is suddenly China’s hottest social network

Forget WeChat, the social network of the moment in China is a dating app for people seeking “sugar daddies” or “sugar babies.”

SeekingArrangement (SA), an American dating service, has taken over the top spot for free social networking apps in China’s iOS App Store. According to data firm App Annie, the controversial dating app earned the top spot for the first time on Tuesday (May 22), moving up 765 places in the ranking that shows the most downloaded iOS apps over the past two days.

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 25 May 2018 04:38

Sad. (How do I sign up?)

chola · Post by **chola** » 25 May 2018 07:25

sanjaykumar wrote:Sad. (How do I sign up?)

Sad indeed. Software is American but this is something our vaunt IT sector should be doing. Capturing the top of the PRC’s mobile apps market and injecting social decay in at the same time.

That said, if I did signed up I’d sugardaddy the 27-year-old from Xian and the 29-year-old from Guangzhou.

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 25 May 2018 07:29

Yeah, I'd feel like a slaver.

pravula · Post by **pravula** » 25 May 2018 07:45

chola wrote:
sanjaykumar wrote:Sad. (How do I sign up?)
Sad indeed. Software is American but this is something our vaunt IT sector should be doing. Capturing the top of the PRC’s mobile apps market and injecting social decay in at the same time.

That said, if I did signed up I’d sugardaddy the 27-year-old from Xian and the 29-year-old from Guangzhou.

Sorry, what makes you think Indian IT is "vaunt"? Its no such thing, not by a long shot.

chola · Post by **chola** » 25 May 2018 07:52

pravula wrote:
chola wrote:
Sad indeed. Software is American but this is something our vaunt IT sector should be doing. Capturing the top of the PRC’s mobile apps market and injecting social decay in at the same time.

That said, if I did signed up I’d sugardaddy the 27-year-old from Xian and the 29-year-old from Guangzhou.
Sorry, what makes you think Indian IT is "vaunt"? Its no such thing, not by a long shot.

It had better be vaunted. It is the one globally competitive product that the country had decided to rest its laurels on until Modi’s MII.

pravula · Post by **pravula** » 25 May 2018 08:03

chola wrote:
pravula wrote:
Sorry, what makes you think Indian IT is "vaunt"? Its no such thing, not by a long shot.
It had better be vaunted. It is the one globally competitive product that the country had decided to rest its laurels on until Modi’s MII.

Its globally competitive labour arbitrage product. That doesn't make it vaunt. Indian IT is at the same soft power level as Chinese Walmart exports.

chola · Post by **chola** » 25 May 2018 08:06

pravula wrote:
chola wrote:
It had better be vaunted. It is the one globally competitive product that the country had decided to rest its laurels on until Modi’s MII.
Its globally competitive labour arbitrage product. That doesn't make it vaunt. Indian IT is at the same soft power level as Chinese Walmart exports.

Who are we trying to defang here? Us or them?

pravula · Post by **pravula** » 25 May 2018 08:26

chola wrote:
pravula wrote:
Its globally competitive labour arbitrage product. That doesn't make it vaunt. Indian IT is at the same soft power level as Chinese Walmart exports.

Who are we trying to defang here? Us or them?

Nice comeback

. Its the same argument as "Have you stopped beating your wife?"

chola · Post by **chola** » 25 May 2018 09:05

pravula wrote:
chola wrote:

Who are we trying to defang here? Us or them?
Nice comeback . Its the same argument as "Have you stopped beating your wife?"

Don’t be so serious. I understand your point.

pravula · Post by **pravula** » 25 May 2018 09:11

chola wrote:
pravula wrote:
Nice comeback . Its the same argument as "Have you stopped beating your wife?"
Don’t be so serious. I understand your point.

Nope, not serious nor offended.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 26 May 2018 12:32

Russia China partnership at best level in history: Putin - IANS

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the Russia—China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is developing at the best level in history and the prospect is very good.

“There is no need to re-define Russian—Chinese relations. In fact, Russia and China have established a fairly good strategic partnership,” said Putin in response to a question by Xinhua news agency during a joint interview by several major international media outlets in St. Petersburg on Friday.

Mr. Putin spoke highly of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, which he said had created more favourable conditions for further development of bilateral ties in the long run.

“The latest decisions of the Congress had made our relations more stable and predictable not only in the medium period but in the distant future,” he said.

Mr. Putin said with China’s active efforts to push forward denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and its vital role in resolving related issues, the situation on the peninsula has improved noticeably.

On the economic front, Mr. Putin expressed his satisfaction with the current momentum of bilateral trade relations.

“China is our largest trading partner and we have over $86 billion trade value each year. {Not very different from India-China trade volume, the big difference being that trade deficit is only marginally in favour of China} We are very satisfied with this,” said Mr. Putin, adding that bilateral trade volume is expected to expand to as many as $100 billion in a year.

Noting that Russia increased export of engineering products to the Chinese market last year, Mr. Putin hailed the diversification and improvement in the trade structure as “encouraging”.

Mr. Putin mentioned oil and gas, nuclear energy, renewable energy, machinery manufacture, space technology, aircraft building, chemical industry and agriculture as the major fields where the two countries can carry out cooperation in the near future.

Noting that this year marks the China—Russia year of local cooperation, Mr. Putin stressed that vibrant communication at local level has offered even greater impetus for bilateral ties.

“More and more infrastructure, roads and bridges are under joint construction by our two countries. People from different regions of Russia and China has made even closer contacts in recent years {I am curious to know more about this wonderful development},” Mr. Putin said.

“All this progress shows our relations enjoy very good prospects,” said Mr. Putin, adding that Russia will work closely with China to push forward bilateral ties in the future.

Mr. Putin on Friday was jointly interviewed by major international media outlets on the sidelines of the ongoing St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which was kicked off on Thursday.

nandakumar · Post by **nandakumar** » 26 May 2018 14:31

Defence equipment purchases do not get reflected in trade data at least in India's case. This skews the external transactions somewhat. If this is included I am sure Russia would come out with a substantial surplus in its trade with India. The other point is chinese trade surplus is seen as only marginal glosses over the fact that Russian performance on export is boosted by substantial natural gas exportsto china. Take that China would be seen as mercantilist state of the highest order.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 26 May 2018 17:56

Note the reference to "Maritime domain awareness". This is the key to countering the PLAN deployment in IOR. Any ship/sub/flotilla/task force from China will have to pass through Indonesian waters before it reaches Indian Ocean. Indonesia is key to getting advance information apart from out own patrols.

https://twitter.com/EvanLaksmana/status ... 84/photo/1

Evan A. Laksmana Verified account @EvanLaksmana

Indonesia and India---two natural #IndoPacific strategic partners---are set to sign new agreements on maritime, economic and defense cooperation, incl on maritime domain awareness and navy-to-navy cooperation // Definitely a step in the right direction

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 27 May 2018 15:51

X Posted on the Terroristan Thread

BRFites : Please compare this "ACT" to the "SITUATION" in Xinjiang! I HOPE that the Chinese - LIKE THE DALAI LAMA - DECLARED THAT HINDUISM IS THE ELDER BROTHER OF BUDDHISM!

Communist China to sponsor Durga Puja this year

KOLKATA: This Durga Puja, get ready for a slice of authentic China in Salt Lake.

In an attempt to establish a close cultural and commercial connect with Bengal, Communist China will sponsor the oldest community Durga Puja in the township, turning the popular BJ Block Puja into a mini Chinatown with funds provided by the Chinese consulate, which is also located in Salt Lake.

The Chinese consulate has for the past few years been trying to get more involved in the cultural scenario of Kolkata
. Even when the Doklam standoff had stiffened relationship between the two countries, the consulate was seen participating in community pujas, announcing and giving away prizes in different categories in association with the Kolkata Police. Now, it has decided to go a step further. A PUJA IS NOT A CULTURAL EVENT BUT A RELIGIOUS EVENT!

It will not only fully sponsor the BJ Block Puja, but will also send a team of artists and artisans to China to train in designs inspired by Chinese architecture. The team will fly to Kunming in Yunnan Province, where they will meet master craftsmen from China, according to plans that are still being firmed up. This is because the entire theme — right from the pandal to the deity and decorations inside and on the exterior — will represent Chinese art forms. The pandal is most likely to resemble a pagoda. Kunming also has a number of ornate gateways, which the local artists would be expected to replicate.

Visitors will also get to taste of Chinese flute music, dragon dance and acrobatics for which artists will be flown in from China. These shows will be held in the ground adjacent to the pandal.

“Durga Puja of Kolkata is an experience and it transcends religious thresholds, bringing everyone together. Naturally we at the Chinese consulate have also become quite involved in the festivities,” said consul general, Ma Zhanwu. No Sir not at all! It is purely a RELIGIOUS EVENT!

Chinese consul general Ma Zhanwu said, “Last year, we gave away safety awards to the organisers who were able to showcase immaculate safety preparedness inside their pandals. While last year we sent these organisers for a trip to China, this year we are likely to bring a slice of China to a Durga Puja pandal for everyone to enjoy.”

BJ Block Puja secretary Umashankar Ghosh Dastidar could not be happier. Every year, the Puja committee ties up with an Indian state to showcase its culture, making it a must-stop for pandal-hoppers. “Hope this grand theme that we are drawing up with the consulate works out well. In the coming weeks, we will hold several rounds of talks with the consulate to firm up the plans,” Ghosh Dastidar said. The organisers feel that budget could overshoot last year’s budget of Rs 40 lakh because of the special theme.

Cheers

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 27 May 2018 16:45

X Posted on the OBOR, Chinese Strategy and Implications and Terroristaan Threads

Malaysia renegotiating terms of major Belt-and-Road rail project: PM Mahathir

Malaysia is haggling over the terms of a $14 billion rail deal with its Chinese partners and can reduce its ballooning national debts by $50 billion by doing away with megaprojects, its prime minister said in an interview published on Saturday.

Mahathir Mohamad, the 92-year-old who triumphed over scandal-plagued Najib Razak in elections earlier this month, has made it a priority to cut the national debt and pledged to review major projects agreed by the previous government.

Work on the 55 billion ringgit ($13.82 billion) East Coast Rail Link - the largest such project in the country and a major part of Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure push - started last year.

The project was planned to stretch 688 kilometres (430 miles) connecting the South China Sea at the Thai border in the east with the strategic shipping routes of the Straits of Malacca in the west.

"We are renegotiating the terms," Mahathir told the financial newspaper The Edge. "The terms are very damaging to our economy."

The project is being built by China Communications Construction Co Ltd, and is being mainly financed by a loan from China Exim Bank.

Mahathir also questioned the need for the project in the first place.

"He (Najib) knew very well that the ECRL, for example, is not something we could afford. It is not going to serve any purpose, it is not going to give us any returns," said Mahathir.

Addressing the need to reduce the national debt and liabilities - which the government puts at around one trillion ringgit ($251.32 billion) or 80 percent of its GDP - Mahathir said "at one go we can reduce it by 200 billion ringgit ($50.26 billion) by doing away with all these huge projects".

Mahathir said Malaysia is also going to look into how it can reduce the cost of any potential exit from a deal with Singapore for a high-speed rail (HSR) to link its capital Kuala Lumpur with the city-state, said Mahathir.

The project, valued by analysts at about $17 billion, is currently out for tender and is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

"The terms of the agreement (for the HSR) are such that if we decide to drop the project, it will cost us a lot of money," said Mahathir.

"So we are going to find out how we can reduce the amount of money we have to pay for breaking the agreement."

Cheers

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 27 May 2018 17:15

China Inc tightens reins on debt, raises spectre of slowdown

SHANGHAI: Debt growth for Chinese companies has slowed to the lowest rate in more than a decade, according to Reuters analysis, which could provide relief for policymakers worried about the fallout from years of loose lending practices across the economy.

But this growing caution about taking on new debt, along with tighter profit margins and slowing revenue growth, could point to rising risks facing the world’s second largest economy amid fears of a slowing growth.

The overall debt levels of Chinese companies grew three per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to analysis by Reuters of 1,843 firms listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, the slowest pace in at least 13 years.

Combined total debts -- including borrowing via loans and bond issuances - amounted to 13.2 trillion yuan ($2.1 trillion) at the end of March, the slowest pace of growth year-on-year since at least 2005, the analysis showed.

That amount was down 6.2pc from the fourth quarter, a steep drop after companies ramped up leverage during 2017.

Revenue growth, meanwhile, more than halved to 12.3pc in the first three months of 2018 from 26.7pc percent a year ago. Net profit margins were also squeezed to their lowest level in two years, with sectors like information technology particularly hard hit.

“What it says to me is that many of these companies are quite cautious in terms of expansion and taking on new debt,” said Christopher Lee, Hong Kong-based managing director for corporate ratings at S&P Global, referring to the data.

“The side effects will be slower industrial growth and slower GDP growth than what was achieved in 2017,” he added.

The signs of slowing revenue growth in the Reuters analysis adds to a series of data pointing to vulnerabilities in China’s economy, even as policymakers try to navigate debt risks and defuse a trade row with the United States.

Despite stronger-than-expected first-quarter economic growth, economists polled by Reuters still expect a gradual slowdown to around 6.5pc this year from 6.9pc in 2017, as rising borrowing costs weigh on consumption and investment.

China saw fixed asset investment grow at its slowest rate since 1999 in April, while retail sales growth hit a four-month low. Home sales have also slowed as the government tightens controls in order to fight speculation and tame property prices.

Firms, meanwhile, are worrying about higher financing costs, as the government cracks down on riskier lending practices.

“As soon as we have the cash then we’ll make repayments because if our debt-to-asset ratio is too high then our costs are also high,” said an official at Xinjiang Youhao Group , which runs supermarkets and malls. “We need to think about financing costs.” The retailer’s total debt of 1.3 billion yuan is at its lowest level since 2012.

The slower growth could put credit in the spotlight. Cutting debt levels has been Beijing’s aim, but any signs that this may have gone too far - risking a broader drag on the economy - could prompt a rethink about financial tightening.

“The stronger-than-expected credit slowdown since December 2017 has led policymakers to take some action towards easing,” Oxford Economics said in a report this week, pointing to overall credit growth slowing more than expected this year.

Borrowing costs are on the rise. The weighted average lending rate for non-financial firms, a key indicator reflecting corporate funding costs, rose 22 basis points in the first quarter.

The proportion of loans priced above the benchmark borrowing rate also jumped by 9.9 percentage points to 74.4 percent in the first quarter, the highest since China started releasing such numbers in 2004, according to Nomura.

Creditors and investors have also become more picky about where they put their money as credit risks have climbed, making it harder for some corporate issuers to raise funds.

Last month, 81 Chinese bond issues worth 47bn yuan were postponed or cancelled, according to data compiled by Reuters. That followed 47.4bn yuan of bond issues that suffered a similar fate in March.

Beijing Orient Landscape & Environment Co Ltd this month attracted just 50 million yuan for a bond issue that was meant to raise as much as 1 billion yuan.

A spate of bond defaults hasn’t helped, with 11 companies in China defaulting on bond payments since January.

Beijing is already working to reduce business costs, cutting electricity prices twice in recent months, and is trying to channel more bank funding to smaller firms, which hasn’t done much yet to ease concerns over rising costs.

“Because of rising defaults many investors are taking another look at the market and are becoming much more cautious in committing new investment,” said S&P’s Lee.

“Many investors now realise this deleveraging campaign and liquidity tightening is affecting a much broader number of companies than was initially thought.”

Cheers

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 29 May 2018 21:20

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/ ... perts-warn
China steps up pace in new nuclear arms race with US and Russia as experts warn of rising risk of conflict

China is aggressively developing its next generation of nuclear weapons, conducting an average of five tests a month to simulate nuclear blasts, according to a major Chinese weapons research institute.

Its number of simulated tests has in recent years outpaced that of the United States, which conducts them less than once a month on average.

Between September 2014 and last December, China carried out around 200 laboratory experiments to simulate the extreme physics of a nuclear blast, the China Academy of Engineering Physics reported in a document released by the government earlier this year and reviewed by the South China Morning Post this month.

In comparison, the US carried out only 50 such tests between 2012 and 2017 – or about 10 a year – according to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

<snip>

In tunnels deep under mountains in Mianyang, southwestern Sichuan province, where China’s main nuclear design facilities are based, loud blasts from these experiments can be heard more than once a week.

In comparison, between 2003 and 2017, the US fired a total of 150 simulated shots at its Joint Actinide Shock Physics Experimental Research (Jasper) facility at the Nevada National Security Site.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 29 May 2018 23:09

Peregrine wrote:X Posted on the Terroristan Thread

BRFites : Please compare this "ACT" to the "SITUATION" in Xinjiang! I HOPE that the Chinese - LIKE THE DALAI LAMA - DECLARED THAT HINDUISM IS THE ELDER BROTHER OF BUDDHISM!

Communist China to sponsor Durga Puja this year

KOLKATA: This Durga Puja, get ready for a slice of authentic China in Salt Lake.

In an attempt to establish a close cultural and commercial connect with Bengal, Communist China will sponsor the oldest community Durga Puja in the township, turning the popular BJ Block Puja into a mini Chinatown with funds provided by the Chinese consulate, which is also located in Salt Lake.

The Chinese consulate has for the past few years been trying to get more involved in the cultural scenario of Kolkata
. Even when the Doklam standoff had stiffened relationship between the two countries, the consulate was seen participating in community pujas, announcing and giving away prizes in different categories in association with the Kolkata Police. Now, it has decided to go a step further. A PUJA IS NOT A CULTURAL EVENT BUT A RELIGIOUS EVENT!

It will not only fully sponsor the BJ Block Puja, but will also send a team of artists and artisans to China to train in designs inspired by Chinese architecture. The team will fly to Kunming in Yunnan Province, where they will meet master craftsmen from China, according to plans that are still being firmed up. This is because the entire theme — right from the pandal to the deity and decorations inside and on the exterior — will represent Chinese art forms. The pandal is most likely to resemble a pagoda. Kunming also has a number of ornate gateways, which the local artists would be expected to replicate.

Visitors will also get to taste of Chinese flute music, dragon dance and acrobatics for which artists will be flown in from China. These shows will be held in the ground adjacent to the pandal.

“Durga Puja of Kolkata is an experience and it transcends religious thresholds, bringing everyone together. Naturally we at the Chinese consulate have also become quite involved in the festivities,” said consul general, Ma Zhanwu. No Sir not at all! It is purely a RELIGIOUS EVENT!

Chinese consul general Ma Zhanwu said, “Last year, we gave away safety awards to the organisers who were able to showcase immaculate safety preparedness inside their pandals. While last year we sent these organisers for a trip to China, this year we are likely to bring a slice of China to a Durga Puja pandal for everyone to enjoy.”

BJ Block Puja secretary Umashankar Ghosh Dastidar could not be happier. Every year, the Puja committee ties up with an Indian state to showcase its culture, making it a must-stop for pandal-hoppers. “Hope this grand theme that we are drawing up with the consulate works out well. In the coming weeks, we will hold several rounds of talks with the consulate to firm up the plans,” Ghosh Dastidar said. The organisers feel that budget could overshoot last year’s budget of Rs 40 lakh because of the special theme.

Cheers

Sirji,

Isn't one link of the proposed OBOR coming into kolkata?? as per the original plans of the hans??

the hans are softening up the state, making preparations to launch their project from here, just in case the OBOR takes off as planned.

Next step, link to CPEC via nepal and beedi land --myanmar.??

This may work out only if a new govt comes into power in 2019.

They are not so active in any other Indian state, not even in KER.

black lentils onlee.

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 30 May 2018 01:02

Peregrine wrote:X Posted on the Terroristan Thread

BRFites : Please compare this "ACT" to the "SITUATION" in Xinjiang! I HOPE that the Chinese - LIKE THE DALAI LAMA - DECLARED THAT HINDUISM IS THE ELDER BROTHER OF BUDDHISM!

Communist China to sponsor Durga Puja this year

..................{Rest Snipped}.................

Cheers

chetak wrote:Sirji,

Isn't one link of the proposed OBOR coming into kolkata?? as per the original plans of the hans??

the hans are softening up the state, making preparations to launch their project from here, just in case the OBOR takes off as planned.

Next step, link to CPEC via nepal and beedi land --myanmar.??

This may work out only if a new govt comes into power in 2019.

They are not so active in any other Indian state, not even in KER.

chetak Ji :I refer you to my reply of 30 May 2018 00:12 on the Analyzing CPEC Thread Page 30

chetak wrote:black lentils onlee.

Do you mean “Black in the Lentil” or "Mother’s / Father’s"?

Cheers

sum · Post by **sum** » 30 May 2018 05:20

In tunnels deep under mountains in Mianyang, southwestern Sichuan province, where China’s main nuclear design facilities are based, loud blasts from these experiments can be heard more than once a week.

Sorry but didnt understand:

If these are computer simulations, what are the loud blasts heard?

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 May 2018 08:39

America to impose tough trade measures on China - Ana Swanson, NYT

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration said on Monday that it would proceed with plans to impose a series of punitive trade-related measures on China next month, intensifying pressure on Beijing as trade talks between the countries continue. The White House said the US would move ahead with its plan to levy 25% tariffs on $50 billion of imported Chinese goods, despite recent remarks by Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, and other administration officials that the tariffs would be suspended while the countries continued their negotiations.

The administration had previously announced a list of goods that would be subject to tariffs, including flatscreen TVs and medical devices. It then held a series of hearings on the tariffs, giving the public a chance to influence the final list. The White House said it would detail the final list of goods that will subject to the tariffs by June 15, and the duties would be imposed shortly after that, the statement said.

The White House said the Trump administration would also move forward with restrictions on Chinese investment and with stronger export controls meant to limit the access that Chinese people and companies have to US technology — a measure the administration said was for national security purposes. Those restrictions will be announced by June 30 and adopted soon after that, the administration said, adding that the US would also continue to pursue a trade case it has filed against China at the WTO involving intellectual property rights.

Trade talks between the two countries will continue, the statement said, and the US has asked Beijing to remove “all of its many trade barriers” that prevent American companies from doing business in China, and has also said that “tariffs and taxes between the two countries be reciprocal in nature and value.”

The White House has planned to send Wilbur Ross, the commerce secretary, to China on June 2 to continue the trade negotiations. The last round of talks concluded on May 19 with the countries announcing little progress toward resolving a long list of complaints. President Trump subsequently said he was not satisfied with the negotiations, and that they had a “long way to go.”

On Friday, Trump said he had reached a deal that would allow the Chinese telecom firm ZTE to remain in business, raising criticism and fears from Congress that he was backing off from his tougher promises on trade. ZTE has been hit with tough sanctions by the US, and its fate had become a bargaining chip in negotiations, with President Xi Jinping of China appealing directly to Trump for help.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 May 2018 09:38

A maritime stretch: Modi in Southeast Asia - Harsh V Pant & Tuneer Mukherjee, The Hindu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Southeast Asia this week has the potential to spark a new period of maritime cooperation between India and Indonesia. An uptick in India-Indonesia relations will be a welcome development for both President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Mr. Modi, who through their respective ‘Global Maritime Fulcrum’ and ‘Act East’ policies have envisaged sharper maritime collaboration in the region.

China, the common concern

The visit comes against the backdrop of an offer from the Indonesian government to grant India access to its Sabang port for the development of the port and an economic zone. Located at the mouth of the strategically important Strait of Malacca, Sabang is only 100 nautical miles from the southern tip of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India and Indonesia share multiple common concerns, one of which is China’s growing maritime footprint in the eastern Indian Ocean. Sabang, with its naval base, naval air station, and maintenance and repair facilities, has the potential to serve as the focal point of a budding strategic partnership between the two countries.

Both countries value the key sea lines of communication (SLOCs) that connect the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, and therefore the foundation of any strategic partnership will rest on how they both seek to manage the region’s strategically important chokepoints. The strategically important Straits of Malacca, Lombok and Sunda fall under the Indian Navy’s primary area of interest, and access to Indonesian naval bases such as Sabang will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to maintain a forward presence and monitor movements in the Straits of Malacca.

Indonesia too has started recognising the benefits of a closer strategic partnership with India. Like many other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Jakarta remains apprehensive of Chinese intentions in the wider maritime theatre. The territorial dispute between China and Indonesia in the Natuna Sea is an issue that is close to Mr. Jokowi, and a strategic alignment with India will help Jakarta balance some of the security concerns emanating from Beijing’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea.

The comprehensive defence cooperation agreement that is expected to be signed between the countries can possibly be a multifaceted logistical agreement — on the lines of the deal which India signed with France earlier in the year. Mutual logistical support and reciprocal berthing rights will facilitate a more intimate maritime security partnership. This will allow India to gain access to naval bases in Lampung on the Sunda Strait, and Denpasar and Banyuwangi on the Lombok Strait, augmenting the Indian Navy’s operational breadth in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Areas of engagement

Indonesia, on its end, will also seek to negotiate the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone shared by the two nations in the Andaman Sea. Additional facets of this partnership can involve information sharing on white shipping, and enabling India to partner Indonesia in tracking commercial cargo ships at choke points such as Malacca which are getting increasingly congested.

In the past, cooperation between India and Indonesia has been limited to anti-piracy patrols, search and rescue exercises and joint hydrographic exploration. It is important for the two countries to move to a more concerted and intensive engagement. India should leverage this opportunity and seek its inclusion in the Malacca Strait Patrols programme. India’s inclusion in the programme would augment India’s existing maritime domain awareness in the region, while the eyes-in-the-sky component will allow India to jointly patrol the region with its maritime surveillance aircraft. Chinese presence in these SLOCs is well known, and India’s ability to monitor Chinese naval movements in the locale will be a great boost to the Indian Navy’s security missions. Moreover, access to the Jayapura naval base in West Papua will expand the Indian Navy’s operating capacity in the Western Pacific, and complement Indian access to French naval bases in French Polynesia and New Caledonia in the Southern Pacific.

A strategic confluence between New Delhi and Jakarta needs an economic direction. The development of the port and economic zone in Sabang can serve as blueprint for a connectivity partnership between the two nations, and more importantly, provide an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The proposed cruise tourism circuit between the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sabang would further enhance such economic linkages. Additionally, a partnership that includes collaboration in defence industries and maritime training and education can ensure a dynamic maritime collaboration.

At a time when countries are realigning themselves to accommodate the growing consensus around an Indo-Pacific strategic framework, India and Indonesia, as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, need to complement each other’s vision of a regional order.

An opportunity

Mr. Modi is due to deliver the keynote at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore after his Jakarta visit, and he needs to use this opportunity to make public the strategic framework of his ‘Act East’ policy. India needs to supplement efforts in Jakarta and leverage its existing strategic relations with Singapore and other like-minded regional states if it is to cement its position as a ‘net security provider’ in the Indian Ocean. A closer logistical partnership with countries such as Singapore, Australia and Indonesia can be the starting point of an extensive strategic linkage that will help establish India as a regional provider of maritime security.

The time has come for India to realise the potential of a strategic alignment with the archipelagic state that is geo-politically positioned at the centre of the Indo-Pacific, and an upgrade in maritime relations is the logical way forward.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 May 2018 11:58

Centre plans connectivity push on China border - Rahul Karmakar, The Hindu

The ‘invasion’ of Chinese radio channels has made the Centre plan installation of optical fibre cables (OFC) in areas bordering China.

The OFC push is expected to arm civilians and defence personnel with cellular and radio connectivity strong enough to counter the Chinese waves, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in Arunachal Pradesh’s capital, Itanagar, on Tuesday.

Ms. Sitharaman said she experienced poor communication network during her recent visit to Kibithoo, the last border village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district.

“I came to know people in the area access Chinese radio frequency but not All India Radio,” she said.

“We will soon start work on extension of OFC in the remote border areas. The Union Cabinet discussed the issue 10 days ago and sanctioned additional funds,” Ms. Sitharaman, in the frontier State to highlight the achievements of the four-year-old Narendra Modi government, said.

The Defence Minister also said the government was trying to recruit more women in the armed forces from border areas. “I am considering permanent commission to women in the defence forces, but the issue is caught in a legal battle,” she said.

Women in the forces who did not get permanent commission had approached the court some time ago.

Ms. Sitharaman, however, declined to comment on reports about mining activities by China near the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

“I do not have the details and cannot say anything at this point of time,” she said.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 May 2018 15:35

Indonesia, India plan to develop strategic Indian Ocean port - Reuters

JAKARTA: Indonesia and India pledged on Wednesday to step up defence and maritime cooperation, with plans to develop a strategic Indonesian naval port in the Indian Ocean, the leaders of the two countries said after meeting in Jakarta.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Prime Minister Narendra Modi + to discuss, among other issues, developing infrastructure and an economic zone at Sabang, on the tip of Sumatra island and at the mouth of the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest shipping channels for global trade.

"India is a strategic defence partner...and we will continue to advance our cooperation in developing infrastructure, including at Sabang Island and the Andaman Islands," Widodo told a news conference after the meeting at the presidential palace. Analysts say the move comes amid concerns over China's rising maritime influence in the region, and is part of Modi's "Act East" policy of developing stronger ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"The India-ASEAN partnership can be a force to guarantee peace and progress in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," PM Modi said in a statement read in Hindi.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 30 May 2018 20:33

Philippines say it protested China ‘harassment’ of navy boat - AP

Officials say the Philippine government has quietly protested after Chinese ships deployed a helicopter that flew close to a Philippine navy boat carrying supplies to Filipino marines at a disputed shoal this month.

Two Philippine officials said on Wednesday that the navy personnel on board the rubber boat were unharmed in the May 11 incident and proceeded to deliver the supplies to marines on board a grounded Philippine navy ship at Second Thomas Shoal, which has been guarded by Chinese forces.
Duterte not too happy with episode

One of the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the incident publicly, said the Philippines and China recently held talks to prevent a repeat of the incident, which earned the “displeasure” of the Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte. {as though China cares}

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 31 May 2018 07:25

https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/30/chine ... p-june-11/
Trump's visa restrictions aimed at Chinese STEM students to start in June

In a policy change set for next month, the Trump administration is moving to shorten visas for Chinese students in fields like tech and engineering. While most visas are issued for the longest possible length of time under law, the new policy will allow U.S. officials to put a one year cap on visas for Chinese graduate students who are "studying in fields like robotics, aviation and high-tech manufacturing," according to the Associated Press.
A State Department official told The Hill that "Although the large majority of visas issued to Chinese nationals are issued for the maximum validity, consular officers may limit the validity of visas on a case-by-case basis" under the new rules.Beyond the student limits, U.S. consulates and embassies reportedly received instructions that any Chinese citizen applying for a visa will need to secure additional special permission form the U.S. if they work in research or management for any company the U.S. Commerce Department lists as an entity "requiring higher scrutiny." Trump readying ‘all of the above’ fusillade on Chinese techThe new visa policy shifts come as Trump is knee-deep in a controversial new tariff plan targeting Chinese trade and is intended to protect against the theft of U.S. intellectual property, or so the reasoning goes.The visa change was signaled in the National Security Strategy report that the Trump administration issued in December. That document explains the rationale clearly: "The United States will review visa procedures to reduce economic theft by non-traditional intelligence collectors. We will consider restrictions on foreign STEM students from designated countries to ensure that intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors, while acknowledging the importance of recruiting the most advanced technical workforce to the United States."