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18/06/2023 ---- 19/06/2023

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19.06.2023
THEME: WORLD

Bridging the Gap: High-Level Talks Between the US and China Amid Tensions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China comes at a critical time, as tensions rise over Taiwan and near-collision incidents between Chinese and US military vessels. The primary goal of the visit is to reestablish reliable communication lines between the two superpowers, due to Beijing's military not picking up calls from the Pentagon, increasing the risk of misunderstandings.

During his visit, Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang discussed Taiwan, China's support for Russia over Ukraine, and reports of a Chinese spy facility in Cuba. Trade is seen as a promising source of stability between the US and China, but human rights organizations urge Blinken to address China's human rights record.

On June 18, 2023, Blinken and Qin held a six-hour talk in Beijing, agreeing on four sectors: maintaining high-level contacts, advancing the China-US joint working group, addressing specific issues, and expanding people-to-people and educational exchanges. This meeting aimed to manage divergences and prevent China-US relations from spiraling out of control.

This visit marks the first trip to China by a top US diplomat since 2018, with China-US relations at their lowest point in decades due to disagreements on trade, national security, and technology. The Taiwan question remains a core issue, with China urging the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués.

Experts see this meeting as a "window of opportunity" to save bilateral ties from further deterioration, but the Taiwan question remains a crucial factor in the stability of China-US relations. In addition to the US-China talks, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Germany and France in March 2023, demonstrating China's commitment to bilateral ties with European countries and China-EU strategic ties.

During Li's visit, Germany unveiled its first-ever comprehensive national security strategy, advocating cooperation with China. France and Germany are also seeking deeper cooperation with China for a multipolar world order. The Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, hosted by France on June 22-23, will be attended by Premier Li and other global leaders.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Beijing on Monday, marking the first US Secretary of State visit to Beijing in five years. The meeting aimed at improving US-China ties after a dispute over a Chinese surveillance balloon. Xi emphasized the need for a stable Sino-US relationship for the future of mankind, while Blinken emphasized the need for responsible management of competition between the two countries through open channels of communication.

Although no concrete agreements have been mentioned by either side so far, both the US and China have played down expectations of a major breakthrough during Blinken's visit. However, these high-level talks are a step toward bridging the gap between the two superpowers and managing their divergences to prevent further escalation of tensions.

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18.06.2023
THEME: WORLD

African Peace Initiative: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Escalating Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Amidst the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the African Peace Initiative led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered a glimmer of hope. On June 16, Ramaphosa, accompanied by the presidents of Senegal, Zambia, and the Comoros, called for de-escalation during a visit to Bucha, a suburb of Ukraine's capital, where the Russian army is accused of killing civilians in 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the African delegation, which included senior officials from Uganda, Egypt, and The Congo, and ruled out talks with Russia. As of May 8, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 23,606 civilian casualties in Ukraine.

The African peace overture comes as Ukraine launches a counteroffensive against Kremlin forces using advanced weapons from countries like the US, France, the UK, and Germany. The African peace mission led by Ramaphosa and the seven-nation delegation seeked for a possible resolution, following China's unsuccessful peace proposal in late February.

During their visit to Ukraine, the delegation proposed conditions to end hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and stated that the African Peace Initiative is prepared for further engagement.

While Putin claims that Ukraine will soon run out of military equipment and that sanctions on Russia have failed to isolate it, NATO member states have pledged new weapons and ongoing support for Ukraine. At a two-day meeting in Brussels, Belgium, NATO defense ministers discussed increasing defense production with industry leaders to help sustain Ukraine's fight. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the need for both short-term and long-term support for Ukraine.

In a show of solidarity, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US announced the joint delivery of hundreds of Soviet-era air defense missiles to Ukraine, with the delivery underway and expected to be completed within weeks. Additionally, Denmark and Norway agreed to donate 9,000 rounds of artillery to Ukraine and may finance the delivery of 14 German-made Leopard-2 main battle tanks.

As the African Peace Initiative aims to bring about a peaceful resolution, Russia has stationed its first batch of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, with Putin stating that the weapons would only be used if Russia's territory or state is threatened. The transfer of tactical nuclear warheads is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

In a meeting with African leaders in St Petersburg, Ramaphosa called for de-escalation and peace negotiations in Kyiv. However, Zelensky maintained that no negotiations with Moscow would take place while they continue to occupy Ukrainian territory.

The African Peace Initiative brings hope amidst the escalating conflict, but the situation remains tense, with the proliferation of private military companies (PMCs) like Russia's Wagner Group potentially stoking dangerous rivalries and undermining Russia's national security. The war in Ukraine is likely to be a catalyst for bloodshed elsewhere in the world at the hands of Russian PMCs.

As the world watches the unfolding crisis, the African Peace Initiative led by President Ramaphosa offers a chance for diplomacy and dialogue in the face of escalating violence and destruction. While the road to peace may be long and fraught with challenges, the Initiative serves as a reminder that the pursuit of a peaceful resolution must not be abandoned.

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