Latest news with #Chinese-funded
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
China to rebuild flood-damaged infrastructure in Nepals Rasuwa: officials
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Kathmandu, Jul 21 (PTI) China on Monday pledged support to Nepal for reconstructing infrastructure damaged by recent floods in Rasuwa district and restoring customs operations, officials here said. The Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, connecting the two nations, along with several hydropower projects and a dry port, was severely impacted by flash floods that struck Rasuwa on July 8, 2025. The assurance came during a meeting between Nepal's Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and a Chinese delegation led by Chen Xiaodong, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), at the Finance Ministry here, officials said. Discussions also covered Nepal-China bilateral ties, development cooperation, and ongoing and future Chinese-funded projects, they said. Deputy Prime Minister Paudel, emphasising post-disaster recovery as Nepal's priority, expressed gratitude for China's commitment to rebuilding the affected infrastructure. During the meeting, Nepal and China also signed MoUs for four projects, including the construction of a bone marrow transplantation facility at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and a feasibility study for expanding the Civil Hospital. Finance Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyaya and CIDCA Chairman Chen signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments. A MoU was signed to facilitate human resource development, enabling over 1,200 Nepalese government employees to participate in bilateral and multilateral seminars organised by China-based institutions. An agreement was signed between Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya and Chen for a feasibility study on the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Transnational Electricity Transmission Line. PTI SBP SCY SCY (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chinese automakers should have fair access to EU market, Chinese business group says
Chinese-funded automakers should have fair and impartial market access to the European Union, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said on Wednesday, expressing concern that the bloc might shift from its de-risk policy towards China towards decoupling. The remarks came after meetings between a CCCEU auto working group with EU trade officials in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a statement from the CCCEU. China and the EU are locked in a row over EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. Efforts are underway to replace the levies with minimum prices, but no concrete progress has been made so far. "The industry is closely following the progress of the 'minimum price commitment' negotiations and looks forward to positive outcomes," the CCCEU said in the statement. Representatives from six Chinese companies including NIO , XPeng , Xiaomi, EVE Energy and Gotion High-Tech , attended the meetings in Brussels. The working group also expressed concern that global trade tensions might affect the stability of the EU market, or prompt a shift in EU policy towards China. In particular, it noted concerns that the EU's "de-risk" policy of reducing over-reliance on China in certain areas might shift to a potentially more damaging de-coupling.
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
China business group wants fair market access for Chinese EV brands in EU
Chinese-funded carmakers should have fair and impartial market access to the EU, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) said on Wednesday, expressing concern the bloc might shift from its de-risk policy to China towards decoupling. The remarks came after meetings between a CCCEU auto working group with EU trade officials in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a statement from the CCCEU. China and the EU are locked in a row over EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. Efforts are underway to replace the levies with minimum prices, but no concrete progress has been made. "The industry is closely following the progress of the 'minimum price commitment' negotiations and looks forward to positive outcomes," the CCCEU said. Representatives from six Chinese companies including NIO, XPeng, Xiaomi, EVE Energy and Gotion High-Tech, attended the meetings in Brussels. The working group also expressed concern that global trade tensions might affect the stability of the EU market or prompt a shift in EU policy towards China. In particular, it noted concerns that the EU's "de-risk" policy of reducing over reliance on China in certain areas might shift to a potentially more damaging decoupling.
The Star
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chinese-funded power project provides main energy source for Zimbabwe in 2024: regulator
HARARE, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-funded Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and Unit 8 project is the main energy supply source for Zimbabwe in 2024, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) said on Friday. ZERA said in its 2024 annual report that a total of 11,082 gigawatt-hours (GWh) was delivered into the country's transmission system in 2024, up from 10,096 GWh in 2023. "Annual energy supply shows that Hwange 7 and 8 power stations are the dominant energy supply source in 2024, contributing 4,918 GWh," ZERA noted in the report. The increased energy supply from the two units resulted in reduced electricity imports for the country in 2024, ZERA added. In August 2023, the Chinese-funded Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project was commissioned in Hwange, approximately 780 km from Harare, Zimbabwe's capital. Chinese firm Sinohydro undertook the expansion, adding two new generators, Unit 7 and Unit 8, to the existing six units at the power plant.
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First Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
How China's Baloch outreach signals Beijing's loss of trust in Pakistan
Beijing has realised over the years that the Pakistani army is unable to control the rising freedom movement in Balochistan; thus, it decided to break protocol and engage directly with Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar, an alliance of Baloch freedom groups read more During the recent visit to Beijing of Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's foreign minister and also deputy prime minister, the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was discussed. The CPEC is stumbling despite immense Chinese funding. Similarly, there has been no progress on Reko Diq mines, in which China has invested. All this because Pakistan has been unable to create a conducive environment for their progress. A report in the Chinese mouthpiece, the Global Times, mentioned discussions during Dar's visit: 'The CPEC, as a major cooperation project, still faces various risks such as the threat of terrorism. Eliminating these threats has become an urgent issue for Pakistan.' China is displeased with Pakistan's handling of the Balochistan uprising, which has stalled the CPEC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As a sop to Islamabad, China arranged a trilateral meeting with the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan. The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, mentioned that an agreement has been reached to extend the CPEC to Afghanistan, indicating that Pakistan may earn some revenue from it. The minutes of the meeting also mentioned, '(Pakistan and Afghanistan) would jointly combat terrorist forces of concern to each side.' As a consequence, Ishaq Dar announced in Hong Kong, 'I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its Chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of Ambassador.' This means nothing to Afghanistan, which continues to claim that there are no terrorists on its soil. Beijing has realised over the years that the Pakistani army is unable to control the rising freedom movement in Balochistan. It therefore decided to break protocol, bypass Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and engage directly with Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS), which is an alliance of Baloch freedom groups. This decision was announced on the heels of Pakistan's humiliating military loss to India in Operation Sindoor. The humiliation was possibly exploited by Beijing on the promise of providing military equipment to Pakistan. The decision, conveyed to Ishaq Dar in Beijing, conveys much more than just a message. First, it sends the signal that it believes that the Pakistani army lacks the ability to contain these groups and safeguard the projects. Despite raising two divisions, each of 10,000 men, solely to protect Chinese workers, attacks continue. Since 2021, over 20 Chinese have been killed and 34 injured. Gwadar port has yet to commence operations, making the $240 million Chinese-funded Gwadar airport non-functional. The airport was constructed to meet the needs of the Chinese community residing in Gwadar, which has not happened. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To defend itself from Chinese anger, Pakistan blames India for supporting Baloch groups. Post Ishaq Dar's Beijing visit, Pakistani media, on the orders of their army, have begun terming BRAS groups as 'Fitna al Hindustan', meaning 'Indian-sponsored proxies', not that it will cut much ice with Beijing or the world. If China had believed Pakistan, it would have preferred to talk directly with India on the subject but has not chosen to do so. China has even deployed its private security companies, including Dewe Security Frontier Service Group, China Overseas Security Group, and Huaxin Zhongshan Security Service, to provide additional security, but to no avail. Attacks and protests still continue. Even the Pakistani army is at the receiving end, forced to hide casualties. Recent reports mention that Baloch rebels have taken over the crucial city of Surab, cutting the road from Quetta to Karachi as well as to Gwadar. Secondly, Beijing believes that Pakistan, under the influence of the US, is moving slowly in providing security to the CPEC, opening doors for BRAS to target it at multiple locations. It assumes that Pakistan is playing a double game; after all, Islamabad has been doing so for ages. The Pakistani government had, in September 2023, taken the US ambassador to Pakistan, David Blome, to Gwadar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Islamabad is also negotiating a deal with the US, offering them mining concessions in Balochistan, akin to China, much to the Chinese dislike. What was insulting to Beijing was Asim Munir, their newly appointed field marshal, approaching Washington to push for a ceasefire, rather than China. Washington turned the request down, forcing Rawalpindi to approach India directly. Third, Beijing is aware that Pakistan can do little by objecting. Its survival is dependent on Chinese finance companies rolling over their $22 billion loans. The day it threatens to stop doing so, Pakistan could economically collapse. Further, the Pakistan military desperately needs Chinese military equipment, aware of its shortcomings, to symbolically manage equivalence with India. Without Chinese backing, Pakistan's armed forces are hollow. Hence, it arm-twists Islamabad. Fourth, China has realised that Rawalpindi has no leverage with the BRAS. The speed and confidence with which the Pakistani army is being attacked display that there is no possibility of any talks to end the conflict. Neither side trusts the other. All Pakistan has been doing is hiding casualty figures while exaggerating losses of the BRAS while losing ground daily. In the Jaffar train hijacking of March, Pakistan claimed there were 28 dead, while witnesses mentioned over a hundred coffins being moved. Rawalpindi announces operations as successful while BRAS simultaneously releases videos indicating the damage it has inflicted on the Pakistani army. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Finally, China's actions send the message that Beijing considers BRAS as true controllers of Balochistan and not Islamabad. This is indirectly accepting Balochistan as an independent autonomous region, if not a country. It will become worse when China flies in the leaders of BRAS to Beijing and also offers them concessions from income flowing from its mining activities. Baloch demands, including autonomy, stoppage of military operations and a direct share in revenue, bypassing Pakistan, will be contentious issues. Beijing may be compelled to pressure Islamabad to accept major Baloch conditions, making their control difficult. In case it does happen, even the US may adopt the same route, further embarrassing Islamabad. This will de facto imply that Balochistan is not under the control of Islamabad. For any country, a third nation engaging in talks with those it terms as terrorists seeking independence would be considered as direct interference and unacceptable. It also implies that the third nation is unconcerned about any objections arising from its actions. China, by conveying its intent to Pakistan, has made it clear that what Islamabad feels is immaterial. It will do as it desires, and there is little Pakistan can do; after all, it is a vassal state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The problem is that BRAS comprises multiple groups, many of which are hardline. Convincing all may not be easy. Beijing is bound to request Kabul and also Tehran to push these groups to accept their terms. What will remain a matter of concern is what China can finally offer, which it could bulldoze through Islamabad. For the recently made field marshal, Asim Munir, these talks convey that he has failed once again and China is insulting his army by directly engaging those who kill his soldiers, while he can just watch. He has already been insulted with the arrival of private Chinese security companies on his soil and a humiliating defeat by India. How many more times will he need to fail before his people know his true worth? The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
