Latest news with #One-ChinaPolicy
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 20 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including Solomon Islands' prime minister warning government workers off Taiwan. An army officer overseeing plans for a 360-degree missile system for Guam says it will cost approximately US$8 billion. Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, the executive director of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, spoke to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week. Lieutenant General Rasch told members of the Senate committee that the price tag is 'really the cost of the systems that the services were building already that will now be located at Guam, approximately $8 billion across all the service'. He said the effort on Guam was to 'get as much capability as soon as possible'. One senator asked how long until the system will be operational. Lieutenant General Rasch said they will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests. Tonga – dengue Dengue cases in Tonga have now reached 756. In an update released on Monday night, Tonga's Ministry of Health reported there were six people in hospital with the disease. It said 381 cases are from Tongatapu, 309 from Vava'u, 62 from 'Eua, and four from Ha'apai. The health ministry said case investigations and vector control are ongoing. Solomon Islands – One-China Policy The Solomon Islands' prime minister has warned government workers against engaging with 'Taiwan'. In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy. Earlier this month Manele survived a motion of no confidence, the second such challenge he's had to face during his first year in government. It's given rise to talks of new legislation aimed at curbing political instability in the country. Last week, the ABC reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies. Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless. It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs. Fiji – methamphetamine Three men, including an officer of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, have been charged in Fiji in relation to importing methamphetamine. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the intercept took place last week after Customs Officers identified irregularities during screening of an airfreight consignment from a Southeast African nation. The Fiji Times reported the three men each face a charge of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, while two of them also face a charge of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime. Police prosecutor, Inspector Pramesh Chand, told the court a fourth suspect had also been arrested. Australia – visit Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong is travelling to the Pacific with a delegation this week. In a joint statement the ministers said they will travel to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. They will meet with each nation's prime ministers, including discussing the strengthening of the Vuvale Partnership with Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji. The ministers said this early visit to the region, soon after the Australian election, demonstrates how deeply they value being part of the Pacific family. Niue – fisheries The 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee has wrapped up in Alofi. The Forum Fisheries Agency said officials from across the Pacific focused on advancing the sustainable management of the region's tuna fisheries. It said officials addressed a wide range of strategic priorities including climate resilience and strengthened international engagement. The outcomes from this meeting will be presented to ministers at the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in July.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 20 May
Guam - defence An army officer overseeing plans for a 360-degree missile system for Guam says it will cost approximately US$8 billion. Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, the executive director of the Guam Defense System Joint Program Office, spoke to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week. Lieutenant General Rasch told members of the Senate committee that the price tag is "really the cost of the systems that the services were building already that will now be located at Guam, approximately $8 billion across all the service". He said the effort on Guam was to "get as much capability as soon as possible". One senator asked how long until the system will be operational. Lieutenant General Rasch said they will be improving this capability forever, and defense never rests. Tonga - dengue Dengue cases in Tonga have now reached 756. In an update released on Monday night, Tonga's Ministry of Health reported there were six people in hospital with the disease. It said 381 cases are from Tongatapu, 309 from Vava'u, 62 from 'Eua, and four from Ha'apai. The health ministry said case investigations and vector control are ongoing. Solomon Islands - One-China Policy The Solomon Islands' prime minister has warned government workers against engaging with "Taiwan". In a statement, Jeremiah Manele reaffirmed his government's commitment to the One-China Policy. Earlier this month Manele survived a motion of no confidence, the second such challenge he's had to face during his first year in government. It's given rise to talks of new legislation aimed at curbing political instability in the country. Last week, the ABC reported a newly appointed government minister was pressured by China to quit an international group critical of its policies. Beijing's Embassy in Honiara said the allegations are baseless. It said China will never interfere in Solomon Islands internal affairs and also firmly oppose any other countries' interference in Solomon Islands' internal affairs. Fiji - methamphetamine Three men, including an officer of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, have been charged in Fiji in relation to importing methamphetamine. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the intercept took place last week after Customs Officers identified irregularities during screening of an airfreight consignment from a Southeast African nation. The Fiji Times reported the three men each face a charge of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, while two of them also face a charge of possession of properties suspected of being proceeds of crime. Police prosecutor, Inspector Pramesh Chand, told the court a fourth suspect had also been arrested. Australia - visit Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong is travelling to the Pacific with a delegation this week. In a joint statement the ministers said they will travel to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. They will meet with each nation's prime ministers, including discussing the strengthening of the Vuvale Partnership with Sitiveni Rabuka in Fiji. The ministers said this early visit to the region, soon after the Australian election, demonstrates how deeply they value being part of the Pacific family. Niue - fisheries The 138th Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee has wrapped up in Alofi. The Forum Fisheries Agency said officials from across the Pacific focused on advancing the sustainable management of the region's tuna fisheries. It said officials addressed a wide range of strategic priorities including climate resilience and strengthened international engagement. The outcomes from this meeting will be presented to ministers at the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in July.
Russia Today
06-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
South Africa denies being under Chinese pressure
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has emphasised that the decision to ask Taiwan's Taipei Liaison Office, currently located in Pretoria, to relocate to Johannesburg or any other location of their choice — outside South Africa's political capital — is in keeping with the One-China Policy. 'The vast majority of countries follow this policy, including the United States,' Lamola said in a parliamentary response. South Africa's senior diplomat was responding to a question posed by Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFFs] Member of Parliament Nqobile Mhlongo. The EFF parliamentarian had asked Lamola: 'Considering that the government has set the end of March 2025 as the new deadline for Taiwan's diplomatic offices in Tshwane to relocate to another region or province, what steps has he taken to expedite the already protracted process, and by what exact date will the Taiwanese diplomatic offices relocate?' In his response, Lamola emphasised that South Africa embraces the One-China Policy, which recognises Taiwan as an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China run from the capital Beijing. He highlighted that only 12 countries across the world recognise Taiwan as being separate from mainland China. These are Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, the Holy See, the Marshall Islands, Paraguay, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini and Tuvalu. 'Those countries that maintain relations with Taiwan without recognising it as a separate entity from the People's Republic of China do so on the basis that the relationship is trade-related and not political. In our context, these trade relations are an important consideration,' said Lamola. 'Honourable Mhlongo's framing of the question, which refers to the 'Taiwanese diplomatic offices', indicates why the move from the country's political and diplomatic capital is necessary.' Lamola said since the decision for the Taipei Liaison Office to move was made, Taiwanese authorities have postponed the move for various reasons, including budgetary concerns, and the discussions are ongoing. 'In the interim, we are making administrative adjustments to accurately reflect the status of Taiwanese representation,' he said. Lamola highlighted that South Africa is 'engaging constructively' with Beijing regarding the One-China Policy. 'I would like to emphasize that we are engaging constructively with the People's Republic of China regarding matters related to South Africa's One-China Policy. It is important to clarify that the People's Republic of China is not exerting undue pressure on us; rather, our interactions are marked by mutual respect,' he said. 'We hope that all stakeholders interested in South Africa's decision will embrace this spirit of constructive diplomatic engagement.' Last year, IOL reported that Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of China in South Africa, Li Zhigang reiterated that the Taiwan question bears on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is 'a non-negotiable principle' embedded at the heart of China's core interests. At the time, the topic of Taiwan had been thrust into international news headlines ahead of the auguration of Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te. All African nations, except for Eswatini, ascribe to the one-China policy. A symposium was held in Pretoria by the Chinese embassy in South Africa, which was attended by ANC representatives, government officials, members of the academia, activists and media representatives. On behalf of the Chinese government, Li said China will not compromise on the question of Taiwan. 'There is no room for compromise or concession. Seeking foreign support to gain independence is a dead-end. The scheme to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail. Peaceful cross-Strait reunification under the one-China principle will bring huge opportunities for the economic and social development in the Taiwan region and tangible benefits to our compatriots there,' said Li. He said the unification of China serves the interests of not only the Chinese nation and people, but also the international community and all people around the world. Li said with a similar destiny in the past, South Africa 'deeply understands and firmly supports Chinese people's just cause of opposing the separatist activities of 'Taiwan independence' to achieve national reunification in China'.First published by IOL
