NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Global Times
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
INTERNATIONAL
NATO: Foreign Ministry remembers the 1999 bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade
On 6 May, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian addressed the daily news briefing and recalled the 1999 NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade that resulted in the killing of three Chinese journalists and injured 20 other Chinese diplomats. Zhao remarked that China would always remember the “barbaric atrocities” and will work towards preventing such tragedies in the future. He said: “NATO claims to be a defensive organization, but it in fact has repeatedly violated international law and wantonly waged wars against sovereign countries, undermining world and regional peace and killing and displacing a large number of innocent civilians.” He further urged the US and NATO to consciously work towards contributing to world peace, stability and development. (“China will never forget NATO's bombing of Chinese embassy: spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 06 May 2022)
Japan: Chinese spokesperson responds to Prime Minister's remarks
On 6 May, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's comments that the scenario in Ukraine could repeat itself in East Asia and stated that Japan should not exaggerate the “China threat” in order to erode regional confidence and cooperation. Zhao accused Japan of inflating regional tensions by using the so-called "China threat" as a reason to beef up its own military capabilities, which he said is detrimental to regional peace and stability. He added that the Taiwan issue is totally a Chinese internal matter that cannot be linked to the situation in Ukraine. Zhao suggested that Japan should immediately cease inciting hostility between major powers and focus on activities that promote East Asian peace and stability. (“Japan slammed for hyping up "China threat",” Xinhua Net, 06 May 2022)
REGIONAL
South Korea: Chinese Vice President to attend President's inauguration ceremony
On 6 May, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan confirmed his attendance at the inauguration ceremony of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol next week, as part of Beijing’s plans to expand its influence in the region. The decision was made after Yoon’s pledge to strengthen South Korea's alliance with the US in the face of growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. The country's last ballistic missile test occurred just days after leader Kim Jong Un vowed to develop the country's nuclear forces "at the fastest possible speed." Wang is attending the ceremony as President Xi Jinping's special representative. The US delegation will be led by Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, who will also attend the ceremony in Seoul. (“China to send vice president to South Korea president's inauguration,” Reuters, 06 May 2022)
Taiwan: Air Force issues a warning to 18 Chinese aircraft
On 6 May, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stated that Taiwan’s air force rushed to warn away 18 Chinese aircraft that had breached its air defence zone, part of a recurring pattern of incursions that has enraged the administration in Taipei. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained about repeated Chinese aircraft missions in the last two years. Taiwan is currently on high alert due to suspicions that China could use Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a pretext to launch a military attack on the island, despite Taipei's administration reporting no signs that Beijing is planning an attack. (“Taiwan jets scramble as China air force enters air defence zone,” The Strait Times, 06 May 2022)
Indonesia: China’s Foreign Minister extends hand in jointly safeguarding East Asian peace and stability
On 6 May, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual discussion with Indonesia’s Coordinator for Cooperation with China and Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and agreed to safeguard the regional peace and stability together. Wang observed that the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Cambodia and China were able to surpass numerous challenges in their bilateral relations and establish close beneficial ties. He said: “Hailing the two countries as true friends and reliable partners, China is willing to work with Indonesia to deepen the new pattern of bilateral relations with "four-wheel drive" on political, economic, cultural and maritime cooperation, so as to better cope with various international challenges, and make greater contributions to world peace and development.” Wang Yi also stressed on maintaining an ASEAN centred regional cooperation to safeguard the peace and stability in East Asia. He further condemned the Indo-Pacific strategy of the US and called it unconducive to the common interests of the East Asian countries. (“China, Indonesia vow to safeguard peace, stability in East Asia,” Xinhua Net, 06 May 2022)
Asian Games: Olympic Council of Asia announces decision to postpone games
On 6 May, the BBC reported that the Asian Games which was scheduled for 10-25 September in Hangzhou was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is yet to decide on the new dates for the games but said: “HAGOC (Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee) has been very well prepared to deliver the Games on time despite global challenges. However, the above decision was taken by all the stakeholders after carefully considering the pandemic situation and the size of the Games.” (“Asian Games in China postponed because of Covid-19,” BBC, 06 May 2022)
INTERNAL
Central Government: Authorities replace foreign PCs with domestic ones
On 6 May, China ordered central government agencies and state-owned businesses to replace foreign personal computers with domestic counterparts within two years, marking one of Beijing's most aggressive measures to date to remove crucial foreign technology from its most sensitive organs. After the week-long May break, employees were requested to trade in their foreign PCs for home-made alternatives that ran on domestically designed operating software. The exercise, which was authorised by central government authorities, is anticipated to gradually replace at least 50 million PCs on a central government level alone. (“China orders government, state firms to dump foreign PCs,” The Strait Times, 06 May 2022)
Global Security Initiative: Vice Foreign Minister promotes the plan at online dialogue with global think tanks
On 6 May, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng delivered a speech at an online dialogue with global think tanks from 20 countries and promoted the Global Security Initiative as a fundamental solution to dealing with the peace deficit. Yucheng stressed on the worsening conditions of the international order with the war in Europe and the COVID-19 pandemic. He placed emphasis on the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping at the Boao Forum for Asia and said: “This major Initiative carries forward the spirit of the UN Charter, offers a fundamental solution to eliminating the peace deficit and contributes Chinese perspectives to meeting international security challenges.” (“Global Security Initiative offers solution to eliminating peace deficit: Chinese vice FM,” Xinhua Net, 07 May 2022)