Renewed criticism over his links to russian leader blood america ah. Under control, its good to have you with us. China is stepping up its military activity around taiwan as tensions rise following the u. S. Hell Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit beijing as preparing its biggest show of force around taiwan. In decades the government in taipei says in scramble jets to warn off chinese aircraft that entered its air defense zone. A number of taiwanese ministry. Websites have come under cyber attack. Pelosi left taiwan pledging washingtons iron clad commitment to defending democracy there. A trip that has set the region on edge the speaker of the us house of representatives, nancy pelosi arrives in taiwan, making her the highest level american official to visit the island in 25 years. Pelosi stopover was kept deliberately ambiguous, amid stock warnings from china, and the threat of a military response. Despite reservations in the biden administration, the white house insisted that pelosi had a right to choose whether to visit and choose. She did to day our delegation of which im very proud, came to taiwan, to make unequivocally clear, will not abandon our commitment to taiwan. And we are proud of our enduring friendship. Today the world safe is the choice between democracy and autocracy. Americans determination to preserve democracy here in taiwan and around the world. We may, iron clad, beijings response was furious, painless eunice, or what pillows he has done this by no means the defense or protection of democracy, but a provocation and violation of china sovereignty and territorial integrity. It seems that china has vowed punishment under the one china principal, beijing views the self governing island as a break away province and has not ruled out re unification by force. It has announced a series of live fire military exercises surrounding the island, which taiwan warns will amount to an air and sea blockade. But despite chinas threats tie, once president sighing then was resolute. Mendez fishy k, facing deliberately heightened military thread. What i want will not back down, we will firmly uphold our nation sovereignty and continue to hold the line of defense for democracy. On the ground in the capital, taipei opinions were divided. Some feared retaliation from china. And by the way, after pillows, his visit, our taiwan is not targeted. I think she is making trouble for us. Of course i am worried about military confrontation. While others were less concerned. The hotel ye . Yeah, i used to china threats my feel numb. I dont feel particularly nervous, but i think that the media is exaggerating the matter. Yet yet young dog. With taiwan now effectively surrounded by Chinese Military fears of a new crisis in the taiwan straits, arising all eyes and now on beijing our eyes are on type. Hey were, were joined by joyce lee joyce. Give us the latest. Whats the situation right now . So china regularly conducts military drews near taiwan, but it has never tried to encircle with the island. The de facto a blockade will loss and too sunday afternoon and some target has shown up within. Ty wants territorial. See including an area just 20 kilometers from the south and city college shown. Its was noting that chinese citizens have express huge disappointment at beijings lack of actions to, to, to stop. Hello is these visit and many were expecting the p l lay to shoot pillows. Hes playing down, but it didnt happen. Of course. The public discontent is a huge blow to seizing piece authority, especially when his under pressure to look strong ahead of a Party Meeting later this year. So many fear that the pressure could prompt china to take it even tougher pressure measure against taiwan and a drill could be practicing for a future invasion. What does this de facto blockade that were seeing right now . Mean for taiwan and the people there for the de facto blockade is a direct challenge to free air and see navigation. Taiwanese fishermen rush to go back to the polish for safety as for International Flights departing, and arriving in taiwan, they have to fly alternative routes to afford a dangerous zones. Taiwanese offer, show se chinas ambition is to turn the taiwan straight into known International Waters and make the entire area west of the 1st island chain in the western pacific is fear of influence. If china got what it wanted, office shows one that the impact would be fatal for the safety of regional countries. Neighboring countries like japan have already expressed concerns over the truce. How big are fears of an escalation in taipei where you are. But youve been talking to people well, hey, anti pay said she on the mood is generally calm because of People Choose to the dress from china, but people in the south, especially those near the coast, like a fishermans dow ferry, very worried about their safety. Always leave from day pay. Thank you so much. The association of Southeast Asia nations is meeting income body us capitol from pen china and the u. S. Are also joining the summit. The meeting has been overshadowed by nancy pelosi visit to taiwan. As in chair, cambodia has urged all sides to de escalate attention in the taiwan strait. The regional block warned on thursday that there could be a quote miscalculation and serious confrontation. And joining me now from manila is richard. Hey darian, hes a political scientist and has written extensively about chinas relations with South East Asian nations. Richard, we just heard it also present at this meeting top, diplomats from china and the us. How much are the tensions over taiwan going to overshadow this meeting . Well, its element of geography, right. I mean, taiwan is actually perched at the interest pieces of northeast asia and saw asia. You know, the philippines, the northern versus the philippines are separate from ty, one by just, you know, a very narrow street that is on street or in number of countries in the region, thailand, philippines, which are us street, the allies. Some are partners like singapore who could be dragged into a config if something happens now both tie one in china. How very robust economic relationship with a lot of condition, the region taiwan, is a Global Semiconductor superpower. So what happens start with effect . Also, supply chains around the regions, i think again, will do its best to come up with the statement. And at the same time on the sidelines, informally engage or trying to us and other parties to ensure that the situation is not getting worse than it is. I think theres a lot of understanding china has to put on some show too. So to, you know, to express his displeasure, but it has to be calibrated and not get out of control, because then you are going to be in a very tough situation and lose this forever. What you have had an eye on china for quite some time. Now now beijing launched what may be the largest ever military exercises and circling taiwan. Did you expect this . Oh yeah, i mean up the idea agent being not doing anything at all was completely off of question. Right . I mean, he repeatedly war and biden, and a us not to play with fire. Right. And, and trying to doesnt one week, i mean, shooting thing is facing economic slowdown at home. Hes expected to get a thermal office later. Hes here all but those are reasons for him to show something in return. I mean to show a level of strength. But at the same time, i dont think she is looking for massive conflict. And you know, if, if theres a perceived us, we ought to look at these in 199599 to 6. Now, when we had the last time, there was a major conflict in the taiwan straits during that period when china was actually way weaker than the United States compared to today. And they had a less nation is either like, shooting being compared to the day that time did the chinese went as far as firing missiles close to the shores of high want . I dont think were there yet. So yes, the situation is warning in this all trying to see ordering there on taiwan. There youre so lucky. Further economic sanctions. But we have to keep things into perspective. Were still not even at the loan. The 109596, tie one street crisis and we dont want to even get there course are. We dont want to get there and you say that teaching pain doesnt want to get there. But many observers believe that an escalation, either by choice or by accident, is only a matter of time. So would you share that assessment . Yes, that is why its extremely important and it is in france, a bite on his station has also been doing that. The f super activated communication channel on both military and civilian level. Because i think theres an anticipation that the probability for accidental cautious or some Major Incident is increasing by the day. And even if the nice below the situation did not create a word or 3, i think this is just an opening salvo in a very perilous episode. And us china relations as forest i. One is concern. And in the meantime, you can see, even though we didnt die one, theyre increasing divisions on this visits. And some people are asking whether we want that this kind of expression of support by us. Because they could still get a lot of support because nancy pelosi visited them and provoking this kind of response from china. Interesting stuff, richard had erin, thank you so much. Pleasure. Thats now got you up to speed on some other stories making headlines around the world today. Authorities are blaming arsonist for a wild fires in North Western spain. The blaze started in the autonomous region of galicia. Spain is having its worth year on record for wild fires and has lost more land to them than any other country in europe. Womens groups and sheila have been campaigning for the adoption of a new constitution. Theyre backing a proposal put forward by a Constitutional Assembly focused on equality indigenous autonomy and the environment. Society appears to bind it occur and constitution dates back to the dictatorship of stuff. You know, chet, lawmakers, vote on the draft next month. And the 1st ship carrying grain from ukraine since the war began is on its way to lebanon. After passing inspections and turkey monitors from the un ukraine, turkey, and russia and check the rezoning, its hoped further shipments will now be able to leave ukrainian ports. Ukrainian president followed amir zalinski has condemned commons by former german chancellor. Gerhard schroeder suggesting that russia wants to negotiate a solution to its war of aggression. Florida is refusing to cut ties with a russian leader and has facing an investigation by his own party. The social democrats. It was the self styled the pro Magic Mission to the kremlin. Vladimir putin spokesman confirmed that former german chancellor, gerhard schroeder, metro russian president on the moscow visit last week. In an interview with german media showed us at that point in once a negotiated solution to the war in ukraine, and that the recent grain deal could be slowly expanded into a ceasefire. Damage ukraines president followed him as a lensky, made clear what he thought of the former chancellors diplomatic efforts moves only 1st of all, it is simply disgusting when former leaders of major states with European Values worked for russia, which is at war against these values. He yeah, a couple year property since bonnie ac rush is using these people as messengers them to say that the terrorist state allegedly wants negotiations, bearablewood ah gotch, herders and long standing friend of putins. Soon after leaving office in 2005, he accepted a job with Russian Energy company gas from lay to became chairman of the Supervisory Board of another Russian Energy giant ross left should as refuse to distance himself from the russian leader in march. Shortly after russia invaded ukraine, he travelled to moscow to meet putin, his wife, posting this picture of herself praying for peace with the kremlin in the background. Schluter has been scornfully continued ties with russia. Some of his privileges as a former chancellor have been withdrawn and he is facing an investigation by his party at the social democrats. In his kremlin lynx volcano has erupted near iceland capital, reykjavik, after days of earthquake activity. Dozens of people were brave enough to make it to the site. The 300 meter crevice is much longer than the fisher opened by a nearby eruption last year. That became a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors. Iceland has an eruption every 5 years on average, and this is the 7th and 21 years. And a reminder of the top story were following for you at the sour. China is stepping off its military activity around taiwan as tensions in the region rise, u. S. L speaker, nancy pelosi ended a controversial visit to the island pledging americas iron client commitment to defending its democracy. Youre watching did a we new thanks for your company. Ah ah, lets be honest. Summer break