Current Affairs 12 May 2021 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 12 May 2021  focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

1. China Against Bangladesh Joining Quad Alliance
2. Pakistan Setting Rules For FATF Norms
3. Christchurch Call to Action

China Against Bangladesh Joining Quad Alliance

Source : Economics Times
GS II : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Why in News ?

China against Bangladesh joining the US-led Quad alliance. Dhaka’s participation in the club would result in substantial damage to bilateral relations.

• China consider this alliance as Anti-Chinese partnership.

Key Facts

• In fact Bangladesh not expressed about the Quad alliance participation while nobody either approached Bangladesh to join the platform and it considered to be an advanced kind of waning. 
• According to China Quad is a small group of elites working against China.

What is Quad ?

• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue also known as the Quad is an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
• The forum was initiated as a dialogue in 2007 by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.
• This is widely viewed as an alternative to growing Chinese threat in the region.
• It was temporarily ceased to in 2008 due to diplomatic and governmental changes in the member countries it regained during the 2017 ASEAN Summits result of tension in South China Sea.

Need for Quad

• China’s recent moves, including its aggression in the South China Sea and transgressions and deadly clashes across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to prevent for a peaceful Sea. 
• Coordinated effort to provide financing and sustainable alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• To ensure connectivity, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and maritime and cyber security, with a view to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in an increasingly inter-connected Indo-Pacific region.
• India invites Australia to join Malabar naval exercise along with US & Japan. 
• China attempted to hijack multilateral institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) further increases the need for Quad.
• Global supply chain problems, recognizing the vulnerability of their dependence on China.
• Recently China imposed sanction against Australia by stopping import beef, wines, 80 percent tariff on barley imports. 

Quad impact on China ?

• Most countries depend on the economic relations with China. China has been a manufacturing destination since the 1980s
• Speedy decision making under the authoritarian regime and infrastructural support from Japan has contributed to the rise of China as the factory of the world.
• Quad+ policy of decoupling from China may affect the Chinese world market and economy. 
• The introduction of Quad plus countries like Vietnam, South Korea and New Zealand is a positive move as these nation face security issues primarily in the maritime domain.

Challenges to the Grouping

• Decision from Japanese Prime Minister was a blow to the Quad because Abe was one of the major supporter of this initiative.
• The recent presidential election in US concern about possible changes in US leadership. 

Pakistan Setting Rules For FATF Norms

Source : The Hindu
GS II : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests GS III : Money-laundering and its prevention

Why in News ?

To exit from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Pakistan is set to introduce new rules relating to anti-money laundering cases and change the prosecution process to meet its remaining tough conditions.

Key Facts

• Pakistan was put on the grey list by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for money laundering and terror financing in June 2018 and the country has been struggling to come out of it.
• Changes being made include
  • The transfer of investigations and prosecution of anti-money laundering (AML) cases from police, provincial anti-corruption establishments (ACEs) and other similar agencies to specialised agencies.
  • Two sets of rules including the AML (Forfeited Properties Management) Rules 2021 and the AML (Referral) Rules 2021 approved by the federal Cabinet
• These rules and related notifications for certain changes in the existing schedule of Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010 (AMLA) would come into force immediately.

Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering

• Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) style regional body for the Asia/Pacific region.
• It is an inter-governmental (international) organisation founded in 1997 in Bangkok, Thailand.
• The APG consists of 41 member jurisdictions and a number of observer jurisdictions and international/regional observer organisations.
• Objectives of the organization
  • Assessing anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism
  • Supporting implementation of the international standards
  • Cconducting research and analysis into money laundering and terrorist financing trends and methods.

Christchurch Call to Action

Source : Outlook India
GS II : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Why in News ?

The news has Two important facts

1. US Joins ‘Christchurch Call’ Against Online Extremism
2. Christchurch Call second anniversary summit gets underway

What is the Christchurch Call to Action ?

• Background
  • A terrorist attack against two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand was live streamed. 51 people were killed and 50 injured and the live stream was viewed some 4,000 times before being removed.
  • This terrorist attack made clear once again the harms that can be caused by terrorist and violent extremist content online.
  • New Zealand, France and leaders from the tech sector together adopt the Christchurch Call.
• A commitment by Governments and tech companies to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.
• It rests on the conviction that a free, open and secure internet offers extraordinary benefits to society.
• Other countries, Tech companies, NGOs, academics and stakeholders are now called to join.
• What is the Aim ?
  • Counter the drivers of terrorism and violent extremism.
  • Ensure effective enforcement of applicable laws.
  • Encourage media outlets to apply ethical standards.
  • Support frameworks, such as industry standards.
  • Consider appropriate action to prevent the use of online services for terrorism. 

Key Facts

• United States will join an international bid to stamp out violent extremism online the one wich Trump administration declined.
• US will join the Christchurch Call to Action 
  • Aims to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online, address terrorist and violent extremist content online.
  • Countering the use of the internet by terrorists and violent extremists to radicalize and recruit is a significant priority
  • United States will not take steps that would violate the freedoms of speech and association protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution nor violate reasonable expectations of privacy.
• Two years of Christchurch Call to Action
  • Building our common capabilities to respond to crises.
  • Common work, including setting up an independent structure for the global internet forum to counter terrorism.
  • United Kingdom had developed and shared technology which could automatically detect if videos had been shared by terrorist groups.
• Six new nations who had joined the call, namely the United States, Tunisia, Peru, Estonia, Czech Republic and Croatia.
• Challenge for the Christchurch Call community is now the ongoing commitment to working together and making progress on some of the key areas of work.

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