分类： politics

Beijing hosted a significant cross-strait gathering on Tuesday to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Liu Mingchuan’s appointment as Taiwan’s first provincial governor during the Qing Dynasty. The event at Beijing’s Taiwan Guild Hall brought together representatives from both sides of the strait, highlighting the historical interconnectedness between Taiwan and mainland China.

Liu Mingchuan, who led successful defenses against French invaders during the Sino-French War (1883-1885), was appointed in 1885 when Taiwan was formally elevated to provincial status. During his six-year tenure, Governor Liu transformed Taiwan into the most progressive province of late Qing China by introducing railway systems, telegraph technology, and modern infrastructure, earning him the title ‘father of Taiwan’s modernization.’

Yang Yizhou, Vice-Chairman of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, emphasized that Taiwan’s establishment as a province ‘institutionally reinforced Taiwan’s status as an inseparable part of Chinese territory.’ He noted that UN documents continue to designate Taiwan as ‘Taiwan, Province of China,’ reflecting contemporary reality.

Yu Shu-chin, President of Taiwan’s Association of World Peace Promotion, addressed current cross-strait tensions, stating that separatist forces advocating ‘Taiwan independence’ are ‘destined to fail.’ She expressed concern about revised curriculum guidelines in Taiwan that obscure historical facts, making it harder for younger generations to learn their history.

The commemoration included a calligraphy and painting exhibition featuring over 100 works by 91 artists from across the strait, depicting Liu’s life and character. Liu Xuexuan, president of the Liu Mingchuan Research Association and descendant of the governor, expressed hope that the event would build ‘a bridge of understanding across the Taiwan Strait.’

Participants noted that many Taiwanese locations bear Liu’s name, including Ming Chuan University and the Liu Ming-Chuan Tunnel in Keelung, serving as shared cultural symbols between the mainland and Taiwan.

South Korea has formally registered a diplomatic protest with Chinese and Russian defense officials stationed in Seoul following the unauthorized entry of their military aircraft into Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ). The incident occurred on Tuesday when seven Russian and two Chinese warplanes penetrated the designated airspace without prior notification.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Russian aircraft entered KADIZ near the disputed Dokdo Islands (known as Takeshima in Japan) and Ulleung Island, while Chinese planes approached near Ieodo, a submerged rock claimed by both Seoul and Beijing. Following their separate entries, the aircraft converged in international airspace near Japan’s Tsushima Island.

The South Korean military promptly deployed fighter jets to monitor the situation and implement tactical preparedness measures, though officials confirmed the aircraft never violated sovereign airspace. This marks the latest in a series of similar incidents since 2019, when Chinese and Russian aircraft began conducting joint patrols in the region.

China’s Defense Ministry confirmed the operation, characterizing it as part of an “annual cooperation plan” with Russia aimed at “addressing regional challenges and maintaining regional peace and stability.” Meanwhile, Russia maintains its longstanding position that it does not recognize South Korea’s unilaterally declared air defense zone, arguing it creates no legal obligations for other nations.

The incident highlights ongoing territorial tensions in Northeast Asia, where multiple nations maintain overlapping claims over islands and maritime boundaries. Both Japan and North Korea join South Korea in claiming sovereignty over the Dokdo Islands, while Ieodo remains a point of contention between China and South Korea.

Prominent Japanese academics, former diplomats, and legal experts have issued a forceful demand for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to immediately retract her controversial statements regarding Taiwan, warning that her rhetoric risks reviving militaristic tendencies in Japan. The collective condemnation emerged during a press conference organized by the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, a civic group dedicated to preserving Japan’s postwar pacifist values.

The scholars asserted that Takaichi’s parliamentary comments represent a fundamental departure from Japan’s longstanding diplomatic position on Taiwan and directly violate both postwar international agreements and the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement. Particularly alarming to the group was the Prime Minister’s suggestion that Japan might assume a wartime posture in response to potential Taiwan contingencies—a stance they characterize as unprecedented and dangerously reminiscent of prewar militarism.

International relations scholar Kazuhiko Togo, a former diplomat, emphasized that the Taiwan-related commitments in the 1972 agreement resulted from meticulous bilateral negotiations and remain foundational to Sino-Japanese relations. Political economist Kazuhiko Uekusa criticized the Prime Minister’s contradictory explanations of her remarks, noting that she initially claimed they didn’t represent the government’s unified view before asserting they aligned with Japan’s traditional diplomatic position.

Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the association, highlighted that his organization has consistently advocated for reflection on Japan’s wartime aggression and adherence to peaceful principles since its establishment in 2013. Professor Emeritus Masakatsu Adachi of Kanto Gakuin University warned that Takaichi’s approach effectively strengthens domestic information control and foreign intelligence gathering—measures that traditionally precede conflict engagement.

The collective statement concluded that current tensions stem primarily from Japanese provocations, yet the government has adopted an unjustified ‘victim’ posture that hinders resolution. They urged immediate retraction and acknowledgment that Taiwan matters represent China’s internal affairs.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Chinese Premier Li Qiang convened with leaders of ten major international economic institutions in Beijing on Tuesday, advocating for enhanced global economic cooperation and warning against the politicization of trade issues. The “1+10” Dialogue brought together heads of organizations including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization to address mounting challenges in global economic governance.

Premier Li emphasized the urgent need for mutual market openness among nations, cautioning against the weaponization of national security concepts to justify trade restrictions. Against the backdrop of a volatile global economy facing protectionist headwinds, Li asserted that only through collaborative efforts can nations create growth opportunities, stabilize supply chains, and accelerate technological advancement.

The Chinese leader presented a confident assessment of China’s economic trajectory, revealing that the country’s GDP grew by 5.2% year-on-year during the first three quarters of 2025 despite external pressures. New tax data showing revenues exceeding 29 trillion yuan ($4.1 trillion) for the January-November period further indicated steady growth momentum, characterized by rising consumption, resilient exports, and advances in technological innovation.

Li positioned China as a steadfast advocate for multilateralism, referencing President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative proposed in September as offering “Chinese wisdom and solutions” to international challenges. The Premier committed to China continuing to open its markets wider to foreign companies and actively fulfilling international obligations commensurate with its capabilities.

International organization representatives acknowledged China’s substantial contribution to global economic growth and expressed particular interest in the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which they believe aligns closely with international economic development objectives. Participants commended China’s support for Global South nations and its role in promoting a shared future for humanity.

The dialogue concluded with commitments to strengthen cooperation across multiple domains including trade and investment, green development, artificial intelligence, and financial stability, signaling a collective determination to uphold multilateral frameworks amid growing geopolitical tensions.

The United States has issued a urgent call for Thailand and Cambodia to immediately cease hostilities following a severe escalation of border clashes that have now entered their third consecutive day. The conflict has resulted in a confirmed death toll of at least ten individuals and triggered the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians from border communities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that both nations must adhere to de-escalation protocols established in a peace agreement brokered by President Donald Trump last October. In a notable statement, President Trump himself declared he would personally ‘make a phone call’ to mediate an end to the violence, marking the most serious military confrontation since July’s deadly clashes.

The neighboring countries have exchanged accusations regarding responsibility for reigniting hostilities, which have involved aerial bombardments and sustained artillery exchanges. Official figures indicate seven Cambodian and three Thai casualties, while Thailand has evacuated over 400,000 people compared to Cambodia’s relocation of approximately 100,000 civilians to safety.

Thailand’s Defense Ministry characterized its military actions as ‘limited in scope and employed as a last option,’ asserting that ‘peace must come with the safety and security of our citizens.’ Conversely, Cambodia has accused Thai forces of launching ‘aggressive military attacks’ allegedly targeting civilian infrastructure and culturally significant temples along the disputed frontier.

The diplomatic fallout extended beyond military engagement as Cambodia announced its withdrawal from the Southeast Asian Games currently hosted by Thailand. The Cambodian National Olympic Committee cited ‘serious concerns and requests’ from athletes’ families as the primary reason for this decision.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has joined international calls for restraint, expressing particular concern over ‘significant civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure, and displacement on both sides.’

This recent violence represents the latest eruption in a century-old territorial dispute along the 800-kilometer border, originally demarcated following the French colonial occupation of Cambodia. The current clashes have expanded across multiple provinces in both nations, prompting travel advisories from several countries including the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan.