DIPLOMATIC DYNAMICS

DIPLOMATIC DYNAMICS

China and Zambia

China has promised to strengthen political, economic and cultural ties with Zambia during Zambian President Rupiah Banda’s visit.

Apart from developing a political relationship of “sincerity and trust,” the two countries should expand cooperation in areas including agriculture, mineral resources and infrastructure, Chinese President Hu Jintao said while meeting with Banda on February 25.

They should also make joint efforts to enhance prosperity in the China-Zambia trade and economic cooperation zone in Zambia. Established in 2007, the zone homes a number of Chinese and Zambian companies.

Hu also called on both sides to engage in collaboration in areas of education, culture and public health to deepen mutual understanding.

China and Chile

China stands ready to assist Chile with disaster relief after a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake ravaged the South American nation on February 27, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

China has declared its intention to provide Chile with $1 million in humanitarian aid, Qin said at a March 2 press conference. In addition, the Red Cross Society of China has pledged a further $100,000 toward disaster relief.

On March 4, it dispatched 96 tons of relief supplies to Chile, including tents, blankets, power generators and water purifcation devices, worth $2 million.

China and U.S.

China has called on the United States to respect China’s “core interests” and properly handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

Qin made the remarks at the outset of a recent visit by two U.S. offcials at a March 2 press conference.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeffrey Bader—both experts on Chinese affairs—visited China between March 2 and 4.

Their trip came amid tensions following Washington’s decision to permit a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan and President Barack Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama.

China is not to blame for the current difficulties, Qin said, while urging the United States to work with China to engender stability in bilateral relations.