Is China Edging Towards Political and Economic Uncertainty?
As China heads towards leadership changes after the 18th Party Congress, there is uncertainty both as regards economic policy as well as internal dissidence.
- Published: March 20, 2012
R S Kalha is a former Indian Ambassador to Iraq.
As China heads towards leadership changes after the 18th Party Congress, there is uncertainty both as regards economic policy as well as internal dissidence.
Xi Jinping tried his best to lower the temperature by suggesting that the vast Pacific Ocean has ‘ample space’ for both China and the United States.
By bringing the Syrian question to the UN Security Council on the basis of proposals formulated by the Arab League, led principally by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the western powers ran the risk of not only facing a combined Russia-China veto but of inflaming sectarian opinion.
All China has to do is to purchase Iranian oil and off-set this against a supply of essential consumer goods from China to Iran and settle the accounts in Chinese Yuan.
While we in India should welcome a change in the strategic profile of the US, we should at the same time examine the matter closely, lest we unnecessarily get embroiled yet again with the Chinese.
After ensuring that its people are only able to access ‘filtered’ news, the Chinese leadership has also decided to refurbish its image abroad through a major public relations effort.
The East Asian Summit was a rude awakening, for not one country spoke up on behalf of China on the issue of disputes in the South China Sea.
Libya may have to turn to Asian countries such as China and India for long term financial help as also for construction and white collar workers.
Obama has skilfully reaped the political benefits of ordering a ‘technical’ withdrawal and ending the US mission in Iraq, whilst not only retaining the substance of the US posture and presence but immeasurably strengthening it.
The publication in the Global Times of two very contradictory articles on the same day on the South China Sea dispute clearly underlines the fact that the Chinese leadership is divided.