Alfredo Azpurua’s Post

⚡ Russia has decided to reduce its diplomatic representation in Norway. Learn more about the reasons behind this development and its potential impact on international relations.…

“Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday urged European countries to deepen cooperation with China as Beijing seeks to cement its position as a major player in global diplomacy. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Wang touched on a wide range of issues including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza while assuring the global community about the resilience of Chinese economic growth. Citing Beijing’s close partnership with Russia as ‘a new model for major country relations,’ Wang called on Europe to join hands with China to overcome global issues together. ‘It is imperative that China and Europe stay clear of geopolitical and ideological distraction, and see each other as partner rather than rival,’ Wang said. The remark appears to be an attempt to capitalize on Republican party front-runner and former U.S. Presidential Donald Trump’s recent threat against NATO members that failed to meet a defense spending target of 2% of GDP.” “China aims to draw Europe closer by portraying the U.S. as a non-reliable partner, analysts said. Turning the attention to the Palestinian issue, which Wang characterized as the ‘longest injustice in the world,’ China’s top diplomat said Beijing could be a force in mediating hotspot issues. He cited Beijing’s role in facilitating the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year as an example of its success as a mediator. Peace in the Middle East can only be achieved by resolving the root causes of disputes, Wang said, adding that China has advocated for an international conference to revive a two-state solution. Responding to a question on why Beijing has not put pressure on Russia to end its war with Ukraine, Wang refuted the notion as an attempt to shift the responsibility of peace to China. Beijing’s relationship with the Kremlin is based on non-interference, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, Wang said.” “He also addressed international concerns overs China’s economic slowdown. ‘The economy is as vibrant and resilient as ever,’ Wang assured the conference, touting the country’s huge market size to foreign investors. He took an opportunity to jab Western critics over China’s alleged human rights violations against the country’s Muslim minority in Xinjiang. Wang called the accusations ‘groundless’ and an attempt to stop development in China. There has been a movement in Europe and the U.S. to reduce economic dependency on China by realigning supply chains of industries deemed important to national security. Wang said these moves would prove to be a ‘historic mistake.’ ‘Today more people have come to realize that the absence of cooperation is the biggest risk,’ Wang said. Ahead of Saturday’s speech, Wang met his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken on Friday in a meeting that both sides described as ‘candid and constructive’.”

Very true in deed. The war in Ukraine has been quite beneficial and profitable for China with minimum overhead on their part. There is little benefit in it for them for an early resolution or peace. The longer it drags out the better it is for China asa tool to drain Western attention and resources away from China's own ambitions and malign activities in the South China Sea and on its Western boarders. It also mean fewer voices in the West focussed on and calling attention to China's many internal human rights abuses against the Uyghurs and other minority groups within China. It also helps deflect attention away from China weak economy and major debt and lending crisis or its repressive and invassive national security law. Also the more Russia can normalize their occupation of Ukrainian territory, the better China's chances controlling blowback from the Global South and other nations over an invassion of Taiwan.

Diplomatic Dexterity - United States vs. China A Great Power Competition Report In the first half of 2024, the United States and China have intensified their diplomatic efforts, each pursuing distinct strategies to bolster their global influence. The United States has focused on reinforcing alliances, addressing global security concerns, and promoting democratic values. At the same time, China's approach has been characterized by fostering economic partnerships, advocating for multipolarity, and deepening ties with authoritarian regimes. Despite China's extensive diplomatic engagements, including numerous high-profile international events and initiatives to enhance bilateral relations, the United States appears to hold a diplomatic edge. https://lnkd.in/eqa828TB

Excellent analysis.

Russia looking at lowering level of diplomatic relations with West — Senior Diplomat Such decisions in Russia are made at the top level, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said MOSCOW, June 27/ Moscow is looking at lowering the level of diplomatic relations with Western countries in response to their anti-Russian actions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said. "Is a solution envisaging the lowering of the level of diplomatic relations possible today? I can say that this is what is being looked at. Such decisions in Russia are made at the top level. As long as there are no such decisions, it is counterproductive to speculate on this topic," he said in an interview with the Izvestia daily, when asked about Moscow’s possible response to the West’s anti-Russian policy. He stressed that Russia has never been the first to take such a step, "despite all the upheavals of the worst phase in our relations with the so-called collective West." "We believe that the embassies and the work of ambassadors is a very difficult job, especially in the current environment and should not be disregarded. Lines of communication, including at a high level, should say in place," he noted. "There have been cases when ambassadors were recalled for consultations. And this is a general practice." However, in his words, the Russian side "does not rule out any options in the future." "Everything will depend on how our opponents behave," the senior diplomat added. #business #finance #financialservices

Big week in the #ChinaRussia world: All eyes on diplomacy amidst Ukraine's offensive in Kursk. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is in Moscow, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Ukraine. Can India and China move the diplomatic dial? Unlikely, but it's important that the world's largest countries try. Li's agenda also includes a regular heads-of-government meeting and economic agenda. More on it when we know more. https://lnkd.in/eV8NTZ-s https://lnkd.in/ehtyKxBp

🚨🇨🇳 #China is the world's No. 1 diplomatic power, ahead the US, report shows China is the world's largest diplomatic power, with a wider presence across the globe than the United States, according to a new report shared with Newsweek. Though the lead is slim, the report highlights the product of Beijing's efforts to expand its influence amid an intensified geopolitical competition with Washington. https://lnkd.in/eUaET9j9

China’s stance on Ukraine balanced, consistent — top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov said, that primary causes of conflict include NATO’s eastward expansion MOSCOW, October 3/ China has a balanced and consistent position on the Ukrainian issue, supporting the rectification of the conflict’s root causes, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. "We are noting China’s balanced and consistent approach to the situation around the Ukraine crisis," the Russian foreign minister said. "The initiatives on its political and diplomatic settlement promoted by Beijing take into account the most important part - the need to remove the conflict’s primary causes," he explained. Lavrov added that they include NATO’s eastward expansion, the creation of an anti-Russian military foothold in Ukraine, the 2014 coup in Kiev supported by Washington and Brussels as well as the neo-Nazi Kiev regime’s policy on eliminating all things Russian, including the language, culture, media outlets and the Orthodox Church. Additionally, the top Russian diplomat noted that Russia and China are maintaining close coordination on the most pertinent regional issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula, in the South China and East China seas, in the Middle East and Africa. Global importance of Russia-China cooperation The importance of the Russia-China partnership in global affairs is growing which is reflected by trusting relations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Lavrov said. "Intensive and trusting interaction of our leaders is the main driving force of Russian-Chinese relations," the top Russian diplomat said. "We see this as a vivid testament to the special nature of our ties and the growing importance of the Russia-China partnership in global affairs," he stressed. "Nowadays, when the world is going through truly tectonic shifts, related to the shaping of a multipolar world order, the Russian-Chinese strategic connection does not only serve as a potent balancing factor in international politics but also directly facilitates the development of the two countries’ economies and the increased well-being of their citizens," Lavrov noted. He reiterated that over the past years, Putin and Xi held over 40 bilateral meetings. (Part One, Continued in Part Two in the next post) #business #finance #financialservices