EDITORIAL
Helga Zepp-LaRouche Tells Americans, ‘Take a Look Yourself’ What Really Happened on Trump’s Trip to China
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of the Schiller Institute, today called on the American people to disregard the lies and blackouts about President Trump’s trip to China prevalent in the media of the U.S. and Europe, and find out for themselves about the historic development that took place. Speaking on her regular weekly webcast on to the Schiller Institute YouTube channel and also to the LaRouche PAC website, Zepp-LaRouche said:
“I think it’s very important that our U.S. viewers and businesses around the world really take a look at this yourself; do not go by what the media are reporting. Try to get the speeches, which are all archived; listen to them yourself. Go to Chinese television. This is really an appeal to the reason of people, not to be fooled by the media, and not fall into the trap of Cold War propaganda. The opposite of what the media are saying is happening. Please, our listeners and viewers—meaning you—take the time to inform yourself; build your own judgment. You don’t have to believe us, but try to go to the sources and get a first-hand opinion of what is really happening, not from the media.”
In her webcast, Zepp-LaRouche gave her viewers a short summary of what took place on the trip:
“I think it is the beginning of a new era of strategic relationships between the United States and China, as Xi Jinping has said. What they did in order to receive Trump and give him the best possible honors— the characterization was that this was a ‘state visit-plus’ and President Xi Jinping even said that this was a ‘state visit-plus-plus.’ They rolled out the red carpet, so to speak, in a way that they have never done for any other foreign dignitary since before the existence of the People’s Republic of China.
“What they did was, they had a first day of introducing President Trump to the ancient culture of China. For that purpose, they closed down the Forbidden City for an entire day and then they had a gala dinner in one of the palaces. They showed him three different Beijing operas, they showed him the restoration of art, crafts, and similar things. Obviously, President Xi Jinping was the tour guide for all of this. Anybody who has ever read or listened to his speeches, knows that he is very well cultured in Chinese history but also in universal history; so this is really an incredible thing. And naturally there were other aspects, like trade deals for $253 billion. And when President Trump came back from the Asia trip, he said that he had deals for about $300 billion, but that would only be the beginning, and soon this figure would be three-fold.
“But I think much more important, as much as the economic deals are important—I don’t want to neglect that—but I think much more deeply important was the deep human accord between these two Presidents. I’m going to do something which I normally don’t do, but given the fact that the media have distorted what has happened at this visit so much—if they reported it at all—I want to read to you a quote of what President Trump said in commenting on this reception.
“He said, ‘Yesterday, we visited the Forbidden City, which stands as a proud symbol of China’s rich culture and majestic spirit. Your nation is a testament to thousands of years of vibrant, living history, and today it was a tremendous honor to be greeted by the Chinese delegation right here at the Great Hall of the People. This moment in history presents both our nations with an incredible opportunity to advance peace and prosperity alongside other nations all around the world. In the words of a Chinese proverb, “we must carry forward the cause, and forge ahead into the future.” I’m confident that we can realize this wonderful vision, a vision that will be so good and in fact so great for both China and the United States.’
And then he continued, ‘So we come from different places and faraway lands. There is much that binds the East and West. Both our countries were built by people of great courage, strong culture, and the desire to trek across the unknown into great danger that they overcame. The people of the United States have a very deep respect for the heritage of your country and the noble traditions of its people. Your ancient values bring past and future together into the present. So beautiful! It is my hope that the proud spirits of the American and Chinese people will inspire our efforts to achieve a more just, secure, and peaceful world. A future worthy of the sacrifices of our ancestors and the dreams of our children.’ ”
Zepp-LaRouche singled out as an example, the disparaging coverage in the German “newspaper of record” the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which called the Chinese treatment of President Trump, “pomp” and a “Chinese deception game.”
“The true picture is not the picture of Trump you get from the media. As a matter of fact, I have never seen such an outrage and cynicism as what is being expressed now against Trump. Well, except, of course, against my husband, and of course similar treatment is being given to President Putin and President Xi. But anybody who has ever been in the Forbidden City, which was the palace of the Chinese Emperor since the 15th Century—you cannot but be impressed by the majestic architecture, the beauty of the construction, the furniture, the whole display of Chinese art. To call that ‘pomp,’ just shows you how absolutely ignorant these scribblers really are.”
Zepp-LaRouche said that the promise of the good relations between China and the U.S. being brought about by Presidents Trump and Xi is urgently needed. The U.S. urgently needs to rebuild its infrastructure and deploy its industries in the common interests of mankind. This can be accomplished if the U.S. joins the Belt and Road Initiative. Last Spring, Zepp-LaRouche said that if President Trump joined the Belt and Road Initiative and repaired U.S. relations with China and Russia, “He could be one of the greatest U.S. Presidents of all time.” After the Beijing trip, “Trump is actually doing it,” Zepp-LaRouche said.
“So, I’m confident that the chance is there to have a new renaissance, to have an uplifting of people where the best traditions of all cultures—of all nations and cultures of this planet are revived; and out of that, a new renaissance can be created. I think that that is an absolutely realistic possibility. So, be happy and join us!”
“We need each of you now to join a national mobilization, so that everybody can find out how historic this trip of President Trump to China was, what the potentials are for the American people, and why the attackers of President Trump must not succeed. Join us—the fate of the U.S. and actually the whole world depends on it. Be an American, so that there can be ‘America First.’ And that is not a contradiction to what President Xi calls ‘A community of a shared future of mankind.’ ”
THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMIC ORDER
Chinese Ambassador Sets the Record Straight on the Importance of Xi and Trump’s Summit Meeting
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai, obviously somewhat upset with the U.S. media’s fake news coverage of the Xi-Trump summit in Beijing, yesterday underlined the tremendous significance of their summit and the long-term implications for U.S.-China relations, when addressing a gala dinner of the U.S.-China Policy Foundation in Washington, where he was also presented with the Foundation’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Ambassador Cui was himself instrumental in the lead-up to the summit with preparations here and in Beijing.
He began by stating that President Trump was the first world leader to make a state visit in the aftermath of the 19th Party Congress, and the first world leader to send congratulations to the Chinese President at the conclusion of this very successful congress. “It was the first time for an American President to do that, and we appreciated that,” Cui said.
During their meetings, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump “held an in-depth exchange of views and reached an important consensus which set the tone and the direction for the relationship,” Cui said. “The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact with each other and to provide strategic guidance for the bilateral relationship. And the two sides decided to enhance high-level exchanges and make best use of the high-level dialogues established. The two also agreed to increase mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and manage possible differences on the basis of mutual respect. The two also agreed to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and to promote even better cooperation at a sub-national level,” he said.
“The two sides also agreed to join hands in response to global, international and regional issues, including the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue,” Cui continued. Cui further underlined the importance of the many economic agreements that were signed. He stressed that $250 billion of the total agreements was “not a small number.” And while many of these still remain on the level of memoranda of understanding, he explained that “such a long and impressive list is the outcome of the joint efforts of the two governments and the two business communities. As long as there is sufficient political will, (the deals) will be implemented and benefit our two peoples.”
He reiterated the fundamentals of China’s foreign policy that it “will never seek hegemony, nor will we pursue expansionist policies.” China’s foreign policy “aims at a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation…. China is ready to make greater contributions to world peace and development,” Cui said, “and through consultation and collaboration with others, help improve and enhance global governance. We seek global partnerships, and we are ready to expand convergence of interests with other countries.”
Belt and Road Advances in Ibero-America, with Panamanian President’s Historic China Visit
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—Accompanied by a delegation of 100 government officials, legislators, and businessmen, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela began an historic, week-long visit to China today, inaugurating with much enthusiasm the new Panamanian Embassy in Beijing, just five months after diplomatic relations between the two nations were announced last June. Speaking at the ceremony, Foreign Minister Wang Yi remarked that Panama’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with China “will stand the test of time” and “would serve the interests of Panama and was in line with the trend of world development,” according to the South China Morning Post.
Top Panamanian and Chinese officials have commented that Varela’s trip will enhance Panama’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, but also further regional participation in the BRI as well. Panamanian newspaper Metro Libre pointed out that leading Chinese transnationals are confident that Panama—one of the world’s most important maritime and logistical hubs—can serve as a bridge for China to the broader Caribbean, Central and South American regions. Economist Felipe Argote, head of the economics committee of the Panamanian Business Executives Association (APEDE), told Xinhua it is crucial to connect Panama with other Central American countries, through the BRI.
Varela will meet tomorrow with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and other high-level government officials, and according to Wang Yi, the two will announce a “big surprise” to the world with the signing of more than 20 cooperation agreements. There will be a bilateral business forum in Beijing on Nov. 20 and another one in Shanghai, to which Varela will travel next week.
Agreements to expand bilateral trade, economic cooperation, and secure Chinese investment and financing for building of large infrastructure projects in Panama are expected to be announced, according to La Estrella de Panamá. Signing a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, strengthening banking relations and expanding air transportation are also under discussion. According to Metro Libre, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed on a feasibility study for a proposed rail line between the capital Panama City and the province of Chiriquí, on the border with Costa Rica. Panama’s Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo told Xinhua that the MOU “creates the possibility that this project will be part of the infrastructure investments that China is offering under the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Li Keqiang Remarks, Warm Weather in Manila ‘Somewhat Reflects China-Philippine Relations’
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—During the state visit of the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to the Philippines following the Nov. 10-14 ASEAN Summit, China and the Philippines signed 14 agreements on Nov. 15, ABS-CBN news reported. The agreements involve the construction of two bridges over Pasig River, rehabilitation centers in Sarangani and Agusan del Sur, the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, and the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project. Financial agreements were also struck. Filipino Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III “told reporters that China has agreed to a renminbi bond issuance amounting to about $200 million,” the ABS-CBN report said. “Dominguez also inked a memorandum of understanding with China Vice Commerce Minister and International Trade Representative Fu Ziying to jointly identify and study an indicative list consisting of the second basket of key infrastructure cooperation projects for possible Chinese financing. Among the proposed projects under the second basket are the development of the Subic-Clark Railway, Davao City Expressway, and Panay-Guimaras-Negros Inter-Island Bridge.”
In a joint press conference with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Li commented that “the warm weather in Manila somewhat reflects the temperature of China-Philippine relations, which is also going pretty high on the basis of the positive improvement of the relations between the two countries.” Duterte, hailing the improved China-Philippines ties, said: “Mutual trust and confidence-building have led to increased interaction on many levels of our two governments. Practical cooperation in many areas is bringing in an early harvest of tangible benefits.”
U.S. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC
West Virginia Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese Company Exceeds State GDP
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—The drilling, energy and West Virginia state media are wild with glee about the announced $83.7 billion, 20-year chemical and energy deal with Shenhua Group, a state-owned company which is China’s largest coal producer. By comparison, West Virginia’s GDP was $73.4 billion in 2016. The state’s announcement reads:
“The projects will focus on power generation, chemical manufacturing, and underground storage of natural gas liquids and derivatives.”
Not much spelled out as yet, the specifics are said to involve a $10 billion natural gas liquids (NGL) storage facility in the state, which fulfills a request by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D) and others, who had earlier asked President Donald Trump to create an “NGL Storage Hub Commission.” Marcellus Drilling News wrote, the day of the announcement, “It also sounds to us like a cracker plant may be a possibility. And a number of Marcellus-fired electric plants. This is truly a wow story!” In other words, the state would be a hub for the shale-gas region, for chemical manufacturing and underground storage of NGL and derivatives.
It is widely reported that two new thermal electric power plants will also be part of the project.
West Virginia’s impoverished condition makes it one of the three states with absolute population loss (Illinois and Maine are the others), falling life expectancy, high drug use and death rates, and high unemployment.
West Virginia already had strong ties to Shenhua, including research work with West Virginia University. WVU and Shenua Group began such work in 2002, on direct coal liquefaction technology.
Senator Manchin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R) praised the new announcement. Capito said: “Expanding Appalachia’s energy infrastructure, including developing a regional storage hub and market for natural gas liquids, will have a transformative effect on our economy, our security, and our future.”
In a Nov. 13 press conference, Gov. Jim Justice and state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher said that President Trump had been instrumental in bringing the deal together during the past weeks, after lengthy negotiations had come to an impasse.
STRATEGIC WAR DANGER
Diplomatic Initiatives on the North Korea Problem
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—A delegation from the Russia’s lower house, the State Duma, may visit North Korea in what would be the first such visit in 25 years. “The preliminary date of this visit is Nov. 27-Dec. 1,” said Deputy Kazbek Taysayev, a Duma member from the Communist Party, who is expected to lead the delegation, according to TASS. “This will be a trip in the framework of the ‘Group of Friendship.’ ” Some four or five lawmakers of each faction in the Duma will be part of the group.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has also decided to send the head of the International Liaison Department for China’s ruling Communist Party, Song Tao to Pyongyang.
In the view of former State Department official and East Asia expert Robert Manning, the decision is an after-effect of President Trump’s Nov. 8-9 discussions with Xi in Beijing, Newsweek reports.
“I don’t believe in coincidences, and they are sending this guy right after Trump’s visit. There was a comfort level between Xi and Trump on North Korea during this recent visit. But we don’t know what they’ve agreed to,” Manning told Newsweek.
There is expectation that Song will be delivering a message from the Chinese President to North Korean President Kim Jong-Un. China said the official reason for Song’s visit is to simply report on the party’s Oct. 18-24 national congress, and it has not explicitly said nuclear weapons will be discussed. Newsweek was not the only press to report that “Chinese state media reports seemed to suggest Song will also deliver a special message from Xi to Kim.”
SCIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
China’s 25-Year Space Transportation Plan Sees Reusable Shuttles and Nuclear Space Ships
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—Coincident with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. released a roadmap today for a progression of ground-breaking space transportation technologies, stretching to 2045.
The ambitious plan starts with completing the development of the next-generation expendable rockets in the Long March series, leading to the Long March 9. That heavy-lift, Saturn V-class rocket, with a payload capacity of over 100 tons, is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2030. This vehicle will take astronauts to the Moon, and return samples from Mars.
More advanced technologies include developing reusable vehicles, starting with a suborbital, partially reusable space plane. The plan envisions passengers on the space plane to include tourists, when it is operational, by 2025. This vehicle would be preliminary to a fully reusable vehicle for orbital flight, in 2035. Reusability will also be developed for stages in conventional rockets, similar to what has been demonstrated by SpaceX in the U.S.
By around 2040, the plan is to be operating a nuclear-powered space shuttle, which could be used for Solar System and interstellar round trip flights, exploiting resources on asteroids, and constructing mega-projects, such as a space-based solar power station.
The plan, therefore, is designed to maximize what can be developed with conventional chemical propulsion; reduce the cost of launch through reusability; and proceed to the higher-level platform of nuclear power, thermonuclear fusion.
OTHER
Brazil’s Legendary Admiral Othon Polemicizes: My Jailing Is an Attack on the BRICS
Nov. 16 (EIRNS)—In the last three weeks, Adm. Othon Luiz Pinheiro da Silva (ret.), called “the Father of the Brazilian nuclear program,” has spoken out for the first time since he was sentenced—at age 76—to 43 years in jail on bogus corruption charges, identifying his enemies as the “international system” which is the enemy of his nation.
Asked by Brazilian weekly CartaCapital, “who was interested in your being sentenced to 43 years imprisonment?” Admiral Othon replied:
“Without a doubt, it was of interest to the international system, worried about the strengthening of one of the countries which makes up the BRICS. Supranational Brazilians, very probably, were pleased by my trial and my being out of the picture. I consider as supranational Brazilians, those who, despite having been born in this beautiful country, would like to be citizens of other countries, in particular the United States. They attach no importance to the great national problems and challenges; they do not concern themselves with resolving them, and sometimes, for personal gain, they have no problem making them worse.”
In subsequent interviews with Folha de São Paulo (Nov. 7) and Brazil 24/7 TV (Nov. 13), Admiral Othon named the United States as behind his jailing and the anti-corruption drive generally, specifying that by “U.S.” he means the “system which exploits” the American people.
The Admiral was sentenced to his die-in-jail sentence on Aug. 4, 2016, less than two weeks before the Brazilian Senate voted to impeach Brazil’s legitimate President, Dilma Rousseff, as part of the same City of London- and Wall Street-directed “Lava Jato” (“Car Wash”) operation which jailed him. Lava Jato is modeled on the earlier “Clean Hands” operation which destroyed Italy’s political system and threw Italy to the financial wolves.
In his CartaCapital interview, Admiral Othon denounced his conviction on the basis of lying “I heard it said” testimony against him given in a plea bargain by another accused person who feared going to jail. He reviewed the importance of his decades of scientific and engineering work, coordinating “the technological development program which secured for Brazil, with national effort, mastery of all strategic aspects of nuclear power.” He set up the nuclear training program which provided Brazil hundreds of nuclear scientists and engineers. When jailed, he was working on establishing a national storage system for highly-reactive spent nuclear fuel which he had designed; involved in identifying where to locate new nuclear plants “which Brazil will certainly need to build”; and, on weekends and holidays, working on the development of a family of hydroturbine power generators for very-low water flows.
A federal court ordered the Admiral released to home confinement on Oct. 11, due to recent surgery for skin cancer.
