Tag: China

UK revokes license for Chinese State Broadcaster CGTN
China, World

UK revokes license for Chinese State Broadcaster CGTN

Broadcasting regulators in the United Kingdom have pulled the license for China Global Television Network (CGTN) in a bid to put an end to content that lacks “editorial responsibility”.As per media reports, Ofcom on Thursday said that it had conducted an investigation into the company’s ownership structure and that CGTN’s parent company was beholden to Beijing.“Our investigation showed that the license for China Global Television Network is held by an entity which has no editorial control over its programmes. We are unable to approve the application to transfer the license to China Global Television Network Corporation because it is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which is not permitted under UK broadcasting law,” Ofcom said.“We now consider it appropriate to withdraw
Japan braces for moves in East China Sea after China Coast Guard law
China, World

Japan braces for moves in East China Sea after China Coast Guard law

Expressing alarm over China’s new law that allows the China Coast Guard to use force against foreign parties, many leaders of Japan, including Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that China “must not apply the law in a way that goes against international law”.The new law, which entered into force on Monday, “could shake the order based on international law,” a Defense Ministry executive warns.Tokyo is braced for possible Chinese military actions in the East China Sea, where tensions are running high over the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, claimed by Beijing.Some leaders in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party say that the Self-Defense Forces should play a bigger role in dealing with the situation.The new law allows the coast guard to take all necessary measures, including the us
As US-Taiwan strengthen ties, China warns ‘Taiwan’s independence’ means war
China, World

As US-Taiwan strengthen ties, China warns ‘Taiwan’s independence’ means war

As the United States and Taiwan strengthen their ties, China’s Ministry of National Defence “warned” the people wanting “Taiwan independence” and said that seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ means nothing but war”.Wu Qian, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of National Defence, on January 28 said that “those who play with fire will set themselves on fire, and seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ means nothing but war”.According to an article by The Global Times, a Chinese state media, Taiwan’s “mainland affairs council” has warned that any of the mainland’s words and deeds that deliberately provoke Taiwan’s bottom line may cause far-reaching effects that the mainland cannot bear.It further said, “We urge Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to give up their performance of pretending to be fearles
China says India border row won’t be linked with bilateral ties: Report
Asia, China

China says India border row won’t be linked with bilateral ties: Report

Stressing on the importance of bilateral relations, China has said that the border issue with India will not be linked with the growth of overall ties with India.“The border issue between China and India shall not be linked with bilateral relations,” said Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a press briefing on Friday.His remarks came after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Thursday said that the relationship between India and China were at a ''crossroads'' and choices made by the two countries will have "profound repercussions" for the entire world."Experiences of the past have taught us the importance of stabilising our relationship (with China) even while adjusting to changes. From that, we can seek proper guidance that will be to the benefit of both na
Strengthening of US-South Korea ties cause concerns in China: Report
Asia, China, World

Strengthening of US-South Korea ties cause concerns in China: Report

In an early sign of a strong alliance under US President Joe Biden, South Korea Defence Minister Suh Wook has announced that the annual spring military exercises with the US would be resumed this year and such actions have raised China’s concerns.As part of former US President Donald Trump’s “effort to maintain a truce he had struck with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un”, the drills usually held in March every year by the US and South Korea were either suspended or downsized since 2018. And in 2020, the drills could not be held due to COVID-19 pandemic.Soon after resuming office, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in a telephonic conversation with his South Korean counterpart Suh Wook assured Seoul of the US’ “ironclad” commitment to defend its long-term ally through joint defence work.Simil
China building border walls with Vietnam, Myanmar to keep people out
Asia, China, Conflict

China building border walls with Vietnam, Myanmar to keep people out

In a move which could lead to conflicts, China has decided to reinforce border walls with its South-East Asian neighbours - Vietnam and Myanmar."It looks like a national program," South-East Asia expert and emeritus professor Carl Thayer of UNSW Canberra said.According to Chinese state media Xinhua, the project in Vietnam involves a 4.5-metre-high iron fence, topped with barbed wire, along the Beilun River. Built between 2012 and 2017, the $29 million project reportedly stretches 12 kilometres, and is there to curb the smuggling of goods, drugs and people.Meanwhile, media reports suggest that a 659-kilometre-long fence has been completed along China's 2,000-kilometre border with Myanmar in December, in between China's Yunnan province and Myanmar's northern Shan State.While Global Times has...
Covid-19: China’s plan to show off its vaccine backfires
China, Singapore

Covid-19: China’s plan to show off its vaccine backfires

China wanted to showcase its scientific prowess and deliver a geopolitical win with its coronavirus vaccine. However, that plan is facing severe backlash in some places.Officials in Brazil and Turkey have complained that Chinese companies have been slow to ship the doses and ingredients.A few reports also suggest that China’s vaccines, while considered effective, cannot stop the virus as well as those developed by Pfizer and Moderna, the American drugmakers.In the Philippines, some lawmakers have criticized the government’s decision to buy a vaccine made by a Chinese company, Sinovac.Officials in Malaysia and Singapore, which ordered doses from Sinovac, have had to reassure their citizens that they would approve a vaccine only if it had been proved safe and effective.“Right now, I would no
Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese air force
China, World

Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese air force

Taiwan’s defense ministry on said that a total of eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of the island’s air defense identification zone on Saturday.In recent months, China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has conducted almost daily flights over the waters between the southern part of Taiwan and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. However, they have generally consisted of just one or two reconnaissance aircraft.The presence of so many Chinese combat aircraft on this mission – Taiwan said it was made up of eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers and four J-16 fighter jets – was unusual.A map provided by Taiwan’s defense ministry showed that the Chinese aircraft, including a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, flew over the sa
Biden administration to release more climate policies, urges China to toughen emissions target
China, World

Biden administration to release more climate policies, urges China to toughen emissions target

The United States’ top climate advisers on Saturday said that the Joe Biden administration will release more policies to tackle climate change next week and urged China to toughen one of its targets on greenhouse gas emissionsGina McCarthy, the White House’s national climate adviser, did not say what policies would be released. However, a report says that Biden will unveil a second round of executive orders as soon as January 27 that include an omnibus order to combat climate change domestically and elevate the issue as a national security priority.“We’ve already sent signals on the things that we don’t like that we’re going to roll back, but this week you’re going to see us move forward with what’s the vision of the future,” McCarthy told a virtual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors
‘India will not reduce troops unless China initiates process’: Rajnath Singh on Ladakh row
Asia, China

‘India will not reduce troops unless China initiates process’: Rajnath Singh on Ladakh row

Reiterating India’s stance on the eastern Ladakh standoff, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that the country will not reduce the number of troops unless China initiates the processHe also said India is developing infrastructure in border areas at a "very fast rate", adding China has objected to some of the projects."Reduction in the number of troops won't happen. India won't reduce troops deployment unless China initiates the process," he said in an interview.When asked about the dialogue process with China on the row, Singh said, "There is no deadline when it comes to matter like the ongoing standoff. You can't fix a date.""We are confident of finding a solution through talks," he said.About a news report that China was constructing a village in Arunachal Pradesh, the defence