China Fortnightly March 16-31, 2021

On March 29, China’s top legislature amended annexes to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (HKSAR) Basic Law. The country’s top legislature voted unanimously to adopt the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the HKSAR. The two annexes concern the method for the selection of the HKSAR Chief Executive and the …

China Fortnightly March 1-15, 2021

On March 14, in response to the Group of Seven (G7) statement on China’s decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing strongly opposes foreign interference in its internal affairs. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry stated that the G7 statement distorted facts and that its groundless comments have …

Afghanistan Fortnightly March 1-15, 2021

On March 14, the Taliban expressed skepticism over a proposal by the US for establishing an interim government in Afghanistan, and stated that transitional governments have proven ineffective in the past. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Taliban spokesperson, Mohammad Naim, stated that the group’s vision for the country revolved around a strong central administration capable of …

China Monthly — February 2021

On February 25, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephonic conversation with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and discussed recent breakthroughs in border issues. Wang stated that the front-line forces of the two sides have recently completed disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, and that the current situation has …

Afghanistan Monthly — February 2021

On February 28, the Taliban urged the US to live up to its commitments to the Doha Agreement. A Taliban statement on the first anniversary of the Doha Agreement stated that the group had done its part in the deal, and that any attempt to seek an alternative for the agreement will lead to failure …

China Fortnightly Jan 16-31, 2021

On January 29, China announced that it will no longer recognise the British National Overseas (BNO) passport for Hong Kong people. On January 28, China’s Defence Ministry warned that seeking Taiwan’s independence would lead to war. China’s Defence Ministry spokesman, Colonel Wu Qian stated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and that the Taiwan …

Afghanistan Fortnightly Jan 16-31, 2021

Afghanistan On January 30, at least 8 Afghan security force members were killed in a car bomb explosion carried out by the Taliban in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Despite efforts for a negotiated peace, violence continues across Afghanistan. In order to gain leverage, both the Taliban and the Afghan Government forces have been ramping …

China Fortnightly Jan 1-15, 2021

On January 14, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met with Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, where both sides pledged to further enhance China-ASEAN relations. Wang stated that among the relations between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, the China-ASEAN relation is the most …

Afghanistan Fortnightly, Jan 1-15, 2021

On January 13, the US chargé d'affaires in Kabul, Ross Wilson, stated that the US is not advocating for an interim government in Afghanistan. Wilson stated: “We have not advocated, and the US is not advocating, an interim government. The outcomes of Afghanistan peace negotiations are up to Afghans and we believe those outcomes should …

Afghanistan Fortnightly Dec 16-31, 2020

CNN reported, on December 31, that US President Donald Trump was briefed on how China sought to pay non-state actors to attack US forces in Afghanistan. Quoting a senior official in the US Administration, the report noted that the intelligence was provided to President Trump in his daily brief on December 17, 2020. The report …