Latest news with #Liaoning
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
An empowering tale of two grids
When British documentary director Arthur Jones returned to the Qinghe Power Plant in China's Liaoning province last year, he witnessed a transformation that exceeded his expectations from his last visit in 2021. During that winter of 2021, while finishing his documentary about the plant, Jones made a promise: 'If this plant survives, I will return.' This simple pledge has now materialised into a new documentary that parallels the industrial transformations of China and the United Kingdom. Return to Qinghe, a 30-minute Sino-British coproduction featured as a continuation of the stories from China on the Move Season 2, weaves together the story of Li Jia, a 29-year-old power plant employee in northeastern China, with Jones' own family history in Yorkshire. The documentary, produced by Jones, 52, explores how two communities, despite their geographical distance, share similar experiences in navigating energy transition challenges. The project took shape when Li's lecture at a speech competition accounting the transformation of the power plant, My Appointment with Arthur Jones, reached both Jones and the documentary's Chinese director, Jin Dan. Li's account of the plant's progress towards clean energy drew Jones back to Qinghe. 'I've been interested in environmental issues since my teens,' says Jones, who has lived in China for over two decades. 'When we first filmed at Qinghe, the plant was facing bankruptcy. Coming back in 2024, we found not just survival but transformation as wind turbines now dot the landscape where coal operations once dominated.' The parallel narratives emerged naturally from Jones' own background. 'I grew up in South Yorkshire, surrounded by coal mines and power plants,' he recalls. 'I was about 8 or 9 when the miners' strike happened in the 1980s. The contexts differ — China's transition is purely environmental, while Britain's was marked by political conflict — these parallel experiences deserve comparison, not for judgment but for understanding.' The documentary delves into three generations of Li's family, from his grandfather's migration to Liaoning, his father's decades of service with the old energy system, to Li's own experience with the plant's clean energy transition. This generational narrative mirrors Jones' family history of migration from Scotland to England and Yorkshire's transformation. 'People often draw comparisons between different regions, but the shared experiences really matter as they help us recognise we're not entirely different,' Jones reflects. The human dimension of industrial transformation comes alive through unexpected encounters, according to Jones. During filming in Yorkshire, the director and his mother visited Paul, an old acquaintance and former dance teacher. 'Though not a miner himself, most of his students came from mining families,' Jones shares. 'He broke down while recalling the strike's final day, when workers returned to the pits, knowing it marked the beginning of the end for British coal mining. He even sang folk songs from that era. It was a deeply moving afternoon.' In Qinghe, the transformation carries its own emotional weight. While acknowledging the environmental toll of coal operations like blackened buildings and polluted air, the workers take deep pride in their profession. 'These workers maintain an incredible sense of unity and have tackled challenges collectively,' Jones observes. 'They take pride in the power plant's resurrection and express genuine love for their town. 'The speed of transformation over three years has been remarkable,' Jones notes. 'Looking at the landscape now, with traditional energy facilities surrounded by wind turbines like flowers, it's hard to tell whether you're in Britain or China. This visual similarity tells a universal story of industrial evolution.' 'We deliberately chose personal narratives over broad policy discussions,' Jin explains. 'Major transitions ultimately come down to individual choices and experiences. These authentic personal stories often resonate more deeply.' The documentary, which premiered on Shanghai-based Dragon TV, is available in both English and Chinese, with Jones providing Chinese narration for the first time. The episode follows up on stories from an earlier series about China's ecological governance. Future projects will explore ecological preservation at Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province and Hainan province's gibbon conservation, maintaining the dual-perspective approach to connecting environmental challenges across continents. 'We're in a middle ground,' Jones says. 'These aren't simple black-and-white situations. Our responsibility as documentarians is to faithfully record these transitions, showing how different communities face similar challenges, and how they find their way forward.'
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Mapped: How China Staged Double Aircraft Carrier Show of Force in Pacific
Japan on Monday issued an update on China's operational aircraft carriers-the Liaoning and Shandong-deployed simultaneously to the Western Pacific. A Newsweek map based on the Japan Joint Staff report tracks the strike carrier groups' movements beyond the so-called First Island Chain, signaling Beijing's growing confidence in its blue-water naval capabilities. The First Island Chain-a string of archipelagos including U.S. treaty allies Japan and the Philippines as well as U.S.-aligned Taiwan-is considered crucial to Washington's hopes of containing Chinese forces in the event of a war. China continues to rapidly develop the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the world's largest by ship count. Security analyst Bryce Barros told Newsweek the joint deployment beyond the First Island Chain is a "milestone" that signals growing confidence in Beijing's power projection capabilities in a region long dominated by the U.S. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment outside of office hours. The Shandong and Liaoning were both operating beyond the First Island Chain back on June 7, according to Tokyo, which has been closely monitoring the deployments. As of Monday, the Shandong-commissioned in 2019-and its support ships had sailed west through the strategic Luzon Strait between Taiwan and the Philippines and were heading south toward the South China Sea, where the carrier is homeported on China's Hainan Island. The Liaoning, a refurbished former Soviet-era warship commissioned in 2012, sailed even farther, briefly venturing beyond what the U.S. considers its next Pacific line of defense-the Second Island Chain-on June 7 and June 8. On Friday, the Liaoning transited the Miyako Strait-a key chokepoint in Japan's Ryukyu Islands-before entering the East China Sea that same day, apparently en route to its home port of Qingdao. The Liaoning's aircraft conducted at least 440 takeoffs and landings between June 8 and Thursday, according to estimates by the Japan Joint Staff. The Shandong carried out at least 420 takeoffs and landings between June 9 and Monday. During the Liaoning's operations in the Western Pacific, the carrier dispatched J-15 fighter jets to intercept four "foreign" fighters that were tracked approaching the carrier, in what the command room believed could be a simulated strike on the Chinese formation, state broadcaster China Central Television reported Sunday. The J-15s, armed with live missiles, executed tactical maneuvers and drove away the foreign aircraft, according to the report. The Chinese carrier groups' movements in recent days have coincided with a shift in Western naval power in the region, as the supercarrier USS Nimitz left the South China Sea for the Middle East amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, the British carrier HMS Prince of Wales arrived in Singapore on Monday to begin its eight-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. Bryce Barros, a security fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Truman National Security Project, told Newsweek: "China's dual carrier deployment beyond the First Island Chain marks a symbolic and operational milestone, signaling growing confidence in projecting power toward the Second Island Chain. "Still, [American aircraft carrier] USS George Washington, HMS Prince of Wales, and [amphibious assault ships] USS America and USS Tripoli remain in the region. The U.S. must reassure partners that it takes PLAN advances seriously-ensuring presence, posture, and partnership remain strong despite global distractions." China's objectives in deploying both aircraft carriers remain unclear. It is also uncertain whether U.S. and allied navies will respond in the Western Pacific amid Washington's deepening involvement in the Middle East conflict, sparked earlier this month by Israeli airstrikes against Iranian military and nuclear targets. Related Articles Why Congress Must Pass the AI Regulation Moratorium on States | OpinionThe U.S. Patent Office Should Not Let Itself Be Used for Litigation Gamesmanship | OpinionRepublicans and Democrats Agreed on Iran's Nuclear Weapons ThreatFootage Shows China Firing Water Cannon at US Ally Near Disputed Territory 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Mapped: How China Staged Double Aircraft Carrier Show of Force in Pacific
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan on Monday issued an update on China's operational aircraft carriers—the Liaoning and Shandong—deployed simultaneously to the Western Pacific. A Newsweek map based on the Japan Joint Staff report tracks the strike carrier groups' movements beyond the so-called First Island Chain, signaling Beijing's growing confidence in its blue-water naval capabilities. Why It Matters The First Island Chain—a string of archipelagos including U.S. treaty allies Japan and the Philippines as well as U.S.-aligned Taiwan—is considered crucial to Washington's hopes of containing Chinese forces in the event of a war. China continues to rapidly develop the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the world's largest by ship count. Security analyst Bryce Barros told Newsweek the joint deployment beyond the First Island Chain is a "milestone" that signals growing confidence in Beijing's power projection capabilities in a region long dominated by the U.S. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment outside of office hours. Imagery captured by the ESA's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 22, 2025, shows the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong operating in the Philippine Sea in the Western Pacific Ocean. Imagery captured by the ESA's Sentinel-2 satellites on June 22, 2025, shows the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong operating in the Philippine Sea in the Western Pacific Ocean. Copernicus What To Know The Shandong and Liaoning were both operating beyond the First Island Chain back on June 7, according to Tokyo, which has been closely monitoring the deployments. As of Monday, the Shandong—commissioned in 2019—and its support ships had sailed west through the strategic Luzon Strait between Taiwan and the Philippines and were heading south toward the South China Sea, where the carrier is homeported on China's Hainan Island. The Liaoning, a refurbished former Soviet-era warship commissioned in 2012, sailed even farther, briefly venturing beyond what the U.S. considers its next Pacific line of defense—the Second Island Chain—on June 7 and June 8. On Friday, the Liaoning transited the Miyako Strait—a key chokepoint in Japan's Ryukyu Islands—before entering the East China Sea that same day, apparently en route to its home port of Qingdao. The Liaoning's aircraft conducted at least 440 takeoffs and landings between June 8 and Thursday, according to estimates by the Japan Joint Staff. The Shandong carried out at least 420 takeoffs and landings between June 9 and Monday. During the Liaoning's operations in the Western Pacific, the carrier dispatched J-15 fighter jets to intercept four "foreign" fighters that were tracked approaching the carrier, in what the command room believed could be a simulated strike on the Chinese formation, state broadcaster China Central Television reported Sunday. The J-15s, armed with live missiles, executed tactical maneuvers and drove away the foreign aircraft, according to the report. The Chinese carrier groups' movements in recent days have coincided with a shift in Western naval power in the region, as the supercarrier USS Nimitz left the South China Sea for the Middle East amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, the British carrier HMS Prince of Wales arrived in Singapore on Monday to begin its eight-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. What People Are Saying Bryce Barros, a security fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Truman National Security Project, told Newsweek: "China's dual carrier deployment beyond the First Island Chain marks a symbolic and operational milestone, signaling growing confidence in projecting power toward the Second Island Chain. "Still, [American aircraft carrier] USS George Washington, HMS Prince of Wales, and [amphibious assault ships] USS America and USS Tripoli remain in the region. The U.S. must reassure partners that it takes PLAN advances seriously—ensuring presence, posture, and partnership remain strong despite global distractions." What's Next China's objectives in deploying both aircraft carriers remain unclear. It is also uncertain whether U.S. and allied navies will respond in the Western Pacific amid Washington's deepening involvement in the Middle East conflict, sparked earlier this month by Israeli airstrikes against Iranian military and nuclear targets.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Taiwan detects 12 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval vessels near air defence territory
Taiwan's Minister of National Defence (MND) detected 12 sorties of PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels around its territory on Tuesday. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te instructed the Taiwanese military to bolster its security surveillance amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran(REUTERS) According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND), the aircraft vessels were detected until 6 AM (local time). It was reported that 10 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). "12 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC 8) today. 10 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated. On Monday, the MND detected five Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time). "5 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC 8) today. 3 out of 5 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the Taiwanese MND stated on X. This follows a recent pattern of China's escalated manoeuvres around Taiwan. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory under the "One China" principle and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. Meanwhile, last week, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te instructed the Taiwanese military to bolster its security surveillance amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. Notably, the order comes amid rising tensions in West Asia. In a routine meeting with military officials on Thursday, the Taiwanese President observed that the conflict in the region has not deterred China from continuing its pressure along the First and Second Island Chains, according to a statement released by the Presidential Office. Lai Ching-te said that the Chinese aircraft carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, have recently been active in nearby waters. He added that Taiwan must remain in close contact with its allies to ensure it can respond swiftly under all circumstances, CNA reported. Taiwan's President Lai said the United States Indo-Pacific Command has raised its Force Protection Condition level across the region. He directed the Ministry of National Defence and the national security team to monitor the situation and its impact on regional security closely.
Japan Forward
4 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
As Iran Heats Up, Japan Faces a National Crisis
It's hard to believe that four former defense ministers attended a meeting that ended up being such an abomination. I am talking about the June 13 meeting of Japan's National Security Council. Regarding Israel's attack on Iran nuclear facilities and other targets, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed the relevant Cabinet ministers to (1) collect information, (2) take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the region, and (3) cooperate with relevant countries to de-escalate the situation and resolve the Iran nuclear issue. These instructions covered nothing more than what the relevant ministers should do as a matter of course, even without instruction from the Prime Minister who convened the meeting. They also lacked any message to the public. Ishiba should have instructed the ministers to prepare measures in the event that Iran implements a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, he should have conveyed to the public the recognition that this situation would not be limited to affecting only the Middle East. Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya Participants in the NSC meeting included Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. The three joined Prime Minister Ishiba, who called the meeting. All four have served as defense ministers in the past. Within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, they are also considered well-versed in national security issues. They should be well aware that the escalation of attacks between Israel and Iran could cause a chain of reactions. Those include not only the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz but also the United States' diversion of troops from the Asia Pacific to the Middle East. Chinese Navy aircraft carrier "Shandong" (Provided by the Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office) Coincidentally, in early June, China's Navy conducted its first coordinated exercise in the western Pacific involving two aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong. During the exercise, a Chinese J-15 fighter jet tailed a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean for surveillance. The Chinese fighter made a dangerous flight approaching as close as 45 meters to the P-3C. Tensions are rising as Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi expressed grave concern. "Such an unusual approach by a Chinese military aircraft could cause an accidental collision," he cautioned. Some Japanese government officials say the inauguration of the second Trump administration in the United States has created a power vacuum in the western Pacific. That, they say, has encouraged the Chinese military to fill the vacuum. At the NSC meeting, the Prime Minister should have instructed the Self-Defense Forces to increase their vigilance in order to prevent the Chinese military from taking further provocative actions. Does he think it is okay to try to resolve matters with China always in a conciliatory manner? After the NSC meeting, Ishiba said of the Israeli attack: "It is completely unacceptable that military means were used while diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution were ongoing. I strongly condemn the extremely regrettable action." Israel, which has a strong determination to never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, may not want to be lectured by Japan, which failed to prevent North Korea from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (©Getty via Kyodo) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (©Reuters via Kyodo) Ishiba has characterized the Trump administration's tariff policy as a national crisis. However, the real national crisis lies in China's military actions and the potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. 80% of Japan's crude oil imports pass through that narrow neck. It is a mistake to see the impact of the Israeli attack as confined to the Middle East. (A version of this article was first published by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals . Find it in Speaking Out #1262 in Japanese on October 21 and in English on June 16, 2025) Author: Takashi Arimoto Takashi Arimoto is a Planning Committee member at the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals and a columnist at the Sankei Shimbun newspaper.
