Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move does not mean Beijing officially recognises the Taliban government
Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 30 formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Ambassador, becoming the first head of state to do so, a media report said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move does not mean Beijing officially recognises the Taliban government, RFE/RL reported.
“Diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will come naturally as the concerns of various parties are effectively addressed,” he said, the report said.
The Taliban, however, celebrated the move as a major diplomatic victory.
“China understands what the rest of the world needs to understand,” chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, urging other countries to expand bilateral relations with his government, RFE/RL reported.
China’s move is a boost to the Taliban-led government, which has not been recognised by any country since the extremist group seized power in 2021.
(Credit X@QaharBalkhi)
Beijing’s expanding diplomatic ties with the Taliban government could prompt other countries in the region, including Iran and Russia, to follow suit, RFE/RL reported.
Ibraheem Bahiss, an Afghanistan expert at the International Crisis Group, said Beijing’s decision suggested that the Taliban is making headway in its strategy to gain official recognition from regional countries.
Countries in the region are growing “more and more skeptical about the Western consensus that the Taliban should stay confined to pariah status on the world stage”, he wrote, RFE/RL reported.
Experts noted that despite being considered a world power and having a naval base in Djibouti (near the area of the incident), did not respond to the distress call from merchant vessel Marlin Luanda and it was the Indian Navy that demonstrated swift action.
The Chinese navy has started escorting Chinese cargo ships through the Red Sea, according to a shipping company and Chinese state media reports, Voice of America (VOA) reported.
The development comes at a time when various cargo shipping companies have decided to avoid the globally important trade passage citing attacks from Houthi rebels.
Since November, Iran-backed Houthis have launched scores of drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, acts that they say are in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in the war with Israel.
Significantly, weighing in on recent attacks on merchant ships by armed Houthi rebels and suspected pirates on the Red Sea and western Arabian Sea, experts and distinguished voices from across the world, while commending the prompt response by the Indian Navy to distressed vessels, called out China over the lack of similar rescue missions.
Hailing the rescue of crew from distressed merchant vessel Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, the experts noted that despite being considered a world power and having a naval base in Djibouti (near the area of the incident), did not respond to the distress call and it was the Indian Navy that demonstrated swift action.
“India takes over. Superpower rising…Stop drooling over China,” Europe-based historian and researcher, Martin Sauerbrey posted on X.
British journalist Mark Urban also called it ‘fascinating’ that India, and not China, has risen to the crisis in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.”
Among the emerging great powers fascinating to see how India has risen to the crisis in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea…China not so much,” Urban posted on X.
A US-led coalition has responded to the attacks with missile strikes on Houthi positions, backed by a collective force from Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain. But they have so far not stopped ships from being targeted, as per VOA.
At a time when most shipping companies have re-routed to go around Africa, doubling costs and shipping times, Sea Legend Shipping, a Qingdao-based company registered in Singapore, is actively promoting its cargo business through the Red Sea.
The company said since January, the Chinese navy has provided security escorts for its five cargo ships in the Red Sea, making it one of the few still operating in the region, according to Chinese media.
In an emailed response to a request for confirmation and comment on the scope of protection being provided, Yuan Mu, a spokesperson for China’s Embassy in Washington, referred VOA to departments directly responsible, according to VOA.
The spokesperson in an emailed response said, “On the whole, China stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard the safety of international shipping lanes.”
Although the Houthis have said that ships from some countries, including China and Russia, can safely pass through the Red Sea, a British oil tanker carrying Russian oil was hit by a Houthi missile and caught fire last week.
Shipping news site oilprice.com reports that even tankers carrying Russian fuel are now avoiding the Red Sea.
About 40 per cent of trade between Europe and Asia goes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and about 12 per cent of the globe’s sea trade in oil. (ANI)
Amidst China’s economic downturn, major brands are feeling the squeeze. For instance, Adidas recently shuttered its flagship store in Shenzhen’s Futian district, spanning three floors and over 3,200 square meters. This mirrors the broader economic challenges across China, as businesses and stores shut down nationwide
The economic downturn has severely impacted Shenzhen, often referred to as China’s Silicon Valley. Numerous businesses in the city have shuttered, leaving empty streets and unemployed workers. For instance, the Fang Industrial Park, once bustling with face-to-face stores, now stands deserted due to a lack of customers. Similarly, stores near the passenger Transportation Center at Shenzhen station have closed before the traditional New Year. Even established companies like the Electronics Factory of Elco Electronics have succumbed to the crisis.
This factory, founded 36 years ago and employing thousands, has gone bankrupt, along with 49 other companies owned by a woman who was once worth over 100 million Yuan (approximately 15 million USD). The harsh reality faced by Shenzhen residents contrasts with the city’s global reputation.
Amidst China’s economic downturn, major brands are feeling the squeeze. For instance, Adidas recently shuttered its flagship store in Shenzhen’s Futian district, spanning three floors and over 3,200 square meters. This mirrors the broader economic challenges across China, as businesses and stores shut down nationwide. Workers bear the brunt, grappling with unemployment and financial strain. In Shenzhen’s streets, job seekers compete fiercely for manual labor positions.
Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in Beijing, July 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng/IANS)
Meanwhile, in Wuhan, cold and destitute migrant workers huddle together in a parking garage at Wu Chong station, unable to afford the journey home. The numbers are staggering: 460,000 businesses and 320,000 stores have vanished, surpassing the pandemic’s impact from 2020 to 2022. Even successful business owners now face bankruptcy, and over 780 million people are in debt. Wall Street banks predict China’s economic growth will slow from 5.3% in 2023 to 4.6% in 2024. The economic slowdown in China results from a confluence of internal and external factors. As the world’s second-largest economy, China grapples with several domestic challenges:
COVID-19 Pandemic: The ongoing pandemic disrupted production, trade, and consumer behavior.
Unstable Governance Policy: The Communist Party of China (CPC) faces governance uncertainties, impacting economic stability.
Consumer Confidence: A lack of confidence among consumers affects spending and investment.
Real Estate Crisis: Property market fluctuations contribute to economic uncertainty.
Ageing Population: Demographic shifts strain social services and labor markets. Externally, China’s reliance on exports and imports faces challenges due to severed supply chains with Japan, South Korea, and Western countries. Notably, the Ding Ye Fang Scandal shook the Chinese financial market. Ding Yi Feng International Asset Management Group, listed in Hong Kong, intends to list its Shenzhen subsidiary on a foreign digital exchange while halting asset trading. With debts exceeding 1,030 billion yuan (about 18.2 billion USD), founder Sui Guangyi’s alleged embezzlement of 3 billion yuan ($420 million) jeopardizes investors. This crisis exemplifies China’s economic woes and reverberates globally.
Amidst the economic downturn, a significant group of investors confronted Ding Ye Feng’s office building in Shenzhen multiple times this week. Their demand: answers regarding the repayment of their financial products. The revelation was shocking: Mashao Q, one of the founders, had been arrested for transferring funds overseas. Meanwhile, the person in charge remained under border control, unable to leave the country. The company’s predicament was dire: debt exceeding 130 billion yuan (about 18.2 billion USD), impacting up to 500,000 investors. Xie Tian, a professor at the Icons School of Business in the University of South Carolina, asserted that the company’s intent was asset seizure, not legitimate financial investment, predicting its inevitable collapse. As China grapples with economic woes and a worsening epidemic, similar cases may emerge. Experts caution that this crisis could trigger a domino effect, exacerbating China’s economic decline and potentially leading to social unrest. Investors, unable to recover their funds, harbor resentment toward the CCP and local governments, heightening the risk of unrest.
On January 22nd, the Chinese stock market experienced a significant crash, impacting all sectors. It marked the worst day for Chinese shares since April 25th, 2022, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key indices reflected the turmoil. Shanghai Composite Index: Fell below the critical 2800-point level, reaching a new four-year low.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index: Plunged by 2.3%, dropping below 15,000 points for the first time since 2009.Shenzhen Component Index: Representing smaller, innovative firms, it dropped by 4.06%, hitting a low of 8,430 points. Investors across sectors faced losses as fears of a slowing economy and regulatory tightening led to widespread stock dumping. The media and entertainment sector suffered the most, losing over 6% of its value. Other sectors, including steel, chemicals, petroleum, basic metals, real estate, and cement, also saw significant declines. Financial stocks, typically stable, dropped by more than 1%. Analysts attribute the crash to a combination of factors, including the pandemic’s impact, Evergrande’s debt crisis, insufficient government stimulus, and increased scrutiny of tech and education sectors.
Investors across sectors faced losses as fears of a slowing economy and regulatory tightening led to widespread stock dumping. The media and entertainment sector suffered the most, losing over 6% of its value. Other sectors, including steel, chemicals, petroleum, basic metals, real estate, and cement, also saw significant declines. Financial stocks, typically stable, dropped by more than 1%. Analysts attribute the crash to a combination of factors, including the pandemic’s impact, Evergrande’s debt crisis, insufficient government stimulus, and increased scrutiny of tech and education sectors.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are often hailed as greener and safer alternatives to traditional cars. However, some EVs have proven dangerous, even deadly. Concerns arise from incidents where Chinese electric vehicles exploded while charging or driving, as documented in social media videos and local news. Recently, a red EV exploded at a charging station in southern China, resembling the popular Bake X360 model. Despite firefighters’ efforts, the car detonated violently, sending debris in all directions, even piercing a nearby toll booth’s roof. Experts recommend using water to extinguish EV fires, as it’s more effective than foam or dry chemicals. To prevent such incidents, cautious selection of EVs, especially those made in China, is crucial. Researching safety standards can safeguard both property and lives.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced on Tuesday that it was cancelling an “offset” of its north-south M503 flight path agreed to with Taiwan in 2015….reports Asian Lite News
The United States Department of State expressed concerns Thursday over changes to China’s M503 flight path, saying the US was opposed to any unilateral changes to the cross-strait status quo by either side, Central News Agency (CNA) Taiwan reported.
The State Department spokesperson said the U.S. urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in “meaningful dialogue” with Taiwan.
“Issues related to civil aviation and safety in the Taiwan Strait should be decided through dialogue between both sides,” the spokesperson said.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced on Tuesday that it was cancelling an “offset” of its north-south M503 flight path agreed to with Taiwan in 2015.
As a result, the flight path, used mostly by Chinese airlines but also some foreign airlines on flights between China and Southeast Asia, will revert to its original status, coming as close as 4.2 nautical miles to the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
Central News Agency (CNA) Taiwan reported that eastbound flights on the W122 and W123 paths connecting the M503 flight path to the cities of Fuzhou and Xiamen, respectively, will be launched, the CAAC announced.
It said the adjustments were made to ease air traffic caused by an increase of flights between key locations, ensure flight safety, and prevent delays.
Taiwanese experts raised concerns over such moves, however.
Many argued that China’s unilateral changes to flight paths close to the median line were meant to further encroach on the tacit boundary in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China and put more pressure on Taiwan as it monitors the airspace in its vicinity.
Officially, Taiwan has urged China to engage in talks to discuss the moves, but China called the changes “routine” and said “there was no need to discuss them with the Taiwanese side.”
It also rejected the existence of the median line, claiming that the “mainland and Taiwan are both part of one China.”
In a statement on January 31 the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Taiwan said “China’s unilateral adjustment of M503, W122 & W123 flight routes over the Taiwan Strait without mandated ICAO consultation gravely jeopardizes regional aviation safety & cross-strait stability. Taiwan strongly condemns this irresponsible act and demands immediate negotiations.”
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers also reacted to China’s controversial flight path adjustments, Central News Agency Taiwan reported.
Ben Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Wednesday in a statement that “the PRC’s unilateral decision to adjust a disputed flight path in the Taiwan Strait is dangerous and provocative, representing yet another concerning example of Beijing’s unrelenting efforts to coerce Taipei.”
He further said “It is no coincidence that this action is being taken within weeks of a free and fair election in Taiwan, the result of which Beijing had made abundantly clear was not its preferred outcome.”
Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that “between military fly-bys and now civilian flights close to the median line, the CCP continues to threaten Taiwan and unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.”
“We must stand with Taiwan against this aggression,” he said. (ANI)
Analysts say China’s statements on and diplomatic visits to the Middle East show it is challenging US influence in the region, in line with Beijing’s geopolitical and economic interests….writes Satarupa Bhattacharjya
The International Court of Justice has asked Israel to take measures to prevent any acts that would constitute a genocide in Gaza. China supported the UN court’s interim and non-binding ruling in the case brought by South Africa. Israel has rejected the latter’s allegations.
Since the war started with Hamas attacks on Israel over three months ago, at least 1,200 Israelis and more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed; more than 130 hostages remain in Gaza; and most Gazans are internally displaced.
Analysts say China’s statements on and diplomatic visits to the Middle East show it is challenging US influence in the region, in line with Beijing’s geopolitical and economic interests.
“China has taken a pro-Palestine, anti-Israel stance,” Galia Lavi, an Israeli expert on China at the Institute for National Strategic Studies in Tel Aviv, said.
China reiterated support for the two-state solution and called for a cease-fire and the freeing of hostages, without mentioning Hamas, in its “position paper” on the war, late last year.
“China has misunderstood the Arab world and the conflict. Arab countries have condemned Hamas either by taking its name or condemning its actions,” Lavi said.
China’s 2016 “Arab policy paper” says the country supports the establishment of an independent state of Palestine with full sovereignty, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“China has always supported the Palestinian cause,” the Palestinian Ambassador to Denmark Manuel Hassassian said, adding that with China emerging as a superpower, its stakes in geopolitics will naturally rise.
China, along with Russia, is seen as taking on Israel’s biggest ally, the US, at the UN Security Council, which failed to pass some war-related resolutions because of vetoes by the three.
The 2023 Chinese statement asks the UNSC to demand a cease-fire, oppose the “forced transfer” and displacement of Palestinians, release of the hostages, prepare the international community to support the post-war reconstruction of Gaza, build diplomatic mediation and “support the good offices of the UN secretary-general”.
“China is talking a lot about the war but the humanitarian aid it is giving Gaza is $4 million. In comparison, Japan has pledged $65 million and the US $100 million,” Lavi said.
Brokering role
China enjoys goodwill in the Middle East, especially since it got Iran and Saudi Arabia to talk, Hemant Adlakha, associate professor, Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, said.
Last year, China brokered the Iran-Saudi peace deal in Marchand hosted the first trilateral meeting in Beijing in December.
“China has utilised the ‘anti-US, anti-Israel’ sentiment to present itself as the spokesperson for the Palestinian cause in the global south,” Adlakha said at a recent seminar of the Institute of Chinese Studies, a Delhi-based think-tank.
“The war has provided China an opportunity to end its isolation of the Covid years,” he said.
China had imposed travel and visa restrictions while implementing its “zero-Covid” policy over 2020-23.
The Chinese envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun visited the region soon after the Israel-Hamas war had started. China’s Foreign Ministry then said the 22-member Arab league was ready to “maintain close communication with China to make concerted efforts to end the conflict”.
Lavi saw the visit differently: The envoy went “to tell the China story and make sure they (the countries) know China is their friend and the US is the enemy”.
“China’s main goals are to counter US influence in the Middle East and safeguard China’s economic interests.”
China has not done enough to convince Iran, which is its ally, to get the Houthi militia to back off from their attacks on Red Sea ships, she said, adding that the war is diverting US attention from the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Three US soldiers in Jordon were killed in a drone strike, which the US says was by another Iran-backed group, this week.
China issued a statement along with the Secretariat General of the Arab League in Cairo during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Egypt in January, expressing concern over the Red Sea situation.
China and Russia were among four countries that abstained from a UN vote condemning the Houthi attacks.
While China “will not pass up the opportunity to use the current and future crises to discredit the US while amplifying its alignment with its non-Western friends, it is likely to remain a nominal power broker in the Middle East by choice for the foreseeable future”, according to a commentary published by the Washington-based think-tank Brookings in January.
Strained relations with Israel
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing in June. Xinhua news agency said Abbas was the first Arab head of state to be hosted by China in 2023.
“The bilateral relationship has been fruitful,” Hassassian said of China’s ties with the Palestinian Authority, the government in the West Bank.
China has a “vibrant office” in Ramallah, he said, referring to the diplomatic mission and added that economic and trade relations include infrastructure and imports.
“China has emerged as a balancing power in the region – an alternative to the US,” Hassassian said, “China will play an important role in the reconstruction” of the devastated enclave after the war.
China-Israel relations have strained in the recent years.
China bought technology from Israel, and invested in Israel’s Haifa port, among major projects. In addition, Israel was perhaps a “middle country” for backchannel talks between China and the US or China and the European Union.
“Israel-China relations peaked in 2019, then started to decline,” said Galia, adding that Israel’s US alliance was a factor. Chinese investment in Israel fell between 2020 and 2022.
Israel recently criticised China at the UN Human Rights Council for its treatment of minority Muslims in Xinjiang, where according to activities, mass detentions happened. China has denied allegations of rights abuse, saying its policies in the region were to fight terrorism.
China said earlier that Israel’s actions in Gaza had “gone beyond self-defence”.
The China-Arab Cooperation forum was set up in 2004. China replaced the EU as the Arab world’s largest trading partner in 2020, and two years later, the first China-Arab summit was held in Riyadh. China has also donated communications equipment to Syria to restore its telecom infrastructure. Much of China’s oil imports is from the Middle East.
“While the Indo-Pacific has become a focal point of US overseas strategy and diplomacy in recent years, China has emerged as a significant player in the Middle East, reshaping regional security dynamics through increased involvement,” according to an essay in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs in June.
“China’s interests in the region extend beyond traditional energy sources and encompass economic, geopolitical and strategic considerations.”
Wray said that the Chinese government-backed hackers are strategically positioning themselves within American infrastructure…reports Asian Lite News
FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a stark warning on Wednesday (local time) about the looming threat posed by Chinese hackers to the critical infrastructure of the United States, CNN reported.
“China’s hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities if or when China decides the time has come to strike,” Wray told the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Wray said that the Chinese government-backed hackers are strategically positioning themselves within American infrastructure, focusing on targets such as water treatment plants, electrical grids, and oil and natural gas pipelines.
He asserted that these cyber actors are actively working to identify and prepare for potential attacks on civilian critical infrastructure, emphasising the tangible threat cyber intrusions pose to the physical safety and prosperity of the nation.
The Chinese hackers are working “to find and prepare to destroy or degrade the civilian critical infrastructure that keeps us safe and prosperous,” Wray said, adding, “And let’s be clear: cyber threats to our critical infrastructure represent real-world threats to our physical safety.”
The Chinese government has previously denied allegations of hacking efforts, as reported by CNN.
While acknowledging China’s denial of hacking allegations, Wray pointed out that the cybersecurity vulnerabilities in US technology have made it easier for Chinese hackers to exploit basic flaws.
Jen Easterly, head of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, supported this view, noting that decades of prioritising features and speed to market over security have left critical infrastructure inherently insecure.
The hearing took place amid ongoing efforts by US and Chinese officials to ease tensions between the two superpowers.
Recent diplomatic exchanges, including assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Joe Biden regarding non-interference in the 2024 US election, have attempted to improve relations. However, Wray remained sceptical of such promises, stating, “China’s promised a lot of things over the years, so I’ll guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”
The focus of the hearing extended beyond the immediate concern of the US elections to the broader issue of Chinese hackers infiltrating key US infrastructure. Wray emphasised that China’s cyber operatives had exploited fundamental flaws in US technology, and the ease of their intrusion had raised serious security concerns.
Recent actions by the US Justice Department and FBI revealed attempts to counter the persistent threat of Chinese hacking. Federal law enforcement utilised court orders to remove malicious code from hundreds of devices central to the Chinese hacking campaign targeting sensitive US critical infrastructure. However, despite these efforts, Chinese hackers are believed to be deeply embedded in US infrastructure, presenting an ongoing challenge.
Wray highlighted the sheer scale of the challenge, noting that China’s cyber operatives outnumber FBI agents by at least 50 to 1. Gen Paul Nakasone, head of the National Security Agency, emphasised the need for continuous vigilance, characterising the threat as persistent and not episodic.
In concluding his testimony, Wray broadened the scope of China’s efforts, warning that their actions extend beyond technology. He cautioned that China targets American freedoms, reaching inside US borders to silence, coerce, and threaten citizens and residents across the nation, CNN reported. (ANI)
Zhiqiang, from a Chinese NGO, arrived in Jajarkot for relief distribution, but local Maoist leaders, including KC, rejected the materials, citing them as substandard and unauthorized…reports Asian Lite News
The government of Nepal recently deported a Chinese lady who was running an NGO inside Nepal and staying illegally in the country.
Zou Zhiqiang, who was heading an NGO named ‘China Foundation for Rural Development’, triggered a controversy after a Maoist leader, Gorakh Bahadur KC, allegedly beat her up during relief distribution at Jajarkot in Western Nepal.
Zhiqiang, on behalf of the Chinese NGO, had reached Jajarkot for relief distribution but the local Maoist leaders, including KC, refused to accept the relief materials calling them substandard items which did not come through proper government channels.
Later, she filed a complaint with the local police station and the CPN (Maoist Centre), the ruling party in Nepal, alleging that KC and his team had beaten her up while she was on the way for relief distribution in Jajarkot.
Over 150 people were killed in the November 3 earthquake in Jajarkot.
One of the assistants of local Maoist leader KC had beaten her up on the spot while she was on the way to distribute relief materials. KC and other Maoist leaders accused her of distributing sub-standard relief materials and that the Chinese relief materials were part of corruption.
Dev Gurung, General Secretary of CPN (Maoist Centre), coordinated the relief distribution. Later, the Maoist Center’s central committee sought clarification from KC saying why had he beaten up the Chinese national.
KC, in his clarification, stated that she accused him of some baseless allegations and that the party General Secretary Gurung was involved in corruption in relief distribution. Gurung is known for being pro-Chinese leader of the Maoist party who in person took the Chinese lady to Jajarkot to facilitate the relief distribution work.
KC accused Gurung of promoting the Chinese NGO for his personal gains and benefits.
Later, the Maoist party launched an investigation against her and it was found she was living in Nepal illegally.
According to the document obtained by IANS, Home Secretary of Nepal, Dinesh Bhattarai, on December 18 decided to deport her and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on her for overstaying.
As per the immigration rules of Nepal, the government has barred her from entering Nepal for one year, according to the decision taken by Bhattarai.
I think we should say, okay, global politics is a competitive game. You do your best, and I will do my best,” Jaishankar said.He added, “China is a major economy. It will deploy resources. It will try and shape things in China’s way...reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that global politics is a competitive game and India should not be ‘scared’ of China, and instead of ‘complaining’ should focus on doing better than Beijing.
He also said that China being a ‘major economy’ will deploy its resources and as part of competitive politics, try and shape things in its way.The EAM was speaking at an event at IIM Mumbai, regarding his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ on Tuesday.“China is also a neighbouring country and in many ways will, as part of competitive politics, influence these. I don’t think we should be scared of China.
I think we should say, okay, global politics is a competitive game. You do your best, and I will do my best,” Jaishankar said.He added, “China is a major economy. It will deploy resources. It will try and shape things in China’s way. Why should we expect otherwise? But the answer to that is not to complain about what China is doing. The answer is, ‘Okay, you are doing it. Let me do better than that.’”Last October, India and China held the 20th round of Corps Commander-level talks at Chushul as part of the ongoing efforts for overall disengagement and de-escalation to resolve the stand-off in eastern Ladakh.
The MEA said that the two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms.Earlier this month, the EAM stated that he had told his Chinese counterpart that unless they find a solution on the border, Beijing should not expect normal relations between the two countries.He also said that China violated the agreement in 2020 and brought troops to the LAC and India has to keep its defence in check.
“I have explained to my Chinese counterpart that unless you find a solution on the border, if the forces will remain face-to-face and there will be tension, then you should not expect that the rest of the relations will go on in a normal manner; it is impossible,” he said, adding, “It’s not like you can fight here and also do business with us, you can’t do that.” (ANI)
Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, is the biggest of the naturally existing Spratly Islands in the South China Sea….reports Asian Lite News
The Coast Guard Administration has confirmed that a project of making upgrades to a wharf in Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea has been completed, and added that the project would allow larger vessels to dock at it, reported Focus Taiwan citing the Central News Agency.
On being asked if President Tsai Ing-wen will preside over the reconstructed wharf’s inauguration ceremony, the CGA declined to comment.
The CGA’s confirmation came after a report in the Chinese-language United Daily News (UDN) earlier on Monday, which featured a plea from Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Chen I-hsin for Tsai to visit Taiping to reassert the China’s sovereignty over the disputed island, reported Central News Agency of Taiwan.
Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, is the biggest of the naturally existing Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
It is located 1,600 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung and is managed as part of the southern Taiwan city’s Cijin District. However, the island is also claimed by China, Vietnam and Philippines.
Meanwhile, Chen, a member of the Legislature’s Foreign and National Defence Committee underlined that Tsai follow in the footsteps of past Presidents Chen Shiu-bian and Ma Ying-jeou and travel to Taiping for the opening ceremony, the CGA said in a statement, reported Central News Agency of Taiwan.
Notably, the 1.7 billion New Taiwanese Dollar (USD54.4 million) project to remove dirt and deepen navigation channels would allow 4,000-tonne CGA boats to conduct routine patrols in the seas surrounding Taiping, according to a release.
The restoration, which was finished on October 30, 2023 and passed all needed inspections on January 20, also included a reinforcement of typhoon-related disaster mitigation measures, according to the CGA.
The Taiping island in the South China Sea currently hosts around 200 coast guardsmen trained by the Marine Corps who conduct regular training.
It is one of two areas held by the Taiwanese government in the South China Sea, the other being Dongsha, or Pratas Island, located 450 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung. (ANI)
Problems brewing in China. A wave of protests swept across China, targeting the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This marked a departure from the norm, as the CCP had historically maintained a firm grip on the population, suppressing dissent and maintaining control
In recent times, an unprecedented wave of protests swept across China, targeting the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This marked a departure from the norm, as the CCP had historically maintained a firm grip on the population, suppressing dissent and maintaining control. The emergence of these protests raised concerns within the ranks of the CCP, as they grappled with the realisation that the discontent could escalate beyond their ability to manage.
The scenes that unfolded across various regions of China found a platform on social media, where videos depicting protest events in Guizhou province, Jiangxi province, and the capital city of Beijing went viral. The spotlight fell on Qianxinan Prefecture in Guizhou Province on January 9, where hundreds of villagers took to the streets to vehemently oppose a new policy imposed by the local government. This policy aimed to centralize the disposal of cremated remains, disrupting the longstanding funeral customs passed down through generations. In a stark clash between the protesters and the authorities, armed police and SWAT teams were deployed, leading to a tense standoff.
China’s youth unemployment rate as high as nearly 20%.
CaiFengyu, a local villager, shed light on the situation in an interview on January 16. He revealed that the government had enforced mandatory cremation in 2017, replacing the traditional practice of earth burial. The tensions escalated on that fateful night of January 9 when riot police, numbering in the hundreds, conducted a forceful raid on the village. The ensuing chaos saw villagers being subjected to violence, with reports of beatings and even a pregnant woman becoming a victim. The clashes intensified as the villagers resisted, compelling the riot police to eventually retreat. In a desperate move, the authorities even resorted to taking a child hostage. Despite the harrowing encounter, the villagers stood firm in their resolve, continuing to organize funerals involving earth burial, refusing to comply with the notion of centralized cemeteries, citing the financial burden imposed on the common people.
Meanwhile, in Linchuan, Jiangxi Province, a video surfaced on January 14, featuring a human rights activist denouncing the CCP as “traitorous” and a “cult.” The activist, in a confrontation with the police, questioned the lack of accountability within the regime, labeling it tyrannical. The impassioned speech left the police officers speechless, reflecting the growing frustration and dissent bubbling beneath the surface.
Simultaneously, in another incident on the same day, a video captured a police officer forcibly entering a dinner party for professors at Peking University’s law school. The intrusion drew swift reprimands from fellow professors, who accused the officer of neglecting legal procedures. Senior reporter Gao Yu took to social media to condemn the incident, emphasizing its violation of the law and the blatant disregard for the rights of intellectuals.
In response to the rising discontent, the CCP escalated its efforts to maintain control. Reports emerged of random checks on personal information and cell phones of pedestrians and public transportation users in Beijing. One particularly troubling incident involved three plainclothes individuals claiming to be police officers stopping a woman at Jianguomen subway station. Despite her steadfast refusal to cooperate and questioning the necessity of identity verification, she was eventually taken to the police station for questioning.
Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Peng/IANS)
Independent Chinese writer Zhuge Mingyang, commenting on the incident, noted the interesting choice of words by the police officer. The officer claimed to have no intention of “persecuting” the woman, indirectly acknowledging the common practice of police persecution by CCP authorities. Zhuge highlighted the significance of this admission, questioning why the officer felt the need to emphasize that there was no persecution if such practices were absent.
Adding to the turmoil, Beijing enforced a ban on electric tricycles from the roads starting January 1. The city council went further, forcibly seizing electric tricycles, even those used by couriers. This prohibition caused significant inconvenience for the elderly, making it challenging for them to reach hospitals, and for parents picking up their children. One elderly citizen, visibly upset, intentionally rode an electric tricycle into the restricted area of Tiananmen Square in protest. The video footage captured the ensuing police mobilization, highlighting the increasing discord between the people and the authorities.
In the face of these protests, ZhugeMingyang reflected on the changing landscape in China. He pointed out that within less than a month into the new year, significant events unfolded with widespread public protests against the CCP’s tyranny. This shift in public sentiment signified a substantial departure from the past when most Chinese people dared not speak out. The CCP’s inability to address and contain the rising discontent indicated a decline in its influence and control.
The phenomenon unfolding in China was not isolated but interconnected, creating a domino effect that the CCP appeared ill-equipped to handle. The protests, fueled by grievances ranging from cultural practices to human rights violations, became a potent force challenging the authority of the CCP. As the discontent spread, the CCP found itself on uncertain ground, grappling with a population that was increasingly unwilling to accept its dictates.
The recent wave of protests in China represented a significant turning point in the relationship between the CCP and the Chinese people. The once-docile population had found its voice and pushed back against the authoritarian measures imposed by the government. The diverse nature of these protests, ranging from cultural concerns to human rights issues, highlighted the multifaceted dissatisfaction brewing within the society. The CCP’s response, marked by heavy-handed tactics and a disregard for legal procedures, only served to further fuel the discontent. As the year unfolded, the dynamics between the CCP and the people undoubtedly continued to evolve, shaping the trajectory of China’s political landscape.
