China opposes Japan's export controls on chip manufacturing equipment, North Korea may soon deploy spy satellites, Russia announced the shooting down of a UAV in the Belgorod region, the Netherlands may be the first country to supply F16s to Ukraine... are some of the outstanding international events in the past 24 hours.
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| Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a joint press conference in Moscow on March 21. (Source: AFP/Sputnik) |
Asia
* Russia-China relations are not aimed at any third party : Commenting on Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's visit to Beijing on May 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is not aimed at any third party and is not influenced by them.
“China has always developed normal trade and economic cooperation with all countries in the world, including Russia, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,” Mr. Ninh explained.
China has always opposed unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction that have no basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council. Cooperation between Russia and China is not aimed at any third party and is not subject to their influence and coercion." ( Sputnik News )
* South Korean Defense Minister attends FA-50 fighter jet export contract signing ceremony : During his visit to Malaysia on May 23, South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup attended the contract signing ceremony to export FA-50 light attack aircraft to this Southeast Asian country, assessing the agreement as an "important" opportunity to elevate the strategic defense partnership.
The signing ceremony took place after Minister Lee and his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan held talks on bilateral defence and arms production cooperation.
During the talks, Lee asked for support for Korean businesses to expand their participation in Malaysia's future military enhancement projects, including pushing ahead with the project for three 2,000-ton patrol vessels. ( Yonhap )
* China opposes Japan's export controls on chip manufacturing equipment : China's Ministry of Commerce said on May 23 that Beijing firmly opposes Japan's export controls on 23 types of chip manufacturing equipment.
Japan previously imposed restrictions on exports of 23 types of leading semiconductor chip manufacturing equipment to China.
For nearly six months, the US government has been lobbying its allies, including Japan, to introduce policies to limit the transfer of advanced technologies related to semiconductor chip production to China. ( Reuters)
* South Korea believes North Korea may soon deploy spy satellites : South Korean National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong said on May 23 that North Korea could deploy its first military spy satellite "in the near future."
"If that happens, we will make every effort to respond, and that will result in North Korea being further isolated diplomatically in the international community," Cho Tae-yong stressed. ( Yonhap)
* Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council visits Laos : On May 23, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev arrived in the Lao capital Vientiane, as part of a tour of Southeast Asian countries.
According to the plan, Mr. Medvedev will have meetings and dialogues with high-ranking Lao officials, such as General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Minister of Public Security Vilay Lakhamfong and Minister of Defense, General Chansamone Chanyalath . ( TASS )
* Singapore affirms warm, long-term defense relations with Malaysia : On May 23, within the framework of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 23) in Malaysia, Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen met with his host counterpart Dato' Seri Mohamad Hasan and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
During the meeting, the two ministers reaffirmed the warm and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. At the invitation of the Malaysian Government, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also participated in LIMA 23. (VNA)
* Philippines, Japan strengthen defense ties : On May 23, online news network GMA reported that Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said that the two countries are preparing to launch a preliminary round of consultations before conducting formal negotiations on a "reciprocal access agreement", also known as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), to strengthen defense cooperation amid concerns over escalating tensions in the East Sea.
In a recent interview with GMA , Ambassador Koshikawa said that both countries “are about to start consultations to negotiate on this issue as both sides are open.”
Mr. Koshikawa expressed his hope that "in the near future, there will be a framework to further strengthen bilateral defense cooperation," noting that such an agreement is known as the VFA in the Philippines. (VNA)
* China sets conditions for troop withdrawal from disputed border with India : In the strategically important Depsang Plains in Ladakh, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has recently demanded the creation of a 15-20 km wide buffer zone or no patrolling within the lines claimed by India as a precondition for troop withdrawal.
Beijing made this latest request during the 18th round of corps commander-level talks with New Delhi last month, and reiterated the request during subsequent military talks at lower levels. (VNA)
* Indian court summons BBC representative in documentary case about Prime Minister Modi : On May 22, the Delhi High Court of India issued a summons to the representative of the British news agency BBC in a defamation lawsuit related to a documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The documentary focuses on Mr Modi's leadership as chief minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat during riots in 2002 that left at least 1,000 people dead, mostly Muslims.
Mr Modi has denied doing enough to stop the riots, and a Supreme Court-ordered inquiry found no evidence to prosecute him. A petition for a fresh probe was rejected by the Supreme Court last year.
India has reacted angrily to the documentary “India: Questioning Modi” that aired in January, calling it a biased “propaganda piece” and blocking any clips from the film from being shared on social media. (VNA)
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| Ukraine announced that it will receive 12-18 F-16 fighter jets. (Source: Arenalogic) |
Europe
* EU announces 4th major financial aid package for Ukraine : European Commission Deputy Spokesperson Dana Spinant announced on May 23 that the European Union (EU) will provide the 4th major financial aid package for Ukraine worth 1.5 billion Euros (1.6 billion USD).
"Today, we are announcing a decision to provide a 1.5 billion euro tranche of assistance to Ukraine, the fourth payment in a package of additional macro-financial assistance to the Eastern European country, worth up to 18 billion euros this year," Ms. Spinant said at a press conference. ( Sputnik News)
* Russian Prime Minister visits China : On May 22, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin departed for China on a 2-day visit to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
In Shanghai, Prime Minister Mishustin will address the plenary session of the Russia-China Business Forum, which will be attended by heads of leading companies in Russia and China. The Russian prime minister will also visit the Shanghai Petrochemical Research Institute of Sinopec Group.
On May 24, Mr. Mishustin will arrive in Beijing, hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and sign bilateral agreements. (Vietnam News Agency)
* Ukraine announced that it will receive 12-18 F-16 fighter jets : On May 22, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force (VVSU) Yuriy Ignat said that the country is preparing to receive 12-18 F-16 fighter jets from the US.
Mr. Ignat's announcement shows that Western countries will most likely not transfer individual fighter jets but will send an entire squadron at once.
Previously, Ukraine announced its desire to receive up to 50 F-16 fighter jets. (TTXVN)
* Ukraine: The Netherlands could be the first country to supply F16 fighter jets to Kiev : Politico quoted Ukrainian Defense Ministry Advisor Yuriy Sak as saying that the Netherlands could become the first country to supply F-16 fighter jets to Kiev.
In an interview with the Washington Post on May 20, Mr. Sak said that Kiev hopes to receive the first F16s from foreign sponsors in late September or early October. (Sputnik News)
* Ukrainian Intelligence: Russia increases the number of cruise missiles by 20%: According to the General Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russia is significantly increasing missile production.
In early 2023, Ukrainian intelligence estimated that Russia's production capacity was about 53 missiles per month. However, according to the latest information, Russia's monthly missile production has increased to about 67 missiles, representing a 20% increase in production since the end of January this year. This indicates a change in Moscow's military strategy or planning.
Russia has not yet commented on the above information, but with the intensity of the special military campaign, it is very likely that the above information is true. (TTXVN)
* German intelligence: No "division" seen in Putin's administration : Director of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) Bruno Kahl said on May 22 that the controversies in Russian society do not pose any threat to President Vladimir Putin's administration and he does not see any weakening of the Russian leader.
However, Mr. Kahl said, Russia has certain gaps, including the performance of its armed forces. The German intelligence chief argued that President Putin's long-term strategy could prevail if the West did not support Ukraine in a very organized way. ( DW )
* Russia announced the shooting down of UAVs in the Belgorod region : Governor of Russia's Belgorod province Vyacheslav Gladkov said on May 23 that Russian forces shot down unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the region with anti-aircraft weapons.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Gladkov informed that Russia continued "anti-terrorist operations" in Belgorod. On May 22, Moscow said that a group of Ukrainian commandos had infiltrated the Grayvoronsky area of Belgorod province and that Russian security forces were currently taking all measures to destroy the group. ( Reuters )
* Ukraine announces that fighting has cooled down in Bakhmut : On May 23, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced that fighting had cooled down in the strategic city of Bakhmut, but shelling continued in the surrounding area.
According to Ms. Maliar, Ukrainian forces have made some progress "on the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut", without giving further details. The official added that Russian offensive activity has decreased slightly, but "the number of shellings remains high". ( Reuters)
* Kazakhstan refuses to accept Ukraine's nominated Ambassador : On May 22, Ukraine's Zerkalo Nedeli newspaper quoted sources as saying that Kazakhstan has refused to accept former head of the Military Administration of the Eastern Lugansk Province (OVA) Sergei Gaidai to become Ukraine's Ambassador to the country.
According to sources, Kazakhstan has refused to approve Ukraine's plan to appoint Mr. Gaidai as the head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan, citing the country's desire to see a professional diplomat as the Ukrainian ambassador.
Last October, Ukrainian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Petr Vrublevsky was dismissed by President Zelensky after he called for “killing as many Russians as possible,” which angered Kazakhstan. ( pravda.com.ua )
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| The US announced that it prioritized the plan to transfer F-16s to Ukraine, affirming that it would not encourage Kiev to do something. |
America
* US satellites detect China's WZ-8 hypersonic UAV again : China's WZ-8 hypersonic UAV has appeared again in US satellite images. One of these UAVs is parked at a newly upgraded military base in eastern China.
Defense News, a US-based defence website, said satellite imagery showed what appeared to be a WZ-8 reconnaissance drone parked outside one of two newly built hangars at the Luan Air Base in Anhui Province. The image was provided by US company Planet Labs and dated December 21 last year.
Last month, images dated August 9 last year from a secret US military archive were leaked, showing two WZ-8s parked at the same Chinese air base.
According to the document, the WZ-8 can fly at Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound), at an altitude of 100,000 feet (30 km). ( SCMP )
* US accuses Wagner forces of trying to transit weapons through Mali : On May 22, the US State Department said that Russia's Wagner mercenary force is trying to cover up its efforts to purchase military equipment for use in Ukraine, adding that Wagner forces are trying to transit purchased weapons through Mali to support Moscow in its campaign in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters, a US State Department spokesman said: "There are indications that Wagner has attempted to purchase military systems from foreign suppliers and transfer these weapons to Mali as a third party. There is no indication that these acquisitions have been completed or implemented, but we are monitoring the situation closely." ( Reuters )
* The US criticizes China for restricting the import of Micron semiconductor chips : On May 22, the US criticized China for restricting the sales of semiconductor chips from the US manufacturer Micron.
"We are deeply concerned by reports that China has restricted the sale of Micron semiconductor chips to certain domestic industries. Overall, this action appears inconsistent with China's assertions of openness for business and commitment to a transparent regulatory framework," said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Mr. Miller stressed that the US Department of Commerce has expressed Washington's concerns to Beijing. (AFP)
Middle East-Africa
* Libya welcomes ceasefire agreement between parties in Sudan : On May 22, Libya announced that it welcomed the agreement reached between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on extending the ceasefire agreement and continuing negotiations to reach a final ceasefire between the two sides.
Libya also expressed hope that the parties in Sudan will continue to respond to all efforts calling for a peaceful and lasting cessation of hostilities, and hoped that all factions and political forces in Sudan will begin direct negotiations to help achieve lasting stability and restore security in the East African country.
However, in reality, fighting still broke out in the capital Khartoum on the evening of May 22, despite the 7-day ceasefire agreement officially taking effect . ( VNA )
* Niger kills dozens of terrorists : Niger security sources said on May 22 that 8 terrorists were killed and 82 suspects were arrested in several operations conducted by the Niger Armed Forces (FAN).
According to local observers, Niger has been plagued by terrorist organizations in some of its border areas, including armed groups and bandits established in southern Libya, terrorist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI) and the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram since 2009 - which has been wreaking havoc in the Diffa region. ( VNA )
* Israel accuses Iran of using civilian ships as "floating terrorist bases" : On May 22, Israel accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of turning commercial ships into places to deploy missiles, UAVs and commandos, with the intention of expanding Tehran's naval influence beyond the Gulf.
The accusation by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant comes as tensions between the two regional rivals have risen over Iran's nuclear efforts and its support for Palestinian and Lebanese militants. ( Reuters )
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Oceania
* Papua New Guinea will not be used to "launch war" : Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape announced on May 23 that the country will not be used as a base to "launch war", and the defense agreement with the US prohibits "offensive military operations".
On May 22, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the defense cooperation agreement signed with PNG earlier that day will expand the Pacific island nation's capabilities and create more favorable conditions for the US military to train PNG forces.
The deal has sparked student protests amid concerns it could draw PNG into the strategic rivalry between the United States and China. ( Reuters)
* US efforts to boost relations with Pacific island nations : In the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa in early May, the US flag was raised in a ceremony marking the opening of a new US diplomatic outpost in the Pacific.
The US also plans to open embassies in Vanuatu and Kiribati as the Pacific island nations become key arenas of strategic competition between Beijing and Washington.
Alan Tidwell, director of the Center for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Studies at Georgetown University, said Washington's recent moves were "significant" and echoed commitments made by the US during a summit between President Joe Biden and Pacific island leaders in September 2022. (SCMP)
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