NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua Net
IN BRIEF
Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
INTERNATIONAL
BRICS: China Ambassador to South Africa highlights benefits of 14th Summit to all of Africa
On 5 July, Xinhua Net reported on an interview by China’s Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong on the outcomes for the country from its cooperation with BRICS. Ambassador Chen said that the 14th summit would greatly benefit South Africa and the African continent. A South African mews and information website reported on the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre that will result in reducing the current vaccine divide, especially in Africa. The continent is also said to benefit from the first-ever food security cooperation reached at the summit. The Ambassador also highlighted the digital economy partnership framework and the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. Ambassador Chen said: “The BRICS countries have made various efforts for global economic recovery and growth, by upholding the multilateral trading system and improving the formulation of international trade rule -- particularly by supporting multilateral trading system and World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, and putting forward an initiative on strengthening cooperation on supply chains, said the ambassador.” The BRICS summit also aimed at creating new vocational education alliance and conduct awards such as the BRICS Solutions for SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Awards and the women innovation contests. (“BRICS summit to benefit South Africa with 8 practical outcomes: Chinese envoy,” Xinhua Net, 05 July 2022)
Global Development: President Xi showcases China’s efforts in reducing the widening North-South gap
On 4 July, China’s President Xi Jinping attended a forum on global development and expressed China’s desire to put development first on the international agenda in his congratulatory note. Xi highlighted the gap between the North and the South and the slow pace of the global economic recovery and said: “ As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, promoting development has become a major topic facing humanity. Therefore, China proposes the Global Development Initiative.” Xi further highlighted China’s readiness to work with other countries and uphold a people-centric approach while pursuing inclusiveness and innovation-driven development. (“Xi calls for putting development front and center on international agenda,” Xinhua Net, 04 July 2022)
The US: Countries participate in China-US comprehensive economic dialogue
On 5 July, China’s Vice Premier Liu He held a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and discussed economic issues between the two countries. Liu He is a member of the Polit Bureau and the Chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue. The two sides discussed the macroeconomic situation and the stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Liu He brought up China’s concerns regarding the sanctions by the US and the unfair treatment of Chinese businesses in the US. China and the US have promised to maintain communication on the issues. (“Chinese, U.S. senior officials hold video talks over economic issues,” Xinhua Net, 05 July 2022)
Canada: China refuses to allow diplomats from attending trial
On 05 July, the Canadian government stated that Chinese officials have refused to allow Canadian diplomats from attending the trial of a Chinese-born Canadian tycoon who disappeared from Hong Kong five years ago. The Chinese government is thought to have transported Xiao Jianhua to the mainland after he was last seen in a hotel in Hong Kong in January 2017. His whereabouts and criminal charges have never been made public by the government. The Canadian government earlier claimed that Xiao will be tried on Monday, but it made no mention of whether or where the trial really took place. (“Canada says China bars diplomats from Canadian tycoon trial,” The Asahi Shimbun, 05 July 2022)
Wimbledon: Examining done on protestors wearing Peng Shuai T-shirts
On 05 July, The Asahi Shimbun reported that four protesters who were wearing “Where is Peng Shuai?” T-shirts were stopped and had their baggage examined by security at Wimbledon. Peng, a former professional tennis player from China, accused a former high-ranking Communist Party official of sexual abuse last year. She hasn't made any public appearances since then. At this year's Australian Open in Melbourne, someone sporting a T-shirt supporting Peng experienced a similar incident. The event then changed its mind and let fans wear the apparel as long as they didn't gather in big groups or bother other spectators after asking a fan to leave the ground. (“Activists with Peng Shuai T-shirts searched at Wimbledon,” The Asahi Shimbun, 05 July 2022)
The US: Envoy criticises China for supporting “Russian propaganda”
On 05 July, US ambassador to China Nicholas Burn condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and said that China should not support Russian “propaganda,” in the World Peace Forum organised by Tsinghua University. Burns stated that Russian aggression against Ukraine is “the greatest threat to the global world order," and added that he hoped China’s representatives for the foreign ministry would stop repeating “Russian propaganda” that NATO was to blame for the conflict. He said: "I hope foreign ministry spokespersons would also stop telling lies about American bioweapons labs, which do not exist in Ukraine." (“Western envoys grab rare chance in China to berate Russia over Ukraine war,” The Asahi Shimbun, 05 July 2022)
NASA: Administrator called out for lying by Chinese officials
On 05 July, the Strait Times reported that after Chinese officials attacked NASA's director and urged neighbouring countries to support Beijing's ambition to reach the moon, the rivalry between the US and China to explore space became bitter. In reaction to reported remarks in a German tabloid regarding the rivalry between the two countries in space, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian called out NASA Administrator Bill Nelson for lying “through his teeth." According to Nelson, the world should be concerned that China would claim the moon and prevent other nations from exploring there. He asserted that Beijing was learning how to damage satellites deployed by other countries and accused China of stealing technology from other countries. (“China slams Nasa chief Nelson as race to the moon gets heated,” The Strait Times, 05 July 2022)
REGIONAL
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: China’s Foreign Minister announces six meanures for future cooperation
On 4 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting and announced six measures to be undertaken in the next phase of the cooperation. The measures include an action plan LMC agricultural programs which plan to supply 100 agricultural technology promotion projects and train 1,000 agricultural bellwethers and develop 10,000 hectares of demonstration farmland. The second plan encouraged information sharing and accelerating the development of photovoltaic water pump irrigation and maintaining the safety checks for 20 reservoirs and dams. The third plan talks of a digital economy between the countries and the setting up of cloud computing innovation centres, promotion of digital TV research and development demonstration and develop modern information technology systems. According to the fourth plan, China welcomed the five Mekong countries to cooperate on the International Lunar Research Station and jointly develop the earth observation satellites. China also plans to provide 2,000 academic scholarships and 2,000 training opportunities for the Mekong countries. Lastly, China pledged to cooperate on public health by providing COVID-19 vaccines while continuing the joint drug research and development. (“Chinese FM announces 6 measures to benefit Mekong countries,” Xinhua Net, 04 July 2022)