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conflict and diplomacy
The news that captured all the attention yesterday, not only in Venezuela but throughout the world, was the situation of tension that flared up on the sides of China from the visit to Taiwan of the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. I am going to briefly explain here what all this is about and why it is so important and then I will leave you some links so that you can expand the information about it.
The matter is the following. Taiwan is an island that belongs to China but recognizes itself as an independent country with the support of Western powers, particularly the United States. Since 1949, with the triumph of the Chinese Revolution and the defeat of the Kuomintang, the island served as a refuge for the losers and has also become an enclave for the United States' claims to exercise geopolitical dominance over the eastern part of China. The fact is that practically everyone recognizes that there is "one China" and ignores the independence of Taiwan. In fact, since 1971 Taiwan (Republic of China) has not been part of the United Nations Organization, which only recognizes the People's Republic of China.
Over the past several years, the United States has increased military support for Taiwan, including military exercises, while not discreetly promoting secessionism. China has reiterated that it will defend its territorial integrity against any threat and has mobilized military forces in the area to enforce its territory. Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, in addition to being totally unnecessary and unjustified, is a gesture of recognition of Taiwan as an independent state and it is interpreted by China as a provocation and a threat. In addition, the Sino-American pact to recognize the “one China” principle that dates back to the 70s is being violated.
That's why the Chinese government responded strongly advancing the military exercises that were scheduled to begin tomorrow and yesterday rockets have already been fired over the Taiwan Strait. Joe Biden had declared weeks ago that the US would defend Taiwan against a hypothetical invasion by China. The visit of such a high-ranking US official obviously increases tensions due to the implications she may have for peace on a global scale, since this conflict would directly involve the two greatest economic and military powers on the planet.
You can expand the information here:
- Chinese FM: Some US politicians are brazenly playing with fire
- China summons US ambassador for Pelosi's visit to Taiwan
- China conducts military exercises near Taiwan after Pelosi's arrival
- Chinese Communist Party: Pelosi's visit to Taiwan is a heinous move
Russia reacted by describing the fact as "a clear provocation in line with the aggressive US policy to contain China multilaterally." For its part, the Venezuelan government rejected the action of the gringa congresswoman and ratified its support for China:
Cooperation
Coincidentally, while things are going on over there, here in Caracas President Nicolás Maduro received the visit in Miraflores the director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry for Latin America and the Caribbean, Cai Wei. Both countries have developed an intense cooperative relationship at all levels and there is currently talk of a significant expansion within the framework of the economic recovery process that our country is experiencing. He has also highlighted particular cooperation in combating the covid-19 pandemic.
the case of the plane
The Emtrasur plane held in Argentina with all its crew since June 6 continues to make headlines. Yesterday the prohibition to leave that country was withdrawn from 12 of the 19 people that they remained there without any accusation. Seven remain, four Iranians and three Venezuelans. Yesterday it was learned that the United States Department of the Treasury is asking Argentina to seize the plane, since it previously belonged to the Iranian airline Mahan Air and, according to them, that company violated the sanctions regime imposed by them.
The president of the Chamber of Venezuelan Air Transport Companies (Caveta), Jorge Álvarez Méndez, asked the Venezuelan government to present the case before the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Water for Caracas
You may be interested in this news: Yesterday the El Calvario aqueduct came into operation, which was restored to incorporate 25 million liters of drinking water to supply five parishes in the capital: San Juan, 23 de Enero, Catedral, Santa Teresa and Altagracia. This was announced by Mayor Carmen Meléndez:
“Today we can say that we have 25 million liters for five parishes. These parishes that had two days of water, will now be able to count on five days of water”.
Contagion
Yesterday, 500 new cases of covid-19 were reported in Venezuela, with no deaths.
The updated statistics are:
- - Total infections: 536.586
- - Recovered patients: 525.725 (98%)
- – Active cases: 5.098
- - Total deaths: 5.763
Exchange rate
The Central Bank of Venezuela reported that yesterday's exchange tables showed an average of 5,8 bolivars per dollar. Remember that this is the only rate valid for any transaction today.
With this we end today's bulletin. As always, I have to insist on the importance of getting vaccinated, getting reinforced and maintaining biosecurity measures, it is the only way we have to combat this already long pandemic. We read each other tomorrow.
