Author: Nectar Gan

<strong>Without political leaders’ involvement, will China science policy succeed?</strong>
31Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
China

Without political leaders’ involvement, will China science policy succeed?

Following global isolation, China has made a fundamental shift in favour of scientists for achieving double digit economic growth to building resilience against external shocks. The deterioration of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with the US and its allies,  battle with the Covid-19 pandemic, and the government’s unwillingness to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have contributed to the country’s increased separation from the global West. These events have far-reaching consequences for Chinese ambitions in global science.. However, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has turned towards scientists to end dependence on “learning from the West”, and ofcourse political colleagues as well. That’s because, he thinks that scientists alone can fulfil his ambiti
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Xi government attempts loyalty test on media, influences opinion in the US
29Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
China, Politics, World

Xi government attempts loyalty test on media, influences opinion in the US

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is hell bent to force journalists to become his loyalist or give up their profession. He is willing to go beyond boundaries. Known for consolidating his position as the supreme leader, Xi Jinping is now pushing CCP doctrine on media within the country and outside. A Chinese marketing firm that has counted state police and other government bureaus as clients is leveraging newswire services to place pro- Beijing stories on the websites of almost three dozen news outlets across America in an apparent effort to help Beijing improve its image abroad. According to Washington post, Shanghai-based firm — Shanghai Yihuan Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., which is known as brand Haixun Press , claimed on its website that it can plant news articles globally, and can b
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At the Bali G20 last year, Modi and Xi Jinping discussed India-China relations; the MEA now acknowledges.
28Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

At the Bali G20 last year, Modi and Xi Jinping discussed India-China relations; the MEA now acknowledges.

At a dinner held at the G20 meeting in Bali last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged courtesies and discussed the need to stabilize bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi (MEA India) Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi (MEA India) Following a meeting between senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and NSA Ajit Doval in Johannesburg two days ago, the Chinese foreign ministry said that Xi and Modi had established a "important consensus" on stabilizing bilateral relations during their contact on the fringes of the G20 Summit in November. "At the conclusion of that dinner hosted by the Indonesian President during the Bali G20 summit last year, the prime minister and Pr...
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NAB wheat scam case can upset political fortunes
28Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, Politics

NAB wheat scam case can upset political fortunes

What is the plot behind the retired General-led National Accountability Bureau’s decision to pursue massive corruption in the free flour scheme in Punjab. Could this be an Army way to keep the PMLN on the ropes? A whiff of corruption in this scheme will smear the current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. This is where it gets more complicated. The allegation of corruption was made months ago by a former Prime Minister and leader of PMLN, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. He alleged corruption to the tune of Rs20b in the Prime Minister’s scheme of supplying free flour to the poor. The Shehbaz Sharif government denied the allegation. But now that the NAB has decided to probe deeper into allegations, it could mean more than corruption is involved as the country is expected to go to elections later this
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To dance, you need a partner. But is China up for a dance?
27Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

To dance, you need a partner. But is China up for a dance?

The strange abduction of China's foreign minister Qin Gang serves as a timely reminder that U.S. policy and internal events (such as the presidential election campaign) will not alone decide the future of U.S.-China relations. It will also be influenced by China's developments, which are now murky but alarming. From what outsiders can see, China is returning to a political system similar to that of the Mao period, which we have not seen in many years. The manipulation of websites and press releases to exclude the involvement and accomplishments of the foreign minister is more important than Qin's enigmatic exit from power after the authorities claimed his absence was due to "health reasons." In his book "1984," George Orwell penned the foreboding aphorism, "Who controls the past contro...
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Imran Khan, a former politician, claims that Pakistan is “standing on the edge of darkness.”
26Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

Imran Khan, a former politician, claims that Pakistan is “standing on the edge of darkness.”

The former prime minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan is "standing on the edge of darkness" as a result of the country's political unrest, violent crime, and what some are referring to as "undeclared martial law." In an interview with MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan last month, Khan said, "What is happening right now is a complete dismantling of our democracy." He said, "Might is right when there is no rule of law, which is what is occurring right now. "Pakistan is under unofficial martial rule. There is gloom up ahead. We are on the verge of total darkness. Khan, a 70-year-old populist politician who played cricket before becoming a politician, is at the heart of a political crisis in the 230 million-person nuclear-armed South Asian nation. Khan was removed in a parliamentary vote of ...
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Still in grip of corruption, will PLA fulfil Xi’s wish to capture Taiwan by 2027?
26Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
Asia, China, Politics

Still in grip of corruption, will PLA fulfil Xi’s wish to capture Taiwan by 2027?

Like every developing country, China is not immune to corruption and the country’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is said to be equally drenched in its baleful effect despite a hard try by the Central Military Commission—the high command of the Chinese military. This concern was expressed by President Xi Jinping at the just concluded (July 20-21) meeting of the CMC. He also underscored the need for “combat readiness” of the PLA at the meeting in Beijing, said state-backed Xinhua news. At the time when Beijing is gearing up to unify Taiwan with mainland China and has threatened to use military means to control and occupy the self-ruling island, the PLA is grappling with kickbacks, commissions, and bribes. Aljazeera said corruption in the Chinese military stems largely from a tradition o
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EU’s increased involvement in Central Asia to compete with China and Russia
14Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
World

EU’s increased involvement in Central Asia to compete with China and Russia

The EU and the CARs have been obliged to reevaluate their foreign policies in relation to the sovereignty, security, and stability of the area as a result of the geopolitical and security crises. In Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on June 2, 2023, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, had a second regional high-level conference with the presidents of state of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the vice chair of Turkmenistan. The summit evaluated the relationship between the EU and Central Asia as well as the effects of world events since the first gathering in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2022. Numerous EU commissioners, the High Representative (foreign minister), as well as the defense, foreign, and prime ministers of European Union (EU) nations—Germany, France, and I
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Will China ever be able to rule the global order?
10Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
China

Will China ever be able to rule the global order?

China is perceived to have all the qualities to be a hegemony nation. It means China will be able to shape the political system of any nation; build its own grouping of countries; and enforce its own principles in international trade and business, likewise the United States of America was able to do after World War II. A book by William T Bowe about China’s history states that China had held the preeminent post of East Asian hegemon for almost two millennia. But it then suffered a decline during its imperial era, the great Qing dynasty. The decline of this regional hegemony, constituting East Asia, came soon after the first Opium war in 1839, and ended after the second world war in 1945. This period is reflected as “Century of Humiliation” in Chinese history and gave China an idea of m
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Xi’s Shrill Soldier-speak Before American Move For Talks
9Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
Politics, World

Xi’s Shrill Soldier-speak Before American Move For Talks

A jingoistic exhortation to his military by Chinese President Xi Jinping sets the tone for a rift-healing visit to Beijing by US Treasury Secretary Janet Allen. On July 6, as Allen’s flight prepared to land in the Chinese capital, President Xi, whom she would not be meeting during her visit, was inspecting the organs of the Eastern Theatre command. Yellen’s request for revival of bilateral talks and not let technology tensions disrupt ties was preceded by Xi telling the PLA troops that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation and China’s security situation is facing rising instability and uncertainty. Xi’s remarks hit a more strident note: “It is necessary to keep in mind the mission and task at all times, adhere to the problem orientation, enhance the
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