NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Reuters
In Brief
INTERNAL
Beijing announces new fiscal measures to boost domestic demand
On 21 August, Reuters reported that China's Vice Finance Minister Liao Min announced additional fiscal policy measures in response to economic developments. He said most fiscal spending would be directed toward households and consumption to boost domestic demand. He said: "China will also step up coordination between fiscal, monetary and industrial policies and refine its policy toolkit as economic conditions evolve." He added that new fiscal-financial support measures for the second half of this year are being coordinated with the central bank and regulators to improve economic policy coordination.
("China pledges timely fiscal support to bolster growth," Reuters, 21 August 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-pledges-timely-fiscal-support-bolster-growth-2026-08-21/
CHINA AND SPACE
Chang'e-7 spacecraft set to launch; Aims to search for frozen water on the lunar surface
On 21 August, Asia One reported that China is set to launch the Chang'e-7 spacecraft next week from Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan. The major aims of this mission are to search for frozen stores of water in permanently shadowed craters near the moon's south pole. It will involve orbiting, landing, roving, and hopping to manage the craters. The spacecraft will be launched by a Long March 5 rocket and will carry scientific instruments such as water analysers, cameras, and radars. The latest literature explains that craters near the South Pole, which have not seen sunlight, could preserve water and volatile organic compounds. Discovering accessible water will support lunar base research by providing drinking water and oxygen for astronauts, reducing the cost of resupply missions from Earth.
("China hunts for lunar ice in one of solar system's coldest places," Asia One, 21 August 2026)
https://www.asiaone.com/china/china-hunts-lunar-ice-one-solar-systems-coldest-places
CHINA AND EAST ASIA
China says Seoul should maintain ties without contradiction to achieve strategic autonomy
On 20 August, Reuters reported that China's FM stated that Beijing hopes South Korea will achieve genuine strategic autonomy, refrain from bloc confrontation and taking sides, and develop relations with major powers, including China and the United States, in parallel and without contradiction. He also added that the US should abandon a "hostile" policy towards Pyongyang in order to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. Calling for resumed dialogue and restoration of trust, he said: "China would be glad to see the peninsula move toward peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea." On Seoul-Beijing ties, he said, "A rational, pragmatic, and positive policy towards China is entirely in line with South Korea's interests and the trend of the times." He stated that bilateral ties have made a full recovery and are progressing following the meetings. Discussions also covered the early completion of the second phase of negotiations on their free trade agreement and increased regional and economic integration.
("China urges South Korea not to take sides, blames US policy for Korea tensions," Reuters, 20 August 2026)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-urges-south-korea-not-to-take-sides-blames-us-policy-for-korea-tensions/ar-AA2ay9DC?ocid=BingNewsVerp
CHINA AND SOUTH ASIA
Pakistan seeks Chinese investment for climate projects
On 21 August, Business Recorder reported that Pakistan presented a 4.85 billion-dollar climate investment plan to Chinese officials and business leaders, seeking support through Chinese investment, technology and private-sector partnerships. The plan includes 69 projects across eight priority sectors and aims to promote climate-resilient and green development. Pakistan is seeking to align the Climate Prosperity Plan with the Belt and Road Initiative and the Green Investment and Finance Partnership. Chinese Chargé d’affaires Shi Yuanqiang said the plan offers Chinese companies opportunities to invest in Pakistan’s green projects. He said China would continue supporting Pakistan’s climate action and green development. Pakistan’s Climate Coordinator Romina Khurshid Alam described China as an important partner because of its technology, manufacturing capacity and financial resources. The projects will be presented to Chinese institutions, enterprises and investors at CIFTIS 2026 in Beijing.
("Leveraging BRI financing: Pakistan presents USD4.85bn climate investment plan," Business Recorder, 21 August 2026)
https://www.brecorder.com/news/amp/40435853
China states interest in working with all political parties in Bangladesh
On 21 August, New Age reported that Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pan Yundong stated that China is ready to work with all political parties in Bangladesh and continue friendly cooperation with the country. He made the remarks during a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP chairperson’s office in Dhaka. Pan said China and Bangladesh have maintained friendly relations and that China is willing to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The meeting discussed Bangladesh-China relations, bilateral cooperation, and political developments in Bangladesh. Mirza Fakhrul said the BNP wants to strengthen relations with China further if it comes to power. The Chinese envoy also expressed interest in maintaining communication with Bangladesh’s political parties and strengthening people-to-people and bilateral ties.
("China ready to work with all Bangladesh parties: envoy, New Age, 20 August 2026)
https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/310646/china-ready-to-work-with-all-bangladesh-parties-envoy
Former Indian army chief says China will be India's main long-term competitor
On 20 August, The Economic Times reported that former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane had said China would be India's principal long-term competitor across political, economic, trade and military domains, while deliberately stopping short of using the word "enemy." Naravane said Pakistan and China remained in a different category from India's other neighbours given the history of wars and unsettled borders, but drew a distinction between the two, saying India's immediate attention toward Pakistan was driven by the continuing threat of terrorism, while China represented a longer-term strategic challenge. He stressed the need for strong military deterrence while pursuing dialogue and diplomatic mechanisms to resolve differences, saying the use of force should always be the last resort. Naravane also called for stability in neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, warning that instability along India's borders had a direct impact through refugee flows and illegal goods movement.
("China to be India's main long-term competitor, Pakistan remains terrorism threat: Naravane," The Economic Times, 20 August 2026)
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/china-to-be-indias-main-long-term-competitor-pakistan-remains-terrorism-threat-naravane/articleshow/133390742.cms?from=mdr
Opinions:
"A bolder India on China border," The Hindustan Times, 21 August 2026
"Days after the external affairs ministry tacitly acknowledged a face-off between Indian and Chinese forces in the Arunachal Pradesh sector this month, Union minister Kiren Rijiju has spoken about confusion arising from differing perceptions of the boundary and increased Chinese military activity on high ridges along the frontier. Rijiju also dismissed reports that Chinese troops had intruded into Indian territory. An opposition party and a civil society group in Arunachal Pradesh had claimed that Chinese troops were expanding their presence in the area and denying Indian troops access to the Shera 5 patrolling point. China and India continue to disagree on the next steps to normalise the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)."
Nirmal Ghosh, "Is a map war brewing between India and China?" CNA News, 21 August 2026
"Just as relations between China and India enter a fragile thaw, the longstanding issue of China’s claim on India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh has resurfaced ... This is seen by India as needling, thus the move to establish its own more detailed map, with names not necessarily new but which had not figured in the Indian government’s previous official maps ... This has elicited a reaction, with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Aug 10 calling India’s unilateral move as “illegal, null and void”. A day later, India rejected China’s objection, maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh, which in 1987 became India’s 24th state, is an “inalienable and integral part of India”. India is inherently at a disadvantage in Arunachal Pradesh. In a planned strategy, China has methodically built up dual civilian-military use infrastructure and created model villages on its side of the border – to demonstrate that life in China is better."
Opinion:
"Nepal-China collaboration should continue in protection and promotion of human rights," People's Review, 20th August 2026
"Lalitpur, Aug 19: Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission, Top Bahadur Magar has expressed the belief that collaboration between Nepal and China should continue for protection and promotion of human rights ... "NHRC emphasizes on the protection and promotion of human rights of workers going for foreign employment,”, he said and pointed out the need to see development and information technology from the perspective of human rights ... The NHRC Chairperson also expressed happiness over the opportunity to collaborate with the China Society for Human Rights Studies, which had not been possible to date due to various reasons in the past ... He also shed light on the multi-dimensional aspects of Nepal-China relations, as well as the development achieved by China, including in the IT sector, and about the protection and promotion of human rights."
CHINA AND THE AMERICAS
Germany’s intelligence brings out China’s transnational repression
On 21 August, The Times of India reported that Germany's domestic intelligence agency BfV opened a support line for people exiled in Germany under threat or attack from agents of their repressive home countries. The statement quoted China, Russia, and Iran as the major actors in transnational repression. BfV, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said: "Beijing-linked activities have targeted Chinese activists and German critics of China's one-party system, as well as Uyghurs, Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners, and individuals supporting Hong Kong's democracy movement or Taiwan." They added that China's political leadership relies on intelligence services and other agencies under it to monitor and intimidate critics outside China.
(China among 'main actors' involved in transnational repression: Germany," The Times of India, 21 August 2026)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/133395743.cms