Obama Meets Jiabao At Bali Summit, Says Must Work Hand In Hand

By STAFF Reporter
November 19, 2011

ASEAN NEWS - United states President Barack Obama had a meeting on the sidelines of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Bali (Indonesia) on Friday with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

In the brief talks Obama focused on increasing the US influence in the region when China is seen wielding growing power.

This was the last engagment of Obama before wrapping up his nine-day tour to Asia. A meeting with South Asian leaders including China, India and Russia was followed.

This is the first time a US president attended East Asia Summit

Asean is Southeasian Asian countries' regional bloc along with eight dialogue partners. Russia and United States joined from this year.

Formal statements are yet to arrive but it is learned from other media sources the talks may have been dominated by trade and maritime security - in particular the South China Sea contentious issue.

The South China Sea got oil and gas reserves potential and also its an important shipping route. The whole of the sea is claimed by China and parts of it are also claimed by other South East Asian nations.

Philippines asked Washington to step in and help in solving the row, but Surin Pitsuwan - Asean secretary general - said the issue can be resolved peacefully by themselves.

Obama pledged on Thursday of increasing the United States engagement with the region along with a strong military presence that includes US Marines deployment to Australia.

ASEAN 2011 News Video




US President cements ties with Australia:






US President boosts military presence in Australia:






ASEAN Protests in Bali (Indonesia):

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November 19, 2011 | 0 comments

China To Postpone Nuclear Building Plans

MALILA Harris

CHINA NEWS – China has got aback by the recent accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant and decided to suspend its new nuclear power stations for an indefinite period. In fact, the authorities have said that they would check the existing reactors as precautionary measures.

Presently China is fast building nuclear reactors and almost reached 40% of the totala number being built around the world. The accidents in Japan due to devastation at nuclear plant have pushed a panic button, and now Beijing is worried about its own nuclear reactors.

At a meeting of China’s State Council, or Cabinet, Chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao. The decision came after the meeting that stated to suspend all nuclear power projects, including those that have already begun preliminary work. The authorities have emphasized on nuclear safety regulations and waited for the approval.

The meeting also decided to improve and adjust the country medium and long-term nuclear plans. The country at present derives 2% of its electricity from nuclear power from 13 reactors and decided to accelerate the rate by launching a large scale nuclear project.

It is currently building more reactors than any other country in the world.

According to the World Nuclear Association, China is preparing to construct a total of 110 nuclear reactors in coming years.

The country is at present much dependent on coal, which is a non-renewable source of energy. Other energy sources such as wind and solar energy are part of the plan so as to reduce the pressure on coal, as it supplies about three-quarters of its energy needs.

The recent move by the government is appreciated by experts and showed it was responsible towards climate and citizens.

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March 17, 2011 | 1 comments

Social Stability To Reduce Inflation And Corruption – Wen Jiabao

By MALILA Harris

CHINA NEWS – China’s premier Wen Jiabao said in the parliamentary annual session that the country had to fight inflation and corruption by ensuring social stability. He was addressing about 3,000 delegates, opening the National People’s Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He expected that the government could check the inflation within 4% and ascend economic growth of 8%. He admitted that the uneven economic development caused serious problem for the nation.

The social stability factor also echoed in an editorial in the Communist mouthpiece ‘Beijing Daily’, which warned against the pro-democracy protest, which it blamed Middle East Asia to fuel it.

Mr. Jiabao said the inflation has risen fairly quickly and in future it would go upward. Eh further added that the increase in prices would affect people’s well-being, bears on overall interests and affects social stability. He emphasized on macroeconomic control to reduce overall price growth.

Inflation in China is at 4.9% and believes to in increasing graph despite three interest hikes. Some analysts say it still to reach its peak.

China’s major problem is now increase in food prices as the poor people spends more than half of their income on food so they have to bear the brunt most.

This year National People’s Congress meets for 10 days, and is going to approve five-year plan for 2011-2015. The plan aims to create more sustainable growth and reduce the inequality in wealth between rich and poor.

Mr. Jiabao said that the government would focus on increasing domestic demand as a long term strategic principle. He emphasized on domestic growth as a ladder to step on China’s economic development. He also said that the government would take appropriate measures to curb the rising price of real estate in some cities.

At present China stands at the second in terms of economic growth, however, the success of decades has come at the cost of rapid environmental pollution. Much of the growth has been driven by exports and large infrastructure projects, but analysts contemplate the growth might be stopped or decrease unless it changes course.

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March 06, 2011 | 0 comments