If only Xi Jinping would step up to the microphone and sing a duet with Mike Pence
The Straits Times quotes Chinese President Xi Jinping in Port Moresby, Saturday:
(The Belt & Road Initiative) is not aimed at anyone, nor is it a closed system that creates a small in-group. It is not the so-called “trap” that some people have described it to be but a shining road where China shares opportunities and seeks common development with the world.
Politico website, Saturday:
Xi Jinping and US Vice-President Mike Pence traded barbs at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Papua New Guinea … with each laying the blame for the trade war and growing geopolitical rivalry at the other’s doorstep to sell their vision of a regional development strategy.
A caring, sharing China? The ABC, yesterday:
The ABC understands some PNG government staff were also unhappy with how the Chinese delegation was controlling the events … It is not the first instance of Chinese officials controlling media access in PNG.
Hong Kong-based The South China Morning Post quotes Xi, October 26:
It’s necessary to strengthen the mission … and concentrate preparations for fighting a war. We need to take all complex situations into consideration and make emergency plans … We have to step up combat readiness exercises … to enhance servicemen’s capabilities and preparation for war.
According to The South China Morning Post, Beijing-based analyst Zhou Chenming took a similar view:
The US is expected to conduct more freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea region, and because it does not recognise (Beijing’s) rights to artificial islands, like Mischief Reef, there will probably be more military friction … there.
Philippines website Rappler recalls former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and former Philippines president Fidel Ramos singing a duet backed by a string quartet at a dinner for Jiang, November 26, 1996:
Ramos and Jiang sang Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley.
Ramos told Jiang;
That’s the favourite song of Bill Clinton. So you have to prepare when he visits you. You will surprise him.
Rappler said the South China Sea was a topic that couldn’t be dodged and quoted China’s spokesman:
The Spratlys are Chinese territory. Of course, the two sides, China and the Philippines, hold different views … both sides agreed the issue will be settled through peaceful consultation.
Peter Moore, Geelong Advertiser, last Friday:
The #MeToo hashtag … will soon become the worst thing that ever happened to the women’s movement, a movement I’ve always associated with the quite correct objective of women’s rights and the ability of women to have a fair and equal opportunity in life and work.
Caroline Overington in The Weekend Australian, Saturday:
Has #MeToo gone #TooFar? That’s the question some have been asking since the ABC’s former managing director, Michelle Guthrie, went on Four Corners on Monday and put a grenade under the movement.
MarketWatch website quotes dating company Three Day Rule chief executive Talia Goldstein, March 6:
I have definitely seen fatigue, for so many reasons. It’s partially due to the #MeToo movement, but partially because people have been online dating for so long it really is exhausting.