Elections for Hong Kong's legislature will likely be deferred for a second year to September 2022 as Beijing plans a major overhaul of the city's electoral system, a severe blow to remaining hopes of democracy in the global financial hub.
China's biggest political meeting opened for its annual session on Friday, where it is expected to pass a sweeping overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system.
Chinese lawmakers are expected to delay elections for the city's legislature by another year to September 2022, according to local media.
It's a move that will boost China's effort to ensure those they deem "patriots" are put in charge of the city, and likely to crush any remaining democratic hopes for the global financial hub.
Many high-profile pro-democracy politicians and activists are already in jail or in exile after authorities cracked down on the city's mass anti-government protests in 2019, and imposed a sweeping national security law last year.
A senior Chinese lawmaker says the NPC plans to expand an electoral committee that chooses Hong Kong's leader, and give it powers to pick many of the city's legislators as well.
The NPC also unveiled a relatively mild defense budget for the year, a rise of around 7% from 2020.
That's despite challenges on several fronts, ranging from heightened tensions with Taiwan to U.S. missions around Chinese-occupied islands in the disputed South China Sea, and an ongoing border dispute with India.
China's strategic rivalry with the United States is also expected to take centre stage at the conference.
A London-based economics research centre predicts China will leapfrog the United States as the world's biggest economy in 2028, five years earlier than previously forecast.
Everest, a popular spice brand in Indian homes, has assured consumers of the safety and quality of its spice-mix products. Evest Food Products stated that.. IndiaTimes
Commerce and industry ministry has initiated an inquiry into the banning of certain spices manufactured by MDH and Everest in Singapore and Hong Kong. They have.. IndiaTimes
Food Safety and Standards Authority is sampling powdered spices from all brands nationwide, including MDH and Everest, prompted by Singapore and Hong Kong.. IndiaTimes
China Sets Aggressive, Economic Growth , Target for 2024.
Associated Press reports that China has
said it aims to achieve 5% economic growth
in 2024, despite facing many challenges.
Premier Li Qiang outlined plans to boost
China's economy while addressing the annual
session of the National People's Congress.
Premier Li Qiang outlined plans to boost
China's economy while addressing the annual
session of the National People's Congress.
The plan includes increased spending on
developing advanced technology, fortifying
the military and other longstanding goals.
According to Li, the Chineses government
would continue with a "pro-active fiscal
policy and prudent monetary policy.”.
The plan looks to boost growth by issuing
long-term bonds over several years,
beginning with about $139 billion in 2024.
Those bonds would be used to
implement "major national strategies"
and boost security "in key areas.".
The plans also include a "new development model"
aimed at easing a prolonged real estate slump
by building government-subsidized housing.
The foundation for China’s sustained
economic recovery is not yet stable,
with insufficient effective demand,
overcapacity in some industries,
weak social expectations, and still
many risks and hidden dangers, Li Qiang, Chinese Premier, via Associated Press.
The foundation for China’s sustained
economic recovery is not yet stable,
with insufficient effective demand,
overcapacity in some industries,
weak social expectations, and still
many risks and hidden dangers, Li Qiang, Chinese Premier, via Associated Press.
According to a draft budget, an additional
$231 billion would be set aside for defense
spending, representing a 7.2% increase from 2023. .
According to a draft budget, an additional
$231 billion would be set aside for defense
spending, representing a 7.2% increase from 2023. .
The underlying trend of economic
recovery and long-term growth
remains unchanged and will not
change. So we must be more confident
and more assured of ourselves, Li Qiang, Chinese Premier, via Associated Press
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A WZ-7 Soaring Dragon drone of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was spotted flying in close proximity to the Philippines, ahead of preparations by the.. IndiaTimes
The heads of state from Japan, the Philippines, and the United States have jointly expressed "grave concern" regarding China's conduct in the contested South China Sea. Over recent years, Beijing has intensified its presence in this crucial maritime region, leading to heightened tensions, notably with the Philippines. This nation, among others in Southeast Asia, asserts territorial claims over portions of the sea adjacent to its shores. In response to a recent altercation near Second Thomas Shoal that resulted in injuries to Filipino soldiers and damage to vessels, President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines declared Manila's intention to enact countermeasures against China. The leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States expressed shared concerns over the People's Republic of China's (PRC) provocative actions in the South China Sea during the inaugural summit held in Washington, DC. This joint statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region.
#SouthChinaSea #China #Japan #Philippines #US #Tensions #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #SecurityConcerns #GeoPolitics
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.102~
On Wednesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the forthcoming trilateral summit involving the United States, Philippines, and Japan will entail an agreement to uphold security and ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Marcos departed for Washington in the afternoon to engage in discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Earlier in the day, the Philippine leader informed reporters that while there would be a focus on addressing South China Sea concerns, the primary objective of the summit remains enhancing economic cooperation among the three allied nations.
#Philippines #Summit #SouthChinaSea #Cooperation #FumioKishida #JoeBiden #FerdinandMarcosJr #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #Geopolitics
~PR.152~ED.194~GR.123~
Protesters in Manila trampled on an effigy of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday as they condemned China’s “aggression” against the Philippines in the South China Sea. The protesters marched towards the Chinese consulate in Manila, chanting “China leave!” while others called out China’s “aggression” against Filipino people in the South China Sea. The Philippines and China have had a series of maritime run-ins, including an incident last month where China used water cannons to disrupt a Philippine supply mission to soldiers stationed on a grounded warship in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
#PhilippineProtest #XiEffigyTrampled #ChinaAggression #SouthChinaSea #MaritimeTensions #ProtestAgainstChina #TerritorialDispute #RegionalSecurity #ASEANUnity #InternationalRelations
~PR.152~ED.101~
Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on China to talk to prevent more incidents like ramming vessels and the use of water cannons in the South China Sea. The Philippines continues to talk with China, and is exhausting all options to speak to Chinese leadership so as not to heat up tensions in the waterway, Marcos said. He added he hopes the recently concluded joint maritime activity with Japan, Australia, and the United States will reduce incidents at sea with China.
#SouthChinaSea #ChinaPhilippinesDialogue #FerdinandMarcosJr #PhilippinesChina #MilitaryDrills #ChinaPatrol #USPhilippinesJapanAustralia #JointDrills #IndoPacificCooperation #NavalOperations #RegionalSecurity #GlobalTensions #InternationalRelations
~PR.152~ED.101~GR.122~
Senate Passes $95 Billion , Foreign Aid Package.
On April 23, the U.S. Senate voted
79-18 to approve foreign aid for Ukraine,
Israel and Taiwan, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Today the Senate sends a unified
message to the entire world:
America will always defend
democracy in its hour of need, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Make no mistake, America will deliver
on its promise to act like a leader on the
world stage, to hold the line against
autocratic thugs like Vladimir Putin. , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
A provision to ban TikTok
after the election if ByteDance refuses
to sell the platform is also included.
The legislation will now head to President Biden, who told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on
April 23 that he will "move quickly" to provide aid.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
with whom he worked "hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to get this bill done.".
A lot of people inside and
outside the Congress wanted this
package to fail. But today those in
Congress who stand on the side of
democracy are winning the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement.
Today’s action is overdue, but our work
does not end here. Trust in American
resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding
and restocking the arsenal of democracy
doesn’t just happen by magic, Senate Majority Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The Senate has passed $95bn (£76.2bn) in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delays and rows - with Joe Biden set to sign the legislation.. Sky News
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