Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 280

Working with assertive China a must - New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand has been aware for some time now of a "growing assertiveness" and a "growing interest" in its region - explicitly from China, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. But Ms Ardern also spoke of the need to work together with China, on areas of "natural mutual interest". Speaking to the BBC in an exclusive broadcast interview, she stood by what she called her country's "mature

India's rich art history is just a click away now

India has one of the world's richest art histories, spanning centuries and a mélange of forms, styles and inspirations. But it is also hard to access for anyone without an academic grounding in the subject. Even the most compelling object is often described by scholars in a dense, opaque manner that can wear down even genuine enthusiasts.Now, a museum in the southern city of Bangalore is hoping

Indian lawmaker arrested after tweet criticising Narendra Modi

A state lawmaker in India was arrested for criticising the prime minister, Narendra Modi, in a tweet, officials have said, raising concerns over freedom of speech in the world’s largest democracy. His arrest coincided with the arrival of the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, in the country.Jignesh Mevani, a prominent campaigner for India’s marginalised low-caste Dalit community, accused the

Modi’s India Has No Space For Muslims

On April 20, bulldozers rolled into the north Delhi neighborhood of Jahangirpuri on the orders of local authorities. The bulldozers razed several buildings in the area, including the entrance gate of a mosque as well as homes and shops of Muslims. While local police and political officials claimed that the structures were being bulldozed as they were illegal, authorities stopped a bulldozer from

Japan Needs to Prepare for a Possible Senkaku Islands Crisis

The primary security challenge for Japan today is China’s behavior over the disputed Senkaku Islands (known in China as the Diaoyu Islands). In the fall of 1968, the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) noted the possible presence of immense deposits of oil and gas under the waters surrounding the islands. Subsequently, starting with a statement by the Chinese

Covid forces China to face mental health crisis a long time in the making

Since the Covid lockdown in Shanghai began, Hu Bojun has received numerous inquiries about her and her hospital’s counselling services. This month, the US-educated clinical psychologist began facilitating lockdown support groups – in English and Chinese – to clients from “all walks of life”.“Even people from different socio-economic sectors are now attending [counselling] together … My old

Tibet builds makeshift Covid hospitals despite one case since pandemic began

Authorities in Tibet are building massive Covid isolation and care facilities in anticipation of further outbreaks in China even though the remote territory has reported only one case during the pandemic.Temporary hospitals – a key feature of China’s Covid response – with at least 1,000 beds each are being built in Lhasa and Shigatse by the Chinese firm Jiangsu Qi’an Construction Group. The firm

China lockdowns: The economic cost of a zero-Covid policy

War. Inflation. And now, Covid lockdown deja vu in China. It is a perfect storm for the global supply chain - how goods and materials get from other countries to you and me. When disruptions take place in China, it is significant because about a third of the world's entire manufacturing capacity is based in the country. If you're buying something online there's a very good chance it was made in

Shanghai escalates Covid lockdown restrictions

Authorities in Shanghai have said they will tighten the enforcement of lockdown measures, as a Covid surge continues in China's financial capital. New measures include placing electronic door alarms to prevent those infected from leaving, as well as evacuating people to disinfect their homes. Earlier this week, hundreds were forcibly evacuated from their homes to allow for buildings to be

Taiwan investigates local TV network after it aired false reports of Chinese invasion

The Taiwanese government is investigating a local TV news station after it aired alarming false reports of a Chinese invasion against the self-ruled island. During a Wednesday morning newscast on the government-affiliated Chinese Television System (CTS), part of the public Taiwan Broadcasting System, the network ran several fictional news tickers about China firing missiles toward the capital