Tag: Xi Jinping

International

China hikes defence budget by 7.2% to $232 billion amid rivalry with US, frictions with neighbours

March 5, 2024

Beijing: China Tuesday increased its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to $232 billion as it continues with the massive ...

Xi arrives in San Francisco for talks with Biden, APEC meeting

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What to watch for as China’s major political meeting of the year gets underway

March 4, 2024

Beijing: One burning issue dominates as the 2024 session of China's legislature gets underway this week: the economy. The National ...

International

15 killed, 44 injured in building fire in China

February 24, 2024

Beijing: At least 15 people were killed and 44 others injured when a building caught fire in China, a month ...

International

China opens fifth research station in Antarctica amid concern of ability to collect intelligence from Australia, New Zealand

February 7, 2024

Beijing: China opened its fifth research station in Antarctica Wednesday amid concerns over its location suited to collect signals "intelligence" ...

Xi calls for Ukraine peace talks to resume during talks with Macron Beijing: Chinese leader Xi Jinping called Thursday for peace talks over Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to him to “bring Russia to its senses,” but Xi gave no indication Beijing would use its leverage as Vladimir Putin's diplomatic partner to press for a settlement. Xi gave no sign China, which declared it had a “no limits friendship” with Moscow before last year's attack, had changed its stance since calling for peace talks in February. But he added his personal authority by repeating the appeal at a joint event with Macron in front of reporters. “Peace talks should resume as soon as possible,” Xi said. Beijing, which sees Moscow as a partner in opposing US domination of global affairs, has tried to appear neutral in the conflict but has given Putin diplomatic support and repeated Russian justifications for the February 2022 attack. Xi received an effusive welcome from Putin when he visited Moscow last month, giving the isolated Russian president a political boost. The Chinese leader said “legitimate security concerns of all parties” should be considered, a reference to Moscow's argument that its invasion of Ukraine was justified because of the eastward expansion of NATO, the US-European military alliance. Governments should “avoid taking actions that will further make the crisis deteriorate or even get out of control," Xi said. He called for cooperation to reduce disruption of food and energy supplies, especially for developing countries. During their talks earlier, Macron appealed to Xi to “bring Russia to its senses and bring everyone back to the negotiating table.” Macron pointed to Chinese support for the United Nations Charter, which calls for respect of a country's territorial integrity. He said Putin's announcement that his government would deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus violated international agreements and commitments Moscow had made to Xi's government. “We need to find a lasting peace," the French president said. "I believe that this is also an important issue for China, as much as it is for France and for Europe.” China is the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas, which helps prop up the Kremlin's revenue in the face of Western sanctions. That increases Chinese influence, but Xi appears reluctant to jeopardise that partnership by pressuring Putin. “China has always adhered to an objective and fair position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis,” said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning. “We have been an advocate of a political solution to the crisis and a promoter of peace talks.” Earlier, Macron said during a meeting with the ruling Communist Party's No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, that France wants to “build a common path” in dealing with “all the major conflicts” in addition to Ukraine. Li said there was likely to be a “broad consensus” between Macron and Xi but gave no indication whether Beijing might be willing to lobby Moscow to make peace. The meeting will “send positive signals of concerted efforts by China, France and Europe to maintain world peace and stability,” Li said. Macron was accompanied to Beijing by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a show of European unity. Last week, von der Leyen warned that the European Union must be prepared to develop measures to protect trade and investment that China might exploit for security and military purposes. Meanwhile, NATO's 31 member countries warned Wednesday of “severe consequences” should China start sending weapons and ammunition to Russia. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said giving lethal aid would be a “historic mistake.” He warned there would be “severe consequences” but declined to give details. Mao, the Chinese spokesperson, rejected NATO criticism. “When it comes to responsibility in Ukraine, I think the United States and military blocs such as NATO should take responsibility,” Mao said. “NATO is in no position to accuse or pressure China.” AP China, Ukraine, Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron

International

Xi says ready to ‘break new ground’ to solidify China-France ties after Macron inks big defence deals with India

January 28, 2024

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to "break new ground" to give a fillip to the China-France ties, days ...

Key trade route between Nepal-China reopens

International

Nepal & China to sign implementation plan of Beijing-backed BRI projects: Nepal’s Deputy PM

January 28, 2024

Kathmandu: Nepal and China will sign the implementation plan of the Belt and Road Initiative “very soon”, Deputy Prime Minister ...

China sends aircraft, vessels toward Taiwan days after US approves $500-million arms sale

International

Beijing steps up military pressure on Taiwan after US, China announce talks

January 27, 2024

Taipei: China sent more than 30 warplanes and a group of navy ships toward Taiwan, the island's defence ministry said ...

International

Blinken meets Chinese, Japanese diplomats; seeks stability as Taiwan voters head to polls

January 13, 2024

Washington: Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait during a meeting ...

International

Maldives President Muizzu meets Chinese counterpart Xi amid diplomatic row with India

January 10, 2024

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday held talks with his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a five-day state ...

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North Korea’s Kim orders military to ‘thoroughly annihilate’ US, South Korea if provoked

January 1, 2024

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to 'thoroughly annihilate' the United States and South Korea if ...

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Editorial

In Anticipation

December 22, 2024

What should we look forward to in 2025? I mean “look forward to” in the sense of anticipate rather than...

December 21, 2024

The appointment of Directors General of Police (DGPs) is one of the crucial issues the Supreme Court has, once again,...

December 18, 2024

I t may appear strange in most democracies, including India, that losing a no-confidence vote against a government leading to...

December 17, 2024

The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria is not an isolated event in the Middle East, but part of...

Tag: Xi Jinping

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