New U.S. Secretary of State Blinken: Rejects Beijing's Claim to Sovereignty in the South China Sea, Joins Southeast Asia to Counter China

On his first day in office, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he rejects China's claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea and stresses that the United States will stand up for Southeast Asian countries if conflict breaks out in the South China Sea. He also said his judgment that China is genocidal against the Uighurs remains unchanged, but that the United States and China can still work together on mutual concern issues, such as climate change.

The U.S. Senate approved Blinken's nomination to be secretary of state on Tuesday. On his appointment, Blinken told staff in his State Department office that he would mend U.S. relations with allies and prove to the world that the United States is capable of leading.

The U.S. will stand with Southeast Asia to counteract CCP pressure

The State Department issued a statement stating that Blinken called Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin after taking office, affirming U.S.' rejection of China's claims of sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. He also said China's claims went beyond the scope of their rights under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

#China #SouthChinaSea #US #Blinken #SoutheastAsia

Source: Standnews #Jan28

https://bit.ly/2Lonu3G

White House spokesman: Huawei is a "distrusted supplier" and will ensure that the U.S. and its allies do not use its equipment

U.S. Commerce Secretary nominee Gina Raimondo refused to commit to continuing sanctions against Huawei during her Senate confirmation hearing, prompting speculation about whether newly-elected President Joe Biden is softening his policy towards Huawei. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a regular press conference that Huawei is a "distrusted vendor" and that the U.S. will ensure that neither local nor allied networks use the vendor's equipment.

As Raimondo did not commit to leaving Huawei on the sanctions blacklist, Republican Congressman Michael McCau, who did not participate in the confirmation hearings, then asked the Senate to suspend Raimondo's confirmation as Commerce Secretary. He also demanded the Biden administration to clarify whether Huawei would continue to be placed on the sanctions blacklist.

#Huawei #US #Biden #USSenate

Source: Stand News #Jan28

https://bit.ly/36Rk4hb

Report Says #China Invites #UN Official to #Xinjiang but Bans Investigating #HumanRights Issues

According to South China Morning Post (#SCMP) on #Jan27 2022, China allows the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to visit Xinjiang after the Winter Olympics; however, China does not allow Bachelet to investigate on human rights violation issues, causing United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (#UNHCR) to postpone their Xinjiang report publication date to after the Olympic Games.

China's Foreign Affairs Minister, #ZhaoLijian, claimed that China's stand is "consistent and clear": "The invitation aims to enhance the interactions and collaborations between the 2 parties. We oppose anyone to take advantage of political manipulation."

Human Rights Watch told #Reuter on #Jan28 that the Chinese government tries to distract the world with the winter Olympics from their inhumane crimes on #Uyghurs and other #Turkistan. They also reminded everyone, especially foreign affairs ministers, not to be fooled.

#HumanRightwWatch #MichelleBachelet

Source: RFA #Jan28
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/un-visit-01282022053808.html