Foreign ministers from across the Indo-Pacific and Europe held a meeting in the Swedish capital last week to discuss growing tension around South China Sea, East China Sea and Taiwan, but China was not invited to the meeting, signalling clearly how Beijing is becoming outlier in the international community when it comes to plan a… Continue reading Why China looms large even at EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum
The EU granted the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) to Pakistan in 2014 allowing duty-free access for most of its goods in the bloc. Pak exporters immensely benefited with about two-thirds tariff lines cut while entering the EU market. However, in return for foregoing import duty, the EU anticipated that Islamabad will enact laws… Continue reading Pakistan GSP+ Benefits in the EU Under Serious Threat
Repressive regimes tend to use violence, intimidation and technology to silence its dissidents abroad. A report published by Freedom House on February 04, 2021, argues that “transnational repression” has become more common. It found that 31 states had physically attacked their citizens living in other countries since 2014. Millions have been intimidated by harassment, digital… Continue reading Beijing’s Transnational Repression Faces Flak by the Dutch Government
The French president hopes Beijing can be useful in pressing Russia to end the war in Ukraine. How exactly is not clear. President Emmanuel Macron of France arrives in Beijing on Wednesday determined to carve out a distinct role for Europe that avoids America’s confrontation with an assertive China, and convinced that there is a… Continue reading Can China Make Peace in Ukraine? Macron Isn’t Saying No.
There is a widespread concern among many European Union (EU) members about granting Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus to Pakistan because of its poor track record in complying with the internationals conventions set by the EU as prequalification criteria and lackadaisical approach in their implementation. Many of the EU members feel that granting GSP… Continue reading Grant of GSP to Pakistan : The Question of Erosion of European Values
TAIPEI — Huawei has licensed technology to top automakers including Mercedes Benz, Audi, BMW and Porsche as the Chinese tech company seeks to turn its trove of patents into a new revenue source amid a U.S. clampdown on its core businesses. The patent licensing agreements, reached during the second half of 2022, mean Huawei technologies… Continue reading Huawei licenses key tech to major European automakers
Civil rights group claims outposts are used to monitor Chinese population abroad and force dissidents to return Italy hosts the highest number of unofficial Chinese “police stations” out of a network of more than 100 around the world, a report by a Spanish civil rights group has claimed. The northern Italian city of Milan was… Continue reading Italy home to 11 of 100-plus unofficial Chinese ‘police stations’
The recent visit of German Chancellor to China reveals the dilemma confronting the geopolitical order, a choice as to what should be prioritized, post-Covid economic recovery or unitedly isolating the authoritarian regimes for bringing them back to democracy and compel them to honour international laws and conventions. It appears that as the Russia-Ukraine War continues… Continue reading Implications of German Chancellor’s China Visit
G-7, EU are discussing a limit of around $60 a barrel to sanction Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine The U.S. and its allies are seeking to agree on a level for a price cap on Russian oil as soon as Wednesday, with officials discussing setting it at around $60 a barrel as the group… Continue reading Western Allies Aim to Agree on Russian Oil Price Cap Wednesday
Poland and the Baltic states are pressing for diamonds to be included in the EU’s next round of sanctions A leisurely stroll through Antwerp’s diamond district takes only five minutes. Yet through just one sq km in a drab quarter of Belgium’s second city pass 86% of the world’s rough diamonds. Into Antwerp’s nondescript concrete… Continue reading Belgium’s trade in Russian diamonds continues despite moral pressure
