News Story: SCO members strengthen anti-terrorist cooperation

BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) agreed to strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism, secessionism and extremism at a meeting on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by its member states -- India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- as well as delegates from the executive committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: China’s “Hegemonic Ambitions” Not Compatible With BRICS’ Intent

A former Indian diplomat is of the view that with China’s growing hegemonic ambitions and seeking of parity with the US are no longer compatible with BRICS’ main aim to curb America’s post-Cold War unilateralism, which was conceptualized during the Russia-India-China dialogue and led to the formation of the economic grouping.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for bilateral talks on September 4 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit being hosted by China from 3-5 September 2017.

“At the invitation of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Xiamen in China’s Fujian province… to attend the 9th BRICS Summit,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. “Subsequently, Prime Minister will pay a State visit to Myanmar from 5-7 September at the invitation of U. Htin Kyaw, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” it added.

In June this year, the Indian Prime Minister had turned down Beijing’s request to participate in its multi-billion dollar Belt & Road Initiative. In the immediate aftermath, the Doklam standoff ensued, casting a shadow over Modi’s participation in the BRICS summit.

News Story: Anti-terror cooperation key part of China-Russia partnership - Xi

BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that anti-terror cooperation is an important part of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, which sets an example for the world in that regard.

China-Russia anti-terror cooperation is in the fundamental interest of both nations, and is conducive to regional and world peace and stability, Xi said in an interview with Russian media ahead of his departure for the July 3-4 state visit to Russia.

Bilateral cooperation in such areas as fighting the three evil forces (of terrorism, separatism and extremism) through bilateral law enforcement and security cooperation mechanisms is moving forward smoothly, playing important and positive role in maintaining stability and development of both nations and the region, he said.

China is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Russia, and is committed to mutual support in addressing core concerns of each other with respect to the fight against terrorism, Xi said.

Meanwhile, the two sides should intensify cooperation and coordination within such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations (UN) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), he said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Pakistan PM hails Pak-China strategic ties

ISLAMABAD, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the status of all-weather strategic partnership with China, the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Pakistan's membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Speaking at the foreign ministry, the prime minister appreciated China's role for improving Pak-Afghan relations, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Friday.

Sharif visited the ministry the day to undertake a comprehensive review of Pakistan's foreign policy priorities in the wake of the recent developments in and around Pakistan and the emerging global and regional scenarios.

"The Prime Minister appreciated China's role for improving Pak-Afghan relations and also recalled his recent meeting with President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of SCO Summit and their agreement to evolve a bilateral and quadrilateral mechanism for controlling cross-border terrorism," the statement said.

He directed the ministry to prepare initiatives on Afghanistan and also on building economic and trade linkages to promote Pakistan's development.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: SCO member countries vow to strengthen border cooperation

DALIAN, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) pledged here Thursday to strengthen border security cooperation to fight terrorism, secessionism and extremism.

Plans for joint border defense action this year and the work of a team of experts in 2018 were approved by the fifth meeting of the leaders of border administration authorities of SCO member states, held in northeast China's costal city of Dalian.

The meeting, chaired by China, was attended by more than 30 representatives of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorism Agency.

The meeting decided to include the joint border defense action into a three-year cooperation program of SCO member countries to fight terrorism, secessionism and extremism.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: SCO secretary-general refutes idea pitting SCO against NATO

BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is not a military alliance like NATO and the regional body has no intention to target any country, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said here Tuesday.

In response to netizens' questions during an interview with Xinhua, Alimov said the Western hype labeling the SCO as a "future Eastern counterweight of NATO," which emerges from time to time, deliberately distorts the SCO's essence and its practical activities.

Speculations re-emerged that the SCO could be a potential antagonist of NATO following the accession of India and Pakistan into the bloc earlier this year.

The SCO has never and will never go against any country, and this has been clearly stated in the organization's basic documents, Alimov said, adding that the bloc has vastly increased its influence and prestige in international and regional affairs within a relatively short period of time, and has always been advocating peaceful development and good-neighborly relations.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: SCO secretary-general says bloc seeking to create positive atmosphere for resolving disputes between members

BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has neither the authority nor the instrument to settle bilateral disputes between its members, but it will create the political atmosphere to help resolve such issues, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said here Tuesday.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Xinhua while answering questions collected from netizens, Alimov said disputes such as those between Indian and Pakistan should be "discussed and resolved through a bilateral format and in a friendly and constructive manner."

The SCO member states are willing to discuss issues of common interests based on equality of all members, as underlined by the Shanghai Spirit.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: India Leans Towards US in 'Standoff Against China in Asia'

There is a relation between the China-India border conflict and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, experts told Sputnik. Delhi wants to win Washington’s support against China, especially in South Asia.

On June 27, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused Indian border guards of crossing into its territory from the state of Sikkim on India’s northeastern border with Tibet.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said Indian guards "obstructed normal activities" by Chinese forces on the border, and called on India to withdraw immediately.

He urged India to respect China’s territorial integrity, adding that such incidents pose a "serious threat" to peace and stability in border areas.

Commentators noted that this was the first incident of the kind since Chinese President Xi Jinping and Modi exchanged visits in 2014 and 2015. After three years of stability, currently there is a new surge in bilateral tensions.

News Story: Nawaz Confident Of Better Ties With Afghanistan

PM Nawaz Sharif (Image: Wiki Commons)

Prime Minis­ter Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that he was confident bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan would improve after the  implementation of certain decisions that had been reached when he met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. 

Speaking to reporters in London Sharif referred to his recent meeting with Ghani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Astana and said that both sides had settled certain issues, Dawn News reported. 

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Story: China, Afghanistan, Pakistan agree to maintain regional peace, stability

ISLAMABAD, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China, Afghanistan and Pakistan are all committed to maintaining regional peace and stability, enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation and promoting shared security and development, according to a trilateral joint statement released on Sunday.

The joint press release by the three countries came after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's shuttle diplomacy in Afghanistan and Pakistan that concluded Sunday.

It said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan "are willing to improve relations with each other, strengthen political mutual trust, enhance cooperation in various fields including counter-terrorism, and jointly meet security challenges."

According to the statement, Afghanistan and Pakistan has agreed to establish a crisis management mechanism, which will include prevention through timely and effective intelligence and information sharing and other mutually agreed measures. "This would enable the two sides to maintain timely and effective communications in case of emergencies, including terrorist attacks," it said.

The three parties also agreed to establish the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' dialogue mechanism to cooperate on issues of mutual interest, beginning with economic cooperation, said the paper.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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Story Quote: "Wang stressed that China never interferes in other's internal affairs, never imposes its will on others, nor does it get involved in geopolitical competitions"

PacificSentinel: Try telling that to the ASEAN claimants to the South China Sea, they'll laugh their ass off.

News Story: China, Afghanistan to strengthen anti-terror cooperation & China wishes earliest achievement of Afghan national reconciliation - FM

China, Afghanistan to strengthen anti-terror cooperation

KABUL, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani on Saturday pledged to enhance cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Wang Yi, on a visit here, expressed the hope that both countries will continue to support each other on issues of core interest and deepen cooperation in anti-terror fight. He also said China welcomes Afghanistan to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Wang reaffirmed China's steadfast support for the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process. He reiterated that China supports the revival of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States and supports the activation of the work of the liaison group between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Afghanistan, which will help create favorable atmosphere for the peace process.

Read the full story at Xinhua

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China wishes earliest achievement of Afghan national reconciliation - FM

KABUL, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday said China hopes Afghanistan could achieve peace and national reconciliation as soon as possible.

Meeting Afghanistan's National Security Advisor Haneef Atmar here, Wang said China and Afghanistan are close friends and good neighbors. China supports Afghanistan in its efforts to seek a development path suitable to its national conditions, and sincerely hopes Afghanistan can reach national reconciliation as soon as possible in order to realize peace and reconstruction.

He hoped Afghanistan can strengthen unity and consensus, take full advantage of peace talk mechanisms like the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States and adopt active and flexible measures to promote the peace process.

Noting that Afghanistan and Pakistan are close neighbors, Wang said as a good friend of both, China hopes the two countries can improve their relations, rebuild mutual trust, co-exist peacefully and cooperate to mutual benefit. This is a must and of great significance not only to their own development, but also to regional anti-terror efforts and peace and stability in South Asia.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: China’s FM Meets Rabbani In Follow Up Of Shanghai Summit

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi arrived in Kabul on Sunday morning for scheduled talks with a number of high-ranking government officials. 

On arrival, he met with Afghan acting foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani and number of other officials where they discussed the agreements forged between the Afghan and Chinese presidents at Shanghai Summit in Astana earlier this month. 

At the time, President Ashraf Ghani and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to the need for a joint fight against terrorism and extremism, to expand both regional cooperation and China’s support in the Afghan peace process. 

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Report: India, China Seek to Enforce Bilateral Strategic Ties

Carrying forward the spirit of cooperation achieved during the Modi-Xi meeting in Astana, India’s deputy external affairs minister V.K. Singh met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Beijing over the weekend.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Singh and Yi discussed steps to enhance bilateral strategic ties and dialogue to build upon the spirit of cooperation achieved during the meeting of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Astana on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on June 8-9.

“President Xi and PM Modi have laid down directions for us and both the countries to proceed with a path of mutual respect, mutual cooperation on how to improve the existing mechanisms so that more trade, commerce, and people-to-people contacts can take place. We both are Asian neighbors, two growing economies, people with ancient relations, we mark the path for others to follow. India looks forward to strengthening and deepening its strategic partnership and mutual dialogue with China," PTI quoted Singh as saying after his meeting with Yi.

Singh is in Beijing to attend the meeting of the BRICS foreign ministers to finalize the agenda for this year’s summit in September to be held in China’s Xiamen city.

News Report: China Backs India's Tsunami Warning System in The South China Sea

India’s plans to establish a tsunami warning system in the South China Sea has received China’s backing. Beijing says the proposal can be considered a part of its existing mechanism which is in operation since last year.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Chinese response comes after India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kazakhstan's capital Astana late last week with the backing of both China and Russia.

"Strengthening the tsunami early warning research conforms to the interests of all parties. China and the relevant countries in the region in accordance with the requirements of the United Nations agencies, in the South China Sea, have established the related facilities and systems. The parties concerned can discuss relevant cooperation issues under the existing cooperation mechanisms," PTI quoted a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

News Story: SCO's membership opportunity for Pakistan to open up regional strategic options

by Muhammad Tahir

ISLAMABAD, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an influential regional security and economic block, has formally admitted Pakistan as its member, which is seen as an important foreign policy milestone for the country.

All the heads of the family members of SCO congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on this historic occasion at the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan on June 9.

Sharif told the Astana summit that the SCO gives Pakistan a powerful platform for partnership to promote peace, build trust, and spur economic development for shared prosperity.

"The SCO's expansion takes place at an opportune time, as the Belt and Road Initiative transforms global economic landscape. And, in Pakistan, we are diligently implementing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative. What's more, these mega projects will benefit the entire SCO community," he said.

It is widely believed that Pakistan's accession would allow its closer cooperation with other member states, especially in security and anti-terror cooperation as many of the regional countries currently face security challenges.

Another positive aspect of the development is that India has also secured the membership at the same time that could help the two bitter neighbors improve relations.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Ghani And Sharif Agree To Ramp Up Joint Fight Against Terrorism

President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif this weekend held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana in Kazakhstan and agreed to intensify their joint efforts to fight terrorism.

Ghani’s office said in a statement that Sharif joined the president in condemning the recent terror attacks, especially the wave of violence in Kabul following the May 31 truck bombing in the city that killed over 150 people and wounded hundreds more.

Those who died were innocent Afghans, but the target appeared to be diplomatic sites – an act against the Geneva Convention, said the statement.

Ghani meanwhile said in the statement: “The increase of violence especially during Ramadan and at the funeral of martyrs was unacceptable.” He stressed the urgency to reduce the level of violence against civilians in Afghanistan.

He also said: “It is therefore imperative that Pakistan and Afghanistan join hands to eliminate these terrorist networks and their sanctuaries as well as support infrastructure”.

According to the statement, the two leaders agreed to intensify their joint and urgent efforts to fight terrorism in all of its forms that threaten the security and stability of the two countries, the region and beyond.

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Report: Chinese Leader Urges Deeper Cooperation With Afghanistan in Fighting Terrorism

Chinese President Xi Jinping in the framework of the SCO summit has called for a deeper cooperation with Afghanistan in security issues and fight against terrorism.

ASTANA (Sputnik) — China is ready to enhance collaboration with Afghanistan and provide necessary help to combat terrorism, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday at the meeting with Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

"The sides have to strengthen cooperation in security issues and fight against terrorism. China supports Afghanistan’s efforts to ensure security in the country and ready to assist Afghanistan in acquiring appropriate capacities," Xi said at the meeting in the framework of the SCO summit, as quoted in the Chinese Foreign Ministry's press release.

Xi stressed that China would continue to pursue friendly policy toward Afghanistan and contribute to the restoration of peace in the country.

News Report: Pakistani Official Confirms Captive Chinese Nationals Are Dead

Ayaz Gul

ISLAMABAD — Islamic State has released a video showing the bloodied body of a captive Chinese national the terrorist group claimed to have killed along with his female partner in southwestern Pakistan.

A provincial government official confirmed to VOA that the man who seems to be taking his last breaths in the video is one of the two Chinese kidnapped last month from Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he said that authorities have not yet found the bodies of the Chinese nationals, and he would like to abstain from making any official assertions on the fate of the two foreigners.

China briefed by Pakistan

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing Friday that Beijing has been told by Islamabad the two abductees are probably dead.

"Pakistan's relevant side has provided China with some information and said these two kidnapped Chinese citizens have likely already been murdered. We are gravely concerned about this," she said.

Chunying added that Beijing is in contact with the Pakistani side and trying to learn more about and verify the situation by all means.

Islamic State’s global media outlet, the Amaq News Agency, announced Thursday the group had executed the two captives in Mastung, a district about 50 kilometers south of Quetta.

News Story: Accession of India, Pakistan carries historic significance -- SCO leaders

ASTANA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) carries historic significance as India and Pakistan become full members of the bloc, SCO leaders said Friday.

Granting India and Pakistan membership at the SCO summit will boost the organization's development and potential, according to a joint press communique released after the summit in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

Founded in 2001, the SCO now has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan as its full members, with Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia as observers, and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey as dialogue partners.

The heads of state support the SCO to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with its observers and dialogue partners, the communique said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: President Ghani, Pakistan’s PM Discuss Afghan Peace Process

By Mirabed Joyenda

President Ashraf Ghani met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Kazakhstan on Friday where they discussed the ongoing Afghan peace process among other mutual interest issues.

According to Pakistani officials, Ghani and Sharif met for 45 minutes and talked about improving bilateral ties and Afghanistan’s peace process.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping in a meeting with Ghani pledged that Beijing will mediate in relieving tensions between Kabul and Islamabad and will host a trilateral summit.

“Our demand is clear; Pakistan should honestly cooperate in fighting against terrorism. In this meeting, it was agreed that a trilateral meeting will be held among Kabul, Islamabad and Beijing,” Dawa Khan Minapal, President Ghani’s deputy spokesman said.

A number of political analysts said China is willing to mediate between Kabul and Islamabad because of its investments and economic interests in the region and that Beijing has the power to force Pakistan to fight terror sincerely.

Read the full story at TOLOnews