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A day after top US commander's warning of a Chinese invasion threat to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-accuses-us-admiral-of-hyping-up-threat-of-taiwan-invasion-369378">Taiwan</a>, a US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday.

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The US Navy said the third such voyage since president Joe Biden took office "demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific".

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn transited through the Taiwan Strait even as&nbsp;US Admiral Philip Davidson had earlier warned of the US was losing its military edge to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-will-deter-taiwan-independence-but-seeks-peaceful-unification-chinese-premier-li-keqiang-368248">China</a> in the Pacific.

"I worry that they're (China) accelerating their ambitions to supplant the United States and our leadership role in the rules-based international order... by 2050," Davidson told the Senate committee.

"Taiwan is clearly one of their ambitions before that. And I think the threat is manifest during this decade, in fact, in the next six years," the top US commander added.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said it "resolutely opposed" the transit, asserting that the US was "intentionally meddling in and undermining the regional situation to endanger peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

China has upped the ante on Taiwan since last year with Chinese planes repeatedly entering Taiwan's airspace. In 2020, Chinese military jets made 380 incursions into Taiwan's defence zone, according to reports.

China under President Xi has said it will annex <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-continue-assisting-taiwans-self-defence-capabilities-says-white-house-369156">Taiwan </a>by force if necessary asserting that seizure of Taiwan was "inevitable".&nbsp;

A day after top US commander's warning of a Chinese invasion threat to Taiwan, a US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. Watch: The US Navy said the third such voyage since president Joe Biden took office "demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific".

A day after top US commander's warning of a Chinese invasion threat to Taiwan, a US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. Watch: The US Navy said the third such voyage since president Joe Biden took office "demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific". The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn transited through the Taiwan Strait even as US Admiral Philip Davidson had earlier warned of the US was losing its military edge to China in the Pacific. "I worry that they're (China) accelerating their ambitions to supplant the United States and our leadership role in the rules-based international order... by 2050," Davidson told the Senate committee. "Taiwan is clearly one of their ambitions before that. And I think the threat is manifest during this decade, in fact, in the next six years," the top US commander added. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said it "resolutely opposed" the transit, asserting that the US was "intentionally meddling in and undermining the regional situation to endanger peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." China has upped the ante on Taiwan since last year with Chinese planes repeatedly entering Taiwan's airspace. In 2020, Chinese military jets made 380 incursions into Taiwan's defence zone, according to reports. China under President Xi has said it will annex Taiwan by force if necessary asserting that seizure of Taiwan was "inevitable".

'Free and open Indo-Pacific': US destroyer transits through Taiwan Strait

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's Bayi aerobatic team put on a spectacular performance Tuesday, the opening day of the biennial Singapore Airshow.

Chinese aerobatic team amazes spectators at Singapore Airshow

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-votes-for-district-councillors-amid-anti-government-protests-263841">Hong Kong university campus</a> under siege for more than a week was a deserted wasteland on Saturday, with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-would-be-obliterated-in-14-minutes-if-not-for-me-donald-trump-263961">handful of protesters</a> holed up in hidden refuges across the trashed grounds, as the city's focus turned to local elections.

The end of the siege at Polytechnic University on the Kowloon peninsula was approaching as some protesters desperately sought a way out and others vowed not to surrender, days after some of the worst violence since anti-government demonstrations escalated in June.

"If they storm in, there are a lot of places for us to hide," said Sam, a 21-year-old student, who was eating two-minute noodles in the cafeteria, while plotting his escape.

Police have set up high plastic barricades and a fence on the perimeter of the campus, which they have surrounded for more than a week. Early on Saturday, a Reuters witness saw three police vans drive in as about a dozen officers stood guard.

Watch: I saved lives in Hong Kong says Donald Trump

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About 1,000 people have been arrested in the siege in the Chinese-ruled city, about 300 of them younger than 18.

A single armed Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier stood guard inside the Gun Club Hill Barracks next to the police fence on the edges of the university.

Rotting rubbish and boxes of unused petrol bombs littered the grounds, where many levels of the buildings resemble abandoned hideouts littered with items such as rucksacks, masks and water bottles.

In the early hours of Saturday, fire department officers inspected part of a sewer system through which some students had tried to flee earlier in the week, leaving backpacks, masks and other belongings scattered nearby.

The university standoff is nearing an end as a record 1,104 people gear up to run for 452 district council seats in elections on Sunday.

A record 4.1 million Hong Kong people, from a population of 7.4 million, have enrolled to vote, spurred in part by registration campaigns during months of protests.

Young pro-democracy activists are now running in some of the seats that were once uncontested and dominated by pro-Beijing candidates.

The protests snowballed from June after years of resentment over what many residents see as Chinese meddling in freedoms promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Beijing has said it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula by which Hong Kong is governed. It denies meddling in the affairs of the Asian financial hub and accuses foreign governments of stirring up trouble.

In an interview with Fox News Channel on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he had told Chinese President Xi Jinping that crushing the protests would have "a tremendous negative impact" on efforts to end the two countries' 16-month-long trade war.

"If it weren't for me Hong Kong would have been obliterated in 14 minutes," Trump said, without offering any evidence.

"He's got a million soldiers standing outside of Hong Kong that aren't going in only because I ask him, 'Please don't do it, you'll be making a big mistake, it's going to have a tremendous negative impact on the trade deal,' and he wants to make a trade deal."

A Hong Kong university campus under siege for more than a week was a deserted wasteland on Saturday, with a handful of protesters holed up in hidden refuges across the trashed grounds, as the city's focus turned to local elections.

A Hong Kong university campus under siege for more than a week was a deserted wasteland on Saturday, with a handful of protesters holed up in hidden refuges across the trashed grounds, as the city's focus turned to local elections. The end of the siege at Polytechnic University on the Kowloon peninsula was approaching as some protesters desperately sought a way out and others vowed not to surrender, days after some of the worst violence since anti-government demonstrations escalated in June. "If they storm in, there are a lot of places for us to hide," said Sam, a 21-year-old student, who was eating two-minute noodles in the cafeteria, while plotting his escape. Police have set up high plastic barricades and a fence on the perimeter of the campus, which they have surrounded for more than a week. Early on Saturday, a Reuters witness saw three police vans drive in as about a dozen officers stood guard. Watch: I saved lives in Hong Kong says Donald Trump × About 1,000 people have been arrested in the siege in the Chinese-ruled city, about 300 of them younger than 18. A single armed Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier stood guard inside the Gun Club Hill Barracks next to the police fence on the edges of the university. Rotting rubbish and boxes of unused petrol bombs littered the grounds, where many levels of the buildings resemble abandoned hideouts littered with items such as rucksacks, masks and water bottles. In the early hours of Saturday, fire department officers inspected part of a sewer system through which some students had tried to flee earlier in the week, leaving backpacks, masks and other belongings scattered nearby. The university standoff is nearing an end as a record 1,104 people gear up to run for 452 district council seats in elections on Sunday. A record 4.1 million Hong Kong people, from a population of 7.4 million, have enrolled to vote, spurred in part by registration campaigns during months of protests. Young pro-democracy activists are now running in some of the seats that were once uncontested and dominated by pro-Beijing candidates. The protests snowballed from June after years of resentment over what many residents see as Chinese meddling in freedoms promised to Hong Kong when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Beijing has said it is committed to the "one country, two systems" formula by which Hong Kong is governed. It denies meddling in the affairs of the Asian financial hub and accuses foreign governments of stirring up trouble. In an interview with Fox News Channel on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he had told Chinese President Xi Jinping that crushing the protests would have "a tremendous negative impact" on efforts to end the two countries' 16-month-long trade war. "If it weren't for me Hong Kong would have been obliterated in 14 minutes," Trump said, without offering any evidence. "He's got a million soldiers standing outside of Hong Kong that aren't going in only because I ask him, 'Please don't do it, you'll be making a big mistake, it's going to have a tremendous negative impact on the trade deal,' and he wants to make a trade deal."

University campus siege nears end as Hong Kong gears up for election

China's Hong Kong celebrated the 22nd anniversary of its return to the motherland and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) with various activities on Monday.

Various activities held to mark 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to motherland

Naval ships from Myanmar, India, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/indian-australian-warships-arrive-in-china-for-naval-parade-212329">France have dropped anchor </a>at China's eastern coastal city of Qingdao to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Two Indian battleships - INS Shakti and stealth destroyer INS Kolkata will be taking part in the naval exercise which begins on April 23rd, the day the PLA was formed.

On Monday, a warship from Myanmar arrived to join the armada equipped with air defence weapons made in China and France. &nbsp;

The grand naval exercise also includes vessels from Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. Reports said at least 20 vessels will be deployed during the naval drill.

Delegations from more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Oceania will join the celebration, and over 30 countries will be sending naval leaders.

The Pakistan navy will not be present but top Pakistan naval officials will be present during the excercise.&nbsp;

China will be unleashing its naval power with the display of the first aircraft carrier - the Liaoning including&nbsp;nuclear submarines and destroyers.

Japan's Akizuki-class destroyer Suzutsuki, Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, Bangladesh's stealth guided missile corvette BNS Prottoy along with&nbsp;Australian guided-missile destroyer HMAS Melbourne will also be taking part in the naval exercise.

Not just&nbsp;naval force, air power will also be on display with bombers, fighters, carrier-based fighters, and carrier-based helicopters on display.

Naval ships from Myanmar, India, France have dropped anchor at China's eastern coastal city of Qingdao to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Naval ships from Myanmar, India, France have dropped anchor at China's eastern coastal city of Qingdao to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. Two Indian battleships - INS Shakti and stealth destroyer INS Kolkata will be taking part in the naval exercise which begins on April 23rd, the day the PLA was formed. On Monday, a warship from Myanmar arrived to join the armada equipped with air defence weapons made in China and France. The grand naval exercise also includes vessels from Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. Reports said at least 20 vessels will be deployed during the naval drill. Delegations from more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Oceania will join the celebration, and over 30 countries will be sending naval leaders. The Pakistan navy will not be present but top Pakistan naval officials will be present during the excercise. China will be unleashing its naval power with the display of the first aircraft carrier - the Liaoning including nuclear submarines and destroyers. Japan's Akizuki-class destroyer Suzutsuki, Russia's Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, Bangladesh's stealth guided missile corvette BNS Prottoy along with Australian guided-missile destroyer HMAS Melbourne will also be taking part in the naval exercise. Not just naval force, air power will also be on display with bombers, fighters, carrier-based fighters, and carrier-based helicopters on display.

INS Shakti, INS Kolkata arrive in China's Qingdao port for multinational naval exercise

Chinese troops recently violated the border in Chamoli district of northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and were seen camping along with arms despite the two nations having agreed to keep it a demilitarised area. 
 
The incident took place on July 19 when a team led by Chamoli district magistrate and others, including officials from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) went for a survey of Barahoti ground, official sources said. 
 
The sources said that the civilian team was sent back by Chinese People&#39;s Liberation Army troops, who claimed it to be their land. 
 
The 80-square kilometre ground has been agreed by the two countries to be a disputed part since 1957 and was to be sorted out at the negotiating table by the two sides.&nbsp; 
 
Over the past few years, Chinese troops have been spotted in the area and even air violations have taken place in this area, the sources said. 
 
&#39;ITBP never entered here with arms since 1958 agreement&#39; 
 
Chinese side had sent in a delegation on April 19, 1958 for negotiations with their Indian counterparts and both sides had agreed not to send troops into the area but had avoided a discussion on final settlement of the Barahoti ground. 
 
The sources said that ever since this agreement, ITBP, which mans the 3,488-km Sino-Indian border from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast, had never entered the area with arms. 
 
However, shepherds from both sides were allowed to enter the ground. 
 
The Chinese troops have since the reported incursion returned even as apprehensions persisted that they may be taking undue advantage of the agreement of 1958 by pushing in their soldiers into the area which they recognise as &#39;Wu-Je&#39;. 
 
While Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat termed the development as &quot;something to worry about&quot; hoping that India will pay heed to his request for increased vigil, junior minister in Indian government Kiren Rijiju said ITBP had been asked to look into the matter.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Chinese troops have been spotted in the area and even air violations have taken place over past few years: Officials?

Chinese troops recently violated the border in Chamoli district of northern Indian state of Uttarakhand and were seen camping along with arms despite the two nations having agreed to keep it a demilitarised area. The incident took place on July 19 when a team led by Chamoli district magistrate and others, including officials from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) went for a survey of Barahoti ground, official sources said. The sources said that the civilian team was sent back by Chinese People's Liberation Army troops, who claimed it to be their land. The 80-square kilometre ground has been agreed by the two countries to be a disputed part since 1957 and was to be sorted out at the negotiating table by the two sides. Over the past few years, Chinese troops have been spotted in the area and even air violations have taken place in this area, the sources said. 'ITBP never entered here with arms since 1958 agreement' Chinese side had sent in a delegation on April 19, 1958 for negotiations with their Indian counterparts and both sides had agreed not to send troops into the area but had avoided a discussion on final settlement of the Barahoti ground. The sources said that ever since this agreement, ITBP, which mans the 3,488-km Sino-Indian border from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast, had never entered the area with arms. However, shepherds from both sides were allowed to enter the ground. The Chinese troops have since the reported incursion returned even as apprehensions persisted that they may be taking undue advantage of the agreement of 1958 by pushing in their soldiers into the area which they recognise as 'Wu-Je'. While Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat termed the development as "something to worry about" hoping that India will pay heed to his request for increased vigil, junior minister in Indian government Kiren Rijiju said ITBP had been asked to look into the matter. (PTI)

Northern Indian state Uttarakhand confirms Chinese incursion?