29-03-2014, 10:50 AM
Lauren Johnson Wrote:Halford MacIndor's The Geopolitical Pivot of History and the Guido Preparata's Conjuring Hitler should now be brought back to our thoughts. The ultimate catastrophe for the island nations, i.e. England, the US and of course its backyard, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand is that Eurasia should unite and therefore that continuous wars should be fomented and fought on the Eurasian land mass. Hence, we see World Wars I & II.
Seeing the NATO sponsored aggression in the Ukraine and in Syria for what it is -- a message to Russia that you're next -- and considering Obama's pivot to the pacific, which should be seen as a encirclement of China, our attention should be put on alert by this:
Quote:Asia Times Online's Spengler coined a formulation: "A specter is haunting Europe, and that is the specter of a Russian-Chinese alliance at the expense of Europe." The alliance is already on - manifested in the G-20, the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. There are military technology synergies on the horizon - the ultra-sophisticated S-500 air defense system is to be unveiled by Moscow, and Beijing would absolutely love to have it. But for the real fireworks, just wait a few weeks, when Putin visits Beijing in May.
That's when he will sign the famous $1 trillion gas deal according to which Gazprom will supply China's CNPC with 3.75 billion cubic feet of gas a day for 30 years, starting in 2018 (China's current daily gas demand is around 16 billion cubic feet).
Gazprom may still collect most of its profits from Europe, but Asia is its privileged future. On the competition front, the hyper-hyped US shale "revolution" is a myth - as much as the notion the US will be suddenly increasing exports of gas to the rest of the world any time soon.
Gazprom will use this mega-deal to boost investment in eastern Siberia - which sooner rather than later will be configured as the privileged hub for gas shipments to both Japan and South Korea. That's the ultimate (substantial) reason why Asia won't "isolate" Russia. ( See Asia will not 'isolate' Russia, Asia Times Online, March 25, 2014.)
Not to mention the much-anticipated "thermonuclear" (for the petrodollar) possibility that Russia and China will agree payment for the Gazprom-CNPC deal may be in yuan or rubles. That will be the dawn of a basket of currencies as the new international reserve currency - a key BRICS objective and the ultimate, incendiary, new (economic) fact on the ground.
I can only imagine that Empire's war gamers, which now in most likely include supercomputers running geo-political simulations, are getting a workout.
I think it's a triangular relationship that most worries Washington: Moscow-Berlin-Peking. If this triangle continues to flourish and expand, the sea powers are sunk without trace.
China, Germany establish comprehensive strategic partnership
English.news.cn | 2014-03-29 03:56:53 | Editor: Mu Xuequan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/...330414.htm
Quote:BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel decided Friday to lift bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
In talks with Merkel in the afternoon, Xi said the coming years will be a crucial period for both China's and Germany's reform and development, and for the two countries to grow and achieve progress together.
China and Germany are not only economic partners but also political partners and strategic cooperation partners, Xi said, adding that it is a step of great significance that the two sides establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and start mapping out medium- to long-term action plans for developing bilateral ties.
China, he said, is willing to work with Germany to plan and design bilateral cooperation in various fields and build a bright future for China-Germany ties.
To that end, Xi suggested the two sides to be politically trustworthy friends, maintain regular high-level exchanges, strengthen communication on major issues and enhance strategic mutual trust.
Both sides should make full use of the some 60 cooperation mechanisms between them, including the strategic dialogue mechanism, while enhancing contacts between governments, political parties, parliaments, as well as think tanks of the two countries, Xi said, adding that efforts are also needed to intensify cooperation in such areas as diplomacy, law enforcement and counter-terrorism.
The two countries can also conduct dialogue on issues including human rights on the basis of equality and mutual respect, Xi said.
On economic cooperation, Xi suggested both sides to achieve a qualitative leap.
As the timing and condition for deepening strategic cooperation have been ripe, he urged both countries to expand two-way investment and trade, carry out more strategic projects of large scale, and undertake joint development and production.
More endeavors can be put on cooperation of smart manufacturing, internet of things, and the new generation of information technology, as well as collaboration on aeronautics and astronautics, maritime and polar matters, the Chinese leader said.
According to Xi, China supports the construction of a China-Germany agricultural center, and the two sides can hold regular high-level fiscal and financial dialogues.
Xi also pointed out that China welcomes the establishment of an RMB clearing and settlement mechanism in Frankfurt, as well as Germany's active participation in building the Silk Road economic belt.
Meanwhile, Xi suggested the two countries to strengthen cultural exchanges, continue to hold major cultural events in each other's country and establish a high-level mechanism for bilateral cultural exchanges.
Both sides should also strengthen education, tourism cooperation and collaboration between local governments, promote people-to-people exchanges and facilitate the exchange of personnel between the two countries, Xi noted.
At the same time, Xi suggested China and Germany to maintain effective communication in international affairs, jointly promote diplomatic solutions to regional hotspot issues.
Both sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation within the United Nations, the Group of 20 and other multilateral mechanisms so as to jointly cope with global challenges, promote the reform of the international system and improve global governance.
Meanwhile, both countries should commit themselves to deepening the China-European Union (EU) comprehensive strategic partnership, safeguarding and promoting a free trade system, and pushing for an early harvest of the negotiations on EU-China investment pact, Xi said, adding that the two countries should work for an early launch of joint feasibility study of the China-EU free trade zone, and settlement of China-EU trade and investment disputes through dialogue and consultation.
For her part, Merkel lauded the continuing high-level development of bilateral ties, the positive exchanges in all areas and facets, as well as the strong economic cooperation between the two countries.
Germany understands the many challenges that China faces, and supports China's stability and development, she said, adding that her country is willing to promote political dialogues and people-to-people exchanges with China, and deepen mutual understanding and mutual trust.
Merkel noted that Germany is also ready to expand cooperation with China in such areas as economy and trade, investment, finance, energy and environmental protection.
Earlier Friday, Xi arrived in Germany for a state visit. It is the third leg of his ongoing four-nation European trip, which also includes the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
Related:
China, Germany vow to push for open world economy
BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Germany on Friday affirmed their shared commitment to building an open world economy and promoting global trade and investment liberalization.
The two sides underscored their stand in a joint statement issued during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Germany, which proclaimed the establishment of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership. Full story
China, Germany underscore peaceful coexistence, common development
BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Germany on Friday emphasized the great significance of peaceful coexistence of, mutual understanding between and common development of different peoples around the world.
The two countries highlighted the shared standpoint in a joint statement released during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Germany, which proclaimed the establishment of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership. Full story
Chinese, German presidents meet on ties
BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Friday with his German counterpart, Joachim Gauck, for discussions on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.
During the meeting, Xi said leaders of the two countries have kept the development of bilateral relations in the right direction since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Germany. Full story
China, Germany eye RMB hub in Frankfurt
BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Germany on Friday signed a memorandum of understating (MoU) on establishing an RMB clearing and settlement mechanism in Frankfurt, moving the German city closer to becoming an offshore RMB center.
The document was inked here by China's central bank, or the People's Bank of China, and its German counterpart, the Deutsche Bundesbank, in the presence of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"There are three sorts of conspiracy: by the people who complain, by the people who write, by the people who take action. There is nothing to fear from the first group, the two others are more dangerous; but the police have to be part of all three,"
Joseph Fouche
Joseph Fouche