Author: Joanne Serrieh

China threatens to damage commercial ties with Iran if it doesn’t cease the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
26Jan By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China, World

China threatens to damage commercial ties with Iran if it doesn’t cease the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

China, which has been Iran's biggest trading partner for the past decade, warned Tehran against any attack on any Chinese-related vessels or undermining Beijing's interests. It is not clear how Tehran would react to China's ultimatum as Beijing's influence on Tehran was not absolute. Red Sea crisis: In a dramatic development, Chinese officials on Friday issued an ultimatum to Iran - either halt the Houthi attacks on commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea, or risk harming business relations with Beijing - according to four Iranian sources and a diplomat aware of the matter. The Iran-backed group have launched a series of attacks in the Red Sea that pushed tensions to a boiling point in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.According to Iranian sources, the discussions about ...
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Corruption In China’s PLA
16Jan By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

Corruption In China’s PLA

U.S. intelligence, as reported by Bloomberg on January 7, reveals that certain Chinese missiles contain water instead of rocket fuel, and numerous nuclear-capable silo doors in China are non-functional. Anonymous U.S. officials suggest that these discoveries prompted Xi Jinping's recent purges of military personnel and could hinder his plans for a military takeover of Taiwan. According to Bloomberg's sources, corruption within China's Rocket Force and defense industrial base is extensive, leading U.S. officials to believe that Xi is now less likely to pursue major military actions in the near future. The assessments highlight examples of the impact of corruption, including missiles filled with water rather than fuel and malfunctioning silo lids in western China, impairing effective mis...
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<strong>CCP’s treacherous internal political situation</strong>
12Jan By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

CCP’s treacherous internal political situation

In recent days, there is internal strife within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with each faction accusing the other of being rebellious and seeking to side-line them. Behind this lies a singular motive: how to eliminate their opponents and gain control over the party's Central Committee. Over the past year, several incidents have occurred that indicate a lack of genuine willingness for fundamental changes within the CCP. Instead, the focus seems to be on playing political games driven by self-interest. Amidst this factionalism, Kongxuan, the CCP representative at the United Nations, faced allegations of aligning with America due to his wife's influence. It was claimed that his wife's investment in an American private company was the reason behind this accusation. As a result, Kongx...
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<strong>CCP military stops paid services; insider reveals merchant oppression and dark secrets</strong>
11Jan By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

CCP military stops paid services; insider reveals merchant oppression and dark secrets

Military land leasing for fees has long served as a critical slush fund for the CCP’s military in 2016 the CCP issued a complete ban on the military’s commercial activities including land leasing which had a widespread impact on various businesses, one such case is that of Chu Judi, a Shenzhen merchant with a market in Xiaoguan, Guangdong situated on Military leased land who exposed the corruption and exploitation by the military during the market’s closure. Xiaoguan market comprising over a 100 businesses rented idle military land and properties. Chu who had close ties with the market owner stated the military’s rented properties and land acted as a slush fund. Instead of being handed over to the state or used for military expenses, these funds were embezzled by military leaders. &nbs
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India-russia Relations: Historic Ties, Navigating Challenges, And Future Collaborations
8Jan By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
Asia, Politics

India-russia Relations: Historic Ties, Navigating Challenges, And Future Collaborations

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar initiated a five-day visit to the Russian Federation on December 25th, 2023. On December 27, Dr. Jaishankar held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. His visit falls within the framework of the frequent high-level exchanges between the two nations, covering the full spectrum of the two countries' bilateral relations, with a special focus on key areas like trade, energy, defence, and connectivity. The visit, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs, offered a valuable platform to review ongoing collaborations across various domains, ranging from trade and economics to energy and defence. Highlighting the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" that binds India and Russia
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Pakistan’s 2024 Elections: Manoeuvring Through The Complex Realms Of Politics, Economy, And Security Challenges
30Dec By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
Asia, Politics

Pakistan’s 2024 Elections: Manoeuvring Through The Complex Realms Of Politics, Economy, And Security Challenges

As Pakistan gears up for the pivotal general elections on February 8, 2024, the nation finds itself facing intricate challenges across politics, economy, and security. The urgency for elections has intensified due to a series of political upheavals, economic crises, and the emergence of new contenders. The dissolution of parliament, arrests of political figures, and the rise of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) led by Hafiz Saeed underscore the multifaceted nature of Pakistan's current predicament. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's return to active politics, following his acquittal in corruption cases, further muddles the political waters. Power dynamics between political parties, especially the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), hint at a s
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Three aerospace-defense executives have their political titles revoked by Beijing as the country tightens down on corruption in a vital industry.
28Dec By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
World

Three aerospace-defense executives have their political titles revoked by Beijing as the country tightens down on corruption in a vital industry.

State media reports top political advisory body decides to revoke seats of executives from three major companiesMeanwhile, Hu Wenming, former party chief and chairman of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation was sentenced to 13 years in prison and fined US$700,000 Three senior Chinese aerospace-defence executives have been stripped of their titles as members of top national political advisory body in a possible sign Beijing is continuing its anti-corruption efforts in the sector that is key to China’s military capacity.Xinhua reported that the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) decided at a conference on Wednesday to revoke the seats of Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Liu Shiquan, chairman of the board of
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Canada is battling the consequences of its declining ties with China and India.
27Dec By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Canada is battling the consequences of its declining ties with China and India.

On a frigid December evening, ice skaters, bundled up against the cold, zip around an outdoor rink in front of Ottawa's City Hall. Trees around the rink sparkle with Christmas lights, their bright colors bounce off snow covering the lawn and sidewalks. It is a quintessential Canadian scene, the type that for years shaped how many Canadians saw their place in the world. Like many Canadians, Jonathan Berkshire Miller grew up with a rosy view of the country's international role, such as peacekeeping missions. "Nobody was out there to harm Canadians. And Canadians could be all friends to all people on all issues," says Miller, the director of foreign affairs, national defense and national security at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a public policy think tank in Ottawa. But that beni...
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Fostering An Enduring Friendship: India-kuwait Relations In Transition
23Dec By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
Asia

Fostering An Enduring Friendship: India-kuwait Relations In Transition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends a warm greeting to Kuwait's new Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, succeeding the late Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This diplomatic transition is not merely ceremonial; it's a celebration of the enduring bond between India and Kuwait. As Sheikh Meshal takes the helm, the million-strong Indian community in Kuwait becomes a living bridge, reflecting the depth of this friendship. From historical trade connections to contemporary collaborations in diverse sectors, the Indo-Kuwaiti relationship embodies shared values and mutual growth. Modi's congratulations underscore the optimism for the continued flourishing of ties under Sheikh Meshal's leadership. This diplomatic exchange encapsulates the ongoing narrative of a strong, meaningful, and e...
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China’s decisions over Ukraine and Gaza
18Dec By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
Asia, China, World

China’s decisions over Ukraine and Gaza

The view from China is important as the tensions around it make up the fundamental backdrop within which both the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts are playing out. In November in San Francisco, with the meeting between US and Chinese presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, a kind of truce or cease-fire was agreed between the two sides’ tensions. On one hand, this assures the US that a third front will not open up at least anytime soon. To China, on the other hand, it allows a moment of pause as elections in Taiwan loom in January. If the self-governing island declares formal independence and pushes against Beijing, the issue would become unsettling for Beijing. In addition, the Chinese economy is in serious trouble. China needs time and energy to get back on track. The truce is good fo
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