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Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan concerned over India's continued military build-up
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) is deeply concerned over India's continued military build-up, which appears to be configured against Pakistan and poses a grave threat to regional stability. 'Pakistan is fully prepared to deal with any threat or eventuality,' FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated this while responding to queries during weekly media briefing on Friday, regarding India's intention to procure latest military equipment, modern drones and missile technology worth billions of dollars to use it against Pakistan. He also rejected Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack without any credible and unfounded evidence. To another question, Ambassador Shafqat said Pakistan also strongly condemns the Indian External Affairs Minister's statement, saying, 'No country can allow violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.' India panel starts process to buy arms worth $12.3bn Remarks by the Indian EAM regarding nuclear blackmail reflect India's own fears and insecurities, the FO spokesperson said, adding Pakistan remains committed to abiding by all mutual agreements with India. He also reaffirmed Islamabad's stance that India's decision to unilaterally hold the Treaty in abeyance is illegal. The recent verdict of the Court of Arbitration (CoA) has further reinforced and vindicated Pakistan's position. 'There is no complete hiatus in Pakistan-US relations. The bilateral relationship has been strong and continues to strengthen over time,' he remarked. Ambassador Shafqat stressed that Pakistan reiterated its consistent and unwavering support to China, reiterating its adherence to the One-China Policy. Pakistan fully supports China on the Tibet issue and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China. He said the idea of creating an alternative to SAARC is speculative and unfounded. 'It is India that has rendered SAARC dysfunctional. One country continues to block the holding of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad, while all other member states are supportive.' The Foreign Office; however, categorically denies any contact or meeting between Pakistani and Indian National Security Advisors (NSAs) on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in China. Regarding accepting Afghan Interim Government in Afghanistan, the FO spokesperson said, 'We have noted reports of Russian recognition of the Kabul administration. No decision has so far been made by Islamabad to recognise interim set up in Afghanistan. Pakistan maintains cordial and warm relations with Russia. However, this is a matter between two sovereign states.' Pakistan also strongly condemns the rising trend of Islamophobia in India. The FO spokesperson added the Foreign Minister of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan, is expected to visit Islamabad soon. However, dates are currently being finalised. To another question, he said India remains involved in patronising terrorism within Pakistan. Pakistan prefers dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation and remains committed to peaceful regional engagement, he highlighted. In an opening statement, the FO spokesperson said the Government of Pakistan has called for immediate release and repatriation of all those Pakistani prisoners and fishermen, who have completed their respective sentence and whose national status stands confirmed. A request for special consular access has also been made for all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners for expeditious confirmation of their national status, he pointed out. The Government of India has been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners to whom consular access is still awaited. The Indian side has also been urged to ensure safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody. 'The Government of Pakistan remains committed to addressing humanitarian matters as a priority. It will continue its endeavors to ensure early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails,' Ambassador Shafqat emphasised. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Shafaq News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
China: Military ready to fight separatism in Taiwan
Shafaq News – Beijing/ Taipei On Thursday, China's Ministry of Defense stressed that its military is fully prepared for combat in response to recent statements by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te asserting Taiwan's independence. 'The army will never tolerate any separatist activities aimed at Taiwan's independence,' said ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang at a press briefing. Zhang criticized Lai's government, accusing it of 'pushing Taiwan into a dangerous situation of war' and harming the livelihoods of the Taiwanese people. The remarks come after Lai delivered a series of speeches this week reaffirming what he called Taiwan's sovereign status and claiming that China has no legal or historical right to assert sovereignty over the island. Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War and has since developed into a self-governed, democratic island officially known as the Republic of China (ROC). Beijing enforces its 'One-China Principle,' asserting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and reserving the right to use force if Taiwan formally declares independence. The United States adheres to a 'One-China Policy,' formally recognizing the People's Republic of China while maintaining unofficial ties with Taiwan and preserving a stance of strategic ambiguity toward defending it.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact check: China has made only one public statement on Chagos Islands deal
Claims have circulated around international support for the Government's deal with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands and its implications for the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the deal had 'secured the base for the long term' and that 'has been opposed by our adversaries' including China. The Conservative Party has claimed it is 'pure disinformation' that critics of the deal are siding with China. There is limited information on what Beijing thinks about the deal. Certainly the only known public statement from a Chinese official on the deal applauded the agreement in the context of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It did not mention China's view on the continued presence of the military base on Diego Garcia. China abstained on the UN vote which was a key stage in the road to the deal, and one expert the PA news agency spoke to said he believes that Beijing 'privately views the agreement … somewhat as a setback', citing a variety of reasons. How long have the Chagos Islands been in UK hands? Britain took control of Mauritius from 1810 when it was seized from the French. Between 1814 and 1965 the Chagos Archipelago was administered by the UK as a dependency of the Mauritius colony. In 1965 the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and several Islands from the Seychelles and created the new British Indian Ocean Territory. Three years later Mauritius became an independent country. Between 1967 and 1973 the UK removed the population of the Chagos Archipelago. What has China said about the UK-Mauritius deal? On May 26 the new Chinese ambassador to Mauritius, Huang Shifang, gave a speech at a reception attended by the Mauritian Prime Minister, the Vice President and others. The official text of the speech – which was sent to the PA news agency by the Chinese embassy in Mauritius – does not directly mention the Chagos deal. A release from the Mauritian Prime Minister's office the next day said of the ambassador's speech: 'Acknowledging Mauritius's firm adherence to the One-China Policy, she commended the recent achievement regarding the Chagos Archipelago.' The closest that the official text of the speech comes to this is a section where the ambassador says: 'China highly appreciates Mauritius's adherence to the One-China Policy, and fully supports Mauritius in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.' However, a short video excerpt from the speech, posted to YouTube, shows that immediately afterwards the ambassador added: 'In particular we applaud loudly for the historical achievement on the Chagos agreement. Massive congratulations.' What might Beijing think behind closed doors? It is difficult to say what policymakers in the Chinese capital might be thinking about the deal behind closed doors. The prime minister's statement appears to claim that China opposed the part of the deal which allows Diego Garcia to remain open. When the ambassador's speech supported Mauritius's work on its territorial integrity she linked that to the country's One China Policy. The One China Policy is Beijing's claim that 'Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory'. So the ambassador's statement – if an accurate representation of Beijing's thinking – could show that China supports the handing over of Chagos to Mauritius because it reinforces the principle of territorial integrity which the Chinese leadership thinks supports its claim to Taiwan. But this does not rule out Beijing being disappointed about the part of the deal which allows the Diego Garcia base to remain open. When quizzed on Sir Keir's claims, his official spokesperson pointed towards the deal's support from the US and other allies. This included a post from US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth who said the deal secures 'key US national security interests in the region' and added: 'We are confident the base is protected for many years ahead.' Benjamin Sacks, a professor of political geography at the RAND School of Public Policy in the US, told PA: 'I contend that Beijing privately views the agreement, even if modified to ameliorate some Chagossians' outstanding demands, somewhat as a setback. In practical terms, it gains little if any advantage from it.' He said the deal resolves the question as to whether the UK, 'a major state actor supporting existing rules-based orders (RBOs), was violating them in respect to the Chagos'. He added: 'The Chagos issue constituted a perennial problem for British foreign policy; one that China could simultaneously exploit to demonstrate its supposed adherence to existing RBOs and undermine the UK's traditionally important role in maintaining it.' The deal 'deters Port Louis (Mauritius) from becoming an effective client state of Beijing' while allowing it to balance a strong economic relationship with China while continuing its close relationships with Beijing's competitors, India, the UK and the US, he said. Dr Sacks added: 'Analysis … suggests that China prioritises decolonisation so as to replace European and American influence with its own. For this reason, Beijing will applaud the agreement as a 'win' against the major Western powers.' As for the base at Diego Garcia: 'Beijing will have to contend with its continued presence for at least the next 99 years, and likely longer.' He said it can also be argued that the base's deterrence effect 'is stronger now that the agreement has secured and clarified its future within international laws and norms'. What has China said about the Chagos Islands in the past? In 2017 China abstained on a UN General Assembly vote which asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to deliver an advisory opinion on the dispute between the UK and Mauritius. This ICJ opinion was ultimately cited in the UK-Mauritius agreement. At the time the Chinese representative to the General Assembly said: 'China calls upon the countries concerned to continue to make efforts in good faith and to continue to carry out bilateral negotiations and consultations, so as to seek an appropriate solution to the question of Chagos archipelago as soon as possible.' The court opinion that followed in 2019 was that the UK is 'under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as quickly as possible'. In the wake of this opinion, in 2019 the General Assembly adopted a resolution which welcomed the court's decision. At this point China was one of the 116 votes for the resolution. Six countries voted against and 56 abstained. The Chinese representative said at the time: 'The Chinese Government is a consistent and firm supporter of the decolonisation process.' More recently in a China-Mauritius meeting on August 1 last year – according to a Mauritian press release – the Chinese representative 'reiterated China's aid to Mauritius in its quest for sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago'. UK Parliament – Hansard for June 11 2025, Engagements (archived) Video on YouTube (archived page and audio) ICJ advisory opinion (archived) Government Information Service – Reception marking assumption of office (archived) Ambassador's speech – text (archived) YouTube video of speech (archived page and audio) MFA – Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (archived) Pete Hegseth statement (archived) UNGA – Thursday, 22 June 2017, 10 am (archived) UK-Mauritius agreement (archived) UNGA – Adopts Resolution Seeking International Court's Advisory Opinion (archived) UNGA – Welcomes International Court of Justice Opinion (archived) UNGA – Vote in 2019 (archived) UNGA – Wednesday, 22 May 2019, 3 pm (archived) Government of Mauritius – The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (archived)
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 20 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including Solomon Islands' prime minister warning government workers off Taiwan. An army officer overseeing plans for a 360-degree missile system for Guam says it will cost approximately US$8 billion. Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, the executive director of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, spoke to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week. Lieutenant General Rasch told members of the Senate committee that the price tag is 'really the cost of the systems that the services were building already that will now be located at Guam, approximately $8 billion across all the service'. He said the effort on Guam was to 'get as much capability as soon as possible'. One senator asked how long until the system will be operational. Lieutenant General Rasch said they will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests. Tonga – dengue Dengue cases in Tonga have now reached 756. In an update released on Monday night, Tonga's Ministry of Health reported there were six people in hospital with the disease. It said 381 cases are from Tongatapu, 309 from Vava'u, 62 from 'Eua, and four from Ha'apai. The health ministry said case investigations and vector control are ongoing. Solomon Islands – One-China Policy The Solomon Islands' prime minister has warned government workers against engaging with 'Taiwan'. In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy. Earlier this month Manele survived a motion of no confidence, the second such challenge he's had to face during his first year in government. It's given rise to talks of new legislation aimed at curbing political instability in the country. Last week, the ABC reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies. Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless. It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs. Fiji – methamphetamine Three men, including an officer of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, have been charged in Fiji in relation to importing methamphetamine. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the intercept took place last week after Customs Officers identified irregularities during screening of an airfreight consignment from a Southeast African nation. The Fiji Times reported the three men each face a charge of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, while two of them also face a charge of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime. Police prosecutor, Inspector Pramesh Chand, told the court a fourth suspect had also been arrested. Australia – visit Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong is travelling to the Pacific with a delegation this week. In a joint statement the ministers said they will travel to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. They will meet with each nation's prime ministers, including discussing the strengthening of the Vuvale Partnership with Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji. The ministers said this early visit to the region, soon after the Australian election, demonstrates how deeply they value being part of the Pacific family. Niue – fisheries The 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee has wrapped up in Alofi. The Forum Fisheries Agency said officials from across the Pacific focused on advancing the sustainable management of the region's tuna fisheries. It said officials addressed a wide range of strategic priorities including climate resilience and strengthened international engagement. The outcomes from this meeting will be presented to ministers at the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in July.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 20 May
Guam - defence An army officer overseeing plans for a 360-degree missile system for Guam says it will cost approximately US$8 billion. Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, the executive director of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, spoke to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week. Lieutenant General Rasch told members of the Senate committee that the price tag is "really the cost of the systems that the services were building already that will now be located at Guam, approximately $8 billion across all the service". He said the effort on Guam was to "get as much capability as soon as possible". One senator asked how long until the system will be operational. Lieutenant General Rasch said they will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests. Tonga - dengue Dengue cases in Tonga have now reached 756. In an update released on Monday night, Tonga's Ministry of Health reported there were six people in hospital with the disease. It said 381 cases are from Tongatapu, 309 from Vava'u, 62 from 'Eua, and four from Ha'apai. The health ministry said case investigations and vector control are ongoing. Solomon Islands - One-China Policy The Solomon Islands' prime minister has warned government workers against engaging with "Taiwan". In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy. Earlier this month Manele survived a motion of no confidence, the second such challenge he's had to face during his first year in government. It's given rise to talks of new legislation aimed at curbing political instability in the country. Last week, the ABC reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies. Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless. It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs. Fiji - methamphetamine Three men, including an officer of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, have been charged in Fiji in relation to importing methamphetamine. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the intercept took place last week after Customs Officers identified irregularities during screening of an airfreight consignment from a Southeast African nation. The Fiji Times reported the three men each face a charge of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, while two of them also face a charge of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime. Police prosecutor, Inspector Pramesh Chand, told the court a fourth suspect had also been arrested. Australia - visit Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong is travelling to the Pacific with a delegation this week. In a joint statement the ministers said they will travel to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. They will meet with each nation's prime ministers, including discussing the strengthening of the Vuvale Partnership with Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji. The ministers said this early visit to the region, soon after the Australian election, demonstrates how deeply they value being part of the Pacific family. Niue - fisheries The 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee has wrapped up in Alofi. The Forum Fisheries Agency said officials from across the Pacific focused on advancing the sustainable management of the region's tuna fisheries. It said officials addressed a wide range of strategic priorities including climate resilience and strengthened international engagement. The outcomes from this meeting will be presented to ministers at the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in July.
