Important Picks of the Day :

[ NATIONAL ]

India raises concerns over Haqqanis, ISI in Afghanistan with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State

Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman says US appreciates India’s concerns about the potential of terrorism to spill over to India & South Asia.

Pakistan is the biggest perpetrator, a supporter of terrorism: India at UN

Pakistan is the biggest perpetrator and supporter of terrorism masquerading us as its victim, said India at the sixth committee of the 76^th session of the UNGA on Wednesday.

PM Modi to visit Italy for G20 later this month

This is the first in-person G20 summit taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year the summit had taken place virtually. PM Narendra Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit

Why India is on the brink of an unprecedented power crisis

More than half of the country’s 135 coal-fired power plants are running on fumes – as coal stocks run critically low. In a country where 70% of the electricity is generated using coal, this is a major cause for concern as it threatens to derail India’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

Lakhimpur Kheri incident: SC asks UP govt to file a status report

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Uttar Pradesh Government to file a status report on who are the accused, against whom FIR is registered, and those arrested in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. SC seeks the presence of 2 lawyers who wrote the letter for probe into the Lakhimpur incident.

Two Kashmir schoolteachers shot dead as civilian killings spike

A female teacher and her male colleague were killed on Thursday morning inside a govt school – the 7^th targeted killings in 6 days.

Amit Shah chairs high-level meetings with officials to discuss the overall security situation

Union Home Minister on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi and discussed the overall security situation across the country, including J&K and anti-drone strategy.

India’s GDP growth in 2021-22 seen at 8.3%, says World Bank report

India’s economy, South Asia’s largest, is expected to grow by 8.3% in the fiscal year 2021-22, aided by an increase in public investment and incentives to boost manufacturing, according to the latest report from the World Bank and backed shifting to a services sector-led growth model for the region to strengthen the recovery.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Taiwan says U.S. commitment is ‘rock solid’ after Biden remark on China’s Xi

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Wed Washington had reassured them that its approach to the island had not changed, a day after President Joe Biden said that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to abide by the “Taiwan agreement.”

A satellite image shows China’s new fighter jet deployed near Taiwan

China’s J-16 fighters and 12 nuclear-capable H-6 bombers had entered Taiwan’s air defense zone on Tue

Pakistan earthquake kills 20 people, injures 300 in Balochistan

At least 20 people were killed and 300 others injured in an earthquake that struck several parts of Balochistan including Quetta in the early hours of Thursday, local media reports said.

I don’t have any update on the resumption of the flights. It is a complicated and sensitive issue. Various factors need to be taken into account: MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on resumption of flights between India and Afghanistan

‘No more hope’: Afghan Hazaras live in fear under Taliban rule

The Taliban’s return to power has been a particular shock in Bamiyan, home to the famous giant, ancient Buddha statues that the Islamist group dynamited when it was last in power two decades ago

RED ZONE FILES: The big reshuffle-Dawn

Oct does not disappoint. The change of command at the ISI notified on Wed is the single most consequential development in recent months, according to Red Zone insiders. Given the nature of the country’s political situation, this change at the top of the agency is expected to spawn many major and minor ripples in critical areas. The routine-ness of these postings and transfers is, like always, deceptively un-routine in its significance. After the retirement of three lieutenant generals this month, seven more three-star officers will retire from service before Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa completes his tenure in Nov 2022.

Now in power, Taliban set sights on Afghan drug

Now the uncontested rulers of Afghanistan, the Taliban have set their sights on stamping out the scourge of narcotics addiction, even if by force. Old or young, poor or once well-off, the Taliban view the addicts the same: A stain on the society they hope to create.

Sherman’s visit to New Delhi: India raised concerns over Haqqanis, ISI in Afghanistan

India Wed raised concerns over the increasing role of the Haqqani Network in Afghanistan along with the active role being played by Pakistan there, apparent widely due to the presence of ISI chief Lt Gen. Faiz Hameed in Afghanistan, during US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s visit to New Delhi.

• Sherman is on a two-day visit to India, and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
• She will be addressing business leaders in Mumbai Thursday, after which she will depart for Pakistan.

ThePrint: India has “clearly told them” (US officials) its concerns regarding Afghanistan, which might soon turn into a hotbed of terror networks once again, and the influential role being played there by the Haqqani Network, in collusion with the ISI.

US-India ‘one mind, one approach’ on Afghan-related issues: Sherman said, when it comes to issues concerning Afghanistan

• The US, meanwhile, said it understands India’s concerns on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan if the Taliban dispensation does not adhere to its commitment and establish an inclusive government.

“The US appreciates India’s concerns about the potential of terrorism to spill over to India and South Asia,” Sherman told a select group of journalists in New Delhi.

• She said both sides will soon convene a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism Measures on 26-28 Oct, as well as a dialogue on homeland security, both of which will be aimed at “cooperation on prevention of terrorism”.
• She added that India and the US, along with other “like-minded countries”, are holding weekly conversations on the evacuation of citizens from Afghanistan and how to negotiate with the Taliban on this issue.
• About the Taliban, she said “The Taliban must create an inclusive govt, ensure that Afghanistan will not be a haven for terrorists, they subscribe to human rights, and that this is a functioning govt, which must act and not just speak. Also adding that “it seems their minds change daily”.
• She further said neither India nor the US is in a rush to give the Taliban regime “recognition, let alone giving legitimacy”.
• Adding that she will soon be in Islamabad, Sherman underlined that “unimpeded access (in Afghanistan) is critical”.
• “The Deputy Secretary and Foreign Secretary also reviewed pressing regional and global security issues, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and the People’s Republic of China,” said US State Department.

S-400 ‘dangerous’ for security interests

ThePrint-India and the US also discussed the issue of purchasing the S-400 missile system from Russia.

• “We have been quite public about any country that decides to use the S-400,” Sherman said, on being asked whether or not the Joe Biden administration is planning a presidential waiver under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
• Sherman said both sides enjoy a “strong partnership”, and hence, the US will be “thoughtful about the ways ahead”, and more discussions will be held on this.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to visit the US this month.
• Under the previous Donald Trump administration, the US had imposed sanctions on Turkey and China for buying the S-400 air defense missiles but was silent on India, when New Delhi pressed it.
• India signed a $5 billion defense deal with Russia in Oct 2018 to purchase the system, despite the CAATSA law being enacted a year before. India is expecting the deliveries to be completed by 2025.

US Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman tells India that together we can overcome any challenges, also exchanged notes on China: Sherman in her interaction with Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said that both India and America can overcome any challenge and stressed extraordinary comfort and ease between the two nations.

US-India to compete with China as it threatens rules-based international order, US Dy Secy Sherman

“We will compete with China where we should, cooperate with China where it’s in our interests. We will challenge China where we must — where it undermines interests of ours and our partners and allies or threatens rules-based international order,” Sherman said as China has been increasing its rising military power and assertiveness in the Indo Pacific region.

“And we both know that the best way to preserve peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world is by upholding and strengthing the rules-based international order,” she added.

India-US 2+2 dialogue likely to take place in November: The 2+2 dialogue between India and the United States is expected to take place in Nov and the two countries will hold a meeting of the Defence Policy Group (DPG) soon, sources said. (ANI)

• They said that India and the US will have a series of engagements and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar will be visiting the United States.
• A counter-terrorism and designation dialogue between the two countries will be held soon, the sources added.

Pakistan is the biggest perpetrator, a supporter of terrorism: India at UN

Pakistan is the biggest perpetrator and supporter of terrorism masquerading us as its victim, said India at the sixth committee of the 76^th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wed (local time).

• During the session, Counsellor/Legal Adviser Dr. Kajal Bhat said that Pakistan has once again misused this august forum to repeat at “ad nauseam” their litany of lies.
• “Let me express my dismay that Pakistan has once again misused this August Forum to repeat at ad nauseam their litany of lies.
• Here is the biggest perpetrator and supporter of terrorism masquerading us as its victim,” she said in a statement.
• Stating that Jammu and Kashmir is, and will always be a part of India, the country has called on Pakistan to stop cleansing their own minorities including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others.
• She underlined that India is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and undertakes National Risk Assessment (NRA) related to terror financing regularly.

India piloted CCIT draft to provide a comprehensive legal framework to combat terrorism ANI: India piloted the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) draft to provide a comprehensive legal framework to combat terrorism, said Counsellor, Kajal Bhat on Wed (local time).

Speaking at United Nations on “measures to eliminate international terrorism”, she said that India firmly believes that the UN needs to do more in this direction.

Brought over 200 million women into the mainstream financial system: India at UNGA (ANI): India brought over 200 million Indian women into the mainstream financial system, promoting economic empowerment during the last two years even as it battled the Covid pandemic, which had gripped the world, the country said at the 76^th session of the United National General Assembly.

PM Modi to visit Italy for 16^th G20 later this month

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Italy later this month for the annual G20 summit in which the G20 Heads of State will be participated, held in Rome on Oct 30 and 31.

• This will be 3^rd foreign visit of PM Modi amid the Covid pandemic.
• While it is unlikely that PM Modi would visit any other country during his Italy visit no call has yet been made by New Delhi.
• The summit will see many bilaterals on the sidelines.
• The 2019 Osaka summit in Japan saw bilateral between PM Modi and the then US President Donald Trump.
• G20 has been an occasion for the JAI (Japan, America, India) and RIC (Russia, India, and China) leaders’ meets.
• The BRICS leaders have also been meeting on the sidelines of the grouping’s annual meet.

Meanwhile, reports have suggested both the Chinese President Xi Jinping and new Japanese PM Fumio Kishida may not attend the G20 summit this year.

While no reason is coming forth for Xi, Japan’s Kishida will not attend the summit due to the parliamentary election in Japan, which is due to be held on Oct 31 and thus the meeting of JAI or RIC will not take place.

• India will be hosting the G20 in 2023 for the first time. Preparations are underway in New Delhi with the construction of state-of-the-art venues.
• G20 was formed during the 2008 global economic crisis, with the first summit taking place in Nov 2008.
• Since then, the group has taken a political role as well, discussing pressing global issues.
• Italy as the host will hold a virtual G20 meet in Afghanistan on 12^th Oct.

The grouping has 20 of the biggest economies. The countries account for a major portion of the global economy. This includes 80% of the trade. 2/3rd of the world population lives in G20 countries and these countries make up for about half of the world’s land area.

Why India is on the brink of an unprecedented power crisis (BBC)

Indian utilities are scrambling to secure coal supplies as inventories hit critical lows after a surge in power demand from industries and sluggish imports due to record global prices push power plants to the brink. (Reuters)

• Power demand growth moves to industries from residences (will be down, as winter commences)
• High global coal prices drag on Indian coal imports
• Coal stocks at power plants hit multi-year lows

Why is this happening?

• This crisis has been in the making for months.
• As India’s economy picked up after a deadly second wave of Covid-19, power demand rose sharply.
• Power consumption in the last two months alone jumped by almost 17%, as compared to the last year.
• At the same time, global coal prices increased by 40% and India’s imports fell to a two-year low.
• The country is the world’s 2^nd-largest importer of coal despite being home to the 4^th-largest coal reserves
• Power plants that usually rely on imports are now heavily dependent on Indian coal, adding further pressure to already stretched domestic supplies.

What is the likely impact?

Experts say importing more coal to make up for domestic shortages is not an option at present.

• If the crisis continues, a surge in the cost of electricity will be felt by consumers. Retail inflation is already high as everything from oil to food has become more expensive.
• In recent years, India’s production has lagged as the country tried to reduce its dependence on coal to meet climate targets.

While there is an expectation that the demand could start tapering off from the latter half of Oct, Union Power Minister RK Singh said on Oct 6^th the bridging of the fuel gap is still likely to be a “touch and go” affair and that he is bracing for a trying “next five-six months”.

• “I can’t say I am secure… If you have 40,000-50,000 MW (of thermal capacity) with less than 3 days of stock, you can’t be secure,” Singh told The Indian Express in an interview.
• Of the 104 thermal plants monitored daily, 15 with a generation capacity of 14,875 MW had zero days of coal stocks on Sept 30, while another 39 with a capacity of 52,530 MW had stocks of less than 3 days. Another 6,960 MW of capacity is facing plant outage due to the unavailability of coal.
• However, he asserted, that till now, “there is nowhere that we have not been able to supply the quantity of power demanded.”.
• Normally too, electricity peak demand is recorded in Oct, which typically follows a monsoon-impacted mining output trough.
• Besides, the economic revival after the second Covid wave has seen a rise in the share of coal-based power in the electricity mix — to 66.4 % from 61.9% in 2019. India has an installed capacity of 388 GW, of which nearly 55% is coal-fired and operates as a baseload.

The load factor — a broad measure of a power plant’s output during a period, as compared to its maximum output — for India’s electricity system was around 60%, meaning that about 40% of capacity was not being scheduled daily. Some of this is also because the new capacity addition has been in the form of renewables.

A senior government official told BBC in-ear that the situation is worrying.

What can the govt do? The question of how India can achieve a balance between meeting demand for electricity from its almost 1.4bn people and the desire to cut its reliance on heavily polluting coal-burning power plants has been a major challenge for the government in recent years.

Experts advocate a mix of coal and clean sources of energy as a possible long-term solution.

What could happen next? It is unclear how long the current situation will last.

• For now, the Indian govt has said it is working with state-run enterprises to ramp up production and mining to reduce the gap between supply and demand.
• The govt is also hoping to source coal from so-called “captive” mines (produce coal or minerals solely for the company that owns them and under normal conditions are not allowed to sell what they produce to other businesses).
• The overwhelming verdict from experts is that short-term fixes may help to get India through the current energy crunch but the country needs to work towards long-term alternatives to ensure its growing domestic power needs are met.
• As India works to climb out of one of the worst recessions among the world’s major economies the country will aim to avoid any further hurdles.

Where is all the missing coal in Tamil Nadu? The two most powerful parties of Tamil Nadu- DMK and AIADMK, are battling it out with each other inside and outside the legislative assembly. The issue at play is a critical one- lakhs of tonnes of missing coal from Tamil Nadu’s power plants.

The mystery of Tamil Nadu’s missing coal:The mystery of Tamil Nadu’s missing coal made headlines in Aug when Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji revealed that 2.38 lakh tonnes of coal, worth Rs 85 crore, went missing from the TN Generation and Distribution Corp Ltd’s (Tangedco) North Chennai power plant.

In Sept, Balaji made another shocking revelation- 71,857 tonnes of coal was missing from the Tuticorin thermal power station, Inquiry ordered.

The missing coal quantity was detected based on the difference between the stock register and actual coal available at the plant.

Coal shortages were detected in the AIADMK-era: However, former Minister (AIADMK) P. Thangamani claimed that the “shortage” of coal was identified in Aug 2020 when he visited New Delhi for a meeting with the Union Power Minister, added that he was apprised about the difference between coal-stock showed and actual available coal. Therefore, he ordered an inquiry and also formed a committee.

No provision to assess coal shortages: The situation is grim at Tangedco’s thermal power stations. What adds to the confusion and chaos is the lack of a proper system to assess coal shortages at the thermal power plants.

In its 2021 report, the CAG said, “There was no provision for periodical assessment of coal shortages and recovery thereof. ….. Thereby, the Tangedco was unable to assess the shortage of coal.”

Where is Tamil Nadu’s missing coal? Yet to reveal.

Lakhimpur Kheri incident: SC asks UP govt to file a status report (ANI)

A Bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli was of the Supreme Court on Thu asked the Uttar Pradesh Government to file a status report on who are the accused, against whom FIR is registered, and those arrested in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

Earlier the Apex Court had clarified that Court’s Registry was asked to register a PIL due to miscommunication it was registered as a suo motu matter.

Union Cabinet approves Rs 4,445 Crore PM MITRA scheme to setup mega integrated textile parks

To realize the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to position India strongly on the Global textiles map, the Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of seven PM MITRA parks as announced in Union Budget for 2021-22.

Briefing about the Cabinet decision, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wed said that the 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) parks will be set up at Greenfield or Brownfield sites located in different states.

Maximum Development Capital Support (DCS) of Rs 500 crore to all Greenfield PM MITRA and a maximum of Rs 200 Crore to Brownfield PM MITRA will be provided for the development of Common Infrastructure (at 30%) of the Project Cost) and Rs 300 Crore of Competitiveness Incentive Support (CIS) will also be provided to each PM MITRA park for early establishment of textiles manufacturing units in PM MITRA.

State Government supports will include the provision of 1,000-acre land for the development of a world-class industrial estate, said Goyal.

Two Kashmir schoolteachers shot dead as civilian killings spike

Assailants have fatally shot two schoolteachers in Indian-administered Kashmir in a sudden rise in targeted killings of civilians in the disputed region, police said.

• Authorities blamed the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups for the attack in the outskirts of Srinagar, the region’s main city, on Thu.
• Police said the attackers fired at a female teacher and her male colleague at the Govt Boys Higher Secondary School in Srinagar’s Eidgah area from a close distance and later fled.
• Both from the Hindu and Sikh minorities, died on the spot, police said, as government forces cordoned off the area and launched a search for the assailants. The terrorists, single out, identified based on faith, and killed.
• Today’s incidence was 7^th in the last 6 days. On Tue, gunmen shot and killed 3 men in separate attacks.
• One of the victims was a prominent Kashmiri Hindu minority chemist while another was a street food vendor from India’s eastern state of Bihar. The third victim was a taxi driver.
• The killings were widely condemned by pro-India as well as anti-India politicians.
• In all, 25 civilians, including political workers, have been killed in targeted assassinations this year, according to police records.

The Himalayan territory of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan. Both arch rivals claim it in its entirety.

‘Bid to create an atmosphere of fear’: Top police officials including the DGP rushed to the school to review the security situation.

“These recent incidents of targeting civilians are to create an atmosphere of fear, communal disharmony here. This is a conspiracy to target the local ethos and values and defame local Kashmiri Muslims. This is being done on instructions from agencies in Pakistan,” J&K DGP Dilbag Singh said later.

The Resistance Front (TRF) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Taiwan seeks international support after Chinese incursions (REUTERS)

Taiwan will ensure regional peace and stability and seeks to work with other like-minded democracies, President Tsai Ing-wen told senior French and Australian dignitaries on Thu (Oct 7), days after a dramatic spike in tensions with China. 

The trips by 4 French senators and former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott come after four straight days, beginning last Fri, of massed Chinese air force missions into Taiwan’s air defense zone, moves met with concern by Washington and its allies. 

• Taiwan has sought support from other democracies, especially the US and its allies, amid the growing military and political pressure from China, which regards the island as a renegade province to be reunified, by force, if necessary
• Speaking at the presidential office to the French senators, led by former defense minister Alain Richard, Ms Tsai thanked France for its concern about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and support for its international participation.
• Richard discussed the “essential contribution of Taiwan in the important field of human progress” but did not mention the rising military tensions with China in remarks carried live on the presidential office’s Fb page. 
• Ms. Tsai gave a similar message in later remarks to Abbott, who told her he was in Taiwan to help end its international isolation, praising its democracy and handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The French senators arrived in Taiwan on Wed, despite the strong objections of China which are always angered by visits of foreign officials.
• Richard, who has visited Taiwan twice before, (2015 & 2018) head of the French Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group, was the country’s defense minister from 1997 to 2002 under President Jacques Chirac.
• Tsai said Taiwan was “very moved” Richard decided to come, despite what she described as “pressure” – a reference to China. 
• In Mar, the Chinese embassy in Paris warned against lawmakers meeting Taiwanese officials, prompting a rebuff from the French foreign ministry, which said French senators are free to meet whomever they wish when they travel. 
• Tsai did not directly mention the recent Chinese air force activities in public comments at her meetings with the senators or Abbott. 
• Neither France nor Australia has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, like most countries.
• Separately, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it would pay close attention to a planned summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the United States being Taiwan’s most important backer. 

Taiwan says U.S. commitment is ‘rock solid’ after Biden remark on China’s Xi

The Foreign Ministry said it had sought clarification from the US about Biden’s comments and was reassured the commitment to Taiwan was “rock solid” and that Washington will continue to help Taiwan maintain its defenses.

“Facing the Chinese military, diplomatic and economic threats, Taiwan and the US have always maintained close and smooth communication channels,” it said in on Tue evening, when Biden appeared to refer to a 90-minute call he held with Xi on Sept. 9 and the long-standing policy under which Washington officially recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, as well as Taiwan Relations Act.

• “I’ve spoken with Xi about Taiwan. We agree … we’ll abide by the Taiwan agreement,” Biden told reporters. “We made it clear that I don’t think he should be doing anything other than abiding by the agreement.”
• In Paris, U.S. Secy of State Antony Blinken reiterated on Wed that the U.S. commitment to Taiwan is rock solid and they are concerned about what they described as China’s provocative military activity in the region.

China claims Taiwan as its territory, which should be taken by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.

• Beijing has dramatically ramped up military flights into Taiwan’s air defense zone over the past year.
• Taiwan has reported 148 Chinese air force planes in the southern and southwestern part of its air defense zone over four days beginning on Fri, (China marked a key patriotic holiday, National Day).
• The Taiwan Relations Act makes clear that the U.S. decision to switch official diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 1979 rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means.
• While the act binds the US to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, Washington acknowledges China’s stance that the island belongs to it and that there is “one China,” and takes no position on Taiwan’s sovereignty.
• Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi began talks in Switzerland on Wed, in a bid to improve communication despite a deepening strategic rivalry and tensions over hotspots including Taiwan.
• U.S. State Department on Sunday urged China to stop its military activities near Taiwan.

China welcomes ‘positive statements’ by the US as talks hint at a change of mood

• Beijing says its top diplomat Yang Jiechi’s meeting with White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was ‘constructive’
• China ‘attaches importance to President Biden’s recent positive statements on Sino-US relations’, Yang says

The Chinese govt has described this week’s talks with the US as constructive, with its top diplomat highlighting the importance of positive gestures by Washington in improving the atmosphere and the two sides agreeing to a virtual summit between their presidents.

The talks in Switzerland between Yang Jiechi and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan ended without the confrontational tone that marred their previous meeting in Mar, in Anchorage, Alaska, with Beijing this time saying the discussion was “conducive to enhancing mutual understanding”.

A Chinese source familiar with the meeting said the atmosphere was much improved.

• The US asked for a face-to-face meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden, but a virtual meeting before the end of the year was agreed upon.
• Chinese State media CGTN described the meeting as “High-ranking Chinese politician and diplomat Yang Jiechi and American National Security adviser Jake Sullivan covered a raft of priority issues between the two global powers, including the South China Sea and Taiwan.”
• Yang said during the meeting that the US side needs to have a deep understanding of the mutually beneficial nature of China-US relations and correctly understand China’s domestic and foreign policies and strategic intentions. China opposes defining China-US relations as “competitive,” Xinhua reported.
• China seeks cooperation with the US but is also prepared for the worst scenario if the US takes any unexpected action against China, especially on sensitive questions such as the island of Taiwan, State media GT reported.