All articles tagged with #diplomatic visit
Japan is strengthening its ties with Israel through high-level visits, including a parliamentary delegation and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's upcoming visit, focusing on deepening diplomatic, security, and humanitarian cooperation amid ongoing regional tensions.
The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, is expected to make a rare visit to Cairo to discuss the Gaza war and tensions between Israel and Egypt, marking a significant diplomatic move amid strained relations over the conflict and regional security concerns.
During President Trump's UK state visit, First Lady Melania Trump and Princess Kate of Wales made a significant joint appearance, highlighting diplomatic ties and showcasing their roles on the global stage through carefully planned engagements, wardrobe coordination, and symbolic activities that emphasize their influence and the relevance of the royal family.
Saudi Arabia's top diplomat, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, will visit the West Bank, marking the highest-level Saudi visit since 1967, amid increased support for Palestinians and efforts to promote a two-state solution amidst ongoing Gaza conflict and strained Arab-Israeli relations.
U.S. lawmakers have pledged continued support and the provision of weapons to Taiwan during a visit following the inauguration of Taiwan's new president.
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife for a seafood dinner at a D.C. restaurant, exchanging gifts before the meal. The official gift was a handmade table, while Biden presented Kishida with a custom framed lithograph and a signed Billy Joel LP set, and Jill Biden gifted Yuko Kishida with a framed painting and an autographed soccer ball. The couples also have an official state dinner and joint press conference scheduled for the visit.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to visit China for discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on "burning subjects" including the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, as the two nations strengthen their ties following Russia's assault on Ukraine. The visit follows a pattern of rapprochement between the two countries, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping declaring "unlimited friendship" with Russia and emphasizing mutual political trust. While China sees itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has become Russia's leading trade partner and is urged by Western nations to play a greater role in restoring peace in Ukraine.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and four other Democratic senators visited Ukraine to meet with President Zelenskyy amid a standoff in Washington over military aid. The visit comes as President Biden announced new sanctions against Russia. Schumer outlined four objectives for the visit, including demonstrating U.S. support for Ukraine and urging Congress to deliver aid. The senators participated in a ceremony to honor Ukrainian heroes and discussed the urgent need for weapons. The visit aims to emphasize the consequences of abandoning allies and to push for congressional action on aid for Ukraine.
Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao, known for orchestrating "Operation Foxhunt" to target anti-Communist dissidents globally, was warmly received by top US officials, sparking outrage from human rights groups. The visit comes amid concerns of transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party, including the operation of a secret police station in Manhattan's Chinatown. Liu's trip aimed to promote better understanding between the US and China, but his history of human rights abuses and coercion of Chinese nationals abroad has drawn criticism and calls for accountability.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is set to lead a bipartisan delegation of six senators on a trip to China next week, where they will meet with Chinese government and business leaders to discuss contentious issues such as human rights violations, China's role in the fentanyl epidemic, unfair trade practices, and global competition. The visit comes at a challenging moment in US-China relations, as the Biden administration seeks to reduce reliance on China and restrict its access to advanced technology. The delegation will also make stops in Japan and South Korea during the weeklong Senate recess.
A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu Guozhong will visit North Korea to participate in the celebration of the country's founding day, according to state media. The visit, at the invitation of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the government of North Korea, comes as the country marks the 75th anniversary of its liberation from Japanese occupation. This follows a previous visit by a Chinese delegation in July, and there are reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may soon visit Russia for a possible arms deal.
A high-level Chinese delegation, including Chinese Communist Party politburo member Li Hongzhong, will visit North Korea this week to participate in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, according to North Korea's official KCNA news agency. This is the first acknowledged visit since North Korea closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it remains unclear if this signals any change in policy. North and South Korea technically remain at war, and the recent detention of a U.S. soldier by North Korea has added to diplomatic tensions.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made a surprise visit to Beijing, where he met with China's defense minister, Li Shangfu. Kissinger emphasized the importance of friendly communication between China and the US, stating that treating each other as adversaries would not lead to meaningful results. The visit comes as US climate envoy John Kerry is also in Beijing to discuss cooperation on the climate crisis. Despite deteriorating relations between the two countries, there is cautious optimism that the resumption of official dialogues can pave the way for improved ties. Kissinger's visit, reminiscent of his secret trip in 1971 that normalized US-China relations, is seen by many in Beijing as a sign of his continued friendship with China.