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Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Takes Another Step Toward Global Political Power
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The launch of a new mechanism for resolving international disputes last week could enable China to further extend its influence in the Global South. China was joined by 32 other founding members in Hong Kong on May 30 to launch the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), which Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi hailed as "an example of civilization's belief in harmony." Why It Matters Unlike existing institutions such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague and the International Court of Justice, the IOMed aims to facilitate the resolution of international disputes through bilateral mediation. That dozens of nations—from Indonesia to Serbia—have already signed on signals China's growing influence at a time when the United States under President Donald Trump retreats from global institutions like the World Health Organization and cuts funding for longstanding tools of American soft power such as USAID. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department and Chinese Foreign Ministry with emailed requests for comment. What To Know In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Wang praised the newly minted framework as filling an "institutional gap" while aligning with Chinese President Xi Jinping's preference for resolving disagreements through dialogue and consultation. "China has been actively exploring ways of hotspot issue settlement that carry the Chinese touch, so as to lend our thoughts to countries seeking to resolve problems or disagreements with others," Wang said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, attends the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30, 2025. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, attends the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on May 30, 2025. Jonathan Lee/Associated Press He added that the Hong Kong-headquartered IOMed was established in accordance with the United Nations Charter and will promote decision-making on an egalitarian basis in pursuit of "win-win outcomes." Wang's comments echoed past Chinese criticisms of countries that act outside of bilateral negotiations with the East Asian country. One standout example is the Philippines, which in recent years has publicized China's expansion into its neighbor's maritime zone, despite a 2016 decision at the Permanent Court of Arbitration that dismissed Beijing's sweeping claims over much of the South China Sea. China has accused the U.S. ally of "hyping" the issue and involving Washington and other outside powers, urging Manila to return to bilateral talks. China has also repeatedly criticized "unilateral sanctions" imposed by the United States on Chinese and allied officials and has portrayed Beijing as a defender of the international trade system amid Trump's tariff blitz since April. China holds considerable leverage over many of the IOMed's members, such as close allies Pakistan and Cambodia, and is a top trading partner—and major creditor—to many others. The ceremony was attended by representatives of about 50 other countries and some 20 organizations, including the UN. Hong Kong leader John Lee said the organization could begin its work as early as the end of this year. What People Are Saying Yueming Yan, law professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told The Associated Press: While the International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration focus on adjudication and arbitration, IOMed introduces a structured, institutionalized form of alternative dispute resolution—namely, mediation—on a global scale." Balthasar Staehelin, the International Committee of the Red Cross' China envoy, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "The new International Organization for Mediation, headquartered in Hong Kong, has been established. The ICRC looks forward to continued engagement on IHL, conflict prevention and peace." What's Next Beiing's handpicked leader John Lee said the IOMed could begin operating as early as the end of this year. This article included reporting from the Associated Press.
Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Pakistan 'ready but not desperate' for talks with India, says foreign minister
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, attends the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, China May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Bertha Wang/File Photo Pakistan 'ready but not desperate' for talks with India, says foreign minister ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is "ready but not desperate" for talks with arch-rival India, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, underlining the lack of a thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours following their worst military conflict in decades. Both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery last month in four days of clashes, their worst fighting in decades, before a ceasefire the U.S. said it brokered on May 10. India has denied any third party role in the ceasefire. "Whenever they ask for a dialogue, at whatever level, we are ready but we are not desperate," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference in Islamabad. The spark for the fighting was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. Dar said Pakistan wanted a comprehensive dialogue on a range of issues including water, whereas India wanted to focus only on terrorism. "That's not on. Nobody else is more serious than us. It takes two to tango," he said, referring to comments by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that the talks should only cover the issue of terrorism. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Dar's remarks. New Delhi has previously said the only matter left to discuss with Pakistan was the vacation of what India describes as Pakistani-held territory in Kashmir - a disputed Himalayan region that both nations claim in full but rule in part. Pakistan is keen to discuss water rights after India held "in abeyance" the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 attack. The treaty guarantees water for 80% of Pakistan's farms from three rivers that flow from India. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Pakistan open, 'not desperate' for talks with arch-rival India, says foreign minister
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, attends the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, China May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Bertha Wang/File Photo Pakistan open, 'not desperate' for talks with arch-rival India, says foreign minister ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is "ready but not desperate" for talks with arch-rival India, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, in remarks that underline the lack of a thaw between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following their worst military conflict in decades. Both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery last month in four days of clashes, their worst fighting in decades, before agreeing to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10. "Whenever they ask for a dialogue, at whatever level, we are ready but we are not desperate," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference in Islamabad. The spark for the recent fighting between the old enemies was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. Dar said Pakistan wanted a comprehensive dialogue on a range of issues including water, whereas India wanted to focus only on terrorism. "That's not on. Nobody else is more serious than us. It takes two to tango," he said, referring to comments by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that the talks should only cover the issue of terrorism. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Dar's remarks. New Delhi has previously said that terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. Pakistan is keen to discuss water rights after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 attack. The treaty guarantees water for 80% of Pakistan's farms from three rivers that flow from India. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
04-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Pakistan open, 'not desperate' for talks with arch-rival India, says foreign minister
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, attends the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, China May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Bertha Wang/File Photo ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan is "ready but not desperate" for talks with arch-rival India, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, in remarks that underline the lack of a thaw between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following their worst military conflict in decades. Both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery last month in four days of clashes, their worst fighting in decades, before agreeing to aU.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10. "Whenever they ask for a dialogue, at whatever level, we are ready but we are not desperate," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference in Islamabad. The spark for the recent fighting between the old enemies was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. Dar said Pakistan wanted a comprehensive dialogue on a range of issues including water, whereas India wanted to focus only on terrorism. "That's not on. Nobody else is more serious than us. It takes two to tango," he said, referring to comments by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that the talks should only cover the issue of terrorism. The Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Dar's remarks. New Delhi has previously said that terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. Pakistan is keen to discuss water rights after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 attack. The treaty guarantees water for 80% of Pakistan's farms from three rivers that flow from India. (Reporting by Asif ShahzadEditing by Gareth Jones)
Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China tells US envoy Washington must get ties back on 'right track'
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong, China May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Bertha Wang/File Photo China tells US envoy Washington must get ties back on 'right track' BEIJING - The U.S. should create the necessary conditions for bilateral relations to get back onto "the right track," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the U.S. ambassador to Beijing on Tuesday, according to a ministry statement. After trade talks last month in Geneva, China has "conscientiously and strictly" implemented the consensus reached by both sides, but it is "regrettable that the U.S. recently introduced a series of 'negative' measures", which China firmly opposes, Wang told Ambassador David Perdue. Bilateral relations are at a critical juncture, and dialogue and cooperation are "the only correct choice," Wang said. Perdue said in an X post after the meeting that he had emphasized U.S. President Donald Trump's priorities on trade, fentanyl, and illegal immigration, adding that "communication is vital" to U.S.-China relations. Trump on Friday accused China of violating a bilateral deal to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions，and the U.S. has ordered curbs on chip design software and other shipments to China. The Geneva truce to dial back triple-digit tariffs for 90 days prompted a massive relief rally in global stocks. But it did nothing to address the underlying reasons for Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods, mainly longstanding U.S. complaints about China's state-dominated, export-driven economic model. Senior U.S. officials have said this week that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would speak soon to iron out trade issues, including a dispute over critical minerals and China's restrictions on exports of certain minerals. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a regular news briefing on Tuesday the Trump administration "is actively monitoring China's compliance with the Geneva trade agreement," and added that "there will be a leader to leader talk very soon." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
