Canada launches 58-nation initiative to stop arbitrary detentions

On 15 Feb, Canada launched a 58-nation initiative to stop countries from detaining foreign citizens for diplomatic leverage. Other signatories include Japan, Britain, Australia and virtually all members of the 27-nation European Union.

Even the declaration does not target any nation, a Canadian official said the initiative had been sparked by concern over arrests of foreigners by China, Iran, Russia and North Korea. Also, the declaration could help put pressure on Beijing.

The Canadian initiative was started last year by Francois-Philippe Champagne, Garneau’s predecessor. Champagne said by working together nations could better focus attention on the detainees.

Source: Reuters #Feb15

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-diplomacy-detainees-idUSKBN2AF0NV

#Canada #ChinaHostageDiplomacy #58NationInitiative

#ShameOnYouChina: Burmese Population Condemn China for its Reported Assistance in Nationwide Internet Blockage and Support for Military Coup

On Feb 14, 2021, armoured vehicles were deployed by the Myanmar military in response to the escalation of the demonstrations in the country.

On the morning of Feb 15, the military shut down the country’s internet, which left the national connectivity to only 14% according to the internet observatory #NetBlocks. The internet was resumed at 9am.

Netizens suspected China's intervention by delivering hardwares that helped the internet shut down.

A screenshot showing 6 flights from Kunming to Yangong was posted on social media this morning, with hashtags #ShameOnYouChina and #ChinaHelpMilitaryCoupForOwnBenefit. Multiple universities in Myanmar also issued open letters to Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) leader #XiJiping demanding China to stop recognising the military dictatorship in Myanmar.

Previously, there have been photos circulating on the internet implying China assisted the Myanmar military by providing hardwares to shutdown the internet and build firewalls.

On Feb 10, 2021, the Chinese Enterprises Chamber in Myanmar claimed that the delivery only contained, but protestors were still skeptical. The nationwide internet shutdown on Feb 14 further escalated the protestors’ anti-China stance.

Netizens once again suspected China’s intervention based on the screenshot circulating on social media which showed the arrival of 6 flights from Kunming, China to Yangon. It was reported that the related posts were shared at least 3500 times, and the hashtag #ShameOnYouChina was used more than 1,500 times in just 6 hours after the internet was resumed.

Source: Stand News #Feb15

Read more about the #OpenLetter from university students in Myanmar:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55960284

http://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmar-student-union-leaders-appeal-china.html

#MyanmarProtest #InternetShutdown

Scott Morrison could tear up Victoria's controversial Belt and Road deal with China with WEEKS as PM declares there's 'no benefit' to Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has claimed Victoria's controversial Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China has no benefits.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews who signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 with China,
and other state premiers and chief ministers must detail to the Commonwealth all agreements made with foreign powers by March 10 for the assessment of the Federal Government

The intervention was made possible when Federal legislation was passed in December allowing the foreign minister to review and scrap state, territory, local council and public university deals with other nations.

Source: DailyMail #Feb15

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9260117/No-benefit-Scott-Morrison-tear-Victorias-controversial-Belt-Road-deal-China.html

#Australia #BRI #BRINoBenefit #China #CCP

Swedish Gold Medalist says China's hosting of Olympics 'extremely irresponsible' amid human rights abuses

//Swedish speed skater Nils van der Poel, who won two gold medals at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, on Sunday, February 13, 2022, condemned the International Olympic Committee (#IOC) as being "extremely irresponsible" in handing over the games to a country that "violates human rights as blatantly" as China does.

25-year-old Nils van der Poel took gold in the men's 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter speed skating competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics, setting the world record in the latter.

...He compared the games to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

He said that the Olympics is a "fantastic sporting event where you unite the world and nations meet," but he added that "so did Hitler before invading Poland, and so did Russia before invading Ukraine," referring to the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the invasion of Ukrainian territory in Crimea by Russia in 2014.

As for Beijing's hosting of the Winter Games, Van de Poel said, "I think it is extremely irresponsible to give it to a country that violates human rights as blatantly as the Chinese regime is doing."//

Read full article:
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4444098

Source: Taiwan News #Feb15

#NilsVanDerPoel #Sweden #WinterOlympics #Beijing #China

Chinese Mobile Phones May Send User Data to China, Belgium Warns

Belgian justice minister Vincent #VanQuickenborne has warned that mobile phones made by Chinese brands may pose spying risks to users, Le Soir reported.

Given the laws under which Chinese #smartphones are produced, Van Quickenborne said, the data they hold may be sent to the Chinese authorities or exposed to #espionage.

According to Le Soir’s report, Chinese law requires companies to store their data on Chinese servers and grant the Chinese authorities access to the IT system.

While #Europe has been slower than the US in its crackdown on Chinese telecom firms, Sino-European relations have become increasingly tense following #China ’s sanctions against Lithuania and as fears of espionage and data theft grow.

#Belgium had previously cautioned athletes attending the #BeijingWinterOlympics against hackers.

Source: Technews #Feb15

https://technews.tw/2022/02/15/huawei-xiaomi-china/