NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Ministry of Foreign Affairs
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok
INTERNATIONAL
Nepal: China’s Foreign Minister discusses bilateral relations; expresses will to enhance friendship
On 27 March, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the country’s readiness to work with Nepal on enhancing their friendship and safeguarding regional peace. Wang Yi met with the Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal and appreciated the history of bilateral relations between the two countries. He said: “No matter how the international situation changes and what challenges emerge, China will stick to its friendly policy towards Nepal.” Dahal also congratulated China for successfully conducting the Beijing Winter Olympics and also expressed gratitude for China’s aid to Nepal during the pandemic.” (“China willing to cement friendship with Nepal, safeguard regional peace: Wang Yi,” Xinhua Net, 28 March 2022)
Ukraine: China’s Foreign Ministry calls for conducive actions
On 28 March, CGTN reported that the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the involved parties to take actions that were conducive to de-escalating the situation in Ukraine. The ministry spokesperson also urged the countries to promote dialogue and negotiation instead of further complicating the conflicts. The statements were made at a press briefing after US President Joe Biden opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority in the country and demanded a change in leadership. However, CGTN reported that several US officials later explained that they do not encourage a change in the regime in Russia. (“China calls for responsible action toward Ukraine de-escalation,” CGTN, 28 March 2022)
INTERNAL
Communist Party of China: Discipline Inspection body investigates 5,800 cases of violation in February
On 27 March, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission revealed in its monthly report that more than 5800 cases involving violations of the CPC code on improving party conduct were investigated in February. After the investigation, a total of 9,100 people were reprimanded, educated and penalized. The cases involved bureaucratism, the practice of formality for formality’s sake, hedonism and extravagance. (“5,800 cases of Party conduct violation investigated in Feb,” Xinhua Net, 27 March 2022)
COVID-19: Jilin province builds 19 makeshift hospitals, Shanghai enters a staggered lockdown
On 28 March, Global Times reported that the Jilian province in China had built 19 makeshift hospitals in order to deal with the rising cases in the region. On the same day, 1,086 cases were reported along with 907 asymptomatic cases. Within the province, eight makeshift hospitals were built in Changchun, 10 hospitals in Jilin and one in Huichuan. On the same day, Shanghai city also entered a staggering lockdown after 3,450 local asymptomatic cases were reported. The city has reported regional clusters and sporadic cases across the city. (“NE China’s Jilin builds 19 makeshift hospitals amid surging COVID-19 infections,” Global Times, 28 March 2022; “Shanghai carries out staggered lockdown, vows to ensure sufficient daily commodities in closed-loop management,” Global Times, 28 March 2022)
Society: 1000 year old temple catches fire in Fujian province
On 28 March, Global Times reported that a part of an ancient temple with a 1000-year history caught fire on 25 March. The local authorities also began planning the restoration work on the same day. The 1,175.2 square-meter Wuyishan temple in Fujian Province was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was rebuilt multiple times through the centuries. Although the cause of the fire is unknown, it was found that the fire broke out in the old hall. The online social media widely circulated the videos of the fire and brought attention to the need to protect cultural relics from fire hazards. The Global Times also reported that after the fire hazard in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Chinese government worked toward protecting immovable relics and inspected over 70,000 museums and cultural relics. The inspection resulted in the discovery of over 1,00,000 fire hazards and 90,00 potential fires were prevented. (“Chinese ancient temple on fire, an alert on further needed measures to protect cultural relics from fire hazards,” Global Times, 28 March 2022)
REGIONAL
Vietnam: New freight rail route from Chongqing to Hanoi boosts trade
On 27 March, Xinhua Net reported that a freight train departed from Guoyuan Port in Chongqing Municipality and is now on route to Hanoi, Vietnam. The trade consisted of 43 containers of engines, tires, printing paper and other products worth USD 3.9 million and marked the launch of a new freight train route between China and Vietnam. The route is a part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and is expected to increase the trade ties between the two countries as well as the region. With the help of the newly established freight rail route, the time taken for the products to reach Vietnam has been reduced by 4-5 days. The project was jointly built and funded by Singapore and the provincial regions of Western China. (“New freight train route links China's Chongqing, Vietnam,” Xinhua Net, 27 March 2022)