China and India signed an important Joint Document!...What say you?
By kamran12
@kamran12 (5526)
Pakistan
January 15, 2008 4:08pm CST
Hello mylotians,
Yesterday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed a joint document aimed at promoting the building of harmonious world. It has called for a just international system, reforms in UN with India’s permanent position in UNSC. It has also resolved to strengthen Asia and Asian-Europeans strong relations, establishment of a new energy order, discouragement of arms race in space, and dialogue of civilizations. India reiterated its support for One-China policy and strong opposition to efforts against One-China policy. They have also resolved to work out their border differences.
It is likely to be a great news for the region as it will enhance regional economic activity and stability with the two major economic and regional powers getting along. Following are snippets from this document along with link to full Joint-Document.
...An international system founded in tolerance and respect for diversity will promote the cause of peace and reduce the use, or threat of use, of force. The two sides favour an open and inclusive international system and believe that drawing lines on the ground of ideologies and values, or on geographical criteria, is not conducive to peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
The two sides will strengthen their coordination under the framework of Asia-Europe Meeting, and are committed to strengthening and deepening Asia-Europe comprehensive partnership.
The two sides are convinced that it is in the common interest of the international community to establish an international energy order that is fair, equitable, secure and stable, and to the benefit of the entire international community.
The two sides emphasise the importance of addressing climate change in accordance with principles and provisions of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The two sides express their categorical opposition to the weaponisation and arms race in outer space.
The two sides believe that cultural and religious tolerance and dialogue between civilizations and peoples will contribute to overall peace and stability of our world.
The Indian side states that it would continue to abide by its one China policy, and oppose any activity that is against the one China principle.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/14/content_7422097.htm
My question: What effects and implications, in your view, this coming together of two major world economies and regional powers will have on overall prosperity, stability and security of the region and the world as a whole? I’ll appreciate your detailed take on this important development. Thanks!
2 people like this
4 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
15 Jan 08
It is a grand treaty between China and India, but it may not bode well for the Western World.
As the Asian World strengthens the Western World will probably weaken. China has no regard for things like patents and the legal rights of others to various properties. They have always just copied whatever they wanted to and sold it as their own and reaped the profits.
As they grow, they consume more energy as would be expected, but they do not seem to be learning from others mistakes. They are polluting at an even greater pace than the Westerners now, with no end in sight. They will not even use the measures already available to slow down the raveges of pollution.
Yes, the new agreement is good for China and India because they will stop quarrelling. This is always good. But what will it do otherwise?
3 people like this
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
16 Jan 08
I repeated the question because it is one of those things where time will be the most important factor. We will not know until time passes and we see if it actually holds.
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
18 Jan 08
You are very observant, Adoniah! While such friendship is good for the Asians and eventually the world (seeing peace anywhere is good for us all), the Western world would probably see such a threat to its years of world economy domination! Indeed, when China sought economic partnership with Africa months ago, several sources suggested the same negative effect for the Western world: There were some who even voiced that China is on the way of replacing the US as the economic superpower.
1 person likes this
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
18 Jan 08
I always consider communications and friendship a good thing and a boost to the civilized world. However, I will not be surprised at all to find that the USA, for instance, may find such a move a threat to its years of economic superpower. As a matter of fact, any development or progress anywhere on earth is often considered a threat to US world domination!
2 people like this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
19 Jan 08
Hello Netsbridge!
You are certainly right that communications and friendship is a good thing and a boost to civilized world. It's always good t know that two nations are ready to forgo their troubling points and contentions to move forward in a more respectful and mutually beneficial way.
As for the USA taking it as a threat, perhaps it can be explained by the fact that there is fierce competition in the world in Politics, Economy and Military. So, it is possible that USA may take it as a serious threat. I believe that we can all move forward with fairness, equality and respect for each other.
1 person likes this
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
19 Jan 08
What a noble viewpoint! Now, we just have to get some nations to understand that one need not subdue others in order to progress!
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
16 Jan 08
Over here there is already North American union and a lot of people are skeptic about the result. I'm Asian myself but I'm not going to say anything good or bad about this union until it's proven to work for the benefits of everyone, like stated in the document. There are already this and that organizations in the world, OPEC, NATO, South East Asian Countries something, European Economic something - I can't even remember what they are all about.
China is in the big five so hopefully they won't use this union for only their own sake. I don't suppose Taiwan smiles over this.
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
16 Jan 08
Hello LittleMel!:-)
You are right that it can only be truly judged with time but I do have hopes that it will bring stability to the region. Well, what can we do other than to wait and see for the real results!
If China uses it just for her sake, it will play out against China itself. But then, that too can't be verified at this point in time.
Thanks for sharing your views, LittleMel!:-)
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