oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | air travel, airline industry, civil aviation, flying, news
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has voiced concerns about numerous grievances related to airlines that issue tickets but only fly passengers halfway to their intended destination before returning them to Nigeria.
As stated by Michael Achimugu, the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, “These measures, including denying entry or boarding for certain Nigerian citizens at transit stops because of visa limitations or travel bans, are leading to considerable discomfort among travelers and damaging the image of Nigeria’s aviation sector.”
The NCAA views these practices as entirely unacceptable. Airlines have the duty to notify travelers about any possible obstacles to their admission at their final destination prior to their journey commencement. Travelers ought not to find themselves in a situation where they face denial of entry or are sent back to Nigeria upon reaching intermediate or transit points.
In accordance with Section 19.21.1.1 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations from 2023, every airline along with its representatives must make sure that travelers are notified about any possible entry concerns or travel limitations before they leave.
The statement indicated that the airlines are required to implement suitable procedures for screening and should furnish travelers with precise, current details about their travel documentation and visa prerequisites prior to selling tickets and allowing them to board.
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Given this situation, the NCAA notifies all international carriers flying within Nigeria that they can no longer expect to overlook such incidents.
Starting now, airlines caught engaging in these activities will face regulatory actions, which may include—but are not limited to—fines, suspensions of their flying privileges, or other suitable measures.
The NCAA stated that they expect all airlines to cooperate in upholding the standards and professionalism within the aviation sector, along with safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian travelers.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | business, commerce, economics, economy of china, news
Slow expansion of the Chinese Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is anticipated during the initial quarter; however, the recent earthquake likely won’t cause significant disruption to this market.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, who leads the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), stated that the Chinese market experienced a slowdown in growth during the initial three months of this year following an improvement in the preceding quarter.
Mr. Chiruit stated that the sluggish Chinese economy and Beijing’s strategy to promote local spending resulted in a decrease of business travelers from China coming to Thailand, particularly within the meetings and incentive travel segment.
He mentioned that more Chinese tourist groups chose alternative locations like Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines instead.
In 2019, China topped the list as the biggest source of international MICE travelers to Thailand, accounting for over 247,660 out of a total of 1.27 million MICE visitors from abroad.
Travel safety worries likewise hindered the Chinese Mice market; however, these issues were not as pronounced as those affecting leisure travel, according to Mr. Chiruit.
The TCEB endeavored to revitalize this market through roadshow events conducted in Beijing and Shenzhen on April 1-2. Additionally, they promoted various initiatives aimed at attracting Chinese travelers interested in sectors like cuisine, lifestyle, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
As stated by UFI, which is known as the global hub for the exhibition industry’s association, Asia is currently attracting an increasing number of exhibition events due to projected growth in trade within the region, according to Mr. Chiruit.
These tendencies could encourage exhibition attendees from China along with other nearby markets to attend.
At the same time, it is aiming at various other markets to replace the Chinese market, including India, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
The TCEB is keeping an eye on the effects of the trade tariffs proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Mr. Chirirut mentioned that international firms might reduce expenses related to MICE spending, whereas Thailand’s export industry could encounter certain difficulties.
As stated by TCEB, in the last quarter of 2024—marking the beginning of their 2025 financial year—the total count of international MICE travelers reached 275,837, showing an increase of 7.4% compared to the same period the previous year.
Domestic Mouse travelers dropped by 5.7% compared to the previous year, totaling 7.33 million, indicating ongoing economic worries at home that could continue throughout this year.
After last week’s earthquake, TCEB will additionally send an official communication to foreign partners and delegates, detailing information to keep them updated about the current circumstances and future strategies.
He said the incident should not significantly impact the Mice market, as most events continued as usual last week, such as the book fair at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Nonetheless, it will take some time to assess the effect on major forthcoming events such as the IDF World Diabetes Congress scheduled for April 7-10, 2025, where more than 10,000 attendees are anticipated.
Recently, TCEB introduced the MICE Data Platform, which gathers, examines, and delivers information to parties involved in the MICE sector.
Mr. Chirruit mentioned that mice operators can gain insights into visitor counts and various events, along with associated behavioral patterns, which they might utilize to adjust and improve their own business strategies.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | incident, local news, news, traffic accidents, tragedies
Sindhuli, April 3 — A crash involving a motorcycle and a microbus took place on Thursday at Ekhatia in Ward 4 of Dudhauli Municipality on the Madan Bhandari Highway, resulting in injuries to eleven individuals.
The police mentioned that the motorcyclist is currently in a critical condition.
The incident happened as a microbus en route to Kathmandu from Udayapur crashed into a motorcycle moving from Dakaha to Dudhauli.
The wounded are being treated at Sirtauli Municipal Hospital, stated Superintendent of Police Govindaraj Kafle, who heads the District Police Office in Sindhuli.
The police have apprehended the microbus driver, who suffered slight injuries, and taken him into custody.
oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | international relations, news, politics, politics and government, politics and law
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner Cui Jianchun has made ‘serious representations’ to US Consul General Gregory May regarding sanctions imposed on six officials.
The official from Beijing responsible for foreign affairs in Hong Kong has met with the senior US representative in the city to express formal protests regarding the recent sanctions imposed by Washington on six Chinese and local officials.
Cui Jianchun, the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, informed US Consul General Gregory May on Wednesday that Beijing will firmly respond to Washington’s hegemonic actions.
The gathering occurred one day following Washington’s announcement of new sanctions. This time, the targets included Justice Secretary Paul Lam Ting-kwok and ex-police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee. The United States cited “transnational repression” of dissidents as per Hong Kong’s national security legislation, justifying these measures against them.
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Washington additionally presented its most recent Hong Kong Policy Act Report to the US Congress, stating that both mainland and local Hong Kong officials have persistently exploited national security as an overly broad and ambiguous justification to erode the rule of law and encroach upon safeguarded rights and liberties within the region.
Beijing’s representative office in Hong Kong stated on Thursday that Cui had met with Carrie Lam the previous day to convey “serious representations” regarding the U.S.’s “unjustified sanctions” and its most recent report about the region.
The office stated that [Cui] strongly condemned and firmly opposed the U.S.’s blatant interference in Hong Kong and China’s internal matters, and forcefully cautioned the American side against underestimating China’s unwavering resolve to protect its national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.
China will adopt decisive and strong retaliatory measures against the US actions that are seen as hegemonic and coercive.
Previously, Beijing stated that it would firmly respond to the U.S. regarding the newest set of sanctions, but did not provide specifics on potential retaliatory actions.
The Post has contacted the US consulate in Hong Kong seeking their input.
In addition to Lam and Siu, those who faced sanctions include Sonny Au Chi-kwong, the Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong; Dong Jingwei, Director of the Beijing Office for Safeguarding National Security in the city; as well as Assistant Police Commissioners Dick Wong Chung-chun and Margaret Chiu Wing-lan, both serving within the police’s National Security Department.
Individuals who have been sanctioned are forbidden from entering the United States. Additionally, all their property within the U.S. will be seized. They are also restricted from engaging in any transactions involving American citizens or entities located in the country.
In 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on 11 local and mainland officials due to the Beijing-enforced national security legislation. This included John Lee Ka-chiu, who was serving as the security secretary at that time before becoming the Chief Executive.
In reaction, China enforced sanctions on 11 prominent US senators and officials, such as current Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | china taiwan relations, military, news, politics, taiwan
Experts suggest that the PLA is experimenting with various tactics, such as blockades and anti-access approaches, gradually advancing nearer to the island with each attempt.
Every military exercise conducted close to
Taiwan
The maneuvers conducted by the People’s Liberation Army—including this week’s exercises—have demonstrated additional advancements in the tactical skills and coordination of mainland forces, ranging from simulated assaults to anti-access strategies, as noted by experts.
The PLA
Since August 2022, when the then Speaker of the US House of Representatives was in office, they have carried out six extensive drill sessions.
Nancy Pelosi
explored the autonomous island, showcasing varied maneuvers in every section.
The drills have expanded in scope, coming increasingly nearer to Taiwan, thereby reducing the island’s strategic room for maneuver and response times. Key harbors and possible amphibious assault locations are now effectively under Beijing’s control,” according to mainland military commentator Fu Qianshao.
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Furthermore, these exercises have enhanced the PLA’s capability to respond to external interference, reaching well beyond Taiwan’s shores. This demonstrates a clear message to the United States and its allies in the region, such as Japan, he pointed out.
Getting closer
Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, noted that there has been a steady progression in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) exercises, characterized by the incorporation of additional components and enhanced intricacy over time.
What we’re observing is a carefully planned effort to replicate situations as closely as possible to actual world conditions. This means it’s not merely for show or demonstration purposes. Clearly, the PLA is focused on improving and strengthening its capability to execute such missions should they be required.
Koh pointed out that unlike past drills, there were no specific practice zones near Taiwan this week—a change that introduced ambiguity for commercial ships and added more pressure on the Taiwanese military forces.
There is significantly reduced clarity for commercial aviation and maritime operations. Once drilling areas are identified, the Taiwanese military can concentrate their efforts on these specific regions. Currently, without defined zones, they must maintain a state of heightened readiness everywhere, essentially from every direction.
In the August 2022 drill, PLA forces surrounded Taiwan with six designated exercise zones. The closest, situated southeast of the island, was 20km (12.4 miles) from the port of Kaohsiung at its nearest point.
The Taiwanese defense ministry reported that 11 Dongfeng-class missiles were launched towards Taiwan during the exercise, with four of these projectiles passing over the principal island for the first time.
In addition, there were unprecedented accounts of alleged drone sightings over Quemoy, an island governed by Taiwan, referred to as Kinmen.
In the May 2024 drill, yet another milestone occurred as mainland coast guard ships ventured close to the islands of Wuqiu and Dongyin, which are controlled by Taiwan. This action challenged the Taiwanese claim of limited access to these waters, as per Beijing’s perspective.
Comparable patrols took place once more on the opening day of this week’s exercises, which commenced on Tuesday and Wednesday in reaction to Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s security measures against mainland China.
Although no specific live-fire zones near the island were officially declared for this week’s drills, experts observed that these exercises took place nearer to Taiwan than previous ones.
f
ore and also featured joint blockade and control manoeuvres.
Additionally, there were simulated precise attacks on strategic locations, one of which was a mock Taiwanese liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesperson, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, stated that during this week’s two-day operation codenamed Strait Thunder-2025A, their naval, air, and missile units converged on Taiwan from various angles.
According to Reuters, Taiwanese officials reported that over ten naval vessels from Mainland China moved closer to Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile adjacent waters on Tuesday morning.
Countering intervention
On Wednesday, the Shandong naval strike force participated in military exercises organized by the PLA, entering from the east of the island, facing away from the Taiwan Strait. As reported by Taipei, this fleet entered their identification zone, coming as close as 190 nautical miles.
The PLA stated that the Shandong conducted strike drills targeting both land and sea objectives, assessing its proficiency in executing joint operations within and beyond the island chain, along with various multidimensional blockades and control tactics.
Additionally, a significant aspect of the recent exercise was how Shandong operated differently—approaching from the east side of the Philippines rather than going through the Bashi Channel as Liaoning did in October of last year.
As reported by Taiwan’s RW News citing unnamed military sources, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has recently adopted new tactics that deviate from past practices, with expectations of further “coercion strategies” aimed at intimidating Taiwan, thus escalating the challenges to its security.
It marked the third occasion that the PLA sent an aircraft carrier for these exercises, and the second time involving the Shandong, which also participated in the April 2023 drills following a meeting between Taiwan’s previous leader, Tsai Ing-wen, and Kevin McCarthy—a successor to Nancy Pelosi—in the United States.
In October 2024, the Liaoning aircraft carrier participated in exercises for the inaugural time, carrying out maneuvers that mimicked several intervention situations. This display was interpreted as a show of force aimed at discouraging outside interference.
As another sign to the United States, recent exercises featured imagery of PLA H-6K bombers equipped with sophisticated YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missiles, highlighting China’s intent to discourage outside intervention in case of a possible confrontation over Taiwan.
Beijing considers Taiwan as part of its own territory and aims to unify it with the mainland, even resorting to military action if needed. Similar to many nations, the United States does not acknowledge Taiwan as a separate sovereign nation. Nevertheless, Washington has pledged to supply weapons to Taipei to ensure its defense against potential attacks.
Coastguards and blockade
China’s coastal patrol vessels have taken on a more significant presence during these exercises, seeming to employ tactics aimed at potentially encircling the island.
The coast guard became involved in May of the previous year when their ships conducted patrols close to two islands controlled by Taipei.
During the October 2024 exercises, four squadrons of Coast Guard vessels were dispatched, among them being the fleet’s biggest ship, the 10,000-ton CCG 2901, which navigated close to Taiwan.
During recent exercises—which also featured the idea of “critical port and zone management”—the coast guard dispatched three fleets along with an additional trio of ships for patrols near the island.
Last year, a report from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies suggested that China might be contemplating employing its coast guard in potential future maritime blockades as their responsibilities continue to expand.
According to the report, Beijing might leverage global views of the coast guard as a civilian organization to exert effective control over Taiwan by interfering with airborne and marine activities.
In Beijing’s view, obstructing Taiwan’s energy supplies might have substantial repercussions for the island’s economy and societal well-being.
The island depends significantly on imported energy sources, notably liquefied natural gas, with these specific ports being essential for this process.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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oleh admin | Apr 3, 2025 | diplomacy and diplomats, news, politics, public policy, Travel
This warning follows instances of harassment against Chinese nationals along with a number of espionage activities and online gaming clampdowns initiated by Manila.
The Philippines
has assured China that its citizens are not facing harassment following the Chinese embassy’s statement
travel advisory
However, experts caution that local authorities might be leveraging Manila’s recent anti-espionage and online gaming initiatives as a smokescreen for their growing anti-Chinese sentiment.
The embassy released an advisory on Tuesday highlighting various challenges encountered by Chinese individuals and enterprises, including instances of harassment and scrutiny. Additionally, it pointed out the rise in political events and demonstrations in the Philippines as potential concerns for Chinese expatriates.
“Public security in the Philippines has been unstable, with frequent incidents of law enforcement authorities harassing and inspecting Chinese citizens and enterprises,” the embassy said in a statement translated to English.
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The embassy did not provide any specific instances; however, this warning was issued after the detention of several Chinese citizens for espionage in the Philippines. This followed intensified actions by local law enforcement agencies as well as stricter controls imposed on the recently outlawed offshore gambling centers known as POGOs, which were frequented primarily by Chinese tourists.
In January, officials arrested five individuals from China on suspicion of pretending to be visitors from Taiwan with the aim of spying on the Philippines Coast Guard and Navy in Palawan — an island located across the South China Sea.
In the same period, law enforcement apprehended a Chinese citizen named Deng Yuanqing along with two Filipinos for reportedly surveying more than 120 crucial locations across Luzon, which encompassed harbors and facilities accessible to U.S. armed forces.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office refuted the allegations of harassment, asserting that the Philippines accepts everyone except those who break the law.
“The travel advisory they mentioned is simply a routine consular service provided by China. We can guarantee that our actions do not target individuals from any specific country or nationality with harassment,” Castro stated.
According to Castro, the situations involving Chinese nationals employed in Pogos constituted a distinct matter due to their involvement in illegal activities.
Pogos primarily served clients from China, where gambling is prohibited. Last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced an instant prohibition on the industry due to multiple allegations of criminal actions associated with their operations.
Beijing has kept its distance from Pogos, endorsing Marcos Jr’s ban.
‘People who are Chinese-looking’
When commenting on the issue, Filipino-Chinese leader and social activist Teresita Ang See informed This Week in Asia about several reports of harassment targeting Chinese citizens within the nation.
She mentioned an occurrence where authorities went to condominiums in Manila, questioning security personnel and parking staff about the apartments occupied by numerous Chinese residents.
“The head of security alerted the building manager, who then notified the residents of the condo. As a result, all the residents—many having lived there for over three decades—are now frightened,” stated See, referring to a residential high-rise in Manila but not specifying which one.
The building manager told her directly about what happened.
She stated that discussions on the Chinese app WeChat indicated that certain enforcement officers might have reportedly been halting Chinese citizens to inquire if they worked as Pogo employees.
Refer to the reported incidents shared on WeChat where visiting Chinese professors were playfully questioned by students about being spies. She mentioned, “Although intended as a joke, this was still offensive to the professors.”
The Filipino-Chinese hikers trekking along the Pinatubo trail, located north of Manila, were likewise halted and requested to present their birth certificates even though they spoke the local dialect, as mentioned in the additional information provided.
“China-Philippines ties have been negatively impacted. During the recent Lunar New Year, the Bahay Tsinoy witnessed an unusually low number of Chinese visitors for the first time,” See stated, mentioning a museum that highlights the role of Chinese people in the country’s history.
Castro stated that the government is not focusing on any locals. Following this, she ought to request law enforcement officers to fulfill their duties. She should inquire as to why they stop individuals merely because they appear to be of Chinese descent.
‘Tougher even than securing a US visa’
A different figure within the Filipino-Chinese community, Wilson Lee Flores—a political-economist and honorary chairperson at the Anvil Business Club in Manila—spoke with This Week in Asia about the challenges faced. He mentioned that individuals such as traders, collaborators, technical consultants, and providers of machinery from China struggled to obtain visas through both the Philippine embassy and consulates.
“A Chinese businessperson I encountered in Thailand mentioned that obtaining a Filipino visa is even harder compared to getting one for the United States. This is why genuine travelers and tourists have become less inclined to visit the Philippines. Instead, they favor destinations like Europe, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand,” Flores stated.
In 2024, the tourism authority stated that the number of Chinese visitors arriving in the Philippines reached 313,856 in the previous year, marking an uptick from 264,922 in 2023.
Nevertheless, the most recent figure represents a significant drop compared to earlier years when China ranked as one of the top sources for international travelers visiting the Philippines. Data from the tourism department shows that in 2019, approximately 1.7 million tourists arrived from China.
Regarding the possibility of increased Sinophobia influencing official actions, Flores commented: “This is what worries us… The Pogo problem seems to have become a pretext… However, genuine entrepreneurs and travelers do not wish to pay bribes merely to secure a visa appointment.”
Missed opportunities in investment and tourism abound.
The Pogos sector was connected to a series of criminal activities such as human trafficking, abductions, and prostitution.
During the peak of the Pogos boom, over 300,000 Chinese workers found employment in this industry.
However, Castro mentioned that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was prepared to engage with the Chinese government regarding the matters involving the Chinese nationals who were detained and expelled due to connections with unlawful Pogos.
“Many of the people involved are Chinese citizens. Therefore, this is likely part of the issue,” Castro stated.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is open to discussions about this matter, and we will reassure China that our actions are not aimed at any specific national group.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
Copyright © 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
