IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok

REGIONAL
G20: China's Foreign Minister holds bilateral meetings on the sidelines and discusses challenges in relations 
On 7 July, China Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia. At the meeting, Wang Yi held numerous bilateral meetings with the member countries and discusses a range of issues.

In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Wang Yi noted that the countries had overcome obstacles and maintained normality in exchanges while pushing for cooperation along various fields. Wang said that the continuation of healthy ties portrayed the resilient relations between China and Russia. Wang referred to the challenges in the world order and said: “Facing the realities of the current international politics, will countries choose to pursue power politics and hegemony, or promote a multi-polar world? Wang asked. Will they truly uphold the international order with the UN at its core or follow rules made by a handful of countries according to their own standards?” 

Wang Yi also spoke about the Ukraine crisis and highlighted China’s concerns. On behalf of the country, Wang Yi opposed instigating the cold war mentality, comparing the crisis in Ukraine with the status of Taiwan and opposed the imposition of sanctions against China and other countries. He called for increased solidarity and dialogue rather than division and confrontation. Taking a stand against double standards, Wang Yi opposed countries for raising the question of China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and urged all countries to adhere to the one-China principle. He said: “China's three points of concern clearly show that hegemony is not welcome in handling global affairs, and hegemony is also the essential reason for the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine.” 

Wang met with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 meeting and appreciated the neighbouring country for maintaining communication and exchanges, effectively managing differences and encouraged the momentum of recovery in the overall bilateral relations. Wang said that China and India would not follow the West in their ideologies as they had common interets and similar claims. According to Wang, the countries were destined to uphold strategic persistence and achieve their own goals in the international order. He said: “We need to take concrete actions to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, being each other's partner, not posing a threat to each other and being a mutual development opportunity, bringing bilateral relations back on the right track as early as possible.” 

Wang Yi also met with the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and encouraged the European countries to uhold the multilateral practices and the basic orientation of their comprehensive strategic partnership. He further urged the EU to maintain positive momentum of dialogue while keeping away from issues that widen the differences with China. He said: “China and the EU should adhere to the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, uphold true multilateralism and oppose any acts that trumpet decoupling and violate the law of the economy. Both sides should reject zero-sum games, instigation of bloc confrontation and attempts to stoke a new Cold War” 

The Foreign Minister also met with the Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero and reassured support for strengthening coordination and increasing cooperation along the Belt and Road Initiative. Wang stressed on the close relationship between the leaders of the two countries and appreciated Argentina’s friendly policies towards China. He said: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and China is willing to work with Argentina to advance the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road, helping accelerate their respective development and revitalization.”

Wang Yi also held a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and agreed to expand bilateral cooperation and deepen exchanges between the countries. The countries are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations this year. Wang noted the abundance of opportunities but also the existence of practical challenges that face the countries in the coming years. He said: “As close neighbors and inseparable partners with closely-related security environment and an industrial cycle of converging interests, China and South Korea should uphold the already reached consensus and understanding, and maintain the stability and continuity of their policies towards each other.”

Lastly, the Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong announced that the country would be attempting to end the trade blockages and seek to defrost the icy relations with China. Wong said: “We all know we have our differences. There are challenges in the relationship. We believe engagement is necessary to stabilise the relationship. We won't be making any concessions when it comes to Australia's interests. We don't believe those blockages are in our interests. We would say to China, they are not in China's interests.” 

(“China lauds resilient ties with Russia at FMs' meeting, calls for de-escalating Ukraine situation,” Global Times, 08 July 2022; “China and India share common interests, will make greater contributions to the future of mankind: Chinese FM,” Global Times, 08 July 2022 “Chinese FM lays out three points of concern on Ukraine crisis,” Global Times, 07 July 2022; “China, EU urged to uphold their comprehensive strategic partnership,” Xinhua Net, 08 July 2022; “China, Argentina agree to strengthen coordination, Belt and Road cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 08 July 2022; “Australia seeks end to trade rows in China meeting,” The Strait Times, 08 July 2022; “China, S.Korea vow to expand cooperation, strengthen exchanges,” Xinhua Net, 08 July 2022) 

INTERNATIONAL
Pakistan: Foreign Ministry appreciated BRI and calls for more similar initiatives 
On 7 July, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed addressed a press briefing for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) and appreciated China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Ahmed said that the BRI is aimed at promoting development, connectivity and cooperation in numerous fields. He said: “We want to see an environment regionally and globally in which the development objectives of countries and regions can be promoted through a cooperative rather than confrontational approach.” He further encouraged similar initiatives by other countries and expressed Pakistan’s interest in improving connectivity and enhancing cooperation. (“China's BRI designed to promote development, connectivity, cooperation: Pakistani Foreign Ministry,” Xinhua Net, 08 July 2022)

Japan: China remembers 85 years of the attack on Lugou Bridge, marking the beginning of the invasion
On 7 July, China commemorated the 85th anniversary of the whole-nation resistance to the Japanese aggression in 1937. The day marks the beginning of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China with the attack on the Lugou Bridge. A special exhibition was held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing. Over 300 people from diverse backgrounds such as veteran representatives and family members of military leaders and martyrs attended the ceremony. Memorial activities were conducted throughout the country. Over 100 people attended the activities in Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County. On the same day, a book on the Nanjing Safety Zone was published. The Nanjing Safety Zone was an initiative by a German individual John Rabe who saved the lives of 200,000 Chinese people during Japan’s imperialist era. (“China Focus: China commemorates 85th anniversary of whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression,” Xinhua Net, 08 July 2022)

Taiwan: China responds to US Senator’s visit and meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen
On 8 July, the Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army announced that the military had held joint combat readiness exercices, patrols and drills near Taiwan’s sea and airspace. China’s Ministry of Defence Spokesperson Wu Qian further reasoned that the exercises were held as a response to the provocations by the US and Taiwan. The Chinese fighter jets crossed the median line of the Taiwan Straits as a response to the US Senator Rick Scott’s visit to Taiwan and his meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen. Wu responded to a question on Scott’s visit during a press briefing and said: “The US side's move seriously violates the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiqués, seriously damages the political foundation of Sino-US relations, seriously undermines the relationship between the two countries and the two militaries, and escalates tensions in the Taiwan Strait region.” (“China military says holds combat exercises around Taiwan as US senator visits island,” The Strait Times, 08 July 2022)

INTERNAL
Hong Kong: Barristers defending Jimmy Lai threatened against defending the case 
On 7 July, the Barristers Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Jonathan Price and Jennifer Robinson from the British law firm Doughty Street Chambers who are defending Hong Kong’s tycoon Jimmy Lai said that they received numerous anonymous emails threatening them against travelling to the city to defend the pro-democracy activist. One of the emails read: “A person that refuses to abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region could be extradited...from other jurisdictions. Foreign nationals will be charged with the offences of subversion. You have been warned not to attempt entry or land in Chinese territory.” The Barristers responded to the threats and noted that these tactics were common in Hong Kong but are not expanding outside the city as well. (“Lawyers defending Hong Kong tycoon say they have received threats,” The Strait Times, 08 July 2022)

Hong Kong: City inaugurates third runway, hoping to increase footfall
On 8 July, the Hong Kong airport opened its third runway, a project that was part of a HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) 141.5 billion and is expected to increase footprint by 50 per cent. The local conglomerate New World Development is also building a HKD 20 billion worth entertainment, retail and commercial complex. However, the grand plans have been suffering under the Chinese government’s strict COVID-prevention policies and restrictions. Until May 2022, a total of 5,45,000 passengers used the city airport while 31.4 million people commuted using the airport in 2019. (“Hong Kong opens third runway as part of S$25 billion expansion,” The Strait Times, 08 July 2022)

Torrential rains: Ministry of Emergency Management alerts China for incoming flood-season 
On 8 July, the vice minister at the Ministry of Emergency Management Zhou Xuewen addressed a press briefing and informed that the country would be facing a crucial period from mid-July and alerted the officials at all levels to grasp the potential risks from the torrential rains. Zhou urged the officials to ensure relief reached the people in a timely manner as the floods in the country are about to reach its peak season this month. He urged cities and counties to prepare themselves with funds and relief materials and take the necessary actions to minimize casualties while also following the COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. (“China tells regional officials to ready for disasters after months of torrential rain,” The Strait Times, 08 July 2022)