Sino - US Relook Relations

2010-01-31 06:08:49 - China made strong objection onto Washington announced a 6.4-billion-dollar arms package for Taiwan, thus shaping Sino-US crisis under reins of President Barack Obama.Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed on the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan here Saturday, urging the U.S. to stop selling weapons to the Chinese province.Yang, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, said in disregard of strong opposition and repeated protest from China, the U.S. administration flagrantly announced its plan to sell the weapons to Taiwan worth about 6.4 billion dollars. Such a move is gravely against the three joint communiques between China and the United States, especially the "Aug. 17" communique, Yang said, adding that it constitutes crude interference in China's internal affairs, and harms China's national security and peaceful reunification efforts. China has suspended military exchanges with the United States.Chinese officials desbribe the spill over on Washington's 6.4-billion dollar arms deal with Taiwan, the territory that Beijing claims as its own. Uncle Sam in its $6.4 billion arms package, includes Patriot anti-missile systems, Black Hawk helicopters and Harpoon missiles. Huang Xiangyang in chinadaily.com.cn said, The generous offer to militarily equip Taiwan reminds us how grudgingly Washington sees China rise and compatriots across the Straits live in peace. Xinhua reports that Ignoring repeated solemn representations made by China, the U.S. government on Friday notified Congress of its nearly 6.4 billion-U.S.-dollar arms sale package to Taiwan.The sale is a wrong decision, which not only undermines China's national security interests and her national unification cause, but also once again hurts the national feelings of the Chinese people.A report on the state-run Xinhua news agency, China's Defense Ministry said the decision to halt visits between the Chinese and U.S. armed forces was made in consideration of the serious harm and impacts on Sino-U.S. military relations brought about by the arms deal. Xinhua did not immediately provide further details on the visits.China said it was suspending military and security contacts with the United States, and imposing sanctions on US firms involved in the Taiwan deal. Chinese defence ministry spokesman Huang Xueping said the reprisals reflected the "severe harm" posed by the deal with Taiwan, which Beijing says is a part of its territory and must return to the mainland fold.On other side,the US State Department spokeswoman Laura Tischler told media AFP the sale "contributes to maintaining security and stability across the Taiwan Strait. "Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who has overseen a marked warming in trade and political relations with China, said Beijing had nothing to fear from the sale."It will let Taiwan feel more confident and secure so we can have more interactions with China," Ma said, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency. Obama's national security advisor, former general James Jones, said the administration was being "transparent" with Beijing, which the United States recognises as the legal government for all of China."But we are bent towards a new relationship with China as a rising power in the world, with influence on a variety of issues that go beyond the arms sales," he said. Pentagon official said it regretted Beijing's suspension of military exchanges."We regret that the Chinese side has curtailed military-to-military and other exchanges," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told AFP."We also regret Chinese action against US firms transferring defensive articles to Taiwan." Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei made an urgent official protest to the US ambassador in Beijing, Jon Huntsman, Chinese officials told AFP.In a statement to Huntsman, he urged Washington to cancel the deal, which he said constituted "crude interference in China's internal affairs that seriously endangers China's national security and damages China's peaceful reunification." Taiwan enjoys high-profile backers in the US Congress, which requires the administration to provide the island with weapons of a defensive nature. Media agencies

World Economic Forum

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2010 will be held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from 27 - 31 January 2010 to Improve the State of the World,their three R postulate stimulating theme are, Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild for better global economy reeling under crisis.The Purpose described are-Improving the state of the world requires catalysing global cooperation to address pressing challenges and future risks. Global cooperation in turn needs stakeholders from business, government, the media, science, religion, the arts and civil society to collaborate as a true community. To this end, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting has engaged leaders from all walks of life to shape the global agenda at the start of the year for the last four decades.Canadian Prime Minister Harper to deliver keynote address on 28 Jan Canada is G8 President this year, and Prime Minister Harper will set out his country's agenda for its presidency."We must look at the Meeting in the context of what's happening in the world and we see that the present system of global cooperation is not working sufficiently," said Klaus Schwab. Haiti will feature on the agenda: "We hope we can present a major common effort to the world community showing true corporate global citizenship in Davos," he said. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain, will be attending the 40th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. Having just taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Spain's participation in the Annual Meeting's discussions will play a key role in this year's call for action to reassess the current state for gobal cooperation under the theme "Improve the state of the World: Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild". With the chair of the G20 for 2010 and president of the first Asian country to host the G20 summit, Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea, will give a special address at the 40th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting on 28 January. Nicolas Sarkozy to give key speech at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2010. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the Republic of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, will deliver the opening address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting on 27 January. It will be the first time that a French President has participated in the meeting in Davos-Klosters. His speech will start the debate on the theme of the meeting, "Improve the State of the World: Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild". The five-day event will bring together stakeholders from all sections of the global community. President Sarkozy will make an important contribution to the discussions which aim to find concrete solutions to the current global situation. World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2010 is a call to action, "Improve the State of the World: Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild".Driving the rethink at the 40th Annual Meeting will be the Network of Global Agenda Councils comprised of over 1,000 experts active in over 70 Councils created to advance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the world.Redesign discussions in Davos will leverage the ongoing work of the Forum’s Global Redesign Initiative (GRI), an unprecedented multistakeholder dialogue focusing on adapting structures and systems of international cooperation to the challenges of the 21st century.The effort to rebuild trust and confidence needs to begin before, and extend well beyond the next Annual Meeting. To that end, WELCOM, a collaborative platform that integrates Web 2.0 technology, will enable leaders to build knowledge, share insights and reach out to key stakeholders as an online community throughout the year.

The Sagar 's

Pinera elected Chilean president

Pinera elected Chilean president. Frei defeat ended more than two decades of rule by the center-left coalition.Pinera earned 52 percent of the votes to 48 percent for Frei with 99 percent of the ballots counted in Sunday's runoff election. Billionaire Sebastian Pinera has won Chile's election, becoming the nation's first democratically elected right-wing President in 52 years. Pinera vowed to hire the "best, most prepared, most honest and most dedicated" people for his government, and called on a new generation of Chileans to meet his challenge. "Chile isn't the biggest, richest or most powerful country in the world, but we should dedicate ourselves to transforming it into the best country in the world," he said. "We don't have a single minute to lose." The ruling coalition's candidate Eduardo Frei conceded defeat on Sunday after 60 percent of polling stations reported a 52 percent to 48 percent advantage for Pinera, ending two decades of centre-left rule since the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship."We will be guardians of liberty and of all our social victories," Frei said. Pinera had a wide lead in every poll, and the race only tightened after Frei and outgoing President Michelle Bachelet repeatedly invoked the legacy of Pinochet, whose dictatorship was supported by parties that make up Pinera's coalition.

Ukraine: Presidential poll

Early results on Monday of Ukraine presidential poll on sunday show that country of 46 million people in midst to link the European Union or Russia,now faces a Feb. 7 run-off vote between former PM and opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and populist Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko as sunday presidential election produced no clear winner.Ukrainians voted on Sunday in the first presidential elections since the 2004 Orange Revolution, in a ballot set to determine the ex-Soviet republic's relations with Russia and Europe.Election campaigning for 18 candidates in Ukraine's presidential race came to an end on Saturday 24 hours before presidential polls. Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovich will most likely win the first round of elections and hold a run-off election with current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, as per political analyst. Tymoshenko's statement on the need to toughen domestic policies to pull the country out of political and economic recession, and her criticism of him on Monday for his refusal to take part in televised debates."I cannot but take your refusal to hold open honest discussions as other than common cowardice," Tymoshenko said. "If you don't think you have the brains and political experience to take part in televised debates, you should admit that you are not ready to lead the country, rule it or represent it in the world." Two contenders Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the opposition Party of Regions, and current Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko are seen as the main contenders for the president's post.Both Yanukovych and Tymoshenko have pledged to improve ties with Russia, soured over Kiev's NATO bid, gas disputes and the former Soviet republic's support for Georgia in the August 2008 war over South Ossetia.Yanukovych has indicated he would follow Russia in recognizing the former Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia if elected, and has also criticized attempts to blame Russia for the 1932-33 famine in Ukraine.Yanukovych said that unlike Russia, Ukraine has no strong "state machinery," and accused President Viktor Yushchenko and the prime minister of "putting on a free-of-charge performance for the country and the rest of the world in the past five years." Tymoshenko has pledged that if elected president in January 17 polls she would seek EU membership for the ex-Soviet state as soon as possible."Yanukovych will be ahead probably by 12%. Exit election polls on Sunday show a 15% lead in favor of Yanukovych over Tymoshenko, then she will not have a chance in the run-offs. Tymoshenko loses the first round by 10%-15% to Yanukovych, then street protests and legal suits will be brought to the country's Arbitration Court by Tymoshenko. Another candidate Serhiy Tyhypko, favored in third place, could play a "key figure" in a run-off election between Yanukovych and Tymoshenko. According to the political analyst, Tyhypko is currently taking votes away from Yanukovych, which Tymoshenko needs to secure her position. Tyhypko would ask his constituents to vote for one of the other two candidates in the run-off. Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych said he has not ruled out introducing several amendments to the Constitution if he wins the January 17 elections. Incumbent President Viktor Yushchenko, who came to power after the 2004 Orange Revolution, which was triggered by allegations of fraud after Yanukovych was declared the winner of later discredited elections, will receive only 1.5% to 3.5% in the first round, ultimately losing the presidential chair, an analyst said.

Raucous demonstrations in Iran

Mir Hossein Mousavi, the former presidential candidatesays on the internet"has no fear of becoming one of the martyrs" for the cause, and he challenged regime officials who have threatened to prosecute him and other leaders of the opposition. Iranian authorities accused opposition leaders on Thursday of links to "foreign enemies" and warned they would be shown no mercy unless they changed course. "Again we are warning the opposition leaders to immediately separate their path from the foreign enemies and the anti-revolution groups," the Intelligence Ministry said."Otherwise they will be confronted with no mercy. "German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the "unacceptable actions of the security forces" and urged Tehran to respect civil rights.Iran after elections has series of protests and nearly ten people died during the most violent protests and political leaders are being detained which include senior aides to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, and a former foreign minister.The nephew of opposition leader is Mir-Hossein Mousavi among ten people reported slain as protesters. Barack Obama The US President's latest remarks on Iran -Before I leave, let me also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted in detentions, injuries, and even death. For months, the Iranian people have sought nothing more than to exercise their universal rights. Each time they have done so, they have been met with the iron fist of brutality, even on solemn occasions and holy days. And each time that has happened, the world has watched with deep admiration for the courage and the conviction of the Iranian people who are part of Iran's great and enduring civilization. What's taking place within Iran is not about the United States or any other country. It's about the Iranian people and their aspirations for justice and a better life for themselves. And the decision of Iran's leaders to govern through fear and tyranny will not succeed in making those aspirations go away. As I said in Oslo, it's telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation. Along with all free nations, the United States stands with those who seek their universal rights. We call upon the Iranian government to abide by the international obligations that it has to respect the rights of its own people. We call for the immediate release of all who have been unjustly detained within Iran. We will continue to bear witness to the extraordinary events that are taking place there. And I'm confident that history will be on the side of those who seek justice. As reported in websites the clashes, protests,the scenes of pandemoniumare spread in sacred city of Qom, central cities of Esfahan, Shiraz, Arak, Najafabad and Kashan, in Babol in the north and in Mashhad in the east.Moot sparkling reasons for protest is attributed the questioning, the disputed June 12 reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who faced the senior Mousavi and other challengers, protesters shouting slogans against Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Media reports as an open "civil war" increasingly the fearless protester face security forces with tear gas the BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne, reporting from London, says the government's immediate response to the latest confrontation has been to arrest senior opposition figures, as it did after protests against the disputed presidential elections in June.Media agencies

India enters free trade with Asean countries

India enters free trade with Asean countries- South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia country's market-opening pacts with three of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and South Korea will be operational from Friday.The remaining seven Asean members will take a few more months to get the India-Asean trade pact, which needs to be "internally approved or ratified by their parliaments," an official said. Indian exports to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia accounting for over 90 per cent of the India-Asean USD 44-billion trade, would also be given easy access on about 4,000 tariff items.Under the Indo-Korean Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which includes services, Indian professionals from as many as 163 sectors, including IT, English teaching, consultancy and engineering, would be eligible for temporary visas up to one year in Korea. Under this agreement, customs duties will also be reduced or eliminated on as many as 93 per cent of Korea's tariff lines which includes tyres, electrical goods, vehicle parts and petroleum products."Korea has taken commitments to give favourable considerations to Indian banks as well for opening their branches there," he said. However, India must also reciprocate on this front to move forward. In fact, half of the country's USD four billion exports to Korea would be exempted from duty right away.India and South Korea signed the CEPA on 7th August, 2009 in Seoul. The domestic industry welcomes the move saying the agreement would help double the USD 10-billion commerce between the two countries over the next five years. The CEPA with Korea is the second comprehensive deal for India after Singapore. Unlike a free trade agreement, which covers goods only, CEPA also covers investments, services and bilateral cooperation in other areas. The free trade agreement with Asean was signed on 13th August. DDNews