International press review
In the spotlight: the unprecedented Chinese military maneuvers around Taiwan
Audio 05:20
Chinese military helicopters fly over Pingtan Island, one of mainland China's closest points to Taiwan, in Fujian province on August 4, 2022, ahead of massive military exercises off Taiwan. .
© AFP / HECTOR RETAMAL
By: Anne Corpet Follow
5 mins
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The military exercises conducted by Beijing around the island of Taiwan are in the headlines this morning in China.
The
Global Times
emphasizes the unprecedented nature of these maneuvers.
“
This is the first time for the Chinese military to use long-range live ammunition in the Taiwan Strait.
This is the first time that sea and air exercises have been conducted in six areas around the island at the same time and it is the first time that Taiwan's twelve nautical mile sea and air space has been crossed
. the daily.
A military expert, quoted by the Chinese newspaper, speaks of a "
new start
" for the People's Army and believes that "
this type of maneuver will now become the norm
".
A buffer island between Taiwan and mainland China
American and European newspapers also report on this military deployment: "
More than a show of force, the Chinese exercises are training for the capture of Taiwan
", estimates the
New York Times .
in the United States, while in Europe, the editorialist of
El País
considers that despite everything, military escalation is “
unlikely
” in the immediate future.
The Belgian newspaper
Le Soir
is interested in the fate of the inhabitants of Kinmen, a buffer island, which depends on Taiwan, but is within easy reach of the Chinese sides.
“
Here it's a bit like the Crimea of Taiwan
: we have strong relations with China, and yet our system is democratic.
And we love nothing more than peace
,” says a local MP.
Although on the front line, the inhabitants paradoxically feel more protected than in Taiwan, writes the journalist from
Le Soir
.
“
Of course, I worry that a war will break out
,” said Wang Chi, a resident of the island, “
but I think that if China struck, it would not target Kinmen
”.
And she adds, cautious and measured: “
For me both unification and independence are options.
It depends on the conditions
”.
Ukrainian president wants to talk to Chinese president
In Hong Kong, an exclusive interview with the Ukrainian president is in the headlines.
This is the first time that Volodymyr Zelensky has given an interview to an Asian newspaper since the invasion of his country by Russia.
And he launches an appeal in the columns of the
South China Morning Post
: “
I would like to have a direct interview with Xi Jinping, I think that would be useful
”, he declares before specifying: “
I would like China to review its attitude towards Russia.
Without the Chinese market, Russia would be completely isolated economically.
China could limit trade with Russia until the end of the war
”.
President Zelensky wants to convince, and warns that a prolonged conflict could have negative consequences on Chinese exports: "
If people have to pay more for their energy for a long time, they will buy fewer products made in China, it is a certainty
”, he explains before specifying that Chinese investors will be welcome in Ukraine to participate in the reconstruction efforts once the conflict is over.
Energy supply: Germany's concerns
And precisely in Germany, the press continues to worry about its supply of energy resources.
And denounces Russia's lies to justify the drop in the volume of gas it delivers to Europe.
"
The theater of turbines
", headlines
Die Welt
which refers to Chancellor Scholz
's visit yesterday to the premises where the turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is stored.
Gazprom does not want to acquire it
”, notes the newspaper, which continues: “
This makes this gas turbine the most important accessory of a great political play
”.
The daily speaks
of “a counter-propaganda mission
” by the German Chancellor and explains: “
For weeks, Gazprom has been finding excuse after excuse to cut off the gas supply to Europe.
This visit by Scholz was intended to demonstrate that these are just false pretenses, but it also demonstrates how concerned the German government is about this situation
”.
Coal power plants running out of fuel
The supply of German power stations is indeed becoming a real headache, described in the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
.
"
Because less gas comes from Russia, more coal has to be burned again in German power stations,
notes the daily,
but the ships are currently transporting wheat and the trains everywhere are short of carriages and personnel
".
The newspaper explains that a few hundred additional freight trains would be needed to transport the necessary quantities of coal to the power stations.
But the equipment and personnel are simply not available.
Supply via sea transport is also not possible: "
There is no longer a reserve fleet,
explains an expert,
and it is also not possible to load more goods on the ships because of the low level of the rivers
”.
Second anniversary of the explosion in the port of Beirut: Emmanuel Macron addresses the Lebanese
Finally in Lebanon, the press commemorates this Thursday the murderous explosion of the port of Beirut.
L'Orient le Jour,
under the title "
Two years later, those flayed alive on August 4
", gives voice to many victims and survivors of the tragedy.
All tell how much they remain prisoners of this drama.
The daily also publishes an
interview with the French president
: "
The investigation into the explosion has been suspended for several months, France is calling for it to be completed without any political interference
", declared Emmanuel Macron before adding: "
I repeat it with force
: justice must be done
".
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