INTERNACIONAL
China criticizes South Korea, Japan for lawmakers’ visits to Taiwan
- China has criticized South Korean and Japanese lawmakers for visiting Taiwan against its opposition.
- The country has lodged protests with South Korea and Japan through their embassies.
- The Chinese embassy in South Korea said that the visits went against the strategic partnership between China and South Korea.
China on Tuesday scolded South Korean and Japanese lawmakers for visiting Taiwan despite its strong opposition, chiding both neighbors for attending Taiwan’s «so-called inauguration ceremony of the leader».
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, regarded by China as a «separatist», was officially sworn in on Monday after winning a January election.
China, claiming Taiwan as part of its territory, resolutely opposes the visits, its embassies in South Korea and Japan said, and has lodged solemn representations with the two northeast Asian countries.
CHINA SANCTIONS FORMER REPUBLICAN REP MIKE GALLAGHER AFTER TAIWAN PRESIDENT’S INAUGURATION
A spokesperson for the embassy in South Korea said the move runs counter to the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership, while to Japan, the embassy there said the visit seriously contravened the spirit of Sino-Japanese commitments.
Printed Chinese and South Korean flags are seen on July 21, 2022. China on Tuesday scolded South Korean and Japanese lawmakers for visiting Taiwan despite its strong opposition, chiding both neighbours for attending Taiwan’s «so-called inauguration ceremony of the leader». (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo)
China urged South Korea to take «practical actions» to safeguard overall interests of bilateral relations while it seriously urged Japan to cease «provocative political manipulation» of the Taiwan issue.
It also told Japan, which has joined the United States in congratulating Lai, to avoid causing further damage to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and to their bilateral relations.
On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called Taiwan «an extremely important partner and friend of our country», and that Japan’s stance was to further deepen cooperation and exchanges at the non-governmental level.
Ties between Japan and China have sagged in recent times, weighed down by a host of issues including clashes over mutual maritime claims in the East China Sea, as well as China’s actions against Philippine claims in the South China Sea.
China, South Korea and Japan are due a trilateral summit next week in Seoul.
SEEKING STABLE TIES
Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his South Korean counterpart who visited Beijing that both nations should seek stable ties despite their recent «difficulties» including tensions over Taiwan and other regional issues.
South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul told Wang both countries should work together and «even if there are difficulties, momentum of cooperation should be continued while carefully managing the relations».
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said last year that democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, was a «global issue», not just an issue between China and Taiwan.
«Anyone who attempts to challenge the one-China principle will end in failure,» Wang warned on Monday as Lai was sworn in.
«There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China.»
INTERNACIONAL
Was a beloved whale suspected of being a Russian ‘spy’ killed in Norway?
Havldimir quickly became a celebrity in Norway, swimming his way into their Nordic hearts.
But this beluga whale’s odd story started in 2019 when he was discovered in northern Norway near the island of Ingoya wearing a harness with «Equipment St Petersburg» written in English connected to a mount for a small camera.
Hvaldimir, as Norwegians dubbed him – mixing together the Norwegian word for whale and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name – was intelligent, friendly and responded to hand signals, leading Norway’s spy agency to believe he had been held in captivity by Russia and used for research purposes.
Once Hvaldimir was freed from his harness, though, his friendly personality made him beloved in the country.
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED WHALE SEEN OFF CALIFORNIA COAST: ‘EVERY SIGHTING IS INCREDIBLE VALUABLE TO US’
Hvaldimir was found in 2019 wearing a harness with a camera mount on it. (Jorgen Ree Wiig/Sea Surveillance Service/Handout/NTB Scanpix via Reuters/File Photo)
He was fed and monitored by the Norwegian government and dubbed a «free-swimming whale» by the Norwegian Orca Survey, venturing as far as Sweden but always returning home, according to The Telegraph.
Hvaldimir was found dead off southern Norway last weekend.
«It’s absolutely horrible,» marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who worked with Marine Mind, told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. «He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday), so we just have to figure out what might have happened here.»
BREACHING WHALE CAPSIZES BOAT AFTER LANDING ON TOP OF IT OFF NEW HAMPSHIRE, SHOCKING VIDEO SHOWS
Hvaldimir, being fed here, became beloved in Norway. (orgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
Hvaldimir may have died of natural causes, but conservation groups NOAH and One Whale have filed police reports claiming he was shot, according to the Telegraph.
The Oceanic Preservation Society said that a necropsy will be done on Hvaldimir to determine his cause of death in the next few weeks.
«We’ve been absolutely devastated over the news, and are deeply saddened that humanity failed this beloved whale,» the organization said on social media.
He was fed and monitored by the Norwegian government and dubbed a «free-swimming whale» by the Norwegian Orca Survey, venturing as far as Sweden but always returning home. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
Nonprofit Marine Mind said on Facebook that Hvaldimir «bridged the gap» between humans and wild animals in a way «few can.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«Hvaldimir was not just a beluga whale; he was a beacon of hope, a symbol of connection, and a reminder of the deep bond between humans and the natural world,» the organization said. «Over the past five years, he touched the lives of tens of thousands, bringing people together in awe of the wonders of nature. His presence taught us about the importance of ocean conservation, and in doing so, he also taught us more about ourselves.»
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
-
POLITICA2 días ago
La represión a los jubilados, un espejo en el que duele reconocerse
-
POLITICA1 día ago
“Estúpido” y “exlibertario”: reapareció Cristina Kirchner y cruzó muy duro a Javier Milei
-
POLITICA1 día ago
Milei versus Cristina: el Presidente le responde a la exvicepresidenta en el Congreso del IAEF y habla sobre el dólar y el cepo
-
POLITICA2 días ago
Javier Milei planea exponer el Presupuesto en el recinto de Diputados y ya genera polémica con la oposición
-
POLITICA2 días ago
Argentina – Chile, en vivo
-
CHIMENTOS2 días ago
La versión de Victoria Onetto sobre su «aventura» con Alberto Fernández