HONG KONG: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged China to disclose the details of people killed, detained or missing during the Chinese military’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters centered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square 29 years ago.
Pompeo marked Monday’s anniversary of the suppression of demonstrations on June 4, 1989, saying: “We remember the tragic loss of innocent lives.”
Hundreds, if not thousands, of unarmed protesters and onlookers were killed late on June 3 and the early hours of June 4, 1989, after China’s Communist leaders ordered the military to retake Tiananmen Square from the student-led demonstrators.
The topic remains taboo in mainland China and any form of commemoration, whether public or private, is banned. In Hong Kong, however, tens of thousands of people gather every year in Victoria Park on the evening of June 4 to remember the victims in the only large-scale public commemoration held on Chinese soil.
Organizers of this year’s vigil estimated 150,000 people attended, but Hong Kong police put the figure at 17,000.
Speakers in the park Monday night called for an “end to one-party dictatorship” despite warnings from pro-Beijing officials of potential repercussions.
Albert Ho, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, the organizer of the vigil, said people in semiautonomous Hong Kong enjoyed the right to advocate for more political rights.
“When we are aspiring to establishing a truly democratic China, we all think a necessary condition is an end to one-party dictatorship,” Ho told the crowd. “So we are exercising this freedom of speech. And the suggestion that such expression is a violation of the constitution is totally groundless.”
The former top Beijing official in charge of Hong Kong’s affairs said in April that people who call for an “end to one-party dictatorship” are breaking the law and should be barred from running for political office.
Concerns have grown in Hong Kong that Beijing is eroding civil liberties there despite promises to maintain them following its 1997 handover from Britain.
In his statement, Pompeo called on Chinese authorities to release those who have been jailed for their efforts to keep alive the memory of the crackdown and to stop harassing the protest’s participants and their families.
He cited the Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who wrote in his 2010 Nobel Peace Prize speech, delivered in absentia: “The ghosts of June 4th have not yet been laid to rest.” Liu last year became only the second Nobel Peace Prize winner to die in police custody.
“We join others in the international community in urging the Chinese government to make a full public accounting of those killed, detained or missing,” Pompeo’s statement said.
The Chinese foreign ministry said it was “strongly opposed” to Pompeo’s statement, calling it an interference in China’s internal affairs.
“We urge the US to abandon its prejudices, correct its mistakes, stop making irresponsible remarks and interfering in China’s internal affairs,” said ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular briefing.
She said the US should “do things that are more helpful for the steady growth of China-US ties instead of the other way around.”
While mainland Chinese are only dimly aware of what happened at Tiananmen Square nearly three decades ago, the subject is openly discussed in Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said she hoped Beijing would confront its past.
“For several decades, the Chinese mainland has never stepped out of the shadows of this historical tragedy,” Tsai wrote in a Facebook post.
“I sincerely believe that if the Beijing authorities can face up to the June 4 incident and recognize the state’s violence at its essence, the unfortunate history of June 4 will be the foundation of China’s liberalization and democratization,” Tsai wrote.
The authoritarian Communist Party rulers in Beijing insist that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are part of a single Chinese nation and have vowed to take control of the island by force if necessary.
Hong Kong remembers Tiananmen as US calls for accounting
Hong Kong remembers Tiananmen as US calls for accounting
- Organizers of this year’s vigil estimated 150,000 people attended, but Hong Kong police put the figure at 17,000
- The topic remains taboo in mainland China and any form of commemoration, whether public or private, is banned
FIFAe Finals 2024 to take place in Riyadh
- The tournament returns to the Saudi capital from Dec. 5-12 with a partnership between FIFAe and the Saudi Esports Federation
RIYADH: The FIFAe Finals 2024 come to Riyadh next month, the first time the event will include multiple esports titles.
Hosted at the SEF Arena at BLVD Riyadh City, it will unfold in two stages. Proceedings begin with the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League from Dec. 5-8, followed by two FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball (on console and mobile) that will run from Dec. 9-12.
Ahead of the tournaments, Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “As we continue to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in esports, hosting the FIFAe Finals 2024 is a proud moment for us. This event not only highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to the esports ecosystem but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for players from across the world to showcase their talent and passion on a global stage. We’re excited to witness the next chapter of esports history unfold right here in Riyadh.”
Players have the opportunity to represent their nations and lift the official FIFAe World Cup Trophy on a global stage. Sixteen nations are competing in Rocket League and up to 18 will go head-to-head in eFootball.
In line with Rocket League’s third-party regulations, the prize pool stands at $250,000. The prize pool for both eFootball competitions (console and mobile) is $100,000 each, bringing the total prize distribution for the FIFAe Finals 2024 to $450,000.
“This year’s addition of multiple new titles marks a major expansion for football esports tournaments, offering players from diverse ecosystems the chance to compete on the biggest stage under the FIFAe banner. We’re excited to continue this momentum together with the SEF and look forward to bringing this event to life in December together with our partners and publishers,” said FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 follow the inaugural FIFAe Next Gen event in Liverpool, England, which included the first-ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager, alongside the FIFAe Fame Your Game Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM giga-project a ‘generational investment,’ minister says
- Foreign investors starting to come to NEOM, minister says
- On recent departure of NEOM’s CEO, minister says there is a time to pass baton
- Risk-return ‘very fair’ for outside investors, Al-Falih says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s NEOM gigaproject, a futuristic region being built in the desert, is a “generational investment” with a long timeline, the country’s investment minister told Reuters on Monday, adding that foreign investment will pick up pace.
“NEOM was not meant to be a two-year investable opportunity. If anybody expected NEOM to be foreign investment in two, three or five years, then they have gotten (it) wrong — it’s a generational investment,” Minister Khalid Al-Falih said on the sidelines of the World Investment Conference in Riyadh.
“The flywheel is starting and it will gain speed as we go forward, as some of the foundational assets come to the market,” he said.
The world’s top oil exporter has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into development projects through the Kingdom’s $925 billion sovereign fund, the Public Investment Fund, as it undergoes an economic agenda dubbed Vision 2030 to cut dependence on fossil fuels.
NEOM, a Red Sea urban and industrial development nearly the size of Belgium that is meant to eventually house 9 million people, is central to Vision 2030.
NEOM announced this month its long-time chief executive, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, had stepped down, without giving further details.
Asked what effect the departure would have on investors, the minister said the executive had done “a respectable job” but that “there is a time for everybody to pass on the baton.”
Asked if PIF will continue to do much of the spending on NEOM until more foreign funds come in, Al-Falih said it was not binary.
“I think foreign investors are starting to come to NEOM, they’re starting to channel capital. Some of the projects that the PIF will be doing will be financed through global capital pools, through some alternative and private capital. That’s taking place as we speak,” he said.
“So I urge you not to look at NEOM as being 100 percent PIF and then suddenly there will be a cliff and it will go private.”
Saudi Arabia, which is racing to attract $100 billion in annual foreign direct investment by the turn of the decade — reaching about a quarter of that in 2023 — has recently seen more co-investment deals between state entities and foreign investors.
“It’s always been the intent,” Al-Falih said of foreign inflows alongside state funds.
He noted that foreign investors were at times “still looking, still examining, still sometimes questioning,” but that now there was confidence in the profitability of investment opportunities and that “the risk-return trade-offs are very, very fair and positive to them.”
Pakistan eyes enhanced trade and connectivity with Belarus amid investment push
- Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is in Pakistan on three-day visit for investment, trade talks
- Islamabad is pushing for foreign investment from allies in a bid to shore up $350 billion economy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Privatization and Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stressed launching direct flights to Belarus and enhancing trade with the eastern European country, state-run media reported this week, as its president arrived in Islamabad for a three-day trip to hold talks on bilateral trade and investment.
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Pakistan on Monday following the arrival of his 68-member delegation, as Islamabad pushes for foreign investment from allies old and new in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy while navigating a tough reforms agenda mandated by the IMF.
Khan met Belarusian Transport Minister Alexei Lyakhnovich with senior communication in the presence of sector officials from both countries on Monday to discuss the importance of enhancing connectivity through roads and railways, the Associated Press of Pakistan said.
“Federal Minister for Communications, Privatization and Board of Investment Abdul Aleem Khan on Monday emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing connectivity through the launch of direct flights to Moscow and Belarus, alongside the development of trade corridors linking China, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Belarus,” the APP reported.
The Belarusian transport minister described cross-border trade as “pivotal” for strengthening the economy and promoting bilateral relations, adding it was a significant step toward collaboration between both countries.
The pending construction of different motorways and highways also came under discussion with both sides agreeing to take steps in this regard, APP said.
Emphasizing the communication sector’s importance, Khan said Pakistan wanted a trade corridor to Central Asia along the Karakoram Highway and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor lines to promote business activities.
“We want to further enhance G2G and B2B activities with Belarus in the future for which both the countries will make serious efforts,” Khan said.
“Like Azerbaijan and Turkiye, we also want to make Belarus an investment partner with our country as Pakistan is rich in natural resources and blessings of Allah Almighty while positive results can be achieved with our skilled workforce.”
On Tuesday, Lukashenko arrived at the Prime Minister House where he was welcomed by PM Shehbaz Sharif and presented with a guard of honor.
Pakistan and Belarus, the world’s 74th-largest economy by GDP, celebrated thirty years of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and maintained an embassy in Minsk.
The prime minister of Belarus was in Islamabad earlier this year where he met his counterpart as well as the chief of the Pakistan army, among other key leaders.
In September, Pakistan and Belarus discussed different options for a joint venture to establish a tractor plant in the country and reached a consensus on collaborating on a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to protect cattle, as well as on the capacity building of agricultural engineers in machinery design.
They also agreed to enhance cooperation in the sectors of livestock and seeds and work together on the mechanization of agriculture and on increasing market access for agricultural and livestock products. Belarus also wants to set up a veterinary medicine plant in Pakistan.
The First Pakistan-Belarus Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in 2015 in which the two countries agreed to initiate joint ventures in the textile, pharmaceutical and lighting solution industries and share technological expertise.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states, including meetings with leaders from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
After humiliating loss, Pakistan face Zimbabwe in second ODI today
- Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan by 80-run win on Duckworth-Lewis Stern (DLS) method in first ODI
- Skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s side will play three ODIs and three T20Is against Zimbabwe
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on hosts Zimbabwe in the second ODI today, Tuesday, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, after reeling from an embarrassing defeat in the first match last week.
All-rounder Sikandar Raza inspired Zimbabwe to a stunning 80-run win on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method on Sunday against a new-look Pakistan team.
Raza made a crucial 39 runs and lifted Zimbabwe from a precarious 125-7 to 205 all out.
Under overcast conditions, Raza picked up two wickets in one over as Pakistan limped to 60-6 in 21 overs before it rained and denied further play as Zimbabwe took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“The second One-Day International of three match series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be played in Bulawayo on Tuesday,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The three-match ODI series will be followed by three T20s with Bulawayo hosting all the matches.
In the 15-member squad Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been replaced with the uncapped duo of Abrar Ahmed and Ahmed Daniyal along with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir.
The match is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time.
President of Chile denies sexual harassment complaint
- Chilean President Gabriel Boric denies claims he sexually harassed a woman over a decade ago
Santiago: Chilean President Gabriel Boric was accused in a criminal complaint of sexually harassing a woman over a decade ago, an allegation he “categorically” denies, a lawyer said Monday.
“The president ... rejects and categorically denies the complaint,” attorney Jonatan Valenzuela said in a statement, referring to an alleged event in 2013.
The complaint was filed on September 6 in the local prosecutor’s office of Magallanes, in the far south of Chile where Boric is from.
Cristian Crisosto, who heads the Magallanes prosecutor’s office, confirmed “there is a criminal case related to the facts listed,” adding that there was a special team at the agency investigating the complaint.
According to Valenzuela, the complaint was filed by a woman who at the time sent Boric 25 emails that were “unsolicited and non-consensual,” including one with explicit images.
More than 10 years later, the woman “filed a complaint without any basis whatsoever against now-president Gabriel Boric.”
Boric, now 38, was 27 at the time and had just completed his law degree.
“My client never had an emotional relationship or friendship with her and they have not communicated since July 2014,” Valenzuela added.
The accusation against Boric comes as his administration is dealing with a separate scandal over sexual abuse after former crime czar and ex-deputy interior minister Manuel Monsalve was arrested this month on suspicion of raping his subordinate.
Boric, who is ineligible to run for reelection after his four-year presidential term ends in 2026, has special immunity and must first be subject to an impeachment trial by the justice department to be formally investigated.
