Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on airport management, Taiwan, CCP, U.S., Ukraine, Russia, Poland, disease control, Cambodia, Myanmar
News (1)
Taoyuan Airport nearly bankrupt, seeks help to raise capital by NT$80 billion
According to the Hong Kong Central Review Agency, due to the ravages of the covid pandemic, the number of passengers at Taoyuan Airport hit a record low last year, only 2% of 2019. The Taoyuan Airport Company is on the verge of financial crisis and has recently raised a capital increase plan to Taiwan's "Ministry of Transportation".
Lin Guoxian, chairman of Taoyuan Airport Company, said that the capital gap of Taoyuan is as high as NT$150 billion, and its capital plus surplus is only more than 30 billion. Therefore, it has applied to the "Executive Yuan" to increase its capital by 70 to 80 billion every year before 2030. "
The Republic of China government has expressed its support, and is currently taking stock of the amount that can be paid.
Lin Guoxian said that Taoyuan Airport has accumulated a surplus of 12.7 billion in the 11 years since its establishment. Affected by the epidemic, its income has dropped sharply in the past two years. However, there are still plans such as the third terminal to be promoted. The T3 and R3 plans plus engineering maintenance cost more than 140 billion, the funding gap is about 150 billion, and there will be financial scheduling problems in the short term. Therefore, it has applied to the Executive Yuan for capital increase, and is currently coordinating with the General Accounting Office and other units.
Lin Guoxian pointed out that after the completion of the construction of the third terminal, there will be other operating expenses, so he hopes to increase the capital by 70 billion to 80 billion year by year before the end of the epidemic. After all, the capital of Taoyuan Airport is not very high, about 24.8 billion, plus the surplus. About 30 billion, there will be certain restrictions on borrowing, and it is not a good way for the company to borrow too much.
Lin Guoxian expressed the hope that the Executive Yuan will start to increase its capital year by year until 2030 next year, and Taoyuan Airport will be able to borrow smoothly under the quota and pass the peak payment before 2026, but how much the Executive Yuan can support, the General Accounting Office and the Finance Department are still in the inventory and may be processed in stages. It has been suggested that the supply should be based on the funding gap, that is, the amount of borrowing that can be borrowed each year, about 10 billion or so a year.
Lin Guoxian said that although it is optimistic that it will return to the pre-epidemic level in 2026, the recovery time in the Asia-Pacific region is slower than that in Europe and the United States, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, so it may not return to the level before 2019 until 2027 and 2028. The epidemic subsides quickly, and Taoyuan Airport’s income increases, so there is no need to maintain such a high amount of capital increase.
News (2)
Taiwan donated more than 50 tons of materials from Taiwanese and Ukrainians in Taiwan: There are no words to express emotion
Reporters : Zeng Yihao and Zeng Xinmin, https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/03/18/a103377002.html
Taiwan's private donations to Ukraine exceeded 600 million Taiwan dollars. Taiwan's foreign ministry also stated that statistics from March 7 to yesterday, at least 50 tons of materials have been raised. Ukrainians in Taiwan said that they could not find any words to express their emotion.
Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie stood with the representatives of Poland and Slovakia, as well as students from Ukraine and Russia who came to Taiwan. The boxes behind them were the supplies donated by Taiwanese to Ukraine. The first batch of 5.5 tons was on Thursday (17 March) was officially launched.
Wu Zhaoxie, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (2022.3.17): "There is only one day left to donate materials. On the last day, we saw that the materials were still coming in in large numbers, which made people very moved. Then the next batch The supplies will go to Poland, from Poland to Ukraine, and we just want to help.”
Wu Zhaoxie expressed that he was very moved by the enthusiastic donation of supplies by the people of Taiwan. Since the collection of materials on 7 March, more than 7,500 boxes of materials with a total weight of at least 50 tons have been raised.
Daria Zheng, a Ukrainian expatriate said on 17 March 2022, "Taiwan is not afraid to stand up and help the Ukrainians. I can speak 4 languages, but I don't think I can find any words to help me express my feelings, I am very, very moved.”
Olga Khalina, a Ukrainian-born Russian expatriate said on 17 March 2022, "(To resolve) this vicious circle of hatred, you need to lay down your arms, put down your arms, stand in front of the tank very bravely, and then be suppressed, it doesn't matter, as long as it is given to such an inspiring force of others, the kind of force that believes that the world is good, true and beautiful, is the most courageous expression."
Donations from ordinary people to private enterprises in Taiwan will be shipped in batches to Slovakia, or Poland and other countries hosting refugees to help Ukrainians. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that from 2 to 17 March 2022, donations from Taiwan's private sector amounted to NT$660 million through the Disaster Relief Foundation.
News (3) to (10) / Reporter : Shi Ping / Editor : Yang Yihui / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/3/18/n13654181.htm
News (3)
Insider: Frank Liu was ordered by the CCP to conduct sabotage and search for intelligence in the United States
Image : A statue by Chen Weiming criticizing the CCP for covering up the covid virus was destroyed last spring. (Provided by Chen Weiming)
The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday (16 March 2022) released an indictment against five Chinese Communist Party agents. One of them is a document filed in federal court for the Eastern District of New York against New Yorker Frank Liu, Floridian Matthew Ziburis, and Chinese Sun Qiang.
The indictment details how these individuals monitored Americans, collected materials, and acted as foreign agents.
According to the indictment and public information, Frank Liu is the chairman of the "World Harmony Foundation" and the president of a "Congressional Network Television". . In 1997, he organized a celebrity delegation from the United States to Beijing to participate in the 100-day countdown to the return of Hong Kong, and was received by Jiang Zemin and four members of the Politburo Standing Committee. Since 2005, he has had close contacts with the United Nations and organized many charity activities. He established a TV station to interview U.S. congressmen and UN officials. Later, he founded an investment bank management company on Wall Street to help Chinese companies list in the United States and help CCP China invest in high-speed rail in the United States and African countries, and established the "International Digital Foundation".
Ziburis, a former Florida correctional officer, was Liu's staff and bodyguard.
Sun Qiang is the "boss" of the two people, and the orders of the CCP government are issued to the above two people through Sun.
Image : Several defendants Frank Liu (top), Sun Qiang (bottom left) and Ziburis (bottom right) who were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice as foreign agents for the CCP. (Taken from the indictment of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York/The Epoch Times Composite)
News (4)
How the CCP’s Secret Service in the U.S. works
According to the indictment, after being hired by Frank Liu, FBI investigators (hereinafter referred to as "FBI undercover agents") once heard Liu told them how the CCP government conducts cross-border operations and why people like him were hired as agents instead of the CCP’s own officials operate it.
In January 2021, Liu told undercover that he was affiliated with the International Chamber of Commerce and was a consultant to the "International Police Foundation"; he later claimed he was an unnamed client in CCP China in a lawsuit involving anti-communists do due diligence work.
Liu told the FBI undercover that he was on assignment from Sun Qiang's company, which represented the Chinese government. "We deal with this company, we don't deal directly with the government, we don't want to get involved in politics," he said.
He added, "A lot of companies are courting the Chinese government. ... If the businessman looks good, the government likes it; if the government likes it, they get more business."
Liu sees this kind of proxy work as a business. He said to the undercover, "A lot of these countries, some clients, they're going to investigate some rich people, politicians. A lot of people come here, they investigate these people, some people take their money, and they come after them." (They may be referring to here. Chinese government).
"It's a huge market, not just China, but other countries. All forms of fraud or corruption, the government is willing to track. We don't care which party you belong to, we don't care, we care about giving us jobs, we investigate these Fatal human mistakes, you find them wherever you go. We don't get involved in politics, we do our tactical part."
Sun Qiang gave Liu a task, the target person, the information to be collected, the goal to be achieved, the time to submit the report, etc. Liu then sent the task to Ziburis and the FBI undercover, and discussed the action plan with them.
News (5)
Tasks of CCP agents and the information they need are exposed
In the indictment, the FBI undercover agent described the details of the tasks he and Ziburis received, all of which were to collect personal information of Chinese anti-communist pro-democracy activists and conduct surveillance.
The information they need to collect includes:
Target's profile, home address, phone number, family members, company details, what business is done, who is around him and who those people are, date of birth, passport number, twitter account and email; identity as a citizen, whether the target has a green card. If there is no green card, what is preventing the green card? Other wanted information include sources of income, tax bills, license plates, violation records, and more.
There are also tracking shooting, installing GPS trackers in cars, and installing surveillance cameras in homes.
News (6)
Salaries of CCP spies exposed
In a January 2021 assignment, the FBI undercover agent was paid $1,500 for a report he had collected on the target's personal information.
In the task of tracking a visual artist in California, Liu applied for service compensation to his superiors as follows:
1) His address, office location and his photo; 2) The price of the works and the number of completed works; 3) The studio address; 4) The office phone number and mobile phone number.
The above information: US$10,000 per person;
5) His social security number: US$10,000 per person (Liu wrote, "This is an extremely difficult job, we need to find contacts in the FBI or the police department to get it");
6) His 2019 and 2020 tax returns: $5,000 + $5,000 per person;
7) Three days of tracking, taking photos, and shooting videos: You need to find another person to do it, this person needs US$5,000/day, and another US$5,000 for each of us;
8) Post process: He's asking for a high price, he probably did not pay that high tax, once we find the evidence, we'll work with the FBI, court, and lawyers to sue him, it will be fun.
Estimated cost: $200,000.
The investigation also uncovered payments to the accounts of Liu, his wife and Ziburis consistent with payments for services they provided to monitor and harass dissidents in the United States, the indictment said. Ziburis received $100,000; Liu received more than $3 million.
News (7)
California artist's anti-communist sculpture burnt down
Frank Liu and Ziburis planned to let the latter approach an anti-communist visual artist in California as an art dealer. According to the data, it was the sculptor Chen Weiming, the head of the California Liberty Sculpture Park reported by the media, and then in his car and work cameras were installed indoors, and the artist's tax returns were obtained.
Liu and Sun Qiang discussed, "Based on the price of his artworks, we think he obviously took a lot of money and evaded taxes, which is a big crime in the United States; after getting the evidence, throw money in the court. pay the prosecution fee and let him die."
On 3 March 2021, Liu instructed Ziburis, "Take a picture with him when you meet him at the airport, take a picture next to the sculpture, take a one-minute video, and upload it to my Whatsapp to prove you're with him."
He also told Ziburis that the company is a big Jewish sponsor and has a good relationship with (House Speaker) Pelosi. Finally, Sun Qiang instructed to destroy the sculpture. Then Liu advised, "First of all, we take out 50% of the deposit to prepare, do a preliminary investigation and make detailed arrangements; find out where they are and how many works are there; then give the boss a price to buy his works, and buy the works you hate the most; At the same time, videotaped; contacted hundreds of media in the United States and China, reported the news, and violently criticized their disgusting behaviour."
Last spring, a statue of Xi Jinping's face constructed in the shape of "CCP VIRUS" (novel coronavirus, covi) was burnt down in California's Liberty Park.
News (8)
Surveillance of an Indiana Democrat
The indictment also recounts how several of Liu Fan stalked a Democrat in Indiana. The undercover agent learned that Liu Fan had repeatedly harassed this person online before July 2021. On 10 July, Liu instructed Ziburis to obtain the target's immigration status, financial and family status, tax bills and license plate numbers.
In his August 5 report, Ziburis wrote, "He took a lot of corners, then accelerated and disappeared quickly. He was driving like crazy, always making sharp turns, and I couldn't find him. He either fell off. something, or rushing to something, or just a paranoid.
"After a long search I went back to his house and waited for him. There was no car in his driveway, but after a while he came out of the house to get his mail, walked a bit and watered the garden. He kept looking around or waiting for something. Man, or just nervous. I guess he drove out for a while and then went home and pulled into the garage. I think his online comments made him a lot of enemies, he was very paranoid, his windows were always closed, no lights can be seen at night.
"The neighbours are very close, the street in front of the house is very lively, I don't think it's wise to go to his backyard to observe. I recommend long-term monitoring, you can use drones to shoot his house and backyard, maybe there is something wrong there. The windows were closed. I also recommend putting a GPS tracker on his car because he's too paranoid and it's not wise to follow him, with a tracker I can take pictures of where he goes, what building he goes into, and who he talks to in these people's cars."
Later, Liu and Ziburis also planned a fake interview, pretending that "Parliament TV, which is supported by Pelosi, is going to produce a program called 'Democratic Heroes in America'". They draw up a list of questions, no matter how the other party answers, it can be edited into a video against him.
News (9)
Attempted fraud against a California family
In October 2021, Ziburis was instructed by Frank Liu to go to the California Bay Area to monitor a target No. 3. According to the information disclosed by the media, this target task may be Liu Jun, the father of Liu Meixian, who won the women's champion of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 2019.
Their task is to: 1) find details other than the internet, such as social security form, personal phone number, home address and how many houses he owns; 2) take photos and videos, find the articles he has written, which media Interview him so you can pay the media to go with him and ask him 10 questions.
Ziburis replied, "I don't care who the task is (monitoring), as soon as the boss gives an order, I regard the object of intelligence collection as the enemy."
They then discussed having Ziburis fly to San Francisco and put GPS trackers in Target 3's car "so I can report every day anything my boss wants to know as soon as possible."
Frank Liu's plan was to let the FBI undercover to ask local law enforcement officers to find the passport of No. 3 while Paiz Brisbane went to the local area to get the passport of No. 3 and his family in person.
Because the number 3 child is a minor, getting a Social Security number is difficult, Ziburis said. So he told Frank Liu that he advised the boss not to use the IRS relationship with the investigators (referring to the FBI undercover) unless absolutely necessary. "Boss Sun needs to know that this is not China, which is more corrupt than the United States. Ask federal officials for this kind of thing material, which is technically a federal crime, and the penalties are very severe.”
Later, Ziburis went to San Francisco twice and successfully found the address of No. 3. During the phone call with the undercover agent, it was revealed that he knew that Sun Qiang had given them money and asked them to monitor the Americans and pay them.
Ziburis is playing the IOC member this time. On 16 November, he wrote to Liu in his report, "I called his work number, it was a mobile phone, and he didn't answer. So I called his personal number again, but I don't know if he understood because I repeated it a few times. I said I represented the committee, Need a short interview, he kept saying ok, ok, ok, over and over again, that he could go to their house.
"Then I waited a while and couldn't let him know I was around the whole time, and then I drove so he could see me. I went up to talk. I said I was the one who just called and wanted to have a brief question. He I asked me why, who do I work for, etc. I showed him the ID of the Olympic Committee, and said that this time it was to prepare to see if their family was eligible for international travel. I said that I just asked a few questions about the consideration of the epidemic Question, see if they travel a lot, if their passports have expired, and then I can tell the committee that they can travel. I explained it in less than 5 minutes. Then he said: No! Then I said, if he If he doesn't cooperate, international travel for him and his family may be denied... He got angry and said they were going to go no matter what, then told me to leave, not to come again, and said he would call the Olympic Committee himself tomorrow."
However, the FBI undercover agent stated in the indictment that, according to FBI intelligence, the day that Ziburis said he met with No. 3, No. 3 was not at home. So the undercover agent wrote in the indictment: "Ziburis's statement that Frank Liu met No. 3 may be a lie or an exaggeration." However police in the Bay Area said that Ziburis did visit No. 3's home and workplace.
News (10)
CCP dissidents trying to spy on Thailand
The indictment also includes a surveillance program targeting anti-communists in Thailand. On 30 March 2021, Ziburis approached an investigator in Bangkok and asked for "information about a business partner in Bangkok", saying "he is a Chinese and is coming to Bangkok."
After reviewing the information on the targeted mission, local investigators warned Ziburis that there might be illegal activity. Ziburis replied, "Whether this person is a dissident or not, this person has defrauded a large sum of money from the company I represent to buy a small country. We just need enough information to give our lawyers and then cooperate with lawyers in Thailand, in both courts, let him compensate according to the law or go to jail."
The FBI undercover agent said that, according to his observation and understanding, Ziburis's words were false. In addition, based on his training and experience, the Chinese government has always described their actions as business disputes or commercial lawsuits, and used them as an excuse to monitor, harass or slander local Chinese.
* * * * *
Frank Liu and Ziburis were arrested on Tuesday (15 March 2022). Liu was released on bail with $1 million, wearing an electronic monitor, and was not allowed to contact the CCP consulate. His scope of travel was limited to the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Ziburis was released on bail for $500,000 and the same conditions.
News (11) to (13) / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/03/18/a103376935.html
News (11)
During Biden-Xi call, Biden warns of supporting consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden told CNN that his call with CCP Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday "was going well."
During a nearly two-hour call with Xi, Biden "described the impact and consequences if China provided Russia with material support," according to the White House.
"The president has emphasized his support for a diplomatic solution to the crisis." The White House said the two leaders agreed to keep "channels of communication open."
According to the White House's interpretation of the call, the two sides' "conversation focused on the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Biden outlined the views of the United States and our allies and partners on this crisis. President Biden detailed our Efforts to prevent and respond to the invasion, including making Russia pay."
“He described the impact and consequences if China (CCP) provided material support to Russia in its brutal attack on Ukrainian cities and civilians. The president stressed that he supports a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The two leaders also agreed to maintain The importance of open communication channels." The statement said that Biden also mentioned the Taiwan issue.
"The President reiterated that U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed and emphasized that the United States continues to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo. The two leaders tasked their teams to follow up on today's conversation at a critical time ahead."
News (12)
The full text of the White House statement
The full text of the statement from the White House on the call with Xi:
President Biden spoke with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China today. The conversation focused on Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. President Biden outlined how the United States and our allies and partners view this crisis.
President Biden detailed our efforts to prevent and subsequently respond to an invasion, including making Russia pay. He elaborated on the repercussions and consequences that China will face if it provides material support to Russia at a time when Russia is carrying out brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians. The president stressed that he supports a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
The two leaders also agreed on the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to manage the competition between our two nations. The president reiterated that U.S. policy toward Taiwan has not changed, and stressed that the U.S. continues to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo. The two leaders tasked their teams to follow up on today's conversation at a critical time ahead.
News (13)
Biden and Xi hold phone calls on Russia-Ukraine war and other issues
A video call between 46th U.S. President Biden and CCP Chinese President Xi Jinping has begun at 9.03 am ET Friday (9.03 pm Beijing time Friday).
White House officials said the call between the two heads of state had ended.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV said Xi told Biden in a video call on Friday that conflict and confrontation are not in anyone’s interest and that the United States and China have the responsibility to ensure peace.
"The Ukrainian crisis is something we don't want to see. Relevant events once again show that state-to-state relations cannot go to the point of confrontation. Conflict and confrontation are not in anyone's interests. Peace and security are the most cherished wealth of the international community." CCTV quoted Xi Jinping said in a conference call.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would question Xi about Beijing's "rhetorical support" for Putin and its "non-condemnation" of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine.
"This is an opportunity to assess President Xi's position," Psaki said.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told MSNBC ahead of the call that Xi should tell Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, to end "this slaughtered war."
Sherman said China needs to be on the right side of history and to make sure it doesn't make up for the impact of Western sanctions on Russia, financially or in any other way.
Republican Representative Greg Steube urged Friday ahead of the Biden-Xi call that "Biden has to tell Xi that if China supplies arms to Russia, there will be real sanctions and impact."
News (14)
Finish the call with Biden! Xi Jinping: State relations cannot go to war with each other
Editor : Wang Yahui / https://news.tvbs.com.tw/world/1744069
According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping stressed that "state relations cannot go to the stage of confrontation, conflict and confrontation are not in anyone's interests, Peace and security are the treasures that the international community should cherish most."
Chinese President Xi Jinping has a video call with US President Biden tonight. Xi Jinping pointed out that since the first "cloud meeting" with Biden in November 2021, the international situation has undergone new and major changes. The theme of the era of peace and development is facing severe challenges, and the world is neither peaceful nor peaceful, saying "the Ukrainian crisis is something we don't want to see!"
Xi Jinping stated that state-to-state relations cannot go to the stage of confrontation, conflict and confrontation are not in the interests of anyone, and peace and security are the most treasured treasures of the international community. "As permanent members of the UN Security Council and the world's two largest economies, we must not only lead the development of China-US relations on the right track, but also shoulder our due international responsibilities and make efforts for world peace and tranquility."
News (15) to (17) / Reporter : Lin Yan / Editor : Ye Ziwei / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/3/17/n13654243.htm
News (15)
Biden and Xi Jinping call on Friday, it is said that the CCP has determined a new course towards Ukraine
The White House issued a statement at night of Thursday (17 March 2022), annoucing that President Biden will meet at 9 am of 18 March 2022 Eastern Time on the phone with CCP leader Xi Jinping. According to media reports, the CCP has established a new policy on the Ukraine issue, supporting Ukraine while not anti-Russia.
The White House said leaders would discuss the rivalry between the U.S. and China, as well as issues of mutual concern such as Russia's war on Ukraine.
The CCP official also later released news that Xi Jinping had a phone call with Biden on Friday. The Chinese side said that the heads of state will exchange views on US-China relations and issues of mutual concern, without mentioning the issue of the Ukrainian war.
This call has been four months since the last video conference between President Biden and President Xi Jinping. However, the top diplomats of CCP China and the United States just concluded their seven-hour face-to-face meeting on Monday (14th). It is reported that the atmosphere of the talks was tense.
News (16)
It is rumoured that the CCP may take the opportunity to make demands on the United States
The Wall Street Journal reported that foreign policy experts close to the CCP government said Xi would likely put Beijing on the call as a neutral party, and on the side that could broker talks to resolve the Ukraine crisis.
In addition, Xi may also demand that Biden keep his promise not to seek to change the CCP system. CCP believes the assurance is critical to preventing a direct conflict between the two superpowers as the United States continues to build alliances to pressure China.
The report also said that foreign policy experts close to the CCP government said Beijing was caught off guard in the first days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but now they have settled on a more explicit pro-Russian neutrality strategy — not anti-Russian, but also supportive Ukraine.
On 16 March, the CCP’s CCTV news channel appeared for the first time to broadcast the Ukrainian military statement. In the past, it used the news from Russia.
Experts say top Chinese officials believe the U.S. remains its biggest strategic competitor, and maintaining a partnership with Russia will give Beijing some leverage against the U.S.
The CCP hopes to work with Russia to guard against the Western world led by the United States, and tries to portray itself as a responsible world leader, but only formally increases its support for Ukraine and reduces its help to Russia.
The report also said that China sees the upcoming call with Xi as a signal that the United States needs China's help to stop the war. At the same time, the Chinese side may ask Biden to relax the U.S.' tough China policy, such as lowering tariffs or canceling the blacklist of Chinese companies.
News (17)
Biden-Harris administration wants China to distance itself from Russia
Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing several people familiar with the matter, that Beijing's low-key response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has added to the belief within the Biden administration that Xi may be moving toward supporting Moscow as the conflict continues.
Senior U.S. officials briefed on Beijing’s deliberations said they also saw signs that Beijing was seeking ways to soften the sanctions crackdown on Russia by the United States and its allies, the report said.
Some U.S. officials hope to use the widespread condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine to push CCP China to distance itself from Russia.
"This is an opportunity for Biden to assess Xi's position," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday. "China's failure to condemn Russia's actions speaks volumes in itself."
But U.S. Secretary of State Blinken warned in advance on Thursday that during the summit call, the U.S. would send a clear signal that if Beijing provides military assistance to Russia, the U.S. will punish Beijing.
"We are concerned that China (CCP) is considering direct aid for military equipment that could be used by Russia in Ukraine," Blinken said.
"President Biden will make it clear to President Xi in a phone call Friday that CCP will take responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russian aggression, and we will not hesitate to make it pay." Blinken added.
U.S. officials have previously revealed that Russia has asked CCP for economic and military assistance, while Beijing has agreed in part to provide some. China denies any form of support for the war launched by Russia. Russia also denies asking Beijing for military aid.
News (18)
Zhao Lijian asked foreign media six consecutive questions: Since the Americans have the ability to expand NATO eastward, why don't they send troops to support Ukraine?
Reporters : Zhang Su, Xie Yanbing / Editor : Su Yuyu / Source: China News Network / https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2022/03-18/9706061.shtml
CCP Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian hosted a regular press conference on 18 March 2022.
A reporter asked, "U.S. President Biden asserted that the Russian military committed war crimes by deliberately attacking civilians in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Blinken reiterated this view yesterday. You just mentioned that China is aware of the destruction and civilian casualties in Ukraine. Is China concerned that these casualties were caused by the Russian army? Could it be possible, if possible, to avoid discussing possible civilian casualties from U.S. actions in past conflicts?
Zhao Lijian: I have answered the question of civilians many times these days. Of course, China regrets the casualties of civilians.
I don't know what you mean by entangled in this issue. I also want to use your question here to ask you a rhetorical question. You are a reporter for AFP. As a major European media and a major news agency, I think you, as journalists, should also reflect on yourself. As the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, why do Americans keep smearing China (CCP), instead of reflecting on the European security dilemma caused by the blind eastward expansion of NATO? Why didn't the U.S. listen to the call of those experts, including Kissinger, that "Ukraine should not be an outpost in the confrontation between the East and the West"? Why doesn't the United States reflect on its hypocritical behavior of watching from the sidelines after fanning the flames in Ukraine? Haven't you Europeans thought about it? Since the Americans have the ability to expand NATO eastward, why don't they send troops to support the Ukrainian people? Haven't you forgotten? The United States was the first to send civilians and embassy personnel from Ukraine. Have you ever thought that the United States will not kill a soldier for Ukraine? As a European media, have you ever reflected on why Europe has become a battlefield? Will it become an arena for the game of great powers? Why did Ukraine become a pawn and a victim of the great power game? As journalists from major European news agencies, should you also ask the US side?
Zhao Lijian added that the last thing the U.S. should never do is to throw dirty water on a non-party like China. Such despicable actions of the United States just exposed the guilty conscience of the United States as a thief, the misfortune of misfortune and their true intention to take advantage of the Ukraine crisis.
News (19) to (33) / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/03/18/a103376935.html
News (19)
U.S. Defense Secretary meets with U.S. and NATO forces in Bulgaria
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met U.S. and NATO troops based there in Bulgaria on Friday. He told officers and soldiers they were building "trust" by training side by side.
"You can't have a last-minute surge in trust; trust is something you work on every day. From what I've heard, that's exactly what you're doing," Austin said. "You're building with our allies. Trust, you're getting to know each other more, which I think is fantastic."
The U.S. military presence in Bulgaria is part of a U.S. military deployment aimed at strengthening U.S. commitment to the NATO alliance and strengthening the eastern flank.
A reporter traveling with Austin did a brief interview with an Army major who is currently deployed in Bulgaria. He is from Rosenberg, Germany.
Major Ryan Mannina said soldiers there were "agitated" but "understood the strategic significance of our mission".
"We're very, very aware and aware of the fact that there's a war going on just a few hundred miles from us, and we, I think the soldiers are happy to be a part of what's really important here and understand the strategic implications of our mission , secure our allies and build a combat-ready force on behalf of NATO."
News (20)
Civil service in Vinnitsa: At least 3 cruise missiles were shot down by air defense systems on Friday
At least three cruise missiles were shot down by the air defenses of the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on Friday morning, the head of the war and civil administration in Vinnytsia reported.
According to Ukrainian authorities, Vinnitsa faces increasing rocket attacks from Russian forces. The city's TV tower and airport have been hit by airstrikes over the past two weeks.
News (21)
Ukrainian Army: The main route of the Russian army's attack on Kyiv has been blocked
The Ukrainian armed forces gave an optimistic assessment of their defense in Kyiv, saying two main routes for Russia's attack on the capital had been blocked.
According to Deputy Chief of Staff Oleksandr Hruzevych, the Russian army obviously wants to surround and then seize the capital. In the face of such a situation, the Ukrainian side has already placed the Russian troops on both sides of the Dnipro River. prohibited. The river bisects the city from north to south.
"As of today, the enemy has been stopped nearly 70 km (about 43 miles) from the city's right bank, which makes it impossible for them to fire, except rocket fire. On the left bank, the advance is (also) blocked. The enemy is firing furiously. Our infrastructure," he said Friday, "[but] the main avenues of attack are blocked."
News (22)
Khruzevic says Russian troops have abandoned Brovary, northeast of Kyiv
Brovary and Boryspil to the southeast. He said the Ukrainian army was "trying to strengthen the third distant line of defense" to protect the capital.
At least three cruise missiles were shot down by the air defenses of the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on Friday morning, the head of the war and civil administration in Vinnytsia reported.
According to Ukrainian authorities, Vinnitsa faces increasing rocket attacks from Russian forces. The city's TV tower and airport have been hit by airstrikes over the past two weeks.
News (23)
Baltic states coordinate to expel 10 Russian diplomats
Several Baltic countries coordinated the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats, according to statements from the foreign ministries of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia on 18 March 2022.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs confirmed in a tweet on Friday that the decision "has been coordinated with Lithuania and Estonia."
Lithuania declared four Russian embassy employees persona non grata, while Latvia and Estonia each took the same measure against three Russian embassy staff.
"The expelled persons must leave the Republic of Latvia by 23:59 on March 23," the Latvian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Lithuania also ordered the four diplomats to leave the country within five days, the Lithuanian foreign ministry said.
The Estonian foreign ministry said all three Russian embassy staff "directly and actively undermined the security of Estonia and spread propaganda justifying Russian military operations".
News (24)
Russian Foreign Minister: All arms shipments entering Ukraine will be targeted
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that any arms shipment entering Ukraine would be a "legitimate" Russian target, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
"We have made it very clear that any cargo that will enter Ukrainian territory, we believe ... cargo (carrying) weapons, will be targeted by Russia," he reportedly told state TV channel RT.
Several NATO countries have already pledged military aid to Ukraine, from drones to anti-tank missiles.
According to the TASS News Agency, Lavrov said that Soviet- and Russian-made missile defense systems used by some NATO countries cannot be "legally" transferred to third countries.
News (25)
Russian state TV confirms death of commander of airborne troops in Ukraine
At least five Russian service members, including the commander of the Kostroma airborne force, were killed in the fighting in Ukraine, regional state television network GTRK Kostroma reported on Thursday.
During Ukraine's "special operation", soldiers of the 331st Guards Airborne Regiment "did their lives for the safety of (Russia)", according to GTRK Kostroma, citing the regional military council.
The dead included the commander of the unit, Colonel Sergei Sukharev, Senior Sergeant Sergei Lebedev, Sergeant Alexander Limonov, Corporal Yuri Yuri Dektyarev and Captain Alexei Nikitin.
The 331st Guards Airborne Regiment is considered one of Russia's elite units. The regiment fought in two Chechen wars, and some of its members were directly involved in the Donbas conflict in 2014-2015. The team also participated in the Victory Day parade on Red Square in May 2018.
News (26)
Putin talks to German chancellor
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on 18 March 2022. Putin accused Ukraine of delaying the negotiation process.
Putin outlined his assessment of the ongoing video talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, according to the minutes of the call released by the Kremlin.
"It has been noted that the Kyiv regime is doing everything possible to delay the negotiation process, making more and more unrealistic proposals. Despite this, Russia is ready to continue to seek solutions in line with its well-known principled approach," the minutes of the call said.
Putin claimed that the Russian armed forces were doing everything possible to save civilian lives, including organizing safety corridors for people evacuated from war zone cities.
The Kremlin said the call was initiated by Germany.
During their hour-long call, Scholz reiterated his call for Russia to "cease the fire as soon as possible" and "as soon as possible," according to a tweet from German Chancellor Scholz's spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit. improve the humanitarian situation and make progress towards a diplomatic solution."
It was the third conversation between Scholz and Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine. The last conversation was with Putin on March 12 with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The two leaders had "difficult but pragmatic" discussions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters by phone. "Certainly, it's hard to call a conversation friendly. It's a tough conversation," he said.
"But nonetheless, there is a need for this engagement, the exchange of information, the discussion of sensitive topics related to the special operations."
News (27)
Ukrainian President: Expecting progress on EU membership application within months
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, VOA reported. Zelensky said Ukraine expected progress in its EU membership application in the coming months.
"(I) had substantial discussions with the President of the European Commission," Zelenskyy tweeted. "The European Commission's opinion on the Ukrainian membership application is that it will be ready in the next few months. The Ukrainian government agrees with the The European Commission is instructed. Both parties work together to advance our strategic goals.”
News (28)
U.S. deploys land-based Aegis in Poland, residents worried that Putin will attack them
A town in northern Poland is on the verge of welcoming a U.S. missile facility as fighting in Ukraine worsens, but residents are concerned it could make them a target for Russian attacks as the fighting escalates.
"In the event of a serious armed conflict, our defenses are the first to be targeted," said Ryszard Kwiatkowski, a former deputy mayor of Slupsk in northern Poland. There are about 90,000 inhabitants.
Washington said the Aegis system, deployed in the nearby town of Redzikowo, will begin operating this year to defend the West against ballistic missiles fired by countries such as Iran.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has opposed the missile facility, saying its purpose is not purely defensive, but against Russia.
News (29)
Japan announces new sanctions on Russia
Japan will impose sanctions on 15 Russian individuals and nine organizations, the Japanese foreign affairs and trade ministries jointly announced on 18 March 2022.
The move will increase the number of Russian individuals sanctioned by Japan to 76 and the number of organizations to 12.
The 15 new people include Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikh Alexander Mikheev and Suleyman Kerimov, owner of the financial and industrial group Nafta.
Other organizations sanctioned include Rosneft Aero, United Shipbuilding Corporation and Kurganmashzavod.
News (30)
Japan arranges Ukrainian president to address parliament as soon as 22 March
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intends to deliver a video address to the Japanese parliament.
Japan's Fuji News Network (FNN) reported that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the largest opposition party, the Cadets, held talks on the 18th, and reached a consensus on arranging Zelenskyy-based parliamentary video speech as soon as possible.
Officials of the ruling party revealed earlier that the goal was to arrange for Zelenskyy to give a video speech on the evening of the 22nd.
The Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) reported that the Liberal Democratic Party and the Cadets have reached a consensus for Zelenskyy to deliver a parliamentary speech next week; the House Operating Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives will discuss details such as how to watch the speech and the venue as soon as possible.
News (31)
A Japanese volunteer arrived in Ukraine to join the war, the Japanese government calls for a quick retreat
Foreign media reported that a Japanese man had arrived in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to help Ukraine resist a Russian invasion as a "foreign volunteer". The Japanese government said on 18 March that it hopes that the Japanese will withdraw from Ukraine immediately.
Kyodo News quoted Turkish media and CNN Turkey as reporting that a Japanese man who joined the Ukrainian foreign volunteer army said in an interview that he and his colleagues discussed going to southern Ukraine to support him because he saw many women and children died in the war.
The man, who was not named in the report, was interviewed in English wearing a face mask and said he had worked in a foreign country like a foreign army.
The man said that he originally planned to help Ukrainian refugees, but after seeing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recruiting foreign volunteers, he thought he was also a soldier, so he decided to go to Ukraine to fight in the war; although his family objected at first, he finally told him that he hoped that he would return home safely.
News (32)
British defense secretary confessed to being deceived and had a 10-minute phone call with fake Ukrainian prime minister
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met a prank on 17 March 2022 and had a video chat with a man who pretended to be the prime minister of Ukraine for about 10 minutes. Wallace ordered an investigation into the matter, pointing the finger at Russia.
The video call was facilitated after the British government received an email purportedly from Ukrainian embassy staff, which was forwarded to the Ministry of Defence.
Wallace said on Twitter, "Today, a guy impersonating the Prime Minister of Ukraine tried to talk to me. He asked several misleading questions and I got more suspicious and hung up."
"No amount of Russian fake news, twisted facts, and dirty tricks can distract attention from Russia's human rights abuses and its illegal invasion of Ukraine. It's a dying struggle."
A MoD source said Wallace ordered an immediate investigation into how the phone call, which lasted about 10 minutes, could have happened.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she had also been a victim.
News (33)
U.S. assessment: Putin may threaten the West with nuclear weapons if Ukraine resists
According to a new assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Russian President Vladimir Putin may threaten to use nuclear weapons against Western countries if Ukraine continues to stubbornly resist Russian aggression and consume Russian manpower and equipment.
In a 67-page summary of the global threat, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Scott Berrier said: "A prolonged occupation of Ukraine's territory could drain the Russian military, reduce its stock of modern weapons, and impose economic sanctions. It also risks plunging Russia into a prolonged economic depression and diplomatic isolation."
In his testimony submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee on the 17th, Burrell mentioned that the combination of Ukraine's resistance and the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia will threaten Russia's "capacity to produce modern precision-guided weapons."
Burrell added, "As the war and its aftermath erode Russia's standing combat capability, Russia may increasingly rely on nuclear deterrent forces to signal to the West and demonstrate its power to the masses at home and abroad.
News (34)
EU official: CCP is considering military aid to Russia, EU is preparing for sanctions
Editor : Zheng Gusheng / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/03/18/a103377479.html
The EU has "very reliable evidence" that China is considering military aid to Russia, and the EU is preparing to sanction Beijing, a senior EU official told POLITICO Europe. The United States has issued similar warnings earlier.
The EU official warned Beijing that the EU could take trade measures if arms are delivered to Russia.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not say what kind of military assistance Russia was asking for from Beijing, but said all EU leaders were "very aware of what was going on."
If Beijing complies with Russia's demands, the EU will "set up trade barriers" with China because "it is the only language Beijing understands," he said.
Earlier this week, U.S. officials issued a similar warning, saying Russia had asked China for military equipment and other assistance.
The day before the U.S.-China summit video meeting on the 18th, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said that Biden will make it clear in this meeting that China must take responsibility for its support of Russia, and the United States will not hesitate to make it pay cost.
After the meeting with Xi, the White House stated that Biden has explained to China the consequences of providing material support to Russia.
News (35)
South Korea's new entry rules allow those who have completed vaccinations to be exempt from isolation from next week
Reporter : Ahn Kyung / Editor : Ye Ziwei / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/3/17/n13651732.htm / Image : Immigration at Incheon Airport, South Korea. (Xie Kai / The Epoch Times)
South Korea's 7-day quarantine rule for overseas arrivals is about to be lifted. The entry quarantine system is to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant in South Korea. The quarantine system is implemented on 3 December 2021.
South Korea's Central Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said a few days ago that from 21 March, travelers entering South Korea from overseas will be exempted from the seven-day quarantine requirement if they complete the vaccination. From April 1st, entrants who have completed vaccinations overseas but have not registered their vaccination records will also be exempted from quarantine.
According to the regulations of the Korean epidemic prevention authority, those who have completed the vaccination refer to those who have received the second dose of the vaccine (the first dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine) within 14 to 180 days, and those who have received the third dose (the second dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). The vaccines recognized by South Korea are 10 kinds including Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Novavax, etc.
Immigrants who have been vaccinated overseas can be exempted from quarantine by registering their vaccination records on the Quarantine Information Input System (Q-CODE). Those who cannot confirm their vaccination records will be exempted from quarantine from 1 April 2022 when they submit their vaccination certificates.
Previously, South Korea prohibited overseas arrivals from taking public transportation, and needed to take epidemic prevention taxis, KTX special carriages or self-driving to their destinations but that rule will also be lifted with the exemption from quarantine.
However, entrants from four countries, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Myanmar, still need to be quarantined even if they have completed the vaccination.
The Korea Tourism Organization stated that this measure can solve the inconvenience caused by the isolation problem when foreigners travel to South Korea, and will increase the number of Koreans visiting South Korea.
It is reported that the passenger flow of Incheon Airport in South Korea in February was 318,588, and the daily average was 11,378. This is a 94% decrease compared to 2019, before the outbreak, but a 92.5% increase compared to February 2021, when the epidemic was at its worst.
News (36)
HKU study: Covid may cause hypogonadism and reduced fertility in male patients
Reporter : Huang Baijin / Editor : Li Wei / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/2/21/n13592591.htm
A team from the Department of Microbiology of the Hong Kong University announced the results of a study on 20 February 2022, which found that even if hamsters were infected with a moderate amount of the SARS-CoV-2 (covi) infection, acute testicular injury, chronic testicular atrophy, and decreased serum testosterone also occur. The results of the study show that the covi infection may cause hypogonadism and reduced fertility in men, and the patients are still affected after recovery.
It was previously reported that some covid patients had testicular pain. An autopsy of a male deceased from covid also showed symptoms of orchitis. But viral nucleic acids are not often found in the semen of covid patients.
A study by the University of Hong Kong divided hamsters into two groups. The experimental group was infected with the new coronavirus, while the hamsters in the control group were infected with the influenza virus, and then the changes in the testicles and sex hormones of the two groups of hamsters were compared.
The virus studied entered the hamsters through the nasal cavity, and the hamsters in the new coronavirus infection group developed relatively mild self-healing pneumonia, which could be cured without treatment. But even though nasal infection of the hamsters resulted in only non-severe pneumonia, the hamsters' sperm counts and serum testosterone plummeted within 4 to 7 days. Between 42 and 120 days after infection, the testicles of the hamsters shrank, decreased in size and weight, and had significantly lower levels of sex hormones in the body. Under the microscope, acute inflammation of the testis, hemorrhage, necrosis of the seminiferous tubules, and cessation of sperm production can be seen. Inflammation, degeneration and necrosis of testicular tissue continued for seven to 120 days after infection. Omicron and Delta variants can also cause similar damage.
Control hamsters infected with influenza A virus intranasally did not develop testicular infection or damage.
The results of the study showed that the new coronavirus infection can cause hypogonadism and reduced fertility in male patients, even after the patient recovers.
Yuen Guoyong, chair professor of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, who led the research, said that when caring for male patients recovering from COVID-19, it is necessary to pay attention to the possibility of reduced libido and fertility, and that vaccination can avoid related complications.
News (37)
Cambodia scraps PCR, ART tests for fully-vaccinated passengers
Source : The Phnom Penh Times
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the current holder of its rotating chair, Cambodia, have welcomed some of the generals responsible for the Myanmar regime’s atrocities against its own people, who reject military rule.
Myanmar’s Chief of Military Security Affairs Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo attended the 19th ASEAN Military Intelligence Meeting (AMIM-19) in Phnom Penh on 15 March 2022, according to junta-run media. The meeting discussed the exchange of visits between ASEAN intelligence officers and the establishment of the ASEAN Military Intelligence Community.
On 15 March, the regime’s armed forces Chief of the General Staff General Maung Maung Aye, Chief of Staff (Army) Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun and Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo joined the 19th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM-19), the junta media said.
Myanmar has been in political and social turmoil since February last year when the military staged a coup against the country’s democratically elected National League for Democracy government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. More than one year on, the takeover has been seriously resisted by the majority of the country’s people.
The regime has stopped at nothing to crush the opposition. It has sent battalions to bombard the resistance’s stronghold areas. Fighter jets have been called in to rain down bombs on civilian neighborhoods accused of harboring resistance fighters. Villages have been raided and torched, their residents shot down or killed regardless of their age. So far, the regime has killed at least 1,500 people, mostly for their anti-junta activism.
While regime chief Min Aung Hlaing bears ultimate responsibility for the atrocities, the three generals who appeared at the ASEAN meetings this week have also played a role in the raids, torching and killings mentioned above. As the Chief of the General Staff of Army, Air and Navy, Gen. Maung Maung Aye shares in the guilt for the crimes that ground troops and air force personnel have committed. So does Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, the Chief of Staff of Army. Chief of Military Security Affairs Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo is no exception. His notorious military security affairs unit is the regime’s main apparatus for tracing resistance members by any means, including brutal raids on homes. Those who are detained undergo hellish and often deadly interrogations.
Since last year, ASEAN has tried to cool the situation in Myanmar, but its Five Point Consensus, which includes a call for the immediate cessation of violence in the country, has been largely ignored by the coup leader. In response, the regional bloc banned Min Aung Hlaing from attending its summits.
However while Min Aung Hlaing has been sidelined, his juniors are still allowed to join some meetings like the ones on 15 and 17 March, leading to criticism that ASEAN’s approach to the junta lacks consistency.
Cambodia is not helping in this regard. Its Prime Minister Hun Sen became the first national leader to personally meet Min Aung Hlaing after the coup, while others have shunned him. He dreamed of brokering a thaw in relations between the junta and ASEAN but later admitted Myanmar’s regime had made no progress in resolving the crisis and said a solution was unlikely during the remainder of his year as chair.
However, Cambodia said early this month that the country’s foreign minister will go to Myanmar on 20 March 2022 as the ASEAN special envoy.
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