NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : baoquocte.vn- Voice of Vietnam
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
REGION
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: China meets with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar on the sideline of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On 3 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and agreed to increase cooperation along diverse fields. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Seventh Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Myanmar. The leaders agreed to speed-up the construction of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the implementation of the cross-border power grid agreement. China and Myanmar will also actively work towards the operation of the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline. Wang Yi emphasized the existence of the country’s traditional relationship with Myanmar and noted that the ties had remained the same despite the political changes internally and externally. He said: “China will continue to adopt friendly policies towards Myanmar and its people and further consolidate the four pillars of mutual political trust, beneficial cooperation, people-to-people bonds, and cultural exchanges.”
On the same day, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn held a meeting and discussed ways to enhance relations and cooperation between China and Cambodia. Wang Yi appreciated the all-around development of cooperation between the two countries and expressed China’s willingness to continue working with Cambodia to solidify the idea of a joint community with a shared future. In the furtherance of this aim, he stressed on implementing the strategic consensus, strengthening communication and deepening cooperation between the countries. Wang said: “China, as a close strategic partner, will continue to stand firmly with Cambodia and support its political stability and economic development.” Wang Yi also promised to support Cambodia’s infrastructure development through the Belt and Road Initiative while also agreeing to cooperate on ending the pandemic in the country.
Wang Yi also met with Lao Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and stressed on building a joint community with a shared future and the progress of the bilateral trade between the two countries. Wang said: “China and Laos should further strengthen strategic communication, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly face challenges, and safeguard international equity and justice, so as to promote further development of the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future.” At the meeting, the leaders pledged to expand their cooperation along the logistics chain, value chain and production chain while using the China-Laos Railway line. The countries also agreed to fighting against the cold-war mentality in the international order and rejecting the interference in internal affairs.
“China to promote practical cooperation with Myanmar, increase direct flights for students to return to China,” Global Times, 04 July 2022
“China, Cambodia to further enhance ties, cooperation in various fields,” Xinhua Net, 04 July 2022
“China, Laos pledge to strengthen strategic communication, mutually beneficial cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 04 July 2022
INTERNATIONAL
Canada: Chinese-Canadian businessman’s trial to be held today
On 04 July, a Chinese-Canadian businessman Xiao Jianhua who was apprehended in a Hong Kong hotel five years ago and lost a significant portion of his commercial empire to the Chinese government will go on trial. The Canadian embassy in Beijing said: "Canadian consular officials are monitoring this case closely, providing consular services to his family and continuing to press for consular access.” It was previously reported that Xiao will face charges from authorities in Shanghai for illegally collecting public deposits, which is commonly done by unregistered organisations or individuals. According to Chinese criminal law, anyone found guilty of the crime face prison terms ranging from three years to more than ten years. (“China to start trial of tycoon taken from Hong Kong hotel,” The Strait Times, 04 July 2022)
Japan: Chinese navy ship spotted in disputed East China Sea
On 04 July, Japan reported a complaint against China regarding a Chinese naval vessel that was sailing close to the disputed islands in the East China Sea as news of a Russian navy ship’s arrival in the vicinity spread. The islets, referred to as the Senkaku by Tokyo and the Diaoyu by Beijing, are the subject of a longstanding dispute between Japan and China. According to NHK, Japanese officials have been protesting the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels in the area of the islands on a regular basis, but this is the first time a naval ship has been sighted there since 2018. (“Japan protests Chinese navy ship sailing near disputed islands,” The Strait Times, 04 July 2022)
INTERNAL
World Peace Forum: 10th forum discusses European security and world order
On 3 July, China hosted the 10th World Peace Forum in Beijing which was conducted in a hybrid mode. Over 300 former senior officials, diplomatic envoys and scholars participated in the forum themed “Preserving International Stability: Commonality, Comprehensiveness and Cooperation.” The forum discussed issues such as preservation of world peace, European security order, and the United Nations and the world order. Fore=mer UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the forum and said: “In this period of uncertainty and change, we need more people to participate in social construction, cooperate with governments and other key stakeholders to meet pressing global challenges and strengthen commonality, synthesis and cooperation.” The forum was initiated by Tsinghua University and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs in 2012. (“10th World Peace Forum opens in Beijing,” Xinhua Net, 03 July 2022)
Shanghai: Personal information of a billion Chinese people stolen by hackers
On 04 July, Chinese industrial analysts claimed that the greatest cybersecurity breach in Chinese history occurred when unidentified hackers broke into a database of the Shanghai police and claimed to have stolen information on as many as a billion Chinese citizens. An anonymous post on a cybercrime forum last week stated that the person or group who claimed responsibility for the attack had offered to sell more than 23 terabytes of data that had been stolen, including names, addresses, birthplaces, national IDs, phone numbers, and details about criminal cases. The unknown hackers demanded 10 bitcoin, which is equivalent to almost 200,000 USD. (“Hackers claim theft of police info in China's largest data leak: Report,” The Strait Times, 04 July 2022)
Hong Kong: Chinese museum in Hong Kong to build loyalty to Beijing
On 04 July, the Palace Museum of China started exhibiting artefacts in Hong Kong as part of a campaign to increase support for Beijing in the former British colony that returned to Chinese authority 25 years ago. The exhibition, which is located in a seven-story building in a recently constructed harborside arts district, makes extensive use of calligraphy and silk paintings that date back more than 1,000 years. After 30 days, the artworks will be safely returned to Beijing for storage, but China's Communist Party leaders want the exhibition's cultural and political effects to last much longer. (“China state museum opens in Hong Kong amid patriotism drive,” The Asahi Shimbun, 04 July 2022)