NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
IN BRIEF
Avishka Ashok
INTERNAL
Hong Kong: Carrie Lam announces decision to retire from her political career
On 4 April, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam addressed a press conference and announced that she would not be seeking a second term in the current position. Lam said: “I will complete my five-year term as chief executive on the 30th of June this year, and I will also call an end to my 42 years of public service.” Lam’s successor is speculated to be John Lee, Lam’s current political confidante and right hand. The new Chief Executive is elected by a committee of lawmakers, representatives of various industries and professions and pro-China representatives. The new leader will take charge from May 2022 since the elections were postponed from the earlier date of 27 March due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the city. (“Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says she won't seek second term,” The Asahi Shimbun, 4 April 2022)
COVID-19: Government deploys military and healthcare professions to Shanghai
On 3 April, the People’s Liberation Army dispatched more than 2,000 medical personnel from the armed forces across the country to Shanghai as the COVID cases in the country rose exponentially. The government has employed its military to help with the nucleic acid testing of the 26 million residents of the city. The decision to test all residents of the city is China’s biggest response to the health crisis. Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Beijing also sent over 10,000 healthcare workers to the city. As of 3 April, there were 8,581 asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in the city. (“China sends military, doctors to Shanghai to test 26 million residents for COVID,” The Asahi Shimbun, 4 April 22022)
REGIONAL
Philippines: Foreign Ministers meet in Tunxi and discuss differences and other bilateral issues
On 3 April, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin in Tunxi, China. Wang Yi referred to the good-neighbourly policy and explained that the Philippines would continue to remain as a priority country for China. Wang said: “The two sides should remove disturbances, calmly and properly manage differences and not let them affect the overall situation of China-Philippines relations.” Wang Yi and Locsin also spoke about the differences in the South China Sea and said that maritime issues must be addressed in an appropriate manner in their bilateral relations. Wang Yi also promised to speed up a few major infrastructural projects in the Philippines and continue providing assistance to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. (“Chinese FM holds talks with Philippine counterpart on bilateral ties,” Xinhua Net, 4 April 2022)
Myanmar: China pledges to support the military government regardless of changing situations
On 3 April, the Asahi Shimbun reported on China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s unequivocal support to Myanmar. Wang Yi explained how China had placed Myanmar in high priority in its good-neighbourly policy and pledged to support the military government in the country regardless of the change in geopolitics. He said: “No matter how the situation changes, China will support Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.” (“China to back military-ruled Myanmar regardless of situation,” The Asahi Shimbun, 3 April 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Panama: Foreign Ministers discuss bilateral relations and future of cooperation
On 4 April, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Panama’s Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes in Tunxi, Anhui Province, China and discussed the potential of their bilateral relations. Wang Yi and Mouynes remarked that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2017 had led to tangible benefits. Wang Yi said: “China stands ready to work together with Panama to build the bilateral ties into a fine example of mutual respect between countries of different sizes, of unity and cooperation between developing countries, and of exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations.” He also encouraged the boosting of mutual political trust, rational cooperation, and greater people-to-people exchanges. (“China, Panama hail prospects in relations as FMs meet,” CGTN, 04 April 2022)