K J M Varma

Stories by K J M Varma

China raises defence budget by 7.2%, 3 times higher than India

China raises defence budget by 7.2%, 3 times higher than India

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2024

China, which is the second highest spender on defence after the United States, has allocated 1.67 trillion yuan (about USD 232 billion) for defence spending.

India now a 'major power': Chinese scholar

India now a 'major power': Chinese scholar

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2024

India has emerged as a 'major power' by achieving outstanding results in economic development and social governance and its transformation as a stronger, assertive country has made it a 'new geopolitical factor', according to a commentary by a Chinese scholar in a state-run newspaper in Beijing.

9 top PLA generals dismissed from China's Parliament

9 top PLA generals dismissed from China's Parliament

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2023

Over a million officials are said to have been punished in Xi's anti-corruption campaign according to the official media accounts. The intensity of the campaign also attracted criticism that Xi made effective use of it to silence his critics and rivals within the party.

No thaw in sight in India-China ties for 4th year

No thaw in sight in India-China ties for 4th year

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2023

With Beijing remaining intransigent on the withdrawal of additional troops deployed by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) since the deadly border clash in 2020 in eastern Ladakh, India's bilateral ties with China remained frozen in 2023 with no forward movement on the horizon despite several rounds of diplomatic and military talks.

6.2-magnitude earthquake kills 127 in China

6.2-magnitude earthquake kills 127 in China

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2023

The earthquake damaged houses, roads, as well as other infrastructures, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted eyewitnesses from the area as saying.

On SC upholding Article 370 abrogation in J-K, China says...

On SC upholding Article 370 abrogation in J-K, China says...

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2023

The Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue and consultation between India and Pakistan, China said on Tuesday while reacting to the Supreme Court judgment on Article 370 upholding the central government's decision on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

No novel pathogen behind recent outbreak: China to WHO

No novel pathogen behind recent outbreak: China to WHO

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2023

Even when China's widely-publicised exchange with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to the queries over the reports of surging cases of mycoplasma pneumonia and influenza flu triggered the worldwide alert, including in India, China said the spike in respiratory diseases was due to an 'immunity gap'.

Xi, Sharif to attend virtual SCO meet hosted by India

Xi, Sharif to attend virtual SCO meet hosted by India

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2023

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping and PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend via video conference, the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads meeting of the SCO on July 4.

China on India-US defence deals: Should not target 3rd party

China on India-US defence deals: Should not target 3rd party

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2023

China on Monday said cooperation between countries should not undermine regional peace and stability and target any third party, as it reacted to a host of defence and commercial pacts recently signed between India and the US including joint production of jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on armed drones.

China backs expanding BRICS with 'like-minded partners'

China backs expanding BRICS with 'like-minded partners'

Rediff.com   1 Jun 2023

China on Thursday said Beijing views the BRICS as an "open and inclusive" platform and it backs moves to expand the five-member grouping with "like-minded partners".

India-China border 'generally' stable: Chinese FM to Jaishankar

India-China border 'generally' stable: Chinese FM to Jaishankar

Rediff.com   5 May 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang reiterated that the situation at the India-China border is generally stable and both sides should consolidate the present achievements and strictly abide by the relevant agreements while pushing for further cooling and easing of the conditions for sustainable peace and tranquillity at the frontier.

Chinese foreign minister to attend SCO meet in Goa on May 4-5

Chinese foreign minister to attend SCO meet in Goa on May 4-5

Rediff.com   2 May 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will travel to India to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting being held in Goa on May 4 and 5, the foreign ministry in Beijing announced on Tuesday.

Take long-term view, place border issue in appropriate position: China responds

Take long-term view, place border issue in appropriate position: China responds

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2023

After India firmly told China that its violation of the border pacts has "eroded" the entire basis of bilateral ties, China's defence ministry on Friday said the situation at the border is "generally stable" and both sides should put the boundary issue in an "appropriate position" and promote its transition to "normalised management".

Chinese defence minister to visit India this week

Chinese defence minister to visit India this week

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2023

China on Tuesday announced that its Defence Minister General Li Shangfu will visit India this week to attend the meeting of SCO defence ministers from April 27 during which he is expected to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on ending the prolonged eastern Ladakh standoff which has severely strained bilateral ties.

India, China agree to 'speed up' resolution of LAC standoff: Chinese Defence Ministry

India, China agree to 'speed up' resolution of LAC standoff: Chinese Defence Ministry

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2023

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the media in Beijing on Monday that the two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on expediting the resolution of relevant issues.

We've quality: China on India becoming most populous country

We've quality: China on India becoming most populous country

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2023

The population is important and so is the talent, he said about China, the world's second-largest economy after the United States.

As Amit Shah lands in Arunachal border, China says it opposes visit

As Amit Shah lands in Arunachal border, China says it opposes visit

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2023

China on Monday criticised Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, stating that it violated Chinese sovereignty over the area, a claim outrightly dismissed by India.

China sends warships, fighter jets as Taiwanese prez returns from US

China sends warships, fighter jets as Taiwanese prez returns from US

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2023

China on Saturday began military exercises around Taiwan to test the capabilities of its forces to 'seize control of the sea, air and information', days after a meeting between the United States House Speaker and the President of the self-ruled island in defiance of repeated threats by Beijing.

US, China aircraft carriers in rare showdown in Taiwan Strait

US, China aircraft carriers in rare showdown in Taiwan Strait

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2023

China and the US flexed their naval might by deploying aircraft carriers in a rare showdown in the Taiwan Strait, the narrow channel that separates the Chinese mainland from Taiwan, as Beijing fumed over US House Speaker's meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Washington.

Beijing issues Chinese names of 11 places in Arunachal

Beijing issues Chinese names of 11 places in Arunachal

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2023

The official names of the 11 places were released on Sunday by the ministry, which also gave precise coordinates, including two land areas, two residential areas, five mountain peaks and two rivers and listed the category of places' names and their subordinate administrative districts, state-run Global Times reported on Monday.