NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar
INTERNATIONAL
US and German officials back Lithuania in tensions with China
On 5 January, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had a meeting with his German counterpart discussing the tensions between Lithuania and China. After the meeting, Blinken said: “We have immediate concern about the government of China’s attempts to bully Lithuania, a country of fewer than 3 million people.” The statements also signaled that China is coercing nations to change their foreign policy and termed China’s behavior as “economic blackmail” against smaller countries. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: “We as Europeans stand in solidarity at Lithuania’s side.” The meeting and its conclusion clearly sided with Lithuania’s action of closing up with Taiwan against international customs. The two officials said that such coercion is unwarranted by China. (“U.S., Germany support Lithuania in spat with China over Taiwan,” The Asahi Shimbun, 6 January 2022)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Kenya
On 5 January, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Kenya to discuss bilateral agreements between China and Kenya. The visit also indicates China’s efforts to step up the cooperation between China and the African continent. The Kenya Foreign Ministry described the visit as a ‘historic’ event. Wang Yi announced that China will appoint a special envoy for the Horn of Africa to support in overcoming the security challenges. (“China's foreign minister visits Kenya amid unease over rising debt,” Reuters, 6 January 2022; “China to appoint special envoy for Horn of Africa,” Reuters, 6 January 2022)
INTERNAL
China’s SAMR imposes fines on domestic tech giants
On 5 January, Global Times reported that China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) imposed fines on Tencent Holdings, units of Alibaba and Bilibili among other domestic tech giants. The purpose stated by the regulatory body is to restrict the online economy and to resolve illegal activities in these companies thus ensuring market order. Tencent was fined for a total of 4,5-million-yuan, Alibaba Network Technology for 500,000 yuan and Bilbili for 500,000 yuan. The fines are the active enforcement of anti-monopoly regulations of the amended Anti-Monopoly Law. (“Chinese regulator issues first antitrust fines in 2022, signals sustained campaign,” Global Times, 5 January 2022)
SCMP analyzes reasons behind Chinese youth rejecting marriage and kids
On 6 January, South China Morning Post published an article that stated Chinese youth, especially Generation Z born between 1995 to 2010, no longer prefer to get married or have kids. The article reasons that the young generation sees expanding one’s family as a stressful event which shall not be helpful for their lives. Priorities are shifting to individual lives and successful careers. Further, the article also explains that urban life has become expensive and the young generation prefer a convenient lifestyle rather than financial struggles. The article also stated that Chinese women are more unimpressed by marriage and children than Chinese men as this no longer serves as the source of social happiness. (Hu Huifeng, “Why are China’s Gen Z women rejecting marriage, kids more than their male counterparts?,” South China Morning Post, 6 January 2022)
TECHNOLOGY
“China Sky Eye” detects interstellar magnetic field
On 6 January, the National Astronomical Observatories of China held a press conference and announced that China’s Five-hundred meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) detected an accurate magnetic field strength in a molecular cloud. The field is detected in a region of interstellar medium. This result suggests that the molecular clouds achieve a supercritical state when they collapse into stars. These results are significant for the understanding of formation of stars and astrophysics. The study was published in Nature journal on the same day. (“China's FAST telescope detects coherent interstellar magnetic field,” Xinhua Net, 6 January 2022)
China completes its first in-orbit spacecraft transposition
On 6 January, China conducted a successful transposition of space station’s cargo while staying in-orbit through the indigenously developed robotic arm. The news was announced by the China Manned Space Agency. This is the first time that the robotic arm was used for a large space vehicle relocation. The authorities say that this is evidential of the feasibility and effectiveness of the procedure which took 47 minutes. (“China completes 1st in-orbit spacecraft transposition with space station's robotic arm,” Global Times, 6 January 2022)
REGIONAL
Japan and Australia sign a security agreement to counter China’s growing power
On 6 January, Japan and Australia signed a “landmark” treaty to strengthen the defense ties. The security cooperation is considered as a move to counter the ‘China threat’ in the region. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are looking forward to signing the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to step up the defense and security cooperation between both countries. Scott Morrison said: “This landmark treaty will... for the first time provide a clear framework for enhanced inter-operability and cooperation between our two forces.” He also said that this partnership reflects on the common interests, commitments and values that both Japan and Australia hold for “a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific.” (“Japan, Australia sign defence treaty with eyes on China,” The Strait Times, 6 January 2022; “Japan-Australia defense, security treaty will inflame regional tensions,” Global Times, 5 January 2022)
In 2022, China marks its 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with five Central Asian countries
On 5 January, Xinhua reported on China marking its 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in 2022. Xinhua pointed out the highlights of some remarks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping on several occasions. Since 2013, President Xi has focused on economy, trade, regional peace and harmony, and democracy in international relations with regard to China and Central Asian countries. (“Xiplomacy: Xi's remarks set course for deeper China-Central Asia relations,” Xinhua Net, 5 January 2022)