Hong Kong leader vows tight control of society 28 years after handover
Hong Kong was returned to China from Britain on July 1, 1997.
The people of Hong Kong used to enjoy freedoms of speech and assembly under the "one country, two systems" framework.
Every year on July 1, they staged massive demonstrations calling for democratization.
But such protest activities have been suppressed since Hong Kong's National Security Law went into effect five years ago.
At Tuesday's ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee stressed that his government will "steadfastly safeguard national security."
He added that Hong Kong will "proactively integrate into the overall national development, with a view to fostering economic growth and development."
Beijing has been urging Hong Kong's businesspeople to show patriotism and contribute to the state, as tensions with the United States grow over tariffs and other issues.
Lee's remarks emphasized Hong Kong's efforts toward economic unity with China.
The Chinese military plans to send its aircraft carrier Shandong to Hong Kong for a public display starting Thursday.
By sending the carrier it deems a symbol of national power, China apparently aims to showcase the country's sovereignty and boost patriotism.
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The Diplomat
30 minutes ago
- The Diplomat
China and Pakistan Mull a Beijing-led Alternative to SAARC
How far can South Asian regional cooperation go without India on board? The China-India tussle for influence in South Asia can be expected to intensify should Pakistan and China's plans for setting up a new regional organization materialize. According to a report in the Pakistani English daily, Express Tribune, the proposed regional grouping 'could potentially replace the now-defunct South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).' According to 'diplomatic sources familiar with the development,' the discussions between Pakistan and China are reportedly 'at an advanced stage.' South Asia is among the least integrated regions in the world; intra-regional trade accounts for barely 5-7 percent of its total international trade. South Asian countries struggle with common problems like poverty, climate change and human trafficking that could be better tackled through cooperation. In 1985, seven South Asian countries — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — came together to found SAARC; Afghanistan joined as the eighth member in 2007. Among its objectives were economic and regional integration to enhance the quality of life of its people. However, SAARC's performance over the past four decades has been below par. Decisions are made by consensus, and the India-Pakistan rivalry paralyzed its functioning. Pakistan would 'indirectly target' India at summits, and 'try to get the other members to gang up against Delhi,' a retired Sri Lankan foreign secretary told The Diplomat in 2019. As for India, 'it refused to move beyond its concerns over terrorism linked to Pakistan, which was a bilateral issue.' Caught in the crossfire, SAARC stagnated. Then in 2016, India drove the final nail in SAARC's coffin when it boycotted the summit that Islamabad was to host. India's boycott came in response to a terror attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir in September 2016, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka followed suit and withdrew from the summit. It was cancelled, and no SAARC summits have been held since. SAARC's smaller members have tried to revive the organization by pressing for SAARC summits and meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. But they have met with little success. India has blocked such efforts as it is determined to isolate Pakistan. 'The need for regional cooperation has never been greater, and it is in this context that the Pakistan-China initiative must be seen,' a retired Pakistani diplomatic official told The Diplomat from London. The new organization will seek 'greater regional cooperation through greater trade and connectivity among its members,' he said. All SAARC members, including India, will be invited, but 'it is unlikely that India or Bhutan will join,' he said. The China-Pakistan plan for an alternative organization doesn't come as a surprise. In recent months, the two countries have reached out to third countries to expand regional cooperation. In May, the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan met in Beijing, where they agreed to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan. The Chinese, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi foreign secretaries met at Kunming in China the following month where they committed to enhancing cooperation in areas including economic development and climate change. The Express Tribune report described the Kunming meeting as 'part of those diplomatic maneuvers' toward setting up the replacement for SAARC. Analysts in New Delhi are not surprised by China and Pakistan's proposed initiative for South Asian regional cooperation. 'China has been undercutting SAARC since the proposal to induct China into the regional grouping was rejected in 2005,' Smruti S. Pattanaik, a research fellow at the New Delhi-based Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said. Pattanaik drew attention to several regional cooperation mechanisms that China has initiated over the past two decades in South Asia. 'In 2006, China set up the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum. In 2018, China formed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Trans-Himalayan Connectivity network that includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal. In 2021, Beijing floated the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center,' she said. Most importantly, all the South Asian countries, except for India and Bhutan, are members of the Belt and Road Initiative. Consequently, 'the latest proposal for South Asian regional cooperation is not new,' Pattanaik said. Over the years, with SAARC stagnating and failing to deliver the benefits of regional cooperation, New Delhi lost interest in the group and set out on subregional cooperation with its neighbors through such forums such as the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Initiative, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Economic Cooperation), and the Colombo Security Conclave, which includes India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan is not a part of any of these India-led groupings. With India unlikely to sign on to the new China-led grouping, what are its prospects? A look at a map of South Asia would provide pointers. Not only is the region India-centric but also with the exception of Pakistan and Afghanistan, South Asia's smaller countries do not share land borders with each other. It is only with India that they all share borders. China has the funds and the expertise in building infrastructure. It already has strong relations with all South Asian countries — with the exception of Bhutan — which will come in handy as it sets out to build regional cooperation. However, will it be able to overcome the obstacles imposed by geography? Will it be able to build overland connectivity without India on board?
NHK
an hour ago
- NHK
Emperor meets reporters ahead of visit to Mongolia
Japan's Emperor Naruhito has expressed resolve to promote friendly relations with Mongolia and mourn Japanese people who died after being detained there after World War Two. The Emperor and Empress Masako are to make an official visit to the East Asian country for eight days from Sunday. They are scheduled to take part in a welcome ceremony as state guests. Meeting reporters on Wednesday, the Emperor looked back on his previous visit to Mongolia in 2007, when he was Crown Prince. He expressed hope that the upcoming trip will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the history of exchange between Japan and Mongolia. He added that the Empress also wishes to reflect on this shared history and prays that friendship and exchange between the two nations will further deepen. He said she is looking forward to experiencing firsthand the vast wilderness of Mongolia, its history and culture, while interacting with people in the country. The Emperor also mentioned the roughly 14,000 Japanese captured by the former Soviet Union and sent to Mongolia in the aftermath of World War Two. Of them, some 1,700 died from hard labor and other causes. He noted the internees worked as laborers and participated in construction projects, which included the government building, which is still in use, and the state opera and ballet theater. He said he has been told that they won the respect of the Mongolian people for their dedication, despite working in harsh conditions. The Emperor said he hopes to reflect on such history through the visit when he and the Empress offer flowers at a monument for the Japanese people who lost their lives during their internment. He said he wants to pay tribute to the people who died far from their homeland and think about the hardships they endured.
Japan Times
4 hours ago
- Japan Times
Nippon Steel aiming to prove value of Japan-U.S. cooperation, chairman says
Nippon Steel Chairman Eiji Hashimoto said in a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday that he wants to prove the value of cooperation between Japanese and U.S. manufacturers through his company's acquisition of United States Steel. "We want to improve the quality of U.S. Steel and prove that cooperation between Japanese and U.S. manufacturers is useful," Hashimoto said at the start of the meeting at the prime minister's office, in which other Nippon Steel executives also attended. He reported to the prime minister that the takeover has been completed, and expressed gratitude for the Japanese government's support over the buyout effort. Ishiba explained that Tokyo is continuing to urge the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to review its high tariffs, saying that Japan is calling attention to investments rather than tariffs as it advances negotiations with the United States. Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, made possible through a commitment for massive investments, "can be a model case for future Japan-U.S. relations," the prime minister said. "The trend of the government strengthening its involvement in the economy and business will not change," Hashimoto told reporters after the meeting with Ishiba. "I think it will continue." On Trump's dissatisfaction over automobile trade between the two countries, Hashimoto said that "there is too much focus on the competitiveness of Japanese cars in the U.S. market as (the U.S. government) places importance on the manufacturing industry."
