NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : CGTN
IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok
INTERNAL
Alibaba dismisses female employee after she complains of sexual assault
On 13 December, the Guardian reported that Alibaba had fired a female employee after she complained of sexual assault by a colleague. The report regarding her wrongful dismissal was published in Dahe Daily, a local newspaper that is backed by the government. The letter of dismissal by Alibaba claimed that she was suspended for spreading incorrect information about being assaulted. The ex-employee said: “I have not made any mistakes and certainly will not accept this result, and in the future will use legal means to protect my rights and interests.” (“China’s Alibaba accused of firing female employee who alleged colleague sexually assaulted her,” The Guardian, 13 December 2021)
China to build two new bases to maintain undersea cables
On 12 December, the South China Morning Post reported that China is planning to build two bases to maintain the undersea cables in the East China and the South China Sea. According to the Chinese government’s five-year plan for the information and communication industry, “China is also seeking to build two more specialist ships for undersea cable maintenance in the next five years ‘to establish an internationally competitive capability in the construction and maintenance of submarine cables’,” reported South China Morning Post. (“China builds undersea cable bases amid digital infrastructure rivalry,” South China Morning Post, 12 December 2021)
REGIONAL
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Seoul is not considering Winter Olympics boycott
On 13 December, South Korean President Moon Jae-in during a visit to Australia announced that the Korean government is not considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. President Moon made the statement in the joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. “We have not received any recommendations to participate in (the boycott) from any country, including the US, and the Korean government is not considering it,” said Moon. (“Seoul not considering Beijing Olympics boycott: Moon,” The Korean Herald, 13 December 2021)
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry releases the latest threat assessment
On 13 December, Reuters reported on Taiwan’s Defense Ministry’s latest threat assessment as tensions between China and Taiwan have escalated quickly. The report says, “the nation's military has the advantage of the Taiwan Strait being a natural moat and can use joint intercept operations, cutting off the Communist military's supplies, severely reducing the combat effectiveness and endurance of the landing forces.” The ministry also added that “U.S. and Japanese military bases are close to Taiwan, and any Chinese Communist attack would necessarily be closely monitored, plus it would need to reserve forces to prevent foreign military intervention.” (“Taiwan says confident Chinese invasion would be very hard,” Reuters, 13 December 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan inaugurates two projects
On 12 December, the Chinese and Afghan officials inaugurated the establishment of a mosque and two wells in the Ministry of Justice in Afghanistan. The construction of the mosque and the wells have been funded by the Chinese government. The Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan said: “China and Afghanistan are very close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, and the two peoples enjoy long-lasting friendly exchanges.” He reiterated China’s wishes for a peaceful, tranquil and prosperous Afghanistan. The Chief spokesperson of the Taliban-led Afghan government thanked China for its assistance and said: “the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is thankful to China over sending assistance and also assures of having trustable relations with the neighboring country.” (“Taliban-led Afghan gov't thanks China over donation,” Xinhua Net, 13 December 2021)
Chinese Ambassador to Costa Rica writes about the country’s democratic system
On 12 December, Xinhua Net reported that the Chinese Ambassador to Costa Rica Tang Heng urged the international community to respect the democratic path chosen by China in an article that was published in “Semanario Universidad,” a local newspaper. The article written by the Ambassador speaks of China’s political system, its particular nature and its functions. He criticized the Western rhetoric of China’s democracy as being flawed and said: “it is better to have a patriotic, united front that promotes harmonious relations between different political parties, ethnic groups, religions, social classes, and between Chinese citizens inside and outside the country.” (“Democratic paths chosen by people deserve respect: Chinese envoy to Costa Rica," Xinhua Net, 12 December 2021)
China-Africa innovation begins in Wuhan
On 12 December, the 2021 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference took place in Wuhan, China. The conference will discuss the ways to implement the Belt and Road Initiative in China and promote the development of a China-Africa community which was decided during the Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The event concludes on 13 December and includes a series of activities, a forum, an exhibition on the results of innovation cooperation and a salon for young Africans to showcase their talents in innovation and entrepreneurship. (“China-Africa innovation cooperation conference opens in central China,” Xinhua Net, 12 December 2021)
US, Australia, and Japan make a joint statement to fund undersea cable in Pacific countries
On 12 December, the United States, Australia, and Japan released a joint statement on jointly funding the construction of an undersea cable to boost Internet access in three tiny Pacific countries. The joint statement read, “this will support increased economic growth, drive development opportunities, and help to improve living standards as the region recovers from the severe impacts of Covid-19.” According to the Strait Times, the “allies seek to counter rising Chinese influence in the region.” The statement did not specify the cost of the project and detailed that new development will provide faster internet to Nauru, Kiribati, and the Federated States of Micronesia. (“US, Australia and Japan to fund undersea cable in the Pacific,” The Strait Times, 12 December 2021)