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First Post
13 hours ago
- 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
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Khammuan province celebrates Laos' historic year with ambition and action
VIENTIANE: The year 2025 is a time of pride and reflection for Laos, as the country celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the 50th anniversary of the Lao PDR, and the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane. Located in the geographic heart of Laos, Khammuan province is honouring these milestones not only with celebration, but with concrete progress. In a recent interview, Governor Vanxay Fongsavanh shared how the province is transforming national pride into lasting development by creating jobs, attracting investment and showcasing its natural beauty to both locals and the world. Situated in central Laos, where National Roads 13 and 12 intersect, Khammuan has become a vital logistics hub—connecting provinces and neighbouring countries alike. Under its current five-year socio-economic development plan, the province is focusing on three priority sectors: agriculture and forestry, energy and mining, and tourism and services. 'We're building on what makes Khammuan strong,' said Governor Vanxay. 'By focusing on our natural resources and strategic location, we are driving real development.' One of the province's flagship developments is the Asia Potash International Investment project, a large-scale foreign enterprise focused on potash fertiliser production and the development of a smart industrial park. The project is Chinese-owned. According to the company, it currently employs about 5,000 local workers and 2,000 foreign nationals. It plans to hire an additional 1,500 labourers. 'The plant produces around three million tonnes of potash a year,' the Governor said. 'It's a major contributor to the economy of Khammuan province and to national development.' Meanwhile, agro-processing industries are on the rise—turning local crops into high-value products and drawing strong interest from domestic and foreign investors. Several companies have already begun surveys and pilot operations. 'We're actively promoting agro-processing,' the Governor said. 'These ventures are helping to diversify our economy and create rural employment.' Khammuan is making concerted efforts to create a business-friendly environment. The provincial administration is easing land access, addressing bureaucratic hurdles and assisting investors with local workforce recruitment through community engagement. 'Investors are coming from many countries, with China being our largest partner,' Governor Vanxay said. 'Chinese companies are investing in industry, agriculture, and tourism.' In 2024, Governor Vanxay led a trade mission to Shanghai province in China, resulting in over US$850 million in new investment through more than ten signed Memoranda of Understanding. The province aims to expand its investment promotion efforts to other regions of China this year. One tangible result of this partnership is the recently opened Khammuan International Hospital, a Chinese-funded facility that strengthens healthcare services for both residents and foreign workers. Tourism continues to be one of Khammuan's most promising sectors. From dramatic limestone caves to pristine waterfalls, the province boasts a wealth of natural and cultural treasures. According to Governor Vanxay, Khammuan has identified 210 potential tourist sites, with 23 already open to visitors. A new attraction, Khun Khong Lang Lake, is set to open in June and is expected to draw increasing numbers of both Lao and foreign tourists. Another emerging highlight is Phou Pha Marn, developed by Green Discovery led by eco-tourism pioneer Inthy Deuansavanh. Nestled among striking karst landscapes, this site offers adventure experiences such as zip-lining, canopy walks, rock climbing, and hiking—all designed to showcase the landscape while preserving its natural integrity. 'Our province is rich in natural beauty and culture,' said Governor Vanxay. 'We're proud to share that through festivals, cultural events, and responsible tourism.' As Laos marks a year of national reflection, Khammuan stands out as a province not only celebrating its heritage but also shaping the country's future. 'This year, Laos is celebrating three historic occasions. Khammuan has been preparing and intensifying efforts to create even greater successes to mark these meaningful days,' Governor Vanxay said. - Vientiane Times/ANN
The Print
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
China is playing saviour for Pakistan. This time, with water diplomacy
Chinese commentary repeatedly casts India as a hegemonic upstream actor leveraging its geographic position, while China is painted as a saviour, stabilising force, and Pakistan's indispensable partner in achieving water security. One Weibo post declares: 'India is a 'shameless' country with double-standards; on one hand, it fears China using its upstream position, but on the other, uses the same to pressure Pakistan.' Last week, Chinese media announced that the Chinese-funded Mohmand Hydropower Project in Pakistan had entered its filling phase, a development heavily publicised and framed as a pointed signal to India. Coverage and posts across platforms like Baidu, Weibo, and WeChat present China's expanding role in Pakistan's water infrastructure not as routine cooperation but as a calculated counter to Indian influence . Headlines proclaim , 'China is helping Pakistan crack India's water strategy,' positioning Beijing as a hydropower ally in Pakistan's rivalry with India. As overt military tensions between India and Pakistan subside, Chinese digital discourse is increasingly casting water as a frontline of strategic competition in the region. Some commentary goes further, invoking national security rhetoric. A Baidu post warns, India's strike on the Chinese-built Neelum–Jhelum dam opens a new front, one that could internationalise the region's water tensions. India said Pakistan's claims of such an attack are a ''blatant lie'. Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, remarked that 'water sharing among China, India, and Pakistan must be governed by international and treaty obligations, adding that third-party upstream nations may intervene if downstream flows are threatened.' The tone on Chinese platforms is often combative. 'Pakistan is no longer afraid of being cut off from India!' posted one Weibo user, citing Chinese-backed dams as strategic shields. Another claimed, 'the war over water escalates! India provoked three times; Pakistan showed off its China-built dam, water crisis is history!' South Asia expert Long Xingchun commented that 'China's intervention was calibrated, supporting Pakistan without provoking open conflict with India. China stepped in this time to pinch the flame and prevent South Asia from blowing up.' Also read: India needs to focus on winning in Kashmir, not fighting Pakistan China's strategic framing Projects like the Mohmand Dam are not framed as technical endeavours but as symbols of strategic alignment. Built by China Gezhouba Group Corporation, a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Corporation, the dam's progress is widely celebrated in Chinese media and is described as China's commitment to Pakistan's infrastructure and energy resilience. Chinese reports emphasise its expected benefits: Irrigation for 16,700 hectares, annual generation of 2.86 billion kWh, and enhanced flood control and water supply. One Chinese article posed the question: Have you ever thought a dam could be a shield for national security as well as a power source? It dubbed the Mohmand project Pakistan's 'water freedom guarantee'—a striking example of how hydropower is framed as strategic autonomy. Chinese discourse around the Mohmand and Diamer–Bhasha dams frequently invoke Balochistan, implying that unrest there is part of a broader strategy to disrupt Chinese investments and derail the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Some posts even claim that India is fuelling separatist sentiment in the region to weaken these infrastructure ventures. However, a Chinese commentator argues, 'while Pakistan's reliance on the Indus River remains precarious, the situation is gradually improving thanks to its close ties with China. With strong Chinese backing, major water projects like the Diamer Bhasha Dam—often dubbed Pakistan's 'Three Gorges Project'—and the planned Kalabagh Dam are making steady progress.' Criticism of India is a constant. A post from the South Asian Studies ewsletter, run by young scholars and commentators, asserts: 'India's 'water weapon' strategy is a double-edged sword—one that may exacerbate regional tensions and ultimately harm India's own interests. This notion of 'hydro-hegemony' has become central to how Chinese platforms frame India's water diplomacy.' Also read: The next wars will be silent—fought with semiconductors, software, invisible lines of code China showcases hydro diplomacy Ultimately, China is using hydropower to assert soft and hard power in tandem. On social media and in state-run commentary, water infrastructure is depicted not merely as development assistance but as a tool of regional rebalancing. As one Weibo user asked, 'Can China rewrite the pattern of water distribution in South Asia?' Chinese discourse strongly suggests it can—and that it is already doing so. These narratives portray China not only as Pakistan's all-weather partner but also as a regional power reshaping the region's hydro politics. For Beijing, water diplomacy serves both to bolster Pakistan's defences against Indian influence and to safeguard its investments and interests in the CPEC. For India, the prospect of a two-front challenge has rarely felt more concrete. Sana Hashmi is fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. She tweets @sanahashmi1. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Euronews
19-05-2025
- Euronews
Three killed in lightning strike a Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple site
Three people have been killed and several others injured after they were struck by lightning during a visit to Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat temple complex. They group had been seeking shelter around the main temple of the UNESCO site when the lightning strike happened late on Friday afternoon. Video posted on social media showed two ambulances arriving in the aftermath and onlookers and site officials carrying some of the injured people and helping others out on foot. Other images showed multiple people being treated in hospital. The day after the incident, Cambodia's Minister of Tourism Hout Hak issued a statement telling people to take down online posts about the incident, saying the spreading of "negative information" could harm the country's tourism sector. Authorities have released no information about the strike, but an official on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed to the Associated Press that the three people killed were all Cambodian nationals. The Cambodian Red Cross also posted an update saying it had delivered care packages to the families of two of the victims, a 34-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. The Red Cross refused to comment further by phone. A spokesman for the Angkor Wat site did not respond to requests for comment, nor did a regional health official. Angkor Wat is Cambodia's best-known tourist attraction, attracting some 2.5 million visitors annually and is featured prominently on the country's flag. UNESCO calls the site, which sprawls across some 400 square kilometres and contains the ruins of Khmer Empire capitals from the 9th to the 15th centuries, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Cambodia has been actively developing the area to attract more visitors, including opening a new $1.1 billion (€890 million) Chinese-funded airport in nearby Siem Reap. Its move to relocate some 10,000 families squatting in the Angkor Wat area to a new settlement has drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups and UNESCO itself has also expressed concern. Cambodian authorities have said the families are being voluntarily relocated, but Amnesty International and other groups have questioned how voluntary those relocations have been.
Rhyl Journal
19-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Three killed in lightning strike at Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple
They had been seeking shelter around the main temple of the Unesco site when the lightning struck late on Friday afternoon. Video posted on social media showed two ambulances arriving in the aftermath and onlookers and site officials carrying out some injured people and helping others out on foot. Other images showed multiple people being treated in hospital. The day after the incident, Cambodia's minister of tourism Hout Hak issued a statement telling people to take down online posts about it, saying the spreading of 'negative information' could harm the country's tourism sector. Authorities have released no information about the incident, but an official confirmed to The Associated Press that three people – all Cambodian – were killed in the lightning strike. The Cambodian Red Cross also posted an update saying it had delivered care packages to the families of two of the victims, a 34-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. A spokesman for the Angkor Wat site did not respond to requests for comment, nor did a regional health official. Cambodia's government under Prime Minister Hun Manet keeps a tight grip on information, and has been accused by rights groups of using the court system to prosecute critics and political opponents. Hun Manet in 2023 succeeded his father, Hun Sen, who was widely criticised for the suppression of freedom of speech during his nearly four decades of autocratic rule. Angkor Wat is Cambodia's best-known tourist attraction, attracting some 2.5 million visitors annually, and is even featured on the country's flag. Unesco calls the site, which sprawls across some 155 square miles and contains the ruins of Khmer Empire capitals from the 9th to the 15th centuries, one of the most important archaeological sites in southeast Asia. Cambodia has been actively developing the area to attract more visitors, including opening a new 1.1 billion dollar (£827 million) Chinese-funded airport in nearby Siem Reap. Its move to relocate some 10,000 families squatting in the Angkor Wat area to a new settlement has drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups, however, and Unesco itself has expressed concern. Cambodian authorities have said the families were being voluntarily relocated, but Amnesty International and others have questioned how voluntary the relocations actually have been.
