In the battle of the titans Beijing no one wants to give way – Independent Newspaper

In the battle of the titans Beijing no one wants to give way

Putin and Xi is satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. Photo Reuters

 

Summit of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC), which opens today in the capital of China, has turned into a puzzle to observers. They wondered: Does Vladimir Putin will meet with Barack Obama and Xi Jinping – with Abe, agree whether the US and Chinese leaders to mitigate differences on economic and political issues. Contrast to this background, China became the relationship with Russia. Two Powers reaffirmed its determination to expand the interaction regardless of what changes are occurring in the world.

  
 

According to the online edition of the Asia Times, the APEC summit for the international press has turned into a race for the disclosure of several puzzles. Indeed, in the same hall were to meet President Xi Jinping, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. And until recently it was unknown whether will talk to each other, Putin and Obama, and Abe C, whether able to reach a compromise on the establishment of political and economic units in the region, Washington and Beijing.

  
 

There are two concepts collide – China and the US. China hoped that APEC formally approve its initiative to create a free trade area for the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). A US oppose this idea regional trade organizations Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It covers a number of countries, including Japan and Australia. But does not include China. Chinese experts attribute this proposal with a “turning” of US military strategy toward Asia and called it a step toward creating “economic NATO».

  
 

President Xi Jinping made clear that Beijing is not going to give in to American pressure. On the eve of the summit, he delivered a speech before the magnates of international business and announced that China will create the Silk Road Fund in the amount of $ 40 billion. The project should primarily related land transport arteries Eastern, Central and South Asia and Europe.

  
 

In addition to the land corridor, China has also positioned itself as the center of the Maritime Silk Road. Here the details are not yet clear. But the essence of the plan is to China has played a leading role in commercial shipping through the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

  
 

On this background of growing competition contrast look the outcome of negotiations between Putin and Xi Jinping held yesterday. As Interfax, Russia and China should adhere to the chosen line of cooperation, despite the changes in the global arena, they said.

  
 

«Whatever changes may occur in the international situation, we must adhere to a busy line, expand and deepen all-round mutually beneficial cooperation”, – said the Chinese leader. Putin also noted the importance of cooperation in the international arena, the two countries. “It is extremely important is the interaction between Russia and China in order to keep the peace in the framework of international law, making it more stable,” – said the president of the Russian Federation.

  
 

Moreover, both sides seek to bring under the scope of the policy a solid economic base. This is evidenced by the fact that in the presence of the two leaders signed nearly two dozen documents. They relate primarily to the gas sector. Signed, in particular, the memorandum on gas supplies to China via the western route, a memorandum between “Gazprom” and the China National offshore Oil Corporation, a cooperation between Sberbank and Chinese companies export credit insurance. Commenting on the value of the agreements on gas, the head of “Gazprom” Alexei Miller said that in the medium term gas supplies from Russia to China could exceed the volume of supply in Europe.

  
 

In an interview with “NG” Senior Fellow, Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Alexander Larin said that “now Russia’s partnership with China takes place in special circumstances. On the one hand, Russia is forced to lead a sanctions war with the West, which prompts her to reorient itself to a large extent on the East. On the other hand, China has dramatically stepped up its efforts to expand and deepen the integration processes in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR). By this it encourages deterrence by the United States. Contrary to their efforts, China still becomes the center of the integration process in East Asia. This has implications for Russia ».

  
 

The economic cooperation between Russia and China is developed in many directions. The core of it is energy. Russia hopes that China will participate in the development of the natural resources of Siberia, in particular, on the Arctic shelf. Cooperation covers and nuclear energy, and the creation of new sources of energy.

  
 

It is extremely important, and an agreement on the construction of Chinese technology using high-speed railway from Moscow to Kazan. Both sides are trying to create a high-speed highway Moscow-Beijing. According to specialists, can make their way between the two capitals for two days. Moreover, China is going to launch the construction of railways in the province of Heilongjiang, which borders Russia. This will raise the value of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Because of this it can serve as a bridge between East Asia and Europe. There is hope that the Chinese capital to take part in the modernization of the Trans.

  
 

There are plans for the aircraft industry, the creation of wide-bodied aircraft, helicopters. It is assumed, and cooperation in the field of nano-technology with access to the international market.

  
 

«Feeding all these hopes for Russia is important not to fall into the role of a weak negotiator, did not prove to be an asylum, ready to make any concessions. Especially since China declared itself the principle of mutual benefit in our relationship. At that Moscow should diversify the range of partners, is not confined to one China “, – concluded the expert.

  
 

By the way, Chinese diplomacy before the summit demonstrated the ability to compromise with power, with whom relations have reached the boiling point. The foreign ministers of China and Japan after a long break, met and agreed to avoid steps that could lead to military clashes. However, whether the meeting will take place between Xi Jinping and Abe, as well as Putin and Obama, at the time of release of this issue remained unknown.