Nations – Page 28798 – Prologue Journal

France’s Macron ends trip to China with pact to bolster business, military ties

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. But the joint statement with Xi Jinping does not include a commitment from Beijing to use its influence to help end Russia’s war on Ukraine, a key Macron request. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3216378/frances-emmanuel-macron-ends-trip-china-pact-bolster-business-military-ties?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s military ‘testing ability to control sea and air around Taiwan’ in multi-day drill after island leader’s US visit

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The People’s Liberation Army says it will hold three days of exercises, with coastal authorities in the southeast signalling additional drills. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216376/china-sets-military-drills-after-taiwan-leader-tsai-ing-wens-us-trip?utm_source=rss_feed

MAC defends review of HK district councilors’ applications to visit Taiwan

Taipei, April 7 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan’s top government agency in charge of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, on Friday defended its process of reviewing applications from Hong Kong district councilors who had applied to visit Taiwan but had not yet gotten approval. https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202304080002

Taiwan plans to lift public transport mask mandate on April 17

Taipei, April 7 (CNA) Passengers taking public transportation in Taiwan will no longer be required to wear a face mask starting on April 17, if the COVID-19 situation remains stable, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on Friday. https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202304080001

WSJ Reporter Formally Charged With Spying – Russian Agencies

Moscow Times Evan Gershkovich categorically denied the espionage accusations, TASS reported. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/wsj-reporter-formally-charged-with-spying-russian-agencies-a80759

US weighs action against Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab – WSJ

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-738691

In Photos: Russian High Schoolers Undergo Basic Military, First Aid Training

Moscow Times Russia added military training to its school curriculum following the invasion of Ukraine in a controversial move. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/in-photos-russian-high-schoolers-undergo-basic-military-and-first-aid-training-a80751

US and China urged to boost travel and exchanges to stop further fraying in ties

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A study warns that relations have reached a ‘level of animosity not seen since the late 1960s’ and call for increased contact between the two sides. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216368/us-and-china-urged-boost-travel-and-exchanges-stop-further-fraying-ties?utm_source=rss_feed

British Firm Ships $1.2Bln of Electronics to Russia Despite Sanctions – FT

Moscow Times A London-registered company reportedly sent technical equipment including servers, laptops and computer parts to Russia. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/british-firm-ships-12bln-of-electronics-to-russia-despite-sanctions-ft-a80753

Belarus Sentences Ex-Presidential Candidate to 17 Years in Absentia

Moscow Times Valeriy Tsepkalo had intended to run in Belarus’ 2020 presidential election but was barred from registering as a candidate. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/belarus-sentences-ex-presidential-candidate-to-17-years-in-absentia-a80754