News

China defends countermeasures over Pelosi’s Taiwan region visit

Published

2 years ago

08/08/2022

MNN

Chinese countermeasures in response to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan region are a necessary warning against the provocations made by the U.S. and “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on Monday.

The countermeasures are a legitimate defense of national sovereignty and security, which are completely reasonable, appropriate and proportionate, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the ministry, said.

Wu made the comment amid U.S. media reports from last week saying that Pentagon chiefs’ calls to China go unanswered.

Wu said that the U.S. side must bear full responsibility and serious consequences for its provocation and accused Washington of creating the current tense situation in the Taiwan Straits.

China announced eight countermeasures on August 5 including cancelling the China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks (DPCT), China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) meetings and China-U.S. Theater Commanders Talk.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday also called the military drills around Taiwan “legitimate and reasonable,” saying they are being conducted in an open, transparent and professional manner.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin noted the military drills are a strong deterrent, aiming at safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stopping the United States’ attempt to use Taiwan to contain China and shattering the Taiwan authorities’ fantasy to pursue Taiwan independence by soliciting the support of the United States.

He added China’s move abides by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, especially the most important principle of international law, non-interference in internal affairs, as stipulated in the UN Charter.

Asked about the issues related to Sino-U.S. dialogue and communication, Wang responded that dialogue and communication require sincerity, saying China will continue to make serious representations to the U.S. side regarding Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Wang reiterated that China urges the U.S. side to seriously reflect on the situation, immediately correct its mistakes, stop condoning and supporting the “Taiwan independence” secessionist forces and stop playing the “Taiwan card” to use Taiwan to contain China.

He also warned the U.S. side to stop reversing black and white, blaming the innocent, escalating the situation and expanding the crisis, adding the U.S. should abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués with concrete actions.

Source: CGTN

News

Developmental projects of Maldives progressing substantially

Published

9 hours ago

18/05/2024

India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has affirmed that the developmental projects of the Maldives carried out with the assistance of India have been progressing considerably. The remarks were made by the minister during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CIIs) Annual Business Summit.

Speaking at the summit, Minister Jaishankar stated that some developmental projects were slightly politically influenced, hindering the progress. However, he assured that the progress of the projects have propelled at a notable rate.

Following the Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer’s official visit to India at the invitation of Minister Jaishankar, discussions were held highlighting the spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to the development and prosperity of the Maldives by extending a budgetary support of USD 50 million to be repaid within a term of one year.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

Published

24 hours ago

17/05/2024

A team of 22 police officers has successfully completed a specialised training programme focused on thwarting maritime terrorism activities.

Entitled “Training on Strengthening Capabilities to Disrupt Maritime Crimes as Related to Terrorist Threats,” the program was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Running from May 13 to 15, the intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge crucial for combating threats in maritime environments.

The concluding ceremony, graced by the presence of Chief Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees, Head of Marine Police, along with senior officials from the Marine Police Department, UNODC’s Head of Office Enrico Boninsegna, and course instructor Kenneth Alferdo Pennington, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in enhancing national security.

Addressing the gathering, Adnan underscored the importance of ongoing education and skill development, urging participants to actively apply the knowledge garnered from the program in their professional endeavors.

The training, conducted at Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, imparted vital insights into the prevention and detection of maritime terrorism activities, emphasizing protocols for safe navigation in high-risk areas. Furthermore, officers received guidance on investigative procedures essential for effectively addressing such crimes, thereby bolstering the nation’s capabilities in combating maritime threats.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

President reverts land act amendment to parliament

Published

1 day ago

17/05/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reverted the Ninth Amendment Bill to the Maldives Land Act to Parliament for further consideration.

This bill, which seeks to establish criteria for recipients of residential land and mandates that land be allocated within three months of the publication of the permanent list of recipients in the gazette, was initially passed during the twenty-second sitting of Parliament’s first session this year and sent to the President’s Office for ratification on May 2.

In returning the bill, President Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to return legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office has confirmed this, indicating the need for further review and potential revisions to the proposed amendment.

Source(s): PsmNews