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TWTW Regional Roundups
News from around the world
Padmashree Anandhan, Fleur Elizabeth Philip, Naomi Miriam Mathew, Rohini Reenum, Femy Francis, Anu Maria Joseph, Lekshmi M.K, M. Kejia Reddy, Aparna A Nair, Santhiya. M, Chittrothu Vaihali, and Swati Sood.
CHINA THIS WEEK
China: Launches its first domestically built aircraft carrier “Shandong”
On 03 July, Reuters reported that China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, Shandong, arrived in Hong Kong. The event coincided with the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return from the British rule and was seen as a showdown of China’s military prowess. The aircraft was accompanied by three People's Liberation Army vessels, including missile destroyers, the 315-meter-long. 70,000 tonne Shandong showcased J-15 fighter jets and Z-18 helicopters. The arrival of Shandong highlights China’s expanding maritime ambitions. The tradition of Hong Kong hosting advanced warships dates back to the 1990’s and the spectators gathered around the shoreline to witness the new warship, Shandong, and compare it with previous US naval warships.
China: Trump administration resumes exports of chip-design software to China
On 03 July, Business Standard reported that as a result of the new China–US trade deal, the Trump administration has lifted few of the export license requirements for chip design software sales to China. The original restrictions imposed in May were a response to China’s rare earth mineral export restrictions. Under the new agreement US has agreed to resume exports of chip-design software, ethane, and jet engines. The EDA software restrictions were part of broader US efforts to curb China’s semiconductor and AI development ambitions.
China: Imposes anti-dumping duties on EU brandy
On 04 July, CGTN reported on the announcement from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China regarding a five-year anti-dumping tariff on brandy imports from the EU. The ruling concludes the investigation initiated in January 2024, which found that EU brandy imports constituted dumping and threatened China’s domestic industry. China’s dumping margins were determined to be between 27.7 percent and 34.9 percent. The Ministry of Commerce stated that it would not impose duties on imports from EU industry associates and enterprises that comply with the accepted price undertakings.
China: Unveils its jet-powered Ekranoplan, the “Bohai Sea Monster” which will combine features of ships, airplanes, and hovercraft.
On 30 June, Naval News reported that China has built a new large jet-powered Ekranoplan, the ‘Bohai Sea Monster’, which marks one of its most ambitious projects. Ekranoplans or Wing-in-Ground effect vehicles fly just above water and are expected to combine the features of ships, airplanes, and hovercraft. This aircraft is known for its stealthy, high-speed, low-altitude transport, which was once dominated by soviet engineering. The new model created by China has four jet engines, a flying boat hull, and a twin tail configuration, which could have a military purpose, possibly for Island resupply or amphibious operations. This development underscores the growing influence in naval and air operations to achieve its strategic goals.
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC THIS WEEK
South Korea: National Assembly approves USD 23.3 billion extra budget bill
On 4 July, the National Assembly approved an extra budget bill worth KRW 31.8 trillion ($23.3 billion) in a 168-3 vote with 11 invalid ballots during a plenary session. Only lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), which currently holds a parliamentary majority, and other minor parties participated in the vote. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. The latest extra budget raised to 1.3 trillion won from the 30.5 trillion won budget initially proposed by the government. The DP was seeking to pass the extra budget bill before the current special parliamentary session ends.
Japan: Germany looks to forge military-industrial cooperation with Japan
On 1 July, Japantimes reported that amid the concerns of growing Russian threat and a potential U.S. troop reduction in Europe, Germany is aiming to forge military-industrial cooperation with Japan. EU want to upgrade their military technology and capacity such as missile technology, manned aircraft and drones for a potential war hence it is attempting to forge relation with a trustworthy country like Japan. Japan and Germany face similar threats with recruitment and retention issues. This cooperation include plans to hike military spending from 2.4% of gross domestic product in 2025 to 3.5% by 2029. Also, the two countries would look to expand ties in the areas of economic security, space and technology.
SOUTHEAST AND SOUTH ASIA
Nepal: Rashtriya Swatantra Party launches countrywide signature campaign to protest against the arrest of its party president
On 2 July, the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, the fourth-largest party in Nepal’s parliament, launched a countrywide signature campaign to protest the arrest of its party president, Rabi Lamichhane. The campaign claimed that his imprisonment is politically motivated. He has been charged with defrauding funds from credit cooperatives across the country to operate a now-defunct television channel. Except for the Sano Paila cooperative case, all other cases against Lamichhane have entered judicial proceedings.
Bangladesh: Political parties reach consensus on judicial overhaul and presidential clemency
On 2 July, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission (NCC), Prof. Ali Riaz, announced that political parties have reached consensus on two issues – firstly, setting up of permanent High Court benches in every division, and secondly, amending the presidential clemency provision. This shall require amendments to Articles 100 and 49 of the Constitution of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh: Operational control of Chittagong Port to be handed over to Bangladesh Navy
On 2 July, Shipping Adviser to the Interim government, Brigadier (retd) Shakhwat Hossein, announced that the Bangladesh Navy would manage all operations at Chittagong Port for the next six months, pending a final handover of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to three foreign port logistics companies. Senior naval officers have begun scouting for a “sub-bottom profiler and a side-scan sonar,” required for sea-depth surveys.
Sri Lanka: Starlink begins operations in the country
On 2 July, Elon Musk announced that Starlink, the SpaceX-operated satellite internet service, is now available in Sri Lanka. With this development, Sri Lanka becomes the third market to allow Starlink’s services in South Asia after Bhutan and Bangladesh. Starlink awaits regulatory clearance in Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and India.
Pakistan: PM Sharif calls for “low-emission corridors,” at the ECO summit
On 4 July, at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit which is taking place in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, PM Sharif urged for formulating “low-emission corridors” to enhance “climate finance” and increase “environmental cooperation” among countries of ECO. In his address at the summit, PM Sharif highlighted the threat of climate change and how it could impact the “food security” of thousands of people in the region. He appealed to the member countries of ECO to employ collective measures for combating the effects of climate change. He pointed out how Pakistan ranks among the most susceptible countries to the threats posed by “climate change.” He reminded the attendees of the summit about the devastating floods in 2022, which resulted in the displacement of more than three crore people across Pakistan. Further, he expressed gratitude to the member countries for choosing Lahore as “ECO Tourism Capital for 2027” and urged all the attendees to explore “Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.” In addition to that, PM Sharif denounced Israel’s attacks against Iran and called it “unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for.” He also claimed India’s actions after the Pahalgam terrorist attack could have sabotaged peace and stability in the region. He expressed gratitude to the ECO member countries for backing Pakistan amidst India’s military strikes on it.
Pakistan: Azerbaijan to invest USD two billion in Pakistan
On the sidelines of the ECO summit, Azerbaijan agreed to invest USD two billion in Pakistan. The agreement was signed by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Economy Minister of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov. The “final and detailed agreement” would be inked when President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev would be visiting Pakistan. As per, the inking of the agreement has upgraded “investment and trade relations” between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
Pakistan: Ruling coalition surpasses two-thirds majority in the National Assembly after SC verdict on reserved seats case
On 2 July, the ruling coalition surpassed a “two-thirds majority” in the National Assembly with 235 members. The opposition parties hold 98 seats. This comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan allocated the reserved seats amongst the three parliamentary parties- PML-N, PPP, and JUI-F, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the reserved seats case. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the reserved seats case benefited PML-N the most as it was allocated 43 out of a total of 74 seats in provincial and national assemblies. PPP gained 14 seats, whereas JUI-F was allocated 13 seats. One seat each was allocated to PML-Q, MQM-Pakistan, ANP, PTI-Parliamentarians, and Istekham-i-Pakistan Party (IPP). In the National Assembly, a total of 19 seats were allocated. 13 of the 19 seats went to the PML-N, whereas four went to PPP. Two seats in the National Assembly went to JUI-F. Currently, after the allocation of seats, PML-N has 123 members in the National Assembly, PPP has 74, MQM-P has 22, and PML-Q has five. Istekham-i-Pakistan has four members in the National Assembly, whereas Balochistan Awami Party, National Party, and PML-Z have one member each. The four independent National Assembly members are also included in the ruling coalition's strength in the National Assembly.
Iran: Iran breaks-off cooperation with the IAEA
On 2 July, the Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has approved a bill breaking-off cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This development follows an earlier legislation approved by Iran’s Guardian Council to “suspend cooperation” with the IAEA. The legislation disallows IAEA nuclear inspectors from visiting Iranian nuclear sites without prior approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. This step is a culmination of Iran’s brief confrontation with Israel and the US’s attack on its nuclear facilities. Earlier, Guardian Council spokesperson Hadi Tahan Nazif had told an Iranian news outlet that this move is to ensure “full respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Nazif also said that the bill will allow Iran “to benefit from all the entitlements specified under … the Non-Proliferation Treaty, especially with regard to uranium enrichment.”
EUROPE THIS WEEK
Russia: Gives formal recognition to the Taliban government in Afghanistan
On 03 July, Afghanistan’s Taliban government informed that Russia became the first country to recognize its government. Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul. Muttaqi said in a video posted on X, "This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia is ahead of everyone.” Russia's foreign ministry shared on the Telegram app, "We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas." Moscow had earlier removed the Taliban from their list of terrorist’ organisations and accepted an ambassador from their government.
Greece: Wildfires in Crete leads to evacuation of more than 1,500 residents and tourists’
On 07 July, concerned authorities ordered evacuations of a resort, Achlia, and three other settlements in the wider Crete area. The Fire Service and a civil protection agency issued localized mobile phone alerts for the evacuations and asked residents not to return to their properties. The Crete civil defence said more than 1,500 people were evacuated and taken to hotels and sports halls.
Europe: European Commission President meets Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss strengthening cooperation amid growing global challenges
On 02 July, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss strengthening cooperation between the EU and China amid growing global challenges. As they mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, both leaders emphasized the importance of mutual trust, communication, and shared responsibility in a turbulent international landscape. FM Wang Yi called for deepened strategic dialogue, economic collaboration, and joint efforts on issues like climate change, while reaffirming China’s support for European integration and multilateralism. He emphasized China's commitment to openness and resolving differences through dialogue. Von der Leyen echoed the importance of stable, constructive relations, saying the upcoming China-EU leaders' meeting offers a key opportunity to reaffirm shared goals and global responsibility. She also reiterated the EU's commitment to the one-China policy.
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