The following article is in the current issue of EIR, on Russia and China's cooperation to counter Obama's war plans in Asia -- Mike Billington
Putin in Beijing: Russia, China Ally to Thwart Obama’s War Policy
by William Jones
June 9—The state visit of Russian President Vladimir
Putin to Beijing June 4-7, which concluded with a
summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) on June 7, was a most significant development
in preventing the outbreak of general war
as a result of the policies of the Obama Administration.
The imminent danger is from the drumbeat for military
intervention against Syria, led by Obama hatchetperson
Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations. It is solely the obstacles placed by Russia and
China in the way of such military action that have prevented
that war from occurring. But also in the Asia-
Pacific region, Obama’s “Asia pivot” has helped to fuel
tensions between China and some of its neighbors, especially
the Philippines, where wildman President Benigno
Aquino is eager to give China its “comeuppance,”
with the backing of the United States.
Putin to Beijing June 4-7, which concluded with a
summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) on June 7, was a most significant development
in preventing the outbreak of general war
as a result of the policies of the Obama Administration.
The imminent danger is from the drumbeat for military
intervention against Syria, led by Obama hatchetperson
Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations. It is solely the obstacles placed by Russia and
China in the way of such military action that have prevented
that war from occurring. But also in the Asia-
Pacific region, Obama’s “Asia pivot” has helped to fuel
tensions between China and some of its neighbors, especially
the Philippines, where wildman President Benigno
Aquino is eager to give China its “comeuppance,”
with the backing of the United States.
Panetta’s Shangri-La Monologue
The U.S. “Asian pivot,” now euphemistically renamed
“rebalancing toward Asia” so as to appear less
threatening, was carried a step further with the visit of
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to Asia. Speaking on
July 2 to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Panetta
announced that the U.S. plans to deploy 60% of its fleet
to the Asia-Pacific region, instead of the usual 50-50
division between the Atlantic and the Pacific fleets—a
significant upgrading of the U.S. military presence in
the region.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, which brings together
defense officials from the nations of East and Southeast
Asia as well as from the United States, was attended by
China’s defense minister last year. This year, evidently
fearing that the disputes in the South China Sea would
be made into the primary focus of attention, in which
China would be lambasted from all sides, Beijing
downgraded the level of its delegation. As the Chinese
“rebalancing toward Asia” so as to appear less
threatening, was carried a step further with the visit of
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to Asia. Speaking on
July 2 to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Panetta
announced that the U.S. plans to deploy 60% of its fleet
to the Asia-Pacific region, instead of the usual 50-50
division between the Atlantic and the Pacific fleets—a
significant upgrading of the U.S. military presence in
the region.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, which brings together
defense officials from the nations of East and Southeast
Asia as well as from the United States, was attended by
China’s defense minister last year. This year, evidently
fearing that the disputes in the South China Sea would
be made into the primary focus of attention, in which
China would be lambasted from all sides, Beijing
downgraded the level of its delegation. As the Chinese
suspected, the South China Sea dispute did play an inordinate
role in this year’s “dialogue.”
Panetta further announced that the U.S. was
strengthening its traditional alliances in the region,
with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and reaching
out to others. After Singapore, he visited Vietnam,
India, and Afghanistan, with Vietnam and India on his
target list of new possible “strategic partners.” While
both of these have land or maritime border disputes
with China and are eager to have a good relationship
with the United States, both would be loath to become
too close to Washington militarily. Vietnam still gets
flak for being a “communist” country, and is often the
target of the U.S.-based human rights lobby. India has
a stubbornly independent streak and has always been
intent on maintaining good working relations with its
great neighbor to the north.
role in this year’s “dialogue.”
Panetta further announced that the U.S. was
strengthening its traditional alliances in the region,
with Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and reaching
out to others. After Singapore, he visited Vietnam,
India, and Afghanistan, with Vietnam and India on his
target list of new possible “strategic partners.” While
both of these have land or maritime border disputes
with China and are eager to have a good relationship
with the United States, both would be loath to become
too close to Washington militarily. Vietnam still gets
flak for being a “communist” country, and is often the
target of the U.S.-based human rights lobby. India has
a stubbornly independent streak and has always been
intent on maintaining good working relations with its
great neighbor to the north.
It has not gone unnoticed in China and
in the region that the Obama Administration is
attempting to reestablish a military presence
in many of the regional bases used for the
disastrous US war in Indochina in the 1960s and
1970s: Subic and Clark in the Philippines, Cam
Ranh Bay in Vietnam, U-Tapao in Thailand - in
addition to their existing bases in Japan and
South Korea and enhanced capacities in
Singapore and Australia. The direction in
which U.S. policy is tending is clear: creating
a ring around China.
in the region that the Obama Administration is
attempting to reestablish a military presence
in many of the regional bases used for the
disastrous US war in Indochina in the 1960s and
1970s: Subic and Clark in the Philippines, Cam
Ranh Bay in Vietnam, U-Tapao in Thailand - in
addition to their existing bases in Japan and
South Korea and enhanced capacities in
Singapore and Australia. The direction in
which U.S. policy is tending is clear: creating
a ring around China.
Russia-China Partnership
President Putin’s choice of Beijing for his first state
visit after his election was a clear signal of the importance
of the relationship. Coinciding with the beginning
of the SCO summit, it provided an opportunity for the
heads of state of the two countries to enhance the role of
the SCO in the region. Putin underlined its importance
in an article for China’s People’s Daily published on
June 5. The closer collaboration between the two countries
can help propel the SCO toward a more influential
global role.
Speaking at the press conference at the conclusion
of his meeting with President Hu Jintao on June 4, Putin
said: “China is the strategic partner of the Russian Federation.
In all spheres, our relationship is based on
mutual benefit and with the highest level of trust and
openness. In the political sphere, we operate on the
highest level of mutual trust, showing each other firm
visit after his election was a clear signal of the importance
of the relationship. Coinciding with the beginning
of the SCO summit, it provided an opportunity for the
heads of state of the two countries to enhance the role of
the SCO in the region. Putin underlined its importance
in an article for China’s People’s Daily published on
June 5. The closer collaboration between the two countries
can help propel the SCO toward a more influential
global role.
Speaking at the press conference at the conclusion
of his meeting with President Hu Jintao on June 4, Putin
said: “China is the strategic partner of the Russian Federation.
In all spheres, our relationship is based on
mutual benefit and with the highest level of trust and
openness. In the political sphere, we operate on the
highest level of mutual trust, showing each other firm
support on key issues affecting the vital interests of the
two countries and the two peoples.”
That “firm support” was clearly evident in their efforts
to prevent military intervention in Syria.
Both leaders stressed that they were taking their
relationship to a higher level, and that they would be
working within the international organizations to
support each other’s interests and to maintain world
peace and stability. “Taking into account the complex
and rapidly changing international and regional situation,”
President Hu told reporters, “our two countries
will pay special attention to cooperation within the
UN, SCO, BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China, and
South Africa], and G20, and will uphold the objectives
and principles stated in the UN Charter, and basic
norms governing international relations, to promote
solidarity and cooperation between countries with
emerging economies and developing countries in
order to promote a more equitable and rational development
of the international political and economic
order.”
The two leaders also committed to enhancing military
cooperation. This Spring saw the first joint China-
two countries and the two peoples.”
That “firm support” was clearly evident in their efforts
to prevent military intervention in Syria.
Both leaders stressed that they were taking their
relationship to a higher level, and that they would be
working within the international organizations to
support each other’s interests and to maintain world
peace and stability. “Taking into account the complex
and rapidly changing international and regional situation,”
President Hu told reporters, “our two countries
will pay special attention to cooperation within the
UN, SCO, BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China, and
South Africa], and G20, and will uphold the objectives
and principles stated in the UN Charter, and basic
norms governing international relations, to promote
solidarity and cooperation between countries with
emerging economies and developing countries in
order to promote a more equitable and rational development
of the international political and economic
order.”
The two leaders also committed to enhancing military
cooperation. This Spring saw the first joint China-
Russia maneuvers to be conducted outside the
auspices of the SCO, in the region of the
Yellow Sea. While Obama’s “ring around
Asia” is aimed at recruiting China’s neighbors,
the close Russian-China military cooperation
assures China that it is not alone in the
region.
The Joint Statement signed by the two
leaders on June 5 delineates the new thrust of
the relationship. There is an extensive expansion
of trade and investment, with the intention
of bringing bilateral trade up to $100 billion
in 2015, and $200 billion in 2020, from
the present $80 billion. Seventeen agreements
were signed in key areas such as energy, industry,
banking, aviation, and innovation
technology. The two great powers are intent
on increasing the export of high-technology
products from Russia, whereas the present
exports are largely confined to energy. Russia
will increase its involvement in the development
of the Chinese nuclear industry, and the
two sides will continue their close cooperation
in space.
auspices of the SCO, in the region of the
Yellow Sea. While Obama’s “ring around
Asia” is aimed at recruiting China’s neighbors,
the close Russian-China military cooperation
assures China that it is not alone in the
region.
The Joint Statement signed by the two
leaders on June 5 delineates the new thrust of
the relationship. There is an extensive expansion
of trade and investment, with the intention
of bringing bilateral trade up to $100 billion
in 2015, and $200 billion in 2020, from
the present $80 billion. Seventeen agreements
were signed in key areas such as energy, industry,
banking, aviation, and innovation
technology. The two great powers are intent
on increasing the export of high-technology
products from Russia, whereas the present
exports are largely confined to energy. Russia
will increase its involvement in the development
of the Chinese nuclear industry, and the
two sides will continue their close cooperation
in space.
President Putin also welcomed Chinese
investment in the development program of Russia’s
Far East, indicating that it would be more closely intertwined
with China’s development of its northeastern
region, bordering on Russia. This will include a significant
upgrading of railroad links on both sides of
the border. Russia’s Minister of Railroads, Vladimir
Yakunin, was a member of Putin’s delegation.
The Joint Statement also underlined the need for
enhancing the SCO as a force for peace and stability in
the region. The two leaders called for regular consultations
of SCO members on important regional issues, in
particular, Afghanistan after the draw-down of U.S.
troops there. They urged a diplomatic solution to the
dispute with Iran, and reiterated their opposition to
military intervention in Syria, and they called for a revival
of the six-party talks over the North Korean nuclear
program.
The statement called for creating a new “architecture
of defense and stable development” in the region,
and urged the SCO to begin a dialogue with other regional
organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum (APEC) and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
investment in the development program of Russia’s
Far East, indicating that it would be more closely intertwined
with China’s development of its northeastern
region, bordering on Russia. This will include a significant
upgrading of railroad links on both sides of
the border. Russia’s Minister of Railroads, Vladimir
Yakunin, was a member of Putin’s delegation.
The Joint Statement also underlined the need for
enhancing the SCO as a force for peace and stability in
the region. The two leaders called for regular consultations
of SCO members on important regional issues, in
particular, Afghanistan after the draw-down of U.S.
troops there. They urged a diplomatic solution to the
dispute with Iran, and reiterated their opposition to
military intervention in Syria, and they called for a revival
of the six-party talks over the North Korean nuclear
program.
The statement called for creating a new “architecture
of defense and stable development” in the region,
and urged the SCO to begin a dialogue with other regional
organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum (APEC) and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The SCO Summit
All the leaders of the SCO member states attended
the summit: China, Russia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
and Uzbekistan, plus high-level representatives
from the observer nations: Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, Pakistani President Asif Ali
Zardari, and Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M.
Krishna. Afghan President Hamid Karzai was there as a
special guest.
The situation in Afghanistan received a lot of attention,
with the SCO vowing to play a major role in
the reconstruction of that country. There is also a great
deal of concern about Afghanistan falling into into anarchy
with the draw-down of U.S. troops. While the
SCO has not been prepared so far to play any role in
maintaining security in Afghanistan, it does have a
certain capability that might be brought to bear if need
be.
There was a great focus at the summit on the global
economic situation, and a commitment to increase the
economic role of the SCO. For that purpose, the establishment
of an SCO development bank was again proposed
and is expected to move forward. President Hu
All the leaders of the SCO member states attended
the summit: China, Russia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
and Uzbekistan, plus high-level representatives
from the observer nations: Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, Pakistani President Asif Ali
Zardari, and Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M.
Krishna. Afghan President Hamid Karzai was there as a
special guest.
The situation in Afghanistan received a lot of attention,
with the SCO vowing to play a major role in
the reconstruction of that country. There is also a great
deal of concern about Afghanistan falling into into anarchy
with the draw-down of U.S. troops. While the
SCO has not been prepared so far to play any role in
maintaining security in Afghanistan, it does have a
certain capability that might be brought to bear if need
be.
There was a great focus at the summit on the global
economic situation, and a commitment to increase the
economic role of the SCO. For that purpose, the establishment
of an SCO development bank was again proposed
and is expected to move forward. President Hu
promised a loan of $10 billion for the purpose of enhancing
SCO cooperation.
In a “Declaration on Building a Region with Lasting
Peace and Common Prosperity,” the leaders stated their
opposition to all acts of violence inside Syria, and called
for a “broad-based dialogue that respects Syria’s sovereignty,
independence, and territorial integrity.” It rejected
any use of force against SCO observer nation
Iran, and underscored the willingness of the SCO countries
to aid Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts,
pledging to consider giving Afghanistan observer status
in the organization. The statement also opposed “unilateral”
missile-defense projects.
Although the Western media is focusing solely on
the military aspects of the SCO, in an attempt to beat
the drums about creation of an “Asian NATO,” the
SCO is becoming a major force in foiling the war plans
of President Obama and his British controllers. But as
the U.S. prepares this month to conduct major military
maneuvers in the Pacific, involving, for the first time,
almost every maritime Asian-Pacific country except
China, it is clear that more provocations are on the
way.
SCO cooperation.
In a “Declaration on Building a Region with Lasting
Peace and Common Prosperity,” the leaders stated their
opposition to all acts of violence inside Syria, and called
for a “broad-based dialogue that respects Syria’s sovereignty,
independence, and territorial integrity.” It rejected
any use of force against SCO observer nation
Iran, and underscored the willingness of the SCO countries
to aid Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts,
pledging to consider giving Afghanistan observer status
in the organization. The statement also opposed “unilateral”
missile-defense projects.
Although the Western media is focusing solely on
the military aspects of the SCO, in an attempt to beat
the drums about creation of an “Asian NATO,” the
SCO is becoming a major force in foiling the war plans
of President Obama and his British controllers. But as
the U.S. prepares this month to conduct major military
maneuvers in the Pacific, involving, for the first time,
almost every maritime Asian-Pacific country except
China, it is clear that more provocations are on the
way.
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