DNA

Washington, June 19 : President Donald Trump warned Thursday the United States had the option to separate from China’s deeply intertwined economy, despite the powers’ pledges to move forward on a trade deal.

Tensions have been mounting between Beijing and Washington on a number of fronts including trade, although the two sides signed a “phase one” deal earlier this year to bring a truce to a bruising trade war.
The US “certainly does maintain a policy option, under various conditions, of a complete decoupling from China. Thank you!” Trump tweeted.

The US president wrote that he was responding to comments by his trade representative Robert Lighthizer, who has been at the forefront of trade negotiations with Beijing.

Lighthizer told a congressional committee this week that China so far has been living up to the terms of a “phase one” agreement that eased the dispute, but that decoupling the two economic giants was now impossible.
“That was a policy option years ago, but I don’t think it’s a policy or reasonable policy option at this point,” Lighthizer said.

Lighthizer described himself as a hardliner on China policy, and outlined the Trump administration’s plans to “reset” the World Trade Organization, largely so that it can better rein in Beijing’s policies, which he says run afoul of free trade rules.

But his admission that the world’s two largest economies are inextricably linked — despite Trump’s aggressive campaign to push American firms to relocate production to the United States — caused some angst in Republican circles.

On Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press briefing that “trying to artificially cut global industrial and supply chains, and using political power to change the laws of the economy, is neither realistic nor wise”.

“This cannot solve the US’ problems and will only cause ordinary Americans more harm,” he added.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a senior Chinese official also confirmed to him Beijing’s commitment to phase one, which includes China stepping up purchases of US products.

Pompeo met Wednesday in Hawaii with Yang Jiechi, a veteran maker of Chinese foreign policy, in Hawaii to discuss soaring tensions.

Besides trade, the United States has sharply criticized China over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, an upcoming security law in Hong Kong and its mass detention of Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities in the northwestern Xinjiang region.

Senior US diplomat David Stilwell, who accompanied Pompeo, said the United States insisted on a “more reciprocal” relationship but declined to discuss the discussions in depth.

“Whether or not they were productive or not, I will look at what comes up in the next couple of weeks. You’ll see a reduction in aggressive behavior or not,” Stilwell told reporters.

“If they come to the table with a reasonable proposal, the US is obviously going to treat it reasonably and look for ways to work toward a positive outcome.”

The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) hosted a webinar titled “China-India Standoff: Implications for Regional Security” to discuss the rapidly evolving situation on China-India border and risks of further escalation. The session was chaired by Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat (Retd), President CASS.  

Mr Shashank Joshi, the defence editor at the Economist magazine, Professor Shen Dingli, Fudan University, Lt General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (Retd), former Defense Secretary and Amb Jalil Abbas Jillani, Director CASS were the four speakers.

President CASS initiated the discussion with his opening remarks and provided an overview of the current situation on the China-India border and shared his concern over the potential further escalation. Mr Shahsank Joshi shared his views on the recent crisis and stated that neither China nor India anticipated the current level of escalation and it resulted due to extremely worrying deterioration of protocols on both sides. He termed it a watershed moment in the history of the two countries. Professor Shen Ding Li expressed his views on the Chinese position and stressed that China was not looking for war and would not want to escalate further. He added that China would not compromise and agree to the Indian perception of Line of Actual Control as well. He also emphasized the importance of strong Pak-China relations. Lt. General Lodhi (Retd) shared his insights on the military and operational significance of the crisis and stressed that the skirmish may seem tactical, but it may have strategic consequences. He explained the potential risks for Pakistan as well. Ambassador Jillani traced the history of the China-India relationship and shared its linkage with the current crisis.

In his concluding remarks, President CASS made a comparison of the Indian response to China and Pakistan during Balakot crisis. He shared the concern that India may direct its misplaced anger towards Pakistan; nonetheless, it will not solve India’s China problem. He added that in an attempt to isolate Pakistan, India had isolated itself in this crisis.

ISLAMABAD: (DNA) UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency said on Friday that the year 2019 saw a sharp increase in global displacement, affecting more than 1 per cent of humanity. Every year, UNHCR releases the Global Trends report around World Refugee Day, which is marked on 20 June as a tribute to the courage and resilience of the millions of people uprooted as a result of ongoing conflicts, war and natural disasters globally.

According to this report, some 79.5 million were displaced by the end of last year. Of them, 45.7 million people fled to other areas of their own country, while 29.6 million were refugees and others forcibly displaced outside their country. Some 4.2 million are also awaiting the outcome of asylum requests. Eleven million people were newly displaced, fleeing wars, violence or persecution.

In Islamabad, UNHCR and the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), organized a virtual event to express solidarity with those forced to flee their home and the communities that so generously host them.

The event was attended by the UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Noriko Yoshida, the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Saleem Khan, other government officials, representatives from diplomatic missions, UN agencies, partners, civil society and refugees.

Speaking at the occasion, Yoshida said that these mounting figures are increasingly worrying. “Behind every statistics are people and their personal journeys. Now, 1 in every 97 people in this world are displaced, representing more than 1 per cent of humanity,” she added. Yoshida also said that forced displacement has doubled since 2010, as the figures stood at 41 million one decade ago.

“Another fact is that 85 per cent of refugees are in developing countries, despite their own challenges,” she added. She lauded the people and Government of Pakistan for hosting refugees for over four decades. “Pakistan’s hospitality and generosity are exemplary,” she said.  She indicated that UNHCR is advocating for greater support for refugee-hosting countries.

The launch of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) is one such example where UNHCR is helping to mobilize the international community to channel investments in Afghanistan and support for refugee-hosting countries like Pakistan and Iran.

Azerbaijan has extended until August 1 the special quarantine regime in the country, the coronavirus task force under the Cabinet of Ministers said in a briefing on June 18.

The task force also announced the decision to impose a strict quarantine regime from 00:00 on June 21 to 06:00 on July 5 in the territories of Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Masalli, Jalilabad and Absheron region.

Under the new lockdown rule, system of obtaining SMS-permissions for leaving the place of residence will be re-activated.

Operation of shopping centers, catering facilities, beauty salons, as well as museums, exhibition halls, sport and beaches was also suspended until July 5.

Thus, restaurants and cafes will be closed during the period of strict quarantine regime and will only work in the delivery mode.

Unlike the previous quarantine regime, this time persons over 65 years are not prohibited from leaving the place of residence, although they are strongly advised not to leave home without need.

The work of public transport will not be restricted; parks, boulevards and recreation centers will remain open.

Furthermore it was stated it was stated during the briefing that state borders will remain closed until August 1, although measures on the repatriate Azerbaijani citizens to the country will continue.

In the meantime, chairman of the Association for Management of Medical Territorial Subdivisions (TABIB) Ramin Bayramli stated that preparations for treatment of coronavirus infected people at home are currently underway. For this purpose mobile surveillance methods will be introduced to E-tabib, which will monitor the conditions of patients.

“Patients will be instructed not to leave home until they are cured. Questions will be sent to the district doctor every 12 hours by mobile phone. On this basis, decisions will be made whether to continue treatment at home or to hospitalize the patient. For now, patients continue to be hospitalised,” Ramin Bayramli said.

It should be noted that currently about 25 laboratories are doing coronavirus tests, and the cost of the test is about AZN 40.

Azerbaijan registered its first coronavirus case in February and imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 24. The fourth stage of quarantine regime easing came into force on May 31.

The country imposed two-day special quarantine regimes on June 6-7 and June 14-16 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) warned on June 12 that the country may transition from weekend lockdowns to long- term tightened quarantine regime if there is further surge in infection cases.

As of June 19, the country has registered 11,329 COVID-19 cases and 139 coronavirus-related cases.