China cautions 'outside forces' on sea issue

Tweet

Wen Jiabao sounds warning against interference in dispute with neighbours over potentially oil-rich South China Sea.  Wen wants any dispute over the South China Sea to be resolved by the countries that are affected [EPA] Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, has said "outside forces" had no excuse to get involved in a complex dispute over the South China Sea. Wen, who spoke on Friday at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, gave a veiled warning to the US and others not to interfere in the sensitive issue. But he also struck a softer line during the ASEAN summit by offering loans and saying China only wanted to be friends. China already claim a large swathe of the South China Sea, which straddles key shipping lanes and is potentially rich in energy resources. Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei are the other claimants to parts of the sea, and along with the US and Japan, are pressuring China to try and seek some way forward on the knotty issue of sovereignty, which has flared up again this year with often tense maritime confrontations. The Chinese news agency reported Wen as saying "the dispute which exists among relevant countries in this region over the South China Sea is an issue which has built up for several years". "It ought to be resolved through friendly consultations and discussions by countries directly involved. Outside forces should not, under any pretext, get involved," he said. Concerns expressed Japan has also expressed concern over the dispute, and India has become involved via an oil-exploration deal with Vietnam in the South China Sea. Marty Natalegawa, the Indonesian foreign minister, said that China had sent positive signals about further discussing  the code of conduct for the waters. "I think this is an important development," Natalegawa said. China has offered loans of id=mce_marker0bn on top of a pledge of  id=mce_marker5bn in loans made two years ago [AFP] In July, China and Southeast Asian countries agreed on a preliminary set of guidelines in the South China Sea, a rare sign of co-operation in a row that has plagued relations in the region for years. The White House has said President Barack Obama, who is also in Bali, will bring up the issue at the summit. China has said it does not want it discussed, preferring to deal with the problem bilaterally amongst the states directly involved. Beijing accuses the US of trying to consolidate its own position in Southeast Asia. Obama has agreed to to deploy up to 2,500 troops and boost air force co-operation with Australia. China sees US action as a deliberate ploy to counterbalance the rise of China as an economic and military in the region. Despite the disagreements over the South China Sea, China has been keen to deepen trade and economic ties with Southeast Asia, and has a free trade agreement with the bloc. "The China-ASEAN relationship is solidly based and has great potential and a promising future," Wen said in his speech. To this end, Wen said China would offer $10bn in loans, on top of a pledge $15bn of loans made  two years ago. China will also set up a $473 million fund to expand practical maritime co-operation by promoting cooperation in environmental protection, navigational safety and combating transnational crimes. Source: Agencies   Newscribe : get free news in real time

ASEAN Sumit: US reasserts role as Pacific power, creates "vicious circle of tension" ; Indon military warns!

Tweet 

Leaders and representatives of the ASEAN countries link hands during the opening of the 19th ASEAN Summit on the Indonesian resort island of Bali Thursday. Photo: AFP

US President Barack Obama Thursday reiterated his country's determination to consolidate its role in the Asia-Pacific, a day after Beijing questioned Washington's decision to expand its military presence in Australia.

"The US is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay," Obama said when addressing the Australian Parliament in Canberra, repeating the exact phrases he used at the APEC summit in Honolulu over the weekend.

"I have directed my national security team to make our presence and missions in the Asia-Pacific a top priority. As a result, reductions in US defense spending will not come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific," the US president said.

Obama acknowledged China's concerns over the growing US presence, saying, "We'll seek more opportunities for cooperation with Beijing, including greater communication between our militaries to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation."

The AP commented that this is an "unmistakable message" from the White House chief to Beijing on Washington's determination to counter a rising China.



In response, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Liu Weimin said Thursday, "We hold no objection to the development of regular relations between countries. But we hope they can consider others' interests, regional peace and stability before making any move."

 "Firmly upholding the development of Sino-US ties based on mutual respect and reciprocal cooperation will benefit the two sides, as well as the whole world," Liu said.

However, a commentary by the Xinhua News Agency said Thursday, "It wouldn't come as a surprise if the US is trying to seek hegemony in the region, which would be in line with its aspirations as a global superpower."

"It is hard to envision what kind of 'leadership' the US aspires to have in the region. What the region really needs is a strong and reliable partner that can help the region stave off the current financial crisis and seek balanced and sustained growth," it added.

Obama arrived in Bali Thursday for the Sixth East Asia Summit starting tomorrow, making him the first US president to take part in the event.

Yuan Peng, director of the Institute of US Studies of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that by joining the summit, the US now formally becomes a force in the region.

"It highlights the complete shift of Washington's strategic focus to the East. The strategic gravity of the US will remain in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming decade," Yuan said.

The US has signaled it will raise the South China Sea issue during the summit despite Beijing's objections.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has also asked ASEAN to host a multilateral summit that would discuss the issue, but a number of the bloc's members, including Malaysia and Cambodia, rejected Manila's initiative.

Liu reiterated China's stance Thursday, warning that interference from other countries would only complicate the issue, and Beijing would not accept any attempts to harm its sovereignty and interests.

Wu Xinbo, a deputy director of the Center for US Studies at the Fudan University, told the Global Times that the South China Sea issue has become more complicated with the greater US presence.

"At some point, the issue will involve several countries in the region, so assembling countries involved in the negotiations could be a supplement to one-on-one talks. However, it should be noted that the multilateral negotiations can only be held among related parties, and any external forces should be excluded," Wu said.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his ASEAN counterparts are expected to issue a joint declaration on boosting cooperation on maritime security and safety in the region during the Japan-ASEAN meeting on the sidelines of the Bali summit.

Japan's Kyodo News commented that although Japan seems to be an outsider in the South China Sea issue, its behavior mirrors Tokyo's own run-ins with Beijing in connection to the East China Sea.

Separately, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also arrived in Bali Thursday to attend the East Asia Summit, the 14th between China and ASEAN, as well as the 14th between ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea and an event that marks the 20th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue.

Wen is expected to reiterate China's policies on deepening cooperation with ASEAN in political, economic and cultural fields. ASEAN and China leaders will also review the development of bilateral ties and map out strategic planning for the future.

"In such a complicated and serious international political and economic situation, the upcoming summits should highlight the theme of unity, development and cooperation," Wen said during talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Thursday.

"China said it plans to set up a fund for maritime cooperation with ASEAN and is preparing about 3 billion yuan ($472 million) to develop cooperation in maritime industries," Indonesian presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said after the leaders' talks.

Zhu Shanshan and agencies contributed to the story

Newscribe : get free news in real time 

Indon military warns about Aust-US plan

Karlis Salna, AAP South-East Asia Correspondent

A top Indonesian military chief has warned plans for the United States to boost its military presence in Australia could fuel tensions regarding an ongoing maritime dispute over the South China Sea.

The plan, which was unveiled by US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Canberra on Wednesday, has already caused friction at the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bali.

Indonesian military commander Admiral Agus Suhartono has now added his voice to concerns the plan could add to an increasingly tense dispute over the resource-rich South China Sea.

China and four ASEAN countries - Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam - have staked claims over the crucial sea lane, which handles more than one-third of the world's seaborne trade and half its traffic in oil and gas.

Admiral Suhartono, who has formerly served as the Indonesian Navy's chief of staff, has warned the increased US military presence, which is seen also seen as a hedge against the growing influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region, could draw Indonesia into the dispute.

Under the plan, announced in Canberra on Wednesday, up to 250 US Marines will train for six months at a time in the Northern Territory, just 800km from Indonesia, rising to a full 2500-strong Marine Air Ground Task Force by 2016.

The US forces will bring ships, aircraft and vehicles.

"Their military fleets would very likely go back and forth through our waters, given the analysis that the planned base will have to conduct due to rising tensions in the South China Sea," Admiral Suhartono told the Jakarta Post newspaper.

Admiral Suhartono said the US military presence in Australia would impact Indonesia in terms of political and security stability in South-East Asia.

"We haven't learned clearly what this deal is but we have been studying the plan and analysing any potential impacts on Indonesia as well as on the South-East Asian region," he said.

"We have begun consulting all sources concerned with this issue."

China has been relatively restrained in its response to the US-Australia military pact.

"As for relations among China, the United States and Australia, I think that further deepening and strengthening Chinese co-operation with the US and with Australia suits the interests of all these countries as well as the other countries in the region and the international community," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.

But a spokesman for Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit on Thursday evening, said there was no doubt the increased US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region would strengthen the Philippines' hand against Beijing in terms of the South China Sea issue.

"I think it bolsters our ability to assert our sovereignty over certain areas," spokesman Ricky Carandang said.

© 2011 AAP Newscribe : get free news in real time  

Indonesia fears US forces could create "vicious circle of tension"

Tom Allard

Indonesia has expressed concerns that the increased US military presence in northern Australia could provoke a ''vicious circle of tension and mistrust'' in the region.

''What I would hate to see is if such a development were to provoke a reaction and counter-reaction,'' said Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, speaking before the ASEAN and East Asia leaders' summits, which begin in Bali today.

Without stringent efforts to consult with other countries in the region, he added, it could lead to misunderstanding and provoke a ''vicious circle of tension and mistrust''.

Mr Natalegawa said he was briefed on the new arrangement, under which US marines and air force personnel will next year begin six-month training deployments to Australia, by Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.

He suggested that countries in the Asia Pacific would need to be consulted in more depth in Bali.

US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrive in Bali tonight and tomorrow for the summits, which are being hosted by Indonesia and will focus on security and political issues.

The closer defence co-operation between Australia and the US is widely seen as a measure to counter any military threat from a rapidly emerging China.

Equally, though, the increased number of US troops training in the Northern Territory is occurring right on Indonesia's doorstep.

Newscribe : get free news in real time  

Malaysia's left-wing political parties hoping to soar

Tweet

Left-wing parties hoping to soar

Analysis By Baradan Kuppusamy

Left-wing parties are making a comeback in a political environment dominated by both race-based and multi-racial parties all pushing the same democratic centralism political ideology.

PARTI Rakyat Malaysia, a small but tradition-rich party, is causing some consternation among top PKR leaders with its announcement this week that it will contest in three parliamentary constituencies held by PKR.

Its newly elected president Dr Rohana Ariffin said that the party, founded in 1955 by Ahmad Boestaman upon his release from ISA, would contest in the Balik Pulau, Selayang and Petaling Jaya Selatan constituencies in the forthcoming general election.

In an interview, she said PRM was against three-cornered fights but hoped to hold discussions with Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and find an amicable solution.

“We are keen to contest in the three seats,” she told The Star, adding that Balik Pulau in Penang was a traditional PRM seat while Selayang was also a former seat with hardcore members and Petaling Jaya was where the party's headquarters was located.

“We have many supporters in the three constituencies,” she said. “We are only asking for three seats out of 222 in the country.”

Dr Rohana said if an Opposition government were to be elected in the next general election, their participation would be crucial because they would offer alternative views from within.

“Diversity should be promoted and encouraged and many contrasting views make up a good government unlike with Barisan Nasional where Umno's views dominate,” said the academician.



All well and good but PKR is in no mood to concede three of the best constituencies now held by party veterans just because PRM is asking for it, tradition-rich party or not.

The Selayang constituency is held by PKR treasurer William Leong, who did well in 2008 defeating his opponents in a three-cornered fight, including a PRM candidate Koh Su Yong, who polled about 2% of the votes.

Koh had stood in 2004 under a PKR banner and polled over 17,000 votes, losing nevertheless. His 2008 performance was lacklustre under PRM, a measure of what the right party can do for a candidate.

Although PRM has traditionally contested in Balik Pulau and never won, it believes it has a better chance now.

Currently, it is held by PKR newcomer Yusmadi Yusuf, who is very active in Balik Pulau as well as in Penang and in Parliament.

Petaling Jaya Selatan, on the other hand is held by Hee Loy Sian, who keeps a low profile.

PRM is hallowed in the left-wing history of the country, having been founded by Ahmad Boestaman and brought together all the Malay left in various organisations like KMM, API and other small groups.

The party was a member of the Socialist Front and contested in various municipal councils and in general election in the 1960s but the winning results were mixed.

It had to watch out for the Special Branch on one hand and convince the people to win elections on the other, making for difficult choices.

PRM survived the 1970s under Kassim Ahmad and after him, Datuk Kampu Radjoo, and finally came under the control of Dr Syed Husin Ali in the 1980s.

In 2003, he dissolved PRM and led its members into PKR but a small faction opposed the move and carried on under the PRM banner, which had a cow's head as the party symbol.

The breakaway faction was recognised by the Registrar of Societies and in the election for PRM office bearers held in Petaling Jaya last week, Dr Rohana, the acting president since 2010, was elected PRM president.

Another small, left-wing party, the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), is also having trouble with Pakatan Rakyat, especially DAP, over seat allocation.Image via Wikipedia

In 2008, it contested under the PKR banner in three seats and won one with its president Dr Nasir Hashim in Kota Damansara and Dr D. Jeyakumar in Sungei Siput Parliamentary seat but secretary-general S. Arutchelvam lost in the Semenyih state seat in Selangor.

The tussle with the DAP in 2008 was for the Jalong seat in Perak which the PSM wanted to contest because of years of grassroots work there.

In the end, they contested as an independent after negotiation with the DAP broke down. In the three-cornered fight that followed, PSM lost to DAP's Hew Yit Fong who, a year later, defected to Barisan Nasional together with two PKR assemblymen, giving away the state.

In retrospect, left-wing parties are making a comeback in a political environment dominated by both race-based and multi-racial parties all pushing the same democratic centralism political ideology.

They have no socialist trappings to speak off and only want to run a better government with the same foreign investment and development strategies.

The left parties are making a comeback in a big way overseas but without the violent themes of the past.
Their ideologies and policies would provide a fresh alternative to the dominant political parties on both sides of the divide here.

Both Barisan Nasional, that is trying to win hearts and minds with its many 1Malaysia reforms, and Pakatan Rakyat - with its “me-rakyatkan” economy initiatives in Selangor - could well use another party with a socialist bend to speak for and champion the people.

The left-wing parties have important things to contribute to the debate on national issues like privatisation of healthcare, food security and even on the government service tax.

Their re-emergence on the political scene should be welcomed and encouraged as these left parties have dedicated leadership who will go the extra mile for the people.

Related posts:

PRM, the Seladang's Resurgence in Malaysian politics?  
Winning over the majority of the Malay Muslim psyches and votes!