The Global Eye – cnbctv 18

April 6, 2024

US and China seek to ease tensions ahead of Taiwan’s presidential inauguration

In a bid to defuse tensions preceding Taiwan’s upcoming presidential inauguration, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a phone conversation earlier this week.

This dialogue marks the first direct communication between the two leaders since their face-to-face meeting in November of 2023.

Analysts suggest that Biden’s initiative to engage with Xi Jinping directly stems from a broader strategy to mitigate potential conflicts amidst the ongoing Ukraine war and tensions in Israel.

Brahma Chellaney, a Strategic Affairs Expert, noted that Biden’s priority includes averting a crisis in the Taiwan Strait, particularly considering the challenges the US faces in other global arenas.

He emphasised the importance of the underlying dynamics of US-China relationship, especially US’s historical role in aiding China’s rise and the subsequent emergence of the East Asian nation as a significant global rival.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen commenced her five-day visit to China, addressing concerns over the country’s industrial overcapacity during an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce. Yellen stressed the need for China to address its excessive industrial capacity, which has implications for the global economy.

In her address, Yellen commended China’s strides in market reforms and hailed it as one of the most significant economic success stories of contemporary times.

Founder and MD of China Market Research Group, Shaun Rein, suggested that while the Biden administration aims to stabilise US-China relations, containment remains a key strategy.

“It’s very clear that the Biden regime and whoever might be the next President, the United States is going to try to contain China, destabilise the Communist Party. When you look at a 10-20-year period, it’s quite clear that American politicians don’t want to see a strong China that develops BRICS into something that rivals the G7,” he explained.

However, they can’t go into a wartime footing with China right now and create a proxy war over Taiwan, because the US is overly stretched economically, overly stretched with the debt level, overly stretched militarily around the world, he said.

“So what Biden and China are trying to do is sort of stabilise the relationship, but they’re still containing and that’s what the Chinese view is, that no matter what Biden is saying with his words, but you have to look at his actions,” he stated in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

Watch accompanying video for entire discussion.

March 29, 2024

Xi Jinping meets prominent American CEOs, looks to ease economic concerns

In a bid to improve Sino-American relations and attract more foreign investments, a group of influential American business leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This meeting aimed to reassure American companies of China’s dedication to maintaining strong economic ties, especially during times of increased tension between the two nations.

Christopher Beddor, Deputy Director of China Research at Gavekal Dragonomics, emphasised the significance of President Xi Jinping’s engagement with US enterprises, interpreting it as a clear message aimed at instilling confidence and stability in the relationship between the two economic giants. Beddor remarked, “The fact that Xi Jinping is meeting with US enterprises clearly sends a message to the American side that he wants the stability of the relationship.”

Attended by notable figures such as Blackstone Founder Stephen Schwarzman, Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon, Bloomberg Chair Mark Carney, and FedEx President Rajesh Subramaniam, the meeting served as a platform for constructive dialogue between key stakeholders. These executives, partaking in the annual China Development Forum, engaged in discussions concerning investment prospects and the evolving economic landscape in China.

President Xi Jinping seized the opportunity to reassure American business leaders about China’s resilient growth trajectory, refuting speculations of an economic plateau. His assertion regarding the enduring vitality of the Chinese economy aimed to allay concerns and foster a conducive environment for bilateral cooperation.

Despite the optimistic overtures of the meeting, analysts caution against overstating its immediate impact. Beddor contends, “I don’t think this meeting by itself is really a game changer.” Acknowledging the prevailing stability in US-China relations, Beddor underscores the underlying uncertainties, particularly with regard to the impending US elections and the potential policy shifts that could ensue.

Looking ahead, the spectre of escalating trade tensions looms large, with the possibility of punitive tariffs looming should certain political outcomes materialise. Beddor observes, “The future is the elections in November. In particular, there’s a good chance that Donald Trump might come back into office, and he has explicitly threatened that he would levy very high tariffs on China.”

Watch accompanying video for entire discussion.

Gaza’s healthcare system is ‘literally obliterated’—a dire situation unfolding, says expert

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Summary

The toll on the Gaza population is staggering, with over 30,000 Palestinians, including nearly 13,000 children, reported dead since the conflict began in October 2023.

As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its sixth month, the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, prompting intensified calls for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid. The current impasse in negotiations, now on its fifth day in Egypt, raises concerns about the prolonged suffering of the Gaza population.

Reports from health officials underscore the critical need for aid, with 20 people having succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration.

Farhat Mantoo, the Executive Director of South Asia at Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the dire conditions, particularly in the northern and central areas of Gaza, which are nearly inaccessible for humanitarian aid. The situation has led to reports of malnutrition, starvation, and the alarming statistic that 70% of Gaza’s population is consuming either saline or contaminated water.

The blockade on aid operations by Israel has further compounded the crisis, with accusations of groundless obstruction as Gaza faces deepening famine. The United Nations has confirmed that almost 40% of aid missions to Gaza were denied by the Israeli government, exacerbating the already dire circumstances.

Mantoo also shed light on the devastating impact on healthcare, stating, “We have seen day by day, the health structure, how it has been kind of literally obliterated.” Mothers are reportedly giving birth in unhygienic conditions in tents, and mental health concerns, particularly among children who have lost family members, are on the rise.

The toll on the Gaza population is staggering, with over 30,000 Palestinians, including nearly 13,000 children, reported dead since the conflict began. Negotiations for a ceasefire, however, have hit an impasse in Egypt, despite the United States maintaining optimism that a deal can be reached.

Former Ambassador Anil Trigunayat provided insights into the dynamics of the negotiations, pointing out the pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from the United States. Trigunayat emphasised that the US holds significant influence, but Netanyahu is seeking information on hostages from Hamas, a demand yet to be fulfilled. The Hamas insistence on a complete ceasefire poses challenges for Netanyahu’s objectives, complicating the negotiation process.

Trigunayat also highlighted the disruption and defiance of international law by both sides, emphasising the disproportionate response to the conflict. The humanitarian catastrophe has garnered attention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with calls from hundreds of countries for a swift ceasefire.

Amidst this crisis, Doctors Without Borders has appealed to the international community and world leaders, urging them to intervene. Farhat Mantoo specifically called upon India, emphasising its prominent role and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leverage his influence to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and bring an end to the war on the Gaza Strip’s population.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Oil Fluctuates as Traders Assess China’s Vow, Unrest in Libya

Shanghai residents turn to NFTs to record COVID lockdown, combat censorship

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March 2, 2024

Taiwan’s annexation by China could trigger broader security crisis, says Brahma Chellaney

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In the past 24 hours alone, the presence of 19 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan has sparked heightened concerns about regional stability. Of these, 12 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, reflecting a pattern that has become increasingly regular in recent times.

Throughout the month of February, Taiwan recorded a staggering 253 instances of Chinese military aircraft and 150 naval vessels operating in proximity, a trend that underscores the rising tensions in the region.

According to Brahma Chellaney, a strategic affairs expert, this uptick in activity has been notably observed since US President Joe Biden took office, reflecting a deliberate effort by China to exert coercive pressure on Taiwan.

Chellaney emphasised that the implications of these developments extend beyond Taiwan’s immediate security concerns. The annexation of Taiwan, according to Chellaney, would not only upset the balance of power in Asia but also have far-reaching consequences for the global geopolitical order, potentially leading to the collapse of the existing US-led world order.

The strategic affairs expert further underscored the potential security threat to India if Taiwan were to fall under Chinese control. Chellaney argues that Taiwan’s annexation could embolden China to target India’s sprawling state of Arunachal Pradesh in the name of “reunification.” The repercussions, in this scenario, would extend beyond Asia, impacting the broader security landscape.

Amidst these escalating tensions, a high-ranking US official has issued a warning regarding China’s ability to use military exercises as a cover for a potential invasion of Taiwan.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, stresses the importance of making it unequivocally clear that any attempt to invade Taiwan would be unsuccessful. To this end, there has been an enhancement of defence cooperation between the US, Japan, South Korea, AUKUS members, and the Philippines.

Chellaney attributes China’s current boldness to a perceived distraction on the part of the Biden administration, preoccupied with conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. “What is emboldening Xi Jinping is the fact that Joe Biden is preoccupied with wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In the Middle East, the US is involved in waging not just a proxy shadow war with Iran but also battles with militias in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. The US is so fully absorbed now in two wars, and its attention is deflected from the serious situation in the Indo-Pacific, and that creates an opening for China,” Chellaney stated.

“To make matters worse, the Biden administration hasn’t shown urgency in fortifying Taiwan’s defences, largely because America’s own arsenal—its critical ammunition and its air defence systems—is so depleted now because the US has been supplying these weapons and ammunition to Ukraine that it is not able to fill the orders that Taiwan placed as far back as 2017. So this creates an opening for China, which is why we are seeing Xi Jinping willing to take risks,” he added.

Watch accompanying video for entire conversation.

March 1, 2024

US Presidential Election 2024: Experts call for comprehensive immigration solution amid policy debates

Curbing illegal immigration and securing borders remains a prominent pledge made by US presidential candidates to gain favour among American voters. Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump recently visited the US-Mexico border to emphasise their respective efforts to ensure border security.

Reports indicate that around 2.5 million undocumented migrants crossed into the United States through this border in 2023, contributing to concerns over overwhelmed processing facilities and strained social services in major American cities.

US authorities have revealed that Indians constitute the third-largest group of illegal immigrants in the United States, with over 7,00,000 individuals.

Meera Shankar, the Former Indian Envoy to the US, emphasised the Indian government’s preference for facilitating legal migration and addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration. She acknowledged the complexities of the issue and highlighted the need for a balanced approach to immigration policies.

“I don’t think the Government of India supports illegal immigration. Legal migration of people from India to the US has been happening. So our preference would be for the system in the US to have provisions which make it easier to process legal immigration and make it difficult for illegal immigration, because it is an issue which alarms Americans today,” Shankar said in an interview with CNBC-TV18.

The issue of illegal immigration has been a contentious one, with contrasting approaches from the Trump and Biden administrations. Shankar argues that Trump’s measures, such as travel bans and family separations, faced significant backlash and legal challenges. On the other hand, some accuse Democrats of being lax on immigration enforcement.

President Biden has proposed a $20 billion Border Security Bill aimed at strengthening the border security apparatus. However, the bill faces opposition from Republicans for partisan reasons, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.

Recent polls indicate that 18% of Americans consider immigration the most pressing problem facing the country.

The tragic incident involving the death of a 22-year-old student, Laken Riley, has heightened concerns about border safety. The arrest of a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant on charges of murder and other felonies has sparked political blame games, with Donald Trump and the Republican Party accusing the Biden administration of inadequately addressing border security.

While Trump is known for his opposition to legal immigration, experts argue that his restrictive policies did not significantly impact the population of undocumented immigrants.

Trump’s proposed mass deportation program and calls to reduce legal immigration by 60–70% face criticism for potentially harming the US economy.

Douglas G Rivlin, Senior Director of Communication at America’s Voice, notes that most Americans desire a balanced approach, including border security, law enforcement, and support for legal immigration to address labour shortages in various sectors.

“What Trump is putting on the table is really nationalist, keep them all out and keep them all down kind of approach. And that has not really worked very well for him in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections. And I don’t think it’s going to work very well for him this time around either,” Rivlin stated.

President Biden has urged Donald Trump to collaborate and support a bipartisan Border Security Bill, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in addressing the complex challenges of immigration.

As the debate over immigration policies intensifies, finding a comprehensive and bipartisan solution remains crucial. Balancing border security, law enforcement, and support for legal immigration is key to addressing the concerns of both citizens and policymakers.

Watch the accompanying video for the entire conversation