China meets with rebels in Libya

The government of china has made its first confirmed contact with the Libyan rebels. This is one of the latest diplomatic setbacks encountered by Moamar Gadhafi. France said that it is persuading people that are close to the Libyan leader to convince him to leave power.

Chinese diplomats and Libyan rebels met in Qatar as a result of defections to the rebel sides by notable figures in the Libyan governments. As the war in Libya intensifies the rebels and NATO had made the departure of Gadhafi as a condition for ceasefire in the country. Gadhafi has said in clear terms that he will not leave the country. He told the South African president who came on AU delegation that he will not leave Libya. NATO had this week extended its operations which were supposed to end by June 27th for another 90 days sending a warning to Gadhafi that they are not prepared to leave Libya until they have accomplished their aims in the country.

Reacting to the situation in Libya the French foreign minister Juppe said that Col Gadhafi is more isolated adding that more of his loyalists are defecting. The Chinese foreign ministry has said that the Chinese ambassador to Qatar had discussed with the Libyan rebels on ways to bring about the development of Libya.

China Assists Japan Following Friday Earthquake, Tsunami

China Assists Japan Following Friday Earthquake, Tsunami

China Assists Japan Following Friday Earthquake, Tsunami

Many Chinese nationals are stranded in Japan’s worst affected areas by Friday earthquake. China has taken initiative to evacuate its citizens from the quake areas.

China’s embassy in Japan revealed that they would evacuate Chinese nationals from the areas that might be affected by the damages in nuclear reactors and other surrounding areas.

However, the embassy clearly denied the chances of any radiation being emitted by the nuclear reactors due to damage of cooling system following the quake and tsunami. Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection is continuously supervising the developments at Fuushima Number One Plant, where the cooling system failed after Tsunami.

So far on Tuesday morning the Chinese nuclear safety agency has not detected any abnormal radiation from the reactors.

There was a fear that radiation might spread through winds over the Pacific Ocean and China May remain on the safer side, stated Chinese Meteorological Administration.

There was a slight increase in radiation level in Russia on Tuesday; however it stayed under normal levels, stated Russian authorities.

South Korea also stated that the radiations have remained under normal level so far; however it is taking precautionary measures by keeping vigil over incoming passengers at Incheon airport.

South Korean authorities added that according to the weather forecast, westerly and north-westerly winds were expected to blow to Japan very soon.

China has taken immediate initiative by sending rescuers and aid assistance to Japan after the devastating earthquake of magnitude 8.5 at Rictor scale and tsunami last Friday. President Hu Jintao  and Premier Wen Jiabao expressed deep concerns and sympathy  to Japan despite unfriendly relations with Beijing.

US doubts Chinese leadership ‘disconnected’ from military

US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, visits Japan to discuss on Tokyo’s military role in East Asian region. The diplomat also aimed to get an assurance for US for no further threats from N Korea and China and enhance US-Japan military ties.

The stealth fighter’s test flight by China has worried the United States and US doubts whether there is any cooperation among military and politicians in China, Gates revealed  on Friday.

China had tested J-20 fighter on Tuesday, during US diplomat’s visit to Beijing. However, Chinese President Hu Jintao stated that he was not aware of any such test when asked by Robert Gates.

China had tested an anti-satellite missile in 2007 and there was a conflict between a U.S. surveillance ship  and Chinese ship in waters of the South China Sea in 2009. This was also an incident that reflected poor coordination between Chinese Government and the military as the leaders were not even informed regarding these tests and conflicts.

However, Gates clarified that he had no doubt over President Hu Jintao’s leadership quality and his administration.

The US defense secretary also did not point out whether the nuclear weapons of China were under the control of military or the civilian government.

China skeptical over Geithner’s offer of ‘greater access to US market’

BEIJING: China is skeptical over  US offer to free up trade in high-tech goods. Chinese government advisers and economists said on Thursday that in the aftermath of the offer,  Chinese government should  reject to be involved into a negotiation  to speed up Yuan appreciation.

Timothy Geithner, treasury secretary, said that the United States wants to give China a greater access to US market and high-tech goods and in exchange for that expects Beijing to review its strictly controlled exchange rate system.

Meanwhile Chinese officials refused to comment on Geithner’s proposal that is made just ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to the United States next week. Many analysts are of the view that it is dubious to accept this trade-for-currency proposal.

“China will not act according to US direction; as far as Yuan appreciation is concerned, it must follow a general trend and not be impacted from the US sentiments,” said Ding Yifan, an analyst of the State Council.

One of the analysts is of the view that China should not be bothered about US demands as Beijing can have a greater access to high level of high-tech goods with ease from the Western Europe.

This week China has guided the Yuan move upward 0.4 percent against the US dollar. It has been a well-known pattern of pushing Yuan value up against the dollar before any diplomatic engagements.

Analysts are of the view that more and more Yuan appreciation will be needed over the period of time as inflation has been skyrocketing for the last two years and the trade surplus touching nearly $200 billion last year.

US fails to negotiate over enhancing military ties with China

The U.S. Defense Chief Robert Gates agrees to his Chinese counterpart to enhance military cooperation between the two nations.  However, the two delegates remained stubborn over the issues of Taiwan and Chinese ammunition.

Gates and Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie stated that they are heading toward strengthening military cooperation but the two issues of conflict remained unresolved regarding Taiwan and China’s continuous efforts for modernizing military power.

Gates is on a three-day visit to China. He has also offered Guanglie to visit Washington and discuss nuclear posture, cyber warfare and missile defense.

The US could, however only convince the Chinese diplomat for a strategic dialogue with Chinese military leaders.

Robert Gates also aimed to get some deal over military ties in this visit and expressed this while talking in a joint press conference with Chinese defense minister Gates further stated that the two nations acknowledge the need to minimize misunderstandings between the two countries and establish strong cooperation ties.

However, the Chinese authorities seemed to be interested more in smoothening bilateral relations right now prior to Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington.

Liang made it obvious once again that China would never support US for providing weapons to Taiwan. US had recently sold arms worth $5.4 billion to Taiwan following which China showed its displeasure strongly and discontinued military cooperation.

South Korea says ready for unification with North

S Korean President Lee

Unification of South Korea with north may sound good news to the international community but would only irritate North Korea, which is already aggressive against South Korea. It will only take it as a challenge for annexation by the South. Unification Ministry of South Korea stated that it would divert its strategy to initiate diplomatic talks for unification of the Korean Peninsula.

However, this is not likely to receive any friendly gesture from North Korea and its ally China, which may regard the statement as a threatening or preparation to enslave North Korea.

Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea stressed on resolving the issue of nuclear armament by North through six-party talks as well as preparing for military attack if required.  Recent few weeks have witnessed rising tensions between the two countries that began with aggression from North Korea, its attack on Yeonpyeong Island and following gunfire from both sides. The statement of South Korean ministry showing willingness for unification came in a policy report; however the two countries have always been in war like situation always since their inception.

S Korean President Lee revealed that there was growing willingness among North Koreans for getting reunited with the other part of peninsula and South Korea is ready to step forward. He stated this while on a visit to Malaysia in early December.

N Korea Threatens Seoul to Attack again

North Korea Threatens Merciless Action Against South

Seoul: North Korea warned South against its planned live firing drill on an island which has been a matter of dispute for both the nations. North Korea threatened to take stern actions against South if the later would not stop its action immediately.

It is reported that tension has aggravated in the Korean peninsula between these two countries following Seoul’s announcement regarding a military drill on Yeonpyeong Island. Prior to it N Korea had warned South Korea responding to its military exercises on the disputed sea border on Nov 23. However, the South called these drills as routine.

N Korea gave the warning following Seoul’s declaration to give a stern response to any attack on its territory.

China too confirmed South Korea’s threatening to attack N Korea, during a talk with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and appealed for cooperation to defuse tension in the Korean peninsula.

U.S. diplomatic troubleshooter Bill Richardson also visited North Korea to establish peace in the Korean peninsula”.

Dai Bingguo, a Chinese diplomat, called on the United States for cooperation over the Korean peninsula in his meeting with Steinbergon Friday.

The US official had visited China to ask to pressurize N Korea and stop its aggressions against South. The United States have been severely criticizing China over its silence on N Korea’s declaration of its nuclear power.

South Korea Steps To Enhance Diplomatic Relations With China

South Korea to enhance ties with China

Following attack by North Korea on its island and gunfire clash, South Korea has declared that it would boost relations with china.

Korean peninsula has become vibrant again following N Korea’s aggression against the South. The United States and its allies have been patting South Korea and even backed it by military exercises in the Korean peninsula. The US also warned China for overlooking N Korea’s steps.

The initiative toward boosting funds related to improving relations with China expresses that South Korea is following a defense mechanism against North.

South Korean foreign ministry has declared that it would raise the annual budget on issues related with China from $390 million to $3 billion. The country expects to show its willingness to smoothen relations with China and initiate diplomatic talks.

The raised budget would include expenses on task forces which will resolve problems related to anti-Korean attitude of Chinese and build up academic and cultural relations with China. The South Korean government also plans to begin diplomatic talks for bilateral cooperation.

Seoul’s foreign minister, Kim Sung-hwan stated that relations with China are gradually becoming vital for the stability of peace and security in the Korean peninsula and their economic well being.

N Korea blames US for provoking ‘war’ in peninsula

South Korean soldiers and US forces exercising on N Korean boarder

The US receives another criticism for instigating war like situation in the Korean Peninsula.  This time it is North Korea faulting the United States and its allies for exercising military activities and creating an explosive atmosphere for war.

The tense situation between N Korea and s Korea is almost reached on the threshold of a war due to continuous reactions by the United Sates and its allies. No only they are giving aggressive statements to provoke conflict but also reaching out with their military aid for South Korea, states a Korean news paper.

Involvement of S Korea, Japan and US in the conflict directly will make the dispute an international war. North Korea has already demonstrated its readiness both for a war and an ‘all-out war.’

The attack on Yeonpyeong Island by N Korea was first aggression from its side since Korean War in 1950-53In March N Korea also submerged a South Korean ship leading to death of more than 40 sailors.

However, the Korean media calls all these incidents as ‘cooked up’ by the United States and its allies. North Koreans consider the attack on island as revenge to S Korea’s firing in common waters.

It is not just the United States and its allies patting South Korea’s back to instigate war. China has also been reportedly involved in the conflict. N Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s meeting with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo is not hidden from anyone.

The United States had warned China recently against N Korea’s aggression in the Korean peninsula and suggested to guide N Korea.

Obama Flays China for ‘Willful Blindness’ Against N Korea

US President Barack Obama with Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao

Washington: US President Barack Obama Warns Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao for ignoring N Korean aggression in the Korean peninsula. Obama called up President Hu Jintao over telephone on Monday. The US president asked China to pressurize N Korea for it provocation followed by military confrontation with South Korea.

Obama further stated that North Koreans needed to understand the consequence of their provocation and its adverse impact on their mutual relation with China, officials revealed.

The US officials also added that Obama recalled Hu Jintao of their meeting in Canada where the former had publicly faulted China for its ‘willful blindness’ toward N Korea’s military aggression. The United States is helping South Korea in taking strict actions against N Korean aggressions including artillery shelling and sinking of a naval warship Cheonan. The warship carried 46 South Koreans all of whom were killed.

N Korea has attacked S Koreans, bombed over S Korean land and also declared recently about its nuclear power. However, China did not check or criticize N Korea for any of its actions.

The Chinese president reportedly ignored White House invitation for scheduling a telephonic call with the US president. However, the US officials denied the report. In the conversation the Hu Jintao neither assured the US nor made any complain over US military actions in collaboration with South Korea.