VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: May 27, 2019

PAKISTAN

CPEC expanding to new sectors, says Chinese VP: Dawn
May 27, 2019

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan opened his three-day visit to Islamabad on Sunday by recalling the strength of the bilateral relationship and expressing the resolve that Pakistan and China would continue to safeguard each other’s interests. On the first day of the trip, VP Wang inaugurated a number of projects along with Prime Minister Imran Khan and the two leaders witnessed signing of several agreements. Soon after his arrival at Chaklala airbase, VP Wang spoke at a meeting of “Friends of Silk Road” hosted by the Pakistan-China Institute. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Rival Candidates Accuse Ghani Of ‘Law Violation, Bullying’: Tolo News
May 27, 2019

In response to recent appointments made by President Ashraf Ghani, the Council of Presidential Candidates on Sunday accused Ghani of “bullying and violating the laws of the country”. They said that recent appointments and dismissals in the government indicate that Ghani had no respect for the laws. In a new move, Ghani appointed Abdul Tawab Balakarzai as Acting Minister of Higher Education, but the move sparked a strong backlash from his critics, mainly those facing Ghani in the upcoming presidential elections. “The former president (incumbent President Ashraf Ghani) has come to know it now that his government is an illegal government and he has no option except to resort on bullying,” said presidential candidate Shahab Hakimi. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Four killed and three injured in separate cylinder blasts in Kathmandu: Kathmandu Post
May 27, 2019

Four people died and three others were injured in two separate explosions in the Capital on Sunday in a sudden escalation of violence and a grim reminder of days during the Maoist insurgency before the 2006 peace agreement. According to police, three people died when a cooking gas cylinder exploded inside a hair salon in Sukedhara and the fourth person died in another cylinder explosion in Ghattekulo. Click here to read... [4]

BANGLADESH

India-Bangladesh officials to discuss border issues: Business Standard
May 27, 2019

The India-Bangladesh District Magistrate-Deputy Commissioner level meeting would be held here on Monday to discuss border-related issues including crime as well as terrorism, an official said on Sunday. "District Magistrates of three Tripura districts and their Bangladeshi counterparts would meet here tomorrow (Monday). The one-day meet would discuss border-related issues including crimes, human trafficking, infiltration and terrorist activities," North Tripura District Magistrate C.K. Jamatia told IANS. Click here to read... [5]

CHINA

Xi envisions cooperation on big data: People's Daily
May 27, 2019

President Xi Jinping called on Sunday for strengthened cooperation among countries to explore opportunities of digital, internet-based intelligent development and to properly address legal, security and governance challenges arising from big data industry development. Click here to read... [6]

Commentary: China's utmost sincerity in trade talks a sign of strength: Xinhuanet
May 27, 2019

Scapegoating China for its trade imbalance and even some of its domestic economic issues, the United States is attempting to squeeze an unequal trade deal out of China, using measures such as tariff hikes and targeting its tech companies. The United States' unilateral and protectionist act has unnerved the wider international community, as many are concerned that a trade war between the world's two largest economies would hit the brakes on the already slow global economic growth. Click here to read... [7]