NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : HKDTC Research
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok
INTERNATIONAL
The US: Customs and Border Protection plans to implement ban against Chinese goods from Xinjiang
On 1 June, a US Customs official said that the US authorities were planning to ban imports from the Xinjiang region through a law that will be implemented from 21 June. The US President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) in December 2021 with the aim of preventing Chinese products from the Xinjiang region from infiltrating the US markets. The US seeks to prevent the purchase of goods that have been produced and manufactured in the Xinjiang region where it believe the government is committing a genocide against its Uighur Muslim minority community. The law primarily provides a “rebuttable presumption” that all goods from the region are a product of forced labour and bans them from entering the US market until proved otherwise.
The Customs and Border Protection’s acting executive director for the UFLPA implementation task force Elva Muneton said: “We’re all on a very tight timeframe. The expectation is that we will be ready to implement the Uyghur act on June 21, and that we have the resources. So the question is, are we ready to implement? Yes, we are. It’s important to know that the level of evidence that’s going to be required by the Uyghur act is very high. It’s going to require documentation, clear and convincing evidence, that the supply chain of the product that’s being imported is free from forced labor.” (“U.S. is ready to implement ban on Xinjiang goods on June 21,” The Asahi Shimbun, 02 June 2022)
Australia: Journalist Cheng Lei’s partner expresses concern about health issues
On 2 June, the Strait Times shed light on the interview of Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei’s partner Nick Coyle where he expressed concern regarding Lei’s health and the prison conditions. Lei, a former CGTN journalist, was detained in August 2020 on the charges of sharing state secrets. Coyle claimed that Lei’s consular visits had been suspended due to the COVID-19 restrictions in China and was also subjected to food restrictions. (“Concern for health of Australian journalist Cheng Lei detained in China,” The Strait Times, 02 June 2022)
Vanuatu: China reaches five-point consensus on bilateral and international ties
On 1 June, the Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman and the cabinet members met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and reached a five-point consensus on enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation on international and regional issues. Wang Yi highlighted the 40 years of mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries and encouraged developing ties across various fields. After a long discussion, the two countries agreed on a five-point consensus. The first consensus builds mutual political trust and urges the countries to treat each other with mutual respect and as equals. Second, the countries agreed to uphold win-win cooperation with mutual profits. They also agreed to work collectively on blue economy, new energy and digital economy. Third, China and Vanuatu agreed to enhance their people-to-people exchanges and friendship. Fourth, both sides agreed to deepen their strategic coordination and support the Global Development Initiative. Fifth, China and Vanuatu agreed to support and boost regional cooperation and working together in the Pacific region. (“China, Vanuatu reach 5-point consensus on bilateral ties, int'l cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 01 June 2022)
Brazil: President Xi expressed condolence to President Bolsonaro over casualties caused by floods
On 1 June, President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro for the heavy casualties caused by the floods in the country. Xi expressed his shock and concern for the people of Northeastern Brazil after news of the floods reached China. Xinhua Net reported: “The Chinese president offered his deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families as well as to the people in the disaster-hit areas.” (“Xi sends condolences to Bolsonaro over severe floods in Brazil,” Xinhua Net, 01 June 2022)
REGIONAL
Taiwan: Economy Minister to meet EU officials on expanding trade officials
On 2 June, the Strait Times reported that Taiwanese officials will be conducting a high-level trade talk with the officials from the European Union. The meeting will aim to push the production and trade of semiconductor chips, a commodity that Taiwan exports heavily. The EU proposed the European Chips Act in February 2022 and expressed its intentions to increase its partnership with Taiwan and other like-minded partners. The Economy Minister of Taiwan Wang Mei-hua is speculated to meet with the senior EU officials. (“Taiwan to hold trade talks with EU as Europe focuses on chips,” The Strait Times, 02 June 2022)
Cambodia: China signs MoU on building vaccine filling factory
On 1 June, the Cambodian Health Minister Mam Bunheng and General Manager of Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd. Gao Qiang signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on building a COVID-19 vaccine filling and packing facility in Cambodia. Bunheng explained the MoU and said: “Under the deal, the Cambodia Pharmaceutical Enterprise is given rights to build a COVID-19 vaccine filling and packaging factory and the Cambodian government has contracted to purchase the vaccines from the factory for three years from 2024 to 2026.” He also explained that the factory is being set up to meet with the demand of Cambodians and foreigners living in Cambodia. (“Cambodia, China ink deal to build COVID-19 vaccine filling factory in Cambodia,” Xinhua Net, 01 June 2022)
Vietnam: Metro line built by China records 3 million passengers
On 1 June, the Vietnam News Agency reported that more than 3.1 million passengers had used the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line in Hanoi, which was built by China. The metro was put in use in November 2021. Vietnam’s first metro line has so far attached an average daily footfall of 21,000 to 22,000 passengers on a weekday and 25,000 to 30,000 passengers on weekends. The news agency also reported that there are 54 bus lines that connect to the metro line, assisting in building the city’s transportation services. (“Over 3 mln passengers use China-built metro line in Vietnam,” Xinhua Net, 01 June 2022)
INTERNAL
Environment: China records a fall in carbon emissions for the third consecutive quarter
On 2 June, the Asahi Shimbun reported that China had recorded a notable dip in its carbon emissions over the past three quarters. China’s recent economic data revealed that the carbon emissions had fallen by 1.4 per cent in the January-March period; marking the third consecutive quarter to display a drop in emissions. Analysts observed that the fall in emission began in 2021, accelerated during the winter season and continued to show a mild drop over the months. The dip is considered to be caused by China’s decreased output in cement, steel and power industries and the COVID-19 lockdown in Chinese cities. (“Carbon emissions dip, at least briefly, in China, study says,” The Asahi Shimbun, 02 June 2022)