Solomons ready to sign security pact, denies pressure for China base

The Solomon Islands prime minister has told lawmakers that a controversial security agreement with China is “ready for signing” without revealing the details, saying only that his government had not been pressured to let China build a naval base in the country. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the remarks to Parliament late Tuesday, according to multiple news reports. Neighboring powers have expressed concern over the pact that China has defended as normal cooperation with Pacific island nation. “We are not pressured in any way by our new friends and there is no intention whatsoever to ask China to build a military base in the Solomon Islands,” Sogavare was quoted as saying. A draft agreement leaked online last week would allow Beijing to set up bases and deploy troops in the Solomon Islands, which lies about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from the northeastern coast of Australia. The document provoked fears in the region’s traditional powers, Australia and New Zealand, with the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying that her country sees the pact as “gravely concerning.” It is unclear whether the leaked draft differs from the final agreement. Sogavare told Parliament that in order to achieve the nation’s security needs, “it is clear that we need to diversify the country’s relationship with other countries” but existing security arrangements with Australia would remain. His policy of “diversification” was evident last November when Sogavare asked Australia, and after that China, to send police forces to help him quell violent riots that rocked the capital, Honiara. Alexander Vuving, a professor with the Hawaii-based Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, said Sogavare’s strategy is not unusual for leaders of small Pacific island states who are “willing to play the major powers off against each other, thus bloating their states’ values to the major powers.” A Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman said on Tuesday that “normal law enforcement and security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands … is consistent with international law and customary international practice.” “We hope relevant countries will earnestly respect Solomon Islands’ sovereignty and its independent decisions instead of deciding what others should and should not do in a condescending manner,” spokesman Wang Wenbin said. A file photo showing sailors stand on deck of the guided-missile destroyer Taiyuan of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy as during commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the navy near Qingdao in eastern China’s Shandong province, April 23, 2019. Credit: AP China’s growing presence in the Pacific Beijing doesn’t hide its ambition to set up military bases in the region. Some Chinese analysts, such as Qi Huaigao, an associate professor at Fudan University, suggested that in order to compete with the United States in the Western Pacific, China needs to have bases in Solomon Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu for commercial and military supply purposes. In 2018, media reports about China’s plan to build a base in Vanuatu prompted a stern warning from the then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. David Capie, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, told RFA earlier this week that China “wants to be able to operate its rapidly growing navy out in the wider Pacific, complicating U.S. plans in the event of a future conflict.” “A base in the Pacific would let People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels operate far away from their home ports for longer and in the future might also be used for intelligence gathering and surveillance,” he said. It would greatly boost China’s capabilities in intelligence-collecting which is alleged to have often been done by marine research vessels. Data provided by the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic show that China’s spacecraft-tracking ship Yuanwang-5 is currently operating in the Western Pacific, not far from the Solomon Islands. Yuanwang-class ships are “multi-purpose signals and technical intelligence gathering platforms,” said Paul Buchanan, director of the Auckland, New Zealand-based 36th Parallel Assessments risk consultancy. The Yuanwang-5’s presence is normal but “it would not be surprising if it makes a port visit to Honiara as part of the deployment in order to register the seriousness of China’s intent in the region,” Buchanan said.

Read More

China, Russia slam ‘illegal’ international sanctions targeting Putin over Ukraine

Russia and China further cemented their alliance on Wednesday, hitting out “illegal” international sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. “The ministers had a thorough exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement following talks between Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the eastern province of Anhui on Wednesday. “The head of the Russian foreign ministry informed his Chinese counterpart about the progress of the special military operation … and the dynamics of the negotiation process with the Kyiv regime,” the statement said. “The sides noted the counterproductive nature of the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and its satellites.” Wang and Lavrov, who were shown masked and bumping elbows on state TV in deference to CCP leader Xi Jinping’s zero-COVID policy, had agreed to continue to speak out on the issue “with a united voice,” it said. Both China and Russia also referenced their vision of a “multipolar” world order, implying a challenge to U.S. diplomatic and military power. China has refused to describe the war as an invasion, nor to condemn Russia’s military action in Ukraine, blaming eastward expansion by NATO for stoking security tensions with Russia and calling for the issue to be resolved through negotiation. The two foreign ministers also discussed strengthening coordination on foreign policy matters, and widening bilateral cooperation. ‘No limits’ Wang Yi was quoted as saying by state-backed Phoenix TV that Sino-Russian ties had “withstood the test of international turbulence,” amid an increased willingness to develop the relationship on both sides. “Our striving for peace has no limits, our upholding of security has no limits, our opposition towards hegemony has no limits,” Wang said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin meanwhile reiterated the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) line that Beijing sees this alliance as having unlimited potential. “There is no limit to China-Russia cooperation, no limit to our efforts to achieve peace, safeguard security and oppose hegemony,” Wang told a regular news briefing in Beijing. “China-Russia relations are non-aligned, non-confrontational and not targeted at any third party,” the spokesman said. On Ukraine, Wang Wenbin said China would “play a constructive role and provide assistance to normalize the situation in Ukraine,” adding, “any action that could add fuel to the fire or exacerbate controversies must be prevented.” Lavrov, who is in the country ostensibly for talks about the future of Afghanistan, said the international community is “living through a very serious stage in the history of international relations.” “We, together with you, and with our sympathizers will move towards a multipolar, just, democratic world order,” he said in a video clip released by the Russian foreign ministry ahead of a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Beijing-based independent commentator Zha Jianguo said the meeting shows that the alliance between Beijing and Moscow is rock-solid. “China’s basic attitude towards the war in Ukraine will not change, which is to say that it will side with Russia while remaining neutral, and focus on its own interests,” Zha said. “I think both sides were probably telling each other the truth, sharing views and attitudes, and gaining further understanding of each other’s positions,” he said of the meeting. Low Russian morale Zha said the war had almost certainly not gone according to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s original plan. “The sticking point right now is likely to be coming from Russia,” he said. “Personally, I’m not very optimistic about [these] negotiations.” Independent political commentator Wu Qiang said it was hard to see how long Putin could keep the war going, however. “If they try to keep the areas they had de facto control of before the war, Donbass and the Crimean peninsula, then this could lead to a protracted defensive war,” Wu said.  “But the state of the Russian army right now suggests that would be pretty hard for the Kremlin to do.” Wu said low morale and a hostile international community could affect the stability of Putin’s hold on power. A senior international news editor surnamed Gao said the friendly relationship between Beijing and Moscow had definitely been reaffirmed on this visit by Lavrov. “They have once more jointly condemned the so-called eastward expansion of NATO, and aid supplies will still be sent to Russia,” Gao said. “It’s just a little more subtle now, but the friendly ties are definitely being reaffirmed.” “China won’t give the U.S. anything, substantially or superficially.” Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Read More

Top British judges quit Hong Kong final appeal court, citing national security law

Two U.K. Supreme Court judges resigned from Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal (CFA) on Wednesday, citing a recent crackdown on dissent under a draconian national security law imposed on the city by Beijing. Non-permanent CFA judges Lord Reed and Lord Hodge had sat on the court “for many years” under an agreement governing the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to Chinese rule, Reed said in a statement. “I have been closely monitoring and assessing developments in Hong Kong, in discussion with the government,” Reed wrote. “However, since the introduction of the Hong Kong national security law in 2020, this position has become increasingly finely balanced.” “The judges of the Supreme Court cannot continue to sit in Hong Kong without appearing to endorse an administration which has departed from values of political freedom, and freedom of expression, to which the Justices of the Supreme Court are deeply committed,” the statement said. U.K. foreign secretary Liz Truss said the government supported the decision. “The Foreign Secretary supports the withdrawal of serving UK judges from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, following discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor and the President of the Supreme Court,” said in a brief statement, which was signed by Truss and deputy prime minister Dominic Raab. Ruling Conservative Party rights activist Benedict Rogers, who heads the U.K.-based rights group Hong Kong Watch, said the move was the correct one. “Today’s news reflects the sad reality that the national security law has torn apart the human rights and constitutional safeguards which made Hong Kong meaningfully autonomous,” Rogers said. “The British judges’ ongoing presence was providing a veneer of legitimacy for a fundamentally compromised system, and the British government is right to have taken steps to recall them,” he said. The Law Society of Hong Kong, which represents solicitors in the city, called on the judges to reverse their decision. “Unfair and unfounded accusations … against the judicial system of Hong Kong have no place in the discussion about rule of law,” president C.M. Chan said in a letter to news editors. “I sincerely appeal to the U.K. judges to reverse course.” Hong Kong Chief Justice Andrew Cheung noted the resignations “with regret.” Men in white T-shirts with poles are seen in Yuen Long after attacking anti-extradition bill demonstrators at a train station in Hong Kong, July 22, 2019. Credit: Reuters Documentary on attacks The resignations came as internet service providers in Hong Kong appeared to have blocked a 30-minute documentary by Vice News on YouTube detailing the involvement of triad criminal gangs in bloody attacks on passengers at the Yuen Long MTR station on July 21, 2019, amid a mass protest movement sparked by plans to allow the extradition of alleged criminal suspects to face trial in mainland China. The documentary explored in depth the attacks by men wielding sticks and wearing white clothing. “For many, the violence was shocking and symbolized the death of Hong Kong’s democracy,” the platform said in its introduction to the video on YouTube. “It is tragic how a Hong Kong citizen like me had to use a VPN in order to watch this,” YouTube user Dayton Ling commented under the video. “It saddens me that Hong Kong has gone from a first class financial centre to a third world police state.” Several other users commented that the journalist interviewed for the film is currently behind bars, awaiting trial under the national security law. Hong Kong’s national security police recently wrote to Benedict Rogers ordering him to take down the group’s website, which was highly critical of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s rights record in Hong Kong. The U.K., along with Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the United States have suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong. However, extradition agreements remain active between Hong Kong and the Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and Sri Lanka, putting anyone traveling to those countries at potential risk of arrest if they are targeted by the law. The national security law ushered in a citywide crackdown on public dissent and criticism of the authorities that has seen several senior journalists, pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai and 47 former lawmakers and democracy activists charged with offenses from “collusion with a foreign power” to “subversion.” Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Read More

Shanghai lockdown leaves hundreds stranded, wipes ‘billions’ from economy

A Swissair flight from Zurich to Shanghai was canceled 20 minutes before departure on Tuesday, leaving more than 200 Chinese passengers stranded, as Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdown begins to bite. Swissair flight LX188 was due to take off for Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport at 7.10 p.m. local time on Monday evening, but was canceled as passengers were waiting to board the plane at the gate, despite all having provided negative COVID-19 tests at check-in, disgruntled passengers told RFA. Some passengers shared photos of people holding up placards saying “I want to go home,” in the airport, demanding the authorities take measures to help them. In one video clip uploaded to social media, the passengers stood in a row chanting “We’re going home! We’re going back to China!” They included around 100 passengers who had transited through Zurich following a 10-hour flight from Brazil, as well as children, elderly and a pregnant woman, passengers told RFA. Zhejiang-based scholar Cai Yong said the group appeared to be angry with Swissair for canceling the flight, although it was the authorities at Pudong who had revoked its landing permission. “The stranded passengers have no problem with the Chinese government, just the airline,” Cai said. “They are addressing their demands to the wrong place.” “It would make more sense for them to get in touch with their local Chinese consulate, and convey their demands to the Chinese government [that way],” he said. Passengers posted to social media that some of their visas had expired, leaving them in Switzerland illegally. Most said they were forced to buy tickets on other flights at sky-high last-minute prices. Calls to the Chinese consulate in Zurich resulted in a statement saying officials there respected “all Swiss decisions.” The logos of Swissair (L) and China Airlines (R) are seen on the fins of long-haul airplanes on the opening day of the International Paris Airshow, June 15, 2015. Consulate trying to ‘pass the buck’ However, some help did arrive from the consulate on Tuesday morning, as consular officials delivered food, water and other necessities to Chinese nationals still stranded at the airport, and promised to negotiate with Swissair on their behalf. “This flight cancellation wasn’t done by the airline, which was forced into that decision,” Cai said. “The consulate is also trying to pass the buck.” “Don’t any of those people have critical thinking skills?” he said. Germany’s Lufthansa was also forced on Tuesday to cancel a flight to Shanghai from Frankfurt, while Air China also canceled CA842 from Vienna to Beijing, leaving more than 100 Chinese nationals stranded in the Austrian capital. Chinese scholar Wang Zheng said many people have taken by surprise at the strictness of Shanghai’s COVID-19 restrictions. “Many people have expressed surprise and incomprehension faced with Shanghai’s COVID-19 measures,” Wang told RFA, adding that the lockdown is largely ideological, and in keeping with ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping’s insistence on a zero-COVID policy. “One size fits all lockdowns are the latest trend in the new era,” Wang said in a reference to Xi’s personal brand of political ideology, “socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.” “Shanghai’s lockdown tells us that they are tightening restrictions to curb COVID-19, not loosening them,” he said. Meanwhile, the current lockdown in the Pudong financial district and an imminent lockdown across the river in the downtown area of Puxi have been extended until April 5, local residents told RFA. “This morning the residential community committee informed us that we’re no longer allowed to take a walk [in the compound] downstairs,” a resident of the Pudong No. 1 residential community surnamed Liu said. “The restrictions on the community have been extended now to April 5,” he said. Previously, the authorities said the lockdown would be lifted on April 1. Shoppers rummage through empty shelves in a supermarket before a lockdown as a measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus in Shanghai, March 29, 2022. Credit: AFP Heavy losses from zero-COVID The news came as a study found that while China’s zero-COVID measures have been largely effective at curbing the spread of the virus, the country’s economy has paid a heavy price in the form of an estimated U.S.$46 billion in losses a month, just over three percent of GDP. Economists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong used logistical tracking data linked to two million trucks to extrapolate the impact on economic activity. Co-author and CUHK economics professor Song Zheng said a strict lockdown in Shanghai alone could knock four percentage points off China’s GDP. Tsai Ming-fang, economist at Taiwan’s Tamkang University, said the lockdown had effectively wiped out the city’s electronics industry. “The Shanghai lockdown has led to the disappearance of the entire electronic logistics industry,” Tsai told RFA. “The port is also directly affected, and it is impossible for goods to be shipped.” “It’s also impossible for workers to commute to work normally. These are the points at which the economic impact is felt.” Reuters cited sources on Tuesday as saying that Tesla supplier Lingang had halted production for four days. “There will be some satellite factories under Tesla, and smaller partners under the satellite factories, which have a low tolerance for risk,” Tsai said. “Once production is halted, they won’t be able to keep going because they will have operational difficulties caused by cash-flow problems, or even go bankrupt,” he said. Current affairs commentator Si Ling said the lockdown in Shanghai casts doubt over whether the CCP under Xi is that committed to running a globalized economy that is connected to the rest of the world. “It does make you wonder how determined China is to pursue economic reform and an open economy,” Si told RFA, in a reference to economic policies initiated by late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979. “Shanghai was once a window on the world for that policy.” He said the status of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen as attractive entry points for foreign direct investment could now be in jeopardy. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Read More