VIF Neighborhood News Digest: September 9, 2019

PAKISTAN

PM Imran assures China of CPEC projects’ speedy execution: Dawn
September 9, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday Pakistan was committed to timely completion of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and hoped that more Chinese companies would make investments in the country. During his meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the prime minister highlighted the importance of the proposed CPEC authority for speedy execution of the projects. Click here to read..... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Iran ‘Gravely Concerned’ Over Afghanistan Situation: Zarif: Tolo
September 9, 2019

A day after US President Donald Trump called off negotiations with the Taliban, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that he is “gravely concerned" about Afghanistan". "Defeated foreigners must leave and fratricide must end; especially as foreigners can exploit the situation, bringing renewed bloodshed,” Mr. Zarif said in a tweet. “The Islamic Republic of Iran warns that foreigners and aggressors may cash in on the new situation in this country and trigger a fresh round of killing and bloodshed in Afghanistan,” Mr. Zarif said as quoted by Iran’s IFP news. “From our standpoint, aggressors and occupiers must concede defeat and leave Afghanistan as soon as possible,” he said. Click here to read..... [3]

BANGLADESH

Liberation War Museum signs MoU with Cambodian genocide museum: Dhaka Tribune
September 9, 2019

According to the MoU, the Liberation War Museum will present a travelling exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of genocide during the Liberation War of 1971, with TSGM set to host the exhibition in 2021. The Liberation War Museum in Bangladesh and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM) of Cambodia yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on the recording of incidents of genocide, as well as issues related to museum visits. Liberation War Museum Member Secretary Rabiul Husain and TSGM Director Chhay Visoth represented their respective sides at the signing ceremony, held on the sidelines of a discussion program at the Liberation War Museum premises at Agargaon, Dhaka. Click here to read..... [4]

Myanmar

Tatmadaw: Talks with alliance must be in Kyaingtong: The Myanmar Times
September 9, 2019

Tatmadaw (military) officials are ready to meet with representatives of the Northern Alliance of four ethnic armed groups only if the talks are held in Kyaingtong township in Shan State, according to U Zaw Htay, spokesman of the President’s Office. He said that during the first meeting between the alliance and government negotiators, the ethnic armed groups sought to have a meeting with the military. “The military will attend the meeting only if it is held in Kyaingtong. If not, the military will have difficulties attending,” U Zaw Htay said. Click here to read..... [5]

Sri Lanka

Picking up the right team essential to speed up development: Gota: Daily Mirror
September 9, 2019

Development and investment can be fast-tracked by picking the right team to deliver the promises of a new government, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate nominee Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday. Speaking at the Viyathmaga Annual Convention 2019 held at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo last evening, Mr. Rajapaksa, the Chairman of Viyathmaga, said he is convinced that investment and development can be fast tracked if a credible and firm decision making machinery is established within a transparent governance framework. Click here to read..... [6]

Bhutan

Government calls on private sector to create jobs: Kuensel
September 9, 2019

Labour and Human Resources Minister Ugyen Dorji called on the private sector to create employment opportunities at the opening of the 32nd annual general meeting (AGM) of Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) yesterday in Thimphu. The labour minister said the government’s plan to address the unemployment problem are linked with the development of the private sector. Click here to read..... [7]

Nepal

With the anniversary of constitution promulgation approaching, Congress proposes amendments: The Kathmandu Post
September 9, 2019

As the Constitution Day approaches, the Nepali Congress, under whose leadership the constitution was promulgated four years ago, has reiterated its commitment to amending the constitution as per the demands of marginalised groups, including the Madhesi and indigenous communities. A central working committee meeting of the party, which concluded last Tuesday, endorsed a 17-point contemporary political proposal presented by Joint General Secretary Prakash Sharan Mahat, who said that the party would make constitution amendment one of its protest agendas if the government failed to address them. Click here to read..... [8]

China

Can Hong Kong maintain its status amid protests despite Beijing’s push to turn Shenzhen into a financial hub? : South China Morning Post
September 9, 2019

As Beijing has whipped up the vitriol against Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters and exerted pressure on companies to act against “offenders”, it has also instituted a plan to elevate neighbour Shenzhen into a global model socialist city that it hopes will lead the nation into its next level of development. Click here to read..... [9]

PLA conducts joint land assault exercises near Taiwan: People’s Daily
September 9, 2019

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted a joint land assault exercise featuring multiple military branches near the island of Taiwan, which military experts said on Sunday shows the Chinese military is ready to unleash its full potential against Taiwan secessionist forces and intends to send a stern warning to countries that intervene in China's internal affairs. Click here to read..... [10]