Afghanistan

Defense Ministry Rejects Pakistan Official’s Remarks on TTP in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The Ministry of Defense reacted to recent comments by Pakistan’s interior minister about the presence of Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the possibility of a raid on them by Pakistan in Afghanistan, saying that the Islamic Emirate is prepared to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Defense in a statement called the remarks provocative and baseless and said that any issues or problems should be resolved through understanding. Click here to read…

Taliban (IEA) to Prosecute Afghan Media Outlets Operating from Abroad: The Khaama Press

The Taliban courts will soon announce its decision regarding the media outlets whose executives have fled the country and run the outlet from outside the country Afghanistan International reports. Abdu Haq Hemad, director of media assessment at the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s ministry of information and culture has accused the media organizations of spreading propaganda against the ruling regime. “A decision has been made regarding these media outlets. It is expected that the court’s decision will be announced in the near future,” Hemad said. He further stated that “no law allows the executive of media outlets to operate from outside and promote propaganda against the regime.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

6 youths remanded on charge of being radicalised by al-Qaeda ideology – New Age

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Monday placed six youths, who have allegedly been radicalized by the ideology of al-Qaeda and were planning to stage armed jihad in the country, on five-day remand each in a case lodged under the Anti-Terrorism Act…According to the CTTC, the arrested in primary interrogation confessed that Abdur Rab was working as the organizer and gathered the group together with the help of social networking sites. They were planning to go to Teknaf to train in extremism. Click here to read…

Bangladesh envoys asked to respond anti-Bangladesh propaganda spontaneously – TBS

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has directed all Bangladesh envoys abroad to respond “spontaneously” against all sorts of anti-Bangladesh propaganda in their respective host countries without waiting for Dhaka’s permission. Click here to read…

Between the hammer and the anvil – Dhaka Tribune

The US and Russian embassies have engaged in a Twitter spat, commenting and counter-commenting on each other’s viewpoints towards Bangladesh, particularly with regard to the topic of non-interference in domestic matters like the upcoming national election and human rights issues. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Residents complain of inflation – Kuensel Online

Despite the recent measures, many residents complain that after the pandemic, goods and services prices have been soaring, forcing them to compromise on their consumption. The enactment of the Tax Act of Bhutan, 2022 last month, sales tax and customs duty of close to 142 goods have been reduced. Taxes were reduced with the aim of easing inflationary pressure in the market. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives assumes membership of UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025

The Maldives has begun its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025. Maldives won a seat on the Human Rights Council following the elections held on 11 October 2022, in New York. The election saw 17 countries competing for 14 vacant seats. The Maldives competed in the Group of Asia-Pacific States, for one of the 4 vacant seats. Click here to read…

Export container fees decreased by nearly 75 percent

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has decreased fees taken from containers that are being exported from Maldives. MPL started implementing the change from 01 January, 2023 onwards. The company highlights that the change was brought to help Maldivian businesses who export their goods. MPL notes that with the changes, the fees have been decreased by nearly 75 percent. As such, the fee of MVR 4,419.03 taken from 20 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 1,132.08 and fee of MVR 8,767.51 taken from 40 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 2,264.14. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Acting President: 2023 Will Mark Turning Point for Myanmar’s Revolution – The Irrawaddy

Acting President Duwa Lashi La of Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) said in his new year’s speech that 2023 will mark the turning point in the war against military rule and called for continuous revolution. “When we are fighting against the brutalities of the terrorist military regime, resilience is really important. The regime is waiting for the time when the people and the revolutionary forces are exhausted, so all of us must continue to work hard and speed up the revolution,” Duwa Lashi La said in his state of the union address. Click here to read…

Revolutionary Armies Demand Unified Attacks on Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s powerful ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have vowed to uproot the country’s military dictatorship, despite junta promises of peace talks and a general election. In his new year’s speech on Sunday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing promised greater opportunities for ethnic minorities if the armed conflict is resolved. Click here to read…

Thailand temporarily closes a Thai-Myanmar border trade gate – Mizzima

Thailand is reported to have temporarily closed a border trade gate temporarily where Myanmar fishery and aquatic products are being exported and traded. This gate is the Mawtaung-Sinkhun Thai-Myanmar border in Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region. This border trade gate was opened on 1 August 2022. The border trade gate closed for three days in New Year holiday from 30 December to 1 January 2023. Click here to read…

Nepal

China pushes for stronger presence in Nepal, but India can breathe easy – Times Now

China wants a stronger presence in Nepal and one way is by strengthening its embassy in Kathmandu, the capital. Already a strong presence in Nepal, Beijing has asked the government of Nepal for approval to move two additional security officers in its embassy. Both will be Police Liaison Officers — one will be at a counsellor level and the other as secretary. The request is under active consideration by Nepal’s foreign and defence ministries. Click here to read…

Concerns in Nepal as Indian Supreme Court validates Modi’s demonetization move – My Republica

Nepal’s banking system holds demonetized Indian currency (IC) worth over Rs 50 million, which the Indian authorities have refused to take back. The government authorities of Nepal at various levels have requested the Indian authorities time and again to take back the banned Indian currency. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in his previous stint as the PM, had requested his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during his state visit to India in 2017 to take back the banned banknotes. Nepal had also requested high-ranking officials of the Reserve Bank of India during their visit to Nepal in January 2017, to consider taking back the Indian currency held by the Nepali banks. But all these requests from the highest political level in Nepal have gone unheard. Click here to read…

PM Dahal to take vote of confidence in parliament on January 10 – My Republica

Prime Minister Dahal needs to secure at least 138 votes in the 275-member parliament to continue his term as the prime minister. Prime Minister Dahal has registered a letter to the Federal Parliament Secretariat to put the proposal of taking a vote of confidence on the agenda of parliament on January 10– a day after the first meeting of the newly-elected House of Representatives (HoR). Click here to read…

Jayanagar-Kurtha trains will keep rolling for now – The Kathmandu Post

The Nepal Railway Company (NRC) that runs the Jayanagar-Kurtha cross-border railway has agreed to a temporary arrangement with India’s Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL) to continue operating the country’s sole railway service. The railway had come into operation from April 2022 when it was jointly flagged off by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was considered a milestone in strengthening cross-border connectivity between Nepal and India. Click here to read…

Pakistan

The curious case of JUI-F’s sudden rise in Balochistan: Dawn

Recently, several politicians and electables have joined the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), and most of them seemed confident that this is the party that would clinch a majority of seats in the upcoming elections. It is said that electables and senior politicians, who are close to the establishment, do not join a political party until prospects of its victory are assured. Despite having a decade-old presence on Balochistan’s political landscape, JUI-F has traditionally found success in the Pashtun belt of the province. However, this time around, Baloch politicians also seem to be migrating towards the JUI-F. Click here to read…

Inflation rate bounces back ahead of IMF talks: The Express Tribune

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation monitor, rose by 24.5% in December compared to the same period of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday. The prices of a majority of consumer goods remained out of the reach of people, and the major surge was in rural areas where income levels were already low. The surge might force the consumers to change their expenditure patterns to spare more money to buy essential foods. Click here to read…

Imran believes establishment still involved in political engineering: The News

PTI leader and Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shibli Faraz when contacted on Monday lamented that the anti-PTI policies of the previous establishment are still continuing. Faraz spelled out the reasons for Imran Khan’s complaint against the present establishment. However, he admitted that their conclusion regarding the establishment’s involvement in political engineering to hurt the PTI is mainly based on circumstantial evidence. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s new austerity measure: No government jobs – Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka began a fresh austerity drive under which there will be no government recruitment. In the island nations new taxes and higher electricity prices were started as the authorities aim to secure an IMF bailout, news agency AFP reported. As one of the preconditions to securing the $2.9 billion bailout from IMF is achieving debt sustainability, Sri Lanka has been bringing new changes after the country defaulted in April as its economy went into crisis. Click here to read…

Former British PM David Cameron meets President – Daily Mirror

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD).
“During a friendly discussion, Mr. Cameron extended his best wishes to President Wickremesinghe for the New Year.
President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Director of International Affairs for the President were also present at this discussion,” the statement said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US citizenship restoration, says report – Indian Express

The former president and his immediate family are currently in Dubai on holiday. Rajapaksa, 73, had made the appeal for the restoration of his US Citizenship after he failed to seek asylum in any country upon fleeing Sri Lanka during the anti-government protests in 2022. An appeal to restore US citizenship previously held is a costly legal process and time-consuming, the report said. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Defense Ministry Rejects Pakistan Official’s Remarks on TTP in Afghanistan: Tolo News

The Ministry of Defense reacted to recent comments by Pakistan’s interior minister about the presence of Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the possibility of a raid on them by Pakistan in Afghanistan, saying that the Islamic Emirate is prepared to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Defense in a statement called the remarks provocative and baseless and said that any issues or problems should be resolved through understanding. Click here to read…

Taliban (IEA) to Prosecute Afghan Media Outlets Operating from Abroad: The Khaama Press

The Taliban courts will soon announce its decision regarding the media outlets whose executives have fled the country and run the outlet from outside the country Afghanistan International reports. Abdu Haq Hemad, director of media assessment at the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s ministry of information and culture has accused the media organizations of spreading propaganda against the ruling regime. “A decision has been made regarding these media outlets. It is expected that the court’s decision will be announced in the near future,” Hemad said. He further stated that “no law allows the executive of media outlets to operate from outside and promote propaganda against the regime.” Click here to read…

Bangladesh

6 youths remanded on charge of being radicalised by al-Qaeda ideology – New Age

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Monday placed six youths, who have allegedly been radicalized by the ideology of al-Qaeda and were planning to stage armed jihad in the country, on five-day remand each in a case lodged under the Anti-Terrorism Act…According to the CTTC, the arrested in primary interrogation confessed that Abdur Rab was working as the organizer and gathered the group together with the help of social networking sites. They were planning to go to Teknaf to train in extremism. Click here to read…

Bangladesh envoys asked to respond anti-Bangladesh propaganda spontaneously – TBS

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has directed all Bangladesh envoys abroad to respond “spontaneously” against all sorts of anti-Bangladesh propaganda in their respective host countries without waiting for Dhaka’s permission. Click here to read…

Between the hammer and the anvil – Dhaka Tribune

The US and Russian embassies have engaged in a Twitter spat, commenting and counter-commenting on each other’s viewpoints towards Bangladesh, particularly with regard to the topic of non-interference in domestic matters like the upcoming national election and human rights issues. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Residents complain of inflation – Kuensel Online

Despite the recent measures, many residents complain that after the pandemic, goods and services prices have been soaring, forcing them to compromise on their consumption. The enactment of the Tax Act of Bhutan, 2022 last month, sales tax and customs duty of close to 142 goods have been reduced. Taxes were reduced with the aim of easing inflationary pressure in the market. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives assumes membership of UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025

The Maldives has begun its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025. Maldives won a seat on the Human Rights Council following the elections held on 11 October 2022, in New York. The election saw 17 countries competing for 14 vacant seats. The Maldives competed in the Group of Asia-Pacific States, for one of the 4 vacant seats. Click here to read…

Export container fees decreased by nearly 75 percent

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has decreased fees taken from containers that are being exported from Maldives. MPL started implementing the change from 01 January, 2023 onwards. The company highlights that the change was brought to help Maldivian businesses who export their goods. MPL notes that with the changes, the fees have been decreased by nearly 75 percent. As such, the fee of MVR 4,419.03 taken from 20 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 1,132.08 and fee of MVR 8,767.51 taken from 40 feet containers has been decreased to MVR 2,264.14. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Acting President: 2023 Will Mark Turning Point for Myanmar’s Revolution – The Irrawaddy

Acting President Duwa Lashi La of Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) said in his new year’s speech that 2023 will mark the turning point in the war against military rule and called for continuous revolution. “When we are fighting against the brutalities of the terrorist military regime, resilience is really important. The regime is waiting for the time when the people and the revolutionary forces are exhausted, so all of us must continue to work hard and speed up the revolution,” Duwa Lashi La said in his state of the union address. Click here to read…

Revolutionary Armies Demand Unified Attacks on Myanmar Junta – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s powerful ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have vowed to uproot the country’s military dictatorship, despite junta promises of peace talks and a general election. In his new year’s speech on Sunday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing promised greater opportunities for ethnic minorities if the armed conflict is resolved. Click here to read…

Thailand temporarily closes a Thai-Myanmar border trade gate – Mizzima

Thailand is reported to have temporarily closed a border trade gate temporarily where Myanmar fishery and aquatic products are being exported and traded. This gate is the Mawtaung-Sinkhun Thai-Myanmar border in Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region. This border trade gate was opened on 1 August 2022. The border trade gate closed for three days in New Year holiday from 30 December to 1 January 2023. Click here to read…

Nepal

China pushes for stronger presence in Nepal, but India can breathe easy – Times Now

China wants a stronger presence in Nepal and one way is by strengthening its embassy in Kathmandu, the capital. Already a strong presence in Nepal, Beijing has asked the government of Nepal for approval to move two additional security officers in its embassy. Both will be Police Liaison Officers — one will be at a counsellor level and the other as secretary. The request is under active consideration by Nepal’s foreign and defence ministries. Click here to read…

Concerns in Nepal as Indian Supreme Court validates Modi’s demonetization move – My Republica

Nepal’s banking system holds demonetized Indian currency (IC) worth over Rs 50 million, which the Indian authorities have refused to take back. The government authorities of Nepal at various levels have requested the Indian authorities time and again to take back the banned Indian currency. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in his previous stint as the PM, had requested his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during his state visit to India in 2017 to take back the banned banknotes. Nepal had also requested high-ranking officials of the Reserve Bank of India during their visit to Nepal in January 2017, to consider taking back the Indian currency held by the Nepali banks. But all these requests from the highest political level in Nepal have gone unheard. Click here to read…

PM Dahal to take vote of confidence in parliament on January 10 – My Republica

Prime Minister Dahal needs to secure at least 138 votes in the 275-member parliament to continue his term as the prime minister. Prime Minister Dahal has registered a letter to the Federal Parliament Secretariat to put the proposal of taking a vote of confidence on the agenda of parliament on January 10– a day after the first meeting of the newly-elected House of Representatives (HoR). Click here to read…

Jayanagar-Kurtha trains will keep rolling for now – The Kathmandu Post

The Nepal Railway Company (NRC) that runs the Jayanagar-Kurtha cross-border railway has agreed to a temporary arrangement with India’s Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL) to continue operating the country’s sole railway service. The railway had come into operation from April 2022 when it was jointly flagged off by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was considered a milestone in strengthening cross-border connectivity between Nepal and India. Click here to read…

Pakistan

The curious case of JUI-F’s sudden rise in Balochistan: Dawn

Recently, several politicians and electables have joined the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), and most of them seemed confident that this is the party that would clinch a majority of seats in the upcoming elections. It is said that electables and senior politicians, who are close to the establishment, do not join a political party until prospects of its victory are assured. Despite having a decade-old presence on Balochistan’s political landscape, JUI-F has traditionally found success in the Pashtun belt of the province. However, this time around, Baloch politicians also seem to be migrating towards the JUI-F. Click here to read…

Inflation rate bounces back ahead of IMF talks: The Express Tribune

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation monitor, rose by 24.5% in December compared to the same period of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Monday. The prices of a majority of consumer goods remained out of the reach of people, and the major surge was in rural areas where income levels were already low. The surge might force the consumers to change their expenditure patterns to spare more money to buy essential foods. Click here to read…

Imran believes establishment still involved in political engineering: The News

PTI leader and Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shibli Faraz when contacted on Monday lamented that the anti-PTI policies of the previous establishment are still continuing. Faraz spelled out the reasons for Imran Khan’s complaint against the present establishment. However, he admitted that their conclusion regarding the establishment’s involvement in political engineering to hurt the PTI is mainly based on circumstantial evidence. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s new austerity measure: No government jobs – Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka began a fresh austerity drive under which there will be no government recruitment. In the island nations new taxes and higher electricity prices were started as the authorities aim to secure an IMF bailout, news agency AFP reported. As one of the preconditions to securing the $2.9 billion bailout from IMF is achieving debt sustainability, Sri Lanka has been bringing new changes after the country defaulted in April as its economy went into crisis. Click here to read…

Former British PM David Cameron meets President – Daily Mirror

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD).
“During a friendly discussion, Mr. Cameron extended his best wishes to President Wickremesinghe for the New Year.
President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and Director of International Affairs for the President were also present at this discussion,” the statement said. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US citizenship restoration, says report – Indian Express

The former president and his immediate family are currently in Dubai on holiday. Rajapaksa, 73, had made the appeal for the restoration of his US Citizenship after he failed to seek asylum in any country upon fleeing Sri Lanka during the anti-government protests in 2022. An appeal to restore US citizenship previously held is a costly legal process and time-consuming, the report said. Click here to read…

State Council appoints, removes officials: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

The State Council, China’s cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of officials Thursday. Song Tao was appointed director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, replacing Liu Jieyi. Gao Xiang was appointed president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, replacing Shi Taifeng. Du Jiangfeng was appointed president of Zhejiang University. Zhang Pingwen was appointed president of Wuhan University. Click here to read…

Former provincial political advisor stands trial for bribery, abuse of power: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

Xiao Yi, former vice chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, stood trial at the Intermediate People’s Court of Hangzhou in east China’s Zhejiang Province on Thursday, accused of taking bribes and abusing his power. Click here to read…

Largest China-Nepal land border crossing resumes two-way trade: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

The Gyirong port in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, the largest land border crossing between China and Nepal, has resumed two-way trade. The port of Gyirong, located in the city of Xigaze, Wednesday saw the entry of six lorries carrying 825,800 yuan (about 118,321 U.S. dollars) worth of goods from Nepal. The cargo consisted mainly of handicrafts, signaling the official resumption of two-way trade, according to Dekyi Tsomo, deputy head of the regional department of commerce. Click here to read…

China adjusts tariff plan to include more items: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

China has decided to adjust its tariff plan for 2023 and expand the number of tariff items in line with the need for industrial development and technical advancement, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Thursday. Click here to read…

China’s top economic planner stresses sound development in 2023: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

China’s top economic planner has stressed efforts to properly implement the country’s optimized epidemic response while better coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development in 2023. Click here to read…

China announces latest 19 national archaeological parks: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) on Thursday announced its latest list of 19 national archaeological parks, increasing the total number in the country to 55. Click here to read…

100th Chinese-developed ARJ21 jetliner delivered: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

The 100th ARJ21 aircraft was delivered to its client on Thursday, bringing China’s first indigenously developed passenger jetliner to a new stage of mass production and large-scale operations. Click here to read…

China holds briefing on latest epidemic response: Xinhuanet

December 29, 2022

China’s State Council Information Office is holding a briefing on Thursday afternoon on the country’s latest COVID-19 response measures. Liang Wannian, head of the COVID-19 response expert panel under the National Health Commission (NHC), Jiao Yahui, head of the Bureau of Medical Administration under the NHC, and Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, introduced epidemic prevention and control in the new phase, medical resource preparation and treatment situation, among others. Click here to read…

China to facilitate green technology innovation with new implementation plan: Qiushi

December29, 2022

China has released an implementation plan designed to further improve the market-oriented green technology innovation system, in order to unleash innovation vitality. The plan, jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology, aims to strengthen companies’ leading role in innovation, improve the market mechanism for transformation and application of green technology, and create an environment where all types of innovators can thrive amid enhanced and more efficient cooperation between enterprises, universities and research institutes. Click here to read…

US should stop hyping up “China threat” and space confrontation: China Military

December 29, 2022

China urges the US side to reflect on its negative moves in the space domain, stop hyping up “China threat” and space confrontation, and instead take an active part in international space arms control, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday. The spokesperson made this remark while asked to comment on the reports about the Commander of the US Space Command who recently called China a pacing challenge to the US for its continuously growing capabilities that hold America’s space assets at risk. Click here to read…

PLA military actions targeted at “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interferences: China Military

December 29, 2022

The military actions by the PLA are targeted at “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interferences, aiming to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on Thursday. Click here to read…

Revised law boosts protection of women’s rights: China Daily

December 29, 2022

China has further improved the legal protection system for women and continued to crack down on crimes that infringe their lawful rights and interests. In October, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the nation’s top legislative body, approved the revised law on the protection of women’s legitimate rights and interests. Click here to read…

Nation takes big leap on vaccinations: China Daily

December 29, 2022

From offering the world’s first inhaled COVID-19 vaccines and developing Omicron-targeted vaccines to rolling out second booster shots and targeted immunization plans for seniors, China’s vaccination efforts have gained steam this year, according to authorities. Click here to read…

China sets space mission record in 2022 with over 50 rocket launches, 100% success rate: Global Times

December 29, 2022

China on Thursday drew a perfect ending to this year’s rocket launch mission as a Long March-3B carrier rocket successfully lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, sending an experimental satellite into preset orbit. Click here to read…

Travel curbs targeting China ‘discriminatory,’ against trend: Global Times

December 29, 2022

Most countries around the world have welcomed China’s move to open up to travelers from all over the globe and encouraged Chinese to travel abroad, after the country’s COVID-19 battle entered a new stage. However, a small number of countries and regions, such as the US and Japan, see China’s reopening as another chance to defame Beijing. They have imposed travel restrictions on arrivals from China, citing what experts called “unfounded” and “discriminatory” measures to defend their moves, but the real intention is to sabotage China’s three years of COVID-19 control efforts and attack the country’s system. Click here to read…

China’s daily output of ibuprofen, acetaminophen quadrupled in quick response to market needs: Global Times

December 29, 2022

China’s daily output of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is now four times higher than at the beginning of December, Wang Jiangping, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), said on Thursday. This is happening as the government and drug producers are ramping up measures to secure the supplies of cold and fever reducing drugs in responding to surging market demand. Click here to read…

World’s first hydrogen-energy urban train with independent IPR rolls off assembly line in SW China’s Chengdu: Global Times

December 29, 2022

The world’s first hydrogen-energy urban train with independent intellectual property rights jointly developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Co and Chengdu Rail Transit officially rolled off the assembly line in Chengdu, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on Wednesday. Click here to read…

China becomes important driving force for global innovations in green, low-carbon technologies: People’s Daily

December 29, 2022

In the last five years, the number of patents for green and low-carbon technologies granted in China has grown at an average annual rate of 6.5 percent, making the country an important driving force for global innovations in green and low-carbon technologies, an official said on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Preferential tax policies give boost to innovative development of enterprises: People’s Daily

December 29, 2022

Enterprises play a principal role in innovation. They are also the primary driving force for innovation. Today, the research and development (R&D) expenditure of Chinese enterprises accounts for over 70 percent of all R&D expenditure of China. Click here to read…

China’s vast countryside in rush to bolster COVID defences: Reuters

December 29, 2022

China’s thinly resourced countryside is racing to beef up medical facilities before millions of factory workers return home for the Lunar New Year holiday next month from cities where COVID-19 is surging. Having imposed the world’s strictest COVID regime of lockdowns and relentless testing for three years, China reversed course this month towards living with the virus, leaving its fragile health system overwhelmed. Click here to read…

China’s COVID policymaking under scrutiny as infections soar: Reuters

December 29, 2022

After China scrapped three years of zero-COVID curbs in 30 days, setting off a massive wave of infections, Beijing’s policymakers face an immense challenge to treat the sick and minimise deaths while winning back public trust dented by previous policies. Click here to read…

U.S. plane has near miss with China fighter over South China Sea: Kyodo

December 30, 2022

The U.S. military said Thursday that its patrol aircraft had a close call with a Chinese fighter jet in international airspace over the South China Sea last week. According to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, a J-11 fighter of the Chinese navy flew within some 6 meters of the nose of an RC-135 reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 21. Click here to read…

Tech war: China to revamp chip strategy under US pressure, but US$143 billion support package is not on the cards: South China Morning Post

December 30, 2022

China is set to overhaul its semiconductor strategy under US pressure, focusing on enhancing strengths instead of fixing weaknesses, in an admission that Beijing’s current plan is not working, according to a Chinese chip industry veteran. Wei Shaojun, an official at the China Semiconductor Industry Association, said in a live-streamed speech on Thursday that the country’s current efforts to shore up the domestic chip industry by focusing on shortcomings is a strategic error. He expects Beijing to revamp its approach in overcoming US restrictions by putting more resources in areas where China has an advantage, such as mature process technologies. Click here to read…

Coronavirus in China: drugs and medical devices are the hottest tickets online: South China Morning Post

December 30, 2022

The first time Huang Lipeng came across a “pulse oximeter” was on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, last week The 30-year-old IT engineer from Zhuhai, in southern China’s Guangdong province, quickly bought an oximeter for his family after watching videos that said people with diabetes should pay special attention to their blood oxygen levels.
His 60-year-old father has severe diabetes while his mother has had surgery for uterine cancer. Click here to read…

President Xi to make New Year address to ring in 2023: Xinhuanet

December 30, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a New Year address to ring in 2023 at 7 p.m. Saturday. The address will be broadcast by major TV and radio channels of the China Media Group, and the websites and new media platforms of major state news organizations. Click here to read…

China’s major power transmission project fully operational: Xinhuanet

December 30, 2022

China has put into full operation a major power transmission project that sends electricity from the resource-rich west to energy-consuming regions in the east. The construction of the Baihetan-Zhejiang 800-kilovolt ultra-high-voltage direct current power transmission project was completed and started operation on Friday, according to the State Grid Corporation of China. Click here to read…

Preferential tax policies give boost to innovative development of enterprises: Qiushi

December 30, 2022

Enterprises play a principal role in innovation. They are also the primary driving force for innovation. Today, the research and development (R&D) expenditure of Chinese enterprises accounts for over 70 percent of all R&D expenditure of China. Click here to read…

China’s new energy vehicle industry in growth fast lane: Qiushi

December 30, 2022

China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has entered the fast lane of development, with both domestic and foreign carmakers vying for bigger shares of this rapidly expanding market. Despite the COVID-19 resurgence, China’s NEV industry continued to enjoy a market boom thanks to policy incentives and more choices of competitive models.
Click here to read…

Party chiefs of Shanxi, Shandong adjusted: China Daily

December 30, 2022

The Party secretaries of Shandong and Shanxi provinces have recently been adjusted, according to Xinhua News Agency on Thursday. Lin Wu, former Party secretary of Shanxi province, has been appointed by the Communist Party of China Central Committee to replace Li Ganjie in Shandong province. Chen Xi, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, announced the decision at a meeting attended by provincial cadres on Thursday. Click here to read…

China calls on application of TCM decoctions in COVID-19 treatment, releases prescriptions: Global Times

December 30, 2022

China calls on the full use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions in COVID-19 treatment in urban and rural grass-roots regions as TCM has played an important role in medical treatment since the beginning of the epidemic, according to the national health authorities on Thursday. TCM prescription examples are also issued based on the different climate characteristics of the southern and northern regions across the country and other factors. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

UN Official Urges Islamic Emirate to Lift Ban on Female Staff at NGOs: Tolo News

The UN deputy humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, Fran Equiza, in a meeting with Acting Minister of Public Health Qalandar Ibad called for “the Taliban ban on women working for NGOs and international NGOs to be lifted in its entirety.” “The ban will impact millions of the most vulnerable Afghans,” the UN official said. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in a phone call reaffirmed the importance of guaranteeing women’s rights and their full and equal participation in all aspects of life, a statement of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said.
Click here to read…

Pakistan faces disappointment on bilateral deals with the new regime in Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Recent events on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border make it clear that Pakistan’s decades old Afghanistan policy has failed. On 11 December 2022, Taliban forces in Afghanistan shelled a town just across the border in Pakistan, killing seven Pakistani civilians. Pakistan retaliated, killing one Taliban fighter and injuring ten Afghans. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the “unprovoked shelling” by Afghan forces. On 15 December, the two sides exchanged artillery fire across the border, killing at least one Pakistani civilian and wounding 15 others. Both countries are today on the verge of war! These developments signal a turn in ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan and signals Pakistan’s loss of control over the Afghan Taliban, which is today a government in power. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

PM Hasina: Metro rail a unique milestone for Dhaka – Dhaka Tribune

After completing the giant Padma Bridge and the Bangabandhu tunnel this year, the government will now inaugurate a part of Bangladesh’s first-ever elevated metro rail on Wednesday as another feather in its cap. The Awami League has taken detailed preparations to make this historic moment memorable with the presence of a vast crowd along the streets from Diabari to Agargaon.Click here to read…

Minister: Delhi has assured Dhaka of smooth supply of essentials – Dhaka Tribune

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Tuesday said that India has assured Bangladesh of uninterrupted supply of essential goods round the year as New Delhi is setting an annual quota of exports to its immediate neighbor. The quota will be set up after reviewing export data of India’s essential commodities to Bangladesh in recent years, he said in a press briefing on his recent India tour at his ministry. He said Bangladesh imports rice, wheat, onion, garlic, ginger, pulse and many other essential items from India. Sometimes India suspends export of those goods, but this time India has assured that the supply will remain uninterrupted, he said. Click here to read…

HCA signed, €609 million in loans approved by France’s AFP for Bangladesh – Dhaka Tribune

In 2022, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the government of Bangladesh signed a host country agreement for the establishment of AFD activities in Bangladesh, a successful outcome of years of negotiations between the French and Bangladesh governments. This was a crucial step which came after 10 years of operation and over 20 projects financed in the country, said a media release on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Bhutan

NC elections in early 2023 – Kuensel online

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has notified that the National Council (NC) elections for the fourth Parliament will be conducted in early 2023. The tenure of the current National Council members end on May 9, next year. The ECB also said that the familiarisation tour of the political parties and candidates would be allowed only until January 31, 2023. All political parties and candidates who are on their familiarisation tour must comply with this announcement. Click here to read…

Credit growth improves by 9.2 percent – Kuensel Online

With the re-opening of the economy, the total credit growth of financial institutions (FIs) saw an increase by 9.2 percent as of September this year from the same month last year, the Royal Monetary Authority figures show. The total loan disbursement from FIs to customers amounted to Nu 191.96 billion (B) as of September this year. It saw an increase of Nu 16.17B from September last year. Click here to read…

Nu 108.7M forgone from duty-free entitlement tax – Kuensel Online

The government last year forswore Nu 108.7M from the taxes from the duty-free entitlement, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). From next year, the duty-free quota privilege will be given only to diplomats governed by the international laws, conventions and covenants ratified by the parliament of Bhutan and International employees governed by the Bilateral and multilateral agreement signed by the government of Bhutan. Click here to read…

Maldives

Rail Vikas Nigam shares jump 5% on bagging Rs 1,545 crore contract in Maldives – Business Today

Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) surged 4.96 per cent in Wednesday’s trade after receiving an appointment letter as project implementation agency for the UTF Harbor project in Maldives. The order for this strategic project was placed by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The project cost stood at Rs 1,544.60 crore and it has to be completed within 24 months. Click here to read…

Team from India studies technical specifications for India-Maldives power transmission grid – Live Mint

The union power ministry on Tuesday said that a technical team from India has visited Maldives to study the technical specifications for interconnection of a power transmission grid between the two countries. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Political turmoil in Afghanistan, Myanmar impacting Indian projects – Business Standard

India-backed projects have suffered setbacks in Afghanistan and faced numerous challenges in Myanmar due to the current political and security situations in these countries, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed a parliamentary panel. Click here to read…

China-aided national theatre renovation project handed over to Myanmar – Xinhua

The China-aided renovation project of the National Theatre of Yangon was officially handed over to the Myanmar government here on Tuesday. The renovation project, which was carried out with the assistance from China, began in August 2019 and was completed in November 2022. The upgrading work has made the theatre a modernized one of higher standards. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said that the National Theatre of Yangon is the largest of its kind in Myanmar, whose construction was completed with the assistance from the Chinese government in 1990. Click here to read…

Nepal

India’s policy hurts power export prospects of Nepal – The Kathmandu Post

In a move that will make hydroelectricity generated by Indian projects cheaper than that produced by Nepal, India’s power ministry starting earlier this month removed the inter-state transmission charges for new Indian hydropower projects. The ministry on December 2 issued the order to waive Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges on the transmission of electricity generated by new hydropower projects. The waiver is already available to solar and wind power projects. Click here to read…

President summons parliament session from January 9 – The Kathmandu Post

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called for the session of the Federal Parliament on January 9. The session has been called at 1:00 pm according to Article 93 (1) of the constitution, informed Office of the President on Tuesday. The meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is going to be held for the first time after the November 20 polls. There are 12 lawmakers from different political parties while four are independent. Click here to read…

China nudges Nepal to expedite BRI projects as Prachanda becomes new PM – Business Standard

A day after Maoist party chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda was appointed as Nepals new prime minister, China on Monday said that it looks forward to working with the new government to push projects under the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Congratulating Prachanda on his appointment, Mao Ning, the official spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, has said that China wants to pursue projects under the Belt and Road cooperation. Click here to read…

Not Against India, Will Forget Old Disputes, Says Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ – ABP News Online

The newly appointed Prime Minister vowed to strengthen Nepal’s relations with India. “We want good relations with India,” he said. “I am not against India, will forget the old disputes and move forward,” said Prachanda. “According to the mandate given, the government has been formed in the country. The public wanted everyone to work together, and that’s why they formed the government together. Our government will complete its term. Work will be done according to the constitution,” said PM Prachanda while talking to senior news anchor Dibang. Click here to read…

Chinese arrive for rail feasibility study – The Kathmandu Post

A day after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s assumption of office, a six-member Chinese technical team landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday to carry out a feasibility study of the Nepal-China cross-border railway. Dahal, the CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman, heads a coalition of two biggest leftist parties and others. The China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group will carry out the feasibility study via a Chinese government grant. Click here to read…

Pakistan

No other option but to implement IMF deal: PM: The Express Tribune

He said the coalition government never wanted to transfer the burden of price hikes. In the past, the PTI government blatantly breached the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Meanwhile, the prime minister said that they had devised a plan to immediately convert all the federal government entities’ buildings to solar power by April next year in order to slash a huge chunk out of the country’s costly fuel import bill hovering around $27 billion. Click here to read…

Road, railway connectivity with CARs discussed: The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said road and railway connectivity projects between Pakistan and Central Asian states will not only bring the trade communities together, but also usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in the region.The premier said this during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade Khodjaev Jamshid Abdukhakimovich in Islamabad. Click here to read…

Gold outshines market, gives over 40pc return in 2022: report: The News

Gold was the top-performing asset class in 2022 with a return of more than 40 percent, followed by one-year dollar-denominated Naya Pakistan Certificate (NPC), and the US currency, a local brokerage report stated on Tuesday. The NPC remained on second with a return of up to 36 percent and the holders of the US dollar in cash were listed on third with 28 percent return. Topline Securities presented the report on asset classes that were widely followed by local investors and savers in 2022. “These asset classes provided better returns compared to estimated average consumer price index inflation of 20 percent in outgoing calendar year 2022,” the brokerage said in a client note. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Not the correct time for LG polls: PUNP – Daily News

Patriotic United National Party (PUNP) General Secretary Sugath Hewapathirana stated that it is inappropriate to hold a Local Government election now as the economic situation in the country is not stable yet. He said that it is inappropriate to spend Rs.10 billion for an election at this time. He said that it is not appropriate to spend such a large amount of money to hold an election, leaving aside the sufferings of the entire country, who have been greatly affected by the severe economic downturn that the country has faced. He also said that this will give the people an opportunity to recognize who are the political parties and leaders who are working for their own greedy goals by urging for an election setting aside the hardships faced by the people. Click here to read…

Can Sri Lanka drive itself from bankruptcy to prosperity in 2023? DailyFT

Converting the bankrupt nation to solvency will be a challenging task for Sri Lanka in 2023. If this is not done quickly, the goal of making Sri Lanka a rich country by 2048 will be an elusive one…Click here to read…

Increase in requests for dual citizenship in Sri Lanka – Adaderana

Requests have reportedly been made by 5,401 individuals to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for obtaining dual citizenship in the year 2021. The Department of Immigration and Emigration pointed out that the majority of them are residents of Australia, which is numerically 1,621 individuals. Meanwhile, dual citizenship requests have been made by 885 individuals from the United Kingdom, 795 from the United States, 371 from Canada and several others from countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand, France and Denmark. Click here to read…

Draft law on financial stability submitted to China’s top legislature for 1st reading: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

A draft law on financial stability was on Tuesday submitted for its first reading to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature. Click here to read…

China mulls improving foreign-related litigation through law revision: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

Chinese lawmakers are deliberating a draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Law to help build an impartial, efficient and convenient litigation system of civil and commercial cases involving foreign elements. Click here to read…

China mulls revising law on marine environment protection: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

Chinese lawmakers are considering a draft revision to the Marine Environment Protection Law to keep improving the country’s marine environment. The revision was submitted Tuesday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the top legislature, for a first reading. Click here to read…

China, Russia conclude joint naval exercise: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

Chinese and Russian navies concluded a seven-day joint naval exercise Tuesday in the East China Sea. The drill, the 11th of its kind since 2012, was conducted in waters east of the area stretching from Zhoushan to Taizhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province.
Click here to read…

China to resume passport, visa issuance from Jan. 8, 2023: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

China will optimize immigration administration policies and measures starting from Jan. 8, 2023 in compliance with the country’s downgraded COVID-19 response measures. The National Immigration Administration issued a notice on Tuesday, saying that the optimized policies and measures include the resumption of accepting and approval of Chinese citizens’ applications for ordinary passports for the purposes of tourism and visiting friends abroad starting from the date. Click here to read…

China’s Baidu operates driverless taxi night service in Wuhan: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

Chinese tech giant Baidu announced on Monday that it has expanded the commercial operation area and times of its driverless taxi service in central China’s Wuhan.The company’s autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go has launched robotaxis at night in Wuhan for the first time, marking a new stage of the commercial operation of autonomous driving in China. Click here to read…

China lifts COVID restrictions on int’l arrivals: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

China will cancel nucleic acid tests for international arrivals starting from Jan. 8, a statement on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. Inbound travelers to China are advised to take a nucleic acid test within 48 hours before their departure. People with a positive test result are advised to postpone their travels until they test negative, it said. Click here to read…

China to restore 6.67 million hectares of desertified land: Qiushi

December 27, 2022

China will restore some 6.67 million hectares of desertified land during the 2021-2025 period in its long-term fight against desertification. By 2030, 12.4 million hectares of desertified land will be rehabilitated, according to the country’s anti-desertification plan for the 2021-2030 period.Click here to read…

Omicron variants dominate China’s outbreak: China Daily

December 27, 2022

The more virulent Delta strain of COVID-19 is not currently circulating in China according to epidemiological data, experts said. X-ray images of the whited-out lungs of recently infected patients have been circulating on Chinese social media lately, prompting speculation that more severe strains of COVID-19 are spreading in the country.
Click here to read…

Former CPPCC official charged with bribery: China Daily

December 27, 2022

Shen Deyong, a former member of the standing committee of China’s top political advisory body, has been charged with accepting bribes, the country’s top procuratorate said on Tuesday. Shen, former head of the Committee on Social and Legal Affairs of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, was placed under investigation for alleged severe violations of disciplines and laws in March. Click here to read…

Marine tech serves Belt and Road for common good: China Daily

December 27, 2022

The devices, which resemble a swimmer’s kickboard, have a conveyor belt at the front to carry items found in waters to a metal basket at the rear. In Hong Kong, a similar robot is working in the Kai Tak River, venturing into waters that are inaccessible to humans. This device is deployed under bridges being built across the waterway to link West Kowloon with East Kowloon. Click here to read…

China’s first ever Charity Law amendment sent for deliberation, filling in legal blanks for online giving: Global Times

December 27, 2022

Refining rules for online giving, and filling in legal blanks for individuals seeking donations through the internet, the draft amendment of China’s Charity Law was tabled in the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress(NPC), the country’s top legislature, for deliberation on Tuesday. Click here to read…

China-India-Nepal cooperation conducive to regional growth: Global Times

December 27, 2022

Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal at a ceremony on Monday in Kathmandu. Western media has reported on the inauguration, paying special attention to the new government’s future policy, especially toward its immediate neighbors – China and India. Citing officials from the ruling coalition, Reuters reported on Monday that the new government will try to balance ties with its neighbors China and India in pursuit of economic growth.
Click here to read…

China to step up financial support to COVID-hit catering, tourism sectors: Reuters

December 27, 2022

China will step up financial support to small and private businesses in the catering and tourism sectors that were hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic, the country’s banking and insurance regulator said in a statement on Tuesday. Contact-intensive services sector suffered the most amid China’s anti-virus curbs which shut many restaurants down and restricted tourists’ travels.Click here to read…

Intelligent logistics gives a boost to China’s development: People’s Daily

December 27, 2022

Driven by the development of a new generation of information technology, intelligent logistics is speeding up in China, giving a leg up to the country’s development. According to statistics, the overall market size of China’s intelligent logistics stood at 35.67 billion yuan ($5.11 billion) in 2020, and the figure surged to 128.05 billion yuan as of October this year, with an average annual compound growth of over 70 percent. Click here to read…

Hospitals scramble to cope with elderly influx: China Daily

December 28, 2022

Fever clinics and emergency rooms in Beijing are racing to boost the number of critical care beds to cope with rising hospitalizations among older COVID-19 patients. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital’s fever clinic on Tuesday was packed with gray-haired patients, many in wheelchairs accompanied by children. New arrivals had to elbow through the crowd as they sought advice, to pay bills or to pick up drugs. Click here to read…

Nation to downgrade virus management: China Daily

December 28, 2022

China will downgrade its management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B on Jan 8, a move made possible by the reduced virulence of Omicron, expanded vaccinations and increased treatment and emergency response tools, officials and experts said on Tuesday.Click here to read…

China to resume outbound tourism, scrap tests, quarantine for arrivals: Global Times

December 28, 2022

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that starting from January 8, 2023, when the country begins to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B, nucleic acid tests will no longer be carried out on people entering the country, and that those with normal health declarations will no longer undergo any special process. Click here to read…

Chinese experts arrive in Kathmandu for feasibility study of the China-Nepal cross-border railway: Global Times

December 28, 2022

Chinese experts arrived in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on Tuesday for feasibility study of the China-Nepal cross-border railway, a move described by the Nepalese side as a new step for the project, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Click here to read…

Chinese hospitals ‘extremely busy’ as COVID spreads unchecked: Reuters

December 28, 2022

Chinese hospitals were under intense pressure on Wednesday as a surge of COVID-19 infections strained resources in the last major country to move towards treating the virus as endemic. Click here to read…

China works to vitalize market entities: People’s Daily

December 28, 2022

As China optimized its epidemic response measures and enhanced efforts to help enterprises tide over difficulties, the country has witnessed higher efficiency in the resumption of work and production, as well as a steady rise in the business volume in the logistics sector. Click here to read…

Covid-19 outbreaks put China’s supply chain in the spotlight again, as foreign firms demand ‘solutions’: South China Morning Post

December 28, 2022

China is racing against time to stabilise its workforce and domestic production, as widespread Covid-19 infections test the country’s capability to fulfil overseas orders and threaten its status as the world’s pre-eminent manufacturing hub. Fresh virus outbreaks have put China’s supply chain in the spotlight once again, sparking concern that disruptions could fray the nerves of foreign investors further, while weakening the country’s competitiveness and accelerating diversification plans among multinationals. Click here to read…

China’s wary private sector takes wait-and-see attitude after Beijing pledges ‘unwavering support’: South China Morning Post

December 28, 2022

Despite a flurry of recent promises from Beijing, entrepreneurs have been left guessing about how much support the private sector can actually count on – and whether the government will go so far as to address long-running concerns about unfair competition with state firms. Click here to read…

China’s top legislature starts standing committee session: Xinhuanet

December 28, 2022

The Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, started its 38th session Tuesday in Beijing. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the session’s first plenary meeting. Click here to read…

CPC leadership meeting stresses implementing decisions, plans of key Party congress in unity: Xinhuanet

December 28, 2022

A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has stressed striving in unity to implement the major decisions and plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress. Click here to read…

China issues trial measures for supervisory rating of foreign banks’ branches: Xinhuanet

December 28, 2022

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on Tuesday released trial measures for the comprehensive regulatory rating of foreign bank branches. Under the measures, ratings will be made based on the core factors of a branch, such as risk management, operation control, compliance and asset quality, as well as the support of head offices, which involves evaluating the operating risks, financial conditions and management ability of head offices. Click here to read…

China releases details of COVID-19 management shift: Xinhuanet

December 28, 2022

China has announced that it will be downgrading its management of COVID-19 as of Jan. 8, treating it as a Class B infection, rather than a more serious Class A infection. Further details on this policy shift were revealed on Tuesday at a press conference of the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19. Click here to read…

Belt and Road Studies Network holds 2022 Initiators Council meeting: Xinhuanet

December 28, 2022

The 2022 meeting of the Initiators Council of the Belt and Road Studies Network (BRSN) was convened on Tuesday, with participants attending both in person and online. The council reviewed its work over the past year, discussed work for the next stage, passed a decision on revising the council’s charter, and elected a new chairperson and a new vice chairperson. Click here to read…

CPC leadership meeting stresses implementing decisions, plans of key Party congress in unity: Qiushi

December 28, 2022

A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has stressed striving in unity to implement the major decisions and plans made at the 20th CPC National Congress. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important speech when presiding over the meeting of criticism and self-criticism held from Monday to Tuesday. Click here to read…

Tibet sets economic goals for 2023: China Daily

December 28, 2022

The Tibet autonomous region expects to see GDP growth of 8 percent, as well as 8 percent per capita growth in disposable income for urban residents and 10 percent for rural residents in 2023, said Wang Junzheng, the region’s Party secretary. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Deputy Minister Reiterates Commitment to Fight Drugs: Tolo News

The deputy minister of counter-narcotics, Abdulhaq Akundzada, said the commitment to fight drugs and said alcoholic beverages, as well as a number of illicit drugs, are brought to Afghanistan from Iran, Pakistan and Central Asia. Akhundzada asked the countries to prevent the trafficking of drugs to Afghanistan. “If the narcotics are being trafficked to Iran, Pakistan and Central Asian countries or anywhere else, we will prevent it. We have arrested many of them. Click here to read…

Taliban (IEA) Bans Two Female Training Centers in Kabul & Hera: The Khaama Press

Authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan closed two educational centers in Kabul and Herat accommodating more than 1200 female students.Roya Mahboob, the Founder of the Afghan Girls Robotic Team tweeted on Monday that the Taliban authorities forcibly shut the education centers in Herat and Kabul. More than a thousand female students were taking pieces training in business, Robotics, coding, and Information Communications Technology. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Senior ministers sound alarm over foreign interference – Dhaka Tribune

Momen said that other countries do not need to give prescriptions to Bangladesh on democracy and human rights, as both are deeply rooted in Bangladesh’s DNA. He said the current government is committed to holding free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections under the independent Election Commission. The foreign minister also said Bangladesh welcomes constructive suggestions from foreign friends. Click here to read…

Mongla port upgrade: Tk 6,014 crore deal inked with Indian firm – Daily Star

The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) and Egis India today signed the related agreement for the “Upgradation of Mongla port” project, at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in the capital. Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, chairman of the MPA, and Laurent Germain, chief executive officer of Egis India, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties.
Of the estimated Tk 6,014 crore project, the government will finance Tk 1,555 crore from its own coffer while India will provide Tk 4,459 crore as assistance under its third line of credit. The project is scheduled to be complete by July 30, 2024. Click here to read…

Bangladesh, ADB ink deals worth $627mn for development, climate projects – Business Standard

The ADB said it will provide about $278 million in loan for the Third Public-Private Infrastructure Development Facility– Tranche 2, and $100 million for the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project (BRT-Gazipur). Meanwhile, the bank will also give about $246 million in loan for the Coastal Towns Climate Resilience Project and a grant of $4 million for the Coastal Towns Climate Resilience ProjectClick here to read…

Bhutan

Hydropower revenue to drop by 4 percent – Kuensel online

The overall hydropower generation of Druk Green Power Corporation’s (DGPC) power plants for the year was forecast to be around 6,914 Gigawatt hours (GWh) with expected revenue of Nu 11.51 billion (B). This, according to the DGPC, would be a decrease of about 4 percent or Nu 497.54 million (M) from last year. In 2021, the country generated Nu 12B from electricity. As of November this year, the DGPC’s power plants generated 6,919.12GWh of electricity, less by 34.68GWh compared to the same month last year. The country generated 6,953.8GWh of electricity as of the same month last year. Click here to read…

Maldives

Cambodia eyes rice sales to Maldives – Phnompenh Post

Cambodia plans to begin the formal export of milled rice to the archipelago nation of Maldives, a month after its Phka Rumduol jasmine variety was crowned as the “World’s Best Rice” for a fifth time, as part of a campaign to raise the profile of the local grain on the regional and international stages. At a ceremony marking the beginning of work to revamp the 95.27km National Road 41 on the morning of December 26, Prime Minister Hun Sen revealed that he would visit the Maldives next month to discuss milled-rice sales as well as stepping up tourism ties. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar court to deliver final verdicts this week in Suu Kyi trials – Reuters

A court in military-ruled Myanmar will deliver its final verdicts in cases against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday, said a source familiar her trials, wrapping up marathon proceedings that have been condemned in the West as a sham. Suu Kyi, 77, was arrested when the military seized power on Feb. 1 last year in a coup that ended a decade of tentative democracy and plunged the country into chaos. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta’s Worst Massacres of 2022 – The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s regime has stepped up atrocities during 2022, including arbitrary killings and the torturing of civilians, burning people alive and using civilians as human shields. Arson attacks, the looting of homes, shelling and airstrikes on residential areas and sexual violence have also increased this year. Click here to read…

Manipur to beef up security along Myanmar border: CM Biren Singh – Dajji World

The Manipur government would strengthen the security in the state’s border areas along with Myanmar by setting up more outposts to curb illegal peddling of drugs, exotic wildlife, various contraband besides cross-border crimes, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Monday. Click here to read…

Nepal

Prime minister settled, all eyes on President and Speaker race – The Kathmandu Post

With the CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal becoming prime minister with the backing of the second largest party, the CPN-UML, the latter is set to get two other major positions—the President and the Speaker. After Dahal decided to join the UML camp following Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s refusal to allow him to lead the government for the first half of the next five-year term, the new coalition of seven parties will now distribute among themselves 35 constitutional positions including the President, Vice-President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly chair and vice-chair, chief ministers, speakers, deputy speakers and provincial chiefs of seven provinces. Click here to read…

Explained: How Prachanda Outsmarted Sher Bahadur Deuba To Be Nepal’s PM, What It Means For India? – Outlook

The surprise development of Prachanda becoming the Nepal’s Prime Minister may not bode well for India-Nepal ties as he and Oli have had some run-ins with New Delhi previously over territorial issues. Prachanda is seen as pro-China. He has in the past said a new understanding with India needed to be developed on the basis of a “changed scenario” in Nepal and after addressing all outstanding issues, like revision of the 1950 Friendship Treaty and resolving Kalapani and Susta border disputes. Click here to read…

A parlous path ahead for Rabi Lamichhane – The Kathmandu Post

Rastriya Swatantra Party president Rabi Lamichhane took the oath of office and secrecy as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister at the Sheetal Niwas on Monday—a remarkable turn of events for a person who was running a TV show until six months ago. The Rastriya Swatantra Party—which Lamichhane formed after resigning from his TV job in June just five months prior to the November 20 elections—emerged as the fourth-largest force in the House of Representatives (HoR) in its first-ever elections. The party won 20 federal seats. Its head has now bagged a coveted ministry, becoming one of the country’s most influential leaders. Click here to read…

Finance minister inherits a troubled economy again – The Kathmandu Post

Amid rumours that Bishnu Poudel is becoming the new finance minister, the share market began to make upward moves from Monday morning. As the market closed, the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index rose by 56.88 points, appearing to welcome Poudel’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in the new Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Shehbaz renews pledge to crush terrorism menace: Dawn

As the country reels from multiple incidents of terrorism, claimed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) over the past few days, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday vowed to eradicate militants across the country amid criticism by his predecessor Imran Khan, who grilled the government over a steep rise in militancy during its eight-month stint.
Addressing a gathering in Dera Ismail Khan, PM Shehbaz said that with the help of provincial governments and security forces, the government will eliminate terrorism in all its forms. Click here to read…

Rs2.2 trillion spent on interest and defence: The Express Tribune

Sources in the Ministry of Finance told The ExpressTribune that during July-November period of the current fiscal year, there was an alarming increase of 83% in the interest cost on the Rs50 trillion federal government debt stock. The Ministry of Finance paid nearly Rs1.7 trillion in the interest cost, up by Rs763 billion or 83%, according to the sources. Similarly, excluding military pensions and expenses on the armed forces development programme, Rs517 billion was spent on defence in five months. It was Rs112 billion or nearly 28% more than the previous fiscal year, according to the sources. Click here to read…

Security advisory: Saudi Arabia, Australia ask citizens in Pakistan to limit movement: The News

In the wake of recent terror incidents in the country, the Saudi embassy has issued a security alert for its citizens in Pakistan, advising them to remain careful and limit their movement. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka PM urges new envoys to promote foreign investment, exports, tourism – Colombo Page

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena meeting with a group of new envoys on Monday noted that the economic diplomacy rather than traditional diplomacy has gained priority in the world and emphasized the importance of innovative diplomacy that promotes investment attraction, exports and tourism. Newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners to 16 countries participated in a special discussion held with the Prime Minister at Temple Trees. Click here to read…

We face the repercussion of handing over the country to politicians: Prelate – Daily Mirror

What we are experiencing now is the consequence of handing over everything in the country to politicians, the Chairman of the National Movement for the Protection of the Nation Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera said. “We have never heard of an era where the people of our country are suffering as much as they do these days,” he lamented. “Now I am hearing several opinions being discussed about the issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country. “The Government should not do that. It will be creating more national problems at a time when people are worried over their next meals,” he said. Click here to read…

Distribution of dry rations at Abhayagiriya – Daily Mirror

Arrangements have been made to distribute 50,000 parcels of dry rations among needy families by the China Buddhist Association and Fa-Xien Charity Trust with the participation of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Acting Chinese Ambassador Hu Wei in the presence of Atamasthanadhipathi Ven Pallegama Hemaratana, Chief Incumbent Abhayagiriya Temple Ven Dr Kallanchiye Ratanasiri on Tuesday (27) at 1.30 pm at the Abhayagiriya premises in Anuradhapura. The event is organized by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the China Sri Lanka Buddhist Friendship Association. Click here to read…

Xi stresses protection of people’s safety, health: Xinhuanet

December 26, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, demanded more targeted efforts to carry out patriotic health campaigns and concrete actions to protect people’s safety and health. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instruction concerning the 70th anniversary of the patriotic health campaigns. Click here to read…

China issues guideline on supporting veterans in starting businesses: Xinhuanet

December 26, 2022

Chinese authorities have unveiled a guideline to support demobilized military personnel in starting businesses and engaging in innovation. Financial support, such as increased guaranteed loans, will be tilted toward business startups run by ex-service members, according to the document issued by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with 20 other departments. Click here to read…

China urges smooth transition of COVID-19 response in holiday preparations: Xinhuanet

December 26, 2022

Chinese authorities have stressed the need to ensure a smooth transition of COVID-19 response phases in a circular on the work related to the upcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays. The circular from the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council underscored putting the people and human life above all else and adopting a science-based approach and targeted measures. Click here to read…

China goes all out to increase output of medical supplies: Xinhuanet

December 26, 2022

China is moving to ensure production of key medical supplies in urgent need as the country optimized its COVID-19 response. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and relevant departments have established emergency collaboration mechanisms with local authorities, to help pharmaceutical enterprises expand capacity and ensure supply of key medicines for COVID-19 control. Click here to read…

Faster railway links Chengdu with Kunming: China Daily

December 26, 2022

A new railway line in China’s southwestern region will open on Monday, slashing travel time between the region’s two major cities Chengdu and Kunming, capitals of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, the national railway operator China State Railway Group said on Saturday. Click here to read…

China National Knowledge Infrastructure fined for monopolistic behavior: China Daily

December 26, 2022

The State Administration for Market Regulation, China’s top market regulator, imposed a fine of 87.6 million yuan ($12.58 million) on China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the country’s largest online academic database, for monopolistic behaviors on Monday. Click here to read…

China congratulates Prachanda on becoming Nepal’s new PM, hopes to deepen bilateral ties: Global Times

December 26, 2022

China has congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), also known as Prachanda, on his appointment as the new prime minister of Nepal, and is willing to continue working with the Nepalese government to deepen bilateral ties, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Click here to read…

Health officials call for appropriate precautions to deal with possible risks in early stage of COVID-19 downgrading adjustment: Global Times

December 27, 2022

Health officials called for taking precautions to deal with possible risks posed in early stage of the adjustment of downgrading COVID-19 from Class A to Class B, including surging COVID-19 infections and patients seeking medical treatment. Click here to read…

Chinese localities make bold moves to stabilize economy: People’s Daily

December 26, 2022

As China further optimizes its COVID-19 response, multiple localities across the country have recently made bold and sweeping moves to stabilize the economy and promote development, boosting the resumption of work, production, and business activities. Click here to read…

China’s economy brims with vitality thanks to reform and opening-up: People’s Daily

December 26, 2022

No matter how the world changes, China’s faith in and its commitment to reform and opening-up will not waver. This is the solemn commitment President Xi Jinping made at the opening ceremony of this year’s Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. Click here to read…

China to reopen borders on Jan. 8, exit from “zero-COVID” policy: Kyodo

December 27, 2022

China said Monday it will reopen borders and abandon quarantine measures that have been in place to stem the spread of coronavirus infections on Jan. 8, in a full departure from its strict “zero-COVID” policy that involved lockdowns and isolation measures at designated facilities. Click here to read…

Taiwan detects 78 Chinese craft in a day: Taipei Times

December 27, 2022

A total of 71 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels were detected around Taiwan from 6am on Sunday to 6am yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense said.
It was the most Chinese military craft detected within a 24-hour period so far this year. Click here to read…

China’s industrial profits slump on COVID fallout, next year seen improving: Reuters

December 27, 2022

Profits at China’s industrial firms contracted further in the January-November period as strict COVID 19-related curbs disrupted factory activity and supply chains, but analysts foresaw brighter long-term economic prospects after a U-turn in COVID policy. Click here to read…

Chinese make travel plans as COVID rules ease further: Reuters

December 27, 2022

Chinese people, cut off from the rest of the world for three years by COVID-19 curbs, flocked to travel sites on Tuesday ahead of borders reopening, even as rising infections further strained the health system and roiled the economy. Zero-tolerance measures – from shuttered borders to frequent lockdowns – have battered China’s economy since early 2020, fuelling last month the mainland’s biggest show of public discontent since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012. Click here to read…

China revises 2021 GDP growth: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

China’s statistics authority on Tuesday revised the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2021 to 8.4 percent in its final verification. The figure was up 0.3 percentage points from the preliminary calculation, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Click here to read…

China to manage COVID-19 with measures against Class B infectious diseases: Xinhuanet

December 27, 2022

China will manage COVID-19 with measures against Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases, in a major shift of its epidemic response policies. China has renamed the Chinese term for COVID-19 from “novel coronavirus pneumonia” to “novel coronavirus infection,” said a statement released by the National Health Commission on Monday. Click here to read…

Top legislature releases work plan for 2023: China Daily

December 27, 2022

A set of 37 legislative proposals has been planned for review and discussion next year, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, said on Monday. Click here to read…

Quarantine to end for inbound overseas travelers: China Daily

December 27, 2022

International travelers will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival in China starting Jan 8, according to the country’s latest policy on epidemic control. Inbound passengers will only be required to present a negative nucleic acid test result for COVID-19 obtained within 48 hours of boarding, according to the policy change, which was announced by the State Council’s Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Shanghai clinics dealing with surge in infections: China Daily

December 27, 2022

Ruan Sheng, an ambulance driver at the South Branch Center of Shanghai Medical Emergency Center, has run an average of 20 trips each day for the last week with his teammates, Doctor Li Zhu and Wang Xiaodong, a paramedic. Click here to read…

Health officials call for appropriate precautions to deal with possible risks in early stage of COVID-19 downgrading adjustment: Global Times

December 27, 2022

Health officials called for taking precautions to deal with possible risks posed in early stage of the adjustment of downgrading COVID-19 from Class A to Class B, including surging COVID-19 infections and patients seeking medical treatment. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate’s Ban on Women’s Jobs Faces Widespread Reactions: Tolo News

The Ministry of Economy in a statement on Saturday ordered all national and international non-government organizations to suspend their female staff members until the next announcement. The announcement of the Islamic Emirate faced widespread reactions at national and international levels. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet expressed deep concerns about the Islamic Emirate decision’s ban on women’s jobs and said “this decision could be devastating for the Afghan people, women are central to humanitarian operations around the world.” Click here to read…

TTP Threat, Rings Alarm for Pakistan: The Khaama Presss

With the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan in August 2021, the dynamic of TTP operations has changed in Pakistani tribal areas and other major cities to a great extent. Afghan Taliban, TTP’s ideological twin brother’s success in neighboring Afghanistan gave them extra momentum and energy to expand their operations across Pakistan. Since the beginning of the year, the TTP has conducted hundreds of attacks mostly targeting police and army headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, and Quetta Balochistan in Particular. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina re-elected as AL president, Quader as general secretary – Dhaka Tribune

The ruling Awami League announced its new central committee with minor changes at its 22nd National Council on Saturday afternoon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected as party president for the 10th time, while Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was elected general secretary for a hattrick of terms. Click here to read…

AL rank and file confused who’s top joint GS – Daily Star

Among the ruling Awami League rank and file, confusion reigned about who actually tops the list of joint general secretaries. The official website of AL uploaded the names of leaders of the full-fledged committee around 10:30pm on Saturday, putting Hasan as the number one joint general secretary. However, an hour later, the list was pulled down from the website. Only the names of Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader remained there. This created a confusion among the party rank and file. Click here to read…

More exchanges between Bangladesh, China media emphasized – New Age

Bangladesh’s relations with China, one of the major development and trading partners of the country, are growing with each passing day, speakers said at a function. Enhanced contacts and exchange between the media of the two countries are needed as the media can play an important role in strengthening cultural and economic ties, they said. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Growing import a growing concern – Kuensel online

It took less than a month for the unemployed guide to switch his career. Within three months he has become a licensed importer and his trial business of importing instant noodles and coffee, seaweed, and ready-to-eat meals is doing well. The guide is among the many in the import business, also called as “container business,” making quick money – bringing in goods ranging from instant noodles to furniture and furnishings from as far as China, South Korea, and Indonesia. There is money in the import business. However, it is leaving a huge impact on the country. Click here to read…

Former Bhutan king warned India about China: R&AW ex-chief A.S. Dulat -The Hindu

Bhutan’s then king Jigme Singye Wangchuck warned India of pressures from China in 1999, writes former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat in his latest book. Mr. Dulat says the former King’s words were “prophetic” about India-China tensions in Doklam in 2017 and the build-up of infrastructure by China that has followed. He also says that New Delhi’s “muscular policy” on a range of issues, including the situation in Kashmir, and tough foreign policy in the neighbourhood led to “failures”. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives former president Yameen gets 11-year jail term – Business Recorder

The Maldives criminal court on Sunday sentenced former president Abdulla Yameen to 11 years in prison and fined him $5 million after finding him guilty of corruption and money laundering charges related to receiving kickbacks from a private company. Yameen has denied any wrongdoing. He lost power in 2018 but has been declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023. Click here to read…

Maldives leader held for threatening attack on Indian Mission – Tribune India

Abbas Adil Riza who, in a tweet, had encouraged an arson attack on the Indian High Commission in Male. The arrest came on a day when his party colleague and former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a court for corruption. The developments come ahead of the presidential elections in Maldives next year. Pro- China Yameen has in the past few days made several anti-India remarks. Click here to read…

Myanmar

China-funded mobile clinic provides healthcare services in Kyaukphyu of Myanmar – Xinhua

The China-funded Kyaukphyu Anargat (Future) Mobile Clinic project in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state entered its final stage in late December, already providing free healthcare service to over 1,500 villagers. U Kyaw Win, 54, from Kyaukphyu Township’s Shauk Chaung Village, is one of the hundreds of villagers who benefited from free healthcare and medicines from the mobile clinic. Click here to read…

New Sittwe port for Indo-Myanmar direct trade will open for Indo-Myanmar trade – Mizzima

The Military Council-appointed Rakhine State government Chief Minister Dr Aung Kyaw Min said in his opening address on the 48th Rakhine State Day that one of the Indo-Myanmar friendship projects, the Sittwe port, would be opened soon for direct trade between India and Myanmar. This Kaladan multi-modal transit transport (KMTT) project would be beneficial not only for Myanmar but also for Rakhine State development, he said. Click here to read…

Myanmar junta says UN resolution aimed at destabilizing country – LaPrensalatina

Myanmar’s military junta has rejected the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday demanding an immediate end to violence and release of all political prisoners, accusing the global body of trying to “destabilize” the country. Myanmar’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Friday that the resolution – approved on Wednesday with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions (China, Russia and India) – includes “several intrusive elements on Myanmar’s internal affairs that contravene the principles and purposesof the United Nations.” Click here to read…

Nepal

Dahal becomes prime minister again, Oli the new kingmaker – The Kathmandu Post

Sher Bahadur Deuba, a veteran of manoeuvring hung parliaments to his advantage, got outfoxed on Sunday afternoon by his bete noire, KP Sharma Oli. Not only did Oli succeed in getting Pushpa Kamal Dahal anointed as the prime minister, a move which weaned Dahal away from the Congress-led alliance, he also now gets to have his own candidate for the head of the state and the Speaker of the House of Representatives along with plum ministries and a majority of the provincial chief ministers. Until Sunday afternoon, a Nepali Congress-led coalition led by Deuba was the favourite to form the next federal government. The Oli masterstroke means that he will now get to pull the strings of power. Click here to read…

Indian Workers Attacked Along Nepal Border In Uttarakhand; Defence Minister Intervenes – Republic World

In Dharchula, a safety wall is being created along the Kali river that flows between India and Nepal. It has been learned that some elements are against the construction of the wall and are furiously throwing stones in order to stop the work at the location. Calling Nepal a friend, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for negotiations with the neighbouring country saying, “Nepal is our friend, if there is any dispute, we will solve it together.” Also, Indian officials will be taking up the matter with their Nepalese counterparts if such incidents occur in the future. Click here to read…

Modi congratulates Prachanda on being elected Nepal’s PM – Economic Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” on Sunday on being elected as the new leader of Nepal and said he looks forward to working with him to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries. Click here to read…

No respite for national economy with more instability in store – The Kathmandu Post

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has launched a ‘Save the Economy’ campaign in the face of worsening economic indicators. Although the indicators of the external sector have improved due to the strict import control measures, industrialists complain of a sharp decline in demand for goods and services, which has forced them to cut down on the operations of their businesses and factories.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2022/12/26/no-respite-for-national-economy-with-more-instability-in-store” target=”_blank”>Click here to read…

Pakistan

Editorial: Troubles lurking around every corner: Dawn

In the outgoing year, the people came around to an unprecedented price growth amid the country’s consistently deteriorating balance of payments crisis exacerbated by devastating summer floods and ongoing political uncertainty.Next year we could see inflation entrenched further and the economy trek toward a deeper recession as the politically embattled coalition led by the PML-N struggles to revive its sour relationship with the International Monetary Fund for the resumption of its loan programme to overcome its dollar liquidity crisis. Click here to read…

US embassy restricts staff movement in Islamabad: The Express Tribune

A statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad said the US government staff prohibited from visiting the private hotel in the federal capital due to possible attack.The US government is aware of information that unidentified individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the private hotel in Islamabad “sometime during the holidays”, the statement added. Click here to read…

Govt again advises Imran to return to NA: The Express Tribune

As PTI chief Imran Khan remains adamant about playing hardball to force early polls, the government has again advised the former prime minister to return to the National Assembly to put forth his demands and lead a “healthy opposition” against the ruling coalition for negotiations. Click here to read…

News analysis: Country needs vision to break through economic trap: The News

As finance minister Ishaq Dar publicly defied the IMF earlier this month and overlooked tough economic conditions across Pakistan, a wider crisis continued with no signs of abating any time soon. The minister is presiding over Pakistan’s fast worsening economic turmoil driven by stagnation, far above target inflation, a balance of payments crisis and widespread uncertainty to name matters proverbially at the tip of the iceberg. And his recent promise of returning the Rupee versus US Dollar exchange rate to below Rs200 to a Dollar is already lost. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Manic weather across the country – Daily Mirror

Heavy rain was experienced yesterday all over the country disrupting civilian life. The worst affected were the central hills that had been hit by floods and earth slips due to the torrential rains experienced from Saturday midnight (24) that continued unabated yesterday. The Police said the central hills had been shrouded with a thick mist and warned the drivers to be cautious of fog that prevented visibility. Click here to read…

President Ranil’s initiative to resolve Tamil national question – Daily Mirror

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader and Colombo District MP, Mano Ganesan received a telephone call from Ranil Wickremesinghe on 19 July 2022. Recalling the telephone conversation, Mano Ganesan told me “Ranil spoke as if he had already been elected President. He told me of his intention to resolve the Tamil National Question. He also told me of his plans to address the socio -economic issues of the North-Eastern and Up Country Tamils. He also spoke about the economic upliftment of their areas. Ranil seemed very convincing then” Click here to read…

Chinese infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka may have contributed to the country’s crisis: Report – The Print

According to the report, “A port city that dominates Colombo’s seafront was built on a 269-hectare patch of land reclaimed from the sea. It was to become a thriving business and financial hub, but it is virtually deserted.” An international airport commissioned at Sri Lanka’s Mattala city almost a decade ago is called the “emptiest airport in the world.” Both these projects funded by China are seen as “white elephants” that have significantly contributed to Sri Lanka’s debt. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Restrictions on Banking System an Obstacle for Investors: ACCI: Tolo News

The business community said that restrictions on the banking system in Afghanistan have challenged investors, leaving them with many problems in their businesses. According to the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), withdrawals for investors have been restricted to the purchase of food and basic materials required for running their businesses. Withdrawals for decoration of offices, clothes, and other relevant materials are not processed, said ACCI officials. Click here to read…

Pakistan Delegation to Visit Afghanistan This Week: Tolo News

A delegation from Pakistan comprised of religious scholars and tribal elders is visiting Afghanistan this week, local officials in the Chaman area in Pakistan confirmed to TOLOnews. The visit is expected to discuss recent tensions raised between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani forces along the Durand Line, according to some members of the delegation. “We are going to Afghanistan. Those in Afghanistan are our brothers. The same are the governor and other leaders. We talk to them because the (Spin Boldak-Chaman) crossing is closed often due to clashes,” said Sardar Barat, a member of the delegation.Click here to read…

UN Security Council Holds a Session on Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

The UN Security Council held a session on Afghanistan today emphasizing the way forward through a more pluralistic polity, where all Afghans, especially women and minorities, could see themselves represented. In a briefing to the United Nation’s Security Council earlier today, the Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva said the only war forward for Afghanistan is to form an inclusive government where everyone, particularly women and minorities could seem themselves represented. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Dhaka for increasing capacity of land ports on India-Bangladesh border – Dhaka Tribune

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Tuesday called for increasing the capacities of the land ports on the India-Bangladesh border. “India is a close friend and a major trading partner of Bangladesh. There is a huge demand for Bangladeshi products in the Indian market. Bangladesh is now able to export international quality products at relatively low prices. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the capacities of the land ports on the India-Bangladesh border,” he said. Click here to read…

Dhaka considering pros, cons of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework – Dhaka Tribune

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said Bangladesh is looking into the “pros and cons” of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to determine if Bangladesh will benefit from joining it. “Recently, there has been debate about the Quad and Indo-Pacific Economic (Framework). To understand the issue, we have requested BIISS to look into it. I am thankful to them. They have submitted one report on it,” Momen saidClick here to read…

Iranian Deputy FM Ali Bagheri due Thursday – Dhaka Tribune

Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of Iran Ali Bagheri Kani is scheduled to arrive here on Thursday morning to discuss bilateral and other issues of mutual interest with Bangladesh. In November, the Iranian said Foreign Office Consultation and meeting of Joint Economic Commission should be held at mutually convenient time to further strengthen relations in the field of trade, investment, economy, energy, chemical fertilizer and food security. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Import bill to hit over Nu 100B this year – Kuensel online

If the country imported Nu 30 billion (B) worth of goods in the last three months this year, the import bill would hit over Nu 120B. The total import bill at Nu 93.03B as of September this year already surpassed one-year’s import of Nu 90.23B in 2021. About 70 percent was imported from India. The value of exports, including electricity, stood at Nu 44.9B. Click here to read…

Maldives

India & Maldives hold 6th Joint Staff Talks in New Delhi – News On Air

The 6th Joint Staff Talks between India and the Maldives were held in New Delhi yesterday, December 20. The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm and extremely cordial atmosphere. Discussions focused on the ongoing and new initiatives under the ambit of the existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism of all three services and further strengthening the engagements. Click here to read…

Maldives Completes IMF Consultation for 2022 – Mirage News

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Maldives. Maldives’ economic activity rebounded strongly from the pandemic-induced contraction, supported by the authorities’ decisive policy measures. Real GDP growth recovered sharply to 37 percent in 2021 from the unprecedented contraction of 33.5 percent in 2020, as tourism activities bounced back. Inflation has risen but is contained due to price subsidies. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Two New Potential Game-Changers in Myanmar’s Crisis – The Irrawaddy

The bill recently passed by the US Congress, known broadly as the 2022 Burma Act, which allows the US government to provide technical support and non-military assistance to engage with groups opposing the military junta in Naypyitaw, combined with the arrival of incoming ASEAN chair Indonesia, could be a game-changer for the Myanmar crisis, which is soon to enter its third year. Click here to read…

Trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi enters final phase – Thai PBS World

A junta court will hear the final arguments in the 18-month-long trial of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi next week, a legal source said Tuesday, before reaching its final verdicts against the Nobel laureate. 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…

IFC Divests from Yoma Bank After Myanmar Military Links Exposed – The Irrawaddy

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has divested from Yoma Bank after its business with military companies was exposed, according to activist group Justice For Myanmar (JFM). Divestment by the IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries, came after JFM revealed Yoma Bank’s dealings with the military and its conglomerates. Click here to read…

Nepal

Gagan Thapa lone challenger to Sher Bahadur Deuba – The Himalayan

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who is from the Shekhar Koirala faction of the party, became the only opponent to NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba in the contest for the parliamentary party leader. The NC will elect its parliamentary party leader tomorrow. Of the seven national political parties, the NC is the only party that will have to hold election to choose its parliamentary party leader. Other parties decided on their PP leader unanimously. Click here to read…

Nepal blacklists 16 Indian pharma cos – The Tribune

Nepal’s drug regulatory authority has blacklisted 16 Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Divya Pharmacy which manufactures yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali products, stating that they failed to comply with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) drug-manufacturing standards. In April and July this year, the department sent a team of drug inspectors to India to inspect the manufacturing facilities of pharmaceutical companies that had applied to supply their products to Nepal. Click here to read…

Nepal makes over Rs11 billion selling power to India – The Kathmandu Post

Nepal earned over Rs11 billion by selling excess power to India from early June to this week, the Nepal Electricity Authority said on Monday. The high income suggests electricity has emerged as a major export item. In early November last year, India had for the first time allowed Nepal to sell electricity in the Indian market via a competitive bidding process. But after exporting for a few weeks, Nepal stopped selling power to India in December amid reduction in power generation in the dry season. Exports resumed this year with the start of monsoon in early June. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Punjab on the brink of another constitutional crisis: Dawn

Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan on Tuesday termed “illegal, against the provisions of the Constitution and thus stand disposed of” the Punjab governor’s orders directing Chief Minister Parvez Elahi to seek a vote of confidence in a special assembly session to show he still commands a majority. In his two-page ruling, the speaker maintained that the governor’s orders were not in accordance with Article 54(3) and Article 127. “The house is in session since Oct 23, 2022, and under Article 54(3) and 127. No fresh session can be convened unless and until the current one ends,” the order read. Click here to read…

Editorial: An audacious attack: Dawn

WE are witnessing the rapid unravelling of Pakistan’s anti-terrorism policy, and can expect an escalating human and material cost. On Sunday, in their most audacious attack yet since late November when they called off their tenuous ceasefire with the government, 33 TTP militants detained inside the Bannu Counter-Terrorism Department centre managed to overpower their interrogators and take a number of law-enforcement personnel hostage. Click here to read…

Pakistan identifies $8.2b flood funding gap: The Express Tribune

The $8.2 billion gap appeared too large to be filled in the Geneva conference amid low response to the UN’s $816 million emergency appeal, high risks of Pakistan’s sovereign default, and possible derailment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme because of imprudent economic policies. The planning ministry has finalised the resilient, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction framework, dubbed as 4RF, showing a financing gap of $8.2 billion. The framework has been developed with the help of the Asian Development Bank, European Union, UN Development Programme, and World Bank Group. Click here to read…

‘Pakistan in a fix on Afghan strategy’: The Express Tribune

Background discussions with the people dealing with the matter told The Express Tribune that despite apparent friction in ties with Kabul, Pakistan has no option but to seek engagement with the Afghan Taliban regime. The incidents of the last few weeks have put Pakistan’s relationship with the Afghan Taliban in jeopardy. Islamabad was already upset over Kabul’s failure to tackle the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the border clashes in Chaman further deepened the crisis. Click here to read…

IMF asks for passing on Rs65bn burden to power consumers: The News

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to pass on Rs65 billion to consumers of electricity which has been deferred in the shape of Fuel Price Adjustments (FPA) during the peak of last summer season. Out of the total outstanding amount of Rs65 billion on account of deferment of FPA in the electricity bills in the current fiscal year, the government has agreed with the IMF that Rs 55billion would be passed on to consumers and that would be recovered through bills. The remaining Rs10 billion would be absorbed through allocation of subsidy amount. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Unity between Indian Ocean, Asian and African countries vital to face global problems: President – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that in order to face the global problems that may arise in the future, there should be unity between the Indian Ocean as well as Asian and African countries. The President said that since the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war may be felt in the future, the country should also work towards self-sufficiency by establishing food security. Click here to read…

9 Sri Lankans arrested in Tamil Nadu for attempt to revive LTTE: NIA – Hindustan Times

NIA has registered at least four cases since last year to probe conspiracy by several LTTE cadres based in India and Sri Lanka to revive the activities of the banned outfit by indulging in arms smuggling, ferrying of drugs and using hawala for transfer of funds. Click here to read…

China’s promised rice donation delivered – Daily News

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo yesterday said that one million kilograms (10,000 metric tonnes) of rice donation promised by China have all been delivered to Sri Lanka with the last 1,000 MT reaching Colombo on Monday. The Embassy said that the donation of this rice stock will help support nutrition and studies of over one million students in 7,900 schools across the country. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghan Traders Abroad Face Hurdles Investing in Afghanistan: Tolo News

Some Afghan traders living abroad said current problems caused by the banking system and international sanctions, as well as the closed girls’ schools, are causing obstacles to investment in Afghanistan. Obaidullah Sadar Khail, head of the Afghan trader council in the UAE, told TOLOnews in a special TV program that the problems in the banking system that began nine months ago have still not been solved. “The banking system is important for the traders and over the past nine months, this problem has not been solved,” he said. Click here to read…

Joint Committee Formed to Address Tensions along Durand Line: Tolo News

Afghan chargé d’affaires in Islamabad Sardar Ahmad Shakib said on Sunday that a joint committee has been formed to address issues between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan along the Durand Line. The committee will address all borer problems from now on, he said. “Any tension that happens by any side needs to be solved through talks. The committee has been created by both sides to address issues,” Shakib added. Click here to read…

Pakistani Delegation of Ulema to Visit Afghanistan to Discuss Cross-Border Hostility: The Khaama Press

According to Pakistan’s Geo News, which cited Pakistani authorities, the four-member reconciliation delegation of Pakistan will visit the Afghan capital, Kabul, and Kandahar, to put an end to the clashes along the border amid news of the establishment of a joint committee to address the border tensions surface. The Afghan border forces fired indiscriminately and without provocation at the civilian area in Chaman city of Pakistan’s Balochistan, for the second time in five days, using heavy weapons.Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani premier, condemned the Afghan Border Forces’ “unprovoked shelling” of civilians in Pakistan’s Chaman district, in response to the first of the twin border clashes in a week and urged the Afghan side to make sure that such occurrences “not repeated again. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Experts: Bangladesh must prepare for hybrid warfare – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh needs to take protective measures and formulate a doctrine in order to address the growing threat of hybrid warfare amid the country’s technological advancement, said the speakers at a roundtable Sunday morningClick here to read…

Jamaat-e-Islami | Old party, new brand – The Hindu

In the backdrop of the protests led by the main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), authorities in Dhaka arrested Jamaat-e-Islami’s ameer Shafiqur Rahman and his son Rafat Sadik Saifullah last week. The arrests were interpreted as a move to pre-empt Jamaat, the largest Islamist party in Bangladesh, from infusing critical mass to the protest rally set to be launched by BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Click here to read…

China biggest source of FDI for Bangladesh in FY22 – Dhaka Tribune

China has become the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) source of Bangladesh in terms of the gross flow of $940 million for FY22. It also ranked top in foreign investors with 104 investors at eight export-processing zones (EPZs), said Song Yang, economic and commercial counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh on Saturday. Click here to read…

Bhutan

An uplifting moment – Kuensel online

As the year near its end, there is one special day all Bhutanese look forward to. December 17, our National Day is not only the most significant day for Bhutan, but a day where Bhutanese from all walks of life come together as a big family to celebrate with pride and joy. The gathering today at Changlimethang and in all the dzongkhags and beyond is an uplifting moment for all of us. Click here to read…

Tawang clash was a deliberate PLA operation – Sunday Guardian Live

The Chinese attempt to seize a post is not a simple face-off as it is being made in some quarters. The implications of the loss of the Yangtse post would have been very costly for India. It is to the credit of the Indian Army that they thwarted this attempt very professionally. Click here to read…

Recurrent budget cut for financial prudence: FM – Kuensel online

The government cut the recurrent expenditure from the last fiscal year 2021-22 to spend the limited domestic resources judiciously, Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said. About 40 to 50 percent of the budget was cut across all agencies in the fiscal year 2022-23 compared to the pre-pandemic. The finance ministry itself saw a cut in the budget by about 60 percent. Click here to read…

Maldives

Foreign Secretary attends Human Rights Day Event organized by UN

Maldives, HRCM – Raajje

Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef has attended an event organized jointly by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM). The event, held to mark the Human Rights Day 2022, also commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) under the theme “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All.” The event saw Latheef delivering remarks, where he reaffirmed the Maldivian government’s commitment to the values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Click here to read…

Myanmar

SL Navy rescues 104 distressed Myanmar nationals – Sri Lanka Mirror

Sri Lanka Navy rescued 104 distressed Myanmar nationals aboard a passenger vessel in Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni early morning yesterday. The distressed vessel is reported to have trespassed into Sri Lanka’s territorial waters following a mechanical failure while it was carrying the passengers from Myanmar to Indonesia. Click here to read…

81 human trafficking cases prevented in Myanmar between 2020 and 2021 – The Star

Myanmar have prevented 81 cases of human trafficking, helping 840 people between 2020 and 2021, said Brigadier General Aung Htay Myint, head of the Transnational Crime Division. He revealed the information during the 5th inter-ministerial meeting of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking – COMMIT, which took on via video link at the Myanmar Police Force headquarters, state-run newspapers reported. Click here to read…

EU supports WFP’s food insecurity efforts in Myanmar – Mizzima

The European Union (EU) has contributed EUR 6.5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) towards its humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, where some 15 million people are facing moderate or severe food insecurity, according to a recent press release. Click here to read…

China-Myanmar-Thailand Economic Corridor safe haven for drugs, online scams: Report – The Print

The China-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Economic Corridor along river Moei has become a safe haven for drugs, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and online casino scams, according to a report in Mekong News. The report says that most of the “unholy syndicates” along the tributary of the Salween river from Tachileik to Myawaddy, are controlled by people of Chinese origin but from different nationalities.Click here to read…

Nepal

President Bhandari calls upon parties to recommend PM by December 25 – The Khabarhub

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called upon the parties to recommend a name for the Prime Minister within 7 days from Sunday. According to a source in the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, the President called for the name of the Prime Minister to be recommended as per Article 76 (2) of the Constitution. As per the President’s notice, the political parties have to recommend the name of Prime Minister by 5 pm, December 25. Click here to read…

Maoist Centre to initiate govt formation process after swearing-in ceremony – Khabarhub

The Maoist Centre has decided to participate in the government formation process only after the House of Representatives (HoR) members are sworn in. The Maoist Centre came to the conclusion that it would be wise to initiate the government formation process only after the lawmakers were administered the oath of office. Maoist Centre’s leader Janardan Sharma said the leaders put their views to opt for the government formation process after the lawmakers are sworn in. Click here to read…

Pakistan

PDM mulls over options to avert dissolution of Punjab, KP assemblies: Dawn

The city remained a hub of political activities on Sunday aimed at preventing the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former president Asif Zardari and ex-premier Chaudhry Shujaat met each other separately to find a way out of the ‘quagmire’ caused by PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s announcement that the two legislatures would be dissolved on Friday. Click here to read…

FM Bilawal arrives in US capital today for talks: Dawn

As Foreign Min¬ister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrives in the American capital on Monday, he has a difficult mission: underlining the need for stronger ties with the United States without disturbing its close relationship with China. The foreign minister completed his four-day visit to the UN headquarters in New York on Friday and then went off-the-radar for the weekend, stirring wild speculations in the Pakistani American community. Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Washington and New York offered no explanation on his weekend engagements. Click here to read…

When under-fire Bajwa speaks…: The News

Sources close to General Bajwa said that the recently retired former Army Chief could not respond in public to what PTI chairman alleges against him because of some codal limitations but it is insisted what Khan mostly says about Bajwa is untrue. Bajwa is now the focused target of Imran Khan who not only sees Bajwa as the sole reason for all his failures in the government but also alleges that the general had removed his government as part of a US conspiracy. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

IMF says China agrees to form global sovereign debt ’roundtable’ – Daily News

Chinese officials have agreed to form a global sovereign debt “roundtable” that would include a wide variety of stakeholders, including private sector creditors, International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday. Georgieva told an event hosted by the IMF that she was feeling “a bit more optimistic” about the prospects for dealing with major debt issues facing low- and middle-income countries after high-level meetings with Chinese authorities last week. The IMF chief said last week she had a “fruitful exchange” with her Chinese counterparts on the need to accelerate debt relief for countries like Zambia and Sri Lanka, adding that she saw “space for a platform for more systematic engagement on debt issues, where China can play an active role”. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka to use Indian rupee for international trade, more countries aim to follow – WION

Days after the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said that it was awaiting the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval to designate Indian Rupee (INR) as a foreign currency in Sri Lanka, reports have emerged saying banks from India’s neighbouring island nation have opened special rupee trading accounts, called Vostro accounts. Sri Lanka had requested the RBI to facilitate and promote trade and tourism in the SAARC region. Click here to read…

New Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe promoted Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed him as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy from December 18 with the retirement of former Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was accorded a Guard of Honour in accordance with Naval traditions, at the Navy Headquarters yesterday, Vice Admiral Perera a proud product of the Royal College, Colombo joined the Si Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the fifth intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Click here to read…