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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#ChinaPolicy
International Politicians Respond to China’s Enforcement of the National Security Law in Hong Kong by Forming the “Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China”

The Hong Kong version of the “National Security Law” implemented by the National People’s Congress has aroused international heightened concerns. Senators and politicians around the globe have united and initiated the formation of an “Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China” to counter the ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party.

Within a week, 104 senators and politicians from different countries have already joined the Alliance. These members belong to 13 different nations, with new members from Italy, The Netherlands, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic. It has been anticipated that 3 more countries will join the Alliance within the next week.

The spokesman for the Alliance stated that all members have agreed to a set of accords drafted by the Alliance prior to joining, and vows to enact more drastic measures towards China within government bodies of their respective countries.

Source: Apple Daily #Jun4
https://bit.ly/3hoB2aG

#NationalSecurityLaw #IPAC
#InternationalRelations
#CCP #World #InternationalRelations
How ready is China to Communicate with the (Free) World?

On August 12, 2020, China's foreign vice-minister Le Yucheng called for the U.S. and China to resume dialogue, saying there should be no #radiosilence between the two foreign ministries, stressing also, “no matter how difficult and complex the issues may be, they should be put on the table for discussion."

On August 17, 2020, China's ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming blocked Hong Kong Watch founder Benedict Rogers on Twitter.

After all, does China want to communicate with the free world?

Source: @benedictrogers on Twitter

#Aug17 #US #UK #HongKongWatch #BenedictRogers
#InternationalRelations
Czech Senate President Visited Taiwan with 90 Delegates in Response to Beijing: Don’t be Someone’s Servant

Source: Stand News #Aug30

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25168
#InternationalRelations
Czech Senate President Visited Taiwan with 90 Delegates in Response to Beijing: Don’t be Someone’s Servant

Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil led a delegation to visit Taiwan on Aug 30, 2020 and was expected to meet the Taiwan President, Tsai Ing-wen, and other officials.

Before the trip, Mr. Vystrcil said the purpose of the visit was to promote business links with Taiwan. He would not bow to Beijing’s objections and said, “you cannot accept being someone’s servant, because when you obey the first time, even for once, it’s assumed that you will do the same ever after.” He added that this trip showed the value-oriented foreign policy of the late President Vaclav Havel, an anti-communist dissident and friend of the spiritual exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. Mr. Havel had spoken for Taiwan in the world many times during his reign.

The delegation would meet President Tsai in the morning of Sept 3 at the Presidential Office Building, the spokesperson of Taiwan Presidential Office, Xavier Chang, recently mentioned. It is also hoped that through this face-to-face exchange, Czech and Taiwan will deepen the cooperation in the fields of economic, trade investment, science, technology, medical care, tourism and culture.

The 90-strong delegates included Zdeněk Hřib, the Prague mayor. Before this, nearly 70 parliamentarians from the European Parliament and 8 countries including the United States, Canada and Australia issued an international joint statement, supporting this trip and calling on the leaders of democratic countries to join in to show unity.

Source: Stand News #Aug30

#Czech #Taiwan #MilosVystrcil
Top U.S. Diplomat for East Asia Decribes China as a "Lawless Bully"

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell said U.S. competition with China does not have to lead to conflict, and that the United States sought to cooperate with Beijing where interests aligned, for instance on North Korea.

However, there had been "particularly egregious examples of Beijing's conduct including issues with India, the South China Sea, Taiwan, and in waters China disputes with Japan recently.

US wants the world to stand up against China's "malignant" behavior. For example, the "wiping out" of the Mongolian and Tibetan language and culture, and the enactment of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

Stilwell said that Washington will continue to advance engagements with Taiwan, which China views as a rogue province, and provide them with necessary military support.

#US #China #Taiwan #InternationalRelations

Source: Reuters #Sep17
#Newspaper

Those disregarding international order to be abandoned: Wang Yi

(28 Sep) China State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi stated that with widespread unilateralism and bullying occurring at the height of COVID-19, those who believe that having "big fists" permits them to disregard and destroy the international order will eventually be abandoned by the era.

During his speech at a forum, Wang Yi indicated that the international order is facing a huge unprecedented challenge and that all nations should join forces to defend the values of fairness and justice. Any attempt to reinstate hegemonic rule would drag the world back towards "the law of the jungle" and would be doomed to fail.

He also claimed that human society was experiencing a pervasive public health crisis and that the global economy was in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression. The great powers should bear significant responsibility in maintaining world peace and development. They must not pursue their own security at the expense of other nations, nor can they deprive them of their right to development with bullying.

He emphasised that China will staunchly adhere to the path of peaceful development and work with other countries to divest from the sophistry of so-called "my country first" [policies].

#CulturalHegemony #ChinaUSRelations #Hypocrite #FalseMarxism #UnitedNations #InternationalRelations

Source:
1. Now News
2. World News Monitor

Translated by: Hong Kong Echo
A Transnational Poll Showed The Unfavorable Views of China Reached a 10-Year High in Many Countries

The latest poll from the US polling agency Pew Research Center found that citizens of many advanced countries had a record high level of negative perceptions of China and believed that China was handling the pandemic poorly.

People's perception of China became negative gradually in recent years for various reasons. Since the global outbreak of Wuhan Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), relations between many countries and China have deteriorated significantly last year. The Pew Research Center interviewed about 14,700 people by telephone between June 10 and August 3 from 14 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, and Australia. It was found that the perception of China in most of the countries interviewed had dropped significantly.

#China #US #Relation #COVID19 #Poll #UnfavorableViews #TransnationalPoll #InternationalRelations #PewResearchCenter

Source: Stand News #Oct07
https://bit.ly/34U7SKX

[The poll: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/10/06/unfavorable-views-of-china-reach-historic-highs-in-many-countries/?fbclid=IwAR36Li3BpsjO4g9mTKVlmyKwY7B638m5Fis73a7GXEZC2m3HEgHTqx0BWAE]
#US #InternationalRelations
#China suspends visa exemption for US diplomats to Hong Kong and Macau

Source: RTHK; Financial Times; Reuters #Dec10

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#US #InternationalRelations
#China suspends visa exemption for US diplomats to Hong Kong and Macau

China has halted visa-free tourist travel for US diplomats to Hong Kong and Macau in retaliation for sanctions from Washington, which accuses Beijing of violating democratic processes in the territory.

Announcing the measure on December 11, 2020, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying warned the US to “stop meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs and China’s internal politics, stop walking further and further along this dangerous and mistaken path”.

The United States on December 7 imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 mainland officials over their role in adopting the national security law for Hong Kong and Beijing's disqualification last month of pro-democracy lawmakers Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung.

“China will also implement reciprocal sanctions against some US officials, members of Congress, personnel at non-governmental organisations, and their family members, over their actions on Hong Kong,” Hua said. When asked for the names of those sanctioned and when the sanctions would start, Hua did not elaborate.

Source: RTHK; Financial Times; Reuters #Dec10

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-sanctions/china-revokes-visa-exemptions-for-u-s-diplomat-passport-holders-visiting-hong-kong-macau-idUSKBN28K0N4

https://www.ft.com/content/6a7cbda8-bdc5-43cb-940e-aaea70dfaa0c

#PoliticalRetaliation #Visa
#InternationalRelations
#Philippines foreign minister on #SouthChinaSea dispute

//The Philippine foreign minister on Monday demanded in an expletive-laced Twitter message that China’s vessels get out of disputed waters, the latest exchange in a war of words with Beijing over the South China Sea.

The comments by Teodoro Locsin follow Manila's protests for what it calls the "illegal" presence of hundreds of Chinese boats inside the Philippines 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE FUCK OUT," Locsin tweeted on his personal account.

"What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We're trying. You. You're like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province ...", Locsin said.//

Read full article:
www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-foreign-minister-issues-expletive-laced-tweet-over-china-sea-dispute-2021-05-03/

Source: Reuters #May3
#InternationalRelations
HK Authorities Force Taiwan's representatives in Hong Kong to sign “One China Commitment”

The Mainland Affairs Council (#MAC) of Taiwan pointed out that Hong Kong Government requested the Taiwanese staff of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office to sign the “One China Commitment”.

The Taiwanese staff refused, so their visas could not be renewed. 7 staff members had to leave Hong Kong and returned to Taiwan on Jun 20, 2021.

The President of MAC in Taiwan Chiu Tai-san criticized that the “One China Commitment” was a political barrier set up by Hong Kong Government, and it violates the Taiwan-HK agreement made in 2011 “with the aim to belittle the National status of my country, and forced the staff members to bow their heads to the Beijing authorities”.

Taiwan insists on rejecting it. Chiu also stated that #CCP is undoubtedly the “shadow fighter” behind all these operations, by attempting to take advantage of the Taiwan office in Hong Kong as a tool for political conspiracy against Taiwan. Once again, it proves Hong Kong’s “One Country Two Systems” becomes only an empty title.

As a consequent, countries that have signed contracts and negotiated with Hong Kong government "shall put a question mark on the autonomy and integrity of this authority”.

Source: Stand News #Jun22

#OneChinaPolicy #OneCountryTwoSystems

https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E9%99%B8%E5%A7%94%E6%9C%83%E6%96%A5%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E9%A7%90%E6%B8%AF%E8%BE%A6%E4%BA%8B%E8%99%95%E4%BA%BA%E5%93%A1%E8%A2%AB%E9%80%BC%E7%B0%BD-%E4%B8%80%E4%B8%AD%E6%89%BF%E8%AB%BE-%E6%89%B9%E8%A9%95%E6%B8%AF%E5%BA%9C%E9%81%95%E6%89%BF%E8%AB%BE-%E7%9F%AE%E5%8C%96%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E5%9C%8B%E6%A0%BC/
#InternationalRelations #Regime
#China Pressures #Ukraine by blocking #COVID19 #vaccine shipment

Source: Associated Press #Jun25

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#InternationalRelations #Regime
#China Pressures #Ukraine by blocking #COVID19 #vaccine shipment

//China pressured Ukraine into withdrawing its support for a call for more scrutiny of human rights in China’s western region of Xinjiang by threatening to withhold Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines destined for Ukraine unless it did so, diplomats told The Associated Press on Friday, June 15, 2021.

Ukraine briefly joined a statement by over 40 countries, presented by Canada at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, urging China to allow immediate access for independent observers to Xinjiang. Some human rights groups have alleged Chinese mistreatment of Muslim Uyghurs and others in the region.

On Thursday, Ukraine pulled its name off the list of supporting states after Chinese authorities warned Kyiv that they would block a planned shipment of at least 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Ukraine unless it did so, said diplomats from two Western countries. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Ukraine has agreed to purchase 1.9 million doses of CoronaVac vaccine from China’s Sinovac Biotech. As of early May, Ukraine had received 1.2 million doses, according to Health Minister Maxim Stepanov.

In the past, China’s government has been no stranger to pressuring other countries in Geneva diplomatic circles or in national capitals either to line up behind its statements or avoid backing statements that criticize, question or seek scrutiny of human rights in the country...//

Read full article:
https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-china-europe-ukraine-health-a0a5ae8f735b92e39c623e453529cbb9

Source: Associated Press #Jun25

#Uyghurs #CCP #WolfWarrior #Diplomacy #MadeinChina #Sinovac

Image: Stand News

https://bit.ly/3ykp09J
#InternationalRelations
Switching from China's “One Belt One Road” to the United States' "B3W", Italian Foreign Minister: US is more important than China 
 
Source: Stand News #Jun29

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#InternationalRelations
Switching from China's “One Belt One Road” to the United States' "B3W", Italian Foreign Minister: US is more important than China 

 
United States stated in mid-June that it had established a global infrastructure plan called Build Back Better World (B3W), which compete with “One Belt One Road” from China. Italy, one of members from “One Belt One Road”, after joining B3W this year the Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio publicly indicated yesterday, although Italy and China have the trading and historical relationship, however this is absolutely not comparable.  
 
Italy joined the “One Belt One Road” in 2019, is the first G& countries participate the project. According to Politico, Italy joined the project during the reign of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the former government hoped to use this to attract Chinese investment to revitalize its economy that has stagnated for decades. According to Reuters, the United States has previously expressed concern about Italy joining the China-led “One Belt One Road” initiative.  
 
Source: Stand News #Jun29
 
 https://bit.ly/3k5BGgW
 
#Italy #UnitedStates #B3W #OneBeltOneRoad #G7 #China #Economy  
#China and #Solomon Islands Draft Secret #SecurityPact, Raising Alarm in the Pacific

//A leaked document has revealed that China and the Solomon Islands are close to signing a security agreement that could open the door to Chinese troops and naval warships flowing into a Pacific Island nation that played a pivotal role in World War II.

The agreement, kept secret until now, was shared online Thursday night by opponents of the deal and verified as legitimate by the Australian government...

it has set off alarms throughout the Pacific, where concerns about China’s intentions have been growing for years.

“This is deeply problematic for the United States and a real cause of concern for our allies and partners,” Charles Edel, the inaugural Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said on Friday.

“The establishment of a base in the Solomon Islands by a strategic adversary would significantly degrade Australia and New Zealand’s security, increase the chances of local corruption and heighten the chances of resource exploitation.”

The leaked document states that “Solomon Islands may, according to its own needs, request China to send police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces to Solomon Islands to assist in maintaining social order, protecting people’s lives and property.”//

Read the full article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/world/asia/china-solomon-islands-security-pact.html

Source: New York Times #Mar24

#Security #InternationalRelations #FiveEyes #Australia #Defense #Pacific #WW2
#InternationalRelations
#SouthKorea’s Intelligence Agency Has Joined NATO’s Cyber Defense Unit; #China Isn’t Happy

Source: Time #May6

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#InternationalRelations
#SouthKorea’s Intelligence Agency Has Joined NATO’s Cyber Defense Unit; #China Isn’t Happy

//On Thursday, May 5, 2022, South Korea’s spy agency became the first in Asia to join #NATO’s Cyber Defense Group in a move that risks inflaming tensions with regional superpower China.

In response, #HuXiJin, the strident editor of Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) mouthpiece The #GlobalTimes, tweeted that the move was an affront to Beijing and even lays the groundwork for war in Asia. “If South Korea takes a path of turning hostile against its neighbors, the end of this path could be a #Ukraine,” he wrote.

Despite hosting some of the world’s top tech companies, like #LG and #Samsung, South Korea has been a surprising laggard regarding cybercrime and only launched a National Cybersecurity Strategy under the #MoonJaeIn administration in 2018.

This is despite South Korea being the principle target of increasingly frequent cyberattacks from across the DMZ. A crack squad of 6,800 North Korean agents are engaged in fraud, blackmail and online gambling that together generate some $860 million annually, according to the Korea Institute of Liberal Democracy in Seoul. Many attacks originate from inside China.//

Source: Time #May6

#Cyberattack #Seoul #Beijing #ChinaThreat
Chinese ambassador #XiaoQian interrupted by multiple protesters during speech at University of Technology Sydney

//China's ambassador Xiao Qian has echoed calls for "concrete action" to "reset" the relationship with Australia in a speech that was repeatedly disrupted by a series of coordinated protests.

But several protesters interjected during Mr Xiao's address. 

One described Mr Xiao as a "representative of a dictatorship" and accused the Chinese government of committing genocide against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

He was ushered out by security guards.

One man was asked to leave the venue prior to the event because he was dressed in a Cultural Revolution-era military costume that security described as "confronting".

Another protester held a sign reading "Free Tibet", and other stood up and declared they were a Uyghur and not a terrorist. 

Yet another was escorted out after standing up and criticising China's censorship, saying people in Hong Kong and Tibet were unable to express their views freely...

Professor James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, asked Mr Xiao a number of questions that were provided to the embassy before the event.

He asked Mr Xiao if he could provide any hope for the families of detained Australians Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun, or for Uyghurs in Australia who have been unable to contact loved ones in Xinjiang for years. 

"With all my respect for you… I do disagree with you," Mr Xiao said. 

"Freedom of speech is different from absolute freedom. In this world, there's no such thing as absolute freedom. Freedom is freedom within rule of law.

"These are individual cases and the relevant authorities are dealing with these cases according to Chinese rules or regulations.

"So long as they respect the rules and laws, there's no reason for them to worry," the Chinese ambassador said.//

Source: ABC #Jun23

#InternationalRelations #Australia #ChineseAmbassador
The Countries Most In Debt To China

//Countries heavily in debt to China are mostly located in Africa, but can also be found in Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, data from The World Bank shows. China is currently the preferred lender to the world’s low-income countries, which owe 37% of their debt to China in 2022, compared to just 24% in bilateral debt to the rest of the world...

The Chinese "New Silk Road" project, a program to finance the construction of port, rail and land infrastructure across the globe, has been a major source of debt to China for participating countries. At the end of 2020, of the 97 countries for which data was available, those with the highest external debt to China were all involved in the project, namely Pakistan ($77.3 billion of external debt to China), Angola (36.3 billion), Ethiopia (7.9 billion), Kenya (7.4 billion) and Sri Lanka (6.8 billion)...

The idea that China could gain significant leverage over countries and their infrastructure in the case of repayment issues has been cited often, like in the case of a troubled Sri Lankan port that was built with Chinese funds and that China ultimately took a 70% stake in. The Laotian railway that has been burdening the country with debt is also 70% Chinese-owned.//

Read more:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/katharinabuchholz/2022/08/19/the-countries-most-in-debt-to-china-infographic/

Source: Forbes #Aug19

#Debt #RiseofChina #WorldEconomy #InternationalRelations