Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on U.S. Taiwan, Guatemala, Belize, Germany, Czech Republic, Honduras, Russia, covi traceability, disease control, aviation management
News (1) to (7) / Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4246494
News (1)
O'Brien accepts President Tsai's honour: The United States has no intention to change Taiwan's status quo
Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4246494 / Image : Former White House National Security Adviser O'Brien led a delegation to visit Taiwan as the chairman of the "Taiwan Relations Working Group" of the Global Institute for Taiwan Studies (GTI). On 21 March, he received the "Special Grand Ribbon Star Medal" from President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Palace. (The picture is taken from the live broadcast of the Presidential Palace)
O'Brien, the former White House National Security Adviser of the United States, led a delegation to visit Taiwan as the chairman of the "U.S.-Taiwan Relations Working Group" of the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI). He said that the United States is not happy to see Taiwan being attacked by an authoritarian regime. "I can guarantee that the United States will stand with Taiwan in solidarity." He also emphasized that the United States has no intention to change the status quo of Taiwan, regardless of both Trump and Biden.
News (2)
The U.S. to release a report to explore how Taiwan and the U.S. can deepen bilateral ties in summer
O'Brien said that it is a great honour to accept the Special Order of the Star with Cordon, which is a great honor for himself and his family. He has been to many places in the world, and there is no place as hospitable as Taiwan. Members of the visiting delegation include former ambassadors, military officers and experts in various fields. This trip is to come to Taiwan to absorb different experiences and opinions. This summer they will release a report to explore how Taiwan, the Republic of China, and the United States can deepen the already solid bilateral relationship.
O'Brien pointed out that the Taiwan-U.S. relationship is very strong and has a long history. The U.S. national security unit attaches great importance to the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S., and is also committed to promoting "a free and open Indo-Pacific region" as former Japanese Prime Minister Abe said. Scholars who pay more attention to Taiwan, including Birming, Hooker and others, the United States has passed the $18 billion arms sales plan to Taiwan. He is very happy to see that the current National Security Advisor of the White House and the entire Biden-Harris administration continue to policy direction.
O'Brien also thanked President Tsai and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu in particular. He said that at the beginning of the epidemic, the United States was in short supply of masks and personal protective clothing. To allow White House staff to continue their work safely and securely, these masks, including those used by the first family, are all made in Taiwan.
News (3)
O'Brien: Taiwan a good example in terms of demonstrating how democracy, the rule of law and individual freedom can be carried forward
O'Brien said that Taiwan is a good example in terms of demonstrating how democracy, the rule of law and individual freedom can be carried forward, "it is a pity that there are totalitarian and authoritarian regimes in the world that do not value the values of freedom that we respect." President Tsai said that good national defense capabilities can deter enemy attacks, "I am very happy to see that Taiwan is investing more and more resources in national security, including the extension of military service, anti-intervention, and alleged intervention, in strengthening asymmetrical strategy and porcupine strategies."
News (4)
The U.S. parties protect Taiwan, that means a lot to Americans
O'Brien said that Americans are very unhappy to see Taiwan being attacked by an authoritarian regime, and hope to pray for Taiwan that such a thing will not happen. "I can guarantee that the United States will stand in solidarity with Taiwan." He said that President Trump has the same position, and President Biden has publicly stated four times that if Taiwan is attacked, the United States will definitely help defend Taiwan. This commitment means a lot to all American families.
News (5)
Nobody wants smaller countries to be attacked by a powerful country for the "sake of its own glory, territorial expansion or its own economic interests"
O'Brien also emphasized that he must clarify clearly to avoid being maliciously distorted and attacked by false information, that is, "the United States has no intention to change the status quo in Taiwan, neither Trump nor Biden has such a will." To clarify strongly, "We do not want the world to go back to centuries ago, when a powerful country could arbitrarily invade its smaller neighbours for the sake of its own glory, territorial expansion or its own economic interests."
News (6)
Putin's actions a great blow to the Russian army and a threat to Russia's neighbours
O'Brien pointed out that Putin's actions have dealt a great blow to the Russian army, and many young soldiers lost their lives. They even asked Tehran, Iran, for help and armaments. Russia's economy was also completely sanctioned by the West, and the Western free world became more united. Both Sweden and Finland are beginning to want to join NATO. Russia is an increasing threat to its neighbours. He said, "I also hope that the CCP and Russia can rethink their past policies on this matter."
News (7)
Both Taiwan and the United States hope for world peace, use strength, power to protect peace
O'Brien said that the Ukrainian people showed great courage and determination to defend their country during the war, and believed that if Taiwan faced the same situation, it would definitely do the same. He said, "Both Taiwan and the United States hope for world peace, and we too pray for this, because only peace can bring good economic and cultural exchanges, prosperity, and friendship. We must tell our enemies clearly that we will not sacrifice peace for freedom, or the principles and values that we adhere to. We will use strength, power to protect peace." God bless Taiwan, God bless the people of Taiwan, the Republic of China, and the United States.
News (8)
Honoured former U.S. National Security Adviser O'Brien, Tsai Ing-wen: Democratic partners should be more united in the face of authoritarianism
Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4246498 / Image : President Tsai Ing-wen (right) received the former White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien (left) on the afternoon of the 21st, and awarded the "Special Grand Cordon Star Medal". (Central News Agency)
O'Brien, the former White House National Security Adviser of the United States, led a delegation to visit Taiwan as the chairman of the "U.S.-Taiwan Relations Working Group" of the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI). Special Grand Cordon View Star Medal". President Tsai said that in the face of the expansion of authoritarianism, democratic partners should be more united, and look forward to the continued deepening of Taiwan-U.S. partnerships in security cooperation or economic and trade exchanges.
Tsai Ing-wen said, "O'Brien is welcome to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan. All the distinguished guests are good friends of Taiwan for many years. They have continued to pay attention to Taiwan issues in different positions. Thank you for your visit, which shows the support of the American cross-party party for Taiwan. O'Brien In the past led the National Security Council of the White House to successfully promote the visit of cabinet members to Taiwan, the declassification of six guarantees, and the deepening of Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation, setting an important milestone for the improvement of Taiwan-U.S. relations."
Tsai Ing-wen said that Ambassador O’Brien’s contribution to Taiwan-US relations is recognized today by a medal awarded with. She would like to express her most sincere gratitude on behalf of all Taiwanese people. The Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) is the first in Washington DC and is also the only think tank focused on Taiwan-US studies. This time CTI convened the US-Taiwan policy working group to visit Taiwan, which also showed that it plays an important role in Taiwan-US exchanges.
Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that the exchanges between Taiwan and the United States have become increasingly close in recent years. In addition to actively promoting the Taiwan-U.S. 21st Century Trade Initiative, the two sides have also continued to use multiple mechanisms such as the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) and the Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA), that have created more niches for Taiwan-US economic and trade relations, and strive to promote the prosperity and development of the Indo-Pacific.
Tsai Ing-wen mentioned that thanks to the United States for its attention to Taiwan's security issues, in the face of authoritarian expansion, democratic partners should be more united and work together to safeguard regional peace and stability. Ambassador O'Brien often quoted former President Ronald Reagan's famous saying "Peace depends on strength" and Taiwan also feel the same way.
She said that in recent years, in addition to raising the national defense budget to strengthen asymmetrical combat capabilities, Taiwan has also established a full-action agency to integrate backup and national defense and use the strength of various ministries to fight disinformation and compound warfare. Taiwan will resume one-year compulsory service in 2024, strengthen self-defense capabilities, and demonstrate the determination to defend democracy. Their efforts are to implement "peace depends on national defense, and national defense depends on the people." Everyone hopes that Taiwan and the United States will continue to deepen their partnership, whether in security cooperation or economic and trade exchanges relation.
News (9)
President Tsai visits Guatemala and Belize on 29 March 2023, stopping in New York and Los Angeles
Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4246342 / Image : President Tsai Ing-wen is scheduled to launch the "Democracy Partners for Common Prosperity Tour" on the 29th. On the first day, she stops in New York, the United States, before proceeding to Guatemala and Belize for exchange visits. (File photo, synthesized by this newspaper)
President Tsai Ing-wen is scheduled to start the "Democratic Partners for Common Prosperity Journey" on the 29th. On the first day, she will stop in New York, the United States, and then go to Guatemala and Belize for exchange visits. Transiting through Los Angeles, the United States, and returning to Taiwan on 7 April 2023, the whole journey lasts 10 days and 9 nights. President Tsai hopes to achieve the two goals of "democracy deepening" and "co-prosperity and development."
The Presidential Palace held a press conference in the afternoon to explain President Tsai’s trip. The spokesman Lin Yuchan pointed out that since President Tsai’s visit to the friendly countries in the Caribbean in 2019, she has not scheduled a visit for more than three years. Last September, Guatemala President Jia Maidai specially invited Tsai. The president was able to visit Guatemala and expressed his support for the friendship between Taiwan and Guatemala on many occasions. Belize has been firmly supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations for many years. The Prime Minister's wife and special envoy for women and children, Rosana, was also invited by the Republic of China to come to Taiwan again to attend the "International Forum on Women's Empowerment in Latin America and the Caribbean" in February this year.
Lin Yuchan said that in order to respond to the sincere invitations from allies and to show the importance she attaches to allies, and to continue to deepen the cooperation and development among democratic allies, President Tsai will embark on a "Journey of Democracy Partners for Common Prosperity". " "co-prosperity and development", the visit will not only thank partners who adhere to the values of democracy and freedom, and continue to "support Taiwan", but will also focus on fields such as agricultural technology, medical public health, women's empowerment, digital economy, and supply chain security, to do more extensive cooperation.
Lin Yuchan explained that the main members of this visit include the Secretary-General of the Presidential Palace Lin Jialong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Zhaoxie, Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee Xu Jiaqing, Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Palace Zhang Dunhan, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Zhengqi, Presidential Palace Medical Team Convener Chen Zhenwen while Presidential Palace Spokesperson Lin Yuchan will invite legislators to accompany the delegation.
News (10)
President Tsai Ing-wen's stopover in the United States is in line with the practice, and the United States warns China not to take the opportunity to carry out aggressive activity against Taiwan
Reporter : Chen Chengliang / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4246847 / Image : U.S. officials said that President Tsai Ing-wen's transit is a standard practice, and China should not take the opportunity to take aggressive actions against Taiwan. (Reuters)
Reuters reported on 21 March 2023 that U.S. officials said that it is "standard practice" for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to transit in the U.S. during her visits in the next few weeks, warning CCP China not to make trouble and take aggressive actions (aggressive activity) against Taiwan.
As part of his trip to Central America, President Tsai plans to stop in New York and Los Angeles on his return journey. Sources told Reuters that the CCP Foreign Ministry had expressed "serious concerns" about U.S. House Speaker McCarthy's intention to meet Tsai Ing-wen during her stay in California.
The senior U.S. official told reporters on 20 March that every president of Taiwan has passed through the United States. Since President Tsai took office in 2019, she has passed through the United States 6 times, the most recent time being in 2019. During all the aforementioned visits, she has met with members of the U.S. Congress. She also pointed out that the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic has limited her travel itinerary in recent years.
The official emphasized that President Tsai's itinerary is in line with the consistent policy of the United States, "We see no reason for Beijing to distort this transit into something else, and it should not be used as an excuse to increase any aggressive action around the Taiwan Strait."
Separately, the official noted that U.S. President Joe Biden hopes to speak with CCP President Xi Jinping in the near future and that Secretary of State Antony Blinken may reschedule a postponed trip to Beijing, adding that "we urge the People's Republic of China to keep these lines of communication open."
Politicians planning to meet Tsai in the United States include House Speaker McCarthy, who has advocated a tough stance on China. Tsai is also expected to deliver a speech in New York or Los Angeles, or possibly both, and meet with Taiwanese living in the United States, officials said.
According to the Associated Press, the Biden-Harris administration is trying to avoid a repeat of CCP's tough response after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022. Since Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the already difficult U.S.-China relationship has become more difficult. Complicating matters, the Biden-Harris administration postponed a planned trip to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in February after the CCP spy balloon controversy but said it wanted to get such a visit back on track.
The White House also said on 20 March 2023 that Washington and Beijing were discussing possible visits to China by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. "Agence France-Presse" reported that if the trips took place, it will be the visit between the highest-level officials of the two countries since the U.S.-CCP China relationship took a turn for the worse in February.
However, according to the Wall Street Journal report, CCP officials hinted that the phone call with the U.S. would not be possible until after Tsai Ing-wen's trip was over.
News (11)
Germany's first ministerial official visits Taiwan in 26 years
Editor : Xia Mingyi / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/03/21/a103673105.html / Image : On 21 March 2023, German Federal Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger led a delegation to visit Taiwan on the 21st. This is the first German ministerial official to visit Taiwan in 26 years. (Central News Agency)
German Minister of Education and Research Stark-Wattsinger led a delegation to visit Taiwan on 21 March 2023. This is the first German ministerial official to visit Taiwan in 26 years. The Congress, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representative in Germany Xie Zhiwei all went to pick up the plane but Stark-Watersinger did not make a statement.
A delegation of 10 people led by Bettina Stark-Watzinger, German Federal Minister of Education and Research, boarded China Airlines flight CI62 and arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at 6.43 am. The National Science Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Xie Zhiwei and others went to pick up the plane.
However, Stark-Watersinger did not make a statement at Taoyuan International Airport, and then left by car after customs clearance led by the National Science Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Stark-Wattsinger will visit Taiwan on 21 and 22 March. He will meet Wu Zhengzhong, Chairman of the National Science Council, Pan Wenzhong, Minister of Education, and Tang Feng, Minister of Education, focusing on cooperation in semiconductors, green hydrogen energy, batteries and Chinese teaching.
According to the German news agency (DPA), officials pointed out that the purpose of Stark-Watersinger's trip is to strengthen academic, research and educational cooperation with Taiwan. An R&D collaboration with attractive international partners is an important step.
The report quoted a statement from the German Ministry of Education and Research stating that Taiwan is a reliable and trustworthy partner in education, research and development, and digital policy as examples. "Germany and Taiwan share common values and also defend peace, freedom and human rights."
News (12)
Ignoring China's warnings, the speaker of the Czech House of Representatives leads 150 people to visit Taiwan and will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen
Image : The speaker of the Czech House of Representatives, Adamova, will visit Taiwan this week. She said on the 20th that she will lead 150 businessmen, scientists and officials to Taiwan this time, calling it the largest overseas business delegation in five years. (European News Agency)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Czech Republic, Adamova, will visit South Korea and Taiwan this week. She said on 20 March 2023 that she will lead 150 businessmen, scientists and officials to Taiwan this time, calling it the largest overseas business delegation in five years. In response to CCP China's warning, she also said that the previous response was clear enough. Adamova previously stated that the Czech Republic is a sovereign country and it is up to the Czech Republic to decide what to do.
Adamova (Marketa Pekarova Adamova) will visit South Korea this week and is expected to visit Taiwan from 25 to 30 March 2023. After the news came out, CCP China was dissatisfied, criticizing this as a wrong decision, and repeatedly warning.
According to foreign media reports, Marketa Pekarova Adamova said on the 20th local time in the Czech Republic that she will lead 150 businessmen, scientists and officials to Taiwan this time, including about 100 Czech companies as well as academics, legislators and others. This is also the largest overseas business delegation in the past five years. The Associated Press reported that Adamova mentioned that she would meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and also speak at the Legislative Yuan.
While the Czech Republic does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it maintains strong informal ties with Taiwan, the report said. Taiwanese high-tech companies are also important investors in the Czech Republic.
In response to China's warning, Adamova said that CCP has publicly warned, but has not taken any action so far. She believes that the Czech side's initial response is clear and firm enough. Earlier, Adamova said that the Czech Republic abides by the "one-China policy," but it is up to the Czech Republic to decide what to do. The Czech Republic is a sovereign country and maintains exchanges with its partners, including Taiwan.
News (13)
The United States took action, Biden's special envoy met with Honduras President Castro
Reporter : Lu Yixuan / Image : On the 20th, the president of Honduras, that intends to establish diplomatic relations with CCP China, met with Chris Dodd, the special envoy of the U.S. President. (The picture is taken from the Honduras government Twitter)
On 20 March 2023, the president of Honduras, who intends to establish diplomatic relations with CCP China, met with Chris Dodd, the special envoy of the US president. The Honduras Presidential Palace stated that the two sides held important talks to discuss issues of common concern. The Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on 21 March 2023 that the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Honduras are still in the stage of hard work.
After Xiomara Castro announced on Twitter on the 14th that she had instructed to seek the establishment of diplomatic relations with CCP China, the U.S. State Department immediately dispatched Chris Dodd, the special adviser to the President in charge of American affairs and a friend of U.S. President Joe Biden, on the 17th. Dodd's visit sto Panama and Honduras until 21 March are regarded as the United States' actions to stabilize the Republic of China's diplomatic relations.
The Presidential Palace of Honduras released on 21 March 2023 the meeting information between Castro and Dodd. Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina, Héctor Zelaya, Confidential Secretary of the President of Honduras, and US Ambassador to Honduras Laura Farnsworth Dogu were at the meeting.
The Honduran presidential palace stated that the two sides held important talks to discuss issues of common concern but did not talk about the details.
Honduras and CCP China have not signed diplomatic agreement yet
After Honduras released the news of the establishment of diplomatic relations with CCP China, Reuters quoted sources on the 18th as saying that Honduras and China have not officially signed an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the United States is trying to prevent Honduras from implementing the plan to establish diplomatic relations with CCP China.
Honduras is still interacting with CCP
However, according to local media reports, Honduras stil continued to interact with CCP China. Reina said that on the day that Castro announced the instruction, he had contacted Tang Heng, the CCP ambassador to Costa Rica, and was still waiting for further consultations.
In addition, Rixi Moncada, Minister of Finance of Honduras, stated on 19 March that, according to the instructions of Castro, he had sideline meetings with Zhang Qingsong, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, and Wei Qiang, the CCP ambassador to Panama, at the IDB annual meeting to learn about CCP funding projects for private institutions in Honduras.
Taiwan is grateful to the U.S. and Allies
In response to the current situation of diplomatic relations between Honduras and the Republic of China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Yongjian pointed out on 21 March that the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Honduras are still in the stage of hard work. Liu Yongjian also said that the US executive branch and more than 20 federal senators and representatives have recently expressed their support for Honduras to maintain friendship with Taiwan. The Republic of China's allies Guatemala, Belize, Paraguay, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines have also publicly expressed their support for Taiwan and reiterated their solid friendship with the Republic of China.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere thanks to the governments of allies for supporting Taiwan at this important moment, and emphasized again that the communication between the Republic of China and the Honduran government has never been interrupted and the Republic of China will never engage in money competition with CCP China.
News (14)
If the communist army invades Taiwan, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet: As soon as the order arrives, he will rush to help
Reporter : Sun Yuqing / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4246845 / Image : Paparo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said that once the CCP army invaded Taiwan, they would rush to help Taiwan immediately after receiving the order. The picture shows the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Truman (USS Harry S. Truman). (Reuters file photo)
The content of the exclusive interview with the news program "60 Minutes" of the CBS (CBS) news program Samuel Paparo, the commander of the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy, on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in February, was published on 19 March 2023. It was officially broadcast on the 1st, which mentioned that once the Chinese People's Liberation Army invades Taiwan by force, the Pacific Fleet will quickly deploy to the Western Pacific to assist Taiwan after receiving orders from the US President and Congress.
CBS first pointed out that the U.S. Navy helped the U.S. win the two world wars and the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and it still has great strength. However, CCP has built the largest navy in the world. Even U.S. military personnel have doubts about whether the U.S. military is ready for war. . In response, Admiral Paparo responded that the U.S. Navy now has about 300 ships of various types, one-third of which are always in a state of combat readiness and deployment, and there are currently 100 ships performing missions around the world. The Pacific Fleet has 200 ships and 150,000 officers, soldiers and civilian personnel, accounting for 60% of the overall navy.
When asked about how the U.S. Navy will respond once CCP invades Taiwan by force? Papparo said that the decision rests with the President of the United States and Congress, but "our duty is to be prepared. As soon as the order arrives, the U.S. Navy will quickly deploy to the Western Pacific to assist Taiwan." Papparo further emphasized, " We are ready, yes. But I will never admit that we are ready enough."
Paparo said that the Communist Army does have the most ships in the world, and the number itself is a quality, but the most powerful weapon of the US Navy is the aircraft carrier, and its carrier-based air wing can conduct 150 ground and sea strikes or air attack missions a day , a total of 900 precision-guided ammunition can be delivered. This is a direction that the CCP navy does not yet have, but is working hard on. Paparo also said that every country has the right to act anywhere in accordance with international law as long as it flies or sails in a safe and professional manner but CCP's approach is very provocative.
In response to Beijing's accusation that the United States is trying to contain CCP China, Papparo asked Beijing, "Are you expanding? Are you an expansionist power?" He emphasized that the United States does not seek to contain China, but to urge China to abide by the rules. He also reiterated that the United States is also a country in the Western Pacific, and this region is not China's "backyard".
Paparo mentioned that submarines are also a weapon that the U.S. military still maintains an advantage in. It is a generation ahead of China in technology, about 10 to 20 years. It is estimated that there are 12 U.S. nuclear submarines currently sailing in the Pacific Ocean, which is very difficult. Detection and tracking, China has been trying to crack. Regarding the refusal of high-level Communist Party officials to answer calls from the U.S. military hotline, Paparo said frankly that this situation is very dangerous, but the U.S. military will still make the best assessment, and judge its intentions based on China’s public conversations and behaviors, so that the U.S. military’s actions can be effective.
According to a report on the war in the Taiwan Strait by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington think tank, if the Communist Army invaded Taiwan in 2026, the United States, Japan and Taiwan will win miserably, and the U.S. military will lose a total of 20 ships, including 2 ships. Many large ships, Paparo said that this result does seem reasonable, but he can imagine worse or better results, the point is to clearly understand the potential costs.
News (15)
Biden signs bill to declassify covid-related intelligence
Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor : Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/03/21/a103673190.html / Image : On 20 March 2023, U.S. President Biden signed a bill to declassify intelligence related to covid. (Richard Pierrin/AFP via Getty Images)
On 20 March 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the "COVID-19 Origins Act of 2023", requiring the US government to declassify information related to COVID-19 and share information about Wuha Institute of Virology and the origin of the covid pandemic.
The bill, which focuses on intelligence related to China's Wuhan Institute of Virology, passed unanimously in Congress. The bill requires "any and all information regarding potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and COVID-19" to be declassified within 90 days.
Biden said: "I have the same goal as Congress, which is to release as much information as possible about the origin of the covid virus." The U.S. government will declassify and share this information as much as possible without causing damage to national security.
He said the U.S. intelligence community had been ordered to investigate the origins of COVID-19 in 2021 and the investigation was continuing. "We must trace the origins of COVID-19 to help ensure we are better able to prevent future pandemics."
The bill was sponsored by Republican Senator Josh. Hawley, who accused the CCP of concealing the truth about the origin of the pandemic.
Hawley issued a statement on the 20th, saying: "Today, President Biden finally signed into law my COVID Origins Bill, which was passed unanimously by both parties in Congress. Americans deserve to know the truth behind the origin of the pandemic, and our procedures must be initiated to hold China accountable."
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman, Republican Senator Marco. Marco Rubio said last week that he would soon release a detailed report revealing "a mountain of circumstantial evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic may have arisen from an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan, China."
At the end of February 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that COVID-19 "may have spread outward due to a Chinese laboratory accident," based on "new intelligence" from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines.
"The Department of Energy continues to support our intelligence professionals in their thorough, careful and objective work in investigating the origins of COVID-19, as directed by the President," a Department of Energy spokesperson wrote in a statement.
The FBI has also previously concluded that it has "some confidence" that the covid pandemic is likely the result of a laboratory leak, and it still maintains that view. The FBI employs many microbiologists, immunologists and other scientists and is supported by the National Center for Forensic Bioanalysis.
The U.S. intelligence community consists of 18 agencies, including offices within the Departments of Energy, State, and Treasury. Eight of these agencies, along with the National Intelligence Council, are involved in tracing the origins of the covid pandemic.
CCP China denied the U.S. Department of Energy's assessment, saying it was "extremely unlikely" that the covid virus (covi) had leaked from the laboratory.
In mid-March, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a strong statement, saying that tracing the origin of covi is a moral responsibility, and all hypotheses about the source of the epidemic should be explored.
News (16)
The number of confirmed cases on the first day of the road without isolation was released, the number of local cases dropped by +112, and the number of inbound cases returned to zero
Reporter : Lin Huiqin / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/4246346 / Image : Luo Yijun, spokesperson of the command center, said that the new system of exempting from isolation for mild cases is on the road, and there is still a possibility of deviation in the number of confirmed cases. (Information photo, provided by the command center)
Exemption from notification and isolation for mild cases went on the road yesterday. The definition of notified diagnosis has been greatly narrowed to those who meet the conditions of complications. This is reflected in the number of confirmed cases on 21 March. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the local covidsease) , COVID-19) added 112 new cases, all of which are local cases, which is equivalent to the average daily moderate and severe cases of 119 cases in the past month by judgment.
After the implementation of exemption from notification and isolation for mild cases, adjust the content according to the covid case definition announced by the command center. If you have a fever ≥ 38°C or have respiratory symptoms within 14 days (inclusive), if you have pneumonia, you need oxygen treatment or other methods. Complications, hospitalization (including emergency bed waiting) or death are considered as confirmed reports.
20 March is the first day of the new system, which is reflected in the number of confirmed cases announced by the command center today. The command center announced 112 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 112 local cases and 0 imported cases; 20 new deaths were added.
Luo Yijun, spokesperson of the command center, pointed out that the number of confirmed cases on the first day of the new system was 112, and a total of 3,571 cases of moderate to severe cases were announced in the past 30 days (February 19 to March 20), including local and overseas immigrants, with an average of about 119 cases per day. example quite.
However, Luo Yijun mentioned that the new system has just been launched, and the possibility of reporting deviations in medical institutions may be mainly due to the fact that medical institutions are still familiar with the definition of notification, or there are cases where patients with severe illness who were hospitalized before 20 March made up notifications. Both will affect the presentation data, so the actual situation still needs to be observed and judged by the acquired data.
Luo Yijun believes that the current research and judgment of the epidemic continues to decline. In addition to the number of reported cases of complications, the covi-positive rate of residential institutions has also dropped from the previous 0.7% to the current 0.5%. In the future, there will be no confirmed cases of mild cases. In the future, the trend of complications, changes in the covi-positive rate of residential institutions, and the prescription of oral antiviral drugs will be used as indicators for evaluating the ups and downs of the epidemic.
The command center also reminded that people with mild symptoms should cooperate with "0+n independent health management". During the period of independent health management, if the quick test is negative, or there is no need to take a test until 10 days from the date of onset or the date of positive test, they can be released. During the self-health management period, it is recommended to wear a mask when going out; rest at home when you have symptoms, avoid unnecessary going out, and go out with peace of mind after asymptomatic or symptom relief (fever subsides for at least 1 day).
In addition, during the buffer period of the transition from the old system to the new system, there were 2,668 cases of supplementary notification under the old system today, including 2,601 local cases and 67 imported cases. Luo Yijun also pointed out that due to the mixed statistics of severe covid cases during the transition buffer period between the old and new systems, it is easy to cause misunderstandings, and the panel of the number of confirmed covid cases on the website of the Taiwan CDC will be closed this week.
News (17)
The first anniversary of the China Eastern Yunnan crash, U.S. media: The crash may have been "deliberate"
Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor : Fan Ming / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/03/21/a103673130.html / Image : On 21 March 2023, the first anniversary of the MU5735 crash of China Eastern Airlines, the Civil Aviation Administration of China reported that there was still no result of the crash. The picture shows the scene of the crash of China Eastern Yunnan Airlines passenger plane on 24 March 2022. (STR/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
21 March 2023 marks the first anniversary of the MU5735 crash of China Eastern Airlines. The Civil Aviation Administration of China reported that the crash that killed 132 people has not yet been resolved. US media previously reported that flight data showed that someone in the cockpit of China Eastern Airlines "deliberately" crashed the plane.
The Civil Aviation Administration of the Communist Party of China issued a notice on its website on the 20th, saying that up to now, a lot of work has been carried out, such as on-site surveys, data inspections, personnel interviews, and experimental analysis. As the crash was "very complex and extremely rare", the investigation is still ongoing.
The report did not announce the reading of the contents of the black box of China Eastern Yunnan Airlines flight MU5735.
Netizens ridiculed, "The China Eastern Airlines crash has only two so-called investigation reports in one year, but they have no conclusions. A lot of writing is useless, so what's the point of you publishing this report?" "How useful are they within a year?" I didn't do it." "It's too complicated, I don't know how to say it." "It's hard to say, it's better not to say it."
On 21 March 2022, China Eastern Yunnan Airlines flight MU5735 flew from Kunming to Guangzhou. On the way, when the Boeing 737-800 aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 8,900 metres, it suddenly fell almost vertically and crashed near Moyi Village, Wuzhou, Guangxi. All 123 passengers and 9 crew members on board were killed.
The Boeing 737-800 is the workhorse of the global aviation industry and one of the Boeing family of aircraft with the safest commercial flight record. The air crash of China Eastern Yunnan Airlines shocked the world. China then sent the black box of the plane it found to the United States to investigate the cause of the accident together with the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States.
China Eastern said in a statement that there was no evidence to determine whether there was a problem with the crashed plane.
On 17 May 2022, the Wall Street Journal quoted two people familiar with the matter as revealing that the black box flight data showed that someone in the cockpit of China Eastern Yunnan Airlines deliberately put the plane into a fatal dive state, resulting in the crash.
People familiar with the matter said that the current investigation focuses on one pilot, but it does not rule out the possibility that other people on board broke into the cockpit and deliberately caused the plane to crash.
ABC News also quoted U.S. officials as saying that the crash may have been caused by a "deliberate act."
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has denied the claim that the cause of the crash was locked on the pilot, calling it a rumour that "seriously misleads the public's perception". He also pointed out that the US personnel involved in the investigation of the accident stated that "the relevant investigation information was not released to any media." At the same time, all relevant information on Chinese social media was quickly blocked.
An expert from mainland China under the pseudonym Chen Shi once told The Epoch Times, "The plane lost control, and it shouldn't have plummeted. There should be more human factors here." He did not give a specific explanation for the "human factors."
News (18)
To promote exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, Lin Kunfeng, spokesperson of the Ministry of the Interior, went to the United States to participate in the Leadership Program
Reporter : Lin Xinhan / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4246979 / Image : Lin Kunfeng (right), the spokesperson of the Ministry of the Interior, went to the United States to participate in the IVLP "International Leaders Visiting Program". He said with a smile that the students come from all over the world and attend classes in English every day. (Photo taken from Lin Kunfeng's Facebook page)
Lin Kunfeng, spokesperson of the Ministry of the Interior, was invited by the U.S. State Department to represent Taiwan in the U.S. to participate in the IVLP "International Visitor Leadership Program; IVLP". He will successively visit the State Department, the Judiciary Federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Pentagon of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Commerce.
Lin Kunfeng pointed out that the "International Leaders Visiting Program" is led by the U.S. State Department, inviting elite leaders in the fields of politics, economy, education, science and culture from all over the world to visit the United States for short-term visits and communicate directly with the local industry, government and academia. The purpose is to establish friendly relations and communication channels.
"I listen to classes in English every day." Lin Kunfeng said that his classmates come from East Timor, South Sudan, North Macedonia, India, Pakistan, Trinidad, Malawi, Liberia, Tunisia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Egypt, Georgia and other parts of the world expect to deepen partnerships through exchanges in political economy, education, culture and technology.
News (19)
Details of Xi and Putin's closed-door talks, avoiding talk about war disasters, Xi supports Putin's re-election
Editor : Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/03/21/a103673318.html / Image : On 20 March 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping at the Kremlin. (Sergei Karpukhin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)
On the first day of his visit to Russia, the leader of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping, held a closed-door meeting with Russian President Putin for four and a half hours. The two sides called each other "dear friends". He talked about his re-election and supported Putin's re-election as Russian president in 2024 but the two sides avoided talk about the disaster caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Xi Jinping flew to Russia on March 20, starting his three-day state visit. On the first day of the visit, Xi and Putin published articles on each other's official media respectively. The two sides praised each other to build momentum for Xi Jinping's visit.
Putin published an article on the Chinese Communist Party media, calling Xi Jinping "my old friend" and calling Xi Jinping "comrade".
The CCP’s official media, Xinhua News Agency, also published Xi Jinping’s signed articles published on the Russian newspaper the Russian News Agency website. Xi said in the article that China and Russia are "communicados".
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, when Putin met with Xi Jinping that day, he called Xi a "dear friend" and congratulated Xi Jinping on his re-election. This was the first time Putin congratulated Xi Jinping on his "re-elected head of state".
Later, Xi Jinping began his own greetings to Putin, "I have always called you my dear friend."
The report said that when Xi Jinping mentioned his re-election, he also talked about the upcoming presidential election in Russia and expressed his support for Putin's re-election as the Russian president. Xi Jinping said: "I believe that the Russian people will strongly support your beneficial initiative."
CNN reported that Xi Jinping told Putin, "I know that Russia will hold a presidential election next year. Under your firm leadership, Russia's development has improved significantly. I believe that the Russian people will continue to strongly support you.”
According to reports, Putin and Xi Jinping held face-to-face closed-door talks in the Kremlin that day. The talks lasted for four and a half hours, and the talks lasted until dinner.
Itar news agency reported that Putin and Xi "continued communication" at the dinner, which included seven dishes on the menu. They include cold dishes made from Far Eastern seafood, quail patties, sturgeon soup, pomegranate sherbet. Main courses are venison in cherry sauce or Pechora salmon. After dinner, there is a "Pavlova dessert".
In public reports, the two sides also discussed the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war, including the 12-point "peace plan" for the Russia-Ukraine war proposed by the CCP in February but the war catastrophe caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine was avoided.
Just after the closed-door talks between the two sides, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken warned that Xi Jinping's trip was to provide "diplomatic cover" for Russia's war crimes, and that the so-called "peace plan" may be a "delay" to help Russia take action tactics on the ground in Ukraine.
Before Xi Jinping's visit to Russia (17 March 2023), the International Criminal Court (ICC) formally issued an international arrest warrant for Putin on charges of war crimes.
News (20)
Trump's supporters take various forms of protest on the eve of Trump's potential arrest day
Reporter : Li Zhaoxi / Editor : Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/03/21/a103673328.html / Image : On 20 March 2022, Trump supporters gathered near Mar-a-Lago, and a supporter saluted a Trump flag. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A few days ago, former US President Trump announced on his social media that he is expected to be arrested on 21 March 2023. Prior to this, some supporters rallied near the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate to express his support, and some supporters called for a "safer" way to protest.
"Please come out and support Trump," supporter Evelyn Knapp, wearing an American flag, waved as he drove along the Southern Boulevard Bridge.
"Hopefully this sends a message to people that if it happened to him, it will happen to you," Knapp told WPTV, a West Palm Beach, Florida-based station.
Donald Tarca Jr. called himself a patriot of the country and showed his support for Trump with his Trump truck and flag.
WPTV asked Tarca what he thought would happen on the 21st. Tarca said he was really not sure. They are waiting to see if Trump will actually be indicted. He emphasized that people need to do the right thing in this country and that it is not right for district attorneys to renege on their previous commitments and then arrest Trump.
The crowd said they planned to rally peacefully for the former president while they waited for events to unfold on the 21st. "We will never give up and I will never stop standing up for justice," said Derek Arnold, a Trump supporter who has encouraged people to gather peacefully.
"Keep the peace, be a patriot, don't hurt people, don't damage property," Arnold continued. "We're just flying our flag, we're coming together for freedom."
The group said they planned to gather again on the 21st and could continue for several days.
Trump is accused by Manhattan district attorneys of paying $130,000 in hush money to ex-adult film star Stormy Daniels through former attorney Michael Cohen ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump called it a "continuation of the witch hunt" and called on supporters to protest in his Truth Social post.
However, some social media users voiced their concerns about whether it might be another "trap" and could lead to the arrest of supporters of the former president.
Twitter user Paul Joseph Watson shared screenshots of a survey he conducted on Truth Social, asking Trump supporters if they thought the protests would resemble a Jan. 6, 2020-style "trap." The results showed that 85% of respondents thought it would be a trap.
Trump supporters brainstormed calls for nonviolent forms of protest ahead of his arrest, even suggesting a nationwide bank run in lieu of traditional street protests.
The George Washington Initiative told Newsweek that searches for a pro-Trump bank run nearly quadrupled on the 17th and 18th, with related queries rising again on the 20th.
"If Trump gets arrested, they are planning to take their money out of the banking system. You will see massive bank runs," Twitter user @CryptoPolka tweeted on the 20th, "don't need too much now. If too much, the entire monetary system could collapse."
"With the panic surrounding the market around Silicon Valley Bank, this could become a concern," added another user @OopsGuess, "We all want to make America great again (MAGA) …"
Additionally, since news of Trump's imminent arrest broke last week, the base price of Trump's digital trading card NFT has soared more than 32%, according to OpenSea, and sales have increased by a double-digit percentage.
On 17 December 2022, two days after the launch of the NFT series, the base price of the Trump trading card on OpenSea reached 0.82 ETH, equivalent to about $999. Earlier this month, the NFT was down to 0.42 ether (~$722). Now prices are skyrocketing again.
The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating security plans with the New York Police Department in response to a potential indictment of Trump in a Manhattan courtroom, sources told ABC.
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