Latest news with #StimsonCentre
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
US visa crackdown echoes Trump's first term, while China's response marks shift in tone
Washington's visa crackdown on Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party closely mirrors restrictions imposed during US President Donald Trump's first administration, which at the time prompted Beijing to accuse the US of 'regime change'. However, this time, Beijing's response has been notably restrained, with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday denouncing the move as 'discriminatory' and lodging diplomatic protests. Despite Beijing's unease over discussions about party connections, observers suggested China's measured approach stemmed from its focus on crucial trade negotiations with the Trump administration, and a belief that such policies would ultimately backfire and harm the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a brief statement on Wednesday that the US would 'aggressively revoke' visas for Chinese students, specifically those with connections to the ruling party or studying in 'critical fields', while tightening scrutiny of visa applications from mainland China and Hong Kong. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday called the move 'politically motivated and discriminatory', saying it had used ideology and national security as a pretext and would 'further damage' America's global image and reputation. Yun Sun, director of the China programme and co-director of the East Asia programme at the Stimson Centre in Washington, said much remained unclear about the latest plan, as specific criteria for visa revocation and its potential scope had yet to be disclosed.
Mint
21-05-2025
- Science
- Mint
What a giant stingray says about the Mekong
The Economist Published 21 May 2025, 03:49 PM IST It took a dozen men to load Boramy, a giant stingray, onto the scales. At just under 300kg, she is the biggest freshwater fish ever weighed. She was caught by a Cambodian fisherman on the Mekong, South-East Asia's longest river, on June 13th. She was the fourth giant stingray recorded in the area in the past few months. She swam away tagged. The discovery of such a large fish has cheered conservationists. The Mekong river, which starts in the Tibetan plateau and snakes through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, feeding some 66m people along the way, is home to more species of huge freshwater fish than any other in the world. But they are suffering. In the past 50 years the population of giant fish has dropped by 94%. Dams are part of the problem. Over 140 of them have been built on the Mekong and its tributaries to feed the region's growing demand for electricity. Dozens more are under construction. Dams alter the amount and quality of water and nutrients in the river. They also block fish from migrating. Changing weather patterns do not help. The wet season is shorter than it used to be and tends to start later, says Courtney Weatherby of the Stimson Centre, a think-tank. Between 2019 and 2021, the water level in the Mekong was the lowest since records began 60 years ago. Poor dam management, climate change and El Niño, a weather pattern that affects rainfall in the region, are all thought to contribute to the problem. That Boramy is both massive and alive shows that pockets of the river remain resilient and worth protecting. Her discovery also points to improving relations between fishermen and conservationists. Her captor could have sold her as food. Instead he called Wonders of the Mekong, a local conservation group, which paid him some $600 to keep Boramy alive so that she could be tagged and released. Villagers along the river are also paid modestly to maintain the acoustic receivers that pick up signals from the group's tags. Conservationists hope that by tracking Boramy, they will learn which parts of the river to protect, including breeding and birthing spots. But big fish may yet lose out to big hydropower. A new dam is being proposed just upstream of where Boramy was found.
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
China's J10-C jets in spotlight after Pakistan-India conflict
While China pours hundreds of billions of dollars into defence spending each year, it lags far behind the United States as an arms exporter. China's drones are used in counter-terrorism operations, and its weapons have been deployed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen and against rebel forces in African countries, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) senior researcher Siemon Wezeman told AFP. 'But this is the first time since the 1980s that a state has used large numbers of Chinese weapons of many types in action against another state,' said Wezeman, referencing the Iran-Iraq war when they were used on both sides. 'Primary option' Pakistan accounts for around 63% of China's arms exports, according to conflict and arms-research institute SIPRI. In the recent fighting, Pakistan used the J10-C Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder planes, armed with air-to-air missiles. It was the first time the J10-C has been used in active combat, said the Stimson Centre's Yun Sun. Islamabad's air defences also used Chinese kit – including the HQ-9P long-range surface-to-air missile system – and deployed Chinese radar as well as armed and reconnaissance drones. 'This was the first sustained fight where the bulk of Pakistan's forces used Chinese weapons and, basically, relied on them as their primary option,' said Bilal Khan, founder of the Toronto-based Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group. India has not officially confirmed any of its aircraft were lost, although a senior security source told AFP three jets had crashed on home soil, without giving the make or cause. Rafale maker Dassault has also not commented. The Rafale is considered one of Europe's most high-tech jets, while the J10-C 'is not even China's most advanced', said James Char from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. But if Pakistan's claims are true, 'this should not be surprising... considering that the Rafale is a multi-role fighter, whereas the J-10C was built for aerial combat and is also equipped with a stronger radar,' Char said. The Chinese air defence systems, however, 'do not appear to have been as effective as the Pakistan Air Force would have hoped', said Quwa's Khan, after India said it had neutralised one near the eastern border city of Lahore. If true, said SIPRI's Wezeman, that 'would be a bigger success and more than balance the loss of some aircraft in the process'. 'Significant reorientation' In the days after the dogfight reports, J10-C maker Chengdu Aircraft Company's stock soared over 40%. 'We most likely will see more orders going to Chinese contractors,' said the Stimson Centre's Sun. However, 'it will take time and significant reorientation by Chinese arms manufacturers for the country to be a big arms exporter', said Jennifer Kavanagh from the US think tank Defence Priorities. She noted that China 'cannot mass-produce certain key inputs, including aircraft engines'. Wezeman said he thought the stock markets 'overreacted', as 'we still have to see how well all the weapons used worked and if it really means much'. Even if more data emerges, the conflict still does not reveal much about the Chinese military's own capabilities, the analysts said. China's own systems and weapons are much more advanced than what it exports. And while having high-tech hardware is important, 'much more important is how those weapons are used', said Kavanagh. Brian Hart of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said he would caution against 'reading too much' into recent developments. 'I don't think you can make direct comparisons to how these Chinese-made systems would fare in different environments against more advanced adversaries like the United States,' he explained. 'Since the number of data points is small and since we don't know much about the proficiency and training of the personnel on either side, it is hard to draw definitive conclusions.'
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Istanbul talks lay bare Kyiv-Moscow chasm
THE first high-level talks between Russia and Ukraine since the early months of Moscow's 2022 invasion showed they are far from agreement on steps needed for a ceasefire, even though they promised a major swap of prisoners of war. A window for more diplomacy remains ajar, however, after the sworn enemies agreed in principle to hold further talks, the foreign minister of host country Turkiye said, a crucial point for United States President Donald Trump, who wants a rapid peace. The negotiators' promises to release a thousand prisoners of war, to meet again for talks and to present their vision for a ceasefire were "substantial steps", said Peter Slezkine, a senior fellow and director of the Russia programme at Stimson Centre. "I do think that they are a very hopeful sign, because the two sides coming into direct contact is an important development," he said. Ukraine, the US and other Western countries have called for a 30-day ceasefire without preconditions to allow for peace talks. Russia, which controls almost a fifth of Ukraine, has shown little appetite for concessions, repeating demands such as Ukraine withdrawing from and recognising Russian control over four Ukrainian regions that the Kremlin now claims as its own but does not fully control. The measured tones of statements by both sides that followed the talks did little to paper over the chasm between them. A Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters that Russia made demands at the talks that were "detached from reality and go far beyond anything that was previously discussed". The Kremlin's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, suggested after the negotiations that Russia could fight on for as long as it needed to achieve its aims. Invoking tsarist military victories in a 21-year war against Sweden in the 18th century, he said Kyiv was merely deepening its own demise by resisting Russia's peace demands. The closest things to a blueprint for a peace deal that have yet to emerge are proposals circulated by the US and counterproposals by Europe and Ukraine at talks last month, which Reuters has obtained. On Saturday, a senior Ukrainian government source said Russia's latest demands in Istanbul included Kyiv renouncing its desire for reparations, international recognition of five parts of Ukraine as Russian and that Ukraine becomes a neutral state. The demands went further than either the US or Ukrainian and European proposals. One of the senior Ukrainian officials who took part in the abortive series of 2022 talks with Russia that failed to stop the war told Reuters that the engagement in Istanbul had panned out as expected. "This is the beginning of the journey. Demands are always exaggerated at the start of any negotiations. That's classic," the source said. The fragile outcome of the talks puts the ball once again in Trump's court. He abruptly changed tack on Thursday, a day before the negotiations, saying he needed to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for there to be a breakthrough. His remark put paid — for now — to Europe's hopes of pushing Washington to impose a fresh blast of sanctions on Russia. If that happened, it would be a milestone moment in Trump's fledgling presidency, during which he has so far shown sympathies towards Russia and torn up the pro-Ukraine policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Just last weekend, the leaders of four major European powers travelled to Kyiv, threatening Russia with more sanctions if it did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire from May 12, a position they said the US supported. When Putin then suggested talks instead of a ceasefire, Trump told Zelenskyy in a social media post to immediately agree and made no mention of looming Russia sanctions, despite signalling for weeks that he is frustrated with what he has said could be foot-dragging by Putin. Zelenskyy, anxious not to alienate Trump, proposed direct talks with Putin. The Kremlin leader did not respond until the eleventh hour, when he named a delegation excluding not only himself but also any of his full-fledged ministers. "You don't send undertakers to a wedding," Vladimir Pastukhov, a Russian political analyst, said of Medinsky's nomination as delegation head, alluding to his role on the Russian delegation in the failed 2022 talks.
Euronews
10-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
India accuses Pakistan of breaking ceasefire in Kashmir
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have started talks with Chinese officials, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, in Geneva. The goal is to ease a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, which could harm global markets. Diplomats confirmed the talks had begun but did not disclose the location. However, a convoy of black cars was seen entering the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the UN. A diplomatic source speaking anonymously said the two sides met for two hours before going to a pre-arranged lunch. Hopes for a major breakthrough are low, but both countries may agree to reduce the high tariffs they have imposed on each other's goods. Last month, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese products to 145%, and China retaliated with a 125% levy on American imports. Before the talks, Trump suggested the US could lower tariffs, posting on social media, "80% Tariff seems right! Up to Scott." Sun Yun, a China expert at the Stimson Centre, said this is the first direct meeting between Bessent and He Lifeng, but she doubts it will lead to significant outcomes. Sun Yun noted 'The best scenario is for the two sides to agree to de-escalate on the ... tariffs at the same time,' she said, adding even a small reduction would send a positive signal. 'It cannot just be words.' Since Trump's return to the White House, he has aggressively used tariffs as his favourite economic weapon. For example, almost every country in the world has been hit by a 10% tax on imports. The trade dispute began in Trump's first term when the US alleged that China uses unfair methods to gain an advantage in advanced technologies. This included forcing US and foreign companies to share trade secrets, using government funds to support domestic firms, and stealing technology. In 2020, the two countries signed a 'Phase One' agreement, where the US paused further tariff increases, and China agreed to buy more American goods. But China did not fully meet those purchase promises, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The US trade deficit with China reached €233 billion last year. Trump has used tariffs as a key trade tool, not only against China but also against other countries. In Switzerland, Bessent and Greer also met Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. Trump recently suspended a plan to impose a 31% tariff on Swiss goods, currently maintaining a 10% rate. Switzerland is worried about the impact on its key industries, including watches, coffee capsules, cheese, and chocolate. The Swiss government said it is not planning to retaliate against US tariffs for now, noting that 99% of American goods can enter Switzerland duty-free following a tariff cut last year. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said late on Saturday that Pakistan had repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement between the two countries. 'We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility,' he told a news conference in New Delhi. Misri added that the Indian army was 'retaliating' against what he described as a 'border intrusion.' Hours earlier Pakistan's foreign minister said that his country would consider de-escalation if India stopped any further attacks. He said Saudi Arabia and also Turkey played an important role in facilitating the ceasefire deal, which came into effect at 4.30 pm local time. It has fully reopened its airspace for all types of flights. Indian Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told a news conference in New Delhi that her country was committed to 'non-escalation, provided the Pakistan side reciprocates.' On his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump said he was pleased to announce that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. 'Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' read his post. On Saturday, a Pakistani official said at least 11 people were killed and 56 others wounded in what he said was Indian shelling in several areas near the Line of Control in Kashmir. The country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said Pakistan had responded after India's overnight missile attacks at air bases and other places. India denies hitting civilian targets. Gunmen shot and killed at least 26 tourists at Pahalgam resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir on 22 April, which was a major shift in a regional conflict that has largely spared civilians. The unidentified gunmen also wounded 17 other people. A group called Kashmir Resistance, which India accuses Pakistan of backing, claimed the attack. The fresh round of confrontation was yet another escalation of a decades-long conflict over the disputed Kashmir region that began after a bloody partition of India in 1947. The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, where they met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Shortly afterwards, they laid flowers at a makeshift flag memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers at Kyiv's Independence Square during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making his first visit to Ukraine as Germany's new chancellor. Along with US President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict. In March, the United States proposed an immediate 30-day truce in the war, which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for ceasefire terms more to its liking. 'We reiterate our backing for President Trump's calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace,' the leaders said in a joint statement. 'Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace." Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak wrote on his Telegram: 'There is a lot of work, a lot of topics to discuss. We need to end this war with a just peace. We need to force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire." Later in the day, the leaders were expected to host a virtual meeting alongside Zelenskyy to update other leaders on the progress being made for a future so-called 'coalition of the willing' that would help Ukraine's armed forces after a peace deal and potentially deploy troops to Ukraine to police any future peace agreement with Russia.
