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Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch (R-ID) (L) and ranking member Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) talk during a hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill December 03, 2019, in Washington, DC. U.S. Senators laid out major bipartisan-sponsored legislation, dubbed the Strategic Competition Act of 2021. (Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Senators Introduce
Strategic Competition Act
in Bid to Counter Beijing Hegemony By Shoba Rajamani Vision Times
U.S.
senators laid out major bipartisan legislation, dubbed the Strategic Competition Act of 2021, which focuses heavily on contesting the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) increasing global hegemony. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), said that the legislation, negotiated with Committee Ranking Member Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), represents the first major proposal to bring Democrats and Republicans together in efforts to challenge Beijing and assure that the United States is positioned to com-
pete with China across all dimensions of national and international power for decades to come. The 280-page Act is scheduled for debate and voting in the SFRC on April 14. Menendez says he is confident the Act will pass the Committee and move on for a full hearing in the Senate. "I am incredibly proud to announce this unprecedented bipartisan effort to mobilize all U.S. strategic, economic, and diplomatic tools for an Indo-Pacific strategy that will allow our nation to truly confront the challenges China poses to our national and economic security,” said Sen. Menendez according to SCMP. Menendez described the legislation as “a recognition that this moment demands
a unified, strategic response that can rebuild American leadership, invest in our ability to out-compete China, and reground diplomacy in our core values.” The New Jersey Senator said lawmakers "must be cleareyed and sober about Beijing’s intentions and actions, and calibrate our policy and strategy accordingly.” The bill stresses "enhancing the US-Taiwan partnership, to recognize Taiwan as a vital part of the United States IndoPacific strategy," and mentions that there’s no place for “any restrictions on the ability of officials of the Department of State and other United States Government agencies to interact directly and routinely with counterparts in the Taiwan government.” The text of the Act also calls
on the inclusion of Taiwan in the United Nations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian rebuked the legislation during an April 9 press conference, “Relevant individuals on the US side should view China and China-US relations in an objective and rational light and stop pushing the negative bill concerning China.” "Our position on ChinaUS relations and issues relating to trade, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are clear and consistent. I reiterate that China is committed to developing a relationship with the US featuring non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation,” said Zhao. Zhao also said the CCP will continue to “firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security
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and development interests" in response to the Act. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou expressed thanks to the U.S. for the Senate’s show of support, adding Taiwan would be paying close attention to the development of the legislation. The draft goes further to include prioritizing the IndoPacific region in foreign policy, allocates resources for “political and military objectives in the region,” and says it is looking to strengthen “alliances and partnerships” in both the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asian regions. The bill also calls for sanctions against Chinese officials accused of "forced labour, forced sterilisation and other abuses in Xinjiang." Another feature in the Act is increased reporting
requirements on: 1.The exploitation of Hong Kong by the Chinese government in circumventing U.S. laws and regulations; 2.Diplomatic outreach with respect to overseas Chinese military installations; 3.Efforts to engage China on nuclear and ballistic missile issues; 4.Chinese influence in international organizations; 5.The origins of the COVID19 pandemic. The bill also calls for the US to offer greater support and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and to oppose any country that prevents other countries from exercising their sovereign rights and enforcing claims to those areas in the South China Sea.
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Wall Street Behemoths Ate Reddit’s Gamestop Lunch
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By Neil Campbell
A
ccording to Wall Street behemoth JPMorgan, the fairytale spun by pundits about Reddit’s WallStreetBets organizing to “squeeze” badly positioned hedge fund short sellers of video game retailer Gamestop (NYSE: GME) in what has been affectionately dubbed the “Gamestop Rebellion” is simply false. Peng Cheng, the JPMorgan quantitative and derivatives strategy analyst, wrote to clients in a note: “Although retail buying was portrayed as the main driver of the extreme price rally experienced by some stocks, the actual picture may be much more nuanced,” according to CNBC.
ck
JANUARY 22-2
2021
American UN
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VISION
TIMES
rum Am China’s Craft’s T bassador p and Administration a Sharp Eyes iw a n Visit Pla Project nned, Th e Serves as Warning to n Can E cellmephdasize Found Free World ing Value in Fina
Why the CCP k Wants Biden’s Pic n e ll e Y t NA e Jan ted Y rour DT y mina fo
About Pandemic Surveillance
Call Out for Geno China cide,
Travel pla ns Biden adm scrapped to acc om modat inistratio BlackRock Chair and CEO e n Lautra rence D. Fink attends a session nsitio n proced at the World Economic Forum ures (WEF) annual meeting in Davos
By Leo Timm
on January 23, 2020. BlackRock is Gamestop’s largest owner at more than 9.2 million shares.
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While in two top Chinese surveilrtme all Amer ica great again 2020, a bankrup ering convic star, perpetrated largest andthe l Reserve tion. in Feb. 2019, a $40 tax per ton privacy concerns tember Trum p t unde r ign are norm in Xinjia that Eyes Project (雪亮 “Xue nasal , the director of the Trumpnt’s Administration for ing buying of select “meme“This for s) group, lance firms plunged on May prosecute dissiden that addi- innova icans.” “geno citizens been BGI Chinaneces campa its ad ng.” to tion of admi cide.” of the Federa and eventually world, that The al, enting sold sary has in the translating literally Evanina is a “This week niswe are here and of a widespre the 2020 president ce data implem co being owned and/or con- stocks” like Gamestop after Liang,” Newsweek reportsCCP may GNC of analyzing 22 following reports WashSince was reportceu- pany and Taiwa to ensur e that On aaresimil the noble ramifications tragic set very serious and has sharpagain condemned San Francis becoming the Counterintelligen BidenPharma in China and a new admin we inaugurate ar note, certain benefits the U.S. of the everyday to serve , Harbin . Indeed, a New lm- ington is considering banning of to the riots basedTeam China to “Bright as Snow”), a sur- National trolled by the PLA. A series being hit with a $3 billion trail, aggre ssion n are ready toAmbassador tional goals U.S. America. $770 is based citizens taking place actions that are DNA database Center (NSC), to multiple ic onfor leading up Federa l Reserve in the Capito data are overwhe the at Large extend our istration and count rhetorCo te the biotech ened of Our allegia sent letters by main nation Group them from buying U.S. comarticle revealed conthe there in edly for Interwe Sessio l during the Jan. U.S. to the veillance program designed and Security BGI was likely genetic of Executive Orders by the deposit requirement from tical its it will , such as be to “domina land ChinaalerReligi ern part best wishe nce is not Chair of York Times the Westto “provide Chinesethat 23 specia that we 6 Joint ny@visiontim ous Freed ining ingly positive offeringrural n of Cong of just as the blacklistamassing genetic to 2017. At least of ponents, Sam in has been workmainta to persecute outgoing President blocked the Deposit Trust & Clearing million. rations, or l interests, corpo om, luck,also want them s. And that the regioBrow industry” by position forced labor, China… This provide warned ng to establish partfrom 2014 what the Trump es.com that the CCP e,” civilians. ies are states l development “biologi“all Amer ress, saying l expertis much global entitie leaving the Yellen n. nback, challenged map of its to have the CCP edofcompan Yellen a very this is forced is es potentia cures and treat- ing of telecoms giant Huawei technica - attempti The Party justifiessequenc U.S. based companies from Corporation to cover clearassociat After her icans were our childr ilization, data and to develop to target tinue n started.genetic for rified s. It’s to ing on a genetic ng put the pro- nerships with U.S. compani reserve, sterTrump said. important word, fanned their escalating tech isperform en, forced horpersecution its 21-year-long 700 million d toBiden designed administratio . life-savi Admincit“high gramthrough under theaddition pretext al of doing business with or hold- inghouse volatility. ng truth ” Capito by the assault to our nation our citizens, and at the federal uished Fellow kind of things abortions. The approximately collecting cal weapons groups.” Chi- accredite of the spirit States war. (Image: FRED DUFOUR / AFP via the underlyi later be exploited on our Trump’s Disting l.” practice to make stated, “The and “make on United that we haven fighting crime more effec- that could ing securities in PLA-conbecame a Agent ments, private genetic data isGetty Images) testing ual on Brookings seen in approval “We restor itself,” he said. Falun to ers,” be willing certain ethnic males by forcibly “Political to help with an nce at the sory Special claim that ’t leaving seek access as the forced Gong, as well tration will rating is that ed the princ of tools to beginning in and in Reside continue on A3 tively. ns” nected companies. violence speaking donatio that a in this worldawfully long time ies to profit 2019 Supervi You, a FBI investifull array working nese state media the largest izens, attack on blood samples iple organ Our cent accord office was 51 perand earned use of the data by table. ing of its irus Disease way for compan the case has everything is an citizennation exists to Street ting in the creInstitute ing to Rasm an interv ,” said Pompeo genetic BGI Edward a background in a serve its adherents. harvest- Repo ish as Amer ies Coronav rs. 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NATION
A2 | APR 16 - 22 , 2021
www.VisionTimes.com
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks on during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. DeSantis blasts YouTube for removing a roundtable session with four doctors which challenged the “consensus” narrative on masking and lockdowns. (Image: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
DeSantis Blasts YouTube Over
Removal of Science Roundtable That Challenged ‘Consensus’
By Neil Campbell Vision Times
F
lorida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, put Googlecontrolled YouTube on blast after the streaming giant censored a roundtable discussion between DeSantis, three ivy-league professors and a former White House Coronavirus Task Force member challenging the wisdom of wide scale lockdowns and mask mandates. The March 18 roundtable was held between DeSantis and Harvard professor of medicine Dr. Martin Kulldorff, Oxford professor of epidemiology Sunetra Gupta, and Stanford professor of medicine and epidemiologist Jay Bhattacharya. The trio was also joined by former Task Force member and medical scholar Scott Atlas. According to the American Institute for Economic Research, the discussion “Lasting an hour and a half... covered all the major issues. The video itself came to serve as a tutorial in the relationship between public policy and virus mitigation.” During an April 12 virtual roundtable discussion, DeSantis, a Republican, said of the censorship “We had a roundtable last month with some really really impressive experts discussing the effi-
Conservative media outlets factchecked and debunked the segment attacking DeSantis.
cacy of lockdowns, the use of facemasks in the general public, the need for in-person schooling … and many other COVID-19 related topics.” “Now, Google and YouTube have cited the insights of these experts I just discussed as being misinformation,” he said. “Now they say it’s misinformation even though Google and YouTube routinely host conspiracy theory videos ranging from the cause of the 9/11 attacks to the role that 5G networks play in causing COVID 19.” “You can pretty much find any misinformation under the sun on Google-YouTube.” DeSantis said that Big Tech and establishment media’s main goal in the pandemic is to “Make sure the narrative is not questioned,” adding that the “consensus” propagated is “somewhat of a synthetic consensus” because there are many scientists and experts who quietly disagree with the narrative after examining the data, but “don’t want to stick their neck out because there are serious consequences that a lot of the folks…have had to deal with as a result of following the data.”
End of Enlightenment values?
Dr. Kulldorff said science is “dependent on free exchange of ideas” and warned if the one-voice narrative con-
Former President Donald J. Trump listens as White House medical advisor Dr. Scott Atlas delivers his remarks during a press conference Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. Atlas criticized the trend of silencing opposing voices in both the media and academia during a roundtable discussion with Governor Ron Desantis (R-FL) on April 12. (Image: Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
tinues in society “we have reached the end of 300 years of enlightenment.” Meanwhile, Dr. Bhattacharya during the roundtable said “For science to work, you have to have an open exchange of ideas.” “If you’re going to make an argument that something is misinformation, you should provide an actual argument. You can’t just take it down and say, ‘Oh it’s misinformation’ without actually giving you a reason...Let’s have a debate.” Scott Atlas said the pattern of silencing opposition appears to be a recurring theme in the U.S., not just in
the media, but throughout academia. He also said, “There will be other crises and the way you arrive at the solutions is to be able to seek the truth and state what you believe or the evidence or anything else…and then there is a debate.” In early April, CBS’s iconic 60 Minutes came out with a hit piece on Governor DeSantis, claiming he had signed a pay-to-play deal with Publix for vaccine administration in his state. The claims turned out to be false and the segment relied on selectively edited video clips of DeSantis’s response to questions
CNN’s Sanjay Gupta Expresses Support for Wuhan Lab Outbreak Theory By David Wagner Vision Times
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n a recent Podcast with Mediate, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta went against the popular opinion of his CNN colleagues, by supporting former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield’s opinion that the SARS-CoV-2 most likely came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. CNN commentators disapproved of Redfield’s opinion, insisting his theory lacked evidence, but Gupta felt
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that Redfield had a sound perspective. Back in February, Gupta had a conversation, later aired on CNN, in which Redfield explained his expert opinion. He said that it is not uncommon for scientists who work in virology labs to become infected with viruses. Emphasizing that he was not making the accusation that the virus was spread intentionally, he said he believed that the Wuhan lab leak was the most likely theory. He also suggested that there may have been
cases of the virus as early as September or October. “I'm of the point of view that I still think the most likely etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory... escaped. Other people don't believe that, that's fine. Science will eventually figure it out,” Redfield said in the CNN interview. “He’s an experienced virologist. He was also head of the CDC at the time this was happening, which means that in addition to everything that we know, he had access to raw data and raw intelligence that
was coming out of China,” Gupta said on the Mediate Podcast. “My point is that it’s a much more informed sort of thing for him to be saying than for anybody who may have expertise in virology, because he has a lot more knowledge and information that he has that maybe he can’t share, but is informing his opinion.” Gupta explained how the claim that the virus came from the seafood market in Wuhan was flawed, because many people who got infected had never been
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there. Regarding the theory of the Wuhan Lab as the origin, he reasoned, “it’s a big virology lab right in Wuhan that happened to be studying bat coronaviruses. Just from an Occam’s razor standpoint, finding the simplest explanation, it would make sense.” The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently called for further studies into the origin of the SARSCoV-2 outbreak, since their investigation team was unable to refute the hypothesis that the virus came from the Wuhan Institute
by correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, in an attempt to make it appear the Governor was avoiding answering and steamrolling the reporter. The segment was factchecked and debunked heavily by conservative media outlets. AIER said “The pulling of the roundtable video comes a day after the total humiliation of 60 Minutes in many stories that defended the governor. Its deletion of the most viewed version online denies viewers the opportunity to observe DeSantis’s impressive knowledge on the subject of the coronavirus and the public policy response.”
of Virology even after visiting Wuhan. Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to be criticized for a lack of transparency. This has become increasingly more glaring to the rest of the world through things like the Uyghur genocide, where Western reporters are restricted from investigating re-education and labour camps. “As far as WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science and leave no stone unturned as we do,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. ny@visiontimes.com
NATION
www.VisionTimes.com
APR 16 - 22, 2021 |
A3
US Blacklists 7 Chinese Supercomputing Entities as Potential to National Security Threats
MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AFP via Getty Images
By David Wagner Vision Times
T
he U.S. Department of Commerce has blacklisted seven Chinese supercomputing companies for having ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and their potential for developing weapons of mass destruction. The blacklist restricts U.S. companies from exporting to and doing business with the banned entities. The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), released a press statement on April 8, listing the entities, and explaining why they will be banned. Tianjin Phytium Information Technology, Shanghai High-Performance Integrated Circuit Design Center, Sunway Microelectronics, the National Supercomputing Center Jinan, the National Supercomputing Center Shenzhen, the National Supercomputing Center Wuxi, and the National Supercomputing Center Zhengzhou will all be put on the banned entity list. This will add to the already banned supercomputing entities Sugon, the Wuxi Jiangnan Institute of Computing Technology, Higon, Chengdu Haiguang Integrated Circuit and Chengdu Haiguang Microelectronics Technology, which were all blacklisted back in June 2019 by the Trump administration. The BIS statement said that, “These entities are involved with building supercomputers used by China’s military actors, its destabilizing military moderniza-
“China’s actions are uncompetitive, coercive, underhanded. They’ve proven they’ll do whatever it takes” Raimondo said at her recent Whitehouse press briefing.
Chinese supercomputing entities may be used in the development of weapons of mass destruction.
tion efforts, and/or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs.” It also quoted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo who said, “Supercomputing capabilities are vital for the development of many – perhaps almost all – modern weapons and national security systems, such as nuclear weapons and hypersonic weapons. The Department of Commerce will use the full extent of its authorities to prevent China from leveraging U.S. technologies to support these destabilizing military modernization efforts.” While nominee for position as Secretary of Commerce, Raimondo did not promise that she would keep Huawei on the blacklist as
a national security threat, which was met with some disapproval, she did claim she would, “use the full tool kit at my disposal to the fullest extent possible to protect Americans and our network from Chinese interference or any kind of backdoor influence into our network, and that’s Huawei, ZTE, or any other company.” At a recent press briefing at the Whitehouse on April 7, when asked if she was going to keep Huawei on the banned entity list she said, “I have no reason to believe that they won’t [be kept on the banned entity list], but we’re kind of in the middle of the overall review of the China policy.” The South China Morning Post explained that the ban
may have little effect on China’s supercomputer development. The U.S. tried to diminish China’s supercomputing development before. When Intel was banned from selling their computer chips to Chinese companies, these sanctions only lead to China developing their own central processers and more than 200 supercomputers in recent years, doubling the amount developed in the U.S. “China’s actions are uncompetitive, coercive, underhanded. They’ve proven they’ll do whatever it takes,” Raimondo said at her recent Whitehouse press briefing. “We firmly reject the US move to add 7 Chinese supercomputing entities to the Entity List to maintain
monopoly and hegemony in S&T [science & technology] sector by abusing national security & state power. Despite blockade, China’s supercomputing is leading the world. The US can’t contain our S&T progress,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lijian Zhao in a statement on Twitter. Xiao Limin, an adviser to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on supercomputer technology, also mentioned that the ban would have little effect in the long run, stating it “could cause some temporary issues – some may be challenging, but they will not affect the development of our next-generation supercomputer in the long run.”
White House Says no Federal Vaccine Passports but Expects Corporate Use By Vision Times Staff
S
hortly after the White House lauded and applauded the corporate initiative for digital vaccine credentials, the Biden administration now appears to be backpeddling on its position. “The government is not now, nor will we be supporting, a system that requires Americans to carry a credential,” said Press Secretary Jen Psaki at a White House press briefing on April 6. Psaki’s statement appears disonant, however, after earlier in the month, Washington vowed to take an active role in helping corporations develop vaccine passports, providing recommendations and guidelines for how to make the systems universal and affordable in a presentation by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technologies. In the presentation, vaccine credentials were
ny@visiontimes.com
described as something that could easily become necessary for daily life. The Vaccination Credential Initiative began in January, with the support of tech giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce. Executive Vice President Bill Patterson described Salesforce’s role as “to help organizations easily and safely customize all aspects of the vaccination management lifecycle and integrate closely with other coalition members’ offerings,” while Oracle’s Executive Vice President Mike Sicilia said credential schemes should be “as easy as online banking.” The Washington Post reported in March that Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, stated that his department was designated by the Department of Health and Human Services for “coordination and alignment of vaccine credential activities across HHS agencies.” He said, “As more of the pop-
(Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
ulation becomes vaccinated, proof of immunization will likely become a major, if not the primary, form of health status validation.” Tripathi indicated that vaccine credentials would be necessary for everything from international travel to commonplace activities, as vaccine verification would be required for “access to private and public facilities within the U.S.” He also noted that the private sector is making vaccine passports a business
policy standard, and said that “current trends suggest that vaccine credentials could nevertheless become a market-imposed de facto requirement for an individual’s return to day-to-day activities.“ Asdigital health status verification systems are being established around the world, many are alarmed at the high level of surveillance they foster, and some are uncomfortable with the ensuing pressure to get vaccinated against
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one’s own judgement; but leftwing concerns focus mainly on the social inequities that will result. Psaki addressed some of these issues when she stated, “As these tools are being considered by the private and nonprofit sectors, our interest is very simple from the federal government, which is Americans’ privacy and rights should be protected and so that these systems are not used against people unfairly.” She added that the federal government would provide a “frequently asked question” guidance for for private companies regarding issues of privacy, security, and discrimination to be addressed when setting up vaccine credential systems. On the right side of the political spectrum, mandatory vaccine credentials are seen as a more serious threat. While supporting the federal mass vaccination drive, Republican Governors Ron DeSantis of Florida, and Greg Abbott of Texas have
both issued executive orders prohibiting mandatory vaccine credentials in their states. The issue that many seem willing to ignore, however, is that the vaccines themselves are only approved for distribution under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization, and are still years away from completing Stage III testing. The mRNA technology used in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is also new and experimental, and has not been subject to the test of time. Regulations requiring citizens to take such substances into their bodies raise fundamental concerns. The Great Barrington Declaration, a document “written from a global public health and humanitarian perspective, with special concerns about how the current COVID19 strategies are forcing our children, the working class and the poor to carry the heaviest burden,” makes an important point. 212-730-6963
CHINA
A4 | APR 16 - 22 , 2021
www.VisionTimes.com Chinese J-10 fighters were among the Chinese aircraft (Image: Gettyimages)
China Sends Unprecedented 25 Aircraft
Into Taiwan Air Defense Zone By Neil Campbell & Leo Timm Vision Times
T
he Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on April 12 sent more than two dozen aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, the biggest such inclusion in more than a year. The flight came a day after top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken warned Beijing that invading Taiwan would be a “bad idea.” The flight of 25 aircraft consisted of 18 J-16 and J-10 fighter jets, and four H-6 bombers, which are capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Other aircraft in the group included anti-submarine planes and an airborne early warning and control aircraft. Recent months have seen near-constant harassment of Taiwan — the strategically placed, democratically governed island Communist China sees as part of its territory — by PLA air and naval elements. On April 7, the PLA sent a flight of planes and several combat vessels near Taiwan-held land. PLA Navy recon ships, along with a frigate, were spotted off the coast of Orchid Island, while the Chinese air force sent 15 planes, including 12 fighter jets, into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone.
New guidelines
The aggression appeared to come in response to missile tests conducted by Taiwan’s National Chung-shan Insti212-730-6963
tute of Science and Technology scheduled from April 7 to 9 in the Orchid Island and Green Island regions. The Chung-shan Institute conducted an additional set of missile tests
from April 13 to April 16 between Jiupeng Air Force Base and Orchid Island. Days after the provocation, the US State Department issued new guidelines for diplomatic interactions with the Republic of China (ROC), as Taiwan is officially called. The ROC government used to run all of China before it was forced off the mainland by the communist army in 1949. Because of the One China Policy, Taiwan is not formally recognized as a country by the United States. "The Department of State has issued new guidelines for U.S. government interaction with Taiwan counterparts to encourage U.S. government engagement with Taiwan that reflects our deepening unofficial relationship," a State Department announcement said. The new guidelines allow American diplomats more freedom in their dealings with Taiwan. This policy was originally implemented under former U.S. President Trump. It was cancelled on Jan. 20 by the incoming
Taiwanese were “willing to defend ourselves without any questions, and we will fight the war, if we need to fight” it. Joseph Wu, ROC Foreign Minister, said
Biden administration before being reintroduced in its current, but scaled-back form. While former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo advocated heightening Taiwan’s international profile by lifting “all restrictions” on interactions with the ROC, the new policy under current state secretary Antony Blinken will have “guard rails” in place to comply with the One China Policy, according to a U.S. official who spoke with the Financial Times. For example, U.S. officials would be prohibited from attending high-profile functions on major ROC holidays, and they would not be allowed to display the ROC flag when meeting with Taiwanese officials. The official, whose name the Financial Times did not disclose, said the guidelines were circulated via memo and not made public. On April 11, Blinken appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program. He said had “real concern” for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aggression against Taiwan. When asked how the US would respond to an invasion of Taiwan by the PLA, he said that it would be a “serious mistake” by Beijing, but
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declined to elaborate on such a hypothetical situation. “All I can tell you is we have a serious commitment to Taiwan being able to defend itself,” Blinken said. “In that context, it would be a serious mistake for anyone to try to change that status quo by force.”
Raising stakes
On April 6, AP reported that the PLA Navy was holding drills near Taiwan. The drills included the Liaoning, one of the PLA’s two aircraft carriers. The Chinese Communist Party claims the drills are routine and part of an annual schedule. According to an April 6 report by Reuters, Joseph Wu, ROC Foreign Minister, said the United States was concerned about Beijing’s stance. Based on what he called his “limited understanding of American decision makers,” Wu said “they clearly see the danger of the possibility of China launching an attack against Taiwan.” Wu also said that the Taiwanese were “willing to defend ourselves without any questions, and we will fight the war, if we need to fight” it. In response to Beijing’s posturing, the United States sent one of its aircraft carriers, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, to the South China Sea. Like the Chinese, the US Navy also claimed that the carrier’s presence was to “conduct routine operations.” On April 7, America also sent the USS John S. McCain destroyer to the Taiwan
Strait. In August 2020, the U.S. approved a sale of 66 F-16V fighter jets to Taiwan as part of an arms package including upgraded missiles. The US also recently agreed to sell Taiwan the advanced M1A2 Abrams tank. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said his country had “great concern” about military intimidation from mainland China. He said the United States’ commitment to Taiwan sovereignty was “rock solid.” Price said that “as reflected in the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States maintains the capacity to resist any resort to force, or other forms of coercion, that would jeopardize the security or the social or economic system of the people on Taiwan.” A statement by the US Navy says that the American destroyer’s “transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open IndoPacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows.” In March, the US and Japan agreed to increase their military cooperation in the East China Sea. In addition to Taiwan, this sea is the location of Japan’s Senkaku islands, and like Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands are also claimed by the CCP. The US Senate has introduced a new bipartisan bill to counter China. The bill condemns Beijing as an “authoritarian” regime and aims to defend democracy. ny@visiontimes.com
WORLD
www.VisionTimes.com
APR 16 - 22, 2021 |
A5
St. Vincent Residents May Require AstraZeneca Vaccine to Evacuate Island Amid La Soufriere Eruption
ZEN PUNNETT/Zen Punnett/AFP via Getty Images
By Neil Campbell Vision Times
T
he government of St. Vincent, an island in the Caribbean, has said it will not permit its citizens to flee the island amid the La Soufriere eruption unless they submit themselves to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination. U.S. based CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell made the claim during an April 8 broadcast that only those vaccinated would be permitted to evacuate from the island. The claim was rebroadcast by the station’s official Twitter account. Nearly 20,000 people have been forced out of their homes on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent after a volcano erupted there for the first time in more than 40 years.Cruise ships are now evacuating people from the island — but only those vaccinated against COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/oPBCDHhSpa — CBS Evening News (@ CBSEveningNews) April 9, 2021
I have issued an evacuation order to all residents living in the RED ZONES on the North East and the North West of the island. All residents are asked to act accordingly with immediate effect to ensure their safety and that of their families. — Ralph Gonsalves (@ComradeRalph) April 8, 2021
OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
This April 9, 2021, image courtesy Zen Punnett shows the eruption of La Soufriere Volcano from Rillan Hill in Saint Vincent. Some reports say residents will be required to take the AstraZeneca vaccine the island has been given by COVAX before they will be allowed to evacuate the island.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said on a broadcast of NBC Radio St. Vincent and the Grenadines that the decision to not take unvaccinated refugees came from the destination countries. However, Gonsalves did recommend anyone who enters a St. Vincent shelter be vaccinated. Of the country’s population of approximately 110,500, approximately 10,805 single doses of a vaccine have been administered. St. Vincent has a total of 15 active cases. The island has suffered 10 deaths and 1,789 total cases since the pandemic started last year, according to data from the Chinese Communist Party-friendly World
Health Organization (WHO). On April 8, Gonsalves issued an evacuation order for residents in the Northeast and Northwest of the island, from his twitter handle @ComradeRalph, forcing approximately 16,000 people out of their homes and into shelters. However, according to the Pan American Health Association website, the island only received its first shipment of vaccines on April 7 through the WHO’s COVAX vaccine diplomacy program. The vaccines are the AstraZeneca variant, which has been pulled from shelves across the world after reports of blood clotting. According to Washington
Examiner, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruise Lines have sent several ships to the island for evacuation efforts. A spokesperson for Carnival told the Examiner their company “has not made vaccines a requirement of this humanitarian mission,” while a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told the paper testing and vaccination efforts are being managed by the St. Vincent government. The La Soufriere volcano erupted for the first time since 1979 on April 8, erupting smoke and ash 20,000 feet into the air according to government reports. The blast sent ashes from one end of the 18-milelong island to the other.
In 1902 the volcano experienced its largest eruption, which killed more than 1600 residents. Activity persisted afterwards for an entire year, according to the History_of_ Geology Twitter account. March 30, 1903, after almost one year, Le Souffrier/Soufriere on the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent, ceases activity. 1,600 people died in the eruption. Painting by Joseph N.W.Turner (1775-1851) & flasks with volcanic ash sampled by a British geologist — History_of_Geology (@Geology_History) March 30, 2021
Tensions Mount Ukrainian President Visits Border With Russia, US Sends Warships By Arvind Datta Vision Times
U
krainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently traveled to the region of Donbass following a rise in clashes between his country’s soldiers and Russia-backed militants. Since the beginning of the year, 25 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed by Russian separatists. The 43-year-old was seen visiting the trenches wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, shaking the hands of soldiers and handing out awards. Zelensky’s visit comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of provocation in his recent phone call with German leader Angela Merkel. The clashes between the two sides are the worst ever since Zelensky took office back in 2019. “Volodymyr Zelensky wants to show his support to the soldiers on the frontline. He also wants to make sure that the soldiers have confidence in him because a lot of Ukranian ny@visiontimes.com
Since the beginning of the year, 25 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed by Russian separatists. (Image: Getty Images)
officers voted for his rival, Petro Poroshenko in 2019, worrying that Volodymyr Zelensky would be too soft on Russia. He’s very much now about showing that he’s not too soft on Russia,” reporter Gulliver Cragg told France24. The president’s visit followed rising evidence of Moscow amassing massive military hardware on their side of the border close to Donbass. Zelensky’s office described his visit to the region as a “working trip” during which he will be visiting places
where the Russian side has “systematically violated” the cease-fire agreement. Donbass comprises the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk. Separatists groups in the region announced cession from the Ukrainian government back in May 2014, creating the “Luhansk People’s Republic” and the “Donetsk People’s Republic” in the process. Neither of the two republics has received any recognition of sovereignty from the international community. The ceasefire has been in
place since July 27, 2020. Ukrainian and European leaders offered to extend the ceasefire past April 1, 2021. However, the Russian side refused. There have been reports of Russian military buildup, with some suggesting that Russian weaponry has been transferred to Luhansk and Donetsk rebels. In addition, Moscow has apparently deployed snipers to the border. Ukrainian media also reported that a new military base has been set up by Russia, filled with “heavy weaponry.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the transfer of armed forces is happening on Russian soil, and as such, should not concern anyone. He said that the Russian troops are not taking part in any armed conflict inside Ukraine and that they do not pose a threat to anyone. He called the troop movements “necessary and expedient.” Russia has also begun “combat readiness” inspection of troops. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, around 4,408 military
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Zelensky’s visit comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of provocation in his recent phone call with German leader Angela Merkel.
exercises will be conducted in the country this month at over 100 training grounds. Most of the training will happen in the Siberian Far East region. “In accordance with the plan for the training of the armed forces, control checks have begun in the military administration bodies, formations, and military units… The troops went to the training grounds for tactical, tactical-special, and bilateral exercises,” he said in a meeting at the Defense Ministry. Meanwhile, the United States is planning to send in two warships to the Black Sea. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that this is a normal activity. Russia’s deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko expressed concerns about the potential deployment of American warships in the region saying that the Black Sea belongs to the surrounding states and that other governments that do not have borders with its waters should not engage in any activity in the area. 212-730-6963
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A6 |APR 16 -22 , 2021
After 200 Years,
Jefferson's Wisdom Is Even More Relevant for Today By Juliet Wei Vision Times
We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This idea has inspired people around the world for more than two centuries.
Thomas J
Public Domain
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
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At the Jefferson memorial, there stands the sentence “No American did more to ensure the advancement of Enlightenment ideals as the nation took shape than Thomas Jefferson. No legislator did more to embody those ideals in law, both for his state and for his country. After his resounding assertion of "inalienable rights" in the “Declaration of Independence,” Jefferson returned to Virginia and set out to revise the state’s legal system "with a single eye to reason and the good of those for whose government it was framed." The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom stands as one of the great defenses of intellectual freedom: “Whereas Almighty God Public Domain
America’s founding fathers knew that one of the essentials to pass on and preserve freedom is education.
pril 13 is the birthday of Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826), one of America’s greatest Founding Fathers. When he was 33 years old, Jefferson wrote the “Declaration of Independence,” going on to serve as Governor, Ambassador to France, Secretary of State, Vice President, and finally two terms as U.S. President. It was George Washington who set the presidential precedents for the nation, while Thomas Jefferson had put tremendous effort and wisdom in those important public positions. Inscribed in the Jefferson Memorial, it says, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Jefferson also said in 1811 that“The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us ”. After people have experienced chaotic situations since the COVID outbreak in early 2020 and confronting the ever-increasing threat from the Chinese Communist Party, we have even more to learn from what Jefferson practiced, reflected and predicted two centuries ago.
hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishment or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy author of our religion,” the Statute says. In 1786, Jefferson wrote,
“It is comfortable to see the standard of reason at length erected, after so many ages during which the human mind has been held in vassalage by kings, priests, and nobles; and it is honorable for us to have produced the first legislature who has had the courage to declare that the reason of man may be trusted with the formation of his own opinions.” In 1783, Jefferson was chosen as a delegate to the United States Congress by the legislature of Virginia. During six months of service, he drafted a number of important state papers, including the formal ratification of the peace treaty with Britain. In May 1784, Jefferson was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to join Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in negotiating commercial treaties with European nations. In 1785, Jefferson was appointed to succeed Franklin as Minister to France, having served there for four years — a skillful diplomat, negotiator, and keen observer of European affairs and the approaching French Revolution. The next year, Jefferson presented America's cause to Europe. He anonymously circulates both his own Notes on the State of Virginia and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, passed that year by the Virginia Assembly.
As minister to France during the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin was a fixture in the intellectual gatherings in Parisian salons. When Jefferson succeeded Franklin, he also became popular in that circles, interpreting the new American vision and for the old world in Europe. On June 1, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, Jefferson was elected governor of Virginia. Jefferson repeatedly tried to end or at least to limit slavery. In some cases, he prevailed. At his urging, Virginia's legislature banned the further import of slaves and made it easier for slaveholders to free individual slaves. In Congress, his proposal to prohibit slavery in all the western territories after 1800 failed by only one vote. As President he signed the bill that outlawed importation of slaves to the United States. In 1796, coming in second
Public Domain
the enormities of the time in which I have lived, have forced me to take a part in resisting them, and to commit myself on the boisterous ocean of political passions. I thank God for the opportunity of retiring from them without censure and caving with me the most consoling proofs of public
approbation.
after John Adams, he was elected Vice President under the electoral rules then in force. As presiding officer of the Senate, Jefferson wrote a Manual of Parliamentary Practice still used today. W hen America was founded, the Midwest belonged to France. In 1803, Jefferson sent James Monroe to France to negotiate for New Orleans. The treaty signed in April gave the United States the entire Louisiana territory — as the Midwest was called — for approximately $15 million. Because Napoleon's decision to sell Louisiana, America doubled the size. After the triumph of the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson's re-election was a foregone conclusion. After leaving office, Jefferson bade farewell to public life and returned to his Monticello. Reflecting on his experiences in the founding of the United States and his presidency, he wrote that “the enormities of the time in which I have lived, have forced me to take a part in resisting them, and to commit myself on the boisterous ocean of political passions. I thank God for the opportunity of retiring from them without censure and caving with me the most consoling proofs of public approbation.” America’s founding fathers knew that one of the essentials to pass on and preserve freedom is education. Thomas
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If ever the earth has beheld a system of administration conducted with a single and steadfast eye to the general interest and happiness of those committed to it, one which protected by truth can never know reproach, it is that to which our lives have been devoted.” CLAIRECOOMBS ,Wikimedia Commons ,CC BY-SA 4.0
Thomas Jefferson is the President on $2 dollar bill.
Jefferson Adobe Stock
Juliet Wei ,Vision Times
Library of Congress
Jefferson wrote in 1816, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be .” The Jefferson Memorial notes that “Thomas Jefferson's reputation as ‘a masterful pen’ was well established among his contemporaries. John Adams noted that everything Jefferson wrote was marked by ‘a peculiar felicity of expression.’” “But there was more than stylistic elegance here: the substance of Jefferson's voluminous legal writings, philosophical musings, and personal correspondence was supported by lifelong habits of contemplation, careful study, and meticulous note taking. ” Jefferson was recognized internationally as a patron
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of learning. He served as the president of the American Philosophical Society for 17 years and was associated with the major American learned and agricultural societies, and with scores of societies in Europe. He corresponded with an extraordinary number of scientists and philosophers, engaging in "the brotherly spirit of Science." Another contribution from Jefferson to public learning was that made to the reconstruction of the Library of Congress. When the invading British army burned the Capitol in 1814, they also burned the Library of Congress. Jefferson offered 6700 volumes of books to replace those lost. With works on architecture, the arts, science, literature, and geography, in French, Spanish, German, Latin, and Greek, Jefferson's donation far expanded the scope of the library. Today, the comprehensive collecting policies of the Library of Congress and its practice of sharing its collec-
tions as widely as possible are linked to Jefferson's belief in the value of education in a democratic society. “I have been fifty years making it [a library], and have spared no pains, opportunity, or expense, to make it what it is ... [and when in Paris] putting by everything which related to America, and indeed whatever was rare and valuable in every science,” Jefferson said in 1814. Jefferson owned one of the best private collections of paintings and statuary in the county. Music was even more important to him. One of his first gifts for his beloved wife was a pianoforte ordered from London. As the presidency of James Monroe began in 1817, Jefferson was busy planning every detail of a new institution of higher education for Virginia. Jefferson personally participated in the architectural design of the University of Virginia campus, presenting the five orders of architecture (Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite) of ancient Roman buildings. Jefferson reproduced the elements of European traditional arts in the United States and education.
In 1825, the University of Virginia opened with Jefferson serving as its rector. He said that it “will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind, to explore and to expose every subject susceptible of its contemplation.” Over the years Jefferson had been friends with four US presidents, from George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, to James Monroe. George Washington died in 1799. Jefferson, in later letters, showing his esteem for Washington, wrote “... never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great . . His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known .. . He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man. ”
Among Jefferson’s friends, the stories of the 50-year friendship between him and James Madison has been collected in The Book of Virtue . Both are dedicated to the public and are committed to maintaining a pure and beautiful government system. In the last few months before his death, Jefferson's correspondence with Madison was still full of noble sentiment in between the lines. According to The Book of Virtue, Jefferson wrote to Madison, “It has also been a great solace to me to believe that you are engaged in vindicating to posterity the course we have pursued for preserving to them in all their purity the blessings of self-government which we had assisted in acquiring for them.” “If ever the earth has beheld a system of administration conducted with a single and steadfast eye to the general interest and happiness of those committed to it, one which protected by truth can never know reproach, it is that to which our lives have been devoted.” “To myself you have been a pillar of support through life. Take care of me when dead,and be assured that I shall leave you with my last affections.” Madison wrote back to Jefferson, “You cannot look back to the long period of our private friendship and political harmony with more affecting recollections than I do. If they are a source of pleasure to you, what ought they not to be to me.”
The Rotunda in Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village and Lawn of University of Virginia. Juliet Wei ,Vision Times
“We cannot be deprived of the happy consciousness of the pure devotion to the public good with which we discharged the trust committed to us.” “And I indulge a confidence that sufficient evidence will find its way to another generation to insure, after we are gone, whatever of justice may be withheld whilst we are here.” To Americans, July 4 is a great day, a majestic day, and a glorious day to be always remembered and celebrated. By issuing the “Declaration of Independence,” The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (or subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, and voted to declare independence on July 4th. On July 4th 1826, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the third President Thomas Jefferson and Second President John Adams, who had put much effort in it, passed away on the same day. On July 4th, 1831, five more years later, the fifth President James Monroe died. In his book “The American Miracle Divine Providence in the Rise of the Republic.”, Michael Medved wrote, “The event of that epochal Independence Day suggested the intervention of supernatural forces, mixing death and dedication in such powerful ways that observers of faiths, and of no faith, saw evidence of Destiny’s direction in American affairs. ” But after only two hundred years, education has been undermined, history has been tampered with, and people’s minds have been contaminated. The United States is no longer the same country as Jefferson had wished it might become. “The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us.” To live up to his expectation, we need first learn from that which Jefferson left for us. The great hope in Jefferson’s vision lies in his belief that people could be nurtured and uplifted. As he said it very well, “Education . . . engrafts a new man on the native stock, and improves what in his nature was vicious and perverse into qualities of virtue and social worth.”
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SCIENCE
A8 | APR 16 - 22 , 2021
Exploring the Evolution of Earth’s Habitability Regulated
By Troy Oakes
A
recent review provides a systematic overview of the latest advances in the oxygen cycle at different spatial and temporal scales and the important role that oxygen plays in shaping our current habitable Earth. As an essential material for the survival and reproduction of almost all aerobic organisms, oxygen is closely related to the formation and development of complex organisms.
by the Oxygen Cycle
Professor Jianping Huang from Lanzhou University is the corresponding author of the review entitled The oxygen cycle and a habitable Earth, which is the cover article of the 64(4) of SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences in 2021. Based on summarizing the latest research results of predecessors, the authors of this paper propose a coupling model of the five spheres of the earth system with the oxygen cycle as the core, and clarifying the link role of the oxygen cycle in it. In this paper, the authors comprehensively summarized the changes of the oxygen cycle and its effect on the habitability of the Earth on multiple timescales, including modern and geological time, and prospected the future development trend of oxygen cycle research. Professor Jianping Huang of Lanzhou University, the corresponding author of the paper, pointed out:
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“We take O2 for granted because it is just there and we breathe it all the time, yet it took billions of years before there was enough of it to keep animals like us alive. These processes involve the interaction of various spheres of the Earth system, which are complex interdisciplinary issues with multiple temporal and spatial scales.
Professor Huang said:
“Four of the five largescale species extinctions that have occurred in the history of the earth are related to the lack of oxygen. At present, under the compulsion of human activities, our planet is experiencing a largescale oxygen reduction, with the ocean deoxygenation as a representative. The oxygen cycle of the Earth system is gradually out of balance, which is very worrying.”
The authors of this paper propose a coupling model of the five spheres of the earth system with the oxygen cycle as the core, and clarifying the link role of the oxygen cycle in it.
www.VisionTimes.com Adobe Stock / Unsplash
Key biochemical processes in the oxygen cycle
In this paper, the authors illustrate how the key biochemical processes in the oxygen cycle tie together the various spheres of the Earth system through feedback and interaction. “A habitable Earth gradually formed during the long evolution of the oxygen cycle.” The effects of current human activities on the oxygen cycle and biodiversity are also discussed. Studies of the oxygen cycle cover a wide span of timescales from daily to geologic scales. The oxygen cycles of different timescales dominate the control of atmospheric O2 over the corresponding timescales. However, a distinct boundary that divides the long-term and short-term oxygen cycles has yet to be established, and the complex interactions between the short-term and long-term processes remain unclear. Since the Earth system is a highly non-linear and strongly coupled system, a minor perturbation can have the potential to cause a series of dramatic changes. Prof. Huang said: “It is a top priority to connect the short-term and longterm oxygen cycles under a comparable timescale rather than separating them. Effective multidisciplinary cooperation among the subdisciplines of Earth sciences (geology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, paleobiology, etc.), and social sciences should be promoted to reveal the hidden mechanisms that control the trajectory of the Earth system and how the trajectory may influence the future of human beings.” Fortunately, efforts have been made to reverse the decline of atmospheric O2. In China, the Green Great Wall, which was designed to mitigate desertification and expand forests has achieved overall success in past decades. Reductions in carbon emission and its related O2 consumption have been achieved in some major cities around the world. This study has far-reaching scientific significance and important reference value for understanding the potential link between the oxygen cycle and the biodiversity in geological history and exploring the historical evolution and future of the Earth’s habitability.
Provided by: Science China Press [Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.]”
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(Image: wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0) (Image: wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ancient Arts: The History Behind Chinese
Cloisonné By Vision Times Staff
C
loisonné is an ancient ceramic and metalwork decoration technique. Though believed to have originated in the West or Middle East, Chinese artisans are well known to have produced some of the world’s best cloisonné works. The term is derived from the French word cloison, which means “partition.” Craftsmen used strips of metal to create partitions on the surface of an object into which the enamel was cast.
The history
In China, there is an interesting legend of how cloisonné came to be popular. During the first year of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), a major fire broke out in the imperial palace. All the treasures were damaged. However, a vase alone remained intact. The officials gifted it to the emperor, who ended up being very fond of it. “The emperor thought that it was a precious gift given by the god[s], and asked all the craftsmen in the capital city to learn the making methods and imitate it. Therefore, [in] the beginning, all cloi-
sonné wares were owned by the royals. Cloisonné became a courtly art and an important part [of] Chinese royal culture,” according to Top China Travel. When the Yuan Mongol army conquered West Asia in the late 13th century, they brought with them the enamels popular in the region. Craftsmen who were taken as prisoners are believed to have contributed to the cloisonné tradition back in China. In his book Ge Gu Yao Lun, author Cao Zhao mentions cloisonné as “Dashi” or “Muslim” ware. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), cloisonné work in China reached its peak. Under emperor Jingtai’s rule, cloisonné came to be known as “jingtai blue,” since the enamelware from the period tended to be blue in color. During this time, there was a major innovation in cloisonné work as craftsmen increasingly started using white porcelain as the substrate material. “It combined their skill with making the translucent, light, and strong white porcelain that had been highly prized abroad for many centuries with the Western tech-
(Im age: 3.0) Nationa l Palace Museum CC BY-SA
nique of decorating with cloisonné artwork. Porcelain withstood the high heat firing needed to produce the layers of glass enamel,” according to China Highlights. During the Qing Dynasty (1664-1911), the quality of cloisonné work is said to have dropped. However, gold objects decorated with cloisonné art were very much valued in the court. Today, the fusion of modern technology with cloisonné techniques has allowed craftsmen to create artwork that is very colorful.
The manufacturing process
The first step in the traditional cloisonné manufacturing process involved hammering the model in which copper pieces were transformed into various designs and shapes. These pieces were then joined together under high temperatures. In the next step, the artisan would curve and pinch the copper filigree into delicate flower
patterns, which were pasted into copper molds. They were heated at a temperature of up to 1,650°F, firming the metal. The next step was enamel filling. “Through this interesting procedure, the cloisonné wears a colored wrap. Handicrafts specialists fill enamel glaze into lattices formed by fine-spun filigrees. Just one filling is not enough — the filigrees extrude, and the surface is dull. They have to fuse powdery glaze in the smelter at 800 degrees Centigrade [1,472 degrees Fahrenheit], then take the object out and repeat the process three or four times,” according to Travel Guide China. The object was then polished in order to make the surface smooth. Artisans used to polish the works about three times using things like charcoal and grit. In the final stage, acid pickling was done to remove impurities and stains on the object.
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A10 | APR 16 - 22 , 2021
HEALTH
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7 Benefits of
Purple Yams By Armin Auctor
Y en v e s e r a w o el ms a y e l p Listed bfi r u p s of t e n e b r o maj
ams are, after all, yummy and you can cook them in so many ways to make delicious dishes. However, purple yams, also known as water yams, are said to be a more beneficial type of yams. The origin of this tuberous root vegetable lies in Southeast Asia. People often confuse the vegetable with taro root. An indigenous staple in the kitchens of the Philippines, purple yam is now harvested almost globally. These yams have a deep purple flesh along with purplish-brown skins. After cooking, the texture becomes soft, much like a potato. The sweet, nutty flavor is enticing. These yams are laden with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. A lot of people think that purple yams and taro roots are the same vegetable. Taro root is also native to Southeast Asia. It is mildly sweet and has a grey to lavender color. In fact, these two vegetables look similar and the confusion is natural. However, once the skin is peeled off, they do not look the same.
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hed yams — n can be he s are enric icals. This s in purple d in n ra a e y Purple yam e c like lung fr o wn anth f cancers osure to o o p x sh s e e e p y v b a ty h d s ain induce ers. Studie risk of cert es of canc reduce the y a m ferent typ — g in r. nd cyanid olon cance peonidin a ncer, and c a c te a st cancer, pro
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In summary
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What You Need to Know
Before Flying in 2021 1
Paying more for perks
By Armin Auctor
S
ince the world spiraled into a global health crisis owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling has become a farfetched dream for many. The complications around traveling only increased as the threat of contracting the coronavirus did. Now that we have access to a vaccine, people are starting to get comfortable with the idea of traveling again, particularly flying. But before you book your trip to the leisure island of your choice, or just to visit your loved ones after the crazy hiatus, you might want to consider some expert opinions around traveling. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still warn about the increased risk of contracting the disease, several experts suggest that effectively following safety protocols can mitigate the risk. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, said:
“People often think of planes as major vectors for transmission, but overall, we have not seen much data on transmission on a plane, except for people that are in the immediate vicinity of that person. We’ve not heard about major outbreaks on airplanes.” Safety protocols for traveling by air include getting quarantined and tested before and after the flight to maintain the complete safety of the traveler and co-passengers. Flying is certainly not the same as it used to be, and the best time to familiarize yourself with the changes is before your next flight. That said, here is a list of 4 things you need to know before you fly in 2021.
Since the beginning of this year, flights have been taking passengers on board at full capacity. Popular airlines like Southwest, American, Hawaiian, Frontier, United, Spirit, and JetBlue have removed the seating restrictions that were in effect since the pandemic was declared, so don’t expect the middle seat to be empty to accommodate social distancing. Everyone is familiar with the Southwest Airlines policy of not issuing seat assignments but may be surprised to find out that airlines like American, Delta, and United have followed suit. You will need to pay extra in order to be guaranteed a seat next to your family or traveling companions, something to keep in mind if traveling with children who may need assistance
with their masks on the flight. If you feel more comfortable with an empty middle seat, a good strategy is to purchase a seat assignment in a row with extra legroom. These premium seats are usually not assigned for free unless absolutely necessary, so by paying for one, you improve your chances of getting a little more distance between you and the other passengers.
2
Pack an extra mask
President Joe Biden signed an executive order in January requiring people to wear masks on airplanes. This applies to everyone, whether or not they are from a state or municipality that is no longer requiring the wearing of masks. The only time you can remove the mask during the flight is when you are eating. Ignoring this rule is going to be costly. You could face a fine of US$250 to US$1,500 or be banned from flying altogether. Since you’ll be wearing a mask for the entire flight, you may want to bring a few made from different fabrics and try switching between them to stay more
comfortable. Also, remember that if you lose your mask while going through the airport, you won’t be allowed to board the plane, so make sure to have a spare.
3
Bring sanitizer
The airlines now have cleaning crews who come on board every time a plane lands in order to sanitize everything, but you may want to bring your
The only time you can remove your mask during the flight is when you are eating.
own sanitizing wipes for peace of mind. You can wipe down the tray table before using it to eat or hold your laptop. Sticking a few paper towels into your carryon will ensure you’re ready for anything and won’t have to wait to get something extra from a flight attendant. Bringing along a small bottle of hand sanitizer is a good idea, too.
4
For the time being, most airlines are not providing meals on their flights. Even for firstclass passengers, the offering may be limited to little more than a cheese plate. You can expect to be served snacks and beverages, but if you want more than that, you’ll have to bring it with you. If you do bring your own food, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends that you pack everything in a clear bag. And remember, any liquids are subject to the 3-1-1 rule, that is, they must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less (“3”) with all liquid containers placed in one clear quart-sized plastic bag (“1”), and each passenger can only have one such bag (“1”).
COVID-19 Vaccine rollout has sped up
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MYSTERIES
A12 | APR 16 - 22 , 2021
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Chinese face reading basics:
The
forehead
Wisdom is judged by the shape of the forehead — a full forehead is favored. A smooth and full forehead is considered a symbol of beauty and wisdom. Almost all beauties have a full forehead. It’s also been observed that most celebrities, successful business people, royalty, and kings have full foreheads, representing the look of being blessed. Besides the shape of the forehead, the level of the hairline also reveals information. A person with a lower hairline is considered slow in thought and action.
Eyes are the windows of the soul. They reveal the height of one’s wisdom, nobleness, leadership qualities, and the vitality of a person. The size, location, shape, and the expression of one’s eyes reflect the individual’s personality, as well as the ups and downs one will face in the future, including career, fame, wealth, love, marriage, and so on. Single-fold eyelids make eyes appear smaller and were considered “less beautiful,” because the eyes seem unable to express emotions well.
Chinese face reading:
The Chinese face reading:
The
eyes
nose
The nose reveals one’s prospects of wealth. As far as aesthetics go, a pretty nose is a straight nose. The nose is in charge of wealth: “If one has a high nose, his chances of becoming an officer will be higher. A high and straight nose with a plump fleshy tip can bring a man successful career as an official, and wealth to a woman. One who has a collapsed nose can’t be rich, and the one with a wide nose will have trouble bringing in money.”
Incredible Ancient Art of Chinese
Face
Reading
By Jessica Kneipp
Chinese face reading, also known as physiognomy, has a history going back thousands of years in China.
In
ancient China, there was a saying: “If you want to know whether someone is wise, just look at their forehead; if you want to know about a person’s reputation, nobleness, wealth, blessings, and longevity, look at their eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and jaw.” Psychologically speaking, it also makes sense. An old saying goes: “The changing of a situation follows the determination of the heart.” Determination refers to one’s self-confidence. A person with self-confidence is able to maintain a good state of mind, and they can do things more positively, so their efforts are more easily recognized by others, thus things tend to go more smoothly.
Chinese face reading:
The
ears
Foreseeing blessings by reading the ears — thick ears brings luck. Big round earlobes can bring good luck and good fortune. Traditionally, Buddha images have rounded, hanging earlobes. In physiognomy, it’s believed that a person with heavy earlobes has very good fortune in wealth and friendship. A woman with big, soft earlobes is considered a very generous and considerate person, especially toward her husband and children. She receives blessings from her parents, is very popular among her friends, and is the best candidate for a man who is seeking an ideal wife.
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Predicting one’s income by reading the mouth — plumper lips are preferred. Lip shapes reveal the extent of a person’s desire, as well as a person’s tolerance. A beautiful lip shape is considered an exhibition of dignity, purity, honesty, beauty, elegance, and charm. The ancients believed that women with thin lips were heartless and gossips, and that marrying a thin-lipped woman could bring bad luck to her husband.
Chinese face reading:
The
Chinese face reading :
The
mouth VISION TIMES
jaw
One’s longevity is revealed in the shape of the chin. A rounded chin is a sign of being blessed. A traditional saying holds that “one with a good chin is blessed, and he will have good fortune in his later years.” A woman with a good chin and cheeks will make a good housekeeper, and will always put her family and her husband first. That is quite a strong reading — but I think that nothing is set in stone completely when it comes to reading the fate of a person through the shape of their face, but it sure is interesting to get a little insight into the world of physiognomy, or Chinese face reading. From what you’ve learned in this article, what does it say about you?
ny@visiontimes.com