US criticizes China's Taiwan Strait actions; Taiwan cracks down on gangs; Trump cancels Iran strike
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The U.S. State Department criticized China's actions in the Taiwan Strait, calling them "highly destabilizing" and emphasizing Taiwan's long-standing peaceful jurisdiction over the area.
- China is reportedly luring Taiwanese university students to participate in "united front" summer camps in Sichuan with free travel and accommodation, sparking criticism from officials.
- Police in northern Taiwan have cracked down on organized crime, arresting 126 individuals and dismantling 28 criminal organizations during a 12-day operation targeting gang disputes.
- Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen criticized Taiwan Sugar Corporation for allegedly "hiding" information about contaminated cooking oil, calling it a cover-up.
The United States has voiced strong disapproval of China's recent activities in the Taiwan Strait, with the State Department labeling Beijing's actions as "highly destabilizing." A spokesperson emphasized that Taiwan has maintained peaceful jurisdiction over the waters for over 70 years, urging China to cease its pressure on the island and reiterating that the U.S. opposes any change to the cross-strait status quo through coercive means.
Taiwan has peacefully administered the relevant waters for more than 70 years. China's actions will only exacerbate tensions, and we urge Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that China is attempting to influence Taiwanese youth through "united front" summer camps in Sichuan. These camps, offering free travel and accommodation for Taiwanese university students, are being criticized by officials as a form of political manipulation and "brainwashing" with patriotic and "red" tourism. The eight-day, seven-night trip includes visits to see giant pandas and other tourist sites, costing students a mere NT$5,900.
In a separate development, law enforcement in northern Taiwan has conducted a significant sweep against organized crime. A 12-day operation involving over 1,700 police officers from five northern counties targeted escalating gang conflicts, particularly between the Zhulian and Hongren gangs. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of 126 individuals and the dismantling of 28 criminal organizations.
Going on low-cost tours to China has a united front or political purpose. They will take you to patriotism education bases and red tourist sites for brainwashing.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has accused Taiwan Sugar Corporation of a cover-up regarding contaminated cooking oil. According to a court ruling, the company was aware of benzene pyrene levels exceeding standards in May but allegedly delayed reporting the issue until late June. Lu criticized the handling of the situation, calling it "hiding" and "eating the case," and questioned the lack of central and local government notification.
This is not just hiding information, it's covering up the case. A state-owned enterprise covering up a case. From the carcinogenic oil incident to now, the central government has completely 'covered up, covered the case, and acted as a gatekeeper.' Does no one in the central government need to take responsibility?
On the international front, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly backed down from a planned military strike against Iran. Citing sources, media reported that Trump agreed to halt the strikes after receiving requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern nations seeking to de-escalate tensions. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was reportedly among those who contacted Trump to express concern over a potential strike.
Iran and other Middle Eastern countries have requested that we postpone the attack, so I have agreed to cancel the military strike.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.