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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-"2+2" TALKS-CHINA

(240620) -- SEOUL, June 20, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (2nd L) and Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission Zhang Baoqun (1st L), and South Korea's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun (2nd R) and Director General of International Policy Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense Lee Seung-buhm, pose for a group photo prior to the first vice-ministerial level diplomatic and security "2+2" talks between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. The talks were held here on Tuesday. Both sides briefed each other of their respective foreign and security policies and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-ROK relations and international and regional issues of common concern. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Yao Qilin)

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-"2+2" TALKS-CHINA

(240620) -- SEOUL, June 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (2nd L) and Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission Zhang Baoqun (1st L), and South Korea's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun (2nd R) and Director General of International Policy Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense Lee Seung-buhm, pose for a group photo prior to the first vice-ministerial level diplomatic and security "2+2" talks between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. The talks were held here on Tuesday. Both sides briefed each other of their respective foreign and security policies and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on China-ROK relations and international and regional issues of common concern. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

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Norwegian PM vows to enhance cooperation with China

STORY: Norwegian PM vows to enhance cooperation with China SHOOTING TIME: April 30, 2024 DATELINE: May 1, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: Oslo CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): JONAS GAHR STORE, Norwegian Prime Minister 2. various of Store meeting with foreign journalists 3. various of city views in Oslo STORYLINE: Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Tuesday that his government will enhance cooperation with China. "Norway is looking to China for a country with whom we deal and cooperate," Store told Xinhua during a meeting with foreign journalists in Oslo. The prime minister underscored the bilateral relationship encompasses diplomatic and political dimensions, both of which he personally oversees and aims to strengthen. SOUNDBITE (English): JONAS GAHR STORE, Norwegian Prime Minister "When it comes to China, I think Norway is looking to China for a country with whom we deal and cooperate. We have diplomatic contact, political contact. We have issues on the global scene that

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Gabon-China win-win cooperation benefits two peoples: Gabonese FM

STORY: Gabon-China win-win cooperation benefits two peoples: Gabonese FM SHOOTING TIME: April 20, 2024 DATELINE: April 21, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Libreville CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the seminar 2. SOUNDBITE (French): REGIS ONANGA NDIAYE, Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs 3. various of China-Gabon cooperation projects in Gabon STORYLINE: The Gabonese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Gabon jointly organized a seminar marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations on Friday. Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs Regis Onanga Ndiaye said that since establishing diplomatic relations, Gabon and China have achieved win-win cooperation across various fields, with results beneficial to both peoples. SOUNDBITE (French): REGIS ONANGA NDIAYE, Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs "One of the major issues of our partnership, which constitutes the essence of Gabon-China relations, responds to the need for the two countries to align themselves with the e

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Malta issues Chinese zodiac stamp for first time

STORY: Malta issues Chinese zodiac stamp for first time SHOOTING DATE: March 6, 2024 DATELINE: March 7, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: SANTA LUCIJA, Malta CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony STORYLINE: A ceremony for the issuance of a special zodiac stamp for the Chinese Year of the Dragon was held in Malta on Wednesday. It's the first time that Malta has issued a Chinese zodiac stamp since the establishment of its diplomatic relations with China in 1972. In traditional Chinese culture, the Loong, or the Chinese dragon, represents strength, courage and wisdom, and the year of the dragon is a symbol of luck and prosperity, said Peng Yijun, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta, at the ceremony. He added that the issuance of the stamp will enable more Maltese people to understand the traditional Chinese culture and enhance the mutual understanding between the two peoples. The "Loong" zodiac stamp features a dragon soaring amidst auspicious clouds, with a face value of 3 e

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Turkish, British FMs discuss Gaza conflict, bilateral ties

STORY: Turkish, British FMs discuss Gaza conflict, bilateral ties SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 26, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 27, 2024 LENGTH: 0:00:31 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Istanbul 2. various of the bilateral meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and British Foreign Minister David Cameron in Istanbul STORYLINE: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his British counterpart David Cameron on Friday discussed the Gaza conflict and bilateral issues in Istanbul. The two ministers met behind closed doors. A Turkish diplomatic source said that Fidan stressed during the meeting that an immediate full ceasefire is needed in Gaza for lasting peace in the Middle East and a two-state solution must be implemented. The source said Fidan and Cameron reaffirmed their determination to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries in a wide range of areas, especially in trade, economy, and defense industry. For his part, Cameron, British secretary of state for f

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Egyptian, Italian FMs discuss bilateral, regional issues

STORY: Egyptian, Italian FMs discuss bilateral, regional issues DATELINE: Aug. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:41 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Egyptian Foreign Ministry headquarters 2. various of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry speaking (file) 3. various of Egyptian Foreign Ministry headquarters STORYLINE: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani discussed on Sunday bilateral and regional issues, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. During a phone conversation, Tajani listened to Shoukry's assessment of the developments in Niger and ways to solve the crisis through diplomatic means to preserve the security and stability of Niger and the region, the ministry said in a statement. They also touched on the situation in Libya, where Shoukry informed his Italian counterpart of Egypt's vision regarding developments in the political and security situation. Shoukry also reviewed ways to support the solutions that ensure the holding of parliame

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Solomon Islands PM hails decision to forge diplomatic relations with China as historic

STORY: Solomon Islands PM hails decision to forge diplomatic relations with China as historic DATELINE: July 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:45 LOCATION: Honiara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister STORYLINE: Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said that forging diplomatic relations with China is one of the most significant decisions the Solomon Islands has made over the last 45 years since its independence. Sogavare made these remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua, ahead of his official visit to China starting on Sunday. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MANASSEH SOGAVARE, Solomon Islands Prime Minister "I'm confident that the outcome of my visit to China will be positive. Generally, I'm hoping that this trip will further strengthen the Solomon Islands-PRC diplomatic ties. We progress and stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, in pursuing in issues of common interest to the two countries." The prime minister reaffirmed his country's adh

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Japan, N. Korea to address history issue on 1st day of talks

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Song Il Ho (C), North Korea's ambassador in charge of normalization talks with Japan, speaks during the first day of the two-day talks at the Mongolian state guesthouse in Ulan Bator on Sept. 5. The talks are aimed at resolving thorny issues preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations.

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Japan, N. Korea to address history issue on 1st day of talks

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Yoshiki Mine (C), Japan's ambassador in charge of normalization talks with North Korea, speaks on the first day of the two-day talks at the Mongolian state guesthouse in Ulan Bator on Sept. 5. The talks are aimed at resolving thorny issues preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations.

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Mongolia ready to provide venue for Japan-N. Korea talks: president

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj speaks with reporters at his office in Ulan Bator on Sept. 18, 2014. Elbegdorj said his country is ready to offer a venue for talks between Japanese and North Korean officials whenever they wish to discuss a host of issues, including Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals. Mongolia maintains diplomatic ties with North Korea.

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Abe hints at chance of talks with N. Korean leader Kim

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tells a Diet committee session in Tokyo on May 15, 2013, that he will hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if necessary to address the long-standing issues that have prevented the two countries from having diplomatic relations.

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Kan's embattled government

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (R) chats with his close aide Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku during a session of the upper house budget committee on Nov. 18, 2010. Kan's government has been under fire over a series of gaffes by Cabinet members, including Sengoku, as well as its poor handling of high-profile diplomatic issues.

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LDP holds 1st shadow Cabinet meeting

TOKYO, Japan - Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki (3rd from L) speaks at the first meeting of the main opposition party's ''shadow Cabinet'' at the party headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 22, 2010. Tanigaki said his party will pressure the Democratic Party of Japan-led government over diplomatic and economic issues.

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Uneasy LDP becoming more animated in satirical attacks on DPJ

TOKYO, Japan - In an image taken from an animated video clip by the governing Liberal Democratic Party, four men in silhouette who look like executives of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan call themselves the ''Burefo'' (Wavering Four). In the scene, the LDP criticizes DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama and his three deputies -- Naoto Kan, Ichiro Ozawa and Katsuya Okada -- for lacking coherence in their policies over key diplomatic and domestic issues.

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Yachi urges Japan to send civilians to Afghanistan

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi speaks during an interview with Kyodo News. Yachi, who was appointed Jan. 20 as the government's special representative on key diplomatic issues, said that Japan should seriously consider sending civilians to Afghanistan to help its reconstruction, which U.S. President Barack Obama puts high emphasis on in the fight against terrorism.

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Japan to seek to settle abduction, 'unfortunate past' issues: Komura

NEW YORK, United States - Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura speaks at a U.N. General Assembly session in New York on Seot. 28. Komura expressed Japan's resolve to seek to normalize diplomatic relations with North Korea by resolving the issue of past abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents as well as the issues of the ''unfortunate past.''

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Abe sent offering to Yasukuni in 'private capacity': spokesman

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talks to reporters at his official residence on May 8 on controversies surrounding an offering he made to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo in late April. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said he made the offering -- an evergreen plant used in Shinto rituals -- in a ''private capacity'' but Abe refused to say whether he actually did so, reiterating that he will remain ambiguous on issues related to Yasukuni as long as it may have inclement political or diplomatic effects.

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Film on Japanese girl abducted by N. Korea debuts in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - The critically acclaimed Canadian documentary telling the story of a Japanese girl, Megumi Yokota, kidnapped by North Korean agents who became a symbol of one of Japan's most thorny diplomatic issues, hit screens across Japan on Nov. 25. Megumi's father Shigeru (R) and mother Sakie (C) greet the audience on the stage after its first showing at a movie theater in Tokyo's Shibuya district the same day.

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Film on Japanese girl abducted by N. Korea debuts in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - The critically acclaimed Canadian documentary telling the story of a Japanese girl, Megumi Yokota, kidnapped by North Korean agents who became a symbol of one of Japan's most thorny diplomatic issues, hit screens across Japan on Nov. 25. Megumi's father Shigeru (R) and mother Sakie (L) read remarks on the film after its first showing at a movie theater in Tokyo's Shibuya district the same day.

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Ozawa, Koizumi debate ends lukewarm with narrow focus on education

TOKYO, Japan - Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa (L) puts a question during his first Diet debate with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on May 17. The session fell far short of the heated debate that many had expected. Ozawa focused on general principles of parliamentary operations and on the two camps' disagreement over an education bill. He did not take up issues such as the realignment of the U.S. military presence in Japan, economic disparities and social welfare problems, and Japan's diplomatic relations with East Asia.

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Japan, N. Korea agree on 3-group negotiation format

BEIJING, China - Chief Japanese delegate Akitaka Saiki fields questions from reporters at a Beijing hotel on Dec. 25 after talks with North Korea. He said Japan and N. Korea agreed to set up three working groups to address outstanding issues that have stalled negotiations on normalizing diplomatic relations, if possible in late January.

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Japan, N. Korea agree on 3-group negotiation format

BEIJING, China - North Korea's chief delegate Song Il Ho leaves the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Dec. 25 after winding up talks with Japan. Japan and N. Korea agreed to set up three working groups to address outstanding issues that have stalled negotiations on normalizing diplomatic relations, if possible in late January.

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Japan, N. Korea begin 2nd day of talks in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Chief Japanese delegate Akitaka Saiki responds to questions from reporters at a Beijing hotel on Dec. 25 before Japan and North Korea began a second day of talks with the focus on whether they can agree on setting up three working groups to address outstanding issues that have stalled negotiations on normalizing diplomatic relations.

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Japan, N. Korea hold 2-day talks in Beijing

BEIJING, China - A car carrying the North Korean delegation arrives at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Dec. 24 for a meeting with Japan which is expected to focus on the format for future negotiations over issues that are preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic ties.

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Japan, N. Korea hold 2-day talks in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Chief Japanese delegate Akitaka Saiki arrives at Beijing's international airport on Dec. 24 for a two-day meeting with North Korea which is expected to focus on the format for future negotiations over issues that are preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic ties.

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S. Korea releases 1965 Japan-S. Korea pact archives

SEOUL, South Korea - In a file photo taken in November 1962, then Japanese Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira (R) and Kim Jong Pil (C), who was the chief of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, at in talks at the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The South Korean government released on Aug. 26 diplomatic documents detailing behind-the-scenes negotiations between Japan and South Korea over reparations for Korean victims during Japan's colonial rule and other issues prior to the normalization of bilateral ties in 1965.

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Chairman predicts serious tug-of-war at nonproliferation meeting

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Ambassador Sergio de Queiroz Duarte, a Brazilian diplomat specializing in disarmament who will chair the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, speaks in an interview with Kyodo News in Mexico City on April 26. He said that the upcoming international conference in New York on nuclear nonproliferation issues will see a serious diplomatic tug-of-war on previous commitments.

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Japan, U.S. discuss Iraq, N. Korea, Asia-Pacific peace

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi (L) and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage (R) pose for a photograph before the start of two days of ''strategic dialogue talks'' on medium- and long-term diplomatic, security and economic issues in Tokyo on Aug. 28. They agreed to keep close contact regarding Washington's possible military strike against Iraq.

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Japan, U.S. begin vice-ministerial talks

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yukio Takeuchi (L) and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage shake hands in Tokyo on Aug. 28 at the outset of their talks on diplomatic, security and economic issues.

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Meeting on E. Asia initiative for development opens in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, China and South Korea gather at a hotel in Tokyo on Aug. 12 to discuss development in East Asia. The meeting, chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, is a new diplomatic initiative by East Asia on development issues.

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Japan, N. Korea Red Cross societies agree on food aid

BEIJING, China - Tadateru Konoe (R), vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, and Ho Hae Ryong, vice chairman of the North Korean Red Cross Society, shake hands after exchanging a joint statement on humanitarian issues in Beijing on Dec. 21. The statement paves the way for the governments of the two countries to resume talks for normalizing diplomatic ties. Red Cross officials agreed to ask Tokyo to resume food aid to the North at a ''possible early date.''

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China's inclusive diplomacy solution to world conflicts, issues: Turkish scholar

STORY: China's inclusive diplomacy solution to world conflicts, issues: Turkish scholar DATELINE: June 16, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:51 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Turkey CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of China related footage 2. SOUNDBITE (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies STORYLINE: A Turkish scholar says China's inclusive diplomacy is a solution to conflicts and issues in the world. SOUNDBITE (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies "China is the second-largest economy in the world. In that regard, China is very important and a key player. (China's) reference is for the more inclusive diplomacy and solving the issues and differences through diplomatic channels and peaceful dialogues rather than conflicts and confrontations. This is not only for (resolving) military and political confrontations, but also for solving the issues, like the pandemic for example. Cooperation, coherence, a

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Japan issues commemorative stamps marking 50th anniversary of normalization of Japan-China ties

STORY: Japan issues commemorative stamps marking 50th anniversary of normalization of Japan-China ties DATELINE: Sept. 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:57 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Japan Post 2. various of the stamps STORYLINE: Japan released a set of commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. Issued by Japan Post, the two stamps share a similar design featuring the ink wash painting style. One stamp shows a picture of a pair of adult giant pandas and the other depicts an adult giant panda with a pair of adorable giant panda cubs. Akira Tamaki, the designer of this set of stamps and chief stamp designer at Japan Post Co. Ltd., introduced his design concept to Xinhua recently. Tamaki said that in September 1972, Japan and China normalized their diplomatic relations, and about a month later, two giant pandas Kang Kang and Lan Lan arrived at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, setting off an unprece

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Turkish, Israeli presidents hold phone call after full diplomatic ties restored

STORY: Turkish, Israeli presidents hold phone call after full diplomatic ties restored DATELINE: Aug. 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:16 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog in Ankara, Türkiye (file)various of gas pipelines STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday over bilateral relations, according to a statement by Türkiye's presidential office. The statement emphasized mutual satisfaction from strengthening diplomatic ties by the latest re-appointment of ambassadors following a four-year diplomatic chill between the two countries. A new momentum to the diplomatic relations will be attained after the reinstatement of ambassadors, the statement said, adding Türkiye is ready to boost cooperation and dialogue with Israel while respecting the mutual concerns of both nations. Regional issues covering mutual defense and the fig

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Egyptian president, Qatari emir vow to boost cooperation after thaw in ties

STORY: Egyptian president, Qatari emir vow to boost cooperation after thaw in ties DATELINE: June 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:38 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. exterior of the presidential palace in Cairo (file) 2. various of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi receiving visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani STORYLINE: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday the visit of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Egypt represented the progress of the Egyptian-Qatari relations after the two countries restored diplomatic ties last year. Earlier in the day, the two leaders, as well as the delegations of the two countries, discussed a number of bilateral, regional and global issues in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement. The Qatari emir arrived in Cairo on Friday for his first visit to Egypt since the two countries ended their diplomatic rift in January last year. During the meeting, Sisi said Tamim's visit consol

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Bungled Summit of Americas a diplomatic nightmare for U.S.

STORY: Bungled Summit of Americas diplomatic nightmare for U.S. DATELINE: June 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:34 LOCATION: Mexico City CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EDUARDO ROLDAN, Mexican political scientist SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RAFAEL HERNANDEZ, Cuban senior political expert SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): DIEGO SEQUERA, Venezuelan journalist and political analyst STORYLINE: This week's Summit of the Americas held in the U.S. city of Los Angeles has become a diplomatic nightmare for the United States. Washington's decision to cherry-pick who gets invited to the summit, and strong-arm other governments into acquiescing, sent a familiar chill through Latin America, a region the United States has notoriously referred to as its "backyard." Far from signalling a willingness to partner with regional countries to tackle common issues, Washington seems to take advantage of the summit to restore its waning influence and tighten its grip over Latin American nations. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): EDUARDO ROLDAN,

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Former Croatian president hails 30 years of diplomatic ties between Croatia, China

STORY: Former Croatian president hails 30 years of diplomatic ties between Croatia, China DATELINE: May 13, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:37 LOCATION: Zagreb CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1 various of views in Zagreb 2 SOUNDBITE 1 (English): IVO JOSIPOVIC, Former Croatian President 3 SOUNDBITE 2 (English): IVO JOSIPOVIC, Former Croatian President 4 SOUNDBITE 3 (English): IVO JOSIPOVIC, Former Croatian President STORYLINE: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Croatia and China. Former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic told Xinhua in a recent interview that this would inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations and open up new possibilities for cooperation. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): IVO JOSIPOVIC, Former Croatian President "Today, I think we have very good relations, we don't have any open issues, probably we should be more intensively engaged in establishing more cultural and economical cooperation." The former president noted that bilateral contacts

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China, Tunisia sign new agreements on health care cooperation

STORY: China, Tunisia sign new agreements on health care cooperation DATELINE: April 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:57 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of the signing ceremony of two agreements 2. various of the China-funded hospital in Sfax STORYLINE: China on Thursday signed with Tunisia two agreements on continuing to dispatch Chinese medical teams to Tunisia and equipping a China-built hospital in southeastern Tunisia's Sfax Province. The two deals were signed at the headquarters of the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Othman Jerandi and Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Zhang Jianguo. Zhang said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tunisia 58 years ago, the two countries have always helped each other, treated each other as equals, and supported each other on issues concerning each other's fundamental and major interests. He noted that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has provided more than

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UN chief calls for immediate cease of fighting in Ukraine

STORY: UN chief calls for immediate cease of fighting in Ukraine DATELINE: March 23, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:01 LOCATION: UN headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. wide shot of UN Headquarters 2. various of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres walking to podium 3. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for the immediate cease of fighting in Ukraine and starting talks right now. The UN chief made the remarks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "By any measure -- by even the shrewdest calculation -- it is time to stop the fighting now and give peace a chance. Continuing the war in Ukraine is morally unacceptable, politically indefensible and militarily nonsensical. At the same time, we cannot lose hope. From my outreach with various actors, elements of diplomatic progress are coming into view on several key issues. There is enough on the table to

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Ozawa, Koizumi debate ends lukewarm with narrow focus on educati

TOKYO, Japan - Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa (L) puts a question during his first Diet debate with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on May 17. The session fell far short of the heated debate that many had expected. Ozawa focused on general principles of parliamentary operations and on the two camps' disagreement over an education bill. He did not take up issues such as the realignment of the U.S. military presence in Japan, economic disparities and social welfare problems, and Japan's diplomatic relations with East Asia. (Kyodo)

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Abe sent offering to Yasukuni in 'private capacity': spokesman

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talks to reporters at his official residence on May 8 on controversies surrounding an offering he made to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo in late April. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said he made the offering -- an evergreen plant used in Shinto rituals -- in a ''private capacity'' but Abe refused to say whether he actually did so, reiterating that he will remain ambiguous on issues related to Yasukuni as long as it may have inclement political or diplomatic effects. (Kyodo)

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Yachi urges Japan to send civilians to Afghanistan

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi speaks during an interview with Kyodo News. Yachi, who was appointed Jan. 20 as the government's special representative on key diplomatic issues, said that Japan should seriously consider sending civilians to Afghanistan to help its reconstruction, which U.S. President Barack Obama puts high emphasis on in the fight against terrorism. (Kyodo)

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Chairman predicts serious tug-of-war at nonproliferation meeting

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Ambassador Sergio de Queiroz Duarte, a Brazilian diplomat specializing in disarmament who will chair the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, speaks in an interview with Kyodo News in Mexico City on April 26. He said that the upcoming international conference in New York on nuclear nonproliferation issues will see a serious diplomatic tug-of-war on previous commitments. (Kyodo)

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S. Korea, Japan hold private-sector forum in Seoul

Businesspeople, academics and other participants from Japan and South Korea attend the Korea-Japan Forum in Seoul on Feb. 6, 2015, to discuss economic issues faced by both countries such as widening social disparity and rapid aging of the population. It was one of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two nations. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan, N. Korea to address history issue on 1st day of talks

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Song Il Ho (C), North Korea's ambassador in charge of normalization talks with Japan, speaks during the first day of the two-day talks at the Mongolian state guesthouse in Ulan Bator on Sept. 5. The talks are aimed at resolving thorny issues preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations. (Kyodo)

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Japan, N. Korea to address history issue on 1st day of talks

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Yoshiki Mine (C), Japan's ambassador in charge of normalization talks with North Korea, speaks on the first day of the two-day talks at the Mongolian state guesthouse in Ulan Bator on Sept. 5. The talks are aimed at resolving thorny issues preventing the two countries from normalizing diplomatic relations. (Kyodo)

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Japan to seek to settle abduction, 'unfortunate past' issues: Ko

NEW YORK, United States - Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura speaks at a U.N. General Assembly session in New York on Seot. 28. Komura expressed Japan's resolve to seek to normalize diplomatic relations with North Korea by resolving the issue of past abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents as well as the issues of the ''unfortunate past.'' (Kyodo)

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S. Korea releases 1965 Japan-S. Korea pact archives

SEOUL, South Korea - In a file photo taken in November 1962, then Japanese Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira (R) and Kim Jong Pil (C), who was the chief of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, at in talks at the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The South Korean government released on Aug. 26 diplomatic documents detailing behind-the-scenes negotiations between Japan and South Korea over reparations for Korean victims during Japan's colonial rule and other issues prior to the normalization of bilateral ties in 1965. (Kyodo)

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Uneasy LDP becoming more animated in satirical attacks on DPJ

TOKYO, Japan - In an image taken from an animated video clip by the governing Liberal Democratic Party, four men in silhouette who look like executives of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan call themselves the ''Burefo'' (Wavering Four). In the scene, the LDP criticizes DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama and his three deputies -- Naoto Kan, Ichiro Ozawa and Katsuya Okada -- for lacking coherence in their policies over key diplomatic and domestic issues. (Kyodo)