NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : CGTN
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
INTERNATIONAL
NATO: China’s Foreign Ministry responds to new ‘strategic concept’
On 30 June, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian opposed and denounced NATO and its latest document on the organization’s “strategic concept.” Paragraph 13 and 14 of the document identified China to be NATO’s strategic priorities in the coming decade. While Russia was defined as the direct threat, China is considered to be a friend of the Kremlin and was also included in the document. Zhao addressed the press conference and said: “NATO's so-called new strategic concept document disregards facts, smears China's foreign policy, makes irresponsible remarks on China's normal military development and national defence policy, incites confrontation and smacks heavily of Cold War mentality and ideological bias.”
Zhao further emphasized that China had never invaded any country, launched proxy wars or been a part of any military blocs. He further accused NATO of being the cause of violence and conflicts around the world. He said: “NATO has the blood of their people on its hands. Chinese people will never forget that 23 years ago when the US-led NATO committed the crime of bombing the Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and now NATO is extending its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region in an attempt to export the Cold War mentality and replicate the bloc confrontation in Asia."
On 30 June, the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) criticised the strategic concept of NATO. The Chinese Mission spokesperson stated that China firmly opposed it and said: "Who's challenging global security and undermining world peace? Are there any wars or conflicts over the years where NATO is not involved?" (“FM denounces NATO as having blood of world's people on its hands after it smears China as ‘systemic challenge’ in new ‘strategic concept’,” Global Times, 01 July 2022; “Chinese Mission to EU slams NATO's strategic concept,” Xinhua Net, 30 June 2022)
The US: Commerce Ministry asks to stop targeting Chinese companies
On 30 June, China’s commerce ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting stated that the United States should promptly rectify its mistakes and cease sanctioning and repressing Chinese businesses. He made the comments in response to recent American actions to impose sanctions on pertinent Chinese enterprises on the grounds of linkages to Russia, Iran, and the military. According to Shu, such measures, which are sometimes characterized as economic coercion, are in fact practises of unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying that are done in the name of "upholding international order." (“China urges U.S. to stop suppression of Chinese firms,” Xinhua Net, 30 June 2022)
Canada and Australia: China’s Defence Ministry justifies military’s actions
On 30 June, the Ministry of National Defence Spokesperson Tan Kefei responded to Australia and Canada’s provocative acts by the military aircrafts of the countries and said that China would respond aggressively to the uninvited passers by. Tan justified China’s actions and said that the country handled the issue in a professional way. He accused the Australian aircrafts of repeatedly approaching Xisha Island’s territorial space and disregarding the warning issued by the Chinese authorities. On the Canadian aircrafts, he said: “The Canadian military aircraft, meanwhile, increased close-in reconnaissance and made provocations to the Chinese side in the name of implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions, undermining China's national security.” (“China responds to 'provocations' of Australian, Canadian military aircraft,” The Strait Times, 01 July 2022)
INTERNAL
National Defence: Defence Ministry clarifies China’s objectives over military equipment development
On 30 June, China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Tan Kefei addressed a media inquiry on the launch of the third aircraft carrier and assured that the country’s military development was not aimed at any country. Tan said: “China's development and upgrading of its military equipment are not targeting any country or specific objective and will not constitute a threat to any country or any region, as they are oriented toward safeguarding the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests.” Tan further explained that the country would work on future aircraft carrier plans on the basis of the national security demands. (“China's development of military equipment not targeting any country: defense spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 01 July 2022)
UNHRC: Seminar on equal access to justice held in Wuhan
On 30 June, a seminar was held on equal access to justice for special groups in Wuhan; as a side event of the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The seminar was attended by over 90 experts and scholars from China and abroad. The attendees focused on equal rights and judicial protection for women, disabled people, the elderly and other vulnerable classes. The dean of the Institute for Human Rights Studies Zhang Wanhong said: “China has adopted a series of positive measures to eliminate discrimination, empower the people, promote inclusive and sustainable development, and promote the substantive equality and all-round development of all members of society, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.” (“Seminar held on equal access to justice for special groups,” Xinhua Net, 01 July 2022)
Meteorological Centre: Three ports in Hainan close as a tropical cyclone looms Chaba
On 1 July, three ports in China's Hainan province were declared closed as a result of the reclassification of Chaba as a strong tropical storm, which is likely to make landfall this weekend. Forecasters predicted that Chaba, which is presently east of Hainan, will move at a speed of 15-20 km per hour while progressively intensifying. The National Meteorological Centre advised that ships and boats should seek refuge in harbours and that the affected areas should take precautions to avoid geological disasters and torrential floods. (“Ports close in China's island province of Hainan as tropical storm Chaba looms,” The Strait Times, 01 July 2022)
Hong Kong: President Xi presides over John Lee’s swearing in as city’s new leader
On 1 July, On Friday, the city of Hong Kong celebrated the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule after having been placed under considerably stricter Communist Party control in recent years. Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the ceremony at which John Lee, the new chief executive, was sworn in. The city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, was upheld by Lee, a former security official who oversaw the crackdown on dissent following 2019 pro-democracy protests. Lee also swore allegiance to Hong Kong and promised to be accountable to the central government in Beijing. (“China’s Xi swears in new Hong Kong leader John Lee,” The Asahi Shimbun, 01 July 2022)