Video call between the Chinese and US defense ministers
On the evening of 16 April, Defense Minister Dong Jun had a video call with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at his request. Dong Jun said: The Chinese and US heads of state are committed to promoting the stability and improvement of bilateral relations. The military field is the key to ensuring the implementation of the consensus reached by the heads of state, stabilizing the development of relations between the two countries, and preventing the occurrence of major crises. The Chinese and US militaries should explore ways to get along, regard peace as the priority, stability as the priority, and trust as the basic principles of exchanges, and build a relationship between the two militaries that is free from conflict and non-confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation, and gradually accumulate mutual trust on the basis of equality and respect, so as to truly serve as a stable cornerstone for the development of bilateral relations. Dong Jun stressed: The Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, and China's core interests must never be damaged. The Chinese People's Liberation Army will never let anything go wrong with all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external connivance and support. At present, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, and regional countries have the willingness, wisdom and ability to solve the problem. The US side should clearly recognize China's firm position, earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and the stability of China-US and militaries. The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of common concern.
Israeli media said that the Israeli army has finalized the type of counterattack against Iran, but the time has not been determined
According to Israeli media reports on the 16th, the IDF has decided on the type of counterattack, but the time has not yet been determined. Other media quoted US intelligence as suggesting that Israel is considering a small and limited strike on Iranian territory, but has not yet issued an official notice to the United States. Iran, for its part, said it would respond firmly and forcefully to Israel. All parties in the international community have also come forward to speak out. EU foreign ministers held an emergency meeting on the 16th and will prepare to expand sanctions against Iran. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a statement on the evening of the 16th local time, announcing that new sanctions would be imposed on Iran's missile and drone programs.
For the first time, the U.S. military deployed an intermediate-range missile system in the Philippines
U.S. Army Pacific Command confirmed April 15 that the U.S. Army deployed the Typhon land-based mobile missile system for the first time in the northern Philippines of the first island chain, saying the deployment was a "milestone." This is the first time since the Cold War that the United States has deployed a land-based intermediate-range missile system in the Indo-Pacific region, and the first deployment of such weapons since the expiration of the Intermediate-Range Missile Treaty in 2019. The medium-range capability launch system, also known as the Typhon weapon system, is part of the U.S. Army's Long-Range Precision Firepower program. It is mainly used to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1800 km and "Standard 6" anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 370 km. According to the information released, the deployment operation is to cooperate with the US-Philippines "Shield 24" joint military exercise. The exercise has shifted from the Philippine military's domestic security operations to the defense of the islands' coasts.
Zelensky called on the West to protect Ukraine according to Israel's situation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again emphasized the shortage of Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles in an interview with American Public Broadcasting on the 15th. He pointed out that it is precisely because of the exhaustion of anti-aircraft missiles that the Ukrainian side is unable to resist the air strikes launched by the Russian army on the Tripillia thermal power plant last week. Zelenskyy urged NATO to protect Ukraine as much as Israel defended. In response to Zelensky's above request, White House Strategic Communications Coordinator Kirby responded that the situation in Ukraine is completely different from that of Israel, and the United States will not take on combat missions in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Borrell also told the media on the 16th that since there are no military bases of Western countries in Ukraine, Western countries cannot directly intercept Russian missiles and drones flying to Ukraine as they do to protect Israel.
Argentine Ambassador to China: There is no tension between Argentina and China
Argentina's new ambassador to China, Ma Zhiyuan, came to China in March to take up his new post. Recently, in an exclusive interview with Phoenix TV, Ma Zhiyuan responded to the bilateral relations between China and Argentina under the new Argentine government, as well as Argentina's announcement to renounce joining the BRICS. "There is no so-called tension between Argentina and China, as exemplified by the fact that our foreign minister, who received an invitation to visit China at the end of April," Ma said. I am very confident that we will move towards a positive situation. Ma Zhiyuan said that considering the suspension of joining the BRICS will not affect economic and trade relations with China, and Argentina pursues a pragmatic foreign policy and hopes to develop constructive relations with other countries including China.
Source: Phoenix Satellite TV Information Channel
Editor: Mu Mu