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Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
"China's Development, An Opportunity for a Colorful World" International Exchange Week Launched in Zunyi, Guizhou, China
ZUNYI, China, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 15th, the "China's Development, An Opportunity for a Colorful World" International Exchange Week kicked off in Zunyi, Guizhou, China, with the theme of "High-Level Opening-Up Leads High-Quality Development of Distinctive Industries". Over 200 participants from more than 30 countries, including diplomats, scholars, international influencers, students, and business representatives, gathered at the event to experience the development of Guizhou's distinctive industries. David Blair, Senior Economist and Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), noted that a colorful world should embrace broad and locally rooted development models to ensure prosperity reaches all regions and social groups. He emphasized that China has made significant progress in transformation, and with policy support, Zunyi could become a model of achieving a better life through vibrant local productivity and shared prosperity initiatives. Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute and an expert in international politics and finance, highlighted how cultural exchange can drive trade. He pointed out that 10 percent of Guizhou's tourism-driven economic growth comes from cultural industries such as batik, village soccer matches, and Dong Grand Songs. Thai silk arrives in Guizhou via Ninja Van, Uzbek companies use Payme for payments, and Kenyan artisans integrate M-Pesa — all of these are supported by shared tourism data and smart digital development. This exemplifies how mutual learning fosters trade, and how trade contributes to peace. At the event, the Xufang International Media, CICG and the Trade Promotion and Exchange Center of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade together launched the "Chinese Quality Products" Global Promotion Initiative (Zunyi). At the "Chinese Quality Products" Zunyi Exhibition, representatives from local specialty enterprises and products of intangible cultural heritage from Zunyi were showcased, including Meitan Cuiya, Zunyi chili peppers, Moutai, Kweichow Zhen, bamboo weaving, and embroidery. With live streaming on social media platforms, ambassadors and international influencers at the event share the quality products of Zunyi with global audiences.
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
China, US owe gratitude to Pakistan for foundation of their relations: Victor Gao
Leading Chinese academic Professor and Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization Victor Gao. Photo: File In a recent webinar organised by the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD), Vice President of the Center for China and Globalization Prof Victor Gao praised Pakistan for its pivotal role in establishing China-US relations, which he called one of the most significant game-changing events in modern history. Gao highlighted Pakistan's critical mediation role, referring to it as an exemplary model of diplomacy. He emphasised that Pakistan had made an exceptional contribution to humanity by bridging countries from diverse backgrounds, fostering global development and peace. According to him, the strengthening of China-US relations had not only accelerated globalisation but also brought nations closer together, significantly impacting global development. On the topic of China-Pakistan relations, Prof Gao expressed that no country holds more importance for China than Pakistan, emphasising the 'iron-clad' nature of their partnership. He stressed that China's commitment to supporting Pakistan's sovereignty and legitimate interests is unwavering, citing historical examples such as the 1965 and 1971 wars, where China stood alongside Pakistan, as well as during more recent conflicts. 'China will always come forward to help Pakistan safeguard its legitimate interests and sovereignty,' Prof Gao affirmed, underlining that Pakistan holds a special place in China's international relations. He also addressed concerns regarding Pakistan's internal security, stating that the country's enemies would never succeed in destabilising it. He specifically dismissed the notion of an independent Balochistan, stating, 'The dream of independent Balochistan will always remain a dream. Balochistan will never be separated or independent, no matter what the enemies of Pakistan, separatists, or terrorists plan or do.' He concluded his speech by recognising Pakistan's significant role as a geopolitical player since its independence, pointing to its involvement in key historical events. According to Prof Gao, Pakistan's role on the world stage has been instrumental in shaping modern history. AIERD Chairman Zahid Latif Khan reciprocated his sentiments, expressing gratitude for his insightful lecture on the importance of Pakistan-China relations. Khan underscored the need for both countries to strengthen their economic ties, particularly in areas such as financial integration and collaboration between their stock exchanges. He also suggested that Chinese companies operating in Pakistan could benefit from the country's Islamic financing system, including Sukuk Bonds. During the webinar, Gao responded to a question by asserting that Pakistan holds a superiority in the five-dimensional war over India, expressing confidence that India would refrain from further military adventurism. He also addressed the growing field of technology, urging China and Pakistan to enhance their cooperation, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). He noted China's open AI cooperation policy and encouraged Pakistan to accelerate its efforts to capitalise on this opportunity. 'We should work together to establish a strong foundation in technology and AI, which will shape a promising future for both countries,' Prof Gao added. In closing, AIERD CEO Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, and moderator of the event, thanked Prof Gao and the participants. He concluded the webinar by stating that the China-Pakistan relationship is unique, and that traditional theories cannot fully explain it. Ramay expressed confidence that the two nations would continue working together to create a shared future that would contribute to global prosperity and sustainable peace.
Memri
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Chinese Researcher Dr. Victor Gao: Whatever Iran Is Doing Is justified; If Countries Join the War Alongside Israel, Don't Exclude the Possibility That Major Countries Would Join Iran
Dr. Victor Gao, vice chairman of the Center for China and Globalization, warned in a June 19, 2025 appearance on Al-Jazeera Network (Qatar) that if countries enter the war to fight against Iran on behalf of Israel, they should not exclude the possibility that other countries might militarily intervene in support of Iran. Gao described the war as an 'unjustified' war of aggression imposed on Iran. He stated that if the United States chooses to join Israel and 'become an aggressor against Iran,' history would judge it accordingly. Gao added that China's position is 'very clear,' Israel initiated a war against a UN member, and China 'deplores' Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it a 'very serious offense against world peace and security.' Gao said: 'Whatever Iran is doing is justified.'
The Print
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Victor Gao claims all land north of Ganga for China. People say he's a ‘diplomatic fighter'
Gao's comments reflect a broader Chinese narrative that selectively contests colonial-era agreements, particularly the Simla Accord of 1914. His views have found enthusiastic support online , with some seeing him as a ' diplomatic fighter '. They are also calling the 'Ganges River boundary' proposition as a 'Victor Gao Line', praising it as a masterstroke and a leap in strategic thinking . Others have labelled India's stance as a product of its ' inner demons ' and its belief in a 'fictional colonial border'. The India-China border issue has long shaped the contours of bilateral ties. Despite the deadly 2020 Galwan clash and limited disengagement since, core issues remain unresolved, largely because Beijing prefers ambiguity, keeping the dispute alive as a means of strategic leverage. Everything north of the Ganga River belongs to China.' This provocative claim by Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, recently sparked a heated online debate in China. Gao's remarks are more than just rhetorical bravado; they signal a strategic tactic—using history and symbolism as a key argument in Chinese discourse to apply pressure in the border dispute. This line of thinking positions China's argument as a civilisational counterpoint: if India can uphold the colonial-era McMahon Line as sacrosanct, why shouldn't China invoke the Ganges—the 'Mother River'—as a more authentic civilisational boundary? On Chinese platforms, many argue that the McMahon Line was never legitimate to begin with. According to them, it was the result of collusion between British India and Tibetan representatives, which pushed the boundary northward and robbed China of over 90,000 square kilometres of 'ancestral territory'. Gao's rhetorical pivot is being celebrated online as a display of strategic finesse. 'India decries colonialism in principle but clings to colonial boundaries in practice. It preserves what is advantageous and discards the rest. That is a rogue double standard,' quipped a Baidu user. Far from being dismissed as fringe nationalism, Gao's claim aligns with a larger push to challenge Western norms and redraw borders on Chinese terms—both literal and conceptual. This narrative caters to domestic audiences while sending a broader geopolitical signal: postcolonial boundaries are not fixed, and China reserves the right to question them. Also read: Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric is tearing LA apart—a city built by Mexican settlers in 1781 China's narrative arsenal Chinese strategic messaging does not stop at redrawing history. The strategic community within China frames India's stance as rooted in historical insecurity and inflated ambition. Hu Shisheng, director at the South Asia Institute of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, portrays India as a power intoxicated by imagined grandeur. According to him, India sees itself as the 'heir to the British colonial legacy' and views China's rise as a direct challenge to its regional dominance. He argues that India suffers from 'three miscalculations': underestimating China's will to defend its sovereignty, overestimating support from the United States, and misjudging its own military capabilities. Liu Zongyi, senior fellow at the Centre for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, goes further. He accuses India of reneging on every major political guideline since 2005, especially after the 2020 clashes. He claims that India has turned the border dispute into a geopolitical bargaining chip, leveraging it to deepen ties with the West. Ridicule on social media The online debate has also taken an ugly turn. Supporters of Gao's views have resorted to racist and derogatory tropes. Some Chinese internet users circulated mocking videos and memes about the Ganges River, labelling it polluted and unsanitary. Others suggested it needed a 'gas mask river chief', citing industrial waste and high E coli levels in Varanasi. Chinese users contrasted this with what they called Beijing's 'responsible' stewardship of transboundary rivers, such as data sharing on the Brahmaputra. 'India dumps an average of 1.3 billion litres of toxic wastewater into the Ganges every day, turning the holy river into a 'sewage ditch where corpses float,'' wrote a Weibo user. A Chinese influencer, who was banned from entering India after a derogatory video following Operation Sindoor, commented: 'Good, I never wanted to drink Ganges water anyway.' These remarks, meant to provoke, betray an insidious cultural condescension masquerading as strategic commentary. Also read: Don't count countries above India in per capita GDP. Look at the population instead Content to avoid resolution The online frenzy reveals a deeper truth: Beijing is more interested in shaping narratives than in sincerely resolving the dispute. If China could resolve the dispute with 12 other neighbours, it could have done so with New Delhi. But China's border issue with India is a 'leftover from history'—one it intends to pass on to the next generation of leaders. Xi Jinping is going nowhere for now, and there is no clarity on who comes next. What is clear is that China sees the dispute as a long-term leverage point. For now, Beijing is content to avoid resolution, distract with historical revisionism, and provoke through offensive rhetoric. This is hardly the posture of a country seeking peace or genuine reconciliation with its neighbour. If anything, the commentary and its support signal a growing assertiveness in Chinese claims over Indian territory, and the possibility that new fronts could be opened. Sana Hashmi is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. She tweets @sanahashmi1. Views are personal. (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
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First Post
03-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
‘What if China stops Brahmaputra water,' threatens Pakistan. Does India need to worry?
India's decision to pause the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan hasn't gone down well in the neighbouring country. Now, Islamabad has come up with a scare tactic, claiming China could stop the Brahmaputra water. Is Beijing seriously considering such a move? What would it mean for New Delhi? read more Even as India and Pakistan have ceased military strikes against each other, the water war between the two nations continues after New Delhi placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack. The decision to place the water agreement of 1960 has angered and concerned Pakistan; a recent report shows that the water levels of the Indus and Jhelum rivers on Pakistan's side are running low. And this water shortage will, in turn, have a direct impact on the summer crop season. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In such a situation, Pakistan has once again resorted to scare tactics. Islamabad stated that the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan could set a precedent for China to block the Brahmaputra River to India. However, now Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called out Pakistan for its 'baseless attempt' to incite fear over a hypothetical situation involving the Brahmaputra. We take a closer look at the situation — from a possible China choke on the Brahmaputra to what the Indian chief minister is saying to what experts believe. Pakistan's threat of a China choke on Brahmaputra India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has become a contentious issue in Islamabad. In late May, a senior aide to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned that India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) could set a dangerous precedent, potentially prompting China to take reciprocal actions, such as blocking the flow of the Brahmaputra River. Speaking to a private news channel on Friday, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, the coordinator to the prime minister on commerce and industry, said New Delhi's decision could have far-reaching implications not just for Pakistan, but for the entire region. 'If India does something like this and stops the flow of water to Pakistan, then China can also do the same thing,' he cautioned. 'If things like this happen, the entire world will be in a war.' Days later, Victor Zhikai Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing, was quoted as telling India Today that one should not treat others in a way they themselves would not like to be treated. Fishermen steer a boat on the Brahmaputra River at sunset in Guwahati. In his rebuttal to Pakistan's threat, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that China contributes only about 30 to 35 per cent of the Brahmaputra's total flow. File image/Reuters In the interview, the Chinese highlighted Beijing's control over the Brahmaputra River, adding further that just like rivers from India flow into Pakistan, rivers from China also flow into India. He warned that if India acts against others, it should be prepared for similar responses in return, which could lead to serious challenges for the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Assam's Himanta counters Pakistan threat However, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has slammed Pakistan for attempting to spread fear with the narrative of China blocking the Brahmaputra. In a strongly worded post on X, the chief minister issued a point-by-point rebuttal. 'Let's dismantle this myth — not with fear, but with facts and national clarity,' he wrote in the post. What If China Stops Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: 'What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India?'… — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 2, 2025 He first explained that the Brahmaputra is a 'river that grows in India, not shrinks'. Explaining this, he said that China contributes only 30 – 35 per cent of the Brahmaputra's total flow — mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. Meanwhile, India generates the remaining 65–70 per cent through monsoon rains and inflows from its numerous tributaries in the Northeast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He further emphasised that the strength of the river only intensifies after entering Indian territory. Using data, he said, 'At the Indo-China border (Tuting), flow is 2,000–3,000 metres per second. In Assam plains (for instance, Guwahati), the flow swells to 15,000–20,000 metres per second.' Sarma also argued that in the rare instance that China attempted to block the Brahmaputra's flow it would help rather than hurt India. How? He said that it would reduce the recurring floods in Assam that displace hundreds of thousands each year. In conclusion, he asserted that China has never officially threatened to weaponise the Brahmaputra and dismissed Pakistan's suggestion as nothing but speculative and fear-mongering. Experts Speak However, not everyone is assured by Sarma's counter on the Brahmaputra. Some experts are of the opinion that while China has made no official plans to block the Brahmaputra River, Beijing has announced the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam , across the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet last December. This construction has raised alarm bells for India as experts note that such infrastructure would exacerbate the risk of flash floods, particularly during monsoon season and could even cause environmental harm. Last December, China announced the construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra in the region of Tibet. File image/Reuters For those who are unaware, in December 2024, Beijing said it would build a hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River, also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet autonomous region. The Yarlung Zangbo River becomes the Brahmaputra River when it flows into the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the time of announcing the dam, China said that once completed it would produce three times more energy than the Three Gorges Dam, which generates 88.2 billion kWh of electricity annually. And experts note that this dam could be a problem for India. How? As Genevieve Donnellon-May, a geopolitical and global strategy advisor, wrote for AsiaGlobal Online in 2022, that India worries the project could result in the country depending on China for its water supplies. Others also note that a dam of this scale would trap massive amounts of sediment upstream, disrupting its flow downstream. This could make farming less productive, threatening food security in one of the world's most densely populated regions. Besides being a risk to the country's agricultural sector, such a damn is also a security threat. As the dam is expected to be near Arunachal Pradesh , an area claimed by both India and China, it is bound to complicate matters. Given the recent military standoffs along the Sino-Indian border, Beijing's control over a major water source could be perceived as a strategic pressure point. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Environmental concerns also loom large. The Himalayas are one of the most seismically active regions in the world, making large-scale infrastructure projects highly risky. A potential dam failure or mismanagement during extreme weather events could lead to catastrophic flooding in downstream areas, posing serious humanitarian and economic consequences for India. With inputs from agencies
