Dedicated to the development of the future stewards of U.S.-China relations
This week we focus on updates in cross-strait relations, a chengyu delivered by Xi Jinping on July 10 at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, and a documentary series on Chinese wrestling.
Weekly Readings
Former Kuomintang chairman Lien Zhan traveled to Beijing again to meet CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping. The meeting registered the usual cross-strait banalities about adhering to the "1992 Consensus" and the harmonious potential future for both sides. Xi and Lien used the same language that rarely resonates among Taiwanese, especially as Beijing's political pressure on the island increases. Xi's language and the interpretation of his remarks highlighted by the Taiwan Affairs Office also shows how the party considers overseas Chinese to be an additive force to China's rise. Such views illustrate the need to understand identity and values as part of the way in which we interact with Chin.
Meaning: with twisted roots and gnarled branches (complicated and difficult to deal with)
On July 10, Xi Jinping made the opening speech to the 8th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing. The speech does not contain any surprises, but is worth reading in full to see how China's approach to the Middle East differs from that of the U.S. This chengyu is used to describe how the relations between families and tribes are very complex, and the consequent need for dialogue and tolerance.
《津门玩跤人》is a documentary series on Chinese-style wrestling, a movement which began during the Qing Dynasty. This is a Chinese language series which includes Chinese subtitles. Also featured are a variety of speakers with different regional accents.
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