China opposes Japan's export control of chip-making equipment, North Korea may soon deploy spy satellites, Russia announced that it shot down a UAV in the Belgorod area, the Netherlands may be the first country to supply F16 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 on March 21 in Moscow. (Source: AFP/Sputnik) |
Asia
* Russia-China relations do not target any third partiesCommenting on the visit to Beijing by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, on May 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ninh emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is not aimed at any third parties 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 common interests,” 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 United Nations Security Council. The cooperation between Russia and China is not aimed at any third parties and is not subject to their influence and coercion. (Sputnik News)
* The Korean Defense Minister attended the signing ceremony of the contract to export FA-50 fighter jets: During his visit to Malaysia on May 23, South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup attended the signing ceremony of a contract to export FA-5 light attack aircraft to this Southeast Asian country, evaluating 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 defense and arms production cooperation.
During the talks, Mr. Lee asked to support South Korean businesses to expand their participation in Malaysia's future military enhancement projects, including promoting the project of three 2.000-ton coast guard ships. (Yonhap)
* China opposes Japan's export control of chip-making equipment: China's Ministry of Commerce on May 23 said that Beijing firmly opposes Japan's export control measures for 5 types of chip-making equipment.
Earlier, Japan introduced restrictions on the export of 23 leading types of 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 says North Korea may soon deploy spy satellites: South Korean national security adviser Cho Tae-yong on May 23 assessed that North Korea may 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's deeper diplomatic isolation in the international community," Cho said. (Yonhap)
* Vice Chairman of the Russian Security Council visits Laos: On May 23, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Vientiane, Laos, within the framework of a tour of Southeast Asian countries.
According to the plan, Mr. Medvedev will have meetings and dialogues with senior 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 relationship with Malaysia: On May 23, within the framework of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 5 (LIMA 2023) in Malaysia, Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen had a meeting with his host country counterpart Dato' Seri Mohamad Hasan and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
At the meeting, the two ministers reaffirmed the warm and long-standing defense relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. At the invitation of the Malaysian Government, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also participated in LIMA 23. (VNA)
* Philippines and Japan strengthen defense ties: On May 23, the online news network GMA reported, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said that the two countries are preparing to launch a preliminary round of consultations before starting formal negotiations on a "reciprocal access agreement", also known as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), to strengthen defense cooperation amid concerns about escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
In a recent interview with GMA, Ambassador Koshikawa said, both countries "are about to start consultations to negotiate on this issue because both sides are open".
Koshikawa expressed, “hopefully in the near future, there will be a framework to further strengthen bilateral defense cooperation” and noted such an agreement is known as the VFA in the Philippines. (VNA)
* China sets conditions to withdraw troops from disputed border with India: In the strategically significant area of the Depsang Plain in Ladakh, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently requested the creation of a 15-20 km buffer zone or no patrol zone within the Indian-claimed routes as a precondition for troop withdrawal.
Beijing made this latest request during the 18th round of corps commander-in-chief talks with New Delhi last month, and reiterated this request in subsequent military negotiations at lower levels. (VNA)
* Indian court summons representatives with the BBC in the documentary about Prime Minister Modi: On May 22, the Delhi High Court of India issued an order to summon a representative of the news agency with the BBC UK in a defamation lawsuit involving 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, most of them Muslims.
Mr. Modi denied accusations that he did not do enough to stop the riots and an investigation ordered by the Supreme Court found no evidence to prosecute him. A motion to open a new investigation was rejected by the Supreme Court last year.
India reacted angrily to the documentary "India: Question about Modi" aired in January, calling it biased "propaganda" and blocking sharing of any clips from the film on social media. (VNA)
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| Ukraine announced that it will receive 12-18 F-16 fighter jets. (Source: Arenalogic) |
Châu Âu
* EU announces the 4th largest round of financial support for Ukraine: European Commission Deputy Spokesperson Dana Spinant announced on May 23 that the European Union (EU) will provide the fourth largest round of financial assistance to Ukraine worth 5 billion euros ($4 billion).
"Today, we announce our decision to provide a round of support worth 1,5 billion euros to Ukraine, the fourth payment in an additional package of macrofinancial support to this Eastern European country, worth up to 18 billion euros this year," Spinant said in a press conference. (Sputnik News)
* Prime Minister of the Russian Federation visits China: On May 22, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin left for China for a two-day visit to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
In Shanghai, Prime Minister Mishustin will speak at the plenary session of the Russia-China business forum, an event attended by the heads of leading companies in Russia and China. The Russian Prime Minister will also visit the Shanghai Petrochemical Research Institute of Sinopec Corporation.
On May 24, Mishustin will visit Beijing, hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and sign bilateral agreements. (VNA)
* Ukraine announced that it will receive 12-18 F-16 fighter jets: On May 22, the spokesman of the Ukrainian Air Force (VVSU) Yuriy Ignat said that the country is preparing to receive from 5-12 US F-18 fighter jets.
Ignat's announcement shows that Western countries will most likely not deliver each fighter, but will send a whole squadron at once.
Earlier, Ukraine announced its desire to receive up to 50 F-16 fighter jets. (VNA)
* Ukraine: Netherlands may is the first country to supply F16 fighter jets to Kiev: Sheet Politico Citing an adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Yuriy Sak, the Netherlands could become the first country to supply F-16 fighter jets to Kiev.
In an interview with the newspaper The Washington Post On May 20, Sak said, Kiev hopes to receive the first F5s from foreign sponsors by the end of September or early October. (Sputnik News)
* Ukraine intelligence: Russia increased by 20% number amount of cruise missiles: According to the Directorate of Intelligence 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, corresponding to a 20% increase in production since the end of January this year. This indicates a change in Moscow's military strategy or plans.
The Russian side has not yet commented on the information, but given the intensity of the special military operation, it is possible that the above information is true. (VNA)
* German intelligence: No 'split' in Putin's government: The director of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) Bruno Kahl said on May 22 that the controversies in Russian society pose no threat to the government of President Vladimir Putin and he does not see any weakening for the Russian leader.
However, Kahl said, Russia has certain vulnerabilities, including the performance of its armed forces. The German intelligence chief argued that Putin's long-term strategy could prevail if the West did not support Ukraine in a very organized way. (DW)
* Russia announced it shot down a UAV in the Belgorod region: The governor of Belgorod province of Russia Vyacheslav Gladkov on May 23 said that Russian forces shot down unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in this area with anti-aircraft weapons.
Earlier on the same 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 region of Belgorod province and that Russian security forces are now taking all measures to destroy this group of commandos. (Reuters)
* Ukraine announces fighting hypothermia in Bakhmut: On May 23, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar announced that the fighting had subsided in the strategic city of Bakhmut, but shelling continued in the surrounding area.
According to Maliar, Ukrainian forces have made some progress "on the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut", but did not elaborate. The official added that Russia's offensive activity has decreased slightly, but "the number of shelling remains at a high level". (Reuters)
* Kazakhstan refuses to accept Ukraine's nominated Ambassador: May 22, newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli According to sources in Ukraine, Kazakhstan has refused to accept the appointment of former head of the Military Administration of the Eastern Lugansk Province (OVA) Sergei Gaidai as Ukraine's ambassador to the country.
According to sources, Kazakhstan has refused to accept Ukraine's intention to appoint Gaidai as head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan, on the grounds that the country wants to see a professional diplomat as Ukraine's ambassador.
Last October, Ukraine's Ambassador to Kazakhstan Petr Vrublevsky was sacked by President Zelensky after he called for "killing as many Russians as possible", which angered the Kazakh side. (pravda.com.ua)
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Americas
* US satellite detected China's WZ-8 supersonic UAV again: China's WZ-8 supersonic UAV reappears in US satellite images. One of these drones is parked at a newly upgraded military base in eastern China.
Defense News, According to a US-based defense website, satellite images show what appears to be the WZ-8 reconnaissance drone parked outside one of two newly built hangars at Luan Air Base in Anhui province. The image is provided by the US company Planet Labs and is dated December 21 of last year.
Last month, images dated August 9 last year from a leaked archive of classified US military documents showed two WZ-8s parked at the same Chinese airbase.
According to the document, WZ-8 can fly at Mach 3 (3 times the speed of sound), at an altitude of 100.000 feet (30 km). (SCMP)
* US accuses Wagner forces of trying to transfer weapons through Mali: On May 22, the US State Department said that Russia's Wagner mercenaries were trying to cover up efforts to buy military equipment for use in Ukraine, adding that Wagner forces were looking to transit weapons purchased through Mali to support Moscow in its operation in Ukraine.
"There are indications that Wagner has attempted to purchase military systems from foreign suppliers and move these weapons through Mali as a third party. There has not been any indication that these acquisitions have been completed or realized, but we are monitoring the situation closely," a State Department spokesman told reporters. (Reuters)
* US criticizes China for restricting imports of Micron semiconductor chips: On May 22, the US criticized China for restricting sales of semiconductor chips by manufacturer Micron (USA).
"We are deeply concerned about reports that China has restricted the sale of Micron semiconductors to certain domestic industries," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. All in all, this action does not appear to be consistent with China's assertions of openness to business and commitment to a transparent regulatory framework."
Mr. Miller emphasized that the US Department of Commerce has expressed to Beijing about Washington's concerns. (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 the extension of the ceasefire agreement and continued negotiations to achieve a final ceasefire between the two sides.
Libya also expressed hope that the parties in Sudan would continue to respond to all efforts to call for a peaceful and permanent end to hostilities, and wished that all factions and political forces in Sudan would begin direct negotiations to help achieve lasting stability and restore security in the East African country.
However, in fact, fighting still broke out in the capital Khartoum on the evening of May 22, despite the official effect of the 5-day truce between the two countries.. (VNA)
* Niger destroys dozens of terrorists: Niger security sources on May 22 said that eight terrorists were killed and 5 suspects arrested in several operations conducted by the Armed Forces of Niger (FAN).
According to local observers, Niger suffers from the raging of terrorist organizations in several border areas, including armed groups and bandits established in southern Libya, terrorist groups close to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI), and the terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria since 2009 which has spread terror 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 deployments for missiles, UAVs and commandos, with the intention of expanding Tehran's naval influence beyond the Gulf.
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's accusations come as tensions between the two regional rivals have increased 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 "wage war": Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape announced on May 23 that the country would not be used as a base to "wage war", and that the defense agreement with the US prohibits "military offensive operations".
On May 22, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the defense cooperation agreement signed with PNG earlier the same day would expand the capacity of the Pacific island nation and create more favorable conditions for the US military to train PNG's forces.
The deal has sparked student protests amid concerns it could draw PNG into a strategic competition between the US and China. (Reuters)
* The United States strives to promote relations with island nations in the Pacific: In the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa earlier in May, the American flag was raised during a ceremony to mark 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 an important strategic arena of 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 they echoed commitments the US made during the September 9 summit between President Joe Biden and leaders of the Pacific island nations. (SCMP)
