16/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 16, 2025

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Second senior Chinese diplomat detained BEIJING: A deputy to a prominent Chinese diplomat being questioned by authorities has also been detained, three people with knowledge of the matter said, a further sign of uncertainty in the top echelons of China’s diplomatic structure. deputy head of the Communist Party’s International Department, was detained by Chinese authorities in connection with the questioning of Liu, the sources added. Xi Jinping’s protege, Qin Gang, in 2023, following an unexplained public absence. His detention followed a work trip to Singapore, South Africa and Algeria. His house was searched early this month.

Sun, 53, was stationed in Singapore between May 2022 and July 2023. When she left her post, she hosted a 500-person reception at a luxury Singapore hotel, according to Chinese news reports. She joined the International Department in 1997, where she served in a wide range of roles, including spokesperson and head of the bureau responsible for ties with Southeast Asian countries. She also served as a district Party Committee official in the city of Zibo, Shandong province, in 2008. – Reuters

Office, which handles media queries for the government, and the International Department, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not verify if both Sun and Liu were still being detained. Neither could be reached for comment. Both their profiles remain on the International Department website. Sun’s last public appearance was on Aug 1, when she attended a reception hosted by Nepal’s embassy in Beijing.

None of the sources knew the basis of the questioning of either diplomat. The sources requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The detention of Liu, who leads the International Department, marked the highest-level disappearance of a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President

The disappearance of Sun alongside the highly visible Liu, adds to questions about China’s foreign policy establishment at a time of rising tensions with Washington around trade and geopolitical influence. China’s State Council Information

Sun Haiyan, a senior diplomat and former ambassador to Singapore, was detained early this month around the time Liu Jianchao, widely seen as a potential foreign minister candidate, was taken in for questioning, two of the sources said. Sun, the first woman to serve as a

Naruhito expresses ‘deep remorse’

TOKYO: Tens of thousands of people braved blazing heat to pay their respects at a controversial Japanese shrine yesterday, as Emperor Naruhito spoke of his “deep remorse” on the 80th anniversary of the nation’s World War II surrender. A Cabinet minister was among the visitors to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honours 2.5 million mostly Japanese soldiers who died since the late 19th century, but also enshrines convicted war criminals. Trips to the shrine by government officials have angered countries that suffered Japanese military atrocities, particularly China and South Korea. It came as Naruhito said he felt “a deep and renewed sense of sorrow” in a sombre speech alongside o WWII anniversary draws pledges of peace

place in the heart of the city for ordinary people to reflect on the nation’s history. “We live in a moment when wars have broken out or are likely to break out in various places. So, I came here to look back at what Japan has done, including its failures,” he said. Another visitor, who identified himself only by his surname Harada, came dressed in a Japanese imperial army uniform to honour the sacrifice of the war dead. “You have to look at all aspects of wars. Good things and bad things happened.” Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, seen as a potential future prime minister, paid a visit to the shrine early yesterday, as he does every year. Ishiba’s chief political rival Sanae Takaichi, who leads the nationalist wing of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was also there. – AFP

Empress Masako in an indoor arena in the centre of the city, where the national flag flew at half mast outside. “My thoughts are with the numerous people who lost their precious lives in the last war and their bereaved families,” the 65-year-old said. “Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated.” Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also addressed the ceremony, pledging “to uphold the painful memories of war ... passing them down across generations and pursue actions toward lasting peace”. Ishiba, a political moderate, sent a customary offering to Yasukuni, according to Kyodo news. Takashi Eguchi, a 53-year-old graphic designer from Tokyo, said Yasukuni served as an accessible

Robots compete in a kickboxing match. – REUTERSPIC

World’s first humanoid robot games begin in Beijing

BEIJING: The world’s first-ever humanoid robot games began yesterday in Beijing, with over 500 androids alternating between jerky tumbles and glimpses of real power as they compete in events from the 100m hurdles to kung fu. Hundreds of robotics teams from 16 countries are going for gold at the National Speed Skating Oval. The games include traditional sports such as athletics and basketball, as well as practical tasks such as medicine categorisation and cleaning. “I believe in the next 10 years or so, robots will be basically at the same level as humans,” said 18 year-old spectator Chen Ruiyuan. At one of the first events, five aside football, 10 robots the size of seven-year-olds shuffled around the pitch, often getting stuck in a scrum or falling over en masse. However, in a 1,500m race, humanoids stomped along the track at an impressive clip. The fastest robot AFP witnessed finished in 6:29:37, a far cry from the human men’s world record of

3:26:00. Robot competitions have been held for decades but the World Humanoid Robot Games is the first to focus on robots that resemble human bodies, organisers said. Chen said he was about to begin studying automation at university. “Coming here can cultivate my passion for this field,” he said. “My favourite is the boxing event. It requires a lot of agility and I can really see how the robots have improved from before.” At the kung fu competition area, a pint-sized robot resembling one from the popular Transformer series attempted to execute a move, but fell flat on its front. It spun around on the floor as it struggled to get back up, the crowd happily cheering. The Chinese government has poured support into robotics, hoping to lead the industry. Beijing has put humanoids at the centre of its national strategy, the International Federation of Robotics wrote in a paper on Thursday. – AFP

Japanese visitors releasing doves during their visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. – REUTERSPIC

Plastic pollution talks end without deal GENEVA: Delegates discussing the world’s first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution failed to reach consensus, diplomats said yesterday. Delegates had been seeking a breakthrough in the deadlocked UN talks but states pushing for a treaty said the latest text failed to meet their expectations. French Ecology Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said in the closing session that she was “enraged because despite genuine efforts by many, and real progress in discussions, no tangible results have been obtained”. The path forward for the negotiations is uncertain.

Some countries such as Britain said negotiations should resume but others described a broken process. “It is very clear that the current process will not work,” South Africa’s delegate said. Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke promised more efforts to reach a deal. – Reuters