NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua/ Xu Qin
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok
INTERNATIONAL
Global Food Security: China proposes eight points to achieve UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
On 7 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and proposed a cooperative initiative on global food security. Wang Yi stressed on the importance of food and energy in the healthy performance of the world economy and in the journey towards achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Wang Yi made eight proposals to achieve the goal.
First, strengthening and supporting the role of the United Nations and its supporting institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Second, removing restrictions on humanitarian purchases made by the WFP. Third, including agricultural products from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Fourth, revealing and expanding the export potential of capable countries, reducing trade barriers and bringing efficiency into producing food. Fifth, emergency measures for food trade should adhere to the rules of the World Trade Organization while ensuring short-term plans, transparent deals, target and appropriate sale. Sixth, restrictions on high-tech exchanges must be reduced and countries must share agricultural innovation and expand cooperation on related technologies. Seventh, reduce food waste and implement the consensus reached at the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste. Eighth, extending a helping hand to developing countries in increasing their production capabilities, storage facilities and assisting in agricultural processes.
Wang Yi also promoted the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund and said: “China is a reliable cooperative partner of the United Nations and developing countries in the field of food security. China supports the WFP in setting up a global humanitarian emergency warehouse and hub in China and has established the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund with the FAO and provided financial support for it. Under the trust fund, China has carried out more than 40 South-South cooperation projects in cooperation with the FAO and the WFP.” (“China proposes cooperation initiative on global food security at G20 meeting,” Xinhua Net, 08 July 2022)
BRICS: Fifth Media Forum issues Action Plan for 2022-23
On 8 July, the Fifth BRICS Media Forum issued the Action Plan for 2022-2023. The plan noted the need for dialogue and cooperation and urged the news agencies in the five countries to create a strong synergy between the member countries. The action plan said: “The world is enduring a new period of turbulence and transformation, and the international community's pursuit of peace and development, fairness and justice, democracy and freedom, and win-win cooperation has become all the more vital.” The plan sheds light on diverse issues such as peace, economic growth, unity against COVID-19, food-security, climate change and digital governance. The plan is expected to conduct joint interviews, special operations, websites and news feeds on trending issues at different locations. (“Fifth BRICS Media Forum issues action plan,” Xinhua Net, 09 July 2022)
Canada: Foreign Ministers discuss normalizing relations at the sidelines of G20
On 8 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and promised to work towards bringing the bilateral relations back on track. During the meeting, Wang Yi reiterated that China never viewed Canada as a rival or a threat but only as a partner. He said: “A sound and stable China-Canada relationship is the common aspiration of the two peoples and serves the common interests of both sides. China hopes that Canada will respect facts and be cautious in words and deeds on China-related issues, and work with China to meet each other halfway to build mutual trust so as to bring China-Canada relations back on track.” He further stressed on the countries’ support for similar ideals and common interests such as advocating for multilateralism, democratizing international relations and safeguarding globalization. (“Chinese, Canadian FMs vow to bring bilateral relations "back on track",” Xinhua Net, 09 July 2022)
France: Foreign Minister Wang Yi discusses bilateral issues and hopes for strong connections with the EU
On 8 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting with the French Foreign Minister Matherine Colonna in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The countries agreed to enhance strategic cooperation and deepen pragmatic collaboration while appreciating the stable development of the bilateral ties under the heads of the states. At the meeting, Wang Yi said: “China cherishes the mutual trust and friendship between the two sides, and highly appreciates and firmly supports France for upholding strategic autonomy.” The Foreign Ministers promised to strengthen cooperation on climate change and biodiversity conservation and also discussed China’s relations with the European Union, the Ukraine war, the Korean Peninsula and other issues of mutual interest. Wang Yi expressed that China expects France to play a constructive role in building and maintaining the country’s relations with the EU. (“China, France agree to enhance strategic collaboration, deepen pragmatic cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 09 July 2022)
REGIONAL
Japan: President Xi expresses deep sadness over Abe’s assassination
On 9 July, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. China’s state broadcaster CCTV said: “On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, and in his own name, Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences over the untimely death of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, and condolences to his relatives.” The state reporters also said that President Xi and his wife also reached out to Abe’s wife Akie, expressing their condolences at his passing away. Xi’s messages however, did not match the sentiment in Chinese citizens who held grudges against the leader for his political leanings, statements over the Senkaku/ Diaoyu Islands dispute and the Yasukuni Shrine. Abe led Japan’s relations with China during rough times and efficiently managed the country’s relations with the US. (“China's Xi sends condolences to Japan PM Kishida over Abe's death,” The Strait Times, 09 July 2022)
Taiwan: Chief of Staff demands the US to stop colluding against China
On 8 July, the Asahi Shimbun reported on a virtual meeting between the Chinese and US military where the former demanded the latter to stop its collaborations with Taiwan. The meeting was attended by the Joint Chiefs of Staffs of the two countries. China’s Chief of Staff Gen. Li Zuocheng addressed the US Chief of Staff Gen Mark Mlley and said: “China demands the US to cease reversing history, cease US-Taiwan military collusion and avoid impacting China-U.S. ties and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Li took a stand against the US interference in its core interests and explained that China has no room for compromise. Li further warned that the country would firmly counterattack any actions from foreign countries and resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty. (“China demands end to U.S.-Taiwan military ‘collusion’,” The Asahi Shimbun, 08 July 2022)
ECONOMY
Inflation: Consumer price index records a two-year high
On 9 July, the Strait Times reported that China’s factory-gate inflation fell to the lowest in 15 months while the consumer inflation rose to a two-year high in June 2022. The producer price index increased by 6.1 per cent year on year while the consumer price index increased 2.5 per cent year on year. The economy showed signs of slow recovery but was once again stagnant due to the heat waves, floods, heavy rains, and scattered lockdowns in the country. The country is also expected to set up a 500 billion yuan state infrastructure fund to revive the economy. (“China's June factory inflation cools, consumer prices accelerate,” The Strait Times, 09 July 2022)