US-China: A Turn for the Worse?

Following up on a piece that I posted over at The Peking Duck, US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), commissioned by Congress in 2000, concluded its first 2007 meeting this past week. According to a report in today’s Asia Times, the meetings covered a range of topics but focused primarily on three key issues: China’s January 11 ASAT (anti-satellite test), how to convince China to comply with WTO guidelines, and whether or not US policy should continue to rely on the assumption that economic incentives will lead to increasing democratization in China.

The tone of the Asia Times report was not optimistic. It described the ASAT test as an unannounced and frankly provocative gesture, calling the move “strategic escalation.” Meanwhile, at the same time testimony over China’s non-compliance with WTO was being given at the meeting, trade representatives from the United States, Europe, and Canada were busy bringing China before the WTO over unfair duties on auto parts. Finally, in a statement given before the panel, long time China watcher Jim Mann sounded pessimistic over the prospects of China changing course significantly even over the long term. (See “Jim Mann: ‘What if China Doesn’t Change?“)

February 5th, 2007

Who are we? Chinese delegations overseas greeted by Korean signs, Taiwan anthem

It’s been a week of identity crises for Chinese delegations traveling overseas. First was a delegation of Chinese tourism officials greeted at Zimbabwe’s Harare airport with signs in Korean. Today, at a ceremony to the mark the opening of a brand new Chinese-financed stadium in the island nation of Grenada, the Chinese ambassador was shocked when the band struck up the national anthem…of Taiwan. Chinese Ambassador Qian Hongshan and scores of blue-uniformed Chinese laborers who built the $40 million Queen’s Park stadium as a gift were visibly uncomfortable as Taiwan’s anthem echoed inside the 20,000-seat venue.

The mistake was reminiscent of an early gaffe by US officials during Hu Jintao’s last visit to Washington. As President Bush and Hu stood side by side, an announcer said, “‘Ladies and gentlemen, the national anthem of the Republic of China, followed by the national anthem of the United States of America.’” It should be noted, however, that at least the US Marine Band got the song right.

Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has pledged an investigation into how such a mistake could have been made.

February 4th, 2007

Mr. Hu, I presume: China’s president in Africa amidst concerns

Chinese president Hu Jintao yesterday began an eight-country tour of Africa following a November summit of African leaders in the Chinese capital. The People’s Daily is describing Hu’s visit as “a journey of friendship and cooperation” but others both in Africa and in the West are more skeptical about China’s intentions and wary of increased Chinese influence in Africa.

In today’s Times, Jonathan Clayton writes:

The burgeoning relationship between China and Africa has passed largely unchallenged, with African leaders keen to take advantage of investment and aid that is delivered with few strings attached at a time when Western trade partners are imposing onerous conditions of accountability and the environment.

Now the relationship is being questioned, in Africa and beyond. Domestically, there is alarm at the adverse impact on local companies of a flood of cheap Chinese manufactured goods. In elections in Zambia in December the opposition attacked China’s “exploitation of workers” and low safety standards in copper mines that it took over, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Internationally, there is unease about Beijing’s support for dictatorial regimes such as Zimbabwe and the DRC, and of China’s willingness to overlook human rights abuses. The

January 30th, 2007
« Newer Entries