Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 111

India-China relations: Modi's hope for a thaw amid uncertain geopolitics

In a recent interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke positively about India's relationship with long-time rival China. He said normalcy had returned to the disputed India-China border and called for stronger ties. These are striking comments, because tensions have been high since a nasty border clash in the northern Ladakh region in 2020 - the deadliest since a 1962 war. Chinese foreign

Hong Kong, China hit out at sale of CK Hutchison ports to BlackRock

 Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has criticized the “bullying tactics by foreign governments” in the wake of the controversial US$23-billion sale of dozens of port facilities -- including those in the Panama Canal -- by homegrown conglomerate CK Hutchison to U.S. investment giant BlackRock.BlackRock and CK Hutchison, which is controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Lee Ka-shing, announced

EXPLAINED: Why March is a sensitive month for Tibetans

For decades now, March has been a politically sensitive month for Tibetans, when Chinese authorities ramp up restrictions and security measures. That’s because a series of important events and acts of Tibetan resistance have happened during this month over the years, starting with the March 10, 1959, uprising against Chinese rule. This year, too, Beijing has intensified security and surveillance

China forces Uyghurs to show video proof they are not fasting during Ramadan

 Chinese officials have ordered Uyghurs in the northwestern region of Xinjiang to send video proof that they are not fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to police officers and social media posts by Uyghurs. In a post on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, a resident of Peyziwat county in Kashgar prefecture said he must record a video of himself eating lunch

Modern Slavery And Cyber Fraud: The Growing Crisis In Myanmar – Analysis

Political instability has made Myanmar a center for cybercrime and human trafficking, with criminal syndicates exploiting the lawlessness for online fraud. Myanmar-based scams, like “pig butchering,” are responsible for billions in global losses, targeting victims worldwide through romance, investment, and cryptocurrency fraud. Urgent international cooperation is required to dismantle criminal

Why is China spending billions to get people to open their wallets?

The Chinese government has promised new child care subsidies, increased wages and better paid leave to revive a slowing economy. That is on top of a $41bn discount programme for all sorts of things, from dishwashers and home decor to electric vehicles and smartwatches.mBeijing is going on a spending spree that will encourage Chinese people to crack open their wallets.Simply put, they are not

China’s Shadow Fleet: The Global Crisis Of Illegal Fishing From Argentina To India – Analysis

China’s distant-water fishing fleet—numbering at least 2,500 vessels—harvests roughly four million tons of fish annually. Yet, their reach and methods have provoked widespread condemnation for violating international maritime norms, devastating fish populations, and triggering human rights abuses.In the Indian Ocean, the scale of these offences is starkly visible. A 2024 report by the

‘Made in Russia’ goods are the new craze in China

The shopfronts are decked out in white, blue and red, with Chinese and Russian flags hanging side by side from the ceiling. Waist-high Russian dolls greet customers at the entrance. Inside, shelves are stocked with an array of Russian goods – from chocolates and cookies to honey and vodka. In China, pop-up stores specializing in Russian-made products have become an increasingly common sight.

China executed four Canadians for drug crimes, says Ottawa

Four Canadians were executed in China on drug-related charges earlier this year, Canadian authorities have confirmed. All of them were dual citizens and their identities have been withheld, Canada's foreign minister Mélanie Joly said. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canada reportedly urged Ottawa to "stop making irresponsible remarks", as pundits feared a further downturn in relations

Will Trump's tariff war spark big-bang reforms in India?

India has usually turned to economic reforms in times of distress, with the most famous example being 1991, when the country embraced liberalisation in the face of a deep financial crisis. Now, with US President Donald Trump's tit-for-tat tariff wars and the global trade upheaval that has followed, many believe that India finds itself at another crossroad.Could this be a major opportunity for the