标签： Asia

China has implemented stricter regulations on the export of precursor chemicals to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, requiring special licenses for such transactions. The new rule, effective immediately, was jointly announced by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Medical Products Administration. This adjustment targets 13 specific precursor chemicals, which are essential in various industries but are often misused in the illegal production of narcotics. Exporters must now provide original documentation from the importing country’s authorities or a guarantee from the importer confirming the legal use of these chemicals. These documents will be reviewed by Chinese public security and commerce departments. The move follows similar measures introduced in April last year, which added 24 substances to the export control catalog for specific countries, including Myanmar, Laos, and Afghanistan. The Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission has also issued a notice urging exporters to comply with international conventions and local laws, particularly in high-risk destinations like the US, Canada, and Mexico. Enterprises are advised to establish robust internal management systems, verify overseas buyers, and avoid illegal inducements. China’s narcotics control authorities emphasize the regulation of precursor chemicals as a critical step in curbing the production of illegal substances both domestically and internationally. Additionally, China has deepened its anti-narcotics cooperation with the US, including the establishment of a joint working group and regular intelligence exchanges.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Monday to Alassane Ouattara, who was reelected as the President of Cote d’Ivoire. In his message, Xi highlighted the strong bilateral ties between China and Cote d’Ivoire, describing the two nations as ‘fellow travelers and good partners’ on the path to modernization. He noted that their relationship has seen robust development, with significant achievements in various fields of cooperation and a deepening bond between their peoples. Xi also pointed out the unprecedented global changes and the growing influence of the Global South, emphasizing his commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership with Cote d’Ivoire. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with Ouattara to enhance solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations. Ouattara, 83, secured his fourth term with an overwhelming 89.77 percent of the votes in last month’s presidential election, as confirmed by Cote d’Ivoire’s Constitutional Council. Ouattara has been a prominent political figure in the country, serving as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1993 and winning his first presidential election in 2010, followed by reelections in 2015 and 2020.

In a historic turn of events, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member, made his first-ever visit to the White House on Monday, symbolizing a dramatic shift in US-Syria relations. Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to overthrow longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, is the first Syrian leader to visit Washington since Syria’s independence from France in 1946. His visit underscores Damascus’s transformation from a US-designated sponsor of terror to a potential partner in regional stability. During the meeting, President Donald Trump praised Sharaa as a “strong leader” and pledged US support to make Syria “successful.” Sharaa’s government has been working to solidify security ties with the US, reassert control over Kurdish-dominated regions, and address Israeli attacks in the south. While Sharaa has faced skepticism from Egypt and the UAE due to his past, he has strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The US is reportedly considering integrating Syria into its coalition against the Islamic State (IS) and may establish an air base south of Damascus to monitor a potential de-escalation agreement between Syria and Israel. Despite these diplomatic strides, Syria’s economy remains stagnant, with corruption and lingering sanctions deterring foreign investment. Trump has lifted some sanctions and is lobbying Congress to repeal the 2019 Caesar Sanctions, but progress has been slow. Sharaa’s visit, though cautiously handled by the White House, marks a significant step in reshaping Syria’s role in the Middle East.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is set to embark on his inaugural official visit to Australia since assuming office in October 2023. The visit, scheduled for Wednesday, underscores the deepening diplomatic ties between the two nations. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the trip on Tuesday, though specifics remain scarce. Prabowo last visited Australia in August 2023 as defense minister and president-elect, just months before his inauguration. Albanese and Prabowo previously met in Jakarta during the Australia–Indonesia annual leaders’ meeting in May 2024, marking Albanese’s first overseas trip following his reelection. Albanese expressed enthusiasm about hosting Prabowo, stating, ‘I am delighted to welcome President Prabowo to Australia and reciprocate the warm hospitality he extended during my visit to Jakarta earlier this year.’ He emphasized the enduring partnership between the two countries, describing it as a ‘deep trust and unbreakable bond’ that fosters a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Australia views Indonesia, its closest neighbor after Papua New Guinea, as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. Notably, newly elected Australian prime ministers traditionally prioritize Jakarta as one of their initial international destinations, reflecting the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship.