Russian President Putin And Chinese President Xi Will Be Staying At The Same Hotel In New York City

Bloomberg: Xi, Putin Stay at Chinese-Owned Waldorf Obama Snubbed

Chinese President Xi Jinping leaves the White House, where he discussed the theft of commercial secrets, and heads to New York to check in tonight at the Waldorf Astoria, where his privacy is sure to be guaranteed by the hotel’s new Chinese owners.

On Sunday, Xi will be joined by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who also picked the Waldorf for his first stay in Manhattan in a decade, according to diplomats preparing for the Eurasian leaders’ address to the annual seven-day session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The occupancy of two such high-profile figures, whose countries routinely vote in tandem at the UN Security Council, comes as the U.S. instead switches loyalties after a decades-long tradition of staying at the storied hotel built on a former cemetery. President Barack Obama and his entourage will relocate to South Korean-owned Lotte New York Palace Hotel for UNGA week.

WNU Editor: I can guarantee one thing about this arrangement .... Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi will be having a private talk Sunday night. On a side note .... who is taking the Presidential Suite? (see above video).

Russia And China Agree To A Massive 30 Year - $400bn Gas Deal

President Vladimir Putin, background left, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, background right, during the signing of joint agreements in Shanghai. © RIA Novosti. Alexei Druzhinin

Russia, China Ink Historic Gas Supply Deal -- RIA Novosti

SHANGHAI, May 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and China agreed on a long-term gas supply contract in Shanghai on Wednesday, after years of talks on the deal, worth billions of dollars.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and Director of the Chinese National Energy Administration Wu Xinxiong signed an intergovernmental memorandum on the mutual understanding in gas deliveries field through the eastern route.

Earlier today, Russia’s gas major Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a contract of purchase and sale of natural gas deliveries through eastern route, a RIA Novosti correspondent said.

Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller has refused to name the gas price for China, citing a “corporate secret.” The price could be estimated at around $350 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Miller said the overall cost of the 30-year contract for Russian gas deliveries to China is $400 billion.

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More News On Russia And China Agreeing To A 30 Year $400bn Gas Deal

Russia and China seal historic $400bn gas deal -- RT
As Putin looks east, China and Russia sign $400-billion gas deal -- Reuters
Russia, China sign natural gas deal worth $400B -- CBC/AP
Russia signs 30-year gas deal with China -- BBC
China, Russia sign $400 billion gas deal -- Washington Post
Russia to supply China with gas for 30 years -- CNN
China and Russia ink $400 billion gas deal -- USA Today
Russia, China sign massive gas deal -- Al Jazeera
Russia, China Sign Landmark, Secretive Gas Deal -- Newser
Russian Gas Price for China to Exceed Preliminary Estimates – Source -- RIA Novsoti
Russia to Invest $55Bln, China - $22Bln in Gas Deal -- RIA Novsoti
Russia, China Sign Natural Gas Deal -- Council on Foreign Relations
Russia-China deal: Even energy pivots East -- Patrick Young, RT
What Does Russia-China Gas Deal Mean for Europe? -- Bloomberg
The Russia-China Gas Deal Matters But Its Ultimate Significance Is Unclear -- Mark Adomanis, Forbes

The Growing Chinese-Russian Alliance

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. © RIA Novosti. Sergei Guneev

The Tiger and the Bear: China-Russia Alliance Shrouded in Mystery -- Paul D. Shinkman, US News and World Report

A meeting this month could offer a peek behind the curtain at the countries' powerful partnership.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin, still brushing dust off his shoulders from the Berlin Wall’s collapse, traveled to Beijing in late December 1992 to meet with his Chinese counterparts. Newspaper headlines at the time made much ado about Yeltsin’s decision to cut the visit short, with some speculating he sought to placate concerns of the U.S. Congress – fresh off a Cold War “win” – about a new pan-Asian, anti-American bloc. Others believed it was the inevitable result of decades of animosity between the two Eastern powers, combined with a renewed Chinese anger over Russia’s abandonment of true communist ideals.

Whatever the cause, outside observers could agree on what brought the two leaders together: China was expanding and wanted cutting-edge technologies, including military weaponry, and Russia desperately needed cash. The leaders signed accords and held a summit to usher in what the Chinese called "relations of good-neighborliness and friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation."

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My Comment: Russians have a long history of not trusting the Chinese .... but today's world is different. Everything is now based on economics .... and for the Chinese and Russian relationship this revolves around oil and resources.

China Sides With Russia Over U.S. - European Sanctions

File photo of Putin (right) presenting the Russian delegation to President of China Xi Jinping in March last year [PPIO]

China Criticizes US Sanctions Against Russia -- The Brics Post

Beijing announced its support for a beleaguered Moscow after the US and Canada announced fresh sanctions against Russia for it’s alleged “inaction” in easing tensions in Ukraine.

In a public signal of increasing Sino-Russian cooperation, China called on all parties to resolve the Ukrainian crisis through dialogue rather than sanctions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Monday.

“We believe that sanctions are inconducive to the solution of problems. On the contrary, they will escalate tensions,” he said.

It is not in line with any side’s interests to impose sanctions, he added. “We call on all parties concerned to continue dialogue and negotiations so to resolve the crisis in a political way.”

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My Comment: I expected the Chinese to remain silent on this issue ....but I guess Russia-Chinese ties are more deeper than what some analysts have been saying.

The Growing Russian - Chinese Military Alliance

Chinese Navy warships take part in an international fleet review. VOA

China To Conduct Naval Drills With Russia In East China Sea -- Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Wednesday it would conduct joint naval drills with Russia in the East China Sea off Shanghai in late May, in what it called a bid to deepen military cooperation.

China's defense ministry did not give an exact location in the East China Sea, where Beijing is locked in an increasingly bitter dispute with Japan over the ownership of a group of uninhabited islets.

"These drills are regular exercises held by China and Russia's navies, and the purpose is to deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries, to raise the ability to jointly deal with maritime security threats," the ministry said on its website.

It provided no other details.

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More News On The The Growing Russian - Chinese Military Alliance

China, Russia to hold joint naval drills in East China Sea -- AP
China, Russia plan East China Sea drills -- AFP
China, Russia to Hold Naval Drills in East China Sea -- Voice of America
China, Russia To Hold Joint Naval Exercises -- Radio Free Europe
China, Russia to hold joint military exercise in May -- Xinhaunet
China, Russia to Hold War Games Around Diaoyu Islands -- CRIEnglish

My Comment: I know that Putin said a few weeks ago that Russia is not going to form a military alliance with China .... but their actions are showing the opposite.

Russia And China In Agreement On Ukraine

Russia And China 'In Agreement' Over Ukraine -- SKY News

Russia is in "operational control" of Crimea as soldiers surround Ukrainian troops and seize a ferry port.

Russia has said China is largely "in agreement" over Ukraine, after other world powers condemned Moscow for sending troops into the country.

Hundreds of Russian soldiers have surrounded a military base in Crimea, preventing Ukrainian soldiers from going in or out.

The convoy blockading the site, near the Crimean capital Simferopol, includes at least 17 military vehicles.

Russian troops are also reported to have taken control of a ferry terminal in the city of Kerch on the eastern tip of Crimea, which has a majority Russian-speaking population.

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More News On Russian - Chinese Agreement On Ukraine

China backs 'principles' on Ukraine as Russia claims agreement -- Express Tribune/AFP
Russia, China Agree on Ukraine; G7 Condemns Russian 'Violation' -- Voice of America
Russia Enlists Chinese Support on Ukraine Position -- Moscow Times/RIA Novosti
China says agrees with Russia on "appropriate" handling of Ukraine -- Reuters
China Urges Dialogue on Ukraine -- Wall Street Journal
China urges political solution to Ukraine situation -- Xinhuanet
Is China Siding With Putin in the Ukraine Crisis? -- Bruce Einhorn, Bloomberg Businessweek

The Growing Russia - China Military Alliance

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 21, 2012. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Russia Seeks Closer Military Ties With China -- RIA Novosti

BEIJING, November 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday indicated Russia’s continuing interest in cooperation with China on defence sector issues.

Shoigu told top Chinese officials during a visit to Beijing for the 17th Sino-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Technological Cooperation that joint work between the two powers would enhance stability across the region.

“The closer the cooperation is between our two countries, including in the military-technological area, the more peaceful our region will be,” he said.

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More News On The Growing Russia - China Military Alliance

Nation ready to take Russia ties to higher level -- China Daily
China promises to widen ties with Russia -- UPI
Hu vows robust Russia ties on Shoigu visit: Xinhua -- West Australian/AFP
China underlines commitment to stronger ties with Russia -- Xinhuanet
Russian defence minister visits China -- Voice of Russia
Regional security depends on Russia-China cooperation - Russian Defense Minister -- Russia Beyond The Headlines

My Comment: This growing alliance will have a huge impact in the entire Asian continent .... however .... the U.S. press has decided to ignore this story, and instead are focusing on this.

Russian Fears On Chinese Expansion

Russia's Medvedev Hints Of Chinese Threat To Far East -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday issued a veiled warning about China's rising influence in Russia's resource-rich Far East, saying it was essential to defend the area against "excessive expansion by bordering states".

Speaking days after Russia's first deputy defense minister said two new nuclear submarines would be sent to the Pacific Fleet, Medvedev also said it was "important not to allow negative manifestations ... including the formation of enclaves made up of foreign citizens."

His comments, some of the strongest on the subject yet, underlined the Kremlin's suspicions that a steady influx of Chinese migrants may ultimately pose a threat to Russian hegemony in the remote and sparsely populated territories of Siberia and the Far East.

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My Comment: These concerns are justified. China is having border disputes with all of it's neighbors, and one can only surmise that it will be a matter of time before Russia is addded to the list. On a side note .... Medvedev is touching what has always been a deep historical and psychological fear of China .... my only surprise is that it is him who is saying it, and not Putin.

Why Russia Will Not Sell Advance Weapon Systems To China

Su-35 fighter aircraft. © RIA Novosti. Anton Denisov

How China’s Jets Threaten Russia -- By Richard Weitz, The Diplomat

China’s suspected proclivity for copying weapons systems has made Russia wary of exporting its technology. Still, the Russians may one day end up with a taste for ‘Made in China’ hardware.

The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, better known as ‘Airshow China,’ used to see Russian arms dealers descend on the event to peddle their wares to potential Chinese customers. Held every other year in the city of Zhuhai, the Russians were eager to persuade potential Chinese customers to part with their cash.

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My Comment: The Russian's may be suspicious of Chinese intent .... and justifiably so ..... but many in Russia are still open to the idea of selling to the Chinese their most advanced fighter jets.

Russian Fears Of China In The Arctic Are Starting To Resurface

Russia has vowed 'not give up a single inch' in the Arctic Photo: ITAR/TASS/ALAMY

Russian Navy Chief Warns Of China's Race For Arctic -- The Telegraph

Russia will increase naval patrols in the Arctic Ocean to defend its interests against nations such as China seeking a share of the area's mineral wealth, the navy commander was quoted as saying on Monday.

Arctic nations such as Canada, Russia, Norway, the United States and Denmark are trying to file territorial claims over the oil, gas and precious metal reserves under the Arctic sea bed that may become accessible as the ice cap shrinks.

But in a rare public warning about China from Russia's top military brass, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky warned that China had already joined the scramble for a piece of "the Arctic pie".

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My Comment: These fears are not unfounded. China has already laid claims to parts of the North .... and I expect more in the future.

A Chinese - Russian Strategic Partnership?

China, Russia Agree to Strengthen Strategic Partnership -- Voice of America

The leaders of China and Russia have signed a statement to deepen their strategic partnership and cooperation.

President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev inspected an honor guard at a welcoming ceremony Monday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Following a closed-door meeting, the two leaders signed a statement calling for comprehensively deepening what was described as "the strategic partnership of cooperation."

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More News On A Chinese - Russian Partnership

Medvedev in China to Discuss Gas and Geopolitics -- Moscow Times
Russia, China Praise Their Relationship -- Voice of America
Chinese vice president calls for closer links with Russia -- Xinhuanet
China drives a hard bargain for Russian gas -- Financial Times
Russia Prepares to Open Oil Pipeline to China -- New York Times/Reuters
China, Russia pledge stronger co-op on arms control, disarmament: statement -- Xinhuanet
China, Russia want IMF reform -- Straits Times

Analysis: What Is The State Of Russian - Chinese Relations Today

Russia Fears Embrace Of Giant Eastern Neighbour -- The Guardian

It was an unashamed display of military force, involving tanks, fighter jets and more than 3,000 soldiers. Last week China and Russia held their biggest joint military exercises ever - their battalions streaking across the plateaus and shimmering plains of Shenyang province.

The exercises come as Moscow and Beijing prepare to celebrate an important moment in history: 60 years of diplomatic relations. After long periods of frigidity during the cold war, the two countries now claim to be enjoying an unprecedented strategic partnership.

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My Comment: An accurate assessment from the Guardian.

Did The Russian Navy Sink A Chinese Cargo Ship?

A Chinese cargo ship is sinking after an accident at sea last Saturday near Russia's far-eastern port of Vladivostok. Three Chinese crew members were rescued and 7 others were missing, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry. [huanqiu.com]

Ship Sinks In Russia, 7 Missing -- China Daily

Seven Chinese sailors are missing after a Chinese cargo ship sank in Russian waters near Japan on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

"Three of the 10 Chinese sailors onboard were saved but seven are still missing after the ship sank off the waters of Vladivostok," it said in a statement on its website.

The ministry didn't mention the cause of the incident, saying rescue efforts and an investigation into the incident are ongoing.

But the Global Times, a Chinese language newspaper based in Beijing, said yesterday the ship was fired on by the Russian navy before it sank, citing a Russian newspaper.

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My Comment: This cannot help but worsen relations between the two countries. The survivors stories will probably shed more light when they get back to China.