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☆ Xi Jinping's military purge is bleeding into his elite circle of generals commanding China's forces
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-29 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Adm. Miao Hua is one of six members of an exclusive commission led by Xi that oversees China's military. He's the latest in a string of high-ranking defense officials to be purged from China's military. A top-ranking admiral in China's Central Military Commission — the highest body commanding its forces — has been placed under investigation, the country's defense ministry said on Thursday. AdvertisementTwo vicechairmen of the Central Military Commission have been investigated before, but only after they exited the commission. The push has coincided with Xi's heavy emphasis on modernizing China's military and catching up in strength with US forces.

Persons: Adm, Miao Hua, Xi, —, Wu Qian, Miao, Xi Jinping, Zhang Youxia, Dong Jun, Dong, Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe, Guo Boxiong, Xu Caihou — Organizations: Commission, People's Liberation Army, PLA Navy, Financial Times, Central Military Commission, CNN Locations: Fujian, Beijing, China

☆ Xi Jinping can't seem to find the right man to be the face of China's military
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-28 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementChina's defense minister, Dong Jun, is being probed for corruption, the FT reported on Wednesday. Xi Jinping and his leaders likely took at least two months to select, vet, and announce Dong in 2023. Less than a year into his post, China's defense minister is now being placed under investigation for graft, according to a new report by The Financial Times. AdvertisementWhen asked about reports of an investigation into Dong, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning curtly dismissed them as rumors. AdvertisementChina's defense minister doesn't typically have operational command of combat forces but is instead a diplomatic and public-facing figure representing the military.

Persons: Dong Jun, Xi Jinping, Dong, Adm, Li Shangfu, Li, Wei Fenghe, Wei, Lloyd Austin, Mao Ning curtly, Xi, Dong's, doesn't Organizations: The Financial Times, People's Liberation Army, PLA Rocket Force, Chinese Communist Party, US, Foreign Ministry, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Business, Dong, Reuters, Central Military Commission, PLA Locations: Laos, Dong, China

☆ US imposes first sanctions on Chinese firms for making weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But in an announcement Thursday, the US Treasury Department accused the Chinese firms of direct involvement in arms supplies to Moscow. The Chinese companies had collaborated with Russian defense firms in the production of Moscow’s “Garpiya series” long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, the department said in a statement. “The Garpiya has been deployed by Russia in its brutal war against Ukraine, destroying critical infrastructure and causing mass casualties,” it said. “We have seen for some time Chinese companies providing components to Russian companies that Russian companies then use to turn into machinery, weapons, other components that Russia could use in its war,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday. In the latest sign of their deepening alignment, Chinese and Russian defense officials vowed to strengthen their cooperation during meetings in Beijing last week.

Persons: “, Redlepus, TSK, Matthew Miller, ’, Liu Pengyu, Andrey Belousov, Zhang Youxia Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, US Treasury Department, CNN, Xiamen Limbach Aircraft, Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co, Treasury Department, US, TSK Vektor, ”, Reuters, China’s, Military Commission Locations: Hong Kong, United States, China, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, Beijing, Moscow, Xiamen, Russian, ’ Beijing, U.S, ”

☆ Russia defense chief touts ‘common understanding’ with China in Beijing talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Their task is to “strengthen and develop” their strategic partnership, the Russian defense chief added. Russia and China have been bolstering their security coordination in the face of shared frictions with the West. Belousov also held talks a day earlier with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who ranks below Zhang in China’s military hierarchy. Belousov’s arrival in Beijing Monday coincided with China’s military flying a record number of fighter jets and other warplanes around Taiwan during large-scale military drills. China said the drills were intended as a “stern warning” to what it described as pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

Persons: that’s, Andrey Belousov, Zhang Youxia, Xi Jinping, That’s, Zhang, Xi, Vladimir Putin, Belousov, Dong Jun, Andrei Belousov, Wang Yi, Putin, Lai Ching Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, US, China’s, Military Commission, Tass, China’s Defense Ministry, Chinese Defense, Russia's Defense, China's, Russian Defence Ministry, Reuters China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Russia, Washington, Russian, Kazan, BRICS, Moscow, Ukraine, Ocean, Alaska –, South China, Taiwan

☆ China’s Coast Guard claims to have entered the Arctic Ocean for the first time as it ramps up security ties with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The statement came a day after the US Coast Guard said it spotted four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard in the Bering Sea – the “northernmost” location it said it had ever observed the Chinese ships. A banner visible on one of the vessels in accompanying photos read “China Coast Guard devoting its heart to the Party; demonstrating loyalty in the Arctic Ocean,” referring to China’s ruling Communist Party. The US Coast Guard (USCG) on Monday said it spotted the four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard “transiting in formation in a northeast direction” in the Bering Sea, some five miles inside Russia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on Saturday. A China Coast Guard member pictured during recent joint drills with Russia. The coast guard collaboration “relates to Chinese interests in maritime transportation along at least parts of the Northern Sea Route,” according to Østhagen.

Persons: Russia –, China’s, ”, Megan Dean, irked, Carl Schuster, it’s, –, Sophie Arts, ” Andreas Østhagen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China’s Coast Guard, US Coast Guard, Russian Border Guard, Chinese Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, Communist Party, CCTV, TASS, 17th Coast Guard District, USCG, Canadian, Russia’s Federal Security Service, East China, Coast Guard, Guard, US Navy, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, China, US Department of Defense, German Marshall Fund, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, CNN, Armed Police, Central Military Commission, Centre for High North Logistics, Norway’s Nord University Locations: Hong Kong, Russia, Beijing, ”, Bering, Alaska, Asia, North America, China, Washington, South, East, irked Beijing, Ukraine, Russian, Norway, South China, Philippines, Europe

☆ Xi wants the world to know China's military is totally loyal despite the purges
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

China's military is loyal and will faithfully execute the policies set down by the Communist Party. In June, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping reminded the Central Military Commission — the country's top political-military body — that the military reports to the Communist Party. "Xi stressed that political work is always the lifeline of the country's military. "Xi stresses PLA's political loyalty at crucial meeting held in old revolutionary base," read the Global Times headline. Beyond military corruption, Xi also is concerned about what he sees as decadence in Chinese society — especially among young people — which is undermining Chinese military power.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, Mei, he'd, he's, Stalin, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Communist Party, Central Military Commission, Global Times, Business, Party, Times, People's Liberation Army, PLA, RAND Corp, Taiwan, PLA Rocket Force, CMC, Soviet Union, Political, Red Army, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: China, US, China —, Germany, Soviet Union, Forbes

☆ What is China’s ‘monster’ coast guard ship and why is the Philippines spooked by it?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“It’s an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard,” Tarriela said during a forum on Saturday, according to a Reuters report. Powell and other analysts say intimidation is one of the main jobs of the CCG-5901, which is larger than any regular coast guard ship in the world (a specialty US Coast Guard icebreaker is bigger) and even outsizes US Navy destroyers. The US Coast Guard, for instance, is part of the US Department of Homeland Security, not the Defense Department, although US Coast Guard vessels can come under US Navy control in certain scenarios. The China Coast Guard is part of the country’s People’s Armed Police, which is under the command of the Central Military Commission. The China Coast Guard “doesn’t want to be outdone thus this monster came along to show who’s got a bigger set of muscles,” Koh said.

Persons: ”, Jay Tarriela, Sabina Shoal, Tarriela, BRP Teresa Magbanua, “, ” Tarriela, “ We’re, we’re, Shoal, wasn’t, Ray Powell, SeaLight, ” Powell, Powell, Arleigh Burke, ‘, ” Carl Schuster, Collin Koh, Teresa Magbanua, who’s, ” Koh Organizations: CNN, Philippine, Philippine Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, United, Coast, National Security, BRP, Stanford University, Coast Guard, US, Guard’s National Security Cutters, Chinese Coast Guard, CNN Coast, US Coast Guard, US Department of Homeland Security, Defense Department, Armed Police, Central Military Commission, Analysts, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies Locations: China, Philippines, Beijing, Manila, South China, Sabina, Spratly, Philippine, Palawan, The Hague, Singapore

☆ North Korean troops could be sent to Ukraine due to their sheer numbers, not their effectiveness, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewSpeculation has been growing that North Korea could send troops to Ukraine. As of now, the prospect of North Korean soldiers being deployed to Ukraine is speculative and unlikely, experts told Business Insider. "Given what we know about nutrition in North Korea, even in the army, they might have issues," he told BI. But if it does, he added that North Korean soldiers may "simply" be helping rebuild a destroyed city like Mariupol. Bennett, from RAND, said he thinks it is "fairly likely" that North Korea will send troops to Ukraine, without elaborating further.

Persons: —, Pat Ryder, Edward Howell, John Hardie, Evans Revere, Albright, Revere, George W, Bush, Bruce Bennett, Kim Jong Un, Bennett, Kim, Wallace Gregson, Benjamin Young, Young, Guns, Hardie, Howell Organizations: Service, South Korea's, Chosun, Korean, Business, Pentagon, Military Commission, Institute, North, Korea, Chatham, Programme, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Korean People's Army, Group, East, RAND, US Marine Corps, Pacific Security Affairs, Chatham House, Virginia Commonwealth University, Great Locations: Korea, Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, South, Chatham House's Asia, Korean, East Asia, Pacific, South Korea, Koreans, Howell, Chatham, Europe, Mariupol

☆ China’s ‘military readiness’ questioned with dramatic downfall of two defense ministers
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

At the height of their careers, former defense ministers Li and Wei often struck a tough tone before the world’s top military officials. Former Defense Ministers Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe have both been expelled from the Communist Party over corruption allegations. Most of the generals dismissed or disappeared without explanation last year were linked to the Rocket Force or military equipment, including Li and Wei. An engineer by training, the 66-year-old spent decades launching rockets and satellites in southwest China before being promoted to the PLA headquarters to deal with military equipment procurement. “The gun barrel must always be held in the hands of those who are loyal and reliable to the party,” Xi told the PLA elites.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Xi, Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe, Xi Jinping, Li, Wei, “, James Char, ”, Former Defense Ministers Li Shangfu, Wei’s, Joel Wuthnow, ” Wuthnow, ” Char, Weidong, Char, Jason Lee, Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, Xu, Guo, Wuthnow, Jiang Zemin, haven’t, ” Wei, Li “, Bill Bishop, ” Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Communist Party, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Former Defense Ministers, AP, Reuters, Rocket Force, Development Department, Second Artillery Corps, Pentagon, National Defense University, CCP, China’s Naval University of Engineering, Central Military Commission, Military, People's, CMC, Communist Locations: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States, Singapore, People's Republic of China, Beijing, Yan’an

☆ China expels two former defense ministers from Communist Party as corruption purge deepens
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —China on Thursday expelled its former Defense Minister Li Shangfu from the ruling Communist Party over corruption allegations, state broadcaster CCTV reported, eight months after he was dramatically removed from the post. Li, who was also a former member of the powerful Central Military Commission, was removed in October last year without explanation after he disappeared from public view for two months, amid a series of high-level purges that have roiled the world’s largest military. Li’s predecessor as defense minister, Wei Fenghe, was also expelled from the Communist Party, also over alleged corruption, according to CCTV. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Wei Fenghe Organizations: CNN, Defense, Communist Party, CCTV, Central Military Commission Locations: China

☆ Chinese military harassed Dutch warship enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea, Netherlands says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A Dutch warship was harassed by Chinese military aircraft in the East China Sea on Friday, the Netherlands said, becoming the latest country to accuse Beijing’s forces of initiating potentially unsafe encounters in international waters. PSMX partner nations include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, according to the US State Department. This handout picture shows the Dutch frigate Tromp approached in the East China Sea by a Chinese fighter jet. “As a warning, the Chinese military took necessary measures at the scene. Hours later, a Chinese military spokesman accused the United States of “creating division and provoking confrontation” in the region.

Persons: South Korea CNN —, Beijing’s, HNLMS Tromp, “, ”, Tromp, China’s People’s, Richard Marles, Lin Jian, Maj, Rob Millen, Lloyd Austin, Washington, Austin, Jing Jianfeng Organizations: South Korea CNN, Dutch Defense Ministry, CNN, United Nations, Pacific Security Maritime Exchange, European Union, UN Security Council, US State Department, Netherlands Ministry of Defence, South Korean Navy, China’s People’s Liberation Army, South China, Australian Defense, Foreign, Canadian, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, US, NATO, Joint Staff Department, Military Commission Locations: Seoul, South Korea, East, Netherlands, North Korea, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Chinese, East China, Busan, South, Hobart, China, South China, Ottawa, Pacific, Singapore, Asia, Ukraine

☆ China to restrict exports of some aviation and space components
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Beijing (Reuters) — China will control exports of some aviation and space components from July 1, its Commerce Ministry announced on Thursday, citing a need to protect the country’s national security and interests. Beijing brought in its Export Control Law in late 2020, amid an escalating trade war kicked off by Trump-era tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods in 2018. The United States and European Union, for example, also control the export of various aerospace components over concerns such parts might find “dual-use” application by hostile states. “China has learned from international practices and implemented export controls on relevant items according to its own needs,” an explanatory note from the Commerce Ministry said. Exports will be licensed if they comply with the relevant regulations,” it added.

Persons: “ Organizations: Reuters, Commerce Ministry, China’s Customs Administration, Central Military Commission, State Council, Ministry of Commerce, Export Control Law, Trump, European Union Locations: Beijing, China, United States

☆ China will restrict exports of some aviation, aerospace equipment to 'safeguard national security'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 09: Captain Zhao Hongbing waves a Chinese national flag after the first C919 large passenger aircraft of China Eastern Airlines landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on December 9, 2022 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Yin Liqin/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)China on Thursday said it will restrict the exports of certain aviation and aerospace components and technologies starting July 1, citing the need to "safeguard national security." The new regulations seek to better protect national security and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. The notice was jointly announced with the General Administration of Customs as well as the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission. Exports of items including equipment, software and technologies related to aerospace structural components, engine manufacturing and manufacturing of gas turbines will require export licenses.

Persons: Zhao Hongbing, Yin Liqin Organizations: China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Hongqiao, China News Service, Getty Images, Ministry of Commerce, Administration of Customs, Equipment Development Department of, Central Military Commission Locations: SHANGHAI, CHINA, Shanghai, China

The meeting, between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and China’s Minister of National Defense Adm. Dong Jun, is the first face-to-face talks between the two defense chiefs and Austin’s first such discussions with a Chinese counterpart since late 2022. The meeting, on the sidelines of an annual defense conference in Singapore, takes place against a fraught regional backdrop. Austin is expected to raise concerns with Dong about China’s support for Russia, US officials said ahead of the meeting. Talks between Austin and Dong are not expected to see substantive progress towards resolving many entrenched issues between them. Several weeks later, US and Chinese top generals spoke in a video call, paving the way for this week’s in-person meeting between the defense chiefs.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Dong Jun, Austin’s, China’s, Austin, Dong, Nancy Pelosi, Li Shangfu, Li, won’t, Xi Jinping’s, Xi, Joe Biden Organizations: Singapore CNN, US, National Defense, South China Seas, Communist Party, Coast Guard, Defense, Washington, Russia, America, East, Communist, Central Military Commission Locations: Singapore, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan, Beijing, East, South, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, China, South China, American, Russia, Ukraine, Austin, Asia –, San Francisco

☆ Xi shakes up China’s military in rethink of how to ‘fight and win’ future wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Chinese leader Xi Jinping oversees the inauguration of the Information Support Force of the People's Liberation Army at a ceremony in Beijing on April 19, 2024. The Information Support Force will be led by top generals from the now-defunct SSF. These functions will now be supervised at his level and not through the Strategic Support Force, which served as a middleman,” Wuthnow said. Though US intelligence officials said the balloon was part of an extensive surveillance program run by the Chinese military, Xi may not have been aware of the mission. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has scrapped the People's Liberation Army's Strategic Support Force, a branch he founded in 2015.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, ”, Wu Qian, SSF, Bi Yi, Li Wei, Ju Qiansheng, Joel Wuthnow, ” Wuthnow, Joe Biden, didn’t, Xinhua News Agency James Char, Char Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Strategic Support Force, Support Force, PLA, China’s Defense, Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, Central Military Commission, Logistic Support Force, Information, Force, People's Liberation Army, Xinhua News, Information Support Force, Xinhua, Pentagon, National Defense University, Aerospace Systems Department, Network System Department, Xinhua News Agency, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, SSF’s Aerospace Systems Department, “, Communist Party, Taiwan Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington, United States, Singapore, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan

☆ A breakaway region in Europe is asking Russia for protection. Here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Christian Edwards | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

No country officially recognizes Transnistria, where Russia has kept a steadily dwindling military presence for decades, now standing at around 1,500 troops. Before Wednesday, the congress’ most recent meeting was in 2006, when it passed a referendum calling to join Russia. When Transnistrian politicians unexpectedly announced a new meeting, analysts suggested this could lead to fresh calls for unification with Russia. Russia’s war in Ukraine has had a profound effect on Transnistria’s economy. Minzarari said the dispute had created opportunities for Russian authorities to “fish in troubled waters.”Why is Russia interested in Moldova?

Persons: Vladimir Putin, ”, Daniel Voda, “, Maia Sandu, Dumitru Minzarari, ” Minzarari, Minzarari, Gen, Rustam Minnekaev, Lenin, Anton Polyakov, Putin, Vadim Kranoselsky, ” Ben Dubow Organizations: CNN —, European Union, Kremlin, Novosti, Moldova’s, Transnistria’s, Deputies, Russia, Moldovan, Russia’s, Ministry, CNN, EU, Carnegie Endowment, International, Baltic Defense College, Military Region, Institute for, RIA Novosti, Center for Locations: Moldova, Transnistria, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, Moldovan, Russia, Tiraspol, Odesa, Maj, Kherson, Russian, US, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kyiv, Transnistrian

☆ Israel-Hamas War Top U.S. Officials Urge Israel to Protect Gazans Amid Intensified Fighting
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Andrés R. Martínez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Yelena Trupanob, right, and her mother, Irena Tati, who were recently released from captivity in Gaza, appearing at a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Ms. Trupanob’s son, Sasha, is still being held hostage in Gaza. “I came to say thank you,” Ms. Trupanob said. Ms. Trupanob, her son, Sasha, 28, and Ms. Tati were kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7. “Now, we have to continue, to return my Sasha, and everyone,” Ms. Trupanob said at the demonstration.

Persons: Yelena Trupanob, Irena Tati, Trupanob’s, Sasha, “, Ms, Trupanob, ”, —, Tati, Nir Oz, Vitaly Trupanob, ” Ms, Michal Lebenthal, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Amit Shem Tov, Omer, Shem Tov, ” Mr Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Russian, Israel, Jerusalem

☆ US, China, Southeast Asia defence officials meet amid crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ministers and members of the delegates attend the opening session of the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting - Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Defence ministers and officials from the United States, China, Russia and Southeast Asia gathered in Indonesia on Thursday for a meeting where they are expected to discuss geopolitical crises in and outside the region. Defence ministers in Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN called on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution in Myanmar, as conflicts are deepening there. "Indonesia is of the view that the region's multiple security issues, ranging from traditional and non-traditional threats, can only be solved by extensive open and inclusive global collaboration," Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's defence minister said in an opening speech on Thursday. Visiting Washington this week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo pressed Biden to do more to end Israel's war with Hamas.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Prabowo, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Fomin, Jing Jianfeng, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Joko Widodo, Biden, Stanley Widianto, Lincoln Organizations: 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Defense, REUTERS, Rights, Defence, U.S . Defense, Joint Staff Department of, Central Military Commission, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, United States, China, Russia, Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia's, Gaza, Myanmar, Korean, Australia, New Zealand, San Francisco, Malaysia, Washington

☆ Indonesia hosts regional defence chiefs amid multiple global crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - Defence ministers in ASEAN called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution to the crisis in Myanmar during the opening of a regional meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. Defence ministers from the Asian bloc are attending the 2-day meeting alongside key players in the Indo-Pacific as major powers jostle for regional influence, and as conflicts deepen from Myanmar to the Middle East. All ASEAN defence ministers, with the exception of Myanmar's, attended Wednesday's forum, with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet counterparts later in the day. The talks will expand on Thursday to include Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia. The country removed its defence minister in October, raising questions about the stability of the leadership around President Xi Jinping.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Joko Widodo, Joe Biden, Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Prabowo, Myanmar's, Lloyd Austin, Jing Jianfeng, Xi Jinping, Austin, Aaron Connelly, Thomas Shoal, Connelly, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Kate Lamb, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, ASEAN, Wednesday, Indonesian Defence, Hamas, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, U.S . Defence, Air, Joint Staff Department, China's, Military Commission, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Myanmar, Jakarta, Washington, Malaysian, Malaysia, East, Ukraine, South China, China, Philippines, Russia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, Beijing, Indonesia, North Korea, Pyongyang, Singapore, U.S, Israel

☆ US, China, Southeast Asia Defence Officials Meet Amid Crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Defence ministers and officials from the United States, China, Russia and Southeast Asia gathered in Indonesia on Thursday for a meeting where they are expected to discuss geopolitical crises in and outside the region. Defence ministers in Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN called on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution in Myanmar, as conflicts are deepening there. Among those attending are U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin and Jing Jianfeng, China's deputy chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission. Other countries participating on Thursday are Australia, New Zealand and others, while Myanmar is absent. Visiting Washington this week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo pressed Biden to do more to end Israel's war with Hamas.

Persons: Prabowo, Lloyd Austin, Alexander Fomin, Jing Jianfeng, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Joko Widodo, Biden, Stanley Widianto, Lincoln Organizations: Defence, ASEAN, U.S . Defense, Joint Staff Department of, Central Military Commission, Hamas Locations: JAKARTA, United States, China, Russia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia's, Gaza, Myanmar, Korean, Australia, New Zealand, San Francisco, Malaysia, Washington

☆ Opinion: When Biden meets Xi, there’s one obstacle he can’t overcome
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Biden may want Xi to help bring down the temperature on the world’s ongoing wars and help prevent new ones from igniting. Although China occasionally tries to keep a façade of neutrality, there’s little question that it is aligned with Russia. White House officials have said Biden will provide “clarity” to Xi, on the US positions regarding Taiwan and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Still, there’s a limit to how much Xi can downplay the need for growth. Even so, Biden and Xi are likely to make some progress in an important and necessary meeting.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Xi, Xi –, Vladimir Putin –, Barack Obama, ”, “, Nancy Pelosi’s, Saul Loeb, Biden, Mao Zedong Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, Biden, Central Military Commission, Israel, Kremlin, Hamas, US, Beijing, Getty, Ukraine, Communist Party, China Locations: California, Bali , Indonesia, China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Beijing, Iran, Tehran, Moscow, Taiwan, Indonesia, South China, White, Gaza

TOKYO, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. military's top general expressed optimism on Friday for a potential improvement in military-to-military ties with China and sent an introductory letter to his Chinese counterpart saying he was open to meeting. Air Force General Charles Q. But China's General Liu Zhenli is the Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the military body responsible for China's combat operations and planning. Brown said he sent a standard introductory letter that explained, "I'm in the position and willing to open a line of communication." "I also believe that taking Taiwan by force and doing a major amphibious operation is not an easy feat."

Persons: Charles Q, Brown, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, Liu Zhenli, William Burns, People's, Liu, General Li Shangfu, Li, Nancy Pelosi, Phil Stewart, Gerry Doyle, Jon Boyle Organizations: Air Force, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Pentagon, Joint Staff Department of, Central Military Commission, Beijing, U.S, CIA, U.S . Air Force, People's Liberation Army, PLA, People's Liberation Army Air, Reuters, Russia, ., CMC, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, China, Taiwan, Japan, U.S, Beijing, Tokyo, TAIWAN Washington, South China, Asia, Pacific, Seoul, Taipei

[1/4] Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission General Zhang Youxia at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia November 8, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Putin praises China cooperationMeets close ally of Xi in MoscowSays cooperation is to ensure strategic securityZhang says China respects PutinMOSCOW, Nov 8 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lauded what he described as important "high-tech" Russian military cooperation with China at a meeting in Moscow with a top Chinese general who is a close ally of President Xi Jinping. Putin, who heads the world's biggest nuclear power, said military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing was increasing and focused on high-tech areas that would ensure strategic security. "Of course, our cooperation, our contacts in the military and military-technical sphere are also becoming increasingly important, as for military-technical cooperation, here, of course, our work in high-tech spheres comes first," Putin said. Zhang said that his delegation had come in order to implement important agreements and further strengthen bilateral military cooperation.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Zhang Youxia, Sergei Bobylev, Xi, Zhang, Putin, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Andrew Osborn Organizations: Defence, China's, Military, Sputnik, REUTERS Acquire, Wednesday, Military Commission, Russian Defence, U.S, U.S . Congress, Russian Federation, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, China, Putin MOSCOW, Beijing, Ukraine, Europe, United States, People's Republic of China, Washington, Asia, U.S, Australia, Britain

☆ Putin signs decree allowing foreigners to swap frozen funds for blocked Russian assets abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission General Zhang Youxia at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia November 8, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Wednesday allowing foreign investors with funds frozen in Russia to use them to buy blocked assets of Russians abroad. As a result of sanctions imposed by the West over Russia's actions in Ukraine, more than 3.5 million Russians have frozen assets abroad worth around 1.5 trillion roubles ($16.3 billion). Under the decree, Russia will allow citizens of what it deems "unfriendly" countries to buy frozen securities held abroad by Russians by using funds from special "type-C" accounts in Russia, which are otherwise effectively blocked. ($1 = 91.8080 roubles)Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya and Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew CawthorneOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Zhang Youxia, Sergei Bobylev, Putin's, Elena Fabrichnaya, Mark Trevelyan, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Defence, China's, Military, Sputnik, Rights, West, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, United States

Noticeably missing from the line-up was China’s own defense minister. China would continue to “deepen strategic coordination” with Russia’s military, and it was willing, Zhang added, to develop China-US military relations. Security coordination between China and Russia has tightened in recent years amid rising tensions between each with the US and its allies. The security forum also comes as the US and China are attempting to navigate their contentious relationship that includes frictions over Taiwan and Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea. Its officials have declined American outreach for high level meetings, in what was widely seen as a protest against sanctions Washington placed on former defense minister Li in 2018, prior to his time as defense minister, for weapons purchases from Russia.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Li Shangfu, Xi Jinping, –, Zhang Youxia, ” Zhang, Xi’s, ”, Zhang, Russia’s Shoigu, Shoigu, ” Shoigu, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Li, Wu Qian, ” Wu Organizations: CNN, Russian, Communist Party, Central Military, Global Security, Beijing, Washington, US, Xanthi, Defense Locations: China, Beijing, Moscow, United States, US, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, South, Taiwan, Palestine, Asia, Pacific, South China, Xanthi Carras

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