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‘Tibet, human rights remain irritants in Sino-US ties’

Barack Obama has arrived in China to discuss issues such as climate change and a wide trade deficit with Beijing.

US President Barack Obama has arrived in China to discuss issues such as climate change and a wide trade deficit with Beijing.
Obama has already described China as a "vital partner, as well as a competitor”. And the US President’s visit to Shanghai and Beijing is said to be his golden chance to woo the young audience with his excellent oratory skills. A number of issues, ranging from revaluing China’s currency (the yuan), climate change, Tibet and human rights are expected to be discussed between the US and Chinese leaders. In an exclusive interview with Kamna Arora of Zeenews.com, Jagannath P Panda, an expert on Chinese affairs, discusses Obama’s visit to China. Jagannath P Panda is an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Kamna: What could be Barack Obama’s agenda for his three-day stay in China? Panda: Important issues like recovery of the global financial crisis, the nuclear-related issues in Iran and the Korean Peninsula and climate change may dominate the discussions between China and the US. But what would be more interesting to observe is how both the countries approach bilateral issues. In a way, it is the “strategic dialogue” that would dominate the discussion between the two countries more than anything. This holds importance given the fact that both China and the US celebrate 30 years of their diplomatic relationship. Kamna: In the wake of China’s rising status in the world, it will be economic ties, not human rights, which will top the priorities of Obama’s visit. Comment. Panda: China is of critical importance to the United States for many reasons, both for bilateral issues and issues of global importance. The high point of the bilateral relationship is trade and economy. Issues such as Tibet, democracy and human rights remain irritants, but the global financial crisis, climate change, energy and the issue of global terrorism makes them more interdependent. Beyond this, one needs to understand the deeper realities of Sino-US dynamics. From USA’s perspective, two schools of thought dominate the US’ policy circles on China: those who seek to contain it and those who seek to engage with it. Though President Obama is yet to clearly outline a China policy, the presence of experts like Jeffrey Bader, Richard Bush, David Lampton, Gary Locke and Susan Shirk in his core ‘China team’ helps him to formulate a much more ‘balanced’ China policy. These experts are well known for both their policy and administrative experiences in issues related to China. They have often reiterated the need for a “pragmatic policy” approach towards China. Obama’s China dialogue could centre on four key pointers: (a) stability in East Asia, (b) global security issues, (c) climate change and (d) trade. Previously, Obama consistently highlighted the importance of stability in East Asia in terms of issues related to the elimination of nuclear programmes, economic relations, diplomatic normalisation, etc. There have also been repeated references to an “effective regional framework” in Asia. In this endeavour, President Obama has involved China, South Korea, North Korea, Russia and Japan. If one focuses on Asia, China is definitely the most crucial player for the new Democrat administration. Therefore, to succeed with its China tour, Obama has to take several factors into account. Kamna: Will Barack Obama discuss Tibet and Dalai Lama with the Chinese leadership by any chance? Panda: In my opinion, Tibet and the issue of Dalai Lama may be secondary during Obama’s China tour. On previous occasions, the Democrat Obama has expressed the US’ concern on economy, trade, democracy and human rights, etc. True, the potential flash points between the two countries have always remain the three ‘Ts’: Tibet, Taiwan and Trade. But unlike his predecessors, Obama has not demonised China as ‘evil’ and communism as a tool to feed xenophobia. Obama vowed to push China harder to loosen the reins on its currency, improve its human rights record and end its support for repressive regimes in Iran, Myanmar, Sudan and Zimbabwe. This reflects the Democrats’ maturity on US-China relations. Kamna: How can Barack Obama use his trip to achieve something substantial related to climate change? Panda: In my opinion, climate change is one of those issues which could bring major powers like China, USA, and India much closer than ever. Barack Obama seems to truly realise this. The key problem with regards to climate change is the “legal positions” taken by major countries. While China and India hold the view that developed or rich countries should bear more responsibility for climate change and ‘developing world’ should not be legally bound to curb the carbon emissions blamed for fluctuations in temperatures, the US and developed countries believe in just the opposite. The need of the hour is to look at the issue of “climate change” as a ‘universal problem’, and stop accusing each other. A ‘global maturity’ is required and I believe Obama administration is quite well aware of this approach. In fact, since the day his administration has resumed power, the issue of ‘climate change’ has become top priority for the US administration. I believe climate change will not emerge as an obstacle in future between China, USA and India. Obama would like to use the issue as a ‘catalyst’ more than anything. Kamna: Will Barack Obama use his China visit to discuss the situation in Pakistan and Iran’s nuclear programme? Panda: Yes, the situation in Pakistan and the nuclear programme of Iran could be topics of discussion during his tour. But I suspect nothing much will happen on these issues given the neutral Chinese position. Perhaps, time has come that Obama would like to raise and address the issue of Pakistan with China at a ‘mature’ level. An attempt should be made to bring Chinese support to the global and regional level on the issue of terrorism, in order to check the rise of Taliban and extremist elements in the region. On Iran too, China should be asked to become more transparent on its position. Kamna: Will Washington push Beijing - currently the biggest US creditor - for serious concessions as far as the issue of currency is concerned? Panda: The current economic conditions will bring issues such as the trade deficit and currency manipulation back into the spotlight. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Obama administration holds inbound Chinese businesses and how the Chinese government approaches the disputes surrounding intellectual property, joint venture agreements and the country’s new anti-monopoly law. It is important to state here that when Obama proposed a two-year plan to fight this economic crisis of “historic proportions”, President Hu Jintao was quick to express China’s support for the proposal. For the Americans, China’s special attraction is that it currently holds USD 1.9 trillion worth of foreign reserves and owns over half-a-trillion dollars in US government bonds, more than any other country. Washington needs Beijing to continue buying them to help finance the national debt.