Economic performance of China during the COVID-19 pandemic: In 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when most economies were struggling, China was able to sustain its impressive economic performance. China’s gross domestic product grew by 2.2% in 2020 from the previous year. China’s manufacturing output registered an increase from the previous year and …
Context: India has decided to do a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. What is a diplomatic boycott? In normal circumstances, high-ranking officials from a country’s government travel to the Olympics. These officials are labelled as the ‘VIP visitors’. Diplomatic boycott means countries will not send ‘VIP visitors’ delegations to Beijing during the …
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For background about China-Taiwan issue, please read “Taiwan Vs Once China Policy” What China is doing to annex Taiwan? China is forcing nations to break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China is vetoing Taiwan’s presence in international organizations. Today, only 13 Nations and Vatican City recognize Taiwan. Lithuania has taken a bold step by allowing …
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China’s aggressive gestures against India: Renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh: Beijing renamed 15 places in Arunachal Pradesh, following the six it had done in 2017, weeks after the Dalai Lama visited Tawang. China justifies the renaming as being done on the basis of its historical, cultural and administrative jurisdiction over the area. It said …
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China’s new Border Law: The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress passed the law for the protection and exploitation of the country’s land border areas. It is encouraging the development of villages for civilians in the border areas by mandating the state to take measures to: strengthen border defence support economic and social development open-up border areas improve public …
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Background: Beijing opened its first foreign military base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in 2017. It is said to be building its second foreign military base at Ream, Cambodia. Through acquiring foreign military bases, China is trying to assert its primacy in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region while pushing out the US and India. China’s potential Foreign military bases: In …
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Context: China is increasing quality and quantity of its nuclear arsenal which can be dangerous for India. Recent changes in China’s nuclear arsenal: China Military Power Report (CMPR) recently released by the Pentagon reveals four specific areas where change is underway: Quantitative strength: Presently China has around 200 nuclear warheads. By 2027, they are likely to …
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Recent initiatives by US and China to mitigate tensions: Inauguration of high-level engagement on key bilateral and global issues. Agreed to engage in structured talks on their respective nuclear stockpiles to ensure “nuclear stability”. This is due to rapid and significant advances in the Chinese nuclear stockpile. US has rolled back to its earlier position in Taiwan and …
Changing US-China relations and its impact on India – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Context: India didn’t wish China on Chinese Communist Part centenary. Indian PM publicly wished the Dalai Lama. The Chinese president has warned that foreign powers will get their heads bashed if they attempt to bully or influence the country. China is under greater scrutiny for its conduct in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. It will become …
Should India review its One China Policy? – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Recent geopolitical developments around the world: Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a year-long border standoff that has taken the lives of soldiers on both sides. China’s naval vessels patrol the Indian Ocean, while it consolidates partnerships in South Asia and across Eurasia. The US is struggling to regain its superpower image, after the …