About small and 'important' countries

With the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Soon after the conclusion of the 18th CPC Congress in Beijing, a Chinese official, Li Junru headed a Goodwill Delegation from the Communist Party of China to India. 
Mr. Li also visited Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 
But who is Li Junru?
When you type his name, China Vitae, a website listing thousands of Chinese officials shows 'no match'.
According to the Chinese embassy in Delhi, Li Junru is a former Vice President of CPC's Central Party School and till March, he is a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference).
Li was in Delhi between November 24 to 28, 2012.
One could ask: why send Li to India and not a very senior Party official?
The other question is why to eternally link India and Pakistan?
This is relatively easy to answer: for the years to come, China will continue to equate New Delhi and Islamabad; it is part of a policy to bring India down. 
A commentator (in The Hindu) remarked that 'much higher' delegations will visit the West (and particularly the United States) to brief the Western governments and local parties about the outcome of the 18th Congress held in November. There is no doubt about this.
To come back to the first question.
At 65, Li is an active official. He is a Vice Director of the China Reform Forum  and Vice Director of the China Society for Human Rights Studies. 
What these organizations are, is a separate issue. It certainly does not mean much to the profane (even to the China watcher).
Li's Unique Selling Proposition seems to be his fluency in English and the fact that he is able to eloquently convey the positions of the Party in their proper and global perspectives. He obviously enjoy the CPC's trust. 
During the 18th Party Congress in Beijing, he was already seen answering reporters fielding questions for overseas television channels. 
His trip to South Asia appeared to have been sponsored by the International Department under the Central Committee of the Party.
In the past, this Department used to liaise with other 'fraternal' Communist Parties. It probably explains the casual dress worn by Comrade Li when he met Comrade Yechury.

More relaxed between comrades

Today, the Department has contacts with all political parties. The delegation's job was to brief foreign party leaders and the media about the 'peaceful' transition witnessed during the 18th Party Congress.
According to the Chinese embassy: "During the visit, the delegation met with Mr. P.J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha (India's Upper House of Parliament), Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman for Foreign Affairs of the Indian National Congress Party, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Chief Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Comrade Sitaram Yechury, a senior member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Comrade Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India."
The communiqué added: 

During the meetings, Li Junru thanked the Indian political parties for their congratulations to the 18th National Congress of the CPC and the newly elected leadership, briefed them about the CPC Congress, and had an in-depth discussion on party-to-party exchanges and cooperation, China-India relations as well as regional and international issues. The delegation also held seminars with the India China Economic and Cultural Council and the Observer Research Foundation on the 18th CPC National Congress, China's future development road, regional and international issues.
Li Junru also accepted a joint interview with Indian and Chinese media.

In Delhi, Mr. Li acknowledged that the border issue has 'hindered development' of bi-lateral ties, but today both countries "should try to turn over to a new page as soon as possible so that the matter is resolved forever," he asserted.
He also affirmed: "Border issue is a headache and trouble left over to us by the British colonists. It happens because of historical reasons and we did have some unhappy and unfortunate incidents in this regard in the past."
Most journalists were delighted to hear such sweet words: "I think we should try to turn over to a new page as soon as possible. People will be happy," Li Junru said during the press conference.
And of course, he brushed aside the problem of the visas issued on maps showing Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as part of China.
Why could a senior Chinese official visit India?
One can always argue that National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon went to Beijing and was briefed by outgoing Dai Bingguo, a State Councillor (Menon's counterpart in the border talks).
Though the NSA said that India and China had made 'considerable progress' on the border dispute, many observers were doubtful for the simple reason that he did not meet anybody in the new team.
In fact, after 'official sources' had announced that Menon was expected to call on Vice Premier Li Keqiang, the number Two in the seven-member new Standing Committee (and soon-to-be Chinese Premier), the meeting did not materialize. Instead, the NSA met Wu Bangguo, the outgoing head of the National People's Congress.
In other words, Menon did not meet tomorrow's leaders of China.

An important country
It has not been the case of another visiting dignitary: Mohamed Nazim, the Maldives' Minister of Defence and National Security.
His visit occurred in the midst of the controversy which recently erupted between GMR, an infrastructure company  and the Male's government. 
The Indian company had been operating the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport at Male after investing some 511 million US dollars, but after a dispute, GMR had to eventually hand over the airport to the Maldives government. 
In Beijing, the Maldives' delegation met General Xu Qiliang, the newly appointed Vice-Chairman of the all-powerful Central Military Commission. General Xu, a former Air Chief is also a member of the CCP's Politburo (which is not the case of Dai Bingguo). 
After the General met with Mohamed Nazim, both sides agreed to expand their military cooperation.

General Xu Qiliang

According to Xinhua, Xu said that the two countries in recent years have increased mutual political trust, expanded trade and economic cooperation, diversified cultural exchanges and set an example for countries to treat each other as equals and cooperate with sincerity.
Xu stated that "even the two armies should continue to enhance high-level contact, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, expand the scope of cooperation and upgrade military relations,"
Interestingly, Xu briefed Nazim on the  18th CPC National Congress. 
He said that "China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit and commit itself to world peace and development".
Nazim told his Chinese guest that "the Maldives hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation between the two countries as well as their militaries, jointly address common challenges and meet opportunities so as to promote the two countries' relations to a higher level."
India's politicians are briefed by a semi-retired official (Li Junru) and the government is told about the new happenings by someone who is not a member of the CPC's Central Committee any more; the Maldives, a 'small' State is received by one of the most powerful Party officials of post-18th Congress' China has come.
Does it means that in China's eyes, India is a 'small' country and the Maldives an important, strategic one?
Probably. 

General Liang Guanglie and Mohamed Nazim

Soon after meeting General Xu, Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim met his (outgoing) Chinese counterpart to "deepen military ties between the two countries". 
Xinhua reported that Nazim told General Liang Guanglie that the Maldives “are willing to cement relations between the two countries and their militaries”.
General Liang told him that China would “continue to develop friendly, cooperative and mutually beneficial relations with the Maldives under the principle of building a good-neighbourly relationship and non-interference in internal affairs”. 
He added: "China has always positively developed its military relations with the Maldives and hopes to enhance communication and cooperation, promote the construction of both militaries, and safeguard regional peace and stability.”
For Beijing, the Maldives are definitively as important as India, but this does seem to bother anybody in Delhi.

Détente and Incursions

In February this year, Northeast Today reported a "spurt in Chinese Intrusions in Chaglagam".
The publication from Arunachal complained about India’s reluctance to upgrade its resources along the international border in Arunachal Pradesh, giving the 'glaring' example of the border demarcation along Indo-China border near Chaglagam outpost in Anjaw district. 
Northeast Today explains that: "due to lack of proper boundary demarcation, the Chinese Army often intrudes through two passes of Glai Takre and Hadira Takre which is about 100 km from last ITBP base camp situated at Chaglagam."
The article continues:

Anjaw Zilla Parishad Chairperson B Tega informed that the two passes are known as natural border between the two countries by the Mishmi community. He confirmed that, the Chinese Army often intrudes in the area and puts up unknown signs and symbols on stones and trees inside the Indian Territory. However, after the Chinese departure, Indian military patrolling team is quick to damage or erase the Chinese military marks and signs. He said that due to the lack of establishment of Indian military camp within the Indian Territory in the interior places, Chinese frequently conducts patrolling in Indian Territory.

The last ITBP post situated at Chaglagam is about 100 km away from LOC [LAC] The PR leader suggested that “the Indian government needs to establish military camp at Tanya, Pompom and Laitakru areas for security and easy monitoring of border areas”.  Meanwhile, Chaglagam ASM Mailu Tega said that “due to non availability of proper motorable road from Chaglagam to Glai Takre and Hadira Takre, the Indian patrolling team takes 4 to 5 days to reach the border, which she says, could pose a danger during emergency. She urged the government to widen the Chaglagam-Hayuliang road for transportation of military and other heavy vehicles.
Tega further sought Centre’s intervention for construction of road from Kibitho to Anini, Chaglagam to Desali (Lower Dibang Valley), Chaglagam to Glaitakre and Hadira Takre for the easy movement of the military. The Chinese government has connected its border area with highways. On the other hand, India is yet to make any roads leading to all border areas in Arunachal Pradesh even today. With Centre reluctant to step up infrastructure development at border areas, it is unlikely that such intrusions by Chinese Army would end over night. The ball off course is in the hands of the Centre and state government.

I wonder if the issue of infiltrations have been taken up with General Liang Guanglie, the Chinese Defence Minster during the latter's visit to Delhi.
It was probably not part of the PLA's diplomatic offensive, less than 2 months before the 'celebrations' (for the Chinese) of the 1962 War.
Another problem not mentioned by the Northeast Today's article is the infiltration between the main valleys, through less known passes. 
Of course, in these cases, the PLA will argue that it has nothing to do with the incursions, it is only Tibetan 'herders' who enter India's territory by 'mistake'.
Anyway, General Liang Guanglie most have had a jolly good time in India, if he tipped his IAF escort with one lakh of rupees!
This is called détente, (before the tough power struggle at the 18th Congress in Beijing next month).

Military ties for peace
China's Daily
2012-09-05
On Sunday, Liang Guanglie, Chinese state councilor and minister of defense, arrived in India for a five-day visit. He also has gone to Sri Lanka and will soon travel to Laos.
The same day, Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, left Beijing for Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore.
Then on Monday, Wu Shengli, PLA naval commander, started on a trip to Turkey and a deputy chief of staff of the PLA Navy arrived in Indonesia.
General Liang's current visit to India is the first a Chinese Defense Minister has made to that country in eight years. It remains unclear whether his talks with Indian officials will touch on a long-standing border dispute that is partially responsible for the neighbors' distrust of each other. Expectations are running high that the visit may lead to a new session of the "hand-in-hand" military drills that Indian and Chinese troops have conducted together. General Ma's delegation will hold consultations on security issues with Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.
We have heard much lately about military options, and sensed veiled military threats in discussions concerning territorial disputes over the Huangyan and Diaoyu islands. And we have witnessed public indignation arise at home following provocations by foreign claimants and seen decision-makers come under greater pressure to get tough. But we have heard nothing that is provocative from our own defense authorities. That's why we wonder what the White House was thinking of when it once again admonished countries in the region to resolve their disputes without resorting to coercion.
Outsiders with ulterior motives dislike that the PLA has forged closer ties with other militaries in the region. But that is exactly what the PLA needs to do and should do more of.
These territorial disputes would not be threatening the entire region's safety had there not been instigations from outsiders.
The PLA now has the difficult responsibility of explaining its non-offensive strategy and need to expand, as well as show its willingness to work more closely with other militaries in the region. A greater amount of mutual confidence among militaries in the region will prove a fundamental guarantor of peace.
They have an obligation to show that countries in this part of the world are capable of solving their problems by themselves.
(China Daily 09/05/2012 page8)

Unrestricted Warfare?

As General Liang Guanglie, China's Defence Minister arrives in India, the website  China-defense-mashup publishes a (poor) translation of an article of Major General Qiao Liang, the co-author of the famous book, “Unrestricted Warfare”.  
On August 29, Qiao Liang wrote an article in the China Youth Daily suggesting that China should use 'unrestricted warfare' in South China sea Islands Dispute.

During his visit, the Chinese Defence Minister will probably reiterate Beijing's "Peace Rise of China" policy. 
In this context, it is interesting to keep in mind that General Qiao's theory is also applicable to the border issue with India.
A few years ago, I wrote about this concept, here are some extracts:

A remarkable book, largely unnoticed in India except in specialized circles was published by the Literature and Arts Publishing House in Beijing a few years ago. Unrestricted Warfare has been written by Colonels Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, two very brilliant senior officers of the People's Liberation Army.
Qiao and Wang's started their fascinating research with the US's success against Saddam Hussein's army during the Gulf War of 1990-1991. Drawing lessons from this conflict, Unrestricted Warfare details how a nation like China, can face the technologically advanced US army, overcome this advantage and defeat the enemy.
This war manual came to the notice of the CIA after the September 11 attacks: the Chinese colonels several times suggest ways in which unrestricted war could be waged against America by terrorists
In their foreword, the editors of Unrestricted Warfare point out the authors’ "advocacy of a multitude of means, both military and particularly non-military, to strike at the United States during times of conflict."
Blending the ancient martial arts theory and the knowledge of the high-tech era, the authors explain how the strong can be defeated by the weak through merciless unconventional methods: “the first rule of unrestricted warfare is that there are no rules, with nothing forbidden."
They say: “Whether it be the intrusions of hackers, a major explosion at the World Trade Center, or a bombing attack by bin Laden, all of these greatly exceed the frequency bandwidths understood by the American military… This is because they have never taken into consideration and have even refused to consider means that are contrary to tradition and to select measures of operation other than military means."
The fact that the bombing of the WTC is mentioned resulted in US security agencies translating the book. The Chinese White Paper on Defense put it thus: “The forms of war are undergoing changes from mechanization to informationalization... Confrontation between systems has become the principal feature of confrontation on the battlefield. Asymmetrical, non-contiguous and non-linear operations have become important patterns of operations.”
One chapter speaks of "Ten Thousand Methods Combined as One: Combinations That Transcend Boundaries". It is the art of combining different elements of these various forms of warfare. What are these forms?
Terrorism is of course mentioned the most often, but it is just one of the many ways of unconventional warfare identified by Unrestricted Warfare. To cite a few others:

• financial warfare financial war is a form of non-military warfare which is just as terribly destructive as a bloody war, but in which no blood is actually shed.

• psychological warfare (spreading rumors to intimidate the enemy and break down his will);

• smuggling warfare (throwing markets into confusion and attacking economic order);

• media warfare (manipulating what people see and hear in order to lead public opinion along);

• drug warfare (obtaining sudden and huge illicit profits by spreading disaster in other countries);

• network warfare (venturing out in secret and concealing one's identity in a type of warfare that is virtually impossible to guard against);

• technological warfare (creating monopolies by setting standards independently);

• fabrication warfare (presenting a counterfeit appearance of real strength before the eyes of the enemy);

• resources warfare (grabbing riches by plundering stores of resources);

• economic aid warfare (bestowing favor in the open and contriving to control matters in secret);

• cultural warfare (leading cultural trends along in order to assimilate those with different views);

• international law warfare (seizing the earliest opportunity to set up regulations),

• environmental warfare (weakening a rival nation by despoiling natural environment).

To Use “Unrestricted Warfare” in South China sea issue
August 29, 2012
China Military News by China-defense-mashup
Qiao Liang, PLA Major General and the co-author of the world famous book “Unrestricted Warfare” recently wrote an article on August 29th’s “China Youth Daily” to suggest China to use “Unrestricted Warfare” in South China sea Islands Dispute.
In his article, he says that someone once asked him that what his great idea is to solve the problem of the South China Sea from the point of view of the “unrestricted warfare”.
His answer is to learn [about] United States, think about how United States deals with such problems, then think [about] the U.S. so-called “mistaken bombing” on Pakistan’s border posts and other countries.
The basic principle of “unrestricted warfare” is a trick-combination and asymmetric attack.
In the South China Sea issue, “unrestricted warfare” means playing a combination of boxing. To avoid a war does not mean non-use of military forces and does not mean that there is no conflict.
The key is how to control the conflict intensity. That indicates that some “special action” is necessary to clearly demonstrate China’s bottom line, but not let the whole country be pushed up to full-scale war against normal economic development.
He believes that China in recent years began to grow in economic and military strength, but the most important is that the strategic thinking and technique should actively keep up with the changes in China’s own situation, but also to keep up with changes in the international situation.
Originally, China had a long period of policy of “Shelving differences and seeking joint development”. Now this way has a dead end. Encountered such a situation, one approach is using military forces to get back Islands which belongs to me; another option is a negotiated settlement.
In general, the solution of international disputes, complete none of “Exchanging interests” is impossible.
Sovereignty belongs to China, this is nothing indisputable, but “joint development” will bring you economic benefits. This is the bottom line.
Modern military confrontation has variety of means. China can deploy military force, and may even have an accidental conflict, but this kind of “Edge ball” must get strategic advantages and let adversary “suffering loss without redress”.
This is the game master, and this is what non-war military operation means under the context of China’s sea dispute in Diaoyu Islands and South China Sea issue?
Qiao Liang thinks that China’s “keeping a low profile” strategy is not passive enduring, but to play a low-key, then must do the right things for national interests.
Qiao judges that if not really touched the the core interests of the U.S., the United States is unwilling to even dare to make “Hot War” with China for the Philippines and other ASEAN countries in the South China Sea issue.
Strategic interests between China and the United States have a greater need for interdependence. Therefore, the interests of the two countries can not be kidnapped by a small country.
The Sino-US conflict’s final result can only be a lose-lose situation to provide opportunities for other third parties.
Qiao Liang says China needs the greatest wisdom, most brilliant strategy and most tough patience in the treatment of the U.S. factor.
Hillary Clinton has repeatedly claimed that the United States wants to use smart power, China can also learn it.