VIF Neighbiourhood News Digest: 7th September, 2018

PAKISTAN
Under pressure govt backtracks on Atif Mian's appointment; removes economist from advisory council: Dawn

September 7, 2018

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government has asked Princeton University economist Atif R. Mian to step down from the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Economic Advisory Council (EAC), PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan announced on Friday. The decision follows mounting pressure from religiopolitical parties against the appointment of Dr Mian, who is an Ahmadi. According to a tweet by Senator Javed, Mian has agreed to give up his position on the council. A replacement will be announced later, he added. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN
Mattis Makes Unannounced Visit To Afghanistan: Tolo

September 7, 2018

James Mattis, the US Defense Secretary, arrived in Kabul for an unannounced visit on Friday, US media reported. Mattis and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were meeting with Army Gen. Scott Miller, the new commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan, NBC News reported. They were to discuss progress on peace talks with the Taliban, despite a deteriorating security situation in the country. Mattis is scheduled to conduct a town hall meeting with troops, attend a weekly memorial service and meet with senior Afghan leaders, officials said as quoted by NBC News. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL
Nepal, China finalise protocol of trade transit agreement: Kathmandu Post

September 7, 2018

Nepal and China have finalised the draft of the much-awaited Protocol of Nepal-China Transit and Transportation Agreement that will allow Nepal to use Chinese ports for third-country trade.

In the protocol agreed during the third senior official-level meeting held in Kathmandu on September 4-6, China has agreed to grant access to Nepal to its four seaports and three dry-ports for trading with third countries. The deal has paved the way for Nepal, which had been relying on Indian ports as of now, to diversify its access to seaports and alternative routes for third-country trade. Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR
The International Criminal Court Says It Can Rule on Alleged Crimes Against Myanmar's Rohingya: Time

September 7, 2018

In a ruling that could open the door for the first criminal prosecution of the Myanmar military’s ethnic cleansing campaign, the International Criminal Court said Thursday that it has jurisdiction to probe the forced expulsion of Rohingya as a possible crime against humanity. More than 700,000 people from the stateless Muslim minority were driven from their homes in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state and into neighboring Bangladesh since last August. Survivors described fleeing a military-led frenzy of gang rapes, arson and mass murder. Click here to read... [5]

CHINA
Beijing protests UK naval incursion: People's Daily

September 7, 2018

Beijing expressed strong dissatisfaction on Thursday after a naval vessel from the United Kingdom sailed into territorial waters off China's Xisha Islands, with China urging an immediate cessation of such provocative actions. Reuters reported that HMS Albion, a 22,000-ton amphibious warship, passed near the Xisha Islands on August 31 on its way to Vietnam."HMS Albion exercised her rights for freedom of navigation in full compliance with international law and norms," Reuters cited a spokesman for the Royal Navy as saying. Click here to read... [6]

MOFCOM: China must retaliate if US implements new tariffs: People's Daily

September 7, 2018

China's Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) said on Thursday that it will take necessary counter measures if the US insists on implementing a new set of 25 percent tariffs on 200 billion US dollars' worth of Chinese import. "The US is seriously violating the WTO rules," ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a press conference. "It not only harms the interest of business and customers from both countries, but also undermines the international value chain and industry chain." Click here to read... [7]

Help vowed for private investment: China Daily

September 7, 2018

China will take further measures to support private investment as the country tries to stabilize growth while encouraging deleveraging, especially within State-owned enterprises, according to the nation's top economic regulator. Click here to read... [8]