NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua Net
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok
INTERNAL
Tibet: Foreign Ministry condemns visit by US official to Dalai Lama
On 19 May, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian addressed the daily press briefing and urged the US to stop interfering in Tibet-related issues. Zhao further asked the US to honour its commitment of acknowledging Tibet as a part of the Chinese mainland. The statements made by Zhao are in response to the US Under-Secretary and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya’s visit to the Dala Lama in India and the Tibetan communities in Nepal. Zhao opposed the visit and said: “The so-called "Tibetan government-in-exile" is an out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organisation violating China's Constitution and laws. He said it is not recognized by any country in the world.” He further called the 14th Dalai Lama “a political exile disguised as a religious figure” and condemned the anti-China activities of his followers and the organization.(“China urges U.S. not to support "Tibetan independence",” Xinhua Net, 19 May 2022)
International Schools: Foreign teachers and students leave due to restrictions
On 20 May, the Strait Times reported that foreign teachers in China’s international schools are leaving the country and their jobs due to the harsh COVID-19 regulations in the cities. The Association of China and Mongolia International Schools said that it was getting harder to hire replacements. Data revealed by a group of schools in China revealed that 40 per cent of the international teachers were looking to leave their jobs in 2022 while 30 per cent left last year. The report also shed light on the falling enrollment rate amongst students in international schools as foreign families also moved away during the pandemic lockdown. (“China's international schools hit by exodus of teachers due to Covid-19 curbs,” The Strait Times, 20 May 2022)
Tesla: Company plans to initiate a closed-loop system production in Shanghai
On 20 May, the Strait Times reported that the US company Tesla would continue to work in a closed-loop system until mid-June in Shanghai city. As a part of the system, the company would ferry its employees to and from work and test them regularly for infections. For the past few days, thousands of employees at the company have been working 12 hour-long shifts and sleeping in the factory as they restart the paused operations. The closed-loop system would shift the employees to a dormitory and ferry them from there. Tesla may even start a second shift after the auto-parts are supplied on a regular basis to continue the car production throughout the day. (“Tesla wants China staff to stay in 'closed loop' system until mid-June,” The Strait Times, 20 May 2022)
REGIONAL
Timor-Leste: China celebrates 20 years of diplomatic ties
On 20 May, President Xi Jinping and Timor-Leste’s President congratulated each other as they celebrated 20 years of the country’s independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. Xi appreciated Timor-Leste’s development in the last 20 years and said: “Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, the two sides have steadily deepened political mutual trust, made solid progress in practical cooperation and witnessed ever closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges, showing a sound and steady development momentum in bilateral relations.” China’s Premier Li Keqiang and Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak also also exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion. (“Chinese, Timor-Leste's presidents exchange congratulations on 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties," Xinhua Net, 20 May 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
BRICS: Foreign Minister calls for unitedly responding to global challenges
On 19 May, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs virtual meeting and urged the member countries to collectively act against the new global challenges. Wang Yi highlighted the importance of the grouping in the political and economic cooperation and said: “BRICS countries should seek common security together, work for common development, strive to build a firewall for human health, and advocate a global governance philosophy of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.” He also called for further strengthening of strategic communication, coordination and building political mutual trust amongst the countries. (“China calls on BRICS countries to gather consensus in face of global challenges,” Xinhua Net, 20 May 2022)
United Nations: China calls for collective efforts to stabilise the global food market
On 19 May, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun attended the UN Security Council meeting on conflict and food security and implored the international community to collectively stabilise the global food market and ensure the supply of diverse food products. Zhang said: “Firstly, we need to strengthen coordination and stabilize the global food market. To fill the supply gap, the international community needs to work together to seek diversified food supplies, and maintain the smooth operation of agricultural trade internationally.” He further urged the meeting to bring back the agricultural products supplied by Ukraine, Russia and Belarus to the international market and called for removal of restrictions on food production and exports. (“Chinese envoy urges countries to increase coordination, stabilize global food market,” Xinhua Net, 20 May 2022)
Canada: Industry Minister announces decision to ban Huawei and ZTE
On 19 May, the Canadian government announced its decision to disallow the instalment of Huawei’s equipment in the country’s high-speed 5G networks. With the decision to ban Huawei, Canada has joined the rest of the Five Eyes member countries in restricting the Chinese company from participating in the 5G networks. The Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said: “We are announcing our intention to prohibit the inclusion of Huawei and ZTE products and services in Canada’s telecommunications systems.” Network providers who have been using the Chinese technologies will be asked to cease its use and remove it from their operations. The Chinese embassy in Canada responded to the decision and said: “China will comprehensively and seriously evaluate this incident and take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.” (“Canada bans China’s Huawei Technologies from 5G networks,” The Asahi Shimbun, 20 May 2022)
Russia: China plans to purchase crude oil to replenish its reserves
On 20 May, the Strait Times reported that China was planning to buy crude oil from Russia at cheap rates; thereby strengthening its energy ties with the country at a time when the West is sanctioning its economy for the invasion of Ukraine. The report claimed that the talks were held at a government level, without the direct involvement of the private companies. According to analysts, despite the increase in oil prices, the value of Russian crude oil has been falling as buyers refrain from purchasing the commodity from the sanctioned country. China, therefore, views the opportunity and wishes to refill its strategic reserves at a cheaper rate. (“China in talks with Russia to buy oil for strategic reserves,” The Strait Times, 20 May 2022)