Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for July 23, 2022
Newsline: Chinese ambassador highlights Taiwan as ‘most-sensitive’ issue in relations with US
The Chinese ambassador to the United States has named Taiwan as the “most sensitive” issue at the core of relations between the two superpowers. “The question of Taiwan is the most sensitive, important core issue in China, US relations,” said Ambassador Qin Gang at the Aspen Security Forum. “China loves the peace people on both sides of Taiwan Strait.” “The last thing we wish to do is to fight with our compatriots, so we will try our best in our great sincerity to achieve the peaceful reunification because we believe that it’s best to serve the interests of people on both sides,” he added. (https://www.foxnews.com/world/chinese-ambassador-highlights-taiwan-sensitive-issue-independence) The Aspen Security Forum fireside chat focused on the elevated tensions over the past two years between the U.S. and China over Taiwan, particularly with an increase in high-level U.S. visits to Taipei and more Chinese military flights and exercises around Taiwan’s space.
Newsline: Philippine Consul General in New York calls on Filipinos to report hate crimes
The Philippine Consul General in New York called on Filipinos to immediately report hate crimes following an assault on a 51-year-old Filipino woman in Queens, New York City. The victim was verbally assaulted and harassed by a homeless woman in Queens on July 16, Philippine Consul General Elmer G. Cato tweeted on Friday. The homeless woman allegedly tried to prevent the 51-year-old from boarding a train at the 63rd Drive Subway Station in Rego Park. “The Consulate is requesting to report such incidents so that it can more accurately assess the situation and issue timely advisories to help ensure the safety and security of members of the Filipino Community,” Cato tweeted. “[Filipinos] residing in New York and those on temporary visits are reminded to always remain vigilant and to take the necessary precautions, especially when walking in the streets or taking mass transport,” he reiterated. (https://news.yahoo.com/assault-51-old-woman-york-212311752.html) Cato advised Filipinos who may find themselves in distress due to crimes, including hate incidents, to call the hotlines of the Philippine Consulate General in New York at +1-917-294-0196 and +1-917-239-4118 for assistance.
Newsline: New US envoy to Australia scolds male reporter
Caroline Kennedy, the new US ambassador to Australia, called out a male reporter at an introductory press conference after landing at the Sydney airport. Ms Kennedy, 64, was taking questions from the media on Friday, who were talking over each other trying to grab her attention, when she shifted her focus to Ten News reporter Hugh Riminton. “Did you just talk over the woman?” the ambassador asked Mr Riminton, looking directly at him. She then immediately laughed it off before switching her focus to the other reporter. “I… I did,” Riminton responded, to which the ambassador replied: “Well, okay, she started.” While Rimington tweeted that it would be “only fair that I out myself”, he said in another tweet that “it turns out I started talking first”. “I had got out the words ‘It’s been…’ before my Channel 7 colleague began speaking. Press conferences – they’re a game of centimetres sometimes,” he added. (https://news.yahoo.com/us-envoy-australia-mock-scolds-102604047.html) The US Senate unanimously confirmed Ms Kennedy’s ambassadorship in May and she was sworn in on 10 June.
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