With the end of the Cold War, apart from claims of “end of history” and “end of ideology”, there was a widely held geopolitical thought – “With U.S. unipolarity, the concept of strong imposing their will on the weak or better known as Spheres of Influence is redundant.” However, as Graham Allison pointed out in 2020, the “New Spheres of Influence” continue to reflect the older power equations, as well as present strategic ambitions and the United States, would have to ‘share the globe’ with other powers. As the new 21st century is showing the world- especially in the year 2022- these other powers are, clearly, Russia and China, with their aggressive domestic perception management and war posturing. Both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in their authoritarian regimes exhibit past national obsessions coupled with a quest for maintaining domestic regime stability.&nbsp; 

As far as the past obsessions go, there have been several analyses in order to decode “Who is Mr Putin?”&nbsp; in tracing his journey from a KGB mid-level spy who loved the erstwhile Soviet Union to a nationalist rhetoric-feeding, avaricious, authoritarian President. The notion that Ukraine is not a country, but a historical part of Russia, is deeply ingrained in Putin’s ideologues and actions in 2014 for Crimea and the present 2022 War in Ukraine. As ancient as international relations itself, bigger powers have always demanded deference from lesser powers on their borders or adjacent seas. Putin visualising Eurasia as part of Russia’s Sphere of Influence is a testament to this notion.

Similarly, Chinese actions and misgivings over Taiwan are just an excuse to rekindle another past obsession of Xi Jinping's familial history. As the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi landed at the Songshan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan on August 3, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had already come up with its list of banned Taiwanese imports, military drills crossing the Taiwan median line along with certain Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)/cyberattacks. China has also released a list of new measures against the U.S. halting exchanges on a varied set of issues along with new claims of “re-educating Taiwan”. &nbsp;One does not wish to indulge in war mongering by making ‘too-soon-to-declare” fourth Taiwan Strait crisis’ claims, but at the same time, Pelosi becomes the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan in 25 years - now herself inviting sanctions from Beijing. 

Beijing has been singlehandedly the most affronted by this trip, not only in the backdrop of the “One China policy’ but also because Xi Jinping is three months away from the 20th National Congress meeting of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Countries like Russia, Iran, Belarus, Pakistan, North Korea, Thailand, Cuba, Cambodia and Myanmar’s junta government with the Taliban’s Afghanistan have already reaffirmed the ‘One China’ principle while several ASEAN countries have also come up with their version of “respective One China policy support”. Propaganda warfare is also a part of the new age tactics of modern age warfare since the Cold War era and it has resurfaced again on the issue of Taiwan for the CCP’s “face-saving”. 

However, for Xi Jinping, Taiwan is not only a central issue for portraying its strong image as the mass-favourite ‘Supreme Leader’ for the upcoming National Congress meet. Amidst stifling lockdowns for the absurd ‘zero-Covid’ Chinese policy, Evergrande real estate crisis and mass protests, the Taiwan issue for Xi is a personal and deeply emotional issue as well. Given the deep involvement of his father Xi Zhongxun in the United Front work for Taiwan spanning over many decades, the unification of Taiwan is a family plus national duty for Xi. The Kuomintang (KMT) was the Chinese political party ruling over mainland China from 1927-1949 before its exile to the island of Formosa (aka Taiwan or Republic of China). Xi Zhongxun was deeply engaged in backchannel negotiations with Taipei during the late Mao era and the failure of not being able to achieve “unification’ left a festering wound before his death. As a child, Xi had seen his father meeting with the KMT officials for the United Front work and thus, today’s Pelosi visit is more than a simple provocation for him. Xi Jinping has always put regime stability of the PRC over everything else, but he constantly repeated that he would not let any part of territory slip away that his “ancestors” had left for the Chinese people. He, most probably, will not let this current visit merely slip away into oblivion.

As seen by the actions of both Putin and Xi to preserve their respective Spheres of Influence, past concerns of ‘prestige, manipulation and coercion’ (borrowing from Joseph Torigian’s book title) can very well snowball into higher-order security implications. For America, the visit comes in the wake of declining Biden’s popularity on account of inflation and Russia not backing down in Ukraine. Back-pedalling on the highly anticipated Pelosi visit to Taiwan would have fervently crushed the U.S. power projection. The drone strike killing of al-Qaeda’s Ayman al-Zawahiri and Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit are now seen as rebound signs for “America’s waning influence”.

Revisionist powers, as pointed out by experts on China like Hal Brands et al, exhibit a ‘peaking -power syndrome’. Russia and China are no longer ascendant powers who would exhibit optimism aka “peaceful rise”. They are experiencing soaring power ambitions in order to coax and coerce their “Spheres of Influence” to showcase deference. Both are under tremendous stress of eroding domestic legitimacy due to pandemic-induced economic and social woes. Fast-growing countries like China respond to economic slumps with reckless expansionist tendencies to feed their home-rhetoric and face-saving games. Here come the nearby ‘Spheres of Influence’ to help them play games of prestige, coercion and information warfare. Anxiety and Aspiration are a dangerous recipe for explosion and the balance of power theorists and policymakers should always remember that bubbling frustration in revisionist powers just needs a spark or an excuse to project and protect their regional hegemony and aspiring superpower status.&nbsp; 

As far as India is concerned, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has come up with an official release to “exercise restraint” in the ongoing concern and has called for “de-escalation”. Delhi has been watching Taiwan way more closely this time than any other time before and in its ‘concern” over the issues, it has not made an explicit reference to the ‘One-China policy'. Taiwan is close to home for India as both are major parts of the Indo-Pacific construct and therefore, it will not be easy for India to sit on the fence this time. Taiwan, through its new Southbound Policy (launched in 2016) has always encouraged a more concrete relationship with India. New Delhi’s Act East and Indo-Pacific outreach efforts also recognise Taipei for deeper economic relations; especially in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Over Ukraine, India has been dodging bullets at its claims of strategic autonomy with the West obsessing over India buying Russian oil and not participating in the Western economic sanction game on Moscow. 

India’s own ‘Sphere of Influence’, apart from South Asia, features in the greater Indo-Pacific order as well for its own foreign policy ambitions. China, in no way, shares terms with India like the Russia-India relations do and the direct Chinese military pressures in the Himalayas and the oceans coerce Delhi to not be “neutral” here in Indo-Pacific affairs. There are hard concerns in New Delhi over a possible Chinese hegemony in Asia. By keeping quiet on this aspect - maintaining, an “elusive balancing stance”, like always, will not help Delhi in any way. If tensions escalate in intensity “neutrality” and “sitting on the bench” will make it, unwillingly, fall into the “Chinese Sphere of Influence”. And this will be a dangerous and slippery slope for Indian foreign policy.

&nbsp;

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With the end of the Cold War, apart from claims of “end of history” and “end of ideology”, there was a widely held geopolitical thought – “With U.S. unipolarity, the concept of strong imposing their will on the weak or better known as Spheres of Influence is redundant.

With the end of the Cold War, apart from claims of “end of history” and “end of ideology”, there was a widely held geopolitical thought – “With U.S. unipolarity, the concept of strong imposing their will on the weak or better known as Spheres of Influence is redundant.” However, as Graham Allison pointed out in 2020, the “New Spheres of Influence” continue to reflect the older power equations, as well as present strategic ambitions and the United States, would have to ‘share the globe’ with other powers. As the new 21st century is showing the world- especially in the year 2022- these other powers are, clearly, Russia and China, with their aggressive domestic perception management and war posturing. Both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in their authoritarian regimes exhibit past national obsessions coupled with a quest for maintaining domestic regime stability. As far as the past obsessions go, there have been several analyses in order to decode “Who is Mr Putin?” in tracing his journey from a KGB mid-level spy who loved the erstwhile Soviet Union to a nationalist rhetoric-feeding, avaricious, authoritarian President. The notion that Ukraine is not a country, but a historical part of Russia, is deeply ingrained in Putin’s ideologues and actions in 2014 for Crimea and the present 2022 War in Ukraine. As ancient as international relations itself, bigger powers have always demanded deference from lesser powers on their borders or adjacent seas. Putin visualising Eurasia as part of Russia’s Sphere of Influence is a testament to this notion. Similarly, Chinese actions and misgivings over Taiwan are just an excuse to rekindle another past obsession of Xi Jinping's familial history. As the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi landed at the Songshan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan on August 3, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had already come up with its list of banned Taiwanese imports, military drills crossing the Taiwan median line along with certain Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)/cyberattacks. China has also released a list of new measures against the U.S. halting exchanges on a varied set of issues along with new claims of “re-educating Taiwan”. One does not wish to indulge in war mongering by making ‘too-soon-to-declare” fourth Taiwan Strait crisis’ claims, but at the same time, Pelosi becomes the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan in 25 years - now herself inviting sanctions from Beijing. Beijing has been singlehandedly the most affronted by this trip, not only in the backdrop of the “One China policy’ but also because Xi Jinping is three months away from the 20th National Congress meeting of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Countries like Russia, Iran, Belarus, Pakistan, North Korea, Thailand, Cuba, Cambodia and Myanmar’s junta government with the Taliban’s Afghanistan have already reaffirmed the ‘One China’ principle while several ASEAN countries have also come up with their version of “respective One China policy support”. Propaganda warfare is also a part of the new age tactics of modern age warfare since the Cold War era and it has resurfaced again on the issue of Taiwan for the CCP’s “face-saving”. However, for Xi Jinping, Taiwan is not only a central issue for portraying its strong image as the mass-favourite ‘Supreme Leader’ for the upcoming National Congress meet. Amidst stifling lockdowns for the absurd ‘zero-Covid’ Chinese policy, Evergrande real estate crisis and mass protests, the Taiwan issue for Xi is a personal and deeply emotional issue as well. Given the deep involvement of his father Xi Zhongxun in the United Front work for Taiwan spanning over many decades, the unification of Taiwan is a family plus national duty for Xi. The Kuomintang (KMT) was the Chinese political party ruling over mainland China from 1927-1949 before its exile to the island of Formosa (aka Taiwan or Republic of China). Xi Zhongxun was deeply engaged in backchannel negotiations with Taipei during the late Mao era and the failure of not being able to achieve “unification’ left a festering wound before his death. As a child, Xi had seen his father meeting with the KMT officials for the United Front work and thus, today’s Pelosi visit is more than a simple provocation for him. Xi Jinping has always put regime stability of the PRC over everything else, but he constantly repeated that he would not let any part of territory slip away that his “ancestors” had left for the Chinese people. He, most probably, will not let this current visit merely slip away into oblivion. As seen by the actions of both Putin and Xi to preserve their respective Spheres of Influence, past concerns of ‘prestige, manipulation and coercion’ (borrowing from Joseph Torigian’s book title) can very well snowball into higher-order security implications. For America, the visit comes in the wake of declining Biden’s popularity on account of inflation and Russia not backing down in Ukraine. Back-pedalling on the highly anticipated Pelosi visit to Taiwan would have fervently crushed the U.S. power projection. The drone strike killing of al-Qaeda’s Ayman al-Zawahiri and Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit are now seen as rebound signs for “America’s waning influence”. Revisionist powers, as pointed out by experts on China like Hal Brands et al, exhibit a ‘peaking -power syndrome’. Russia and China are no longer ascendant powers who would exhibit optimism aka “peaceful rise”. They are experiencing soaring power ambitions in order to coax and coerce their “Spheres of Influence” to showcase deference. Both are under tremendous stress of eroding domestic legitimacy due to pandemic-induced economic and social woes. Fast-growing countries like China respond to economic slumps with reckless expansionist tendencies to feed their home-rhetoric and face-saving games. Here come the nearby ‘Spheres of Influence’ to help them play games of prestige, coercion and information warfare. Anxiety and Aspiration are a dangerous recipe for explosion and the balance of power theorists and policymakers should always remember that bubbling frustration in revisionist powers just needs a spark or an excuse to project and protect their regional hegemony and aspiring superpower status. As far as India is concerned, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has come up with an official release to “exercise restraint” in the ongoing concern and has called for “de-escalation”. Delhi has been watching Taiwan way more closely this time than any other time before and in its ‘concern” over the issues, it has not made an explicit reference to the ‘One-China policy'. Taiwan is close to home for India as both are major parts of the Indo-Pacific construct and therefore, it will not be easy for India to sit on the fence this time. Taiwan, through its new Southbound Policy (launched in 2016) has always encouraged a more concrete relationship with India. New Delhi’s Act East and Indo-Pacific outreach efforts also recognise Taipei for deeper economic relations; especially in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Over Ukraine, India has been dodging bullets at its claims of strategic autonomy with the West obsessing over India buying Russian oil and not participating in the Western economic sanction game on Moscow. India’s own ‘Sphere of Influence’, apart from South Asia, features in the greater Indo-Pacific order as well for its own foreign policy ambitions. China, in no way, shares terms with India like the Russia-India relations do and the direct Chinese military pressures in the Himalayas and the oceans coerce Delhi to not be “neutral” here in Indo-Pacific affairs. There are hard concerns in New Delhi over a possible Chinese hegemony in Asia. By keeping quiet on this aspect - maintaining, an “elusive balancing stance”, like always, will not help Delhi in any way. If tensions escalate in intensity “neutrality” and “sitting on the bench” will make it, unwillingly, fall into the “Chinese Sphere of Influence”. And this will be a dangerous and slippery slope for Indian foreign policy. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Game of spheres of influence – during which India should not sit on the bench

The United States has successfully tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Tuesday after twice postponing the launch to avoid fueling tensions amid the ongoing Ukraine war and the Taiwan conflict.

US carries out Intercontinental missile test delayed over Taiwan conflict, Ukraine war

China continues its crackdown on Taiwan. In the latest, it has sanctioned seven Taiwanese officials for supporting the island's independence, its state media reported.

US delegation's Taiwan visit irks China, sanctions 7 Taiwanese officials

A delegation of US lawmakers paid a visit to Taiwan. Beijing has responded with a dire threat. China's Defence Ministry has said that the PLA continues to "train and prepare for war". Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: China threatens war after visit by US lawmakers

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month continues to have more fallouts. Now China has sanctioned seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan independence, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday. China says Pelosi's visit has sent a wrong signal to pro-independence forces there. Democratically self-ruled Taiwan rejects China's hold over it.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-cares-nancy-pelosi-laughs-at-chinas-decision-to-sanction-her-and-her-family-505746">'Who cares?', Nancy Pelosi laughs at China's decision to sanction her and her family</a>

Among those sanctioned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office are Hsiao Bi-khim, the de facto Taiwan ambassador to Washington, and Wellington Koo, Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council. Politicians from Taiwan's ruling party, Democratic Progressive Party were also sanctioned.

Those sanctioned will not be able to visit China, Hong Kong and Macau, a Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson said. Consequently, companies and investors that are linked to these officials won't be allowed to profit in China.

The seven are in addition to Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and parliament Speaker You Si-kun who were previously sanctioned.

Earlier, angered by Pelosi's visit, China held military drills near Taiwan in a show of force.&nbsp;Speaking about the&nbsp;retaliatory drills, Pelosi had said the US could not permit China to normalise the new level of pressure on Taiwan that it asserted.

Pelosi, who has been a vocal critic of China for decades, said, "We went there to praise Taiwan. We went there to show our friendship, to say China cannot isolate Taiwan."

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month continues to have more fallouts. Now China has sanctioned seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan independence, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month continues to have more fallouts. Now China has sanctioned seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan independence, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday. China says Pelosi's visit has sent a wrong signal to pro-independence forces there. Democratically self-ruled Taiwan rejects China's hold over it. Also Read | 'Who cares?', Nancy Pelosi laughs at China's decision to sanction her and her family Among those sanctioned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office are Hsiao Bi-khim, the de facto Taiwan ambassador to Washington, and Wellington Koo, Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council. Politicians from Taiwan's ruling party, Democratic Progressive Party were also sanctioned. Those sanctioned will not be able to visit China, Hong Kong and Macau, a Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson said. Consequently, companies and investors that are linked to these officials won't be allowed to profit in China. The seven are in addition to Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and parliament Speaker You Si-kun who were previously sanctioned. Earlier, angered by Pelosi's visit, China held military drills near Taiwan in a show of force. Speaking about the retaliatory drills, Pelosi had said the US could not permit China to normalise the new level of pressure on Taiwan that it asserted. Pelosi, who has been a vocal critic of China for decades, said, "We went there to praise Taiwan. We went there to show our friendship, to say China cannot isolate Taiwan." (With inputs from agencies)

China sanctions seven Taiwanese officials for supporting the island's independence

China has sanctioned seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan’s independence as Beijing continues to increase its authority over island amid regional tensions. The sanctions came after an American congressional delegation departed the island-nation on Monday.

WION Dispatch: China sanctions seven Taiwanese officials over supporting Taiwan independence

United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan has caused a massive uproar in China. In the aftermath of the incident, the Chinese military conducted a number of military drills with airplanes breaching the Taiwan border on multiple occasions. A number of world leaders have already reacted to the developments and Russian President Vladimir Putin became the latest one.

During a speech at Moscow security conference, Putin blamed United States for creating tension in Asia as part of a "thoroughly planned provocation". He also said that the AUKUS security pact between Australia, Britain and the United States was an attempt to create another NATO-like bloc.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-nuclear-war-could-kill-2-billion-people-study-507435" hreflang="en">India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study</a>

"The visit was not just a trip by a single irresponsible politician, but part of a purposeful, conscious U.S. strategy to destabilize and sow chaos in the region and the world", he said according to Reuters.

In the past, Russia has spoken about US trying to create an alliance against Russia on the global stage in order to maintain “Western hegemony and neo-colonialism”. Putin stuck to the narrative on Monday and suggested that the security pact can be a precursor to massive global conflict.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explosions-rock-ammunition-depot-in-russia-controlled-crimea-507413">Blasts rock ammunition depot in Russia-annexed Crimea, Ukraine's role hinted</a>

"We also see that the collective West is seeking to extend its bloc system to the Asia-Pacific region by analogy with NATO in Europe. For this purpose, aggressive military-political alliances are being formed, such as AUKUS and others," the Russian President added during his speech in Moscow.

A second US congressional delegation reached Taiwan last week and they met President Tsai Ing-wen as part of US efforts to reaffirm their support to the nation amid the conflict with China.

(With inputs from agencies)

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United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan has caused a massive uproar in China. In the aftermath of the incident, the Chinese military conducted a number of military drills with airplanes breaching the Taiwan border on multiple occasions.

United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan has caused a massive uproar in China. In the aftermath of the incident, the Chinese military conducted a number of military drills with airplanes breaching the Taiwan border on multiple occasions. A number of world leaders have already reacted to the developments and Russian President Vladimir Putin became the latest one. During a speech at Moscow security conference, Putin blamed United States for creating tension in Asia as part of a "thoroughly planned provocation". He also said that the AUKUS security pact between Australia, Britain and the United States was an attempt to create another NATO-like bloc. Also read | India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study "The visit was not just a trip by a single irresponsible politician, but part of a purposeful, conscious U.S. strategy to destabilize and sow chaos in the region and the world", he said according to Reuters. In the past, Russia has spoken about US trying to create an alliance against Russia on the global stage in order to maintain “Western hegemony and neo-colonialism”. Putin stuck to the narrative on Monday and suggested that the security pact can be a precursor to massive global conflict. Also read | Blasts rock ammunition depot in Russia-annexed Crimea, Ukraine's role hinted "We also see that the collective West is seeking to extend its bloc system to the Asia-Pacific region by analogy with NATO in Europe. For this purpose, aggressive military-political alliances are being formed, such as AUKUS and others," the Russian President added during his speech in Moscow. A second US congressional delegation reached Taiwan last week and they met President Tsai Ing-wen as part of US efforts to reaffirm their support to the nation amid the conflict with China. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Vladimir Putin accuses US of causing tensions in Asia with Taiwan visit

China has announced more military drills around Taiwan as the self-governing island’s president met with members of a new U.S. congressional delegation on August 15.

China announces new drills as US's 5-member Congressional delegation visits Taiwan

A furious China has reinitiated its military drills around Taiwan. After U.S House speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit, another U.S congressional delegation's arrival in the island on Sunday has added fuel to the fire.

Taiwan: After Nancy Pelosi, congressional delegation visits Taiwan

Fresh military drills have been staged near Taiwan by China as the latest visit by United States lawmakers to the island has further angered Beijing.&nbsp;

The visit comes days after a controversial halt to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her recent Asia trip. Pelosi's visit to Taiwan triggered a furious response from Beijing.&nbsp;

The five US lawmakers arrived in Taipei on an unannounced visit late on Sunday. The team was led by Senator Ed Markey. The US de facto embassy in Taipei said that the delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday (August 15).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-court-convicts-aung-san-suu-kyi-on-more-corruption-charges-507078">Myanmar court gives 6 more years in jail to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on corruption charges</a>&nbsp;

"The delegation had an opportunity to exchange views with Taiwan counterparts on a wide range of issues of importance to both the United States and Taiwan," it said.&nbsp;

Pelosi's Taiwan visit has flared up tensions between China and US as Beijing views self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory. China even claimed that, in case needed, it will use force to unite the two territories.&nbsp;

China claims that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will defy China's one-nation policy by pushing for formal independence — a red line for the nation.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-congress-delegation-visits-taiwan-second-high-profile-visit-in-a-month-507061">US Congress delegation visits Taiwan, second high-profile visit in a month</a>&nbsp;

In the latest, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command, meaning the Chinese military unit responsible for the area adjacent to Taiwan, said that the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command had organised multi-service joint combat readiness patrols and combat drills in the sea and airspace around Taiwan on Monday.&nbsp;

It added that the exercises were "a stern deterrent to the United States and Taiwan continuing to play political tricks and undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Taiwan: After Nancy Pelosi, congressional delegation visits Taiwan&nbsp;

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In a separate statement, China's Defence Ministry said that the lawmakers' trip infringed on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and "fully exposes the true face of the United States as a spoiler and spoiler of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".&nbsp;

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army continues to train and prepare for war, resolutely defends national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will resolutely crush any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatism and foreign interference."&nbsp;

Taiwan's Defence Ministry claimed that&nbsp;15 Chinese aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Monday.&nbsp;

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Fresh military drills have been staged near Taiwan by China as the latest visit by United States lawmakers to the island has further angered Beijing. The visit comes days after a controversial halt to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her recent Asia trip.

Fresh military drills have been staged near Taiwan by China as the latest visit by United States lawmakers to the island has further angered Beijing. The visit comes days after a controversial halt to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her recent Asia trip. Pelosi's visit to Taiwan triggered a furious response from Beijing. The five US lawmakers arrived in Taipei on an unannounced visit late on Sunday. The team was led by Senator Ed Markey. The US de facto embassy in Taipei said that the delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday (August 15). ALSO READ | Myanmar court gives 6 more years in jail to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on corruption charges "The delegation had an opportunity to exchange views with Taiwan counterparts on a wide range of issues of importance to both the United States and Taiwan," it said. Pelosi's Taiwan visit has flared up tensions between China and US as Beijing views self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory. China even claimed that, in case needed, it will use force to unite the two territories. China claims that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will defy China's one-nation policy by pushing for formal independence — a red line for the nation. ALSO READ | US Congress delegation visits Taiwan, second high-profile visit in a month In the latest, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command, meaning the Chinese military unit responsible for the area adjacent to Taiwan, said that the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command had organised multi-service joint combat readiness patrols and combat drills in the sea and airspace around Taiwan on Monday. It added that the exercises were "a stern deterrent to the United States and Taiwan continuing to play political tricks and undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." WATCH | Taiwan: After Nancy Pelosi, congressional delegation visits Taiwan × In a separate statement, China's Defence Ministry said that the lawmakers' trip infringed on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and "fully exposes the true face of the United States as a spoiler and spoiler of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait". "The Chinese People's Liberation Army continues to train and prepare for war, resolutely defends national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will resolutely crush any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatism and foreign interference." Taiwan's Defence Ministry claimed that 15 Chinese aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Monday. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China stages fresh drills near Taiwan as US lawmakers' Taipei visit angers Beijing

After US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit, another US Congressional delegation arrived in the island on Sunday. This comes days after China held military drills around the island in retaliation to Pelosi's visit.

Five-member Congressional delegation in Taipei amid China tensions simmering

Russia & Ukraine play a high-risk nuclear game to control Zaporizhzhia 45 Palestinians killed as Israel pounds Gaza & Pakistan braces for a new war with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Mohammed Saleh gets you an in-depth report on the world's biggest warzones of the week in World At War

World at War | Episode 15: China's biggest military drills shift status quo in Taiwan Strait

Political tensions between Taiwan and China after US House Speaker Pelosi's visit have triggered difficulties for Taiwanese farmers and fishermen. China has imposed import bans on Taiwanese products.

China bans importing seafood from Taiwan, cites Covid-19 as a reason

China has conducted live-fire drills in the Xinjiang region amid tensions with Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan has thanked the US for maintaining peace in the Taiwan strait.

Taiwan: 13 Chinese fighter jets crossed the strait median line

Amidst the heated exchange between China and the United States or Taiwan on the ground, the situation is pretty tense as the Chinese troops continue to hold live fire drills in the South China sea.

China conducts more live-fire drills in South China sea

As India skips any public mention of "One China" amid the Taiwan Strait crisis, Chinese envoy Sun Weidong has "hoped" for a more public reiteration of the policy. In a transcript released after a post-briefing with a select group of journalists, Ambassador Sun said, "The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-India relations." This is also the fundamental premise for China to develop relations with other countries, including India. We hope that the Indian side could openly reiterate its one-China policy like many other countries. "

It is important to remember that both External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the Spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have skipped any mention of the policy which Beijing holds very dear. In response to a pointed question at last week's MEA presser, the spokesperson said, "India's relevant policies are well-known and consistent." "They do not require reiteration". The last time India publicly mentioned the policy was in a 2005 joint statement with China.

Several countries have reaffirmed the One China policy in the backdrop of the Taiwan Strait crisis that saw Chinese military exercises in the backdrop of the visit of US House speaker Nancy Pelosi. In South Asia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan's Taliban regime have reaffirmed the policy by issuing a statement or a comment. The policy basically means Taiwan is part of China, which is dismissed by the government in Taipei.

Meanwhile, the Taipei economic and cultural centre in India, or Taiwan's de facto embassy in Delhi, has issued a statement and thanked India among other countries who have called for restraint. The statement said, "The government of ROC (Taiwan) wishes to convey sincere gratitude to the executive branches and parliamentarians of over 50 countries, including India," which have called on "all sides to exercise restrain, de-escalate tensions, avoid unilateral actions to change the status quo and maintain peace and stability in the region."

The statement highlighted that Taiwan will "maintain close communication and coordination with the US, Japan" and all other "like-minded nations", including India, to jointly preserve the rules-based international order and safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait. India has reacted only once on the issue, with the spokesperson of MEA's calling for restraint and "avoidance of unilateral actions to change the status quo". 
&nbsp;

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As India skips any public mention of "One China" amid the Taiwan Strait crisis, Chinese envoy Sun Weidong has "hoped" for a more public reiteration of the policy.

As India skips any public mention of "One China" amid the Taiwan Strait crisis, Chinese envoy Sun Weidong has "hoped" for a more public reiteration of the policy. In a transcript released after a post-briefing with a select group of journalists, Ambassador Sun said, "The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-India relations." This is also the fundamental premise for China to develop relations with other countries, including India. We hope that the Indian side could openly reiterate its one-China policy like many other countries. " It is important to remember that both External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the Spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have skipped any mention of the policy which Beijing holds very dear. In response to a pointed question at last week's MEA presser, the spokesperson said, "India's relevant policies are well-known and consistent." "They do not require reiteration". The last time India publicly mentioned the policy was in a 2005 joint statement with China. Several countries have reaffirmed the One China policy in the backdrop of the Taiwan Strait crisis that saw Chinese military exercises in the backdrop of the visit of US House speaker Nancy Pelosi. In South Asia, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan's Taliban regime have reaffirmed the policy by issuing a statement or a comment. The policy basically means Taiwan is part of China, which is dismissed by the government in Taipei. Meanwhile, the Taipei economic and cultural centre in India, or Taiwan's de facto embassy in Delhi, has issued a statement and thanked India among other countries who have called for restraint. The statement said, "The government of ROC (Taiwan) wishes to convey sincere gratitude to the executive branches and parliamentarians of over 50 countries, including India," which have called on "all sides to exercise restrain, de-escalate tensions, avoid unilateral actions to change the status quo and maintain peace and stability in the region." The statement highlighted that Taiwan will "maintain close communication and coordination with the US, Japan" and all other "like-minded nations", including India, to jointly preserve the rules-based international order and safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait. India has reacted only once on the issue, with the spokesperson of MEA's calling for restraint and "avoidance of unilateral actions to change the status quo". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

As India skips mention of 'One China,' Beijing hopes for open reiteration; Taiwan says in touch with Delhi

The congressional delegation from the United States that arrived in Taiwan for a visit on Sunday, led by Senator Ed Markey, comprises of four other lawmakers and they will be visiting a number of countries in the “Indo-Pacific region”, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei said. In other news,&nbsp;Nepali officials said that the China border will be closed for a week, however, it is not sure if trading will resume as there are high chances of the blockade getting extended.&nbsp;This development comes after Nepal foreign minister Dr. Narayan Khadka visited China and held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on August 10.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-in-taiwan-days-after-nancy-pelosis-visit-angered-china-506828">US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan days after Nancy Pelosi's visit angered China</a>
<img alt="1" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8dfd14e-36e6-4c1a-a4c9-de6885850e95" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/287598-00032gh68q.jpg" />
A congressional delegation from the United States arrived in Taiwan for a visit on Sunday and they will be meeting President Tsai Ing-wen during the two-day trip. This came just days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became the first high-ranking US official to visit the country in the recent past drawing the ire of China. In the aftermath of the visit, tensions have grown between the two nations and China have been conducting military drills around the border separating the Taiwan Strait.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-blocks-traders-from-nepal-impacting-trade-yet-again-506816">China blocks trading points citing Covid-19, Nepal traders suffer losses</a>
<img alt="2" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ab82377-9fde-4cc4-ab21-bc77105f1eae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/231385-nepal.jpg" />
China for the last two years has imposed an ‘undeclared blockade’ of Nepal, allowing only a few containers to cross. Now, it has completely shut down both trading points with Nepal —&nbsp; Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi, the two main ones at border for importing goods from China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/country-most-at-risk-of-natural-disasters-to-switch-to-renewable-energy-by-2030-506745">Country ‘most at risk of natural disasters’ to switch to renewable energy by 2030</a>
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The Pacific country of Vanuatu has experienced a number of major natural disasters over the years and according to the United Nations, the country is currently “most at risk of natural disasters” in the world. In order to improve the situation, Vanuatu has decided to switch to renewable energy completely by the year 2030. The small nation became only the 12th country to make this commitment. According to rough estimates, it will cost them around $1.2bn by 2030.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-were-heartbroken-were-exhausted-france-battles-monster-wildfire-506842">IN PICS| 'We're heartbroken, we're exhausted': France battles 'Monster wildfire'</a>
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The "monster" wildfire, which has destroyed woods and forced 10,000 people to leave their homes, raged for a third day in southwest France on Thursday. The big fire was battling on multiple fronts, and firemen supported by water-bombing planes warned that there wouldn't be a break in the heat until the weekend.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ghani-buried-by-history-embezzled-money-says-afghan-envoy-to-tajikistan-agbar-506806">Ghani embezzled money, buried by history, says Afghan envoy to Tajikistan Agbar</a>

&nbsp;
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The Afghanistan Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Zahir Agbar has slammed Afghanistan's Ashraf Ghani and blamed him for "situation in Afghanistan" for which the responsibility is in the "hand of Ghani."&nbsp;Ghani was the President of the Afghan Republic that collapsed on 15th August 2021 as he fled the country amid Taliban takeover.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-crashes-car-into-us-capitol-barricade-kills-self-after-firing-gun-report-506825">Man crashes car into US Capitol barricade, kills self after firing gun: Report</a>
<img alt="6" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="951e0aa6-4dd0-49ad-a6fb-ffb9d8ba1eda" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/287599-untitled-design-8.jpg" />
In the early hours of Sunday, a man crashed his car close to the US Capitol, opened fire, and then killed himself. The US Capitol police are looking into the event.&nbsp;The US Capitol Police stated in a statement that the person didn't seem to be targeting any lawmakers. No other people were hurt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/41-killed-55-injured-in-egyptian-church-fire-security-sources-506781">41 killed, 55 injured in Cairo church fire during Mass: Security sources</a>
<img alt="7" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="066a52a3-cf3d-45ba-9ec7-5ec0c205198b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/287552-untitled-design-7.jpg" />
At least 41 people were killed and 55 others were injured when a massive fire broke out in a church on Sunday in a crowded neighbourhood of Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/asia-sees-boom-in-apps-that-turn-restaurant-leftovers-into-low-cost-meals-506822">Asia sees boom in apps that turn restaurant leftovers into low-cost meals</a>
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The supper buffet at Singapore's Grand Hyatt hotel normally costs customers approximately $70 and features a delicious assortment of satay chicken, wok-fried mud crab, and chilled tiger prawns. For a tenth of that cost, those on a stricter budget who also care about sustainability can fill a box. Tech entrepreneurs in Asia are using food that would have otherwise gone to waste to offer cheap meals through mobile phone apps.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deepening-cost-of-living-crisis-pushes-britons-to-give-up-pets-506800">Deepening cost-of-living crisis pushes Britons to give up pets</a>
<img alt="9" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d21ff7f5-584f-4883-b427-45b29281c6a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/287573-2022-08-14t104746z3lynxmpei7d01artroptp4britain-economy-pets.JPG" />
Harriet, a black English cocker spaniel, has been left behind as an increasing number of Britons are being forced to give up their pets due to the country's spiralling cost of living issue. She is standing on her hind legs to greet any potential owner who might approach her glass-doored kennel.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tomato-crisis-looms-large-in-california-as-drought-intensifies-506764">Tomato crisis looms large in California as drought intensifies &nbsp;</a>
<img alt="10" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5056c40-2abd-452d-8baa-1168912392ac" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/287539-tomaot.jpg" />
California, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s tomato output, is facing its worst crisis. Lack of adequate rainfall is forcing farmers to brace for a water crisis that’s undermining the crop cultivation.

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The congressional delegation from the United States that arrived in Taiwan for a visit on Sunday, led by Senator Ed Markey, comprises of four other lawmakers and they will be visiting a number of countries in the “Indo-Pacific region”, the de facto U.

The congressional delegation from the United States that arrived in Taiwan for a visit on Sunday, led by Senator Ed Markey, comprises of four other lawmakers and they will be visiting a number of countries in the “Indo-Pacific region”, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei said. In other news, Nepali officials said that the China border will be closed for a week, however, it is not sure if trading will resume as there are high chances of the blockade getting extended. This development comes after Nepal foreign minister Dr. Narayan Khadka visited China and held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on August 10. Click on the headlines to read more: US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan days after Nancy Pelosi's visit angered China A congressional delegation from the United States arrived in Taiwan for a visit on Sunday and they will be meeting President Tsai Ing-wen during the two-day trip. This came just days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became the first high-ranking US official to visit the country in the recent past drawing the ire of China. In the aftermath of the visit, tensions have grown between the two nations and China have been conducting military drills around the border separating the Taiwan Strait. China blocks trading points citing Covid-19, Nepal traders suffer losses China for the last two years has imposed an ‘undeclared blockade’ of Nepal, allowing only a few containers to cross. Now, it has completely shut down both trading points with Nepal — Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi, the two main ones at border for importing goods from China. Country ‘most at risk of natural disasters’ to switch to renewable energy by 2030 The Pacific country of Vanuatu has experienced a number of major natural disasters over the years and according to the United Nations, the country is currently “most at risk of natural disasters” in the world. In order to improve the situation, Vanuatu has decided to switch to renewable energy completely by the year 2030. The small nation became only the 12th country to make this commitment. According to rough estimates, it will cost them around $1.2bn by 2030. IN PICS| 'We're heartbroken, we're exhausted': France battles 'Monster wildfire' The "monster" wildfire, which has destroyed woods and forced 10,000 people to leave their homes, raged for a third day in southwest France on Thursday. The big fire was battling on multiple fronts, and firemen supported by water-bombing planes warned that there wouldn't be a break in the heat until the weekend. Ghani embezzled money, buried by history, says Afghan envoy to Tajikistan Agbar The Afghanistan Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Zahir Agbar has slammed Afghanistan's Ashraf Ghani and blamed him for "situation in Afghanistan" for which the responsibility is in the "hand of Ghani." Ghani was the President of the Afghan Republic that collapsed on 15th August 2021 as he fled the country amid Taliban takeover. Man crashes car into US Capitol barricade, kills self after firing gun: Report In the early hours of Sunday, a man crashed his car close to the US Capitol, opened fire, and then killed himself. The US Capitol police are looking into the event. The US Capitol Police stated in a statement that the person didn't seem to be targeting any lawmakers. No other people were hurt. 41 killed, 55 injured in Cairo church fire during Mass: Security sources At least 41 people were killed and 55 others were injured when a massive fire broke out in a church on Sunday in a crowded neighbourhood of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Asia sees boom in apps that turn restaurant leftovers into low-cost meals The supper buffet at Singapore's Grand Hyatt hotel normally costs customers approximately $70 and features a delicious assortment of satay chicken, wok-fried mud crab, and chilled tiger prawns. For a tenth of that cost, those on a stricter budget who also care about sustainability can fill a box. Tech entrepreneurs in Asia are using food that would have otherwise gone to waste to offer cheap meals through mobile phone apps. Deepening cost-of-living crisis pushes Britons to give up pets Harriet, a black English cocker spaniel, has been left behind as an increasing number of Britons are being forced to give up their pets due to the country's spiralling cost of living issue. She is standing on her hind legs to greet any potential owner who might approach her glass-doored kennel. Tomato crisis looms large in California as drought intensifies California, which accounts for a quarter of the world’s tomato output, is facing its worst crisis. Lack of adequate rainfall is forcing farmers to brace for a water crisis that’s undermining the crop cultivation.

Top 10 world news: US lawmakers in Taiwan, China's blockade of Nepal, and more

This week on 'Inside Xi’s China', we look at China's many boundary conflicts – from Ladakh to Taiwan and from the South China Sea to Indian Ocean. Gaurie Dwivedi explains China's 'Smash & Grab' doctrine which is part of its larger design to hegemonise the world.

Episode 5 | Inside Xi's China- The Great Game plan |  PLA's aggression, from Leh to Taiwan

The US speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent Taiwan visit upset China. Beijing launched its up its biggest drill in the Taiwan strait as a show of force. Cyber attacks launched on Taiwan's public websites.

China adopts hybrid warfare as cyber attacks force Taiwan government websites offline

On Saturday, Taiwan's foreign ministry extended "sincere gratitude" to the US for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. representative for the Indo-Pacific, claimed on Friday that China had "overreacted" to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which sparked days of war games by Beijing around the island, which China considers to be its own territory.

The "unprovoked military and economy intimidation" by China, according to a statement from Taiwan's foreign ministry on Saturday, had "further strengthened the unity and resilience of the global democratic camp." The threat of force from China has not abated, according to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, despite the fact that Beijing's largest-ever military exercises outside the island appeared to be winding down during Pelosi's visit last week.

Tsai claimed at a rally on Saturday in southern Taiwan that there will be "pressure from China" in addition to opposition candidates in the late November local elections. "Taiwanese are very enthusiastic and love freedom and democracy, so many good international friends have come to Taiwan to support us. This is a normal and good thing, but China threatens and intimidates Taiwan," she said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-from-grimus-to-quichotte-british-indian-writer-salman-rushdies-finest-works-506550">In pics | From Grimus to Quichotte: British-Indian writer Salman Rushdie's finest works</a>

China is still conducting military exercises close to Taiwan, albeit on a considerably lesser scale than last week. According to Taiwan's defence ministry, 13 Chinese air force aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line on Saturday. During normal times, this line serves as an informal barrier separating the two sides.

The People's Republic of China has never controlled Taiwan, according to Taiwan's government, so it has no authority to make claims about it or determine its future, which must be decided by Taiwanese citizens alone. After losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's Communist Party, which created the People's Republic of China in Beijing, the defeated Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan in 1949. China has never abandoned using force to seize control of Taiwan, which is administered democratically.

(with inputs from agencies)

On Saturday, Taiwan's foreign ministry extended "sincere gratitude" to the US for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area.

On Saturday, Taiwan's foreign ministry extended "sincere gratitude" to the US for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. representative for the Indo-Pacific, claimed on Friday that China had "overreacted" to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which sparked days of war games by Beijing around the island, which China considers to be its own territory. The "unprovoked military and economy intimidation" by China, according to a statement from Taiwan's foreign ministry on Saturday, had "further strengthened the unity and resilience of the global democratic camp." The threat of force from China has not abated, according to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, despite the fact that Beijing's largest-ever military exercises outside the island appeared to be winding down during Pelosi's visit last week. Tsai claimed at a rally on Saturday in southern Taiwan that there will be "pressure from China" in addition to opposition candidates in the late November local elections. "Taiwanese are very enthusiastic and love freedom and democracy, so many good international friends have come to Taiwan to support us. This is a normal and good thing, but China threatens and intimidates Taiwan," she said. Also Read: In pics | From Grimus to Quichotte: British-Indian writer Salman Rushdie's finest works China is still conducting military exercises close to Taiwan, albeit on a considerably lesser scale than last week. According to Taiwan's defence ministry, 13 Chinese air force aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line on Saturday. During normal times, this line serves as an informal barrier separating the two sides. The People's Republic of China has never controlled Taiwan, according to Taiwan's government, so it has no authority to make claims about it or determine its future, which must be decided by Taiwanese citizens alone. After losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's Communist Party, which created the People's Republic of China in Beijing, the defeated Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan in 1949. China has never abandoned using force to seize control of Taiwan, which is administered democratically. (with inputs from agencies)

Taiwan expresses ‘sincere gratitude’ to United States for maintaining security in Taiwan strait

China conducts live-fire drills in the Xinjiang region amid tensions with Taiwan

Taiwan's foreign ministry extended its &nbsp;gratitude to the United States for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Amid speculations over Salman Rushdie's attack in New York, the Hezbollah has denied any involvement. Separately, the Chinese 'research' vessel that has been granted entry in Sri Lanka, despite India's reluctance has raised several questions over China's hidden intentions.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more:

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-expressed-sincere-gratitude-to-united-states-for-maintaining-security-in-taiwan-strait-506568">Taiwan expresses ‘sincere gratitude’ to United States for maintaining security in Taiwan Strait</a>

<img alt="Taiwan's President" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b4e5e31-74aa-4cfb-bf6a-eb1c4ad2d1dd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/54GIWRKQKVJFHPKDESYWD5ZXWI.jpg" />

Taiwan's foreign ministry extended "sincere gratitude" to the US for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. representative for the Indo-Pacific, claimed on Friday that China had "overreacted" to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which sparked days of war games by Beijing around the island, which China considers to be its own territory.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-research-vessel-given-entry-in-sri-lanka-despite-indias-concerns-that-it-is-dual-use-spy-ship-506483">Chinese 'research' vessel given entry in Sri Lanka despite India's concerns that it is dual-use spy ship</a>

<img alt="Chinese spy ships" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93dc44b5-4268-443c-af6b-650a4b10c507" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/5e131cafa310cf3e97af5236.jpeg" />

Despite India's worries that it would spy on New Delhi's military facilities, authorities said Sri Lanka's government on Saturday authorised a contentious Chinese research vessel to visit the island. International shipping and analytics websites refer to the Yuan Wang 5 as a research and survey vessel, however, Indian media describes it as a dual-purpose espionage ship.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-official-claims-the-organisation-is-unaware-of-the-attack-on-rushdie-506558">Hezbollah official claims the organisation is unaware of the attack on Rushdie</a>

<img alt="Rushdie being air-lifted" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc2d2f97-2051-4e5c-975b-5617c7b94593" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Z2WC2DPUAFOCFKTJ66SIEYF5ZA.jpg" />

Hezbollah, a Lebanese military group supported by Iran, claimed to have no additional&nbsp;information on the stabbing of author&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/after-satanic-verses-controversy-salman-rushdies-life-in-hiding-beyond-506410#salman-rushdies-midnights-children-&amp;-the-satanic-verses-506388">Salman Rushdie</a>&nbsp;on Saturday, according to a group official.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-tense-kenya-awaits-results-of-a-crucial-election-506554">A tense Kenya awaits results of a crucial election</a>

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Provisional results indicate a close contest between frontrunners William Ruto and Raila Odinga, but disputes over earlier presidential ballots have been followed by deadly violence, fueling unease.

<meta charset="utf-8" />

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Fox News is facing flak for airing a fake image of the federal judge who signed off on the warrant allowing FBI agents to search former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-us-in-talks-over-merchant-of-death-for-basketballer-brittny-griner-moscow-506538">Russia, US in talks over 'Merchant of Death' swap for basketballer Brittney Griner: Moscow</a>

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The US and Russia are discussing a prisoner exchange that would involve trading a notorious Russian arms trafficker for an American basketball star, a Russian diplomat said on Saturday. It marked the first time that Russia said that the talks concerned exchanging Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death," for two-time Olympian Brittney&nbsp;Griner.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-lifts-mask-mandate-after-victory-over-covid-19-506451">North Korea lifts mask mandate after 'victory' over COVID-19</a>

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Kim Jong-Un's regime lifted the mask mandate after North Korea's state media declared&nbsp;"victory" against COVID-19.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-stories-limit-purchase-as-people-empty-shelves-of-bottled-water-amid-drought-506423">UK stores limit purchase of bottled water as people empty shelves amid drought</a>

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Bottled water is flying off the shelves fast across major supermarkets in the UK, as people are panic buying amidst the worst-ever drought in the country’s history on the back of a severe heatwave.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/medusa-festival-one-killed-as-strong-winds-cause-stage-to-collapse-in-spain-506480">Medusa festival: One killed as strong winds cause stage to collapse in Spain</a>

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High winds at a festival in Spain caused sections of a stage to fall, leaving one person dead and at least 40 others injured.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukrainians use 3D tech to preserve the heritage as volunteers scan buildings and monuments

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Taiwan's foreign ministry extended its gratitude to the United States for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area.

Taiwan's foreign ministry extended its gratitude to the United States for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Amid speculations over Salman Rushdie's attack in New York, the Hezbollah has denied any involvement. Separately, the Chinese 'research' vessel that has been granted entry in Sri Lanka, despite India's reluctance has raised several questions over China's hidden intentions. Click on the headlines to read more: Taiwan expresses ‘sincere gratitude’ to United States for maintaining security in Taiwan Strait Taiwan's foreign ministry extended "sincere gratitude" to the US for taking "concrete actions" to uphold security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding area. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. representative for the Indo-Pacific, claimed on Friday that China had "overreacted" to Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which sparked days of war games by Beijing around the island, which China considers to be its own territory. Chinese 'research' vessel given entry in Sri Lanka despite India's concerns that it is dual-use spy ship Despite India's worries that it would spy on New Delhi's military facilities, authorities said Sri Lanka's government on Saturday authorised a contentious Chinese research vessel to visit the island. International shipping and analytics websites refer to the Yuan Wang 5 as a research and survey vessel, however, Indian media describes it as a dual-purpose espionage ship. Hezbollah official claims the organisation is unaware of the attack on Rushdie Hezbollah, a Lebanese military group supported by Iran, claimed to have no additional information on the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie on Saturday, according to a group official. A tense Kenya awaits results of a crucial election Provisional results indicate a close contest between frontrunners William Ruto and Raila Odinga, but disputes over earlier presidential ballots have been followed by deadly violence, fueling unease. Fox News faces flak for airing doctored pic of judge who ordered raid at Trump’s house Fox News is facing flak for airing a fake image of the federal judge who signed off on the warrant allowing FBI agents to search former president Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago. Russia, US in talks over 'Merchant of Death' swap for basketballer Brittney Griner: Moscow The US and Russia are discussing a prisoner exchange that would involve trading a notorious Russian arms trafficker for an American basketball star, a Russian diplomat said on Saturday. It marked the first time that Russia said that the talks concerned exchanging Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death," for two-time Olympian Brittney Griner. North Korea lifts mask mandate after 'victory' over COVID-19 Kim Jong-Un's regime lifted the mask mandate after North Korea's state media declared "victory" against COVID-19. UK stores limit purchase of bottled water as people empty shelves amid drought Bottled water is flying off the shelves fast across major supermarkets in the UK, as people are panic buying amidst the worst-ever drought in the country’s history on the back of a severe heatwave. Medusa festival: One killed as strong winds cause stage to collapse in Spain High winds at a festival in Spain caused sections of a stage to fall, leaving one person dead and at least 40 others injured. Watch | Ukrainians use 3D tech to preserve the heritage as volunteers scan buildings and monuments

Top 10 world news: Taiwan expresses 'sincere gratitude' to the US, Kenyan elections and more

Cyber attacks were launched on Taiwan's public websites. The Taiwanese foreign affairs ministry has now said that it has been hit by at least about 170 cyber attacks per minute.

China adopts hybrid warfare against Taiwan

Taiwan has rejected China's 'one country, two systems' plan. Taipei has dismissed China's white paper on Taiwan and said only people of Taiwan can decide its future.

Taiwan rejects China's 'one country, two systems' plan

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