VIF Neighborhood News Digest: January 29, 2020

PAKISTAN

PM Khan orders speedy completion of CPEC projects: Dawn
January 29, 2020

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said the ongoing development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be completed on a fast-track basis and directed to give final shape to the consultation process of the future plans on priority. Lauding the time-tested friendship with the northern neighbor, he said China had always supported Pakistan during the difficult times and CPEC was a manifestation of the multi-dimensional partnership between the two countries. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

War is Not Solution in Afghanistan: Abdullah: Tolo
January 29, 2020

The war is not the solution to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Tuesday, as senior negotiators from the US and the Taliban continue the talks in Doha, Qatar aimed at finding a political settlement to the war that has claimed thousands of Afghan lives, both military and civilian. Speaking at a gathering marking the 31st anniversary of killing of over 1,000 Afghans in an attack by the Soviet Forces in the Salang district of Northern Parwan province in 1989, Abdullah said that, for the sake of peace, he is ready to negotiate and talk to those who are at war with the Afghan people, referring indirectly to the Taliban. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Planes ready to evacuate 500 Bangladeshis from Wuhan: Dhaka Tribune
January 29, 2020

The government has kept aircraft ready to bring back about 500 Bangladeshi students living in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said yesterday. However, he added that the Bangladeshis in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, would not be able to return home before the end of the minimum two-week quarantine period. Talking to reporters after the inaugural session of a workshop on Universal Periodic Review at a Dhaka hotel, he said that at the moment, the government would not issue any travel alert for China in order to avoid causing panic among people. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar State Counsellor scolds protesting students in Nay Pyi Taw: Myanmar Times
January 29, 2020

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi scolded students who were protesting against the extension of the school year during an event in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday. Myanmar’s de facto leader was speaking at the Education Sector Development Seminar when students stood up and unfurled banners to protest against the one-month extension. "This kind of ceremony should not be exploited by a person, group or one's own views,” she said. “Such acts shouldn't have happened. One must know everyone has rights as well as responsibilities.” Click here to read... [5]

NEPAL

As other airports institute stringent screening, TIA installs thermal scanners and a health desk: The Kathmandu Post
January 29, 2020

Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport has activated an ‘airport emergency plan’ as part of its preparations to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, even as airlines cancel flights and adopt increasingly stringent screening measures. Airports and airlines in many countries are taking drastic steps to protect staff and passengers amid heightened concerns over the outbreak of a new virus originating from the Chinese city of Wuhan. Many airports have instituted mandatory health screenings of passengers from China while Chinese airlines are checking the temperature of every passenger before flying in and out. Click here to read... [6]

BHUTAN

Disagreement between NA and NC complicates legislative procedure: Kuenselonline
January 29, 2020

The National Assembly’s refusal to deliberate the Impeachment Procedure Bill 2019 and the Minister and Equivalent Post Holders’ Entitlement Bill 2019 has raised questions on the fate of the two Bills. There are no clear legal provisions on how to go about a Bill that is passed by one House but rejected by the other without deliberation. The Bills were passed in the summer session of the National Council (NC) last year. The Right to Information Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly in February 2014, became a dead Bill. Click here to read... [7]

CHINA

China reports 5,974 confirmed cases of new coronavirus pneumonia, 132 deaths: People’s Daily
January 29, 2020

Chinese health authorities announced Wednesday that 5,974 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions by the end of Tuesday. A total of 132 people have died of the disease. Click here to read... [8]

Xi: Nation engaged in 'serious battle’: China Daily
January 29, 2020

China has full confidence and capability to win the battle against the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday. Xi made the remark while meeting with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Click here to read... [9]