Afghanistan

Taliban welcome India’s funds announcement for Afghanistan in Budget 2023-24 – Wion News

Taliban welcomed the Indian announcement for Afghanistan in the Union Budget 2023-24, which was presented on Wednesday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. New Delhi announced a development assistance of Rs 200 crore ($24.3 million) for the country in the budget, which was the same amount announced in last year’s budget as well. Click here to read…

Leaked Documents Show Qatar Bribed Prominent Leaders a Month before the Collapse of Afghanistan – The Khaama Press

Italian TG1 News Network has revealed an investigative report showing that Qatar had paid Ashraf Ghani, Marshal Dostum, and Atta Mohammad Noor $110, $ 51, and $61 Million, respectively, not to fight against Taliban fighters. The Italian state-run network has recently published three documents that indicate the receipt of bribes to the prominent leaders of Afghanistan a month before the collapse of the previous government in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Pak expects sincere coop from Afghanistan to address terrorism: FO – Pakistan Observer

The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Pakistan expected “sincere cooperation” from the interim Afghan government to address the “challenge of terrorism”. The remarks came a day after Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that Pakistan should not put the blame for the Peshawar suicide bombing on Kabul. Click here to read…

Denmark to grant asylum status to Afghan women ‘solely based on gender’ – First Post

Denmark has announced that it will grant asylum to all Afghan women owing to their worsening condition in the Taliban-ruled nation. Flygtningenævnet, the Danish Refugee Appeals Board stated that asylum status will be granted to all female applicants “solely based on their gender”. Citing a report from the European Union’s Agency for Asylum, the appeals board said that asylum status would be given to women as the “accumulation of various measures introduced by the Taliban affect the rights and freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh gets $476m IMF loan as first instalment – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh has received the first instalment of $476 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) out of the $4.7 billion loan package. The disbursed amount has already been added to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and it currently stands at $32.69 billion, up from $32.19 billion a day earlier, Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson Md Mezbaul Haque told Dhaka Tribune. IMF approved Bangladesh’s $4.7 billion loan proposal during a board meeting on Monday. Bangladesh will get the remaining amount in six equal instalments of $704 million each. The country will get around $3.3 billion under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and about $1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), according to an IMF press release issued on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Bangladesh wants revision of 2017 power purchase deal with Adani Power – TBS

Bangladesh has sought revision of a 2017 power purchase agreement with Adani Power Ltd as the price for the coal-generated electricity appeared too expensive, officials said in Dhaka on Thursday. “We have communicated with the Indian company seeking revision of the agreement,” an official of the state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDC) told PTI on the condition of anonymity and without elaborating on the matter. Media reports suggested that the “high coal price” to be purchased for the Adani plant at India’s Jharkhand emerged as the key factor for the dispute. Click here to read…

Govt restricts entry of 69 US-sanctioned Russian ships – New Age

The Bangladesh government has instructed the authorities concerned not to allow any of the 69 mother vessels of seven Russian companies sanctioned by the United States to enter the country’s ports. The Mercantile Marine Office, Chattogram, issued a circular to this effect on January 16, mentioning the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) ship identification numbers so that they were not allowed to avail of any services, including certification, renewal, refuelling, and insurance, in Bangladesh territory. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Exporters seek solution to West Bengal’s Suvidha system hindering exports – Kuensel Online

Bhutanese exporting to Bangladesh via India are facing inconveniences in exporting after West Bengal’s government implemented the online web-based vehicles facilitation system, ‘Suvidha’ app. On January 4, the West Bengal government revised the fee for the Suvidha system from the uniform rate of INR 2,000 to INR 10,000 for non-perishable goods, INR 5,000 for boulders and INR 3,000 for perishable goods at the Changrabandha land custom station (LCS). Click here to read…

No improvement for Bhutan on corruption index – Kuensel Online

Bhutan scored 68 points consecutively for the fifth year in a row and has been ranked 25 for the second consecutive year in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2022 released on January 31. Bhutan is among 124 countries that have stagnant scores and has been consecutively placed in sixth position in the Asia and Pacific Region for the past 10 years. Click here to read…

Cabinet approves Nu 65M sovereign guarantee for BLDCL – Kuensel Online

The Cabinet approved the provision of a sovereign guarantee to Bhutan Livestock Development Corporation Limited (BLDCL) in availing loan amount of Nu 65 million (M) for the automated poultry processing line project. The Cabinet directed the approval of borrowing to the finance ministry on January 30 after the Finance Ministry proposed a sovereign guarantee on January 12. Click here to read…

Maldives

Indian tourists experience the best of Maldives – Dajji World

Maldives has become the latest destination in South Asia to join Mastercard’s coveted Priceless program, a carefully curated list of destinations that offer exclusive experiences to its cardholders from around the world. The program is expected to bolster Maldives’ tourism industry while showcasing the unique and authentic experiences that the country can offer to a global audience. Click here to read…

India Budget 2023: Increase in funds for Maldives, Bhutan, support for Afghanistan continues – WION News

The Government of India has allocated Rs 2,400 crore for Bhutan, a slight increase compared to last year of Rs 2,266 crore, and Rs 400 crore to the Maldives. India has been involved in a number of infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including the Greater Malé Connectivity Project. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Indonesia should lead the way in helping Myanmar’ pro-democratic movement – The Jakarta Post

Those were two of the main conclusions that an International Parliamentary Inquiry (IPI) into the global response to the crisis in Myanmar, organized by ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), reached in a report published in November. The report laid bare the many inadequacies of the international community on Myanmar, in particular how it has hidden behind ASEAN, despite the regional bloc’s evident fecklessness in managing the issue so far. Little has changed since the report came out. Click here to read…

After extension of emergency, Myanmar declares martial law in 37 towns – Business Standard

Myanmar’s State Administration Council has declared martial law in 37 towns of four regions and four states in the Southeast Asian country. According to the council’s orders issued Thursday night, the 37 towns are 11 from Sagaing region, seven from Chin state, five each from Magway and Bago regions, four from Kayah state, two each from Taninthayi region and Kayin state and one from Mon state respectively, Xinhua news agency reported. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta participation cancelled at ASEAN tourism meeting – Myanmar Now

Indonesia appears to have halted a Myanmar military council official’s planned attendance at a tourism conference to be held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week in Yogyakarta. The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), slated to be hosted in the Indonesian city from February 2-5, comes shortly after Indonesia assumed chairmanship of the regional bloc for the year 2023. Click here to read…

ASEAN foreign ministers to meet in Indonesia under shadow of Myanmar crisis – Business Standard

Southeast Asian foreign ministers are meeting in Indonesia’s capital Friday for talks bound to be dominated by the deteriorating situation in Myanmar despite an agenda focused on food and energy security and cooperation in finance and health. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal not included in Chinese govt’s tourist destinations list – My Republica

China is not only a friendly country of Nepal but also a neighboring country. China has been interested in Nepal’s internal and international affairs, but China has neglected the development of tourism here, which is linked to Nepal’s economic development. Click here to read…

RSP urged to defer decision on quitting – The Himalayan Times

The Rabi Lamichhane-led Rastriya Swatantra Party will wait for two days before deciding whether or not it should leave the government over home portfolio. RSP Spokesperson Mukul Dhakal told mediapersons after his party’s central committee met parliamentary party lawmakers that Lamichhane received calls from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chair Rajendra Lingden during the meeting requesting him to wait for two days before decide on withdrawing support to the government. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves drop to $3.09b – The Express Tribune

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank decreased by 16.1% to $3.09 billion in the week ending Jan 27, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday, which analysts said covers less than three weeks of imports. The country is locked in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release much-needed money under a stalled bailout programme. Click here to read…

Terror surge provides govt opportunity to negotiate with arch-rivals – Dawn

In a move that is being seen as a significant development amid rising political temperatures in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday convened a multi-party conference (MPC) to discuss “important challenges” being faced by Pakistan. According to an announcement by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, the MPC will be held in Islamabad on Feb 7, for which an invitation has also been extended to PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan. Click here to read…

Operation underway to tackle TTP in Punjab-KP border area – Dawn

The Punjab police on Wednesday morning launched a grand counterterrorism operat­ion in the highly complex and inac­cessible hilly areas of Mian­wali district, hours after some heavily equipped militants of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakis­tan (TTP) attacked a police station in the area in the dead of the night. Click here to read…

Time to amend water treaty with Pakistan – Deccan Herald

India’s frustration with Pakistan’s obstructionist approach has culminated in its notification to Islamabad calling for negotiations to amend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, gives India control over the waters of the eastern rivers—the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej, and Pakistan control over the western rivers—the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. While the IWT has survived upheavals in bilateral relations, including wars, it has in recent decades seen the two sides pointing accusing fingers at each other. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

EU to Provide EURO 18 mn to upgrade social security – Daily News

European Union has decided to provide Euros 18 million for a programme to improve the social security system in Sri Lanka, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. State Minister Semasinghe said focus has also been made on making the welfare programme more efficient.He added that a comprehensive discussion was held on Wednesday with a delegation of the European Union (Sri Lanka and the Maldives) with the aim of identifying areas to upgrade the social security system in Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

Indian minister V. Muraleedharan to attend Sri Lanka’s Independence Day celebrations in Colombo – Wion

Minister of state in India’s Ministry of External Affairs V. Muraleedharan will be representing India at Sri Lanka’s Independence day celebrations on Saturday. Sri Lanka this year marks its 75th National Independence celebrations. The island-nation in India’s south will be focusing on new reformist program for the next 25 years. The main ceremony of the National Independence Day celebrations will take place at the Galle Face Green led by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. During the country’s independence celebrations, special commemorative stamps will be released, including of first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s powerful Buddhist clergy opposes full implementation of 13A to grant political autonomy to Tamils – The Print

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s plan to fully implement India-backed 13th Amendment to grant political autonomy to the minority Tamils received a blow on Thursday as the powerful Buddhist clergy expressed strong opposition to the move, claiming it challenges the unitary nature of the country. The four chief prelates of the main Buddhist sects handed over a letter to Wickremesinghe in the central town of Kandy. The letter charges that Wickremesinghe’s plan had created dissent in the country as the move challenges Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban Tell Pakistan Not to Blame Afghanistan for Mosque Bombing – VOA News

Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers Wednesday rejected allegations their territory was used in this week’s mosque bombing in Pakistan, urging the neighboring country to thoroughly investigate such terror acts before blaming others. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told a gathering in the capital, Kabul, that Pakistani officials should find a solution to their security challenges locally and desist from “sowing the seeds of enmity” between the two Muslim countries. Click here to read…

Afghanistan Ranks 150th on Corruption Perception Index – Tolo News

In a recent report released by Transparency International, Afghanistan was ranked 150 in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2022 out of 180 countries. According to the report, Afghanistan has climbed 24 places compared to 2021 when the country was ranked 174 out of 180 countries. Somalia was ranked as the most corrupt nation in the world. Click here to read…

Dam inaugurated in Afghanistan – DT Next

Afghan authorities have inaugurated a dam in Afghanistan’s southern Zabul province to irrigate more than 700 hectares of land, provincial governor Mawlawi Qudratullah Abu Hamza said on Wednesday. The reservoir, which was officially inaugurated and put into use on Tuesday, stores 450,000 cubic meters of water and would facilitate farmers to irrigate more than 700 hectares of land in Tana Sah area and its vicinity, the official was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. Click here to read…

Budget 2023: Development aid for war-torn Afghanistan unchanged, cuts for Sri Lanka & Myanmar – The Print

Allocation to external affairs ministry for development assistance to foreign countries & projects fell 13% to estimated Rs 5,848.58 crore from Rs 6,750 crore in FY23. In Union Budget 2023-24, India has left development assistance to war-torn Afghanistan unchanged (Budget estimates). Meanwhile, aid to cash-strapped Sri Lanka and junta-ruled Myanmar’s was cut by 25 per cent and 33 per cent respectively. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Ever-strengthening India-Bangladesh relations – The Print

India and Bangladesh share not only close historical, civilisational and cultural links but have also forged strong social, economic and political ties over decades since Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971. United by a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural links, fervour for arts, music and literature, and strong people-to-people ties, the two countries share a unique camaraderie and friendship. Click here to read…

AL, Jamaat demanded caretaker govt: BNP – NewAge

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said on Wednesday that they were demanding the caretaker government system, as it was also the demand of the then-opposition Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami during the party’s tenure in 1996. Click here to read…

Is Bangladesh getting tired of hosting Rohingya refugees? – Dhaka Tribune

In 2017, Bangladesh welcomed fellow Muslims from Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine state to the southern coastal community of Cox’s Bazar with open arms, food and shelter.
Despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya in the already overcrowded settlements for decades, they didn’t have to think twice about accommodating the new surge of people, albeit into an already overcrowded area of Bangladesh. Attempts to repatriate the Rohingya refugees have failed due to unstable conditions in Myanmar. As such, they have become victims of the worst refugee crisis in the last 50 years. Click here to read…

Bhutan

In Neighbourhood, Bhutan Receives Largest Share Of Aid At Rs 2,400 Crore In Finance Budget – ABP News

Bhutan received the largest share of India’s aid pegged at Rs 2,400 crore in the Finance Budget 2023-24, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked Rs 990 crore for India’s G20 Presidency that began on December 1, 2022. In line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the largest share of India’s aid portfolio is towards Bhutan, which constituted 41.04 per cent of the development assistance by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Click here to read…

GoI to facilitate concessional rate on the third internet gateway – Kuensel Online

The Government of India (GoI) would be facilitating a special concessional rate on the third international internet gateway for Bhutan as per the Bhutan government’s request. Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela said this during the technology roundtable yesterday. Click here to read…

Maldives

Commonwealth Secretary-General & Maldives FM arrive in SL – Sri Lanka Mirror

Secretary General of the Commonwealth – Patricia Scotland and Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid have arrived in Sri Lanka today (01) to attend the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Independence of Sri Lanka. They were warmly received by State Minister of Foreign Affairs – Tharaka Balasuriya. Click here to read…

“India has been one of the most trusted and valued partners of Maldives” – Raajje

India has proven to be one of the most trusted and valued friend of Maldives during challenging times, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. President Solih stated this on Tuesday, while speaking at the official reception held at Dharubaaruge to commemorate the 74th Republic Day of India. In his remarks, the President stated that the Maldives and India share a unique partnership built on mutual trust and respect with a renewed impetus during the past four years. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, delaying promised elections – The Guardian

Myanmar’s military regime has announced an extension to its state of emergency, effectively delaying elections the junta had pledged to hold by August, as it battles anti-coup fighters across the country. The junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, acknowledged that more than a third of townships were not under full military control, in comments reported by state media on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Myanmar announces cabinet reshuffle after state of emergency extension – DajjiWorld

Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) announced a cabinet reshuffle after the country’s state of emergency was extended for six more months on Wednesday. Under the cabinet reshuffle, a new chairman for the Union Civil Services Board, a new chairman for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and four new Chief Ministers of region and states were appointed, Xinhua news agency reported. Click here to read…

UN special envoy to Myanmar moots regional protection framework as crisis drags on – CNA

United Nations special envoy to Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer plans to rally the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to form a regional protection framework. The aim is to help those suffering from a crisis sparked by a military coup two years ago. She tells Leong Wai Kit this is one of four key areas she will focus on this year. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal’s Social Protection System Reinforces Inequality – My Republica

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the newly-elected government of Nepal to prioritize coverage for all children and add coverage for millions of informal-sector workers as it considers changes to the existing system. The global human rights watchdog also said that Nepal’s social protection system fails to effectively protect children from poverty and reinforces inequalities between informal and formal workers. Click here to read…

Nepal to receive 1.5mn COVID-19 booster vaccines under GAVI – Foreign Brief

The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) will today deliver 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 booster shots to Nepal. Following the sudden rise of positive FB.7—a sub-variant of Omicron—cases in neighboring countries such as India and China, the Nepalese government is gearing up to curb another possible outbreak. While the new set of Pfizer-Biontec Bivalent vaccines are not required for everybody, the Nepalese health minister Dr Sanjay Mahaseth strongly urges its citizens to get vaccinated. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Former Pakistan Interior minister Sheikh Ahmed arrested: Report – India Today

Former interior minister of Pakistan Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was arrested on Thursday, reports said. A complaint was lodged against him for claiming that former President Asif Zardari was hatching a plot to assassinate PTI chief Imran Khan. Police said a bottle of liquor and a weapon were recovered from Sheikh Rashid’s possession, adding that the minister was intoxicated, the report said. Click here to read…

IMF Projects Slowdown In Pakistan’s GDP From 3.5% To 2% – NDTV

The International Monetary Fund projected a slowdown in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 3.5 per cent to 2 per cent for the current fiscal, The News International reported. According to the Pakistan daily, the IMF had also projected that the GDP growth rate would rebound in the next fiscal 2023-24 up to 4.4 per cent. Click here to read…

Imran says govt lacked ‘understanding, interest’ when terrorism began to resurface – Dawn

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday slammed the government for blaming his party for the resurgence in terrorism in the country, saying that the incumbent setup had no “understanding nor interest” when the phenomenon had started to resurface. Imran made the remarks during a televised address where he talked about terrorism at length and the steps the PTI government took. Click here to read…

IMF presses Pakistan to foist more taxes in second round of talks – Ary News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to impose roughly Rs600-800 billion in additional taxes in the second round of talks to revive $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) stalled for months, ARY News reported on Wednesday, citing sources. According to details, the Federal Revenue Board held a second round of technical talks with IMF mission, led by Mission Chief to Pakistan Nathan Porter, on the ninth review of a $7 billion loan programme. Click here to read…

Pakistan inflation rises to 48-year-high of 27.55%: Report – Hindustan Times

Pakistan’s inflation quickened to the fastest in almost 48 years in January as thousands of containers of food items, raw materials and equipment are stuck in ports after the cash-strapped government curtailed imports. Consumer prices rose 27.55% from a year earlier, according to data released by the statistics department on Wednesday. That compares with a median estimate for a 25.9% gain in a Bloomberg survey and a 24.47% jump in December. Inflation is at the highest since May 1975, according to central bank data. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Building the economy should be our priority, President emphasizes – Colombo Page

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that building the collapsed economy should be the priority, as political freedom is of no use if the economic freedom of the country is lost. The President also pointed out that the political stability and territorial integrity of a country is the best factor in winning over the economic war. Addressing a ceremony in Kandy held today (01) at the Presidential Palace in Kandy to present the distinguished service awards “Vishishta Seva Vibhushana” to 77 senior officers of the Tri Forces, the President said. However, lives lost during the war cannot be regained, the income lost during the economic war could be regained. The award ceremony recognizes the distinguished service of military officers and was organized in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day celebrations. Click here to read…

On Sri Lanka’s 75th birthday, the future looks bleak – Financial Times

The country defaulted on more than $50bn of foreign loans in 2022, and last May the then prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe complained that finding even $1mn was proving to be a challenge. Sri Lanka has one of the largest public sectors in the world, which — including defence — accounts for between 70-80 per cent of the country’s annual budget. Meeting the salary bill is a battle. The government is in the throes of negotiating a $2.9bn IMF bailout, which ministers seem confident will be approved. Click here to read…

Jaishankar’s Sri Lanka visit a harbinger of positive developments for island nation – The Print

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka is being seen as a harbinger of positive developments and an improved economic and financial situation for the island nation. Click here to read…

US to provide additional US$ 30 million – Daily News

United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland yesterday announced an additional US$ 30 million for the provision of free lunch to 96,000 schoolchildren in 850 government schools. She said that the US has begun the delivery of 770 MT of food supplies and vegetable oil to meet the food security needs of the country. She said that the US government has provided support worth over US$ 240 milion dollars to Sri Lanka just over a year. “This is a critical movement of your country.The government is working with the IMF and international creditors to stabilize the economy,”Nuland said at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday evening. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghanistan Exported $1.7 Billion Worth of Goods Over Past 10 Months – Tolo News

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Economy said that over the past 10 months, the nation’s exports have topped $1.7 billion and that revenue from this has been collected. The office of the deputy Prime Minister said that despite all the difficulties, including the freezing of the nation’s assets and sanctions on the banking industry, the value of the Afghani currency has been maintained against other currencies. Click here to read…

Uzbekistan and Russia explore trade route through Afghanistan – Prensa Latina News

Uzbekistan and Russia analyzed the possibility of setting up a new trade route to the countries of Southeast and South Asia via Afghanistan, the Ministry of Transportation reported. The two governments exchanged views on the potential of the Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan multimodal corridor connecting Russia with Southeast and South Asia, the source said. Click here to read…

Iran to inaugurate trade center in Afghanistan next month – Mehr News Agency

An Iranian trade center is scheduled to be opened in Afghanistan next month, Deputy Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi announced on Tuesday. Referring to the $1.5 billion worth of trade between Iran and Afghanistan in the first 9 months of the current Iranian year (starting from March 21), Mousavi expressed hope that with the opening of Iran’s trade center in Afghanistan, the level of Tehran-Kabul relations will be enhanced. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

69 officials punished by Election Commission over irregularities – Dhaka Tribune

For their involvement in numerous offences, including unethical activities and National Identity Card (NID) forgery, the Election Commission (EC) meted out different punishments to 69 officials and employees. There were 25 first-grade officials among them, including a deputy secretary and a regional election officer. Three second-grade officers were among the 69. The list also included 25 third-grade and 16 fourth-grade officials. Departmental proceedings were started against these 69 between 2018 and 2022. Several of them were sacked, while some were demoted. Many others will not get an increment for one-three years. Others were let off with a warning. Click here to read…

‘Peace remains elusive without CHT accord’ – Daily Star

It is not possible to establish peace in the rest of the country keeping the Chittagong Hill Tracts in an uproar, said speakers at a rally in Chattogram yesterday. The implementation of the CHT Peace Accord is a must to establish peace in the hills, they said in the divisional solidarity rally, organised by CHT Peace Accord Implementation Movement, to mark 25 years of the accord’s signing, in front of Chattogram Jela Parishad Bhaban. Click here to read…

Experts: Fake news threatening human rights, democracy – Dhaka Tribune

Fake news, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech have become more widespread and dangerous with the growth of social media, and experts have called for these insidious threats to be addressed. The high prevalence of fake news is having an impact on democracy, freedom of expression and human rights across the globe, the speakers said on Tuesday at an international seminar at a Dhaka hotel. The event, titled “Fake News: A Threat to Human Rights and Democracy”, was hosted by Empowerment through Law of the Common People (ELCOP). Click here to read…

Bangladesh orders 191 ‘anti-State’ news sites blocked – The Hindu

The Bangladesh government has ordered the closure of 191 websites it accuses of publishing “anti-state news”, stoking concerns about media freedom in the South Asian country. Information Minister Hasan Mahmud told Parliament on Monday that the government has instructed the telecoms regulator to close the domains following “reports from intelligence agencies”. He said the sites, which were not named, were “conducting activities that spread confusion among the public”.Click here to read…

Bhutan

Nuns get training in leadership, management skills in Bhutan – ANI

The Bhutan Nuns Foundation recently organised a 10-day capacity-building training programme to educate and empower the country’s nuns, so that they could become agents of change and contribute to society, The Bhutan Live reported. The report further quoted the foundation saying that the nuns rarely get training opportunities due to which their knowledge remains under-utilised. Click here to read…

India Announces Support To Bhutan To Establish Third International Internet Gateway – Republic World

The Embassy of India in Bhutan revealed on Tuesday that the Indian government has announced its support to Bhutan for the establishment of the third international internet gateway. On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Thimphu released a statement and stated that the Indian government will be facilitating a “concessional rate to bring down the cost of operations of the gateway.” The consulate also announced that the initiative is a part of the expanding India-Bhutan digital partnership. Click here to read…

BTP holds first General Assembly – Kuensel Online

At the first general assembly of the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP), the party revealed four more candidates after declaring the party president’s profile. The assembly took place at the Royal Institute of Management’s (RIM) multipurpose hall in Semtokha, Thimphu. President Dasho Pem Tshewang offered the new candidates Tashi Khadhars after introducing them to the people. Click here to read…

Maldives

Discussions held on enhancing Maldives-Poland cooperation in tourism, trade – Raajje

Discussions have been held on enhancing cooperation in tourism and trade between the governments of Maldives and Poland. This was done during a farewell call non-resident Ambassador of Poland Adam Burakowski paid on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday. During the meeting held at the President’s Office, the Maldivian leader conveyed greetings and good wishes to Ambassador Burakowski. He went on to express sincere gratitude for the remarkable services rendered under his leadership as the ambassador. The meeting saw President Solih and Ambassador Burakowski expressing keen interest to work closely to discuss matters of mutual interest, especially to enhance and strengthen the existing cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels. Click here to read…

32 percent increase in tourist arrivals – Avas

The Maldives’ tourism has grown by 32.5 percent this year compared to the same period last year. According to the statistics released by the Tourism Ministry, 155,886 tourists arrived in the Maldives as of the 28th of this month. This is a 32.5 percent increase over the same period last year. One hundred seventeen thousand six hundred eight tourists arrived in the Maldives during the same period in 2022. Statistics show that the largest number of tourists visiting the Maldives comes from Russia. Click here to read…

MDP Primary: Nasheed admits defeat – Avas

Parliament Speaker and leader of the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ‘s President, Mohamed Nasheed, has admitted defeat in the party’s Presidential Primary.
Nasheed contested against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in MDP’s presidential primary on Saturday. President Solih received 61 percent with 24,572 votes, against Nasheed’s 15,631 votes — 31 percent. Nasheed did not comment on President Solih’s apparent victory on the day of the election or the day after. Click here to read…

Myanmar

As Myanmar crisis simmers on, sentiments stay in favour of refugees in Mizoram – Indian Express

The Myanmar military’s bombing of Camp Victoria, a key rebel hideout on the Indo-Myanmar border, last week, underlines the continuing instability caused by the nearly two-year coup in the neighbouring country. The unrest also continues to spill over across the border to the northeastern state of Mizoram. Since the coup began in February 2021, thousands of Myanmarese nationals, caught in the crossfire between the Myanmarese Army and pro-democracy rebel forces, have crossed the border and entered India. Click here to read…

Australia targets Myanmar, Iran with economic sanctions – AP News

Australia on Wednesday announced targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against “individuals responsible for egregious human rights abuses” in Myanmar two years after a military junta seized power in the Southeast Asian country. The Myanmar sanctions target 16 members of the military’s governing regime and two military-controlled entities, the government said. Click here to read…

US, allies hit Myanmar with sanctions on coup anniversary – DW

Marking Wednesday’s two-year anniversary of Myanmar’s military coup, the US and its allies announced further sanctions on the country. Washington, along with Canada and the United Kingdom and Australia on Tuesday imposed sanctions on the Union Election Commission, mining enterprises, energy officials and others, as per a statement by the US Treasury Department. The statement said this was the first time the US had targeted Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) officials, the managing director and deputy managing director. It is the country’s single largest revenue-generating state-owned enterprise. Click here to read…

Nepal

USA to invest over $1 billion in Nepal over next 5 years – Economic Times

The United States of America will invest over $1 billion in Nepal over the next five years in green energy, electrification of the country, small and medium enterprises, women-led businesses and other sectors. The Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, US, Victoria Nuland said, “The United States plan to invest over $1 billion in Nepal over the next 5 years in everything from green energy, and electrification of this country to small and medium-sized enterprise particularly investing in the women-led business.” Click here to read…

Nepal ranks 110th in Corruption Perceptions Index – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal has been ranked in 110th position out of 180 countries and territories in the Corruption Perceptions Index. According to Corruption Perceptions Index 2022, an annual flagship publication of Transparency International, a global anti-corruption group based in Berlin, made public on Tuesday, Nepal made a slight improvement by climbing seven positions in the global rankings. Nepal was ranked in the 117th position in 2021. Click here to read…

‘Lamichhane cannot get ministry back’– The Himalayan

Senior Advocate Mithilesh Kumar Singh said that as per Article 78 (4) Rabi Lamichhane cannot become a minister as the SC invalidated his election to the House of Representatives and the same ought to be interpreted as his defeat. Click here to read…

In deep economic crisis, Nepal may just sail through – Firstpost

The economy in Nepal which was on the path of recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic has further been hit by the Ukraine crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that the global economic impact of the war in Ukraine is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and impacting Nepal’s import-reliant economy, increasing inflation, and decreasing international reserves. Click here to read…

Samantha Power Visiting Nepal: USAID Administrator – The Mirage

Administrator Samantha Power will travel to Kathmandu, Nepal in early February. While there, Administrator Power will meet with civil society leaders, community groups, students, businesses, and government officials to discuss Nepal’s efforts and achievements in becoming a more democratic, prosperous, inclusive, and resilient country. Click here to read…

Pakistan

US envoy, Pakistan officials discuss Afghan Taliban ban on women – The Express Tribune

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West, who visited Pakistan on January 30-31, discussed terrorism and Afghan Taliban’s ban on girls education with top officials including army chief General Syed Asim Munir. In a tweet from his official handle on Tuesday, the US envoy appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality over two days of productive meetings related to Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Pakistan blames ‘security lapse’ for Peshawar mosque blast, 100 dead – The Hindu
Pakistani authorities scrambled Tuesday to determine how a suicide bomber was able to carry out one of the country’s deadliest militant attacks in years, unleashing an explosion in a crowded mosque inside a highly secured police compound in the city of Peshawar. The death toll from the blast climbed to 100. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s corruption perception score falls to worst level in 10 years – Dawn

Although Pakistan managed to maintain its ranking in Transparency International’s Corru­ption Perceptions Index (CPI) in 2022, its overall score fell to the lowest level since 2012. According to the report released on Monday, Pakistan ranked 140 out of 180 countries — a position unchanged from 2021. However, its overall CPI score fell to 27 out of 100. Last year, the score was 28 out of 100. Click here to read…

TTP attack on Mianwali police station ‘repulsed’ – Dawn

A day after a deadly suicide bombing in Peshawar claimed over 100 lives, a police station in Mianwali came under a gun attack by a group of heavily armed militants be­longing to banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakis­tan (TTP) on Tuesday night. However, police clai­med late at night the attack had been repulsed. Click here to read…

North-west Pakistan in grip of deadly Taliban resurgence – The Guardian

The seemingly uncontrollable resurgence of the TTP in Pakistan had been forewarned by many observers since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in August 2020, after they seized control from the US-backed government and imposed brutal Islamic rule on the country. The triumph of the Taliban in Afghanistan was celebrated in Islamabad including by the then prime minister, Imran Khan, who said the country had broken from “the shackles of slavery”. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Useful meeting, says Jaishankar after reviewing ties with Sri Lankan envoy – Hindustan Times

External affairs minister Jaishankar said in a tweet that he had a “useful meeting” with Sri Lankan high commissioner Milinda Moragoda and reviewed his recent visit to Lanka and “taking the understandings forward”. The Sri Lankan high commission said in a statement that Moragoda met the external affairs minister to review the current status of the relations between Sri Lanka and India, and to discuss the “way forward and follow-up action, emanating” from Jaishankar’s recent visit to Colombo. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka Is Calm Again. That Doesn’t Mean Things Are Any Better – New York Times

On the surface, calm has returned to Sri Lanka since the South Asian nation plunged into political chaos and virtual bankruptcy last summer. Gone are the fuel lines that snaked for blocks; a seaside expanse that had been the site of a monthslong protest encampment was resplendent over the holidays with Christmas lights and carnival rides. But underneath, the island nation’s economy remains on a ventilator, with the government yet to secure a way out of crushing debt. Sri Lankans have become resigned to a sad reality: pared-down meals, shrunken incomes and reduced expectations. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s ex-President Sirisena apologises for 2019 Easter Sunday bombings – The Hindu

Sri Lanka’s former President Maithripala Sirisena on January 31 extended an apology to the country’s minority Catholic community for the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed over 270 people, including 11 Indians. His apology came weeks after the Supreme Court on January 12 ordered him to pay LKR 100 million (roughly ₹2.2 crores) as compensation to the victims. His failure to pay the victims would send him to jail on contempt of court charges. Mr. Sirisena, the Sri Lankan President from 2015 to 2019, also said he would contest the next presidential election due in 2024. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Facing Intl Condemnation, Islamic Emirate Defends Sharia Executions: Tolo News

Following widespread reactions over a recent execution, the Islamic Emirate said that the execution of guilty people is a divine command and that no one should be concerned about it. A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Bilal Karimi, said that the execution, which happened on Wednesday in the western province of Farah, was carried out after many investigations and assessments.

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Afghanistan Needs Further International Aid to Avoid Economic Crisis: The Khaama Press

According to an official statement by the Taliban Central Bank, the Afghan interim administration so far has received more than 1 billion and 700 million USD in cash mostly in the format of international aid. “Due to the prevailing worsening economic and humanitarian situations, the aforementioned amount is not enough to alleviate the negative impacts of the existing conditions on ordinary people’s lives. Therefore, more international aid is required to cope with the ongoing economic challenges,” the Central Bank’s spokesperson said.

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Bangladesh

Making Bangladesh more investor-friendly – Daka Tribune

It is undeniable that Bangladesh has made exceptional progress over the last many years, especially considering its status as a least developing country. As we move closer to graduating from that status, however, we must acknowledge the need — now, more than ever — for foreign investment, in order to boost our economy further.’
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India and its neighbours: New direction in South Asia? – Dhaka Tribune

India’s influence on Bangladesh and the rest of South Asia only looks to be increasing…Along with the growth of the Indian economy, the strategic balance will also increase. China, however, is likely to be against India’s economic growth.Any potentially offensive action by China is likely to destabilize the Indian growth trajectory.
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A competition of errors – The Daily Star

After 51 years of Bangladesh’s existence and 32 years of unbroken democratic rule – however flawed – we are proving to ourselves and to the world that we, as a polity, have not matured enough to settle even minor disputes peacefully with those who oppose us. An otherwise simple issue of where BNP should hold its rally has transformed itself into a situation where the public is in full uncertainty as to how the immediate future will unfold.
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Bhutan

Wasting no time on waste – Kuensel Online

Waste is the biggest problem facing the country today. As a country that has been recognised as environment-conscious, the amount of waste fly around is ironic, and, embarrassing. Waste is an issue in Bhutan because of the deeply-seated culture. Waste is an issue of serious concern because a large number of our people are uneducated. Waste also deserves sober treatment because more than laws, rules, and regulations, we need practical solutions.
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FAO supports projects to strengthen food systems and water management – Kuensel Online

High dependency on food imports, constraints to agriculture production, strong rural-urban migration and increasing fallow land are some aspects of Bhutan’s current food system. The food systems project aims to transform agri-food systems at the farm, landscape and value-chain levels.
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Maldives

Maldives will uphold the principles of the SAARC Charter: Pres Solih – Avas

The government has assured that the Maldives will always uphold the principles of the SAARC Charter. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih gave the assurance in a message to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)’s Secretary-General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon on the occasion of SAARC Charter Day. SAARC Charter Day is celebrated on December 8 every year.
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RBI signs Currency Swap Agreement with Maldives Monetary Authority – News Deal

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework. This agreement will enable the Maldives authority to make drawals in multiple tranches up to a maximum of 200 million dollars from the RBI. The agreement will provide swap support as a backstop line of funding for short-term foreign exchange liquidity requirements.
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Myanmar

Myanmar Junta Receives New Thai Ambassador – The Irrawaddy

Thailand’s new ambassador to Myanmar Mongkol Visitstump presented his credentials to junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday before holding separate talks with deputy junta leader Soe Win and foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin. The new Thai ambassador and Min Aung Hlaing discussed cooperation to boost border trade and investment in Myanmar, and development of its tourism industry, according to junta media.
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UN urges Southeast Asia governments to rescue stranded Rohingya – Aljazeera

The United Nations Refugee Agency has urged countries in Southeast Asia to rescue some 200 Rohingya refugees whose unseaworthy boat has been reported drifting in the Andaman Sea. The UNCHR said in a statement on Thursday that it had received reports that the Rohingya had been stranded on a boat off the coast of Thailand since its engines failed on December 1.
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15 killed in a shootout between drug gang and Thai security forces at Thai-Myanmar border – BNI Online

Thai border security forces reported that they intercepted a drug- trafficking gang and a 10minute shoot-out occurred along the Thai- Shan State border, killing 15 gang members according to a report in the Chiang Mai News. Thai border security were conducting inspections at Mumt Pin Gate No.12 in Phan township of Chiang Mai municipality (opposite side of Poung Par Khem sub-township of Mongton township in eastern Shan State) on the early morning of December 8. The drug smuggling gang, composed of more than 20 men, infiltrated through theforest passages on the Myanmar side.
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Source to VOA: US to Downgrade Relations with Myanmar – VOA News

A diplomatic source has told VOA Burmese that the U.S. will downgrade its diplomatic relations with Myanmar upon the departure of the current U.S. ambassador, Thomas Vajda, whose assignment is scheduled to conclude at the end of this month. The administration of President Joe Biden has decided not to send a successor, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter not yet officially announced by the State Department. “Deputy Chief of Mission Deborah Lynn will assume duties as charge d’affaires at [the] U.S. Embassy Rangoon after Ambassador Vajda’s departure,” the source said. The previous U.S. ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Marciel, told VOA that the U.S. doesn’t want to present credentials to the ruling military junta, formally known as the State Administrative Council (SAC).
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Nepal

UML trying every trick in the book to break five-party bond – The Kathmandu Post

Some leaders said breaking the ruling coalition is proving to be a hard nut to crack, at least for now. This is why the party may decide to be a strong opposition should their efforts to break the alliance fail. According to UML insiders, of late, been meeting leaders of the Maoist Centre including its general secretary, Dev Prasad Gurung.
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India’s Agnipath Scheme and the Impact on Ties with Nepal – ORF Online

Altering its military recruitment policy is undisputedly India’s prerogative, but this is certain to have a direct fallout on Nepal’s military labour migration to the Indian Army. Still, youth from Nepal’s financially marginalised sections may be interested in joining the Indian Army under Agnipath. However, more prominent Gorkha families will likely push their offspring to join the British or Nepali armies because they view military recruitment as a matter of prestige and not from the lens of monetary gain.
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Nepal need not import electricity in two years from now: Kulman Ghising – Khabarhub

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising has claimed that the authority’s investment is focused on the development of electrical infrastructure to increase electricity consumption and Nepal will be fully independent in electricity in two years from now. He mentioned that various EV Expos are being held to increase the consumption of electricity produced in Nepal.
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Sweden, Nepal study India’s digital rollout of health assurance scheme – Mint

Two countries on opposing ends of the development scale— one a much-praised welfare state and the other among the world’s poorest nations—have been studying India’s AB PM-JAY, intrigued by the ambitions of the world’s largest health assurance scheme. The Swedish health delegation came as part of a visit by joint working groups (JWG) of the Sweden-India Health MoU. The idea of the meeting with the NHA was to have an introduction to its work, and the role it plays in public health.
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Darjeeling’s tea gardens at risk due to climate, cheap Nepal tea – Goa Chronicle

The tea plantations of Darjeeling, which had been developed in the 19th century under the British Raj to reduce dependence on China for tea, are now suffering from an economic crisis, and more than half of the tea plantation owners are on the verge of becoming bankrupt. At the same time, the production cost of the authentic Darjeeling tea from West Bengal is more as compared to Nepal’s tea.
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Pakistan

Bilawal calls for people-centric democracy: The Express Tribune

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that democracy was the foundation of an emancipated society and underscored the importance of democracies in the developing countries to collaborate in responding to common challenges. Addressing the 15th Bali Democracy Forum held in the Indonesian holiday resort of Bali, the foreign minister called for reform of international financial institutions. He said that the people of Pakistan always strove for a people-centric democracy.

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Govt considers Rs60b mini-budget: The Express Tribune

The government may slap 17% sales tax on high-grade petrol as it is considering imposing more taxes on imports to cover a projected shortfall of Rs100 billion in customs duty collection. Tax authorities have recently shared options with the government to bridge the shortfall by imposing taxes on duty-free imports and raising the additional customs duty to collect roughly Rs60 billion in taxes, according to sources in the Ministry of Finance.

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TIP releases NCPS 2022 report: Police, judiciary among top three most corrupt institutions: The News

The NCPS 2022 released at 01:00am on Friday also showed no-confidence in anti-corruption entities including NAB. At the national level, the majority of people considered anti-corruption institutions’ role as ‘ineffective’ in curbing corruption in Pakistan, the report said. The following are the key findings of the NCPS 2022: Police remain the most corrupt sector, tendering and contracting was seen as the 2nd most corrupt, judiciary 3rd most corrupt while education has climbed to become 4th most corrupt since the last NCPS 2021. The provincial breakdown of the three most corrupt sectors reveals the following:

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Sri Lanka

Unpopular decisions have to be taken for benefit of country’s future, President – Daily News.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the country has had to face adverse repercussions today due to the short-sighted popular decisions taken in the past and unpopular decisions have had to be taken for the future prospects of the country. The President made this observation yesterday (08) taking part in the Third Reading debate of the Budget proposals for the financial year 2023. He said further that a Parliamentary Select Committee will be established on a resolution by the Parliament to look into those who led the economy to bankruptcy with their incorrect fiscal policies.
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Economic support to Sri Lanka not based on communal approach, Jaishankar – Daily News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday justified the government’s support to Sri Lanka, saying India would be shirking its responsibility if it did not step forward to support a crisis-hit neighbour. The economic support that India offered to Sri Lanka during its worst post-independence economic crisis was for the entire country and not based on any communal approach, he said.On the issue of Palestine, he said India stands for a two-state solution, with the two states living peacefully side-by-side.
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Six companies express interest to invest in ‘Colombo Port City’ project – Daily News

Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama told Parliament yesterday that six companies have already expressed their interest to invest in the ‘Colombo Port City’ project. The State Minister was speaking during the Committee Stage debate on Expenditure Heads of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies Ministry.
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Afghanistan

Exhibit Held in Kabul to Display Domestic Products: Tolo News

The Ministry of Industry and Mines (MoIC) said that efforts are underway in support of the private sector and that such exhibitions will be held outside the country to promote markets for Afghan products. “We are hoping for a day that such exhibitions will be held in Arabic countries like the UAE, and other countries like China and Central Asia as well as neighboring countries,” said Nooruddin Azizi, acting Minister of the MoIC. Click here to read…

Afghan Families Sell Belongings to Make Ends Meet: The Khaama Press

According to Martin Schuepp, Director of Operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), an average Afghan family can only afford 82% of basic food commodities, expressing concerns over the economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

DABS Says Uzbekistan Technical Issues Caused Rolling Blackout in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

During a press conference on Monday, November 21, Engineer Safiullah Ahmadzai, Chief Operating Officer of DABS, stated that the cause for the shortage of electricity and subsequent power outages is due to a technical difficulty in Uzbekistan’s gas system. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

BNP’s Dec 10 Dhaka rally: Cops, AL to be on high alert – The Daily Star

Law enforcers have taken all-out measures, including keeping Dhaka city BNP leaders and activists under close watch, to pre-empt “potential subversive activities” centering on the BNP’s Dhaka rally on December 10. Click here to read…

Dhaka should focus more on Indo-Pacific’ – The Daily Star

The Indo-Pacific region has become a focus for the world powers. Dealing with them has become challenging for many countries. How should Bangladesh handle such a situation? Ali Riaz, a distinguished professor at the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University, yesterday shared his views with The Daily Star’s Porimol Palma…Bangladesh, and South Asia as a whole, always looked at West Asia and Central Asia, which were the gateways to the world. It is no longer the case now. The whole economy has shifted towards the Indo-Pacific. Also, the geopolitical importance of the region has increased manyfold because of the rise of China. Click here to read…

Military diplomacy: A vital tool to mend Myanmar-Bangladesh ties – Dhaka Tribune

The military cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh has a lot of promise. There are several areas where the two countries may engage and work together, with the most essential being the improvement of relations. In a fresh turn of events, a three-person delegation from the Myanmar army met with the Bangladesh army in Dhaka. The two sides talked about promoting regional security and stability as well as the prompt repatriation of the Rohingyas. The Myanmar Army was reminded by the Bangladesh Army to exercise caution when undertaking any operations in the border regions. Click here to read…

Bhutan

ISRO to launch satellite developed by Bhutan – The Tribune

The ISRO is gearing up to launch the next PSLV mission from the spaceport at Sriharikota on November 26, which will carry a Oceansat-3 satellite and eight nano-satellites, including one developed by Bhutan scientists. India had, in September last year, signed an agreement with Bhutan for the joint development of the satellite, which was initiated following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Thimphu in 2019. Click here to read…

Buddhist confederation, monastic body hosting delegation of Bhutanese monks from Nov 22 to 30 – The Print

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 22 (ANI): The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in coordination with the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan is hosting a 24-member delegation of Bhutanese monks who are visiting India from November 22 to 30, said officials.During this tour, the monks are scheduled to visit various religious and Buddhist heritage sites in India including Nagarjuna Konda, Buddhavanam, Amravati, National Museum, and Sankissa, among others. Click here to read…

Maldives

Discussions held on expanding Maldives-Sri Lanka relations in investment, trade – Raajje

The discussions were held between Vice President Faisal Naseem and High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, Adam Maznavee Jaufer Sadiq. They discussed the exchange of technical and professional expertise between Maldives and Sri Lanka. Discussions have been held on ways to further expand relations in investment and trade, between the governments of Maldives and Sri Lanka. Click here to read…

India retains lead as top tourism market of Maldives this year – NewsOnAir

India has retained its lead as the top tourism market of Maldives this year. Close to two lakh Indian tourists visited Maldives in 2022 so far. The Indian mission in Maldives in a tweet said that India has been the biggest contributer to tourism in Maldives since 2020. The High Commission of India in Male also congratulated Maldives on securing World’s leading destination title for 2022 at the world travel awards earlier this month. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Denies Latest Corruption Charges in Court Appearance – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s ousted leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi denied further corruption charges when she testified on Tuesday in a junta-controlled court, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been a prisoner since the military toppled her government in February 2021, ending the Southeast Asian nation’s brief period of democracy. Click here to read…

NUG Suggests How ASEAN Can Get Meaningful Changes From Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime released 402 political prisoners last week as part of its amnesty for nearly 6,000 inmates. The move was hastily embraced by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy for Myanmar, who said the release was a sign of good will and an important gesture suggesting that the ruling junta is ready to change, despite the fact that Myanmar has been in turmoil since last year’s coup. Click here to read…

Siem Reap ADMM Retreat in full swing without Myanmar – Khmertimeskh

The ASEAN defence ministers, except Myanmar, discussed the rapid changes in global security environment as they convened for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) in Siem Reap yesterday. Besides the ADMM Retreat, held under the theme ‘Solidary for Harmonised Security’, Cambodia is also hosting the 9th ADMM-Plus, the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting and the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting from November 21-23. Click here to read…

Nepal

Vote count update: NC wins 12 seats; RSP 4 and UML 3 – Khabarhub

In the initial vote count of the election held on Sunday, Nepali Congress (NC) has taken the lead followed by CPN-UML so far. Till now, NC has won in 12 constituencies and the UML in three constituencies. As of now, NC is leading in 45 constituencies followed by UML, which is leading in 43 constituencies. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has already won four seats, is leading in five constituencies. Likewise, the Unified Socialist Party led by Madhav Kumar Nepal has won one seat and is leading in five constituencies. Click here to read…

Poor transfer of Congress votes weighing down coalition partners – The Kathmandu Post

Congress voters seemed reluctant to back other coalition candidates. But they voted for the UML in some places. Preliminary results of the federal and provincial polls held on Sunday suggest the votes of Nepali Congress have not been transferred to other coalition partners. This had been long feared. The transfer from Nepali Congress to CPN (Maoist Centre) was thought to be particularly hard; Congress leaders were among the main Maoist targets during the decade-long bloody insurgency. Nonetheless, an electoral alliance was forged between the Congress, the Maoist Centre, the CPN (Unified Socialist) and the Rastriya Janamorcha. Click here to read…

After ballot paper mix-up, calls grow for shift to electronic voting – The Kathmandu Post

In Ilam constituency 1, some 100 ballot papers of the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections for the House of Representatives were found dropped into the boxes meant for FPTP votes for the provincial assembly. Similar thing happened at a polling centre in Rukum East. In the press meet after the conclusion of the voting on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Thapaliya had said they had received several complaints of ballot paper mixup. Following such complaints, the commission decided to count the votes under all four categories—FPTP and proportional representation of both the lower house and provincial assemblies—simultaneously. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PM Office receives summary for top military appointments: Dawn

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Wednesday morning that it has received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a “panel of names” for the appointment of the new chief of army staff (COAS) and the chairman joint chief of staff committee (CJCSC). Click here to read…

Govt shares revised budget framework with IMF: The Express Tribune

Despite the worst flood in the country‘s history and hundreds of billions of rupees in unbudgeted subsidies, Pakistan has initially projected only Rs990 billion fiscal slippages in this financial year, hardly showing a negative impact of Rs55 billion on its revenues. Click here to read…

Row over sugar export further delays crushing: The Express Tribune

In what appears to be a deliberate move, the sugar mills in Punjab have refused to start the sugarcane crushing season from November 25, as a deadlock between the government and mills over permission to export the sweetener persists. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Second Reading of Budget 2023 passed with majority of 37 – The Island

The second reading of Budget 2023 was passed with a majority of 37 votes in Parliament yesterday. The vote taken at 6 pm received 121 votes in favour and 84 votes against. The SJB, JVP, SLFP and SLPP dissidents voted against the Budget. Click here to read…

P627 Patrol Vessel commissioned as Vijayabahu – Daily News

The Offshore Patrol Vessel P627 the most recent addition to the Sri Lanka Navy fleet received from the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard was commissioned as Vijayabahu under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (22). The commissioning ceremony was held at the Colombo Port. The Vessel P627 began her home-bound journey from the Port of Seattle on September 3, 2022 and arrived in Colombo on November 2 after about 10,656 nautical miles (19,734 km) of sea passage. The President as Chief Guest was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Navy. The President boarded the, SLNS Vijayabahu Vessel accompanied by Navy Commander Vice Admieal Nishantha Ulugetenna and unveiled the ship’s name board. Click here to read…

China Spy Ship Row: Sri Lanka FM Ali Sabry says New Delhi’s sensitivities will be kept in mind – WION

In the backdrop of the visit of Chinese spy ship, Sri Lankan foreign minister Ali Sabry has said that Indian “Indian sensitivities will be kept in mind” so that it doesn’t lead to any “unpleasantries” for both the countries. Remember Chinese spy ship or as Beijing has been terming it research vessel research vessel Yuan Wang 5 had visited the Sri Lankan port of hambantota raising concern for New Delhi. Speaking exclusively with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal from Colombo, FM Sabry said, “everyone who will be entitled will be known in advance, we will have a known procedure in place so that no one is surprised, so therefore it is important we also have the freedom of navigation in the Indian ocean.” Click here to read…

Panchen Lama encourages Tibetan Buddhism followers to serve society, motherland: Xinhuanet

March 10, 2022

Monks, nuns and followers of Tibetan Buddhism should turn their religious belief into the driving force for building their hometowns, serving the society and the country, the 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, said during the annual “two sessions” held in Beijing. Click here to read more…

Documents to be put to vote at China’s annual legislative session: Xinhuanet

March 10, 2022

The presidium for the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, has decided to put a raft of documents to vote at the session’s closing meeting on Friday. Li Zhanshu, an executive chairman of the presidium, presided over the third and fourth meetings of the presidium held Thursday. Click here to read more…

Growth target of around 5.5 pct to generate output equivalent to medium economy, says Chinese premier: Xinhuanet

March 11, 2022

A 5.5-percent increase on the basis of over 110-trillion-yuan (about 17.4 trillion U.S. dollars) GDP in China today would generate the same amount of output equivalent to the size of a medium economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday. Click here to read more…

Chinese FM exchanges views on Ukraine issue with French, Italian counterparts: Xinhuanet

March 11, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine respectively with his French and Italian counterparts via video link. When meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Wang said the major consensus reached by Chinese, French and German leaders during a virtual summit held on Tuesday should be well implemented. Click here to read more…

Chinese PLA cooperates with militaries of over 50 countries in COVID-19 fight: Xinhuanet

March 10, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has played an active role in the global fight against COVID-19 while fully supporting domestic epidemic containment, a military spokesperson said Wednesday. Click here to read more…

China to step up rural highway construction: Xinhuanet

March 10, 2022

China will promote rural highway construction and further improve the country’s rural highway network this year, according to the Ministry of Transport. Last year, the country’s total investment in rural highways reached about 410 billion yuan (about 65 billion U.S. dollars). More than 160,000 kilometers of rural roads were reconstructed, data from the ministry showed. Click here to read more…

China boosts funding to address weak links in social welfare: Xinhuanet

March 10, 2022

China has provided 3 billion yuan (about 475.4 million U.S. dollars) from the central government budget to shore up weak links in social welfare and ensure people’s well-being, the country’s top economic planner said Thursday. Click here to read more…

Digital platform improves legislators’ work efficiency: China Daily

March 11, 2022

A digital platform has been launched to facilitate the work of national legislators by moving the processing of motions online. The platform was officially put into operation on Saturday, when the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress kicked off. Click here to read more…

University Party secretary deposed after COVID-19 campus outbreak, sparks heated discussion: Global Times

March 10, 2022

The secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee at a university was sacked on Thursday after an outbreak of COVID-19 was detected in the campus. This has shocked Chinese social media and aroused a heated discussion. Click here to read more…

17 officials from E China’s city punished for severe loopholes in daily epidemic prevention: Global Times

March 11, 2022

A total of 17 officials from the pandemic-hit Laixi, a city in East China’s Shandong Province, were punished on Thursday for severe loopholes in daily epidemic prevention tasks, especially their low alert and negligent attitude against COVID-19 in populated places like schools. Both the secretary of the city’s Communist Party of China committee, Zhou Ke, and the mayor of Laixi, Liu Ying, were severely warned by the Party disciplinary body. Click here to read more…

China’s ‘reasonable, appropriate’ defense budget boost contributes to natl security, world peace: military delegation deputy: Global Times

March 10, 2022

China’s defense expenditure has kept a reasonable, appropriate increase, and will contribute to safeguarding national security and world peace, a Chinese legislator from military delegation told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Thursday. Click here to read more…

China to take counter measures if US moves to sanction Chinese firms, individuals: Global Times

March 10, 2022

China will firmly respond with counter measures if the US moves to implement sanctions on Chinese companies or individuals under the pretext of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict, which some US government officials have threatened, China’s Foreign Ministry said. Click here to read more…

Chip proposals flourish at two sessions as China aims for technology self-sufficiency: Global Times

March 10, 2022

Integrated circuit (IC)-themed proposals and motions have been all the rage during the “two sessions”, as eagerness grows over China’s push for semiconductors self-sufficiency amid the US-led tech decoupling. Click here to read more…

China ranks first in world in terms of outstanding green loans: Quishi

March 11, 2022

China’s outstanding green loans in yuan and foreign currencies hit 15.9 trillion yuan (about $2.5 trillion) by the end of 2021, the largest in the world and jumping 33 percent from the previous year, according to the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). The country issued 600 billion yuan worth of green bonds domestically last year, up 180 percent year on year, with outstanding green bonds reaching 1.1 trillion yuan. Click here to read more…

China may warm to Japan to tackle economic slump, but faces hurdles: Kyodov

March 11, 2022

China may try to cozy up to Japan in the short run to curb a possible economic downturn, as President Xi Jinping has been keen to secure a controversial third term as leader at the ruling Communist Party’s twice-a-decade congress in fall. But Tokyo is unlikely to take a softer approach toward Beijing, with the two Asian powers recently at odds over China’s security challenges to Taiwan, its temporary detention of a Japanese diplomat and its unwillingness to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Click here to read more…

Matchmakers a turn-off, Chinese Web users say: Reuters

March 11, 2022

Proposals for matchmaking committees within unions and a drive to encourage more graduate students to have babies triggered a frosty reception on social media, as officials brainstormed ways to raise China’s plunging birthrate. Click here to read more…

China censors online Ukraine debate, bars calls for peace: Reuters

March 11, 2022

China’s censors, who quietly determine what can be discussed on the country’s buzzing social media platforms, are silencing views of citizens protesting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the days after Russia’s Feb. 24 attack, comments on Chinese social media platforms Weibo, WeChat and Douyin broadly backed Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Many posts challenging that, or even advocating peace, quickly disappeared from view. Click here to read more…

TikTok nears Oracle deal in bid to allay U.S. data concerns-sources: Reuters

March 11, 2022

TikTok is nearing a deal for Oracle Corp (ORCL.N) to store its U.S. users’ information without its Chinese parent ByteDance having access to it, hoping to address U.S. regulatory concerns over data integrity on the popular short video app, people familiar with the matter said. Click here to read more…

China’s disciplinary enforcers shift focus from corruption to poor performance: South China Morning Post

March 9, 2022

China’s President Xi Jinping is increasingly using the Communist Party’s disciplinary mechanisms, best known for tackling corruption, to punish poor performance, a study has found. It said the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) had shifted from being a “fear-inducing machine” primarily focused on corruption to becoming a “behaviour modification machine”. Click here to read more…

Familiar barriers put China’s women scientists a long way from the top: South China Morning Post

March 11, 2022

The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is “Break the Bias”, which asks us to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. In the second of a series of stories about gender equality in China, Holly Chik looks at why there are so few women in China’s top science institutes, and recent measures meant to bridge the gender gap.
By most measures Zhong Xuefeng is a success story. After completing a PhD overseas, she is now a professor at China’s Anhui Medical University. But the price she paid for that success has left her guilt ridden. Click here to read more…

Chinese vice premier stresses need to advance coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region: Xinhuanet

January 25, 2022

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on Tuesday called for new progress in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region by emphasizing major areas and key sections. Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of a leading group for the coordinated development of the region. Click here to read…

Former senior official of Zhejiang expelled from CPC, office: Xinhuanet

January 26, 2022

Zhou Jiangyong, a former senior official in east China’s Zhejiang Province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws, the country’s top anti-graft body announced Wednesday. Click here to read…

Chinese premier stresses prioritizing stability in economic development: Xinhuanet

January 25, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed prioritizing stability in economic development as the Chinese economy continues to face downward pressure and complex domestic and international environments. Click here to read…

Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Virtual Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Central Asian Countries: Xinhuanet

January 25, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a summit held on Tuesday via video link to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and delivered an important speech.

Following is the full text of the speech:

Click here to read…

Chinese envoy calls for more humanitarian, economic assistance to Afghanistan: Xinhuanet

January 27, 2022

China’s permanent representative to the United Nations on Wednesday calls for more humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan. “China calls for a stronger sense of urgency from the international community and more humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan, so as to bring warmth and hope to the Afghan people,” Zhang Jun told a Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Senior Heilongjiang provincial legislator under investigation: Xinhuanet

January 26, 2022

Song Xibin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Congress, is being investigated for suspected severe violations of Party disciplines and laws. Song is under investigation by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Former Hebei provincial legislator under investigation: Xinhuanet

January 26, 2022

Xie Jilai, a former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial People’s Congress, is being investigated for suspected serious violations of Party discipline and law, according to the country’s top anti-graft body on Wednesday. Xie is under investigation by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. Click here to read…

China publishes five-year plan for construction industry: Quishi

January 27, 2022

China unveiled a development plan on Tuesday for its construction industry over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) to push the pillar sector of the country’s economy onto a greener, smarter and safer path. The industry will maintain a 6-percent share of the country’s GDP into 2025, according to the document from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. Click here to read…

China, Saudi Arabia vow to boost military cooperation: China Military

January 26, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe held talks via video link with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman on January 26, 2022.
Under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries, China and Saudi Arabia have been deepening their political mutual trust and expanding cooperation in various fields, and the two countries are good friends and partners that trust each other, share mutual benefits, and develop together, Wei said. Click here to read…

China’s spending on R&D reaches new high in 2021: China Daily

January 26, 2022

China’s spending on research and development (R&D) hit a new high of 2.44 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, up 0.03 percentage points from the previous year, official data showed Wednesday.Click here to read…

Senior banking official removed over corruption: China Daily

January 26, 2022

He Xingxiang, former vice president of the China Development Bank, has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from his post, the country’s top anti-graft watchdogs said on Wednesday. A statement issued by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission said He was punished for serious violations of discipline and law. Click here to read…

Top TV regulator asks anchors, TV hosts to raise political awareness, clean ‘friend circle’: Global Times

January 26, 2022

China’s top television regulator on Wednesday released an opinion piece asking news organizations and lower-level television bureaus to enhance management of anchors’ and TV hosts’ professional and social activities. The opinion, released by the National Radio and Television Administration on its website, stated that anchors and TV hosts should have firm political stance, high morality, rich knowledge, professional skills and be dedicated to work. Click here to read…

China’s Xi says country’s low carbon push must guarantee energy, food security: Reuters

January 26, 2022

China’s ambitious low-carbon goals should not come at the expense of energy and food security or the “normal life” of ordinary people, President Xi Jinping said, signalling a more cautious approach to climate change as the economy slows. Click here to read…

China has right to impose tariffs on US$645 million of US products, says WTO: South China Morning Post

January 27, 2022

The World Trade Organization (WTO) authorised China on Wednesday to impose US$645 million of compensatory tariffs against the United States in a ruling likely to receive a cool reception in Washington. China went to the WTO in 2012 to challenge anti-subsidy tariffs the United States imposed between 2008 and 2012, mainly during the term of US President Barack Obama, on 22 Chinese products ranging from solar panels to steel wire. Click here to read…

China, Russia take another step closer, agreeing to strengthen coordination on Asian affairs: South China Morning Post

January 26, 2022

Senior Chinese and Russian diplomats have agreed to step up coordination on Asian affairs, the latest sign the neighbouring countries are moving closer amid growing pressure from the West. The agreement was reached on Tuesday during a virtual meeting between Liu Jinsong, head of the Asian affairs unit at China’s foreign ministry, and Ovchinnikov Alexey Mikhailovich, who heads the Russian foreign ministry’s Asia-Pacific department. Click here to read…

Xi stresses further promoting full, strict Party governance: Xinhunaet

January 18, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday stressed rigorous and unswerving efforts in further promoting full and strict Party governance. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline InspectionClick here to read…

Xi stresses full, strict Party governance, vows zero tolerance on corruption: Xinhunaet

January 18, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday stressed rigorous and unswerving efforts in further promoting full and strict Party governance. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance stance on corruption while addressing the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). Click here to read…

China pledges to further support employment of people emerging from poverty: Xinhuanet

January 18, 2022

In an effort to consolidate its poverty elimination achievements, China will strive to ensure that at least 30 million people who have been lifted out of poverty are employed this year, a senior official said on Tuesday. In 2021, some 31.45 million people lifted out of poverty found jobs, Liu Huanxin, deputy chief of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group and head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration, told a video conference. Click here to read…

China urges U.S. to compensate victims of secret experiments: Xinhuanet

January 18, 2022

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Tuesday urged the United States to offer apologies and compensation to victims of secret experiments. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a Danish Radio documentary which exposed the secret human body experiments practiced on 311 Danish children in the 1960s, allegedly funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Click here to read…

China unveils plan to improve transportation networks by 2025: Xinhuanet

January 18, 2022

China has unveiled a plan outlining major targets for transportation network development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). High-speed railways will stretch to a total length of 50,000 kilometers in 2025, up from 38,000 kilometers in 2020, and 250-km ones are expected to cover 95 percent of cities with populations above 500,000, per the document released by the State Council. Click here to read…

China’s ex-senior provincial political advisor prosecuted: Xinhuanet

January 18, 2022

A public prosecution has been initiated against Xiao Yi, a former senior political advisor in east China’s Jiangxi Province, over suspected bribe-taking and abuse of power. The Hangzhou Municipal People’s Procuratorate in Zhejiang Province recently filed a lawsuit with the Intermediate People’s Court of Hangzhou, an official statement said Tuesday. Click here to read…

Former official feels ‘liberated’ behind bars: China Daily

January 19, 2022

One-time Beijing vice-mayor yielded to enticement of corruption and bribery. To fulfill a dream, Chen Gang, a former member of the Leading Party Members Group of the China Association for Science and Technology, asked real estate developers to build a private garden for him in Huairou, Beijing, from 2002 to 2014. Click here to read…

PLA Xinjiang Military Command gets new air defense missiles, artillery, rocket launch systems: Global Times

January 18, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Xinjiang Military Command recently commissioned a large batch of advanced air defense missiles, artillery and multiple rocket launch systems, which analysts said on Tuesday are expected to enhance the troops’ emergency response capabilities under complicated situations. Click here to read…

China, Russia, Iran to hold joint maritime exercise: Global Times

January 19, 2022

China, Russia and Iran will hold a maritime joint exercise, media reported on Tuesday, citing the Russian navy’s Pacific Fleet, without releasing a specific time for the drill. It is not the first time for the three countries to hold similar joint exercises. In 2019, the Chinese Navy, together with its Russian and Iranian counterparts, conducted a four-day military drill on the Gulf of Oman to deepen cooperation between the navies of the three countries. The drill also conveys a goodwill gesture and exhibits China’s ability to maintain world peace and maritime security, according to Chinese military officials. Click here to read…

Xi identifies priority areas of China-U.S. relationship: Xinhuanet

November 16, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping has identified four priority areas where China and the United States should focus their efforts on. China and the United States ought to shoulder responsibilities of major countries and lead global response to outstanding challenges, Xi said at a virtual meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Click here to read…

China’s 5G network to cover most villages by 2025: Xinhuanet

November 16, 2021

China’s 5G network will cover all cities and towns, as well as most villages, by 2025, said a development plan on digital infrastructure. The number of 5G base stations per 10,000 people will reach 26 by 2025, said the plan issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Click here to read…

State councilor stresses level playing field in market: Xinhuanet

November 16, 2021

State Councilor Wang Yong on Tuesday underscored efforts to ensure a level playing field in the Chinese market and called for global antitrust cooperation. Wang made the remarks while addressing the VII BRICS International Competition Conference in Beijing. Click here to read…

Wuhan hosts overseas Chinese conference to draw talent, investment: Xinhuanet

November 17, 2021

The 2021 Conference on Overseas Chinese Pioneering and Developing in China opened Tuesday in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province, attracting more than 500 guests from home and abroad. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ding Zhongli, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, acknowledged the contributions of overseas Chinese in China’s process of revolution, construction and reform. Click here to read…

Full Text: Xi’s explanation of resolution on major achievements and historical experience of CPC over past century: China Military

November 16, 2021

Explanation of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century

Xi Jinping

On behalf of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), I will now brief you on the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century and related issues. Click here to read…

Full Text: Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century: People’s Daily

November 17, 2021

The sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has adopted the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century. Click here to read…

Cyberspace watchdog continues cleaning up internet: China Daily

November 16, 2021

China’s cyberspace watchdog has strengthened the governance of the internet, with over 400,000 pieces of harmful information removed since June, the authority said on Tuesday. They have also punished over 20,000 social media accounts and 6,500 chat group leaders over the violation of relative regulations, according to the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, which launched a rectification campaign to create a cleaner internet environment in June. Click here to read…

China-Russia Consortium space weather center established in Beijing to enhance intl influence: Global Times

November 17, 2021

The China-Russia Consortium (CRC) space weather center was established in Beijing on Tuesday, a move to accelerate the development of meteorological services for international civil aviation and enhance China’s international influence in the sector, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Click here to read…

Drones cut task time by a third for Xinjiang border missions: Global Times

November 16, 2021

Drones are helping border soldiers in Tacheng Prefecture, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to conduct missions more effectively as they can shorten the task time by a third, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Tacheng sub-command recently conducted an exercise where they used drones to track “terrorists” who had escaped to the dead zone of monitors and hide in trees and snow. Click here to read…

Chinese news groups warned of penalties for internet information violations: South China Morning Post

November 17, 2021

News organisations could be pulled from China’s new “white list” of approved internet news providers if they violate “information security”, a senior Chinese internet regulator said on Tuesday. “For those who are already on the list of approved sources, if there are violations of laws or regulations, or information security ‘accidents’, internet regulators will suspend their qualifications,” Xie Dengke, head of content at the Cyberspace Administration of China, said in Beijing. Click here to read…

China condemns ‘money worship’, corruption of reform era in key document: Reuters

November 16, 2021

China’s ruling Communist Party slammed the “money worship”, “extreme individualism” and corruption that emerged in the four decades since the country opened up, calling for stronger party leadership and moral discipline in a key resolution released on Tuesday. The document strengthens President Xi Jinping’s dominance of the party ahead of what is likely to be a precedent-breaking third term to begin next year, while enshrining his vision of China’s historical trajectory. Click here to read…