Muslim woman aimed to blow up Chinese plane: official media
Chinese authorities have alleged a 19-year-old Muslim woman aboard a commercial airliner heading for Beijing planned to blow the plane up, state press reported Thursday.
The woman intended to explode a petrol bomb in the toilet of a China Southern Airlines flight from Urumqi city in the country's far northwest on Friday last week, the official Xinhua news agency and the Global Times said.
The reports were the most detailed to emerge about the incident, amid claims by rights groups and dissidents that the Chinese government was exaggerating a terror threat in its Muslim-populated Xinjiang region to justify a crackdown.
Thursday's reports, similar accounts of which were carried in other state-run Chinese media outlets, said the toilet was directly above the plane's wing where the fuel tanks were located.
"This (attack) had been under preparation for a long period, the planning was very detailed and was closely linked to terrorist activities," the Global Times said, citing an unnamed official with knowledge of the case.
The plan was "clearly a terrorist plot," and police were interrogating the girl involved to find out who helped her plan the attack, he reportedly said.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Muslim woman aimed to blow up Chinese plane: official media
Showing posts with label china. Show all posts
Showing posts with label china. Show all posts
Friday, March 14, 2008
DAR AL HARB-U.S.A.-WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE CONTINUES TO THINK THEY CAN MAKE NICE WITH CHINA
Gates appears to hedge on U.S. 'hedge' strategy for China
Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week appeared to reverse his predecessor’s policy of building up forces in the Pacific to counter a future hostile China.
Asked about bolstering military ties to democracies in Asia, Australia and Indonesia and developing interoperable capabilities as a hedge against China, Gates said: “I don't see our improving military relationships in the region in the context of any other country, including China.”
Gates said U.S. activities in the Pacific range from countering piracy and terrorism to crime and humanitarian relief. “These expanding relationships don't necessarily have to be directed against anybody,” he said. “They are a set of bilateral relationships that are aimed at improving our coordination and the closeness of our relationships for a variety of reasons, including those that I've just indicated.”
U.S. officials have said in the past that the U.S. military buildup in the Pacific is designed to position U.S. forces in Asia to respond to a conflict over Taiwan or to help defend other U.S. allies in Asia from any threat posed by China.
It is possible, but unlikely, that Gates was mirroring Chinese-style strategic misdirection by not stating publicly that the U.S. force build up in Asia is meant to counter China.
Defense officials said Gates spent more time discussing China than Pakistan, India’s longtime rival, during meetings.
Gates said he would like to use the same strategy of “many years of arms negotiations” with the Soviet Union as a means to “gain a real appreciation and understanding of how each other looked at strategic modernization programs and deployments and plans and so on.”
“We would like to have the same kind of dialogue with China,” he said.
...
It appears that the U.S. government is filled with a bunch of blithering idiots, regardless of party affiliation, that think you can 'make nice' with enemies...
Pertinent Links:
1) Gates appears to hedge on U.S. 'hedge' strategy for China
Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week appeared to reverse his predecessor’s policy of building up forces in the Pacific to counter a future hostile China.
Asked about bolstering military ties to democracies in Asia, Australia and Indonesia and developing interoperable capabilities as a hedge against China, Gates said: “I don't see our improving military relationships in the region in the context of any other country, including China.”
Gates said U.S. activities in the Pacific range from countering piracy and terrorism to crime and humanitarian relief. “These expanding relationships don't necessarily have to be directed against anybody,” he said. “They are a set of bilateral relationships that are aimed at improving our coordination and the closeness of our relationships for a variety of reasons, including those that I've just indicated.”
U.S. officials have said in the past that the U.S. military buildup in the Pacific is designed to position U.S. forces in Asia to respond to a conflict over Taiwan or to help defend other U.S. allies in Asia from any threat posed by China.
It is possible, but unlikely, that Gates was mirroring Chinese-style strategic misdirection by not stating publicly that the U.S. force build up in Asia is meant to counter China.
Defense officials said Gates spent more time discussing China than Pakistan, India’s longtime rival, during meetings.
Gates said he would like to use the same strategy of “many years of arms negotiations” with the Soviet Union as a means to “gain a real appreciation and understanding of how each other looked at strategic modernization programs and deployments and plans and so on.”
“We would like to have the same kind of dialogue with China,” he said.
...
It appears that the U.S. government is filled with a bunch of blithering idiots, regardless of party affiliation, that think you can 'make nice' with enemies...
Pertinent Links:
1) Gates appears to hedge on U.S. 'hedge' strategy for China
Thursday, February 21, 2008
DAR AL ISLAM-U.S.A./TAIWAN/CHINA: KOSOVO'S 'INDENPENDENCE' STOKES FIRES OF ENMITY BETWEEN TAIWAN & CHINA - - - THE U.S. WILL ALSO BE THE LOSER IN THIS
Kosovo Ripples Felt in Taiwan Strait, Former Soviet Union
By Patrick Goodenough
(CNSNews.com) - The U.S. and other governments that are backing Kosovo's independence stress that it sets no precedent for other situations worldwide, but the move already is stoking the long-simmering sovereignty dispute between China and Taiwan.
In the aftermath of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia early this week, Taiwan's government issued a statement welcoming the move. That drew a quick rebuke from the mainland government, which said that Taiwan, "as a part of China," has no right to recognize Kosovo's decision.
Undeterred, the Taiwanese government then went a step further, declaring in a statement its formal recognition of the new Balkan state.
"In no way should the independence of one nation be denied by another," Taipei's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Despite a multitude of barriers, the people of Kosovo have insisted on an ideal that they believe in, which is to peacefully pursue independence, without being threatened or scared away," it said.
Foreign Minister James Huang said the formal announcement followed the statements of recognition by the U.S. and European countries. It was not a reaction to China's angry remarks, which had come as "no surprise," the Central News Agency quoted him as saying.
Huang said bilateral contacts that had been underway over the past two years would continue, although it remains to be seen whether Kosovo will agree to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The self-governing island has only a handful of remaining allies that have not given in to Beijing's demands to isolate Taiwan (China refuses to have diplomatic ties with any state that recognizes Taiwan, which China regards as a rebellious province.)
If Kosovo does recognize Taiwan, it would be a coup for Taipei: The Vatican is currently its only diplomatic ally in Europe; the remainder are mostly small, developing nations in Africa and the Pacific who benefit economically from their allegiance.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Kosovo Ripples Felt in Taiwan Strait, Former Soviet Union
By Patrick Goodenough
(CNSNews.com) - The U.S. and other governments that are backing Kosovo's independence stress that it sets no precedent for other situations worldwide, but the move already is stoking the long-simmering sovereignty dispute between China and Taiwan.
In the aftermath of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia early this week, Taiwan's government issued a statement welcoming the move. That drew a quick rebuke from the mainland government, which said that Taiwan, "as a part of China," has no right to recognize Kosovo's decision.
Undeterred, the Taiwanese government then went a step further, declaring in a statement its formal recognition of the new Balkan state.
"In no way should the independence of one nation be denied by another," Taipei's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Despite a multitude of barriers, the people of Kosovo have insisted on an ideal that they believe in, which is to peacefully pursue independence, without being threatened or scared away," it said.
Foreign Minister James Huang said the formal announcement followed the statements of recognition by the U.S. and European countries. It was not a reaction to China's angry remarks, which had come as "no surprise," the Central News Agency quoted him as saying.
Huang said bilateral contacts that had been underway over the past two years would continue, although it remains to be seen whether Kosovo will agree to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The self-governing island has only a handful of remaining allies that have not given in to Beijing's demands to isolate Taiwan (China refuses to have diplomatic ties with any state that recognizes Taiwan, which China regards as a rebellious province.)
If Kosovo does recognize Taiwan, it would be a coup for Taipei: The Vatican is currently its only diplomatic ally in Europe; the remainder are mostly small, developing nations in Africa and the Pacific who benefit economically from their allegiance.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Kosovo Ripples Felt in Taiwan Strait, Former Soviet Union
Friday, February 08, 2008
DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./CHINA/IRAN: THE CHINESE ACTED AS A FRONT MAN TO BUY F-14 SPARE PARTS FOR IRAN
China brokered sale of F-14 spare parts to Iran
WASHINGTON — The United States has learned that China was serving as a front for the illegal export of spare parts of the F-14 fighter-jet to Iran.
Officials said China has brokered purchases of F-14 spare parts for Iran's military. They said most of the components were obtained from surplus offered by the U.S. Defense Department.
"The Department of Defense should not be supplying sensitive military equipment to our adversaries, our enemies, terrorists," Rep. Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican, said.
Shays said the Pentagon must end the sale of F-14 spare parts, Middle East Newsline reported. He said Iran was the only country that operated the F-14 Tomcat, a 1970s-era platform retired by the U.S. Navy.
Officials said Iran has been desperate to find spare parts to maintain its F-14 and F-4 fleet, procured from the United States in the early 1970s. They said Iran has achieved the capability of producing about 15 percent of the F-14.
As a result, Iran has used front companies as well as China and Pakistan to obtain F-14 and Chinook helicopter components from the United States. Officials said the companies ordered the components from the Pentagon's Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service and then shipped the equipment to China and the United Arab Emirates.
...
One California company, Multicore, was deemed an Iranian front that acquired missile and F-14 components from the Pentagon. Another firm, State Metal Industries, based in Camden, N.J., was convicted of shipping AIM-7 missile guidance components to a Chinese front for Iran.
In late January, Laura Wang-Woodford, a U.S. citizen and director of Singapore-based Monarch Aviation, was arraigned on a 20-count federal indictment in connection with violating the International Emergency Powers Act. Ms. Wang-Woodford, arrested in December 2007, was charged with exporting components for Chinook helicopters from the United States to Singapore and then to Iran.
"Specifically, the defendant illegally exported vane assemblies and bevel gears, which are designed for Chinook military helicopters," the indictment said.
The indictment said Ms. Wang-Woodford and her husband, Brian, sold sensitive military equipment to Iran for more than 16 years. Brian Woodford has been wanted for questioning.
In 2007, the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, demonstrated the ease with which surplus equipment could be bought from the Pentagon. GAO investigators bought $1.1 million worth of rocket launchers, body armor and surveillance antennas without even presenting a Social Security number or credit history.
"The military should not sell or give away any sensitive military equipment," Shays said. "If we no longer need it, it needs to be destroyed — totally destroyed."
Pertinent Links:
1) China brokered sale of F-14 spare parts to Iran
WASHINGTON — The United States has learned that China was serving as a front for the illegal export of spare parts of the F-14 fighter-jet to Iran.
Officials said China has brokered purchases of F-14 spare parts for Iran's military. They said most of the components were obtained from surplus offered by the U.S. Defense Department.
"The Department of Defense should not be supplying sensitive military equipment to our adversaries, our enemies, terrorists," Rep. Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican, said.
Shays said the Pentagon must end the sale of F-14 spare parts, Middle East Newsline reported. He said Iran was the only country that operated the F-14 Tomcat, a 1970s-era platform retired by the U.S. Navy.
Officials said Iran has been desperate to find spare parts to maintain its F-14 and F-4 fleet, procured from the United States in the early 1970s. They said Iran has achieved the capability of producing about 15 percent of the F-14.
As a result, Iran has used front companies as well as China and Pakistan to obtain F-14 and Chinook helicopter components from the United States. Officials said the companies ordered the components from the Pentagon's Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service and then shipped the equipment to China and the United Arab Emirates.
...
One California company, Multicore, was deemed an Iranian front that acquired missile and F-14 components from the Pentagon. Another firm, State Metal Industries, based in Camden, N.J., was convicted of shipping AIM-7 missile guidance components to a Chinese front for Iran.
In late January, Laura Wang-Woodford, a U.S. citizen and director of Singapore-based Monarch Aviation, was arraigned on a 20-count federal indictment in connection with violating the International Emergency Powers Act. Ms. Wang-Woodford, arrested in December 2007, was charged with exporting components for Chinook helicopters from the United States to Singapore and then to Iran.
"Specifically, the defendant illegally exported vane assemblies and bevel gears, which are designed for Chinook military helicopters," the indictment said.
The indictment said Ms. Wang-Woodford and her husband, Brian, sold sensitive military equipment to Iran for more than 16 years. Brian Woodford has been wanted for questioning.
In 2007, the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, demonstrated the ease with which surplus equipment could be bought from the Pentagon. GAO investigators bought $1.1 million worth of rocket launchers, body armor and surveillance antennas without even presenting a Social Security number or credit history.
"The military should not sell or give away any sensitive military equipment," Shays said. "If we no longer need it, it needs to be destroyed — totally destroyed."
Pertinent Links:
1) China brokered sale of F-14 spare parts to Iran
Thursday, February 07, 2008
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./CHINA: U.S. MILITARY WORRIES ABOUT CHINA'S EXPANDING FLEET OF SUBMARINES
U.S. military officials wary of China's expanding fleet of submarines
By David Lague
For a procession of senior U.S. military commanders who have visited China in recent years, the complaint has become almost routine.
As part of a sustained military buildup, they say, China is investing heavily in so-called area-denial weapons without explaining why it needs them.
The term area-denial weapons refers to a combination of armaments, technology and tactics that could be used to dominate a specific area or keep opposing forces at bay in a conflict. And one of the most formidable examples U.S. commanders identify is the Chinese Navy's rapidly expanding fleet of nuclear and conventional submarines.
"I would say that the U.S. feels a strong threat from Chinese submarines," said Andrei Chang, an expert on Chinese and Taiwan military forces and editor in chief of the magazine Kanwa Defence Review.
"China now has more submarines than Russia, and the speed they are building them is amazing," Chang said.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) U.S. military officials wary of China's expanding fleet of submarines
By David Lague
For a procession of senior U.S. military commanders who have visited China in recent years, the complaint has become almost routine.
As part of a sustained military buildup, they say, China is investing heavily in so-called area-denial weapons without explaining why it needs them.
The term area-denial weapons refers to a combination of armaments, technology and tactics that could be used to dominate a specific area or keep opposing forces at bay in a conflict. And one of the most formidable examples U.S. commanders identify is the Chinese Navy's rapidly expanding fleet of nuclear and conventional submarines.
"I would say that the U.S. feels a strong threat from Chinese submarines," said Andrei Chang, an expert on Chinese and Taiwan military forces and editor in chief of the magazine Kanwa Defence Review.
"China now has more submarines than Russia, and the speed they are building them is amazing," Chang said.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) U.S. military officials wary of China's expanding fleet of submarines
Saturday, February 02, 2008
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./CHINA: 3COM - HUAWEI & PENTAGONS 3COM COMPUTER NETWORK-SECURITY SYSTEM
Congress to probe 3Com-Huawei deal
By Bill Gertz
A bipartisan group of lawmakers announced yesterday that Congress is investigating the proposed merger of 3Com Corp. and a Chinese company over concerns about China's computer-hacking activities.
"As you are well aware, there is growing apprehension in the Congress about the proposed acquisition by Huawei Technologies and its U.S. partner, Bain Capital, of 3Com Corp.," Rep. John D. Dingell and three other lawmakers stated in a letter sent Thursday to Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. Mr. Dingell, Michigan Democrat, is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Computer network-security equipment made by 3Com is used by the Pentagon, raising "significant concerns" about the possible effects the merger could have "on the national security of the United States," the letter stated.
"We believe these concerns are more than justifiable, especially in light of recent increases in attacks on government and private networks" by Chinese military hackers, the four congressmen stated.
Reps. Bobby L. Rush, Illinois Democrat; Joe L. Barton, Texas Republican; and Edward Whitfield, Kentucky Republican, who are all members of the committee, also signed the letter.
The bipartisan probe follows passage of a resolution sponsored last year by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican, which called for the Bush administration to block the deal because of concerns it will boost China's military.
Mr. Dingell's investigation, however, is the first time Democrats have expressed concerns about the 3Com-Huawei merger.
The committee has started a formal investigation of the cybersecurity problems related to the proposed merger, which is currently under review by the Treasury-led Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Mr. Paulson has recused himself from reviewing the deal because his former company, Goldman Sachs, is advising 3Com.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Congress to probe 3Com-Huawei deal
By Bill Gertz
A bipartisan group of lawmakers announced yesterday that Congress is investigating the proposed merger of 3Com Corp. and a Chinese company over concerns about China's computer-hacking activities.
"As you are well aware, there is growing apprehension in the Congress about the proposed acquisition by Huawei Technologies and its U.S. partner, Bain Capital, of 3Com Corp.," Rep. John D. Dingell and three other lawmakers stated in a letter sent Thursday to Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. Mr. Dingell, Michigan Democrat, is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Computer network-security equipment made by 3Com is used by the Pentagon, raising "significant concerns" about the possible effects the merger could have "on the national security of the United States," the letter stated.
"We believe these concerns are more than justifiable, especially in light of recent increases in attacks on government and private networks" by Chinese military hackers, the four congressmen stated.
Reps. Bobby L. Rush, Illinois Democrat; Joe L. Barton, Texas Republican; and Edward Whitfield, Kentucky Republican, who are all members of the committee, also signed the letter.
The bipartisan probe follows passage of a resolution sponsored last year by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican, which called for the Bush administration to block the deal because of concerns it will boost China's military.
Mr. Dingell's investigation, however, is the first time Democrats have expressed concerns about the 3Com-Huawei merger.
The committee has started a formal investigation of the cybersecurity problems related to the proposed merger, which is currently under review by the Treasury-led Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Mr. Paulson has recused himself from reviewing the deal because his former company, Goldman Sachs, is advising 3Com.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Congress to probe 3Com-Huawei deal
Friday, February 01, 2008
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A. - WASHINGTON D.C.: THE UNITED STATES MOVING CLOSER TO BEIJING, SLOWLY ABANDONING TAIWAN
Continuing anti-Taiwan shift seen in Bush White House
Further indications of the Bush administration’s shift in policy in favor of Beijing and away from Taiwan were disclosed in Beijing last week during the strategic dialogue meeting headed by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.
Negroponte was quoted as saying that Taiwan’s planned referendum on joining the United Nations as a “Taiwan,” instead of its formal name, the Republic of China, would be a mistake.
"The United States thinks it certainly would have been preferable not to have such a 'referendum,'" Negroponte said.
The comment followed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s remark in December that the referendum was a “provocative” move by Taiwan’s pro-independence government.
China has been pressuring the United States to take the anti-Taiwan stance and the Bush administration has accommodated the requests.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Continuing anti-Taiwan shift seen in Bush White House
Further indications of the Bush administration’s shift in policy in favor of Beijing and away from Taiwan were disclosed in Beijing last week during the strategic dialogue meeting headed by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.
Negroponte was quoted as saying that Taiwan’s planned referendum on joining the United Nations as a “Taiwan,” instead of its formal name, the Republic of China, would be a mistake.
"The United States thinks it certainly would have been preferable not to have such a 'referendum,'" Negroponte said.
The comment followed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s remark in December that the referendum was a “provocative” move by Taiwan’s pro-independence government.
China has been pressuring the United States to take the anti-Taiwan stance and the Bush administration has accommodated the requests.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Continuing anti-Taiwan shift seen in Bush White House
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./CHINA: ADMIRAL TIM KEATING, COMMANDER OF U.S. PACIFIC FORCES, OFFERED TO HELP THE RED CHINESE BUILD AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER
U.S. openness to China in military exchanges not being reciprocated
The United States is stepping up military exchanges with China, but Beijing has failed to match U.S. openness and reciprocity by granting access to sensitive military sites in that country, a senior Pentagon official said last week.
...
He said exchanges thus far have not violated restrictions outlined in a 2000 law that prevents those that would bolster China's military capabilities. “Some have argued that these limitations, the congressionally imposed limitations, should be changed or revised,” Lawless said. “We do not believe that is the case.”
Defense officials questioned recent comments in China by Adm. Tim Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific forces, who offered to help China in building an aircraft carrier.
The restrictions prohibit the U.S. military from helping China with such power projection capabilities.
Lawless defended Keating by telling the House panel the offer was “not a proposal … to assist them in any regard with relation to an aircraft carrier.”
“It was an observation on his part that if that is your intention, to build a blue-water navy and to have a carrier battle group and have a carrier as the center of that carrier battle group, you may be under-estimating by a long shot your ability to do that, and you're under-estimating the complexity required to field such a capability,” Lawless said.
"To me, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to have a discussion with the Chinese beyond that, except that if they are going to build such a capability, we'd like to understand what the intent of it is. Is the intent to project power?” he asked.
...
Is there something in the water that the Pentagon wants to help the RED CHINESE build aircraft carriers that will one day soon stand against the United States?!?
Pertinent Links:
1) U.S. openness to China in military exchanges not being reciprocated
The United States is stepping up military exchanges with China, but Beijing has failed to match U.S. openness and reciprocity by granting access to sensitive military sites in that country, a senior Pentagon official said last week.
...
He said exchanges thus far have not violated restrictions outlined in a 2000 law that prevents those that would bolster China's military capabilities. “Some have argued that these limitations, the congressionally imposed limitations, should be changed or revised,” Lawless said. “We do not believe that is the case.”
Defense officials questioned recent comments in China by Adm. Tim Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific forces, who offered to help China in building an aircraft carrier.
The restrictions prohibit the U.S. military from helping China with such power projection capabilities.
Lawless defended Keating by telling the House panel the offer was “not a proposal … to assist them in any regard with relation to an aircraft carrier.”
“It was an observation on his part that if that is your intention, to build a blue-water navy and to have a carrier battle group and have a carrier as the center of that carrier battle group, you may be under-estimating by a long shot your ability to do that, and you're under-estimating the complexity required to field such a capability,” Lawless said.
"To me, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to have a discussion with the Chinese beyond that, except that if they are going to build such a capability, we'd like to understand what the intent of it is. Is the intent to project power?” he asked.
...
Is there something in the water that the Pentagon wants to help the RED CHINESE build aircraft carriers that will one day soon stand against the United States?!?
Pertinent Links:
1) U.S. openness to China in military exchanges not being reciprocated
Friday, November 30, 2007
U.S.A./CHINA: 3COM CHINESE DEAL
China deal deemed threat to U.S. national security
...
3Com manufactures computer network intrusion-prevention equipment used by the Pentagon and U.S. government agencies. Intelligence officials are concerned that the technology China would gain from 3Com will boost the Chinese military's computer warfare capabilities.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) China deal deemed threat to U.S. national security
...
3Com manufactures computer network intrusion-prevention equipment used by the Pentagon and U.S. government agencies. Intelligence officials are concerned that the technology China would gain from 3Com will boost the Chinese military's computer warfare capabilities.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) China deal deemed threat to U.S. national security
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./CHINA/IRAN: CHINESE MADE MISSILES COMING INTO IRAQ VIA IRAN
Chinese missiles smuggled through Iran into Iraq: US
The US military on Sunday said its troops had found Chinese-made missiles which they believe were smuggled into Iraq by groups in Iran in order to arm groups fighting US-led forces.
"We have seen ordnance and weapons that come from other places, but we assess that they have come through Iran," US military spokesman Admiral Mark Fox told reporters.
"There are missiles that are actually manufactured in China that we assess come through Iran as well."
Fox also alleged Iranian agents continue to smuggle Iranian made armour piercing bombs -- explosively-formed penetrators (EFPs) -- to Iraqi extremist groups across the country's long border.
"We do feel that there are networks of EFPs that are coming from Iran," he said, adding the troops had detained two suspects believed to be linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' covert Qods Force.
"We have detained two suspects near the Iran-Iraq border just this weekend that we suspect to be part of the IRGC-Qods Force network," he said.
The US military has repeatedly accused Iranian linked groups of training Iraqi extremists in the use of EFPs.
Since May 2004, when the EFPs emerged on the Iraqi battlefield, more than 200 US soldiers have been killed by these bombs which fire a fist-sized chunk of molten metal that can cut through even a heavily armoured vehicle.
Tehran denies being behind any weapons smuggling, but Fox insisted that weapons seized by Iraqi and US forces are clearly of Iranian manufacture.
"They are distinctive ... in particular mortars, mortar pins, some of the residue that you see from the mortar attacks that are distinctly and uniquely Iranian," he said.
"Also the technologies associated with some of the improvised-explosive devices, some of the triggering mechanisms and also some of the techniques and also the technology associated with manufacture of EFPs are distinctly and uniquely Iranian."
The military maintains that many of the extremist groups trained by alleged Iranian agents are Shiite militants who have broken away from the Mahdi Army, the Iraqi militia loyal to anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Fox, nevertheless said that the broader organisation -- which is a powerful political and religious movement as well as a militia -- is not in itself a terrorist outfit.
"As I described earlier there are secret cells, rogue elements of Jaish al-Mahdi that we consider to be extremists, to be terrorists or that are not answerable to any higher authority and are in fact as I said rogue," Fox said.
"We have not necessarily felt that the entire large organisation of JAM is like that," he said, using the common US abbreviation for the Mahdi Army.
"We understand that there are factions or splinters or pieces of JAM that are still decent and hardworking and members of society that are not like that."
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Chinese missiles smuggled through Iran into Iraq: US
The US military on Sunday said its troops had found Chinese-made missiles which they believe were smuggled into Iraq by groups in Iran in order to arm groups fighting US-led forces.
"We have seen ordnance and weapons that come from other places, but we assess that they have come through Iran," US military spokesman Admiral Mark Fox told reporters.
"There are missiles that are actually manufactured in China that we assess come through Iran as well."
Fox also alleged Iranian agents continue to smuggle Iranian made armour piercing bombs -- explosively-formed penetrators (EFPs) -- to Iraqi extremist groups across the country's long border.
"We do feel that there are networks of EFPs that are coming from Iran," he said, adding the troops had detained two suspects believed to be linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' covert Qods Force.
"We have detained two suspects near the Iran-Iraq border just this weekend that we suspect to be part of the IRGC-Qods Force network," he said.
The US military has repeatedly accused Iranian linked groups of training Iraqi extremists in the use of EFPs.
Since May 2004, when the EFPs emerged on the Iraqi battlefield, more than 200 US soldiers have been killed by these bombs which fire a fist-sized chunk of molten metal that can cut through even a heavily armoured vehicle.
Tehran denies being behind any weapons smuggling, but Fox insisted that weapons seized by Iraqi and US forces are clearly of Iranian manufacture.
"They are distinctive ... in particular mortars, mortar pins, some of the residue that you see from the mortar attacks that are distinctly and uniquely Iranian," he said.
"Also the technologies associated with some of the improvised-explosive devices, some of the triggering mechanisms and also some of the techniques and also the technology associated with manufacture of EFPs are distinctly and uniquely Iranian."
The military maintains that many of the extremist groups trained by alleged Iranian agents are Shiite militants who have broken away from the Mahdi Army, the Iraqi militia loyal to anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Fox, nevertheless said that the broader organisation -- which is a powerful political and religious movement as well as a militia -- is not in itself a terrorist outfit.
"As I described earlier there are secret cells, rogue elements of Jaish al-Mahdi that we consider to be extremists, to be terrorists or that are not answerable to any higher authority and are in fact as I said rogue," Fox said.
"We have not necessarily felt that the entire large organisation of JAM is like that," he said, using the common US abbreviation for the Mahdi Army.
"We understand that there are factions or splinters or pieces of JAM that are still decent and hardworking and members of society that are not like that."
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Chinese missiles smuggled through Iran into Iraq: US
Saturday, July 14, 2007
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./CHINA: SHIPMENTS NOT PERMITTED BY U.N.S.C. 1737 &1747 WERE MADE BY CHINA TO IRAN
US faults China on shipments Iran
By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON - China is doing too little to stop militarily significant supplies to Iran, despite having voted for UN sanctions aimed at keeping Tehran from developing nuclear arms, senior Bush administration officials said today.
"Some Chinese entities continue to supply items and technology useful in weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and advanced conventional weapons programmes of concern, despite the UN Security Council resolutions," Don Mahley, a deputy assistant secretary of state, told the congressionally created US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
Mahley stopped short of accusing Beijing of violating the companion resolutions adopted unanimously in December and March aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear arms or the means to deliver them.
"There have been transfers, which we have addressed with the Chinese, in which we believe that the transfers were not permitted by UN Security Council resolutions 1737 and 1747," Mahley said in response to questions from Commissioner Peter Brookes, a former Pentagon East Asia strategist.
China disagreed with the US view that the items at issue were banned, Mahley added.
He declined to discuss the questionable transfers in public but said they "might well be involved with the Iranian missile programme as well as the Iranian nuclear programme."
David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary of defence for East Asia, told the panel that China had taken a legalistic approach to the sanctions against Iran "rather than acting in the spirit of these."
"We have repeatedly asked China to stop its transfers to Iran of conventional weapons and technologies," testified Sedney, the No 2 person at the US Embassy in Beijing from 2004 until earlier this year.
He said China's response had been "irresponsible."
...
Pertinent Links:
1) US faults China on shipments Iran
By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON - China is doing too little to stop militarily significant supplies to Iran, despite having voted for UN sanctions aimed at keeping Tehran from developing nuclear arms, senior Bush administration officials said today.
"Some Chinese entities continue to supply items and technology useful in weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and advanced conventional weapons programmes of concern, despite the UN Security Council resolutions," Don Mahley, a deputy assistant secretary of state, told the congressionally created US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
Mahley stopped short of accusing Beijing of violating the companion resolutions adopted unanimously in December and March aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear arms or the means to deliver them.
"There have been transfers, which we have addressed with the Chinese, in which we believe that the transfers were not permitted by UN Security Council resolutions 1737 and 1747," Mahley said in response to questions from Commissioner Peter Brookes, a former Pentagon East Asia strategist.
China disagreed with the US view that the items at issue were banned, Mahley added.
He declined to discuss the questionable transfers in public but said they "might well be involved with the Iranian missile programme as well as the Iranian nuclear programme."
David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary of defence for East Asia, told the panel that China had taken a legalistic approach to the sanctions against Iran "rather than acting in the spirit of these."
"We have repeatedly asked China to stop its transfers to Iran of conventional weapons and technologies," testified Sedney, the No 2 person at the US Embassy in Beijing from 2004 until earlier this year.
He said China's response had been "irresponsible."
...
Pertinent Links:
1) US faults China on shipments Iran
Thursday, July 12, 2007
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./CHINA: CRITICISM OF CHINA FORITS PROLIFERATION ACTIVITIES
U.S. officials criticize China's proliferation activities
WASHINGTON: Senior U.S. officials on Thursday criticized China's efforts to curb the spread of missiles and weapons technology, singling out sales to Iran as particularly worrying.
China's nonproliferation record has improved in recent years, said David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia; but Chinese businesses continue to sell weapons in violation of the government's commitments.
"There remain serious gaps between China's official rhetoric and its achievements," Sedney told a congressional advisory panel.
The United States, he said, has repeatedly raised worries about Chinese companies' weapons sales with Beijing, providing specific information about transfers.
"China's mixed record of success in responding, particularly regarding entities and individuals that are serial proliferators, leads to questions about China's commitment to fully halt such proliferation activities," Sedney said in testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) U.S. officials criticize China's proliferation activities
WASHINGTON: Senior U.S. officials on Thursday criticized China's efforts to curb the spread of missiles and weapons technology, singling out sales to Iran as particularly worrying.
China's nonproliferation record has improved in recent years, said David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia; but Chinese businesses continue to sell weapons in violation of the government's commitments.
"There remain serious gaps between China's official rhetoric and its achievements," Sedney told a congressional advisory panel.
The United States, he said, has repeatedly raised worries about Chinese companies' weapons sales with Beijing, providing specific information about transfers.
"China's mixed record of success in responding, particularly regarding entities and individuals that are serial proliferators, leads to questions about China's commitment to fully halt such proliferation activities," Sedney said in testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) U.S. officials criticize China's proliferation activities
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - THE WEST/IRAN: NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR SANCTIONS ON IRAN
Wrong time for Iran sanctions: China
LONDON, July 4 (IranMania) - China's UN envoy urged the international community to boost diplomatic efforts to end the nuclear standoff with Iran, saying the time was not yet right for new sanctions, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
"I believe we have to put more emphasis on the diplomatic track," ambassador Wang Guangya said at a news conference.
Wang noted that Iranian officials were holding talks with the European Union and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"I'm not sure if it's the right moment for the Security Council (to act), especially if the council is thinking of taking tougher measures in the sanctions area," he said.
China is one of the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the 15-nation UN Security Council alongside Russia, Britain, France and the United States.
The Security Council already has imposed two sets of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear fuel as well as atom bombs.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Wrong time for Iran sanctions: China
LONDON, July 4 (IranMania) - China's UN envoy urged the international community to boost diplomatic efforts to end the nuclear standoff with Iran, saying the time was not yet right for new sanctions, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
"I believe we have to put more emphasis on the diplomatic track," ambassador Wang Guangya said at a news conference.
Wang noted that Iranian officials were holding talks with the European Union and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"I'm not sure if it's the right moment for the Security Council (to act), especially if the council is thinking of taking tougher measures in the sanctions area," he said.
China is one of the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the 15-nation UN Security Council alongside Russia, Britain, France and the United States.
The Security Council already has imposed two sets of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear fuel as well as atom bombs.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Wrong time for Iran sanctions: China
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
DAR AL HARB - CHINA: THE BIN LADEN OF HONG KONG IN JAIL FOR 9 MONTHS AFTER CONVICTION FOR "WAGING WAR ON A NEWSPAPER"
'Hong Kong bin Laden' is jailed for waging war on newspaper
Hong Kong - A barber who called himself the "Hong Kong bin Laden" was jailed Wednesday for nine months after being found guilty of threatening a newspaper last year. Ma Chiu-sing, 49, was convicted a fortnight ago of two charges of criminal intimidation after he sent five letters to the Oriental Daily News threatening to harm the Chinese-language paper's reputation.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) 'Hong Kong bin Laden' is jailed for waging war on newspaper
Hong Kong - A barber who called himself the "Hong Kong bin Laden" was jailed Wednesday for nine months after being found guilty of threatening a newspaper last year. Ma Chiu-sing, 49, was convicted a fortnight ago of two charges of criminal intimidation after he sent five letters to the Oriental Daily News threatening to harm the Chinese-language paper's reputation.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) 'Hong Kong bin Laden' is jailed for waging war on newspaper
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
DAR AL HARB - CHINA: THE COST OF AN ADULT OR CHILD SLAVE IN CHINA?!? 17 EUROS - - - CHINESE AUTHORITIES WELL AWARE OF THE SLAVE TRADE
The cost of “child slaves”: 17 euros each, better again if mentally retarded
For years there have been groups dedicated to trafficking human beings. The police admits that it knew of factories using child labour, but fails to explain why it did not intervene. Children may have been stolen from other provinces.
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Following the liberation of hundreds of slaves in Shanxi and Henan, a humiliating reality is emerging: in the China of the economic boom, there are groups who have been abducting and selling human beings into forced labour for years. Investigations reveal that the child and adult “slaves” were kidnapped from many provinces. The police has admitted that it has been aware of the problem for years, but failed to intervene.
Zhou Jinghuan in under three years circulated 3 thousand workers, selling them for a mere 170 Yuan (17 Euro each) to brick factories or mines in Henan. In 2006, a report carried by state TV spoke of how human trafficking was widespread in Henan, but this coverage did not result in police intervention.
The television report spoke of Zhou, who “worked” in Zhengzhou and preferred the mentally retarded, easier to circulate and control, “obedient and happy if you give them some wine”: 30% of her merchandise. Those who refuse to be sold are beaten; those who try to escape are forced to knell on broken glass. Those who flee are often found near railway stations, given that they have no money or documents. The report says that the slave trader has been arrested, but fails to speak about the aftermath.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) The cost of “child slaves”: 17 euros each, better again if mentally retarded
For years there have been groups dedicated to trafficking human beings. The police admits that it knew of factories using child labour, but fails to explain why it did not intervene. Children may have been stolen from other provinces.
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Following the liberation of hundreds of slaves in Shanxi and Henan, a humiliating reality is emerging: in the China of the economic boom, there are groups who have been abducting and selling human beings into forced labour for years. Investigations reveal that the child and adult “slaves” were kidnapped from many provinces. The police has admitted that it has been aware of the problem for years, but failed to intervene.
Zhou Jinghuan in under three years circulated 3 thousand workers, selling them for a mere 170 Yuan (17 Euro each) to brick factories or mines in Henan. In 2006, a report carried by state TV spoke of how human trafficking was widespread in Henan, but this coverage did not result in police intervention.
The television report spoke of Zhou, who “worked” in Zhengzhou and preferred the mentally retarded, easier to circulate and control, “obedient and happy if you give them some wine”: 30% of her merchandise. Those who refuse to be sold are beaten; those who try to escape are forced to knell on broken glass. Those who flee are often found near railway stations, given that they have no money or documents. The report says that the slave trader has been arrested, but fails to speak about the aftermath.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) The cost of “child slaves”: 17 euros each, better again if mentally retarded
Thursday, June 14, 2007
DAR AL ISLAM - IRAN: THE CURRENT WEAPON OF CHOICE FOR IRAN = OIL
Walker's World: Iran's oil weapon
By MARTIN WALKER
UPI Editor Emeritus
WASHINGTON, June 13 (UPI) -- Now that U.S. President George W. Bush at the G8 summit has mended at least some of his fences with the Europeans over global warming and with Russia over installing anti-missile systems in Europe, it is time to return to the thorny problem of Iran and its nuclear ambitions. That means returning to the matter of sanctions.
The plain fact is that sanctions against Iran are not working well. This week Iran reached agreement with five Asian countries to build refineries with a total capacity of more than 1.1 million barrels a day, along with separate oil storage facilities.
Seyed Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh, Iran's petroleum minister, announced at the two-day Asia oil and gas conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that the refineries would be built in China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Syria. He added that a further deal had been agreed with India's Essar Group to build a new refinery in Iran itself, for what Indian sources said would be worth $2 billion for a refinery producing 300,000 barrels of gasoline a day. Iran is currently spending close to $5 billion a year importing gasoline, because it lacks the refining capacity to turn oil into petrol.
"Those are some of the cooperation opportunities which I hope will be supported by Asian countries," the minister told more than 1,200 delegates to the conference. "China and India are expected to be two major potential consumers in the coming 20 years."
"We are supposed to be partners in the refineries and also try to provide the crude oil for those refineries. The aim is to bring Asian countries together and to provide crude oil for mutual benefit," Hamaneh added.
Further discussions were under way with China, he went on, on filling China's new strategic oil reserve bunkers. These are designed to give China a cushion against interruption of its tanker supply route through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca straits, where China is nervous of political complications that could allow the Indian or U.S. navies to constrict its energy supplies.
China has already built a 33 million barrel storage tank at Zhenhai and is about to start filling another bunker system at Aoshan, to bring it closer to its target of having 100 million barrels in reserve by the end of next year. China currently consumes about 6.5 million barrels a day, so the 100 million barrel reserve would last little more than two weeks at the usual consumption rate. But with rationing in a state of emergency, it could keep essential services and the military supplied for a much longer period.
There is no doubting the strengthening energy ties between Iran and China, whose imports of Iranian crude have risen by 14 percent in the first four months of this year from last year's figures, at a time when China is deliberately trying to curb its appetite for imported oil. The growing cooperation in oil follows the dramatic $70 billion deal that China's giant Sinopec Group made with Iran to buy 250 million tons of liquefied natural gas over 30 years from Iran and develop the giant Yadavaran field.
In this context, it is not easy to see China approving severe sanctions against Iran at the U.N. Security Council. And given India's equal hunger for imported oil and gas, and the current discussions between Indian and Iranian officials over a gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan, it is not easy to see India throwing its weight behind sanctions, despite the close strategic ties that have been forged between New Delhi and Washington.
...
The main problem, the energy executives broadly agreed, was international politics. Nine out of 10 of those surveyed said they expected the global geopolitical situation to remain tense in the next five years, with instability in the Middle East, Russia and Iran seen as the greatest risks to energy supplies and prices. More than two-thirds saw no prospect of a resolution of the nuclear crisis with Iran being reached in the next five years.
This is the world that oil built, an imperfect place where the morality of human rights and concerns about states like Iran getting nuclear weapons carry only modest weight against the hard reality of energy needs. Faced with such an unpromising political environment for diplomacy to talk Iran out of going nuclear, the worry is that a frustrated Bush administration might conclude that in a world of ruthless realpolitik over Iran's oil, maybe some ruthless power politics with air power is the only way to proceed. And who knows what the oil price would reach then.
Pertinent Links:
1) Walker's World: Iran's oil weapon
By MARTIN WALKER
UPI Editor Emeritus
WASHINGTON, June 13 (UPI) -- Now that U.S. President George W. Bush at the G8 summit has mended at least some of his fences with the Europeans over global warming and with Russia over installing anti-missile systems in Europe, it is time to return to the thorny problem of Iran and its nuclear ambitions. That means returning to the matter of sanctions.
The plain fact is that sanctions against Iran are not working well. This week Iran reached agreement with five Asian countries to build refineries with a total capacity of more than 1.1 million barrels a day, along with separate oil storage facilities.
Seyed Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh, Iran's petroleum minister, announced at the two-day Asia oil and gas conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that the refineries would be built in China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Syria. He added that a further deal had been agreed with India's Essar Group to build a new refinery in Iran itself, for what Indian sources said would be worth $2 billion for a refinery producing 300,000 barrels of gasoline a day. Iran is currently spending close to $5 billion a year importing gasoline, because it lacks the refining capacity to turn oil into petrol.
"Those are some of the cooperation opportunities which I hope will be supported by Asian countries," the minister told more than 1,200 delegates to the conference. "China and India are expected to be two major potential consumers in the coming 20 years."
"We are supposed to be partners in the refineries and also try to provide the crude oil for those refineries. The aim is to bring Asian countries together and to provide crude oil for mutual benefit," Hamaneh added.
Further discussions were under way with China, he went on, on filling China's new strategic oil reserve bunkers. These are designed to give China a cushion against interruption of its tanker supply route through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca straits, where China is nervous of political complications that could allow the Indian or U.S. navies to constrict its energy supplies.
China has already built a 33 million barrel storage tank at Zhenhai and is about to start filling another bunker system at Aoshan, to bring it closer to its target of having 100 million barrels in reserve by the end of next year. China currently consumes about 6.5 million barrels a day, so the 100 million barrel reserve would last little more than two weeks at the usual consumption rate. But with rationing in a state of emergency, it could keep essential services and the military supplied for a much longer period.
There is no doubting the strengthening energy ties between Iran and China, whose imports of Iranian crude have risen by 14 percent in the first four months of this year from last year's figures, at a time when China is deliberately trying to curb its appetite for imported oil. The growing cooperation in oil follows the dramatic $70 billion deal that China's giant Sinopec Group made with Iran to buy 250 million tons of liquefied natural gas over 30 years from Iran and develop the giant Yadavaran field.
In this context, it is not easy to see China approving severe sanctions against Iran at the U.N. Security Council. And given India's equal hunger for imported oil and gas, and the current discussions between Indian and Iranian officials over a gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan, it is not easy to see India throwing its weight behind sanctions, despite the close strategic ties that have been forged between New Delhi and Washington.
...
The main problem, the energy executives broadly agreed, was international politics. Nine out of 10 of those surveyed said they expected the global geopolitical situation to remain tense in the next five years, with instability in the Middle East, Russia and Iran seen as the greatest risks to energy supplies and prices. More than two-thirds saw no prospect of a resolution of the nuclear crisis with Iran being reached in the next five years.
This is the world that oil built, an imperfect place where the morality of human rights and concerns about states like Iran getting nuclear weapons carry only modest weight against the hard reality of energy needs. Faced with such an unpromising political environment for diplomacy to talk Iran out of going nuclear, the worry is that a frustrated Bush administration might conclude that in a world of ruthless realpolitik over Iran's oil, maybe some ruthless power politics with air power is the only way to proceed. And who knows what the oil price would reach then.
Pertinent Links:
1) Walker's World: Iran's oil weapon
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - CHINA/SAUDI ARABIA: THE SAUDI-CHINESE AXIS OF OIL
China's Axis of Oil
The mainland's growing energy needs and the Middle East's investment billions are building a two-way trade route between the regions
It is not difficult to find examples of China's growing ties with the Middle East. Although Beijing's primary focus in the region concerns access to oil and gas, the resulting increase in foreign direct investment and trade between the two regions is redefining geopolitics.
China obtains 50% of its imported oil and gas from the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia alone account for over 30% of the oil portion of this. In return, the Gulf States have been sinking more and more of their petrodollars into China and throughout Asia.
Historically, this money would have been destined for the US and Europe, almost without question, but times are changing.
MONEY COMING INLast year, investments in China by the six primary Gulf States - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - totaled about US$20 billion. In the same period, two-way trade between China and the Gulf States climbed dramatically to roughly US$135 billion.
There are also ongoing government-sponsored discussions on the possibility of creating a massive free trade zone between the regions.
Recent deals of note include: Kuwait building a US$5 billion downstream oil refinery in China's Guangdong province; Saudi Arabia setting up crude oil facilities with a storage capacity of 30 million metric tons on Hainan Island; a reported tie up between Aramco and Sinopec that will see a wave of new refineries; and Dubai Ports World investing US$500 million in a container port facility in Tianjin. Similar investment flows are occurring in property developments and infrastructure.
One particular deal - which is being closely watched by Washington - involves China's energy dealings with Iran. Last year Beijing signed a US$100 billion agreement to import 10 million tons of Iranian natural gas over the coming decades. In return, Chinese companies will become 50% stakeholders in Iran's Yadavaran oil fields.
It is here that China's business and political interests in the Middle East converge. Beijing, alongside Moscow, has repeatedly blocked US-led moves to impose strict sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear developments. While urging Iran to comply with international inspection teams, China and Russia have persuaded their fellow Security Council members to tone down the language of directives issued.
The new political tensions that exist in the Beijing-Washington-Middle East extend beyond Tehran. The international diplomatic community was put on notice by Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah's decision to visit Beijing rather than Washington on his first overseas trip. Five years ago this would have been unthinkable. King Abdullah's move was a validation that the growing trade ties between China and the Arab States is occurring as US-Middle East ties continue to chaff in a post 9/11 world.
If oil sales can be considered a barometer, Saudi exports to the US have decreased every year since the spring of 2002. Exports to China, on the other hand, have been increasing steadily.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) China's Axis of Oil
The mainland's growing energy needs and the Middle East's investment billions are building a two-way trade route between the regions
It is not difficult to find examples of China's growing ties with the Middle East. Although Beijing's primary focus in the region concerns access to oil and gas, the resulting increase in foreign direct investment and trade between the two regions is redefining geopolitics.
China obtains 50% of its imported oil and gas from the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia alone account for over 30% of the oil portion of this. In return, the Gulf States have been sinking more and more of their petrodollars into China and throughout Asia.
Historically, this money would have been destined for the US and Europe, almost without question, but times are changing.
MONEY COMING INLast year, investments in China by the six primary Gulf States - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain - totaled about US$20 billion. In the same period, two-way trade between China and the Gulf States climbed dramatically to roughly US$135 billion.
There are also ongoing government-sponsored discussions on the possibility of creating a massive free trade zone between the regions.
Recent deals of note include: Kuwait building a US$5 billion downstream oil refinery in China's Guangdong province; Saudi Arabia setting up crude oil facilities with a storage capacity of 30 million metric tons on Hainan Island; a reported tie up between Aramco and Sinopec that will see a wave of new refineries; and Dubai Ports World investing US$500 million in a container port facility in Tianjin. Similar investment flows are occurring in property developments and infrastructure.
One particular deal - which is being closely watched by Washington - involves China's energy dealings with Iran. Last year Beijing signed a US$100 billion agreement to import 10 million tons of Iranian natural gas over the coming decades. In return, Chinese companies will become 50% stakeholders in Iran's Yadavaran oil fields.
It is here that China's business and political interests in the Middle East converge. Beijing, alongside Moscow, has repeatedly blocked US-led moves to impose strict sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear developments. While urging Iran to comply with international inspection teams, China and Russia have persuaded their fellow Security Council members to tone down the language of directives issued.
The new political tensions that exist in the Beijing-Washington-Middle East extend beyond Tehran. The international diplomatic community was put on notice by Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah's decision to visit Beijing rather than Washington on his first overseas trip. Five years ago this would have been unthinkable. King Abdullah's move was a validation that the growing trade ties between China and the Arab States is occurring as US-Middle East ties continue to chaff in a post 9/11 world.
If oil sales can be considered a barometer, Saudi exports to the US have decreased every year since the spring of 2002. Exports to China, on the other hand, have been increasing steadily.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) China's Axis of Oil
Saturday, June 02, 2007
DAR AL HARB - U.S.A./CHINA: THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO WORK WITH THE CHINESE MILITARY...PEOPLE INSIDE THE BELTWAY HAVE GONE NUTS
Shifting policy, U.S. offers to work with China's military
By MARK MAZZETTI
Two years after Donald Rumsfeld bluntly criticized China's rapid military buildup, Defense Secretary Robert Gates struck a conciliatory tone toward Beijing on Saturday, saying the United States and China have the opportunity to "build trust over time."
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Shifting policy, U.S. offers to work with China's military
By MARK MAZZETTI
Two years after Donald Rumsfeld bluntly criticized China's rapid military buildup, Defense Secretary Robert Gates struck a conciliatory tone toward Beijing on Saturday, saying the United States and China have the opportunity to "build trust over time."
...
Pertinent Links:
1) Shifting policy, U.S. offers to work with China's military
Thursday, May 24, 2007
DAR AL HARB - CHINA: CHINA'S USE OF "SOFT POWER" & THEIR DEALS WITH BRUTAL DICTATORSHIPS
The hard facts on 'soft power'
by Axel Berkofsky
The success of China's foreign and trade policies is hard to argue with, especially as US belligerence continues to sap its own strength and global influence. But look beyond the rhetoric about China's "peaceful rise" and "non-interference" and one sees a familiar picture: a great power enriching itself (and the brutal dictatorships it deals with) with little regard for anyone else.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) The hard facts on 'soft power'
by Axel Berkofsky
The success of China's foreign and trade policies is hard to argue with, especially as US belligerence continues to sap its own strength and global influence. But look beyond the rhetoric about China's "peaceful rise" and "non-interference" and one sees a familiar picture: a great power enriching itself (and the brutal dictatorships it deals with) with little regard for anyone else.
...
Pertinent Links:
1) The hard facts on 'soft power'
DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - THE WEST/CHINA/IRAN: ONE HYPERPUISSANCE & 5 WORLD POWERS TO DISCUSS IRAN
World Powers Weigh Options Against Iran
By EDITH M. LEDERER
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Experts from the United States and five other powers leading efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear program plan to meet within the week following a U.N. report that Tehran has expanded its uranium enrichment program.
China's deputy U.N. ambassador, Liu Zhenmin, said the talks will focus on how to bring Iran back to negotiations and what the Security Council could do if Tehran doesn't budge. Paris was a possible location for the meeting.
The council imposed sanctions on Iran in December for refusing to suspend enrichment, and modestly increased them in March after Tehran stepped up the program, which can produce nuclear weapons. Iran responded by giving the U.N. nuclear watchdog less access to its nuclear facilities.
The restricted report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, obtained by The Associated Press, not only said Iran's enrichment program was expanding, it also warned for the first time that the agency's knowledge of Tehran's nuclear activities was shrinking.
Those findings could lead to fresh sanctions, but Security Council members said the six nations - the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - would first weigh their options.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, is hoping to meet with Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, at the end of the month, possibly in Madrid.
``I think efforts are being made to encourage the Iranians to talk,'' Liu said.
The key countries have been consulting through different channels, he said, and ``I think the six will have another meeting at experts level by the end of the month.''
...
Pertinent Links:
1) World Powers Weigh Options Against Iran
By EDITH M. LEDERER
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Experts from the United States and five other powers leading efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear program plan to meet within the week following a U.N. report that Tehran has expanded its uranium enrichment program.
China's deputy U.N. ambassador, Liu Zhenmin, said the talks will focus on how to bring Iran back to negotiations and what the Security Council could do if Tehran doesn't budge. Paris was a possible location for the meeting.
The council imposed sanctions on Iran in December for refusing to suspend enrichment, and modestly increased them in March after Tehran stepped up the program, which can produce nuclear weapons. Iran responded by giving the U.N. nuclear watchdog less access to its nuclear facilities.
The restricted report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, obtained by The Associated Press, not only said Iran's enrichment program was expanding, it also warned for the first time that the agency's knowledge of Tehran's nuclear activities was shrinking.
Those findings could lead to fresh sanctions, but Security Council members said the six nations - the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - would first weigh their options.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, is hoping to meet with Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, at the end of the month, possibly in Madrid.
``I think efforts are being made to encourage the Iranians to talk,'' Liu said.
The key countries have been consulting through different channels, he said, and ``I think the six will have another meeting at experts level by the end of the month.''
...
Pertinent Links:
1) World Powers Weigh Options Against Iran
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