CCTV FOLLIES 4.13 CHINA SPRING COMES TO XINJIANG!
Little Kim and Uncle Zhao embrace -Xi does Hainan (rerun) -Xinjiang in the springtime! -Boss coal is back -Trucks test bridge -Tiandu snaps eerie image of earth from lunar orbit.
There’s a beautiful, if not entirely convincing, public relations spread on Xinjiang today, but first some hard news.
Zhao Leji and Kim Jong-un are so excited to see one another in Pyongyang!
Zhao Leji, China’s titular number three, gets a warm reception in Pyongyang. This story constitutes the only fresh news presented on Xinwen Lianbo this evening, though the news opened, as always, with mention of Xi Jinping.
(The Xi feature consisted mostly of dated, canned material about the paramount leader inspiring development in today’s Hainan.)
Xi is probably taking a day off since he’s done his share of diplomatic duty and symbolic heavy-lifting in the state visits of the past few days. The news of April 12 was dominated by Xi’s dominating presence at the latest state visit at the Great Hall, this time welcoming President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi in a formal state visit, with Peng Liyuan in tow.
As the slogan goes, China has friends all over the world.
The Zhao-Kim meeting got major coverage on CCTV today. But print media coverage of Zhao Leji’s visit is so far muted. Neither China Daily nor Xinhua featured it in their news pages on April 13 but this Xinhua report, just in on April 14, reaffirms the basics:
“Under the new situation, China is ready to work with the DPRK, in accordance with the lofty will of the top leaders of both parties and both countries and common aspirations of the two peoples to push the China-DPRK relationship for greater development,” Zhao said.
The bonhomie seems unforced, perhaps genuine. Kim is an arrogant leader in his own right, so his formal meetings with the aloof and imperious Xi Jinping probably cramps his style. Not so with the homely but relatively easy-going Zhao Leji who embraces Kim with avuncular warmth and affection.
Although the big chairs, bright lights and carpeted corridors of the diplomatic venue of the reception are highly reminiscent of China, the Pyongyang protocol afforded to Zhao seems at once more relaxed and informal.
Here Kim is the center of attention, and it’s a mostly Korean crowd, but throughout the proceedings Kim is solicitous of his guest from the big country next door.
The man on Zhao’s right is Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao, who is thought to be a possible successor to the over-worked Wang Yi. Liu is in attendance in his role as the head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party. Choe Ryong Hae, a powerful NK diplomatic point man for China, was also present.
Choe saw Zhao off at his plane.
The seating protocol is unique, with Kim sitting on one side of a long oval table, with an interpreter at hand. Kim’s Chinese guest is flanked mostly by local Kim flunkies (other than fellow Chinese guest Liu Jianchao)
Kim is chummy and all smiles. It’s hard to believe this is the man who two days ago said North Korea was ready for war and prepared "to deal a death blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilizing all means in its possession."
Zhao Leji and Kim Jong-un admire the iconic Chinese artwork of galloping horses.
Zhao Leji speaks to members of the embassy in North Korea.
In other news, Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Peter Pellegrini on his election as president of Slovakia.
Xi is not one to be outdone, not in the news. But he’s not in the news today so a golden oldie about his munificent influence and magic touch was crafted to fill the void.
Today’s episode might be called “Xi transforms Hainan Island.”
Ever wonder who to credit for the rapid development of Hainan? Wonder no more.
He’s like Midas with the golden touch. Whatever Xi touches becomes next level, New Era with High Quality and Chinese characteristics.
The beach pictures are nice but trade is what makes the world go round. And CCTV can’t stop cramming shots of container cargo, container ports and container ships in the daily news.
Xi Jinping’s influence is so profound it’s almost indescribable, but these men try to find the words to do justice to His contribution.
And it’s not just Chinese under the pressure of the CCTV camera and mic who sing Xi’s praise. Hainan is attracting foreign talents under his leadership.
Consider this “One-Stop Service Window for Talents in Hainan Free Trade Port”
It’s attracting foreigners in droves. The foreigners chat happily, fill out forms and praise China’s expanded openess and push for international exchange.
But all said and done, it’s the exports, stupid. Container cargo ships really rule the day.
Hey, ho, it’s springtime in China’s Xinjiang!
Everything’s coming up purple.
The natives are treated well and are very happy (in contrast to Western reports)
They cook, they clean, they get ready for guests and a good time is had by all.
