TNPSC Current Affairs May 23, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs May 23, 2020 (23/05/2020)

Topic: India and its Neighbouring Countries

China’s seeks support for its new law

China has sought the support and understanding of India and other countries for its controversial decision to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong.

Background:

China said the new legislation is aimed at containing the “secessionist” forces in the former British colony who have posed a “grave threat” to the country’s national security and sovereignty.

China has also sent demarches to India and several other countries explaining the reason for the new draft legislation with a reminder that upholding national security” in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is “purely China’s internal affair and no foreign country may interfere in this matter”.

How is Hong Kong currently administered?

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. It has observed a “one country, two systems” policy since Britain returned sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997, which has allowed it certain freedoms the rest of China does not have.

What’s happening now in Hong Kong?

Relentless agitation is carried out by the local Hong Kong people demanding political and administrative autonomy agreed by China when it took possession of the former British colony in 1997.

While the seven-month-long agitation last year in which millions took part subsided during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis from January to April, protesters returned to streets this month, with the pro-autonomy and pro-freedom legislators grappling with the security officials in local legislature protesting against the curbs.

Topic: New Appointments

WHO Executive Board

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan is set to take charge as chairman of the WHO Executive Board at its 147th session.

Vardhan would succeed Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan, currently the Chairman of the 34-member WHO Executive Board.

What is the WHO Executive Board?

It is one of the WHO’s two decision making bodies. The other one is the World Health Assembly. The agency’s headquarters are located at Geneva in Switzerland.

Composition:

The executive Board is composed of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health.

The Board chairman’s post is held by rotation for one year by each of the WHO’s six regional groups: African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Western Pacific Region.

Members are elected for three-year terms.

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

World Turtle Day 2020

World Turtle Day is observed on May 23. The day is celebrated to make people aware of turtle and tortoise and their habitats.

Every year since 2000, American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a non-profit organization established in 1990, sponsors the celebrations for World Turtle Day.

This year is the 20th anniversary of World Turtle Day.

The theme of World Turtle Day 2020 focuses on bringing attention and increasing knowledge on the subject of tortoises and turtles. In addition, it also includes motivating humans to step forward virtually and help them survive.

Topic: International Events

Treaty on Open Skies

The US President Donald Trump recently announced that USA is to withdraw from Open Skies treaty. The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in 2002. The treaty established an aerial surveillance system for its participants.

There are 34 members that signed the treaty. Both US and Russia are signatories of the treaty.

Key Facts of the treaty:

The treaty establishes an region of unarmed aerial observation. The observation is allowed over the territories of the signatories. It enhances mutual understanding and gives confidence to all participants. The treaty is considered as one of the most wide-ranging arms control effort that promotes transparency and openness amongst military forces.

What is the issue?

The US President has announced withdrawal from the treaty accusing that Russia has not stuck to its part of the deal. This is the third international arms pact the US has pulled out from since Donald Trump became the president.