IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

President Xi Jinping’s speech at the APEC forum CEO summit

On 11 November, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech via a pre-recorded video at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum’s CEO summit. This year, APEC forum was hosted by New Zealand virtually due to the pandemic. Leaders including Xi and US President Joe Biden attended the summit.

President Xi addressed the leaders of the business community, quoting Asia-Pacific as the “important engine driving the global economy.” Xi talked about pandemic recovery, upholding openness and cooperation, green transition, and promoting innovation. “At this historical juncture, it is important that we in the Asia-Pacific face up to the responsibility of the times, be in the driver’s seat, and strive hard to meet the goal of building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future,” stated Xi.

In the video, President Xi said, “China has attained the goal of fully building a moderately prosperous society within the set time frame, secured a historic success in eradicating absolute poverty, and embarked on a new journey toward fully building itself into a modern socialist country.” Xi Jinping further detailed China’s efforts in developing Asia-Pacific, boosting ecological conservation, and win-win cooperation for the economic development of the Asia-Pacific.

Highlights:
President Xi made remarks warning against relapsing into the Cold War era. “The Asia-Pacific region cannot and should not relapse into the confrontation and division of the Cold War era," said Xi Jinping. He explains that global developments must not hinder Asia-Pacific’s resilience and must not make “attempts to draw ideological lines or form small circles on geopolitical grounds.” Xi’s remarks were in reference to efforts made by the US with its allies and partners forming groupings such as the QUAD and AUKUS pact. He pointed out that ‘openness’ is necessary for prosperity and progress and combined efforts at “Bogor Goals and the Putrajaya Vision” have created an Asia-Pacific partnership based on mutual trust.

Chinese efforts and contribution in the Asia-Pacific region leading towards the development
Xi declared that “China is committed to building a high-standard market system” which will induce major reforms in the important and key areas and links. Beijing’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is expected to transform the agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors. Xi stressed that China treats all businesses equally and works towards developing “a unified, open, competitive and orderly market system.” With China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing plans to accelerate connectivity in the Asia-Pacific and ensure smooth functioning of supply chains in the region.

Working towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting green transition
President Xi in his speech said that the Asia-Pacific countries should support each other to fight the pandemic and ramp up the treatment, medicines, and vaccination roll-outs. He pointed out that “fair and equitable distribution, as well as their accessibility and affordability in developing countries” will help close the immunization gap. Xi further discussed the need to make post-pandemic recovery a green transition and deliver the targets made at the Paris Agreements and at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP26). Xi confirmed that China is committed to undergoing carbon reduction action for a future of green development. 

Xi Jinping stresses the need to actively support innovation and win-win cooperation
President Xi states that the member nations of the Asia-Pacific should cooperate on “scientific and technological innovation, and foster an open, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for the development of science and technology.” Xi promises that China will unwaveringly uphold true multilateralism, follow WTO trading rules and take active participation in an open world economy. He also mentioned the ‘Global Development Initiative’ and indicated that China will assume the central role to promote global development with win-win cooperation.

Xi Jinping concluded his speech with a note that, “Working together, let us all be promoters of and contributors to unity and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific family.”

References: 
“Full Text: Keynote speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at APEC CEO Summit,” Xinhua Net, 13 November 2021


IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Huge demands and low supply leads to record high rare earth prices
On 12 November, Global Times reported that the prices of rare earths in China broke a 10-year high. The market opened at the 85th High-Tech auction by the China Northern Rare Earth Group and within three minutes, the four targets of the market had been achieved at record price. Traditionally, China has quite low prices in the rare earth market. However, experts attribute this rise to the emerging market of industries, tight supplies and the national consolidation of the industries. Due to the dynamics of demand and supply of rare earth companies, the profitability of these firms have gone up. (Yin Yeping, “China's rare earth price exceeds a historic high amid booming demand and tight supplies,” Global Times, 12 November 2021)

CCP officials call President Xi the helmsman of the country
On 12 November, the officials of China’s Communist Party gave President Xi Jinping the name of “helmsman” and “people’s leader” to show their support for his leadership. After the passing of the “historical resolution”, President Xi has consolidated more support and is certain to win the next term as the President of China. The head of the CCP’s research office said: “As long as we uphold Comrade Xi Jinping as the core… the giant vessel of Chinese rejuvenation will have a helmsman and will be able to brave any storms. Xi fully deserves to be called a people’s leader.” (“China’s Communist Party hails President Xi as ‘helmsman’,” The Asahi Shimbun, 12 November)

REGIONAL
Honduran President’s visit to Taiwan as a sign of “Tsai’s diplomatic desperation”
On 12 November, Global Times published an article that called the recent visit of outgoing Honduran president to Taiwan as a sign of Tsai’s diplomatic desperation. The article realised that growing tension across Taiwan Straits has led to the island’s regional leader Tsai Ing-wen to seek more relationships through dollar diplomacy. The article also said that experts see this latest visit by Honduran president as reflective of the sense of crisis in her political party. Honduras is one of the only 15 countries that have maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, a lead candidate in the upcoming Presidential elections in Honduras promises to cut ties” with the island and head towards mainland China. (Wang Qi, “Visit to Taiwan by outgoing Honduran president a sign of Tsai’s diplomatic desperation: experts,” Global Times, 12 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Australia presents possibility of now joining the US allies in case of action in Taiwan
On 13 November, the Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton announced that the country will not join hands with the US in the eventuality of a war against Taiwan. On 10 November, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the country and its allies “would take unspecified” action in the eventuality of China using force to take over Taiwan. The statement by Dutton said: “I think we should be very frank and honest about that, look at all of the facts and circumstances without pre-committing, and maybe there are circumstances where we wouldn't take up that option, (but) I can't conceive of those circumstances." (“'Inconceivable' Australia would not join U.S. to defend Taiwan - Australian defence minister,” Reuters, 13 November 2021)

Chinese and Rwandan President celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties
On 12 November, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. President Xi recalled the sound and steady development of their relations and their strong friendship that has been nurtured in the past 50 years. He also stressed that the two countries have been extremely helpful in guaranteeing the well-being of each other’s citizens, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Kagame said that the common principles upheld by both sides such as mutual respect, solidarity, and mutual help and benefit has strengthened their friendship over the years. China and Rwanda are connected through important projects like FOCAC and BRI. (“Chinese, Rwandan presidents exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties,” Xinhua Net, 12 November 2021)

International study finds ancestral link between Chinese and Japanese-Korean-Turkish languages
On 12 November, Global Times reported on a recent scientific study that found origins of Japanese, orean, Turkish, and Mongolian languages in Northeast China’s Liaohe River valley around 9000 years ago. The study was conducted by linguists, archeologists, and geneticists from China, Belgium, Japan, Russia, and South Korea. The ‘transeurasian’ language family shares historical links and is said to emerge from current day Liaoning province in North China. The regions are also said to have a common farming legacy. Scientists say that study proves culture transcends national boundaries. (Wang Qi, “Study says Japanese-Korean-Turkish language group may trace to ancient China, showing culture 'transcends natl boundaries',” Global Times, 12 November 2021)