Bolivia's Morales makes China overture: 01-08-06

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1310AP_China_Morales.html
Sunday, January 8, 2006 · Last updated 10:08 p.m. PTBolivia's Morales makes China overture
By JOE MCDONALD ~ ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

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BEIJING -- Bolivia's president elect invited energy-hungry China on Sunday to help develop his country's vast gas reserves after his government carries out plans to nationalize them.
Evo Morales' visit to China comes amid a campaign by Beijing to develop ties with nations throughout Latin America as new sources of fuel, raw materials and new markets for its export dynamo.
Carlos Villegas, an economic adviser to Morales, said the industrialization of natural gas "is a fundamental topic" for Bolivia's incoming government.
"He invited the Chinese government, through its state companies, to participate," Villegas said.

Morales met Monday with President Hu Jintao, telling the Chinese leader he made visiting China a priority because he considers the country to be an ideological ally.
"I have a new responsibility. It's a new experience for me, so I hope to count on the help of your government and your party," Morales told Hu after the two leaders shook hands and posed for photos at the Great Hall of the People, China's legislative seat.
The left-leaning Morales has alarmed Western governments with his plans to nationalize Bolivia's gas resources. Villegas said Bolivia wants private companies to remain as partners to develop them and will renegotiate existing contracts following Morales' Jan. 22 inauguration.
Villegas said Morales wants to develop industries to turn Bolivia's gas into more profitable products such as cleaner-burning diesel instead of exporting it as a low-priced raw material.
"We have made the proposal in Spain and France, and now in China," Villegas said.
Morales, a former Indian activist, said he hoped to build ties between Bolivia's socialist movement and China's ruling Communist Party.
China, as part of its push for links to Latin America, has signed deals to develop Venezuelan oil fields, and its investments in the region include a Brazilian steel mill and copper mines in Chile and Peru.
For their part, Brazil, Argentina and other nations look to China as a source of investment and markets for their own exports. Beijing has become a regular stop for Latin American leaders traveling with large business delegations.
Beijing's interest is almost purely commercial, said Zhu Hongbo, a professor at the Latin American Research Institute of Shanghai's Fudan University.
"People should not worry that China is seeking political and military interests there," Zhu said, adding that where Beijing develops political ties, it is to "guarantee the economic development."
China imports an estimated 40 percent of its oil, and analysts expect consumption to surge in coming years despite official efforts to increase use of alternative energy sources.Comment: This Hongbo is either naïve or a slanted propagandist who does not want to ruffle feathers. Who is worried? What people? Amerikan Corporate interests? China is China and its leaders will consider all related relevant interests, though, China needs to work on its own humane rights issues, recall Mao’s warnings and combat revisionism . ~Peta de Aztlan<><><><><><><>
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