NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Dincy Adlakha
REGIONAL
Kim Jong Un congratulates Xi Jinping for a successful Winter Olympics
On 25 February, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of North Korea Kim Jong Un congratulated President Xi Jinping for the successful hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics. In a verbal message, Kim said: “the Winter Olympics, held with the deep expectation and care of all the Chinese people and the people of the world, has become a grand international sports gathering full of innovation and characteristics.” He appreciated the Communist Party of China and the Chinese population for safely and efficiently hosting the games. He appreciated President Xi Jinping and his role in the party as well as the leader of the country. He also expressed North Korea’s interest and willingness in working alongside China in the coming years. (“Kim congratulates Xi on successful Beijing Winter Olympics,” Xinhua Net, 25 February 2022)
Cambodia signs MoU with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
On 25 February, Cambodian Commerce Ministry announced the signing of an MoU with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China. The Memorandum of Understanding aimed to promote trade between the region and Cambodia. The MoU was signed by the Cambodian Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak and the Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Lan Tianli. The trade deal includes the sale of 4,00,000 tons of tapioca chips from Cambodia to Guangxi in March 2022-23. The Cambodian Minister also encouraged Chinese businesses to buy more rice, corns, mangoes, bananas, and other agricultural products. He said: “The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement have all paved the way for the promotion of economic and trade cooperation between Cambodia and China." (“Cambodia, China's Guangxi sign deal on trade promotion,” Xinhua Net, 25 February 2022)
Pakistani Information and Broadcasting Minister appreciates China’s contribution to corporate social responsibility
On 24 February, Pakistan’s State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib attended the 144th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Summit and revealed that the Chinese-funded companies in Pakistan were greatly contributingto the corporate social responsibility. He said: “Chinese-funded corporations, including those working on projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are playing a very responsible role in bringing about sustainable social, environmental and economic benefits for the welfare of people of Pakistan.” The Minister appreciated the Chinese companies for helping the green development in the country and awarded several Chinese-funded companies for their contribution. (“Chinese-funded companies in Pakistan committed to corporate social responsibility: official,” Xinhua Net, 25 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Foreign Ministers of China and Russia hold a telephonic conversation
On 24 February, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephonic conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. During the phone call, Lavrov explained the situation with Ukraine from the Russian point of view and said that the country was forced to take action due to the constant eastward expansion of the US led NATO. He also reiterated Russia’s refusal to uphold the Minsk Agreement and said that it was a necessary step to safeguard its own interests. In response to Lavrov’s statements, Wang Yi reaffirmed its recognition of the complex situation in the Russian-Ukraine relations and said that it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. He said: “China maintains that the Cold War mentality should be completely abandoned and a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism should be finally established through dialogue and negotiation.” (“Chinese, Russian FMs hold phone conversation,” Xinhua Net, 24 February 2022)