US President Barack Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping ended a two-day summit described by a US official as “unique, positive and constructive”.

The two leaders spent nearly six hours together on 7th June and another three hours on 8th June  morning at the sprawling Sunnylands retreat in California.

The officials said the “fast on his feet” style of President Xi Jinping would loosen the stifling formality of past summits and encourage the parties to talk candidly about their differences.

Analysts say that the purpose of the summit was to know each other so that they could do business with each other.

 

Personal chemistry between leaders means a lot in major power relations.   So the two Presidents –-- Barack Obama and Xi Jinping –-- could end up seeking common ground, focussing on shared interests before dealing with serious bilateral, regional and global issues.

Both leaders like basketball and reading books. Obama was one-time book reviewer for the Chicago Tribune. News that he is reading a particular book is known to boost sales.

 

Chinese President wrote hundreds of articles for the Zhejiang Daily under the pen name, Zhexin. His column was said to have discussed the “everyday problems of interest to the common people”, according to China’s state-run media.

Normally, U.S.-China leaders’ meetings have wide ranging agenda and very little time to cover them.  The California summit reportedly allowed ample time to pursue topics in depth, including an extended exchange of views. This format evidently reflects Xi’s considerable confidence in handling the dynamics of an open-ended discussion.

This was not a summit in which to strike agreements.  Rather, it was an opportunity to reach accord on the process and substance of future dialogue on key issues.  

Analysts say that the outcome of summit would be deemed successful if it went down the line on some of the key issues described below:

 

They agreed that North Korea has to denuclearise, that neither country will accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state and that both countries would work together to deepen co-operation and dialogue to achieve denuclearisation. The U.S. and China have never held a bilateral dialogue on uncertainties about future developments in North Korea.

 

Observers say that there is little utility in complaining about Chinese efforts to steal U.S. political and military secrets –-- all nations do that, and none would ever agree to limit these efforts.  

The scope and scale of Chinese hacking of secrets from the U.S. private sector have imposed impediments  on U.S. jobs, competitiveness, investment, and innovation.

Obama should highlight the importance of cooperation to defend against attacks on critical infrastructure by terrorist organizations that threatened both the countries.  And he should encourage U.S.-China cooperation on combating criminal activity that utilizes cyber tools –-- such as money laundering, financial scams and child pornography.

America has the most advanced tools and capabilities, and the Chinese political and financial systems largely run on American software.  China assumes the U.S. uses that huge capability to its advantage.  

After the talks concluded, the US National Security Adviser Donilon told a press conference that President Obama had described to Mr Xi the types of problems the US has faced from cyber-intrusion and theft of intellectual property. 

He gave no details but said Mr Obama underscored that Washington had no doubt that the intrusions were coming from inside China.

Earlier, Mr Xi’s senior foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi told reporters that China wanted co-operation rather than friction with the US over cyber-security.

 

Air pollution is now a political and health issue of central importance in China, and Beijing’s leaders have made clear that they will move bureaucratic mountains to take effective steps to deal with this.  

Observers say that the two presidents should agree to give high priority to U.S.-China cooperation on major, high impact projects that would both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate air pollution.  They would cooperate in concluding a global treaty by 2015 under the auspices of the UN Global Climate Change Conference. 

After the talks, the White House issued a statement saying the two nations had agreed to work together for the first time to reduce hydro-fluorocarbons --- a potent greenhouse gas.

 

The Asia Pacific region has been an arena of growing U.S.-China tension and distrust in the past few years.  President Obama desires to re-balance its strategy in the Asia Pacific where 60 percent of its naval assets would be deployed in the region for long-term Asian peace and economic progress with full American participation in both generating and benefiting from that outcome. 

China maintains that it is at the centre of Asia Pacific region and therefore inevitably, in any regional strategy China will play a key role.  China perceivesthat the US strategy is targeted against it and seeks to complicate, slow down, and perhaps even disrupt China’s rise.

In the past, Obama reportedly said: “I absolutely believe China’s peaceful rise is good for the world and it’s good for America. We just want to make sure that that rise occurs in a way that reinforces international norms and international rules, and enhances security”

The California meeting was a critical opportunity for President Obama to explain America’s strategy and goals in the Asia Pacific region and what role China could play.

On the other hand, Xi Jinping needed to lay out his own core priorities in the region and how he anticipated handling such key issues as maritime territorial disputes in the East and South China Sea .  Xi has played a very active role in shaping China’s regional actions over the past year, and it is important for him to convey to the US how he sees both next steps and longer term objective Ideally, this discussion would lead to an ongoing high level U.S.-China political and military dialogue over respective goals and related force postures in the region, using a five-to-ten year time horizon.  Such a dialogue might mitigate current pressures trending toward an arms race in the region. 

It might also make it easier to expand relations between the U.S. and Chinese militaries that, despite some recent enhancements, remain far behind the interactions that have long existed in the non-military aspects of U.S.-China relations.

 

The US and China are the world’s two largest economies. The US runs a huge trade deficit with China, which hit an all-time high of $315bn (£204bn) last year. 

Last week, the Chinese firm Shuanghui agreed to buy US pork producer Smithfield for $4.7bn (£3.1bn) --- the largest takeover of a US company by a Chinese rival.The deal highlights the growing power of Chinese firms and their desire to secure global resources.

The trade issues are important and wide ranging.  U.S. bilateral concerns focus especially on market access and protection of intellectual property (related to cyber security).  Chinese concerns focus on security reviews of investments in the U.S. and on American restrictions on technology exports to China.  

President Xi apparently now wants to carry out structural economic reforms in China that should in many cases allow for greater and more effective U.S. participation.  

Both countries have their long-term trade and investment goals for the Asia-Pacific region and to gain a better understanding of trade programmes, China appears to be agreeable to join to a common Asia-Pacific platform that will reduce trade barriers through free trade agreement in the Asia Pacific region, such as the US sponsored TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership ) free trade agreement for the region.

 

Professor Hugh White, department of strategic studies at the Australian National University, writes in the Wall Street Journal: “From the outset, both leaders must also recognize the dangers of choosing escalation over accommodation. China’s economic miracle will falter if the U.S. treats Beijing as an outright adversary, and similarly America’s economic future can only be bleak without China. Each state could drive the other to Cold-War levels of defense spending, or even incite outright armed conflict…..Xi and Obama can probably do no more than agree that an accommodation is necessary and commit to explore what it might look like. But the essence of such an understanding is clear. Both sides will need to agree to share power as equals".

BBC’s Mark Mardell writes: “It perhaps sounds overly dramatic to suggest the purpose of the Sunnylands summit was to avoid World War III, but it is certainly aimed at making sure both sides know the flashpoints, and talk about them, long before disagreements degenerate into something worse.”

Many analysts say the informal summit could prove very significant, if it became the venue for a more strategic discussion of issues relating to U.S.-China relations.  

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The writer is former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.

Let us scrutinise what the proposed Tk 2.22 trillion national budget for FY 2013-14 has to offer. Last week the Holiday columnist wrote: “Big budget, but where is the money?” That's a million dollar question. The budget is a lofty one, encompassing many of the promises made to woo voters in the upcoming general election. About Tk 222,490 crore budget is 16 per cent higher than the previous one and it largely depends on day-dreaming revenue targets. 

As of March 2013, total internal outstanding credit of the government from banks and savings instruments stood at Tk 162,791 crore. The higher borrowing in 2013-2014 will require more money for payment of interest. Besides, as the total external debt now stands at about US$24 billion, approximately $1.4 billion worth of fund has to be spared to meet external debt payment obligations, about $226 million higher than what was needed in the previous year.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is likely to face enormous challenges to meet its next fiscal’s target as it has to collect over Taka 1.36 trillion in FY 2013-14. Under the revised budget for the outgoing fiscal, the NBR will have to collect Tk 122.26 trillion in various forms of taxes and duties, until June 30, 2013, which is not plausible because its actual performance until March 2013 showed a considerable amount of shortfall in revenue collections. 

Surrealism’ was the artistic movement of the early 1920s characterised by fantastic imagery. Referring to that from our context, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Fellow of the think tank CPD, termed the budget 'surreal', meaning dreamlike or unlikely, in terms of its earnings and expenditures. 

Given the ongoing political uncertainties, taking advantage of various proposals in the next fiscal year (2013-14) to stimulate investment in the economy can be a really difficult task. the revenue mobilisation for meeting the large budget expenditures --- nearly 46 per cent resources from income tax --- is the weakest part of the proposed budget. 

There is no actual information in the budget proposal regarding measures to prevent building collapses like Rana Plaza tragedy that killed some 1,127 people; nor is there any mention about constructing dormitories for factory workers. 

The quick rental power plants (QRPPs) have been a blight, an woe for the nation; and a news report dated 12 June 2013 says the government is losing Taka 8,000 crore per annum for these QRPPs. The think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on June 3, 2013 discouraged the country from going for the costlier option of quick rental power plants as a mid-term solution to electricity shortage. On the one hand, consumers are paying higher power tariffs; on the other, the government is paying higher subsidies to the power sector, so the government should try to phase out the rental power plants as early as possible, it said. 

Cesar Tordesillas in his report, published on 25 June, 2012 in the Asian Power, quoted member secretary of the National committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources and Power and Ports as saying, the government spent a whopping Tk. 32,000 crore as subsidy for running the quick rental power plant projects. The government failed to realise the compensation money from multinational companies Niko and Chevron which caused serious damage to the country's gas resources. [Vide asian-power.com rental news\bangladeshs-foray-quick-rental-power-total-failure]

It is regrettable that the budget proposes for an increase in the duty on newsprint import---from 23.45 per cent to 61.09 per cent--- which gives the impression of the government’s policy of impeding free flow of information in a democratic country. It will cost nearly 27 per cent more per ton under the new proposal.

The argument in the budget proposal that the newspaper industry is getting undue advantage over commercial importers creating an “uneven competition” for domestic producers is not based on reality because there is only one domestic factory manufacturing newsprint, and that too of poor quality. It needs no elaboration that a single factory cannot be called an industry. The incumbents should also remove the 3 per cent import tax that the newspaper and the publication industries are now obligated to pay for the sake of promoting a knowledge-based society.

The bottom line is: The bloated populist budget may be election-friendly for a regime; but it is politically destructive and economically unsustainable.

 

Corporal punishment is a toxin as dangerous to mind and body as smoking, asbestos and DDT. Yusuf Khan Sagar, a child of 12, is presently at home nursing his bruises and trying to shut out the painful memory of a living nightmare he experienced this week in Hefza Khana, Sakunda Upazila, at the hands of terrorist ˜teacher’, Abdur Rahim.

Rahim accused Yusuf of stealing his mobile phone and then mercilessly lashed out at him with 10-12 blows of a cane across his back and arms until Yusuf could endure no more and passed out. Yusuf, however, might take some comfort and joy in knowing locals gave Rahim a good beating before handing him over to the police for his crime.

It is sad that corporal punishment is alive and well and flourishes in schools throughout Bangladesh, especially in rural areas where the laws of the jungle often prevail and the so-called educated bully the illiterate.

It’s sad for the abused victims, sad for the nation, sad for the teaching profession and particularly heart-breaking for the good, patriotic, principled teachers who oppose it and are victimised because they want to see it end.

Throughout history, people have looked to the teaching profession with Bambi eyes filled with awe, admiration and trust. Bangladesh is no exception. Teachers have long been put on pedestals and given special consideration by the communities they serve, but the end of that era is beckoning, if not already here.

Many teachers, like Abdur Rahim, have chosen to become outlaws. They have no respect or regard for the law, the children in their care, the future of Bangladesh or their profession.

A section of the teaching community were outraged when the Bangladesh High Court Division bench heroes Justice Md. Imman Ali and Justice Md Sheikh Hasan Arif introduced the anti-corporal punishment law on January 13, 2011. This deprived ‘teachers’ of the pleasure they were receiving through giving corporal punishment to children. How would it be possible for them to vent their frustrations in the future? By beating their wives, kicking their dogs? 

Corporal Punishment is a toxin in modern-day society as dangerous to mind and body as smoking, asbestos, DDT and worse. If you are exposed to toxins for any length of time, it is guaranteed you will become affected; some more than others. 

 

Education is the only hope to bring about much needed change. To me, teachers (those who do their job right) are the unsung heroes and heroines of any nation. Other than being a doctor or a nurse, I cannot think of any other profession that deserves more praise, appreciation and support of parents and government. They spend almost as much time with children as the parents and, in many respects, are far more influential. Their responsibility to the child, family, school and nation, therefore, is great. In the classroom a teacher is meant to teach what’s right and not demonstrate what’s wrong. 

Unfortunately, many employed as teachers in the Bangladesh education system are not teachers and give the teaching profession a bad name. Many, regrettably, do not know how to teach – they were never formally trained. 

I have all the sympathy in the world for teachers who go without their salary for months at a time. This can only make them bitter; resentful of the education system and make them feel disrespected and unappreciated. Unless this teacher is an angel on earth, this pent-up anger and frustration is likely to spill over and manifest itself as corporal punishment on poor hapless innocent children, often in its most ugly, inhumane, and cruellest form.

While I offer these ‘teachers’ my sympathy, I offer them no respect for venting their personal grievances, heartaches and frustrations on guiltless pupils. Beating a child senseless to release pent-up frustrations doesn’t change their personal circumstances, just makes them worse. In every new-born baby there are the makings of a saint. They come into this world with a label hand-woven by God that under the heading Made in Bangladesh, reads: 

“I’m unique and precious. There is none other like me in the world. 

Handle me with Care, Kindness, Tenderness and Respect”.

The right time to hit a child is NEVER.

Dear Editor:

These days many mills and factories and different commercial establishments are set up in residential areas. They park trucks and other vehicles on the road in front of their gates for hours together for loading and unloading of goods. Generally the roads in the residential areas are very narrow. As a result it creates jams unnecessarily causing untold sufferings to the pedestrians as well as dwellers of the area.

Moreover, the garment factories pump out water during rainy days and throw on the roads which create water-logging. The road-side shopkeepers and teashop owners throw garbage, rotten and dirty things on the roads. During rainy days the sufferings of the people know no bound.

These mills and industries have their own premises. But they use their premises for dumping of rejected goods. So, it is our suggestion: a law should be enacted to use their own premises for parking of trucks and other vehicles for loading and unloading of goods. Those who will park trucks in front of their gates shall be penalised. We hope the government will take necessary measures in this regard.

Narayangonj.

Dear Editor:

I read the article “Future of Asia: Orderly progress through strategic balance shifts” by Lee Hsien published in Weekly Holiday, 31 May, 2013 issue with great interest and enthusiasm. I find it quite informative and thought provoking. Actually it is an abridged version of Mr Lee’s speech which he delivered at 19th Nikkei International Conference on the Future of Asia held on 23-24 May, 2013. It would be more befitting if you kindly published a photograph and print the full name Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore. 

According to IMF’s latest analysis and evaluation, Singapore is the richest country of the world with per capita GDP $61,567. I would like to share few important facts about Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew was sworn in as Prime Minister of self governed Singapore on 5 June 1959. Afterwards Singapore was separated from Malayasia as an independent state on 9 August, 1965. Lee Kuan Yew is the longest serving Prime Minister in the History. Lee Hsien is Lee Kuan’s son serving as PM since 2004. These may be of interest to readers. 

In 1971, Mr. Loong was awarded a President’s Scholarship and Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship by the Public Service Commission to study Mathematics at Trinity College, University of Cambridge. He was Senior Wrangler in 1973,[3][4] and graduated in 1974 with first class honours in mathematics and a Diploma in Computer Science (with distinction). In 1980, he completed a Master of Public Administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Mr. Loong joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1971. In 1978, he attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. He rose quickly through the ranks in the Singapore Army, becoming the youngest brigadier-general in Singaporean history after his promotion in July 1983. He left the SAF in 1984 to pursue his political career.

The Weekly Holiday started its journalistic journey on 6 August, 1965 with a call to “Join the mardi gras of cultivated mind”just three days before Singapore started its journey with no signposts to the next destination.Now Singapore is a development model for the whole world.We have many things to learn from them. Hope the Holiday will publish stories on the success and achievements of Singapore in future.

Thanks for publishing the article.

A reader of the weekly Holiday since 1981.

Now OSD (Deputy Secretary), Dhaka.

Email: mahmudglobal@gmail.com