NIAS CEAP Reader

Photo : Global Times

18 March 2022 | Wednesday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 143

Chinese Foreign Minister warns against military aggression

Foreign Minister Wang Yi reminds Japan of its historic past and reprimands it for its decision to support the US sanctions on Russia.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok

REGIONAL
Japan: Chinese Foreign Minister warns against military aggression
On 17 March, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian addressed a press briefing and responded to Japan’s remarks ruging China to be responsible in the crisis in Ukraine. Japan also imposed sanctions on Russia along with the US and other countries for its actions in Ukraine. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also accused Russia of occupying Japan’s Kuril Islands and revealed that he would consider revising Japan’s military strategies to strengthen the country. In response to Japan’s comments, Zhao warned the country against disrespecting and opposing the consequences of the World Anti-Fascist War and avoid capitalizing on Ukraine to extend its military capabilities. He said: “Some Japanese political forces have tried to take advantage of the Ukraine issue to deliberately hype up external threats, in order to expand the country's military forces.” He also warned Japan that the country should carefully take actions considering its dark past, which makes its Asian neighbours scrutinize its actions. He said: “Japan should adhere to the path of peaceful development and take more steps that are conducive to regional peace and stability.” (“China's foreign ministry warns Japan to refrain from military expansion,” The Strait Times, 18 March 2022)

SCO: Foreign Minister discusses Ukraine with Secretary General Zhang Ming
On 17 March, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting with the Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming and discussed the different issues concerning the regional organization. Wang Yi first congratulated Ming for his assumption of the new role at the organization and recounted the achievements made by the SCO since its establishment. He also pondered on the role played by the SCO in maintaining regional stability and said: “In the face of the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the SCO should play a more active role in maintaining regional and even global security and stability.” Furthermore, Wang Yi spoke against the Cold War mentality and the use of illegal unilateral sanctions in the current world order. (“Chinese FM meets with secretary-general of SCO,” Xinhua Net, 17 March 2022)

INTERNAL
COVID-19: Shanghai imposes restrictions amid rising cases
On 17 March, the symptomatic local community infections touched 57 in Shanghai city and the domestically transmitted asymptomatic cases reached 203. A day earlier, the figures were eight and 150 respectively. The city’s authorities have launched a full scale mass testing campaign in an attempt to control the sudden surge of cases. Schools have been shut down and residential compounds have been sealed for for two days. However, some districts have eased the restrictions in order to minimize the losses and continue the supply chains and trade activity in the region. The total number of cases in China almost doubled on 17 March, accounting for 2,388 new cases of the virus. (“Shanghai pushes ahead with mass Covid-19 tests as new cases spike,” The Strait Times, 18 March 2022)

COVID-19: Standing Committee convenes a meeting to understand the situation
On 17 March, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a meeting to discuss the new crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for a better and more efficient epidemic control. President Xi Jinping observed that the country had successfully limited the import of cases and domestic resurgences by imposing strict restrictions and controlling public activities. He also appreciated the efforts of the authorities and the measures that helped contain the outburst of the cases in different districts. Furthermore, he urged the people and the authorities to continue exercising restraint and putting the health of the people before all other priorities. He said: “Victory comes from perseverance. All local authorities and government departments must be fully aware of the complex, arduous and enduring nature of COVID-19 control both at home and abroad, further social mobilization, build consensus, proceed with greater confidence and perseverance, and carry out all the epidemic control work in a more solid and meticulous manner.” (“Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee convenes meeting on COVID-19 situation and better and more stringent epidemic prevention and control,” Global Times, 18 March 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
Afghanistan: Chinese Red Cross sends second batch of assistance goods
On 17 March, Xinhua Net reported that the Afghan Red Crescent Society(ARCS) received the newest batch of assistance that was donated by the Red Cross Society in China. The report revealed that a handover ceremony took place on 16 March and was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu and the ARCS Secretary General Mawlawi Matiul Haq Khalis. Wang Yu said: “In order to help Afghanistan to improve needy people's livelihoods, the RCSC has taken a number of measures. After it donated a batch of assistance to Afghanistan in December last year, today another batch of flour has been donated to Afghanistan. Thousands of families will get this batch of flour.” Mawlawi Khalis also appreciated the organization’s contribution and expressed the country’s gratitude towards the much needed support. (“New batch of China-donated supplies arrive in Afghanistan,” Xinhua Net, 17 March 2022)

The EU: Trade in January-February 2022 increases by 14.8 per cent
On 17 March, the Ministry of Commerce SPokesperson Gao Feng announced that the bilateral trade between China and the European Union had experienced a rapid growth in the January-February period. According to Feng, the growth showed vitality and resilience in their trade cooperation. He said: “As significant trading partners to one another, China and the EU enjoy a high degree of economic complementarity, broad areas of cooperation, and great potential for development.” The trade increased by 14.8 per cent and accounted for USD 137.16 billion in January-February 2022. In this period, the EU is said to be China’s largest trading partner. Feng also expressed China’s readiness in working with the EU and facilitating trade and investment between China and the region. (“China-EU trade sees sound momentum in first two months,” Xinhua Net, 17 March 2022)

Racism: China takes a stand against racist evacuation of nationalities from Ukraine
On 17 March, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun attended the United Nations Security Council meeting on the Ukraine refugee issues and stressed on helping all the people in the crisis, regardless of their race, region and ethnicity. Zhang expressed China’s concerns regarding the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and the increasing casualties in the war. He shed light on the racist segregation of refugees based on their nationality during the evacuation of Africans, Indians and Arabs from Ukraine. He said: “This is why, in a deep humanitarian crisis, racism can still show its ugliness, because those who are meant to be helping and serving to get people out safely have a racist mind-set.” (“Chinese envoy to UN calls for attention to problems faced by African, Mid-East evacuees in Ukraine crisis,” Global Times, 18 March 2022)

Uganda: President appreciates China’s style of diplomacy
On 18 March, Xinhua Net reported on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s interview with Nikkei. The report revealed President Museveni’s appreciation of China’s style of diplomacy and called it “much better than the double standards held by the West.” He also rejected the accusations against China on influencing smaller economies and trapping them in a debt cycle. He said: “Africa has been having problems for the last 600 years due to the slave trade, colonialism, neocolonialism -- and none of it was from China. China supported Africans' fight against colonialism before starting economic activity on the continent. "They do not impose their offers if you do not want them.” (“China-style diplomacy "better than" West's, says Ugandan president,” Xinhua Net, 18 March 2022)

China Reader Daily Wire

Previous China Reader Daily Wire