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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended a trilateral summit meeting in Fukuoka, Japan, along with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. The three leaders discussed the global financial crisis, among other issues. Wen noted that cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea is “an organic component of larger cooperation in East Asia, and promotion of their cooperation is not only in the interests of the three nations but beneficial to other East Asian nations1.”
Diplomats from the US and China also met in Beijing to discuss bilateral issues as well as issues concerning South and Central Asia. The meeting was held between US Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Richard Boucher and China’s Vice-Foreign Minister Li Hui and Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhenghue. The meeting was part of a bilateral consultation process which was started in 2005 between the two sides2.
China and India conducted an anti-terror military drill in Belgaum, India during the week. The thrust of this joint-military exercise was to counter terrorism. This was the third and last stage of the joint anti-terrorism military training between India and China, being conducted as part of the “Hand-in-Hand 2008” initiatives between the two sides3.
In other developments, the Vice-Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee stated that “the door” remained open for negotiations with the Dalai Lama. He however asserted that "Tibetan independence" was not permissible, nor was "semi-independence for Tibet" or "Tibetan independence in disguise.” The Vice-Minister also urged the Dalai Lama to denounce his agenda of “splitting the motherland” and return to a patriotic stance4.
- 1. “Chinese premier stresses co-op between China, Japan, S Korea,” People’s Daily, December 14, 2008, at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6553004.html
- 2. “China, U.S. meet on central, south Asia issues,” People’s Daily, December 13, 2008, at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6552753.html
- 3. “China, India start finale drill of joint anti-terror military training,” People’s Daily, December 11, 2008, at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6551945.html
- 4. “Official: China still holds ample patience with the Dalai Lama,” People’s Daily, December 10, 2008, at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90785/6551065.html