Russia Breaks Silence Over China Map Claiming Its Territory

The Russian Foreign Ministry has rejected China's apparent claim of ownership over a disputed island that has been a source of tension between Moscow and Beijing for decades.

Earlier this week, the Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Global Times newspaper published the "2023 edition of China's standard map," crediting the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The map touches on multiple territorial disputes, among them Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island, which sits at the confluence of the Ussuri and Amur rivers that separate Russia and China. The island is known as Heixiazi, or Black Bear, in Chinese.

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed any suggestion of reopening the territorial dispute, which she said had been settled by bilateral agreements more than 15 years ago.

"The Russian and Chinese sides adhere to the common position that the border issue between our countries has been finally resolved," Zakharova said in a statement published on the Foreign Ministry website.

"Its settlement was marked by the ratification in 2005 of the Supplementary Agreement on the Russian-Chinese state border on its eastern part, according to which Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island was divided between the parties."

"The delimitation and demarcation of our common border has been completed along its entire length (almost 4,300 km [2,670 miles]), including in 2008 on Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island."

The island has been split between Russian and Chinese control per the bilateral agreements. But China's newly published official map suggests it claims control of the entire 135-square-mile piece of land.

Zakharova, though, said the "resolution" of the dispute "was the result of many years of efforts by both sides, a reflection of the high level of relations between the two countries, made an important contribution to ensuring security and stability in the region, and is a successful example of resolving border disputes for all countries of the world."

"Russia and China have repeatedly confirmed the absence of mutual territorial claims, and there is a corresponding provision in the Treaty on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of July 16, 2001," the spokesperson added

"The parties have an extensive structure of interaction in the field of border cooperation, the Joint Border Commission is functioning effectively, within which all relevant issues are discussed."

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email to request comment.

Beijing's new map has created fresh tensions with several other neighbors. India, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines have all expressed opposition to the symbolic landgrab.

Chinese officials have been unapologetic. "A correct national map is a symbol of national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Li Yongchun, a senior resources ministry official, said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said publishing the map was "a routine practice in China's exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law." Wang added: "We hope relevant sides can stay objective and calm, and refrain from overinterpreting the issue."

Post title from the lead paragraph for better context. I prefer original ones but felt it missed the beat somewhat. Hope I didn't add much bias.

Article:

"Finland to criminalise Holocaust denial, probe banning swastika use

The four-party government coalition revealed the contents of its anti-racism statement at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

The four parties comprising Finland's coalition government unveiled their highly-anticipated joint statement on eradicating racism and promoting equality within Finnish society at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

The statement comes in the wake of a summer of racism and far-right scandals — mostly involving ministers from the Finns Party — that engulfed the new government and led to the appointment of a working group tasked with proposing concrete measures to tackle racism and discrimination.

PM Orpo opened the press conference by noting that "racism is still a problem in Finnish society" before revealing how his administration will set about addressing the issues.

The measures include plans to criminalise Holocaust denial, Orpo said. The government will also probe the possibility of outlawing the political use of certain symbols, including the swastika as used by Nazi Germany as well as the hammer and sickle that appeared on the former Soviet Union flag.

State Secretary Risto Artjoki, who chaired the working group, noted however that such a ban would be "legally challenging" and it was not possible to draft a proposed change in legislation on such a tight schedule as the working group faced.

Promoting equality in schools, workplaces

In terms of other measures, the government plans to launch a development programme aimed at promoting equality in Finnish schools, with an added emphasis on getting more children from immigrant backgrounds into early childhood education.

The measures also include an initiative to tackle workplace discrimination, with legislative changes planned that will roll out harsher punishments for discriminating against employees or colleagues. The government also wants to encourage more women from immigrant backgrounds to enter the workforce.

Finns Party leader, and Deputy PM, Riikka Purra — who was herself caught up in one of the summer's racism scandals — told the press conference on Thursday that the government's statement is intended to send a clear message about its stance on racism.

"There should be no ambiguities for anyone reading the statement," Purra said.

Coalition to continue

The fallout from the series of summer scandals had led to widespread speculation that the four parties may not be able to continue in the current coalition, with the opposing views of the Finns Party and the Swedish People's Party (SPP) deemed to be a particular problem.

However, SPP leader Anna-Maja Henriksson said the agreement reached by the four parties on the anti-racism statement was "historic" and proved her party can work with their coalition partners.

"For the SPP, the preparation of this statement has also been a matter of whether we are able to participate in the coalition or not," Henriksson stated, adding that the statement was a clear indication that the government does not accept any form of racism.

She also noted that this stance on racism applied to the individual ministers too, a sentiment echoed by PM Orpo.

"Each government minister denounces racism and is committed to actively working against racism in Finland and internationally," Orpo said.

He also stated that the government will provide sufficient funding to achieve the measures set out by the anti-racism statement.

The government's statement will next be handed over to Parliament, where it will be debated by MPs next week."

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/6040987

IL: Supo blocks Purra's choice for media advisor role due to China links

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) highlighted a number of issues during the preferred candidate's security check, including his partner's former Chinese nationality.

Finance Minister Riikka Purra's (Finns) plans to appoint journalist Jari Kuikanmäki as her media relations advisor have fallen through following a background check by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo).

The decision was first reported by tabloid Iltalehti.

In an interview with the newspaper, Kuikanmäki said that Supo highlighted a number of issues during his security clearance check, including his partner's former Chinese nationality, a trip to China in 2016, the Chinese nationalities of his partner's parents, and a trip to Finland in 2017.

"We met in London in 2011 and have been together ever since. We moved to Finland in 2013," Kuikanmäki told the tabloid, adding that his partner is now a Finnish citizen, with no criminal record, and has lived in Finland for over 10 years.

IL noted that Kuikanmäki's common-law spouse became a Finnish citizen in 2022, and is no longer a Chinese citizen, as China does not recognise dual citizenship.

Kuikanmäki told Yle that it is still unclear to him why this connection to China has prevented him from taking up the role as Minister Purra's advisor.

"I don't quite know what has happened. It seems to me that there are dimensions to this case that would require an assessment of whether discrimination has taken place, but it is not for me to make that assessment," Kuikanmäki said.

The government's office carries out security checks on all individuals appointed to the role of ministerial special advisor, as a matter of protocol.

IL: Supo blocks Purra's choice for media advisor role due to China links

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) highlighted a number of issues during the preferred candidate's security check, including his partner's former Chinese nationality.

Finance Minister Riikka Purra's (Finns) plans to appoint journalist Jari Kuikanmäki as her media relations advisor have fallen through following a background check by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo).

The decision was first reported by tabloid Iltalehti.

In an interview with the newspaper, Kuikanmäki said that Supo highlighted a number of issues during his security clearance check, including his partner's former Chinese nationality, a trip to China in 2016, the Chinese nationalities of his partner's parents, and a trip to Finland in 2017.

"We met in London in 2011 and have been together ever since. We moved to Finland in 2013," Kuikanmäki told the tabloid, adding that his partner is now a Finnish citizen, with no criminal record, and has lived in Finland for over 10 years.

IL noted that Kuikanmäki's common-law spouse became a Finnish citizen in 2022, and is no longer a Chinese citizen, as China does not recognise dual citizenship.

Kuikanmäki told Yle that it is still unclear to him why this connection to China has prevented him from taking up the role as Minister Purra's advisor.

"I don't quite know what has happened. It seems to me that there are dimensions to this case that would require an assessment of whether discrimination has taken place, but it is not for me to make that assessment," Kuikanmäki said.

The government's office carries out security checks on all individuals appointed to the role of ministerial special advisor, as a matter of protocol.

"I would say this was one of the most important days of my life living in Finland," Eugene Ufoka told the crowd of thousands from the steps of Parliament building in Helsinki on Wednesday evening.

Ufoka — a Finnish citizen and immigrant originally from Cameroon — was one of an estimated 5,000 people who protested against what they view as the government's inaction over racism.

The Zero Tolerance (Nollatoleranssi in Finnish) protest started at Finland's House of the Estates around 5pm on Wednesday evening before a procession of activists with signs and banners made their way to Finland's Parliament Building. The protest making it's way down Aleksanterinkatu. The protest made its way from the House of the Estates to the Finnish Parliament Building. Image: Matthew Schilke / Yle

As well as calling for the government to take concrete steps towards tackling racism, the protesters also demanded the resignation of Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Riikka Purra (Finns Party) following the revelation that she wrote violent and racist comments on a blog in 2008. Eugene Ufoka on the steps of Parliament in Helsinki. Eugene Ufoka was among the speakers at the protest. Image: Matthew Schilke / Yle

"It was the highest confirmation that I can get that I belong here. No matter the fact that I look different from other Finnish people," Ufoka said, speaking on how many people showed up to the protest. Organic protest

Helsinki police estimates put the crowd size at around 5,000 — which came as a surprise to the event's organisers, who had received 2,200 responses to a Facebook event created for the demonstration. The police noted that the protest was peaceful and there were no reports of counterprotests.

Aside from Ufoka, other speakers described their opposition to what they viewed as the government's weak response to racism — including Khadra Sugu, a nurse with a Somali background, and Naim Panahi, a human rights activist and refugee originally from Afghanistan. Naim Panahi speaks into a microphone in front of the Parliament Building. Naim Panahi was among the speakers addressing the massive crowd. Image: Susanna Pesonen / Yle

Outi Aaltonen, one of the organisers, told Yle that the demonstration came together last week as she and some of her friends felt the government needed to do more in its handling of the series of racism scandals over the past few weeks. She said there was no formal organisation behind the protest and that it stemmed from a group of less than 10 of her friends. Outi Aaltonen shouts into a megaphone on the steps of Parliament Building Outi Aaltonen, right, was one of the organisers of the protest. Image: Susanna Pesonen / Yle

Aaltonen added that the event was called "zero tolerance" in refefence to a quote by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) about his government views racism. Orpo made the remark during a joint press conference with Purra following the furore over her racist blog comments.

"We wanted to take the word back. We wanted to say that there is actually a word, zero tolerance, that means that when people act racist, say racist things that they actually believe in, then zero tolerance would be to quit that government work with that party and with those people," Aaltonen told Yle News.

The protest was also attended by a number of political parties and associations, including Tiina Sandberg, General Secretary of Finland's Communist Party, who told Yle News she returned from holiday to join the march.

"This is what I do with my free time," she said, "I take part in demonstrations."

Sandberg added that she noticed the protest a week ago and immediately shared it with her circle of activists. Tiina Sandberg (centre) shows off the signs she brought to the protest. Tiina Sandberg and her activist friends show off the signs they brought with them to the protest. Image: Matthew Schilke / Yle

For Sandberg, attending the demonstration on Wednesday was not just a political matter, but also a family matter.

"My husband is not from Finland or from the European Union, my kids are also on the target list of Riikka Purra and others," Sandberg said. Crowd size surprise

A number of the participants interviewed by Yle News expressed their astonishment at the size of the crowd due to the limited news coverage surrounding the demonstration leading up to Wednesday.

"When I saw how many people came to Säätytalo [the House of Estates] I was very surprised," Sandberg emphasised.

Eugene Ufoka echoed these thoughts. A large group gathered for the protest on 19.07.2023. Even the organisers were surprised by how many people showed up to the protest. Image: Susanna Pesonen / Yle

"There was a demonstration here in 2020 as part of the Black Lives Matter movement and we had maybe 3,000 people, but they say it's more than that here. It was a very big surprise, but a very strong message of encouragement," Ufoka told Yle News.

Ufoka also noted that this was a positive turn for Finland and that it showed how the country was working to fight racism.

"People are now more and more becoming vocal, and more and more showing their support and solidarity against racism," Ufoka said. Pressure on Purra

Among the most popular chants echoed throughout the day was, "Riikka [Purra] ulos. Hallitus alas," or "Riikka out, down with the government" in English.

However, protest organiser Outi Aaltonen was quick to point out that Purra's resignation was not the only goal of the protest.

"Of our goals, Purra resigning would be one, but it's only one of them. It's just not Purra. It's the whole party. The whole essence of the party is racist, partly fascist. I think that the human value is the same for every one of us. And what I see from the Finns Party is that they do not agree with me," Aaltonen told Yle News.

Guillermo Villarroel came to support the protest as well, mostly in response to Purra's online comments.

"I think they [Purra's online comments] are not appropriate for someone in the government. Honestly I think we shouldn't accept racism in the government in any form," Villaroel said. Guillermo Villarreol at the protest in Helsinki on 19.07.2023. Guillermo Villarroel was among the thousands of protesters that showed up on Wednesday. Image: Matthew Schilke / Yle

Purra has been the subject of intense criticism since her past online posts became public last week. She has since apologised for some of her writings and renounced violence, racism and discrimination.

Last week, the entire opposition demanded the suspension of the parliamentary summer recess so that it could arrange a vote of confidence on Purra. Over the weekend, Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (Finns) said he would not reconvene Parliament.

The comments on the Scripta blog — written under the username "riikka" — include multiple uses of the Finnish equivalent of the n-word as well as other racial slurs, anti-immigrant rhetoric and apparent threats of violence. The texts use racist expressions such as "mocha dicks" and "Turkish monkeys".

On 25 August 2008, "riikka" wrote: "Greetings from Barcelona. There is no "alarming immigration problem" to be seen here. N-word sell pirated Vuittons on Las Ramblas, scarves are hidden and each stays with their own."

On 25 September 2008, "riikka" wrote about a confrontation on a train with young people from an immigrant background, saying "If they gave me a gun, there'd be bodies on a commuter train, you see."