President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation discussing various topics including the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and North Korea's nuclear capabilities. Issues like Taiwan, South China Sea provocations, and human rights abuses were raised, alongside areas for cooperation like countering narcotics, artificial intelligence, and climate change. Biden emphasized peace in the Taiwan Strait, concerns over Chinese support for Russia's defense industry, and trade tactics harming American workers. Both leaders agreed to maintain open communication channels and manage the relationship through diplomacy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China in the future.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a candid and constructive discussion on various issues, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, Russia's war against Ukraine, and synthetic opioids. The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, marks the latest and highest-level meeting between the two sides since President Joe Biden's talks with China late last year. Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and expanding counternarcotics efforts, while also raising concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base. Both sides recognized the importance of open lines of communication and discussed consultations and high-level meetings in the coming months.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting where they discussed several issues including Taiwan, the situation in the South China Sea, Russia's war against Ukraine, and synthetic opioids. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and expanding counternarcotics efforts. Blinken raised concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base, while Wang Yi reiterated the importance of open lines of communication and responsible management of competition between the US and China.
Beijing has urged Washington to support China's peaceful reunification and the two sides have made plans for official contacts and collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence and counternarcotics efforts. The improving relations between the US and China need to continue their momentum of warming, and many countries have expressed their desire to avoid tension in the Taiwan Strait and avoid having to choose sides between the two countries. The recent dialogue between Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan in Bangkok, Thailand, focused on strategic communication in China-US relations and the proper handling of sensitive issues.
Vladimir Putin is set to travel to China in May to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking his first overseas trip of his new presidential term. Xi congratulated Putin on his re-election, emphasizing strong bilateral relations. The two leaders, known for their close personal friendship, have met over 40 times and aim to enhance China-Russia ties further. China and Russia have deepened trade and military cooperation amidst Western sanctions, with China considering involvement in Ukraine peace efforts. Putin's visit to China will be his 20th, highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for peace talks to end the two-year-old conflict in Ukraine, positioning China as a force for peace in the world. Wang also discussed the Gaza conflict, US-China relations, and disputes in the South China Sea, reiterating China's commitment to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and asserting China's claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea. China supports an international peace conference for Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of starting talks early to prevent escalation of conflicts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with a group of American businesspeople and academics in Beijing to reassure foreign businesses about the Chinese market's stability and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation. Executives like Stephen Schwarzman, Mark Carney, Rajesh Subramaniam, and Cristiano Amon were present at the meeting. The Chinese economy faces challenges such as a real estate crisis, high local government debt, and youth unemployment, despite achieving a 5.2% growth rate last year. American companies, including Apple, are engaging in a mutual charm offensive with the Chinese government amid economic uncertainties.
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and pledged to continue Indonesia's friendly policy towards China, emphasizing strong ties amid tensions in the South China Sea. Subianto plans to maintain a neutral stance between China and US allies like Japan and the Philippines. China is Indonesia's largest trading partner, investing in major infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, tensions between China and the Philippines persist over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with the US expressing readiness to defend the Philippines in case of armed attacks.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in Beijing during Bio's state visit to China. The two countries have supported each other on core interest issues, cooperated in economic and social development, and coordinated on international affairs for over half a century. This visit aims to enhance the development of China-Sierra Leone relations and foster further achievements in their friendly cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as President of Pakistan, highlighting the close relationship between China and Pakistan as good neighbors, friends, partners, and brothers. Xi mentioned the successful collaboration on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expressed readiness to enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. The strategic significance of China-Pakistan relations has become more prominent in the face of global changes, with a focus on advancing the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.
BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday expressed the country's resolve to unswervingly promote peace, stability and progress in a world overshadowed by protracted conflicts and lukewarm economic recovery. All countries rise and fall together in today's world and the sure path to meeting challenges is mutual assistance and win-win cooperation, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, goes beyond the obsolete zero-sum game mentality and points the right direction for humanity, Wang said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress. "China is ready to work with all countries to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity. The road ahead may be tortuous, but the future is bright," the top diplomat stated.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised concerns over the collision between Chinese and Philippine ships in the South China Sea at the ASEAN summit in Melbourne. The summit failed to explicitly mention China but called for peaceful dispute resolutions through dialogue. Albania advocated for the ASEAN declaration to cite a 2016 Hague ruling invalidating Beijing's territorial claims. The summit also included discussions on trade and investment, with an announcement of a $1.3 billion investment fund to support Australian companies in ASEAN.
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne raised trade issues and concerns about the war in Ukraine during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. European leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, have also expressed similar positions. The European Union is investigating Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles and European companies in China are concerned about recent changes to national security laws.
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his reelection, highlighting the strong support of the Russian people. Putin emphasized the stabilizing role of Russia-China relations in the Eurasian region, praising China's economic progress. The trade volume between the two countries reached $240 billion in 2023. Leaders from North Korea, India, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Cuba also congratulated Putin on his victory, showcasing international support for his leadership.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirms America's security commitments to the Philippines amid tensions with China over the South China Sea. The visit highlights the importance of the region's waterways to the Philippines, its security, and economy. Manila and Washington aim to strengthen their alliance, with discussions on trade and support for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. President Biden will host a summit with Mr. Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister in April. The visit coincides with the Philippines' economic growth but also points out issues of inequality and government cronyism.
US Congress members recently visited Taiwan, reaffirming US support for the island's democracy and independence, which is viewed differently by China as a breakaway province. China sees such visits as provocations and interference in its internal affairs, while Washington and Taipei see them as expressions of solidarity and support for democratic values. These visits play a crucial role in shaping the tense relationship between the US, China, and Taiwan, determining whether the status quo across the Taiwan Straits remains or escalates further.
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, also the Chinese Lantern Festival of the Year of the Dragon, replied to a letter from students of the U.S. Iowa state's Muscatine High School who visited China in late January and sent them New Year cards in return. In the letter, Xi extended holiday wishes to the teachers and students of the school, and encouraged more American youths to come to China for exchanges and study.
China is ready to work with the Commonwealth of Dominica to better align the two countries' development strategies and transform their friendship into the driving force of win-win cooperation, in order to benefit their peoples with greater achievements, President Xi Jinping said on Monday. In a meeting with visiting Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit in Beijing, Xi said that China and the Caribbean nation have set a fine example of South-South cooperation since they established diplomatic relations in 2004, which Skerrit said was a correct decision made by him after severing "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan. Xi noted that the key to the smooth development of bilateral relations lies in the high-level political mutual trust between the two countries, as well as the mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. As China advances its modernization at full throttle, Dominica is welcome to board the fast train and expand cooperation with China in fields such as trade and economy, infrastructure construction, agriculture and healthcare, Xi said. In 2018, China and Dominica signed a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road cooperation.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia as part of his Middle East trip to broker a ceasefire in Gaza amidst the Israel-Hamas war, discussing the urgent need for humanitarian aid, enhancing bilateral relations, and promoting joint cooperation. Blinken is set to visit Egypt and Israel next to further negotiate a truce deal, exchange of hostages, and prisoners. Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, are working towards presenting plans for a political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, after efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages and prisoners.
Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te expressed his hope for continued US support during a meeting with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers in Taipei. Lai emphasized the shared values of democracy and freedom between Taiwan and the US and stressed the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait for regional and global peace. The US lawmakers reaffirmed their firm support for Taiwan and praised the strong relationship between the US and Taiwan. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, condemned the US Navy's recent navigation through the Taiwan Strait.
Senior Chinese leaders Wang Huning and Ding Xuexiang participated in the second session of the 14th National People's Congress to discuss Taiwan-related work and national reunification efforts. The National People's Congress Standing Committee started deliberating a work report with a focus on high-quality legislative work to support China's modernization and national rejuvenation. Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the meetings to emphasize the importance of safeguarding stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposing "Taiwan independence" and external interference.
This is a list of international presidential trips made by Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and the 7th President of the People's Republic of China. Xi Jinping has made 42 international trips to 69 countries since he assumed the leadership on 15 November 2012. Xi’s travels currently take place on a modified Air China 747-8.
US and Israeli officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security advisers, discussed concerns about a possible invasion of Rafah in Gaza during a virtual meeting. Israel agreed to consider US concerns and continue discussions, despite wanting to defeat Hamas in Rafah. Talks were initially delayed after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu protested a UN Security Council resolution. Biden administration has faced backlash for arms transfers to Israel amid increasing criticism of civilian casualties in Gaza.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged political advisors to contribute to Chinese modernization by building broad consensus at a joint group meeting during the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Xi emphasized the importance of in-depth research and active suggestions based on strategic tasks outlined by the 20th CPC National Congress and the Central Economic Work Conference. The meeting included political advisors from different parties, organizations, ethnic groups, and sectors like the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the sector of science and technology, and the sector of environment and resources.
Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, will lead a delegation of young students on a second exchange visit to the Chinese mainland from April 1 to 11. During the first exchange visit last year, Ma and the young students mainly visited places of political and economic significance, especially those that have historical connections with Kuomintang. During the trip, Ma and the students will visit Chinese cultural and historical sites and attend a ceremony to honor the Yellow Emperor, generally acknowledged as the common ancestor of the Chinese people, at his mausoleum. Cross-Taiwan Strait relations are at a low, and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan is to blame for that. The situation is so grave that the opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party are reluctant to directly promote cross-Strait reunification, because the DPP, which refuses to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus that there is only one China and, instead, seeks "Taiwan independence", regained power in the January elections on the island.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police Force at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2024. Xi delivered an important speech at the meeting. (Xinhua/Li Gang) BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on the armed forces to forge a stronger sense of mission, deepen reform and promote innovation, so as to comprehensively enhance strategic capabilities in emerging areas. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while attending a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, or China's national legislature. Xi said strategic capabilities in emerging areas are an important part of national strategies and strategic capabilities, and are of great significance to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Governor of People's Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng, have emphasized the need for accelerating reforms on quota allocation at the IMF to increase Asia's representation. President Xi also reiterated to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that attempts to restrict China's access to technology will not impede the country's progress.
American and Israeli officials are holding virtual talks to discuss expanding Israel's conflict against Hamas into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a move opposed by the U.S. on humanitarian grounds. President Biden has urged Israel to refrain from a large-scale incursion into Rafah to safeguard civilians. The operation in Rafah exposes a deep rift between Israel and the U.S., with the latter calling for more humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on entering Rafah to root out Hamas brigades.
Seoul will host the third Summit for Democracy, themed "Democracy for Future Generations", from Monday to Wednesday where political leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and civil society and youth organizations from across the world are expected to participate. This Summit for Democracy which was launched by Biden in 2021 is considered a strategic maneuver within a larger geopolitical game being played out in the Asia-Pacific region where the US' primary focus has been to expand its influence and engage with China on the sub-regional level. The summit is being held to consolidate the historical premise that major powers will continue to export democracy to less-powerful nations, often under the banner of freedom and human rights protection, in order to exert their influence on the latter. In contrast, China advocates that developing countries have the right to choose a development path and follow a political system that best suit their national interests. "Whole-process people's democracy" is a form of democracy which, despite being different from Western-style democracy, suits China's national conditions.
The Philippines will not allow China to remove a Philippine military outpost in the South China Sea shoal, leading to a confrontation where four Filipino navy personnel were injured. The Philippines has red lines, including not allowing China to erect structures in Scarborough Shoal. The recent clashes involved Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships shadowing and blocking Philippine vessels delivering supplies to a navy warship. The US, Australia, and Japan have condemned China's actions, with the US reaffirming its commitment to defend the Philippines.
President Joe Biden hosted a small group of Muslim American community leaders at the White House for a meeting followed by a scaled-down iftar dinner during the holy month of Ramadan. The White House engagement aimed to relieve tensions over Biden's support for Israel's actions in Gaza, with Muslim staffers and national security aides in attendance. Plans for larger Ramadan celebrations were scrapped this year due to the conflict, with fewer than a dozen guests expected to join the intimate iftar meal. Additionally, the Biden administration has quietly approved significant arms transfers to Israel amidst ongoing clashes with Hamas.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is intensively pushing for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza and discouraging Israel from launching an offensive into Rafah. He is engaging in shuttle diplomacy in the region and coordinating talks for a ceasefire tied to hostage releases. Blinken's visit coincides with US-sponsored Security Council resolution discussions for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Tensions between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government are high, with growing domestic US frustration over the conflict. Humanitarian aid to Gaza is a key focus, with international diplomatic efforts ongoing amidst a severe food crisis in the region.
The 2015 Xi Jinping United Kingdom visit, from 19 to 23 October 2015, was the first state visit of Xi Jinping to the United Kingdom. It also was the Chinese paramount leader's first visit to the United Kingdom since 2005 and the second Chinese state leader to visit the UK after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit between 16 and 19 June 2014. During the visit, Xi met Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister David Cameron, and also visited Manchester City F.C.
A bipartisan US congressional delegation, led by Rep Jack Bergman, pledged continued support for Taiwan in March 2024. This support comes days after Congress approved $300 million in military aid for the self-governed island that is claimed by China. The delegation's visit to Taiwan reinforces the longstanding relationship between the US and Taiwan in the face of regional tensions.
China has urged the Philippines to cease infringement and provocations in the South China Sea to prevent destabilizing peace and stability. The China Coast Guard expelled Philippine vessels intruding into Ren'ai Reef. China reiterated its territorial sovereignty over Nansha Islands and Ren'ai Reef, warning of resolute measures if the Philippines continues its actions. Despite previous restraint, China took control measures after Philippine vessels illegally entered the waters near Ren'ai Reef. China has communicated with the Philippines to refrain from sending construction materials to a grounded warship at the reef.
Xi Jinping (Chinese: 习近平; pinyin: Xí Jìnpíng, pronounced [ɕǐ tɕîn.pʰǐŋ]; born 15 June 1953) is a Chinese politician who has been the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and thus the paramount leader of China, since 2012. Xi has also been the president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) since 2013. He belongs to the fifth generation of Chinese leadership.The son of Chinese Communist veteran Xi Zhongxun, Xi was exiled to rural Yanchuan County as a teenager following his father's purge during the Cultural Revolution. He lived in a yaodong in the village of Liangjiahe, Shaanxi province, where he joined the CCP after several failed attempts and worked as the local party secretary. After studying chemical engineering at Tsinghua University as a worker-peasant-soldier student, Xi rose through the ranks politically in China's coastal provinces. Xi was governor of Fujian from 1999 to 2002, before becoming governor and party secretary of neighboring Zhejiang from 2002 to 2007. Following the dismissal of the party secretary of Shanghai, Chen Liangyu, Xi was transferred to replace him for a brief period in 2007. He subsequently joined the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) of the CCP the same year and was the first-ranking secretary of the Central Secretariat in October 2007. In 2008, he was designated as Hu Jintao's presumed successor as paramount leader; to that end, Xi was appointed vice president of the PRC and vice chairman of the CMC. He officially received the title of leadership core from the CCP in 2016.Xi is the first CCP general secretary born after the establishment of the PRC. Since assuming power, Xi has introduced far-ranging measures to enforce party discipline and to impose internal unity. His anti-corruption campaign led to the downfall of prominent incumbent and retired CCP officials, including former PSC member Zhou Yongkang. He has also enacted or promoted a more aggressive foreign policy, particularly with regard to China's relations with the U.S., the nine-dash line in the South China Sea, and the Sino-Indian border dispute. He has sought to expand China's African and Eurasian influence through the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi has expanded support for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), advanced military-civil fusion, overseen targeted poverty alleviation programs, and has attempted to reform the property sector. He has also promoted "common prosperity", a series of policies designed with stated goal to increase equality, oversaw a broad crackdown and major slew of regulations against the tech and tutoring sectors in 2021. Xi met with Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou in 2015, the first time PRC and Republic of China leaders met, though relations deteriorated after Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the presidential elections in 2016. He responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China with a zero-COVID approach from January 2020 until December 2022, afterwards shifting towards a mitigation strategy. Xi also oversaw the passage of a national security law in Hong Kong, clamping down on political opposition in the city, especially pro-democracy activists.Often described as an authoritarian leader by political and academic observers, Xi's tenure has included an increase of censorship and mass surveillance, deterioration in human rights, including the internment of a million Uyghurs in Xinjiang (which some observers have described as part of a genocide), a cult of personality developing around Xi, and the removal of term limits for the presidency in 2018. Xi's political ideas and principles, known as Xi Jinping Thought, have been incorporated into the party and national constitutions. As the central figure of the fifth generation of leadership of the PRC, Xi has centralized institutional power by taking on multiple positions, including new CCP committees on national security, economic and social reforms, military restructuring and modernization, and the Internet. He and the CCP Central Committee passed a "historical resolution" in November 2021. In October 2022, Xi secured a third term as CCP General Secretary, and was reelected state president for a third term in March 2023.
In 2019, the CIA reportedly initiated a covert operation, authorized by former President Donald Trump, to manipulate Chinese public opinion by spreading negative narratives about the Chinese Communist Party on social media, particularly targeting Chinese President Xi Jinping's government and the Belt and Road Initiative. This effort aimed to create paranoia among Chinese officials and utilized fake online identities to circulate stories of corruption and wrongdoing. The operation also extended to Southeast Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific to influence public sentiment against the CCP leadership.
President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines announces that the country will take countermeasures against China following confrontations in the South China Sea where Filipino soldiers were injured and vessels damaged. The Philippines will respond with a proportionate and deliberate countermeasure package to aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia. Tensions have risen between the two countries in the hotly contested waterway, with China blaming Philippine actions for recent incidents near disputed reefs.
The Chinese government has accused the United States of causing 'trouble and provocation' after a US Navy warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. The US Navy defended the action, stating that it was beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. China claims Taiwan as a part of its sovereignty, while the US and most other countries recognize the 'One China' policy. China has vowed to 'continue to organize relevant military operations' in and around the Taiwan Strait.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will visit the United States to meet with US officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to discuss the war against Hamas in Gaza, efforts to return hostages, humanitarian aid, and regional stability. Tensions have risen as the US warned against an Israeli offensive in Rafah. Israel is prepared to proceed alone if necessary. The conflict arose after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October, leading to civilian casualties in both Gaza and Israel.
Antony John Blinken (born April 16, 1962) is an American lawyer and diplomat currently serving as the 71st United States secretary of state. He previously served as deputy national security advisor from 2013 to 2015 and deputy secretary of state from 2015 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Blinken was previously national security advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2013.During the Clinton administration, Blinken served in the State Department and in senior positions on the National Security Council from 1994 to 2001. He was a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies from 2001 to 2002. He advocated for the 2003 invasion of Iraq while serving as the Democratic staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2002 to 2008. He was a foreign policy advisor for Joe Biden's 2008 presidential campaign, before advising the Obama–Biden presidential transition.From 2009 to 2013, Blinken served as deputy assistant to the president and national security advisor to the vice president. During his tenure in the Obama administration, he helped craft U.S. policy on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the nuclear program of Iran. After leaving government service, Blinken moved into the private sector, co-founding WestExec Advisors, a consulting firm. Blinken returned to government first as a foreign policy advisor for Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, then as Biden's pick for secretary of state, a position the Senate confirmed him for on January 26, 2021.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed commitment to working towards a summit with North Korea to address the return of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s. North Korea suggested the meeting would be possible if Japan stops pressing the abductions issue. Japan believes hundreds more may have been abducted, with some potentially still alive. Kishida aims to resolve various bilateral issues amidst concerns over North Korea's missiles and nuclear weapons programs. Previous efforts in 2002 and 2004 involved negotiations regarding abducted Japanese citizens.
In the latest incident at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, the Philippines accused China's coastguard of firing water cannon at a Philippine supply boat for nearly an hour. The shoal is located about 200 kilometers from the western Philippine island of Palawan and over 1,000 kilometers from China's Hainan island. China claims most of the South China Sea despite an international court ruling in 2016 against its claim, with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan also asserting their claims in the region. The Philippines has strengthened military ties with the United States amid escalating tensions.
A fleet of Chinese vessels surrounded and separated four Philippine ships leading to an altercation where one Philippine boat had its window shattered by water cannon and four sailors injured. The clash in the disputed South China Sea reflects China's efforts to assert sovereignty in the region, sparking tensions with neighboring countries like the Philippines, a US ally. The incident highlights the potential for conflict in the strategically important waterway.
Former President Trump criticized Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's demand of $10 billion to talk with President Biden, suggesting it reflects Biden's perceived weakness. Obrador also wants the United States to send $20 billion annually to Latin America and the Caribbean to address migration 'root causes'. Trump stated that such demands would not have been made if he were still in the White House. Arrests of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border have decreased, with a significant drop in Venezuelan migrants.
North Korea's munitions factories are producing weapons and shells for Russia at full capacity, exchanging them for food and other necessities. Pyongyang has shipped over 10,000 containers of munitions to Russia since September, while experiencing shortages for its own exports. The deliveries assist Russia in its war in Ukraine, with concerns raised about North Korea seeking advanced technology from Russia in return. The growing ties between North Korea and Russia worry US intelligence officials, as the two nations deepen their strategic partnership amidst international isolation over their nuclear programs and military actions.
North Korea has sent around 7,000 containers of munitions and military equipment to Russia to support its war in Ukraine. The arms transfers accelerated after a summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. In exchange, North Korea may have received aid and military assistance. South Korea suspects North Korea is using rail networks to send supplies to Russia and raises concerns about fuel provision. North Korea's recent missile tests coincide with escalating tensions with rivals and preparations for South Korea's parliamentary elections.
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. ( , BY-dən; born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama and represented Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009.Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden moved with his family to Delaware in 1953. He graduated from the University of Delaware before earning his law degree from Syracuse University. He was elected to the New Castle County Council in 1970 and to the U.S. Senate in 1972. As a senator, Biden drafted and led the effort to pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act. He also oversaw six U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings, including the contentious hearings for Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Biden ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008. In 2008, Obama chose Biden as his running mate, and he was a close counselor to Obama during his two terms as vice president. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, defeated incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence. He is the oldest president in U.S. history, and the first to have a female vice president.As president, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession. He signed bipartisan bills on infrastructure and manufacturing. He proposed the Build Back Better Act, which failed in Congress, but aspects of which were incorporated into the Inflation Reduction Act that he signed into law in 2022. Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. He worked with congressional Republicans to resolve the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis by negotiating a deal to raise the debt ceiling. In foreign policy, Biden restored America's membership in the Paris Agreement. He oversaw the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that ended the war in Afghanistan, during which the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized control. He responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Russia and authorizing civilian and military aid to Ukraine. During the Israel–Hamas war, Biden announced military support for Israel, and condemned the actions of Hamas and other Palestinian militants as terrorism. In April 2023, Biden announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2024 presidential election.
The Biden administration is considering an $18 billion arms sale to Israel, including dozens of F-15 aircraft, amid pressure to impose conditions on arms transfers. Israeli Minister of Defense requested the sale during a visit to Washington, emphasizing the need for increased air power to counter threats from Hezbollah and Iran. This package, separate from the $14 billion aid requested by Biden, includes support services for the aircraft. While US officials expressed support for Israel's request, concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza persist. Congress must be notified of major foreign military sales agreements, and the sale may face debate.
The article covers events that are related to the South China Sea dispute. Located in the South China Sea are the disputed Paracel Islands between China and Vietnam, Pratas Island, a disputed island between China and Taiwan, and the Spratly Islands, which are intertwined with China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. Because of this, numerous countries with territorial disputes have had conflicts in the South China Sea since the past.
Formerly a single nation that was annexed by Japan in 1910, the Korean Peninsula has been divided into North Korea and South Korea since the end of World War II on 2 September 1945. The two governments were founded in the two regions in 1948, leading to the consolidation of division. The two countries engaged in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 which ended in an armistice agreement but without a peace treaty. North Korea is a one-party totalitarian state run by the Kim family. South Korea was formerly governed by a succession of military dictatorships, save for a brief one-year democratic period from 1960 to 1961, until thorough democratization in 1987, after which direct elections were held. Both nations claim the entire Korean Peninsula and outlying islands. Both nations joined the United Nations in 1991 and are recognized by most member states. Since the 1970s, both nations have held informal diplomatic dialogues in order to ease military tensions.In 2000, President Kim Dae-jung became the first President of South Korea to visit North Korea, 55 years after the peninsula was divided. Under President Kim, South Korea adopted the Sunshine Policy in pursuit of more peaceful relationships with North Korea. The policy established the Kaesong Industrial Region, among other things. This policy was continued by the next president Roh Moo-hyun who also visited North Korea in 2007 and met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Through this meeting both leaders signed a declaration to pursue peace and recover inter-Korean relations. However, faced with growing criticism, the Sunshine Policy was discontinued under the next two governments. During Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye's presidencies, the relationship between North and South Korea became more hostile.Under President Moon Jae-in, beginning with North Korea's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics, the relationship saw a major diplomatic breakthrough and become significantly warmer. In April 2018, the two countries signed the Panmunjom Declaration. The summits between North and South Korea also facilitated positive relationships between North Korea and the United States. However, the negotiations stalled in 2020 and relations deteriorated. The relationship further deteriorated during the presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol, with an increase in military tensions.
China on Thursday reaffirmed its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, the South China Sea islands, urging the Philippines not to side with external forces to disrupt peace in the South China Sea. China was the first country to discover, name, explore and exploit the islands and relevant waters, and the first to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, adding that the country has historical rights in the South China Sea. After World War II, according to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the Chinese government recovered the islands and resumed exercising sovereignty over them. The islands had been illegally occupied by Japan during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). The dotted line in the South China Sea officially released by the Chinese government in 1948 has been upheld by successive Chinese governments, and hasn't been questioned by any country for a long time, Wang said.
The United States has announced new visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials responsible for cracking down on rights and freedoms following the enactment of a new national security law referred to as Article 23, targeting treason, espionage, and other crimes. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the law could be used to suppress dissent, leading to the imposition of visa curbs. Previous restrictions and sanctions have been placed on Hong Kong officials for undermining freedoms, with Washington ending the territory's special economic treatment. Radio Free Asia closed its Hong Kong bureau due to safety concerns under Article 23.
Donald Mayer Blinken (November 11, 1925 – September 22, 2022) was an American businessman and diplomat. A co-founder of the investment bank Warburg Pincus, he was the chairman of the board of the State University of New York from 1978 to 1990. He also served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary from 1994 to 1997. His son, Antony Blinken, is the current Secretary of State to U.S. President Joe Biden.
North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea from Pyongyang, with a range of about 180 miles, a move condemned by South Korea, U.S., and Japan. The launches coincided with U.S.-South Korea military drills and raised concerns about exporting missiles to Russia. The U.S. State Department and Japan labeled the launches as violations of UN Security Council resolutions and threats to regional security. South Korea's Defence Minister mentioned North Korea's testing of new short-range missiles recently.
The Chinese mainland is closely monitoring the movements of the Taiwan military around Kinmen, an island administered by Taiwan and close to the mainland coast, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan recently announced plans for live-fire drills in Kinmen Island, Lieyu Island and other areas in April. The Taiwan military said that the actions are part of routine training exercises and are not targeted. Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said: "Whether it is 'routine' training or 'targeted' provocation, the DPP authorities know better than anyone else." The people of Kinmen have experienced the transition between peace and war, and they increasingly cherish peace and oppose war, he said.
The United States has proposed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict linked to the release of hostages in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to protect civilians, provide humanitarian aid, and address the suffering. The US aims to garner support for the resolution, which stresses the urgency of a ceasefire to safeguard civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance. Israel's key supporter, the US, has historically opposed immediate ceasefire terms but is now pressing for it.
A fishing boat from Fujian province was forcefully expelled by Taiwan in waters near Kinmen, leading to two fatalities. The Chinese mainland spokesperson called for the release of the detained fishermen, stating that Taiwan's actions have sparked outrage and hurt compatriots' feelings on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Both sides belong to one China, and Taiwan is an integral part of China's territory. The mainland emphasizes goodwill but will not tolerate negligence towards mainland fishermen's safety. Further measures may be taken with consequences for Taiwan.
The Philippines has accused the Chinese Coast Guard of wounding three Filipino soldiers during a water cannon attack near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, leading to severe damage to a Philippine vessel. This incident has sparked tensions between the two countries, with China warning the Philippines against provocative actions and the United States expressing support for its ally. The disputed area has been a site of repeated confrontations, raising concerns of a potential larger conflict involving China, the Philippines, and the United States.
Former President Donald Trump will hold campaign events in Michigan and Wisconsin, two crucial Midwest battlegrounds that he won in 2016, aimed at addressing issues such as the US-Mexico border. Despite his initial success, subsequent elections have proven challenging for Republicans in these states, with Biden narrowly winning them in 2020. Trump's campaign activities have been relatively quiet compared to President Biden's recent engagements in the region.
The First Taiwan Strait Crisis (also known as the Formosa Crisis, the 1954–1955 Taiwan Strait Crisis, the Offshore Islands Crisis, the Quemoy-Matsu Crisis, and the 1955 Taiwan Strait Crisis) was a brief armed conflict between the Communist People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Nationalist Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan. The conflict focused on several groups of islands in the Taiwan Strait that were held by the ROC but were located only a few miles from mainland China.The crisis began when the PRC initiated heavy bombardment on the ROC-held island of Kinmen (Quemoy) in September 1954. Shelling was subsequently extended to the Matsu and Tachen (Dachen) islands. In response, the United States and the ROC agreed to the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty in December 1954. In January 1955, the PRC seized the Yijiangshan Islands. Later that month, the Formosa Resolution was approved by both houses of the U.S. Congress, authorizing President Dwight D. Eisenhower to defend the ROC and its possessions. The U.S. Navy then assisted the Nationalists in evacuating from the Tachen Islands.The crisis de-escalated in April 1955 after Premier Zhou Enlai articulated the PRC's intention to negotiate with the United States at the Bandung Conference, and in May 1955 the People's Liberation Army ceased shelling Kinmen and Matsu. Ambassadorial-level discussions between China and the U.S. began in Geneva in August 1955. The fundamental issues of the conflict remained unresolved, which led to a new crisis three years later.
The Taiwan Strait Tunnel Project is a proposed undersea tunnel to connect Pingtan in Mainland China to Hsinchu in Taiwan as part of the G3 Beijing–Taipei Expressway. It has seen a few academic studies from the China side, but no interest from the Taiwan side, which views such proposals as political propaganda. In addition to political factors, the project is generally not considered realistic due to technical and cost concerns.
Joe Biden, the 46th and current president of the United States, announced his candidacy for re-election for a second and final term as president on April 25, 2023, with Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate. If re-elected, he would be the oldest president inaugurated (on January 20, 2025), breaking his own (January 20, 2021) record, and he would be the second two-term vice president to be elected president twice, after Richard Nixon in 1972.In May 2021, Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain indicated the Biden administration was "anticipating a bruising general election matchup" against Donald Trump, who had served as the 45th president of the United States and had been defeated by Biden in the 2020 presidential election, if the latter followed through on a bid to return to the presidency. In November 2021, against a backdrop of declining approval ratings, the Biden White House reiterated Biden's intent to run for reelection. In a March 2022 press conference, when asked about the possibility that Trump could be his opponent in 2024, Biden replied, "I'd be very fortunate if I had that same man running against me".
HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam is seeking to learn from China to develop its first high-speed railway network, according to its government, with plans in the works for a rail line running the length of the country. Vietnam is planning to build a 1,545 km (960 miles) high-speed system with a price tag that could be as much as $72 billion, or 17% of its gross domestic product, according to state media. "China's railway industry is the world's most developed, and Vietnam, therefore, wants to learn from its experiences, especially in terms of technology, financial mobilisation and management expertise," a government statement at the weekend said. It was released as Vietnam's Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung visited to China, where he talked with Chinese trade and transport officials and railway executives. Vietnam and China signed dozens of cooperation agreements, including on railways, during a visit to Hanoi by Chinese President Xi Jinping in December.
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