In the foreign policy establishment of China, the dawn of 2023 has accompanied the rise of two individuals: Wang Yi and Qin Gang. Wang Yi, the outgoing foreign minister of China took over as the director of Chinese Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission (CFAC). Whereas Qin Gang, the current Chinese envoy in the United States, is set to take over as country's next foreign minister.&nbsp;

The Central Foreign Affairs Commission (CFAC) is an institution within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).&nbsp;

The foreign minister reports to the director of CFAC, who in turn reports to Xi Jinping.&nbsp;

This means that in his new role, Qin Gang will report to Wang Yi, who in turn will be answerable to the supreme leader Xi Jinping.

Qin was appointed as China's foreign minister at the 38th meeting of the National People's Congress last year.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deeply-impressed-chinas-new-foreign-minister-heaps-praises-on-americans-549162">'Deeply impressed': China's new foreign minister heaps praises on Americans</a>

The choice of a serving Chinese ambassador as the next foreign minister was widely reported to be Chinese Communist Party's conciliatory tone to the US amid intense geopolitical competition between Beijing and Washington D.C.

The reflection of a conciliatory tone in the Chinese foreign policy was prominently visible as 2023 began.&nbsp;

In his new year message for a Communist Party journal, Wang Yi, the director of CCP's Central Foreign Affairs Commission sought course correction in ties with the United States.

"(We will) implement agreements reached by the top leaders of the US and China, seek to establish guiding principles of Sino-US relations and correct course (in bilateral ties)," Wang Yi wrote in Qiushi, a CCP-run journal, reflecting the "constructive" outcomes of bilateral talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G-20 summit in Indonesia's Bali last year.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/agreeing-to-disagree-another-blow-to-us-china-ties-541373">Agreeing to disagree: Another blow to U.S.- China ties?</a>

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Wang's pitch to "correct course" was followed by his assertion to "fight back" against "all forms of hegemony" by rebuffing attempts by "external forces", in what Beijing says, are attempts of interference into China's domestic affairs.&nbsp;

Wang Yi's course correction pitch and 'stabilising' US-China ties

According to Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation think-tank, by course correction pitch, "He (Wang Yi) means that the US needs to correct its course", as China believes that it has been doing the "right thing" all along, Joshi added.&nbsp;

"The ties are stabilising but there is no going back to the past. The two countries understand the importance of keeping their relationship within guardrails to prevent an inadvertent conflict," Joshi told WION.&nbsp;

Experts add that there is little course correction in the US-China relations. "The real issues like Taiwan and South China Sea dispute are non-negotiable for the People's Republic of China. The relations would continue to be rocky in the security realm," Suyash Desai, Taiwan-based research scholar on China's military and foreign policy, told WION.

US-China ties: Managing competition and cooperation

The US statement after bilateral talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Bali had underscored the need for cooperation between the two sides on transnational challenges such as climate change, global macroeconomic stability including debt relief, health security, and global food security. "Because that is what the international community expects," the White House had said on November 14, 2022.

The US, while acknowledging the bilateral competition between Beijing and Washington, said that the competition "should not veer into conflict". &nbsp;

Experts say that the US and China understand the need for cooperation on key transnational issues.&nbsp;

"They understand, too, that as global &nbsp;powers they need to cooperate on issues like climate change, trade policy, non-proliferation and so on. &nbsp;But they also know that they are now in a phase of intense political, military and economic competition," Manoj Joshi said.&nbsp;

The US-China ties had hit a low after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's August-2022 visit to self-governing island nation of Taiwan, that China claims as its own.&nbsp;

The effect of Pelosi's visit was pacified by Biden-Jinping bilateral talks later in November on the sidelines of G-20 summit in Indonesia's Bali.&nbsp;

The engagement is expected&nbsp;be furthered by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's scheduled visit to China in 2023.

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In the foreign policy establishment of China, the dawn of 2023 has accompanied the rise of two individuals: Wang Yi and Qin Gang. Wang Yi, the outgoing foreign minister of China took over as the director of Chinese Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission (CFAC).

In the foreign policy establishment of China, the dawn of 2023 has accompanied the rise of two individuals: Wang Yi and Qin Gang. Wang Yi, the outgoing foreign minister of China took over as the director of Chinese Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission (CFAC). Whereas Qin Gang, the current Chinese envoy in the United States, is set to take over as country's next foreign minister. The Central Foreign Affairs Commission (CFAC) is an institution within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The foreign minister reports to the director of CFAC, who in turn reports to Xi Jinping. This means that in his new role, Qin Gang will report to Wang Yi, who in turn will be answerable to the supreme leader Xi Jinping. Qin was appointed as China's foreign minister at the 38th meeting of the National People's Congress last year. ALSO READ | 'Deeply impressed': China's new foreign minister heaps praises on Americans The choice of a serving Chinese ambassador as the next foreign minister was widely reported to be Chinese Communist Party's conciliatory tone to the US amid intense geopolitical competition between Beijing and Washington D.C. The reflection of a conciliatory tone in the Chinese foreign policy was prominently visible as 2023 began. In his new year message for a Communist Party journal, Wang Yi, the director of CCP's Central Foreign Affairs Commission sought course correction in ties with the United States. "(We will) implement agreements reached by the top leaders of the US and China, seek to establish guiding principles of Sino-US relations and correct course (in bilateral ties)," Wang Yi wrote in Qiushi, a CCP-run journal, reflecting the "constructive" outcomes of bilateral talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G-20 summit in Indonesia's Bali last year. WATCH | Agreeing to disagree: Another blow to U.S.- China ties? × Wang's pitch to "correct course" was followed by his assertion to "fight back" against "all forms of hegemony" by rebuffing attempts by "external forces", in what Beijing says, are attempts of interference into China's domestic affairs. Wang Yi's course correction pitch and 'stabilising' US-China ties According to Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation think-tank, by course correction pitch, "He (Wang Yi) means that the US needs to correct its course", as China believes that it has been doing the "right thing" all along, Joshi added. "The ties are stabilising but there is no going back to the past. The two countries understand the importance of keeping their relationship within guardrails to prevent an inadvertent conflict," Joshi told WION. Experts add that there is little course correction in the US-China relations. "The real issues like Taiwan and South China Sea dispute are non-negotiable for the People's Republic of China. The relations would continue to be rocky in the security realm," Suyash Desai, Taiwan-based research scholar on China's military and foreign policy, told WION. US-China ties: Managing competition and cooperation The US statement after bilateral talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Bali had underscored the need for cooperation between the two sides on transnational challenges such as climate change, global macroeconomic stability including debt relief, health security, and global food security. "Because that is what the international community expects," the White House had said on November 14, 2022. The US, while acknowledging the bilateral competition between Beijing and Washington, said that the competition "should not veer into conflict". Experts say that the US and China understand the need for cooperation on key transnational issues. "They understand, too, that as global powers they need to cooperate on issues like climate change, trade policy, non-proliferation and so on. But they also know that they are now in a phase of intense political, military and economic competition," Manoj Joshi said. The US-China ties had hit a low after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's August-2022 visit to self-governing island nation of Taiwan, that China claims as its own. The effect of Pelosi's visit was pacified by Biden-Jinping bilateral talks later in November on the sidelines of G-20 summit in Indonesia's Bali. The engagement is expected be furthered by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's scheduled visit to China in 2023. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In 2023, China seeks to 'correct course' with United States

Days after outgoing Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi vowed to "course-correct" on China-US ties, China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heaped praises on American people after stepping down as Chinese envoy to Washington DC.&nbsp;

"I have been deeply impressed by so many hard-working, friendly and talented American people that I met," Qin said in a tweet on Tuesday, adding he had "made many friends across the US."

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-business-news-us-eyes-expanding-china-tech-ban-527311">WION Business News | US eyes expanding China tech ban</a>

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Qin said he would continue to "support the growth of China-US relations" and promote peace and development.

China-US ties: Improving or ebbing?

The bilateral ties are reported to have improved since talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's scheduled visits to China in 2023 are expected to add another touch of smoothened diplomacy between Beijing and Washington DC.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-extended-conscription-and-loss-of-face-for-xi-jinping-547113">Taiwan's extended conscription and 'loss of face' for Xi Jinping</a>

The US-China&nbsp;ties had hit a low after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan last August. Following this, China conducted unprecedented military drills around the self-governing island nation that it claims as its own, violating Taipei's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) regularly since August.&nbsp;

Qin Gang's moderation on US and Wang Yi's "course-correct" pitch

Qin, during his time in Washington as Chinese envoy, had driven&nbsp;a Tesla with Elon Musk, while delivering&nbsp;moderate messages on heated debates.&nbsp;

His predecessor Wang Yi was recently promoted to the head of Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission over the last weekend of 2022. On January 1, Wang vowed to "course-correct" on US-China ties. &nbsp;

"(We will) implement agreements reached by the top leaders of the US and China, seek to establish guiding principles of Sino-US relations and correct course (in bilateral ties)," Wang wrote in an article published on January 1 in Qiushi, the flagship magazine of China’s ruling Communist Party.

In Quishi article, Wang was cited as director of the general office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, the first public confirmation that he had taken over as China’s new foreign policy head, replacing Yang Jiechi, who stepped down at the age of 72.&nbsp;

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Days after outgoing Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi vowed to "course-correct" on China-US ties, China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heaped praises on American people after stepping down as Chinese envoy to Washington DC.

Days after outgoing Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi vowed to "course-correct" on China-US ties, China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heaped praises on American people after stepping down as Chinese envoy to Washington DC. "I have been deeply impressed by so many hard-working, friendly and talented American people that I met," Qin said in a tweet on Tuesday, adding he had "made many friends across the US." WATCH | WION Business News | US eyes expanding China tech ban × Qin said he would continue to "support the growth of China-US relations" and promote peace and development. China-US ties: Improving or ebbing? The bilateral ties are reported to have improved since talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's scheduled visits to China in 2023 are expected to add another touch of smoothened diplomacy between Beijing and Washington DC. ALSO READ | Taiwan's extended conscription and 'loss of face' for Xi Jinping The US-China ties had hit a low after US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan last August. Following this, China conducted unprecedented military drills around the self-governing island nation that it claims as its own, violating Taipei's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) regularly since August. Qin Gang's moderation on US and Wang Yi's "course-correct" pitch Qin, during his time in Washington as Chinese envoy, had driven a Tesla with Elon Musk, while delivering moderate messages on heated debates. His predecessor Wang Yi was recently promoted to the head of Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission over the last weekend of 2022. On January 1, Wang vowed to "course-correct" on US-China ties. "(We will) implement agreements reached by the top leaders of the US and China, seek to establish guiding principles of Sino-US relations and correct course (in bilateral ties)," Wang wrote in an article published on January 1 in Qiushi, the flagship magazine of China’s ruling Communist Party. In Quishi article, Wang was cited as director of the general office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, the first public confirmation that he had taken over as China’s new foreign policy head, replacing Yang Jiechi, who stepped down at the age of 72. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Deeply impressed': China's new foreign minister heaps praises on Americans

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will depart Australia on Tuesday for a meeting with Chinese state councilor and minister of foreign affairs, Wang Yi. She is set to be the first top Australian diplomat to visit China in four years.

Penny Wong to meet China's foreign minister amid soaring tensions in Indo-Pacific

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will visit China this week, signalling an improvement in diplomatic relations between Beijing and Canberra. Wong will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and hold the sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue.

Australian foreign minister to visit China to thaw ties with Beijing

In what comes as an important call between&nbsp;Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart, the former has criticized the US saying it should stop trying to contain and suppress China.&nbsp;

“The US side should stop its containment and suppression of China and not create new obstacles to bilateral relations,” read the statement released by Beijing's foreign ministry.&nbsp;

The Chinese minister also took a shot at the US for its recent strategy of curbing the export of semiconductors to China.&nbsp;

“The US side introduced new export controls against China, restricting investments in China, seriously violating free-trade principles and seriously harming China’s legitimate rights and interests, which must be corrected.”

As reported by WION, the US, earlier this month, tightened export controls&nbsp;to cut off China from specific chips produced anywhere in the globe using American machinery.

The move extends USA's reach in an effort to halt Beijing's scientific and military advancements.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-responds-angrily-after-us-announces-chip-export-restrictions-523659">Read more:&nbsp;China responds angrily after US announces chip export restrictions</a>

Meanwhile, Antony Blinken took to Twitter to inform about the phone call. However, he stopped short of mentioning the criticism levelled by the Chinese side.&nbsp;

“The US side introduced new export controls against China, restricting investments in China, seriously violating free-trade principles and seriously harming China’s legitimate rights and interests, which must be corrected," tweeted Blinken.

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In my call with PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi, we spoke about our efforts to responsibly manage the competition between our two countries, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and support for Haiti.
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Notably, this was the first call between the high-ranking officials of the two country post the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Congress that concluded earlier this month.

After the congress, President Xi Jinping secured a third term for himself as the top leader of the country, bringing himself on par with founder Mao Zedong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cheng-quanguo-architect-of-the-uyghur-genocide-ousted-from-chinas-top-leadership-body-527672">Read more:&nbsp;Chen Quanguo, architect of the 'Uyghur genocide', ousted from China’s top leadership body</a>

Reportedly, Wang Yi was also promoted to the 24-member Politburo which makes him China's top-ranked diplomat.

The G20 summit takes place in Bali next month and it will be interesting to observe if Blinken and Wang cross paths during the summit, especially after the rather tense phone call.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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In what comes as an important call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart, the former has criticized the US saying it should stop trying to contain and suppress China.

In what comes as an important call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart, the former has criticized the US saying it should stop trying to contain and suppress China. “The US side should stop its containment and suppression of China and not create new obstacles to bilateral relations,” read the statement released by Beijing's foreign ministry. The Chinese minister also took a shot at the US for its recent strategy of curbing the export of semiconductors to China. “The US side introduced new export controls against China, restricting investments in China, seriously violating free-trade principles and seriously harming China’s legitimate rights and interests, which must be corrected.” As reported by WION, the US, earlier this month, tightened export controls to cut off China from specific chips produced anywhere in the globe using American machinery. The move extends USA's reach in an effort to halt Beijing's scientific and military advancements. Read more: China responds angrily after US announces chip export restrictions Meanwhile, Antony Blinken took to Twitter to inform about the phone call. However, he stopped short of mentioning the criticism levelled by the Chinese side. “The US side introduced new export controls against China, restricting investments in China, seriously violating free-trade principles and seriously harming China’s legitimate rights and interests, which must be corrected," tweeted Blinken. In my call with PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi, we spoke about our efforts to responsibly manage the competition between our two countries, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and support for Haiti. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 31, 2022 × Notably, this was the first call between the high-ranking officials of the two country post the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Congress that concluded earlier this month. After the congress, President Xi Jinping secured a third term for himself as the top leader of the country, bringing himself on par with founder Mao Zedong. Read more: Chen Quanguo, architect of the 'Uyghur genocide', ousted from China’s top leadership body Reportedly, Wang Yi was also promoted to the 24-member Politburo which makes him China's top-ranked diplomat. The G20 summit takes place in Bali next month and it will be interesting to observe if Blinken and Wang cross paths during the summit, especially after the rather tense phone call. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Chinese foreign minister lashes out at Blinken during a phone call

"Only when China is fully reunified can there be a true peace across the Taiwan strait. Any attempt to interfere in China's internal matter will be unanimously opposed by the Chinese people. Any obstruction in reunification of China will be crushed by the wheels of history," said Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister at UNGA.

China underscores its claim on Taiwan at UNGA

India's Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New York on Thursday in the BRICS ministerial meeting. The two leaders came face to face for the foreign ministers meet hosted by South Africa and the meeting was also attended by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to discuss global issues

Comparing Taiwanese independence to a ''charging rhino'' that must be stopped, China's foreign minister Wang Yi blamed the US for speeding it along.

Highlighting that the legislation under consideration by US lawmakers threatens the foundation of US-China ties, Wang said Beijing will not tolerate the Taiwanese independence bid.

Calling the ties between the US and China at a “low ebb,” Wang said voices advocating the independence of Taiwan have grown because of Washington's support.

During a speech at the Asia Society in New York, Wang said “We have always worked with the greatest sincerity and effort to pursue peaceful reunification, but we will never tolerate any activity aimed at secession.”

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The term “grey rhinos”, which includes shadow banking, property bubbles and local government debts, has been used by Chinese authorities in the past to refer to high-impact financial hazards that risk being overlooked.

Since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August, relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated further.

Triggering the Chinese army’s most provocative drills around the islands in decades, it has heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Saying a legal change is unnecessary because she already leads a sovereign nation, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s party has avoided overt moves toward a formal break.

With about a quarter supporting independence at some point, government surveys show that most Taiwanese residents prefer maintaining the status quo.

When asked if the US would defend Taiwan if it is invaded by China, President Joe Biden answered ''yes'' during an interview with “60 Minutes” that aired earlier this week.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

Comparing Taiwanese independence to a ''charging rhino'' that must be stopped, China's foreign minister Wang Yi blamed the US for speeding it along. Highlighting that the legislation under consideration by US lawmakers threatens the foundation of US-China ties, Wang said Beijing will not tolerate the Taiwanese independence bid.

Comparing Taiwanese independence to a ''charging rhino'' that must be stopped, China's foreign minister Wang Yi blamed the US for speeding it along. Highlighting that the legislation under consideration by US lawmakers threatens the foundation of US-China ties, Wang said Beijing will not tolerate the Taiwanese independence bid. Calling the ties between the US and China at a “low ebb,” Wang said voices advocating the independence of Taiwan have grown because of Washington's support. During a speech at the Asia Society in New York, Wang said “We have always worked with the greatest sincerity and effort to pursue peaceful reunification, but we will never tolerate any activity aimed at secession.” × The term “grey rhinos”, which includes shadow banking, property bubbles and local government debts, has been used by Chinese authorities in the past to refer to high-impact financial hazards that risk being overlooked. Since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August, relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated further. Triggering the Chinese army’s most provocative drills around the islands in decades, it has heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Saying a legal change is unnecessary because she already leads a sovereign nation, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s party has avoided overt moves toward a formal break. With about a quarter supporting independence at some point, government surveys show that most Taiwanese residents prefer maintaining the status quo. When asked if the US would defend Taiwan if it is invaded by China, President Joe Biden answered ''yes'' during an interview with “60 Minutes” that aired earlier this week. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

China compares Taiwanese independence bid to 'charging rhino' that must be stopped

The Bangladesh Finance minister has warned developing countries to be wary of Chinese loans as Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concludes Dhaka visit. Mustafa Kamal said that developing countries must think twice about taking loans via China's belt and road initiative.

Bangladesh FM warns against taking Chinese loans

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has concluded his Bangladesh visit. Bangladesh and China has signed four MoUs on Cultural cooperation, disaster management, Education.

China increases Dhaka's duty free access & thanks Bangladesh for supporting one-China policy

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi is likely to visit Dhaka at the beginning of August. Wang Yi plans to come to Dhaka as part of his visit to ‘friendly countries’ including five ASEAN members, Mongolia and Bangladesh.

WION Dispatch: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi likely to visit Dhaka in August

Warning that the Indo-Pacific region is at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, China's foreign minister Wang Yi has asked Asian countries to avoid being used as "chess pieces" by major powers.

Highlighting that many countries in the region were under pressure to take sides, Yi said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should insulate it from geopolitical calculations.

With countries in the region now wary of being caught in the middle of US-China rivalry, Southeast Asia has long been an area of geopolitical friction between major powers given its strategic importance.

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Some ASEAN countries are at loggerheads with China due to its claims to almost the entire South China Sea as its territory.

Amid intense Chinese diplomacy that has seen him make a string of stops across the region, Wang's speech comes just days after he attended a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first in-person talks since October with Wang on the sidelines of the G20 summit and uphold regionalism in the Asia-Pacific.

Both the US and China have been clashing over Beijing's repeated air missions over the Taiwan Strait.

While the US is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself under its US Taiwan Relations Act, China considers Taiwan its "sacred" territory.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Warning that the Indo-Pacific region is at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, China's foreign minister Wang Yi has asked Asian countries to avoid being used as "chess pieces" by major powers.

Warning that the Indo-Pacific region is at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, China's foreign minister Wang Yi has asked Asian countries to avoid being used as "chess pieces" by major powers. Highlighting that many countries in the region were under pressure to take sides, Yi said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should insulate it from geopolitical calculations. With countries in the region now wary of being caught in the middle of US-China rivalry, Southeast Asia has long been an area of geopolitical friction between major powers given its strategic importance. × Some ASEAN countries are at loggerheads with China due to its claims to almost the entire South China Sea as its territory. Amid intense Chinese diplomacy that has seen him make a string of stops across the region, Wang's speech comes just days after he attended a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first in-person talks since October with Wang on the sidelines of the G20 summit and uphold regionalism in the Asia-Pacific. Both the US and China have been clashing over Beijing's repeated air missions over the Taiwan Strait. While the US is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself under its US Taiwan Relations Act, China considers Taiwan its "sacred" territory. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Indo-Pacific region at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, says China

In the first in person talks since last October, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met with US secretary of state Antony Blinken to have talks about cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese FM & US Secretary of State Blinken meet in Bali

Amid rising tensions and fears of animosity, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the upcoming G20 foreign ministers meeting. The talks come after US president Joe Biden said he hopes to have another conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming weeks.

US-China meet amid rising tensions over Taiwan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a G20 ministerial conference in Bali, Indonesia this week.

Blinken to meet China’s Wang Yi on sidelines of G20 meet in Bali

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has failed to sway Pacific island nations to sign a confidential security deal. For more perspective on this, we're joined by Atul Aneja, Editor of India Narrative.

Wang Yi wraps up epic Island-hopping, fails to sway Pacific Island Nations

In a major setback for China, ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held talks with the leaders of these nations, failed to reach an agreement regarding the security pact.

After a meeting with his counterparts deferred consideration of a sweeping trade and security communique, Yi on Monday urged the Pacific region not to be "too anxious" about his country's aims.

"China will release its own position paper on our own positions and propositions and cooperation proposals with Pacific island countries, and going forward we will continue to have ongoing and in-depth discussions and consultations to shape more consensus on cooperation," he told reporters in Fiji.

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"Don't be too anxious and don't be too nervous, because the common development and prosperity of China and all the other developing countries would only mean great harmony, greater justice and greater progress of the whole world," he said.

Directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region, China is offering to radically ramp up its activities in the South Pacific.

"There has been general support from the 10 countries with which we have diplomatic relations, but of course there are some concerns on some specific issues," said China's ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-says-13-countries-to-join-new-asia-pacific-trade-initiative-481382">Also read |&nbsp;US President Joe Biden says 13 countries to join new Asia-Pacific trade initiative</a>

A draft communique and five-year action plan sent by China was opposed by Federated States of Micronesia, according to a letter leaked last week.

As a result, other nations wanted it amended or a decision delayed, an official from one Pacific country told Reuters before the meeting.

The secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna said "We are all well aware of the increasing intensity of geopolitical manoeuvring in our region today. Indeed, the recent influx of high-level visits to our Blue Pacific demonstrates the increasing value that our partners, including China, must place on our collective ability to think, live, engage and deliver."&nbsp;

"Geopolitical point-scoring means less than little to anyone whose community is slipping beneath the rising seas, whose job is being lost to the pandemic, or whose family is impacted by the rapid rise in the price of commodities," said Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

With the US State Department warning South Pacific nations to be wary of "shadowy, vague deals with little transparency", Western powers have bristled against China's move into the region.

Joining the United States in urging a spurning of China's attempts to expand its security reach deep into the region, Australia's new foreign minister has also warned of the adverse "consequences" of such deals. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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In a major setback for China, ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact on Monday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held talks with the leaders of these nations, failed to reach an agreement regarding the security pact.

In a major setback for China, ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact on Monday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held talks with the leaders of these nations, failed to reach an agreement regarding the security pact. After a meeting with his counterparts deferred consideration of a sweeping trade and security communique, Yi on Monday urged the Pacific region not to be "too anxious" about his country's aims. "China will release its own position paper on our own positions and propositions and cooperation proposals with Pacific island countries, and going forward we will continue to have ongoing and in-depth discussions and consultations to shape more consensus on cooperation," he told reporters in Fiji. "Don't be too anxious and don't be too nervous, because the common development and prosperity of China and all the other developing countries would only mean great harmony, greater justice and greater progress of the whole world," he said. Directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region, China is offering to radically ramp up its activities in the South Pacific. "There has been general support from the 10 countries with which we have diplomatic relations, but of course there are some concerns on some specific issues," said China's ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo. Also read | US President Joe Biden says 13 countries to join new Asia-Pacific trade initiative A draft communique and five-year action plan sent by China was opposed by Federated States of Micronesia, according to a letter leaked last week. As a result, other nations wanted it amended or a decision delayed, an official from one Pacific country told Reuters before the meeting. The secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna said "We are all well aware of the increasing intensity of geopolitical manoeuvring in our region today. Indeed, the recent influx of high-level visits to our Blue Pacific demonstrates the increasing value that our partners, including China, must place on our collective ability to think, live, engage and deliver." "Geopolitical point-scoring means less than little to anyone whose community is slipping beneath the rising seas, whose job is being lost to the pandemic, or whose family is impacted by the rapid rise in the price of commodities," said Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. With the US State Department warning South Pacific nations to be wary of "shadowy, vague deals with little transparency", Western powers have bristled against China's move into the region. Joining the United States in urging a spurning of China's attempts to expand its security reach deep into the region, Australia's new foreign minister has also warned of the adverse "consequences" of such deals. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

10 Pacific nations rebuff China's push for wide-ranging regional security pact

The Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met his specific counterparts in a crucial meeting in the Fijian capital Suva. This is an attempt by China to try and encourage the countries to sign up to sweeping economic and security deals with Beijing that will help that will help the Xi Jinping administration to get a stronger foothold in the pacific region.

China chairs South Pacific islands meet, seeks big deal

There have been a lot of chatter about China building a military base in the Solomon Islands, but foreign minister Wang Yi has made it clear that they have no such intention. The Chinese minister, who is currently on a tour of the Pacific islands, dismissed all the speculations which were born out of their recent security pact with the island nation. The rumours started when a leaked copy of the agreement showed that it contained a provision that allowed China to deploy their navy as part of the new agreement. However, China said that it was "above board, with honesty and integrity".

"It is not imposed on anyone, nor is it targeted at any third party. There is no intention at all to establish a military base," Wang told a news conference according to an AFP report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/powerful-72-magnitude-earthquake-shakes-southern-peru-482387">Powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Peru</a>

The leaked document created tensions in Australia – a nation which is quite close to the Solomon Islands – but Wang said that the fears were completely baseless at the moment.

"China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries does not target any country and should not be interfered or disrupted by any other country," he added in the press conference.

The foreign minister also took a shot on Australia for saying the islands were 'in their backyard'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putins-ally-says-ukraine-closedpoland-next-in-a-chilling-new-video-482354">Russian President Putin’s ally says ‘Ukraine closed…Poland next’ in new video</a>

"They are not the backyard of anyone. All the Pacific Island countries are entitled to make their own choice instead of being just mere followers of others," the foreign minister said through a translator.

"Any smears and attacks on the normal security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands are not above the board and any such disruption will not get anywhere," he concluded.

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(With inputs from agencies)

There have been a lot of chatter about China building a military base in the Solomon Islands, but foreign minister Wang Yi has made it clear that they have no such intention.

There have been a lot of chatter about China building a military base in the Solomon Islands, but foreign minister Wang Yi has made it clear that they have no such intention. The Chinese minister, who is currently on a tour of the Pacific islands, dismissed all the speculations which were born out of their recent security pact with the island nation. The rumours started when a leaked copy of the agreement showed that it contained a provision that allowed China to deploy their navy as part of the new agreement. However, China said that it was "above board, with honesty and integrity". "It is not imposed on anyone, nor is it targeted at any third party. There is no intention at all to establish a military base," Wang told a news conference according to an AFP report. Also read | Powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Peru The leaked document created tensions in Australia – a nation which is quite close to the Solomon Islands – but Wang said that the fears were completely baseless at the moment. "China's cooperation with Pacific Island countries does not target any country and should not be interfered or disrupted by any other country," he added in the press conference. The foreign minister also took a shot on Australia for saying the islands were 'in their backyard'. Also read | Russian President Putin’s ally says ‘Ukraine closed…Poland next’ in new video "They are not the backyard of anyone. All the Pacific Island countries are entitled to make their own choice instead of being just mere followers of others," the foreign minister said through a translator. "Any smears and attacks on the normal security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands are not above the board and any such disruption will not get anywhere," he concluded. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

China claims it has 'no intention' to build military base in Solomon Islands

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is all set to visit eight pacific island countries, his trip will start on May 26 and will conclude on June 4. Wang Yi will be visiting the Solomon islands to sign a security pact with them.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Pacific island nations

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in the Solomon Islands Thursday at the start of an eight-nation tour. Wang is also planning to make stops in Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. His trip will conclude on June 4.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on 8-nation tour in South Pacific

After talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Guangzhou on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US Indo-Pacific strategy is one of inciting hostility and undermining peace.

"The United States' Indo-Pacific strategy creates severe anxiety around the world, particularly in Asia Pacific countries," he said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

The real goal of this plan, according to a Chinese top diplomat, is to confine China and make Asia-Pacific countries pawns in the face of US hegemony.

"Facts will prove that the so-called Indo-Pacific strategy is in essence a strategy to create division, to incite confrontation, and to undermine peace," Wang said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quad-summit-2022-leaders-of-japan-united-states-india-australia-meet-in-tokyo-481143">Live | WION @ Quad: Updates from Japan | Indian PM pens op-ed for Japanese daily, hails India-Japan ties</a>

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks as President Joe Biden arrived in Japan on Sunday to introduce a strategy for deeper US economic involvement with the Indo-Pacific region and to attend a meeting of the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes India, Japan, and Australia in addition to the United States.

During his visit to Japan, Biden will also unveil a new regional initiative called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), according to the White House.

Watch | Gravitas: China's answer to the QUAD

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, ahead of his departure to Japan, that the Quad leaders' summit in Tokyo will evaluate the status of the bloc's projects and address developments in the Indo-Pacific region.

This was Bilawal’s maiden visit to China after he took over as foreign minister following the fall of the Imran Khan-led government last month.

The US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" is bound to be a failed strategy, Wang said in the comments posted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on its website.

China refers to the area as the Asia-Pacific region and is averse to the Indo-Pacific strategic concept, which has gained prominence during previous President Donald Trump’s tenure and is vigorously pursued by his successor, Biden.

The Asia-Pacific should become a plateau for peaceful development, rather than a geopolitical arena. Attempts to turn the Asia-Pacific into a bloc, like NATO or the Cold War, will never succeed, Wang said.

The Quad grouping of the US, Japan, India and Australia focussed on free and open Indo-Pacific while Beijing likens it to ‘Asian NATO’ aimed to contain its rise.

The US, India and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.

Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all claim parts of the disputed South China Sea, while China claims practically all of it. In the South China Sea, Beijing has constructed artificial islands and military outposts. In the East China Sea, China has territorial disputes with Japan.

In the name of "freedom and openness," Wang claims that the US&nbsp;Indo-Pacific strategy is bent on building "cliques." China claims the alliance will "alter China's surrounding environment." Its goal, according to Wang, is to restrain China and turn Asia-Pacific countries into "pawns" of US hegemony.

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After talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Guangzhou on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US Indo-Pacific strategy is one of inciting hostility and undermining peace.

After talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Guangzhou on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US Indo-Pacific strategy is one of inciting hostility and undermining peace. "The United States' Indo-Pacific strategy creates severe anxiety around the world, particularly in Asia Pacific countries," he said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. The real goal of this plan, according to a Chinese top diplomat, is to confine China and make Asia-Pacific countries pawns in the face of US hegemony. "Facts will prove that the so-called Indo-Pacific strategy is in essence a strategy to create division, to incite confrontation, and to undermine peace," Wang said. Live | WION @ Quad: Updates from Japan | Indian PM pens op-ed for Japanese daily, hails India-Japan ties Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks as President Joe Biden arrived in Japan on Sunday to introduce a strategy for deeper US economic involvement with the Indo-Pacific region and to attend a meeting of the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which includes India, Japan, and Australia in addition to the United States. During his visit to Japan, Biden will also unveil a new regional initiative called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), according to the White House. Watch | Gravitas: China's answer to the QUAD Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, ahead of his departure to Japan, that the Quad leaders' summit in Tokyo will evaluate the status of the bloc's projects and address developments in the Indo-Pacific region. This was Bilawal’s maiden visit to China after he took over as foreign minister following the fall of the Imran Khan-led government last month. The US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" is bound to be a failed strategy, Wang said in the comments posted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on its website. China refers to the area as the Asia-Pacific region and is averse to the Indo-Pacific strategic concept, which has gained prominence during previous President Donald Trump’s tenure and is vigorously pursued by his successor, Biden. The Asia-Pacific should become a plateau for peaceful development, rather than a geopolitical arena. Attempts to turn the Asia-Pacific into a bloc, like NATO or the Cold War, will never succeed, Wang said. The Quad grouping of the US, Japan, India and Australia focussed on free and open Indo-Pacific while Beijing likens it to ‘Asian NATO’ aimed to contain its rise. The US, India and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region. Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all claim parts of the disputed South China Sea, while China claims practically all of it. In the South China Sea, Beijing has constructed artificial islands and military outposts. In the East China Sea, China has territorial disputes with Japan. In the name of "freedom and openness," Wang claims that the US Indo-Pacific strategy is bent on building "cliques." China claims the alliance will "alter China's surrounding environment." Its goal, according to Wang, is to restrain China and turn Asia-Pacific countries into "pawns" of US hegemony. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China sees red at US Indo-Pacific strategy, calls it a ploy to fuel confrontation

Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi's meeting was held in Guangzhou city. Bilawal Bhutto discussed economic coordination, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Wang Yi on Sunday.

Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday participated in a virtual meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers. The BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting was chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and was attended by South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, apart from EAM Jaishankar.

Indian EAM S Jaishankar participates in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting

Foreign Ministers from BRICS nations are all set to hold a virtual meeting and dialogue ahead of the summit. The meet will be held in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The meeting will be hosted by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and Indian EAM S Jaishankar will also participate.

Indian EAM to attend BRICS foreign ministers meet

The Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile Mrs&nbsp;Dolma Tsering Teykhang has met over 30 Indian Parliamentarians or MPs and Taiwan's ambassador to India in a high-level engagement starting April 4.

The meeting comes days after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was on an India visit. Speaking to WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal,&nbsp;Mrs. Dolma Tsering said the focus of her visit was to, "appraise them about the critical human rights situation inside Tibet and other thing is culture and religion situation in Tibet is getting extinct in its birthplace" and also "environment situation inside the Tibetan plateau". The top Tibetan official had met MPs from all major national parties of India--BJP, AAP, and Congress with a large number of MPs from India's northeast.

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The last&nbsp;Tibetan parliament in exile&nbsp;delegation visited Delhi in December. During that visit, the delegation had met Indian MPs riling up the Chinese embassy which had sent a strongly worded letter about the development. New Delhi had then asked the embassy to behave and that such letters are inappropriate. In her meeting with the Taiwan envoy, the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile said, "We had a great exchange of views on how best we have the exchange of students, how best we can make the Taiwanese people interact with the Tibetan people so that people to people relation is built and friendship is flourished. "

During the Delhi meeting, she met,&nbsp;Kiren Rijiju who is the convener of northeastern parliamentarians, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh who is also minister of state in the ministry of external affairs.&nbsp;She slammed the recent visit of Chinese FM, explaining, "visit was just kind of a drama to show, you can do business but we can talk about the border later on."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-shadow-as-south-asian-countries-face-political-and-social-upheavals-468981">Also read |&nbsp;Chinese shadow as South Asian countries face political and social upheavals</a>

WION: What brings you here to Delhi?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: We are here because Tibet is in such a critical situation under the occupation of China. So, the Tibetans in the free world, we are the voice for the voiceless. Therefore, we are doing a job for our brothers and sisters in Tibet.

WION: In Delhi, what were the engagements like?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: We come to Delhi when the Indian Parliament is on. The most important mission is to reach out to the new Parliamentarians, who are new faces in the Parliament. To appraise them about the critical human rights situation inside Tibet and another thing is culture and religion situation in Tibet is getting extinct in its birthplace. Also to have a stable and peaceful border between India and China, resumptions of talks between China and representatives of his holiness Dalai Lama. And the environmental situation inside the Tibetan plateau. The world is crying about climate change and unless you fix the roof of the world, there will not be fixing of the environment. The world needs to give a fair share of its importance to the Tibet&nbsp;plateau and we urge the UN framework on climate change to have scientific research to understand what is happening in Tibet plateau impacting global climate change, so that we can have research proof to give the Chinese counterpart so that they are convinced to fix Tibetan plateau environmental crisis.

WION: Who all did you meet during Delhi visit, the parliamentarians, MPs, or foreign delegation?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: On&nbsp;April 4&nbsp;we started our mission and till today, we were able to meet, 35 Indian parliamentarians from the national 4 big parties of BJP, Congress, AAP, National people's party, and from the regional political parties, almost all the north eastern parliamentarians we met, we had talk in detail about the depletion of Brahmaputra river, Dams, and how the lives of people in that part of India is getting impacted because of the wrong policies of China. We met a number of Indian parliamentarians who are very supportive and vocal about human right crisis, environmental destruction happening in Tibetan Plateau. Coming to envoys, we met the Taiwanese, his excellency the Ambassador. We had a great exchange of views on how best we have the exchange of students, how best we can make the Taiwanese people interact with the Tibetan people, so that people-to-people relation is built and friendship is flourished.&nbsp;

WION: Your met MPs from the ruling BJP party as well during your engagement?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: Some of the ruling Naresh Bansal, Mitesh Patel, Pradan Baruah, Kiren Rijiju who is the convener of northeastern Parliamentarians at the Parliamentary annex. These are some of the names. From the northeastern side, we had number of BJP MPs like Rameswar Teli, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Horen Sing Bey, Topon Kumar Gogoi, Queen Oja, Rajdeep roy. We had a number of people who were very supportive and very receptive to what we were trying to convey to them. That was a very encouraging interaction with them.

WION: Your visit comes even as Chinese FM had visited. The last time a Tibet delegation had visited Delhi, the Chinese embassy had reacted in a very strong way. How do you see the visit in this context?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: The importance of India at the international political arena is being seen, withing a very short time you have seen a lot of international foreign ministers coming and visiting.&nbsp; Though the Chinese counterpart visit was just kind of a drama to show, you can do business but we can talk about the border later on. When there can be no security and peace at the border area, how can India manage to do business with China. That is a big issue, so I think world has let loose China so freely that they do what they want to do, it's like, we have spoiled China to bully who does anything against their will. Whatever China dictates, sovereign states succumb to it, that is why they dictate all the time. Even the sovereign Parliamentarians are dictated, who they can or cannot meet. But when we talk about human rights violations, it's all about internal matter. You are intruding in the domestic affairs of the Chinese; these are like two&nbsp;different things. We need to make China accountable for what wrong they are doing in Tibet, not only in there, but in Hong Kong, Taiwan.

We all are coming together in one platform where we are going to raise voice against Chinese atrocities, against invasion of Taiwan, its airspace, that is kind of intimidation. They dictate about One China policy, when China dictates one China policy, why can't they say Arunachal is inalienable part of India.&nbsp; We should also put conditions to them . To the far west, where people and government doesn't even know the history of Tibet, they are ready to do peace with China and agree on one China policy. When you don't know the history of Tibet, how can you agree to such a dictate. That is big question and we are questioning their credibility towards human rights, when there was holocaust people told enough is enough but what is happening in Tibet, Xinjiang (Uyghurs), Hong Kong and Taiwan is similar violations of human rights.. People are suffering. Being Tibetan is criminal, being able to talk about conservation of the environment in Tibet, put into jail. China tries to show to the world, we are leader in climate change, but in own home, in Tibet, when conservation is talked about you land up in jail. These are double standard of China. World must look at China with pinch of distrust and doubt, so that you know the reality of China because, China will tell you what they want you to hear, and show what they want you to see but ground reality is different. Its not only Tibet but even the Chinese people are suffering under the communist regime. If China has to open up and change, it will explode from within, where there is oppression there is bound to be revolt and that molten lava will come from within China itself and show people can bring the change.

WION: More such engagements being planned by the Tibetan side?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: Of course, we are looking to meet ambassadors where pockets of Tibetans are residing, we want to thank them to taken care of Tibetans, and really helped them to improve the financial conditions, to have modern education for youth and open up Tibet youth to the world to advocate for the cause. Wherever you are, US, Canada, Japan, or Europe--France, Germany, Tibetan people are voice of people in Tibet. Presence of Tibetans everywhere is a force for the Tibet issue, so we are looking forwards, though we are yet to get some of the appointments, we look forward to more such engagements.&nbsp;

WION: Any plans by the Tibetan government in exile to meet the PM?

Dolma Tsering Teykhang: Of course, we dream to meet the Lok Sabha speaker, the environment minister Bhupinder Yadav, because we have passed a resolution on the critical environment situation inside Tibet. Since the environment is nonpolitical, it will be looked at from that perspective. Of course, we dream to meet Narendra Modi because at this point of time, he was so busy with foreign dignitaries, we dare not approach and put up a request for an appointment but in the future, we dream to meet PM and have the narrative of Tibet change. Tibet was a sovereign state for 200 years, India and British Raj were the witnesses to it. It was illegally occupied, so to have the narrative changed, India needs to change Tibet policy, we need to change to an occupied nation. On the basis of this, we are asking for genuine autonomy, we are ready to stay with our Chinese counterpart provided they give us meaningful autonomy to keep our identity and cultural heritage intact in our own land.

The Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile Mrs Dolma Tsering Teykhang has met over 30 Indian Parliamentarians or MPs and Taiwan's ambassador to India in a high-level engagement starting April 4.

The Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile Mrs Dolma Tsering Teykhang has met over 30 Indian Parliamentarians or MPs and Taiwan's ambassador to India in a high-level engagement starting April 4. The meeting comes days after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi was on an India visit. Speaking to WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Mrs. Dolma Tsering said the focus of her visit was to, "appraise them about the critical human rights situation inside Tibet and other thing is culture and religion situation in Tibet is getting extinct in its birthplace" and also "environment situation inside the Tibetan plateau". The top Tibetan official had met MPs from all major national parties of India--BJP, AAP, and Congress with a large number of MPs from India's northeast. The last Tibetan parliament in exile delegation visited Delhi in December. During that visit, the delegation had met Indian MPs riling up the Chinese embassy which had sent a strongly worded letter about the development. New Delhi had then asked the embassy to behave and that such letters are inappropriate. In her meeting with the Taiwan envoy, the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in exile said, "We had a great exchange of views on how best we have the exchange of students, how best we can make the Taiwanese people interact with the Tibetan people so that people to people relation is built and friendship is flourished. " During the Delhi meeting, she met, Kiren Rijiju who is the convener of northeastern parliamentarians, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh who is also minister of state in the ministry of external affairs. She slammed the recent visit of Chinese FM, explaining, "visit was just kind of a drama to show, you can do business but we can talk about the border later on." Also read | Chinese shadow as South Asian countries face political and social upheavals WION: What brings you here to Delhi? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: We are here because Tibet is in such a critical situation under the occupation of China. So, the Tibetans in the free world, we are the voice for the voiceless. Therefore, we are doing a job for our brothers and sisters in Tibet. WION: In Delhi, what were the engagements like? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: We come to Delhi when the Indian Parliament is on. The most important mission is to reach out to the new Parliamentarians, who are new faces in the Parliament. To appraise them about the critical human rights situation inside Tibet and another thing is culture and religion situation in Tibet is getting extinct in its birthplace. Also to have a stable and peaceful border between India and China, resumptions of talks between China and representatives of his holiness Dalai Lama. And the environmental situation inside the Tibetan plateau. The world is crying about climate change and unless you fix the roof of the world, there will not be fixing of the environment. The world needs to give a fair share of its importance to the Tibet plateau and we urge the UN framework on climate change to have scientific research to understand what is happening in Tibet plateau impacting global climate change, so that we can have research proof to give the Chinese counterpart so that they are convinced to fix Tibetan plateau environmental crisis. WION: Who all did you meet during Delhi visit, the parliamentarians, MPs, or foreign delegation? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: On April 4 we started our mission and till today, we were able to meet, 35 Indian parliamentarians from the national 4 big parties of BJP, Congress, AAP, National people's party, and from the regional political parties, almost all the north eastern parliamentarians we met, we had talk in detail about the depletion of Brahmaputra river, Dams, and how the lives of people in that part of India is getting impacted because of the wrong policies of China. We met a number of Indian parliamentarians who are very supportive and vocal about human right crisis, environmental destruction happening in Tibetan Plateau. Coming to envoys, we met the Taiwanese, his excellency the Ambassador. We had a great exchange of views on how best we have the exchange of students, how best we can make the Taiwanese people interact with the Tibetan people, so that people-to-people relation is built and friendship is flourished. WION: Your met MPs from the ruling BJP party as well during your engagement? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: Some of the ruling Naresh Bansal, Mitesh Patel, Pradan Baruah, Kiren Rijiju who is the convener of northeastern Parliamentarians at the Parliamentary annex. These are some of the names. From the northeastern side, we had number of BJP MPs like Rameswar Teli, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Horen Sing Bey, Topon Kumar Gogoi, Queen Oja, Rajdeep roy. We had a number of people who were very supportive and very receptive to what we were trying to convey to them. That was a very encouraging interaction with them. WION: Your visit comes even as Chinese FM had visited. The last time a Tibet delegation had visited Delhi, the Chinese embassy had reacted in a very strong way. How do you see the visit in this context? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: The importance of India at the international political arena is being seen, withing a very short time you have seen a lot of international foreign ministers coming and visiting. Though the Chinese counterpart visit was just kind of a drama to show, you can do business but we can talk about the border later on. When there can be no security and peace at the border area, how can India manage to do business with China. That is a big issue, so I think world has let loose China so freely that they do what they want to do, it's like, we have spoiled China to bully who does anything against their will. Whatever China dictates, sovereign states succumb to it, that is why they dictate all the time. Even the sovereign Parliamentarians are dictated, who they can or cannot meet. But when we talk about human rights violations, it's all about internal matter. You are intruding in the domestic affairs of the Chinese; these are like two different things. We need to make China accountable for what wrong they are doing in Tibet, not only in there, but in Hong Kong, Taiwan. We all are coming together in one platform where we are going to raise voice against Chinese atrocities, against invasion of Taiwan, its airspace, that is kind of intimidation. They dictate about One China policy, when China dictates one China policy, why can't they say Arunachal is inalienable part of India. We should also put conditions to them . To the far west, where people and government doesn't even know the history of Tibet, they are ready to do peace with China and agree on one China policy. When you don't know the history of Tibet, how can you agree to such a dictate. That is big question and we are questioning their credibility towards human rights, when there was holocaust people told enough is enough but what is happening in Tibet, Xinjiang (Uyghurs), Hong Kong and Taiwan is similar violations of human rights.. People are suffering. Being Tibetan is criminal, being able to talk about conservation of the environment in Tibet, put into jail. China tries to show to the world, we are leader in climate change, but in own home, in Tibet, when conservation is talked about you land up in jail. These are double standard of China. World must look at China with pinch of distrust and doubt, so that you know the reality of China because, China will tell you what they want you to hear, and show what they want you to see but ground reality is different. Its not only Tibet but even the Chinese people are suffering under the communist regime. If China has to open up and change, it will explode from within, where there is oppression there is bound to be revolt and that molten lava will come from within China itself and show people can bring the change. WION: More such engagements being planned by the Tibetan side? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: Of course, we are looking to meet ambassadors where pockets of Tibetans are residing, we want to thank them to taken care of Tibetans, and really helped them to improve the financial conditions, to have modern education for youth and open up Tibet youth to the world to advocate for the cause. Wherever you are, US, Canada, Japan, or Europe--France, Germany, Tibetan people are voice of people in Tibet. Presence of Tibetans everywhere is a force for the Tibet issue, so we are looking forwards, though we are yet to get some of the appointments, we look forward to more such engagements. WION: Any plans by the Tibetan government in exile to meet the PM? Dolma Tsering Teykhang: Of course, we dream to meet the Lok Sabha speaker, the environment minister Bhupinder Yadav, because we have passed a resolution on the critical environment situation inside Tibet. Since the environment is nonpolitical, it will be looked at from that perspective. Of course, we dream to meet Narendra Modi because at this point of time, he was so busy with foreign dignitaries, we dare not approach and put up a request for an appointment but in the future, we dream to meet PM and have the narrative of Tibet change. Tibet was a sovereign state for 200 years, India and British Raj were the witnesses to it. It was illegally occupied, so to have the narrative changed, India needs to change Tibet policy, we need to change to an occupied nation. On the basis of this, we are asking for genuine autonomy, we are ready to stay with our Chinese counterpart provided they give us meaningful autonomy to keep our identity and cultural heritage intact in our own land.

Exclusive: Days after Chinese FM visit, top Tibetan official meets Indian MPs, Taiwan envoy in Delhi

Russia is deepening its relationship with China as it becomes more isolated from global financial systems as well as supply chains. Recently, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Russia turns to China amid isolation, Lavrov on first China visit since invasion

The week began with a devastating news, China witnessed one of its worst air disasters in nearly three decades. A Chinese Eastern Boeing 737-800 with&nbsp;more than 130 people on board crashed in a mountainous area. Many major&nbsp;Chinese cities and provinces continue to battle surge in Covid cases.

Overseas, too, China has been engaged in diplomacy. This week, from NATO accusing Beijing of politically helping Moscow, to Chinese FM Wang Yi’s tour of South Asia, we look at the big stories from China.

China Eastern Airlines plane crash

On Monday, condolences poured from around the globe, when a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 123 passengers and 9 crew onboard,&nbsp; crashed&nbsp;in&nbsp;mountains&nbsp;in&nbsp;Southern&nbsp;China.&nbsp;Flight MU5735&nbsp;was flying&nbsp;to&nbsp;Guangzhou from Kunming when&nbsp;it&nbsp;lost contact&nbsp;above the city of&nbsp;Wuzhou,&nbsp;around 210 km&nbsp;from the destination.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chinese&nbsp;President Xi Jinping said he was “shocked”&nbsp;and ordered for&nbsp;an immediate&nbsp;investigation&nbsp;into the matter. The&nbsp;plane&nbsp;nosedived from&nbsp;an&nbsp;altitude of 29,100 feet&nbsp;to&nbsp;9,075 feet&nbsp;in&nbsp;two minutes&nbsp;and 15 seconds, reported state media&nbsp;CGTN.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;airlines expressed “its deep condolences for the passengers&nbsp;and crew members who died&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash.”&nbsp;

According&nbsp;to Zhu Tao,&nbsp;an official&nbsp;with&nbsp;China’s Civil&nbsp;Aviation&nbsp;Administration, “Air traffic controllers tried multiple times&nbsp;to&nbsp;reach pilots of doomed&nbsp;China&nbsp;Eastern Flight 5735&nbsp;after&nbsp;it&nbsp;began&nbsp;its deadly dive on Monday but received no response.” reported&nbsp;Bloomberg.&nbsp;

Both the black boxes have been found&nbsp;and sent for examination. On Friday, state broadcaster CCTV confirmed that&nbsp;all 132 on board were dead.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While there&nbsp;are many theories&nbsp;about the cause of the&nbsp;crash, Chinese&nbsp;newspaper&nbsp;the&nbsp;China&nbsp;Daily&nbsp;busted many&nbsp;rumours&nbsp;and urged people not&nbsp;to&nbsp;believe easily.&nbsp;

China&nbsp;in&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict&nbsp;

On Wednesday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg accused China of politically backing Russia&nbsp;as&nbsp;it&nbsp;continues&nbsp;to&nbsp;attack Ukraine.&nbsp;And warned Beijing&nbsp;against providing&nbsp;any material support.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“China&nbsp;has provided Russia&nbsp;with&nbsp;political support,&nbsp;including by spreading blatant lies&nbsp;and misinformation,&nbsp;and&nbsp;allies&nbsp;are concerned that&nbsp;China&nbsp;could provide material support for the Russia&nbsp;invasion,” he said,&nbsp;ahead of&nbsp;an urgent NATO summit on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Stoltenberg further&nbsp;said that he expected&nbsp;that&nbsp;world leaders&nbsp;will “call on&nbsp;China&nbsp;to&nbsp;live up&nbsp;to&nbsp;its&nbsp;responsibilities&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;member of the UN Security Council”&nbsp;and&nbsp;China&nbsp;must&nbsp;“refrain from supporting Russia”,&nbsp;instead&nbsp;it&nbsp;should “join the rest of the world&nbsp;in&nbsp;calling for&nbsp;an immediate, peaceful end&nbsp;to&nbsp;this war.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

China&nbsp;fired back&nbsp;and&nbsp;called the claims “disinformation”.&nbsp;China&nbsp;also called out US’ ‘smear’ campaign&nbsp;as&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;accused Beijing of having prior knowledge of Russia’s&nbsp;invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, at the UN Security Council (UNSC),&nbsp;China&nbsp;voted&nbsp;in&nbsp;favour&nbsp;of the Russian Resolution, stating UNSC should play&nbsp;its role&nbsp;in&nbsp;the humanitarian crisis&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We&nbsp;advocate that the Security Council should fulfil&nbsp;its primary responsibility for the maintenance of&nbsp;international peace&nbsp;and security,&nbsp;and play&nbsp;its due role&nbsp;in&nbsp;the humanitarian issue of Ukraine,” said&nbsp;Zhang Jun, the Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of&nbsp;China&nbsp;to&nbsp;the United Nations.&nbsp;

He further went on&nbsp;to&nbsp;present Beijing’s six-point&nbsp;initiative&nbsp;and clarified&nbsp;to&nbsp;the UNSC members that the vote&nbsp;in&nbsp;favour was a “call&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;international community&nbsp;to&nbsp;prioritise the humanitarian situation&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine,”&nbsp;and “protect the safety of civilians, especially women, children&nbsp;and other vulnerable groups,&nbsp;and&nbsp;to&nbsp;facilitate the personnel evacuation&nbsp;and humanitarian relief operations.”&nbsp;

Wang Yi’s&nbsp;tour of South&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;&nbsp;

This week,&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;Foreign Minister&nbsp;and State&nbsp;Councilor Wang Yi embarked on&nbsp;a&nbsp;tour of South&nbsp;Asia. His&nbsp;itinerary&nbsp;included Pakistan,&nbsp;Afghanistan,&nbsp;India,&nbsp;and Nepal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Wang Yi&nbsp;attended the gathering of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)&nbsp;in&nbsp;Islamabad,&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;special guest.&nbsp;In&nbsp;his speech, he reiterated&nbsp;China’s stand of support for Russia&nbsp;and Ukraine peace talks&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;ceasefire.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We need&nbsp;to&nbsp;prevent humanitarian disasters&nbsp;and prevent the spillover of the Ukrainian crisis from&nbsp;affecting or harming the legitimate rights&nbsp;and&nbsp;interests of other regions&nbsp;and countries,” he said.&nbsp;

Wang Yi&nbsp;also said that Beijing’s close ties&nbsp;with&nbsp;the Muslim world&nbsp;are based on respect&nbsp;and mutual cooperation,&nbsp;and&nbsp;China&nbsp;has been&nbsp;investing over $400 billion&nbsp;in&nbsp;nearly 600 projects&nbsp;across 54 Muslim countries under the Belt&nbsp;and Road&nbsp;Initiative.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;Pakistan, Wang&nbsp;also met&nbsp;with&nbsp;Prime Minister Imran Khan&nbsp;and discussed plans&nbsp;to&nbsp;extend the&nbsp;China-Pakistan Economic Corridor&nbsp;to&nbsp;Afghanistan.&nbsp;And&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;the West’s handling of&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;with&nbsp;Pakistan’s&nbsp;Chief of&nbsp;Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa.&nbsp;

Next,&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;FM Wang Yi travelled&nbsp;to&nbsp;Kabul, where he held talks&nbsp;with&nbsp;Taliban Foreign Minister&nbsp;Amir Khan Muttaqi. He focused on “political, economic&nbsp;and transit issues”,&nbsp;including education, trade, mining sector&nbsp;as&nbsp;well&nbsp;as&nbsp;BRI projects&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan. Later this month,&nbsp;China&nbsp;plans&nbsp;to&nbsp;host&nbsp;a&nbsp;meeting of&nbsp;Afghanistan’s&nbsp;neighbours.&nbsp;

On Thursday,&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;MFA spokesperson Wang Wenbin said,&nbsp;“As&nbsp;Afghanistan's&nbsp;neighbour,&nbsp;China&nbsp;stands ready&nbsp;to&nbsp;leverage&nbsp;its strength&nbsp;and contribute&nbsp;to&nbsp;the country’s lasting stability&nbsp;and security.&nbsp;With&nbsp;regard&nbsp;to&nbsp;your question&nbsp;about the specifics, we will release&nbsp;information&nbsp;in&nbsp;due course.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, Wang Yi reached Nepal for&nbsp;a&nbsp;three-day visit.&nbsp;According&nbsp;to&nbsp;reports, the visit is&nbsp;a&nbsp;chance for the two countries&nbsp;to&nbsp;make&nbsp;amends. The visit&nbsp;comes&nbsp;in&nbsp;the backdrop of Kathmandu ratifying the&nbsp;Millennium Challenge Corporation compact,&nbsp;a&nbsp;setback for Beijing.&nbsp;The USD 500 million grant is&nbsp;a&nbsp;part of developmental&nbsp;assistance from Washington&nbsp;to&nbsp;the Himalayan nation.&nbsp;

The visit is&nbsp;also&nbsp;an&nbsp;opportunity&nbsp;for&nbsp;China&nbsp;to&nbsp;bring on track the development of projects under BRI&nbsp;in&nbsp;Nepal. The two nations have signed nine deals, however none on BRI.&nbsp;

Before reaching Nepal, the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;official made&nbsp;a&nbsp;surprise stopover&nbsp;in&nbsp;India. Thursday night, he reached the capital city of New Delhi.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wang Yi’s visit&nbsp;to&nbsp;India&nbsp;and OIC controversy&nbsp;

On Friday, Wang Yi met&nbsp;with&nbsp;India’s&nbsp;National Security&nbsp;Advisor&nbsp;Ajit Doval&nbsp;and&nbsp;External&nbsp;Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The officials of the two nations discussed the way forward&nbsp;to&nbsp;resolve the two-year-old military stand-off&nbsp;at the Line of&nbsp;Actual Control.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The two countries stayed completely silent on the high-level visit,&nbsp;a&nbsp;first between the two sides since the standoff&nbsp;in&nbsp;2020.&nbsp;According&nbsp;to&nbsp;reports, they were waiting for each other&nbsp;to&nbsp;make the&nbsp;announcement, but&nbsp;India shelved the idea&nbsp;after Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement&nbsp;at the OIC meet on Tuesday.&nbsp;

At the OIC meet, Wang Yi made&nbsp;a&nbsp;reference&nbsp;to&nbsp;the Union Territory of Jammu&nbsp;and Kashmir. He said, “On Kashmir, we have heard&nbsp;again&nbsp;today the calls of many of our Islamic friends.&nbsp;And&nbsp;China&nbsp;shares the same hope.” While the statement was open ended,&nbsp;it&nbsp;‘effectively offered support&nbsp;to&nbsp;all that was spoken on Jammu&nbsp;and Kashmir by the OIC foreign ministers,’ said the&nbsp;Hindustan Times.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Indian government fired back&nbsp;and reminded Wang Yi that&nbsp;as&nbsp;India doesn’t make&nbsp;any “public judgment” regarding&nbsp;internal matters of&nbsp;China,&nbsp;it&nbsp;shouldn’t either.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We reject the uncalled reference&nbsp;to&nbsp;India by the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;foreign minister Wang Yi during his speech&nbsp;at the opening ceremony,” said&nbsp;Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of&nbsp;India’s External&nbsp;Affairs Ministry.&nbsp;

“Matters related&nbsp;to&nbsp;the Union Territory of Jammu &amp; Kashmir&nbsp;are entirely the&nbsp;internal&nbsp;affairs of&nbsp;India. Other countries,&nbsp;including&nbsp;China, have no locus standi&nbsp;to&nbsp;comment. They should note that&nbsp;India refrains from public judgement of their&nbsp;internal issues,” he&nbsp;added.&nbsp;

Despite the ‘unannounced’&nbsp;arrival, the visit&nbsp;took place rather smoothly. Wang Yi proposed&nbsp;a&nbsp;three-point&nbsp;approach. First, he stressed on&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;India’s long history,&nbsp;and urged the two sides&nbsp;to&nbsp;view ‘bilateral relations&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;long-term vision’ He&nbsp;added, "China&nbsp;and&nbsp;India do not pose&nbsp;a&nbsp;threat&nbsp;to&nbsp;each other, but provide opportunities for each other's development",&nbsp;according&nbsp;to&nbsp;the MFA press release.&nbsp;

Next, he urged that the two nations “should view each other's development&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;win-win mindset,”&nbsp;and lastly, they must “participate&nbsp;in&nbsp;multilateral processes&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;cooperative&nbsp;attitude.”&nbsp;

China-Sri Lanka&nbsp;

The island nation of Sri Lanka is reeling under one of&nbsp;its worst financial&nbsp;meltdowns. Despite huge foreign&nbsp;investment from&nbsp;China,&nbsp;its forex is depleting. This week, Colombo has sought&nbsp;a&nbsp;fresh loan&nbsp;and buyer’s credit from Beijing for USD 2.5 billion.&nbsp;And&nbsp;China&nbsp;is considering the&nbsp;request.&nbsp;

China&nbsp;has been&nbsp;accused of debt-trapping countries on multiple occasions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Qi&nbsp;Zhenhong,&nbsp;Ambassador of the People's Republic of&nbsp;China&nbsp;to&nbsp;Sri Lanka, clarified that Beijing’s&nbsp;assistance is being extended on “competitive terms”,&nbsp;adding that&nbsp;China&nbsp;would “never take&nbsp;advantage of Sri Lanka” while helping&nbsp;a&nbsp;country&nbsp;in&nbsp;need, said&nbsp;The Hindu.&nbsp;

Continuous rise&nbsp;in&nbsp;COVID-19 cases&nbsp;

China&nbsp;continues&nbsp;to&nbsp;battle one of&nbsp;its worst&nbsp;outbreaks&nbsp;of COVID-19, primarily driven by the highly&nbsp;infectious Omicron variant. On Friday,&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;health officials called the situation “severe&nbsp;and complex”.&nbsp;

Since March 1, the&nbsp;China&nbsp;mainland has recorded more than 56,000 Covid-19 cases,&nbsp;according&nbsp;to&nbsp;national health officials. While Hong Kong has recorded more than&nbsp;a&nbsp;million.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This week, the city of Shanghai, particularly saw&nbsp;a&nbsp;sharp rise&nbsp;in&nbsp;cases,&nbsp;with&nbsp;as&nbsp;many&nbsp;as&nbsp;2000 new&nbsp;asymptomatic cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The city came under strain&nbsp;as&nbsp;cases rose, but the&nbsp;authorities had no plans&nbsp;to&nbsp;impose&nbsp;any&nbsp;immediate lockdown due&nbsp;to&nbsp;its ‘important role&nbsp;in&nbsp;the national&nbsp;and global economy, making decisions on lockdown won't be easy.’&nbsp;

"Shanghai is&nbsp;a&nbsp;city that not only covers the Shanghai people themselves, but&nbsp;also plays&nbsp;an important role&nbsp;in&nbsp;the national economic&nbsp;and social development,&nbsp;and even has&nbsp;an impact on the global economy," said&nbsp;CGTN&nbsp;quoting Wu Fan,&nbsp;a&nbsp;medical expert.&nbsp;

On March 28, however,&nbsp;at 5 am, the&nbsp;authorities locked down the city of 25 million.&nbsp;According&nbsp;to&nbsp;reports, the city will lockdown&nbsp;in&nbsp;two phases&nbsp;to&nbsp;conduct mass testing. Currently, the&nbsp;areas east of the Huangpu River&nbsp;are under lockdown,&nbsp;and&nbsp;after four days, the other half of the city,&nbsp;in&nbsp;the west, will be under lockdown for four days.

Other cities&nbsp;too,&nbsp;continue&nbsp;to&nbsp;follow&nbsp;a&nbsp;strict ‘zero-Covid ‘policy, more than 20 cities&nbsp;and provinces have imposed travel bans&nbsp;and lockdowns since this wave began.&nbsp;This policy&nbsp;has been facing&nbsp;backlash. Students&nbsp;at Sichuan University&nbsp;in&nbsp;the Chengdu, capital of southwestern&nbsp;China's Sichuan province, said ‘they were effectively banned from leaving the campus&nbsp;almost two weeks&nbsp;after the city lifted restrictions,’ reported the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Morning Post.&nbsp;

(The&nbsp;author is&nbsp;an&nbsp;Assistant Researcher&nbsp;at WION TV)

The week began with a devastating news, China witnessed one of its worst air disasters in nearly three decades. A Chinese Eastern Boeing 737-800 with more than 130 people on board crashed in a mountainous area.

The week began with a devastating news, China witnessed one of its worst air disasters in nearly three decades. A Chinese Eastern Boeing 737-800 with more than 130 people on board crashed in a mountainous area. Many major Chinese cities and provinces continue to battle surge in Covid cases. Overseas, too, China has been engaged in diplomacy. This week, from NATO accusing Beijing of politically helping Moscow, to Chinese FM Wang Yi’s tour of South Asia, we look at the big stories from China. China Eastern Airlines plane crash On Monday, condolences poured from around the globe, when a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 with 123 passengers and 9 crew onboard, crashed in mountains in Southern China. Flight MU5735 was flying to Guangzhou from Kunming when it lost contact above the city of Wuzhou, around 210 km from the destination. Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was “shocked” and ordered for an immediate investigation into the matter. The plane nosedived from an altitude of 29,100 feet to 9,075 feet in two minutes and 15 seconds, reported state media CGTN. The airlines expressed “its deep condolences for the passengers and crew members who died in the plane crash.” According to Zhu Tao, an official with China’s Civil Aviation Administration, “Air traffic controllers tried multiple times to reach pilots of doomed China Eastern Flight 5735 after it began its deadly dive on Monday but received no response.” reported Bloomberg. Both the black boxes have been found and sent for examination. On Friday, state broadcaster CCTV confirmed that all 132 on board were dead. While there are many theories about the cause of the crash, Chinese newspaper the China Daily busted many rumours and urged people not to believe easily. China in Russia-Ukraine conflict On Wednesday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg accused China of politically backing Russia as it continues to attack Ukraine. And warned Beijing against providing any material support. “China has provided Russia with political support, including by spreading blatant lies and misinformation, and allies are concerned that China could provide material support for the Russia invasion,” he said, ahead of an urgent NATO summit on Thursday. Stoltenberg further said that he expected that world leaders will “call on China to live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council” and China must “refrain from supporting Russia”, instead it should “join the rest of the world in calling for an immediate, peaceful end to this war.” China fired back and called the claims “disinformation”. China also called out US’ ‘smear’ campaign as Washington accused Beijing of having prior knowledge of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday, at the UN Security Council (UNSC), China voted in favour of the Russian Resolution, stating UNSC should play its role in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. “We advocate that the Security Council should fulfil its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and play its due role in the humanitarian issue of Ukraine,” said Zhang Jun, the Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations. He further went on to present Beijing’s six-point initiative and clarified to the UNSC members that the vote in favour was a “call to the international community to prioritise the humanitarian situation in Ukraine,” and “protect the safety of civilians, especially women, children and other vulnerable groups, and to facilitate the personnel evacuation and humanitarian relief operations.” Wang Yi’s tour of South Asia This week, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi embarked on a tour of South Asia. His itinerary included Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal. On Tuesday, Wang Yi attended the gathering of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad, as a special guest. In his speech, he reiterated China’s stand of support for Russia and Ukraine peace talks and a ceasefire. “We need to prevent humanitarian disasters and prevent the spillover of the Ukrainian crisis from affecting or harming the legitimate rights and interests of other regions and countries,” he said. Wang Yi also said that Beijing’s close ties with the Muslim world are based on respect and mutual cooperation, and China has been investing over $400 billion in nearly 600 projects across 54 Muslim countries under the Belt and Road Initiative. In Pakistan, Wang also met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed plans to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan. And criticised the West’s handling of Afghanistan with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa. Next, Chinese FM Wang Yi travelled to Kabul, where he held talks with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. He focused on “political, economic and transit issues”, including education, trade, mining sector as well as BRI projects in Afghanistan. Later this month, China plans to host a meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbours. On Thursday, Chinese MFA spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “As Afghanistan's neighbour, China stands ready to leverage its strength and contribute to the country’s lasting stability and security. With regard to your question about the specifics, we will release information in due course.” On Friday, Wang Yi reached Nepal for a three-day visit. According to reports, the visit is a chance for the two countries to make amends. The visit comes in the backdrop of Kathmandu ratifying the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, a setback for Beijing. The USD 500 million grant is a part of developmental assistance from Washington to the Himalayan nation. The visit is also an opportunity for China to bring on track the development of projects under BRI in Nepal. The two nations have signed nine deals, however none on BRI. Before reaching Nepal, the Chinese official made a surprise stopover in India. Thursday night, he reached the capital city of New Delhi. Wang Yi’s visit to India and OIC controversy On Friday, Wang Yi met with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The officials of the two nations discussed the way forward to resolve the two-year-old military stand-off at the Line of Actual Control. The two countries stayed completely silent on the high-level visit, a first between the two sides since the standoff in 2020. According to reports, they were waiting for each other to make the announcement, but India shelved the idea after Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement at the OIC meet on Tuesday. At the OIC meet, Wang Yi made a reference to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “On Kashmir, we have heard again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends. And China shares the same hope.” While the statement was open ended, it ‘effectively offered support to all that was spoken on Jammu and Kashmir by the OIC foreign ministers,’ said the Hindustan Times. The Indian government fired back and reminded Wang Yi that as India doesn’t make any “public judgment” regarding internal matters of China, it shouldn’t either. “We reject the uncalled reference to India by the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during his speech at the opening ceremony,” said Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of India’s External Affairs Ministry. “Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. Other countries, including China, have no locus standi to comment. They should note that India refrains from public judgement of their internal issues,” he added. Despite the ‘unannounced’ arrival, the visit took place rather smoothly. Wang Yi proposed a three-point approach. First, he stressed on China and India’s long history, and urged the two sides to view ‘bilateral relations with a long-term vision’ He added, "China and India do not pose a threat to each other, but provide opportunities for each other's development", according to the MFA press release. Next, he urged that the two nations “should view each other's development with a win-win mindset,” and lastly, they must “participate in multilateral processes with a cooperative attitude.” China-Sri Lanka The island nation of Sri Lanka is reeling under one of its worst financial meltdowns. Despite huge foreign investment from China, its forex is depleting. This week, Colombo has sought a fresh loan and buyer’s credit from Beijing for USD 2.5 billion. And China is considering the request. China has been accused of debt-trapping countries on multiple occasions. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Sri Lanka, clarified that Beijing’s assistance is being extended on “competitive terms”, adding that China would “never take advantage of Sri Lanka” while helping a country in need, said The Hindu. Continuous rise in COVID-19 cases China continues to battle one of its worst outbreaks of COVID-19, primarily driven by the highly infectious Omicron variant. On Friday, Chinese health officials called the situation “severe and complex”. Since March 1, the China mainland has recorded more than 56,000 Covid-19 cases, according to national health officials. While Hong Kong has recorded more than a million. This week, the city of Shanghai, particularly saw a sharp rise in cases, with as many as 2000 new asymptomatic cases. The city came under strain as cases rose, but the authorities had no plans to impose any immediate lockdown due to its ‘important role in the national and global economy, making decisions on lockdown won't be easy.’ "Shanghai is a city that not only covers the Shanghai people themselves, but also plays an important role in the national economic and social development, and even has an impact on the global economy," said CGTN quoting Wu Fan, a medical expert. On March 28, however, at 5 am, the authorities locked down the city of 25 million. According to reports, the city will lockdown in two phases to conduct mass testing. Currently, the areas east of the Huangpu River are under lockdown, and after four days, the other half of the city, in the west, will be under lockdown for four days. Other cities too, continue to follow a strict ‘zero-Covid ‘policy, more than 20 cities and provinces have imposed travel bans and lockdowns since this wave began. This policy has been facing backlash. Students at Sichuan University in the Chengdu, capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province, said ‘they were effectively banned from leaving the campus almost two weeks after the city lifted restrictions,’ reported the South China Morning Post. (The author is an Assistant Researcher at WION TV)

Chinese vignettes | Woes continue in  China as it comes to reality with a fatal plane crash

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;said Thursday they had assured Beijing's most senior diplomat about any&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;China&nbsp;thinks may "emerge from Afghan soil", ahead of a key meeting with their neighbours next week.

China&nbsp;shares only a sliver of a border with Afghanistan, but Beijing has long feared its conflict-plagued neighbour could become a staging point for Muslim Uyghur separatists from Xinjiang.

China's Foreign Minister&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;Yi arrived in Kabul Thursday on his first trip to Afghanistan since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power, meeting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-amusement-taliban-dictate-different-days-for-men-and-women-to-visit-fun-parks-466242">&nbsp;'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks</a>

Without specifically mentioning the Uyghurs, Baradar's office said in a statement that&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;had been assured over all&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;Beijing "thinks emerge from the soil of Afghanistan".

Since returning to power in August, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used as a base for foreign terror groups.

Their harbouring of Osama bin Laden and other senior Al-Qaeda figures in the wake of the 9/11 attacks prompted the US-led invasion that ended their first stint in power.

Even before the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized control of the country in August, they forged ties with&nbsp;China&nbsp;as US-led foreign forces withdrew.

Beijing is hosting a meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week on how to assist the hardline Islamist government.

"The Islamic Emirate wants to expand ties further" with&nbsp;China, Baradar's statement said.

Wang&nbsp;and Muttaqi also spoke of expanding "economic and political ties" between the two countries, the foreign ministry said in a tweet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/post-bamiyan-taliban-looks-to-preserve-buddhist-ruins-to-attract-chinese-money-466092">'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money</a>

They also discussed commencing work in Afghanistan's mines sector.

Chinese mining groups are in talks with the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;on exploring Afghanistan's mining sector, media reports say.

As&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;visited, Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, also arrived in Kabul for talks with&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;officials, the foreign ministry said.

Afghanistan has plunged into financial and humanitarian crises since the exit of US-led foreign forces.

The meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week will allow the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to present their own assessment of the latest situation in the country.

Media reports say Chinese and Pakistani officials are expected to discuss new economic projects in Afghanistan.

Maintaining stability after decades of war in Afghanistan is Beijing's main consideration as it seeks to secure its borders and strategic infrastructure investments in neighbouring Pakistan, home to the&nbsp;China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.&nbsp;

For Beijing, a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul would also pave the way for an expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative into Afghanistan and through the Central Asian republics, analysts say.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-fm-wang-yi-meets-nepali-president-other-key-leaders-465965">&nbsp;Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, other key leaders</a>

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;consider&nbsp;China&nbsp;a crucial source of investment and economic support, either directly or via Pakistan.

During the chaotic takeover of power by the hardline Islamists, Beijing kept its embassy open in Kabul even as it evacuated many citizens from the country.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-reverses-decision-to-allow-girls-to-attend-secondary-schools-in-afghanistan-465594/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Taliban said Thursday they had assured Beijing's most senior diplomat about any concerns China thinks may "emerge from Afghan soil", ahead of a key meeting with their neighbours next week.

The Taliban said Thursday they had assured Beijing's most senior diplomat about any concerns China thinks may "emerge from Afghan soil", ahead of a key meeting with their neighbours next week. China shares only a sliver of a border with Afghanistan, but Beijing has long feared its conflict-plagued neighbour could become a staging point for Muslim Uyghur separatists from Xinjiang. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Kabul Thursday on his first trip to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power, meeting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Also read | 'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks Without specifically mentioning the Uyghurs, Baradar's office said in a statement that Wang had been assured over all concerns Beijing "thinks emerge from the soil of Afghanistan". Since returning to power in August, the Taliban have repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used as a base for foreign terror groups. Their harbouring of Osama bin Laden and other senior Al-Qaeda figures in the wake of the 9/11 attacks prompted the US-led invasion that ended their first stint in power. Even before the Taliban seized control of the country in August, they forged ties with China as US-led foreign forces withdrew. Beijing is hosting a meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week on how to assist the hardline Islamist government. "The Islamic Emirate wants to expand ties further" with China, Baradar's statement said. Wang and Muttaqi also spoke of expanding "economic and political ties" between the two countries, the foreign ministry said in a tweet. Also read | 'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money They also discussed commencing work in Afghanistan's mines sector. Chinese mining groups are in talks with the Taliban on exploring Afghanistan's mining sector, media reports say. As Wang visited, Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, also arrived in Kabul for talks with Taliban officials, the foreign ministry said. Afghanistan has plunged into financial and humanitarian crises since the exit of US-led foreign forces. The meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week will allow the Taliban to present their own assessment of the latest situation in the country. Media reports say Chinese and Pakistani officials are expected to discuss new economic projects in Afghanistan. Maintaining stability after decades of war in Afghanistan is Beijing's main consideration as it seeks to secure its borders and strategic infrastructure investments in neighbouring Pakistan, home to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. For Beijing, a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul would also pave the way for an expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative into Afghanistan and through the Central Asian republics, analysts say. Also read | Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, other key leaders The Taliban consider China a crucial source of investment and economic support, either directly or via Pakistan. During the chaotic takeover of power by the hardline Islamists, Beijing kept its embassy open in Kabul even as it evacuated many citizens from the country. Watch | Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

Taliban vow to address 'all concerns' of China as Wang visits

On the last day of his three-day official visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held talks with Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari and other key Nepali leaders.&nbsp;

Wang called on President Bhandari at 10 am on Sunday at President’s office.&nbsp;

“State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on Rt. Hon. President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari today and exchanged views on further strengthening Nepal-China bilateral relations,” said Nepal’s Foreign Ministry in a tweet.&nbsp;

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State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid courtesy call on Rt. Hon. President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari today and exchanged views on further strengthening Nepal-China bilateral relations. <a href="https://twitter.com/MFA_China?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MFA_China</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PaudyalBR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaudyalBR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sewa_lamsal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sewa_lamsal</a> <a href="https://t.co/K7DhKgrHi3">pic.twitter.com/K7DhKgrHi3</a>
— MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MofaNepal/status/1507958981917958147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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On the occasion, they exchanged views on the age-old Nepal-China friendship. The president expressed that high-level visits, like this one, would help in further bolstering the good relations subsisting between Nepal and China since the historical period.&nbsp;

She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to China for its continued support to Nepal’s socio-economic development.

Later, Foreign Minister Wang held talks with former prime ministers — KP Sharma Ali and Pushpa Kamala Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in two separate meetings in a hotel in Kathmandu.&nbsp;

According to reports, CPN-UML chairperson KP Sharma Oli urged the Government of China for taking forward BRI-related projects like railway, irrigation, education, and health.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepali-chinese-foreign-ministers-hold-bilateral-talks-ink-9-mous-465793" hreflang="en">Nepali, Chinese foreign ministers hold bilateral talks, ink 9 MoUs</a>

Party leader Rajan Bhattarai, senior vice chair Ishwor Pokhrel, and general secretary Shankar Pokhrel were among those accompanying party Chair Oli during the meeting.&nbsp;

CPN- Maoist leader Shakti Basnet said they drew the attention of the Chinese Foreign Minister to create an environment conducive for the smooth operation of the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints which have not come into regular operation for long since the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting, various dimensions of Nepal-China relations were discussed during the meeting.

After the meeting, FM Wang refused to give a comment on the visit to the media.&nbsp;

As per reports in meeting with Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka earlier, Wang said, China supports Nepal in pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies.&nbsp;

Additionally, he said China believes that the affairs of Nepal should be decided by its people, he said, noting that China opposes any attempt to undermine Nepal's sovereignty and independence, interfere in its internal affairs and engage in geopolitical games in Nepal.

While China has said that it supports Nepal in furthering participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Nepal has not given any comment on the initiative.&nbsp;

Wang held scores of meetings with Nepali senior leaders during his three-day visit and both sides signed nine agreements in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations.&nbsp;

The Chinese FM had met with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba earlier on Saturday, where the two leaders witnessed the virtual completion ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport which China handed over to Nepal.

With this, the foreign minister has concluded his Nepal visit.&nbsp;

On the last day of his three-day official visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held talks with Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari and other key Nepali leaders.

On the last day of his three-day official visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held talks with Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari and other key Nepali leaders. Wang called on President Bhandari at 10 am on Sunday at President’s office. “State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on Rt. Hon. President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari today and exchanged views on further strengthening Nepal-China bilateral relations,” said Nepal’s Foreign Ministry in a tweet. State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid courtesy call on Rt. Hon. President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari today and exchanged views on further strengthening Nepal-China bilateral relations. @MFA_China@PaudyalBR @sewa_lamsal pic.twitter.com/K7DhKgrHi3 — MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) March 27, 2022 × On the occasion, they exchanged views on the age-old Nepal-China friendship. The president expressed that high-level visits, like this one, would help in further bolstering the good relations subsisting between Nepal and China since the historical period. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to China for its continued support to Nepal’s socio-economic development. Later, Foreign Minister Wang held talks with former prime ministers — KP Sharma Ali and Pushpa Kamala Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in two separate meetings in a hotel in Kathmandu. According to reports, CPN-UML chairperson KP Sharma Oli urged the Government of China for taking forward BRI-related projects like railway, irrigation, education, and health. Also read | Nepali, Chinese foreign ministers hold bilateral talks, ink 9 MoUs Party leader Rajan Bhattarai, senior vice chair Ishwor Pokhrel, and general secretary Shankar Pokhrel were among those accompanying party Chair Oli during the meeting. CPN- Maoist leader Shakti Basnet said they drew the attention of the Chinese Foreign Minister to create an environment conducive for the smooth operation of the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints which have not come into regular operation for long since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, various dimensions of Nepal-China relations were discussed during the meeting. After the meeting, FM Wang refused to give a comment on the visit to the media. As per reports in meeting with Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka earlier, Wang said, China supports Nepal in pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies. Additionally, he said China believes that the affairs of Nepal should be decided by its people, he said, noting that China opposes any attempt to undermine Nepal's sovereignty and independence, interfere in its internal affairs and engage in geopolitical games in Nepal. While China has said that it supports Nepal in furthering participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Nepal has not given any comment on the initiative. Wang held scores of meetings with Nepali senior leaders during his three-day visit and both sides signed nine agreements in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations. The Chinese FM had met with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba earlier on Saturday, where the two leaders witnessed the virtual completion ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport which China handed over to Nepal. With this, the foreign minister has concluded his Nepal visit.

Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, other key leaders

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on his three-day official visit to Kathmandu met his Nepali counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka on Saturday and discussed bilateral relations and mutual cooperation as both sides signed nine agreements.&nbsp;

While Khadka led a 25-member delegation from Nepal’s side, Wang led a 17-member Chinese delegation.

This is the first high-ranking official visit to Nepal since Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba took over the office in July, last year.&nbsp;

"Chinese Foreign Minister who is on a three-day official visit to Nepal held bilateral talks with his Nepali counterpart Narayan Khadka. During the meeting, the whole gamut of bilateral relations was discussed. A few agreements and MoUs were also signed,” MOFA Spokesperson Sewa Lamsal told WION.&nbsp;

The two ministers discussed all important aspects of Nepal-China relations and cooperation. They underscored the importance of the exchange of high-level visits on a regular basis in order to strengthen mutual trust and confidence and to further consolidate Nepal-China relations.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/SherBDeuba?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SherBDeuba</a> today. Rt. Hon. PM witnessed the virtual completion ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport. <a href="https://twitter.com/MFA_China?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MFA_China</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PaudyalBR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaudyalBR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sewa_lamsal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sewa_lamsal</a> <a href="https://t.co/ubHcXVVgfk">pic.twitter.com/ubHcXVVgfk</a>
— MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MofaNepal/status/1507708587098853380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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After their talks, the two sides signed nine MoUs related to various projects, including one on the cross-border railway, which is an important component of the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional connectivity network between Nepal and China.&nbsp;

The cross-border railway was incorporated into China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the second Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation in April 2019.&nbsp;

Both the countries have signed an agreement on -- first, Economic and Technical Cooperation, second, technical assistance scheme for China-Aid feasibility study of China-Nepal cross-border railway project, third a cooperation agreement on the feasibility study of Nepal-China power grid interconnection, fourth, protocol on the safety and health conditions for the export of Haylage from Nepal to China.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-india-pms-likely-to-jointly-inaugurate-cross-border-railway-465246" hreflang="en">Nepal, India PMs likely to jointly inaugurate cross-border railway&nbsp;link</a>

Among the nine, both sides have also signed an exchange of letters on&nbsp;duty-free treatment to be provided by China to goods of Nepali origin covering 98 per cent&nbsp;tariff lines.&nbsp;

Other agreements include handover certificate of Araniko Highway Maintenance Project (Phase III), minutes of the Seventh Meeting between Nepal and China on Enhancing Cooperation in Railway Sector, protocol on Sending a Chinese Medical Team to Work in Nepal at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As per the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, China has agreed to provide Nepal with a grant of RMB 600 million. The grant will be utilized for the projects mutually agreed upon between the two Governments.&nbsp;

“Foreign Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal’s commitment to One China policy and not to allow any activity against China in Nepali territory. Both sides reaffirmed their support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence of each other,” said Nepal MOFA statement.&nbsp;

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Foreign Minister Hon. Dr. Narayan Khadka and State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi witnessed the signing and exchange of agreements, MoUs and documents at Singh Durbar today after the official talks.<a href="https://twitter.com/MFA_China?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MFA_China</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PaudyalBR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaudyalBR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sewa_lamsal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sewa_lamsal</a> <a href="https://t.co/KNLc63W6G5">pic.twitter.com/KNLc63W6G5</a>
— MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MofaNepal/status/1507697962813513728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Khadka thanked, “thanked the Chinese side for the completion of development projects such as Araniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project (Phase III) and Pokhara International Regional Airport.”

The two Foreign Ministers stressed the need to have continued&nbsp;partnership in order to overcome the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to focus on COVID-19 response and recovery.&nbsp;

The leaders also discussed the most pressing issue of trading border points.&nbsp;

“During the talks, both sides also focused on issues relating to trade, investment, and tourism. They underscored the need to fully operationalize the Tatopani/Zhangmu and Rasuwagadi/Kerung border ports for the two-way movement of goods between Nepal and China. The two Ministers have instructed their relevant authorities to work together to this end,” MOFA said.&nbsp;

With a view to promoting tourism and people-to-people contacts between the two countries, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to resume, at an early date, the passenger air services suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With reports claiming Chinese encroachment into Nepalese territory and setting up buildings, the two ministers agreed to carry out a joint inspection of&nbsp;Nepal-China boundary through mutual consultation.&nbsp;

“Underlining the importance of continuously maintaining Nepal-China border peaceful and tranquil in the spirit of the Boundary treaty, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to carry out joint inspection of Nepal-China boundary through mutual consultation,” the statement added.&nbsp;

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lamsal told WION that after the bilateral talks Foreign Minister Wang called on Prime Minister Deuba.&nbsp;

“For tomorrow the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold a courtesy call to President of Nepal and he will also hold talks with former PMs — KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’,” she added.&nbsp;

Later in the evening, Wang called on Prime Minister Deuba at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Baluwatar here and the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and mutual cooperation.&nbsp;

Wang handed over the symbolic key of the Pokhara airport to Foreign Minister Khadka at the presence of the Prime Minister.&nbsp;

As per reports, the much-delayed $217 million projects was built with a loan from China’s Exim Bank and will start operating later this year.

“State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. PM&nbsp;@SherBDeuba&nbsp;today. Rt. Hon. PM witnessed the virtual completion ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport,” MOFA said in a tweet.&nbsp;

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on his three-day official visit to Kathmandu met his Nepali counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka on Saturday and discussed bilateral relations and mutual cooperation as both sides signed nine agreements.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on his three-day official visit to Kathmandu met his Nepali counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka on Saturday and discussed bilateral relations and mutual cooperation as both sides signed nine agreements. While Khadka led a 25-member delegation from Nepal’s side, Wang led a 17-member Chinese delegation. This is the first high-ranking official visit to Nepal since Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba took over the office in July, last year. "Chinese Foreign Minister who is on a three-day official visit to Nepal held bilateral talks with his Nepali counterpart Narayan Khadka. During the meeting, the whole gamut of bilateral relations was discussed. A few agreements and MoUs were also signed,” MOFA Spokesperson Sewa Lamsal told WION. The two ministers discussed all important aspects of Nepal-China relations and cooperation. They underscored the importance of the exchange of high-level visits on a regular basis in order to strengthen mutual trust and confidence and to further consolidate Nepal-China relations. State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. PM @SherBDeuba today. Rt. Hon. PM witnessed the virtual completion ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport. @MFA_China@PaudyalBR @sewa_lamsal pic.twitter.com/ubHcXVVgfk — MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) March 26, 2022 × After their talks, the two sides signed nine MoUs related to various projects, including one on the cross-border railway, which is an important component of the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional connectivity network between Nepal and China. The cross-border railway was incorporated into China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at the second Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation in April 2019. Both the countries have signed an agreement on -- first, Economic and Technical Cooperation, second, technical assistance scheme for China-Aid feasibility study of China-Nepal cross-border railway project, third a cooperation agreement on the feasibility study of Nepal-China power grid interconnection, fourth, protocol on the safety and health conditions for the export of Haylage from Nepal to China. Also read | Nepal, India PMs likely to jointly inaugurate cross-border railway link Among the nine, both sides have also signed an exchange of letters on duty-free treatment to be provided by China to goods of Nepali origin covering 98 per cent tariff lines. Other agreements include handover certificate of Araniko Highway Maintenance Project (Phase III), minutes of the Seventh Meeting between Nepal and China on Enhancing Cooperation in Railway Sector, protocol on Sending a Chinese Medical Team to Work in Nepal at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. As per the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, China has agreed to provide Nepal with a grant of RMB 600 million. The grant will be utilized for the projects mutually agreed upon between the two Governments. “Foreign Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal’s commitment to One China policy and not to allow any activity against China in Nepali territory. Both sides reaffirmed their support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence of each other,” said Nepal MOFA statement. Foreign Minister Hon. Dr. Narayan Khadka and State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi witnessed the signing and exchange of agreements, MoUs and documents at Singh Durbar today after the official talks.@MFA_China@PaudyalBR @sewa_lamsal pic.twitter.com/KNLc63W6G5 — MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) March 26, 2022 × Khadka thanked, “thanked the Chinese side for the completion of development projects such as Araniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project (Phase III) and Pokhara International Regional Airport.” The two Foreign Ministers stressed the need to have continued partnership in order to overcome the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to focus on COVID-19 response and recovery. The leaders also discussed the most pressing issue of trading border points. “During the talks, both sides also focused on issues relating to trade, investment, and tourism. They underscored the need to fully operationalize the Tatopani/Zhangmu and Rasuwagadi/Kerung border ports for the two-way movement of goods between Nepal and China. The two Ministers have instructed their relevant authorities to work together to this end,” MOFA said. With a view to promoting tourism and people-to-people contacts between the two countries, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to resume, at an early date, the passenger air services suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With reports claiming Chinese encroachment into Nepalese territory and setting up buildings, the two ministers agreed to carry out a joint inspection of Nepal-China boundary through mutual consultation. “Underlining the importance of continuously maintaining Nepal-China border peaceful and tranquil in the spirit of the Boundary treaty, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to carry out joint inspection of Nepal-China boundary through mutual consultation,” the statement added. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lamsal told WION that after the bilateral talks Foreign Minister Wang called on Prime Minister Deuba. “For tomorrow the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold a courtesy call to President of Nepal and he will also hold talks with former PMs — KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’,” she added. Later in the evening, Wang called on Prime Minister Deuba at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Baluwatar here and the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and mutual cooperation. Wang handed over the symbolic key of the Pokhara airport to Foreign Minister Khadka at the presence of the Prime Minister. As per reports, the much-delayed $217 million projects was built with a loan from China’s Exim Bank and will start operating later this year. “State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC H.E. Mr. Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. PM @SherBDeuba today. Rt. Hon. PM witnessed the virtual completion ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport,” MOFA said in a tweet.

Nepali, Chinese foreign ministers hold bilateral talks, ink 9 MoUs

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