Japan's militarism and aggression under the pretext of a so-called "survival-threatening situation" are lessons from history that must never be repeated, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in an interview with the Chinese media following his visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Dec 12 to 16.
Click to Gallery
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
He praised the three Arab states for firmly adhering to the one-China principle, supporting China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backing China's efforts in realizing national reunification.
Wang said all the peace-loving countries must be vigilant against and oppose the resurgence of militarism and the acts that justify colonial aggression.
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Japan's militarism, aggression under pretext of "survival threat" must never be repeated in history: Chinese FM
Cuba has strongly condemned the United States' seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, with a former Cuban diplomat calling the action illegal and warning it threatens regional energy security as the U.S. escalates pressure on Venezuela.
Carlos Alzugaray, the former Cuban diplomat, said the seizure of the tanker and its cargo violates international law.
"They have seized the ship, the tanker, but they have also seized the oil, they have taken the oil. All the sanctions that the United States has imposed on Venezuela are illegal because they are not based on any decision of an international institution like the Security Council of the United Nations," he said.
U.S. forces last week seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, the Skipper, in the Caribbean, alleging it was part of an "illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations." The U.S. has since intensified its campaign against Venezuela's oil trade.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has ordered a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, escalating a months-long pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump also said that the Venezuelan government has been designated "a foreign terrorist organization," accusing it of involvement in crimes including terrorism, drug smuggling and human trafficking.
Trump also claimed that Venezuela is "completely surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America," warning that the pressure would continue until the assets he said had been taken are returned to the United States.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has also denounced the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker last week, calling it an act of piracy and maritime terrorism as the U.S. blockade may also impact Cuba, which is experiencing an energy crisis and is heavily dependent on oil imports from Venezuela.
For Cuba, the seizure raises particular concerns. The island is facing a deep energy crisis marked by rolling blackouts and relies heavily on oil imports from Venezuela. Cuban officials fear that expanded U.S. enforcement actions could further disrupt supplies.
The tanker seizure coincides with an expanded U.S. military presence in the Caribbean under "Operation Southern Spear," officially described as a counter-narcotics mission. Cuban authorities argue that the deployment violates a regional declaration designating Latin America and the Caribbean as a "Zone of Peace," and have called for international condemnation of the U.S. actions.
Cuba condemns US seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker amid energy crisis
Cuba condemns US seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker amid energy crisis
