Latest news with #foreignaffairs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
False update about China travel policy for Pakistanis spreads online
China's foreign affairs ministry has not removed Pakistan from its list of visa-free countries during an update in June 2025, contrary to rumours swirling online. A review of an earlier list before the recent update found visitors from the South Asian nation had always required visas to enter China. "China has removed Pakistan from the list of visa-free countries," reads a post on X published on July 14, 2025. The post carries a graphic of Chinese President Xi Jinping holding a list of countries titled "Visa-Free Countries". Text on the graphic says: "China just announced 'visa-free entry for 74 countries' but 'Pakistan didn't make the list." It also shares a link to a website. Similar posts also surfaced on Threads and Facebook. A keyword search on Google found the latest lists published in July detailing visa exemptions granted by China to foreign citizens holding valid ordinary passports visiting for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit (archived here and here). Compared with a previous list on May 22, the only change is to grant visa-free access to four more countries announced on June 9. No countries have been removed, and Pakistan has not been on the earlier lists (archived link). It is also not covered in China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, according to the National Immigration Agency (archived link). Visa-free access to China is only given to Pakistani citizens holding diplomatic or official passports (archived link). "I confirm that we were not on the list so no question of removal," Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan told AFP on July 28, 2025. China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad used Chinese jets in the conflict with India in May (archived link).
CTV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Canada left in a ‘vulnerable position' after U.S. and EU reach trade deal
Watch Former foreign affairs minister Peter MacKay says Canada 'is on the outside looking in' as the deadline for an agreement with the U.S. looms.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus S.Lukashevich receives copies of Credentials of the Ambassador of Ethiopia
On July 28, 2025 the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Sergey Lukashevich, received copies of Credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of Belarus with residence in Moscow,Genet Teshome Jirru. During the meeting, topical issues of developing friendly Belarusian-Ethiopian relations were discussed, including deepening political dialogue, increasing trade and economic cooperation, expanding educational and humanitarian ties. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
A US Defense Strategy Is Coming, Just Not From the President
Does US President Donald Trump have a strategy in foreign affairs? I don't mean a slogan, such as 'peace through strength' or America First. Nor do I mean mere instinct, such as hitting weak adversaries (the Houthis, say, or Iran) while ducking from confrontations that look more dangerous (with Russia, say). I'm talking about strategy as the likes of Carl von Clausewitz thought about it: the definition of clear and big political goals, and the alignment of the available means with those ends.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
John Swinney is accused of 'grandstanding' after holding private talks with top European official
John Swinney has been accused of 'grandstanding' on issues outside his remit during private talks with a top European official who was in Scotland to meet Donald Trump. The First Minister met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Glasgow. The talks happened on Saturday evening without any media being alerted about the meeting, with officials disclosing yesterday that 'the UK's relationship with the European Union ' was discussed, as well as the current situation in Gaza and Ukraine, and Scotland's 'important partnership' with Europe. International relations are reserved to Westminster and Scottish ministers are supposed to stick to devolved areas when holding talks with overseas political leaders. The Scottish Government last night confirmed that no officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) were present despite the First Minister's discussions covering foreign affairs. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'John Swinney may enjoy meeting international leaders and grandstanding about issues outwith the SNP 's remit. 'But most Scots would prefer him to reduce taxes, put businesses on an equal footing with firms in other parts of the UK, and repair the damage his government has inflicted on essential services like our schools and NHS.' Mr Swinney met Ms von der Leyen on Saturday after she arrived in Scotland to hold talks about an EU/US trade deal with President Trump at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire. Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet the President to discuss issues including a ceasefire in Gaza and the UK's trade deal with the US today at the same venue. Mr Swinney is also due to hold talks with the President during his four-night stay in Scotland. Labour peer Lord George Foulkes said Mr Swinney's discussions with Ms von der Leyen about reserved issues are a 'huge concern'. He said: 'He is interfering in areas which they [the Scottish Government] do not have responsibility. They don't know the sensitivities, they don't have the advice of the FCDO and MOD specialists, so they are not advised properly and they cause confusion if they give different messages from the UK Government. 'On all those reserved areas, the UK Government speaks for Scotland just as much as the rest of the UK. This is them pretending to be independent, which is a total nonsense.' He also raised concerns that Mr Swinney could cause further confusion during his planned talks with Mr Trump. Lord Foulkes said: 'There could be a confusion of the message to Ursula von der Leyen and indeed to Trump. 'He is going to talk about trade to President Trump. Trade is a reserved area. It's an absolute nonsense and perpetuates the myth that Scotland is somehow different to the rest of the UK.' Mr Swinney last night confirmed he will raise 'global humanitarian issues' which are 'at the forefront of many people's minds' with the President. He said: 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza and the need for an urgent ceasefire.' Humza Yousaf, Mr Swinney's predecessor, sparked a row with the previous Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron after holding private talks about Gaza with the president of Turkey without UK Government representatives in attendance. Protocols require FCDO officials to attend meetings between representatives of the devolved administrations and representatives of foreign governments. After Mr Yousaf's talks with Mr Erdogan, Lord Cameron threatened to throw Scottish Government officials out of overseas Foreign Office premises if there are any more breaches of the protocol. The Scottish Government said FCDO officials 'assisted in facilitating' the meeting between Mr Swinney and Ms von der Leyen. Sir Keir will meet the US Trump for a formal bilateral meeting this afternoon. Afterwards, they are due to travel for a 'private engagement' at Mr Trump's other Scottish venue on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire, which is expected to include dinner. Details of the Menie engagement have been kept under wraps and Downing Street was unable to confirm if the Prime Minister will take part in a round of golf. Sir Keir will risk a major clash with Mr Trump by raising Gaza. Last week, Mr Trump said Hamas 'didn't really want to make a deal' on a new Gaza ceasefire deal. A Number 10 spokesman said: 'The leaders are expected to talk about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. 'The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 'He will discuss further with him what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long.' Sir Keir is hoping to use the talks to display the strength of the UK/US relationship. It comes ahead of the President's State visit to the UK in September.
