NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : CGTN
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
INTERNATIONAL
Sierra Leone: Foreign Ministers pledge to continue support and assistance to each other
On 20 July, Xinhua Net reported that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi had discussed bilateral relations with Sierra Leone during a phone call with Foreign Minister David John Francis. The Sierra Leonean official expressed the country’s gratitude and appreciated China’s financial and humanitarian assistance, especially in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Francis said: “Sierra Leone highly recognizes China's commitment to prioritizing development and putting people first, and speaks highly of China's leading role in preserving world peace and security.” He further promised the country’s support to China in matters related to its core interests and other major concerns while encouraging greater investments from Chinese businesses in Sierra Leone. Wang Yi, on his part, pledged to continue the support and assistance and said: “China will continue to offer support and assistance according to the developmental needs of Sierra Leone, promoting cooperation in mining, agriculture and infrastructure, carring out more livelihood projects, encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest there, and helping Sierra Leone improve its independent development capabilities and accelerate the industrialization process.” (“Chinese, Sierra Leonean FMs discuss ties over phone,” Xinhua Net, 20 July 2022)
Syria: China urges the US to stop plundering national resources
On 20 July, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed the press conference and commented on the US occupation forces who transferred oil from Syria to Northern Iraq and urged the US to stop plundering Syria’s national resources. Wang commented on the US actions in Syria and said: “The U.S. military still occupies the main grain- and oil-producing areas in Syria, looting and plundering Syrian national resources, worsening the local humanitarian crisis.” He further highlighted the plight of the Syrian population,; 90 per cent of whom are under the poverty line, suffer from food insecurity and depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival. (“China urges U.S. to stop looting Syrian national resources,” Xinhua Net, 20 July 2022)
Mexico: Chinese-made metro train ready to upgrade Metro Line 1
On 20 July, Xinhua Net reported that the first rubber-tired subway train developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co. Ltd will be exported to Mexico city from the Hunan Province. The train will be used to upgrade the Metro Line 1 and has a maximum passenger capacity of 2,252 people. The train has been independently developed by the Chinese manufacturer and has a maximum speed of 80 kilometer per hour. The Metro line 1 is 50 years old and gave the contract to the Chinese enterprise in December 2020. According to the report, the contract involves “investment and financing, new vehicle manufacturing, comprehensive modernization and upgrading of existing vehicle communication signal systems, lines, electromechanical systems, and maintenance, among others.” (“Chinese company makes rubber-tired metro for Mexico City,” Xinhua Net, 20 July 2022)
Germany: Chemical plant receives green signal to construct third-largest plant in China
On 20 July, Xinhua Net reported that the German chemical enterprise BASF SE had approved the construction of the Verbund site in Zhanjiang city. The project is the first completely foreign funded assignment in China’s heavy chemical industry and is advancing as per its schedule. The company stated: “The focus will now be on building the core of the Verbund, which includes a steam cracker and several downstream plants for the production of petrochemicals and intermediates, among others. BASF will invest up to 10 billion euros (about 10.2 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030 to build the new Verbund site.” (“German chemical giant BASF advances mega project in China,” Xinhua Net, 20 July 2022)
INTERNAL
Tianjin: Building collapse leads to gas explosion with 3 missing
On 20 July, three people were reported missing and eleven others injured after a gas leak that followed the collapse of a six-story building in Tianjin, a port city in northern China. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, but it seems to indicate that infrastructure has deteriorated as a result of more than thirty years of rapid economic development. Living standards have significantly increased as a result of this development, which frequently evades environmental and safety laws. There was no evident damage to the nearby units, but photos from the area showed that the building's upper storeys had caved in. (“3 missing in gas explosion in major north China port city,” The Asahi Shimbun, 20 July 2022)
Hong Kong: Eric Yip wins National Poetry Competition of the UK
On 21 July, the Strait Times reported that Eric Yip won the National Poetry Competition of the UK in March at the age of 19, making him the competition's youngest ever winner. Yip was a young man trapped in the pressure-cooker education system of Hong Kong, who turned to poetry as an outlet for his frustrations; having no idea that one day his work would go on to win a prestigious award halfway around the world. His work now explores issues of race, sexism, migration and language. He won the competition against more than 7,000 competitors from 100 different nations, solidifying his place among the group of poets from Hong Kong who have gained popularity in recent years. Although Hong Kong city has been a cradle for Chinese and English literature, anglophonic poetry has been slow to receive the state's encouragement. (“'Private rebellion': Hong Kong's anglophone poets gain recognition abroad,” The Strait Times, 21 July 2022)
China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission: Victims of scandal to be reimbursed by banks
On 21 July, the Strait Times reported that in an effort to appease irate clients who have been refused access to tens of billions of yuan in deposits for months, Chinese officials will reimburse victims of the country's largest bank fraud. The regional offices of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission stated that Customers with deposits up to 100,000 yuan (USD 14,803) from the four rural banks in Henan's central province and one in Anhui will start receiving their money back from July 25. Last week, after hundreds of angry bank customers increased pressure on local governments over the past two months, authorities started to compensate people with savings under 50,000 yuan (USD 7401.70). (“China to repay more victims next week in biggest bank scam,” The Strait Times, 21 July 2022)
TECHNOLOGY
Baidu: Artificial Intelligence company showcases new electric vehicle
On 21 July, the Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence company Baidu showcased its newest electric autonomous vehicle, the Apollo RT6. Baidu's robotaxi fleet will soon include the Apollo RT6 as China advances its goals for autonomous driving. It will cost 250,000 yuan (USD 37,008) per unit and be a fully electric car with a steering wheel that can be removed or added as needed. Co-founder and CEO of Baidu Robin Li said: “This massive cost reduction will enable us to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles across China… We are moving towards a future where taking a robotaxi will be half the cost of taking a taxi today,” at the firm’s global conference. (“Baidu unveils latest autonomous electric vehicle: Apollo RT6,” The Asahi Shimbun, 21 July 2022)