Peruvian President visits Asia for trade cooperation – CCTV
Click here to watch the video direct from CCTV English
Click here to watch the video direct from CCTV English
Having followed, written about and participated in the growth of China – Latin America’s exchange over the past 10 years, I must say it is refreshing to see the increasing awareness around the globe of the growth of Asia-Pacific cooperation. Every week news media around the world publish news and analysis pertaining not only to China – Latin America, but increasingly about the geopolitical triangle of the greater Asia-Pacific region.
Aljazeera added to the wealth today by publishing the transcript of a interview they conducted with former Peruvian Ambassador to China, and current Ambassador to the US - Harold Forsyth. In the interview Aljazeera reporter Eddie Walshe discusses with Ambassador Forsyth his perspective on the growing importance of Asia-Pacific cooperation and more particularly, how Peru fits into the Asia-Pacific triangle of the Greater Asia region (with a special emphasis on China), North America and South America.
As someone who personally believes the growth of trade and exchange between nations of the Asia Pacific and the Americas (North & South) will be the most important network of exchange this century, I highly recommend giving it a read.
Click here to access Peru’s place in the triangle of Asia-Pacific security, published by Aljazeera
What people around the world define as the Asia-Pacific region varies widely, for your author (me) I consider it to include all nations, cultures and territories on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. This means “Oceania,” despite being a region in itself must naturally be included. It also tends to include India, because although India is usually not considered a “Pacific” nation, it is a major geopolitical power in this equation.
Within the Asia-Pacific region there is however a level of exchange and interaction which is far more significant when looking at the greater region as a whole — and that, in my opinion is the triangular interaction of North East Asia (China, South Korea, Japan), North America, and South America. Of course, one could argue discounting Russia, India, Australia and the nations of SE Asia and leaves many players out of the equation. I only do so because their links to the America’s are relatively small when compared with China, South Korea and Japan.
Why is this triangular network so important you ask? Let’s quickly review some facts which come to mind pertaining to a few specific categories — Economic output & International Trade, Commodity production/ consumption (energy, metals and agriculture), and geopolitical security
Peru, China cooperation has bilateral benefits
LIMA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) — Peru and China have enjoyed friendly relations which allow the development of business opportunities for both sides, Peruvian Prime Minister Salomon Lerner told Xinhua on Friday.
Xinhua News - CN President Hu Jintao with PE President Ollanta Humala
Lerner also confirmed that the Peruvian government doesn’t have intention to review or modify the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between Peru and China, which came into force since 2010.
The 5th China-Latin America Business Summit will be held in Lima on Nov. 21 and 22. In this framework, Lerner said Peru offers “a series of possibilities of investment” and cooperation in many fields.
“I reassert the invitation to the Chinese companies to explore possibilities of association with Peruvian companies,” he added.
Click here to read the full article direct from Xinhua News
Leaders of China, Peru seek new cooperation
HONOLULU – Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala on Friday, with both sides urging deeper economic cooperation.
Humala also called for more Chinese firms to invest in Peru.
The duo met on the sideline of the 19th Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
During the meeting, Hu said Sino-Peruvian ties are at a strategic high, and he pledged the two sides would sustain high-level communication on matters of mutual concern
Click here to read the full article direct from The China Daily
Chinese president calls for stronger ties with Peru
HONOLULU, United States, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his Peruvian counterpart Ollanta Humala Tasso here Friday, and the two pledged to work together to further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The two are in Hawaii to attend the 19th Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Noting that both China and Peru are important developing countries in the Pacific Rim, Hu said China always treats and handles its relations with Peru from a strategic height. He put forward a four-point proposal to further boost bilateral ties.
Click here to read the full article direct from Xinhua News
The author is deputy editor of China Daily US edition. He can be reached at chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
The Western media continually criticizes China’s role in Latin America as being “neocolonial” and claims it has an “insatiable demand for commodities”, so I was keen to observe the people’s attitude toward China during my trip to the region recently.
Judging from the enthusiasm for China displayed by government officials, businessmen, academics and ordinary people in Chile, the picture presented by the Western media has been seriously distorted.
At the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, chiefs and experts attributed the fast trade and investment growth from China as a key factor for Latin America not only surviving, but thriving during the global financial crisis.
The same message was heard from top Chilean officials at the 5th annual meeting of the Chile China Business Council, which drew some 500 government officials and business people.
It is true that commodities are an important part of the trade between China and Latin America. However, that trade benefits not only China, but also Latin America and the rest of the world.
By being the world’s manufacturing workshop, China has paid a high environmental cost. Just half a century ago, that job was done in most of today’s developed countries when they were the global manufacturing center.
Many developed countries have an insatiable demand for China’s rare earth and, of course, the country’s cheap labor. But this never seems to bother the Western media.
In fact, China and Latin America are quickly diversifying and elevating their trade and investment as witnessed by the host of agreements signed by China and Cuba, Uruguay and Chile in the past few days.
China has already become Chile’s largest trade partner. Chinese businesses are increasing their presence in the South America country. The billboards on Santiago streets by automaker BYD and appliance firm Haier, and the Chinese businessmen who do trade, operate malls and run convenience stores are proof of China’s presence.
Both countries share a priority in development. Chile aspires to become a developed country and China wants to become a xiaokang (well-off ) society.
Chilean President Sabastian Pinera made constant reminders that the two countries are very close despite the geographical distance between them.
The mood among the ordinary people I met in Chile was also favorable to China. I have never heard the word “Welcome” as often as I did in Chile. Ordinary Chileans I met in cafes, museums, parks in Santiago and Pablo Neruda’s colorful and hilly neighborhood in historic Valparaiso greeted me with “Welcome to Chile”.
What Pinera said was true. China and Chile are very close. In South America, Chile was the first country to recognize China’s market economy status, the first to sign a free trade agreement with China, the first to establish diplomatic ties with China and the first to support China’s WTO accession.
Of course, China and Latin American countries, all belong to the developing world and are going to compete with each other. But we all know that competition is a good thing and there is no need to distort the picture simply because of competition.
Latin American nations are independent countries and they are no one’s backyard. For China and Chile, they are really neighbor countries separated only by the Pacific. You can literally fly from Beijing to Santiago without passing over any other country.
HOUSTON, March 24, 2011 — Former US Secretary of State James Baker III under President Ronald Reagan receives an award from the Asia Society and argues in his speech that American fear-mongering about China is “dangerously wrong” at Asia Society Texas Center’s 2011 Tiger Ball. (12 min., 24 sec.)
Also special thanks to http://wanderingchina.wordpress.com/ for first bringing this video to my attention.
Few articles which caught my attention in English language press about the Shanghai Expo & Latin America. Please click the article titles to visit Andina, where you can read the full articles
Peru partners with other countries to seduce China at Expo Shanghai 2010
Peru organizes joint activities with Colombia, Brazil and United States at Shanghai World Exposition, in order to promote themselves better and attract capital and tourists.
Peru to be promoted as luxury tourist destination in Expo Shanghai
Peru’s Export and Tourism Promotion Board (Promperu) will participate in Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM), a Reed Travel Exhibitions show to be held in Shanghai, China, on June 14-18 within the framework of Expo Shanghai 2010 set to kick off on Saturday.
Peruvian pavilion at Shanghai Expo to attract some 40000 visitors on first day
Some 40000 visitors of different nationalities and ages are expected to visit the Peruvian pavilion at Shanghai World Expo, which officially opened today, May 1, Peru’s Foreign Ministry reported.
APEC nations call for free trade
Nov 14 (REUTERS) – APEC leaders tackle climate change negotiations and economic integration, as Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stresses the need for free trade zone.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters
Obama seeks stronger links in Asia
Nov 14 (REUTERS) – United States President Barack Obama pushes for greater U.S. involvement in Asia, welcoming a “strong, prosperous” China.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.
China to lead Somalia piracy fight
Nov 13 (REUTERS) – China will assume a leadership role in an international coalition fighting maritime piracy off Somalia, signaling its navy’s growing ambitions beyond Chinese waters.
Stefanie McIntyre reports.
Nov 12 (Reuters) – Finance ministers take a punch at describing the economic recovery in one word or sentence.
The consensus among 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) finance ministers was that the economic situation is better, but U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said it will take time to bring unemployment down and early recovery efforts must be supported.
SOUNDBITES:
UNITED STATES TREASURY SECRETARY TIMOTHY GEITHNER
CANADIAN FINANCE MINISTER JIM FLAHERTY
INDONESIAN FINANCE MINISTER SRI MULYANI INDRAWATI
PAPUA NEW GUINEA VICE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND FINANCE
HONG KONG FINANCIAL SECRETARY JOHN TSANG
MALAYSIAN DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER AHMAD HUSNI
NEW ZEALAND FINANCE MINISTER BILL ENGLISH
SINGAPORE FINANCE MINISTER THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM
TAIWAN MINISTER OF FINANCE LEE SUSH-DER
SOUTH KOREAN DEPUTY MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
RUSSIAN DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER
JAPAN PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FINANCE
CHILEAN VICE MINISTER FOR FINANCE
international.gc.ca
U.S.’s Treasury’s Geithner to attend Singapore APEC meeting – Reuters
WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner travels to Singapore to attend a meeting of finance ministers who are members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum for one day next month.
China Minmetals eyes gold mines in Australia, Canada – Reuters
* Company to start construction at Peru copper mine next yr
* Production at Peru mine scheduled to begin in 2012 (Adds background, bylines)
By Rujun Shen and Joseph Chaney
TIANJIN, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Chinese state-owned metals trader China Minmetals Corp. [CHMIN.UL] is looking to buy gold mines in Australia and Canada, a senior executive said on Thursday.
Huang Dongmei, deputy general manager of China Minmetals Exploration and Development Ltd, made the remarks at an industry forum in China’s port city of Tianjin.
Separately, a Minmetals executive at the China Mining conference here said on Wednesday that the company would launch construction at its Galeno copper mine in Peru next year, with production due to start in 2012. [ID:nPEK200915]
Ecuador Seeks Cash to End Three-Year Oil Output Drop (Update1) – Bloomberg
Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) — Ecuador, the smallest member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is seeking to attract investment from state-run companies in Latin America, Russia and China to reverse a three-year drop in crude output.
Ecuador is forging alliances to explore and produce crude as lower investment by privately-owned companies causes production to drop as much as 6.6 percent this year, Julio Gonzalez, undersecretary of hydrocarbons policy at the Ministry of Non-Renewable Natural Resources, said in an interview.
“The government’s priority is to do this with state companies,” Gonzalez said yesterday at the ministry in Quito.
Kevin Rudd’s vision for Asia-Pacific community evolves – The Australian
KEVIN Rudd’s concept of an Asia-Pacific community by 2020 has been canvassed at the weekend’s East Asia summit in Thailand together with a rival vision from new Japanese leader Yukio Hatoyama.
East Asian leaders meeting in Hua Hin yesterday discussed the broad regional architecture, with the Prime Minister promoting his plan both at the formal leaders’ meeting and in a series on bilateral discussions.
“What I detect across the region is an openness to a discussion about how we evolve our regional architecture into the future,” Mr Rudd said yesterday.
“It’s important that we are in a conscious discussion and a conscious process to evolve options for regional institutions in the future rather than just sitting back and waiting for big problems to emerge.”
It’s been awhile since CSA last ventured into the world of MicroFinance. Well today some news caught my attention.
About sixteen Peruvian Micro-Entrepreneurs (if that’s the correct term to call them) from various sectors will travel to Guangzhou, China to participate in the 106th Guangzhou Import and Export fair. With a total of 209 countries in attendance, and thousands of exhibitors, this is a big deal for these small Peruvian businesses.
I question if these business are truly worthy of being called the products of micro-finance. I hope that they are, but my gut is telling me it’s quite possible corruption and classic South American favoritism probably led the Peruvian government to carefully handpick a few to send to China.
Ministra de la Producción, Mercedes Aráoz, inauguró Feria de Beneficios y Oportunidades de Foncopés en IPAE. Foto: ANDINA/Norman Córdova.
On the other hand, if they are truly small micro-enterprises which earned this trip to China through participating in a micro-finance program of some sort, this would be a case and point example of the potential of micro-finance institutions to empower the poor with the tools they need to succeed.
If you can read Spanish please click here to access the article which served the basis for this post.
