The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Diplomatic Relations: Nauru recognises ‘One-China Principle’ with Taiwan

    Diplomatic Relations: Nauru recognises ‘One-China Principle’ with Taiwan

    The Republic of Nauru announced on Monday, January 15, that it will recognise the one-China principle and sever “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan.

    In a statement posted on its Facebook, the government of Nauru said that it will follow the UN Resolution 2758, which recognises the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China and recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China’s territory.

    It said that Nauru will no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan, stated the government.

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    Nauru’s President David Adeang will deliver a statement in this regard at the next parliament sitting, and a national address on local television and radio channels, the post said.

    China appreciates and welcomes the decision of the government of the Republic of Nauru to recognize the one-China principle, break the so-called diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and reestablish diplomatic ties with China, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

    China stands ready to work with Nauru to open new chapters of bilateral relations based on the one-China principle, said the spokesperson.

    Nauru is an island country in the Central Pacific, with a land area of 21.1 square kilometres and a population of about 13,000.

  • Taiwan belongs to all Chinese people, says Yuqing

    Taiwan belongs to all Chinese people, says Yuqing

    Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, has said Taiwan belongs to all the Chinese people.

    She emphasised that attempts to separate Taiwan from China constitute a severe act of secession, undermining the shared interests of compatriots on both sides.

     Yuqing made the statement in response to the election results in China’s Taiwan region, pointing out that certain external forces were using Taiwan as a pawn to impede China’s development, progress, and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

    She said: “They are doing so at the cost of the interests, well-being and future of the people of Taiwan rather than for their benefit. This runs counter to the underlying global trends of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and goes against the wishes of the international community and the aspirations of all peoples. China is firmly committed to peaceful development. At the same time, it will not flinch under any external interference, nor will it tolerate any infringement upon its sovereignty, security and development interests. Relying on external forces will achieve nothing for Taiwan’s separatists, and using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail.

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    “Tranquility, development and a decent life are the expectations of our Taiwan compatriots and the common aspiration of those on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Under the strong leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation have stood upright, won prosperity, and grown in strength. A moderately prosperous society in all respects has been built on the mainland, where a large population once lived in dire poverty.

    “We now have better conditions, more confidence, and greater capabilities. We can complete the historic mission of national reunification so that both sides of the Straits can enjoy a better life. The wheel of history rolls on towards national reunification, and it will not be stopped by any individual or any force.

    “The fulfilment of national development and the well-being of all people is not only the dream of China but also the common pursuit of all countries including Nigeria. Having experienced a history of colonization and national division, Nigeria shares a common historical memory with the Chinese people. I sincerely hope that on the journey towards national rejuvenation, China can join hands with Nigeria, overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and jointly achieve a prosperous and glorious future.

    She further added: “The Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China, adopted in December 1982, stipulates that Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the Peoples Republic of China. It is the inviolable duty of all Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, to accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland. China’s Anti-Secession Law, adopted in March 2005, stipulates: There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is part of China. The state shall never allow the Taiwan independence secessionist forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means.”

  • Taiwan ruling party wins presidential election despite China’s threat

    Taiwan ruling party wins presidential election despite China’s threat

    • It shows resilience of our people, says Taipei envoy

    Taiwan ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Mr. William Lai Ching-te was yesterday declared winner of the island nation’s presidential election despite China‘s threat.

    Lai’s closest rival, Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)conceded defeat before the declaration of final result yesterday.

    Lai had been labelled a troublemaker by China, which warned people against voting for him. KMT had promised better ties with Beijing and peace in the Taiwan Strait.

    Taiwan is a democratic island of 23 million people that governs itself – but it is claimed by mainland China.

    About 113 legislative seats were also contested yesterday.

    Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is an island separated from China by the Taiwan Strait. It has been governed independently of mainland China, officially the People’s Republic of China (PRC), since 1949. The PRC views the island as a renegade province and vows to eventually “unify” Taiwan with the mainland.

    Representative and Chief of Taiwan Trade Mission in Nigeria Mr. Andy Yih-Ping Liu declared that the election showed the resilience of Taiwanese despite China’s military threat.

    He added: “Despite ongoing pressure from Chinese regime, we are determined to defend our way of lives and our democracy with an independent judiciary and the free press.

    “Moreover, Taiwan’s democratic resilience has been further strengthened by its international alliances and support. Despite facing diplomatic isolation due to China’s pressure, Taiwan has successfully cultivated close ties with like-minded democracies such as the United States, Japan, European, Latin American and other Asian countries. These alliances serve as a testament to Taiwan’s commitment and achievements in democratic governance.

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    “As a shining example of democracy in East Asia, Taiwan’s ability to sustain its democratic resilience serves as an inspiration and a testament to the enduring power of democracy. This is simply an echo of what Nigerian citizens have achieved in West Africa as the role model of democracy.”

    Taiwan has also been a key flashpoint in the tussle for power between the United States and its allies on one part and China in the region.

    China People’s Liberation Army increased pressure on the island over the last few years with a record number of incursions.

    On Friday, the PLA said it would “smash” any Taiwan independence “plots” and that it “remains on high alert at all times”. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also warned voters in Taiwan to make the “right choice”, claiming that Lai would further promote separatist activities if he were elected.

    The Biden administration doubled down on its support for Taiwan’s democratic process ahead of the presidential election.

    Tensions between China and Taiwan in the 1950s resulted in armed conflict over strategic islands in the Taiwan Strait.

    On two separate occasions during the 1950s, the PRC bombed the islands. The United States responded by actively intervening on behalf of Taiwan.

  • South Africa to ICJ: Israel officials support Gaza destruction

    South Africa to ICJ: Israel officials support Gaza destruction

    South Africa has told the International Court of Justice that Israel’s plan to “destroy” Gaza comes from “the highest level of state”.

     The claims were made by South African lawyers as it presented its case accusing Israel of genocide at the United Nations top court.

     South Africa also called on the court to order Israel to cease military operations in Gaza.

     Israel which will present its defence today vehemently rejected the accusations, describing it as “baseless”.

     The court will deliver only an opinion on the genocide allegation, although it is being closely watched.

     A lawyer for the High Court of South Africa, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, told the ICJ that Israel’s “genocidal intent” was evident “from the way in which this military attack is being conducted”.

     “The intent to destroy Gaza has been nurtured at the highest level of state,” he said.

     Adila Hassim, also representing South Africa, told the court: “Every day there is mounting, irreparable loss of life, property, dignity, and humanity for the Palestinian people. Nothing will stop the suffering, except an order from this court.”

     In its evidence submitted before the hearing, South Africa said Israel’s actions were “intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.

     Israel said its actions in the Gaza Strip are justified because it is responding to Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7 October.

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    South Africa’s Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola said that no attack “can provide justification for or defend breaches of the [Genocide] Convention”.

      Israel is a signatory to the Genocide Convention of 1948, which defines genocide and commits states to prevent it.

      The ICJ is the United Nation’s highest court, based in The Hague in the Netherlands. Its rulings are theoretically legally binding on parties to the ICJ which include Israel and South Africa but are not enforceable.

      In 2022, the court ordered Russia to “immediately suspend military operations” in Ukraine, an order that was ignored.

     Under international law, genocide is defined as committing one or more acts to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

      There were angry scenes outside the ICJ’s building, known as the Peace Palace, as Dutch police struggled to keep groups of Palestinian and Israeli supporters apart.

      Hundreds of people waving Palestinian flags gathered outside the ICJ, calling for a ceasefire. Israeli supporters set up a screen showing images of some of the hostages still being held in Gaza.

  • Data shows increased transmission of COVID-19 in December, says WHO

    Data shows increased transmission of COVID-19 in December, says WHO

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that data from various sources indicates increased transmission of COVID-19 in December, fuelled by large gatherings during the yuletide.

     The Director-General of the world body, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, made this known during an online media conference yesterday.

     He said that the JN.1 variant was the most commonly reported globally.

     He said that “although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, but the virus is still circulating, changing and killing.

     “Almost 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 were reported to WHO in December, and a 42 percent increase in hospitalisations, 62 percent increase in ICU admissions, compared with November.”

     The WHO boss, however, said that the reported data were from less than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, “but there are also increases in other countries that are not reported. Therefore, just as governments and individuals take precautions against other diseases, we must all continue to take precautions against COVID-19.

     “Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable death is not acceptable.”

     Ghebreyesus called on governments to maintain surveillance and sequencing and to ensure access to affordable and reliable tests, treatments, and vaccines for their populations.

     According to him, WHO will continue to call on individuals to be vaccinated, wear masks where needed, and ensure crowded indoor spaces are well-ventilated.

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     He said that although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, there are many other emergencies to which WHO is responding, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Sudan.

     He announced that the organization will on Jan. 15, release its Health Emergency Appeal for 2024, outlining how much will be required to protect the health of the most vulnerable people in 41 emergencies globally.

     He said that in 2024, WHO aimed to reach almost 90 million people with lifesaving support, adding that “the year will be a test for humanity; a test of whether we give into division, suspicion, and narrow nationalism, or whether we can rise above our differences and seek the common good.

     “In spite of many challenges we face, I remain an optimist.

     “WHO remains committed to doing everything it can to promote, provide, and protect the health of the world’s people, this year and every year.”

  • Trump hints at potential running mate

    Trump hints at potential running mate

    Former United States President, Donald Trump has dramatically revealed he already knows who he will choose as his running mate if he is the Republican 2024 presidential nominee.

     The frontrunner for the Republican nomination was asked who his running mate would be during a Fox News town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, he said: “I can’t tell you that really, I mean, I know who it’s going to be.”

    He refused to name the person when the host, Martha MacCallum pushed him on their identity.

    MacCallum asked: “What about any of the people who you’ve run against? Would you be open to mending fences with any of them?”

    Trump responded: “Oh, sure. I will, I will,”

    He then joked that he could pick Chris Christie, who has been his most vocal critic among the other Republican candidates.

    “I’ve already started to like Christie better,” Trump said. “Christie for vice president?” MacCallum joked.

    “I don’t see it, I don’t see it,” Trump said. ‘That would be an upset. Christie for vice president. Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to announce …nah.”

    He had earlier joked about starting to like Christie again after a hot mic moment where he predicted Nikki Haley would get “smoked” moments before he took the stage to suspend his presidential campaign.

    Christie was one of Trump’s top finalists for his running mate in 2016, but he chose Mike Pence instead.

    This time the favorites include South Dakota governor, Kristi Noem, who is appearing as a Trump surrogate in Iowa, and Senator Tim Scott, whose own presidential bid flamed out.

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    The former South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley, who is running against Trump for the presidential nomination, has not ruled out being his running mate, even while saying his return to the White House would bring ‘chaos.’

      However, some of Trump’s most prominent supporters have declared themselves against the idea of a Trump-Haley ticket.

      Trump campaign advisor, Chris LaCivita told reporters after Trump’s appearance that: “All I know is what I heard tonight and I’m not going to categorise it any other way than that.”

      Other names in the frame have included congresswomen Elise Stefanik and Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Ohio senator J.D. Vance. Stefanik parroted Trump’s rhetoric of referring to January 6 defendants as ‘hostages,’ signaling her distance from former Trump Vice President Mike Pence, who was the subject of execution threats that day.

      Trump also told the town hall he was not worried that Christie’s exit from the presidential race on Wednesday might boost Haley’s candidacy.

      “I’m not exactly worried about it,” Trump said. “I love the people. They love me, I think.’

  • Scientists test world’s first Nipah virus vaccine

    Scientists test world’s first Nipah virus vaccine

    Oxford scientists said that they are assessing whether the technology behind their COVID-19 jab could be used to protect people from the deadly Nipah virus.

     If clinical trials are successful, it would be the first-ever vaccine for the disease.

     Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals, such as bats or pigs, or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human to human.

     In humans, it can cause acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

     Over the last week, people have begun receiving the jab at the University of Oxford as part of the first human trial of the new vaccine.

     COVID vaccine developer, Prof. Dame Sarah Gilbert, said that work on the Nipah vaccine started in 2017 and was paused during the COVID-19 crisis.

     The scientists said the outbreaks of the Nipah virus had mostly been found in South Asia and the virus can be fatal in up to 75 percent of cases.

     The virus was first identified 25 years ago but there were currently no treatments or vaccines available to help when outbreaks emerge.

     But the new vaccine, ChAdOx1 NipahB, could be the first if it reaches safety and efficacy expectations.

     Some 51 people, aged 18 to 55 would participate in the trial, which is being led by the Oxford Vaccine Group and is being funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

    The jab was developed using the same “viral vector” vaccine technology found in the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.

     The project would run for 18 months, with further trials expected to follow in a Nipah-affected country.

      Principal Investigator at the University of Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute Dame Sarah, said: “The University of Oxford’s work on the Nipah virus vaccine started in 2017, but was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      “Our work developing the COVID-19 vaccine will now help us prepare this Nipah vaccine for licensure, ensuring we’re ready to prevent future outbreaks of this devastating disease from spreading.’’

      The trial’s Principal Investigator and Professor in infectious diseases at the University of Oxford, Professor Brian Angus, also said: “Nipah virus was first identified in 1998, and yet 25 years on the global health community still has no approved vaccines or treatments for this devastating disease.

      “Due to the high mortality rate and the nature of Nipah virus transmission, the disease is identified as a priority pandemic pathogen. This vaccine trial is an important milestone in identifying a solution that could prevent local outbreaks from occurring, while also helping the world prepare for a future global pandemic.’’

      Acting Executive Director of vaccine research and development at CEPI, Dr In-Kyu Yoon, added that: “Nipah has epidemic potential, with its fruit bat hosts found in areas home to over 2 billion people.

      “This trial is a step forward in efforts to build a suite of tools to protect against this killer virus. Knowledge gained could also inform development of other Paramyxovirus countermeasures.’’

  • Israel faces UN court after South Africa accuses it of genocide

    Israel faces UN court after South Africa accuses it of genocide

    Israel on Thursday faces accusations of genocide over the war in Gaza before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

    The ICJ, the United Nations’ highest judicial body, will hear a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of violating the UN Genocide Convention due to its bombing of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

    According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, the number of Palestinians killed since the start of the war in October has risen to 23,357.

    Israel rejects the accusation of genocide and said it is defending itself after militants from the Palestinian organization Hamas and other extremist groups killed about 1,200 people during attack in Israel on October 7.

    The judges must first rule on an urgent request by South Africa for the immediate cessation of the military operation, a decision that could take several weeks.

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    Afterwards, the judges will deliberate on the allegations of genocide.

    South Africa and Israel both have high-ranking legal experts.

    South Africa, which brought the case because it saw echoes of apartheid from its own history in Israel’s actions, will have the floor first, while Israel will respond on Friday, but a ruling could take years.

    The international community is split on whether the case should be heard.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Judge blocks Trump’s plan to deliver own closing argument in trial

    Judge blocks Trump’s plan to deliver own closing argument in trial

    Donald Trump’s plans to deliver closing arguments yesterday in his New York civil business fraud trial were dashed yesterday by the judge overseeing the case.

    Trump had planned to give his speech in addition to his legal team’s summations, according to two people familiar with the highly unusual plan. But Judge Arthur Engoron rescinded permission for the speech.

    In an email exchange, the judge requested Trump agree to certain conditions requiring he focus only on the facts of the case and refrain from introducing new evidence or commenting on “irrelevant matters” to formally address the court.

    Engoron also stressed that Trump would not be allowed to deliver “a campaign speech”, or “impugn myself, my staff, plaintiff, plaintiff’s staff, or the New York state court system”

    The former president’s legal team would not agree to these terms.

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    “I won’t debate this yet again,” Engoron wrote yesterday after Trump’s lawyers pushed back. “Take it or leave it. Now or never. You have until noon, seven minutes from now. I WILL NOT GRANT ANY FURTHER EXTENSIONS.”

    When Trump’s lawyers failed to respond in time, Engoron followed up with another email.

    “Not having heard from you by the third extended deadline,” he wrote, “I assume that Mr. Trump will not agree to the reasonable, lawful limits I have imposed as a precondition to giving a closing statement above and beyond those given by his attorneys, and that, therefore, he will not be speaking in court tomorrow.”

    The exchange, disclosed in court filings, also revealed that Trump had requested on Tuesday evening that this week’s court date be postponed this month following the death of his mother-in-law. His lawyers cited “the challenges presented by this deeply personal family matter”

    Engoron denied the request, however. “I am sorry to hear the sad news,” he wrote, before explaining that “every appearance of Mr. Trump requires court officers, court clerks, administrators, security details, technical people, etc to rearrange their schedules and to plan for the day,”

    Trump is a defendant in the case brought by the New York attorney general, Letitia James. She claims his net worth was inflated by billions of dollars on financial statements that helped him secure business loans and insurance.

    An attorney for Trump informed Engoron earlier this week that the former president wished to speak during the closing arguments, and the judge approved the plan, according to one of the two people who spoke to the Associated Press.

    Both persons who confirmed the plan did so on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information to reporters.

    The Trump campaign and a spokesperson for James declined to comment.

    The former president and current Republican frontrunner denies any wrongdoing, and he has condemned the case during a peppery day of testimony, on social media and in verbal comments in the courthouse hallway.

    In recent days on his Truth Social platform, he called the case a “hoax”, dismissed the months-long proceedings as a “pathetic excuse for a trial”, and criticized the judge and the attorney general, both Democrats.

  • Nigerians in South Africa urged to shun crime

    Nigerians in South Africa urged to shun crime

    The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) South Africa, Oyekanmi Oluwatoyin, has urged Nigerians living in the country to distance themselves from crime and violence and to choose peace to guarantee harmonious coexistence.

     He also urged them to accept legitimate occupations. 

    Oyekanmi made this statement yesterday in response to some employees in South Africa mismanaging his business. 

    He said that the perpetrators had been taken into custody by the South African Police and were being tried in the Midrand magistrate court. 

    The chairman urged citizens to uphold ethical values to improve positive perceptions of their nation. 

    “Please, we are good people, we are civilised people and we should continue to promote the good name of our country. When the right values are inculcated, we will grow to become better people and the people here will appreciate us. I entered into a management agreement of Jollof Cafe Randpark Ridge branch located at Shop 6, Eagle’s Landing shopping centre, with Mrs. Anthonia Oriss and her husband, which cost R1.5 million Rand with Naira equivalent being N90 million naira while I was away between Nigeria and South Africa supporting President Tinubu during his Presidential Campaign.  

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    “The couple ran the branch from October 2022 until it was shut down in December 2023 by the centre’s management due to rental indebtedness and mismanagement.

    “During the cause of investigation by the South Africa Police and board of the company led by me, the manager of the defunct branch was drafted to a new branch called Jollof Cafe Midrand, located in Shop 26, Kyalami On Main Shopping Center in Kyalami, Midrand, to work while the investigation continues.

    “On the 5th of January 2024 at 9 pm in Jollof Cafe Midrand, General Manager and Co-founder of the company, Mrs. Olujumoke Oyekanmi, during her night round of inspection, caught Mrs. Anthonia Oriss and Mrs Abigail Adeyanju, a chef at the branch with stolen orders worth R5,770 in South African Currency and N350,000.00 in Nigerian currency with the two suspects.

    “The South African Police were immediately invited for investigation and onward detention of the accused on the same day. The accused were charged to the magistrate court in Midrand to determine their faith in the Republic of South Africa.” He said.