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News Reports

Current Operations

• 7th Fleet Aircraft Transits Taiwan Strait US Navy 13 Jul 2023 -- A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on July 13 (local time). By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows.
• U.S. Navy aircraft transits Taiwan Strait: Defense ministry CNA 13 Jul 2023 -- A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft transited through the airspace above the Taiwan Strait Thursday morning, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).

Defense Policy / Programs

• China Issues Spark Debate Over US Defense Spending Bill VOA 14 Jul 2023 -- The Biden administration and Republican lawmakers remain at odds about several China-related provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024 that passed the House of Representatives on Friday in a near-party-line vote.
• Biden Approves Mobilization of Reserves to Support Eucom DoD News 13 Jul 2023 -- President Joe Biden today issued an executive order approving the mobilization of select reserve forces with up to 3,000 personnel, augmenting the armed forces in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
• Ordering the Selected Reserve and Certain Members of the Individual Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty The White House 13 Jul 2023
• Message to the Congress on Ordering the Selected Reserve and Certain Members of the Individual Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to Active Duty The White House 13 Jul 2023
• Major General William Zana, National Guard Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, and International Affairs, Holds a Press Briefing on the 30th Anniversary of the State Partnership Program DoD 13 Jul 2023
• DOD Officials Highlight Risks to Force Posed by Senate Nomination Hold DoD News 13 Jul 2023 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the risks to national security posed by the ongoing blanket hold on Senate confirmations for hundreds of military nominees in a brief phone call today with Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.
• Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II (USA), Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff; Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, Hold a Press Briefing DoD 13 Jul 2023
• National Guard's State Partnership Program Marks 30 Years DoD News 13 Jul 2023 -- This weekend, the National Guard's State Partnership Program marks 30 years of contacts, exercises and aid to nations around the world.
• PACIFIC AMPHIBIOUS LEADERS STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, MODERNIZE FORCE USMC News 13 Jul 2023 -- The Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Lt. Gen. William Jurney, and Indonesian Marine Corps Commandant, Maj. Gen. Nur Alamsyah, co-hosted the 9th Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium in Bali, Indonesia, July 9 - 14, 2023.
• First In-Space Laser Power Beaming Experiment Surpasses 100 Days of Successful On-Orbit Operations US Navy 13 Jul 2023 -- The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Space Wireless Energy Laser Link (SWELL) surpassed 100 days of successful on-orbit laser operations on June 29, 2023, coinciding with the NRL's 100th birthday celebration. Launched on March 14, 2023, this experiment represents the first successful instance of laser power beaming in space. It resides on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the U.S. Department of Defense Space Test Program (STP) H9 mission.
  
• US Marine jets fly over South China Sea during Philippine drills Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- The U.S. Marines showcased their aerial strength and capabilities during a joint exercise with their Philippine counterparts on Thursday by flying sophisticated warplanes over the South China Sea amid fresh tensions in the maritime region.
• FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Publishes the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan The White House 13 Jul 2023
• NATO 'More United Than Ever,' Biden Says As He Concludes European Trip With Stop In Finland RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said he and other NATO leaders showed the world at their summit this week that the military alliance is "more united than ever" after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• US-Nordic Summit Pushes NATO Agenda of Containing Russia in the North Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- US President Joe Biden and leaders from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland met on Thursday in Helsinki for the third US-Nordic Leaders' Summit following Turkiye's nod to Stockholm's membership in NATO.
• Biden Reaffirms US Commitment to NATO Amid Congressional Efforts on Withdrawal Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the United States is committed to remaining a member of NATO in the long term, amid conflicting efforts in Congress to both withdraw from the alliance and bolster the country's place in it.
• For the first time since independence, we have formed the foundation of security for Ukraine on its way to NATO - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 13 Jul 2023
• NATO's cybersecurity policy hijacked by certain member states, resulting in double standards and self-contradictions: Chinese FM Global Times 13 Jul 2023 -- NATO's cybersecurity policy is being hijacked by certain member states, resulting in double standards and self-contradictions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to NATO's accusation that China's cyber activities could reach the level of armed attack, challenge the bloc's interests and security and trigger the bloc's collective defense.
• Russian General Says He Was Fired After Accusing Commanders Of Betraying Troops In Ukraine RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- A top Russian field commander says he was dismissed after disagreements with superior officers over the situation on the front lines, an unusual public display of dissent from within the Russian ranks after just over 500 days of war in Ukraine.
• Wagner surrendering thousands of tons of weaponry to Russian army: Moscow Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- Russia says the Wagner group has handed over thousands of tons of weaponry and ammunition to the country's army as Moscow plans to bring the mercenary force under its control.
• Destroyer Admiral Panteleyev of Pacific Fleet undergoes drills with Il-38H aircraft Russia MoD 13 Jul 2023 -- The Pacific Fleet's destroyer Admiral Panteleyev underwent joint drills with the Fleet's Il-38H anti-submarine naval aviation aircraft in the Peter the Great Bay.
• Major amphibious ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky performs onboard artillery drills in the Sea of Barents Russia MoD 13 Jul 2023 -- On Thursday personnel of the major amphibious ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky, which belongs to the Kola Flotilla of the Northern Fleet's joint forces underwent onboard artillery drills at the Fleet's firing ranges in the Sea of Barents.
• Small anti-submarine ships Onega and Nariayan-Mar undergo artillery drills in the White Sea Russia MoD 13 Jul 2023 -- On Thursday in accordance with planned combat drills search and strike team comprising of small anti-submarine ships Onega and Nariayan-Mar of the Northern Fleet's White Sea naval base underwent artillery drills in the White Sea waters.
• Biden warns Ukraine's NATO membership during war could trigger WWIII Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- President Joe Biden of the United States has warned that Ukraine's potential accession to NATO while it is at war with Russia is likely to culminate in a third World War.
• US House Rejects NDAA Amendments to Decrease Ukraine Military Aid Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- The US House of Representatives rejected several amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block and reduce future US security assistance to Ukraine, as the lower chamber of Congress continues to develop their final version of the legislation.
• NATO Leaders Reportedly Urged Zelensky to 'Cool Down' After Criticism of Alliance Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- NATO leaders have reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "cool down" during their joint dinner in Vilnius after he voiced harsh criticism of the alliance and accused it of being indecisive when it came to Kiev's membership.
• Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to the Greek foreign minister: Ukraine belongs in NATO Estonia MFA 13 Jul 2023 -- Meeting with his Greek counterpart on the second day of NATO's Vilnius summit, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasised that NATO had launched Ukraine's accession process.
• New agreements simplify and speed up deliveries of defence materiel to Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden 13 Jul 2023 -- On 12 July at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson signed a protective security agreement with Ukraine. The agreement makes it possible for Sweden and Ukraine to exchange confidential information concerning, for example, test flights of JAS Gripen or military equipment.
• PLA marches toward centenary goals as units inspected by Xi safeguard territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, national unity Global Times 14 Jul 2023 -- Less than a month before the 96th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on August 1, President Xi Jinping on July 6 inspected the headquarters of the PLA Eastern Theater Command in East China's Jiangsu Province and stressed efforts to focus on the goals for the centenary of the PLA in 2027 and break new ground for theater command development and war preparedness.
• China deploys minesweeper drones in sea mine countermeasure training Global Times 13 Jul 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy deployed minesweeper drones alongside a manned minesweeper in a recent sea mine countermeasure exercise, with experts saying on Wednesday that unmanned vessels can enhance efficiency and lower casualty risks amid US plans to deploy sea mines against China.
• The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release explaining the "flight of a US P-8A anti-submarine aircraft" (July 13, 2023) ROC MND 13 Jul 2023
• The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release explaining the "CCP's responses to sea-faring activities in dealing with a US P-8A anti-submarine aircraft and the coordination of CCP warships carrying out combat readiness and patrol cruises" (July 13, 2023) ROC MND 13 Jul 2023
• Advanced weapons systems seen during Bali anti-landing drill rehearsal CNA 13 Jul 2023 -- The army on Thursday deployed armored vehicles, drones, and Javelin anti-tank missiles while rehearsing for an anti-landing drill scheduled for July 27 that will form part of the Hang Kuang military exercises along a beach in Bali, New Taipei which is considered a critical strategic location.
• Another Significant Great Event Recorded in Developing Strategic Force of DPRK Test-fire of New-type ICBM Conducted Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of ICBM Hwasongpho-18 KCNA 13 Jul 2023 -- As a part of the efforts to bolster the just right to self-defence to reliably defend the security of our state and regional peace from disaster of a nuclear war and thoroughly deter the dangerous military moves of the hostile forces, the General Missile Bureau conducted the test-fire of new-type ICBM Hwasongpho-18, the core weapon system of the strategic force of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on July 12.
• North Korea warns US with successful intercontinental ballistic missile test Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- North Korea says it has successfully tested its latest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), calling it a warning to the US and other adversaries.
• New battlefield command system to improve Defence's tactical communications Australia DOD 13 Jul 2023 -- The Australian Government has given first-pass approval for the LAND 200 Phase 3 Battlefield Command Systems project.
• French Parliament Adopts Bill Which Increases Military Spending to Record-High $460Bln Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- The French Parliament adopted on Thursday the bill on military spending which increases the budget to a record 413 billion euros ($460 billion) in 2024-2030.
• Our commitment to spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence is not the Alliance's dictated policy rather than a matter of vital national interest to Slovakia Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic 13 Jul 2023 -- Slovakia's defence capability is the basic function of the state on which its existence hinges. Without securing one's defences, there is no sovereign state, there is no prosperity in it.
• Iran rejects 'baseless' NATO allegations of supplying drones to Russia Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- Iran has categorically rejected allegations it is providing drones to Russia, raised this time by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), urging member states of the military alliance to refrain from leveling such accusations.
• Italy to Purchase German-Made Leopard 2 Tanks Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- Italy has decided to buy German-made Leopard 2 tanks as part of the rearmament of its national armed forces amid the Ukraine conflict, Italian Defense Undersecretary Isabella Rauti said on Thursday.
• Biden Ends Europe Trip With 'Absolute Guarantee' of Transatlantic Ties VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden ended his three-nation trip to Europe with a resounding statement of support for NATO, seeking to allay European fears that a change in U.S. administration would mean uncertainty for Washington's ties with its transatlantic allies.
• Remarks by President Biden at the U.S.-Nordic Leaders' Summit | Helsinki, Finland The White House 13 Jul 2023
• Readout of the Third United States - Nordic Leaders' Summit The White House 13 Jul 2023
• Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with President Sauli Niinistö of Finland The White House 13 Jul 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and President Sauli Niinistö of the Republic of Finland Before Bilateral Meeting | Helsinki, Finland The White House 13 Jul 2023
• United States to Provide Additional Humanitarian Assistance to People in Burma, Bangladesh, and the Region US Dept. of State 13 Jul 2023 -- Today, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and announced more than $74 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to support humanitarian responses in the region, including nearly $61 million to support Rohingya internally displaced in Burma as well as Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For July 13, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 13 July 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Jul 2023
• Secretary-General's press remarks before the UN-EU High-level Dialogue UN Secretary-General 13 Jul 2023
• Afghan Women Protest Taliban Ban on Beauty Salons VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- Afghan women owning and working at beauty salons gathered in Kabul over a two-day period this week to protest a recent decision by the Taliban to shut down their businesses.
• China, ASEAN agree to accelerate accord on preventing conflict in disputed waters Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- China and Southeast Asian nations agreed Thursday to speed up an agreement to prevent conflict in the South China Sea where overlapping claims by Beijing and its neighbors have raised tensions.
• Syria Opens Aid Crossing for Six Months VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- Syria said Thursday it would allow the United Nations the temporary use of a border crossing with Turkey to reach millions of Syrians living in areas outside of the government's control.
• UN HRC53: UK Statement on Syria resolution UK FCDO 13 Jul 2023 -- Statement on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. As delivered by the UK's Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
• Sudan: Emergency seed distribution kick off leveraging the ongoing planting season to boost food production FAO 13 Jul 2023 -- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has kicked off its emergency seeds distribution campaign to reach farmers in key regions, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to meet food production needs.
• Egypt Holds Conference With Sudan's Neighbors on New Cease-Fire VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- Egypt is seeking ways to make an elusive cease-fire hold in the bloody Sudan conflict that has killed thousands and forced Sudan's residents into at least six neighboring countries as refugees. Regional states worry that the ongoing conflict will destabilize them, as well.
• International Criminal Court to Investigate Report of Sudan Mass Grave VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Thursday that his office is investigating reports that at least 87 people were found in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur state.
• Sudan: UN rights chief calls for probe after 87 bodies found in mass grave UN News 13 Jul 2023 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Thursday called for a swift investigation into the killing of 87 civilians in Sudan following the discovery of a mass grave in West Darfur.
• At least 87 bodies found buried in Sudan mass grave, including women, children: UN Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- Bodies of at least 87 people, including women and children, have been found buried in a mass grave in West Darfur of Sudan, the United Nations has said.
• The UK supports the International Criminal Court to deliver justice for the people of Darfur: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 13 Jul 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Sudan International Criminal Court investigation.
• Investigations and Prosecutions of Atrocities in Darfur US Dept. of State 13 Jul 2023 -- The United States condemns in the strongest terms the continued atrocities and ethnically targeted killings committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied militias in West Darfur, as reported by credible sources.
• Darfur: International Criminal Court launches investigation into surging violence UN News 13 Jul 2023 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Thursday that he is investigating fresh allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region, including the recent killings of 87 members of the ethnic Masalit community, reportedly carried out by the Rapid Security Forces and its militia.
• Palestinian president visits Jenin camp after large-scale Israeli offensive People's Daily 13 Jul 2023 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the northern West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday, about a week after the end of a large-scale Israeli military offensive on the area.
• Armenian PM Confirms Participation In Nagorno-Karabakh Talks With Azerbaijan RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says he hopes progress will be made on a peace treaty when he meets with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels on July 15, with the president of the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, in attendance.
• No: 172, 13 July 2023, Press Release Regarding the United Nations Security Council's Press Statement on Cyprus Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023 -- "We fully support the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) concerning the UN Security Council's press statement following the consultations during which Mr. Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), presented the UN Secretary-General's recently published reports on the Good Offices Mission and UNFICYP."
• Ethiopia: Rights experts denounce mass deportation of Eritreans UN News 13 Jul 2023 -- A group of UN-appointed independent human rights experts on Thursday voiced "grave concern" over hostile conditions impacting Eritreans refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Ethiopia, including targeted arrests and prolonged arbitrary detention.
• Al-Shabab Attacks Somali Base Handed Over by AU Forces VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- Al-Shabab fighters have attacked a Somali military base handed over by Kenyan forces late last month as part of an African Union troop drawdown.
• UNHCR Concerned About Forced Repatriation of Burkinabe Refugees From Ghana VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- UNHCR, the U.N.'s refugee agency, has expressed concern about reports that Ghana's armed forces this week deported hundreds of asylum-seekers who were fleeing an insurgency in neighboring Burkina Faso.

News Reports

• Russian Spy Chief Confirms Call With CIA Counterpart, Says They Discussed Ukraine RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said that he and CIA counterpart William Burns had discussed Ukraine in a phone call last month, TASS said on July 12.
• Secretary Mayorkas Delivers Updates on DHS Campaign to Stop Fentanyl Through Interdiction and Supply Chain Disruption DHS 13 Jul 2023 -- Today, after an inspection of contraband interdiction operations at the International Mail Facility (IMF) operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at JFK International Airport, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas provided an update on DHS's surge campaign to target and prevent fentanyl and its precursor chemicals from entering the United States.
• Emails of US government breached; Chinese hacker group blamed Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- The United States says a Chinese hacker group has breached email accounts of two dozen government agencies, including the State Department -- a move which Microsoft and the White House said was aimed at acquiring sensitive information.
• Judge Sentences Florida Man to 18 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 13 Jul 2023 -- Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari, 26, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions following the Russia-ASEAN Conference, Jakarta, July 13, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office Wang Yi Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a meeting with Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee Wang Yi, Jakarta, July 13, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the Russia-ASEAN Ministerial Conference, Jakarta, July 13, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Lenta.ru online newspaper, July 13, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023
• Wall Street Journal's Legal Team Offers Glimpse Into Efforts To Free Reporter 'Wrongfully Detained' In Russia RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- The Wall Street Journal's legal team on July 13 offered a look into the "frustrating" process of trying to free journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia since March 29 on allegations of espionage.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 13, 2023 PRC MofA 13 Jul 2023
• China, ASEAN 'should be vigilant to external threats' while eyeing greater cooperation Global Times 13 Jul 2023 -- China and ASEAN member states are pushing ahead talks on version 3.0 of a free trade agreement (FTA), China's top diplomat Wang Yi revealed at a China-ASEAN 10+1 meeting in Jakarta on Thursday. The two sides should "overcome noises and external threats and eye common growth and prosperity," analysts said .
• Blinken, Wang Yi meet on ASEAN sidelines in Jakarta Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jakarta and met with Wang Yi, China's leading diplomat, amid allegations of a Chinese cyberespionage attack targeting U.S. government emails.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with People's Republic of China (PRC) Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi US Dept. of State 13 Jul 2023
• Top US, Chinese Diplomats Meet in Indonesia VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Thursday with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Indonesia, discussions the United States said were part of the ongoing effort to ease relations between the two superpowers.
• White House to Keep Lines to China Open Despite Hack, Elaborates on Putin 'Loss' VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- The Biden administration is "concerned" about a recent Chinese hack targeting the websites of U.S. federal agencies but will "keep the lines of communication open," John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said in an interview Thursday with VOA White House correspondent Paris Huang.
• Wang, Blinken meet; more high-level talks to be held Global Times 13 Jul 2023 -- China and the US have been having increasingly frequent talks between senior officials recently and are expected to have more exchanges in various fields, such as diplomacy, finance, trade, climate change and maybe military in the future, but Chinese experts said that if US President Joe Biden wants to stabilize ties with China and hold another China-US summit later this year before the US presidential election, Washington needs to show more concrete sincerity through actions, otherwise the frequent meetings would not be productive.
• Kerry: China won't surrender 'developing country' rights Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- China won't surrender its status as a "developing nation" any time soon due to the benefits it confers, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Thursday ahead of a trip to Beijing, even as he acknowledged the designation had poor optics given China is the world's largest carbon polluter.
• Germany adopts its first comprehensive Strategy on China Germany Federal Foreign Office 13 Jul 2023 -- China has changed. So we need to change our approach to China too. With its comprehensive Strategy on China, the Federal Government is setting a compass for our actions. Read on to find out what the Strategy says.
• Speech by Foreign Minister Baerbock at MERICS on the future of Germany's policy on China Germany Federal Foreign Office 13 Jul 2023
• Germany's first "China strategy" hurts its own companies more, has limited impact on bilateral ties Global Times 13 Jul 2023 -- Germany's first China strategy will put its own companies in a bind as it reportedly seeks to pressure them to reduce their dependency on China, and it will have a short-term impact on the just-stabilized China-German ties, Chinese observers warned. Observers predicted this document from China's biggest trade partner in Europe will also have ramifications for Europe's ability to form a unified stance on Beijing.
• US, Australia call for China-Solomons police pact to be made public Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- The United States, Australia and the Solomon Islands opposition leader have called for China and the Solomon Islands government to make public a police cooperation agreement they signed this week, underscoring concerns the pact could undermine regional stability.
• Doxxing campaign targeting Hong Kong protesters had China links: report Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- A doxxing campaign that released the photos, full names and personal contact details of people who allegedly took part in Hong Kong's 2019 protest movement likely originated in China, new research has found.
• China's Huawei Launches Innovation Center in South Africa VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday welcomed the opening of a new Huawei Innovation Center in Johannesburg, praising the Chinese company for its "confidence in the South African economy and its potential."
• China conducts a 100-day 'strike hard' campaign against Uyghurs Radio Free Asia 14 Jul 2023 -- In the latest "strike hard" campaign in Xinjiang, authorities are cracking down on any gatherings of more than 30 people and say it will last 100 days, according to Chinese media and two police officers in the region, in the latest effort to persecute the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs who live there.
• China signals willingness for more fiscal stimulus Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- China's economy is facing multiple headwinds, including a local government debt crisis, weak domestic demand and the collapse of property prices.
• Nation unveils plan on crewed moon mission People's Daily 13 Jul 2023 -- China made public on Wednesday specific designs for its manned lunar mission, which is scheduled to be achieved before the end of this decade.
• China censures US reconnaissance plane flight over Taiwan Strait Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- China has censured the United States after one of its maritime patrol and reconnaissance planes crossed the airspace over the sensitive Taiwan Strait, which separates China from Taiwan.
• 13 Chinese planes cross median line in reaction to U.S. aircraft transit CNA 13 Jul 2023 -- A total of 26 Chinese military aircraft and four naval ships were detected near Taiwan on Thursday, of which 13 warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait in response to the transit of a United States aircraft over the Taiwan Strait, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• PLA deploys combat aircraft to handle US spy plane's Taiwan Straits transit following drills Global Times 13 Jul 2023 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) deployed combat aircraft to deal with a US spy plane's transit through the Taiwan Straits on Thursday, which followed large-scale PLA exercises over the past two days that experts said were aimed at safeguarding China's national sovereignty and unity.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Jul.13, 2023 ROC MND 13 Jul 2023
• Article of Military Commentator of DPRK KCNA 13 Jul 2023 -- A military commentator of the DPRK released an article titled "Justifying impudent provocation will only bring about the dangerous result of escalating regional tensions" on Thursday.
• President Raeisi arrives in Zimbabwe on last leg of Africa tour Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has arrived in Zimbabwe on the last leg of his three-nation tour of Africa.
• 'Not Our Enemies': Iran's Crackdown On Protest By Disabled War Veterans Triggers Outrage RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- Iranian veterans of the devastating war with Iraq in the 1980s are widely regarded as heroes, with tens of thousands disabled by chronic illnesses caused by exposure to chemical weapons used during the conflict.
• Lavrov Says Not Optimistic About JCPOA Renewal as Outcome of US 2024 Vote Uncertain Sputnik 13 Jul 2023 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that he was not very optimistic about possibilities of the resumption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran nuclear deal, due to uncertainty regarding the policy of the US administration following the 2024 presidential election there.
• Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant speaks with representative of National Unity Government of Myanmar Canada 13 Jul 2023 -- The Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met virtually with Zin Mar Aung, representative of the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar.
• Myanmar's central bank revokes licenses of 10 forex companies Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- The junta-run Central Bank of Myanmar has revoked the licenses of 10 foreign exchange companies, state-controlled newspapers said Thursday.
• UN HRC53: UK comment on Belarus resolution UK FCDO 13 Jul 2023 -- UK statement on the human rights situation in Belarus. As delivered by the UK's Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
• IMF Transfers $1.2 Billion to Pakistan From Crucial Bailout Loan VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- Pakistan said Thursday the International Monetary Fund had transferred $1.2 billion to its central bank as the first tranche of a $3 billion bailout program for the cash-starved nation.
• Transcript of the Media Briefing by the Spokesperson Thursday 13 July 2023 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13 Jul 2023
• Assad stresses look east policy as Indian minister visits Syria for first time in 7 years Press TV 13 Jul 2023 -- India's Minister of State for External Affairs Vellamvelly Muraleedharan has paid an official visit to Syria, a first by an Indian minister in several years, in an apparent sign of New Delhi engaging with the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
• Guatemala: Statement by the Spokesperson on the electoral process in Guatemala European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Jul 2023 -- In line with the statement issued today by the Election Observation Mission of the European Union (EU EOM) in Guatemala, the EU welcomes the official announcement by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of the results of the general elections held on 25 June.
• Continued Threats to the Integrity and Credibility of Guatemala's Election US Dept. of State 13 Jul 2023 -- The United States welcomes the certification of the first round of election results by the Guatemalan Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which upholds the credibility and integrity of the most-observed electoral process in Guatemala's history.
• EU-ASEAN: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Ministerial Meeting in Indonesia European External Action Service (EEAS) 13 Jul 2023 -- Check against delivery!
• Vietnamese online news outlet to go dark after government inspection report Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- An online news site operated by a Vietnamese NGO will be suspended for three months as of Friday in accordance with a government decision as the publication focuses on "overcoming and thoroughly correcting shortcomings" to implement a government press directive.
• Cambodian ruling party spokesman rejects criticism of Theary Seng conviction Radio Free Asia 13 Jul 2023 -- Renewed calls from the U.S. State Department and a U.N. working group for the release of Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng are a violation of Cambodia's sovereignty, the spokesman for the country's ruling party said on Thursday.
• It's Great To Be Us! Nepotism Runs Deep Within Uzbekistan's Powerful And Wealthy Ruling Family RFE/RL 13 Jul 2023 -- On election day, incumbent Shavkat Mirziyoev posed for a polling station photo opportunity with some of Uzbekistan's most powerful movers and shakers -- all of them members of his ruling family circle.
• Designation of Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, Former Panamanian President, for Significant Corruption US Dept. of State 13 Jul 2023 -- "Today, I am announcing the designation of former Panamanian President, Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez as generally ineligible for entry into the United States, due to his involvement in significant corruption. While serving as Panama's vice president and then president, Varela accepted bribes in exchange for improperly awarding government contracts."
• Thailand's Pita Falls Short in First Vote for Prime Minister VOA 13 Jul 2023 -- Pro-democracy leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to gain enough votes to become Thailand's 30th prime minister, as appointed senators refused to back him over a proposed reform of the controversial royal defamation law.