Afghanistan

Acting Min. Muttaqi Meets with Norwegian Charge d’Affaires: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with Norway’s chargé d’affaires in Afghanistan to discuss political and humanitarian cooperation. Amir Khan Muttaqi said during the meeting that attempting to leverage Afghanistan is useless and that the international community should instead choose the path of engagement. Click here to read…

Kabul Province Students Complain of Lack of Buildings, Teachers: Tolo News

Students complain of a lack of buildings and of teachers in the Khaki Jabbar District of Kabul. They said that the cold weather has made it difficult for them to continue their education and that they lack a proper space to study. “We ask them to build structures for us, because even when it rains we sit here,” said Hasib, a student. “The shop was cold, we came out and here the ground is wet, we ask them to build buildings for us, it’s cold here, we can’t study, we all get sick here,” said Mohammad, another student. Click here to read…

Yesterday’s Military Men, Today’s Coal Mining Workers; Mine Collapse Kills 2 Miners: The Khaama Press

Two military men of the fallen Afghan government, who worked at a coal mine in the northern province of Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of the country, died after the mine collapsed, local sources said. Click here to read…

Events in motion to have new chief within the week: Dawn

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday sought a defence ministry summary for the appointment of the new army chief, along with the service dossiers of all prospective candidates, as the government seems set to name outgoing Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s successor by Friday. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

New Indian envoy calls on Momen – Dhaka Tribune

Newly appointed Indian high commissioner in Dhaka Praney K Verma yesterday made his maiden call on foreign minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen at the foreign ministry. Both considers India as the closest and the most important neighbor and termed the relations as “Solid and Unique one”. Momen stressed on Bangladesh as a “Regional Connectivity Hub” and India being the closest neighbor can reap the benefits of the connectivity outlook. He also referred to Indo-Pacific region, stressing upon the need for international rules and norms based free and fair connectivity amongst the countries of the region. Whereas the Indian envoy stressed upon the India’s Presidency of G20 and Bangladesh’s active participation to promote issues of mutual interest in the global discourseClick here to read…

21st century is Asia-Pacific century – New Age

THE US empire is going to face competition in the Asia-Pacific. Years ago, the empire could not have imagined it. The competition will be tougher. To the empire, the Asia-Pacific region was its own yard, a self-sphere for maneuvering, forward positioning to counter the then-Soviet Union and China, dominance, and resource and labor exploitation. All the economic potentialities of the region were within easy reach of the empire. That was the reality, and the empire imagined that this reality would perpetuate. Click here to read…

A red alert indeed – The Daily Star

We are shocked to learn that two militants escaped police custody from the Dhaka court premises on Sunday. Reportedly, four cops were escorting the two death-row convicts along with ten other militants to the prison cell when unidentified individuals attacked a constable, and snatched the two. Both were members of the banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam, and convicted in the murder cases of slain publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan and blogger Avijit Roy. Such dangerous criminals being on the loose, amid suspicions of a resurgence in militant activities fueled by mysterious disappearances of young men in recent months, is indeed concerning. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Govt. recommends loan rescheduling to resolve NPLs – Kuensel Online

The government has recommended rescheduling the loan repayment period to the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) to resolve non-performing loans (NPL), Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said. Suppose the loan repayment period is extended from 10 to 20 years, it could benefit both the lenders and the borrowers, he said when quizzed by the Nanong-Shumar MP Lungten Namgyel on NPLs in the National Assembly on November 18. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives-Mauritius boundary dispute; the unspoken – Edition

For years Maldives has maintained its position regarding the boundary conflict it has with neighboring Mauritius, claiming the former’s decision to vote against the 2019 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion has never been about supporting colonizers to maintain their colonial control – but rather it was always tied to the fears over Maldives possibly having to relinquish territorial control from part of its border, specifically by the disputed line. Click here to read…

Structural Issues Plague the Fight Against Terrorism in the Maldives – European Eye on Radicalisation

Known for being a popular tourist destination, the Maldives is facing a lesser-known challenge of extremism. It has more than 1,400 extremists residing within the country and is also holds the world’s highest record for foreign terrorist fighters per-capita. With the growing awareness of this challenge, the Maldives has undertaken various institutional, technical, and legal initiatives in recent years to tackle the problem. However, its reforms weigh thin against its broader domestic structural challenges that fuel extremism. Prevalent political, economic and social conditions, directly and indirectly, contribute to the country’s extremist challenges and even fuel them further. Click here to read…

Myanmar

India’s foreign secretary visits Myanmar, discusses border management – Business Standard

India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday concluded a two-day visit to Myanmar during which he discussed issues relating to border management and security. Kwatra’s visit came amid escalating violence between ethnic armed organisations and the Myanmar army that could have some impact on the border regions in India’s northeastern states. Click here to read…

Russia, Myanmar Only States to Use Landmines in 2022, Report Says – VOA

Russia and Myanmar are the only two countries to have used antipersonnel mines this year, according to the latest annual report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Neither country is among the 164 states that are party to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Click here to read…

Myanmar crisis: Rights expert urges Korea to play ‘enhanced leadership role’ – UN News

Concluding a six-day official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), a UN-appointed independent human rights expert urged the country to help reverse the international community’s failure to address the crisis in Myanmar by taking the regional lead in ending violence against civilians there. “The Republic of Korea can play a vital leadership role in denying the Myanmar junta the means to continue holding 54 million people hostage while becoming a leader in providing humanitarian support to those in desperate need’’, said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, in a statement on Monday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal poll results signal upset – Nepali Times

While early results show that the rivalry between the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML that dates back 30 years is still as fierce as ever, Nepal’s politics may be seeing the dawn of a new era. The reason for this appears to be mainly that many supporters of the NC and Maoist-Centre voted for independents or rebel candidates, rejecting the alliance of convenience between the right and left-wing parties. Although the UML is also losing a lot of votes to new and independent candidates, the opposition UML appears to have been able to better ride out the storm. Click here to read…

Rastriya Swatantra Party emerges as third largest in initial PR votes count – My Republica

The newly-formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led by Ravi Lamichhane has stood third in the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system in the initial vote counting. According to the EC data, the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has secured 7,881 votes and the CPN-UML 6,486 votes under the PR electoral system. CPN (Maoist Center) is trailing behind the RSP with a total of 2464 votes followed by RPP with a total 1813 votes so far. Click here to read…

Could the rise of Rastriya Swatantra Party boost anti-federal forces? – The Kathmandu Post

The newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party, which is doing rather well in the federal elections based on votes secured in the early stages of vote-counting, didn’t field candidates in provincial elections. Lamichhane is not the only next-generation leader with reservations over the current provincial setup. Balen Shah, mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was also seen avoiding casting votes for provincial candidates. After Shah cast his vote in federal elections, the police personnel present at the polling booth appeared to have asked him to also vote for provincial assembly candidates. He ignored the call. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pak-Afghan border reopens after a week: Dawn

Pakistan on Monday reopened its border with Afghanistan at Chaman, which remained closed for a week hampering trade between the two neighbouring countries as well as the movement of people through the Friendship Gate. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s default risk worsens: The Express Tribune

The perception of Pakistan’s risk of default has worsened with the five-year credit default swap (CDS) surging by 30 percentage points in a week to 93% on Monday ahead of the repayment of $1 billion for a maturing international bond early next month. Click here to read…

Inquiry into Bajwa family tax record leak ordered: The Express Tribune

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has taken serious notice of the illegal and unwarranted leakage of tax information of the family members of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Monday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Govt’s intention to resume negotiations on FTAs – Secretary to the President – Daily News

The Government’s intention was to resume negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), said Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake. It is the vision of the President that Sri Lanka will integrate with the global value chains and with the largest economies in South Asia and East Asia and then expand to the eastern region linking to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Further, the Secretary to the President invited private sector stakeholders to creatively engage in this development initiative as they are the ultimate beneficiaries.He made these observations during an awareness session on the resumption of negotiations of Free Trade Agreements held for Trade Chambers and Industry Advisory Committees at the Finance Ministry in November (16). Click here to read…

ADB to help set up University on Climate Change – Daily News

The Commonwealth and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have come forward to help Sri Lanka to set up a University on Climate Change, Senior Advisor to the President and United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said.He said that the above was agreed during the meetings held on the sidelines of the COP 27 in Egypt. He pointed out that a number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Korea are willing to help Sri Lanka to face the impacts of climate change, adding that the Government intends to discuss with them in the near future. Click here to read…

President assures his support to expand Scout Movement – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured to provide the necessary assistance to expand the Scouting Movement by increasing its membership to 200,000 covering all nine provinces by 2024. The President also mentioned that he would seek the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs for this purpose. The Sri Lanka Scout Association officially conferred the title of Chief Scout and Patronus to President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday morning (21) at the President’s Office, where he made these comments. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Envoys of Over 10 Countries Discuss Afghanistan at Moscow Format: Tolo News

Representatives and officials from more than 10 countries exchanged views on the Afghan situation in the “Moscow Format” meeting on Afghanistan that began on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Doha Office Says Gaining Recognition Takes Time: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in Qatar said it considers the recognition of the Islamic Emirate by the international community to be a process that will take time, and that efforts are ongoing to achieve recognition. Click here to read…

SIGAR Assesses Factors Behind the Collapse of Afghan Gov’t: The Khaama Press

The US Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in a recent report assessed the underlying factors behind the collapse of former Afghan government in 2021, listing at least nine factors that led to Taliban’s regime in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Russia’s Multilateral Talks on Afghanistan Opens without Taliban: The Khaama Press

Sputnik reported that there are 11 countries represented at this meeting, including Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. At a news conference in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the discussion will center on the military-political, socioeconomic, and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as well as coordinating measures to bolster regional security. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Lavrov’s Dhaka visit: Dhaka to focus on food, energy supply, Rohingya crisis – The Daily Star

Lavrov will visit Bangladesh to attend the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting on November 23-24 to be held at Hotel InterContinental at the invitation of Bangladesh, the current chair of IORA. Lavrov, who happily accept the invitation, will also be meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, officials have confirmed. International relations analysts said Russia faces global isolation. The UN General Assembly has adopted several resolutions since March this year demanding end to the war, territorial integrity of Ukraine and Russia’s reparation for the damages caused by attacks in Ukraine…Bangladesh has abstained from voting in two UNGA resolutions and voted for Ukraine in one…The US and European Union are Bangladesh’s major export destinations and they are supporting Bangladesh in the Rohingya crisis, politically and financially. Click here to read….

Bangladesh seeks Singaporean investment to become ‘connectivity hub’ – The Daily Star

Decribing Singapore as a “connectivity hub” for distribution of services as well as trade, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam yesterday shared the aspirations of Bangladesh to emerge as a facilitator of regional connectivity for the land locked countries and regions of South Asia. Highlighting the need for more investment in infrastructure development, including sea ports and air ports, he sought more Singaporean investments to facilitate Bangladesh’s transition as a regional connectivity and manufacturing hub. Click here to read…

Shahriar Alam: Dhaka, Tokyo relations to be strengthened through PM-level talks – Dhaka Tribune

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday expressed his optimism that Bangladesh-Japan relations would further be strengthened through the upcoming prime ministers-level meeting in Tokyo. The prime minister is scheduled to pay the official visit to Japan from November 29 to December 1 at the invitation of her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. Click here to read…

Dhaka to warn diplomats against commenting on internal matters – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh will warn diplomats stationed in Dhaka against making remarks on the country’s internal matters, Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque has said. “We will not tolerate any ambassador’s interference; they will be cautioned again,” the minister said while responding to questions from reporters in Meherpur on Wednesday morning. “Bangladesh is a sovereign nation; we liberated this country through a bloody war. We will not make any concessions when it comes to maintaining the dignity of our country.” The minister’s comments came in light of Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s statement on Monday that he had heard about “ballot stuffing” and that some police officers had stuffed ballot boxes the night before the last general election, which was something he had never heard about happening in any other country. Click here to read…

Bhutan

RBI provides an additional currency swap facility of USD 200M to RMA – Kuensel online

RBI and RMA signed an agreement to extend the validity of the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed on January 31, 2020 and also to provide additional swap support to Bhutan, yesterday. This agreement enables the RMA to avail an additional swap amount of up to USD 200M or equivalent in Nu 16.57B from the RBI. This support of USD 200M INR equivalent is in addition to the existing currency swap support of USD 200M INR equivalent extended by the RBI. This agreement was facilitated by the government of India at the request of the government of Bhutan. The agreement will be valid till June 30, 2023. Click here to read…

Japan, Bhutan sign technical cooperation project on digital health – Kuensel online

To improve healthcare services, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a record of discussions in Thimphu for implementation of the project “Strengthening government capacity for using digital technology and data” yesterday. Representatives from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), which will implement the project, attended the signing ceremony. Click here to read…

Bhutan at risk of dropping to Tier 3 of Trafficking in Persons Report – Kuensel online

Since 2020 Bhutan was ranked on Tier 2 Watch List in the Trafficking in Persons Report. This means that the country is not fully compliant but making significant efforts to be compliant to eliminate the severe forms, nature and scope of trafficking. The ranking also risks the country losing loans or aid from multinational financial institutions, according to Home Minister Ugyen Dorji who introduced the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) to the members of the National Council (NC) on November 14. Click here to read…

Maldives

New type of drug smuggled into Maldives – The Edition

Maldives Customs Service seized a new type of drug smuggled into Maldives. Customs found the drug; methorphan while inspecting a box posted through courier from Bahrain. Officials claim that after finding a suspicious substances within the package, they conducted a more thorough investigation. The substance found inside the package were inspected on September 17 and had tested positive for Methorphan, according to Customs. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar releases ex-U.K. ambassador, Australian aide to Suu Kyi from prison

Myanmar’s junta released four foreign prisoners including an Australian aide to Aung San Suu Kyi and a former British ambassador to the Southeast Asian country, according to state media, in what authorities described as an amnesty to mark a national holiday on Thursday. The military government, which took power in a 2021 coup that deposed Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government, will free Australian economist Sean Turnell, Briton Vicky Bowman, Japanese filmmaker Toru Kubota and American Kyaw Htay Oo, the state-run MRTV News channel said. The four will reportedly be deported. Click here to read…

Detained Japanese documentary-maker to return from Myanmar, sources say – Japan Times

A Japanese documentary filmmaker detained in July in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, was set to return to Japan Thursday after being released, according to sources familiar with the matter. Toru Kubota was sentenced last month to a total of 10 years in prison for violating the immigration law and for sedition and electronic communications-related violations. Click here to read…

Myanmar Will Not Hold an ‘Election’ in August 2023 – The Irrawaddy

An election is understood to mean “a formal and organized choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position.” Myanmar’s junta has claimed it will organize an ‘election’ for August 2023. Don’t call it what it isn’t. The junta’s event, whatever it is and looks like, will in no way be an election. If analysts, media, and diplomats use the term ‘election’, the onus is on them to justify and prove why and how exactly it wasn’t legitimate when in fact it wasn’t even what happened. Click here to read…

Vice President Harris Heads to Asia, Will Discuss Myanmar, South China Sea Disputes – VOA News

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Thailand this week to promote U.S. economic interests at a regional summit and discuss concerns over an ongoing military crackdown in Myanmar. Harris will deliver remarks at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a gathering that includes 21 members who push for increasing economic integration and prosperity. Click here to read…

B’desh intelligence officer shot dead by Rohingya drug smugglers on Myanmar border – Hindu Post

An Bangladesh Air Force officer, working at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), was killed in a gunfight with drug traffickers along the Myanmar border in Bandarban’s Naikkhyangchhari, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Tuesday. RAB constable Sohail Barua, who was injured in the firing, has been admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital DMCH and has already undergone head surgery, he added. Click here to read…

Nepal

Exports may fall slightly after LDC graduation, report says – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal will be stepping into uncharted territory after it is inducted into the company of middle-income developing countries in 2026, and exporters are beginning to worry about the higher tariffs and stricter rules of origin provisions that will follow. Being a least developed country (LDC) meant Nepal got preferential treatment; but after 2026, it will have to hold its own. And the thought disconcerts many. Click here to read…

Nepal closes Uttarakhand border for three days ahead of polls – Times Now

The Nepal-India border will be closed for three days in advance of the federal and provincial assembly elections in the Himalayan nation on November 20. A meeting of Nepalese and Indian security officials in Rupandehi on Saturday decided to beef up border security and seal the border for three days beginning November 18Click here to read…

‘

Shape up, or ship out’—why Nepal’s young politicians are challenging an ageing establishment – The Print

The current crop of top leaders is quite exceptional in that each has allied with their opponent in the past. Chances are that if neither the Nepali Congress-led coalition—led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist politician Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or Prachanda—nor the United Marxist Leninist (UML) party of K.P. Oli and Madhesi leader Upendra Yadav’s grouping get a majority, then one or the other weak link in any of the chains may snap and new chains may be created. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Default risk soars amid political turmoil, delay in IMF talks: Dawn

The country’s default risk as measured by five-year credit-default swaps (CDS) — insurance contracts that protect an investor against a default — rose sharply overnight amid political turmoil and uncertainty about talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Click here to read…

Pakistan floods ‘10th costliest disaster’ in a decade: Dawn

THE calamitous Pakistan floods of 2022 were the tenth most expensive climate disaster to have buffeted a nation over the last decade, according to risk modelling firm RMS. The floods inflicted an estimated loss of $3 billion on the country, caused over 1,700 deaths and displaced eight million people. Click here to read…

PTI ‘steps back’ from next COAS appointment issue: The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday indicated that his party has now taken a ‘hands-off’ approach to the imminent appointment of a new army chief, saying that it has “taken a step back” on the matter. Click here to read…

Govt lambastes Imran for selling Toshakhana gifts: The Express Tribune

As PTI chief Imran Khan faces fresh allegations of unlawfully selling state gifts, volley after volley of statements from the ruling coalition called out the former prime minister for the abuse of Toshakhana, hinting that criminal proceedings would be initiated as per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka abstains from UN vote seeking Russian reparations to Ukraine – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka abstained in the UN General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of international law by its invasion of Ukraine and requiring Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv for damages, loss and injury resulting from the war. The draft resolution, ‘Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine’, introduced by Ukraine was adopted Monday in the 193-member UN General Assembly by a recorded vote of 94 in favour, 14 against and 73 abstentions, including by India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Those voting against the resolution were Belarus, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia and SyriaClick here to read…

President directs immediate implementation of FTA with Singapore – Daily FT

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday instructed the relevant officials to implement the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) immediately. He issued these instructions during the discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on the implementation of the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. The existing problems in this regard were discussed at length and the President highlighted the need to provide quick solutions to all the existing problems. Click here to read…

Special Envoy of South Korean Foreign Minister pays courtesy call on Speaker – Daily News

Special Envoy of South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Han Dongman and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on Tuesday. Dongman whilst thanking the Speaker for being a host during the visit of South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-Seug, extended an invitation to him to visit South Korea in 2023. During the cordial discussion between them focusing on several matters of mutual interests, the Speaker expressed the intentions of the Government to encourage electric cars and renewable energy sources as a policy. Dongman acknowledging that the world is heading towards renewable energy and environmentally friendly methods stated that the two nations could look into future prospects on the matter in future. Further discussions also looked at future investment opportunities and increasing the quota for Sri Lankans who wish to be employed in South Korea. Click here to read…

China mulls giving more seats to people from grassroots, women in top legislature: Xinhuanet

March 6, 2022

Chinese lawmakers are considering a draft decision to give more seats in its national legislature to people from the grassroots level and women. The draft decision on the quota and election of deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) was submitted on Saturday to the ongoing fifth session of the 13th NPC for deliberation. Click here to read…

Xi visits CPPCC members in sectors of agriculture, welfare and social security: Xinhuanet

March 7, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), president of the People’s Republic of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Sunday visited national political advisors from the sectors of agriculture, welfare and social security, who are attending the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Xi participated in their joint group meeting, and listened to their comments and suggestions. Click here to read…

Chinese premier stresses promoting sustained, sound economic and social development: Xinhuanet

March 6, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday stressed making oncerted and concrete efforts to ensure sustained and sound economic and social development. Click here to read…

Xi stresses ethnic unity, strengthening sense of community for Chinese nation: Xinhuanet

March 6, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed ethnic unity and efforts to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation when he joined a deliberation during the annual session of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature. Click here to read…

China to continue promoting green, low-carbon development: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will continue to improve the environment and promote green and low-carbon development, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. Click here to read…

China to provide priority support for key projects in 14th Five-Year Plan: draft budget report: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

In optimizing the structure of government spending, China will provide priority support for key projects that have been included in the 14th Five-Year Plan and specific plans in key areas, according to a draft budget report submitted to China’s top legislature on Saturday. Click here to read…

China mulls amending law on local legislatures, governments: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, on Saturday deliberated a draft amendment to the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments. Click here to read…

Decipher China’s development philosophy in Xi’s “two sessions” remarks: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China’s national lawmakers and political advisors have gathered in Beijing for the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also known as the “two sessions.” Click here to read…

China improves supporting measures for three-child policy: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will improve measures for the three-child policy, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. Care expenses for children under three will be included in the special additional deductions for individual income tax. The country will develop public-interest childcare services to ease the burden of raising a family, the report said. Click here to read…

China to implement 10-year plan on basic research to boost scientific, technological innovation: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will implement a 10-year action plan on basic research to ensure stable support for scientific and technological innovation over the long term, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. Click here to read…

China promotes signing of high-standard FTA: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will work to negotiate and conclude high-standard free trade agreements (FTA) with more countries and regions, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberationClick here to read…

Chinese FM holds phone talks with U.S. secretary of state over bilateral ties, Ukraine: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over China-U.S. relations and the Ukraine issue at the latter’s request. Click here to read…

China vows to keep foreign trade stable: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will adopt a package of steps to stabilize foreign trade, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. The country will help foreign trade enterprises receive orders and maintain production. It will move faster to develop new forms and models of foreign trade, give full play to the role of cross-border e-commerce, and support the establishment of a number of overseas warehouses, said the report. Click here to read…

Building Up the Strength, Quality, and Size of China’s Digital Economy: Quishi

March 3, 2022

In recent years, technologies associated with the Internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain have seen accelerated innovation and gradual integration into all aspects of economic and social development. Countries around the world have rushed to produce development strategies for the digital economy and unveiled related incentive policies. The speed of the digital economy’s development, the extent of its reach, and the level of its impact are unprecedented; and it is fast becoming a critical force that is reordering global production factors, reshaping global economic structures, and transforming global competition. Click here to read…

Fostering a New Development Dynamic Through High-Level Opening Up: Quishi

March 3, 2022

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 deliberated and adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee includes the following profound statement. Click here to read…

Defense budget proposed to grow by 7.1%, military urged to upgrade, remain resolute: China Military

March 5, 2022

The central government has proposed a defense budget of 1.45 trillion yuan ($230 billion) for the 2022 fiscal year, a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to a draft budget report submitted to the national legislature on Saturday morning. The figures were included in the report prepared by the Ministry of Finance and distributed at the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Click here to read…

Saudi Arabia inaugurates 1st World Defense Show with cutting-edge Chinese equipment: China Military

March 7, 2022

Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Sunday the first edition of the World Defense Show in Riyadh. The four-day show, which includes 15 national pavilions with a total exhibition area of 900,000 square meters, attracts more than 600 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions. Click here to read…

China to enhance military training to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests: China Military

March 5, 2022

China will enhance military training and combat readiness, stay firm and flexible in carrying out military struggle, and safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, according to a government work report made public Saturday. The report was submitted to the national legislature for deliberation. Click here to read…

China to accelerate innovation-driven development: China Daily

March 5, 2022

A child takes part in an art exhibition using virtual reality devices at an art museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Long Wei/For China Daily]
China will step up efforts to promote innovation-driven development this year, with a key focus on promoting scientific and technological innovation as well as industrial upgrading, the government wrote in its 2022 Government Work Report. Click here to read…

Domestically transmitted COVID-19 infections surpass 500 Sunday in Chinese mainland, affecting 13 provinces: Global Times

March 7, 2022

The domestically transmitted COVID-19 infections tally in Chinese mainland on Sunday soared to more than 500 with 214 confirmed cases and 312 asymptomatic cases respectively, the highest since 2022Click here to read…

Advisors suggest promotion of nationwide DNA database to end child trafficking: Global Times

March 6, 2022

In the wake of the tragic trafficking of a woman in Jiangsu Province, human trafficking – especially that of women and children – has became one of the most glaring domestic issues discussed during the ongoing two sessions, with several deputies and advisors calling for the establishment of a nationwide DNA database to resolve the thorny problem. Click here to read…

China’s defense budget growth justified as restrained amid foreign media hype: Global Times

March 6, 2022

China’s 7.1 percent increase to its defense budget in 2022 is a restrained move that aims to safeguard the country’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and development interests, as well as to provide public security goods to the world, experts said on Sunday, in response to Western media’s one-sided interpretation that hypes the military spending plan being the fastest increase since 2019 and outpaces the country’s GDP growth target. Click here to read…

China resolute to share market opportunities with rest of world: People’s Daily

March 6, 2022

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 11.6 percent year on year to 102.28 billion yuan ($16.12 billion) in January, according to statistics recently released by the country’s Ministry of Commerce. Click here to read…

Technology commercialization agents in China help translate sci-tech achievements into products: People’s Daily

March 6, 2022

To translate scientific and technological achievements into products, the last crucial hurdle in aspects such as policies, capital, patent filing, and market has to be addressed. In an effort to strengthen communication between industries and research institutes, Hubei province in central China has nurtured technology commercialization agents and built an education and management platform for these talents. Click here to read…

China’s ZTE faces hearing over possible violation of U.S. probation: Reuters

March 5, 2022

ZTE Corp., the Chinese telecom equipment maker, will go back to U.S. federal court March 14 to face a new accusation it may have violated its probation from its 2017 guilty plea for illegally shipping U.S. technology to Iran. Click here to read…

China’s President Xi reiterates grain security, urges for domestic dominance: Reuters

March 6, 2022

China’s President Xi Jinping said on Sunday that the country must ensure grain security and reliance on the domestic market to maintain production, state broadcaster CCTV reported. China should guarantee capacity at home and import grains “appropriately”, Xi said at a meeting with delegates from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an advisory body to parliament. Click here to read…

China says friendship with Russia is ‘rock solid’: Reuters

March 7, 2022

China’s friendship with Russia is “rock solid” and the prospects for cooperation are very broad, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday. Cooperation between the two countries brings benefits and well-being to the two peoples, he told his annual news conference on the sidelines of China’s annual meeting of parliament. Click here to read…