China and Bangladesh discuss BCIM Economic Corridor; Chinese Navy begins a combat drill in the open sea of the West Pacific Ocean; Canadian Governor General visits China; President Xi Jinping has called for increased economic and strategic cooperation wit
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    • (OCTOBER 14-20)

    According to reports, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni in Beijing on October 20 to push forward the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor. Wang said China cherishes the traditional friendship with Bangladesh and attaches importance to China-Bangladesh ties. China regards Bangladesh as a natural partner and important for China's opening up westward. He said China is willing to maintain high-level visits, deepen pragmatic cooperation and push forward the construction of the BCIM Economic Corridor with Bangladesh.1
    In another development, the PLA Navy said the drill is in line with international laws and practices. As reported by the PLA Daily, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has started a combat drill in the open sea of the West Pacific Ocean on October 18. This exercise will continue until the beginning of November. China’s three fleets-North China Sea Fleet, East China Sea Fleet and South China Sea Fleet will participate in the exercises. 2

    Reports noted that President Xi Jinping met with the Canadian Governor General David Johnston. This was the first visit of the Canadian Governor General to China. They signed three agreements on dialogues mechanism on mineral resources, purchase of three aircrafts and sustainable energy development. Xi argued that China and Canada should increase their cooperation in the fields of energy, resources, environment and finance. 3

    According to reports, President Xi Jinping has called for increased economic and strategic cooperation with Australia, suggesting continued enthusiasm for a free trade agreement between the two nations. As he met visiting Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce in Beijing on October 17, Xi said the two nations should fully explore the potential in Sino-Australian cooperation. 4
    Reports noted that China and Russia on October 18 agreed to expand pragmatic cooperation in a number of fields as senior officials held meetings in Xi'an, capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi province. Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Rogozin co-chaired the 17th meeting of the joint commission for the regular meetings of heads of government of China and Russia. 5
    According to reports, Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met in Beijing on October 18 with Charles Richard Mondjo, the Republic of Congo's National Defense Minister. Xu said Chinese President Xi Jinping's successful visit to the Republic of Congo in March identified the direction for and injected new vitality into the development of bilateral relations. Noting that cooperation between the two military forces have been quite fruitful, he expressed the hope that the two sides will work together to take the existing friendship and cooperation to a higher level. 6

    According to reports, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on October 18 responded to Japanese cabinet members' visit to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine during its autumn festival by urging Japan to reflect on its history of aggression. About 160 Japanese lawmakers from a nonpartisan group on Friday morning worshipped at the shrine, which honors Japanese war dead, including 14 class-A war criminals. 7
    Reports noted that the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met the Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda on October 17. Both sides agreed to strengthen their bilateral cooperation. It was also noted that 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of China-Tanzania diplomatic relationship. 8
    According to reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar's Defense Services, on October 16 in Beijing. Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, hailed the bilateral relationship and described China and Myanmar as "good neighbors, good friends and good partners".9
    In other developments, according to reports, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman on October 16 denied that China's increasing crude oil imports from the Middle East were against any third-party interests. Speaking at the ministry's daily media briefing, in response to a question on the matter, Hua Chunying said the energy cooperation between China and the Middle East is transparent and mutually beneficial, which is in the interests of both sides and is not against any third-party interests. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has always played a positive and constructive role in the peace, security, development and prosperity of the Middle East, Hua said. According to the spokeswoman, it is clear to all that China has made tremendous efforts in supporting countries in the region to explore development paths in line with their own national conditions and improving their peoples' livelihood. 10
    According to reports, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on October 15 laid out a four-pronged proposal on further deepening business cooperation between his country and Vietnam. The rapidly growing economic and trade cooperation between China and Vietnam boasts great potential, and their common interests far outweigh their differences, Li said at a luncheon attended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and representatives of the two countries' business communities. 11
    Reports noted that the Chinese President Xi Jinping met the speaker of the lower house of Kazakh Parliament, Nurlan Nigmatulin on October 15. During the meeting Xi said that, “The building of a Silk Road economic belt is in fundamental interests of China and Kazakhstan”. 12
    According to reports, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will pay an official visit to China from Oct 22 to 23 as a guest of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying announced on October 10. During Medvedev's stay in Beijing, he and Li will co-chair the 18th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian heads of government. Medvedev will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 13

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