China

On Thursday, Reuters reported, citing the Nikkei Asian Review, that among the proposals discussed during Xi’s meeting with Kim was a return to “six-party talks” on denuclearization. The talks, which concluded in 2009 and failed to result in any meaningful diplomatic change, would include the United States, Russia, Japan, China, and both Koreas. Including Russia and China would help North Korea with diplomatic leverage, as both are governed by anti-American regimes that have reportedly aided North Korea in the past. While China supports North Korea openly, Russia has been caught conducting illicit business with the regime, violating UN sanctions. … [Read more...] about Report: Xi Jinping Gave Kim Jong-Un Nearly $400,000 in Gifts During China Visit

One of the main issues at the summit will be the regional response to the current crisis in Venezuela, where the U.S. is currently weighing up additional economic sanctions against the Nicolás Maduro’s socialist dictatorship, presiding over the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in the country’s history. … [Read more...] about Trump to Urge Latin America to Reject China at Summit of the Americas

For the record, the Global Times is factually accurate but misleading about the resurgence of jukendo, the Japanese art of bayonet fighting. Until now, the vast majority of its practitioners have been members of the Self-Defense Force. It is now permissible to add jukendo to school physical education programs, but it is not required, and very few schools offer classes. The few that do have experienced some criticism about teaching such an offbeat martial art when styles like karate, judo, and kendo are vastly more popular. … [Read more...] about China Panics over First Japanese Marine Unit Since World War II

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) confirmed that Beijing has installed military equipment capable of jamming communications and radars on two of its outposts in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, reports the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing a satellite image and U.S. officials. “China has deployed military jamming equipment to its Spratly Island outposts,” an anonymous DOD official told the Journal. … [Read more...] about Report: U.S. Says ‘China Has Deployed Military Jamming Equipment’ to South China Sea

With a review into the care system being carried out Ms Sturgeon is meeting looked after children, with the First Minister to says this is “one of the ways in which we are ensuring that children themselves have a say in decisions which will affect them”. … [Read more...] about Scotland and China have ‘different perspectives’ but ‘common challenges’, says Nicola Sturgeon