LAC Drills - US DoD Report on China - Land Border Law - Sixth Plenum Preview - Xi is the Party's 'Inevitable Choice' - Taiwan Tensions & Scenarios - Wang Yi's Rome Diplomacy
Dear Subscribers,
I wish you all a very Happy Diwali and hope you’ve had a safe and joyous time over the past week.
It was great to be on The Diplomat’s podcast with Ankit Panda this week, talking about the India-China relationship. You can listen to the conversation below.
I. LAC, DoD Report & Land Border Law
It’s all about the boundary this week. Let’s begin with a report about the Indian Air Force conducting a “airborne insertion and combat” exercise in eastern Ladakh. Times of India’s report says that: “The three-day exercise, with hundreds of pre-acclimatized troops and heavy weapon systems at an altitude of over 14,000-feet and minus 20 degree Celsius temperatures, is meant to convey yet another ‘clear message’ to China after the Agni-V missile test last week to ‘desist from any misadventures along the northern borders’, said sources.”
In a separate report, Ajay Banerjee writes for The Tribune that “about four weeks ago when Indian and Chinese military patrol parties stood face to face against each other for hours along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, the bone of contention was control of a 17,000 feet high peak that provides commandeering view on both sides of the border.” The report identifies this as “an area called Yangtse, 35 km northeast of Tawang.” Banerjee adds that
“The location is of such strategic importance that the Indian Army and the PLA each have estimated 3,000-3,500 men on either side of Yangtse area. Unmanned aerial vehicles keep an eye and long-range sensors provide real-time images. Both sides have a network of roads and tracks along the LAC to counter patrol parties. The peak provides a commanding view of Tibet across the LAC. India is in firm control to the top and its access routes from own side. The Yangtse area is part of the wider area, which the military terms as ‘Mago-Chuna’. The Nuranang river meanders into India from Tibet close to the mountain spur where the peak is situated.”
Meanwhile, the Indian media covered aspects of the US DoD’s latest China Military Power Report. Let me highlight some of this. The Hindu’s Dinakar Peri reports that the DoD report mentions that China has been “taking incremental and tactical actions to press its claims at the Line of Actual Control.” Peri then focuses on the Siliguri Corridor.
“China is building an alternative axis in the Chumbi valley, which is close to the Siliguri corridor. They are increasing their depth by building roads through Bhutanese territory,” an official source said. By this it was securing its routes while putting pressure on the Siliguri corridor, which was vital for India, two officials independently stated. High resolution satellite images that came out last year had shown China building roads along the Torsa river area through Bhutanese territory.
Peri’s report adds:
The PLA “had conducted a month-long recruitment drive in Chumbi valley of around 400 Tibetan persons in August, according to intelligence inputs. The aim was to recruit at least one Tibetan aged 18-40 an household into the PLA militia, one official said, citing the inputs. ‘The new recruits from Phari Dzong and Yatung will undergo one-year training at the PLA facilities in Lhasa,’ the official disclosed. After the training, they were likely to be deployed on the India-China border, he added. Earlier in July 2021, the PLA conducted a recruitment drive in Shiquanhe area in Ngari prefecture opposite eastern Ladakh. The recent recruitment of Tibetans into its ranks assume significance in the backdrop of the current stand-off after the Indian Army employed the Special Frontier Force (SFF), comprising Tibetans, to dominate some peaks in the Kailash range on the south bank of Pangong Tso (lake) on the Indian side of the LAC.”
For the Indian Express, Krishn Kaushik writes that as per the DoD report “China’s military has likely gained real-world operational and tactical experience during the (2020) standoff. It also said that ‘sometime in 2020’, China built a ‘large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between’ between the Tibet Autonomous Region and Arunachal Pradesh.”
The DoD report is a long document, which I am yet to read in its entirety. But I’ve skimmed through some of the India-specific content. Here are some bits to note related to the standoff in Eastern Ladakh:
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, border clashes with India, and other significant events in 2020, the PLAA accelerated its training and fielding of equipment from the already fast pace of recent years. PLAA equipment fielding in 2020 focused on improving mobile firepower and mobility with the PCL-171 120mm self-propelled howitzer and the PCL-181 155mm self-propelled howitzer, as well as field testing of the Z-8L heavy-lift transport helicopter. PLAA units conducted extensive combined arms and joint training throughout 2020. Significant training likely prepared the PLAA for any escalation of border tensions with India, as well as preparing to support a Taiwan contingency. The PLAA also strove to increase the realism of its training and the effectiveness of Opposition Force (OPFOR) units.”
The report says that boundary tensions with India “likely provided the PLAA with valuable real-world operational and tactical experience.”
“The PLA sees networked, technologically advanced C4I systems as essential to providing reliable, secure communications to fixed and mobile command posts, thereby enabling rapid, effective, multi-echelon decision-making. These systems are designed to distribute data including intelligence, battlefield information, logistical information, and weather reports via redundant, resilient communications networks to improve commanders’ situational awareness. At the height of the border standoff between the PRC and India in 2020, the PLA installed a fiber optic network in remote areas of the western Himalayas to provide faster communications and increased protection from foreign interception. PLA field commanders view near-real-time ISR and situational data as well as redundant and reliable communications as essential to streamlining decision making processes and shortening response timelines. The PRC is also fielding the Integrated Command Platform to units at multiple echelons across the force to enable lateral and cross-service communications required for joint operations. Digital databases and command automation tools allow commanders to simultaneously issue orders to multiple units while on the move and enable units to quickly adapt to shifting conditions in the battlespace.”
In terms of the reasons for the 2020 standoff, the report says that “the PRC blamed the standoff on Indian infrastructure construction, which it perceived to encroach on PRC territory, while India accused the PRC of launching aggressive incursions into India’s territory.”
And this:
“Throughout the standoff, PRC officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasizing Beijing’s intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of its bilateral relationship with India. The PRC seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned U.S. officials to not interfere with the PRC’s relationship with India.”
Later in the document, there is a special section on the 2020 India-China tensions in Eastern Ladakh. This section is unambiguous in stating that:
“Beginning in May 2020, the PLA launched incursions into customarily Indian-controlled territory across the border and has concentrated troops at several standoff locations along the LAC. In addition, a substantial reserve force from the Tibet and Xinjiang Military Districts were deployed to the interior of Western China to provide a rapid response.”
Towards the end, the section says that “asserting that its deployments to the LAC were in response to Indian provocation, Beijing has refused to withdraw any forces until India’s forces have withdrawn behind the PRC’s version of the LAC and ceased infrastructure improvements in the area.”
There are two other aspects related to the India-China boundary issue that I’d like to highlight.
First, on Friday, Xi Jinping met with national ethical role models and nominees for the awards at the Great Hall of the People. State media said that 68 people were honored as ethical role models, while 254 people were honored via nomination. Five of those nominees were soldiers involved in the Galwan clash. Four of these men died in the clash. Second, China’s NPCSC passed the new Land Border Law on October 23. There are a couple of good explainers to highlight. My colleague Suyash Desai had a piece in TOI; you should also check out this explainer from Brookings.
My first-take assessment of the law is below:
This is a broad legislation that deals with not just border security and development, but also management and authorises key agencies for specific tasks. This is partly an effort to put in place legal structures, identify tasks and responsibilities and establish frameworks authorising government action. The new law is extremely important from an Indian perspective. India is one among two countries that shares a disputed land boundary with the People’s Republic, and the legislation will impinge on this. For instance, Article 1 of the law says that it applies to “the delineation and demarcation of land borders.” Article 4 talks about “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the PRC being “sacred and inviolable.” This is indicative of a tougher stance on issues of boundary negotiations that will inhibit territorial compromise and concessions. In addition to this, Article 10 calls for coordinated development of border security and economy. This entails strengthening border defense, supporting the economic and social development along border regions and improving public services and infrastructure in the areas. This provides a stronger legal framework and impetus for work related to border villages that have been built across Tibet. Another aspect that will impact India is the call in Article 11 to intensify publicity and education to strengthen a “sense of community of the Chinese nation” in border areas. This also entails strengthening the collection, protection, and research of historical materials related to land borders, as per the law. Such data will be leveraged to buttress territorial claims and engage in lawfare. Finally, Article 19 says that “in the event of major changes in the physical and geographical environment on which the land boundary demarcation is based, which cannot be restored to its original state, the State may, through consultation with its land neighbours, re-demarcate the land boundary.” This sounds reasonable, but it can be used very creatively to seek changes to status quo.
Anyway, let’s look at some of the other stories related to the India-China dynamic. First, with COP26 underway in Glasgow, WSJ reports that “most of the world’s developing countries have backed a demand for wealthy nations to channel at least $1.3 trillion in climate finance to them annually starting in 2030...African nations and a group called the Like-Minded Developing Countries, which includes China, India and Indonesia, said in a document they submitted to the United Nations at the summit that half the money should go toward funding renewable energy in the developing world and half toward protecting these countries from the effects of global warming.”
Despite this, there is friction between New Delhi and Beijing. For instance, India’s Piyush Goyal made a renewed push for the country’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group ahead of the COP26 climate summit, underlining that its climate and development goals are tied with its entry into the grouping. Of course, China’s role in blocking India’s NSG bid is well-known. The Indian comment at Glasgow got Chinese media and analysts to respond. Fudan University’s Lin Minwang argued that New Delhi was using climate as an “excuse” to enter the NSG. The report also has other Chinese analysts arguing that “India is just making an excuse for its selfish and irresponsible behavior...By mixing the two, India not only scapegoats China for its reluctance to make an immediate promise on emissions reduction but also pushes China on India's NSG membership.”
Second, India is expected to host a meeting of the NSAs of key actors in the region to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. NDTV reports that the meeting will be held on November 10. The report says that “Central Asian countries as well as Russia and Iran have confirmed participation.” China and Pakistan have also been invited. But Pakistan’s NSA has ruled out participation. Nothing from Beijing so far.
Third, Global Times reports that Antiy Labs, China’s leading anti-virus company, announced on Monday that “a number of cyberattacks targeting China and countries in the South Asian Subcontinent have been busted this year with hackers from India behind the attempts to launch attacks on China's defense and military units as well as state-owned enterprises.” The report adds that “according to vice chief engineer of Antiy Labs Li Bosong, the phishing activities they have detected since March mainly targeted the country's government, defense and military units, as well as state-owned enterprises in China, Pakistan, and Nepal.”
Also Read:
Indians welcome ‘more joyous’ Diwali, snub Chinese goods at bazaars amid border dispute
China continues to be vague on permitting stranded Indians return
II. The 6th Plenum
The sixth plenary session of the 19the Central Committee will be held from Monday through Thursday. If the rhetoric leading into the meeting is any measure, then this will be a massive win for Xi Jinping, cementing his position as China’s paramount leader. It would, however, be interesting to see if there are any clues to succession.
Through the week, the People’s Daily has been running a series of columns highlighting key choices in the new era. These are “major strategies and decisions/policy shifts that General Secretary Xi Jinping has “personally planned, deployed and promoted.” The introduction to the pieces said that these decisions fully demonstrate “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s great political courage, strong sense of historical responsibility and profound feelings for the people, as a Marxist politician, thinker and strategist.”
I’ve done a breakdown of each of these pieces through till Friday in my weekday People’s Daily tracker. But there was much more on the weekend too.
My take: In a nutshell, the aim of the pieces is to establish Xi Jinping as a decisive, visionary leader, who has already done great things. But that’s just one part of the story. The argument extends that Xi must continue to remain in control, for the times, they are turbulent, requiring a steady hand to guide the ship. This is an effort is to place him in an exalted position ahead of the plenary meeting. The plenary, we already know, will pass a resolution on history, just the third in the Party’s history. These resolutions are never really about understanding the past. They are about interpreting the past in a manner to serve the future ambitions of the leader at the center.
So here’s what the People’s Daily pieces argued:
The first key choices piece talks about the Party’s leadership of everything. In this context, it discusses the importance of Xi’s position as the core. Here’s a snippet:
We are told that Xi was given the title of core at the 6th Plenary of the 18th Central Committee. Then at the 19th Party Congress, his position was enshrined in the Party constitution. “This is the common will of the whole Party, a choice made by history and the people, a solemn choice, and the inevitable choice. It is a good thing for the Party, the country, the people, and the Chinese nation. Every Chinese must support this core, and every Party member must follow it.” 这是全党的共同意志,是历史和人民的共同选择、郑重选择、必然选择,是党和国家之幸、人民之幸、中华民族之幸。每一个中国人都要拥护这个核心,每一个党员都要跟定这个核心.
The second piece in the series is about how Xi commanded the “people’s war” against COVID-19. — Wartime experience, check!
The third piece talks about Xi being the People’s Leader “人民领袖” (rénmín lǐngxiù), who has always been dedicated to the effort of poverty alleviation.
The fourth article talks about how the new development pattern or dual circulation is a product of Xi’s “extraordinary vision” and foresight. Looking at the world in 2020, he summarised the situation as:
“The world today is experiencing unprecedented changes unseen in a century. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the evolution of this great change. Economic globalisation is encountering counter-currents, protectionism and unilateralism have risen, the world economy is facing a downturn, international trade and investment have contracted sharply, the international economy, science and technology, culture, security and political patterns are undergoing profound adjustments; the world has entered a period of turbulent change.” 这是对世界百年未有之大变局的深刻把握:“当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局,新冠肺炎疫情全球大流行使这个大变局加速演进,经济全球化遭遇逆流,保护主义、单边主义上升,世界经济低迷,国际贸易和投资大幅萎缩,国际经济、科技、文化、安全、政治等格局都在发生深刻调整,世界进入动荡变革期.”
His strategy amid this was:
“China is in a critical period of realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and its economy has changed from a stage of rapid growth to a stage of high-quality development. The main contradictions in our society have changed; there are greater requirements related to the people’s desire for a better life; the economy has enjoyed long-term growth; China’s market is vast and its development is highly resilient. A new pattern of development is emerging in which domestic circulation is the mainstay and both domestic and international circulation reinforce each other.” 这是对中华民族伟大复兴战略全局的统筹谋划:“我国正处于实现中华民族伟大复兴的关键时期,经济已由高速增长阶段转向高质量发展阶段。我国社会主要矛盾发生变化,人民对美好生活的要求不断提高,经济长期向好,市场空间广阔,发展韧性强大,正在形成以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进的新发展格局.”
The fifth article talked about the regional development strategies. In a nutshell, the argument herein was:
“‘We should follow the path of rational division of labor and optimised development keeping in mind specific regional conditions; implement the strategy of main functional areas; improve spatial governance; and form a regional economic layout with complementary advantages and high-quality development.’ These views demonstrate the foresight and sense of historical responsibility that behove the leader of a great party and country.” “要根据各地区的条件,走合理分工、优化发展的路子,落实主体功能区战略,完善空间治理,形成优势互补、高质量发展的区域经济布局。”……一句句掷地有声的话语,彰显着大党大国领袖的深谋远虑和历史担当.
The sixth piece is about the choice of constructing an ecological civilisation or pursuing modernisation that ensures harmony between humans and nature.
The final piece on Sunday talked about Xi’s leadership in the context of the goal of strengthening the army in the new era, which implies building “a people’s army that listens to the party’s command, can win battles, and has a good work style,” with the aim of creating a world-class force.
Also on Saturday, the People’s Daily published a long, long piece highlighting Xi’s comments about Party history over the years. The piece ran across three pages, and given that it was about Xi’s views, there were around 90 mentions of Xi Jinping in the article. The piece ends with a call to unite around the Party Central Committee with Xi as the core.
Also over the weekend, Xinhua published a long profile of Xi Jinping. Here’s an excerpt:
Since being elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in November 2012, Xi has been seen as a man of determination and action, a man of profound thoughts and feelings, a man who inherited a legacy but dares to innovate, and a man who has forward-looking vision and is committed to working tirelessly. Under his leadership, China is becoming a powerful country, and is now entering an era of strength, according to Channel News Asia. On the new journey, Xi is undoubtedly the core figure in charting the course of history. How will he lead the Party in the face of opportunities and challenges? How will he bring China back to the world’s center stage? Today, the world is watching Xi just closely as nine years ago.
Also Read:
Explainer: Xi Jinping’s ‘historical resolution’: what is it and why is it important?
President Xi Jinping votes in local body election as China showcases its brand of democracy
Beijing bolts doors to coronavirus as Communist Party meeting and Olympics loom
Early Warning Brief: Factional Strife Intensifies as Xi Strives to Consolidate Power
Shutting Down Historical Debate, China Makes It a Crime to Mock Heroes
Xi Jinping is rewriting history to justify his rule for years to come
III. PRC-Taiwan Situation
There was a lot of back and forth between China, the US and the EU on the issue of Taiwan this week.
First, the first-ever official visit to Taiwan by a European Parliament delegation took place this week. The delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen. Reuters reports:
“‘We came here with a very simple, very clear message: You are not alone. Europe is standing with you,’ Raphael Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament, told Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in a meeting broadcast live on Facebook.”
The Chinese foreign ministry responded with anger.
China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the visit to Taiwan by certain members of the European Parliament and has lodged solemn representation to the European side. As a universally recognised norm governing international relations and the consensus of the international community, the one-China principle is the political foundation for the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations and development of ties. No official interaction with the Taiwan authorities in any form is an inherent requirement of the one-China principle. The European Parliament is an important official organ of the EU. It follows naturally that its members should fully recognise the complex and sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, stay true to the commitment made by the EU, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues and keep the political foundation for China-EU relations intact. China urges the European side to redress its mistake and avoid sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, lest it should cause a serious impact on China-Europe relations. I would also like to point out that the DPP authorities in Taiwan tend to whitewash their "Taiwan independence" separatist acts under the disguise of democracy and human rights. But however hard they try to cover it, their true agenda of seeking independence is laid bare. Nor will they make a dent in the indisputable fact that Taiwan is part of China. The clumsy show of a few people won't shake in the slightest the international community's universal and firm commitment to the one-China principle or the inevitable trend of reunification of China. Their plot is doomed to fail.
Second, we had remarks by US Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley about US having the capability to defend Taiwan from a potential Chinese attack if asked to do so. To this, China’s MoFA said:
For some time, the US has been acting with negative and erroneous words and deeds on Taiwan, which has emboldened the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan question bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and concerns China's core interests. No one should underestimate China's firm determination and will to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will never allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan from the motherland in any way. The US should pursue a real one-China policy, instead of a fake one; fulfill its commitments to China faithfully rather than treacherously; truly implement the one-China policy and put it into action, instead of saying one thing and doing the opposite. We urge the US to fully recognize the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues, and avoid sending any wrong signal to ‘Taiwan-independence’ separatist forces to prevent seriously hurting China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Third, Reuters reported this week that Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Chen Ming-ton told lawmakers this week that the PRC had internally debated whether to attack Taiwan’S Pratas Islands but will not do so before 2024, the year President Tsai Ing-wen’s term ends. The report says:
“Attacking and capturing the Pratas Islands - this scenario where war is being used to force (Taiwan into) talks - our assessment is that this will not happen during President Tsai's tenure," Chen told a parliamentary meeting. Chen was responding to a question from a lawmaker in Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, on whether China would attack before 2024, when Tsai’s second term is set to end. “Frankly speaking, they have internally debated this before,” Chen said, referring to China but without elaborating or mentioning when such a discussion occurred. "We obviously have some understanding,” he said.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defense minister said on Thursday that Taiwan must be prepared to defend itself and could not entirely depend on other countries to help if China were to launch an attack against the island, even as Taiwan’s president said she had faith the US would defend it. “The country must rely on itself, and if any friends or other groups can help us, then it’s like I said before, we’re happy to have it, but we can not completely depend on it,” the minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, told reporters after being questioned in the legislature as part of a session on national defense.
In addition, in an oped in WSJ this week, Chiu Kuo-Cheng argued that “Taiwan is no match for China in resources, manpower and military technologies.” However, he added that “We will not capitulate to China.” The article talks about China’s intention being “to take Taiwan quickly and deny third parties the chance to intervene,” and Taiwan’s effort to pursue defense strategies to deny this.
Fourth, on Friday, the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing warned that “the mainland will pursue criminal responsibility for Taiwan independence diehards in accordance with the law, to be effective for life.” The office on Friday named Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang, parliament Speaker You Si-kun and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu as people who are “stubbornly pro-Taiwan independence”, and made public for the first time it has drawn up a list of people who fall into this category. China will enforce punishment on the people on the list, by not letting them enter the mainland and China’s Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau said spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian in a statement on Friday. The blacklisted people will not be allowed to cooperate with entities or people from the mainland, nor will their companies or entities who fund them be allowed to profit from the mainland, she said.
Also SCMP reported that PRC authorities this week rushed to quell rumours of imminent war with Taiwan in an attempt to prevent “unpredictable consequences.” The rumour mill began to churn after the Ministry of Commerce encouraged families on Tuesday to stockpile essentials. Text notifications claiming to be from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and asking reservists to be prepared for a draft because the Taiwan issue had become severe were also circulating on the Chinese internet on the same day. The PLA-affiliated social media account Junzhengping issued two statements on Weibo to debunk the rumours, saying the text messages were fabricated. “These kind of rumours being able to spread widely is linked to the heated public discourse on the topic. It’s very easy for the public, who do not know the truth, to interpret this incorrectly, leading to unpredictable consequences,” said the statement published on Wednesday.
Finally, do take a look at this really fascinating Reuters assessment of potential conflict scenarios across the Taiwan Strait. Each of these situations will present questions for Indian policymakers. It is in this spirit of discussion and debate around Indian interests and policy choices, my colleagues and I at Takshashila have drawn up a preliminary analysis. We see this as the starting point of a deeper conversation, and welcome feedback.
Also Read:
U.S. Republicans want billions for Taiwan military aid to counter China
U.S. Says It’s Working With Taiwan to Secure Chip Supply Chain
IV. Wang Yi meets Blinken, Lavrov & Le Drian
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (English report). As per Xinhua, Wang told Blinken that bilateral relations have suffered due to the wrong China policy pursued by the United States.
“The United States has wantonly interfered with China’s internal affairs, Wang stressed, noting that the current U.S. Congress has introduced more than 300 anti-China bills, and the United States has included more than 900 Chinese entities and individuals in various unilateral sanctions lists, which severely disrupted the normal bilateral exchanges. Moreover, the United States is also patching up various small circles to suppress China on a global scale, and even exerting pressure on many small and medium-sized countries, Wang said, adding that these practices are not in line with the interests of the peoples of the two countries, not in line with the expectations of the international community, not in line with the development trend of the times, and hence China voices its clear opposition.”
Then he said:
“The urgent task at the moment is that the two sides must earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and make political preparations and provide necessary conditions for the next phase of exchanges, Wang stressed. Wang expressed the willingness to establish regular contacts with Blinken to exchange views timely and in a frank manner on how to manage and control differences between the two sides, properly resolve problems that arise, so as to enhance understanding, eliminate doubts, avoid misjudgments and explore cooperation. The Taiwan issue is the most sensitive issue between China and the United States, Wang said, adding that if it is handled wrongly, it will cause subversive and overall damage to bilateral ties. Wang pointed out that recently, the situation across the Taiwan Strait has become tense again, and the United States has repeatedly stated that this was caused by China’s change of the status quo, yet this is not a fact at all but a serious misleading to the international community...The crux of the current situation across the Taiwan Strait is because the Taiwan authorities have repeatedly tried to break through the one-China framework, and the United States' connivance and support for "Taiwan independence" forces is also to blame...”
He wants the US to pursue “a real one-China policy, instead of a fake one.” The two men also spoke about climate change, energy supply, Iran nuclear issue, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
The US readout of the call was very brief. It said that:
“Secretary Blinken underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Secretary affirmed the areas where our interests intersect and where we can work together, including the DPRK, Burma, Iran, Afghanistan, and the climate crisis. He also raised concerns about a range of PRC actions that undermine the international rules-based order and that run counter to our values and interests and those of our allies and partners, including actions related to human rights, Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, the East and South China Seas, and Taiwan.”
In Rome, Wang also met with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov. Xinhua reports Wang as saying that China is ready to work with Russia to uphold multilateralism and oppose “small circles,” “false democracy” and “new Cold War.” Other key points that the two sides agreed upon:
Better coordinate anti-COVID-19 measures, curb the cross-border spread of the pandemic, and provide convenience for personnel exchanges and trade amid regular efforts to prevent and control the disease.
Strengthen communication and coordination and jointly safeguard the norms of international relations and the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries.
Deepen BRICS cooperation under China’s presidency.
Improve China and CSTO cooperation; coordinate on Afghanistan and the Iran nuclear deal.
They “expressed grave concerns” over AUKUS, calling it a “typical military group, and the attempt of the three countries to forge a ‘small circle’
They pushed back against the Leaders’ Summit for Democracy, saying that it was a “typical move against democracy to label other countries as ‘authoritarian’ just because they choose different paths to achieve democracy.”
Wang also met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Xinhua reports:
“As permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, China and France should stay highly alert to words and deeds on the global stage that try to create confrontation and spark a ‘new Cold War,’ firmly safeguard multilateralism, oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism, and show a sense of responsibility as major countries, Wang stressed.”
It adds:
“With regard to China-Europe relations, Wang expressed the hope that France will use its role as the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) next year to ensure that mutually beneficial cooperation remains as the keynote of China-Europe relations and push for their sustained, sound and steady development.”
Also Read:
Other Stories:
China reopens Afghan trade lifeline but no rush to recognise Taliban/ Taliban foreign minister meets Chinese ambassador, talks on pine nut trade
US court convicts Chinese intelligence agent of economic espionage
Fantastic resource this below
Sun Lijun case: The former Chinese vice-minister of public security, had been placed under disciplinary investigation in April last year. On Friday, China’s state prosecutor said it had ordered his arrest on corruption charges. This comes about a month after Sun was stripped of his Communist Party membership and all official posts, in what has been one of the most high-profile corruption investigations in China in recent years.
China Bars Close Relatives of Police Officers From Running Certain Businesses
$9.5 billion spent using Chinese central bank's digital currency - official
China’s Climate Goals Hinge on a $440 Billion Nuclear Buildout
China’s Manufacturing Activity Contracts for Second Straight Month
Player Accuses China’s Top Politician Of Sexual Assault, Triggers Censorship— Peng Shuai, an ex-world number one doubles player, purportedly made the claim about former vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a post on Weibo.
Chinese Journalist Jailed For Wuhan Covid Coverage “May Not Survive”
China to continue Covid curbs amid overseas outbreaks: Top health official
How China’s tech bosses cashed out at the right time/Founder of TikTok owner ByteDance steps down as chairman as Chinese tech execs quit day-to-day roles