Grasp the pattern, read the trend Asia in Review No. 27, July/2020, 1
Brought to you by CPG Dear Readers, Director, German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG) Webpage: www.cpg-online.de, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPGTU Main Sections
Law and Politics in East Asia China: Beijing’s grip on Hong Kong cemented (dql) The new National Security Law for Hong Kong, which was enacted on Tuesday last week [AiR No. 26, June/2020, 5] and came into effect on the same day, marks a major step for the Chinese Communist Party in cementing its grip on power over the country and domestic politics. While targeting and punishing with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment crimes of “secession, subversion, organization and perpetration of terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security” in Hong Kong, the new law introduces central government agencies and mechanisms which are placed in Hong Kong and which either override the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong government or are beyond its control. [Jamestown Foundation: China Brief] [New York Times] Among others, next to the local Committee for Safeguarding National Security which is headed by the city’s chief executive, but supervised by and accountable to Beijing, and which “shall be responsible for affairs relating to and assume primary responsibility for safeguarding national security” in Hong Kong, the law mandates also the creation of a new security agency of the central government, the Office for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). This Office will be responsible for what Beijing in the run-up to the passing of the law repeatedly called “rare cases” it reserves to handle: “(1) the case is complex due to the involvement of a foreign country or external elements, thus making it difficult for the Region to exercise jurisdiction over the case; (2) a serious situation occurs where the Government of the Region is unable to effectively enforce this Law; or (3) a major and imminent threat to national security has occurred.” This list demonstrates that Beijing wants to takeover control when it comes to ‘complicated cases’, such as those involving foreign forces, an accusation which Beijing repeatedly made against the Hong Kong protests. These cases will be prosecuted by China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate and put on trial in mainland courts, with PRC law being applied. The Office, furthermore, will be in charge of investigations and intelligence gathering, and its operations will not be subject to control of the HKSAR city administration, but directly reported to Beijing. [Hong Kong Free Press 1, full English translation of the law] [Xinhua, for the law in Chinese] As head of the Office China has appointed Zheng Yanxiong, so far secretary general of the Communist Party committee in the southern province of Guangdong. He is known as a hardliner who cracked down on protests during a land dispute in the southern Chinese village of Wukan back in 2011 when he blamed Chinese villagers for speaking to “rotten” foreign media. [Reuters] First tangible effects of the new law followed immediately. During a pro-democracy rally on Wednesday, the day of the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China, more than 350 people were arrested, including ten suspected of breaking the new law. The Hong Kong government, meanwhile, announced that the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”, displayed during the rally and widely chanted during the anti-government protests last year, violates the law as it connotes Hong Kong’s independence from China. [BBC] [Hong Kong Government] In another development, books of pro-democracy activists have been removed from the shelves of libraries for review whether they break the new law while schools were ordered by Hong Kong’s Education Bureau to check their stock of books for the same purpose and to remove those which violate the law. [South China Morning Post] In a latest move, the Committee for Safeguarding National Security this Monday on its first meeting approved regulations to grant the Hong Kong police far-reaching powers as part of the implementation of the new security law. The powers include – among others – raiding premises without a court warrant, ordering internet firms to remove content or seizing equipment, and demanding information from political groups operating outside the city. [Hong Kong Free Press 2] China: Government critic detained (dql) Security officers on Monday raided the residence of Xu Zhangrun, Chinese professor for constitutional theory and Western philosophy and outspoken critic of President Xi Jinping, to confiscate his computer and other personal items and to arrest him afterwards. Xu has been under house arrest since early this year for repeated public criticism on the Chinese leadership. [The Guardian][AiR No. 7, February/2020, 3] China: Uighur activist group demand ICC’s prosecution President Xi (dql) Exiled Uighur activist groups have submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and called upon the court to prosecute over 30 Chinese officials, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, over charge on genocide and crimes against humanity. [WION] China, however, is not a signatory of the Rome Statute so that the ICC does not have jurisdiction of cases filed against China. China: New political security task force launched (dql) China’s Communist Party has established a special task force in an attempt to strengthen political security in the country and shield the party’s uncontested rule against “subversive activities, terrorist acts, ethnic secession and religious extremism in accordance with the law.” Analysts view the launching of the task force as a measure to improve and fine-tune inter-agency coordination on political security in the face of both domestic and international fierce criticism of the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. [South China Morning Post] Japan: Yuriko Koike re-elected governor of Tokyo (mp) Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Sunday won a second four-year term leading Japan´s capital. Koike, whose victory was widely expected, received almost 60 percent of the votes, far outpacing her rivals while runner-up Kenji Utsunomiya reached 13,8 percent. Voter turnout was 55 percent, which is a decrease of 4.7 percentage points compared to 2016. The conservative 67-year-old Koike, who is Tokyo´s first female leader based her campaign on the promise to act resolutely in case of a second wave of coronavirus cases since the number of patients has started rising during previous days. On Monday, she announced plans to set up a disease control center to cope with the virus. She, however, does not only face challenges by the coronavirus crisis but also challenges posed by hosting the Olympic Games that have been postponed to summer 2021 [Mainichi] [Nikkei Asian Review] South Korea: Cabinet approves ILO conventions (dql) South Korea’s government approved three of four International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions which the country has yet to ratify after it had joint ILO in 1991. The three conventions include the convention on the freedom of association, on the right to organize and collective bargaining, and on the prohibition of forced labor. The remaining fourth convention on the abolition of forced labor still requires further discussion since the convention could contradict South Korea's social service agent system, under which conscripted individuals are exempted from military service to do social service. Although the cabinet’s move is rejected by the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) as well as business lobby groups, the National Assembly is expected to pass the conventions within this month on the basis of the absolute majority of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). [KBS] [Yonhap] In another legislative move, the DPK last week started the process to launch a special investigative anti-corruption agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting high-ranking public officials. The creation of such a body as a core part of a reform of the country’s prosecution system was one of President Moon’s key presidential election campaign pledge in 2017. However, the legislative path to the new agency will be a thorny one as the UFP holds a veto power in the election of the agency’s head and as the party announced that it will not join the parliamentary process to launch the new agency until the Constitutional Court will rule on the question whether the planned agency is constitutional or not. The UFP submitted this question to the court in February. [Korea Herald] South Korea denies US request to extradite operator of child pornography site (yo) The South Korean court turned down a request of the US Justice Department to extradite Son Jong-woo in an attempt to charge him for money-laundering and operating one of the world’s largest child pornography websites. The court said that Son needs to remain in South Korea for authorities to track users for possible indictment. The court’s decision was a disappointment for many anti-child pornography groups as they believe Son’s trial in the US would lead to a more severe punishment and help prevent future sexual crimes in Korea. While Son completed an 18 months sentence for his crimes, some individuals in the US who purchased the content through the website have been sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison, which explicitly reveals South Korea’s negligent attitude. Public criticism against illegal pornography and sexual harassment has grown in South Korea in recent months and several men are on trial for such activity and distribution of illegal material online. [New York Times] Taiwan prepared to post-Covid economic challenges (dql) Taiwan has been worldwide hailed for its successful curbing of the Covid-19 pandemic. Liu Shih-chung at [Brookings] demonstrates how Taiwan not only overcame the coronavirus crisis, but also how due the government’s prudent policy of diversifying its businesses, industries and markets Taiwan is well prepared to remain economically strong in the post-Covid period and to “team up with the international community for a better future.” Law and Politics in South Asia India: Five policemen arrested over deaths in custody (lf) Last week, AiR reported on the growing protests in India over the death of a father and his son, shortly after they had been released from prison [AiR No 26, June/ 2020, 5]. This week, five policemen involved in the incident have been arrested and charged with murder by a local court. Several other members of the police station in the Indian state Tamil Nandu have been transferred and replaced with other officers. The family of the deceased had accused the police officers of torturing the father-son duo to death. Police violence is a widespread phenomenon in India. According to a report under the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT), around five people a day have died in custody in India in 2019, amounting to a total number of 1,723. These deaths occur primarily due to torture. The report states that torture is used either as punishment or to gather information. [UNCAT Report] [BBC] Pakistan: Judge in Sharif Nawaz case dismissed from High Court (lf) The High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, has dismissed one of its judges. The dismissal raises questions about a court case against the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The now dismissed judge had been part of the accountability court. His career, however, had been threatened ever since a video of him admitting to a lack of evidence against the former PM in the Al Aziza Mill reference case appeared in 2019. In 2018, Sharif received a prison sentence for corruption. The video, which was published by the brother and daughter of Sharif, shows the former judge admitting to being coerced into giving a prison sentence even though crucial evidence was missing. The incident casts an unfavorable light on the accountability court and may reopen the case against Sharif. [The News] [Tribune] Pakistan: Foreign and health ministers test positive as coronavirus cases on the rise (ls) Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the country’s Health Minister Zafar Mirza have both been tested positive for the coronavirus. Since the government eased lockdown measures in mid-May, the number of infections has sharply risen in the country. [Bloomberg] Sri Lanka: Regrouping LTTE members arrested (cm) Sri Lankan security forces have recently been arresting 22 Tamil youths who were attempting to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the northern part of the country. The LTTE had been defeated 11 years ago by the military. Reportedly, the raids were accompanied by police brutality and one death. More military checkpoints and presence have been placed around Tamil communities. In addition, the leader of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), Gajen Ponnambalam, was warned of being arrested if any commemoration towards the LTTE’s Black Tigers, an elite LTTE unit, were to be conveyed on Black Tigers Day. [Sunday Times] [Tamil Guardian 1] [Tamil Guardian 2] Sri Lanka: Ongoing concerns over illegal sand mining (cm) Concerns have been voiced from local people with regards to the environmental damages of illegal sand mining in the North-East of Sri Lanka, around the Per Aru River. The significant damages have been causing ongoing tensions between security forces and Tamils as the mining damages trees and banks. Tamil groups have stated that the mining is backed by the police and other state authorities. [Tamil Guardian] Law and Politics in Southeast Asia Indonesia: Government announces help to avoid “lost generation” of students (yo) Indonesia’s Education and Culture Ministry last week announced a raft of emergency measures to relieve students from financial burden in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the government is planning to reduce tuition fees in order to prevent more students that have been impacted by COVID-19 from dropping out of universities. However, these undertakings are criticised to reveal different attitudes towards private and public universities, as only public universities have been instructed to provide such concessions while 90% of students, who in fact are in private institutions will not benefit from policy adjustments. Education Minister Nadiem Makarim additionally announced other support strategies as fee discounts, deferrals, hardship scholarships, and so on in order to facilitate students to continue studying. He stated his intention to ease conditions for private universities as well, allocating one trillion rupiah to provide financial assistance for private college students. However, there is yet debate on whether this would be enough to support families that have been hit by the pandemic, and mitigate long term impacts of education graduation rates and youth unemployment. [Times Higher Education] Indonesia: President Widodo’s mercurial relationship with his own party hit another bump (lm) Throughout the last week, party elites of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) have taken to social media their disappointment over President Joko Widodo’s decision to appoint a non-party figure as the new Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Not a PDI-P cadre, Mr Erick Thohir, who headed President Widodo’s re-election campaign team last year, was widely credited for successfully organising the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. [Strait Times] Rancour in PDI-P hit rock bottom when Mr Thohir later appointed former colleagues, who helped him organise the 2018 Asian Games, to senior posts in state-owned enterprises and other strategic posts. PDI-P leader Adian Napitupulu reportedly had submitted a list of about 30 candidates in October 2019 to State Secretary Pratikno, who then handed it over to Mr Thohir. According to Mr Napitupulu, however, none of his nominees was ever summoned. Malaysia: BN victory in by-election, possible snap-elections, ongoing PH tensions (cm/lm) On Sunday, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Sharim Bin Mohd Zain won the Chini constituency state by-election in Malaysia’s Pahang federal state, which was held following the May 6 death of the incumbent UMNO assemblyman. This first poll held under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government was considered a litmus test for the tacit cooperation among the different factions of the PN coalition led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. With his 1MDB trial put on hold until July 17, Malaysia’s former leader Najib Razak was also allowed to join the political campaign leading up to the by-election, and is said to conduct a speech in parliament whilst holding off his trial. [New Straits Times 1] [The Straits Times 1] [Malay Mail] [SCMP] Meanwhile, a meeting of the 12 political parties constituting the governing PN coalition brought support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s leadership who is looking to shore up his shaky position in parliament. Reportedly, the Prime Minister may aim for snap polls, potentially in March 2021 to ask for a fresh five-year mandate from the people. [Nikkei Asian Review] [New Straits Times 2] [The Straits Times 2] Amidst the infightings within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition over the preferred candidate for the office of the Prime Minister, Malaysia’s former leader Mahathir Mohamad reiterated that Anwar Ibrahim was not suitable to serve as the coalition’s candidate, given his ostensible lack of popularity with the Malays. [SCMP] Myanmar: Over 200 dead due to landslide triggered mud wave (jn) At least 200 people were killed by tsunami-like waves of mud and water after a landslide had rushed into a lake at a jade mine in Hpakant township, Kachin state, northern Myanmar close to the Chinese border. Both work accidents and landslides are common in an area that draws poor migrant workers from across the country, yet this disaster is the worst in the past five years. Despite government vows to regulate mining activities and related corruption better, thousands of jade pickers continue to scour for jade scraps that might have been left behind in tailings by the large mining operators. Myanmar is the world’s biggest exporter of jadeite with official sales worth $750 million in 2016/17, the bulk of which leaving for China. The obscure industry was worth $31 billion in 2014, and watchdog groups assume that operators are tied to former and acting military figures and their cronies. The riches of the vast natural resources in northern Myanmar help finance both sides of the civil war between Kachin insurgents and the military. [Myanmar Times] [Asia Times] [Bangkok Post] [SCMP] [Radio Free Asia] Myanmar: General elections in November (jn) The chairman of the Union Election Commission of Myanmar announced that the next general election for the parliament would be held on November 8, 2020. Representatives for more than 1170 national, state and local seats will be chosen including those in the country’s conflict-stricken regions. The election will serve as a litmus test for State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and her ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) to lead a civilian government for another term. Since she gained power in a landslide victory in 2015, ending years of military junta, Aung San Suu Kyi continues to enjoy popularity domestically, especially among her base of the Bamar majority, despite escalating armed conflicts between the government and ethnic insurgent groups in some states and slow economic growth. Internationally, the reputation of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and once revered democracy icon has considerably suffered over the military crackdown that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee the country and that gave rise to corresponding accusations of genocide, which she fended off at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague. Experts still expect her to retain an albeit diminished majority of seats in parliament, even though 25% of those are constitutionally reserved for the military. The main opponent of the NLD is the ‘Union Solidarity and Development Party’, the political arm of the military. Human Rights groups fear that many citizens, among them marginalized ethnic groups and internally displaced people, will not have fair access to the ballot box. Nevertheless, relatively competitive and free elections could be a landmark in consolidating Myanmar’s trajectory towards a more stable democracy. [Myanmar Times] [Al Jazeera] [The Diplomat] Philippines: President Duterte gives presidential approval to anti-terror bill (mp) Without making any amendments, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed-off on the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020”, after it had been approved earlier by Congress. Citing a rising number of threats from communist and Islamist insurgencies that warranted strong countermeasures, the government justified the legislation, which critics fear could be used to crack-down on human rights activists and perceived enemies. The law defines terrorism as intending to cause death or injury, damage to government or private property or use weapons of mass destruction in order to "spread a message of fear" or intimidate the government. It includes expanded permissions of surveillance as well as warrantless arrests and detention for up to 14 days. [AiR No. 23, June/2020, 2] [DW] While Senate President Vicente Sotto declared “only terrorists and their supporters” had to fear the law, civil society groups are skeptical of the motives and the legality of the legislation. Human Rights Watch Asia Deputy Director Phil Robertson claimed the bill had “pushed Philippine democracy into an abyss”, as it would likely be used to target political opponents. Only some days before, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, urged the President to reconsider the law to prevent a “chilling effect” on human rights. [Straits Times] [Amnesty International] Philippines: United Nations Rights Office condemns violence of war on drugs (mp) Speaking at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday said the HRC should consider supporting new accountability measures against perpetrators of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines’ so-called war on drugs. Her appeal follows on the publication of a UN HRC report in June this year, which documented thousands of illegal killings that have occurred since President Duterte gained power in 2016. [UN News] [AiR No. 23, June/2020, 2] Fending off the accusations, Philippines Justice Minister claimed that the country has set up an inter-agency body, including the country´s Commission on Human Rights, to investigate the 5,655 drug war victims that are officially recognized by the government. However, Human Rights Watch has questioned the investigation´s credibility, since only a single one case related to the war on drugs has led to a conviction of the police officer involved in the shooting so far. Duterte previously terminated the Philippines’ membership in the International Crime Court after the Court announced plans to call for investigations into drug war killings. [The Diplomat] Singapore: POFMA’s growing correction issues: Opposition party and statement on migrant workers (cm) Since Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) was signed into law last October, the government has not hesitated to issue correction orders, especially since campaigning got underway for the General Election next week. Last Thursday, the People’s Voice Party’s (PV) was asked to correct a video posted on Facebook and YouTube in which party chief Lim Tean had claimed that every year, foreigners were given free education from the Singapore government. The PV party was quick to comply and marked the video as inaccurate. Last month, self-exiled dissident Alex Tan’s Facebook page was blocked due to his criticisms of the nation’s government. [AiR No. 23, June/2020, 2] [SCMP] Moreover, the government has recently extended its orders also to larger organizations and movements, such as the Online Citizen Asia (TOC) and New Naratif, Channel News Asia (CNA), and even the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS). As of two days ago, all four have posted Facebook videos, recordings and an article regarding the upcoming General Elections. A specific concern of the government was with the chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party, who stated that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) discouraged testing on migrant workers, further claiming employers who brought migrant workers for testing would lose work pass privileges, and the advice was given without advice from medical professionals. The Government of Singapore swiftly published clarifications on their official website, stating the influx of migrant workers at Changi General Hospital were not deemed ill. As the main focus and priority were unwell and high-risk patients, MOM advised to not conduct testing on migrant workers who were seen as ‘well’. Though Singapore’s prompt response is no surprise as they were recently in the spotlight for their inhumane living conditions for migrant workers. [AiR No. 16, April/2020, 3] [Government of Singapore] [Straits Times] Singapore’s Reliance on Technology for Covid-19 Precautions (cm) As the Singaporean government eases COVID-19 restrictions, workers are taking precaution by using QR codes to enter public facilities, and digital maps to view crowded areas. Singapore has initiated their token device to the elderly, who are highly vulnerable to contracting an infection, and may not use smartphones. [South China Morning Post] [AiR No. 24, June/2020, 3] Thailand: NACC investigation finds ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra abused her power (lm) The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Wednesday said an investigation had found former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra abused her power in improperly transferring National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Thawil Pliansri to an inactive post in 2011. [Bangkok Post] On September 4, 2011, then-Prime Minister Yingluck ordered the Prime Minister's Secretariat to propose that Mr Thawil be transferred to the position of Prime Minister's adviser at the PM's Office. On October 4, 2011, the cabinet appointed then-national police chief Pol Gen Wichien Potephosree to succeed Mr Thawil at the head of the NSC. Chairing the National Police Policy Board, on October 19, 2011, Ms Yingluck proposed her relative Pol Gen Preawpan Damapong, then- Deputy National Police Chief, to be appointed the new National Police Chief. The Police Commission approved her nomination. Stating that Mr Thawil had done nothing wrong that would have justified a demotion, the Supreme Administrative Court in mid-February 2014 ruled that Ms Yingluck abused her power and violated the law in doing so. In May 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled that Ms Yingluck had acted unconstitutionally when she transferred her National Security Head, as a relative had benefited from the move and removed her from office as Prime Minister. [Pattaya Mail] The Commission will now forward the investigation record, together with related documents, evidence, and its recommendation to the Office of the Attorney General. According to NACC deputy secretary-general, the NACC will ask that Ms Yingluck be indicted at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for malfeasance in office, a violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code, and abuse of power under the Anti-Corruption Act. Thailand: Court rejects petition to rule on government MP’s ineligibility (lm) Thailand’s Constitutional Court has refused to rule against a petition to unseat Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompow as an MP due to his ineligibility for office because his wife holds shares in a private company. The petition was submitted by Parliament President Chuan Leekpai, after it gained support of 54 lawmakers, more than the required one-tenth of sitting members of the House of Representatives. Citing Section 101 and 184 (2) of the Constitution, the petitioners argued that Mr Thammanat was ineligible to hold a parliamentary seat due to the potential of a monopoly arising from his wife’s business. According to documents attached to the petition, Mr Thammanat's wife holds shares in Klongtoey Market (2551) Co Ltd - a company that entered into a land lease contract with the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT). According to Sect. 184 (2) it is not allowed for MPs to become a party to a contract that provides an exclusive relation with a State agency. The Court, however, found the land lease contract not exclusive/monopolistic according to the constitutional section. [Bangkok Post] In January, the Constitutional Court had accepted another petition of House speaker Chuan to unseat Deputy Minister Thammanat for having been served four years and six month in an Australian prison for heroin smuggling. Thailand: Supreme Court orders by-election in Samut Prakan (lm) The Supreme Court last Tuesday ordered a by-election in constituency 5 of Samut Prakan province after an inquiry has found a lawmaker from the Palang Pracharath Party, the dominant party in the ruling coalition, guilty of vote-buying during the lead-up to the 2019 General Election. Before, the Election Commission (EC) ruled that he had violated the 2018 law on the election of MPs when in 2019 one of his close associates gave a wreath and 1,000 baht in an envelope to support a funeral in the constituency. The EC thus yellow-carded the MP, revoking his MP status, but still allowing him to run for office again. [Bangkok Post] With him seeking re-election, it is likely to be a three-way fight, as two major opposition parties – Pheu Thai as well as Move Forward Party (MVP) – announced plans to field candidates as well. [Bangkok Post 2] Thailand: Parliament passes 2021 budget bill in first reading (lm) On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the first reading of a 3.3-trillion-baht budget bill for the 2021 fiscal year, with 273 votes in favour, 200 against and three abstentions. As the government tries to revive an economy which is predicted to contract by at least 5 percent this year, Thailand’s parliament had begun its debate on the 2021 budget bill on Wednesday. [Bangkok Post 1] [Asia Times] [SCMP] The 3.3-trillion-baht budget proposed for the 2021 fiscal year (starting Oct. 1) is a deficit budget, projecting a larger 623 billion-baht ($20.14 billion) deficit, which accounts for 3.7 percent of the GDP. The government also expects revenue to fall by 100 billion baht in the next fiscal year down to 2.67 trillion baht. Of the budget, about 675 billion baht (20.5 percent) have been earmarked for government investment, up 4.7 percent from the previous year, and slightly lower than the 693 billion baht estimated in January. Wednesday, opposition members took particular aim at the Defence Ministry's proposed 223.4-billion-baht budget allocation, urging the armed forces to pause the procurement of weaponry, including submarines, and further accusing the government of total indifference to the severity of the economic crisis looming over the country. In response, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha defended the decision to include the procurement of weapons for the armed forces in the budget bill for 2021, citing security concerns and security cooperation obligations with other countries. On Thursday, then, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Chaichan Changmongkol brushed off claims by the Opposition that the Ministry abused a 9.7-billion-baht budget earmarked for peace-keeping operations in the violence-plagued South. [Bangkok Post 2] [Bangkok Post 3] [Thai PBS World] Following the vote, a 72-member vetting committee was formed to scrutinise the bill within 30 days, starting on Wednesday. Worawat Ua-apinyakul, a former MP for the oppositional Pheu Thai Party and a member of the panel on Monday said that funds earmarked for non-essential construction as well as defence spending are likely to face drastic cuts. The bill’s second and third readings are expected in early September. Eventually, it will also need senate and royal approval. [Bangkok Post 4] Thailand: Progressive Movement announces plans to field candidates in local elections (lm) The Progressive Movement, an offshoot of the disbanded Future Forward Party led by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, is planning to field candidates for more than half the seats in local elections such as tambon administration organisations and provincial administration organisations. Speaking during a training session for new candidates, Mr Juangroongruangkit said the movement would find candidates to vie for 4,000 of 7,800 seats at local administrative organisations nationwide. [Bangkok Post] Thailand: Taweesak Na Takuathung elected as new ACT party leader (lm) On Sunday, the nationalist-royalist Action Coalition of Thailand (ACT), a five-MP party in the governing coalition, held a general assembly, electing hitherto secretary-general Taweesak Na Takuathung to be the new party leader, after Labour Minister M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul had resigned both as leader and member of the party. [Bangkok Post] Addressing rumours about potential effects of a cabinet reshuffle on ACT, party co-founder and heavy weight Suthep Thaugsuban – a former secretary general of the Democrat Party and protest leader against the Yingluck government in 2013/14 – said that Anek Laothamatas has been nominated for the post of Labour Minister to replace MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul. [Bangkok Post 2] International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia China joins Arms Trade Treaty amid continued tensions with the USA over South China Sea and Taiwan (dql/ef) China on Monday formally joined the United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty, becoming the 107th country to enter into the multilateral treaty which regulates the international trade in conventional weapons and which the USA spurned last year. Referencing this move, China’s permanent representative at the UN criticized in a statement at the UN that a “[c]ertain country has quit multilateral arms control agreements and international treaties and organizations in succession, walked away from international commitments, and launched acts of unilateralism and bullying.” [AA] The USA, meanwhile, were flexing military muscles amid high running tensions between China and the USA over the South China Sea, when two US aircraft carriers – the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz –, joined by a B 52 bomber, carried out military exercises in the South China Sea over the weekend. The exercises were conducted at the same time when China was completing its own naval exercises in the disputed region. While Washington reassured that the drills were “an unambiguous signal to our partners and allies that we [the US] are committed to regional security and stability”, Beijing denounced the move as “totally out of ulterior motives” and criticized it for its destabilizing effect for the region. [The Dipomat] [Stars and Stripes][Time] Meanwhile, a draft of the Taiwan Defense Act was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives, a month after the same bill was introduced to the U.S. Senate. The bill reassures that Taiwan is "a steadfast partner of the United States in the common pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region […]" and aims at ensuring the U.S. to meets its obligations towards Taiwan according to the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979 by requiring the US Department of Defense to take measure to guarantee that Taiwan will be able to thwart a Chinese invasion, in particular a "fait accompli" against Taiwan. The TRA itself aims at making sure that the USA and Taiwan continue substantial de-facto diplomatic and economic relations between the U.S. and Taiwan. It contains also a pledge to provide Taiwan with sufficient defense weapons and services to enable self-defense. [Focus Taiwan] [Senator Hawley, who introduced the bill to the Senate for the text of the bill] Cross-strait relations: Chinese war planes fly again over Taiwan (ef) After the People’s Liberation Army of China announced last week that it would conduct a five-day military exercise in the South China Sea, a Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwest air defence identification zone. The aircraft was chased off by Taiwanese patrol planes. This incident marks the 10th time since July 9 that Chinese military planes entered Taiwan’s airspace. [Focus Taiwan] China-UK relations: Tensions high over Hong Kong (dql) Sino-British relations continue to be strained over Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong. In response to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to offer millions of Hongkongers, eligible for the British national overseas status (BNO), residency in the UK, China denounced the pledge as “irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs” and “gross interference in China's internal affairs” and promised to retaliate with countermeasures should London go ahead with this pledge. [Deutsche Welle ][The Guardian] Further complicating the situation is Boris Johnson's statement on Huawei saying that "Britain was concerned about security around 'hostile state vendors'”, prompting China's rebuke warning the UK that "[if] you want to make China a hostile country, you will have to bear the consequences.” [Financial Times] Japan: Strengthening intelligence sharing with the United Kingdom, Australia, and India (mp) In the light of China´s steady maneuvers in critical territories such as the East and the South China Sea, Japan expands its collaboration with intelligence services of partners like the United Kingdom, Australia, and India. The corporations aim to guarantee and encourage secure data exchange between the allies by setting up severe penalties for leaking classified secrets of military relevance. The measures will, for instance, facilitate the sharing of Chinese troop movements and hostile activities. Japan further intends to involve the United Kingdom in future purchases of next-generation fighter jets. [Nikkei Asian Review] Japan: Ruling party urges government to cancel Xi´s state visit (mp) In response to the new security law which Beijing imposed over Hong Kong, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan published a resolution urging the government to cancel Chinese President Xi Jinping´s upcoming state visit. The resolution criticizes the implementation of the security bill and subsequent mass arrests against protesters and further called Japan to assist Hong Kong residents wishing to leave by providing necessary visas. China instantly responded to the resolution, refusing foreign interference in internal affairs and claiming “anti-Chinese performances” had “no meaning” to China. [Mainichi Japan] Japan asks the US to hand over men accused of helping Ghosn flee (mp) Japan has officially requested the United States to extradite a former soldier and his son, who are accused of assisting former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn to flee from the judiciary. Both men have been arrested in the US in May at Japan´s request. They are suspected of having helped Ghosn, who had been charged with engaging in financial crimes, to fly to Lebanon in a spectacular escape while hiding in a box declared to contain musical instruments. The men´s lawyers, however, claimed that extradition for the noted charges was inadmissible under the countries´ bilateral treaty. [BBC] North Korea: No interest in talks with the US (yo) Reflecting deteriorated relations between North Korea and the USA, a veteran North Korean diplomat ruled out any possibility of resuming negotiations with the US before US presidential elections in November, pointing to a “detailed strategic timetable” Pyongyang has in place to cope with the “long-term threat from the U.S.“ [The Diplomat] This comment was made as a response to Seoul’s Unification Ministry stating that diplomacy remained their objective and that South Korean President Moon Jae-in proposed a third official summit between the key leaders. [United Press International] India-China standoff: China pulls back troops as Modi visits the region (lf/ls) Since tensions between India and China at the Line of Actual Control in disputed Ladakh had resulted in the deadliest clashes in decades, China has apparently begun to move troops away from the Galwan Valley. The Chinese foreign ministry stated that it hoped to ease the tensions with this move and meet India halfway in negotiations. After weeks of tight tensions between the two countries, this is the first sign of an easing. Both sides have agreed that the disengagement process should be done “expeditiously”. [Aljazeera] [Straits Times] On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to the Himalayan border region and met with troops, including soldiers who had been wounded in the clash. He said, “this is the age of development. Whenever a country has been consumed by expansionism, it has posed a threat to humanity and has destroyed the world. History is a witness that expansionist forces either lose or turn back.” [South China Morning Post] Meanwhile, new details of the incident have emerged from Reuters journalists’ interviews with relatives of some of the 20 Indian soldiers who died in the latest clash in June. The brutalities described there, however, raise even more questions about the intentions and goals pursued on both sides. China and India continue to blame each other for the incident. [Reuters] For reflections of the current India-China tensions at the United Nations see Devirupa Mitra at [The Wire] who describes India’s strategic behavior vis-à-vis the West and China in the context of the compilation of the Declaration of Commemoration of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary, where India joined the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand in successfully rejecting a version of the declaration which contained the words ‘’shared vision for a common future”, a reference to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s concept of the global order. India-China standoff: Economic consequences (lf/ls) After India banned 59 Chinese apps last week, the first consequences are becoming visible. Not only will the Chinese-owned company which operates TikTok see losses up to $6 billion as India is one of the biggest markets for the app, with double the downloads in a recent month than the US. The ban has also already taken a direct effect on millions of Indian content creators who are unable to use the app, some of which used TikTok to generate income. The apps were banned under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000. This allows the blocking to protect the security of the state, the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order. The decision to block is an executive procedure. A review committee can be called for appeal. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled the Section constitutional and clarified that blocking orders can be challenged in India’s High Courts. [The Print] The ban sets a possible precedence for other countries to follow. US American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the ban. Experts fear a separation of the internet into national units and a limit of the freedom of the Internet, consequently. [Wired] [Forbes] The deadly clash between India and China which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers has resulted in Indian calls to ban trade with China. Trade frictions can already be felt in India as imports from China undergo strict checks at Indian ports. A complete trade ban, however, seems unfeasible. The two nations are close trading partners and China is India’s biggest importer. A trade war between the countries would be costly for both countries, especially since the respective national economies are already experiencing a slowing in growth due to the economic crisis produced by Covid19. [Deutsche Welle] [Straits Times] Pakistan and China extend economic relations (lf) While India and China clash over their border disputes in the Himalayas, Pakistan and China have signed another deal over a hydropower project in Pakistan-administrated Kashmir, which will be a key part in the Sino-Pakistan economic corridor, forming part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The hydropower plant is the second major infrastructure project financed by China in the area this year. India has said that no major infrastructure projects should be undertaken in the disputed area and that the new deal undermines that. This aspect might lead to further escalation in an already tense situation. [Nikkei Asian Review] China’s continued involvement in Nepali politics to support the beleaguered prime minister (ls) As the political pressure on Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from within his party grows, China appears to get involved in the country’s domestic politics another time. China’s ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, met with President Bidya Bhandari and a senior politician heading the foreign relations department of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). The meetings took place without the involvement of the foreign ministry, which is unusual. Analysts believe that Hou is engaged in efforts to bolster the position of the beleaguered prime minister as she allegedly already did in April and May at the height of political pressure against Oli. Back then, she met with Oli himself and the NCP’s chairman. [Hindustan Times 1] [Republic World] Oli has come under increasing attacks from within his own party over his pronounced anti-Indian stance. In recent weeks, the Nepali government published a map that included territories that are disputed with India. Moreover, six new border outposts along the border with India had been set up. Two of these have now been withdrawn in what appears to be a move to appease Oli’s critics. China and India are currently in heightened border tensions in the Himalayas. [Hindustan Times 2] India-Italy relations: Permanent Court of Arbitration clears Italians from criminal liability in India (lf) The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has passed the jurisdiction over the prosecution of two Italian navy officers from India to Italy. The two marines had been under prosecution in India for shooting two Indian fishermen in 2012. Italy claims that they shot the fishermen as they thought them to be pirates coming approaching the Italian oil tanker they were stationed on. In addition, they claim to have fired warning shots before shooting the fishermen. While Italy claims jurisdiction due to the incident having happened in international waters, India argues that it occurred in Indian waters. Consequently, Italy field a case with the PCA in 2015. The PCA now ruled that both marines were immune from Indian jurisdiction. Nonetheless, the court ordered Italy to pay reparations to India. The incident has caused tensions in India-Italy relations. The marines have spent years imprisoned in India without being charged before they could leave to Italy due to medical reasons. When India initially refused to release one of the marines when he got sick, Italy threatened to remove its ambassador in New Delhi. Italy has regarded the incident as a breach of the international law of the sea. However, both India and Italy stated they were open to meet for negotiations. [Deutsche Welle] [Aljazeera] Bangladesh-India border trade resumes after impasse (yo) Bangladesh and India have agreed to resume cross-border trade. After a 2-month break due to COVID-19, trade was scheduled to continue on June 7th, but while Indian trucks crossed Bangladeshi borders, Bangladeshi trucks were blocked. Bangladesh responded with a lockdown and an embargo on Indian freight the past few weeks as a protest against India’s unilateral move. Now a consensus in has been reached and the two nations have agreed to resume trade. [Anadolu Agency] Malaysia files WTO legal action against EU’s restrictions on palm biofuels (cm) Malaysia filed legal action against the EU's allegedly discriminatory “anti-palm oil campaign” to the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s dispute settlement mechanism. Justifying the step, the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister said the directive constitutes discriminatory action, and restricts any form of free trade practices. [The Straits Times] [New Straits Times] The EU’s Delegation Regulation, under the 2018 Renewable Energy Directive II, places restrictions on palm oil-based biofuels. Due to the excessive deforestation from palm oils, the EU plans to slowly eliminate palm-based transport fuels from renewables and propose legislative frameworks for sustainable food in 2030. This brings fear to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, as the EU is the third largest buyer of palm oil, and the extent of these measures are uncertain, such as additional sustainability requirements for the climate target plan in 2030. Thus, Malaysia will act as a third party to the WTO’s Indonesia’s case against the EU’s anti-palm oil campaign. [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2] [Bangkok Post] Court upholds Australian government refusal to release documents on Indonesia's 1975 invasion of Timor-Leste (lm) An Australian court last week upheld the government’s refusal to release diplomatic cables and cabinet documents relating to Australia’s involvement in Indonesia’s 1975 occupation of Timor-Leste. Since the hearing began in 2018, academic Kim McGrath had repeatedly sought access from the National Archives to documents that record border negotiations between Indonesia and Australia in the 1970s. Under the Archives Act, cabinet documents are made public after 30 years – currently transitioning to 20 years – however, the law also provides legislative protection to Commonwealth government records, which is why successive governments had blocked her applications for the documents over a number of years. In its decision, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) upheld various reasons for refusal, including that disclosing the documents “could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the security or international relations of the commonwealth”. [The Guardian] Vietnam sends diplomatic protest note to China over navy drills (jn) Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry has lodged a protest note with China to complain about the recent military drills in the South China Sea. Speaking at a regular briefing, the spokeswoman explained the step, saying that the drills would “seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty” and would “further complicate the situation”, as they “are detrimental to the relationship between China and ASEAN.” Having delivered the diplomatic note, Vietnam would now ask China to refrain from repeating similar actions in the South China Sea. The Philippines had also criticized the drills which like Vietnam lays claim to parts of the South China Sea according to the concept of Exclusive Economic Zones under to international maritime law. [Straits Times] [SCMP] China had scheduled the exercises in waters near the Paracel Islands for five days starting last Wednesday. It asserts historical rights to over 80% of the South China Sea. As a sign of increasing geopolitical tensions, Chinese vessels harassed Vietnamese fishing boats in June and April, and in the earlier case sunk one of them [AiR No. 24, June/2020, 3] [AiR No. 14, April/2020, 1]. China had called Vietnam’s maritime claims illegal and “doomed to fail.” Thailand-China relations to be deepened (dql) On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relation between China and Taiwan, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha compared the relationship between both countries with those of a family. Li, furthermore, hailed Sino-Thai relations a model for China-ASEAN relations and vowed to further advance both countries’ ties, while Prayut responded with a pledge to closer coordination between the two governments. [Thai PBS] Upcoming Online Events 8 July 2020 @ 10:00 am UTC+8, Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore What's in Store for Malaysia's House? Anticipating Parliament's July Sitting This webinar will analyze how the Malaysian Parliament's next sitting on 13 July is supposed to look like and discuss priorities in legislation and policymaking as well as the coalition's political dynamics. If you are interested in joining the event, visit [ISEAS] for further information.
8 July 2020 @ 4:00 pm CEST, The South African Institute of International Affairs, South Africa The rise of China in the time of coronavirus This webinar explores China's rise during the coronavirus pandemic and its economic and political impact on the world. Please find registration details here: [SAIIA].
8 July 2020 @ 2:00 pm EDT, United States Institute of Peace, USA Congressional Perspectives on U.S.-China Relations This bipartisan event will let two U.S. representatives discuss questions arising from recent changes in U.S.-China relations. Topics could include the U.S.-China trade agreement and Hong Kong's new security law. Participation is possible via YouTube's comment section. Please find the details here: [USIP].
8 July 2020 @ 9:30 am EDT, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA The Scramble for Libya: A Globalized Civil War at Tipping Point This event gives insight into recent developments in the Libyan war and outlines the roles and perspectives of foreign actors such as Russia, Turkey, the Emirates, Egypt, and France. To access the discussion, please visit [Carnegie].
8 July 2020 @ 9:00 am EDT, Wilson Center, USA AMLO, Trump, and the Bilateral Relationship Since the Mexican President is about to visit the United States, this Zoom event will reflect on the current relationship between the United States and Mexico and give ideas on how to improve it. Follow [Wilson Center] for further details.
8 July 2020 @ 10:00 am E.T., Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA China's Muslims and Japan's Empire: Centering Islam in World War II This online event will debate how World War II formed the current campaign of the Communist Party of China that suppresses citizens of the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region. Please see [CSIS] for more information.
8 July 2020 @ 12:00 pm EDT, Hudson Institute, USA U.K.-China Clash: A Conversation with Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP In this video event, former leader of the Conservative Party, Sir Ian Duncan Smith MP, will discuss the threat posed by China and how the United Kingdom could react to the change of UK-China relations. Follow [Hudson] for further details.
8 July 2020 @ 10:00 am CET, Chatham House, United Kingdom COVID-19 Pandemic Briefing – Leading a Global Response This weekly briefing event will explore what we have learned in the past six months of the coronavirus pandemic and how a global response should be designed so that we can live with the virus during the next years. Please see [Chathamhouse] for further information.
8 July 2020 @ 2:00 pm BST, International Institute for Strategic Studies, USA Policing and the use of force: seeking security and legitimacy in violent urban areas This event takes a look at how Pakistan, Kenya, and Brazil dealt with both criminal and police violence in urban areas and how this knowledge can be used in the United States and other countries. Please check [IISS] for details.
8 July 2020 @ 12:30 pm EDT, Atlantic Council, USA Space salon: Making space available for everyone This public discussion shows the importance of space for humankind as well as new ways to increase space safety by guaranteeing trust in satellite orbits, debris removal, and collision warning. A detailed description is accessible at [Atlantic Council].
9 July 2020 @ 9:00 am EDT, Atlantic Council, USA Information in Iran: How recent global events are used to shape and skew reality Since Iran has faced new challenges in the information landscape, this event will examine how global events shape and skew the truth, which the Iranian regime presents its people. Further information is accessible at [Atlantic Council].
9 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm EDT, Atlantic Council, USA Challenging convention: Charting a course for the New American Engagement Initiative This webinar discusses how up to date the assumptions guiding U.S. foreign policy are, which need to be reevaluated in light of the changing global landscape and how the United States can learn from mistakes of the past. Further information is accessible at [Atlantic Council].
9 July 2020 @ 12:00 pm EDT, Hudson Institute, USA Dialogues on American Foreign Policy and World Affairs: A Conversation with Former Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken This online conversation with former Deputy Secretary of State and Deputy National Security Advisor Antony Blinken will look into U.S. foreign policy and the United States' role in a world of global challenges. Follow [Hudson] for further details.
9 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm EDT, Wilson Center, United States How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict This book presentation gives insights into the war on information in Central and Eastern Europe and governments' responses to disinformation campaigns. Further, it shows how we can understand the motives behind these attacks better. To join the presentation, please follow [Wilson Center].
9 July 2020 @ 12:00 pm CEST, Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich, Switzerland CSS Brown Bag Webinar: "Corona and the Future of the Iran Nuclear Deal" This webinar will discuss the impact of the United States, leaving the Iran nuclear agreement and whether it will be possible to keep Iran from building atomic weapons in the future. Please see [ETH Zurich] for more information.
9 July 2020 @ 10:00 am CEST, Institute for Economics & Peace, Australia Trends in Global Peace: Focus on The Balkans This event explores trends in global peace, Covid-19's impact on it as well as global peace implications for the Balkans. To register for the webinar, please visit [Vision of Humanity].
9 July 2020 @ 10:00 am EST, Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA Covid-19 Through the Migration Lens This event will show how the coronavirus has put a focus on migrants' contributions to the global economy, and the pandemic's impact on food security. Please visit [CSIS] for details about the event.
9 July 2020 @ 12:00 pm EDT, The Heritage Foundation, USA How Can State Legislatures Curtail Governors' Shutdown Powers? This online panel discussion examines the use of emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic and how legislators can ensure governors stick to the legal framework. Please find further details here: [Heritage].
10 July 2020 @ 9:00 am EDT, Foreign Policy Research Institute, USA Why isn't Latvia the next Crimea? Fading Russian Influence in the Baltics This zoom event will discuss why the Baltic States have not become the next victim of Russian annexation politics. A second angle will explore the civic and cultural integration among Russian speakers in Latvia. Visit [FPRI] to register for this event.
10 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm PT, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, USA Are We Back to Square One with North Korea? This panel discussion offers an analysis of where the United States stands with North Korea and how the Korean conflict might develop in the future, also considering the coming U.S. presidential election. Please check [FSI Stanford] for details.
13 July 2020 @ 2:00 pm BST, International Institute for Strategic Studies, USA A new era for U.K. maritime air power: testing times, testing waters This panel discussion will consider the United Kingdom's changes in naval airpower capabilities and opportunities and challenges arising from its transformation in the light of global strategic dynamics and challenges. Please see [IISS] for further information.
13 July 2020 @ 9:30 am EDT, Atlantic Council, USA COVID-19 in the Middle East: An opportunity to improve public health? This event discusses global health challenges in the Middle East and how the coronavirus outbreak put a spotlight on access to health care. Further lecture information is accessible at [Atlantic Council].
14 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm CDT, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, USA How to understand our Globalized World This live stream event deals with globalization, the world's biggest challenges, and how they affect countries worldwide. If you are interested in joining the webinar, please find further details at [Chicago Council].
14 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm EDT, The Heritage Foundation, USA The U.S. Withdraws from Open Skies: The Right Call? This event debates whether Trump's decision to withdraw from the Open Skies treaty was the right decision and the withdrawal's impact on arms control negotiations. Please find further details here: [Heritage].
14 July 2020 @ 5:30 pm AEST, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australia Norway's U.N. Security Council Role This event will analyze the role of Norway during its membership in the U.N. Security Council from January 2021 to December 2022. Follow [AIIA] for event details.
14 July 2020 @ 9:00 am E.T., Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA Tenth Annual South China Sea Conference, Keynote and Session One This webinar will discuss and analyze recent developments in the South China Sea and potential routes into the future. The event consists of a keynote followed by a panel discussion. Please see [CSIS] for additional information.
15 July 2020 @ 2:00 pm EDT, Brookings, USA Election 2020: How coronavirus is changing politics and public opinion This webinar will examine the United States presidential election, its campaign strategies, and how it has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. See [Brookings] for further information.
15 July 2020 @ 6:00 pm AEST, Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australia The World After COVID: Challenges for International Policymakers This webinar will discuss challenges for the post-coronavirus world such as the fragility of former world leaders, the upcoming U.S. election, the U.K.'s exit from the E.U. as well as Hong Kong's relationship with China. Follow [AIIA] for further details.
15 July 2020 @ 8:00 am CDT, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, USA Joshua Wong on Autonomy and Activism in Hong Kong Hong Kong democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Joshua Wong will join the discussion about democracy, political activism, and Hong Kong's future. If you are interested in joining the webinar, please find further details at [Chicaco Council].
15 July 2020 @ 10:30 am EDT, The Heritage Foundation, USA How to Make the Pentagon Work Better and Cost Less This book presentation will explore why the Pentagon continues to be inefficient and why attempted reforms never succeeded. Please find further details here: [Heritage].
15 July 2020 @ 1:00 pm PDT, World Affairs, USA Webinar: Where is Russia heading in 2020? This webinar discusses how Russia's future is projected to look like, whether Putin can overcome the coronavirus crisis, how the Ukraine conflict is expected to develop, and what we can anticipate from the US-Russia relations. Please find registration details here: [World Affairs].
15 July 2020 @ 10:00 am PT, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, USA Towards Cyber Peace, Closing the Accountability Gap This public discussion will focus on challenges to cyber peace and its future. Visit [FSI Stanford] for registration.
15 July 2020 @ 10:00 am EDT, Stimson Center, USA The U.S. – Vietnam Relationship and War Legacies: 25 Years into Normalization This event will explore the relationship between the United States and Vietnam, their process on legacy issues during the past 25 years, and expectations for the future relationship of both countries. Registration details are available under [Stimson]. We would greatly appreciate your feedback! Please send any feedback you have regarding this newsletter to: info@cpg-online.de Also, don't forget to Like CPG on Facebook, and browse our website for other updates and news!
|