Beijing has dismissed claims that it is going to set up a military base in the Solomon Islands
Beijing has dismissed as “fake news” allegations made earlier by Canberra and Washington that China is intending to set up a military base in the Solomon Islands.
At a press conference on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, insisted that the “so-called Chinese military base in the Solomon Islands is completely fake news made up by a few people with ulterior motives.” The diplomat also pointed out that cooperation between the two nations was “based on the principles of mutual equality, mutual benefit and win-win results.”
Wenbin called out Washington’s hypocrisy, saying that the US was among the loudest voices expressing concern over China’s alleged plans to set up a base in Oceania, while itself having “nearly 800 military bases in more than 80 countries.”
The Chinese official went on to remind Washington that the Solomon Islands is an “independent sovereign country, not the ‘backyard’ of the United States and Australia.”
Last Tuesday, China announced that State Councilor Wang Yi and Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele had signed a security pact between the two nations.
The US was quick to express concern. The White House National Security Council’s spokesperson claimed that the signing followed a “pattern of China offering shadowy, vague deals with little regional consultation in fishing, resource management, development assistance and now security practices.”
Several days later, the White House revealed that the American delegation to the Solomon Islands had warned the nation’s leadership that the US would “respond accordingly” should Chinese military installations appear in the country.
Canberra has also made it clear that such a military base, which would be some 2,000km (1,200 miles) from Australia’s shores, would represent a “red line.”
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare insisted that the deal was necessary to beef up security and was “guided by our national interests.” He stated last week that the agreement does not allow China to set up a military base on the islands.
The UN’s crisis coordinator in Ukraine called on Sunday for an immediate stop to fighting in besieged Mariupol to allow trapped civilians to leave the city safely.
Read the full story, “’Tomorrow could be too late’: The UN calls for an immediate halt to fighting in Mariupol, Ukraineâ€, on globalissues.org →find more fun & mates at SoShow now !
Emmanuel Macron garnered 58.55% of the vote, while Marine Le Pen received 41.45%, the French Interior Ministry has said
Incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron scored 58.55% in the second round of the presidential election, according to the country’s Interior Ministry announcement following the completion of the vote count. Macron’s rival, leader of the far-right National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, received 41.45%.
The French Constitutional Council will sum up the final results in the middle of the week.
Le Pen had already admitted defeat, but promised to continue fulfilling her obligations to the French. In particular, Le Pen said that her political movement will start a big fight in the parliamentary elections.
Voting ended at 20:00 local time. The turnout was 73.07%, which is considered a very low figure for a second round of a presidential elections. It was only in 1969 that this score was lower, with only 68.9%.
The President of France is elected for five years. About 49 million citizens can take part in the voting. The first round was held on April 10. Twelve candidates took part in it. Macron and Le Pen advanced to the second round. In the first round, the incumbent head of state won 27.84% of the vote, while the leader of the National Rally gained 23.15%.
The UN’s crisis coordinator in Ukraine called on Sunday for an immediate stop to fighting in besieged Mariupol to allow trapped civilians to leave the city safely.
Millions of volunteers in Indonesia have given their time and expertise to help build a fairer and more inclusive society according to Valerie Julliand, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country.Â
Read the full story, “Volunteers demonstrate compassion of Ramadan in Indonesia: A UN Resident Coordinator blogâ€, on globalissues.org →find more fun & mates at SoShow now !
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