Strengthening Bilateral Relationships

By YU YAN

Strengthening Bilateral Relationships

By YU YAN

LIU JIANSHENG

LAN HONGGUANG

Chinese President Hu Jintao reaches out to U.S., Russian and Japanese leaders

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan during recent summits in South Korea and Japan.

China and the United States

Hu discussed monetary policy in his November 11 meeting with Obama during the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Seoul.

“While meeting with Obama, President Hu tactfully but clearly criticized the United States’ pressing for the appreciation of the renminbi,” said Shi Yinhong, a professor at the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China in Beijing. “The U.S. attempts would bring great harm to developing countries. U.S. policies should take into account the interests of emerging economies as well as other developing countries.”

Hu said China’s determination to promote the reform of the renminbi exchange rate regime was unswerving, but this could only be carried out gradually.

He also told Obama China was concerned about the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to inject $600 billion into the U.S. economy. He said this action would devalue the dollar.

China’s decision to proceed with the reform of the renminbi exchange rate regime was made against the backdrop of a severe economic and employment situation, Shi said. And it was not an easy decision for China to make.

According to Shi, with this decision, China has made a big contribution to the United States. Therefore, the United States should not put more pressure on China. China will not allow the renminbi to appreciate as fast as the United States hopes, said Shi.

Despite longstanding disputes over the renminbi exchange rate, China and the United States agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral relations.

During his meeting with Obama, Hu said advancing “positive, cooperative and comprehensive” China-U.S. relations and developing a partnership in felds where the two sides have common interests are a major task facing the two countries.

This task not only affects the two countries themselves, but also has a far-reaching infuence on the future of the world, Hu said.

China hopes the United States will pursue constructive policies toward China and strive to stabilize bilateral ties. The two sides should trust each other and work together to address global challenges at a time of constant change in the international and regional situation, Hu said.

Obama agreed with President Hu’s views on the development of bilateral ties, saying the United States is ready to strengthen cooperation with China.

Obama also said the United States is looking forward to further dialogue with China to boost bilateral ties.

Hu is scheduled to pay a state visit to the United States early next year. And both presidents pledged to make the visit a success at their meeting in Seoul.

China and Russia

Hu also met Russian President Medvedev on November 11. The two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues of common concern that affect the development of the China-Russia relationship.

Hu said China and Russia should each hold grand celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation next year. The two countries should also continue to boost their“traditional friendship and all-round strategic cooperation.”

“China-Russia mutual political trust keeps strengthening,” said Zhao Mingwen, Director of the China Center for Periphery Security Studies with the China Institute of International Studies.

High-level visits between China and Russia have been frequent this year. In May, Hu attended celebrations of the 65th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow. In September, Medvedev visited China, and the two countries issued a joint declaration regarding World War II.

Participation by Chinese and Russian leaders in signifcant events in each other’s countries serves as proof of strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries, said Zhao.

LI XUEREN

In fact, bilateral relations between the two countries are strengthening in many ways. China-Russia trade volume this year is expected to increase by around 45 percent compared to last year, Zhao said. Due to the impact of the financial crisis, bilateral trade volume last year declined to $39.5 billion, according to offcial Chinese statistics.

The two countries have also made historical progress in energy cooperation. The China-Russia crude oil pipeline started trial operations on November 1. China planned to import 250,000 tons of crude oil from Russia in November and 300,000 tons in December. The pipeline will bring 15 million tons of crude oil across the border annually beginning next January.

China-Russia energy cooperation become more stable with the completion of this pipeline, Zhao said.

During their meeting, the two presidents also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination on international organizations and groupings, such as the G20, the Asia-Pacifc Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), in a bid to help advance the reform of the international monetary system and enhance international fnancial supervision.

“Before participating activities within multilateral frameworks including the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the two countries communicated with each other on major issues in advance, trying to gain the support of each other,” said Zhao.“This is another prominent feature of the two countries’ strategic cooperation.”

China and Japan

Hu held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on November 13 on the sidelines of the 18th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Yokohama, Japan.

This meeting was regarded as a sign that recent tensions between the two countries regarding the Diaoyu Islands are easing. On September 7, Japanese authorities intercepted and detained a Chinese fishing boat in waters off the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, worsening relations between China and Japan. Both countries claim sovereignty over the islands.

“The meeting sends a positive signal, as Hu and Kan reached a consensus on how to regard China-Japan relations,” said Qu Xing, President of the China Institute of International Studies.

“In the 20-minute meeting, President Hu stressed China’s stance and proposed the two sides advance China-Japan relations through joint efforts. This proposal was welcomed by Kan,” said Gao Hong, an expert on Japanese studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

During the meeting, Hu said it is a right choice and in the interests of both peoples for China and Japan to follow a road of peace, friendship and cooperation.

China and Japan, being each other’s main trading partner, should continue to deepen their mutually benefcial cooperation, Hu said. He also said the countries should enhance dialogue and coordination on international affairs in a bid to jointly contribute to Asia’s revitalization and address global challenges.

Kan said he was in full agreement with Hu’s opinions. He said he hoped the two sides will strengthen cooperation in various felds and further improve bilateral relations.