Senator Max Baucus nominated as the new US ambassador to China; China promises support to the Arab countries; Chinese military criticizes with the Japanese national security strategy; United States promises to lift ban on technology transfer to China; Chi
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    • (DECEMBER 16-22)

    Reports noted that Senator Max Baucus has been nominated as the new ambassador to China by the United States President Barack Obama on December 20. While appointing the new ambassador President Obama said, “For more than two decades Max Baucus has worked to deepen the relationship between the United States and China”. 1
    In another development, according to reports, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra on December 21. During the meeting Wang Yi pledged support for the Arab countries. Wang also said that China regards its relationship with the Arab countries from a strategic as well as a long term perspective. He said, “We understand the Arab people’s appeal for reform, and wish the Arab countries find a political system and development path suitable for their national conditions. Any outside forces should have no right to make decisions for the Arab countries and people”. 2

    Reports noted that the Japanese government approved its first national security strategy on December 17. The Chinese military accused Japan of using the idea of national security and regional peace and stability for facilitating military expansion. 3

    According to reports, the United States announced on December 20 that it will “actively” carry out plans to lift bans on high tech exports to China. This has been a long term issue between the two countries. The United States has agreed to promote high technology trade with China in civil aviation, information technology and oil and gas explorations for civilian use. 4

    According to reports, the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met his Israeli counterpart Avigador Lieberman on December 19. Both sides agreed to further strengthen their all-round cooperation, including facilitating people-to-people exchange, labor exports and technology transfer between the two countries. 5

    In other developments, according to reports, the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on December 18 in Ramallah. He said that China unconditionally supports the Palestinian effort to build an independent state. He also said that the peace talks between Palestine and Israel has reached a key stage. On the other hand, Abbas said that the China and Palestinian relations has stood the test of time. 6

    Reports noted that China, on December 18, welcomed the United Nations Security Council resolution on fighting internet terrorism. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We hope the international community can beef up cooperation against internet terrorism and jointly counter online terrorist activities by forces such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM)”. 7

    China on December 18 rebuffed US Secretary of State John Kerry's remarks on the South China Sea issue and urged the country to be cautious in its words and deeds. "We have noticed his remarks," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing in response to Kerry, who said on December 17 that the United States would speak out when China took unilateral actions that raised the potential for conflict. 8

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