Splendid Denouement of Hu’s Foreign Policy

On October 24, CNN broadcasted the speech of Hu Jintao, the president of China, at the Australian congress over a worldwide hookup.

On the previous day, George W. Bush, the president of the U.S., gave a speech at the same podium. A quiet unprecedented event, the two summits of the powerful countries giving a speech in consecutive days, has been acted out at the Australian congress.

In particular, President Hu, excluding Bush, was the first foreign summit making an oration at the Australian congress, and was lauded with honors. CNN drew a parallel between the two summits, pointing out that Bush halted his speech twice when the congressmen tried to boo him off of the platform, but as for President Hu, this did not occur.

Denouement of Hu’s Foreign Policy – Laying over from the APEC summit talk held at Bangkok, President Hu visited Australia, getting an appraisal that he had successfully planted a firm foundation for both domestic and foreign policies since his inauguration in March 2003. His debut on the APEC desk and visit to Australia has drawn so much attention from all over the world for that reason.

Seeming to mind Bush’s speech from the previous day, President Hu pointed out that U.N. has to take charge of more security problems of the world, and intensification of more countries’ participation in addressing international problems is critical.

“There is nothing that can hold China and Australia down working cooperatively to address the terrorism issue in Asia-Pacific and Southern Pacific area,” focused Hu, taking a deep concern on the political location of John Howard, the prime minister of Australia.

Howard, in 1999, remarked that “Australia is the deputy sheriff of the U.S. in the Asian region,” stirring up criticism from Asian countries. Bush, giving back Howard’s remark, spoke highly of his speech, saying that “Not a deputy but a regular one.” Howard has become the target of criticism, “Australia is not a perpetrator of the U.S.” even in his country.

Economy is the engine of Chinese power – AP reported that Australia is trying hard to take part in the Chinese economy, also know as the “Asian Motor.”

Australia has been looking forward to making a contract which will increase its export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to China, currently at $17 billion worth, to $21 billion worth for 20 years. During Hu’s visit (October 23-26), the two countries will address this problem. If it is positive, this will be the biggest single item (LNG) contract of Australia, so far.

On October 23, Hu visited Sidney, which was the site of the 2000 Summer Olympics. AP reported that Hu’s visit might be a golden chance for Australian companies to take part in the tendering for the 2008 Beijing Olympics business consortium.

Hye-Yoon Park parkhyey@donga.com