The American and Chinese defense ministers have held their first face-to-face talks in Singapore. Beijing has said that it will not hesitate to start a war if Taiwan declares independence. Now, US said, we do not support Taiwan independence. For more perspective on this, we're joined by Edward P. Joseph, faculty of Johns Hopkins School.

War of words over Taiwan: 'We do not support Taiwan independence,' says US

The U.S. has reported over 250 mass shootings in just the first six months of 2022 alone. Decades of mass shootings have seen several attempts at changing gun laws, without any success. WION decodes America's gun violence problem.

Decoding Gun Violence in America: A WION special on rise of mass shootings in US

The final day of the 19th edition of the Shangri-la dialogue is currently underway in Singapore and as was anticipated, the simmering tensions between China and the US and their war of words over Taiwan's autonomy continue to occupy the centre stage of the security summit.

The final day of the security summit is underway: China remains firm on the Taiwan

Amid rising gun violence in the United States, protests were held in Washington, New York and Florida. Gun law advocates are demanding strict measures.

Protests against gun violence in the US: Gun law advocates demand strict measures

The final day of security summit underway

Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said that it is up to the United States to improve the bilateral relationship between US and China as ties are at a Critical Juncture. The final day of the 19th edition of the Shangri-la dialogue is currently underway in Singapore.

19th Shangri-La Dialogue: 'US should stop interfering in China's matters,' says Wei Fenghe

Tensions are brewing in the Korean peninsula. South Korea's minister spoke at an Asian security meeting and warned against the North Korea Nuclear program.

Tensions simmer in Korean peninsula: South Korea warns against North Korea Nuclear program

US has ordered 500,000 monkeypox vaccine doses amid a shortage of vaccines. Number of monkeypox vaccines is highest in the United States so far. Meanwhile, WHO has asked nations to report their vaccine stockpiles.

Surge in Monkeypox cases increases vaccine demands

New Mexico is facing its worst wildfire in recent history. Around 360,000 acres of mountains have been burnt so far. The US has decided to give $3 million to 900 households.

Wildfire burns 360,000 acres of mountains as New Mexico faces its worst wildfire

The final day of Shangri-La dialogue underway: China remains firm on Taiwan issue

Chinese&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Minister Wei Fenghe said on Sunday that it was up to the United States to&nbsp;improve&nbsp;the&nbsp;bilateral&nbsp;relationship, as ties were at a critical juncture.

Repeating several times at an Asian security meeting that China only sought peace and stability, and was not an aggressor, he called on the United States to "strengthen solidarity and oppose confrontation and division".

He said China firmly rejected "US&nbsp;smearing, accusations and even threats" in Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue meeting on Saturday.

"We request the US&nbsp;side to stop smearing and containing China. Stop interfering in&nbsp;China's&nbsp;internal affairs. The&nbsp;bilateral&nbsp;relationship&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;improve&nbsp;unless the US&nbsp;side can do that", Wei, dressed in the uniform of a general in the People's Liberation Army, told delegates.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-strategy-for-indo-pacific-region-fueling-future-conflict-china-487354">Also read |&nbsp;US strategy for Indo-Pacific region fueling future conflict: China</a>

Austin said on Saturday there had been an "alarming" increase in the number of unsafe and unprofessional encounters between Chinese planes and vessels with those of other countries. He added that the United States would stand by its allies, including Taiwan.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;has&nbsp;taken centre stage at the meeting, and Wei made a point of saying China supported peace talks and opposed "providing weapons, applying maximum pressure". He said China had not provided any material support to Russia.

"What is the root cause of this crisis? Who is the mastermind behind this? Who loses the most? And who stands to gain the most? Who is promoting peace and who is adding fuel to the fire? I think we all know the answers to these questions", he said, without addressing them or stating&nbsp;China's&nbsp;position.

Meia Nouwens, a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Wei’s speech was consistent with Beijing’s official line on Russia-Ukraine issues.

"He did also underline that China is a partner of Russia and not an ally of Russia and that they do not have an alliance", she said. "They're underlining that at the end of the day, Chinese policy&nbsp;has&nbsp;always been to pursue&nbsp;China's&nbsp;own interests and not tie itself to those other countries”.

Watch |&nbsp;The final day of security summit underway: China remains firm on Taiwan issue

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-final-day-of-security-summit-underway-china-remains-firm-on-taiwan-issue-487379/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In an address via video link on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned delegates that the invasion of his nation threatened the rules-based order and put the entire world in danger of famine and food crises.

UNCHANGED ON TAIWAN

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it&nbsp;says&nbsp;is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour's military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous&nbsp;nationalists.

Addressing the issue of Taiwan, Wei said&nbsp;China's&nbsp;position on the island, which Beijing views as a province, was unchanged. He said the Chinese government sought "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan but reserved "other options".

"China will definitely realise its reunification", Wei said. "Those who pursue Taiwan independence in an attempt to split China will definitely come to no good end".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-restaurant-attack-nine-people-arrested-over-violence-against-women-487159">Also read |&nbsp;China restaurant attack: Nine people arrested over violence against women</a>

In Taiwan, Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Sunday that the island does not want to close the door to China and is willing to engage in the spirit of goodwill, but on an equal basis and without political preconditions.

South Korean&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Minister Lee Jong-sup said at the Singapore meeting that his country would enhance its&nbsp;defence&nbsp;capabilities and work closely with the United States and Japan to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat. The South would also help North Korea if it denuclearised, he said.

Fiji's&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Minister Inia Seruiratu said that for all the focus&nbsp;on military matters at Shangri-La Dialogue, more pressing threats were being ignored.

"In our blue Pacific continent, machine guns, fighter jets, grey ships and green battalions are not our primary security concern," Seruiratu said.

"The single greatest threat to our very existence is climate change. It threatens our very hopes and dreams of prosperity", he added.

Watch WION's live TV here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1&lt;/div">&amp;times;</iframe></div>

&nbsp;
</div>

Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said on Sunday that it was up to the United States to improve the bilateral relationship, as ties were at a critical juncture.

Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said on Sunday that it was up to the United States to improve the bilateral relationship, as ties were at a critical juncture. Repeating several times at an Asian security meeting that China only sought peace and stability, and was not an aggressor, he called on the United States to "strengthen solidarity and oppose confrontation and division". He said China firmly rejected "US smearing, accusations and even threats" in Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue meeting on Saturday. "We request the US side to stop smearing and containing China. Stop interfering in China's internal affairs. The bilateral relationship cannot improve unless the US side can do that", Wei, dressed in the uniform of a general in the People's Liberation Army, told delegates. Also read | US strategy for Indo-Pacific region fueling future conflict: China Austin said on Saturday there had been an "alarming" increase in the number of unsafe and unprofessional encounters between Chinese planes and vessels with those of other countries. He added that the United States would stand by its allies, including Taiwan. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has taken centre stage at the meeting, and Wei made a point of saying China supported peace talks and opposed "providing weapons, applying maximum pressure". He said China had not provided any material support to Russia. "What is the root cause of this crisis? Who is the mastermind behind this? Who loses the most? And who stands to gain the most? Who is promoting peace and who is adding fuel to the fire? I think we all know the answers to these questions", he said, without addressing them or stating China's position. Meia Nouwens, a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Wei’s speech was consistent with Beijing’s official line on Russia-Ukraine issues. "He did also underline that China is a partner of Russia and not an ally of Russia and that they do not have an alliance", she said. "They're underlining that at the end of the day, Chinese policy has always been to pursue China's own interests and not tie itself to those other countries”. Watch | The final day of security summit underway: China remains firm on Taiwan issue In an address via video link on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned delegates that the invasion of his nation threatened the rules-based order and put the entire world in danger of famine and food crises. UNCHANGED ON TAIWAN Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour's military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists. Addressing the issue of Taiwan, Wei said China's position on the island, which Beijing views as a province, was unchanged. He said the Chinese government sought "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan but reserved "other options". "China will definitely realise its reunification", Wei said. "Those who pursue Taiwan independence in an attempt to split China will definitely come to no good end". Also read | China restaurant attack: Nine people arrested over violence against women In Taiwan, Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Sunday that the island does not want to close the door to China and is willing to engage in the spirit of goodwill, but on an equal basis and without political preconditions. South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said at the Singapore meeting that his country would enhance its defence capabilities and work closely with the United States and Japan to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat. The South would also help North Korea if it denuclearised, he said. Fiji's Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu said that for all the focus on military matters at Shangri-La Dialogue, more pressing threats were being ignored. "In our blue Pacific continent, machine guns, fighter jets, grey ships and green battalions are not our primary security concern," Seruiratu said. "The single greatest threat to our very existence is climate change. It threatens our very hopes and dreams of prosperity", he added. Watch WION's live TV here:

China's defence chief says US has to improve bilateral relationship

Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year cooperation plan in Tehran as the two countries are under stringent US sanctions. Is Venezuela-Iran coming close under US sanctions?

Iran and Venezuela sign 20-year cooperation plan

Decoding Gun Violence in America: A WION special on rise of mass shootings in the U.S.

Japan PM Kishida has warned against the war in East Asia amid China's rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The US also said that tensions are soaring with Beijing.

Japan PM warns of growing Chinese influence as tensions simmer in the Indo-Pacific region

20 nations have joined the Los Angeles declaration during the ongoing Summit of the Americas. The United States has now unveiled a migration plan. The plan pledges more protection for migrants.

The US unveils migration plan during Summit of the Americas

Democratic and Republican lawmakers are still in talks as they consider modest changes in US' gun laws. Meanwhile, mass shootings continue to rise in the US.

Mass shootings continue in the US: Lawmakers considering modest changes

US & Canada have removed mandatory COVID travel restrictions for international tourists. Some European countries have also dropped the mandatory COVID test.

US & Canada remove COVID travel restrictions for international tourists

The American and Chinese defense ministers have held their first face-to-face talks in Singapore. Beijing has said that it will not hesitate to start a war if Taiwan declares independence, he further added that ' if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army won't hesitate to start a war.'

'if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, we won't hesitate to start a war,' China's warning to US?

United States is bracing itself for another summer of extreme heat, hurricanes, droughts and wildfire threats that are all escalating as a result of climate change. Weather authorities in southwest America have raised an alarm of a dangerous and deadly heat wave in the coming few days with this over 30 million people have been put under heat alert.

United States prepare for fire season amid workforce shortages

Japan PM Kishida has warned against war in East Asia amid China's rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region. US also said that tensions are soaring with Beijing.

Japan PM warns against war in East Asia as tensions simmer in Indo-Pacific region

A landmark hearing into the January 6 Capitol Hill riot probe is underway in the US. Graphic new footage of January 6 attack was aired on Prime-Time. Watch how Ivanka, Jared turned on Donald Trump during the hearing?

January 6 hearing: How Ivanka, Jared turned on Donald Trump?

'Won't hesitate to start a war': China's warning to the US over Taiwan

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: China warns United States over Taiwan; Russia-Ukraine war

In the United States, the costs of gas, and other necessities jumped in May, raising inflation to a new 40-year high. Lower-income households are facing the burnt as May inflation rate stood at 8.6%. Watch this ground report!

US inflation hits new 40-year high, no respite from rising costs

us-1

Us, News on Us, stories on Us, articles on Us, Us stories at Wion, Us news, Us latest news

us 1