📡Guardians of Hong Kong
9.58K subscribers
21.6K photos
1.88K videos
27 files
9.99K links
We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/BeWaterHongKong
Instagram: @guardiansofhk
Website: https://guardiansofhk.com/
Download Telegram
US-Japan Alliance Conducts Massive Island-landing Exercise

Massive US-Japan joint military island-landing exercise reportedly took place over a two-week period from late October to early November. It is believed that the action is to show US' support for Japan in the disputed Sankaku Islands, also known as the Diaoyus in China.

On Oct 26, Commander of US Forces Japan, Kevin Schneider spoke aboard a Japanese warship that the military exercise was to demonstrate the capability "to deliver combat troops to defend the Senkakus or respond to other crises or contingencies." The massive exercise was expected to last for 10 days and ended on Nov 5.

According to CNN, the fleets include 9,000 US troops, a US aircraft carrier strike group, more than 100 US military aircraft, more than 37,000 Japanese troops, a flotilla of 20 Japan Maritime Self Defense Force warships, 100 Japanese military planes, plus a frigate from Canada -- all focused on landing large forces on islands around Okinawa.

The group of uninhabited islands, known as the Diaoyus for China and Senkakus for Japan, has been in dispute for years, but has also been under Japan's administration since 1972. Chinese ships sailing in waters near the Islands earlier this year has drawn condemnation from Japan.

Source: StandNews #Oct28

#US #Japan #military #Diaoyus #SenkakuIslands

https://bit.ly/39hYTXZ
US State Department Voices Concern over China’s Threats to Taiwan and Calls for Pressure to Cease, Reaffirms Commitment to Help Maintain Taiwan’s Self-defence Capabilities

The US State Department has voiced its concerns over Chinese’s intimidation against Taiwan and its other neighbours. In a 23 January press release, it urges Beijing to “cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected representatives”. The press release is the first statement on China-Taiwan relations from the State Department since Biden took office.

China-Taiwan relations have been tense with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sending one Yunshuji-8 maritime patrol aircraft, eight Xian H-6K jet bomber, and four Shenyang J-16 strike fighter into Taiwan’s Southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on 23 January alone. Dubbed “the largest intrusion of the year” by Taiwan media, the operation was met with radio warnings from air patrols of Taiwan’s defence ministry and tracked by anti-aircraft missile systems.

In the press release, titled “PRC Military Pressure Against Taiwan Threatens Regional Peace and Stability”, State Department spokesperson Ned Price stresses that the US will work with its friends and allies to “advance [their] shared prosperity, security, and values in the Indo-Pacific region”, which include “deepening [their] ties with democratic Taiwan”.

Source: Stand News #Jan24

#US #Taiwan #China #Military #Diplomacy

https://bit.ly/36n29yN
US media: #BGI and the People’s Liberation Army collaborate to collect DNA data

According to reports of The Reuters and current affairs program "60 Minutes" of CBS, BGI Group – the world’s largest biotechnology company, is ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including working with PLA supercomputer experts on research that range from respiratory pathogens to brain science. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, BGI sells millions of COVID-19 test kits in Europe, America, and Australia. US security officials have warned American labs against using Chinese test kids, concerning China on gathering foreign genetic data for its own research, though BGI strongly denied.

By searching over 40 publicly available documents and research papers in Chinese and English, the Reuters showed the links between BGI Group and PLA are closer than previously understood, reflecting how China integrates private technology companies into military-related research under President Xi Jinping.

Source: The Stand News #Jan30

https://bit.ly/3rGBGVj

#China #CBS #Reuters #Biotechnology #BGIGroup #COVID19 #WuhanVirus #Military #60Minutes #PLA
US said that the Navy should Combat China and Russia more Decisively as China has the Most Oppressive Threats to the US

A report from the US Department of Defense says that China and Russia are the “rivalry" of the US. The report also suggests that the US Navy combat China and Russia with a “more decisive stance” as China has adopted the “most pressing” approach, which strategically threatens the US.

Heads of the US Marines Corps, Navy and Coastal Guard warn in the report that “the rules of the international order has been attacked again”. The report describes that China and Russia are rivalries of the US as the safety environment has been changing drastically since 2015, especially when China posed a “most pressing long term strategical threat”.

The report further stated China as the US competitor in economic and military potential, causing “long term and holistic challenge to the US”. “China refuses to use a conventional logistic hub, restricts marine freedom, controls the use of key location, impedes US interventions of regional disputes, and replaces the US as the primary choice of marine partner in the globe.”

#China #Marine #US #Russia #USDiplomacy #ChineseDiplomacy #Military

Sources: Apple Daily #Dec20

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201220/EXPHFNI3LRAQ5KK2FLNXOUAWXQ/
#StandwithMyanmar
The picture above was published on Myanmar Information with a caption that wrote, “While the military treats the police force as cannon fodder, a dog is standing behind the soldiers and watching their deeds” in Burmese.

Source: Stand News; #Mar3

#HongKong #Thailand #military #crackdown #Protests #Funerals

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#StandwithMyanmar
Although the military roiled a deadly crackdown on February 28 which killed 20 people and arrested over 1,200 civilians, more protesters took to the street on March 1 and March 2 to rally against the military rule.

As the military’s crackdown became increasingly violent and deadly, determined pro-democracy protesters put their names, blood type and contact details on their arms before part-taking in a rally. In the face of tear gas and gunfire, young protesters relied barely on debris, iron bars, wet towels, and plastic water bags for protection and defence.

Very few protesters were wearing proper gas masks. Construction site helmets were not able to protect them from live ammunition.

Funerals were seen in multiple places around the nation. Saddened citizens gathered to pay respect to the victims of military brutality at these funerals. They were gathered at the funerals to mourn them at places where the protester was shot and died.

The courage of young protesters and the violence of military oppression in Myanmar have recalled memories of the civil disobedience movement in Hong Kong in 2019.

A columnist of Stand News picked the news up and wrote on the paper with a hearty closing remark, “The animals in Animal Farm surrendered. But the people in Hong Kong, Thailand and Myanmar did not.

Source: Stand News; #Mar3
https://bit.ly/2PRcgX9

#Myanmar #HongKong #Thailand #military #crackdown #Protests #Funerals
Chinese buying up land around military bases in Japan: Report

Japan has unearthed at least 700 Chinese-funded instances of plots of land changing hands near military bases, in a government investigation prompted by security concerns, a newspaper reports.

The investments and purchase plans were driven by Chinese-led foreign corporations and could pose a risk to Japan’s safety, the Sankei Shimbun reported Thursday.

Source: Apple Daily #May14

https://hk.appledaily.com/news/20210514/F43B5ZF6VJH2TEGZ5HUMDYIE5Q/

#Chinese #Land #Military #Japan
#HumanitarianCrisis #Regime
Authoritarian government in #Belarus uses bomb threat to divert a plane and arrest an opposition blogger in exile

On 23 May 2021, a #Ryanair flight from Athens, Greece to Vilnius, Lithuani was forced to perform an emergency landing in Minsk, located in Belarus, after the #Belarus ATC claomed that there was a 'bomb threat' on board.

By doing so, the Belarus police arrested a pro-democracy activist-in-exile #RomanProtasevich, who was a former editor of the Telegram channels #Nexta and Nexta Live.

Protasevich was wanted in Belarus for being critical of and having organized a protest in 2020 against the authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko.

The Lukashenko’s authoritarian government has launched a broad crackdown on opposition leaders and independent media. All editors at Nexta who mostly live in exile have said they have been threatened with extraordinary rendition in the past.

The Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, said the plane had been “hijacked” and accused Lukashenko of a “reprehensible act of #StateTerrorism”.

In a joint statement, the US, Ireland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic condemn Lukashenko's action as “an act of piracy”: “This act of state terror and kidnapping is a threat to all those who travel in Europe and beyond. It cannot be allowed to stand."

Protasevich was reportedly trembling on the plane, telling a fellow passenger that "I’m facing the death penalty here", as the plane was diverted to Belarus. His current whereabouts are unknown after being taken away by the Belarusian police.

It was confirmed that Lukashenko ordered his military to use a Mig-29 fighter to escort the plane.

Image: Twitter @franakviacorka
Source: The Guardian #May23

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/belarus-diverts-ryanair-plane-to-arrest-blogger-says-opposition

#Hijack #Kidnap #Military #PoliceState #Crackdown #ICAO #TelegramChannel
Canadian PM Asks Trudeau Whether to Ban the PLA Scientists into Sensitive Research Facilities and Trudeau Indicates Against Racial Discrimination

Is criticizing the Chinese government an action to discriminate against Asians? Recently, the Chinese government's infiltrating the Canadian laboratories attracts attention. A Parliament Member questioned whether the Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau would prohibit the Chinese government and the military from sending scientists to Canada’s sensitive research facilities. Trudeau indicated that he “will not greet and succumb to anti-Asian's discrimination”. Michael Chong, a Canadian Parliament Member being sanctioned by China for Hong Kong issues, announced a joint statement with Kenny Chiu to criticize Trudeau for conflating the two matters and falling into the trap of the CCP, and to ask him to withdraw his remarks.

Source: Stand News #May28

https://bit.ly/3pRQ8Ka

#Canada #China #Trudeau #PrimeMinister #Discrimination #CCP #Military
The UN General Assembly Condemns the Myanmar Military for Launching a Coup”, and Calls to Stop the Import of Weapons

The UN General Assembly rarely passed a non-legally binding resolution yesterday (18 June), condemning that the Myanmar military launched a coup and called for an arms embargo on Myanmar. The resolution indicates the international opposition to the junta government and demands Myanmar to resume the democratization process. After Belarus requested a recorded vote, resolution finally was passed with 119 agreed, one opposed, and 36 abstained. Belarus is the only one who voted objection.

The resolution requires the Myanmar military government to restore the democratization process and condemns their “excessive and deadly violence” since the coup. At the same time, the resolution calls on all countries to prevent the import of weapons into Myanmar and urges the military to respect the election result from November last year. It also requests that the military immediately release political figures, such as former President Win Min and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and all people who had randomly been arrested. Moreover, the resolution demands that the military should stop treating peace protesters with violence and limiting the network and social media.

Source: Stand News #Jun19

https://bit.ly/3hUujr6

#UnitedNations #UN #Myanmar #Military #Belarus #Democracy #Violence #WinMin #AungSanSuuKyi
China vows countermeasures on US arms sales to Taiwan

The Chinese foreign ministry has called on the US to scrap an arms deal with Taiwan, vowing to take proper and necessary countermeasures. The 5.8 billion Hong Kong dollar sale, which includes self-propelled artillery, has been approved by the US state department.

Citing the Taiwan Relations Act, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the deal is in line with the US’ national economic and security interests by enabling the continuous modernization of Taiwan’s military and ensuring that it has a reliable defence capability. The deal, it said, will help improve Taiwan’s security and maintain political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked the US government for continuing to uphold the Taiwan Relations Act and its six commitments to the security of Taiwan. It noted that in face of the mainland’s continued military expansion and provocations, the government of Taiwan will remain unwavering in strengthening defence, safeguarding its people’s lives and properties, and their democratic way of life. The ministry added that Taiwan will contribute to the long-term peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region by closely cooperating with the US to maintain security in the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Now News #Aug05

#Taiwan #US #China #Diplomacy #Military #Arms #Sales

https://bit.ly/2UEPnsW
China-India Talks End in Blame Game as Military Presence on Border Mounts, Beijing Warns New Delhi Against “Misjudgement”

The latest military talks between India and China have broken down in mutual blame as their border conflict sees another round of escalation. Held on 10 October, the corp commander-level talks, the 13th round of their kind, had been expected to ease tensions along the two countries’ long-disputed border.

The talks came amid Indian media reports of Chinese troops crossing the boundary and being briefly detained. News 18, a partner of CNN in India, quoted high-level Indian officials as saying that 200 PLA soldiers were intercepted while crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, parts of which are claimed by China as belonging to South Tibet. Some of the soldiers were briefly detained before local commanders from the two sides came to a settlement. Chinese state media have denied the reports.

Both countries have reportedly ramped up presence of troops along the border by the tens of thousands over the past year. Military activities in the region are now at their peak in decades.

There is currently no agreement to the Sino-Indian border with the two countries tentatively separated by the LAC. News 18 has quoted sources as saying that both sides have been patrolling the LAC and that encounters can last hours if one happens. The sources said the area had largely been peaceful with both sides complying with their agreement.

Source: Stand News #Oct12

https://bit.ly/3qjSO5t

#India #China #Border #LAC #Military
#PoliceState #PLA
Chief of China's Anti-terrorism special forces in #Xinjiang appointed to head the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong

Paramilitary chief of the Xinjiang region in China Peng Jingtang has been named the new commander for the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, as Beijing further tightens its grip on the territory.

It was reported that the commanders of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison have all come from the major military regions of the PLA.

It is unusual for Peng to be appointed, given his background as the deputy chief of staff of China’s paramilitary police force.

Critics said the appointment is the latest sign of Beijing remoulding the international business hub in its own authoritarian image after the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019.

#Military #Suppression #FailedState #XinJiang

Sources: RFI, RFA, HKFP; #Jan10
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/hk-force-01102022061719.html#
https://www.rfi.fr/tw/港澳台/20220110-武警新疆參謀長彭京堂接掌駐港解放軍-評論料為香港引入武警經驗作準備
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/01/10/ex-xinjiang-paramilitary-anti-terror-chief-appointed-commander-of-china-militarys-hong-kong-garrison/