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【热点】China strongly opposes U.S., S Korea deploying THAAD
2017-02-24 TheBeijingHour英语新闻
9:350224 topstories来自TheBeijingHour英语新闻
China hopes U.S. will contribute to current peace, stability in South China Sea: MOD official
Chinese authorities are calling on the US not to disturb the peace and stability of the South China Sea.
The comment comes after the US navy sent in a group of US ships into the region over the weekend to conduct "routine operations."
We get more from CRI"s Li Jianhua.
Reporter:
China"s defense ministry says it is aware of the movements of the USS Carl Vinson.
The aircraft carrier entered the South China Sea on Saturday.
Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Ren Guoqiang says the Chinese side hopes the US flotilla won"t engage in any activities which might upset the current calm in the region.
"We respect the rights of navigation and flying freedom that the United States has in accordance with international law. Right now, the situation in the South China Sea is generally peaceful and stable. We hope the United States will contribute to the current peace and stability in the region, rather than the contrary."
The move by the US side to send the aircraft carrier into the region comes ahead of the Carl Vinson naval group steaming north toward the Korean Peninsula, where it"s due to take part in the annual military exercises with the South Korean navy.
The Chinese military spokesperson calls on all parties involved to exercise restraint for regional stability.
"The situation on the Korean Peninsula is complicated and sensitive. Any military exercise has the potential to lead to conflict. China firmly maintains the principle of safeguarding peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula through dialogue."
This year"s US-South Korean exercises will be the first since Donald Trump took office, and the latest since North Korea"s last nuclear test and ballistic missile launches.
Meanwhile, as for China"s ties with the US Navy, Ren Guoqing says nothing has changed on that front.
"We hope the two sides will work together to step up communication and avoid misjudgment, so as to promote progress of bilateral military ties on the right track."
The Chinese Defense Ministry is also denying reports the PLA had sent more troops to the China-North Korea border following the recent death of a North Korean national in Kuala Lumpur.
For CRI, this is Li Jianhua.
China strongly opposes U.S., S Korea deploying THAAD
Chinese Defense authorities are also moving to downplay any suggestions of a downgrading of defense cooperation with South Korea in connection with the impending deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang says the Chinese Defense department has no intention of breaking off ties with its counterparts in South Korea.
"China attaches great importance to developing China-South Korea military relations, and is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation in the defense field with South Korea on the basis of mutually respecting security interests. With regard to the deployment of THAAD in South Korea, our stance is consistent and will not change."
The Chinese government has openly opposed the planned deployment of a THAAD anti-missile battery in South Korea, saying it will destabilize the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Russia is also opposed to the THAAD deployment.
China hopes BRICS summit to achieve four objectives: State Councilor
Chinese authorities have laid-out four main objectives they hope to achieve at this year"s BRICS leaders" summit in Xiamen.
They include enhancing collaboration, deepening pragmatic cooperation, increasing people-to-people exchanges, and improving the BRICS cooperation platform.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has laid-out the agenda at a preliminary meeting held in Nanjing on Thursday.
"The BRICS countries have become a flagship of cooperation among emerging markets. Our cooperation is something the international community needs and wants. Cooperation among the five countries is one of the driving engines in the advancement of the world economy, global governance and the democratization of international relations."
The meeting in Nanjing saw more than 100 people, including coordinators, foreign diplomats and representatives from the BRICS New Development Bank take part.
BRICS groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Leaders of the 5 countries are due to meet in Xiamen in September.
China to further boost private investment
China"s State Council has announced an easing of restrictions on private investment, giving more access to areas including medical services, senior care, education, culture and sports.
The decision has flowed from an executive meeting this week chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
The move will also include more financing channels in the equity and bond markets.
Changes will also allow companies to use their intellectual property rights as collateral to secure loans.
Authorities are also going to adjust the current land use and tax policies for the private sector.
Malaysia urges N.Korea to cooperate in man"s death probe
Malaysian police are now working with Interpol for help in catching the four North Korean suspects wanted in connection with the death of a North Korean man earlier this month, who is believed to be the half-brother of North Korea"s top leader.
The Malaysian authorities say they believe the four suspects are in Pyongyang after managing to get out of Malaysia on the same day Kim Jong Nam died.
National Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar says a request has also been delivered to the North Korean embassy to interview a second secretary said to be a suspect in the case.
"Whether we are going to charge anybody, that is a different question but the investigation is ongoing so this is part of the investigation. Well if you have nothing to hide you don"t have to be afraid, you should cooperate."
Malaysian police have named a North Korean diplomat and an official with North Korea"s Koyro Airlines who are wanted for questioning.
In its latest response to the investigation, North Korea issued a new statement on Thursday, describing the death of the North Korean man last week as a "conspiratorial racket" launched by South Korea.
The official KCNA news agency report also takes issue with Malaysian authorities, saying they have shown an "unfriendly attitude" in handling the case.
The victim, whom the Malaysian authorities are now officially identifying as Kim Jong Nam, died on Monday of last week shortly after being attacked from behind by two women at the Kuala Lumpur airport.
The Malaysian authorities believe the victim was murdered, though the exact cause of death has still not been determined, prompting the Malaysian authorities to conduct a second autopsy on the body.
So far 4 people have been detained, and the Malaysian authorities say they are looking for as many as 6 others in-connection with Kim"s death.
Malaysia has denied a North Korean request for the body to be handed over to its embassy, saying it will be released to the next of kin, although none has come forward yet to claim the body.
U.N. Russian ambassador calls for direct talks between Syrian parties
Russian authorities are pressing for Syria"s Kurdish groups to have a voice at the table during any new Syrian peace talks.
At the same time, Russia"s Ambassador to UN in Geneva, Alexei Borodavkin, says getting the opposition and the government together at the same table is critical to getting any deal done.
(bjh/soundbite/0224 Alexei) Russian male 2nd
"I think that the most optimal format of talks is direct talks. We have said this many times and I reiterate, direct talks between the Syrian sides. The agenda of these talks is not yet ready, as far as I understand, the U.N. staff haven"t finalised the preparation. But for us it"s important that it covers all the main points of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254."
The Syrian Kurds were not invited to the last round of talks in Geneva, as both the Syrian opposition and Turkey oppose them being involved.
The next round of peace talks in Geneva are set to see the Syrian government and opposition discuss a number of issues, including issues of governance, a new constitution and the holding of elections.
Kelly: no use of US military to enforce immigration
US Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, is rebuffing suggestions the US military might become involved in President Donald Trump"s immigration crackdown.
Kelly has made the pledge during meetings with leading Mexican officials on Wednesday.
"What happens in Mexico also affects the security of the United States and what happens in the United States affects the security of Mexico. Together, our countries jointly manage the most legally-crossed land border on the planet."
John Kelly and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson travelled to Mexico City on Wednesday to meet with that country"s leading officials.
Both have moved to assure the Nieto administration that whatever actions the US takes on immigration will be done legally and with respect for human rights.
They"ve also asked for help from the Mexican government.
US President Donald Trump has stoked fears of a wide-scale military crackdown on illegal immigrants after suggesting the current crackdown is a "military operation."
