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Apr 17, 2024 • 5 min read

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U.S. China Talks
UAE Floods

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U.S. China Talks:

In an announcement from the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III conducted his first virtual meeting with China's Defense Minister, Adm. Dong Jun. During the video conference, the leaders discussed a range of topics including U.S.-China defense relations and broader regional and global security issues. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder highlighted key points from the discussion during a press briefing. Austin emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters, particularly in the South China Sea, affirming that the U.S. will continue to operate wherever international law permits.
The meeting also addressed the U.S.'s adherence to the One China Policy, shaped by the Three Joint Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances. The One China Policy is a principle whereby the United States recognizes and maintains formal diplomatic relations with only the People’s Republic of China (PRC), acknowledging its position that there is only one Chinese government. However, the U.S. also engages Taiwan through a robust, though unofficial, relationship as dictated by the Taiwan Relations Act.
This act ensures that the U.S. continues to provide support to Taiwan, including defensive arms, despite not recognizing it as an independent state. This dual approach is further defined by the Three Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances, which emphasize peaceful resolution to any cross-strait differences and affirm U.S. commitments to Taiwan's security. Topics such as Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and recent provocations by North Korea were also discussed.
Austin underlined the necessity of maintaining open military communication channels between the U.S. and China. This dialogue is part of ongoing efforts following several rounds of U.S.-China talks, which have included discussions on professional and safe interactions between the two nations' military forces. These discussions are part of a broader initiative to continue dialogue at multiple levels as agreed upon by President Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping in November 2023.

UAE Floods:

The United Arab Emirates has experienced unprecedented rainfall, with Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport for international travel, reporting more than 142mm (5.59in) of rain since Monday night. This amount is typically what Dubai would receive over a year and a half, with an average annual rainfall of 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches). The government has called this the heaviest rainfall in 75 years.
Flooding has disrupted operations at the airport and caused significant issues across Dubai, including at major landmarks like the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. Roads have become impassable, with homes flooded and vehicles abandoned. Despite the rarity of rain in the arid region of the Arabian Peninsula, this season has seen unusually high volumes, leading to inadequate drainage in many areas.
Authorities have been actively responding, deploying tanker trucks to remove water from flooded streets. Social media posts have shown scenes of ankle-deep water in a Dubai Metro station and lightning striking near the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The National Center for Meteorology has warned of more rain to come and is urging residents to avoid flood-prone areas. The severe weather has already claimed a life in Ras Al-Khaimah, where a 70-year-old man was swept away in his car.

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