France has rejected a proposal by NATO to open a liaison office in Japan. As per media reports, French officials are of the view that NATO’s presence in the East Asian region will distract it from its prime region of focus.&nbsp;

NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previously hinted that an office in Japan will help the military alliance counter the rising security threats from China. However, Paris is not keen on pursuing any plan which could put Europe-China ties in jeopardy.&nbsp;

<h2>Why is France opposing NATO’s planned office in Japan?</h2>

French officials believe that putting NATO’s focus away from the Atlantic region goes against the provisions of the military alliance. “NATO (stands for) North Atlantic, and both article V and article VI (in its statutes) clearly limit the scope to North Atlantic,” a French official was quoted as saying by several media reports.

“There is no NATO liaison office in any country in the region. If NATO needs situational awareness in the region it can use the embassies designated as point of contact,” the official added.

Watch |&nbsp;Who will be next NATO chief as Jen Stoltenberg to retire soon

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Earlier, it was French President Emmanuel Macron who referred to the move as “a big mistake.” France’s opposition can stymie NATO’s plans for Japan as a unanimous approval of the North Atlantic Council is required.&nbsp;

<h2>Reactions from Japan and China</h2>

Japan declined to comment on Macron’s latest remarks, saying “deliberations” at various levels were still underway. “Various considerations are underway within NATO. At this point, I will refrain from commenting with prejudgment,” Japan’s top government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/india-a-nato-state-whose-gain-whose-loss-600030">Also read |&nbsp;India, a NATO state? Whose gain, whose loss?</a>

On the other hand, Beijing has blasted NATO for formulating plans that could “destabilise” the region. Wang Wenbin, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, was quoted by Financial Times as saying that opening a NATO office in Japan will amount to “interfering in regional affairs and inciting bloc confrontation.” He said, “Asia lies beyond the geographical scope of the North Atlantic.”

<h2>Japan says ‘No’ to NATO</h2>

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month said that his nation had no plans to join NATO, although he was aware of the plans of opening a liaison office in Tokyo. NATO, over the last few years, has expressed its concerns about China’s rising aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. &nbsp;However, France has hinted that it will no longer operate under the security umbrella of the US, and will seek strategic autonomy. Macron even suggested earlier this year that Europe must not become an American “vassal” while the French leader was visiting China.

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France has rejected a proposal by NATO to open a liaison office in Japan. As per media reports, French officials are of the view that NATO’s presence in the East Asian region will distract it from its prime region of focus.

France has rejected a proposal by NATO to open a liaison office in Japan. As per media reports, French officials are of the view that NATO’s presence in the East Asian region will distract it from its prime region of focus. NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previously hinted that an office in Japan will help the military alliance counter the rising security threats from China. However, Paris is not keen on pursuing any plan which could put Europe-China ties in jeopardy. Why is France opposing NATO’s planned office in Japan? French officials believe that putting NATO’s focus away from the Atlantic region goes against the provisions of the military alliance. “NATO (stands for) North Atlantic, and both article V and article VI (in its statutes) clearly limit the scope to North Atlantic,” a French official was quoted as saying by several media reports. “There is no NATO liaison office in any country in the region. If NATO needs situational awareness in the region it can use the embassies designated as point of contact,” the official added. Watch | Who will be next NATO chief as Jen Stoltenberg to retire soon × Earlier, it was French President Emmanuel Macron who referred to the move as “a big mistake.” France’s opposition can stymie NATO’s plans for Japan as a unanimous approval of the North Atlantic Council is required. Reactions from Japan and China Japan declined to comment on Macron’s latest remarks, saying “deliberations” at various levels were still underway. “Various considerations are underway within NATO. At this point, I will refrain from commenting with prejudgment,” Japan’s top government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said. Also read | India, a NATO state? Whose gain, whose loss? On the other hand, Beijing has blasted NATO for formulating plans that could “destabilise” the region. Wang Wenbin, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, was quoted by Financial Times as saying that opening a NATO office in Japan will amount to “interfering in regional affairs and inciting bloc confrontation.” He said, “Asia lies beyond the geographical scope of the North Atlantic.” Japan says ‘No’ to NATO Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month said that his nation had no plans to join NATO, although he was aware of the plans of opening a liaison office in Tokyo. NATO, over the last few years, has expressed its concerns about China’s rising aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. However, France has hinted that it will no longer operate under the security umbrella of the US, and will seek strategic autonomy. Macron even suggested earlier this year that Europe must not become an American “vassal” while the French leader was visiting China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

France gives thumbs down to NATO’s plans of opening liaison office in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says that Japan has no plans to join NATO, but has agreed to a liaison office in the nation. China has called out NATO and said that the new move will not be welcome. Why did NATO not include Japan as a member earlier? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Japan says no to NATO membership

China warned the NATO against implementing its plans of integrating a Liaison office in Japan to coordinate with the allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

China opposes NATO's plan to open a Liaison office in Japan

North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border on June 16, the South's Unification Ministry said, after days of increasingly virulent rhetoric from Pyongyang. Watch report.

N Korea to redeploy troops along border: Blows up inter-Korean liaison office

South-Korea peninsula on the boil: North Korea blows up joint liaison office

North Korea has demolished the inter-Korean liaison office located in the Gaesong industrial complex in the North

North Korea demolishes Inter-Korean Liaison office

After North Korea destroyed a joint liaison office symbolic of peace in the peninsula, South Korean authorities were quick to issue a statement.

On Tuesday, the South Korean representatives said that that they will respond “sternly” if the neighbouring country, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un continues to issue threats and pursue excesses.

Kim You-geun, the deputy national security adviser of South Korea claimed that the destruction "broke the expectations of all people who hope for the development of inter-Korean relations and lasting peace on the peninsula”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blows-up-inter-korean-liaison-office-306214">North Korea blows up inter-Korean liaison office</a>

"We're making clear that the North is entirely responsible for all the consequences this might cause," he said.

Over the last two weeks, North Korea has continuously accused its southern neighbour of helping smuggle anti-Kim material like literature and pamphlets into the country to stir trouble for the leader and to trigger defection of people from the country.

<h6><img alt="A North Korean soldier is seen beside his guard post inside North Korean territory in this picture taken near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, June 16, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6817ab25-290e-4866-892f-8d13c3152d1b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_30.jpg" /> 
A North Korean soldier is seen beside his guard post inside North Korean territory in this picture taken near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, June 16, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

South Korea recently announced plans to monitor this claim, and to strictly disallow transportation of any such material across the border, and to penalise people involved in the circulation of such literature.

International response to the bombing was swift. Russian authorities responded to the bombing of the liaison office by saying that they were “concerned”, while adding to call for “restraint” between the two countries.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fully-ready-to-send-troops-into-demilitarised-zone-as-propaganda-leaflets-row-escalates-306192">North Korea ' fully ready' to send troops into demilitarised zone</a>&nbsp;

The inter-Korean liaison office was seen as a symbol of steps taking by the country to reconcile with each other.

Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was closely monitoring the situation in the Korean peninsula, while adding that the country had no plans to issue a diplomatic dialogue to deal with the crisis directly.

Kim Jong-Un's sister had recently warned that the North-South liaison office would soon be seen "completely collapsed".

After North Korea destroyed a joint liaison office symbolic of peace in the peninsula, South Korean authorities were quick to issue a statement. On Tuesday, the South Korean representatives said that that they will respond “sternly” if the neighbouring country, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un continues to issue threats and pursue excesses.

After North Korea destroyed a joint liaison office symbolic of peace in the peninsula, South Korean authorities were quick to issue a statement. On Tuesday, the South Korean representatives said that that they will respond “sternly” if the neighbouring country, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un continues to issue threats and pursue excesses. Kim You-geun, the deputy national security adviser of South Korea claimed that the destruction "broke the expectations of all people who hope for the development of inter-Korean relations and lasting peace on the peninsula”. Also read: North Korea blows up inter-Korean liaison office "We're making clear that the North is entirely responsible for all the consequences this might cause," he said. Over the last two weeks, North Korea has continuously accused its southern neighbour of helping smuggle anti-Kim material like literature and pamphlets into the country to stir trouble for the leader and to trigger defection of people from the country. A North Korean soldier is seen beside his guard post inside North Korean territory in this picture taken near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, June 16, 2020 | Reuters South Korea recently announced plans to monitor this claim, and to strictly disallow transportation of any such material across the border, and to penalise people involved in the circulation of such literature. International response to the bombing was swift. Russian authorities responded to the bombing of the liaison office by saying that they were “concerned”, while adding to call for “restraint” between the two countries. Also Read: North Korea ' fully ready' to send troops into demilitarised zone The inter-Korean liaison office was seen as a symbol of steps taking by the country to reconcile with each other. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was closely monitoring the situation in the Korean peninsula, while adding that the country had no plans to issue a diplomatic dialogue to deal with the crisis directly. Kim Jong-Un's sister had recently warned that the North-South liaison office would soon be seen "completely collapsed".

'North completely responsible for consequences', echoes South Korea after liaison office bombing

Hong Kong's rival political camps have embraced a new tactic to woo potential voters as the city hunkers down during the coronavirus pandemic: free face masks.

Masks have been in desperately short supply in Hong Kong since the start of the year when the epidemic reached the financial hub.

Politicians from both the resurgent pro-democracy camp and their embattled pro-Beijing rivals have seized on the shortage, beginning a charm offensive with voters even before official campaigning kicks off for the city's legislature elections in September.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/the-long-term-political-fallout-of-coronavirus-285202"> The long-term political fallout of Coronavirus</a>

Already riding high after last year's huge anti-government protests, three pro-democracy parties were the first to pull off something of a public relations coup securing 1.2 million masks form Honduras.

The move did not go unnoticed, and one week later the pro-Beijing camp announced that had one million masks of their own.

Local councillor Eason Chan said he believed the swift response from the pro-democracy camp to the virus pushed their opponents to up their game.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-media-tycoon-jimmy-lai-arrested-on-illegal-assembly-charges-283269">Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested on illegal assembly charges</a>

"That we started earlier and kept bringing supplies to the community, in some ways, forced all parties to join the competition," he told the source.

"The Pro-Beijing camp wants to use this chance to return to the community and reinforce their local support," he added.

Beijing's powerful Liaison Office in Hong Kong announced the neighbouring Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen had donated one million masks that were being distributed among the community by a newly-formed group called "Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link".

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/coronavirus-drags-hong-kong-business-outlook-to-record-low-data-284240">Coronavirus drags Hong Kong business outlook to record low: data</a>

"As long as the public can be benefitted, it's fine for different parties in society to do their own part," said Bunny Chan, a well-connected politician within the pro-Beijing side and one of about 30 conveners of the Link.

"Our conveners have either extensive local networks or professional background, and we have more than 5,000 volunteers across the city to help," he told the source.

Anger at slow response

Hong Kongers will be able to elect half the lawmakers in the city's legislature, a body designed to ensure the pro-Beijing block always holds sway.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-tear-gas-as-black-clad-protesters-return-to-streets-283509">Hong Kong police fire tear gas as black-clad protesters return to streets</a>

But after last year's huge anti-government protests and a landslide victory in November local council elections, the pro-democracy camp have their best chance ever to capture most of the electable seats in the legislature.

And the pro-Beijing block is scrambling to avoid another humiliating defeat.

Eason Chan said sourcing masks to hand out for free was one of the first tasks on his to-do list after he was sworn in as a local councillor for Kwun Tong, a reliably pro-government district until last year's protests.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/no-tangible-plans-moodys-downgrades-protest-hit-hong-kong-275545">'No tangible plans': Moody's downgrades protest-hit Hong Kong</a>

The 23-year-old political novice has distributed 10,000 masks since January, gathered through donations and paid for out of his own pocket.

"Mask handouts are closely related to the election in September," he added.

Beijing continues to full-throatily back chief executive Lam even though she is grappling with historic low approval ratings.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-more-coronavirus-cases-from-abroad-amid-strict-quarantine-measures-286578">China reports more coronavirus cases from abroad amid strict quarantine measures</a>

But many of her allies in Hong Kong's pro-establishment camp have begun distancing themselves from her administration and even openly criticising it, especially after the virus outbreak.

There has been widespread public anger towards the city's unelected pro-Beijing leaders over their failure to stockpile supplies in a city traumatised by a 2003 outbreak of the SARS virus that killed more than 300 people.

The COVID-19 disease has so far infected 149 people, four of whom have died.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-global-death-toll-overtakes-sars-epidemic-fatalities-279534">Coronavirus global death toll overtakes Sars epidemic fatalities</a>

"It's become clear that whoever has a close association with the government is doomed," Chung Kim-wah, a social scientist at the Public Opinion Research Institute told the soruce.

He said the pro-government camp will need to try harder to persuade voters in a city still seething with public anger and clamouring for democratic reform.

"Hong Kong voters have many other and deeper grievances from what happened last year," he said.

Hong Kong's rival political camps have embraced a new tactic to woo potential voters as the city hunkers down during the coronavirus pandemic: free face masks. Masks have been in desperately short supply in Hong Kong since the start of the year when the epidemic reached the financial hub.

Hong Kong's rival political camps have embraced a new tactic to woo potential voters as the city hunkers down during the coronavirus pandemic: free face masks. Masks have been in desperately short supply in Hong Kong since the start of the year when the epidemic reached the financial hub. Politicians from both the resurgent pro-democracy camp and their embattled pro-Beijing rivals have seized on the shortage, beginning a charm offensive with voters even before official campaigning kicks off for the city's legislature elections in September. Also read: The long-term political fallout of Coronavirus Already riding high after last year's huge anti-government protests, three pro-democracy parties were the first to pull off something of a public relations coup securing 1.2 million masks form Honduras. The move did not go unnoticed, and one week later the pro-Beijing camp announced that had one million masks of their own. Local councillor Eason Chan said he believed the swift response from the pro-democracy camp to the virus pushed their opponents to up their game. Also see: Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested on illegal assembly charges "That we started earlier and kept bringing supplies to the community, in some ways, forced all parties to join the competition," he told the source. "The Pro-Beijing camp wants to use this chance to return to the community and reinforce their local support," he added. Beijing's powerful Liaison Office in Hong Kong announced the neighbouring Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen had donated one million masks that were being distributed among the community by a newly-formed group called "Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link". Also see: Coronavirus drags Hong Kong business outlook to record low: data "As long as the public can be benefitted, it's fine for different parties in society to do their own part," said Bunny Chan, a well-connected politician within the pro-Beijing side and one of about 30 conveners of the Link. "Our conveners have either extensive local networks or professional background, and we have more than 5,000 volunteers across the city to help," he told the source. Anger at slow response Hong Kongers will be able to elect half the lawmakers in the city's legislature, a body designed to ensure the pro-Beijing block always holds sway. Also read: Hong Kong police fire tear gas as black-clad protesters return to streets But after last year's huge anti-government protests and a landslide victory in November local council elections, the pro-democracy camp have their best chance ever to capture most of the electable seats in the legislature. And the pro-Beijing block is scrambling to avoid another humiliating defeat. Eason Chan said sourcing masks to hand out for free was one of the first tasks on his to-do list after he was sworn in as a local councillor for Kwun Tong, a reliably pro-government district until last year's protests. Also see: 'No tangible plans': Moody's downgrades protest-hit Hong Kong The 23-year-old political novice has distributed 10,000 masks since January, gathered through donations and paid for out of his own pocket. "Mask handouts are closely related to the election in September," he added. Beijing continues to full-throatily back chief executive Lam even though she is grappling with historic low approval ratings. Also read: China reports more coronavirus cases from abroad amid strict quarantine measures But many of her allies in Hong Kong's pro-establishment camp have begun distancing themselves from her administration and even openly criticising it, especially after the virus outbreak. There has been widespread public anger towards the city's unelected pro-Beijing leaders over their failure to stockpile supplies in a city traumatised by a 2003 outbreak of the SARS virus that killed more than 300 people. The COVID-19 disease has so far infected 149 people, four of whom have died. Also read: Coronavirus global death toll overtakes Sars epidemic fatalities "It's become clear that whoever has a close association with the government is doomed," Chung Kim-wah, a social scientist at the Public Opinion Research Institute told the soruce. He said the pro-government camp will need to try harder to persuade voters in a city still seething with public anger and clamouring for democratic reform. "Hong Kong voters have many other and deeper grievances from what happened last year," he said.

Hong Kong political rivals are wooing voters with free face masks

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sets-up-hong-kong-crisis-centre-in-mainland-open-to-replacing-chief-liaison-264564">Wang Zhimin</a>, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment.

Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-around-400-arrested-in-new-years-day-unrest-271484">Hong Kong</a> are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hsbc-suspended-overnight-services-at-19-atm-clusters-in-hong-kong-after-branches-vandalised-271907">Beijing</a> was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city.

The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-celebrate-new-year-with-a-fresh-wave-of-protests-271280">Communist Party of China</a>.

Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

China has removed the head of its Hong Kong liaison office Wang Zhimin, according to a Saturday post on the official website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The move comes as sometimes violent protests roil Hong Kong in a month-long show of anti-Beijing sentiment. Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and Hong Kong are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. Wang was the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong. Beijing was considering potential replacements for Wang in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city. The new liaison office head will be 65-year-old Luo Huining, said the post, who was semi-retired after being removed from his position as the secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Wang is the shortest-serving Liaison office director since 1997.

China: Luo Huining replaces Wang Zhimin as Hong Kong's top envoy

North Korea reversed a decision to withdraw its staff from an inter-Korean liaison office by sending some back to work on Monday, South Korea said, in a turnaround that came after U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to impose extra sanctions on the North.

On Friday, North Korea had said it was quitting the office, just hours after the United States imposed the first new sanctions on the North since the second U.S.-North Korea summit broke down last month.

The liaison office in Kaesong, North Korea, was opened in September and had been one of the key developments made during the detente between North Korea and South Korea in the past year.

The withdrawal of North Korean staff had been seen as a setback for South Korean President Moon Jae-in's attempts to engage with Pyongyang.

However, Trump on Friday said he has decided against imposing new large-scale sanctions on North Korea, a move that experts said could be an effort to defuse tensions or signalling that the "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign on North Korea was not going to get any stronger.

"Some of North Korean staff members are working at the liaison office" on Monday, the South's Unification Ministry said in a statement.

The two sides held a consultation at the liaison office on Monday and will continue to operate the office as usual, after North Korean staff members told the South "we came to do our shift as usual today," the ministry added.

Some four or five North Korean officials came to work at the office on Monday, about half the usual level of staffing, and none of the more senior officials were among those who came to work, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

A convoy of dozens of South Korean officials had left for the liaison office earlier on Monday in a bid to maintain fragile gains in relations with Pyongyang.

Analysts reckoned the continued presence of North Koreans at the liaison office probably reflected Pyongyang's satisfaction over Trump's decision to hold off on the imposition of more sanctions.

They said the threatened withdrawal of staff appeared to have been calculated to pressure South Korea into persuading the United States to soft-pedal on sanctions.

North Korea reversed a decision to withdraw its staff from an inter-Korean liaison office by sending some back to work on Monday, South Korea said, in a turnaround that came after U.

North Korea reversed a decision to withdraw its staff from an inter-Korean liaison office by sending some back to work on Monday, South Korea said, in a turnaround that came after U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to impose extra sanctions on the North. On Friday, North Korea had said it was quitting the office, just hours after the United States imposed the first new sanctions on the North since the second U.S.-North Korea summit broke down last month. The liaison office in Kaesong, North Korea, was opened in September and had been one of the key developments made during the detente between North Korea and South Korea in the past year. The withdrawal of North Korean staff had been seen as a setback for South Korean President Moon Jae-in's attempts to engage with Pyongyang. However, Trump on Friday said he has decided against imposing new large-scale sanctions on North Korea, a move that experts said could be an effort to defuse tensions or signalling that the "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign on North Korea was not going to get any stronger. "Some of North Korean staff members are working at the liaison office" on Monday, the South's Unification Ministry said in a statement. The two sides held a consultation at the liaison office on Monday and will continue to operate the office as usual, after North Korean staff members told the South "we came to do our shift as usual today," the ministry added. Some four or five North Korean officials came to work at the office on Monday, about half the usual level of staffing, and none of the more senior officials were among those who came to work, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. A convoy of dozens of South Korean officials had left for the liaison office earlier on Monday in a bid to maintain fragile gains in relations with Pyongyang. Analysts reckoned the continued presence of North Koreans at the liaison office probably reflected Pyongyang's satisfaction over Trump's decision to hold off on the imposition of more sanctions. They said the threatened withdrawal of staff appeared to have been calculated to pressure South Korea into persuading the United States to soft-pedal on sanctions.

North Korean officials return to liaison office after pullout

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