On March 17, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) announced that from March 27, it will reduce the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for financial institutions by 0.25 percentage points (excluding financial institutions with a 5% reserve ratio already in effect). After this reduction, the weighted average RRR for financial institutions will be around 7.6%. The Chinese central bank stated that […]

Protection of a nation’s sovereignty, people, and resources from external and internal threats that can jeopardize its stability and well-being is the most critical strategic interest for any state and its survival. Prioritizing national security as the topmost strategic concern is even more critical for states like Pakistan that have historical baggage of border disputes, wars, and unresolved geopolitical issues […]

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Moscow, which started Monday and is expected to go for three days, is certain to be rich in pomp and ceremony. Yet, its content remains rather uncertain. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in most cordial terms, invited his Chinese counterpart during their video conversation on December 30. But Xi, according to the transcript, did […]

Deputy Governor of Jawzjan province, Mawlavi Gul Mohammad Salim, fired his son from his security job at the governor’s compound in the province, IEA-run Bakhtar news agency reported. Based on a decree of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the dismissal of the sons and relatives of officials of the Islamic Emirate from positions in government, […]

In a new decree, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered all drugs and drug paraphernalia to be burned, according to a statement published by the Administrative Office. Based on the decree, the drug dealers and producers will be punished and the tools and equipment used in the production of drugs should be destroyed. According […]

The landmark pact of AUKUS signals the gravity of security challenges in the region, which finally has jolted the West out of its slumber. Greater cohesion and sharing of the most prized military advantage are not only necessary now, but remain the single most critical factor in the race against time for the most pervasive threat ever threatening the foundation […]

At least three Daesh members were killed during an operation in Kabul on Tuesday night, The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed. He said the operation was carried out on a Daesh hideout in Botkhak square of district 12 of Kabul city. “Three important members of the Daesh were killed, weapons, hand grenades, explosives, a large number […]

It’s a friendship testing the limits. Chinese leader Xi Jinping left Russia on Wednesday after three days of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Putin endorsed China’s “peace plan” for Ukraine and the two leaders stressed the need to “respect legitimate security concerns of all countries” to end the war—a talking point Russia has used to blame NATO […]

On 23 January 2023, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) Josef Ashbacher announced that Europe has no intentions of sending astronauts to China’s recently completed space station. While this decision will likely do little to slow China’s space ambitions, it suggests that Beijing’s assertive behaviour, human rights abuses and implicit support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are increasingly […]

The international banking crisis has caused the domestic financial market in China to become cautious and concerned about the spread of external risks within the country, resulting in a shift from its previously optimistic expectations. Despite this, most Chinese financial institutions have remained relatively stable, with only limited impact. However, researchers at ANBOUND warn that there are still many risk […]