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world news Dialuna 12 September 2022

Another US congressional delegation in Taiwan amid tensions

(AP) — Another U.S. con- larly by pushing for a "high-
gressional delegation is quality free trade agreement"
visiting Taiwan as tensions between the sides. Negotia-
with China remain high tions are underway between
over its claims to the self- the Biden and Tsai adminis-
governed island. trations on a trade pact.

A steady stream of U.S. visi- The other American law-
tors has come to meet with makers visiting are Hawaii
Taiwanese officials since U.S. Democrat Kaiali'i Kahele and
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Republicans Scott Frank-
visited in early August. China lin of Florida, Joe Wilson of
in response has stepped up its South Carolina, Andy Barr
military harassment of Tai- of Kentucky, Darrell Issa of
wan, sending warships, war- California, Claudia Tenney
planes and drones toward the of New York and Kat Cam-
island daily. mack of Florida.
Pelosi was the highest-level
Led by Florida Democrat member of the U.S. govern-
Stephanie Murphy, the del- ment to visit Taiwan in 25
egation met Thursday with years. China responded by
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing- holding extended military
wen, whose administration exercises that included fir-
China has relentlessly sought ing missiles over the island
to deprive of diplomatic rec- ly rejects and deplores" the ment official to attend an of- Murphy, who was born in and sending ships across the
ognition and participation in congressional visit, saying it ficial funeral for ex-Prime Ho Chi Minh City to Viet- midline of the Taiwan Strait,
international organizations. violates the U.S. commit- Minister Shinzo Abe. China namese parents, is among which was long a buffer be-
Referring to China's military ment to the "one-China poli- strongly protested after Tai- lawmakers who introduced a tween the two sides. Some of
threats, Tsai said the delega- cy" that forbids formal diplo- wanese Vice President Lai bill that would allow the U.S. the missiles landed in Japan's
tion's visit "conveys rock sol- matic relations with Taiwan. Ching-te paid his respects at to lend weapons to support exclusive economic zone.
id support for Taiwan from Abe's Tokyo residence fol- Taiwan, similar to a bill that
the U.S. Congress." Under the U.S. system of lowing his assassination in was passed to lend weapons China sees high-level foreign
separation of powers, the July. to Ukraine. Last week, the visits to the island as interfer-
Murphy replied that Con- executive branch of govern- Biden administration ap- ence in its affairs and de facto
gress "should advocate for ment has no legal right to Throughout his political ca- proved a $1 billion arms sale recognition of Taiwanese
greater Taiwanese participa- prevent members of Con- reer, Abe was a strong sup- to Taiwan. sovereignty. China's recent
tion in international organi- gress from visiting Taiwan. porter of Taiwan, a Japanese military drills were seen by
zations." China has repeatedly refused colony for 50 years until the Murphy also said deepen- some as a rehearsal of future
to recognize that principle. end of World War II which ing economic relations with military action against the
Chinese Foreign Ministry maintains close political, eco- Taiwan was "one of the most island, which U.S. military
spokesperson Mao Ning on Mao also cautioned Japan not nomic and social ties with important things Congress leaders say could come with-
Thursday said China "strong- to allow a Taiwanese govern- Japan. can do right now," particu- in the next few years.

China legislator criticizes sanctions on visit to Russia

(AP) — Chinese state me- munist Party's all-powerful by force. na, and opposes any forms of Although condemning the
dia say the country's top Politburo Standing Commit- "Li thanked the Russian side independence of Taiwan." punishing economic sanc-
legislator decried sanc- tee and is considered one of for firmly supporting China tions against Russia, Beijing
tions against Russia dur- Xi's closest confidants, the on the Taiwan question," Xi- China has steadfastly refused has not provided military or
ing a recent visit to the two having worked together nhua reported. to criticize Russia's invasion financial support to Moscow
country, underscoring for decades. of Ukraine or even to refer that could trigger legal action
China's backing of Mos- Ranked third in the Com- Russia has also backed China to it as such, and has accused from Washington against its
cow in its war on Ukraine munist Party hierarchy, Li is against international criti- the U.S. and NATO of pro- companies.
despite claims of neutral- the highest-level official to cism, including at the United voking the conflict, despite
ity. travel abroad since the start Nations, over its mass incar- Putin's statements that he re- Russia held sweeping mili-
of the pandemic. ceration of Uyghurs and oth- gards Ukraine as a historical tary drills that ended last
The official Xinhua News er Muslim minorities. part of Russia that must be week in the country's east, in-
Agency said Li Zhanshu The meeting at the Shanghai eliminated as an independent volving forces from China in
urged greater cooperation Cooperation Organization The world's two leading political entity. another show of increasingly
on "fighting against exter- — a political, economic and authoritarian states, China close ties between the two.
nal interference, sanctions security forum that China and Russia have increas-
and long-arm jurisdiction, and Russia dominate — ingly aligned their foreign
among others," in a meet- comes as Putin faces setbacks policies against the U.S. and
ing with Russian lawmakers in his attempt to conquer other liberal democracies.
Thursday. Ukraine and Xi prepares for a Weeks before Russia invaded
congress of the ruling Com- Ukraine, Xi hosted Putin in
Li also held talks with Rus- munist Party that is expected Beijing in early February,
sian President Vladimir Pu- to grant him a third five-year during which the sides issued
tin ahead of an expected term as leader. a joint statement declaring,
meeting this month between "Friendship between the two
Putin and Chinese President Xinhua said Russia also States has no limits, there are
Xi Jinping at a regional gath- backed Beijing's condemna- no 'forbidden' areas of coop-
ering in Uzbekistan. That tion of U.S. House Speak- eration."
would mark Xi's first trip er Nancy Pelosi's visit last
outside China since the pan- month to Taiwan, the self- In that statement, Russia also
demic began in early 2020. governing island democracy said it "confirms that Taiwan
Li is a member of the Com- that China threatens to annex is an inalienable part of Chi-