NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Global Times
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok
INTERNATIONAL
The US: China issues factsheet on challenges in bilateral relations
On 19 June, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a factsheet titled, “Falsehoods in US Perceptions of China.” The factsheet listed 21 points with detailed facts and figures relating to issues in the US-China bilateral relations. The 21 points touched on the claims of democracy, violation of human rights, the Indo-Pacific, and China’s stance on Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. The document was a response to the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech at Asia Society which subtly underlined the US approach to China and the US perception of China as a threat. The ministry said: “With carefully calibrated language, he sought to promote the 'China threat' narrative, interfere in China's internal affairs, and smear China's domestic and foreign policy.” (“US' China policy 'deceptive, hypocritical and dangerous:' Chinese FM issues factsheet on US false perception of China,” Global Times, 20 June 2022)
BRICS: China and Brazil highlight the importance of agriculture cooperation
On 20 June, Xinhua Net reported on the agriculture cooperation shared between the BRICS member countries. The report highlighted the use of the China-Brazil Agriculture Science Industrial Park which has helped increase the agricultural output in Brazil. Brazilian farmers have been farming different varieties of corn provided by Longping High-Tech Brazil, a China-funded company owned by Longping Agriculture Science Co., Ltd. Since 2019, the planting area has expanded to cover almost 3,330 hectares of land. The company’s storage facility in Brazil was created with the objective of integrating the emerging markets, especially of the BRICS countries. The report noted the importance of the BRICS countries as producers and consumers of agricultural products and their role in the global food system. The Director of the China-Brazil Centre for Research and Business Ronnie Lins said: “I highlight agricultural cooperation as one of the essential measures among the various discussion topics at the BRICS meeting. The success of these measures may result in achieving food self-sufficiency and balancing trade between countries.” (“China Focus: China deepens agriculture cooperation with BRICS nations,” Xinhua Net, 20 June 2022)
REGIONAL
Cambodia: China-funded school building inaugurated by Chinese NGO
On 19 June, Xinhua Net reported on the inauguration of a Chinese-funded school building in Dey Thmey Santepheap village of Oddar Meanchey province's Tropang Prasat district. The six-classroom school building is donated by a Chinese-run NGO Cambodia International Charity Organization (CICO) and is aimed at providing better education in the remote village. The Assistant to Cambodian Prime Minister Duong Dara attended the inauguration along with hundreds of teachers, parents, and students. Dara said: “An appropriate school building for children is the aspiration of all parents. The donation has not only helped improve education for rural children but also contributed to promoting bonds of friendship between the peoples of our two countries.” The event also distributed over 500 school bags to the school’s children. (“Chinese-aided school building inaugurated in NW Cambodia's remote area,” Xinhua Net, 19 June 2022)
Japan: Uighur candidate in Parliament’s upper house elections
On 19 June, the Strait Times reported on the Japanese candidate Arfiya Eri, an ethnic Uighur from China’s Xinjiang region. Eri is a multilingual former United Nations official and is currently running for the Japanese Parliament’s upper house with the Liberal Democratic Party. Eri however identifies as a Japanese citizen and believes that her campaign is viewed by many through the prism of her ethnic origins and family history. Eri said: “Instead of my vision and policies as a Japanese politician, people ask me about the Uighur issue because of my ethnic background. I can understand why this happens, but it feels a bit strange.” She is a firm believer in the LDP’s conservation political opinions and stands strongly in favor of Japan’s national security. On her views on Xinjiang, a name which she refuses to use, she said “human rights violations at an unspeakable scale in places like the Uighur region opens the door to worse abuses.” (“Uighur-heritage candidate Eri urges Japan to 'embrace diversity',” The Strait Times, 19 June 2022)
INTERNAL
Hong Kong: Central government approves and appoints new cabinet
On 19 June, China’s central government approved and published the list of new government officials in John Lee’s cabinet who are set to take office from 1 July. The day also marks 25 years since Hong Kong was handed over to China. According to the official release, Finance Secretary Paul Chan will retain his post, while Mr Paul Lam replaces Ms Teresa Cheng as the Justice Secretary and Mr Eric Chan takes his office as the Chief Secretary. John Lee addressed a press briefing and said: “The next five years is a critical time for Hong Kong to move from stability to prosperity. The new government will be results-oriented. We will be proactive in winning the trust of the people... My team and I will rise to the challenges leading Hong Kong.” (“China announces new Hong Kong leader John Lee's Cabinet,” The Strait Times, 19 June 2022)
Hong Kong: Central government highlights housing issues in its targets for John Lee’s cabinet
On 19 June, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office published a list of targets to be achieved by the incoming government in Hong Kong. The targets were officially declared in a statement titled “New Team, New Atmosphere, New Chapter,” after the new Hong Kong Chief John Lee’s cabinet was approved by the government. The targets included five big goals, out of which housing is the top goal for John Lee’s cabinet. The statement stresses on the implementation of “one country, two systems” and calls for the promotion of social development and integration of Hong Kong with mainland China’s development standards. (“China lists Hong Kong housing among big focuses for next leader John Lee,” The Strait Times, 20 June 2022)
ECONOMY
Business: Third Qingdao Multinationals Summit discusses the integration of RCEP and supply chain restoration
On 19 June, the third Qingdao Multinationals Summit hosted over 5,600 industry leaders, company delegates, ambassadors, scholars and government officials in an online and offline summit. The summit was based on the theme “multinationals in China” and focused on global industrial and supply chain reconstruction in the post-pandemic era. It also stressed on the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and promoted the institutional opening up. The summit further encouraged the multinationals’ role in improving economic and social development and the Yellow River Basin ecological protection and high-quality development. (“Leaders of multinationals attend summit in China's Qingdao,” Xinhua Net, 20 June 2022
TECHNOLOGY
Defence: China tests ground-based mid-range anti-ballistic missile
On 19 June, China’s Defence Ministry announced the successful test of a mid-range anti-ballistic missile late in the night. The Ministry issued a statement on the test of the ground-based midcourse anti-missile intercept technology and said: “The test reached its expected goals. This test was defensive and not aimed at any country." The statement provided no other details on the test. A similar test had been conducted in February 2021; the recent test brings the total number of tests to six. The development is seen as a part of China’s initiative to ramp up the country’s research into all kinds of missiles, especially those that can destroy satellites in space and advanced nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. (“China conducts successful anti-ballistic missile test,” The Strait Times, 20 June 2022)