NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua/Veri Sanovri
IN BRIEF
Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
REGIONAL
ASEAN: Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the Secretariat, calls for open regionalism
On 11 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the ASEAN Secretariat and spoke about the country’s achievements in partnership with the regional organization and proposed for jointly upholding regionalism in Southeast Asia. Wang Yi referred to China’s relationship with the ASEAN countries and noted: “We are always good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future.” Wang also observed the positive cooperation with the organization and noted that China and ASEAN were each other’s largest trading partner, surpassing one-fifth of the global trade. He stressed on post pandemic economic recovery and said: “China and ASEAN members have conducted fruitful cooperation in fighting the pandemic and became the first group of countries that successfully brought the pandemic under control, which created necessary conditions for rapid economic recovery and also offered valuable confidence for the rest of the world.”
Wang Yi also met with the ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and expressed China’s priority in foreign policy while dealing with the organization. He also stressed on China being the first strategic partner of ASEAN and the first country to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and initiate a free trade area negotiations. Wang said: “China is willing to work with ASEAN to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, benefiting both Chinese and ASEAN people.” He further urged ASEAN to jointly initiate the idea of open regionalism and safeguard the peace in Southeast Asia. The Foreign Minister then highlighted the China-ASEAN security cooperation and the progress that was made between the two entities.
On the issue of maritime issues in the South China Sea and the question of sovereignty over Taiwan, Wang Yi said that positive progress was being made through the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. On Taiwan, Wang Yi said: “History and past experience prove that when the one-China principle is fully recognized and followed, there will be able to achieve peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait. And when the one-China principle is challenged or even undermined, there will be tension in the Taiwan Strait.”
On the US involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, Wang Yi said that the country should engage positively with the countries in the region. Wang Yi compared the actions of the US with China and said that Beijing had always maintained open relation with all the ASEAN countries while also maintaining regional peace and stability. During the G20 meeting in Bali, Wang Yi addresses the US Secretary of State and said: “The core element of the rules is to support ASEAN's central position and maintain the existing regional cooperation framework; to respect the legitimate rights and interests of China and the United States in Asia-Pacific, and do not take hostility or containing the other party as purpose; to play the role of a responsible major country, promote regional stability and development, and provide more public goods for all countries.”
Lastly, the Foreign Minister shed light on the changing political environment in the Asia-Pacific region and said that the countries in the region would be presented with unprecedented development opportunities. Further he expressed China’s willingness to aid the Asian countries in developing their infrastructure. He made four points about pursuing open regionalism. First, upholding peaceful coexistence. Second, preserving the goal of development and rejuvenation. Third, upholding the principle of independence and fourth, protecting the spirit of openness and inclusiveness.
(“Chinese FM lauds China-ASEAN friendship, renews commitment on open regionalism,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022;
“China, ASEAN provide confidence, dynamics for global recovery: Chinese FM,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022;
“China, U.S. should engage in healthy interactions in Asia-Pacific: Chinese FM,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022;
“China's Wang Yi meets ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi vowing to strengthen ties,” Xinhua Net, 12 July 2022;
“China-ASEAN relations enter "fast lane": Chinese FM,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022;
“China urges to uphold vision of peace, development, independence, inclusiveness,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022;
“Wang Yi: Upholding one-China policy is mainstay for Taiwan's stability,” CGTN, 12 July 2022)
Japan: Foreign Ministry urges country to remember past mistakes as LDP wins two-thirds majority
On 11 July, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called on Japan to revisit its history and draw lessons from its past after the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan achieved a two-thirds majority in the upper house of the Diet. The LDP has been advocating a change in the post-war constitution of Japan and urging the country to give more power to its defence forces. Wang Yi reiterated China’s willingness to cooperate with Japan and promote beneficial relations but urged the country against going back to its Imperialist past. Wang said: “Because of historical reasons, the change of Constitution in Japan is followed closely by the international community, especially Japan's Asian neighbors.” (“China urges Japan to draw lessons from history,” CGTN, 11 July)
Taiwan: Vice-President visit Japan on a private trip; pays respects to Abe
On 11 July, the Vice-President William Lai visited Japan to pay his respects to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The trip marked the first trip in five years by one of the senior Taiwanese officials to Japan. The Taiwanese Presidential Office referred to the visit and said that Lai was on a private trip to Japan as he was a close friend of Abe and his family. The Foreign Ministry refused to comment on Lai’s personal schedule. Lai’s trip is seen as Taiwan's most senior official visiting Japan since it broke relations with the country in 1972. (“Taiwan vice-president makes rare Japan visit to pay respects to Abe: Media,” The Strait Times, 11 July 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
The US: Counsellor of the US Department of State foresees greater cooperation with South Korea as China creates more challenges
On 12 July, the Strait Times, referred to an interview conducted by Reuters and reported that the Counsellor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet perceived the attendance of four–Asia Pacific countries as a change in the US transatlantic security partnership. Derek further expressed the US expectation and hopes for cooperation between South Korea and NATO in times of rising challenges from China. Chollet said: I think one of the most consequential shifts we've seen over the decade is the growing relationship between our transatlantic partners and our partners here in the Indo Pacific.” (“US envoy sees 'consequential shift' in Nato, Asia ties amid China challenges,” The Strait Times, 12 July 2022)
INTERNAL
Rural revitalization: Vice Premier addresses senior officials; urges them to speed up rural development
On 11 July, the Vice Premier Hu Chunhua addressed the opening ceremony of a seminar on promoting rural revitalization for provincial-level officials in the country and delivered a speech. He highlighted the need to accelerate the rural revitalization along all fronts in the country. He encouraged the officials to proceed by the rule of law and agricultural development, improve work methods, strengthen systematic and overall planning and promote rural revitalization in an organised and stable manner. (“Chinese vice premier stresses comprehensive rural revitalization,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022)
TECHNOLOGY
H5N1 virus: Research by scientists claims virus originated in Netherlands
On 11 July, a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science identified the origin, evolution and propagation of the H5N1 virus. The Harbin Veterinary Research Institute published the research in the journal Emerging Microbes and Infections. According to the findings of the research, the virus was discovered in Netherlands in October 2020 as an H5N8 avian influenza-virus. The leader of the research team Chen Hualan said: “The H5N1 virus was responsible for the loss of over 70 million domestic poultry in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America since October 2020.” The team performed a detailed phylogenic analysis of 233 representative H5N1 strains from 28 countries. (“Chinese scientists identify evolution of H5N1 avian influenza virus,” Xinhua Net, 11 July 2022)