Category: Antony Blinken

Rights Groups Criticize US No Longer Listing Nigeria as Violator of Religious Freedom

JOS, Nigeria—Human-rights groups around the world have reacted with dismay to the recent delisting of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the U.S. Department of State. Ahead of his Nov. 18 visit to Nigeria, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken listed China, Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and…


Pastor Tells Blinken Nigerian Christians Want Free Speech

In his first trip to Africa, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken pledged a new face of diplomacy to African countries while cutting the ribbon on a $2.1 billion assistance agreement with Nigeria. But a small-town Baptist preacher told him in a private meeting Nov. 19 that what persecuted Nigerian Christians want the most is free…


Nigerian Christians Want Free Speech, Pastor Tells Blinken

In his first trip to Africa, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a $2.1 billion assistance agreement with Nigeria to support health care, education, agriculture, and good governance. But a small-town Baptist preacher told him in a Nov. 19 private meeting that what persecuted Nigerian Christians want most is free speech. “Recently they have…


Blinken Voices Concerns About Taiwan in Talk With China’s Foreign Minister

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Chinese regime’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi locked horns over Taiwan in a phone call on Nov. 12, just three days before the leaders of the two nations hold a virtual meeting. “The Secretary emphasized longstanding U.S. interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and expressed…


Blinken Expresses Concerns About Taiwan to China’s Foreign Minister

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, locked horns over China’s approach to Taiwan during a phone call on Nov. 12, just three days before the leaders of the two nations hold a virtual meeting. “The Secretary emphasized longstanding U.S. interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and…


US and Allies Would ‘Take Action’ If China Attacks Taiwan, Blinken Says

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States and its allies would “take action,” in the event that the Chinese regime used force to unilaterally change the status quo over the self-ruled island. However, Blinken did not specify what kind of action Washington or its allies might take, while answering questions during…


US Calls for Taiwan’s ‘Meaningful Participation’ in UN System

The United States has called for all member states of the United Nations (U.N.) to support Taiwan’s “robust, meaningful participation” in the system, saying the world has much to learn from the self-ruled island’s “democratic success story.” “As the international community faces an unprecedented number of complex and global issues, it is critical for all…


Blinken Tells China to ‘Act Responsibly’ in Evergrande Crisis

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Oct. 6 urged China to “act responsibly” in handling the debt crisis of real estate developer China Evergrande Group, warning that impact of Beijing’s decisions will resound around the world. Evergrande, which has more than 1,300 housing projects in some 280 cities, is now the world’s most heavily…


National Security Adviser Sullivan Will Meet Chinese Envoy in Europe

President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan will meet China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi this week, the White House announced on Oct. 5. The meeting will take place in Zurich, one of the stops on Sullivan’s trip to Europe that will also take him to Brussels and Paris. The announcement did not specify which…


Blinken Replaces ‘We Stand With the People of Hong Kong’ Message With Milder Version on Twitter

A Twitter post from the account of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that said the United States would “stand with the people of Hong Kong” was recently taken down and replaced with a more subdued version. Blinken’s statement was addressing news on Sept. 15 of how seven democratically elected Hong Kong opposition district councillors were disqualified…