All articles tagged with #military ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the strengthening of military relations with Russia, stating they will 'advance non-stop,' during a ceremony honoring North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, amid ongoing support and cooperation between the two countries in the context of the Ukraine conflict.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and SXSW engaged in a social media spat after as many as 60 bands dropped out of the Austin-based festival to protest its sponsor ties to the U.S. Army and inclusion of defense contractors in conference programs. The festival responded by welcoming diverse viewpoints and respecting the artists' right to free speech, while defending the sponsorship as part of their commitment to shaping the world with ideas. The band boycott is centered around the festival's ties to the military and defense contractors, with calls to disinvite these companies and re-evaluate including Department of Defense agencies in festival events and discussions.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and SXSW engage in a social media spat after as many as 60 bands drop out of the Austin-based festival to protest its ties to the U.S. Army and defense contractors. The governor told the bands not to come back, prompting SXSW to assert its support for diverse viewpoints and free speech. The band boycott stems from the festival's sponsorship by the U.S. Army and the participation of defense contractors and Department of Defense agencies in conference events, with some groups calling for the festival to disinvite these entities and raise awareness about humanitarian issues.
President Joe Biden aims to re-establish military-to-military ties with China, as he believes it is in the U.S. national security interest. The restoration of these ties would involve communication at various levels, including senior leadership and tactical operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Biden will discuss this agenda item during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with other global issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan, human rights, fentanyl production, artificial intelligence, and trade relations. The relationship between the two countries has been strained, but efforts have been made to rebuild communication and trust.
China's Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, vowed to develop military ties with the United States at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, while accusing "some countries" of trying to undermine Communist Party rule. Zhang also criticized Western countries for interfering in other countries' internal affairs and instigating color revolutions. He emphasized that Taiwan is China's core interest and urged countries not to provoke China on sensitive issues. The forum, China's largest military diplomacy event, is being attended by low-level delegations from Western countries, who have chosen to discuss international security issues at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore instead.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a fighter jet factory in Russia, raising concerns about deepening military ties between the two countries. The visit suggests that Moscow may be considering trading its technology for arms it can use in Ukraine. Kim's tour of Russia, which has focused on military and industrial sites, has fueled speculation that Pyongyang could arm Moscow in exchange for sensitive technology for its nuclear missile program. The US has warned of reprisals and further sanctions if an arms deal materializes, and South Korean diplomats have stated that any military cooperation would violate UN sanctions.
Belarus and Iran have strengthened their military ties during a meeting between defense officials in Tehran. Reports suggest that Belarus is working to convert a manufacturing plant to produce Shahed drones for Russia, potentially aiding Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on military ties, but it is unclear if an agreement was reached on the Shahed production. This development could indicate a resumption of Tehran-Moscow relations, which had been strained over Russia's stance on Iran's territorial dispute with the United Arab Emirates. The production of Shahed drones in Belarus may suggest that the plan to bring production to Russia is facing challenges.
China and Thailand are set to expand their military ties through more joint drills this year, as both countries face security challenges. Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu expressed Beijing's readiness for further cooperation during a meeting with the Royal Thai Army's commander-in-chief.
Japan's defense minister expressed support for Sweden's NATO membership during talks with his Swedish counterpart, as the two sides called for stronger military ties amid shared concern over threats from Russia and China. Sweden sees the need for European countries to reach out to Asian partners because of the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Discussions are underway to open a NATO office in Japan, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is reportedly considering attending a NATO meeting next month.
US President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos have affirmed their commitment to defending the Philippines, including in the South China Sea, amid concerns over China's aggressive behavior in the region. The two leaders also announced efforts to strengthen economic and military ties, including the joint adoption of defense guidelines and the transfer of military equipment from the US to the Philippines. The visit marks a revival of US-Philippine relations, which had soured under former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's closer ties with China.
French President Emmanuel Macron ended his China trip with a pact to strengthen business and military ties between the two countries. The joint statement with Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not include a commitment from Beijing to end Russia's war on Ukraine, which was a key request from Macron. The move reflects Macron's desire to increase French firms' presence in the Chinese market, while others in the West are looking to reduce their dependence on China.
Japan's Foreign Minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, expressed concerns about increasing joint military activity between Russia and China during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing. Hayashi also called for China to play a responsible international role and for the release of a Japanese citizen detained in China. This comes as Japan formally opened its closest missile base to China.