Violence and atrocities : antony blinken

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Sunday, October 23, 2022

It seems Beijing wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, China wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan. In his opinion, Beijing has shifted gears. It is apparently pursuing unification with Taiwan "on a much faster timeline." This is evident from the opening speech at the Communist party Congress in Beijing. On this occasion, President Xi Jinping did not rule out using force to unify with Taiwan. China treats the self-ruled island as a part of its territory. However, Taiwan does not agree – it sees itself as distinct from the mainland. Incidentally, last month US President Joe Biden had indicated that US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. This is in spite of the fact that there exists ambiguity on the official US policy pertaining to Taiwan. During a recent event where previous Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was present, Antony Blinken said that Beijing could resort to alternate means like coercion and possible force if it failed to achieve unification by peaceful means. He went on to add - "That is what is profoundly disrupting the status quo and creating tremendous tensions." China-Taiwan: Beijing speeding up plans for unification, Blinken says.

Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue of Taiwan and China. Antony Blinken said that the US would honor its commitments to Taiwan and support the island's ability to defend itself. The official policy of the US does not commit to military action on Taiwan. However, President Biden has apparently gone against this stance. He has repeatedly emphasized that Washington would defend Taiwan. China is currently holding a twice-in-a-decade party congress. The expectation is that he would return to a historic third time in office. In his opening remarks, he insisted, "complete reunification of our country must and will be realized." Tensions between US and China have escalated in recent months, following a visit to Taipei by US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi. As a result, China conducted large-scale military exercises. Taiwan condemned it as "highly provocative."

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Taiwan has allies in the Pacific and Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally

China wants to swallow Taiwan. This is a self-ruled democracy, hungry for companionship. Its efforts go beyond official channels. It has diplomatic ties with Guatemala and allies in the Pacific. Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally and the government and local shoppers have embraced its imports. These range from lasers to bacon-flavored schnapps. “Taiwan is now receiving more international attention than ever before,” said President Tsai Ing-wen in on Taiwan’s national day of October 10. The country has fewer embassies than a decade ago. However, it now has more ties with a wider range of nations. Incidentally, this approach has been there since the 1980s and ’90s when diplomats and officials would go to play golf games in foreign capitals. The reason for its latest burst of diplomatic activity is probably a fallout of a sense of deepening insecurity. This probably stems from the attitude of China and new opportunities for connection. How Taiwan’s ‘Adorable’ and Ambitious Diplomacy Aims to Keep the Island Safe.

China, under the country’s top leader, Xi Jinping, has made Taiwan more of a priority. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said recently that China is now operating on a “much faster timeline” to annex Taiwan. Neither of them mentioned any timeline. The latest foreign ministry budget of Taiwan included a sizable increase because it expects to host more than six meetings per day, every day of the year. Eswatini is one of Taiwan’s official allies. Its King Mswati III had come to Taipei last week. President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a lunch for Japanese officials and met with delegations from Canada and Washington. Two weeks ago, leaders of Taiwan feted German parliamentarians. Obviously, the country is working to a plan and trying to reach out to other countries for support.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

America imposes fresh sanctions on North Korea after it conducts more ballistic missile tests

Within the last two weeks, North Korea has launched as many as six missiles. This happened within the past two weeks and the western world is worried. In view of this situation, the US has imposed fresh sanctions on the hermit kingdom. The US Treasury and State Department announced this. These would target two individuals and three entities. They have links to the delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK. Such an action directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military. Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed this and provided details. The targets indicated by the Treasury Department are two Singapore registered companies and an entity registered in the Marshall Islands associated with illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent UN sanctions. US imposes new sanctions connected to North Korea following spate of missile tests. Blinken explained that the purpose of this action is to send a clear message that the U.S. “will continue to take actions against those who support the development and sustainment of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal.”

The activities of North Korea vis-à-vis aggressive acceleration in weapons testing has become a matter of concern for South Korea and Japan. They along with the US responded with missile launches and joint military exercises. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier into waters near the peninsula. This is a move described by South Korean authorities as “very unusual.” Blinken warned that if North Korea continues “down this road” of provocation “it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation and increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions.” Incidentally, these recent tests have added to the concerns of the administration. It feels these could be in preparation of Kim Jong-un overseeing his nation’s seventh nuclear test.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

China hurls accusations at the United States on the Taiwan issue

Taiwan came center stage in the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York. The focus of talks between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, was Taiwan. During the nearly 90 minutes of talks, described as “direct and honest,” China accused the United States of sending “very wrong, dangerous signals” with relation to Taiwan. The Chinese side also added that Washington had “no right to interfere” in how Beijing wants to “resolve” the issue. The American said it was important to maintenance peace and stability across the Strait. However, China insists that the issue pertaining to Taiwan is an internal matter of China and the United States should not interfere. US sending ‘dangerous signals’ on Taiwan, China tells Blinken. Tensions over Taiwan increased subsequent to a visit in August by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Subsequently, China conducted large-scale military drills in the region. More recently, US President Joe Biden pledged to defend the island that is governed democratically.

The foreign ministry of China had a similar message for foreign minister James Cleverly of the United Kingdom. This was also on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York. The message was that the UK should “honour its one-China commitment and unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence.’ China looks at Taiwan as one of its provinces and wants to bring it under its control. The government of Taiwan objects to the sovereignty claims of China and says it is up to the people to decide its future. Incidentally, Chinese leader Xi Jinping talked to Joe Biden in July over the phone and said - “those who play with fire will perish by it.” There are possibilities that the two leaders could meet on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in November.