Korea solution for Ukraine and deescalation with KMT-Taiwan as part of the Global Security Initiative?
The reports are pouring in today. First that the Danes want to cooperate with Russia in investigating the North Stream sabotage, then the discreetly timely launch of the news that Russian submarines with gripper arms were on site at the time of the crime. Then that the US wants to talk to Russia about Ukraine’s borders „in the long term“, which makes it appear that US Joint Chief of Staff General Milley’s Korean solution is apparently being considered.
“Just and Lasting Peace” – US Open to Negotiations on Ukraine’s Future Borders”
Beijing has now also organized a „democracy summit“ with 200 high-ranking participants and Global Time points to the upcoming visit of Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez and calls for a de-escalation from the EU and Germany in particular, in order to implement and support the Chinese peace initiative within the framework of the Global Security Initiative.
“ Europe needs rational voices for promoting peace talks on the Ukraine crisis, not continuous military support: experts
By GT staff reporters Published: Mar 25, 2023 02:34 PM Updated: Mar 25, 2023 05:42 PM
The EU has approved its first ever joint purchase of ammunition worth two billion euro ($2.17 billion) as part of its military support for Ukraine. Experts warned the continuous military support will not help to solve the core issue of Ukraine crisis and what Europe needs is rational thinking and voices for promoting peace talks and political settlement of the Ukraine crisis in order to help it get out of the dilemma.
European Union leaders endorsed the plan on Thursday for sending Ukraine one million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months to help the country counter Russia’s forces, the Associated Press reported.
The continuous military support to Ukraine will not help to solve the core issue, experts warned. Some rational European leaders apparently are also aware of this as they are falling over each other to come to China, seeking a peaceful and effective solution for the issue as the US showed no interest in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict and helping the Europe get out of the economic and social crisis.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Thursday he will fly to Beijing for talks next week. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, will follow on a longer-planned trip on April 4, according to Politico.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Thursday, Sánchez described China as a „top-tier global actor“ and said their meeting would also „obviously“ include discussions about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, The Guardian reported.
Both Europe and China want to reach consensus and enhance their cooperation facing challenges, the US‘ interference only reflects that its aim is to preventing the two sides getting closer, experts said.
Before the approval of the EU joint purchase plan, the US had been actively making efforts trying to cajole the European leaders into its attempt to decouple and confront China – including hyping China-Russia ties and claiming framework offered by Beijing „would be one sided and reflect only the Russian perspective“ and making groundless accusations over China supporting Russia in the war behind the scenes, but only ended up with receiving an „ambivalent at best“ response, as per a Politico report.
„The Europeans have already experienced deep economic trauma because of cutting off Russia. They cannot imagine cutting off China,“ Heather Conley, a former State Department official overseeing European and Eurasian Affairs in the George W. Bush administration, was quoted as saying by Politico.
The US and Europe used to dream of ending the conflict in a short period by supplying increasingly lethal arms and weapons to Ukraine and by waging an economic war against Russia. Their aim is evidently to drag down Russia until it collapses, Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times.
This approach apparently has failed, but Europe is already entangled and finds it a difficult dilemma to solve if they continue to follow the US‘ steps, according to experts.
China’s stance to promote peace talks has formed a stark contrast to the US‘ behaviors that go against peace such as fanning the flames and deflecting the blame. Especially given the landmark agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran mediated by China to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and missions within two months after seven years of no diplomatic ties between the two, some rational European politicians have looked to the East and become more confident that China can play a better role in solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Wang Huiyao, president of nongovernment think tank the Center for China and Globalization.
The accusation of China taking sides on the Russia-Ukraine issue is also against the facts.
On Thursday, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held phone talks with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron at the latter’s request, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The Chinese side hopes that France and other European countries would also play their due role in promoting peace talks on the Ukrainian issue, Wang said, adding that ceasefire, resumption of peace talks and political settlement of the crisis should become the strategic consensus between China and Europe.
For his part, Bonne expressed appreciation for China’s positive role in promoting peace talks. On the Ukrainian issue, France does not support camp confrontation, he said. Both France and China want a political and negotiated end to the crisis, he said, adding that France is willing to make joint efforts with China to push for a ceasefire and find a peaceful solution.
On March 16, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang held a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
During the call, Qin stressed that China upholds an objective and impartial position on the Ukraine issue, and remains committed to promoting peace talks, Kuleba thanked China for providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, and noted that China’s position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis shows its sincerity in promoting a ceasefire and an end to the conflict. Kuleba expressed the hope to maintain communication with China.
At a press conference on Wednesday, John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications at the White House, said „We don’t support any effort to – to decrease the sense of isolation that Putin has already experienced from the international community. We don’t support any effort to bolster his economy or make it any more healthy. We don’t support any effort by anybody to make it easier for him, financially or otherwise, to continue to slaughter Ukrainians,“ when commented on a recent joint statement between China and Russia on economic cooperation before 2030.
China-Russia relations feature a principle of no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party. Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries is good for the two peoples and the world. Such cooperation is open and aboveboard, which is a sharp contrast to US hegemonism and bullying, and the small, selfish and exclusive blocs it has set up, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine press conference on Friday in response to Kirby’s remarks.
China is playing a constructive role in solving the Russia-Ukraine crisis while the US, however, has been fanning the flames and thwarting other countries‘ efforts for peace talks, which makes people question its real motives, Mao said.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287947.shtml
Macron’s visit also means that von der Leyen is traveling to Beijing to show that Europe still speaks with one voice.
“Von der Leyen suddenly wants to travel to China – why?
At the EU summit, the realization prevailed that one cannot progress without China. But also not without the USA – a dilemma. 03/24/2023 | 6:06 p.m
At the same time as the EU politicians in Brussels, 200 politicians, scientists and experts from over 100 countries and regions met in Beijing on Thursday. Invited by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and think tanks from Cambodia, Chile, Nigeria, Spain and Tonga, participants in China discussed how countries could find their own way to democracy. According to the state-run Chinese Global Times, the timing was well-chosen – President Joe Biden is inviting people to his “democracy summit” next week. In the Chinese reading, the participants opposed the practice of certain states of wanting to export their own form of democracy in a “hegemonic” manner. The Global Times writes that „the open and inclusive atmosphere of the event in Beijing is in stark contrast to that in the US,“ where the narrative of „democracy versus authoritarianism“ is being propagated. China’s state media cited former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in their verdict. He explained at the conference that Western values per se are not the problem. However, if „democratic and human rights values are overemphasized in diplomacy, this will inevitably lead to discrimination and exclusion from countries with different values“. This could have irrational consequences and also damage the economy and prosperity. Similar concerns are likely to have plagued the EU leaders in Brussels. Because while the American government keeps the pressure on the EU undiminished and demands China’s isolation, some countries are putting up such counter-pressure that even Ursula von der Leyen, who traditionally has a good relationship with the White House, is reorienting herself. Somewhat hectically, she joined the delegation of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is about to make a pilgrimage to China. Before that, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will pay his respects to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The feverish travel diplomacy is viewed critically by the Baltic, Poles and Scandinavians: They all referred to Xi’s extended visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Xi made it clear that he did not want to move away from Russia. Because of China’s economic importance, it is not possible for the Europeans to impose a total ban on contacts, as was the case with Russia. But Lithuanians and Estonians warned of China’s growing role in the geopolitical dispute. But for many heads of state and government there is now more at stake: “China is not perfect, but we could need it one day. This assessment is shared by several member states,” an EU official said, according to Politico magazine. French President Emmanuel Macron implored his colleagues to prevent China from providing military support to Russia – knowing full well that in this case the USA could decide on far-reaching sanctions and also demand them from the EU. This would probably be much more difficult for the European economy to cope with than the sanctions against Russia.
For its part, China is primarily courting Germany: With their mutually complementary economic advantages, there is no so-called one-side dependence between China and Germany on the other, Shu Jueting, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Commerce, said on Thursday, according to the state-run China Daily website Close economic ties between China and Germany result from the development of globalization and the effects of market forces,“ she said at a press conference. But the Chinese are demanding an independent line from Europe. In a conversation with a Macron adviser, the top Chinese foreign politician, Wang Yi, solicited support for the Chinese Ukraine peace plan. The Europeans must participate at the political level in resolving the conflict.
At the same time, the successor discussion begins who will replace NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. Starting a debate, whether it could be a German. But whether the Eastern Europeans and Macron allow that and the USA and GB? Especially because of the 2% target and the hesitancy of the new European power. The first and at the same time the lasst German NATO Secretary General was Wörner and then no German ever had this position. Before von der Leyen switched to the EU, there was initial discussion as to whether the then German Defense Minister would become NATO Secretary General, which did not happen. At least a German would become the first head of the newly formed NATO secret service, but the view of the Eastern Europeans was that he was too pro-Russian and then had to make a Canossa trip to Warsaw when he wanted to become German ambassador to Poland.
On the question of the coming NATO Secretary General, the German ex-NATO General Domroese jr. still: „EST Min Pres Kallas positions itself for successor to Stoltenberg“
Estonia-frontline state in the Baltic States with a large Russian minority-is that also a criterion for setting an example? Domroese said: „Smaller nation and ex soviet republic and woman, first time. If that’s not enough…“. Annalena will be happy about that. Spice Girlie power and feminist foreign policy at its best. A women’s axis from Baerbock, combat machine and Iron Lady Strack-Zack-Zack Zimmermann to the Scandinavian Prime Ministers and maybe also the now pro-Ukraine and „post-fascist“ Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni? Not to forget shotgun Uschi von der Leyen, although Knarrenbauer and Iron Lady Liz Truss are out of the ame. In the meantime. TheGerman green mouthpiece taz has already made it clear in an editorial that feminist foreign policy does not necessarily mean pacifist foreign policy, i.e. not Schwarzer-Wagenknecht and the, from this point of view, wimp Merkel-Vad or that hesitant softie and Merkel-reincarnationr Scholz. Although Margaret Thatcher and Catherine the Great, including the conquest of Crimea, were wisely left out for the time being. But maybe the first consideration is neither woman nor small, Davida against Goliath, but that the Russians could strike next after Ukraine in the Baltic States (Sulawiki Gap and Kaliningrad, Russian minorities in Estonia, and that was the most likely scenario with the CSBA study „Rethinking Armaggedon“ and Michael O’Hannon’s „The Senkaku Paradox-Great Power Wars on small stakes“. Perhaps one wants to ensure that if Putin were to launch a hybrid war in the Baltics, an Estonian NATO Secretary General would not hesitate to give a massive military response , unlike maybe a Western European or German NGS and that would make the most self-concerned and decisive deterrent more credible, albeit ultimately decided by the US and SACEUR and violence against the weaker and against women by Putin can also be used for NATO propaganda purposes as feminicide..
So there is a lot going on, especially since Bachmuth is more of a stalemate and the ammunition is slowly running out. Or as the NZZ reports:
„US arms production fails to keep pace with supplies to Ukraine
Here’s what happened: US stocks of some important weapons are shrinking. The New York Times reports that the Pentagon is very concerned that the American defense industry will not be able to keep up with deliveries to Ukraine. The US has provided $33 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian attack. According to information from the US Department of Defense, the US is now unable to produce as many weapons as are needed at a time of heightened tensions between the superpowers.“
After the Iran-SA deal, China has now pushed on with a Syria-SA deal and it might not be averse to a ceasefire in Ukraine as another crown jewel of its new Global Security Initiative, which it wants topresent at the Boao Conference, the Asian Davos and Bderberger and should show that China is the bringer of world peace and not the trouble maker and world policeman USA.
Also movement in Taiwan. As Tsai wants to visit the USA, first a KMT delegation stayed in Beijing, now the ex-president Ma Yingjiu visited China and also 3 business delegations followed, especially since the upcoming election campaign in the USA and Taiwan, although it remains unclear whether Tsai US visit will and her speech at Cornell University will ignite a new Taiwan crisis similar to that of Lee Denghui´s visit and speech at Cornell University in the late 90s. In any case, Xi is trying to use his charm offensive and Global Security Initiative including Global Developments Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative including his own „Democracy Summit“ in competition with Biden’s Alliance of Democracies to split the Asians, the EU and also the Taiwanese, KMT and DDP, especially the Chinese Communist Party seems to be hoping for an election victory for the KMT and has also commissioned its Politburo member Wang Nanhui to come up with a new Taiwan formula.
“Taiwan business delegations visit Chinese mainland, even as DPP seeks to disrupt exchanges
By Global Times Published: Mar 23, 2023 09:07 PM
A wave of business groups from the island of Taiwan are visiting the Chinese mainland with hopes of more growth opportunities in the mainland market, even as secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on the island seek to undermine cross-Straits exchanges.
Paul Hsu, chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce on the island of Taiwan, is leading a delegation on a business tour of the mainland to hold talks with mainland businesses and authorities. The visit will run through Saturday, the Global Times learned.
The trip will focus on boosting the sales of the island’s agricultural and fishery products to the mainland. In addition, the two sides will also focus on financial cooperation, tourism and introducing time-honored brands to the Chinese mainland, Hsu told the Global Times on Thursday.
Hsu said that he hoped the visit would lead to more cross-Straits flights and lower airfares, to help people-to-people exchanges and boost the catering, pastry and other tourism-related industries on the island.
Through the visit, the delegation also hopes to help Taiwan’s financial industries such as banks, securities, futures and insurance firms to expand in the mainland market, Hsu said.
Hsu urged cross-Straits exchanges and communication, saying „whatever is right, we should do it, so as to bring the greatest benefits to people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and create the greatest business opportunities.“
Two more business delegations from the island of Taiwan are planning visits to the mainland in April and May, Xiamen Star TV reported.
A delegation from Taitung county on the island also visited Beijing starting on Wednesday to expand the sale of farm products, according to the report.
As many on both sides of the Taiwan Straits call for strengthened exchanges, the mainland has been actively promoting cross-Straits exchanges, including commercial activities.
In the latest move, the mainland resumed clearing of two types of fish, chilled large-head hairtail and frozen horse mackerel, from the Taiwan region starting on March 15, in a bid to promote cross-Straits trade, according to Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
Shipments of these fish to the mainland were suspended in August in accordance with regulations and food safety requirements, after the products tested positive for COVID-19.
However, ignoring growing calls for strengthening cross-Straits exchanges, the DPP authorities continue on its dangerous secessionist path.
Asked about reports of Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen potentially meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday expressed firm opposition to „any form of official interaction between the US and Taiwan.“
„Our message to the Taiwan authorities is clear: ‚Taiwan independence‘ is a dead end; any attempt to seek independence and make provocations together with external forces will fail. China will resolutely safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,“ Wang said.”