In a significant move to outline its stance on global security, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled ‘China’s Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era’ on November 27, 2025. The document underscores China’s commitment to international peace and security, positioning the nation as a proactive contributor to global arms control efforts. The white paper highlights China’s role in upholding the United Nations-centered international arms control regime, emphasizing its constructive contributions in nuclear, biological, and chemical arms control. It also addresses emerging security challenges in outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence, advocating for a collaborative global governance framework. China reaffirms its dedication to nonproliferation, enhancing domestic capacities, and fostering international cooperation in science and technology. The paper calls for a multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, urging nations to unite in building a shared future for humanity.
分类： politics
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Russia convicts and hands life sentences to 8 people over attack on a key bridge to Crimea
A Russian court has handed down life sentences to eight individuals convicted of terrorism charges related to the October 2022 attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge, a critical supply route connecting Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The attack, which involved a truck bomb, destroyed two sections of the bridge, killed five people, and required extensive repairs. Moscow condemned the act as terrorism and retaliated with strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a symbol of Russia’s control over Crimea. The defendants, including Russian, Ukrainian, and Armenian citizens, were charged with carrying out a terrorist attack and illegal arms trafficking. Five others, including Ukrainians and Georgians, were charged in absentia. The accused denied the charges, claiming ignorance of the explosives in the truck. Oleg Antipov, a logistics entrepreneur whose company handled the shipment, voluntarily approached Russian authorities after the blast but was later arrested. In a courtroom statement, Antipov maintained his innocence, citing polygraph tests and lack of incriminating evidence. The Kerch Strait Bridge, completed in 2018, is a strategic and symbolic asset for Russia, facilitating military and civilian supplies to Crimea. Ukraine has targeted the bridge twice, underscoring its significance in the ongoing conflict. The attack has further strained relations between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow using the incident to justify its military actions.
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Trump sends envoys to see Putin, Ukrainians
In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has dispatched high-level envoys to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian officials in a bid to finalize a peace plan to end the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet with Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will hold discussions with Ukrainian representatives. Trump expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a breakthrough, stating that he would only meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once the deal is in its final stages. The talks follow a series of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, where Russian and Ukrainian officials discussed sensitive issues, including prisoner exchanges. Despite ongoing military strikes in Kyiv and southern Russia, Trump remains hopeful that his administration’s efforts will yield a sustainable agreement. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has emphasized the need for ‘serious analysis’ of the US peace proposal, which has yet to be discussed in detail. Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, have indicated that the plan could evolve into deeper agreements, with security guarantees being a critical component. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are also working to coordinate security and financial support for Ukraine, underscoring the international stakes in the negotiations.
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Chinese audit chief attends UN review meeting in NY
At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, significant financial governance discussions unfolded during the 55th Special Session of the UN Board of Auditors and the 65th Session of the UN Panel of External Auditors held from November 24-25, 2025. The meetings brought together top auditing officials from member states to address critical financial oversight matters within the UN system.
Hou Kai, China’s Auditor General and representative on both UN auditing bodies, participated actively in the proceedings. The special session featured comprehensive reviews of audit activities conducted during the second half of 2025, while participants also formulated the strategic audit plan for 2026 and addressed specific matters referred by UN legislative bodies.
In his address, Hou acknowledged the substantial achievements made by the Board throughout the year, emphasizing their contribution to ongoing UN reform initiatives, management optimization, and governance enhancement. With his six-year term concluding in mid-2026, Hou expressed confidence that China’s audit team would maintain its commitment to independence and professional excellence in executing the UN General Assembly’s mandate, ensuring both continuity and quality in audit outcomes.
The parallel session of the Panel of External Auditors facilitated substantive exchanges between Hou, fellow panel members, and UN officials. Discussions centered on several priority areas including the UN80 Initiative’s implementation framework, financial and administrative challenges, digital transformation efforts, and standardized audit practices across the UN system.
During his New York visit, Hou additionally inspected Chinese audit operations at the UN Secretariat, engaging with on-site auditors. He emphasized the importance of adhering to international auditing standards while maximizing China’s expertise in economic oversight. Hou encouraged the team to maintain focus on their core responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to developing a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable United Nations.
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Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate accuses president of staging a coup and claims election victory
In a dramatic turn of events in Guinea-Bissau, the main opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, has declared victory in the recent presidential election, accusing the incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of orchestrating a coup to avoid defeat. The allegations emerged following a military takeover on Wednesday, during which Embaló was reportedly arrested. Dias, a member of the Social Renewal Party, claimed in a widely circulated online video that the coup was fabricated to disrupt the election results, which were expected to be announced on Thursday. These assertions were echoed by civil society groups, though The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims. The opposition African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, barred from participating in the vote, has thrown its support behind Dias, with its leader, former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, urging residents to protest against the coup and demand the release of the election results. Despite the political turmoil, life in the capital, Bissau, appeared to return to normal by Thursday morning, with businesses and public transport resuming operations. Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a long history of political instability, including a coup attempt in October 2023. The country, a known hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe, continues to grapple with political crises exacerbated by disputed elections. The recent events in Guinea-Bissau are part of a broader trend of military takeovers in West Africa, where democracy is increasingly under threat. International bodies, including the United Nations, have expressed deep concern over the reported coup, condemning the actions and calling for a peaceful resolution.
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South Africa hits back after Trump says US won’t invite it for G20 next year
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep regret over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, Florida. Trump announced the exclusion on social media, citing South Africa’s refusal to hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. embassy representative during the recent summit in Johannesburg. ‘Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20,’ Trump stated. While G20 members typically do not require invitations, visa restrictions could effectively bar participation. Trump boycotted the Johannesburg summit based on widely discredited claims of white minority persecution in South Africa. Ramaphosa noted that the U.S. delegation’s absence was voluntary, and the G20 presidency was formally transferred to a U.S. embassy official in Pretoria. This low-key handover reportedly further angered Trump, who has been critical of South Africa’s domestic and foreign policies. Ramaphosa lamented Trump’s punitive measures, which he claims are based on misinformation. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused South Africa of unworthiness for international membership and announced an immediate halt to all U.S. payments and subsidies to the country. South African officials have called for solidarity among G20 members to uphold the group’s integrity. The Johannesburg summit, the first held in Africa, concluded with a joint declaration on multilateral cooperation for climate change mitigation and economic inequality, despite U.S. objections.
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US suspends immigration requests for Afghans after National Guard shooting
In the wake of a shooting incident near the White House that left two National Guard soldiers critically injured, the United States has halted all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakamal, allegedly arrived in the US from Afghanistan in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to assist Afghan refugees following the US withdrawal from the country. President Donald Trump labeled the attack as an ‘act of terror’ and vowed to reassess the immigration status of all Afghan nationals who entered the country under his predecessor, Joe Biden. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Lakamal had been granted asylum earlier this year. The incident occurred near the Farragut Square Metro Station, where the suspect reportedly ambushed the soldiers before being subdued by other National Guard members. In response, Trump has imposed a travel ban on Afghan nationals and ended a temporary protected status program for Afghan migrants. The Pentagon has also announced the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, to bolster security.
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Political prisoners released in Myanmar mass amnesty
In a significant move ahead of the December 28 elections, Myanmar’s military rulers have granted amnesty to over 3,000 individuals detained for opposing army rule, while dropping charges against more than 5,500 others. The mass release, announced by state-run broadcaster MRTV on Wednesday, aims to ensure eligible voters can participate in the upcoming polls. On Thursday, at least eight buses carrying prisoners departed from Yangon’s Insein Prison, where families and friends eagerly awaited their loved ones since early morning. Among those released were Kyi Toe, a member of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) central information committee, and freelance journalist Zaw Lin Htut, both arrested in 2021. However, there was no indication that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held incommunicado since the 2021 military coup, would be freed. Critics argue that the election will lack fairness, citing the absence of free media and the imprisonment of most NLD leaders. The amnesty includes 3,085 prisoners convicted under the incitement law, which criminalizes spreading comments that create public unrest or fear. Additionally, 724 prisoners received conditional release, while 5,580 individuals facing incitement charges were granted amnesty. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 22,708 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, remain in custody. The 80-year-old Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence following what supporters describe as politically motivated prosecutions. The 2021 military takeover sparked widespread nonviolent resistance, which has since evolved into an armed struggle.
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Macron to unveil French voluntary military service
In response to escalating concerns over Russia’s growing influence and military aggression in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to announce a new national military service initiative on Thursday. The plan, which emphasizes voluntary participation, aims to strengthen France’s defense capabilities without reinstating conscription, which was abolished in 1996. Macron’s visit to the Varces military base in the French Alps will underscore the urgency of preparing the nation for emerging threats.
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Muslim Brotherhood says Trump’s terror designation is ‘detached from reality’
The Muslim Brotherhood has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to designate certain chapters of the group as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), labeling it as ‘detached from reality’ and politically motivated. In a statement released via their official X account on Wednesday, the group asserted that Trump’s claims of their involvement in terrorist activities were ‘unsupported by evidence.’ They argued that the order lacked credible legal or security foundations and warned that it sets a dangerous precedent. The statement further accused Trump of succumbing to pressure from Israel and the UAE, two nations historically hostile to the Brotherhood, and claimed the order undermines U.S. national security and regional stability. The Muslim Brotherhood emphasized that independent organizations in Muslim countries, while sharing a common Islamic ideology, operate autonomously and lawfully within their respective nations. They highlighted their long history of peaceful social, religious, and political engagement. The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in the late 1920s, gained prominence during the 2011 Arab protests but has faced significant opposition from regional powers like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The group’s brief political ascendancy in Egypt ended with the 2013 coup that ousted President Mohamed Morsi. The Brotherhood remains a contentious issue in the region, with many monarchies viewing it as a threat to their rule.