Author: Nectar Gan

China refuses to continue CPEC-related collaboration with Pakistan in the areas of energy, water, and environment.
27Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, China

China refuses to continue CPEC-related collaboration with Pakistan in the areas of energy, water, and environment.

Pakistan also gave up its opposition to setting up a new imported coal-fired power plant in Gwadar and agreed to a number of Chinese demands to address Beijing’s concerns China has refused to further expand cooperation in the areas of energy, water management, and climate change under the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it emerged on September 25, signalling a strain in the 'ironclad' friendship between the two all-weather allies. Cash-strapped Pakistan also gave up its opposition to setting up a new imported coal-fired power plant in Gwadar in Balochistan province and agreed to a number of Chinese demands to address Beijing’s concerns, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the signed minutes of the 11th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the
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Is China playing a political game with Afghanistan’s resources?
21Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, China, Politics

Is China playing a political game with Afghanistan’s resources?

With increasing stakes in Afghanistan's vast mineral and energy deposits, China is engaged in resource politics in the war-wracked but resource-rich country. Maintaining control of the country's strategic mineral and energy reserves is the name of China's new great game in Afghanistan. China is striking deal after deal with the ruling Taliban to take advantage of Afghanistan's vast mineral and energy resources. Just three months after signing a 25-year contract in January that sees investment of up to US$540 million over three years for oil extraction from the Amu Darya basin in northern Afghanistan, a Chinese firm apparently offered a US$10 billion investment to mine the country's vast lithium deposits. Afghanistan is rich in energy and mineral resources, and has been dub...
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India and Vietnam are partnering with the US to counter China
18Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, China, Politics, World

India and Vietnam are partnering with the US to counter China

This fall, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is slated to lead a bipartisan group of U.S. senators to China. The planned trip, like other recent visits to China by high-ranking U.S. officials, is aimed at improving the relationship between the U.S. and China. Such efforts to ameliorate U.S.-China diplomatic relations come amid growing tensions between the two economic giants. They also run parallel to U.S. efforts to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific countries to limit Beijing’s influence. Take, for example, President Joe Biden’s September 2023 trips to India for the G20 summit and to Vietnam, where U.S. competition with China was a focus of Biden’s discussions. While he was in Asia, Biden made several agreements in science, technology and supply chain security des
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Japan appoints serving official as de facto defence attaché in Taiwan, hits ‘One China’ policy
14Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, China, Politics

Japan appoints serving official as de facto defence attaché in Taiwan, hits ‘One China’ policy

Japan may see escalation of tension in its relations with China as Tokyo, which feels its security will be threatened if Taiwan is attacked, has appointed a serving government official to act as its de facto defence attaché in the self-ruling island. Japan has no formal diplomatic representation in Taiwan as Tokyo adheres to ‘One- China’ policy, but handles its bilateral engagement with the self-ruling island through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei. It is treated symbolically as Japan’s open support to Taiwan, the Japan Times said. Until a few years ago, Japan and its political leadership avoided playing pro-active role for Taiwan as Tokyo considered the self-ruling island too politically sensitive to speak about or support it publicly. But such cautions were done
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Singaporean Newspaper’s Article Criticizing Xirocks Chinese Internet
6Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, Singapore

Singaporean Newspaper’s Article Criticizing Xirocks Chinese Internet

A scathing opinion piece lambasting Xi Jinping, published by a Singaporean newspaper, did not escape the attention of netizens on Weibo, who clandestinely lauded its contents. The article, titled "The Economy Is The Problem, Its Root Is Politics," was penned by Hong Kong businessman and writer Lew Mon-hung. A former member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and previously a staunch pro-China figure, he squarely laid the blame for China's present economic challenges on Xi Jinping, the pervasive cult of personality around him and the Party's inability to implement political reforms including democratization. Had this piece been published in most overseas Chinese-language media outlets, its impact might have been relatively muted. However, its appearance in Singapor
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China factor: US President Biden to visit Vietnam next month
4Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, World

China factor: US President Biden to visit Vietnam next month

The US’s move to counter China’s military designs in the Indo-Pacific region will receive a fillip after President Joe Biden lands in Vietnam on September 10 and gives bilateral engagement between Washington DC and Hanoi a new dimension—diplomatically, economically, and strategically. This would be the sixth US presidential visit to Vietnam since 2000 when Bill Clinton became the first American President to make an official trip to Hanoi five years after the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1995, ending two decades of frosty relations following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. During his one-day visit to Hanoi, President Biden will meet Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other top Vietnamese leaders and they will discuss deepening of ties between t
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Singapore will elect a new leader despite unusual political controversies.
1Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Politics, Singapore

Singapore will elect a new leader despite unusual political controversies.

Election comes as minister faces a corruption investigation and voters express frustration with the electoral process Singaporeans will select a new president on Friday, a vote that will measure public mood at a time when the ruling party, which has been in power for more than six decades, is reeling from a spate of uncommon political scandals. The vote comes as a senior government minister is under investigation by the country’s anti-graft agency, and after the resignation of two senior lawmakers over an affair. The president, who is supposed to be politically neutral, is largely a ceremonial role but it has certain powers that are considered a check on the government, such as the ability to approve anti-corruption investigations and veto certain decisions. The city-
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US, Russian, EU, and Chinese influence on Ukrainian politics is balanced.
1Sep By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, Politics, World

US, Russian, EU, and Chinese influence on Ukrainian politics is balanced.

When we analyze the driving forces of the political process in Ukraine, we must also consider external factors that influence Ukrainian politics. The three international forces that have the most significant impact on domestic politics are the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also significantly impacted the Ukrainian state's economic policy from time to time (especially in financial crises). The influence of these external actors was very different (in form, content, and instruments). In the 1990s and early 2000s, the United States and Russia had more influence. This was mainly an influence on foreign policy. However, the United States also actively influenced the formation of civil society in Ukraine and the part of the new po...
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Turkey-based Uyghur creative director detained in China while on a family vacation
30Aug By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

Turkey-based Uyghur creative director detained in China while on a family vacation

Employees and his lawyer for the Chinese locomotive firm in Turkey told Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Tuesday that a Uyghur design director was detained by Chinese officials while on a family trip to Xinjiang. Qahar Eli, 39, left Turkey on March 27 on a month-long journey to see his parents in Turpan, Xinjiang. Eli's company, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., informed him that he would be allowed to return to Turkey after his trip. China's treatment of the Uyghur people, a Muslim minority located in the Xinjiang area, has come under growing criticism in recent years, and this arrest just adds to that attention. A representative from Eli's Hunan province, China-based company confirmed his detention to Radio Free Asia, calling it a "criminal case." Inquire with the law enforcement officia...
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The British Foreign Secretary is in China today to discuss human rights concerns.
30Aug By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

The British Foreign Secretary is in China today to discuss human rights concerns.

On a bilateral visit beginning on Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will bring up Beijing's human rights commitments, particularly as they pertain to the people of Xinjiang and Tibet.According to a statement released by the UK government, Cleverly will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng to address climate change and other topics in separate bilateral sessions. The last time a British foreign secretary visited China was nearly five years ago. To paraphrase the statement: "the choices that China makes are critical to our collective ability to tackle this global problem" since China is the greatest investor in renewable energy and the largest emitter of carbon. The Foreign Minister will argue that China's rising power means it m...
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