From the Chinese perspective why would their government do anything to stop the flow of fetanyl into the U.S.? The more Americans hooked on drugs creates social decay and money wasted combatting the problem which are things the CCP likes to see happen in the U.S. Plus deep down they probably look at this as payback for Opium Wars when western powers, primarily the British, did the same thing to China:
Fentanyl pills seized by U.S. Custom and Border Protection officers at the Port of Mariposa in Nogales, Ariz., in November 2023. (Jerry Glaser/U.S. Customs and Border Patrol)
Chinese and American officials held the first meeting of a working group that aims to curb the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl to the U.S. and the chemicals used to make them. “We reached common understanding,” China’s Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong said Tuesday, describing the talks in Beijing as “professional” and “pragmatic.” “Our two sides agreed to follow the principles of mutual respect, managing differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation as we work to carry on cooperation on counternarcotics,” Wang said.
The U.S. side emphasized the need for progress. “President Biden sent such a significant delegation to underscore the importance of this issue to the American people,” Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal said at the meeting.
Stars & Stripes
You can read more at the link.
It will be interesting to see if China in the coming weeks or months tries to conduct military drills around Taiwan to pressure their new President:
The outcome of the presidential election in Taiwan is expected to pose significant diplomatic challenges for Korea, particularly in navigating relations with China and neighboring countries. Tensions in Asia could escalate in response to any sensitive rhetoric or actions, adding complexity to Korea’s diplomatic landscape.
In Saturday’s presidential election, Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, known for his U.S.-friendly stance, secured victory by garnering 40.05 percent of the total ballots. He outpaced Hou Yu-ih from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang.
Viewed widely as a proxy battle between the U.S. and China, Lai’s campaign emphasizing self-determination, social justice, and resistance to China’s threats resonated with Taiwanese voters, earning their trust even in the face of increasing pressure from Beijing.
China’s foreign ministry promptly issued a statement following Lai’s election win asserting Beijing’s “One China” policy.
“Whatever changes take place in Taiwan, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change,” it said. “The Chinese government’s position of upholding the one-China principle and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism, ‘two Chinas’ and ‘one China, one Taiwan’ will not change,” it added.
Korea Times
Here is how the Yoon administration in South Korea has reacted to the election:
The Yoon Suk Yeol administration has displayed a strong inclination towards the U.S., as the president stated in previous media interviews that Seoul opposes attempts to alter the status quo by force in reference to tensions in the Taiwan Strait, despite China’s displeasure. Simultaneously, Korea maintains its adherence to Beijing’s “One China” policy, refraining from reinstating diplomatic ties with Taiwan that were severed in 1992 when Seoul established diplomatic relations with Beijing.
An official at Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We hope for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and peaceful progress in China-Taiwan relations,” adding that the Korean government’s stance on Taiwan has not changed, while Seoul hopes for practical cooperation with Taiwan in various fields.
You can read more at the link.
Here are the Russians and Chinese being provocative in the region. If they think this is going to intimidate the ROK it is not working:
Six Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea’s air defense identification zone (KADIZ) in the East Sea without notice Thursday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, prompting the South’s Air Force to send its fighter jets to the scene.
The JCS said that between 11:53 a.m. and 12:10 p.m., the two Chinese and four Russian aircraft entered the KADIZ and exited it. They did not violate South Korea’s air space, it added.
The JCS said it had detected the Chinese and Russian aircraft before their entry into the KADIZ and mobilized the Air Force’s fighter jets.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link.
