标签： Asia

Kabul was shaken by loud explosions on Thursday night, prompting the Afghan Taliban to accuse Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s sovereign territory. The Taliban’s Defense Ministry labeled the incident as an “unprecedented, violent, and provocative act.” The accusations followed reports of airstrikes in the border province of Paktika, located in southeastern Afghanistan, where a civilian market was allegedly bombed. Local residents informed the BBC’s Afghan service that several shops were destroyed in the attack. Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the alleged incursion. However, during a press conference on Friday, a senior Pakistani military official claimed that Afghanistan was being used as a “base of operation for terrorism against Pakistan” and vowed to take “whatever necessary measures” to safeguard the country. The incident has further strained the already tense relations between the two neighboring nations, raising concerns about regional stability.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Thursday that the United Nations is poised to significantly enhance humanitarian assistance to Gaza in the wake of a newly brokered ceasefire agreement. Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres emphasized the organization’s readiness to mobilize resources immediately. ‘The United Nations will provide its full support. We and our partners are prepared to act now,’ he stated. ‘We have the expertise, distribution networks, and community relationships in place. Supplies are ready, and our teams are on standby. We can scale up food, water, medical, and shelter assistance without delay.’ Guterres underscored that the cessation of hostilities alone is insufficient to ensure lasting progress. ‘We need full, safe, and sustained access for humanitarian workers; the removal of bureaucratic obstacles; and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. Additionally, UN Member States must ensure that humanitarian operations are adequately funded to address the immense needs,’ he added. The UN chief highlighted the ceasefire as a pivotal moment for both Israelis and Palestinians, urging all parties to seize this opportunity to forge a credible political path toward peace. ‘This agreement offers a glimmer of relief, which must evolve into the dawn of peace and the beginning of the end of this devastating war,’ Guterres remarked. He called for the recognition of Palestinian self-determination, the end of occupation, and the realization of a two-state solution, emphasizing that such measures are essential for achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Guterres also praised the diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye in facilitating the ceasefire and hostage release, based on a proposal by former US President Donald Trump. He urged all parties to fully adhere to the agreement’s terms and to embrace the opportunities it presents for lasting stability.

Two Chinese warships, the amphibious warfare ship Yimeng Shan and the training ship Qijiguang, arrived at Sihanoukville’s civilian port in Cambodia on Friday for a friendship and training visit. This visit underscores China’s strategic ties with Cambodia, its closest ally in Southeast Asia, amidst ongoing regional tensions. The warships are scheduled to depart next Tuesday and will subsequently visit Thailand and Singapore. The visit coincides with heightened diplomatic sensitivities, particularly between Cambodia and Thailand, which recently engaged in a five-day armed conflict over border disputes. China’s military support to Cambodia has reportedly caused friction with Thailand, and the unresolved border issues continue to strain relations. Cambodian navy spokesperson Sam Sokha emphasized that the visit aims to strengthen cooperation rather than signal support in the border dispute. Notably, the ships docked at a commercial port instead of the nearby Ream Naval Base, a move seen as an effort to ease political concerns. The Ream Naval Base has been a point of contention, with U.S. suspicions that China has secured exclusive access, a claim denied by Cambodian officials. The Gulf of Thailand, where Sihanoukville is located, is adjacent to the South China Sea, a region of strategic importance for China’s naval operations. Rear Adm. In Sokhemra of the Ream Naval Base highlighted that foreign ships frequently visit Cambodia for cooperative exercises, including those from China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United States. On the same day, the Australian Navy’s frigate HMAS Ballarat also docked nearby, part of its Regional Presence Deployment aimed at fostering regional security and cooperation. China’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wenbin, reiterated China’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s sovereignty and development. The visit was met with enthusiasm from local ethnic Chinese communities, who welcomed the ships with traditional dragon dances and Chinese flags. Sihanoukville, a hub for Chinese investment, has also been associated with Chinese-run criminal activities, including scam centers exploiting foreign workers.

The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and China has underscored the deepening rifts between the two powers on critical issues of security and trade. At a July summit commemorating the milestone, the EU urged China to cease its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and halt the influx of subsidized exports into European markets. China, however, rejected these demands, leaving the relationship at an impasse. Bridging these divides would require significant concessions from either side—either the EU compromising its security and economic interests or China altering its alliance with Russia and its trade policies. Neither scenario appears likely in the near future.