Latest news with #ChinaAid
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Secretary of State Rubio, clashing with senators, says China will not replace US on global aid
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims from Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday that Washington was retreating from its long-standing commitments to humanitarian assistance and human rights or that China could replace the US as a global aid leader. Rubio's appearance at two congressional hearings Tuesday follows growing concern that drastic cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are undermining decades of US soft power and giving China a huge global propaganda win, arguments the top US diplomat sought to counter. 'China doesn't do humanitarian aid. China does predatory lending – that's what Belt and Road Initiative is,' Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a morning hearing, referring to Beijing's sweeping infrastructure plan that has spent more than US$1 trillion globally since 2013. Rubio faced an early challenge from Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the committee's senior Democrat, who argued that because of the dismantling of USAID and other foreign aid cuts since the start of US President Donald Trump's second term in January, China was outpacing and poised to supplant the US in development sectors like global health. 'There's no evidence whatsoever that China has either the capacity or the will to replace the US in humanitarian assistance, in food deliveries or in developmental assistance,' Rubio responded. Further, he continued, the US was not withdrawing from the world: 'I just hit 18 countries in 18 weeks. That doesn't sound like much of a withdrawal.'
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Ambassador Yin Chengwu and Liberian Defense Minister Inspect China-Aided Project in Liberia
On May 15, Ambassador Yin Chengwu and Liberia's Minister of National Defense, Hon. Geraldine Janet George, jointly inspected the China-Aid Project of National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory in Liberia. Yin stated that the project demonstrates China's firm commitment to implementing the outcomes of the meeting between the two heads of state and the FOCAC Beijing Summit. He emphasized that the initiative stands as a significant achievement in advancing practical cooperation between the two nations. He urged the construction team to prioritize safety, ensure timely and high-quality completion of the project, and contribute further to the development of China-Liberia relations. Defense Minister George expressed Liberia's high regard for the project, pledging full support to coordinate with the Chinese construction team and ensure the initiative aligns with Liberia's AIID agenda. The project manager provided a progress update, affirming that all efforts will be made to accelerate construction in accordance with the requirements. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rights groups condemn arrest of Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok's father and brother
Human rights groups have condemned the arrest of relatives of Anna Kwok, an exiled pro-democracy activist who is wanted by the Hong Kong police, in the first example of the city's national security law being used to target the family members of an activist living overseas. Kwok, 28, is the executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, and is one of 19 overseas activists wanted by the national security police, who are offering bounties of HK$1m (£97,000) for information leading to arrest. Kwok's father, 68, and her brother, 35, were arrested on 30 April on suspicion of 'attempting to deal with directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder'. The police said the men were suspected of helping Kwok to change the details of a life insurance policy and withdraw its remaining value. Kwok's father was charged and detained while her brother was released on bail pending further investigations. Yalkun Uluyol, China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said: 'The Chinese government has increased its appalling use of collective punishment against family members of peaceful activists from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Anna Kwok's father and cease harassing families of Hong Kong activists.' ChinaAid, a US-based human rights group, said: 'This represents a deeply unsettling and significant escalation of the ongoing retaliatory actions against the families of exiled activists … this is a blatant attempt to silence overseas dissidents by targeting their family members at home, a tactic that brazenly disregards fundamental human rights and the rule of law.' Police in Hong Kong have repeatedly questioned the relatives of exiled activists. In recent months relatives of Tony Chung, Frances Hui and Carmen Lau, overseas pro-democracy activists who are also wanted by the Hong Kong police, have been questioned. Chung and Lau, who are in the UK, have both had threatening letters sent to their neighbours offering rewards for information leading to their capture. The arrests in Kwok's case mark the first time that relatives have been criminally charged. Kwok's father faces a sentence of up to seven years in prison if convicted. He has been denied bail with the case adjourned to 13 June, according to Reuters. The Hong Kong police and the Hong Kong Democracy Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kwok could not be reached for comment.
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Rights groups condemn arrest of Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok's father and brother
Human rights groups have condemned the arrest of relatives of Anna Kwok, an exiled pro-democracy activist who is wanted by the Hong Kong police, in the first example of the city's national security law being used to target the family members of an activist living overseas. Kwok, 28, is the executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, and is one of 19 overseas activists wanted by the national security police, who are offering bounties of HK$1m (£97,000) for information leading to arrest. Kwok's father, 68, and her brother, 35, were arrested on 30 April on suspicion of 'attempting to deal with directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder'. The police said the men were suspected of helping Kwok to change the details of a life insurance policy and withdraw its remaining value. Kwok's father was charged and detained while her brother was released on bail pending further investigations. Yalkun Uluyol, China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said: 'The Chinese government has increased its appalling use of collective punishment against family members of peaceful activists from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Anna Kwok's father and cease harassing families of Hong Kong activists.' ChinaAid, a US-based human rights group, said: 'This represents a deeply unsettling and significant escalation of the ongoing retaliatory actions against the families of exiled activists … this is a blatant attempt to silence overseas dissidents by targeting their family members at home, a tactic that brazenly disregards fundamental human rights and the rule of law.' Police in Hong Kong have repeatedly questioned the relatives of exiled activists. In recent months relatives of Tony Chung, Frances Hui and Carmen Lau, overseas pro-democracy activists who are also wanted by the Hong Kong police, have been questioned. Chung and Lau, who are in the UK, have both had threatening letters sent to their neighbours offering rewards for information leading to their capture. The arrests in Kwok's case mark the first time that relatives have been criminally charged. Kwok's father faces a sentence of up to seven years in prison if convicted. He has been denied bail with the case adjourned to 13 June, according to Reuters. The Hong Kong police and the Hong Kong Democracy Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kwok could not be reached for comment.
South China Morning Post
17-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China seeks a role in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction
Beijing would like to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, China's foreign aid and international development agency announced on Monday. Advertisement The country would help 'in accordance with the wishes of the parties', Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, also known as China Aid, told reporters. 'China is willing to continue to provide assistance to the best of our ability, which also includes participation in the future reconstruction of Ukraine,' Li added. Li was responding to a question about remarks last month by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion that China 'could help' in restoring peace and reconstruction. Talks about the post-war arrangements have increased as US President Donald Trump pushes for an end to the war. Trump is expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone on Tuesday to discuss a 30-day ceasefire, after reaching an agreement with Ukraine last week. 03:21 'This is not a celebration': Ukraine marks third anniversary of Russian invasion 'This is not a celebration': Ukraine marks third anniversary of Russian invasion The total cost of recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine over the next decade is estimated at US$524 billion; Kyiv, with the support of international partners and the private sector, has so far paid out US$13 billion in recovery needs, according to a joint report by the Ukrainian government, the World Bank Group, the European Commission and the United Nations.
