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☆ China has launched new drills encircling Taiwan. Why now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Tensions are once again ratcheting up in the Taiwan Strait, with China launching military drills encircling Taiwan just days after the democracy swore in a new leader long loathed by Beijing. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan early Thursday morning. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. The Chinese guided missile frigate Nantong, one of the vessels in the series of military drills around Taiwan. The defeated Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of their Republic of China (ROC) government from the mainland to Taipei.

Persons: ”, Lai Ching, China’s, Xi Jinping, Li Xi, Lai, Wu Mei, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, Mike Gallagher Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, People's Liberation Army, Weibo, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Nationalist Party, US, Communist, Beijing, Tuesday Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Kinmen, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Xi, Washington

☆ Eurovision braces for its most tense contest yet, as protesters and artists bristle at Israel’s presence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The competition – which tries desperately to retain its “apolitical” tag – has become the largest cultural event so far to be rocked by the repercussions of Israel’s war in Gaza. Those protesting or boycotting the song contest claim it is “artwashing” the conflict; others defend Israel’s inclusion, insisting the contest should not be dragged into geopolitics. It doesn’t make sense,” Bambie Thug, Ireland’s participant, told CNN of extensive rules restricting any form of pro-Palestinian statement during the event. Ireland's Bambie Thug told CNN they disagreed with Israel's involvement in the competition. Long-standing rules preventing flags of non-competing countries and territories mean that Palestinian flags are banned from the crowd, which Bambie Thug told CNN they “100%” disagreed with.

Persons: ” Paul Jordan, ”, Weeks, Eden Golan, ” Jordan, “, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Bambie Thug, Patricia J, Garcinuno, Noel Curran, KAN, ” Curran, Golan, Fredrik Persson, –, SuRie, Karin Karlsson, Karlsson, ” Elina Pahnke, Johan Nilsson, Saturday’s, Mohammad Ghannam, ” Lara Yosef, ” Yosef, ” Bambie Thug, Alyona Alyona Organizations: CNN, Music, Malmo, Eurovision, European Broadcasting Union, EBU, TT, Agency, AFP, Getty, Malmo Arena, Artists, Aftonbladet, Israel’s National Security Council Locations: Swedish, Gaza, Israel, Malmo, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Stockholm, Sweden's, seeping, Sweden’s Palestinian, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, “

☆ Veteran investor David Roche says the market is getting it wrong on Taiwan's election result
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks as Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate looks on during a campaign rally ahead of the elections in Taipei, Taiwan, January 11, 2024. Carlos Garcia Rawlins | ReutersTaiwan's election results place the island on a "collision course with China" and the market reaction has been too sanguine, according to veteran investor David Roche. Beijing has already dismissed the outcome of Saturday's elections, which saw the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te elected president alongside a split parliamentary vote. The DPP rejects the so-called "One China principle" and advocates a separate and distinct Taiwanese national identity. Xi has repeatedly stated that Taiwan will be reunified with China, and has not ruled out using military force to achieve his goals.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, David Roche, Party's Lai Ching, Roche, CNBC's, Lai, Xi Jinping, Xi Organizations: Democratic Progressive, Reuters, Democratic, DPP, Independent, CSI, Chinese Communist Party, Citi, KMT Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, Beijing

☆ China slows Venezuela crude buys as U.S. sanctions lifting triggers 'disarray'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Crude oil drips from a valve at an oil well operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in Morichal July 28, 2011. Independent refiners, known as teapots, account for a fifth of China's oil purchases, and more than half of its asphalt production. PetroChina, PDVSA and the Venezuelan oil ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Before the U.S. imposed sanctions in 2019, subsidiary PetroChina Fuel Oil Co was the key seller of Venezuelan oil to independent refiners. Independent refiners like Venezuelan heavy crude for its high yield of road-paving material asphalt at about 60%, versus around 45% for Iranian oil.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Sellers, PetroChina, PDVSA, Muyu Xu, Marianna Parraga, Florence Tan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, ICE Brent, Reuters, Fuel, Co, Thomson Locations: Morichal, Rights SINGAPORE, Washington, China, Venezuela, Iran, Russia, Iraq, Canada, OPEC, Malaysia, Venezuela's, Singapore, Houston

Last year, Taiwan's chip industry generated T$4.837 trillion ($150.27 billion) in revenue, nearly half of which came from TSMC, compared with Taiwan's GDP of T$22.667 trillion ($704.21 billion). "Taiwan's limited land and limited energy have always created a lot of pressure," GlobalWafers (6488.TWO) CEO Doris Hsu told reporters. 'FIVE SHORTAGES'The chip industry has long complained about Taiwan's "five shortages": land, water, energy, labour, and talent. Taiwan's government - determined to keep its crown jewel's most advanced technology at home - has said it will provide alternative options. The Longtan expansion had proposed acquiring 159 more hectares in the north, where TSMC and many chip companies are based.

Persons: Wei Hsin, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Taiwan's, Wang Mei, TSMC, Doris Hsu, Hsu Shih, Rich, Chen Ting, Chen, Liao Chen, Cliff Hou, Isaiah, Lucy Chen, Chen Chi, Sarah Wu, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Taiwan's, National Chengchi University, Hsinchu Science Park, Reuters, Residents, TMSC's, Thomson Locations: Longtan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights HSINCHU, LONGTAN, Hsinchu, United States, Japan, Germany, TSMC, Belgium, Arizona, Kaohsiung

☆ Foxconn founder Terry Gou lies low in Taiwan election as China tax probe reverberates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Terry Gou, founder of Taiwan's Foxconn poses for pictures while saluting during a news conference in Taoyuan, Taiwan April 5, 2023. But three months out from the election, Gou, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $6.7 billion, has gone to ground. China claims Taiwan as its own and believes Lai, who leads opinion polls, is a separatist bent on a formal declaration of independence. Since the Global Times report came out, Gou's team has declined to comment, referring questions to Foxconn itself. Gou remains a lauded figure at Foxconn after stepping down as chairman in 2019, referred to reverentially as "the founder".

Persons: Terry Gou, Taiwan's, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Taiwan's Terry Gou, Gou, Lai Ching, Lai, Steve Jobs, Foxconn, Democratic Progressive Party's, reverentially, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Apple, Forbes, Global Times, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, DPP, Taiwan People's Party, Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, Chicago, Atari, Dell, Sony Corp, Nintendo Co, Microsoft Corp, Communists, Communist Party's, Thomson Locations: Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Foxconn, Beijing, Kuomintang, People's Republic of China

Cutouts depicting images of oil operations are seen outside a building of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in Caracas, Venezuela January 28, 2019. U.S. sanctions that were in place on Venezuela since 2019 largely blocked state-run oil company PDVSA from exporting to its chosen markets. That changed last week, but Washington's six-month relaxation of the measures is too limited to spur new crude production. PDVSA also is in talks with Mercuria Energy and Sahara Energy on spot sales, the sources said. The Italian company and Spain's Repsol (REP.MC) have been in negotiations with PDVSA for months to expand gas output in Venezuela.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Trafigura, PDVSA, Pedro Tellechea, Tipco, Spain's, Eni, Maurel, prepay, Marianna Parraga, Laura Sanicola Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Global, PDVSA, Bermuda, Mercuria Energy, Sahara Energy, U.S ., Reliance Industries, Valero Energy, PBF Energy, Eni, Valero, Reliance, U.S . Treasury Department, Traders, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, U.S, Venezuela's, Sahara, PDVSA's, Houston, Washington

☆ New Mexico Governor to pursue EV tax credits to achieve zero-emission goals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico, speaks during the 2023 U.S. Business Day and Taiwan-U.S. Supply Chain Partnership Forum in Taipei, Taiwan September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins./File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 17 (Reuters) - New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday said she will pursue electric vehicle (EV) tax credits and directed the state to transition to EV to achieve a zero-emission vehicle fleet by 2035. "We will pursue EV tax credits in the upcoming legislative session to make EVs more accessible and more affordable for all. I also directed the state to walk the walk by transitioning to a zero-emission vehicle fleet by 2035," Lujan Grisham said in a post on social media platform X. Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Michelle Lujan Grisham, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lujan Grisham, Ashitha, Chizu Organizations: Business, U.S, Supply Chain Partnership, REUTERS, EV, Thomson Locations: U.S ., New Mexico, Taiwan, Taipei, Texas, Bengaluru

The individuals' accounts varied but were consistent in describing heightened scrutiny of overseas travel even after China reopened borders in January. Reuters is reporting these measures and the scope of some post-COVID travel curbs for the first time. NEW LIMITSRestrictions on personal foreign travel have long applied to senior government officials and state executives with access to confidential information. MAPPING CONNECTIONSChinese authorities are also scrutinising personal foreign ties, according to a document seen by Reuters, one of the 10 people who discussed travel curbs and three other state-enterprise workers with knowledge of the matter. Thomas said the travel curbs in particular would have implications for China's interactions with the world.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Xi, Neil Thomas, Thomas, Wang Zhi'an, Engen Tham, Julie Zhu, Kane Wu, Xie Yu, Martin Quin Pollard, David Crawshaw, Vidya Ranganathan Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Asia Society, Center for, State, Information Office, Communist Party, China Construction Bank, China Development Bank, National Council for Social Security Fund, Municipal Eco, Communist, Communist Youth League, Ministry of State Security, U.S . Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, Beijing, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Rights SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, Center for China, Washington, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Japan, Italy

☆ Fearing China, South Korea targets firms building Taiwan navy submarines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Ju-Min Park | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

SI Innotec, which was fined in August 2022, and Park, who received a suspended prison sentence, deny wrongdoing and have appealed. The equipment was not designed solely for military purposes and did not involve sensitive technology, SI Innotec told Reuters. SI Innotec said the contract, at CSBC's request, listed the equipment's primary use as for wind power generation. "The accused were fully aware that the subject equipment would be used to manufacture a military submarine", the court ruled. It was at this point that Seoul's foreign ministry told DAPA it disapproved of the deal, one of them said.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Narwhal, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Park Mal, sik, China's, DAPA, Moon Jae, Taiwan's, Innotec, SI Innotec, Moo, sik —, —, Yang Hyang, Yang, KHNT's, KHNT, Cho Hyeon Gyu, 1,343.1000, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Tian, Katerina Ang, Josh Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Administration, Keumha Naval Technology, South, Police, Foreign Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, Indigenous Defense, South Korean, Foreign Trade, SI, Thomson Locations: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Rights SEOUL, Beijing, Seoul, U.S, China, South Korea, Park, Taipei, Netherlands, Pacific, Beijing . U.S, Changwon, Korea

☆ Exclusive: Combat veteran is likely replacement for China's missing defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

China's defence ministry and State Council information office did not respond to requests for comment. If his departure is confirmed, Li will be the second senior minister to lose his job in recent months. Qin Gang was removed as foreign minister in July, one month after he was last seen in public. U.S. defence officials have long wanted to reestablish routine communications with counterparts directly involved in command decisions. Qin was made foreign minister in Dec. 2022 and Li became defence minister in March.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Liu Zhenli, Liu, Li Shangfu, Li, Qin Gang, Qin, Nancy Pelosi, Xi Jinping, Xi, James Char, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Neill, Willy Lam, Chang Dingqiu, Katerina Ang, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Political Consultative, REUTERS, Rights, Defence, Reuters, Russia, Joint Staff Department of, Central Military Commission, State, U.S . Department of Defense, ., CMC, Xiangshan, National, Committee, Communist Party's, U.S, Pentagon, People's, Army, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Washington, PUBLIC, National Defence, Joint Staff Department, Pacific Forum, Jamestown Foundation, Xinhua, Air Force, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, United States, U.S, Taipei, ., Singapore, Honolulu, Vietnam

Cutouts depicting images of oil operations are seen outside a building of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in Caracas, Venezuela January 28, 2019. Separate talks between Maduro's envoys and the Venezuelan opposition are expected to follow in Mexico in the coming weeks, according to sources. Washington has been trying to encourage negotiations between Maduro and the political opposition over elections in Venezuela and other demands. The proposal included reframing oil sanctions on Venezuela by amending existing U.S. executive orders or issuing new ones so buyers in Europe and other regions could resume imports of Venezuelan oil in a structured, organized way. Chevron (CVX.N) has been allowed to expand operations in Venezuela and export its oil to the U.S. since November.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Nicolas Maduro, Maurel, PDVSA, Vivian Sequera, Mayela, Andrew Mills, Marianna Parraga, Matt Spetalnick, Benjamin Mallet, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, U.S . State Department, White, Doha, Chevron, Eni, Mayela Armas, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, DOHA, HOUSTON, Mexico, Washington, Doha, Venezuelan, Maduro, U.S, Qatar, Iran, American, Europe, Houston, Diego Ore, Mexico City, Paris

☆ China warns of big waves, wind and rain as Typhoon Koinu approaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: A worker cuts the metal structure of a fallen sign before carrying it to truck after Typhoon Koinu passed the southern tip of Taiwan, in Kenting, Taiwan October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Oct 7 (Reuters) - China warned on Saturday of big waves, heavy rain and strong wind as Typhoon Koinu approaches the southern province of Guangdong and Hainan island. Koinu, which means "puppy" in Japanese, is heading west along China's southern coast at a speed of 5-10 kph, the National Meteorological Centre. It is expected to weaken into a strong tropical storm from late on Monday. Koinu had killed one person and injured almost 400 people in Taiwan, causing some of the most extensive damage on remote Orchid Island off the island's east coast.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South China, State Oceanic Administration, National Meteorological, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Kenting, China, Guangdong, Hainan, South

☆ Heavy rainstorms to hit southern China after Typhoon Koinu batters Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Workers lift up a turned-over food cart after Typhoon Koinu passed the southern tip of Taiwan, in Kenting, Taiwan October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Heavy rainstorms and strong winds will hit southern China in the next three days as Typhoon Koinu approaches the coast of Guangdong province after killing one and injuring hundreds in Taiwan. Typhoon Koinu, which means "puppy" in Japanese, will bring heavy rain along the coasts of Guangdong and neighbouring Fujian province in the next three days, China's National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said. It also issued a yellow alert for strong winds, the third highest in a four-coloured warning system. The typhoon is expected to weaken into a strong tropical storm from late Friday and grow weaker as it heads west along China's southern coast, it said.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Typhoon Koinu, Albee Zhang, Ben Blanchard, Michael Perry 私 Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Rights, National Meteorological Centre, NMC Locations: Taiwan, Kenting, Rights BEIJING, China, Guangdong, Fujian, Shanwei, Beijing, Taipei

☆ Millions off work as Typhoon Koinu brushes past Taiwan with lashing rain
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A woman sits by the shore while looking at waves breaking as Typhoon Koinu approaches, in Taitung, Taiwan October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Acquire Licensing RightsTAITUNG, Taiwan, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Typhoon Koinu began brushing past the rural far southern tip of Taiwan on Thursday, injuring 190 but causing no deaths, as lashing rains and strong winds cancelled work and classes for millions in a swathe of cities across the island. Taiwan's fire department reported 190 injuries but no deaths, as well as some minor damage to buildings. Taiwan's two main domestic airlines, UNI Air and Mandarin Airlines, cancelled most of their flights for Thursday, while ferries to outlying islands were also stopped. A total of 42 international flights were also cancelled, the transport ministry, said, but the high speed rail connecting northern and southern Taiwan was unaffected.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Fabian Hamacher, Carlos Garcia, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, UNI Air, Mandarin Airlines, Thomson Locations: Taitung, Taiwan, Koinu, Guangdong, Pingtung, Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taipei

☆ Taiwan investigating accusation submarine program details leaked
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO-Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen attends the launching ceremony of Narwhal, its first domestically built submarine, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Taiwan prosecutors said on Monday they are investigating accusations that people tried to interfere in the island's submarine program and that details about it were leaked, in what would be a serious breach of security. Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine on Thursday, a major step in a project aimed at strengthening the island's defence and deterrence against the Chinese navy, though it won't enter service for two years. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has made the indigenous submarine program a key part of an ambitious project to modernise its armed forces as Beijing stages almost daily military exercises to assert its sovereignty claims. The submarine program has drawn on expertise and technology from several countries - a breakthrough for diplomatically isolated Taiwan.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Narwhal, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Huang Shu, kuang, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan's, Prosecutors Office, Thomson Locations: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing

☆ Mexico eyes US energy exports from solar farm, chip supply chain role
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mexico’s state of Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo speaks during an interview with Reuters in Taipei, Taiwan September 25, 2023. During a visit to Taiwan, Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo said the "Plan Sonora" solar energy project would not only help improve domestic connectivity to the national grid, but also to export to the United States. "We want to convert our state into an exporter of clean energy, particularly for semiconductor and electric vehicle industries." "Assuming as a natural complement of all these processes of relocation of investment in Arizona, we also see TSMC as an obvious option for Sonora state," he said. Sonora also boasts major lithium deposits, which Lopez Obrador formally nationalised in Mexico earlier this year.

Persons: Alfonso Durazo, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's, Durazo, Foxconn, Lopez, Ben Blanchard, Carlos Garcia, Jamie Freed Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Puerto, Apple, Hsinchu Science Park, EV, Thomson Locations: Sonora, Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, California, Arizona, Mexican, United States, Mexico, Foxconn, Hsinchu

☆ Pope wraps up Mongolia trip, says Church not bent on conversion
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

People wave Chinese and Hong Kong flags, as Pope Francis arrives to attend the Holy Mass in the Steppe Arena, during his Apostolic Journey in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 3, 2023. Mongolia was part of China until 1921 and the pope's trip was dotted by allusions or appeals to the superpower next door, where the Vatican has scratchy relations with the communist government. At the end of Sunday's Mass he sent greetings to China, calling its citizens a "noble" people and asking Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good citizens." On Saturday, in words that appeared to be aimed at China rather than Mongolia, Francis said governments have nothing to fear from the Catholic Church because it has no political agenda. Beijing has been following a policy of "Sinicisation" of religion, trying to root out foreign influences and enforce obedience to the Communist Party.

Persons: Pope Francis, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Francis, Mercy, Italian Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Philip Pullella, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Catholic, Communist Party, United, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ULAANBAATAR, China, Italian, Beijing, United States, Iran, Russia, Vatican

☆ In overture to China, pope sends greetings to a 'noble' people
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Acquire Licensing RightsULAANBAATAR, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Pope Francis sent greetings to China on Sunday, calling its citizens a "noble" people and asking Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good citizens," in his latest overture to the communist country to ease restrictions on religion. Francis made the unscripted comments at the end of a Mass in Mongolia's capital, calling up the former and current archbishops of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Tong Hon and Archbishop Stephen Chow, to flank him as he spoke. "These two brother bishops - the emeritus of Hong Kong and the current bishop of Hong Kong. I would like to take advantage of their presence to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people," he said in Italian. And to Chinese Catholics I ask to be good Christians and good citizens," he said.

Persons: Pope Francis, Cardinal John Tong, Hong Kong's, Stephen Chow, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Francis, Chow, Hong, Philip Pullella, William Mallard, David Evans, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Catholic, Communist Party, Reuters, Catholic Church, Thomson Locations: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ULAANBAATAR, China, Mongolia's, Hong Kong, Beijing, Vatican, Vietnam, Hanoi, British, Asia

☆ Vietnamese Catholics travel to Mongolia to see pope, ask him to visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Joseph Campbell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Acquire Licensing RightsULAANBAATAR, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Vietnamese Catholics who flew thousands of miles to see Pope Francis in Mongolia had one message for the pontiff: They want him to visit their communist-run country too. It was announced on July 27 when the pope received Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong at the Vatican. "I really hope that he will visit Vietnam in the short term," Pham said, mentioning the hope spawned by president's visit to the Vatican. "I cannot tell (you) my feelings right now, because I'm so happy," said Vo, seeing the pope for the first time. "Vietnamese people, we love him and are waiting for him to visit us in Vietnam."

Persons: Mai Anh, Peter, Paul Cathedral, Pope Francis, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Cindy Pham, Ho, Vo Van Thuong, Pham, president's, Maria Vo, Francis, Joseph Campbell, Philip Pullella, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Catholic, Catholic Church, Thomson Locations: Vietnam, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ULAANBAATAR, Saturday, France, Ho Chi Minh City, Vatican, Hanoi, Vietnamese, Philippines

☆ Chinese Catholics sneak a peek at pope in Mongolia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Joseph Campbell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A member of security stands outside Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on the day Pope Francis meets with bishops, priests, missionaries, consecrated persons and pastoral workers at the cathedral, during his Apostolic Journey in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Acquire Licensing RightsULAANBAATAR, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A few Chinese Catholics came to sneak a peek at Pope Francis during an official welcome ceremony in the main square of Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar on Saturday, enthusiastically waving their country's flag. The Vatican does not have diplomatic relations with China, instead recognising Chinese-claimed Taiwan, while China's Catholics have long been split between a state-backed official church and an underground flock loyal to the pope. Brandishing red, five-starred Chinese flags, two dozen Chinese nationals who identified themselves as Catholic devotees crowded around a police barrier to catch a glimpse of Francis on Saturday morning. Yang Guang, a 37-year-old Catholic from Shanghai, said he came to Mongolia for a holiday but was glad to catch a glimpse of the pope at Sukhbaatar Square.

Persons: Saints Peter, Paul Cathedral, Pope Francis, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Francis, Yang Guang, I've, It's, I'm, Yang, Suzanne Willis, Willis, Xi Jinping, Joseph Campbell, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Saints, REUTERS, Reuters, Roman Catholic Church, Thomson Locations: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, ULAANBAATAR, China, Taiwan, Shanghai, Sukhbaatar, Hong Kong

☆ Asia, Africa bear brunt of pollution health burden - research
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Despite improvements in China, air pollution across the globe continues to pose the greatest external risk to human health, with countries in Asia and Africa suffering most of the impact, new research showed on Tuesday. PM2.5 in South Asia has risen by nearly 10% since 2013, she said, cutting average life expectancy in the region by around five years. Virtually all of Southeast Asia is also now considered to have "unsafe levels of pollution", with average life expectancy cut by 2-3 years. China's average PM2.5 concentrations stood at 29 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022, but it still remains significantly higher than the WHO recommendation of 5 micrograms. "We haven't turned the corner on air pollution yet, though China's example shows us that the issue is a tractable one," Hasenkopf said.

Persons: Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Christa Hasenkopf, haven't, Hasenkopf, David Stanway, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute, EPIC, World Health Organization, WHO, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Asia, Africa, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Indonesia, South Asia, Southeast Asia

☆ US trip pays off for Taiwan VP with China drills more 'thunder than rain'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China has a particular dislike of Lai, the frontrunner in polls ahead of January's presidential election, due to his previous comments about being a "worker for Taiwan independence". In his public events he talked about peace and dialogue, though he also said that Taiwan would not back down in the face of threats. "These drills were a lot of thunder, but less rain." 'NO SURPRISES'Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said Lai's trip was also about the broader process of showing him to the United States as a steady and trustworthy leader. China could take other, trade-related, steps to punish Taiwan, having previously stopped Taiwanese fruit and fish imports.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Ma Chen, Shen Dingli, Lai Ching, Lo Chih, cheng, Lo, Ko Wen, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Liberation Army, National Defence University, United States, Relations, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwanese Public, National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate, of Political, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, U.S, United, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, Asia

☆ Taiwan details China drills, VP says election not China's to call
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai waves at Taoyuan International Airport following his trip to the United States and Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 18, 2023. "My position is that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China. China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", but it has refused. LOWER-KEY DRILLSChina's Saturday drills were much more low-key than two rounds of war games around Taiwan last August and again in April this year. Taiwan's military also released pictures of one of its fighter jets taking off and a pilot checking a missile underneath an aircraft.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Su, It's, That's, Taiwan's, Alexander Neill, Neill, lambasting Lai, Tian Dan, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, James Pomfret, William Mallard, Kim Coghill, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Democratic Progressive Party, APEC, Hawaii's, Eastern Theatre Command, Sunday, Taiwan, State Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, New York, People's Republic of China, San Francisco, Singapore, U.S, Hong Kong

Taiwan's constitution states that the Republic of China is a sovereign state, and that has been a consensus shared by all Taiwan's main political parties. The Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who set up the People's Republic. "It is because if he is elected as the leader of Taiwan, he may come to advance his goal of Taiwan independence, which will provoke a crisis across the Taiwan Strait." China's Taiwan Affairs Office said his comments were "weird" and "deceitful" given that his "Taiwan independence nature" had not changed. China has demanded Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to "one China," something Tsai and Lai have refused to do.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Wu Xinbo, Joseph Wu, George Yin, Yin, Tsai's, Lai ., Xi Jinping, Taiwan's, Tsai, Meng Chih, cheng, Ben Blanchard, Sarah Wu, Martin Pollard, Casey, Sonali Paul Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Shanghai's Fudan University, National Taiwan University, Taiwan Affairs Office, Cheng Kung University, Casey Hall, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Taiwanese, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, The Republic of China, Republic, Republic of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai

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