Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on Taiwan, Israel, UK, disease control, CCP, Japan, South Korea, U.S., Vietnam, Hong Kong
News (1) to (5) / Reporter : Yang Chengyu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4307175
News (1)
Is there the opportunity to start defense cooperation with Israel? Wu Zhaoxie said that it can start with "this matter"
Image : Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. [Provided by the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
On 12 May 2023, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu Zhaoxie accepted an exclusive interview with Israeli reporter Jordyn Haime of Haaretz. Published under the title "Cooperation". Wu Zhaoxie responded to the inquiry and said that Israel's civil defense, reserve army system, technology, and actual combat experience are all worthy of Taiwan's learning. Defense exchanges and cooperation are sensitive. The two sides may start with think tanks or track two dialogues; when the time is right, an official visiting group will be organized for exchanges.
News (2)
Taiwan and Israel mark 30th anniversary of representative office presence in each other's capitals
Wu Zhaoxie pointed out that this year (2023) marks the 30th anniversary of the mutual establishment of representative offices between Taiwan and Israel, and the bilateral relations between Taiwan and Israel are steadily improving. The signing of the "Taiwan-Israel Holiday Work Program Agreement" will further promote mutual exchanges between the young generations of the two countries and enhance mutual understanding; Taiwan will also continue to strive to expand exchanges and development with Israel in various fields such as science and technology, medical care, education, and agriculture.
There should not be restriction in fostering closer ties between Taiwan and Israel
Wu said that economic, trade and investment is another focus of Taiwan-Israel relations. In 2022, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Israel will increase significantly compared with the previous year, and Taiwan has become Israel's fourth largest export market in Asia. Although both Taiwan and Israel are engaged in economic and trade exchanges with China, this situation should not be a restriction for Taiwan and Israel to pursue closer relations. On the contrary, China is accustomed to maximizing national interests and engaging in economic activities that may not conform to international rules and orders. This has aroused the vigilance of the Israeli government and has begun to establish a screening or review mechanism for Chinese investment projects. This will help Israel establish wider economic and trade relations with other countries, and Taiwan will be a very suitable partner.
Joseph Wu also said that China often uses economic and trade relations as a bargaining chip or weapon to influence other countries, and has used the excuse to put pressure on Lithuania, Australia, Canada and Taiwan. Democratic countries have been alerted to this phenomenon. For example, the United States has continuously reminded the international community of potential problems with CCP China’s economic development. The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, also expressed the same concerns when he visited Israel recently.
News (3)
Taiwan and Israel are beginning to understand each other
Wu pointed out that CCP China has always tried its best to suppress and undermine Taiwan's efforts to enhance relations with other countries, but we will not be deterred or defeated because of this. Taiwan and Israel are both democracies. Taiwan is in a similar situation to China and Israel is facing the surrounding situation. Therefore, more and more Taiwanese and Israeli people are beginning to understand each other. He believes that Israel's experience in responding to regional situations can provide Taiwan with reference.
When asked about reports in 2020 that the Republic of China (Taiwan) had sent a delegation to investigate Israel’s reserve army system, Joseph Wu responded that Israel’s civil defense, reserve army system, technology, and practical experience are all worthy of Taiwan’s learning. Defense exchanges and cooperation are sensitive. The two sides may start with think tanks or track two dialogues, and if the time is right, organize an official visiting group for exchanges.
News (4)
Taiwan hopes to learn from Israel's self-defense experience
Wu Zhaoxie emphasized that since China has always strongly obstructed our country's interaction with other countries on security issues, and Taiwan cherishes its friendship with Israel, it hopes to learn from Israel's self-defense experience. However, Israel's position must also be carefully considered to avoid unnecessary conflicts and trouble.
News (5)
Taiwan marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Wu Zhaoxie also explained that Taiwan deeply felt the tragic suffering of the Jewish people in World War II. Therefore, with the joint efforts of the Israeli Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei and the German Association in Taiwan, the "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" has been held for several consecutive years. . Taiwan will continue to cooperate with Israel to ensure that human rights, freedom and democracy are not undermined by any malicious forces.
News (6)
Regardless of Beijing's objections, Taiwan's agencies from eight countries support Taiwan's participation in WHO
Reporter : Lu Yixuan / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4305937 / Image : As the countdown to the World Health Assembly (WHA) begins, agencies from 8 countries including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and Lithuania jointly voiced their support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and WHA. (From the Facebook of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association)
The countdown to the World Health Assembly (WHA) has begun. The United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and Lithuania with eight offices stationed in Taiwan, on 18 May 2023 jointly voiced their support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) ) affairs, and participates in WHA as an observer. The eight countries emphasized that the covid virus knows no borders, and it is unreasonable to exclude Taiwan. Inviting Taiwan is beneficial to Taiwan and the whole world. Among them, the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office was established in November 2022, so it was the first time for this unit to join this joint initiative. Lithuania also spoke for the first time at the WHA conference in May 2022.
The 76th WHA is held in Geneva, Switzerland from 21 to 30 May 2023. However, due to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s obstruction, Taiwan has not yet received an invitation. It may be the seventh consecutive year that Taiwan will not be able to attend the conference.
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the Australian Office, the British Office in Taiwan, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the Czech Economic and Cultural Office, the German Association in Taiwan, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, and the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office issued a joint press release on 18 May reaffirming support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in WHO affairs and its participation in the WHA as an observer.
The eight countries pointed out that the World Health Assembly is about to be held, but Taiwan is still largely excluded from the global international public health system. The World Health Organization has always upheld the spirit of "Health for All" and is committed to promoting international health cooperation. Inviting Taiwan to be an observer at this meeting is the best way for WHO to demonstrate this spirit of inclusiveness.
The G8 emphasized that Taiwan is capable, active, responsible, and reliable. It is a member of the global health community and was invited to participate in the WHA as an observer in the past. Taiwan has excellent public health expertise, experience in democratic governance, and advanced technology. Its outstanding capabilities and methods can bring invaluable contributions to the discussions at the conference.
The eight countries stated that there is no reason to exclude Taiwan from the World Health Assembly, the most important health forum in the world. Global cooperation and tolerance are what the world calls for.
The eight countries appealed that diseases like COVID-19 know no borders, and unless everyone in the world is safe, no one will be safe. Inviting Taiwan to participate meaningfully in the forums and technical committees of the World Health Organization is in the interest of the people of Taiwan, as well as people around the world.
Image : As the countdown to the World Health Assembly (WHA) begins, agencies from 8 countries including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and Lithuania jointly voiced their support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and WHA. (Provided by AIT)
News (7)
First free trade initiative between Taiwan and the U.S.
News (8) to (10) / Reporters : Huang Ziyang, Lai Xiaotong, Xu Zhuoxun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/paper/1583757
News (8)
Hou You-yi on unity and integration: Consistent with Terry Gou's philosophy
Reporters : Huang Ziyang, Lai Xiaotong, Xu Zhuoxun / Image : Hou You-yi, the mayor of New Taipei City representing the KMT in the 2024 presidential election, was asked by the media yesterday how to integrate and unite with the founder of Hon Hai Group, Terry Gou? Hou said that both he and Guo Dong are determined to contribute to this land, and they will unite and fight side by side to protect the Republic of China and take care of the people of Taiwan. (Photo by reporter Huang Ziyang)
Hou You-yi, Mayor of New Taipei City, who is running for the 2024 presidential election on behalf of the KMT, was asked by the media yesterday how to integrate and unite with the founder of Hon Hai Group, Terry Gou. He said that Gou has made great contributions to Taiwan economically. He has dedicated and sacrificed for the country and the people with the spirit of entrepreneurial perseverance. Gou's ideas are similar to his, such as peace, cleanliness, and prosperity. Gou is determined to contribute to this land, and will unite and fight side by side to protect the Republic of China and take care of the people of Taiwan.
News (9)
Peace, integrity of government, and prosperity are shared goals
Hou You-yi also posted on Facebook yesterday, saying, "Based in New Taipei, sailing to the world, the Republic of China will take off again!" He wants the world to see New Taipei City, then understand the land of Taiwan, and finally focus on the Republic of China.
He said that during this period of time, he admired Terry Gou very much. The three concepts of peace, incorruptibility, and prosperity mentioned by Terry Gou are completely consistent with him. As long as they share common values and beliefs, they can move forward hand in hand.
As for the deputy candidate for the partner, will it be Gou or the principal of the front desk Guan Zhongmin? Hou You-yi said that he was very moved by Gou’s contribution to the economy and standing up to protect the Republic of China. They both share common values and beliefs. Admiration is also the treasure of the country, and it is the object of his admiration and learning. For the development of the country and society, they all work together.
Regarding the Nantou County Speaker's resignation from the party, some Gou fans threatened to switch to former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je. Hou You-yi said, "Don't distinguish between you and me, ethnic groups, and party affiliations. Everyone was born in Taiwan and loves the Republic of China. Use a kind attitude face together."
News (10)
Donate salary during leave? Hou "will donate more"
Will Hou take leave of absence in September or October to run? Does he donate his salary while on leave? Hou You-yi said that he has a sense of mission to the country and society, "not only donate myself, but also donate more." Regarding the KMT swearing-in meeting on 20 May 2023, is Terry Gou invited to participate? He said that everything is in accordance with the party's arrangements, and he will do what he should do, and will report to the party and the public on the direction to go in the future.
In addition, for the DPP's criticism of Hou You-yi's runaway and poor municipal administration, Lu Jiakai and Jiang Yizhen, the blue camp members of the "Hou Jiajun" New Taipei City Councilors, spoke to defend the lord, ridiculing the DPP's runaway and the fact that there are many candidates for the election. "The Republic of China deserves a dedicated and competent vice president," calling on Lai Ching-te to resign and run for election.
Jiang Yizhen pointed out that in the nine-in-one general election last year, as many as seven incumbent legislators from the green camp participated in the election of county and city mayors, including Zheng Yunpeng, Cai Qichang, Cai Shiyi and others. The party group's threat to refuse to review the budget is fundamentally a political party struggle that hinders the progress and development of New Taipei, which is regrettable.
News (11) in Simplified Chinese Characters
蒋万安赞侯友宜有远见 北市议员林延凤列黑历史打脸：收回不实推荐
国民党确定提名侯友宜参选总统后，蒋万安跳出来称赞侯是有远见的领导者。 （资料照）
2023/05/18 17:24
〔即时新闻／综合报导〕国民党昨（17日）确定征召新北市长侯友宜参选2024总统，台北市长蒋万安称赞侯友宜是有远见的领导者。对此，民进党台北市议员林延凤跳出来打脸，怒轰侯友宜无心市政、醉心党政，蒋万安力赞侯友宜是「跟风昧于现实的不实推荐」！
侯友宜确定代表蓝营角逐总统大位后，蒋万安周三下午透过脸书发文，他心目中的侯友宜，是一位正派、有魄力、务实又极有远见的领导者，更是基北北桃启动区域治理的灵魂人物。
对此，林延凤今天（18日）在脸书表示，「正派的政治人物，不会掩盖确诊孩子被拖延送医的真相，也不会被爆500万『搓圆仔汤』却不敢提告；有魄力的的政治人物，不会放任所治理的城市治安失灵，不仅枪击事件频传，连自家副发言人的亲人都惨遭不测，更不会让一座桥梁的公共工程，在一周内爆发两次工伤事件；务实的政治人物，会在自己治理的城市做好做满，不会吃碗里看碗外；有远见的政治人物，更不会在讨论区域和平议题时讲出『强国棋子』、『水杯和水』这种毫无见识的草包论述。」
林延凤接着质问，「侯施政成绩，若是蒋万安的典范，难道新北恩恩案、一个月四起枪击案、一座断桥，乃至于『落跑选总统』，都值得蒋学习吗？而蒋之后若出席双城论坛，依照侯的标准，是不是去当『中国棋子』，又顺便去把『中华民国』这樽水杯，用『一中原则』给打破？」
她直言，「有市长都不一定做得好了，更何况是没市长！双北作为一日生活圈，命运与共，只要一方市政停摆，都会让双北市民权益受损......在新北市『群龙无首』，侯友宜不负责的情况下，应如何开展『双北合作』？蒋万安若说不清楚，就代表侯参选总统毫无正当性，若蒋敢拍胸脯保证绝无窒碍，那代表侯友宜角色可有可无，『侯侯做代志』原来都是媒体包装、下属代劳，自己『闲闲没代志』。」
林延凤最后炮轰，「侯友宜无心市政，醉心党政，被爆500万搓圆仔汤事件后，食髓知味『搓上瘾』，连台北市的立委选举都跑来乔。蒋万安也被『带坏』，参与党政不分『搓初选』的行列，在士北区跟在侯友宜屁股后『假搓』，造成继上次没收大安区补选后，又没收国民党两选区初选，是大开民主倒车的错误示范。奉劝蒋万安不应跟风，要收回对侯的『不实推荐』，劝侯回到新北专心市政，否则未来双北发展停滞，或新北再发生种种治安工安乱象，推波助澜的蒋万安也会是难辞其咎的共犯结构。」
News (12)
Truss met with Tsai Ing-wen: Taiwan's achievements need to be protected, re-initiating "Economic NATO"
Reporter : Su Yongyao / Image : Former British Prime Minister Truss. (file photo)
President Tsai Ing-wen met with visiting former British Prime Minister Truss this morning. The President said that he looks forward to more cooperation and exchanges between the two sides in the fields of supply chain resilience, network security and technological innovation in the future, and will Facilitate the signing of bilateral investment and trade agreements. Truss emphasized that Taiwan's achievements need to be protected, and all liberal democracies around the world must support Taiwan; she once again advocated the "Economic NATO", hoping that like-minded liberal democracies can have more economic cooperation to counter the authoritarian regime coercion.
When meeting Truss, Tsai Ing-wen said that this was the first visit to Taiwan by Truss and the second former British prime minister to visit Taiwan after Mrs Thatcher. She was very happy to meet Truss at the presidential palace. We look forward to the joint efforts of different generations so that the relationship between Taiwan and the UK can continue to take root and develop.
The President also expressed her appreciation for Truss' long-term support for Taiwan's international participation, the promotion of the G7 countries and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to repeatedly emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait during her tenure as foreign minister, and the promotion of the Taiwan Strait issue by the United Kingdom to a global issue. She affirmed Truss's contributions and thanked her.
Tsai Ing-wen said that Taiwan and the United Kingdom are partners with similar ideas, and they work together for the development of global democracy and freedom. The importance of cooperation among the global democratic camps is also the message Taiwan has sent to the world in the past. She believes that if the democracies around the world unite and cooperate, they will make each other stronger and continue and expand the values of democracy and freedom.
President Tsai also hopes that Taiwan and the UK can strengthen cooperation and exchanges and sign an investment and trade agreement. She also pointed out that Taiwan and the UK have achieved fruitful cooperation in various fields in the past few years. We hope that in the future, Taiwan and the UK will create more cooperation and exchanges in the fields of supply chain resilience, cyber security, and technological innovation, and work together to promote the bilateral investment and trade agreement signed to continue to deepen the bilateral relationship of economic and trade cooperation.
Truss said in her speech that she was impressed by Taiwan's vigorous economic development, especially its leading role in key industries. Taiwan can be said to be the engine that drives the modern world.
Truss further emphasized that the United Kingdom understands very well that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait must be maintained. In the face of increasing confrontation between democracy and authoritarianism around the world, Taiwan's achievements need to be protected. Free and democratic countries around the world must support Taiwan and must also ensure that Taiwan is able to defend herself. More importantly, ensure the establishment of financial ties. Therefore, she advocated "Economic NATO" in the hope that democratic countries with similar ideas can cooperate more economically to fight against the coercion of authoritarian regimes.
News (13)
The covid virus attacks DNA and attacks the heart, the CCP rarely admits long covid exists
Reporter : Wang Yanqiao / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/05/19/a103715994.html
Gao Fu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences of the Communist Party of China, rarely admits that long covid is a basic fact. International research has found that the covid virus "directly attacks the human heart" and "attacks and destroys human DNA", causing illness and death.
People in Heilongjiang: "Recently, friends around me have been infected one after another, and some people have started to have two covi-positive symptoms. Unfortunately, I was also infected. After I was infected this time, the main feeling was that I was weak at the beginning and lacked energy. After that, my throat became tight and my throat hurt.”
On 18 May 2023, the weekly epidemic report for the 19th week (8 May 2023 to 14 May 2023) released by the Beijing CDC showed that since the 17th week (24 to 30 April), the number of covi infections among the number of reported cases surpassed influenza for 3 consecutive weeks, ranking first. The real situation is unknown.
On 18 May 2023, the CCP’s mouthpiece media reported that Chen Cao, a researcher at the Institute of Viral Diseases of the CCP’s China CDC, said that among local cases, the proportion of XBB variants increased from 0.2% in February to 83.6% in early May. Wang Liping, a researcher at the Communication and Prevention Department of the China CDC, said that the monitoring data of fever clinics shows that since late April, especially in May, the number of patients visiting fever clinics across the country has increased, and the covi-positive detection rate has remained at about 7%. It is expected that the national epidemic will continue to show a slow upward trend in the next period of time. The real situation is unknown.
Recently, Gao Fu, the former director of the China CDC, said at the annual academic conference on infectious diseases held in Beijing that long covid is a basic fact, "Let me tell you, this is not a scientific attitude. He warned: "The more times you are infected (with covid), the higher the risk of sequelae. This is based on clinical data. So patients should be diagnosed and should be prescribed medication." Relevant remarks have sparked heated discussions among the public.
Dr. Tang, Chief Physician of the Department of Cardiology, Yizheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine: "Many of the patients who visited the doctor recently were still suffering from some unexplainable symptoms after the early positive in December last year. According to the statistics of the US CDC, about one fifth of people may have been infected with covid before. Their symptoms mainly include symptoms of the cardiovascular system, symptoms of the respiratory system, chronic kidney disease, thrombosis, coagulation system diseases, nervous system diseases, etc. Taste disorders, emotional disorders, anxiety and fear, sleep disorders, etc. are very common."
In October 2023, "Dongsen News" reported that a research team from the University of Queensland in Australia released a research report on covid, saying that it is not only a flu, but the covid virus also "directly attacks the human heart" and " attack and destroy human DNA". Studies have shown that because it damages the DNA of tissues and makes genes unstable, it can cause cardiovascular problems and death in healthy people. In particular, it will have a long-term impact on the infected person, that is, long covid.
News (8) to (13) / Editor : Shi Fang / Source : Choson Ilbo, translated into Chinese by ApolloNet / https://www.aboluowang.com/2023/0518/1903426.html
News (14)
"De-Sinicization"! The CCP’s “rare earth rampage” is over
Vietnam, which ranks second in the world in terms of buried reserves, increased its rare earth production tenfold last year and became a strong competitor of China... Starting in July 2023, the United States will not hand over refining to China, and will supply it to Japan after refining domestically
Whenever there is a dispute with the United States, Japan, etc., CCP China will play the economic revenge card, which is rare earth. The production and refining process of rare earths is almost monopolized by CCP China, so this kind of thing happened.
Rare earths are materials at the heart of high-tech industries and have unique chemical and electrical properties. Widely used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, jet engines, LED display manufacturing, etc., rare earth is known as "the vitamin of cutting-edge industries."
In early May 2023, foreign media reported that Vietnam’s rare earth production last year increased tenfold compared to 2021, and its production of 400 tons in 2021 soared to 4,300 tons in 2022, making it the sixth largest producer in the world. Vietnam's mineable rare earth reserves are 22 million tons, second only to China (44 million tons), ranking second in the world. Although the relevant technologies of rare earth-related industries still lag behind China, Australia and Japan are actively providing support. This move will become a powerful countermeasure to prevent the CCP from running rampant on rare earths.
▲Refined Rare Earths/USDA
News (15)
Frequent threats of "rare earth retaliation"
CCP China produced 210,000 tonnes of rare earths last year, accounting for 70% of the global total. The market share of rare earth refining products is 85%, and the market share of rare earth permanent magnets is 92%.
More than 80% of the permanent magnets used in South Korean electric vehicles are also imported from China but other countries are also increasing rare earth production, and China's share, which once reached 98 percent, is showing a gradual decline.
▲Information-US Geological Survey
During the territorial dispute over the Diaoyu Islands (called the Senkaku Islands in Japan) in 2010, China restricted the export of rare earths to Japan and used them as a diplomatic weapon. In 2019, as a bargaining chip in response to U.S. sanctions on Huawei, the CCP also raised the possibility of restricting the export of rare earths to the US.
Based on the experience at that time, Japan began to formulate countermeasures to reduce the dependence of rare earths on China. As a part of it, Japan actively supported Vietnam in rare earth exploration.
News (16)
Vietnam's rare earth deposits are equivalent to half of China's
The recoverable reserves of rare earths in the world are 130 million tons, subject to the reserves, China accounts for about 34% but Vietnam has 22 million tons, Brazil has 21 million tons, Russia has 21 million tons, and other countries have a lot of reserves. Australia (4.2 million tons) and the United States (2.3 million tons) also had a considerable amount.
Compared with the proportion of reserves, the reason why China's supply volume has an absolute advantage is that the rare earth refining process is quite complicated and pollutes the environment heavily. Although rare earth means "rare soil substances", there are actually quite a lot of them on the surface of the earth. However, it is difficult to extract due to its low content in the soil. The extraction process uses toxic chemicals, contaminates soil and groundwater, and produces radioactivity.
▲Information-US Geological Survey
The United States used to be a rare earth power in the 1980s, but now due to environmental pollution, all rare earth extraction is handed over to China. Last year, the United States produced 43,000 tons of rare earths, all of which were sent to China for refining.
Rare earths are mainly used in cutting-edge manufacturing fields such as permanent magnets and semiconductor abrasives. Therefore, demand countries such as South Korea, the United States, and Japan urgently need to diversify their supply chains. In the process, Vietnam became an alternative to CCP China.
News (17)
Australia, Japan, Canada and other countries offered support
Vietnam has acted as a breakthrough point for global manufacturers as CCP China's supply chains faltered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have moved their domestic production facilities out of China to Vietnam. Although Vietnam is also a Communist country like China, its system is more open than CCP China, and Vietnam's relationship with Western countries is better.
Australia is the most active country to enter Vietnam's rare earth industry. In December 2022, the Australian mining company ASM signed a contract with the Vietnamese rare earth company VTRE to supply 1,000-2,000 tons of rare earth oxides produced by the Yen Bai Mine per year. Once these rare earth oxides enter South Korea, they will undergo the metal fabrication process at KSM Metal, a subsidiary of ASM in Ochang, Chungcheongbuk.
▲A rare earth mine in Vietnam. / Vietnam Briefing
Japan has also invested a lot of capital in Vietnam's rare earth mines. Japanese companies hold shares in Lai Chau Mine, known as Vietnam's largest rare earth mine. Canada is also very interested in Vietnamese rare earths.
Although Vietnam's rare earth enterprises lag behind China, they have certain technical capabilities. If the United States, Australia, Japan and other countries invest capital and provide technical support, they will take away a considerable part of the rare earth demand gathered in China.
News (18)
The United States officially began to implement the "de-Sinicization of rare earths"
In early March, Japan's Nikkei News reported that MP Materials, the largest rare earth company in the United States, has completed its beneficiation and refining plant in the United States and will start production in July this year. The rare earths that were previously sent to China for refining by Sumitomo Corporation of Japan will now be refined in the United States. The company sends the refined rare earth oxides to Southeast Asia for metallization, and supplies them to Japanese demand companies such as Toyota.
The de-sinicization in the field of rare earths will also officially begin. U.S. President Joe Biden designated rare earths as strategic materials lin 2022 and provided MP Materials with a budget of 35 million U.S. dollars to build a production line.
▲In the rare earth mine in Mount Pass, California, the rare earth ore produced by the mine has been sent to China for refining before, but since July this year, the United States has been refining it for the production of rare earth oxides.
News (19)
South Korea secures Vietnam's rare earth resources
South Korea is also securing rare earth resources in Vietnam. When Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited South Korea in December 2022, Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy Li Changyang and the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the supply chain of core minerals such as rare earths.
News (20)
Look down, who wants to be a policeman? The Guardian: Hong Kong police crack down on anti-extradition protests, their image collapsed and dissatisfied
Reporter : Li Dongqi / Source : Central News Agency / https://www.aboluowang.com/2023/0518/1903442.html / Image : During the 6.12 anti-extradition parade, the Hong Kong police fired pepper balls, rubber bullets, and bag bombs at the demonstrators on Hong Kong Island to forcefully expel the demonstrators.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported that the Hong Kong police force was once called the best police force in Asia but its reputation has plummeted after it was widely criticized for the violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in 2019.
Kevin Wan (pseudonym), in his 40s, has served in the Hong Kong Police Force for more than 20 years but he has quit his job. "I am no longer proud to be a member of the Hong Kong police. They have lost their sense of mission to serve the community and uphold justice. I don't want to become someone I despise," he said.
Image : Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
The Hong Kong police announced this month that they would relax recruitment criteria such as weight and height to "maintain competitiveness in the human resources market." Candidates can wear glasses or contact lenses to take the vision test. If they do not pass the Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, they can also pass the Chinese and English written tests administered by the Police Force.
Kevin Wan, who has emigrated abroad, is not surprised that the police force has had to relax its recruitment requirements due to the decrease in the number of applicants. "After the protests, the police became targets of social hatred. A lot of us have a poor self-image because people are ashamed to be associated with us," he said.
The Hong Kong police have taken several actions in the past to try to increase its attractiveness and increase its manpower. In 2022, the Hong Kong police will cancel the requirement that applicants must live in Hong Kong for 7 years; they will also raise the retirement age from 55 to 60.
Hong Kong people launched protests and strikes in 2019 due to their opposition to the draft amendment to the "Extradition Bill", which is generally known as the "anti-extradition movement". After that, in 2020, the Hong Kong police used the theme of "Being willing and not afraid of being late", trying to attract young people over the age of 30 to apply for the exam, emphasizing generous salaries, accommodation and other generous benefits.
According to official data, the government department with the most vacancies is the Police Service, with a vacancy rate of 18% as of May 2022. Hong Kong has more than 33,000 police officers and there are more than 6,300 vacancies in the first quarter of 2022, up from 5,706 vacancies in the previous quarter.
Over the past three years, the number of new police recruits has continued to fall well below the target, from 43.5% of the target in 2019-2020 to 36% in 2021-2022.
Police say a shrinking working population in the 15-to-29 age bracket, combined with a post-covid recovery in business, has made recruitment difficult.
However observers say the lack of enthusiasm for joining the police force shows Hong Kong society has yet to recover from the trauma of the anti-extradition protests.
The mass incarceration of activists and pro-democracy activists has fueled public discontent with the police since the CCP regime implemented the "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region National Security Law" three years ago. The Hong Kong Police Force currently has a National Security Division that specializes in dealing with political crimes.
"Police have a poor image in society, so they are not attractive to young people. The whole society looks down on this profession. Who wants to be a policeman?"
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China suddenly issued this notice to suppress Ukraine? The result is miserable
Editor : Zhongkang / Source : Kyodo News Agency / https://www.aboluowang.com/2023/0518/1903181.html / Image : The Canadian embassy in China has set up a pro-Ukraine sign on the wall. (Associated Press)
CCP China's foreign ministry recently issued a notice to all foreign embassies and international organizations in Beijing, asking them not to use the facades of their buildings for "politicized propaganda" to avoid sparking disputes between countries. According to diplomats, the request by the Beijing authorities is apparently aimed at some embassies who have pro-Ukraine billboards on the outer walls.
According to a copy seen by Reuters, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notice to all embassies and international organizations on the 10th stating: "Please do not use the external walls of building facilities for politicized propaganda, so as not to cause disputes between countries.” China’s foreign ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
According to an anonymous diplomat stationed in Beijing, this is apparently related to the pro-Ukrainian billboards outside the walls of many embassies in China, including the embassies of Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland.
The #SupportUkraine posters outside of Canada’s embassy in Beijing have been defaced with an anti-NATO slogan pic.twitter.com/fwSqIQqAXe
— kārlis (@r_karlis) March 2, 2022
Kyodo News said that the Chinese Communist Party's move has sparked strong opposition from diplomats in Europe and other countries, and it is believed that none of the units that have been notified have removed the signboards. A European diplomat criticized Beijing's position, saying China had no legitimate reason to obstruct a country from expressing its intentions and they would not abide by the notice.
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