Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to establish a sustained presence in China&rsquo;s domestic capital markets after successfully completing its inaugural Panda Bond issuance, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said Friday in Beijing. Addressing the inaugural Panda Bond Issuance Ceremony at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, Aurangzeb described the transaction as &quot;far more than the completion of a financial transaction,&quot; saying it marked &quot;the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan&rsquo;s economic and financial engagement with China in the context of international capital markets.&quot; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2055235741668852144&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a4935cb81f782164d64a139f9a69f4d32c243db&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div> Pakistan raised 1.75 billion yuan ($250 million) through the three-year fixed-rate bond, its first sovereign yuan-denominated issuance in China&rsquo;s onshore market, which officials said attracted subscriptions exceeding five times the amount offered. &quot;The debut issuance of CNY 1.75 billion experienced an overwhelmingly positive response, was over-subscribed by five times, and closed at a coupon rate of 2.5%,&quot; Aurangzeb said. The finance minister said Pakistan had established a 7.2 billion yuan Panda Bond program following two years of engagement with Chinese regulators, financial institutions, development partners and market participants. &quot;Our goal was clear: to establish Pakistan&rsquo;s long-term presence in the Chinese capital markets and to create a sustainable platform for future sovereign issues,&quot; Aurangzeb said. The issuance marks Pakistan&rsquo;s first entry into China&rsquo;s domestic bond market and forms part of Islamabad&rsquo;s broader strategy to diversify external financing sources beyond conventional dollar-denominated borrowing. &quot;We have previously accessed the Eurobond market, US markets, and Islamic Sukuk markets, but accessing the Chinese capital market, the second largest and second deepest capital market in the world, was long overdue,&quot; the minister said. Aurangzeb said the transaction reflected growing confidence among Chinese institutions and investors in Pakistan&rsquo;s economic reforms and macroeconomic trajectory. &quot;This achievement is far more than the completion of a financial transaction; it reflects trust, partnership, innovation, financial collaboration, and our shared commitment to sustainable development and regional connectivity,&quot; he said. Pakistan became the first South Asian country to issue a Panda Bond, a milestone Aurangzeb linked to the growing maturity of economic cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. The minister said proceeds from the issuance would support sustainable development initiatives, including projects in water, social infrastructure and education, describing the transaction as Pakistan&rsquo;s first sustainable green Panda Bond. Speaking on the economy, Aurangzeb said Pakistan was witnessing &ldquo;renewed stability, disciplined reforms, and forward-looking transformation,&rdquo; citing improvements in inflation, foreign exchange reserves, fiscal consolidation and external-sector stability. He also reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to the International Monetary Fund reform programme, saying adherence to fiscal and structural reforms had strengthened market confidence and macroeconomic foundations. Aurangzeb said the government intended to expand its engagement with Chinese capital markets following the strong response to the debut issuance. &quot;This achievement is only the beginning,&quot; he said. &ldquo;We were always clear that we were not here for just one single trade.&quot; &quot;The overwhelming response, being five times oversubscribed, has guided us to issue the RFP for the next tranches right away,&quot; the minister added.&nbsp; &quot;We want to be regular issuers in the Chinese capital markets.&quot;

Economy

Finance minister says the oversubscribed issuance reflects investor confidence in Pakistan’s economic reforms, with authorities planning future yuan-denominated bond sales to expand financing sources and strengthen long-term access to Asian capital markets.

In Beijing, Pakistan declares Panda Bond ‘beginning of new chapter’

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would ask President Xi Jinping to &quot;open up&quot; China to US business when the two meet in Beijing this week for high-stakes talks. &quot;I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to &#39;open up&#39; China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People&#39;s Republic to an even higher level!&quot; Trump wrote on social media, referring to US business CEOs accompanying him on the trip. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Beijing on May 14-15, a summit that was delayed in March following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.&nbsp; It marks the first state visit to China from a US president since 2017, when Trump was first in office. Geopolitical tensions, particularly trade, Taiwan, the Iran war, and artificial intelligence, loom over the upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, the global economy continues to feel the effects of soaring oil and gas prices from the Strait of Hormuz blockade and the fragile trade truce between the United States and China.

Americas

Says that during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14-15, he would ask his Chinese counterpart to open the country to US business.

Trump says will ask Xi to 'open up' China to US business

BEIJING: China&#39;s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing would play a &quot;greater role&quot; in ending hostilities in the Middle East during talks with his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday, a week before US President Donald Trump is due to meet Xi Jinping. China is a key customer for Iranian oil, defying sanctions imposed by the United States, and is directly affected by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz bordered by Iran. Beijing has quietly engaged in efforts to resolve the weekslong crisis, and its diplomacy is credited with playing an important role in the fragile ceasefire agreed between Washington and Tehran. China &quot;will work harder to ease tensions and end the fighting, continue to support the launch of peace talks, and play a greater role in restoring peace and tranquility to the Middle East&quot;, Wang told Iran&#39;s Abbas Araghchi in Beijing. &quot;China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential,&quot; Wang said, according to a statement from his ministry after the talks. Manufacturing giant China has been comparatively sheltered from fuel shortages thanks to oil reserves and renewable energy, but costs of oil-derived materials like plastic and fabric have risen significantly. More than half of the crude imported by sea to China comes from the Middle East and mainly transits through the Hormuz strait, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler. Analysts have warned that the war&#39;s impact on China will be felt for months. During Wednesday&#39;s talks, Wang said China hopes &quot;the parties concerned will respond as quickly as possible to the urgent call of the international community&quot; for a resumption of normal and safe maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump trip loomsThe Wang-Araghchi talks came as Trump said the US would pause escorting commercial ships through the Hormuz Strait -- which drew Iranian attacks -- barely a day after it began doing so. Trump cited a desire to reach a peace deal with Iran. Washington demands tight controls on Tehran&#39;s nuclear programme, which Iran has refused to agree to and has led to talks crumbling. &quot;On the nuclear issue, China welcomes Iran&#39;s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while considering that Iran has the legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,&quot; Wang said. The US leader is expected to meet Chinese President Xi in Beijing on a visit the White House said will take place May 14-15. Beijing has not confirmed those dates. A foreign ministry spokesman again refused to share details when asked about Trump&#39;s visit at a regular news conference on Wednesday. Trump would join rulers from the Gulf, Europe and Southeast Asia that have recently landed face time with Xi, who has sought to position China as a stable partner in the face of the US- and Israeli-led conflict. Trump&#39;s visit would also come more than a year after his sweeping global tariffs wreaked havoc on the supply chain, causing chaos in China&#39;s manufacturing sector.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on May 06, 2026. (Photo: IRNA)

Middle East

China is a key customer for Iranian oil, defying sanctions imposed by the United States, and is directly affected by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz bordered by Iran.

China says will play 'greater role' in ending Mideast fighting

Maryam Shah

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD recorded a 55 percent decline in first-quarter net profit, a Hong Kong stock filing showed on Tuesday, as weaker domestic demand added to pressure from cutthroat competition.

Shorts

BYD’s first-quarter net profit fell 55 percent as weak Chinese demand and fierce competition hurt profitability, prompting the EV giant to pursue stronger growth in overseas markets.

Chinese EV giant BYD reports 55% drop in Q1 net profit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari&nbsp;presided over the commissioning of Pakistan Navy&rsquo;s first Hangor-class submarine at a ceremony in China,&nbsp;marking a major milestone in the country&rsquo;s naval modernization and defense capabilities. The commissioning ceremony of PNS/M Hangor was held in Sanya, China, said a press release issued by Pakistan&#39;s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Thursday. The president graced the occasion as the chief guest; Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, was also present.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2049751695882866954&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=23264f8a27cf403d3f3388e07ebb952ffab9bb6f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 568px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> President Zardari described the commissioning of Hangor as a historic milestone in Pakistan Navy&#39;s modernization, affirming Pakistan&#39;s resolve to maintain a robust, balanced and credible defense posture.&nbsp; He said that Pakistan is fully capable of defending its sovereignty, protecting its maritime interests and ensuring the security of its economic lifelines. Need for&nbsp;technologically advanced forcesAdmiral Naveed Ashraf&nbsp;highlighted that disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints increasingly threaten global trade and energy security, and that maintaining a stable, rule-based maritime order demands technologically advanced naval forces.&nbsp; He said that Hangor-class submarines -- armed with state-of-the-art weapons, advanced sensors and air-independent propulsion -- will be key in preserving maritime order and stability in the region.&nbsp; These submarines will play a pivotal role in deterring aggression and ensuring the security of vital Sea Lines of Communication across the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean region. The naval chief reiterated that the name Hangor holds a significant place in our national history. In 1971, earlier Hangor became the first submarine since World War II to sink a warship.&nbsp; PNS/M Hangor will carry this illustrious legacy forward, as this is an important milestone for Pakistan Navy that will bolster our maritime defense and modernize our fleet with cutting-edge technology. The commissioning of the 1st Hangor-class submarine marks another chapter in the time-tested and enriching friendship between Pakistan and China.&nbsp; The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Pakistan Navy and the PLA (Navy). Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, congratulated the nation and the Pakistan Navy on achieving this historic milestone.

Security

President Zardari describes the commissioning as a historic milestone in Pakistan Navy's modernization; affirms Islamabad's resolve to maintaining a robust, balanced and credible defense posture.

Pakistan commissions first Hangor-class submarine at historic ceremony in China

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s embassy in Beijing on Wednesday hosted a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) symposium, targeting partnerships in home appliances, electrical equipment, and battery storage. The event, themed &quot;Building Partnerships for Skills Development and Academia&ndash;Industry Collaboration&quot;, brought together Chinese enterprises, TVET institutions, and Pakistani companies to explore investment and skills development opportunities in these high-potential sectors, according to a press statement issued by the Press Information Department (PID).&nbsp; Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, in his opening remarks, said the initiative was part of a shift towards &quot;sector-specific, outcome-oriented collaboration&quot; in TVET. &quot;This symposium serves as a preparatory platform for the upcoming B2B Investment Conference in Lahore,&quot; he said, encouraging Chinese firms to participate and build joint ventures in targeted sectors. &quot;TVET lies at the core of industrial development and economic resilience,&quot; adding that a skilled workforce would be critical to fully leveraging foreign investment, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Officials from China&rsquo;s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and representatives of dozens of Chinese TVET institutions attended, alongside Pakistani companies and policymakers joining virtually, as per the statement. In a recorded message, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the scale of Pakistan&rsquo;s domestic market, noting the home appliances sector was valued at $5.6 billion, while imports of electrical equipment surged 75% to nearly $6 billion last year. &quot;Skilled technicians can bridge the gap between import dependence and domestic production,&quot; he said, pointing to initiatives under CPEC 2.0, including the proposed &#39;Livelihood Corridor&#39; and the &#39;URAAN Pakistan&#39; framework.&nbsp; Iqbal reaffirmed plans to upgrade 250 TVET centers and launch a 60,000-person paid internship programme. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar called for deeper collaboration with Chinese partners to establish training programmes and centers of excellence, while Gulmina Bilal Ahmed, chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, emphasized joint training and industry-led apprenticeships. Trade and Investment Attach&eacute; Muhammad Ayaz outlined cooperation models across 21 priority sectors, including electric vehicles, electronics, and information technology, according to PID.&nbsp; In his closing remarks, Ambassador Hashmi reiterated the embassy&rsquo;s focus on translating dialogue into &quot;tangible, sector-driven outcomes&quot; and welcomed the participation of Chinese institutions in the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference scheduled for May 9&ndash;10 in Lahore.

Pakistan envoy to China, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, visits Shandong province to promote agriculture cooperation  (Photo: Facebook/ @PakistanEmbassyChina)

Foreign Affairs

The event, themed "Building Partnerships for Skills Development and Academia–Industry Collaboration", brought together Chinese enterprises, TVET institutions, and Pakistani companies to explore investment and skills development opportunities in these high-potential sectors.

Pakistan, China explore partnerships in appliances, battery sectors

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on Wednesday announced a &ldquo;landmark advancement&rdquo; in its manned space mission programme, saying two astronaut candidates will travel to China for training, according to a statement shared by SUPARCO.&nbsp;Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali are set to depart for the People&rsquo;s Republic of China to begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre of China (ACC), according to the statement.&nbsp;The development marks &ldquo;a significant step forward&rdquo; in Pakistan&rsquo;s space exploration journey that will place the country among a select group of nations engaged in human spaceflight programmes, as per the statement. Under the collaboration, Pakistan is preparing for its first participation in a mission to the China Space Station (CSS), planned for launch in late 2026.&nbsp; A Pakistani astronaut will serve as a payload expert aboard the Shenzhen mission, added the statement.&nbsp;During the mission, the astronaut will conduct scientific experiments in microgravity across material science, fluid physics, life and bio science, and biotechnology, with potential applications for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation, said the statement.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended SUPARCO&rsquo;s efforts and praised China-Pakistan cooperation, calling the selection of Pakistan for participation in the manned space mission a testament to the two countries&rsquo; &ldquo;ironclad&rdquo; ties.

Artificial Intelligence

SUPARCO announces two Pakistani astronaut candidates will train in China ahead of a planned 2026 mission to the China Space Station, marking a major step in Pakistan’s human spaceflight program.

Pakistan to send astronauts to China for space program training

ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Monday, as total investment under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) neared $26 billion, according to a factsheet released by the Embassy of China in Pakistan on Monday. The factsheet highlights the scale and impact of the CPEC, describing it as the &ldquo;flagship project&rdquo; of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a cornerstone of the countries&rsquo; &ldquo;all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2046085097305395516&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=072a4f2c7c25f0a75f1ef62050b50a996a0657e4&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 722px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the embassy, total investment under CPEC has reached $25.93 billion, generating over 261,000 jobs and adding more than 8,000 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan&rsquo;s grid.&nbsp; China has remained Pakistan&rsquo;s top trading partner for 12 consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding $25 billion in 2025, while accounting for 53.2% of foreign direct investment between July 2025 and Feb 2026. The factsheet outlined major energy and infrastructure projects across provinces, including the 1,320 MW Sahiwal coal power plant in Punjab and the 720 MW Karot hydropower project, which it said serves millions of people while reducing carbon emissions.&nbsp; It also cited the 27-kilometer Lahore Orange Line Metro Train as the country&rsquo;s first metro system, carrying 280 million passengers over five years. Provincial projectsSindh&#39;s K-2 and K-3 nuclear power facilities were praised for contributing 2,200 MW to the grid, alongside coal and wind energy projects in Thar and Jhimpir. The 392-kilometer Sukkur&ndash;Multan motorway was credited with cutting travel time from 11 hours to 4. The embassy described Gwadar Port as a &ldquo;regional connectivity hub,&rdquo; supported by projects including a new international airport, hospital, desalination plant and vocational institute.&nbsp; It added that more than 10,000 household solar panels had been distributed in recent years to address energy shortages in the area. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Suki Kinari hydropower project and the Karakoram Highway Phase-II upgrade were cited as improving energy supply and reducing travel times.&nbsp; At the same time, the Rashakai Special Economic Zone has attracted dozens of enterprises. Expansion into space, agriculture, and industryBeyond infrastructure, the embassy said cooperation has expanded into space, agriculture, and industry. It listed multiple Pakistani satellites launched in China and plans for Pakistan&rsquo;s first astronaut to visit the Tiangong space station. Agricultural trade between the two countries has averaged around $1 billion annually in recent years, with exports including rice and seafood, while 1,000 Pakistani professionals received agricultural training in China in 2025. Industrial collaboration was also highlighted through special economic zones and planned investments in manufacturing and textiles, expected to generate thousands of jobs. Humanitarian aid and people-to-people tiesThe factsheet also highlighted humanitarian assistance, stating China provided financial and material aid during floods in 2022 and 2025, along with medical support and health supplies in Balochistan. The embassy said people-to-people ties have deepened through education and cultural exchanges, with Pakistan ranking among the top countries sending students to China and over 130 institutions participating in a CPEC universities consortium. Describing the partnership as &ldquo;ironclad,&rdquo; the embassy said the two countries are entering &ldquo;CPEC 2.0,&rdquo; focused on industrial development, innovation, green growth, and social welfare corridors.

MV Riva Glory arrives at Gwadar Port with 14,629 MT transshipment cargo on April 5, 2026. (Picture: X/@port_gwadar)

A factsheet by the Embassy of China in Pakistan details developments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, citing gains in energy, infrastructure, and jobs, alongside expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, space technology, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

China, Pakistan mark 75 years of ties as CPEC investment nears $26B

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that China does not recognize the &ldquo;so-called &lsquo;Arunachal Pradesh&rsquo; illegally set up by India.&rdquo;&nbsp;He made the remarks at the ministry&rsquo;s regular press conference in Beijing. China&rsquo;s newly announced standardized names for places in Zangnan are &ldquo;fully within China&rsquo;s sovereign rights,&rdquo; he said, using the Chinese name for the region, adding that&nbsp;&ldquo;Zangnan region is China&rsquo;s territory.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2044256901417054517&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=59cf929660b953b1a57fd64f6b4703305659807c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 640px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The statement followed the publication by China&rsquo;s Ministry of Civil Affairs of a sixth batch of standardized names for places in Zangnan on April 10, according to Guo&rsquo;s remarks at the briefing. At the same press conference, Guo said China-India relations are &ldquo;generally stable at the moment,&rdquo; adding that&nbsp;China&rsquo;s commitment to improving and growing relations with India &ldquo;has not changed.&rdquo; India has rejected China&#39;s decision to assign new names to places in the region India calls Arunachal Pradesh. The foreign ministry statement was China&rsquo;s response to India&rsquo;s criticism. The English-language&nbsp;China Daily, in a report, quoted Guo as saying that both countries should &ldquo;move toward each other&rdquo; and take more steps conducive to bilateral relations. It reported that India said the move detracted from efforts to stabilize bilateral ties.

China

Asia

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun has said that China’s latest standardized place names in Zangnan are within its sovereign rights, and that Beijing rejects Indian occupation of Arunachal Pradesh.

China says it has never recognized Arunachal Pradesh as part of India

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has granted a license to Alibaba-backed Koko Tech Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. to operate a &quot;Buy Now Pay Later&quot; business in Pakistan. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the SECP said the development marked a significant step for Pakistan&rsquo;s digital financial ecosystem.&nbsp; Koko Tech is owned by Alibaba, making the move a notable entry by a major global technology company into Pakistan&rsquo;s fintech space. The regulator said Alibaba&rsquo;s move reflected growing international confidence in Pakistan&rsquo;s large consumer base, expanding digital economy and untapped financial services market.&nbsp; It added that Koko Tech was expected to introduce innovative, data-driven lending solutions in the Buy Now Pay Later segment by using advanced AI-driven credit assessment systems and globally tested digital infrastructure. According to the SECP, the company&rsquo;s entry would help expand access to consumer financing, particularly for young users, freelancers and small businesses that remain underserved by traditional banking channels.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2044020211641397593&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=59cf929660b953b1a57fd64f6b4703305659807c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The commission said the new license could also help support small and medium-sized enterprises, increase e-commerce activity and accelerate the shift toward a more inclusive, technology-led financial system. The SECP described the development as a direct inflow of foreign investment into Pakistan&rsquo;s financial sector.&nbsp; In the press release, SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the entry of Alibaba Group would boost competition and innovation in Pakistan&rsquo;s fintech market.&nbsp; He added that Pakistan remains an attractive destination for international investment because of its large population, growing digital adoption and an improving regulatory framework. The licensing of KTPL comes as Pakistan seeks to deepen financial inclusion and broaden the use of digital financial services across the economy.&nbsp; Buy Now Pay Later services, which allow consumers to pay for purchases in installments, have expanded rapidly in many markets as an alternative form of short-term consumer credit, especially in online retail. The move is likely to be closely watched by Pakistan&rsquo;s banking, fintech and e-commerce sectors, as Alibaba&rsquo;s entry in the Buy Now Pay Later segment could intensify competition and spur further innovation in consumer lending and digital payments. Alibaba Group has a significant and growing presence in Pakistan. Its operations span e-commerce, digital payments, logistics, and cloud computing, including platforms such as Daraz and AliExpress.

Pakistan’s SECP grants a 'Buy Now Pay Later' license to Alibaba-backed Koko Tech Pakistan, signaling the growing confidence of foreign companies in its digital financial market.

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