Subi Reef | Mar. 4, 2022

 

第八天！俄军对基辅“围而不攻” 或以打促谈？20220303 |《今日关注》CCTV中文国际
Mar 4, 2022

Why Biden Wants Taiwan/拜登支持台灣的理由
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SOUTH CHINA SEA: COUNTERING HUN SEN’S COWBOY DIPLOMACY

​Mar. 3 - ...By and large, the Cambodian leader is also expected to push for a divergent approach to the other major regional crisis: the South China Sea disputes. The last time Hun Sen was in charge of ASEAN, he tried to block even the mere discussion of the high-stakes disputes in a nod to his strategic patrons in Beijing. The upshot was a diplomatic meltdown, which saw ASEAN failing to issue a joint communique for the first time in its history. History doesn’t repeat itself, but it may rhyme.

To avoid a similar debacle, key ASEAN members should move on three fronts simultaneously: (i) openly censure any real or potential abuse of chairman’s prerogatives at the expense of regional principles and shared interests; (ii) step up “minilateral” cooperation on maritime security, especially among frontline states confronting China’s maritime assertiveness; and (iii) coordinate diplomatic efforts with likeminded external powers such as the United States, which have emphasized the need for a legally-binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)...     quoted from Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

note: ASEAN means Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam into one organisation.

Subi Reef, also known as Zamora Reef (Tagalog: Bahura ng Zamora, lit. 'Reef of Zamora'); Zhubi Reef (Mandarin Chinese: 渚碧礁; pinyin: Zhǔbì Jiāo); Vietnamese: đá Xu Bi, is a reef in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea located 26 km (16 mi) southwest of Philippines' Pag-asa island Thitu Island under the municipality of the Kalayaan Island Group, Palawan province. It is illegally-occupied by China (PRC), and claimed by Taiwan (ROC) and Vietnam. According to the claims of the PRC, it currently falls under the de facto jurisdiction of Nansha islands, Sansha city, Hainan province, China. But under the clauses of the UNCLOS, which the PRC is also a signatory, the international law (if applied) only the Philippines has the maritime rights to exploit its resources or build structures, as it is within the continental shelf ("Extended Continental Shelf") of the coastal country.   from Wikipedia



渚碧礁位于南沙群岛的中业群礁西南部，由天然环礁填海而成的人工岛。目前由中華人民共和國實際控制，行政上隶属于海南省三沙市。2015年开始填海工程，截止2015年6月12日，渚碧礁面积达4平方公里，成為南沙群島中仅次于美济礁的第二大岛，目前其面积仍在进一步增大中。渚碧礁东部和东南部的礁坪没有計畫被填，並設置航道，畅通交流海水又可保持湖水清洁，以利保持內部生態以及潟湖内外海水交换。
中華民國、菲律宾、越南亦宣称对渚碧礁拥有主权[1]。

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​China Airlift Mission Shows Off Capabilities in Disputed Sea

​A recent air transport maneuver in the South China Sea shows Beijing’s bases on disputed reefs can handle large aircraft, unsettling a neighbor

Date Published on Sep. 24, 2021
​An air transport mission by China’s military to island bases in the South China Sea has drawn a rebuke from Vietnam and raised concerns among security experts that Beijing is trying to normalize its activities in the disputed waters.

The Chinese navy’s South Sea Fleet publicized the maneuver—which used three airstrips on artificial islands that China built atop small reefs in recent years—on an official social-media account last week.

The navy’s disclosure of the mission marks China’s first known public acknowledgment that the bases on the islands have been used to accommodate large aircraft. Last December, satellite images appeared to show one of China’s newly developed Y-20 aircraft on an airstrip at Fiery Cross, which is one of the airstrips used last week. The authenticity of the images, shared online by Ken Joyce, director of product management at the U.S.-based imaging firm Maxar Technologies, hasn’t been confirmed by Chinese officials.

“Surely, this announced feat is aimed at demonstrating the PLA’s force projection capability over vast maritime distances across the South China Sea,” said Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, referring to China’s armed forces, the People’s Liberation Army. “And definitely it’s aimed also to demonstrate that the airstrips constructed on the artificial islands are capable of supporting flight operations by large aircraft”,,,     more

BrahMos to Philippines, geopolitics, deterrence and regional narrative

Date Published on Feb. 18, 2022
“ASEAN nations want India to take and play a leadership role in improving commerce, connectivity and security in the region, amidst the aggressive behaviour of China”, was a clear and categoric message at the Delhi Dialogue ended on 6th July 2017 as reported by the Economic Times.

India's EAM Jaishankar's first three-day visit to the Philippines, which concluded on 15th February 2022, marks the beginning of this new era of shared priorities and concerns of the two democracies in the Indo-Pacific region..   more

To counter China, invest in regional deterrence

Date Published on Feb. 16
... India’s strong response and the position taken in the standoff with China at the Galwan Valley and subsequent build-up, have reassured the country and smaller regional nations of our resolve to challenge China’s territorial ambitions and our willingness to share our capabilities with them. India’s resolve adds immensely to the global message that China’s coercive diplomacy or strategy against fragile, weak or failed states in the region will not work. And that a credible regional stand against China is possible ...     quoted from Hindustan Times

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Over 200 Chinese ships spread out in West Philippine Sea reefs

Date Published on March 21, 2021
...“The Philippines calls on China to immediately withdraw these vessels flying its flag. NTF-WPS stands by its observation that these so-called ‘fishing’ vessels are maritime militia. Their build-up and massing formation from Julian Felipe Reef to other areas of the Kalayaan Island Group is hazardous to navigation and safety of life at sea,” the task force said.

The task force expressed “deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese maritime militia, which did not pull out.”

​“Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept China’s assertion of its so-called ‘indisputable integrated sovereignty’ over almost all of the South China Sea,” it said...    quoted from Rappler
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Biden on Ukraine| Feb. 25, 2022

 FEBRUARY 24, 2022

​President Biden Remarks on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
President Biden delivers remarks from the White House on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

President Biden Delivers Remarks on Russia’s Unprovoked and Unjustified Attack on Ukraine
Feb 25, 2022

​Biden announces new sanctions as Russia attacks Ukraine

Feb. 25 - President Biden issued a new round of economic sanctions Thursday meant to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for attacking Ukraine.

​"Putin is the aggressor," Biden said in remarks at the White House. "Putin chose this war and now he and his country will bear the consequences."

Biden said the U.S. will block four additional Russian banks, including the two largest — Sberbank and VTB — from having access to the U.S. financial system and limit Russia's ability to import Western technology. He said the actions will hamper Russia's ability to do business "in dollars, pounds, euros and yen."

"The U.S. stands up to bullies," Biden said. "We stand up to freedom."

Biden repeated that U.S. troops will not be deployed to Ukraine, but reiterated that he has sent "thousands of additional forces to Germany and Poland" to protect NATO's eastern flank. Biden said NATO will convene a summit on Friday and that "we'll be there to bring together the leaders of 30 allied nations and close partners to affirm our solidarity."     more

FEBRUARY 24, 2022
​House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff Remarks on Ukraine
House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) called for additional sanctions on Russia and aid to Ukraine while briefing reporters at the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Adam Schiff: Ukraine ‘prepared, but really overmatched’
Feb 24, 2022

Lawmakers united in outrage over Putin’s ‘unprovoked’ invasion of Ukraine

Feb. 24 -Lawmakers were united on Thursday in condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, urging President Joe Biden to immediately impose crippling economic penalties on Russia even as some Republicans accused him of being too timid in his earlier sanctions response.

Lawmakers heaped almost all the blame for the attack at the feet of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in a televised address late Wednesday night declared he was taking military action to “demilitarize and de-Nazify” Ukraine, which is led by a Jewish president. Already, dozens of Ukrainian troops have been reported killed, according to initial news reports of the Russian military’s air, land and sea-based attacks on key sites and cities around Ukraine.

Speaking in Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urged Biden to "ratchet the sanctions all the way up. Don't hold any back. Every single available tough sanction should be employed and should be employed now."

The GOP leader's comments come as a majority of Americans support tough sanctions on Moscow — and as a majority of Republicans, according to multiple polls, call Putin a strong leader...     more

Statement by National Economic Council Director Brian Deese on One Year of Action and Progress on America’s Supply Chains

​FEBRUARY 24, 2022•STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

Even as we engage and respond forcefully to the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, we are focused on the crucial work of advancing economic progress at home. Today, we received news confirming the strength and resilience of the American economy: GDP increased 7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the four-week average of weekly unemployment claims fell.  A year ago, President Biden signed  Executive Order 14017 on America’s Supply Chains, launching a historic year of action and progress to strengthen the resilience, security, and sustainability of America’s supply chains. These actions are contributing to a historic recovery in American manufacturing and industrial strength, helping to rebuild our supply chains here at home and make more here in America.

As the President has said: we have more work to do, to bring back manufacturing to the United States, to make things more affordable for consumers, and to strengthen the resilience of our supply chains. But we are making critical progress. The six industrial base reports released today are an important milestone, laying a strong foundation upon which we can rebuild America’s global leadership in technological development and manufacturing, and create new jobs and new businesses in communities across America.

To secure America’s supply chains and ensure the United States remains the most productive and innovative nation in the world, President Biden is urging Congress to pass a final version of comprehensive competitiveness legislation, building on USICA and the COMPETES Act.     source from The White House

FEBRUARY 24, 2022
​White House Daily Briefing
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki briefs reporters and responds to questions on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other issues facing the Biden administration.

FEBRUARY 24, 2022
​NATO Secretary General on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying it constituted “war in Europe of a scale and of a type that we thought belonged to history.” He also announced a virtual summit of NATO leaders and said more NATO troops were being moved into Eastern European member states to deter Russian aggression beyond Ukraine. 

Nato chief responds to Russian invasion of Ukraine: 'Peace on our continent has been shattered'
Feb 24, 2022
Nato has increased its troop presence on its eastern boundary in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg has said.  'This is a deliberate, cold-blooded and long-planned invasion,’ Stoltenberg said. 'Russia's unjustified, unprovoked attack on Ukraine is putting countless innocent lives at risk with air and missile attacks.' He said Nato had activated its defence plans, allowing freer movement of troops, but would respond in a defensive rather than combative manner

NATO Allies condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms
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Feb. 24 - Today, the North Atlantic Council decided to activate NATO’s defence plans to protect Allied nations during this crisis. “We will continue to do whatever is necessary to shield the Alliance from aggression,” Mr Stoltenberg stated.
Today, NATO held an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council to respond to Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

Related Articles
›  Read the Secretary General’s full remarks
›  Read the statement by the North Atlantic Council

FEBRUARY 24, 2022
​British House of Commons Meeting on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and leaders of other British parties condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a meeting of the House of Commons.

UK Prime Minister Johnson and US President Biden on Russian invasion of Ukraine | DW News
​Feb. 24, 2022

Biden warns Putin that the U.S. will be 'involved' if he moves into NATO countries as Ukraine hands out 10,000 assault rifles to citizens: President still insists he won't send American forces into Kiev - but deploys 7,000 to Germany​

• President Joe Biden ordered more troops to Europe on Thursday as he promised to defend NATO territory
• The Pentagon said it was sending an armored brigade combat team of 7000 troops from the US to Germany
• In a White House speech Biden insisted US forces would not fight Russian troops in Ukraine 
• But he said things would change if Russia attacked a NATO ally, triggering the pact's mutual defense clause
•  'If he did move into NATO countries we will be involved,' he said. 'We will be involved.'
• Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities handed out weapons to resist Russian invasion      more details

Infrastructure Law | Great Lakes Restoration

 President Biden Remarks on Infrastructure in Ohio

​President Biden announced a $1 billion investment in the cleanup and restoration of the Great Lakes, targeting what the Environmental Protection Agency has identified as “Areas of Concern.” The president made the announcement during a visit to Lorain, Ohio stating, “It’s going to allow the most significant restoration of the Great Lakes in the history of the Great Lakes.” The funding comes from the recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure law. 

President Biden delivers remarks on infrastructure and jobs during a visit to Ohio — 2/17/22
Streamed live 12 hours ago
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on how the bipartisan infrastructure law delivers by rebuilding the infrastructure and creating jobs for the American people.

Remarks by President Biden on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Great Lakes Restoration

FEBRUARY 17, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKS
​The Shipyards
Lorain, Ohio

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  They’re all for Marcy.  God love you, kiddo.  You’re the best.

Before I begin, I want to just point out I was having a –just sitting and talking for a second with the Director of HUD and a former congresswoman just on the other side of this district.  And she said something that reminded me of what I miss as well.  She said, “It’s so good to be home in Ohio.”  No, I really mean it.

And I said, “You’re probably the only one here that understands that every time I get a chance, I go home to Delaware.”  (Laughter.)  You think I’m joking.  I’m not.  I represented Delaware for 36 years as a United States senator...   more

​U.S. intelligence shows Russia’s military pullback was a ruse, officials say

​Feb. 17 - U.S. officials have obtained intelligence that Russia’s announced military pullback from Ukraine’s border was a deliberate ruse to mislead the United States and other world powers, four officials said Thursday, as President Biden offered a bleak warning that the Kremlin will launch an attack “in the next several days.”

The souring optimism that it would be possible to avoid conflict came just days after a flicker of hope, when Russian leaders signaled they would begin to draw down the more than 150,000 troops they have massed at Ukraine’s border. That announcement was accompanied by Kremlin-produced videos of what they claimed were tanks and other heavy equipment leaving border areas by rail car. U.S. officials now believe it was an effort to mask Russia’s true intentions in the region.

All four officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive intelligence.

Russian forces have continued to increase near Ukraine’s frontier, officials said, and shelling escalated in eastern Ukraine, adding to increasingly gloomy attitudes in Washington and European capitals that had hoped to forestall war. Russia is continuing military exercises in Belarus, in easy reach of Ukraine’s border, that intelligence officials fear could give the cover for an invasion. The exercises are due to end Sunday.

Biden told reporters at the White House that the threat of invasion remains “very high” and that Russia may be creating an excuse to do so.

“We have reason to believe that they are engaged in a false-flag operation to have an excuse to go in,” Biden said. “Every indication we have is they’re prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine.” He added that “my sense is it will happen in the next several days”...     more on WashingtonPost
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FEBRUARY 17, 2022 | PART OF DEFENSE SECRETARY & NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ON RUSSIA-UKRAINE
​Defense Secretary Austin on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Defense Secretary Austin addressed reports of a Russian drawdown at the Ukrainian border saying what’s happening is quite the contrary. He added in his military experience, one doesn’t take actions such as stocking up blood supplies and inching closer to the Ukrainian border for no reason. His comments came during a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The defense secretary is meeting with his counterparts from other NATO countries to discuss the Russia-Ukraine situation and other matters.

Ukraine crisis: US Defence Secretary says 'conflict can still be averted'
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin says 'America will, if we must, defend every inch of NATO territory' and Russia isn't sending troops 'for no reason.' NATO has met in Brussels to discuss multiple diplomatic measures that can be taken to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine. Russia claims to be withdrawing troops from the border with Ukraine but NATO have said they have seen no such evidence.   Sky News on YouTube

Blinken presents to UN Security Council Washington’s theory on Russia attack on Ukraine

Feb 18 - Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday laid out in stark detail for the United Nations Security Council actions the U.S. believes Russia could take to manufacture a crisis and justify an invasion of Ukraine, The Hill reported.
Blinken delivered the last-minute speech as the U.S. warns that Moscow is on the precipice of launching a war.

“Russia plans to manufacture a pretext for its attack,” Blinken said, adding the pretext could be a violent event that Russia will blame on Ukraine or an “outrageous accusation that Russia will level against the Ukrainian government.”

The secretary said this could take the form of a “fabricated so-called terrorist bombing inside Russia, invented discovery of a mass grave, a staged drone strike against civilians, or a fake, even a real attack using chemical weapons.” 

The secretary further said Russian state-run media is amplifying warnings of a potential attack on Russians and that in the event of a “fabricated” crisis, the Russian government may “theatrically convene emergency meetings” and declare it necessary to “defend Russian citizens or ethnic Russians in Ukraine.”

He added that Moscow’s attack plans include that “Russian missiles and bombs will drop across Ukraine, communications will be jammed, cyberattacks will shut down key Ukrainian institutions” and a ground invasion will “advance on key targets that have already been identified and mapped out in detailed plans.”

These plans include targeting the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Blinken said, a city of 2.8 million people. He also said Russia “will target specific groups of Ukrainians.”

Blinken said he was sharing such a detailed assessment with the UN Security Council to deter Russia.     source from News.am

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Japan offers Ukraine $100 million in loans in show of support

​Feb. 15 - Japan is ready to extend at least $100 million in emergency loans to Ukraine, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday, the Japanese government said in a summary of their phone call.

The offer comes as Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukraine border, raising fears of war and casting a shadow over the Ukrainian economy. Moscow denies planning to invade Ukraine, accusing the West of hysteria.

​Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude for the offer, according to the written summary of the two leaders' exchange.

Afterwards Kishida told reporters he had agreed with Zelenskiy to pursue diplomatic efforts tenaciously to ease tensions over the Russian military buildup.

He also said Japan planned to take appropriate steps, including possible sanctions, if Russia invades Ukraine, echoing what his foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said earlier on Tuesday.     source from Reuters