NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Global Times
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok
INTERNATIONAL
Afghanistan: China hosts the Foreign Ministers’ meeting to boost investments
On 31 March, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the “Afghanistan’s neighbours + Afghanistan” Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tunxi, Anhui Province. The acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi represented the country at the meeting. The meeting was also attended by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as guests. Wang Yi urged the countries in the region to cooperate with each other rather than confronting and contributing to openness in the region. He also placed emphasis on investing in Afghanistan and not neglecting the country’s issues because of the war in Eastern Europe. He said: “It is necessary to further gather consensus and synergy to help Afghanistan stabilize the situation, effectively fight terrorism, improve people's livelihood and develop the economy.” (“Chinese FM chairs "Afghanistan's neighbors + Afghanistan" foreign ministers' dialogue,” Xinhua Net, 1 April 2022)
Ukraine: Foreign Minister pushes for dialogue and negotiation
On 31 March, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed dialogue and negotiation as the only solutions to the crisis in Ukraine. Wang Yi said: “I have had intensive and in-depth exchanges with my counterparts on the Ukraine issue in recent days. All parties expressed their understanding of China's position and made positive comments on China's role.” He then explained China’s stance in five key aspects. First, China adheres to promoting peace talks; second, China aims to uphold the basic norms in international relations; third, China aims to prevent the return of the cold war mentality; fourth, China supports the rights and interests of all countries and fifth, China is pushing for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. (“Dialogue the only solution for Ukraine crisis: Chinese FM,” Xinhua Net, 1 April 2022)
India: Ministry of National Defense appreciated the achievements of the 15th Corps-Commander Level Meeting
On 31 March, China’s Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Wu Qian addressed a press conference and remarked that the 15th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting had brought out positive and constructive results. Wu explained that the two countries focused on promoting the resolution of the issues of conflict along the Line of Actual Control. He said: “The two sides have agreed to continue keeping security and stability on the frontline in the Western Sector and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues as soon as possible.” (“China-India corps commander level meeting yields positive, constructive results: spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 31 March 2022)
Solomon Islands: Prime Minister opposes creation of Chinese military base
On 1 April, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that the government will not allow China to build a military base in the Pacific Island country. He said: “Government is conscious of the security ramification of hosting a military base, and it will not be careless to allow such initiative to take place under its watch.” The statement was released in the context of regional backlash as the island nation is planning to sign a security pact with China. Officials from both countries have initiated a draft agreement to cooperate on security; however, details of the pact are yet to be released. (Kristy Needham, “Solomon Islands won't allow Chinese military base, says PM's office,” Reuters, 1 April 2022)
G20: Foreign Minister reinstates trust in G20 unity
On 1 April, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Hi met with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi. Indonesia is the current president of the G20 grouping. The two leaders discussed the Russia-Ukraine issue in the presence of Russian and Afghani envoys as well. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the bloc "should focus on coordination of macroeconomic policies and that it should not be politicized." He made these remarks in opposition to a few countries calling for the ousting of Russia from the G20 due to its hostile war on Ukraine. Any such move would require the group's consensus which China openly opposed through this meeting. ("Top Chinese diplomat says nobody can break up the G-20 bloc," The Straits Times, 1 April 2022)
REGIONAL
Indonesia: Foreign Ministers meet in east China to promote ASEAN outlook on Indo-Pacific
On 31 March, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Anhui province of east China. The two leaders agreed on the need of creating a plan to synergize BRI with the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The ASEAN outlook was different from the US Indo-Pacific strategy. Foreign Minister Retno said that the outlook focuses on economic development and mutually beneficial cooperation in the region. The leaders also vowed to complete the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway and increase business cooperation in the fields of vaccines, pharmaceutical ingredients, research and development and bilateral trade. (“China, Indonesia vow to promote ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” CGTN, 1 April 2022)
Taiwan: Legislature approves proposed amendment to lower the voting age to 18
On 1 April, the Strait Times reported that Taiwan would be holding a referendum to lower the voting age to 18 in the country. On 25 March, students and other civic organizations gathered outside the legislature building to express their support for the proposed amendment that aimed to reduce the voting age in Taiwan. The proposal was passed unanimously and awaits the passing of a referendum before the end of this year. The data from the Ministry of the Interior revealed that lowering the age would increase the electorate by 5,00,000 people. (“Taiwan to hold referendum after legislature approves lowering voting age to 18,” The Strait Times, 1 April 2022)