The Afghan government is committed to ensuring safety and security of foreign organisations and diplomatic missions, the Foreign Ministry here said on Tuesday following Australia`s announcement to close its embassy in Kabul. 
 
"Based on the international laws and conventions, and within the framework of agreements with friendly countries, the Afghan government remains obligated to ensure the security of diplomatic missions and the safety of diplomatic and consular representatives," the Ministry said in a statement. 
 
The statement came after Australia decided to close its embassy in Kabul amid increasingly uncertain security situation. 
 
"We hope, as mentioned in the Australian government statement, that this measure will be temporary, and Australia will soon resume its permanent presence in Afghanistan," the Ministry added. 
 
Australia`s embassy building will close on Friday, with officials in future visiting Afghanistan from a post elsewhere in the region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a joint statement. 
 
The government said Australia would revert to diplomats using visiting accreditation for relations with Afghanistan, as was the case before the Kabul embassy opened in 2006, dpa news agency reported. 
 
"It is Australia`s expectation that this measure will be temporary and that we will resume a permanent presence in Kabul once circumstances permit," the statement read. 
 
Canberra cited the "increasingly uncertain security environment" that has come with the imminent departure of international forces and said the government had been advised security arrangements could not be provided to support an ongoing diplomatic presence. 
 
The move "does not alter our commitment to Afghanistan or its people", Payne and Morrison said. 
 
Afghanistan is in a state of uncertainty after US President Joe Biden announced that American troops will pull out from the country by September 11, 2021 after almost 20 years. 
 
NATO agreed to follow suit. 
 
Almost 10,000 NATO soldiers from the Resolute Support training mission, including 2,500 soldiers from the US and around 1,100 from Germany, the two biggest contingents, are due to leave the country. 
 
Australia has 80 troops remaining in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission. 
 
Since the withdrawal officially began on May 1, the Taliban have intensified attacks on provincial capitals, districts, bases and checkpoints.

The Afghan government is committed to ensuring safety and security of foreign organisations and diplomatic missions, the Foreign Ministry here said on Tuesday following Australia`s announcement to close its embassy in Kabul.

The Afghan government is committed to ensuring safety and security of foreign organisations and diplomatic missions, the Foreign Ministry here said on Tuesday following Australia`s announcement to close its embassy in Kabul. "Based on the international laws and conventions, and within the framework of agreements with friendly countries, the Afghan government remains obligated to ensure the security of diplomatic missions and the safety of diplomatic and consular representatives," the Ministry said in a statement. The statement came after Australia decided to close its embassy in Kabul amid increasingly uncertain security situation. "We hope, as mentioned in the Australian government statement, that this measure will be temporary, and Australia will soon resume its permanent presence in Afghanistan," the Ministry added. Australia`s embassy building will close on Friday, with officials in future visiting Afghanistan from a post elsewhere in the region, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a joint statement. The government said Australia would revert to diplomats using visiting accreditation for relations with Afghanistan, as was the case before the Kabul embassy opened in 2006, dpa news agency reported. "It is Australia`s expectation that this measure will be temporary and that we will resume a permanent presence in Kabul once circumstances permit," the statement read. Canberra cited the "increasingly uncertain security environment" that has come with the imminent departure of international forces and said the government had been advised security arrangements could not be provided to support an ongoing diplomatic presence. The move "does not alter our commitment to Afghanistan or its people", Payne and Morrison said. Afghanistan is in a state of uncertainty after US President Joe Biden announced that American troops will pull out from the country by September 11, 2021 after almost 20 years. NATO agreed to follow suit. Almost 10,000 NATO soldiers from the Resolute Support training mission, including 2,500 soldiers from the US and around 1,100 from Germany, the two biggest contingents, are due to leave the country. Australia has 80 troops remaining in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission. Since the withdrawal officially began on May 1, the Taliban have intensified attacks on provincial capitals, districts, bases and checkpoints.

Afghanistan vows to ensure security of foreign missions

The United States has placed new restrictions on Chinese media firms. The state department has designated 6 Chinese media outlets as foreign missions.

US places curbs on six more Chinese media outlets

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said that the Trump administration has designated US operations of four major Chinese media outlets as "foreign missions" in a move that could further worsen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said that the Trump administration has designated US operations of four major Chinese media outlets as "foreign missions" in a move that could further worsen diplomatic relations between the two countries. "To ensure greater transparency of CCP-run operations in the United States, I directed the designation of four additional PRC propaganda outlets as foreign missions," tweeted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In order to ensure greater transparency of CCP-run operations in the United States, I directed the designation of four additional PRC propaganda outlets as foreign missions. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 22, 2020 × Over the past decade and particularly under General Secretary Xi Jinping`s tenure, the CCP has reorganized China`s state propaganda outlets disguised as news agencies and asserted even more direct control over them, Pompeo said in a statement. Also read: All about the optics: Chinese media goes full-throttle to make Jinping look like a 'messiah According to Jinping, the State Department said, the CCP party-owned media "must. . . embody the party`s will, safeguard the party`s authority ... their actions must be highly consistent with the party." In short, while Western media are beholden to the truth, PRC media are beholden to the Chinese Communist Party. The State Department`s designation included operations of the China Central Television, China News Service, the People`s Daily, and the Global Times as foreign missions. Also read: US designates Chinese media outlets as 'foreign missions' The move follows the February 18 designation of Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily Distribution Corporation, and Hai Tian Development USA. "The decision to designate these entities is not based on any content produced by these entities, nor does it place any restrictions on what the designated entities may publish in the United States. It simply recognises them for what they are," the Department said. "Entities designated as foreign missions must adhere to certain administrative requirements that also apply to foreign embassies and consulates in the United States," it added.

Trump administration designates 4 more Chinese media outlets as 'foreign missions'

Several foreign missions took part in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity call of switching off lights of the missions and residence of diplomats and lighting up diyas, candles and touches tonight.&nbsp;

More than 10 foreign mission confirmed participation.

The Iconic Nepal embassy at Mandi House in Delhi switched off the light over PM Modi's solidarity call. Nepal Envoy Nilamber Acharya along with other Nepali diplomats light up diyas and candles.

Bangladesh Envoy Mohammad Imran joined in the call and the mission turned off its light to light up diyas.&nbsp;

Afghan envoy Tahir Qadiry, who has been very busy leading the evacuation of Afghan nations also enthusiastically supported the call. He said, "This is the right time to remember all those great souls and heroes, nurses and the doctors, who are fighting in the front line. Let us all pledge to regard the social distancing and take all right precautions"

Aminath Shabeena Maldivian Acting High Commissioner who took part in a message she said, "Maldives is fighting COVID-19 alongside our many close friends, such as India."

Outside the mission of neighbouring countries, missions of several countries participated. Vietnam's Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau was part of the solidarity call at the mission along with 30 diplomatic residences and offices of Vietnam who joined Prime Minister Modi’s call to show solidarity in the fight against Coronavirus by lightning up candles at 9:00 pm sunday night.

Polish Envoy Adam Burakowski had a message of Poland and India friendship. He said,"This is the sign of polish Indian friendship. Poland stand united with India in the fight against coronavirus"

A small polish community of Delhi also joined the call by lighting up diyas.&nbsp;

The solidarity call was celebrated at the Indonesian mission by envoy Sidharto Suryodipuro, by the mexican envoy Federico Salas and Kyrgystan's envoy Asein Isaev.

At UK mission, acting high commissioner Jan Thompson along with other British diplomats took part while at the Australian High Commission families joined India in its efforts to come together for 9 mins at 9pm at their respective households.

Chinese Envoy Sun Weidong posted on twitter page a picture of diya he lit up. in a tweet he said, "Light a Diya to stand in solidarity with people of #India in the fight against #COVID19. Pay tribute to all medical workers. At this difficult time, #Chinese &amp; Indian people are standing together through thick &amp; thin. Wish India an early victory against the epidemic. #9pm9minute"

Indian missions globally also marked it. In Bhutan and Bangladesh, Indian missions switched off lights with Indian envoys Ruchira Kamboj and Riva Ganguly Das led the solidarity call. Members of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan and their families also joined "in demonstrating collective resolve and positivity by lighting diyas and candles.", a tweet by the mission said.

Several foreign missions took part in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity call of switching off lights of the missions and residence of diplomats and lighting up diyas, candles and touches tonight.

Several foreign missions took part in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity call of switching off lights of the missions and residence of diplomats and lighting up diyas, candles and touches tonight. More than 10 foreign mission confirmed participation. The Iconic Nepal embassy at Mandi House in Delhi switched off the light over PM Modi's solidarity call. Nepal Envoy Nilamber Acharya along with other Nepali diplomats light up diyas and candles. Bangladesh Envoy Mohammad Imran joined in the call and the mission turned off its light to light up diyas. Afghan envoy Tahir Qadiry, who has been very busy leading the evacuation of Afghan nations also enthusiastically supported the call. He said, "This is the right time to remember all those great souls and heroes, nurses and the doctors, who are fighting in the front line. Let us all pledge to regard the social distancing and take all right precautions" Aminath Shabeena Maldivian Acting High Commissioner who took part in a message she said, "Maldives is fighting COVID-19 alongside our many close friends, such as India." Outside the mission of neighbouring countries, missions of several countries participated. Vietnam's Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau was part of the solidarity call at the mission along with 30 diplomatic residences and offices of Vietnam who joined Prime Minister Modi’s call to show solidarity in the fight against Coronavirus by lightning up candles at 9:00 pm sunday night. Polish Envoy Adam Burakowski had a message of Poland and India friendship. He said,"This is the sign of polish Indian friendship. Poland stand united with India in the fight against coronavirus" A small polish community of Delhi also joined the call by lighting up diyas. The solidarity call was celebrated at the Indonesian mission by envoy Sidharto Suryodipuro, by the mexican envoy Federico Salas and Kyrgystan's envoy Asein Isaev. At UK mission, acting high commissioner Jan Thompson along with other British diplomats took part while at the Australian High Commission families joined India in its efforts to come together for 9 mins at 9pm at their respective households. Chinese Envoy Sun Weidong posted on twitter page a picture of diya he lit up. in a tweet he said, "Light a Diya to stand in solidarity with people of #India in the fight against #COVID19. Pay tribute to all medical workers. At this difficult time, #Chinese & Indian people are standing together through thick & thin. Wish India an early victory against the epidemic. #9pm9minute" Indian missions globally also marked it. In Bhutan and Bangladesh, Indian missions switched off lights with Indian envoys Ruchira Kamboj and Riva Ganguly Das led the solidarity call. Members of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan and their families also joined "in demonstrating collective resolve and positivity by lighting diyas and candles.", a tweet by the mission said.

COVID-19: Foreign missions enthusiastically take part in PM Modi's solidarity call 

Several foreign missions will be taking part in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity call of switching off lights of the missions and residence of diplomats and lighting up diyas, candles and touches tonight.&nbsp;

Indian PM Modi has called for switching off lights for nine minutes at nine pm today as a mark of solidarity as the world fights the challenge of COVID-19.

In the of the South Asian region--Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives missions have confirmed that they will be part of the nationwide solidarity call against COVID-19.

Nepal's envoy Nilamber Acharya told WION, "We, Nepal and India, are all in full solidarity in this fight against COVID-19 pandemic".

"We will participate in the nationwide collective resolve to defeat coronavirus", echoed the sentiment Bangladesh Envoy Mohammad Imran

Afghan envoy Tahir Qadiry, who has been very busy leading the evacuation of Afghan nations also enthusiastically supported the call. He said, "I will be switching off lights and lighting a candle at 9 pm tonight for 9 minutes to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to showcase our solidarity and our concerted efforts in a battle against the Corona Virus pandemic."

Adding, "Let’s all pledge to diligently maintain social distancing and take right precautions."

Outside the south Asian region, missions and diplomats from Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Israel, German, Tunisia, Mexico have confirmed participation.&nbsp;

German envoy Walter J. Lindner in response to WION question on the mission's participation said, "Will do! Underlining our common effort to get through this together!!&nbsp;

British acting high commissioner Jan Thompson also confirmed to WION that she will take part in PM's solidarity call.

Meanwhile, Polish envoy Adam Burakowski told wion,"Poland stands united with India and with all the World to fight the coronavirus. I am sure that if we all take preventive measures, the threat will be much lower and that we would recover soon. Long live Polish-Indian friendship!"

The Polish community in Delhi will also participate in the event.

Vietnam's Ambassador to India, Pham Sanh Chau said, "All our 30 diplomatic residences and offices will join in Prime Minister Modi’s call to show solidarity in the fight against Coronavirus by lightning up candles at 9:00 pm tonight."

In a tweet, Israeli deputy chief of mission Maya Kadosh said," I gathered all my candle holders and places them out of my windows #9pm9minutes"

Earlier in March, when Indian Prime Minister called for Janta curfew and everyone coming out at 5 pm and ringing bells, missions and foreign diplomats had participated in that too.&nbsp; 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several foreign missions will be taking part in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity call of switching off lights of the missions and residence of diplomats and lighting up diyas, candles and touches tonight.

Several foreign missions will be taking part in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's solidarity call of switching off lights of the missions and residence of diplomats and lighting up diyas, candles and touches tonight. Indian PM Modi has called for switching off lights for nine minutes at nine pm today as a mark of solidarity as the world fights the challenge of COVID-19. In the of the South Asian region--Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives missions have confirmed that they will be part of the nationwide solidarity call against COVID-19. Nepal's envoy Nilamber Acharya told WION, "We, Nepal and India, are all in full solidarity in this fight against COVID-19 pandemic". "We will participate in the nationwide collective resolve to defeat coronavirus", echoed the sentiment Bangladesh Envoy Mohammad Imran Afghan envoy Tahir Qadiry, who has been very busy leading the evacuation of Afghan nations also enthusiastically supported the call. He said, "I will be switching off lights and lighting a candle at 9 pm tonight for 9 minutes to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to showcase our solidarity and our concerted efforts in a battle against the Corona Virus pandemic." Adding, "Let’s all pledge to diligently maintain social distancing and take right precautions." Outside the south Asian region, missions and diplomats from Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Israel, German, Tunisia, Mexico have confirmed participation. German envoy Walter J. Lindner in response to WION question on the mission's participation said, "Will do! Underlining our common effort to get through this together!! British acting high commissioner Jan Thompson also confirmed to WION that she will take part in PM's solidarity call. Meanwhile, Polish envoy Adam Burakowski told wion,"Poland stands united with India and with all the World to fight the coronavirus. I am sure that if we all take preventive measures, the threat will be much lower and that we would recover soon. Long live Polish-Indian friendship!" The Polish community in Delhi will also participate in the event. Vietnam's Ambassador to India, Pham Sanh Chau said, "All our 30 diplomatic residences and offices will join in Prime Minister Modi’s call to show solidarity in the fight against Coronavirus by lightning up candles at 9:00 pm tonight." In a tweet, Israeli deputy chief of mission Maya Kadosh said," I gathered all my candle holders and places them out of my windows #9pm9minutes" Earlier in March, when Indian Prime Minister called for Janta curfew and everyone coming out at 5 pm and ringing bells, missions and foreign diplomats had participated in that too. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COVID-19: Foreign missions to participate in PM Modi's solidarity call; to turn off lights, light up candles 

After China expelled three The Wall Street Journal reporters over what it called a racist headline, the Chinese ministry spokesman said the newspaper hasn't realised the "seriousness" of their mistake and demanded a formal public apology from the US-based newspaper.

Chinese authorities deemed a headline as &nbsp;"racially discriminatory" after&nbsp;WSJ published an opinion piece titled "China is the Real Sick Man of Asia".

"Faced with malicious humiliation and smearing, China will not be a silent lamb. Secondly, the newspaper claimed that news reports and commentary are relatively independent of each other, making all sorts of excuses for no reason. Who is in charge of the Wall Street Journal? Who will come forward to apologise? If the Wall Street Journal has the audacity to inflict insults, then why not have the courage to apologise?, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

"There is only one Wall Street Journal in the world. Since the newspaper went with its own way, it should bear the corresponding consequences," the foreign ministry spokesman added.

The WSJ later reported that three of their journalists were ordered to leave the country.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on denounced China's expulsion of three Wall Street Journal reporters and urged Beijing to respect the freedom of the press.

"Mature, responsible countries understand that free press reports facts and expresses opinions. The correct response is to present counter-arguments, not restrict speech," Pompeo said in a statement. 
&nbsp;

After China expelled three The Wall Street Journal reporters over what it called a racist headline, the Chinese ministry spokesman said the newspaper hasn't realised the "seriousness" of their mistake and demanded a formal public apology from the US-based newspaper.

After China expelled three The Wall Street Journal reporters over what it called a racist headline, the Chinese ministry spokesman said the newspaper hasn't realised the "seriousness" of their mistake and demanded a formal public apology from the US-based newspaper. Chinese authorities deemed a headline as "racially discriminatory" after WSJ published an opinion piece titled "China is the Real Sick Man of Asia". "Faced with malicious humiliation and smearing, China will not be a silent lamb. Secondly, the newspaper claimed that news reports and commentary are relatively independent of each other, making all sorts of excuses for no reason. Who is in charge of the Wall Street Journal? Who will come forward to apologise? If the Wall Street Journal has the audacity to inflict insults, then why not have the courage to apologise?, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. "There is only one Wall Street Journal in the world. Since the newspaper went with its own way, it should bear the corresponding consequences," the foreign ministry spokesman added. The WSJ later reported that three of their journalists were ordered to leave the country. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on denounced China's expulsion of three Wall Street Journal reporters and urged Beijing to respect the freedom of the press. "Mature, responsible countries understand that free press reports facts and expresses opinions. The correct response is to present counter-arguments, not restrict speech," Pompeo said in a statement.

After expelling journalists, China demands apology from The Wall Street Journal

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