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International News (6891)
February
NATO Chief Stresses Importance of Indo-Pacific Partners Amid Security Tensions
Written by Nur Yasmin
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday stressed the importance of NATO's working closely with partners in the Indo-Pacific, saying Europe could not ignore what happens in East Asia because the global security is interconnected.
"Working with partners around the world, especially in the Indo-Pacific, is part of the answer to a more dangerous and unpredictable world," Stoltenberg said at an event hosted by Keio University.
"The war in Ukraine demonstrates how security is interconnected. It demonstrates that what happens in Europe has a consequence for East Asia, and what happens in East Asia matters to Europe," he said, adding that "the idea China doesn't matter for NATO doesn't work."
Stoltenberg made the comments as part of a visit to Japan, during which he pledged to strengthen ties with Tokyo to navigate an increasingly tense security environment triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its growing military cooperation with China.
Although he said China was not an adversary, the NATO chief said the country was becoming a "more and more authoritarian power" that was displaying assertive behaviour, threatening Taiwan, and developing military capabilities that could also reach NATO countries.
"We are more than ready to further strengthen and expand the partnership with countries in this region," he added.
China rejected the claims by Stoltenberg, saying that it has always been a defender of peace and stability.
"On the one hand, NATO claims that its position as a regional defensive alliance remains unchanged, while on the other hand, it continues to break through traditional defense zones and areas, continuously strengthen military security ties with Asia-Pacific countries and exaggerate the threat of China," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a regular briefing held Wednesday.
"I want to emphasise that the Asia-Pacific is not a battlefield for geopolitical rivalry and confrontation between the camps with Cold War mentality is not welcomed," she added.
Before his stop in Japan, Stoltenberg visited South Korea and urged Seoul to increase military support to Ukraine, giving similar warnings about rising tensions with China.
China has criticised NATO's efforts to expand its alliances in Asia. Russia, which calls its invasion of Ukraine a "special operation", has repeatedly cast NATO's expansion as a threat to its security. (Reuters)
January
S.Korea Considers Early Easing of COVID Visa Curbs on Travellers From China -Yonhap
Written by Nur Yasmin
South Korea's prime minister suggested on Tuesday that COVID-19 visa curbs on travellers from China could be lifted earlier than scheduled if infections eased in the latter, as the travel and tourism industries hope for a rebound in visitor numbers.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Seoul could consider lifting the limit on short-term visas for such travellers before the end of February if China's tally of COVID infections proved manageable, the Yonhap news agency said.
"If (the situation) is endurable given the PCR COVID-19 test results, the lifting (of restrictions) could be considered earlier," Han said.
His comment comes as the tourism and aviation sectors have been hit by the decisions of both countries to suspend the issue of short-term visas.
China plans to require all passengers on direct flights from South Korea to undergo a PCR test upon arrival, starting from Feb. 1, the South Korean embassy in Beijing said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, "It is regrettable that individual countries persist on implementing discriminatory entry restrictions against China, to which China is firmly opposed and has reason to take reciprocal measures against."
She was responding to a query about China mandating COVID test for inbound travellers from South Korea.
South Korea's foreign ministry said its quarantine measures were based on scientific grounds for people's protection.
"There should never be any restrictions based on factors other than quarantine, and we are also communicating with the Chinese side as necessary," the ministry added in the transcript of a news briefing.
The curbs have hit air traffic links, one airline official said.
"We hope travel restrictions between the two countries are eased soon to allow more routes and flights," said Kim Ah-hyun, the deputy general manager of Korean Air.
Before COVID-19, China used to account for 20% to 25% of Korean Air’s passenger and cargo businesses, he added.
Duty-free shops have also been hit hard.
"Chinese peddlers used to buy duty-free goods and supply them to China," said a spokesperson for travel retailer Lotte Duty Free.
"But given the suspension of short-term visa issuance and travel restrictions, they can’t travel easily and our revenue will likely take a hit."
South Korea has suspended short-term visas for Chinese visitors since early January, after China abruptly dropped its stringent "zero-COVID" policy, leading to a wave of infections.
Seoul's move prompted Beijing to do the same for visas in South Korea. (Reuters)
January
China Raps Czech President-Elect Over Taiwan Call
Written by Nur Yasmin
China condemned on Tuesday a phone call between Czech President-elect Petr Pavel and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen, saying he ignored Beijing's repeated attempts at dissuasion.
Monday's call was a diplomatic breakthrough for the China-claimed island, which has no formal relations with Prague.
The Czech government, though, said as a sovereign country, it made its own decisions on who it talked to, while the call did not mark a change in its policy toward China which remained aligned with western allies.
Most countries avoid high-level public interactions with Taiwan and its president, not wishing to provoke China, the world's second largest economy.
"Czech President-elect Pavel ignored China's repeated attempts to dissuade him and our repeated representations," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Mao told reporters.
"He has persisted in stepping on China's red line, seriously interfering in China's domestic affairs and hurting the feelings of the Chinese people."
In 2016, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also spoke by phone with Tsai, setting off a storm of protest from Beijing.
Taiwan's democratically-elected government strongly objects to Beijing's claims that it is part of "one China", saying the People's Republic of China has never governed the island and has no right to speak on its behalf globally or decide its future.
'NEGATIVE IMPACT'
Beijing regularly criticises visits by foreign lawmakers to the island, but a call between a head of state and Tsai is rare and likely seen as a graver affront by Beijing.
"Before his election, Pavel publicly stated that the 'one China' principle should be respected, yet now he has gone back on his words," Mao added.
"China once again urges the Czech Republic to...take immediate and effective measures to eliminate the negative impact of this incident and avoid irreparable damage to China-Czech relations."
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Tuesday the Czech Republic maintained the policy of "one China" despite having good relations with Taiwan.
"Czechia respects and holds its own one-China policy," Fiala said in a statement. "As a sovereign country we decide ourselves who we have calls with and who we will meet."
Pavel angered China just days after his election victory. He takes office in March, replacing President Milos Zeman, who has sought to foster the country's ties to China in the past decade.
The centre-right government, has also sought developing relations with Taiwan, which is a growing business partner, since taking office in 2021.
In 2020, the Czech Senate leader visited Taiwan in a move that also angered Beijing.
Mao said on Tuesday China had lodged "stern representations" with the Czech side. Warning of "irreparable damage" to China-Czech ties could be a sign Beijing is planning retaliatory measures.
Since last year, China has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania, sanctioned a Lithuanian deputy minister and pressured multinationals to sever links with the Baltic nation of 2.8 million people after it allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius. (Reuters)
January
Activists Urge Thailand's Opposition To Scrap Royal Insult Law if Elected
Written by Nur Yasmin
Political activists met Thailand's biggest opposition party on Tuesday to demand that, if it wins in upcoming elections, it revoke a tough law that criminalises insults of the country's monarchy.
Thailand has some of the world's strictest lese majeste laws, with punishments of up to 15 years in prison for each perceived royal insult. Hundreds of people have been arrested or jailed under the rules, some for as long as 43 years.
Article 112 of the criminal code, as the law is known, has long been a taboo topic in Thailand and calls for it to be reformed have also led to arrests.
Eight activists met on Tuesday with the Pheu Thai party and said scrapping Article 112 must be a priority.
Pheu Thai has won most votes in every election in the past two decades and will be among the key contenders in this year's poll, which is due by May.
"If the Pheu Thai Party want to win by a landslide, they need to revoke 112," activist Somyot Prueksakasemsuk said ahead of the meeting.
It came as two youth activists in pretrial detention on lese majeste charges entered their 13th day of hunger strike to demand the law be made an election issue.
Article 112 was for decades off-limits in public or political debate, but youth activists have recently started to discuss it on social media and at public gatherings and protests.
All 17 ruling coalition parties have vowed not to touch the law, while the ultra royalist Thai Pakdee party has started a petition to make it even stricter.
The palace typically does not comment on the law. No political party has ever called for it to be revoked, though several support debate on its enforcement or reducing punishments.
After the meeting, Natiporn Sanesangkhom, one of the activists, said Pheu Thai gave no firm answer on abolishing article 112.
Its secretary-general, Prasert Jantararuangtong, encouraged public discussion on the way it was being enforced as a means of addressing problems in the short term.
"There are many opinions and polarised views in society on the amendment of this law, which could lead to more conflict," he told reporters.
In just over two years, 228 people have been charged under lese majeste and 10 are currently in detention, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which has represented many of those accused of royal insults. (Reuters)
January
Pakistan Braces For Fuel Shortages Amid Liquidity Crisis
Written by Nur Yasmin
Pakistan could face a crunch in fuel supplies in February as banks have stopped financing and facilitating payments for imports due to depleting foreign exchange reserves, traders and industry sources said.
The South Asian nation is facing a balance of payments crisis and the plummeting value of the Pakistani rupee is pushing up the price of imported goods. Energy comprises a large chunk of Pakistan's import bill.
Pakistan typically meets more than a third of its annual power demand using imported natural gas, prices for which shot up following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"There is no shortage this fortnight. If we don't have LCs (letters of credit) open right now, we might see shortages in the next fortnight," a senior official at one of the oil companies told Reuters.
A letter of credit issued by the importer's banks is a standard form of payment guarantee in the oil trade to the exporter.
Oil traders, however, are shunning countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to an acute shortfall of foreign exchange. Pakistan on Sunday raised petrol and diesel prices by 16% to 249.80 Pakistani rupees ($0.9373) a litre and is in talks with the IMF to unlock a suspended bailout package.
State-owned refiner Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Ltd have left a flurry of fuel tenders unawarded in the last couple of months.
Oil traders, however, are shunning countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to an acute shortfall of foreign exchange. Pakistan on Sunday raised petrol and diesel prices by 16% to 249.80 Pakistani rupees ($0.9373) a litre and is in talks with the IMF to unlock a suspended bailout package.
State-owned refiner Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Ltd have left a flurry of fuel tenders unawarded in the last couple of months. (Reuters)
January
Pakistan, IMF Start Talks to Unlock Crucial $7 Billion Bailout
Written by Nur Yasmin
Cash-strapped Pakistan on Tuesday began talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at releasing funds from a $7 billion bailout that have been stalled since November.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar met IMF Pakistan Mission Chief Nathan Porter, the finance ministry said, and briefed him on the "fiscal and economic reforms and measures being taken by the government in different sectors".
Unlocking the funding is critical for Pakistan, which has enough foreign reserves to cover just three weeks' worth of imports. Fuel comprises the bulk of the import bill.
The IMF had set several conditions for resuming talks on the bailout, including a market-determined exchange rate for the local currency and an easing of fuel subsidies.
Last week, Pakistan removed an artificial cap on the rupee, resulting it to lose 20% of its value against the U.S. dollar until Monday.
It also raised fuel prices by 16%, saying the increase was in response to higher global energy costs.
The central bank has also raised interest rates this month by 100 basis points to fight record high inflation, which is expected to be at 24-26% in January.
Pakistan secured a $6 billion IMF bailout in 2019, which was topped up with another $1 billion last year. This is the IMF's ninth review of its Extended Fund Facility, which is meant to help countries facing a balance-of-payment crisis. (Reuters)
January
Support for New Zealand's Labour Party Jumps After Hipkins Replaces Ardern
Written by Nur Yasmin
Support for New Zealand's Labour Party has jumped to its highest level in almost a year after Chris Hipkins replaced Jacinda Ardern as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party.
Two polls taken following Hipkins confirmation as leader by Newshub-Reid Research and 1News Kantar and published late on Monday saw the party's popularity jump more than 5 basis points to 38%. National is sitting at 37%, and is behind in Labour for the first time since early 2022.
Ardern, whose progressive policies, empathy and leadership during several crises had earned her a global profile, had faced mounting political headwinds at home in recent months. A backlash over COVID-19 restrictions, a worsening housing crisis, rising living costs, and growing concerns about crime had seen support for her government plummet.
Hipkins, a close ally of Ardern's, has in his first week in office worked to distance himself from the Ardern government and announced he plans to reprioritise and refine government policies.
Hipkins had nailed the political messaging and managed to reconnect with former Labour supporters, said political commentator and former National Party staffer Ben Thomas.
"The challenge from here is delivering on those expectations in an environment where inflation and interest rates remain high, and some unpopular policies may prove tricky to unpick," he said.
Under the current poll results and New Zealand's German-style proportional representation system, neither traditional coalition partners on the centre right or centre left would have the support needed to govern following an election scheduled for Oct. 14 and would likely need the support of another smaller party.
SHUFFLING
Hipkins announced a new Cabinet on Tuesday and reiterated the focus for the ministers would be on "core bread and butter issues like the cost of living, education, health, housing and keeping communities and businesses safe."
Grant Robertson will remain as finance minister, while Andrew Little will take over the defence portfolio from Peeni Henare.
Nanaia Mahuta will remain as foreign minster but Hipkins told a media conference he had taken away her other porfolios to free up time for her to focus more on foreign policy and allow her to travel more internationally.
Carmel Sepuloni, the new deputy prime minister, who is of Samoan, Tongan and European descent, will be associate foreign minister.
Hipkins said both he and Sepuloni were looking forward to engaging with the Pacific, where China has been increasing its influence.
"Our Pacific neighbours are incredibly important to us. Will they see more of us? Yes, absolutely," Hipkins said.
Hipkins's first official trip as prime minister will be to Australia next week where he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (Reuters)
January
In Diplomatic Coup, Taiwan President Speaks to Czech President-Elect
Written by Nur Yasmin
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen held a telephone call with Czech President-elect Petr Pavel on Monday, a highly unusual move given the lack of formal ties between their countries and a diplomatic coup for Taipei that is sure to infuriate China.
The two leaders stressed their countries' shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights during their 15-minute call, their offices said, and Pavel said he hoped to meet Tsai in the future.
Most countries avoid high-level public interactions with Taiwan and its president, not wishing to provoke China, the world's second largest economy.
Beijing views Taiwan as being part of "one China" and demands other countries recognise its sovereignty claims, which Taiwan's democratically-elected government rejects.
In 2016, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Tsai shortly after winning the election, setting off a storm of protest from Beijing.
Tsai said she hoped that under Pavel's leadership the Czech Republic would continue to cooperate with Taiwan to promote a close partnership, and that she hoped to stay in touch with him.
"Bilateral interaction between Taiwan and the Czech Republic is close and good," her office summarised Tsai as having said.
Pavel, a former army chief and high NATO official who won the Czech presidential election on Saturday, said on Twitter that the two countries "share the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights".
'ONE-CHINA' PRINCIPLE
Earlier, China's foreign ministry had said it was "seeking verification with the Czech side" on media reports that the call was to take place.
"The Chinese side is opposed to countries with which it has diplomatic ties engaging in any form of official exchange with the Taiwan authorities. Czech President-elect Pavel during the election period openly said that the 'one-China' principle should be respected," the ministry said.
Pavel will take office in early March, replacing President Milos Zeman, who is known for his pro-Beijing stance.
Zeman spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month and they reaffirmed their "personal friendly" relationship, according to a readout of their call from Zeman's office.
The Czech Republic, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but the two sides have moved closer as Beijing ratchets up military threats against the island and Taipei seeks new friends in Eastern and Central Europe.
The centre-right Czech government has said it wants to deepen cooperation with democratic countries in the India-Pacific region, including Taiwan, and has also been seeking a "revision" of ties with China.
In 2020, the head of the Czech Senate visited Taiwan and declared himself to be Taiwanese in a speech at Taiwan's parliament, channelling the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy's defiance of communism in Berlin in 1963. (Reuters)
January
NATO, Japan Pledge to Strengthen Ties in Face of 'Historic' Security Threat
Written by Nur Yasmin
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Japanese premier Fumio Kishida pledged on Tuesday to strengthen ties, saying Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its growing military cooperation with China had created the most tense security environment since World War Two.
The comments came in a statement issued during Stoltenberg's trip to Japan following a visit to South Korea on which he urged Seoul to increase military support to Ukraine and gave similar warnings about rising tension with China.
"The world is at a historical inflection point in the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II," the two leaders said in the statement.
It also raised concerns about Russia's nuclear threats, joint military drills between Russia and China near Japan, and North Korea's development of nuclear weapons.
Stoltenberg told reporters a Russian victory in Ukraine would embolden China at a time when it is building up its military, "bullying its neighbours and threatening Taiwan".
He added, "This war is not just a European crisis, but the challenge to the world order.
"Beijing is watching closely, and learning lessons that may influence its future decisions. What is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow."
China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Stoltenberg's latest remarks.
Responding to similar comments Stoltenberg made during his Seoul visit, China on Monday said it was a partner to countries, not a challenge, and that it did not threaten any nation's interests or security.
While the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation groups 30 countries in Europe and North America, Stoltenberg has said its members are affected by global threats.
Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol became the first leaders from their countries to attend a NATO summit last year, joining as observers.
China has previously criticised NATO's efforts to expand its alliances in Asia. Russia, which calls its invasion of Ukraine a "special operation", has repeatedly cast NATO's expansion as a threat to its security.
In December, Japan unveiled sweeping plans to beef up its defence capabilities, changes once unthinkable for a pacifist country that will make it the third-biggest military spender after the United States and China.
Bolstering its cooperation with NATO in areas from maritime security and arms control to cyberspace and disinformation will further help to respond to the changing strategic environment, the statement added.
The meeting comes as Japan prepares to host the annual Group of Seven (G7) summit in May, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine is expected to be a major topic of discussion.
Kishida is considering visiting Kyiv in February to reinforce his support for Ukraine in the conflict, domestic media have said. (Reuters)
January
Families Search for Loved Ones After Pakistan Mosque Blast Kills 100
Written by Nur Yasmin
Distraught relatives thronged hospitals in Pakistan's Peshawar on Tuesday to look for their kin a day after a suicide bombing ripped through a crowded mosque in a heavily fortified area of the city, killing 100 people, mostly policemen.
The attack, in the Police Lines district, was the deadliest in a decade to hit this restive, northwestern city near the Afghan border and comes amid a surge in violence against the police. No group has claimed responsibility.
"My son, my child," cried an elderly woman walking alongside an ambulance carrying coffins, as rescue workers stretchered wounded people to a hospital emergency unit.
At least 170 people were wounded in the blast, which demolished the upper storey of the mosque as hundreds of worshippers performed noon prayers.
Riaz Mahsud, a senior local government official, said the casualty toll was likely to rise as workers searched through the debris just over 24 hours later.
"So far, 100 bodies have been brought to Lady Reading Hospital," spokesman for the largest medical facility in the city, Mohammad Asim, said in a statement.
Authorities say they do not know how the bomber managed to breach the military and police checkpoints leading into the Police Lines district, a colonial-era, self-contained encampment in the city centre that is home to middle- and lower-ranking police personnel and their families.
Given the security concerns in Peshawar, the mosque was recently built to allow police to pray without leaving the area. Defence minister Khawaja Asif said the bomber was in the first row in the prayer hall when he struck.
The attack is the deadliest in Peshawar since twin suicide bombings at All Saints Church killed scores of worshippers in September 2013, in what is the deadliest attack on Pakistan's Christian minority.
Peshawar sits on the edge of the Pashtun tribal lands, a region mired in violence for the past two decades. The most active militant group in the area is the Pakistani Taliban, also called Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group for Sunni and sectarian Islamist factions opposed to the government in Islamabad.
The TTP denied responsibility for Monday's bombing, though it has stepped up attacks since withdrawing from a peace deal with the government last year.
The bombing took place a day before an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission arrives in Islamabad for talks on a stalled $7 billion bailout. (Reuters)