China This Week: Hu, Sarkozy Prep for G20; Stronger Ties with Europe; Beijing Tells US to Stay Out of Dispute with Japan

Hu, Sarkozy Prepare for G20:  Chinese President Hu Jintao and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy met in the French Riveria last Friday to discuss reforms to the international monetary system, trying to coordinate their stance before the Seoul G20 summit.

France, which takes over the chair of the G20 group of leading economies in mid-November, has placed reform at the top of its agenda during its one-year tenure.

Chinese President Calls for Stronger Ties with Europe: Hu said on Tuesday that China attaches great importance to its relations with Europe and wants to strengthen ties with the region.

The European Union has been China's largest trading partner for six consecutive years, and China has become the EU's second-largest export market, with bilateral trade volume in the first three quarters close to $350 billion, a year-on-year increase of 34.4%

China, Portugal to Boost Links:  In Portugal, Hu and Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva agreed on Saturday to extend the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries.

In a four-point proposal, Hu proposed more high-level exchanges and communication between governments, legislatures, and political parties. He called upon the two sides to shore up economic cooperation and to double bilateral trade by 2015. 

China, Turkey Voice Commitment in Fight Against Terrorism:  China and Turkey agreed on Monday to make joint efforts to crack down on terrorism and separatism.

"China will stay firm on safeguarding its national interests relating to national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Xi also expressed his appreciation for Turkey's support of China's efforts to combat the "East Turkistan" terrorist forces that threaten to sabotage China's unity.

A bomb attack on August 19 in Aksu City in China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region left eight people dead, including the two attackers, and 15 others injured.

China, Germany Agree to Further Develop Military Ties:  China and Germany Wednesday pledged to strengthen bilateral military ties.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and visiting German Federal Minister of Defence Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

Top Political Advisor Vows to Bolster Ties with Poland:  China's top political advisor, Jia Qinglin, pledged Tuesday in Warsaw to enhance mutual understanding and economic ties with Poland.

Jia, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, made the remarks when meeting Bogdan Borusewicz, speaker of the Polish Senate.

Poland has been China's largest trade partner in the central and east Europe as bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion for the first time in 2008, 12 times more than the 1998 level. 

China, Cambodia Agreements:  China and Cambodia on Thursday inked deals of US$6.4-billion ranging from infrastructure construction to energy exploration.

A total of 16 deals were signed after the hour-long talks between top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday.

Wu proposed the two countries deepen agriculture cooperation, encouraging Chinese businesses to expand agricultural products trade with Cambodia and supporting Cambodia to upgrade its inspection and quarantine capability on agricultural products.

Beijing Rejects US Offer to Host Diaoyu Talks:  Beijing on Tuesday rejected Washington's offer to host trilateral talks with China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands.

"The territorial dispute between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands is the business of the two nations only," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu. "It is absolutely wrong for the United States to repeatedly claim the Diaoyu Islands fall within the scope of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security."

China Money for Rural Education:  China's Ministry of Finance announced Tuesday it would allocate 56.63 billion yuan ($8.46 billion) from the central government budget to support nine-year compulsory education in the country's rural areas in 2011.

More funds are expected to be allocated after approval next year by the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.