China’s new Foreign Relations Law is meant to guide and govern the country’s foreign policy – a de facto TOOLBOX to handle issues related to external relations. It is designed to act as a “deterrent” to sanctions and is needed urgently to safeguard national sovereignty and security. In March this year, President Xi Jinping hit out at the string of sanctions the US and its European allies have been slapping on China. In a blunt like never before tone, Xi described these measures as a means of “all-around containment, encirclement and suppression of China”, signaling a possibly harder stance against what he perceives as an effort by the United States to block China’s rise. This speech apparently set the stage for the new  Foreign Relations Law (passed on June 28) that has transformed Xi’s views in to a law in a difficult geo-political and challenging commercial environment. The law is meant to guide and govern the country’s foreign policy – a de facto TOOLBOX to handle issues related to external relations. It is designed to act as a “deterrent” to sanctions and is needed urgently to safeguard national sovereignty and security. It says Beijing has the right to “take measures to counter and restrict actions that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, violate international law or “fundamental norms of international relations.” It also authorises the State Council – the country’s cabinet – and the executive branches of government to come up with regulations and systems to apply the countermeasure on issues such as US-led export controls on advanced technology. It calls on state agencies charged with, executing Xi’s vision to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and cooperation to enforce the retaliatory measures. The State Council, which coordinates China’s government ministries, is authorized to “establish related working institutions.” As expected, the law drew criticism from US and European officials and experts, warning it will...

The new law stipulates that Beijing has the right to take measures to counter and restrict actions (initiated by the West) that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests and violate international law or fundamental norms of international relations. On June 28th, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China passed The Foreign Relations Law. According to President Xi`s senior diplomacy advisor Wang Yi, the law aims to safeguard national sovereignty and act as a deterrent against sanctions. The new law stipulates that Beijing has the right to take measures to counter and restrict actions (initiated by the West) that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests and violate international law or fundamental norms of international relations. The law has come into effect since July 1st and encompasses President Xi`s signature foreign policy initiatives, i.e., global security, development, and civilization. In essence, the new law is to shield itself and counter the West`s sanctions hegemony. It has been passed at a crucial time, with US-China relations at a low, especially after the US President branding President Xi as a dictator, the spy balloon saga, and China`s continued support for President Putin in Russia’s war against Ukraine. China sees ongoing hostile American efforts to suppress its development. In a recent meeting with US Secretary Blinken, President Xi told the US envoy that Washington must not hurt China`s legitimate rights and interests or deprive it of its right to development. It follows US export controls on high-tech goods and its efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers in sensitive sectors. In recent months, the US has blacklisted Chinese companies, pushed its allies to restrict the export of semiconductors and de-risk its supply chain. China has viewed this as a direct attack. To demonstrate to the US its point, China, too, has begun its sanctions. In February...

The summit aimed to enhance commercial and diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. On the first day of the conference, investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed. The investment agreements covered various sectors such as technology, agriculture, renewable energy, real estate, natural resources, and tourism On 11th June 2023, the China-Arab business conference was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting happened amidst the expanding commercial and diplomatic relationships between Beijing and Middle Eastern nations, including a recent historic reconciliation between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia mediated by China that has changed regional relations. The summit aimed to enhance commercial and diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. The event brought together over 3,500 government and business officials from both sides. On the first day of the conference, investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed. The majority of the investment deals were focused on projects in Saudi Arabia or involved Saudi firms and government entities. A significant portion of the $10 billion included a $5.6 billion memorandum of understanding between the Saudi investment ministry and Human Horizons, a Chinese electric and self-driving car manufacturer. Specific deals mentioned in the statement included a $533 million agreement between AMR ALuwlaa Company and Zhonghuan International Group for an iron factory in Saudi Arabia, Also, a $500 million cooperation agreement was signed on copper mining between Saudi ASK Group and the China National Geological & Mining Corp. Major deals in Major Sectors – Technology, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Real Estate, Natural Resources and Tourism Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan highlighted the potential in increased trade and economic ties between China and Arab countries. “This meeting is an opportunity… to build a shared future towards a new, beneficial era for our peoples,” he said. He...

Afghan women’s safety and prosperity hang by a thread. With no education and work opportunities, they fear a dark present and future, debilitating mental health, and other innumerable crises. It seems that it is a never-ending ordeal for Afghan women. Prudent and sustained measures therefore are required to help the suppressed, vulnerable population. Under Taliban rule, Afghan women continue to face grave challenges that impede their progress, freedom, and economic prospects. Recent incidents, such as the poisoning of schoolgirls, serve as haunting reminders of the risks faced by those who dare to pursue education. The Taliban’s relentless opposition to girls’ schooling fosters an environment of fear and intimidation, perpetuating an unjust cycle of suppression. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, before the Taliban’s return to power, approximately 3.5 million girls were attending school in Afghanistan. However, since September 2021, girls’ schools for grades 6-12 remain closed. Besides education, the exclusion of women from the workforce represents a squandered potential that leaves Afghanistan bereft of diverse skills and talents. Before the Taliban resurgence, women comprised approximately 22% of the Afghan labor force, contributing to the country’s economic growth. However, the current ban on women working in NGOs, INGOs, and the UN exacerbates the challenges faced by Afghan communities. This ban not only restricts women’s economic opportunities but also hampers the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid. According to the United Nations, more than 18 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, and the absence of women in key organizations impedes the targeted support needed for women and girls, perpetuating their suffering and undermining overall stability. Furthermore, the mental health crisis among Afghan women is alarming. According to a recent survey conducted by the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, 80% of Afghan women suffer...

The recent developments with regard to the security situation in Afghanistan have serious implications not only for the region but for the world at large. It is in particular extremely worrying for the Afghan nationals who have been facing difficulties for more than four decades as a result of conflict, persistent natural disasters and chronic poverty. On 15 August 2021, the capital of Afghanistan, was taken over by Taliban forces, ending the war that began in 2001. The fall of Kabul raised serious concerns and mixed reactions across the globe. There were debates on how and why it happened, who should be blamed for the collapse, whether it was preplanned or just a coincidence and whether the world should recognize the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan or otherwise. The evacuation of those working for foreign organizations in Afghanistan began with the fall of Kabul and is still going on. On the other hand, thousands of illegal economic migrants predominantly youth are using risky and illegal ways to flee the country. In search of a better future, they are becoming victims of human traffickers every day. One such example of human trafficking is the recent incident in which many Afghans lost their lives en route to Bulgaria. They were suffocated to death in a container while they were being trafficked. The Afghan authorities reacted strongly after they received the coffins of those Afghans who lost their lives. It is a fact that the government is well aware of the sufferings of tens of thousands of Afghan youth who are hostages of the traffickers and that they are treated as slaves by them, but they pretend ignorance! Another major issue is widespread corruption in visa regulations, but the Taliban government considers it expedient to remain silent. Why are many families desperate to leave Afghanistan? The answer is that many parents who are worried about their children’s future particularly about the education of their daughters would like to leave...

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu told Asia’s top security summit on Sunday (4th June 2023) that conflict with the United States would be an “unbearable disaster” but that his country sought dialogue over confrontation. It was his first significant international address since he was named China’s Minister of National Defence in March. “China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways.” “However, this should not keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation,” he said. “It is undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the US will be an unbearable disaster for the world.” Li said, “China would not allow such freedom-of-navigation patrols by the United States and its allies to be “a pretext to exercise hegemony of navigation”. Li — sanctioned by the United States in 2018 over weapons purchases from Russia — shook hands with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin earlier at the summit but they have not had a deeper discussion, despite repeated US demands for more military exchanges. After Li’s speech, retired veteran Chinese diplomat Cui Tiankai urged the United States to ease military deployments close to China in an act of “good faith” if high-level defence talks between the two superpowers are to resume. This article originally appeared in www.dawn.com/ June 04 2023 . Original link.