Author: Grace Tsoi

We consider India to be a great partner: US Secretary of Defense
21Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

We consider India to be a great partner: US Secretary of Defense

The United States considers India to be a great partner, and both Washington and New Delhi are promoting peace and stability in the region and providing for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday.Austin, who arrived in Delhi on Friday, is on a three-day official visit to India. It is the first visit to India by a top official of the Biden administration.During a press conference, he said: “We consider India to be a great partner and again I think we have done a number of things to work well together. There’s just a lot of opportunity there to strengthen that partnership and to do some things, additional things to make sure that we’re promoting peace and stability in the region and providing for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, as well
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China’s treatment of Canadian nationals threatens respect for rule of law, relations with West: Trudeau
20Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

China’s treatment of Canadian nationals threatens respect for rule of law, relations with West: Trudeau

In a scathing attack against China over the treatment of two Canadian nationals, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that China’s actions threaten both ‘respect for the rule of law’ and Beijing’s relationships with Western nations.“China needs to understand that it is not just about two Canadians. It is about the respect for the rule of law and relationships with a broad range of Western countries that is at play with the arbitrary detention and the coercive diplomacy they have engaged in,” said Trudeau in a press briefing.Canadian nationals – former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor – have been in Chinese detention for over 800 days on espionage charges. Ottawa says that these are retaliatory measures for Canada’s detention of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzho
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US-India relationship stronghold of free, open Indo-Pacific region: US Defense Secretary
20Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

US-India relationship stronghold of free, open Indo-Pacific region: US Defense Secretary

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that India is an increasingly important partner amid today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics, and added that the ties between Washington and New Delhi are a “stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific region”.“I’m pleased to report that Minister Singh and I had a very productive discussion on a number of security issues important to our two countries. And at the top of my agenda, I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration’s message of our strong commitment to our allies and partners. India, in particular, is an increasingly important partner amid today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics,” Austin said while making the joint statement along with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.Austin, who arrived in New Delhi
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China to urge US to drop Trump-era sanctions in Alaska meet: Report
18Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

China to urge US to drop Trump-era sanctions in Alaska meet: Report

In the upcoming Beijing-Washington talks in Alaska, it is being expected that China is going to try to persuade the United States to lift the restrictive measures introduced by the previous administration of President Donald Trump.During the negotiations, the Chinese officials are going to propose the re-establishment of regular high-level contacts as well as to schedule an online summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Joe Biden, during the April conference on climate change, according to sources.According to media reports, the US agenda for the upcoming talks differs from the Chinese one: Washington wants to express its concern over the Chinese policy in Hong Kong, the boost of naval activities in the South China Sea, economic pressure on US allies, intellectu...
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US, Japan share concerns about China’s ‘disruptive’ actions in Indo-Pacific region
16Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

US, Japan share concerns about China’s ‘disruptive’ actions in Indo-Pacific region

In high-level security talks on Tuesday, the United States and Japan shared concerns over China’s “disruptive” activities in the Indo-Pacific region and committed to opposing coercion behaviour toward others in the region.This came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Llyod Austin met in Tokyo with their Japanese counterparts Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi.“The United States and Japan acknowledged that China’s behaviour, were inconsistent with the existing international order, presents political, economic, military, and technological challenges to the Alliance and to the international community,” a joint statement said.The ministers from the two countries committed to opposing coercion and destabilising behaviour toward ot
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China’s first potential target is Taiwan: US Commander
12Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

China’s first potential target is Taiwan: US Commander

Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Philip Davidson has said that Taiwan could be the first potential target of Chinese military aggression in the next five to 10 years.His remarks came in response to questions from Republican lawmaker Scott DesJarlais during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on national security challenges on Wednesday. The questions also included what he considers to be the most likely target of Chinese aggression or military action in the next 5 to 10 years.“Given what they’ve said both publicly and over time, and certainly during the tenure of Chairman Xi Jinping, I would say Taiwan is the first,” Davidson said.On Tuesday, the commander said that Beijing’s threats toward Taiwan could manifest in the next six years as China seeks to supplant the U.S. lead
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Myanmar: People worried as 2nd NLD member dies in military detention
10Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Myanmar: People worried as 2nd NLD member dies in military detention

People in Myanmar are worried after another leader from Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) died in military detention after being allegedly tortured in custody, according to a watchdog group.The report by watchdog group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) also mentioned the notorious night-time raids that have been picking up people without further notice.Since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, security forces quickly moved to stifle dissent and arrested government officials, protesters, journalists, civil servants and NGO workers and repressed independent media.Human Rights Watch said that people who are forcibly disappeared are more likely to be subjected to torture or ill-treatment than others arrested.Assis
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Bangladesh PM praises India for building ‘prosperous region together’
9Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Bangladesh PM praises India for building ‘prosperous region together’

While inaugurating Maitri Setu bridge built on River Feni on Tuesday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lauded India for “building a prosperous region together”.“50 years ago, in 1971, India opened up its border for Bangladesh’s people to support their freedom struggle; today we are building a prosperous region together. I wish successful operation and utilisation of the Feni Maitri Setu,” said Hasina while inaugurating the bridge alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing.“It’s my immense pleasure to inaugurate the Maitri Setu today together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event is taking place at a time when we are celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation – Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independ
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“Always stated India plays a very important role in Afghanistan”: Russia
9Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

“Always stated India plays a very important role in Afghanistan”: Russia

After reports emerged which suggested that Russia had asked to keep India out of Afghan dialogue, the Russian embassy in Delhi said that Moscow "always stated that India plays a very important role in Afghanistan, and its eventual deeper involvement in dedicated dialogue formats is natural".In a statement, the embassy said that it had noted "the publication in the Indian media claiming that Russia allegedly 'kept India out' of the international efforts for the Afghan peace process, which seems to be based on ill-informed sources"."Dialogue between Russia and India has always been very close and forward-looking on all global and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan. It has been intensively maintained in bilateral and multilateral formats, including the SCO-Afghanistan Con...
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EU warns China to tread carefully on Hong Kong electoral reform
7Mar By Grace TsoiNo Comments

EU warns China to tread carefully on Hong Kong electoral reform

The European Union has warned China to “carefully consider the political and economic implications” of its decision to alter Hong Kong’s electoral system saying that the bloc is “ready to take additional steps” in response to any further serious deterioration of political freedoms and human rights in the city.On March 4, the National People’s Congress in China announced that it would deliberate on amending the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A decision can be expected by March 11.“If enacted, such reform would have potentially far-reaching negative consequences for democratic principles and democratically elected-representatives in Hong Kong,” the EU said in a statement.The EU further stated that the amendment would also run counter to previous electoral re
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