Current Final

Tag: China

  • Man wins lottery $30 million, hides it from his wife and family

    Man wins lottery $30 million, hides it from his wife and family

    A man in southern China is keeping his $29.9 million lottery jackpot win a secret from his wife and child, saying he was worried that the winnings might make them “lazy.”


    According to the Nanning Evening News, the man, identified only as Mr. Li, went alone to the lottery office in Nanning, in the southern province of Guangxi, to claim his reward. In pictures showing him accepting the cheque, he can be seen dressed in a bright yellow costume that completely covers his face and head.

    “I didn’t tell my wife and child for fear that they would be too complacent and would not work or work hard in the future,” the man told the newspaper last week.


    “I slept in a hotel because I was afraid to go out and lose the lottery ticket,” he said.


    The central government of China holds lotteries to collect funds for social welfare and athletics. In Guangxi, players choose one number on a blue ball and six numbers on red balls. The player claimed that the following numbers: 2, 15, 19, 26, 27, 29, and 2 were his winning combinations.

  • Pakistan to get high speed train technology from China

    Pakistan to get high speed train technology from China

    In accordance with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge to assist cash-strapped Pakistan in its financial position, Pakistan and China have decided to begin a high-speed train project for roughly $9.85 billion.

    According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Main Line-1 is “a project of strategic importance” and the agreement was made during a meeting in Beijing between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Xi.

    The project entails modernising a 1,163-mile colonial-era track that runs from Karachi to Peshawar in order to accommodate high-speed trains, according to Bloomberg.

    The project, which has been in consideration for years, was officially approved by Pakistan earlier this week without disclosing the source of finance or offering any technical information.

    Officials in Pakistan anticipated receiving loans from China for the upgrading.

    The US has long criticised China for employing what it refers to as “debt diplomacy” to increase the dependence of developing countries on Beijing. Despite this, China postponed an earlier bailout for Pakistan as its debt skyrocketed, and it has been reducing loans to Africa as its economy weakens.

    According to a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published in September, state-owned commercial banks in China are owed nearly 30 per cent of Pakistan’s foreign debt.

    Xi and PM Shehbaz decided to finalise the plans for a Karachi inner-city train route during their meeting. The Chinese president also announced that his country would give Pakistan 500 million yuan ($68.7 million) to aid with reconstruction after flooding over the summer that caused more than 500,000 people to lose their homes.

    The People’s Bank of China said in a statement that the central banks of both nations had signed an agreement of cooperation on a yuan clearing in Pakistan on Wednesday without providing many other specifics.

  • China to continue supporting Pakistan’s financial situation

    China to continue supporting Pakistan’s financial situation

    President Xi Jinping has said on Wednesday that China will continue to support Pakistan in stabilising its financial situation, the country’s state media has reported.

    The report also said that China and Pakistan should move forward more effectively with the construction of their economic corridor, as well as accelerate the construction of infrastructure for the Gwadar Sea Port.

    The statement was also reported by Reuters after Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping which focused on increasing multilateral cooperation between both countries especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

    The bilateral consensus between the two leaders was reached as PM Shehbaz called on Xi at the People’s Great Hall of China.

    During the meeting, the Chinese president and PM Shehbaz discussed “broad-based cooperation in economy and investment and exchanged views on regional and global developments”.

    Xi said that the countries should work together to create suitable conditions for the early implementation of the Mainline-1 railway upgrading project and the Karachi Circular Railway project.

    China welcomes Pakistan to expand high-quality agricultural exports to the country, and is willing to deepen cooperation in areas including the digital economy, e-commerce, photovoltaic and other new energy sources, Xi said.

    China will also export technology for a 160 km/h high-speed railway train to Pakistan, state broadcaster CCTV said.

    Separately, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said it has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the National Bank of Pakistan recently for the establishment of RMB clearing arrangement in Pakistan, in a bid to facilitate the use of RMB for cross-border transactions by enterprises and financial institutions in both countries.

    The prime minister also met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wherein the two sides agreed to expand CPEC besides ensuring the early completion of its already initiated projects.

    PM Shehbaz is on a two-day official visit with a high-level delegation at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang. The meeting was primarily aimed at revitalising the CPEC project.

  • PIA resumes direct flights from Islamabad to Beijing after 2.5 years

    PIA resumes direct flights from Islamabad to Beijing after 2.5 years

    The direct flights from Beijing to Islamabad were restarted by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Sunday.

    According to ARY News, the first flight, PK-854, departed from the Islamabad airport at 6:45 am and touched down in Beijing at 2:55 pm. In the evening, this flight will make its way back to Islamabad.

    Following a lapse of more than 2.5 years, operations between the two capitals were restarted. In February 2020, this route saw the final PIA flight.

    China banned practically all incoming foreign flights in March 2020 due to concerns that passengers from other countries could be responsible for an outbreak of coronavirus illnesses.

    Since Pakistan is Beijing’s sole all-weather strategic partner of China and the two nations have mutual interests and collaboration in a number of areas, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has finally granted PIA permission to resume operations.

    Additionally, the flight will make it easier for Chinese workers on several CPEC-related projects in Pakistan.

  • PM Shehbaz promises to mend relations with the US

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has promised that the federal government is trying to mend relations with the United States (US).

    Addressing the passing out parade of the Specialised Training Programme (STP) in Islamabad, the Premier said that in the last few years, Pakistan’s relations with friendly countries had suffered. However, he promised that he was making all-out efforts to mend ties.

    He said that he is going to China soon as the northern neighbor, “always stood with Pakistan”.

    The Prime Minister, who just concluded a three-day trip to Saudi Arabia, said that that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud would soon be visiting Pakistan, adding that he has expressed willingness to support development projects in the country.

    “Earlier this year, a team from the Saudi Development Fund visited Pakistan. During a meeting with me, they complained about delays in projects in Pakistan caused by the previous government,” he recalled.

    Shehbaz Sharif said that during his meeting with Prince Salman he had apologised for these delays. “He [Prince Salman] said that the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are closely bound together in a relationship. We are like one family and I am ready to do everything. These were his words,” the Prime Minister recounted to the audience.

    Hence, he added, when the crown prince visits Pakistan, “I want all of you to welcome him warmly because he comes from a brotherly country.”

  • Pakistan may be ‘one of the most dangerous nations in the world’, says US President

    Pakistan may be ‘one of the most dangerous nations in the world’, says US President

    President of the United States of America (USA), Joe Biden, has said that Pakistan may be “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” as the country has “nuclear weapons without any cohesion”.

    The remark came during the US president’s address at a democratic congressional campaign committee reception.

    What did the US President say?

    “Did anybody think we’d be in a situation where China is trying to figure out its role relative to Russia and relative to India and relative to Pakistan,” the American President asked during his speech at the reception.

    Talking about his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the US president termed him as a man who knew what he wanted but had an “enormous” array of problems.

    “How do we handle that? How do we handle that relative to what’s going on in Russia? And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion,” Biden said, adding that despite a lot going on, the US has a hunk of opportunities to change the dynamic in the second quarter of the 21st century.

    Reactions to the US President’s statement:

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif reacting to US President’s statement said that Pakistan rejects the remarks reportedly made by the US President, which are factually incorrect and misleading.

    “Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven to be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system,” read an official statement from the prime minister’s office.

    “The real threat to international peace and security is posed by ultra-nationalism, violation of human rights in regions that are struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, repeated nuclear security incidents, and arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturb the regional balance.”

    “Pakistan and the US have a long history of a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. At a time, when the world is confronted by huge global challenges, it is critically important that genuine and durable efforts are made to recognize the real potential of the Pakistan-US relationship while avoiding unnecessary comments. It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security.”

    “Let no one have any doubts. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and we are proud that our nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per IAEA requirements,” tweeted the premier.

    “We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness,” said the prime minister.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that is perfectly capable of safeguarding its national interest whilst respecting international law and practices.

    “Our nuclear program is in no way a threat to any country,” he said on Twitter. “Like all independent states, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood, and territorial integrity.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said he had two questions regarding the US president’s statement. “On what info has Biden reached this unwarranted conclusion on our nuclear capability when, having been PM, I know we have one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems?

    “Unlike the US which has been involved in wars across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression esp post-nuclearisation,” he asked.

    Khan claimed that Biden’s statement showed the “total failure of the imported government’s foreign policy and its claims of a reset of relations with the US”.

    “Is this the ‘reset’? This government has broken all records for incompetence,” Imran tweeted, adding that he feared the incumbent government would end up compromising national security.

    The ruling PML-N has held PTI responsible for Biden’s statement, saying, the lobbying firm hired by the Imran Khan-led party is doing what it was paid to do.

    “Make no mistake about it, this is a direct attack on the national security of Pakistan.”

    Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan — a senior member of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet — has termed the US president’s statement about Pakistan’s nuclear programme “baseless”.

    While answering a question about President Joe Biden’s comments regarding Pakistan during a press conference today, the former defence minister said, “Pakistan’s nuclear command and control system is absolutely safe which has been confirmed by international organisations many times”.

    He said that the US president’s doubts about Pakistan’s nukes are “completely wrong and the statement is baseless”.

    Meanwhile, ex-minister Fawad Chaudhry demanded that Biden should immediately retract his statement, asserting that Pakistan’s leadership may be weak but its people were not.

  • China wants to import donkeys from Pakistan

    China has expressed interest in importing donkeys and dogs from Pakistan, information provided to the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce has said.

    Senator Zeeshan Khanzada presided over the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce meeting on Monday in Islamabad.


    China plans to import dogs and donkeys from Pakistan, according to senators Dinesh Kumar and Abdul Qadir. China, according to Kumar, is a significant export market.

    Senator Qadir told the committee that the Chinese ambassador said his country wants to export beef because of a spike in local demand and a decrease in supply.

    Senator Muhammad Afridi suggested that animals be imported from Afghanistan and then exported to different countries as they are available on cheap rates there, but there are no purchasers.


    However, in response to this recommendation, the relevant officials stated that temporarily banning the import of animals from Afghanistan owing to the spread of lumpy skin disease.

    However, in response to this recommendation, the relevant officials stated that the import of animals from the country is banned due to lumpy skin disease.

  • Pakistan seeks rollover of SAFE deposits worth $2 billion from China in March 2023

    Pakistan seeks rollover of SAFE deposits worth $2 billion from China in March 2023

    Pakistan seeks the rollover of $2 billion in State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) China deposits in March 2023. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar, received a visit from Nong Rong, the People’s Republic of China’s ambassador, at the Finance Division.

    According to APP, Dar emphasised the long-standing friendship and kinship ties between Pakistan and China.

    The finance minister also thanked the Chinese leadership for their assistance in refinancing a syndicate facility worth RMB 15 billion ($2.24 billion) for Pakistan. He also asked the ambassador to help facilitate the rollover of $2 billion in SAFE China deposits in March 2023.

    Dar informed the ambassador of the costs to the overall economy as well as the harm done to Pakistan’s infrastructure, agriculture, lives, and property by the severe floods. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for providing the government and people of Pakistan with unwavering support during this difficult time.

    In reference to the CPEC, the finance minister stated that the economic corridor will be crucial in advancing Pakistan’s economy and fortifying bilateral ties between the two nations. He further pledged his unwavering support for the aid in realising the success of CPEC.

    The minister received Nong Rong’s congratulations on taking up his new duties. The envoy underlined China’s continuous support for Pakistan and emphasised how China is a rock for the Pakistani people in this time of need.

    “Since the devastating floods occurred in Pakistan, among all countries, China has announced over 644 million RMB (around 90 million dollars), the biggest amount of assistance to Pakistan,” said Nong Rong, in a tweet.

  • US to give $10m to Pakistan for food security

    US to give $10m to Pakistan for food security

    United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has said that the US government is pleased to announce another $10 million for Pakistan’s food security programme.

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met Blinken at the State Department in Washington DC on Monday.

    Holding a joint press conference following the meeting, Bilawal said that diplomacy between the State Department and the foreign ministry of Pakistan is back once again.

    “It is indeed true that diplomacy is back between the US State Department and the foreign ministry of Pakistan,” he stressed.

    Blinken said this is a very difficult time for Pakistan after floods wreacked havoc in the country. Floods will have long-term repercussions if the situation is not handled immediately, he warned.

    The US top official said, “We are meeting when Pakistan’s one-third [area] is under water. We have a sense of urgency and sense of determination. We’re looking ahead to rebuild.”

    He stated that the US stands with the people of Pakistan at this crucial time and added that 17 planes carrying aid for flood victims had already left the country. Pakistan will also receive an additional $10 million for its food security programme, he noted.

    “That has an immediate impact. But unless we’re able together to deal with the challenge, it will have a long-term impact as well,” said Blinken.

    “I also urged our colleagues to engage China on some of the important issues of debt relief and restructuring so that Pakistan can more quickly recover from the floods,” Blinken said.

    China is a key economic and political partner of Pakistan, pushing ahead with a $54 billion “economic corridor” that will build infrastructure and give Beijing an outlet to the Indian Ocean, although Chinese interests have also faced attacks from separatists.

    During the press conference, Bilawal also invited Blinken to visit Pakistan.

  • PM Shehbaz uses international platform to plead for action against climate change

    PM Shehbaz uses international platform to plead for action against climate change

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif talked about the ongoing climate change devastation that has been caused by unprecedented floods across Pakistan at Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

    In his speech, the premier stressed that his country’s contribution to the global carbon commission is only 1 per cent. “Our carbon emission is less than one per cent. Yet nature had this in store for us,” Shehbaz Sharif said.

    Moreover, he urged the world to formulate a well-thought-out and sustainable plan to prevent devastating episodes of climate change destruction in the future. “We are going to stand on our own feet but will this be the last time a country is going to fall victim to this devastation”, he asked, as he appealed to the SCO to “build a wall” against the menace of climate change.

    He concluded his speech by reaffirming Pakistan’s “strong and unwavering commitment” to advancing the objectives of the SCO.

    At the international forum, the premier urged the leaders not to ignore Afghanistan at this time.

    He stated that the world would have to work together to support all “good initiatives” in Afghanistan. “It will be a big mistake if we ignore Afghanistan this time around”, he warned.

    Moreover, PM Shehbaz asked the international community to support efforts to build a sustainable Afghan economy. “Unfreezing Afghanistan’s financial assets remains a crucial need in this regard”, he stressed.

    PM Shehbaz meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

    On Friday, PM Shehbaz met Chinese President Xi Jinping at SCO in Uzbekistan.

    In an official statement, the Chinese foreign ministry said that during the meeting, Xi pointed out that China and Pakistan are close neighbours “linked by mountains and rivers and with a shared future”.

    The two countries have all along stood with each other through thick and thin. No matter how the international situation evolves, China and Pakistan are always each other’s trustworthy strategic partners, the statement added.

    President Xi stressed that the two sides must continue to firmly support each other, foster stronger synergy between their development strategies, and harness the role of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to ensure smooth construction and operation of major projects.

    On Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that PM Shehbaz had “very successful” talks with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi.

    “Both of them have officially invited Shehbaz Sharif to visit their countries. The prime minister has accepted both invitations. There will be a visit to China in November 2022,” the minister confirmed in a tweet.

    Earlier, it was reported that PM Shehbaz would meet Xi Jinping, the Chinese President. However, no plans have been announced of a meeting between the Pakistani Prime Minister and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who is also attending the SCO.

    Shehbaz Sharif was also scheduled to meet Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev later in the day.

    On Thursday, the prime minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi. He also met with the president of Tajikistan and Kagystan.

    Shehbaz Sharif declared his meetings with the world leaders on Thursday as “productive”.

    “It was a long but productive day in Samarkand. In my meetings with leaders of friendly countries, we agreed on enhancing trade and investment. I explained the flood ravages due to climate change. Food and energy shortages present a real challenge to our shared development agenda,” he tweeted.

    During the meeting with Putin, the Russian president said that pipeline gas supplies to Pakistan are possible, and that part of the necessary infrastructure is already in place.

    After the meeting with Putin, the premier also held a bilateral meeting with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon.

    The two leaders held wide-ranging talks covering all aspects of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, including regional and international issues.

    Shehbaz Sharif thanked Tajikistan for its support to flood affectees in Pakistan and shared details of the devastation caused by the massive floods.

    Since becoming a full member of SCO in 2017, Pakistan has been actively contributing and participating in the activities of the organisation.