Obama’s maiden visit to China confirms multilateral diplomacy

By Albert Tobby*

US President Barack Obama’s two and a half days visit in mid November this year to China has encountered a new platform of US-China relations.

Unlike his earlier visits to Japan, South Korea and Singapore where official programs were disrupted and shortened, in China President Obama followed every detail programs as planned by his host country.
Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama after they meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Starting from the City Hall in Shanghai to the Badiling Great Wall in the chilly winter breeze of Beijing, every detail is not missed. President Obama standing at the podium inside the Great Hall of the People acknowledging Beijing as a near-equal. The SINO-US relation is no longer based on Washington making the demands and Beijing acceding to.

According to Forbes, President Obama is the first most powerful man on Earth followed by President Hu. The former is the head of the world’s most deadly and richest military, Presidents of the world’s largest, innovative and dynamic economy, finger on nuclear arsenal containing more than 5 000 warheads and his Democratic party has majorities in both US House and Senate.

The later is the President of a fifth of the world’s population, head of the largest standing army in the world, President of the rapidly growing economy soon to surpass Japan as the world’s second largest economy and fingers on largest nuclear arsenal in the Asia-Pacific region containing 240 warheads. The later being newly assertive power stand ready to confront Barack.

Obama’s four days visit to China is part of his first Asian trip as President. The 48 year old is the first US President to visit China within his first year of taking office. Obama’s Air Force One landed on Pudong International Airport in Shanghai at about 11 pm on Sunday November 15.

This visit underpins the bedrock principles of future engagement between the east – west and the north – south. Both Washington and Beijing are fully aware that the fate of their deeply interdependent economies in a rapidly changing global society depends on any consensus reached during these four days.

At the outset, Beijing’s welcome to Washington was a strictly controlled city hall flooded with aspiring Chinese Communist Party members, for questions and answers sessions. The mainstream TV channel was banned from broadcasting live throughout China, except a local TV channel. Something Obama acceded to but slam the Chinese government of blocking Internet websites such as Face book and YouTube during the session.

An imperial joint press conference in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday went swiftly as Beijing intended without a single question asked. Both leaders talked for two hours on issues of both bilateral and global concerns such as trade and military tensions, Taiwan, Tibet, global financial crisis, nuclear disarmament in Iran and North Korea and Climate Change.

Most of these issues were discussed over a 6 hours dinner the night before and a meeting few hours before the news conference. The joint news conference ended with neither of the leaders taking any questions from the reporters.

President Hu and his counterpart Obama reiterated at the news conference that they agreed to improve dialogue, communication and cooperation from a strategic and farsighted perspective and make joint efforts in building a positive cooperation and comprehensive SINO-US relations for the 21st century, so as to promote global peace and security, stability and prosperity. The Sino-US Joint Statement issued on Tuesday November 17th reflects the full outcome of the meetings held over the four days.

A general overview of the outcome of Obama’s visit to China on key issues such as trade and military friction, climate change, nuclear disarmament, and global financial crisis, reflects the success of the meeting.

Trade friction which was very tense over the past few weeks following the Obama’s Administrations imposing of the anti-dumping duties on steel pipes from China and China retaliated by launching an investigation into the US made automobiles remain unresolved.

Both leaders when talking from the podium inside the Great Hall of People rarely mention the obvious facts of the tension. However Obama fleetingly referred to China’s continuous effort in undervaluing Yuan and pegging it against US dollars.
President Hu on the other hand emphasized that both countries would uphold the WTO principles of free trade and avoids protectionism. However much of the trade tensions between the two countries remain unsolved.

Washington together with the European Union petitioned the WTO to end Chinese restriction on export of nine commodities. On the contrary Beijing’s complain to WTO for US to remove tariffs on Chinese tires sold to US is still unattended.

On climate change both leaders reiterated the position held by the APEC leaders in Singapore. While acknowledging that climate change pose immediate threat to the future of this planet, the pragmatic steps of reducing emission by the two of worlds’ largest emitters is far from near.

Instead the overall plan is much more ambitious in scope and depth than we had anticipated and contains directives to create various institutions and programs addressing a wide array of cooperation on clean-energy technologies and capacity building. These includes cooperation in the areas of; Greenhouse gas inventory, Joint clean energy research center, Energy vehicles, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, 21 Century coal, Shale gas, Nuclear and Public-private partnership on clean energy.

Regarding the upcoming Copenhagen Conference both sides agree on the importance of actively furthering the full, effective and sustained implementations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in accordance with the Bali Action Plan. However the two top emitters looking at the G20 has the proper vehicle to achieve successful outcome in international climate negotiation rather than taking the lead.

The two major nuclear powers in the world are also adamant about the nuclear proliferation in the Gulf region and the world. Both stressed to uphold international nuclear non-proliferation regime and to appropriately resolve the Iranian nuclear issues through dialogue and negotiations in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

However both appear to be standing on different platform for real action. While Obama is adamant about possible sanctions, Hu did not publicly discuss the possibility of sanctions. Obama said “Iran has the opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intention but if it fails to take this opportunity there will be consequences”. President Hu emphasized on dialogue and negotiation as paramount steps towards a peaceful and stable region and world. Not much was shared on North Korea.

On the issue of global financial crisis, the world’s largest saver and largest spender appear to be determined to work together to achieve a more sustainable and balanced economic growth.

While acknowledging each of their forceful and timely intervention that helped stabilize financial market and stem the decline in global output, both reiterated and affirmed the lasting solution shall be reached through multilateral vehicles such as the G20 and APEC summit.

However both did not publicly mention their obvious disagreements on key issues such as US dissatisfaction over continuous devaluation of China’s Reminbi and pegged against the US dollars to lower the cost of its manufactured products.

While China on the other hand mentioned nothing about its irritation of US lowering of interest rates in which China is the largest creditor of the US and nervously holding nearly US$ 2, 000 billion in foreign exchange.

It may appear that both have a strong vested interested in ameliorating the global downtown while preserving the foreign exchange value of dollar. Human Rights have always been the real test for bilateral trust between both countries. While both acknowledge having different views on the issues of the spirit of equality and mutual respect, both uphold that each country and its people have the right to choose their own path and choice of development model.

Home to one of world’s vibrant civil society, US President Obama appears to be weak on this issue by human rights activist and commentators. Even before coming to China Obama shows deference to China’s leadership by postponing his meeting with the Dalai Lama until after his trip.

Addressing these differences in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, as well as promoting and protecting human rights consistent with international human rights instruments, the two sides agreed to hold the next round of the official human rights dialogue in Washington D.C. by the end of February 2010.

The United States and China agreed that promoting cooperation in the field of law and exchanges on the rule of law serves the interests and needs of the citizens and governments of both countries.

In short President Obama’s maiden visit to China marked a new era of engagement in addressing global issues. This historical meeting of the two largest and increasingly interdependent economies of the North and South with the largest land mass triggered a new trend of global engagement.

The world is now becoming multi-polar world, moving away from the bi-polar world. That is clearly evident in the Joint Statement issued on Tuesday by both leaders. From climate change to financial crisis, both leaders portray unwavering support for multilateral approach through institutions such as G20 and APEC summit.

Such trend provides a window of opportunity for small developing members of the global community to have a meaningful engagement in international relations. Small countries like PNG should capitalize on this opportunity and maximize its benefits over issues with global significance.

* The writer is a PNG student at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing

Obama’s maiden visit to China confirms multilateral diplomacy

By Albert Tobby*

US President Barack Obama’s two and a half days visit in mid November this year to China has encountered a new platform of US-China relations.

Unlike his earlier visits to Japan, South Korea and Singapore where official programs were disrupted and shortened, in China President Obama followed every detail programs as planned by his host country.
Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama after they meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Starting from the City Hall in Shanghai to the Badiling Great Wall in the chilly winter breeze of Beijing, every detail is not missed. President Obama standing at the podium inside the Great Hall of the People acknowledging Beijing as a near-equal. The SINO-US relation is no longer based on Washington making the demands and Beijing acceding to.

According to Forbes, President Obama is the first most powerful man on Earth followed by President Hu. The former is the head of the world’s most deadly and richest military, Presidents of the world’s largest, innovative and dynamic economy, finger on nuclear arsenal containing more than 5 000 warheads and his Democratic party has majorities in both US House and Senate.

The later is the President of a fifth of the world’s population, head of the largest standing army in the world, President of the rapidly growing economy soon to surpass Japan as the world’s second largest economy and fingers on largest nuclear arsenal in the Asia-Pacific region containing 240 warheads. The later being newly assertive power stand ready to confront Barack.

Obama’s four days visit to China is part of his first Asian trip as President. The 48 year old is the first US President to visit China within his first year of taking office. Obama’s Air Force One landed on Pudong International Airport in Shanghai at about 11 pm on Sunday November 15.

This visit underpins the bedrock principles of future engagement between the east – west and the north – south. Both Washington and Beijing are fully aware that the fate of their deeply interdependent economies in a rapidly changing global society depends on any consensus reached during these four days.

At the outset, Beijing’s welcome to Washington was a strictly controlled city hall flooded with aspiring Chinese Communist Party members, for questions and answers sessions. The mainstream TV channel was banned from broadcasting live throughout China, except a local TV channel. Something Obama acceded to but slam the Chinese government of blocking Internet websites such as Face book and YouTube during the session.

An imperial joint press conference in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday went swiftly as Beijing intended without a single question asked. Both leaders talked for two hours on issues of both bilateral and global concerns such as trade and military tensions, Taiwan, Tibet, global financial crisis, nuclear disarmament in Iran and North Korea and Climate Change.

Most of these issues were discussed over a 6 hours dinner the night before and a meeting few hours before the news conference. The joint news conference ended with neither of the leaders taking any questions from the reporters.

President Hu and his counterpart Obama reiterated at the news conference that they agreed to improve dialogue, communication and cooperation from a strategic and farsighted perspective and make joint efforts in building a positive cooperation and comprehensive SINO-US relations for the 21st century, so as to promote global peace and security, stability and prosperity. The Sino-US Joint Statement issued on Tuesday November 17th reflects the full outcome of the meetings held over the four days.

A general overview of the outcome of Obama’s visit to China on key issues such as trade and military friction, climate change, nuclear disarmament, and global financial crisis, reflects the success of the meeting.

Trade friction which was very tense over the past few weeks following the Obama’s Administrations imposing of the anti-dumping duties on steel pipes from China and China retaliated by launching an investigation into the US made automobiles remain unresolved.

Both leaders when talking from the podium inside the Great Hall of People rarely mention the obvious facts of the tension. However Obama fleetingly referred to China’s continuous effort in undervaluing Yuan and pegging it against US dollars.
President Hu on the other hand emphasized that both countries would uphold the WTO principles of free trade and avoids protectionism. However much of the trade tensions between the two countries remain unsolved.

Washington together with the European Union petitioned the WTO to end Chinese restriction on export of nine commodities. On the contrary Beijing’s complain to WTO for US to remove tariffs on Chinese tires sold to US is still unattended.

On climate change both leaders reiterated the position held by the APEC leaders in Singapore. While acknowledging that climate change pose immediate threat to the future of this planet, the pragmatic steps of reducing emission by the two of worlds’ largest emitters is far from near.

Instead the overall plan is much more ambitious in scope and depth than we had anticipated and contains directives to create various institutions and programs addressing a wide array of cooperation on clean-energy technologies and capacity building. These includes cooperation in the areas of; Greenhouse gas inventory, Joint clean energy research center, Energy vehicles, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, 21 Century coal, Shale gas, Nuclear and Public-private partnership on clean energy.

Regarding the upcoming Copenhagen Conference both sides agree on the importance of actively furthering the full, effective and sustained implementations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in accordance with the Bali Action Plan. However the two top emitters looking at the G20 has the proper vehicle to achieve successful outcome in international climate negotiation rather than taking the lead.

The two major nuclear powers in the world are also adamant about the nuclear proliferation in the Gulf region and the world. Both stressed to uphold international nuclear non-proliferation regime and to appropriately resolve the Iranian nuclear issues through dialogue and negotiations in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

However both appear to be standing on different platform for real action. While Obama is adamant about possible sanctions, Hu did not publicly discuss the possibility of sanctions. Obama said “Iran has the opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intention but if it fails to take this opportunity there will be consequences”. President Hu emphasized on dialogue and negotiation as paramount steps towards a peaceful and stable region and world. Not much was shared on North Korea.

On the issue of global financial crisis, the world’s largest saver and largest spender appear to be determined to work together to achieve a more sustainable and balanced economic growth.

While acknowledging each of their forceful and timely intervention that helped stabilize financial market and stem the decline in global output, both reiterated and affirmed the lasting solution shall be reached through multilateral vehicles such as the G20 and APEC summit.

However both did not publicly mention their obvious disagreements on key issues such as US dissatisfaction over continuous devaluation of China’s Reminbi and pegged against the US dollars to lower the cost of its manufactured products.

While China on the other hand mentioned nothing about its irritation of US lowering of interest rates in which China is the largest creditor of the US and nervously holding nearly US$ 2, 000 billion in foreign exchange.

It may appear that both have a strong vested interested in ameliorating the global downtown while preserving the foreign exchange value of dollar. Human Rights have always been the real test for bilateral trust between both countries. While both acknowledge having different views on the issues of the spirit of equality and mutual respect, both uphold that each country and its people have the right to choose their own path and choice of development model.

Home to one of world’s vibrant civil society, US President Obama appears to be weak on this issue by human rights activist and commentators. Even before coming to China Obama shows deference to China’s leadership by postponing his meeting with the Dalai Lama until after his trip.

Addressing these differences in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, as well as promoting and protecting human rights consistent with international human rights instruments, the two sides agreed to hold the next round of the official human rights dialogue in Washington D.C. by the end of February 2010.

The United States and China agreed that promoting cooperation in the field of law and exchanges on the rule of law serves the interests and needs of the citizens and governments of both countries.

In short President Obama’s maiden visit to China marked a new era of engagement in addressing global issues. This historical meeting of the two largest and increasingly interdependent economies of the North and South with the largest land mass triggered a new trend of global engagement.

The world is now becoming multi-polar world, moving away from the bi-polar world. That is clearly evident in the Joint Statement issued on Tuesday by both leaders. From climate change to financial crisis, both leaders portray unwavering support for multilateral approach through institutions such as G20 and APEC summit.

Such trend provides a window of opportunity for small developing members of the global community to have a meaningful engagement in international relations. Small countries like PNG should capitalize on this opportunity and maximize its benefits over issues with global significance.

* The writer is a PNG student at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing

Obama’s maiden visit to China confirms multilateral diplomacy

By Albert Tobby*

US President Barack Obama’s two and a half days visit in mid November this year to China has encountered a new platform of US-China relations.

Unlike his earlier visits to Japan, South Korea and Singapore where official programs were disrupted and shortened, in China President Obama followed every detail programs as planned by his host country.
Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama after they meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Starting from the City Hall in Shanghai to the Badiling Great Wall in the chilly winter breeze of Beijing, every detail is not missed. President Obama standing at the podium inside the Great Hall of the People acknowledging Beijing as a near-equal. The SINO-US relation is no longer based on Washington making the demands and Beijing acceding to.

According to Forbes, President Obama is the first most powerful man on Earth followed by President Hu. The former is the head of the world’s most deadly and richest military, Presidents of the world’s largest, innovative and dynamic economy, finger on nuclear arsenal containing more than 5 000 warheads and his Democratic party has majorities in both US House and Senate.

The later is the President of a fifth of the world’s population, head of the largest standing army in the world, President of the rapidly growing economy soon to surpass Japan as the world’s second largest economy and fingers on largest nuclear arsenal in the Asia-Pacific region containing 240 warheads. The later being newly assertive power stand ready to confront Barack.

Obama’s four days visit to China is part of his first Asian trip as President. The 48 year old is the first US President to visit China within his first year of taking office. Obama’s Air Force One landed on Pudong International Airport in Shanghai at about 11 pm on Sunday November 15.

This visit underpins the bedrock principles of future engagement between the east – west and the north – south. Both Washington and Beijing are fully aware that the fate of their deeply interdependent economies in a rapidly changing global society depends on any consensus reached during these four days.

At the outset, Beijing’s welcome to Washington was a strictly controlled city hall flooded with aspiring Chinese Communist Party members, for questions and answers sessions. The mainstream TV channel was banned from broadcasting live throughout China, except a local TV channel. Something Obama acceded to but slam the Chinese government of blocking Internet websites such as Face book and YouTube during the session.

An imperial joint press conference in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday went swiftly as Beijing intended without a single question asked. Both leaders talked for two hours on issues of both bilateral and global concerns such as trade and military tensions, Taiwan, Tibet, global financial crisis, nuclear disarmament in Iran and North Korea and Climate Change.

Most of these issues were discussed over a 6 hours dinner the night before and a meeting few hours before the news conference. The joint news conference ended with neither of the leaders taking any questions from the reporters.

President Hu and his counterpart Obama reiterated at the news conference that they agreed to improve dialogue, communication and cooperation from a strategic and farsighted perspective and make joint efforts in building a positive cooperation and comprehensive SINO-US relations for the 21st century, so as to promote global peace and security, stability and prosperity. The Sino-US Joint Statement issued on Tuesday November 17th reflects the full outcome of the meetings held over the four days.

A general overview of the outcome of Obama’s visit to China on key issues such as trade and military friction, climate change, nuclear disarmament, and global financial crisis, reflects the success of the meeting.

Trade friction which was very tense over the past few weeks following the Obama’s Administrations imposing of the anti-dumping duties on steel pipes from China and China retaliated by launching an investigation into the US made automobiles remain unresolved.

Both leaders when talking from the podium inside the Great Hall of People rarely mention the obvious facts of the tension. However Obama fleetingly referred to China’s continuous effort in undervaluing Yuan and pegging it against US dollars.
President Hu on the other hand emphasized that both countries would uphold the WTO principles of free trade and avoids protectionism. However much of the trade tensions between the two countries remain unsolved.

Washington together with the European Union petitioned the WTO to end Chinese restriction on export of nine commodities. On the contrary Beijing’s complain to WTO for US to remove tariffs on Chinese tires sold to US is still unattended.

On climate change both leaders reiterated the position held by the APEC leaders in Singapore. While acknowledging that climate change pose immediate threat to the future of this planet, the pragmatic steps of reducing emission by the two of worlds’ largest emitters is far from near.

Instead the overall plan is much more ambitious in scope and depth than we had anticipated and contains directives to create various institutions and programs addressing a wide array of cooperation on clean-energy technologies and capacity building. These includes cooperation in the areas of; Greenhouse gas inventory, Joint clean energy research center, Energy vehicles, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, 21 Century coal, Shale gas, Nuclear and Public-private partnership on clean energy.

Regarding the upcoming Copenhagen Conference both sides agree on the importance of actively furthering the full, effective and sustained implementations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in accordance with the Bali Action Plan. However the two top emitters looking at the G20 has the proper vehicle to achieve successful outcome in international climate negotiation rather than taking the lead.

The two major nuclear powers in the world are also adamant about the nuclear proliferation in the Gulf region and the world. Both stressed to uphold international nuclear non-proliferation regime and to appropriately resolve the Iranian nuclear issues through dialogue and negotiations in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

However both appear to be standing on different platform for real action. While Obama is adamant about possible sanctions, Hu did not publicly discuss the possibility of sanctions. Obama said “Iran has the opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intention but if it fails to take this opportunity there will be consequences”. President Hu emphasized on dialogue and negotiation as paramount steps towards a peaceful and stable region and world. Not much was shared on North Korea.

On the issue of global financial crisis, the world’s largest saver and largest spender appear to be determined to work together to achieve a more sustainable and balanced economic growth.

While acknowledging each of their forceful and timely intervention that helped stabilize financial market and stem the decline in global output, both reiterated and affirmed the lasting solution shall be reached through multilateral vehicles such as the G20 and APEC summit.

However both did not publicly mention their obvious disagreements on key issues such as US dissatisfaction over continuous devaluation of China’s Reminbi and pegged against the US dollars to lower the cost of its manufactured products.

While China on the other hand mentioned nothing about its irritation of US lowering of interest rates in which China is the largest creditor of the US and nervously holding nearly US$ 2, 000 billion in foreign exchange.

It may appear that both have a strong vested interested in ameliorating the global downtown while preserving the foreign exchange value of dollar. Human Rights have always been the real test for bilateral trust between both countries. While both acknowledge having different views on the issues of the spirit of equality and mutual respect, both uphold that each country and its people have the right to choose their own path and choice of development model.

Home to one of world’s vibrant civil society, US President Obama appears to be weak on this issue by human rights activist and commentators. Even before coming to China Obama shows deference to China’s leadership by postponing his meeting with the Dalai Lama until after his trip.

Addressing these differences in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, as well as promoting and protecting human rights consistent with international human rights instruments, the two sides agreed to hold the next round of the official human rights dialogue in Washington D.C. by the end of February 2010.

The United States and China agreed that promoting cooperation in the field of law and exchanges on the rule of law serves the interests and needs of the citizens and governments of both countries.

In short President Obama’s maiden visit to China marked a new era of engagement in addressing global issues. This historical meeting of the two largest and increasingly interdependent economies of the North and South with the largest land mass triggered a new trend of global engagement.

The world is now becoming multi-polar world, moving away from the bi-polar world. That is clearly evident in the Joint Statement issued on Tuesday by both leaders. From climate change to financial crisis, both leaders portray unwavering support for multilateral approach through institutions such as G20 and APEC summit.

Such trend provides a window of opportunity for small developing members of the global community to have a meaningful engagement in international relations. Small countries like PNG should capitalize on this opportunity and maximize its benefits over issues with global significance.

* The writer is a PNG student at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing