HHenry Kissinger meets Xi Jinping in Beijing, while John Kerry is turned down. Foreign direct investment in China is estimated to have fallen to a new low of $20 billion in the first quarter. India rejected BYD’s $1 billion joint investment offer. chinascope Take a look at the disappointing outcome of Kissinger’s trip to Beijing – and more.
China in a week
The mystery of the disappearance of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is not hindering the meeting between former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and President Xi Jinping.
According to US officials, Kissinger visited Beijing in a personal capacity, giving Beijing an opportunity to signal its intentions regarding US-China relations.
During their sitting, Kissinger Express It is an honor for him to be hosted by Xi Jinping in Building No. 5 of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where he met Chinese leaders for the first time in 1971.
xi says Kissinger said that the world is undergoing unprecedented changes, and both China and the United States are at a crossroads, facing important choices.
While Xi’s praise for Kissinger denial US climate envoy John Kerry indicated China’s priority. Beijing wants the US to “choose” accommodation instead of containing China’s rise in the international system.
Kissinger’s visit highlights Beijing’s inability to muster support in Washington’s political beltway against the Joe Biden administration’s China agenda. The trip may soothe Beijing nostalgia for a quieter period in their relationship, but it is unlikely to recreate that atmosphere.
During his stay in Beijing, Kissinger also met with Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who was also met by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. fail meet to discuss. Some speculate that Kissinger acted as a back channel to resume military-to-military dialogue. The idea that Kissinger could magically coax Xi Jinping into resuming talks seems mere speculation. Kissinger’s visit mainly complements Beijing’s efforts to find friendly views in Zhongnanhai, while Xi uses Kissinger to send a message to the US.
Chinese Ambassador to America Xie Feng did discussions US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, with the Pentagon’s Eli Ratner, to revive military-to-military dialogue that has gone cold. Even Xie Feng’s comments at the Aspen Security Forum show that US friends of China struggle to express their ‘friendly views’.
Chinese state media effectively used the Kissinger meeting to promote ideas in the US that China wanted.
The hashtag “Xi Jinping Meets with Kissinger: We Don’t Forget Old Friends” was the number one trend on Baidu. The hashtag “Kisinger is 100 years old, but he can still go to Beijing for business trips” has been viewed 110 million times on Weibo.
Meanwhile, an unusual development sees Wang Yi taking over Qin Gang’s position as director of the Foreign Affairs Commission.
Wang Yi, who was present during the Kissinger meeting, stressed the need for the US to draw a clear line on ‘Taiwan independence separatist activities’ and oppose ‘Taiwan independence’. Yi has embarked on a tour of four countries including South Africa, Nigeria. Kenyaand Turkey, which was initially planned for the missing Qin Gang.
A senior US official said, “Qin has a large number of enemies within his government.” Washington PostJosh Rozin. Rumors suggest Vice minister Ma Zhaoxu could become the next foreign minister if Qin is sidelined by Xi Jinping. Ma has received extensive attention from Chinese state media in recent days, perhaps in preparation for his promotion.
If Qin is replaced, the world will lose an attractive Chinese official with an international outlook who could advance in Chinese politics.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly postponed it visit Beijing because of the lack of clear answers about the disappearance of Qin Gang.
Despite early optimism, the recovery in the Chinese economy after its reopening in late 2022 has fallen short of expectations, with foreign direct investment falling to $20 billion from $100 billion in the first quarter. Estimate By Mark Witzke of The Rhodium Group. Goldman Sachs has forecast more money outflows than inflows from China for the first time in four decades.
Founders of major Chinese companies, including Tencent and Xiaomi, publish editorials supporting Xi’s plans to revive the economy, but investors remain cautious about further regulatory actions.
Beijing’s efforts to revive the economy have yielded only modest results, and low growth may persist for a long time.
Read also: China’s Foreign Minister missing, rumor of affair with journalist spread. Xi confused
China in world news
India has rejected BYD’s proposal to invest $1 billion in a manufacturing plant over national security concerns The Economic Times Reported.
BYD had proposed to set up a four-wheeler manufacturing facility in partnership with Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited, but the companies were denied approval by India’s Department of Commerce and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
From 2020 the government has implemented investment screening Measures targeting countries that share a land border.
BYD car manufacturing would potentially require Chinese workers to be issued visas and could involve data flows, which could pose national security problems.
Wang Yi had recently asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to stop targeting Chinese companies. But the government’s strategy prevents Chinese companies from entering strategic sectors including automobiles and telecommunications.
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The author is a columnist and freelance journalist. He was previously China media reporter with the BBC World Service. He is currently a MOFA Taiwan Fellow based in Taipei and tweets @aadilbrar. Thoughts are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)