CIA Claims 'Progress' in China, Russia Accuses Ukraine of Plotting to Sink Patrol Boats, Taliban Delegation Arrives in Indonesia

New Zealand considers joining AUKUS, Syria accuses the US of causing global instability, Passenger commits suicide, plane makes emergency landing... are some notable world news in the past 24 hours.

Mr. Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was elected as China's Foreign Minister to replace Mr. Qin Gang on July 25. (Source: Reuters)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

Russia-Ukraine

*Countries continue to pledge aid to Ukraine for mine clearance: Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on July 25 that Ukraine's allied countries have pledged to allocate 244 million USD in addition to special equipment for humanitarian mine clearance needs in the country.

"Our task is not only to clear the entire territory of mines to save lives, but also to speed up this process. This is a matter of economic recovery, because the sooner we put potentially exploitable lands back into circulation, the faster business activity on these lands will develop," Svyrydenko wrote in a statement posted on the government's website.

The US State Department estimated in early December that about 160,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory needed to be checked for explosive threats, an area roughly half the size of Germany. (Reuters)

*Russia accuses Ukraine of plotting to use unmanned ships to sink patrol boats: On July 25, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had stopped an unsuccessful attack attempt by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) on the ship "Sergey Kotov" of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

According to the announcement, on the evening of July 25, the VSU attempted to attack the patrol ship "Sergey Kotov" using two unmanned speedboats. At the time of the attack, the "Sergey Kotov" was performing maritime control duties in the southwestern Black Sea, 370 km southwest of the port of Sevastopol. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that this attack attempt was repelled and did not pose a threat to the security of the Russian Navy.

In the process of repelling the attack, the ship "Sergey Kotov" destroyed both enemy remote-controlled boats at a distance of 1,000 and 800 meters, respectively. The circumstances and details of the incident are currently being clarified . (Vietnam News Agency)

* Moscow warns of retaliation if Moldova cuts Russian Embassy staff: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on July 26 criticized Moldova's decision to cut the number of Russian diplomatic staff in the country as baseless, and warned that Moscow would retaliate against Chisinau.

“We consider this an unjustified unfriendly act” that cannot go unanswered, Ms Zakharova said. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also denied allegations that Russian diplomats were involved in espionage.

Chisinau said there are currently more than 30 Russian diplomats accredited to Moldova. Representatives of Moldova's ruling party have called on the country's Foreign Ministry to consider reducing the diplomatic staff of the Russian Embassy to six, the same number as the Moldovan Embassy in Moscow.

Earlier, the Director of the Moldovan Security and Information Service, Alexander Musteata, accused the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) of establishing an intelligence network in Moldova. However, the Russian Embassy in Chisinau stressed that Moscow, unlike the West, always respects the sovereignty and does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. (Sputnik news)

*Chinese, Russian navies to conduct joint patrols in the Pacific: China's Defense Ministry said on July 26 that Russian and Chinese naval ships will soon conduct joint patrols in the western and northern Pacific Oceans.

In a statement on July 26, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said: "According to the annual cooperation plan between the Russian and Chinese militaries, the naval forces of the two countries will soon conduct joint maritime patrols in the respective waters of the western and northern Pacific Oceans."

The statement stressed that these actions "are not directed against third parties and are not related to the current international and regional situation." (TASS)

Asia

*China's diplomacy 'progressing steadily' after new foreign minister: China said on July 26 that its diplomacy was "progressing steadily" after the surprise decision to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister, replacing Qin Gang, who has not appeared in public since June 25.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning stated: “China’s diplomatic activities are progressing steadily.” Previously, on July 25, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China met to approve the appointment of Wang Yi as Foreign Minister to replace Qin Gang. Wang Yi served as China’s Foreign Minister from 2013-2022 and was Qin Gang’s predecessor. (SCMP)

*Taliban delegation arrives in Indonesia: Speaking to reporters on July 25 regarding the trip of the Taliban government delegation to Indonesia, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said: "They came to Jakarta unofficially regarding internal issues with the Afghan mission here."

Meanwhile, Deputy Spokesperson of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hafiz Zia Ahmad wrote on his Twitter page on July 14 that the delegation held useful meetings and discussions with a number of scholars, politicians and businessmen in Indonesia to strengthen bilateral political and economic relations, as well as met with diplomats from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Singapore in the Indonesian capital.

The Taliban government is not officially recognized internationally and only a handful of countries have a presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban government is seeking recognition across the Muslim world, including moves to lobby Indonesia—the world’s largest Muslim-majority country—to boost political and economic ties. Indonesia has reopened its embassy in Kabul but has not recognized the legitimacy of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AseaNews)

*Myanmar may switch to house arrest for Ms. Suu Kyi: Media reported on July 26 that the Myanmar military government may switch from detention to house arrest in the capital Naypytaw for Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi.

The AP news agency quoted an unnamed security official as saying the decision was a show of clemency for prisoners during a religious holiday next week. Meanwhile, the BBC, citing a source familiar with the matter, said Ms Suu Kyi could be moved to a house normally used by government officials.

A spokesman for Myanmar's military government has yet to comment on the information. Ms. Suu Kyi has been detained since early 2021 when the military overthrew her elected government in a coup and launched a bloody crackdown on opposition figures, leaving thousands imprisoned or killed . (Reuters)

*India opens doors to Chinese investment: The Financial Times (FT) newspaper on July 26 quoted Deputy Minister of Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar as saying that India is always open to Chinese investment, despite the border conflict between the two countries.

“We are ready to do business with any company, anywhere, as long as they invest and do business legally and in accordance with Indian laws,” Chandrasekhar told the FT , adding that India was “open to all investment projects, including from China.”

New Delhi stepped up scrutiny of Chinese companies after a border clash between the two countries in 2020, banning more than 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok. Since then, India has stepped up scrutiny of Chinese companies’ investments . (Reuters)

* CIA claims to have made “progress” in rebuilding its network in China, what does Beijing say?: Beijing has said it will take “all necessary countermeasures” following comments by CIA Director William Burns that the agency has “made progress” in rebuilding its spy networks in China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said on July 24 that the Chinese government took note of these statements and pledged: "China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard national security."

Mr Burns, who will head the CIA in 2021, said last week that his agency was working to rebuild its networks after the Chinese government arrested several CIA spies a decade ago. (SCMP)

*Chinese ambassador “misspoke,” seeking to appease South Korea: Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming said on July 26 that South Korea and China are inseparable neighbors, calling for closer ties and more exchanges, after tensions rose last month when he expressed displeasure with Seoul siding with Washington.

"My hope is that China and South Korea will get along as friends and neighbors, just like when the two countries first established diplomatic relations," Xing said during talks with Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Korea-China Future Forum on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Last month, tensions rose between Seoul and Beijing after Mr. Xing said in a meeting with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung that those who bet on China's "loss" in its competition with the United States would "certainly regret it" (Yonhap).

*Passenger commits suicide, plane forced to make emergency landing: On July 25, Turkish national airline announced that a passenger plane of this airline en route from Istanbul to Marrakesh had to make an emergency landing in the Algerian capital Algiers, after one of the passengers committed suicide.

According to the announcement, the crew of flight number TK619 suspected something unusual when a passenger went to the toilet right after the plane took off and did not come out for a long time.

After the toilet door was broken, the crew tried to give first aid to the passengers but were unsuccessful and the plane had to make an emergency landing in the Algerian capital. The airline said the plane would continue its journey later. (Sputniknews)

Europe:

*Plane crash in Greece, two pilots killed: The Greek Ministry of Defense announced on July 25 that the pilot and co-pilot on a plane participating in firefighting operations on the island of Evia had crashed.

According to the announcement, the two Greek Air Force officers involved in the incident were aged 34 and 27. On the same day, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent condolences to the families of the two pilots.

Meanwhile, AMNA news agency said the bodies of the two pilots were found at the crash site near the coastal city of Karrystos. Earlier, the Canadair plane burst into flames after crashing to the ground under unknown circumstances. (VNA)

*Swiss Defense Minister cancels visit to South Korea due to accident: The Swiss Defense Ministry announced on July 25 that the country's Defense Minister Viola Amherd had an accident while hiking and broke her elbow.

The ministry said that doctors have asked Viola Amherd to stay home to recover until August 10. This means that the Swiss defense minister will not be able to attend the National Day celebrations on August 1 in Lucerne as planned, nor will she be able to make a trip to South Korea.

Earlier, local sources said Ms. Amherd had an accident while climbing in the state of Valais. (TTXVN)

Northeast Asia

*North Korea to hold military parade on Victory Day: Multiple sources said North Korea could hold a military parade as early as midnight on July 26 to mark the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice, which Pyongyang calls Victory Day.

Commercial satellite images show North Korea is preparing for a military parade in Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square - an event likely to demonstrate its military presence and bolster internal unity. "The parade could start as early as midnight and last for several hours," said an unnamed government source.

Until 2018, North Korea usually held military parades in the morning, but since the event marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party in October 2020, the parades have been held at night. (Yonhap)

Oceania

*New Zealand 'ready to talk' about joining AUKUS: New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on July 26 that Wellington is "ready to talk" about its potential role in the Australia-UK-US trilateral security agreement (AUKUS), opening the door to cooperation.

Speaking to reporters in Wellington after meeting his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister Hipkins said New Zealand could join AUKUS as long as it did not involve the development of nuclear submarines. Mr Hipkins said New Zealand and AUKUS could collaborate on defence technology – including cyber, artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons – which is known as the “second pillar” of the AUKUS agreement.

For his part, Australian Prime Minister Albanese said that New Zealand had the responsibility to plan its own defense policy, but Canberra and Wellington "certainly" remained "friends and members of the Five Eyes group." (AFP)

America

*Former President and Prime Minister of Peru have their assets confiscated: On July 25, the Supreme Court of Peru ordered the confiscation of the assets of former President Pedro Castillo and former Prime Minister Aníbal Torres, and ordered other asset freezing measures at the request of the prosecution.

Accordingly, four properties belonging to former President Castillo in the Cajamarca region and eight properties owned by former Prime Minister Torres in the capital Lima will be confiscated, as part of compensation for damages caused by corruption worth about 67 million sols (more than 19 million USD).

Mr. Castillo and Mr. Torres were arrested in December 2022. The Attorney General's Office is currently investigating two former ministers under Mr. Castillo's administration for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for public works contracts, including one involving the state oil company Petroperu. Mr. Castillo is also being investigated for sedition and plotting to dissolve the Peruvian Congress . (VNA)

* The US is short of $41.3 billion for diplomatic efforts to deal with China in the next 5 years: Foreign Policy magazine cited a report sent by the US State Department to Congress saying that the US is facing a major shortfall in funding needed for diplomatic plans in the Indo-Pacific region in the Joe Biden administration's efforts to deal with China.

According to Foreign Policy , the documents reveal a $41.3 billion shortfall in the Biden administration’s funding for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) compared to the required costs to carry out their work in the region over the next five years. Diplomats need money to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region, but they may have to wait.

The report points out that some of the top priorities of the US State Department include transferring weapons to Taiwan and opening US diplomatic missions in the Maldives, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati. (Sputniknews)

Middle East-Africa

*Iran sets conditions for slowing down uranium enrichment program: On July 25, Vice President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami announced that Tehran could slow down its uranium enrichment program but this depends on proposals from the US. Mr. Eslami also said that Iran also wants to restart nuclear safety cooperation with Japan.

Under the 2015 deal with six world powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. But former US President Donald Trump complained that the deal signed by his predecessor was flawed and withdrew Washington from the deal in 2018. Iran responded by expanding its capacity and increasing the level of uranium enrichment beyond the limits set in the deal.

Eslami also said there are many opportunities for joint nuclear cooperation with Japan, stressing that Tokyo could benefit from Iran's reliable nuclear industry. Japan previously trained Iranian scientists in a program aimed at developing nuclear safety, but the program was suspended after the United States imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear development program . (Kyodo )

*Syrian President Accuses US of Causing Global Instability: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on July 25 accused the US of being responsible for "global instability", state news agency SANA reported.

Speaking during a meeting with Russian President's Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, al-Assad said the US and its Western allies "have fabricated a global political-economic crisis and caused global instability, with the aim of weakening Russia's international position and presence".

He further stressed that Russia's firm stance towards the West and the United States is one of the most important factors creating a multipolar world.

The Syrian president also discussed with Lavrentiev regional issues such as the repatriation of Syrian refugees and the need to withdraw Turkish forces from northern Syria. (THX)

*UAE returns 21 Iranian prisoners: On July 25, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned 21 Iranians detained in the Arab country and will soon repatriate them.

According to IRNA, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to pardon the prisoners during Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Abu Dhabi in late June. The prisoners, who are being held in Ras Al-Khaimah, will return to Iran after completing the necessary procedures.

On June 22, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian visited the UAE. During the visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister exchanged views with senior officials of the host country on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern. (THX)

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