Sep 2020. Germany announces shifting approach to China

In European politics it has become something of a truism that Germany is first among equals. Where Germany goes, so goes Europe, as a leadership role is ascribed to Berlin in a variety of issues from the Eurozone crisis of 2012 to dealing with COVID-19 and its economic consequences. There are signs that the German… Continue reading Sep 2020. Germany announces shifting approach to China

Sep 2020. India and China compete for Influence over Bangladesh

When Narendra Modi was elected to the office of prime minister for the first time in 2014, he invited his counterparts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Bhutan to his swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The move set Modi’s “Neighborhood First” policy in motion, shifting Indian foreign policy’s focus towards… Continue reading Sep 2020. India and China compete for Influence over Bangladesh

Sep 2020. Uighur Horrors in China

China’s internment of Uighurs and other Muslims in the north-western Xinjiang province is a moral outrage. In the name of fighting Terrorism the People’s Republic has imprisoned as many as Two Million People, according to estimates from the US State Department. In a chilling example of the euphemisms behind which authoritarians can hide a policy… Continue reading Sep 2020. Uighur Horrors in China

Aug 2020. Uighur Chinese

August 2020. As a model for the massive Chinese online retailer Taobao, the 31-year-old was well paid to flaunt his good looks in slick promotional videos for clothing brands. But one video of Mr Ghappar is different. Instead of a glitzy studio or fashionable city street, the backdrop is a bare room with grubby walls… Continue reading Aug 2020. Uighur Chinese

Aug 2020. Tik Tok Video Platform

August 2020. Musical.ly was a popular short-form (15 seconds) video streaming and sharing app, with over 100 million users, up until August 2018. The app allowed users a plethora of music and dialogue options, with which they could lip sync and make funny or entertaining videos. The app was widely popular with some content creators… Continue reading Aug 2020. Tik Tok Video Platform

Aug 2020. Hong Kong Elections Postponed

August 2020. The Hong Kong government has postponed September’s parliamentary elections by a year, saying it is necessary amid a rise in coronavirus infections. Hong Kong is currently experiencing a spike in Covid-19 infections, and reported 121 new cases on Friday.However, the opposition has accused the government of using the pandemic as a pretext to… Continue reading Aug 2020. Hong Kong Elections Postponed

Jul 2020. Chinese Consulate Closed in Houston

July 2020. The US has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas, by Friday – a move described as “political provocation” by Beijing. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision was taken because China was “stealing” intellectual property. China’s foreign ministry condemned the move on Twitter, saying its embassy in Washington… Continue reading Jul 2020. Chinese Consulate Closed in Houston

Jul 2020. Hong Kong Extradition Suspended

July 2020. The UK government will suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong “immediately and indefinitely”. Announcing the move, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK “wants a positive relationship” with China. But he said the “imposition” of the new security law in Hong Kong by Beijing was a “serious violation” of the country’s international… Continue reading Jul 2020. Hong Kong Extradition Suspended

Jul 2020. China Accused of Uighur Ethnic Cleansing

July 2020. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has accused China of “gross and egregious” human rights abuses against its Uighur population and said sanctions against those responsible cannot be ruled out. Reports of forced sterilisation and wider persecution of the Muslim group were “reminiscent of something not seen for a long time”, he told the… Continue reading Jul 2020. China Accused of Uighur Ethnic Cleansing

Jul 2020. UK – China Tensions

July 2020. Britain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told parliament the treaty would be suspended immediately and an arms embargo would be extended… Continue reading Jul 2020. UK – China Tensions