NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok
INTERNATIONAL
Xi-Putin take forward strategic coordination and political cooperation
On 14 December, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin via videoconference and ushered a comprehensive strategic partnership in coordination for a new era. They expressed support for each other’s core interests and vowed coordination on international affairs. The two countries have progressed further in military, trade and strategic relations in the previous few years. (“China, Russia make new achievements in strategic coordination, practical cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 14 December 2021)
World Uyghur Congress prepares to take rights case to court
On 14 December, a British lawyer representing the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Human Rights Project said that they are preparing a universal jurisdiction criminal complaint to submit to courts in Argentina before February 4, which is when the Olympics open. Similarly, a UN report from the High Commissioner for Human Rights can also be expected to be released before the Olympics open. These actions show a larger and global whisper in the global Uyghur community to stand against China for the human rights abuses in the North-Western province of Xinjiang. (“As Olympics open, Uighurs set to take rights case to court,” 14 December 2021, The Asahi Shimbun)
Envoy to Brazil appreciates democratic model of China
On 15 December, the Chinese Consul General in Rio De Janeiro Tian Min commented on the Chinese brand of democracy and said that it works efficiently. The statements were made by Tian in a Brazilian business daily Monitor Mercantil. He explained that the Chinese citizens had created a democratic system that overthrew oppressive regimes and adopted a government with Chinese characteristics under the capable leadership of the Coumminist Party of China. He said: “Practice has shown that Chinese-style democracy not only works, but works very well.” (“China's whole-process people's democracy "effective," says Chinese envoy,” Xinhua Net, 15 December 2021)
China-Panama foreign minister telephonic meet ushers cooperation
On 14 December, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked on the phone with Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes. The call appreciated the diplomatic ties between the two countries that were established four years ago, especially the adherence to the one-China policy. Cooperation from Panama is crucial for China as it is the first country from Latin America to take part in BRI. Panamanian FM also noted that China is Panama’s biggest trading partner in bilateral trade. Further, she also announced that Chinese Lunar New Year and Spring Festival celebrations will be included in the country’s list of holidays and tourism attractions. (“Chinese, Panamanian FMs hold phone conversation,” Xinhua Net, 15 December 2021)
China bashes US military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria
On 14 December, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson condemned the military interventions by the US in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria due to their barbaric nature. China demanded justice for killing civilians in these operations committed in the name of “democracy” and “human rights.” Wang Wenbin further said: “The atrocity of killing civilians by U.S. forces in Afghanistan is unacceptable. It is even more intolerable that the United States exonerates the murderer with impunity for various reasons.” He said that these deeds by the US will not go unpunished. (“China demands justice for civilians killed by U.S. military: FM spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 14 December 2021)
International political parties praise China’s Communist Party
On 14 December, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee held a briefing on the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC. A number of political parties from around the world took part in the session and praised the work of the Communist Party of China. The vice president of Nepal, chief advisor of Pakistan’s tehreek-e-Insaf Party, representatives from Standing Committee of Cambodian People’s Party, secretary-general of Egyptian Socialist Party, secretary of external affairs from Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement, secretary-general of Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, chairman of Union of Forces of Progress of Mauritania and the chairman of Brazil-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, all expressed views in appreciation of the CPC. (“Int'l political parties praise CPC's contribution to global democracy,” Xinhua Net, 14 December 2021)
Top diplomats from China and Moldova urge deeper ties in virtual conference
On 14 December, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Li Zhanshu and the parliament speaker of Moldova met through a video link. The two countries congratulated each other on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The representatives thanked each other for cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic and also vowed further collaborations. (“Top Chinese legislator urges enhanced exchanges with Moldovan parliament,” Xinhua Net, 14 December 2021)