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White House News (白宮消息) | Apr. 5 , 2021

2 - White House News in Chinese (weebly.com)

 

美乌炒俄大军集结边境 乌东部局势升级?20210404 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Apr 5, 2021
Russian-Chinese escalation in confrontation of US, NATO

Apr. 5 - The atmosphere of the Cold War is beginning to reappear in many ways. Last week, Italy expelled two Russian diplomats after arresting an Italian Navy captain accused of passing secret documents to a Russian military official in exchange for money. The incident has been treated as spying and a serious national security breach. The intelligence passed on included information on NATO, which has raised concerns across western countries and US military allies.

This incident comes at a time when the Biden administration, and in particular, new CIA Director Bill Burns, have made it clear that Russia’s aggressive approach to spying on US and NATO countries is a major risk. Increasingly, US allies should be taking precautions to counter Russian influence and interference, recreating the atmosphere of the USSR-era cold war. US allies should be working together to address the risks, which could lead to escalation against Russia, as we may begin to see political change in pro-Russia and China countries that are taking an active role in the more aggressive approach from both countries.

It is critical to note that these strong positions on China and Russia will have implications for US allies, NATO, EU and even countries that are considered close to the US as recipients of aid and grants. It could lead to an atmosphere even more akin to the cold war as alliances are reshaped according to the approach and actions the US takes. So, countries that rely on the US must focus on a strong political strategy in addition to managing issues such as human rights, civil liberties and democracy in order to manage an ally like the US, as it readies to apply a global strategy to lead the world to address the most urgent global challenges.      continue to read


Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
China playing the long game in the Middle East
Beijing is setting a new tone for easing tensions and rivalry in the historically volatile region

Apr. 3 - This is part II of a three-part series: China-Iran pact is a game-changer. Read Part 1: China neutralizes the US campaign on Muslim Uighur issue

In an exclusive interview with Al-Arabiya last week, China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined Beijing’s approach to the West Asian region with particular reference to the tensions in the Persian Gulf.

Wang lamented that “due to protracted conflicts and turmoil in the more recent history, the region descended into a security lowland… For the region to emerge from chaos and enjoy stability, it must break free from the shadows of big-power geopolitical rivalry and independently explore development paths suited to its regional realities.     more


China's President Xi Jinping (L) listens to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi looks on during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 16, 2017. Since that meeting China's status has grown in the region
China rising across the Middle East
Meetings, deals and agreements demonstrate Beijing's growing influence in the region

Apr. 5 - Shaking hands and signing deals from Abu Dhabi to Ankara, Tehran to Riyadh, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent Middle Eastern tour once again demonstrated China’s growing influence in the region.


Yet, while the trip saw some impressive numbers talked and important political statements made, the visit may have had more to do with a country many miles from the region: the United States.

Coming hot on the heels of angry exchanges between Chinese and US officials in Alaska last month, Wang Yi’s visit saw him go to the capitals of a number of countries also at odds with Washington.

“It was a win-win,” Aykan Erdemir, Senior Director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies in Washington DC, told Asia Times“China could signal to the US that it has substantial relations with Washington’s challengers and adversaries, while those countries could signal to the US that they have another option.”

Wang Yi’s six-country tour started on March 24 in Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh.

He then met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, at NEOM, a brand-new city being built in the northwest of the Kingdom.

The visit saw further pledges of economic co-operation, building on the highly successful relationship between the two countries that have been growing since Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Riyadh back in 2016.


“Saudi Arabia wants to align its economic development plans with China’s and to get more Chinese investment and technology,” Jonathan Fulton, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, told Asia Times.
Yet, a major key moment in the visit was political, not economic.     more


Higher long-term interest rates could end the extraordinary bull run for giant tech stocks in the US and China. 
Biden’s $US7 trillion punt on US growth and economic supremacy

Apr. 5 - For the first time in two decades the US economy seems likely to grow faster and contribute more to global growth this year than China’s. Whether that’s a good thing is in the eye of the beholder.

Since 2000 China has been the major contributor to global growth. That position was enhanced by its response to the 2008 financial crisis, when its massive stimulus programs powered its growth rate even as other large economies floundered and then stagnated.

It has emerged from the pandemic with an economy less damaged and recovering faster than any other major economy. While its GDP growth of 2.3 per cent last year was its lowest for 45 years it was still the only large economy to record positive growth. The US economy shrank 3.5 per cent in 2020 and the European Union’s 6.2 per cent.

Yet its target for 2021 – above six per cent – surprised economists with its apparent modesty, given the economy is still rebounding from the pandemic amid a global recovery.

The reason for such a moderate growth target (by China’s standards) is that the authorities have resumed an economic strategy that was temporarily abandoned during the pandemic.     continue to read

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