Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, Eswatini, CCP, Japan, U.S., Canada, South Korea, The Philippines
News (1)
Putin may have died, Ukrainian intelligence chief: the person in the past year has been a double
Image : Gerashenko, advisor to the Ukrainian Interior Minister, once showed three photos of Putin at different times and asked, "Which one do you think is Putin?" (picture taken from X)
Russian President Vladimir Putin was questioned "already dead"! Over the past year or so, "Putin" who attended various occasions was kicked out by experts as his stand-in. Kyrylo Budanov, the intelligence chief of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, said recently, "Everyone is familiar with Putin was last seen on June 26, 2022".
According to comprehensive foreign media reports, Budanov, who often makes controversial remarks, said frankly that he is not sure whether the Russian president, who has been plagued by health problems for a long time, is "still alive." Putin" is no longer the real Putin, but a "substitute" that has been prepared long ago.
Budanov believes that Putin may have died, or his health is very poor, or he just does not want to show up easily, "there are many possible reasons."
Putin always wears a Raketa watch worth 12,500 pounds (about NT$500,000) on his right wrist, but at a meeting, he habitually looked at his left wrist, even though the watch was indeed worn on his right wrist. After the footage was exposed, the outside world caused an uproar, questioning Putin's deliberate arrangements for substitutes to attend certain public events.
Budanov further said that human ears are as unique as fingerprints. However, in the past year, Putin has appeared in public many times, but his ears look "different". The walking posture is also different.
In fact, when Putin visited Mariupol, a city in southern Ukraine occupied by Russian troops, on 19 March 2023, some analysts pointed out that his facial features had changed, and a "stand-in" should be sent. At that time, experts noticed that there was a significant difference between Putin himself and the double "earlobe".
Russian President Vladimir Putin was born in the intelligence department, and Ukrainian intelligence director Budanov, who has been in the intelligence circle for many years, is convinced that the Russian leadership has secretly prepared several Putin substitutes "in case of emergencies."
However, apart from the difference in appearance, Budanov provided no other evidence that the "real Putin" was dead.
Image : Ukraine's Defense Ministry Intelligence Chief Budanov questioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin "may have died." (Reuters photo)
Refs.: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/4420466, https://www.ntdtv.com/b5/2023/09/07/a103780902.html
News (2)
The first voyage of the Penghu ship arrived at Magong Port, 268 passengers witnessed history
Reporter : Liu Yuqing / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/4420430 / Image : The Penghu ship made its maiden voyage back to her parents' home, and welcomed guests with a water-jet boat. (Photo by reporter Liu Yuqing)
The Penghu ship, which Penghu people have been looking forward to, was disrupted by Typhoon Haikui and canceled its maiden voyage on 5 September 2023. However, it arrived in Penghu early this morning carrying 268 passengers and 60 vehicles of various sizes. Although there was no grand official welcome ceremony, the Penghu ship’s maiden voyage wrote a new page in the history of Penghu transportation.
"Penghu Ship" is a brand-new ship built by the Inland Sea Shipyard in Japan. The ship is nearly 120 m in length, with a gross tonnage of 9,980 tons, a maximum speed of 22 knots, and a maximum capacity of 600 passengers. The maximum carrying capacity can carry large-scale tours at the same time There are 4 vehicles and 82 passenger cars, which can meet the needs of Penghu people for vehicle transportation, fresh fruits and vegetables, and mail shipping. The slow speed and appearance of the ship have caused criticism from the people of Penghu, but the Penghu ship is mainly used to transport people's livelihood materials, and the overall appearance of the maiden voyage is also impressive.
The historic Penghu ship made its maiden voyage at 11.30 am on 6 September 2023. It sailed from Kaohsiung to Penghu at night. On 7 September 2023 at 5.30 am, it entered Magong Port under the guidance of two water jet boats. Before entering the port, the bow and at the same time, firecrackers were set off at the pier to celebrate Penghu's return to Makung for the first time. When she entered the port to berth, there was a sudden loud noise due to the breaking of the cable, which surprised the pier residents and passengers on board.
When the Penghu ship successfully docked at the port, people and vehicles disembarked one after another. The most eye-catching one was a family of four tourists surnamed Chen who disembarked by two three-wheeled motorcycles imported from Canada. The son of Chen said that he served National Service in Penghu. After retiring from the army, he would return to Penghu every year to reminisce. This year, he has just returned from a trip to Greece with his family and arrived in Penghu on the maiden voyage of Penghu. The Penghu County Government stated that the "Penghu Vessel Launch Celebration Ceremony" is scheduled to be held in the morning of 12 September 2023 at Pier 8 of Magong Port. The Drum Team of the Ministry of Defense of Penghu and the Music Troupe of Chrysanthemums will be invited to perform for the opening ceremony.
Image : The controversial appearance of the Penghu ship made its debut like a whale entering the port. (Photo by reporter Liu Yuqing)
Image : The 268 passengers on the first flight witnessed a new page in the history of Taiwan-Penghu transportation. (Photo by reporter Liu Yuqing)
Image : A family of four, surnamed Chen, took Canadian three-wheeled motorcycles to fight against the incident. (Photo by reporter Liu Yuqing)
News (3) to (4) / Reporter : Su Yongyao / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/paper/1603550 / Image : President Tsai Ing-wen attended the Eswatini Double Celebration Ceremony and delivered a speech. (Central News Agency)
News (3)
President Tsai's Speech at the Double Celebration Ceremony of Eswatini : Taiwan-Eswatini friendship towards the first century milestone
Image : President Tsai Ing-wen attended the Eswatini Double Celebration Ceremony and delivered a speech. (Central News Agency)
President Tsai Ing-wen visited the Kingdom of Eswatini, a friendly country in Africa, on the "National Friendship Celebration. Cooperation and Sustainable Journey". President Tsai attended the 55th anniversary of the independent founding of Eswatini yesterday. This is a double celebration of the 55th birthday of King Mswati III. This day is also the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini. Tsai Ing-wen said in her speech at the celebration that the two countries have supported each other for half a century and are willing to create new milestones for the friendship heading into the first century.
The ceremony was held at Eswatini National Stadium. President Tsai’s motorcade arrived at the venue under the master of ceremonies. The people of Shiguo welcomed with warm applause, including former Botswana President Hama, former South African President Juma, Lesotho King Lezi III, etc. Everyone was invited to attend; King Lezi III paid special tribute to President Tsai, and Queen Mother of Eswatini Ntongbi also shook hands with Tsai, exchanged greetings, and had a brief conversation.
In her speech in English, President Tsai said, "Today is an important day for both countries in the history of Taiwan. History has linked the two countries with warm friendship and goodwill. The two countries have walked side by side for fifty-five years." She mentioned that King Mswati III has visited Taiwan 18 times since he took the throne. She remembered that when King Mswati III visited Taiwan last time, he said that Taiwan was like a second home to him and the people of Eswatini. Tsai said she felt equally at home in Eswatini.
News (4)
Eswatini has the second highest electricity penetration rate in Africa
Tsai said that Taiwan is proud to be an important partner of Eswatini, which is a manifestation of progress and development. The cooperation in rural electrification has been very successful. Eswatini is now the country with the second highest electricity penetration rate in Africa. The king once said that now that electricity is so popular, "everything is in the light." She believes that Eswatini's future will be brighter.
Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that in front of Eswatini, that firmly supports Taiwan, she would like to thank Eswatini for supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations. The two countries have supported each other for half a century and are willing to create new milestones for the friendship heading into the first century.
In his speech, King Mswati III stated that when he took the throne, he promised to work hard to maintain the traditional culture of the Swazi Kingdom and promote the development of various fields, and the greatest gift of Eswatini so far is peace.
He said that the African region has experienced various turmoils for a long time, and the people have been deeply troubled. He hopes that Africa can break through this restriction and continue to develop stably. Eswatini will work together with the United Nations, the African Union and other international organizations and regional friendly countries to reduce various regional difficulties, promote stability and peace in Africa, and build a better Africa.
Tsai Ing-wen arrived in Eswatini the night before Taiwan time for a visit and held talks with King Mswati III. Tsai Ing-wen thanked Eswatini for its long-term support of Taiwan’s international participation. King Mswati III reiterated that the people of Eswatini strive to learn from the first world countries and strive to improve their living standards. He is very grateful for Taiwan's support. Taiwan is a model of first-world countries. He emphasized that Eswatini will continue to promote Taiwan's participation in all United Nations agencies so that Taiwan can communicate with the world and obtain the information needed to face challenges.
Image : President Tsai Ing-wen (2nd from the rear) led a delegation to visit Eswatini. In the afternoon of the 5th local time, he met with His Majesty King Mswati III (2nd from the right) and witnessed the signing of the contract. (Central News Agency)
News (5)
Taiwan will build a strategic oil storage in Eswatini. President Tsai: Taiwan's energy supply is more secure
Image : President Tsai Ing-wen led a delegation to Eswatini and met with His Majesty King Mswati III. (Provided by the Presidential Office)
The Republic of China (Taiwan) President Tsai Ing-wen and King Mswati III witnessed the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding on the Women's Entrepreneurship Microcredit Revolving Fund" by the Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Meihua, the Minister of Economic Planning and Development of the Republic of China and the ambassadors of the two countries. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Qimai and Shijing City Mayor Vusi Tembe signed the "Sister City Agreement between Kaohsiung and Mbabane", and Overseas Investment and Development Corporation (OIDC) General Manager Zhong Jiafu and Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC) CEO Nhlanhla Dlamini signed a memorandum of cooperation.
News (6)
The 3 cooperation documents establish a new milestone for the fututre relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini
Tsai Ing-wen said that the three cooperation documents signed are very important to the relationship between the two countries and have also established a new milestone for the future relationship. First of all, the first agreement is about women's empowerment. Gender equality is an issue that Taiwan attaches special importance to. Especially in recent years, Taiwan and Eswatini hope to help entrepreneurial women and provide financial support so that they can start their own businesses.
Tsai pointed out that the second document is the establishment of sister cities between the two major cities of Taiwan and Eswatini. This is not only a relationship between the two central governments, but both countries also hope to see this relationship deepen so that each other's cities can interact and help each other.
News (7)
At least 30 days of inventory in the combat readiness tank
Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that the third plan is a plan that the two sides have discussed for quite a long time. She would like to especially thank the king for his help in making this plan come true. She looks forward to the successful implementation of this plan and the construction of a strategic oil storage tank in Eswatini, thereby making energy supply more secure. She also hopes to focus on time and efficiency during the implementation of these three cooperation documents.
When interviewed, Wang Meihua explained that Eswatini hopes to build a combat-ready oil tank with at least thirty days of storage. After signing the letter of intent, OIDC will do the turnkey project, and then enter the detailed planning of the project before moving forward with construction in the future.
News (8)
There are many cases of personal safety and travel assistance in CCP China. The SEF received 4,558 cases in a year
Reporter : Chen Yufu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4420454 / Image : The SEF emergency hotline and service center received a total of 4,558 requests for assistance in 2022. (Photo by reporter Chen Yufu)
Since the Democratic Progressive Party came to power in 2016, the Chinese Communist government has deliberately obstructed official interactions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and unilaterally interrupted the exchanges between the SEF and the ARATS. However, according to statistics from the SEF, since January this year, due to the gradual relaxation of entry control measures on both sides of the Strait, exchanges have gradually resumed. 16.15%; in terms of personal safety and travel services, the SEF emergency hotline and service center received 4,558 requests for assistance last year.
The SEF is entrusted by the government to handle cross-strait business, with a budget of more than 236.06 million yuan for next year. Among them, the government subsidized more than 129.79 million yuan, which was used to deal with transactional negotiations in response to cross-strait development, cross-strait personal safety and emergency relief, services for children of Taiwanese businessmen in China, and strengthening ties with Taiwanese businessmen.
According to statistics from the SEF, in terms of personal safety and travel services, in 2022, the SEF emergency line and service center received 4,558 requests for assistance, of which 2,344 were urgent or urgent.
In addition, the SEF assisted in handling 165 personal safety cases, 12 cases involving 19 people who came to Taiwan urgently to visit critically ill family members or funerals, and 72 cases involving 78 people seeking relatives across the Taiwan Strait. Since last year, due to the slowdown of the epidemic and the adjustment of entry and exit regulations by relevant departments on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the number of cases where Chen asked for assistance to return to his hometown has increased sharply. Throughout the year, he assisted in handling 1,027 cases and returned to Taiwan smoothly.
In terms of document verification cases, from January to August this year, the SEF accepted 68,565 new application document verification cases, an increase of 9,532 or 16.15% compared with 59,033 in the same period of 2019.
Although Chinese officials have cut off exchanges with the Taiwan government, cross-strait business has not been interrupted. According to the statistics of the SEF, as of August, 83,358 copies of Chinese notarial certificates were received, an increase of 12,737 or 18.04% compared with 70,621 in the same period of 2019; the number of copies of Taiwan notarial certificates sent was 30,000 5,084 cases, an increase of 37.27% compared with the same period in 2019.
According to data from the Mainland Affairs Council, from January to June this year, the number of Chinese people coming to Taiwan was approximately 70,104, an increase of approximately 10.54 times compared with the same period in 2022. The number of cross-strait marriages from January to June this year was 2,532, an increase of about 1.85 times compared to 1,238 in the same period last year. The cross-strait intermarriage situation has shown a trend of recovery after the epidemic; and from January to August this year, the SEF accepted applications for residence and settlement The number of verifications of notarial certificates for other purposes was 19,827, an increase of 5,899 from the same period in 2019, an increase of 42.35%.
News (9)
Are CCP veterans challenging Xi Jinping? Chinese scholars generally question
Reporter : Xue Fei / Editor : Yuntao / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/09/06/a103780509.html / Image : An article by a Japanese media person in which a CCP veteran criticized Xi Jinping sparked heated discussions on Chinese social media. The picture is a schematic diagram. (Alexander F. Yuan/AFP via Getty Images)
A recent article in the "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" in which a veteran of the CCP challenged Xi Jinping sparked heated discussions on Chinese social media. However, many Chinese scholars have questioned the statement, believing that no one among the CCP elders dares to challenge Xi Jinping.
Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's absence from the Group of Twenty (G20) leaders' summit has aroused international public opinion speculation. Zhong Zeke, who once served as the director of the China branch of "Nikkei Asia", wrote an article two days ago that during the Beidaihe meeting held last month, Xi Jinping was criticized by the elders of the Chinese Communist Party unprecedentedly.
In the article, he listed the difficulties under the CCP, including economic recession, sluggish real estate, soaring youth unemployment rate, turmoil at the top of the Rocket Army, Qin Gang’s dismissal, etc. A meeting was held in the suburbs of Beijing to summarize their opinions, which were then conveyed to Xi Jinping by several people in Beidaihe, led by Zeng Qinghong.
However, many mainland scholars online have questioned this statement.
Cai Shenkun, a freelance writer, left a message on X (former Twitter): "If the elders still have influence, if elder politics can still play a role, we must form a joint force before the 20th National Congress to prevent Xi Jinping from being re-elected. Sadly, the elders not only did not Standing up to oppose Xi's re-election, Hu Jintao, who once handed over power readily, was forcibly taken away in full view. All the veterans at the scene were dumbfounded, and they didn't even dare to show their air. It's just a fantasy to expect these veterans to oppose Xi. "
In addition, he believes: "If the elders can collude and conspire under his nose, it will be a non-organizational activity at the least, and it will lead to the same ending as Ren Zhiqiang. In the past five years, senior officials above the deputy state level have been monitored seamlessly and without dead ends. In addition to the original Central Security Bureau, additional agents from the Secret Service Bureau personally selected by Wang Xiaohong were sent. At the Ninth National Congress, only Zhu Rongji did not applaud him, so he was not allowed to show up at the 20th National Congress. In such a harsh political environment, the elders including Zeng Qinghong have been unable to shake Xi's position."
Han Lianchao, a visiting researcher at the Hudson Institute in the United States and an expert on China issues, also posted on X (formerly Twitter): "I don't quite believe the authenticity of the report by Nikkei Asia, which mentioned that before the Beidaihe meeting, the CCP veteran Mr. He held his own meeting in the suburbs of Beijing, reached a consensus, and was conveyed by Zeng Qinghong. Private meetings of the elders are non-organizational activities, and Xi supervises them even more severely. The elders have to protect their own treatment and corrupt their children. No one dares to challenge Xi. If If it is true, it shows that the CCP still has a correction mechanism, but unfortunately this no longer exists.”
In this regard, Hu Ping, a well-known overseas democracy movement scholar and honorary editor-in-chief of "Beijing Spring", also posted on X to express his agreement: "Yes, the authenticity is suspicious", and listed two doubtful points: "1. The elders held a meeting to discuss the government. Is it possible? 2. Is there still a Beidaihe meeting?”
Well-known YouTube commentator "Wen Zhao" also commented under the X account "Wen Zhao talks about the past and the present" and said: "If the elders want to be so good and united, when Hu Jintao is framed, someone should explode. Why? Some people always dream of those who have failed the system and the abandoned ones to turn against each other and save the world? Is it a deformed version that only the Communist Party can save China?"
The well-known tweeter "Financial Truth" also believes: "Don't believe the report of the veteran of Nikkei challenging Xi Jinping. Now no one in the CCP dares to publicly contradict Xi. They are all pretending to be grandsons and waiting for Xi to die. Everyone is learning from Sima Yi. Now Xi also knows what these old tortoises think, but he can't find a good reason to do it. It's a delicate balance. Whoever destroys this tacit understanding first will lose!"
In addition, Wang Dan, the leader of the June 4th pro-democracy movement, also stated on his Facebook account "Wang Dan Website" that based on his long-term observation of China and the information he has acquired, the news from the Japanese media is not accurate unless the Japanese media presents reliable evidence. Otherwise he does not believe the authenticity of the news.
Wang Dan emphasized that if the CCP elders really had such strength, they would not allow Xi Jinping to be re-elected or watch Xi Jinping purge their cronies. Wang Dan added that what he knows is that the senior members of the Chinese Communist Party have long been in "protective isolation."
Wang Dan believes that the news released by the Japanese media is probably a replica of the rumor that "Xi will serve under Xi and Li will go to power", and it is not very accurate.
There are also many general commentators who support these opinions: "Old Hu has been kidnapped, so what kind of veteran is he?"
However, Cai Xia, a former party school professor, believes that everything is possible. She posted on Twitter: "The news reported by 'Nikkei Asia' has aroused a lot of discussion among major global media and Chinese people of all colors. Is the news accurate? I think anything is possible."
Cai Xia said: "It's possible, you can list N reasons; it's impossible, you can also list N reasons. The key is for the CCP bosses to weigh: Which one will put themselves and their families in life-or-death danger, the fall of the CCP or the continuation of Xi?" Xi dares to punish a single big boss, but if the big bosses have the same attitude, Xi will not dare to attack."
News (10)
Kishida and Li Qiang talk about the issue of nuclear water treatment
Reporter : Zhou Guihang / Editor : Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/09/06/a103780382.html / Image : File photo of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Getty Images/Composite Image)
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Communist Party Premier Li Qiang had a brief conversation at the ASEAN Summit. Japanese media reported that Kishida wanted the CCP to cancel the ban on Japanese aquatic products. The CCP’s official media stated that Li Qiang asked Japan to properly handle the “nuclear polluted water”.
In the afternoon of 6 September 2023, local time, Kishida and Li Qiang attended the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) Leaders’ Meeting held in Jakarta.
Nippon TV reported that this was the first contact between the leaders of Japan and China after the Fukushima nuclear treatment water was discharged into the sea. Kishida and Li Qiang stood and talked briefly before attending the summit.
Relevant sources from the Japanese government revealed that Kishida explained Japan's position on the discharge of water from the Fukushima nuclear process into the sea and sought understanding from the Chinese side.
Kishida also demanded on the spot that China should immediately revoke the import ban on Japanese aquatic products.
In addition, Kishida also directly explained to the leaders of participating countries at the summit how Japan is committed to ensuring the safety and transparency of nuclear-treated water. The summit lasted about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
It remains unclear how Li Qiang responded to Kishida's request but a Japanese government source said the two did not have a heated argument.
According to reports from the Chinese Communist Party media, Li Qiang "clarified China's position" on the issue of discharge of water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear treatment plant into the sea during his attendance at the summit that day. Li Qiang followed the party media's statement and called the Fukushima nuclear treatment water "nuclear-contaminated water" and asked Japan to "fully consult with neighboring countries and other stakeholders to dispose of nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible manner."
At present, the CCP media and cyber forces are still hyping up the Fukushima nuclear water treatment incident in mainland China and inciting hatred against Japan.
According to the analysis of Jiang Feng, a senior self-media commentator, the purpose of the CCP's anti-Japanese hype this time includes diverting public attention from the deterioration of the domestic economy, retaliating against Japan for being pro-Taiwan and anti-communist, and sowing discord between Japan and South Korea.
Jiang Feng said that CCP China has serious social problems and huge social unrest. The CCP needs an external enemy to attract the attention of the people and spread the people's grievances. At the same time, even Japan's original pro-China political forces have begun to openly support Taiwan. The CCP hopes to retaliate against Japan by creating conflicts and economic losses between the two countries, and trigger conflicts in Japan's political arena. In addition, the military alliance between the United States, Japan and South Korea has dealt a fatal blow to the CCP. The CCP is trying to incite popular sentiment in South Korea and drive a wedge between Japan and South Korea.
News (11)
U.S.-China rivalry in the South China Sea: Harris denounces CCP China’s new map as illegal
Reporter : Ren Hao / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/09/06/a103780630.html
During the ASEAN summit, US Vice President Harrison Harris said in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press that the US will strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, implying that the US and China will continue to wrestle in the South China Sea.
U.S. Vice President Harris Harris: "I think (relationships with the Indo-Pacific) are of great interest to the United States, both in terms of security and prosperity."
As the CCP continues to increase its provocative power against Southeast Asian countries, Harris believes that it is very important for the United States to strengthen economic and military ties with South China Sea countries.
The new "ten-dash line" map recently released by the CCP was also considered illegal by Harris.
Harris: “The 2016 (International Court) arbitration has made it clear that (the Chinese Communist Party’s declaration) is illegal.”
During the epidemic, various industries were severely affected because the U.S. supply chain was restricted by the CCP. Harris pointed out that in the future, the United States will transfer more supply chains to Southeast Asian countries, and CCP China's political and economic instability will also force more companies to leave the Chinese Communist country and invest in Southeast Asia.
Harrris: "You will see more and more (US companies) investing in Southeast Asia. For reasons of stability and predictability. I don't think people will see an increase in investment in China."
News (12) to (14) / Reporter : Li Yan / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/23/9/6/n14068291.htm
News (12)
United States: The CCP’s new map proposals are not only illegal, but also incompatible with international conventions
Image : File photo of U.S. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The new map recently launched by the CCP covers almost the entire South China Sea, India and other disputed areas, which has aroused opposition from many countries. The U.S. State Department pointed out that the CCP’s “new version of the map” proposal is not only “illegal” but also inconsistent with relevant international conventions.
A "standard map" released last week on the website of China's Ministry of Natural Resources shows a U-shaped "nine-dash line" consistent with Beijing's long-standing claims in the South China Sea. As a strategically important maritime corridor, the South China Sea enables trillions of dollars in global trade every year.
China’s disputed claims in the South China Sea overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
In addition to the disputed South China Sea Islands, the "standard map" released by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Communist Party of China on August 28 also covers the disputed Arunachal Pradesh (Arunachal Pradesh, known in China as the southern Tibet region) and India. Aksai Chin region (Aksai Chin) - Chinese and Indian armies broke out in hand-to-hand combat in this region in 2020.
In addition, the new map also includes parts of Taiwan that refuse to be "unified" by the Chinese Communist Party.
According to the South China Morning Post, the U.S. State Department on Tuesday (5 September 2023) slammed Beijing’s new map proposal.
Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said these claims were not only "illegal" but also incompatible with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, echoing other countries that oppose China's maritime claims. .
"We reject the illegal maritime claims reflected in this map and call on China's maritime claims in the South China Sea and elsewhere to be consistent with international maritime law," Patel said.
The Philippines stated last Thursday (August 31) that it "refuses" to recognize the new map of the Chinese Communist Party because it contains a "nine-dash line" (now a ten-dash line). The sovereignty dispute between China and the Philippines was ruled by the International Court of Justice in 2016. The CCP’s “nine-dash line” sovereignty claim was ruled to have no legal validity. CCP China refused to accept the ruling and continued its sovereignty conflict with the Philippines.
News (13)
CCP China's "new normal" rejected
At a separate news conference on Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder also addressed concerns about Beijing's maps.
"I think this is a continuation of the confusion about international sovereignty that we've seen from China," Ryder said.
He added that Beijing was trying to create a "new normal" by unilaterally redrawing territorial lines and expected other countries to follow suit.
New Delhi lodged a strong protest with Beijing over the map last week. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar Subrahmanyam said last Thursday that "ridiculous claims to Indian territory do not mean that it is Chinese (Chinese Communist Party) territory."
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs rejected CCP China’s latest claim to sovereignty and jurisdiction over waters that Manila considers its territory, saying Beijing’s claim “has no basis in international law.”
Ryder said it is important for the United States to work with regional allies and partners. This will help them defend their sovereignty while upholding the rules-based international order that has “maintained regional security and stability for more than seven decades.”
The Chinese Communist Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
News (14)
Maritime cooperation is significant to the Philippines and it must be done in a safe and stable region
Speaking at a side meeting of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said maritime cooperation is "of great significance" to the Philippines and is only possible in a safe and stable region.
News website Rappler reported that Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez told Philippine media in Indonesia that at the invitation of the United States and Japan, President Marcos Jr. is expected to hold talks with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida who are attending the ASEAN Summit. He said that it is "very likely" that the trilateral talks between the United States, Japan and the Philippines will discuss South China Sea disputes and economic cooperation issues.
Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that CCP China's new map has no legal effect, calling the South China Sea issue "complex and sensitive."
News (15)
The Chinese Communist Party's Arctic ambitions are becoming more and more obvious, and the United States and Canada are on the alert
Reporter : Roger / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/09/06/a103780634.html
Recently, the United States and Canada are paying close attention to the increasingly obvious military attempts of the CCP in the Arctic region. The Chinese Communist Party's scientific research vessel "Snow Dragon" entered the Canadian "Port of Brabant" for the first time in 1999, but now, the outside world has discovered that the Chinese Communist Party may be conducting espionage activities in the name of scientific and technological investigation.
In July 2023, the China Polar Research Institute in Shanghai, China, stated that it had completed field testing and evaluation of underwater listening devices, and that these listening devices will be deployed on a large scale in the Arctic Ocean.
Observers in the United States and Canada had previously believed that the CCP was only conducting scientific research in the Arctic, but the spy balloon incident and the buoy entering Canadian waters aroused the vigilance of both countries.
Rob Huebert, a researcher at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a Canadian think tank, believes that the Chinese Communist Party’s monitoring devices in the Arctic Ocean can track U.S. and allied submarines in Arctic waters and monitor activities under the ice sheet, threatening the security of the United States and Canada strategic interests.
This summer, China also announced the construction of a third icebreaker capable of unleashing deep-water submersibles with the ability to eavesdrop on and disrupt submarine cables.
Stephen Flanagan, a senior fellow at the Rand Corporation, a US think tank, once told Congress: "All governments should be cautious when dealing with the CCP and adopt a 'buyer beware' (beware of being cheated) strategy."
News (16) to (20) / Reporters : Xia Song and Luo Ya / Editor : Gao Jing / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/23/9/6/n14068055.htm / Image : The USS America is a first-class, new-generation amphibious assault ship (Amphib). (public domain)
News (16)
U.S. amphibious assault ship will enter the Yellow Sea. Experts: U.S. and South Korean military exercises scare the CCP
The U.S. Navy will send the amphibious assault ship "USS America" and other ships to the Yellow Sea to participate in U.S.-South Korea joint exercises, becoming the first time in 10 years, and the U.S. military has demonstrated its largest strength on China's northern coast.
Experts point out that the US-ROK military drills kill two birds with one stone. While deterring the CCP, they also show support for their allies, Japan and South Korea.
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U.S.-South Korea military drills, U.S. fleet will sail to the Yellow Sea
The South China Morning Post reported on 5 September 2023 that the U.S. Navy is expected to participate in the first large-scale exercise in a decade in the Yellow Sea off the northern coast of China, a move that is likely to further aggravate tensions with the Chinese Communist government. China and South Korea face each other across the Yellow Sea, with the shortest distance being less than 230 kilometers.
An official of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense said that the amphibious readiness group led by the US Navy amphibious assault ship "USS America" and the Canadian Navy frigate "HMCS Vancouver" (HMCS Vancouver) will participate in the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Inchon during the Korean War and the US-ROK alliance. 70th anniversary commemorative exercise.
South Korean media quoted senior officials as saying that the fleet will also participate in "actually a large-scale joint amphibious operation exercise between the United States and South Korea" before and after the commemoration.
The USS America can carry vertical takeoff and landing fighters, including F-35B stealth fighters, and is capable of conducting joint sea and air operations.
The last time the U.S. military launched a major operation in the Yellow Sea was in 2013, when an aircraft strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington participated in a joint exercise.
Since then, the U.S. military has only sent small fleets or single ships into the Yellow Sea, partly to avoid triggering a backlash from Beijing.
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Expert: Kill two birds with one stone to deter CCP China and North Korea
On September 6, Su Ziyun, director of the Institute of Defense Strategy and Resources at Taiwan's National Defense Security Research Institute, told The Epoch Times that the U.S.-South Korea military exercise kills two birds with one stone, showing defensive deterrence to the CCP and North Korea.
"Showing the ability to deter North Korea (North Korea). North Korea has recently been using irrational methods to militarily coerce South Korea. The United States and South Korea are an alliance, and (the United States) responded by asking South Korea to conduct large-scale military exercises with the US military."
He said: "The second one is aimed at the CCP. The Yellow Sea reaches the Tianjin area. The Beijing-Tianjin line is their core air defense circle, so the CCP is more sensitive."
In addition, Su Ziyun believes that the military exercise will bring an additional effect: "The US military has indirectly reduced the pressure on the East China Sea and the South China Sea, letting Beijing know that the Yellow Sea - its northern theater cannot relax. This will indirectly reduce the Communist Army's exercises in the South China Sea and the East China Sea." "
Retired lieutenant general Zhang Yanting, former deputy commander of Taiwan's air force, also told The Epoch Times that the United States is killing three birds with one stone. The U.S.-South Korea military exercises directly target North Korea and indirectly target the CCP, increasing its deterrence. In addition, the United States emphasizes freedom of navigation, and the entire Indo-Pacific region, not just in the South China Sea, has also begun to do so in the Yellow Sea.
After the "Washington Declaration" by the United States and South Korea, the CCP was locked as the main target. Coupled with the Camp David agreement between the United States, Japan and South Korea in August, this is the best move made by the United States to expand the scale of military exercises. "This military exercise is to implement these commitments." He said.
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U.S.-South Korea military exercises protect geopolitical security and protect economy
Zhang Yanting believes that the US-ROK military exercises will strengthen the CCP’s diplomatic, military and economic support for North Korea. “For North Korea, it will lean more towards mainland China (the CCP) and Russia. This is certain. North Korea will do Three actions: test missiles, nuclear weapons exercises, tactical nuclear weapons exercises, and strengthen artificial satellites’ intelligence collection (intelligence collection) on US-South Korea military exercises.”
Regarding the impact of the US-ROK military exercises, Su Ziyun said that the US-ROK military exercises are mainly to block North Korea from launching a first nuclear strike. "It is to warn North Korea that if it dares to use nuclear weapons, whether it is tactical or strategic, it will be severely punished," Su Ziyun said. Nuclear retaliation means the end of the North Korean regime, and this is the most important signal."
In his view, this kind of deterrence will make North Korea think seriously, and the attack will outweigh the gains. "The United States conducted military exercises in the Yellow Sea and also displayed B-1 bombers. It is a dual goal. It targets North Korea and the Chinese Communist Party, and it also gives Japan and South Korea an appeasement." .”
Su Ziyun said that South Korea is an important economic and technological partner of the United States. The U.S.-ROK alliance can stabilize the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and military exercises protect geopolitical security, economic and technological interests, and indirectly safeguard the security of Japan and even the Taiwan Strait.
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Analysis: The CCP’s protests are undeniable
In April, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol pledged to "enhance regular visibility of strategic assets around the Korean peninsula."
Last week, the United States conducted an air force exercise in the Yellow Sea, deploying B-1B bombers and other strategic assets, as part of the annual U.S.-South Korea joint exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield" that was resumed last year.
China's Ministry of National Defense has accused the United States of regularly sending naval and air forces around China to carry out "provocations". The South Korean military said the North had launched multiple cruise missiles into the western sea. Pyongyang has recently carried out a spate of military activities.
Su Ziyun said that the CCP's accusations are useless. The United States has a very clear attitude and has regarded the CCP as the main challenger and threat. Washington's strategy is also very clear. First, its policy toward the Taiwan Strait is clear and constructive, and it clearly regards avoiding the CCP's use of force to change the status quo as the bottom line.
Second, North Korea will not give up its tactical and nuclear strikes against South Korea. The US military has carried out many nuclear deterrence operations against South Korea this year, demonstrating the trinity of nuclear deterrence, namely intercontinental missiles, underwater nuclear submarines, and aerial nuclear bombers.
He said: "The B-1 bomber operation of the United States is a complex security strategy. On the one hand, it deters North Korea and the CCP, and on the other hand, it appeases Japan and South Korea, and fulfills its commitment to the nuclear umbrella (Nuclear Umbrella) of Japan and South Korea."
In this regard, Zhang Yanting said: "The attitude of the United States is that the CCP says what the CCP says, and I do mine. All the pointers from the United States to the CCP are just for reference and will not make adjustments. This is very clear."
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