The European Political Community Leaders' Meeting discusses pressing issues and its implications for UK-EU relations. Kishida believes Biden's retirement is the best judgment. Feng Delin's second term of Chinese policy highlights risks and challenges. Xu Yumiao, a renowned Marxist theorist, passes away, leaving a significant impact on Chinese politics and ideology.
Sources:
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28139050
https://china.kyodonews.net/news/2024/07/156b5fb52d1e.html
https://www.dw.com/zh/%E5%86%AF%E5%BE%B7%E8%8E%B1%E6%81%A9%E7%AC%AC%E4%BA%8C%E4%BB%BB%E6%9C%9F%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E6%94%BF%E7%AD%96/a-69723884
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28139356
Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:41) Or restart British and European relations with the European Political Community Conference? Britain: Premature time
(00:02:43) Details: Kishida believes that Biden's retirement is the best judgment
(00:04:57) Feng Delin's second term of Chinese policy
(00:07:27) Xu Yumiao, the theorist and politician of Huazhong Division, died at the age of 89_China Government_The Paper
Simply Politics, from China
European Political Community Conference Impacts UK-EU Relations, China’s Evolving Policy, and Xu Yumiao’s Legacy
The European Political Community Leaders' Meeting discusses pressing issues and its implications for UK-EU relations. Kishida believes Biden's retirement is the best judgment. Feng Delin's second term of Chinese policy highlights risks and challenges. Xu Yumiao, a renowned Marxist theorist, passes away, leaving a significant impact on Chinese politics and ideology.Sources:https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28139050https://china.kyodonews.net/news/2024/07/156b5fb52d1e.htmlhttps://www.dw.com/zh/%E5%86%AF%E5%BE%B7%E8%8E%B1%E6%81%A9%E7%AC%AC%E4%BA%8C%E4%BB%BB%E6%9C%9F%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E6%94%BF%E7%AD%96/a-69723884https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_28139356Outline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:41) Or restart British and European relations with the European Political Community Conference? Britain: Premature time(00:02:43) Details: Kishida believes that Biden's retirement is the best judgment(00:04:57) Feng Delin's second term of Chinese policy(00:07:27) Xu Yumiao, the theorist and politician of Huazhong Division, died at the age of 89_China Government_The Paper
- Duration:
- 9m
- Broadcast on:
- 22 Jul 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
Good morning, and welcome to Simply Politics from China. It's Monday, July 22. On today's show, we discuss whether the UK will restart British and European relations with the European Political Community Conference. Plus, we delve into the details of Kishida's belief that Biden's retirement is the best judgement, this coverage, and more, up next. I'm David, and you're listening to Simply Politics from China. We start off with the 4th European Political Community Leaders Summit, which was recently held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, UK. With around 50 leaders from European countries and regions in attendance, the summit focused on key issues such as the Ukraine conflict and illegal immigration. But the question on everyone's mind is whether this summit could rekindle UK-EU bilateral relations. Here to discuss this further is our correspondent. So James, what's the current state of UK-EU relations? Well, David, the UK-EU relationship has been somewhat strained in recent years, particularly in the wake of Brexit. There have been ongoing disagreements over trade, immigration, and other issues. However, the European Political Community Leaders Summit provided an opportunity for leaders to discuss these issues and potentially find common ground. And did the summit lead to any significant breakthroughs in these areas? It's too early to say, David. While the summit provided a platform for dialogue, it's unclear whether it will lead to any substantial changes in the UK-EU relationship. The UK Prime Minister's Office has stated that it's too early to draw any conclusions from the summit. What were some of the key issues discussed at the summit? The summit focused on several pressing issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and the issue of illegal immigration. These are complex problems that require a coordinated response from European nations, and the summit provided an opportunity for leaders to discuss potential solutions. And what about the meeting between French President Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer? Can we expect any developments from that? Again, it's too early to say. The meeting between President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer was certainly a significant event, but we'll have to wait and see whether it leads to any concrete developments in Franco-British relations or the broader UK-EU relationship. Thanks for the update from China, James. Shifting our focus to another major political development, US President Biden has decided to withdraw from the presidential election, a move that has drawn respect from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Kishida has described Biden's decision as the best political judgment. Here to discuss this further is our correspondent Celeste. How has this news been received in Japan? Well David, Prime Minister Kishida has expressed his respect for President Biden's decision, emphasizing that the Japan-US alliance remains the foundation of Japan's diplomacy and security. He has stressed his intention to pay close attention to future developments in the US presidential election. And what about other key figures in the Japanese government? How have they reacted to this news? Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Hayashi has affirmed Biden's achievements to date, stating that he has actively worked on domestic and international issues in the US and further strengthen Japan-US relations. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also pointed out that the mutual trust between the Japanese and US leaders has greatly deepened due to Kishida and Biden. What can we expect in terms of the future of Japan-US relations given this development? The official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that efforts will be made to maintain the relationship during the remainder of Biden's term. They also commented on the next presidential candidate, stating, "No matter who takes office, the importance of strengthening the Japan-US alliance will not change. This understanding is shared by both the Democratic and Republican parties." And how are the political circles in Japan reacting to this unexpected development? A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, who has held the three major political positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed surprise, saying, "The situation is developing rapidly." However, a diplomatic source calmly pointed out that it was an expected situation and stated that they will closely monitor the developments leading up to the Democratic Party Convention next month. Certainly a significant development in US politics with potential implications for international relations. Speaking of international relations, as Ursula von der Leyen begins her second term as president of the European Commission, her policy towards China is drawing attention. A recent document outlines her stance on various issues, from de-risking in defense to economic security and foreign direct investment. Here to discuss this further is our correspondent. Michael, what are the key points in von der Leyen's China policy? David, the document highlights several areas of concern. It mentions the dangers of dependencies or supply chain disruptions, citing China's monopoly on essential raw materials for batteries or chips. It also points to the rapid increase in China's defense spending, which grew by nearly 600% between 2019 and 2021, and calls for better European coordination in defense spending. And what about the economic aspects of her policy? von der Leyen's policy emphasizes the need for economic security and competitiveness. It mentions China's aggressive stance in unfair economic competition and the shift in its relationship with Europe, from cooperation to competition. The policy also calls for more proactive measures to protect the European economy, prevent important technology outflows, and eliminate security vulnerabilities. What about foreign direct investment? How does von der Leyen plan to handle this? The policy outlines a strategy of de-risking rather than decoupling. It calls for clear risk assessments and a truly coordinated approach to export controls to address risks posed by overseas investors. This is particularly relevant when dealing with enterprises from strategic competitors and systemic rivals. And how does von der Leyen plan to counter China's Belt and Road initiative? The policy proposes taking the EU's global gateway to a new level, providing integrated solutions for partners through infrastructure investment, trade, and macroeconomic support. This is seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road initiative. Finally, what does the policy say about the situation in Taiwan? The policy emphasizes joint efforts to prevent China from unilaterally changing the status quo by military means, especially when it comes to Taiwan. It suggests using all the statecraft at the EU's disposal to address this issue. Thanks for that report, Michael. In other news from China, we have some sad news to report today. Xu Yumiao, a prominent member of the Communist Party of China, and a renowned Marxist theorist and political scientist, has passed away at the age of 89. Here to discuss Xu's life and contributions is our correspondent Abby. Can you tell us more about Xu Yumiao's career? Certainly, David. Xu Yumiao was an expert who received special government allowances from the State Council. He served as the former president of the Hubei Province Political Science Association and the former deputy director of the Institute of Scientific Socialism at Central China Normal University. He was also the former editor-in-chief of Socialist Studies and a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Politics and International Relations at Central China Normal University. What were some of his key contributions to political science and Marxism? Xu Yumiao was a leading figure in the field of political science in China. His work in Marxist theory and his leadership roles in various academic institutions have had a significant impact on the study and understanding of political science and socialism in the country. His contributions to these fields have been widely recognized and respected. And how will his passing affect the academic community? Xu Yumiao's passing is a great loss to the academic community. His contributions to political science and Marxist theory have left a lasting legacy. His work will continue to influence scholars and students in these fields for years to come. A significant loss indeed. Thanks for that report, Abby. And with that, we wrap up our stories for today. Thanks for listening to Simply Politics from China. We'll see you back here tomorrow. [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO]