Chinese politicians make rare trip to Taiwan Posted on 16/12/2024 China considers Taiwan part of its territory and relations between them remain fraught. (EPA Images pic) TAIPEI: A group of Chinese politicians arrived in Taiwan today for a rare visit, as relations between Beijing and Taipei remain fraught. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and in recent years has ramped up military and political pressure on the self-ruled island to assert its claims. Beijing severed high-level communications with Taipei in 2016 when former president Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, which rejects China’s claims over Taiwan, took office. Deputy head of Shanghai’s Taiwan affairs office Li Xiaodong and Shanghai vice-mayor Hua Yuan arrived in Taipei today for an annual forum hosted this year by the Taipei City government, which is led by the Beijing-friendly main opposition party Kuomintang. They are part of a delegation of around 90 people attending the one-day event tomorrow, which the Taipei City mayor’s office said will see agreements signed on healthcare and red panda exchanges. The Chinese delegation has agreed to keep a “low profile” throughout their trip, Taiwan’s top China policy body, the mainland affairs council, said. The gathering comes after Taiwanese officials said China last week held its biggest maritime drills in years, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea. The vessels simulated attacks on foreign ships and practised blockading sea routes, a Taiwan security official said previously. Beijing did not confirm the drills and its defence ministry did not say whether the manoeuvres had taken place when asked at a press conference on Friday. News
Amid scrutiny, MOE says presented Malaysia’s inclusive education policies, especially on gender rights, to Afghan delegation Posted on 21/11/2024 PUTRAJAYA, Nov 21 — A recent visit by a delegation from Afghanistan’s Education Ministry to Malaysia’s Ministry of Education (MOE) is part of an effort to support Malaysia’s foreign policy approach towards Afghanistan. In a statement today, MOE said the programme was carried out under the guidance and advice of… Read More
2024 in review: Ulu Tiram police station attack reminder that extremism can strike anywhere Posted on 20/12/2024 JOHOR BARU, Dec 20 — The attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in the early hours of May 17, a deeply shocking incident, will be etched in history as one of the country’s darkest moments. The lone wolf attack, which took place around 2.30 am, was an exceptionally rare… Read More
Top insurance executive fatally shot in Manhattan Posted on 05/12/2024 Police said a man was shot in front of the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan but did not confirm his identity. (AP pic) NEW YORK: Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, was fatally shot in the chest this morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan, several media… Read More