NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : CGTN
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
INTERNAL
South China Sea: China commemorates the 20th anniversary of signing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties
On 25 July, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the opening ceremony of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and said that peace and stability are crucial in the region. The Declaration of Conduct establishes the basic principles and common norms and is the first political document signed by China and ASEAN on the South China Sea issue. Wang Yi said: “All sides should firmly support all efforts that are conducive to peaceful settlement and management of disputes, oppose any words and deeds that create tension and provoke confrontation in the region.” He further called for improving bilateral and multilateral maritime-related dialogue mechanisms. (“Chinese FM stresses peace, stability in South China Sea for regional development,” Xinhua Net, 25 July 2022)
Hong Kong: Students required to take up course on Beijing’s national security law to graduate
On 26 July, the Strait Times reported that the most esteemed university in Hong Kong is requiring students to attend a course on Beijing's national security law in order to graduate. A spokeswoman of the University of Hong Kong stated that beginning with the following academic year, students must complete the online course named "Introduction to the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the National Security Law" in order to graduate from the university. The new course is uncredited but represents an effort to explain the contentious rule and the penalties for breaking it to a group that was in the centre of the street protests that led to the legislation in 2019. (“Hong Kong students must learn China security law to graduate,” The Strait Times, 26 July 2022)
ECONOMY
Hong Kong: Slow economic recovery to result in lowering annual growth prediction for the second time
On 26 July, Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated that the slow recovery of the economy from the COVID-19 outbreak may force the city to lower its annual growth prediction in August for the second time in three months. Paul added that as a result of Hong Kong’s economy in the second quarter not being as robust as anticipated, there was a potential the projection will be further reduced soon. He claimed that the COVID-19 crisis had taken longer than expected to alleviate. In May, the Hong Kong government cut down the real GDP prediction for 2022 from an earlier 2 to 3.5 percent to 1 to 2 percent. (“Hong Kong says it may have to downgrade annual growth forecast: Report,” The Strait Times, 26 July 2022)
REGIONAL
Laos: China launches Peace-Train 2022 initiative
On 26 July, the “Peace Train-2022” joint humanitarian medical rescue exercises and medical services activities was launched in Phonhong in Laos. The event marks the first time where in the People’s Liberation Army of China has operated abroad and collaborated with a foreign hospital in taking measures against the spread of the pandemic. The joint exercises aim to increase the stability of medical departments in the Chinese and Lao militaries in assisting the quick recovery and rehabilitation of the wounded and sick. The Lao Deputy Defence Minister Vongkham Phommakone also noted that the most recent event is the fourth time a medical team has visited Laos for the Peace-Train initiative. (“Chinese, Lao militaries launch "Peace Train-2022" joint medical drill,” Xinhua Net, 26 July 2022)
Taiwan: President boards naval warship to oversee drills
On 26 July, Taiwan President Tsai Ing praised the country’s military’s commitment to defending the island when she went onboard a naval vessel to oversee its biggest annual naval and aviation drills. In hopes of improving battle readiness in the face of increasing military pressure from China, the training exercises, which simulate the repelling of an invading army, take place concurrently with air-raid drills around the island. Beijing's escalating aggressiveness toward the island it claims as its own, along with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has reignited discussion about how to strengthen defence and pushed officials to intensify measures in the case of a Chinese attack. (“Taiwan president oversees drills on warship, lauds determination for defence,” The Strait Times, 26 July 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Libya: China appreciates Libyan parties’ efforts to ensure normal oil production
On 25 July, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative Dai Bing addressed the Security Council briefing on Libya and appreciated the efforts of Libyan parties to ensure normal production of oil in the country. Bing said: “China welcomes that the Libyan parties are working to remove political interference, negotiate and resolve differences in the management of the oil sector and revenue distribution, and ensure the normal order of oil production in Libya.” He further stressed on the importance of frozen assets for national reconstruction and observed that the political situation in the country was gradually showing the negative impacts and the challenges caused by the political transition. (“China welcomes Libyan parties' efforts to ensure normal oil production,” Xinhua Net, 26 July 2022)
Sri Lanka: Ambassador calls out to China for financial support
On 25 July, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to China Palitha Kohona stated that Sri Lanka seeks an emergency package of USD 4 billion from China to help it recover from an economic collapse and has also requested assistance in trade, investment, and tourism to help it expand sustainably. After exhausting its foreign reserves, the country is going through its biggest economic turmoil since gaining independence in 1948. The Rajapaksa ruling family was overthrown by protesters outraged about the shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. The fact that China, along with Japan, is one of Sri Lanka's two biggest foreign creditors explains Kohona's emphasis on Beijing as a factor in the island nation's economic recovery. (“Sri Lanka asks China for help with trade, investment and tourism,” The Strait Times, 25 July 2022)
Africa: President Xi sends congratulatory note at Peace and Security Forum
On 25 July, China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe attended the ministerial meeting of the second China-Africa Peace and Security Forum and called for enhancing the peace cooperation between China and the countries in the continent. The Defence Minister read out President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory note for the forum which was held online. Wei said: “Attaching great importance to China-Africa peace and security cooperation, President Xi has put forward the initiative of building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, pointing the way forward for China and Africa to strengthen solidarity and coordination and achieve common security.” Wei further called for stronger strategic communication, maintaining equipments and technological cooperation, deepening joint maritime exercises and expanding exchanges in professional fields. (“Chinese defense minister urges enhanced China-Africa peace, security cooperation,” Xinhua Net, 26 July 2022)