Daily Briefs


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20 April 2022 | Wednesday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 162

China's permanent representative calls for an end to war in Ukraine

Zhang Jun stresses on early end to war as the only solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu

INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: China calls for an early end to the war 
On 19 April, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun attended the Security Council meeting on Ukraine and stressed on an early resolution to the war. He said that ending the war quickly was the only way to resolve the crisis in Eastern Europe. He said: “We call on Russia and Ukraine to adhere to the general direction of dialogue and negotiation, continuously narrow differences, and accumulate conditions for a ceasefire.” He also called on the member countries to work towards reducing the harm caused to civilians in the conflict. He said: “China once again calls on all parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint, strictly abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian facilities, and facilitate evacuation and humanitarian assistance operations.” (“Chinese envoy says early conflict resolution key to ending humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,” Xinhua Net, 20 April 2022)

The US: Mayor of Denver city apologizes for 1880 anti-Chinese riots 
On 20 April, Xinhua Net reported that the Mayor of Denver city Micheal Hancock attended a special event titled “Reclaiming our Past, Building our Future: City of Denver’s Chinatown Apology” and offered an official apology for the wrongs committed against Chinese citizens and other Asians in the US. The official apology marks the fifth city in the US to apologize for discriminating against Asians in the past. It is also the first city outside of California to apologize for the 1880 anti-Chinese riot in Chinatown in downtown Denver. Hancock also tweeted regarding the event and said: “We know that to heal our community we must be willing to face and address things we have avoided, apologize for wrongs we have committed and follow through with actions that are true to ongoing positive change. This is just the beginning.” (“Denver becomes 5th U.S. city to offer official apology for past wrongs against Chinese immigrants,” Xinhua Net, 20 April 2022)

Solomon Islands: China prepares to ink a “security pact”
On April 19, China announced that it had signed a security partnership with the Solomon Islands, raising fears among the US and its allies Australia and New Zealand about expanding Chinese influence in the Pacific region. Officials from the Solomon Islands, on the other hand, appeared to indicate that no agreement had yet been reached. The chairman of Parliament's public accounts committee Douglas Ete said: "Chinese officials will arrive in the Pacific Island nation in mid-May to sign cooperation agreements, which will improve trade, education and fisheries cooperation." The White House, which is sending a high-level US delegation to Honiara, the Solomon Islands' capital, this week, expressed worry over the pact's "lack of transparency and vague character." A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC) said the reported signing "follows a pattern of China offering shadowy, vague deals with little regional consultation in fishing, resource management, development assistance and now security practices." (“U.S. concerned after China says it signs security pact with Solomon Islands,” Reuters, 20 April 2022)

The US: China attempts to safeguard its bilateral relations
On 20 April, China's ambassador to the United States Qin Gang advised against using the Ukraine issue as a pretext to sabotage US-China relations. He said that doing so will benefit no one in the short or long term. As per a signed article published in the National Interest magazine on Monday, while the bilateral relationship between China and Russia has progressed significantly over the past three decades, the two nations are not allies, and their partnership does not target third countries. Qin stated that as the crisis worsens, some people are using the stick of sanctions against China to force the country to abandon its autonomous foreign policy of peace. Ending the unwanted Ukraine conflict as quickly as possible "is more important than everything else," said Qin. (“Chinese ambassador to U.S. warns against using Ukraine crisis to mess up U.S.-China relations,” Xinhua Net, 20 April 2022)
 
Ghana: China to strengthen coordination and communication
On 19 April, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and Ghana should deepen their cooperation and work together to protect international justice and fairness, along with the interests of both nations and other developing countries. Wang said the two countries should also reject hegemony and power politics during a telephone discussion with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway. He commended Ghana on its appointment as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2022-2023 term, saying the Chinese side is delighted to see Ghana take a more active role in global and domestic affairs. Botchway mentioned that African countries have learned since the COVID-19 outbreak that the world is not fair, development is not balanced, and China is a true friend that Africa can rely on, and that Ghana is willing to improve communication and coordination with China to better implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (“Wang Yi: China, Ghana should work together for international justice,” CGTN, 20 April 2022)

INTERNAL
Hong Kong: Former radio host sentenced to 40 months in prison under colonial-era sedition law
On 20 April, a Hong Kong District Court sentenced pro-democracy activist Tam Tak-chi to 40 months in prison for using seditious words against the government such as “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” and “death to corrupt police families.” Tam Tak-chi was working as a radio host when he used the above phrases that have been banned by the government. The court accused Tam of using the banned statements a couple of hundred times between January and July 2020. Tam is the first person to be punished under the colonial-era sedition law after he was convicted in March for 11 crimes. Tam has however, been in jail for over a year without bail privileges. (“Hong Kong court jails former radio host for sedition,” The Strait Times, 20 April 2022)

Xinjiang: National People’s Congress prepare to ratify ILO conventions 
On 20 April, the National People’s Congress prepared to ratify the Forced Labour Convention and Abolition of Forced Labour Convention which was adopted by the members of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1930 and 1957 respectively. The government chose to ratify the conventions at a time when there is increased criticism over the violation of human rights in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The ILO encouraged the move and said that the ratification would be held in high value by the organization. However, President Xi Jinping and the Chinese administration has constantly denied the allegations of forced labour in the region. (“China to sign forced labour treaties as Xinjiang scrutiny grows,” The Strait Times, 20 April 2022)

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