China calls for resolution of tensions on the Korean peninsula, Netherlands allows Ukraine to use F-16s to attack Russia

Iran opposes EU-GCC joint statement, Czech restores ambassadorial relations with Russia, North Korea is about to send 10,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine, Saudi Arabia calls on the US to stop supplying weapons to Israel... are some of the outstanding international news of the day.

US presidential candidate Kamala Harris gives an exclusive interview to Fox News on October 16.

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

Asia-Pacific

*China, Malaysia 'practical cooperation' in South China Sea: China and Malaysia have reached a consensus on promoting "practical maritime cooperation" in their first bilateral dialogue on managing maritime issues in the South China Sea.

The talks took place on October 17 and were co-chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, who was Kuala Lumpur's senior ambassador to Beijing and is now director-general of Malaysia's National Security Council.

Beijing and Kuala Lumpur agreed to set up a bilateral consultation mechanism on maritime issues in 2019. The South China Sea is expected to be one of the top issues when Malaysia takes over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025. (SCMP)

*South Korean military leader cancels visit to US: On October 16, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea Kim Myung-soo canceled his visit to the US. Instead, Kim Myung-soo held an online meeting with senior US officials to maintain readiness to respond to escalating tensions.

Earlier, on October 15, Pyongyang blew up several sections of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The South Korean military responded to North Korea's violation of the Armistice Agreement by firing back into the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Tensions in the MDL area have been rising as North Korea accused South Korean drones of intruding into its airspace and carrying out acts of destroying inter-Korean routes. (Yonhap)

*China calls for resolution of tensions on the Korean peninsula: In a statement on October 17, China reaffirmed its support for a "political solution" to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula, after Pyongyang announced that the North Korean constitution was defining South Korea as a "hostile" country.

"We always believe that maintaining peace and stability and promoting political progress on the (Korean) peninsula issue is in line with the common interests of all parties," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning. (AFP)

Europe

*Russia upgrades nuclear submarine base in Kamchatka: Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov inspected the progress of the modernization of the Pacific Fleet's harbor and the construction of a military zone in Kamchatka on October 16.

"We have carried out a deep modernization of the harbor, which will allow us to receive seven nuclear submarines on time. Currently, the first stage of the project with 14 structures is in a high state of completion, which will expand the harbor's reception capacity," said Vladimir Dmitriev, commander of the Pacific Fleet's Submarine Force.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the construction of the military complex is expected to be completed by November 30. The upgrade of naval facilities in Kamchatka underscores Russia's continued efforts to increase its military presence and capabilities in the strategically important Pacific region. (Sputniknews)

*Czech restores ambassadorial relations with Russia: The Czech Republic decided to appoint a new ambassador to Russia after recalling its diplomatic representative from February 2022.

Former Czech Deputy Defense Minister Daniel Kostoval will represent the strongly anti-Russian EU country from early 2025. Mr. Kostoval worked at the Czech permanent mission to NATO from 1998 to 2002. In 2013, he became Deputy Defense Minister.

Mr. Kostoval will replace his predecessor Vitezlav Pivońka after Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine. Relations between the Czech Republic and Russia have deteriorated since 2021, when both sides reduced the number of each other's diplomats. The Czech Republic was included in the list of unfriendly countries of the Russian Federation. (Sputnik)

*Ukrainian and US leaders discuss "victory plan": Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on October 17 that he had a phone call with his US counterpart Joe Biden to discuss long-range weapons, the transfer of aid packages and the implementation of a plan to win against the Russian army.

"We discussed long-range weapons, the meeting in Ramstein in a few weeks. We also discussed how our teams can work together to achieve victory," Zelensky said in a video posted via the messaging app Telegram. (Reuters)

*Greece, Ukraine sign security agreement: On October 17, on the sidelines of the European Council meeting in Brussels (Belgium), Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis signed a security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following the European Union (EU) and 20 other EU member states in their commitment to provide security support to Ukraine.

On social network X, Mr. Zelensky confirmed: "Greece is ready to continue to meet Ukraine's most urgent defense needs. Greece will also provide additional resources to accelerate the training of our pilots and technicians related to F-16 fighter jets."

The agreement complements other agreements signed between Ukraine and its allies and paves the way for Greece's active participation in Ukraine's reconstruction, the Greek Prime Minister's office said in a statement. (Reuters)

*President Zelensky: North Korea is preparing to mobilize 10,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine: On October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed that the country's intelligence has information that a number of North Korean officers have been deployed in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

At a press conference in Brussels, Mr. Zelensky also said that North Korea is preparing to send a total of 10,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine. In addition, he declared that Ukraine will continue to fight against Russian aggression, even if Western allies do not support Kiev's "victory plan."

Mr Zelensky is on a trip to Brussels to present the plan to European leaders. According to him, Kiev will also continue preparations for a second peace summit. (AFP)

*UK imposes sanctions on Russia's 'dark fleet': The British Foreign Office confirmed on October 17 that London has imposed sanctions on 18 Russian oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

"The new sanctions apply to 18 Russian oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas tankers - the largest punitive action to date against Moscow's 'dark fleet'," the UK Foreign Office said in a statement. (Sputniknews)

*The Netherlands allows Ukraine to use F-16s to attack Russian territory: On October 17, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced that the Netherlands will not prevent Ukraine from using F-16 fighter jets provided to Kiev for self-defense in accordance with international law, including attacking military targets inside Russian territory.

Earlier, on October 6, Mr. Brekelmans confirmed that the Netherlands had delivered to Ukraine the first batch of 24 F-16 fighters committed and would continue to send the rest in the coming months.

"We have delivered the first batch of F-16s - which are currently in Ukrainian airspace - and we have always been mindful that Ukraine needs to comply with international law, but international law does not have any distance restrictions," Brekelmans said ahead of a meeting with NATO counterparts in Brussels. (Sputniknews)

Middle East-Africa

*Iran opposes EU-GCC joint statement: On October 17, responding to the Joint Statement of the summit of the member states of the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that the era of European intervention in Middle East affairs with a "divide and rule" approach has ended.

Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Velayati, adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, condemned the joint statement by the EU and GCC countries regarding the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

Earlier, on October 16, the EU and GCC countries adopted a joint statement calling on Iran to pursue de-escalation of tensions in the region. The statement also called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. These islands, located in a strategically important area of ​​the Gulf, have long been disputed by Iran and the UAE. (Al Jazeera)

*German warship shoots down drone off Lebanon: A German defense ministry spokesman confirmed that a German warship, operating as part of the United Nations UNIFIL mission, shot down a drone off the coast of Lebanon on October 17.

“The corvette launched an unidentified drone into the water in a controlled crash,” the official said, adding that there was no damage to the ship or crew. The Ludwigshafen am Rhein corvette is continuing its mission. (Reuters)

*Saudi Arabia calls on the US to stop supplying weapons to Israel: On October 17, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the UK Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud called on the US government to suspend arms exports to Israel if additional humanitarian aid does not reach the Gaza Strip.

The Saudi diplomat urged Washington to follow through on its threat and stop supplying weapons to Israel if it is not allowed to bring more humanitarian aid into Gaza within the next 30 days. He stressed that no country in the world can influence Israel’s decisions more than the United States.

Earlier, on October 14, Israeli media reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin sent a letter to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Secretary of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer threatening to impose an arms embargo on Israel if the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is not resolved within a month. (Arab News)

*Norwegian Embassy in Beirut evacuated due to bomb threat: The Norwegian Foreign Ministry announced that its embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut was evacuated on October 17 after receiving a bomb threat.

"We can confirm that the Norwegian Embassy in Beirut received a bomb threat today," the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in an emailed statement. "Only a small number of Norwegian diplomats are currently in Beirut, and everyone at the embassy is safe," the statement added. (Reuters)

America - Latin America

*Panama arrests more than 500 people in anti-crime operation: On October 16, the Panama National Police said that the country had arrested 502 people within the framework of Operation Panama 3.0 launched by President José Raúl Mulino to deal with criminal gangs.

Specifically, in just 3 days of October 11, 12 and 13, the authorities arrested hundreds of people involved in drug trafficking and the trafficking of guns, ammunition, cars, etc. and confiscated nearly 20,000 USD and a large quantity of various drugs.

Official figures show that 70% of murders in Panama are linked to organized crime, including gangs that transport drugs from South America to the United States and Europe. (AFP)

*US Election 2024: Ms. K. Harris shares her views on immigration: In an interview on October 16 with Fox News, US Vice President Kamala Harris faced questions about how President Joe Biden's administration is handling illegal immigration at the southern border, President Biden's mental health, and the use of taxpayer money for gender reassignment surgery for prisoners in need of gender reassignment.

It was Harris’s first appearance on Fox News as a presidential candidate and part of her plan to appeal directly to voters in the race for the White House. Harris had just finished campaigning in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. (Reuters)

*US President Joe Biden cancels another $4.5 billion in student debt: On October 17, US President Joe Biden decided to cancel another $4.5 billion in student debt for more than 60,000 borrowers, thereby increasing the number of civil servants whose student debt was canceled to more than 1 million people.

The White House announced that so far, the Biden administration has approved $175 billion to forgive student debt for nearly 5 million borrowers.

President Biden’s 2022 student debt forgiveness plan is estimated to cost $430 billion. Under the plan, the government will forgive up to $20,000 in debt for people earning less than $125,000 a year.

Over the years, Democrats have pushed the US government to cancel student debt, while most Republicans have opposed the proposal. (AFP)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tin-the-gioi-1710-trung-quoc-keu-goi-giai-quyet-cang-thang-tai-ban-dao-trieu-tien-ha-lan-cho-phep-ukraine-su-dung-f-16-tan-cong-nga-290454.html