China, S.Korea leaders have rare chat with Koizumi

Beijing (China)—Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Sunday chatted with leaders of China and South Korea, who have refused one-on-one meetings with him because of his visits to a war shrine seen as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.
The rare encounters took place as leaders of 13 Asian countries mingled on the sidelines of a two-day Asia-Europe summit that opened in the Finnish capital on Sunday.
Koizumi exchanged "simple greetings" with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
The Japanese prime minister also greeted South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and alluded to ongoing bilateral discussions about a dispute over desolate islands claimed by both Tokyo and Seoul, the official said.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman had no immediate comment on Wen's encounter with Koizumi. A South Korean official described the exchange between Roh and the Japanese leader as "perfunctory".
The Chinese and South Korean leaders have refused to hold bilateral meetings with Koizumi, angered by his annual homages at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honours wartime criminals alongside 2.5 million war dead.
Visits by Japanese leaders to the shrine stir bitter memories in China of Japan's 1931-1945 invasion and occupation of large parts of the country while resentment still lingers in South Korea over Japan's often-brutal domination of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.
Last month, China accused Koizumi of "wrecking the political foundations of China-Japan relations" when he visited the shrine on the anniversary of Tokyo's World War Two surrender.
Koizumi has said he goes to the shrine to pray for peace.

—The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item

China's trade surplus hits new high in August

Beijing (China)—China's trade surplus amassed between January and August totaled US$94.65 billion - the trade surplus in August hit a monthly high of US$18.8 billion.
China's imports and exports reached US$1.1046 trillion for the first eight months, up 23.9 percent on last year. Of the total, the exports surged 25.9 percent to US$599.63 billion while the imports amounted to US$504.98 billion, up 21.6 percent.
In August, the exports went up 32.8 percent to US$90.77 billion while the imports climbed 24.6 percent to reach US$71.97 billion.
From January to August, a total of 4.15 million tons of crude oil was exported from China, down 15.9 percent. The export of refined oil products plunged 21.7 percent to 8.2 million tons, highlighting the country's tightened export control on energy-consuming products.
The export volume of electronic and machinery products rose 29.8 percent from the previous year to US$336.63 billion, more than half of the total exports.
The export of electronic products grew 34.7 percent year-on-year, a record high, to US$137.12 billion. New high-tech products grew 30.7 percent to US$169.5 billion.
The export volume of clothing went up 28.1 percent to US$59.77 billion while those of textile yarns and fabric surged 18.8 percent to US$31.64 billion.
The statistics show that China exported shoes worth an aggregated US$14.39 billion, up 15.4 percent.
Of the total imports, industrial products with an aggregated import volume of US$381.28 billion took up the largest share of 75.5 percent and witnessed a growth of 18.7 percent.
The aggregated import volume of primary products rose 31.6 percent to US$123.7 billion.
The European Union remains China's largest trade partner as Sino-EU trade registered a rise of 22.5 percent to US$168.96 billion.
The United States came next with a trade volume of US$166.59 billion, up 24.7 percent.
China's trade with Japan reached US$131.33 billion, up 11.8 percent, while that with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations hit US$100.93 billion, a hike of 22.6 percent over the same period of last year.
East China's Guangdong Province continued to take the lead in foreign trade and saw its aggregated imports and exports growing 24.8 percent to US$325 billion.

—The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item

Premier Wen makes eight-point proposal on new Asia-Europe ties

Beijing (China)—Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, in a keynote speech delivered at the sixth summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Sunday in Helsinki, put forward an eight-point proposal aimed at further developing new Asia-Europe relations.
The proposal was raised to "consolidate and further develop the new Asia-Europe partnership in the interest of global peace and prosperity," Wen told the two-day sixth ASEM summit that opened here in the day.
Asian and European countries should deepen their cooperation to jointly meet new challenges facing the two continents, he said, adding ASEM has become a strategic platform for Asia and Europe to strengthen coordination, further cooperation and pursue common development.
Wen said ASEM members should increase consultation in multilateral mechanisms and support the leading role of the United Nations in international affairs.
He called on countries to intensify efforts in solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East crisis and other regional issues.
On better responding to traditional security threats, Wen said Asia and Europe should intensify cooperation in practical terms infighting terrorism and proliferation, and combating transnational crimes in a joint effort to maintain global peace and security.
The ASEM Declaration on Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations adopted at the fifth ASEM Summit is of guiding importance in promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogues, Wen said.
"We ASEM members should respect diversity in our cultural traditions, values and development models, conduct candid exchanges on an equal footing and make joint progress by drawing upon each other's strengths and expanding common understanding while setting aside differences."
Wen urged ASEM members to expand educational and cultural interactions to build an Asia-Europe partnership of peace, amity and harmony.
Financial security is crucial for ensuring steady economic development in Asia and Europe, said the premier, stressing that developing countries should be given a greater say in the international financial system.
"We should work for the reform of the international monetary system, enhance regional monetary cooperation and improve the capacity to ward off risks," he said.
High priority should be given to boosting cooperation in human resources development and capacity building in the financial sector, especially financial capacity building for developing countries, Wen said.
Energy security has become an increasingly pressing issue directly affecting global economic stability and prosperity, he said.
"ASEM members should, through enhanced dialogue and cooperation, work to improve the global energy market mechanism, develop traditional energies in a rational way and vigorously develop renewable energies," said Wen.
He called on ASEM members to boost the research, development and application of advanced energy technologies to enhance energy conservation and efficiency.
The premier proposed the establishment of a proper technology transfer system to help developing countries use energy more efficiently.
A sound political environment should be ensured for energy security and stability, he said, noting that geopolitical disputes should not block the global energy supply and energy issues should not be politicized.
Maintaining order in global trade is in the interest of both Asia and Europe, Wen said.
"Suspension of the Doha Round (talks under the World Trade Organization) is in no one's interests," he said.
He called on the major developed countries to show their political will and demonstrate greater flexibility in cutting agricultural subsidies and tariffs to create conditions for resuming the talks.
As Asian and European economies enjoy respective strengths and complement each other, all ASEM members should fight protectionism, properly handle trade disputes, refrain from politicizing trade issues, improve trade and investment environment, enhance economic cooperation and realize common development, Wen said.
As the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Asian and European economies is increasing, there is a growing call for more government support, the premier said.
"We ASEM members should enhance inter-governmental cooperation and give key support to SMEc in international exchanges," he said." We should bring into play the role of non-governmental institutions and encourage the Asia-Europe Business Forum to serve as a bridge for SME cooperation."
He called for better public services to SMEs and expansion of channels of consultation and cooperation between governments and the business community.
Communicable diseases and other non-traditional security threats greatly undermine the economic and social development of all countries, Wen said.
He said ASEM members should take part in extensive international cooperation, promote the building of a global communicable diseases surveillance and early-warning system and further enhance the international community's capacity in early-warning and emergency response.
"We should also support the initiatives taken by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, strengthen policy coordination and provide greater financial and technical support for developing countries," Wen said.
Underdevelopment in rural areas is a problem in quite a number of Asian and European countries, Wen said.
"We ASEM members should formulate comprehensive strategies for rural development in light of their national conditions to meet targets set for the Millennium Development Goals," he said.
Wen urged developed countries to adopt measure more favorable to developing countries in agricultural trade policies.
"China also proposes to host the ASEM Forum on Rural Development at an appropriate time to share experience in achieving coordinated development between urban and rural areas," he said.
At the end of the speech, Wen elaborated China's policy on economy, defense and anti-terrorism, pledging that China will continue to develop friendly relations and cooperation with our Asian and European partners and other countries in the world and work with them to build "a world of harmony, durable peace and common prosperity."
Wen arrived in Helsinki on Saturday for the two-day summit, which also marks ASEM's 10th anniversary and has gathered heads of state or government from 13 Asian countries and 25 member states of the European Union.

—People’s Daily, Daily Mail news exchange item

China issues measures for news administration

BEIJING—Xinhua News Agency yesterday set out new measures regulating the release of news and information in China by foreign news agencies.
Subscription rules to such news and information by users in China were also laid out to promote the dissemination of news and information in a "sound and orderly" manner.
Xinhua formulated the Measures for Administering the Release of News and Information in China by Foreign News Agencies in accordance with national laws, administrative regulations and relevant regulations of the State Council.
With 22 articles, the measures went into effect yesterday.
Xinhua News Agency, China's State news agency, is the legally authorized institution trying to exercise a unified administration on the release of news and information in China by foreign news agencies.
Foreign news agencies will need approval from Xinhua to release news and information in China, and entities designated by Xinhua News Agency will act as their agents dealing with subscribers.
According to the Decision of the State Council on the Establishment of Administrative Licences for Items Subject to Administrative Examination and Approval That Need to Be Retained, foreign news agencies cannot directly solicit subscription of their news and information services in China.
The rules state that news and information released in China by foreign news agencies shall not contain anything that serves to:
violate the basic principles enshrined in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China;
undermine China's national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity;
endanger China's national security, reputation and interests;
violate China's religious policies or preach evil cults or superstition;
incite hatred and discrimination among ethnic groups, undermine their unity, infringe upon their customs and habits, or hurt their feelings;
spread false information, disrupt China's economic and social order, or undermine China's social stability;
propagate obscenity and violence, or aid crimes;
humiliate or slander another person, or infringe upn the legitimate rights and interests of another person;
undermine social ethics or the fine cultural traditions of the Chinese nation;
include other content banned by Chinese laws and administrative regulations.
The measures say Xinhua has the right to select news released by foreign news agencies in China and delete any materials mentioned in the items above.
"To subscribe to news and information services of foreign news agencies, a user in China shall sign a subscription agreement with a designated entity and shall not, by any means, directly subscribe to, translate, edit or publish the news and information released by a foreign news agency," according to the Measures.
In using news and information from a foreign news agency, the user in China shall clearly indicate the sources and shall not transfer them to another party in any form, the measures say.
The measures give detailed regulations on a foreign news agency's legal credentials in its home country or region, the requirements of releasing news and information in China and release application procedures. They also set out rules on the distribution of foreign news and information undertaken by designated entities in China.
The measures lay out penalties for violations in releasing, distributing or using news and information from a foreign news agency in China.
If a foreign news agency violates the measures, for example, Xinhua News Agency can give it a warning, demand rectification within a prescribed time limit, suspend the release of specified content and even suspend or cancel its qualifications to release news and information in China.
Xinhua News Agency shall impose disciplinary penalties on violations by a staff member who, for example, fails to perform his duties of supervision and administration, or abuses his powers.
The measures shall be applied to the release of news and information on the mainland by news agencies in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

—People’s Daily, Daily Mail news exchange item

Sino-European ties should be "ascended" further for better, distant prospects

Beijing—A joint statement was issued at the ninth China-European Union (EU) Summit in Helsinki on September 9. Both sides agreed to launch talks on framework agreement for a new partnership, and this fully reflects the width and depth of the all-round, Sino-European strategic partnership. Consequently, the relations between China and EU have once again drawn the global attention.
The Sino-EU ties have demonstrated two salient hallmarks in recent years. First, bilateral ties are increasingly institutionalized with more, extended channels for dialogue, more frequent high-level contacts and exchanges of visits, apart from 13 sets of regular dialogue mechanism, involving in the political, economical, science and technological and cultural spheres of both sides, such as the vice-ministerial routine strategic dialogue mechanism. The Sino-EU partnership framework agreement, now being drafted, will cover all spheres of bilateral ties, including strengthening cooperation in political affairs. Meanwhile, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) opened on Sept. 10 has also provided a larger space for their mutual reaction and accommodation.
Secondly, the bilateral ties are expanding and all dimensional. Sino-EU trade reached 120.9 billion US dollars in the first half of 2006, an increase of 20.8 percent over the same period of 2005. And remarkable achievements were made in the fields of politics, science and technology and personnel exchange. EU and China officially started "the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER) in May this year, and the Sino-EU science and technology year is expected to begin in October.
China and EU will also step up their strategic dialogue in the fields of energy and transport and communications and, since the EU member nations have become the tourist destinations of Chinese citizens, the non-governmental basis for Sino-EU ties have been greatly reinforced.
Moreover, as Sino-EU ties are built on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, they conform to the needs of the present era with broader prospects. For EU, its China relations constitute a foundation of the its external policy, which concerns whether or not it can formulate a policy of "common diplomacy and security" and whether or not it can be guaranteed to attain "development dividends" from the rise of China and maintain its competitiveness on the China market. As for China, its EU ties constitute a key link in its foreign policy as a major power. As a matter of fact, there is no a fundamental clash of interest between China and EU, but a huge potential for bilateral cooperation as both sides adhere to multilateralism in their handling of international affairs.
However, how to keep enriching and substantiating Sino-EU strategic partnership remains a very topic that deserves meticulous considerations from both sides. There has been a reappraisal inside the EU of possible impacts that might be brought on it by China's rise. It is learned that the EU will again release a number of new policy documents this year, including a China trade policy paper and a China policy paper.
A new trend of concern is that EU has also attempted to pursue "hedging" strategy toward China, namely working hard to keep a close lookout on China while maintaining its contact and developing its ties with the country. In recent years, EU has set up an East Asia coordination device (mechanism) with the United States and a strategic dialogue mechanism with Japan, and it will establish for the first time a "security strategic dialogue mechanism" with India. All these mechanisms are said to target more or less at China.
In the past year, EU has met with numerous difficulties in the course of advancing its integration process, which can be turned into dark clouds affecting Sino-EU ties. For an example, the constitution crisis of the EU will give rise to a possible emergence of trade protectionism inside the alliance.
Reviewing the road China and EU have taken in the past 31 years from their estrangement or misunderstanding to interdependence, from unfamiliarity to mutual acquaintance, an important inspiration is that "Sino-EU ties should be 'ascended' further for better, distant prospects" by eliminating outside interferences. At present, as Sino-EU relations are situated on a higher starting point, both sides should make joint efforts from a long-term point of view to dispel dark clouds overhead and march toward their still splendid tomorrow.

—People’s Daily, Daily Mail news exchange item