Foreign news
China slams UK official’s ‘fact-distorting’ comments on border-crossing trial
The Chinese embassy in Britain on Tuesday slammed “fact-distorting” comments made by British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab regarding the case of 12 Hong Kong residents charged with illegal border crossing.
On August 23, the Guangdong Coast Guard intercepted a boat in waters under its jurisdiction, on which were 12 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) residents who were afterward detained for unlawfully crossing the border.
On Monday, Rabb issued a statement saying that the UK side is “deeply concerned” that the 12 Hong Kong suspects were “tried in secret” in Shenzhen, and asking China to “conduct trials in a fair and transparent manner.”
In response, the Chinese embassy stressed that the case was given an open trial of first instance at the People’s Court of Yantian District in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
A few deputies of the National People’s Congress and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference from HKSAR and Shenzhen as well as journalists and relatives of the defendants attended the trial, said the embassy.
China upholds the rule of law and lawbreakers must be brought to justice, the embassy stressed.
The handling of the case by China’s judicial institutions in accordance with law brooks no distortion, discredit or interference, the embassy added.
China urges the UK side to take concrete steps to abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and stop interfering immediately in HKSAR affairs, China’s internal affairs and China’s judicial sovereignty, the embassy said.
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded to the “irresponsible” remarks by the U.S. embassy on this case.
Zhao said China firmly opposed the embassy’s remarks, and urged the U.S. to immediately stop using HKSAR issues to meddle in China’s domestic affairs.
Foreign news
Pakistan Moves to Deepen Diplomatic, Economic Relations With Nigeria
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has called for deeper diplomatic and economic ties with the Nigerian government to foster development for both countries.
Mr Rana Ihsaan, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during his working vist to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the visiting Coordinator held a closed-door meeting with Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, he said that both both sides had agreed on deepening relations in the areas of trade and commerce, among others.
Ihsaan said that both countries must see the need to accelerate efforts towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
He said that Pakistan had already submitted a draft BTA and was awaiting Nigeria’s response.
According to him, discussions centered on easing visa processes, expanding educational exchanges, and strengthening Cooperation in sectors such as Minerals, Youth training, and Defence were highlighted.
Ihsaan said that Pakistan had already implemented visa-on-arrival for Nigerians at no cost, and urged Nigeria to reciprocate to enhance people-to-people ties.
He stressed the importance of high-level engagements between both nations, describing Nigeria and Pakistan as very similar countries with large populations, youthful demographics, and vast economic potentials.
“Deeper collaboration will unlock opportunities in trade, education and investment, while further solidifying long-standing diplomatic relations,” he said.
He said that aside from visiting the foriegn Minister and other top government officials in Nigeria, he was also in the country to attend the on-going West Africa Beauty Exhibition holding in Lagos.
He described the exhibition as one of the continent’s largest cosmetic fairs, adding that he led a delegation of 19 Pakistani business people exploring Nigeria’s estimated 10 million dollar beauty and cosmetics market.
Ihsaan said that Nigeria was a gateway to Africa, adding that Pakistani products, like cosmetics, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Food items and Sports goods were already gaining traction in the country.
He encouraged Pakistani exhibitors to establish offices, Warehouses and logistics partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the Nigerian market.
Ihsaan further addressed concerns from Nigerian businesses on the ease of doing business in Pakistan.
He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan had been supporting Nigerian participants at major exhibitions to achieve the ease of doing business.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serves as a one-stop platform for Nigerians interested in investing in Pakistan,” he said
Culled from NAN
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